234 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 



October, 1910 



The following is ;i plan of the flowers : 

 The small centre is Mescmhyanthemum 

 Cordifolium and the first ring is Alter- 

 nantheria Parenchoides Magnifica. Next 

 come eight sharp triangles, forming the 

 eight points of the star, the two opposed 

 triangles being of the same plant. 



The following four plants compose 

 them: Alternantheria Amoniae, Alternan- 

 theria Aurea, Crassula Borig, Sedum 

 (ilaucum. 



The numerals and letters are of Alter- 

 nantheria Schmidtii. 



On a groundwork of Alternantheria 

 Amoniae, the sixty minutes are marked 

 out in Klenia, and the small outer border 

 is Cerastrum Tomontosum. Altogether il 

 forms a remarkable, and is a marvellous- 

 ly well kept bed, constantly "groomed" 

 and perfectly flat. 



Mr..Symes has brought his Schizanthus 

 to a pitch of absolute perfection in habit, 

 compactness and size of flower. I have 

 taken two groups of these and, if the film 

 is successful, I hope to send them to you 

 later, with particulars concerning his 

 cultivation of them. Many horticulturists 

 assail him with questions about them. He 

 does not always answer. I was favored, 

 because, first, he found by a pertinent 

 question of mine, that I understood some- 

 thing about them ; second, because I was 

 a Devonshire woman ; third, because Can- 

 ada is my home. To "come from Can- 

 ada" generally opens English hearts. 



One word must be added concerning 

 our steamer trip on the Thames from Ox- 

 ford. I will not try to paint the natural 

 beauty, nor can I hope that any descrip- 

 tion of mine will convey the wonder of 

 those gardens that reach to the waters 

 of the old river. 



Great magnificent "seats," old and 

 new, hidden among the trees, peeping out 

 from wondrous leafage, little bungalows 

 and thatch-roofed summer cottages all 

 standing amid green velvet of lawns, 

 amid huge beds of standard hybrid per- 

 petual and tea roses in full bloom, and of 

 every form and color, all festooned ; 

 everywhere with arch upon arch and bow- 

 er and pergola over which crimson ramb- 

 lers, Dorothy Perkins, Lady Gay and 

 white climbing roses flung their flower- 

 laden sprays in an abandonment of de- 

 lightful growth, breaking down beneath 

 their own weight and wealth of bloom, 

 while beneath their feet are masses of 

 campanula, linum coccineum and pink 

 and white lavatera which, by the way, 

 grown in masses, are a charming sight. I 

 hope to follow this by a letter on new 

 hybrid geraniums, schizanthus, and other 

 plants. 



Hints About House Plants 



Wm. Hunt, O.A, 



Water pot plants only when they need 

 it, then water them thoroughly. When 

 the soil begins to get dry and powdery 

 on the surface, or when the pot is tapped 

 with the fingers it emits a ringing sound 

 — the plant requires water. Then give 

 sufficient water so that it runs through 

 the bottom of the pot, then withhold 

 water until needed again. Giving a 

 little water every day or at any 



To secure success with bulbs it is 

 necessary to begin aright by getting 

 sound bulbs of good size. I would warn 

 intending purchasers against buying 

 cheap, under-siz d bulbs. — Thomas Jack- 

 son, Winnipeg. 



stated interval is not the way. to water 

 plants. Use tepid rain water or water 

 that has been exposed to air and sun ;f 

 possible for a day or two. The water 

 should be just lukewarm about 50 to 60 

 degrees. Never use ice cold spring 

 water for pot plants in winter. 



VENTILATION 



Give air from the top of the window or 

 from an adjoining room. Avoid cold 

 draughts of air on plants. Ventilate only 

 on mild, still days. In late fall, early 

 winter, or in spring plants may some- 

 times be stood out for an hour or two, 

 but the temperature should be at least 

 65 degrees outside. 



MOIST ATMOSPHERE 



A moist atmosphere is one of the main 

 essentials to achieve success with plants. 

 Place pans or saucers of water on the 

 heaters or registers. As this evapor- 

 ates it causes a moisture very beneficial 

 to plants. Saucers of water placed under 

 the plants are beneficial or a steaming 

 kettle or pot on the stove is a great help. 



SPRAYING PLANTS 



Glaucous or glossy-leaved plants, such 

 as palms, rubber plants, Boston ferns, 

 calla, lilies, etc., should have the leaves 

 sponged with clean water once every 

 week, with an occasional spraying at 



C, Guelph, Ont. 



the sink. This should be done on fine 

 warm days if possible. Hirsute or rough- 

 leaved plants, such as the rex begonia, 

 gloxinias, etc., should not be sprinkled 

 over the foliage. 



FERTILIZERS 



When the pots become full of roots 

 and the soil worn out or exhausted, a 

 little fertilizer can be given. Th^ soil 

 .should be moist, not dry or very wet, 

 when fertilizer is applied. There arc 

 .several good plant foods sold at larpc 

 seed stores. .Sterlingworth Plant Tab- 

 lets or Bonor.a are both good. The first 

 costs 10 cents for a small box sufficient 

 for a good collection of plants for the 

 whole winter. Bonora is 25 cents a small 

 tin. This is the best fertilizer for plants 

 that I have tried for amateur work. 



Half an ounce of nitrate of soda dis- 

 solved in one gallon of water makes a 

 good fertilizer for pot plants. About half 

 a teacupful every two weeks for a plant 

 in a six inch pot will be sufficient. Be- 

 gonias and coleus must not be given too 

 much fertilizer. Geraniums and chry- 

 santhemums will bear a larger quantity. 



INSECT PESTS 



The spraying with water will help 

 keep down insect pests, especially if the 

 water is applied to the under side of the 

 leaves. Insect pests increase and thrive 

 best in a dry, warm atmosphere. They 

 do not like moisture. For aphis or green 

 lice, red spider and thrip sulpho-Tobacco 

 .Soap is a good remedy. This costs 10 

 cents a packet at seed stores. Soapy 

 water or a solution of whale oil soap and 

 tobacco water is beneficial. 



Smoking the plants is also beneficial. 

 Care must be taken not to burn the 

 plants. Smoking or fumigating with to- 



White Roman H^aciollis 



