May  19,  189{j. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AHD  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
-  Exit  the  Paper-knife. — I  am  in  entire  harmony  with  “  The 
Missus”  in  her  congratulations  re  the  new  aspect  of  the  Journal,  and  the 
abolition  of  the  leaf-cutting  guillotine,  a  real  improvement,  for  which  in 
horticulture  the  Journal  is  entitled  to  all  credit  for  its  excellent  example. 
Will  other  papers  copy,  and  go  and  do  likewise  ?  — A. 
-  Blacks  in  Tomatoes. — We  grow  our  Tomatoes  in  a  three- 
quarter  span-roofed  pit,  running  east  and  west.  They  are  planted  along 
the  back  and  front  of  the  pit  ;  the  plants  on  the  back  are  trained  up 
the  wall,  and  then  on  to  the  quarter  span  of  glass.  It  is  on  these  plants 
that  the  fruits  are  often  affected  with  the  black  blotches.  The  blotches 
have  never  appeared  on  or  near  the  flower  points,  but  always  on  the  sides 
of  the  fruit.  Two  very  notable  facts  led  me  to  the  conclusion  that  it  is 
the  sun  coming  on  the  fruit  when  in  a  moist  state  that  begins  the  mischief. 
It  is  only  the  thin-skinned  varieties  that  are  attacked  ;  thicker  skinned 
sorts  are  free  from  it,  and  along  the  front  of  the  pit,  where  the  plants 
are  trained  up  about  a  foot  from  the  glass,  and  the  foliage  keeps  the  sun 
from  the  fruit,  not  one  has  suffered.  By  giving  more  air  at  nights,  and 
putting  a  little  whitewash  on  the  glass,  we  got  clear  of  it. — N.  N. 
-  Megaseas. — It  is  important  that  the  unlearned  should  know 
that  Megaseas  are  no  longer  existent.  They  have  disappeared  from 
nomenclature  absolutely  as  such.  That  is  at  least  the  botanists’  dictum  : 
but  they  live  still  as  Saxifragas.  There  is  a  huge  clump  of  a  lovely 
variety  on  the  rockwork  at  Long  Ditton,  and  on  inquiring  its  name  from 
Mr.  W.  Barr,  he  told  me  of  the  new  appellation.  Instead,  therefore,  if 
this  truly  splendid  variety  be  wanted  for  Megasea  purpiirea,  Saxifraga 
ligulata  cordifolia  purpurea  must  be  asked  for.  Beaders  of  the  Journal, 
of  course,  like  to  be  up  to  date  with  correct  naming,  but  they  are  a  long 
way  in  the  rear  if  they  have  not  the  superb  Saxifrage  in  their  gardens. 
To  get  a  flne  effect,  plant  tlfiree  or  four  pieces,  some  12  or  14  inches  apart, 
on  holding  soil,  and  in  angular  fashion,  and  leave  them  alone  to  form  a 
noble  clump  of  leafage  and  bloom  in  a  year  or  two. — D. 
■  -  National  Amateur  Gardeners’  Association  (Liver¬ 
pool  Branch.) — On  Thursday  evening  the  monthly  meeting  of  the 
above  branch  was  held  in  the  Common  Hall,  Hackins  Hey,  Liverpool, 
A.  W.  Ardran,  Esq.,  presiding  over  a  good  attendance.  The  exhibits 
were  of  a  high  order,  especially  the  cut  blooms  of  Niphetos  Rose,  staged 
by  Mr.  Lunt,  those  of  Catherine  Mermet  staged  by  Mr.  Hoskyn  also 
being  worthy  of  commendation.  Mr.  Redfern  won  with  miscellaneous  cut 
flowers,  Mr.  Cangley  with  a  fine  Fern,  whilst  Messrs.  Drake  and  Lunt 
divided  the  special  prize,  the  former  with  a  good  Selaginella,  and  the 
latter  with  Lygodium  scandens.  Other  interesting  flowers  were  shown 
for  points.  The  lecture  was  given  by  Mr.  R.  Pinnington  of  Roby,  who 
chose  for  his  subject  the  culture  of  Lilies  in  pots.  Every  point  in  culture 
was  clearly  dealt  wijh,  as  well  as  staking,  hints  on  carrying  the  plants  to 
exhibition,  and  varieties.  The  Chairman,  in  proposing  a  vote  of  thanks, 
said  the  lecture  was  more  valuable  on  account  of  its  brevity,  therefore 
more  easily  understood,  and  he  was  sure  everyone  thoroughly  enjoyed 
it.  Several  questions  were  answered  by  Mr.  Pinnington. 
-  Apple  Calville  Rouge. — There  has  not  been  shown  at  any 
time  this  year  in  the  flavour  com'^etition  a  handsomer  or  more  beautifully 
coloured  sample  of  any  Apple  than  was  the  one  of  Calville  Rouge  Mr. 
Woodward  brought  up  from  Barham  Court  on  the  10th  inst.  Whilst  not 
of  high  flavour,  for  none  of  the  varieties  shown  had  real  flavour,  the  flesh 
was  much  pleasanter  eating  than  was  that  of  the  rather  hard-fleshed 
Herelordshire  Pearmain,  placed  first,  whilst  as  to  appearance  it  was 
far  ahead.  Could  everyone  produce  such  samples  in  abundance  as 
Mr.  Woodward  had  of  Calville  Rouge  so  late  in  the  season,  they  would 
possess  almost  a  fortune,  but  the  variety  only  succeeds  'n  a  warm 
position  ;  it  will  not  do  at  all  in  cold  districts  or  situations.  It  is  a 
capital  Apple  for  a  west  wall,  where  on  trees  worked  on  the  Paradise 
stock  it  finishes  admirably.  The  fruits  shown  were  of  good  size,  conical, 
beautifully  coloured,  the  fiesh  soft,  and  a  long  way  superior  to  the  best  in 
the  market,  none  purchasable  at  from  5d.  to  6d.  per  lb.  I  should  think 
as  dwarf  trees  the  variety  should  do  well  in  southern  districts  on  warm 
sites.  Evidently  the  fruits  keep  splendidly.  I  am  a  little  at  a  loss  to 
understand  whether  this  Apple  is  the  same  as  some  growers  term  Calville 
Rouge  Pr4coce.  In  one  trade  list  I  find  the  variety  is  classed  as  a  dessert 
variety,  but  though  called  Pr^coce,  is  said  to  keep  well  till  February’. 
No  Calville  Rouge  simply  is  in  that  list.  In  another  authoritative  list 
there  is  Calville  Rouge  only,  there  classed  as  a  kitchen  variety — ripens 
from  March  to  May — but  there  is  no  mention  of  the  Precoce  variety'. 
Are  they  really  identical,  and  if  so,  why  Precoce?  Perhaps  Mr. 
G.  Bunyard  will  help  ns  out  of  the  dilemma.  In  the  R.II.S.  lists  Calville 
Rouge  Precoce  is  classed  as  dessert,  but  there  is  no  mention  of  Calville 
Rouge.— A.  D. 
425 
-  Was  it  a  Pun? — A  week  or  two  since  an  esteemed  friend 
and  amateur  gardener  mentioned  that  he  had  gathered  some  capital 
Mushrooms  in  his  garden.  I  asked  whether  he  had  made  a  bed  for 
them.  “  Oh,  no,”  he  said,  “  they  came  up  quite  spauntaneously.” 
Suddenly  he  realised  that  he  had  made  an  unconscious  pun.  Henceforth 
we  shall  have  to  understand  that  Mushrooms  on  prepared  beds  come  up 
quite  sjjaiontaneously. — A. 
-  Saintpaulia  ionantha. — Though  this  charming  little  stove 
plant  is  now  fairly  common,  it  does  not  appear  to  be  largely  grown  in 
private  gardens.  Belonging  to  the  family  of  the  Gesneriacese,  and  hailing 
from  the  Dark  Continent,  there  is  sufficient  in  its  neat  and  attractive 
appearance  to  recommend  it.  The  green  hairy  leaves  are  not  unlike 
those  of  Gloxinias,  but  smaller  and  less  fleshy.  The  Saintpaulia  has 
been  called  the  hothouse  Violet,  as  its  deep  blue  flowers,  produced  on 
stems  3  or  4  inches  in  length,  are  not  unlike  those  of  the  common 
favourite.  If  raised  from  seeds  great  care  is  necessary,  as  the  seeds  are 
of  diminutive  character  ;  but  with  ordinary  attention  the  plant  may  be 
had  in  bloom  continually  through  a  greater  part  of  the  year.  When  in 
full  bloom  this  is  one  of  the  most  attractive  little  plants  of  recent 
introduction. — G. 
-  Early  Blooming  Violas. — We  want  many  of  these  hardy 
bedding  plants  to  bloom  much  earlier  in  the  spring  than  does  the  average 
number.  Looking  over  a  large  number  of  leading  varieties  planted  out 
in  quantity  at  Long  Ditton,  1  fonnd  A.  G.  Rowberry,  the  new  orange 
yellow  non-veined  variety,  to  be  one  of  the  earliest,  and  giving  most 
brilliant  colour.  The  variety  gets  rather  loose  later,  but  in  the  spring  it 
is  a  splendid  bedding  variety.  Very  early,  compact,  and  neat,  is  Dorothy 
Foster,  flowers  white  tinted  mauve.  This  is  a  capital  bloomer.  Of  white 
ground  with  a  heavy  blue  edge  James  Cocker  is  very  early  and  pleasing. 
The  variety  is  in  its  markings  very  true.  The  best  early  plum  purple  is 
Lady  Diana,  an  improved  Cliveden  Purple,  Archie  Grant  seems  to 
be  the  best  blue.  A  very  early  and  compact  flower  is  Marchioness,  but 
it  is  uncertain,  as  many  plants  have  white  flowers  and  others  have  them 
flaked  with  blue. — A. 
-  Rhododendron  indicum  amcenum, — As  a  pot  plant  for  the 
greenhouse  this,  perhaps  better  known  as  Azalea  amoena,  takes  a  front 
place,  for  outside,  however,  few  people  appear  to  be  aware  of  its  full 
value.  It  is  quite  hardy  in  the  southern  counties,  and  further  north  it 
does  well  if  given  a  sheltered  place.  To  grow  it  really  well,  cuttings 
should  be  rooted  in  August,  and  kept  in  a  cold  frame  for  the  winter.  In 
spring  they  should  be  planted  in  a  cold  frame,  so  that  in  case  of  very 
cold  nights,  either  then  or  in  the  following  winter,  a  little  protection  may 
be  given.  The  following  spring  the  little  plants  may  be  put  in  the 
nursery  border,  from  which  time  covering  should  cease.  In  three  years 
from  cuttings  good  sized  plants  may  be  had.  The  colour  of  the  flowers 
is  usually  better  on  plants  grown  outside  than  on  those  indoors.  From 
the  profusion  of  flowers  annually  produced  by  this  plant,  the  effect  of  a 
large  bed  in  full  flower  may  be  easily  imagined.  Such  a  bed  is  now  to  be 
seen  flowering  near  the  “main  entrance”  at  Kew. — W.  D. 
-  Isle  of  Wight. — The  monthly  meeting  of  the  Isle  of  Wight 
Horticultural  Improvement  Association  was  held  at  Newport  on  Saturday 
last.  Dr.  J.  Groves,  B.A.,  J.P.,  presided  over  a  good  attendance  of 
members,  who  were  present  to  hear  Mr.  A.  Key,  M.A.,  formerly  of 
Wadham  College,  Oxford,  give  an  experimental  lecture  on  “  Plant  Foods  ; 
Their  Detection  in  Soils  and  Vegetables.”  The  lecturer  spoke  of  the 
importance  of  gardeners  being  able  to  analyse  their  soils  and  manures, 
so  that  they  could  most  economically  purchase  manures  to  give  a 
maximum  benefit  to  the  soils  and  crops.  After  dealing  briefly  with  the 
more  important  plant  foods,  he  performed  several  experiments  showing 
how  to  ascertain  the  presence  of  phosphates  in  soils  and  manures,  and 
that  seeds  and  fruits  were  exceedingly  rich  in  this  important  plant  food. 
At  the  close  of  a  most  interesting  and  instructive  lecture,  to  gardeners  in 
particular,  a  unanimous  vote  of  thanks  was  accorded  Mr.  Key.  Mr. 
Mitchell,  Barton  Board  School,  kindly  provided  the  apparatus.  Several 
noteworthy  exhibits  were  staged,  including  a  fine  spike  of  Imantophj’llum 
(Olivia)  Lord  Wolverton  with  twenty-three  blooms,  by  Mr.  G.  Nobbs, 
gardener  to  her  Majesty  at  Osborne.  A  plant  of  Dendrobium  densiflorura 
was  staged  by  Mr.  J.  J.  Linnington,  gardener  to  Dr.  Coombes,  Newport  ; 
and  a  well-flowered  Hydrangea  by  Mr.  .1.  Nicholas,  gardener  to  Mrs. 
Gray,  Kintore,  Sandown.  Eleven  new  members  were  elected.  The  first 
excursion  of  the  season  will  take  place  on  May  19th,  when  Appley  Towers 
and  St.  John’s  Vicarage,  Ryde,  will  be  visited.  The  fortnightly  meeting 
of  the  East  Cowes  Horticultural  Society  was  held  on  Wednesday  last, 
Mr.  G.  Groves,  C.C.,  presiding.  Mr.  A.  Saunders,  Stanhope  Lodge, 
Cowes,  read  a  paper  on  “  The  Cultivation  of  Carnations.” 
