726 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
July 14, 1894. 
AUTUMN FLOWERS. 
There are many, no doubt, who do not know the 
value, the beauty, and the interest that there is in 
the bulbs or corms of the autumn-flowering Crocuses 
and Colchicums. But what can be more cheerful, 
more showy and attractive, than to see the ground 
well clothed during the dull months of autumn and 
winter with the charming flowers of Crocus longi- 
florus (Odorus), rose-lilac, sweet-scented; C. Boryi, 
white; C. pulchellus, lavender, yellow throat, and 
its pure white variety albus; C. Salzmanni, lilac, 
feathered; C. cancellatus, white, purple throat; 
C. hadriaticus, pure white; C. ochroleucus, 
creamy-white, orange base; C. nudiflorus, purple; 
C. speciosus, bright blue, very effective in grass ; C. 
sativus, purple: and the beautiful C. zonatus, rosy- 
lilac, with golden zone. All the above flower from 
September to October, and sometimes until 
November. 
Later flowering kinds, such as bloom in November. 
December, and January, weather permitting, are 
also extremely decorative, but are liable to suffer by 
frost and rain if not protected. These later sorts 
would well repay the trouble of potting and keeping 
in a cold frame. The best twelve are C. alatavicus, 
white, feathered purple black; C. dalmaticus, lilac 
and fawn; C. etruscus, white and purple; C. 
chrysanthus, orange; C. chrysanthus pallidus, 
primrose ; C. chrysanthus fusco-tinctus, yellow and 
brown; C. chrysanthus superbus, rich orange 
yellow, with conspicuous scarlet stigma, very beauti¬ 
ful ; C. Sieberi, purple; C. suaveolens, violet purple; 
C. ancyrensis, self orange, very pretty; C. Aerius, 
bright blue, feathered ; and C. Imperati, one of the 
most showy of vernal species, outer segments buff, 
with purple feathering, inner segments fawn. 
The soil that Crocuses delight in is a sandy loam, 
moderately enriched with well decomposed manure, 
and planted from 3 in. to 4 in. deep, and from six to 
twelve corms in a clump. The species of Crocuses 
need not be lifted annually, but when planted in 
good soil may remain undisturbed for three or more 
years; then it is advisable to lift and divide and 
re-plant into fresh beds. The flowers in all the 
above species precede the foliage. 
The Colchicum (Meadow Saffron), erroneously 
called " Autumn Crocus,” because of its similarity to 
them, no lovers of autumnal and winter flowers 
could turn away from. They require little attention 
and are of easy cultivation, and not particular as to 
soil, but give more satisfactory results when planted 
in a light, sandy loam, well drained, and enriched 
with thoroughly decomposed manure. Colchicums, 
for effect, should not be planted in beds, but on 
rockeries, in shrubberies, and on the lawn, for in 
beds of soil they get besmeared by the splashing 
from rainfalls, which takes from them the charm 
that autumnal flowers alone can give, and flowering 
as they do when the gardens are comparatively 
flowerless. When ordering from nurserymen, strong 
corms should be asked for, so as to maintain a suc¬ 
cession of bloom, as each corm produces from six to 
ten flowers each. Like the autumn-flowering 
Crocuses the foliage appears in spring, and it is very 
decorative too. Some have large, massive leaves, 
others small and undulated. 
The best kinds to naturalize in grass are 
C. autumnale, purple; C. a. roseum, rose; 
C. a. plenum, large double lilac; C. a. album, 
pure white. For the lawn and garden borders, 
C. a. album plenum, a large double pure white, very 
beautiful, but scarce ; C. byzantinum, beautiful rose, 
and produced freely; C. Parkinsoni, a very distinct 
and beautiful variety, the flowers of which are 
chequered rose-lilac, on a white ground, and the 
petals gracefully reflexed; C. speciosum rubrum is 
one of the finest of the genus, with large, dark rosy- 
crimson flowers; C. Sibthorpei, of recent introduc¬ 
tion, is a noble plant, with the largest of rosy-purple 
chequered flowers. 
Another very beautiful and most useful of autumn 
flowering hardy bulb is Sternbergia lutea (Amaryllis) 
with bright yellow. Crocus-like flowers, and fresh 
green leaves produced in great numbers. It delights 
in a good deep and fairly dry soil, and a sheltered 
situation, planted at a depth of six inches. It must 
not be under the drip of trees. The time is at hand 
when such bulbs as the above should occupy the 
thoughts of all those who have gardens, for no gar¬ 
den is replete without them. July and August are 
the best months to plant out or pot up. It cannot be 
expected of any bulb to produce such good results 
when the flower stems are considerably advanced be¬ 
fore planting. It would be pleasing to see autumnal 
flowers more grown than they are; their presence 
tends to make the garden more cheerful at a time 
when flowers ore scarce.— JV. L. 
♦ 
WOLVERHAMPTON 
FLORAL FETE. 
The great annual exhibition held in the Public Park 
at Wolverhampton opened on Tuesday under not 
the most promising of meteorological conditions, 
showed a well marked advance on previous efforts in 
all departments. The groups were again the leading 
feature, and Mr. Cypher, of Cheltenham, again 
secured premier honours; Mr. Edmonds, gardener 
to the Duke of St. Albans, Bestwood, coming in 
second; and Mr. Finch, gardener to J. Marriott, 
Esq., Coventry, third. In the open classes, Mr. 
Cypher was also an extensive exhibitor, and took 
first prizes for sixteen stove and greenhouse plants, 
a very fine lot indeed; for six flowering plants, six 
fine foliaged plants, eight Orchids, and six Palms; 
Mr. Finch being second in most of these competi¬ 
tions. In the premier Rose class, Mr. B. R. Cant, 
Colchester, came in first; Mr. Frank Cant, 
Colchester, second ; Messrs. Perkins & Sons, third; 
and Mr. G. Mount, fourth. Messrs. D. Prior & Son, 
also of Colchester, were first for forty-eight varieties ; 
while Mr. B. R. Cant had the best box of new 
varieties; and Messrs. D. Prior & Son the best 
dozen Teas. In the fruit section, the best collection 
of ten dishes came from Mr. Goodacre, Elvaston, 
who was followed by Mr. Bannerman, Blythefield, 
Rugeley, and Mr. Mclndoe, Hutton Hall, in the 
order named. Mr. Goodacre also took first prizes for 
four bunches of Grapes, and two bunches of Black 
Grapes ; Mr. Mclndoe being first with two bunches 
of White Grapes, and a Melon. Mr. Wallis, Keele 
Hall, had the best Peaches; Mr. Edmunds the best 
Nectarines ; and Mr. Wilkins, Inwood House, Dorset, 
the best Strawberries. 
In the gentlemen's gardeners section Mr. Finch 
had the best half dozen stove and greenhouse plants, 
and Mr. Bannerman the best six dishes of fruit, in 
which competition Mr. Pope, Highclerc, was second, 
and Mr. Gillman, Ingestrie, third. With a collec¬ 
tion of vegetables Mr. Pope was well first. Mr. 
Wilkins secured Messrs. Sutton & Sons’ first prize 
for a collection of vegetables in a keen competition, 
Mr. C. J. Waite, Glenhurst, Esher, being second, 
and Mr. Mclndoe third. Messrs. Webb & Sons’ 
special prizes for a collection also went to Mr. 
Wilkins and Mr. Waite in the order named, Mr. T. 
Clayton being third, and Mrs. Cutler fourth. 
Messrs. James Carter & Co’s, special prizes for a 
collection went to Mr. Wilkins and Mr. Waite; and 
Messrs. Tom B. Dobbs & Co’s, special prize for a 
collection was taken by the Hon. P. J. Stanhope. 
The local amateurs’ and cottagers’ classes were 
admirably contested all round, and the members of 
the Midland Section of the National Pink Society 
have a most pleasing show which must be referred 
to more particularly later on. 
--J-- 
TACSONIAS. 
As flowering climbers for covering the roofs of con¬ 
servatories and cool greenhouses these are certainly 
among the best we have. Heated corridors, where 
sufficient room can be afforded, also suit them 
admirably. They are of very vigorous habit and 
closely allied to the Passifloras. I recently saw a 
lofty conservatory very gay indeed with some speci¬ 
mens of Tacsonia Van Volxemii. Even the pen¬ 
dent growths alone were a pretty object when 
drooping from a high roof, and as there was plenty 
of space between these and the tops of plants be¬ 
neath, the effect of their large and brightly-coloured 
blossoms was grand. We do not see these flowers 
to advantage unless hanging well above our heads, 
and few subjects are more suitable for lofty struc¬ 
tures. They bloom continuously during summer 
and autumn, and are useful for decorating large 
stands and vases, or as festoons over a large peir 
glass. By arranging so as to have the ends in water, 
the flowers keep fresh for some time. 
In their cultivation copious supplies of water are 
needed, and a most efficient drainage. I have been 
most successful with a compost of yellow loam, leaf 
soil, and a dash of sand, feeding them during active 
growth after the first season. Planted in a large pot 
and the trails loosely fastened along the rafters, they 
make a pretty object in any fair-sized greenhouse ; 
but crowding must be avoided. Thin out the shoots 
during early winter, and cut the others back fairly 
hard. We can have scarlet, purple, crimson, violet, 
and rose in these flowers, and they are of the very 
earliest culture if one takes care not to introduce 
scale or mealy bug.— P. 
- -*« - 
WINTER FLOWERS. 
To write of these so soon after midsummer and 
while our out door flowers are in their zenith of 
beauty, may, at first sight, seem unseasonable. It 
is not so, however, as unless we take prompt 
measures towards growing those plants intended for 
winter decoration we shall be too late. Zonal 
Pelargoniums, Violets, Cyclamen, Bouvardias, 
Salvias, and many more besides the all useful 
Chrysanthemum must have due attention from now 
onwards. It too often happens that one leaves this 
until too late, or entirely forgets the necessity till 
he sees a neighbours plants in an advanced stage. 
If we delay until autumn so many of our most use¬ 
ful subjects cannot be got into a sufficiently forward 
condition. Mignonette may well be sown at once if 
wanted for winter blooming, a pot or two imparting 
its delightful perfume all over the conservatory or 
greenhouse. Carnations of the winter flowering 
class must also receive thorough attention now, as 
unless we secure a healthy and well-grown root by 
the time they are housed there is little chance of 
satisfactory results throughout the dull winter 
months. Not the least point in the matter of winter 
flowers, is an early start with such bulbs as Roman 
Hyacinths, Freesias, Lachenalias, Alliums, &c. 
Potted early in August, and allowed to make root 
steadily, they will be in splendid condition for gentle 
forcing during November and December. It is so 
easy to have such bulbs in bloom at Christmas if 
we take full advantage of the first consignments in 
the market. In too many establishments there is a 
want of forethought as regards providing sufficient 
variety in winter flowers. Look to it from now 
onwards, and do not depend so entirely upon 
Chrysanthemums.— A. P. 
--- 
VINE AND RASPBERRY 
WEEVILS. 
These weevils frequently do much harm to many 
plants and trees, among which may be noted Vines, 
Mangel Wurzel, Peas, Beans, young Turnips, Straw¬ 
berries, Raspberries ; also to Peach and Nectarine 
trees, to Ferns and flowers of various kinds in pots 
and in borders, in greenhouses, and in the open air. 
In 1894 these weevils have been unusually trouble¬ 
some; the hot dry snmmer of 1893 appeared to be 
most favourable for their increase. Hop plants in 
the spring of 1894 were seriously injured in some 
localities by them, mainly, however, by the clay- 
coloured species, Otiorrynchus picipes, though 
occasionally the dark-coloured species, Otiorrynchus 
sulcatus, was found on these plants. The Hop 
bines flagged and their heads drooped just after 
they were tied to the poles. Upon examination, it 
was seen that they had deep punctures here and 
there. In some cases these were so deep that the 
bines were nearly cut in two, just as the tender 
shoots of vines are treated by the vine weevil, and 
the juicy sprouts of Raspberry canes by both 
species. 
This novel, and for some time undefined, attack 
upon Hop plants created considerable sensation 
among Hop planters in East Kent, especially as it 
was found that remedies and methods of prevention 
were few and difficult to apply. Besides the damage 
done to Hop plants by the leading shoots of the 
bines being cut off, and so weakened as to be 
practically useless, there is no doubt that the 
" hills,” or plant centres, were much injured by the 
grubs, or larvae, which were feeding upon them 
during the late autumn and winter. This injury 
was attributed to wireworms in many cases. 
Strawberry growers have often experienced much 
loss from both species of these weevils in the weevil 
form, and more particularly in the grub or larval 
form. The grubs burrow into, and feed on, the 
roots and crowns of the plants from September until 
March, and after April, the weevils pierce the shoots 
and runners. 
