til4 



H ORTI CULTU RE 



May 12, 1906 



across and contrasts very effectively with the deep green 

 glossy leaves and flower scapes. These latter resemble 

 the leaves very much only through the center can be 

 seen the proper flower stem in the shape of a swollen 

 midrib. The accompanying picture shows this plain, 

 also the way the flowers proceed from (lie side near the 

 top of the scape. At the same place and time as the 

 flowers come out young plants will push forth, which 

 affords a ready means of propagation as they will root 

 as soon as they come in contact with the soil or sand 

 "ii which the plant happens to stand. After flowering 

 t lie scapes will droop down and then these young plants 

 will soon establish themselves. If it is not desired to 

 propagate from them, the young plants on the old 

 flower scapes can be left on, the plant stood on an 

 inverted flowerpot so as to keep the young growths from 

 rooting, and the following winter both young and old 

 plants will flower and it looks quite novel. 



As to culture very little need be said, for the plain 

 succeeds under all temperatures above freezing and 

 below boiling, in any old soil, preferring a heavy loam, 

 in shade or full sun; stick them away in any corner or 

 along a walk where other plants would refuse to grow. 

 these plants will thrive there. For the dwelling house 

 no other plant will keep in better condition for so long 

 a time and under poor management. They will take a 

 lot of water if well drained and they can stand a good 

 long drought without being injured. The flower scapes 

 can be cut and will last a long time in the house, devel- 

 oping flowers and young plants almost as good as they 

 would in the plant. The leaves possess the same good 

 keeping qualities and can be used to good advantage 

 with other cut flowers. 



British Horticulture 



A TULIP SPECIALIST 



Amongst the most enthusiastic supporters of the 

 National Tulip Society is Mr. A. D. Hall, M. A., who 

 is at the head of the Eothmasted Experimental Station. 

 For over ten years Mr. Hall has been cultivating tulips, 

 and during that time has raised a number of seedlings. 

 Exclusive of the latter. Mr. Mall grows about 150 varie- 

 ties. He is most enthusiastic as to the culture of the 

 florists' section. He considers that the English tulip is 

 comparatively easy In grow, because ii is imi very par- 

 ticular either as to soil or climate. It stands the 

 smoky atmosphere of the g rea l manufacturing centres. 

 Speaking of his own experience as a grower. .Mr. Hall 

 states: "J have dabbled in a good many flowers, but I 

 think that none gets more hold of you year by vear than 

 the tulip. The inter,. si in the eld florists' flowers is 

 unquestionably reviving witness the auricula ami pri- 

 mula — and no doubt the tulip will have its turn. Even 



if bulbs have to be purchased the price is not high. 

 Another recommendation to the amateur is that the 

 amount of space required for growing tulips is very 

 small." Mr. Hall's flowers are seen at their best at the 

 end of May. When they are in their bud stage, to 

 keep off the rain a case is erected over them, composed 

 of waxed calico, which forms an awning and is nearly 

 transparent. Asked whether the interest in showing 

 tulips was increasing. Mr. Hall replied: "We had a 

 better southern show last year than we have ever had. 

 The first is generally at the Royal Horticultural Socie- 

 ty's hall the third week in May, but this year it will be 

 at Botanic Society's show in Regent's Park. The in- 

 termediate show will be at Wakefield, and the third at 

 Manchester, both in May." 



A NATIONAL FLOIfAL EMBLEM 



Market florists sent forward a good supply of red 

 and white roses in anticipation of a big demand on St. 

 George's Day. The result was somewhat disappoint- 

 ing, and some of the growers found that there was no 

 increase in the ordinary demand. The St. George's 

 Society has endeavored to secure the observance of this 

 national festival by the wearing of red and white roses, 

 hut the movement makes but slow progress. One South 

 London tradesman sought to gain a little publicity by 

 presenting all his lady customers with a posy of roses 

 on April 23rd. The florists would very much like to 

 see this celebration taken up with more enthusiasm. 

 They instance what has been done with the carnation as 

 an emblematical flower in the United States. In this 

 country the trade receives but little aid from national 

 events. Even on ceremonial occasions when a touch 

 of color is added to the London streets the garish and 

 flimsy adornment of paper flowers are usually selected. 

 The great flower-wearing day is on April 19th, when 

 the primrose is worn in memory of the late Lord Bea- 

 consfield. These flowers are extensively obtained from 

 the woods and hedge-rows a few miles out of London 

 by hawkers, so that here again the trade reaps but little 

 advantage, beyond supplying a few wreaths for placing 

 at the foot of the deceased statesman's statue. From 

 time to time there have been suggestions for founding 

 an orchid League amongst tin 1 admirers of Mr. Cham- 

 berlain. The cost of this aristocratic bloom has evi- 

 dently stood in the way of the project being successful. 

 The primrose has the merit of being thoroughly demo- 

 cratic, for a penny one is able 1 to secure a good-sized 

 hunch. 



/$o/, cim*&. 



Horticulture's trump cards: Origin- 

 ality, forcefulness, superior reading 

 matter, no muzzle, friends everywhere. 



