I [2 



JOUENAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ June 22, 1871. 



tropical gardening, that it is a sort of garden decoration pro- 

 duced by the introduction of masses or of isolated specimens 

 o' plants having a luxuriant growth and large picturesque 

 f jliage, and which are generally indigenous to tropical or sub- 

 t opical climates, giving to the places where they are planted 

 S 'mewhat of the effect of a tropical vegetation, "When the 

 system was first introduced, the term may have been applic- 

 able enough, but as ifc is now practised it is arbitrary and un- 

 meaning, for many of the plants employed are neither tropical 

 nor subtropicaJ. The system, nevertheless, by whatever name 

 it may be called, is one which has introduced new features to 

 our flower gardens and pleasure grounds, which are at once 

 bold and pleasing in their efiects, and wherever there is space 

 3[ifficient to practise this style of decoration, it is desirable to 

 SDme extent to introduce it. 



In the work before us Mr. Robinson has very ably treated 

 fae subject as a distinct branch of decorative gardening. In 

 his introduction he enters fully into the practical part of the 

 subject of forming these gardens. But the greater part of the 

 book is occupied with descriptions and excellent wood engrav- 

 iogs of all the plants used in subtropical gardening, and many 

 lists of plants adapted for various purposes of subtropical gar- 

 dening. Of the descriptions we take as an illustration the 

 fdmiliar Canna :— 



" If there were no plants of handsome habit and gi-aceful leaf avail- 

 able for the improvement of onr flower gardens but these, we need not 

 despair, for they possess almost every quality the most fastidious could 

 desire, and present a useful and charming variety. The larger kinds 

 make grand masses, while all maybe associated intimately with flower- 

 in^A plants — an advantage that does not belong to some free-gi-owing 

 things like the Castor-oil plant. The Canna ascends as boldly, and 

 spreads forth as fine a mass of leaves as these, but may be closely 

 grouped with much smaller subjects. The general tendency of most 

 of our flower-garden plants is to assume a flatness and dead level, so 

 to speak ; and it is the special quality possessed by the Cannas for 

 counteractiug this that makes them so valuable. Even the grandest 

 of the other subjects preserve this tameness of upper-surface outline 

 ■when grown in great quantities : not so these, the leaves of whicb, even 

 when grown in dense groups, always carry the eye np pleasantly from 

 the humbler plants, and are grand aids in effecting that harmony which 

 is so much wanted between the important tree and shrub embellish- 

 ments of our gardens and their surroundings, and the dwarf flower-bed 

 vegetation. Another good quality of these most useful subjects is their 

 power of withstanding the cold and storms of autumn. They do so 

 better than many of our hardy shrubs and plants, so that when the 

 last leaves have been blown from the Lime, and the Dahlia and 

 Heliotrope have been hurt by frost, you may see them waving as grace- 

 fully and as gi*een as the vegetation of a temperate stove. Many of 

 the subtropical plants, used for the beauty of their leaves, are so tender 

 that they go off in autumn, or require all sorts of awkward protection 

 at that season ; but the Cansas last in good trim till the borders must 

 be cleared. All sheltered situations, places near warm walls, and nice 

 snugly-warmed dells, are suitable positions for them. They are gene- 

 rally used in huge and ugly masses, both about Paris and London ; 

 but their true beauty will never be seen till we learn to place them 

 tastefully here and there among the flowering plants — just as we place 

 sprigs of graceful Fern in a bouquet. A bed or two solely devoted to 

 them will occasionally prove vei^ effective ; but enormous meaning- 

 less masses of them, containing perhaps several hundred plants of one 

 variety, are things to avoid and not to imitate. As to culture and 

 propagation, nothing can be more simple : they may be stored in 

 winter, as readUy as Potatoes, under shelves in the houses, in the root- 

 Toom, or, in fact, anywhere, if covered up to protect them from frost. 

 And then in spring, when we desire to jiropagate them, nothing is 

 easier than pulling the roots in pieces, and potting them separately. 

 Afterwards it is usual to bring them on in beat, and finally harden 

 them off previous to planting out in the middle of May ; but a modifi- 

 cation of this practice is desirable, as some kinds are of a remarlmbly 

 hardy constitution, and make a beautiful growth if put out without so 

 much as a leaf on them. The soil for all Cannas shonld be deep, rich, 

 and light. 



*'In rambling through the suburbs of Paris, I once came upon a 

 tuft of Canna springing up strongly through a Box-edging — pretty good 

 evidence that it had remained there for some years. Upon inquiring 

 of the proprietor of the garden I found this was the case, and that ho 

 had no doubt of the hardiness of several other kinds. They were 

 planted not more than 8 or 10 inches deep. When we remember that 

 the Cannas are amongst the most valuable plants we use for giving 

 grace and verdure to the flower garden, this surely is a hint worthy of 

 being acted upon, as, of course, they will prove equally hardy with ns. 

 Considering their diversity of colour and size, their graceful pointed 

 habit and facility of propagation, we must concede them the first place ; 

 but their capability of being used by anybody who grows ordinary bed- 

 ding plants, and the fact that they may be preserved so very easily 

 through the winter, enhance theu* value still more. Cannes, protected 

 by a coating of litter, have been left out in Battersea Park through 

 severe winters, and during the unfavourable summer of 1867 attained 

 A height of nearly 12 feet. Where it is desired to change the arrange- 



ments as much as possible every year, it may not be any advantage to 

 leave them in the ground, and in that. case they may be taken up with 

 the bedding plants, and stored as simply and easily as Carrots. Wher- 

 ever they are grown as isolated tufts, in small gi-oups, or in small beds, 

 it will be best not to take them up oftener than every second or third 

 year. These noble plants would also adorn the conservatory, which 

 is often as devoid of any dignified vegetation as the unhappy flower 

 gardens which are seen aU over the country. Few subjects would be 

 more effective, none more easily obtained." 



NOTES AND GLEANINGS. 

 We regret very much to announce the premature death of 

 one of onr correspondents, Mr. W. T. Ckipps, nnreeryman, 

 Tanbridge Wells. He was a few months more than thirty. 



woke; for the week. 



KITCHEN GARDEN. 



Now is a good time to apply salt to Asparagus and Sea-hale 

 beds; about 1 lb. to a square yard is snflacient; it is a great 

 waste to lay it on after the plants have ceased growing, par- 

 ticularly when the soil is at all cold and stiff. S'imulanta 

 applied now will enable the roots to lay up a good store of 

 organisable matter for another season, and, therefore, in ad- 

 dilion to salt, occasional applications of liquid manure should, 

 if possible, be made. The effect of this tind of treatment 

 will be perceived in the autumn, by the plants retaining their 

 green colour much longer than the others not so treated, and 

 in spring by increased size and productiveness, evidently show- 

 ing that the longer the functions of the plants can be preserved 

 by the application of stimulants, the greater the amount of 

 matter Btored-up for the ensuing season. The planting-out of 

 Cape and other Broccoli, Cabhages, Cauliflowers, Kales, and 

 Winter Greens must be vigorously prosecuted, and every vacant 

 space should now be kept well fiiled-up. The trenches for the 

 main crops of Celery should now be prepared ; for this purpose 

 the spaces between the rows of Peas are very applicable. The 

 shade from the Peas will be very useful to the Celery in its 

 earliest stages, and the Peas will be entirely removed by the 

 time they are likely to be injarious. Continue to top Beaiis 

 and Peas as they advance, and keep them well gathered as 

 they become fit for table. Make another sowing of Peas. The 

 Early Frame is the best sort for this and the next sowing, 

 after which there is little chance of their coming to perfection. 

 Another sowing of Dwarf Kidney Beans may be made for 

 succession, and advancing crops both of these and Scarlet 

 Rtinners should be well thinned-out. Keep the soil about 

 them well forked-up and pulverised. Continued experience 

 goes far to prove that the fork is much the best instrument 

 that can be used amongst all wide-planted crops. Continue to 

 make occasional sowings of Lettuces, the White Silesian for 

 stewing, and the Gold Cos, Bath Cos, and Green Cos for 

 salads. Keep Turnips well thinned-out, and watered when 

 needful ; make sueeessional sowings. See that Tomatoes are 

 kept well thinned-out and nailed to the wall. 



EKUIT GAKBEN. 



Strawberries will now require timely applications of water 

 according to the state of the weather, and the fruit must be 

 protected from birds. A trustworthy boy is far cheaper and 

 better than popping at them from morning till night. The 

 nailing-in of the young wood of wall trees must be coutinnaliy 

 followed up. The breastwood of Pears should now be broken off 

 within a few joicts of the base, carefully retaining the leaves. 

 The opinions of practical men are divided on this point, but 

 after many trials I retain the system of removal as being the 

 neatest and most effectual. Of course, a due supply of young 

 shoots must be laid-in to fill-up all present or prospective 

 vacancies. Now is the best time to thiu-ont the young canes of 

 Easpberries. Pinch-out the tops of young shoots of Figs, and 

 thin the fruit if too thick. As soon as the Grapes on the open 

 walls are set they should he well thinned, the trouble of doing 

 this is amply repaid. 



FLOWER GARDEN. 



Preparations should now be made for propagating border 

 varieties of Pinks. Many methods have been recommended 

 for increasing the Pink, all more or less successful in their 

 results ; but those who chiefly grow them for the purpose of 

 decorating flower-garden borders will fiud, now that so much 

 time is taken-up with other matters, that the plan propounded 

 some years ago by Mr. Mearns is more speedily performed, 

 and is attended with as great success as the wearisome and 



