364 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
February 3, 1894. 
fine-foliaged varieties of Begonia Rex are grown m 
considerable quantity and variety. We noted some, 
the marking of whose leaves were rich and attractive. 
The foliage of Cissus discolor is still in fine condi¬ 
tion. The climbing, slender stems can be utilised 
for various purposes, in the draping of pillars and 
rafters of the stove, for climbing on wires or chains 
or for the adornment of baskets from which they 
will hang down to a length of six or eight feet in a 
single season. The varieties- of Coleus are very 
numerous, including some of the finer of recent 
additions. The plants at present are simply in the 
state of small specimens rooted last autumn by way 
of stock ; nevertheless the variety and brightness of 
colouring even at this dull period of the year are very 
striking, and give an earnest of what they will be 
when grown on under the influence of a summer 
sun. The more leathery leaved Ficus elastica remains 
one of the most popular plants of the day if we are 
to judge by the numbers of plants that continue to 
be propagated. At present the foliage presents a 
robust and bronzy hue. The variegated variety is 
still in great demand. 
Stove plants are very largely represented, and 
besides the above mentioned are several Dieffen- 
bachias with beautifully variegated foliage, including 
D. Jenmanni, D. Shuttleworthii and D. Bausei, 
whose silvery gray and greenish-yellow markings 
contrast beautifully with the normal light green of 
these plants. Both the flowering and the fine-leaved 
Anthuriums are represented. The former include 
the broad-leaved and broad-spathed A. Scherzeria- 
num Wardii. The other type contain A. 
Waroqueanum, A. Veitchi, A. crystalinum and A. 
magnificum, all of which are so well known that 
description is unnecessary. The larger kinds can 
only give a conception of what they are capable of 
doing when they get into establishments where 
space can be afforded them to develop into their 
natural dimensions with leaves 3ft. to 5ft. long. 
The bronzy red and green Acalyphas are not over¬ 
looked. The dwarf and creeping Fittonias such as 
F. Pearcei and F. argyroneura can be put to various 
puYposes in an establishment, and are consequently 
almost indispensable. The new variegated form of 
Poinsettia pulcherrima is likely to find its way into 
many establishments by way of contrast to the 
ordinary green ones. The leaves possess a silvery 
variegation which contrast well with the bright red 
bracts. 
Flowering plants include a large variety of subjects 
of which we can only mention a few Old and young 
plants of Gardenias are grown in quantity. Boronia 
heterophylla is in fine condition, and will flower finely 
when winter is giving place to spring. The earliest 
batches of Gloxinia are already in full growth, while 
later batches are only being started. The old 
Cyclamens are now in full flower, while the seedlings 
recently potted off will succeed them. We noted a 
large batch of Impatiens Hawkeri waiting for the 
turn of the season to develop into bloom and beauty. 
The old Primula sinensis alba plena is grown in 
quantity for the sake of cut flowers, which are 
always being cut, thereby preventing a display at 
any one time. Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora was 
being cut down preparatory to its being forced ; the 
plants are grown at Fleet, and brought up as 
required. 
Orchids are not considered as a speciality, the aim 
in the first place being to grow a quantity for the 
sake of cut flowers. The favourites for this purpose 
are Cypripedium insigne, Coelogyne cristata and the 
pale C. C. Lemoniana. Others, however, in consider¬ 
able variety occupy_the whole of one or two compart¬ 
ments of a house including Cattleyas, Laelias, 
Vandas, Aerides, Oncidiums, Dendrohiums, Odonto- 
glossums and others. Palms are undoubtedly and 
have been a feature of the nursery from its com¬ 
mencement. They exist in all stages from the 
germinating seedlings to those of 8 ft. or 10 ft. high, 
occupying the whole of the headroom. We cannot 
attempt to go into figures, for all the commoner and 
more useful of the commercial kinds exist in 
thousands. They are mostly germinated in narrow 
beds made for them beneath the benches of the 
warmer houses close to the pipes or on the benches 
themselves. Some of the more extensively grown 
kinds are Latania borbonica. Cocos Wedelliana, 
Areca lutescens, Corypha’australis Geonoma gracilis, 
Kentia Belmoreana, K. Fosteriana, and various 
others. Amongst the unusual phenomena we noted 
a large plant of Chamaerops humilis in fruit. The 
long plumy fronds of Cocos plumosa reach the top 
of the house. Geonoma Seemani has much broader 
leaves than G. gracilis and is altogether distinct in 
its way. The plants of Areca lutescens commence 
to branch at a very early stage of their existence 
and continue to throw up suckers from the roots as 
they get older. Some of the large plants are of 
considerable size. Areca sapida. A, rubra and A. 
Verschaffelti lend a considerable amount of variety 
by their different forms. 
An interesting feature of the nursery is the large 
stock of Cycas revoluta in various sizes. The 
foliage where still on the plants is of a rich dark 
green as it may be seen at any time during summer, 
but as even here the leaves are cut oft and utilised 
after a certain period of the year, the bulk of the 
plants are leafless at present, and very thickly 
crowded together, with other plants stood amongst 
them to utilise the space. A few of them have com¬ 
menced to throw up their young fronds again, and 
will require more space for their accommodation. 
The golden stemmed Bamboo (Bambusa aurea), the 
Black Bamboo (B. nigra), with black stems, and the 
better known B. Metake, as well as B. Simmondsii, 
are all grown at Fleet in the open air without any 
protection, and are brought up to Peckham Rye in 
batches to start them into fresh growth to give them 
a fresh appearance for decorative purposes. Akin 
to this class of decorative plants are the species of 
Cyperus, including C. alternifolius variegatus, which 
meets with such a demand for decorative purposes. 
The yellow and silvery variegation of Ophiopogon 
Jaburan variegatus has also its admirers. Asparagus 
plumosus nanus, A. tenuissimus, and other allied 
forms are almost indkspensible for decorative pur¬ 
poses at the present day, and find a home here. 
Ferns of the more useful market kinds are raised 
from spores in quantity. 
In the cold frames we noted fine batches of 
healthy stuff of Araucaria excelsa and A. e. glauca 
about 2 ft. high. Pelargoniums of the zonal, show 
and regal classes, as well as Marguerites, Calceo¬ 
larias, and various bedding plants, are grown 
in considerable quantity. We were interested with 
the stocks of two Lobelias being largely propagated 
from cuttings. One was the old Emperor William, 
sometimes raised from seeds, but which can only be 
obtained in the true character by annually propa¬ 
gating it from cuttings. The other was the new 
yellow foliaged Lobelia aurea compacta, with blue 
flowers. Like the former, it can only be obtained 
true from cuttings. Even now the yellow foliage is 
conspicuous by contrast with the dark green of 
Emperor William. 
- •im - 
ril VE@ifABLi mmEu. 
Sowing and Planting. 
The time of year is fast approaching, when 
gardeners will be busy with this important work ; it 
is not, however, well to be in too great a hurry, as 
seasons vary so very much. How often do we see 
that because seeds were sown on a certain date one 
season, they are recommended to be sown at the 
same time the next. A few days at this time of the 
year does not make so much difference as it does in 
the Autumn, but at the same time it is the gardener’s 
duty to do all he can to produce crops as early as 
possible. No greater mistake, however, could be 
made, than to put the seeds into unsuitable soil, as 
they are almost sure to perish. 
On cold heavy soils and in low lying places the 
ground at the present time is very wet, so that it will 
be next to impossible to sow or plant while it is in 
such a condition. Such work, however, may be 
greatly facilitated by a little judgment and careful 
observations—for instance, if the barometer has a 
tendency to rise gently and there are signs of a few 
fine days, advantage should be taken of them to 
fork over the ground so that it may become dry on 
the surface so as to prevent it sticking. A couple of 
wide boards should then be brought into requisition 
to stand upon whilst drawing the drills, sowing the 
seed, and covering it in. By having two boards it 
will not be necessary to stand upon the soil at all, as 
the person doing the work can use one while he 
moves the other, thus enabling him to proceed with 
the work at ease. 
On warm borders Peas may now be sown with 
safety, even the early marrow kinds ; the seed, how¬ 
ever, should be of the best quality so as to induce quick 
germination, for if they remain in the soil too long 
before coming up they will rot. Pieces of glass laid 
over the rows will greatly benefit them by warding 
off the rains and preventing the soil from being 
beaten down, A few rows of early Carrots may now 
be sown, and if Spruce or other boughs be laid on 
the ground afterwards these will prevent the soil 
from becoming beaten down by heavy rains. The 
same may be said of Early Milan Turnips, Golden 
Queen, or other Lettuce, and Radishes. Broad 
Beans that were sown on a warm border in the 
autumn will by this be large enough to transplant. 
We have invariably found that these do well when 
planted out early in February, as their roots take 
hold of the soil before the drying winds of March 
set in, so that they grow away freely. Lifting must 
be carefully done with a fork so as to preserve all 
the roots intact, and afterwards planted with a 
trowel, making holes deep enough for them to go 
straight down. If they are planted about an inch 
deeper than they were before so much the better, as 
this will prevent them being lifted out of the soil 
should frost set in afterwards. If planted in the 
old-fashioned rows, two lines forming a row, these 
should be at least nine inches apart, and the plants 
allowed a distance of six inches between them in each 
line. It will be found at the time of gathering that 
there is not much difference between those planted 
and those left on the border undisturbed. 
A sowing may now be made in the open ground to 
succeed those transplanted, for by so doing there 
will be no blanks. Broad Beans are not so much 
in request when Peas are plentiful, therefore do not 
over stock the ground with them, only sowing 
sufficient to provide a few dishes as they are asked 
for. They are, however, often wanted in the autumn 
when Peas are getting over, and it is not always an 
easy matter to supply them then, as the young plants 
are so subject to the black fly during summer; but if 
on dry hot land a sowing be made at the back of a 
wall on a north border these will usually give a 
supply till frost comes. Care, however, is needed 
with such sowings, for if there is not plenty of room 
allowed between the plants they become drawn and 
therefore of no use. Those who have command of 
open places in a field would do well to make a late 
sowing or two there, as they do not grow so robust 
as on the rich soil in the kitchen garden and on that 
account set more flowers .—Kitchen Gardener. 
Cauliflowep Lamoureux’s Non Plus Ultra. 
It may be said that we have already quite enough 
varieties of Cauliflower; true, but some of them 
have not much in the way of real merit to recom¬ 
mend them, and might with advantage be lost to 
cultivation. The variety under notice is a most 
reliable one. I have grown it in this place for five 
years and have always found it do us good service 
during August and September. We require a goodly 
supply of this vegetable in the autumn for the 
shooting parties, and accordingly grow several sorts of 
which Lamoureux’s Non Plus Ultra is amongst the 
best. To come in before Veitch’s Autumn Giant it 
is most valuable, and not being quite so large as that 
variety is an advantage in its favour, as it does not 
take up so much room on the ground. It has long, 
robust leaves, and when these fold in the heads be¬ 
come of the purest white, while the flavour is most 
delicate and palatable.— Con. 
Forcing Rhubarb in Tubs. 
It is not everyone who can obtain a sufficient 
quantity of fresh stable manure and leaves to enable 
them to force this vegetable in the open; nor do I 
consider this the most economical way of getting an 
early supply, and consequently I do not force either 
Rhubarb or Seakale in the open ground. The 
former I force in tubs—paraffin o il casks cut in two 
—putting into them prepared roots, the first lot 
during November. The tubs are either placed in a 
warm house or in the Mushroom house, and the 
Rhubarb soon makes a good growth. During the 
last four years we have been able to pull good stalks 
by the first of January, and continue doing so until 
the crop came in, in the open air, by putting in 
roots as required.—Co«. 
The Carnation, its History, Properties, and Management, 
with a descriptive list of the best varieties in cultivation. By 
E. S. Dodvvell. Third edition, with supplementary chapter on 
the Yellow Ground. London: Gardening World Office, i, 
Clement’s Inn, Strand. W.C. is. 6d. post free, is. yd.—Advt.l 
