SELECT CARNATIONS, PICOTEES, AND PINKS.

GREEN MOSS ON TREES.

BY A NURSERYMAN'S TRAVELLER.

257

IN discharging the duties of the office I sustain, I have annually to travel through every county in Great Britain; this affords me numerous opportunities of noticing what comes under my view.

I was very much surprised the past season to observe, in many instances, the unsightly appearance of both trees and shrubs in the immediate connexion of the mansions of the proprietors, even in the pleasure garden, shrubbery, &c., by being covered with a green powder which eventually becomes Moss. This was the more prevalent in low confined situations, but in higher sandy lands I saw many instances of the same defect. Now, it is very obvious, that where this green powder and Moss exist, as I above describe, it must close up the pores of the plant, and thereby prevent the vessels from being acted upon by the external air, &c. I likewise think it receives nourishment by exhausting the sap in the bark, which I perceive first begins to crack, and afterwards die and fall off. I am more confirmed in this opinion by having seen an experiment tried to destroy it; this was done by using the common solution of soft soap and sulphur-vivum mixed with boiling lime water till it became of the consistency of paint. This, when cold, was applied with a paint brush to part of the branches of a young tree that were covered with this green mould, yet the bark was free from cracks. The bark of the portion thus dressed, in a short time, became quite clear, and entirely free, whilst the remainder of the tree was clothed in its green garb.

I very strongly advise all gardeners who have trees, shrubs, &c., infested in the way I deplore, to give them a sprinkling once or twice in the winter season, and I doubt not that it will answer their highest expectation.

I think such attention is very desirable on all ornamental trees, shrubs, roses, &c.

I saw some young plantations of forest trees perishing by the injurious effects of the pest, although they appeared to have only been planted three or four years, and with the exception of the then summer's green shoots were wholly covered with it. When the trees were wet in the winter season, if a good sprinkling of lime dust were thrown over them, I am of opinion it would destroy the Moss, &c., and the trees would be free for years to come, if not for the rest of their growth. I saw an experiment of it, which, in the case of some standard roses, not only was effective when first applied, but ever since they have been quite free and healthy, whilst shrubs of other kinds around have been, and still are, infested, where the remedy had not been used.

SELECT CARNATIONS, PICOTEES, AND PINKS. HAVING attended nearly all the principal shows of florists' flowers during the past season, as usual, we took notes of all the best we saw, these were the following:

VOL. XVII. No. 34.-N.S.

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SELECT CARNATIONS, PICOTEES, AND PINKS.

Flora's Garland, rose flake; Puxley's Queen of Roses, r. f.; Wakefield's Paul Pry, crimson bizard; Hale's Prince Albert, scarlet bizard ; Puxley's Princess Royal, r. f.; Hepworth's Vivid, s. f.; Jaques's Georgiana, c. b.; Brabbin's Squire Meynell, purple flake; Fletcher's Queen of England, r. f.; Ely's Lovely Ann, r. f.; Addenbrook's Lydia, s. f.; Ely's Lord Middleton, c. b.; Bottomley's Beauty of Brighouse, s. f.; Mansley's Beauty of Woodhouse, p. f.; Taylor's Lord Byron, p. f.; Brown's Bishop of Gloucester, s. f.; Holmes's Count Pauline, c. b.; Ward's Sarah Payne, pink and purple bizard; Martin's Splendid, s. b.; Twitchett's Don John, s. b.; Barringer's Earl Spencer, p. f.; Barringer's Premier, r. f.; Jackson's Squire Trow, p. f.; Barringer's Apolla, r. f.; Ely's Mango, p. f.; Elliott's Brilliant, s. f.; Ely's Lord Milton, c. b. ; Easom's Admiral Curzon, s. b. ; Colcut's Brutus, s. b.; Holliday's Thomas Hewlett, c. b.; Hollyoak's Dido, s. f. The above are of first-rate excellence, and all, or any part will prove valuable, and form an approved selection for exhibiting at the floral shows or otherwise.

PICOTEES.-H. signifies heavy edge; L. light edge. The former having a larger breadth of coloured margin than the latter. Jessop's Sir William Middleton, h. red edge; Burroughs' Mrs. Bevan, h. red edge; Cox's Regina, 1. purple edge; Burroughs' Lady Smith, 1. purple edge; May's Juliet, 1. purple edge; Gidden's Princess Royal, 1. red edge; Dickson's Mrs. Trahar, 1. rose edge; Burroughs' Miss Burdett Coutts, 1. red edge; Brinkler's Lady Chesterfield, h. purple edge; Headley's King James, h. red edge; Edmond's Jenny Lind, 1. red edge; Wilson's Miss Fanny Irby, h. rosy-scarlet edge; Sharp's Duke of Wellington, h. red edge; Wilmer's Princess Royal, h. rosy-scarlet edge; Syke's Eliza, h. rose edge; Edmond's Ernest, 1. red edge; Mrs. Ferdinand May's Olivia, h. purple edge; Dickson's Mr. Trahar, h. rosy-scarlet edge; Garratt's Lady Dacre, 1. rose edge; Matthew's Witch, 1. purple edge; Marris's Prince of Wales, h. red edge; Youell's Gem, 1. red edge; Barnard's Mrs. Barnard, 1. rose edge; Brinklow's Wonder, 1. purple edge; Marris's Prince Albert, 1. purple edge; Green's Queen Victoria, h. rose edge; Burroughs' Nimrod, 1. rose edge; Burroughs' Amy, 1. purple edge. Any selection out of the above will prove of excellent quality in all respects.

YELLOW PICOTEES.-Martin's Queen Victoria, Hoyle's Topaz, May's Seedling. Out of many exhibited, the above three are only worth recommending, the others being very defective.

SEEDLING PICOTEES EXHIBITED.-Dodwell's Mary, 1. red edge. The flower is full, petals fine form and substance, also perfectly smooth at the edges, a first-rate in all respects. It was shown at Slough, and obtained the extra prize offered for the best of any colour. Norman's Lord Nelson, h. purple edge, white pure, edging rich and clear, an excellent flower. Norman's Prince Alfred, h. purple edge, this too is a fine flower in all respects, white pure, and edging very distinct. Burroughs' Lady Harriet Moore, 1. purple edge, white pure, and form excellent. Burroughs' Lorina, a very similar flower to the last. Creed's Miss Edwards, h. rosy-scarlet edge, a very good flower, having the coloured portion well defined. Matthew's Juno, 1. lilac

purple edge, a large good shaped flower. The above would form a first-rate collection.

SEEDLING CARNATIONS.-May's Owen Glendower, crimson bizarre, good white, with rich clear colours, and a full sized flower. May's Falconbridge, pink bizarre, petals of good substance, and fine form. May's Romeo, rose flake, large flower, white pure, edging rather pale, but it will be an useful flower. Barringer's No. 100, scarlet flake, white clear, marking very distinctly defined, and free from the defects of spots; at the all England Show it obtained the first prize in its class. Barringer's Derby, scarlet bizarre, of excellent form, with colours clear and distinct.

SUPERB FORMED PINKS.-Norman's Seedling, Smith's Diana, Wilmer's Laura, Norman's Lord Hardinge, Read's Jenny Lind, Looker's Seedling, Kerr's Harriet, Young's Double X., Lady Mildmay, Lord John Russell, Smith's Oxoniensis, Kirtland's Prince Albert, Hodges's Melona, Kent Hero, Joseph Sturge, Etchell's Susannah, Beauty of Clayton Moor, Beauty of Blackburn, Duke of Devonshire.

VERBENAS.

THE following are new French seedlings, in addition to the kinds noticed in p. 152.

LOUIS NAPOLEON BUONAPARTE (Miellez).-Rich deep scarlet, with a very dark spot in the centre surrounding the mouth of the tube, which is quite white, of good average shape, and the best we have seen of its class.

JOHN SALTER (Chauviere).--pale red or scarlet with a deep crimson red spot in the centre, large size, and tolerable form.

MONT ETNA (Dufoy).-Heavy reddish crimson with a darker shade in the centre, large size and good form; distinct.

CHARLOTTE CORDAY (Dufoy).-White changing to pale blue, as the flowers become fully blown, which gives a novel appearance to the trusses, the inner flowers being white encircled by pale blue ones; good form.

PRINCESS AGATE (Dufoy).— Very pale blue, good size and shape, and a neat grower.

IPHIGENIE (Dufoy).-Lilac with crimson-red centre, beautifully shaded and striped with deep blue; of good form and a very large trusser, oue of the best.

MARQUIS DE RIDOLFI (Chauvière).—Shaded crimson with a small dark red eye, pretty.

BELLE ANZINOISE (Defosse).-Blue with a small black eye, a free bloomer.

CELESTIAL (Chauvière).—Azure blue, very even and flat trusser, fine form, and in habit equal to Heloise.

ARIADNE (Salter).-Creamy buff, good trusser and passable shape; distinct.

GENERAL LAMORICIERE (Defosse).- Deep crimson, rather dull, good shape and habit.

SALMONA (Chauviere) deep salmon rose, lively and distinct in colour; a remarkably free bloomer and well adapted for bedding.

GENERAL CAVAIGNAC (Defosse).-Deep crimson with a darker centre, very large size and of good form.

LUCRECE (Salter).-Lilac shaded and edged with blue purple, a large trusser and distinct.

ECLIPSE (Epps).-This is an English variety, in colour blush, regularly striped down the centre of each segment with pink. In form as good as the average, a free bloomer, and very pretty variety.

REMARKS.

NEW PETUNIA" COUNT ZICHY.”—This is a very beautiful Petunia and well adapted for pot cultivation, training over a wire trellis, &c. The flowers are of intermediate size, the ground colour deep rosy crimson, clouded towards the limb-margin of the corolla with glowing purple, and having a good light centre, the throat being distinctly striated with dark pencillings. Some of the flowers eventually become rosy crimson selfs, and (interpersed with the darker ones) produce a very pretty appearance in contrast with the bright verdure of the leaves.

SALVIA PATENS ALBA.-As Salvia patens is admired for its fine blue, so the subject of our present notice will become a favourite from its whiteness. In foliage, robustness of habit and general appearance, if we except the inflorescence, it is of course, as the name imports, but a counterpart of S. patens. The flowers are equal in size to the latter, and of a snowy whiteness, having, however, an inconspicuous tinge of a pale blue (which enhances rather than detracts from its merit) in the centre of the lower lip of each flower. It will doubtless be found a useful acquisition to the flower garden, and all the more desirable for being a white Salvia patens.

Manure for GARDENS.-Sulphate of Ammonia.-Half an ounce to a gallon of water is a powerful stimulant, but must only be applied as you would water; the soil should be soaked. Two waterings will be found sufficient. Soot, at the rate of six quarts to a hogshead of water, and stirred well, till it dissolves, is an excellent liquid manure may be applied much oftener, and on a larger scale. Guano.-Half an ounce to a gallon of water is strong enough to be used with advantage, without danger of injuring anything; and two or three applications, a month apart, will not be too much. These liquid manures are most efficacious when applied to plants that have filled their pots with roots, and want shifting, for it gives new life, and protracts the starving point some weeks; but weak as they may be supposed to be if applied without intermission, long together they will do mischief. - Gardener's Journal.

A LIST OF PLANTS FOR A VASE, &c.-What flowers are most suitable for stone vases, two to three feet in diameter, stationed on the

REMARKS.

261 lawn, combining an upright plant, such as a Fuchsia, with others that will hang down the sides of the vase?—G. B. N.

[In numerous instances, vases are removed at the end of summer from out-door situations, and are placed where they are protected from the effects of winter. In these cases, plants grown in pots can be turned into the vases early in spring, and become ornaments for the entire season. We have known others having plants that are permanent ones, but the vases are removed with the plants retained into a suitable place of winter protection. There are plants which endure the severity of winter in a vase without injury. The first method is what we have adopted for many years. The following kinds we have proved to answer fully :

Fuchsias, both dark and light flowered; Clematis Sieboldii, white, with dark eye; Clematis azurea grandiflora, blue; Sollya heterophylla, blue; Tropaeolum canariense, yellow; Eccremocarpus scaber, orange red; Maurandia Barclayana, blue; also the white variety; Caprifolium flexuosum (Honeysuckle), yellow; Caprifolium gratum (evergreen ditto), red and white; Caprifolium sempervirens (trumpet ditto), scarlet, and the floribunda, scarlet; also, the splendens, scarlet. There is another variety, called the aurea; the flowers are an orangegolden colour. These four trumpet-flowered are very distinct and handsome. Bignonia radicans lutea, yellow; Bignonia radicans major, orange red; Bignonia capreolata, purple; Passiflora cærulea, blue; Jasminum revolutum, bright yellow; Sutherlandia frutescens (peaformed flower), scarlet; Dabæcia polifolia (Irish Heath), purple ; also the white-flowered variety. These are readily trained up to fine bushes. Edwardsia grandiflora, yellow pea-flowered; Escallonia rubra, red; also the white-flowered variety; Cytisus filipes, white; Cytisus Atleeana, yellow; Cytisus purpureus, purple; also the white variety; Hibiscus Syriacus (Althea frutex), white, red, purple, striped, and rose, both single and double flowers. These are readily pruned to any desired form. Hydrangea hortensis, rose; also the blue variety; Spirea prunifolia, white; Roses, of which there are many of the Chinese, Hybrid Chinese, Noisette, Bourbon, and Evergreen classes, peculiarly adapted to bloom from the beginning of June to November. Dwarf standards or climbers are most easily formed to any shape desirable. The Chinese, crimson, red, scarlet, and other colours, are splendid, as are the beautiful white-clustered Aime Vibert, Noisette, and the handsome white Ayrshire, Thoresbyana. Our space, at present, prevents us giving an extended list. Genista canariensis, yellow; Heliotropium Voltairianum, rich blue, large heads of flower, it forms a fine tree; Abutilon venosum, golden yellow, with a rich crimson net-work (see vol. for 1847, Feb. Plate); Pentstemon gigantea elegans, rich crimson; P. gentianoides alba, white; P. gentianoides vera, blue; Cuphea strigulosa, yellow, green, and red; C. platycentra, crimson, black, and white. These are very interesting and beautiful, blooming very profusely. Petunias, tree-like plants, in great variety and beauty, from May to November; Ceanothus azureus, blue; Pelargoniums, scarlets and blush varieties, which, by pruning,