402 



Gardening for Amateurs 



the flower borders or among shrubs. They 

 are chiefly biennial. Recently attention 

 has been given to them by hybridists 

 and some greatly improved sorts have 

 been produced. They are increased by 

 seeds sown on a border out of doors from 

 April to June. Some Verbascums increase 

 freely from self-sown seeds. These are the 

 best kinds : V. Blattaria (Moth Mullein), 4 

 feet, yellow, June to August ; V. nigrum, 

 4 feet, yellow, purple centre, July, August ; 

 V. pulverulentum (Hoary Mullein), 3 feet 

 to 4 feet, yellow flowers, leaves very woolly, 

 almost white, July, August ; V. phoeniceum, 

 2 feet, purple, salmon, violet, pink, white 

 and intermediate shades, May to July. A 

 few of the best cross-bred sorts are : Cale- 

 donia, coppery-buff, 4 feet to 5 feet, June 

 to August ; Densiflorum, 4 feet, golden- 

 bronze, June to August ; Harkness's hybrid, 

 6 feet, yellow ; Miss Willmott, 6 feet, the 

 best white Mullein, June to September. 



Veronica (Speedwell). There are 

 shrubby, herbaceous and alpine Speedwells. 



As border plants and for filling lawn beds 

 several of the herbaceous kinds are excellent. 

 They thrive and flower freely in most garden 

 soils. An increased stock is raised by dividing 

 the roots in autumn or spring, and by sowing 

 seeds on a border outside from April to June. 

 Plant at any time from October to March 

 when the weather is favourable. Good 

 kinds are : V. gentianoides, 1 foot to 1| feet 

 high, porcelain blue, May, valuable for 

 the front of the border and late spring 

 bedding (var. pallida bears pale mauve 

 blooms, var. fol. variegata has prettily 

 variegated foliage) ; V. longifolia, 3 feet, 

 slender spikes of blue flowers, July and 

 August (var. alba is a pleasing white variety) ; 

 V. spicata, 1J feet to 2 feet, dense spikes of 

 blue flowers, June to August, one of the 

 showiest dwarf perennials for the front of the 

 border in late summer ; V. subsessilis, 2% 

 feet to 3 feet, rich violet blue, July, August ; 

 V. virgin ica (Virginian Speedwell), 4 feet to 

 5 feet, tall, slender spikes of white flowers, 

 July to September. 



Primula Kewensis. This variety, which 

 originated at Kew some years ago, needs only 

 to be more widely known to be grown as 

 generally as the older P. Sinensis and P. 

 stellata. While the size of the flowers 

 cannot compare with these two well-known 

 sorts, yet for freedom of flowering it far sur- 

 passes either, the bright yellow blossoms 

 being produced continuously through the 

 winter months. Seed may be sown at prac- 

 tically any season, but for winter-flowering 

 sow in June. Prick off first round the 

 edges of pots, then pot into 3 inch, and 

 finally into 5 inch pots, which are quite large 

 enough for flowering. 



Remedy for Mildew on Chrysanthe- 

 mums. A sure remedy for mildew on 

 Chrysanthemums under glass is sulphide 

 of potassium dissolved in water at the 

 rate of 1 ounce to the gallon, and applied 

 with a syringe. It is almost more im- 

 portant to wet the undersides of the leaves 

 than the upper, but do not let the mix- 

 ture reach the flowers to any extent; 

 beware also of getting it on white-painted 

 woodwork. 



Lifting Gladioli. It is not safe to leave 

 the corms of Gladioli in the open ground 

 after early October. Lift with the stems 

 still attached if they do not part easily, and 

 spread in a dry loft or shed. Later on clean 

 them off, and store on a shelf or in boxes 

 free from frost. 



To Increase the Garden Phlox. The 

 various varieties of Garden Phlox may of 

 course be easily propagated by division of 

 the clumps during winter, but in the case of 

 a scarce variety that is not always a wise 

 method to adopt. If a plant is lifted and 

 planted in light but rich soil in a frame or 

 greenhouse towards February, numerous 

 shoots will soon appear from the base. 

 When these are about 3 or 4 inches long, 

 they may be removed carefully with a sharp 

 knife and inserted singly in thumb pots in 

 compost of 2 parts loam, 1 part leaf- 

 mould, and 1 part sand. Plunge the pots 

 in a close frame until the cuttings are rooted, 

 then remove to an airy frame, and eventually 

 plant out of doors. By this means many 

 plants may be raised from one original 

 clump. 



