October 19, 190? 



HORTICULTURE 



505 



Senecio clivorum 



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Scnccio divonim is a vigorous hard}' plant with bold 

 iiandsomc foliage aud heads of bright orange-yellow 

 flower? carried on strong stems. It is an admirable 

 plant for the wild garden or the fringe of the woodland, 

 in such a position for instance as shown in the accora- 

 panving illustration. The photograph shows a large 

 group of this senecio in the woodland at Kew, where 

 in an open space betvTeen large trees it gives a splendid 

 bit of color : it looks especially well in the midst of pines 

 and other conifers for the rich yellow flowers show 

 finely against the sombre surroundings. This species 

 is one of several very handsome senecios introduced 

 within the past few years by Messrs. James Veitch & 

 Sons, through their collector, Mr. Wilson, who sent 

 so many good plants home from western China. 

 Senecio clivorum is very free flowering and a mass of 

 plants in bloom is bound to attract attention even from 

 a distance. Moreover the plants increase rapidly, soon 

 developing into large clumps. They seed very freely 

 also. Some idea of the striking effect made by a mass 

 of tliis senecio may be had when I say that the indi- 

 vidual flower heads are four inches or so across. The 

 brown di-^c in the centre of the orange-yellow florets 

 adds still further distinctness to the flower. This plant 

 flowei's throughout a long season and this year has been 

 in bloom from the middle of July until the end of 

 Septcmlier. No doubt the continual rain that has fallen 

 this summer has helped them to flower rather longer 

 than usual. 



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Rose Richmond 



This beautiful and fraarant rose is one of the most 

 satisfactory and remunerative products of the green- 

 house, providing of course that it is well grown, and 

 much credit is due to the originator for giving us such 

 an all round good thing as Kichmond has proven itself 

 to be. 



To produce those high grade blooms of good color 

 and substance with a wealth of well developed foliage 



and straight su-uis. the grower must have a good 

 knowledge of tlie food required by his crops at the dif- 

 ferent stages of their growth. As the plants increase in 

 size and the benclies fill with roots, the limited amount 

 of nutritive substances contained in the few inches of 

 soil on the bench will naturally become exhausted. But 

 liy a careful study of the original compost, and watch- 

 ing how the stock progresses, the growers will be en- 

 abled to form a correct idea of the quantity and i|uality 

 of food required to supplement the waste. 



It seems to be the popular belief that Richmond is a 

 heavy feeder, but while it does enjoy a rather liberal 

 supply of water, this, within the writer's experi- 

 ence applies only during the summer months, and at 

 this season, like all other roses, Eichmond objects to 

 over-feeding or over-watering. Stock planted in May 

 or early in June should now l)e strong, vigorous 

 |)hints with a good showing of bottom shoots. Where 

 tliis apjilios and the plants are in benches they would 

 thoroughly enjoy a light top dressing of mulch, com- 

 posed of two parts good manure (not too fresh) and one 

 fart soil. The soil lends weight to the material and 

 prevents it from washing all over the bench. Where 

 soils are particularly soft aud heavy, a generous sprink- 

 ling of bone meal can be added to give stiffness to the 

 stem and substance to petal and foliage. 



Tt is hardly necessary to touch en the causes which 

 lead to black-spot and mildo\> but during the 

 moderate weather, and especially damp weather, it is 

 advisable to carry a temperature of 60 degrees or more 

 with ventilation, to avoid moisture gathering on the 

 jilants. .\k the season advances and steady firing be- 

 comes a necessity, Eichmond will be found to do best 

 in a night temperature of 58 to 60 degrees. 



Cutting the blooms properly is a very important 

 point which must be learned in connection with Eich- 

 mond. One criticism which has frequently been 

 directed against this variety, is its poor keeping quali- 

 ties, but if the buds are cut at the proper stage of de- 

 velopment little difficulty will be experienced in this 

 connection and the flowers may be shipped long dis- 

 tances with perfect safety. We have found that if the 

 buds are cut before they have begun to unfurl the 

 petals, Richmond will keep very well and undoubtedly 

 perfect every flower. 



The bottom shoots, if left to grow naturally will de- 

 velop good substantial buds with long graceful stems, 

 but, unless prices are extra high, it is perhaps better 

 to nip the top out of the heavy shoot when it reaches 

 a height of about twelve inches, in which case at least 

 three splendid buds will develop and can be cut with 

 stems varving in length from fifteen to twenty inches 

 thus producing a greater quantity of medium grade 

 flowers. 



Red-spider is very partial to Richmond and because 

 of the peculiar cup-like formation of the leaves, is ex- 

 ceedinglv difficult to dislodge when once it gets a 

 foothold. Syringing should be practiced at every favor- 

 able occasion, on the principle that prevention is bet- 

 ter than cure. It is safer to use every precaution now 

 than to have to regret the missed opportunities when 

 dark, dreary winter comes. 



One of tile most satisfactory roses to handle, one of 

 the quickest to respond to good treatment, Richmond 

 is deservedly popular and a lasting tribute to its 

 originator. 



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