July 20, 1895. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
743 
about three to four pounds in weight. The flesh is 
bright orange, very juicy, luscious and sweet, 
though the specimen cut was a little over ripe. We 
should imagine it will become a favourite. Award 
of Merit. Mr. S. Mortimer, Swiss Nursery, Row- 
ledge, Farnham, Surrey. 
Melon Epicure.— Here again the fruits are 
globular but larger, and weigh four to six pounds 
each. The skin is yellow and netted with gray 
lines. The flesh is of great depth, pale green 
passing almost to white in the centre, and juicy but 
scarcely so highly flavoured perhaps as that of 
Nugget, though a proper degree of ripeness might 
improve the quality appreciably. In any case it 
has the appearance of being a good Melon. 
Red Currants.— A collection of fruit in different 
varieties of Red Currants, was brought up from the 
gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society at 
Chiswick. The berries of Wallares Seedling were 
of great size, and of a rich, dark, shining red, but so 
transparent that the seeds are visible in the interior. 
Another variety whose name we failed to find was 
also shown, and a Certificate of Merit was awarded 
each of the two sorts. 
- - 1 «- 
THE FLINT HOUSES. 
The Stove. 
From the fact that a greater number of fine foliage 
plants are to be found among the occupants of this 
department than of any other, the gardener usually 
flies to this for plants for decorative purposes for 
use in the rooms of the mansion. At most flower 
shows, moreover, classes for collections of stove 
l»£*. 
subjects are very popular. Neither a lengthened 
sojourn in darkened rooms or a comparatively brief 
stay in a draughty show tent can fail to do damage 
to plants that have been used to a warm atmosphere 
heavily charged with moisture. Indeed, some of 
the subjects so used present but a sorry appearance 
when they come back, and need a little coddling to 
recall them to their pristine splendour. As the 
large stove should now be given plenty of air on 
favourable occasions it is advisable to have a pit 
which can be kept close to accommodate these ill- 
used subjects. Care must be taken in the applica¬ 
tion of water at the root, as it is a mistake to deluge 
them with water at this time. The syringe, however, 
may be plied among them several times a day with 
freedom. 
Conservatory. 
Coleuses.— Although these do fairly well in the 
cooler houses in the height of summer they do not 
last so long in condition as they do under warmer 
circumstances. Spells of dull damp weather are 
very trying to them, and if long continued, infallibly 
causes them to lose a large number of their lower 
leaves. Such plants as have become too large and 
unwieldy, or from the reason stated are unsightly, 
should be thrown away to make room for younger 
onesF'The tops of the shoots, however, may be 
saved and put in as cuttings, when they will furnish 
a nice little batch of plants for late use. 
Fuchsias.— These have been exceptionally 
brilliant this year, the bright weather having 
apparently suited them well. Liberal feeding with 
liquid manure will now be necessary if they are to 
keep on blooming. Thrips often cause a lot of trouble 
at this season of the year amongst Fuchsias, the ten¬ 
der juicy leaves evidently proving a great attraction 
to them. A sharp look-out must be kept for their 
appearance, therefore, as they are especially ram¬ 
pant this year. In case the plants get very bad 
sponging with a solution of Fir Tree Oil must be 
resorted to, although they should not be allowed to 
get as bad as this before remedial measures are 
taken. 
Balsams. —These are among the most showy of 
summer-flowering cool-house plants and batches of 
seed will have been sown at intervals during the 
preceding months to keep up a succession, Potting 
them in rich soil, and being very careful not to give 
them too much water until they have filled their pots 
with roots, are the chief points to be observed in 
growing Balsams. The same remarks will apply to 
Celosias. 
Pelargoniums. —The later batches of these will 
now have served their turn, and, like the earlier ones, 
may be turned out of doors to ripen their wood. It 
does not follow, however, that because they have 
done flowering they need no further attention. Less 
water will, as a matter of course, be required, but it 
should be gradually withheld so as to allow of a 
natural maturation of the wood instead of the sudden 
drying off that they too often receive. A position 
where the sun can have free play upon them is 
essential. 
Liliums. —These are practically'indispensable in 
every show-house that it is required to keep up to a 
fair standard of merit all the year round. During 
the summer months they come in exceedingly handy, 
as tall plants are at a premium in the conservatory 
at this time of the year. The period of flowering 
may be regulated very easily so that a constant 
succession is kept up, always supposing that 
sufficient numbers of plants are on hand. A cool 
shady corner out of doors, not overhung by trees be 
it observed, but sheltered from the rays of the sun, 
as for instance in the angle formed by the junction 
of north and east walls, should be chosen, and here 
the plants may be placed, the result being that their 
flowering period is retarded considerably. 
Lapagerias. —As these favourite climbers begin to 
come into flower some of the growths may be loosed 
from the strings or wires to which they have hitherto 
been trained and allowed to hang down with their 
graceful burden of showy flowers. Careful tying and 
training is of course necessary during the earlier 
months of the year, in order to prevent the inter¬ 
twining with each other that would otherwise result, 
but now it is a different matter, and the growths 
must be allowed some freedom if they are to show 
off their flowers to the best advantage. Plenty of 
water is very necessary here, liquid manure being 
used now and again. 
Pits and Frames. 
At this season of the year under-glass space is of less 
value than at any other season from the fact that so 
many subjects, which, during the colder weather 
need warm treatment, may now be placed in unheated 
structures without fear. Any repairs, therefore, 
which it is desired to make should be seen to in the 
course of the next month or so. If possible some of 
the warmer pits should be emptied of their contents 
and whitewashed, and of course, if necessary, painted. 
Amaryllis. —Where a number of these handsome 
spring-flowering bulbs are grown, a special house is 
usually devoted to them. During the growing period 
they need plenty of light and air, and an abundance 
of water at the root. It is always the best plan to 
plunge the pots to the rims in some material such as 
old tan, cocoanut fibre or leaves. 
Pinks. —Cuttings of these may be taken without 
delay. If inserted in the open ground they are 
usually very difficult to strike, such a small percen¬ 
tage of the pipings rooting as to render it scarcely 
worth the trouble of putting them in. A bed of 
sandy soil should be made up in a cold frame, and 
the cuttings dibbled into this. They may be placed 
fairly close together, and afterwards covered with 
hand lights; shade from hot sun and an occasional 
light dewing over with the syringe are likewise 
essential. Treated thus they will be found to strike 
with comparative freedom. 
General Work. —Attend to the potting off or 
shifting on of such plants as require it, as it is a 
great mistake to allow the roots to become matted 
in the pots before a shift is given. Azaleas, 
Camellias, and Acacias that have been turned out 
from the greenhouse or conservatory during the 
summer months must be syringed regularly to keep 
down thrips and red spider. The watering must be 
seen to, however, before syringing is commenced, 
otherwise the surface soil alone will be wetted and 
a wrong impression given as to the condition of the 
ball of the plant, which may, indeed, be suffering for 
lack of the necessary fluid. Pay attention to the 
clearing away of all odds and ends of bedding stuff 
which have been left over. More than once have 
we seen rubbish of this sort littering the frame-yard 
till well towards the end of summer, a few miserable 
plants stuck here and there, perhaps, which are of 
no earthly use, and not likely to be. Boxes from 
which plants have been taken should be put in the 
sun to dry, a good brushing out with a stiff birch 
broom given them, and stored away in a shed or 
outhouse until they are wanted again. Empty 
pots must be neatly stacked in heaps according to 
their sizes in readiness for a wet day, when they may 
be washed.— A.S.G. 
The National Chrysarfthemum Society’s Year Book 
for 1895 .—Edited by Mr. Harman Payne F.R.H.S. Price, isi 
post free, is. ijd. from the Publisher Of the Gardenino 
World, i, Clement’s Inn, Strand, W.C. 
HOUSES 
n 
Odontoglossum crispum. — Treatment of Im¬ 
ported Plants. —Being now busy potting up 
several hundred plants just received, it may not be 
out of place if I give your numerous readers our 
mode of procedure with these dry pieces of 
the most variable and beautiful of the genus. 
In the first place they are each carefully looked 
over, cutting away all decayed bulbs, bracts, 
and old dead roots, after which they are laid out 
singly on the stages or shingle. Here they receive 
frequent syringings until they begin to plump up 
their bulbs, which will be in about a fortnight, 
unless they are very much shrivelled, when it will 
take longer. 
Potting Up.—B y this time they will be ready 
to go into their pots, which will require to be of 
various sizes and thoroughly clean inside and out, 
for in a large batch of plants, unless they are 
selected, you will be sure to get some small as well as 
large plants. These should be filled to within an 
inch or so of the rim with small pieces of crock, over 
which place a layer of sphagnum moss. 
Compost. —Have in readiness a good quantity of 
fresh picked moss and pulled peat before commence- 
ing operations. Speaking for myself, I very much 
dislike to have to leave off for want of material, and 
I think most gardeners are alike in this respect. 
Put each plant into as small a pot as will con¬ 
veniently take it, pressing the compost moderately 
firm about them. Some growers mix the moss and 
peat altogether on the bench before using it, and 
this is no doubt a very good plan. We, however, 
prefer to have it in separate heaps on the bench, 
mixing it as the work proceeds by first working in a 
lump of peat, to be followed by a small quantity of 
moss, and so on until it is finished, when all the 
loose and untidy pieces are sheared off with a sharp 
pair of scissors kept for that purpose. 
Watering.— This is very important, for if too 
much is given at first the compost soon becomes 
sour, and the roots refuse to take hold of it. Odonto- 
glossums are generally supposed to require an 
immense amount of water at the roots, and, in fact, 
never should be allowed to become dry. This is all 
a mistake ; we have conclusively proved that they, 
like all or most all other plants, will be much better 
if allowed to get moderately dry at least once or 
twice a week. They become dry in their own homes 
at times, or they would not be provided with bulbs 
for the storing up of moisture to be given off in 
time of need. A gentle syringing overhead is needed 
to keep the moss alive and growing until such times 
as the roots reach the sides of the pots, when more 
liberal treatment should be the order, always, as 
mentioned above, giving them time to take up what 
is afforded them in one watering before giving 
more. 
Shading. —Shade from strong sunshine, give air 
judiciously, and keep the atmosphere fairly moist. 
—C. 
— 
(Meanings from the, iDorlti 
of Sclent^. 
Marsh Sow Thistle as Fodder. —Some of the 
London papers have recently been discussing the 
utility of the subject under notice as a fodder plant; 
but if they were really in earnest it is high time for 
them to put the cultivation of the plant into active 
operation before the species becomes exterminated, 
for it has really become very rare. Formerly the 
Marsh Sow Thistle (Sonchus palustris) was found in 
greater or less abundance in the marshes of Suffolk, 
Huntingdon, Kent, and Essex, but recently it has all 
but become extinct, except in the marshes of Wool¬ 
wich and Plumstead, bordering the banks of the 
Thames in Kent. Even there the land has been 
drained and placed under the care of the London 
County Council. The land is now under pasture and 
hay fields, so that the Sow Thistle in question is 
confined to the open ditches, dug for the purpose of 
draining the land. It is by no means plentiful even 
there, and at no distant date (to all appearance) 
must become extinct. If it is of any value as a 
fodder plant, those concerned must bestir themselves 
while a remnant of this rare British plant still 
remains. Of course, if the cultivation of it is 
undertaken, it would prove most serviceable for 
planting in marshy land that cannot readily be 
drained. 
