386 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTIGDLTURF  AFO  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
May  11,  1899. 
TOMATO  MMNTER  BEAUTY. 
Many  persons  will  be  of  the  opinion  that  we  have  a  sufficiency  of 
Tomatoes  in  cultivation  at  the  present  time,  and  for  summer  cropping 
there  is  certainly  a  great  supply  of  varieties  not  easy  to  excel.  When, 
however,  it  becomes  a  question  of  producing  heavy  crops  in  the  early 
spring  months  several  of  the  most  popular  varieties  do  not  render  a 
particularly  good  account  of  themselves.  It  was  as  a  superb  winter 
fruiter  that  Winter  Beauty,  when  exhibited  at  the  Drill  Hall  by  Mr. 
S.  Mortimer  of  Rowledge,  was  given  an  award  ci  merit  by  the  Fruit 
Committee,  who  would  probably  have  recommended  a  first-class  certifi¬ 
cate  had  two  or  three  fruiting  plants  accompanied  the  boxes  of  specimens. 
On  page  370  “A.  D.”  gave  an  excellent  description  of  this  Tomato  at 
home,  and  we  cannot  supplement  those  remarks  better  than  by  repro¬ 
ducing  a  photograph  of  a  portion  of  one  of  the  houses,  which  was  taken 
on  April  28th  last.  The  new  comer,  as  possessing  earliness,  productive¬ 
ness,  colour,  qualify,  and  size,  may  be  expected  to  find  its  way  into  many 
gardens.  _ _ 
IXORAS. 
{Concluded  from  page  356.) 
^TAfter  cutting  back  the  plants  should  have  gentle  bottom  heat  to 
induce  them  to  start  freely  into  growth,  and  the  top  heat  ought  to 
range  from  05°  to  70°  by  artificial  means.  They  must  be  very  caie- 
fully  watered  and  syringed.  If  given  bottom  heat  they  will  require 
next  to  none  of  either,  for  the  moisture  given  off  by  the  feimenting 
material  and  that  resulting  from  damping  surfaces  as  they  become 
dry  will  be  sufficient  in  most  cases.  When  such  is  not  the  case  very 
lightly  sprinkle,  and  keep  the  soil  just  moist. 
After  the  plants  have  started  into  growth,  any  potting  that 
is  needed  should  be  done.  The  plants  are  very  impatient  of 
disturbance  at  the  roots,  hence  are  potted  with  the  ball  entire — that  is, 
with  the  crocks  only,  and  any  loose  soil  is  removed.  Large  shifts 
must  not  be  given,  a  little  fresh  soil  under,  around,  and  over  the  ball 
being  sufficient.  This  may  range  from  half  an  inch  to  1  inch,  accord¬ 
ing  to  the  vigour  of  the  plants,  always  using  the  compost  rough  for 
established  plants,  and  if  possible  return  to  bottom  heat. 
The  plants  must  be  carefully  watered.  They  can  hardly  have  too 
much  heat  and  moisture  in  summer,  and  the  less  they  are  syringed 
the  better,  as  the  water  often  spoils  the  foliage,  which  is  not  the  least 
attractive  part  of  the  plant.  A  little  weak,  clear  liquid  manure 
benefits  during  the  growth  of  the  plants  and  development  of  the 
trusses  of  bloom.  The  heat  should  be  65°  to  70°  at  night,  75°  by  lay 
from  tire  heat,  and  10°  to  15°  or  more  from  sun  heat.  Damping  in  the 
morning  soon  after  midday,  and  again  in  the  evening,  will  supply  air 
moisture.  Moderate  ventilation  is  imperative,  as  the  plants  enjoy  a 
change  of  air  without  sudden  fluctuations  or  depressions  of  temperature. 
The  Ixoras  are  evergreens.  They  do  not  admit  of  the  drying  off 
process,  but  it  is  astonishing  what  a  long  time  they  will  go  in  winter 
time  without  water.  In  a  bed  of  fermenting  materials  they,  like 
Pine  Apples,  need  very  little  water  at  the  dead  season.  ,  In  other 
cases  the  soil  must  just  be  kept  moistened  sufficiently  to  keep  the 
foliage  fresh.  That  is  all  the  resting  they  require,  with  a  lessened 
amount  of  air  moisture  and  cooler  atmosphere.  This  in  the  autumn 
and  winter  may  range  from  55°  to  60°  as  a  minimum,  and  about 
5°  more  from  fire  heat  in  the  daytime.  The  ripening  of  the  wood  is 
essential  to  the  production  of  flowers,  well  matured  growths  being 
more  prolific  than  soft  and  immature  wood. 
The  species  number  over  a  hundred,  and  the  varieties  are  numerous. 
Some  of  the  most  desirable,  of  which  the  choicest  have  an  asterisk,  arc — 
I.  acuminata. — This  has  white  flowerq  fragrant,  large ;  corymbs 
decompound,  crowded,  almost  sessile;  height  3  to  6  feet-  India. 
I.  coccinea  siiperbaf — The  flowers  are  deeper  coloured  and  broader 
and  thicker  iii  the  petals  than  those  of  the  species  ;  bright  red,  disposed 
in  very  large  heads  or  corymbs,  which  are  umbellate.  It  also  grows 
more  vigorously  than  I.  coccinea,  which  is,  perhaps,  the  more  elegant 
plant.  I.  c.  superba  is  from  Java,  and  I.  coccinea,  syn.  I.  grandiflora, 
from  the  East  Indies ;  height  3  to  4  feet. 
I.  ColeiS' — Flowers  white,  produced  in  large  round  corymbs,  leaves 
deep  green  and  roundish  ;  plant  strong,  free  and  robust  growing.  A 
cross  between  I.  coccinea  and  I.  stricia  alba. 
I.  Dixiana. — Flowers  dark  orange,  borne  in  very  large  corymbs  ; 
plant  of  a  hardy  constitution  and  free-flowering  habit.  A  seedling  form. 
I.  florihunda. — Flowers  reddish-scarlet,  produced  in  large  dense 
corymbs,  plant  of  robust  growth.  A  garden  variety. 
I.  Fraseri. — Flowers  brilliant  flamed  salmon  colour,  borne  in 
numerou.«,  terminal,  globular  corymbs;  foliage  dark  green;  plant  of 
Iree  and  vigorous  growth.  A  beautiful  garden  variety. 
I.  fulgens,  syn.  1.  salicifolia. — Flowers  orange-scarlet,  produced  in 
dense  terminal  corymbs  ;  height  3  to  4  feet.  Java. 
1.  javanica. — Flowers  oransre,  borne  in  dense  corymbs  on  long 
peduncles ;  height  3  to  4  feet.  Java. 
I.  macrothyrsa,  syn.  Duffi.-^ —  Flowers  deep  red  tinged  with 
crimson,  produced  in  immense  trusses ;  leaves  deep  green.  A  fine 
plant.  South  Sea  Islands. 
I.  odorata. — Flowers  pure  white,  changing  to  yellow-brown,  and 
very  fragrant,  produced  in  large  te'-minal  clusters  or  panicles  1  foot  or 
more  in  diamete*  ;  height  3  feet.  Madagascar. 
I,  Filgrimi.'~ — Flowers  orange  scarlet  shaded  with  crimson,  borne 
in  round  corymbs  about  6  or  7  inches  in  diameter;  plant  with  a  good 
hardy  constitution,  and,  like  its  parent  I.  ^Yilliamsi,  not  so  exacting 
of  heat  as  I.  coccinea  and  most  others. 
I.  Prince  of  Orange.'" — Flowers  cinnabar-red,  borne  in  compact 
heads ;  plant  free  and  vigorous  in  growth.  A  fine  garden  variety. 
I.  princepsP — Flowers  buff  white,  changing  to  deep  reddish 
orange,  produced  in  the  greatest  profusion ;  a  fine  species.  Java. 
I.  regina.^ — Flowers  violet  salmon,  borne  in  large  dense  corymbs. 
A  dwarf,  compact  growing,  handsome  garden  variety. 
I.  sanguinea. — Flowers  crimson,  shaded  with  deep  violet,  produced 
in  large  dense  corymbs  ;  folirge  deep  green.  A  garden  variety. 
I.  stricta  (crocata). — Flowers  light  orange,  borne  in  many- 
flowered  cymes.  Height  2  to  3  feet.  Moluccas. 
I.  s.  rutila7ts. — Flowers  rich  orange,  produced  in  compact  heads  ; 
plant  freer  and  more  vigorous  in  growth  than  the  type. 
1.  Williamsi. — Flowers  reddish  salmon,  in  large  heads  ;  plant  of  a 
free-growing  and  profuse  flowering  habit,  and  re(iuirc8  somewhat  less 
heat  than  most  of  the  other  species  and  varieties. — G.  Abbey. 
THE  STUDY  OF  NATURE. 
And  this  our  life,  exempt  from  public  haunt, 
Finds  tongues  in  trees,  books  in  the  running  brooks, 
■  Sermons  in  stones,  and  good  in  everything. 
What  perfect  contentment  !  ah,  and  what  pleasure  too  is 
expressed  in  these  words  of  the  exiled  Duke  in  “  As  You  Like  It.’' 
Though  far  from  the  busy  haunts  of  men,  amid  the  solitudes  of  the 
Forest  of  Arden,  to  him  the  philosophical  aspect  of  the  commonest 
things  was  apparent.  There  must  be  hundreds,  probably  thousands, 
engaged  in  ,  horticultural  pursuits,  similarly  situated,  “  far  from  the 
madding  crow'd.”  Would  it  not  be  well  if  these  could  find  a  like 
solace  and  consolation  in  observing  with  intelligent  interest  the  marvels 
that  the  vaiious  natural  phenomena  supply  ? 
The  smallest  flower 
That  twinkles  through  the  meadow  grass,  can  serve 
For  subject  of  a  lesson ;  aye,  as  well 
As  the  most  gorgeous  growth  of  Indian  climes  ; 
For  love  of  Nature  dwells  not  in  the  heart 
Which  seeks  for  things  beyond  our  daily  ken 
To  bid  it  glow. 
What  Tennyson  has  called  “  the  fairy  tales  of  science”  are  within 
the  reach  of  all,  but,  alas  !  how  few  there  are,  even  among  gardeners 
and  nurserymen,  who  understand  the  language  of  the  trees;  read  the 
books  mysteriously  hidden  in  the  recesses  of  the  running  brooks ;  hear 
the  sermons  discoursed  for  ages  by  the  rocks  and  soil,  or  realise  the 
beauty  and' perfectness  of  all  things;  the  unspeakable  delight  of 
studying  Nature  in  her  own  domain. 
Leigh  LIunt,  in  one  of  bis  essays,  when  spe-iking  of  the  least 
esteemed  of  the  commonest  plants,  exclaims,  “  What  a  quantity  of 
life,  and  beauty,  and  mystery,  and  use,  and  enjoyment  is  to  found  in 
them,  composed  of  all  sorts  of  elements,  and  shaped  as  if  by  the  hand's 
of  fairies.”  Coleridge  said  that  poetry  had  soothed  his  afflictions, 
multiplied  and  refined  his  enjoyments,  endeared  solitude,  and  given 
him  the  habit  of  wishing  to  discover  the  good  and  the  beautiful  in  all 
that  surrounded  him.  The  endeavour  to  describe  these  emotions 
exerted  his  intellectual  activity,  and  gave  him  pleasure  when  perhaps 
nothing  else  could. 
We  are  not  all  possessors  of  the  “divine  afflatus,”  but  our  better 
nature  will  develop  in  the  same  degree  as  the  poet’s  if  we  strive  to 
hold  a  closer  communion  with  the  animate  and  inanimate  creation 
which  cjines  within  our  daily  ken.  Study  of  this  kind  draws  us  from 
all  that  is  sordid ;  we  live  for  the  time  being  in  an  earthly  paradise ; 
our  musings  and  imaginings  take  us  out  of  ourselves  and  “  lend  wings 
to  our  dreams.”  If  the  external  beauty  of  plants  had  this  charm  for 
us  ;  if  the  meanest  flower  that  blows  could  enchant  us  with  its  form 
and  colour,  we  should  not  be  satisfied  until  we  were  familiar  with  its 
structure  and  functions. 
It  is  not  unusual  in  a  semi-rural  neighbourhood  to  see  in  early 
spring  the  first  fresh  green  leaves  of  the  trees  wantonly  destroyed — 
many  “  sunny  spots  of  greenery  ”  strewm  with  the  mutilated  branche.'-, 
as  if  their  renew'ed  growth  was  an  insult  to  the  passer-by.  The  owner 
of  the  pitiless  whip  or  stick  that  works  such  havoc  sees  no  beauty  in 
these  banks  of  green,  for  a  devoted  attachment  to  the  works  of  Nature 
is  an  evidence  of  delicacy  and  refinement.  This  destructiveness,  which 
often  exists  in  the  young  bucolic  mind,  is  due,  not  to  the  want  of 
pleasures,  but  to  the  inability  to  select  and  enjoy  those  already 
possessed.  Familiarity  in  this,  as  in  so  many  cases,  breeds  contempt. 
