Fortunei. The Azaleas or deciduous Rhododen drons are represented by many hundreds of plants, beautifully situated between stumps of old trees in an open glade. In this quarter of the garden is to be seen just now some of the most exquisite shades of colouring imaginable, including yellow (pale and bright), orange, reds of many shades, delicate pink, white, rose, and all intermediate shades. These Azaleas represent both species and hybrids, the former including R. calendulaceum, R. nudiflorum, R. sinense, R. occidentale, and R. flavum. For

Anchusa and some of the other members of the Boraginaceæ is only equalled in depth and beauty by that of the Gentians, and in "Opal" is seen the beautiful shade of blue suggested by the name.

LINNEAN SOCIETY.-The next meeting will be held on Thursday, June 20, at 8 p.m., when the following papers will be read: 1, by the late Dr. MAXWELL T. MASTERS, F.R.S., "Distribution of Conifers of China"; 2, Mr. CLEMENT REID, F.R.S., and Mrs. REID, "Pre-glacial Flora of

Canadian Horticulturist for the month of May, the prospects are favourable for all kinds of fruits. The trees have come through the winter uninjured except in Kent county, where the Peach buds are badly cut and many young trees killed; as also four-years-old Pear trees. Fruit buds on Apple trees are plentiful everywhere, and the trees are healthy.

ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY.-A meeting will be held in the rooms of the Society, 70, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., on Wednes

NATIONAL ROSE SOCIETY'S EXHIBITIONS IN 1907.-The Metropolitan Exhibition will be heid in the Royal Botanic Gardens, London, on Thursday, July 4; the Provincial Exhibition at Saltaire, in Yorkshire, on Tuesday, July 16; and the Autumn Rose Show, in the Royal Horticultural Hall, Vincent Square, Westminster, on Tuesday, September 21.

POTATO "MIDLOTHIAN EARLY."-The Scotsman last week stated that: "Market gardeners along the coast report very rapid growth in Potatos during the past week, especially in plants of Midlothian Early, which in many gardens are just meeting in the drill." This variety secured both first and second prizes at the recent show of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society in Edinburgh.

THE FRENCH TOURING CLUB.-This body has divided the sum of 5,000 francs among several forestry societies for the purpose of improving the woods and meadows. The club seeks to influence the schoolmasters and the children in this scheme of beautifying the landscape by offering prizes. Arbour Days, which in previous years have had good results in the same direction, will likewise be instituted, seeing that these serve the aims of the club in an excellent manner.

OF

- An

THE TERMINAL BUDS RUBUS. example of the manner in which plants may suffer injury from hard frosts is given by a correspondent in the Gartenflora for May 1, 1907, p. 238.

He observes that when nature's warning is disregarded the plant may suffer, stating as an example some one-year-old shoots of the largefruited Blackberry, some of which had been taken down from a fence and laid on the surface of the soil, but others had been left on the fence. The points or end buds of the long growths of the Blackberry consist in late autumn of a globular thickening a winter bud capable of developing roots. This point is intended to form a new plant by sinking into the soil and taking root. The union with the earth affords protection to these terminal buds, for all shoots that were in a position to do this escaped injury from frost; whilst those of the same age that were fastened to the fence were more or less damaged.

THE VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS OF BULGARIA. The visitor to the exhibition now open at Earl's Court who has observed the large collections of pulses, grains, and other seeds of plants, as well as the fine specimens of timber in the rough state, and also worked up into articles of domestic use; the wines, tobacco, and hemp, and the attar of Roses made at Kasanlik, may have been astonished at their intrinsic good Whilst the soquality and great abundance. called Balkan States were under Turkish rule, every kind of art and culture remained in a backward condition, but under the more enlightened rule of the present Sovereigns there are many signs of improvement and progress on every hand, and internal trade and exports have largely increased. It is interesting to learn from Thalacker's Offerte Journal, of recent date, the amount and value of the imports and exports in plants, shrubs, flowers, flowering bulbs, and garden and forest tree seeds. The imports in these articles in 1905 amounted to 41,562 kg. (52,516 frs.), of which Germany contributed 15,946 kg. (18,766 frs.) The imports of fresh fruits amounted to 1,357,985 kg. in value, 237,161 frs., of which quantity only 19 kg. of the value of 7 frs. came from Germany. Bulgaria's exports came to about 1,817,814 kg. (61,528 frs.), of which total 24 kg. (7 frs.) only came to Germany. The above statistics show that Bulgaria is a country in which horticulturists may find a market and do good business if ordinary prudence is exercised.

THE ONION SEED CROP IN CALIFORNIA, &c.-The latest estimate of damage to the prospective Onion seed crop in California places the number of acres totally destroyed at something over 1,000, and a crop of from 30 to 50 per cent. on the remaining area. One grower states that, in his opinion, Onion seed will be worth from 2 dollars to 3 dollars per pound next autumn. In Germany Onion seed was among the short items this season, except Giant Zittau, which was in abundance, owing to the unusually large plantations made in 1906; and the price of this variety went down lower than ever.

ELECTRICITY AND THE VINE.-Mr. GEORGE MASSEE, writing in Knowledge and Scientific News respecting the use of electricity in promoting the growth of the Vine and in destroying its parasitic enemies, states that the "discovery was first made by a cultivator of Vines. The method consisted in the arrangement of two series of metallic conductors traversing the roots at a depth of about 60 centimetres, so as not to injure the aboveground portion of the Vines. Each series of conductors forms with the plants it traverses an electrode, and electric currents are liberated by neighbouring electrodes of contrary signs. One of the collectors is bound to a lightning rod, about 20 metres in height, furnished at its extremity with a quantity of small copper points. The other is attached to a metal plate buried in the ground. The experiment was tried on Vines badly infested with Phylloxera, and at the end of the first season it was found that most of the insects were killed, and at the end of the second season not a single living insect could be discovered. In addition to destroying the Phylloxera, it was observed that the treated Vines grew more vigorously than a check batch of untreated ones, the quantity and quality of the fruit was also much better in the treated batch. This primitive method of applying electricity has been modified by Professor BARDE, who finds that in place of a current of about 120 volts as first used, currents varying between 1,000 and 2,000, or even 3,000 volts can be applied without producing the slightest injury to the plants treated."'

LEGACIES FOR SERVANTS.-The Hon. MARK ROLLE, who died in April last, left his butler and housekeeper £60 each, his gardener, forester and keeper, £50 each, all of Stevenstone, North Devon; while at Bicton, his East Devon Estate, the gardener, forester, clerk of works, and keeper, all benefit by £50 each.

THE CHEROKEE ROSE (R. LÆVIGATA).-A correspondent in Horticulture, U.S.A., writing in regard to the statement that is made in Cyclopedia of American Horticulture that the Cherokee Rose can be grown satisfactorily away from its native regions only in a greenhouse," states that if the author of that sentence is still alive, and will cross the Continent, he may see a hedge of this Rose 50 feet high, as many feet in width, and eight times as long, growing in the private grounds of Mr. TEVIS, at Bakersfield. When in bloom it is one of the most beautiful sights in California.

The

PICEA MORINDOIDES, REHDER. We have received a cone-bearing shoot of this interesting Spruce from Sir EDMUND G. LODER, Bart. tree from which it was taken is growing in his garden at Leonardslee, Horsham. This is the first recorded instance of this Spruce bearing cones in Great Britain. We only know of one other tree of goodly size, and that is in Lord ANNESLEY'S garden at Castlewellan. Picea morindoides (see Gardeners' Chronicle, April 7, 1906, Fig. 84) is of Himalayan origin, and is one of the "Flatleaved Spruces." In habit it resembles P. morinda, but in leaf-character is scarcely distinguishable from P. sitchensis. Its status as a species was first recognised by Mr. REHDER, who found the tree in the garden of M. ALLARD, near Angers.

This tree produces cones every year, but M. ALLARD says it has never borne fertile seed. We hope Sir EDMUND LODER may have better fortune. It is not unlikely, as was pointed out by Dr. HENRY in these columns, March 3, 1906, that other specimens are in existence in Britain. An illustration of the Castlewellan tree was given in our issue for May 5, 1906, p. 294. The cones are 1 to 2 inches long, cylindrical, and in colour reddish purple.

AGRICULTURAL mental Committee, of which Lord REAY is chairman, held meetings on the 4th, 5th, and 6th inst. Professor LLOYD MORGAN, University College, Bristol; Dr. H. R. MILL, Royal Meteorological Society; Mr. S. KIDNER, Milverton, Somerset; Mr. E. V. V. WHEELER, Worcester County Council: Mr. EDWARD BROWN, lecturer in poultry keeping, &c.; and representatives of the Harper Adams Agricultural College, Newport, Salop, of the University College of North Wales, Bangor, and of Bigod's Hall, Dunmow, Essex, attended and gave evidence.

EDUCATION.-The Depart

WANSTEAD PARK. Last winter the West Ham Distress Committee, with the consent of the Epping Forest Committee, undertook the task of excavating and concreting the bed of the Heronry Pond in Wanstead Park, and enlarging the islands; the Distress Committee were thus able to find work for a large number of unemployed men for many weeks during the winter. The amount originally voted has been found insufficient to complete the undertaking, and the Epping Forest Committee has therefore agreed to provide £500 out of the capital account of the Epping Forest Fund, subject to certain condi tions, to finish the work.

IRISH INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.-We are informed that an exhibition of Sweet Peas will probably be held within the precincts of the Irish International Exhibition, Dublin, towards the end of July. Due notice will be given of the arrangements as soon as completed.

THE LAW OF Trespass.-At a general meeting of the Leek and District Agricultural Society, held on May 15, it was decided to send to the President of the Board of Agriculture and the President of the Royal Agricultural Society, the following resolution :-"That owing to the unsatisfactory state of the law relating to trespass, and the great amount of damage frequently caused thereby to farmers, Parliament be petitioned to amend the law with respect to the penalties, &c., or possibly, a clause might be inserted in the English Land Bill which the present Government have introduced."

GLADIOLUS "PEACE." Referring to the description of this variety on p. 205, Mr. H. H, Goff, Simcoe, Ontaria, Canada, writes us as fol lows:-"The variety is not pure white, but has

a delicate lilac feathering on the inferior peta's It is, however, a grand flower of rare quality, and the plants are extremely vigorous. It was named before Messrs. Kelway's flower of the same name came under my notice."

Publications Received.-Flower Decoration in the House. By Miss Gertrude Jekyll. Country Life Library, George Newnes, Ltd., Covent Garden, WC. -The Art and Craft of Garden Making. By Thomas Mawson; 3rd Edition. B. T. Batsford, 94, Hit Holborn, London.-From Collins' Clear Type Press, London, and Glasgow, The Great Refusal, The Secret Woman, The Brown Eyes of Mary, and The Golden Butterfly. These are the first four books in the issue of Collins' Handy Modern Fiction, published at 7d. each net. These little books are neither so ephemeral as the 6d. novels in paper covers, not expensive like the 6s. volumes. Each book is clearly printed in bold type, with coloured frontispiece and title page specially drawn for the series.

A DISEASE OF AGAVES.-These plants have, under cultivation, hitherto escaped the attack of fungoid disease, but now Dr. COOKE writes that a species of anthracnose, which developed on young Agaves in Italy, has made its appearance in the United States, and may ultimately reach these islands. All the species of gloeosporium and colletotrichum are most persistent pests of plants under cultivation. He says: In the present instance a number of small Agave plants were placed in one of the greenhouses of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, and in a short time many of them were found to be dying from a disease which at first attacked the older leaves. The conidia of the fungus apparently germinate on the surface of the host plant, and gain entrance through the stomata or through wounds. The tissue of the leaf is penetrated by the mycelium in all directions, and forms either a circular or an elliptical spot, which is at first darker in colour than the surrounding tissue, but changes finally to either a brown or a grey colour. The adjacent tissues under moist conditions turn brown and rot rapidly, the mycelium penetrating to all parts of the leaf. Under less humid conditions the affected tissues of the host slowly darken in colour, often assuming a purple tinge. The pustules are usually formed in concentric rings, and differ from those in species of gloeosporium in being furnished with setce, which is a characteristic of colletotrichum. The following is a more explicit description of the fungus causing the disease. 'Spots circular or elliptical, often becoming confluent, olive, changing to grey or brown; pustules spherical to oblong, usually breaking through the epidermis in concentric rings, and ejecting orange-coloured masses of conidia; seto acute to blunt, light brown, 2 to 5 septate, 150 to 170 × 5 to 6 mm. Conidia oblong or cylindrical, hyaline, with one or two guttules 16 to 31 × 5 to 6 mm. Conidiophores erect, hyaline, usually simple, but variable in length. No ascigerous stage has been found.' This pest has been recognised upon leaves of six or seven species of Agave under cultivation, and often causes the death of young plants. The species thus characterised is named Colletotrichum Agaves (Cav.), and was first detected on leaves of Agave Utahensis, and has presumably developed on the leaves of a species from Mexico. The superintendent of the garden has been successful in checking the spread of the disease, which is favoured by moist conditions. All the diseased plants are placed in a separate locality, and the lower leaves are removed as soon as they show signs of the disease. Bordeaux Mixture, made according to the ordinary formulæ, is beneficial in preventing the spread of the fungus to adjacent plants."

REMEDY FOR SLUGS.-A correspondent in a morning paper writes: "A capital means of combating slugs is malt-dust, which can be obtained from any brewery. It should be sprinkled around the seedling plant in an unbroken circle. As soon as the slug gets into this dust its attention is centred on ridding itself of the clinging material."

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

(The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed by his correspondents.)

A YELLOW RHODODENDRON.-I read with much interest the article on hardy Rhododendron hybrids in the issue for June 1, but I cannot agree with the writer when he says that "up to the present no hardy, yellow-flowered Rhododendron has been raised. We have had in the garden here for many years a pure yellow variety precisely similar to R. Thompsoni except in colour. about 3 feet in height and the same through, and it is quite hardy. We have also R. Smithii aureum, sent to Lord Annesley from Kew, which is a good yellow colour and has been some years out-ofdoors; this also appears to be perfectly hardy here. J. Ryan, The Gardens, Castlewellan, co. Down, Ireland.

It is

THE CULTIVATION OF WATSONIA ARDERNEI. -The account (on p. 273) of failure to grow Watsonias, by F. W. G., may just as well have been written of many thousands of bulbs or corms that find their way to English gardens, and in practically every instance the trouble arises during the resting period and immediately before it. It is here, certainly, that cultivation is faulty, and more generous treatment is necessary for the plants whilst in growth and at rest also. In the first instance F. W. G.'s pots were too small. A Watsonia could not perfect a flower spike and form a new bulb of flowering strength in such confinement, and particularly would failure be likely to ensue if every endeavour was not made to maintain the leaves in a green state as long as possible. Their root system is exceedingly strong and the roots are often as much as one yard in length. A good way of treating Watsonias is to grow three bulbs in a 12-inch pot, using a compost of fibrous loam mixed with one-fourth its bulk of dried cow-manure, and taking care to provide the pots with good drainage. The bulbs may touch the sides of the pots with advantage to their roots. Forcing will destroy their vigour; they should be allowed to grow slowly in the temperature of a cool vinery, giving cow-manure water when the pots have become filled with roots. Here they may remain till the spikes develop, when exposure to more sunshine will prepare them for the conservatory or display-house. Cultivation does not end here, however, for as long as a green leaf remains to do the work of building up new corms, water will be required, and if plenty of leafage in an active state survives the inflorescence, manure water may be freely given. All the ripening the bulbs will need is readily provided by half plunging the pots in the open sunshine; here they will rest quietly till winter, such rainfall as they may get sufficing to maintain their freshness and vigour. They will start into growth at their accustomed time, but often remain quiescent for many weeks with the growths just appearing through the soil, and one can extend the flowering season by selecting such as are precocious, introducing these to more heat, allowing the others to follow. A Watsonia that flowers exceptionally well generally makes two or three corms, and these need every chance of development after the flowers have passed. If such development is continued at the expense of a dry resting period it does not matter. One can flower a fully developed corm without previously resting it for a long time, but one cannot flower an undeveloped corm under any conditions. The more one studies Cape bulbs, or those from other warm climates, the more is one inclined to regard the prolonged resting period as of secondary importance. The plants cannot do the work in a handful of soil they have been accustomed to do in a bushel; pot culture is still an artificial way of growing plants, and successful only so long as it is aided by good culture. One can follow guardedly in the footsteps of the man who grows Chrysanthemums and vegetables well; build up flowering bulbs by extending the growing season to the uttermost limits; rest can follow this if the bulbs have gained strength enough to flower. Any reference to Watsonias would be incomplete without a warning. These plants are wholly incapable of withstanding fumigation without injury, a character shared by many Iridaceous plants from the Cape. G. B. Mallett.

CRUSHED SHELLS AS A FERTILISER.—The value of shells in a crushed state is not generally recognised when the compost for various plants is being prepared, or top-dressings for Vines and other fruit-tree borders. It is the custom to mulch such freely each year with farmyard manure, and it may be sometimes carried to excess causing the borders to become soddened and soured. A beneficial change may be made occasionally by the use of crushed shells, even if a slight mulch of some kind has to be given later for conserving moisture in the soil. It is with pot plants, however, that I have noticed the most satisfactory results from the free addition of crushed shells in the compost, and also as part drainage. The roots of fruiting Pines revel in it, proving it to be a good "root producer as well as fertiliser. In turning out the old stools of these as well as those of Chrysanthemums that had been grown for producing exhibition blooms, I have found a solid mass of roots where an inch of crushed shells has been placed over the crocks. I would not advise the use of oyster shells in a whole state for drainage, as they decompose only very slowly and the soil is apt to collect in the inside of the shells and prevent

the water getting away freely even when the concave side is placed downwards. Such shells should be well broken and then passed through a sieve with a half-inch mesh, using the rougher for placing over the crocks and the finer for mixing with the soil. We prefer this to sand, as porosity is the better secured and the staple improved. The shells need not be those of oysters, as I have used, with equally good results, shell gravel which forms suitable paths in ferneries. Richard Parker.

HARDINESS OF THE CAMELLIA.-Referring to Practical Gardener's note, p. 346, I do not think the Camellia can be considered hardy in this county, for on three occasions stout, carefully-hardened bushes have been planted at Grimston, but in the course of two or three years they have all died. They were afforded sheltered positions and had their stems and main branches wrapped with the common bracken for protection in the autumn. In one case the trees survived through two mild winters practically unhurt, but the third season, when upwards of 15° of frost were registered they succumbed. The plants included half a dozen varieties, Marchioness of Exeter being the hardiest. It may be stated that Grimston is situate in midYorkshire, at the end of lower Wharfdale, and at an altitude of about 60 feet above the sea-level. The sub-soil consists of magnesian limestone. H. J. C., Grimston Gardens.

I

STRAWBERRY "KENTISH FAVOURITE." wish to direct the attention of gardeners and market growers who have not yet grown this variety to its valuable qualities as an early forcing kind. I forced a few plants this year in the same house, and concurrently with a batch of Royal Sovereign. The fruits set well, swelled evenly and rapidly, and ripened eight days before those of Royal Sovereign. Each plant perfected from eight or ten fruits, which averaged from 2 to 3 ounces each. They were solid and firm in texture, somewhat sweeter and deeper in colour than Royal Sovereign, and possessed a distinct "pine" flavour. The firm texture of the fruit should ensure their travelling well in transit. The habit of the plant is dwarf, sturdy, and compact. I should not like to prophesy that it will supersede Royal Sovereign as an early forcing variety, but I predict that it will speedily attain a prominent position, as a variety for early forcing. T. Challis, Wilton House.

YORKSHIRE GALA.-This annual horticultural exhibition will be held on June 19, 20, and 21. The Yorkshire Gala is the only northern prototype of the Temple Show in the south. Next year (1908) is its jubilee, and already the enterprising committee has issued a preliminary schedule of extra prizes to be awarded on that occasion. These prizes are certainly of an original character, and may reasonably be expected to produce good competitions. I should like to suggest that medals of varying value be given for the best plans of how to lay out gardens varying in size from half an acre upwards, and for the best exhibit of implements useful in horticulture generally. The cost of doing this would not be great, and it would have some educational value. Yorkshire Gardener.

MICE ATTACKING LILIES.-The best course for B. L. to take in regard to field mice destroying his Lilies is to dust the flower heads and young leaves with red lead. He will find that the mice will not eat many buds, as they dislike the taste, and it will poison them if they venture to do so. I have known mice to eat Lilies before, and have found poisoning the only remedy. E. H. Hallett.

SCHIZANTHUS at Cote HOUSE. Of late years the greenhouse Schizanthus has become exceedingly popular as a pot plant, and great improvement has taken place in the quality and colour of its flowers; especially is this seen in the type known as S. Wisetonensis. Amongst the improvers of this flower must be included Mr. W. H. Bannister, of Cote House Gardens, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol. Mr. Bannister's strain is a very fine one, the plants being of medium size and neither very dwarf nor of the great height to which plants of the older stocks will rise, but averaging about 4 feet Many of the lateral sprays of his flowers are fully 18 inches in length, the habit of the plants being much branched, and the colours very varied. The flowers are in demand at Cote House for utting, and successional batches are raised