22 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
i 
F Jury 12 , 26961- 
flowers are produced in profusion over the whole space. Annually 
it flowers in the same manner, thus rendering what otherwise 
might be a dull spot particularly showy. I find a mixture of loam, 
peat, and manure suits these plants, and copious supplies of liquid 
manure at the time when growth is being made adds much to 
their future flowering propensities. All this would be of little avail 
if pruning the shoots was not carried out in a manner agreeable to 
the section to which this variety belongs—viz., the C. patens spring¬ 
flowering type. The C. Jackmanni type, for instance, require close 
pruning, but in this instance a mere shortening of the points is all 
that is needed ; but in our case the wall is much higher, therefore 
we do not prune at all. The points are damaged by strong winds, 
which answers the p irpose of pruning. 
Silver Hollies.— At this season of the year not the least 
effective shrubs are Silver Hollies. When new growth is being 
made the young leaves assume a bronzy hue, which in contrast with 
the silver foliage of the older leaves is very striking either at a 
distance or for close inspection to those who admire the different 
tints the foliage of various trees an-d shrubs bear at a time when 
new growth is being made. A close annual pruning of Silver 
Hollies renders the effect named more striking. 
Fabiana imbricata.— A desirable plant to cultivate for the 
hardy Heath bed, although it grows strongly when the conditions 
are favourable—open position to the sun, sheltered from north and 
east winds. It delights in good fibrous peat, does not grow in a 
straggling loose manner, but preserves an upright compact growth. 
It never fails to flower profusely during June, and lasts a long time 
in good condition. Its free flowering character is thoroughly 
exemplified by some young plants which were raised from cuttings 
in a cold frame last September, and are now covered with flowers. 
A stock of plants is easily obtained in the above manner. As the 
plant has an upright habit of growth, to secure a bushy plant the 
leading shoots should be topped while in a young state the first 
season, the same treatment being adopted for the first two or three 
years. I lately saw a very fine specimen, which was planted out 
under a verandah with a glass roof facing south. Growth was 
freely made ; it was covered with the largest pure white blossoms I 
have yet seen. A thorough ripening of the previous year’s wood 
no doubt assisted the flowering. 
Gladiolus Colvilli. —The varieties of the above are uieful 
plants to grow for early indoor supply of flowers. The snowy white 
variety, The Bride, is as choice a flower as it is possible to have at 
this time of the year. Cardinalis, when a little colouring is wanted to 
associate with the former, is one of the best. So simple in cultiva¬ 
tion are these varieties that they ought to be more generally 
grown in private gardens. We succeed with them by placing three 
or four corms in a 48-sized pot, using sandy loam with some 
decayed manure added. About the middle of October this is done, 
placing the pots on a shelf in the greenhouse, which is kept cool. 
Scarcely any water is given for a time beyond keeping the soil 
moist until growth is well started, when water is freely supplied, 
alternating the supply with tepid liquid manure. Here the plants 
remain until they are in flower. For the decoration of rooms in 
the house they are equally as well suited as they are in a cut state 
for filling vases. 
Dogwood. —The common Dogwood is most useful when planted 
under the shade of overhanging boughs of large forest trees, and 
there are few really good shrubs suitable for planting in such a 
position. It is now densely clothed with deep green foliage, sur¬ 
mounted by its white flowers looking quite cheerful. During the 
winter, when leafless, Dogwood makes a bright show, the bark of 
its branches having quite the colour to effect this—a warm reddish 
tinge. Indeed any plant that will flourish under the shade of trees, 
no matter how common, ought to be encouraged. 
Deutzia gracilis in the Shrubbery. — In the South of 
England this Deutzia makes a good shrubbery plant, remaining for 
many years in a comparatively dwarf state. It grows bushy and 
dense, never failing to form an abundance of flower buds, which 
sometimes are much injured by late spring frosts before they have 
time to develope. When in flower it is a showy plant. The 
flowers last a long time, the rain seeming not to injure them in the 
least. As the plant can be had at so low a price it does seem 
strange that more of it is not seen in the shrubberies even in the 
South of England. Perhaps its scarcity is owing to an imperfect 
knowledge of its adaptability for the open borders. 
Allium Moly. —For planting in the mixed shrubbery where 
space between the shrubs and trees will not admit of tall-growing 
herbaceous plants, and which places require brightening, this 
Allium is excellent. It grows luxuriantly in almost any kind of 
soil ; particularly is this so in strong soil approaching closely to claj’. 
It throws up numerous flower spikes, which develope showy bright 
yellow umbel-shaped flowers. The disagreeable odour emitted 
from this plant when the leaves are disturbed is the most objection¬ 
able part in connection with this Allium. 
Viburnum Opulus. — I have never seen the Guelder Roses 
flowering so freely and so finely as they are doing this year., 
which is owing somewhat to the thoroughly ripened wood last 
season consequent on such a hot summer as that experienced. It 
thrives and flowers freely in stiff retentive soil, producing large- 
heads of bloom, while the foliage is dense green. When in a small 
state three or four plants massed together in the mixed shrubbery- 
are most effective, as well as useful for cutting where white flowers 
are in much request. 
Piiacelia campanularia.— This annual is in fine condition- 
now, flowering so freely and early as it does. Its deep Gentian¬ 
like blue is at once attractive, and it is a pity that it does not last 
the whole season, when it might be made to do duty as a summer 
bedder. The best method is to sow the seeds in the spring wlierfr 
the plants are to remain in preference to sowing them under glass, 
as the roots are so fine and shyly produced that transplanting 
causes a check from which it takes a long time to recover, parti¬ 
cularly if the weather be at all hot and dry, or even if too cold at 
the time of planting. 
Xiphium vulgare.— At the present time this is a showy plant 
for the herbaceous border, its bright purple flowers freely produced 
present an attractive appearance. No special preparation is needed 
to grow this Iris. Ordinary garden soil with some manure added! 
is all that is required. The flowers are produced on long spikes,, 
rendering it all the more valuable for cutting when required to mix: 
with other flowers in vases. A stock of plants is readily obtained' 
by dividing the roots where the plant grows strongly. A capital 
companion to the above is Iris pallida. Being a strong grower it 
throws up stout spikes which produce numbers of pale blue flowers- 
when the soil in which it grows is moderately rich. This Iris is. 
very showy for the mixed border. 
Cercis siliquastrum (The Judas Tree).—It is only in a few 
gardens that this tree is met with. Flowering early as it does in- 
May before the foliage is expanded renders it the more remarkable.. 
The peculiar manner in which its flowers spring from the main 
stem, quite close down to the ground in some instances, adds much 
to its odd appearance. It is very showy when bearing its bright 
purple flowers, and the leaves which appear afterwards assume a 
deep green tint. When planted in the mixed shrubbery, except in 
most favoured localities and positions, the annual growth is not- 
rapid. A south wall suits it best.—E. M. S. 
CHOPS THAT PAY. 
BRUSSELS SPROUrS. 
During a conversation with a friend a short time ago I tried! 
to induce him to grow Brussels Sprouts as well as early Potatoes 
on the acre of land that surrounds his house, planting the Brussels 
Sprouts 3 feet apart, and the Potatoes between the rows 18 inches- 
from plant to plant. All my efforts were fruitless, for he con¬ 
tended the early Potatoes were his best paying crop, and Sprouts 
did not pay to grow. “ Believe me,” he said, “ they take more 
out of the ground than they are worth. I have decided to grow 
only what I want for my own eating.” Turning to a small plot of 
ground on which were scattered small Turnips, evidently to be dug 
in, my fiiend remarked, “I sowed Turnips after the Potatoes were- 
dug, and they have paid me ten times better than Brussels Sprouts 
would have done. Everybody’s Turnips failed but mine ; I could' 
have sold as many more, and I am sorry I did not sow the seed I 
have in the house. Why,” he went on, never giving me the chance- 
to speak, “ I know the Potatoes to a row where Sprouts have 
been grown ; you would be surprised if I showed you the differ¬ 
ence.” He forgot I was a Brussels Sprouts grower, and he wound 
up by saying, “ I will have no more of them, not more than a row 
or so.” It was then my turn. “ Are these the only reasons you; 
have for not growing them ? ” “ No,” he replied, “ you can get 
nothing for them when they are grown. I can make more out of 
them by selling the plants at 2d. a score.” This certainly seemed 
conclusive, but I was, and am, still firmly convinced that they are- 
the most profitable crop that can be grown. Land planted exclu¬ 
sively with them will yield a better return than Potatoes will in 
most seasons. They certainly take a good deal more out of the- 
s oil, but if well and properly managed they pay for this and then 
leave a balance in their favour. Such, however,, has been my 
experience, and if this was not the case I should not have nearly- 
trebled the amount of land under this crop. The reason they do 
not pay my friend is because he is at too great a distance from a 
good market. Unfortunately for him, produce for miles round 
is rushed into moderate sized towns, and the consequence is the 
market is “ glutted,” and sometimes the returns do not cover the 
carriage. After all, my friend had grown a few last year and 
realised 8d. a stone for them, out of which he had to pay 2d. for 
carriage and commission, so that his returns were 6d. a stone clear. 
