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1 furl ten 1 1 n n 



Flowers ix Season- The rnimboi;' of Mowers in sen son is rather limited, 

 Very striking, however, is $path odea <'o m t><i nalala, which might well be called 

 the " Flame tree " on account of the large scarlet flowers -which literally cover the 

 tree and make it conspicuous at a considerable distance. It is called the " Coral 

 tree" by some people in want of a better name, but " Spathodea" is a simple and 

 easy name to remember- The tree is a native of tropical Africa. Peltophorum ferru- 

 gineum, a native of Ceylon, is one of the most showy and ornamental of trees. 

 It is now in full flower, its large masses of bright yelloAv blossoms being in pleasing 

 contrast with the fine pinnate leaves. Eoupellia grata, the "Cream Fruit" of 

 Sierra Leone, is also now in full bloom. The flowers are borne in dense sessile 

 (i.e., not stalked) cymes, being of a pink or pale rose colour, and very fragant. The 

 name grata means " agreeably-scented," but the appellation ''Cream Fruit" is 

 difficult to explain, unless it is on account of the white soft but scanty pulp 

 of the fruit, which is scarcely edible. 



Seasonal Gardening Notes for the Hill Di§triets ) 



I > v .). K. Nock. 



Flower Garden. -The weather during February is usually dry and water- 

 ing demands a great deal of labour. The bulk of annuals are now in flower 

 and present a gay appearance. They had best be watered in the evenings, and 

 if weak liquid manure is given every fifth morning the growth will be greatly 

 enhanced and fine blooms may be expected. Peg down Phloxes, Verbenas. 

 Petunias, &c. 



Seedling Carnations about to bloom will need support and should be 

 staked neatly. Advantage of the fine weather should be taken to cut out Loranthus 

 parasite from the large trees, and to clear up accumulated rubbish, burning the 

 branches and anything that will not readily rot. Repair arches, arbours, and 

 culverts, thatch sheds, clip hedges, trim shrubs, and paint the wood work of 

 glass houses, gates, &c. Roses to bloom in April may be pruned now, and when 

 new growth appears mulch with rotten manure or steamed bone dust. 



Wistaria chinensis. — This hardy creeper native to China with purplish 

 flowers is now in bloom and the object of much admiration. The plant was 

 pruned in November, and it is hoped shortly to have rooted cuttings available for 

 distribution. 



Sanvitalia procumbens.— This hardy annual with pretty yellow flowers 

 has been introduced to Hakgala and will be found suitable for edgings. 



Cacasia coccinea, another new plant from Sutton St Sons bearing orange- 

 scarlet flowers on long stems is a welcome additional hardy annual for the 

 flower garden. 



Layia elegans and Rhodanthe are flowering well and can be recommended to 

 anyone wishing to get something new. The latter are very attractive when 

 massed in beds. 



Vegetable Garden.— Brussels Sprouts, Brassica oleracea bullata gemmifera, 

 belonging to the Natural Order Cruciferae. This is one of the finest and most 

 relished English vegetables, and can be grown practically all the year round, 

 taking exception, to a certain extent, only to the worst months of the South- 

 West Monsoon. Seeds should be sown in sheds, and the seedlings pricked out, 



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