N ivembcr  28,  1901.  JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
485 
A  New  Carnation. 
Though  strictly  speaking  not  a  new  Carnation,  yet  the  advent 
■  of  Tree  Carnations  for  winter  flowering  has  taken  on  apace.  The 
dearth  of  varieties  on'  this  side  in  this  class  is  a  common  feature, 
The  one  referred  to  is  Belle  Silliman,  an  American  Carnation,  a 
fine  flower,  expanding  well,  and  the  calyx  tube  does  not  burst, 
although  this  may  he  questioned ;  yet  the  percentage  of  non- 
bursting  blooms  is  about  two  per  cent,  without  tube  supports,  be 
they  ring  of  rubber,  or  wire,  in  colour  a  white  ground,  edged  a 
faint  carmine. — O’N. 
Fibre-yielding  Plants. 
Experiments  are  being  carried  out  at  the  Royal  Botanic 
Gardens  in  Trinidad  with  the  view  of  ascertaining  the  economic 
value  of  certain  fibre-yielding  plants.  Fibres  prepared  from  one 
of  these  plants  (Wissadula  nostrata)  have  been  sent  to  Kew  for 
valuation,  and  experts  report  that  the  material  closely  resembles 
China  jute,  and  is  worth  between  £15  and  £16  per  ton.  An 
•experimental  shipment  of  fifty  tons  has  been  recommended. 
Plants  for  Moist  Ground. 
The  following  list  of  plants  are  suitable  for  deep,  moist  soils 
Barbarea  vulgaris,  B.  v.  variegata,  Juncus  maritimus,  Plantago 
maritima,  Lathyrus  maritimus,  Glaux  maritima,  Critlimum 
minimum,  Arenaria  peplioides,  Triglochin  maritimus,  Cochlearia 
danica,  Diotis  candidissima,  Calystegia  soldanella,  Equisetum 
hymenale,  E.  arvense,  E.  maximum,  Orchis  latifolia,  0.  maculata, 
Listera  ovata,  Lobelia  tufa,  Callas,  Cordyalis  capensis,  Nepetas, 
Morsea  proscideum,  Polygonum  roseum,  Zygadenus  elegans, 
Cardamine  bulbifera,  Diosporum  sessile,  Epipactus  palustris, 
Lilium  camiolicum,  Vaccinium  Vitis-Idsea  (shrub) ;  Lilium 
pardalinum  californicum,  Simethis  bicolor,  Cornus  canadensis, 
Selaginella  Douglasi,  Arisarum  proscideum,  Zephyranthes 
Candida,  Lycopodium  obscurum,  Erytlironiums,  Lysimachias, 
Diosporum  lanuginosum,  Sibthorpia  europaea,  Ti'illium  recurvum, 
T.  pendula,  T.  stylosum,  Selaginella  helvetica,  S.  ovatum,  Pratia 
angulata,  Allium  narcissiflorum,  Cardamine  pinnata,  Streptopus 
roseus,  Osmunda  regalis,  Gaulophyilum  thalictroides,  Hydro- 
cotylis  vulgare,  Eriphorum  vaginatum,  Hottonia  palustris. 
Fig  Growing  in  Smyrna. 
In  his  report  on  the  trade  of  Smyrna,  Mr.  Vice-Consul 
Hampson  gives  some  information  as  to  the  cultivation  of  Figs 
in  Smyrna.  He  says  that  the  Fig  district  lies  almost  entirely 
along  the  Smyrna-Ardin  Railway,  the  best  quality  of  fruit  called 
“  erbeilli  ”  coming  from  Inovasi,  while  those  from  Nasli  and 
Sultan  Hissar  are  also  much  valued,  though  their  skins  are  thicker 
and  lighter.  There  are  two  kinds  of  Figs,  both  from  the  same 
tree:  those  for  eating  and  those  for  distilling  purposes  (hurdas). 
The  fruit  of  trees  growing  on  the  plains  is  larger  and  richer  in 
saccharine  matter ;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  the  trees  in  the  plains 
-often  suffer  from  excess  of  moisture  in  a  wet  season,  which  those 
on  higher  ground  escape  owing  to  facilities  for  draining.  The 
trees  begin  to  bear  in  their  sixth  year,  and  are  in  full  vigour  in 
their  fifteenth  year.  The  fruit  ripens  about  the  middle  of  August, 
when  it  is  picked  and  dried  in  the  open  air  from  three  to  six  days. 
It  is  then  packed  in  sacks  of  about  2501b  each,  two  of  which  con¬ 
stitute  a  load  for  each  camel,  by  which  means  Figs  are  carried  to 
the  nearest  station  to  be  conveyed  by  train  to  Caravan  Bridge, 
Smyrna.  Thence  the  sacks  are  again  conveyed  by  camels  to  the 
depots  of  the  purchasers.  An  attempt  was  made  to  employ  carts 
(arabias)  in  the  place  of  camels,  but  it  was  found  that  the  fruit 
was  damaged  if  the  sacks  were  piled  one  on  the  other.  The  arrival 
of  the  camel  load  of  Figs  in  Smyrna  each  season  is  celebrated  as  a 
popular  festival,  as  the  washing,  drying,  and  packing  of  the  fruit 
gives  employment  to  thousands  of  families.  The  sale  of  dried 
Figs  for  food  takes  place  from  the  end  of  August  till  the  beginning 
of  November,  after  which  the  Sales  are  almost  entirely  of 
“  hurdas  ”  (Figs  for  distilling).  A  certain  qantity  of  these  latter 
.are  also  sent  to  Austria-Hungary,  where  they  are  used  as  a  sub¬ 
stitute  for  chicory. 
Fertilising  Top-dress  for  Lawns. 
Some  of  the  more  soluble  commercial  fertilisers,  like  nitrate  of 
soda  or  sulphate  of  ammonia,  and  the  muriate  or  the  sulphate  of 
potash,  say  lib  of  the  former  to  31b  of  the  latter  applied  at  the 
rate  of  3501b  to  4501b  per  acre,  or  501b  to  601b  for  the  ordinary 
city  or  town  lot,  make  a  very  good  dressing  for  a  lawn. 
A  Yellow  Chinese  Primrose. 
The  latest  novelty  in  flowers  which  are  generally  grown  for 
greenhouse  work  (reports  “  American  Gardening  ”)  is  a  yellow 
form  of  the  double  Chinese  Primrose,  and  should  prove  to  be  a 
decided  acquisition.  It  first  appeared  in  France,  and  is  figured 
in  a  recent  number  of  the  “  Revue  Horticole  ”  under  the  name 
of  “  Reve  d’Or.”  The  first  break  appeared  in  1899,  the  flowers 
being  of  moderate  size,  but  by  careful  selection  they  have  been 
much  developed.  The  flower  is  really  semi-double  of  rich  golden 
yellow  colour,  each  petal  being  bordered  by  white. 
Polygonum  orientate. 
This  species  flowers  with  great  persistence  and  freedom,  the 
character  of  the  plant  being  such  as  commands  attention  in  even 
the  best  collection  of  hardy  herbaceous  perennials  or  annuals. 
With  an  abundance  of  broad  and  smoothly  polished  lively-green 
coloured  foliage  and  graceful  shoots,  that  usually  rise  4ft  to  5$ft 
high,  terminating  in  rosy  mauve  or  purple  spikes  of  flowers,  which 
open  in  August,  the  plant  is  very  decorative.  We  may  say 
that  as  a  rule  the  flowers  arch  most  beautifully,  and  it  is  this 
character  that  adds  so  much  to  the  gracefulness  and  value  of  the 
plant  for  decorative  uses.  St.  John’s  Staff  is  a  name  commonly 
applied  when  referring  to  this  subject.  It  is  an  East  Indian 
annual,  and  must  be  raised  from  seeds  each  year.  Sow  these  in 
March  or  April,  according  to  the  weather,  or  earlier  under  glass. 
Thin  out  the  seedlings  and  transplant  in  the  open  border  when 
the  plants  are  fit  and  strong. 
Blackberries  and  Wlnebarrles. 
The  cultivation  of  Blackberries  and  Wineberries  is  not  so 
general  as  might  be,  seeing  that  they  are  usually  certain  of  bear¬ 
ing.  If  the  former  are  given  good  soil  to  grow  in,  and  plenty  of 
room  for  training  in  the  long  growths,  they  usually  produce  in  a 
similar  way  to  Raspberries.  The  cut-leaved  or  Parsley-leaved 
and  Wilson,  Junr.,  are  the  best  varieties  of  Blackberries.  Plant 
2ft  apart  in  rows  6ft  asunder.  Sucker  growths  having  plenty 
of  fibrous  roots  are  the  best  to  plant.  Cut  down  closely  to  the 
ground  the  following  spring  after  planting  in  autumn.  The 
production  of  strong  growths  is  essential  to  free  fruiting.  The 
Japanese  Wineberry  is  a  hardy  fruit-bearing  shrub,  about  4ft  or 
5ft  high.  Plant  small  specimens  now  in  good,  rich  soil,  giving  a 
space  of  3ft  to  each.  The  fruit  is  borne  on  the  previous  year’s 
growth.  After  fruiting,  these  shoots  may  be  cut  away,  which 
will  leave  room  for  the  new  to  develop.  To  form  fresh  planta¬ 
tions,  divide  the  roots  in  autumn.— E.  S. 
Jottings  on  Pines. 
Successional  plants  and  other  small  stock  are  best  grown 
in  span  or  three-quarter  span-roofed  pits  or  small  houses,  for  at 
this  season  the  plants  often  suffer  irreparable  injury  from  being 
kept  too  close  and  warm,  they  being  drawn  and  weakly.  A 
temperature  of  60  deg  at  night  and  65deg  in  the  daytime  will 
keep  all  young  stock  gently  progressing,  admitting  a  little  air  at 
65deg  at  the  top  of  the  house,  leaving  it  on  all  day,  but  not  to 
lower  the  temperature  below  that  point ;  and  when  the  sun 
raises  the  temperature  to  75  deg  a  free  circulation  of  air  should 
be  allowed.  The  bottom  heat  must  be  kept  steady  at  80deg. 
Avoid  anything  approaching  a  damp  atmosphere,  moderate 
humidity  only  is  needed  at  this  time  of  year.  Apply  water  when 
the  plants  become  dry,  and  then  afford  a  thorough  supply  of  weak 
liquid  manure.  It  is  essential  that  the  plants  be  kept  well  up  to 
the  glass,  and  be  given  plenty  of  room.  Suckers  now  ready  for 
starting  should  be  kept  until  March,  and  if  there  is  likely  to 
be  any  scarcity  of  suckers  at  that  time  any  recently  potted  may 
be  retained  in  5in  pots,  affording  them  a  light  position  in  a  rather 
moist  pit  with  a  temperature  of  55deg  at  night,  and  a  slight 
bottom  heat,  keeping  them  rather  dry  at  the  roots.  Take  every 
opportunity  of  collecting  leaves  whilst  dry,  Oak  and  Beech 
being  the  best,  and  whenever  a  favourable  opportunity  offers 
push  forward  whatever  may  be  necessary  in  renewing  or 
augmenting  the  beds,  striving  to  render  them  permanent,  and 
effecting  this  without  giving  a  check  to  the  plants. — Pkactice. 
