January 21, 1911 



nOKTICULTURE 



71 



enough of moisture for the plants for the first four days, 

 when a little air can be given which will require con- 

 stant watchfulness in nursing them along, and finally at 

 the expiiation of about four weeks in having presentable 

 plants. Air should be administered very carefully at first 

 only for a few minutes night and morning, and from 

 day to day gradually increase the supply. To preserve 

 the foliage, a fair supply of moisture will be needed to 

 sustain the vitality of the scion. In aljout five weeks 

 the plants should be well hardened and can be moved 

 to some bench near the light where they will need some 

 shading for a week or so coupled with extra care in 

 watering, syringing and ventilation. 



PANAX VICTORIAE 



This panax is nearly as decorative as some of the best 

 aralias and at any stage of its growth there is not the 

 slightest difficulty experienced in its culture. In the 

 way of filling it can be used the same as pandanus and 

 dracaena, making it very useful for the florist's use. 

 Cuttings can be put in now; they will root in about 

 two or three weeks. Use fibry loam with an addition of 

 leaf mold and sand and grow on and shift when neces- 

 sary. If grown on without interruption they will make 

 nice specimens in 6-inch pots by fall. Give a temper- 

 ature of 65 degrees at night. 



SMILAX 



Seed should 'be sown now to supply the indoor plan- 

 tation in June. For rapid germination a steady heat 

 and moisture are needed. From 60 to 65 degrees will 

 be right. For the starting of the seed any good grade 

 of sandy soil that is fairly open will do. Keep the flats 

 or pans covered with a piece of glass until the seeds have 

 pushed forth their growth. Give all the light possible 

 and keep up atmospheric heat and moisture. They 

 should be transplanted when they have made their third 

 pair of leaves, into 2-inch pots, using a friable sandy 

 and moderately enriched soil, and then grown on, avoid- 

 ing any check in their growth. Towards spring they 

 will need another shift into 3-iuch pots. The old beds 

 that are starting up a new crop should have a mulch of 

 partly decayed cow manure, but remember that light 

 and frequent applications are to be preferred to one 

 heavy mulch. 



TUBEROUS BEGONIAS 



Seed should be sown now for those who intend to grow 

 them from seed for the coming season. Sow in pans, 

 using some rough soil on the bottom, and then filling up 

 with a compost of finely sifted loam two parts, leaf mold 

 one part, and sharp sand one part. The mixture should 

 be then thoroughly moistened, and the soil pressed firm- 

 ly and even. Stand them in a house where the temper- 

 ature ranges from 65 to 70 degrees, and shade from the 

 direct sunlight. In about a month or six weeks the seed- 

 lings will be ready to prick out into flats, using the same 

 compost as that in which the seeds were sown. In March 

 they should be ready for 2-inch pots, using a mixture 

 composed of soil one-third, old manure one-third, and 

 one-third of leaf mold and sand in equal quantities. At 

 this stage they will be better in a temperature of from 

 58 to 60 degrees with a raise of 75 degrees with sunshine. 

 With the strong spring sunshine they should be shaded 

 for two or three hours during hottest part of the day. 

 Seedlings require a warm temperature for the first three 



months, and little trouble will be experienced after- 

 wards. 



Mr. Farreirs oext notes wUl be on the foUowing: Asparagna; 

 iittleyas and L.iellas; Primulas ; Seeds to Sow; Sowing Palm 



Catt]ej..„ _.. 



Seed ; Sweet Peas 



British Horticulture 



RETROSPECTIVE 



In looking back over the records of 1910 it cannot be 

 said that the year was altogether satisfactory to the 

 horticultural trade. The death of King Edward, with 

 the resultant temporary cessation of social events, made 

 a considerable difference to the florists. The turmoil 

 and trouble of two general elections in one year did not 

 improve matters. Then again the very unsatisfactory 

 weather during the summer caused widespread damage 

 to out-door crops. The various societies have continued 

 their activities; the Eoyal Horticultural Society hag 

 placed to its credit a list of notable events, the chief, of 

 course, being the Temple and the Holland House shows. 

 The latter exliibition was noteworthy from the fact that 

 it was the last one which will be held in the historic 

 grounds of Holland House. Good progress has been 

 made with the arrangements for holding the Interna- 

 tional Horticultural exhibition, at Chelsea, in 1912. The 

 National Eose, Sweet Pea, Dahlia, Carnation, and other 

 societies have held excellent shows during the .year, whilst 

 a new comer has been added to the list in the shape of the 

 ■National Vegetable Society, which held its first show, in 

 the autumn, under very encouraging conditions. An- 

 other new organization with a promising future is the 

 National Hardy Plant Society. There are unmistakable 

 indications of the increasing interest taken in horticul- 

 ture amongst all classes, and this is an omen fraught 

 with the brightest prospects for all concerned in its 

 prosperity. 



>t!V. CieUiCCC 



Aster Southcote Beauty 



(See Cover Page.) 



This new race much resembles the single "Ostrich 

 Plume" aster, which has become so exceedingly popular, 

 especially in England, during the last few years. It 

 has all the beauty of habit and flower which the latter 

 possesses. The flowers have long, perfectly formed 

 petals and very small golden-3'ellow centres, as is shown 

 in the illustration, and are carried on long stiff stems 

 from 12 to 20 inches in length. The colors include 

 beautiful shades of blue and pink, as well as pure white. 

 Southcote Beauty is of great value as a border plant, at- 

 taining a height of 2 to 2i^ feet, and is probably un- 

 rivalled by any other aster for cutting and house decora- 

 tion. Messrs. Sutton & Sons, the introducers, tell us 

 that in future years it is hoped to save distinct colors, 

 but at present only mixed seed containing the tints men- 

 tioned above is procurable. 



