May 13, 1&99. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
537 
shrubs are posed, and thousands of the later Nar¬ 
cissi sway themselves beneath the shades of trees 
and dwarfer shrubs. And to admire them hundreds 
of lovers came, and hundreds of married people, still 
lovers, with old maids without lovers, and young 
maids looking for them, and staid old bachelors and 
gay young ones, one and all refreshing themselves 
by draughts from the beauties at Kew. 
THE PLANT HOUSES. 
The Stove. 
What with cold and sunless days the growth of 
things in our warm houses is anything but strong. 
Shading must be regulated so as to allow as much of 
the morning and late afternoon sun to enter and 
strengthen the plants as it is safe to allow. Syring¬ 
ing becomes one of our chief duties and on no 
occasion allow it to rest. The dewy air, for the 
moisture sent up from the paths and the light spraying 
from the syringe are synonymous in their results to 
that of Nature,when she cools and refreshes herbage 
by condensing moisture in the air, so we speak of the 
dewy air when our stoves have a moist atmosphere. 
The dewy air then, as we were about to say, has this 
effect on the plants : it softens and tends toward the 
relaxation of the lamina or leaf-surfaces ; it endows 
some of our fast growing hairy-leaved plants, notably 
Justicias, with sap, for I believe they can assimilate 
moisture just as root-hairs can, and it keeps things 
clean and cooler and better altogether. Therefore 
ply your syringes and dare your insect foes to face 
you. Young Crotons and Dracaenas may need a 
shift, but unless you specially want large plants do 
not be in a hurry. So long as there is moisture at 
the roots and moisture in the air, with heat abundant, 
the Crotons will not suffer. Young bulbs of Pancra- 
tiums may also be potted on. Do not discard the 
use of weak liquid manure to established and fast 
growing plants. Calanthes are much benefited 
when in the height of their vigour by small doses. 
All young stock must be attended to in the pinching 
and tying in of lax shoots. 
Posoqueria longiflora is a handsome stove 
plant which ought to flower about Easter; but 
those who are unacquainted with its culture are 
liable to flower it out of season. After the blooms 
go past do not rest it but allow it to go on and try 
to secure plump,stout, well ripened shoots and strong 
leafage by autumn. Rest it somewhat during winter 
and then, when the bloom-trusses are showing, say, 
in February, it may be slowly brought forward. 
Like the bulk of other plants it blooms best when 
when the roots are confined, and the liquid feeding 
is given. 
The benefit of such a plant too, is that when it 
becomes too large, it needs only to be pruned back, 
whence it will break away again quite freshly. The 
propagation requires great care and patience. A 
strong bottom heat is absolutely necessary for the 
striking of cuttings. Take a piece of three parts 
ripened wood with a heel, and place it firmly in very 
sandy, peaty loam, in a propagating case. A nice 
fairly solid and humic soil suits the plant. The 
leaves are leathery and dark, oblong and about six 
ins. in length. The flowers are sweetly fragrant, 
pure white, and are borne on the end of the shoots in 
corymbs. They resemble a white-flowered Bouvardia, 
only that they are many times longer-tubed and a bit 
broader. 
Cucumber, Melon, and Tomato Houses.— We 
make a practice of going over the Cucumbers and 
Melons every other day for the thinning, regulating, 
or stopping of the shoots. This is much the best 
system of working up healthy plants, and of obtain¬ 
ing a lasting supply cf produce. Stop each shoot 
two leaves beyond a fruit in the case of Cucumbers, 
and keep removing old branches which have borne a 
crop. Tie in laterals in the place of those taken 
out, and ease the plants of the fruits so soon as they 
are size enough for use. The earliest Melons are 
just on the point of colouring. If canker has taken 
them, or is likely to, rub the affected parts with 
lime and soot. Mr. Pettigrew, of Cardiff Castle 
adopts an invention of his own. He has had collars 
of zinc or some such protective, made to fit round 
the base of the stems, which ward off water, and 
being dry, they are secure. Apply top-dressing to 
the roots whenever they appear on the surface. 
Tomatos may, as they need it, be likewise top- 
dressed, and dustings of soot or of Clay's manures, 
either the bone-meal or guano, will assist them sur¬ 
prisingly. When the fruits are swelling it pays to 
ap ply some quickly beneficial stimulant. Keep the 
laterals pinched, though if the plants are planted 
out in borders a few side shoots may be laid in. 
Fumigate if greenfly gets a hold,and in all the houses 
it is well to have at hand some solution for using 
when syringing, 
Conservatory. 
Pick off Azalea blooms when past their best, and 
place the plants out doers, plunged cr otherwise, for 
the summer. Give Camellias feeding. See to 
climbers on the roof, and shift on Pelargoniums, 
Cockscombs, Balsams, Humea elegans, Fuchsias, 
Heliotropes, &c., &c.— J. H. D. 
-< 1 > 
Kltolien Barden Calendar. 
Where pits and frames have been cleared of their 
occupants these may again be filled with such plants 
as Tomatos, Capsicums, Vegetable Marrows, Cucum¬ 
bers, &c. In this changeable climate of ours it is 
seldom that Tomatos can be depended upon to pro¬ 
duce a crop either in the open or against walls, for 
frequently just as the fruit is ripening rains set in, 
and disease follows, so that it is almost labour in 
vain to attempt growing them under such circum¬ 
stances, unless in very favoured places. Where 
plants have been got forward these may either be 
planted out or potted into larger pots, and stood in 
the frames. Strings can be taken up close under 
the glass to train the plants to, and if these are kept 
to a single stem it is astonishing the amount of fruit 
that can be grown on a limited space. Large 
Tomatos, as a rule, do not find favour either in the 
kitcheD or pantry, therefore those averaging half a 
pound in weight are ample. The’smooth-skinned 
varieties are most appreciated, such as Duke of 
York and the Perfection type. Tomatos usually set 
their fruit more freely when grown close to the glass, 
as the pollen gets dry quicker. 
Capsicums are frequently used in the kitchen for 
a variety of purposes, and as the home-grown ones 
are more appreciated than those which have been 
dried, it is always well to grow a supply. These 
plants require liberal treatment, otherwise they soon 
get smothered with fly,and become worthless. It is not 
necessary to apply heat, except in the early stages > 
and then a hot-bed is far preferable to pits heated by 
hot water. Capsicums, in addition to being very 
useful for culinary purposes, make ornamental 
plants for decoration when grown in pots. At all 
times when the weather is favourable a liberal 
amount of air should be given them, as they will 
not thrive in a close atmosphere. 
Vegetable Marrows may now be planted out 
where protection can be afforded at night, but it is 
not safe to expose them to the Dight temperature at 
present, particularly in low, damp places, which are 
subject to late spring frosts. A sowing of these 
should also be made to give a supply of plants for 
later use. The seed may now be sown where the 
plants are intended to stand, but should occupy a 
sunny position, and sheltered from cold winds. 
Ridge Cucumbers may now be planted under hand- 
lights to give them a start. The lights ought to be 
covered at night to keep off the frost in case we 
should be visited with these unwelcome intruders. 
Peas for exhibition should now be sown. The 
time required to produce first-class pods much de¬ 
pends on the weather, but at this time of year from 
eleven to thirteen weeks should be allowed for choice 
Marrow kinds. The cold east winds have retarded 
the growth of all plants, and none have suffered 
more than the Peas, which are very backward this 
season. To help them along, should these drying 
winds continue, the plants should be sprinkled with 
water, for though the ground is not dry except on 
the surface the winds extract too much moisture 
from the foliage, and unless this is counteracted 
growth becomes stunted. Sowings should be made 
once a week, according to the demand, and the 
quantity sown must be regulated by the require¬ 
ments of the place. 
Broad Beans are not much in request during the 
autumn months ; these, however, may still be sown 
where due attention can be paid to watering and 
looking after the plants. Make a sowing of Runner 
Beans about the 15th of this month, as it is seldom 
there is any frost after the latter part to injure the 
plants, and sowings made then or after that date do 
net usually make their appearance through the soil 
till towards the end of the month. Dwarfs that 
were sown on a south border at the beginning of the 
month will by this have made some progress. It 
will not be safe to allow them to go unprotected at 
night, therefore, material should be at band to cover 
over them in case this should be required. 
Early Potatos should also receive attention in like 
manner, as there is no certainty in the weather at 
present. Pay attention to the watering of small 
seeds, such as Broccoli, Cauliflower, Savoys, Bore¬ 
cole, &c., and keep a sharp look out for the Turnip 
fly. The hoe should be kept at work in dry weather 
to keep down small weeds, as more can be done in 
an hour when in this state than in a day if they are 
allowed to get the upper hand. Thin Turnips, 
Carrots, Parsnips, and other plants as they require 
it, for it is bad practice to allow these to become 
overcrowded before receiving attention. All newly 
planted crops should be watered till new roots are 
formed, but only sufficient should be given to keep 
the surface moist, as too much water lowers the 
temperature of the soil. Continue to make small 
sowings of salads that are required for use in the 
seed leaf. During hot weather it is good practice 
to sow them under a north wall, as the foliage is 
then far more tender than when exposed to the 
bright sun .—Kitchen Gardener. 
FLOWERS IN SEASON AT LONG 
DITTON. 
We had been to see the expansive fields of Daffodils 
in the nurseries of Messrs. Barr & Sons, of Covent 
Garden, London, and had been so well satisfied that 
we concluded a day would be well spent in studying 
the Tulips, when in bloom. The Tulips and the 
dedicated day have both come, and again we say we 
are very well satisfied. We were blessed with 
charming weather, a pleasant journey, beauteous 
sights, and first-class attention. 
We saw the Tulips, and certainly Solomon in all 
his glory was not arrayed like one of these. For 
instance, what more lovely than the high-class 
Tulip, Duchesse de Parme, which generally follows 
after the colour of Keizer Kroon or Fabiola, but 
there is more of the scarlet or crimson hue in it, and 
the yellow edges are more deeply tinted. T. Car¬ 
dinal's Hat is a well-formed, deep red variety. Then 
we have the coppery Thomas Moore, with very long 
stalks ; Crimson King, of a telling colour ; Princess 
Morian, a dwarf and sturdy pure white ; Yellow 
Prince, as yellow as a Buttercup, and that is yellow 
enough; Joost Van Vondel, a deep vermillion or 
crimson, a variety largely used; T. American Lac, 
and Gold Lion, both good singles of an old gold 
shade. 
We were charmed with the beauty of T. Admiral 
Rienier, of a light red, streaked at the edges with 
white. The form also was up to the standard. T. 
Cramoisie Royale, a light crimson, and T. 
Distinction, of an ochre-crimson tone, made really a 
distinct effect though surrounded by so many 
glorious neighbours. T. Couleur de Cardinal, dwarf, 
stout, fine shape, and of deep, good colour, which is 
a crimson-red, deeper at the base than at the tips. 
The flowers had a "bloom” on them much the 
same as Grapes bear. T. Silver Standard is another 
of our special favourites—the colour is crimson and 
white. T. Sarah Bernhardt is a dwarf variety with 
a long, large flower of a light pinky and white 
streaked blend. Other fine things were Rose 
Luisante, rosy ; Princess Ida (what a beauty!) of a 
deep primrose caste and a white edge; Brutus, 
intense scarlet-crimson with a yellow base; the 
grand old Keizer Kroon and Fabiola neighbouring the 
serviceable Artus, Prince of Austria and President 
Lincoln, this latter of a rich lavender. Then again 
we have Tulip Wauverman, a deep mauve; Ophir 
d’Or and Cottage Maid; T. White Swan, very tall 
and useful for cutting; and W. E. Gladstone, a 
green and yellow mixture and very fine. T. Pink 
Beauty brought from us an exclamation of delight. 
It has a white centre and pinky edge, which make a 
sweet union. 
And now comes the list of double flowered forms 
which, perhaps, should be more used for bedding. 
Some of the best forms are T. Toreador, a rich, 
light ochre and deeper red centre; T. Vuirback, 
bright crimson; T. Leo XIII., yellow base and 
bright red; T. rubrum maximum and T. Rex 
