702 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
July 4, 1891. 
violet, very distinct and fine. Indigo King, dark 
standards and indigo-purple 'wings. Imperial Blue, 
pale bluish, purple standards, the wings bright blue. 
The foregoing list by no means includes all the 
varieties Mr. Eckford has introduced, but they re¬ 
present some of the most striking varieties found in 
Messrs. Sutton & Sons’ collection. 
I think there can be no prettier object in a garden 
than a line of mixed colours of Sweet Peas. Most 
gardeners grow a line because the plants prove so useful 
for cutting from ; and as a mixed packet of Eckford’s 
varieties supply flowers containing tints of colours not 
found in ordinary mixtures, I would advise that they 
be grown in preference to the latter. A line of an 
ordinary mixture of Sweet Peas is restricted somewhat 
in the matter of colours, but with Eckford’s varieties, 
there is exquisite variation. I am a little emphatic 
on the point, because I have heard persons say 
that a packet of ordinary Sweet Peas will yield all 
Eckford’s varieties. Thisissaid without knowledge, and 
it would not be said by any one who had seen or grown 
Eckford’s varieties. Sweet Peas should not be sown too 
thickly ; they should be in good soil, and the surface 
welL watered and mulched in dry weather. No one 
knows the value of good culture with Sweet Peas better 
than Mr. Eckford.— E. D. 
- >I< - 
The Amateurs’ Garden. 
SEASONABLE WORK in the GARDEN. 
Gardenias.—Young and vigorous-growing plants 
should have a shift into slightly larger pots. By 
syringing them immediately after the operation, and 
keeping them close for a time, flagging will be pre¬ 
vented, and the plants will suffer no check. 
Anthuriums.—As the spathes begin to get shabby 
and useless for decorative purposes, it would be a great 
assistance to the plants to remove them immediately. 
Then encourage growth by a higher temperature and a 
moister atmosphere, in order to get good foliage in the 
early part of the season. 
Amaryllis. — Bulbs now making their growth 
should be encouraged with plenty of moisture and 
frequent doses of weak liquid manure. After the 
completion of growth remove them to a cooler house 
with more ventilation, and supply them more sparingly 
with moisture till the .foliage dies down. Do not 
attempt to ripen the bulbs qtiickly by the sudden 
withholding of moisture. 
Pandanus and Variegated Pine Apple.— 
"Where a large stock of these decorative subjects is 
wanted, omit no opportunity of securing the suckers 
that arise on established plants for propagation 
purposes. Choose the best variegated shoots even if 
they are small, for they make the prettiest and most 
graceful specimens. The variegated Pine Apple should 
be propagated from the crowns when shoots make their 
appearance there. Young plants so obtained retain a 
dwarf and compact habit for a longer time than those 
raised from suckers. 
Ixoras.—A succession of bloom will be afforded by 
these all through the summer, provided the plants are 
kept in a warm, moist atmosphere, so as to encourage 
fresh growth. Supply them regularly with liquid 
manure. If the flowers are cut as they become fully 
developed, the lateral shoots will be encouraged to 
grow. 
Ixias, Tritonias, &c.—Cape bulbs grown in pots 
should be removed from the frames or the open air to 
the conservatory when they throw up their flower 
stems, and the blooms will be all the finer if opened 
under glass. There is a great variety to choose from, 
including Ixias, Sparaxis, Crocosmias in great variety, 
Tritonias, and others, all presenting an endless profusion 
of rich colouring, and growers would do well to obtain 
some of the finer of the more recent kinds if they wish 
to enliven their houses. 
Calceolarias.—Now is the time to sow Calceolarias. 
The pans may be partly filled with old potting soil, 
over which a layer of very sandy sifted soil should be 
placed and pressed firm. Level it and water down 
some time previous to sowing. Sprinkle the seeds 
thinly over the surface, cover with a pane of glass, and 
shade from bright sunshine till the seedlings appear, 
when they should be gradually inured to the air of the 
house by tilting up the glass and finally removing it. 
Full exposure to light should be given, but not direct 
sunshine, and as soon as the seed leaves are full grown 
place the pans in a frame with a southern exposure till 
the seedlings are fit to be pricked off. 
Chinese Primulas.—If a northern exposure 
cannot be given the seedlings, they should be shaded 
from bright sunshine and kept' cool. Shift the plants 
into larger pots as they require it. 
Early Vines.—After the Grapes in the early house 
have been cut, the temperature should be lowered, 
provided the young wood is well ripened. Look after 
the cleanliness of the foliage, and syringe heavily in 
the afternoon or evening if red-spider has made its 
appearance. The borders should be examined and 
watered if need be. 
Peaches.—Fruits that have now commenced to swell 
after the stoning period is passed should receive their 
final thinning, removing all those that are badly placed 
or of inferior size provided a sufficient number is left to 
occupy the surface of the tree properly. 
The Orchard House.—Re-potting should be 
accomplished wherever it is considered necessary after 
the fruits have been gathered from the trees. This 
wall allow the trees plenty of time to become re¬ 
established in the fresh soil long before the fall of the 
leaf. Good retentive yellow loam, with a fair 
quantity of well-decayed farmyard manure, should be 
used. 
Celery.—The main crop of Celery should be planted 
without delay, watering it well, unless the ground 
happens to be wet at the time and the atmosphere 
moist as well. "Watch for the first appearance of the 
maggot of the Celery Fly in the leaves, and kill all 
that can be detected by pinching between the finger 
and thumb. 
Peas.—A sowing of some early variety should now 
be made for a late crop. This will apply more par¬ 
ticularly to the southern counties than the north, 
because late or even main crops continue in bearing till 
frost or cold puts a stop to the growth of the stems. 
The drier atmosphere of the south induces early 
ripening. 
Coleworts and Cabbages.—Plants sown about 
the beginning of last month should be thinned out to 
a proper distance apart in the beds to ensure a short, 
sturdy growth. Get ground ready for planting them 
out at an early date. About 12 ins. apart either way 
will be quite sufficient for the Coleworts, but 15 ins. to 
18 ins. will be necessary for the Cabbages, according to 
the habit and the size of the kind. 
- ■ » >X< — — - 
CINERARIAS. 
I suppose the practice of increasing Cinerarias by means 
of cuttings or suckers is almost an obsolete one, and yet 
it is still the practice to name varieties, these always 
representing the finest forms in a batch of seedlings, 
and named flowers cannot be depended upon to reproduce 
themselves from seed, and must be perpetuated by 
means of cuttings. In order to have good suckers for 
the purpose, the plants should not be placed on a north 
aspect, but behind a wall or hedge, where it is cool and 
shaded, the leaves cleansed of all insects and impurities, 
and then the surface top-dressed with some light 
compost, which will materially assist in the production 
of suckers. 
These can be taken off about the end of July, and 
inserted in small pots, using a light sandy compost, and 
then be placed in a cold frame, or under a hand-glass, 
kept close, and sprinkled occasionally to prevent them 
from flagging. They should be potted off into a light 
compost as soon as rooted, such as one made up of two 
parts loam and one of leaf-soil, with a liberal 
addition of sand, and kept close and shaded for a few 
days until established, and then grown on. 
It was in this way named Cinerarias were propagated 
before our fine strains of seeds caused the named 
varieties to be less valued ; and at the Eoyal Nursery, 
Slough, thirty years or so ago, the work of propagating 
was a very onerous one, and it was difficult to obtain 
sufficient plants of some of the finest named varieties. 
Propagation by means of suckers thrown up from 
around the base of the flowering stem is still followed 
by some, but by no means to the extent formerly 
existing. Seeds can be sown in July. — E. B. 
-~>X<-- 
DAHLIAS FOR EARLY 
FLOWERS. 
Though the large-flowered Dahlias are not so conspicu¬ 
ous in our gardens as they once were—especially in 
Scotland, there are yet, however, a few enthusiastic 
veterans who cultivate their favourite flower, but 
regret the good old days when Dahlias, of the class 
indicated, were objects of their pride, and were admired 
by many proprietors of gardens. The singles, Pom¬ 
pons and Cactus kinds have come to the front, and 
edged the old favourites to one side. 
For cut flowers and the embellishment of gardens the 
newer forms are no doubt more in accordance with 
refined taste, and much better suited for supplying cut 
flowers. But an amendment in their general culture 
may be easily made. The custom of putting out small 
plants from the propagating bed only partially hardened 
gives a poor return for the labour expended, as they do 
not begin to flower till late in the season, when wind, 
dashing rain, fogs and frost even are prevalent. By 
growing moderate quantities, starting them early in 
February in gentle heat, growing them on steadily in 
boxes, pans or pots till they show flowers, then judici¬ 
ously exposed to the air they can be planted out at the 
end of May or early in June in good rich soil, well 
staked at first, watered liberally and mulched. They 
root freely into the new soil and begin to flower at 
once. Such is a summary of our practice with a few 
distinct kinds of dwarf Dahlias, which at present (22nd 
of June) are loaded with opening flowers, and which, in 
such cold seasons as last, flowered abundantly till late 
in October. Though the past spring has been cold and 
untoward, these Dahlias have started well into flower. 
— Stirling. 
-►>$«-- 
Hardening 
ISCELLANY. 
—•*-— 
Strawberry, John Ruskin. 
Ix Mr. Harry Turner’s opinion this is the best early’ 
Strawberry grown. It is very early—the first to ripen 
in the Slough collection, the fruit being above medium 
size, well coloured and of good flavour. I saw this 
Strawberry at Slough last year, and was very much 
pleased with it. Crescent Seedling, the variety which 
was so highly thought of last season on account of its 
earliness, is very near a failure this year—certainly not 
nearly so early or so good as John Ruskin. But I shall 
see this variety in growth and bearing again shortly, 
and will then be able to compare it with others.— E. D. 
Rosa polyantha. 
The typical wild form of this Rose has flowers of a 
remarkably diminutive character, in fact more 
resembling those of a Bramble than a Rose. The petals 
are obcordate, and white, and the blossom is produced 
in such remarkable quantity on old established plants 
that the latter at a distance resemble masses of driven 
snow. The stems vary from 3 ft. to 5 ft. in length, 
and assume an arching habit, while the flowers are 
produced in clusters upon short lateral shoots, mostly 
directed to the upper side of the shoots. All this tends 
to produce the most effective 'display, and notwith¬ 
standing the small size of the flowers, a good plant is a 
highly ornamental object. When we compare the type 
with others in gardens, and wfiich are said to be 
Polyantha Roses, one is struck with the large size of 
the improved forms, a result owing, of course, to 
hybridisation with larger-flowered kinds. 
Tufted Musk. 
The ordinary form of the Musk, it is well known, 
grows very rampantly in shade, as well as in very 
moist localities, and under glass it even gets trou¬ 
blesome by the extraordinary length of the stems. 
There is a dwarf form named Mimulus moschatus 
compactus, with stems which, in the open air at least, 
do not exceed 2 ins. to 3 ins. in length. They are, 
moreover, very numerous, forming compact little tufts, 
which flower freely enough, although, as might have 
been expected, the flowers are a trifle smaller than 
those of the stronger-growing typical form. It might 
well be tried for window culture, placing it in pots or 
pans, according to fancy, and the dwarf stems under 
those conditions would prove more manageable in 
limited spaces or small windows than those of the 
ordinary form. A quantity of the variety may be seen 
in the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society at 
Chiswick. 
Sarracenia purpurea. 
Of the six known species of Sarracenia, that under 
notice is the hardiest, and has often been flowered in 
the open air in this country. The conditions most 
necessary to success are a peaty soil, plenty of moisture 
and a sheltered position. Shade is not absolutely 
necessary, but it is sometimes an advantage if the 
roots of the plant have not a plentiful supply of mois- 
