492 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
April 5 , 1890. 
that the leaves, hitherto green, were in the case of this 
form blotched with white. My contention was that 
the plant was identical with T. sessile. It is a native 
of North America, and must have been introduced 
many years ago. If anyone will turn to the volume of 
the Botanical Magazine for 1787, on p. 40, they will 
find a coloured illustration of T. sessile, which is 
identical in all respects with the plant shown under 
the above name ; it will be seen that the green leaves 
are blotched with white, like those of some of the 
Pulmonarias. I think this much should be stated, 
because the name given to it by the exhibitors is really 
the changing of an old species into a new one, which 
is not advisable. The Botanical Magazine states that 
T. sessile is of as long standing in this country as the 
Dodecatheon, but at that time, and probably more 
particularly now, far less common. I must not be 
supposed to state that the plant is unworthy of the 
award made, but I opposed the award for the reason 
stated above.— Pi. D. [The plant clearly appears to be 
a dark-leaved variety of T. sessile ( Bot. Mag., t. 40). 
There is already a dark-leaved form grown in gardens 
under the name of T. discolor, but this Sereno Watson 
considers to be T. sessile Wrayi.— Ed.] 
Polyanthus Harbinger. 
Your note on this plant in your issue of 29th March 
is rather misleading in more ways than one. P. Har¬ 
binger is spoken of as being well named from its early- 
flowering character, and yet it appears to have required 
the temperature of a greenhouse to get it in fine flower 
a few days ago. [Mr. Sage said, as we stated at p. 475, 
that it had been flowering all the winter.— Ed.] 
As to raising an early-flowering breed of Poly¬ 
anthuses with the good properties of Harbinger, it has 
been done already, in proof of which I send you some 
flowers from my garden, where at present a bushel of 
such flowers might be gathered. I also send you a 
plant of an early free-flowering white in the way of 
Harbinger, which variety I have never grown. I con¬ 
sider that I have some rather striking novelties ; they 
are all grown in the open without any protection, and 
have been in flower all the winter. I have proved that 
these border Polyanthuses make delightful subjects for 
house decoration. At the end of December I potted 
up a small number of plants, placing them in a cold 
frame for a week or two, until they got over the 
removal a little. They were then taken into the 
sitting-room in small batches (six or eight at a time), 
and the effect was charming. They remained in good 
condition for two and three weeks, and their perfume 
in a room was delicious. — George Thomson, Urtica Villa, 
Knap Hill. [The white variety specially mentioned 
by Mr. Thomson as compared with Harbinger is larger, 
paler in the centre, and not so entire on the edge, being 
much more notched, while the segments do not overlap 
to the same extent. The coloured varieties sent are ex¬ 
ceedingly beautiful, and make up a delightful vase.— 
Ed.] 
Arum Italicum. 
The leaves of this species are more ornamental than 
those of the more common A. maculatum. Both are 
British plants, but that under consideration is confined 
to Cornwall and the Channel Islands, as far as this 
country is concerned. The leaves are of great size 
when grown in rich garden soil, triangular-hastate, 
and of a bright shining green, with all the principal 
veins of light yellowish green, giving the whole a var¬ 
iegated appearance. They are developed during the 
winter in proportion to its mildness, and are in perfec¬ 
tion early in spring, while A. maculatum is just making 
its appearance above ground. A large number of 
plants in the herbaceous border at Boston House, 
Brentford, are now very conspicuous owing to the 
advanced and healthy state of the leaves, while other 
plants have mostly just commenced to grow, with the 
exception of spring-flowering bulbs such as Crocuses, 
which have been fine, and also some fine bits of 
Leucojum vernum. The spathe and spadix are yellow 
or creamy white, and are produced during March and 
April. 
Streptosolen Jamesonii. 
Although a member of the same family as that to which 
the Potato belongs, this plant has foliage not unlike that 
of a Heliotrope, owing to the rugose or deeply wrinkled 
surface of the' leaves. The stems are wiry, rather 
slender, shrubby, and generally attain a height of 2 ft. 
or 3 ft. in greenhouses. There is only one species 
which is closely allied to Browallia, and is occasionally 
grown under the name of Browallia Jamesonii. The 
flowers are orange, with a yellow tube, and when freely 
produced are handsome. They are produced in 
racemes or panicles, terminating the numerous side 
shoots of the branches, and although most freely 
produced in summer, they may also appear at a much 
earlier date, according to treatment, as we noticed 
recently at Boston House, Brentford. The Browallias 
are annuals and easily managed, but the wiry, shrubby 
nature of the plants under notice requires rather 
different treatment, and must be well ripened to flower 
freely. It also does well in the dry atmosphere of a 
house devoted to Heaths and other Cape plants. The 
plant will grow in any ordinary compost, but that 
of a light sandy but rich nature gives the best results. 
Medinilla Curtisii. 
Both the leaves, flowers and bracts of this species lack 
the fine dimensions of those of M. magnifica, now well 
known throughout the country, but all present distinct 
and beautiful characters of their own. The leaves are 
ovate, about the size of those of a Camellia or smaller, 
with a coral-red midrib. The flower stalks are of a 
brighter coral-red, while the calyx is of a porcelain hue, 
the petals pure white, and the anthers violet; so that 
the inflorescence, as a whole, presents a great variety of 
colour. It is cymose and erect, not pendulous as in 
M. magnifica, and the bracts are very small, and of no 
importance horticulturally. 
Amorphophallus Titanum. 
The old tuber that flowered last year at Kew does not 
seem to have lost much in vigour, although it lost 
about 7 lbs. in weight. From fear that it might not 
start again if allowed to rest too long, it was potted up, 
and started into growth after a short time, and placed 
in the stove, where it threw up a strong leaf. After it 
got too tall for the latter structure it was transferred to 
the Victoria house, where the petiole soon attained a 
length of 6 ft. 6 in3. The lamina is apparently smaller 
than usual, being only about 4 ft. in diameter. This 
was, no doubt, due to the leaf being developed during 
winter when heat and more especially light was deficient. 
The petiole is apparently as stout as usual and of a dark 
olive-green, blotched all over with orbicular grey 
markings having a green spot in the centre. 
Ficus bengalensis in Fruit. 
This species of Ficus is now becoming more extensively 
cultivated for decorative purposes than formerly. The 
large, ovate, and leathery leaves render it well 
adapted for standing the dry atmosphere of rooms. It 
is also of very slow growth, so that it does not soon 
outgrow the space allotted to it, nor soon become too 
large for decorative purposes. A specimen in the 
economic house at Kew has been fruiting for some time 
past. The fruits are globular, of small size, and chiefly 
interesting botanically ; but they do not seem to be 
very frequently produced. 
Convallaria majalis, Fortin’s variety. 
The foliage and flowers of this form are characterised 
by their great size. Two or three leaves are borne by 
each crown, and are elliptic and of a fine glaucous 
green. The flower scapes bear from twelve to sixteen 
large, broadly and shallowly campanulate, open, pure 
white, fragrant flowers. Some specimens were shown 
at the Drill Hall, Westminster, on the 25th March, by 
Mr. E. Morse, The Nurseries, Epsom, to whom an 
Award of Merit was accorded. 
Deutzia oandidissima flore pleno. 
The plant shown under this name at the last meeting 
of the Royal Horticultural Society, is a double form of 
D. crenata. The flowers were large, very double, pure 
white, and produced in long dense racemes at the ends 
of the short lateral shoots. As a pot plant it is said to 
force better than D. gracilis, and is certainly very 
ornamental. Branches were shown by Mr. W. C. 
Leach, Albury Park, Guildford, at the Drill Hall, 
Westminster, on the 25th March, when an Award of 
Merit was accorded. 
Philadelphus inodorus. 
The leaves of this species of Mock Orange are ovate, 
opposite, distantly serrated, and of medium size. The 
flowers are of large size, pure white, scentless, and pro¬ 
duced in clusters terminating the short side shoots. 
They have each four broad, emarginate petals. As a 
pot plant it is very accommodating and easily forced, 
as it may be had in bloom at Christmas. Specimens 
were shown at the Drill Hall, Westminster, on the 25th 
March, by Mr. W. C. Leach, Albury Park, Guildford, 
when he was accorded an Award of Merit for them. 
SEASONABLE WORK IN THE 
GARDEN. 
Climbers. —Where planted out, less stringent attention 
will be needed in the matter of watering than when 
grown in pots. At the same time, neither should be 
allowed to suffer for want of an efficient supply at this 
period, when young growth is rapidly being made. If 
the leaves are allowed to flag or suffer in any way, red- 
spider will soon obtain a footing. 
Tuberous Begonias. —The old tubers are now 
showing signs of activity, and should be re-potted into 
a size as small as will conveniently accommodate them, 
to be potted on as growth advances. Seedlings should 
be kept growing in a congenial atmosphere, and on a 
shelf or bench close to the glass. 
Shrubby and Other Begonias. —Cuttings of such 
kinds as B. ascotensis, B. incarnata atropurpurea, and 
others intended for bedding purposes, may still be 
struck. Those that are rooted should be potted off at 
once, and replaced in heat till they become established. 
Young stuff intended for autumn and winter flowering 
should also receive due attention, to enable them to 
form sturdy and bushy plants. 
Gloxinias and Cyclamens.— The Gloxinia seed¬ 
lings sown in the early part of the year should now be 
potted off singly if that has not already been done. 
Place them on a shelf close to the glass,-and shade 
lightly from strong sunshine. As yet that has hardly 
been necessary. Early-sown Cyclamens may also be 
potted singly. 
Drac.ena Eyes. —As soon as the eyes which were 
obtained from old cut down stems are well rooted, 
they must be potted off singly. Young plants obtained 
in this way are generally more airy and graceful than 
the tops of old plants, besides lasting for a much longer 
time in usable condition. 
Lachenalias. —These are now mostly in full bloom, 
and if they have been properly treated they will more 
than repay what little trouble may have been bestowed 
upon them. After they have done flowering they 
should be placed in a cold frame and watered occa¬ 
sionally if necessary, finally placing them out of doors 
to gradually ripen off their foliage. By this means 
they will flower as well, if not better, next year. 
Vineries. —Continue to loop down the shoots in 
succession houses, to prevent the leaves' coming in 
contact with the glass. More foliage should be left on 
the Muscats than on other kinds. Leave three leaves 
on the shoots beyond the bunches, and two instead of 
one leaf on the laterals, where they can all be well 
exposed to light. 
Melons. —A second batch of Melons should now be 
planted out, if the house is in readiness for them. 
Should that not be the case, pot on the seedlings to 
keep them growing healthily. If allowed to get pot 
bound their vigour is greatly impaired. 
Mushrooms. —Where Mushrooms are cultivated out 
of doors, the manure for making the beds should be 
prepared without delay. After making up the beds 
and covering them with a quantity of soil, they should 
be covered with a thick layer of litter to preserve the 
heat. The ridge system is the best for out-door culture, 
as space and heat can better be economised. 
Peaches. —The trees in late houses are now mostly 
in full bloom. Badly-placed flowers, that is, those on 
the side of the branches next the wall, may be removed, 
so as to concentrate the energies of the trees on those 
that are better located. Weakly blooms are, as a rule, 
not worth the room they occupy and may also be 
removed. Tap the branches several times during the 
early part of the day to distribute the pollen, and keep 
the atmosphere of the house dry and airy. 
Herb Border. —Fresh plantations should be made 
of such useful subjects as Sage, Common Thyme, 
Tarragon, Marjoram, Mint and Hyssop. Seeds also 
may be sown of Thyme, Savory, and the annual species 
of Marjoram. The vigour of a plantation can only be 
kept up by frequent renewal. 
Vegetable-Seed Solving. —A sowing of French 
Beans may now be made on warm sheltered borders. 
Get something in readiness to protect the seedlings from 
late frosts as soon as germination takes place. Ne Plus 
Ultra, Osborn’s Early Forcing and Canadian Wonder 
are all good and reliable kinds. Sow also in well- 
prepared ground the main crop of Beet. 
Cabbages, Turnips, and Slugs. —With the return 
of mild and moderately moist weather the old enemy 
will again be rampant. The leaves of young Cabbages, 
Cauliflowers, Brussels Sprouts, Turnips and similar 
things may be dusted with a mixture of slaked lime 
and fresh, dry soot in the early morning, while the 
plants are yet wet. 
