September  12,  1901. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
245 
Plptanthus  nepalensls. — We  recently  saw  this  shrub,  and  of 
which  we  are  able  to  furnish  an  illustration  of  a  flower-shoot,  growing 
in  a  garden  in  Haddingtonshire.  It  is  not  to  be  depended  on,  however> 
away  in  the  North.  Even  at  sunny,  dry-  oiled  Kew  they  grow  it  upon  a 
south  wall,  where  it  flowers  profusely.  It  is  not  particularly  showy,  yet 
as  a  “  rare  ”  subject  it  is  of  interest.  Choose  as  warm  and  favourable 
a  spot  as  possible.  Plant  during  the  coming  fall.  In  the  extreme  south 
it  may  be  planted  in  clumps  in  the  open  ground. 
Sweet  Pea  Miss  Wlllmott. — Mr.  H.  Eokford  has  given  the  lovers 
of  Sweet  Peas  many  valuable  novelties,  but  not  one  more  worthy  of 
extended  cultivation  than  Miss  Willmott.  Not  only  is  it  an  extra  large 
flowering  variety,  but  it  is  exceptionally  free  at  the  same  time,  many  of 
the  stems  carrying  three  blossoms.  For  decoration  in  a  cut  state  in  a 
mass  it  is  exceedingly  fine,  its  colour  is  so  striking,  yet  so  pleasing;  the 
standards,  which  are  bold,  are  a  rich  deep  orange  pink,  the  wings  are 
heavily  shaded  with  rose.  I  consider  it  an  improved  Gorgeous,  which 
is  saying  a  good  deal.  All  lovers  of  Sweet  Peas  should  make  a  note  of 
this  charming  variety. — E.  M. 
Plants  for  an  Arold  Collection. — The  following,  though  not  all 
Aroids,  are  what  might  be  included  in  such  a  collection  as  they  have 
in  the  new  house  at  Edinburgh  Botanic  Garden  : — Calanthe  zebrina, 
Hedychiums,  Braohychilum  Horsfieldi,  Piper  ornatum,  Hellonias,  Rave- 
nalia  guiensis,  Clinogyne  grandis,  Godwinia  gigas,  Aglaonema  oblongi- 
folium,  Philodendron  Wallisi,  Xylaonema  Manni,  Mapania  panduraa- 
folia,  Amorphophallus  bulbifera,  Bertolonia  Houtteana,  Epiaoia  fulgida, 
Fittonias,  Alooasia  Lindeni,  A.  Sanderiana,  &c.,  Asplenium  marginatum, 
Selaginella  grandis,  S.  inequalifolia,  Anthurium  Browni,  A.  Jennani, 
Dieffenbachia  marmorata,  D.  magnifica,  D.  Bowmanni,  Hoffmanni 
discolor,  Platycerium  Willincki,  Caladiums,  Monsteras,  Cissus  disoolor 
and  numerous  other  stove  foliage  plants. 
Gourds,  Squashes,  and  Pumpkins  at  Kew. — On  either  side  of 
the  divisional  walk  running  east  and  west  through  the  herbaoeous 
plants’  ground  in  the  Royal  Gardens  at  Kew  are  annually  to  be  seen, 
at  this  season  of  the  year,  an  interesting  collection  of  Cucurbitaceous 
plants.  It  is  the  colours  and  forms  of  their  peculiar  fruits  that  so 
much  satisfies  the  curiosity  of  visitors.  The  seeds  are  sown  in  pots 
in  warm  houses  during  spring,  whence  the  plants  are  gradually  and 
steadily  brought  along  till  about  the  middle  of  June.  Having  been 
accustomed  to  the  open  air  for  a  little  while  previously,  they  are 
planted  out  in  very  richly  manured  light  soil.  The  position  chosen  is 
between  bushy  Biotas  (Cupressus),  well  sheltered  and  sunny.  A  tall 
knotted  stake — a  roughly  lopped  Oak  branchlet  would  suit— is  at  their 
back,  and  to  this  the  plants  cling  and  attach  themselves  in  the  course 
of  their  development.  The  varieties  included  are  chiefly  variations  of 
the  species  Cuourbita  Pepo  and  C.  maxima.  Oucurbita  ficifolia,  of 
course,  is  distinct  by  itself.  I  believe  the  seeds  are  obtainable  from 
some  of  the  Paris  seedsmen,  or  other  continentals,  but  they  may 
possibly  be  had  at  home  here.  If  gardeners  in  the  country  Realised 
the  ornamental  effect  of  the  great  foliage  and  handsome  fruits  of  these 
plants,  I  am  certain  that  other  collections  would  be  in  evidence.  It  is 
true  they  are  liable  to  failure  from  a  variety  of  causes,  but  chiefly 
from  boisterous  and  inclement  weather,  whioh  “  tashes  ”  them  severely  ; 
yet  they  are  worthy  of  some  persevering  care.  The  following  are 
the  names  of  some  of  the  Cuourbitse  at  Kew  : — Gourds  (varieties  of 
Cucurbitus  Pepo)  :  Spanish,  Orange,  Warty  Skinned,  Swan’s  Egg, 
Apple,  Melon,  Turban,  Grey,  Boulogne,  Miniature,  Bicolor  Pear,  Brazilian 
Sugar,  Whale,  White  Pear,  Mottled  Pear,  Umbrella,  White  Egg,  CitroD, 
and  Olive  Gourds.  It  will  be  seen  that  these  names  are  strictly  natale 
solum,  in  fact,  even  ludicrously  colloquial.  Descriptions  must  be 
reserved.  The  only  Squash  seems  to  be  the  Warted  variety.  There 
are  various  Marrows  (C.  Pepo),  Buoh  as  the  Golden,  Italian,  Ribbed, 
Green -pointed,  and  Warted.  Pumpkins  (0.  maxima  vars.)  are  repre¬ 
sented  by  the  Yellow,  Etampes,  and  Tours.  All  are  trained  to 
perpendicular  stakes  about  9  feet  or  10  feet  high.  By  the  cross- 
fertilising  agenoy  of  bees  a  number  of  the  varieties,  however,  are  not 
now  striotly  true. 
Baked  Tomatoes. — Peel  and  slice  very  thin  four  large  Tomatoes. 
Put  iu  a  pudding  dish  a  layer  of  bread  crumbs,  then  a  layer  of  Tomatoes, 
seasoning  with  salt,  pepper,  scraps  of  butter,  and  a  little  Onion,  another 
layer  of  crumbs,  and  then  Tomatoes.  Have  the  top  layer  Tomatoes. 
Beat  two  eggs,  season  with  salt,  pour  over  the  Tomatoes,  add  a  cover  of 
crumbs  and  a  little  more  butter.  Bake  twenty-five  minutes. 
Open-air  Peaches. — Mr.  Wright  at  Chiswick  has  successfully 
established  dwarf,  outdoor  bush  Peach  and  Nectarine  trees.  These 
are  exceedingly  ro  bust,  and  have  this  year  borne  very  regular  crops, 
especially  the  varieties  Dr.  Hogg,  Early  Ascot,  and  Barrington. 
Rivers’  Nectarine,  too,  has  been  prominent.  Situated  as  they  are 
between  one  of  the  vineries  and  a  west  wall,  and  being,  furthermore> 
sheltered  by  a  wall  on  the  north  side,  there  is  little  fear  of  their  failure 
jtom  want  of  shelter. 
Pegged  down  Vines. — An  instanoe  of  what  oan  be  done  to  assist 
the  production  of  heavy  crops  from  Vines  can  be  seen  by  anyone 
visiting  Chiswick  now,  or  ia  the  near  future.  In  a  house  devoted  to 
Gros  Colman  the  superintendent  some  years  ago  pegged  down  the 
side  shoots  whioh  were  sent  out  towards  the  base  of  the  single  stem 
Vines.  One  shoot  from  either  side  of  each  Vine  was  simply  pegged 
down  upon  the  surface  of  the  border  without  any  notohing  or  cutting 
whatever.  Roots  soon  sprung  out  and  fastened  themselves  deep  in  the 
border,  so  that  now  their  assistance  in  assimilating  nutritive  matter 
is  apparent  in  a  most  demonstrative  fashion,  as  these  layered  canes  are 
carryiug  three  or  four  more  bunches,  and  of  greater  weight  than  their 
parent  canes.  The  practice  is  worth  applying  more  frequently  than 
at  present  obtains. 
Leea  amabllls. — The  illustration  of  this  stove  p’ant  on  page  253, 
so  admirably  depicts  it  that  description  seems  needless.  Since  it  came 
into  commerce  about  the  year  1882,  a  very  large  section  of  gardeners 
have  included  it  in  their  Btove  collections,  and  even  amongst  the 
ohoioest  members  one  oan  remark  an  elegance  and  brightness  in  this 
plant  that  is  frequently  more  satisfying  than  most  of  the  other  subjects 
surrounding  it.  The  cultural  data  are  such  as  any  careful  grower  may 
apply  with  every  hope  of  suooess.  The  upper  surface  of  the  leaves  is 
velvety,  deep  bronzy  green  with  a  broad  white  central  stripe;  the  veins 
are  also  white  at  the  bases.  When  young  the  leaves  are  pale  pinkish 
brown.  The  variety  named  splendens  is  distinctly  superior,  having 
bright  red  markings  and  also  red  stems.  The  species  is  a  native  of 
Borneo,  where  it  was  found  by  one  of  Messrs.  Veitoh’s  collectors. 
Victoria  regia. — Owing  to  a  fungoid  disease,  the  Kew  specimen  of 
the  gigantic  Water  Lily  of  the  Amazon  died  some  time  ago,  leaving  the 
specimen  now  growing  at  the  Royal  Botanic  Gardens,  Regent’s  Park, 
the  only  representative  of  its  kind  in  or  near  London.  This  curious 
plant,  Viotoria  regia,  at  present  possesses  ten  well-developed  leaves, 
the  largest  being  over  6  feet  in  diameter,  the  whole  occupying  a  space 
of  500  square  feet.  They  are  of  a  most  brilliant  green,  circular  in 
shape,  with  the  edge  turned  up  to  a  height  of  4  inches,  showing  the 
deep  pink  underside,  with  its  covering  of  sharp  spines.  The  flowers  are 
pure  white  when  first  open,  but  change  to  a  rose  tint  as  the  petals 
expand,  and  last  only  two  days.  It  is  remarkable  that  the  plant  should 
grow  from  a  seed  no  larger  than  a  pea,  and  attain  to  its  full  size  in  a 
little  over  six  months.  In  September,  1895,  the  secretary  of  the  Regent’s 
Park  Botanic  Garden,  Mr.  J.  B.  Sowerby,  was  photographed  seated 
upon  a  leaf  floating  on  the  water.  We  should  like  to  know  further 
details  on  this  point. 
Pickled  Walnuts. —  These  are  best  gathered  early  in  summer,  on 
a  hot  clear  day,  when  they  are  tender  enough  to  pierce  easily  with  a 
pin.  Lay  them  in  strong  salt  and  water,  half  a  cup  of  salt  to  a  quart 
of  water,  for  several  days,  or  until  tender.  Change  the  water  every 
other  day.  Take  them  out,  and  rub  them  with  a  coarse  towel,  then 
put  them  where  the  sun  will  shine  on  them  until  they  are  black,  shake 
them  occasionally  so  they  will  be  uniformly  coloured.  If  you  do  not 
oare  for  the  dark  colour,  you  may  put  them  at  once  from  the  brine 
into  oold  water  for  half  a  day.  When  ready  to  pickle  them,  wipe  the 
nuts  dry,  and  fill  the  jars  three-fourths  full.  Take  a  little  more  than 
vinegar  enough  to  fill  the  jars,  and  to  every  quart  allow  quarter  of  a 
cup  of  brown  sugar,  twelve  cloves,  twelve  pepperoorns,  twelve  allspice 
berries,  twelve  cassia  buds,  and  1  square  inch  of  stick  cinnamon.  Boil 
the  spices  in  the  vinegar  ten  minutes,  then  strain,  and  pour  it  boiling 
hot  over  the  nuts.  Repeat  this  twice,  and,  after  the  last  time,  cover 
olose  by,  or  seal,  and  put  away  in  a  oool,  dry  place.  They  should  stand 
about  a  month  before  using. 
