November 25, 1899. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
197 
Mr. Robert Greenlaw, of Messrs. Dickson & Sons, 
Hanover Street, Edinburgh, and formerly general 
foreman at Scone Palace, has been appointed gar¬ 
dener to Henry J. Younger, Esq., D.L., at Benmore, 
Kilmun, Argyleshire. 
The Sensitive Plant.—At a meeting of the Linnean 
Society of London, on November 2nd, Prof. Stewart, 
F.R.S., F.L.S., exhibited and made remarks on a 
preparation of the leaves of Mimosa pudica, showing 
the diurnal and nocturnal positions, He also 
exhibited the embryo and egg-cases of Cestracion 
Philippi. 
Cooperation amongst Microbes.—Nitrosomonas, 
the microbe which changes Ammonia into nitrous 
acid, and Nitrobacter, which changes nitrous to 
nitric acid, are unable to break down any substance 
containing organic nitrogen, either when sown 
together or separately. If, however, Bacillus 
ramosus, which is capable of attacking organic 
matter, is added to the above, then all the three 
changes take place, that is, nitrification is carried on 
till the contained nitrogen is converted into nitric 
acid. 
Bristol and District Gardeners’ Mutual Improve¬ 
ment Association.—The fortnightly meeting of this 
society was held at St. John's Parish Room, 
Redland, on Thursday last, Mr. C. Lock presiding 
over a moderate attendance. The subject for the 
evening was “The Management of Bees,” a paper 
being read by Mr. Kitley, of Redland. With the aid 
of a modern bar-frame hive and appliances, he made 
the subject very interesting and showed how bees 
could be made not only profitable, but of much 
help to those interested in horticulture. He advised 
those of his audience who contemplated keeping 
bees, to get at least an elementary knowledge of the 
subject before commencing, and gave many useful 
hints on manipulating, and the general management 
of bees. Mr. Kitley was cordially thanked for his 
lecture. Prizes for three heads of Cauliflower were 
awarded, 1st, Mr. Taylor; 2nd, Mr. McCullock; 
and a Certificate of Merit to Mr. W. Marsh for 12 
Apples, Cox’s Orange Pippin. 
The Eye-spot of Euglena viridis.—At the meeting 
of the Linnean Society on the 2nd Nov. Mr. Harold 
Wager, F.L.S., read a paper on the eye-spot and 
flagellum in Euglena viridis. He showed that the 
principal vacuole at the anterior end of a Euglena- 
cell is in communication with the •' gullet.” The 
eye-spot, which consists of a mass of pigment 
granules, is curved around the gullet in the region of 
the vacuole. The flagellum expands just beneath 
the eye-spot into an oval or nearly spherical enlarge¬ 
ment, and below it is attached to one side of the 
principal vacuole by means of two basal filaments. 
The enlargement beneath the eye-spot is probably 
functional in controlling the movements of the flag¬ 
ellum, and may be stimulated by the light absorbed 
by the Aye-spot. A discussion followed, in which 
Prof. Howes and Dr. D. H. Scott took part. Euglena 
viridis is an object of great beauty under the micros¬ 
cope, but in a state of nature it is often responsible 
for the green slime upon stagnant pools of water. 
Proliferous Awn of Barley.— Rev. G. Henslow, 
F.L.S., read a paper on the proliferous state of the 
awn of Nepal Barley, at the meeting of the Linnean 
Society of London, on Nov. 2nd. After describing 
the two varieties Hordeum coeleste, vars. Aegiceras 
and trifurcatum, he showed that the inverted flower 
buds (which constitute the peculiarity of the mons¬ 
trosity) were different in two varieties. In H. 
Aegiceras it commenced at a bend in the flattened 
awn, with an axial protuberance arising from the 
middle point; in H. trifurcatum the hastate form 
began with two protuberances, one on each side. In 
Prof. J. S. Henslow’s figures (Hooker’s Kew Journ. 
Bot.i. 1849,pp. 33-40, pis, 2-3) the arrested awn widens, 
the edges folding over until it forms a " cucullus,’’ 
while the lateral processes of various shapes grow 
out at the base (really inverted summits) into what 
he termed " wings.” His material, however, was 
not sufficient to enable him to interpret either the 
cucullus or the wings. The Rev. G. Henslow’s 
specimens showed that the former often assume the 
form of two glumes more or less coherent by their 
edges, while the wings became their awns. Dr. O. 
Stapf, in criticising the paper, entered very fully into 
the structure and development of different species of 
the genus Hordeum. 
A Monster Apple.—Messrs. S. McGredy and 
Sons, at Portadown, have on view, in their show 
rooms, one of the largest Apples which anyone ever 
need wish to see. It was grown by T. Dawson, 
Esq., J. P., Corncairn, Portadown, the variety being 
Peasgood's Nonsuch. It is 13 in. in circumference, 
and weighs 21J oz. This is not uncommon, yet it is 
worthy of note. 
The London Fruit Traders.—A successful meeting of 
tradesmen and workers connected in one way or 
another with the fruit trade in London met at the 
Floral Hall, Covent Garden, on Wednesday, 
November 9th, for the purpose of doing what they 
could toward the Mansion House Fund for the bene¬ 
fit of widowed soldiers’ wives and their children. 
£1,000 was soon subscribed, and resolutions passed 
to put an organisation on foot for a greater amount. 
Young lads with boxes were to be seen on Lord 
Mayor's Day collecting on the streets for the Fruit 
and Flower Trade’s War Fund. Why cannot the 
trade do something equally great for the Gardeners' 
Widows and Orphans ? 
SALVIAS. 
In private places where the gardener has a large 
show hpuse or conservatory to keep gay at this time 
of year, varieties of the above come in most useful 
just now, and help to brighten many a centre bed 
or corner which would otherwise contain foliage 
plants, probably, unless the ’Mums are made to do 
duty in such structure. Even then Salvias are 
always welcome, as they add a bit of colouring which 
the Chrysanthemums lack, though a good many con¬ 
demn them on account of their blcom so soon falling; 
but this argument does not prevent me from growing 
a good number. Only a fortnight or so ago I found 
a batch most helpful in putting up a miscellaneous 
group of flowering and foliage plants. In spite of 
having had to convey them seven miles by road, they 
were still very presentable after their return journey. 
Cuttings should be taken in March or April, and 
given a slight bottom heat (especially S. Pitcheri) 
when they soon emit roots. Care must be taken that 
they do not damp, and to pot them up before they 
have a chance to get spindly, placing them in a 
vinery or Peach-house just to give them a start. 
After ten days’ time they can be moved into a cold 
frame, but not subjected to cold draughts. The 
little plants should have their points removed as soon 
as rooted. I generally do this before potting them 
off, and this operation must be constantly renewed so 
as to get good bushy plants, repotting when neces¬ 
sary and standing them in the open towards the 
middle of May, but a bit later further north Their 
final shift should be into pots varying in size from 
7 in. up to 12 in., according to variety and strength of 
plant. I formerly used to plant mine out early in 
June and pot them up in September, but dis¬ 
carded that practice some four years since, not hav¬ 
ing a suitable house or pit to receive them at that 
date. I found that the plants suffered rather badly, 
sometimes, especially should rough winds and rain 
set in. 
The earliest to flower with me is a pink one, S. 
Bethelli, opening its flowers towards the middle or 
end of September; so this variety should not be 
pinched so late as other sorts I shall name. During 
the summer months and until they are housed the 
plants should have plenty of space given them, and 
be syringed each evening when not wet, well work¬ 
ing it up underneath. S. splendens and S. Bethelli are 
two varieties that appear to fall an easy prey to red 
spider. The plants should be staked and tied when 
about 18 in. high, as most of the varieties are very 
brittle and easily get ruined, if at all neglected in 
this respect. When the pots are filled with roots, 
manure water, not too strong, may with advantage 
be given them two or three times a week ; and an 
occasional dose when in full bloom does them do 
harm. We usually are guided by the weather as to 
getting them under cover, sometimes the third week 
in September; while this year it was October 10th, 
before we saw danger ahead. 
S. Bethelli, I mentioned just now, is a fairly 
strong grower, and should be given 10 in. pots. S. 
splendens floribunda is a very vivid scarlet and 
decidedly an improvement on the old kind, though 
not such a strong grower, but the spikes are much 
more compact, and as far as my experience goes, it 
holds on its flowers better than the type ; 8-in. pots 
are quite large enough for this variety, and it comes 
fairly true from seed. S. Pitcheri is a beautiful 
pale blue and has been much admired here. It was 
in flower on October 20th, and is still showy the 
third week in November. This does well in 6 in. or 
8-in. pots and can be divided similar to S. patens, 
another lovely blue that does well outside during the 
summer. S. Pitcheri, hardy here, but only now 
comiDg into bloom, is rather too late to be of much 
service. S. rutilans (Pineapple-scented foliage) is 
just now opening its flowers and is of a pinkish-red, 
rather small but very effective. This is a robust 
grower, so we afford them 12-in. pots. This does not 
require so much stopping as S. splendens. The 
latter variety will persist in showing flower at almost 
every joint, so would be in full flower in the month 
of August if not well looked after in the way of 
pinching. This and S. Bethelli do well outdoors, 
flowering abundantly during September and October, 
if not cut down by frost. I generally keep S. 
splendens and S. rutilans until the spring when they 
again become one mass of flower and mingle well 
with Marguerites. The only drawback with them i 
their losing so much foliage. 
Those enumerated are the only kinds I grow now, 
but had S. Heeri at one time as well as S. gesnerae- 
flora, a bright scarlet and flowering in spring. The 
latter I must get again. Some twelve or fifteen 
years ago a new kind was brought to the front, called 
S. splendens Bruanti, and as far as my eye can carry 
me I see little or no difference to the variety just 
named, S. splendens grandiflora. What say other 
Salvia growers ?— J. Mayne, Bicton. 
-—- 
DANESFIELD, GREAT MARLOW. 
About the middle of last month we had a turn through 
the gardens of R. W. Hudson, Esq., Danesfield, Great 
Marlow, Bucks., where we found an excellent supply 
of vegetables, notwithstanding, the extreme drought 
of the past season, and the fact that the gardens are 
situated on the top of a chalk ridge. The advent of 
rain during the autumn no doubt helped the outdoor 
garden immensely, coupled with the excellent tilth 
to which the garden had been subjected. 
In a sheltered situation we came upon a vigorous 
and healthy sowing of the Autocrat Pea, then in 
flower and setting its pods, some of which were 
well advanced. Spinach was good, no sign of 
disease being evident, although this crop has been 
causing a deal of disappointment in past years. 
Precautions had, however, been taken in making a 
sowing of Spinach Beet as a substitute for winter 
Spinach, and that also was iD good heart. Sutton's 
Prizetaker and Musselburgh Leeks were strong and 
distinct, the latter being characterised by a deeper 
glaucous hue. The Lyon Leek is a favourite with 
Mr. Gibson, the energetic gardener. Late Turnips 
were just heading up, and will be good for winter 
use. 
There were several plantations of Celery for early 
and late work. Sutton's Ai with dark green foliage 
and red stalks was even and true. Standard Bearer 
was also in the early plantation. A later plantation 
was just being finally earthed up, and the quality 
left nothing to be desired. Good cultural attention 
is given to Celery, as was proved at the Royal 
Aquarium the other week, where the Danesfield ex¬ 
hibit took the first prize in keen competition. 
Root crops were in splendid form, including long 
and shapely samples of Intermediate Carrot and 
the Student Parsnip. The same may be said of 
Tender and True Parsnip, which is distinguishable 
from the former by bemg much whiter in colour, even 
externally. 
Stanstead Park Cabbage Lettuce is reckoned a 
good variety for winter use. Onions had ripened up 
well, the bulbs of Ailsa Craig being large, firm and 
likely to keep well. 
In the nursery ground, low down in the valley, a 
large area had been devoted to winter greens of 
various kinds, including Cauliflowers, Savoys, and 
Brussels Sprouts. Amongst the latter was an un¬ 
named sort of great promise, one of Messrs. Sutton 
& Sons’ seedlings. Six long lines of it were per¬ 
fectly true to character, being light green, and 2 ft. 
high throughout. Other varieties on either side 
were taller and more unequal in height. The 
sprouts on the seedling in question were filling up 
and making dense pyramids, so that by this time 
they must present a handsome appearance from a 
gardener’s point of view. Every line could be 
