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THE GARDENING WORLD. 
December 18 , 1886 . 
are not broken down or injured by winds, and when 
their growth is well made, slightly soil up, and first 
binding the stems carefully together, wrap around 
the plants dry sweet moss in paper, and leave them 
to blanch.” It is in this way my correspondent grows 
such fine prize Celery.— E. D. 
Schizostylis coccinea.— This is one of the 
most beautiful autumn and winter-flowering plants 
that can be grown in the herbaceous border. I have 
in this garden some clumps that were divided and 
replanted last spring, and which have been throwing 
up strong Gladioli-like spikes of scarlet flowers for the 
last two months, and are still showing flowers. It is 
an excellent plant for cutting, coming in at a season 
when most other things are over. I regret to say that 
it is not planted so extensively as it should be, con¬ 
sidering that it is so very easily grown. Xo collection 
of herbaceous plants is complete without it. — G. Tyler, 
Plas-Tirion, near Carnarvon. 
Classification of Dahlias. —Having had oc¬ 
casion very lately to look over all the gardening papers 
published in London, I have been much struck with 
the great amount of varied correspondence kept up on 
all subjects connected with gardening. It has been 
said by somebody that “mind governs the hands, 
and that in all good society the man of intelligence 
must direct the man of labour.” As one of the latter 
class, and living a good distance from London, I 
thought of suggesting that in the strict sense of the 
term “ Cactus ” we have but one Dahlia as yet having 
that distinct peculiarity—viz., pointed florets —and it 
seems to me that a new classification is necessary. 
Would not the heading “Zinnia-flowered” be more 
distinctive for such varieties as Cochineal, Constance, 
Mrs. Hawkins, Pieta formosissima, and Glare of the 
Garden 1 This latter, to my mind, is very like a scarlet 
Zinnia. We must not forget the new white one, 
A. W. Tait ; certainly, this variety has more of the 
peculiarly pointed florets than any other rival to 
Juarezi. We might also include Annie Plarvey. I 
would like to know what Messrs. Ware, Cannell, 
Turner, Keynes, &c., will say to the suggestion.— 
Corkagensis. 
Passiflora Raddiana.— There is a figure of this 
plant in Martin’s Flora Brasiliensis, Yol. xiii., Part I., 
fig. 126. It is, probably, most universally known in 
gardens under the name of P. kermesina, and this is 
the name given in the Botanical Magazine, t. 3,503. 
Whatever name it receives at the hands of cultivators, 
there is no question but that it is one of the most 
useful, economical and ornamental plants that the cul¬ 
tivator could take in hand. The sepals and petals are 
similar in texture and colour—that is, of a lively deep 
carmine. The corona consists of slightly-spreading, 
deep purple filiform processes, and the whole flower is 
attractive in no small degree. The plant is one of the 
most economical that could be grown, from the great 
masses of flowers it produces all through the autumn 
months, and, more or less, into winter, furnishing a 
supply for cut flower purposes. The whole plant is 
moderate in growth, and may be cultivated in pots or 
planted out. In the former case, it would require 
more attention and feeding; while in the latter, a freer 
growth and a longer flowering period would reward the 
cultivator. The leaves are three-lobed, deep green 
above, and of a beautiful vinous purple beneath.— J. F. 
The Carnations at Tring Park.— After years 
of trial, that clever grower of plants, Mr. E. Hill, 
gardener to the Right Hon. Lord Rothschild, has come 
to the conclusion that the old winter-flowering Carna¬ 
tions are the best; and his grand house of bloom is 
this year almost entirely devoted to Lucifer, scarlet ; 
Othello, scarlet and white flake ; La Belle, pure white ; 
Empress of Germany, white, with occasional white 
tip ; Andalusia, pure yellow, and Miss Jolliffe, blush. 
In his selection of winter-flowering Zonal Pelargoniums, 
Mr. Hill, too, is particularly happy, his selection 
chiefly falling on Cannell’s sorts ; of these, Eureka is 
the only pure white ; but Mr. Cannell’s other varieties 
are so numerous and so fine, that particularisation is 
rendered very difficult. 
White Pottebakker Tulips we find much 
appreciated that is, if forced in time—but they must 
have been in flower a few days before being used, or 
their beauty is not seen. Camellias, too, may be 
retarded by being lifted out-of-doors if in pots, or if 
planted out extra ventilation must be employed ; in 
short, useevery means to furnish a good supply.— TF. C. 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE PLANT HOUSES. 
Cinerarias for late flowering should now receive 
their final shift, as if they are allowed to remain long 
pot-bound, they will never make good well-furnished 
specimens. A. well-grown plant should retain all the 
foliage which should be sufficient to completely hide 
the pot ; when staged, plenty of room must be given, 
or damping of the foliage must be expected, the house 
must also be thoroughly ventilated. The same remarks 
apply to the different sections of Pelargoniums. 
Flowers for Christmas. —As Christmas is fast 
approaching, care must be taken to retard or force such 
plants as may have been put into heat to prepare for 
the usual decorations ; much may be done in this 
respect if care is exercised. The flowers of the Ethel 
Chrysanthemum are particularly suited for all kinds of 
floral decorations, and may very readily be kept if the 
weather is open, by placing the plants out of doors in 
some shaded and sheltered position ; but should frosts 
interfere and prevent their being placed outside, let 
the plants be grouped together, and the position be 
thickly shaded with mats, which will greatly assist in 
keeping the blooms pure in colour—so great a de¬ 
sideratum. 
TV hite Azaleas, too, may be similarly treated with¬ 
out much damage to the plants, provided that as soon 
as possible afterwards they are placed in a moderate 
heat to make a new growth, and by this means be 
prepared for next season’s early work. Cal] as, too, are 
greatly admired when employed for decorative purposes, 
especially when the foliage is used in conjunction with 
the flowers ; in fact it is rather a difficult matter to 
arrange the flowers satisfactorily unless the foliage is 
employed ; nicely placed they are very effective, and 
as they stand any amount of heat, if potted up in 
sufficient time, no difficulty should be experienced in 
having a good supply. Another subject equally as 
serviceable—only more amenable—is 
The Christmas Rose.—W e have to-day lifted and 
placed on a hot-bed a dozen good stools, beautifully 
set, in fact hundreds of buds are pushing up ; these 
will be in good time, and we find them immensely 
useful, as they stand so well and look as fresh as 
possible for days ; and if only a sprinkling of water 
can be given them they will last. 
THE FORCING HOUSES. 
General TV oric. —TVhat with the extremely short 
days, and the endless number of matters claiming 
immediate attention, all is activity in this department. 
The second batch of Sea Kale being well advanced, 
more roots have been lifted and placed in the Mushroom 
house for succession. TYe have also made up another 
Mushroom bed, and as soon as fit the spawn will be 
inserted and the bed cased down. TYe are drawing 
some very nice 
Rhubarb from the first batch; the second lot is also 
making a good start, and as we put in about a score of 
stools, we shall have ample for a long time. The 
Chicory, too, is now fit for use ; a couple of pots will be 
placed in at intervals according to the demand. A 
hot-bed must also now be made up for the sowing of 
Horn Carrots and Radishes ; if pit room cannot be 
found, some warm position outside must be given, and 
after the seed is sown, hoops must be placed over the 
bed, and be matted up every night. 
Cucumbers;— TVe have sown a good batch of Cu¬ 
cumbers to succeed the winter fruiters. At this season 
we always sow singly in 60’s, the young plants being 
so extremely tender and liable to injury if subject to 
potting off. Complete the tying of the late Peach 
trees as early as possible, and have all the houses 
cleaned ; doubtless occupants will shortly be found for 
them. 
In the Early Vineries if the laterals touch the 
glass loop slightly, but be careful not to overdo it, and 
while the weather continues mild, ventilate as freely as 
possible, of course, maintaining a temperature of about 
65 with air on ; the night temperature may be advanced 
to 55°. The early Peach house may now be closed, but 
no fire-heat should be employed for a time ; the trees 
may, however, be syringed at mid-day, which will 
quickly cause them to start into growth/ 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Digging. —The weather being favourable we have 
resumed digging operations ; we always like to com¬ 
plete as much as possible of this work before Christmas. 
TT e have been busy transplanting, and have made good 
some of the Red Currant quarters, which, from old 
age, had become worthless ; should the weather con¬ 
tinue favourable, as the pruning is finished, digging 
between the trees will follow, so that the weather may 
act on the soil and thoroughly sweeten it. It is only 
by this means that soil of a heavy nature can be got 
into good workable order. 
Cleaning the Pleasure Grounds, rolling of turf 
and walks, in fact making all as clean and neat 
as possible also requires attention. The cutting 
of turf must not be forgotten, this is frequently a serious 
matter; however, obtain the best procurable, but do 
not put it in too large a heap for special purposes, and 
as the stacking goes on bone dust may be sprinkled 
through the layers to enrich the soil. 
Staking Roses. —If not already done, put new 
stakes where required to Standard Roses, so as to make 
them secure against storms. Let the planting of all 
fruit trees be completed as soon as possible;it is foolish 
to postpone to spring work which it is in every way 
advisable should be done in the autumn. All newly- 
planted standard trees should be made secure as the 
work proceeds.— JFalter Child, Croome Court. 
-- 
ORCHID NOT ES AND GLEANINGS. 
Syringing' Orchids. —It is now a considerable 
time since Mr. James O’Brien mooted the question of 
syringing Orchids. I must say that up to that time 
I had been very fond of the practice of watering 
Orchids overhead. On reading Mr. O’Brien’s very 
lucid and temperate arguments on this subject, I was 
induced to hold my hand and watch. I may say that 
the result has surpassed my highest expectation, and I 
have no hesitation in attributing my former spotted¬ 
leaved Saccolabiums, Vandas and other plants to the 
evil effects of the syringe. A friend of mine took ex¬ 
ception to Mr. O’Brien’s ruling about the syringe, but 
determined to discontinue it for all other plants, but to 
continue it for the growing of Dendrobiums. Curiously 
enough, his own houses supplied him with the best 
confirmation of Mr. O'Brien’s statements, for whereas 
his Dendrobe house, which he syringed once or twice a 
day, exhibited nothing extraordinary in growth (in 
fact, rather below the average), the plants of Den- 
drobium TVardianum, which he left in the dry Cattleya 
house, were stout, clean and beyond compare for vigour, 
and infinitely better than those which had been svringed. 
I have no hesitation in endorsing Mr. O'Brien’s original 
opinion that, as a rule, Orchids of any kind should not 
be syringed, and if any -of your correspondents want 
evidence on the subject I am prepared to furnish it, at 
all events, so far as a new convert can.— A. C. 
Angrascum Leonis.—This recently introduced 
species bids fair to become a general favourite with the 
majority of Orchid growers, and deservedly so I think, 
as it flowers freely in a small state, and is of free yet 
compact habit of growth. I have grown them with 
Phalienopsis, under which treatment I find them to 
succeed admirably ; rooting and growing freely in 
suspended baskets with the sphagnum kept growing 
throughout the year. So far as I can see, they revel 
in moisture at all seasons, but less will suffice during 
the dull months of winter. Our strongest plant, a 
single piece with about eight leaves, and which flowered 
about June from a stunted spike of about 1J ins. long, 
gave us three of its beautiful white flowers, which lasted 
about a fortnight in perfection. The base of the flower 
stem emitted roots, and the point of the flower spike 
kept fresh and green after the flowers had fallen, and 
looked as if another flower was likely to come. Xot 
knowing whether the old spike flowered for years in 
succession, I allowed it to remain, but instead of a 
flower, the point of the spike has developed into a leaf 
about 3 ins. long, and which is just commencing a 
second leaf. As far as I have been able to ascertain, 
this is unusual, and it would be interesting to know if 
any other cultivators have had the like experience with 
it. This mode of increasing itself by growths formed on 
its flower spikes, if at all general, will add to its other 
good qualities of growth, enable it to become rapidly 
propagated, and thus freely circulated.— E. Dumper, 
Limerick. 
