done in this way by loving hands, evidence of the cherished memory of departed friends, must always possess a beauty and intrinsic worth that will place it above criticism.-EDWARD LUCKHURST. [Our brethren in America fully coincide with us in our modern arrangement of the dead's resting-place, and that which they have constructed at Philadelphia is so celebrated that we have copied from the American Horticulturist a view of it, named "West Laurel Hill Cemetery," and this accompanying note:-"It shares a national reputation for its beauty of adornment, its size and location. It is situated on a sloping hillside, fronting the Schuylkill river, a little northward of the city. The ground was originally divided into three sectionsnorth, south, and centre Laurel Hill; but demand for space has overflowed all accommodation, until a new tract has been added-West Laurel Hill Cemetery, which alone contains 110 acres. "In the immediate neighbourhood are other smaller cemeteries, with cultivated rural aspect: Monument Cemetery, which is somewhat notable from the fact that it contains a fine granite monument to the memories of Washington and Lafayette; also, Mount Peace, Mount Vernon, Glenwood, Mount Moriah, and Woodland, are each of great beauty and located in the suburbs of the city. The Laurel Hill cemeteries are located so as to be for ever free from the disturbance of everincreasing city buildings and city streets. They are beautifully planned, laid out, decorated, and ornamented with trees and shrubs, which, interspersed among the monuments or statuary, afford a feast to the eyes of any lover of rural taste."-EDs.] THE COLORADO POTATO BEETLE. A LETTER was recently addressed to Mr. Gladstone by the Secretary of the Central Chamber of Agriculture, "calling his attention to the imminent risk to which the United Kingdom is exposed, and suggesting that the importation of Potatoes from America be at once prohibited lest that "frightful enemy the Colorado beetle" be introduced into the Potato fields of Europe. The Privy Council for Trade declined to adopt such heroic measures, on the ground that "it does not appear that the eggs or larvæ of the Colorado beetle have been or are deposited or conveyed in the tuber of the Potato." We present herewith a timely and authoritative statement bearing upon this interesting question. Professor Riley, our accomplished entomologist, clearly shows that if the Doryphora goes abroad it will be as a full-grown and healthy specimen, taking a first-class passage. We trust, however, that our foreign friends will not have this scourge added to that which already devastates their Potato fields to such an uncomfortable extent. Professor Riley, State Entomologist of Missouri, remarks: ture " In December, 1872, Col. Fred. Hecker, of Summerfield, Ill., the well-known and enthusiastic political agitator and tribune, sent to the Gartenlaube (Heft 3, 1873), an article on this insect. The article was a condensation, and in some parts a literal translation, from the Missouri Entomological Reports, my figures being copied to illustrate it. It has since been retranslated and the illustrations recopied (and accuracy is not apt to increase with these processes, and certainly has not in these instances), by several English journals, over the signaFR. H., State of Illinois; " and since the original translator did not think it worth while to indicate the source from which he drew either his information or illustration, it is not surprising that the Gartenlaube is left without credit in the retranslations. It is surprising, however, that solid journals like Hardwicke's Science Gossip and the London Gardeners' Chronicle, should have been so easily led into the consideration of such myths as "Cantharis viniaria," "Doryphora decempunctata," &c. Some of the articles in the English periodicals on this "new enemy of the Potato" close with the advice that"in the importation of seed of American Potatoes, which is now carried on to a very large extent, the utmost caution should be exercised to prevent the introduction of the beetle to this country." That there will be danger of the insect finding its way to Europe when once it reaches the Atlantic seaboard, no one can doubt; for the impregnated females will live for weeks and even months without food, especially in the spring and autumn, when they also take most readily to wing. Such females, alighting on outward-bound vessels, may easily be given free passage to European ports, and as they will be apt to land without passports, it would be well for the authorities to look out for and prevent such unwelcome incursions. I do not think that there is danger of the insect being carried across the ocean in any other way, for Potato plants on which the eggs or larvæ might be carried are not articles of commercial exchange, and seed Potatoes do not, as a rule, harbour the beetles. Let our European friends profit by our sad experience with this insect, and, taking time by the forelock, endeavour to prevent its introduction into their Potato fields. This end will best be accomplished through the agricultural and horticultural societies, which should make provision for the dissemination of correct information concerning the pest. A small card, giving a coloured figure of the beetle, or of all stages of the insect, setting forth the disasters which would follow its introduction, and appealing to the reader to assist in preventing such a calamity, would do good service if posted in the cabins of vessels plying between the two countries, in the warehouses and seed-stores of seaport towns, and in the meeting rooms of agricultural societies. Some such simple means of familiarising the public with a possible enemy should be adopted in a country like Ireland, which will perhaps be the first to receive the pest and would suffer most from it. In Prussia the Government has adopted a system of agricultural teaching which other countries might well pattern by. Travelling teachers (Wanderlehzer) are appointed, one to each district (Kreis), of twenty or thirty square miles, whose duty it is to call the farmers together in their meeting-houses, lay With such a system before them recent important facts in agronomy, institute experiments and implement trials, &c. the agricultural community can easily be made aware of possible danger, and a large bottleful of our ten-striped Potato beetles, which a St. Louis friend of mine took over there a year ago, did good service, in that the beetles were distributed, as exhibition specimens, to some of these travelling teachers. [The Editor of the New York Tribune has obliged us by sending the above.-EDS.] FRUIT PROSPECTS AND CULTURE IN LINCOLNSHIRE. THE notes on the severe weather in March, and its effect on the fruit blossom in different parts of the country, which have appeared in the Journal could not fail to prove interesting. In success or failure, and especially the latter, each likes to know how his brethren fare. It is well that this intercommunion should pervade the great body of gardeners and garden lovers, and well that it should be fostered by such a genial medium as the readers of these columns acknowledge and rejoice in. It is akin to bearing each other's burdens. One's joy is robbed of half its pleasure if shut up in mere individuality-if it cannot expand and lighten another's heart; and one's obstacles fall with crushing force if borne alone, with no spark of fraternal sympathy. I have lately been unwell and unable to write, but have read with interest and a large measure of satisfaction that my friends of the garden have escaped so generally well the wintry ordeal when the second week in March jeopardised the objects of their care. With a sudden visitation of 15° to 20° of frost just at the time the fruit blossoms had cast their winter covering, it was, I was going to say, a "dark look-out." This, however, would be a misnomer, for never did the face of nature look more pure, and chaste, and silvery, when every twig, and spray, and bud was draped and bent down with such a robe of ice as the eastern counties presented at that time. It looked as if the fruit crop was shrouded in its windingsheet even in its very infancy-as it were in embryo. Yet what looked like death a month ago now betokens life, health, and prosperity, and the fruit prospects at the present momen are hopeful and bright. Should no more severe frosts overtake us, the fruit crop may be expected to rank amongst the best of past years, Old trees and young are alike promising, and why? The old were granted a new lease of life by the searching root-refreshing wet of the summer of 1872, and the young were made fruitful by the extraordinarily dry autumn and winter of 1873-4. Previous to the wet summer named many an old scraggy tree looked like a mere cumberer of the ground, but the deluge of water reached the roots deep down in the dry subsoil, and gave renewed life and health. Seldom have forest trees been robed in a richer hue of health than during the past summer, fed as they were by the replenished larders and cellars of the preceding year. Old fruit trees alike rejoiced in the | has never been known. To-day (April 8th) a nice shower has generous fare and put forth fresh growth, which the subsequent fallen and more is coming. It is especially welcome to the farmer dry autumn matured into blossom, which will immediately and gardener alike.-J. WRIGHT. lighten up the earth with floral beauty. The frost, which at one time threatened destruction, has not, after all, done material or substantial injury. Apples were backTHE HISTORY OF THE ROSE.-No. 3. ward-hence safe; of them there was no fear. Small fruits, by ACCORDING to Nicander, in his "Georgics," beautiful Roses the same cause, gave no concern. Pears being more forward were grew at a place called Themis, or Thetis; and at Olenum, a a cause of extreme anxiety, but not one spur of bloom in twenty city of Achaia, not far from Patræ, now called Patras. Next is killed. Plums, Cherries, and Peaches were not sufficiently to these places, Megara, Nisma, Phaselis, and Tenedos were advanced to endanger the crop, which promises to be good. celebrated for their Roses; but the finest grew at Magnesia ad The one crop which bore the brunt of the frost was the pre- Maandrum, a city of Lydia, now called by the Turks Gysel cocious Apricots. These were regarded as " done for," yet in Hisar, or the Beautiful Castle. One of the speakers in " Athemost cases there is a sufficient residue to form a fair crop. It næus" is made to say that what is related by Ethlius Samius is a question if in many places the frost has not done more in his work upon the singular occurrences which take place at good than harm to the Apricot trees-that is, so far as the Samos-namely, that in that island Figs, Grapes, Apples, and current crop of fruit is concerned. Most trees were packed Roses are produced twice a-year, appears neither improbable with blossom to a degree that it was not possible for it to expand, and under these circumstances a good "set" nor untrue. Cyrene, also, according to Pliny, was celebrated can for its Roses; and, according to Herodotus and Martial, Egypt never be relied on. The frost thinned the blossom, and was also renowned for these flowers. almost every bloom thus left is leaving a fruit behind it. the gardens of Midas Roses grew spontaneously, and that some Herodotus says that in Fruit blossom, and especially Apricot blossom, when preter- had sixty flower-leaves, and were more fragrant than the rest. naturally dense is apt to fall in a shoal after three consecutive According to the Calendar of Natural Occurrences in Greece, bright days; whereas if a tithe had been removed, by its tenfold the Rose blossomed in March; the Rosa græca, or Lychnis vigour it would have withstood the exhaustive strain which it coronaria, in May. In the Roman Calendar we find early would otherwise have had to bear. And even when set, or in Roses were in blossom in April, and that in May they were the last stage of setting, the young fruit will frequently shrivel generally in flower. from a hot sun and the dry atmosphere of a southern brick wall the Rose blossomed two months before it appeared in Italy, In Egypt, according to Theophrastus, extracting the juices of the tree faster than the roots-at that and continued in flower for almost as long a time in the former juncture comparatively inactive-can supply the loss. A gentle country after it had ceased blowing in Italy. In the latter syringing of the trees under these circumstances often will and country it succeeded the blossoming of the Violet and the Lily. has made all the difference between a full crop of fruit and a Among the ancients the Rose was employed as a medicinal scanty one. remedy; at their festivals and sacred ceremonies; and as an article of luxury at their banquets. Of the medicinal uses of the Rose frequent mention is made by Oribasius, Actuarius, Marcellus, Myriscus, Celsus, &c., together with many ancient writers on pharmacy. The accounts afforded by these writers are not sufficiently interesting to claim particular notice. Greeks and Romans, the employment of flowers generally In alluding to the more general uses of the Rose among the must in some degree be referred to; but the Rose was unquestionably the most esteemed of all flowers. Strawberries can hardly be spoken of with anything much beyond a guess. They are late. I shall not be surprised if the trusses show weakly; they often do under a dry air and a long term of sunny days. As soon as the blooms show, a good soaking of liquid manure would be of great benefit, especially to old plants, and if it could be made 5° or 10° warmer than the soil this would increase its usefulness and pay good interest for any little extra trouble on that point. This should be given before the blooms expand, and as soon as ever the trusses can be clearly seen pushing out of the crowns. From the best judgment I can form I am almost certain I shall see a weakly blossoming, and rain or no rain I shall treat those under my care with a dose of liquid in full confidence of seeing after-benefit Much injury is frequently done to many things by using stinging cold water from a well or spring just at the time when the chief requisite is an increased roottemperature. The promise of 1874 is attributable to the wet year of 1872 pushing old trees into a better growth than usual, giving them more power to form fruit buds, and the dry autumn and winter of 1873-4 maturing the wood and keeping the buds in a resting state until a comparatively late period in the spring. This latter condition has been very noticeable and a matter of surprise to many. When we saw Roses, Daisies, and other things forgetting their season and blooming at Christmas, it made one tremble lest the fruit blossom should awaken into life a month before its time and be destroyed by the frosts of spring. But while the winter has been one of the mildest on record-the general mean temperature for the five months, November to March, being 40°, the mean night minimum during the whole of this period exceeding 34°-the fruit buds kindly continued their slumbers for a longer time than usual. This sap rest, in spite of an abnormally high winter temperature, is due to an absence of wet. That deciduous trees and shrubs will rest under a high temperature, providing it is dry, most gardeners will have noticed in the matter of Vines, Roses, &c. ; but introduce a moist atmosphere, and imitate rain with the syringe, and the sap is at once excited into action. We have had scarcely any rain this winter, and the sap was still, in consequence, to a later period in spring than is ordinarily the case under a lower temperature. Referring to the rain register I find that the five months named have this winter not averaged quite an inch per month, the gross amount being only 4.94 inches. In the same period last winter 11.72 inches were registered on the same spot-a monthly average of 2.34 inches. With the exception of an apology for a shower we have had no rain for twenty days, and only 0.86 inch for forty days. Many a "king's ransom "—if a peck of dust in March is worth one-has been distributed over hedge and field, and a finer spring seed-time By the Greeks and Romans flowers were frequently employed. It was usual for them to adorn the temples, altars, and statues of their gods with them. (See Euripides: Hippolytus, Troades, Helena, &c.) Wreaths of flowers were also worn by those who were present at, or assisted in, the celebration of sacred rites (Eurip. Iphigenia in Aulide). They were also offered to those divinities to whom they were considered most grateful. It was a Grecian custom, according to Athenæus, to decorate the doorposts of houses where a maiden about to become a bride resided. The dead were crowned with flowers. It is still a custom in the Levant to strew flowers on the bodies of the dead, and in the hands of young persons to place a nosegay. Sophocles has represented Electra and Orestes as repairing to their father's tomb to deck it with garlands and honour it with libations. The relatives of the deceased wore garlands of Roses during the days of mourning, as emblematical of the shortness of life, which passes as quickly away as the beauty of those Roses would which formed the mourner's crown. The tombs of the dead were decorated with Roses, under the idea that they possessed the power of protecting the remains of the deceased, and were peculiarly acceptable as an offering to their manes. Other flowers besides the Rose were selected as having a special fitness for these purposes. The Greeks also used the Amaranthus, which is commonly regarded as the flower now known by the name of Everlasting." Parsley and Myrtle were also funereal plants. But the Rose has been for ages the favourite flower for funereal and all other purposes. Among the Romans all flowers of a purple or white colour were regarded as grateful to the dead. They were so fond of in their wills for the express purpose of providing Roses, with the Rose, that we find inscriptions which refer to legacies left which their tombs were annually to be decorated. Donavit sub hac conditione, Ut quotannis Rosas ad monumentum ejus deferant. (He bequeathed it on this condition, that annually Roses should be brought to his tomb.) (See Le Antichità d'Aquileja, Giandomenico Bertoli: Venezia, 1739: p. xix.. ccxxxvii., &c.) Roses were also strewed on the tables at their convivial entertainments, and on the floors of the rooms in which they feasted. Pacatius says:-"Delicati illi et fluentes parum se lautos putabant, nisi luxuria vertisset annum, nisi hybernæ poculis Rose innatassent." ("The soft and luxurious thought themselves not sufficiently refined unless their extravagance changed the course of the seasons, unless winter Roses floated in their cups.") Suetonius relates of Nero, that he spent upwards of £30,000 at one supper in the purchase of Roses. This custom is supposed to have been introduced during the time of Horace; an opinion which has been formed from one of his odes (lib. i. od. xxxviii.), thus translated by Francis:"I tell thee, boy, that I detest The grandeur of a Persian feast; Cleopatra is said to have expended a talent in the purchase of Roses for one banquet, on which occasion the floor of the apartment was covered with Roses to the depth of a cubit, or 1 foot. (Athenæus, Deipnosoph. lib. iv., cap. ii.) The chief use of the Rose at feasts was to form crowns and garlands, which were placed upon the heads and round the necks of the guests. The garlands were generally provided by the master of the house. Those who attended on the guests were also crowned, and even the drinking-bowls were wreathed with flowers. Owing to this use of the Rose, we learn from Anacreon that a crown composed of them was regarded as an invitation to festivity; they were also considered as preventives of drunkenness; though certainly, in some instances, the flowery wreath seems to have been a well-understood mark of inebriation. "Capiam mihi coronam in caput, assimulabo me esse ebrium." "I will place a chaplet on my head, and pretend to be drunk," Rich unguents and oils were also prepared from the Rose (see Homer, Il. xxiii., 186), which were used on the same occasions as the Rose flower itself. Many are the customs and superstitions connected with the Rose in our rural districts. On midsummer eve many a maiden gathers a Moss Rose. "She bids it for her lover's sake Newton, in his "Herball to the Bible," 1587, pp. 223-4, says:-"I will heere adde a common country custome that is used to be done with the Rose. When pleasaunt and merry companions doe friendly meete together to make goode cheere, as soone as their feast or banket is ended, they give faithfull promise mutually one to another, that whatsoever hath been merrily spoken by any in that assembly should be wrapped up in silence, and not to be carried out of the doores. For the assurance and performance whereof, the tearme which they use is, that all things there saide must be taken as spoken under the Rose. Whereupon they use in their parlours and dining roomes to hang Roses over their tables, to put the companie in memorie of secresie, and not rashly or indiscreetly to clatter and blab out what they heare. Likewise, if they chaunce to shew any tricks of wanton, unshamefast, immodest, or irreverent behaviour either by word or deed, they protesting that all was spoken under the Rose, do give a strait charge and pass a covenant of silence and secrecy with the hearers, that the same shall not be blowne abroad, nor tatled in the streetes among any others." There are many other less remarkable uses of the Rose, which it would be necessary to mention in order to render the above by any means a complete account of this flower; their importance, however, does not warrant their insertion here. To the philosophic botanist the above account of the Rose will not, it is believed, be attractive; to the horticulturist it may present many pleasing features; to the classic reader it will recall customs most intimately blended with the beauties of Grecian and Roman poetry. The feeling, too, which dictated some of the most striking and touching uses of the Rose especially, and of flowers in general, is universal and natural to nearly all nations. The decoration of the tombs of the dead with flowers was an inexpressibly beautiful custom; and, though strenuously denounced by the early Christians as savouring of idolatry, the hearts of men soon wandered back to so simple, so elegant, so natural a mode of testifying affection. This is a custom which has been well said to be "of the heart, and to speak to it, and has therefore maintained its ground in | every age and region, unaffected by the constant changes in customs merely arbitrary and conventional." NOTES ON VILLA AND SUBURBAN GARDENING. NOTHING can be more brilliant than a large bed of Gladiolus psittacinus; in fact Gladiolus floribundus, blandus, cardinalis, should be lost in procuring and sowing the seed, which would Victoria, and the whole of the genus are beautiful. No time have been best sown last month. A few more plants requiring similar treatment are Tigridia pavonia and conchiflora, and Anomatheca cruenta. The former two make showy groups throughout the season; and the Anomatheca, if four or five bulbs are planted in a pot, and plunged in a bed when in bloom, is a gem for the flower garden in May. The Tigridias may be treated like Gladioli, but the Anomatheca will be pricked-out 2 inches apart in seed pans in light rich soil, and sheltered in a frame until well established. Treatment of Plants Intended for Bedding-out.-At this season of the year there is a danger which the amateur should guard against, because it is one which gardeners themselves are apt to make, and if fallen into will be productive of much loss and disappointment; I mean the premature committing to the flower beds the more tender plants which have been carefully preserved during the winter, and on which the beauty of the summer the skies are often so propitious that we cannot but believe the season is so dependant. During the months of April and May winter is quite departed. With warm nights and bright days we banish every thought of frosts and bleak winds. All hands are set to work to turn out our Pelargoniums et hoc genus omne, and we flatter ourselves that we shall have a long and prosperous summer. But we soon find that we have committed a mistake; north and east winds return, and night frosts reassert their iron rule, and a few hours blast the labours of a whole winter. But the important question arises, What is to be done with those summer, but grow too rapidly for their present confined quarters? plants in pots which are intended for ornamenting the beds in This matter must now receive the immediate and careful attention of the amateur, since many productions may become permanently stunted by being left too long in small pots. Now, it should be remembered that vegetable growth may be retarded without inflicting any injury on plants subjected to the treatment. The pots should be removed from a sunny spot to the shade of a north wall, where growth will continue stationary for many weeks. They should be defended from much rain, and receive protection enough to avert frost, and no more. By these means the growth of roots will be checked, and there will be a marked difference between plants so treated and those subjected to warmth in a glazed frame. This retardation of growth will fine plants at a future period, but I mention it now only as a be of service many ways, and will result in the production of means of preventing those plants being pot-bound and injured on which so much of the beauty of the season is to depend. If your stock of plants is small, and you have plenty of frame room, you may repot as it becomes necessary, and thus turn out the whole in a highly-developed state in the middle of May. Many things will do well in this way, but generally greenhouse treatment is not favourable to plants which are afterwards to be turned into beds or borders. The tenderness they acquire by being kept under glass, or even being covered-up at night, exposes them to checks when planted in the open air. This would become established, but too much time would thus be consumed not be the case if they were not turned out till the summer had in preparatory management. Another good plan is to cover over at night with a flower pot any plants which you are disposed or compelled to commit to their destined place. In all these questions an enlightened judgment must guide you, the object being to have your parterres gay with flowers for as long a time as possible. The proper time for striking the cuttings of Chrysanthemums depends upon the object which the propagator has in view. Nurserymen who want a good stock of a particular kind may propagate almost at any season, and generally begin very early in spring; but for ordinary purposes from the middle of March to the middle of April is quite soon enough, and the amateur can now do so without any artificial heat, which is of great consequence to those who have very limited gardens. It matters very little whether the cuttings are taken off with roots or without them, as in the latter case they will form them in a few days and soon begin to grow rapidly. The frame should be kept very close, moist, and shaded until the cuttings have formed roots for their support. When this takes place a little air may be admitted, gradually, as the plants will bear it, but afterwards the plants may be fully exposed. The shifting of the plants in the earlier part of the summer should be particularly attended to; if this is neglected no good after-management will save them from losing their leaves and looking badly in autumn and winter. As soon as they are fairly started into growth the top of each should be nipped-out with the finger and thumb, which will cause several young shoots to spring from the under part of the plant, and thus form it into a compact bush. This may be repeated two or three times with advantage in the earlier part of the season, and after the plant is fairly formed should be discontinued. season. The soil for their growth can scarcely be too rich; about equal parts of loam, dung, leaf mould, and sand make an excellent compost. Manure water is also an excellent material, with which they can be watered twice or thrice a-week during the growing There is one error in the cultivation of Chrysanthemums into which the inexperienced amateur is apt to be led, and that is neglecting or paying but little attention to his plants after the flowering season is over. They are either allowed to remain in a warm greenhouse and forced into growth, or they are thrust aside and neglected till late in the summer, when he recollects that they are wanted for winter flowering. Take care of your Hyacinths, Tulips, Ranunculuses, and Anemones now, for they will be hastening into bloom. Keep the walks rolled, and the grass walks and lawn nicely mowed, and the borders free from weeds and rubbish. Those who have no opportunity of procuring plants had better gow in a warm situation a few seeds of Cauliflowers, Broccolis, Brussels Sprouts, Large Green Savoy, and Vanack Cabbage. A sowing of Turnips had better be got in on the first favourable opportunity. After a shower draw the earth to the stems of Cabbage plants which were planted either in autumn or spring. This will guard the stems from the sun and wind, which will dry and harden them. Be careful to destroy slugs and snails, which at this season are invited abroad by gentle showers.-W. KEANE. DOINGS OF THE LAST AND PRESENT WEEKS. canvas. FRUIT AND KITCHEN GARDEN. THE present is a very anxious time for growers of hardy fruits; In one night of frost may blast our hopes for a whole season. gardens where the trees are small something may be done in the shape of protecting the blossoms from frost by covering with A framework made of some light material must be constructed in order to keep the canvas from rubbing against the blossoms, otherwise the material would do more harm than good. Large trees, in the majority of cases, must take their chance, but very large trees ought not to find a place in the kitchen garden. Bush and pyramid-trained trees, kept within bounds by summer pruning, will be the most fruitful as well as most profitable sort to cultivate. There are some gardens where the large standard fruit trees entirely preclude the possibility of good vegetables being grown underneath them, whereas the more dwarf-trained trees, if judiciously planted, shelter the crops but do not overshadow them. Wall trees must be attended to on frosty nights. The protecting material should be let down whenever there are signs of frost, and rolled-up at 6 A.M. if there was no frost on the previous night; if there has been a frost, between nine and ten o'clock will be quite early enough. The Plums on our wall seem to have set well. Pears and Cher ries are in full blossom. Hoeing, earthing-up, and placing sticks to Peas; digging lightly over any ground that was dug or trenched during the winter; hoeing borders with the Dutch hoe, and also quarters of Cauliflower plants. Walks are also being regravelled. The surface is first broken-up, and where it has become dirty it is removed. The clean gravel is then laid on the surface, troddenin, and a heavy roller passed over it two or three times. Thinned the crops of Early Horn Carrot and Lettuce under ground-vinery lights. French Breakfast Radish, sown between the rows, has been pulled out for use. FRUIT AND FORCING HOUSES. Vineries.-The Grapes are now colouring in the early houses, which necessitates a drier atmosphere and a chink of air to be left on at night; and whatever precautions may have been taken to prevent it, our dreaded enemy red spider invariably puts in an appearance. Painting the hot-water pipes with sulphur is the only means that will destroy it, and the fumes must be moderately strong to take effect. There is also some danger from overdoing it, though not so much when the Grapes are near the colouring period as when they are in an early stage of their growth. The borders inside and outside, when the latter are covered with shutters, receive a good soaking of water at this time, and they seldom require any more until the Grapes are thoroughly ripened. Many growers also abstain from syringing or watering the paths and borders during the colouring; our borders and paths are sprinkled twice daily in fine weather, and once in dull cloudy weather. The late houses now claim a considerable share of attention in tying and stopping the lateral growths. To the inexperienced cultivator a few words of caution may be useful. In the early stages of their growth the shoots on healthy Vines make rapid progress, and are therefore extremely brittle, so that in bending them down suddenly towards the wires many of them snap off, either at the connection with the old wood or about the middle of the growth. It will be seen from this that extreme caution is necessary. The shoots must be brought down gradually, and stopped two eyes beyond the bunch. Where houses are so far advanced that the Vines are in flower, maintain a temperature of 70°, and in the case of shy-setting sorts, such as Royal Vineyard and Gros Guillaume (although we have never had any trouble with the latter), shake the bunches gently at 10 A.M. and 2 P.M. while they are in flower. A Vine trained on a rafter 18 or 20 feet long will require attention for eight or ten days. In the case of Royal Vineyard a globule of moisture may be observed on the stigma; it is best to draw the hand over the bunch to disperse the moisture, or use a soft brush. The above will be an answer to "H. S. J.," who finds a difficulty in setting Barbarossa. This and Mrs. Pince's Muscat set at Loxford as freely as Black Hamburgh, and the means used are as detailed above. Peach House.-The instructions given two weeks ago still apply to this structure. No red spider will show itself on the leaves if the house is thoroughly syringed twice a-day. The aphis that infests the Peach is not so easily dislodged, but clings firmly to the points of the growing shoots and stops their growth; the leaves also curl-up and further shelter them. Fumigating the house with tobacco smoke is by far the best method of destroying this pest. Brown scale never ought to be allowed to increase; hand-washing is the best way to get rid of this. Remove the scale with a small label, and wash the place with strong soft-soap water. Hoya bella and H. Paxtoni are also very desirable stoye plants to cultivate. Hoya bella is the best of the species, and has been long an esteemed plant in our stoves. It will, if well cared for, continue in flower for two months, and form a very pretty decorative plant. The flowers are also, notwithstanding their slightly glutinous character, very useful for working into bouquets, for filling small vases, wreaths, and other purposes to which the finer exotic flowers are applied. This species, as indeed are all the Hoyas, is readily propagated from cuttings, and is amongst the easiest cultivated of stove plants. Light turfy loam, with a little sand and a few lumps of charcoal added to it, is a good potting material. The plant does not make a very large proportion of roots, and should not receive large shifts; indeed, it is better to propagate a few plants annually or biennially, limit the size of the pots in which they are grown to 6 or 8 inches in diameter, and throw the old plants away when they become leggy. Potted Caladiums. The markings on the foliage of some of the admired; but to have them at their best they require liberal newer varieties of these are very beautiful, and are generally treatment, to be placed near the glass, shaded from bright sun, and after the foliage is pretty well developed, to have rather more air than would be suitable for many other stove plants. About one-fifth part of rotted manure should be added to the turfy loam used in potting. Some of the best varieties are Chantinii, Chelsonii, E. G. Henderson, Argyrites, Belleymei, Max Kolb, and Brongniarti. Repotted different species of Odontoglossum. O. crispum (Alexandra) seems not to have any period of rest. The plants make new roots at any season, and may be potted when they require it; but it is generally desirable to have a stated period month as any. Many of the species require large supplies of for potting, in order to save time; and April is as suitable a water, and are best grown in pots that would be thought small full of drainage, and pot in a compost of equal parts of tough for the size of the plant. Fill the pots rather more than half fibrous peat, sphagnum moss, and potsherds. Encourage sphagdevallia Harryana is now throwing-up its flowers, which are num to grow on the surface of the pots. The beautiful Masmoved with a small brush or a sponge dipped in water. Fumiliable to be attacked by green fly; these ought either to be regating with tobacco smoke is injurious to many Orchids. 65 or 70° at night, with a rise of from 5° to 10° by day; shade The temperature of the stove should now be maintained at from bright sunshine, but do not allow the shading to be down similar treatment, with a night temperature of from 50° to 55°. if the day becomes cloudy. The cool Orchid house should have -J. DOUGLAS. TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. John Harrison, Darlington.-Descriptive Catalogue of New Roses, Hollyhocks, Dahlias, &c. Miller & Sievens, 27, Post Street, San Francisco, California.Catalogue of Californian and Foreign Seeds, Bulbs, and Plants. year on all the subjects on which you wish for information. It may be had by post from our office for 18. 74d." PELARGONIUM LEAVES YELLOW (Alma).-We think the leaves turn yellow in consequence of the syringing, which ought not at this time of year to be PROVINCIAL HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS. practised. We presume the plants have a plentiful supply of air before the It is particularly requested that no communication be addressed privately to either of the Editors of this Journal. All correspondence should be directed either to "The Editors," or to "The Publisher." Great delay often arises when this rule is departed from. sun shines powerfully on the leaves, and that they are not exposed to the sun's rays whilst wet from the condensation of moisture during the night. To obviate the injury that often results from this, a little air should be left on at night, increasing the amount early in the morning. We need not remind you that the plants should be kept free of insects. TYING VINE SHOOTS (Idem).-The shoots should be tied to the under side of the wire as soon as it can be done without breaking them, stopping them at the joint beyond the bunch, or, if they do not show fruit, at the sixth leaf. The laterals are the shoots that proceed from the growth of this year; we should take them off from all the joints except the lowest two and the uppermost one, stopping these at the first leaf, and to one leaf at every fresh growth throughout the season. They will not require tying. LAURELS, &c. (J. H. B. H.).-You are mistaken. In the "Cottage Gardeners' Dictionary" the Bay Tree is Laurus nobilis. Common names are not guides. The Cape Gooseberry is not a Ribes. The Laurustinus begins flowering often at the end of summer. COW CABBAGE PLANTING (J. P., of York).—You may now procure plants of a nurseryman and plant them out 2 feet apart every way; or, if you do not require them until late in autumn, you may now sow the Oxheart in an open situation, and when they have a pair of rough leaves prick out, and plant out when large enough 20 inches apart. Or you may sow this variety at once We also request that no one will write privately to any of our in drills prepared as for Swedes, hoeing and thinning the same as for that correspondents, as doing so subjects them to unjustifiable crop. The crop will be in during September. Plants from an August sowing trouble and expense. are best for late summer use. The only after-treatment consists in keeping Correspondents should not mix up on the same sheet questions clear of weeds and earthing-up when the plants are beginning to cover the relating to Gardening and those on Poultry and Bee sub-ground. This latter is not, however, essential, only it keeps them from being jects, and should never send more than two or three questions at once. All articles intended for insertion should be written on one side of the paper only. FLOWER STAND (W. E. M.).—If you send your full address and enclose four postage stamps we will obtain a copy of the number. GREEN'S WROUGHT-IRON BOILER.-Messrs. E. G. Henderson claim, and are entitled to claim, the insertion of the following, but we cannot insert more on the subject:-" In answer to N. B.,' at p. 203, there is cast iron and wrought iron where its peculiar quality is most wanted. The front of this boiler is of cast iron to avoid scaling or wearing away rapidly. We have for our own experiment three of this boiler, each being set differently, and each working efficiently. The first is without enclosure; the second is in a recess under cover half exposed; the third, of a smaller size, is fully exposed, thus conserving the whole of the radiated heat. To those who have no opportunity of seeing the working of this boiler the following additional features may give a tolerable estimate of its construction:-In dispensing with all outer brickwork it stands upon a separate cast-iron foundation containing the fire-bars. In one stokehole we have had three upright tubulars in succession, and with these we have had to dig out, and pull down, and rebuild brickwork by reason of being cracked or burnt out of sockets. Castiron apparatus are liable to fracture, which is not the case with wrought-iron ones, the latter affording timely indications of wear necessary for required repair, thereby averting sudden contingencies and after-loss. In reply to N. B.'s' inquiry respecting the removal of the two wrought-iron boilers of three years ago, we again 'remark that they were perfectly distinct from the present one in one very important feature-the absence of water-plates, and were solely removed without fracture, strain, or injury, to be replaced by the present improved patent one. As to its durability, like all other apparatus of new construction, it can only be tested by time." AZALEAS (C. H.).—It is usual for them to emit leaves before blooming. AERIAL ROOTS ON VINES (T. Lucas).—This is caused by an over-moist atmosphere. It is immaterial whether you cut them off or allow them to remain. They do not injure the Vines. PLANTING A Flower Bed (J. Aloysius).—A square-shaped flower bed that is 9 feet in diameter, and surrounded by dark-coloured paths, would look well with a central clump surrounded by circular bands as you propose. Take Centaurea gymnocarpa for a centre, and follow with two rows of purple Beet, then two rows of Lobelia speciosa, filling the corners with Golden Pyrethrum and continuing it as an edging all round; or, as you have some Cerastium, you might impart additional variety and brightness by introducing it for an edging, filling the corners with Lobelia, and putting a broad band of Golden Pyrethrum next the Beet. SMOKE FROM BURNING WEEDS (4 Young Gardener).-The occasional burning will not be injurious to the plants in your greenhouse. To prevent the smoke entering in excess, close the greenhouse ventilators during the burning. RAPHIOLEPIS OVATA (J. R).—The description accords well with that of this plant, which is a fine evergreen shrub, having purple berries in autumn. As far as we have experience, it only succeeds in sheltered positions, and requires a peaty or vegetable soil. Ceanothus dentatus would only succeed in a warm sheltered position, doing best against a wall with a south aspect. PROPAGATING Bedding PlaNTS (A. E.).—The best method of securing a stock of bedding plants is to obtain a few good plants of the desired kinds now, and at the end of May plant them out in good rich soil, and keep them well supplied with water to encourage free growth. They will by the second or third week of August give you a number of cuttings, which should be inserted in pots or pans, placed in a close cold frame, shaded, and well hardened-off before winter. Wintered in a greenhouse they will afford a number of cuttings from February to April. These should be struck in a mild sweet hotbed. FORCING PIT AND GREENHOUSE (Idem).—We should only be deceiving you were we to hold out any hope of your forcing Roses and similar plants, and using the forcing pit at the same time for Cucumbers, and in summer growing these along with Melons. Cucumbers and Melons do not succeed well together, the latter requiring at times a drier atmosphere than is suitable for Cucumbers, stove plants, and Ferns. In the greenhouse you will do better, only the bedding plants must not be allowed to crowd the Camellias, Azaleas, and hardwooded plants. To answer all your questions would fill a number of the Journal. "Keane's In-door Gardening" gives full instructions for the so much loosened by winds. Three pounds of seed are required for one acre. BEETROOT (Idem).-The ground should be well pulverised, drilled, and manured as for Swedes; the seed put-in either by drill or dibble; and the plants hoed and thinned to a foot or 15 inches apart. The seed should be sown early in May. Six to eight pounds are required for an acre. ANTS DESTROYING WALL FRUIT (S. W.).-Within our experience we have not noticed them take the young fruit of Plums and Peaches. Sprinkle guano at the foot of the wall occasionally, and syringe the trees on a mild and calm evening with quassia water, made by boiling a pound of quassia chips in four gallons of soft water for ten minutes, and dissolving in it whilst hot 1 lb. of soft soap. When cooled to 90° strain, and apply to the trees, wetting every part. LILY OF THE VALLEY NOT FLOWERING (Lily).-You cannot do any more than you propose-namely, to water them with guano water at the rate of 1 oz. to the gallon, but it need only be given in dry weather. It would not improve the flowering for this year except in the size of the flowers, but would The Roses we should not assist in perfecting the crowns for another year. water until they are in good foliage, and then in dry weather with guano water. TEN-WEEK STOCK CULTURE (R. F. B.).-The plants you have in pots, with four leaves, and very thick, ought to be pricked-out in boxes about an inch apart, not putting them in deeper than the seed leaves, and shading for a few days until established. If left in the pots as they are, it is likely that the majority of them will die-off at the neck. Harden well off, and plant out after the middle of May. CUCUMBERS STOPPING (R. T.).—Take the leaders up to within a foot of the height of trellis, and then stop them. The side shoots should be stopped one joint beyond the fruit. REPOTTING HOYA CARNOSA, AZALEAS, AND CAMELLIAS (F. P. A. C.).— Although the Hoya is flowering, repot it, as it will be making fresh growths, but do not remove more of the old soil than comes away freely from the roots. The Azaleas and Camellias now out of flower should be at once repotted, using for the former a compost of three parts sandy peat, with one part turfy sandy loam and a sixth part of silver sand. The sides of the ball should be loosened with a pointed piece of wood. In potting the Camellias be careful of the roots, not removing more of the ball than any loose soil that can be taken away without breaking them. Employ a compost of equal parts of turfy light loam and sandy peat, with a sixth part of silver sand. Good drainage is needful for all, especially the Hoya. LABOUR REQUIRED IN GARDEN (F. J.).—For the glass you will require a man and boy in addition to the gardener, one man for the kitchen garden, and one for the lawn and flower garden, but a great deal must be allowed for the extent of the flower garden, which you do not state. If no more is taken up in beds and gravel than a fourth of the lawn, one hand will be sufficient. You will require, therefore, two under-gardeners, a labourer, and a boy, along with a head working gardener. The difference of a man rests entirely on the order in which the whole is required to be kept. We have taken for granted everything is to be kept neat and the subjects well cultivated. If not particular as to neatness, a man less will do. RAMPS OF RAISED BEDS (Bob).-Those in the London parks are formed of cow dung, horse dung, and loam worked-up into a thick mortar, and fashioned into the required shape with a trowel. HEATING A GREENHOUSE.-Seeing a letter in your Journal of April 2nd from a Preston correspondent on heating a greenhouse with gas, I should be glad to communicate with him on the subject, by sending his name and address to-E. L. O., Sunny Bank Cottage, Over Darwen. PRESERVING WOOD BY CREOSOTE (C. 8.).—We sent your inquiry to a gentleman who has had experience in the process. He replies as follows:-"The mode I adopt to preserve timber, and give it a brown colour is to place it in a wooden trough with stones or some other contrivance to keep the wood under the creosote. I then ladle the boiling creosote from a small iron boiler on to the timber, where it remains until it is nearly cold. I then allow the creosote to run out of the trough into the boiler, where it is again boiled. It is ladled on again, and allowed to remain half an hour, when it is drawn off again into the boiler. The wood is then taken out and set upright; it is dry in a few hours, and fit for use the following day. The last hothouse I constructed was 50 feet by 15; the expense of labour, creosote, and fuel was 10s.” TRAINING WIRE (A. D.).—It is quite immaterial whether you use copper or galvanised iron wire inside your greenhouse, as there would be in your case no difference in the price. STOVE FOR GREENHOUSE (T. W. C.).—Apply to Messrs. Swan Nash, & Co., 4, Newgate Street. |