March ]1, 1893. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
435 
THE HIBBERTIAS. 
About seventy species of Hibbertia are known to 
science, but of this number a few only are in culti¬ 
vation. Some of them come from warm countries 
and require stove treatment, but by far the larger 
number of them come from Australia, and thrive 
perfectly in a greenhouse. They vary in habit, some 
being strictly climbers, others trailers, and the rest 
upright shrubs of a more or less bushy character. 
The leaves vary considerably in size and form, 
indeed, so much so that some of them do not at first 
sight appear to be related; in the case of H. Reidii 
and others they are small and almost heath-like. 
The species thrive well enough in a mixture of peat 
and loam, or in either of those soils unmixed. The 
soil should in all cases, however, be well mixed with 
sand to render it porous. The dwarfer species are 
most suitable for cultivation in pots in the same way 
as New Holland plants generally. The climbers 
may also be grown in the same way, but they will 
grow more vigorously if planted out in a bed of pre¬ 
pared soil, and trained up under the rafters of the 
roof or to the pillars supporting it. They are ever¬ 
green, and may receive what pruning they require 
after they have flowered. 
The most popular and the most widely cultivated 
of all the species is H. dentata, having flowers of a 
bright yellow, ij in. to 2 in. in diameter, and pro¬ 
duced in clusters on the short lateral shoots all 
along the stems. The plant commences to bloom 
very early in the year, and continues on all through 
the spring and summer; in fact the plant is seldom 
out of bloom all the year round, and then only for a 
short time. The young twirling shoots are produced 
during the summer, and when they have ripened 
their buds begin to develop and form the short, 
lateral, flowering shoots. The flowers are themselves 
produced in succession over a long period of time. 
The oblong leaves are dark green above and purple 
beneath, particularly when young. 
Another Hibbertia that has been brought into 
some prominence within a few years past is H. 
Reidii. Unlike the last this is always a dwarf and 
self-supporting heath-like bush with small, linear, 
pubescent leaves. The flowers are yellow, and 
necessarily much smaller than those of H. dentata. 
They are produced in profusion upon little, bushy 
specimens only 3 in. to 6 in. high ; the largest speci¬ 
men we have seen were about 18 in. high, but young 
specimens raised from cuttings will take some years to 
attain this size, and flower profusely every spring. 
The largest flowers of any in the genus are pro¬ 
duced by H. volubilis, a species that climbs by 
means of twining stems. The leaves are also large, 
measuring 3 in. to 4 in. in length, and serve to show 
oft the yellow blossoms to advantage, but the latter 
are rather offensive to the olfactory nerves owing to 
their foetid odour. It is a native of Queensland and 
New South Wales, and can be grown to perfection 
in a greenhouse where it should be planted out and 
trained like H. dentata. 
Strikingly distinct trom either of the above is 
H. perfoliata, owing to the peculiar form of the leaves 
which are stalkless and strongly clasp the stem by 
their base. The flowers are large, pale yellow, and 
produced singly or a few together at the ends of short 
side shoots along the main branches, and continue to 
appear in succession during the summer months. 
Being a native of Western Australia, it only requires 
a greenhouse temperature. Its habit is somewhat 
variable, and the branches require to be cut back 
occasionally to keep them from straggling, or they 
_may be tied into shape. 
--*■- 
ABOUT STRAWBERRIES. 
On Making New Plantations. 
In gardens where these were made not later than the 
1st August on thoroughly cultivated land, strong 
healthy plants will have made good growth and 
passed through the winter for the most part unin¬ 
jured. In many instances such plantations may be 
expected to carry fair crops of fruit this season, but in 
the case of a number of rows of early sorts not planted 
till about 20th August, the flower trusses which may 
appear will be removed, as their retention would be 
calculated to weaken the plants, and prevent them 
producing as good crops in the future as they might 
otherwise do. 
When young plants cannot be got into their per¬ 
manent quarters early enough in autumn to ensure 
their being well established before winter sets in we 
prefer postponing the work till spring. As soon as 
they are detached from the older fruiting plants, or 
come to hand from nurseries or other gardens, they 
are carefully laid in nursery lines some 2 in. or 3 in. 
apart, which is preferable to merely laying them in 
thickly as I have seen practised. In placing the 
runners a handful of leaf soil may with advantage be 
afforded each of them, and the usual firming of the 
soil with the foot should not be overlooked. In this 
work, as well as in forming permanent plantations, 
especial care is advisable that varieties do not get 
mixed, and all should be correctly labelled and kept 
distinctly apart from each other to prevent the 
slightest chance of such mishaps. 
Several lots—comprising John Ruskin, President, 
and President Improved—wintered as indicated, are 
now fairly on the move, and will be in good order for 
lifting and planting out by the end of the month. 
The plot reserved for this purpose was trenched and 
manured about fifteen months ago, and carried a crop 
of Onions last season. It will again be manured and 
deeply dug preparatory to planting the Strawberries. 
If 30 in. is allowed between the rows—and they 
should never have less space—with at least 16 in. 
from plant to plant, some light crop such as Spinach 
or early Turnips may be grown between the lines 
the first season. Respecting general summerculture 
frequent surface stirrings, especially during severe 
droughts and on light soils, mulchings and soakings 
of water if time permits, are items that can hardly 
fail to be rewarded on the arrival of the fruiting 
season. The timely removal of runners is also 
advisable. 
While writing of laying down new plantations of 
Strawberries, it may not be inopportune to refer to 
the immediate wants of such as may have produced 
several crops of fruit, but may still have to be 
retained till new plantations come into full bearing. 
The number of years which plantations growing in 
deep clayey land continue to crop satisfactorily is 
occasionally the subject of remark among cultivators. 
As a case in point I am reminded of the full crops of 
excellent fruit which, as a rule, are gathered annually 
in the garden on an adjoining estate. Mr. Stewart, 
the gardener, informs me that his system of culture 
is first to trench the ground, and after an intervenin 
crop of Potatjs is taken from it, preparations are 
made for planting Strawberries by digging and 
manuring. The soil is very heavy and retentive of 
moisture, and winter digging between the rows, which 
are 3ft. apart, is practised, but no manure is applied 
after a plantation is made during the five or six 
years it occupies the ground. 
On most soils of a light description results, how¬ 
ever, are not so gratifying, and plantations on such 
land are invariably benefited by an annual dressing 
of good manure. Although this work is usually done 
in autumn it is not yet too late ; and where hungry 
roots are abundant throughout the space between 
the rows this mulching possesses the double advan¬ 
tage of sustaining the plants and protecting them 
from severe draughts and spring frosts such as 
occurred late in April last year in some districts.— 
M. Ayrshire. 
-- 
RHODODENDRON GRANDE. 
Rhododendrons have been introduced from various 
parts of the world, but none of them excel in grandeur 
some of the Himalayan species, some of which have 
been introduced now close upon half a centuary ago, 
including that under notice. It may not be the 
finest, but it is certainly one of the finest, species in 
cultivation. The stems attain the dimension of a 
small tree in their native home,so that specimens under 
glass in this country must attain some size before 
they flower. There are three flowering specimens 
in the temperate house at Kew, and the two tallest, 
which are flowering at the tip of every branch, are 
about 8 ft. or 10 ft. high. The flowers are large, 
campanulate, 8 to io-lobed, the lobes being small 
and bifid ; the whole is white with a large and lobed 
deep purple blotch internally, the blotch being most 
conspicuous on the upper side of the tube. The 
leaves vary from 6 in. to 12 in. in length, and are 
deep green above, and silvery beneath. To this 
latter fact is probably due the name of R. argenteum 
sometimes given it. The only fault to be attributed 
to this, as well as other species of the same habit, is 
that relatively few branches are produced as a rule, 
but this is what we might expect considering the size 
of the leaves. 
HYACINTHS IN ORCHID 
POTS. 
A visit to Falkland Park, South Norwood, the 
palatial residence of J. MacMeekin, Esq., is always 
interesting. That interest, perhaps, attains the 
climax in the earlier months of the year. 
While yet we look through lowering skies, 
To spring, ere spring appears. 
Certain it is that the vernal season, from which 
most people obtain so much satisfaction, is, in these 
huge gardens under glass, anticipated long before 
the time. Here all seasons, except winter, are 
ushered in considerably in advance of their proper 
period, winter alone being not allowed to enter here. 
But while those who are acquainted with these 
beautiful gardens may take it for granted that every¬ 
thing is well done that Mr. A. Wright, the able 
gardener, undertakes to do, I could not help noting 
the manner in which — even in a small matter of this 
sort—Mr. Wright gives effect to his views. The 
Hyacinth is always sweet and lovely, is indispensable 
for early greenhouse decoration, and well repays any 
liberal consideration which may be bestowed upon 
it. It is always fragrant and useful, and lends a 
charm and a pungency peculiarly its own, whether 
it is grown singly and “dotted” about amongst 
other plants, or, as here, in “ groups,” six bulbs to a 
pot. Mr. Wright holds advanced opinions in respect 
to the grouping of hardy plants, and he has made 
these views apparent even under glass. He main¬ 
tains that six plants placed together produce a 
superior effect to the same number of plants dotted 
about, and I am disposed to agree with him. 
Certainly the result in this case was very pleasing, 
and although the “grouping” is on a miniature 
scale, the individual flowers which go to make up 
the whole are in no wise insignificant. As double 
flowers seemed to predominate, and, of course, are 
invariably planted together, the “bells” give no 
sound—they are effectually muffled. In the place 
thereof we have massive, fleshy spikes, crowded 
with rosettes, highly attractive, and fit to grace not 
only the conservatory, but the exhibition table. 
Single varieties are likewise employed, and in the 
same manner with equally successful results. 
Gardening is said to be an empirical art. If this 
be empiricism, I like it, and would commend the 
experiment to others of the craft.—C. B. G., 
Acton, W. 
-- 
QM^mtings frrmt tin IDorltr 
uf SnenoL 
Bees in relation to Fruit.— In April of last 
year the Legislature of Ontario, as related by Bulletin 
81, of the Ontario Agricultural College, passed a law 
whereby the spraying of fruit trees while in bloom 
with poisonous substances was made a misdemeanour, 
and the offender thereby made liable to a fine of not 
less than one dollar and not more than five dollars, 
with or without the cost of prosecuticn. If the fine 
should not be paid within the stipulated time, the 
offender might be committed to the common goal for 
a period not exceeding thirty days. Professor 
Panton speaks of the aid of bees in the fertilisation of 
the flowers of fruit trees, and believes that the great 
mortality amongst bees at that season is to be 
attributed to the spraying of the fruit trees while in 
bloom with Paris green and other poisons containing 
arsenic. Some observers have also noted that the 
brood also perished in the hives at that time. No 
analysis of bees that have died have yet been made 
to testify whether they have died of arsenical poison- 
ng, but on all hands it is considered that this is the 
cause of their death, because no such mortality was 
known amongst bees previously to the practice of 
spraying. It is further stated that little or no good 
can be done to the trees by spraying them while in 
bloom. 
How a Rose changed colour. —Some .years 
ago my neighbour, Mrs. Scott, took a Rose bush 
from a matted row of ordinary pink Roses in front 
of her house, and planted it in a box filled with earth 
taken from a spot where Mr. Scott had long been 
accustomed to throw the sweepings from his black¬ 
smith’s shop. She grew the Rose as a house-plant, 
and when it bloomed, the flower, instead of being an 
ordinary light pink, was rich, dark and velvety.— 
F. C. Fairbanks, Michigan, in American Gardening. 
