September 19, 1878. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
219 
what impatient of a close confined atmosphere, and therefore 
must have abundance of air after they are removed from the 
plunging material, and must be placed near the glass while 
advancing into bloom. Albion, Bride of Abydos, Garibaldi, 
Golden Yellow, Mont Blanc, and Sir John Franklin are cheap 
and reliable varieties. The soil that suits them is the same as 
that recommended for the Hyacinth, but care must be taken 
that plenty of drainage is given, for Crocuses have a great dis- 
like to soddened soil. Place as many corms of each variety 
as can be conveniently placed together in a 6-inch pot, cover 
over with soil, and plunge them under a covering of cocoa-nut 
fibre. Allow them to remain there until they have fairly 
started into growth and have filled the pots with roots, when 
they should be removed either to a cool frame or to a shelf in 
the greenhouse. A temperature of 45° to 50° after this will 
be sufficient to excite them to bloom, for if placed in a strong 
heat the flowers are apt to perish, and the foliage to increase 
in length and luxuriance. 
Snowdrops.—The modest-looking Snowdrops should not be 
overlooked if variety is desired; but they bloom at such an 
early period naturally that it is only necessary to pot patches 
from the open ground where such can be readily procured. 
These should be plunged for a time like the Crocuses, and 
then be removed to a shelf or cold frame to expand their 
flowers. 
Lachenatias.—The varieties pendula, tricolor, and versicolor 
are not grown so extensively as their beauty and adaptabilities 
entitle them. Their treatment is so simple, and they increase 
so rapidly, that the smallest greenhouse should not be without 
them. Mr. Ollerhead succeeds admirably with them grown 
in baskets simply filled with moss. As many bulbs as can be 
conveniently placed within the moss are employed, and when 
water is required the basket is dipped in a tank. By this 
treatment each basket becomes a globe of bright flowers, and 
its beauty and simplicity are almost beyond imagination. The 
plants also succeed admirably potted in the usual way and 
placed on shelves near the glass. The true variety of pendula 
is undoubtedly the best for pots and general decorative pur- 
poses. Nota day’s unnecessary delay should be permitted in 
procuring and potting bulbs of these distinct and attractive 
spring-flowering plants. 
Ixias, Sparaxis, and Tritonias all require similar treatment, 
and succeed well potted and placed on the shelf of a cold 
greenhouse. Their miniature Gladiolus-like spikes of bloom 
are both curious and attractive. Some of the best Ixias are 
grown in the Channel Islands. 
Scillas bifolia, hyacinthoides, and sibirica are charming little 
greenhouse plants, and will flower beautifully in pots if left 
to come away in a steady and natural manner; so also will 
Triteleia uniflora. The bulbs should be placed thickly together 
in the pots. 
Hyacinths, Tulips, Polyanthus Narcissus, and Crocuses are 
no doubt the most cultivated of the different selections given, 
but where there is room and variety wanted the others are all 
worthy of a good trial. The greatest secret no doubt in grow- 
ing all of them well is allowing them to become established 
well at the root before subjecting them to a high temperature. 
Have a mixture of good staple soil as recommended, follow 
out the directions given as to potting, cover them with cocoa- 
nut fibre, and leaye them to Nature for at least six wecks, 
and they will emit healthy and strong roots; then with an 
established foundation to work upon forcing may be success- 
fully accomplished. The earlier flowers are wanted so corre- 
spondingly early must be the preparations for successfully pro- 
ducing them, but at no time subject any of them to a higher 
temperature than circumstances require.—J. W. MOORMAN. 
DRESSING CARNATIONS. 
Your correspondent “ WyLD SAVAGE ” writes rather wild, 
or wide of the mark, in his notes on this subject. He asks 
the question whether it is right and proper to dress Carna- 
tions? Ireply, As the florist dresses them it is; as ‘“‘ WYLD 
SAVAGE” defines dressing them it is not. He implies in his 
remarks that gum is used. I can assure your readers that it is 
never used. Then he would lead your readers to believe that 
the cards hold the calyx like a vice—firmly. It is not so; the 
hole in the centre of the cards is so large that it does not 
touch the calyx. The object in using the cards is to show the 
flowers off to the best advantage, as is done with Asters, 
Zinnias, and similar flowers. Carnations, Picotees, and Pinks 
are not the only flowers that are dressed; the Chrysanthe- 
mum and some other flowers owe more to the dresser’s arts 
than they do. “WyLpD SAVAGE” also asks how is it that 
“we rosarians’”’ do not dress our flowers. I answer, Simply 
because it is unnecessary. If it were we should find “WyLpD 
SAVAGE” doing it Ihave no doubt. If he has seen a Carna- 
tion so altered by dressing that he could not recognise it I have 
not.—J. DOUGLAS. 
THE COMING INTERNATIONAL SHOW. 
WE have received the following suggestive letter relative to 
the Great Exhibition proposed to be held in London in 1880, 
Practical suggestions made now are much more likely to be of 
value than grumblings after the event; we therefore readily 
publish the letter as containing hints worthy of consideration. 
We may remark, however, that at the last Great International 
held in 1866 there were many classes specially provided for 
growers of limited collections of plants, in the manner suggested 
by our correspondent :— 
“Would it not be well if the Committee of the coming 
International Horticultural Exhibition were to issue a schedule 
at once, so as to give intending exhibitors an opportunity to 
prepare creditable examples for the occasion? It is not neces- 
sary that the prizes be affixed; we only want to know at pre- 
sent what is to be asked for. 
“ Again, it is to be hoped that the trade and private growers 
may be kept separate in everything, as many amateurs object 
(and with good reason) to enter the list against the trade ; 
neither is it politic on the part of the trade to show against 
amateurs. It is submitted also that classes should be made 
in such a manner that those who are extensive growers shall 
compete amongst themselves, and those with more limited 
means and space be likely to meet with those only of their 
own calibre. Thus if a collection of, say, thirty plants is 
asked for, let there be also collections of the same for, say, 
twenty and twelve, and prohibit the same exhibitor from 
showing in more than one of the collections ; this will allow 
the man who can only muster twelve to meet a friend in the 
same condition. The “big” men will have gone into the 
twenty or thirty. 
“There should also be a definite number of specimens stated 
in each class, it being far more satisfactory to exhibitors and 
far easier for Judges when such is the case. For example, if 
a collection of Crotons, Alocasias, Anthuriums, Dracznas, &c., 
be asked for there should be in every instance a given number 
stated. 
“Tf a collection of herbaceous plants are asked for, let it be 
stated if bulbs are to be included or excluded ; and also let it 
be clearly stated what is to be the understanding or reading of 
the word ‘hardy.’ |MOjcav 
“In classes for Tree Ferns it should be clearly stated that 
the stems should not be under a given height. In collections 
of exotic Ferns where Tree Ferns are excluded it should be 
stated if any Ferns without a stem may be exhibited, because 
a very fine example of Cyathea medullaris or Dicksonia 
antarctica could be shown without their having the slightest 
stem. In the case of a pair of Tree Ferns are we to under- 
stand they should be of the same species, or otherwise ? 
“A preliminary schedule issued as soon as possible, the 
stipulations being made clear and explicit, would be of great 
value to exhibitors, and would contribute materially to the 
completeness and grandeur of the show.—HXHIBITOR.” 
BORDER BEDDING DESIGN. 
Now, when gardeners and proprietors are considering de- 
sirable combinations of flowers for the coming year, the follow- 
ing very effective arrangement of lines for an undulating flower 
border, forming the southern boundary of the pleasure ground 
at Minella House, may be usefully noted :— 
The border is about 60 yards long, and facing north. The 
background is planted with evergreens, many of the, shrubs 
being very rare, and all striking. Sloping from them and 
filling interstices between are perennials carefully selected ; 
while gracefully arranged, according to their respective heights 
and colours. are four lines:—1l, And next the margin of the 
walk, blue Lobelia alternately with the Manglesi Geranium. 
The flowers of the latter rise above and contrast remarkably 
with the former, seen from either end. On nearer approach 
the variegated leaves of the Geranium render more vivid the 
taste of the arrangement. 2, The shrubby yellow Calceolaria 
Aurea floribunda, still in contrast and gradually rising higher, 
