JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER.  January  19,  1899. 
Some  of  the  bcKt  varieties  among  the  singles  are  Abundance,  Lord 
Beaconsfield,  Arabella  Improved,  Mr.  King,  Gertrude  Peavsdh, 
Resplendent,  Charming,  Eynsford  Gem,  Beauty  of  Trowbridge, 
Monarch,  and  King  of  the  Stripes ;  double,  Molesworth,  Mrs.  E,  G. 
riuggett,  Rosalie,  Sir  Garnet  Wolseley,  White  Phenomenal,  and 
Buffon.  Almost  any  moderately  rich  soil  will  grow  Fuchsias  well, 
provided  they  are  potted  firmly,  syringed  freely  while  growth  is  being 
made,  never  allowed  to  suffer  by  want  of  water,  and,  above  all, 
receive  abundance  of  stimulating  food  in  the  form  of  licpiid  manure 
and  chemical  fertilisers. — H.  D. 
PERENNIAL  BORDER  FLOWERS. 
{Continued  from  page  424,  last  vol.) 
Aconitums. 
True  “  old  fashioned  ”  flowers  are  the  Aconitums,  or  Monkshoods, 
ns  they  are  popularly  called,  on  account  of  the  form  of  their  blooms, 
resembling  to  some  degree  that  of  a  cowl.  Wolf’s  Bane  is  another 
popular  name,  due  to  the  belief  that  it  is  particularly  obnoxious  or 
Aestructive  to  that  fierce  animal.  Nearly  all  the  species  are  exceedingly 
poisonous,  which  partly  accounts  for  the  comparative  disrepute  in  which 
they  are  held.  The  Monkshoods  are,  however,  ornamental  plants,  which 
if  confined  to  the  flower  garden  proper  will  deserve  the  space  they 
occupy  by  reason  of  their  effective  appearance  in  the  borders.  When 
well  grown  their  tall  spikes  of  flowers  are  very  decorative.  Where  they 
are  objected  to  because  of  their  poisonous  properties  the  perennial  Lark¬ 
spurs  may  be  substituted. 
A.  Fischeri  is  commonly  known  as  A.  autumnale.  It  is  a  useful 
species,  with  panicles  of  blue-purple  blooms,  and  grows  from  3  to  4  feet 
high,  and  flowers  from  July  onward.  Regarding  A.  Lycoefonum  there 
is  a  difference  of  opinion  between  various  authorities  as  to  the  colour  of 
the  true  plant.  It  is  said  by  some  to  be  yellow',  and  by  others  it  is 
described  as  blue.  The  plant  known  to  the  writer  by  this  name  is  a 
useful  and  showy  flower,  with  stems  3  to  4  feet  or  more  high,  and  with 
clusters  of  creamy  yellow  blooms.  A.  Napellus,  the  common  Monkshood, 
is  well  known  with  its  4  feet  high  t  pikes  of  largo  blue  flowers  in 
summer.  One  of  the  showiest  of  the  genus,  it  is  also  the  most 
poisonous,  and  is  said  to  be  dangerous  to  cattle  as  well  as  to  human 
beings  if  eaten.  It  is  evident  that  this  species,  at  least,  should  be  kept 
out  of  the  wild  or  vegetable  gardens.  The  w  hite  variety,  A.  Napellus 
album,  is  a  handsome  plant  worth  growing  in  suitable  places,  A.  varie- 
gatum  is  a  pretty  plant  with  while  flowers  edged  with  blue.  It  is  said  to 
grow  from  1  to  6  feet  high,  but  I  have  never  seen  it  less  than  3  feet. 
Other  good  Aconitums  are  A.  Anthora,  yellow,  and  A.  paniculatum,  blue. 
The  Monkshoods  will  grow  in  almost  any  good  garden  soil  ;  but 
their  display  is  increased  it  it  is  rich,  and  not  allowed  to  become  too  dry. 
They  are  remarkably  good  plants  for  planting  in  shade  or  under  trees. 
They  are  increased  by  seeds  or  division. 
Act^as. 
Berried  plants  are  often  prized  in  the  garden,  and  one  generally  finds  that 
those  of  the  Baneberry  are  appreciated.  These  berries  are,  however, 
poisonous,  so  that  it  will  be  safer  to  omit  the  Actseas  from  gardens  where 
children  have  free  ingress.  This  fault,  notwithstanding,  they  will  bo 
found  valuable  in  shady  places.  Theie  are  only  some  two  species  in  culti¬ 
vation  in  this  country.  The  flowers  are  of  comparatively  little  effect, 
and  are  arranged  in  racemes.  They  are  white  in  the  plants  in  culti¬ 
vation.  A.  alba  flowers  in  May  or  June,  and  has  w  hite  berries  in  racemes. 
The  leaves,  like  those  ofA.  spicata,  bear  some  resemblance  to  those  of 
the  Elder,  whence  it  is  said  the  name  Actaea,  from  aktaia — the  Elder.  It 
grows  from  1  to  foot  high. 
A.  spicata  is  the  better  known  species  ;  but  the  type,  which  has  black 
berries,  is  inferior  in  merit  to  A.  spicata  rubra,  which  has  exceedingly 
bright  wax-like  red  berries  in  clusters  held  well  above  the  plant.  With 
the  writer  this  seems  to  prefer  a  peaty  soil,  in  which  it  flowers  and  bears 
berries  with  the  utmost  freedom,  although  in  the  shade  of  a  tree.  Both 
these  species  come  from  North  America,  and  may  be  propagated  by  seeds 
or  division.  Like  many  berried  seeds,  it  may  be  some  time  before  the 
eedlings  appear  above  the  surface. 
Actinellas. 
Two  plants  under  this  name  are  included  in  the  Kew  “  Hand-list,”  but  of 
these  the  better  is  A.  grandiflora,  a  flower  more  suitable  for  the  rock 
garden  than  the  border.  It  comes  from  Colorado,  and  grows  from  6  to 
9  inches  high.  The  flowers,  which  are  yellow,  are  about  3  inches  across, 
and  much  resemble  those  of  many  other  yellow  composites.  In  damp 
districts  A.  grandiflora  does  not  always  survive  a  wet  winter.  A  light 
dry  soil  should  be  prepared  for  this  plant,  with  ample  drainage. 
Actinomeris. 
Several  plants  bearing  this  formidable  name  are  described  in  works  of 
reference,  but  are  seldom  seen.  The  only  one  the  writer  has  yet  come 
across  is  A.  squarrosa,  which  he  has  seen  in  tw'O  or  three  gardens,  and 
which  is  the  only  species  in  the  Kew  Gardens.  It  is  not  a  plant  he  cares 
for,  but  to  those  who  wish  a  large  collection  of  yellow  composites  it  may 
be  of  interest.  The  flowers  rather  resemble  those  of  the  Coreopsis,  and 
are  in  loose  panicles  at  the  ends  of  the  winged  square  stems.  It  has 
rather  broad  lance-shaped  leaves,  which  are  well  described  as  coarsely 
toothed.  A.  squarrosa  grows  from  3  to  4  feet  high,  and  may  be  grown 
in  any  ordinary  soil  in  a  sunny  position.  It  may  be  increased  by  seeds 
or  division. — S.  Arnott. 
(To  be  continued.) 
THE  NAT  ION  .VL  ROSE  SOCIETY. 
In  reading  the  report  (page  460,  last  vol.)  of  the  general  meeting 
of  the  above  Society,  the  proposed  alteration  of  the  size  of  boxes 
struck  me  as  boing  rather  uncalled  for,  and  more  especially  if  an 
exhibitor  is  to  be  disqualified  if  his  box  or  boxes  are  1  inch  too 
small,  or  that  much  more  than  the  proposed  alteraiion.  I  dare 
venture  to  say  that  eight  exhibitors  out  of  ten  would  have  to  over¬ 
haul  bis  box(  s ;  in  fact,  I  tiiink  it  would  be  cheaper  to  have  new 
ones,  as  it  would  cost  nearly  as  much,  if  not  quite,  for  the  alteration. 
Fancy  the  expense  it  would  entail !  How'  many  members  are  there 
who  would  (ntertain  such  an  unnecessary  sacrifice  ?  In  my  opinion 
there  are  many  who  would  rather  withdraw  from  the  Society 
altogether,  especially  if  it  is  extended  to  the  clas.ses  for  twelves,  nines, 
and  sixes. 
I  fail  to  understand  why  so  sweeping  a  change  is  to  be  made. 
Matters  have  appeared  to  go  on  without  any  complaints — in  fact,  I 
have  heard  none  whatever — and  I  think  as  the  present  regulation 
has  been  satisfactory  to  the  majority  for  so  many  years  it  is  unneces¬ 
sary  to  have  it  altered  now  for  the  gratification  of  a  few.  Further,  I 
think  this  is  a  question  not  to  be  settled  by  the  Committee  only; 
in  a  question  of  pounds,  shillings,  and  pence  every  member,  in  my 
opinion,  ought  to  have  a  voice  in  its  setthment. — \Y.  M. 
BROWNING  OR  “BRUNURE.” 
In  reply  to  “  A.  B.,”  I  may  say  that  the  disease  known  as  browning, 
or  “  brunure,”  appears  on  the  young  shoots  of  Vines,  causing  the  half- 
grown  foliage  to  contract  at  the  margin  and  become  cup-shaped,  then  the 
stem  loses  its  clear  substance,  assuming  a  dull  appearance  with  lines 
ot  shrinkage.  The  tips  of  the  shoots  become  flaccid,  effete,  and  the 
young  wood  turns  to  a  dirty  black  tint.  The  growth  is  arrested,  and  the 
points  of  the  shoots  collapse,  often  in  the  case  of  vigorous  Vines  to  the 
extent  of  a  foot  or  more.  It  is  commonest  on  young  Vines,  and  affects 
those  in  the  most  robust  growth,  and  with  the  roots  health3’.  No  charge 
can  be  made  against  the  management,  as  it  appears  under  the  best  cultural 
conditions. 
Close  observation  clearly  indicates  that  certain  nutrients  at  the 
command  of  the  Vine  are  in  excess,  and  possibly  deficiency  of  other 
counterbalancing  elements  lead  to  that  condition  favourable  to  the  attack 
and  development  of  parasitic  growth.  This  I  find  to  be  a  slime  fungus, 
so  called,  though  there  is  no  jelly-like  matter,  but  a  dry  gangrene, 
and  the  organism  leading  a  life  almost  analogous  with  the  “bacteroids” 
that  aid  leguminous  plants  to  “fix’"  atmospheric  nitrogen  in  their 
tissues,  still  forming  spores  and  developing  from  so-called  zoospores,  but 
amteba-like  bodies,  into  plasinodia — a  Alyxomycetes,  to  wit  Pseudo- 
commis  vitis. 
Practical  experience  has  taught  me  that  this  particular  parasite 
attacks  plants  most  that  are  grown  in  alluvial  soils,  or  those  made  rich  in 
organic  matter  by  animal  or  vegetable  substances.  In  the  case  of  Vine 
borders  or  composts  for  Vines  there  is  the  soil  itself — turf,  rich  from  the 
decay  of  vegetation,  and  in  many  cases  of  a  vegetable  eature.  The  turf 
rapidly  decomposes  when  cut,  and  organic  acids  are  produced  abundantly. 
To  counteract  these  lime  rubbish,  wood  ashes,  burnt  refuse,  and  charcoal 
are  mixed  with  the  turf.  Some  growers  employ  calcareous  loam,  especi¬ 
ally  of  the  “  red  ”  class,  including  lime  in  an  available  form,  and  a  due 
admixture  of  iron  in  the  ammoniated  state.  The  late  Mr.  W.  Thomson, 
in  his  book  on  Vines,  lajs  stress  on  red  soils  for  the  Grape  Vine,  and 
his  brother,  Mr.  D.  Thomson,  in  last  week’s  Journal  of  Horticulture, 
recommends  calcareous  loam  for  Peach  borders.  In  neither  case  have 
I  noticed  “blacks”  in  Vine  shoots  or  undue  grossness  in  Peach  growths 
when  the  loam  has  not  been  spoiled  by  heavy'  dressings  of  leaf  mould 
or  manure. 
To  the  Vines  in  question  I  should  apply  a  dressing  of  basic  slag 
phosphate — I  use  the  term  “phosphate,”  because  some  “slags”  are 
worse  than  useless,  from  not  being  properly  prepared  for  fertilising  use — 
at  the  rate  of  1  lb.  per  square  yard,  and  point  this  into  the  soil  as  deeply 
as  the  roots  of  the  Vines  will  allow,  mixing  as  evenly  as  possible.  After¬ 
wards  follow  with  4  ozs.  of  kninit  per  square  yard,  and  leave  this  on  tho 
surface,  for  it  will  disappear  fast  enough,  and  if  pointed  in  might,  with 
the  lime,  form  chloride  of  lime,  and  injure  the  young  rootlets.  This  has 
given  the  best  results  with  me,  sulphates  being  avoided,  especially  in  the 
form  of  superphosphates,  for  sulphuric  acid  seems  to  favour  “  blacks.” 
If  a  quickly  acting  form  of  potash  were  used,  muriate  would  be  most 
disastrous  to  the  parasite  on  account  of  the  chlorine,  whilst  lime  corrects 
any  sourness,  and  converts,  by  the  agency  of  micro-organisms,  the 
organic  matter  into  nitrates,  especially  of  lime — the  element  needed  in 
available  form  in  the  soil,  to  be  taken  up  by  the  roots  into  the  Vines.-— 
G.  Abbey. 
