June 4 , 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
465 
are growing in a space measuring about 16 square feet, 
where the water is only 12 inches deep, with a deposit of a 
few inches of loam, in which the roots have thoroughly estab¬ 
lished themselves. This is Pontederia crassipes, imported to this 
country from Guiana about the year 1825, and generally described 
in botanical works as bearing blue flowers. However, this is not 
the case in respect to those which have occasioned this communi¬ 
cation. The individual flowers are larger than those of P. azurea, 
and being as freely produced on the spikes present a charmingly 
delicate appearance. The upper petal, which is a full shade 
deeper in colour than the others, which are of a warm flesh 
colour suffused with a pale purple tinge, exhibits a conspicuous 
diamond formed marking of a rich deep yellow surrounded by 
an uncommonly pretty delicate tint of glistening pale blue 
shaded with purple, and the flowers being of a diaphanous tex¬ 
ture are as unique in appearance as they are unknown to culti¬ 
vators.—S. P. E. S. 
FLOWER SHOW MANAGEMENT. 
I WISH to make a few remarks on the Edinburgh schedule. I was 
much delighted with their spring show, and being an amateur I was 
anxious to see their exhibits, but to my a«tonishment found there was only 
one prize offered to amateurs—viz., for six Hyacinths. I procured their 
prize schedule, and on examination find that at their Rose Show and 
September Show there is not a single prize offered for competition con¬ 
fined to amateurs. Really this was most surprising, seeing the numerous 
prizes offered to gardeners and nurserymen. Surely the executive is not 
wise in thus ignoring the numerous and enthusiastic amateurs of Scotland, 
who are the backbone of every society with which I am acquainted. I 
was also very much surprised to see the little encouragement they offer 
for hardy cut flowers. Not a single prize for herbaceous plants, either at 
the July or September Shows. What is the meaning of this? I inquired 
of a friend; but he could not tell, unless that before they had their 
present large place for their exhibitions the space was limited ; but no 
such excuse could now be made, as the Waverley Market is quite large 
enough for many more exhibits.—A. A. 
PROPAGATING CARNATIONS FROM CUTTINGS 
WITHOUT HEAT. 
For many year3 I have been a correspondent of the Journal of 
Horticulture , and never feel happier than when trying to describe some 
gardening practice that the humblest can adopt, as contrasted with hotbeds, 
stoves, bellglasses, cloches, high temperature and elaborate contrivances, 
that many—the vast majority who dearly love their gardens, especially 
in the vicinity of large towns—cannot conveniently have. I commenced 
some years ago with the manure bed system, but did not like the result, 
and have since adopted this simple plan. My beds and borders are all 
occupied about the time cuttings are fit to take, so I get some long boxes. 
A 6-foot one will hold one hundred cuttings readily, as we only have 
them there until well rooted. Tree Carnations and the perpetual flowers 
will give cuttings fit to insert from January to the present time, and 
a cold airy frame will suit them for callusing. In a moist close frame 
they will damp off—it is better to chance them outdoors—but I am not 
so much referring to those winter-flowering “aristocrats” of the family 
as the summer-bloomers that any artisan can amuse his leisure evenings 
with. Indeed, except last season’s side shoots, it is almost impossible in 
many varieties to get cuttings sufficiently ripened to strike readily. A. 
Alegati&re and Malmaison are two of the most vigorous, but where a yellow 
ground is preferred none should be without Mrs. George Hawtrey. Well- 
ripened side shoots—especially such as have not flowered—are most 
desirable. When it is intended to root cuttings in the open air and leave 
them out all the winter, it is better to wait until you can get cuttings of this 
description, which will be during July, August, and September. I never 
take 1| or 2-inch long soft cuttings ; if they are hard and woody so much 
the better. Take the cuttings with a sharp knife. To prevent rotting at 
the base leave them aside in a cool moist place, say for twenty-four hours, 
and then dibble in, taking the precaution of putting a pinch of silver or 
river sand before the cutting into the hole, press very firm, water, and put 
in the shade for some time. Some will root before the autumn is over 
and may be transplanted at pleasure, but many, especially yellow grounds, 
will not do so until the following spring. I have several beds and borders of 
them thus rooted since last August, and now all preparing to flower 
without heat and without trouble in the open air.—W. J. Murphy, 
Clonmel. 
CARPET BEDDING. 
Beds devoted to this method of arranging plants in the London parks 
are now being furnished, and will very shortly be admired by thousands 
of visitors, for carpet beds, well filled, are attractive at once, and continue 
so for several weeks after Pelargoniums, Calceolarias, and flowers of that 
nature employed in masses are faded. 
In planting a carpet bed it is of the first importance to have the soil 
equally firm and the surface very level. There must be no after sinking 
or the effect will be spoiled. The design is then marked on the surface, 
the lines being indicated by white sand, and the plants inserted in the 
spaces with great exactitude. In giving another of Mr. Graham's Hampton 
Court designs, it is not suggested that it be strictly followed regardless of 
circumstances, but can be modified to suit any particular bed. This 
design would have a pleasing effect planted as follows :— 
1, Leucophyton Brownii. 2, Alternanthara ot any kind. S, Mesembryant hemum 
cordifolium variegatum. 4, Herniaria glabra. 5, Alternanthera or Mesembryanthemum. 
6, Bed to be raised about 6 or 6 inches above the surrounding ground, bevelled, and 
planted with Echeveria seeunda glaucum and a little Sedum glauoum to keep up the soil 
and form a border. 
It is by no means essential that the above arrangement be adhered to, 
as the design would look equally well planted in many different ways in 
accordance with individual taste and the plants at disposal. 
PLANTS IN FLOWER AT KEW. 
Those who think that Clianthus puniceus does not make a good pot 
, plant would be easily convinced by a visit to the temperate house at 
Kew at the present time, where a dozen plants in small pots speak for 
themselves. They are covered with large and curious bright scarlet 
flowers. Placed at intervals along a stage, the effect leaving nothing to 
be desired. Against a house in the open air also we noticed a large plant 
finely flowered. The Rhododendrons seem to surpass those of all previous 
years, R. Edgworthi especially, with its fragrant flowers diffused 
through almost the entire house. R. Nuttalli is carrying eight or nine 
large trusses. This plant is full of interest from the fact of its having 
two stems rising from the ground, both of which carry a large head of 
foliage and flower alternately, never both the same year. R. Auck- 
landi is also very sweet; the flowers are large and pure ivory white. 
R. calophyllum is also pretty, though small, and the flowers are very 
fragrant. The Primula japonicas dotted about are very effective, one extra 
strong plant having six or 6even whorls, one of the whorls carrying twenty- 
