720 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
July 11, 1896. 
HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 
Roses—Decidedly these ate the most important 
flowers in the flower garden at the present time, and 
judging from the number of Rose shows that have 
been taking place all over the country during the 
last few weeks, they are monopolising a large share 
of attention. The Rose is truly our national flower, 
for every class of the community joins to admire its 
stately loveliness. Violas, Carnations, and Chry¬ 
santhemums, beautiful and popular as they are, have 
yet to acknowledge that the Rose outpaces them all 
in the race for popular favour. We may not stop to 
moralise or to draw invidious comparisons between 
the respective merits of these four leading flowers 
with a view to finding out why the Rose heads the 
list. Comparisons are always odious, at least to the 
persons or the subjects which suffer by the compari¬ 
son. It may well be that the delicious perfume of 
the Rose is an important factor in its success as a 
popular flower which the classes may love and the 
masses idolise. 
Can there be a fairer sight than a Rose Garden in 
June or July? Both sight and smell are alike cap¬ 
tivated, and from the glowing hues of the imperial 
H. P’s. to the more chastened and delicate loveliness 
of the Teas, what a range of colour meets our eyes ; 
we wonder and admire, and our homage follows as a 
matter of course, for beauty has ever a subtle and 
irresistable attraction for men and women. 
But although the haopy cultivator, who reaps the 
rewards of his labours in the increased glories of his 
Rose garden, may stop awhile to congratulate him¬ 
self upon his success, there are other things to be 
thought about besides going into raptures of delight. 
Now is the most suitable time of the year to take 
notes on the behaviour of the different varieties. 
Particulars of habit and gro wth, should be committed 
to paper. Perhaps some bushes are not carrying so 
many flowers as they might and ought to do, and an 
effort should be made to try and find out the cause 
of this, so that if possible it may be remedied during 
the ensuing autumn and winter. In order to insure 
a succession of bloom through the summer months, 
the pruning must be performed at different times, 
some bushes beiDg dressed during autumn, and 
others in early spring. The effects of early or late 
pruning upon special varieties may well form a 
subject for an interesting note. Then again, in cases 
where artificial manures have been applied, the 
results should be carefully compared and committed 
to paper for future reference. Numbers of items of 
interest will suggest themselves to the cultivator. 
Faded flowers should be picked off the bushes as 
soon as they have lost their beauty. This not only 
preserves a trim and well-cared for appearance, but 
it prevents the withered remains of the flowers 
affording a convenient resting place for insects. 
Liquid manure. —If this can be obtained fresh 
from the farm-yard it should be frequently applied, 
particularly to H. P's that are carrying a lot of buds. 
We have had some fairly heavy rains of late, but 
even in localities where these have fallen they may 
not have been sufficient to soak the soil thoroughly, 
as owing to the long drought the latter was almost 
dust dry. 
Bushes out of bloom.—As soon as the first lot of 
blooms is over, the syringe or the garden engine, if 
the amateur is fortunate enough to possess one, 
should be plied amongst the bushes. It is, of course, 
impracticable to syringe whilst the plants are in 
flower, and during this period insect pests, grubs, 
etc., may well have put in an appearance. Nothing 
is more effective in getting rid of them again than a 
regular series of washings with clear water. Soap 
suds from the laundry may also be used occasionally, 
but these are open to the objection that unless an 
after syringiog is given with clear water a whitish 
deposit is left upon the leaves, and also a white 
crust upon the surface of the soil beneath that is 
anything but ornamental. 
Mulching.— A further mulching of well-rotted 
stable manure will prove of the utmost service, as 
there is a good deal of strain upon the plants now, 
and they will, therefore, be correspondingly thankful 
for any assistance that can be given them. 
Roses in pots. — Not only is the Rose indis- 
pensible in the out-door garden, but when grown in 
pots under glass for the decoration of the green¬ 
house or conservatory, it comes in very useful indeed. 
After flowering, the plants are usually turned out of 
doors and stood, perhaps thrown, would better 
describe the kind of treatment they often receive, in 
any out-of-the-way corner, where oftentimes they are 
allowed to languish for want of water. Now if the 
plants are to give satisfaction when subjected to 
forcing, next season they must not be treated thus 
cavalierly at this time. If not already done, they 
should be gone over and some of the surface soil re¬ 
moved by means of a pointed stick, great care being 
taken to avoid injury to any roots that may be near 
the surface. A top dressing of good loam should then 
follow. Subsequently the plants should be stood in 
a nice open position, where the sun and the air can 
get free play amongst them. If the pots are plunged 
to the rims in ashes the labour of watering will be 
somewhat minimised, but this is not a necessary part 
of the programme, and may simply be executed if 
circumstances are favourable. The object of the 
next few months' attentions is to procure plants with 
strong, healthy, and well ripened wood. They must 
not be allowed to suffer for lack of water at the root, 
and it will be well if time can be found to treat them 
to an occasional syringing the same as was previously 
recommended for their relatives growing in the open 
ground. 
Tea Roses.—These being so much more delicate 
in constitution than theH. P's, a little extra coddling 
may be given them with advantage. After the plants 
have been given the usual top-dressing, the pots may 
be plunged to the rims in a layer of cocoa-nut fibre 
refuse, placed on the top of a shallow hot-bed. The 
gentle bottom heat will prove a great stimulus to 
vigorous and healthy root-action. The same atten¬ 
tions as to watering and syringing required by the 
H. P’s must be given to the Teas with even greater 
care if they are to force well next year. 
--5-- 
Correspondence. 
Questions asked by amateurs on any subject pertaining 
to gardens or gardening will be answered on this page. 
Anyone may give additional or more explanatory answers 
to questions that have already appeared. Those who desire 
their communications to appear on this page should write 
“Amateurs' Page ” on the top of their letters. 
Gypsopila paniculata is the name of the plant 
you write about, Ovid, as being held in such great 
favour amongst florists in making up bouquets, 
table decorations, etc. The plant is perfectly hardy, 
and will grow almost anywhere. It prefers, how¬ 
ever, a light, sandy loam, with which a quantity of 
calcareous matter or brick rubbish has been inter¬ 
mixed. It does not like stagnant water hanging 
about its roots, and hence the soil must be well 
drained, if it is to do well. A stock of it may easily 
be obtained by sowing a packet of seeds in a shady 
border now. 
Budding Roses.—The season for budding Roses, 
X. extends, generally speaking throughout the 
months of July and August. The bark - should 
separate freely from the wood in order that the 
operation may be expeditiously and successfully 
conducted. In case the bark cannot be raised 
easily it will be well to defer inserting the bud until 
it does. 
Pyrethrum Prince’s Feather.—It is a common 
complaint from many quarters that you make, 
L 31.N., with regard to the golden Pyrethum getting 
large and clumsy. You may remedy matters by 
judicious and continuous pinching. This should be 
commenced at an early stage, and then the plants 
may be kept as dwarf as you like. 
Hart’s Tongue Fern varying.—This is no un¬ 
common occurrence, A. Stead, and the instance you 
furnish of a Fern having ordinary fronds one year 
and crested ones the next, therefore, calls for no 
particular remark. We cannot tell you why Ferns 
disport themselves in this way, we only know they 
change, as do all forms of life with the lapse of time. 
Hart’s tongue Ferns, however, change their forms at 
express rate. 
iilantus glandulosa.—This is a native of China, 
and not of North America as you suppose, A ulus. 4 ft. 
is certainly a good length for a leaf,but this tree even 
does better than this, for 6 ft. is not an infrequent 
length for the leaves of young and vigorous speci¬ 
mens when they have got well established. The 
name of Tree of Heaven has presumably been 
given it by the Chinese, and undoubtedly refers to 
the great height it attains to. It was introduced 
from China in 1751. 
Freesias.—Let the plants remain dry for another 
month or five weeks, Artless, and then pot them off. 
It will be quite soon enough for all purposes. 
Syringing Grapes.—It is not usual to syringe 
Grapes after they have got into rough leaf, J. F. 
Travers. The syringing will do no harm certainly, 
as long as you use clean water, but the extra 
trouble will not meet with proportionate reward. 
Tea Roses.—Can you inform me what are the 
parents of the Tea Roses, and how they originated ? 
— Exmouth. 
Our Tea Roses have originated from Rosa indica, 
a species the native country of which, is not clearly 
known — most probably China. A very sweet- 
scented variety of this species, Rosa indica odorata 
which was introduced from China in 1810 is said to 
be one of the direct parents of the race. The old 
yellow Tea-scented Rose, introduced in 1824, is also 
supposed to have been an important factor in the 
production of a class of flowers which for delicacy of 
colouring, and continuity of blooming, are second to 
none. Unfortunately they are all of rather tender 
constitution, and a severe winter will play great 
havoc with them, unless they are protected from its 
ravages. 
Yerbenas.—Your best plan to cover the whole of 
the surface of the soil quickly, Benjamin Gould, will 
be to peg your Verbenas down. Small wooden pegs, 
long enough to get a good hold of the soil should be 
used. The plants should be gene over at intervals, 
so as to secure the youDg shoots. In planting 
Verbenas they should always be laid down, that is 
the stems, instead of standing bold upright, should 
incline towards the ground level. This greatly 
facilitates subsequent pegging down. 
Propagating Pinks.—If you will turn to the issue 
of The Gardening World for June 27th, IF. 
Aylesbury, you will find in the Amateurs' Page all the 
information you require upon this subject. 
Miniature Yiolas.— In order for a Viola to come 
within this section, Fob, the blooms must not be 
more than in. in diameter. If your blooms 
exceeded this limit the judges were well within their 
rights in disqualifying your exhibit, although you 
may have complied in every other respect with the 
terms stated upon the schedule. 
Ferns losing Colour.—Ferns are essentially shade- 
loving plants, Ex., and there is very little doubt that 
the exposure to the sun in your window is the cause 
of the fronds turning yellow. Pteris cretica will do 
well in a perfectly cool house, and therefore 
it is not because of the lack of heat that the plants 
have gone back. Give your plants more shade, and 
do not let them suffer for water. 
Roses unsatisfactory.—The reason why your 
Rose blooms are but indifferently coloured, G. Jarvis, 
is not far to seek. It is owing to the hot sun, which 
has taken a great deal of the colour out of them, as 
well as doing a great deal to shorten the life of the 
bloom. The complaint is a very general one this 
year. 
Tomatos going off.—We have carefully examined 
the plant you sent us, IF. E. H., and can find no 
traces of organic disease. The details of your 
system of treatment are satisfactory, but be careful 
in using chemical manures, especially those contain¬ 
ing such a large proportion of sulphate of iron. It 
is quite possible that you have kept your plants too 
close in the earlier stages. There are also evidences 
of injury done by insects. If enfeebled by either or 
both of these causes your plants would not stand the 
application of strong manures, particularly as the 
soil in which they were growing was made so rich. 
You do not say whether the ailment has affected the 
plants generally, or whether it is only an isolated 
case. If the latter it would be difficult to assign the 
exact reason, as individual plants often die, whilst 
others, subjected to the same general treatment, live 
and flourish. 
Perhaps some of our readers, who are Tomato 
growers, may have somethingto say upon the subject. 
-**•- 
Long-lived Tortoises.— Although the average life of 
the tortoise is something between 100 and 150 years. 
