272 



GARDENERS' CHRONICLE 



meiits along these lines may have been, we must say, 

 assuming his horticultural activities have been correctly 

 reported, we don't think he displayed much acumen as 



a gardener. 



Although the "Bladder Senna" {Coliitca arborcscens) 

 is not a showy plant, in the sense that some of our 

 shrubs are, it possesses individuality, beauty, and charm 

 that make it invaluable in the garden. The fact that its 

 flowers are freely produced over an extended period in 

 Summer when there are but few shrubs in bloom is an 

 additional recommendation. Interest is maintained 

 too, by the large, bladder-like pods which persist until 

 well into the Fall. The flowers are yellow and the 

 pods when mature are of a silvery appearance. A closely 

 allied species is C. media, which by many is considered 

 to be a hybrid of C. arborcscens and C. oricii talis. The 

 color of the flowers of this is diffictilt to describe, per- 

 haps yellowish red-brown conies nearest to it. The 

 young pods are tinged with red on a very pale yellow- 

 green ground color, and, as pods and flowers are to be 

 seen in abundance at the same time, they present a strik- 

 ing appearance combined with the gray green foliage. 

 The Bladder Senna is a native of the ^Mediterranean re- 

 gion and like so many plants from that part of the 

 world succeeds best when planted in well drained soil 

 and exposed to abundant sunshine. 



The name "senna'' revives distressful memories of the 

 time when we were forced to imbibe "senna tea"' as a 

 remedy for infantile disorders. The senna leaves of the 

 drug stores, however, are obtained from species of 

 Cassia. The leaves of Cohitca arborcscens are said to 

 contain a purgative principle and possibly it too is used 

 in medicine. Another use for the Bladder Senna that 

 will occur to many gardeners is that of providing young 

 seedlings as stocks on which to graft Clianthns Dam- 

 pieri. the "Glory Pea," a purpose for which they are well 

 adapted. 



■ The announcement given out sometime ago, that the 

 committee in charge of arrangements for the 1921 Inter- 

 national Flower Show has "decided it would be neces- 

 sary to make radical changes in the general arrangement 

 of the show. . .'', will have been welcomed by those 

 who think that the great event was becoming somewhat 

 stereotyped. Without doubt, with the strong committee 

 that has charge of this matter, we can look forward 

 to vast improvements next year. In many respects, how- 

 ever, it will be difficult to make this show what some of 

 us would like it to be. Quarantine ct? will prevent it 

 from ever being really "International" in character and 

 until we get into our stride as producers and propagators 

 we cannot look for very much that is startling and new 

 in the way of plant material. 



One thing that would serve to make the show more 

 interesting would be a greater number of exhibitors 

 with a corresponding increase of competition in the 

 various classes. One had an uneasy feeling last Spring 

 that if three or four of the principal exhibitors had re- 

 frained from exhibiting there would have been very little 

 show. Of course we must remember the excej)tional 

 difficulties in the way of transportation and shortage of 

 labor which no doubt prevent many prospective ex- 

 hibitors from coming forward. 



Many visitors would be interested in a scientific sec- 

 tion. If the various scientific institution^ that are ex- 

 perimenting along horticultural lines could be induced to 

 exhibit what they are doing in the way of plant breed- 

 ing, soil investigation, the control of fungous and insect 

 pests, and so on it would inform the public of their activi- 



ties, of which the man in the street is profoundly igno- 

 rant, and serve to show that there is something more in 

 gardening than merely sitting around and watching 

 plants grow. 



^ ^ :;: :}c 



The Vipers' Bugloss, Echiuni riil^arc is an introduced 

 "weed'" that is not such an undesirable immigrant as 

 some that might be mentioned. It is a native of Europe 

 and has become naturalized over a large part of the 

 country in meadows and waste places. \\'herever it 

 occurs it is usually in abundance forming large patches 

 of violet blue. Doubtless farmers object to it when it 

 gains an entrance to their pasture lands, but its resthetic 

 value is not to be disputed when growing in large masses. 

 The flowers are pink in the bud stage, and like so many 

 of the plants belonging to the same family (Boraginaccce) 

 open out a bright blue or violet purple. Although its 

 beauty may not appeal to the farmer occupied in win- 

 ning a hard livelihood from poor and stony land ( where 

 it seems to thrive best), it should be easy to exterminate 

 as it is a biennial, and the judicious use of a scythe at 

 the time its flowers begin to show will prevent it from 

 seeding. It. is too coarse a plant to be admitted to the 

 more intimate parts of the garden (where in all prob- 

 ability it would not succeed as it does not seem to care 

 for too rich a diet) but it might be used to advantage 

 in the wild garden on poor gravelly ground. 



CULTURE OF SCHIZANTHUS 



Schizaiithus, commonly called "Poor man's Orchid" or Butter- 

 fly Flower." is one of the most beautiful Spring flowering plants. 

 Its orchid-like flowers and variety of color, as well as its pyramidal 

 habit, give it a high standing among flowering plants. In fact it 

 supersedes many of the orchids in some respects, and its 

 abundance of flowers and rich green foliage make it an ideal 

 plant for decorative purposes. It only requires about six or seven 

 months from the time the seed is planted until the plant is in full 

 bloom. The essential requirements to grow Schizanthus to per- 

 fection are : good drainage, light soil not packed too firmly, care- 

 ful watering, plenty of light, room to develop, and a coOl humid 

 atmosphere. 



When grown under glass seed should be sown about the 

 first week in September, followed by a second sowing in October. 

 Cover the seeds with sifted soil, and. after giving a good watering, 

 place in a cool house. Immediately the young seedlings develop 

 their first two leaves, transfer them into 2!;-inch pots and place 

 in the coolest part of the house. The temperature recommended 

 for cinerarias is ideal for Schizantlin.f. If a shelf is available place 

 the plants there, water freely and use the syringe on bright days. 

 Directly the pots are filled with roots transfer them into four-inch 

 pots. At this time a small wire stake will be required to keep 

 the plant in an upright position. It is very essential that this 

 type of plant be given plenty of breathing space to prevent the 

 plants from growing spindly. About the first week in January 

 the first batch should be ready for their final -pots, the six-inch 

 size being large enough to carry them through their flowering 

 season. It is very important that the soil be not pressed too 

 firmly, for, unlike most other plants, Schicanthi delight in a loose 

 fibrous soil. Special attention should be given to drainage so that 

 the surplus water can pass through freely: otherwise the pot will 

 become water-logged, and the latter condition is detrimental to all 

 classes of plants. 



A good fibrous loam mixed with one part of leaf-mold and a 

 little sand is the soil medium that suits these plants to perfection. 



Red spider is the worst enemy of the Scliicanthiis. These minute 

 insects can be checked by using the syringe frequently. Green 

 fly is also troublesome. The latter can be kept under control by 

 spraying with a soapy substance or a nicotine solution. — Canadian 

 Florist. 



