March  6,  1902. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTIGULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
211 
and  probably  bnilt  with  the  same  intention.  Curiously,  too,  the 
Magpie  builds  two  separate  nests,  which  are  also  dome-shaped, 
and  generally  composed  of  Thorn  twigs,  cemented  Avith  clay,  and 
lined  Avith  fine  roots  and  dried  grass. 
I  am  especially  interested  AA’ith  the  existence  of  a  pair  of 
Magpies’  nests,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant  from  AA’here  I 
am  Avriting  these  notes.  They  AA’ere  built  last  season  a  fcAA’  yards 
apart  in  a  Beech  tree,  adjoining  each  other,  and  in  close 
proximity  to  the  public  higlxAA’ay.  The  breeding  nest  appears  to 
be  someAA’hat  larger  than  the  cock’s  nest.  Referring,  however,  to 
the  nesting  habits  of  the  Wren,  it  may  be  interesting  to  mention 
That  Avhen  on  a  visit  to  the  Oxford  Botanical  Gardens  I  Avas 
shoAvn  a  Wren’s  nest  containing  eggs,  but,  if  I  recollect  aright, 
in  a  thicket  of  the  branches  of  a  pillar  trained  Habrothamnus 
elegans  in  one  of  the  greenhouses.  My  conductor  informed  me 
that  the  parents  did  not  exhibit  the  least  fear  of  the  attendants 
or  A'isitors,  and  that  ingress  and  egress  Avas  made  through  a  small 
hole  in  the  glass  roof  of  the  house,  near  at  hand,  and  built  in  a 
bush  outside  was  the  cock’s  nest  (it  could  hardly  be  called  a 
^‘bachelor’s”  nest),  constructed  with  green  moss,  and  unlined, 
and  in  AA’hich  the  bird  was  observed  to  roost  at  night. 
The  hunting  of  the  Wren  is  an  ancient  custom  on  St.  Stephen’s 
Day  or  Christmas  Day,  especially  in  the  South  of  Ireland ;  a 
■similar  custom  obtained  on  other  days  in  other  localities.  Its 
origin  is  said  to  be  unknoAxm.  One  popular  legend,  hoAvever, 
Avhich  I  knew  in  my  boyhood  home  in  South  WarAvickshire,  Avas 
to  the  effect  that  AAdien  the  Danes  invaded  this  country  they 
were  betrayed  Avhen  asleep  by  the  Wrens,  Avho,  beating  Avith  their 
bills  on  the  drums  of  the  enemy,  awoke  the  Saxon  sentinels,  and 
cons-’quently  eternal  vengeance  was  vowed  against  the  Wren 
tamily ;  hence  the  annual  hunting  custom.  There  may  be  other 
traditions  of  a  similar  character  connected  with  the  “hunting  of 
the  Wren.” — William  Gaedinek,  Harborne,  Staffs. 
Beckenham  Gardeners’  Society. 
On  Friday  eA^ening,  Feb.  28,  through  the  kindness  of  Messrs.  J. 
Peed  and  Sons  (avIio  make  a  speciality  of  the  Caladium),  their 
able  groAver,  Mr.  R.  Bastin,  read  a  very  practical  paper  on  the 
-culture  of  these  beautiful  summer  occupants  of  the  stove.  For 
many  of  the  present-day  varieties  Ave  are  indebted  to  the  skill  of 
the  late  Mens.  A.  Bleu,  a  French  chemist,  and  the  late  Mr.  John 
Bause,  Avho  raised  some  golden  varieties,  and  which,  as  stated 
by  the  essayist,  Avere  too  delicate  to  stand  the  strong  sunshine  to 
the  extent  that  the  red  varieties  would  do,  and  to  their  benefit. 
A  Mr.  Letts  is  noAV  hybridising  on  a  large  scale  in  the  Rio  (?) 
•centre,  and  from  that  source  splendid  varieties  are  forthcoming. 
Mr.  Bastin  dealt  Avith  propagation,  and  gave  some  valuable  hints, 
some  of  which  Avere  new  to  his  hearers.  A  good  bottom  heat  Avas 
recommended,  and  with  plenty  of  moisture,  the  temperature  Avith 
sun  heat  might  rise  to  95deg  or  lOOdeg.  Good  loam,  leaf  soil, 
peat,  sphagnum  moss,  charcoal,  and  sand  to  form  rather  a  spongy 
mass,  AA'as  stated  by  Mr.  Bastin  to  give  capital  results.  The 
plants,  Avhen  AA'ell  rooted,  to  be  kept  up  to  their  work  by  the 
application  of  liquid  manure,  made  by  placing  a  quantity  of  sheep 
manure  and  soot  in  a  bag  and  then  immersing  in  a  tub  of  Avater. 
For  resting  the  roots  a  temperature  of  not  loAA’er  than  GOdeg 
would  be  found  suitable.  A  good  discussion  took  place,  after 
which  a  hearty  vote  of  thanks  AA^as  accorded  Mr.  Bastin  for  his 
excellent  paper,  the  meeting  requesting  Mr.  Webster  (librarian) 
"to  convey  their  be.st  thanks  to  Messrs.  John  Peed  and  Sons. 
- - 
Freesias  from  Bitterne. 
Accompanying  the  following  letter  came  a  delightful  boxful 
•of  Freesia  blooms  (F.  refracta  alba)  the  racemes  bearing  nine  and 
ten  beautiful  and  odorous  floAvers  apiece.  The  Silver  Wattle  or 
Mimosa  (Acacia  dealbata)  Avas  most  effective  among  the  Avhite 
Freesias.'  Thus: — “I  am  sending  you  a  fcAv  blooms  of  Freesia 
just  to  scent  your  office.  I  am  doing  it  more  to  oblige  a  feAv  of 
my  gardener  friends  than  anything  :  they  have  been  urging  me 
for  a  long  time  to  send  you  a  feAV  blooms  for  inspection.  I  have 
had  a  very  nice  lot  ever  since  Cliristmas.  I  do  not  think  I  have 
ever  had  better,  although  I  usually  have  some  good  ones,  and 
last  season  I  was  aAA^arded  tAvo  Certificates  for  Freesias  ;  but  these 
particular  friends  of  mine  (mostly  Journal  reader.s)  have  been 
trying  to  get  some  sent  to  you,  as  they  seem  to  think  a  feAv  notes 
on  my  treatment  Avould  be  useful  to  readers.  I  make  no  secret 
of  the  treatment  I  give  them,  but  if  it  Avill,  in  your  estimation, 
after  seeing  a  few  of  the  floAA'ers,  be  useful  to  readers,  I  Avill  try 
at  a  future  date  to  give  my  cultural  experience. — A.  W.  T.” 
[By  all  means  let  others  have  the  benefit  of  a  note  on  your 
successful  mode  of  treatment. — Ed.] 
Cactus  Dahlias. 
Either  in  a  cut  .state  or  for  garden  decoration  the  Cactus  type 
of  Dahlia  is  the  more  useful,  and  therefore  the  more  popular. 
The  point  to  bear  in  mind  in  making  a  selection  of  A-arieties  is  to 
include  only  those  that  are  free  floAvering,  and  Avhich  carry  their 
blossoms  Avell  above  the  leaves.  In  the  case  of  groAving  for  exhi¬ 
bition  this  does  not  matter  so  much ;  in  that  case  it  is  quality  of 
floAver  indiAndually  that  is  of  the  most  importance.  Noav  is  a  good 
time  to  set  about  the  raising  of  a  stock  of  plants  for  the  coming 
season’s  display.  If  any  old  roots  are  in  stock  of  desirable  sorts 
they  should  be  introduced  into  a  slight  Avarmth  to  induce  them 
to  throAV  up  sucker-like  shoots.  These,  taken  off  Avith  a  slight 
heel,  inserted  singly  in  small  pots  in  sandy  soil,  plunging  the  pots 
in  a  moist  bottom  heat,  Avill  quickly  make  roots,  and  groAv  into 
stocky  plants  if  .shifted  on  into  larger  pots,  giA’ing  them  cool 
treatment  after  they  are  established  in  the  fresh  soil  to  induce  a 
stocky  groAvth. 
The  old  roots  can  be  laid  upon  a  stage.  Cucumber  bed,  or 
placed  in  boxes  in  a  light  position  in  a  temperature  of  not  less 
than  GOdeg  to  induce  them  to  makoAUgorousgroAvth.  The  stations 
or  sites  Avhere  the  plants  are  to  groAV  is  an  important  point  in 
culture.  The  plants  cannot  have  too  much  exposure  to  sun  and 
air ;  any  shade  from  overhanging  trees  is  fatal  to  success.  Deeply 
dug  and  Avell-manured  soil  is  important.  The  plants  should  not 
have  less  than  4ft  of  space ;  more  Avould  be  better.  Dig  or  trench 
the  soil  2ft  deep,  adding  half-decayed  manure  freely.  If  the 
stations  are  prepared  one  or  tAvo  months  before  planting  time,  in 
May  or  the  early  part  of  June,  so  much  the  better.  After  the 
plants  are  thoroughly  prepared  by  hardening  gradually  to 
exposure,  and  safely  protected  after  planting  for  a  foAV  nights 
from  cold,  but  little  else  is  required  in  cultivation.  Stake  the 
shoots  securely  that  they  do  not  snap  off  by  strong  Avind,  and  do 
not  overcroAvd  them.  From  four  to  six  main  shoots  to  each  plant 
is  sufficient ;  more  Avill  croAvd  each  other,  and  not  to  advantage 
either. 
Cut  aAAmy  all  small  useless  groAvth  as  fast  as  it  is  made,  concen¬ 
trating  the  energy  of  the  plant  into  the  selected  branches. 
Abundance  of  water  to  the  roots  is  an  adA^antage  during  dry 
Aveather  to  maintain  them  in  active  groAvth  ;  liquid  manure  also 
is  a  valuable  stimulant,  and  so  is  mulching  of  half-decayed  manure 
spread  over  the  ground  to  arrest  moisture  during  a  spell  of  di-y 
Aveather. 
The  folloAving  are  desirable  varieties,  embracing  neAv  anc^ 
choice  older  sorts.  Mrs.  H.  J.  Jones  (West)  is  one  of  the  best 
of  noAv  Amrieties,  having  recehmd  official  recognition  at  the  hands 
of  the  Committee  of  the  R.H.S.  as  Avell  as  the  National  Dahlia 
Society,  'the  colour  is  pleasing — scarlet  edged  Avith  cream  and 
heavily  tipped  Avith  Avhite.  The  habit  of  groAvth  is  erect,  the 
blooms  shoAving  well  above  the  foliage.  Arab  (Keynes),  rich 
velvety  maroon,  florets  long,  narroAv,  and  neatly  arranged, 
xturoi'a  (Mortimer),  rosy  salmon,  petals  pointed,  a  good  centre. 
Aunt  Chloe  (StredAvick)  is  an  imnrovement  on  Kncle  Tom, 
having  finer  petals  of  a  deep  glossy  black  colour.  Clai'ence  Webb 
(Keynes),  bronzy  red,  Avith  a  base  of  golden  yelloAv;  the  long 
reflexing  florets  curl  slightly  at  tlie  tip. 
John  Burns  (Mortimer)  is  an  advance  upon  the  popular  A-ariety 
Charles  Woodbridge  ;  the  pointed  petals  are  deep  crimson  ;  a  good 
exhibition  variety.  Lottie  Dean  (Burrell),  pale  amber-buff,  tinted 
at  the  edges;  an  effectKe  A-ariety  in  any  AA’ay.  Miss  Winchester 
is  a  variety  much  required;  the  coral-pink  colour  is  effective;  in 
Iiabit  it  is  erect  and  free  flowering. 
Mrs.  Edward  Mawley  (Burrell)  is  perhaps  the  best  yelloAV 
Cactus  Dahlia  at  present  in  existence,  its  constancy  of  flowering 
rendering  it  valuable  ;  the  long  narroAV  petals  slightly  incurve. 
Spotless  Queen  (West)  is  a  distinct  advance  in  white-floAvered 
A^arieties  ;  under  any  conditions  its  purity  of  colour  is  preserved  ; 
the  blooms  are  of  the  true  Cactus  type,  AA’liile  in  habit  qf  growth 
and  freedom  of  fioAveiing  little  is  to  be  desired  that  this  variety 
does  not  possess. 
Richard  Dean  (Stredwick),  Amrmilion  scarlet  Avith  di.stinct 
Avhite  tips ;  a  striking  novelty.  Spitfire  (Mortimer),  a  bright 
gloAAung  scarlet,  AA’ith  long  claAA’-like  petals;  the  blooms  are 
carried  avcII  above  the  foliage.  Florence  (StredAvick)  is  a  pretty 
shade  of  yelloAvish  orange;  the  pointed  petals  are  neatly 
arranged.  The  aboA'e  tAveh^e  are  noA’elties  of  the  present  year. 
The  under-mentioned  are  older,  yet  A’aluable  sorts.  Herbert 
Mortimer,  a  narroAV  petalled  A’ariety,  bright  cherry-red  AA’ith  an 
orange  shade  at  the  base. 
J.  W.  Wilkinson,  bright  crimson,  shaded  blue.  Major  Hobbs 
is  a  good  exhibition  A-ariety ;  a  clear  rose  colour.  Venus  belongs 
to  the  small  floAvered  section;  on  that  account  it  is  valuable  for 
Avreath  making  ;  the  floAvers  are  neatly  formed  and  pure  Avhite. 
Captain  Dreyfus,  dark  A'elvety  maroon.  Mrs.  J.  J.  CroAve, 
clear  yelloAV,  long  narroAv  petals.  Starfish,  coral  red,  free  floArer- 
ing.  Magnificent,  rosy  salmon.  Matchless,  deep  A’elvety 
maroon.  Dr.  Nansen,  bright  scarlet.  Beatrice,  pale  rose;  very 
effectiA’e.  Ranji,  deep  maroon. — E.  Molyxeux. 
