584 
THE HARDENING WORLD. 
May 12, 1888. 
FLORICULTURE, 
Tulips. 
"When Writing on the 2nd inst., Mr. Samuel Barlow 
remarked, “Tulips are very late with ns ; Mr. Horner 
says they look like blooming in July.” This remark 
applies to Mr. Barlow’s collection, but I should think 
it is true to some extent of all collections. Mr. Horner 
once wrote, “ When Apple blossom is out, the Tulip 
will be in flower. Always Tulips with the Apple 
bloom ; and if they are to be seen at their best and at 
their longest, they must be covered from sun and 
rain.” They need to be protected from frost also. 
We seem in these days to get sharper and later frosts 
than we used to years ago, but probably things go on 
much as they did then. Some growers have a frame of 
woodwork, either span-shaped or square. Some make 
it of iron ; it is easily removable, and it will last for 
years. Over the framework is stretched some light 
material, such as tiffany, which can also be removed at 
pleasure. This should not be put on until the buds 
show colour, and there it should remain until the petals 
fall. Over Mr. Barlow’s chief bed at Stakehill he has a 
wooden framework, which can be taken away and re¬ 
erected with ease, and on this is laid at blooming time a 
number of wooden frame-lights glazed; the use for 
such lights is by no means confined to the Tulip bed, as 
they are utilised in other wayswhen not required to pro- 
tectthe Tulips. Should the weather becomeveryhot and 
dry towards the end of the month, it may be necessary 
to give the bed a good watering, and it should be done 
on a warm afternoon, the water used having previously 
been chilled by exposing it to the sun’s rays. 
A meeting of Tulip growers is announced for the 
8 th (to-day), which in Tulip lore is called the making- 
up day ; and on that occasion the day for holding the 
annual showof the National Tulip Society, at Manchester 
is fixed, judges are appointed, &c. Attendance is invited 
from all the Tulip districts, so that a day may be fixed 
likely to be generally suitable for all. It can scarcely 
take place before the end of May, judging from present 
appearances. 
Potting Auriculas. 
Geowees of these may now be re-potting their young 
stock, although this operation can be deferred for a 
time, as far as the blooming plants are concerned. 
Potting is done earlier in the year than it formerly 
was. The Rev. F. D. Horner adopts the practice of 
giving his plants entirely fresh soil as they pass out of 
bloom in May. I have already re-potted all my young 
plants, and they are commencing to strike root into 
the fresh compost. Bat early potting is sometimes 
objected to. Mr. Horner puts these objections, and his 
replies to them, in his own pleasant way, as follows: —“It 
has been said to encourage that untoward primulaceous 
trick the Auricula has of blooming in the autumn; but 
I do not find this true. Autumn blooming is a 
family feature among the Primulas (of which the 
Auricula is one), and in a great measure beyond our 
control. Some varieties are more constitutionally given 
to it than others, and if the untimely display be 
unusually wide-spread, it is due either to existing 
causes in the autumn weather, or to some check the 
plants have suffered in the summer, inducing them to 
throw up their flower stems prematurely, as if in an 
effort to save their species by attempting seed. 
“Another objection to early planting is that the soil 
will by the next spring have become impoverished, and 
have lost its richness in partly repeated waterings. 
The plants themselves refute this by their unabated 
vigour, and the fact is ignored that rain-water is no 
barren liquid that can bring no refreshment to the 
soil; and further, that the Auricula is not a plant 
that ever requires heavy water treatment. On the 
other hand, early potting is distinctly grateful to 
the plant after its exertions of flower bearing. It 
responds with great readiness to the gentle stimulus of a 
fresh sweet soil, and there are many of the best new roots 
just in the condition for being disturbed without being 
broken off. By the time of autumn, the plant is com¬ 
pletely re-established, and can devote itself to its work 
in a frame of mind not anxious, nervous, nor disturbed. 
However, both late and early potting are successful 
methods, and new growers must make choice for them¬ 
selves, remembering always these two points, to plant 
Auriculas firmly, and not to water newly potted plants 
until they plainly ask for it. The soil should be 
genially moist, friable, not wet, and no earth allowed to 
cover the base of any leaves.” 
This last point is one of considerable importance. 
Polyanthuses may be planted so deeply, that the leaf- 
stems will be buried in the soil, and roots will be put 
forth. Not so with the Auricula, for it is impatient of 
being placed with its leaves in the soil, as rot is apt to 
set in, and good varieties are lost in this way. 
Therefore, in potting Auriculas, let there be a clean 
piece of stem, if only | in. in width between the soil 
and the lowermost leaves, as in the way of that practice 
lies the path of safety.— R.D. 
Double Cinerarias. 
I think that the production of such fine new varieties 
by Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, of Swanley, and Messrs. 
Kelway & Son, of Langport, will do something towards 
popularising the double forms of the Cineraria. They 
require much the same culture as the ordinary kinds, 
but the pots should be well drained and not quite so 
large as for the single varieties. It is said that the 
blue-flowered varieties root more freely than the red 
and rose-coloured ones. As a matter of course, the 
double Cinerarias must be propagated by means of 
cuttings, for they seed very sparingly, and cannot be 
depended upon to produce themselves true from seed. 
As the plants go out of flower they should be cut half¬ 
way down, a surfacing of nice fresh soil given them, 
and then be placed out of doors under a north wall or 
hedge. Young growths will be thrown up from around 
the base of the parent stem, and these make excellent 
cuttings.— R. D. 
-->:£<-- 
FLOWER NOTES FROM 
BEDFONT. 
Yellow Polyanthuses. —Yery striking indeed in a 
large bed of border Polyanthuses of many colours, in 
Mr. R. Dean’s seed grounds at Bedfont, stand out the 
numerous rich yellows, especially the twin-flowered or 
Hose-in-Hose forms. Heads 1 ft. through are very 
effective. The Hose-in-Hose section, whilst so beau¬ 
tiful, are very sparse seeders, as compared with the 
single-flowered varieties. Mr. Dean, however, not 
only holds that from seed is the best way to obtain a 
stock of plants, but sows for that purpose himself every 
year, and as soon as the seed is ripe. 
Crimson Hose-in-Hose, Faust. —Almost the only 
propagated variety is a remarkably fine kind, the 
flowers of which are of a deep rich crimson hue, and 
large, the lower flower being slightly the larger, 
whilst the second pip is so closely set into the other 
that in combination they more resemble a semi-double 
variety than a Hose-in-Hose. It seems to be an ex¬ 
ceptionally robust variety. 
Mimulus, Brilliant. —Just coming into bloom 
outdoors, as also in pots, is the deepest-hued Mimulus 
we have seen. The flowers are of medium size, and 
good form, and of a maroon-crimson colour. It comes 
absolutely true from seed. Yery many of the flowers 
show a tendency to doubling, so that a real double 
Mimulus seems to be just possible ere long. This has 
been certificated, and well merited the honour. 
Pansy, George Rudd, is a grand yellow self 
variety, and one of the very finest. Even a single 
bloom is striking, and a plant with half a dozen 
expanded flowers is exceedingly effective. The variety 
is fairly robust, but in cold soil should be wintered in 
frames, and be planted out early in April. It is a 
superb companion variety to Archie Grant, rich 
purplish blue, also growing at Bedfont. 
Bedfont Yellow Wallflower is just now very 
fine. It is a selection from the tall golden variety, and 
now perfectly fixed in character, being dwarf in habit 
and very stout. The flowers are large, and of a rich 
orange-yellow, whilst the stems and leafage are as dark 
as found in the market Blood Red. Without exception 
it is the finest dwarf single yellow Wallflower in 
cultivation. 
The Double White Wood Anemone thrives well 
in the stiff soil at Bedfont, its herbaceous nature 
rendering it quite indifferent to the fogs which so 
materially affects A. coronaria during the winter. The 
Wood Anemone has, perhaps, the purest white flowers 
of the whole family. It should be found in con¬ 
siderable patches in every good garden in company 
with A. apennina. 
Jack-in-the-Green Primrose, Crimson Beauty, 
is the very richest and best formed of all this in¬ 
teresting section of the Primula family we have seen. 
The flowers are of perfect form, deep rich crimson in 
colour, and well set in a large calyx of leafy green. 
Mr. Dean has only just a few plants of this beautiful 
variety, which well merits the Certificate granted it by 
the Royal Horticultural Society two years ago. 
Aubrietia yiolacea presents a charming body of 
colour in a considerable breadth. The plants were 
lifted, divided and re-planted last winter, and will 
need another season’s growth to give those fine patches— 
some 15 ins. across—literally of flowers alone, seen last 
year. This variety seeds fairly well, and reproduces 
itself in that way freely—a capital feature of so beau¬ 
tiful a hardy plant. As a carpet for white or rose 
Tulips this Aubrietia is unapproachable. 
Forget-me-nots of the Dissitiflora type are grown 
here, and blooming profusely. The blue and white 
Dissitifloras, both so charming, so free, and early, are 
readily raised from seed, or increased by cuttings 
dibbled out in the autumn. The third one is a fine 
selection from the blue, and named Perfection, the 
flowers being of very fine form and the plants very 
robust. This kind, however, does not seed, and can 
only be increased by cuttings or division. Like all 
other things, Forget-me-nots are blooming much later 
than usual this year. 
Border Auriculas do remarkably well in the stiff 
clay soil of Bedfont, the plants transplanted last 
winter being large, and blooming profusely. They seem 
to be independent of cold or heat. As to colours of the 
flowers they are legion. The pretty laced forms, 
though hardly so robust, are kept distinct, and very 
pleasing they are, whether out-doors or in pots. 
Belvoir Yellow 'Wallflower just blooming in 
wonderful profusion is represented by a very dwarf, 
compact selection, the plants being all of even height, 
and all through the winter were only 4 ins. above the 
ground. All Y r allflowers have stood the winter 
remarkably well, due largely to having been got out 
later last summer, and the dry weather creating hard 
growth. 
Golden Yalerian is a very beautiful thing in the 
spring, its rich yellow foliage standing out vividly in 
contrast to the ordinary greens of the surrounding 
plants. Good clumps in borders during the spring 
prove most attractive. Seedling Carnations of fine 
double strains, saved from fine show flowers, have 
been planted out by thousands, and are doing well. 
They will probably largely flower in the autumn, and 
make a grand show next summer. 
-- 
HARDY FLOWERING SHRUBS. 
Kerrya japonica major floee pleno. 
The popularity of this shrub may be judged when we 
consider how widely it is cultivated throughout the 
country, in either the variegated or double forms. The 
variegation is well marked and distinct, and on that 
account tells well in a shrubbery amongst dark-leaved 
subjects. The single, the variegated, and two double 
forms are grown in this country, and most of them may 
be seen in the gardens of the Royal Horticultural 
Society, Chiswick, where they are flowering at the 
present time ; bnt the subject of this note is dis¬ 
tinguished from all the others—even including the 
ordinary form—on account of the great size and perfectly 
double character of the flowers, which are of a golden 
yellow, and conspicuous even from a distance. It is a 
grand plant for growing against a wall, and might even 
be tried for forcing purposes. 
Lonicera frageantissima. 
Notwithstanding the severity of the past winter, this 
highly fragrant evergreen species has been flowering in 
the Royal Horticultural Society’s gardens at Chiswick 
since February. Prevented then and since that time 
from coming into full flower, it is now in fine condition, 
and blooming profusely. The old leaves are retained 
all the winter, so that the first expanding flowers 
accompany them. Now, however, fresh growth has 
set in again, so that this climber, which is grown on a 
wall with an eastern aspect without any protection 
whatever, is now in grand condition. The flowers are 
produced in pairs from the axils of the leaves, being 
small compared with most other species, and white. 
In these characters it somewhat resembles L. xylosteum, 
but is more closely allied to L. Standishi, which has also 
white fragrant blossoms that expand early. Both are 
Chinese species, and perfectly able to withstand the 
rigours of our climate, in all the southern counties at 
least. 
Maule’s Quince (Cydonia Maulei). 
Every spring this little bush forms a glowing mass of 
brilliant red, and is not the less truly beautiful in 
autumn, when covered with its bright yellow, small, 
Apple-like fruits. They are extremely fragrant, a 
quality which they retain for many weeks together 
after being gathered, but they are by no means agree¬ 
able to the palate unless made into a conserve. 
Considering the small size of this Japan shrub, it might 
be more employed for conservatory decoration. There 
is a plant of it in the gardens at Chiswick. 
