February 22, 1890. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
395 
leaves are opposite, stalkless, and three to five-parted, so 
that they appear on casual observation to be whorled. 
G-loneria jasminiflora. 
The correct name of this beautiful shrub is Psychotria 
jasminiflora, but it is almost universally known amongst 
gardeners under the above appellation, and gardeners 
are above all conservative in the matter of plant names. 
Out of 500 species there are few deserving of cultiva¬ 
tion for the sake ot their flowers ; and the present is 
therefore a marked exception. Its flowers have a long 
slender tube, and a four-parted lamina, and might more 
readily be compared to those of a Bouvardia than a 
Jasminum. Strange to say they are not fragrant, as 
one might have expected, but they are produced in 
corymbose panicles terminating the twiggy shoots, and 
are therefore beautiful and well adapted for mixing with 
cut flowers. The plant forms an erect bush when 
grown in pots ; but there is a plant in the gardens at 
Gunnersbury Park, Acton, trained against the wall of 
a house used for the culture of Roses and Camellias. 
It covers a space 6 ft. laterally, and 4 ft. in height, thus 
showing that it is suitable for greenhouse treatment. 
Its allies mostly require stove temperature, and this 
species may also be grown in a stove. The leaves are 
leathery, evergreen, and not unlike those of an Ixora, 
but lighter green, and both belong to the same family 
as the Coffee. 
The Spring Snowflake. 
The beauty of Leucoium vernum is such that one 
frequently wonders it is not more frequent in gardens 
where hardy flowers are appreciated. The plant is 
dwarfer, but, at the same time, has much larger 
flowers than any of the other species _ of common 
occurrence in gardens. The scapes -generally produce 
one flower only, but in the variety known as L. v. 
biflorum, strong bulbs produce each two flowers on a 
scape. The flowers are bell-shaped and pure white 
with exception of the yellow anthers and a small blotch 
near the apex of the segments. As the flowers first 
expand this blotch is yellow, but after a time it becomes 
deep green, and finally reverts to yellow again as the 
flowers fade. The bright green strap-shaped leaves 
accompany the flowers, and the plant is by no means a 
miffy subject, as horticulturists understand the term. 
Iberis saxatilis. 
Amongst the smaller species of Iberis in cultivation, 
I. saxatilis is perhaps the first to come into bloom, 
especially if grown in a cold frame. In mild seasons it 
will flower more or less continuously all through the 
winter, when hardy plants in bloom are by no means 
numerous. The stems are wiry and procumbent, with 
the shoots upturned at the tips, bearing corymbs of 
white flowers. The leaves are very narrow, ciliated, and 
quite different from the broader leaved kinds with 
which we are more familiar. It may be seen in the 
hardy plant house at Kew, where it is, of course, grown 
in pots. Out of doors in the neighbourhood of London 
it may be grown upon a rockery without protection, 
but does not increase very fast. 
Wintersweet. 
Such is the vernacular name of Toxieophliea spectabilis, 
which is now well known in many an establishment, 
where it is grown both for the beauty and grateful 
odour given off by its flowers, particularly during 
sunshine. When a plant is grown in a mixed collection, 
its presence may be detected by its odour alone, when 
in bloom. The leaves are elliptic, leathery, and of a 
shining green, while the flowers are given off in trusses 
or bunches from the axil of every leaf along the greater 
part of the previous season’s shoots, forming long 
sprays. It has been flowering for some time past in a 
stove at Gunnersbury Park, Acton. 
Nephrolepis philippinensis. 
The fronds of this species form compact tufts of 
moderate dimensions, and can therefore be accommodated 
where N. exaltata or IN', cordifolia would be inadmis¬ 
sible. From 12 ins. to 15 ins. may be considered the 
usual length of the fronds, which are pinnate, with 
oblong decurved pinnules, somewhat after the style of 
N. acuta, but shorter and blunter. They are dark green, 
with darker veins and black petioles covered with rusty 
grey scales. The species requires the treatment accorded 
to tropical Ferns, but the temperature should be more 
that of an intermediate house than a stove proper. It 
is by no means plentitul in the country, but may be 
seen in the collection at the Royal Exotic Nursery, 
Chelsea. 
Trachelospermum jasminoides. 
The accommodating nature of this plant is wonderful, 
for we have witnessed it as a stunted bush, dwarfed by 
the art and curious taste of the Japanese, and its leaves 
shortened to J in. or £ in. In this country it is grown 
as a stove or greenhouse climber, when it attains a 
great height, bearing large leaves and a profusion of 
flowers. For exhibition purposes it is trained in balloon 
shape so as to take up as little space as possible and be 
easily moved about. At Gunnersbury Park, Acton, 
it is grown as an edging surmouuting a low brick wall 
surrounding a bed of soil in which Roses are planted, 
in a house chiefly devoted to the culture of Roses. 
Hot-water piping runs round the house immediately 
beneath the Trachelospermum, and the leaves do not 
suffer the least harm. On the contrary, the plant is 
making strong growth immediately above the pipes, 
and has commenced flowering. Wherever the pipes 
stop short the branches cease showing signs of growth, 
and appear almost perfectly at rest, although im¬ 
mediately beyond where the hot-water pipes commence 
the same plants are in full growth. 
Adiantum Daddsii. 
This is evidently a variety of A. cuneatum, but in 
form between that and A. amabile. The fronds are 
triangular and of great size, with the pinnae and 
pinnules rather distantly arranged, which give them a 
lighter and more open appearance. The terminal 
pinnules are wedge-shaped, and the lateral ones more 
or less obliquely so. Judging from its graceful, 
drooping and loose habit, it would make a suitable 
subject for basket work, in the same way as A. 
cuneatum inmulum, which has similarly long fronds, 
but narrower and of closer arrangement. It may be 
seen in the nursery of Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, 
Chelsea. 
A Variegated Indian Azalea. 
Variegated forms of Rhododendrons, including those 
of course which are best known under the name of 
Azaleas, are by no means plentiful, nor apparently 
very highly appreciated ; but we noted a vigorous and 
bushy plant well furnished with leaves in one of the 
houses at Gunnersbury Park, Acton. It was 3 ft. high, 
and about as far through at the bottom, trained in 
conical shape, and grown in a pot. The variegation 
consists of a pale yellow or creamy margin of unequal 
width to each leaf, and the combined effect gives the 
plant a lively and ornamental appearance. The flowers 
are mauve, but at present are in bud, and judging 
from the number of the latter now plumping up, the 
variegation in no way affects the ability of the plant to 
bloom. 
-—- 
SEASONABLE WORK IN THE 
GARDEN. 
Re-potting Nepenthes.— Over-potting should always 
be avoided, but the plants can easily be kept within 
due bounds, seeing that all the old soil should be 
removed about once a year when this operation is being 
performed. Some growers even wash the old soil com¬ 
pletely away by dipping the roots in tepid water before 
transferring the plants to the new compost. The latter 
should consist of fibrous peat from which the loose earthy 
matter has been shaken, and chopped sphagnum in 
equal parts, with a quantity of broken crocks and 
sand. 
Climbers. —The roots of many are now becoming 
active, and growth in many instances is progressing. 
It is, therefore, necessary to see that they are properly 
supplied with moisture, especially where the roots are 
confined to small space in tubs, or narrow and shallow 
borders. If the roots get destroyed or impaired by 
drought, the plants cannot flower freely, nor will the 
latter last in good condition for any lengthened period 
of time. 
Ardisia japontca and A. crenulata. —Better 
plants of A. crenulata and its white variety (A. c. alba) 
are obtained from seeds than from cuttings. Sow the 
berries now in light sandy loam, and stand the pots 
containing them on the bed of a propagating pit, or, 
at all events, where the temperature is moderately 
high. "When the seedlings have made a few 
leaves they may be potted singly in small pots, as 
they do better than when given a great amount of pot 
room. 
Bouvardias. —When the first batch of cuttings 
becomes rooted, pot them off singly into thumbs, and 
replace them, for a time at least, in the propagating 
pit until they become established. A light syringing 
may be given them on the afternoons of fine days to 
encourage growth. After the cuttings are growing 
away freely they may be pinched back to make them 
bushy. 
Single Dahlias. —When the seedlings have made 
the first rough leaf or two pot them off singly, and 
replace them in heat to encourage growth. They will 
soon require pots of a considerably larger size ; and 
growth should thus be favoured in order to get plants 
of good size before they are planted out in June, for 
upon their forwardness at that time will depend their 
ability to flower early. 
Bedding Plants. —Continue to pot off Pelargoniums 
for bedding purposes on all convenient occasions until 
the work has teen completed. If they have been 
wintered in boxes in an early vinery they will soon get 
overdrawn. After becoming established in the fresh 
soil they should be transferred to a cooler house. See 
that there is a sufficient stock of the various subjects 
required, and propagate whatever is deficient. 
Late Grapes. —The house in which Lady Downes 
and Black Muscats are grown should now be kept at a 
temperature of 55° at night, with a rise of 10° or 15° 
by day, in order to have the buds well started by the 
beginning of next month. If so, the fruit will ripen 
by the beginning of September, and be in good con¬ 
dition to last well after being cut and placed in the 
fruit room. 
Figs. —Where the fruits are swelling, attention 
should be given to the fires, so that the maximum 
temperature may be attained soon after the advent of 
daylight. This will practically give the trees a long 
day in which to make growth, and will have the effect 
of accelerating the development and maturity of the 
fruit at a much greater rate than where the temperature 
is allowed to rise gradually about midday by the effects 
of sun-heat. 
Melons.— Where growth is making rapid progress a 
night temperature of 70° should be maintained, with a 
rise of 10° or 15° by day, and no harm will result if the 
house is closed early, so as to allow the temperature 
to rise to 90° with sun-heat. Syringe in the morning, 
and again in the afternoon when closing up. During 
the day a little air should be put on when the 
temperature rises to 75°. 
Leeks for Exhibition. —In order to get good Leeks 
for the exhibition table by the time they are wanted for 
the early autumn or late summer exhibitions, the would- 
be exhibitor should sow seeds at once in pots or pans, 
placing the latter in a stove or propagating pit. The 
compost used should be good, consisting of three parts 
good fibrous loam, one of leaf-soil, and one of well- 
rotted cow manure. If sown at the rate of three seeds 
in a pot, and after germination thinned out to the 
strongest, the seedlings will be spared the check caused 
by transplanting. A shift into a larger size may be 
given them before being finally hardened off, and 
planted out about the end of April. 
Onions. —The main crop should be sown now as soon 
as the state of the ground as to dryness will permit. It 
requires so much treading and raking in the operation, 
that unless very dry it is apt to get puddled. Before 
drawing the drills for the seeds, a small quantity 
of soot should be scattered over the ground, as this 
will help to destroy the pupie of the Onion grub in the 
soil. 
Potatos. —Plantations of early kinds may now be 
made with advantage on warm borders and light soils. 
Ground that is still occupied with old Cabbage, 
Broccoli, or Brussels Sprout stumps should be cleared 
without further delay. If the ground is sufficiently 
fertile, no manure should be applied before setting the 
tubers. Autumn manuring is best for this crop. 
Peas and Beans.— Sowings of these maybe made 
from time to time in order to give succession. American 
Wonder and Chelsea Gem are dwarf and hardy kinds. 
Other sowings of Peas may be made in pots indoors, or 
on turves, or in long narrow boxes roughly constructed 
for the purpose. These may be stood on shelves, or 
along the sides of the paths in very cool houses, other¬ 
wise the Peas soon get drawn. Or they may be 
started in a house with a moderately high temperature,, 
and afterwards transferred to a cool one, or a frame, 
before being finally planted out. 
Some time previously to the making up of hot-beds, 
Potatos may be put in boxes amongst light sandy soil, 
and stood in a Peach house or vinery to cause them to 
sprout. Make the beds of properly fermented farmyard 
manure, and beech or oak leaves. Cover with soil, and 
after the latter has become warmed up, put in the sets 
of Potatos, being careful not to break the young 
shoots. 
