402 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA. 



our paths and (ii-ive\va\-s. Cement is sometimes used 

 for channeling, so also is brick and stone. Of the three 

 the brick is the most to be commended, but its expense 

 generally puts it out of count. Whatever is used, see 

 to it that there are sufficient sink-holes. If greater 

 care were taken with the sides of our roads and paths, 

 much less damage would be discoverable so far as 

 washouts are concerned. 



^ ^ ^ 



We are m.iw well through the Gladiolus season. The 

 weather has been very favorable to the growth of the 

 bulbs (corms), and there have been some fine displays. 

 Many amateurs have been induced, in the last year or 

 two, to take up their cultivation with a view to the 

 sale of the flowers in the market. The result of this 

 has not been profitable either to them or to the bona 

 fide commercialist. The Gladiolus is of the easiest cul- 

 ture, although, as in the case of most hardy or outdoor 

 "bulbs," good treatment brings forth the highest ex- 

 pression of the flower. This reminds me that at the 

 present time, when we are potting the Dutch bulb 

 stock, we might as well take note that a piece of nice 

 loam and spent Mushroom bed manure and a quarter 

 part of clean sand is far better than trying to get re- 

 sults from old compost, even if it has been enriched 

 with boneflour, soot, or any of the prepared fertilizers. 

 Old Chrysanthemum soil, since it contains the decom- 

 posing roots of the 'Mums and is rich, is not a bad 

 material to make out with. -\t any rate, give the Inilbs 

 something to live on. 



From the market growers' point of view the rettirns 

 from the Gladioli recently have been worse than dis- 

 appointing: in many instances it did not pay to cut and 

 send to the wholesale florist. The prime favorite 

 throughout was the variety America. A close second 

 was ^Irs. Frances King. Others of the best are Mrs. 

 Frank Pendleton, Baron Hulot, Niagara, and Badenia. 

 1 must say a good word for Burpee's Fordhook Hy- 

 brids. It is a fact that from a sowing made in Febru- 

 ary, blooms can be cut in September of the same year. 

 This is surely quick work, and reminds one of the 

 peaches in California which can lie fruited in sixteen 

 months from the sowing of the stone. The seed of 

 these Hybrids is sown in a heated frame, in rich light 

 soil, and by keeping the young stock watered through 

 the Summer, a small percentage will flower in Sep- 

 tember or earlier, as stated. This Fordhook strain 

 is in all the colors that one could wish, except blue. 

 Another strain that is engaging attention is the pri- 

 mtilinus group. These are very dainty, bearing mod- 

 erate sized flowers on long stems and having prettily 

 hooded shape. The colors are soft yellows, salmon, 

 rose, and similar combinaticms. It is a pity that the 

 hooded form is in danger of being bred out; the type 

 ought to be kept true. 



* ^ ^ 



We are now in the season of the Dahlia, truly one 

 of the great ])lants of the day : but indeed it has been a 

 favorite ever since the oldest of us can remember — 

 and before. In next month's Chroxicf-E something may 

 be said of the season's varieties ; btit meanwhile the 

 question ma}^ be asked why the useful miniature cac- 

 tus kinds are so totally neglected. Pompon cactus is 

 another name they go by. They are particularly suited 

 for the smaller gardens, or for the front of a border. 

 The midget type of singles is also less seen than they 

 might be. It is only in first-class collections that all 

 the numerous types are found, and even the fanciers 

 tie themselves down to cactus, Peony-flowered, deco- 

 rative, pompon, and doubles, i. e., shows and fancies. 



Recently the large Twentieth Century singles have alsfi 

 lieen much in vogue. s\\] have their points of merit. 



H= ^ * 



I was interested and amused at a review of Mrs. l-'ran- 

 cis King's newly published book in an English gardening- 

 paper. The reviewer was Wm. Robinson, a man of much 

 eminence and experience, not only as a practical gardener 

 and landscape gardener, but also as a journalist. It was 

 in his own paper. Gardening Illustrated, that the review 

 appeared. Mr. Robinson, whom I know personally, de- 

 serves attention, and has indeed e.xerted a mighty in- 

 fluence insofar as the hardy plants and their use in gar- 

 dens is concerned. When he began to advocate the 

 greater tise of hardy garden flowers some 30 or 35 years 

 ago, his was as a voice in the wilderness, but grad- 

 ually he and his backers gained a larger following until 

 today the hardy plant cult is the most vigorous of any in 

 the United Kingdom. Mr. Robinson's estate is in Sus- 

 se.x, one of the lovely Southern counties, where he pur- 

 chased a neglected place many years ago, and began by 

 thinning out the large trees and planting young forests 

 and Wdods. also greatl}- improving the gardens, until 

 todav the Elizabethan iiiannr and the surrounding' 

 grounds are among the most desirable and valuable in 

 that splendid county. He, however, has become more 

 and more intolerant of other people's views in regard to 

 gardening and design, and has from time to time lashed 

 out in a realy unmerciful manner against the book pro- 

 ducers. So much is he prejudiced or biased in regard to 

 his own ideas that he can see no good in any other per- 

 son's. His vehemence lends a spice and relish to what 

 he writes so long as one can look at it in a detached and 

 merelv amused manner, for the looker-on always has the 

 best position. As Mr, Robinson is now well over 70, it 

 is unlikely that he will now become any more tolerant of 

 the opinions of others. People, however, grow tired and 

 heedles of the carping critic if he carps too long, or fails 

 to add logic to his invective. 



This month (September) and the early part of next 

 month is the time when we plant evergreens, be they 

 large trees or. small shrubs for winter bedding. Do we 

 use these evergreens abundantly enough? For myself I 

 think not — decidedly not. For filling beds and borders 

 close to the residence the following deserve attention: 

 Rhododendrons, Enonymus Japonicus, various Retini- 

 sporas, particularly squarrosa and plumosa aurea. Also- 

 Jaiianese and Canadian yew, which are very hardy. Small 

 hemlocks also always look well ; also box, American 

 hollv and Osmanthus ilicifolius. Engelmann spruce and 

 Roster's blue spruce are much emj^loyed, but they seem, 

 especially the latter, to scream out for notice wherever 

 they are and spoil the harmony of so many plantings. It 

 is verv difficult to employ them correctly and effectively. 

 Biota aurea must find a place, it is so neat and comjiact. 

 Pinus strobus nanus and Finns Mughus are each pretty 

 and dwarf, useful for "bedding." .\rborvitses, Juniperus 

 chinensis, J. Sabina. dwarf Xorway spruce and Crypto- 

 nieria elegantissima are other subjects that can be used. 

 Tliis, however, does not fully e.xhaust the list as investi- 

 gation of the catalogs of some of the good nursery firms, 

 such as advertise in the G.\rdi;xeks' Chronicle of 

 Amekka. will prove. Evergreens give warmth, shelter, 

 beauty, and add interest to the garden and home sur- 

 roundings in winter and spring, and most of our gardens 

 can do with quantities more of them and be improved. 



The Society of American Florists and Ornamental 

 Horticulturists held its annual meeting and exhibition 

 (Continued on f^age 404) 



