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Gardening for Amateurs 



vary in colour from pure white to deep 

 crimson, and in a cut state last a long time 

 in water. Both the varieties with double 

 and single flowers find hosts of admirers. 

 A selection of sorts should include among 

 singles: Hamlet, pink; James Kelway, 

 scarlet ; Mrs. Bateman Brown, crimson ; 

 and Princess Marie, pure white. Useful 

 double sorts are Captain Nares, crimson ; La 

 Vestale, blush white ; Melton, crimson- 

 scarlet ; Ovid, rose ; and White Aster. The 

 removal of the flowers for indoor decoration 

 induces the plants to make fresh growth 

 and bloom again in autumn. The height of 

 the plants in flower is about 2 feet ; they are 

 increased by division. 



Rudbeckia (Gone Flower). These re- 

 semble the Perennial Sunflowers, and flower 

 in late summer and autumn. The three best 

 for cutting are Autumn Glory, golden yellow, 

 dark centre, 5 feet ; Golden Glow, double 

 yellow, 5 feet ; and Newmanni, or speciosa, 

 with rich golden-yellow flowers, black centre, 

 2 feet. Increased by division. 



Scabious. The dainty mauve blooms of 

 the Pincushion Flower (Scabiosa caucasica) 

 are attractive for vases, either alone or in 

 association with the white variety, alba. 

 The plants grow 2 to 3 feet high, and flower 

 throughout the summer. Increased by divi- 

 sion or seeds. Scabiosa lutea is another sort, 



5 feet high, with primrose-yellow blooms, 

 opening in late summer and autumn. 



Solidago (Golden Rod). The yellow 

 plumes of the Golden Rod are valuable for 

 cutting. The plants flower from August to 

 October, and grow from 3 to 5 feet high. 

 S. canadensis, S. spectabilis, and S. ulmifolia 

 are all useful ; may be raised from seed or 

 increased by division. 



Spiraea. There is much to admire in 

 the feathery plumes of the several sorts of 

 Spiraea. The plants delight in a moist 

 position. They flower from June to August. 

 S. Aruncus, white, 5 feet ; S. Filipendula 

 florepleno (double-flowered Dropwort), white, 

 1 to 2 feet ; S. japonica, white, 2 feet ; 

 S. palmata, rosy-crimson, 2 feet ; and S. 

 Ulmaria flore pleno, white, 3 feet (the double 

 Meadow Sweet), are the best. 



Statice (Sea Lavender). Statices are 

 well-known Everlastings, and are dried for 

 winter decoration. For immediate use also 

 they are exceedingly valuable. S. eximia 

 superba, lilac ; S. latifolia, lavender-blue, 

 2 feet or more ; S. Limonium, purple, 1| feet, 

 are the best perennials. They flower from 

 June to August and are increased by division. 



This list might be considerably extended 

 by including Aquilegia, Echinops, Eryngium, 

 Heuchera, Iris, Malva, Iceland Poppy, 

 Trollius, and others. 



Geraniums from Seed. The propaga- 

 tion of Zonal Pelargoniums or " Gerani- 

 ums," as they are popularly though errone- 

 ously named is usually effected by means 

 of cuttings. The idea of raising a batch 

 of plants from seed is seldom thought of, 

 but there is very little difficulty in this 

 method ; moreover, it is far more interest- 

 ing than the orthodox manner of propaga- 

 tion, for one never knows until the plants 

 flower what they will be, and there is always 

 the possibility of a gem turning up. Sow 

 the seed in pans, either early in the year or 

 towards the end of the summer. If the 

 earlier date is chosen a temperature of 60 

 must be maintained, but in the summer sun- 

 heat will provide the necessary warmth. 

 Prick the seedlings off early, and as they 

 progress pot them into 3-inch, and finally 



into 5-inch pots. At the latter potting 

 make the soil very firm to ensure short- 

 jointed growths, which produce flowers 

 much earlier than " sappy " shoots. 



Gleaning Pots. Pots should always 

 be well washed out before they are used 

 a second time. Tepid water, a scrubbing 

 brush, and perhaps a little soap are all that 

 are necessary. Let the pots drain for a day 

 before being used. Never wipe out a pot 

 with a dry cloth or dry straw ; this simply 

 forces the soil into the pores and renders 

 the pots of less value. It is almost impos- 

 sible to remove a plant with a whole ball of 

 soil at its roots if the pot was not cleaned 

 beforehand. If pots have contained diseased 

 plants they should be sterilised, either by 

 pouring boiling water over them or by 

 using some insecticide or fungicide. 



