March 30, 1895. 
THE GARDENING WORLD, 
485 
they were at present, especially in Ireland. They 
were determined to leave no stone unturned until 
they made the Irish Gardeners’ Association worthy 
of its name. There was no gardeners’ association 
existing throughout the whole of Ireland, and 
Dublin should be the first place to take this matter 
up. Their Association should be non-sectarian and 
non-political. They were not antagonistic to the 
Royal Horticultural Society; but that Society 
should do something to promote the gardeners’ pro¬ 
fession. Mr. Shaw, secretary, said that the great 
object of their Association would be their mutual 
improvement. They could get persons who had 
been successful in cup competitions to come to their 
meetings and tell them how they attained that 
success. They had in Dublin a large commercial 
population who loved flowers very much, and who 
had no opportunity of admiring them because they 
were in their shops while these flowers were 
exhibited in some nobleman’s backyard. They 
wanted an exhibition to be held where these 
flowers could be sent and be properly appreciated. 
Mr. Todd proposed, and Mr. Russell seconded, 
" That an Irish Gardeners’ Association be estab¬ 
lished in Dublin," and the resolution was carried. 
* » «■— 
DEUTZIA GRACILIS. 
When we consider all things, this old plant is 
probably the best, easiest, and cheapest for producing 
a quantity of pure white flowers early in the year. 
Do not commence with a strong heat, and do not 
let them be in full light at first Beneath the bench 
of an ordinary greenhouse for a few weeks until the 
eyes have swelled and are bursting is a good place, 
especially if we keep them moist at top and so assist 
the swelling. A hot and dry atmosphere, or too 
much haste at first, often results in much blind and 
uneven growth. This plant flowers upon the wood 
of the previous season, and if treated steadily and 
then introduced to a warm stove temperature comes 
into bloom very quickly and evenly. When the 
bloom is on the point of bursting, they may once 
more have ordinary treatment. In the usual course 
of things a warm greenhouse is quite sufficient, 
but it pays to keep them under the benches during 
the first stages. 
Many are apt to place them on one side and 
neglect after their season of bloom is over. This is 
folly ; because the young growths from the base, 
which by this time are well for ward, will make by far 
the most valuable flowering wood for the ensuing 
season. Cut away the older growths that have carried 
blossom, and feed the new growths. Keep them in 
a vinery or cool greenhouse until the outside weather 
is sufficiently warm to avoid any sudden checks. 
When thinned out as advised, the pots can stand 
close together in many out-of-the-way corners of the 
houses, and if kept well watered and fed a little, will 
give us grand growths that will ripen early and be 
extra useful for next winter’s bloom. A little care 
of this kind j will secure grand crops of bloom from 
the same plants season after season.— Experience. 
PLANTS RECENTLY CERTIFICATED. 
The undermentioned subjects received certificates 
from the Royal Botanic Society on the occasion of 
their first spring show on the 20th inst. 
Rhododendron Optima.— This is one of the 
hybrid Rhododendrons of the Javan type. The 
leaves are oblong, leathery and large. The flowers 
are also of unusual size for the group showing that 
improvement continues to be effected. They are of 
a rich Indian yellow with a rosy line round the edge, 
and a thick tube of moderate length. The stamens 
are red and stand out in.bold contrast to the rest of 
the flower. Floricultural Certificate. Exhibited by 
Messrs.J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea. 
Amaryllis Idsworth.— The scapes of this variety 
are dwarf, being only about 18 in. high, carrying 4 
fine flowers, widely funnel-shaped with a short tube, 
and broad overlapping segments. The latter are 
dark crimson with a shining lustre in the throat of 
the flower which is shaded with maroon. It is a 
bold and richly-coloured variety well suited for ex¬ 
hibition purposes. Floricultural Certificate. Ex¬ 
hibited by Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons. 
Streptocarpus Gratus— The leaves of this 
variety are few, oblong and of large size, the first 
attaining a length of 18 in. or more. From the base 
of these arises a large clump of flowers borne on 12 
to 15 or more scapes, each bearing several flowers. 
The scapes are only 3 in. to 6 in. high, and the large 
flowers are of a beautiful rosy-purple hue, lined with 
dark purple at the base of the lower lip. The 
quantity of blossom, the rosy flowers and the early 
period at which they may be had in bloom, are all 
recommendations that agree strongly in favour of 
this handsome hybrid. Floricultural Certificate. 
Exhibited by Messrs J. Veitch & Sons. 
Kentia Dumoniana. —The specimen of this I'aim 
exhibited by Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son, Upper 
Holloway, bore a crown of eight leaves varying from 
■z\ ft. to 3 ft. The petiole is smooth, flat above and 
arched, while the blade of the leaf itself is pinnate, 
and beautifully arched or recurved. The segments 
are linear, long and graceful, while about four of the 
basal are narrower and stand up at right angles to 
the rest of the surface. The Palm is well adapted 
for decorative purposes as in K. Belmoreana. Bota¬ 
nical Certificate. 
Clivia Model. —The plant is very vigorous, and 
even notable for the great breadth of its leathery 
leaves. The flowers are borne in massive trusses, 
and are relatively short but companulate and wide 
with broad imbricate segments of a rich orange 
colour, and yellow in the throat. Floricultural 
Certificate. Exhibited by Messrs. B. S. Williams & 
Son. 
Clivia Firefly —As the name would seem in¬ 
tended to indicate, the flowers of this valuable variety 
are of a fiery tint which we should describe as 
glowing orange-scarlet. They are funnel-shaped and 
borne in large, massive trusses. The leaves are 
leathery and 2 ft. to 3ft. long. For greenhouse and 
conservatory decoration it is invaluable at this time 
of the year. Floricultural Certificate. Exhibited 
by Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son. 
Leucojum vernum carpaticum. —For description 
seep. 469. Botanical Certificate. Exhibited by Mr. 
T. S. Ware, Hale Farm Nursery, Tottenham. 
Primula denticulata alba. —There are now 
several distinct varieties of the Himalayan P. 
denticulata in cultivation differing in the colour of 
the flowers and in some cases in the size and vigour 
of the leaves. That under notice is very vigorous in 
growth and has pure white flowers, produced very 
freely in umbels varying in size in proportion to the 
strength of the plant. The variety is an acquisition 
to this class of plants. Botanical Certificate. 
Exhibited by Mr. T. S. Ware. 
The following new plants were certificated by the 
Floral Committee of the Royal Horticultural 
Society on the 26th inst. : — 
Amaryllis Gorgeous. —The scapes of this 
variety are only about 18 in. high, and the leaves are 
produced almost contemporaneously with them. 
The flowers (of which there are two on a scape), are 
shortly and widely funnel-shaped, of regular, 
symmetrical form, and of a rich, glowing and fiery 
crimson, with a lustrous gloss, especially in the 
throat, which is shaded with a deeper tint. Exhi¬ 
bited by Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea. 
Streptocarpus gratus.— This is a new strain, 
being a hybrid between S. Dunnii and the older 
type of varieties. For description, see above. Ex¬ 
hibited by Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons. 
Mignonette Bush Hill White.— The flowers 
of this variety have very few or no anthers, and are, 
therefore, practically white owing to the number and 
much divided character of the small petals. The 
lower flowers of the stronger stems are also very 
remarkably proliferous. After flowering, instead of 
producing seeds, a small spike bearing numerous 
flowers arises from the interior of the capsule. They 
are delicately and agreeably fragrant. Exhibited by 
Messrs. Hugh Low & Co, Clapton. 
Clivia Model —For description of this grand and 
showy variety see above. Exhibited by Messrs. B 
S. Williams & Son. 
FLOWER CLOCKS. 
The periodicity of plants in opening and closing 
their blossoms has enabled many ingenious botanists, 
including Linnaeus, to form floral dials, or clocks, 
by means of which the different hours of the day 
may be ascertained. Commencing at three o’clock 
in the morning (for no flower wakes up before the 
lark), the Goat’s-beard blossoms form one of the 
best floral indices of the hours of the day, opening 
at sunrise and closing at noon. This plant while 
flowering is easily recognised by its sea-green stem, 
2 ft. high, and by its long green leaves, almost as 
slender as long wheal, which distinguish it at once 
from the other species of compound flowers with 
their variously cut foliage. After blossoming, the 
plant may be known by its round downy ball of 
light brown seeds, to which the plant owes it rustic 
name of “ Goat’s-beard.” It is also called noon day 
flower, Jack-go-to-bed at-noon, and Star of Jerusalem. 
The Daisies sprinkling our meadows received their 
pretty name from their opening only to the morning 
light, and many persons have felt like Chaucer — 
“ And whanne that it is eve, I renne blithe as soon 
as ever the sunne glnneth west to seenee this flowre, 
how it will go to rest." He also says “ That well 
by reason men calle it maie, the daisie or els the eie 
of the daie." And Spenser, in the “ Faerie Queene," 
speaks of “ The little dazy that at evening closes." 
The common Centaury (Erythraca centaurium) is 
another plant which wakes up with the sun. It is a 
frequent flower on heaths, and on cliffs by the sea, 
from June to September; but in cloudy weather 
the beautiful rose and golden-coloured blossoms are 
all closed up, nor are. they ever to be seen in full 
beauty after three o’clock. At about four o’clock 
the Dandelion spreads its golden blossoms to the 
rising sun, and five O'clock is announced by the 
flowering of the Smooth Hawk’s-beard (Crepis 
lectorium) growing upon the walls. 
Towards six o’clock the Viper’s grass (Scorzonera) 
blossoms; while from six to seven the flowers of 
various kinds of Sow’s Thistle (Sonchus) and Hawk- 
weed (Hieracium) make their appearance. Precisely 
at seven o’clock the flowers of the common Lettuce 
(Lactuca sativa) burst, forth into bloom, and between 
seven and eight Venus's looking-glass (Specularia 
speculum) begins to show its pretty self, from which 
it may perhaps be inferred that the goddess is not a 
very early riser. At eight o’clock, if the sky be 
neither cloudy nor rainy, the Scarlet Pimpernel 
(Anagallis arvensis) unfolds its blossoms. Nine 
o’clock is marked by the flowering of the creeping 
Mouse-ear Hawk weed (Hieracium lubium). From 
nine or ten of a summer’s morning the red Sandwort 
(Arenaria rubra), with its starry blossoms like silver 
pennies, may be seen spangling the grass in their 
full loveliness ; but by four o’clock each blossom is 
closed up from the dews which twilight brings. At 
ten, a poisonous sort of Juniper, Ihe Purple Savin 
(Juniperus Sabina), opens its flower leaves. Punctu¬ 
ally at eleven the common Star of Bethlehem 
(Ornithogalum umbellfitum) expands its star-like 
white and green blossoms, flowering during two or 
three weeks, but never unfolding except in bright 
sunshine, and even then not before eleven ; hence 
gardeners often call it eleven-o’clock-lady, and the 
French term it la belle d'ouze heitres. 
Commencing at one o’clock^ there is the Succory 
(Chicorium), and, at two, the Squill Hyacinth 
(Scilla pomeridiana). The common Marigold 
(Calendula officinalis) is put down in the calendar 
for three o'clock ; but experience shows this to be 
uncertain. By four o'clock, the four o’clock flower 
(Mirabilis dichotoma) blooms ; and at five the flower 
of the wall Hawkweed (Hieracium muracum), makes 
its appearance. F'rom five to six, the pale rose- 
coloured petals of the sweet-scented, night-flowering 
Catchfly (Silene noctiflora) disclose themselves. 
And on portions of the sides of those towering and 
majestic cliffs which border the shore for several 
miles to the east of Dover thousands of these starry 
blossoms have been seen in their full glory about 
eight p.m., growing on stems about a foot high, and 
exhaling a powerful perfume resembling prussic 
acid. 
At six o’clock the Evening Primrose (Oenothera 
biennis) opens its large primrose-coloured, somewhat 
fragrant blossoms, just when the summer twilight is 
on its way. Its mode of expanding is curious, 
the petals being held together at the summit 
by the hooked ends of the calyx, the segments 
of the flower-cup at first separate at the base, 
and the yellow petals peep through these open¬ 
ings a long time before the flower is fully blown. 
The expansion is very gradual until the blossom is 
free from the hooks at the top ; but, when this is 
effected, it unfolds very quickly for a minute or two, 
and then stops, after which it opens slowly, spread¬ 
ing itself out quite flat. The whole of this process 
sometimes occupies half-au-hour, and often a little 
sudden noise is heard as it jerks the topmost hooks 
asunder. The flowers hang next day discoloured and 
