March 25, 1876. ] 



JOUKNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



233 



portation, and as a nursery ground from which to select new 

 varieties to add to the catalogue collection. 



The appearance of this immense plantation of Gloxinias 

 was a sight which can never be forgotten, not only as to its 

 novelty, Imt of the indescribable beauty and richness of the 

 million of blooms. There would be at the least that number, 

 and their effect in all the varied colours which the species 

 down to that time bad been capable of producing may be in 

 some measure imagined, but cannot be clearly described. 



Now this extraordinary collection of seedlings was not 

 planted out in heated houses or pits, but only in unheated en- 

 closures, which some might call an apology for cold frames, so 

 exceedingly simple was the arrangement of the shelters, for 

 structures they can hardly be called. They consisted of 2 to 

 3-inch deal planks set on edge, enclosing a width of about 

 7 feet of space, and on these planks the lights rested alter the 

 manner of improvised frames for the use of hardeniug-off 

 bedding plants. The back ranges of planka might he about 

 15 inches in height, and the front rows something less than a 

 foot — in fact, just sufficient to provide an ample slope to carry 

 off the water from the glass. 



Had these rows of frames been placed in one length they 

 could not have reached far short of a mile. Now, fancy a 

 border of Gloxinias a mile long and 2 yards wide. Bstter, 

 however, not exaggerate, but see what that represents; well, 

 at a foot apart it would contain 31,080 plants ; but the number 

 in bloom I was positively assured — and I inquired of three 

 different men — was upwards of 50,000. The glass, however, 

 was not in a row, but was arranged in a sheltered square of 

 the nursery, and appeared to cover an acre. Well, then, an 

 acre of Gloxinias, what does that represent ? At a foot apart 

 it will be 43,500, which does not reach the number within 

 6400 ; but as they were planted about inches apart, and there 

 were paths between the frames, the Gloxinia garden may be 

 fairly set down as an acre in extent. 



But to see the plants in such perfect health it was almost 

 incredible that no artificial heat was used. That there was 

 neither hot-water piping inside nor manure linings outside is 

 certain, and I was further assured there was neither one nor 

 the other used beneath the soil to afford bottom heat. The 

 only heat used to grow the Gloxinias eo splendidly was from 

 the sun alone. The soil in which the plants were growing 

 was mainly leaf mould, of the same nature as that in which 

 Camellias and Azaleas luxuriate in so remarkable a manner. 

 The seed of the Gloxinias is sowed in February, and when 

 large enough the seedlings are pricked out in pans. As they 

 grow they are allowed more room, and when the weather is 

 favourable, about the beginning of June, they are planted in 

 their bloomiug quarters. The principle of culture is to keep 

 them growing and to suffer them to receive no check, or want 

 of food or room, from the first period of their vegetation. 

 They certainly were blooming magnificently, and many of the 

 flowers were of great size. 



Out of this immense number of plants less than a dozen 

 were selected to add to the catalogue collection and for propa- 

 gating purposes. The rest are all sold. They are classed in 

 categories of quality, and sent in a dry state by the hundred 

 and thousand to all parts of the world, and the purchasers 

 name them or not as they choose. The corms ate by this 

 mode of culture brought to perfection the first season, and 

 will produce plants of any size required. They are produced 

 better and at a smaller cost in labour than if grown in pots, 

 and are consequently sold at lower prices than would other- 

 wise be remunerative. Now in raising Gloxinias in quantity 

 and for testing seedlings, surely some modification of that 

 mode is adaptable to many parts of England. I am not con- 

 versant with the mean temperature of Ghent, but as being the 

 same latitude as the south cf England the plan, with the same 

 care that is given in Belgium, should hardly be considered im- 

 possible here. If, indeed, a little material for bottom heat 

 were required, it would be as well applied as in growing bad 

 Melons. Useless frames could be utilised, and a beautiful 

 flower supplied at a cheaper rate and remunerative to the 

 producer than is the case at present, and its cultivation would 

 spread into every garden in the land that afforded convenience 

 for its culture. The Gloxinia would, furthermore, be in more 

 general use for summer and autumn decorative purposes in 

 towns and cities from where it is in a great measure excluded 

 by the costliness of the present mode of production by artificial 

 heat and potting. 



At auy rate, if it is not practicable to thus cultivate them in 

 England, it may not be devoid of interest to hear how they 



are so freely, easily, cheaply, and perfectly produced in other 

 lands, and hence these remarks of — An Ex Visitor. 



LOOK OUT FOR QUEEN WASPS. 



Now that the time is at hand when every wasp that may be 

 seen will be in search of a location for a nest, and if unmolested 

 will become the parent of thousands, I would ask all gardeners 

 — yes, and bee-keepers too— to kill every wasp they possibly 

 can ; for by killing the early wasps we can expect to gain a 

 victory over such pests during the fruit and honey season. 



There are few insects more annoying to the gardener than 

 wasps. They attack the best fruits in the garden, although 

 the gardener tries all preventives he possibly can think of — 

 such as bottles containing sweet syrup, gauze over the aper- 

 tures for ventilation, gauze bags made to fit each bunch of 

 Grapes, &c., which bags to my miud do not look well in any 

 vinery, as they hide the beautiful fruit when the eyes should 

 be feasting thereon. 



Now I think if gardeners, or horticulturists in general, were 

 to form unions in their several districts, and offer a reward to 

 all those who might choose to kill wasps from as soon as seen 

 until the end of May, they would destroy hundreds of queens 

 and prevent thousands of wasps that otherwise would come 

 forth. — William Laurie. 



OUK BOEDER FLOWERS -PENTSTEMONS. 



In this as in some other tribes of plants a little confusion 

 exists in regard to their names. Pentstemon pubescens has 

 been called Scouleri, and P. Eichardsoui confounded with 

 P. venustum ; when such is the case it is an unfortunate cir- 

 cumstance. I know that it is a very difficult matter to keep 

 plants true to name, as sometimes in changing hands mis- 

 takes are made, and perhaps not at once discovered. To 

 enumerate the family is not my object, yet I would direct 

 attention to a few neglected varieties that ought to be more fre- 

 quently seen in collections of border flowers and for rockeries. 



Pentstemon ovatus is one of the most desirable plants we 

 possess ; it has beautiful blue flowers, and grows about IJ foot 

 high. It seeds freely, but is kept true by division. It is de- 

 sirous also for pot culture. The white variety of the above is 

 a perfect gem in its way. These, I am inclined to think, are 

 the best of the race. P. Scouleri is a plant seldom seen ; it is 

 of rather prostrate habit when left to itself, but with care may 

 be made a very effective plant for all purposes. It strikes 

 readily from half-ripened shoots, and grows well in sandy 

 loam and peat, but must have thorough drainage. When in 

 bloom its lavender-coloured flowers are very attractive. It is 

 indispensable as a rock plant, and will repay any amount of 

 care Ijestowed upon it. 



P. Richardsoni is a very useful border flower continuing in 

 bloom most of the summer ; it requires attention in tying-up, 

 and is best raisel from cuttings. It is quite hardy. P. venus- 

 tum is of graceful habit, and is one of the earliest bloomers of 

 the family ; it is of light purple colour, and is very desirable. 

 It should be raised from cuttings. Pentstemon glabrum is of 

 dwarf habit, is of purplish blue colour, and ought to be more 

 cultivated than it is. P. pulchella is a very graceful plant of 

 good habit, the colour being rosy lilac. It is best increased 

 from cuttings yet seeds freely, and from a small packet of seed 

 many different coloured flowers are obtained. There are many 

 more of this interesting family which require to be better 

 appreciated. 



CHELONE. 



This is a small family of plants allied to the Pentstemon ; I 

 like, however, to have them to themselves. They will succeed 

 well under the same treatment as the Pentstemon, and are best 

 increased by division in spring or autumn, but may be raised 

 from seed if desired. They are of slender habit, but being 

 generally tall-growing plants they require care in staking. 

 They continue a long time in bloom ; they are desirable as 

 cut flowers. 



Ghelone barbata is the most frequently met with, and is said 

 to have been introduced from Mexico. C. glabra is a very 

 desirable American species. C. obliqua should find a place in 

 all borders where herbaceous plants are cared for ; its colour, 

 which approaches to purple, contrasts favourably with the 

 scarlet and white varieties. G. Lyoni is a very useful plant 

 in open spaces in the shrubbery. The soil should be well 

 broken up, and have an admixture of loam, peat, leaf mould, 

 and sand, and the site should be well drained. When thus 



