April 11, 1895. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTUhE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
317 
such varieties as Earl Beaconsfield, Marchioness of Exeter, Sutton’s 
Double Scarlet, and Improved Carmine are equal to any of the 
singles. 
The best way to increase the true double varieties is by division or 
cuttings. After the old plants have flowered they may be taken out of 
the pots and split up into single crowns, each with a few roots. Crock 
some Ij-inch pots, using loam, leaf mould, sand, and charcoal. Insert 
the cuttings level with the bottom leaves, plunging the pots either in a 
propagating case or standing them in a shady position in a warm house, 
using water sparingly until rooted. Another way is to remove some of 
the lower leaves from the old plants and cover the surface of the soil 
with sphagnum moss, which if kept moist will soon induce roots to 
form. They may then be severed, placed in small pots, and kept 
growing. As the pots become filled with roots remove to larger sizes 
until a limit of 6 or 7 inches is reached. The soil for the later pottings 
should have more loam, with a fair proportion of bonemeal or decayed 
horse manure added. About the end of May or June remove to a cool 
frame, watering thrice a week with weak liquid manure. Here the 
growth becomes solidified, and the plants readily respond to the warmth 
in the autumn. 
The semi-doubles may be raised from seeds sown now and grown 
quickly, treating the young plants as advised for cuttings. The object 
of early sowing is to have them well established in their flowering pots 
before the hot weather comes. The varieties which have done good 
service for us during the severe weather lately experienced are Earl 
Beaconsfield, Marchioness of Exeter, Sutton’s Double White, Improved 
Carmine, Kose and Scarlet.—R. P. R, 
Primulas Planted Out. 
The system of planting Chinese Primulas is one that is not usually 
carried out in many gardens, but where extra large plants are required, 
either for exhibition, home decoration, or other purposes, I can strongly 
recommend it. During the present season we have had superb specimen 
plants 2 feet through, and from 15 to 18 inches above the pots. 
Perhaps a few details concerning the treatment given may be of interest 
and use to readers. 
The seeds were sown in the usual manner during the latter part of 
February, and the plants when large enough were pricked off into pans, 
allowing room to place a piece of glass over them, and removed to 
a shelf in the intermediate house. As soon as they were large enough 
they were transferred to 3-inch pots, and kept at this period in a 
cold frame. Instead of placing them in their flowering pots in the 
usual manner early in June, they were planted out in cool pits, the soil 
used consisting of rough turfy loam, leaf soil, and decayed cow manure, 
with a liberal addition of mortar rubble and road grit. 
The plants were ready for lifting by the second week in September, 
an operation that requires to be carefully done in order to insure the 
least possible check being given. For this potting 7J-inch pots were 
used, taking care to have them well drained. After potting they were 
placed in cold pits, kept close and shaded from the sun until they had 
recovered, and were then given the usual treatment to Primulas grown 
in the ordinary way. By November they were of the dimensions given 
above, well-flowered with blooms that more than covered a 53. piece. 
We have some double varieties in flower at the present time in pots of the 
size given above one mass of bloom, treated in the same manner, and 
anyone who has not tried planting out will, I am sure, be amply satisfied 
with the results that will be achieved after giving this method a fair 
trial.— Foreman. 
AMARYLLISES AT CHELSEA. 
Amongst the many pleasures that come to horticulturists with the 
spring, one of the most highly appreciated is that afforded by a visit to 
the Amaryllis house of the celebrated Chelsea Nursery of Messrs. J. 
Veitch & Sons. Here, arranged in the central bed of a large span-roof 
structure, one may see a sight not likely to be quickly forgotten. There 
are hundreds of plants varying in age from two to ten years, all carry¬ 
ing blooms, some of the oldest having two spikes each of three or 
four blooms ; while the juniors have mainly but one flower spike, and 
with seldom more than two or three flowers. Though one may visit the 
collection year after year it ever comes with freshness, and is viewed 
with never diminishing interest and pleasure. Each year one concludes 
that perfection has been arrived at, only at the succeeding to see a 
variety such as has not before been observed. It may be the improve¬ 
ment is in colouration, or again it may be in form ; but there it is, to be 
seen and admired by any who like to go. 
This season is in no respect inferior to its forerunners. There are 
the novelties, each with some good point and some with many, and 
also the old varieties that we have seen in the past, and which are so 
good that we can but hope that we shall see them again in the future. 
It is impossible to predict what another year may bring us, but we may 
rest assured that Mr. Heal, the clever grower and hybridist, will do his 
utmost to place something on show that will worthily uphold the credit 
of the house he so well represents. His energy is extraordinary, and he 
has probably done as much or more than any other man for the advance¬ 
ment of Amaryllis, not alone in quality, but also in popular favour. It 
is not many years since it was the exception to find any of the better 
forms of these plants in private gardens, whereas now it is the rule, as but 
few establishments are without, at any rate, a few. This is as it should 
be, for the vast majority of the sorts now cultivated are exceedingly 
handsome, and are undoubtedly worthy of being even more extended 
than is the case at present. Their beauty is of the stately order, and 
finds many admirers. Another point in the favour of Amaryllis is that 
they are fairly easy to grow. Of course prices vary considerably, 
ranging from a few shillings the dozen up to several pounds the bulb, 
but in this respect varieties may be had to meet most purses. 
Let us walk round the house and name a few of the most striking 
forms that are at present in bloom, taking form and colouration as 
standards and ignoring the question of price entirely. The first to claim 
attention is one that received a first-class certificate at a recent meeting 
of the Royal Horticultural Society : it is called Gorgeous, and is cer¬ 
tainly well named, for the rich crimson-scarlet, handsomely formed' 
blooms are very bright and showy. The recognition accorded by the 
Society was well merited, as it is one of the best of the current year’s 
novelties. This is the first time it has flowered, and the exceptionally 
rich colour should insure it a place in good collections for some years to 
come. In direct contrast as regards colour is a variety named Cupid. 
It is quite distinct from any other, and is certain to receive a goodly 
share of admiration, as it is so chastely beautiful. The ground colour 
is white, veined and netted bright rose, while down the centre of each 
segment there is a band of white, very faintly tinged with green at the- 
base. Not only is the colour good, but the form and substance leaves- 
little to be desired. Another variety somewhat in the same style is 
Ham, which is pure white striped with rose. The flowers, though 
perhaps somewhat small, are very charming, and as the bulb is a young: 
one may be considerably better next season. 
One of the largest is Guthrie, with singularly bright crimson flowers,, 
which if not perfect in form are still very handsome. Paulina has a 
delicate beauty such as usually proves attractive, more especially 
perhaps to the ladies. The upper segments of the flower, which 
is of medium size, are bright rose, and the lower, salmon 
rose centred with white. A flower of great substance and beauty 
has been designated Bandon. The shade is bright rose mark¬ 
ings on a white ground, also the same colours being observable 
in Ch^mere, but the latter is of distinctly better form. Cawdor, a 
deep orange-scarlet-hued kind, of splendid shape and substance, is likely 
to secure a number of admirers, as also is the more chaste but not 
more charming Armoire, which is white beautifully flushed bright rose- 
Amongst the older varieties Perle is one of the most popular, the flowers 
being of a peculiarly atttractive colour. Size, too, is found in this- 
variety, which has white as a ground colour, with crimson markings. 
One of the most beautiful of the deeper hued forms is Dulas, which is 
rich velvety-crimson suffused with purple, forming a most pleasing 
combination. 
From a decorative point of view Marlay is one of the best, for it 
combines floriferousness with a good habit and showy bright scarlet 
coloured blooms. The hue of Finedon is orange-red, the segment being 
of great size and substance, the upper one on being measured showing 
a width of 4 inches, Philomel is singularly beautiful, though the 
individual flowers are somewhat small, but as the bulb is only two 
years old there is every likelihood of marked improvement in this 
respect next season. This colouration of the flower is peculiar, inas¬ 
much as the upper part is bright rose, while the lower is clear salmon- 
rose, the base of the flower being white, this shade also being perceptible- 
throughout the whole of the bloom. 
Many other varieties of equal merit could be mentioned did space 
permit, but these must suffice. Let those who are interested in this 
handsome class of plants pay a visit to Chelsea, and judge for them¬ 
selves which are the best, and which appeal most forcibly to their 
individual tastes.— Scrutator. 
HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 
Amongst herbaceous plants we find many that will supply us with 
flowers for cutting, this being a great consideration, for in most establish¬ 
ments cut flowers are in great demand. Another point in their favour 
is, the greater number being hardy, they require no house room during 
the winter months. Where summer bedding is practised on a large- 
scale much labour and care is required to keep the plants alive through 
the winter, and as soon as the new year comes in many must be- 
propagated to secure the required number. Much space that cannot 
well be spared is consequently requisite to protect these tender 
bedding plants until the time arrives for transferring them to their 
summer quarters. 
Herbaceous plants are generally grown in gardens in some form or 
another. One sometimes sees them planted in odd corners ; but the better- 
plan is to have them arranged in a systematic manner, so that they may 
be ornamental as well as useful. Perhaps I ought to say here that 
in writing these notes I wish to advocate the cultivation of these 
plants in the kitchen garden, though my remarks may apply equally 
to the flower garden proper. A well arranged border on each side of a. 
walk running through the centre of the garden is a great improvement 
in its appearance and one that is often met with. If many tall plants 
are used the shelter of a west wall is of great service by protecting them 
from the strong autumnal winds. A convenient arrangement, if some¬ 
what formal, is to plant in lines, having the tallest at the back, and a 
border 7 or 8 feet wide will require three rows of plants, 
A list of suitable plants may be a guide to some, and will include 
Lilies and other bulbous plants, these giving a brilliancy of colouring 
not found amongst herbaceous plants proper. For the back row plants 
of not less than 3 feet in height should be used. These are Spiraea 
