August 21, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
173 
colours—scarlet, pink, cream, and white, the seifs being the most effective. 
For borders to supply flowers for cutting such plants cannot be over-esti¬ 
mated, and the great recommendation of Carnations is that they are so 
valuable in town gardens. Often where no other flowers succeed Car¬ 
nations will thrive and flower profusely in the smokiest of suburban 
districts. 
At Messrs. Sutton’s seed trial grounds, a few miles from the nursery, all 
the annuals, biennials, and similar plants, of which seed is sold in large 
quantities, are carefully tested, all new varieties being proved side by side 
with old favourites, their merits fully recognised if they are distinct, or other¬ 
wise discarded from their lists. Peas and other vegetables, together with 
lawn and pasture grasses, are fully tested in the same way, and the general 
satisfactory condition and regularity are convincing proofs of the care with 
which the enormous quantities of seed are kept true. Throughout the 
trial grounds and nursery, as in the wonderful seed offices in the town, the 
same admirable system of management is apparent which has raised 
Messrs. Sutton’s establishment to so high a degree of fame in the horticul¬ 
tural and agricultural world.— Visitob. 
PROPAGATING PLANTS. 
It is a general complaint when failures in propagating occur in private 
gardens of those cuttings which require artificial heat to enable them to 
form roots, that it is for the want of proper convenience that the failures 
happen, and this to a certain extent is true. In all gardens where quantities 
of decorative plants are required, a propagating house should be provided, 
hut this will not ensure success if its management is not properly attended 
to. The bottom heat is often a source of trouble. In some cases I have 
noticed that the supply of heat has been very much impeded by the pipes 
being clogged with the material placed over them. The best material 
which I have found for placing over the pipes is cinders which have been 
passed through a half-inch sieve. These may be beaten quite level for the 
pots to stand upon. Most propagating houses have a path down the centre 
with a bed for frames to stand on, on one side, and a stage on the other side 
for placing the rooted cuttings after being potted. If there are two frames 
in the house, one should be filled with cocoa-nut fibre, for inserting cuttings 
in, and the other should fit closely on the bed with no fibre. The bottom 
heat will pass freely through the cinders. Every afternoon when the 
house is being damped, water should be poured freely on the cinders, 
between the pots; this will cause a genial moist heat around the cuttings. 
The frames should always be slightly open if the house is kept close, and 
early every morning the lights should be opened for about an hour, but 
the house should be dose and moist. The cuttings must receive all the 
light possible, but not sunshine. 
Another source of the uusuccessful rooting of cuttings is that the base 
of the cutting when being inserted does not touch the bottom of the hole 
made for its reception. The “dibber” is very often made too pointed; 
when this is the case, and the base of the cutting is larger than the point 
of the dibber, it will not reach the bottom. All such errors as these 
must be avoided. The pots should always be well drained, and some 
clean fibre or flaky pieces of leaf soil may be placed over the drainage to 
insure its being kept open. The cuttings ought never to be allowed to 
droop more than can be possibly helped. The temperature of the house 
should be kept as equable as possible, the bottom heat ranging from 
85° to 90°, the top heat from 70° to 80° ; but this will be according to the 
weather. The failure of cuttings is generally due to neglect of a few small 
points.—A. Youno. 
EASTBOURNE FLOWER SHOW. 
AueusT 13 th. 
The Committee of the above were very fortunate in securing the 
permission of Lady Howard to again hold their Exhibition in the grounds of 
Compton Place, as a more attractive position they could not have. The Show 
itself was a very good one, and the weather being fine it was well attended, 
as it deserved to be, by the visitors and residents of Eastbourne and 
neighbourhood. 
Plants .—In the open class for eight plants in bloom there were four 
competitors, all of whom showed well; Mr. Gilbert, nurseryman, Hastings, 
being first with Erica semula, a grand plant, 4 feet in diameter, and profusely 
flowered ; E. Aitoni turgida, Allamandas Hendersonii and nobilis, Statice 
Gilbertii, and Bougainvillea glabra. Mr. Tudgey, Waltham Cross, was 
second with a large Erica Eweriana superba, 5 feet in diameter ; E. Austiniana, 
and Anthurium Schertzerianum being also notable plants. Mr. Rann, 
gardener to J. Warren, Esq., Handcross Park, was third ; Mr. Jupp, gardener 
to G. Boulton, Esq., Torfield, Eastbourne, being awarded an extra prize. In 
the class for six plants in bloom Mr. Gore, gardener to Capt. Taylor, 
Glenleigh, was awarded first for a good Allamanda Hendersoni, Stephanotis 
floribunda, and Eucharis amazonica amongst others. Mr. Jupp was a very 
close second with two small but good Ericas, and a pretty Eondeletia 
speciosa, &c. 
For eight fine-foliage plants Mr. Rann was first with immense plants of 
Areca sapida, Thrinax elegans, Gleichenia Mendelli, Crotons interruptus and 
Andreanus, and other smaller but handsome specimens. Mr. Tudgey was 
second, and Mr. Jupp third. The last-named was easily first in the class for 
six fine-foliage plants, followed by Mr. Gore. Mr. Rann was again to the 
fore with eight Ferns, amongst them being Cyathea dealbata, Dicksonia 
antarctica, Davallia Mooreana, and Gleichenia rupestris ; Mr. Gilbert being 
second. Mr. Gore was first with six Ferns, amongst which was a good plant 
of Goniophlebium subauriculatum, Mr. Jupp being a very close second. 
For six Ericas Mr. Tudgey took the lead, followed by Mr. Gilbert and 
Mr. Rann. 
Groups for effect were fairly represented, Mr. Gore being first, Mr. .Tupp 
second, and Mr. Martin, gardener to J. G. Langham, Esq., Eastbourne, third. 
Fuchsias were well shown by Mr. Liggs, gardener to the Lady Superior, 
Convalescent Home. Mr. Wise, gardener to General Holroyd, The Links, 
Eastbourne, was first for Pelargoniums, Achimenes, and Gloxinias, all of 
which reflected great credit on the exhibitor. Mr. Gregory, gardener to 
Admiral Maxse, was first for Begonias, very good, as were the first-prize 
Coleuses of Mr. Dennett. 
Cut flowers were fairly shown. In the open class for thirty-six Roses 
F. Woollard & Sons, Cooksbridge, were first; Mr. Balchin, Brighton, second ; 
and Mr. F. Cant, Colchester, third. In the amateurs’ class for twenty-four 
Mr. Slaughter, Steyning, was the only exhibitor, and was deservedly 
awarded the first prize ; Mr. Slaughter being first for twelve, followed by 
Mr. Rapley, Jevington. For twenty-four bunches of cut flowers Mr. Blake, 
gardener to F. Roper, Esq., Polegate, was easily first, Mr. Gore being second. 
Prizes were also given for collections of annuals, herbaceous, Zinnias, 
Dahlias, Asters, Carnations, &c.. in nearly all of which the competition was 
keen. Messrs. Christian, Bexhill; Goring, Three Bridges ; Gower, Battle ; 
Clapson, Hailshara ; Tugwell, Eastbourne, being amongst the first-prize- 
takers. For a collection of fifty varieties of wild flowers Mrs. Challen, 
Eastbourne, and Mr. Dixon, gardener to Sir S. M. Wilson, Searles, were equal 
first, Mrs. Angell, Hailsham, being third. 
Fruit .—On the whole this was very good. For a collection of nine dishes 
Mr. Gore was first, showing Black Hamburgh and Muscat Grapes, Peaches, 
Apricots, Melon, Ac. Mr. Williams, gardener to F. Liddell, Esq., was a good 
second, and Mr. Dixon third. There was very little to choose between the 
three collections. Black Hamburgh Grapes were not well finished, Mr. Wise 
being first, and Mr. Foxley, Eastbourne, second. Mr. Chatfield, gardener to 
J. Holman, Esq., East Hoathly, was first for white Grapes with grand 
bunches of Muscat of Alexandria beautifully finished, by far the best Grapes 
in the Show. Mr. Foxley was second with Buckland Sweetwater. For a 
collection of three varieties Mr. Gore took the lead, having Muscat of 
Alexandria very good, Madresfield Court, and Black Hamburghs of moderate 
quality. Mr. Tugwell was a close second. For a single bunch of any variety 
Mr. Chatfield was first with Muscat of Alexandria, Mr. Tugwell being second 
with a good bunch of Muscat Hamburgh very well finished. Mr. Siggs 
took first honours in both classes of Melons. Mr. Hopkins, gardener to 
R. Thornton, Esq., Framfield, was first for Peaches, very fine; Mr. Whibley 
for Nectarines, Mr. Wise for Cherries, Mr. Jupp for dessert Apples; Mr. 
McLeod, gardener, Glynde Place, Lewes, being first in three classes of Plums 
and also for Pears.—G. 
ANEMONES. 
(Continued from page 6i>.) 
SECTION OF ANEMONE PULSATILLA. 
Almost all the species and varieties enumerated under this heading, 
although most at home in various parts of the rock garden, will succeed 
in any well-drained border of good rich loam containing a fair proportion 
of vegetable matter; but they do not submit well to pot culture, as 
being deep-rooting plants they dislike the confinement and also the sudden 
changes of temperature to which they are subjected under this course of 
treatment. 
A. Pulsatilla {Pasqueflower ).—This very handsome species is found 
growing in chalky pastures in several English counties, and is also 
widely distributed on the Continent. The whole plant attains a height of 
from 6 to 12 inches, with deeply cut leaves, the linear segments of which 
are bipinnatifid, and the involucre, which is sessile and leafy, is divided 
in a similar manner. The flowers are usually of a deep rich purple, 
covered on the exterior with long silky hairs, and are produced in April 
or May, their drooping habit, combined with the finely cut foliage, giving 
this plant an unusually graceful appearance. This is one of the easiest 
to cultivate, and requires no special treatment. I have not even noticed 
that it is benefited by the addition of chalk or lime to ordinary soil, 
although growing in such positions naturally. When raised from seed 
many different shades of colour may be noticed, but two only appear to be 
worthy of notice—viz , albida, in which the flowers are white with a 
slight shade of purple, more interesting as a curiosity than from its 
beauty; rubra, having the flowers of a very decided reddish-purple shade, 
good and distinct. This variety is also a somewhat stronger grower than 
the type. Both the above are, as far as I am aware, natives of Germany 
but doubtless occur elsewhere. 
A. alhana .—A native of the Caucasus, growing about 6 inches high, 
with white flowers, often almost cream-coloured, produced in May. I have 
had but a limited experience of this plant, and it seems a somewhat shy 
bloomer; but I have found it succeed on a moderately sunny slope of the 
rockwork facing east. It also seems to like a larger quantity of peat 
than the others of this section. 
A. dahurica .—Of this species, again, I can say but little as to its 
cultivation, as I have never seen it in good condition. When doing best 
it was on an elevated part of the rockwork and fully exposed to the sun 
in a mixture of peat and sandstone grit. The flowers are flesh-coloured 
on stems 6 inches in length, and are produced in May. It is a native of 
Dahuria, and though fii'st introduced into this country in 1819 is still very 
uncommon. 
A. Halleri .—This very handsome species is found on the high alps of 
cenlral Europe, and should certainly be included in the most select col¬ 
lection of rock plants. The stems, which are from 9 to 12 inches in 
height, bear light violet flowers, much resembling A. Pulsatilla in its 
native habitat. It usually flowers in July and August, but in our gardens 
during April and May. 
The variety Hackelii differs chiefly from the type in its deep violet 
blooms and slightly more robust habit. 
Both these plants require an open and exposed situation on the rock¬ 
work, and will thrive in good loam with a cou-iderable amount of grit; 
but whether granite, sandstone, or limestone appears to be a matter of 
indifference, depth of soil and a few stones around them to check evapo¬ 
ration appearing to be alone essential. 
