424 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
October  31,  1895. 
Potatoes  of  more  or  less  distinct  forms  and  characteristics,  such  as 
Solanum  tuberosum  and  Papa  Amarilla.  Following  these  were  shown 
Potatoes  hailing  from  various  parts  of  the  world. 
The  first  was  a  Potato  which  was  found  growing  in  South  Africa,  and 
of  which  tubers  were  sent  to  Messrs.  Sutton.  This  has  been  grown  at 
Reading  for  seven  years,  and  is  distinct  from  all  known  Potatoes  both  in 
tuber,  foliage,  and  flower.  The  foliage  is  exceedingly  dark  in  colour, 
the  stems  very  erect  and  bushy — growing  more  densely  than  any  other 
variety — the  leaves  are  very  round,  in  fact  at  first  sight  unlike  those  of 
the  Potato.  The  tubers  are  mostly  oblong,  with  the  eyes  or  buds  almost 
as  strongly  developed  as  in  the  Fir-apple  varieties,  and  are  in  colour 
white  mottled  with  purple.  It  bears  a  profusion  of  purple  flowers.  Mr. 
Sutton  saw  no  disease  until  1894,  then  it  suffered  badly. 
An  illustration  was  next  given  of  a  Potato  found  growing  apparently 
wild  in  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  is  almost  a  counterpart  of  the  large 
white  Fir-apple  Potato.  Next  came  the  red  and  white  Fir-apple  Pota¬ 
toes  which  have  been  grown  at  Reading  for  many  years,  and  have  never 
shown  any  tendency  to  assume  the  form  or  characteristics  of  the 
ordinary  Potato  of  commerce.  When  showing  a  picture  of  the  black 
Congo  Potato,  Mr.  Sutton  remarked  this  Potato,  like  the  Fir-apple 
varieties,  has  the  buds  or  eyes  very  strongly  developed,^  and  though  the 
flavour  is  excellent  when  cooked  in  the  ordinary  way,  it  is  chiefly  valu¬ 
able  on  account  of  the  colour  of  the  flesh,  which  is  a  dense  purple  or 
almost  black,  rendering  it  useful  for  ornamental  cookery .  Next  followed 
a  Norwegian  Potato,  and  Mr.  Sutton  continued  “  This  is  a  Potato 
grown  rather  extensively  in  Norway,  and  Commander  F.  W.  E.  Crowe, 
who  sent  it  us,  considered  it  extremely  valuable  for  the  supply  of 
so-called  new  Potatoes  throughout  the  year,  as  the  tubers  seldom  are 
larger  than  an  Almond,  and  by  lifting  the  crop  before  it  is  quite  ripe 
the  close  texture  peculiar  to  new  Potatoes  is  retained  indefinitely .” 
Slides  were  then  exhibited  showing  many  various  kinds  of  Solanums, 
and  their  properties  were  explained,  after  which  followed  several 
pictures  of  some  of  the  highest  types  of  seedling  Potatoes  which  have 
been  introduced  by  Messrs.  Sutton,  the  crosses  having  been  made  in  the 
majority  of  cases  by  the  late  Mr.  Clarke,  so  well  known  as  the  raiser  of 
Suttons’  Magnum  Bonum,  and  two  by  Mr.  Robert  Fenn,  one  of  the 
oldest  and  best  authorities  living  on  the  artificial  crossing  of  Potatoes. 
Mr.  Sutton  referred  to  the  uses  of  Bouillie  Bordelaise  as  an  application 
for  preventing  Potato  disease,  and  presented  a  picture  showing  the 
marked  difference  of  two  plots  of  Suttons’  Magnum  Bonum  growing 
side  by  side  during  the  past  season,  one  having  been  sprayed  three 
times,  and  the  other  not  sprayed  at  all.  Reference  was  made  to  some 
interesting  experiments  in  grafting  the  Tomato,  now  known  as  Lyco- 
persicum  esculentum,  but  formerly  called  Solanum  Lycopersicum. 
A  bunch  of  Tomatoes  and  flowers  were  shown,  in  which  was  noticed  the 
great  similarity  between  them  and  Potato  flowers  and  berries.  Mr. 
Sutton  brought  his  able  lecture  to  a  close  by  producing  a  photograph 
from  Gerarde’s  illustrations  of  the  Tomato  plant,  as  known  to  him  in 
1597,  together  with  Gerarde’s  description  of  the  plant,  which  was  very 
curious  by  way  of  comparison  with  the  Tomato  as  it  is  known  to  us. 
At  the  close  of  the  lecture  a  hearty  vote  of  thanks  was  given  to 
Mr.  Sutton  for  the  able  and  interesting  manner  in  which  he  had  dealt 
with  the  subject,  and  an  interesting  discussion  followed. 
CROTONS. 
So  many  splendid  Crotons  have  been  introduced  to  our  gardens  that 
it  has  elevated  the  genus  to  a  wonderfully  high  degree  of  popularity. 
They  are  not  perhaps  grown  so  much  as  they  should  be  by  people  who 
have  only  small  houses  at  their  command,  for  the  majority  of  the  varie¬ 
ties  are  neat  in  growth,  elegant  in  habit,  and  wonderfully  rich  in  colour. 
If,  however,  we  enter  a  house  of  considerable  dimensions  we  generally 
meet  with  good  specimens.  For  decorative  purposes  the  richly  coloured 
variegation  of  the  Croton  forms  a  striking  and  pleasing  contrast  to  the 
other  plants  utilised,  such  as  the  brilliant  bracts  of  the  Poinsettias  and 
the  bright  flowers  of  Euphorbia  jacquiniaeflora. 
Most  of  the  varieties  grow  very  freely,  but  a  considerable  amount  of 
care  is  required  to  develop  the  richest  colouration,  and  a  specimen,  when 
seen  from  a  distance  of  a  few  yards,  ought  to  have  the  appearance  of  a 
fountain  of  burnished  gold.  The  causes  of  green  foliage  may  be  safely 
attributed  to  growing  the  plants  under  too  dense  a  shade,  as  an 
abundance  of  light  is  absolutely  necessary,  and  the  plants  should  not 
be  shaded  except  for  an  hour  or  two  in  the  middle  of  the  day  when 
the  sun  is  exceptionally  powerful.  They  should  also  be  kept  quite 
near  to  the  roof  glass  except  in  severe  frosty  weather.  The  compost  I 
have  found  answer  admirably  is  made  of  equal  parts  of  good  turfy  loam 
and  fibrous  peat,  with  a  liberal  addition  of  silver  sand  and  a  small  quantity 
of  charcoal  and  crocks  broken  very  small.  The  pots  must  be  clean  and 
well  drained,  sprinkling  a  few  crushed  bones  over  the  crocks,  being 
careful  to  avoid  overpotting,  as  it  is  worthy  of  mention  that  well  fur¬ 
nished  specimens  2  feet  high  and  as  much  in  diameter  can  be  grown  in 
6-inch  pots.  In  the  majority  of  cases  repotting  once  a  year  will  be 
quite  sufficient,  and  I  prefer  to  carry  out  this  operation  in  the  month  of 
February,  as  that  allows  them  time  for  roots  to  become  well  established 
in  the  new  soil  before  the  sun  becomes  powerful.  The  temperature  of 
an  ordinary  stove  which  is  kept  at  about  65°  in  winter  and  75°  in  the 
summer  is  all  that  is  required  in  that  respect. 
To  give  a  list  of  the  many  really  good  varieties  now  in  cultivation 
would  occupy  too  much  space,  but  I  may  mention  the  following  twelve 
as  being  desirable  for  growing  in  small  houses— viz  ,  Countess,  Johannis, 
aigburthiensis,  elegantissima.  Princess  Waldeck,  Queen  Victoria,  ruber- 
rimus,  Warreni,  majesticus.  Flambeau,  superbum,  and  Mrs.  Dorman. — 
H.  T.  M. 
TREES  AND  SHRUBS  AT  ALTRINCHAM. 
In  these  days  of  extensive  fruit  planting  one  naturally  expects  to 
find  the  pace  being  kept  up  by  all  firms  of  repute  and  of  enterprise. 
Messrs.  Clibran  have  long  been  famed  for  flower  culture  and  distri¬ 
bution.  They  are  also  extensive  growers  of  trees  and  shrubs.  The  fruit 
trees  are  cultivated  at  Hale.  Healthy  bushes,  many  carrying  handsome 
fruit,  were  to  be  met  by  the  thousand,  and  all  other  fruits  in  various 
kinds  were  admirably  represented,  such  as  trained  trees  of  Cherries,  Plums, 
Apricots,  Peaches,  and  Nectarines.  Only  the  best  varieties,  old  and  new, 
are  grown,  those  known  as  obsolete  or  inferior  being  eliminated.  Lemon 
oil  is  the  great  insecticide  on  which  they  pin  their  faith,  frequent 
syringings  during  the  season  tending  to  keep  the  foliage  in  the  excellent 
condition  in  w'uch  I  found  it.  Before  leaving  the  fruit  I  should  like  to- 
mention  that  Figs  and  Vines  in  pots  were  looking  their  best. 
Of  trees  and  shrubs  there  are  about  30  acres  grown  at  Altrincham, 
and  a  still  larger  area  at  Carrington,  about  three  miles  distant.  The 
great  work  of  planting  which  is  being  done  for  the  Welsh  Land  Com¬ 
missioners  is  certain  to  make  great  inroads  into  their  stock,  but  ample 
provision  has  been  made  for  the  future.  Amongst  the  Coniferas  the 
charming  Picea  pungens  glauca  is,  as  it  deserves,  a  rapidly  growing 
favourite.  In  the  hardy  ornamental  deciduous  department  the  Acers 
were  very  striking  by  their  beautiful  leafage.  Hlsculus  rubicunda 
Brioti  was  pointed  out  as  a  great  improvement  on  the  old  Scarlet 
Chestnut,  and  likely  to  take  high  rank. 
Evergreen  and  deciduous  flowering  shrubs  were  in  excellent  con¬ 
dition.  Csesalpinia  japonica  is  a  most  attractive  flowering  shrub, 
flowers  yellow  with  red  filaments  and  anthers.  The  Snowdrop  Trees  are 
also  worthy  of  more  extended  cultivation,  whilst  the  Weigelas,  especially 
the  newer  sorts,  contain  wonderful  improvements.  Roses  are  extensively 
grown,  and  the  Teas  in  pots  very  strong,  with  not  a  trace  of  mildew  to 
be  seen.  Plants  under  glass  were  in  the  usual  healthy  condition,  but 
only  one  can  be  mentioned,  and  its  worth  cannot  oe  adequately  described 
for  autumn  decoration — Vitis  Coignetim.  Its  magnificent  leaves  are  of 
a  brilliant  scarlet  hue,  and  there  is  certainly  nothing  to  approach  it  for 
bright  colouring.— A  Visitor. 
WKK.foiitheWEEK.. 
FRUIT  FORCING. 
Peaches  and  ITectarlnes. — Earliest  Forced  House.— Th.6  trees- 
have  been  at  rest  some  time,  the  roof  lights  removed,  the  house 
thoroughly  cleansed,  the  trees  untied,  pruned,  dressed  with  an  approved 
advertised  insecticide,  re-arranged  and  tied  on  the  trellis,  the  border 
surface  dressed,  and  all  prepared  for  a  start  when  the  time  arrives. 
Nothing  further  is  required.  If,  however,  the  work  has  not  been  done, 
no  further  delay  should  be  allowed.  Where  the  roof  lights  have  not 
been  removed,  care  must  be  taken  not  to  allow  the  soil  to  become  too 
dry  at  the  roots  of  the  trees,  as  this  is  often  a  cause  of  the  blossom  buds 
failing.  If  the  trees  are  weakly,  or  with  a  great  quantity  of  bloom 
buds,  it  is  not  a  bad  plan,  indeed  we  have  found  it  excellent,  to  remove 
the  buds  on  the  lower  side  of  the  shoots  by  drawing  a  gloved  hand 
reverse  way  of  the  growths,  following  with  a  supply  of  liquid  manure, 
or  giving  a  top-dressing  of  the  advertised  fertilisers  after  properly 
moistening  the  soil  down  to  the  drainage  and  washing-in  moderately. 
This  will  greatly  benefit  the  trees  in  swelling  their  buds  at  the  proper 
time,  and  aid  in  the  development  of  a  strong  blossom. 
In  case  the  border  is  not  satisfactory,  the  surface  soil  should  be  re¬ 
moved  down  to  the  roots,  not  disturbing  them  materially,  yet  not  losing 
the  opportunity  of  bringing  any  that  can  be  nearer  the  surface  or 
laying  them  in  fresh  material,  otherwise  removing  the  soil  from  amongst 
them  and  supplying  fresh  loam,  not  covering  the  upper  crust  more  than 
2  or  3  inches.  If  the  loam  be  light  add  a  fourth  of  dried  and  pounded 
clay  or  clav  marl,  with  about  a  bushel  of  wood  ashes  to  every  cartload 
of  soil,  or  7  lbs.  of  basic  slag  powder,  and  3J  lbs.  of  kainit,  thoroughly 
incorporated,  making  it  firm  and  giving  a  good  watering.  Borders  that 
are  rich  in  humus  through  heavy  dressings  of  manure  will  be  benefited 
by  dressing  with  air-slaked  lime,  dry  and  floury,  1  peck  per  rod  being  a 
suitable  quantity,  mixing  with  the  surface  soil  as  deeply  as  practicable 
without  disturbing  the  roots  to  any  great  extent,  omitting  the  top¬ 
dressing  before  named. 
Lose  no  time  in  completing  the  pruning  and  dressing,  cleansing  the 
house,  and  admitting  air  to  the  fullest  possible  exten'.  The  outside 
border  being  thoroughly  moistened,  it  may  be  covered  with  a  few 
inches  thickness  of  leaves,  with  a  little  litter  on  them  to  prevent  their 
blowing  about.  It  is  [imperative  that  the  soil  of  borders  where  early 
forcing  is  carried  on  be  kept  from  getting  frozen. 
Second  Early  Forced  House. — The  trees  being  leafless  should  be 
pruned  after  untying,  dressed,  and  re-arranged  on  the  trellis.  This,  with 
