April 15, 1899. 
THK GARDENING WORLD. 
52*5 
Firstly when the cut flowers betray signs of weak¬ 
ness caused by carriage or age they are dipped in 
bunches into a weak solution of sal ammoniac. To 
flowers this is the water of life which restores all 
their lost freshness. Then they are sprinkled with 
an alcoholic solution of some essential oil or artifical 
perfume as copiously as desired. Sometimes a young 
giddy-headed florist has made a mistake in bottles 
and perfumed Lilac with Violet, Violet with Rose. 
The result obtained was so novel that such flowers 
became fashionable; but it is just possible that the 
fashion will not last long. 
At least let us content ourselves with imparting 
greater strength to the delicate fragrance which, in 
her wisdom, Nature has given to the flower. With 
this object the flowers are placed in a wooden box, the 
said box being chilled inside by the aid of ice. A pipe 
perforated with holes runs into the bottom of the 
box and through these orifices there flows a current of 
gaseous carbonic acid, inert, but laden with the per¬ 
fume to be imparted to the flowers, which have 
previously been slightly humected with glycerine. 
According to the duration of the operation flowers 
are obtained which have a greater or less degree of 
fragrance. There are instruments of a more or less 
scientific character for measuring the fragrance, but 
as a rule the operator relies on mere sense of smell. 
Some persons with refined ideas as regards perfume 
protest against the mixture of natural and artificial 
perfumes; Violet-scented Roses and Rose-scented 
Lilacs, have suscitated disputes. Never mind ! The 
chemist begins by depriving such flowers of their 
natural odour,for which purpose he dips them into a 
solution of bromine and water, which possesses the 
valuable property of deodorising them. 
On leaving this bath the flowers are quite neutral 
and their petals can be perfumed artificially. Let 
us remark that artificial flowers are also scented 
but natural flowers have nothing to fear from such 
clever imitations, which can never equal the charms 
of Nature in her most humble works. Is not one of 
the fascinations of the natural bouquet, that of 
disappearing and leaving after it, in all its brightness, 
perfume and prestige, the only thing which nothing 
can lessen, injure or destroy in this world—Remem¬ 
brance.— La Vie Scientifique, March 25. 
- I - — 
ARDEN1NG jfiSCELLANY. 
CLEMATISES IN SMALL POTS. 
The quality of the Clematis as a pillar, wall, and 
trellis plant is well known, but its great suitability 
for pot work is comparatively unknown. Mr. H. B. 
May, of Edmonton, believes in Clematises as pot 
plants, however, and on several occasions we have 
chronicled exhibits of them grown in this way that 
he has made. At the Drill Hall meeting of March 14th 
there was another very pretty group of them in 5-in. 
pots and well grown and well flowered plants they 
were. The blooms were not so large as we are accus¬ 
tomed to see on larger and older specimens planted out 
butconsidering the limited root-run and the size of the 
plants themselves the proportions of the flowers were 
quite remarkable. Of the varieties shown Lord 
Londesborough, purple-blue ; Lady Londesborough, 
mauve; Sir Garnet Wolseley, purple; and Miss 
Bateman, white, made a very charming quartette. 
As a pot plant these varieties are both elegant and 
effective, and as they are quite distinct in general 
appearance and habit from anything else that turns 
in at this time of the year, and as, moreover, they 
can be grown with the minimum of trouble, the gar¬ 
dener who has to do a lot of decorative work, would 
do well not to lose sight of them. 
AZALEA X ANTHONY KOSTEP.. 
The hybridist has quite recently called into 
existence a race of hybrid Azaleas by crossing those 
prolific species, A. sinensis and A. mollis. Of the 
progeny that has resulted several forms have been 
given distinct names, and of these so honoured de¬ 
cidedly the best is Anthony Roster. The flowers 
are large, substantial, and rich golden-yellow in hue. 
The plant, which in habit and time of flowering 
approaches most closely to A. mollis, is very free- 
flowering, and much bushier in habit than the 
ordinary forms of that species in cultivation. For 
forcing purposes this hybrid is first-rate, for not only 
does it force with the freedom of A. mollis, but it 
holds its blooms for a much longer period, being 
more like the best varieties of A. sinensis in that 
respect. 
APPLE JELLY. 
The Farmer’s Gazette for March 18th gives a recipe 
for the making of that delicious conserve, Apple 
jelly. The Apples should be cut into quarters, and 
put without paring or coring into the preserving pan, 
just enough water being added to keep them from 
burning. The contents of the pan must be boiled 
slowly until the Apples are tender and breaking in 
pieces, when the 3uice should be strained through a 
hair sieve, measured, and returned to the preserv¬ 
ing pan. For every pint of the juice add a pound of 
"Glebe” sugar, and boil the whole until a small 
portion dropped on a plate will jelly, when the cook¬ 
ing is sufficient. Skim, and pour the juice into glass 
jars and cover it as usual. 
GREEN CORN IN WINTER. 
American Gardening, for March 4th, publishes an in¬ 
teresting article on the growth of Maize under glass. 
This crop has been tried now for two seasons, and 
on the whole the results are highly satisfactory. It 
is claimed that the crop is very free from insect and 
fungoid pests, although rats and mice are occasionally 
troublesome. Cucumber and Lettuce houses are 
utilised. The seed is soaked before sowing, any 
porous alluvial soil accommodating the plant. The 
rows of plants are 18 in. apart, 9 in. being allowed 
from plant to plant. A height varying from 3$ ft. 
to 8 ft. is attained in a minimum temperature of from 
6o° to 70° Fahr. Care must be observed to keep 
down any suckers, and to allow the atmosphere to 
be dry at the time of flowering. Generous feeding 
is necessary. The “cobs” are mature in from 
eighty to eighty-three days from the time of sowing. 
One cob per plant is the average production, and 
50 to 60 cents per dozen is obtained. Really more 
is obtained, as “catch ” crops of Radish or Lettuce 
are sown between the rows of Maize.—" Colchester ." 
ADIANTUM SCUTUM. 
In their mature state the fronds of Adiantum 
scutum, as it known in gardens, A. Ghiesbreghtii, as 
it is called by the up-to-date botanist, are very use¬ 
ful for cutting, as they not only are very ornamental, 
but, being of good substance, stand well. The 
young fronds, however, are even more handsome, for 
in their early stages they are of a lovely bronze-red 
colour that contrasts beautifully with the surround¬ 
ing green. This bronzy-red hue is maintained, more¬ 
over, until the pinnae have nearly reached their full 
size, when it commences to disappear, and by the 
time maturity is reached has gone altogether, the 
normal deep green being assumed. The tinting of 
the young fronds is an additional reason for growing 
this handsome Fern, which is referred to A. tenerum 
as a variety of that species. 
--»«•- 
SOCIETIES. 
ROYAL CALEDONIAN HORTICULTURAL.— 
April 5th and 6th. 
Now that this show is over for another year, and 
plants and decorative subjects have been taken back 
to quarters more congenial for them, we cannot but 
be surprised when we reflect on the great wealth of 
beauty which last week was gathered into the 
Waverley Market, beauty of the purest and sweetest 
form, because of natural flowers. Even in April we 
are little more than through the “ black season,” and 
to have an area of nearly an acre crowded with the 
richest of spring plants and flowers among which to 
wander, and this at a time when the elements were 
raging boisterously without the walls of our market, 
lifts our hearts to hope for gladder times, and affords 
us food for much and varied reflection. We are ex¬ 
ceedingly pleased to know that the show, summing 
up everything, was satisfactory. Everybody— 
council, secretary, and assistant secretary, 
exhibitors, judges, and well, just everybody con¬ 
nected with the gathering and displaying of the 
floral gems and the working of the show, did their 
very best. Below follows a supplement to the tele¬ 
graphic report we gave last week. 
The Luncheon. 
In the afternoon of the first day of the show thirty of 
the members of the society assembled at luncheon in 
the Royal British Hotel. The table was beautified 
by glasses of Daffodils, and the repast was very com¬ 
plete. After partaking, toasts were proposed. Mr. 
Milne, of James Dicksons & Sons, occupied the 
chair, and ventured the first three toasts : " Her 
Majesty the Queen," then “The Prince and 
Princess of Wales," and lastly, " The Army, Navy, 
and Reserve Forces," suitably introducing each 
toast by a few remarks. He coupled Mr. Robert 
Laird’s name with the last toast. Mr. R. Laird 
replied in a sentence. 
Mr. Thomas Methven proposed, “The Lord 
Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council of Edin¬ 
burgh," acknowledging the kindness and aid given by 
the municipal fathers to the Royal Caledonian 
Horticultural Society. He coupled to it Bailie 
Mackenzie's name. 
Responding, the Bailie touched on some of the 
greater municipal undertakings, showing how eager 
the councillors were to conclude their works success¬ 
fully. He censured the opinions of the too ardent 
socialists who carped for universal reforms, his con¬ 
viction being that by conceding too many social 
benefits, a danger lay in sapping the people’s 
independence. 
Judge Gallane next proposed “The Royal Cale¬ 
donian Horticultural Society.” He had been told 
by the secretary that it was a very old society, but 
from the signs that day in the market, and from his 
view along the luncheon tables, he thought the 
society showed no appearance of old age. During 
its ninety years it had flourished, and when it 
reached its centenary and bi-centenary he hoped to 
see it still vigorous and forging ahead, Mr. Dunn 
as croupier, was included in the toast. He said, the 
society had had its charter put right during the past 
year, and the council had in different ways put their 
house more in order, and now looked forward to the 
time when the Royal Caledonian would be to Scot¬ 
land what the R.H.S. was to England. 
Mr. James Grieve, of Reijbraes, proposed the 
health of “ The Judges." Mr. Hogg, of Woodside, 
replied. 
The Chairman proposed “The Secretary,” 
remarking on the great aptitude of Mr. Murray - 
Thomson, and acknowleding his hard work for the 
society, to which Mr. Thomson answered that his 
work was a labour of love. 
Mr. Dunn proposed “ The Chairman," and Mr. 
Milne “ The Croupiers," after which the gathering 
dispersed. 
Awards. 
Awards of the highest class were given to John 
Downie, 144, Princes Street, Edinburgh; R. B. 
Laird & Son, Ltd , Pinkhill Nurseries, Murrayfield ; 
and Thos. Methven & Sons,Princes Street,Edinburgh, 
for the large “ Tables of Plants " exhibited by them. 
A Silver Gilt Medal has been awarded to Cunning¬ 
ham, Fraser & Co., Comely Bank Nursery, Edin¬ 
burgh, for their highly interesting and most effective 
group of Hollies, hardy Rhododendrons, Magnolias, 
Azaleas, &c. This exhibit is very bright in colour, 
and such a group of hardy stuff has not been seen 
in the R.C.H. 3 . show for a considerable time. 
A Silver Medal was awarded to Barr & Sons, 
King Street, Covent Garden, London, for their stage 
of Daffodils. Special awards were also given to 
Alexander E. Campbell, Cove Gardens, Gourock, for 
exhibition table of Hyacinths and Tulips ; and to 
Dicksons & Co., Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, for a 
table of plants; and to Messrs. Gordon & Sons for 
a group of alpine plants. 
An exhibit of seedling and greenhouse Rhododen¬ 
drons from Mr. McMillan, Trinity Cottage, was 
Highly Commended. The exhibit included a Rhodo¬ 
dendron of new character. A first glance at the 
plant as it stood in flower recalled to mind a nice 
Lilium Harrisii. The petals are flowing and rounded 
in form, smooth and united to form a rather long 
tube or funnel-shaped perianth. The colour is pure 
white with the faintest of cream back in the throat. 
It is very handsome and deliciously sweet scented. 
A greenhouse Rhododendron, Pride of Trinity 
Grove, came from Mr. McKenzie, Trinity Grove, 
Highly Commended. The blooms are of extra size, 
very pure and strong. 
First class Certificates were awarded to Messrs. 
Gordon & Sons for exhibit of Primula cashmeriana 
alba; to Mr. George McKinley, Wrest Park, 
