September 15, 1887. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
223 
They drooped at night, and were equally flaccid in the morning, 
faking them altogether they have been failures. Hardy flowers as 
a class do not stand the heat, and those who have nothing better to 
depend upon in a season like this will have had but a sorry display, 
bulbous species have been the most satisfactory. Alstroemerias 
some -Lilies Gladiolus species, Tigridias, Hyacinthus candicans, &c 
ave never been better. The hybrid Gladiolus have also been ex¬ 
ceptionally fane. Last year only six small spikes could be gathered 
the second week in September. This year they have been abundant 
afl through August, several plants running up to 6 and 7 feet in 
freight, and as a matter of course the spikes were proportionately 
hue i hese, however, have been watered occasionally. Roses were 
good whilst they lasted, but were remarkably soon over ; some- 
thing like the Strawberries in that respect. Dahlias, on the other 
hand, have grown with great rapidity and flowered most profusely. 
-tlolJyhocks have not been so good. Asters plainly appreciate 
plenty of sunshine, being much better than usual. Sunflowers also 
have enjoyed the drought. Pentstemons, even a few that were 
watered, are not so good as usual. Antirrhinums also poorer than 
usua . Pinks and Carnations, though not so large, have done re¬ 
markably well, very few losses having occurred, an experience 
quite novel here. We lifted the layers a fortnight ago, and shall 
expect a strong bloom next year. We are growing some hundreds 
or early Chrysanthemums on the mixed borders, and these have 
come out of the ordeal splendidly. The plants flagged best seem 
none the worse, and are now quite bright and effective. Single 
zinnias have thriven amazingly—most lovely flowers these—and so 
have Salpiglossis, also beautiful, though in some seasons neither so 
well. 
,, more strictly bedding plants nothing could be better 
an the common Paris Daisy. The [ lants are dwarf and one sheet 
<*7**». Alternantheras have also been specially high coloured 
and fa tier than usual. Zonal Pelargoniums have, as a matter of 
course, been masses of flowers, Henry Jacoby being in particular 
very rich. The old Christine, planted with a yellow Violas in- 
ermixed. is most soft and pleasing. Some of the variegated kinds 
have not been quite so effective as usual, the drought beino- 
seemingly inimical to fine foliage. Violas have done wonderfully 
well plenty of water and no seed pods allowed to form being the 
c let mean ® °f keeping these fine. Calceolarias are not quite so°good 
as usual. Lobelias, with exception of Wave of Blue, not so good. 
Ageratums, Tropteolums, and double Ivy-leaf Pelargoniums all very 
-Begonias poor. The one great drawback to the effectiveness 
ot the flower garden has been the paucity of green. The grass in 
the parks has been quite browned, and portions of the lawn even 
worse, so that the great foil to high colouring has been this season 
wanting in some degree. However, recent showers are changing 
ail that, and with a fairly good autumn we shall have a lengthened 
season of flowers. Cuttings are slightly smaller this year, and we 
have been fully a fortnight later in securing them ; but by striking 
em under glass we shall make them larger before winter, and hope 
to lose nothing of consequence through the very great heat.—B. 
NOTES ON THE CULTIVATION OF 
ASPARAGUS. 
Since taking the charge of these gardens I have been fortunate 
an producing some extra fine Asparagus. A few notes on the culti¬ 
vation of that esteemed vegetable as practised here may prove of 
sen ice to beginners, especially to those whose employers are parti¬ 
cularly fond of it and like large heads. As soon as sufficiently ripe, 
we cut off all the matured stems and hoe the surface of the beds as 
deep as we can without injury to the roots, clearing off all the 
weeds and refuse. As winter approaches the beds are well mulched 
with decayed cow manure, say from 3 to 4 inches in depth, which 
should be short, as if not it prevents the heads pushing through the 
surface, often causing them to turn again into the soil. We then 
a ^ e y s between the beds with a fork, for if done with 
the spade the roots from the outer rows are very liable to be cut, 
thereby causing damage to the plants. About the middle of March 
we stretch a line by the edge of the beds, straighten them with a 
spade after the surface has been levelled ; if not in this condition 
we draw some of the manure into the hollows, and lightly cover 
the beds with soil from the alleys. Care should be taken not to 
allow the beds to rise over G inches above the ground level. This 
may be prevented in autumn by drawing some of the top soil into 
the alleys before covering with manure. Beds that are raised con¬ 
siderably above the level are very liable to suffer by drought, espe¬ 
cially during a hot dry season such as we have experienced this 
year, unless the sides of the alleys are mulched. It maybe necessary 
to raise the beds higher in low localities where the soil is heavy, 
■net, and cold. We then give the beds a good dressing of common 
garden salt, covering them with it. This we consider a great help 
to the production of good large heads, keeping the beds all the 
season free from weeds—an important matter, and one that is too 
often the cause of failure in growing good Asparagus. When the 
beds are covered with weeds all the growing season the young heads 
draw up weakly, and the beds are robbed of their fertility to a large 
extent Our soil is of a light sandy nature, and this I believe to be 
what Asparagus likes, wfaen liberally supplied with manure and 
well attended in other respects. 
When I first took charge of these gardens the practice was to 
S r °VA Asparagus rows on the flat, which I considered was not 
the best mode and therefore resolved to make them into beds. 
1 ms has proved to be a better method, for the results have been 
satisfactory, and my employer informs me that the Asparagus this 
season is not only the finest, but the best flavoured he has ever 
had. 1 he beds should be made about 3 feet 6 inches wide, planting 
three rows 1 foot apart, and the same distance, or a little more 
between each plant in the rows, and about 4 inches deep. The 
outside rows are therefore 9 inches from the edge of the bed At 
each end we drive in a stout stake as a future guide, leaving the 
alleys 1 foot or 15 inches wide. We never water good establfshed 
beds, and our plants have stood the drought of this season without 
showing the least signs of distress ; in fact, I believe the “ grass ” 
to be stronger and better than it was last year. 
We planted some one-year-old plants at the end of April, 188G 
(which were procured by Mr. Dick during his stay in France) on 
an old bed from which the plants were lifted for early forcing. 
I he ground was well trenched, with a large quantity of decayed 
cow manure added to it. We then dug the trenches the same 
distance and depth as recommended, every care being taken to 
spread out the roots. After covering, they were well watered, and 
kept moist during the growing season. They made very good 
pi ogress, and this season the growth has been surprising, some 
very fine heads bajng produced. To next season we look forward 
hopefully, for we anticipate as fine, if not finer, heads than we 
have been able lo cut this year. Great care should be taken in 
cutting the heads. I prefer an ordinary pruning knife well 
sharpened. The soil should be moved lightly from the heads, and 
then cut in a slanting direction downwards until the head is loose. 
We cut close until about the middle of June, then only the best 
heads, discontinuing it as soon a? we can procure Peas in sufficient 
quantity to take the place of Asparagus. 
I trust these few notes (my first) may prove beneficial to youn<r 
gardeners who may have taken the charge of beds in a state of 
decline, or are not in that vigorous condition that may be desired, 
as well as to those who may anticipate preparing ground to replace 
beds that are practically worn out.—P. T. D. 
[We trust these “ first ” useful notes will not be the last we shal 
have from our able correspondent.] 
DENDROCHILUM FILIFORME. 
At the recent flower show held at Ewell, Mr. D. Whiteman, 
gardener to A. W. Gadesden, Esq., Ewell Castle, was awarded first 
prize for a beautiful collection of plants in a class for the best 
group arranged for effect. In the centre was a fine specimen of 
Dendrochilum filiforme, with exactly 100 drooping spikes of 
yellow flowers, each measuring about 18 inches from the top of 
the pseudo-bulb. The plant is growing in a 24-size pot, and the 
material used is peat and sphagnum mixed together, and plenty of 
drainage. It has been grown in the warm house, but for a month 
previous to being exhibited it was in bloom in the conservatory. 
Few Orchid blooms have lasted fresh so long a time during the hot 
months of July and August. 
CALANTHES. 
These are also well grown by Mr. Whiteman. He has about a 
hundred plants growing in 32-sized pots in a stove close to the 
glass, but shaded from the bright sunshine. The leaves are a deep 
green colour, and many of the bulbs of C. Yeitchi exceed a foot 
in length ; others suspended from the roof of the East Indian house 
are even larger, and there will no doubt be a grand display of 
blooms at a time when most valued. The compost consists of 
peat, fibrous loam, cow dung, crocks, charcoal, and a sprinkling of 
coarse silver sand. 
