i88i.] SOME NOTES. U7 



of hardy blossoms of promise and great beauty the cry is " still they 

 come ! '* 



CAPE PONDWEED. 



Aponogeton distachyon is not uncommon in good gardens as a hardy 

 aquatic plant. We force a dozen or two of its Artichoke-like tubers 

 every winter, and find them a great addition to the winter blossoms of 

 the intermediate bouse or conservatory. Pans of earthenware 2 feet in 

 diameter and 8 inches in depth hold three tubers. We plant in sound 

 lumpy loam surfaced with sand. A layer of loam 3 inches thick, 

 covered with half an inch of sand after the tubers are planted, is ample, 

 after which fill up with clean water to the rim, and keep it fresh by 

 raining a potf ul of water over the pan every morning. We plant early 

 in November, and have plenty of flower-spikes from Christmas until 

 April. In May we place the pans under a warm south wall, emptying 

 out the water, and here, exposed to air and sunshine, the earth is baked 

 dry. The tubers thus are induced to rest from May until planting-time, 

 and start into growth as readily as Roman Hyacinths. Having a quan- 

 tity of small tubers the size of Walnuts, we this season tried some of 

 them in 6-inch pots, three tubers in each. The pots were placed in 

 saucers, and the loam was kept saturated by watering overhead ; thus 

 treated in a temperature of 45° to 65°, they have flowered well, with 

 from seven to fifteen spikes fully expanded at once. For permanent 

 results and large well - developed spikes for cutting, however, pan- 

 culture in water is best ; and to all who have to provide choice and 

 uncommon flowers for finger-glasses or vases in the drawing-room dur- 

 ing the winter months, I can confidently recommend this charming 

 water-weed. The drying-off or baking process is, however, very, essen- 

 tial, in order to obtain a good simultaneous development or " crop " of 

 spikes and fresh green leaves at the desired season. 



POOT-CUTTTXGS. 



Cuttings of the root often give better results than other means of 

 propagation. Three plants just occur to me that may readily be 

 increased by cuttings oft' their thick fleshy roots. Their names are 

 Senecio pulcher, Stokesia cyanea, and lastly, that beautiful fair maid 

 of autumn. Anemone japonica alba. The mode to follow is to dig 

 up the roots from November to February, cut them into li inch 

 lengths, and insert them in pans of sandy earth, which may be placed 

 near the light on a shelf in a cool house. Nearly all rare Anemones 

 and many other plants succeed well propagated in this way. When 

 leafy growth and roots are produced, pot off in May, and place in a 

 close frame for a few days ; and finally, give air on fine days, and plant 

 out in the end of June, or earlier. In this way it is easy to keep up a 

 stock of sturdy, young, free-blooming plants for cut-bloom, or for bor- 

 der or conservatory decoration. 



