286 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
September  23,  1897. 
all  sizes  are  excellent  receptacles  for  the  plants.  A  great  advantage 
of  the  latter  is  they  can  he  suspended  at  a  corresponding  angle  to  that 
of  the  roof,  and  thus  obtain  the  maximum  of  light. 
Equal  parts  of  peat  fibre  and  sphagnum  moss  is  the  best  compost 
in  either  case,  only  a  very  little  of  this  being  placed  on  the  rafts  ;  just 
enough  to  form  a  setting  for  the  rhizomes.  In  the  pots  or  pans  about 
an  inch  for  the  smaller  sizes,  Avith  a  little  more  for  larger  ones, 
suffices,  and  in  this  case  plenty  of  small  rough  charcoal  or  crocks  must 
be  mixed  with  the  more  compressible  material.  Clean  every  part  of 
the  plant  after  it  is  taken  from  the  old  comjAost,  and  cut  away  all 
decaying  roots.  These  few  cardinal  points  in  their  culture  properly 
grasped,  and  altered  only  so  far  as  to  meet  individual  circumstances, 
will  enable  anyone  interested  to  take  up  their  culture  Avith  every 
prospect  of  success. — H.  E.  E. 
An  Orchid  Painting  from  Brussels. 
A  VERY  beautiful  plate  of  Orchids  has  been  sent  us  by  IMons. 
Lucien  Linden  of  Brussels,  representing  some  of  the  best  of  the  firm’s 
introductions  during  this  year.  There  are  two  forms  of  Odontoglossiim 
crispum,  one  named  Liiciani  and  the  other  Lindeni,  both  beautiful 
varieties  siilendidly  reproduced.  Besides  these  the  plate  contains 
Cypripedium  insigne  aureum  and  Cattleya  Trianse  Imperator.  As  a 
whole  the  plate  is  a  great  credit  to  the  artists,  printers,  and  to  Mons. 
Linden,  for  it  is  a  veritable  work  of  art. 
Cypripediums  and  Skin  Irritation. 
Among  many  other  papers  in  the  “  Proceedings  of  the  Indiana 
Academy  of  Science,”  dated  1894,  but  only  just  received,  is  one  by 
Mr  T.  D.  MacDougal,  showing  that  various  species  of  Cypripedium 
have  an  irritant  action  upon  the  human  skin.  It  Avas  found  that  when 
the  leaves  of  C.  spectabile  AV'ere  rubbed  lightly  upon  the  skin  of  the 
wrist,  arm,  face,  or  ear  the  person  experimented  upon  Avas  usually 
“poisoned”  in  a  degree  corresponding  to  the  manner  of  application, 
and  in  a  time  varying  from  ten  to  twelve  hours.  There  could  be  no 
doubt  about  the  unpleasant  effects  produced  by  the  leaves,  for  Mr. 
IMacDougal  soon  found  that  he  could  not  obtain  subjects  willing  to 
sacrifice  their  feelings  upon  the  altar  of  scientific  knowledge.  He  Avas 
able  to  prove,  however,  that  similar  painful  effects  were  produced  by 
C.  pubescens  and  C.  parviflorum.  To  ascertain  whether  the  effect  was 
due  to  the  mechanical  injury  resulting  from  piercing  the  skin  by  the 
pointed  hairs  upon  the  leaves,  or  to  the  corrosive  action  of  the  secre¬ 
tion  found  on  the  outside  of  the  globular  tips  of  the  glandular  hairs, 
separate  tests  Avere  made  by  material  from  C.  spectabile.  The  hairs 
of  each  kind  were  taken  from  the  leaf  by  means  of  a  pair  of  fine 
forceps,  and  the  tip  pressed  against  the  skin.  Irritation  was  found  to 
result  from  the  contact  of  the  glandular  hair  only.  It  was  found, 
further,  that  the  irritant  action  of  the  plant  increased  Avith  the  develop¬ 
ment  of  the  plant,  and  reached  its  maximum  Avith  the  formation  of 
the  seed  pod,  from  Avhich  it  is  inferred  that  this  is  a  device  for  the 
protection  of  the  reproductive  bodies  during  the  period  from  pollination 
to  the  maturity  of  the  seeds. — (“  Nature.”) 
VEGETABLES  FOB  HOME  AND  EXHIBITION. 
PAESNIPS  AND  TUENIPS. 
Nothing  adds  more  to  the  attractiveness  of  a  collection  of 
vegetables  than  sound,  clean,  and  straight  roots  of  Parsnips,  and  no 
autumn  collection  can  be  quite  complete  without  them.  Well  worked 
land  is  the  first  consideration  to  successful  Parsnip  culture.  The 
reason  is  obvious,  as  the  roots  naturally  strike  doAvnwards  to  a  con¬ 
siderable  depth,  and  if  the  medium  is  hard  through  lack  of  cultivation 
or  of  a  very  stiff  or  clayey  nature,  obstruction  is  placed  in  the  Avay  of 
the  downward  tendency  of  the  roots,  and  forked  unshapely  specimens 
are  the  result.  Liberal  use  of  crude  manure  has  the  same  effect, 
therefore  the  advice  given  in  reference  to  other  tap-rooted  vegetables 
is  applicable  here — viz.,  grow  your  Parsnips  on  ground  that  has  been 
heavily  manured  for  some  previous  crop,  or,  failing  that,  bury  the 
feeding  material  to  a  fair  depth  beneath  the  surface.  Parsnips 
generally  do  AA^ell  in  soil  that  contains  lime,  and  a  dressing  of  this 
useful  commodity  on  the  quarter  where  the  vegetables  are  to  be  grown 
will  invariably  give  good  results.  In  the  Channel  Islands  seaweed  is 
largely  used  as  a  manure  for  this  crop,  and  is  said  to  answer  admirably. 
In  order  to  obtain  large  specimens,  some  growers  sow  the  seeds  in 
September,  but  this  method  cannot  be  generally  recommended,  as  so 
many  of  the  plants  run  to  seed  before  the  roots  are  developed.  The 
end  of  February  or  during  March,  according  to  the  weather,  is  a 
suitable  time  for  soAving,  having  previously  taken  advantage  of 
favourable  opportunities  for  breaking  down  the  soil  to  a  friable  con¬ 
dition.  Abundance  of  room  is  another  rule  that  groAvers  may  follow 
with  adA’^antage,  as  growing  too  closely  together  is  not  only  conducive 
to  small,  unshapely  roots,  but  is  also  an  incentive  to  that  enemy  of 
Parsnip  groAvers — canker.  If  the  seeds  are  sown  in  rows  18  inches 
asunder  and  the  plants  subsequently  thinned  to  1  foot  apart,  roots 
may  be  grown  in  the  ordinary  bed  of  ample  size  and  quality  sufficient 
for  the  exhibition  table,  and  it  is  altogether  a  mistaken  idea  to  think 
there  is  anything  gained  by  allowing  the  plants  to  remain  in  a  croAvded 
condition. 
Free  use  of  the  Dutch  hoe  is  the  chief  requisite  during  the  summer 
until  this  becomes  impracticable  through  the  abundance  of  foliage. 
In  growing  for  exhibition  purposes  an  occasional  top-dressing  of 
tAvo  parts  superphosphate  of  lime  and  one  part  muriate  of  potash  at 
the  rate  of  3  ozs.  to  the  yard  of  drill  is  beneficial,  and  in  dry  weather 
applications  of  liquid  manure  from  the  farmyard  or  soot  Avatef  may 
be  used  with  advantage.  The  roots  do  not  reach  maturity  till 
October,  though  drawing  may  commence  in  September.  It  is  a  good 
])lan  to  take  up  part  of  the  crop  in  November  and  store  in  sand  for 
future  use,  as  was  recommended  for  Beet  and  Carrots.  The  remainder 
may  remain  in  the  ground,  as  the  severest  frost  does  them  no  harm, 
but  on  the  other  hand  adds  to  their  sAveetness.  None,  however, 
should  be  left  after  Februarj'  or  IMarch,  as  they  will  then  commence 
growing.  In  storing  great  care  should  be  exercised  that  the  roots  are 
not  allowed  to  become  dry,  or  they  will  shrivel  and  he  stringy  when 
cut.  The  best  varieties  for  exhibition  or  home  use  are  the  Student 
and  Sutton’s  Tender  and  True. 
Mention  has  already  been  made  of  canker,  and  in  it  Ave  have  the 
most  formidable  disease  to  Avhich  the  plant  is  subject.  In  some 
seasons  and  localities  Parsnips  suffer  worse  than  in  others,  and  as  the 
Avork  of  destruction  is  going  on  underneath  the  surface,  there  appears 
to  be  no  effectual  means  of  cure.  As  in  many  other  cases,  the  best 
method  is  to  render  the  conditions  of  cultivation  as  favourable  as 
possible  for  the  sturdy  growth  of  the  plants.  Change  of  soil  for  this 
crop  is  always  advisable,  more  particularly  so  Avhen  canker  makes 
its  appearance,  and  a  dressing  of  lime  at  the  rate  of  about  two  bushels 
to  the  rod  will  be  found  beneficial.  Also  trench  the  ground  so  as  to 
bury  the  living  spores  of  the  fungi  beneath  the  surface.  In  preparing 
Parsnips  for  the  show  table  straight  umblemished  roots  of  even  size 
should  be  chosen.  Care  must  be  taken  in  digging  not  to  damage 
them  in  any  Avay  or  break  off  the  thin  tender  tip  of  the  root,  as  this 
detracts  from  their  appearance,  and  beyond  washing  them  clean  no 
further  preparation  is  necessary. 
Amongst  the  many  vegetable  crops  none  is  easier  to  manage  than 
the  Turnip  so  far  as  culture  is  concerned,  and  the  chief  point  is  to 
secure  a  succession  fit  for  table  the  Avhole  year  round,  as  Turnips  are 
ahvays  in  re(iuest.  Even  in  the  Avinter,  Avhen  green  stuff  generally 
is  scarce,  the  blanched  succulent  tops  of  these  vegetables  are  highly 
appreciated  as  a  substitute  for  Seakale,  and  as  a  green  A^egetable  Turnip 
tops  are  extensively  offered  for  sale  in  the  London  markets.  When 
young  and  tender  they  are  A’ery  palatable,  being  often  invaluable 
Avhen  severe  frost  has  stripped  the  garden  of  its  supply  of  Brassicas. 
Little  need  be  said  about  the  preparation  of  Turnips  for  sIioav,  as 
everyone  knoAvs  that  none  other  than  sound  young  specimens  are  of 
any  use.  This  season  has  been  a  bad  one  for  Turnips,  and  they  have, 
in  consequence,  been  scarce  and  of  inferior  quality.  The  protracted 
drought  has  not  been  conducive  to  the  rapid  growth  that  is  necessary 
in  order  to  obtain  sound  SAveet  Turnips,  Avhile  that  natural  and  deadly 
enemy  of  the  crop,  the  Turnip  flea,  has  thriven  amazingly. 
As  already  stated,  succession  is  an  important  point  in  Turnip 
culture,  and  in  order  to  keep  the  kitchen  continually  supplied  a  start 
may  be  made  as  early  as  January  by  sowing  on  a  gentle  hotbed,  as  is 
usual  with  early  Eadishes.  Care  must,  however,  be  taken,  as  over¬ 
heat  Avill  produce  rapid  groAvth  of  the  tops,  but  no  roots  Avill  be 
formed.  In  February  another  sowing  may  be  made  in  a  sheltered 
position  outdoors,  taking  care  that  the  ground  is  friable  and  light,  and 
if  preceded  by  some  other  crop,  such  as  Celery,  that  has  been  subject 
to  thorough  Avorking  of  the  soil,  so  much  the  better.  Sowings  must 
folloAv  at  intervals  through  March,  April,  and  May,  in  order  to  keep 
up  a  constant  supply.  For  autumn  use  soav  in  June,  Avhile  the  end 
of  July  and  August  should  be  chosen  for  inserting  the  seeds  that  are 
to  produce  the  Avinter  su])ply.  Generally  speaking  Turnips  are  sown 
in  rows  from  12  to  15  inches  apart,  and  in  successful  management 
more  depends  on  timely  and  judicious  thinning  than  anything  else. 
Great  care  is  necessary  in  this  operation,  and  AA'here  two  or  three  are 
groAving  together  they  must  be  reduced  to  a  single  plant,  and  be 
finally  left  Avith  a  distance  of  from  6  to  12  inches  betAveen  them, 
according  to  the  general  size  attained  by  the  variety. 
The  tropical  sunshine  of  this  summer  has  been  disastrous  to 
Turnips,  particularly  on  very  light  soils,  and  Avaterlng  has  been  abso¬ 
lutely  necessary.  Where  artificial  means  have  to  be  adopted  for 
supplying  moisture  it  should  be  thoroughly  done.  Lifting  and  storing 
may  be  carried  out  on  the  lines  recommended  for  other  root  crops,  a 
dry  atmosphere  being  necessary,  Avith  no  other  protection  except  what 
is  necessary  to  exclude  frost.  A  portion  of  the  crop  may  be  left  in 
the  ground,  and  the  Turnips  pulled  as  required  for  use.  In  severe 
Avdnters  it  is  Avell  not  to  destroy  those  not  required  for  use,  as  by 
leaving  them  in  the  ground  the  green  tops  may  serve  as  useful  vege¬ 
tables  in  case  of  emergency,  after  which  they  can  be  turned  into  the 
ground  Avhen  digging.  Like  many  other  vegetables  of  this  kind 
