240 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
December 14, 1895. 
HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 
Questions ashed by amateurs on any subject pertaining 
to gardens or gardening will be answered on this page. 
A nyone may give additional or more explanatory answers 
to questions that have already appeared. 
Stringy Beetroot.—Why can't seedsmen send pro¬ 
per stuff? growls J. Trevor. I got a packet of Beet¬ 
root seed from a neighbouring seedsman, and the 
roots are so stringy that nobody can eat them. They 
have also very little colour. What is the reason ? 
To J. Trevor's first question there can be no 
answer at all, except reply by another question—viz,, 
is it all the seedsman’s fault that the Beet are of 
inferior quality ? We once heard of an old woman, 
that hailed from the north of the Tweed, whose cow 
died, and she, being of an economical turn of mind, 
had it cut up as food, with the result that a few days 
afterwards she wailed out to a neighbour that she 
had boiled that cow for three days and still it was 
tough. Mayhap she boiled it too much, as J. Trevor 
may have done with his Beet. Certainly, in his case 
the lack of colour would seem to point to it. Is he 
sure that it is the cooking to blame and not the 
seedsman ? Perhaps the roots have been carelessly 
lifted, and the tap roots have been broken. In this 
case the same result would be arrived at—viz., a 
nearly colourless, stringy vegetable. Still, it may be 
that he has been unlucky enough to get hold of what 
a gardener would call “a rough lot,” and in that 
case we should advise him to change the variety 
grown and his seedsman as well next season. 
Fancy Pot Ware.—I have been thinking of pur¬ 
chasing a number of fancy pots suitable for filling 
with Ferns for hanging up in my greenhouse. I have 
applied to the local nurseryman, but he has not the 
sort of things I need; they are all too heavy. 
Where can I obtain what I require ?— X. 
We should have imagined that any nurseryman or 
vendor of horticultural necessities would have been 
able to supply you with the proper things, A'., but 
perhaps you are hard to please. Try another shop, 
and if that does not suit send in your order to 
Messrs. R. Sankey & Sons, The Potteries, Bulwell, 
Notts. This firm makes a speciality of all kinds of 
fancy pots, and among their numerous designs you 
will assuredly find what you want. The prices also 
should be fairly moderate. 
Ficus elastica.—Shall I be able to keep my India- 
rubber plant through the winter in the window of an 
ordinary dwelling room ? I am careful to avoid 
draughts, and so far it seems to be alright.— G. B. 
Certainly, there is no reason why you should not 
keep your plant through the winter in a good con¬ 
dition. You are wise in avoiding draughts as far as 
possible. Another point that must be observed is 
to carefully refrain from giving too much water at 
the roots. Nothing is so injurious to this plant as a 
sour, water-logged soil about the roots during winter 
time. It will also be advisable to remove it from the 
window into the centre of the room at night time 
during the prevalence of severe frost, otherwise it 
may stand a chance of getting nipped. If you 
follow out these directions you should be able to 
congratulate yourself next spring on having pulled 
your pet through a trying experience. 
Early Peas.— R. C. D. writes: Having a small 
piece of ground vacant I should like to grow some 
early Peas. Would you recommend me to sow now 
or to wait until spring ? In speaking to a friend the 
other day, he told me that I ought to have made a 
sowing about the middle of November, that is to say, 
at least a month ago. Would it be too late to make an 
autumn sowing now ? My land is of a rather heavy 
nature. 
At one time the practice of sowing Peas in 
November for an early crop was followed very ex¬ 
tensively, and even now in some districts in the 
South of England a couple of rows are put in 
regularly each autumn It will be found, however, 
that such rows do not come in any earlier than 
others sown towards the end of January or thebe- 
ginning of February, whilst on the other hand the 
seed is apt to be spoilt by the long exposure to frost 
and wet. Birds and mice have also to be reckoned 
with, for they, in conjunction with the weather, often 
succeed in bringing to nought all the labours of the 
gardener to obtain early Peas by sowing in autumn. 
Since there is so little advantage to be reaped by 
sowing now, and yet a great deal of risk to be run, 
.we should certainly advise R. C. D. to wait until 
the spring before committing his seed to the 
ground, particularly as his land is of a heavy 
character. 
Deutzia gracilis.—I have a few Deutzias which I 
should like to get to flower early in spring if possible. 
Will you kindly give me directions how to proceed ? 
— F. Hayman. 
Deutzias force very readily supposing the necessary 
heat is given them. To get them into bloom early 
in the year they should be placed in a small pit or 
forcing house at once, with a temperature by night 
of not less than 55 0 Fahr. Very little water at the 
root will be needed, for a lime at least, but the 
syringe may be kept in use among them at least 
once a day during fine weather. As soon as the 
flower buds begin to open the syringing must be 
stopped, and when the lower flowers have become 
about three parts expanded the plants may be re¬ 
moved into a cool house, where the thermometer is 
allowed to range between 45° and 48° by night. 
Here they will last in bloom for fully as long again 
as they would have done had they been allowed to 
remain in the warmer compartment. 
Hyacinths. —My Hyacinths that were placed in 
glasses filled with water some three or four weeks 
ago have now made about 2 in. of top growth, and 
the glasses are nearly filled with roots. Ought I to 
bring them to the light ?— Pert. 
By all means, and the sooner the better. If they 
are kept in the dark for too long they will be sure to 
suffer. Do not bring them into the full blaze of the 
daylight all at once, however, but gradually inure 
them to it, as the young growths are very tender at 
this stage. - 
Bulbs.—Will you kindly tell me whether by pur¬ 
chasing Tulips, Hyacinths, etc., now I can have 
them in bloom by March ? I have a small heated 
greenhouse, but no special means for forcing. Please 
name the most suitable varieties.— Alpine. 
There should be no difficulty in doing as you wish. 
Get your bulbs as soon as possible, pot them up with 
all speed, and cover them over with ashes or cocoa- 
nut fibre for six weeks to enable them to make roots. 
At the end of this period take them out and 
gradually inure them to the light. A cold frame will 
come in very handy for this. If your greenhouse is 
kept at a night temperature of about 45 0 Fahr, 
through the winter this should prove warm enough 
to bring them into flower by the required time. With 
regard to varieties you might try the following :— 
Tulips—Due. Van Thol, crimson, scarlet, yellow, 
and rose varieties; Pottebakker, yellow and red 
varieties; Proserpine, and La Reine Blanche. 
Hyacinths—Alba superbissima,-Queen Victoria, and 
La Neige, white ; Charles Dickens, and Queen of 
the Blues, and Czar Peter, blue; Pelissier, Reine 
des Jacinthes, and Roi des Beiges, red ; L’Amie du 
Coeur, Gigantea and Lord Wellington, rose ; and King 
of the Yellows, and Mdlle. Leonie Van Houtte 
yellow. All these are reliable early sorts, and will 
give you satisfaction. 
——- 
MESSRS. SMITH & CO., WORCESTER. 
Worcester is a historical town and capital of the 
county of the same name. The fact of its being 
historical reminds us that in ancient times it must 
have been important; but in modern times it equally 
maintains its reputation in all that pertains to the 
making and consolidation of a country by useful and 
peaceful industry. It is situated on the left bank of 
the noble Severn, and contains many fine and 
extremely interesting buildings. In this instance we 
are most interested in the ancient and extensive 
establishment of Messrs. Richard Smith & Co., St. 
John’s Nurseries, Worcester. Here, something of 
interest may be seen at any time of the year. Even 
in mid-winter the visitor may glean some useful 
information in respect to his calling if he is a lover 
or admirer of the garden, or, on the other hand, a 
cultivator; for St. John’s Nursery is an emporium of 
everything necessary to the furnishing of a well-made 
and well-maintained place. 
The area covered with glass is something like four 
acres—a thing to be remembered in view of the 
attention given to the outdoor departments. Here 
we may state that the whole business of the firm is 
divided into six departments for the more proper and 
efficient working of the same. The first department 
includes the fruit trees and bushes, which are of 
leading importance to planters at the present time. 
Something like eighty acres are set apart for the 
rearing of fruit trees—a fact which will give some 
idea of the extent of the business done by Messrs. 
Smith in this line. We are not surprised at this, 
considering that they are situated in the midst of 
one of the largest and most important fruit growing 
districts in the country. They cater for fruit-growers 
of all descriptions, from the owners of acres of 
orchards for market purposes and cider making to 
the amateur with a limited extent of garden. The 
list of varieties of Apples is very great, and includes 
the best of new and old favourites, such as Bismarck, 
The Queen, Chelmsford Wonder, Beauty of Bath, 
Gascoyne's Scarlet Seedling, Red Bietingheimer, 
Lady Sudeley, Duchess of Worcester, Taylor’s 
Newton Wonder, etc. Amongst the older favourites 
are Worcester Pearmain, Peasegood’s Nonsuch, 
Cox’s Orange Pippin, Ribston Pippin, Ecklinville 
Seedling, Stirling Castle, and many others which it 
is needless to enumerate, considering the number of 
good things that can be supplied. 
Pears, though not so numerous, are really cared 
for in proportion to their importance, as far as 
British culture is concerned. Varieties are kept in 
stock which will cover the whole period during 
which Pears can be of service to the owners of 
private establishments or the grower for market. 
All the best of the varieties which appear on the 
dinner table or exhibition staging are well cared for, 
and the Messrs. Smith make a point of supplying 
good samples of trees to their customers. Other 
hardy fruits include Plums, Peaches, Currants, 
Gooseberries, and Raspberries, as well as the very 
important Strawberries, which include all of the 
more useful and important sorts in cultivation. 
Amongst the Gooseberries we should make special 
mention of Keepsake (see next page), a new variety of 
great vigour and fertility. The berries are of great 
size, and may be gathered green for market about a 
fortnight earlier than the well-known Whinham’s 
Industry, which has made its name as an important 
fruit for the early market. The skin is thick, so that 
it travels well, even when mature, and is also hand¬ 
some for pickling purposes. Owing to the drooping 
nature of the branches the blossom and young fruits 
are well protected from late spriDg frosts. The 
illustration is from a photograph, and was supplied 
by Messrs. Smith. 
Tne Roses grown out of doors are also included in 
the first department, and very important they are, 
being grown in hundreds of thousands and for all 
classes of growers. The firm has made a feature of 
Rose growing for the past ninety years, and has not 
only kept faith with a wide circle of customers, but 
continues to augment the number Dy keeping abreast 
of the day with new and good sorts, and supplying a 
good article. Tea and Noisette Roses are extensively 
grown in pots, and can therefore be sent off to 
customers at practically any season of the year. 
Hybrid Teas also receive similar attention. Nor is 
the Polyantha section overlooked. Lord Penzance’s 
Hybrid Sweet Briers in named varieties have found 
their way here in considerable numbers. Amongst 
new Roses Mrs. W. J. Grant may be mentioned as 
the variety so popular in America under the name of 
Belle Siebrecht, a rosy-pink hybrid Tea. Another 
Gold Medal Rose is the beautiful Margaret Dickson. 
Both are of British origin. 
Hardy ornamental trees and shrubs, both ever¬ 
green and deciduous, constitute a third department, 
and a very important one, for the adornment of " the 
stately homes of England.” Deciduous trees and 
shrubs include Elms, Birches, Beeches, Laburnums, 
Maples, Oak, Poplar, Thorns, Acacias, and others 
of all ages and sizes. They are well rooted owing to 
frequent transplanting, and are therefore well 
adapted for removal to any required distance with 
every prospect of succeeding at their new destina¬ 
tions. Evergreens include collections of Hollies, 
Laurels, Mahonias, Kalmias, Gaultherias, Pernettyas 
and other American garden plants in great variety. 
Hollies are extensively represented in the number of 
beautiful and distinct kinds. A speciality is made 
of named hybrid varieties of Rhododendrons of the 
R. ponticum type. Weeping trees of various kinds 
find a place amongst the extensive assortment of 
everything that can render the shrubberies and 
pleasure grounds beautiful and interesting. 
The lover of trees can hardly overlook the Conifers, 
which may be seen in all stages of development. 
They are of especial interest at this time of the year, 
when the deciduous subjects are leafless and bare. 
No class of trees gives a more warm and sheltered 
