May  1,  1902. 
389 
JOUnNAL 
OF  HORTICULTURF 
A  \  D  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
‘fail  is  well  known,  and  along  now  is  the  most  critical  tune  of  the 
whole  season.  The  recent  warm  weather  and  light  April  showers 
are  hastening  on  the  flowers,  though  the  many  different  species 
and  varieties  of  fruit  trees  prolong  a  naturally  short  and  verj^ 
beautiful  season.  Rain  is  wanted  badly  5  the  few  light  showers 
are  by  no  means  sufficient,  and  the  springs  are  becoming  low. 
The  hedgerows  are  presenting  a  beautiful  appearance,  with  an 
abundance  of  Blackthorn  blossom.  Everywhere  Nature  has 
opened  her  annual  display  of  the  flowers  of  spring.  By  a  curious 
coincidence,  at  the  time  of  writing,  Aijril  23,  Maidstone,  the 
capital,  is  holding  in  the  Corn  Exchange  a  very  unique  floral 
exhibition.  Enlike  most  flower  shows,  the  admission  is  nil ; 
everj'body  is  cordially  welcomed  to  see  flowers  immortelle^ — no 
-charge  for  admission  and  no  collection.  All  the  flowers  are  made  by 
hand,  and  are  thus  artificial,  being  of  silk  or  muslin.  Chrys¬ 
anthemums  and  Roses  are  very  real  looking,  likewise  Lilies  of 
Valley ;  but  Violets  and  Geraniums  do  not  adopt  a  natural 
aiipearance.  The  stalls  are  managed  chiefly  by  young  ladies,  and 
every  endeavour  is  used  to  sell  the  flowers.  The  whole  of  the 
money  taken  is  used  for  training  cripiDle  girls,  under  the  auspices 
of  the  Watercress  and  Flower  Girls’  Christian  Mission,  cripples’ 
industrial  training  branch.  Altogether  it  was  an  exhibition  of 
much  interest  and  well  worth  a  visit,  teaching  much  to  those 
who  w’ould  learn  something  of  the  inner  nature  and  life  of  such  a 
charitable  work. — H.  R.,  Kent. 
Societies. 
Royal  Horiicultural— ScMtiflc  Committee,  April  22nd. 
Present;  Dr.  M.  C.  Cooke  (in  the  chair);  Messrs.  Bowies,  Worsdell, 
Saunders.  Nicholson,  Sutton,  and  Worsley,  Dr.  Rendle,  Prof.  Boulger, 
Rev.  W.  Wilks,  and  Rev.  G.  Henslow,  hon.  sec. 
Report  on  plants  sent  to  last  meeting. — Dr.  M.  C.  Cooke  wwites  as 
follow's :  —  ••  Daffodil  leaves.  —  1  failed  to  find  any  distinct  evidence 
of  bacteria  in  the  etiolated  spots,  but  still  think  that  the  theory  of 
baeteriosis  is  probable.  Stem  tubers  of  Orchids. — Externally  they 
exhibited  rounded  blackish  spots,  beneath  wdiieh  the  cellular  tissue 
was  blackened  deeply  into  the  tiiber.  It  had  all  the  appearance  of 
fungoid  disease.  I  examined  it  at  once^  biit  no  trace  of  mycelium  or 
spore  could  )je  found.  Kept  in  a  damp  atmosphere  for  fourteen  days, 
it  was  then  examined  again,  wdth  the  like  result.  I  cannot  account 
tor  the  spots,  but  can  find  not  the  slightest  evidence  that  they  are  of 
fungoid  origin.  Tulip  bulbs. — The  outer  scales  were  decayed,  inner 
ones  only  being  sound.  The  decayed  portion  gave  no  indication  of 
fungus  growth,  and  no  trace  of  mycelium,  but  contained  numbers  of 
nematode  worms.  There  were  also  other  evidences  of  insect  depreda¬ 
tions.  Japanese  Maple. — The  peculiar,  globose,  pale  little  bodies 
which  w'ere  clustered  in  the  axils  of  branches,  proved  to  l)e  agglomera¬ 
tions  of  minute  fragments  of  w'oody  tissue,  apparently  the  exuviae  of 
some  grub.  1  did  not  remove  them  to  ascertain  if  tliere  were  any 
excavations  beneath,  but  referred  them  back  for  entomologists  to 
examine.  Orchid  leaves. — There  was  an  amorphus.  browm,  decayed 
matter  in  the  cells,  but  no  mycelium  or  fungous  spores.  I  attribute 
the  spots  to  some  external  cause.  Linum  trigynum. — There  was 
nothing  on  the  surface  of  the  leaf,  and  no  mycelium  in  the  interior, 
not  the  slightest  trace  of  fungi.  All  I  find  in  the  white  spots  is  that 
the  cells  are  deficient  in  chlorophyll,  just  as  in  the  Daffodil.  There 
are  just  the  abnormal  cells,  lint  no  chlorophyll  in  them.  I  have  often 
seen  the  same  thing  on  leaves  of  the  Honeysuckle,  but  could  never 
comprehend  it.  There  is  doubtless  some  physiological  cause  for  the 
manifestation  of  the  disease,  apparently  a  weakness  in  the  plant, 
requiring  some  stimulus.  Is  it  more  heat,  or  more  nitrogen  in  the 
soil  ?  The  fact  of  not  flowmring  seems  to  indicate  weakness.  I  can 
suggest  nothing,  only  it  is  certain  that  there  is  no  parasite  at  present.’’ 
'■‘■Silver-leaf.'’'  —  Mr.  Worsley  show'ed  stems  of  Peaches  with 
blackened  w'ood,  as  seen  in  a  cross-section,  indicating  some  condition 
Avhich  apparently  injures  the  wdiole  tree,  producing  the  “  silver-leaf  ” 
affection  ;  it  is  common  also  on  Plum  tr^es  and  Portugal  Laurel,  but  it 
has  never  been  accounted  for. 
Tulipa  si/lvestris. — He  also  shoAved  this  plant,  regarded  as  a  true 
native  by  Hooker  in  S.W.  Yorks,  Norfolk,  Suffolk,  and  Somerset, 
being/  naturalised  elseAAdiere.  Mr.  HensloAV  observed  that  it  groAvs 
abundantly  in  tivo  Amlleys  in  Malta.  Its  distribution  is  from  Holland 
south Avards.  so  that  in  Somersetshire  it  may  be  a  member  of  the  British 
Mediterranean  group.  Mr.  Worsley  also  shoAved  specimens  of  Bidens 
delfinifolia  Avith  small  yelloAV  floAvers,  a  Mexican  annual,  and  also  Mariea 
coerulea  from  tropical  E.  x\merica.  It  has  a  bell-shaped  floAver  AAuth 
no  tube,  and  belongs  to  Iridese.  One  species  occurs  in  "NV'.  tropical 
Africa,  the  other  eight  in  E.  America,  indicating  a  probable  former 
connection  betAveen  the  tAvo  continents. 
Cephalotaxzis,  fruiting. — Mr.  Wilks  shoAved  a  bough,  not  usually 
seen  in  fruit  in  this  country. 
PcBony  with  the  goat  moth. — iMr.  Holmes  shoAved  specimens  of  the 
stems  thus  injured  ;  a  plant  not  usually  attacked  by  the  caterpillar  of 
ffliis  moth. 
Boot  nodules  on  Bohinia. — Mr.  Rogers,  IlexAvorthy.  Launceston, 
CoriiAvall,  sent  some  roots  of  the  garden  Acacia,  shoAving  the  microbe¬ 
bearing  tubercles,  Avliich  Avere  terminal  and  glolnilar.  aliout  l-8th 
of  an  inch  in  diameter.  They  are  also  remarkably  large  on  the  mots 
of  Laljurnum,  forming  coral-like  masses  sometimes  as  large  as  a 
pigeon’s  egg. 
Peach  blossoms. — Mr.  G,  A.  Bunyard  sent  some  blossoms  of  sman- 
floAvered  A’arieties  of  Peacli  and  Nectarine,  illustrating  a  considerable 
difference  in  the  degrees  of  protogyny.  In  some  the  pistil  protruded 
to  a  great  distance,  the  chance  of  self-fertilisation  being  very  slight. 
In  others  it  Avas  much  shorter.  In  all  eases  the  stamens  Avere  inai'ch- 
ing  so  that  self-fertilisation  Avas  easily  secured.  In  a  doulAle-floAvered 
kind  there  Avas  a  similar  difference,  so  that  they  miglit  be  almost 
called  short-styled  ”  and  long-styled,”  but  ahvays  protogynoAis. 
Mr.  Bunyard  observes  tliat  in  the  large-floAvered  Aarieties  the  style  is 
too  long  for  the  bud,  so  that  it  is  bent  round.  This  is  a  common 
result  in  many  self-fertilising  buds,  as  of  Sah  ia  Verl)enaea.  Laniium 
amplexicaule,  &c.,  so  that  it  may  possibly  be  so  in  this  case ;  ljut  it 
appears  that  the  small-floAvered  varieties  are  the  most  prolific,  hence 
insect  agency  perhaps  comes  into  play.  Neitlicr  the  bitter  nor  SAveet 
Almond  haAm  a  protruding  style.  Our  Avild  species  of  Primus,  as  the 
Sloe,  and  Bird  Cherry  are  all  protogynous,  tlie  cause  proliably  being 
the  colder  temperature  of  early  spring.  He  also  sent  floAvers  of  the 
Tilibett’s  Pearmain  Apple,  liaA’ing  unusually  long  styles.  It  is  proto¬ 
gynous,  and  a  scanty  bearer. 
Turnip  varieties. — The  folloAving  interesting  communication  Avas 
receiA'ed  from  Mr.  Gould,  of  Sleaford; — “  We  haA^e  occasionally  planted 
a  single  extra  good  stock  root  to  produce  seed,  and  almost  in  every 
ease  the  produce  is  mixed.  When  there  are  fifteen  or  tAventy  of  the 
same  type  put  in  together  the  produce  is  ahvays  satisfactory.  For 
instance,  one  perfect  Enfield  Market  Cabbage  as  a  result  gave  us 
almost  eA’ery  variety  of  Borecole,  garden  and  cattle  Caljbage.  Savoy, 
and  Sprouts.  One  Altrincham  Carrot  gave  a  number  of  Avhite  roots. 
(.)ne  root  of  Mangold,  in  four  instances  in  four  different  seasons, 
produced  a  mixed  crop  of  bullis.  And  Ave  liaA’e  a  \ery  curious  instance 
this  year;  In  a  20-aere  field  of  Giant  Bronzetop  SAvede  Ave  found  one 
root  of  Red  Tankard  Turnip,  the  finest  Ave  ever  saAv.  It  Avas  planted 
in  a  private  garden  miles  from  any  Tiurnip  or  SAvede  seed,  Avas  covered 
Avith  muslin  to  preA’ent  any  chance  of  inoculation,  and  the  produce  is 
Avonderful.  Thei'e  are  a  feAv  Short  Red  Tankard  Turnip,  Gi’eentop  and 
Greystone  Turnip,  Purpletop  and  Greentop  SAvedes,  as  Avell  as  some 
intermediate  forms.  Can  you  suggest  any  cause  for  this  state  of 
things  ?  In  this  ease  the  Red  Tankard  must  hai'e  been  a  sport  from 
the  SAvedes  ;  Imt  in  those  Ave  first  indicate,  the  Cabbage  and  the  roots 
Avere  from  old  stocks  that  had  been  Avell  selected  for  years.  AVo 
enclose  particulars  of  the  Red  Tankard  produce  ;  the  others  Ave  did  not 
note  at  the  time.  —  Report  of  the  produce  of  one  handsome  Red 
Tankard  Turnip,  picked  up  in  a  20-acre  field  of  Giant  Bronzetop 
SAvede.  Seeded  in  a  private  garden  far  aAvay  from  any  other  Turnip 
or  SAvede  seed.  Covered  Avith  muslin  to  prevent  inoculation.  49 
Purpletoy)  SAvede,  7  Bronzetop  Swede.  150  Bronze  AVhite  Turnips,  10 
Greentop  ditto,  1  AVhitetop  ditto,  6  Reddishtop  ditto,  8  Short  Red 
Tankard,  and  a  score  or  tAvo  of  small  nondescript.”  The  opinion  of  the 
Committee  Avas  that  in  a  large  mass  of  any  one  kind  of  plant  the 
general  intercrossing  which  takes  place  tends  to  equalise  the  produce 
to  a  general  average,  the  Avould-be  varieties  being  “  sAvamped  ;  ”  but 
Avhen  a  single  plant  is  isolated  it  can  giA’e  rise  to  A'ariations  intact. 
Leucojum  vernitm  forming  bulbs. — Mr.  Bradley  sent  illustrations  of 
this  plant  forming  fresh  bulbs  above  the  one  planted  ;  he  Avrites  as 
folloAVS ;  “  The  border  in  Avhich  these  bulbs  grcAv  had  from  time  to 
time  been  topped  up  by  the  addition  of  soil,  the  effect  being  that  the 
base  of  the  bullis,  Avhich  had  originally  been  planted  much  shalloAver, 
had  gradually  been  covered  Avith  earth  to  a  depth  of  6  or  8  inches. 
Nerine  sarniensis  shoAved  a  similar  production  of  ncAV  bulbs.  They 
had  been  planted  about  five  years  ago.  AVhen  planting  a  trench  Avas 
throAvn  out  Avith  a  depth  of  some  18  inches,  and  aljout  3  inches  of 
manure  put  in,  then  the  tffench  Avas  filled  up  Avith  soil  and  the  bulbs 
planted  at  a  depth  of  about  3  inches  to  the  base  lielow  the  surface  of 
the  soil.  The  trench  was  subsequently  refilled  as  the  soil  sank,  so 
that  the  bulbs  Avere  ultimately  about  8  indies  beloAv  the  surface. 
Under  these  conditions  they  developed  the  upper  bulbs.”  The  inter¬ 
pretation  appears  to  be  that  bulbs  normally  re(]uire  to  be  at  certain 
depths,  some  deeper  than  others.  If  they  be  too  near  the  surface 
they  form  contractile  roots  Avhich  pull  them  doAvn,  but  in  the  present 
case  the  bull)  being  too  deep,  the  difficulty  is  surmounted  ))y  the 
formation  of  another  at  the  proper  depth  (see  Martin's  ‘‘Teratology,” 
p.  84). 
Royal  Meteorological. 
At  the  meeting  of  this  Society,  held  on  Wednesday  evening, 
the  16th  of  April,  at  the  Institution  of  Civil  Engineers,  Mr. 
"W.  H.  Dines,  the  President,  in  the  chair,  Captain  D.  Wilson- 
Barker  delivered  a  lecture  on  “  Clouds.”  After  some  remarks  on 
the  composition  and  the  height  of  the  atmosphere,  the  lecturer 
said  that  until  recent  years  comparatively  little  scientific  atten¬ 
tion  had  been  paid  to  the  subject  of  clouds.  This  he  largely 
attributed  to  the  lack  of  a  simple  practical  classification.  The 
French  naturalist  Lamarck  was  probably  the  first  to  formulate 
bne,  but  Luke  Howard,  a  London  merchant,  about  1802,  intro¬ 
duced  the  first  in-actical  classification,  Avhich  is  still  in  use  among 
