146 



IRISH CARDKM.Xr; 



Tuberous'footed Ranunculuses. 



By tlicsr we ivfcr to tlu> florists' vaiii-tics of 

 U. asiiiticus. known in the trade as Pcisiaii. 

 Frcufh. Turban. &(•. Flowering early in sprinu. 

 no ticnvcrs can surpass thcni in brilliancy ot 

 colour ; though they are, pcrha])s. soniew hat 

 formal in shajie their neatness and beauty never 

 fail to cliarni. The names by whieh they are 

 generally known signify different races varying 

 !-omewhat in vigour of groMth and in the 

 donbleness of the flowers. lOach race includ(>s 

 various self-colours, and others have a ground 

 colour, the margins of the petals variously 

 tinted. For effect, the sfelf-colours are most 

 popular, and very striking they are w hen ])lanted 

 in masses. The practice of planting beds of 

 these bright flowers is, perhaps, not so common 

 as it once was before so many other spring 

 bedding plants came into vogue. They arc. 

 however, extremely useful for planting in 

 groups along the fiont of the herbaceous l)order, 

 where, among other ch\ arf flowers of S2)ring, they 

 associate well and get that amount of shelter 

 which their early flowering merits. It is a 

 moot point whether planting should be done in 

 autumn or spring, but on the whole probably 

 the latter is the better time. In warm districts 

 Avhere the soil is light and well drained, good 

 results foflow i:)lanting in October or November, 

 and the flowers are produced earlier, but in cold, 

 wet soils the mortality among the tubers is 

 heavy if autumn ])lanting is followed. Growth 

 is rapid after planting, and tubers put down in 

 February will have pushed up their leaves in 

 six weeks or so, and the flowers will follow in 

 April or May, according to the season and time 

 of planting. These Ranunculuses are moisture 

 lovers, but will not tolerate stagnant moisture, 

 therefore the soil nnist be well broken up and 

 aerated, and, if poor, a little fresh loam or old 

 potting soil passed through a screen should be 

 added. Here we follow the custom of planting 

 in groups along the front of the border, opening 

 holes about a foot square and nine inches deep 

 at suitable intervals. In these we place about 

 six inches of loam or other soil as described above, 

 and over that an inch of sand. The claw-like 

 tubers are gently pressed into the sand and then 

 covered with a couple of inches of soil, w hich is 

 gently pressed down, the surplus soil excavated 

 being scattered through the borders. 



No further attention is required unless 

 abnormally dry weather should prevail, when 

 watering may be done, but this is rarely 

 necessary so early in the year. When in floM-er, 

 some of the stronger growers with large double 

 flowers may require a few slender twigs i^laced 

 against the flower stalks to prevent them being 

 knocked doAvn by rain. Grower 



Chrysanthemum maximum. 



A N N I 



ilolsl 



This is the l,i1c>t \aiicty to be added to the 

 (dllcctioii here, .iiid altliongh many other good 

 ones aic in (ulti\ation, tiicic is ample room for 

 Annie House. 



The flowers are not (piite so large as in some 

 \arieties. such as Ktoile d" An vers or Mrs. 

 ('. i>. Jk'll. but they have a double row of florets 

 which give the heads an a])pearance of solidity 

 and puiity exceeding. I think, any other vaiiety 

 1 ha\e seen. Tlie flowers are produced hi 

 quantity over a long period, and arc of excep- 

 tional value for cutting. A group in the 

 herbaceous border will be a decided acquisition, 

 but some plants should also be grown in reserve 

 quarters for cutting. 



B.. Dubhn 



Mirabilis jalapa. 



Thk " Makvkl of Pkru." 



This has been one of the most interesting plants 

 flo\\ering in 8e])tember, and is worth attention 

 by those who like variety in their gardens. It 

 is a native of Mexico and Central America, and 

 in cold soils may require lifting and storing, as 

 with Dahlias, the roots being fleshy and tuberous 

 and liable to decay in winter. In light friable 

 soils the plant seems perfectly hardy, and in 

 many parts of Ireland should thrive admirably. 

 Often even in cold districts a covering of ashes 

 is sufficient to preserve the roots from injury. 

 It is also possible to sow^ seeds in early spring 

 in heat, planting out when warm weather 

 ensues, good plants resulting the first year. 

 Where the old plants can be preserved, however, 

 much trouble is obviated. The flowers are 

 ])roduced in clusters at the ends of the leafy 

 branches, and may be white, yellow, crimson 

 or l)lotched. The one I most admire has rosy 

 crimson flowers, and is quite a showy plant. 

 Although frequently spoken of as opening its 

 flowers in the ev^ening, this is not a rigid rule, 

 as many flowers are open during the day and 

 attract considerable attention. Mikabilis. 



Single China Asters. 



These are most valuable September flowers' 

 and should be grown by all who require nrany 

 flowers for cutting or showy beds in late 

 summer. Their robust constitution and the 

 case with which they can be raised are also 

 points in their favour. Seeds sown in a close 

 cold frame in ^larch will provide good plants 

 for planting out towards the end of May. Very 



