t8 9 7. 



GARDENING. 



i85 



SWAINSONA GALEGIFOLIA ALBA. 



ture for this species. 



The imported stems of Dicksonia antarc- 

 tica being denuded of both roots and 

 fronds are naturally weakened somewhat, 

 and for a year or two afterward the 

 growth is likelv to be small. A stem of 

 the size noted (2 feet) under these condi- 

 tions would not be likely to throw out 

 fronds more than one or two feet in 

 length, and the first year's growth might 

 be much shorter than this. 



In potting tree ferns be careful to have 

 the pots well drained, and use rather 

 coarse compost composed of turfy loam 

 and peat in about equal proportions, and 

 water freely after the plants become 

 established." From this time forward 

 throughout the summer these plants will 

 require shading, and after the weather 

 becomes hot a light syringing overhead 

 is beneficial in bright weather, though 

 this had better be omitted while young 

 fronds are unfolding. 



It may be added in conclusion that tree 

 ferns enjov plenty of fresh air, and should 

 never be allowed" to become verv dry. 

 W. H. Taplin. 



SWfllNSONfl GflLBGIFOLIfl fllBfl. 



The engraving shows a vase of cut 

 sprays of this charming white flowering 

 greenhouse plant. It is exceedingh' use- 

 ful in supplying flowers almost the year 

 around. The plants grow freely under 

 liberal treatment, attaining a height of 5 

 or 6 feet A temperature of 50° to 55° at 

 night seems to suit them admirably. 



Seeds of it are offered in some cata- 

 logues, but as there is a doubt about its 

 coining quite true from seed, being a 

 sport from the colored type — galegifolia 

 — and as it roots readily from cuttings, it 

 is hardly worth while to risk growing it 

 from seed. 



The swainsona belongs to the Legu- 

 minosa? as will be surmised from the 

 shape of the flowers in the engraving. It 

 is a native of Australia and the species 

 are quite numerous and of various colors. 

 Of the galegifolia there is a pink and also 

 a red variety in addition to the white. 



As indicated above it should have lib- 

 eral treatment — plenty of root room, 

 either planted out in a solid, well drained 

 bed, or a large pot or box. Abundance 



of water at the root when it is growing 

 freely is about all the attention it re- 

 quires. Insects have so far not bothered 

 it, so that taking it all in all, the surprise 

 is that it has not found its way into gen- 

 eral cultivation years ago. W. 



Torenia Fournieei, from Cochin- 

 China, is a much-branched half hardy 

 annual growing from six to eight inches 

 high, and a free all summer bloomer, 

 most excellent for low borders and beds, 

 doing well also as a pot plant. Its violet 

 colored flowers are very interesting and 

 always command admiration. It is 

 easily raised from seed in a hot-bed and 

 can also be increased by cuttings. But it 

 should not be planted out until all danger 

 from frost is past. Pinching back a little 

 is advisable to produce compactness. 



The catalogue of Messrs. Johnson & 

 Stokes, Philadelphia, is to be specially 

 commended for its handsome half tone 

 illustrations from photographs from na- 

 ture. This firm has certainly solved the 

 problem of successfully adapting the half- 

 tone engraving to catalogue illustration. 



