128 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
{ August 15, 1878. 
the Polemonium probably better known by the more homely 
name of “Jacob’s Ladder.” Why plants possessed of such 
merits for border and other decorative purposes are so neglected 
Iam at a loss to conceive. We do occasionally see what is 
said to be a native of our land, but I entertain a doubt as to 
its citizenship. I allude to Polemonium ceruleum. It is a 
handsome spring and summer border flower, is of charming 
habit, having somewhat the appearance of a Fern while ina 
young state. It is also known by the name of Greek Valerian. 
Polemoniums perpetuate themselves by seed, often becoming 
as troublesome as weeds. The seed may be sown as soon as 
ripe, or in the spring, in light soil on a rather sheltered border, 
or where they are intended to remain, and be thinned out as 
they require. They need a good space to develope themselves, 
for when left too thick they sometimes damp off. They are also 
increased by division in the autumn or spring, which is much 
the best mode when any variety is intended to be retained. 
The variegated form is one of the most useful as well as one 
of the handsomest of hardy plants we possess. As an edging 
and ribbon-border plant for graceful appearance it cannot be 
surpassed. To keep the stock superior it requires constant 
care in keeping up a supply of young plants. When neglected 
they often run back to the original, especially if planted in 
moist situations. To have it in prime condition it should not 
be allowed to flower. 
They are not an extensive family. Most of the varieties in 
cultivation have much the same habit and appearance ; blue 
and white are the preponderating colours of their flowers. 
There are a few named varieties but seldom met with. They 
are not particular as to soil or situation provided it is not too 
heavy. A free loam suits them with efficient drainage.— 
VERITAS. 
THE ROSE ELECTION. 
I FEEL very grateful to Mr. Hinton for the friendly way in 
which he has met my criticisms on the subject of the Rose 
election. 
Iam so interested in all that concerns the Rose that I can- 
not forbear putting in my oar in every boat that is rowed ; 
but I can assure my friend that Ido not represent my own 
opinions only, but those of a large number of the best and largest 
Rose growers. If I were but to mention the remarks made 
at Hereford at a meeting of the best rosarians I have had the 
pleasure of being present at for a long time, Mr. Hinton would 
see that it is not the opinion of a mere Savage, but that the 
Wyld man was but the mouthpiece of a most influential body. 
Only yesterday I received a letter from one of the largest pro- 
fessional cultivators of the Rose saying, “I was glad to see 
your remarks in the Journal about the Rose election, in which 
I cordially concur.’”—WYLD SAVAGE. 
“THE result will be what I do not hesitate to declare last 
year’s was, ‘a delusion, a mockery, and a snare.’’’ What, 
then, are we young amateurs to do? Here is “* WYLD SAVAGE” 
making it out in the plainest manner that all our anxiety last 
autumn was in vain, that the Rose election is no better a guide 
to a grower for exhibition than would be a list of the Roses 
growing in an ordinary old-fashioned garden. I have had great 
delight the last two seasons in reading all that ““ WYLD SAVAGE” 
has said on his favourite subject ; but I confess that his letter 
this week has quite upset me. After the election was published 
I quite beggared myself in order to complete my set, and now, 
at budding time, I am told pretty straight that I have been 
foiled and snared, and must I be foiled again? Is it “ WyLp 
SAVAGE’S ” tum to enter the ring? Is it the old game over 
again, the patient dying because the doctors differ? ‘“ WYLD 
SAVAGE” has driven me back to the details of the Rose 
election ; I have chosen out seven of the best known amateurs 
that appear in the copies I can find, and this is the result. 
Out of the forty-eight Roses selected, “ D., Deal,” names 34, 
Canon Hole 34, Rev. J. B. M. Camm 36, Mr. Curtis 33, Rey. 
EH. N. Pochin 37, Rey. A. Cheales 40, and Mr. Parsons 30. 
I would suppose that these figures are a great tribute to the 
caution Mr. Hinton displayed in his selection of votes. When 
I compare the lists of the two champion antagonists at the 
National Rose Show in June last, I find that Mr. Jowitt had 
in his forty-eight twenty-nine Roses not in Mr. Baker’s box. 
Fancy these two giants in their great struggle for the cup with 
their hundred of Roses of every kind having but nineteen in 
common! Yet “WYLD SAVAGE” says that these men, and 
such as they only, are to be our guide, I think he is very 
severe on Mr. Hinton, and as one of the young and cevoted 
lovers of our floral queen I could not help saying so— CURATE 
or HOWDEN. 
RETARDING AND PREPARING FORCED 
FLOWERS FOR TRAVELLING. 
[WE cannot give a fuller and better reply to “W. T. K.” 
and “A YOUNG GARDENER” than by citing the following on 
this subject. ] 
Iy following the ruling fashion of the times, and gaugeing 
the tastes of its wire-pullers, it is of some importance to keep 
a close watch upon the annual progress of recent innovations- 
We must judge for ourselves whether these are likely to pass 
safely through the ordeal of criticism and to establish a claim 
upon public attention for any length of time, or whether their 
recognition is not temporary, and due to some passing mania. 
for novelty which is attracted by mere plated mediocrity, 
while it overlooks qualities that are of a more genuine and 
permanent character. 
The subject before us is not an inquiry into certain fashions: 
either retrospective or prospective ; but our programme legiti- 
mately embraces the study of anticipated changes, and of 
schemes for working out the fulfilment of ideas that are best 
calculated to meet coming demands, and that are most in 
accord with the spirit of the times. Glancing for a moment 
on the past, there were signs of the foliage element taking the: 
place of cut flowers to a considerable extent ; but things have: 
taken another turn, as the unquestionable increase in the 
demand for cut flowers very plainly confirms. The season 
wherein there is the greatest demand for cut flowers is from 
February to July, and there are many intervening periods: 
which ought to be studied on individual grounds. In the first: 
place, there is the growing of the plants and their peculiar 
adaptation for yielding supplies at certain times. There are: 
individual fancies to be pleased in peculiar colours and even 
shades of colour, and there are certain times at which certain 
things are more welcome than others; but perhaps the most 
important thing to be studied is a proper selection of such sub- 
jects as will stand the oscillation of a luggage van without. 
falling to pieces. It is in a way simple to grow and force 
flowers, but not so simple always to “hit the proper time *” 
and transmit them to their destination in proper condition. 
Amongst a chain of complications there are features of varied 
import which, if exercised and applied with forethought, will 
be the redeeming features of the case; for instance, flowers 
that travel well should be kept in reserve for the hot weather, 
others of more intricate formation will answer quite as well 
earlier, and travel better in cold weather. All flowers can be: 
hardened more or less gradually, and kept shaded from strong 
sun. The choice element—such as Orchids, Lilies of the Valley, 
Gardenias, Eucharis, Pancratiums, &c.—should be handled 
according to individual means to last over the season, so that 
every tray of flowers sent off shall have its fair contingent of 
choice things. Camellias will last from November till May. 
All efforts at retarding after the plants are pushing vigorously _ 
will only end in failure, therefore they should be kept as cold 
as is consistent with safety after the buds are set, and shading” 
resorted to early in the season. The cooler the plants are kept 
the better the flowers will travel. Suppose the roof of the 
Camellia house is occupied with other creepers that would be 
injured by shade, they are a poor lot if they are not worth 
some special attention in the way of shade, which may be 
temporarily constructed inside the house and removed after 
the flowering season is over. Hyacinths, Tulips, Narcissus, 
and other bulbous plants are easily managed by rotation and 
hardened off according to coming demands from the warmest 
forcing house to the coolest frame behind a north wall. Cine- 
rarias, Calceolarias. Prunuses, Deutzias, Spirzeas, and other 
things may be handled in the same way, and later sowings of 
the two first-named may be turned out of doors altogether, and 
occupy similar places with little or no protection, except some: 
slight covering, to be kept at hand in case it is required. This: 
style of keeping your showy things out of public sight may be 
open to comment, but the writer never gives a pin for the 
critic or satirist so long as the only parties legitimately inter- 
ested are satisfied. When there is any probability of a glut of 
Camellias or of Maréchal Niel or Gloire de Dijon Roses being 
caused by a sudden change of genial weather, and the flowers 
are situated so as to be beyond ordinary control, then numbers 
of other things that are more under command may be retarded 
in proportion by any of the means suggested elsewhere, 
