with a larger crop of fruit-about 2000 bushels. In 1855 the same sold at £65, set at 1100 bushels; again in 1853 it realised £100, the crop being about 2000 bushels. In the years of 1854 and 1856 the crops were very slight, and fetched only about £50; but then it should be borne in mind it is good pasture land, with plenty of food for sheep the whole season, excepting when the fruit is fit for use, the greater part being late kinds. The outlay also being very small, generally, surely no one would say this is not paying its own way as a profitable crop. Of this I am quite satisfied on my own part, having lived in the centre of fruit districts for more than thirty years, and seen the working. A Looker-on. LONDON: Atmospheric Pressure. During the week ending April 25, the reading of the barometer at the level of the sea increased from 30.16 inches at the beginning of the week to 30.32 inches by 9 A.M., decreased to 30.29 inches by I P.M., increased to 30.33 inches by 5 P.M. on the 19th, decreased to 29.60 inches by I P.M. on the 23d, increased to 29.66 by 9 A.M. on the 24th, decreased to 29.37 inches by 9 A.M. on the 25th, increased to 29 44 inches by I P.M. on the same day, and was 29.41 inches by the end of the week. The mean reading of the barometer for the week was 29.87 inches, being 0.04 inch lower than last week, and 0.07 inch below the average of the week. Temperature. The highest temperature was 72°.5, on the 20th; the highest on the 24th was 61°.2. The mean of the seven high day temperatures was 66°.2. The lowest temperature was 39°.5, on the 19th ; on the 22d and 23d the lowest temperature was 47°.5. The mean of the seven low night temperatures was 43°.8. The greatest range of temperature in one day was 32°, on the 20th; the smallest was 14°.5, on the 23d. The mean of the seven daily ranges was 22°.4. The mean temperatures were—on the 19th, 51°.8; on the 20th, 56°.3; on the 21st, 56°.6; on the 22d, 57.2; on the 23d, 52°; on the 24th, 51°.4; and on the 25th, 53°.8; and these were all above their averages by 4°.6, 8°.9, 9°, 9 ̊.4, 4°, 3°.2, and 5°.5 respectively. The mean temperature of the week was 54°.2, being 8°.9 higher than last week, and 6°.4 higher than the average of the week. The highest reading of a thermometer with black ened bulb in vacuo placed in the full rays of the sun was 142°, on the 19th. The mean of the seven readings was 118°.5. The lowest reading of a minimum thermometer placed on grass was 29°.2 on the 19th. The mean of the seven readings was 36°.2. Rain.-Rain fell on the 23d and 24th, to the amount of o. 17 inch. ENGLAND: Temperature.-During the week ending April 25, the highest temperatures were 74°, at Cambridge, 72°.5 at Blackheath, 69°.8 at Nottingham; the highest temperature at Newcastle was 58°, at Preston 61°, at Liverpool 61°.9. The general mean was 66^.6. The lowest temperatures were-at Hull, 32°, at Truro, Cambridge, and Sheffield, 34°; the lowest at Liverpool was 40°.4, at Newcastle 40°, at Bristol and Blackheath 39°.5. The general mean was 36°.5. The greatest ranges were 40° at Cambridge, 39° at Hull, 35° at Truro; the smallest ranges were 18° at Newcastle, 21°.5 at Liverpool, 23° at Preston. The general mean was 30°.1. The mean of the seven high day temperatures was highest at Cambridge, 67°.8, at Blackheath 66°.2, at Nottingham 64°.3; and was lowest at Newcastle, 55°.6, at Sunderland 56°.1, at Preston, 57°.1. The general mean was 60°.7. The mean of the seven low night temperatures was highest at Liverpool, 45°.9, at Brighton and Preston 44°.9; and was lowest at Wolverhampton, 40°.4, at Bolton 40°.5, at Cambridge 41°.5. The general mean was 43°.2. The mean daily range was greatest at Cambridge, 26°.3, at Wolverhampton and Hull 22°.5; and was least at Liverpool, 11°.8, at Newcastle 12°.1, at Preston 12°.2. The general mean was 17°.5. The mean temperature was highest at Blackheath, 54°.2, at Cambridge 53°, at Nottingham 52°.5; and was lowest at Bolton, 47°.4, Newcastle, 48°, at Sunderland 48°.1, The general mean was 50°.4. Rain. The largest falls were 1.61 inch at Truro, 1.06 inch at Plymouth, 0.61 inch at Preston; the smallest fall was 0.06 inch at Leeds, 0.07 inch at Nottingham and Bradford. The general mean fall was 0.43 inch. SCOTLAND: Temperature.-During the week ending April 25, the highest temperature was 66°.3, at Leith; at Greenock the highest temperature was 60°. The general mean was 62°.9. The lowest temperature in the week was, Dundee, 34°; at Paisley the lowest temperature was 40°.3. The general mean was 37°. The mean temperature was highest at Edinburgh, 51°.2; and lowest at Greenock, 49°. The general mean was 50°. Rain. The largest fall was 2.82 inches at Greennock; the smallest fall was o 45 inch, at Glasgow. The general mean fall was 1.05 inch. JAMES GLAISHER, F.R.S. SUMMARY OF TEMPERATURE, RAINFALL, AND DURATION OF BRIGHT SUNSHINE in the United Kingdom, for agricultural and sanitary purposes, for the week ending Monday, April 27, 1885; issued by the Meteorological Office, 116, Victoria Street, London, S. W. :- The weather has been generally dull and rainy in the west and north-west, but in most other parts of the kingdom the sky has been comparatively clear, and the falls of rain less frequent and heavy. At many of the English and Irish stations thunderstorms were experiencedchiefly on the 25th or 26th. The Temperature has continued a little below the mean in "England, S.W.," and "Ireland, S.," while in "England, N.W.," and "Ireland, N.," it has been about equal to its normal value; but in all other districts an excess is shown, the amount over the north-east and east of England being as much as 4. The maxima, which were generally registered on the 21st, varied from 55° in "Scotland, N.," and 59° in "Scotland, W.," and "Ireland, S.," to 72° or 73° over central, southern, and eastern England. The minima, which were recorded in most places on the 27th, ranged from 31° in the "Midland Counties" to 37° in "England, E.," and to 44° in the "Channel Islands." Bright Sunshine has been less prevalent than it was last week. The percentages of the possible duration varied from 20 in "England, N. E.," and between 22 and 24 over Ireland to 47 in "England, S.," and 52 in "England, E," and the "Channel Islands." Depressions observed.-During nearly the whole of this period, depressions-some of which have been large-have passed in a north-east direction outside our western and northern coasts, while several shallow subsidiary disturbances have moved in a similar direction over our islands. South-westerly to southerly winds have consequently been more prevalent, and, although moderate or fresh generally, they reached the force of a gale on almost all our coasts on the 25th. At the end of the period a small depression had appeared over France, causing the wind on our southern coasts to shift to the northward or north-eastward. 1, The tree is a FUNGUS ON JUNIPER: H. M. T. Juniperus, probably J. sinensis. 2, The fungus is Podisoma juniperi, which also attacks the Hawthorn in one stage of its existence, and then assumes the totally different appearance characteristic of Ræstelia lacerata, The fungus deforms the Juniper branches, and also the Hawthorn, and therefore the affected branches should be at once cut out and burnt. For our own part, the interest is so great and the damage so little, that we should put up with the latter for the sake of the former. By some the connection of the two fungi is doubted. MULLEIN R. H. B. Yes, Verbascum Thapsus; but we earnestly caution you not to place implicit credence in any alleged "cure" for consumption. The plant has medicinal properties which may be useful in some cases, but it is a dangerous plant in the hands of the inexperienced. MUSHROOMS: J. H. R. An uncommonly fine sampleand for which you unkindly fined us is. for carriage hither. Lastrea nutans. NAMES OF PLANTS: Enys. A Pear, not a Crab. The shrub is Staphylea pinnata.-D. M. C. K. Weigela rosea variegata. Cooper. 3, Pteris serrulata; 5, X. aristata variegata. I, Sanguinaria canadensis ; 2, Fumaria solida; 3, Omphalodes verna; 4, Sedum album.-Enquirer. Ornithogalum W. J. M. 1, Lamium album; 2, L. purpureum; 3, Kleinia; 4, Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus ; 5, N. incomparabilis (Butter and Eggs); 6, N. major. -Cooper. 4. Charieis (formerly Kaulfussia) amelloides, sometimes called Blue Marguerite. The other specimens, however good when you sent them, were utterly unrecognisable when they reached us.-W. M. C. D. Varieties of C. barbatum.-7. Preece. Selaginella filicina.-W. H. Epidendrum equitans.The Camjee. Cypripedium hirsutissimum.-F. R. blooms of Nuttalia are male; the other plant sent is not a Eucalyptus, but we will endeavour to answer the question shortly. NIPHETOS X. The proper pronunciation is Niph'ětos, the e being short. The word signifies snow. PEACH LEAVES: John Layton. The brown spots are caused by drip and exposure to the sun when the leaves are wet.-I. K. W. D. The cause seems to be identical with the foregoing. PLANTS FOR A DRY BANK WHERE ARE RABBITS: H. C. Single and double Gorse; white and yellow Brooms; Thorns in variety; Berberis dulcis, B. Aquifolium, B. Darwini, B. stenophylla; double-flowered Cherries; Spiræas in many varieties; some kinds of Firs, as Pinus maritima, P. sylvestris, P. Cembra, P. Mugho; Juniperus communis, J. prostrata, J. tamariscifolia, J. Sabina; Clematis flammula, C. florida, C, cœrulea, C. viticella, and C. montana. These last named plants to be allowed to climb over rocks or roots, or to form natural clumps. PLANTS FOR EXHIBITION: M. B. Asparagus tenuisissimus may be shown in the class for decorative plants or as a foliage plant. PRUNING OF DENDROBIUMS.-We have received a large amount of correspondence on this snbject, much of which, in view of the success attained by Mr. Prinsep, as seen at the last meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society, has now no further value, and which for want of space cannot be published. Those of our correspondents who too literally understood Mr. Prinsep's challenge to show his plant only if some one would pay the cost of its transit to South Kensington, must accept this statement of ours as final. SOOT: X. Y. Z. It is an excellent manure for Peas, Onions, and Carrots. It can be applied to plants in pots as a liquid manure if mixed with rain-water in the proportion of one tablespoonful of soot to 1 quart of water, and should be given when clear. It is good for bulbs, and must not be given to plants in their resting state. Its beneficial properties are due to the salts of potash and soda, 24, and salts of ammonia, 426, in 1000 parts, which it contains. FOREIGN SUBSCRIBERS sending Post-Office Orders are requested to send them to the Publisher of this journal, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, and to make them payable to William Richards, at the PostOffice, Drury Lane, London, W.C. CATALOGUES RECEIVED. LAMBERT & REITER, Trier, Rhenish Prussia- Rose PAUL & SONS, The Old Nurseries, Cheshunt-Hardy COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED :-J. Blackburn (next week).B. T. L.-W. T. T. D-Alfred O.-H. W. W.-J. SB S. W.-S. Davis.-Newcastle.-W. Miller.-J. V. & Sons-Paddy.-H. L. & C.-R. D.-E. J.-T. W.-T. B.Hon. E. V. B.-J. R. J.-E. B.-J. D.-G. D.-De Mar.Sir J. D. H.-Jas, West.-W. Troughton.-J. D. D.T. S. Ware.-W. Bull.-E. Haynes. Markets. COVENT GARDEN, April 30. [THE subjoined reports are furnished to us regularly every Thursday, by the kindness of several of the principal salesmen, who revise the list weekly, and are responsible for the quotations. It must be remembered that these quotations are averages for the week preceding the date of our report. The prices fluctuate, not only from day to day, but often several times in one day, and therefore the prices quoted as averages for the past week must not be taken as indicating the price at any particular date, still less can they be taken as guides to the price in the coming week. ED.] HOTHOUSE goods are reaching us in increased quantities. Prices lower all round. Large consignments of foreign vegetables realising low values. Business as last week. James Webber, Wholesale Apple Market. FRUIT.-Average Wholesale Prices. VEGETABLES.-Average Retail Prices. Artichokes, Globe, 20-.. Beans, Eng., per 100 2 0-.. Beet, per doz. .. Cabbages, per doz... 1 6- 2 0 o 6Eng .. s. d. s. d. Lettuces, Cab., doz, 1 6 French Cos, each o 6Mint, green, bunch.. o 9- IO Mushrooms, p. baskt. 1 0- 1 6 Onions, per bushel.. 4 0-.. Spring, per bun. o 6Parsley, per bunch.. o 6Peas, per lb. Potatos, new, per lb. o 6- 10 Radishes, per doz, 10-20 Rhubarb, bundle Salsify, per bund. Seakale, per punnet 2 0-2 6 Small salading, per punnet Spinach, per bushel 3 6Tomatos, per lb. 20-26 Turnips, bun. O 5-.. -new, per bunch 1 3-.. lish, dozen.. 20-40 Celeriac, per root ** Celery, per bundle.. 1 6- a 6 Cucumbers, each • 9-16 Endive, per dozen ..20Garlic, per lb. o 6Herbs, per bunch 02-04 Horse Radish, bun. 3 0 4 0 POTATOS.-All markets 5s. to 10s. per ton lower, with a bad trade. PLANTS IN POTS.-Average Wholesale PRICES. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. a. Aralia Sieboldi, doz. 6 0-24 o Ferns, in variety, per Arbor-vita (golden), dozen ..4 0-18 0 per dozen 6 0-18 0 Ficus elastica, each 1 6-7 0 (common), dozen 6 0-12 o Foliage Plants, variArum Lilies, dozen 9 0-15 0 ous, each Azaleas, per dozen..18 0-42 o Fuchsias, per dozen 9 0-12 0 Ghent, per doz. 12 0-24 0 Genista, 12 pots 6 0-18 0 Begonias, per doz... 6 0-12 o Hydrangeas. doz. ..12 0-18 0 Bouvardia, dozen 9 0-18 0 Lily-of-the-Valley, 12 Calceolarias, doz. 6 0-12 0 pots ..12 0-18 o Cinerarias, per doz.. 8 0-12 o Marguerite Daisy, Cyclamens, per doz. 9 0-24 0 per dozen.. Cyperus, per dozen 4 0-12 o Musk, per dozen Dracana terminalis. Myrtles, per doz. per dozen ..30 0-60 0 Narcissus, 12 pots ..12 0-18 0 viridis, per doz..12 0-24 o Palms in variety, Erica, various, doz. 9 0-18 o each 2 6-21 0 Cavendishii, doz. 30 c-48 o Pelargoniums, per ventricosa, doz. 36 0-60 o dozen 9 0-18 0 Euonym.,in var.,doz. 6 0-18 0 scarlet, dozen .4090 Evergreens, in var., Spiræa, per dozen.. 9 0-18 . per dozen.. ..6 0-24 0 CUT FLOWERS.-AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICES. s. d. s. d. Lily-of-Val., 1a sprays o 9-16 Marguerites, 12 bun. 3 o 6 0 Mignonette, 12 bun. 3 0-9 o various, Narcissus. 12 bunches 20-40 French, 12 bun. 6 0-12 0 Pelargoniums, per 12 12-oz. Sample Packets, free by post, 12 stamps. FIBROUS PEAT for ORCHIDS, &C. BROWN FIBROUS PEAT, best quality for Orchids, Stove Plants, &c, £66s, per Truck. BLACK FIBROUS PEAT, for Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Heaths, American Plant Beds, 155. per ton per Truck. Sample Bag, 5s; 5 Bags, 22s. 6d. ; 10 Bags, 455. Bags included. Fresh SPHAGNUM, 10s. 6d. per Bag. SILVER SAND, Coarse or Fine, 52s. per Truck of 4 tons. WALKER AND CO., Farnborough Station, Hants. HORTICULTURAL PREPARATIONS. The best and most effectual yet introduced. Fow OWLER'S LAWN SAND, for destroying Daisies, Dandelions, Plantains, Ribbed Grass, Thistles, and other weeds on Lawns, Croquet Grounds, Bowling Greens, Parks, &c.; at the same time acting as a fertiliser, and improving the growth and colour of the grass. Price in tins, 15., 2s. 6d., and 5s.; kegs, 20 lb. 10s.; 56 lb. 195; 112 lb. 36s. GARDENER'S INSECTICIDE, for destroy. ing all the various Insects infesting plants and trees. It is easily applied either by dipping, syringing, or sponging; will not injure the most delicate flower, fruit, foliage, or root. In jars, 1s. 6d.. 35., 5s. 6d.. and 10s. each; and in kegs, 28 lb., 215.; 56 lb., 425.; 112 lb., 84s. each. There is a better demand for white Mustard. Rape POOLEY'S WORM DESTROYER, for seed is firmer. There is no change in bird seeds. Blue Peas have been in improved request. John Show & Sons, Serd Merchants, 37, Mark Lane, London, E.C. CORN. At Mark Lane on Monday prices of Wheat were about Is. above those of Monday se'nnight. Flour was but slightly dearer on the week, and met a dull sale. Barley showed 6d. advance from the previous Monday, but moved off slowly. Beans were in moderate supply, and 6d. to Is. dearer, and Peas were firm at full values. Oats did not move off very readily, but maintained a rise of 3d. to 6d. Wednesday's trade was slow, but prices continue to harden as events apparently drift towards war. Business in Wheat was limited, but in some cases Is. advance was reported to have been obtained. Flour was quiet, and not apparently altered in value. Barley, Beans, and Peas were firm, and tended against buyers. Flat Maize showed 6d. advance. Oats were held firmly ; buyers, however, operated with more reserve, and the market was quiet.-Average prices of corn for the week ending April 25-Wheat, 36s. 8d.; Barley, 32s. 6d.; Oats, 225. 9d. For the corresponding period last year: -Wheat, 375. 2d.; Barley, 31s. 2d.; Oats, 205. CATTLE. At Copenhagen Fields on Monday the beast market was rather firmer. but not to any quotable extent. The sheep trade was firmer and more cheerful. Fat sheep and ewes were not better in price, but wethers of handy weights in some cases realised rather more money. Our quotations are now for clipped sheep. Lambs sold decidedly dearer, and calves at about steady value. No pigs were on offer, and quotations nominal.—Quotations:-Beasts, 35. 4d. to 4s. 6d., and 4s. 8d. to 5s.; calves, 3s. 8d. to 5s. 4d.; sheep, 45. 2d. to 4s. 6d., and 45. 8d. to 5s. 2d. ; lambs, 75. 8d. to 8s.; pigs, 45. to 45. 6d. Thursday's cattle trade was quiet and featureless. There was nothing doing in beasts, and prices were nominally the same as last week. Sheep were in fair demand, particularly for small breeds, for which full prices were paid. Lambs were quieter, and calves and pigs about the same. HAY. Tuesday's Whitechapel market report states that there was a very dull trade with a fall in the top price of Clover and hay, which was reduced to 105s. and 985. respectively. Quotations :-Clover, prime, 855. to 110s.; prime second cut, 80s. to 105s.; inferior, 46s. to 755.; hay, prime, 76s. to 102s. 6d. ; inferior, 255. to 6os. ; and straw, 225. to 355. per load.-On Thursday there was a large supply, and the trade was dull, with lower prices for the best hay.-Cumberland Market quotations : Clover, best, gos. to 105s. ; inferior, 60s. to 845.; meadow hay, best, 845. to 95s. ; inferior, 455. to 755. ; and straw, 30s. to 345. per load. The Borough and Spitalfields Markets reports state that there were good supplies and moderate demand at the following quotations :-Scotch Regents, 80s. to 955.; Kent ditto, 70s. to 855.; Champions, 40s. to 50s. ; Magnum Bonums, 50s. to 6os. ; and Victorias, 70s. to 90s. per ton.-The imports into London last week consisted of 10 bags from Hamburgh, and 637 boxes 47 packages from Malta. Government Stock.-Consols closed on Monday at 95% to 95% for both delivery and the account. Tuesday's figures were 95 to 95 for both transactions. The closing prices of Wednesday were 941 to 95 for delivery and the account. Thursday's closing prices for both delivery and the account were 941 to 951. Prices, carriage paid, on receipt of Post-office Order : 28 lb., 68. 6d.; 56 lb., 10s. 6d.; 11⁄2 cwt., 208.; 2 cwt. 30s.; 5 cwt., 608. Bags free. Larger Quantities at Special Prices, for which, and for J. JENSEN & CO., 10, ST. HELEN'S PLACE, LONDON, E.C. Manufactory BRETTESNÆS, LOFFOTEN ISLANDS, NORWAY, EPPS'S SELECTED PEAT-Forty sacks; THE "INVINCIBLE" LAWN MOWER. 6d. per sack; 30 ditto, 2s. 9d.; 20 ditto, 35. 6d. ; 10 ditto, 4s. 6d.; sacks, 6d, each. In trucks of 14 cubic yards, 115. per yard. For Rhododendrons and common purposes, 145. per ton, not less than four tons; sample sack, 2s. 6d. LOAM, SAND, LEAF-MOULD, SPHAGNUM, &c. See Special List, also for the Trade. Ringwood, Hants. Weeds, How to Destroy them.-Use SMITH'S Celebrated WEED KILLER, the cheapest and most effectual preparation ever invented. For testimonials and prices address MARK SMITH, Manufacturing Chemist, Louth, Lincolnshire. GISHURST COMPOUND, used by leading Gardeners since 1859 against Red Spider, Mildew, Thrips, Green Fly, and other Blight. 1 to 2 ounces to the gallon of soft water; 4 to 16 ounces as winter dressing for Vines and Orchard-house Trees; and in lather from the cake against American Blight. Has outlived many preparations intended to Supersede it. Boxes, 15., 35., and 10s. 6d. GISHURSTINE keeps Boots dry and soft on Boxes, 6d. and 1s., from the Trade. Wholesale from PRICE'S PATENT CANDLE COMPANY (Limited), London. ORCHID BASKETS, RAFTS, BOATS, &c., including Copper Pins and Wires, 3 inches, 45. 6d; 31⁄2 inches, 5s.; 4 inches, 5s. 6d.; 41⁄2 inches, 6s. 6d.; 5 inches, 75. 6d,; 6 inches. 8s. 6d.; 7 inches, 10s. 6d; 8 inches, 12s. 6d.; 9 inches, 145. 6d.; 10 inches, 175. 6d.; 11 inches, 215. 6d.; 12 inches, 24s. 6d. Rafts 1d.. Boats 12d.. Cylinders 2d. per inch run. Sample of 12 Baskets, Raft, Boat, and Cylinder, 145. 6d. J. E. BONNY, 88, Downs Park Road, Hackney, London, E., Grower of the leading Varieties of Orchids. are made in materials of great durability. plainer sorts are specially bour no Slugs or Insects, The as do "grown" Edgings, consequently being much cheaper. GARDEN VASES, FOUNTAINS, &c., in Artificial Stone, very durable and of superior finish, and in great variety of design. F. ROSHER AND CO., Manufacturers, Upper Ground Street, Blackfriars, S.E.; King's Road, Chelsea, S.W.: Kingsland Road, E. Agents for LOOKER'S PATENT" ACME" FRAMES, PLANT COVERS, and PROPAGATING BOXES; also for FOXLEY'S PATENT BEADED GARDEN WALL BRICKS. Illustrated Price LISTS Free by Post. The Trade supplied. OR RNAMENTAL PAVING TILES, for Conservatories, Halls, Corridors, Balconies, &c., from 35. per square yard upwards. Pattern Sheet of Plain or more elaborate Designs, with Prices, sent for selection. WHITE GLAZED TILES, for Lining Walls of Dairies, Larders, Kitchen Ranges, Baths, &c. Grooved and other Stable Paving of great durability. Wall Copings, Drain Pipes and Tiles of all kinds. Roofing Tiles in great variety, Slates, Cement, &c. F. ROSHER AND CO., Brick and Tile Merchants. See Addresses above. SILVER SA N D, fine or coarse grain as desired. Price, by post, per Ton or Truckload, on Wharf in London, or delivered direct from Pits to any Railway Station. Samples of Sand free by post. FLINTS and BRICK BURRS for Rockeries or Ferneries. KENT PEATS or LOAM supplied at lowest rates in any quantities. F. ROSHER AND CO.-Addresses see above. N.B.-Orders promptly executed by Rail or to Wharves. A liberal Discount to the Trade. 21-0z. Foreign of the above sizes, in 100 and 200 feet boxes, 3ds and 4ths qualities, always kept in stock. A large stock of similar current sizes of 15-oz. glass in 200 feet boxes. Propagating and Cucumber Glasses, and all Miscellaneous Glass Articles, can be obtained from GEORGE FARMILOE & SONS, GLASS, LEAD, OIL and COLOUR MERCHANTS, GARDEN ROLLERS. WHEEL BARROWS. Horse Power Lawn Mowers. Side Delivery. The Only Lawn Mower in which the wood regulating Rollers can be used either in front or at back of the Mower. PRICES (including Grass Box). AWARDED the First Prize at each of the Is the BEST in the Market VIDE 6-in. 7-in. 8-in. 9-in. IO-in. 12-in. 14-10. 16 in. 30s. 40s. 50s. 60s. 70s. 90s 110s. 130s. 150s. 170s. 190s. £22 £26 £30 Sole Makers: JOHN CROWLEY & CO., Sheffield. "ARCHIMEDEAN" LAWN MOWERS. THE "WORLD" LAWN MOWERS are the best for cutting long grass, and are constructed on the American system with the special advantages of English materials and workmanship. They are made in nine sizes, 8 to 24 inches. THE "REVERSIBLE" LAWN MOWERS are suitable for small gardens and borders. They roll the grass as well as cut it, and can be used either side upwards. They are made in three sizes, 6 to 10 inches. Prices from 27s. to 45s. THE "AUTOMATON" LAWN MOWERS are the best machines for general purposes and gardeners' use. They leave no ribs in the grass but produce a perfect surface. They are made in eight sizes, 8 to 22 inches. Prices from 55s. to £8 10s. THE HORSE-POWER MOWERS are the best for Large Lawns, Cricket and Lawn Tennis Clubs. They are used on the Cricket Grounds of the Oxford and Edinburgh Universities and numerous Colleges and Public Schools. They are made in six sizes, 26 to 48 inches. Prices from £14 108. to £32. Complete Price LISTS may be obtained from any respectable Ironmonger, or 34, St. John's Street, West Smithfield, London, EC. RANSOMES, SIMS & JEFFERIES (Ld.), IPSWICH, Stock List and Prices on application. Quote Chronicle. and Foliage Plants. Open to the Public from May 11 to June 30, from 9 a.m. till dusk daily (Sundays excepted). ADMISSION FREE to those who have received Invitations, OR UPON PRESENTATION OF CARD. A large Show House, ICO feet long by 22 feet wide, and an Odontoglossum House, 80 feet long, will be especially devoted to the Orchid Exhibition, and visitors may rely upon seeing these beautiful Plants with the greatest degree of comfort, the ventilation and means of ingress and egress, as well as the great width of the paths, being all that can be desired. The other Show Houses will be gay with our large collection Nos. 1, 2, and 3. Crimson Roses, of different shapes, and distinct shades of colour; No. 1 being the lightest, and No. 3 the darkest. They are seedlings from Gloire de Dijon, possessing all the good qualities of that well-known variety, and are recommended as supplying a long-felt want in the garden, namely, good hardy crimson autumn-flowering Climbing Roses, with fine foliage. Plants ready the end of May, 10s. 6d. each, or 21s. the set of 3 varieties. W. F. BENNETT (Hybrid Tea-scented). This Rose is recommended by the raiser (Mr. H. Bennett), as the finest red Rose yet introduced for winter blooming and cut blooms at all seasons. The flowers sent to Covent Garden have always realised higher prices than other red Roses in the market at the time. It is of the same colour as Général Jacqueminot, and from its size and the freedom with which the blooms are produced, it has been likened to a crimson "Niphetos." WM. PAUL & SON have been appointed Sole Agents for the sale of this Rose in Europe. Plants will be ready about June 1. The following prices are for nett cash, and include packing: Single Plants, 15s.; 5 Plants, £3 1s.; 10 Plants, £5 175. Special Prices for larger quantities. WM. PAUL & SON'S THE Gardeners Chronicle. IT SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1885. ORCHIDS, DOUBLE AND T is only the other day that we were called on to record the vagaries in which sportive Daffodils incontinently indulge, and now a similar task lies before us as to Orchids. The flowers of Orchids, under ordinary circumstances, are so peculiar in the appearance and arrangement of their parts that it would seem at first sight as if no amount of "doubling" would increase their peculiarities; and in point of fact it diminishes them. Doubling in Orchids for the most part, exceptions disregarded, is little more than an undoing of the complexity which characterises the ordinary flower-a disintegration and isolation of parts usually consolidated. The chief interest, therefore, attaching to double flowered Orchids lies in the key they afford us as to the peculiarities of the normal structure, the insight they give as to the history and lineage of the race, of the modifications from a simpler plan, which have made an Orchis what it now is, and of the possible NEW ROSES OF 1884. potentialities of the future. Hitherto gardeners CHARLES LAMB (H.P.) EMPEROR (H.P.) Very dark, almost black. EMPRESS (H.P.) White with pink centres. Garden Roses. Show Roses. Buttonhole Roses. Strong Plants, Price 3s. 6d. each. SUNSET (Tea-scented). A sport from Perle des Jardins, with deep Apricot flowers, beautiful in bud; fine for forcing and cutting. First-class Price 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. each. GLOIRE LYONNAISE (H.P.). A yellow Hybrid Perpetual, partaking of some of the characteristics of the Tea Roses; flowers chrome-yellow, large and full. Price 35. 6d. each, 36s. per dozen. QUEEN OF QUEENS (H.P.) of Stove and Greenhouse Flowering Certificate to WM. PAUL & SON. and Foliage Plants, which have figured at the leading Shows, both at home and abroad, for many years, with uninterrupted success. In addition, the large Winter Garden, 100 feet long by 40 feet wide, will be filled with a fine show of Foliage and Flowering Plants, and will Also a large stock of the older varieties, in pots, for spring have looked at these productions as mere inconstant sports, generally the reverse of ornamental; but it depends very much on the cultivator himself whether these productions are to remain capricious and inconstant, or whether by the systematic and persistent exercise of the same processes of selection and elimination followed in other cases, they are to be developed, "improved," and rendered relatively constant. There are limits no doubt beyond which the gardener cannot go, but he has not reached them yet, indeed, so far as this matter is concerned, he has not even touched its fringe, nor will he be able to do so to any purpose till he becomes familiarised not only with the superficial appearance and arrangement of the parts of an Orchid flower, but with the clues to its origin and course of development and with the indications of the real plan of its structure as given by the study of the mode of development from the embryo stage to the adult condition, by its minute anatomy and by the comparative study of the varied forms of Orchid flowers and of the malformations they present. Much that was said relating to double Daffodils (see p. 563) applies equally well, with the requisite modifications, or with no modifications at all, to Orchids, and need therefore not be repeated. On the other hand there are a few changes in Orchids which may conveniently be treated of here, although in strictness they should fall under the head, not of double, but of "peloriated" flowers. As these illustrations of "peloria" are essential to our comprehension of the structure of the normal Orchid flower they may appropriately be introduced here with double flowers proper. THE NATURAL CONFORMATION. But first of all we must briefly allude to the ordinary structure of the flower of an Orchid, Cypripedium being in many ways exceptional will require special notice. As in the Narcissus and Daffodils the ovary of Orchids is placed beneath the flower, by the operation of the same causes as those which were alluded to previously (p. 564). The ovary is surmounted by the flower, and is usually (but not always) twisted, so that what was originally the top of the flower becomes in course of growth the lower. The flower of an Orchid (see fig. 108), like that of a Narcissus, has a perianth of six pieces, three outer, three inner; the three outer are the sepals, the three inner are the petals, and of these petals one is usually different in size, colour, and form from the rest, and, therefore, receives a distinct name, the "labellum," or "lip." Every one is familiar with the large extent to which the peculiarities and the beauty of Orchids depend on the marvellous variety in form and colour of the lip. Within the petals, in the centre of the flowers, stands the "column" directly continuous with the ovary. This column is a composite structure-a simple column it looks, but it is far from being so in reality. As we see it superficially, it consists of a thick body, erect or bent, with an anther at or near the top, and with a cup-like cavity in front beneath the anther, more or less filled with a viscid secretion, and which is in fact the stigma. The column (fig. 108, D ; fig. 109, p. 597) then superficially consists of at least one stamen and one style, which in course of growth have developed in union one with the other. The anther has a little cap, easily removed by the point of a pencil or the proboscis of an insect, and when removed it reveals the pollen, not in the form of detached grains or powder, as in most flowers, but aggregated together into two, four, eight waxy masses or "pollinia " (fig. 108, L). Stamen, pollen, style, stigma, lip, are all specially adapted to secure the fertilisation of the flower by insects. The insect attracted by the colour, sweet smell, or nectar in the flower, alights on the lip; once there it is guided or forced to take a certain direction by the plates or warts or other peculiarities of the lip, and in his course he knocks off the anther cap, when out springs the pollen by a mechanism which we cannot stay to describe here, but which is one of the most marvellous contrivances in the vegetable world. Rel sed from the anther the pollen masses attach then elves to the head or proboscis of the insect, and weighted with them he flies off to some other flower. Arrived there he is compelled to follow the same course as before, and consequently the pollen would be knocked up against the anther. But to prevent this mishap another marvel occurs: the pollen masses while still in the anther have a more or less erect position, but no sooner are they removed than they change their position, they bend downwards or sideways, at any rate in such a way that, when the insect visits another flower, these pollen masses instead of knocking up against the anther, fall against the stigma-the very place where they are required to ensure the fertilisation of the seeds. All this is not new to botanists, and the general public, even, has become somewhat familiarised with it from the interesting researches and experiments of Darwin. No amount of familiarity, however, can lessen the marvel of adaptation as here pre. sented to us. But this is a part of the subject to which our limits will not allow us to allude further. We must go back to the column. Instead of being composed of one stamen and one style, as appears to be the case, it is really made up of six stamens and three styles. Of the six stamens five are usually undeveloped, one only coming to perfection; the others present only traces of their original existence to the scrutinising eye of the botanist. No ordinary observer without special means would detect them. In Cypripe dium two of the stamens are developed, and so we have an anther on each side of the column. Of the three styles one only is developed, and it needs the special opportunities of the botanist to find the two others. It may, therefore, be said that in an Orchid there are, potentially at least, fifteen parts in five rows of three each-three sepals, three petals (including the lip), three outer stamens, one only of which is fertile, three inner stamens (all abortive, except in Cypripedium, where two are fertile), and three styles. Of the presence of these three latter organs any one may convince himself by cutting across the ovary, when the threefold placenta on which the ovules are attached will at once show the existence of three carpels," consolidated into one ovary and one style. The highly irregular flower of an Orchid is, then, not so irregular as it seems, The individual flower, however strange it becomes hereafter, begins by being nearly regular in the form, size, and disposition of its parts. The baby Orchid flower is nearly, but not always, regular; it is only as it grows on to maturity that the changes occur which render the adult flower what it is, and which enables it to be fertilised by insect agency, as we have just sketched out. ANCESTRAL STATE. As the baby flower is so nearly regular, we assume, with a near approach to certainty, that its ancestors were regular also; and we assert, though we cannot prove it by direct means, that the Orchids, with all their present irregularity, are descendants from an M W.G.S. AD.NAT.SC flowers as Thelymytra, Oncidium candidum, or Tetramicra, where the flower, as regards its perianth, is regular, and in which the lip is either no bigger and no different from the other petals, or only very slightly so. These are normal flowers; they are not sports; and, from our point of view, they ought to be looked on with great respect as "survivals," showing what the Orchids of the past were like. Every now and then a flower is produced on a Cattleya or other Orchid which shows the same thing. For some reason or other-why, we generally cannot tell-the lip, instead of running off into strange forms, is developed in a regular way, and is thus said to "revert" to the primitive simplicity. Fig. 110 shows an instance of FIG. 108.-FLOWER OF LÆLIA, TO SHOW ITS PARTS. References :-A, A, A, Sepals; B, B, Petals; c, Lip; D, Lip, &c., removed, to show the column; E, Anther at the top of the column, magnified; F, Anther with pollen masses, G, H, uplifted; J, Anther detached from the column with pollen masses in situ; K, Interior of anther; L, Pollen masses removed from the anther, showing discs and caudicles; M, Column from which the anther has been removed; N, Stigmatic surface; o, Lip removed to show D, the column; P, Ovary. earlier simpler type-the same, in fact, as that from which Irids and Narcissus and Amaryllids have descended, while they in their turn are the modified descendants of still simpler types, such as Lilies and Rushes. Those to whom these propositions are new, may regard them as much too wonderful to be true, and require to be furnished with evidence. To this very natural requirement we must refer them not only to the teachings of anatomy, morphology, and development-matters we cannot possibly enter into here -but to the evidence afforded by "sports" and "double flowers," which alone we can deal with, and then of course only in outline. In the first place, attention may be directed to such this in Cattleya pumila. Such a flower, we might imagine, would offer less facilities for cross-fertilisation by insect agency, so that in course of time, by selection, we might get a close or self-fertilising flower. PELORIA. Be this as it may, such flowers as we are speaking of illustrate the possible regularity of Orchid flowers, and are instances of "regular" Peloria, in which an habitually irregular flower becomes regular by the decrease of its irregular parts-by reversion, in fact. The opposite condition, in which the flower becomes regular by the increase in number of its habitually irregular parts, is shown in fig. III wherein the two |