February 21, 1889. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
145 
alternately rather closely. The plant is dense, but not crowded, 
forming after a fashion an umbrella-like head. It is one of the 
few that will stand well the trying ordeal to which plants in 
balls, corridors, staircases, and windows are subjected, doing well 
where there is draughts of air on occasions and cold at times below 
freezing. 
In F. japonica variegata the leaves are not quite so large, and 
■the whole plant is less striking than the species, yet the variegation, 
leaves blotched and margined with white, render the contrast 
•pleasing, and as variety is always desirable there is room for this 
somewhat quaint yet effective plant. 
F. japonica variegata aurea is equal in vigour with the species ; 
ats leaves blotched and margined with rich yellow render it striking, 
-as it certainly is noble in aspect. The trio attain to a height of 
3 to 5 feet or more, consequently are useful for decorative pur¬ 
poses from a few inches high up to the attaining of their full propor¬ 
tions. In the advanced stage the leaves become rather drooping, 
and as they are persistent a certain amount of grace is imparted, 
which adds immensely to their appearance. 
Propagation is effected, so far as I know, in three ways only—- 
■viz., by seeds, cuttings, and stem rooting. It is necessary that 
fresh seeds only be used. These are usually obtainable in spring, 
•and these should be sown without delay. Old seeds usually fail to 
germinate ; indeed fresh seed is indispensable. It may be sown in 
pots or pans of sandy loam and peat in equal parts, the seeds being 
covered with fine soil equal in depth to their diameter. Place in 
gentle heat, as that of a hotbed or warm house, keeping them moist, 
and the seedlings will soon appear. When large enough pot 
singly, and keep them rather close, warm, and moist, so as to insure 
their speedy establishment. The plants must be shifted into 
larger pots as they fill the first pots with roots, but as size is a 
consideration, the shift should not be large, a couple or 3 inches 
larger being ample, and when established in these the plants may 
be hardened so as to bear an ordinary greenhouse temperature. 
They, however, do best in pits, which have greater uniformity of 
moisture, and being low, the plants, from having plenty of light, 
attain much sturdier habit and have more leathery foliage. A 
slight shade, however, from powerful summer sun is beneficial in 
promoting growth and keeping the foliage of a deep green hue. 
The stem may be cut into lengths of two or three joints, 
and if these are inserted in pots with the top bud level with the 
surface, they root freely in gentle bottom heat, covered with a hand- 
light or frame, kept moist and close. When rooted, and growth is 
being made, they should be gradually inured to the air of the 
structure, and are best grown in a rather warm and moist house 
so as to secure useful plants as speedily as possible. The tops taken 
with sufficient stem below the good leaves for insertion in pots of 
3 or 4-inch diameter also root readily in a close frame, keeping close 
and moist until rooted. The side shoots resulting from the removal 
of the top as a cutting may also be detached with a portion of stem, 
treating as cuttings. These make capital plants. Spring is the 
best time for increasing the stock. 
When the plants become tall the stem may be notched about 
half through immediately below the leaves underneath a joint 
transversely with a sloping cut upwards, so as to make the notch, 
and if it be done at a couple of joints on opposite sides of the 
stem, roots, and more of them, are certain to be emitted. Cover the 
part notched with wet moss extending a little above and below the 
notches, forming a knob of moss equal in size to about that of the 
clenched hand, and secure with fine wire, binding moderately tight. 
Keep the moss constantly moist, when it will soon be occupied by 
adventitious roots. Then detach, and pot the moss and all, except 
the wire, into a size that will admit of some soil around, under, and 
over the mossed part. We use 6-inch pots, and keeping rather 
close and moist for a time, we have plants in a few weeks suffi¬ 
ciently established and furnished to the pots with grand foliage for 
decoration. The old stem will break again, and the growths being 
of sufficient length,maybe rooted in a similar manner. This mode 
of increase is suitable for all the kinds, and may be practised in an 
ordinary greenhouse, a cool house, or in the sitting room. 
Fatsias are of easy culture ; they are half-hardy, succeeding in 
cool houses, but are best kept from frost, or so much of it as will 
freeze the soil. If in positions liable to have the soil frozen the 
pots must be protected. They do well in equal parts turfy loam 
and peat, or will thrive well in loam with a third of leaf soil or a 
fourth of old manure, with a sprinkling of sand. Liquid manure 
may be given alike to invigorate the plants and insure fine well- 
coloured foliage, and keep them in comparatively small pots. 
Dryness is their great bane, therefore drain efficiently, so as to be 
able to water copiously, syringing or damping surfaces about the 
plants. They do not like heat, soon being infested with thrips, but 
prefer cool treatment, affording plenty of moisture both at the roots 
and in the atmosphere, when the result will be hardy sturdy plants, 
fit for anything in decoration. 
F. papyrifera is a remarkabiy noble plant, with five to seven- 
lobed leaves, which are large, but not so leathery as those of 
F. japonica, and not being so thickly disposed it has a more elegant 
appearance. The stem, too, branches, which is no defect, as it gives 
variety of habit. The orthodox idea, that all plants should be kept 
to a single stem, is fatal to a pleasing effect, and the leaves and 
stem are clothed with down, which, however, ultimately become 
smooth or glabrous. It grows rather large, attaining to a height 
of 6 feet, and often 2 or 3 feet more ; the most useful size is that 
of plants furnished to the pot with leaves. Propagation may be 
effected by all the modes described for F. japonica. The best 
plants are those well grown from seed. 
Although Fatsias are of the best for louse decoration, and bear 
draughts and other inimical conditions prejudicial to a vast majority 
of plants ; their foliage, though leathery, is large, and the leaves 
having long petioles are apt to suffer from winds, hence they are 
not suitable for balconies or other bleak situations.— Utilitarian. 
CLEYELLY. 
Liverpool has recently been taunted with being unmusical. 
Whatever her position in the world of music, she cannot be said to be 
lacking in horticultural interest, evidence of which may be found in the 
splendid exhibitions provided there annually of national importance, 
and further in the many private establishments in her suburbs rich in 
horticultural collections. 
One of these, the collection at Clevelly, formed in recent years 
by T. S. Timmis, Esq., it has been our pleasure to inspect. It is 
situate within a mile of Wyncote, from which garden Mr. Mease ex¬ 
hibited the wonderful Crotons for several years at Liverpool and else¬ 
where. Mr. Neuman’s collection, however, no longer exists, and, if 
rumour be authentic, the collection under our notice, in show phrase, 
will soon fill the gap. Our first impression is the completeness and con¬ 
venience of the garden arrangements, particularly that of the glass 
structures, which are extensive and admirably adapted to the require¬ 
ments of their several occupants. A lean-to corridor, 120 feet long, 
against which are the ample potting sheds and offices, forms an excel¬ 
lent flowering house, and from which all the principal houses are 
entered, the ranges extending at right anrles, and are span-roofed, with 
the exception of a lean-to structure at the south end, where Odonto- 
glossums are well accommodated. The corridor referred to is always 
kept gay, but it would be no exaggeration to say that Chrysanthemums 
form the great attraction of the year, Mr. Cromwell being an enthusiast 
in their culture, and the collection is famous even among the famed. 
Of course, all kinds of greenhouse and softwooded plants have to be 
pressed into service to keep up the appearance here, and the large house 
supply of cut blooms. Among climbers, which are planted out, are 
very fine plants of Asparagus plumosus. This, in addition to its grace¬ 
ful appearance, is most useful for cut purposes, standing well and re¬ 
taining its freshness much longer than the usual Ferns. Roses make a 
good display in spring also on the roof among other plants, such as 
Bougainvilleas and Plumbago. 
In the first compartment of a range of plant houses at the north end 
of corridor are several magnificent Lapagerias, red and white, having 
been planted about three years in well prepared narrow borders. The 
growth of these, both red and white, is all that can be wished. Hard 
and stout, like walking sticks, as they appear above ground for 4 or 
5 feet, and the flowers which were produced last season in racemes of 
twenty-five to thirty of a superb colour were such as to amply repay 
for the trouble taken in their treatment, and to afford a rich treat to 
the fortunate visitor to Clevelly during their season. Roses, on the 
opposite side of the roof, are equally at home, as are also Camellias 
planted in the centre bed. Greenhouse Rhododendrons deservedly come 
in for good share of attention. The culture of these, in common with 
all hardwooded plants and Heaths, are special features in Mr. Crom¬ 
well’s role of acquirements. 
Lapagerias, again, in a second compartment, which is also the prin¬ 
cipal entrance from residence and gardens, are of the same description 
as above, and the most is made of the bloom by allowing the shoots to 
hang from their trellis their full flowering length. A large white 
Camellia finds a genial home underneath, and in the next house are the 
grand Azaleas already known at the Liverpool shows, and several fine 
Heaths, that show evident signs of being on good terms with their 
attendant. What a pity it is that these plants are generally so much 
neglected. Very few gardeners now under training have any idea of 
their treatment. A large plant of Rhododendron Veitchi is a plant to 
be proud of. The reader can imagine what it is like, to carry 320 trusses 
at one time. Mr. Cromwell speaks highly of Azalea Deutsche Perle for 
early flowering, and grows it largely for the purpose. It comes in of 
itself, without the hard forcing required by other varieties. Among 
many other good plants here we notice the beautiful varieties of Iman- 
tophyllum, Marie Reimers and Milnovi, great improvements on the old 
though very useful form usually found in gardens. On the roof, south 
side, are Roses (nobody seems to tire of Roses), and on the north side 
Clematis Henrvi, a constant bloomer and a most useful variety, is being 
well cared for. 
On entering another range by way of corridor again, the subject of 
two cultural certificates in a noble plant of Croton Victoria first claims 
attention. It stand about 6 feet high, and is about 8 to 9 feet in 
diameter, perfectly coloured. Indeed, the same remark as to colour 
