318 THE GARDENER. [July 



plants of this species now being brought into Covent Garden Market 

 by tlie London market-growers. These plants are propagated from 

 cuttings in the autumn and spring, and flower in from twelve to fifteen 

 months, bearing from one to four magnificent clusters of rosy flowers. 

 Some of the largest, or autumn-struck plants, vary from 18 inches 

 to 2 feet across, and are literally one mass of bloom, and invaluable 

 either for window-plants or conservatory decoration. I visited a 

 small market-garden at South Acton the other day, and saw a long 

 span-roofed greenhouse quite full of this beautiful plant, while hun- 

 dreds had already found their way to Covent Garden before my visit. 

 In the turf-pits outside, 4000 cuttings had been potted off ready for 

 next year's supply, and this in one small establishment only — a fact 

 quite sufficient to show the high estimation in which this plant is held 

 around London. Old plants furnish quantities of fine cuttings, which 

 strike freely in a moderate temperature, after which they are at once 

 potted off in good fibrous loam, leaf-mould, and sand, and placed close 

 together in any empty space at command. The leading growth is 

 pinched out at the second or third joint, so as to obtain strong bushy 

 plants as dwarf as possible. As the pots become filled with roots, 

 they are again potted on into 48's, and the larger ones into 32's, 

 and in these they produce their flowers. During summer they are 

 liberally suj^plied with water, a little manure-water being occasionally 

 added to strengthen their growth. They are kept as near to the glass 

 as possible while growing, and fully exposed to the sun, by which 

 means the plants are kept dwarf and bushy. The aim of the market- 

 grower is to get these plants into the market as early as possible, 

 since a much better price is thus obtained. Those now in the metro- 

 politan market sell wholesale at from 24s. to 30s. per dozen, and are 

 eagerly bought up at the price. The market-grower has, in fact, but 

 little difficulty in disposing of his flowering plants or cut-flowers, 

 provided they are good in quality and early, these being the two 

 great essentials necessary in order to succeed. 



Every one who has to keep up a succession of flowering plants in 

 either greenhouse or conservatory, will find yearling plants of the 

 common Hydrangea invaluable for the purpose at this particular 

 season, and for the next month or six weeks. We often see the 

 Hydrangea with poor greenish blossoms ; but if grown close to the 

 glass in a low span-roof house or pit, fully exposed to sun and air, 

 the flowers finish off beautifully, and are of the brightest rosy hue 

 imaginable. When growing, the plants require but little room, and 

 when in full flower are very effective when grouped along with 

 Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, Eerns, and other decorative plants. 



F. W. B. 



