May 25, 1882.] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
435 
the remainder of the bed. If you start in the centre first and finish at the 
margin the outside row will be irregular and mar the appearance of the bed. 
You have no occasion to apologise for asking such a simple question, it is by 
overlooking simplicities that many fail. 
Judging Ferns ( Paddy Carey). —You have no right to allow your prefer¬ 
ences for any particular varieties, whether they are old or new, to influence you 
in your judgment. Superior culture is a point of the first moment; and we think 
it would be decidedly wrong to award a prize to plants not well cultivated 
simply because they were new, and to pass over plants undoubtedly well culti¬ 
vated because they were not new. At the same time the size of a plant, and 
indeed its condition, may not indicate superior cultural skill to the same extent 
as a smaller specimen would do of a kind more difficult to cultivate. In judging 
Ferns or any other plants the conditions of the schedule and the object intended 
to encourage should be ascertained, and then by the exercise of intelligence, 
combined with a knowledge of the plants staged, a sound decision can usually 
be arrived at. 
Pansies and Violas (Idem). —There is no structural difference between 
Pansies and Violas as they are now grown in gardens, and it is impossible for 
anyone to define them, or to express the definition so that it could be understood. 
Violas are small Pansies in which one particular colour predominates, and the 
plants are very floriferous. Pansies have large flowers more sparsely produced, 
and, except seifs, have at least two colours clearly defined by belting. There 
has been so much intercrossing between Violas and Pansies that there is no 
distinct line of demarcation between the types. 
Transplanting Junipers (O. F .).—The period was not too late for 
removing the specimens ; we have transplanted some Junipers since then larger 
than yours, and they will shortly be established. Owing to the absence of rain 
and a dry atmosphere for a considerable time we took the precaution to syrimie 
the shrubs freely' and frequently, otherwise we should have feared that the 
transpiration would have been excessive before fresh roots formed to absorb the 
necessary quantity of moisture for maintaining the freshness of the leaves. 
We doubt if anyone has “ done something ” to the specimens that are dying, 
but it is obviously' impossible for us to form a definite opinion on that point, 
and it is more likely that we have indicated the cause of failure. 
Vines Scorched (Amateur). —The berry was of course crushed, but we 
could see both by the remains of it and the leaf sent that your vinery has been 
kept closed too long on some morning or mornings, and the ventilators have 
been opened too wide for reducing the temperature. The evaporation would 
then be so excessive both from the leaves and berries as to produce the results 
complained of. For instructions on thinning Grapes see reply to another corre¬ 
spondent. It is not usual for well-grown Strawberry plants in pots to be barren. 
Yellow foliage on Cucumbers is an indication of the presence of red spider. We 
shall be glad to have your notes on Mushroom culture. 
Selection of Pelargoniums for a Small House (F. J.). —The fol¬ 
lowing varieties you will find useful and effective in their respective sections, 
though there are others equally as good if you needed a large collection. Golden 
Tricolors: Mrs. II. Cox and Marie Stuart. Silver Tricolors: Mrs. Laing and 
Dolly Varden. Golden Bicolors: Emperor of Russia and Black Douglas. Silver 
Bicolors: Mrs. J. C. Mappin and Princess Alice. Single Zonals: lsew Guinea 
and Commander-in-Chief, scarlet; Dr. Denny and Henry Jacoby, crimson; Miss 
Blanche Gordon and Mrs. Btrutt, pink; Eclipse and Mrs. Moore, salmon ; 
Eureka and White Clipper, white. Double Zonals : Jewel and Wonderful, 
scarlet; Madame Thibaut and Marie Lemoine, pink ; Cassia Borgia and Le 
Centenaire, crimson ; La Constitution and Dr. Jacoby, salmon ; Nymphe and 
Candidissima plena, white. 
Stopping Vine Laterals (Mundy). —It is quite clear that you “ cannot 
pinch the laterals at the orthodox one joint beyond the bunch when there are 
no bunches,” and you want to know “what then ?” It is not easy to say, in 
the absence of information as to the condition of the Vines and their distances 
apart. If they are from 3 to 4 feet apart and firmly' vigorous you may stop the 
laterals at about the sixth leaf ; you will act rightly, however, to allow all the 
foliage you can subject to the important, indeed vital condition, that every 
leaf can develope under the direct action of light. If the laterals are nearer to 
each other than a foot on each side of the rods remove some of them; we like 
to have them 18 inches apart. 
Pyracantha Unhealthy (Mrs. L., Chiswick ).—A small spray, shrivelled 
during transit by the want of a little damp moss or other material, is quite 
insufficient for enabling us to determine the cause of the present condition of 
the plant. If the spray is a fair sample it indicates that the plant lacks vigour, 
and requires either better soil or copious supplies of liquid manure ; not a 
word is said, however, relative to the age or position of the plant to guide us in 
forming a definite opinion on this matter. There are no insects on the leaves 
before us, but the presence of ants suggests that insects are also present on 
some portions of the plant. This is almost certain to be the result if the 
specimen, as we suspect is the case, is in a debilitated state. We advise you to 
syringe it violently and frequently during dry weather, and encourage free 
growth by affording stimulants to the roots. 
Thinning Grapes (William). —The superfluous berries should be removed 
immediately they are seen to have commenced swelling, and certainly before 
they “ touch each other.” They must not be touched with the hand nor the 
point of the scissors, nor should the footstalks of the berries removed be left 
half an inch long, as we sometimes see when the work is done roughly'. We 
cannot tell you how many to remove, but as a rule sufficient space should be 
afforded for the tip of the finger to be placed between those remaining without 
touching any of them. Do not remove too mauy berries from the upper side of 
the top shoulders; many bunches of Grapes are spoiled in appearance by the 
simple mistake against which we warn you. 
Canterbury Bells (Doubtful). —You have certainly been wrongly informed. 
If you defer sowing the seed until August not one plant in twenty will flower 
next June. To have fine plants the seed should be sown at once. It germinates 
freely sown in the open ground provided the soil is not too heavy, or is at least 
covered lightly with fine soil. The seed being very small is often destroyed by 
being covered too deeply. If the ground is dry it should be saturated before 
sowing and shaded afterwards. A safe plan is, however, to sow the seed thinly 
in boxes placed in cold frames, or on a shaded place outdoors, the boxes being 
covered with squares of glass, the soil to be regularly moist. 
Removing Plants (D. IF.).—We do not understand what you mean, as 
you do not say' whence you desire to remove the plants. Your safest plan 
will be to consult a solicitor on the questions you have submitted ; but as far 
as we comprehend the case our reply must be in the negative in both instances. 
Seedling Auriculas (Dr. S .).—The flowers were submitted to the expe¬ 
rienced eye of “ D., Deul,” with whose opinion we entirely concur :—“ It is almost 
impossible to determine as to the character of flowers sent as these were. The 
pips should be taken off, inserted in pieces of paper, and kept quite flat; but as 
far as I can judge the varieties are only suitable for the border. If you sow a 
packet of seeds the chances are that y r ou will get any amount of purple seifs, 
and amongst those sent there is a great similarity. The paste appears too thin. 
One variety has a fine truss, but the petals are too much notched. Bonnie 
Scotland is a large flower with a good petal, and worth trying again. The 
others are certainly not equal to many in cultivation.” 
Azalea Unhealthy (C. D.). —In all probability you erred in repotting the 
plant, and then it is not unlikely that the work was not done in a proper manner, 
even if proper soil was used ; and further, it is extremely probable that the plant 
has been over-watered, and a number of the delicate roots have consequently' 
perished. It is certain the root-action is defective ; but as you fail to supply us 
with particulars requisite for our understanding the case fully, we are not able 
to indicate the treatment that should be pursued under the circumstances. 
The Silver Tree (J. B.).— The plant of which you sent leaves is not a 
Pinus, but a member of the natural order Proteaceee, and is known to botanists 
as Leucadendron argenteum. It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, where it is 
known to the Dutch colonists as Witteboom, or Silver Tree, a name which it owes 
to the silvery appearance of the leaves. The plant is in cultivation, and may 
be seen at Kew and in a few other establishments where large collections of old 
and curious plants are grown. It was introduced towards the close of the 
seventeenth century, so that it is by no means a novelty. Leaves are imported 
for decorative purposes with the Cape Everlasting Flowers, and may be frequently 
seen in Covent Garden Market. A figure of the plant was published in the 
“ Botanical Register ” in 1*26, but it does not show the peculiar whiteness of the 
foliage. The supposed cones are the heads of bracts and flowers. 
Propagating Daphne Cneorum (G. 0. S .).~This is readily increased 
by layers, and if you-have a large plant in a pot the following would be your 
best course :—Make a bed of pure peat in the open garden, plant the Daphne 
in rhe peat, fasten the branches to the soil with pegs, and cover portions of 
them with peat midway between the tips and the main stem, and in due time 
many of the branches will have put forth roots. Sever them then from the 
parent plant and pot or transplant them to other beds. If the plant is already 
in a border it will only be necessary to peg the branches down into the soil 
rather deeply. Early spring or in autumn after the plant has flowered is the 
best time for the operation It can also be increased by grafting upon stocks 
of Daphne Mezereum. Bequest your friend to send us samples of his Lilies of 
the Valley, we know only three varieties. 
Primula verticillata (J. Bute). —The Abyssinian Primrose is readily 
raised from seed, which it perfects freely in a greenhouse having a light and 
airy position. The seed, being small, should be only just covered with very fine 
soil, be placed in a gentle hotbed, and be kept moist and shaded from bright 
sun, which is injurious to this and all other Primulas. When the seedlings are 
fairly- up i- eep them near the glass, and admit air moderately; when they have 
two or three leaves and can well be handled, pot-off singly in small pots. Return 
the plants to a gentle heat, shade, keep just moist, and when established remove 
them to a cold frame, and admit air freely, but avoid soddening the soil with 
water, and, on the other hand, do not let it become quite dry. It is well to give a 
slight shading under hot sun up to the middle of September, by which time the 
plants will be fit for 4^-inch pots, in which they should be placed with the ball 
entire, merely loosening the sides and surface soil. Place them in a pit or on 
the shelf of a greenhouse, and water as required, so as to keep the soil moist. 
Shift into 6 or 7-inch pots when the roots are showing at the sides of the pots, 
and with copious supplies of water the plants will flower in March. They are 
impatient of watering overhead. Syringing takes off the mealiness of the leaves, 
quite spoiling their appearance. For potting use a compost of two parts light 
fibrous loam, one part leaf soil, half a part each sandy peat and old dry manure, 
with a sixth part each of silver sand and charcoal in pieces about the size of a 
pea, the whole well mixed and made fine, but not sifted except for sowing the 
seed. Efficient drainage is necessary. 
Gardener Unsettled (J. E. D.).~ We are sorry to hear that you have 
what you term “so much to put up with,” but do not perceive in what manner 
we can aid you, especially as you do not state what your difficulties are. This, 
however, we will say—Whatever the impediments are, remove them if possible. 
We regret very much that you are not alone in your troubles. Many- gardeners 
are “unsettled,” and not a few we could name have not improved their positions 
by resigning their situations A gardener makes a great mistake who leaves his 
charge suddenly because something in some degree unpleasant occurs, on the 
assumption that he can easily secure another appointment. Even if he is fortu¬ 
nate in doing so, there is still the risk of the new charge not being more agree¬ 
able than the old. But, as a rule, a new charge is not easy to obtain. There are 
just now, and it were wrong to disguise the fact, more men—thoroughly com¬ 
petent and excellent gardeners—than there are vacancies for them; and our 
advice is for every man who is even tolerab'y comfortable to hesitate before 
relinquishing his charge. Neither nurserymen nor anyone else can find positions 
for all gardeners. They may be willing, even anxious, to do so, but they must 
wait for vacancies, and there is no better proof of the comparative scarcity of 
these thau the one fact that if a good gardener’s situation is open there are 
fifty good men anxious to fill it. We offer you no inducement to leave because 
you have “ so much to put up with,” and we have only answered your letter 
thus fully because it may possibly have some effect on others who may bo 
similarly situated to yourself. 
Names of Plants (J. D.).— 1, Saxifraga granulata fl.-pl.; 2, Viburnum 
Lantana ; 3, insufficient for identification. (IF. A.).—1, Rumex acetosella; 2, 
Cerastium arvense. (Preston). —The flower was much crushed, but it appears to 
be Dendrobium fimbriatum. (B.). —2, Begonia weltoniensis ; 4, Tradescantia 
zebrina ; X, Begonia sempervirens ; 9, Davallia canariensis ; 10, Ckorozema cor- 
daturn. The others are insufficient without flowers. (J. IF.).—1, Calamintha 
Aciuos ; 2, Saxifraga granulata fl.-pl.; 3, Potentilla argentea ; 4, Neottia nidus- 
avis. (An Old Subscriber ).—Crataegus ovalifolia. 
Bees not Swarming (J. E. II .).—The clustering of bees outside the hive 
is an indication of swarming, but is not “a certain sign of immediate swarming.” 
Your letter shall have further attention. 
Bees Dying (G. A.).—Had you read attentively the various articles on 
bee-keeping that have appeared in the Journal you would have found that 
weak hives ought to be well fed in early autumn and not in winter. You have 
neglected to supply them with sufficient food at the proper time, and they have 
dwindled away. What remains should be fed liberally now, but in all pro¬ 
bability the hive will perish. 
