October 2G, 1907 



HOKTICULTURJL 



539 



Centaurea imperialis 



Contiiurcn iinijfrialit is surely worthy of more atten- 

 tion than it receives. They are very suitable for green- 

 house culture and give good returns for the time and 

 space allotted to their care. Being the result of a 

 cross between C. moschata and C. Marguerita they 

 inherit the vigor of moschata ; and the artistic shaped 

 flowers resemble Marguerita hut are twice as large. 

 Their range of coloi' is not extensive but includes pure 

 white, rose, lilac and lavender; they are quite fragrant 

 and have good lasting qualities when cut. 



C. impfriali* is undoubtedly the finest of all Sweet 

 Sultars, is of easv culture and can be had in flower in 

 90 or 100 days from the time of sowing the seed. Sow 

 the seeds about danuary 1st m flats, pot off into 'i inch 

 pots when ready, and again into 3 or .3 1-2 in. pots in 

 any good carnation or rose soil. Plant into benches or 

 solid border when the pots are filled with roots, 12 by 

 1.') inches or thereabouts. 



Care nuist be takcTi in jilanting. It is well tci ridge 

 the soil and plant on the ridge or ]>lant high and hill 

 up. Thoy are somewhat susceptible to a fungus dis- 

 ease or stem rot if water is allowed to lodge around 

 the stems. It is also better not to syringe at any time. 

 Keep the atmosphere moderately moist, plenty of air, 

 50 degrees at night with a corresponding rise during 

 flie day. It is well to ijuard against green flv. 



British Horticulture 



\^^'lil( \\ i:ooeij;i:iii!Y .mildi;w 



Additional powers have been obtained by the Board of 

 .\gTiculture to secure the suppression of American 

 gooseberry mildew which is prevalent in some districts 

 in Worcestershire and Norfolk. Under the new Act of 

 Parliament local authorities have power to order the 

 destruction of affected bushes and the spraying of the 

 orchard. Some dissatisfaction has been e.xjjressed 

 auiongst the growers that although, in the case of an 

 outbreak, they are required to destroy the bushes no 

 |)rovision has been made for paying compensation to 

 Ibe owners. ,\ deputation of Evesham growers has 

 lately waited upon the Worcestershire County Council, 

 with a view to securing some redress. It was explained 

 that a serious hardship would befall growers who were 

 compelled to grub uj) gooseberry plantations in full 

 bearing, without any compensation. The growers con- 

 tend that if private property is destroyed for a public 

 object in thi; interest of the communit)', then the nation 

 <night to pay compensation. It was also urged that 

 burning would not eradicate the disease, Ijut that 

 )t could be cifectively kept in check, if not stamped out 

 r)y pruning and spraying. Growers are not satisfied 

 that the disease will do all the injury in the districts 

 that it had done in other countries. The dangers of 

 rhe disease, it is contended, have been greatly exag- 

 gerated. It has been known in this country, it is stated, 

 for man} years, and only appeared to attract serious 

 attention in exceptional seasons. A strong case has 

 been made out for granting compensation, and there is 

 A precedent to go upon. The farmer when compelled to 

 compulsorily slaughter his cattle to prevent the spread 

 of disease receives compensation from the Government, 

 and it is only reasonable to expect that the same treat- 

 ment should be meted to the fruit grower. 



NEW OHRYS.^NTHEMUMS 



First-class certificates were lately granted by the 

 National Chrysanthemum Society to the following new- 

 varieties, grown by Messrs. W. Wells & Co. of Mersthani 

 (Surrey): J. J. Hart, an early-flowering decorative 

 variety; blooms bright yellow with pale reverse; Cor- 

 nichts, a yellow early flowering border variety ; Wells' 

 Scarlet, a decorative variety of a shade of bright chest- 

 nut with crimson shading and bronze reverse. The 

 Xational Society arc holding their annual market show 

 :.l Covent Garden early in December. This display has 

 become a popular feati^re amongst commercial growers. 

 Prizes are offered for collections of market chrj-santhe- 

 mums. a group to fill a half circle, 9 ft. by 6 ft., the 

 best novelty in market chrysanthemums not in com- 

 ineiTc. the be~t packed boxes of market bloom, and 

 fur a nieniorial ilesign. .\s a new departure winter- 

 flowering carnations are to be introduced. There are 

 several market growers who distinguish themselves with 

 this increasingly popular flower and there should be an 

 interesting contest. The carnations will also lend an 

 accejitablc variety to the display. Several of the lead- 

 ing growers will be reprosenti'd, and another successful 

 t.-xhibition is anticipated. 



>tyoC (^ditXV. 



