externally, with a long projecting spadix of the same colour, at the base of which the male and female flowers are seated. The odour emitted during the shedding of the pollen is rather disagreeable at close quarters. The plant is figured in the Botanical Magazine, t. 6195, and is included by the Genera Plantarum under Amorphophallus, from which it differs by having an elongated stalk to the inflorescence and a broadly funnel-shaped oblique spathe. An excellent representation will be found in our columns, May 3, 1873, p. 610.

VIOLET LADY HUME CAMPBELL. A; grown by Mr. J. GOUGH, at Harefield Grove, this Violet is not only distinct from devoniensis in regard to the colour of the flowers, but is in every respect a much better grower. It came into the possession of Mr. G. J. BRUSH of High Grove Gardens, having been sent from Italy; and finding it to be quite distinct from devoniensis, was named by him Lady Hume Campbell, and distributed by Mr. C. Turner. At Harefield Grove the two are growing in the same frame, and the manifest difference both in the colour of the flowers and vigour of growth and habit can be at once seen. Somehow or the other it does not appear to have found its way into general cultivation.

PASSIFLORA CONSTANCE ELIOTT.-Messrs. LUCOMBE, PINCE & Co., of the Exeter Nursery, have sent us some very pretty flowers of their hardy white Passionflower (Passiflora Constance Eliott), figured and described in these columns, p. 701, vol. xxi., 1884 they are very chaste and delightfully fragrant. It will be remembered that this lovely variety was awarded the First-class Certificate of the Royal Horticultural Society of London last May. All the parts of the bloom excepting the styles are white, the fringe or hairy appendage of the corona and the petals being of ivory whiteness. The plant is as hardy as the common Passionflower, with the same beautiful foliage; and these features will doubtless make it one of the most popular of recently introduced plants.

CERASUS MAHALEB.--Among early flowering trees this is an excellent companion for the Almond. The latter can always be seen in full bloom in the suburbs of London during the spring months, being prominent in forecourt gardens, but how seldom one sees C. Mahaleb. It is perhaps earlier if anything than the Almond, it has an elegant habit of growth, is wonderfully free of bloom, and its white flowers are pleasantly fragrant. Every year appears to see it flowering profusely, a conspicuous object against a background of naked branches of deciduous trees. Perhaps it is because it is in so much demand for stock that it is so seldom planted in shrubberies.

MAGNOLIA CONSPICUA.-The fine specimen of this at Gunnersbury House, Acton, though not so free of flowers as last year, is now in the finest condition, unharmed and unstained by the spring frosts that last year so greviously affected it. It shows how the tree was affected by them in that on the sides exposed to the north and north-east there are patches naked of flowers. The tree is now to be seen in all the beauty of its snowy purity. It may not be generally known that half-developed flowers, if cut from the tree, will enlarge and open in water, and be an attractive object in a sitting-room for many days.

PEAR TREE BLOSSOM.-As all the leading Pears are flowering this season with such marvellous freedom it seems almost invidious to select any one for its wealth of blossoms; but from what we have seen we should award the palm to the Jargonelle. Large standard trees of this Pear are literally wreathed in blossom, the clusters of bloom are enormous, and continued all along the branches, and where grown as a standard it appears always to flower well. Then Bon Chrétien and Louise Bonne of Jersey are very rich in blossom also, so is Beurré Clairgeau. In a garden that we know of is a comparatively young standard tree of Chaumontel, with a head 5 feet in diameter-a mass of the purest white. It invariably bears well, but, except in such a season as last year, rarely fully matures its fruit, though they reach a good size.

GARDENING APPOINTMENT. CHARLES GRANT, late General Foreman at Benham Park Garden, has been appointed Head Gardener to G. A. FULLER, Esq., The Rookery, near Dorking, Surrey.

THE PROPAGATOR.

THE PROPAGATION AND CULTURE OF

DIPLADENIAS.

IN the propagation of these beautiful climbing plants it is absolutely necessary that the wood selected for cuttings should be quite ripe, and the foliage well developed and hard. To put in soft wood as cuttings would only be a loss of time and labour. Each cutting should have two leaves, and 1 inch of the main stem attached, the base of the latter being made level with a sharp knife. It is not necessary to make the cuttings at a joint, although where there is a joint to spare use should be made of it. They can be potted each into a long thumb-pot, taking care that the soil is firmly pressed around each cutting, the eye of which should be placed just below the level of the soil. After having watered them they should be allowed to stand a short time (until the soil becomes rather dry) before they are put into the cutting frame, which should be a shallow one, and situated upon a good bottom-heat. The cuttings should be watered as they become dry, and should be shaded from the sun.

For ventilation the lights of the case should be taken off for an hour night and morning, but after five days the lights, instead of being taken off for an hour, can be raised an inch, and allowed to remain so day and night. Immediately the cuttings have rooted they should be turned out upon the open bottom-heat, because they are liable to rot off if left in the cutting case long after they have rooted. At the end of four or five days the plants should be potted into large 60's, which should be well drained. The soil should be firmly pressed around each plant; a stick, I foot in length, should also be fixed in the soil for the purpose of loosely tying up the shoots. After having been watered they can be replaced upon the open bottom-heat.

Dipladenias must be watered carefully; too much water will, as a rule, rot the root-tubers which these produce in such numbers, and thus destroy the plant. They should now be syringed twice a day, and shaded from the strong rays of the sun. They should also be allowed a good supply of air upon every fine day. When they have well rooted through their present pots they can be potted into large 48's, placing to each a stick 2 feet in length, to which the plant should be securely tied, and when they have been lightly watered with a rose-pot they should again be placed upon the open bottom-heat, but as soon as they have grown into strong and well-developed plants they can be taken to a house of intermediate temperature, and placed upon a cold bottom.

Should large plants be required they can again be potted into large 24's and trained around a trellis. For ordinary purposes this can be made of six Bamboo-canes, or other suitable rods, 4 feet in length, placed at equal distances around the edge of the pot, the tops of the sticks being secured by a piece of strong wire, and it will hardly be necessary to say the shoots should all be trained in one direction. The plants should not be watered for a week after they have been potted in 24's, and after that time the gardener must be very careful in watering them.

Dipladenias can also be rooted from single eyes; that is, taking a strong piece of the plant consisting of 1 inch of the main stem having two leaves attached, and cutting the main stem down the centre, thus making, as it were, two cuttings of one, each having a leaf attached, and putting these in as cuttings. They can be treated in the same way as the ordinary cuttings, with this addition, that immediately the cutting is put in a small stake should be fixed beside it, to which the one leaf of the cutting should be loosely tied up.

The gardener should be on the look-out for a small fungus to which the plants are subject. It is not un. like a spider's-web, and spreads over the pots, cuttings, and surface of the soil, and if not noticed in time will destroy every cutting. The best way to check this pest is to wash the cuttings and to dredge a small quantity of sulphur both on the surface and underneath the leaves. Besides this they should be shaken out of the soil and potted into fresh pots, keeping them dry for three or four days, and then treating them as before stated.

The soil to be used for the cuttings should consist of half good peat, one-fourth loam, and one-fourth

sand, as well as some finely broken potsherds, and a small quantity of broken charcoal. This soil should be well mixed together, and rubbed through a 1-inch sieve before it is used. When the cuttings are potted into 60's the following soil should be used, viz., half good turfy fibrous loam, one-fourth peat, and onefourth sand, well mixed with small quantities of ballast and charcoal broken into pieces of Walnut size. If the soil is too dry it should be sprinkled with water before it is used, which can be done as it is being turned over in mixing.

The following are the principal varieties, and which deserve the attention of the gardener, viz., D. amabilis, D. Brearleyana, D. hybrida, D. Williamsii, D. boliviensis, D. amoena, D. profusa, D. insignis, D. splendens, D. atropurpurea, D. crassinoda, and D. Houtteana. The colours of the flowers are light pink, crimson, white with yellow throat, dark purple, and yellow.

In conclusion, we may say it is an erroneous idea that Dipladenias can only be grown in high temperatures, and upon strong bottom-heat, for as a matter of fact they grow very well in an ordinary stove or intermediate-house, and keep much cleaner. T. O. B.

SOME WEST INDIAN FIBRE

PLANTS.

IN the celebrated Lace-bark of Jamaica (Lagetta lintearia), an arboreous Daphne, we have a bast or inner bark-fibre which is found enclosing the stem, and consisting of numerous concentric layers, which interlace in all directions, presenting in a great degree, and especially when well prepared, a resemblance to the finest lace.

Formerly, when

The purposes to which this lace is applied in the island-for the manufacture of doyleys and light fancy articles-are well known. more abundant than it is now, it was manufactured into ropes, whips, and other articles. It can, however, even at the best, be hardly included amongst fibre-plants likely to be useful on a commercial scale. A similar remark would apply to the bast or inner bark fibre of the Mahoe (Paritium elatum), known in commerce-from the fact of its having been exported from the neighbouring island—as Cuba bast; as also fibres yielded by such trees as Spanish Elm (Cordia gerascanthus), the Down Tree (Ochroma lagopus), the Trumpet Tree (Cecropia peltata), the Burn-nose Tree (Daphne tinifolia), the Screw Tree (Helicteres jamaicensis). All these yield fibres of certain qualities, samples of which, prepared by the late Mr. Nathaniel Wilson, are still to be seen in the Museum of the Institute of Jamaica.

Of plants belonging to the natural order Malvacea there are numerous species besides the Mahoe belonging to the genera Paritium, Sida, Abutilon, Hibiscus, and Pavonia, which are remarkable as affording the everyday fibre-plants of the West Indies used by Europeans and natives alike for tying up produce, and indeed for all purposes when a convenient and cheap material is required for securing and binding.

The fibre contained in the Sugar-bark of the mountains (Malvaviscus arboreus) possesses wonderful strength and tenacity, and probably ranks next in these respects to the bast fibre of the Lace-bark Tree (Lagetta lintearia).

Amongst obscure and little known plants which yield fibrous material, mention might be made of Anthurium (Pothos) violaceum, which is described by "Where Mr. Wilson in the following words: strength and lustre of appearance is an object, this plait will be found equal, if not superior, to the best Leghorn plait Italy ever produced. This plant, though an epiphyte, and growing plentifully at the roots and on the tops of the highest trees, at an elevation not under 1000 feet, may readily be cultivated in woodland and moist places to any extent. The part of the plant made use of is the petiole, or foot-stalk of the leaf, which grows from 18 inches to 2 feet long, and is readily divided into strips of any dimensions, and contains a strong fibre not existing in the common plat of the Fan-Palm. It has a durable colour."

Remarkable and valuable, however, as the fibre yielded by these plants may be in a rural sense, they are not likely, at least at present, to be rendered of commercial value; and I refer to them only for the purpose of supplying a general review of plants capable at all of yielding fibre and for the purpose of bringing into notice what may be termed the possible

ultimate resources of the West Indies as regards fibre-plants. From a lecture by D. Morris, M.A., Director of Public Gardens and Plantations, Jamaica.

GUNNERSBURY HOUSE, ACTON.

THIS well managed little place is looking very gay and neat, considering the busy time of the year, when everything seems to demand attention at once, and during which season gardeners have to draw upon their ingenuity in no slight degree to overcome obstacles, which are always surmounted by them in a quiet unobtrusive manner, and with an address that generally ensures complete success. The Peach and Nectarine trees here are carrying a good crop of nice fruit, and the trees are clean and healthy; the Vines, too, are very promising. A rather curious occurrence may be seen in one of the vineries here. A strong root from a Black Hamburgh has forced its way into a tank of water inside the house, and in it formed a large mass of roots, which we were informed continue to grow the best part of the year. The most interesting part is that the water is icy cold always, but it does not seem to affect the health of the Vine in any way. The Muscats are looking very well. In the plant department a nice, clean, well grown lot of decorative stuff is to be seen. Crotons well grown

and coloured, &c., some fine pieces of well done Anthurium Scherzerianum, a fine type of Vanda tricolor, a very large healthy specimen of Asparagus plumosus nanus, a fine piece of Davallia bullata, and Gleichenia Mendelii, a fine batch of Gloxinias showing large quantities of bloom. A pleasing feature in one of the plant-houses is a wall splendidly covered with Adiantum Capillus-Veneris. The conservatory is tastefully decorated with Azaleas, Eupatoriums, Camellias, Choysia ternata, Deutzias, &c., and some splendid specimens of the lovely Sparmannia africana. We must not omit to mention the forced Strawberries, which are very fine indeed.

Florists' flowers.

LACED AURICULAS.

THIS is just the section of Auriculas which young amateur growers should take in hand first. They are very beautiful-I think almost more so than are any of the other kinds-and they are easily cultivated; they also seed freely, and reproduce their best features and some improvements. I have a large batch from last spring's sowing blooming delightfully. They were planted up thickly in a soil bed in a cool-house, whilst in another part of the bed a batch of seedlings from a sowing early in March are just showing rough leaf. These youthful plants when a little bigger will be dibbled up into shallow boxes for the summer, and be kept in a shady place, where they will make good growth for Auriculas, and in the autumn will be dibbled out in the house, as were last autumn the batch now blooming. As there are in the seedlings variations of quality, I can thus select the very best as they bloom, and pot them, whilst the remainder will go into the open air. I think it is fortunate that the strain throws up also some remarkably fine showy border forms. The pure florist, who has eyes only for points of refinement, would not regard these coarser but very showy forms with pleasure, but the lovers of hardy flowers do, and having them to bloom in the open ground, as they will henceforth, are delighted with the wondrous beauty which a packet of seed has produced.

Some day, perhaps, the National Auricula Society will give special encouragement to the growth of laced Auriculas by granting to them a class or division; at present laced forms are so far tolerated that they are permitted to appear in the fancy class, where their beautiful markings count for nothing. It is true that they are practically alpines, and as such may be shown in the alpine classes, but the best laced forms do not produce big flowers, and therefore cannot compete with the larger and bolder self and shaded alpines. There can be no doubt but that one of the strongest features of a good alpine-viz., a golden centre-should be found in any good laced flower. The ground may be of any shade or colour, and the edging also, provided it be clear and well defined. Some have such broad margins that they differ little from shaded flowers, although the transition from ground to shading is perhaps too abrupt. I cannot too strongly recommend to Auricula lovers these laced forms. A. D.

DIANELLA: PETALODY OF

THE OVUles.

OVULAR changes of any kind are very uncommon among monocotyledons. Why it should be so it is difficult, nay impossible, to say. The discovery of petaloid ovules, in some double flowered ovules of Dianella coerulea is, therefore, of interest. The ordinary flowers are replaced by globose collections of petaloid scales, as shown in the illustration, offering various intermediate conditions between stamens and pistils and petaloid scales. It is not necessary here to detail all the changes that were observed; suffice it to note that the most remarkable consisted in the continued separation of the carpels in the presence of bluish-purple petaloid outgrowths from the placentas, and of similar petaloid ovules as shown in the illustration (fig. 106). The ovules consisted solely of rather thick petal-like plates, with no trace of nucellus. The specimens were sent by Baron Ferd. Von Mueller, and are interesting as agreeing with

FIG. 1C6.-Dianella cœrulea, var. coNGESTA.

Above, in the centre, are shown two of the globose collections of scales, replacing the flowers, natural size. The other figures represent the ovaries of different flowers, enlarged and showing the purple petal-like ovules, and the petaloid outgrowths from the placenta.

D. congesta of R. Brown, which is thus shown to be merely a malformed variety. M. T. M.

Notices of Books.

Landwirthschaftliche Samenkunde. ("Description of Agricultural Seeds.") Von Dr. C. Harz. Berlin: Paul Parey.

This is another of those now very numerous German publications which inspire us with a feeling of shame and apprehension-shame that we have nothing at all comparable to it, apprehension at the probable results of the marvellous activity in the promotion of science and its application to industrial and agricultural purposes shown by Germany, the United States, and other countries, and our own sluggishness in this matter.

What English botanist is there who would draw up a volume of over 1300 pages devoted entirely to the anatomy, chemical composition and agricultural qualities of seeds? What publisher would be so insane as to issue it if he did so? And

yet we have here before us such a book, comprising, first, a general account of the seed-vessel and of the seed-of the method of fertilisation-of the microscopical appearances and chemical composition of the several parts; and next, a detailed account of the seeds of the principal plants of economic importance, including weeds treated with equal fulness. The plants are arranged on a system not familiar to English readers, and one to which objection might easily be raised; but that is quite a minor matter in a work of this character, as an alphabetical index enables the student to find what he wants with facility. The work, moreover, is illustrated with a large number of woodcuts, and comprises by far the fullest account of the seed that we are acquainted with.

Tree Gossip. (Field & Tuer.)

Mr. F. G. Heath must have some other standard by which he wishes the book recently issued under this title judged than that by which critics are likely to be bound. He would argue that the title "gossip" shows that the writer had no serious intention; but it is a serious matter to take up time and labour, and it is unsatisfactory to find such a discrepancy between the time so well spent by printer and publisher and that by the author of the present publication. As gossip is often mischievous, so we submit the circulation of ill-authenticated statements, given as if they were records of actual facts, is not less injurious. What grounds are there, for instance, for assigning a height of 150 feet to the female, and one of 50 feet only to the male trees of Araucaria imbricata? or how could even a gossiper pen such an extraordinary paragraph as that on spiral growth? Surely before publishing his work the author should have secured the assistance of some botanical friend.

The Asclepiad. (Longmans)

This publication is mainly addressed to medical men, but it is written in such a style that it may be perused with interest and profit by intelligent laymen. The article on the hygienic treatment of pulmonary consumption is full of sound practical sense, free from taint of quackery so rampant, when the ear of the general public is to be gained. The sketch of the life and labours of Vesalius is a capital instance of Dr. Richardson's clear and brisk style.

Class Book of Commercial Correspondence, French and English By A. E. Ragon. (Hachette.) Many persons who can read French fairly well find a difficulty in writing a French letter, and especially so if it is to be one of a commercial character. The mode of addressing letters, of beginning and ending them properly, to say nothing of the main subjectmatter, often present difficulties to the inexperienceddifficulties which the present little book is well calculated to remove. Numerous forms suitable to the varied exigences of commercial intercourse are given, and a very useful vocabulary of commercial terms.

WINTER GARDEN AT FOLKESTONE.

MANY are the travellers who have cause to be thankful for the comforts offered by the "Pavilion at Folkestone." Those who are weather-bound, or who purpose taking up their residence for a time, will now find the resources of the establishment enhanced by the recent erection of a winter garden by Messrs. Weeks & Co. (fig. 107). It consists of a central nave with lantern 43 feet high, and six aisles, three on either side of the central one, the whole having a frontage of about 168 feet, and a width of 51 feet. All the roofs are hipped back at each end, and an iron cresting runs along the ridges, finished at the ends with an ornamen. tal finial. The front and one end consist of moulded pilasters, with moulded transome and cornice. The transome is broken out at each pilaster, forming a cap, and a shaped console is planted on each mullion between the cornice and the transome. The bottom por. tion is filled with sashes sliding on brass rollers, and the top with fanlights. The back and one end are built in brickwork up to cornice line, and finished in cement. The building stands on brickwork I foot above floor line, and at the end, built in brickwork, is a boiler-house and potting-shed constructed of wood and glass to within 2 feet 6 inches of the floor, with a door in the centre and the roof hipped back to match the rest of the building. The winter

garden has three entrances, each of which has a vestibule, one being connected to the hotel by a glass corridor, enabling visitors to enter the winter garden from the hotel without exposure to the weather. The cross gutters are supported by ornamental columns on stone bases. A bed for plants, with moulded edging, runs all round the building. In front of the bed and through the centre of the building are hot-water pipes laid in four brick chambers covered with ornamental gratings. In each of these chambers there are six 4 inch pipes, running the whole length of the building and across the two ends. These pipes are heated by two of J. Weeks & Co.'s patent duplex upright tubular boilers, set in the boiler-house at the end of the building, and the apparatus is so arranged that the heat can be regulated at pleasure, thus enabling an even temperature to be maintained in any weather. About 110 tons of prepared wood, glass, and ironwork, have been used in its construction.

Appended are a few interesting details as to dimensions, &c. :-Height of transome from floor, 9 feet 3 inches; height of main cornice, II feet; height of cornice in centre span, 14 feet 6 inches; height of ridge in centre span, 25 feet; width of centre span,

grand primeval forests, and New Zealand will be suffering under worse difficulties than if she had never possessed a tree.

Somehow or other the bulk of the people do not seem to understand or grasp the vast importance of arboriculture. Subjects of no importance compared with this engage the master minds of the world, perplex statesmen, agitate nations, and sway thousands of people, as if their very existence and that of the whole world depended upon them. Royal Commissions are issued, millions of pounds are spent, and thousands of lives lost in advocating and carrying out projects which (compared with what lies hidden under the term arboriculture) are of very little importance to the future welfare of men, nations, and the world. Persons who have never considered nor given attention to the matter of tree planting and timber cultivation are always inclined to look upon the whole thing as a fad, and stamp those who occasionally call attention to the subject as "hobby riders." But whoever will look at the economical, social, commercial, and climatic side of the science of arboriculture, will be convinced of its importance, and the beneficial results

awful in their results. However, it would be a waste of space to give an account of my experience in such affairs, for I know full well that the evil consequences of forest destruction have been often and often brought before the readers of the Gardeners' Chronicle by abler pens than mine, and that many of my readers know more than I do about the subject. Still to any who doubt or think lightly of arboriculture and forest conservation, I would say, Go to the dry, treeless tracts of South Africa, now subject to innumerable drawbacks, and almost valueless for the Iwant of those trees which once covered extensive strips; to Palestine, now dry and parched, but once a land flowing with milk and honey; to South Australia, once the best grain growing part of the universe, now worn out and on the decline as a farming country because her forests have fallen before the hand of the settler; to Cyprus, several of the West Indian Islands, India, and then come to this country, where the effects are just beginning to show themselves. All who have viewed the subject in a fair light are unanimous in accepting the following conclusions as facts: That arboreal vegetation acts beneficially upon the atmo

30 feet; height to top of lantern, 43 feet; width of span in middle spans, 22 feet; height of ridge, 18 feet 6 inches; width of end spans, 16 feet; height of ridge in end spans, 17 feet; extreme length of building, 168 feet; length of stokehole front, 18 feet; total width of building, 51 feet.

COLONIAL NOTES.

NEW ZEALAND.--Before commencing the pleasant task of penning what I know and have seen about the plants worthy of cultivation and a place in every British garden which are indigenous to this colony, I must devote a little time to what is of more importance to New Zealand, and perhaps of greater conse. quence to commercial England-I mean the timberproducing trees of these forests. New Zealand certainly stands first in quality and variety of timber trees, and, considering the small area of these islands, first in quantity. This speaks well for the colony, but when I have to statet hat she also stands first in negligence of forests and backwardness in arboriculture, the fact of possessing the above advantages counts for nothing, because in a few years' time, unless the present rate of annihilation be brought to an end, there will be little left to tell the tale of these

accruing from a prosecution of its mandates and teachings.

Follow the footsteps of races of men throughout all ages, and the same warning footprint meets our gaze on every hand. Mountain slopes once covered with nutritive herbage and belts of forest, now bare, rugged, and disentegrated by rushing torrents of water, which, unchecked, roll on and unite in inundating the valleys, once the home of busy husband. men, their flocks, and crops; countries once smiling under the regularity of seasons, now subject to periods of drought, or long continuations of rainfall, scouring and cutting up the face of the land; mountain valleys once beautiful with the glistening dash of running water, now parched and valueless, because the source from which the flocks obtained the means to quench their thirst is dried up. Districts depopulated, lands rendered useless, sources of revenue destroyed, and a thousand other evils lie in the wake of ruthless men, who, heedless of the future, make all things subservient to themselves, and never think that there is such a thing as economy in Nature. I could enumerate many instances of evil wrought by the destruction of forest, which have been impressed upon my mind during the many sojourns I have made in all quarters of the globe, some of them remarkable in the quickness of their effects and

sphere, weakens the power of strong winds, checks storms, increases the temperature, protects springs of water and originates streams, retains moisture in the earth and causes rain to sink deeper, adds fertility to the soil and gives shelter to cattle and materials to man without which he could not exist.

In the face of these assertions which are now beyond the reach of controversy it seems incredible that any body of men holding the future of a country in their hands, should never give even as much as a thought towards that science which is destined to turn the most barren parts of the earth's surface into spots of fertility. That we in this favoured land of the South, now enjoying the cup of plenty and dwelling under the influence of all that Nature can furnish, are slowly but surely sapping and destroying the very roots and source from whence the bulk of our advantages originate; that we are, for purposes of present gain, working out the certain ruin of one of the best and fairest of lands this world can boast of. Now in drawing attention to the almost total absence of forest conservation and timber cultivation in this colony, I am in strong hopes that some abler pen than mine will take the matter up and so attract the notice of British arboriculturists to the extensive field for operation which awaits them here. There is a grand

future for the science of arboriculture, millions of square miles, at present worthless or nearly so, only want the arboriculturist to render them habitable and capable of supporting millions of people. The societies in England and Scotland must extend their influence and operations to British possessions, where their labours could be on a gigantic scale, and bear results which would be universal in their effects. Nothing of great importance will ever be done in the direction of forestry in these and other colonies until those who are supposed to know all about the matter, take the initiative step, give the start, and set an example. Once let authorities on forestry commence operations in these colonies, and timber cultivation will become a recognised established pursuit, and not, as it now is, a fad, hobby, or myth, only to be thought of and written about. However, putting all this surmising on one side, something must be done towards preventing some of the most valuable trees Nature has bestowed upon man from being lost to the world. In the following brief glance at some of New Zealand's forest trees I will for want of time and space limit my remarks to those generally known. Flat-leaved Conifers occupy the principal place amongst the timber-producing trees of these forests. They are unique in their appearance, of great variety, and in some districts form extensive forests in themselves. Chris. Mudd, Plant Collector. [We think our correspondent is not fully aware of the steps that have been taken by the New Zealand Government, at any rate we have reason to know that the subject has not been so entirely ignored as our correspondent seems to think. ED.] (To be continued.)

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

Pruning of Dendrobiums.-I have been much interested and amused with the discussion on this subject, and fearing the matter may get shelved in an unsatisfactory manner I am tempted to give my expe. rience on the pruning system. Sixteen years ago I took a plant of Dendrobium nobile to regulate the young growths, and while arranging them to best advantage, that light might play upon the foliage, I asked myself the question, Why leave in all these old growths? They have bloomed, lost their foliage, and are shrivelling; they are crowding out the light, are unsightly and in the way-cut them out. Therefore all the old leafless growths were cut away. Just a year after, in the month of June, this same Dendrobium was exhibited in a class of six stove and greenhouse plants in bloom; one of the judges, who was a gar dener from London, specially complimented me at the show for the clean, well flowered, healthy plant. The pruning has been carried on every year in the same way, and the same plant was exhibited every year, special mention being made of it in the pages of the Gardeners' Chronicle at the time. I had said nothing about the pruning to any one, but one grower of Orchids, who came to look round sometimes, once told me that he could not understand how it was that our plants were always so richly clothed with foliage and so free to bloom; and then he asked how it was he could never see any old bare growths-did I cut them out?"Yes." "Ah," he said, "I should have been afraid to do that." But, to return, this same specimen behaved so well that a note in its praise was recorded in the Gardeners' Chronicle on January 29, 1881. Growing freely it soon became a large mass, and last year (1884) I shook it out, divided it, and repotted it, making out of it two fair specimens ; and as I wanted one of them retarded so as to bloom in August, I put it into the coolest place which I had. My object was attained; it was exhibited in August well flowered, but the season had so far advanced that the growths made after flowering were both fewer and weaker than usual-the result of the retarding, not of the pruning. But notwithstanding these drawbacks I would not be ashamed to send it to the Conference in May; but I cannot see that any useful purpose could be served thereby, for the critics would be able to see nothing that would satisfy them that the plant had been pruned every year for the past fifteen years. I have a small basket with a plant in it now in fine condition, but the colour will be faded by May 12, and therefore unfit for exhibition; but if any persons are desirous of satisfying themselves on the point of pruning they may come here, and I will prune this

plant before them, just as I prune all the others. They may set their mark upon it, and call again next year to see the result. That I think should be the plan to adopt. I prune them, but not in the way "T. B." mentions he did years ago, and failed; for to prune or divide for the purpose of increasing stock is one thing, and to prune away useless wood is something quite different. Then David Walker must have made some great mistake, and his failure should count for nothing as against the system; but as "A. D.'s note and questions seem to me the most sensible of all the correspondence on the subject I will try to answer him. He asks "If the old bulbs throw vigour into the new?" I answer-yes, for a certain time, for the young growth draws its sustenance from the back growths wholly until it makes roots, and then continues to get some benefit from the old for some months-for, it may be, a year more or less according to circumstances; and if we prune too close we should do damage. But all that has been urged on the point is to cut away the three or four years' old growth. And why cut these out ?-because they have done all the good they can do. They have bloomed, lost their foliage, are shrivelling, crowding out the light, and unsightly. Having yielded all the support to their offshoots they possess, they settle down to a long but certain death, therefore cut them out. But when? I always prune mine when the new growths are from 6 to 10 inches high, and are making roots freely. They then require regulating, and one or more back bulbs of every crown are cut away; this makes room for the foliage to develope, and get a greater share of light-a very important matter this. I have only been speaking of Dendrobium nobile, of which we have eight specimens, all obtained from a few small pieces got in exchange for some bedding Pelargoniums seventeen years ago. All are treated as described, and all flower very freely every year. This season one was in flower at Christmas with 200 blooms. This plant grew in a pan 4 inches deep and 10 inches in diameter; another of the same size had 230 blooms, and came into bloom in February; one in a basket is in fine condition with 180 blooms, and one just openng, but recently potted; and so they succeed each other till all have bloomed. If interesting, I will speak of varieties and species that must not be pruned by-and-bye. [Yes, certainly. ED.] E. Blandford, Moor Hill, Westend, Southampton.

Calanthe veratrifolia.-This pretty commonly grown Orchid is to be found in great perfection at Ardgowan Gardens, Inverkipp, Wemyss Bay. The pure white flowers which are produced very freely are invaluable for cutting purposes. It succeeds well under the treatment the gardener, Mr. Lunt, gives it. There is always something interesting at this fine place, and should any of our Southern friends be this way they will receive a hearty welcome from Mr. Lunt, and I will assure them they will be well repaid for a visit. A. O.

Rhododendrons at Castle Freke.-Being precluded by ill health from visiting much and thus comparing floral varieties, I write to describe in your columns the Rhododendrons at Castle Freke (Lord Carberry's residence in the south-west of the county of Cork), as I was very much struck by their proportions but do not know whether they are exceeded in size in our isles, though I am aware that in variety the collection of Mr. Crawford, of Lakelands, far excels any other I have seen. Of the deep scarlet I took three approximate measurements. Two measured 18 feet in height, one about 50, the other nearly 70 feet in circumference. Both these are more of the growth of trees with naked stems, but the heads umbrellashaped, and one mass of flowers. I think John Waterer is the name. The third is a beautifully grown circular bush of about 90 feet in circumference at 4 feet from the ground, and about 18 feet in height, and will also shortly be one mass of bloom but of a softer rosy shade, more like Lady A. Cathcart, as far as my memory helps me. Leopold Shaldham.

Daffodils Doubling.-Being rather interested in the different articles that have appeared in the Gardeners' Chronicle for some time back I have made a minute examination of our collection. We have planted them very extensively for some years past, but about ten years ago we planted several hundreds of the single Daffodil in one part of the grounds, and a few hundreds more of the double in another, but a good way separate from one another. But among

all our collection of single I cannot find one attempt to change from that state to the double. It is possible that doubles may come up from seedlings where soil and climate are suitable for the ripening of seed, but I cannot see that we have any seedlings amongst our lot. No doubt they have increased very much from the bulbs, for they are now large clumps, having been planted single bulbs. Had these been seedlings they would be spread round about instead of compact I noticed a week or two ago clumps, as they are. that the neighbourhood of Alloa was one of the places where the single Daffodil had come double. I have made enquiry, and am unable to hear of a case. I may add that I am writing from a place distant 3 miles from Alloa. I send you specimens of Daffodils now in flower here in the open air. 7. Lamont.

Permit me to remark that the circumstance referred to by "E. V. B.," p. 511, is not uncommon. Last year I sent to the office of your contemporary, The Garden, a bunch of Narcissus Incomparabilis in all stages, from perfect singles to perfect doubles, gathered in the lawn attached to Mr. Gough's residence, Birdhill, near this town, and this year I have just sent Mr. Burbidge, to whom all Narcissophils are so much indebted, a similar bunch, singles with a few stamens becoming petaloid, semi-double, and perfectly double, which he considered very interesting. All were growing together in the same clump. W. J. Murphy, Clonmel.

Magnolia alba.-Although this tree succeeds well as a specimen on a lawn, yet the prevalence of late spring frosts and boisterous weather soon mar, or possibly utterly destroy, the flowers. To reap the full benefits of its beauty it should be planted and trained against a south or west wall, and protected (when coming into flower) in adverse weather. It will amply repay a little attention bestowed upon it. There is one growing on the terrace-wall here, and is at present a beautiful object to behold, and gratifying to the olfactory sense, emitting a delicious odour suggestive of Orange blossoms. W. J., Hafodunos, North Wales.

Melon Canker.-In reference to this subject I beg briefly to say, that if due allowance is made in forming the hillocks, after the plants have been set therein at the same depth in the soil as they were in the pots, and soil has been added afterwards to cover the roots as they push through the sides of the hillocks, and 3 inches higher than the soil surrounding them to prevent water lodging about the stems, "canker " will be prevented from attacking them. Moreover the soil should be made very firm about the roots, as well as all over the bed at the time of planting, and at each of the subsequent soiling up of the roots. Many practical fruit growers are agreed that the soil getting too wet about the stems of the plants is the cause of canker, inasmuch. as the plants show the injury at the point of contact with the wet soil. This being so, what remedy more natural or simple than that indicated above? the adoption of which I have often advocated in your columns. In conclusion, I need hardly say that the plants should not be watered about the stems, and that the fact of their being elevated a few inches on mounds (which should slope sharply towards the surface of the bed on which they are formed) will not prevent sufficient water from reaching every root of the plants. In short, I opine that canker is caused by the plants being set out too deeply, and the mould becoming too wet around the stems, gainsay it who can. H. W. W.

Magnolia Campbelli.-As the sender of the blooms of the above named magnificent Himalayan flowering tree which were shown (I fear in a somewhat mangled condition) at the last meeting of the Floral Committee at South Kensington (which I forwarded at the request of my friend, Mr. W. Crawford, who is now absent from home in London), I have read with considerable interest the remarks you make on this most interesting if, alas ! imperfect exhibit, on page 542 of your last issue, and should like with your permission to make a few additional remarks. It seems quite evident to me after closely comparing one of the Lakelands flowers with the splendid portrait of this fine plant in Cathcart and Hooker's fine work that either Mr. Crawford's tree must be an altogether different and paler flowered variety of this magnificent species to what is figured in the above-named work, or if (as is still just possible) they are one and the same, then I fear that if after the exceptionally hot summer and mild winter of last

year, the tree, which is apparently in most vigorous and robust health, will only produce these pale and perfectly unicolor flowers such as it is now opening, then we can never hope to see this grand species in its full beauty in these temperate climes. Any one looking at Cathcart and Hooker's plate will at once see that the inside colour of the petals as there depicted is of a pale rosy-flesh colour, while that of the outside petal is a fine deep carmine, whereas the flowers of Mr. Crawford's plant are entirely unicolor, of the palest shade of rosy-flesh colour on both sides of petal, and without even the slightest trace of the deep carmine outer colouring as shown on the plate. The impression I know prevails that this fine tree has bloomed annually for some years past on the banks of the Lago Maggiore, in Italy, in the gardens of Messrs. Rovelli, but I have every reason for believing that this is not the case, and that the Magnolia which was mistaken for it by persons unacquainted with the real plant, was in reality M. Lennei, a variety of somewhat similar colouring, but of much smaller size. Messrs. Rovelli possess a specimen of M. Campbelli, and hope to bloom it soon. I regret to say that the flowers of M. Cainpbelli do not keep fresh in water; the bloom that I got simultaneously with those sent to London, though most carefully brought down in a tin box with moist moss and placed in water some four hours after being cut, was quite withered next morning. W. E. Gumbleton.

Fat Tommy.-In 1872 you did our cat the honour to figure him with his wire and tub in the Chronicle; Gardeners' since that time "Fat Tommy" has been a favourite with all the neighbour. hood, being always happy and good-tempered; he has come to an untimely end; having been badly bitten by Sir Wm. Topham's dog, he had to be killed recently. He was so well known in the gardening world that you may, perhaps, insert this notice. We have an excellent portrait of him, painted by Couldery. George F. Wilson, Heatherbank, Weybridge.

Chemists and Grocers as Seedsmen.-I venture to address your readers and the trade in particular on what is now taking place in the seed trade of this country. For some time past I have observed in the windows of chemists and small grocers, &c., cards to which are attached packets of flower seeds at Id. each. This is surely an innovation, that chemists and grocers should turn seedsmen; and I should much like to know if any of your numerous readers can inform me who is guilty of supplying these packets to the above retailers, for I feel assured that the trade in general will unite with me in saying that we will do our utmost to discountenance the firm or firms who supply them by reserving all orders for those who stick to the trade only. I shall be glad to have this matter thoroughly ventilated. E. Wilson Serpell.

Narcissus Disease.-Can any one tell about a disease from which I lose many Daffodils every year? The flower comes prematurely, and stunted, and the half-grown leaves are withered in the upper part. On digging them up no roots have been formed, but the base from which the roots ought to grow is found to be rotten. The coats of the bulbs are loose, and the intervals filled with water. The double N. moschatus is most liable to it; then comes the single N. moschatus, and next to these N. maximus. I first attributed it to wet soil, but bulbs seem equally liable to it on raised beds with dry soil. I enclose specimens [reserved for examination]. C. Wolley Dod, Edge Hall, April 24.

Proposed Gardeners' and Foresters' Benevolent Institution for Scotland.-When this was first proposed in your columns public opinion was at the same time invited for or against the Institution. I gave mine freely and conscientiously against the formation of a second society, and in last week's number of the Gardeners' Chronicle, p. 544. a correspondent signing himself "J. M. L.," says, that "gardeners in Scotland are not inclined to take any interest in the London Institution." In this he is quite mistaken [We think so too. ED.], for I have had several private letters from the North approving of what I had said, and it will make "J. M. L.," I think, open his eyes when I tell him that one gardener in Scotland wrote and told me that he, last winter, collected 105 towards the London Gardeners' Benevolent Institution. This looks

like taking an interest in the concern, so that your cor. respondent errs in this, and also I think in not seeing that both Mr. Grieve and myself were influenced by the purest of motives, viz., the welfare of our brother gardeners north of the Tweed; and also I think from his offhand letter he does not know that we both hail from the North, and are naturally interested in our country and countrymen. The brotherly love which prompted the Scotch nobleman (when he met his countryman in London) to say, "Come awa, Sandy; we maun aye help ane anither," is not quite dead yet [And we trustnever will be! ED.]. 7. Rust, Eridge Castle.

Imported Orchids.-Referring to my letter on p. 544, I state, at the request of my gardener and Orchid grower, Sidney Cooke, that the reading public must not imagine I attend solely to my Orchid collection of over 1500 plants. He and I are together agreed on every point mentioned in that letter. Had I not done so to the plants therein mentioned he would have done the same thing. The "dipping in a tub" is such an uncommon practice (most people recommend sparing and careful syringing only) that I put to it the words "with my own hand," to back up this statement most emphatically as being true and not nonsense as some might fancy. For his satisfaction, I state the plants after their "bath " have been entirely attended to by him. The word "my" attached to "result meant I, as owner, and having paid "value" for plants, was quite satisfied with my investment of fifty white Lælia anceps at 4s. 9d. each. The last sentence admits of a doubt on the part of the public who know nought of either of us. "We put all Cattleyas and Lælias into their permanent quarters and heat at once," would seem better explained the finale of the treatment. The public can now see, if they did not know it before, how much I value my man. De B. Crawshay.

Primroses and Polyanthuses.-"A. D.," writing on the above at p. 535 of your issue of April 25, criticises the different strains of these most beautiful spring flowers. In doing so he appears to have rather overstepped the bounds of fair criticism by introducing Mr. Waterer's name, particularly so as the remarks are detrimental to Mr. Waterer, and considerably to his own advantage. Mr. Waterer is not the only grower of the so-called fancy Primroses and Polyanthuses, and if he were he has never presumed to try to please the florist. His object has been to please the general public, who care but little whether their plants have thrum or pin-eyes. In this respect it may be said he has succeeded to his heart's content. As far as he is concerned it is a hundred to one against the florists' flowers. Letters innumerable are being received bearing testimony to the satisfaction the Knap Hill Primroses are giving. G. T.

Horticultural Education. In your issue of March 7 you give the letter of a fellow-worker in the field of horticulture, emphasising the good done by the examinations held by the Horticultural Society and the Society of Arts in former years, and quoting his own experience as an example. A few known to me-now in India- must have passed with your correspondent, who are now drawing salaries of from £200 to £600 per annum, and I dare say there are many more not known to me; but such examples should incite the young gardeners of to-day to study and qualify themselves for such positions. Allow me, through the medium of your widely-read paper, to inform the young gardeners of to-day, that the men now holding these appointments were not frequenters of the village ale-house, nor did they spend their evenings at the "big house" (as it is known among us gardeners)-time so spent never leads up to much. They had not even the pay of today to assist them, but by studying in season and out of season, and under many difficulties, such as sitting in front of the furnace when attending to the fires in the long winter nights, and finding out secluded spots in the summer evenings, where they made their private study. In the same issue another correspondent, a Scotch gardener, touches a point which appears to me to be at the root, if not the cause, of much that is radically wrong in the present system, viz., that of nurserymen supplying gardeners to gentlemen, and under-gardeners to gardeners. Take an example. Two under-gardeners about the same age, No. I the son of the gardener to the Duke of but of no ability; No. 2 a young man of ability, well up in his profession, but with no

previous connection in the gardening fraternity. Watch the different places the two young men get. No. I gets the best place available, while No. 2 is shunted off into any place. Nurserymen are not to blame in this-they have nothing to guide them but their own interests; whereas, if all young men were graduated as to qualifications, then nursery. men would know what they were doing, and gentlemen would be certain that their valuable collections of plants and gardens were being intrusted to men qualified to look after them, and the man of ability would get his proper position, wages would rise, and the unfit would be weeded out; gentlemen would value their gardeners, and find in them companions, and not, as now, often only servants. How to bring about this appears to be the problem. I do not think there is much difficuity in the matter. We have an efficient staff of examiners in our various botanical establishments who, I am certain, would only be too glad for a small remuneration to examine all papers sent to them. The next question is text-books; these, I think, are also available, if the Government would publish a list of them for the benefit of those willing to go up for examination. "Last, but not least," we have to enlist the services of employers on our behalf, get them to see and learn and understand that men passing through such examinations are more qualified to take charge of large establishments than those who have only a labourer's knowledge of the profession. I regret to say my experience has been on the other side. I know myself what my early studies and my sojourn in the Royal Gardens of Kew have done for me, although my certificates have scarcely seen the light of day since I got them; but I am at this time reaping my reward, like your correspondent, in an enhanced salary. I think he is a little hard on nurserymen; many a nurseryman would be glad to be free of the trouble of exchange in gardeners, and of finding them employment, it may be at a time when he has little work for them, and many of us must be as useless as a common labourer in a

nursery; but custom demands that he should employ him, or trade would leave him. If the present system is to be changed, some kind of a trade union would be necessary, paying gardeners a small amount when out of employ; the nurserymen find them employment now, which is equivalent, and gentlemen have to pay enhanced prices for their plants and seeds. As the present gardener is not a free agent, he feels himself under a certain obligation to the nurseryman who got him the situation, therefore he purchases plants and seeds fron him. The whole system is rotten to the core. Hortus, Bengal.

Does Fruit Farming Pay?-This subject has been so often mentioned in the Gardeners' Chronicle that it might appear rather out of place at the present time; but I am not asking for information for myself, only simply to give to your readers a few facts that have come under my notice for several seasons past. There are very few growers who care to acknowledge the paying part, but plenty who will do the grumbling part. Two questions arise out of this subject as proofs in point-first, if it does not pay, why do the growers keep planting, as many acres have been planted of different kinds again this season? Secondly, when plantations are for sale by auction or treaty, what induces so many buyers and fruit salesmen to offer such high prices if there are no profits? Last season's was considered generally as a slack crop, but a great quantity of fruit was grown in many plan. tations, realising high prices, damaged Apples selling at 4s. per bushel, which prevented cider-making at that price. Damsons, the Cluster, are being largely planted (the best kind for market); a cottager last season, with only a fair sized garden, grew twenty-two half sieves, worth 10s. a sieve, besides a quantity of soft fruit, and more vegetables than his family could consume, also abundance of flowers; in another plantation one tree-an old one of the same kindproduced fourteen half sieves; and some few years since a plantation of 4 acres, young trees, not all Damsons, being mixed with some Plums and Black Currants between, produced 700 bushels of Damsons. Cobs carry a heavy crop sometimes when planted with Plums or Apples or both between them. I have known a mixed plantation of this kind to produce one ton of nuts per acre before the trees were fairly grown. In 1824 an Apple orchard with a few Plums, under 7 acres, sold for £175 at an auction sale. One tree of Graham's Russets produced 30 bushels. The same orchard in 1883 sold at £160