666 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
what less hardy and vigorous in our climate. It comes 
from Morocco, and has hroad, shallowly three to five- 
lobed, somewhat fleshy leaves, with rather short- 
jointed and slow-growing stems. The flowers are, 
however, pure white, between funnel and cup-shaped, 
large for a Saxifrage, and beautiful. It seems to do 
best when planted on a rather moist portion of the 
rockery, and, if possible, screened from the afternoon 
sun for the same reason. 
-- 
The Amateurs’ Garden. 
The Flower Garden. 
The fullest pleasure is derived from a garden when the 
possessor is fully in love with it, and occupies himself 
almost continually in doing something or other there. 
No recreation is more healthful or enjoyable, and at the 
same time more simple, than an hour or two spent 
there in the cool of the evening. The chief duties at 
the present time are the mowing of the grass, planting, 
watering, staking, hoeing, weeding, and the thinning 
of annuals, as well as of various perennials, that may 
have been sown in the open air. By continually 
attending to these matters, small as they may seem, the 
neat and tidy appearance of everything is more than a 
recompense for the trouble incurred, independently of 
the quantity of flowers that may he obtained for indoor 
decoration. A well-kept and tidy garden is not only 
admired, hut envied by neighbours and casual onlookers. 
A sort of wholesome rivalry is thus often set up that 
stimulates others to the same kind of work ; and by 
encouragement of this kind, it is surprising to what 
perfection the amateur may bring any particular class 
of plants to which he takes a fancy. The best results 
are often obtained by confining one’s self to any par¬ 
ticular class of plants which he can manage. 
Staking. 
This is a matter that is often neglected till necessity 
compels, by the breaking down of the plants by wind 
or rain, after which the operation is rendered more 
difficult, and in nine cases out of ten is wholly un¬ 
satisfactory. No better time could be chosen than 
when the plants have made considerable growth, hut 
are still sturdy and erect. All that is then required is 
to drive in the stake with a mallet, and put a piece of 
string round the stems, tying it to the stake. In 
the case of herbaceous plants with, say, an armful of 
stems, very little support is necessary if done at the 
proper time, when they should not be bound up to the 
stake like a sheaf of corn, but simply have the string 
put round to keep them in position. Herbaceous 
stems that are naturally procumbent should not be 
tied up at all, as it simply converts them into bundles 
of unnatural-looking objects. Those who love their 
plants, and study their natural habits, will soon learn 
to deal with them properly. All procumbent or 
creeping subjects should be planted where they can 
spread and run their own way without check, excepting, 
of course, when they become too large, being then 
reduced accordingly, but chiefly during winter when at 
rest. 
The beauty of appropriateness is never better seen 
than when all plants are staked in the proper way. 
The size of the stake must be in accordance with the 
plant that is to he operated upon, and it must also be 
put in the least conspicuous position, so as least to 
offend the eye. They are sometimes cut to size, planed 
and painted, but if neatly done in the manner recom¬ 
mended, the stakes may simply be made from under¬ 
wood obtained from such places as where hop poles are 
grown. These, if cut into appropriate lengths and 
pointed, will last several years if laid aw.ay carefully in 
a dry place during winter and till again required. 
Hollyhocks. 
The propagation of this grand old garden flower should 
be commenced before long, as no more satisfactory 
young plants are obtained than from cuttings struck 
during summer, when no artificial heat is required. 
The method is simply as follows :—Supernumerary 
shoots from the old stools should be used, leaving only 
one to run up and produce flowers. More may he per¬ 
mitted from strong plants ; but the tallest, strongest, 
and most stately ones are obtained when the energies 
of the plant are confined to one stem. The tips of the 
shoots may be used before there is any tendency to 
show flower ; but more uniform results are obtained by 
cutting up the stem into lengths, with one bud to each. 
Sever immediately below a joint, as for ordinary 
cuttings, because the stem is more solid at that point. 
From 1J ins. to 2i ins. of stem, according to the 
distance between two leaves, should be left above each 
eye or bud, as by this means the bud is nourished and 
encouraged to grow till it has made leaves and fresh 
roots. Cut away the blade of the leaf, allowing the 
petiole to remain attached. The best time to make 
eyes or cuttings in this way is when the stems are in 
full vigour and commencing to get firm. Insert the 
cuttings in boxes in a compost consisting of two parts 
loam to one of leaf-soil, with a liberal quantity of sand. 
Drain the boxes well, and after inserting the cuttings 
by burying that end containing the bud for at least 
1 in. below the surface, water down the whole through 
the rose of a watering-pot. Stand the boxes in a shady 
place, and see that the soil does not at any time get too 
dry. They will generally take root in the course of a 
fortnight, evidence of which will be forthcoming by 
the bud appearing above soil. The plants may be 
retained in boxes all the winter, or potted up when 
well rooted, to be planted out next spring. When 
raised in this way, Hollyhocks are much hardier in 
constitution, and less likely to be attacked by disease. 
Asparagus Beds. 
The supply and the quality of this favourite vegetable 
has been good up till now, but the cutting of it must 
be discontinued to allow the remaining stems to form a 
good growth, as upon that depends the vigour of the 
produce for next spring. Keep the beds clear of weeds 
and assist the plants with manure water, or what is 
equally beneficial, common salt, which may be scattered 
plentifully on the surface of the beds, and watered in 
the absence of rain. Sea-weed is also a good manure, 
and carries with it various ingredients of considerable 
value to Asparagus, which is'a maritime plant. Those 
in the neighbourhood of the sea would, as a rule, have 
no difficulty in obtaining a quantity for immediate use. 
As the stems attain size there is a danger of their being 
broken down by means of storms of wind or rain. To 
guard against mishaps of this kind, stakes should be 
driven in at convenient distances apart, and a piece of 
cord or twine run round the sides of the bed, or each 
row of Asparagus may be so treated, and thus escape a 
great amount of injury. 
To NATOS. 
Amateurs could, if they chose, grow a quantity of 
Tomatos for themselves by a little timely forethought, 
and a small amount of trouble. Few gardens do not 
possess a little wall space that would profitably be 
occupied with Tomatos. In the absence of a wall 
facing south, east, or west, a warm sunny border will 
suit them admirably, and bring to perfection a 
considerable weight of fruit. Before planting out it is 
necessary to have the plants in an advanced state so as 
to he able to commence fruiting at once after having 
become established. "When grown in the open air 
they should be confined to one, or at most three stems, 
all the side branches that are produced being cut away. 
The object is to confine the energies of the plant to a 
limited quantity of fruit and foliage, so that the former 
may be ripened by sun-heat, the whole of which is 
required in our short summer. Against a wall the 
stems may be fastened with a few shreds and nails ; 
but in the open ground staking will be necessary. The 
stakes need not be of great height, as the plants should 
be well pinched back after a reasonable quantity of 
fruit has been set. Plant in well-manured soil, and 
give a good watering to start fresh root action. 
-- 
PETE IN AID OP THE GAR¬ 
DENERS’ ORPHAN FUND. 
Owing to the pressure on our time and space last week, 
we were unable to allude but briefly to this fete, 
which was held in Covent Garden Flower Market, on 
“Wednesday, the 6th of June. As far as the number 
of visitors was concerned, it was a brilliant success, the 
tickets of invitation being distributed rather too freely 
for the accommodation offered by the market, roomy 
as it is. The traffic was greatly impeded in Wellington 
Street long before opening time, owing to the multitude 
of visitors who had assembled waiting for admission. 
The market growers (to one of whom, Mr. Howard, of 
Southgate, is the full credit due of being the originator 
of the movement) had been equally diligent all day 
preparing a floral feast for the visitors, such as stands 
quite unrivalled in any other European city, or, we may 
safely say, in the world. Every stall was simply 
crammed to overflowing with the brightest and showiest 
of flowers, both hardy and hothouse, such as take the 
popular fancy. All or nearly all of the growers are 
specialists in their way, and grow a few things in which 
they succeed in a measure that cannot he equalled by 
June 16, 1888. 
those who try the culture of various and widely diverse 
subjects. 
The leading flowers on the evening of the exhibition 
were Pelargoniums, show, decorative, and zonal; 
Fuchsias, in few varieties it is true, but well-grown 
and floriferous plants, in 43-sized pots, which is the 
popular and universal gauge for market purposes ; 
Hydrangeas, Marguerites, or Paris Daisies ; Eoses, 
Lilies, Pyrethrums, Irises, Narcissus, Orchids, Car¬ 
nations, Heliotrope, Mignonette, Palms, Ferns, and cut 
flowers, such as Eucharis, Gardenias, Bouvardias, and 
others. After entering the market we were simply 
carried along by the crowd, having to make our notes 
briefly and as best we could, without any regard to 
order. 
Mr. K. Lawford’s specialities were white Marguerite, 
Fuchsias (including Lord Beaconsfield), and show and 
fancy Pelargoniums ; Mr. Walker, Whitton, had the 
double Poet’s Narcissus, Iris florentina, I. aphylla 
Madame Chereau, I. germanica atropurpurea, and 
other choice things ; Mr. Philpot had Euonymus, Box, 
and other foliage plants, Pelargoniums, &c. ; Mr. 
Drost, of Eichmond, had fine specimens of Hydrangea 
paniculata lighting off the foliage of his Palms wonder¬ 
fully. Marguerites and Fuchsias were shown by Mr. 
W. A. Tongue ; hardy Pinks and Campanulas by Mr. 
John Byatt; double Pyrethrums by Mr. Wm. Warren, 
Isleworth ; Harrison’s Musk, Alternantheras, Petunias, 
and Lobelias by Mr. Solomon ; Eoses, Pelargoniums 
and magnificent specimens of Hydrangea hortensis by 
Mrs. Weatherill; Pelargoniums, Fuchsias and double 
Petunias tastefully arranged by Messrs. Bannister & 
Son. Messrs. Hawkins & Bennett, Twickenham, were 
to the fore with their cut blooms of Eoses and Ste- 
phanotis; Mr. W. Poupart, their neighbour, had 
herbaceous Pieonies, Lily of the Valley and Myosotis 
dissitiflora in abundance ; Mr. H. B. May, Upper 
Edmonton, had a fine lot of Ferns, including tho 
beautifully variegated Pteris Mayi, with Adiantums, 
Mignonette and Carnations ; Mr. T. Dodd showed 
Marguerites, Pelargoniums and Fuchsias ; Messrs. 
W. & H. Heath had Pansies, Tropieolums, Petunias, 
and Common Thrift ; Mr. John Ward showed single 
Petunias, Spiraeas and the variegated Acer negundo ; 
red-flowered Lobelias and Pelargoniums were shown 
by Mr. James Digby ; Mr. W. Cooper had Ferns 
and Spiraeas. The stand of Mr. H. B. Smith was very 
gay with Pelargoniums, Fuchsias, Hydrangeas and 
Pteris ; Palms and Selaginella uncinata were shown by 
Mr. T. A. Dickson ; the Odontoglossums, Feather 
Hyacinth, and Gladiolus The Bride, shown by Mr. A. 
Cattaneo, were also fine. Oriental Poppies, Pseonies, 
Pyrethrums, Liliums, Iris and Tamarisk were very fine 
on the stall of Mr. T. S. Ware, Tottenham. White 
and red double Stocks, Heaths, double yellow 
Chrysanthemums and Eh'odanthe, were shown by 
Mr. John Mailer, Tottenham. Cut flowers of Lilium 
longiflorum Harrisi, white Bouvardias, Marguerites 
and Adiantums were shown by Mr. E. T. Childs; 
Marguerites, Hydrangeas and Pelargoniums by Mr. 
John Turtle ; cut blooms of Eoses, Carnations, 
Eucharis, Ferns, Dendrobiums, Lidias and Odonto¬ 
glossums were exhibited by Mr. G. Munro, the Orchids 
being very fine ; Mr. Beckwith had also cut flowers of 
Lilium Harrisi, Eoses and white Bouvardias ; Messrs. 
B. & A. Matthews had Tropreolums and Ehodanthe 
Manglesii in quantity : Lobelias, Hydrangeas and 
Campanula Loreyi were shown by Mr. Andrew Sweet. 
A very varied collection of hardy plants, consisting 
of Japan Maples, Forget-me-nots, pink Gypsophylla, 
Oriental and Iceland Poppies and Agrostis nebulosa, 
was exhibited by Mr. G. F. Waring ; the Hydrangeas 
and Ehodanthes of Messrs. Williams were also showy. 
Show and fancy types of Pelargoniums were shown in 
quantity by Mr. G. Braid ; Carnations, Aspidistras, 
tall Palms and tree Ferns were noteworthy on the stand 
of Mr. Howard, of Southgate ; Pelargoniums, Eoses, 
Carnations and Adiantums occupied the stand of Mr. 
James Matthews ; Pteris argyrea, with silvery white 
variegation, variegated Negundo and Hydrangeas were 
very attractive on the stand of Mr. H. E. Oubridge ; 
Ehodanthes, Mignonette, white Marguerites and Aspi¬ 
distra were grouped in masses by Mr. H. Tite ; zonal 
Pelargoniums, single and double, Calceolarias and other 
bedding plants were exhibited by Mr. Uxford. The 
stand of Mr. E. Brown was rendered very conspicuous 
by masses of Saxifraga Cotyledon pyramidalis, the 
snowy and graceful pyramidal panicles of which might 
well be considered the pride of the market. He also 
showed Fuchsia Lord Beaconsfield, white and double 
yellow Marguerites and Pelargoniums. Mr. Thomas 
Pearce had showy plants of Erica ventricosa, together 
