FIG. 72.-ARISTOLOCHIA GOLDIEANA WHICH FLOWERED LAST MONTH IN THE LIVERPOOL BOTANIC GARDEN. (REDUCED ONE HALF.) For text see page 177.) urgent need lies in the direction of physiology. As chemists and physicists realise more fully the possibilities of the botanical hinterland,' one may expect the conventional frontier to become obliterated. As Mr. F. F. Blackman has pointed out in a recent interesting contribution,* the chemist's point of view has undergone a change with the growth of the science of physical chemistry, and is now much more in line with that of the biologist than was formerly the case. This natural passage from the problems of the one to those of the other should be the means of attracting into our body recruits possessing the necessary chemical equipment to attack physiological problems. As the position gains strength on the physiological side. it will become possible to render continuity between them you might almost call abrupt. All through the middle parts of the last century we were so busy amassing and classifying plants that the great questions of botanical policy were left to solve themselves. Great herbaria became of the order of things: they received Government recognition, and they continue their work apart. Those who built up these great collections neglected to convince the schools of the importance of training a generation of botanists that would use them. The schools were free, and they have gone their own way, and that way does not lie in the direction of the systematic botany of the herbarium. So long as this tendency prevails the herbaria must languish. When I say languish, I do not mean that they will suffer from inefficient administra ARISTOLOCHIA GOLDIEANA. THIS remarkable species was flowering in the stove in the Liverpool Botanic Gardens on August 10. It is a native of Old Calabar, West Africa, where it was discovered by Mr. Thompson in 1864, and it flowered in the Glasgow Botanic Garden in July, 1867. The species has blossomed several times in this country, but only on very rare occasions. It flowered in the Royal Gardens, Kew, in April, 1891, but since that date it has failed to develop a single blossom in those gardens. A. Goldieana differs from all other members of the genus in its method of flowering, which is on the young growth and when it is only a few inches in length. The annual growths are produced from a swollen, woody rootstock. The development of the shoot is arrested until the flower fades, after which it rapidly elongates, making a growth 4 to 6 inches in length, which bears large cordate-acuminate leaves. The flower is borne on a stout pedicel some 6 inches in length: it is of a brownred colour mottled with yellow. The distended throat is streaked with both lighter red and creamwhite lines. In form the flower is somewhat triangular and has a diameter of nearly a foot. Measured from the pedicel to the tip of the bloom our flower was 1 foot 7 inches. A. Goldieana is figured in the Bot. Mag., t. 5,672, and was described in the Gardeners' Chronicle as far back as November 9, 1867, p. 1,143. One very curious fact in connection with this species is that it produces flower-buds almost every year, yet rarely do they mature. It is usually a battle for supremacy between the growth and the bud, generally the growth is victorious and the bud withers and falls. Our piant that flowered was kept quite dry at the roots until after the growth had commenced, when the apex of the shoot immediately above a bud was removed and all laterals were pinched out. After the flower-bud was swollen and of a reddish-brown colour the plant was thoroughly watered and afterwards kept fairly moist until the flower was fully developed, which in the present instance took five weeks. The last time this plant flowered at Liverpool was 14 years ago. W. H., Liverpool Botanic Gardens. mose effective service to agricultuse and other branches of economic botany. Even "This is of importance for a variety of reasons. Among others it will bring public support and recognition, which will be all for the good, and it will provide an outlet for our students It will also afford unrivalled opportunities for experiments on the large scale. should economic conditions, which compel us to import every vegetable product, continue to prevail in this country, this will not be so in the Colonies. As time goes on, one may reasonably expect an increasing demand for trained botanists, ready to turn their hands to a great variety of economic problems. "From this rough sketch we see that the prevailing school of botany has arisen very independently of that which preceded it. The dis Incipient Vitality,' New Phytologist, vol. v., p. 22. tion-their efficiency probably has never been greater than at the present time. But the effort involved in their construction and upkeep is altogether disproportionate to any service to which they are put. Work, of course, comes out of them; it is no question of the devotion or ability of individuals. It is the general position, the isolation of systematic botany, to which attention should be directed with a view to its alleviation. "If things are left to take their course there is the fear of atrophy through disuse. The operation of the ordinary economic laws will no doubt serve to fill vacancies on the staff as they arise, but the best men will be reluctant to enter. Of course, the pendulum may begin to swing the other way, though no indication of such a change is yet apparent." (To be continued.) SALVIA DICHROA. THIS noble Salvia is evidently very rare in culti vation, since, although it is stated in Nicholson's Dictionary of Gardening to have been introduced in 1871, no mention of it is to be found in the volumes of the horticultural Press for the past 25 years that I have searched. The plant was originally given me by Lord Walsingham under the name of Salvia tingitana, but, upon his submitting a flower spike and foliage to the authorities at Kew, they decided that its correct name was S. dichroa. Nicholson gives its height as from 2 feet to 3 feet, but the plant portrayed in the illustration (fig. 73) this year attained a height of 9 feet 6 inches, with a spread of 6 feet at the base. The flowerspikes are about 3 feet in length, and some 9 inches of the spike is covered with open flowers at the same time, but as the lower blossoms fade the upper ones expand, so that the blooming period is prolonged. The leaves are about 1 foot in length and the same in breadth, and are very deeply cut, being corrugated and covered with hairs on the lower side. A large plant bearing hundreds of flower-spikes is a grand sight when in full bloom, and in July is quite the glory of the garden. The individual flowers are of lavender-purple shade, the middle lobe of the lip being white. On a flower-spike recently cut there were 48 expanded and partially expanded blooms, while the total number of flowers borne on the spike was 175. Salvia dichroa is a native of the Atlas Mountains in North Africa, and the plant is therefore, PFLANZENREICH: Juvenile Forms and Flowering Age in the Vegetable Kingdom. By Dr. L. Diels, private tutor in the University, Berlin. Published by Gebrüder Bornträger, Dessauerstraase, 11, Berlin, S. W. The not uncommon instances met with in the Old World and in Australia of the early flowering and dwarfed growth in trees and other kinds of vegetation, whilst in the same locality, and under different conditions of soil, exposure, water supply, &c., the same species may be observed reaching their fullest development, and flowering and fruiting when only of mature age, have afforded the author much matter for specu. lation as to the causes of these abnormalities, but without arriving at any satisfactory conclusions. He had ample opportunity of noting such occurrences during a lengthened sojourn in the western and other parts of Australia. The Flora of that continent is famous for the large number of its species, and the constant exchange of the factors which have an influence in altering the forms of the vegetation, and the alterations present themselves in sharply-defined fea tures. Instances of the relation of growth to reproductive maturity, and of youthful forms combined with ability to produce flowers and seeds, are everywhere met with. Since his turn to Europe the author has looked up re the literature of the subject and collected facts, the latter forming a far-reaching collection and throwing a new light on the manifold variations in plants. The author does not make any attempt to give a complete presentment of these cases, but merely takes typical examples of the many-sidedness observed, treating them briefly or otherwise, according to the nature and value of the object, and omitting all mention of matters of doubtful significance. The development of a plant from the germination of the seed onwards runs through many phases that show themselves in the varied forms of the different organs. The final phase of this vegetative activity being the formation of the spore or seed, maturity is indissolubly dependent on vegetative development, and the end, which is due to "internal causes," the plant is bound to reach. Until quite recent times these views were unquestioned, and are those generally held, especially in the case of flowering plants. These views are now the subject of much discussion, and it has become necessary to obtain a clearer knowledge of all that is known or can be known about the formation of the floral organs. A tolerably complete picture of the more important points is afforded by Moebius in his "Baitragen zur Lehre von der Fortpflanzen der Gewächse," Jena 1897, see pp. 78.134. Dr. Diels takes account of the action of sunlight, climate, aerial moisture, dryness of the soil, lack of plant nutriment in the lastnamed; and a list of plants is given which suffer through lack of favouring conditions. One striking example given is Abies excelsa, which usually flowers in its 30th-40th year; but on hungry soil came to flowering age in its 15th year, and setting its seeds abundantly in its 50th year. This is an instance of dryness of the soil producing abnormally early maturity, poverty of the soil having a similar effect. Temperature has great influence in the same direction, cold directly and indirectly through lessening the amount of available nutriment and moisture in the soil. A number of instances are given of the early flowering of Coniferæ, Bamboos, Palms, Quercus, Roses, Ailanthus, Rhus cotinus, Banksia, and Eucalyptus, which flower early or late, accordingly as the soil and other conditions are unfavourable or otherwise. Leptospermum ellipticum was named, which commonly grows to 2 yards in height, but which on bare soil only reached from 6-8 inches; and Eucalyptus marginata, the most important timber tree of West Australia, which does not succeed if the rainfall is less than .75c.m. annually. But there are exceptions. On the Stirling range of mountains there were found by Dr. Pritzell trees of 90 feet in height, and also shrubby forms of the same species (E. occidentalis) scarcely 3 feet in height. The author's researches were not confined to the plants of Australia, but extended to water and swamp species of Europe, of especial interest being his remarks and those of Glück in his "Untersuchungen über Wasser und Sumpf Gerwächse." A list of European plants is given which flower early under certain natural conditions, such as scanty nutrition, the shortening of the growth period, and exposure to strong light. From such causes arise the lowly forms of Ranunculus pygmæus in the neighbourhood of the snow line-real examples of "Hunger forms." And similarly the formation of spores in Marsilia and Bidens. Changes in the forms of leaves of Hakea, Pittosporum, Banksia, and in fronds of Ferns, &c., are noted. The author's conclusions are that arrested vegetative growth will not account for all the alterations that occur in the form and flowering age of plants; and that the reproductive stage is not inseparably connected with any certain stage of vegetative development. There is a certain minimum in the life of a plant which must be reached, and that exceeded, there is a wide zone for variation of the flowering stage. Heterogenetic influences are brought to bear in some instances; variations, exogenic in great part with cryptogams as with flowering plants; but of these we know but little. Although the instances of early flowering, &c., are of interest from the great variety of plants observed in many parts of the world, these do not seem to add much to our knowledge. The effects of occasional drought and constant dryness in the soil; a restricted area from which the roots can draw nutriment; lack of plant food; crowded state of a plantation of trees or other plants are matters well known to gar deners and foresters, and this knowledge is sometimes acted upon from intent. We all know what occurs when a young Pine-apple plant is allowed to get pot-bound in small pot; when a fruit tree's roots are brought up from a rich sub-soil and planted shallow; or by working a variety on a dwarfing stock and thus restricting the feeding area of the root system of the plant; when seeds of Broad Beans are sown on poor land; also pickling Onions; when Willows for basket-making are planted on dry soil; when Melons are planted on thin beds of soil. a The gradual dwarfing of vegetation as we approach the poles, or the summit of high mountains, is another well-known fact. The effect of exposure to strong winds can be seen at most seaside places and on hill-sides. Remove, however, the causes of abnormality, and there is a return to larger and longer continued growth and a retarded maturity, and, as a conse. quence, flowering likewise. The Week's Work. PLANTS UNDER GLASS. By B. CROMWELL, Gardener to T. SUTTON TIMMIS, Esq., Cleveley, Allerton, Liverpool. Chrysanthemums which are being grown for the production of large blooms for exhibition or home decoration will now have reached an important stage; and encouragement should be given them by top-dressing for the purpose of increasing root action; and also by applying stimulants afterwards. For top-dressing purposes a mixture of two parts loam to one pound of animal manure is at all times a safe mixture. If clear soot-water be applied about twice each week it will soon improve the colour of the foliage of pale-looking plants, and an occasional syringing of the foliage with soot-water, if perfectly clear, will prove beneficial in keeping the plants free from red spider. Sheep droppings gathered fresh from the fields is of great value, and a stimulating liquid may be prepared from such manure by placing it in a bag to prevent it mixing with the water, which otherwise would form into a thick liquid; and if applied to the plants in this form it would leave a sediment on the top of the soil and thereby seal up the air and close the water passages. The bag should be moved about in the water each day and the virtues of the manure will be abstracted. A word of caution is necessary, even, in the matter of applying stimulants to Chrysanthemums, for although moisture-loving subjects and gross feeders, they suffer from any stagnation, or more moisture at the roots than can be assimilated. The perfectly safe practice is to apply liquid stimulants in a weak state at frequent intervals, and changing occasionally the kind of plant food applied will prove beneficial. The degree of constitutional vigour in each plant will be a guide to observant cultivators how to administer stimulants successfully. Should the present hot weather continue, plants with their buds just set should be very slightly sprayed over towards the evening. General Remarks. Thin out the superfluous growths of stove and greenhouse climbers. Decrease the amount of shading used as much as possible, so that the plants will mature and ripen their wood; this especially applies to Allamandas, Bougainvilleas, Dipladenias, Ixoras, and other stove and greenhouse plants which need this timely thinning out to ensure their successful flowering. Admit air freely during the day and leave the roof ventilators open a little during the night; reduce slightly the atmospheric moisture in these structures. Poinsettias in pits or frames will better mature their growths if the pit-lights are removed entirely for two or three hours during the hottest part of the day. Let Cyclamens, Primulas, and Cinerarias be fully exposed to the night dews by removing the lights in the evening. FRUITS UNDER GLASS. By T. W. BIRKINSHAW, Gardener to Lt.-Col. Sir CHAS. HAMILTON, Bart., Hatley Park, Bedfordshire. Strawberries.-Plants that were put into the final pots early will now be growing freely. Place the plants thinly, giving each plenty of room so that they will be the better exposed to the rays of the sun. Those growing in 5-inch pots should be given weak doses of liquid-manure about twice each week. One of the most important items is to get the crowns well matured before the days become very short, and therefore stimulants must not be applied in excess or sappy growths will be the result. Pot up late runners at once, putting them in the shade for a few days until they take hold of the new soil. Remove runners from these young plants as soon as they appear and keep the pots free from weeds. Syringe the plants with water after the sun has gone down in the afternoon. The plants should be kept to one crown, removing any small ones as they form. Tomatos are usually required through all the seasons of the year, therefore get a house in readiness for the reception of plants now growing in pots out of doors, and which must be removed indoors when the weather turns cold and wet. If the plants have set any fruits, a surface dressing of loam and bone-meal should be applied to the roots. Keep all side growths pinched out, and water the plants with care. Tomato plants intended for fruiting in winter should be kept well up to the light, and a free circulation of air should be allowed in the house when the weather is favourable. Move the plants into the final pots as they become ready, so that they may get well established before there is cold weather. White fly may be destroyed by fumigations. Cucumbers. Plants that are still bearing fruit, and showing signs of exhaustion, should be given a rich top-dressing of loam and horse-manure, with frequent applications of liquid-manure. Close the structures early in the day to conserve the sunheat, and let there be plenty of moisture in the house. The present is a good time to sow a pinch of seed of such a variety as Telegraph, which is still a very reliable sort. Afterwards get a house occasions. ready for them by washing all the wood-work and liming the walls. Prepare a hot-bed of long litter, and place small hillocks of loam and leaf soil upon it, and when the soil is thoroughly warmed through the plants may be planted in these. Apply a liberal amount of ventilation on all favourable Regulate the growths of plants that are still growing in pits and frames, cutting away any old leaves to make room for the extension of young laterals, which will still continue to yield a few fruits. Place fresh linings of litter to the frames where the bottom heat is on the wane. If there is an appearance of mildew on the foliage, apply a dusting of flowers of sulphur. THE FLOWER GARDEN. By HUGH A. PETTIGREW, Gardener to the Earl of PLYMOUTH, St. Fagan's Castle, Glamorganshire. Naturalizing Bulbs. -For growing in the deep shade of trees there is no bulb better than the Wood Hyacinth or Bluebell (Scilla nutans). Many an uninteresting spot could be converted into a charming picture in spring by the free use of this flower, which adapts itself readily to such conditions, and increases rapidly. For similar places or for open glades the Grape Hyacinth (Muscari botryoides) has also much to recommend it; particularly the variety Heavenly Blue," which should be planted for its pleasing colour, which, when seen in large sheets in combination with Daffodils and Tulips in the grass, is very effective. In the deep shade and shelter of trees colonies of hardy Cyclamens might be successfully made. Before planting the tubers the ground should be improved by manuring and the addition of fresh soil, remembering also that, though the plants enjoy moisture at the root, they cannot thrive on wet, sodden land, therefore good drainage is necessary. Unlike Cyclamen persicum the tubers of all the hardy species must be planted fairly deep in the soil. The Ivy-leaved Cyclamen (C. hederæfolium) is one of the best for naturalising, because of its pretty foliage. It is attractive during the winter and spring months, while in the autumn its flowers, which are usually borne profusely, are delicately beautiful. round-leaved Cyclamen (C. Coum) is a splendid bulb for naturalising in the shade of trees, and also C. europeum, which is distinctly fragrant. Camassia esculenta, a North American plant, is a splendid bulb for planting in the open ground. A bold group in full bloom in June is a fine sight with the deep-blue flowers rising well above the grass. It thrives best in a moist situation, and in selecting a habitat for it in some deep, rich soil, it should be borne in mind that the grass about it cannot be cut until late in summer. Such plants as Crocuses, Narcissi, and Tulips ripen off comparatively early, but not the Camassia. There is another bulb which should be naturalised in conjunction with Snowdrops, Chionodoxa, and the Siberian Squill, to which it would form a charming and attractive addition in a semi-wild state in pleasure grounds and woodland walks exposed to the sun; this plant is the delicatelycoloured Triteleia uniflora odorata. The flowers open at sunrise and in bright weather are very beautiful and fragrant. It is perfectly hardy, is capable of growing in almost any soil, and being cheap can easily be procured in large quantities. THE KITCHEN GARDEN. The By J. GIBSON, Gardener to His Grace the Duke of PORTLAND, Welbeck Abbey, Notts. Young Carrots.-Young Carrots raised from seed sown last month will be having a very trying time on light soils during the present tropical weather. It is important that growth should not be arrested by this cause, otherwise when rain comes the roots will split and become of very little value. Apply a mulch of horse droppings or short manure, and afford the plants liberal supplies of water. Green fly is most likely to make its appearance on the foliage, but may be easily arrested by syringing several times with soft soap and water, in which a little paraffin has been mixed. Mushroom Beds.-Continue to collect material for making beds to provide a supply of Mushrooms in late autumn. The material composing any beds now ready for making up should be on the moist side in order to counteract the present dry condition of the atmosphere. Add a little loam and some half-decayed leaves to the droppings. This will economise the droppings and be also of service to the crop. Extra beds should be formed indoors, as there is little prospect in many parts of the country of obtaining Mushrooms in autumn from the fields, the drought being so severe. Frame Cucumbers in pits and frames, and still bearing fruits should be given a final top-dressing and a general freshening up of the beds. Thin out the growth if this is excessive and shade tie frames slightly, keeping the atmosphere rather close to cause fresh and rapid growth. Gherkins being now plentiful, they should be made use of for pickling when sufficient can be had at a time for the purpose. Gather the fruits whilst still of small and uniform size. Protecting Late Crops.-Make preparations for protecting such crops as Marrows, French Beans, &c, by having some temporary framework erected so that no trouble may arise when, after a change in the weather, there may be indications of frost. Very often there are two or three successive frosts very early, and these are followed by a period of open weather. Seed Saving Those who are desirous of keepir g the best stocks of vegetables should endeavour to save a few selected pods of Peas, French and Runner Beans, &c., annually, so that eventually an improvement may be brought about in each kind. Save just a few of each, selecting only the very best types. THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. By W. A. Cook, Gardener to Sir EDMUND G. Loder, Bart., Leonardslee, Sussex. Raspberries.-The old canes should now be cut down close to the ground, for they will be of no further service to the plants, and the young rods will receive the benefit of more light and air. which will be necessary to ripen them thoroughly, The Raspberry needs much moisture, therefore, if the stools are suffering from drought, afford them a supply of liquid at their roots and then apply some light mulching, which measures should suffice for the season. Raspberries require a change of soil occasionally, and it is a mistake to allow the beds to remain continuously in one position. If a new plantation is contemplated, a portion only of the old bed should be destroyed, for in re-making or renovating a plantation the work should be spread over several years so that the supply of fruits will not be discontinued. The ground selected for planting should be deeply trenched, and any old soil from the hot-bed or potting-shed refuse, &c., can be incorporated during the process and will serve better than a lot of rank manure, which is not necessary for Raspberries when they are newly planted. The varieties to plant should include those which thrive best in the particular locality, but other newer kinds that have a good reputation may be allowed a trial. The best varieties for this district and also for that part of Surrey with which I am acquainted, viz., the Croydon neighbourhood. include Baumforth Seedling, which is an improved Northumberland Fillbasket; Hornet, a large and good flavoured variety; Norwich Wonder, one of the best Raspberries with all the qualities of a perfect fruit; Superlative, a very heavy cropper; Carter's Prolific, a good fruit and a free bearer, and, for autumn, use Belle de Fontenay. Wasps have become very troublesome this season. All the nests of these pests should be destroyed as far as is possible. Bottles containing sweetened ale or beer should be hung among the fruit trees, and many hundreds will be caught by such means-I have tried several wasp preparations, but found none really effectual. The bottle should have a wide neck or mouth, so that the entry of the wasps will be quite easy. The traps should be emptied often or many will escape. Apple Wealthy "should be protected early with tiffany or hexagon wasp-proof netting, for it is a great favourite with these pests. The temperature here on August 31 was 90° in the shade and 132° in the sun. Early Apples should be gathered as soon as they are ready, but not before, or the flavour will be poor, and in a short time the fruit will shrivel. Red Astrachan, Worcester Pearmain, Lady Sudeley and Quarrenden will all be ready for harvesting and placing in the fruit room. The Fruit Room.-This structure, if properly made, will be cool in summer and frost-proof in winter; the roof should be composed of a good thickness of either heather, reeds, or ordinary straw thatch, but the last-named is not nearly so lasting as either of the other materials. A spanroofed structure, such as is figured in the Gardeners' Chronicle, October 17, 1885, will be found best. The doors should be double and the windows be covered with perforated zinc, which will allow them to open wide, and it will keep out both flies and wasps. This kind of structure proves both cool and dry, and is thoroughly efficient for storing and keeping fruits. Cordon-trained Trees must still be watered, especially those in districts where no rain has fallen and where they are trained on warm walls or growing on light soils. If this is not done the fruits cannot be expected to thoroughly develop, nor will the trees build up buds sufficiently strong for next year's supply. The present hot weather is a very anxious time for hardy fruit-growers, but no reasonable means should be spared to bring about the best results, as we have only about another six weeks before the bulk of the fruit will be stored. Strawberries. Attend to the necessary watering of newly-planted Strawberries, for where this is done the plants will make good progress. THE ORCHID HOUSES. By W. H. WHITE, Orchid Grower to Sir TREVOR LAWRENCE, Bart., Burford, Surrey. Shading and Ventilation.-The shading with flour and water which was put on the glass of some of the houses, as advised in my calendar for April 28, is now gradually wearing off, thus allowing an increase of light to the plants, which at this season is of the greatest benefit to them. After this date there will be no need to use the blinds on the Dendrobium or Mexican houses, but during the middle of the day when the sun is hot plenty of ventilation should be afforded. Let both houses be closed early in the afternoon to retain as much sun-heat as is possible. The Cattleya house, which at Burford runs from north to south, will also need less shading with the blinds; those on the east side are not let down before 10 a.m., and are pulled up again by 12.30. At that time those on the west side are let down, and these are again removed soon after 3 p.m. All the plants in this house require much fresh air at this season, and together with the increased amount of sunlight this will cause the plants to dry more quickly at the root, thereby allowing more water to be given to them. Such treatment, if carried out with discretion, will enable the pseudo-bulbs to become plump, and the leaves of a firm leathery texture. In this house there are always some plantswhich are in various stages of growth, some even are only now commencing to grow, but the same treatment will benefit them also. When removing the blinds in the afternoon, only the top ventilators are closed, while those on the ground-line are left wide open, a "chink" of air, according to the weather outside, is admitted again at the top during the evening, and allowed to remain so during the night, the atmospheric temperature of the house thus falling to about 65° by the morning. The deciduous Calanthes also like the subdued sunlight, and with the Dendrobiums will not require the blind again this season. Examine the plants every morning and thoroughly water every plant that is dry. Do not allow these Calanthes to stand too closely together, but arrange them so that plenty of light may reach the new pseudo-bulbs, and that air may circulate freely around them. The Phalaenopsis are producing many new leaves, and at this season require much sun-heat, which may easily be afforded if the glass is stippled, by removing the blind several hours before the sun ceases to shine on the roof. The bottom ventilators in this house are always closed, air being admitted in more or less degree through the roof ventilators. The intermediate and Odontoglossum houses having a cooler atmosphere, it is necessary to shade them rather more than others, but the blinds should not be kept down unless the heat from the sun is likely to raise the atmospheric temperature higher than what is considered advisable. Plants of Dendrobium Wardım: im that are finishing their growth in the cooler divisions, may, as soon as the terminal leaf is completed, be removed to a sunny position in a cool, well-ventilated greenhouse. With the extra exposure the leaves will soon commence to change colour, when less water must be applied to the roots, discontinuing the supply altogether after the leaves have fallen off. If the pseudo-bulbs are properly matured in this manner, they will not be likely to shrivel until they are in bloom, but should they show signs of doing so while the plants are in a dormant condition, a little water may be afforded occasionally. EDITORIAL NOTICE. ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB. LISHER, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, w.c. Letters for Publication as well as specimens and plants for naming, should be addressed to the EDITOR, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London. Con minications should be WRITTEN ON ONE SIDE ONLY OF THE PAPER, Sent as early in the week as possible, and duly signet by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith. APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. SATURDAY, Sept. 8 MONDAY, Sept. 10 TUESDAY, Sept. 11 WEDNESDAY, Sept. 12 THURSDAY, Sept. 13 SATURDAY, Sept. 15 { Dutch Gardeners' Soc. meets at Richmond. United Hort. Ben. & Prov. Soc. Roy. Hort. Soc. Comms, meet. AVERAGE TEMPERATURE for the ensuing week, deduced from observations of Forty-three Years at Chiswick-58 5°. ACTUAL TEMPERATURES: LONDON. Wednesday, September 5 (6 P.M.): Max. 73°; Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London. -Thursday, September 6 MONDAY SALES. Sale of Bulbs at Stevens' Rooms, King Street, Covent Dutch Bulbs, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe Annual Trade Sale of Winter-blooming Heaths, &c., at 11. WEDNESDAY— Annual Trade Sale of Winter-flowering and other plants, at the Nurseries, South Woodford, by order of Mr. John Fraser, by Protheroe & Morris, at 11. THURSDAY Thirty-eighth Annual Trade Sale of Stove and Green- Twenty-fifth Annual Trade Sale of Winter-blooming FRIDAY Trade Sale of Ferns, &c., at The Nursery, Enfield Highway, by order of Messrs. C. Banks & Co., Ltd., by Protheroe & Morris, at 11.30. A Collection of Established Orchids, the property of a Nobleman, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.45. of Growth. Many years ago the late Sir Application William Siemens showed StrawElectric berries forced by the electric Energy to light, at a meeting of the Royal Plant Society. The fruits were of good flavour and had ripened in much less than the usual time. He also gave details concerning the application of the electric light to the growth of wheat and other plants. Our curiosity being roused by these results we took an opportunity of visiting Sir William Siemens' garden at Tunbridge Wells, at his request, and were not a little astonished at the results achieved. They were indeed so remarkable that the account of them might well seem incredible to those who had not the opportunity of seeing the results. (See Gardeners' Chronicle, April 3, 1880, p. 432, fig. 75.) Of course the question of the actual cost and of the net profit to be derived from the process was not at that time considered. We saw enough, however, to convince us that there was nothing to prevent the electric light being used in the winter months with profit, when solar light is deficient. Experience alone seemed required to convert the experimental into the commercial stage. Since that time various experiments have been made in France and in the United States tending to show that, with careful attention to details, much time may be saved, much labour spared, and good, that is to say profitable, results obtained. We had hoped that some of our societies and institutions would have taken up this matter which is obviously one of much practical importance, but our usual dilatoriness has up to the present prevented much being done, and we prefer to put money into the pockets of the foreigner rather than take the necessary trouble, and incur the inevitable risk attendant upon new enterprises. We believe, indeed, that some experimental cultures are now taking place at Bitton, Evesham and elsewhere, but these are of a different nature and have no relation to the use of the electric light for forcing purposes. Now that electric instalments form a part of so many country houses, it is indeed wonderful that so little progress has been made since the marvellous results of Sir William Siemens' experiments were made known. Now, however, we learn that Mr. B. H. Thwaite, a civil engineer, of 29, Great George Street, Westminster, has patented a means of applying the electric light and energy, the details of which appear to us to be so hopeful that we give the following specification in his own words:— "This invention relates to an artificial method of stimulating the growth of vegetable, fruit, flowering, and other plant-life. "It is well known that the rays projected from the voltaic arc electric light have markedly stimulating effects upon organic vegetable growth, and that the vigour of such growth is also stimulated and assisted by the passage of electrical energy through the moist earth supporting the roots; and it is also well known that carbon di-oxide is absorbed by the leaves of plants, and that a certain temperature environment is also necessary for the sustenance of certain kinds of flowers, vegetables, and fruit. The value of the nitrogenous element of sulphate of ammonia as a fertiliser is also well known. My invention consists in harnessing the intentional and consequential products of a combined suction or pressure-producer gas engine, and electric energy generating plant for providing all the defined and beneficial influences on plant life, in an economic and effective manner. "I utilise the jacket water of the gas engine for heating the conservatory or glasshouse. I also utilise the carbon di-oxide of the gas engine exhaust gases for feeding the leaves, first purifying such gases before allowing them to enter into the immediate environment of the plants. "I utilise the electric energy produced by the gas engine power in the following manner : "Assuming that the glasshouse protecting the vegetable growth is arena or circus-like in which, in circular tiers, are placed the potted flowering, fruit, or other plants. "On a pole or post in the centre of the arena and which may support the roof, I suspend a powerful arc lamp equipment having a reflector, so arranged that the projected luminous beam is made to very slowly revolve, and in such a way as to bring its luminous influence on every plant, in intermittent and controllable periods of time. "I may provide the arc light with a coloured lens to permit the isolation of the blue rays in the luminous beam from the red, or vice versa. Instead of the arena-like form of glasshouse I may arrange two long greenhouses parallel to each other, but connected by semi circular connections at each end. In such a long continuous glasshouse I suspend the arc light from small electric locomotors travelling on a central rail fixed just below the ridge of the roof, and running entirely round he two greenhouses. "In this application I provide two arc lamps placed side by side, one having its reflector projecting its beams on one side, and the other projecting its beams on the opposite side. "Of course, I may employ several couples of these reflector-equipped arc lights which travel either continuously or intermittently around the glasshouse; by this means the electric light beam is brought into active service for every plant in the glasshouse, and for any period of time required. "I connect the electric supply, of a suitable character of energy (electric static), to the earth surrounding and sustaining the roots of every plant. This supply will invariably stimulate by electrolysis the growth of the plants. "I prefer to water the plants from a central source, which water I also mildly electrify, the distributing pipes being electric non-conductors, or, if of metal, the pipes must be insulated. "If the glasshouse is of the arena type, the distributing water supply pipe radiates from the central post and supply, and is slowly rotated by means of an electric motor, the distributing pipes either being equipped with distributing sprays or they are perforated so that the water falls on all plants as the service pipe rotates. "When the glasshouse is of the rectangular type the electrified water distributing pipes slowly travel by means of an electrically driven gear, the water issues in sprays from the pipe and falls on to each line of pots. "The application of my invention will have the effect of forcing the growth of fruit and flowering plants and vegetables, and will be especially appreciated in parts of the country near the large cities where the hours of sunlight are few and uncertain, and where the atmospheric temperature and hygrometric conditions are exceptionally variable. "It is remarkable that the most economic method of converting the heat of coal fuel into work is also the most perfectly applicable to the electrical, thermal, and chemical stimulation of organic vegetable life. My invention harnesses all the qualities of this system of power-production to most satisfactorily effect the object in view, for instance, in the application of my invention on a large scale in which I use ordinary bituminous steam coal instead of anthracite for power gas generating purposes, I recover the ammonia from the gas produced, in a concentrated solution, for fertilising the soil in the rearing pots, &c., or I may convert it into a solid form as ammonia sulphate. My invention secures for the object defined, the efficient recovery of HOW TO CULTIVATE GLADIOLUS PROFITABLY. -In order to obtain a profitable price for the flowers growers are advised to so arrange the planting or potting of the corms as to have the plants in bloom in the spring months and in October and November, seasons at which buyers are readily found for them, whilst enquiry is very infrequent during the summer. For flowering in the spring months the American corms are to be preferred, and the first potting made at the beginning of January. For late flowering the corms must be kept cool and dry till the middle or end of the month of June, and then planted in batches as may be required. Die Bindekunst. |