February 11, 1888. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
375 
at any one time all through the winter, even when the 
frost was sharpest. So far, the plants have come 
through the winter without the appearance of spot, or, 
indeed, any accident. To keep the growth healthy, 
clean, and robust is now the aim of the grower, throwing 
the lights open on all favourable occasions, and allowing 
them to have the benefit of any gentle showers that 
may be brought up from the south or south-west. 
Care must still be taken to shield the plants frotn heavy 
or cutting winds ; but on no account should the frames 
be entirely closed. It is keen, cutting, frosty winds 
that harm the budding growths. During the past 
fortnight my plants were frozen hard on several 
occasions ; but when the sun cime out I simply shaded 
them from it, excluding light for a time, but freely 
admitting air all the while. 
Potting must now be proceeded with. The compost 
I intend using has been freely exposed all the winter, 
and is now nicely mellowed and fit for use. The 
most forward plants are in 48-sized pots, and have 
rooted freely, while in a few days they will be ready to 
go into their blooming pots. It is not well to over¬ 
pot ; I much prefer to have pots full of roots than full 
of soil and few roots. Those that are potted will be 
placed in a cold frame, and the lights kept over them 
only when necessary. This is preparatory to their 
being fully exposed in the open air during March. 
It is during March that the seedlings and all the 
Clove Carnations, with a few exceptions, will be planted 
out in the open ground. The ground was deeply dug 
in October, and having been forked over on one or two 
occasions during drying weather, is in excellent con¬ 
dition. When planted out all the leading shoots will 
be secured, so that no danger comes from the wild' 
March winds. Though I am told that there is a race 
of Carnations that are so robust that the (lower-stems 
will stand up erect without the aid of supports, I must 
admit that I am a little sceptical upon that point. I 
have seen a good many dwarf-growing and very robust 
Carnations, but I have never yet seen one capable of 
holding its flower-stems erect in windy weather without 
the aid of artificial support; and I by no means believe 
all I am told by interested parties whose sole business 
is to sell.— R. D. 
-- 
Incites from Scotland. 
Scottish Horticultural Association. —At 
the meeting of this association held on Tuesday night, 
at 5, St. Andrew Square—Mr. D. P. Laird, president, 
in the chair—Mr. Lindsay, Curator of the Royal 
Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, read a paper on “Histori¬ 
cal Plants.” A.t the outset lie contrasted the small 
number of plants known in Scriptural times with the 
large number composing the vegetable kingdom known 
nowadays. Plant-worship in eastern countries, he 
indicated, was symbolical. From a somewhat similar 
origin sprang the use of evergreens in church festivities ; 
the Trees of Liberty, which, during the French 
Revolution, were regarded as the rendezvous of the 
patriots, and the idea of the modern [esthetic school. He 
next dealt with the national emblems—Rose, Thistle, 
Shamrock, Leek, fleur-de-lis, and Violet; thereafter he 
referred to the plants forming the badges of the 
Highland clans, and exhibited dried specimens of each. 
After noticing several pet plants of botanists and 
others, he concluded by describing the Primrose—the 
latest historical plant. The paper was listened to by a 
full meeting, and it was the unanimous opinion of the 
members present that it should be published in the 
transactions of the association. The schedule of prizes 
for the next Chrysanthemum show, to be held on 
November 20th and 21st, w’as laid on the table. 
St. Martin’s Rhubarb.— To get the earliest 
supplies of Rhubarb—say, in November—one is desirous 
of obtaining sorts which force easily and give a good 
return for labour. Having tried several kinds against 
Prince Albert, we are still inclined to pronounce this 
the best early sort. 'We have had St. Martin’s at 
different times from growers wide apart, and in each 
case it has turned out identical with the older Prince 
Albert. It is a very easily-raised Rhubarb from seed, 
and by good attention a fair return may be had the 
first year ; but it is well to note that seedlings make a 
vigorous growth, and have a very different appearance 
the first year to what they have after being established 
for years in the ground. This is not the only root 
which misleads some who are elated by the idea that 
a new and distinct variety has been raised which turns 
out to be an old-established kind when tested by culti¬ 
vation. Time, situation, and other circumstances make 
great changes in plants, and it would be well, when 
the word “improved” is attached to any fruit, flower, 
or vegetable, to see that it is really deserving of the 
title. We know that great numbers of items are 
annually placed before the public which are improve¬ 
ments on old kinds ; but by careful observation we are 
also painfully aware that many are unduly lauded 
which only deceive in the end.— Caledonian. 
Raising Seedlings by “Steam.” —This idea 
is not a new one, and knowing a good deal of the smart 
practice of some of our expert market growers, one is 
not surprised to see such indomitable energy and perse¬ 
verance among successful amateurs as may be met with. 
While perambulating lately among extensive machinery 
where mechanics are to be seen, in hot haste, forming 
handsome articles of endless description, chiefly with 
iron, we noticed in odd corners boxes of soil with 
seedlings showing their delicate green tops; on making 
enquiry we were informed that they were the prize¬ 
taking Leeks, Onions, Parsnips, &c., of a noted local 
grower. When one sees such fine products, as we 
have, whose cradle was in such untoward positions, we 
are ready to exclaim that those who love gardening to 
this extent should have belonged to the craft. The 
ground on which such fine productions are raised is 
formed of irregular patches behind workshops and 
heaps of iron.— Caledonian. 
Apprentices and Journeymen.- While we 
take little exception to what has been written in the 
pages of The Gardening World, it may be well to 
remind some of our young friends that they are quite 
as able to pay for their literary matter as their chiefs 
generally are : and we think it a spirit not to be 
envied which would wait to have the paper after the 
head-gardener who had paid for it had done with it. 
Seeing there are papers at such low prices, one would 
suppose that every under-gardener could afford to be 
independent of his superior or any other. I have always 
been situated where gardening papers and others were 
supplied for the use of the men, and never knew 
a proprietor who would object to find them at his own 
expense ; and this privilege of the workmen is now 
more general than when the writer was among the 
“underlings,” with small wages compared with what 
is paid to men in the same capacity at the present 
time. My experience has always been that when men 
found their own literature it was more highly valued 
than that which was received gratis, and I need not 
add that every thing in print is sold at a reduced rate 
when compared with what we could purchase twenty- 
five to thirty years ago. Head-gardeners, too, are paid 
generally in small proportion to those under them ; 
while journeymen, as a rule, have only themselves to 
keep, their chiefs generally have families to maintain. 
Men receiving 20s. to 22 s. per week, with coal and 
lodgings found, have a remuneration superior to head- 
gardeners with double that sum. We, however, do our 
best to aid young men iu their studies, by handing 
them on an average four to five periodicals weekly, 
but I am sorry to say that very few of them take the 
trouble to read them.— Scot. 
North of Scotland Horticultural As¬ 
sociation. —One of the most successful sessions of 
this association was brought to a close on Friday 
evening, 3rd inst., in the Music Hall Buildings, 
Aberdeen. There was a good attendance of members. 
A very lengthy and exceedingly interesting paper, 
which was sent by Mr. J. Fraser, Kew Green, Surrey, 
entitled “The Influence of Light on Plants as Applied 
to Horticulture ” was read. Mr. Fraser treated his 
subject in capital style, and the thanks of the meeting 
were ordered to be conveyed to him. The usual votes 
of thanks brought the meeting and the session of 
1S87-8 to a close. 
-- 
The Amateurs’ Garden. 
Seed Sowing. —Peas and Beans for an early crop may 
now be sown with more safety than they could a month 
ago, when some, no doubt, availed themselves of the 
opportunity of making a sowing outside when the 
weather and soil were favourable, or made one under 
glass for planting out when the weather becomes 
sufficiently propitious for their safety. By sowing 
outdoors so early as last month, very little will be 
gained in the earliness of the crops, while there may be 
a great loss from the attacks of mice, as I myself have 
experienced. When these mischievous little depre¬ 
dators discovered the trenches in which the Peas were 
sown, they burrowed along the whole length of the 
lines, and destroyed or removed almost every seed 
before the mischief was discovered, owing to a covering 
of snow. Colonies of Peas sprang up all over the 
garden iu the course of the spring, where they had been 
deposited by the mice. If troubled with them, set 
traps baited with something tempting. Earliest of All, 
First and Best, William I., Chelsea Gem, and American 
Early AVonder are some of the best and earliest varieties 
in cultivation, the two last-mentioned varieties being 
very dwarf. 
Cauliflower, Lettuce, and Celf.ry —especially 
the first-named—should be sown without further delay 
by those having a greenhouse or frame that is heated 
by fermenting material. Under any circumstances, 
keep the pans or boxes containing the seedlings as near 
the light as possible whenever they pierce through the 
soil. By so doing they may be kept in a sturdy and 
healthy condition without becoming weakly and drawn. 
When the Cauliflower has developed one or two leaves, 
prick off the plants in a cold frame or under a hand- 
light, always observing that they are protected against 
frost should the weather be severe. Lettuce may be 
planted out in the same way after being thoroughly 
hardened off, or even after they have been pricked into 
a box in order to gain strength. When the Celery is 
sufficiently strong to be handled, prick off the seedlings 
into a box containing a large quantity of rough leaf- 
soil, old hot-bed manure, or something of a similar 
nature in the bottom. The seedlings will root freely 
into this, and lift with a good ball when they are 
planted out in the open ground. If plenty of room is 
given them they may be retained in the box till plant¬ 
ing time, otherwise they may be grown for some time 
planted out in a cold frame. 
Bedding Plants. —Those desirous of increasing 
their stock would do well to commence propagating 
such things as Pelargoniums, Alyssum maritimum, 
Lobelias, and such others as are required in quantity. 
Some still adhere to the plan of raising the small blue- 
flowered Lobelias from seed. This is quite proper where 
there is no means of preserving a few old plants through 
the winter for propagating purposes, but I find it the 
best policy to save a few, say six or twelve old plants 
of last year’s stock for propagation. By this means we 
get all the advantages, and are certain of a dwarf and 
floriferous strain, by saving the best habited plants 
only, or even some of the best named sorts. Seedlings 
seldom come perfectly true, and are often straggling 
and irregular at best. I put the cuttings into pans, 
and in the absence of anything better, cover them with 
a square of glass, and stand in the warmest place at my 
disposal. They root slowly, but make good stuff. 
Sow Golden Feather so as to give it time to develop 
into useful and good-sized plants before bedding-out 
time. — F. 
Filmy Ferns. —These pretty and extremely interest¬ 
ing Ferns are by no means so difficult to manage as 
some would imagine ; nor do they require a tropical 
heat to grow them successfully if the all-important 
condition of moisture receives due attention. The 
extreme delicacy of their fronds requires that they 
should be surrounded by a saturated atmosphere, or 
one that is continually charged with a greater or less 
amount of moisture. This state of matters can be 
secured with the greatest facility, even in dwelling- 
rooms, by means of close cases, such as those already 
mentioned, or simply by means of bell-glasses. 
Ferns of the kind under notice may be grown in a 
mixed collection along with other choice species and 
varieties ; but more satisfactory results may be obtained 
by growing Filmy Ferns separately. A prominent 
and central position should always be accorded to 
Todea superba, which may be had of a size suitable 
to individual requirements. The Killarney Fern 
(Trichomanes radicans) is amenable to window culture, 
and easily grown. But we must not overlook the fact 
that some of the exotic species are even prettier, and 
as accommodating to this kind of treatment. Amongst 
such might be mentioned T. pixidiferum, T. reniforme, 
T. venosum, and T. triohoideum. The last is notable 
for the extreme delicacy of the divisions of its fronds, 
which may be compared or likened to hairs, and when 
charged with moisture in the form of dewdrops is 
exceedingly handsome. T. venosum is bright green in 
colour, and very dwarf. 
Our native Hymenophyllums are interesting and 
easily grown, but are surpassed in beauty by some of 
the exotic types, such as H. demissum, H. polyanthus, 
H. ciliatum, and H. dilatum. Most of these have 
from time to time been subjected to a temperature so 
low that the fronds have been frozen, and more or less 
covered with ice without suffering harm, so that no 
difficulty need be entertained on that score by those 
who wish to cultivate them in windows by the use of 
cases or bell-glasses.— Filix. 
