13i 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ February 16,1688. 
beating will do wonders ; but work of this kind needs to be done expe¬ 
ditiously, and at a time when it will give the turf a chance, as when it 
is done late, or after the grass begins to grow, there is danger of its not 
being equal with the rest, or watering must be resorted to. Do not 
employ rich soil : it will cause the grass to grow rankly, and mar the 
appearance, both before and after cutting, for a long time. 
Mossy and Patchy Lawns. —If there be much moss, scratch it 
off, or as much as possible, with an iron rake. Treat the places bare 
of grass similarly. Those that have the grass worn off should be pointed 
or lightened with a fork, applying a dressing of quicklime and wood 
ashes in equal parts, at the rate of half a bushel per rock Failing those, 
apply a pound each nitrate of soda and muriate of potash. This should 
be done by March, or better, by the middle of February, and in a fort¬ 
night follow with a dressing of well decayed manure, that will work 
in. Leaf soil, or the rubbish heap material reduced to soil or passed 
through a f-inch sieve, will do. Five bushels per rod (six hundred per 
acre, about twenty tons) is a maximum quantity. Spread it evenly, rake 
with a hay rake every week, but not in very wet or dry weather. Early 
in April, with a prospect of rain, sow seed on the bare places with lawn 
grass se^s thickly, using discretion about the whole being seeded, and 
seek to make the whole even. Lake lightly, and roll it well down. 
Some may say they have no manure, but they can use 2 lbs. superphos¬ 
phate, and a peck of soot per rod just before sowing the seeds, and rake 
it well in. If the early mowings are with the scythe it will be an 
advantage; any way, it should not be cut quite so close in early summer 
as an established lawn in good or even fair condition. In sowing the 
seed on very bare places use half a pound per rod, and correspondingly 
less, according to the quantity of grass. 
Genebal Lawns. —The first attempt at improvement must be in 
the direction of cleanliness. It is useless expecting the lawn to give 
a crop of thick set velvety turf if the finer grasses have to contend 
with Daisies, Plantains, Dandelions, Docks, coarse grasses, &;c. Enough 
soil should be used over the lawn after grubbing up the weeds to make 
good all inequalities of surface, dressing with the back of a rake. If 
there be any moss, employ lime and wood ashes as before advised, but 
i 1 less proportion of lime by half : or if nitrate of soda and muriate of 
potash be used take half the quantity of the former, and follow with 
a dressing of short manure or compost, or soot and superphosphate, 
treating as before advised, also as regards seeding where the grass is 
thin. Whenever the turf is not quite satisfactory prompt measures 
should be instituted. An application of manurial matter may be given 
occasionally, short manure or rich compost every second or third year, 
or wood ashes and soot applied in February or as soon after as the 
weather permits, equal quantities at the rate of a peck per rod, which 
will keep down moss and encourage a sufficient quantity of grass, or 
if not another dressing of soot may be applied later, and always 
daring moist weather. A good rain will make all right as regards 
appearance and cleanliness. It may be mentioned that nothing does 
a lawn so much good as scratching it with an iron rake, and spreading 
the wormcasts, that being far tetter than making the surface im¬ 
pervious to air and rain by continual rolling in weather during w'hich 
there is no prospect of grass growing. 
There is benefit in other manures—^sul phate of ammonia, for instance, 
1 lb. per rod, and double the quantity of salt. Gypsum may also be 
mentioned, but it has the liability of encouraging too much Clover, 
which is objectionable on tennis grounds from keeping the turf wet in 
the autumn too long in the day, otherwise it is very useful on general 
lawns, and may be used at the rate of a ton per acre. For lasting and 
to encourage the finer grasses bonemeal at the rate of 20 bushels per 
acre is unrivalled, and I may conclude by stating that guano and the 
advertised manures so far as I have tried them are excellent, all of which 
should be applied in early spring in moist weather.—G. Abbey. 
BEGONIA ODORATA. 
This variety of Begonia is well suited for growing into neat 
little plants in small pots for winter flowering. The fragrance 
from its pure white flowers, which are borne in large trusses, is 
very agreeable. The details of culture are simple—indeed, anyone 
possessing a warm house during the winter and suitable convenience 
during the summer months can grow this Begonia to perfection by 
following the method of culture here described. 
Towards the end of the present or early next month take short 
stout cuttings about 4 inches long, insert them in sandy soil singly 
in small pots, or about four in a 3-inch pot. Plunge the pots in a 
gentle bottom heat in the. propagating house or under a handlight 
in the Cucumber or Melon house, where the temperature does not 
fall below 65°. When well rooted transfer the plants into pots 
one size larger, using soil two parts loam, one part peat, a dash of 
bone meal, and some sand. Place the plants on a shelf close to the 
glass, where the growth will be of a stocky short-jointed nature. 
When the plants are 6 inches high top them by pinching the point 
from each to induce side branches and suckers from the bottom, 
which make the strongest grow’th. When the pots are again filled 
with roots transfer into larger pots, 48 or 32 sizes being very useful 
where the plants are required for vases in the decoration of rooms 
Keep the plants on the shelf close to the glass during the summer, 
where the temperature does not fall below that indicated. Supply 
water to the roots freely, so that the foliage is retained in a healthy 
green state, alternating the supply with weak liquid manure when 
the pots are filled with roots. No more pinching will be needed, as 
from the first topping from three to six branches will be produced ; 
the numbers of each will guide the cultivator as to the size of pots 
required. One stake to each plant, fixed in the centre, to which 
each branch may be loosely looped, or one stake to each stem may 
be used at will. The stems are rather short and firm in them¬ 
selves, but a slight support may be of service to prevent accident. 
Moderate shade during the hottest part of the day during the 
summer months will assist in preserving healthy foliage. Towards 
the middle of September the shade may be dispensed with alto¬ 
gether, as after that date what sun there is will aid in ripening 
the growths, and the plants will flower more freely. Directly after 
Christmas the plants will commence flowering, and will continue 
for two or three months, the plants reaching the height of from 
1 foot Cinches to 2 feet Cinches.—E. Moi.yneux. 
[With this communication came flowers of the Begonia named, 
which amply testified to the correctness of our correspondent’s 
remarks concerning its merits.] 
PRIMULAS AT PERRY HILL. 
Messrs. J. Carter & Co., High Holborn, have a most extensive 
display of Primulas in their Perry Hill nurseries at the present time, 
representing all the carefully proved old and new varieties sent out by 
this firm. Two span-roofed houses, each 100 feet in length, are devoted 
to the plants grown for seeil, and there are upwanis of 5000 plants 
flowering now that later on will yield a most valuable stock of seed, of 
which some pounds are required annually. The usefulness of Primula 
sinensis and its numerous varieties has teen] amply demonstrated in 
recent years, but few are aware of the continuous careful experiments 
needed to improve the “ strains,” or to keep good varieties true. Every 
day when the plants are in flower they are examined critically, and self 
or cross-fertilisation is assisted by a most tedious process. Primulas 
grown for seed-bearing, too, need some special knowledge of their 
peculiarities, as it is easy to have the plants so vigorous with coarse 
foliage that very few, or only imperfect seeds, will be produced. Sturdv, 
dwarf, yet well-developed plants are required, with bold substantial 
pure or highly coloured flowers, and these Messrs. Carter & Co. have 
evidently secured in their present season’s stock. 
Some of the principal varieties may be briefly noted, but all are good, 
and though novelties are eagerly sought nothing of an inferior character 
can be tolerated now. First on the list comes Holborn Blue, which has 
now been in cultivation si.x or seven years, and distinct as was the colour 
when first seen, it has been steadily improved since, a marked advance 
having been made in one selection this year. This is several shades 
darker than the original, one with well formed single flowers and round 
leaves. Near to this is Double Crimson, a fine acquisition of a rich dark 
crimson shade, the flowers having a little tuft of petals in the centre. 
Next to this is a grand single white with dark coloured Fern leaves, the 
flowers are of great substance and quite pure. Holborn Vermilion, a 
brilliantly coloured single variety, of compact habit, with dark stems. 
Holborn White Improved is a useful single variety with massive flowers 
in fine trusses, ■well above the plain green leaves, but there is also a 
selection from it with Fern leaves. This is a free and good constitu- 
tioned Primula for decorative purposes. Prince of . Wales has double 
salmon-tinted flowers borne in large trusses, the leaf found, and the 
habit dwarf. Holborn Ruby is one of the graceful Fern-leaf type, wit h 
flowers of a soft pleasing colour. Holborn Fawn is Very distinct, the 
flowers neat, tint^ rosy fawn, with a lace-like white iedge. Holborn 
Carmine is a strong growing variety, with round leaves and large bright 
flowers. Holborn Elaine is a Fern-leaf variety, with dark stems and 
handsome flowers. Holborn Magenta is an intensely deep crimson 
magenta single Primula, the flowers of great size in good trusses. 
It contrasts well with the white vari-ties. Holborn Salmon has deli¬ 
cately tinted flowers, and is of compact sturdy habit. Snowflake is a 
charming double white variety, faintly flush tinted, very free and ad¬ 
mirable for cutting. Holborn Gold Leaf is a curiosity, with yellow 
foliage and pale pink flowers, very delicate. Holborn Pearl is one of 
the Fern-leaf type, with dark stems and delicately tinted flowers of fine 
shape and substance. Holborn Venus is distinct and pretty, the flowers 
of moderate size but good shape, dotted and streaked with pink on a 
white ground. 
To produce these plants the seed is sown in June and July, so as to- 
have a succession. Tue seedlings are first pricked out in boxes, then 
potted singly in “ thumbs,” and finally transferred into 48’s, in which 
they flower. A compost which gives much satisfaction is formed of 
four barrowloads of yellow loam, two of old manure, and one of leaf 
mould with river sand. Owing to the artificial fertilisation resorted to 
the flowers do not remain long upon the plants after they are sufficiently 
expanded, but there is a succession which will maintain a display for 
some time yet.—X. 
STOVE PLANTS. 
The Acanthaceous genus Dipteracanthus includes a number of 
beautiful plants, natives of tropical South America, and useful for the- 
decoration of stoves and warm conservatories in winter. 
