April 7, 1870. ] 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



257 



at s certain size we mast be prepared to see them inclined to 

 deviate from their original shape by breaking into irregular 

 growths at different parts of the tree, indeed, the two trees 

 above described are doing so already ; many of the branches 

 towards the bottom of one side of each tree, instead of remain- 

 ing in a recumbent position, are turning upwards at their ex- 

 tremities, and each has formed a leader both straight and 

 strong. Now, if these be allowed to grow, the trees will most 

 likely become one-sided and unBightly, therefore I think it 

 quite probable that before many years pass away the Welling- 

 tonias at present planted will have to submit to a judicious 

 system of pruning, by taking out these side leaders down to 

 the first set of small branches. Doubtless Mr. Robson, from 

 his great experience among Conifers, has had to deal with 

 similar difficulties in other species, if not in the Wellingtonia. 

 I shall, therefore, be glad if he will state whether such a 

 remedy is likely to have the desired effect, and also if it is 

 the proper one to apply. 



Perhaps some who read this communication would like to 

 hear why the three Wellingtonias I have mentioned were de- 

 stroyed ; it was because they had not done well from the 

 time they were planted. The moving of this plant is at any 

 time of the year a very hazardous speculation ; whether the 

 trees are of large or moderate size, they are very apt to die off 

 without any apparent cause ; immediately the roots are cut 

 they droop, and seem incapable of being revived. My advice 

 to intending planters is to select small trees, such as have 

 arrived at just sufficient size to show that they will be of good 

 shape, and vigorous. — Thomas Record, Lillesden. 



WINTER-FLOWERING BEGONIAS. 



The small-leaved section of Begonias, grown for the beauty 

 of their flowers, are, when properly managed, amongst our 

 most useful winter-blooming stove plants. A dozen plants are 

 as many as I can find room for, but these, cultivated as I shall 

 describe, never fail to give me a weekly supply of blossom and 

 foliage for vases and bouquets throughout the winter. The 

 pendent flowers of Begonia fuchsioides are very attractive when 

 hanging over the edge of a white or blue vase, while the foliage 

 of such kinds as Begonia fulgens and insignis forms an elegant 

 and appropriate bottom row or foundation to a bouquet com- 

 posed of a few blossoms of Tree Carnation, Cyclamen, and a 

 Camellia or two, with a few sprigs of Panicum variegatum to 

 impart the requisite lightness. 



Grown into compact specimens and kept in the stove till the 

 flowerB are just beginning to expand, the plants may then be 

 taken to the conservatory, where they will continue in full 

 beauty for a considerable time ; and after their flowering is over, 

 which will be about the end of February, cuttings may be taken 

 off, and the plants thrown away at once, unless, indeed, huge 

 specimens be desired. Such may easily be obtained by giving 

 two or three liberal shifts in Bpring and summer, but other- 

 wise, plants a year old, and that have blossomed all the winter, 

 had better be out of the way at once, for old plants kept in the 

 same pots from winter to winter become worthless, and it is 

 vain to expect from them any blossom worth looking at. 



Sufficient cuttings being taken off in March, they are placed in 

 a forcing pit or on a brisk hotbed, where they emit roots quickly 

 and in great abundance; they are then potted in 3-inch pots 

 in a light rich soil consisting of equal parts of loam, well- 

 decomposed dung, peat, and a double portion of sand, with a 

 liberal admixture of small pieces of charcoal. The top of each 

 plant is pinched off, and they are replaced in the propagating 

 bed for about a fortnight, and then taken to a vinery at work, 

 which is sufficiently advanced to afford a genial growing tem- 

 perature. While there they are shifted into well-drained pots 

 a size or two larger. 



A Blight damping with a syringe once or twice a-day, careful 

 but abundant waterings, and attention to keeping the growth 

 well under command by pinching, are the simple, yet most 

 necessary, points of culture. 



About the middle of Jane the plants receive their final shift 

 into 10-inch pots, and are placed in a pit without any artificial 

 heat, but in which, by careful ventilation, a genial temperature 

 is easily maintained. The plants will there thrive, and by 

 careful training will become handsome specimens by autumn, 

 when they may be removed to the stove in full health and 

 vigour, and will quickly come into bloom ; with the assistance 

 of an occasional watering of moderately strong liquid manure, 

 they continue to grow and blossom throughout the winter. 



I have been induced to give these few simple oultural details 

 from having met with several instances of failure iu the culture 

 of this useful class of plants, arising, as I have found on in- 

 quiry, not from carelessness, but from ignorance of the proper 

 mode of culture. 



It is hardly necessary to state that the young plants might 

 have been grown with greater ease and less care in the stove 

 from the first, but persons with limited space are very glad to 

 avail themselves of any contiivance which enables them to 

 relieve their crowded houses. A small stove is one of a gar- 

 dener's trials ; for so many are the charming exotics claiming 

 a place that overcrowding, and consequently weakly plants, but 

 too often result, thus proving the truth of the remark that it is 

 better to grow a few things well than to attempt growing mora 

 than one has space for, and so run the risk of spoiling the 

 whole. — Edward Luckhurst, Egerton House Gardens, Kent. 



CAMPANULAS. 



A few words about our Campanulas may not be out of place 

 at the present time of the year. To speak of all the kinds of 

 blue bells, white bells, and purple bells (Campanulas, if you 

 please) would be beyond my experience, for they are such a 

 very large family, and are so widely distributed, that it would 

 involve much expense and require a large space to cultivate 

 them. Many of them are well adapted to and used for in-door 

 decoration, but it is on those suitable for out-door decoration 

 that I wish to dwell at present. 



They will succeed in almost all situations, but they do not 

 like wet positions, nor too much shade ; they are not very 

 particular in regard to soil, but they like good treatment. 

 Loam, leaf mould, peat, and grit or sand, suit them well, with 

 a moderately dry situation, watering when necessary. They 

 also require a little watching, for at times they disappear rather 

 unexpectedly. Some of them, natives of our own country, may 

 frequently be seen adorning our woods, hedgerows, and fields 

 with their blooms. 



How beautiful are the large patches of Campanula latifolia, 

 which we sometimes meet with in shady woods, peeping 

 through bush and brake, the great spikes of large French-white 

 bells seemiDg to say to us, "We'd rather bloom alone." It 

 makes a fine display in the herbaceous border, and ought to bo 

 brought into more general cultivation. 



Both the white and purple varieties of Campanula glomerata 

 are fine border flowers. The double variety is very desirable 

 They have found their way into many collections, and ought 

 to be in more. To see these flowers in the profusion in which 

 they grow on the limestone in many places, is a sight not 

 easily to be forgotten. 



Some of the taller kinds of Campanula are well adapted for 

 open spaces in shrubberies, and for back-row plants in large 

 borders. Of such I may instance obliquifolia, acuminata, 

 lactifiora, and lamiifolia. 



Among others of dwarfer habit may be enumerated Cam- 

 panula coronata, one of the choicest gems of the family, and 

 deserving of very extensive cultivation ; no flower is more 

 beautiful than Campanula coronata, with its beautiful white 

 coronet-like flowers. It is of good habit, perfectly hardy, and 

 of free growth. 



Campanula Medium, or the Canterbury Bell, no garden 

 should be without. It is a_ charming plant, both in its white 

 and purple varieties ; nor must the double forms be forgotten, 

 for they are the admiration of all who see them. The seeds 

 should be sown about midsummer, and the young plants potted 

 or transplanted in the autumn when large enough, removing 

 them early in spring to their blooming position, where they 

 often form pyramids of bloom of various hues from 2 to 

 3 feet high. 



Campanula Verschaffelti, another fine border plant, attains 

 from 2 to 3 feet in height, and produces very large purplish 

 flowers. It is very attractive, of free growth, and with me 

 quite hardy. It is a fine plant for in or out-door decoration, 

 is worthy of every care that can be bestowed on it, and ought 

 to be in all gardens. 



Campanula corymbosa, neglecta, stricta, crenata, grandis, 

 ruthenica, urtieretolia, grandiflora, and a host of others, ought 

 to be more frequently met with among our border plants. 



Campanula pyramidalis is another star, often grown for 

 conservatory decoration, and is one of the very best of the 

 family. It is raised from seed sown duriBg summer, and the 

 plants are grown in pots or transplanted. With us it haB 



