586 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
May 12, 1888. 
The Amateurs’ Garden. 
Alpine Auriculas. 
Although so much has been lately said and written 
with respect to these plants, both by the best amateurs 
and the most expert professionals, yet much more 
remains to be said, written or reiterated ere this most 
interesting and beautiful class of plants receives the 
popular support its intrinsic merits so richly deserve. 
For ease of culture, variety of colour, and adaptability 
of circumstances it knows no equal. In the sun or 
shade it persistently continues to throw up its bright 
and gorgeous blossoms in the welcome days of spring ; 
and, moreover, it is so hardy that the severest winter 
or the hottest summer seem practically to have no effect 
upon it. A very popular plant at one time, as I read, 
especially in the north of England, but falling, as all 
things do periodically, into disrepute ; although I am 
pleased to observe that that condition no longer now 
applies, as undoubtedly the tide has again turned in 
its favour, and well it may, when its properties, 
capabilities and early-flowering propensities are taken 
into account. The beautiful varieties now so freely 
produced by cross-fertilisation give so many and such 
wondrous variations in tint and shade, and they are 
so easily managed and simple of cultivation, that the 
marvel is every garden does p.ot contain them. 
Though a native of Alpine heights, of fresh air, and 
of smokeless regions, it will yet accommodate itself to 
our vitiated atmosphere—aye, and even thrive and 
reward us with the glories of a thousand hues, where 
many a less beautiful subject would pine and die. The 
Primula family generally, of which this is an important 
member, are, by virtue of their intrinsic beauty and 
spring-flowering qualities, entitled to receive a large 
meed of attention at our hands. They are all 
amenable—Alpine and otherwise—to intelligent treat¬ 
ment and generous consideration, and are therefore 
alike suitable either for pot, pan, or garden culture. 
An Amateur’s Collection. 
In evidence of these remarks, I would like to record a 
visit paid on Saturday last to an amateur enthusiast of 
forty years’- standing, who, being quite a specialist—for 
he grows nothing else —roughly estimates that he is the 
happy owner of 10,000 plants. This gentleman resides 
on one of the lower slopes of Highgate Hill, in a 
thickly-populated neighbourhood. Notwithstanding 
this fact, added to another disadvantage—namely, the 
position of the garden, which is due south and 
consequently exposed to the full influence of Sol’s 
burning beams, he yet maintains with infinite care and 
attention, and by a free use of the hose, such a grand 
display of floral magnificence as it has never been my 
lot to view before. 
The soil is also of a stiff retentive order, to reduce 
the tenacity of which he liberally applies the siftings 
of the dust bin. Under these adverse conditions, 
therefore, it is marvellous what results can be 
accomplished, what an exhibition can be presented, 
what an assemblage of beautiful forms can be created, 
when an innate and natural love of nature becomes 
fully and fondly expressed. Here may be seen 
collected together a single species of plant representing 
almost every possible shade of colour, from the purest 
white, through all its variations, to the deepest plum. 
And withal the flower is redolent of delicate though 
delicious perfume, reminding one of the fragrance of 
the Rose, or the spicy islands of the east. 
Two years ago I obtained a portion of a packet of seeds 
of choice show Auriculas—or what was advertised as 
such—and although the result of attention to details is 
highly gratifying, not a single plant exhibits those 
points of excellence so much sought after in the stage 
variety. In the two dozen pot plants which I have 
thus acquired, there are, therefore, no green, grey, or 
white-edged flowers, which go so largely to distinguish 
the show from the Alpine class. However, what I do 
possess are infinitely more diversified as regards colour 
and markings, and are such as no lover of plants should 
ignominiously neglect. Many of the pips which com¬ 
pose the trusses in my flowers measure from H ins. to 
If ins. in diameter, and are borne in strong stout 
umbels, which collectively average nine or ten in 
number, with correspondingly healthy foliage. I 
attribute this vigour of leafage and floriferousness of 
bloom to a top-dressing of Clay’s Fertiliser, which was 
administered when the plants began to show signs of 
development. They now occupy a shelf near the glass 
in a cold greenhouse amongst other choice hardy 
subjects, such as Primulas, Anemones, Campanulas, 
Silenes, bulbs, &e., &c., and are not only the ad¬ 
miration of the owner, but of the owner’s friends. I 
may state that the plants were wintered in a cold 
frame, and received no more consideration than other 
pot subjects of the same genus. 
I cannot do better than conclude these remarks with 
a quotation from an eminent modern author:— 
“Flowers, besides being beautiful in themselves, are 
suggestive of every other kind of beauty—of guiltless¬ 
ness, of youthfulness, of hope. They are evidences of 
nature’s good nature ; they neutralise bad with good, 
beautify good itself, make life livelier, human bloom 
more blooming, and anticipate the spring of heaven 
over the winter of the grave.”— C. B. G., Acton, W. 
Asparagus. 
There is no reason why every amateur possessed of a 
piece of garden ground should not grow a bed of 
Asparagus if he likes. The first process is the pre¬ 
paration of a bed, which should be trenched 18 ins. or 
2 ft. in depth. Then, if the natural soil is at all 
retentive or wet, a layer of brick-bats or similar rough 
material should be laid along the bottom. If the 
subsoil consists of clay, and that of an impermeable 
or wet character, a drain should be conducted from it 
into some outlet. This, however, is not very often 
necessary. Should the natural soil be tolerably good 
it will require little amelioration, otherwise road 
scrapings, old potting material and such as contains 
gritty or sandy material will greatly improve the staple 
of the bed. Mix this well with the soil while filling 
up the bed, which may be 3 ft. wide. This will give 
room for two rows to he placed along the middle of the 
bed about 1 ft. apart, leaving 1 ft. on each side of the 
bed for a margin. Well-rotted cow-dung dug into 
the top spit would also prove very beneficial. The 
object should be to break up and make the soil as friable 
as possible. Now is a good time to plant the roots, 
which may be one or two years old. Take out a 
shallow trench and place the crowns about 3 ins. below 
the surface, putting them about 18 ins. apart from 
plant to plant in the row, and alternately with those 
in the other. Spread out the roots, carefully cover 
them with fine soil, and give a watering immediately. 
Peas and Scarlet Runners. 
Successional sowings of Peas should be made to come 
in after those now pushing through the soil are over. 
A great difficulty often experienced with late sown 
Peas is that they are liable to mildew, and seldom 
attain any size or bear good crops, especially if the 
summer should prove hot and dry. Of course, this 
applies more especially to the southern and eastern 
counties, including the district of London. This 
difficulty may be overcome to a great extent by taking 
out a trench about 12 ins. or 15 ins. in depth, and 
digging in a quantity of good manure. Cover this in, 
and sow the Peas in the usual way. The effect of 
this operation is that the roots of the plants are 
encouraged downwards by the manure, thus taking 
them out of the reach of drought. Should any 
watering become necessary owing to drought, the loose 
soil of the trench will readily take it all in, instead of 
allowing it to run off by the surface. Scarlet Runners 
may be treated in the same way, if any difficulty is 
experienced with them. It is now time to sow them, 
or even to plant out those that have been germinated 
indoors, after Having been well hardened off. In case 
of frosty nights, however, it is advisable to be well 
prepared with some light material, tiffany, mats, old 
shading, or something similar that can readily be 
removed during the da} 7 -. Spruce branches placed in a 
slanting direction over the plants would also answer. 
Cauliflowers, Cabbages, &c. 
Plants raised in autumn, or sown under glass in spring, 
and brought forward in that way, should now be 
planted out in well-prepared ground, not before being 
well-hardened off, however. In the absence of rain, 
watering may have to he done in order to give the 
plants a start. Make a sowing at once, and this will 
come in very useful for late summer use. Should cold 
east winds prevail, it will be a great advantage to 
newly planted Cauliflowers to have a few branches 
stuck in to shelter them. Sowings of various 
Cabbages, Savoys, Broccoli, and similar things for 
winter use may now be made. Broccoli coming into 
use will preserve the clean, white appearance of their 
heads much better by having a leaf broken over the 
crown to screen it from the sun’s rays. 
Onions Sown in Heat. 
Those who go in for exhibiting owe their success in 
many instances to the raising of a few plants under 
glass, pricking them off, and otherwise tending to them 
during the early stages. After hardening off the 
plants by full exposure, they may then be planted out 
in well-prepared and rich soil. After planting, give a 
good watering through the rose of a watering-pot. 
Violas and Pansies. 
The planting out of these where they are to flower 
should no longer he delayed. Autumn-struck cuttings 
are the best, and these should not only be well rooted 
by this time, but in many cases making for flower. 
Those who once learn how to raise plants in this way 
always follow the plan afterwards, as a healthier lot of 
subjects are so obtained, producing by far the largest 
and most handsome blooms. We often hear of Violas 
and Pansies degenerating, but those who will take the 
trouble to raise a stock annually from cuttings cannot 
fail to be delighted at their superiority compared with 
plants that are increased by dividing the old stools. 
The latter are only fit to fill up vacant spaces in borders 
when nothing better is at hand. Those who object to 
mulching with manure on the score of tidiness might 
cover the beds with old tan or cocoa-nut fibre. This is 
more especially applicable to the southern counties. 
Auriculas. 
Shade from hot sun when in flower, and never neglect 
them in the matter of watering, being careful not to 
wet the foliage, as that destroys the farinaceous covering 
and ruins their general appearance. Give abundant 
ventilation, however, and keep them near the glass to 
prevent drawing. This treatment will also keep them 
in good condition for the longest possible period. 
After flowering is over, stand the plants in a cool place 
outdoors, but protect from heavy rains. 
-- 
NEW PLANTS CERTIFICATED 
By the Floral Committee of the R. H. S. 
May 8th. 
Odontoglossum Pescatorei, Poe’s yar. 
The sepals and petals of this beautiful variety are white, 
slightly suffused with rose, and blotched in the centre 
with deep purple, especially the lateral sepals. The 
labellum is pure white, spotted with deep purple, and 
the golden yellow crest is also conspicuously striped 
with the same colour. The column is also more or less 
variegated with purple on a white ground. The flowers 
are of good size, with broad overlapping segments, and 
altogether the variety is a very pretty one. Exhibited 
by J. T. Poe, Esq., Riverston, Nenagh, Ireland. 
Anemone apennina alba. 
The blue form of this is an exceedingly popular hardy 
plant, and the white variety will be hailed by all hardy 
plant lovers. The petaloid sepals are linear, very 
numerous, and pure white, with the exception of the 
external face of the outer ones, so that the buds must 
appear pale blue, but 'this all disappears after the 
flower expands. The foliage is finely cut, constituting 
an admirable background for the snow-white flowers. 
Exhibited by Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, 
Tottenham. 
POLEMONIUM CONFERTUM. 
This new species from the Rocky Mountains will prove 
an acquisition to the Alpine garden, not only on 
account of its beauty, but its dwarfness and distinct¬ 
ness from other species. The bipinnate leaves are 
narrowly linear, with three short leaflets to each pinna, 
so closely crowded together as to disguise their true 
character. The flower-stems are slightly leafy, and 
bear at the apex a dense umbel-like cluster of flowers of 
a beautiful deep blue. The tube is somewhat funnel- 
shaped, and longer than in other species, with an open 
throat, exhibiting the yellow stamens. Exhibited by 
Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham. 
Phillyrea decora Vilmoriniana. 
There is a species named P. Vilmoriniana, with broad 
Laurel-like leaves, often grown in gardens under the 
name of P. laurifolia. That under notice has opposite, 
lanceolate acuminate, leathery, deep green leaves, 
ranging from 2 ins. to 4 ins. in length, and from 5 in. 
to 1 in. broad. The flowers are pure white, fragrant, 
and produced in axillary clusters. It was certificated 
as a shrub suitable for smoky districts, and for this 
purpose it would seem admirably adapted. Exhibited 
by Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt. 
Narcissus incomparabilis Gloria Mundi. 
A great improvement is exhibited by this variety, as 
compared with the type, having long narrow starry 
segments. In this case the segments are broad, much 
imbricated, and clear yellow. The large campanulate 
orange-coloured corona is very conspicuous, and 
adds much to the appearance of this fine new variety. 
Exhibited by Messrs. Barr & Son, Covent Garden. 
