122 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
August 9, 1894, 
employer and employed carrying their plans in their heads. If 
they could have shaken them out on a sheet of paper and there 
arranged them it would have saved much time and temper, not to 
speak of the gain to the silent sufferers—the plants. 
Under varying circumstances — the ups and downs of a 
gardener’s life—there may be, often is, a time when the higher 
branches of his education appear superfluous, so little are they 
required, or opportunities afforded for use. Yet possession gives a 
man confidence in himself, and entails the respect of those with 
whom he is in daily contact. Parents or friends would do well when 
providing a youth with the necessaries for his start in the world, to 
ack in his box a case of mathematical instruments, and instil in 
is mind the value of using them. This, I think, is as essential to 
his proper equipment as the knife in his pocket.—A Worker. 
METHODS IN CONTROVERSY. 
Will you allow me, as one of your old-time readers and 
correspondents, a little space in which to refer to methods of 
controversy ? In bygone years discussions were conducted in such 
a spirit as to cultivate friendship* and to impart information, while 
of late some of these discussions have, I fear, shown a tendency to 
degenerate into endeavours rather to catch an opponent tripping 
over a word than to elicit or convey instruction. Suggestions to 
stand up and fight ” may be very well for pugilists, but it is not 
the line which has given gardening its present status, nor what has 
helped to make the Journal of Horticulture the power in the land 
which it is to-day. “ Sit down quietly and discuss,” rather than 
■“stand up and fight,” is the principle which has done so much 
for us in the past, and which I am anxious to see maintained. 
May I also refer to the question of signing our correct names 
or employing nom deplumes? If one’s name is to appear under a 
contribution is there not a temptation to say something “smart ? ” 
Then if a controversialist signs his name, do not we find ourselves 
inclined to “ go for ” him^ instead of attacking only the practice or 
the principle which he has advocated, and which we consider 
erroneous ? Then, of course, he must reply with something 
stinging, and so retort follows retort, and rejoinder follows re¬ 
joinder, until the point about which the correspondence arose is 
lost. “Measures, not men,” should alone form the subjects of 
controversy. One thinks of “ Y.B. A.Z.” and “ Wiltshire Rector,” 
and resorts again and again to their writings with pleasure and 
profit, of “ Single-handed,” “ Herefordshire Incumbent,” “D., Deal," 
and many others, and is thankful for lessons learned from them 
both in horticulture and in journalism. 
There are other matters on the same lines about which I should 
like to write you, but must content myself with an appeal to all to 
adopt a considerate and courteous style in discussions, not only 
because it is the most pleasing, but undoubtedly the most effective, 
and also appropriate to the columns of the Journal of Horticulture, 
I should like to sign myself— Fraternity. 
[Correspondents may “sign themselves” almost what they 
like so they act honestly on the principle of “ measures, 
not men. W^e do not thank anyone for degrading any good 
subject by making it the vehicle of personal attack or inuendo. 
The letter of “ Fraternity,” while containing suggestions not the 
less excellent from being old, represents on the whole a case of 
history repeating itself. We have received letters every year for 
a generation deploring latter-day methods as compared with those 
of the “ good old times,” and so we suspect it will be to the end of 
the chapter. Judging by those letters and sundry communications 
that were not necessarily published, we find that on the whole a 
better, more courteous, and more considerate tone is apparent now 
than formerly prevailed amongst controversialists. The last few 
lines over the signature of “ Fraternity ” are, we think, worthy of 
being kept in mind by “ fighting ” controversialists.] 
CYCLAMEN PERSICUM. 
The time has now arrived for sowing seeds of Cyclamen persicum. 
Some gardeners sow the seeds during the early part of the year, but 
from experience I find that much better plants are produced by sowing 
about this period. It is, I believe, the practice of our leading market 
growers to make their annual sowing during August, and most of us 
know the quality of the plants produced by them. 
When once understood these plants are verv easily cultivated. A 
compost of about equal parts of loam, leaf mould, and sand will be 
found a good medium in which to sow the seeds, seeing that the 
pans or pots are well drained. The seeds should be sown thinly, or what 
is better still, dibble them in at a distance of a quarter of an inch apart, 
lightly covering with the soil. Cyclamen seed as a rule germinates 
slowly and sometimes irregularly, but if placed in a temperature of 
about 60 very good results will be obtained. When the seedlings are 
above the soil, which will be in about six or eight weeks from the time 
of sowing, place on a shelf near the glass, otherwise the plants will 
become drawn and consequently weakened. When large enough to 
handle place singly in thumb pots, still keeping them near the glass. 
This potting will be sufficient until about the middle of February, when 
they may be transferred into 3J-inch pots, using a compost of two parts 
loam, one part leaf mould, and a little dry cow manure that has pre¬ 
viously been beaten up fine or rubbed through a quarter-inch sieve, 
adding sufficient coarse sand to keep the soil open. After potting keep 
close for a few days, lightly syringing the plants on all favourable occa¬ 
sions. As the season advances admit air freely, always avoiding a close 
atmosphere. 
About the end of May or beginning of June the plants may be trans¬ 
ferred to a cold frame, shading from bright sun. The most forward 
plants will be ready for their final potting about the end of June or 
beginning of July, 5-inch pots being the size generally used. Pot 
moderately firm, using a similar compost as before advised. Keep close 
for a few days, afterwards admitting air freely, removing the lights 
altogether on all favourable occasions, abundance of air being necessary 
in order to promote a sturdy growth. About the end of September the 
plants should be removed to a light airy house, standing them on a cool 
moist bottom, such as anthracite coal ashes. This will materially assist 
in keeping away thrip, at the first appearance of which the plants 
should be fumigated. 
Should a stimulant be required a solution of manure water—that 
from the cowsheds being preferred—to which a little soot has been 
added will be found very effectual in adding to the size and colour of 
both foliage and bloom. After the plants have done flowering and the 
foliage ripened gradually withhold water, resting the plants for about 
two months, when the corms may be again started into growth. Ample 
drainage should always be afforded these plants, as they are very 
impatient of anything approaching stagnation at the roots.— Hedley 
Warren. 
VIOLA CONFERENCE AT BIRMINGHAM. 
A number of florists interested in the Viola and Pansy met at the 
Birmingham Botanical Gardens on Friday, August 3rd, and Mr, William 
Cuthbertson, of Messrs. Bobbie Co., Rothesay, was elected chairman. 
Amongst others present were Mr. John Forbes, Hawick ; Mr. George 
McLeod and Mr. A. J. Rowberry, from London ; Mr; William Sydenham, 
Mr. R. Dean, Ealing ; Mr. Needs, Woking; Mr. W. H. Gabb, Birming¬ 
ham, and W. Dean, Hon. Sec. 
A paper on “ Bedding Violas ” was read by the Secretary, and the 
voting was in favour of the following as twenty of the finest varieties in 
cultivation for masses and bedding out purposes, viz.. Whites : Countess 
of Hopetoun, Sylvia, Marchioness of Tweedaie. Yellows of deep shade : 
Bullion, Lord Elcho. Yellows, pale shades: Ardwell Gem, Lemon 
Queen. Dark blue or violet : True Blue, Archie Grant. Pale blue or 
mauve: Bluegown, Bessie Clarke. Blush or rose ; William Neil, 
Blush Queen. Edged or border varieties : Duchess of Fife, Blue Cloud. 
Fancy varieties : Countess of Kintore, The Mearns, Princess Beatrice. 
Purple : Acme, Crimson King. 
The Chairman read a practical paper on “Violas for Exhibition 
Purposes,” but no list was decided upon, for all are most useful for this 
purpose, and a large number especially so. Mr. A. J, Rowberry also 
supplemented by several practical remarks. 
An excellent paper on the “ Violetta or Miniature Section of Violas,” 
sent by Mr. Steel of Etal, was read by the Chairman. Mr. Steel could 
not attend the meeting, and it was afterwards resolved that “ In the 
opinion of this conference the terms ‘ Violetta or miniature varieties ’ 
should now be used, and that no flowers of this section must exceed 
IJ inch in diameter. Also, chat flowers known as of the Sylvia type 
should henceforth be classed amongst the ordinary large flowering 
Violas, and that only the two types should be. recognised, and that this 
conference adopt Mr. George Steel’s suggestions as to the properties of 
the Violetta section.” Mr. George McLeod also supported these views. 
Letters from other supporters of the conference were read, and a very 
large number of seedlings and quite new varieties were sent for examina¬ 
tion by Miss J. D. Stuart and Mr. Samuel McKee, of Belfast; Mr. 
George Steel, Mr. A. Irvine, Mr. Smellie, Mr. King of Lennoxtown, 
Mr. J. Forbes, and others, many of which are really fine, but the 
members of the conference decided to certificate only very first-class 
new varieties, and the following were selected : —Two seedlings from 
Mr. King, Lennoxtown, Scotland ; Lizzie Thorniley, from Mr. J. 
Smellie ; Olivette, a charming miniature, from Mr. A. J. Rowberry ; 
Ethel Hancock, from Mr. D. B. Crane, London; Rose Queen, a 
beautiful miniature, from Mr. George McLeod ; Charm, from Mr. S. 
McKee. Fancy Pansies—Mahogany and John Smellie, sent by Mr. J. 
Smellie, Busby, Glasgow. 
Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay, kindly sent a fine collection of 
flowers of all the varieties they grow for comparison, and proved to be 
most useful, all arranged alphabetically in sprays in their usual manner. 
Mr. Rowberry also brought with him from London a plant of the 
beautiful light b’.ue-mauve “Blue Gown” to show its excellent bedding 
qualities. 
It was resolved that an annual conference should take place, and a 
Conference Association formed, with Mr. W. Cuthbertson as Chairman. 
Mr. A. J. Rowberry as Treasurer, and W. Dean Honorary Secretary, 
A report of the proceedings is in course of preparation with a view to 
publishing it. 
