308 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ April 17, 1884. 
Oxlip. Some of the varieties are true Oxlips, others true Primroses, and 
others again exactly intermediate between the two, both in size, character, 
colour of the flowers, and the form of the calyx—in the latter respect 
some being closed, others inflated, while some are in a state of tran¬ 
sition. We do not know what you will obtain by raising further seedlings, 
but we scarcely think you will show more striking examples of the 
variations of Oxlips as raised from seed.] 
,THE CONSERVATORY AND ITS INMATES. 
(Continued from page 213.) 
The graceful, free-flowering, old-fashioned Fuchsia, a favourite still 
in thousands of cottage windows and greenhouses, must not he forgotten. 
Its merits are too conspicuous to be overlooked, and they will be still 
more apparent if we regard it as an autumn rather than a summer-lrloom- 
ing plant. Old-established specimens which have flowered early if put 
into a cool well-ventilated greenhouse, or even out of doors in a sheltered 
place, will bloom profusely a second time, but young plants grown specially 
for autumn blooming will best demonstrate the worth of the Fuchsia as a 
decorative plant late in the year. 
By the beginning of September the collection of plants in the conser¬ 
vatory will be of a more mi c cellaneous character; the chief summer 
groups will have gone or be fading, but there are plenty of successors, 
and with Balsams, Begonias, Fuchsias, Liliums, Yallotas, &c., there 
should be no lack of flowers. In October, however, they are likely to be 
less abundant; some representatives of the last named may be still 
lingering, but the floral wants of this time must be met chiefly by plants 
which have been grown expressly for that purpose. "Where the ordinary 
greenhouse plants prove insufficient recourse may be had to herbaceous 
and other kinds, which are not usually grown under glass, but which from 
their hardiness and the late period at which they may be had in bloom 
can be made very useful at this season. Some annuals, as Collinsias, 
Clarkias, Godetias, Nemophilas, &c., sown about the middle of June in 
C or 8-inch pots, will make no despicable addition to the conservatory at 
a time when the supply of flowers is rapidly diminishing. Amongst hardy 
herbaceous plants I would recommend Campanula pyramidalis and 
Anemone japonica. Of the former, both the blue and the white varieties 
make noble plants in pots, while few flowers are more beautiful than pure 
white blossoms of the latter. The value of these plants will be fully 
appreciated where greenhouse room is much limited, as they need not 
occupy a place indoors until they are commencing to flower ; a sheltered 
corner, or at most the protection of a frame, is all they will require. These, 
in addition to some of those previously mentioned, supplemented by 
Salvias, Helichrysums, Browallias, and others, will bring us to the Chrys¬ 
anthemums. These indispensable flowers will give us another period 
gay with bloom, but after that comes the most difficult time to provide 
for—viz., from a little before Christmas till the end of February. 
For conservatory decoration in the dreariest part of winter, Primula 
sinensis is perhaps the most to be depended on. The seed to produce 
plants for blooming at that time should be sown early in February, or, 
better still, in the previous autumn, in which case the seedlings should be 
kept in the seed pan during winter, potted singly in spring, and placed 
in a cold frame as soon as the season will permit without seriously check¬ 
ing them. Place them in the pots in which they are to bloom early in 
August, return them to the frame, and bring them in the greenhouse about 
the middle of September, where in October they will commence throwing 
up their white or crimson flowers, and continue to do so through the 
greater part of the winter. Treated thus they will not be so liable to be 
checked by a sudden fall in the temperature as if they had been grown in 
the greenhouse the whole of the summer. The plants should attain a 
good size before they are allowed to flower, and they will bloom more 
freely and at a lower temperature than if they have to make their prin¬ 
cipal growth afterwards. A few old plants of the previous season, especi¬ 
ally of the white varieties, if kept in a shady place out of doors, and not 
allowed to flower during summer, repotted in August and then placed in a 
frame till they are well rooted, will be found very serviceable just before 
the Chrysanthemums come in, or they may be retained for blooming 
later if they are likely to be most required then. 
I have refrained from alluding to the Pelargonium till now, as 
although some representatives of the family are to be found in bloom 
at all times of the year, I have preferred to consider it amongst winter¬ 
blooming plants ; and whether it is allowed such a position or not, the 
Pelargonium can be made a most valuable auxiliary to the conservatory 
at that time, which it will light up with a diversity and vividness of 
colouring not then found in any other species of plant. For this purpose 
take off cuttings in spring if small plants are required, and in the 
autumn previous if larger ones are wanted. As'soon as they are well 
rooted take out their growing points and let the side shoots be stopped 
frequently afterwards that the plants may be kept dwarf and compact. 
The cuttings should be taken from hard short-jointed shoots which have 
flowered freely in preference to those which are soft and sappy. En¬ 
deavour to avoid a gross rapid growth, which may be partly done by 
pottiDg firmly and allowing the plants to remain out of doors as long as 
is consistent with their safety. Do not overpot, as they will bloom more 
freely if slightly root-bound. Cut down old plants after their spring¬ 
flowering is over, allow them to break, repot, place them out of doors till 
the nights threaten to be frosty, and they will make a brilliant display 
after being brought inside, but they will not flower so long as the younger 
plants. By many the Camellia will probably be considered first in the 
order of merit as a winter bloomer. I would, however, offer a word of 
warning concerning these aristocrats of the conservatory. In places 
where in severe weather little can be done in the way of heating beyond 
the exclusion of frost, they had better not be started early in the season. 
They are very impatient of a great or sudden change in the temperature 
when coming into flower, and if they are then subjected to such a check 
the buds will fall. 
Let me here direct attention to the value of Azalea mollis for winter 
work. It forces more readily than A. indica ; its large Rhododendron-like 
trusses are freely produced, and their soft delicate colouring is very 
beautiful. Hellebores niger is another useful plant at this season, the 
variety maximus being the best. A few pots of Auriculas likewise may 
be made serviceable, as they can be had in bloom any time after Christ¬ 
mas, and some of the varieties are very lovely. The white Roman 
Hyacinth, from the beauty and fragrance of its flowers and the facility 
with which it can be grown, is most desirable for winter, and should be 
employed extensively. In addition to the Bouvardias, Chorozemas, 
Ericas, Cyclamens, Acacias, Chinese Plums, &c., usually employed at 
this time, there are many other plants designated winter-blooming; 
but of all of them it may be said that the satisfaction hoped for from 
them will depend largely on the forwardness and thoroughness of their 
condition. Hardwooded plants especially should have their, buds set 
sufficiently early to allow them a period of rest before being again 
started for blooming, and any which may have been placed out of doors 
should be housed before the cold rains of autumn have chilled their roots. 
I have passed unmentioned many well-known plants, and cultivated in 
numbers at most places. It was not necessary to catalogue them here, 
and what I have named will show the abundance which exists for main¬ 
taining a supply of bloom at all seasons, and which will enable ns to 
accomplish this if certain well-understood conditions can be secured. I 
have also kept chiefly to old and well-known species, as it is on them 
that we must mainly depend for that supply. It will be observed that I 
have made no mention of the stove or of stove plants. My reason for 
not doing so is the fact that there are many gardens which have not the 
assistance of one, but where such help exists the difficulty of supplying 
the conservatory with flowering plants is, of course, much lessened. 
I have not presumed to lay down any cultural rules differing from 
those so long established and generally recognised, and which time and 
experience have proved to be in the main correct. The science ot 
gardening is not a thing of yesterday, and the general methods of 
cultivation are too well known to need detailing here. There are, of 
course, little facts which spring to light in the experience of everyone. 
A few such I have noted, but I have endeavoured to avoid the dry 
details of cultivation as unnecessary to my purpose, which is to impress 
upon my brother gardeners what to me seems the importance of keeping 
the conservatory well furnished with flowers, and I would urge the most 
strenuous exertions to make that structure attractive at all times. Even in 
those months when Nature is most prodigal of her floral wealth it should 
still be turned to as containing the choicest quality, as well as the greatest 
profusion of bloom ; but, in the season when the hedgerow's are leafless, 
and the ground bare and frozen, or covered with snow; when neither 
the greenness of a leaf nor the brightness of a flower is to be seen out of 
doors, then the conservatory becomes of increased interest. In many gardens 
the time when the resources of the conservatory for supplying cut flowers 
will be most severely taxed will be just after the superabundance of 
summer. The natural effect of the season’s decline will seem to be 
unnoticed, and there will be no falling-off in the demand ; the scissors 
will be actively employed, and, as is well known, indiscriminate and 
injudicious cutting can paralyse to a great extent the best efforts of the 
gardener. In endeavouring to avail ourselves of every aid to the accom¬ 
plishment of the object I am advocating, that which concentration can 
afford us should not be despised, and the prudent cultivator will not, 
especially in autumn, keep the plants which are in bloom scattered through 
the various structures, but will, as far as practicable, gather up every 
one, that it may contribute to the embellishment of the conservatory. 
Re-arrangement also can be made to play no insignificant part. Plants 
should not be allowed to stand in the same places for a great length of 
time, and the grouping should be frequently altered. A plant in a new 
position acquires a new interest, and the re-arrangement of a group or 
bank gives something of a fresh character to the p’ants of which it is 
composed. 
In conclusion, I would urge upon my brother gardeners what I deem 
the desirability of the object here indicated as conducing to their own 
interests. The prosperity of gardening as a profession does not depend on 
those colossal establishments which have so deservedly become famous in 
the annals of horticulture, but rather on the maintaining and multiplying 
of those small or moderate-sized gardens, the proprietors of which are 
found chiefly in the middle ranks of society. The gentleman w’ho has a 
well-stocked conservatory to show his friends may, in doing so, be setting 
before them an example which some of them may determine to follow. 
We should remember that the love of flowers is very widespread, and 
that by such means as I have indicated we, as gardeners, can do much to 
encourage and develope that love. The spirit of emulation may be excited 
amongst both employers and employed, present establishments may be 
enlarged and new ones brought into existence.— George Winterborn, 
Westwood Lane , Leeds. 
[The first-prize paper read at the Leeds Gardeners’ Meeting.] 
RHODODENDRON GLAUCUM. 
During April and early May this Rhododendron is very attractive 
either in pots or out of doors, as in most districts in the south of England 
