October 12, 1895. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
95 
Treatment after Planting —The plants, if 
well put into the ground, do not usually require any 
support ; but slender, tall plants may require a slight 
stick to hold them upright. Any plants that may 
become loosened, or even thrown out of the ground 
by alternate frosts and thaws, must be pressed in 
with the fingers when the soil is soft. 
Pot Culture. —All the successful exhibitors of 
Carnations grow a considerable number of plants in 
flower pots. The layers are potted up in the autumn 
in small flower-pots, large and small sixties, two in 
the larger size and one in the smaller. The potting 
soil ought not to be too heavy ; a good compost is 
formed of four parts loam, one of leaf mould, and 
one of decayed manure, with sand to keep the 
material in a porous condition. After potting them 
up, place in a garden frame, kept rather close for a 
few .days, and if they are potted early it may be 
necessary to shade from bright sunshine. 
--—>- 
POTTING CELERY. 
This is frequently practiced by those who wish to 
get very early Celery ; but for the later crops the 
practice of planting it out in light rich soil on a hard 
bottom is almost universal, and where large quan¬ 
tities are grown it is possibly the best plan. In the 
case of a few rows, some of which are planted with 
seedlings from beds, and others with potted plants 
(owing to the marked difference in the results) we 
would commend this plan of potting to small 
growers. It has given the least trouble, and leads 
to more satisfactory results. 
It takes no longer time to pot a hundred or two 
than the preparation of a bed on a hard bottom will 
do, and in the event of a bad attack of the Celery 
fly, which took ours in a very early stage this season, 
the plants can be separately handled and more 
expeditiously examined, and the maggot picked off 
or crushed in the leaf than when planted out in beds. 
Our potted plants, at the time of planting, were not 
half the strength of those from the beds, and being 
planted a fortnight later have quite outstripped the 
others, the difference arising entirely from the cir¬ 
cumstance that the potted plants receive no check, 
whereas those from the beds are always at a stand¬ 
still for a time under the most careful treatment, 
owing to the disturbance of their fibrous roots.— 
W.B.G. 
MESSRS. DOBBIE & CO.’S EXHIBITION 
This enterprising firm held a vegetable exhibition 
on its own account last week. In their spring cata¬ 
logue they offered for competition among their 
customers two valuable silver watches and money 
prizes to the value of ten guineas for four specimen 
Leeks and four specimen Onions grown under con¬ 
ditions imposed by them. The interest in the com¬ 
petition was very great and very wide-spread. There 
were in all 136 lots sent in by parcels post and 
rail—75 lots of Onions and 61 lots of Leeks. 
England, from Devon to Northumberland, was 
strongly represented; Scotland, from Glenluce to 
Crathes, sent its proportion; and from “gallant 
little Wales ” came fully a dozen lots. The judges, 
who were Mr. M. Heron, gardener to the Marquess 
of Bute, Mount Stewart House, Rothesay, and Mr. 
M. Temple, Carron House, Falkirk, the well-known 
authority and writer on horticultural matters, dis¬ 
charged their duties in a most careful and pains¬ 
taking manner. 
The first prize Onions measured 19 in. in circum¬ 
ference, and the four weighed 10 lbs. The second 
and third prize lots were not far behind these grand 
specimens. The climate of England has always 
been considered better suited for growing Onions to 
a large size than that of Scotland, and the result of 
Messrs. Dobbie's exhibition more than confirms this 
opinion, as the bulk of the prizes for OnioDs went 
to England. They propose next year to offer prizes 
confined to Scotch growers, as well as open prizes 
similar to this year’s. The Leeks, which are all 
Dobbie’s Champion variety, were remarkable for 
their fine quality, the first prize ones beiDg models 
in every way. They measured 12 in. long by in. 
in circumference, and all the four specimens were 
practically identical. Only seven prizes in each class 
were offered, but on account of the large number of 
entries six extra prizes were given, bringing up the 
number to ten in each class. 
On a large side-table Messrs. Dobbie had on exhi¬ 
bition 100 large bunches of Dahlias and Michaelmas 
Daisies and other seasonable flowers, which were 
.much admired by the visitors. 
DISPLACE ANCIENT NOTIONS. 
The past summer and the present autumn will long 
be remembered for their great heat and drought, and 
the abundance of Apples and Plums. In accord¬ 
ance with the ancient notions of bygone days, sick¬ 
ness, cholera, and other ills would be sure to follow ; 
but this does not appear to be the case. During 
this abundant fruit season, with so high a tempera¬ 
ture and such little rain, is it not rather remarkable 
that we have been unusually healthy as a nation ? 
I think so. The question arises, is there a cause or 
reason to account for this highly satisfactory state of 
things ? I think there is. 
Plums at a halfpenny per pound and Apples at 
three pounds for one penny in nearly all large towns 
and cities at once make it plain that an enormous 
quantity must have been partaken of everywhere 
with excellent results. The question is, have we not 
gained greatly by all this fruit eating, and, if so, 
what and how much ? If any of your correspondents 
could throw any light on the very important advan¬ 
tages of eating fruit to make us more safe from 
epidemics it would be solving a great question 
indeed for our future sustenance^ and guidance. I 
myself have eaten considerably more, and thus 
required less to drink, nor have I in the least felt a 
desire for the usual fluids—I believe in consequence 
—during the hottest weather, and never felt better. 
In my opinion this general partaking of fruit has 
caused people to be much more satisfied—the young 
in particular—they have been far less acutely thirsty 
and craving for moisture ; is it not more likely freely 
partaking of popular kinds of drinks often disagrees 
with many ? These drinks apparently contain 
ingredients which rather sharpen the parched feeling 
more and more, and many innocently over-indulge. 
So it goes on, until the stomach can bear the 
injurious matter no longer, and at last throws it off 
by persons not feeling well; but when the thirsty 
appetite is satisfied with fruit no chemical substances 
need be feared ; on the contrary, an agreeable and 
pleasant refreshment is experienced ; and, again, by 
eating good ripe fruit it stimulates and invigorates 
the body much better and certainly more naturally, 
and we feel more cheerful in consequence. I have 
noticed stewed fruit of some kind or other is seen 
on nearly every table, and this is becoming more 
general every season. 
I know many are great meat-eaters, and of course 
find it difficult to change or alter daily diets, yet the 
question is, if we are wise and wish to keep in good 
health and trim at all times, whether it would not 
be advisable to partake more of fruit food generally, 
than that of a harder, indigestible character, and 
live more in accordance with the natural productions 
provided for us, particularly during high, dry 
temperatures. 
I believe fresh juicy fruit has rather a tendency to 
keep the body from the fearful ills and diseases it 
was formerly said to cause during such seasons as 
the one we have just passed through. I rejoice to 
see fruit and even vegetables are becoming more and 
more the daily diet of people every year .—Henry 
Cannell, Swanley. 
-- 
LATE HARDY FLOWER NOTES FROM 
SCOTLAND. 
Anemone Japonica Whirlwind, now in full bloom, 
differs from the ordinary white variety in having 
semi-double flowers. The inner petals being slightly 
twisted renders the flowers all the more pleasing ; 
many of them are encircled with green leaves, form¬ 
ing a collar and setting off the pure white flowers to 
advantage. This variety is of very robust habit, 
much stronger with me than the older, yet still 
welcome forms of this family. They fared badly last 
winter, and were later in starting than usual, but the 
hot dry autumn we have lately experienced has 
suited them admirably; consequently they are 
now one of the most admired and useful flowers 
we have for cutting, and well repay the trouble of 
covering at nights when there is the least danger of 
frost. In fact, if planted in a bed with temporary 
sashes fixed on posts overhead, the flowering season 
will not only be prolonged but the flowers will be 
cleaner and better in every way. 
Helenium autumnale grandiflorum is now at 
its best, being later and much larger a flower than the 
type ; it is also more robust in habit, and best suited 
tor the back row of the border. It is a profuse 
flowerer of a charming shade of yellow, and is the 
latest of all the Sneezeweeds. 
Helianthus multiflorus maximus, with its 
large single yellow flowers, has been an object of note 
in the back row of the border for some time, and 
although a trifle tall, it is none the less acceptable. 
Helianthus Boquet d’Or and Soliel d’Or are 
also conspicuous, but between the two I prefer the 
former. It is a deeper yellow, and finer in the 
petals, but both are fine doubles, and stand a long 
time in a cut state, which is of great importance to 
mcst gardeners. 
Helianthus rigidus (Syn. Harpalium rigidum) 
and its varieties, grandiflorus, japonicus, and semi- 
plenus, are also most useful, the latter the last to 
bloom of all the section. They are most profuse 
bloomers, if perhaps, a trifle rambling in habit, but 
that is easily remedied in spring by forking out all 
shoots that are getting out of bounds. In fact, I 
prefer to lift the plants just when they are breaking 
the surface in spring, selecting the strongest crowns 
and replanting. I find they flower much better 
when treated so. 
Helianthus decapetalus is with me generally 
late; but this season it has, owing no doubt to the 
hot September we have had, expanded its flowers 
very much earlier than usual. It is now at its best, 
and is an object of great interest being 5 ft. in 
height with branching stems bearing pale sulphur- 
yellow flowers, which look charming arranged with 
their own foliage in tall glasses, etc. 
Heliopsis laevis is of a deep orange-vellow, ard 
very useful for cutting ; being of vigorous habit, it is 
best suited for the back of the border. 
Rudbeckia purpurea stands out prominently 
amongst all the grand array of yellows at this 
season. Its reddish purple flowers are a welcome 
break in the landscape, and the plant deserves to be 
more grown than it is, as I think it is without a 
rival as an autumn flower.— Coila. 
PEAS FOR WEIGHT. 
The question as to which variety of Pea yields the 
greatest weight of seed in proportion to the size of 
the pods during a period of four or five years, has 
been exciting a good deal of interest in the Mid¬ 
lands of late. A correspondent to the Derby Daily 
Telegraph, is of opinion that “ if a dozen gardeners 
with a fair knowledge of Peas were to be asked the 
question, they would, without exception yield the 
palm to “ Ne Plus Ultra.” This well-known sort 
is a great favourite in many parts of this country, and 
has,as an almost necessary result, received a number 
of different names. Thus, in Northamptonshire it is 
called Jey’s Conqueror, whilst in parts of Yorkshire 
it is known as Payne’s Conqueror. Seedsmen 
who are called upon to supply both of these 
varieties are, therefore, able to do so out of the same 
bag, the difference being one of name only. When 
well looked after, Ne Plus Ultra is undoubtedly the 
heaviest cropper, as well as producing, as has been 
previously intimated, the heaviest yield of seed. 
Autocrat, however, runs it pretty closely, and makes 
an exceedingly good second. This is a grand 
wrinkled Marrow variety, of vigorous constitution 
and a free and sure cropper. 
Prince of Wales likewise takes a lot of beating as 
a thoroughly reliable all-round sort. The pods, 
although rather smaller than those of most of the 
other varieties, are produced in'great abundance and 
yield exceptionally well. Prince of Wales, too, is a 
splendid market Pea, for not only is it very prolific, 
but its flavour is above reproach. Here, it may be 
remarked, that both the quantity of the crop as well 
as its quality are dependent upon the efficiency and 
thoroughness of the cultivation given. For late 
varieties a deep rich soil is an absolute necessity, 
and if this is moist and cool so much the better. 
Telegraph is usually recommended as an excellent 
market Pea. Its large, handsome pods prove 
exceedingly attractive and sell well, but the yield is 
considerably lighter than those of the other varieties 
previously mentioned. 
Duke of Albany is one of the finest looking Peas 
in cultivation, and usually figures pretty con¬ 
spicuously in the winning exhibits at vegetable shows, 
whilst it is a great favourite for culture in gentle¬ 
men's gardens. It is the result of a cross between 
Ne Plus Ultra, which it much resembles in flavour, 
and Hallamshire Hero. Still, as a market-garden 
Pea, it is not completely a success, and we should 
