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THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Calceolarias. — There are two groups of Calceolarias, 

 the herbaceous and shrubby, and it is the latter that are 

 here dealt with. These flowers are less used than formerly, 

 partly from disease, and partly through the stereotyped 

 bedders having lost favour. The plants have an unfortunate 

 disposition to suddenly collapse ; but by planting late in 

 April in well-prepared ground, in which plenty of manure 

 is put deep down, so that the roots as they develop can 



CALCEOLARIA. 



discover it, and watering in very dry weather, they will 

 succeed. They fail in poor shallow soil. The best time 

 to strike cuttings is October, when side shoots taken off 

 with a heel, i.e. , a bit of the old wood, and the lower 

 leaves removed, root readily in a cool frame. Drain the 

 soil well by putting broken bricks, crocks, and similar 

 things in the bottom, and over this fine loamy soil, 

 which should be brought up to within a few inches of the 

 glass. Tut the cuttings about 2in. apart, and in each 

 little hole sufficient sand for each to rest upon, and water 

 with a fine-rosed watering pot. Shut the frame up, 

 giving air occasionally to prevent damping off, and cover 

 the lights with old sacks, mats, or similar articles to 

 keep out frost in severe weather. Little water will be 

 required until growth commences, but the soil must not be 

 allowed to get dust dry. In spring, ventilate more freely, 

 until the plants can be fully exposed before being planted 

 out in late April in the beds or borders. A few plants 

 may be potted up for the greenhouse if desired. Cuttings 

 may be struck in spring in heat, following the same advice 

 as given in the case of Fuchsias, but early October is 

 the best time. Amplexicaulis, lemon colour, is one 

 of the sturdiest and most free flowering. Other good 

 kinds are Gaine's Yellow, Golden Gem, and Prince of 

 Orange. 



Carina (Indian Shot). — The Canna is welcome for its 

 noble leafage as well as for its splendid flowerspikes, which 

 never attain full beauty, however, unless the summer is 

 warm and dry, but it is always worth planting in 

 bold groups on the lawn or some conspicuous spot in the 

 flower garden. Of late years many beautiful varieties have 

 been raised with flowers larger and finer in colour than 

 the older kinds, whilst some are quite dwarf in growth, 

 not more than 3ft., others reaching a height of 7ft. or even 



8ft. Cannas are very easy to grow. Propagate them 

 by placing the old roots in warmth in February, and if 

 at command give bottom heat. The result will be young 

 shoots, which when about 2in. in length take off with a 

 heel attached, and insert singly in small pots. Plunge 

 these in bottom heat in a house with a temperature of 

 65deg. If such means are not available give less 

 warmth ; but of course the cuttings will not root so 

 quickly. When large plants in pots are required each year, 

 propagation must be performed annually. A very simple 

 way to propagate is by dividing the roots when growth 

 commences, potting the divided portions in soil con- 

 sisting of loam, well-decayed manure, and sharp silver 

 sand, and affording a temperature of about 55deg. The 

 roots may be stored in a frost-proof fairly dry cellar, or 

 under the stage of a cool greenhouse. Lift them when 

 frost has destroyed their beauty, and with a blunt stick 

 remove as much soil from amongst them as possible, then 

 lay them in the sun for a few hours to dry, and store. 

 It is almost impossible to give a selection of varieties 

 without introducing a bewildering list ; there are so many 

 noble kinds, and each year they increase, the flowers gain- 

 ing breadth and colour, whilst the rich chocolate tone of 

 some leaves is very attractive. Of the dark-leaved kinds, 

 President Carnot, President Faure, Antonin Crozy, 

 Geoffrey Saint Hilaire, and M. Andre are noteworthy ; 

 and amongst those valued for their flowers the following 

 are very effective : Alphonse Bouvier, deep crimson ; 

 Antoine Chantin, rosy salmon ; Antonin Crozy, crimson, 

 very rich against the dark-coloured leaves ; Aurea, clear 

 yellow ; Duchess of York, yellow, spotted with red ; 

 Italia, red and yellow ; Jules Chretien, crimson carmine ; 

 Mine. Crozy, orange red, with a margin of gold to the 

 florets ; Mme. Just, of a beautiful golden amber colour, 

 red in the centre of the flower ; Paul Lorenz, crimson 

 flowers and very dark-coloured leaves ; and Progres, 

 vermilion spotted with a reddish colour and margined 

 with yellow. To get flowers freely, plant in early June 



CANNA. 



strong crowns, and let the soil be very rich, and the 

 position exposed to the full sun, but not wind-swept. 

 Give water freely during the summer in dry weather. 

 Dahlias. — A sumptuous garden flower is the Dahlia, 

 which is now divided into many classes. The plant is a 

 native of Mexico, and the parent from which the present 

 family has been derived is D. variabilis. It was first 

 introduced into Spain in 1789, but was brought to our 

 shores in the same year by Lord Bute, who was Ambas- 

 sador to the Spanish Court at that time. There are 



