' '  ■  ■ 
*>•  --  ■  :£'-  J  . 
172  JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AXD  COTTAGE  GARDENER .  August  21,  1902. 
An  Evening  with  the  Microscope. 
(Continued  from  j>a<je  128.) 
The  microscope  is  used  more  or  less  in  almost  every  branch 
of  science;  in  fact,  it  is  unquestionably  one  of  the  grandest 
scientific  instruments  ever  invented,  and  we  find  the  makers 
catalogue  their  different  instruments  suitable  for  physiology, 
pathology,  bacteriology,  zoology,  biology,  botany,  brewing, 
chemistry,  agriculture,  petrology,  metallurgy,  engineering,  Ac. 
From  a  gardening  point  cf  view,  t lie  wide  field  of  study  in  the 
various  forms  of  either  plant,  fungus,  or  insect  life  is  far  too 
extensive  to  thoroughly  explore,  except  by  a  specialist,  as  the 
practical  gardener’s  duties,  as  a  rule,  are  far  too  onerous  for  him 
to  afford  to  devote  any  great  amount  of  time  to  this  hobby. 
Still  it  is  very  desirable  that  all  should  have  some  knowledge  of 
the  uses  of  the  microscope,  and  the  advantages  cf  the  same  for 
gardening  purposes. 
In  ordinary  practice,  as  I  have  already  stated,  the  pocket 
lens  is  sufficient  for  cur  requirements,  as  with  it  the  gardener 
can  examine  the  construction  of  the  flowers  if  he  wishes  and 
classify  them  in  their  various  natural  orders ;  or  he  Can  find  out 
the  presence  cf  his  enemies,  the  insects,  in  their  early  stage, 
and  thus  adopt  remedies  before  they  have  too  well  established 
themselves  to  prove  too  injurious  to  plant  life.  But  for  the 
examination  of  the  structure  of  the  growth  of  trees  and  plants, 
or  the  analysing  of  insect  life,  something  more  than  an  ordinary 
pocket  lens  is  necessary.  To  examine  the  beautiful  composition 
c-f  growth,  for  instance,  whether  in  cross  or  vertical  sections, 
or  whether  transverse  or  longitudinal  ones,  a  microscope  fixed 
on  a  firm  stand  becomes  absolutely  necessary.  It  is  desirable 
that  the  stems  of  such  subjects  should  be  perfect,  and  also  small 
in  dimensions,  or  otherwise  cut  into  segments  to  show  the 
perfect  growth,  i.e.,  the  outer  and  inner  bark,  the  medullary 
rays,  the  pith,  the  ducts,  woody  fibre,  &c.,  so  that  the  full  com¬ 
position  of  the  stem  is  secured  on  the  slide.  To  give  a  list  of 
all  plants  or  trees  suitable  for  mounting,  and  which  gives  a  great 
variety  of  construction  and  interest,  would  be  simply  to  write 
cut  a  long  catalogue,  as  the  whole  of  plant  life  is  suitable  for 
microscopy.  I  may,  however,  mention  the  common  Lime, 
Clematis  vitalba,  Black  Pepper,  Chicory  plant,  Ccbcea  scandens, 
Aristolcchia,  root  cf  the  Thistle,  root  cf  Aerides,  stem  of  Pteris 
aquilina,  leaf  stem  of  Cycas  revoluta,  Bamboo,  Sugar  Cane,  stem 
cf  Nettle,  leaf  stem  cf  Nuphar  lutea,  and  hundreds  more  make 
very  good  examples  for  the  microsccpist,  whether  mounted  in 
vertical  or  transverse  sections. 
» 
The  pollens  cf  flowers  when  viewed  under  the  microscope 
are  very  beautiful  and  interesting.  Probably  none  are  more  so 
than  the  Hollyhock,  Marsh  Mallow,  Arum,  Poppy,  Coboea  scandens, 
Sunflower,  and  that  of  the  Scotch  Thistle,  for  although  hundreds 
more  could  be  added,  comparatively  few  are  beautiful.  Seeds 
when  mounted  as  opaque  objects  are  also  well  suited  to  the 
microscope,  but  do  not  give  so  wide  a  field  of  variety  and 
interest. 
So,  likewise,  Fem  spores,  whether  mounted,  covered,  or  un¬ 
covered  ;  also  the  peristomes  of  many  Mosses,  furnish  some  very 
beautiful  subjects.  The  raphides  in  the  cells  of  Ilhubarb,  Onion, 
Hyacinth,  etc.,  furnish  most  interesting  subjects.  They  are 
crystals  extracted  from  their  roots ;  they  are  also  found  in  the 
stems  cf  the  Echinccactus,  &c.  Algae,  both  fresh  water  and 
marine,  supply  a  great  quantity  cf  interesting  subjects,  and  so 
do  Fungi  and  Lichens.  The  thousands  of  Infusoria  (Diato- 
maceae  and  Desmidacese)  are  cf  themselves  a  study  for  a  life¬ 
time,  and  nearly  all  are  so  small  that  they  are  undiscernible  to 
the  naked  eye.  They  inhabit  fresh  and  salt  water,  Mr.  Pritchard 
tells  us  in  his  book  of  Infusoria  that  he  had  devoted  most  of  his 
spare  time  to  the  study  cf  them  fer  over  forty  years,  and  most 
cf  them  illustrated  in  his  work  are  magnified  three  hundred  dia¬ 
meters.  They  are  very  beautiful  objects  when  highly  magnified, 
and  require  tire  care  cf  a  specialist  when  setting  up  or  mounting. 
(To  be  continued.) 
Alocasia  Sanderiaca  nobiis. 
Beautiful  foliage  stove  plants  are  not  so  frequently  brought 
under  notice,  and  the  illustration  of  the  handsome  variety  named 
above,  which  is  portrayed  on  page  173,  may  bring  an  old  friend 
to  the  minds  of  some,  or  be  entirely  new  to  younger  readers. 
In  any  case,  the  plant  is  a  very  handsome  one. 
*  Paper  read  by  Mr.  J.  Olleilipad  at  a  meeting  of  tlie  Wimbledon  and 
district  Gardeners’  Mutual  Improvement  Society,  February  17th,  Is  02,  the 
subject  being  ag-  in  brought  forward  on  March  17th,  after  a  dis.ussion  on 
P.os.s  in  pets. 
Roman  Hyacinths, 
It  is  a  considerable  time  from  now  to  December,  but  it  is 
necessary  to  procure  bulbs  and  pet  them  for  a  display  cf  bloom 
in  that  month.  All  gardeners  know  the  value  of  Roman  Hya¬ 
cinths,  and  how  easily  they  may  be  had  in  bloom  during  the 
dark  days.  Though  this  is  well  known,  the  fact  is  often  over¬ 
looked  that  it  is  necessary  to  pot  the  bulbs  early  so  as  to 
secure  plenty  cf  roots  before  top  growth  commences.  In  select¬ 
ing,  choose  solid  clean  bulbs  of  medium  size,  as  these  give  the 
best  results.  It  is  advisable  to  place  the  bulbs  direct  in  the 
flowering  pots,  the  best  sizes  being  5in  to  7in  pots.  The 
smaller  pets  will  hold  four  bulbs,  the  larger  six  or  seven. 
Drain  moderately. 
The  compost  may  be  of  a  simple  character.  Old  potting  soil 
to  which  has  been  added  some  leaf  soil,  sand,  and  decomposed 
manure  will  answer  well,  or  a  mixture  cf  fresh  loam  with  the 
above  materials  may  be  preferable.  See  that  it  is  fairly  moist. 
Fill  the  pots  about  three  parts  full,  gently  shaking  the  material 
down,  but  net  pressing  it  too  firmly. 
Arrange  the  bulbs  closely  together,  and  work  in  some  soil 
between  them  and  ever  so  that  the  tips  are  just  visible.  Then 
give  a  watering  and  allow  the  surplus  to  drain  away.  When 
the  surface  is  dry  place  the  pots  together  on  a  base  cf  ashes,  and 
cover  the  pets  with  the  same  material  moist,  clean  and  mode¬ 
rately  fine.  A  sheltered  corner  or  a  frame  are  suitable  places. 
If  leaf  mould,  not  too  much  decomposed,  is  plentiful  this  forms 
an  admirable  plunging  material  and  may  be  used.  After 
plunging,  the  pots  may  remain  undisturbed  for  at  least  six 
weeks.  Then  examine,  and  if  growth  has  started  from  the  tips 
to  the  extent  cf  an  inch,  and  at  the  same  time  the  pots  are 
full  of  roots,  bring  them  cut  to  the  light,  but  do  not  expose 
fully  for  several  days  or  until  the  blanched  tips  begin  to  assume 
a  green  hue. 
Cool,  airy  treatment  in  a  frame  suits  the  bulbs.  They  will 
make  steady  and  uninterrupted  progress,  and  to  have  them  in 
bloom  in  December  will  need  little,  if  any,  forcing.  Successions! 
batches  to  bloom  later  prove  very  serviceable,  and  help  to 
prolong  the  display  of  this  very  useful  Hyacinth. 
To  have  bloom  at  any  definite  period  it  may  be  necessary  to 
have  recourse  to  a  little  forcing,  but  do  it  gradually,  for  a 
sudden  increase  of  temperature  might  prove  detrimental.  There 
is  little  fear,  however,  with  pots  full  cf  roots,  as  the  bulbs  are 
naturally  ready  to  advance  their  flower  spikes.  Constantly 
moist  condition  of  the  roots  and  soil  is  imperative. — E. 
A  Young  Gardener’s  Trip  to  Soutli  Africa. 
In  the  early  morning  of  the  fourth  day  after  cur  ship,  a 
Castle  liner,  had  sailed  from  old  England,  we  came  into  sight  of 
Madeira,  the  fine  climate  of  which  is  so  much  talked  of.  In 
appearance  it  seemed  mountainous  from  the  distance,  much 
resembling  the  Scottish  Highlands.  As  the  steamer  swiftly 
approached  and  rounded  a  point  the  town  of  Funchal  appeared 
in  view.  Dotted  on  the  hillside  were  whitewashed  self- 
contained  houses  sparkling  in  the  morning  sun,  and  each 
having  a  good  sized  garden  attached,  and  at  the  foot  of  the 
hill  is  the  town  itself,  similar  to  a  small  English  coast  town. 
Naturally  I  was  anxious  to  see  if  there  was  anything  wonder¬ 
ful  in  cur  “  line  ”  to  be  seen  cn  shore,  so,  with  a  few  friends, 
we  chartered  a  small  boat  and  made  for  the  pier.  Here  boys 
were  selling  baskets  cf  flowers  at  6d.  and  Is.  each,  basket 
included.  The  flowers  were  composed  of  Callas,  C’annas, 
Liliums,  Pelargoniums,  Roses,  &c.,  and  Ferns,  and  would  have 
cost  at  this  time  of  the  year,  early  June,  at  home  from  5s.  to 
10s.  compared  with  the  small  sum  they  asked. 
On  entering  the  Public  Garden  we  were  struck  with  the 
great  amount  of  blossom  therein,  compared  with  the  London 
parks  a  few  days  before,  but  neatness  and  cleanliness  were 
conspicuous  by  their  absence.  The  grass,  notably,  is  of  very 
coarse  variety,  and  planted  throughout  it,  at  intervals,  were 
specimen  tree  Begonias,  6ft  to  9ft  in  height,  and  just  a  mass 
of  bloom  from  top  to  bottom.  In  large  separate  beds  were 
Lilium  longiflorum,  Callas,  Cannas,  Roses,  double  Petunias, 
and  Geraniums,  flowering  more  freely  than  anything  I  ever 
saw  in  our  climate.  Large  plants  cf  Streptosolen  Jamesoni  and 
Bougainvillea  glabra  were  blooming  profusely  in  the  borders, 
the  flowers  being  cf  a  richer  and  darker  shade  than  is  usuallv 
seen  at  home  ;  but  tc  see  the  standard  trained  trees,  over  20ft 
high,  of  Wistaria  sinensis,  with  their  rich  blue  tassels  in  galore, 
was,  indeed,  a  wonderful  sight.  Huge  plants  of  the  Opuntia, 
or  Prickly  Pear,  were  common,  and  very  curious  it  looked 
when  we  saw  it  growing  as  hedges  round  many  of  tire  private 
house  gardens  in  which  Bananas,  Vines,  Figs,  and  Sugar  Cane 
