HARDY ORCHIDS. Messrs. BACKHOUSE send us flowers of Orchis militaris with grand spikes of lilac flowers. The four-lobed lip is marked with small projecting purplish hairs. O. fusca is represented by a magnificent spike, the hooded sepals are richly spotted with brown, and the broad lip deeply notched in front is white, flushed with lilac and dotted with small spots of a similar colour. This is the finest spike we have seen of this species. Messrs. BACKHOUSE find these two species thrive best in calcareous loam. O. latifolia, var. lagotis, has a leafy

spike of richly coloured dark violet flowers, heavily marked with darker spots. A heavy loam mixed with good fibrous peat suits this best.

THE EFFECT OF PRUNING VINES.-In our issue for March 7, p. 314, we quoted some observations of MM. CASOCIA and SAVASTANO to the effect that unpruned Vines produced berries with the greatest amount of sugar and the least proportion of acid. The paragraph attracted the attention of Professor CORNU, the Director of the Jardin des Plantes,

who at once called attention to the universal practice of pruning in the Vine growing districts, and to the alcoholic strength of the wine produced from them. In the Vigne Américaine M. PLANCHON records the opinions of certain members of the Central Society of Agriculture of the Herault, comprising many well known cultivators whose reputation has become established even on this side of the Channel. The conclusions come to are:-I. The larger the number of berries on a given Vine, the smaller the proportion of sugar and consequently of

alcohol. The proof of this is afforded by those Vines which, being intended to be removed next year, are not pruned at all or only slightly. The numerous berries produced on such Vines ripen with difficulty, and often remain sour as verjuice. 2. Vines cultivated in "hautains" and slightly pruned or not at all the Vine trellises which yield large crops always produce a wine of less alcoholic strength than the same varieties do when pruned severely, and whose berries are near enough to the soil to profit by the radiation of heat from its surface. Numerous illus. rrations are given in proof of these assertions and in support of the usual practice in the vineyard of hard pruning.

GHENT BOTANIC SOCIETY.-At a recent meeting of the Royal Agricultural and Botanic Society of Ghent, First-class Certificates were awarded to Mr. J. Van der Swaelmen, for Oncidium pulchellum; to Mr. A. Van Geert, jun., for Lastræa sp. nova; to Messrs. Vervaet & Co., for Calamus species; to Mr. L. Desmet-Duvivier, for Odontoglossum vexillarium purpureum. Commendations were awarded to Mr. Aug. Van Geert, jun., for Masdevallia Backhousiana; to Madame J. Baumann, for Anthurium Scherzerianum var. atropurpureum; to Mr. De Smet-Duvivier, for Ixora Chelsoni; to Mr. Aug. Van Geert, sen., for Phalaenopsis Stuartiana; to Mr. F. J. Spae, for Medinilla Curtisi; to Mr. Aug. Van Geert, sen., for Cattleya Mossiæ splendens; and Mr. James Bray received a Cultural Commendation for Cypripedium Lowi.

GRIAS CAULIFLORA.-The handsome foliage of this plant is sufficient to command attention at all times, whether in flower or not. Of the several plants at Kew, that one in the south end of the Palm-house engages the attention of thousands of visitors. The huge leaves are collected umbrella-fashion at the apex of a naked trunk, and attain a length of from 3 to 5 feet. These hang down in a very characteristic and their beauty is greatly supplemented manner, when a tier of young leaves crowns the summit. This same plant has commenced flowering, the first time at least for a number of years, and as the clusters of creamy-white flowers occupy the greater part of the naked trunk, a succession of open flowers will be kept up for a long time. The plant is a member of the great Myrtle family, and is figured in the Botanical Magazine, t. 5622. Only two or three species are known to science, natives of the tropical parts of America, where they form tall trees. They require accordingly a tall house with stove temperature, in order to attain flowering dimensions.

MESSRS. SUTTON & SONS, READING.-This well known firm of nurserymen and seed merchants has received an additional partner, in the person of Mr. LEONARD GOODHART SUTTON, a son of the senior partner, who, from the thorough business and scientific training which he has enjoyed, should prove one of its most useful members.

HORTICULTURAL CLUB.-The usual monthly dinner took place on Tuesday last, when there was a large attendance of members, including Mr. JOHN LEE, Messrs. LODER, GIRDLESTONE, G. PAUL, WHEATSTONE, GALT, DRUERY, COUSENS, &c. In the evening a discussion took place on alpine plants, the subject being introduced by the Secretary, who in his address took up the practical side of the question, and adverted to some considerations which ought to be borne in mind by those who wish to grow these plants, the difficulty connected with them he considered being exagerated. The discussion was continued by Mr. E. G. LODER, who especially detailed the manner in which he had overcome the difficulties connected with growing Gentiana bavarica and Phyteuma comosum; and Mr. GEORGE Paul also spoke of the manner in which he grew Silene acaulis in drain-pipes sunk in the ground. Mr. GIRDLESTONE Spoke also of the manner in which he conquered some difficulties connected with them. Some interesting blooms were exhibited. GIRDLESTONE exhibited a box containing, amongst other things, Iris susiana, Thalictrum adiantifolium, Rosa rugosa coruscans, Anemone sulphurea, Pentstemon glabrum, Edelweiss, &c. Mr. GEORGE PAUL had Onosma tauricum, Saxifraga Waldensteini superba, Heuchera sanguinea, &c. Mr. DRUERY brought a fine plant of Saxifraga pyramidalis. Mr. PERKINS, of Leamington, sent a plant and some blooms of his fine new Pelargonium Volonté Nationale alba, which was

Mr.

greatly admired. Mr. F. ARTHUR DICKSON, of Chester, sent up for the dinner some splendid Asparagus, grown on the coast of North Wales. Altogether a most pleasant and profitable evening was spent.

POLYSTACHYA OTTONIANA.-A plant of this distinct and pretty little Cape Orchid is now flowering at Kew. The genus Polystachya comprises four or five species from South Africa, and about the same number from India, the largest flowered species being P. grandiflora, figured in the Botanical Magazine, and which is in cultivation at Kew along with P. pubescens, P. rufinula, and the above-named. This last has small oval-shaped pseudobulbs which grow closely together, and are covered with silvery heath-scales. The leaves are 5 inches long by a quarter inch wide, channelled, with numerous brown spots on the under-side. The flowers are produced from the young growths, singly or in pairs, on a slender peduncle nearly as long as the leaves. As in all Polystachyas the flowers of P. Ottoniana have the lip uppermost, which makes them appear upside down. They are three-quarter inch across, ivory-white, with a rose coloured keel to the sepals, and a yellowish line down the centre of the recurved labellum. In form

they are very similar to the flowers of Cymbidium eburneum, but about one-sixth less in size. They are very fragrant. P. Ottoniana has been introduced from the Cape to Kew, where it is cultivated in a cool-house, and is fastened to a bit of soft Fern-stem with a little sphagnum about the roots of the plant.

SHOW FIXTURES.-The Grand Floral Fête at York will be held on Wednesday, June 17, and two following days. The seventh annual show of the Bagshot and Windlesham Horticultural Society will take place in Bagshot Park on June 30 and July 1. The Croydon Horticultural Society's summer show of Roses and other flowers, plants, fruits, and vegetables, on July 1, in the grounds of Wellesley House. The Bath Rose Show on July 2. Tunbridge Wells Hor. ticultural Society will hold the annual Rose, Flower and Fruit Show on Friday, July 3. A grand exhibition of Roses at the Crystal Palace on July 4. Ealing, Acton, and Hanwell Horticultural Society will hold its summer show in the grounds of Gunnersbury House on July 7 and 8. The directors of the Royal Caledonian Society will hold their show of plants, fruit, cut flowers, and vegetables, in the Waverley Market, Edinburgh, on July 8 and 9. A. Rose Show, Cottage Hospital, and Children's-work Exhibition, will be held by the Horticultural Society of Moreton-in-the-Marsh on July 15. The annual Bedford and Bedfordshire Horticultural Society's shows will take place at Bedford on July 15. The Royal Botanic Society's show of plants, fruit, and cut flowers, will be held on June 17. The Newcastle-on-Tyne Botanical and Horticultural Society will hold a three days' show, on July 22, 23, and 24, when prize money to the amount of £302 will be awarded. Darlington Rose show, affiliated with the National Rose Society, will hold its show on July 23. Saffron Walden and North Essex Horticultural Society hold their show on July 15, when six open prizes will be offered for collections of fruit and vegetables. Wirral Rose Society will hold their annual meeting on July 18, when £112 will be offered in prizes. The twenty-first annual exhibition of the Calne Horticultural Society will be held in the grounds of Bowood Park, Calne, on July 28, when good prizes will be offered in the plant and Rose classes.

CINCHONA IN JAMAICA.-The areas of land planted in Cinchona all over the world, according to the latest report of the Botanic Gardens of Jamaica, are comparatively small, and unless a very greatly increased area is brought into cultivation the day is not far off when, instead of quinine being too cheap for the Cinchona planters' benefit it will be too high for the consumers' pockets. In India there are only 18,300 acres; in Java 15,000 acres ; Straits Settlements, Borneo, &c., 500 acres; Jamaica, say 500 acres; in Ceylon there were last year 64,000 acres. The area, then, of Cinchona which is likely to be a source of permanent supply is therefore only about 35,000 acres a little more than half the area of the Ceylon fields, which have been the source of the recent enormous supplies of bark, 7,000,000 lb. in 1882-83 10,000,000 lb. in 1883-84 Unless all the accounts which show that Cinchona cultivation in Ceylon is a thing of the past, and that the Cinchona tree will not survive there for more than three or four years, are

grossly untrue, the yield of bark next year must fall off heavily and the price of the article must rise rapidly and considerably. The soil of Jamaica is so evidently suitable to Cinchona, and the growth and vitality of the plant is so satisfactory there, as compared with Ceylon and India, that there is little doubt that Cinchona cultivation will pay as well, if not better, in Jamaica than in the East or anywhere.

LINNEAN SOCIETY.-Something like a sensation was experienced at the last meeting of this usually impassive and decorous Society. Some one espied a lady seated on the back benches, a hurried search for precedents was instituted, charters and byelaws were rapidly consulted, the business of the meeting, usually so punctually commenced, was delayed, and ultimately the Fellow under whose protection the lady was introduced, was requested to intimate to her that those documents mentioned Fellows and visitors of the male sex only. The lady accordingly withdrew. As in any case the lady could only have been present as a matter of courtesy, it seems a pity that an unnecessary act of discourtesy should have been committed by the authorities.-At a meeting of the Society, to be held on Thursday, June 18, at 8 P.M., papers will be read on-1. “Goldfingia MacIntoshii, a new Sipunculid from the coast of Scotland," by Prof. E. RAY LANKESTER. 2. "On the Occurrence of Articulated Laticiferous Vessels in Hevea," by D. H. SCOTT.

RHODODENDRONS IN LONDON. A fine display of these plants is now on view, and will continue for several weeks, in a large marquee erected in the garden of Cadogan Square, Sloane Street. The show is due to the enterprise of Mr. ANTHONY WATERER, of the Knap Hill Nurseries, Woking.

ARBORICULTURE IN PRINTING HOUSE SQUARE. We regret to hear that the old specimen of Ptelea trifoliata, which has grown for so many years in Printing House Square beneath the shade of the Times Printing Office, has at last fallen to the ground. We hear that it was a flourishing tree in 1841, and it has a special interest as furnishing an illustration of what shrubs will thrive even in such unlikely localities as that in which this tree has grown for SO many years. The seed vessels of this plant have large membranous wings, which give them a striking appearance, while in autumn the three-parted leaves assume a deep golden colour. From the bitter aromatic principle they contain, the seed-vessels have been used in some places as a substitute for Hops. Its native country is the Northern United States, and it ownskinship with the Rues (Rutacea).

"The

ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY. At the ordinary meeting of the Society, at 25, Great George Street, Westminster, on Wednesday, the 17th inst., at 7 P.M., the following papers will be read :"Meteorological Observations made on a Trip up the Nile, February and March, 1885," by WILLIAM MARCET, M.D., F.R.S., F.R. Met. Soc. Mean Direction of Cirrus Clouds over Europe," by Dr. H. H. HILDEBRANDSSON, Hon. Mem, R. Met. Soc. "On the Influence of Accumulations of Snow on Climate," by Dr. A. WOEIKOFF, Hon. Mem. R. Met. Soc. "Note on the Weather of January, 1881," by CHARLES HARDING, F. R. Met. Soc. "Results of Meteorological Observations made in the Solomon Group, 1882-84," by Lieut. ALEXANDER LEeper, R.N. “Graphic Hygrometrical Table," by DAVID CUNNINGHAM, M. Inst. C. E., F. R. Met. Soc.

ANTHOCERCIS VISCOSA.-A specimen of this old introduction has been flowering for some considerable time in the south octagon of the Temperatehouse at Kew. There is no question about the showy character of the large white flowers blotched with purple in the tube; but the viscid nature of the leaves might be objectionable to some if the plant was grown for cut flowers. The leaves, however, are agreeably fragrant, which compensates for the bad properties experienced in handling them. Eighteen species are known to science, all Australian shrubs, of which few have been introduced, and fewer still are known to cultivators in general. The present species is figured in the Botanical Magazine, t. 2961. The genus is included in the Solanaceae by the Genera Plantarum in a tribe represented typically by the well known garden annual Salpiglossis. Other authorities include both the above-mentioned genera in the Scrophularia family, doubtless on account of the four perfect and one rudimentary stamen.

ALPINE PLANTS.

ARNEBIA ECHIOIDES.-This interesting and singularly pretty plant, with its clear yellow flowers and dark velvety spots, is now in full bloom, and well merits attention as being one of our most showy Borage-worts. Not long ago, like many other alpines, this plant was almost coddled into existence, but now it may be seen growing strongly in an ordinary border and where but a minimum of attention has been bestowed on its cultivation. As regards soil it is by no means fastidious, flourishing well in either light or stiff. It is certainly a decided gain to know that such an ornamental plant requires but the attention that is usually bestowed on one of our commonest garden occupants.

GENTIANA VERNA,

long supposed to be a miffy plant, is really not so, and flowers in our lowland gardens just as well as on the alpine peaks where it is now protected by a blanket of snow until revivified by the midsummer sun. A peaty loam, pressed firmly, suits it well. In the pink Wood Sorrel (Acetosella purpurea) the colour is distinct and good. It is a delicate and precious little plant which well deserves to be increased and grown as a garden flower. Is this what Ray calls "Biophytum trifolium acetosum flore pleno "?

RANUNCULUS ALPESTRIS.

It is delightful to see this high alpine plant growing and flowering really well at less than 100 feet above sea-level. The numerous slender stalks a little more than 2 inches in height, surmounted by large solitary snow-white flowers, are in my opinion not even sur. passed by R. anemonoides, which is now just out of bloom. Peat, loam, and lime, with a fair supply of moisture, seems to suit it best.

R. AMPLEXICAULE,

with its graceful greyish leaves and pretty white blossoms with yellow centres, is always welcome, and well worthy of extensive culture as one of our most showy Crowfoots. On rockwork amongst leaf-soil it does remarkably well, sending up flower-stems nearly I foot in height, which are also furnished with entire stem-clasping leaves-whence its name.

THE BLOOD ROOT (SANGUINARIA CANADENSIS) is a distinct and curious North American plant, not only from its great fulness of sap, but because of the shape, colour, and method of development of the leaves. Grown in a cool shady position among rich vegetable soil this handsome plant produces an abundance of large pure white flowers which, although of good substance, usually fall to pieces in about a week. It will be found of great benefit both for the plant's beauty and welfare to have the place in which it is grown carpeted with some low creeping plant such as the Arenaria, Linaria alpina, or Campanula hederacea.

PRIMULAS.

Few alpines are more effective just now than the various species of Primula. P. cashmeriana and its near relative, P. purpurea, both well in bloom at present, are very effective, the boldness of growth being a marked characteristic. The flowers, though individually small, are arranged in globular trusses of large size, and placed on stems of from 9 to 12 inches in height. P. verticillata, although of a somewhat tender nature, has stood our past three winters with impunity. The flowers are distinct and beautiful, of good substance, and borne in quantity.

DAPHNE CNEORUM

is one of the sweetest and most showy hardy plan's now in bloom, and which, on account of its procumbent spreading habit should have a place on every rockwork, large or small. In light sandy soil it grows freely, and by layering the branches they root rapidly and soon produce a good bold mass of rich green foliage, which during the spring months is studded with a multitude of rosy-lilac very fragrant flowers.

MYOSOTIS ELEGANTISSIMA.

The variegated Forget-me-Not is a pretty and desirable plant, its blue flowers contrasting charm. ingly with the silvery variegated foliage. In a shady, damp position it does well, and soon forms a very ornamental tuft. Two other species of Myosotis are also worthy of attention-our native M. alpestris and M. azorica. The latter is, unfortunately, rather

tender, although in many shady, sheltered gardens it seems quite at home, and during early May.produces a wealth of indigo-blue flowers, for which it would be almost impossible to find an equal.

HOOP PETTICOAT NARCISSUS.

Just now one of the most charming flowers of the open air garden, as well as valuable addition to the later Narciss, is N. Bulbocodium, or the Hoop Petticoat Narcissus. The rich golden-yellow cup, regu larly widening from the base to the margin, is both distinct and beautiful. In many gardens it will not thrive, the chief requirements--a light sandy loam, and warm, rather dry situation-being rarely found. Placed on low warm banks or the more sheltered positions of the rockwork it is much improved, and thrives infinitely better than in the ordinary border.

ERODIUM MACRADENIUM.

Neat in habit and of exquisite beauty is the little Stork's-bill (Erodium macradenium), and which, although introduced to this country more than a century ago, is still comparatively rare. From the excep. tional length and peculiar formation of its roots, it requires a deep well drained soil and sunny situation. Emergo.

THE DOUBLE NARCISSUS

POETICUS.

MR. PETER BARR, in a note to the Gardeners' Chronicle last year, expressed an opinion that the double form of Narcissus poeticus, so common in market gardens near London and elsewhere, is the double of the variety "patellaris," a form not often found single, and distinguished by its broad and regular crown. I disputed Mr. Barr's assertion last year, but this year, having had a better opportunity of comparing the single "patellaris" both with the single N. p. recurvus and with the double form, which is abundant in my garden, I believe Mr. Barr to be right. I find that all the characters of the single patellaris, the form and carriage of the leaves, the shape of the limb, and the angle to the tube at which it is carried, correspond to those of the double N. poeticus, whilst the peculiar recurved leaves, which give the name recurvus to the more common variety, as well as its English name, "the drooping. leaved Narcissus," do not mark the double form. Assertions about the doubling of the single Poet's Narcissus by cultivation in certain soils are even more common than those about the wild Daffodil, and both alike require careful and continuous observations to confirm or refute them.

66

IN times past the price which the best fruit made was very different to what it is now; it was no unusual occurrence for the earliest Grapes that came to hand in Covent Garden Market to sell for 15s. or 20s. per pound, the first Strawberries half-a-crown an ounce, and Peaches £3 or £4 a dozen. Higher figures than these were sometimes realised, whilst late Grapes, kept until the first of the new crop were about to appear, were worth nearly as much as the new ones. But it goes without saying that at such prices the demand was confined to the few who are ever ready to pay any price for anything providing only that it is rare enough to make its use all but prohibitory even amongst well-to-do people. In like manner choice flowers through the winter and early spring were only obtainable at a figure proportionate to that of the fruits named. But the time for such prices is gone, and not likely to return. At the present day, during the season, when most difficult to produce, the best fruits and flowers do not fetch more than a third of what they used to; but with the drop in price has come the increased demand, which rarely fails to spring up when any commodity that comes under the cate.

gory of luxuries gets cheap. As a natural conse. quence, to meet this altered state of matters the leading market growers, convinced that the demand will still further increase, are largely increasing their means of production.

In addition to the large extent of glass which Mr. Ladds put up at Swanley in the winter of 1883-4, which was planted with Vines and filled with Tomatos last summer, there has been this winter an immense addition made there forty houses, each 200 feet long by 12 feet wide, and seven each 200 feet long by 17 feet wide, having been completed. They are con⚫ structed in the same plain but substantial way that Mr. Ladds is now doing the whole of his work of this kind. The houses are erected in blocks, with well-built 9-inch walls enclosing each block. They are thoroughly stayed with stout iron ties, so as to stand the immense pressure which the wind has on such enormous surfaces of glass in an elevated exposed position, such as that in which these houses stand, where there is nothing in the shape of a tree or a building to break the force of the gale. All the wood used is Pitch Pine, selected so as to be perfectly free from knots. All the houses stand ends north and south, excepting the 680 feet vinery, and some halfdozen others, which run in the opposite direction. The new houses were begun in the autumn about September, and the last of them were all but finished and ready for use when I saw them, the last week in March. At that time twenty were filled with pot Strawberries, consisting of a fine lot of even plants, promising well for a crop. In addition to these Mr. Ladds has at his Dartford Heath establishment twenty-five houses, similar in width, and each 135 feet long, filled with Strawberries, something like 100,000 plants in all. Early forcing is not attempted, the crop being timed to come in so as to give a succession from early in May until they are ripe out-of-doors. Nearly the whole are Sir Joseph Paxton, but several others are being tried to come in about the time mentioned. As the Strawberries are cleared out the whole of the houses that have been occupied by them are to be filled with Tomatos, hundreds of thousands of plants of which are prepared wherewith to stock them.

In ten of the new houses at Swanley a row of Maréchal Niel Roses has been planted at each side, and ten others with similar rows of Gloire de Dijon. Tomatos will also form the principal crop here until the Roses get up.

No time is lost in long waiting for a crop of Grapes ; five of the twenty houses planted with Vines last March twelvemonth are being fruited this year, the Vines being allowed to carry five or six bunches each, They are planted on each side of the houses at a distance sufficiently far apart to allow of each Vine running right across the span from eave to eave. The remaining fifteen houses, as well as the very big one, which were planted late with very small Vines, will not be allowed to bear anything until next year. These are to be filled with Tomatos this year.

In

The whole of these Swanley houses are now heated by twelve of Rochford's boilers, which Mr. Ladds is adopting in place of the boiler of his own design which he has hitherto used. There is this difference in those he is putting in from the ordinary Rochford, which is composed of 4-inch pipes, that Mr. Ladds is using 3-inch. The boilers are placed in pairs, side by side, in each stokehole. the big vinery, where the flow and return is continuous from end to end, the water from leaving the boiler before it gets back into it has to travel over a quarter of a mile. The four long houses at the Dartford Heath place-now filled with 100 Royal George Peaches, occupying each side of the houses-are now a feature such as I feel satisfied has never been seen in Peach growing under glass before. When I saw them nothing could promise better for a crop, the fruit from end to end, without the exception of a single tree, were as even as if they had been put on the branches by hand. By the way the thinnings lay on the ground there had evidently been as many taken off as would have sufficed for eight or ten crops. The cultivation of this fruit is about to be much extended here. At the Bexley Heath establishment a new house, double span, 300 feet long by 35 feet wide, has this winter been finished, and is now filled with a beautiful lot of flowering plants of Gardenia. They are all in pots; Mr. Ladds has tried planting out Gardenias on a large scale; the plants were kept until they formed bushes 8 or 10 feet through, by 6 or 7 feet in height; but henceforth their cultivation is to be confined to pots. T. B.

FRUIT NOTES.

WASHINGTON PLUM.-A coloured figure of this excellent Plum is given in a recent number of the Bulletin d'Arboriculture. It is a Plum of large size, oblong obtuse form, yellow colour, and good flavour. The history of this Plum is curious. A Plum tree (variety not stated) was overthrown by a hurricane, but from the stock proceeded some suckers, one of which was removed and grown on, ultimately producing a fruit, deemed worthy to be named after Washington himself.

FRUIT PROSPECTS.

There is every prospect now of abundance of all kinds of fruit. Generally we have to make some kind or other an exception, but, notwithstanding the cold spring, we have come out of very little the worse. Peaches and Nectarines are good, and with the exception of a little blister, the foliage is clean and healthy. Apricots are a full crop, but there are great losses of branches, not one variety escaping, though the Hemskirke is said to be less subject than any other. Pears on walls of most are good. Plums, though not a full crop, are above the average, and very free from aphis. Apples have set a good crop, not so thickly as anticipated, still sufficient to require thinning-the larger varieties, some of them, already thinned. Orchards are later, can scarcely tell yet what will swell, but I don't think there is any doubt about there being full crops. Early Cherries are good; the Elton now colouring, Morellos very abundant-far too many to mature on the trees. Gooseberries and Currants arc excellent. Raspberries have broken well, and promising to be a good crop. Strawberries every prospect of being heavy crops; next week will find plenty of ripe fruit in the market. It is very cheering to be able to write thus of our fruit crops, excessive drought, birds, and wasps being the only difficulties lying in our way to securing a good fruit harvest. Wasps have been unusually abundant this spring, nests having been taken here this season as early as May 13. D. C. Powell.

DISEASE AND NON-GERMINATION OF PEAS.

EVERY one acquainted with garden literature must have observed numerous reports regarding the nongermination of Peas. The failure is often attributed to the weather, to the state of the soil, or to destruction wrought by birds. In not a few instances seed merchants are seriously blamed for sending out old and dead, instead of new seeds. The growers seldom report further than the total failure of the crop; they say they have planted seeds with no result, and a new sowing has been compulsory.

I have several times reported that parasitic and other fungi frequently grow inside the pods of Peas, and often upon the seeds themselves whilst still in the pod.* The fungi I have noticed include the destructive Peronospora viciæ, B.; Erysiphe Martii, Lk.; E. communis, Schl.; with Penicillium crustaceum, Fr., and other moulds. These fungi, one and all, not only invade the exterior of the seeds, but by their germ-tubes gain an entrance to the interior, and destroy the embryo and life of the Pea.

The accompanying illustration will show younger readers of the Gardeners' Chronicle more clearly than words how the germ of the Pea is attacked and destroyed by fungi from the outside.

The outline on the left-hand top of fig. 170 represents at A a Pea, enlarged four diameters; the dotted line shows a fragment of one of the valves of the pod. B is the little stalk of the Pea, and the black dot at c is a natural opening in the skin of the Pea leading direct to the germ within. In the properly fertilised and ripe Pea this little opening, or gate, is termed the micropyle (little gate). When the Pea is very young-a mere unimpregnated ovule in the ovary-this minute orifice is known as the foramen (hole), and through this minute hole the ovule is acted on and fertilised by the pollen with its pollen tubes. It will be seen then that every Pea has a weak point, or gate, by which its interior may be reached by both friendly and hostile "tubes."

In the next figure, on the right, D shows a Pea removed from the pod as well as from its little stalk. The scar left by the latter is seen at E;

* Discases of Field and Garden Crops. Pp. 265, 267.

this scar is termed the hilum, or umbilicus: it is the point of attachment of the Pea to its mother. The little gate, or micropyle, is seen at c; the shading represents the threads of microscopic fungi and the injured outer membrane of the Pea.

The third figure shows a section through a healthy Pea; F, is the surface of one of the cotyledons, or young seed leaves within the Pea; G the testa, skin, or coat (of two thin membranes); H is the young rootlet or radicle within the Pea, ready to emerge on germination through the little gate, or micropyle, at C; J is the plumule or rudimentary bud with young leaves of the embryo Pea. The fourth figure at K shows in section the interior parts diseased by fungi, the disease being clearly traced to the microscopic opening, or micropyle, at c. The micropyle of a Pea is so small that it requires a lens to see it; from a microscopist's point of view, however, it is an opening of very large size.

At L a micropyle of the Pea is engraved direct from a camera-lucida reflexion from a microscope, enlarged

200 diameters; the little straight line at the bottom is the commencement of the umbilical scar (seen at E). To show how large the opening of the micropyle is in comparison with the spores and threads of the dangerous parasite of Peas, named Peronospora viciæ, I have engraved to the same scale a spore and mycelial tube of this fungus at M. The parasitic fungus of Peas, named Erysiphe Martii, Lk., bears its transparent spores in little colourless bags, asci, as seen also to the same scale at N. It will be noted that many of these bags of spores could easily sail into the micropyle. At P are shown the minute spores and a single thread of one of the blue-mould fungi, Penicillium crustaceum, Fr. The difference in size between these microscopic spores and the minute micropyle of the Pea is remarkable.

The micropyle in seeds commonly becomes closed or obliterated, but in Peas and Beans it frequently remains open; in some varieties and samples of Peas it appears to be always open.

Good seed merchants never send out Peas or any other seeds without first testing and often guarantee. ing their power of germination; when, therefore, a crop is very bad or a total failure, it is hard to see

how the seed merchant can be free from blame, if the seeds have not been eaten by birds. I have at times received large samples of seeds for examination from good firms, and in cutting sections of the Peas have found in some instances nearly every example dead, through the destruction of the embryo by parasitic fungi, through the micropyle.

It is obvious that in slight attacks the germinating Peas grow up from the seed with the elements of disease already in their tissues. All diseased Peas should,

of course, be destroyed, and no seed Peas should be kept in places where the slightest moisture prevails; damp air not only starts fungi into renewed growth, but it causes the micropyle (which may possibly be closed) to gape open, and so offers a point of ingress to a death dealing invader or invaders. W. G. Smith.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

Rhubarb.-Amongst the subjects thought just then to be perhaps of trifling importance, staged at the recent South Kensington exhibition, was a couple of samples of Rhubarb from the Society's gardens at Chiswick-Stott's Monarch and Victoria. Chiswick soil seems to be favourable to Rhubarb, for the growth in this case was remarkable, the Victoria stalks being some 4 feet in length and straight as a rod, very large, and remarkably handsome; whilst Stott's Monarch, which is of pale green hue, quite lacking colour, had stems 7 inches round and nearly 3 feet in length. Gigantic as these stalks were, and effective in attracting the attention of visitors, it is very doubtful indeed whether either sort would be favoured in any kitchen or cottage home for domestic consumption. Probably a large amount of Rhubarb is employed in the manu. facture of those sparkling hocks and champagnes which deluded Britons pay for so liberally and drink so freely, under the impression that it is genuine juice of the Grape. Mr. Robert Fenn has often manufactured from Rhubarb and Gooseberries home-made champagne which would puzzle some connoisseurs to tell from a Continental brand, and at a cost of about Is. per bottle. Why English enterprise has never yet set to work to manufacture its own champagne, with such a wealth of Rhubarb and Gooseberries at our doors as we have, is, indeed, marvellous, and shows that for some things we prefer to pay through the nose for any kind of manufacture if it has a Continental brand. Whilst we have these gigantic Rhubarbs we happily have in Red Champagne and Early Albert other kinds of great value for domestic purposes, and Victoria is seldom seen so large as it was in this particular instance. Kinds that are very early and produce stalks of medium size, rich colour, and of good flavour, are most desirable. It is worthy of notice that new distinct Khubarbs are singular rarities. A. D.

Seedling Dendrobiums.-Thinking it might interest some of your readers, I have sent you two seedling Dendrobium devonianum raised from seed sown in June, 1882. No. 2 shows the first bulb. Some plants from the same batch flowered a month ago, being only two years and ten months from the time of sowing the seed. Edmund Ayling, Forty Hill, Enfield, Middlesex.

Wistaria sinensis at Home.-Presuming its home to have been on the trees of its native forests, I had long wished to rescue poor Wistaria from its unnatural position on the garden wall, and several years ago wrote to this effect in the Gardeners' Chronicle. Much time, however, elapsed before I succeeded in carrying out my desire of establishing it on a group of large Laburnums growing at the entrance of the rock garden at Bayfordbury, chiefly from falling into the common error of planting it too near the base of the trees. But having obtained a strong plant with a single stem some 10 feet long, I prepared the soil at that distance from the nearest Laburnum, to which I led the stem underground, and soon induced it to grow well; and at the present time it is spreading more or less over the tops of three adjoining trees with a profusion of blossom on both the Laburnum and Wistaria; so that, from their time of flowering being identical, just now it is a sight worth seeing. [Visitors to Mr. A. Waterer's nursery at Woking will remember a similar case. ED.] A Tropæolum speciosum planted near the same spot bids fair to succeed them with its flowering later in the year, after wandering over some low Box trees beneath the Laburnums. Immediately adjoining on

the grass is a very fine specimen of Gunnera manicata, with several heads of flower coming on, and in the corner of some rockwork an old-established plant of Plumbago Larpentæ has obtained an undisturbed possession, producing every autumn a great profusion of fine flowers. A little further on, upon some sunny sloping rocks, the hardy varieties of Cactus Opuntia, of considerable size, promise abundance of flower, retaining some of the fruit of last year, which seem in clined to ripen. The alpines in general are flowering, well favoured by the late winter, as also a fine specimen of Chamaerops Fortunei. On leaving the rock garden, in an angle of a portion of the wall of the house facing east a Lapageria rosea was planted some years back, which is growing most vigorously, far exceeding some plants in the conservatory. It has not yet flowered, but from the size which it has attained I fully expect it to do so this year. It has been sheltered with dry Fern in the winter, and is affected more by sun than cold weather, although it only gets the former in the early morning. W. R. B.

Ornithogalum gracile.-About "Ornithogalum gracile" (see p. 480) exported by an eastern province nurseryman, the story is much this way. Given a white Ornithogalum, apparently useful for forcing and other horticultural purposes, given also a collecting nurseryman out here without knowledge of the plant's name-any fancy adjective which seems likely to take a purchaser's eye is attached to the exported lot. The consignee, simple soul, supposes his collector to know all about the name and takes it on trust. And thus synonyma hortulana get their misbegotten birth. Ornithogalum gracile is founded on a very tiny spanhigh species distributed some years ago from my herbarium collection in the Van Stadensberg, No. 1939, and described by Mr. Baker in Journal of Botany, 1874. O. gracile, so called, is probably merely O. thyrsoides, or O. lacteum, both of which have been exported by the thousand from the Cape Town peninsula ever since the time of Villette and Bowie, or earlier. Cape Town.

Is Cotton an American Plant ?-Mr. Bourke, in the Snake Dance of the Moquis of Arizona, p. 244, says:-"The Tunis weave the same kind of cotton mantle, but do not grow the fibre, preferring to buy this from their neighbours, the Moquis, whose fields, exposed to warmer suns, have yielded the precious bolls from generations long prior to the advent of the Spaniards." He also (p. 241) refers to Davis' Conquest of New Mexico, p. 100, which speaks of the inhabitants possessing 'blankets of cotton." I always understood that Cotton was an Old World plant used on this side of the Atlantic centuries before America was discovered, and that the first Cotton ever sent from America to England was a little lot the fill of a woman's apron; as that was approved of the next shipment was one bale from, I think, Savannah. But if Cotton was an Old World plant how could it be used in the New World "centuries before the advent of the Spaniards"? J. R. Hay.

The Snake's Head.-The local name in this part of Hampshire for the common Fritillary is "The Snake's Head." Helen Watney.

Proliferous Roots of Orchids. In the Gardeners' Chronicle of May 16 last Professor Reichenbach (p. 627) writes as follows regarding the proliferous roots of the Bird's-nest Orchid (Neottia Nidusavis):-"I saw this as long ago as 1849, when I observed the fact at Tharant. I learned very lately that it had been observed before by Vaucher in 1841. After Vaucher and myself it was seen by Irmisch, Prillieux, Hofmeister, who got it from me ; then it was formally denied by Drude, but reobserved and neatly described by Warming, the excellent Scandinavian botanist." Now, although it is not distinctly stated in the above that Vaucher first observed the proliferous roots of the Bird's-nest Orchid, still such will naturally be inferred from the text. This is, however, not the case, as previous to its being noticed by Vaucher in 1841, it was observed and formed the subject of a most interesting commu. nication to the Magazine of Botany and Gardening in 1833, by the Hon. and Rev. W. Herbert. He thus knew of it more than eight years before Vaucher, as in writing his notes he says that "many years ago," &c., that was previous to 1833. My own observations (communicated some time ago to the Royal Horticultural Society, regarding the proliferous roots

of the Neottia, but more particularly that the young eye or bud is produced at the extremity of one of the fibres, and not, as your correspondent says, from the axils of certain sheaths or the very top of a root-fibre), are certainly more in accordance with those of Herbert than Reichenbach. The whole matter is most interesting, and well worthy of more careful observation than it has hitherto received. A. D. Webster.

Rosemary. This maritime plant (Rosmarinus— sea dew) has probably been associated with pure love and pure, lasting, loving remembrance on account of the old fable that, like the earlier veiled Aphrodite, or Venus, the goddess and symbol of pure, unearthly love, it arose from foam caused by the lashing of the sea waves. The later, coarser, generally nude and non-seaborn Aphrodite, daughter of Zeus and mother of Eros (Cupid), was (as opposed to the firstmentioned) the goddess and symbol of earthly and sensual love. W. G. S.

according to the species, and how, as a rule, the stem or branch which bears them does not elongate but remains abortive. We have lately met with an instance in the Scotch Pine wherein the stem has continued its growth between the two needles, so that a new leaf-shoot was produced in that situation': see fig. 171. Generally such shoots proceed from the axils of scales or of primordial leaves, as may be seen very well in seedling Pines; but in this case the shoot forms the direct continuation of the axis. M.

Australian Grapes.-The London correspondent of one of the Manchester papers of last week notices the arrival of two consignments of Australian Grapes, which were offered for sale, and went off well. The writer says:-"I heard the other day from a friend who has just arrived from Adelaide, that Grapes are selling there at a penny per pound, so that if the exporters can send them over here and command a sale at from fourpence to sixpence per pound, it will pay them to do so. Some people are professing to pooh-pooh the idea of an Australian fruit trade; but, judging from what we have now seen, there seems every prospect that, like the wool and frozen meat trades, it will ultimately develope into a remunerative line of business." There can be little doubt if these Grapes arrive

here in good condition and in a fairly well usable state, they will seriously depreciate the value of English hothouse Grapes. When Jersey Grapes arrive in good condition, the value of hothouse Grapes falls at once, some people preferring to use these to paying a higher price for good hothouse Grapes. If Australian Grapes come in as competitors, they will cause a greater depreciation in hothouse Grapes. M. S.

Cabbage Early Warwick.-Amongst the recent introductions of early Cabbages there is none can approach this grand old variety; in every respect it is a perfect Cabbage, fit for any gentleman's table, and a grand market variety, and is without doubt the earliest Cabbage in cultivation. I have grown it side by side (all sown on the same day) with Ellam's Dwarf, Offenham, and Carter's Heartwell Early, and the Early Warwick is fit to cut quite ten days to a fortnight before any of the aforesaid. The Early Warwick Cabbage was raised and sent out by Mr. Butcher, of Stratford-on-Avon, some thirty-five years ago. This firm still hold stock of the original variety, having each year carefully saved seed from selected plants. I can strongly recommend the Early Warwick Cabbage to all who have to supply the table with early Cabbages as a first-class variety. R. Greenfield, Priory Gardens, Warwick.

Tacsonias Dying.—After reading Mr. Earley's letter on Vines dying, I am induced to send a few notes about the mysterious way the Tacsonias are dying on the roof of our conservatory. Three years ago some fine plants were bought from a well known English firm. The varieties were Van Volxemii ; they were planted in a border 2 feet wide and 18 inches deep, well drained. These were trained up the columns and across the arches. Up till last Novem. ber nothing could be more satisfactory than their growth, when one showed signs of decay, then the one next to it went away; and now I see another quite gone, although it had shoots 3 and 4 feet long covered over with healthy foliage. The disease seems to be working to each end of the house. The border is well looked after for water. In the same border there are Camellias, Rhynchospermums, and Pelargoniums trained up the wall, and nothing can be more satisfactory than their growth. I will be much obliged if some of your able correspondents will be so kind as to give their opinion, as it is very annoying to see those immense arches covered with dead creepers. H. K.

Hydrangeas. It is a long time since I have seen such a display of these highly ornamental plants as came under my notice a few days ago at Mr. R. Bayley's, Tor Grove, Plymouth, in one of the conservatories there. The gardener, Mr. Gould, is certainly clever in producing dwarf compact plants, each carrying three and four very powerful-looking cymes or corymbs of their elegant flowers. Hortensis is the principal, but its pure white variety, "Thomas Hogg," comes in for a good share of attention. Mr. Gould secures autumn-struck plants early in February, which he hurries on into 5 and 6-inch pots, in which they bloom. Hydrangeas ought to command extensive cultivation, as they are so well adapted for a variety of purposes, and they make excellent table plants when in flower. W. Napper, June 8.

Fairy Rings and Moles.-Every one who is acquainted with the literature of fairy rings knows that there was once a prevalent belief that the green circles in pastures were caused by the burrowing of moles. When it was pointed out that fungi were almost invariably present at one season of the year on the margin of the rings, the reply was made that the disturbed ground formed a pabulum suitable for the growth of fungi. The theory has, however, long been thoroughly demolished, so that it is now unnecessary to bring forward any arguments against the idea. The one fact that fairy rings are often common where moles do not, and never have, existed, is sufficiently fatal to arguments in its favour. Still the fact remains undoubted that there is often a kind of "consortism" or fellowship between fairy rings and the burrowings of moles; but the truth is, moles do not incite the growth of fairy rings, but, on the contrary, fairy rings attract moles, as the following note will show. "I have long been acquainted with some enormous fairy rings on Dunstable Downs, caused by the growth of the edible and delicious Agaric of spring, Agaricus gambosus. During the last week or two I have visited the rings and secured several repasts. Mole-hills were in the