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JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ September 1, 1870. 



about halfway along them by a group consisting of a large oval 

 bed of Rhododendrons, on each side of which, in a line with 

 the other beds, were two small hearts, with a circle of propor- 

 tionate size between them, making six beds besides the large 

 oval. In the small circles was a central mass of Alternanthera 

 magnifica, surrounded by a row of Golden Feather Pyrethrum, 

 with a broad border of the very dwarf grey Antennaria tomen- 

 tosa. Each of the heart-shaped beds had a central mass of 

 Coleus Verschaffelti, surrounded by Golden Pyrethrum, with 

 an outer row of Echeveria secunda glauca. The high finish of 

 these beds left nothing to wish for, and the arrangement of the 

 plants was most satisfactory. Alternanthera magnifica has 

 handsome orange and crimson foliage. 



Of the long narrow beds, I may mention as being very good 

 one filled with Pelargonium Christine, having an edging of 

 alternate plants of Lobelia speciosa and Pelargonium Lady 

 Plymouth ; another with the same kind of edging, and Pelar- 

 gonium Waltham Seedling in the centre ; and another of 

 Pelargonium Amy Hogg. There were several side beds of Cal- 

 ceolarias, but all had a very poor appearance. A quantity of 

 the dull ragged grey-leaved ArtemiEia Stelleriana was very 

 tame indeed. A number of long narrow beds had edgings of 

 alternate plants of Lobelia speciosa and Dactylis glomerata 

 variegata ; inside this was a row of Purple King Verbena, with 

 various kinds of variegated Pelargonium in the centre. This 

 was rather an unBafe arrangement, but as the Dactylis pre- 

 dominated very much, the blue and purple did not clash suffi- 

 ciently to materially affect the appearance of the beds. In 

 some mixed beds of Viola cornuta and variegated Pelargoniums 

 the Viola was a decided failure, its weak straggling growth being 

 almost without flowers. 



Of eleven beds which I noted as containing each a variety of 

 variegated Pelargonium, one containing Queen of Queens mixed 

 •with Verbena Purple King was very good ; Artemus Ward was 

 very dull. Golden Fleece, free in its growth and with bright- 

 coloured foliage, was good, but it is not by any means equal to 

 Crystal Palace Gem, of which there was a fine mass. Some of 

 these beds would have had a much better effect had the blossom 

 been kept picked off the plants. Some rows of Verbenas intro- 

 duced in several mixed beds were very poor indeed, with very 

 few flowers. The beds of various Zonal Pelargoniums were 

 well filled, but the flower trusses had been so battered by recent 

 showers that I was quite unable to form a fair opinion of their 

 merits. The uniform appearance of the fringe of Sempervivum 

 or Echeveria, which surrounds most of the beds here, imparts 

 a finish and contributes very materially to the air of neatness 

 which pervades the whole of them. 



On the side of Rotten Row, near Hyde Park Corner, were a 

 few noteworthy fine-foliaged and tropical plants. Of these two 

 very fine groups of Canna discolor bordered with Tussilago 

 Farfara variegata, the variegated Coltsfoot, had a most striking 

 effect. Good specimens of Monstera deliciosa, Musa Ensete, 

 the graceful Phcenix dactylifera, a fine Seaforthia robusta, 

 Phcenix reclinata, Latania borbonica, and the singular and 

 striking Phorminm tenax variegatum, all presented a healthy 

 and flourishing appearance. — Edwaed Lcckhubst, Egerton 

 House Gardens. Kent, 



WORK FOR THE WEEK. 



KITCHEN GABDEN. 



Geound now becoming vacant should bo trenched up as 

 roughly as possible, manure being applied if necessary. This 

 should always be done as soon as the crops are off, whether the 

 ground is wanted immediately or not. Trench and manure 

 well for the winter Cabbage in due time, and plant out some 

 moK strong plants of the early kinds for late Coleworts. Voung 

 seedling Cauliflowers must not be allowed to stand too thickly 

 in the seed bed ; the thinnings may be pricked out at sufficient 

 distances, and will moke sturdy plants. If any strong Celery 

 plants remain, they may be taken up with balls and " heeled" 

 deeply for soup purposes ; this will save the stock for salads. 

 Plant out more Endive for the last batch, using high slopes, 

 which may be protected by covers or hoops and mats in severe 

 weather. Sow Hardy Green Lettuce on sloping banks to stand 

 through the winter. These banks may be rather small, not 

 more than 4 feet through at the base, and steep ; sow on both 

 sides of the bank, and it will produce a succession. See that 

 Spinach is properly thinned and the Eurface stirred. Make a 

 good sowing of approved sorts of Radishes for winter use. Let 

 all the Scarlet Runner pods be picked clean, except a few for 

 seed; if allowed to grow old they exhaust the crop much, and 



prevent succession. Thin Turnips in due time, and pass the 

 hoe among them. 



FEUIT GAEDEN. 



Fig trees out of doors should be liberally supplied with 

 water if no rain ensues, to enable them to swell off the late 

 fruit. Give a final nailing to all wall fruit trees, that there 

 may be nothing to obstruot the perfect ripening of the wood. 

 Fruit of every sort should be gathered as it ripens, and not be 

 allowed to fall. Grapes out of doors should have every shoot 

 of useless wood removed, and the branches laid in close to the 

 wall. Wherever it is practicable, it is of great advantage to 

 them to place the spare lights from early Peach houses or 

 vineries against the wall ; when this is done, a good crop of 

 fairly ripened fruit may often be obtained. 



PLOWEE GAEDEN. 



It will be well to fill up many blanks in flower borders as 

 soon as possible with plants of a biennial character, such as 

 Wallflowers, Sweet Williams, Campanulas (the Campanula 

 grandis is a useful sort), Hollyhocks, biennial Stocks, and the 

 various Primulas. Most of these, although somewhat old- 

 fashioned, will be found very useful next spring. All spare 

 time will now be probably employed in the reserve garden, as 

 success during the spring and summer months depends in a 

 great degree upon the efficient manner in which the labour is 

 performed just now. Still continue to propagate showy and 

 choice herbaceous plants by cuttings and division of the roots, 

 and seedlings of late-sown perennials may still be pricked out 

 with advantage. Pot off a good number of the different varie- 

 ties of Bromptou, Giant, aud Queen Stocka ; likewise Pent- 

 stemons, Antirrhinums, Linnms, Viscarias, Sea., that they may 

 have a little protection should the winter be severe. Continue 

 to plant out Pinks, Clove Car-nations, and rooted cuttings of 

 hardy herbaceous plants in nursery beds. See that the plants 

 already established io. beds are kept in a state of health and 

 vigour by stirring the surface of the soil. Look now and 

 then at the late-budded Roses, and loosen the ligatures ; when 

 necessary, pinch back to half their length those buds which 

 have made shoots. If left at full length they are apt to 

 be blown out by the winds. Remove all shoots and suckers 

 from the stock ; if left too long in their present position 

 they have a tendency to weaken the constitution of the stock. 

 Roses budded last year will likewise require attention. See 

 that the heads are well secured against high winds, which 

 generally prevail during thi3 month and next. The early 

 Carnation layers are now well rooted. In potting them off, 

 either one or two plants may be placed in each pot, accord- 

 ing to the convenience which the amateur may have for 

 wintering them. Care must be taken not to have the soil 

 too light, and manure or any stimulating composts must be 

 avoided ; in fact, the soil cannot well be too simple or pure ; 

 decayed turf with a little sand is found to bo the most suitable 

 for their winter's growth. Procure varieties from the different 



I cultivators, so that they may be well established before winter. 



j The offsets of all choice sorts of Tulips may be put into the 

 ground as soon as convenient, choosing fine dry weather for the 

 operation. It will be found a good plan not to let the beds 

 have too much moisture, hooping trhem over, so that mats or 

 other protecting material may be thrown over in excessive wet. 

 Where Pinks have been planted out in beds, they must be kept 

 free from weeds, and old stools or stock plants which have 

 been grown in pots may be planted out on borders. They will 

 produce an immense number of flowers next season from which 

 much seed may be saved. Make up beds of rich compost in 

 rather a cool situation, and plant out rooted cuttings or young 

 plants of Pansies for next year's blooming. Continue to shelter 

 Dahlias, and to thin the buds as before directed. 



GEEENHOUSE AND OONSEEVATOET. 



Clerodendrons, early Camellias, well-grown Fuchsias, trellis 

 climbers, Brugmansias, Scarlet Geraniums, &c, should now be 

 in high perfection. The Veronica speciosa, and Buddlea 

 Lindleyana, where properly grown, will also prove very inter- 

 esting, as tending to sustain the true conservatory character. 

 The two latter shrubs want very similar root treatment. No- 

 thing of a stimulating character will bloom them in perfection. 

 A plain simple loam, of a rather sound character, will be found 

 to suit them best, accompanied by the one-shift system of 

 potting. Luculias, and other winter-flowering plants growing 

 in the border, must be freely exposed to light and air in order 

 to have the growth well ripened, and to insure a fine display of 

 bloom. Also, see that all plants are clear of black thrips, for 

 this pest is particularly active at the present season, wherever 



