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JOURNAL OP HOETICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEK. 



[ Decombor 12, 18fi7. 



specimens are not so nsefol for decorative purposes as smaller 

 plants in 9 or 10-inoh pots. 



As regards arranging Chrysanthemums in masses, the Pom- 

 pous and the large-tlowering varieties ought never to be mixed, 

 as the small flowers of the former have a mean appearance as 

 compared with those of the latter, but have a very fine and 

 distinct efi'ect if arranged in separate groups. Then I use pots 

 of a larger size — 13 and 15-inch ; and in each of these I place 

 three plants of the large-flowering incurved varieties, and in 

 this way I obtain the finest single blooms. This season I had 

 flowers of Empress of India, and Prince Alfred 5 inches in 

 diameter. I never pinch the centre out of the plants which I 

 intend to grow for this purpose, so that they generally grow 

 tall, and are not so effective in the show-house, but make a fine 

 central row in a span-roofed house or a back row in a lean-to. 



As to compost, I find the following very suitable for them — to 

 eight parts turfy loam add two parts half-rotted horse-droppings 

 and one part pounded oyster shells, also using oyster shells for 

 drainage. 



After the last shift the plants ought to be placed in the 

 position which they are to occupy during the summer. An 

 airy, though somewhat sheltered position in the kitchen garden, 

 where they can have as much sun as possible, will suit them. 

 They ought also to be staked soon after the last shift, as they 

 are very easily damaged by the wind. Attention must also be 

 paid to tying and training them as growth progresses. Some 

 ef the varieties of Pompons, I like to grow and flower without 

 using sticks at all. Cede NuUi and its varieties, and a few 

 others of the same style of growth, will do for this. 



The exhibitors at the metropolitan shows tie the shoots down 

 to the level of the rim of the pot, by means of a wire twisted 

 into a circle 2 feet inches in diameter, which wire is fastened 

 to the pot, by first twisting a wire round the pot immediately 

 under the rim, aud placing two sticks or stout pieces of wire 

 over the pot, crossing each other, and then tyir g them down to 

 the wire. 



I will not occupy space by enumerating varieties, as the lists 

 which have been given in the reports of the various exhibitions 

 are a sufficient guide to purchasers. I also find that different 

 seasons have a marked effect on some of the flowers ; for in- 

 stance, Princess of Wales has not been quite full in the centre 

 of the flower this year, whilst last season it was the finest ; soma 

 of the white varieties, likewise, have not opened freely. 



While on the subject of Chrysanthemums, I ask why have 

 we not an exhibition of them, and also of fruit, in London at 

 this season ? One might be held in connection with the Eoyal 

 Horticultural Society. Gardeners, and their employers as well, 

 I have no doubt would subscribe as they do at Stoke Newington 

 and other places. Such an exhibition is wanted in London, 

 and I have no doubt if properly carried out would ultimately 

 be successful. — J. Douglas. 



HOME-GROWN TANGIEEINE ORANGES. 



Having for some few weeks enjoyed these delicious little 

 fruits, I am induced to send you a few with their leaves on 

 them, for your degustation, trusting you may enjoy their brisk 

 flavour and pleasing aroma. Some of my trees are in full 

 blossom, adding much by their fragrance to the enjoyment of 

 the pleasant temperature of the house, which in winter varies 

 from 60° to 7.5' ; the latter when a December sun enlivens the 

 dull month. 



These Oranges are easily cultivated, the great requirement 

 is, if they are to be ripened in one season, a warm tempe- 

 latore — gentle artificial heat all the year round, approximating 

 to that of Lisbon. The trees alter arriving at an age of five or 

 seven years bear most abundantly even in pots, but when 

 planted out in the borders of a house properly heated, a house 

 14 feet wide requiring eight four-iuch pipes, they become 

 amazingly fertile. A little bush htre only 2 feet high, is bear- 

 ing three dozen of nice full-sized fruit. 



Some few weeks since Mr. Pearson intimated in your columns 

 that looking over Orange trees ouce a-week was tiresome ; he 

 seemed to forget that all greenhouse plants require at least a 

 weekly superintendence, to give them water, and see that they 

 are in health. It is bo here with Tangierine, and other kinds of 

 Orange tiees. As to scale, the prevention system of syringing 

 with clear quassia water is so beneficial, that it is seldom that 

 a scale is seen, and that emaciated and in bad condition. When 

 found it is " not made a note of," but picked off. Methylated 

 spirit is now but seldom required. We do not imitate friend 



Pearson in washing every leaf with Gishurst compound, its 

 smell is not ambrosial, and our few scale insects are not robust. 

 — T. E. 



[" What treats you Londoners lose ! " was the postscript to a 

 note accompanying the Tangierines, and we consider it a post- 

 script rendered quite needless by the delicious fruit and the 

 fragrant ivory-like blossoms. " Oh ! " said one to whom they 

 were shown, " how they remind me of Madeira, and my wed- 

 ding day." As for " T. E.," he seems to grow young again 

 amid his Eoses and Orange trees, and if we had Fortuuatus's 

 hat and ring, we should visit him unseen, and find him in one 

 of his orchard-houses, giving voice to that address which begins 

 with — 



"From ft worm clime and genorons soil 

 Removed, ye well reward my toil."] 



INFLUENCE OF THE STOCK OVER THE 

 GRAFT. 



On being escorted through the vineries of a lady in Lincoln- 

 shire the other day, the gardener directed my attention to 

 some fine bunches of White Prontignan hanging on one of the 

 Vines, and appended this history. Five years ago, anxious to 

 have a rod of the Eed or Grizzly Frontignan, he inarched one 

 on a White Frontignan. It grew rapidly, and has borne fruit 

 every year since, but not one grizzly berry has it ever pro- 

 duced, but all white, exactly the same as the Vine did before 

 being grafted. This is an influence of stock over graft of a 

 decided kind. 



Tlie gardener is a most careful and intelligent man, and not 

 at all the sort of man to make a mistake in the matter. — J. W. 



ASPARAGUS CULTURE. 



There being frequent inquiries as to the mode of making 

 Asparagus beds — the when, how, and what to plant — I think 

 the best answer will be to give full directions how to proceed 

 throughout the plant's cultivation. 



Soil. — Asparagus thrives in a rich sandy soil. Sandy allu- 

 vial soils, and especially those charged with saline matters, are 

 the most suitable for its growth. Stift' retentive soils are bad ; 

 and unless they can be reduced to a light porous condition, the 

 growth of Asparagus in them will be poor and dwindling. The 

 subsoil, whatever may be the texture of the surface soil, should 

 be freed of water, which can only be done by efficient drainage. 

 Shallow drains, as they merely prevent water on the surface 

 from passing into the subsoil or down to the roots, are valueless. 

 For drains to be of any use they should be placed at the depth 

 where water, after it has passed through the soU, would be 

 likely to lodge, and consequently destroy the roots, or prevent 

 their extending lower down. The roots of Asparagus penetrate 

 the ground to a great depth in hght porous soil, and in almost 

 all cases they will push their ramifications to a depth of 3 feet. 

 This is as deep as the ground intended for Asparagus need be 

 made light and porous. It is necessary that all water falling 

 on or given at the surface should pass through and thoroughly 

 moisten the soil to the depth to which it is loosened, or to 

 which the roots extend ; and it must be obvious that any excess 

 of moisture beyond that naturally retained by the soil must be 

 destructive to the roots, and ought to be carried off. Drains 

 should therefore be laid at about 1 foot greater depth than 

 that to which the ground is made light and porous, so as to 

 prevent water from rising higher than the level of the majority 

 of the roots. Drains, then, should be laid so as to carry off 

 any accumulation of water existing at a depth of 3 feet or less ; 

 and for Asparagus they need not exceed 4 feet in depth. 



The ground being well drained, the next matter to be con- 

 sidered is the soil ; for it will be necessary to vary the prepa- 

 ration of it according to its texture. A rich, sandy, alluvial 

 soil will not need any further preparation than that of trench- 

 ing to a depth of 3 feet, and working in a liberal quantity of 

 manure, which may equal (J inches in thickness over the whole 

 of the surface. 



Soils that are light and sandy, but not naturally rich, should 

 also be trenched to a depth of 3 feet, an opening 3 feet wide 

 being taken out at one end or side of the plot for its full length 

 or width. The bottom being loosened with a pick, the top spit 

 of another trench should be placed at the bottom of the first 

 trench, and equally all over ; and upon this 3 inches of manure, 

 or seaweed if it can be iiad, may be spread, and .should be 

 mixed with the soil first placed in the trench, by forking it 



