340 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
October  9,  1902. 
the  eggs  has  t lie  appearance  of  a  tiny  bit  of  scarlet  thread. 
After  reading  “  Trem’s  ”  letter  I  paid  Mr.  Nash  a  visit  to  see 
if  he  was  quite  free  from  the  vermin,  but  there  were  several 
plants  that  are  infested  now,  and  I  am  quite  convinced  that  it 
is  no  easy  matter  to  stamp  it  out  after  it  has  got  a  firm  footing ; 
no  half  measures  will  do  it. 
As  regards  the  Oribata  demersa,  it  is  a  totally  different  insect  , 
although  it  exists  under  similar  circumstances,  and  from  the 
effect  they  had  on  the  Aspleniums  they  appear  to  be  as  bad 
an  enemy  ;  but  after  a  free  use  of  the  tobacco  powder  on  the 
crowns  the  plants  began  to  grow,  and  were  soon  sold  out.  The 
Oribata  are  described  in  the  last  edition  of  “  The  Microscope,” 
by  Carpenter,  as  “  vegetable  feeders,  living  in  moss,  lichen, 
fungus,  dead  wood,  under  the  bark  of  trees,  &c.,  and  some  few 
species  on  aquatic  plants.  They  are  widely  distributed,  from 
the  Arctic  regions  to  the  equatorial.” 
I  hope  “  Trem  ”  will  send  me  a  plant,  and  after  finding  out 
under  what  circumstances  his  enemy  thrives  he  will  have  a  better, 
idea  as  to  what  remedy  to  apply,  and  if  I  can  be  of  any  service 
to  him  by  way  of  advice  I  shall  only  be  too  pleased  to  give 
it. — J.  Ollerhead. 
Book  Notices, 
The  Natural  History  of  Plants.* 
The  “  Natural  History  of  Plants,”  by  Professors  Kernel-  and 
Oliver,  is  so  well  known  that  one  hardly  requires  to  describe  its 
extent  and  treatment.  As  a  popularly  and  lucidly  written  work 
on  the  nature,  work,  functions,  and  relationship  of  plants,  it  is 
almost  indispensable  in  the  gardener’s  library.  It  is  a  scientific 
work,  yet  one  whose  style  is  attractive,  and  which  unfolds  the 
history  of  vegetable  life  in  a  way  as  interesting  as  any  story  of 
human  achievement.  Four  parts,  each  of  about,  110  pages  (lOin 
by  7in)  have  been  issued  in  this  reprint,  and  there  are  twelve  more 
monthly  parts.  It  is  a  useful  book,  too,  for  reference,  and 
heartily  we  commend  it  to  the  notice  of  gardeners,  the  young 
men  especially.  The  printing,  paper,  and  illustrations  are  alike 
excellent. 
Vegetables  and  Flowers  from  Seeds.1 
The  cultural  directions  furnished  for  the  different  vegetables 
and  flowers  treated  in  this  book  are  sufficient  for  all  who  have 
a  fair  practical  acquaintance  with  flower  and  kitchen  garden 
crops.  After  presenting  the  necessary  advice  on  matters  of 
practice,  the  following  in  reference  to  Carrots  is  how  their  wants 
in  other  climates  are  .  summarily  recorded: — “For  Egypt  and 
other  countries  immediately  south  of  the  Mediterranean, 
October  is  the  sowing  season  for  main  crops  of  Carrot,  but  the 
time  can  be  greatly  extended  under  irrigation.  In  Australia  this 
is  one  of  the  most  popular  roots  grown.  Seed  can  be  sown  suc¬ 
cessively  from  February  until  September,  and  it  is  desirable  to 
mix  with  the  Carrot  seed  a  few  seeds  of  Turnip  or  RadLh,  which 
come  quickly  and  mark  the  rows.  To  ensure  the  retention  of 
moisture  the  soil  must  be,  made  firm.  Where  the  land  is  cold, 
three  week's  elapse  before  germination. 
“  In  South  Africa,  garden  sowings  of  Carrot  seed  are  made 
from  August  until  October,  and  on  a  large  scale  from  January  to 
March.  For  the  Argentine  Republic,  winter  and  spring  are  suit¬ 
able  for  sowing  seed,  but  there  is  no  difficulty  in  maintaining  a 
succession  by  a  series  of  sowings  extending  through  the  entire 
year.”  ;  - 
In  regard  to  Leeks,  there  is  the  following  paragraph  : — “  In 
the  Himalayas,  Kashmir,  China,  Japan,  and  Canada,  seed  should 
be  sown  immediately  frost  has  gone,  or  perhaps  a  little  earlier, 
on  a  hotbed,  under  protection  at  night.  May,  June,  and  July 
are  the  months  for  South  Australia.  In  South  Africa,  temperate 
South  America,  India,  Burma,  and  Ceylon  sowings  may  be  made 
at  an  altitude  of  2,000  feet  in  August,  and  at  the  sea  level  in 
November.  During  October,  the  interval  of  calm  between  the 
south-west  monsoon  and  the  north-east  current  is  the  trying 
period  for  young  plants  of  all  kinds.” 
Little  is  said  of  the  culture  and  behaviour  of  the  Brassica  and 
Turnip  tribes  in  tropical  or  even  semi-tropical  countries:  fuller 
information  in  this  respect  would  have  added  to  the  value  of  the 
book.  Perhaps,  too,  a  summary  statement  of  the  climate 
and  physiography  of  the  main  divisional  features  of  the  globe 
would  fdso  have  added  character  to  the  book.  It  will  prove  a 
useful  book  for  colonists  without  doubt,  and  we  commend  it  to 
the  notice  of  those  who  are  in  foreign  parts,  or  who  are  about 
to  go.  It  is  brightly  illustrated  to  the  highest  quality  paper,  the 
typography  being  excellent,  and  a  good  index  is  included.  The 
price  is  not  stated,  but  may  be  5s.  net.  (pp.  331,  8|in  by  5|in.) 
*  “  The  Natural  History  of  Plints,”  Kerner  and  Oliver.  Blackie  &  Son,  Ltd., 
London,  Glasgow,  Dublin.  Pries  per  part,  Is.  6d  net. 
t  “Vegetables  fnd  Flowers  from  Seeds  in  Tropical,  Semi-Tropical  and  Tem¬ 
perate  Climates,’’  by  Sutton  and  Sons.  Published  by  Sutton  and  Sons,  Reading, 
England. 
PERENNIAL  ASTER5. 
The  season  of  Michaelmas  Daisies  is  now  reaching  its  zenith, 
and  but  for  them  the  garden  would  be  much  less  bright  than 
it  is.  During  hard  weather,  when  sharp  frosts  and  ear^y  snow¬ 
falls  have  checked  or  killed  nearly  every  other  herbaceous  plant, 
one  can  still  rely  on  the  continued  flowering  of  the  perennial 
Asters  until  the  middle  of  November.  Their  culture  requires 
but  little  note  ;  they  enjoy  good  treatment,  and  fair  attention 
in  such  matters  as  thinning  and  tying  the  shoots,  mulching 
during  the  summer  if  the  soil  is  light  and  poor,  and  for  such 
care  the  plants  will  return  a  bright  display  of  beautiful  flowers 
and  dark,  healthy  leafage.  The  illustration  of  a  posy  of  perennial 
Asters  on  page  341  exhibits  forms  of  species  of  the  genus,  includ¬ 
ing  A.  ericoides,  at  the  top,  with  small  flowers;  A.  acris,  the 
starry  bunch  beneath  it ;  A.  Amellus  var.,  the  largest  flowers 
in  the  figure;  A.  cordifolius  var.,  at  the  top  right-hand  corner; 
and  A.  Novse-Anglife  var.,  the  bottom  right-hand  blooms.  A. 
Novi-Belgi  is  another  well  marked  species,  whose  many  varieties, 
with  itself,  form  “a  section”  in  the  horticultural  classification. 
The  following  are  good  varieties  worthy  of  cultivation  in 
gardens: — Cordofolius  :  Photograph,  Diana,  elegans,  major, 
albulus,  and  magnificus.  Amellus  :  cassubicus,  latifolius, 
amelloides,  Onward,  bessarabicus,  Framfieldi,  and  Riverslea. 
Novi-Belgi:  T.  S.  Ware,  Arcturus,  Calliope,  Harpur  Crewe, 
Madonna,  Candida,  formosissimus,  William  Marshall,  and  Robert 
Parker.  Now-e-Angli.e  :  Diadem,  Mrs.  J.  F.  Raynor,  prsecox, 
Precocite,  roseus,  William  Bowman,  and  ruber.  Other  good  sorts 
are  Coombefishacre,  Tradoscanti,  vimineus,  ericoides  densus, 
grandis,  Isevigatus,  ptannicoides,  and  Councillor  W.  Waters. 
- - 
Societies. 
Royal  Horiicultoral — Drill  Hall,  Oct.  7th. 
The  meeting  of  Tuesday  last  was  typical  of  the  autumn  season, 
there  being  quite  an  abundance  of  hardy  flowers,  Dahlias,  and 
fruit  and  vegetables.  Messrs.  J.  Hill  and  Son  had  a  group  of  the 
Bird’s-nest  and  other  handsome  Ferns,  while  Mr.  John  Russell,  of 
Richmond,  filled  the  centre  of  the-  hall  with  a  varied  collection 
cf  Ivies,  all  in  pots,  and  trained  as  standards,  bushes,  and 
columnar  specimens.  From  Dobbie  and  Co.,  Rothesay,  came 
fifty  basket-lots  of  Potatoes,  in  as  many  distinct  sorts.  These 
we  refer  to  under  Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee.  Two  collec¬ 
tions  cf  fruit  were  presented,  one  from  Mr.  J.  H.  Goodacre, 
gardener  to  Earl  of  Harrington,  at  Elvaston  Castle  Gardens,  Derby, 
and  another  from  Mr.  W.  Fyfe,  gardener  to  Lady  Wantage,  Lock- 
inge  Gardens,  Wantage,  who  also  staged  a  collection  of  vege¬ 
tables  as  a  section  of  the  same  exhibit.  Chrysanthemums  from 
Mr.  J.  Surman,  of  Beckenham,  and  Messrs.  Wells  and  Co.,  of 
Redhill,  Earlswood  ;  while  Messrs.  F.  Cant  and  Co.,  and  B.  R. 
Cant  and  Sons,  furnished  each  a  magnificent  collection  of  cut 
Rose  blooms.  Mr.  R.  W.  Green,  seed  grower,  Wisbech,  who 
grows  specially  for  the  trade,  staged  a  collection  cf  newer  varie¬ 
ties  on  this  occasion,  each  being  meritorious,  and  which  we  may 
again  refer  to.  Messrs.  E.  A.  White,  Limited,  Beltring,  Paddock 
Wood,  Kent,  sent  a  collection  cf  Apples  on  branches,  the  fruits 
and  foliage  all  very  clean  and  bright.  The  “  Spimo  ” 
improved  fruit  tree  wash  had  been  used  on  the  trees. 
Floral  Committee. 
Present:  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (in  the  chair);  with  Messrs.  H.  B. 
May,  Chas.  T.  Druery,  J.  Hudson,  J.  H.  Nix,  Chas.  Dixon, 
J.  Jennings,  Geo.  Gordon,  Chas.  Jefferies,  H.  J.  Cutbush,  C.  J. 
Salter,  Chas.  E.  Pearson,  R.  C.  Notcutt,  W.  P.  Thomson,  Wm. 
Cuthbertson,  J.  H.  Fitt,  C.  R.  Fielder,  E.  T.  Cook,  R.  M. 
Wallace,  and  Ed.  Mawley. 
Messrs.  Ware,  Limited,  contributed,  amongst  their  varied 
collection  of  Asters,  the  pretty  white  multiflorus,  and  Ihe 
lavender-purple  A.  N-B.  T.  S.  Ware.  Aster  Wm.  Bowman  was 
also  showy,  and  so  too.  Mrs.  Raynor.  Among  Cant’s  Roses  were 
bunches  of  Ivillarney,  Mine.  Pierre  C’ochet  (a  deep  W.  A.  Richard¬ 
son),  Billiard  et  Barre,  golden  orange;  Safrano,  tea-coloured  ;  and 
the  charming  Rosette  de  Legion  d’Honneur. 
Messrs.  Cheat  and  Sons’  (Crawley)  group  shewed  how  much 
better  it  is  to  stage  only  a  few  bunches  of  Asters,  and  stage  them 
well,  than  to  fill  a  whole  table  with  small  bouquets  closely  packed. 
Their  selection  included  A.  multiflorus  albus,  A.  Amellus  bessara¬ 
bicus,  A.  Harpur  Crewe,  A.  N.-A.  rosea,  and  the  handsome  Hele- 
nium  autumnale  striatum.  They  had  a  very  fine  collection  cf 
Dahlia  blooms,  Pompon,  single,  and  Cactus. 
F.  A.  Bevan,  Esq.  (gardener,  Mr.  H.  Parr),  Trent  Park,  New 
Barnet,  brought-  up  a  collection  of  Michaelmas  Daisies,  and  from 
Messrs.  J.  Peed  and  Sons,  of  Norwood  Road,  London,  S.E.,  also 
came  these  Asters,  with  Dahlias  and  hardy  flowers  in  general. 
