April  14,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
325 
-  Beckekham  Horticultural  Society.— The  members  of 
the  Beckenham  Horticultural  Society  have  during  the  last  three  weeks 
been  enjoying  a  course  of  lectures  on  “  Insects  Injurious  to  Garden 
Crops,”  given  by  Mr.  P.  Hed worth  Foulkes,  B.Sc.,  I^ecturer  on  Agri¬ 
cultural  Entomology  at  the  University  Extension  College,  Reading.  Mr. 
Foulkes  treated  upon  the  various  forms  of  insect  pests  and  their  differing 
modes  of  attacking  the  plants,  and  the  most  appr ‘  ved  methods  both  of 
prevention  and  cure.  The  lectures  were  rendered  more  interesting  by  the 
limelight  pictures  with  which  they  were  illustrated.  At  the  last  meeting 
an  extraordinary  cluster  of  fine  Mushrooms  was  exhibited  by  Mr.  Mark 
Webster,  gardener  to  Mr.  E.  G.  Preston  of  Kelsey  Park. 
-  Rhodanthes  in  Pots. — Rhodanthes  are  amongst  the  prettiest 
of  everlasting  flowers,  and  when  grown  in  pots  they  make  charming 
decorative  plants.  Seeds  may  be  sown  now  in  pans  or  bo.xes,  and  when 
the  seedlings  are  large  enough  for  removal  they  should  be  pricked  of?  in 
5-inch  pots,  placing  about  half  a  dozen  in  each.  If  grown  close  to  the 
glass  in  a  cool  greenhouse  they  will  be  sturdy  in  habit,  and  when  their 
graceful  flowers  open  the  plants  are  useful  for  conservatory  and  room 
decoration.  If  cut  when  ripened  and  hung  up  in  bunches  they  will  be 
suitable  for  decorative  purposes  in  the  winter,  when  flowers  are  scarce. 
The  seeds  of  Rhodanthes  are  usually  sold  in  varieties,  the  most  useful 
being  R.  maculata,  yellow  and  crimson  ;  R.  alba,  white  ;  and  R.  Manglesi, 
rose  and  yellow. — G. 
-  Preservation  op  Farmyard  Manure.— The  chemist  to 
the  Canadian  Agricultural  Department  has  recently  completed  an  expe¬ 
riment  in  the  preservation  of  farmyard  manure  which  is  of  interest  to 
farmers.  A  lot  of  manure,  composed  of  equal  quantities  of  horse  and 
cow  manure,  was  kept  in  a  partially  closed  shed  for  a  year.  In  the  first 
instance  it  weighed  8000  lbs.,  and  at  the  end  of  the  year  only  2659  lbs. 
The  reduced  bulk  was  much  richer  in  the  elements  of  fertility  than  the 
fresh  manure,  as  it  well  might  be,  considering  that  there  was  a  loss  of 
two-thirds  of  the  original  bulk.  But,  although  the  per-centages  of 
nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid,  and  potash  were  greater  in  the  rotten  than  in 
the  fresh  manure,  the  total  quantities  were  much  less.  The  8000  lbs.  of 
fresh  manure  contained  41-6  lbs.  of  nitrogen,  24'8  lbs.  of  phosphoric  acid, 
and  60‘8  lbs.  of  potash  ;  whereas  the  2659  lbs.  of  rotten  manure  a  year 
later  contained  only  23’6  lbs.  of  nitrogen,  19'5  lbs.  of  phosphoric  acid,  and 
39'8  lbs.  of  potash.  The  above  figures  give  some  idea  of  what  ha[)pen3 
when  farmers  keep  manure  in  dunghills  in  the  open  for  a  long  time,  where 
naturally  the  loss  is  much  more  rapid. 
-  Deep  Soil  in  Gardening. — A  wise  gardener,  who  was  veiy 
successful  with  his  gardens,  occupied  an  acre  of  ground.  But  when 
conversing  about  his  garden  he  used  to  inform  questioners  that  he 
cultivated  two  acres.  This  was  to  his  newer  friends.  But  this  he  did  to 
explain  that,  instead  of  digging  up  the  ground  some  5  or  6  inches  deep, 
as  most  cultivators  do,  he  stirred  it  up  to  a  foot  or  more— having  one  of 
his  acres  beneath  the  other.  This  piece  of  wisdom  is,  however,  not 
generally  perceived.  Double  the  crops  can  certainly  be  obtained  from 
ground  loosened  in  this  manner.  But  this  is  not  understood  by  the 
ordinary  cultivator.  Those  who  are  engaged  in  the  culture  of  Beet 
especially  know  that  land  is  always  doubled  in  value  when  sub-soiled — 
that  is  to  say,  when  the  under  surface  is  deeply  loosened.  It  is  now  well 
understood  that  a  ])ulverised  soil  will  hold  air  and  moisture,  so  necessary 
to  successful  culture,  to  a  much  greater  extent  than  earth  that  is  packed 
solid,  so  that  air  and  moisture  cannot  be  retained.  In  the  drier  weather 
plants  will  not  grow  and  flourish  when  under  ordinary  shallow  culture. 
The  plants  struggle  along  and  appear  tired  of  life.  So  says  “Meehan's 
Monthly,”  and  it  is  quite  true. 
-  Olivias  at  Chelsea. — These  stately  plants,  with  their  hand¬ 
some  strap-like  leaves  and  imposing  heads  of  orange-coloured  flowers,  are 
becoming  more  popular  every  year.  This  is  as  it  should  be,  for  they 
are  undoubtedly  valuable  additions  to  any  collection  of  plants,  as  they 
can  be  used  for  various  purposes,  and  are  not  quick  to  resent  a  little 
neglectful  treatment.  For  the  conservatory  during  the  spring  they  are 
extremely  valuable,  especially  when  the  plants  have  grown  to  con¬ 
siderable  size,  while  for  suitable  position  indoors  they  are  exceedingly' 
useful.  In  either  case  the  flowers  last  a  very  long  time  in  good  con¬ 
dition,  and  of  course  the  deep  green  foliage  is  always  ornamental.  In 
one  of  the  many  houses  flanking  the  long  walk  in  the  Royal  Exotic 
Nursery,  Messrs.  .1.  Veitch  &  Sons  have  a  representative  collection  of  the 
best  varieties,  and  they  make  a  very  handsome  display.  The  plants  are 
in  the  rudest  health,  and  the  Immense  heads  of  flowers  rising  from  the 
deep  green  leaves  are  imposing  and  attractive.  Visitors  to  see  the 
Amaryllis  should  spare  a  few  moments  to  walk  through  the  'Olivia 
house. — H. 
-  "Wind-fertilised  Flowers.— Wind-fertilised  flowers,  it  may 
bo  noticed,  always  produce  large  quantities  of  pollen,  as,  for  instance,  the 
Hazel,  the  Willow,  and  nearly  all  Grasses. — E. 
- -  Anemone  ranunculoides. — Lovers  of  wild  flowers  have  for 
several  springs  past  been  gladdened  by  the  sight  of  a  fair  number  of 
plants  of  the  yellow  Wood  Anemone,  A.  ranunculoides,  flourishing  in  the 
Embankment  Gardens  between  Waterloo  and  Charing  Cross  bridges- 
They  were  growing  around  several  of  the  flower  beds,  and  had  most 
likely  been  brought  thither  in  the  turf  used  for  edging,  though  so 
attractive  were  they  that  one  was  tempted  to  imagine  they  had  been 
put  in  purposely,  and  to  thank  the  authorities  for  this  embellishment  to 
the  garden. — (“Times.”) 
-  Perilla  nankinensis. — Where  coloured  foliage  is  required 
for  giving  effect  among  bedding  plants  or  forming  contrasts,  this  half- 
hardy  annual  is  very  suitable  for  the  purpose.  Perilla  nankinensis  is 
very  accommodating,  and  will  thrive  in  almost  any  position.  A  rich  soil 
is  not  desirable,  as  it  is  liable  to  grow  very  robust,  and  the  purple 
colouring  of  the  foliage  is  not  nearly  so  deep.  If  mixed  with  flowering 
plants  in  beds  or  borders,  and  it  grows  too  tall,  the  tops  may  be  cut  off  to 
the  level  of  the  surrounding  plants.  Breaks  will  soon  be  made  afresh,  the 
colour  of  which  will  be  very  bright.  Seeds  should  be  sown  in  boxes  or 
frame,  and  the  seedlings  pricked  off  in  a  nursery  bed  prior  to  the  final 
transplanting. — H.  H, 
-  The  “Cactus  Journal.” — We  have  received  the  first  and 
second  numbers  of  a  new  publication  entitled  “The  Cactus  Journal, 
and  must  congratulate  the  publishers  on  the  excellent,  general  appear¬ 
ance,  the  type  being  clear  and  good  and  the  illustrations  admirably 
executed.  We  regret  to  observe,  however,  that  the  errors  in  spelling  are 
very  numerous,  and  it  will  be  a  matter  for  regret  if  the  value  of  the  journal 
should  be  marred  by  faulty  editing.  For  example,  there  are  at  least  half 
a  score  of  errors  in  one  column,  mostly  due  to  the  use  of  capital  letters 
where  small  ones  are  correct  according  to  the  best  authorities.  We  wish 
the  promoters  every  success,  and  hope  there  are  sufficient  Cacti  growers 
to  support  a  monthly  sixpenny  journal.  The  publisher  is  Mr.  E.  W .  Allen, 
4,  Ave  Maria  Lane,  Paternoster  Row,  London. 
-  “  The  Use  of  the  Hoe.”—  All  teachers  of  gardening,  whether 
practical  or  theoretical,  are  agreed  as  to  the  flat  hoe  being  one  of 
the  most  useful  implements  in  the  garden.  Stir  the  surface  soil,  is  the 
advice  frequently  given,  and  it  is  too  good  to  become  hackneyed.  Soon 
the  various  crops  will  be  showing  themselves  in  the  garden,  and  spring  and 
summer  sunshine,  following  rain,  will  cake  and  harden  the  surface.  This 
will  crack,  and  the  moisture  that  it  is  advisable  to  conserve  will  escape. 
To  hoe  ground,  except  weeds  are  growing,  might  strike  a  novice  as  being 
superfluous  labour  ;  but  gardeners  know  better,  and  to  assist  the  maturity 
of  plants  there  is  nothing  better  than  frequently  and  thoroughly  stirring 
the  surface  soil  with  the  hoe.  More  particularly  does  this  apply  to  stiff 
clayey  soil,  the  surface  of  which  bakes  exceedingly  during  drought.  -  H. 
_  Proposed  Park  for  Lee.  —  The  Parks  and  Open  Spaces 
Committee  of  the  London  County  Council  at  a  recent  meeting  reported 
that  they  had  had  brought  to  their  notice  by  a  deputation  of  residents  in 
the  district  of  Lee  an  offer  made  by  the  Earl  of  Northbrook  and  Viscount 
Baring  to  present  to  the  public,  in  commemoration  of  the  Diamond  Jubilee 
of  her  Majesty  the  Queen,  a  piece  of  land  neiirly  7  acres  in  extent  in 
Bromley  Road,  Lee,  for  the  jmrpose  of  a  recreation  ground.  The  only 
conditions  attached  to  the  gilt  were  that  the  ground  should  be  taken  over 
by  the  Council  and  laid  out  and  properly  maintained  by  it  as  a  recreation 
ground,  and  that  the  costs  of  Lord  Northbrook’s  solicitor  and  surveyor 
should  be  borne  by  the  Council.  Building  operations  were  going  on  in 
the  district,  and  there  was  a  Board  School  close  by.  In  the  circumstances 
they  did  not  hesitate  to  suggest  that  the  Council  should  undertake  the 
charge  of  the  land  on  behalf  of  the  public.  It  was  estimated  that  the 
value  of  the  land  to  be  presented  to  the  Council  was  £4125,  and  that 
the  solicitor’s  and  surveyor's  charges  would  therefore  be  out  40  guineas 
and  25  guineas  respectively.  There  might,  however,  be  some  other  slight 
expense,  and  they  therefore  asked  for  a  vote  of  £100  in  order  to  cover 
all  possible  outgoings.  They  estimated  the  cost  of  laying  out  the  land, 
including  fencing,  seats,  and  watch  bo^,  at  £1000,  and  the  annual  cost 
for  maintenance  at  £200.  They  recommended  “  That  the  Council  do 
approve  the  estimate  submitted  by  the  Finance  Committee,  and  do  agree 
to  take  charge  of  and  maintain  as  a  recreation  ground  the  piece  of  land 
at  Bromley  Road,  Lee,  offered  by  Lord  Northbrook  and  Lord  Baring, 
and  do  undertake  to  pay  the  costs  of  Lord  Northbrook’s  solicitor  and 
serveyor  4n  connection  with  the  matter ;  that  it  be  referred  to  the 
solicitor  to  take  all  steps  necessary  to  complete  the  matter.” 
