of 50° to 55° can be maintained, with a little air constantly. This temperature should never be exceeded by artificial means -it may rise higher by sun heat-till the most forward flowers are perfectly open, when the latest ones may be picked carefully off or cut with Grape-scissors, leaving not more than eight or ten of the largest and most forward, and the temperature may be increased considerably. When the fruit has fairly started swelling it will bear with impunity the heat of a Melon or Pine house, but must be kept cooler at the first sign of colouring; and finally after it is coloured must be kept quite cold and have abundance of air for a few days.

If the treatment I have attempted to describe has been carried out, and watering properly attended to, the fruit will be equal in flavour to that ripened out of doors in June.

The principal points to attend to are-To force very gently till the flowers are perfectly formed; to attend strictly to watering-once let the plants get really dry, the fruit will never be good for anything; to keep the plants always in a light situation with continuous ventilation, not necessarily close to the glass as many suppose-they may be 60 feet from it provided there is nothing to obstruct the light. Some people seem to have an idea that there is something about glass for plants to feed on. Perhaps it is the condensed steam. We are continually being told to keep the plants close to the glass: it may be necessary to do so in those old-fashioned houses, now happily fast disappearing, where there is a greater breadth of timber than glass used in the construction of the roof; but in the modern light-built houses it is preferable to keep the plants at a little distance from the glass, where the atmospheric changes are not so violent. Lastly, it is of the greatest importance to finish the ripening process in a cool place with abundance of air.

The sorts I depend on for in-door work are Keens' Seedling and British Queen. If Strawberries are wanted before the end of March, Black Prince is the best for the purpose; but they will only be Strawberries in appearance, not in flavour. -WM. TAYLOR.

THE WEATHER.

No one can remember a milder December; it seems, as Shakspere describes a similar season, as if Time "had found some months asleep and leapt them over." In Holland Park, Kensington, the rooks are repairing their nests; we hope they will not marry, for an inclement season will soon be here, and the description will apply—

"Then into their nests they paddled,

Themselves were chilled, their eggs were addled,
And they parted without the least regret
Except that they had ever met."

From Malton in Yorkshire we were informed on the 21st that only on three days of the month any rain at all is recorded-0.04, 0.03, 0.04, or a total of 0.11 inch in twenty-one days. The thermometer twice reached 57°, varying 43° in three days-i.e., from 14° on grass on the night of 13th, to 57° at 4 feet above ground on the morning of the 16th. The barometer was never lower than 30.35 inches between the 1st and 15th, and a gale of unprecedented pressure occurred in MidYorkshire-i.e., Sheffield, Leeds, &c. Not one flake of snow has been seen-a thing our informant never remembered in Yorkshire, as generally they have snow before October is out. They have had hard white frosts, but the Wheat is looking wonderfully well. They were fifteen days in succession without rain in November, and sixteen in December.

At Linton Park, near Maidstone, the report on December 22nd was "We have remarkably mild weather in the country. Some of the Geraniums in the vases are not yet killed by the frost, and the roads are next to being dusty."

At Torquay on Christmas-eve the thermometer was at 54° in the shade. No wonder that the swallows still linger about the southern shore, or that Roses, Carnations, and Stocks still perfume the air.

of the other species, including that now figured, having foliage of the same character.

Of the species just referred to there are several varietiespubescens, glabra, and splendens; though this last must not be confounded with the true splendens, which is a distinct species, and, in our opinion, preferable to either triphylla or its varieties. Other very desirable species are angustifolia, versicolor, Jacquinii, Cavanillesii, and leiantha, all with scarlet or red blossoms; flava, with yellow; and longiflora, with white flowers. Leiantha and longiflora are natives of Guatemala; most of the other species have been received from Mexico. They are all of comparatively dwarf habit; in suitable soil, however, plants bedded-out in spring will, by the end of the autumn, make shoots from 2 to 3 feet long, with numerous lateral branches. Where it is thought desirable to restrict the growth of the shoots they may be stopped, which

Bouvardia aurantiaca.

will induce a more compact habit; but this will rarely be necessary. They are readily increased by cuttings about three joints long, which may be taken off at any period during the summer, and inserted in light sandy soil. A little bottom heat will materially shorten the time required for the emission of rootlets; but we have struck them even in August without any such aid. They are rather liable to damp-off, unless the interior of the glass be wiped regularly each day; and as soon as they appear rooted the glass should be removed at night.

Triphylla does not root so readily from cuttings as splendens and some others; that, as well as most of the species, are sometimes increased by short pieces of the roots in spring, which should be planted in pots of light soil, with the ends of the cuttings exposed above the surface. If placed in a good Cucumber frame they will soon make nice plants. As, however, most of the other species may be easily increased by cuttings of the young shoots, we venture to recommend them in preference to triphylla. Any of them may be purchased for a shilling, or even less in some places. They will flourish most in the same description of soil as that employed for Verbenas and other bedding plants; but with proper precautions against drought in summer, they will succeed in most soils, except those of a stiff clayey kind.

As window plants they deserve especial attention. The abundance of their flowers and their neat habit render them in our opinion extremely desirable. During winter they require

but little attention, as most of them lose their foliage, and may be kept dormant, like the Fuchsia, Lemon-scented Verbena, and other window plants. In spring they should be pruned rather closely and repotted in fresh soil, using a pot suited to the size of the plant.

Although they have no known economical uses, the order to which they belong is one of the most important in the vegetable kingdom; furnishing the various species of Cinchona or Jesuit's Bark, from which the invaluable quinine is prepared; the Ipecacuanha; and the Coffee plant, whose produce, if not more useful, is at all events less unpalatable and more generally welcomed.

The genus Bouvardia was named in honour of Dr. Charles Bouvard, Curator of the Paris Botanic Garden. Since the original publication of these notes, not only the Bouvardia aurantiaca, but also most of the other species and varieties named above, have been superseded by the introduction of several hybrid forms with much larger flowers, raised by the late Mr. Parsons, of Brighton, between the white B. longiflora and B. leiantha, and cultivated under the names of B. Hogarth, B. Oriana, &c. These in their turn are likely to be pushed aside by several more recent introductions of the Messrs. Henderson, of the Wellington Nursery, the most remarkable of which, B. Humboldtii corymbiflora and B. jasminoides longipetala, deserve especial mention for the large size of their individual blossoms and the profusion with which they are produced. Invaluable as they may prove for the conservatory and greenhouse, they are, however, probably more delicate than the earlier hybrids of Parsons', which are better suited for the open air, or for the window of the amateur. The American variety offered under the names of B. Vreelandi and B. Davisoni is but a sport from the B. Hogarth, and although useful as a pot plant, does not retain the whiteness of its flowers when planted-out.-(W. Thompson's English Flower Garden, Revised by the Author.)

THE ELECTION, PROTECTION, AND STOCKS OF ROSES.

THERE are two bores described by Addison in "The Spectator," the button-hole bore and the periodical scribbler. The former is described as catching hold of your button-hole, and proving to a demonstration that two and two make four, and that as long as the world lasts seven will always be more than six. The latter scribbles periodically. I suppose I shall illustrate both; but my apology must be that it is a dull time of the year, and that the readers of "our Journal" like to hear something concerning Roses.

1.-The Election of Roses.-Though kindly asked by Mr. Hinton (to whom, with electors, thanks) to contribute, I was unable at that time to do so, because I did not know the true dates of the Roses. Having seen the Roses named, I can now say a few words. I believe Edouard Morren was a Rose of 1868, and I think Velours Pourpre must be a much older Rose. Of the Roses named, these I believe to be good Edouard Morren, Countess of Oxford, Louis Van Houtte on a seedling Briar, Marquise de Castellane, Baroness Uxkull, Abbé Bramerel, Baron de Bonstetten, Ferdinand de Lesseps like Maurice Bernardin, Madame George Schwartz, Etienne Levet, and Madame Hyppolyte Jamain, a nice Tea Rose. At the Dorset Nurseries Etienne Levet was said to be the best novelty, 2nd Félicien David next best. I shall know more of these and others next year, as I have them on strong stocks. Judgment of plants under glass, and on weak or unsuitable stocks, can be only approximation, and may be worthless. I speak slowly, because it is a serious matter to many persons of small fortune to do otherwise.

Some of the very best Roses of late years, and such as I can confidently recommend, are Felix Genero, Marie Rady, Edouard Morren, Baroness Rothschild, Clémence Raoux, Thyra Hammerick, and the two Tea Roses Madame Margottin and Madame Hyppolyte Jamain, and I think I should add Marie Sisley. Mine, however, is not a "Tea" situation. I doubt if in that family Devoniensis and Souvenir d'Elise Varden have ever yet been beaten. These Roses are good growers, and passed a good degree here last year-namely, Vicomtesse de Vezins, Monsieur Woolfield, and Monsieur Journeaux (Marest). Captain Lamure, Henri Pages, and Monsieur Cordier I have cast out as worthless here.

2.-New Roses.-A prophecy is not a fulfilment. I will, however, venture one, and have bought, or shall yet buy, the Boses I name. I think, from what I read and hear, these

will be good, or some of them-Firebrand, Reynolds Hole, Claude Levet, Félicien David, Madame Lacharme, and Pierre Seletzky. The last is a good grower, and, though budded in June last year, it made 18 inches of good wood. Mr. Cant speaks of it as a capital Rose. I shall order the first two; the others are here.

3.-Winter Protection.-I bought a load of fern for 10s., including carriage. With this and a little earth over the fern I shall make my 2400 Roses safe at the roots and over the point of union. I see Mr. Prince recommends drawing the earth (as with Potatoes) over the roots till the severity of the winter is over. Some winters there is need of little or no protection, but when zero comes in earnest, then woe be to unprotected Roses. There is such a thing as the "beginning of the end." Roses injured by frost or other things may not die at once, but they die eventually. Possessors of Roses, and rosarians, are often very different persons. One thousand Roses well looked after will give more satisfaction than five thousand Roses maltreated and haphazarded by reason of mere wealth, or supineness, or ignorance. Roses in the same family require different stocks, different soils, and different treatment altogether.

4.-Stocks.-I am much pleased with Roses on Mr. Prince's seedling Briars; they are masterpieces of propagation. They are the very stock for Louis Van Houtte. I have made a bed of fourteen of it. All the plants match. I shall run these fourteen on the Briar against twenty Baron Chaurand on Manetti. They are both in beds by themselves. Accumulation of the same colour is very effective.

I am truly glad to see so many speak-up for the Manetti stock. I remember the time when I was the only amateur who could say a good word for it. The faults were with the propagator and the planter. The failure of the Briar is often to be attributed to the bad quality of the Briar, to the planter and the pruner; they are not cut hard enough the first year, and are often planted too deeply.-W. F. RADCLYFFE.

NOTES FROM MY GARDEN, 1873.-No. 1. Ir is not given to everyone to have either the means or talent to produce such a volume as that of Mr. A. Smee, or to make "My Garden" a household word, but we may all of us to some degree carry out the principle which led to the writing and publishing of that book-viz., that our own personal experience is after all the truest guide we can offer to others. We speak then, not from hearsay but from practical knowledge; we can tell of successes or defeats, and encourage one another. And while without incurring that bitter reproach of Montaigne's, that our highest enjoyment is in contemplating the misfortunes of others-a true gardener must rejoice at the successes of those who are following the same pursuits, and when he hears of their failures he comforts himself with the idea, "Well, it was not all my stupidity; I am not singular in my misfortune, and I must therefore only try again." When, for instance, I stood mourning by my Roses over my ignominious defeat by the orange fungus, it was some little consolation to me that a rosarian so enthusiastic, so devoted, and so intelligent as my friend Mr. Camm had to confess to defeat also. I was not glad that he had suffered, but I felt, "Ah! then this is a common foe, and others besides myself have felt his power." I have thought, then, that a survey of one's doings during the past year might be of interest to some of your many readers, who will, it may be, take from the failures and successes of a brother gardener fresh hope for another year's work.

And in order that I may do this more effectually it will be well first to describe my garden. It has not the slightest pretensions to beauty. It would give my friend Mr. Peach an attack of indigestion, for bedding-out is at a discount in it; and when my friends and neighbours say, "Oh! you must have a beautiful garden!" I am constrained to say, "Not a bit of it. I had not the laying-out of my garden, and I never could understand on what principle it was laid out." Trees were planted anyhow, and at the bottom of the garden there used to be a pondthis has been filled-in with made earth. The other parts of the garden are of a rich blackish earth, somewhat light-too light, I fear, for Roses, but suiting most other flowers well. village" we are fain to look upon as the beau idéal of an English village. We lie snugly nestled under the brow of a hill, but not at its base. There is a large flat place about two-thirds down the hill, and the ground drops away again for some considerable distance, so that while sheltered it is not low. Close by the church there are some of the most extra

"Our

ordinary springs I have ever seen. They bubble-up from the chalk; and so great is their volume, that at 50 yards they make a current sufficient to turn a mill. In fact we are surrounded by springs. One rises in my garden, and I have, by means of what is called in these parts a "dip," a plentiful supply of water. I wish I could say it is of the best quality for gardening purposes, but as it rises in the chalk and is largely impregnated with it, it is of course hard, and is, I believe, very injurious to hardwooded plants. The one great want of my garden is a wall, but I am in good hope of being able to remedy this want before long; if so, it will be in a good aspect for fruit, facing about S.S.W. I have not much shade, and am now rather in a fix as to where I shall place my Auricula frames for the summer if my wall is built, for the shady place they now occupy will be demolished.

My glass is not very extensive. It consists of a span-roofed house about 20 feet by 10, and a smaller and lower house connected with it. The upper house is devoted to Azaleas, Camellias, Pelargoniums, &c.; the lower one is filled by a couple of Vines, and is used for many purposes-putting Camellias in after they have done blooming, Hyacinths when they are first taken out of the bed of leaves in which they are plunged, Chrysanthemums when they come into flower, &c. Besides this I have a five-light pit in which I winter Carnations and other plants, and afterwards grow a few Melons; a small house for blooming my Auriculas, and of course my Auricula frames; a large Cucumber frame; and for my winter or rather early spring salading a goodly length of Looker's Acme Protectors. Besides this I have about half an acre of light sandy soil in which I grow Potatoes, &c.

It will thus be seen that in many points I am not unfavourably situated. Soil is good except for Roses, climate excellent, and situation sheltered; my disadvantages being the hard nature of the water and want of shade. My gardener is a factotumgroom, gardener, &c., does what he is told, but is not enough of a gardener to fancy he knows more than his master. The flowers I especially cultivate are Hyacinths, Auriculas, Roses, Gladioli, Picotees and Carnations, and the Ranunculus; and as I can go on with them from March to October, I can always tell my friends, "Although I cannot show you a garden, I can, if you are a lover of flowers, always show you something worth looking at." Such is my garden, and of the results of my gardening during the past year I hope to tell in future papers. I am sorry to say there is one thing I take shame to myself formy garden is not as tidy as it ought to be; but it is difficult, unless where you can afford plenty of labour, to keep a florist's garden in good order, and I must say in extenuation of myself that I never saw a garden in which weeds thrive so vigorously; the Sow Thistle, especially, is a most inveterate plague. I hope the garden is improving in this respect, but still it is not what it ought to be, or what I hope it ere long will be.-D., Deal.

ALPINE PLANTS FOR WINTER BEDDING. THE person who does not admire the great majority of hardy Alpine plants is not to be envied, for he debars himself from one of the most beautiful and interesting fields of study and observation which the flora of the world affords. That these, in most instances, tiny gems are coming more into notice, is certainly a matter for congratulation. Besides much else that can be said for a great many of them, it can be said that as the freshness and beauty of other hardy flowers decay, the freshness and charms of many of the Alpine plants are most conspicuous at the "fall of the leaf," and downwards through the winter. In whatever way they are arranged or grown, they are always objects of great beauty and interest. A wellarranged collection of Alpines, whether in pots, in a mixed border, or on a properly-constructed rockwork, is sure to give much interest to their votaries every day in the year. And these are common enough ways of cultivating and arranging them, and not a word can be said against them. But the use of these gems as carpeting or bedding plants is as yet comparatively rare. We are, however, convinced that their extreme attractiveness when so used-in groups and in quantities together-is not so well known and appreciated as it should be, and it only requires a few striking examples of Alpine bedding to commend this system of planting them to all lovers of winter gardening.

Indeed, it would seem that, from the way nature nurtures these lively plants, to cultivate them in large surfaces is the correct way of bringing out their striking beauty to perfection. Look, for instance, at a small morsel of some of the glaucous

Sedums and beautifully-incrusted Saxifrages, and then go and view the same plants by the square yard and see how very much more striking they look the one way as compared to the other. And this is exactly how they show themselves in their natural condition.

We would advise some of our readers who have a series or group of beds not very large in their gardens, to try the bedding of these gems after the following method. Suppose a circular bed rising somewhat cone or globe shaped to its centre. Let the first ring next the Box or grass edging be of Sedum dasyphyllum, the second ring of Saxifraga rosularis, the third of Sempervivum californicum, the fourth of Arabis lucida variegata, the fifth of Saxifraga longifolia vera, and the sixth or centre of the bed be Saxifraga ceratophylla. The ringe formed of these should be a few inches in breadth; and seen in such breadth, and in concentric rings, their individual beauty is much more conspicuous than when mixed up in small patches with other plants. This is just one example of scores of combinations and plants that could be adopted. Then for carpeting, how charmingly beautiful is a carpet of Sedum dasyphyllum or Sedum acre aureum, or Thymus tomentosus, or Saxifraga glabra; Veronica repens, Veronica alpestris, Perinaria glabra, and many other beautiful dwarf spreading plants which will occur to the minds of all acquainted with Alpine flora, and which supply colours almost as varied as the summer bedding plants, and aspects of vegetation far more chaste and interesting! Take, for instance, a bed covered densely over with the quite brownish grey, edge it with Saxifraga rosularis, or S. incrustata, or even Sedum acre aureum, and dot the centre or body of the bed, at intervals of 8 or 9 inches, with large well-developed plants of that gem among Saxifrages, S. longifolia vera, and there will be produced a bed that must look charming the whole winter, or, indeed, the whole year. This is another combination only indicative of what can be done with the family of hardy Alpines in the way of grouping.

Then for dressing the surface of beds in which Hyacinths, Crocuses, Tulips, &c., are planted for early spring-flowering, what could excel as a beautiful carpeting, or what could show off bulbous flowers to more advantage, than the dwarf plants named above, and scores of others which might be mentioned? If these plants were difficult to propagate or keep, we would hesitate to recommend them for such a purpose; but most of them are so easily managed, and propagate so rapidly, that they can be grown in breadths in any out-of-the-way corner, and many of them lifted in great tufts and planted with the greatest ease, and without any check or injury to themselves. The low, dense-growing, surface-rooting Saxifrages, Sedums, and Veronicas, Antennarias, &c., should be planted on a few inches of soil spread over a hard surface, and when required, as indicated above, late in autumn for planting and carpeting, they can be lifted without check in any size or shape of tufts required.

Beautiful as are Alternantheras and other plants used for summer carpeting, we do not consider it any disparagement to such plants to say that they are not nearly so interesting to an observant mind and eye as are these gems of beauteous hues and more beautiful construction, which, in addition to their beauty, are so hardy that they put on their best dress as other plants unclothe themselves of foliage and flowers. We hope our readers will be induced to try this style of grouping or planting Alpine plants, and that they will report on them in due time. It is a system of hardy gardening which only requires to be begun to become one of extreme interest and beauty.-D. THOMSON (in The Gardener).

THE POTATO DISEASE-LORD CATHCART'S PRIZE.

Ir will be seen from the report of the Judges appointed to examine the essays on the Potato disease sent-in in competition for the prize of £100 offered by Earl Cathcart, that this praiseworthy attempt to arrive at some settlement of the vexed question of the primary cause of the disease and the best means for its prevention, has ended in a failure, notwithstanding the fact that no fewer than ninety-four essays were sent in. The comments of the Judges will be found below. In introducing the report at a recent meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society, Mr. J. Dent Dent, M.P., said that the Committee had received the Report of the Judges who were appointed to award the prize offered by Earl Cathcart for the best essay on the Potato disease and its prevention, and after

considering the recommendations made in that Report, they begged to give notice that at the next Council they would ask for a grant of £100 to carry out the first recommendation of the Judges. They proposed that a special Committee, consisting of Lord Cathcart, Mr. Whitehead, Mr. Jabez Turner, Mr. Wakefield, Mr. Brandreth Gibbs, Mr. Brown Jones, Mr. Algernon Clarke, and Mr. Carruthers, be appointed to consider the suggestions 2 and 3; if they think it desirable, to draw out in detail a scheme for further investigation into the growth of the Potato and the incidence of the Potato disease, and to submit such scheme to the Council. The Committee further recommended that the Royal Agricultural Society of England should carry out its own independent investigation, but as far as possible in concert with the other national societies. This Report was adopted.-(English Mechanic.) The following is the Report of the Judges on the competing essays:-The Judges appointed by the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society to examine the essays competing for the prize of £100, offered by Earl Cathcart, for the best essay on the Potato disease and its prevention, have the honour to report as follows:-They have examined ninety-four competing essays, and have carefully re-examined twenty-three selected from the total number. They are desirous of expressing their recognition of the great pains bestowed upon the preparation of some of these essays, especially in the collection of facts relating to the history of the Potato disease, and to the various theories that have been promulgated as to its cause and prevention. The theories most frequently advanced by the essayists, either for affirmation or contradiction, may be stated as follows:

CAUSE.

1. Degeneration of the tuber. 2. Fungus on the tuber.

3. Wet weather, and generally superabundant moisture.

4. Peronospora infestans attacking the foliage.

5. Electricity.

6. Plethoric, or succulent, or diseased condition of the plant caused by the use of specific manures.

A number of other theories were also advanced, but it is not necessary to particularise them. Like the foregoing they have, probably without exception, been for many years familiar to those acquainted with the practice of Potato growers, or with the literature of the subject. Amongst the ninety-four essays abundant evidence may be collected both in support and in contradiction of any of the foregoing theories; and it is especially noticeable that the essayists generally consider it sufficient to assign a cause and a mode of prevention of the Potato disease, without giving any scientifically accurate theory of their proposed remedy, or sufficient experimental proof of the accuracy of their statements. The Judges are, therefore, unable to admit that any essayist has established the truth of this theory, particularly as the first condition attached to this offer of the prize is, that "all information contained in prize essays shall be founded on experience or observation."

Like the theories of the cause of the disease, the practical suggestions made with a view to its prevention do not go beyond those with which agriculturists and horticulturists were previously familiar; and, as regards the botanical part of the subject, it must be confessed that all the essayists appear to be in arrear of the present condition of scientific knowledge.

The Judges have, therefore, but with much regret, come to the conclusion that, in accordance with one of the conditions* on which the prize was offered, they must recommend the Council not to award it to the writer of any one of the essays The Judges have authority to say that Lord Cathcart hopes the Council will apply the amount of his intended prize in

that have come before them.

*The Judges were not bound to award a prize, unless they considered one of the essays deserving of it.

any manner that in the interest of agriculture may seem most advantageous.

Power having been given to the Judges to report as to the advisability of a grant being made for further investigations into the incidence and prevention of the Potato disease, they have carefully considered this question. They are much impressed with the national importance as well as with the difficulties of the subject. Therefore, while considering that the Society might, and probably would, confer a great benefit on the community by inaugurating a sufficiently extensive inquiry, they feel it their duty, before recommending a course of proceeding, to especially call the attention of the Council to the fact that no reliable results can be expected unless experiments are made simultaneously at many different places, and continued for many years in succession.

Presuming that the Council is willing to grant the funds necessary for such an investigation, the Judges have drawn up a scheme, which they have based on the following facts:-(1), The natural history of the Potato fungus, from the time it attacks the foliage until the Potatoes are harvested, is now well known; but the history of the fungus from the Potato harvest until its re-appearance the following year is at present entirely unknown, and, therefore, offers a suitable field for investigation. (2), The Potato fungus does not usually attack the foliage of the Potato until an advanced period in the growth of the plant; and it has been confidently asserted by several essayists, as well as previously in the public press, that certain sorts of Potatoes are what may be termed " diseaseproof," on one or other of the following grounds:-(a), That the haulm dies down (and the Potatoes arrive at maturity) before the period at which the Potato fungus commonly makes its appearance; (b), That certain late kinds also are, as the result of experience, believed capable of resisting the attacks of the Potato fungus; (c), That certain new varieties are also able to resist the attack of the fungus.

The Judges therefore recommend-(1), That a sum of money (say £100) be granted for the purpose of inducing a competent mycologist to undertake the investigation of the life-history of the Potato fungus (Peronospora infestans) in the interval between the injury to the Potato plant and the re-appearance of the fungus in the following year. (2), That valuable prizes be offered for—(a), The best disease-proof early Potato; (b), The best disease-proof late Potato. The Judges appointed to award these prizes should be allowed three years to experiment with the competing Potatoes, and with the produce of those kinds which may be found to resist disease, in reference to their cropping, keeping, and cooking qualities. (3), That in order to encourage in the meantime the production of new varieties which may have the qualities already indicated, the Council to be sent in for competition in the year 1878, on terms and should offer prizes for disease-proof Potatoes of new varieties conditions similar to those already recommended. The Judges are of opinion that although all the experimental trials with the competing Potatoes should be under the supervision and and Agricultural Society of Scotland, the Royal Dublin Society, control of one and the same Committee, yet that the Highland and the Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland, might be invited to aid in an investigation of such magnitude, on the ground the Potato disease does not yield in gravity to that of England that the interest of Scotland and Ireland in the prevention of (Signed)

and Wales.

CHARLES WHITEHEAD, JOHN ALGERNON CLARKE,

WILLIAM CARRUTHERS, H. M. JENKINS.

THE BEAUTIFUL AND USEFUL INSECTS OF OUR GARDENS.-No. 13.

DURING the winter season, while labourers are engaged in

trimming the hedges, and making-up the roads and in the of fields is often turned-up with the plough or the spade-hycourse of agricultural operations, waste ground along the sides bernating humble bees are occasionally dislodged from their winter nests, considerably to their discomfort if not to their peril. It may happen that the worker, not expecting to unearth an insect, tumbles over the unfortunate bee with the clods of earth, dry grass, and débris he is turning up, and does not perceive it, in which case the bee may struggle forth and escape with life; but should the bee be seen, and the individual be a person himself interested in the pursuits of the garden, he will likely enough avail himself of the opportunity of dispatching a presumed enemy in a semi-torpid condition. More particularly will he be inclined to do this if he has sufficient know

ledge of entomology to be aware that the destruction of humble bees in winter has much more effect towards the diminution of the race than the killing of a corresponding quantity in the summer time. The prejudice against humble bees in the minds of some does not so much arise from a dread of the sting of these insects for indeed it is very commonly, though erroneously, believed that they have no power to sting; but it is a matter of everyday observation with those engaged in horticulture that a humble bee, busy according to the proverbial character of the race, and seeking for honey, very often attacks the outside of a flower and cuts through the petals with its mandibles. This, which is not the invariable practice of any species, arises simply from the inability of the insects to reach the honey lying at the bottom of long corollas. To a very small extent, therefore, humble bees may be said to be disfigurers of flowers, yet they cannot deserve to rest under the stigma of belonging to the injurious insects, but quite the contrary, since they help in no small degree towards the fertilisation both of garden flowers and the bloom of fruit trees by conveying pollen from place to place. It might be pleaded in addition that several of the Bombi are decidedly handsome insects, and by their lively motions, and pleasant though perhaps monotonous hum, gratify our æsthetic sense. All, however, have not admired their vocal performances, or the insects would not have got the name of "Bumble bees" or "Dumbledores," and these, or at least the former, got transmuted into "Humble bees,"-surely not by a cockney! It would be a mistaken inference to suppose that these Hymenoptera have any notable amount of humility as compared with their brethren. Also in some counties they have been known "Foggies," possibly "Fogies;" and certainly humble bees have at times a fussy way of going about which might subject them to the charge of old-foginess. In disposition they are most pacific both towards other insects and mankind, though through a brief period, during the hatching of the eggs of

This is a common but no catholic (i.e., universal) custom." And he proceeds to show that if their supply of honey or pollen runs short they will go to any plant that will serve their purpose without regard to species. As no apiarian I hesitate to give an opinion as if ex cathedrâ, even with regard to the humble bee. But it cannot have escaped the notice of most naturalists that this insect, as contrasted with the hive bee, is of a more roving turn. I can hardly see that the one-species theory can be maintained with reference to it. Were it so, not much credit would be due to it for anything done in the way of fertilisation. That these insects exercise a "natural selection" of some sort is obvious, yet it does not follow that at any particular time all the residents in a district pursue the same plan. Different hives or colonies may vary.

The humble bees that await, through the rains and frosts of winter, the coming-in of the vernal season, are all of them of the fair sex. Ancient ladies they, as age is reckoned in their communities, yet not maidens, for each one becomes a prolific parent in the spring. Having shaken off the drowsiness of a six or seven-months sleep, the first object of the survivors of

the neuters, they are more ready to stand on the defensive. At most times the roof of the nest may even be raised and the structure examined without provoking the owners to use their stings, for stings they have, excepting the male humble bees. It must be confessed that in their economy they differ from the bee of our hives. Monarchical traditions have no hold upon these insects, for humble bees are strict republicans.

But as to their botanical labours? Without discussing here what is or is not the usual practice of other bees, we find three theories afloat anent the doings of the humble bees. Some say that they wander, led only by the impulse of the moment, from flower to flower; others, again, assert that in their excursions they confine themselves to one species, at least for each day; while a third belief is, that when collecting they visit plants of one family, or at least, if not quite so general as that, then those alike in appearance and odour, belonging to the same genus or to kindred genera. As bearing upon the subject, a statement has been quoted from old Samuel Purchas, who wrote upon bees in the days of Cromwell. He says, "Bees have this property, that whatsoever flower they first begin with when they go to work, they meddle with no other that journey, but lade themselves with such meat alone as that kind yieldeth.

* From Figuier's "Insect World," published by Messrs. Cassell.

the brood of the previous year is to discover a suitable spot for the location of a colony. The abode may be constructed of moss or grass, if such be the habit of the particular species; or should it be one that has an underground nest, the females fly in search of some hole already excavated the deserted nest of a mouse or the gallery of a mole is applicable for the purpose. "Many hands make light work," and the mother in prospective of a happy family of humble bees finds that assistance will be a desideratum. Hence it is with great interest that the females watch for the appearance of the first hatch, composed only of neuters, which work diligently at the task of extending the cells and carry on the general business of the colony. Aware, seemingly, by her instinct that the failure of this brood would upset all her hopes of success, it is just at the season when the neuters ought to come forth that the

female humble bee proves pugnacious and even spiteful. The discrimination of the different bees commonly called humble bees (Bombi) is not an easy matter, and the separation of some of the species cannot be effected without examination by the microscope. In one species we often perceive a marked difference of size in the case of individuals of the same sex; but as a rule the females are largest, the males next in proportion, and the workers or neuters least of the three, averaging only half the size of the female. The insect known as the Carding or Moss Humble Bee (B. muscorum) has had its history ably described by Réaumur, his account being published by our Rennie, supplemented by his own observations, which are here, as usual, very truthful. These Carders, at the season they are most engaged in transporting moss to their nests, work in line, passing the materials along from one to the other, the last hauling each packet of moss, after it has been carded, into the nest. As the first in the line seizes the materials, cards them, and then passes the moss to the next, and each succeeding bee has only to push it by means of its legs towards the next, the work of the first is heaviest; probably it is relieved at intervals. This nest (fig. 1) is furnished with a dome of moss or dried plants, the base resting on the earth-only, however, upon a slight hollow, the cells not being entirely beneath the ground, as in the familiar B. terrestris.