October 39, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
391 
Undue importance is, I sometimes think, attached to 
lengthy articles. No doubt they are useful, and many of them 
are certainly very good, even so good that I almost envy the 
Mvriters on their ability ; nevertheless, if persons who can 
convey a useful hint in a short one would not hesitate to do 
so they would do good service. Many a “wrinkle” is lost, 
the possessor thinking it not worth writing about because he 
cannot spin out a long story. That is a mistake. Mr. Young 
and Mr. Burton occasionally contribute a pithy practical note, 
and both have referred to white Pinks for forcing. I think I 
may as well join in too, and air my egotism by telling of the 
simplest of all methods of preparation. Take hold of a good 
handful of stout growths round the < utside of a strong root in 
the garden ; with the other slip off the growths as low as 
possible; twist these into a pot, working soil amongst them, 
and pressing it firmly, the growths resting snugly on the sur¬ 
face ; place the pots in a frame, keep the soil always moist; 
introduce into gentle heat in due time, and if the clumps do 
not flower about as well as if they had been left in the garden 
they will be different to mine. I have tried all sorts of schemes 
to get plenty of white Pinks for the early London season, but 
this is the easiest and the best of them all, and now is the 
time for potting. 
then be gradually inured to the temperature of the greenhouse, and 
when this is effected they may be used for window decoration or any 
other purpose in a low temperature, as the taste of the owner may 
dictat'’. The others, if required for stove decoration, or if it is essential 
that they should be grown quickly, may be kept in the hothouse, supplied 
with an abundance of water, and repotted from time to time as may be 
necessary. 
As the plants increase in size it is beneficial to decrease the quantity 
of peat and substitute loam for it. For old plants about one part of peat 
mixed with three of loam forms a very good and nutritious compost, in 
which not only the subject of the present paper, Phoenix dactylifera, but 
the other species of the genus in cultivation, will be found to flourish- 
—E. C. 
THOUGHTS ON CURRENT TOPICS. 
I DEVOTED SO much attention to “A Non-Believer” in my last budget 
of thoughts on the subject of applying liquid manure, that other matters 
Fig. 64.—Pba?nix dactylifera. 
were passed, not because they were not worth thinking about, but because 
there is both a limit to mental exercise and to the space whereon I can 
hope to rely for the recording of my impressions. I am quite dis¬ 
appointed with the rejoinder of my friendly assailant; but of that more 
anon, a few other subjects commending themselves to momentary 
attention. 
A SHORT time ago a very excellent article appeared on Violas, and 1 
thought when I read it that the writer pointed out in a sentence the great 
c.ause of failure of those deservedly popular and undoubtedly beautiful 
fl )wers. The failure consists in late spring or early summer planting. 
Those who are in the habit of planting Violas with other bedding plants 
i n May—and thousands of Violas are so planted—have no right to expect 
the plants to flower freely and continuously. The right time to plant 
Violas, as Mr. Jenkins has p inted out, is October, or as soon as the beds 
can be cleared and prepared for them. Make the soil fertile, plant 
deeply, and establish Vio'as before winter, and it will be a very extra¬ 
ordinary season if they do not give satisfaction. I thought about this 
subject some years ago, and have had ample opportunity of testing the 
sonndness of the teachings of your correspondent on page 299, and I 
think not many can err by procuring the varieties there recommended 
and planting them as soon as possible. 
Tuberous Begonias have been to the fore of late as plants for flower 
gardens. I was interested in the notes of “ A Traveller ” on the great 
display at Forest Hill, also on the remarks of “ \V. J. M.” on examples 
of culture in Ireland. As with Violas, so with these Begonias. I have 
been thinking about them for a few years past, and long since arrived at 
the conclusion that starting the plants too early, “ drawing” them under 
glass and allowing them to get root-bound in pots, were primary evils to 
be avoided, and by avoiding them previous failures were averted. Store 
the tubers as if they were choice Potatoes, start them steadily in frames 
in April, plant out in due time in very rich soil, and they will grow 
luxuriantly and flower splendidly if they have plenty of water. Where 
the rainfall is greatest and the soil the richest, growth is the strongest; 
at least that is what I think after reading about, observing, and culti¬ 
vating these beautiful summer and autumn floweis. 
I AM bound to say that my thoughts run quite counter to the opinions 
of Mr. Muir as to Brussels Sprouts “ not being in season ” in 
September. Of Cabbages there has been a surfeit by that 
time. Cauliflowers pall on the appetite, and a change is wanted 
from Peas. For years I have been trying to get “ Sprouts ” as 
early as possible, both by sowing in autumn with Cauliflowers, 
and in heat in spiing, and never succeeded in having them too 
soon. A first-rate dish of Brussels Sprouts in a collection of 
vegetables in September will, I think, always have weight 
with judges. Such a dish affords evidence of good culture, 
and I am sure the produce is welcomed by those for whom it 
is grown. I am told by “one who knows,” that Brussels 
Sprouts are in use in all the leading hotels and clubs in Sep¬ 
tember, which I think is pretty good evidence that they are 
“ in season ” at that time. As long as I have vegetables to 
grow I shall endeavour, as hitherto, to have a few Brussels 
Sprouts in September, and if I show them I shall hope your 
correspondent will not be one of the judges. 
I OPENED my eyes very widely when I read the short note 
of “A. L. M.” commendatory of Belle Lyonnaise Rose, for I, 
too, have long grown it on the north side of a wall in a 
sheltered garden, and it has given a wealth of magnificent 
blooms, quite surpassing those of Gloire de Dijon on the same 
wall. I thought at first your correspondent must have been 
describing my Rose, but I perceive it is not so, for his other 
Rose is Madame Lambard. I join with “ A. L. M ,” then, 
in describing Belle Lyonnaise as a “ true and trusted friend ; ” 
and as the planting season is approaching advise all who can do so to 
give a trial to this beautiful Rose. It is a child of Gloire de Dij< n, and I 
for one prefer it to the parent. This denotes “ progress.” 
“ Progress 1 ” Mr. Iggulden regrets I do not belong to that 
“ paity,” because I do not think the time has come for judging Tomatoes 
by tasting the specimens staged at exhibitions. I fear I shall not 
get the “chou-chou pickle” that is promised conditionally that I think 
the matter over again “ differently.” Tiue progress in my view consists, 
not in progressing by “leaps and bounds,” but by steady certain steps, 
seeing your way clearly, and then treading firmly. I cannot see my 
way at present to the adoption of the palate test, which is not adopted 
for judging Cucumbers that are eaten uncooked to a greater extent than 
Tomatoes are. There is no recognised standard of quality in Tomatoes. 
A certain number are admittedly good, and a certain number indifferent ; 
and if a judge is not acquainted with these he is not fit to be entrusted 
with determining the awards by his uneducated “ taste.” Let us go by 
degrees by first giving prizes b th for smooth and for ribbed sorts, and 
then see. After this I must not hope for the " chou-chou,” which must 
