878 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
February d, 1895. 
grounds with it in quantity. These planted subjects 
becoming perfectly resigned to their altered condi¬ 
tions, and on friendly terms with their new sur¬ 
roundings, became the progenitors of a race of 
plants that has so long been closely and intimately 
associated with the natural beauties of our English 
woods, where for some reason or other it always 
affords a more pleasing picture than it does when 
growing in a cultivated state in our gardens. 
The florist has of late years been busily at work 
among by far the greater proportion of our favourite 
flowers, striving to impart to them his idea of a 
more perfect form, eliminating a petal here, broaden¬ 
ing others there, or inducing both stamens and 
pistil to assume the petaloid form, with the result 
that the offspring of his handiwork are extremely 
unlike the natural originals. Indeed, so far has he 
been successful in persuading the general public 
that his idea of beauty is the correct one, in fact, 
that rigid symmetry of form and beauty are synony¬ 
mous terms, that in some instances the species upon 
which he worked in the first place have been 
entirely lost sight of, or at least relegated to ex¬ 
ceedingly obscure corners. Not so with the Snow¬ 
drop, for although the florist has brought out various 
new forms, some of which are accorded a great deal 
of public favour, and are largely cultivated, still the 
original G. nivalis remains, and is almost, if not 
quite, as great a favourite as ever from its hardiness 
of constitution and the earliness of its flowering 
season. It would be hard indeed to imagine a more 
beautiful and pleasing picture than a batch of plants 
naturalised in corners of the flower garden or 
pleasure grounds, where, as if to make sure that its 
flowers shall not be passed over without due recog¬ 
nition, they open before the leaves reach any length, 
the latter considerably elongating, however, after the 
flowering season has passed. 
Some of the varieties of G. nivalis are very 
distinct and pretty, and form very suitable subjects 
for growing in pots, amongst which G. n. Imperatri, 
with its large flowers and broad glaucous leaves ; 
G. n. reflexus, in which the outer segments of the 
perianth are reflected back in pretty much the same 
way as the petals of the Cyclamen; G. n. Shay- 
lockii, with its characteristic green blotches upon 
the tips of the outer segments; G. n. virescens, in 
which the inner segments of the perianth are wholly 
green; G. n. etiolatus, a pretty and distinct form 
which has the ovary and the tips of the inner 
segments yellow instead of green; and the much- 
prized double form G. n. flore pleno, with its large 
but stiff and formal flowers, are all worthy of 
cultivation. 
The place of honour belonging to the most hand¬ 
some member of the genus is usually awarded to 
G. Elwesii, a very distinct species with very large 
flowers, hailing from Asia Minor. The outer lobes 
of the perianth here are broad and spreading, two 
deep green blotches being very noticeable at the 
base of the inner segments upon the outer side. 
G. plicatus, a species common to the Crimea, 
which is also cultivated in our gardens to some 
extent, has rather smaller flowers than those of G. 
nivalis, added to which they are sometimes of a 
greenish hue. The leaves, which are larger than 
those of the last-mentioned species, have a longitu¬ 
dinal fold or plait on both sides, and hence the very 
appropriate specific name.—G. 
-- 
WINDOW GARDENING. 
[Concluded from page 348.) 
Chinese Primulas and Cinerarias, etc., are also 
very useful when in flower, but it is only possible to 
have these in bloom when they are grown in a warm 
frame or greenhouse and brought to the windows 
when suitable. There are several other very useful 
things that might be used in this manner, but my 
remarks have reference chiefly to those who have no 
glass erections in which to bring on choice things for 
a short summer display. And, now, besides the 
lower parts of the windows there are also the sides, 
which should have some little consideration, and 
there are many neat close growing climbers that 
may be used with effect. If it is desirable, make 
permanent coverings with Roses or Clematis, 
Jasmine or Honeysuckle. A close growing, small¬ 
leaved Ivy is often found useful. The neat Canary 
Creeper can be sown in the boxes in March and 
trained up string or wire; here its bright yellow 
flowers show to advantage, and the habit of the plant 
is well retained. A few of the close growing 
Sedums and Saxifrages can be grown in siogle vases 
and hung on the walls by the windows; some are 
exceedingly pretty and at the least are novel. 
And now turning our attention again inside, I 
would remark that some windows are so fixed that 
there is little room or convenience for outside display. 
This necessitates a fresh start in the dwelling rooms. 
When this must be done, I would advise that but 
few plants be grown, but that such as are kept 
should be larger than those grown in the boxes, etc., 
in the open. Many Ferns, as I stated at the com¬ 
mencement of my remarks, can be well grown in this 
manner : so, too, may some of the Palms, now easily 
obtained, various green-leaved Dracaenas and 
Grevilleas, are satisfactory during the summer; but 
perhaps the three that are mostly grown for their 
foliage in this respect, and that stand the fluctuations 
of temperature, and not seriously affected with dust, 
etc., are the India rubber plant, the Aspidistra, and 
the Calla Lily. This latter also flowers in the 
spring, and its large expauding trumpet shaped 
white blooms are objects of considerable interest. 
The Calla will bear a little more water than most of 
the plants grown indoors, and if occasionally a little 
stimulant be given it will be much strengthened 
thereby ; this matter of stimulants calls for a further 
remark. Doubtless, manures rightly applied, are 
helpful to all vegetable life, as the root space of plants 
in boxes, etc., is very restricted, it is well, if now 
and then a little extra help is afforded ; the growing 
eager roots soon extract the richer particles from 
the soil, but extract it remember in a soluble form, 
and so the right use of some fertiliser is most 
beneficial. Thomson’s, Clay’s, or Wood’s special 
mixtures can be spread on the surface of the soil and 
no unpleasant appearance or distasteful odour 
accompany its application Of course, use these 
mixtures with discretion, and if a little were given 
just before watering, say once a fortnight after the 
plants are well established either in boxes, pots, 
vases, etc., the results would be apparent, and amply 
repay the cost. These manures are easily obtained 
in convenient tins at most of the florists in the town. 
If any of you are so situated that at times you can 
obtain a peck or so of good wood ashes, by all 
means get them. Keep them dry, and if no other 
help can be given some of this spread on the soil 
would be of service. I trust I have not tried your 
patience too much, nor monopolised too large a 
share of your time, there is yet, however, one other 
matter to which I should like to turn your attention. 
Why should you not among yourselves exhibit a 
little rivalry in the dressing of your windows, and 
seek so 10 cultivate your plants that a spirit of emu¬ 
lation were aroused still further ? I do think if a 
little of this feeling were held by you, and put into 
definite form, the outcome would be a far more 
cheerful display of colour in our streets, a feeling of 
admiration and satisfaction would ensue, and our 
town become in a very short time a perfect bower 
of beauty, the whole most charming, the individual 
windows neat and attractive. I think if a few prizes 
were offered for the best front garden, and the best 
and most showy boxes, etc. in the windows, we 
should soon see an improvement, and success in one 
direction, would undoubtedly lead to fresh attempts 
in others. Still much as I should like to know some 
such spirit were moving amongst you, I should be 
sorry to find that the culture of flowers were merely 
undertaken that advantages might be secured simply 
of a mercenary character. 
Though I know that one cannot live simply upon 
honour, or honourable distinction, and cannot always 
be expected to labour for nothing, still, I should 
like to see the culture of flowers as I have attempted 
to indicate, more largely carried out for the love of 
the plants themselves, that an affection for them so 
sprang up and an admiration of their beauties so 
prevalent amongst you, that successful culture were 
the only rewards that were sought, and whilst 
receiving the pleasure of gazing upon them oneself 
to know that others enjoy the same sights and are 
charmed in a similar manner, whilst unconscious 
thanks are ever rising in the bosom of those who 
receive joy through your labours. Ever bear in 
mind that in dealing with plants, you have for the 
time being in your charge and keeping a life—uncon¬ 
scious I admit, still a life that can respond to kind 
and considerate treatment, and that does resent 
neglect, and unwise methods of culture; a life that 
has come to us through all the ages. A continuation 
of the first life of its kind that came originally from 
the Hand of the All Wise, All Good, Almighty 
Creator; a life whose inherent powers you may 
develop to its highest capacity, and in your hands 
may produce results never before presented. 
With thoughts present such as these, I would 
advise you to engage in this work, and promise you 
that with diligence, patience and some little practical 
knowledge, you will find you have advanced from 
stage to stage, until by and by your success will 
have exceeded your most sanguine expectations, and 
your pleasure be continnally shared by many who 
come within the circle of your influence.—IF. Swan. 
- ►*- -- 
GARDEN PEAS. 
I am often struck when reading through the list of 
Peas in catalogues, both wholesale and retail, to see 
the improvement made in many ways in this most 
useful vegetable. I feel, therefore, that I shall not 
be out of place at this season of the year in offering 
a few remarks upon them, in doing which I may 
perhaps say a few words for some of the old varieties 
as well as the new. 
Perhaps a few remarks on the preparation of the 
land may be useful to some of the readers of your 
valuable paper; therefore, for a general crop of 
Peas, I should recommend that the land be well 
trenched 2^ ft. to 3 ft. deep, and should the bottom 
spit be found poor heavy soil not fit to come to the 
top, break it well up and add some burnt ashes, old 
mortar rubbish, road scrapings, or anything of a 
workable nature. This, well worked into the 
bottom, will make it ready to receive the roots of 
the Peas, and also prepare the soil to come to the 
surface when the next trenching time comes round, 
which should be, in well kept gardens, about every 
three or four years. Nothing will make a garden 
more productive than breaking the ground well up 
by trenching and adding plenty of good manure, 
burnt ashes, or anything that will improve the class 
of soil you may have to contend with. In my 
opinion there is no better plan than to have a good 
fire once or twice a year and burn up all the rubbish 
that accumulates from the potting bench, kitchen 
and flower gardens, etc. When a good body of fire 
has been got together and all the light rubbish burnt 
out, cover the fire all over with a good layer of 
heavy soil, for this, when well burnt, will be of 
much use in many , places when planting trees, 
dressing flower beds, or on a bad quarter of the 
kitchen garden. In fact, I never saw a good heap of 
burnt ash turn out to be useless, and we may be 
sure this burning kills thousands of seeds of weeds 
as well as numbers of slugs and snails. 
I will now return to my subject, and see what has 
been done since the time of the Crimean War. 
When I was a lad the early Peas that I well remem¬ 
ber to have then been in cultivation were Daniel 
O'Rourke or Sangster’s No. 1, a small white- 
seeded variety. Now we have so many varieties 
we can hardly say which are the best, such as Ring¬ 
leader, First and Best, William the First. Every 
cultivator has his own fancy, and so have I, and those 
which I have proved to be the best on light or medium 
garden soil of late are Carter’s Lightning, Day’s 
Sunrise, Early Bird, Exonian, English Wonder, and 
Dr. Hogg. If these are sown on a warm border any 
time in January they will prove good useful kinds. 
The land for these should be well dug and manured 
before planting, but should anyone prefer sowing in 
pots, which I should recommend where pits or a 
cool Peach house can be used, nothing is better than 
sowing the first batchdn 3 in. pots. The young plants 
when about ij in. high, after being well hardened 
off, may be planted out in rows and staked properly 
at once. This will act as a protection to them, and 
if done carefully nothing is lost in the time taken for 
labour, for there is a great saving of seed to begin 
with, and in most cases the Peas grow away and do 
well if properly planted. 
When we mention improvement we do not forget 
the dwarf Peas, and the improvements in these is 
great. For instance, take American Wonder, 
Chelsea Gem, William Hurst, English Wonder, 
Wordsley Wonder, and Carter’s Daisy ; all of these 
I can speak most highly of. I have grown them all 
side by side on some good light soil, and have proved 
them to be all well worth growing. In my opinion, 
English Wonder is the best of the six sorts I have 
mentioned. Carter’s Daisy comes in a day or two 
iater than the English WoDder, and with me grows 
