August 6, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
Ill 
- The Scientific Committee and Strawberry Beetles. 
—An entomologist writes : — “I note that at the meeting of the 
Scientific Committee of the R.H.S. as reported, some surprise or 
scepticism seems to have been excited by a statement as to beetles 
attacking Strawberries. It is now some years since the fact was fully 
set forth in the Journal of Horticulture that several species of the 
carnivorous ground beetles (I think we succeeded in identifying three) 
attack the Strawberry, though at first some doubt was felt as to whether 
the beetles were the real offenders. The report remarks that only hand¬ 
picking can be attempted as a remedy ; but correspondents have stated 
that quantities may be successfully trapped either by putting down 
boards and slates on the soil, or, better still, by drain pipes loosely filled 
with hay, into which they crowd during the day.” 
- Lychnis viscaria fl.-pl. has been affording a bright 
display on the rockery or at the front of the herbaceous borders, and 
its bright rose-magenta coloured flowers are especially attractive when 
produced in masses. We plant several together, which is better than 
■“dotting” the roots about singly. Although this Lychnis is hardy 
it is a good plan to divide old roots in the autumn, planting them 
in a cold frame in sandy soil, choosing small pieces with a root 
attached. By the early part of April well rooted plants will be avail¬ 
able, and which will commence flowering freely in June of the same 
year. 
- One of the best of the dwarf herbaceous Spiraeas of a dwarf 
habit is Spiraea filipendula fl.-pl. For the front of a border or 
in a position on the rockery not too exposed to drought this Dropwort 
is very showy. The flower spikes are freely produced ; not grow more 
than IS inches high under the best of treatment. The flowers are pure 
white, but in very hot dry weather they quickly assume a dingy colour. 
No variety in the whole of the Spiraea family increases so rapidly as 
this, as seedlings spring up in the border when once a plant has become 
■established. 
- Stenactis speciosus, or as it should perhaps be more pro¬ 
perly called Erigeron speciosus, is one of the most useful in cultivation) 
for the flowers last a long time on the plant as well as continuing to 
throw up fresh flowers, that a few roots will make a show in the 
borders for at least a couple of months, sometimes more. The ordinary 
type grows from 2 feet to 3 feet high, but another which was sent 
me grows only 18 inches high ; the flowers are smaller and a trifle 
■deeper in colour than the ordinary one, but on the whole is the better 
of the tw T o as a border plant. It is more compact, needs less support, but 
in a cut state I prefer the older sort, as the flowers make a finer display, 
■and although, being larger, they have a light appearance. Stenactis, 
like most other perennials, does not succeed nearly so well if allowed 
to remain in one place for several years ; it appears to lose vigour) 
■especially in the centre of the root, which is an indication that they 
need renewal. We divide some of the roots every year, pulling them 
into pieces, planting them in sandy soil in a cold frame at the end of 
September, where they remain until the following April, when they 
will be useful little tufts, and will throw up several spikes of bloom. 
The following year they will make handsome bushes, large enough for 
■anything. It is a mistake to have too large roots of such a perennial 
in a mixed border, as they entail so much labour in staking and never 
look so well. 
-The St. Bruno’s Lily (Anthericum liliastrum) has 
flowered better this year than I remember seeing it before. It is 
■charming for the mixed border. When strong clumps are obtained a 
wonderful profusion of flowers is produced. It delights in a strong 
soil, mixing a little sand and old potting soil with the natural soil at 
planting time. Our clumps have not been disturbed for five years, and 
they never fail to flower well, and the pure white flowers are appre¬ 
ciated. They look well in a tall vase when cut with long spikes. No 
■greenery shows them off better than their own grassy-like leaves of a 
.glaucous hue. 
- The Common Monkey Flower, Mimulus luteus, makes 
'bright patches of yellow in the borders just now. The growth varies 
•according to the treatment it receives and position in which it is 
planted. From 1 to 2 feet is the general height. Like all varieties of 
this family this is the better for dividing the roots annually ; fresh 
vigour is imparted in consequence. No plant that I know can be 
increased more rapidly, so numerous are the rhizome-like offsets sent 
■out from the base of an original plant. Every piece taken off with a 
root will quickly make a flowering plant. This plant is more often seen 
in cottage gardens than elsewhere.—E. 
- Saxifraga cymbalaria is a low-growing plant, suitable for 
the rockery, or even in clumps at the front of the herbaceous border. 
Among stones it may be grown to give a pleasing effect; the yellow 
flowers are freely produced. 
- Iris Comte de St. Clair is one of the best varieties in the 
section of Flag or Bearded Irises. The three standards are white and 
the three drooping falls deep violet, reticulated and margined white. It 
is certainly one of the best small flowered kinds for the herbaceous 
border, and ought to be grown in quantity. 
- Hardiness of Nicotiana affinis. — I was agreeably sur¬ 
prised to find that a number of old stools of this sweetly scented 
flowering Tobacco passed safely through the late severe winter uninjured. 
Several, and perhaps all of those not forked out of the borders last 
autumn, pushed up a number of shoots after the manner of various 
hardy herbaceous plants, and these, at the present time, are flowering 
beautifully. The same thing has happened elsewhere, but no one that 
I have discussed the matter with had previous to this season any idea 
that Nicotiana affinis is a hardy plant in the truest sense of the word. 
A few plants of it ought to be grown in every mixed border if only for 
its fragrance.—W. I. 
- Among the plants shown at the last meeting of the Royal 
Botanic Society was a museum specimen of one which had lately died in 
the Gardens—a victim to the late severe winter. This was one of several 
specimens of the East Indian or white Mangrove, Aviceunia nivea, sent 
to the Gardens by the late Duke of Buckingham when Governor of 
Madras. For some years past these plants had flourished amazingly, 
thanks to the near approximation to their natural condition attained by 
keeping them in a very wet state and watering only with sea water. 
Under these circumstances they threw up from the roots a number of 
offsets, or upright adventitious roots, of from 10 inches to 12 inches 
high, and half an inch thick. In a space of 2 feet square as many a3 
eighty appeared, looking like so many rakes standing up out of the 
water, and keeping as near as possible the same height above the surface. 
The only explanation so far has been that offered by the Secretary, Mr. 
Sowerby. In its native state the trees form a fringe along the sea-shore 
and estuaries of great tropical rivers, lining the banks with a dense and 
impenetrable mass of vegetation, pushing itself further and further into 
the river or sea, and leaving behind the dry land it has reclaimed. In 
such a position these curious rootlets must be an immense advantage to 
the plant, enabling it to retain all the debris washed to the sides, and at 
the same time preventing the soil between the roots from being carried 
away by floods, &c. The plants of this species now growing in the 
Gardens are the only ones alive in this country.—( Nature .) 
- Visit of the Horticultural Club to Crawley.—T he 
annual excursion of this Club took place on Wednesday, 29th ult., when 
Crawley and the neighbourhood were selected for a visit. The weather 
proved somewhat unfavourable, but the party, to the number of twenty- 
four, including several ladie3, alighted at Three Bridges Station, and 
drove through Crawley to the extensive nurseries of Messrs. J. Cheal 
and Sons, They were there received by the members of the firm and 
staff, and immediately commenced a tour of inspection through the 
grounds, and, as far as time would allow, examined the numerous 
subjects of interest in the various departments. Worth Park, the 
palatial residence of Mrs. Montefiore, was next visited, the party being 
received by Mr. Glen, the gardener, and conducted through the gardens 
and grounds. The terraces and Italian gardens adjoining the mansion 
were next inspected, and a tour of the park was commenced, and the 
party were led by winding paths through woodlands and shrubberies 
surrounding the beautiful lake to the farmstead, where they were met 
and subsequently entertained to luncheon by Mr. Mare, the courteous 
steward. A long drive through Tilgate Forest followed to Handcross 
Park, the residence of Mr. Warren, and Mr. Offer, the able steward, 
showed the visitors through the gardens; these contain a rich collection 
of Japanese and other dwarf Conifers, which have passed through the 
late severe winter unhurt. Handcross Park is also famous for specimen 
stove and greenhouse plants. Returning through Holmbush Park, 
the charmiDg residence of Col. Clifton BrowD, most of the party walked 
through the pleasure grounds, over which they were conducted by 
Mr. Paterson, the gardener. After dinner at the “George” Hotel, 
Crawley, the members expressed themselves as highly gratified with 
what they had seen, and with the courteous way in which they had 
been received at the various places visited. The cordial thanks of the 
Club were given to Mr. D’Ombrain and Mr. Cheal for carrying out 
I the arrangements for such an enjoyable day. 
