360 
February 5, 1898. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
INTS FOR WMATEURS. 
THE SEED ORDER 
With the advent of the new year the seed catalogues 
drop in with their long lists of proved varieties of 
fruits, flowers, and vegetables, and their usual 
sprinkling of novelties The amateur of a few years 
standing will be able to notice a considerable 
difference in the appearance of these catalogues a few 
years ago and what they are now. The services of 
photography have been strongly impressed into the 
service, and there can be no doubt that the illustra¬ 
tions they give of various subjects are highly 
satisfactory. The old-time coloured plates which 
used to be such a source of wonder and delight to 
children have, to a large extent, disappeared, their 
places having been taken by the more accurate and 
aesthetic photogravures. 
In making out the seed order for the year the 
amateur is confronted by a task of no small magni¬ 
tude for there are such numbers of varieties of 
all the popular races of flowers and vegetables that 
it is only with amount of puzzlement that it is 
possible to make a selection commensurate at one 
and the same time with the requirements and the 
purse of the grower. A few hints as to what to order 
may be of some service to those who are not old 
hands in the process of selection. Those who have 
gardened for a few years soon get to know in the 
school of experience, what varieties do best in their 
own special locality, and we may say at the outset 
that information such as this is of the greatest value, 
and these hints are not meant in any way to super¬ 
sede them, but to supplement them, if possible. 
But a comparatively small number of amateurs 
can afford the time, trouble, and expense of experi¬ 
menting with novelties, and hence it is sound 
practice to pin faith in standard varieties for 
producing the main crops. The trial of a few 
novelties is, of course, a most interesting and 
valuable experiment, and if carried out thoroughly 
does not often lead to utter failure, although success 
may be a limited quantity. Seedsmen, nowadays, 
are exceedingly careful to test each new variety more 
or less exhaustively before it is catalogued and sent 
out to the general public, although it is, of course, 
not possible to give these novelties the severe and 
ultimate test of culture in all parts of the country 
prior to its being sent out. 
FRUITS. 
There are not many fruits that are associated with 
the lists of vegetables, and of which seed is offered, 
and thus the task of selection is a fairly easy one. 
Melons.—Only those amateurs who have had a 
little experience should attempt the culture of 
Melons, for though they are not exactly difficult to 
grow they must receive close attention, otherwise the 
venture will be almost sure to prove a failure. Once 
the seed of any variety is obtained from the seedsman 
the private establishment maybe self-supporting, for 
seed may be saved each year for the next season 
from some of the finest and best flavoured fruits. 
There is a number of varieties from which to pick 
and choose, representing fruits with scarlet, green, 
and white flesh. For a scarlet-fleshed sort Sutton’s 
Ai will be found first-class. Not only is the flavour 
and appearance of the fruit good, but the plants are 
strong and robust in constitution, and do not readily 
go off with rot and canker. If a second scarlet- 
fleshed variety is required, the old Blenheim Orange 
takes a lot of beating. For a white-fleshed sort the 
amateur cannot do better than grow Hero of Lockinge, 
which is also of some years standing. If it is pro¬ 
posed to grow the plants in frames the Hero is 
especially suitable for cultivation in this way, and 
this can by no means be said of all Melons. Sutton’s 
Imperial Green is a first-class green-fleshed form of 
which the fruit will grow to a great size. La 
Favourite is also good, but the fruits run smaller, 
although this is often an advantage rather than 
otherwise,, for very big fruits are not of value 
proportionate to their size in many private establish¬ 
ments. 
Cucumbers. —It may seem somewhat strange to 
place Cucumbers among the fruits, for we generally 
regard it either as a vegetable or as a salad, and it is 
almost certain to find a place among exhibition 
collections of vegetables. Of course, from a botanical 
point of view, it is, strictly speaking, a fruit, but this, 
by the way. It naturally associates itself with the 
Melon, however, by reason of the fact that the treat¬ 
ment of the two exhibit certain points in common, 
although there are also points of divergence. The 
same house, however, may be made to grow both 
Cucumbers and Melons. The Improved Telegraph 
is, perhaps, the best all-round form. It may be made 
to grow well in either house or frame. Lockie’s 
Perfeciion is also good, and the fruits are distinct in 
shape from those of Telegraph. The Ridge Cucum¬ 
bers are not very much grown, but Long Green, 
which is of unusual length for its class, and is highly 
recommended for flavour and constitution, is one of 
the Messrs, Sutton’s novelties that is well deserving 
of a trial. 
Alpine Strawberries.—Here we have a section of 
Strawberries that is of great service. The ordinary 
large fruited varieties are, of course, propagated from 
runners each year, but the Alpines come easily from 
seed, and this is the best way to treat them. Seed 
may be either sown under glass in January or 
February to produce a crop in September, or out of 
doors a little later. Plants from the out-of-door 
sowing will yield some fruit in the autumn, and a 
heavier crop the next year. It will thus be seen that 
for prolonging the Strawberry season the Alpines 
are of considerable value, apart from the fact that 
the flavour of the fruit is delicate and good. A 
packet of seed of each of the Improved Large Red, 
and the Improved White should be obtained. Belle 
de Meaux is a third fine variety. 
VEGETABLES. 
Tomatos.—The Tomato might, with as much 
justice as the Cucumber, have been placed amongst 
the fruits, but while it is popularly regarded as a 
vegetable or a sa'ad, and finds a place in exhibition 
collections as such, it is associated with kitchen 
garden crops generally, or with the cultivation of 
vegetables under glass. The number of varieties is 
legion, and each year sees further additions. Many 
varieties are only distinct with regard to their names, 
but even if we remove these from the lists there is 
still left a wide range from which to select. Of the 
red-fruited varieties the Perfection type is probably 
the most useful. Select a good form of it from the 
catalogue of a reliable seedsman, and there will be no 
fear of the results in anything like an ordinary 
season. The great value of the Perfection type of 
Tomato is that it is alike good for underglass or out¬ 
door cultivation. Young's Eclipse which was a 
seedling raised from Conference, a well-known 
variety, is a medium-sized, free fruiting variety of 
considerable merit. It is a good cropper. Frogmore 
Selected is another comparatively new variety of 
of great value. The fruit is of medium size, nearly 
round in shape, and of smooth outline, while the 
flesh is solid and of greath depth, with but compara¬ 
tively small part of it occupied by the seeds. 
Amongst yellow sorts one of the most promising 
novelties is Golden Jubilee, which was obtained by 
Mr. Owen Thomas, of the Royal Gardens,Frogmore, 
by crossing Golden Princess and Frogmore Selected. 
Sutton’s Golden Nuggett may form a good second 
variety, as it will do well either under glass or in the 
open. A packet of seed should be obtained of each 
of these varieties. The Red Currant Tomato, too, 
should not be forgotten. It bears its fruits in long, 
pendulous trusses (racemes) of twelve or fifteen fruits 
which are about the size of a large red Currant. The 
appearance of these fruits is exceedingly ornamental, 
and the flavour is good. Apart from this the plants 
have a capital constitution, and set well and freely 
with fruit. The Miniature Pear-shaped is another 
very handsome ornamental form with small Pear- 
shaped fruits that have an agreeable flavour. It may 
well be grown if room can be found for it, as the 
small fruits are a distinct novelty to those (and there 
are many), who are accustomed to see only the large- 
fruited sorts.— Rex. 
— ' ■ »!»» ■ > 
Correspondence. 
Questions asked 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. 
Cherries under Glass. — E. Morton : You will find the 
following varieties all good for cultivation under 
glass: — Early Rivers’black, very large and hand¬ 
some, with a small stone; Belle d’Orleans, yellow- 
white, flushed with pale red, medium size; May 
Duke, dark red, large, very fine in flavour ; Bigarreau 
de Mezel, pale rose, striped with deep red, very 
large ; Bigarreau Napoleon, pale yellow, mottled with 
red, with rich, juicy, and well-flavoured flesh, one of 
the best of the Bigarreaux ; and Late Duke, large, 
bright red, with a pleasant acidity. These six 
varieties will give a good succession of fruit, the 
order in which the fruit ripens being in accordance 
to their place upon jthe list—thus Early Rivers’ is 
the earliest, and Late Duke the latest. 
Bambusa falcata varlegata. — Gracias : The 
apparent difference in the young plant and the older 
ones is, we think, due to the fact that the former is 
a comparative cripple. If once you can start it 
growing vigorously it will be almost sure to throw 
off the peculiarities that it now exhibits. 
Bouvardias—C. Wilkins : You may easily get up 
a stock of young plants from cutti ngs. Partly prune 
the old plants by shortening the shoots by nearly 
half their length. 
Old Yines ,—J.Clarrig-. It is evident from what 
you say that the Vices need to have drastic treat¬ 
ment ; spurs nearly a foot in length are preposterous. 
You may certainly cut these back and try to induce 
the canes to break out from the base if you like, but 
we do not at all advise this system. A far better 
plan is to head the old canes off at aj point about 
3 ft. from the ground. This should be done at once, 
and the house started soon, so as to give the Vines a 
good long season of growth. Keep the stumps well 
syringed twice or thrice a day. When they break 
into growth, which they should show signs of doing 
in a few weeks’ time, gradually disbud to one strong 
shoot, which must be carefully looked after, and 
induced to grow away freely without a check. Each 
of these shoots will form a sound cane in the single 
season. They may be pruned back next year accord¬ 
ing to their strength, and you will then have the 
basis of good, new fruiting canes. If you wish for 
an interesting experiment, leave one of the old canes 
now at full length, and cut back the spurs in the way 
you proposed doing. You will then have a gcod 
opportunity of comparing the merits of the two 
systems. 
Musa Cavendishii .—Rob : This Banana may be 
fruited in fairly large pots if your house is of good size. 
Better fruit, however, is invariably produced by 
plants which are planted out in a prepared bed or 
border. Musa Cavendishii needs plenty of heat and 
moisture, both in the air and at the roots. 
Pot Vines .—Rob : Canes which were started the 
first week in November will furnish ripe Grapes by 
the end of March or beginning of April, according 
to the character of the season, whether mild or 
otherwise. This is an important factor in the getting 
of early Grapes by a certain time, for it is manifest 
that growth must be comparatively slow and un¬ 
certain when the fires have to he driven bard to 
keep the temperature up, and snow is lying on the 
ground outside for weeks together. 
Lilies of the Yalley.— H. N. : Cocoanut fibre 
refuse is to be preferred to soil for growing the Lily 
crowns in. It is cleaner, lighter, and quite as 
efficacious as soil, for the crowns draw upon their 
contained stores of nourishment to enable them to 
flower, root action being exceedingly weak. If you 
maintain a high temperature you should be able to 
cut the flowers at the expiration of three weeks 
from the introduction of the crowns to heat. 
Ants on a Peach Tree.— E. A. : Tie a band of 
cotton-wool round the stem of the tree; the ants 
will not be able to crawl over it. 
Soil for Lapagerias — G. Anvers: We have found 
these pretty climbersUo do well in a compost of peat, 
with plenty of sand, to which a few lumps of sand¬ 
stone and charcoal have been added. 
Herbaceous Border .—Hardy Plants : If the soil 
is fairly dry and in good working condition you may 
at once set about the making of the border. The 
width, of course, must vary according to individual 
requirements, but we may suggest 6 ft. as beiDg a 
fair width. It will enable you to grow almost any 
