810 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
August i8, 1888. 
The Amateurs’ Garden. 
Flower Beds. 
The observant cannot fail to have noticed the difference 
between the beds of this year and those of last during 
the latter end of July and the beginning of August. 
Those things that flourished and flowered last year in 
great profusion have this year, in most cases, grown 
with vigour, but have all gone to stems and foliage— 
proving, in fact, quite disappointing. Amongst these 
may be mentioned Pelargoniums, Tropasolums, Lobelias, 
Petunias, and, to a certain extent, Fuchsias, which, 
although they have grown moderately strong, have 
flowered rather unsatisfactorily out of doors. Last year 
Pelargoniums bloomed most profusely for some time ; 
but as the drought continued, those grown on a gravelly 
or limestone soil failing to produce any wood, at last 
lost their foliage, and looked more like miserable scare¬ 
crows than anything else. On suitable soil, however, 
they continued good till the last. Petunias and Salpi- 
glossis also flowered most profusely. 
Good practical hints can be derived from such obser¬ 
vations, which may he turned to account in planting 
in dry soils. "We cannot, however, predict what kind of 
a season we are to have next year, otherwise suitable 
plants could be had in readiness accordingly. Plants 
that have succeeded admirably this year are Pansies, 
A iolas, Carnations, Pinks, Phloxes, Calceolarias, and 
others. 
A greater amount of pleasure can be derived 
from a few beds of well-selected varieties of these 
subjects than the broad expanses of Pelargoniums, 
Lobelias and.Golden Feather with which most gardens 
have been overdone for many years past. The expense 
of keeping these things under glass by means of arti¬ 
ficial heat for nine months of the year has also been 
much greater than if collections of hardy plants were 
more generally grown. Even supposing that Pelar¬ 
goniums, Calceolarias and Lobelias are grown in 
moderate quantity, there will be room for an increasing 
number of hardy subjects, such as Pansies, Yiolas, 
Pinks, and Carnations, all of which are very suitable 
for our climate in most parts of the country. The old 
Clove Carnation has done remarkably well this season, 
and does not fail even in dry weather. Wonderful 
improvements have been effected in bedding Yiolas 
within the last few years, and their cultivation should 
be encouraged. Carnations should now be layered 
without delay if not already done. 
China Asters. 
A few pots of these in the conservatory or window of 
the dwelling-house would not be amiss at the present 
time, and it matters not whether they have been grown in 
pots up till now or in the open ground. Several plants 
are put in each pot if they are to he grown on in that 
way, hut except in the case of the very dwarf-growing 
kinds, one will suffice when lifted from the ground, as 
they generally branch freely and grow taller. These 
if potted up singly will form very attractive objects 
for some time. Lift the plants carefully with a ball, 
and pot them in good substantial soil, using a free 
admixture of sand to render the whole open for the 
draining away of superfluous water. After potting, 
place them in a close frame or other structure for a few 
days till the roots begin to work afresh, after which 
they may be taken when wanted. Being annuals it 
does not matter how roughly the work is done,, 
provided they are kept healthy till they have finished- 
flowering. 
Dahlias and Earwigs. 
Lp till quite recently earwigs have not been at all' 
plentiful, and, in fact, might have been described as ; 
scarce compared with some previous years, including 
the last. In dry situations, and particularly where the 
nature of the surroundings affords favourable hiding- 
places for these destructive pests, Dahlias suffer 
terribly from their ravages, becoming quite disfigured, 
both as regards the leaves and the flower-heads, which 
they seem to eat at all stages of their growth. An old 
method of trapping them was to place hollow Bean¬ 
stalks about the plants, and the earwigs seeking shelter 
in them were blown out and killed. An easier and far 
more efficient method is to get a number of small 
flower pots, and half filling them with dry moss, to 
place one on the top of each Dahlia support; more may 
be used if necessary in bad cases. Taking a watering- 
pot in the hand half full, go over the Dahlias every 
morning, and inspecting the pots, shake what earwigs 
may be in them into the water. After all have been. 
visited in this manner, the insects can be destroyed in 
some convenient way. 
Chrysanthemums. 
Everywhere this season there is the prospect of a grand 
harvest of bloom, provided the remaining months prove 
propitious. No pains should be spared in assisting 
them as far as lies in the cultivator’s power. The 
stems are evidently to be much taller than they were 
last year, and timely attention should be given in the 
matter of staking and tying to prevent damage from 
winds or even heavy downpours of rain. The buds of 
those intended for early autumn work should now be 
well advanced. Attend to the pinching out of all 
laterals, so as to concentrate the strength of the plants 
on the flower-heads. This, of course, applies to those 
where large heads are intended. The system need not 
he so rigidly pursued where a large quantity of 
moderate-sized heads is the desideratum for ordinary 
decorative purposes, but where large and fine heads 
for exhibition purposes are wanted they must be grown 
and treated accordingly. As the pots get filled with 
roots assist the plants with liquid manure or some of 
the best artificial ones. 
Earthing-up Celery and Leeks. 
Both of these vegetables are now making rapid progress, 
and should be attended to in the way of earthing-up, 
when perfectly dry, if possible. The usual precautions 
should be taken in preventing earth from getting into 
the crowns of the plants as the operation proceeds. 
With warm days and dewy nights following on the 
long spell of cold weather, we may have heavy heads of 
these useful vegetables, while for the present no oppor¬ 
tunity should be lost in urging them onward by timely 
earthing-up. 
-- 
NEW CROTONS. 
Your report of the exhibition of the Liverpool Horti¬ 
cultural Association on August 4th mentions only one 
of the Crotons shown by Messrs. Pi. P. Ker & Sons, of 
the Aigburth Nurseries, to which First Class Certificates 
of Merit were awarded. Aigburth Gem, the one men¬ 
tioned in your report, was raised from Rodekianus and 
the noble large-leaved Newmannii ; but it is a very 
graceful small-leaved variety, admirably adapted for 
table and decorative purposes. It is somewhat in the 
way of Picturatus, but more elegant. The older leaves 
are marked with dark oli% r e-green and fiery crimson, 
the younger are delicate green and gold, and the small 
leaves hang in the most graceful manner. This is 
quite a new variety. 
The other was Aigburthiensis, a seedling between 
Interruptus aureus and Weismannii, a very free-growing 
and free-branching variety, with an abundance of 
narrow leaves, 6 ins. to 8 ins. in length, of a bright 
primrose-yellow narrowly margined with green, the 
leaf-stalks being tinted with red. The freedom of 
growth of this variety is one of its chief characteristics, 
and it not only makes a delightful table plant, but 
grows into larger specimens also, fully maintaining its 
■character, and rendering it of the highest value for 
•decorative and exhibition purposes. A choice selection 
■of twelve Crotons for the latter purpose should certainly 
include Aigburthiensis.— JR. D. 
-=■>=&€<«- 
“A BOUQUET OP FLOWERS.” 
Within a radius of ten or fifteen miles of the fair city 
of Perth there are many fine residences of noblemen 
and gentlemen, and in my early days many of the 
head gardeners thereat had been in the south for im¬ 
provement in their journeymen’s days at such places as 
Kew, the Horticultural Gardens at Chiswick, &c. 
They founded the Perth Horticultural Society—one of 
the oldest local societies in the kingdom, and which, I 
hope, still exists. The show day was in the latter end of 
August, and was keenly looked forward to by intending 
competitors. At that time plants in pots were seldom 
seen on the exhibition tables, which, however, were 
well laden with fruit and cut flowers. In the absence 
of plants the tables had a flat appearance that was not 
attractive, and to relieve the monotony it ivas suggested 
at one show that the schedule for the next should 
■contain a class for the best bouquet of flowers. This 
■caused a flutter among the young gardeners of the time, 
and the proper definition of the word bouquet was a 
■debateable subject for many a day. What would the 
young gardeners of to-day, who have learnt how to 
manipulate wired flowers, say had they stood at the 
door of the exhibition building, and looking down the 
street had seen beautiful masses of flowers moving 
towards them—huge floral designs in some cases—borne 
on hand-barrow by stalwart knights of the spade ? 
They would surely have thought that history was re¬ 
peating itself, but that instead of being the woods of 
Birnam moving to Dunsinane—the soldiers carrying 
trees before them—it was the lusty young gardeners 
moving with Flora’s fairest charms to do battle under 
the patronage of the fair maids of Perth. Those floral 
designs were very tastefully got up at the cost of much 
time and labour. I have, as a boy, spent the night 
before the show assisting in tying on the flowers, and 
can say that the designs were a great acquisition to the 
show. Those yet alive who assisted in making them 
up must still think sometimes of their first “Bouquet 
of Flowers.”— Historicus. 
-->Xx-=- 
NOTES ON VEGETABLES. 
Peas at Chiswick. 
The trial of Peas this year is both extensive and 
numerous in variety, two large spaces of ground being 
devoted to the purpose. They have been sown in the 
order of their ripening, and although they have been 
true to their assigned characters on the whole, the 
season must be held responsible for alteration in some 
instances. Many of the varieties ripened off, and then 
commenced throwing up fresh growths, which are now 
either in flower or fruit. Most of them are therefore 
still green, and while numerous sorts have retained 
their usual height, especially those with very dark 
green foliage, others have run up to an enormous 
height, and are still growing. In making a general 
survey of the whole, it is impossible thus late in the 
season to give a comparative sketch of the cropping 
qualities of the earlier ones, owing to the pods having 
mostly been gathered some time ago. 
The three earliest were Selected Early White Round, 
Lightning, and First Early. William the First may 
be classed in the same category, but is inferior ia 
point of flavour. All attain a height of 2A ft. to 3 ft. 
Yery distinct is Emerald Gem, with straight flat pods, 
which, together with the foliage, are of a remarkably 
bright green colour, but later than the last. British 
Hero, a round white, is also ripe ; but Early Kenilworth 
and Dr. Hogg, blue wrinkled Peas that are equally 
early, are to be recommended on account of their longer 
pods, containing from seven to eleven peas of good 
quality, and sweet even when ripe. They bear heavily, 
and grow from 3 ft. to 4 ft. in height. The latter has 
the sweetest peas, and grows rather taller. Laxton’s 
Alpha is another of the same type, a heavy cropper, 
growing to the height of 5A ft. Equally prolific is 
William the Conqueror, having well-filled pods, 3 ins. 
to 3J ins. in length, containing from seven to nine 
seeds. American Wonder, a pigmy about 12 ins. in 
height, might here be mentioned, and although the 
fruit has been gathered, the haulm is quite green. 
Second early Peas, in many cases, have overstepped 
their normal height, no doubt owing to the season. 
Advancer has not, however, altered its character, 
having deep green foliage, and stems from 2 ft. to 3 ft. 
in height; it is a blue ivrinkled marrow, and is now 
ripening. Midsummer Green is taller, with peas of 
moderately good flavour, but remarkable for their 
bright green colour when swelling, and a distinct green 
even when mature. Marvel, White Prolific Marrow, 
and Prince of Wales might be classed together as similar 
in colour and height (about 3 ft. or 4 ft.), having pods 
3 ins. to 4 ins. long, containing from nine to eleven 
large, sweet, good quality peas. The pods differ in 
being flattened or more or less inflated, in the colour, 
and perhaps some minor particulars. The five fol¬ 
lowing kinds, namely, Quantity, Optimum, British 
Queen, Payne’s Conqueror, and Altissimum, are not ible 
for the enormous heights they have attained (6 ft. to 
9 ft., or even more). They all have large sweetly 
flavoured Peas, particularly in the case of Optimum 
and British Queen, but, as a rule, the pods are not 
particularly well filled. Apparently Salopian crops 
better, but the pods are not full at the tip, while 
the quality is good. Scimitar has curved or sickle¬ 
shaped pods 3 ins. or 4 ins. long, and simply 
packed full, but the peas arc by no means very 
sweet. It is dwarf, and an abundant hearer. Tele¬ 
graph is an old and well-known green marrow Pea of 
good quality, and has kept to its usual height of 5 ft. 
or 6 ft. Similar in general appearance and height is 
that named Abbot, which was certificated recently by 
the Fruit Committee. The whole plant is of a light 
green, with ample spotted foliage, and much inflated 
pods 3 ins. or 4 ins. in length, not particularly full, 
but containing large sweetly flavoured peas. Both it 
and Telegraph are good for exhibition purposes. 
