July 14. 1892. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
43 
between the Asparagus generally should be frequently resorted to, 
thereby saving much future labour. Allowing weeds to seed in these 
positions is most unwise. If salt is applied to Asparagus on heavy soils 
it should be done in the summer just in advance of a rainfall, an 1 a 
light surfacing of this fertiliser may with advantage be given in the case 
of any on lighter soils, and which may have had a spring dressing. 
•Other manures, notably guano, applied now and washed in by rains or 
the hose would also be most beneficial. Removing the seed, which forms 
only too freely in some instances, is tedious, but is considered beneficial, 
especially to weakly plants. It is a mistake, though, to cut out seeding 
growths if at all numerous, as in this case there may be but few other 
growths to form the buds that are to produce stronger shoots next spring. 
Beans.— It rarely pays to sow Broad Beans in July, but if parti¬ 
cularly desired there is no good reason why a row or rows each of Beck’s 
Dwarf Green Gem and Early Longpod should not be sown. The former, 
being of low branching growth, is well adapted for warm borders, and 
can be readily protected if necessary. Kidney Beans are not greatly in 
demand while Runner Beans are plentiful, but a late sowing may give 
some very acceptable dishes in September. These may well follow 
Potatoes, Cauliflowers, Lettuces, or other early crops on sheltered sunny 
borders. Sow Canadian Wonder now thinly, in rows 2 feet apart, and 
Sion House or Ne Plus Ultra later in the month, a distance of 18 inches 
apart being enough for these. Any Kidney Beans that are to give a 
crop of ripe seed should be kept clear of the ground by means of Hazel 
or other spray. It is advisable to thin out the plants freely, leaving 
them 12 inches apart, also staking them when long straight exhibition 
pods are required. Overcrowding Runner Beans is a common error, but 
one that ought to be avoided. One plant to a pole is ample, and these 
ought to be fully 12 inches apart in the rows. For a time they require 
attendance in the shape of regulating and making the growths secure, 
and later on, or when the tops of the poles are reached, pinch out the 
points of the leaders, thereby preventing their becoming top-heavy— 
stopping the leaders also greatly strengthening and improving the pro¬ 
ductiveness of the lower part of the haulm. Those grown entirely 
without stakes should have all running growths kept closely snipped 
out. Runner Beans must have plenty of moisture at the roots, liquid 
mamure also being most beneficial. Do not allow large numbers of old 
pods to hang, as they have a most weakening effect on the plants. If 
exhibition pods are required thin out freely, selecting and reserving the 
best shaped pods, and feed well at the roots. 
Cabbage.— About the middle of July is rightly considered the best 
time to make a first sowing of that excellent Cabbage, Ellam’s Dwarf 
bpring, and there are other varieties that also succeed well if sown thus 
early. It is not advisable to rely solely upon one sowing, the better 
plan being to divide the packets and sow again a fortnight or three 
weeks hence. The plants ought to be raised thinly so as to avoid any 
necessity for pricking out, and well in the open in order that they may 
be very sturdy. The ground should be got into a perfectly fine con¬ 
dition, and if at all dry a good overnight watering would greatly 
facilitate the work of forcing down the lumps. If shallow drills are 
opened 4 inches apart, gently moisten them and then sow the seed 
thinly, covering with fine soil. The plan of sowing broadcast has much 
to recommend it, but it is a mistake to a'.tempt raking in the seed. 
Instead of this sow the seed thinly on the surface of well moistened 
ground, and then lightly cover with sifted soil. Net over in order to keep 
birds away and protect the young plants from slugs and fleas by means 
of occasional dustings with soot and lime. 
Bndlve — That early sown is almost certain to run to seed prema¬ 
turely, but such is not often the case with the plants obtained by sowing 
early in July. By that time a good breadth of early Potatoes are lifted 
in most fairly warm districts. If a portion of the ground thus cleared 
can be devoted to Endive no better site can be found. Advantage ought 
to have been taken of a showery time to get the ground into a finely 
divided state, and the seed can then be sown at any time. Should the 
intended seed bed be hard, dry, and lumpy well water it overnight and 
it will crumble to pieces readily the next morning. A good form of 
Green Curled and the Broad-leaved Batavian are all the varieties that 
need be sown, the latter being the latest and much the best for winter 
use. Large seed beds are desirable, and then if a portion of the plants 
are left undisturbed these will be the firM ready for use. Sow thinly in 
drills 6 inches apart or broadcast, and cover with sifted soil. Any 
raised earlier ought to be lightly thinned out where at all crowded, and 
when large enough to transplant give a good watering if at all dry, and 
also well moisten the intended site prior to pulling out the plants. They 
will require to be frequently watered during dry hot weather, and it 
will much simplify matters to plant in rather wide drills. The Moss 
urled may be put out 6 inches apart each way, but the Green Curled 
forms should be arranged 9 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart. 
_.. * ,ate Pea s. —If newly saved seed or good old seed of either 
Vv illiam I., Chelsea Gem, William Hurst, or English Wonder is sown 
about the middle of July there is every likelihood of a few serviceable 
late dishes being had. Sometimes or in some gardens sowings made as 
late as the end of July pay well for the trouble taken with them, and 
in warm localities Omega, sturdy and other late varieties sown at the 
present time do good service. Sow the dwarf varieties mentioned on 
n warm border in rows 18 inches apart or on the Celery ridges, and 
they can be readily protected from early frosts, frequently succeeding 
surprisingly well. 
PLANT HOUSES. 
Crotons.— Pot all free-growing plants that are well furnished at the 
base into 7 and 8-inch pots, or even into larger if plants in these sizes 
can be employed for furnishing. Plants that have become too tall may 
have their heads re-rooted, so that well coloured side shoots will be pro¬ 
duced for striking later in the season. Where quantities of decorative 
plants with ornamental foliage are needed in rooms during the winter 
months too many Crotons in various sizes cannot well be produced. We 
have always a good stock of highly coloured plants in 2 and 3-inch pots, 
which are most useful for association with Ferns, Mosses, and other 
dwarf growing plants. Do not shade the plants, but expose them fully 
to the sun, so that their rich colours can be developed. Syringe them 
liberally, and close the house early in the afternoon. Give a little 
artificial manure to the surface of those that it is necessary to keep in 
certain sizes when they are full of roots. 
Dracaenas. —Where plants are becoming too large and have lost 
their lower leaves the stems may be cut and mossed. In a close moist 
atmosphere they throw out roots quickly, and may be taken off with 
good balls, and placed at once in 6 and 7-inch pots, according to the 
variety. If placed in the shade for a fortnight good well-furnished 
plants are again produced. Where narrow leaved kinds are appreciated 
for table decoration superba is one of the best. To have really good 
plants those raised from portions of the stem need to be grown strongly 
and the top re-rooted before plants can be had in their best condition. 
The same remark applies to Guilfoylei, and when well grown it is a very 
handsome table plant. To colour these plants highly they must be 
exposed to plenty of light, but this must not be overdone, or their 
foliage becomes too highly coloured, and is liable to go bad at the points. 
Young stock raised from portions of stem this spring and well established 
in 3 and 4-inch pots should be placed into larger ones. It is a great 
mistake to allow plants that it is intended to grow on to become root- 
bound before they are repotted. Plants checked by this cause seldom 
do any good afterwards. These plants need careful watering for a time 
after potting until they are rooting freely in the new soil. The same 
treatment should be given to green varieties that can be grown in a 
lower temperature ; but if well-developed plants are needed as soon as 
possible they may be grown in heat during their early stages, or until 
they are large enough for the purpose for which they are required. 
Dracaenas do well in equal parts of fibry loam and leaf mould, with one- 
seventh of manure and a liberal quantity of coarse sand. Peat may be 
substituted for the leaf mould if plentiful. 
Zxoras. —Plants that have flowered may have their shoots slightly 
shortened back. Well shorten those that have failed to flower. The 
plants should be thoroughly cleaned if they need it, and then started 
again into growth in brisk heat. They will come into flower again, and 
be useful towards autumn. Shoots that have not flowered may be 
inserted in small pots, and rooted in brisk heat in the propagating 
frame. These will make useful plants for flowering early next year in 
4 and 5-inch pots. 
iUlamandas —Plants growing in pots will have filled them with 
roots by this time. If they are to continue producing the largest size 
flowers a liberal top-dressing of manure must be given them, the roots 
will soon take full possession of it. Liquid manure may also be given 
in a weak state every time the plants need water. Do not allow them 
to become dry ; the object should be to keep them growing, then they 
will continue to flower. Do not shade the plants, but grow them fully 
exposed to the sun. The reason these plants make vigorous growth, and 
often fail to flower profusely, is due to overshading. 
Stephanotls floribunda. —Plants that have been trained upon 
trellises and have done flowering should be taken off and cleaned. If they 
are to flower well another year train the growths under the roof of a light 
house, where they will be fully exposed to the sun, and where air can be 
given freely until September. In this position the wood will become 
thoroughly ripened, and the plants will flower well another year. If 
kept closely trained upon trellises the whole season the wood has but a 
poor chance of being well ripened. Plants that are growing freely may 
have weak stimulants every time water is needed if the pots in which 
they are growing are full of roots. If mealy bug exists upon the plants 
syringe them occasionally with petroleum and water, 3 ozs. of oil to four 
gallons of water. Shade for a few days afterwards until the oil has 
been evaporated. 
Clerodendron fallax.— Plants raised from seed and well estab¬ 
lished in small pots may be placed into 5 and 6-inch. Once they are 
fairly established in these pots and have been gradually hardened they 
will do in cold frames, providing they are kept close and closed early 
in the afternoon, so as to run up the temperature. 
.Asparagus plumosus. —Young plants raised from cuttings and 
well established in thumbs may be placed into 4-inch pots. In this size 
they will make bushy little plants. Those in 4-inch pots may be placed 
into 6-inch. This variety in small pots is very useful for decoration, 
especially for grouping with other plants in large conservatories. 
Fittonias. —A good stock of these may be raised in small pots. They 
are useful during the winter. When once they are rooted they will 
grow freely under the shade of Crotons, Dracaenas, and other plants 
where it is warm and moist. 
Fanlcum varlegatum. —Well furnished plants in 4 and 5-inch pots 
are always useful where furnishing is carried out on a large scale. A 
number of pots should be made up at once by inserting cuttings thickly 
into the sizes;required. They root readily in any warm, moist, shady 
place. 
TRADE CATALOGUE RECEIVED. 
Messrs. Dammann & Co., San Giovanne a Teduccio, near Naples, 
Italy.— Bulbs , Roots, and Orchids. 
