136 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
October 30, 1886. 
however, to the hardy perennials proper, we have a few 
choice bits of flower still remaining ; prominent among 
these are 
Teutonia crocosmzbflora. —A most showy and 
useful autumn bulbous-rooted plant, and one whose 
sterling worth entitles it to a much wider distribution 
among cultivators of choice hardy flowers, and especially 
such as are on the look-out for late-flowering subjects. 
The rich orange of its flowers, and its somewhat arching 
stems, appear to make up a very pleasing whole ; and 
I am sure it would be more eagerly sought after if its 
beauty were known to the masses instead of the few. 
The next subject to which I will allude is one that for 
weeks past—by which I infer not one week or two, but 
for something like a space of three months—has given 
me very great pleasure ; I mean 
Phlox amcena. —This plant has been to me a great 
surprise this season, for it has not been content with 
being one of the earliest of the Alpine section to flower, 
and with its usual freedom ; but it has, after a short 
rest, thought fit to begin again, and it has kept up its 
flowering until now. It is one of the most delightful 
carpet plants I know. Smothered with its lovely bright 
pink flowers, it is, indeed, the gem of this lovely group 
of Alpines, and one which should find a home in all 
gardens where modest—and, at the same time, re¬ 
freshing—colours are sought. So unassuming in its 
procumbent habit of growth, and yet so cheering in its 
pleasing clusters of flowers, it surpasses any other 
Alpine in the garden now, and remains a picture of 
modest beauty to cheer the approaching flowerless days 
of winter. Yet another which, while on the wane, 
is too choice and distinct to pass unnoticed. The plant 
I refer to, 
Senecio pulcher, is one whose praises have long been 
sounded, and that deservedly ; it is a very effective 
species, which finds favour with all lovers of hardy 
plants, and coming, as it does, quite late in autumn 
when flowers are scarce, renders it still more valuable. 
Singularly enough, it is a very shy seeder, and in this 
particular, as well as in its handsome flowers, it forms 
a striking contrast to some of the troublesome pests of 
this genus, to which many of our gardens are prone. 
The brilliant crimson-purple of its flower, which are an 
average of 3 ins. across, are most effective, for it comes 
when the garden is destitute of its colour, and, indeed 
it is of a peculiar shade of colour of which we have 
none too much, and, perhaps, hardly enough. One 
way, however, of overcoming the latter difficulty, is to 
increase and multiply this Senecio, for one cannot tire 
of it, or have too much. It grows about 3 ft. high 
and is, withal, a plant of very superior bearing. 
Gaillardias are still showy, but severe frost will 
end their floral gaiety for this season ; still we cling to 
them and admire as long as we can, and few are so 
brilliant as these flowers of orange, crimson, and gold. 
Leucanthemum maximum has been in flower since 
July, and with the cooler nights of the past month 
has certainly produced a far greater per-centage of 
better formed flowers than previously ; it still holds 
good, and fully endorses all that has been said of its 
superiority over the various other members of its tribe, 
as a plant of sturdy habit and a continuous bloomer; it 
is unique among composites. 
Phygelius capensis, too, is very pretty, having 
scarlet tubular drooping Pentstemon-like flowers ; Cen- 
taurea montana rubra has made an autumn flowering 
from a late planted batch which were cut down and 
re-planted about the end of June; it is very showy and 
useful, and full of buds, but which, I fear, will not 
continue to expand much longer.— J. 
-- 
PLANTING- TREES AND SHRUBS. 
How to plant is a matter of prime importance, and 
it is necessary to submit a few considerations under 
this heading before proceeding to deal with the not less 
important subject—what to plant. The first duty of 
the planter is to see that the roots of the tree or shrub 
about to be planted are in proper condition. It should 
be provided with a sufficiency of small fibrous roots, for 
it is from these that the plant derives its nourishment. 
Trees are found to vary in the form of their roots from 
the dense mass of tangled fibres close to the crown, 
which makes the Rhododendron so safe to transplant, 
to the long, coarse, thick tap-root, which renders 
transplantation a dangerous process with some trees, 
unless removed young. But these tap-roots emit from 
various parts tufts of fibres, and it is on these being 
uninjured, and in sufficient quantity, that the success 
of the planting will depend. It is evident then, that 
should it be found necessary to prune the root, the 
knife should be applied to the big coarse taps, but not 
to the fine hair-like rootlets, all of which should be 
carefully preserved. 
Let the hole dug to receive the plant be larger than 
required by the roots when spread out. If the points 
of the roots be placed against a wall of hard soil, they 
will, instead of extending laterally, turn upwards, and 
come towards the surface. If it be possible, it is best 
to dig the holes which are to receive the plants some 
days at least before planting takes place, so as to leave 
the interior of the hole exposed meanwhile to the 
fertilising influences of the atmosphere, sun, rain, &c. 
Rainy or damp cloudy weather is by far the best time 
for planting, and it should not be done during sun¬ 
shine or frost, or a run of dry weather. If, after re¬ 
ceiving the trees from a nursery, it is inconvenient to 
plant at once, they should be kept in a cool shed as 
previously directed. 
In planting, see that the fibrous roots are not cramped 
or tangled in a mass ; they should be spread out very 
carefully, so that they occupy, as nearly as possible, 
the position they did before the plant was taken up 
from the ground. If the tree has been reared in a pot, 
the roots will most likely be found coiled up spirally 
into a dense mass. If so, they must, before planting, 
be patiently unravelled, and the fragments of pottery 
placed for drainage extricated. In doing so, care must 
be taken not to injure the extremities of the rootlets, 
which must be placed as deftly as possible in the hole, 
and spread out in such positions as that when they 
grow they shall not again resume the twisted form. 
Then, beware of planting too deep. The tree should 
not be fixed in the ground lower than will bring the 
soil, when the hole is filled, 1 in. or 2 ins. above the 
“collar ” of the tree ; the collar is the spot where the 
ascending stem meets the descending roots. There is 
no doubt that thousands of young trees perish annually 
from being planted too deep. In situations exposed to 
violent winds, it may be allowable to plant a little 
deeper ; but it is only meeting one evil by substituting 
another, and it would be preferable to undergo the 
expense and trouble of staking the young trees where 
it is required. When the plant is placed in the hole, 
and the roots well spread into their natural position, 
half fill the hole with some fine soil—different, if pos¬ 
sible, from that in which the hole has been dug ; then 
shake this soil into the interstices between the roots by 
gently pulling the stem up and down just enough for 
the purpose, and afterwards tread the soil lightly in. 
The planter may then proceed to fill up the hole, and 
when done, again tread the soil in pretty firmly before 
making the surface neat. 
Another important point in planting is to see that 
the stem of the tree, when planted, is quite perpen¬ 
dicular. If the tree is of a shape or size that may 
cause it to be swayed about by the wind and thus 
disturb the roots, it should be securely fixed to a strong 
stake till the soil has become settled about the roots, 
and the tree should be attached to the stake so that 
it shall not, by its contact, fray or wound its bark ; 
a small mop of hay placed between the two will 
prevent damage of this kind. 
If the soil be very dry at the time of planting, 
mulching must be resorted to ; this is much more 
necessary in the case of spring than autumn planting. 
Mulching, in its fullest sense, means watering abun¬ 
dantly, and following it up as the first watering 
becomes absorbed, so as to make sure of saturating with 
water all the ground about the roots. Mere surface¬ 
watering is a sham, and a waste of time. Watering 
should be done abundantly and repeatedly until no 
doubt remains as to the water, which percolates very 
slowly through dry, dusty soil, having reached the 
lowest roots. Any watering short of that is worse than 
useless. 
--- 
NOTES ON LETTUCE. 
The past season was anything but favourable for the 
production of good Lettuce, on account of the extreme 
heat which prevailed, and also the long spell of dry 
weather experienced ; nevertheless, having taken notes 
of those which we grew, I venture to send them to you 
for publication. Foremost, of course, stands the 
Black-seeded Bath Cos, which, in my opinion, is 
much the best of its class, as well as one of the 
hardiest; it grows to a large size and may always be 
relied on, being of delicious flavour. It requires tying 
to blanch thoroughly, but amply repays the attention 
bestowed; it is alike valuable for spring and autumn use. 
There are many varieties now in commerce which are 
simply selections of this good old variety, but none to 
supersede it. 
Paris White Cos.— This, as a summer Lettuce, has 
no equal when obtained true to name, but, from the 
many varieties selected from it and sent out as distinct 
varieties, there is some difficulty in obtaining the true 
variety; it grows to a large size, blanches perfectly 
without tying, and is most reliable. Balloon White 
Cos, Kingsholm Cos and many others, are simply 
selections of this standard variety, but, certainly with 
us, inferior to it. In the Cabbage class 
All the Year Round, sent out, I believe, by Messrs. 
F. & A. Dickson, Chester, many years since, still holds 
its own as one of the very best for furnishing a supply 
of tender salading throughout the winter and early 
spring months, when grown in frames, but I am bound 
to confess, it does not stand a severe winter well out of 
doors, and must not be relied upon ; it is of excellent 
quality, and should always be included in the most 
select list. 
Neapolitan. —This, a summer variety, stands un¬ 
rivalled, furnishing the whole of the season through a 
certain supply of splendid salad. The heads are large 
and beautifully crisp, even in the hottest weather, 
when most other varieties are flagging ; added to which, 
it blanches perfectly, and may be always relied upon. 
Green Unctuous.— This is a rather newer variety, 
with very dark green foliage and close-folding habit, 
and may be planted closer together than most varieties. 
It hearts very quickly, and stands the hot weather well, 
remaining a long time fit for use, and is decidedly an 
acquisition. 
Hardy Winter White.— This is a variety to stand 
without protection through the winter, and for fur¬ 
nishing a supply early in the spring stands unrivalled, 
coming in well before the Brown Cos, being, for 
that reason alone, valuable ; added to which, it is very 
crisp, and gives immense heads of tender well-blanched 
salad, much appreciated so early in the season. 
Trocadero.— This we grew last season for the first 
time, and as a summer variety it is far ahead of many 
now in commerce. The foliage is of a pale green 
colour, with a bronzy tinge at the edges, somewhat 
fringed or curled. It stands drought extremely well, 
and during this autumn we found it very valuable, 
being quite sound and fit for use when all others sown 
at the same time were over. 
Golden Non Plus Ultra. —This is another of this 
season’s acquaintance. As its name implies, it is of a 
golden colour throughout the entire plant. I cannot 
say I consider it a desirable variety ; added to which, 
it is of that flabby nature so much to be objected to in 
all salads. 
I might continue ad infinitum, but think I have 
enumerated sufficient varieties for even the largest 
establishment ; and will, in conclusion, give a selection 
that I have proved to yield a thoroughly reliable supply 
all the year round : —Cos vars. : Black-seeded Bath 
and Paris White. Cabbage: All the Year Round, 
Neapolitan, Trocadero and Hardy Winter White.— Cor. 
-—- 
ARTISTIC POTTERY. 
During the last few years the art of painting flower 
portraits on pottery-ware has made rapid strides in 
this country, both as regards the increase in the 
number of ladies mainly, who practice the art, and the 
greater fidelity to nature with which such portraits are 
depicted. At most horticultural exhibitions such 
decorative subjects as plaques, vases, &c., are now 
regularly exhibited by local artists, and those who 
made a pilgrimage to the provincial show of the Royal 
Horticultui al Society at Liverpool, will remember the 
pretty display made in the section of “ Botanical and 
Decorative Art.” Among other subjects of beauty and 
interest exhibited on that occasion, was a vase beauti¬ 
fully decorated by Mrs. Harry Turner, of Slough, the 
subject of her artistic treatment being.the Clematis ; 
the judges were much pleased with the work of art, 
and awarded to it the Society’s Silver-gilt Banksian 
Medal. For ourselves, we have thought the subject 
worthy of an illustration in our columns, and now 
present the same to our readers, with an acknowledge¬ 
ment at the same time of our indebtedness to the 
kindness of Mrs. Turner, for placing at our service an 
admirable photograph of the vase so cleverly decorated, 
