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JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
October  2,  1902. 
walls.  Sufficient  water  must  be  given  at  the  roots  to  keep  the 
soil  moderately  moist  whilst  the  Vines  are  inactive,  and  only  evenly 
so  after  they  start,  but  when  in  free  growth  they  need  liberal 
supplies  of  nourishing  food  in  liquid  form,  preferably  alternating 
with  supplies  of  water. 
EARLY  FORCED  PLANTED-OUT  VINES— The  Vines 
intended  to  be  started  early  in  December  for  supplying  Grapes  in 
late  April  or  early  in  May  should  be  pruned  at  once,  so  as  to 
allow  them  some  weeks’  rest  before  starting.  The  Vines  must  be 
thoroughly  washed  with  a  tepid  soapy  solution,  merely  removing 
any  loose  bark  without  interfering  with  the  live  wood  or  bark, 
as  harbour  of  this  kind  is  favourable  to  the  hibernation  of 
red  spider,  mealy  bug,  and  tlirips,  following  with  an  approved 
insecticide.  Where  the  roots  have  the  run  of  outside  borders 
it  will  be  advisable  to  prepare  some  fermenting  material  for 
placing  on  that  part  after  the  Vines  are  started,  the  border  in 
the  meantime  being  protected  from  heavy  rains  by  spare  lights. 
Two-thirds  of  Oak  or  Beech  leaves  to  one  of  fresh  stable  litter 
thrown  into  a  heap  and  turned  over  once  or  twice,  moistening  if 
necessary,  will  afford* a  durable  heat  and  source  of  nutrition, 
’these  materials  Avill  require  renewal  from  time  to  time,  and  if 
this  cannot  be  effected,  it  is  better  to  dispense  with  any  at  the 
beginning,  only  such  protection  of  leaves  and  litter  must  be 
provided  as  to  prevent  the  soil  becoming  frozen  in  the  severest 
weather.  Thoroughly  cleanse  the  house,  everything  being  put 
into  proper  order,  and  keep  as  cool  as  consistent  with  the  safety 
of  the  Vines. — St.  Albans. 
THE  COLLARET  DAHLIA 
A  new  type  of  Dahlia  has  come  into  existence.  It  has  been 
named  “the  collaret”  form,  and  first  was  brought  to  notice  by 
Messrs.  H.  C'annell  and  Sons,  Swanley,  Kent,  from  whom  we 
kindly  received  the  small  illustration  of  a  flower  of  this  race. 
This  new  class  possesses,  round  the  ordinary  yellow  disc,  a  series 
of  stalked  appendices  of  a  collaret  form,  producing  a  great 
ornamental  effect.  The  engraving  gives  a  good  idea  of  its  nature. 
The  colours  are  somewhat  limited  at  present,  but  in  the  course 
of  another  season  or  so,  the  variation  of  tints  will  be  very  much 
increased,  and  the  formation  of  the  remarkable  collaret  growth 
more  accentuated.  The  original  plants  have  already  been 
awarded  Gold  Medals  and  Certificates  at  various  important 
exhibitions.  President  Viger  is  the  best-known  variety,  with 
large,  circular  flowers,  on  stiff  footstalks  of  a  reddish  carmine 
colour,  with  a  smaller  collar  of  pure  white  florets  ;  very  distinct 
and  effective.  Joseph  Goujon  is  another  collaret,  producing 
flowers  a  trifle  larger  than  the  above,  of  a  bright  reddish  scarlet, 
the  collar  florets  being  yellow,  slightly  marked  red.  Either 
plants  or  seeds  of  these  can  be  secured,  and  as  there  may  be  a 
future  for  this  race,  it  is  probable  that  many  growers  will  obtain 
plants  to  form  a  beginning  with  them. 
- - 
TRADE  NOTES. 
“Bitter  Oil”  Insecticide. 
If  it  were  not  for  the  attacks  of  vegetable  parasites  and  of 
insect  depredators,  the  gardener’s  task  would  be  inestimably 
lightened.  But  these  destroyers  or  liinderers  of  his  labour  most 
emphatically  exist.  It  is,  therefore,  advisable  to  employ  and  to 
test  the  efficacy  of  insecticides  such  as  those  prepared  by  respon¬ 
sible  firms  who  have  devoted  studious  attention  to  the  subject. 
It  is  in  order  to  bring  to  notice  the  bitter-oil  insecticide  that  we 
pen  this  paragraph.  The  oil  itself  we  are  about  to  test,  and  have 
received  from  the  Hull  Chemical  Works,  Limited,  a  half-gallon 
tin  for  the  purpose.  Their  “  plant-cleanser  ”  is  also  sent  to  us  in 
the  same  size  of  tin.  A  friend  of  ours  with  whom  we  communi¬ 
cated  regarding  the  use  and  effect  of  this  insecticide  has  been 
kind  enough  to  forward  the  following  letter: — “  On  Friday  last  I 
visited  a  fruit-grower  in  my  neighbourhood  to  inspect  particularly 
some  Apple  trees.  T wo  trees  when  in  full  blossom  were  dressed 
with  Bitter-Oil  for  the  purpose  of  preventing  ravages  of  the  codlin 
moth.  We  examined  the  trees  carefully,  and  couldn’t  find  any 
diseased  fruit,  and  I  send  you  a  sample  of  the  fruit  gathered  on 
Friday.  The  grower  informed  me  that  last  year  these  two  trees 
had  heavy  crops,  but  not  only  were  the  Apples  absolutely  unsale¬ 
able,  but  couldn’t  be  used  in  liis  own  house,  and  were  given  to  the 
pigs.  -He  also  drew  my  attention  to  the  clean  and  healthy  appear¬ 
ance  of  the  trees  compared  with  those  which  had  not  been 
dressed.”  It  only  remains  for  us  meanwhile  to  add  that  the 
Apples  were  safely  received,  and  that  they  were  perfectly  clean, 
juicy,  and  healthy  samples. 
*  *  *  All  correspondence  relating  to  editorial  matters  should  be  directed 
to  “  The  Editor,”  12,  Mitre  Court  Chambers,  Fleet  Street 
London,  E  C.  It  is  requested  that  no  one  will  write  privately 
to  any  of  our  correspondents,  seeking  information  on  matters 
discussed  in  this  Journal,  as  doing  so  subjects  them  to  unjustifiable 
trouble  and  expense. 
DAHLIA,  F.  W.  WELLESLEY  (J.  Allen). — This  new  Cactus 
variety  is  cne  of  the  finest  seen  during  the  current  season.  In 
our  issue  of  August  21,  on  page  182,  we  described  thus:  “  A  rich 
crimson  Cactus  variety  of  large  size ,  and  beautifully  narrow 
fluted  petals;  good  in  form.”  An  Award  of  Merit  was  bestowed 
by  the  R.H.S.  The  raiser’s  name  and  address  is  Mr.  H.  Shoesmith, 
Claremont  Nursery,  Woking,  Surrey. 
RANUNCULUSES  FROM  SEED  (Amateur). — Keep  the  seeds 
you  have  saved  in  a  dry  cool  place.  Early  in  spring  mix  a  com¬ 
post  of  strong  loam  and  leaf  mould,  and  fill  some  boxes  or  seed 
pans,  well  drained,  very  nearly  full  ;  sift  a  portion  of  it  and  place 
a  thin  layer  over  the  rough  compost,  and  press  it  very  gently 
down.  Mix  the  seed  with  some  fine  soil,  rubbing  the  seed  and 
the  soil  well  together  till  the  seeds  are  separated  from  each  other. 
Sow  this  mixture  upon  the  soil  in  the  boxes  or  shallow  pans; 
press  it  down  level,  and  with  a  fine  sieve  sift  some  of  the  compost 
Collaret  Dahlia,  President  Viger. 
evenly  over  it  the  thickness  of  a  shilling ;  then  with  a  watering 
pot,  the  nozzlei  of  which  has  the  finest  holes,  give  a  gentle  water¬ 
ing.  Place  the  seed  pans  under  glass  in  a  cold  frame  or  pit,  or  in 
front  of  a  low  Avail  facing  the  east,  and  contrive  a  covering  or 
shelter  of  some  kind  to  protect  them  from  heavy  slioAvers.  When¬ 
ever  the  soil  appears  dry  give  water  with  the  fine-rosed  Avater  pot, 
and  in  strong  sunshine  place  a  shade  over  them  till  the  seedlings 
appear  above  ground  and  have  attained  a  leaf  or  tAA  O  to  each 
plant.  Search  well  about  Avhere  the  boxes  or  seed  pans  stand,  and 
even  lift  them  up  and  examine  under  them  to  see  if  any  slugs  or 
Avoodlice  have  crept  there  to  hide  themselves.  Continue  this 
attention  till  the  leaves  begin  to  decay  and  then  cease  AAatering, 
but  keep  the  plants  clear  of  Aveeds.  When  the  leaves  are  all 
decayed  and  winter  is  approaching  place  the  pans  of  seedlings  in 
some  very  cool  place  AA'liere  no  rain  can  fall  upon  them,  and  keep 
them  there  till  spring.  About  the  middle  of  April  bring  them  out 
and  give  them  a  good  Avatering.  Sift  over  the  soil  a  thin  layer  of 
fresh  compost,  and  repeat  the  care  and  attention  Avith  regard  to 
AAratering,  looking  after  insects,  and  keeping  clear  of  Aveeds  as  in 
the  previous  season.  This  second  year,  Avhen  the  leaves  fall  and 
the  plants  are  at  rest,  the  tubers  Avill  have  attained  some  size. 
They  should  hoav  be  taken  out  of  the  soil,  and  the  surest  way  to 
accomplish  this  Avitliout  losing  any  roots  is  to  sift  the  upper  part 
of  the  soil  through  a  fine  sieve,  fine'  enough  to  catch  even  the 
smallest  roots.  Store  them  aAvay  in  a  cool  dry  room,  and  in  the 
|  spring  plant  them  out. 
