i' 122 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
October 25, 1890. 
The Amateurs’ Garden. 
SEASONABLE WORK in the GARDEN 
Crotons.—A batch of cuttings from the best varie¬ 
gated shoots of good varieties should be taken off and 
put in to root now. They should not be excited till 
February, because even after then they will be large 
enough for decorative purposes. After they are rooted 
do not keep them too closely confined, and give them 
good exposure to light. 
Caladiums.—Where late batches have been growing 
up till now, preparations must be made for ripening 
them off by gradually withholding water. When the 
leaves have died down, the pots containing the tubers 
may be stored under the benches in some house where 
the temperature does not fall below 60°. If many 
degrees below that figure the tubers are liable to be 
killed wholesale during winter. If so desired, C. 
argyrites may be kept in a growing state all the year 
round. 
Fuchsias.—In ripening off large Fuchsias it must 
be borne in mind that they are not succulent subjects, 
and if allowed to get dust dry, the roots, and after¬ 
wards the stems, get killed. Sufficient moisture should 
be given to keep the wood plump, and the plants will 
start all the better for it in spring. If room cannot be 
afforded them on the benches, they may be turned out 
of the pots and plunged in soil in some place where 
the frost will just be kept from them. 
Azaleas.—If trained specimens are tied into form 
now, they may be made to occupy less space, allowing 
the free access of light and air. Where space is limited 
the economy of this purpose will make itself felt, 
besides making the plants themselves appear tidier. 
The work maybe carried on upon wet days, so as not to 
hinder outside work when circumstances are favourable. 
Xiily of the Valley.—Complaints are sometimes 
made that these do not start into growth regularly, 
particularly in the case of early forced crowns. Good 
advice is to pot early, and allow the plants to form 
roots or make a start before they are put into heat. 
Those who intend forcing Lily of the Yallev should pot 
the crowns at once. 
Poinsettias.—The bracts of the earliest batches 
are now making their appearance, and where this is the 
case the temperature should be increased to 60° or 70°, 
at the same time assist them with liquid manure 
to increase the size of the bracts. Keep the foliage well 
exposed to light. 
Plants for the Conservatory.—Now that 
flowers are getting scarcer, early-flowering Chrysan¬ 
themums of various kinds will prove of the utmost ser¬ 
vice, in large buildings especially. Pompons and single 
varieties are not so widely distributed as they ought to 
be, for they are certainly capable of producing fine 
effects. Many of the earlier flowering Japanese kinds 
are also now in full bloom, and may be relegated to 
the show house. Bouvardias, Salvias, Ericas, Chinese 
Primulas, Solanums, Richardias, Browallias, Mig¬ 
nonette, and other subjects may be drawn upon to 
keep up a display during the autumn months. 
Euphorbia splendens.—Those who grow this 
plant (better known under the name of E. jacquiniseflora) 
should bend down the long stems for some time to 
induce them to break near the base. These lateral 
shoots will then readily produce a second crop of bloom 
after the first is cut. After they have made a start 
the leading ones may then be allowed to assume their 
erect position. 
Peaches.—The pruning of the trees in early houses 
should no longer be delayed, if the operation has not 
already been performed. If the interior of the house 
requires painting, it should be done before the trees are 
subjected to the annual cleaning. After this, the shoots 
should be dressed with some composition of good 
repute, and tied into position. All will then be in 
readiness for clo'sing the house and starting the trees 
into growth at the proper season. There will be little 
left for cutting now, in the way of young trees, 
provided it was properly attended to during the period 
of growth. 
Figs.—In the case of trees that are planted out, and 
have made too much growth during the season, they may 
be root pruned with advantage. Work well under the 
trees so as to get at the roots which dip sharply into 
the soil or go down perpendicularly. Remove bad soil, 
replacing it with fresh, and after making it firm, leave 
it in a dry state till the trees are about to be started 
into fresh growth. The best soil to use is a good loam 
with plenty of lime rubble, and some finely crushed 
bones. 
Cherry House.—Keep the ventilators wide open 
to favour the ripening of the foliage and wood, except 
when heavy rains occur. Should it be intended to 
lift or ■ transplant any of the trees, the present is a 
suitable time for performing the operation. Let good 
drainage be used in the shape of brickbats, and use 
friable but fibrous loam about each tree that is 
re-planted. 
Beetroot.—In dry weather lift Beetroot, and do it 
with care to avoid breaking of the principal roots, 
otherwise they will spoil by bleeding. With the same 
object in view, the leaves should be twisted, not cut off. 
Another plan is to retain the central leaves till they 
have partly withered before removing them, and then 
finally storing the roots. 
Potatos for Forcing.—Preparations should now 
be made for planting the first batch of Potatos for early 
forcing. Collect leaves as they fall from the trees, and 
also fresh manure from the stable for making up beds 
after they have been mixed and fermented. 
-- 
VIOLA TRICOLOR. 
That I might be thoroughly understood, I have given 
the scientific title of that lowly but lovely flower—the 
Pansy, or “ Three-faces-under-a-hood—better known, 
perhaps, by the more familiar name of Heartease, a 
name than which none is more cherished and esteemed 
throughout the whole gardening world, and which will 
be acceptable and welcome to most of us, because this 
appellation at once recalls happy memories of the tiny 
flower gardens of our childhood, and the sweet-smelling 
borders of old-fashioned herbs and flowers contiguous 
to the dear old cottage by the wood, where “grand¬ 
mother” lived and died. Apart from this, the specific 
name distinguishes the section under notice from the 
descendants of Viola cornuta and V. lutea, yet it is 
very difficult to define the point where Violas end and 
Pansies begin ; the whole lot, however, have long been 
universal favourites in gardens—alike in the humble 
garden plots of the cottager, or the more elaborate 
parterres of the wealthy—and to this fact may be 
ascribed a valid reason for so much enthusiasm and 
esteem. 
The Pansy, moreover, is a hardy plant which may be 
grown by anyone, and when cultivated by a skilled 
hybridist assumes a wonderful propensity for producing 
strains, frequently of greater beauty than their progeni¬ 
tors both in substance and form, thebolours, too, being 
often more distinct and brilliant—in fact, few flowers 
possess more diversity of gaudy colouring and rich 
marking. With all these high qualities it is only 
natural that the Pansy should be largely patronised by 
all classes, and so for generations .the demand for choice 
kinds has given a powerful impetus to the production 
of improved varieties. The fine gardens about my 
old native'city of Exeter, have ^decidedly played an 
important part to this end, due in no small degree to 
the extraordinary patience and untiring energy of Mr. 
George Medland, of the fExeter Nursery, one of the 
most famous hybridisers of florists’ flowers living, a 
veteran Pansy grower of eighty-two summers, with a 
gardening career dating from the reign of King George 
III., or thereabouts, and who is a most worthy candi¬ 
date for a pension from the Gardeners’ Royal Benevo¬ 
lent Institution, which I trust all subscribers will 
kindly note. 
For a long period I have kept in touch with this dear 
old man, and in one of his communications to me he 
says, “We had a good collection of Pansies sixty or 
seventy years ago, when I was at the old Summerlands 
Nursery, Exeter, so you see I have been a lover of them 
for a day or two. My aim has always been texture, 
good form, vivid colours, dense blotches, and smooth 
edges ; but was not over particular about rayed eyes if 
I could obtain the other points ; still, a rayed eye very 
much lessens the value of an otherwise first-rate bloom. 
I have seen Pansies from all parts, but have met with 
very few indeed better than my own ; nevertheless, we 
have never taken the trouble, or rather, had not the 
opportunities of obtaining certificates, being content 
with a ready sale and pleasing our customers ; and 
although there are a great many of my seedlings 
knocking about the country, still they are not known 
as such far away from home.” 
I do not know how long the Pansy has been such a 
favourite flower with the Scotch growers, but I can 
quite believe that the northern parts of Britain suit 
their constitution better, if anything, than the Exeter 
district. In spite of this, I have some vague recol¬ 
lections of one of the Exeter amateurs (Captain Halford 
Thompson) exhibiting at their leading shows not long 
ago, and carrying away the honours.— IV. Nupper, 
CJielsea. 
ARDENING 
ISCELLANY, 
Polygonum vaccinifolium as a Bee Plant. 
I aji not aware whether Polygonum vaccinifolium is 
known to be a good plant for bees. In our cottage 
garden near here, we have a large bed of it, more than 
usually covered with flowers, owing to the long spell of 
sunny weather ; on passing it about a week ago, I 
found it swarming with honey bees. At this time of 
the year, when flowers are becoming less plentiful, this 
may be worth noting.— -Georg* F. Wilson, Heather- 
lank ,, Weylridge Rea.th, October 17th 
Stapelia gigantea. 
The flowers of this species are the most extraordinary 
in the whole genus, and as far as a true flower is 
concerned they are amongst the largest in the vegetable 
kingdom, always, of course, excepting the huge 
Rafflesias. Those of the plant under notice are said to 
measure from 12 ins. to 14 ins. in diameter. A speci¬ 
men was exhibited by Mr. F. Ross, gardener to Sir 
George Macleay, Pendell Court, Bletchingley, at the 
Royal Aquarium, on the loth inst., measuring 11 ins. 
across. Although the species was introduced from 
South Africa in 1862, this is only the second time it 
has been flowered in Britain, and the first time it has 
been exhibited in public—Mr. Ross having flowered it 
both times. The corolla, as in all the other species, is 
deeply five-lobed, star-shaped, nearly flat, pale-yellow¬ 
ish, closely barred transversely with wavy brownish 
red lines, and densely covered with stiffish, very pale, 
almost colourless hairs. The corona in the centre is 
purplish brown or maroon, and consists of ten lobes in 
two rows, those in the inner row being emarginate. 
The shoots are fleshy, four-angled and leafless, as in 
several other species. A Cultural Commendation was 
awarded the exhibit. 
Aster ericoides. 
Just before the flowers expand, the branches and 
shoots of this plant form a densely interlaced mass, 
resembling a Heath, and rendering the specific name 
therefore very appropriate. ’When the flower heads 
expand, then the whole bush appears like a mass of 
small white Daisies with a yellow centre. .They are 
very profusely produced, and from the fact that they 
all turn to one side of the shoots they resemble a mass 
made up of numerous sprays. The plant grows about 
2J ft. in height, or slightly taller in good soil and a 
favourable year, and coming into flower in September 
remains quite gay during the present month. It is 
now very attractive and pretty in the gardens of the 
Royal Horticultural Society at Chiswick, where a 
collection of these plants is to be planted in good ground 
by way of trial next year. tVe hope they will do well, so 
that a much neglected class bf plants will be brought 
prominently before the notice of the public, and the 
most deserving be as widely cultivated as their merits 
deserve, to the exclusion of the weedy members. 
Herbaceous Plants. 
Your correspondent, “A Perplexed Judge,” asks me 
(p. 101) what are Alyssum, Iberis, Aubrietias, and Arabis, 
if they are not herbaceous plants. I should say that he 
would be perfectly safe in designating them as soft- 
wooded perennials, and if all such plants are referred 
to as such it will be well understood what is meant, 
and there will be less friction at flower shows. Your 
correspondent states that he has “ never been taught 
that all herbaceous plauts lose their stems annually.” 
May I ask who have been his teachers ? No one, I fear, 
more reliable than the makers of nurserymen’s cata¬ 
logues, who arrange all kinds of plants under the heading 
“Herbaceous,” just as they do a similar mixture under 
the heading “Bulbs.” If at our spring show we offer a 
prize for bulbs and tubers, and any one exhibits 
Crocuses, some hawk-eyed sharp individual protests 
and declares that the Crocus is neither one nor the 
other, and if an exhibitor he causes wholesale disqualifi¬ 
cation. You tell him that it is customary to call them 
bulbs, and they are classed as such in nurserymen’s 
catalogues, but it is all in vain, he refers you to 
standard authors to prove his case. Your correspondent 
is again puzzled with such plants as Tradescantias, 
Spinea palmata, Hemerocallis, and Flag Iris, because 
they do not die down altogether. How many of them 
have top growth two years old ? Take the first, and 
after you have cut the flowering stems, what is there 
