702 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
•July 4th, 1885. 
good. Of Comtesse de Nadaiilae I can speak very 
highly, and it is particularly good for pot culture. 
The blooms are freely produced, and good in size and 
perfume; colour, a deejj orange and yellow. Isabella 
Sprunt is a general favourite, and easily grown ; it is 
very robust and free-flowering, the blooms being of 
medium size ; colour, rich yellow. Madame Pauline 
Labonte proves to be particularly good, either in pots 
or planted out; the blooms are of fair size; colour, 
pale salmon. Madame Berat'd much resembles Gloire 
de Dijon, and succeeds equally well under similar 
treatment. Seine Marie Henriette, a “ red Gloire de 
Dijon,” is scarcely so free-flowering as that good old 
variety, nor is it scented. 
Pot plants struck last spring, and encouraged to 
ramble, have yielded a good supply of blooms, which, 
in the bud state especially, are serviceable. Adam 
is a vigorous flesh-coloured variety, easily grown, and 
does well planted out; and Bubens, white tinted with 
rose, is another deservedly jtopular sort. Celine 
Forestier, pale -yellow, is useful alike for pots and for 
planting against sunny walls; indeed, for the latter 
purpose, I consider it next in value to Gloire de Dijon. 
Jean Ducher, salmon-yellow, is a favourite variety 
with exhibitors, and is altogether an attractive and 
serviceable sort, thriving well either under glass or in 
the open. Sofrano, apricot-yellow, is one of the best 
I know amongst Teas, and in the bud state is very 
beautiful. Anna Olivier, buff’ or flush rose, is a neat 
variety, good in form and size, and may be classed as 
a useful sort. Devoniensis, creamy-white, has long 
been a favourite; it does well in pots on its own roots. 
William Allen Bichardson, a strong-climbing variety, 
produces some of the most charming buds imagin¬ 
able ; their colour is a deep orange-yellow, or a lovely 
terra-cotta shade, which contrasts beautifully with 
nearly any other sort grown. Ina Capucine may be 
said to be a dwarf-growing form of the latter, and the 
bunches of this variety, as shown at Bath, were 
unanimously voted “ lovely.” Marechal Niel—which, 
in common with a few of the above-named sorts, are 
classed as Noisettes, but shown as Teas—is too well 
known to need any commendation ; but I ought not to 
omit a word of praise in favour of Marie Van Houtte, 
white tinted with yellow, ancl good alike for pots and 
in the open air. 
CARNATIONS AND PICOTEES. 
Anyone intending to cultivate these plants should 
obtain their plants in the autumn, in the form of 
nicely rooted layers. These should be potted singly 
in small pots, or two plants in a large pot, one on 
either side. And now comes in the matter of 
compost, which is one of great importance. That 
most recommended by growers is one made as 
follows:—Good and rather adhesive loam, four 
parts; one part rotten stable manure, and one of 
leaf-mould, with enough of coarse sand to keep it 
open; and of late years cultivators have added a 
little broken charcoal. This is a good soil for use in 
all stages of the plant’s growth. 
During the winter the plants in pots should be kept 
in a cold frame on an ash botttom, and carefully 
looked after, and air given on all suitable occasions. 
Potting into the blooming pots is done about the 
middle or end of February. The Carnation and 
Picotee are potted into large pots for flowering. A 
single plant is put into a pot 7 ins. in diameter ; two 
in a 9-in., and three in a 10-in. pot, the latter being 
the most generally-followed method. The pots must 
be well drained, and broken oyster-shell is the best 
drainage that can be used, and some coarse siftings 
of the soil should be placed over the drainage before 
any soil is put in. The pots should then be filled 
within 2 ins. of the top, the plant or plants should be 
placed in position, and the soil pressed about them, 
making it fairly firm ; then, by gently knocking the 
bottom of the pot on the ground, the whole settles 
down, and the work of potting is complete. This 
done, the pots need to be placed in a cold frame, and 
kept a little close until they become established, and 
then placed in the open air, standing them on pots or 
slates to prevent worms passing up into them. The 
plants need close attention in the matter of watering 
and keeping them clear of insects. 
As the flower-stems are thrown up they should 
be securely but not too tightly fastened to stakes. 
The stoutest osiers used by basket makers make 
excellent stakes for the purpose ; and they can be 
had made of deal and painted green, and they should 
not be less than 8 ft. long. In order to have fine full 
flowers it is necessary to thin out the buds. Not a 
few Carnations and Picotees have a tendency to 
burst the calyx, i.e., the green sheath which encloses 
the bud, and it is a common practice to bind a piece 
of bast round it, taking care not to tie it too tightly 
so as to prevent the flower from expanding. Those 
who grow flowers for exhibition purposes are obliged 
to shade them, and this is done by means of zinc 
shades fastened to the sticks, by a canvas cover¬ 
ing, or by taking the plants into a house. When 
shaded, the blooms remain in perfection for many 
days. 
During the time that the plants are getting into 
flower, ail weeds and dead leaves should be removed, 
and the surface soil stirred, and top-dressed once or 
twice, with a compost made up of half loam and half 
leaf-mould. This is a matter of great importance in 
insuring a healthy development of the plants. Ear¬ 
wigs prove very destructive to the flowers, and they 
should be looked for and destroyed. If the plants are 
grown solely for decorative purposes, disbudding need 
be done only very sparingly. 
Propagation. —This is done by layering, a process 
of importance, and requiring skill and experience to 
do it effectually. The more the plants are exposed 
to the sun previous to layering, the more robust and 
hardened is the wood, which is a matter of great 
importance. And as some sorts are shy in producing 
roots—a knowledge to be gained only by exjserience— 
these should be layered first of all, to give a greater 
duration of time to root properly. First of all the 
operator should make up a compost composed of 
equal parts of sweet turfy loam, leaf-mould, and 
sand jiassed through a line sieve. Then all the 
leaves up to the third joint from the tip should 
be cut away with a pair of scissors, and the spent 
soil removed from the pot to the depth of 3 ins., 
and some of the fresh soil placed in the pots. 
Then by means of a sharp penknife an even 
slit is made from one joint to the other, taking 
care not to cut right through the wood. This tongue 
so formed eventually puts forth roots. It must be 
inserted in 'the fresh soil, placing a peg (those made 
from the common Fern of the woods are best) to keep 
it secure in the soil, and after the whole of the 
layers are operated on and made secure, they must 
be slightly covered with fresh soil, and then watered 
through a rose watering-pot. The plants can then 
be placed in the open air, -well attended to in the 
matter of watering, and in a month or six weeks 
the layers will be rooted, and eventually these can 
be potted off as recommended at the outset of this 
article. One of the best layerers of Carnations and 
Picotees we ever knew, used to insert his knife in 
the stem, and then cut outwards, doing this with 
great certainty and dexterity, and so forming a 
tongue. But it requires great practice and care to 
layer rapidly and safely. 
- " i ■ _■: - 
ANCIENT FLORAL ADVERTISE¬ 
MENTS. 
The following are copies of some quaint advertise¬ 
ments which appeared in Lancashire in 1826. The 
first one runs :—“ Going out on the 10th of August, 
seedling Grey Auriculas, at the house of Mr. John 
Banks, Star Inn, Little Moor, Stockport.” The second 
announces that “James Cook seedling Polyanthus goes 
out at Mr. Blackburn’s, King Sowdon [Manchester]. 
Mr. Dickenson’s green-edged goes out at same time and 
place. Also his grey-edged seedling to be sold in pans.” 
In the autumn was announced the publication of “ an 
account of different flower shows held in Lancashire, 
Yorkshire, Cheshire, of Auriculas, Tulips, Banun- 
culus, Star Pinks and Carnations exhibited, with the 
number of prizes won by each sort of flower.—12mo., 
price 3s. 6 d., by John Winstanley and Joseph Clegg, 
Innkeeper, Manchester.” From some old papers in 
my possession, I learn that some of the old first-rate 
Polyanthuses cultivated round Eceles, and shown in 
Manchester, were “let out” at prices ranging from 
one guinea to 5s., to wit: Bang All Europe at 21s.; 
Princess Boyal, 10s.; East Ollerton, 10s.; and Black 
Stranger, 5s.— N. J. D. 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
Royal Botanic Society’s Evening Fete, 
July 1st.— On no previous occasion have the Society's 
gardens been seen to greater advantage. The night 
was exceedingly favourable, and the scheme of illumi¬ 
nation was most successfully earned out upon even a 
more extensive scale than in previous years. The 
exhibition in the large tent, Mr. Anthony Waterer's 
Bhododendrons in the American tent, the conserva¬ 
tory, broad walk, and tower, were lighted by gas, 
while the extensive covered walks, the lake, with its 
kiosk and bridges, and the numerous flower-beds, 
were outlined with coloured lamps in artistic and most 
effective fashion. Many of the trees were also en¬ 
circled with lamps of French design, which were 
peculiarly attractive. The exhibition in the large 
tent, as on previous occasions, was of a most interest¬ 
ing character, consisting largely of specimens of table 
decoration, many of the designs being remarkably 
chaste and pleasing. Hanging baskets, bouquets, and 
other arrangements of flowers for personal adornment, 
with designs for windows and fireplaces', also con¬ 
tributed largely to the general display, and a liberal 
award of prizes was made for the best exhibits. The 
principal attraction, however, was the grand bank of 
Orchids lent by J. T. Peacock, Esq., Sudbury House, 
Hammersmith, which included hundreds of specimens 
of Odontoglossum Alexandras and 0. vexillarium, 
dominated by an unusually fine plant of Sobralia 
macrantha, under which nestled a well-coloured group 
of Cattleya Sanderiana. Next in attractiveness was 
undoubtedly Messrs. Bivers’s collection of orchard- 
house plants in full fruit, among which were included 
tempting Peaches and Nectarines, Cherries, Pears, 
and other fruits. A collection of hardy flowers, 
contributed by Messrs. Barr & Son, also added to the 
general interest of the exhibition. Silver Medals were 
awarded to both these exhibitors. In the museum a 
novel feature was supplied in the form of mirror 
pictures, a series of flower subjects carefully and 
correotly painted on glass by Mr. T. J. Gulliek. In 
the new corridor Messrs. Balfour exhibited some 
novel designs for horticultural purposes in terra cotta. 
Instrumental music was provided in various parts of 
the gardens by the bands of the 1st Life Guards, 
Boyal Horse Guards, and the Coldstream Guards, 
while at intervals a novel effect was introduced for 
the first time by the London Male Voice Choir, con¬ 
ducted by Dr. Stainer, who were stationed in the kiosk 
on the lake, and sang a charming selection of part- 
songs, which were heartily applauded by the audience. 
It was estimated that nearly 10,000 persons visited 
the gardens during the evening. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Names of Plants.— F . M . — l .' Phnelia deeussata; 2. 
French Lavender, Lavandula Stoechas; 3. Santolina ineana, 
Lavender Cotton; 4. Sibthorpia europma ; 5. Geum urbanum. 
TJtricuearia. — Sphagnum. — Certainly not an Orchid, 
though generally cultivated with them because the conditions 
for so doing are favourable. 
Books. — James Williams. — Tou should try and get 
Thompson’s Gardener’s Assistant, published by Blackie & 
Son. If you cannot afford to buy the volume complete, ask 
your bookseller to get it for you in parts, a few at a time. 
Heaths.— James Brown.— Keep them in a light airy house, 
until the end of the month, and then stand them outside 
exposed to the sun, for about six weeks, on a good bed of 
ashes. They will want very careful attention as to watering, 
and should, if possible, have the sides of the pots protected 
from bright sunshine. 
Carnations and Picotees.— Ignoramus — The difference 
is this : the flaked flowers are all classed as Carnations, and 
the white-ground flowers with coloured edges are Picotees. 
Carnations are divided into six sections, viz. —Scarlet, crim¬ 
son, and pink and purple bizarres, and purple, scarlet, and 
rose flakes. Of Picotees there are three classes, described as 
heavy, medium, and light edges. 
Grapes. — Foreman. — The berries are badly scalded, the 
result of the action of the sun upon them while covered with 
moisture. To prevent it in future, give air earlier in the day, 
to dry up the condensed moisture on the berries before the 
sun gains much power. 
Hours of Labour. — Under Gardener. — The usual rule is 
from six a. m. to six p. m., but it is entirely a matter of 
arrangement between you and the gardener. 
Communications Received.— R. O.—S. B.—N. J. D.— 
H. B.—E. V. R—J. S— R, S. O.—J. C. B.—Scipio. 
Trade Catalogue Received. 
IV. & .1. Birkenhead, Sale, Manchester— Hardy North 
American Ferns. 
