380 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
February 9, 1895. 
clumps grow into size, and when in full bloom make 
delightful floral objects. The double blue and the 
single red appear to be less robust in growth, and as 
a matter of precaution should be grown in pots. 
There is a very strong growing species named H. 
angulosa, with sky-blue flowers, which will grow 
in any soil, however cold and moist, and bloom 
freely. 
I think if anyone would take the Hepatica in hand, 
and fertilise the blossoms, some welcome variation 
might be obtained in seedlings. The Hepaticas seed 
pretty freely, and the seeds should be gathered as 
soon as they begin to turn brown and sown on the 
surface of a box of light, sandy soil, and be just 
covered in the soil ; the surface pressed down firmly, 
and then a piece of board laid upon the top and the 
box placed in a cold frame. In the course of a year 
the seeds will germinate, but it will take time for the 
plants to get into size to bloom. I have sometimes 
obtained seedlings of the single blue by spreading some 
fine sandy soil over the surface round the plants ; in 
course of time the seed scattered by the plants 
germinates, and grow into size ; but it takes two or 
three years, at least, for them to get into size to 
blossom.— R. D. 
HINTS ON POTTING. 
Under this heading your correspondent Mr. J. G. 
Pettinger in an article appearing on p. 360 of The 
Gardening World deals with a much discussed 
and hence well worn subject, but one that is never¬ 
theless of very great importance, upon which it is 
scarcely possible to discuss too freely, viz., " Potting.” 
Almost every gardener (we use the word in its widest 
sense) has his own ideas with regard to potting, ideas 
that are in most cases the result of practical experi¬ 
ence. Often enough, too, these opinions vary con¬ 
siderably, and if it were possible to get a consensus of 
opinion from growers in all parts of the country we 
should find, we doubt not, that the ideas thus 
gleaned from a number of sources would be of the 
most conflicting character when considered as a 
whole. 
Thus one gardener will declare that he finds that 
to grow a certain plant well a quantity of peat must 
be present in the compost in which it is to be grown, 
and that a particular temperature must be accorded 
it, together with various other details of the method 
of culture successfully pursued by him. This may, 
perhaps, be met by another assertion from a different 
quarter to the effect that the writer has grown the 
plant in question for years, that it has never been 
allowed the slightest portion of peat, leaf soil, 
perhaps, being used instead, that the temperature 
accorded it has been lower or higher, as the case 
may be, and altogether advocating an entirely 
different method of treatment. 
What does this go to prove ? that one or the other 
of the methods of treatment are wrong, or that 
neither are entirely right ? Certainly not! It only 
tends to show what a wide range of difference of 
opinion may be exercised in the practice of even 
one branch of the profession. We would contend 
that it is an extremely healthy sign, and one that 
argues well for the inherent life and vigour of 
exponents of the profession of horticulture that there 
are so many and divers (we might almost say diverse) 
opinions as to the best method of conducting opera¬ 
tions. It shows that there are numbers of eager and 
zealous gardeners, who, not content to follow 
slavishly any stereotyped rules that may have been 
laid down by some supposed authority with regard 
to the treatment of any one subject, are constrained 
to test for themselves the alleged value of such 
instructions, and prepared should they not obtain 
from them the satisfaction they may rightly expect 
to derive are intelligent enough and brave enough to 
strike out fresh paths for themselves. 
Now although the different ideas that may be 
promulgated with regard to the treatment of any 
one subject may be apparently conflicting and 
contradictory, they are only apparently so. We 
must bear in mind that plants are exceedingly adapt¬ 
able subjects, and often suit themselves to circum¬ 
stances in an astonishing way, added to which the 
conditions of climate vary considerably in the 
different parts of our Islands; we may therefore 
expect to find a corresponding variety in the treat¬ 
ment given them. As Mr. Pettinger remarks, the 
time for potting a great part of the permanent stock 
of plants will soon be here, if indeed it is not already 
with us. The careful gardener will be busy in 
making his preparations for an early start, a supplv 
of clean and suitably sized pots as well as plenty of 
clean crocks for drainage purposes being procured. 
Soil, too, must have careful preparation, and it 
should be seen that it is quite fit for using before a 
start is made. A supply of really good fibrous loam 
is not within the reach of all gardeners, and happy 
are those who possess it. Much of the loam that is 
used is very far from being the ideal article, as it is 
often of clay-like consistency, with scarcely a vestige 
of fibre amongst it. It stands to reason, therefore, 
that plants which are potted in a compost largely 
made up of a soil of this kind must receive very 
careful after-treatment if anything like satisfactory 
results are hoped for. 
Among the various points with regard to potting, 
none have created more discussion than the question 
of firmness of soil. How often do we see it recom¬ 
mended to pot certain plants firmly, with the result 
that some young hands at potting take this to mean 
the using of the potting stick or rammer with a 
vigour and strength that a stone-breaker might 
envy, and this upon a heavy and often wet compost. 
Small wonder is it that many tender-rooted plants 
refuse to thrive under such harsh treatment, as their 
roots are unable to penetrate the hard layers of soil 
surrounding them. Some growers go so far as to 
assert that a rammer should never be used in 
potting except when dealing with Cape Heaths, 
Azaleas, or such subjects. Whether we agree with 
this or no, certain it is that no gardener would allow 
the rammer to be used with indiscriminate freedom 
upon all subjects alike. To do so would be but to 
court failure. 
The quality of the soil used must be considered, 
whether it be fibrous or destitute of fibre, or whether 
a large proportion of peat enters into the making up 
of the compost. Peat is usually added to impart 
porosity to the soil, and not, as is sometimes 
supposed, for the sake of any stores of nutriment it 
contains. Therefore for any plant which is to be 
grown in a compost consisting largely of peat, 
potting can scarcely be too firm. From the same 
reason the rammer may be used without much fear 
when good fibry loam is being used, whereas it 
would be madness to employ it to any extent upon 
wet heavy soil. 
Of course, we are aware that in some instances 
ramming of the soil is a necessity, notably in the 
case of decorative plants which have to be kept in as 
small pots as possible for obvious reasons, or of 
subjects which are given to too rank and luxuriant 
growth, with a view to securing sturdy short-jointed 
growths. This method is a really good one to pursue 
with Tomatos which are often much inclined to run 
to haulm instead of producing fruit. The effect of 
very firm potting is therefore to check luxuriance of 
growth, and it must necessarily follow that it should 
not be applied to weaker-growing subjectsof delicate 
constitutions which it is desired to get to grow as 
rapidly as possible. In such cases a downward pres¬ 
sure of the fingers and a few smart taps of the pot 
upon the bench will make the soil sufficiently firm 
for all purposes. 
In re-potting plants care must be taken that the 
new soil is well worked round the roots of the sub¬ 
jects operated upon, as neglect in this respect will 
be sure to be productive of not a little check to the 
plants, that might in a great measure be avoided by 
the taking of proper precautions. Another most 
important point, and yet one that does not receive 
the attention it ought to do, is to see that the pots are 
not filled too full of soil. This must be especially 
looked after where the plants are thirsty subjects 
that need a lot of water during the growing season, 
for if space enough is not left to hold sufficient water 
to thoroughly soak the ball, the labour of watering 
must, as a natural consequence, be greatly increased, 
repeated attentions with the watering can being 
necessary, or, failing this, the languishing of the 
neglected plant from the results of an insufficient 
water supply. 
Crocking.— It must be manifest to all that any 
notes on potting would not be complete without 
some reference to this often despised but none the 
less important part of the business, for upon its 
proper performance rests, in a very great measure, 
failure or success in the culture of pot plants. Some 
young gardeners are apt to consider the crocking of 
pots somewhat beneath their dignity. Oh, anybody 
can crock pots! say they; and the job is straight¬ 
away committed to the tender mercies of the boy. 
We would beg to differ with them in this respect; 
everybody cannot crock pots properly; merely 
throwing a handful of crocks into the bottom of a 
pot is most decidedly not a workmanlike method of 
procedure. Mr. Pettinger also says in the article 
before referred to that “ should the plants be some¬ 
thing special, a thiD layer of moss should be placed on 
the top of the crocks to assist in keeping the drainage 
free from obstruction.” If by “something special " 
is meant either a rare plant or one of delicate 
constitution, this caution is abundantly necessary, 
but this 'is, we think, applied in a very much too 
limited degree. All plants which have to stay in the 
same pots for several months, and through the soil 
of which quantities of water have to pass, should 
have a layer of moss as Mr. Pettinger recommends, 
or of the roughest part of the compost placed over 
the crocks, or the drainage will infallibly become 
choked up before long by the soil carried down 
among it by repeated waterings. All such plants if 
they 'are worth growing at all should therefore be 
treated as " something special,” at least with regard 
to this precaution. As in Mr. Pettinger’s own 
words : " Many failures and disappointments arise 
from the defective drainage of flower pots.”— G. 
--*•- 
■Hardening Miscellany. 
THE LATE MR. WILLIAM THOMSON. 
“ Howl fir tree for the Cedar has fallen.” 
During the last thirty years it was my privilege on 
many occasions to come in contact with the above 
named gentleman, whose loss the Horticultural 
World is now deploring. In many respects our 
departed friend occupied the ” pride of place ” as a 
gardener, and on this ground I think that some effort 
should be made to perpetuate his memory. Another 
(and perhaps a more important) reason why I think 
this suggestion should be carried out, is in con¬ 
sequence of those higher qualities which our departed 
friend possessed in an eminent degree. No one 
could be in the company of William Thomson very 
long without coming to the conclusion that he was a 
man of integrity and uprightness. There was atone, 
an atmosphere—if I may use the figure—about him 
which one inhaled, and so became tlie better and 
stronger. On several occasions I was struck with 
his conduct to those under him ; he beheld them as 
fellow creatures, and knew that they had as much 
right to happiness as himself. Disdainful looks, 
proud, snappish, severe speeches, which some can 
make use of upon every supposed offence, were 
seldom seen or heard from him. From the best of 
principles, therefore, his servants were bound to 
serve him—the principle of love. I sincerely trust 
that someone more capable than myself will take 
this matter up, if so, I will do all in my power to 
assist.— Bruce Findlay, Manchester. 
STOKING. 
I have read with great interest the remarks made 
by “ An Old Stoker ” and ” An Old Gardener ” in 
your two recent issues. I quite agree with both 
your correspondents that stoking is by no means a 
cleanly job. Plenty of gardeners make stokiDg far 
worse than it really is. I have charge of the stoke¬ 
hole in my present situation, and have never found 
any great difficulty in keeping myself clean. When 
I put in coals I always throw water about them to 
keep down the dust. Before taking out the ashes I 
pour plenty of water on them, and when taking out 
the soot I pour a pail of water on the floor and pull 
the soot out and let it fall on the water. Of course 
it is impossible to keep down all the dust, but I 
think if all gardeners were doing this they would 
benefit greatly by it. The great art in stoking is to 
keep a strict watch on the thermometer, keep the 
flues clean, and the fire well redd out. — An Appren¬ 
tice, Scotland. 
ALPINIA MUTICA. 
From the great amount of space they need, it is 
very certain that the owner of houses, where the 
room is considerably restricted, cannot afford to grow 
Alpinias. It is only in lofty, roomy houses, there¬ 
fore, that they may expect to find a place under 
cultivation, such as for instance, the Palm house at 
Kew, where at the present time a specimen of A. 
mutica is carrying a fine spike of its exquisitely 
coloured flowers. The lip of the corolla is a rich 
