360 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
r May 7, 189J. 
it was the Begonia that made them. The truth seems to be that 
each has added to the fame of the other. The firm is prosperous 
and the flowers beautiful, and are finding their way into houses and 
gardens innumerable in this and other countries. 
But to the Olivias, please. These were once called by most 
persons, and still are by some, Imantophyllums. The shorter name 
is correct and agreeable, and the long one must lapse. The 
newer Olivias are stately plants with the darkest of dark green 
strap-shaped leaves, some more or less erect, some arching, but all 
forming a bold glossy setting to the noble heads of flowers. These 
are as large and shapely as Vallotas, but much more substantial, 
and when it is conceived that twenty to thirty of these crown the 
summit of each thick stem, and that the colours possess a soft rich 
glow of orange tinged with red, yellow tinted with rose, salmon 
suffused with buff, soft yellow with a sheen of purple, and so on 
in delicate blendings, the effect produced by a houseful of plants 
compels admiration. Then after the flowers fade seed pods form, 
and these in due time resemble clusters of red Cherries, but erect. 
Mr. Laing secured a few of the best obtainable forms of Olivias 
a few years ago, and fell into bis old habit of crossing, and now 
has the satisfaction of seeing beautiful varieties unfolding, every one 
of them possessing great decorative value, and some showing such 
marked advance in size, form, or colour that make the eyes of 
the old master twinkle with satisfaction, and he then feels as he 
looks, almost as young as ever again. Among the varieties flower¬ 
ing a short time ago, and several of them probably still in beaut}', 
for they continue attractive for weeks, are the following ;— 
John Laing .—This appropriately heads Messrs. Laing’s Olivia 
novelties. It is a grand variety, in colour very deep orange red, 
perfect formed flowers in a dense umbel. 
Lady Wolverton .—-A grand acquisition. It produces reflexed 
flowers of a very large size, and is of perfect form with enormous 
truss. In colour the upper half is orange, with a pale yellow-and- 
white throat. Many will remember the grand spike of bloom of 
Lady Wolverton, carrying over thirty flowers, Messrs. Laing exhi- 
hibited at the Royal Aquarium Show, and for which a first-class 
certificate was awarded. 
Mrs. Laing .—This has been twice certificated, and well it 
merited the dual honour. It has a noble truss of bold, smooth 
flowers, reddish orange in colour, with a paler throat. 
Orange Perfection. —This, which has also received the hall mark 
for excellence, was all aglow with its clear orange scarlet-tinted 
flowers, and very telling. 
Sulphurea (F. C. C.) is in distinct contrast with the preceding, 
the colour being pale sulphur yellow ; v'ery soft and pleasing. 
Sunray .—Quite new and very charming ; rosy salmon, with 
yellow throat, the edges of the petals margined with white ; a step 
in advance, and very distinct. 
Those s'x are undoubtedly splendid Ciivias, as are several more, 
including Bronze Queen, bronzy salmon ; Delicatissima, orange 
and white ; Exqubite, a blend of orange and lemon ; Margaret, 
purplish orange ; Crocea and Salmonea, the names of which indi¬ 
cate the colours. It would not be difficult to select a third half 
dozen, but it is not necessary for indicating the richness of a 
collection that may fairly be pronounced unequalled. 
Olivias are easily grown, good loa,m, cleanliness, attention to 
watering, and a warm greenhouse being the chief requirements. 
But they are not “cheap” plants, because not common; and the 
varieties cannot be propagated like Fuchsias. Plants are raised 
from seed readily enough, and flower in a couple of years. But 
good parents are essential for good varieties, and Mr. Laing has 
very clearly found that a plant may be really cheap at ten guineas, 
though he does not charge half the amount for the best of those 
he can offer. Olivias are grand for spring, and go on flowering for 
many weeks, if not months, and are destined to have good posi¬ 
tions in the best conservatories in the kingdom. 
Now to Caladiums. When these most beautiful of foliaged 
plants were too generally neglected John Laing, to employ an 
expressive phrase, did not run away from them. On the contrary, 
he kept acquiring the best continental varieties till he formed a 
large and unique collection. Caladiums are now much more 
extensively grown than they Avere some years ago, and this is not to 
be wondered at considering the glowing richness and delicate 
tracery of their handsome leaves. Provide them with heat, 
moisture, and the requisite shade, and they will repay by their 
manifold charms in summer, then conveniently go to rest, and 
liberate space for plants that are required in winter. 
Some varieties of Caladiums are stately plants, forming magni¬ 
ficent specimens, Avhile others are dainty gems. The former are 
seen in striking force at the Crystal Palace shows, while the others 
may often be seen sparkling in the “ effect ” groups at summer 
exhibitions. At Forest Hill may be seen handsome specimens of 
such standard varieties as Anna de Condeixa, Baraquini, B. S. 
Williams, Candidum, Charlemagne, Comtesse de Condeixa, 
Ferdinand de Lesseps, L’Aurore, Leopold Robert, Le Titien, 
Madame M. Scheffer, Madame F. Krechlin, Mons. A. Hardy, 
Ornatum, Princess Royal, Raymond Lemoinier, Souvenir de 
Madame Bernard, and Triomphe de I’Exposition among others. 
Among the dwarfer forms for table decoration, edging groups, 
and other purposes are Le Nain Rouge, new and very rich ; 
argyrites, Chactus, Comte de Germiny, Ibis Rose, minus erubescens,. 
and Salvator Rosa. ^ 
Most of the newer varieties are extremely beautiful, including 
James Laing, certificated this year ; John Laing, Louis A. Van 
Houtte, Lilie Burke, Madame Groult, Madame Leon Say, Mar¬ 
guerite Gelinier, Mrs. Veitch, Oriflamme, and Reine de Danemark.. 
All or any of the above, and more that might be named, are 
worthy of a place in collections of stove plants, and the colours 
and characters are fairly described in the catalogue of the firm. 
So much, in brief, for Clivias and Caladiums ; but no one can 
call at the Forest Hill Nurseries in spring without being struck 
almost with astonishment at the work going on among Begonias.. 
The number is quite bewildering, and men and boys ai’e continually 
employed week after week for months pricking out the seedlings,, 
transplanting to boxes, then in frames, as Avell as potting as the 
plants progress, and in preparation for the purpose for which they 
are required. It appears the demand is only limited by the power 
and means of production, and the rule is to raise as many as can 
possibly be grown into “good stuff” by the middle of May. In 
one house alone boxes containing 75,000 plants were being arranged, 
and there Avere—well, an uncountable number in other houses, and 
then many more in various stages from seed pans to frames, and 
thrifty specimens showing their buds. Long ranges of enclosures, 
G or 7 feet wide, formed by planks affixed on edge, were being 
nearly filled with warm hops from breAveries as a genial bed for 
the plants that are put in, covered with glazed sashes, and neither 
shaded nor ventilated for weeks, and there they make fat stems 
and thick leaves. But it is really of little use going on where 
there is so much tliat cannot be told. When we thought we had 
seen all there was something more, and at last we were invited to 
peep into the “lion’s den.” The door was opened, and there sat 
a long line of boys pricking out Begonias, with the trainer at the end 
to keep the young animals in order—no light task, but it has to be 
done, for the world wants Begonias in ever-increasing numbers, 
eA'en if they are reared in a menagerie, and every effort is made to 
produce as many as possible at Forest Hill. A great deal rnore 
might be said about these plants, but now we have got to “ Laing’s 
lions ” it is time to stop.—A Beak. 
CELERY FOR LATE USE. 
Good Celery forms from March to May an important dish in 
the daily supply from the kitchen garden, not only for salad, but 
for cooking purposes. During that time of the year green crops 
ai’e not too plentiful, hence Celery, which can be served up in a 
variety of ways, is very acceptable. Much depends on the manage¬ 
ment to have a good stock available at that time, but every sort 
will not withstand such a winter as that experienced this season 
with impunity, and be available at the time named. Not only for 
the latest supplies, but for the whole season when Celery is 
required, commencing the first in September, I find none equal to^ 
SulhamPink. Out of 1000 roots grown last season not six have 
decayed, and fewer still have seeded prematurely. I had this 
Celery in excellent condition on the 1st day of August. 
Where many persons err is in sowing the seed too soon,, 
inducing a free groAvth before the winter sets in ; consequently, 
the Celery does not “ keep ” as it should do if sowing was retarded 
a little. Some, also, do not consider it necessary or wise to apply 
any covering to the leaves during frosty weather, but allow the 
frost to penetrate into the heart of every stem, which cannot be 
otherwise than injurious to the Celery for its long-keeping quality.. 
Three or four degrees of frost will not injure Celery in the least 
a temperature 10° below freezing point does much harm, especially 
after a spell of wet weather. In the autumn, when severe frost is- 
expected, some strawy manure or litter is laid between the rows 
ready to be placed at the top of the ridge over the leaves to- 
prevent frost penetrating into the hearts of the plants. The 
covering is removed directly a change takes place, and it is not 
replaced until absolutely necessary. If the straw covering is not 
taken off Avhen not required, but remains on all day, perhaps more than 
one, it prevents the air drying the leaves and soil about the Celery. 
When the foliage is kept in a wet state frost causes far more 
injury than otherwise. If boards could be so arranged that rains 
may be warded off, and the Celery obtain a supply of air at the 
same time, I think its keeping qualities would be much improved. 
We sow the seed for the latest crop at twice about April 20th and 
May 10th, -which periods allow for any unforeseen occurrence, such 
