THE GARDENING WORLD 
October 31, 1896, 
134 
raised the lot in pots, planting them out in due 
course. They grew vigorously enough, maintaining 
a procumbent habit and produced their flower buds, 
but imagine my dismay to find each morning the 
ground strewed with fallen undeveloped flowers. I 
might have thought that culture was at fault, but I 
observe others complain of the same thing. 
Of Continental novelties that I tried and was not 
rewarded (or did I expect too much ?) one was 
Nasturtium “ Liliput.” This was figured last 
autumn in a contemporary and described as a dwarf, 
bushy, and very floriferous Nasturtium, and as its 
name implies, Liliputian in character and size. Out 
of a batch I only saw one that gave any promise of 
being anything like the raiser’s description. They 
began to wander and would soon have been all over 
the garden, but I pulled them up and saved the most 
likely stay-at-home one, but that did not nearly 
approach what I looked for, and I have not yet seen 
a Liliputian Nasturtium. 
Another novelty was Pansy, Fiery Faces, 
gorgeously portrayed in the pages of a Continental 
Nurseryman's catalogue, but not one amongst my 
seedlings approach the illustration. Some are white, 
some dark blue, others of various shades of yellow 
and brown, disappointing alike to my employer and 
myself. Novelty No. 4 was Chrysanthemum carina- 
tum " Purple Crown ” and the less I say about it the 
better ; one thing I must say, namely, next year I shall 
let my friends try these kinds of new things for me. 
—Novelty. 
- -- 
MANUFACTURE OF WINE FROM 
RAISINS IN RUSSIA. 
Although in most countries strict laws exist for the 
regulation, preparation, and inspection of food and 
drinks—in the first place, from the standpoint of 
health, and, in the second place, for the purpose of 
collecting revenue—some articles are openly manu¬ 
factured that cannot be accurately watched and 
assessed, and these are sold for something else than 
they actually are. For example, the United States 
Consul-General at St. Petersburg says that com¬ 
plaints have recently been made by the directors of 
the excise departments in different governments in 
Russia that a wine is made of Raisins and sold for 
Hungarian wine and Russian fruit Kvas, which com¬ 
petes with the Russian Grape wine. In governments 
densely populated by Hebrews, as in the kingdom of 
Poland, in the north-western and south-western 
regions, the production of wine from Raisins, which 
is used by the Hebrews for some of their religious 
ceremonies, has greatly increased, its total production 
in Russia being now more than 337,000 gallons a 
year. The average wholesale price is about 2s. 6d., 
and the retail price about 3s. per gallon ; but in some 
of the outside governments this wire sells at very 
high prices, especially in the government of Cherni¬ 
gov, where it retails at 19s., and in the government of 
Vilna at 15s. per gallon. In 32 governments, and in 
the Ter and Ruban regions, and in western Siberia, 
Raisin wine is not made at all. The preparation of 
the wine is very simple. The Raisins are finely 
chopped, put into a vat, and warm water poured on 
them. The strength and quality of the wine depends 
upon the quantity of the water used. Generally, for 
one poud (36 pounds) of Raisins, from 5 to 13 gallons 
of water are used, from which 3J to 5J gallons of 
wine are obtained. The Raisins are left from four to 
five days to ferment, and then the liquid is poured 
through a filter, and the wine is ready. Sometimes 
this wine, which is naturally of a yellowish colour, is 
coloured with burnt sugar or with Black Currants. 
It is very strong, containing about 12 per cent, of 
alcohol. On account of the simplicity of its prepara¬ 
tion, no control is possible, and consequently it gives 
every opportunity for evasion and abuse. Wine is 
also made from berries and fresh and dry fruit; but 
the quantity is insignificant, because it is difficult to 
sell, on account of its high price. According to 
official returns, the total yearly production of wine in 
Russia is estimated to exceed 26,000,000 roubles in 
value. The Ministry of Finance, being desirous of 
protecting the public and the excise against fraud 
from Raisin wine, has just issued the following regu¬ 
lations concerning it:—The factories where wine from 
Raisins is made shall pay, according to the location,a 
tax as high as the wine sellers have to pay. The 
strength of the wine shall not exceed 12 degrees of 
alcohol. The wine is to be put upon the market in 
glass bottles only, which must bear labels of certain 
colour, prescribed by the Ministry of Finance, with 
the inscription " raisin wine ” on them. It is strictly 
forbidden to print on such labels the name of any 
other wine. Violation of these regulations will be 
punished by heavy fines.— Journal Society of Arts. 
(filiMniims fun it tlje JDnrlti 
of Science. 
Hydrocyanic Acid in Plants.— In the Annales du 
Jardin Botanique de Buitenzorg (vol xiii., pt. i., 1895) 
appears a most interesting and important paper by 
Dr. Treub, entitled " Sur la localisation, le transport, 
et le role de l’acide cyanhydrique dans le Pangium 
edule, Reinw." 
This paper seems to throw some light on the steps 
in the formation of proteid by combination of the 
substances formed by assimilation in the leaves with 
substances absorbed by the roots. In PaDgium edule 
large quantities of hydrocyanic acid (HCN) occur, 
either free or in an unstable combination. The sub¬ 
stance obviously is of great importance in the 
metabolism of the plant, and its occurrence and 
behaviour have been studied in detail by Dr. Treub. 
In the stem and roots it occurs chiefly in the phloem, 
while in the leaf it occurs in most of the parenchyma 
cells, but also in certain specialised cells of the 
epidermis. To these last Dr. Treub assigns the 
formation of the acid. By various experiments he 
showed conclusively that it is transported through 
the phloem. For its appearance in the leaves he 
found certain conditions necessary. He could not 
prove that the presence of carbo-hydrates was 
required, but in the absence of light and carbon 
dioxide the acid rapidly disappeared from the leaf- 
It would appear, then, that the carbon and hydrogen 
of hydrocyanic acid comes from assimilated carbo¬ 
hydrate, while the nitrogen must be obtained from 
material absorbed by the roots. 
In accordance with this supposition, Dr. Treub 
found that interference with the supply of water 
tended to prevent the appearance of hydrocyanic 
acid in the leaf; thus, if the vascular bundles of 
certain lobes only of a leaf be cut, these lobes continue 
to grow, but much less of the acid appears in them 
than in the uninjured lobes. The connection between 
water-supply and the presence of hydrocyanic acid is 
also borne out by another very interesting observa¬ 
tion ; it was found that the lowest leaf on the plant 
was entirely or almost entirely free from hydrocyanic 
acid ; but, on removal of all the upper leaves of the 
plant, hydrocyanic acid soon appeared in the lowest 
leaf, the reason being, as Dr. Treub believes, that 
this leaf has now the whole water-supply to draw 
upon, and so is no longer starved for want of nitrogen 
salts. 
From a study of the conditions for the appearance 
of hydrocyanic acid in the leaves, Dr. Treub con¬ 
cludes that in Pangium edule, at least, “ hydrocyanic 
acid is the first recognisable product of nitrogen 
assimilation;" He believes that the carbo-hydrate 
formed in ordinary assimilation is combined with 
nitric acid (set free by the vegetable acids from the 
nitrates absorbed by the soil) to form hydrocyanic 
acid, and that this, by further anabolic change, is 
converted into proteid. 
These new and suggestive observations will no 
doubt lead to further work from which certain con¬ 
clusions may come. As yet Dr. Treub cannot be 
said to have given direct evidence that carbo-hydrates 
and nitrogen salts are necessary for the formation of 
hydrocyanic acid; nor for his important inference 
that the acid is the first recognisable product of the 
assimilation of nitrogen. Hydrocyanic acid might 
equally, so far as we know, be a product of the 
decomposition of some more complex organic body.— 
Natural Science. 
-<*-- 
LIVERPOOL CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
Now that we are almost within the sound of the fray 
of the ’mums, a repetition of a hasty glance may 
prove interesting. There is not much to record as 
new introductions or change in the exhibitions or 
exhibitors. The shows in the neighbourhood are 
all in evidence ; Liverpool still holds its own as the 
most important, and this year provides a twenty 
guinea Challenge Vase through the special effort of 
the committee, to this is added a first prize of ten 
guineas, which should be sufficient to attract outside 
growers. Of exhibitors the most important change 
is the retirement of Mr. J. Jellicoe, of Camp Hill, who 
from his numerous successes may be accorded the fore¬ 
most position of fame amongst the many meritorious 
Liverpool growers. Although his exhibits will not 
appear on the exhibition table his collection is a 
large and varied one, grown under new conditions, 
which with the results may be given later on. The 
dates of the shows vary from the nth to the 17th of 
November, being a little earlier than usual. 
Botanic Gardens. 
Here we have the largest collection grown in the 
district, consisting of about 2,000 plants for large 
blooms, and 1,700 bush plants. There are three 
houses set apart for their reception, and as the plants 
open their flowers naturally the season will extend 
over several weeks, and will undoubtedly induce 
many thousands of visitors; the earliest plants are 
staged in straight sloping banks, the colours and 
sections being freely intermixed. Many of the new 
varieties are included, Les Enfants des Moss, 
Ryecroft Glory, and Bride of Maidenhead, being 
especially noticeable. The bush plants by the great 
and charming variety will prove highly interesting, 
the collection and arrangement being creditable to 
Mr. J. Devanney, the grower. 
New Heys, Allerton. 
Here we have a good lot of plants fairly strong, with 
large dark leathery foliage, surmounted with clean 
strong buds that must finish many good flowers. 
The plants are arranged in the conservatory,.where 
they can be well overlooked from the balcony. 
Brockley Gem, Owen’s Crimson, Lucy Kendal, 
M. A. Haggis, are very fine amongst the " incurves," 
the " Japs " beiDg well represented by Philadelphia, 
Boule ^d’Or (Calvat’s), Mons. Chenon de Leche, 
Mrs. W. H. Lees, Le Moucherotte (fine), Eva 
Knowles, eic. In addition to the exhibition kinds, 
Mr. J. McColl has a nice lot of June struck plants, 
carrying one bud on each plant, which must give 
useful results. 
OSWALDCROFT, WAVERTREE. 
Mr. J. Haynes, who only grows a moderate collection, 
has many promising buds, well timed. The finest of 
the "incurves" are J. Agate, C. H. Curtis, Major 
Bonaffon, Madame Darrier, W. Tunnington, the 
Queen and Princess family, etc. " Japs ’’ are repre¬ 
sented by Duchess of York, Pallanza, E. G. Hill, 
Thos. Wilkin, Mons G. Biron, H. L. Sunderbruch, 
Mutual Friend, C. E. Shea, etc. Some half dozen 
pots of Cypripedium spicerianum were in fine form, 
many twin-flowered spikes being produced. 
Doe Park, Woolton. 
Here we have a goodly number of the new varieties, 
many of the grafted plants showing the advantages 
gained from that process. Something out of the 
usual course of events may always be gathered from 
a visit to Mr. T. Carling. Dorothy Gibson, reflexed, 
and Hairy Wonder promise well. The chief of the 
incurved are C. H. Curtis, Major Bonaffon, Owen's 
Crimson, Jno. Fulford, Globe d’Or, &c- Lady Ridg- 
way, Richard Dean (fine colour), Eva Knowles, Miss 
Rita Schroter, International, M. A. de Galbert, 
Lady Byron, G. W. Childs (broad petals), Amiral 
Avellan, Edith Tabor, &c., are fine samples of the 
Japanese type. Plants in 6 in. pots are numerous 
and good. 
Gotsey Cop, Gateacre. 
Mr. W. Wilson has promising buds. Some varieties 
have proved difficult to secure the buds at the desired 
time, and which will result in some kinds being some¬ 
what late. A good sprinkling of the newer 
varieties are included, many carrying fine promising 
buds. Trained plants are good, although the foliage 
is slightly undersized. Grapes were looking well, the 
bunches being good with fine berries. 
Childwall Hall. 
Although not grown with the idea of exhibiting, Mr. 
D. Heaney has a grand lot of plants, chiefly Japanese, 
strong and above the average height, with clean 
large buds that must give satisfactory results. The 
selection includes the well tried and many new 
varieties. 
Cleveley, Allerton. 
No better place can be found than in the long 
corridor in which to show off the charms of the 
'mum than here. Interspersed with Palms, 
Ferns, Salvias, &c., the flowers show to advantage. 
Rose Wynne (immense size), Maud Pearson, Col. 
Chase, Violetta, W. Seward (splendid colour), 
Oceana, Mons, C. Molin, are in fine form. The in¬ 
curved sorts are generally good, including the Queen 
