424 



GARDENERS' MAGAZINE. 



July 



2 > 1898. 



Work for the Week. 



WARM ORCHIDS. 



L/ELIA pur pu RATA and its varieties will have mostly finished flowering, and if 



repotting is necessary the present time is the best in which to do the work. If the 



compost is reasonably fresh and the drainage in good order, and the plants within 



reasonable bounds, they are far better left undisturbed until another season. A 



little fresh sphagnum and small pieces of peat may be placed in the holes to pro 



vide a neat appearance, and assist the young roots. Otherwise the' plants must 

 be thoroughly washed out, and every particle of the old material dispensed 

 with. The new pots must be three parts filled with crocks, and of a size just 

 large enough to allow for the rhizome to extend for a few years. Large pots which 

 many amateurs use are very objectionable in various ways. They are unsightly, 

 and the compost soon becomes sour, ultimately inducing a fungoid attack upon 

 the tender roots. The compost used must be the best fibrous peat with all the fine 

 dust shaken from it, and picked sphagnum, fixing several pieces of charcoal here 

 and there. A shady place is required after potting, and a slight syringing occa- 

 sionally all over, but water must be given sparingly until the new roots obtain a 

 fair hold of the fresh material. The warm end of the cattleya house will 

 be found the most suitable place for them. If in a bad state of health caused by 

 old age, or by allowing the plants to flower too freely, year by year, it is advisable 

 to treat them as imported plants, that is, supposing the varieties are worth the 

 time and trouble, as it takes years to grow them into a flowering state again ; if 

 only common varieties, then burn them, as fresh stock can be purchased very 

 cheaply, and will be of far more interest. Another orchid, which is of 

 comparatively recent introduction, is Lielia tenebrosa, and it is one well worth 

 cultivating, because of the charming colour of its flowers ; its use as a parent will 

 doubtless result in some of the best hybrids, both in colour and constitution. 

 There is no mistake about it being a good seed bearer, and the seeds appear to 

 germinate from this parent more successfully than from any other laelia. This 

 Iselia may be grown successfully along with L. purpurata, and the same treatment 

 will suffice. 



Some of the dendrobiums of the heterocarpum section, and the hybrids pro- 

 duced therefrom, will in many cases be finishing up their first bulb; if early 

 flowering is desired they must be removed gradually to cooler quarters, and also 

 given less water, in order to well ripen them for their flowering season ; if not 

 desired early, and a second growth is preferable, the specimens may stay in their 

 quarters with all the dendrobiums that are growing, and where the syringe is freely 

 used and abundant supplies of water given. More damping will be required 

 now about -the stages of the various houses than formerly, and pests must be kept 

 down by fumigation.— Tnos. Stafford, Tyntes/ield Gardens. 



CONSERVATORY AND GREENHOUSE. 



^ For many weeks to come foliage plants of different kinds will play an 

 lniportant part in furnishing both the beds and side stages of the conservatory ; 

 indeed, in one respect we trust as much to these as flowering plants to keep up a 

 varied display for overlooking the flower garden as most conservatories do where 

 there will now be a blaze of colour. It is a pleasing change to look upon a well- 

 g.own batch of palms, ferns in variety, caladiums, coleus, and numerous other 

 things which are admired for their toliage alone. Flowers there should be at all 

 times, but pleasing features may be obtained by dotting these thinly between ferns 

 and dwarf palms. What certainly looks out of place in the conservatory at this 

 season—and they are still used in many gardens— is the common zonal pelar- 

 goniums calceolarias, and lobelias ; they make a display, certainly, but it cannot 

 dc called a pleasing one when such quantities are to be found growing profusely 

 out or doors at the same time. A pretty group is formed by making a base of 

 ferns and other dwarf plants and then dotting in a few plants of gloxinias, 

 negonias, liliums, kalosanthes, or the summer- flowering heaths. An arrangement 

 or this kind when lightly set up is much more striking than double the quantity of 

 flowering plants crowded together, at the same time reflecting more credit to the 

 grower and incurring much less labour on his part. Liliums as a rule grow and 

 rower ireely, but I have known whole batches prove useless owing to the flower 



r " l tU r niDg y?" ow 5 nd d y in S off while in quite a young state. This may be the 

 result 01 a sudden change of temperature by bringing the plants from a close, 

 humid atmosphere and standing them in a dry, exposed position. Greenfly, too, 

 it allowed to become established in the tips of the shoots either destroy the buds or 

 cause tne blooms to come deformed, while allowing the plants to become dry at 

 ne roots just as the buds are forming proves a serious error which no after treat- 

 ment that season can rectify. These plants may be made to give a long display of 

 0100m by gently forcing the most forward lot and retarding others. We have them 

 now in several positions, but all the plants are treated generously as regards surface 

 aressings and applications of liquid manure, while they simply revel in copious 

 syringing after a hot day. This not only keeps the foliage clean, but alsc of a 

 deep rich colour which shows off the flowers to the best advantage. 



Kalosanthes, or crassulas, are now in full beauty and are useful for lasting in 

 havT S t T aS P°iP ,ants or in a cut state. Where large quantities of flowers 

 well 1 * S i Cnt l ° the town residen ce, these are simply invaluable, as they travel so 

 \Ve inr * 1? tlme in good condi tion, while the colour and scent is most pleasing. 



are pJlifr 56 ™ Ch year ' and y et never find we 8 row to ° man y- They 



v«r n2i Br °! n 1 arc certain bloomers if the proper attention is afforded the 

 Mnn/on^IJ 5 ? ™ flowerin S- The plants as they go out of bloom should be 

 c^lS rt masunn yP^ iti( >n where the growths can be thoroughly matured, 

 obWt delir^ P ? \ °? thdr Sides duriD S a spell of dull wet weather to gain the 

 Lwer W fu the r ?° tS should never suffer for the want of water, or the 

 'cLon^ a naked appearance the following 



the lower oarTof *£ Tr may * taken in Au g ust ' six inches in length, 



Keep the lights rather rirl- P l l ~. PIun ge the pots m ashes in a cold frame. 



the Jots ma7bi?ood on^rl- had u ed for a time until the roots form ' when 

 see sVfew hk^hs grown Joi t !i m the | r «nhouse for the winter. It is a pity we 

 wooded serti™ \vu " - aj » compared with twenty years ago, especially the hard- 



f. 



wooded wint* 

 ation. Plant 



least interesting featureln the gard 



will now be the better in 7k h C ! ,t bBck a " 



gradual? eV, yZS£^SH P its or 

 with for a u5 St P??? ™* in i f 



winter flowering, including the uUf.i v ^ acacias that are grown in pots for 



«g me useful A. armata, may, where the plants have made 



a fair amount of growth, be also stood in the open hut w 

 plants to the full force of the sun arrange them on thl ? re 

 hedge to harden them somewhat, for if this orecaut on if « t ? de of a 

 often injured and the plants disfigured.-R. P Par ™ £Sw<£!> ves 



exposing 

 wall 



FLOWER 



or 

 arc 



ens. 



perforce set aside while this was going on should be a SB I towkht! £ * 

 Box edgings, if not yet clipped, should be cut forthwith WkL, . , WIl 7« delay, 

 not been applied to flower beds, a stirring of the surface soil wi th J \T> » u" 8 ^ 

 assist in promoting a free growth, and also keep down small weeds T wiU 



cover the allotted space ^as much as possible. Calceo^wmThVt^ 

 stand drought if mulched with some old mushroom-bed manure • oart oft? . 

 flowers should be removed, and an occasional soaking of water be £mTi a 1 

 weather. Dahlias should also be mulched, and a neat stake be placed to 5 

 plant, to which the mam shoot should be tied as soon as needing sunnort rt 

 young plants in newly-made violet beds are now fairly established? the former iLn 

 weather and showers having assisted in this development. A frenn«? 



necessary, and with the advent of hnr 

 weather > a thin mulch of leaf-mould or old mushroom-bed maiZ 



will assist in retaining moisture and encourage a free growth in uV 

 plants. This will also check the spread of red spider, which is liable to infest tf* 

 foliage IB dry weather. A syringing with Gishurst Compound or similar insecticide 

 should be given if red spider is present, but with a mulching applied and kept in 

 fairly moist condition this is seldom necessary. Climbers on walls, arches £c 

 will need constant attention in tying and training the young growths. Clematis 

 of the Jackmanni type should have the shoots tied or nailed up as often as 

 necessary to prevent their breaking down or becoming an entangled mass. Plants 

 of the early-flowering Clematis montana have mostly passed the flowering stage, 

 and all the pruning that may be necessary should be done now before the new 

 growths that produce the next year's flowers are made. Old neglected plants that 

 have become a dense thicket of growths should be pruned in severely to the old 

 wood, which will break freely, especially if water be applied to the roots and over- 

 head in dry weather. Wistarias, climbing roses, loniceras, and other climbers 

 making free growth should have the shoots tied or secured as required. 



The propagation ol spring bedding plants to be used for replanting the beds 

 in the autumn for next season's display, by seeds, division, 01 cuttings as the case 

 may be, should be carried on from the present time as opportunity offers. Pansy 

 and viola seeds may be sown, choosing a shady border for the seed bed, if possible. 

 Several useful subjects may also be easily raised in this way, such as myosotis in 

 variety, Silene pendula, S. p. compacta, and wallflowers in several colours, Cu; 

 tings may be inserted of pansies and violas, Alyssum saxatile, aubiietias, AoUl 

 albida, and varieties of double wallflowers, where propagation in this way is 

 desired.^ These may be readily struck if inserted in moderately light soil, surfaced 

 with a little sand, and covered with handlights or frames. A cool position should 

 be chosen, one near the shade of a north wall or fence being the most suitable, as 

 less shading is here necessary, and roots are formed sooner, especially if the 

 weather be hot and dry. Old plants of violas and pansies laid in tenipnarily 

 from the flower beds should be lifted and pulled in pieces, and the small young 

 growths with bits of roots attached be selected and planted about six inches 

 apart each way in suitable Quarters, such as a north or west border. Prtti 

 the plants in firmly and give a good watering as often as necessary. 

 Double daisies, forget-me-nots, and aubrietias may be treated in the same nay, 

 all to be kept well supplied with water until partially re-established. Seeds of 

 biennials, as Ilumea elegans, for use imthe flower garden next year, should now be 

 sown. Sow in a pan or box of light soil, and place in a cold frame, keeping it 



close and shaded until the seedlings appear. Canterbury bells in variety may be 



cnu;n on fkz» i . j j. j i ■■■if.jmii f flnw^tina *( j uarters. The 



which if n< t 



handsome hybrid perennial aquilegias may be raised from seeds wh,c .^*l 

 already sown should be raised in boxes similarly to the humeas, and pricked 1 on 

 singly in the open border as soon as large enough to handle. Among these 

 columbines are many beautiful combinations of colour, the flowers are lignt ai 

 elegant, and with the glaucous green foliage are very useful for cutting. 10 « 

 rose garden considerable trouble has been experienced in keeping 1 he attacks** 

 green fly in check, dressing with quassia mixture, and washing with clear wt« 



Flowers are in a generally backward state. Stan^ 



being still necessary. 



half-standard 

 leaving two of 



Gardens. 



nd best placed for bud- 



HARDY FRUITS. 



remoftdi 

 Dropmvi 



hisseasoi, 

 destroyiH 



^ B , UWC1 vviu neea to ue on mc ^ ^ * . i ^ 



the crops, which are none too plentiful in many gardens. # Iheappic ^ 

 crops which promised so grandly are poor indeed, except in tne casc^ 

 varieties, such as the codlins or very early apples ; 



cases, and I would advise thinning the fruits ot keeping varieties il tne ^ 

 bush or pyramid, and especially if young trees, as a medium crop 01 . ( 



far more useful than a heavy one of small fruits. We are busy band-p^ 

 cordon apple trees, as the moth has badly infested the foliage and WJ 

 it is well to remove infested fruits and leafage. Plum trees we ^ 

 obliged to cleanse, employing a strong insecticide to kill the pest. 



is-i 

 bod 



The wall trees w- 



uuicsb a goodiy portion of new wood is made yeariy, au U » L . fuU ^ly to 



worn out spurs removed at the winter pruning, the crop is poor, u ^ 

 advise summer pruning, but much may be done to equalise grow in ^ 

 by pinching and tacking in shoots where there is room. On ^ ^ the fcaifc 



weather, ^ 



■* o — 



cordon trees are much 



* , " d some tr*» 

 present, and «ot 



C —inhnr was uK |C 7 



were so Dacuy attacKea uy numwi - — - - * j- i^y 

 and we were obliged to use a solution to check this pest. _VV itn 

 red spider will soon disappear, especially if the trees are swinged i 7 



We finH if o _i f r ' r • «n/v» a week. * I1C . 



better gn>«* 

 a: I*"* 

 trees wi« * 



benefited by removal of all wood not fruiting or no 

 peach trees on wall are much too thick at the top an 

 avoided by giving more room at the upper portion 



week. **~ \ittf 

 eeded for extension ■ 



hin at the 



The final ~- Tbe 



thise* 



base: ""V^fc 

 thinning 9* Pf? 



Alexandra 

 , nf wood shooli 



Ktvers Early nectarine. To promote early ripening thmnui 

 be delayed. We find it advantageous to lay in new ft is . 



I strongly advocate extension with peaches and nectarines, « ^ ^ 



" :* 



