134 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  9,  1900 
Notes  on  Clerodendrons. 
Although  Clerodendrons  comprise  a  large  number  of  separate 
species  it  is  not  my  intention  to  dilate  on  each  variety  individually,  for 
to  do  so  would  occupy  more  time  and  space  than  the  limits  of  my  paper 
will  afford.  I  will  therefore  restrict  myself  to  a  few  remarks  pertaining 
to  three  of  the  best  and  most  useful  varieties  only — viz.,  C.  Thomsonse, 
C.  splendens  speciosissima,  and  C.  fallax.  In  habit  and  growth  there 
are  two  distinct  sections,  one  being  of  a  climbing  and  the  other  of  a 
shrubby  nature.  The  first  two  both  belong  to  the  climbing  varieties. 
C.  Thomsonse,  or  Balfourianum  (fig.  37),  as  it  is  more  often  called,  on 
account  of  the  brilliancy  of  its  Mowers,  toeether  with  the  great  freedom 
with  which  they  are  produced,  is  undoubtedly  the  most  widely  culti¬ 
vated.  The  Mowers,  which  are  disposed  in  large  panicles,  are  of  a 
beautiful  bright  crimson  colour,  with  calyces  of  pure  white,  and  when 
seen  to  perfection  cannot  fail  to  impress  a  lasting  effect  on  the  memory. 
If  grown  in  a  large  pot,  and  its  cultivation  carefully  and  assiduously 
attended  to,  few  climbing  plants  can  excel  it  for  exhibition  purposes. 
C.  splendens  speciosissima  forms  a  grand  companion  to  C.  Thomsonse. 
In  habit  and  character  it  is  very  similar,  but  differs  in  the  colour  of  the 
Mowers,  which  are  of  a  dazzling  scarlet,  and  freely  produced  over  the 
bright  shining  green  foliage,  truly  classes  it  as  one  of  the  best  stove 
climbers  in  cultivation. 
In  C.  fallax  we  have  without  doubt  the  very  best  of  the  shrubby 
varieties,  and  I  have  conMdence  in  saying  that  when  once  given  a  fair 
trial  the  results  will  exceed  all  expectations,  and  will  not  fail  to  please 
the  most  fastidious.  It  is  of  an  erect  growing  nature,  and  freely 
produces  its  bright  scarlet  Mowers  in  large  terminal  panicles.  Firm 
potting  is  essential,  being  conducive  of  obtaining  short-jointed  wood, 
and  also  adding  materially  to  the  strength,  size,  and  durability  of  the 
Mowers.  Propagation  may  be  readily  effected  by  cuttings  or  seeds, 
and  I  much  prefer  the  latter  course,  although  the  quicker  way  is 
undoubtedly  by  cuttings. 
Plants  of  Clerodendrons  which  have  been  at  rest  should  be  over¬ 
hauled  in  May,  removing  any  weak  or  superMuons  wood,  and  in  the  case 
of  the  climbing  varieties  tying  the  remainder  of  the  growths  neatly  and 
evenly.  They  should  then  be  placed  in  a  brisk  heat,  and  kept  wel 
syringed  to  encourage  them  to  break,  water  at  the  roots  being  sparingly 
applied  till  root  action  has  commenced.  When  they  have  made  a  few 
inches  of  growth  they  should  be  either  shaken  out  and  repotted  or  have 
the  surface  soil  removed  and  well  top-dressed  according  to  the  state  of 
the  roots. 
A  mixture  of  good  Mbrous  loam  and  peat  in  about  equal  proportions 
with  one-fourth  leaf  soil  or  well  decomposed  manure,  to  which  a  little 
charcoal  and  sand  have  been  added,  will  form  a  very  suitable  mixture  for 
the  climbing  varieties,  but  the  shrubby  sorts,  owing  to  the  grossness  of 
their  foliage,  will  require  a  somewhat  stronger  compost.  Should  any 
signs  of  insect  pests  be  detected  every  effort  must  be  strenuously 
employed  for  their  extermination,  or  they  will  quickly  establish  them¬ 
selves  on  the  young  growths,  when  it  will  be  impossible  to  eradicate 
them.  Should  mealy  bug  make  its  appearance,  the  best  and  most 
effectual  cure  is  by  handpicking,  or  by  sponging  with  a  solution  of  soft- 
soap  and  Gishurst  compound. — G.  P. 
- - 
Royal  Horticultural  Society. 
Sciantific  Committee,  July  Slat. 
Present  :  Dr.  M.  T.  Masters  (in  the  chair),  and  Dr.  Russell,  Rev.  W. 
Wilks,  and  Rev.  G.  Henslow,  hon.  sec. 
Peaches  diseased. — Mr.  Rogers  of  Bridge  Hall  Gardens,  Bury,  sent 
samples  attacked  by  the  “Peach  mildew.”  The  Peaches  become 
arreated  in  patches,  never  ripening  where  the  fungus  is  located. 
Sprinkling  with  sulphur  is  the  best  remedy. 
Poses  decayed. — Mr.  Kelly,  Gardens,  Greenwell  Ford,  Durban, 
forwarded  shoots  split  and  decayed.  The  appearance  suggested  their 
being  cracked  by  frost  and  subsequently  attacked  by  fungi. 
Nymphcea  synanthic. — Mr.  Hudson  sent  a  specimen  of  twin  Mowers 
united,  of  the  lavender-coloured  Nymphsea  stellata  from  S.  Africa. 
Stanleya  pinnatifida. — Flowering  sprays  of  this  Crucifer  were  sent 
by  Mr.  Bunyard.  It  is  remarkable  for  the  long  spreading  Mlaments 
and  yellow  sepals.  It  is  a  native  of  California,  and  Mgured  in  Gray’s 
Ge7i.  Flor  Amer.  hor.,  pi.  65. 
Figs  dropping. — Dr.  Russell  brought  some  Figs  grown  against  a  wall 
at  Ringwood,  Cornwall,  which  turned  yellow,  became  shrivelled,  and 
fell  just  before  ripening.  There  was  no  fungus,  but  it  was  apparently 
due  to  want  of  water  or  nourishment.  They  were  sent  to  Mr.  Wright 
for  examination,  who  reports  as  follows  ; — 
“  There  are  several  causes  that  will  affect  Figs  like  the  examples 
just  to  hand ;  such  as  too  much  or  too  little  water,  not  sufiicient 
atmospheric  moisture,  and  sudden  checks  in  the  atmosphere,  also  over¬ 
cropping.  Any  one  of  these  will  cause  the  fruit  to  drop  prematurely. 
No  fruit  requires  so  much  care  and  attention  as  the  Fig.” 
Pears  decayed. — Dr.  W.  G.  Smith  sent  the  following  report  on  Pears 
received  from  Rev.  H.  W.  Fletcher,  Bicker  Vicarage,  Boston 
“The  Pears  received  were  quite  dried  up,  and  full  of  mycelium; 
they  had  assumed  the  mummiMed  condition  which  follows  attacks  by 
Monilia  fructigena,  the  brown  fruit  rot  of  Apple,  Pear,  Peach,  and  other 
Rosaceous  fruits.  Cultures  in  a  moist  chamber  produced  several  forms 
of  fungi,  including  the  form  of  spores  known  as  Monilia.  There  were 
some  insect  larvae  in  one  of  the  fruits.  Your  correspondent  mentions 
that  the  check  began  during  a  south-east  wind,  and  also  that  the  very 
early  sorts  escaped  attack.  In  view  of  this  it  may  be  safest  to  assunre 
that  the  crop  received  a  check  by  this  wind,  and  that  the  fruit  was  thus 
rendered  susceptible  to  attack  by  fungi,  &c. ;  the  Monilia  form  producing 
the  mummiMed  condition  o^  the  fruits  received.  The  earlier  sorts 
escaped  because  the  fruit  was  further  advanced  and  more  resistant. 
Alt  the  dried  fruits  left  hanging  on  the  tree  should  be  gathered  and 
burnt.” 
Early  Potatoes  at  Chiswick. 
Pleasant  and  agreeable  as  are  the  meetings  of  the  various 
committees  at  Chiswick,  certainly  the  one  held  there  by  the  Fruit  and 
Vegetable  Committee  on  August  Srd  was  the  reverse  of  pleasant  by 
reason  of  the  stormy  and  wet  weather  that  prevailed,  and  which  had 
a  disastrous  effect  on  the  attendance,  only  four  members  braving  the 
elemencs.  What  was  lacking  in  numbers  those  present  sought  to  make 
good  in  attention  and  ability,  and  no  doubt  did  their  work  well. 
Potatoes  form  a  large  feature  in  the  vegetable  trials,  there  being 
two  extensive  breadths  planted,  the  one  for  assumed  early  varieties, 
the  other  for  later  ones.  Only  the  Mrst  named  came  under  notice, 
the  other  being  left  over  for  attention  at  a  future  day.  Unfortunately 
those  who  send  in  new,  or  supposed  new  varieties  of  Potatoes,  read  the 
term  “early”  with  a  liberal  spirit,  and  some  classed  as  early  bid 
fair  to  be  ready  for  inspection  toward  the  end  of  the  month.  Another 
annoying  feature  is  the  practice  of  sending  in  varieties  under  numbers. 
That  should  be  stopped,  and  it  is  hoped  the  o  uncil  will  yield  to  the 
wishes  of  the  Fruit  Committee  and  in  future  admit  nothing  whatever 
that  is  not  fully  and  clearly  named.  As  it  is  a  variety  may  obtain 
an  award  under  a  number,  and  some  other  variety  may  be  put  into 
commerce  under  name  as  that  variety.  Still  farther,  it  is  not  in 
accordance  with  the  objects  in  view  that  Chiswick  Gardens  should  be 
made  a  trial  ground  for  raisers.  Let  them  test  their  seedlings 
thoroughly  at  home,  and  when  they  are  satisfied  they  have  good  things 
then  let  them  be  sent  to  Chiswick  duly  named. 
The  Chiswick  people  have  so  far  been  very  good  natured  and  liberal 
minded  in  relation  to  these  things,  and  have  given  everything  sent  a 
full  and  fair  trial.  Still,  it  is  poor  return  for  such  consideration  to 
Mnd  that  there  is  amongst  these  products  much  that  is  worthless.  It 
would  be  so  great  a  gain  if  those  who  send  things  for  trial  would  first 
see  how  far  they  compared  with  or  were  better  than  similar  ones  in 
commerce  before  sending.  Of  course  in  sending  to  Chiswick  more  is 
desired  than  that  these  products  be  tested  with  others.  The  senders 
naturally  hope  to  obtain  some  awards  at  the  hands  of  the  committees, 
and  there  never  is  any  disposition  to  withhold  awards  of  a  suitable 
nature  when  products  are  really  good.  It  is,  however,  needful  for 
anyone  interested  in  raising  or  sending  new  varieties  to  understand 
that  vegetables  are  so  good  to-day,  and  the  raisers  and  the  trade  merit  all 
praise  and  credit  for  what  has  been  accomplished,  that  only  the  very 
best  products  can  hope  to  obtain  awards. 
On  the  date  named  out  of  some  sixty  varieties  of  Potatoes  raised 
only  nine  were  found  desirable  to  send  for  cooking ;  although  there  was 
not  one  that  gave  any  exceptional  crop,  still  they  were  the  best  thus 
seen.  Of  these  none  was  better  than  the  old  and  popular  Beauty  of 
Hebron,  which  gave  not  only  a  good  crop  of  handsome  Potatoes,  but 
when  cooked  gave  the  dryest  and  nicest  Mesh.  This  was  awarded  three 
marks,  never  previously  having  had  an  award.  Sutton’s  Harbinger, 
short  top,  round,  and  a  good  cropper,  a  Mrst-rate  early  border  variety  ; 
Sharpe’s  Meteor,  previously  mentioned  as  a  forcing  variety,  and 
universally  grown ;  and  Early  Peter,  which  obtained  an  award  last 
year,  each  had  previous  awardslconMrmed.  Three  marks  were  also  given 
to  Pioneer,  a  very  handsome,  smooth,  early  kidney  of  excellent  quality. 
It  was  mentioned — and  this  is  one  of  the  results  of  sending  under 
number — that  a  capital  early  kidney  froin  Sharpe’s,  of  Sleaford,  awarded 
a  F.c.c.  last  time,  was  really  named  Denby  Castle.  It  is  to  be  hoped 
that  senders  of  vegetables  will  in  future  take  the  hint,  and  send  all 
products  under  name  only. 
Mr.  Wright  at  my  suggestion  tested  the  merits  of  late  as  well  as  of 
early  planting  of  several  varieties,  and  on  the  same  plot  of  ground. 
The  bulk  were  planted  in  March,  the  others  a  month  later.  At  Chiswick 
the  early  Potatoes  have  so  often  suffered  from  late  frosts  that  it  was 
suggested  some  of  similar  varieties  be  planted  a  month  later,  to  see 
what  would  be  the  result.  It  so  happened  that  no  appreciable  harm 
was  done  to  the  tops  by  frost  this  year,  hence  the  trial  was  so  far 
shorn  of  one  element  of  interest.  But  an  odd  result  was  found.  It 
