250 



THE CENTURY ROOK OF GARDENING. 



stood up, and if no rain comes by the middle of that 

 month a good watering is given, more with a view to 

 soften the soil prior to repotting than aught else. At 

 this time a solid spiral crown 2in. or jin. long is all the 

 life visible above the corm. Repotting is done about the 

 middle of August, one to three corms, according to size, 

 being placed in an Sin. pot. Annual repotting is much 

 to be preferred, and the bulk of the old soil is removed, 

 regardless of any old roots that remain. A fairly rich 

 compost is given with soot and bone meal added, and 

 firm potting always indulged in. The plants are housed 

 by the middle of September, by which lime the first 

 good leaves are unfolding, and by the end of the month 

 splendid spathes are obtained. It is always a pleasure to 

 see the clean, firm, vigorous growth these plants make 

 compared with the gross, lank, and flabby leaves and 

 stem of those planted out all the summer. The crop of 

 spathes is also largely increased by the drying off." 

 Labour is of course saved by this simple and successful 

 system. In the Southern Counties of England, Devon- 

 shire and Cornwall, and Ireland in particular, the Arum 

 Lilies flower abundantly by pond and lake sides. 



Salvia.-— There is quite a host of Salvias (among others 

 being the common Sage), some of which are hardy, and 

 others require a greenhouse. These last include some 

 very showy flowers that are at their best in the autumn, 

 and afford a pleasing variety to the Chrysanthemums 

 which are so conspicuous at that season. They are : 

 Salvia Bethelli, pink : S. boliviana, scarlet ; S. gesnerse- 

 flora, scarlet : S. ianthina, violet-purple; S. I'itcheri, 

 blue ; S. rutilans, red ; S. splendens, scarlet. All are 

 easily raised from cuttings of fairly-ripened shoots in 

 spring, and potted on, much as one would the Fuchsia. 

 Of late years the Salvias have been little grown, but it is 

 difficult to understand why flowers so brilliant in every 

 way during the winter months are not more considered. 



SchizatltllUS. — A free-growing class of annuals with 

 pretty butterfly-like flowers. They will grow well in the 

 open ground, but are also very useful for greenhouse 

 decoration. Raised from seed sown in heat in spring. 



Solanum. — The showiest species, from a flowering point 

 of view, is the climbing S. jasminoides, but the berries of 

 S. capsicastrum, which are about the size of small 

 cherries, and bright red when ripe, render this the most 

 popular of all the Solanums. These berries will remain 



fresh and bright throughout the entire winter. Raised 

 from seeds sown in the spring. 



Sparmannia afrieana. — This is a rapid-growing bush, 



quickly reaching a height of ioft. to 12ft., with large 

 rough heart-shaped leaves, and clusters of white flowers, 

 lit up in the centre with yellow and purple. A very 

 easily grown plant, always in bloom. 

 Statiee profusa bears numerous branched spikes of 

 blossoms during the summer. It needs a mixture of loam, 

 peat, and sand, and must lie very carefully watered in the 

 winter. Others are S. floribunda and S. Holfordi. They 

 are propagated from cuttings, but are somewhat difficult 

 to root. 



Swainsonia. — A very pretty class of plants of a half 

 shrubby character, with clusters of large Pea-shaped 

 flowers, varying in colour from deep reddish pink to 

 white. They are borne principally during the summer 

 months. The best are S. galegifolia and S. Greyana. 

 Both can be readily raised from seeds. 



Torenia. — Procumbent-growing plants that are well 

 suited lor growing in suspended baskets and similar 

 purposes. If the seed is sown early in the spring the 

 plants will flower throughout the summer and autumn. 

 T. Bailloni has yellow flowers, and in T. Fournieri they 

 are violet-purple. 



TydSBa. — Also known as Isoloma, and very pretty flowering 

 plants ; at their best during autumn and winter. The 

 tubular-shaped blossoms have a widely-expanded mouth, 

 which in some varieties is very quaintly marked with dark 

 crimson on a yellowish ground. They are readily 

 increased by division of their little tubers. 



Verbena. — Though generally used for bedding out during 

 the summer, the Verbenas are very bright ornaments for 

 the greenhouse at that season. 



Veronica. —Many of the shrubby Veronicas, hybrids 

 principally from New Zealand species, are sufficiently 

 hardy to stand the winter in particularly favoured spots 

 along the South Coast, but where this is not the case they 

 are very valuable lor the embellishment of the greenhouse 

 or conservatory. They are readily struck from cuttings, 

 and neat little bushy plants so obtained will flower freely. 

 Some of the best are : Bolide, red ; Celestial, light blue ; 

 Eveline, rosy lilac ; Imperialis, reddish purple ; Jardin 

 Fleurie, rich magenta red ; Marie Antoinette, pink ; 

 Purple Queen, purple ; and Reine des Blanches, white. 



A UOUSE OF CHINESE PRIMULAS. 



