ay with the bother of dealing with compensa, allow outgoing tenants to find incoming ants, who are willing, in taking over their ts, to pay the compensation they ask. This how undesirable persons get hold of the und. It is a very bad policy to adopt, for hough it may save a little inconvenience at time, it ultimately leads to a great deal of ble with would-be tenants. I have known pectable working men apply for years to an hority for allotments without success, while ers who had not even made formal applicaobtained them quite easily by taking them ect from outgoing tenants. This is not as it ht to be. The names, with particulars reng to all applicants for allotments, should entered in a special book kept for the pure, and all applications should be dealt with rotation, as vacancies occur in the allotment unds. The crops and outbuildings should be ed by a competent person, and the incomtenant made to pay on his valuation in the nary way. This is not only the fairest hod of dealing with the letting question, but = the most businesslike, and the one which he end works best. courage good cultivation.-Although it does exactly come within the province of the Es department to encourage a high state of ivation on their allotments, yet-where there o local society to do this kind of thing-the artment would be doing a great service if à unofficially it did something to promote thy rivalry among its own tenants. PLANTS UNDER GLASS. be By J. G. WESTON, Gardener to H. J. KING, Esq., Eastwell Park, Kent. he should propagating house. This oughly overhauled and cleaned, in order to e everything in readiness, for quite the est time of the year in this department is approaching. If not already done, the ent is a good time for putting in cuttings of æums (Crotons) and Cordylines (Dracænas), ensuring for them a long season of growth. nging is probably a better method of agating these plants, especially if it is dele to obtain large plants in a short space ime. [Codiæums raised from "ringing : usually a better furnished base, with er, more perfectly developed leaves, than e raised from cuttings.-ED.] If this latter od is adopted, the material used for coverthe cut part of stem should be kept in a p condition to induce the plant to make , and when this has taken place, the rooted ts should be cut off and potted carefully ght, warmed soil. Place these plants in a ion where they can be shaded for a few whilst recovering from the check. AfterIs remove them to a shelf in the lightest part e house, and re-pot them when more rootspace becomes necessary. Dracænas may be propagated by cutting up the old stems he same way that vine-eyes are usually ed, placing the pieces thickly together in This is a good method where large quanare required, and they will make nice is in the first season. Acalyphas make roots cuttings very easily, and are useful plants, ariety A. marginata being especially useful small state. Cuttings of Panicum, Fits, Zebrina pendula (Tradescantia) and Pilea ld also be put in, as it will soon be necesto throw the old stock away, being unly. Small batches of cuttings should be ted at intervals throughout the season, g stock being most decorative. terarias.-Early plants will now be showlower, but they may be afforded a little manure-water, and kept in an atmospheric erature of 45° to 50°, varying according e weather, and falling to 40° on cold nights. t, dry atmosphere would be very harmFumigate the plants carefully at regular vals. Later batches in frames may be kept le cooler, admitting air whenever the outweather permits. rbaceous Calceolarias succeed under similar nent to Cinerarias; the plants in either must not be permitted to suffer from want of at the roots. Move them into larger pots ebruary, or later, according to the state of lants, never allowing them to become potd, as they are rarely capable of growing 7 after suffering such a check. General work.-Overhaul plant houses generally. Wash them inside and out, give a coat of white-washing to the walls, and effect all necessary repairs, that there may be nothing of this work to be done in the spring. Prepare liberal supplies of leaf-soil, peat, and loam in the sheds, having it all picked over ready for use. See that a supply of charcoal, lime rubble, sand, &c., is maintained. FRUITS UNDER GLASS. By ALEXANDER KIRK, Gardener to J. THOMPSON PATON. Esq,, Norwood, Alloa, Clackmannanshire. Peaches and Nectarines.-Early houses, where the trees are coming into bloom, should be heated very cautiously, and when the weather is cold let the atmosphere be kept somewhat drier than usual. When the flowers are fully open, pollinate them once daily when the sun is warmest with a camel's-hair brush or hare's tail mounted on a stick. This treatment is specially desirable in cases of shy-setting varieties. Maintain an atmospheric temperature of 50° to 55° at night, and 60° to 65° by day, until the fruit is set. Admit air through the top ventilators only, taking care to prevent cold draughts. Orchard house trees plunged out of doors should have a net thrown over them to prevent the buds being damaged by birds. Early Figs. When ripe Figs are required early in the season, it is best to cultivate trees in pots. Plunge the pots in a bed having a bottom heat of 70 to 75°. The atmospheric temperature of the pit should be kept at 50° or 55. Keep the atmosphere of the house moist by sprinkling the paths with water daily. Water the plants carefully. Any plants that require a shift into larger pots should have their roots pruned, as Figs must be kept well in check. The compost used for potting should consist of light, calcareous loam, or, if this cannot be obtained, heavier loam should be mixed with lime rubble. Top-dress all the plants with horsedroppings. Prune the trees, and tie any shoots that may require support. Figs in borders.-If the shoots of these were properly pinched in summer, the trees will require little or no pruning now. Any shoots that are not required may be thinned out to prevent crowding. Wash the stems and branches with soft soap and hot water, especially if red spider or other pest has been troublesome. Wash the woodwork and glass of the houses, and tie all the trees up neatly to the trellis. Next remove the loose surface soil from the borders and top-dress them with fresh loam and lime rubble. Give the border a good soaking with water, and mulch the surface. Keep the house quite cool at present. When new permanent Fig-houses are being erected, remember to see that the rooting space is confined by building partition walls with bricks, and by concreting the bottom of borders. Make up the borders with a compost of light, turfy loam, two parts, and lime rubbish, one part. No manure will be required to be added to the compost. Extra strong wood is undesirable. THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. By J. MAYNE, Gardener to the Hon. MARK ROLLE, Bicton, East Devon. Manuring fruit bushes.-The concluding paragraph in last week's calendar referred to the pruning of Gooseberries and Currants. When the prunings have been removed, the annual manuring of the ground may be proceeded with. There is nothing better for this than farm or stable-yard manure. The better condition it is in the less quantity will be required. It should be wheeled on to the quarters during frosty weather, if circumstances permit, but as one cannot always wait for frost, the most it may be possible to do is to choose a dry day for the work. When the ground is in a workable condition, the manure should be forked-in, care being taken not to interfere with the roots more than is avoidable. If caterpillars were very troublesome last spring, it would be well to first remove 2 inches deep of surface soil immediately under each bush, burying this deeply in another part of the garden, replacing with fresh soil before adding the manure. Raspberry canes may still be planted on heavilymanured, deeply-dug ground, in rows 5 to 6 feet apart from each other, and allowing 18 inches between each cane. The best supports are made with stout posts and strong galvanised straining wire. The variety Superlative is the Raspberry most generally grown, but I learn that it is not a success on all soils, especially that of a retentive nature. Hornets. and Norwich Wonder are favourites with many gardeners. A few canes of a good autumn-bearing kind should be given a place in all gardens. The new variety, November Abundance, is spoken of highly, and two other good sorts are Belle de Fontenay and October Yellow. Old-established stools, if not already put in order, should have the canes tied in position, allowing a space of 5 inches between each cane. Apply a good mulch of rich manure over the roots when the canes have been regulated. Autumn fruiting varieties require to be cut close to the ground towards the end of the month, and afterwards may be manured in a similar manner. Strawberry quarters. - It is pretty general to manure the plants in the autumn, but where such was not done, it would be well to lightly fork between the rows before wheeling on any dressing so that its goodness may be washed to the roots of the plants. The variety Royal Sovereign, being such a rampant grower, should not be treated tooliberally with manure. Those plantations made last August or September will need no manure, providing the ground was well enriched previous to planting. Do not cover the crowns when spreading. THE FLOWER GARDEN. By A. C. BARTLETT, Gardener to Mrs. FORD, Pencarrow, The making of a pergola.-If it is intended to build a pergola, the work should be commenced without delay. The choice of site requires careful consideration. It must be placed in an open situation and away from all large trees. Perhaps the best place is one that leads from one portion of the garden to another, or in the case of small gardens, near the boundary. While on the whole, in this country, its best aspect is north and south, this point must be settled by various considerations. The massive structures, with huge brick or stone pillars supporting thick Oak poles, which are often seen, appear disagreeably artificial, and a pergola composed of light iron rods and wire-work seems wanting in dignity, and is rather too flimsy except when used for a short pergola to be covered chiefly with Roses. Objections may also be raised against one composed entirely of poles on the score of its. being short-lived. So that all things considered a compromise of the first and last may be recommended, using local stone for the pillars to a height of about 3 feet, and in these may be set stout polesof Oak, Larch or Elm (the latter lasts extremely well even when exposed to wet and dry conditions), and the cross pieces should be of similar material securely fastened. It is recommended that these poles be used plain and not ornamented" with rustic devices. Eight feet in height and 9 feet in width will be found suitable measurements, as they will allow of a tall person walking without having to continually "bob beneath the hanging growths, and three persons may comfortably walk abreast. As there will be a deal of drip in wet weather the path should be well drained and somewhat raised above the level of the outside paths. Where room can be afforded, a " finish" to the structure will be given if a border for herbaceous plants be made each side in line with the pillars. In these borders may be planted hardy Lilies and sweet-smelling plants, such as Lavender, Rosemary, and the scented-leaved Pelargoniums. Suitable plants.-As this is largely a matter for individual taste it is sufficient to indicate the type of plants best adapted for furnishing these structures. Clematis, Wistaria sinensis, and Roses in variety are indispensable, as also are Honeysuckles, Jasmine, many ornamental foliage Vines-the new Vitis Henryana is very pretty - Actinidia chinensis, Polygonum Baldschuanicum, &c. When planting a new pergola the plants should be of good size so as to cover the structure as much as possible in the first season, and for this purpose many Tropæolums and Nasturtiums will be found useful. Calceolarias and Violas.-These plants should now be stopped by pinching the shoots, at the same time clearing out any decayed leaves. After the stopping has been done keep the frames shut for a few days, and should frost be likely to occur give extra covering. When growth has again started ventilate as freely as the condition of the weather will permit. The old-fashioned Gazania splendens. requires similar culture. It is a capital subject either for the formation of "edging" or a "groundwork," and will withstand several degrees of frost without suffering harm. 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. Communications should be WRITTEN ON ONE SIDE ONLY OF THE PAPER, sent as early in the week as possible, and duly signed by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith. Special Notice to Correspondents.-The Editor does not undertake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by special arrangement. The Editor does not hold himself responsible for any opinions expressed by his correspondents. Illustrations.-The Editor will be glad to receive and to select photographs or drawings, suitable for reproduction, of gardens, or of remarkable plants, flowers, trees, &c., but he cannot be responsible for loss or injury. Newspapers.-Correspondents sending newspapers should be careful to mark the paragraphs they wish the Editor to see. Local News.-Correspondents will greatly oblige by sending to the Editor early intelligence of local events likely to be of interest to our readers, or of any matters which it is desirable to bring under the notice of horticulturists. APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. SATURDAY, JANUARY 19 Société Française d'Hort. de Londres Annual Dinner at TUESDAY, JANUARY 22-Roy. Hort. Soc. Coms, meet. Croydon & Dist. Hort. Mutual Imp. Soc. Ann. Dinner. THURSDAY, JANUARY 24 - Gardeners' Roy. Benevolent Institution Ann. Meet, and Election of Pensioners at Simpson's Restaurant, Strand, London, 2.45 p.m. Friendly Dinner at 6 p.m. Manchester and N. of Eng. Orchid Soc. meet. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25-Roy. Bot. Soc. meet. AVERAGE MEAN TEMPERATURE for the ensuing week, deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years at Greenwich-38.5°. ACTUAL TEMPERATURES:- Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington_Street, Covent Garden, London.-Thursday, January at We have before us the "guide Agriculture to the experiments" conducted Cambridge, at the University Farm at Impington, near Cambridge, and elsewhere. As these experiments deal almost exclusively with agricultural matters, we can only allude to them in general terms, and express our gratification that matters of such supreme importance, both economically and scientifically, are in such competent hands. If it were possible, we should like to see all the results tabulated, not only in the ordinary method, but also (and eventually exclusively) in terms of the metrical system. We look to the universities and colleges to set the example and adopt a rational system of weights, measures, meteorological records, and the like, so that the results may be made easily comparable one with another and with those obtained on the Continent. For a time it would be necessary to employ both systems. The ordinary cultivator could hardly be expected to do this, but our scientific institutions might do so to their own great convenience. The experiments in breeding cereals are so interesting and so suggestive of what might be done in horticultural practice that we cite them in full : Experiments in Breeding Cereals.—Experiments are in progress with these crops with the object of breeding new varieties of improved yield and quality. The improvement in both cases is begun by cross-breeding suitable types. With the re-discovery of Mendel's Laws of Inheritance, the possibility of obtaining results by this method have been largely increased. One can now work on definite lines without having to leave much to chance as the older plant breeders had to do. The definite ways in which plant-characters are inherited are illustrated by the results obtained on crossing together the Wheats known as Rough Chaff and Golden Drop. The former has a white chaff which is felted or hairy, while in the latter the chaff is smooth and red. The cross-bred plant has felted red chaff, the hairiness and the colour being as pronounced as in the parents. If the grain of the cross-bred Wheat is sown the progeny consists of the following four types of individuals :—hairy red, hairy white, smooth red and smooth white chaff. These types occur in the ratio of 9: 3: 3: 1. All four types can be fixed. Just as in this case it is possible to combine smoothness and whiteness of chaff and so produce a type of Wheat different from either parent, it would appear to be possible to effect combinations of other characters now existing separately in our cultivated Wheats, such characters, for example, as high yield, stiff straw, the power to resist disease, and good baking quality. Efforts are being made to effect such combinations. When the work was begun in 1901 some two hundred different sorts of Wheat were grown and kept under observation. The majority of these proved useless for general cultivation under our English conditions, but some few were selected as possessing valuable characters to an unusual degree. Thus one Wheat was chosen because it was rust-resisting, a second because it promised to yield well, a third for its good straw, and so on. These selections have been crossed with Wheats which after continuous trials have proved to be of good milling quality, and step by step Wheats approaching the ideal we set out with have been built up. Complex as the problem is, the results obtained so far indicate that it is well on the way to a satisfactory solution. Small plots of the fixed types believed to possess considerable strength are now being cultivated from which enough grain will be obtained to test in the mill and bakehouse. The best of these will be selected and grown on in quantity for distribution as soon as possible. The experiments with Barley are conducted on the same lines. Varieties of good malting value as judged by their nitrogen percentage, as well as by the standards of the maltster, are being crossed with high-yielding types with stiff straws. A number of new varieties have resulted and those, after rigorous selection of the best, will be grown on in bulk for testing in the malt house. OF OUR SUPPLEMENTARY ILLUSTRATION NEVIUSIA ALABAMENSIS is of special interest as showing what a lovely plant it is when used for forcing purposes. Of the large number of species which are forced into flower in early spring, few present such an attractive appearance and last in full beauty for such a length of time as the plant under notice. It is a very rare, North American plant, being only found in one locality in Alabama, and was sent to the Royal Gardens, Kew, by Prof. SARGENT, some 24 years ago, where it has proved to be perfectly hardy in the open garden. The plant belongs to the Rosacea, and is closely allied to the genus Kerria, but differs in being devoid of petals. It forms a slender shrub from 3 to 7 feet high, and flowers in the open in the months of May and June. The flowers are pure white, about an inch in diameter, and are produced in clusters on short axillary growths, which are developed from the ripened wood of the previous year's growth. The feature of the flowers is the numerous long, white stamens, which impart to the plant a pretty "feathery " effect. The leaves are somewhat loosely disposed along the slender branches, and are from 1 to 4 inches long, to 14 inches broad, ovate or elliptic-ovate, serrate, and of a pale green colour. The plant is of very easy culture, thriving in a warm position in rich loamy soil, and is readily propagated from cuttings or by division. At Kew, with its attendant fogs and smoke, writes Mr. RAFFILL, the plant has never developed its full beauty in the open air, the flowers always presenting a dirty white appear. ance; but when, some three years ago, it was used as a forcing shrub for early spring effect in the Temperate House, it attracted much attention. An illustration of the flowers [now reproduced] was given in these pages on April 9, 1904, p. 229. It is also figured in the Botanical Magazine t. 6,806. ROYAL GARDENERS' ORPHAN FUND.-Readers interested in this excellent charity will be pleased to hear that the Lord Mayor, Sir WILLIAM TRELOAR, has kindly consented to preside at the next annual dinner of the Fund, which will take place at DE KEYSER'S Royal Hotel, Victoria Embankment, E.C., on Thursday, May 23rd next. GARDENERS' ROYAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. The sixty-seventh annual general meeting of the members and subscribers of this institution will be held at SIMPSON'S, 101, Strand, London, on Thursday, January 24, 1907, at 2.45 p.m., for the purpose of receiving the report of the committee and the accounts of the institution (as audited) for the year 1906; electing officers for the year 1907; and for the election of eighteen pensioners on the funds. The chair will be taken by HARRY J. VEITCH, Esq., F.L.S., V.M.H., treasurer and chairman of the committee, at 2.45 o'clock. The poll will open at 3 o'clock and close at 4 o'clock precisely, after which hour no voting papers can be received. During the year 1906 ELIZA NEWMAN, ANNABELLA E. HERRINGTON, EMMA FINCH, MARY ANN DITE, and ELIZABETH HARRIS, widows of pensioners, have been placed on the funds without election in accordance with Rule III., 13. The voting papers have been issued; any subscriber not having received a copy should communicate with the secretary, GEORGE J. INGRAM, at the offices, 175, Victoria Street, Westminster. We are also requested to state that the annual friendly supper of the friends of this institution will take place after the annual general meeting, on Thursday, January 24, 1907, at SIMPSON'S, 101, Strand, London. The chair will be taken at 6 p.m. by EDWARD WHITE, Esq. (Messrs. MILNER, SON, & WHITE), member of committee. BRITISH GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION.-We are informed that at the last meeting of the Execu tive Council of this association, held at the R.H.S. Hall, Vincent Square, S.W., on January 8, Mr. E. F. HAWES in the chair, 28 new members were elected, making a total of 988. Reports were received from the delegates to Bath and Richmond, and a large increase in membership is anticipated. The report of the association's solicitor in regard to registration was received, and will be more fully considered at the next meeting. The question of holding a conference in connection with the annual meeting on May 29 was considered, and arrange. ments will probably be made to hold one on that occasion. THE HORTICULTURAL DIRECTORY. This annual, unlike flowers so called, is requisitioned almost daily in the Editor's room from January 1 to December 31 (Sundays and Bank Holidays ex. cepted). We can give no greater proof of its utility. It is published at the Journal of Horticulture Office, 12, Mitre Court Chambers, Fleet Street, E.C., at the cost of one shilling. E WATER HYACINTH.-Those who feel interest in the singular balloon-like shape › leaf-stalk and its adaptation to circumAs, those who delight in the beauty of the s of Pontederia crassipes in the Water-Lily of this country, will experience something eling of revulsion at hearing this attractive spoken of as a "noxious pest." A" weed lant growing where it is not wanted, and s sense this quaint-looking plant makes so objectionable in some localities in a and Queensland and parts of Brazil, for the report before us, "have the most childlike faith in the efficacy of a 'Weeds Act' against weeds of every class," a state of mind arising from imperfect knowledge, and one with which we are not unfamiliar even in this country. "It is noteworthy," says the report, "that after a period of years certain weeds disappear as suddenly as they came," the conditions of growth being unfavourable at a critical period or periods, the result is the disappearance of the "weed." Spraying is not to be recommended in this case, the removal of the plant by me NEW SOUTH WALES.-The Year Book of this Colony for 1906 has just been issued. From it it appears that, owing to the abundant rainfall during the year, the prospects have never been brighter nor the outlook more hopeful. The annual contains a mass of information useful not only to residents but also to those desirous of settling in the Colony. The offices of the AgentGeneral are at 123, Cannon Street, E.C. THE PRODUCTION OF NEW VARIETIES.— M. BLARINGHEM states in the Comptes Rendus for December 31, 1906, that severe mutilations made S well as in parts of New South a Commission has been appointed South Wales Government to make nd suggest recommendations. It is readed in tidal rivers where the curng and continuous, but in lagoons a streams it soon makes boat-naviga. impossible. The plant is not desti. tive value for forage purposes, and freely by horses, cattle and pigs, a e to be borne in mind when attempt. with it. "Many worthy people," says (For habit of plant see Supplementary Illustration.) chanical means being alone suggested as practicable by the Committee. The Committee recommend that every landowner be compelled, at his own cost, to destroy all the Water Hyacinth on his property and in the creeks, &c., abutting thereon, within say a period of two years from the passing of the Bill. In certain cases assistance may be given from the public funds towards the eradication of the pest. The report is signed by Mr. J. H. MAIDEN, the Government botanist, as well as by an expert chemist and an engineer. at a particular period constitute a very potent means of inducing sudden hereditary and progressive variations. The plant he experimented on was a variety of Maize. PHOSPHATES FOR ASPARAGUS.-Asparagus shoots are stated to be rich in nitrogen (aspara. gine), potash and phosphoric acid, but poor in lime and magnesia. As the result of some experiments made by MM. ROUSSEAUX & BRIOT, the use of phosphoric manure is indicated. Comptes Rendus, Dec. 31, 1906. |