152 
THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA. 
CULTIVATION OF PLANTS IN TUBS 
HP HERE are places in most gardens where it is impossi- 
ble to introduce flower-beds or borders, but where 
l lie presence of growing plants is desirable. Thus suitable 
plants are grown in tubs, ornamental vases, or other re- 
ceptacles for this and similar purposes. May and June 
are good times to begin tub-gardening. In some cases 
it may be found that only the hardier subjects will be 
suitable, such as Sweet Bay, Camellia, Aucuba, or Ar- 
butus, but a wider selection is desirable wherever possible. 
The horticultural sundriesmen supply tubs of many de- 
scriptions, from the most elaborate and ornate recep- 
tacle to the plainest of Oak tubs. The next consid- 
eration is tci prepare a compost of rich soil. For the 
majority of subjects the best soil will be found in a 
mixture of turfy loam, leaf-mould, and well-decayed 
manure in equal parts, with charcoal and sand 
added, but in special cases a little variation in the 
ingredients may be necessary. When preparing the 
soil for tubs it must be remembered that most of 
the plants will improve with age, and provision should 
be made for them remaining in the tubs for 
■-our- years. Several fair-sized holes having been 
bored in the bottom of the tub, sufficient crocks or clink- 
ers should be placed at the base to ensure free passage 
of the drainage water. A layer of rough turf or leaf- 
soil should be placed over the crocks before putting in 
any of the compost. Never use the soil when wet : it 
should be in a friable condition, and the rammer used to 
make the whole firm. Do not fill the tubs too full, but 
leave ample room for top-dressings. ( )ne of the most 
popular plants for use in tubs is Agapanthus umbellatus. 
This plant flowers best when thoroughly well established 
in the tub, and can be kept in good health for years by 
judicious feeding. Hydrangeas are al-o favorites, and 
produce an excellent effect, especially near water. Es- 
tablished plants often measure over six feet in height, 
and as much through, remaining in bloom until the end 
of the season. Aloysia citriodora ( Lemon-scented Ver- 
bena), and the stronger growing varieties of scented- 
leaved Pelargonium are general favorites, and may be 
used on verandahs and outside windows, especially where 
fragrance is of more importance than display. Plum- 
bago capensis and Streptosolen Jamesonii are two strik- 
ing plants, the light blue of the former contrasting effec- 
tively with the orange-scarlet of the latter. A few tubs 
of white Marguerites are often useful to separate de- 
cided colors. These will not last so long as many of the 
subjects mentioned above, but will do well for two years. 
Both Ivy-leaved and zonal Pelargoniums are very bright. 
and can be procured in a wide range of color. They arc- 
particularly well suited for very hot and drv positions. 
In these conditions they will revel, where many subjects 
will not thrive. Heliotropes and Fuchsias, trained either 
as pyramids or as standards, are effective. When used 
in the latter style, a suitable groundwork must be pro- 
vided. Tubs of Lilies may also be introduced in suitable 
positions. These will only last for a limited period, but 
if required for a special season or purpose, they make a 
charming display. Sweet Peas can be grown i ntubs. 
but are not specially recommended for this purpose, 
unless space for their cultivation in the open ground 
is extremely limited. 
P>esides the flowering subjects mentioned. Cordvline 
indivisa, the hardier Palms, Orangetrees, Myrtles, 
Bamboos. Agave, Yuccas, and the hardier Tree Ferns, 
give a wide selection of interesting foliage plants. 
These are often grown in tubs for conservatory deco- 
ration, and would benefit considerably by being placed 
out-of-doors for the summer. When the plants are 
first placed in the tubs, great caution is necessary to 
avoid making the soil sour by over-watering. Very 
little moisture is required by the roots at first, a syring- 
ing in the afternoons during hot weather being almost 
all that is needed. When the plants are in full growth 
the amount of water given must be gradually increased, 
till during the hottest months they may require moist- 
ening two or three times a day. 
The regular application of stimulants plays an impor- 
tant part in keeping the plants in vigorous health. The 
best way is to mix some artificial plant food with finely 
sifted soil, and apply a small quantity to each tub every 
ten or fourteen days ; or it can be used alternately with 
manure water. In cases, however, where the tubs are 
standing on stone or marble, the use of manure water 
is not advised, as the drainage from the tubs is apt to 
become offensive. — The Gardeners' Chronicle (English). 
Never allow old leaves or faded blooms to remain on 
the plants. 
A NEW PRIMULA. 
A NEW \ariety of Primula malacoides named Town- 
■'*■ sendi has been produced by James Duthie, Oyster 
Bay, L. I. This is so distinct from the well-known 
form of malacoides and so notably meritorious as to 
deserve special mention. 
It is remarkably stock)-, upright growing, free in 
flower, the flowers two-thirds as large as those of P. 
obconica, but with the characteristic notching of mala- 
coides. They are in close-set, yet graceful, tiers, and 
the color is a bright warm saimon-pink or rosy-sal- 
mon. The leaves are somewhat crenulated or crisped. 
Altogether it is an admirable introduction, and if it 
becomes a commercial plant will very likely be called 
"the Townsend Primrose." 
.Mr. Duthie records that it originated with him in 
the Winter of 1913-1914 as a sport from malacoides, 
one plant only in a large batch of this latter. The 
plant was saved and seed got from it, and from the 
resulting seedlings a large percentage came true to 
the new type. Eight of the finest plants from the 
batch were saved, and these were divided, as well as 
seed being saved from them. During the present Win- 
ter from 183 seedlings there were only six plants that 
reverted to malacoides, which would seem to prove 
that Townsendi will come pretty true from seed. — 
REPRODUCTION IN TREES. 
A LTHOUGH the nurseryman makes use of suckers 
-'*■ and cuttings for the quicker multiplication of certain 
species, every tree in its natural habitat produces seeds 
and is reproduced by them, says Wesley B. Leach in 
Tree Talk. The flowering of our forest trees is a phe- 
nomenon that does not, as a rule, attract attention, but 
their fruiting or seed bearing becomes patent to all 
who visit the woods in autumn. A tree has lived 
many years before it is capable of producing seed. The 
seed bearing age is different in each species ; thus the 
oak begins to bear when it is between sixty and sev- 
enty years old ; the ash, between forty and fifty ; the 
birch and sweet chestnut, at twenty-five years. Some 
produce seed every year after that period is reached, 
others every second, third or fifth year; others, again, 
bear fitfully except at intervals of from six to nine 
years, when they produce an enormous crop. Most 
tree seeds germinate in the spring following their ma- 
turity but they are not all distributed when ripe. The 
birch and elm and the aspen, for example, retain their 
seeds until spring and these germinate soon after they 
have been dispersed. 
The seeds contain sufficient nutriment to feed the 
