Liverpool Street, Bank, King's Cross, St. Pancras, Euston, Charing Cross and Hammersmith. The only entrance to the show will be by the Great Gate in Kensington High Street, and the only exit by the gate leading to Melbury Road, where carriages may be ordered to wait. An arrangement has also been made with the Royal Meteorological Society for an Exhibition of Meteorological Instruments, comprising raingauges, sunshine-recorders, barometers, thermometers, photographs illustrating meteorological phenomena, diagrams illustrating the influence of the weather upon garden and other crops, &c., and also a typical open-air Climatological Station in working order. Mr. WILLIAM MARRIOTT, the Assistant Secretary of the Royal Meteorological Society, will give a short address each day at 3.30 p.m. on "Meteorology in Relation to Gardening," and will explain the nature and working of the instruments shown.

THE GARDENING CHARITIES.-By the kindness of MARY Countess of ILCHESTER the beautiful gardens of Holland House will be open to visitors from two o'clock till seven on July 10 & 11, the occasion of the Royal Horticultural Society's Flower Show; admission 1s. each, the proceeds to be given to the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution and the Royal Gardeners' Orphan Fund.

FLOWERS IN SEASON.-Mr. R. LINDSAY, of Murrayfield, Midlothian, kindly sends us specimens in flower from the open garden of VERONICA LYCOPODIOIDES, a dwarf shrub from New Zealand, with erect branches, densely covered with small scale-like, decussate leaves, which might readily induce the observer to think he was dealing with a Cypress-like Conifer or a Lycopod. Microscopical investigation would, of course, soon dispel the illusion, and if, as in this case, the flowers were present, there could be no doubt as to the affinity of the plant. VERONICA HECTORI is very similar, but coarser in habit, and the leaves are rounder and less acuminate.

ABUTILON VITIFOLIUM, with its bluish lilac flowers, has been sent us from various places in the south this year; but this is the first time that we have seen it from so far north as the neighbourhood of Edinburgh. Mr. LINDSAY tells us his plant is hardy but is afforded the protection of a south wall.

ASTRAGALUS ALPINUS is rare enough in Britain, being confined, we believe, to the mountains of Clova (Forfar and South Aberdeen, Watson), but the white variety found on Ben Vrackie, in Perthshire, is still more rare. The specimen sent is from a seedling from the original plant.

MR. JOHN WRIGHT, V.M.H.-The Agricultural Economist for July contains an excellent likeness of this eminent gardener-journalist, whose works on pomology and fruit culture have secured for him a prominent place among the elect, and whose labours in the promotion of horticultural education in country districts give him a high place among the benefactors of the country.

THE BRUSSELS BOTANIC GARDEN. The Matin de Brussels is now discussing a project for transferring the collections of the State Botanic Garden to the splendid park of Woluwe. The botanic garden would be kept, but the interior of the buildings would be transformed into a Kursaal, with concerts, refreshment rooms, &c., and other attractions. The projectors of the scheme propose to make at Woluwe a new Kew Gardens, which, as is stated, is the world's model for such institutions. DRESDEN ORCHID SHOW.-We have received the schedule of the International Orchid Exhibition to be held at Dresden in May, 1907, and which comprises 49 classes for which good prizes are offered. Mr. OTTO BEYRODT, of Marienfelde. Berlin, who has taken the lead in most of the recent Orchid exhibitions in Germany, will give information on the subject of the show, and forward schedules to all who apply to him.

NEWLY-NAMED PLANTS. A correspondent sends us the following note. A plant-seller in Farringdon Road, London, has the following notice hung on his stall:-"Sturgeons, 3d. doz.; Dayliars, 1d. each. All plants sold from this stall are warranted true to name." The Sturgeons are supposed to be what gardeners call Nasturtiums. But gardeners must not be in a hurry to throw stones, for they mean Tropæolum when they say Nasturtium, just as they mean Pelargonium when they say Geranium.

BRITISH FORESTRY.-Mr. HERBERT ROBERTS having asked in the House of Commons what steps have been taken to carry into effect the recommendation of the Department Committee of 1902 on British forestry, Sir E. STRACHEY says: 1. The Departmental Committee recommended that the Alice Holt Woods, in Hampshire, should be made available as soon as possible to serve as a demon

hoto by J. Gregory. FIG. 6.-MESSRS. PERKINS AND SONS' (COVENTRY) IST PRIZE EXHIBIT IN THE CLASS FOR A BRIDE'S BOUQUET AT THE R.H.S. SHOW HELD ON JUNE 20.

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stration area in England. This has been done, and the recommendations made by Dr. SCHLICH are being systematically carried out. A certain amount of experimental planting has already taken place. It was also recommended that a suitable estate should be purchased in Scotland to serve as another demonstration area. additional properties are now under consideration, and as soon as a suitable estate has been found the Treasury will be approached with a view to purchase. 2. The recommendation of the Departmental Committee that lecturers should be appointed at Oxford and Cambridge has to some extent been met by the augmentation of the salary of the Sibthorpian Professor of Rural Economy at Oxford (Dr. SOMERVILLE), who is now Professor of Forest Botany. It is understood that an estate

will be placed at his disposal for demonstration purposes. 3. A sum of £500 a year, which was placed by the Treasury at the disposal of the Board for the establishment of lectureships in forestry, has been allocated to the University College of North Wales at Bangor and to the Armstrong College at Newcastle-on-Tyne. The results have been most encouraging, and there has been a constant demand on the part of landowners for expert advice from the lecturer. 4. A school for working woodmen has been established by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests in the Forest of Dean, and is now in the third year of its existence. 5. Legislation will be necessary to remove the inequality in the levy of the estate duty on timber. 6. The Railway Fires Act, which comes into force on January 1, 1908, will give some protection to owners of woods against loss by fire caused by sparks from locomotives. 7. Special inquiries were made in 1905, with a view of ascertaining the extent of land now occupied by woods in Great Britain, and the results have been published in the agricultural returns for that year. 8. With the object of ascertaining the districts in which local authorities have developed the catchment area of their water supplies by afforestation. The results of various enquiries were tabulated and published in the Journal of the Board of Agriculture for November, 1904. A leaflet on the relation of woods to domestic water supply was published in January, 1904, and a large number of copies have been issued.

THE FLORA OF CHINA.-We have received the following letter from Mr. W. BOTTING HEMSLEY, F.R.S., keeper of the Herbarium, Royal Gardens, Kew:-"I believe that all who have read Mr. E. H. WILSON's admirable series of articles on his last mission to China for Messrs. VEITCH & SONS, which have appeared in the Gardeners' Chronicle, and on which you made some comment in your last issue, will agree with you that a few words of appreciation and congratulation will not be out of place. Messrs. VEITCH may be congratulated on having selected a man, recommended by the authorities at Kew, who has so ably served them and science, and Mr. WILSON deserves the highest commendation for the very thorough manner in which he conducted his work. He might have been commercially successful, without troubling himself about the botany of China; but with Messrs. VEITCH's financial support [and the additional outlay must have been very considerable] he must have devoted every minute of his waking hours to work. Having had exceptional opportunities of learning the extent and character of his operations in China, not only from his living and dried collections, but also from other travellers and residents in China, I have no hesitation in ranking him with DAVID DOUGLAS and JAMES DRUMMOND, whose labours in North America and West Australia respectively are so well illustrated in our gardens, herbaria and botanical records. Having also been associated with him in comparing some portions of his enormous dried collections, presented to Kew by Messrs. VEITCH, I was agreeably surprised at the highly critical botanical knowledge he displayed."

A FIRE-RESISTING TREE. Mr. ROBERT THOMSON writes: "At the time of the vast conflagrations which have destroyed the great city of San Francisco, it has occurred to me that the following brief account of a fire-resisting tree will be interesting. This plant (Chaparro) is indigenous to the Republic of Colombia, with regard to which, I think, the only record of its peculiar merits is that which I have published. The London Daily Telegraph ten years ago (October 12, 1895) epitomized my report on the subject as follows: It is not often a student will turn to a Foreign Office report in expectation of finding aid to Biblical exegesis, but anyone who reads Number 370 of this year will perceive that the outward

and visible tokens of an unconsumed burning bush are not incompatible with the facts of nature. It has always been difficult to show how a plant could burn and yet not be consumed-a spectacle that so struck Moses that he called it this great sight." It may be that the bush was like one of the stunted trees described in the Foreign Office report just mentioned known as the Chaparro, which resists fire for a very long time. The branches of it burn slowly, but the trunk is practically fireproof-indeed, it appears to be a vegetable salamander, and flourishes best in the midst of great prairie fires. If a long period elapses without a conflagration, the Chaparros pine away and even die, but the moment the flames burst out and roar and hiss among the vegetation, then the incombustible bushes begin to look bright and to flourish. Places reduced to sterility by incessant burnings are occupied by this diminutive tree, and assume the aspect of vast systematically formed and well kept parterres. ROBERT THOMSON, Halfway Tree, May 25, 1906.''' The plant to which Mr. THOMSON refers is, as we learn from Mr. HOLMES, a species of Rhopala. Its fire-resisting property is due to the abundance of crystals of mineral matter which it contains in its bark.

CHRYSANTHEMUM "TOKIO."-A recent number of the Revue Horticole contains a coloured figure of a remarkable Japanese" variety with long linear florets, the central ones being of a paler colour. The variety was obtained by Messrs. VILMORIN, ANDRIEUX & Co. in 1903. It has been cultivated in various manners. The florets are tubular in the beginning, but afterwards flatten out. The plate shows them of a violet colour, but in the text we are assured that this is an error arising from some accident during printing, and that the true colour is delicate rose. M. PHILIPPE DE VILMORIN adds that it is one of the easiest varieties to cultivate and that it succeeds in the open air without any special care.

THE ABERDEEN AND NORTH OF SCOTLAND COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE.-The governors of this college have just issued their prospectus for 1906-07. It extends to 50 pages. The prospectus states that a lecturer in forestry will be appointed to provide instruction in that subject, and to organise short courses of instruction for working foresters who cannot spare the time for a longer course. A forest garden or demonstration area is to be provided in connection with the forestry department. This will contain specimens of forest trees and demonstration-plots, showing methods of propagating, planting, and cropping. A new departure is a course of lectures to be given in districts desiring information on horticultural subjects. These will deal with garden plants: the duties performed by root, stem and leaf; the soil, its constitution in relation to plant life, the working of the soil, gardening implements and fertilisers; vegetables: the origin, uses and methods of cultivation of well-known sorts; fruits: their origin, uses, and cultivation; methods of pruning and training; methods and principles of budding and grafting; herbaceous, annual, and other flowering plants; greenhouse and room plants; the propagation of plants by division, layers, cuttings, &c.; the improvement of garden plants by selection and crossing; the ailments of garden plants, methods of prevention and cure. Altogether the prospectus provides for a wide and liberal course

of instruction admirably suited to carry out the main object of the college-the development in the North of Scotland of education and research in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and allied subjects.

THE ROYAL BOTANIC.-We have received sundry documents relating to the affairs of this society. Horticulturists of all grades are lamenting the unfortunate condition in which the society is now placed. With a vivid remembrance of a similar crisis in the affairs of another society, of the manner in which it was extricated, and of the eminently successful manner in which it is now carried on, we can only hope that the " Botanic" will decide on a policy which will justify its name, enable it to carry out the objects for which it was founded, and make it representative rather than exclusive. It must be remembered that even in the darkest hours of the Royal Horticultural Society much was done for horticulture, in spite of the attempts to turn the garden at South Kensington into a tea-garden, for the benefit of the residents in the neighbourhood.

MR. W. SMITH, who is leaving Oxenfoord Castle, after having had care of the gardens there for the past 23 years, was recently presented by his friends and neighbours, at the Stair Arms Hotel, with a gold watch chain and pendant, Mrs. SMITH being also given a gold bracelet. Expressions of regret on Mr. SMITH leaving Oxenford Castle were voiced and he was wished every success in his new appointment at Lambton Castle, Durham.

on

SCOTTISH HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. This association held its annual outing Saturday, June 30, a visit being paid to Floors Castle, Kelso. The company, which numbered 75, was favoured with fine weather. They were conducted over the gardens and grounds by Mr. STREET, head gardener to His Grace the Duke of ROXBURGHE. Those famous gardens were greatly admired, an especial feature of interest being the magnificent lawns. The crops of Figs were remarkably fine, especially of the variety Brown Turkey. Carnations are also well grown in these gardens both under glass and out of doors.

UNSEASONABLE FLOWERING.-We frequently see instances of this in the Horse Chestnut arising from different circumstances, but we do not remember to have noticed it in the Lime. Several trees planted in a London suburb by the side of the roadway some 20 or 30 years since are now full of bloom, whilst their companions are showing rapidly ripening fruits. As all the trees are growing under apparently similar conditions, and are of about the same age, there must be some individual peculiarities to account for the difference. While speaking, of the Lime may we point out to intending planters that the Lime is one of the most unsuitable trees for planting in or near large towns? THE NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY'S OUTING will take place on Monday, July 23, when a visit will be paid to Dorking. By kind permission of Her Grace LILY Duchess of MARLBOROUGH members will inspect the gardens at Deepdene, and later a visit will be made to Broom Hall, by permission of Sir ALEX. HARGREAVES BROWN. Particulars may be obtained from the secretary. Mr. RICHARD A. WITTY, St. James' Villa, Swains Lane, Highgate, N.

LIBERAL PRIZE FOR A NEW ROSE.-Prizes of the value of £150 for new plants or flowers are uncommon, and deserve to be recorded. A prize of this amount (3,000 marks) was offered at the recent exhibition of the German Rose Society (Verein Deutscher Rosenfreunde), held at M. Gladbach, June 29-July 2, for the best seedling Rose of German origin not yet in commerce, the donor being the Praktischer Ratgeber, a weekly horticultural journal published at Frankfort-on-the-Oder. A committee of five of the judges of the exhibition was appointed to make the award, and from

the several seedlings entered they finally selected a rose-coloured Hybrid tea, which appeared from the blooms staged to be an improvement on both Caroline Testout and La France, and the seedling will receive the prize, subject to its habit of growth in the grounds of the raiser satisfying the judges, and on condition also of the production of good flowers fit for being exhibited in the autumn of the present year, in order to prove its autumnblooming qualities. The raiser of the seedling in question is Mr. H. KIESE, of Erfurt, and one condition of the prize is that the Rose shall bear the name "Otto von Bismarck."

Publications Received.-Transactions of the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society. Vol. xix., Part 2. The contents include papers on the Possibility of Artificial Manures in Forestry, Planting Wasteland for Profit, Protection of Young Spruce from Frost, and many articles on kindred subjects.-Bird Notes and News. Vol. ii., No. 2. Pleads the cause of birds and the need for their intelligent protection.-Agricultural Journal of the Cape of Good Hope, June. Leading features: Extra-tropical Forestry (continued). by D. E. Hutchins, Tobacco Wilt in Kat River Valley (illustrated), Culture of Chicory, and Export Fruit Trade. From the New Zealand Department of Agriculture, Divisions of Biology and Horticulture we note the following Bulletins: No. 7, Potato Diseases, by T. W. Kirk; No. 8, Nitrogen-fixing Bacteria, by T. W. Kirk; No. 9, Meteorology in Relation to Farming, by Rev. D. C. Bates; No. 10. Canker of Fruit Trees, by T. W. Kirk and A. H. Cockayne; No. 11, Club Root of Cabbage, by T. W. Kirk and A. H. Cockayne; No. 12, Hollyhock Rust, by T. W. Kirk and A. H. Cockayne; No. 13. Gum-tree Scale, by T. W. Kirk; No. 14, Disease of Swede Turnip, and No. 15, Bean Diseases, both by T. W. Kirk. Also the Thirteenth Report of the Divisions. Excellent work has been done under the greatest disadvantages caused by removal of the offices and laboratories, and Messrs. Kirk and Cockayne and their assistants have devoted much private time in endeavouring to cope with the situation-From the same source we note Technical Paper. No. 1. A. The Facultative Saprophytism of Alternaria Solani, by A. H. Cockayne, and B. On Termites, by Captain T. Broun.-Michigan State Agricultural Experiment Station. Report of the South Haven Sub-Station for 1905. By L. R. Taft and T. A. Farrand. Successful work is chronicled, chiefly in connection with fruit-growing.-The Garden City, June. -West Indian Bulletin, Vol. VII., No. 1. This contains a report of the agricultural industries of Montserrat, papers dealing with Cotton and Rubber, and with the sources of the nitrogen of vegetation.Insect Pests of the Farm and Garden, F. Martin Duncan (Swan, Sonnenschein & Co.)-Irish Gardening. Fruit Culture Charts (W. H. & L. Collingridge). -La Tribune Horticole.-Nos Arbres, Correvon (Geneva, Atar).

NEW SWEET PEAS. NOTHING is more marvellous in the history of horticulture than the evolution of the Sweet Pea, which has only been equalled by that of the Chrysanthemum. [Surely the development of the Begonias is, morphologically, even more remarkable than either?-ED.] This gradual development of its floral capabilities was doubtless largely owing to the genius of the late Mr. Henry Eckford, whose long-promised reminiscences, regarding which he wrote to ne some years before his death, I trust may yet appear. At his request. I wrote at that time an Appreciation of the Sweet Pea, to appear in the same volume. His son, Mr. John Stainer Eckford, has already given us two varieties of commanding beauty, viz., Queen Alexandra and Henry Eckford. The former is

a

flower of splendid texture, a. vigorous grower, and unquestionably the deepest pure scarlet self that has appeared. It is in many respects a great advance on the Scarlet Gem, which it may, not improbably, entirely supersede. Unlike its famous predecessor, it does not require to be grown in the shade. Its exquisite contemporary, Henry Eckford, is worthy of the world-famous name which it bears, and that, in the light of the Eckfordian creations,

is saying much. Its flowers, which are large and of splendid substance, are of a beautiful shade of rich salmon-orange, and will doubtless be highly artistic in their effect. In my own garden I have planted it in harmonious association with Queen Alexandra, Sadie Burpee, and Duchess of Sutherland; so it will doubtless be seen to great advantage with such a fine environment.

Mr. Lester Morse, the great American hybridist, who has given to the world many interesting varieties, recently sent to me from San Francisco, just before the conflagration, a most attractive classification of modern Sweet Peas, in which my own Eckfordian namesake, among many others, has the honour of being described. The characterisations are for the most part distinctive and expressive. Mr. Lester Morse has also forwarded to me his famous varieties raised by himself, viz., Helen Pierce and Shasta, of which the former resembles in its unique colour a blue mottled Gloxinia, the background being white; while the latter may be described as an improved Emily Henderson. The great American rival of Mr. Morse is Mr. Wm. Atlee Burpee, of Philadelphia. One of his latest and finest productions is entitled Burpee's Earliest White, which, judging from its reception at the hands of competent cultivators, is likely to prove a considerable acquisition. Navy Blue, I presume, was raised by Mr. Burpee. If so, he must rejoice in its continued popularity, though like many susceptible varieties, it has its limitations.

Among recent introductions of British origination, what may be termed the Countess Spencer types or hybrids (?) have a distinguished place. These, with their exquisitely varying shades o delicate pink, could not easily be surpassed. They are at present receiving great prominence in America, where they are described, not inexpressively, as "orchid-flowered types." Gladys Unwin and Florence Spencer are among the most graceful and attractive of these.

As the gratifying result of cross-breeding, we have now an almost incomparable scarlet Sweet Pea, Queen Alexandra; an orange variety of most refined beauty, Henry Eckford; a pure white surpassing Sadie Burpee, at least i dimensions, Dorothy Eckford; several blue: mauves, and dark purples of great distinction and numerous lovely roseate emanations, eac). more effective than its predecessor, from Prim Donna and Countess Spencer. What we earnestly desire and confidently anticipate is a decisive yellow, of more emphatic colour than the Hon. Mrs. Kenyon, like that which is discoverable in certain Tea Roses of considerably deeper than pale primrose hue, notably in the beautiful Perle des Jardins. David R. William

son.

ODONTOGLOSSUM QUEEN ALEXANDRA, VARIETY "CARMEN." OUR illustration (fig. 7) represents a flower of this fine hybrid Odontoglossum obtained by crossing O. Harryanum and a fine form of O triumphans, and for which De B. Crawshay, Esq., Rosefield, Sevenoaks (gr. Mr. Stables), secured an Award of Merit at the Royal Horticultural Society, June 26. Several forms of the cross have been previously shown, but the variety Carmen was by far the largest and finest in colour-features which have no doubt been developed considerably by cultivation at Rosefield, where Odontoglossums are the speciality and their culture is scientifically and satisfactorily carried out. The sepals and petals of Carmen have a clear yellow ground colour, but the greater part of the surface is taken up by dark chestnut-red blotches. The lip is white. The basal half around the yellowish crest is beautifully marked with deep violet colour.

NURSERY NOTES.

MR. L. R. RUSSELL'S.

In the Richmond Nursery, which is compara. tively new, the glass department is largely devoted to the cultivation of choice foliage plants. It would be difficult to find a better stock of Aralia elegantissima, A. Veitchi, A. gracillima, and A. leptophylla than is seen here. All are well furnished with foliage and are in perfect health, the plants being of various sizes from those recently grafted to others 2 feet to 3 feet high. Cordylines (Dracænas) are also well cultivated, and include many choice sorts, such as Jamesi, The Queen, Rose Laing, Duchess of York, Alex. Laing, and Superba. The plants are perfect specimens for table decorations. A nice batch of Acalyphas was seen. Caladiums are another feature in this nursery, the varieties Rio de Janeiro, Le nain Rouge, Mrs. Luther, Lady Stafford Northcote, Mikado, Her Majesty, and many others being especially good. Nice specimens of Codiæums (Crotons) are seen, and

GARD HRON.

cluding Madame A. Bleu, Sandera, Comte de Kerchove, and others; Sonerillas; Phyllanthus nivosus-small plants with beautifully coloured foliage are all worthy of note. Other choice foliage plants are equally well grown, all the houses being well filled with useful stock.

Much of the nursery outside is devoted to the cultivation of Euonymus and other hardy foli. age plants. Tree Ivies, of which large quantities are grown as standards, are a great feature. The varieties Arborea aurea, Silver Queen, elegantissima, and others were very fine. Silver Queen is a favourite for growing as a dwarf pot plant. Of deciduous trees, Japanese Maples, Cornus Späthi aurea, Quercus concordia, Ulmus punctata variegata, and Dimorphanthus mandschuricus variegatus are grown in large quantities. The Golden Privet and several of the choicer Ligustrums are also extensively planted, L. japonicum variegatum being specially worthy of note.

The branch establishment at Isleworth is largely utilised for propagating stock for

FIG. 7.-ODONTOGLOSSUM QUEEN ALEXANDRA, VARIETY • CARMEN."

they include a fine stock of Aigburth Gem, the other branch nurseries. Several houses Golden Ring, Elvira, Mars, Mutabilis, Harry were filled with Aucuba vera; these had Green, and Reedi, with many more of the better just passed their flowering stage and they sorts. Heliconia illustris is grown in larger showed promise for a splendid crop of ber. quantities than is usually seen. Anthurium ries. As growers of this plant, the firm has crystallinum was noticed in good health and been noted for some years. Eurya latifolia is vigour, while A. Warocqueanum and other kinds grown in large quantities, and the stock was grown for their foliage are also well done. A. remarkably clean and healthy. Elæagnus, in Veitchi should be especially mentioned. Maran- about ten distinct sorts, including E. glabra, tas are another feature, and the stock includes E. præstans, E. aureus, E. macrophyllus (the all the better sorts, such as Sanderiana, silver leaf) are extensively propagated. Of argentea, Veitchi, metallica, zebrina, and Bamboos is seen quite a large collection, Arunothers. It is evident that the propagation of dinaria falcata being a special favourite. Azara these plants is well understood in these nur- integrifolia variegata was very pretty. Ulex series, as is shown by the healthy stock of young hispanica, in pots, was very bright with its plants. With all foliage plants much depends flowers. Climbers are extensively grown, and upon the propagator and the material used, and young plants of Clematis occupy several houses. it is evident that in Mr. Russell's nursery that It was of interest to note that many of these these facts are recognised. Alpinia Sanderiana, plants are propagated from cuttings, of which seen in a large batch of useful sized plants, large batches are already rooted, and they were showed its superiority over A. vittata, which was looking very promising. Vitis Coignetiæ, V. growing under the same conditions. Anoectochi- Thompsoni, and V. dissectum are all plentifully lus, of the most beautiful leaved varieties, in- grown. Stock plants of many choice subjects

has reproduced this very rare tree also quite easily from cuttings, no difficulty ought to exist in propagating this valuable species in different parts of the world. It is said to be the quickest growing of all Junipers, and its scented timber, not unlike that of Juniperus Bermudiana, is reputed imperishable. Dr. Carl Bolle saw trees in the heights cf the island of Palma (Canary Islands) which he estimated to be a thousand years old.

I am now trying a way suggested by Mons. Correvon as likely to make these seeds germinate (by soaking them in a weak acid solution for six hours). Before finishing, I will add that hitherto, by plain sowing of the berries, I had only succeeded in obtaining two plants (after sowing a great number of berries), but by the above simple means I consider the difficulty quite solved. George V. Perez, Puerto, Orotava, Teneriffe, June 14, 1906.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

"

Rural

(The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed by his correspondents.) HOUSING OF THE WORKERS.-It may interest your readers to know that a Conference on Housing will be held at Letchworth (Garden City) on Saturday, July 14, at 3 p.m., under the auspices of the Christian Social Union. Papers on Housing" and "Co-partnership in Housing" will be read by Lady Gwendolen Cecil and Miss Sybella Gurney respectively, and the discussion will be opened by Mr. Henry Vivian, M.P. The housing problem underlies much of our social misery. So much is admitted, but what are we each doing to cope with it? Let us go down to Letchworth and see what they are doing there; let us consider whether these conditions of air and space and room to live may not be made the conditions of our British children everywhere, and not only in one or two favoured Garden Cities. How great a task lies before us, if this is to be accomplished; and how much need there is that men and women of good will should consider together how it may be done, and what they can do to help the work! All who are interested in the subject are invited to attend the Conference, and it is hoped that they will also take the opportunity of seeing what has now been done at Garden City, and especially of looking at the cottages belonging to the Garden City Tenants, Limited, which have been built round open spaces and greens, avoiding the usual mean street altogether. Any further particulars may be obtained from the Secretary of the Conference, Mr. Fredk. Litchfield, 22, Red Lion Square, W.C. Henry Scott Holland (Rev.), 1, Amen Court, E.C. June 27, 1906.

THE SEASON IN THE GARDEN. With us the untoward season, the combination of premature warmth and consequent growth of plant life in February, with the very severe frost of the middle of March, and the continuous cold winds and low temperature ever since till a short time ago, have brought about an accumulation of influences damaging to plant life such as I have never seen anything to approach. All tender leaves which began to develop a month or six weeks ago are stunted, twisted, and curled. Mildew is almost universal. Even Laurels have it all over the tenderer leaves, and in many instances in the old leaves, even. It is also on such things as Beech trees, Oaks, Birches and Lilacs. The Rose bushes are all curled up and deformed by it, and even the most vigorous kinds, which a few days ago were free, are now attacked, Green fly and brown fly (aphides, of course) are in such quantities that it is quite hopeless to try and do anything against them in a large Rose garden such as I have, and, perhaps worst of all, rust is over very nearly all the plants; leaves are turning yellow and dropping off by the thousand. Red rust, which I have scarcely ever seen in my garden before, is alarmingly prevalent amongst the Roses, and nearly all the first blooms are defective, with short-stunted petals, and in the midst of them a huge development of green centres, which spoils the flowers utterly. From such strong Roses as Mrs. Paul, Madame Isaac Pereire, and Wm. Allan Richardson, I have had to cut away the greater portion and by far the greater number of the first blooms. My gardener told me that a neighbouring farmer who has a very fine plant of W. A. Richardson growing in

After

the front of his house and covering a porch, has thousands of blossoms, but he had not been able to find a single properly-formed Rose upon it. My fruit trees are dropping what seem to be wellformed fruits, Apples and Pears. I think the wood never ripened properly last autumn. the end of last August we never had a day when it was pleasant to sit out of doors, and it was constantly wet, with chill rain. Even quite lately we had two or three days when the sun did not shine, and the maximum shade temperature was from 54° to 56°. En revanche-and it is the only thing I have to set against all this-I have a very good hay crop-I treat my field very liberally, and I am sure it pays, and if the forecast of this morning is at all justified I shall get it in very well, as I began to cut it yesterday, and it should be all down to-day. But amongst the curious peculiarities of the season is that cut flowers generally are not lasting at all, as they usually do, and as to the plants, the flowers of Rhododendrons and Wistarias have not lasted more than two-thirds of their usual time; the same with Thorns' Lilacs and Laburnums. I have one very curious development which is quite new to me. Three years ago I planted a hedge of Penzance Briars about 50 yards long; there were about 10 varieties. They have done very well, and at this moment the hedge is extraordinarily beautiful. My wife and I both noticed last year that many were coming with a double row of petals instead of the single one with which we began. This year most have two rows of petals, several have three, and some even four. Only two varieties have remained altogether single. I don't know if I have been too liberal to them, but I have never had such a thing happen to me before with any single Rose. Southampton, June 19.

PILFERING BOTANISTS.-Complaints are being made just now by the keepers of the Aberdeen Public Parks concerning the depredations of students. No doubt, botanical research is a thing that very few citizens would feel it in their hearts to discourage, and more especially by young men who are studying for examinations, but when this research is carried out in the beautiful plots in the city parks, much to the destruction of natural art and beauty, there is good ground for objection. It has been a common practice recently for Aberdeen students to indiscriminately pull up the flowers and tear them to pieces; and this, too, without so much as "by your leave." Needless to say, a stricter watch is being kept, and it is hoped those young men will take a thought and mend their ways. Aberdeen.

A SEVERE HAILSTORM.-A heavy hailstorm visited this neighbourhood on the night of Saturday, June 23. In these gardens glass to the extent, roughly, of about 2,000 panes, was broken. Gloxinias in a small house were riddled by the broken glass. Begonias, Caladiums, and other soft leaved plants also suffered. Crotons had branches broken by the falling glass, whilst the plant-houses were not the only parts of the gardens to suffer. Unfortunately Apples and Pears were knocked off ruthlessly, and many that are left present the appearance of having been struck with a stone. The more forward Strawberries were nearly all damaged, and Gooseberries, Currants, &c., covered the ground instead of the trees. Vegetables were also injured, and in some instances completely destroyed. Potatos in some cases were denuded of their leaves and presented nothing but the naked stalks. The beds of Onions looked as though boys had thrashed them with sticks, and Spinach and Lettuce had the appearance of having been trampled on. Clumps of Rhubarb have not a sound leaf left, nor has Gunnera in the pleasure grounds. A more complete wreck than the gardens presented it would be difficult to find. Cartloads of small twigs and leaves covered the ground in all directions. The hailstones were like broken ice and as large as Walnuts. Many were flat, and would completely cover a penny piece. The largest measured was 5 inches round. E. Dumper, The Gardens, Hinton Admiral, Christchurch.

"PARTRIDGE CANES." Perhaps the most popular walking-stick at the present time is that known as the "Partridge cane.' In the Guide to the Kew Museums, No. 2, Monocoty ledons and Cryptogams (1895), p. 53, it is stated that these canes are " the stems of an unknown palm, largely imported from China." Investigations prove the canes in question to be the stems of Rhapis flabelliformis. This well

known palm, introduced into this country as long ago as 1774, is native of the woods and

ravines of Southern China generally. It is also cultivated in the same regions, in the warmer parts of the Yangtsze Valley, and in Japan. For export the culms are cut down when 6 to 8 feet high and dried. The fibrous leafbases are removed and used locally for rope and mat-making. The "canes," now smooth and clean, are packed in bundles, covered with matting, and are ready for export. In this country the outer silicious covering of the stems is removed, exposing the black fibrous structure of the wood, from which the name, "Partridge cane," is derived. These canes have been largely imported into this country for the last quarter of a century or more. Nearly all are exported from the Canton River delta to Hong Kong, and from thence to Europe and America. Rhapis humilis, Blume, and R. major, Blume, are probably merely forms of R. flabelliformis, and are here regarded as constituting one species only. E. H. W.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.
Scientific Committee.

JUNE 26TH.-Present: Dr. M. T. Masters, F.R.S. (in the chair), Sir J. Llewelyn, Bart., Revs. W. Wilks and G. Henslow, Prof. Boul. ger, Messrs. G. Gordon, H. Gussöw, A. W. Sutton, E. M. Holmes, S. Pickering, J. W. Odell, and F. J. Chittenden (hon. sec.).

Azalea dying.-From Rugby came an Azalea which had suddenly gone off. No fungus or insect could be detected thereon, and it was the opinion of the committee that death was due to allowing the plant to become dry at the roots at some time.

Clematis "sporting."-Mr. GORDON showed double pale lilac flowers of Clematis which had appeared on two Clematis plants, which last year bore the usual dark flowers of Clematis Jackmanni and a small white flower respec. tively. It was thought that in all probability the flowers had been produced by the upgrowth from the stock on which the Clematis plants which flowered last year had been grafted. Ascidia on Plumiera.-Mr. J. W. ODELL showed some curious examples of these cuplike growths proceeding from near the base of the leafstalk of Plumiera lutea, looking exceedingly like stipular growths. Such structures are on Cabbages, Lettuces, and Pelargoniums, but do not appear to have been recorded hitherto in Plumiera.

common

Shoot of Hyacinth Growing Downwards.Prof. BOULGER said his attention had been called to the growth of a Hyacinth, the bulb of which has been scratched out of the soil, and had lain on the surface with the shoot (which had just started growth) pointing downwards. The shoot continued to grow downwards to a depth of about 8 in., and produced flowers which, however, were not coloured. Prof. HENSLOW said that he showed a plant with a similar growth some years ago. In that. case, however, the bulb had been plantel upside down. It would appear that in such cases the power of response to the stimulus exercised by gravity is very slight.

Yellow Rose from Palestine.-Mr. A. W. SUT. TON read a letter from a correspondent con. cerning a yellow Rose which grew near Baal. beck, specimens of which he also showed. Dr. MASTERS recognised the Rose as Rosa lutea, and Sir JOHN LLEWELLYN said he had seen it growing so profusely on the northern slopes of Mount Lebanon as to make a mass of colour visible at the distance of a mile. (See p. 1.)

Seedling of Delphinium "Belladonna."-Mr. SUTTON also showed flowers of some seedlings raised from seed produced by Delphinium Belladonna last year. This has not been known to produce seeds, at least since 1857, when the first record of the plant seems to have been made. A few seeds had been produced in the previous year, but none of these had proved fertile. The flowers of some of the seedlings resembled D. Belladonna very closely, but some more nearly approached D. formosum, and one bore flowers of a very beautiful deep blue tint.

Cannibalism among caterpillars.-Mr. SPENCER PICKERING said that in the course of some experiments with insecticides several larvæ of the winter moth had been kept together in captivity, and in one of the cages a caterpillar