■Supplement  to 
March  14,  1901.  JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER.  223 
CARDER  GLEANINGS 
Loquat  Trees  have  a  particularly  vigorous  and  healthy  growth, 
and  begin  fruiting  quite  early,  generally  the  second  year  of  planting. 
The  fruits  ripen  towards  the  end  of  October  and  beginning  of 
November ;  it  is  thus  a  mid-season  Loquat,  but  as  regards  size  and 
appearance,  one  of  the  best  in  cultivation.  The  fruit  is  large, 
egg-shaped,  2  inches  long  and  lj  inch  broad  ;  ten  average  fruit  turned 
the  scale  at  a  pound.  In  size  it  may  be  compared  to  a  good  sample 
Apricot.  In  colour  it  is  yellow,  tinted  amber  on  the  side  exposed  to 
the  sun  ;  the  flash  is  juicy,  sugary,  and  pleasant  in  flavour. 
Torced  Strawberries. — The  present  supply  of  forced  Straw¬ 
berries  now  on  sale  in  Covent  Garden  Market  meets  a  ready  demand,  so 
much  so  that  prices  range  from  12s.  to  24s.  a  pound — that  is,  from 
9d.  to  Is.  6d.  per  ounce.  These  are  extraordinary  prices,  when  it  is 
remembered  that  giant-berried  Gros  Colman  Grapes  from  English 
forcing  houses  are  selling  as  low  as  9d.  to  Is.  per  pound.  The  Straw¬ 
berries  that  have  made  2s.  per  ounce  were  Royal  Sovereign.  The 
fruits  are  of  enormous  size,  and  of  a  lovely  red  colour.  Some  of  the 
best  forced  Strawberries  and  Gros  Colman  Grapes  of  English  growth 
are  regularly  sent  to  the  Paris  market  for  sale. 
Irish  Seed  Testing  Station. — The  new  Board  of  Agriculture 
intend  starting  a  seed-testing  establishment,  testing  seeds  in  respect 
of  purity,  percentage  of  germination  to  be  determined,  true  value, 
germinating  energy,  and  lastly,  the  pedigree.  The  period  of  seed¬ 
testing  : — The  department  will  require  three  weeks  as  the  furthest  for  the 
completion  of  their  examination,  but  after  the  lapse  of  a  week  an  interim 
report  will  be  sent  awaiting  the  complete  statement  of  results.  The  fees 
range  from  6d.  to  7a.  6d.,  the  latter  being  for  seedsmen ;  the  fee  must 
be  enclosed  with  sample  of  seed.  To  those  requiring  a  knowledge  of 
grasses,  weeds,  and  diseases  of  plants,  the  department  are  always 
willing  to  draft  a  report  upon  all  specimens  free  of  charge,  and  in 
cases  of  diseases  to  suggest  best  means  of  combating  their  ravages. 
—A.  O’N. 
The  Ages  of  Trees. — There  is  a  difference  of  opinion  among 
experts  as  to  the  ages  of  some  of  the  enormous  trees  to  be  met 
with  on  the  western  slopes  of  the  Pacific.  Some  authorities  have 
ascribed  to  these  forest  giants  ages  ranging  up  to  5000  years,  but  it  is 
reported  that  a  Professor  attached  to  one  of  the  United  States  Univer¬ 
sities  has  recently  been  investigating  the  subject,  and  the  results  of  his 
inquiries  have  led  him  to  doubt  whether  any  of  these  trees  approach 
the  age  of  even  2000  years.  The  gentleman  in  question  went  to  the 
trouble,  some  time  ago,  of  carefully  counting  the  “rings”  in  the  trunk 
of  a  tree  which  was  25  feet  in  diameter,  and  he  found  that  these  rings 
numbered  only  1100,  showing  that  the  age  of  the  tree  could  not  have 
been  more  than  that  number  of  years.  In  the  region  ever  which  this 
Professor’s  investigations  extended  trees  have  beeu  known  to  reach  a 
height  of  350  feet. 
Rhododendrons  in  Pots. — Rhododendrons  in  pots  when  in  bloom 
are  very  saleable  plants,  especially  at  such  holiday  times  as  Easter. 
Not  only  are  they  beautiful  objects  then,  but  they  are  still  of  full  value 
for  planting  outdoors  in  permanent  positions,  if  of  the  hardier  varieties. 
There  are  some  most  exquisite  colours  among  those  having  a  good  deal 
of  the  R.  poutioum  in  their  blood,  but  unfortunately  many  of  these  are 
not  hardy  enough  for  planting  out  in  the  Northern  States,  while 
making  grand  pot  plants.  Plants  of  about  18  inches  are  of  a  good  size 
for  potting.  If  bushy,  as  they  often  are,  such  plants  carry  as  many  as 
a  dozen  flower  buds  each.  It  is  usual  for  florists  to  obtain  their  plants 
before  or  about  Christmas,  pot  them,  and  set  them  in  a  cool  greenhouse, 
such  as  is  often  used  for  the  storing  of  plants.  The  plants  become 
settled  in  their  pots  in  a  month  or  two,  ready  for  pushing  along  later 
for  Easter  blooming  or  any  other  occasion.  About  six  weeks  of  heat 
will  be  required  to  bring  them  into  flower  in  a  temperature  of,  say,  65° 
in  the  daytime,  and  553  at  night.  These  plants  like  moisture  at  such 
times,  both  at  root  and  top.  Should  the  buds  commence  to  open  and 
full  expansion  appear,  probably  at  a  too  early  day,  less  heat  may  be 
given,  with  no  injury  to  the  plants.  When  the  flowers  open  keep  the 
plants  from  the  sun,  which  will  result  in  prolonging  the  display  of 
flowers. 
Otto  of  Roses. — Mr.  W.  T.  C.  Kelly,  of  Mentone,  reports  that  the 
Rose  de  Grasse,  which  is  the  variety  of  Rose  used  for  producing  otto  of 
Roses,  flourishes  in  his  district.  He  has  about  one-twelfth  of  an  aore 
planted,  and  at  the  present  time  is  obtaining  6d.  per  lb.  for  the  petals 
from  Messrs.  Blogg  Bros.  Mr.  Kelly  says  that  the  gathering  of  the 
Rose  petals  is  an  easy  and  pleasant  occupation,  and  should  be  taken  up 
by  women.  About  6  lbs.  of  petals  per  hour  can  be  gathered  by  one 
active  person. 
Primulas  lrom  Cbelsea. — We  have  received  a  boxful  of  beautiful 
Primula  blooms  from  Messrs.  James  Yeitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea.  The 
lovely  smooth  petalled  stellata  hybrids  are  represented  by  over  half  a 
dozen  distinct  varieties  in  white,  mauve,  pink,  and  purple.  There  are 
also  a  number  of  attractive  double  varieties,  together  with  very  many 
large-flowered  sinensis  types  and  the  handsome  fimbriated  forms. 
Altogether  the  varieties  afford  a  splendid  selection,  and  those  who  do 
not  fancy  one  type  of  bloom  can  choose  another.  We  hope,  however, 
to  see  the  plants  growing  at  Chelsea,  whence  we  shall  have  more  to  say. 
Improved  Strawberry  Culture. — The  amateur  gardener  can 
often  adopt  modes  of  culture,  favourable  to  excellence,  that  would  be 
hardly  profitable  for  the  market  gardener.  In  Strawberry  culture,  for 
instance,  it  is  said  that  much  finer  and  more  toothsome  berries  can 
be  obtained  by  placing  the  plants  on  ridges  than  when  grown  on  the 
level  ground.  The  earth  is  thrown  up  into  a  wedge-like  form  a  foot 
or  so  in  depth,  and  then  flattened  on  the  apex  by  the  back  of  a  spade, 
so  as  to  be  only  about  9  inches  deep.  The  plants  are  set  out  about  a 
foot  apart  along  this  narrow  table  on  the  top  of  this  ridge.  The 
result  is  said  to  be  a  surprise  to  those  who  are  familiar  only  with  the 
ordinary  flat  culture. —  (“Meehan’s  Monthly.”) 
An  Embankment  Idyll. — On  the  Thames  Embankment  there  is  a 
perfect  little  idyll  going  on  in  one  of  the  Plane  trees  on  the  side  nearest 
the  river.  Eor  some  days  past  a  pair  of  blue  rock  pigeons  have  been 
carrying  sticks  to  this  tree,  and  this  morniDg  early  we  observed  my  Lady 
Blue  Rock  sitting  comfortably  on  the  miserable  pretence  of  a  nest  which 
pigeons  consider  good  enough  for  their  offspring.  So  far  only  the 
intrepid  London  sparrow  has  built  his  untidy  nest  in  the  trees  of  the 
Embankment  avenue,  while  the  more  retiring  pigeon  has  kept  away 
from  the  noise  and  tumult.  The  sight  of  the  pigeon  crooning  on  its 
nest,  with  the  incessant  roar  and  movement  of  traffic  just  below  and 
the  river  almost  as  lively  close  at  hand,  reminds  one  of  the  exquisite 
picture  of  “Peace”  which  Professor  Henry  Drummond  has  drawn  in 
one  of  his  “  Addresses,”  and  where  a  painter  is  supposed  to  have 
represented  the  idea  of  “  perfect  peace  ”  by  a  bird  sitting  quietly  on  its 
nest  in  a  tree  above  a  roaring  torrent.  We  hope  that,  if  the  Plane  tree 
where  the  Temple  pigeon  is  housekeeping  is  among  those  being  felled 
the  powers  whioh  decide  the  destinies  of  the  trees  will  listen  to  the  plea 
of  “  Woodman,  spare  that  tree,”  at  all  events  till  the  confiding  birds 
have  reared  their  next  family. 
West  Australian  Poison  Plants. — In  the  early  part  of  July, 
1895,  the  Bureau  of  Agriculture  of  West  Australia  suggested  to  the 
Premier  that  a  full  inquiry  should  be  made  into  the  poison  plants  of 
the  colony.  It  was  suggested  that  the  plants  should  be  botanically 
classified  and  described  (which  the  Bureau  was  of  opinion  would  be 
done  by  Baron  von  Mueller  free  of  charge)  ;  that  a  qualified  veterinary 
surgeon  should  be  engaged  to  ascertain  the  toxic  properties  of  the 
plants,  and  their  effects  upon  different  animals ;  and  that,  as  dried 
specimens  were  of  no  use  for  analysing,  seeds  of  the  plants  should  be 
sent  to  the  director  of  the  Botanical  Department  of  the  British  Museum, 
for  him  to  cultivate  and  analyse  the  plants  when  they  came.  This,  the 
Bureau  thought,  would  cost  about  £1000.  At  the  end  of  July,  1898,  a 
circular  was  sent  out  by  the  Department,  requesting  farmers  and  others 
to  forward  a  supply  of  the  poison  plants  growing  on  their  lands,  in 
order  that  they  might  be  sent  to  Edinburgh  for  a  thorough  investigation 
of  their  properties.  As  little  response  was  made  to  this  appeal,  the 
Department  itself  secured  a  supply  of  Box,  York-road,  and  Heart-leaf 
plants,  as  well  as  of  seed  of  the  two  last  named.  These  were  sent  to 
Fremantle  for  shipment  in  the  German  steamer,  addressed  to  the  Royal 
Botanic  Gardens,  Edinburgh,  where  they  arrived  in  May,  and  whence 
by  the  good  offices  of  Professor  Bay  ley  Balfour,  they  were  forwarded 
to  Professor  Stockman  of  the  University  of  Glasgow,  who  had  consented 
to  undertake  the  experimental  investigation  of  their  toxic  action.  The 
Professor  went  very  thoroughly  into  their  properties,  and  drew  up 
complete  tables  showing  the  line  and  results  of  his  experiments  on  frogs 
and  rabbits,  so  that  now  the  West  Australian  Government  have  a  full 
knowledge  of  this  important  subject. 
