Gardening for Amateurs 



botanists divide them into three families. 

 Acroclinium (Helipterum) roseum is perhaps 

 the chief. There are four varieties of this : a 

 single rose-flowered, a white, a semi-double 

 rose-flowered, and a semi-double white- 

 flowered. The other kinds are Helipterum 

 Sanfordii (syn. H. Humboldtianum), bearing 

 yellow flowers, and Rhodanthe Manglesii, the 

 flowers of which are rosy-pink with yellow 

 centres. In pots all these Fairy Immortelles 

 grow from 9 to 12 inches high. The seeds 

 may be sown in August or September for 

 spring flowering, and in March and April for 

 summer flowering. Pots 5 inches wide are 

 convenient to use, and the seeds are sown in 

 the pots in which they are to flower. Use 

 light, sandy soil, filling the pots to within 

 1 inch of the rim ; this will leave space for 

 a top-dressing of rich soil, when the young 

 plants are about 3 inches in height. Fifteen 

 to eighteen seeds should be sown in each 

 pot, the number of young plants being re- 

 duced later to twelve in the event of all the 

 seeds growing. Support will be necessary, 

 the neatest being twigs from an old birch 

 broom. Another method is to place four 

 thin hazel stakes round the side of each pot. 

 The slender growths of the plants are kept 

 within these by looping two or three strands 

 of raffia or thread round the stakes. A 

 little stimulant may be given the young 



plants as soon as the tiny buds are visible 

 in the tips of the growths. Canary Guano, 

 Clay's Fertilizer, soot water, or liquid cow 

 manure are suitable. Discontinue their use 

 when the most forward buds are half ex- 

 panded. With care and attention these 

 Fairy Immortelles will last in good condi- 

 tion in the greenhouse for three months. 

 When the flowers are fully expanded care 

 must be taken not to give too much water. 

 Aphelexis. This plant is classed as an 

 Everlasting, though the flower stalks are so 

 short as to be of very little use for cutting 

 for winter decoration. The plants, how- 

 ever, are well worth cultivating for green- 

 house display, the flowers lasting in good 

 condition on the plants for three months 

 or more. The flowering season is spring. 

 Propagation is by cuttings inserted in August 

 under a bell-glass. The most suitable soil 

 is peat and sand ; fairly firm potting is 

 necessary. The plants commence to flower 

 when eighteen months old in 3| inch pots, 

 and as they are of comparatively slow growth 

 they continue to be of decorative value 

 for some years, if repotted into a slightly 

 larger pot every second or third season. 

 There are four distinct varieties : humilis, 

 pink ; grandiflora, rosy -purple ; purpurea 

 or macrantha, purple ; and rosea, pale 



To Prevent Rusting of Tools. Many 

 methods are adopted for keeping tools free 

 from rust, and the little extra labour involved 

 by any of them is amply repaid in the 

 increased life of the tool, its attractiveness, 

 and its easier manipulation. Here is one 

 simple method. Remove all the dirt from 

 the implement (there won't be any adhering 

 to the iron if the tools are kept in this way), 

 then wash it clean with water, and dry it 

 with a rag of some kind. Mix equal parts 

 of paraffin and sweet oil, and keep it in a 

 closed syrup tin or in a tightly stoppered 

 bottle ; when the implement is dry rub it 

 over with a piece of cotton waste or woollen 

 rag, which is kept moistened with the 

 above liquid and always ready for such a 

 purpose. The labour is infinitesimal when 

 made a feature of routine work, and the 



implements last longer and work more 

 easily. 

 A Hint When Syringing. When the 



ordinary hand syringe is used to spray bushes 

 and plants with an oily or soapy emulsion, 

 great difficulty is frequently experienced in 

 holding the barrel sufficiently tight to 

 develop the required force necessary for 

 successful work. If this is so, a band of 

 metal should be soldered round the barrel 

 at the most convenient spot ; a piece of 

 corrugated brass or lacquered metal raised 

 inch in the centre gives a secure hold. 

 I have also seen a piece of thick copper 

 wire wound tightly round . the barrel and 

 soldered in position for the same purpose. 

 Any plumber will do the w r ork for a few 

 pence. A firm grip of the syringe is 

 essential to convenient working. 



