264 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
December 25, 1897. 
Hints for Amateurs. 
Christmas Decorations —By the time these notes 
are in the hands of our readers the joyous revelry of 
Christmas will already have begun. To all Celtic 
nations the Yuletide still maintains its importance; 
and old as well as young look forward to its bewitch¬ 
ing influence. Throughout the busy hours that pre¬ 
cede Christmas day, as well as on the day itself, 
many willing nimble fingers are employed in decora¬ 
ting the home with whatever material comes to hand. 
Nor is this material scanty in either quantity or 
variety; indeed, given a fair amount of individual 
taste, and some originality, the Christmas dinner- 
table may be made to look fully as atttractive from a 
decorative point of view, as a table dressed with mid¬ 
summer’s choicest flowers, although it may be in a 
totally different way. Dwelling rooms and corridors, 
too, in their garb of festal green, with here and there 
a sparkle of berry or flower, or a flutter of plumy 
grasses and Palm fronds, may bid defiance to the 
reign of winter outside, and transfer the thoughts of 
the occupants from the cold and weariness of the 
world, as it is to the world of perennial summer 
where neither cold, nor wet, nor dulness enter. 
It is marvellous, indeed, what deft hands, and a 
little greenery can do to a cheerless room—the effect 
in such cases is often more happy by reas n of its 
being unstudied. The more elaborate arrangements, 
of course, call for the exercise of care, and skill, and 
judgment in determining the relative quantities and 
positions of the subjects that are employed. There 
is such a wealth of material available, that there is 
plenty of room for original conceptions, while those 
who do not care to plan or construct a scheme for 
■ themselves, may follow other ideas with advantage. 
The " Mistletoe Bough ” must perforce be present 
somewhere, else it would not be Christmas, but this 
plant does not lend itself very readily to ordinary 
decorative purposes. Fashion has decreed that a 
huge bough of it shall be strung up either in the hall 
or corridor, and here the young people and the giddy 
elder ones make merry round it. 
It may be of interest to note a few of the available 
subjects that are most useful at such a season. 
Grasses.—There is such a vast difference in the 
character and general appearance of the grasses that 
we can only mention a few of the most popular. The 
palm must be given to the so-called Pampas Grass, 
Gynerium argenteum, and G. saccharatum. These 
cau be bought in the market at a comparatively cheap 
rate, and as they last for a very long time in condi¬ 
tion, they are well worth buying, if the amateur is not 
fortunate enough to possess a good plant from which 
to cull his own material. Of the smaller grasses 
Agrostis nebulosa appears to be a great favourite. It 
is light and feathery", and makes up very prettily in 
small baskets of flowers, foliage, or both combined. 
Some would-be improvers upon Nature have taken 
upon themselves to dye this grass in shades of 
impossible red and purple, and it is to be feared that 
this perverted taste is not a restricted one. The 
quaking grasses Briza minor and B. maxima are 
pretty and useful. 
Clematis Yitalba.—In localities where this charm¬ 
ing British plant is to be found in quantity, it is a 
capital plan to cut long sprays of it when closed with 
the bunches of feathery stigmas which have given 
the plant its popular name of " Old Man’s Beard." 
The leaves, of course, die, and may be removed ; but 
the plumes still remain attached. These spray s come 
in very useful for decorative purposes, and will last 
in condition until they have become so blackened by 
the smoke of the city as to render their removal 
desirable. 
Berried Plants.—Naturally enough, the berried 
plant for Christmas is the Holly, but it often happens 
that there is a scarcity of well berried Holly, and 
then something else must be impressed into service. 
The heps of the wild Rose form a capital substitute, 
and we have even seen very passable results obtained 
by fixiog a few of the smaller heps to Holly branches, 
the deception not being apparent when the doctored 
branches are placed fairly high up. 
Crataegus Pyracantha, commonly known as the 
Evergreen Thorn, and the variety C. P. Lelandi are 
exceedingly useful. The plants berry freely when 
the Holly refuses to, and sprays thus furnished form 
no bad substitute for Holly. The ripened and opened 
fruits, showing the orange-coloured seeds of Iris 
foetidissima are also highly decorative. 
General greenery.—In this direction there is a 
vast field from which to select what meets the 
particular needs of the operator. Branches of 
Conifers of various kinds, Laurels, Bays, 
Box, and variegated Hollies of various sorts 
may all be made use of. Long trailing 
sprays of Ivy taken from exposed situations where 
the rich colouring of the leaves has been fully 
developed, form some of the most elegant and 
effective decorations that can possibly be employed. 
The same may be said of long strings of Myrsipbyl- 
lum asparagoides, popularly known as Smilax, which 
is cultivated in such tremendous quantifies for the 
market. The price, tco, is reasonable enough, and 
well within the reach of those possessing only a 
fairly lined purse. The hothouse Asparaguses, A. 
plumosus, and A. tenuissimus are comparatively 
tender plants, but their fronds when cut last for a 
surprisingly loDg time, and are far superior to 
Maidenhair Fern. Other subjects will suggest them¬ 
selves, those quoted being only a few of the most 
useful and easily obtained. 
Honesty.—This is an old-fashioned garden favour¬ 
ite which is well worthy of any space it may occupy. 
When the outside portion of the seed pods is peeled 
off, displaying to view the silvery septum that 
separates the pods into halves, we have a first-class 
decorative subject. Cut with long stems Honesty 
comes in well for the filling of large vases, either by 
itself or in conjunction with other things, whilst 
smaller pieces may be disposed of with equal advan¬ 
tage in smaller vases, or in baskets, filled with winter 
foliage and berries. 
Berried Plants.—In addition to cut sprays of the 
various plants mentioned, berried plants in pots 
tastefully disposed will add much to the general 
effect. Skimmia japonica, S. oblata, Pernettya 
mucronata in variety, Solanum Capsicastrum, S. 
Pseudo-capsicum, and Ardisia crenulata are a few of 
the most common plants of this description. For a 
landing on a staircase, or a nook in any of the dwell¬ 
ing rooms it will be easy, given a few plants of any 
of the above, and some of the Palms that take most 
kindly to indoor life, to set up a very pretty group 
that will stand through the Christmas week without 
the plants taking any harm. The great paint is to 
see that the plants are not subjected to draughts. 
Plenty of light is also essential, whilst the water 
supply must be carefully regulated. If these pre¬ 
cautions are taken, the plants will stand unhurt. 
Some of the Palms best adapted for the service are 
Kentia belmoreana, K. fosteriana, K. australis, 
Phoenix canariensis, and P. rupicola. Areca lutescens 
will stand fairly well but must not be tried too far. 
Cocos wtddeliana is not at all a success ; and if the 
plants are valued should not be subjected to the 
ordeal. 
Tha Dinner Table.—In case any of our readers 
propose to have a table in keeping with the season 
we may suggest the foliowing arrangement. Fora 
fairly large table two candlesticks may be permitted. 
These, of course, should be placed in the line of 
centre. Between them, and lying flat upon the table, 
also in the line of centre, should be a mirror measur¬ 
ing about 3 ft. in length by 18 in. in width. In the 
centre of this may stand an epergne filled with foliage 
of various kinds and berries, with little sprays of 
Honesty inserted here and there, together with 
pieces of Iris foetidissima. Clusters of the black 
fruits of the Privet (Ligustrum) wired to give them 
the requisite stiffness, also look well. The epergne 
should be at least a foot h ; ghsr than the candlesticks, 
and should have a fairly heavy base. The candle¬ 
sticks themselves may be wreathed round with long 
bands of Ivy, while their bases may be encircled with 
small pieces of Holly. Select a number of small 
pieces of well-berried Holly, and lay them all round 
the edge of the central mirror to form a border. Ten 
small baskets of foliage and berries should be placed 
round the table, four to be on each side, one at the 
head, and one at the foot. These, if neatly made, 
will not take up much room, but will add to the 
fiaish of the whole. 
Scarlet or red berries should be employed through¬ 
out, and these colours with green will be the most 
conspicuous ones, giving a very pretty and seasonable 
combination.— Rex. 
Correspondence. 
Questions ashed by amateurs on any subject pertaining 
to gardens or gardening will be answered on this page. 
Anyone may give additional or more explanatory answers 
to questions that have already appeared. Those who desire 
their communications to appear on this page should write 
"Amateurs' Page " on the top of their letters. 
Gooseberry Cuttings—Y. : Select fairly stout 
well-ripened tips of shoots from io in. to a foot in 
length. With the point of a sharp knife pick out all 
the buds for about 6 in. above the base of the cutting. 
The easiest way of putting in the cuttings is to cut a 
trench and put them in, allowing from 3 in. to 4 in. 
between each cutting. Return the soil to the trench, 
and tread it down firmly The cuttings may remain 
in this position until they are rooted. Frost wi 1 not 
harm them, and hence it is not necessary to cover 
them. 
Variegated Kale—S. Regan-. The chief use to 
which variegated Kale is put by the cooks is that of 
garnishing various dishes, for which the elegant 
curled leaves are highly suitable. We have never 
heard that the flivour, when cooked, was inferior to 
that of the ordinary green curled varieties, although 
the fact remains that the strain is intended rather as 
an ornament to various dishes than as a direct 
adjunct to them. 
Fly on Crocuses —I have some Crocuses which I 
potted up about a couple of months ago, during 
which time they have been in a cupboard not far 
from the fire. On taking them out the other day I 
found that the young growths were smothered with 
green fly. I was puzzled to account for this, and am 
so s*ill, for I cannot imagine ho w the fly got there.— 
D. 
Our correspondent's note goes to prove how widely- 
spread are the insect pests that attack our plants. 
No corner, however remote, seems free from them ; 
and their appearance, as in this case, savours 
apparently of the marvellous. We should advise D. 
to get rid of the fly as quickly as possible before it 
infests his establishment still farther. The heat of 
the cupboard is evidently suitable for the breeding of 
aphides. 
Spiraea confusa — T. N. Ring: This plant will 
force early enough, but do not subject it to too strong 
heat, or many of the buds will fall, and the flowers 
that rpen will be very short lived. 
Chrysanthemum Mme. Edmond Roger.— Sceptic : 
We think you are too sceptical. The flower is 
undoubtedly a green one, although those opening 
earlier in the season exhibit a paler hue than the 
later ones. We have seen the variety io a good many 
places, and under various conditions this season, but 
in no case would it have been possible to suggest 
that the blooms had been treated with arsenic to 
colour them. Arsenic might possibly deepen the 
colour. Why not try the experiment, and advise us 
of your results. There would be no lack of interest 
attaching to such an experience. 
Hyacinths Rotting — Inquirer : The outer tunic of 
the Hyacinth is undoubtedly rotting in the sample 
you sent us; but the mischief has not penetrated 
farther, nor will it be likely to until you have 
flowered the bulb. The evil effects will thus be 
practically nil. All varieties of Hyacinths are not 
suited for cultivation in glasses filled with water, and 
the outer tunics of bulbs of unsuitable varieties will 
often rot whether they touch the water or no. 
Edging for Garden — E. N.: Boards are cheap 
and nasty ; try plain edging tiles in preference. The 
first cost may be greater, but you will feel more 
pleased with the results. 
Hardy Perennials for Market.—Will you give the 
names of twelve good hardy perennials for supplying 
cut flowers for market ?—R se. 
Anemone japonica alba, Aquilegias of sorts, 
Coreopsis grandiflora or C. lanceolata, Campanula 
persicaefolia alba, Gypsophila paniculata, Helianihus 
Miss Mellisb, Helleborus niger, Heuchera sangtiioea, 
Irises of sorts, Lavandula vera, Phlox paniculata, 
and double Pyrethrums will all be found exceedingly 
useful. You will observe that we have made no men¬ 
tion of the Michaelmas Daisies, a number of which are 
very suitable for cutting. The above list may be 
