January 12, 1889. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
311 
shade from bright sunshine with a piece of tiffany, and 
your efforts will be rewarded by some nice plants, and 
plenty of bloom. I am aware that some growers 
succeed in dividing the old stools and growing them 
on, but I much prefer seedlings, as they give better 
results, with a minimum of trouble.— Southdown. 
Zonal Pelargonium, Edith Little. 
Those who grow Pelargoniums for winter blooming 
should certainly include this among their plants, on 
account of its remarkably free growth and floriferous- 
ness. Cuttings struck last March, potted again in 
June, and finally into 24’s at the end of August, made 
plants which commenced to bloom the first week in 
October, have continued in flower until now, and 
promise to continue for some time to come. Two trusses 
measure each 11 ins. in circumference, and some of the 
pips are 2J ins. in diameter.— R. T. Humphries, Childe 
Okeford Rectory, Blandford, Dorset. 
Fertilising Moss. 
My neighbour, Mr. John Roberts, of Gunnersbury Park, 
is a great believer in the virtue of Fertilising Moss, and 
uses it with many things of a succulent character. He 
uses it in the soil in which he grows Ixoras, and they 
appear to like it. He has one small plant of Ixora in 
a 24-sized pot, growing wholly in the moss, and on 
turning the plant out of the pot I observed that it had 
made a dense mass of roots, while the specimen was of 
a very vigorous growth. As a matter of course, it 
would prove much too expensive to grow the plants 
wholly in moss, but all soft-wooded things appear to 
do well with it mixed in the soil, and to use Mr. 
Roberts’ expression, “they grow in it like weeds. ” He 
used it in the soil for Bouvardias, which make a fine 
growth, and bloom grandly. As there are, it is said, 
degrees of quality in Fertilising Moss, I may remark 
that Mr. Roberts gets his from Messrs. Wood & Son, of 
Wood Green, FT.— R. D. 
Francoa ramosa. 
This easily grown herbaceous perennial makes a capital 
subject for greenhouse or conservatory decoration, and 
it is also very useful and ornamental for cutting. Its 
long branching spikes of bloom show up equally well 
in a vase or epergne, or as a pot plant intermingled 
with Ferns, Palms, or other foliage plants, and it 
likewise proves useful to exhibitors of groups. Plants 
that have started growing should now be shaken out 
and divided if it is desirable to increase the stock, for 
it is most useful when grown in small pots ; or if 
preferred they may be turned out, some of the old 
soil shaken away, and given a liberal shift, using a 
good loamy soil, adding old Mushroom-bed manure 
and sand, to secure good drainage. After potting give 
them a watering, and stand them on an ash bottom in a 
pit where they can be accommodated with a little heat 
until established. During the growing period they 
should have a light airy position to keep them sturdy. 
I notice that Mr. B. S. Williams is advertising Francoa 
appendiculata, which produces pale rosy purple flowers, 
larger and more compact than those of F. ramosa, and 
closer set on the spike. This is a welcome addition, 
as the variety under notice produces white flowers. 
They are of easy cultivation, and well worth growing. 
— Geo. Potts, Junr.. Northiam. 
Begonia insignis. 
This is a charming mid-winter flowering variety, and 
one of the best for blooming at Christmas. The 
flowers are delicate pink, freely produced, and the plant 
has a good habit of growth. It can be seen in one of 
the stoves at Gunnersbury Park.— R.D. 
Freesia refracta alba. 
A large batch of well-grown plants of this useful 
Iridaceous subject is now in perfection in the green¬ 
house at Kew. All have been grown from the same 
bulbs which flowered last year. The smaller-sized pots 
contain about half-a-dozen bulbs with as many or more 
flower spikes ; but special interest centres in the large 
pots, which carry about twenty flower spikes each. 
Last winter the pots contained only half-a-dozen bulbs, 
and the pots containing them were kept in a warm 
pit and kept moist all the summer, even when the 
leaves were down. The bulbs were potted on into a 
larger size without being shaken out of the soil, and 
the result is a large clump of bulbs carrying good 
foliage and twenty flower spikes as above mentioned. 
The flowers individually are about as large again as 
those of the bulbs that were planted singly in smaller 
pots, while eight or ten of them are produced on a 
spike. The fragrance emitted by the group is very 
powerful and pleasing.—• Visitor. 
Peristrophe speciosa. 
Formerly this was grown under the name of Justicia 
speciosa, and many cultivators still know it under the 
latter name. The generic name above given refers to 
the turning or twisting round of the tube of the 
corolla, whereby the flower becomes upside down. 
This can easily be detected on examination by an 
ordinary observer. The plant is, however, important 
from its habit of flowering in winter, and its con¬ 
sequent utility for the decoration of the conservatory 
at that dull season. The flowers are of a bright purple, 
with a cluster of black spots on the base of what 
should be the lower lip of the corolla, and are produced 
in clusters of three at the ends of the short side 
branches. It is easily grown, and is best when 
propagated annually by means of cuttings. The plant 
is sometimes met with in gardens under the name of 
P. elegans. 
Humea elegans. 
The advantages of a few well-grown specimens of this 
plant become apparent in the conservatory during the 
dull winter months, not only on account of their own 
exquisite elegance, but for the variety they afford, and 
the contrast to other and more massive kinds of 
vegetation. Four species are known, natives of 
Australia, but that under notice is the only one 
whose cultivation is frequently attempted in this 
country. It well merits the specific title, elegans, as 
the long terminal panicle with gracefully drooping 
branches is certainly elegant. To bring the plant to 
this stage requires very careful treatment in the matter 
of watering and potting. In fact, rather than re-pot 
the plant after it gets some size, the better plan is to 
place the pot inside a larger one, and pack the inter¬ 
mediate space with coco-nut fibre. 
Schaneria calycotricha. 
There are many different kinds of Acanthads still 
erroneously grown under the name of Justicia, and this 
is one of them. The particular species under notice is 
also confused with S. flavicoma, and besides being 
called Justicia calycotricha, is also spelled J. calytricha. 
From a horticultural point of view it is valuable, 
because it flowers in winter, and serves to give variety 
in the way of colour to the numerous other Acanthads 
now in flower. The foliage is of a beautiful deep 
shining green, while individually the leaves are ovate 
and more or less undulated at the margin. The flowers 
are of a clear bright yellow, and are greatly assisted by 
the long, bristle-like segments of the calyx and the 
bracts, which are also yellow. The whole are arranged 
in dense head-like spikes, which are both curious and 
beautiful. Some plants may be seen in the T range 
at Kew under the name of Justicia calycotricha. 
Libonia floribunda variegata. 
Independently of any variegation, this free-flowering 
plant certainly merits a place in every establishment 
where flowers are required in winter. The scarlet and 
yellow-tipped blooms are very abundantly produced, 
and remain fresh for a long time during the winter 
months. The form under notice differs from the type 
in having the leaves more or less distinctly variegated 
with creamy white on a dark green ground. Apeculiarity 
of this plant, however, or rather the species itself, is that 
the leaves are liable to drop badly when kept in too 
cold a greenhouse. The best position for it is a well- 
lighted structure, enjoying an intermediate temperature. 
Stephanotis. 
Before the commencement of fresh growth a 
thorough examination should be given the plants, so 
that stray bugs may be thoroughly eradicated. If 
seen to now it will save a great deal of trouble later on, 
when more favourable circumstances favour the increase 
of the pest. Use a wine-glassful of paraffin to two 
gallons of water, and keep thoroughly stirred all the 
time the mixture is being applied to the plants through 
the syringe. Tie up any stray shoots that may 
require it.— J. 
Foreign Parcel Post Compensation. — An 
official notice on Tuesday states that in future the 
Postmaster-General will give compensation for the loss 
and damage of parcels sent by parcel post between the 
United Kingdom and foreign countries ; but the com¬ 
pensation is limited to 12s. for parcels to most countries 
in Europe, except Belgium, the Netherlands, and 
Norway, for which countries, as well as for the Congo 
Free State, Costa Rica, Egypt, &c., 20s. compensation 
will be paid. 
NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM 
SOCIETY. 
Resignation of the President. 
At the meeting of the general committee, held on 
Monday evening last, over which Mr. E. C Jukes 
presided, a letter was read from Mr. Sanderson, 
expressing his regret at not being able to be present, 
and announcing his intention to resign the president¬ 
ship on the ground of his advanced age (seventy-one), 
which prevented him from giving that attention to the 
duties of his office which he had always endeavoured 
to do. The committee received the announcement 
with great regret, and recognising the long and valued 
services which their president had rendered to the 
society and the cause of floriculture generally, unani¬ 
mously passed a resolution asking him to reconsider 
his decision before Monday next, when the committee 
will meet again to receive his reply. 
It was decided, in deference to the wishes of many of 
the members and secretaries of affiliated societies, that 
the November show should be held earlier in the 
week, if possible, to hold the exhibition this year on 
November 12th and 13th. It was thought by some, 
unwise to clash with the Kingston exhibition ; but as 
it was shown that according to recent experience it 
would not affect the regular exhibitors at that exhibi¬ 
tion, no harm could result to either society. 
Some discussion took place as to the provincial show 
proposed to be held this year, and a sub-committee, 
consisting of Messrs. Gordon, Bevan, Castle, and Dean, 
were elected to prepare a scheme and report to the 
general committee. 
A long list of new members were elected, bringing 
the total roll up to 641. 
The Mid-winter Show. 
The mid-winter exhibition, which took place at the 
Royal Aquarium, Westminster, on Wednesday and 
Thursday, was,, considering the severity of the weather 
for some time previously, as good an one as could be 
expected, the change which set in on Tuesday enabling 
many exhibitors to bring up plants who would not 
otherwise have put in an appearance at all. Although 
smaller than that of last year, the exhibition may 
virtually be considered a success, there being some 
beautiful and fresh exhibits of Chrysanthemums. 
Amongst the miscellaneous exhibits the Primulas and 
Cyclamens were superb, especially the first named. 
The clear sky also enabled the brilliant and effective 
colours to be seen to the best advantage. It will be 
remembered that on the occasion of last year’s show of 
the same date, the fog was so dense that the flowers 
could with great difficulty be examined at all. We 
may say here that the frost on October 3rd did more 
damage to the Chrysanthemums which should have 
been on the exhibition table at this time, than frost or 
fog has since then, because at that time the wood was 
tender, unripened, and very susceptible of injury from 
frost. 
The first honours for the collection of cut Chrysan¬ 
themums were taken by Mr. J. Brown, gardener 
to Mrs. Waterlow, Great Doods, Reigate. He had 
twenty-four different kinds in trusses, which were as 
beautiful and fresh as in autumn, although the indi¬ 
vidual heads were much smaller. Yellow and white 
varieties were most predominant. The second prize 
was awarded to Mr. F. Taylor, gardener to Sir John 
Lubbock, Bart, M.P., High Elms, Farnboro’, Kent. 
His collection was several times as large, but the 
arrangement was different, and the flowers smaller. 
The first prize for twenty-four blooms, of any varieties, 
was won by Mr. J. Kipling, The Gardens, Knebworth, 
Stevenage. The heads were small, but neat and fresh. 
Mr. R. Falconer Jameson, Hessle, Hull, was second, 
and Mr. M. Sullivan, gardener to D. B. Chapman, Esq., 
Downshire House, Roehampton, was third. Mr. J. 
Kipling also took the first prize in the class for twenty- 
four Japanese blooms, of fair size and beautifully fresh. 
Mr. M. Sullivan was second with a good stand. Mr. J. 
Kipling again took the first prize for twelve Japanese 
blooms. Mr. R. Phillips, The Deodars, Meopham, 
Kent, was second, and Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, 
Swanley, were third. 
In the class for a collection of Primulas, Messrs. 
H. Cannell & Sons were deservedly first with a 
magnificent display covering a large extent of table- 
space and exhibiting a great variety of colour. Mr. 
J. May, Gordon Nursery, Twickenham, took the first 
prize for the collection of Cyclamens, which were 
splendidly flowered. Mr. John Odell, Gould’s Green, 
Hillingdon, came in second with a good collection 
also. Mr. D. Phillips, Langley Broom, Slough, had 
