SOMEPRUNINGS.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7772, 28 January 1891, Page 3

SOMEPRUNINGS.

Artemisia moxa is a Chinese plant. A soft, sowing substance is prepared, both in China and Japan, from the leaves which is called ''moxa." The leaves are dried in the shade, and then beaten in a mortar until tbey become tow. This substance is rubbed between the hands until the harder fibres and membranes are separated, and there remains nothing but a very fine cotton. It ie used in Japan as tinder was formerly used by us, but mainly as a cautery. It is said that twice a year, men and women, young and old, rich and poor, are, indiscriminately burnt with moxa, either to preventdisorders or to cure rheumatism. The Extension of Fruit Cultivation in Great Britain.—We learn from the Pall Mall Gazette that about London, in almost every direction, but especially towards Farninghara, in Kent, an added extent of land is being prepared for the growth of fruit. Fields, many acres in extent, are wholly arranged for Strawberries. There are scores of acres being planted with Currant bushes. For the most part this vast area of fruit is destined for jammaking, an industry very large in' London, which the policy of the Government as to sugar at one time placed in jeopardy. An estimate has been published in an official document, that seven of the principal jam-makers and confectioners in London use 34,000 tons'of sugar per annum. It has been estimated tbat the quantity used in Scotland for similar purposes is about 40,000 tons per annum. The soil and climate of parts of Scotland are admirably adapted for Strawberries, and as far north as Aberdeen they are produced very extensively. Window Gardening.—Mr J. C. Tonkin the celebrated bulb grower of Scilly, writing to a local paper, suggests that a pretty bit of window gardening may be brought about in the following manner:—Procure a round, shallow dish (a glass one being preferable). In the bottom put a thin turf, soil uppermost, on the surface of which strew a few bits of charcoal. In the centre, place half a dozen bulbs of Narcissus obvallaris, yellow Trumpet Daffodil, one of the earliest to bloom; around this plant. rather thickly, Ornithogalum umbellatum, or Star of Bethlehem, a pretty white flower, growing in umbels. Around the edge of the dish plant mixed Crocus; then cover the same with a turf of moss, making holes in tbe same for the bulbs to push up their growth; a few bulbs of Triteleia uniflora, a pretty little white flower, growing on a slender foot-stalk about four or five inches hiah, and the foliage trailing over the moss, makes a pretty undergrowth. Then water freely, and keep it in a warm room, and you will have a good display in early spring. There are other varieties in the Trumpet section that might be used, A good centre might alone oe made with any of tbe single Incorap*rabilis section, or the great Welsh Daffodil, Sir Watkin, the largest of that section ; or with tbe poeticus section, as Bnrbidgeii, poeticus ornatus, early flowering, and poeticus recuryus, one of the latest to flower., Another plan may be adopted:—Procure.— deep glass jar, such as is usually sold with 21b of marmalade. In the bottom, place about 2 inches of clean sand, with a few Inmps of charcoal; plant on the surface three or fonr bulbs of any variety, and then fill with sand, just to the crown of the bulb. Water freely. In a short time the roots sent out will push up the bulbs so that the base will just rest on the sand. Keep in a moist room with plenty of moisture (tepid water), if early flowers are wanted. Bulbs thus treated do not exhaust themselves as much as If grown in water alone.