496 



GA RDENERS MA GA ZINE. 



JOLY 



some favour dividing the roots and planting in the open, others keep to pot culture 

 the year round. I have tried both ways many times, arid find that the plants 

 perhaps bloom earlier when not planted out, otherwise the results are much the 

 same. One thing we do not advocate, and that fallowing the plants to be laid 

 on their sides with the full force of the sun striking on the pots, as this process 

 cannot have any other than a weakening influence on the plants. Where the 

 plants have been placed on one side since flowering, the main part of the foliage 

 will have died oft* ; now is a good time to divide them. The largest should be 

 potted firmly in six inch pots, or three or more can be placed in larger ones. 

 After potting, arrange them in a bed of ashes, away from midday sun, and 

 syringe them over occasionally. Some stand them out in the open, but this causes 

 the soil to dry quickly, and incurs more labour in watering, but treated as advised, 

 root action will be going on slowly, and very little attention is necessary. If it 

 is necessary to increase the stock the off-sets may be dibbled out on rich ground, 

 and lifted in the autumn, placing them close together in boxes. — R. Parker, 

 Goodwood Gardens. 



THE FLOWER GARDEN, 



Where herbaceous borders are extensive considerable attention will be 

 required to keep them in a clean and tidy condition. Dead flowers should be 

 removed as soon as possible from peonies, delphiniums, &c. Tying and staking 

 will also need attention, and at this season the borders should be bright and gay. 

 The dry weather has been favourable for hoeing and cleaning, and if the surface 

 soil be kept in a loose crumbly condition loss of moisture through evaporation will, 

 to a certain extent, be arrested. Mulching with old mushroom bed or other short 

 manure is of great assistance where it is possible to carry out these operations, as 

 then with a good watering the plants are preserved in a moist and grow- 

 ing condition for some time. In our light soil many subjects are now 

 showing signs of distress from the continued drought, and a really 

 good rainfall would be very acceptable. Watering where possible will 

 be needful to preserve phloxes, heleniums, galegas, rudbeckias, cam- 

 panulas, helianthus, and similar plants from becoming unsightly through loss 

 of foliage should the present hot and dry weather continue. Several subjects 

 in these borders may be lifted for propagation when the weather permits. 

 Heuchera sanguinea is a useful front row plant, and generally requires annual divi- 

 sion if good young flowering plants are desired. The old woody portions of the 

 stem should be i ejected, as young outside shoots soon form strong plants. It is 

 also easily raised from seeds, which should be sown as soon as ripe, and when 

 raised in this way some variations in colour are often obtained. Varieties of Iris 

 germanica may also be lifted and divided, or the size of the clumps reduced if 

 necessary. Those lifted and divided now become well established before the 

 winter, and the flowering of next year is not impaired. A slightly shaded border 

 may be devoted to the growth of German iris which, while in bloom, are handsome 

 and at other seasons the foliage is pleasing. Any surplus plants may be set out 

 near the margins of lakes, or vacant spots in the semi-wild garden or shrubbery 

 border, while in masses in a bold position on the rockery these irises are also 

 effective. 



Garden pinks having mostly passed the flowering season, pipings may be 



St i UC ui n0W lf any increase of the stock is desirable* With these it is 

 advisable to propagate some plants annually, that the older and worn out 

 ones may be renewed, as those from one to three years old produce the 

 hnest blooms ; although pinks strike fairly well in a cold frame or handlight if 

 kept close, roots are formed more quickly and with greater certainty if a mild 

 hot-bed be used, and this in most places may be easily spared now that the 

 bedding-out season is over. A hot-bed that has been used for striking bedding 

 plants will suff.ee if the surface be slightly freshened up, and on this place the 

 Irame or handhghts, and in these about three inches of sandy soil, that has been 

 passed through a half-inch sieve. Press this down firmly, and over the surface 

 scatter a little silver sand, and it will be ready fox the cuttings. The latter should 



« about three inches in length, and cut through under a joint, strip off the 

 bottom leaves for the space of an inch, nip off the extreme points, and the 

 cutting are ready for insertion. Holes should be made with a small dibber to the 

 required depth, about two inches apart, making sure that the base of the cutting 

 rests on the bottom of the hole. Press the soil firmly round each with thumb and 

 hnger, afterwards giving a thorough watering to well settle the soil about them ; 

 keep moderately close, and shaded from bright sunshine until rooted. Two of the 

 hnest and most useful pinks are Mrs. Sinkins and Ernest Ladhams, the latter 



lowering rather late, and both varieties furnish a few useful blooms throughout 



the autumn. The Old White is also still acceptable, and those who like pinks 



win aiso grow the laced and other forms which are all of equally easy culture, and 



may De increased in a similar manner. Seedpods on such subjects as sweet peas 



ana vioias should be removed as soon as possible after the flowers fade, otherwise 



tney soon exhaust the plants, and flowering ceases. Verbenas and other trailing 



plants should be kept pegged down until the beds are nearly covered, and carpet 



oeds will need frequent watering after hot days.— C. Herrin, Dropmore 

 Gardens. * ' r 



HARDY FRUIT5. 



In most parts of the country it will be found necessary to protect bush fruits 

 irom birds. Red and white currants hang a long time if netted over, and though I 

 nave advised cutting back gross top growths before net:ing, it is not wise to expose 



n J \l° mU l r M they shrivel much in hot, dry weather. In reducing the 

 ?rJ^ R tK a V- e Upper P° rtion o* the trees netting is facilitated, and with old 

 UUrh T W . 15 not needed * while the fruit buds for next year will ripen up. 

 evrpll.n^T > are DOt treated thus ' but even in their case I have found it an 

 m^A " P OTt °, Ut old> useless wood or branches, and give the newly-made 

 hWcl ?urllZ°° m > u dev ^ lo P- ^ may read strange to many to advise pruning 

 work if rt?2 thC i Cnd ° f July ' but with old trees it is a gVeat gain to do this 



much better ^^S^J^ 52? * the ^ % **** 

 this se^n full , u ^ secured the next season. All our bush fruits are later 



f V and - th ? IMnc remarks a PP*y to strawberries and raspberries, 

 the suo^ gathered the young canes or suckers will need all 



he S one ^?^?Jk1 "52? iason is dry, and when cutting away 



five at the m l y & t0 rcduce ^e new growths; I find three, or 



than he 7%i fft^Sft * **J**** ** vigorous. Thi< is a better pin 



old fruiters may be destroyed A ^° shouId now In condlt,on to plant : 



the spot, spreading the *2Z?J?!i We find 5t a good plan to burn the refuse on 

 this district we have of ktoTJS I SUrfece Previous to planting green crops. In 

 buy time in providing 'the much from drought, and fruit growers have a 



needing the same. In man Deces ? ar y. moisture for the various plants and trees 

 aid especially in* the ca«#. ^f*^ 5 £ will have been necessary to mulch the surface, 

 dry at the roots, and in Zt y planted trees - Chemes soon suffer if at all 

 grower must ever be on the 1 SCaSc ? s thc frui t* crack badly, so that the fruit 



alert. I never remember a season when black flv 



30, 1898. 



has been so troublesome, and even now unless regular 



difficult matter to keep young shoots free of the pest s ngs are given it j, 

 cleared a strong insecticide may be used, and any 'xJSJT "? lhe fruit » «t 

 main shoots tacked in ; the trees are then more readilv U ♦ i ° Ut awav ' *** 

 cherries may now have attention, and though I am aHv^rc- , , n> oreOo 

 with the knife, yet a good deal depends upon the soil as ; to K CUttin 8 

 trees can carry. The finest tree I ever saw was reeularlv Dew Wood 

 the fruit produced on spurs. It is well to do any pruning mer Pruned and 

 strong trees it is impossible for them to carry all the wood made «Sk 0W » 15 *•* 

 needed in most cases will now be strong enough to lay in Ch • new mooi 

 fruits should now have liquid manure, as few trees need more moistll?'* 1 - * 

 a warm wall and with sloping border. These trees root near thl I i&m 

 soon feel the effects of drought and if the crop has been at a„ neavy"^ 

 been a great demand on the roots. cav J in w has 



assistance, and with trees on » m .l 

 aspect, I have found it a great gain to syringe the foliage in the evenim, .^Z 



trees feel the drought like apricots ; though the fruits of early varieties Lv!Z 

 be cleared, the trees will be perfecting their growth for another year With *H 

 ripening food cannot be given, but once the crop is cleared it is 'well tn* 



necessary to give addirim.1 



mulching material. Any old wood or large spurs may be removed to cive tkZ 

 wood room, and encourage new shoots close to the wall ; young shoots near 

 base of the trees should be laid in, for the apricot is so uncertain thati» 

 shoots will be a welcome addition in case of losses. Pears on walls grown* 

 cordons, will need liberal feeding, and here liquid manure may be used to advin. 

 tage, and in poor soils it will be well to mulch also, as the mulch will help retain 

 the moisture. Stopping will be needed, and with cordon trees it is much the 

 best to do this work regularly, so as to build up fruit spurs for another yew 

 Apples grown in the same way are inclined to be gross, and if not checked that 

 will be few fruits ; trees that do not crop well should be noted for root pruning 

 early next autumn. Peaches and nectarines will need attention, and though « 

 the southern parts of the country the wood will ere this have been attended to, 

 yet in later districts the work is still to be done, and here I would urge the 

 importance of thin training, as thick trees cannot properly ripen their wood; 

 every shoot should have room to develop. I am not in favour of hard cutting 

 back, but would freely extend the trees, though by having ample spaces between 

 the branches there will be finer fruit and less fear of failure. The trees will 

 need supplies of food, especially later varieties, to enable them to swell up the 

 crops ; nitrate of soda or guano will do much good. Mulching must not be 

 neglected ; syringe or hose the trees freely in hot weather just as the sun declines, 

 and any varieties that are subject to mildew must be dusted freely with sulpha. 

 — G. Wythes, Syon Gardens. 



Notes of Observation. 



Wild 



cultivation, few seem more beautiful than is what I conclude to be Kosa arvensii. 

 It is curious to note how this species flourishes in some localities, and Rowcanina, 

 with its beautiful pink flowers, is rarely seen. But whilst the latter towers up in 

 the hedgerows and forms on them singularly beautiful objec's, Rosa arvensisjwfs 

 lone and spreading. It is naturally bushy. I find it most plentiful on stiff cky 

 soils. Has it been used materially as a breeder ? It is less spiny than is anioi, 

 and does not send up those coarse stems we call suckers. Rosa arvensis seems to 

 be specially suited for fronting the margins of woods, as its low branching t»«t 

 keeps it near the ground. Its flowers are pure white, and produced very P™ 11 * 1 *' 

 In many respects it is preferable to some of the coarse- flowered varieties that luve 

 been put into commerce. It is assumed that theie are several distinct tm 

 species in Britain. Certainly with canina, arvensis, and rubiginosa, the sweet 

 briar we are most familiar. Why do not rose raisers try to produce a new bcee* 



T •* fc-Vk 13 r-. — ' - ™\ V T "V 



from Rosa arvensis ?— A. D. 



food 



also admit that at certain stages of vine growth other or richer M»* 

 necessity. What is the best time to feed vines is always a debateable quesu» 

 On the one hand no doubt the vine will use at some time or other a i or 

 greater portion of whatever food we give it. From the practical side or nc u 



but 



during the 

 nmediHely 



feeding 



be done. 



he least signs of the last swellings then watering ana 



r - _ I put watering first, having in my mind the extra dose g} 



ill order to prepare for the feeding. Liquid manure is an easy mei ™|\ 

 feeding, either from farmyard manure or made from soot ; uut BO w ^ 

 results are attained by the free use of chemical or prepared manure. ( 



4 1 i it. _ i _ . ~ r flio ocranp i 



chemkil 



cuuanger me ionage on a bright day, give extra veuuwuw. , ^ ^ 



or prepared manure, if mixed with equal portions of loam or ■garae . fc 

 safely given even on the hottest days. If borders will admit it, . ng ^ 

 over after heavily watering before applying the manure.— 

 F.R.H.S., Bottesford Vineries, Notts. f u-..,~#*of 



Peaches in the Open.— We are all only too glad to hear on 



f too glad to hear ^ ^jgj 



xtx«. ur omer gooa growers ot peacnes m the ^S.^rrcssful culture « 



spring protection may or may not be associated with the s ""^ ^ grow* 



apricots/plums, pears, &c Good cwflj-' 

 with and without Detection. « also bv many different me . tnou ;' Mr . <>*• 



* iD W t, r ' Mar <jU *J 

 it trees after Ma>. — * 



- growers b.«£ «TS* 



a potential factor in such matters, 

 is gained by having any protectio 

 uncover as he does as a sensible man. 



protect 



Ox* 



danger is over"or not at alK_ I am g| a ^^7 n "wittlhirt. b* 



isbudding, the earlie 



fruits in iwj TU-n^' writes 



passing notice. I have been f ^Se?5^ , *• 

 : \Uce St* being covered with bracken, ^mfa 



r ^ . . w—m*m**mv^ uwuuuUUlg, Lilt t< 



certainly not the safer for the young 



trees 



in mis acui- 

 hich makes all 



O05S1 



difference 

 as » 



arms - c 



ad vocate of the varmint theory, and I will hasten to J '"P 

 other points just now, though I was one of the first .P^fifjphis, with 

 to bum my fingers ibadly syringing the "^™» n ^ Their resengg^g 



degrees 



varmints 



scalding or turning 



