period of growth. The curious-flowering Nanodes Medusæ must now be given frequent and liberal supplies of water. It should be grown in the Odontoglossum-house, either in baskets or shallow pans, as the beauty of its flowers can be seen only by looking through them towards a strong light.

PLANTS under GLASS.

By W. MESSENGER, Gardener, Woolverstone Park, Ipswich. Heliotropes.-If the requirements of those plants which flowered last year have been carefully attended to, they should be capable, on being placed in an intermediate temperature, of making an immediate start into growth. If a further stock of plants be required, some of them may be placed in a brisk heat to furnish shoots suitable for making cuttings. Cuttings are fit when 3 inches long, and then should be inserted in a light sandy soil, coated with silversand, afforded water, and then be placed in the propagating-frame or house, and be rooted quickly, and in turn these will yield a further batch of cuttings. Growing plants in need of repotting should have attention forthwith, using a mixture of good loam half a year in stock, leaf-mould, some sand to make it porous, and a small portion of spent Mushroom. bed manure, which has been rubbed through a finemeshed sieve. Let the plants which have been shifted be syringed daily, but afford them no water for a few days. Standard plants form nice decorative objects, and they may be readily grown of a good size by training up a single growth to form a stem, and pinching out its point when the desired height is reached, and rubbing off the lateral growths, with the exception of five or six near the point, which may grow to 3 inches in length, and be then pinched out in turn, these will soon push forth several other growths, and thus in a short time form a crown.

Pittonias are pretty foliage plants of dwarf habit, of much value for decorative work of various kinds. Cuttings root readily at almost any season, being inserted in the pots in which they are to be grown, viz, 3 and 4-inch pots. Fittonias are inmates properly of the stove, and they are very effective when associated with small Ferns, Selaginellas, Lycopodiums, and green-leaved plants of dwarf habit.

Libonias.-Cuttings may still be struck of the varieties of Libonia, but no time should be lost in so doing. Strike them in a light sandy soil, placing them round the side of a 4 or 5-inch pot, and employing a brisk bottom-heat and considerable amount of moisture in the air. If large specimen plants are required in a short space of time, three plants may be grown in a 7-inch pot, but for ordinary purposes a single plant grown in a 5-inch pot will usually suffice. The plants grow well in loam twothirds, leaf-mould one-third, and sand, but for the last shift rotted manure should be employed as well.

Tuberous rooted Begonias.-The bulk of tubers may now be placed in sand, and in an intermediate temperature, in order to start them into growth. Tubers that were introduced at an earlier date wil stand in need of potting, otherwise the roots may get damaged if allowed to extend much in the leafmould. These Begonias require a rich compost in order to insure robust plants, and a suitable mixture consists of good fibrous-loam one half, and the rest cow-manure dried and worked through a fine-meshed sieve, leaf-mould, sand, and a small quantity of charcoal-dust. If possible, stand the plants on some cold material, shingle, coal-ast es, &c. in a shady position, and afford a temperature 55° to 60° at night. Much water will not be needed for some time after potting them, but care must be taken that they do not suffer lack of it, or the young roots will fail to start away into the fresh compost.

Sericographis Ghiesbreghtiana.-As the plants go out of flower, take off all the shoots suitable for forming cuttings, and insert in s ndy soil; cutting back the plants, and placing them in heat to produce a further supply. It is not necessary to keep the old plants after a sufficient number of cuttings are struck, young plants growing and flowering much more freely than old ones.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN. By J. W. MCHATTIE, Gardener, Strathfieldsaye, Hants. Brussels Sprouts.-As this is a vegetable which requires a long season to perfect its growth, and good Sprouts are often in demand as early as November, seed should forthwith be sown in boxes or seed-pans thinly, and placed in warmth of 50° to 60°; a bed equal to the needs of the establishment should be sown on a warm border. Pricking off

should be done in all cases when the seedlings have made four or five true leaves in rows of 9 x 3 inches, the bed being made friable and rich, the aim being to secure sturdy, well-rooted, plants. Excellent varieties are Rosebery, Exhibition, The Wroxton, and Veitch's Paragon. Autumn-sown Sprouts may be planted in their permanent quarters, before growth to any extent has taken place or they crowd each other. Afford the plants a space of 24 feet apart each way.

Planting Broad Beans.-If seeds of these Beans were sown in frames and boxes as recommended in my calendar in January, and the plants have been hardened off, transplantation in single rows, 2 feet apart, and 6 inches from plant to plant in the rows, may now be performed. In doing this lift the plants carefully, so as not to cause injury to roots or stems, and having planted them in little trenches with a perpendicular back, afford, before filling in fully, a good watering to settle the soil about the roots, then finish the filling in, make firm, and protect them with evergreen twigs of some sort. In the open quarters make another sowing of Longpods.

Parsley.-If seed of Parsley were not sown last month in drills in the open garden, it should forthwith be sown. The land should be in good heart, and situated in an open spot, and the drills not nearer together than 1 feet.

Sowing Seeds and Planting Pot Herbs.-Seeds of Chervil, Burnet, Fennel, Borage, Sweet Marjoram, Marigold, Savory, may now be sown on a warm border where they are to remain, covering them in the case of the more tender species with a hand-glass. The seedlings should be thinned out to 3 or 4 inches apart. Sweet Basil being the most tender of herbs, sowings should be made in a warm frame, or in pots placed in heat, the plants being set out in May. Herbs should be planted altogether on a warm open_border in order to save time in gathering for use. The following may be planted this month, and as late as the middle of April :-Balm, Burnet, Tansy, Feverfew, Savory, Pennyroyal, Camomile, Thyme, Hyssop, and Tarragon.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By G. NORMAN, Gardener, Hatfield House, Herts. Late Peaches.-The buds on the trees in the late houses having begun to swell, forcing may forthwith commence if fruit be required late in the season. Still, it is possible to retard the trees a little longer by affording every opening for air to enter the house, only closing the ventilators when sharp frosts are likely to occur, letting the hot water circulate somewhat to avoid an accident. In unheated houses the trees are now coming into bloom, and there seems to be a likelihood of a good set of fruit with us. Before the flowers begin to open, fumigate or vaporise the trees, fumigating rather strongly if tobacco-paper be used on two or three occasions. If the trees are in flower in any house, maintain the required temperature by means of the apparatus, affording an increase of warmth of 5° to 8° in the daytime, and endeavour to maintain a buoyant atmosphere by admitting air as freely as the weather will safely permit; and in all respects follow out directions given in an earlier calendar for Peach-trees in bloom.

Early houses. Let the disbudding be gradually carried out at short intervals of time, the tying-in of the young shoots, and the thinning of the fruit, once a day for the present receive proper attention, the trees being syringed, doing this operation thoroughly, and from both sides of the trees, so as to keep the trees free from red-spider. If brown-scale should appear on the rind, syringe the affected trees twice a week with soft-soap and water, at the rate of 2 oz. of the soap to 1 gallon of warm water. Aphis is sure to infest the trees at the first, and fumigation will require to be frequent, in order to get rid of it, XL All vapour being one of the safest means for killing aphis without causing injury to the tenderest leaves. Thrips will be destroyed by the same dose of vapour. Mildew, if it appear, should be checked in its earliest stage, with flowers-of-sulphur mixed into a thin paste, and then half a pint added to 2 gallons of water, and distributed by means of a syringe with a nozzle, and allowed to remain on the leaves, &c., for a few days, being then cleared off with soft-water. Mildew is not easily detected on the fruit in the early stage, which is that of minute white spots that are only a shade lighter than the skin.

Cherries and Plums.- While the trees are in bloom, the temperature of the house and their other require

ments are similar to those of the Peach and Necta rine indeed, Peach treatment may be followed through the early swelling and stoning period of the fruit; but in dealing with the breastwood it should be left 2 to 3 inches long. The Cherry-tree is subject to black, and the Plum to green aphides, and the latter to be infested with caterpillars. The caterpillars will be found rolled up in the leaves, and should be smashed with the finger and thumb.

Grape Gros Colmar.-Assuming that these Vines were started late in last month in order to have the fruit in perfection in early October, the buds will have considerably developed, rendering it imperative to secure the rods to the trellis, provided the break has been regular from base to summit. Attend to previous instructions in early vineries, and make sure that the borders are in a sufficiently moist condition to promote regular and continued growth. If a hotbed exists in the house it should now be cleared out.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By H. WALTERS, Gardener, Eastwell Park, Ashford. The Rose Garden.-The time has arrived when the hybrid perpetual Roses, without an exception, should be pruned, although the wintry weather prevailing at this moment scarcely favours a commencement of operations; nevertheless, pruning will have to be performed, for most of the bushes of H.P.'s are already in growth. The pruning of Roses is an operation which should be entrusted to a person conversant with the habit and growth of the various varieties; hence, a Rose of naturally weak growth or constitution must not be pruned as severely as one of strong growth and robust constitution. Neither should all the shoots be cut to one height from the ground-level. Plants that are thus mishandled

flower, of course, in due season, but the flowers are different as regards form and colour to those of the same variety where the proper amount of care is used. Briefly stated, the plants which are required to furnish very fine show flowers should be the more severely pruned, as a great quantity of growth is not so much required as good quality; therefore, remove all the smaller shoots and branches, and leave only the strongest. If plants are required to make a display in the rosary, the pruning should be less severe, but weakly growths should be removed entirely, as well as all decayed old wood, and the remaining shoots cut back to various heights from 6 inches to 1 foot, bearing in mind the while the constitution of the variety. Plants that are to be pegged down to the soil should have the leading shoots shortened back, and all the side shoots originating from these cut in close. Climbing Roses should have the tip taken from the strong growths, and all thin and flowerless and bare shoots removed. When pruning Roses, use a sharp knife, and make clean short cuts. The sécateur is a handy implement for use instead of a knife, or it may be reserved for snags only. As the wounds of the Rose seldom heal over it, it scarcely matters what instrument is used. The more tender Tea and hybrid Tea Roses should be left unpruned till the end of the month, and in cold exposed districts or gardens to the first week in April. China or monthly Roses, as they are called, should be thinned out, and as the flowering shoots spring from the collar of the plant, the weak ones should be cut down to that part. The other shoots may be left shorter or longer according to strength. Pillar Roses should have the oldest stems removed at the ground-level, laying in a corresponding number of strong new shoots at varying lengths.

Digitalis purpurea (Foxglove).-The spotted varieties of this plant should be found in every herbaceous border and shrubbery. It is also a fine plant for the centres of large beds. Those plants which were raised from seed sown last spring may forthwith be planted where they are intended to flower.

Campanula pyramidalis and Campanula calycanthema. The plants raised from seed sown last year will now be ready for planting where they are intended to flower. Let the sites be well manured and deeply dug, allow space for full development, and plant firmly.

General Remarks.-The planting of all kinds of shrubs, excepting Hollies, should be finished forthwith, deciduous species being already in growth. Climbers should be planted without further delay; roll gravel walks that have been rendered loose on the surface, choosing a dry morning when the gravel does not cling to the roller for the performance of this sort of work. The lawn and turf generally should be swept and rolled.

The Origin of Species by

M. J. COSTANTIN published in the Revue Scientifique (November Adaptation. 27, 1897) an extract of a work of his, entitled Les Végétaux et les Milieux Cosmiques. He had already written several articles in the Annales des Sciences Naturelles, &c., illustrating the great effects produced upon plants by their surroundings; and he now bases his argument upon the particular case of Arctic and Alpine plants. The modifications upon plant-structures are not only "profound," but are made in "a relatively short space of time." Thus, annuals which are transplanted from a temperate to an Arctic climate, become perennials and dwarfs, such results being due to the too short a period for growth in dimension and maturation of seed.

If the plant be woody, the heat of the soil induces procumbency of the branches. Similarly, if annuals be transported to the tropics, transformations equally great, but exactly opposite in character in some respects follow; thus, as there is no low winter temperature to check and kill the annual growths, herbaceous plants and deciduous trees become evergreens.

In tropical forests many plants growing in the shade are partially blanched, and thereby induced to become climbers; other species of the same genus not so situated, are not climbers, as species of Convolvulus in deserts, &c.

On the other hand, marine Algæ are modified in an opposite way. The water of an icy sea dissolves more nourishment than does heated water. The Polar Algae thereby grow to enormous lengths and gigantic size. Besides such alterations as the above-mentioned, experiments show that if the conditions be constant, a fixation of characters is the result; and so varieties give rise to races; and just as these

occur abundantly under cultivation, so do they in Nature. Very often the origin of these "little species," or stable forms of varieties, is unknown; but it is not always so, and we then get a glimpse of the manner of birth of sub-species.

Some Darwinists, M. COSTANTIN notes, would assert that such variations are transient, and that variability is limited; but experiments show that we can induce varieties to arise "absolutely comparable in all their characters to alpine and Arctic plants, and by a prolongation of the experiment, these varieties can become races, and such are among the most constant of a Polar flora.

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The author observes, e.g., that the only perennial species of Isatis is I. alpina; so also the alpine species of Draba are perennials having their leaves in rosettes, while those of the annual species of the lowlands are not so. These coincidences can be multiplied indefinitely, and apply generally to the Linnean species. Moreover, the changes are not solely in the vegetative organs, for the flowers are or less modified as well; and these "little" species have as much fixity as the 'great" Linnean species. M. JORDAN proved the constancy of small differences in some 200 cases of stable little species," and these have been confirmed by several other botanists. MM. THURET and BORNET submitted them to a vigorous control, and they thus wrote: "Seven years in succession we sowed fourteen species of Erophila (Draba), and they have shown no variations nor hybrids." We have proved that these "espèces Jordanniennes" have been derived from Linnean types; we know, not only in what conditions they have arisen, but we are led to think by similar reasoning that the larger species may have arisen in the same

way.

M. NAUDIN, in 1874, considered that the belief in the effect of the environment was exaggerated, and that plants varied "in virtue of an intrinsic and innate property of protoplasm," but as M. COSTANTIN points out, that cannot be proved, whereas in speaking of the action of the environment we simply describe observed facts and the results of experiments. All, therefore, the author maintains is that the plant re-acts to climatic "physico-chemical' conditions, varies in response to them, and the variations in due time become fixed.

He next considers the objections based on the ideas of hybrids and mongrels. To those who maintain that although crosses and mongrels are perfectly fertile, yet the supposed sterility of hybrids proves the parents to be true species, the author shows the utter inadequacy of this conception, for all florists know that perfect fertility is common enough in our numerous garden hybrids. He refers to the "indefinite fecundity" of Egilops speltaeformis, the result of crossing Wheat with E. triticoides-itself a hybrid between E. ovata and Wheat. This cross was raised in 1856, and was still cultivated in 1870. It is true in some places there were reversions towards the original parents, but in 1880 M. CossoN re-examined it and asserts that it is a fertile hybrid, fixed, and has become a true species, since its characters no longer vary, and it has lost nothing in fertility.

After a further discussion of hybrids and varieties, showing that they often behave alike, M. COSTANTIN points out how a definition of species has had to be altered from time to time as criticisms have undermined the original notion of their absolute fixity; and that all inferences based on the sterility of hybrids have broken down. He will, therefore, hold to the definition of LAMARCK:-"The species is a collection of similar individuals, which perpetuate themselves in the same state as long as the circumstances of their situation do not change sufficiently to bring about variations in their habits, their characters and their forms."

In conclusion, M. COSTANTIN adds: "A species, as LINNEUS used the word, is not stable. The criterion supplied by crossing allows no distinction between hybrids and mongrels."

ABBEY GROUNDS, TRESCO, SCILLY. - The pictural view represented at fig. 61 is from the Abbey Gardens, Tresco, Scilly Islands. The cut tells its own tale; it is only necessary to add that the Dra cæna in luxuriant flower is the New Zealand Cordy. line australis, a tree hardy in some of the southwestern counties, but requiring a greenhouse in most places. Our illustration is taken from a photograph by Mr. R. Preston, of Penzance.

NATIONAL ROSE SOCIETY.-The schedules for the Bath Exhibition, on June 23, and for that at the Crystal Palace, on July 2, are now issued.

"BOTANICAL MAGAZINE."-The plants figured in the March number are the following:

Camptosema pinnatum.—A glabrous shrub, 3 to 5 feet high, with unequally pinnate leaves, the leaflets drooping, shortly-stalked, oblong, acuminate, tach 6 or 7 inches long, 2 to 3 inches broad. The flowers are in short racemes, each about 2 inches long, with a cylindric calyx, slightly lobed at the edge, half the length of the cylindric lilac, papilionaceous corolla. A native of Brazil, flowered in the Palm-house at Kew; t. 7582.

Erythronium Hartwegii.-See Gard. Chron., 1895, ii., p. 361.—A species with mottled leaves and flower-segments recurved, white, with a yellow blotch at the base; t. 7583.

Dracena Godseffiana, Gard. Chron, 1894, ii, 212. t. 7584.

Hacquetia Epipactis, D.C. As Dondia Epipactis this curious little Umbellifer has been known for upwards of 300 years; how long it has been in cultivation seems to be doubtful. It is not in Aiton, according to the editor, nor is it in Miller's Gardeners' Dictionary, ed. 8; t. 7585.

Epidendrum xanthinum.—A tall-growing Brazilian species, with alternate sessile, oblong-acute, dis tichous leaves, and terminal globose heads of small yellow flowers. The three-lobed lip is laciniate at the margins; t. 7586.

UNITED Horticultural BENEFIT AND PRO VIDENT SOCIETY.—The annual meeting of this society will take place on Monday next, March 14, at 8 P.M., at the Caledonian Hotel, W.C. Mr. GEORGE WYTHES, of Sion House, has kindly consented to preside.

"BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX OF BRITISH AND IRISH BOTANISTS."—We are glad to see that Messrs. BRITTEN and BOULGER have commenced the publication in the Journal of Botany of a supplement to their Index of the names of British Botanists. The original work has proved so useful that it is very satisfactory to welcome a continuation, the more so as it will be republished as a pamphlet, and in that form readily bound up with the original work.

JOHN'S "FLOWERS OF THE FIELD."— We learn from the Journal of Botany that Mr. G. S. BOULGER is engaged in the preparation of a new edition of this popular book.

THE FOOD OF THE HOUSE-SPARROW.-Mr. GURNEY, of Keswick Hall, Norwich, has been making extensive investigations concerning the food of the house-sparrow during every month of the year. In summarising the results of his enquiries, he states that:-"It may be said that about 75 per cent. of an adult sparrow's food during its life is corn of some kind. The remaining 25 per cent. may be roughly divided as follows:-Seeds of weeds, 10 per cent. ; green peas, 4 per cent.; beetles, 3 per cent.; caterpillars, 2 per cent. ; insects which fly, 1 per cent. ; other things, 5 per cent. In young sparrows, not more than 40 per cent, is corn; while about 40 per

being based on information received in reply to circulars or inquiries sent to localities of the entire United States and Canada. The report, which contains a great amount of solid information, is too long for insertion here; but relatively to the points now under consideration, the united "verdict of the entomologists," formally given, is "that there is an overwhelming mass of testimony to the effect that the sparrow drives away certain of our most valued species of native birds;" and in reply to the question on the circular, "Is it an insect-eater or a seed-eater?" every answer, based on dissection, agrees in attributing to this bird a diet almost wholly vegetable.

after deducting transit costs of from 20 to 36 marks. The senders of Grapes have to exercise the utmost care not to send Vine-leaves as packing, the Russian authorities being extremely particular in this matter owing to the Phylloxera. As a protection against the intense cold, the packets are securely wrapped in felt or woollen cloth of several thicknesses, a number of the packets being then placed together in one package and made secure. Could not our Grape-growers find an opening in this direction?

THE CHEMISTRY OF THE GARDEN. -Mr. HERBERT COUSENS has published, through Messrs. MAC

cent. consists of caterpillars, and 10 per cent. of small beetles..... Sparrows should be killed for dissection in the afternoon. If the sparrows are caught at night, they have digested their food in a great measure." The Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales (whence is taken the above extract) speaks of the rapid increase of the sparrow in that colony and in America, "consequent on the ill-advised introduction by private enterprise of this bird." At a meeting, at Washington, of the Council of the American Ornithologists' Union, the committee rendered its final report of considerations as to the serviceableness or otherwise of the sparrow, these

THE RUSSIAN-WINTER FLOWER AND GRAPE TRADE.-There is a pretty lively and remunerative trade done in cut-flowers of Carnations, Roses, Violets, &c., during the early months of the year with Nice and other parts of Southern France, most of which passes through Paris via the German railway system to St. Petersburg and Moscow. Grapes are likewise imported to the extent of about 36,000 puds annually. A pud equals 36-38 kilogrammes. The goods are packed in wooden boxes having a gross weight of 5 kilos., or a net weight of flowers, &c., of 3 kilos. The Russian custom duty is 50 kopecks in gold per pud; and the contents of a packet sell for 50 to 60 marks-a profitable price

MILLAN, an original little primer on the subject of chemistry as applied to gardening practice. The originality consists in the treatment, for anyone looking down the table of contents would see nothing but the old headings; a further glance would show that the subjects are freshly treated, and those whose business it is to read and consult such treatises will be thankful accordingly. The desirability of establishing experimental plots on every farm is emphasised as of greater importance than mere chemical analysis. The "ash" represents only the constitution of the plant dead and cremated, it yields very little information as to the actual constitution of

other reductions, but these explain the fall. The following is our usual excerpt from the "summary" table of imports:

IMPORTS.

Total value

(A.) Articles of food and drink duty free (B.) Articles of food and drink-dutiable Raw materials for textile manufactures

particular parts of the plant during life, or at the different periods of its life. The questions relating to manures are also well treated, and the extravagance entailed in the use of many of the much-advertised manures pointed out. The author comes to the same conclusion that we did after causing a number of these manures to be analysed, viz., that they are for the most part good in their way, and free from what may be called intentional adulteration, but that their cost is prodigiously greater than it need be. The author gives in the present book several prescriptions for the formation of manures for special purposes, and which can be obtained from any druggist at a small fraction of the Raw The remarks on fungicost of the patent manures. cides and spraying are amply worthy of perusal, and it is encouraging to learn that at last farmers and gardeners are beginning to shake off their apathy in this matter. We must give credit to the County Councils for this improvement. The exhortations of the press, as we know, effected little till the establishment of the County Councils.

LA QUESTION DE LA PROTECTION DES OISEAUX EN EUROPE.-A paper has been issued by Dr. OHLSEN (Aix), considering the subject of the destruction of the rare birds, and the probable effects to agriculture and to science generally should the present system of permitting such slaughter be continued. The author proposes that: 1. An International Conference should be summoned as soon as possible for the universal protection of useful birds; 2. This international meeting should work for the protection of nesting birds and for birds near watercourses in seasons of drought; 3. There should be international legislation for the protection of migran's and birds of passage; 4. To render these conditions more easily observed, protective leagues and societies should be encouraged; 5. In elementary schools, the life-history of useful birds and the means of encouraging them should be taught; 6. The habit should be abolished of offering, during industrial exhibitions, prizes for objects destructive to bird-life, guns alone excepted; and 7. An international committee should be formed for the regula lation of matters pertaining to sport (shooting) in the various districts.

GREAT ROSE SHOW AT FRANKFORT-ON-THEMAINE. An exhibition of Roses will be held at Frankfort-on-the-Maine, commencing in the early days of June next, and lasting, weather permitting, till October. It is the intention of the proposers to make it the finest exhibition of the kind that has ever been held. Herrn C. P. BRASCHEIM is the director of the same, and the telegraphic address is "Rosenaustellung-Frankfurtmain.”

THE CARNATION SOCIETIES. The twentyfirst annual Report of the National Carnation and Picotee Society (Southern Section).- The Society starts with a balance in hand of £208 16s. 9d; a membership of 350. The next exhibition will be held at the Crystal Palace on Wednesday, July 20.The Midland Carnation and Picotee Society's seventh annual Report contains a report of the show held at the Botanic Garden, Birmingham, on August 5 and 6 last, and a list of the prize-winners on that occasion. The balance-sheet shows that after payment of all expenses there remains a sum of £48 13s. 4d. to be carried forward. The next exhibition will be held in the Birmingham Botanic Garden, Edgbaston, on July 27 and 28.

STOCK-TAKING: FEBRUARY.-Considering the amount of political disquietude evinced in nearly all quarters of the globe, little surprise need be felt at the unsatisfactory state of the Board of Trade Returns for the month of February. The imports have fallen £1,474,290 below those for the month of February last year; the exports by £222,833. Thus the imports for last month were £35,770,874, against £37,245,164-hence the difference. The principal decrease is to be found in articles of food and drink, duty-free and dutiable, viz., £413,070, and in raw materials for textile fabrics, £867,921. There are

8,001,595 7,223,664

materials for sundry industries! and manufactures 2,795,651 (A.) Miscellaneous

articles (B.) Parcel Post

-114,797

+96,273 +40,937

Surely such a set of minus quantities are surprising. In the case of Apples, however, the deficit is easily understood, but the wide publicity given to our selection of figures will doubtless influence exports from neighbouring sources of supply-provided there are sources to be tapped. By the way, the loss on the imports of the two months is placed at £1,320,667; that is to say, the figures for January and February in 1897 are £77,020,832, against £75,700,165 in the present year. In the matter of

EXPORTS

we find a falling off for February amounting to £222,833, accounted for thus: February, 1897, give £17,864,682 against £17,641,849 for the month just ende 1. The decrease is not a large one, still it is a decrease; the items of increase are to be found in living animals, raw materials, yarn and textile fabrics; keeping in view the recently-concluded engineering strike, we find that machinery and millwork show a reduction of £236,316, but this is much less than was reported last month, and we may conclude that work is once more going merrily on at the various factories. Amongst the articles of food and drink exported are ale and beer, biscuits and bread, butter, cheese, fish, Hops, pickles, preserved fruits, confectionery, meat, salt, spirits, sugar refined and candy. The deficit for the first two months of the year foots up at £777,665, thus accounted for: Two months, 1897, £37,650,918; 1898, £36,873, 253. Thus ends a record we hope to find amended in April.

SEED FOODS.-Messrs. JAMES CARTER & Co., High Holborn, having long since acquired reputation for agricultural and flower-seeds, have turned their attention to those seeds which are of importance for food. They have submitted to us samples of Oats prepared in a particular way, and which form an excellent dietetic product. Their preserved butterbeans are also excellent, being more delicate in flavour than the ordinary Haricot. The feeding value of these seeds is already high, but when the horrors of famine, forecasted by Mr. MARSTON, and

some others, are upon us, the value of such productions as those of Messrs. CARTER will be largely increased, as their nutritive value is high, and a crop could be raised in a relatively short time. In the meantime the judicious consumption of these seed foods will brace us up and render us all the better able to contend against such catastrophes if they should happen!

NEW "BRITISH FLORA."-It is announced in the Journal of Botany that a new British Flora, by Rev. E. F. LINTON, is in preparation. The flora will be arranged according to the last edition of the London Catalogue. It is to be hoped that the compiler will be good enough to give the full synonymy, so that those to whom the works of BABINGTON, BENIHAM and HOOKER are more or less familiar, may not be utterly confused by the new nomenclature. Fresh specimens of rare or specially interesting plants may be sent to the Rev. E. F. LINTON, Crymlyn, Bournemouth.

FRUIT FROM THE CAPE.-The Norman, of the Union Steamship Company's line, has arrived with the second cargo of fruit from the Cape. She brought 242 boxes of Nectarines, in first-class condition, which realised good prices; 62 boxes of freestone Peaches, sold at good prices; 417 boxes of clingstone Peaches, which, for the description of fruit, realised fair prices-these latter are not considered a good sale in this market. Some 30 boxes of black Grapes, which were very small and of poor quality, were sold at only nominal prices. Pears were sent to the amount of 40 boxes, which arrived in good condition, and fair prices were realised for this, the first consignment of the season.

THE SAN JOSÉ SCALE.-We are unwilling to create needless alarm, at the same time it is our duty to warn our fruit-growers of a possible danger, against which the Canadians and some of the States of the Union bave already taken action. Considering the enormous quantities of fruit imported from Canada, some of the Eastern United States, and even California, it is but too probable that the scale will make its way to this country. In Cali fornia damage to the extent of millions of dollars has been effected. Within twelve years it has infested every fruit section of San José, and reached the orchards of Oregon and Washington. Evidently, says the Canadian Horticulturist, this pest will infest every orchard in Canada within the next ten years unless the greatest promptitude is taken to destroy it." We have already given illustrations of the

insect.

ICONES BOGORIENSES.-Under this title has been published by E. J. BRILL, of Leyden, the first number of a series of illustrations of new or remark. able plants in the Buitenzorg Botanic Gardens, or in the Dutch Indies. The Icones are under the special direction of Dr. J. G. BOERLAGE, Assistant Director of the Buitenzorg Garden. The publication is thus of the nature of Hooker's Icones, and chiefly of botanical interest. Numerous analytical details are given, and the text is in Latin and in French. Twenty-five lithographic plates of large octavo size are contained in this first fascicle.

THE ROSE OF HILDESHEM. Those of our readers who may have visited this quiet Hanoverian town and noted its ancient cathedral, will doubtless be acquainted with the legend of the ancient Rosetree which clambers up the massive apse of the sacred edifice. For a thousand years, so the legend goes, this Rose-tree has grown and blossomed, and now its end appears imminent, if German science cannot find an antidote for the insect or "worm" that threatens its existence. Doubtless the plant is very old for a Rose, but that it dates from the ninth century is a ridiculous myth. We gave an illustration of the plant taken from a photograph in these columns on p. 621 of the second volume for 1884.

NEW PUBLICATIONS.-Lindenia, special number.

Horticulturist.-English Mechanic.-Canadian Who's Who.-Florists' Exchange.- The Chemistry of the

Garden, by H. H. Cousens (Macmillan).-The British Moss-Flora, by R. Braithwaite, M.D.-Transactions of the Scottish Horticultural Association; twenty-first annual report. Botanical Gazette, (Chicago), February 1898.-Agricultural Journal, Cape of Good Hope, February 3.-Board of Park Commissioners of San Francisco, twenty-sixth annual report for year ending June 30, 1897. A satisfactory Report, and remarkable for the "photo-chromo-lith." illustrations, which are charming for accuracy and colouring-Catalogue of Novelties, E. H. Krelage & Sona, Bloemhof Nurseries, Haarlem. Der Gartner und Blumenhändler. Organographie der Planzen, Dr. K. Goebel (Jena). Botanisches Centralblatt. · Wiener Illustrirte Garten Zeitung.Compte Rendu des Travaux de la Société Nationale d'Horticulture de France, pendant 1897, M. D. Bois.-Statistique Horticole du Département de la Seine, M. D. Bois. - Bulletin de la Société Française d'Horticulture de Londres, Année 1896. In addition to reports and notices of the Society, this includes papers on: Cypripèdes hybrides de Veitch, Asparagus, Chrysanthèmes a l'établissement Rochford, Dracaenas à feuillage coloré, Davallia, Établissement de MM. J. Veitch & Sons, Culture des Codiæum, and other horticultural subjects.-Dictionnaire pratique d'Horticulture.-Annales Agronomiques, February 25. -La Condition et les Salaires des anciens Jardiniers, M. Georges Gibault. - Du Role du Pseudocommis Vitis, Debray, by M. E. Roze.

PLATYCERIUM ANGOLENSE,

WELWITSCH.

THIS is a well-marked species of Platycerium which has lately been introduced into cultivation by Professor M. Emile Laurent, of Brussels, who spent Bome years in Upper Congo-land, returning last year, when he presented to Kew various plants and plantproducts which he had collected there, among them being a healthy young plant of a Platycerium, which he said was most likely P. angolense, a good species, quite distinct from P. æthiopicum, with which it had been confused. Dr. Welwitsch collected P. angolense in Angola in 1855, and it is noted in Hooker and Baker's Synopsis Filicum as being "most like P. ethiopicum, but it has a broad-cuneate fertile frond, 9 inches wide at the top, without either fork or horns, and with a patch of fruit nearly as broad as the lamina." In 1870 Dr. Schweinfurth found the same species in Niam-Niam, 1500 miles north and inland from Angola, and he named it P. elephantotis (see Bot. Zeit, 1871, 361). Mr. Baker has decided that this and P. angolense are identical.

Tae Kew plant here illustrated (fig. 62), is now in a condition to show that P. angolense is a distinct and handsome species, with large erect barren fronds and cuneate fertile fronds, which, as shown by dried specimens, attain a length of 18 inches, and a width of 9 inches at the top, narrowing gradually downwards to the base. The upper surface is deep green with darker veins, the lower is covered with a felt-like rust-coloured tomentum, and the sori are in a large roundish patch near the top.

As a species this differs from all other Platycerium, in having fertile fronds which, instead of being forked or branched, stag's-horn-like, are distinctly wedge-shaped in outline; there is also the character of the rust-coloured wool on the lower side. A batch of sporelings of P. angolense has been raised at Kew. W. W.

BOOK NOTICE.

THE FLORA OF BERKSHIRE. By G. C. Druce, M. A. &c. (Clarendon Press, Oxford.) THIS is a companion volume to the excellent Flora of the neighbouring county of Oxford, which Mr. Druce published some few years since, and like it, is elaborated with a degree of patience and care remarkable in one who is at one and the same time a municipal dignitary, a curator of the Fielding herbarium, and a man engaged in business. More han 1,200 species are passed in review, 893 of which

are recognised as indigenous to the county. The distribution of these plants is traced in "botanical districts," arranged according to as many river-basins, but, as river-boundaries very seldom constitute any real lines of demarcation, the epithet "botanical districts" is a misnomer. A much better arrangement would have been one according to the nature of the soil, alluvium, gravel, sand, peat, loam, chalk, or what it may be, with minor sub-divisions dependent on hill and dale, field or roadside, and so forth.

Berkshire for a short part of its area confronts Oxfordshire, with the Thames between; the City of Oxford being placed in an angle where the two counties meet and share the classic Isis between them. This circumstance will recall to many an old Oxonian rambles in Bagley Wood, where the beautiful Campanula or Wahlenbergia hederacea and the elegant Anagallis tenella still flourish, to Cumnor where Gagea lutea is to be found, and rambles in the meadows still decked with Fritillary.

The first plant mentioned appears under the very unfamiliar name of Cervicina of Delile. Mr. Druce impresses us so much with the extent of his

FIG. 62.-PLATYCERIUM ANGOLENSE. (% nat. size.) (Reproduced from a photograph by Mr. A. Griessen, of Kew Gardens.)

learning, and the accuracy of his research that we do not for the moment question his decision as to the fact of priority. We do, however, greatly regret that he has not followed the Genera Plantarum of Bentham and Hooker, and the Index Kewensis, rather than have disinterred a name that has been left in oblivion for more than three-quarters of a century. Now that we have an authoritative index of names, let no change, save such as a monographer may deem necessary, be made. The subject of nomenclature, however, is one upon which agreement, in spite of judicial decisions and edicts of councils, seems as far off as ever. We gladly pass it by for the sake of reverting to the author's Introduction, which supplies an admirable account of the physical geography of the county, together with lists of the characteristic plants of each formation, and of each of the socalled districts.

Then comes a "Botanologia," or catalogue of botanists who have occupied themselves with Berkshire botany, together with condensed but excellent accounts of their respective lives and doings, beginning with Turner, and ending with Dr. Arnold Lees. We caution the reader whose time is limited, that if

he once gets immersed in the perusal of this delightful Introduction, he will find the moments slip away much faster than may be always desirable. A local Flora is rarely very interesting save to local botanists, but here is one which, by its Introduction and its numerous miscellaneous notes and comments, will appeal to many a botanist beyond the limit of Berkshire. Making all the necessary allowances, we may compare the impression made upon us to that made long ago by Gerard Edward Smith's Flora of South-East Kent, a book that, from schoolboy days, before the century had reached its middle term, till the present, has exercised a fascination over us.

THE FERNERY.

HARDY FERNS.

THE present time affords a favourable opportunity for dividing, transplanting, and generally preparing for the coming season of active growth, since all the species are now on the move, and invigorated by the winter rest, are in a condition to stand a good deal, even in the way of surgical operations, without any damage. In the open ground it may be advisable to defer operations until the middle of March, but where any glass protection is used, such as coldhouses or frames, they may well be overhauled in February, since the subsequent risk of a "cold snap" can be the better provided for. Deciduous Ferns in pots which have been plunged out of doors, should now be restored to their summer quarters, and as worms often find cosy retreats among their roots, and are not desirable tenants, it is as well to turn the plants out and do the necessary eviction, profiting by the opportunity to replace the pots by clean ones, readjusting the drainage, mulching the surface and so on, so as to give a fair start. As we have frequently pointed out, all the species which form definite crowns and send up their fronds shuttlecock-fashion, benefit greatly by being kept to a single crown, instead of being allowed, to grow into bushes of numerous ones as they are apt to do if left alone. Some varieties do this so constantly that this keeping to one is impossible, and some smali forms derive all their beauty from density of growth. Such, of course, must be allowed to grow on into such specimens as best befits their character, but the large growing plumose and crested varieties in most cases form offsets and divisions in such a fashion that they are easily removed as they appear, and after a time the tendency to form them diminishes and even disappears altogether, a sort of trunk being formed above the soil upon which offsets do not appear.

This sort of multiplication takes two forms, one in which the crown, at first round and symmetrical in its frond production, gradually increases in diameter in one direction, and after throwing up its fronds irregularly, develops into two independent centres of growth, each with its independent shuttlecock. In time these grow outward and apart, and so soon as this is seen to be effected, it is quite safe to insert a wedge and force them asunder, or even to sever the junction with a sharp knife, when each individual will be found to be furnished with its independent quota of roots, and only needs to be properly installed to thrive the better for the divorce, those roots having no competition to contend with. In the other form, small plants appear as bulbils on the sides, and can easily be detached and brought on in thumbpots. Naturally these operations are attended with much less risk when the Fern fronds are conspicuous by their absence as at present, and if carefully carried out, the subsequent growth will be absolutely unaffected by the operations, beneficially drastic as they may appear in some cases. Very often in turning out a plant scarcely any roots will be found, while the soil is black and unhealthy-looking. This is usually due to over-potting the previous season, so that the rootaction failed to keep the soil sweet, and subsequent fermentation, or something like it, eventually killed the bulk of the roots which had been made. In such cases, the best plan is to wash the remaining roots clean in tepid water, removing all the dead ones and any rotten portion of the caudex or roots talk, the