IRISH GARDENING 



37 



about 35 years ago. For some yenrti the plant 

 was grown by Messrs. J. Veitch & 8ons, Coombe 

 Wood Nurserj', unrecognized, until the late Mr. 

 George Nicholson, of Kew, drew attention to 

 its distinct character and beauty. The flowering 

 season extends from December to February. 



H. VERNALis. — This is the most recently 

 introduced species. It is a native of Arkansas, 

 Louisiana and Missouri. Tlie first record of 

 H. v^ernalis flowering in this country was at 

 Kew in January, 1!)12. the ])Iants being obtained 

 from the Arnold Arboretum, L'.h'.A., two years 

 previously. It may fittingly be described as 

 an early spring-flowering H. virginiana, but for 

 garden decoration the bushes aj-e not so valuable 

 as the Asiatic species. 



H. VIRGINIANA. — ^This is the best known Witch 

 hazel in our gardens, largely due no doubt to its 

 being introduced as long ago as 1736. The 

 plants forui bushes or trees of comparatively 

 small stature with wide-spreading heads. The 

 most valuable quality is that the yellow flowers 

 are freely produced from September to Novem- 

 ber. Were the flowering season January we 

 should consider the Virginian Witch hazel a less 

 desirable plant than the Asiatic species, as the 

 flowers of the last named are more showy. As 

 it is there is much to admire in the flowers and 

 the yellow autumn tints of the leaves of H. 

 virginiana. This Witch hazel is a native of 

 eastern North America. 



Balsams. 



{Impaiieiis Balsamiva.) 



At one time the common Balsam was largely 

 grown for i)ot work, ancl. in these times there is a 

 possibility of many of the old,er favourites 

 dropping out of cultivation. Few individuals 

 write about them, and in consequence the younger 

 generation of gardeners do not know of their 

 existence. Most seed catalogues, however, quote 

 selections and assortments of distinct colours 

 under such nanies as Camellia-flowered, Rose- 

 flowered, and Carnation-flowered, which resemble 

 more or less the flowers after whom they are 

 named. The Camellia-flowered are veiy ^ood for 

 pot culture, while various seed, housi's of rcimte 

 have their own special strain. A lirsl -class strain 

 is of most im]>ortance, and it is no more troul)le 

 to grow good varieties than those of an inferior 

 quality. March or April are suitable nionths in 

 which to sow the lirst batch, and again in May. 

 for a .succession. Sow the seed in light soil, and 

 then place the boxes or ]>ans in a cool greenhouse. 

 ])ricking ont the seedlings into snxall thumb ])()ts 

 when large enough to handle- Cool treatment 

 nuist be i)ractised throughout, and ii frame will 

 be suitable for them about the middle of May, 

 and until they commence to flower, when tlie 

 conservatory or greenhoi.se should be chosen for 

 them to d.is]>lay their beautiful colours. Balsams 

 are very hungry subjects, and they will pay for 

 generous treatment. At eacli ])()tting tlie soil can 

 be furtlier enriched with some rotten oi' artilicial 

 manure, and after the final ]iotting fr»'((uent 

 su))]ilies of soot-water .'iiul li(pii(l iiianiii'c may be 



given with advantage. Plenty of moisture at the 

 root IS essential ; for if permitted to become really 

 dry a few times, their i)rogress will be retarded 

 and the quality and size of the blooms will suffer 

 A constant watch must be ke])t for slugs and 

 small snails, which will soon do such succulent 

 plants a lot of harm. Beyond a little greenfly 

 occasionally, few insect pests trouble Balsams 

 It should be stated for the beneflt of the beginner 

 that pots 8 inches in diameter will be required 

 for the strongest and best plants to flower, but 

 many of them will make nice decorative stuff in 

 (>-inch pots. 



Balsams are showy, half-hardy annuals of easy 

 culture, and may also be employed for beds and 

 groups in the flower border. Our object should 

 be to secure strong sturdy plants, then there is 

 little to fear of the result, providing a good start 

 was made with an excellent strain. T. W. B. 



Primula malacoides. 



Most gardeners are now accpiainted with this 

 desirable Primula, and it certainly deserves the 

 liopularity it has attained- By sowing a pinch 

 of seed occasionally a stock of strong flowering 

 plants are secured over a considerable period, 

 and it is an ideal subject either as a pot plant or 

 in a cut state. The delicate mauve and lilac 

 shades of colour in the flowers render them most 

 suitable for rooms where bright yellows and reds 

 would not be tolerated- Althovigh such a gem 

 for the greenhouse, it is as a " hardy " plant that 

 I now recommend it, especially' in favoured 

 localities. There are many spots where it would 

 thrive, such as under the shelter of a wall or 

 hedge facing south, and ledges or protected 

 positions in the rock garden. 



Since Christmas it has been making a brave 

 show in a garden that I am acquainted with, and 

 has withstood the rain and frost (8 degrees so far) 

 to a remarkable degree. The seed was sown 

 early in September, and when the seedlings were 

 large enough they were pricked, out in boxes and 

 stood in the open. Here they mad.e nice idants, 

 and in November were planted iu such positions 

 as qvioted above, with jjleasing results. It may 

 have been done before in other gardens, arul I 

 merely give my experience for what it is wortii. 

 Atthesametime there are perha))S suitable gardens 

 where it has not been tiied, but to those I would 

 suggest that only strong healthy plants which 

 have not been coddled in any way should, be 

 planted out. Weak, sickly exanijiles have no 

 chance whatever. 



T. W. Ii. 

 ^* f^ t^ 

 Kniphofia .m.oidks Ehkct.v Sl'perba. 



In most Knij)hotias it is noticeable that the 

 flowers toward the bt)ttom of the S])ike are 

 quite withered before those at the ki]) liave 

 opened- wliicli greatly detracts from the beauty 

 of the spike. In the variety under notice, 

 however, the flowers possess good lasting quali- 

 ties, so that those at the bottom of the s])ike 

 are in good condition when the upper ones o]ien. 

 Another ix'culiarity lies in the fact that while 

 in other Kni]>liolias. (U- Keel-hot Pokei-s, as they 

 are i)o]>ulaHy called,, the iiulividual flowers when 

 open hang (i.ownward.s on tlie si)ike. but in this 

 variety they on lirst oi)ening assume a hori- 

 zontal i»osition and then gradually turn u])wards, 

 giving the si)ike a most, d.istinctive a])i)earance. 



