198 
November 24, 1900. 
THE gardening world. 
Poison in Potatos —Yes, Potatos contain the 
poisonous alkaline called solanioe. But do not grow 
alarmed. Poison kills poision ; that's why some 
folks have to take arsenic to purify their blood. 
And Potatos only contain enough solanineto do good 
to the system. New Potatos have very little of the 
poisonous principle, but old ones are sometimes sur¬ 
charged, and when so, they are unwholesome. In 
1892 and 1893 certain German troops suffered greatly 
from the effects of Potato poisoning. The symptoms 
were frontal headache, colic, vomiting, weakness and 
slight stupor. Oa investigation of the old Potatos 
kept in a damp place and beginning to sprout, they 
were found to contain twenty-four times as much 
solanine that new Potatos do. 
Pan-American Exposition.—We have received 
from Mr. Mark Bennit full notices of the intended 
Pan-American Exposition which has been arranged 
to last from May 1st till November 1st, 1901, at 
Buffalo, New York, U.S.A. The grounds around 
where the Exposition will be held are already fairly 
well laid out. A large part of Delaware Park is in¬ 
cluded within the area occupied by the various 
buildings and exhibitions. Conservatories and a 
large horticultural building are in course of erection. 
A forestry building and department will also be in¬ 
cluded. The intention of the Exposition is for the 
furthering of trade in general, and the establishing 
of more friendly relations among the states and 
countries of the Western Hemisphere. For further 
special information application should be made to 
Mr. Mark Bennit, Superintendent Press Depart¬ 
ment, Bureau of Publicity, Pan-American Exposi¬ 
tion, Buffalo, New York, U.S.A. 
Utility Poultry Club.. — Laying Competition.— 
The competition began on October 17th and ends 
February 5th. The twenty pens (four pullets in each) 
are under the management of Mr. G. C. Ring, The 
Manor Poultry Farm, Slough. Prizes apd specials 
to the value of £18 are being offered. Below is the 
result of the first month's laying. 
Pen. Breed. Eggs. Pts.Pen. Breed. Eggs. Pts. 
1st month. 1st month. 
1. Faverolles (E.) o 0 n. Ply.Rks.(Ba.) 56 112 
2. Anconas o o 
3. Lanshans (Bl.) o o 
4. Houdans o o 
5. Lines. Buffi 16 30 
6. Leghorns (Br.) o o 
7. Orpingtons (Bl.) o o 
8. Leghorns (Bf.) 28 56 
9. Orpingtons (Bf.) o o 
10 Leghorns (bf.) o o 
12. Leghorns (Br.) o o 
13. Wyandts. (Bf.) o o 
14. Leghorns(Wh-) o o 
15. Wyandts. (Pr.) o o 
16. Legh’ns. (Wh.) 0 0 
17. Wyandts. (S.) o o 
18. Minorcas (Bl.) o o 
19. Wyadts.(Wh ) o o 
20. Minorcas (Bl.) 0 o 
In scoring, two points are given for every egg 
weighing over ij oz. 
The manager reports: That pens Nos. 1, xo, 12, 14, 
and 16 were not hatched early enough. That pens 
Nos. 13, 15, 17, :8, and 20 were apparently hatched 
too early for November laying, they having all gone 
into moult after laying a little before the competition 
began. That the majority of the birds appear to 
have felt the change. That all the pens are in good 
health.—L. W. H. Lamaison, Hon. Assistant Secretary , 
Southwold, Kenley, Surrey. 
Cypripedium chamberlianum.—In the current 
issue of Revue de l'Horticulture Beige et etrangere, the 
above Orchid is figured. Some interesting facts are 
also published. The writer in the Revue thinks this 
one of the most remarkable and beautiful introductions 
of these last years of the century. When Messrs. 
' Sander & Co., of St. Albans, received the first 
consignment from their collector in New Guinea, 
they were somewhat puzzled as to its genus. At 
first view its characters, the large, vigorous leaves 
and its flower stalk, seemed to indicate an Angraecum 
rather than a Cypripedium. When a plant was 
shown at the Royal Horticultural Society's meeting 
of April 12th, 1892, it excited much interest, being so 
distinct both in habit and flower from any other 
Cypripedium. The plant is vigorous, the leaves are 
long, leathery, and persistant. The flower stalks are 
long and carry from twelve to twenty flowers each. 
These succeed each other, and there are instances 
where flowers have followed each other in opening 
on the same raceme, for a period of two years. Each 
flower is accompanied by a very ornamental bract. 
The flowers in general recall the colours of C. 
superbiens and C. Morganiae, and are very attrac¬ 
tive. As with all imported stock, the plants will be 
found to differ among themselves in colour of flowers 
and in habit of growth. The plant was dedicated to 
Mr. Joseph Chamberlain. The plant succeeds in a 
temperate greenhouse. 
A Russian Note.—During the winter months 
Russia, and particularly the district centring around 
Odessa, is badly off for fresh vegetables. Improved 
facilities for transport, however, are enabling the 
growers at Constantinople, Alexandria, &c., to send 
up the needful supply. Lemons, Oranges and similar 
fruits are grown nowhere in the Russian Empire 
except at a small station around Sukhum. Some 
23,670 tons of fresh fruits were imported into Odessa 
in 1899. The Crimea region produced 32,000 tons of 
good Apples and Pears last year. 
Exeter Gardeners’ Association.—At the meeting 
of the above society held at tbe Guildhall, Exeter, 
on Wednesday, the 14th inst., Mr. H. Hemsley, The 
Royal Nurseries, Exeter, read a paper on “ Herba¬ 
ceous and Alpine Plants.” Needless to say,the paper 
was as interesting as it was practical and exhaustive. 
The usefulness of hardy flowers, the various methods 
of exhibiting them, and their means of propagation 
and cultivation were explained. Mr. Hemsley sug¬ 
gested that the society should add a class and offer 
substantial prizes for a collection of hardy flowers to 
occupy 10 ft. or 12 ft. space, at the autumn show. 
This would do far more to encourage a knowledge 
and love for the best hardy flowers, than a class for 
a dozen varieties can ever do. A discussion followed, 
after which Mr. Hemsley was thanked heartily for 
the paper he had prepared. There were a number 
of vases with hardy flowers exhibited. Mr. Andrews 
occupied the chair. 
Russian experiments in Electroculture. — 
According to the Orcadian some Russian scientists 
have been trying interesting experiments in electro¬ 
culture. One of them ascertained that electrified 
seeds germinate more speedily, and gave better and 
quicker results than unelectrified seeds. Also, by 
burying in the soil one copper and one zinc plate 
placed vertically, and connected by a wire, he found 
that Potatos and roots grown in the electrified space 
gave crops three times heavier than those grown 
closely on a test plot. The Carrots attained the 
unusual dimensions of from xo in. to t ft. in diameter. 
The other Russian scientist tried a series of experi¬ 
ments that were more original. He placed wooden 
posts about co yds. apart which were provided at 
their tops with metallic aigrettes connected by wires 
so that the plants were cultivated under a sort of 
network of wire. The ripening of Barley was 
hastened by about twelve days. A series of labora¬ 
tory experiments upon boxes was also made. The 
temperature of the soil was raised by these currents ; 
its moisture decreased at first, but began to increase 
after a course of three weeks, and at last the amount 
of vegetable matter in the soil was increased by 
electric currents. One is apt to look askance, or 
even to sneeringly laugh at such performances ; but 
surely we have seen too many instances where the 
truth that he who laughs last, laughs loudest, has 
been proved. One must be astonished at nothing. 
The Best Manures for Potatos.—In the Scottish 
Potato-growing experiments, the biggest yield was 
obtained with a combination of manures consisting 
of 10 tons farmyard manure, 4 cwt superphosphate, 
2 cwt. sulphate of ammonia, and cwt. sulphate of 
potash. Next to this came the crop of the field 
dressed with 20 tons of farmyard manure, 4 cwt. 
superphosphate, 1 cwt. sulphate of ammonia, and 
1 cwt. sulphate of potash. Third place was occupied 
by the crop which got 10 tons of farmyard manure, 
4 cwt. superphosphate, 1 cwt. sulphate of ammonia, 
and 185 lbs. of muriate of potash. The yield from 
the first named dressing, which cost 49s. gd. per 
acre, was 5 tons 2 cwt. of Potatos dressed over a 
ig-in. riddle, 2 tons 2J cwt. of sound secondary 
Potatos dressed over a i|-in. riddle, and 10 cwt. of 
diseased or refuse Potatos. On the plot which got 
the 20 tons of farm manure, 4 cwt. superphosphates, 
1 cwt. of sulphate of ammonia, and 1 cwt. of sulphate 
of potash at a cost of 33s. 3d. per acre, the weight of 
marketable Potatos dressed over a i|-in. riddle, was 
5 tons 4^ cwt., while of seconds there were i-ton 
i8f cwt., and of refuse, n cwt. The 10 tons of 
farmyard manure by itself gave a crop weighing 
4 tons 3$ cwt. of large tubers, 1 ton nf cwt. of 
small, and 9$ cwt. of refuse, while the plot which got 
20 tons of farmyard manure alone gave 4 tons 15 cwt. 
of large Potatos, 1 ton i8£ cwt. of seconds or small, 
and 12 cwt. of diseased or refuse tubers.— The 
Farmers' Gazette. 
Pests We Have Not.—Under this title a writer 
to the Journal of the Department of Agriculture of 
Western Australia says that in his western colony 
they are absolutely free from sparrows, starlings, 
flying foxes, phylloxera, codlin moth, oyster-shell 
scales, wax-scales, Pear slug and Apple root borers. 
It would seem that this immunity is largely due to 
the careful system of inspection of imported fruits, 
and the disinfection of cases containing fruits. These 
pests levy a heavy tax on the orchards and vine¬ 
yards of the eastern colonies. The absence of these 
pests, coupled with the wonderful suitability of this 
colony to the growth of all kinds of fruit, makes this 
western colony a paradise to the grower. 
NOTES ON VINE GRAFTING. 
I have lately discussed the matter of Vine grafting 
and influence of stocks on Vines with several of the 
best known Grape growers in Scotland, and in each 
case those who have tested the matter thoroughly 
are of opinion that some varieties of Vines should 
not be used for stocks, as such impair flavour, reduce 
the vitality of the Vine, and often render the flesh of 
the Grape tough with an absence of juice. Much has 
been written on this subject during the last thirty 
years or more, and I fear that many of the untoward 
lessons taught have not been carefully heeded. The 
best stock in every respect I have found to be Black 
Hamburgh; the worst has been Gross Guillaume. 
Muscat Hamburgh, and others on the Hamburgh, 
have been much improved ; on Gross Guillaume, 
the reverse has been the case. Muscat Hamburgh on 
Foster’s seedling sets well and keeps as well as the 
latter, but tbe flavour is almost identical with that 
useful white variety. On White Tokay, Gros 
Colman, and Gros Maroc, are larger in berry but not 
improved in flavour, rather on the reverse side. 
Muscat of Alexandria on Tokay is reduced in flavour, 
but the oerries are larger. Gros Colman on Gros 
Guillaume is decidedly inferior in every respect.— 
M. T., Canon. 
-- 
ROSES FROM CUTTINGS. 
The opinions of Rose experts on the subject of 
Roses on their own roots or upon a stock, are as 
directly opposite as opinions could be. I have heard 
a very eminent Rose grower say that own-root 
Roses were never so vigorous nor so lasting as were 
"worked” plants. On the other hand, I have the 
opinion of a successful grower " that if a Rose from 
the cutting does any good at all, it will go on increas¬ 
ing in size and vigour, and produce more and finer 
blooms annually than any worked plant.” It seems 
to me that the difference in vigour, &c., cannot be 
very noticeable when direct contradictions can be 
entertained. Personally I would rather have 
worked Roses. But while there are so many growers 
of Roses (and the band is continually augmenting) 
we will always have Roses propagated in fair 
numbers, from cuttings. 
The system has the advantages of being simple 
and speedy. A stock can soon be raised from 
cuttings Take good pieces from stout wood of the 
current year, at the present time. If a number of 
cuttings are to be struck it is advisable to prepare a 
bed within a pit or frame, and insert the cuttings 
therein. Keep the frames close and slightly shaded 
against bright sunshine, dewing them over just often 
enough to maintain a soft, half-moist atmosphere. 
When a few good roots have been made they should 
be lifted very carefully for potting. After this 
operation, place them at once in a warmer house and 
encourage their growth until nice sized plants have 
developed. 
A very large number of cuttings are placed 
directly in the open borders, outside of any glass 
protection whatsoever. Cuttings with a heel 
attached, that is, with a portion of the old wood at 
the base of the young cutting, are usually selected. 
These are inserted closely in one or more “ nitches " 
cut with a spade in a sheltered and half-shaded bed 
of good loamy soil. The cuttings should be about 
1 ft. in length, the lower end being cut straight across 
at a joint, and a few of the lower leaves removed. 
The cuttings should be inserted to a depth of 8 in., 
the soil being made firm. The surface may be hoed 
occasionally, and in springtime the ground should 
be watered, as then the roots will be in vigorous 
growth. 
