March 19, 1887. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
457 
ever, have never been in cultivation. Those figured 
represent forms of H. guttatus and H. colchicus, the 
close spotting and different shades of purple of which 
will recommend them to lovers of this beautiful and 
hardy class of plants. With the aid of a close hand-light 
to shelter them from piercing winds and driving rains, 
masses of fine flowers for cutting purposes can be 
obtained. __ 
SALAD PLANTS AND THEIR 
CULTURE. 
On the evening of the 5th inst., Hr. F. Harrison, 
gardener to the Earl of Derby, Knowsley Hall, Prescot, 
read an excellent paper on this subject before the 
members of the Liverpool Horticultural Association. 
Mr. Harrison said amongst the many duties of a 
gentleman’s gardener, that of providing a regular 
supply of salad was one of the most important—few 
things being more 
freely criticised, 
or more keenly 
relished. At 
some tables the x 
salad was as im¬ 
portant as the 
dessert; and, like 
it, required to be 
not only good to 
eat, but pleasant 
to look upon. It 
was urged that the 
essential qualities 
of the produce 
could only be fully 
developed by the 
careful and timely 
observance of a few 
rules and prin¬ 
ciples of culti¬ 
vation ; and what¬ 
ever is destined 
for the salad- 
bowl should be 
grown as quickly 
as is consistent 
with the nature 
of the plant and 
season of the year. 
The use of 
sewage was depre¬ 
cated under any 
circumstances, 
and even ordinary 
liquid manure 
should not be 
used in the finish¬ 
ing stages of 
growth. The cul¬ 
tivation should be 
of a clean and 
wholesome nature 
throughout, which 
may be accom¬ 
plished if the land 
is in good con¬ 
dition, deeply 
worked, and the 
plants are allowed 
room for full development. By this means clean, 
crisp, juicy, and fresh material can be provided, 
anything of a woody, woolly, or fibry character being 
inadmissible in the salad-bowl. As much variety as 
means will afford should be provided ; and although 
some portion of green is generally liked, there should 
always be plenty of well-blanched foliage. Washing 
salading that grows above ground was to be avoided as 
much as possible ; for if practicable to grow it without 
the necessity of such an operation, it should not be 
subjected to it, there being no comparison between the 
quality of an unwashed Lettuce and one that has been 
washed. Mr. Harrison did not fail to point out the 
difficulties, in our smoky climate, of accomplishing this 
desirable end. 
In dealing with Lettuce, it was said that a sound 
one was the main ingredient of a good salad, and that 
it was impossible to find a substitute. In early spring, 
such sorts as develop quickly should be sown, Early 
Paris Market being one of the best; and if sown in 
February, grown on for a time in gentle heat, and 
finished in a cold frame, they would be found useful at 
a time when salading is scarce and the demand fre¬ 
quently great. Another useful variety is Perfect 
Gem, as it grows quickly, attains size rapidly, and 
takes up but little space ; other good sorts recom¬ 
mended being All the Year Bound, Brown Genoa, 
Brown Dutch, and Hammersmith Hardy Green. The 
two last are useful for sowing during autumn and 
winter, for they are not only hardy, but their habit of 
growth renders them suitable for placing in frames and 
under hand-lights, a position in which they will pass 
the hardest winter, provided they are strong at the 
commencement and the lights are kept close. 
Amongst the best kinds of Cos, Paris White, Sugar- 
loaf, Brown Cos, Black-seeded Bath and Hick’s Hardy 
White were given. Those grown for the summer 
require good rich soil, and should be sown where they 
are to stand and develope themselves, if circumstances 
Varieties of Hellebores. 
at the time permit of this being done ; if not, they can 
be reared thinly in beds and afterwards transplanted. 
After a good soaking of water it was advised to mulch 
with mushroom-bed refuse or similar material during 
dry weather, and the result would be crisp fleshy 
produce. Blanching, if necessary, may be accomplished 
by tying them with matting, covering them with a 
clean flower-pot, about five days being required in the 
summer, and a little longer later in the season to 
blanch a green Lettuce of some of the Cos kinds ; but 
those kinds that fold their leaves closely require but 
little attention in this respect. 
It was contended that Endive was indispensable for 
autumn and winter use ; and three kinds are as many 
as need be grown. Moss Curled should be sown about 
the middle of June for early use, followed by Hardy 
Green Curled ; and the Round-leaved Batavian about 
the first week in July and again at the end of the 
month. These sowings will cover the whole period 
when Endive is in request for salad purposes. Blanch¬ 
ing may be accomplished by covering the plants with 
a clean board, tying, or inverted flower-pots. In prefer¬ 
ence to lifting a portion of the stock at the approach of 
severe weather and placing it in frames, Mr. Harrison 
advised it to be planted in the frames, as the plants 
are less liable to damp and rot during the winter. 
Celery, he said, was not only an important ingredient 
in a salad, but an indispensable kitchen-garden crop, 
and worthy of every care and attention. The type ot 
Celery best adapted for private gardens would be found 
amongst the short compact medium-growing sorts, such 
as Turner’s Incomparable, Seymour’s Superb White, 
Sandringham, Carters’ Ivory White, Cole’s Red Defiance 
Major Clarke’s Red and Standard Bearer, which has 
proved itself to be the hardiest of all. These varieties 
make their leaves nearly all of one length, and there¬ 
fore have but little waste about them. Dwarf kinds 
admit of being planted closer together, and consequently 
require less earthing—advantages of no mean importance. 
Seed may be 
sown from the be¬ 
ginning of March 
to the end of 
April ; the early 
varieties in gentle 
heat, and the 
latest in the open 
ground. From 
first to last Celery 
should be grown 
freely, taking care 
to check the young 
plants as little as 
possible in the two 
or three removals 
involved in culti¬ 
vation. Whether 
planted in 
trenches or in 
beds, plenty of 
rotten manure 
should be worked 
into the ground, 
and a plentiful 
supply of water or 
weak liquid 
manure given 
previous to earth¬ 
ing. This opera¬ 
tion should not be 
done too early ; 
suckers and a few 
small leaves at the 
base being re¬ 
moved, prior to 
tying up the plant 
loosely to keep the 
soil out of the 
heart. The soil 
being pressed 
firmly between 
the plants, a 
second earthing 
will be required a 
few weeks after 
the first and the 
final one on a fine 
day when growth 
has nearly ceased. 
In the spring the remains of the crop should be taken 
up and laid on the north side of a wall, and protected 
if necessary, which checks growth, and thus con¬ 
siderably prolongs the Celery season. 
The best Radishes are Wood’s Early Frame, for 
sowing in gentle heat during February and March ; 
and French Breakfast for sowing outside from March to 
August. Black Spanish sown towards the end of the 
last month or early in the following one, where pro¬ 
tection if necessary can be given, will prove useful in 
the winter months. 
Chicory and French Dandelion should be sown in 
drills about the middle or end of May or early in June; 
as if sown earlier they are liable to flower during early 
autumn. The roots should be lifted for forcing in the 
dark. 
Beet was said to thrive best in a light friable soil 
that has been well manured for the previous crop. 11 
should be sown the end of April to the 20th of May ; 
small or medium-size roots free from “forks” are the 
best, and great care should be taken at the time of 
