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THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA. 



Gardenias. 



The propagation of these subjects is only successful 

 where a high degree of heat combined with a close and 

 congenial atmosphere can be maintained. 



A carefully attended propagation case comes nearest 

 keeping the requirements. Cuttings recjuire a bottom 

 heat of 7S to 85 degrees, and a top heat of 10 degrees 

 lower. Keep the sand moist and spray over head every 

 morning. Shade and keep close until rooted. When they 

 are well rooted pot them up using a compost of half leaf 

 mold, half turfy loam, and some sharp sand. As they 

 become established stand them on the bench of a sunny 

 house with a night temperature of 65 degrees. 



measurement, the circumference of the tidwers illus- 

 trated, aas 13^''2 inches. The stems are half an inch 

 thick. 



CELOSIA OR CHINESE "WOOL FLOWER." 



This new Celosia Childsi, or Chinese wool flower, 

 thrives under the same conditions that suit the com- 

 mon Cockscomb, and Celosia Plumosa. It is better to 

 start the seed under glass about four weeks before the 

 time for transplanting to the garden: If the little 

 plants remain too long in pots they will begin to de- 

 velop bloom, which may result in a stunted growth 

 after they are planted out. Set plants no nearer than 

 2x3 feet ; at this distance they will cover the space 

 completely and make a solid mass of color. The type 

 is remarkably true and uniform, but it will mix with 



CELOSIA CHILDSI. 



Celosia Plumoja if grown near and the seed from such 

 mixture will produce an inferior plant. 



The seed was sert to John Lewis Childs from China 

 four years ago. He has grown it for three seasons 

 and has found it is as easy to cultivate in the garden 

 as any of the Celosias. The blooms begin to develop 

 in July, and continue to increase in size and numbers 

 until killed by the frost ; none of the blossoms fade 

 until injured by cold weather. It grows about two 

 feet high, branches freely : each plant shows twenty 

 or more main heads of bloom, but every stem is full 

 of laterals showing small bloom. It is a very shy 

 seeder, some plants producing no seed at all, and 

 others only a dozen or two. It is said to be one of the 

 best and most showy all-round annual in cultivation. 

 The color of the flower head is rich crimson, and the 



A NEW SEEDLING EREMURUS. 



I!v W. II. Waite. 



The hybridist has been at work, and that he has been 

 successful is easily seen. There are several hybrids al- 

 ready offered, e. g.. Sir Michael, Shelford, Tubergeni 

 Wallacei, and W'aree. W'allacei is probablv the best of 

 all. 



These noble plants should l)e more widely planted 

 than they are, and good strong roots should be pro- 

 cured, as the results from small and cheap roots will 

 be slow and disappointing. As soon as the hybrids 

 become more widely known, they will be more in de- 

 mand than the species, for they are more beautiful, 

 more robust, and freer flowering. They also increase 

 more rapidly, and thrive under conditions which are 

 too tr3-ing for the earlier flowering varieties. 



That they are perfectly hardy and can stand severe 

 weather is borne out by the fact that one of the finest 

 groups I have seen of these plants in this country was 

 at Lake Forest, 111., where the thermnmeter fre- 

 Cjuently goes down below zero. 



CULTURAL NOTES ON ERICAS. 



Ericas are as simpile to grow as a geranium. They 

 are a cool house subject in the winter months. I find 

 a temperature of 45 minimum and 55 maximum ideal. 

 The temperature of 55 is not so dangerous when the 

 flowering commences. They are mostly all winter 

 flowering. The most common variety in greenhouses 

 is the variety Melanthera, which flowers at Christ- 

 mas. This is a rapid grower. I found President 

 Carnot a splendid variety for decorative work. As a 

 house plant, it lasts w-ell. It has long, tubular pink 

 flowers. Other floriferous sorts are Persoluta Alba, 

 Cavendishii and Wilmoriana. Ericas are becoming 

 favorites for Christmas and Easter. After flowering 

 is over by April, the spent flower should be trimmed 

 oft', the tips of growing shoots cut back and the plant 

 kept in good shape. Any repotting should be done 

 then. They generally improve with a shift from a 

 5-inch to a 6-inch pcit. One pot larger is sufficient in 

 all cases. Clean pots and good drainage are points not 

 to be left out with hardwooded plants. The soil should 

 be fine, to pack in firmly. Use loam and peat, e(|ual 

 parts, sand and fine charcoal. Pot very firm. 



If plunged in ashes in the bench in the winter, it will 

 protect the roots from being burned out. They are 

 very fine and active next the pot. At the end of May 

 remove the plants into a sunny aspect, not a half- 

 shaded place. The summer treatment determines 

 whether or not you will have flowers in winter. Plunge 

 the pots to the rim in ashes in a place you are likely to 

 come in contact with every day, as a weekly visit to 

 these subjects is not sufficient. Attend to the supply 

 of water for each pot as it dries out. A frequent 

 spra3nng from a syringe or hose will keep them in 

 good shape. 



Allow the plants to stand out until the middle of 

 October, or probably later. Cover them over on 

 nights when a frost maj- come down suddenly. Do 

 this rather than take them into the greenhouse too 

 early. 



In the fall they should be introduced into a very 

 cool position. After Christmas give the plant more 

 heat and pull out the flowers. — Canadian Florist. 



