514 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER 
June  4,  1866, 
-  May  Weather  at  Driffield. —Mean  temperature  at  9  a.m, 
(corrected),  54  61°;  mean  maximum  6116°;  mean  minimum,  40'49°  ; 
highest,  75  6°  on  the  14th  ;  lowest,  28  4°  on  the  4th.  Mean  of  maxima 
aud  minima,  50'82°.  Mean  radiation  temperature  on  the  grass,  36’46°; 
lowest,  20°  on  the  4th.  Rainfall,  0  82  inch.  Number  of  rainy  days, 
seven  ;  greatest  amount  on  one  day,  0  28  inch  on  the  21st. — W.  B.  Lovel, 
Observer ,  York  Road,  Driffield. 
- The  Weather  in  Forfarshire.— The  weather  of  May  has 
been  exceptionally  fine  throughout,  the  mean  temperature  being  over 
3°  above  the  average.  But  the  variations  of  temperature  between  day 
and  night  have  been  trying.  On  the  11th  the  thermometer  recorded 
80°  in  the  shade,  but  at  night  fell  to  38°,  a  variation  of  42°.  The 
mean  temperature  of  the  month  was — maximum,  63°  ;  minimum,  42  6°. 
Mean  of  the  month,  52 ’8°.  The  rainfall  has  been  very  light,  only  0'76  inch 
fell,  which  is  a  little  more  than  one-third  of  the  average  ;  in  fact,  the 
rainfall  for  the  five  months  of  this  year  is  extremely  light,  being  only 
4J  inches,  whereas  the  average  of  these  months  is  over  10  inches. — 
John  Machar,  Corona,  Droughty  Ferry,  N  D. 
- -  The  Wood  Tulip. — The  numerous  varieties  which  florists 
introduce  from  the  wild  parents  often  lead  to  the  oversight  of  the 
originals,  which  frequently  have  great  merits  as  herbaceous  plants. 
Thus  the  parent  of  the  modern  Hyacinth,  Scilla  non-scripta,  is  a 
valuable  addition  to  any  garden  plot.  In  like  manner,  one  of  the 
parents  of  the  modern  Tulip,  Tulipa  sylvestris,  a  native  of  the  woods  of 
northern  Europe,  is  one  of  the  most  desirable  of  herbaceous  plants. 
Its  large  golden  cups  are  freely  produced — and  once  planted  it  takes 
care  of  itself  for  all  time. — (“  Meehan’s  Monthly.”) 
-  Washing  Soda  for  the  Onion  Maggot.— An  old  man, 
who  is  one  of  the  local  allotment  holders,  has  informed  me  that  he  is 
always  able  to  overcome  the  Onion  maggot  by  giving  the  plants 
occasional  waterings  with  a  solution  of  common  washing  soda  at  the 
rate  of  about  1  lb.  to  20  gallons  of  water.  It  is  better  to  err  on  the  side 
of  weakness  rather  than  of  over-strength.  This  is  a  remedy,  assuming 
that  it  really  is  such,  that  all  cau  try,  as  soda  is  cheap,  aud  to  be 
purchased  at  every  grocers.  Some  strongly  advised  remedies  are  not  so 
readily  obtained,  and  when  such  is  the  case  their  use  is  greatly  militated 
against.  It  is  very  probable  that  2  or  3  lb3.  of  softsoap,  mixed  with  the 
soda  solution,  would  be  useful,  as  it  would  in  that  case  be  all  the  more 
adhesive. — A.  D. 
-  Grapes  Stoning. — During  this  process  the  berries  remain 
almost  stationary,  and  jequire  a  regular  temperature  of  about  65°  at 
night,  and  70°  to  75°  by  day  from  artificial  heat,  if  the  Grapes  are 
required  by  a  given  time  ;  but  if  not,  65°  only  need  be  maintained  on 
cold,  dull,  wet  days  ;  but  admit  air  in  good  time,  always  a  little  at  70°, 
or  before,  after  a  spell  of  dull  weather,  so  that  any  moisture  will  be 
dissipated  before  the  sun  acts  powerfully  upon  the  foliage.  Allow  a 
moderate  lateral  extension,  but  avoid  overcrowding,  and  supply  liquid 
manure  or  wash  in  a  top-dressing  of  fertiliser.  Avoid,  however,  feeding 
luxuriant  Vines  too  liberally,  especially  with  ammoniacal  manures, 
giving  in  their  case  phosphatic  and  potassic  elements  in  the  proportion 
of  two  parts  the  former  to  one  of  the  latter.  This  will  enable  the 
Vines  to  maintain  steady  progress  and  finish  their  crops,  whilst  storing 
matter  for  the  coming  season’s  bearing. — Grower. 
-  Flowers  for  London  Toilers. — It  has  occurred  to  me  that 
a  quiet  work  which  is  being  done  to  brighten  the  lives  of  some  of  our 
London  toilers  “  behind  the  scenes  ”  might  be  of  interest  to  your  readers. 
I  refer  to  the  “  Flower  Mission  to  the  London  Workrooms.”  Once  a  week 
a  few  ladies  meet  to  make  up  into  tasteful  little  bunches  the  flowers  sent 
by  country  friends  ;  texts  are  attached  to  the  bunches,  and  they  are  then 
taken  to  the  different  workrooms  belonging  to  the  shops,  to  which  an 
entrance  is  kindly  permitted  by  the  managers,  in  some  of  the  principal 
thoroughfares.  The  flowers  and  their  bearers  are  eagerly  welcomed,  and 
hearts  are  cheered  by  the  little  messages  and  loving  words  which  are 
given  with  the  flowers.  One  can  understand  that  these  workers,  whose 
everyday  lives  are  so  monotonous  and  unvaried,  would  be  gladdened  by 
the  flowers,  few  of  them  ever  having  the  opportunities  to  see  them 
growing  in  all  their  beauty.  Perhaps  some  of  your  readers  who  Dave 
more  than  sufficient  in  their  own  gardens  might  like  to  share  what  gives 
them  such  pleasure  with  those  who  have  so  little  brightness  in  their 
lives.  If  so,  weekly  or  occasional  gifts  would  be  most  gratefully  received 
by  the  “  Flower  Mission  Secretary,”  Cloudesley  Institute,  34,  Barnsbury 
Street,  Islington,  N.,  on  Thursday  mornings.  All  gifts  would  be 
acknowledged  and  hampers  returned  if  addressed  label  is  enclosed. 
-E.  C.  C. 
-  Broccoli  Culture  in  Kent. —  The  cultivation  of  Broccoli 
for  market  has  been  greatly  extended  in  Kent  of  late  years,  and  in 
consequence  of  the  mild  weather  that  has  prevailed  throughout  the  past 
winter  the  crop  has  this  season  been  a  large  one.  Late  varieties  are 
extensively  grown  in  East  Kent,  and  during  May  enormous  quantities 
have  been  despatched  to  the  metropolitan  markets.  On  one  evening  of 
last  week  seventeen  truckloads,  averaging  1J  ton  each,  were  despatched 
from  Sandwich  Station  to  the  Borough  and  Covent  Garden  Markets. 
-  Nepenthes  and  their  Culture. — Under  the  above  title 
Mr.  Octave  Djin,  8,  Place  de  l’Oddsa,  Paris,  hag  published  a  little 
brochure,  thirty-one  pages,  from  the  pen  of  Mons.  Jules  Rudolph,  a 
member  of  the  staff  of  Messrs.  Vilmorin-Andrieux  &  Co.  The  intro¬ 
ductory  chapter  is  written  in  a  very  interesting  style,  while  the 
particulars  of  cultivation  are  clear  and  concise.  This  portion  of  the 
work  is  subdivided  by  such  cross-headings  as  Heat,  Moisture,  Light,  and 
others,  which  serve  to  impress  the  importance  of  these  points  on  the 
reader.  Propagation  is  capitally  dealt  with  in  the  concluding  chapter, 
and  besides  there  is  given  a  list  of  the  species  and  varieties  with  the 
country  whence  they  came,  with  a  disquisition  on  the  degeneration  of 
Nepenthes  Mastersi.  The  work  is  illustrated  by  wood  engravings,  and 
cultivators  of  Pitcher  Plants,  who  are  conversant  with  the  French 
language,  would  find  in  it  information  that  would  both  interest  and 
instruct  them.  The  price  is  lOd. 
-  Royal  Sovereign  Strawberry. — The  Fruit  Committee  of 
the  R.H.S.  may  be  congratulated  on  the  certificating  of  this  tine  early 
Strawberry,  because  it  so  far  has  proved  to  be  the  best  variety  put 
into  commerce  daring  the  past  few  years.  How  many  varieties  have 
been  certificated  there  are  that  seem  not  to  have  made  any  mark.  That 
is  not  the  fault  of  the  Committee  under  existing  conditions.  Straw¬ 
berries  are  very  erratic,  and  will  do  well  in  one  place  and  very  badly  in 
another,  and  eveu  then  with  no  assured  permanence.  Naturally  growers 
want  reliable  sorts,  and  of  all  the  new  ones  Royal  Sovereign  so  far  has 
proved  to  be  the  best,  whether  forced  or  outdoors.  When  it  is 
remembered  that  out  of  the  scores  of  new  Strawberries  put  into 
commerce  during  the  past  fifty  years  how  few  have  really  become 
generally  grown,  we  may  well  be  gratified  that  one  more  at  least  is 
now  included  of  standard  value.  Could  all  new  Strawberries  be  widely 
grown  some  four  or  five  years  before  being  placed  before  the  Committee 
it  would  save  many  mistakes. — A.  D. 
-  Wakefield  Paxton  Society. — Oa  Saturday,  the  23rd  ult., 
there  was  a  large  attendance  of  members.  Mr.  Thomas,  gardener  at 
Bishopgavth,  presided,  and  Mr.  Corden  was  Vice-Chairman.  Mr.  G. 
Hudson,  Woolley,  read  a  short  aud  practical  essay  on  “  The  Culture  of 
the  Calceolaria,”  and  there  was  a  very  fine  show  of  blooms.  After 
twenty-five  years’  experience,  Mr.  Hudson  said  he  found  the  best  situation 
to  raise  seedlings  was  under  a  north  wall.  Seeds  should  be  sown  in  the 
second  week  of  July  or  the  first  week  in  August,  very  thinly  in  a  shallow 
pan  and  just  covered  over  with  fine  soil  consisting  of  fibry  loam,  leaf  soil, 
and  sand,  which  should  never  be  allowed  to  get  dry.  Place  a  hand-glass 
over.  Seedlings  with  this  treatment  are  hardy  from  the  first.  When 
large  enough  to  handle  the  plants  should  be  pricked  off  into  pans  ;  they 
must  never  have  a  check  from  Reed  pan  to  blooming  period.  Speaking 
of  the  liability  of  Calceolarias  to  green  fly,  Mr.  Hudson  said  if  once 
plant*  became  infested  it  was  best  to  throw  them  away,  aa  it  was  impos¬ 
sible  to  get  rid  of  the  insects.  But  he  had  never  found  any  difficulty  in 
keeping  the  plants  clean  by  giving  them  a  Blight  fumigation  as  soon  as 
they  were  potted  in  thumb  pots,  and  then  oace  a  week  or  fortnight.  The 
slants  should  be  repotted  as  soon  as  the  roots  reach  the  sides  of  the 
pot  It  was  a  mistake  to  give  the  plants  too  large  a  shift  each  time  of 
potting,  as  the  soil  was  liable  to  get  sour  b More  the  roots  took  possession 
of  it.  The  soil  best  suited  was  good  fibry  loam,  leaf  mould,  fine  charcoal, 
with  a  little  spent  Mushroom  bed  and  coarse  sand.  At  the  last  potting 
the  compost  Bhould  be  used  rough,  and  in  every  case  well  drained  and 
clean  pots  are  necessary.  The  plants  should  be  kept  in  a  cold  frame 
until  late  in  the  autumn,  and  then  removed  into  a  cool  house,  where 
the  frost  is  excluded,  and  as  near  the  glass  as  possible.  The  plants 
should  never  be  allowed  to  get  dry  at  the  roots.  No  plant  took  more 
water  than  the  Calceolaria,  but  care  should  be  taken  not  to  saturate 
them  till  the  pots  become  filled  with  roots,  when  water  may  be  given 
ad  libitum.  Mr.  Hudson  referred  to  the  vast  improvement  of  the 
Calceolaria  in  the  last  twenty-five  yearn  by  means  of  hybridising.  This 
wa3  done  with  a  very  fine  camel’s  hair  brush  in  the  morning  when  the 
pollen  is  perfectly  dry,  a  fine  sunny  day  making  all  the  difference  as  to 
success.  An  interesting  discussion  was  taken  part  in  by  several  members, 
and  a  hearty  vote  of  thanks  was  given  to  Mr.  Hudson. 
