For May, 1123 



117 



there are so niaii\- gems which we uften lung' to see. They 

 are also very decorative and last well as cut flowers. 



In the tropical house the principal thing from now on 

 is to encourage an even, steady growth. If it is not possi- 

 ble to give the flowering section a house by itself during 

 the Summer, the part of the house that it is possible to 

 shade the least, should be used. I have seen bigger and 

 better specimens than ever I have seen in the British Isles, 

 and they were given a much more airy atmosphere to 

 grow in, than was the rule there. As soon as the ther- 

 mometer goes over 60 degrees outdoors, give them abun- 

 dance of air. By doing so thev dry out much more often, 

 and may be given more plant food. A better and firmer 

 growth will result, which is essential if they are to be used 

 in decorative work. Of course, the floors, and between 

 the plants on the benches, need damping down as the 

 foliage section requires a moist atmosphere when making 

 its growth, (iorgeous flowering display can be liad 

 during the Summer by growing such plants as Allaman- 

 das, Clerodendrons, Anthurinums, Dipladenias, Eucharis, 

 E.xoras, Pancratium, Franciscea, ]\Iedinilla, Stephanotis, 

 Vinca rosea, etc. Insect pests of all kinds must be kept in 

 check. Red spider is one of the worst, as if, perchance 

 in some corner they get a foothold, a very short time of 

 neglect will ruin the appearance of any plant. Syringing 

 will not do the work, unless they are washed clean off 

 the plant, but there are many contact insecticides that 

 will, if applied thoroughly. 



Cattleya Schniedera- will now have passed out of flower : 

 iust before thev have started their new growths, the con- 

 dition of the compost they are potted in should be exam- 

 ined and any of it removed that may be loose on the 

 surface, replacing it by fresh material. As from my 

 observation of orchids, they are all benefited by a resur- 

 facing once a year, provided one does not break the roots 

 in the operation. Of course, any that are over the sides 

 of the receptacle will need repotting. It is also beneficial 

 to remove any of the pseudobulbs that have lost their 

 leaves. Orchids of the Cattleya family are now so much 

 cross-bred that they flower at all seasons, and potting is 

 not now confined to certain seasons as it was thirty odd 

 years ago. These crosses are like many other plants that 

 have been crossbred, many of them are not the equals 

 of good types of their parents. Over some slight change 

 in markings and structure of the flower, an enthusiast 

 gets a little worked up, but to many, they create little 

 interest. The best thing in my opinion in cross bred 

 orchids is the filling in of the gaps that used to be at 

 certain seasons, so that a continuous supply of flowers 

 may now be had the year round. I can be as enthusiastic 

 as anyone when I see a real outstanding flower or spike, 

 but there is a tendency in all such work to be freaky. 



Dendrobiums need to be watched as the young growths 

 in their early stages are easily lost, if climatic conditions 

 are not quite right. A draughty chill with too much 

 moisture will do it, as also will a hot stuffy, humid at- 

 mosphere. There is no question in my mind, but what 

 all orchids in their growing season require plant food. 

 The question is what, and the strength of the food given. 

 The so called natural manures, when applied often and 

 weak in quality, I have proved to my satisfaction to be 

 beneficial. It may be given in the compost, or by evapora- 

 tion. As to which is the better method, I have not yet 

 decided convictions, having no time at present to experi- 

 ment. 



Grapes that have come along without any forcing are 

 somewhat later with us this season. The varieties that 

 are shy setters should not have their bunches thinned 

 down too early. We find, if they are properly supplied 

 with food, it does them no harm to let all but the weak 

 sir.all ones hang, until bunches with a fairly even set 



are secured. We are not very particular about an equal 

 space between each one on the rod, if they are anywhere 

 near right. Good fruit is the main thing to have in view. 

 The early house will be approaching the ripening stage, 

 and requires plenty of fresh air to finish. 



Pot fruit needs close watching to avoid dryness, and 

 they also have to be fed more liberally than trees planted 

 in a border. Avoid over cropping on forced peaches and 

 Nectarines, saving the fruits that turn toward the liffht. 



THE HERB GARDEN 



TX most gardens the herbs which are in demand for 

 culinary purposes are grown in a quarter of the kitchen 

 garden, and this quarter is a very interesting and useful 

 one; but a herb garden proper as an adjunct to the flower 

 garden may be made a most delightful and attractive fea- 

 ture, and if a position can be chosen between the kitchen 

 garden and flower garden it would be very appropriate. 



There is a fascination about herbs, for they seem to 

 carry us back to the time when gardening was first at- 

 tempted seriously in this countiy, and it is not too much to 

 say that from the old herb gardens have developed the 

 beautiful gardens of flowers, shrubs, trees, and other 

 ornamental plants of today. Herbs include some of the 

 sweetest smelling plants of the garden, and for that reason 

 alone they are worthy of being grown. 



Any ordinary garden soil suits most herbs, although, 

 naturally, the same soil will not suit all equally well : but 

 with a little forethought in supplying individual require- 

 ments, quite a large collection of herbs may be made to 

 flourish in one garden. 



If the site is clear of large trees, the aspect is not a 

 matter of great importance, but it is essential that plenty 

 of sunshine and air should reach the plants, without 

 which they would grow feebly and much fragrance would 

 be lacking. The shelter of an existing wall or hedge is 

 an advantage. 



The size and shape of the garden must necessarily be 

 governed by circumstances, and these will affect the 

 scheme of design ; but, whatever the size and shap)e, a 

 good plan is to enclose open sides with hedges. 



The Moss Rose, the Damask Rose, Sweet Briar and 

 Rosemary are good subjects for this purpose, and quite 

 in keeping with the scheme. Having defined the bound- 

 ary, a narrow border may be retained on the perimeter, 

 with a 2 ft. path inside it. thus dividing the garden into 

 a continuous, encircling border with a central block. 

 Transverse paths in each direction may be laid through 

 the centre, and, if space permits, further paths in each 

 direction at equal distances from the centre to the outside 

 border, thus dividing the central part into sixteen beds. 



The arrangement of the herbs may be left to individual 

 taste, but each of the following subjects is worthy of a 

 single bed : Spearmint, Peppermint, Catmint, Woolly 

 ^Nlint, Alecost, Balm, Horehound. Marjoram, Sage, 

 Common Thyme, Lemon Thyme, Lavender, Hyssop, 

 Summer Savory, Winter Savory, Tarragon. For the 

 borders, such dwarf-growing subjects as Chives, Fumi- 

 tory, Pennyroyal, Prunella, Saffron, Woodruff, Parsley 

 and Chervil might be planted as an edge, with groups of 

 Alkanet, Angelica, Anise, Basil, Borage, Burnet, Camo- 

 mile, Caraway, Coriander. Cotton Lavender, Dill, Ele- 

 campane, Fennel, ^Mallow, Marigold. Purslane. Rue. 

 Southernwood, Sweet Cicely. \'alerian and Wormwood 

 ]Many of these plants are annuals or biennials, and may 

 easily be raised from seeds. The perennials may be in- 

 creased bv division or cuttings. It is best to divide the 

 plants in the early Autumn ; but strong plants from cut- 

 tings may be set out at any time when the weather is 

 favorable. — Tlic Gardciirrs' Chronicle (British). 



