March 27, 1897. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
473 
the mound of soil is proof that the Cucumbers want 
a top-dressing. Let this consist of good loam, but 
let it be warmed thoroughly through before it is 
applied. It may be made fairly firm, but there is no 
need to ram it so hard as you would do in the case 
of Melons. 
Acorus Calamus—This is very suitable for 
planting by the side of the pond as you propose, 
W. M , Reading. Once a clump of it is established 
you may easily propagate it by division, spring being 
the best time, just as the young leaves are making a 
start to grow. The flowers are small and incon¬ 
spicuous, but the whole plant is very fragrant, and 
is a favourite on that account. Once established it 
will grow like a weed, and is perfectly hardy. 
- 
CHRYSANTHEMUM GLORIOSUM AS A 
TRAINED PLANT. 
The photograph of this specimen may perhaps 
help some of /our readers, to know what a 
TABLE DECORATIONS. 
This was the subject of an interesting paper read by 
Mr. Powell, of Park Place Gardens, Henley-on- 
Thames, before the members of the Reading 
Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Association, on 
Monday the 15th inst., in the Club Room, British 
Workman. Mr. C. B. Stevens, the President 
presided over a large gathering of members. Mr. 
Powell in introducing his subject, said that there 
were so many ways of making displays with flowers 
hat it would be impossible to touch on all, therefore 
he would direct their attention to what could be 
done in private establishments only. When it is 
taken into consideration the number of people that 
at the present time indulge very largely in floral 
arrangements on their dinner tables, it seems that 
gardeners as a rule do not give that thought and 
attention to the subject it deserves, and 
therefore on many occasions the employer calls in 
the florist to do that which could be done equally 
as well by the garden staff. Proceeding to deal with 
time for him to exhibit his skill in carrying out the 
wishes of his employer. The first thing to be con¬ 
sidered in starting a dinner table is the object for 
which it is wanted, then the flowers that would be 
most suitable, and lastly, how to work all in harmony 
to give the desired effect when finished. 
In choosing flowers and foliage it Is desirable to 
take the season of year into consideration, and let the 
display be in harmony with nature as far as possible. 
In spring there are the Daffodils, Tulips, Roman 
Hyacinths, Lily of the Valley, Freesias, etc. In the 
summer the decorations should look cool and invit¬ 
ing, especially as there is a large variety of flowers to 
choose from, such as Pinks, Yellow Sultan, Cor¬ 
eopsis, Cornflowers, Iceland and Shirley Poppies, 
Sweet Peas, Carnations, etc. Then in the autumn 
there is the lovely tinted foliage, which certainly 
gives the most charming effects ; adding to this the 
large numbers of Chrysanthemums, there is an 
endless supply to work from. Lastly comes winter 
with Christmas decorations. The chief colour should 
be scarlet or any bright colour which looks warm 
perfect specimen ought to be, that is, if training of 
a plant is considered. To grow a plant with 50 to 
100 or 150 blooms, you must tie it into some shape 
or form. The variety mentioned had eighty blooms 
upon it, and was 5 ft. through; the p'ant when 
photograped was two years old. The first year it 
was grown as a cut bloom plant, with three blooms 
upon it. It was cut down and produced four breaks 
all above the soil, so that the plant had a clear stem. 
It was potted on twice, and stopped three times. In 
the growing season, the outside growths were trained 
out, and at the final tying a stick was put to each 
bloom, the tallest in the centre, the others according 
to the height, and so on. The plant, therefore, had 
a natural appearance, with as little bending or tying 
down as possible. There is a vast difference 
between a trained and a bush plant.— Grower. 
-- 
A Lancashire acre is much larger than an imperial 
acre, and runs to 7,840 yards. 
CHRYSANTHEMUM GLORIOSUM. 
arrangements on festive occasions, etc., the speaker 
said it was impossible to lay down any hard and 
fast rule how these should be done, as it could be 
studied from so many different points. In fact the 
arranging of flowers, whether for table decoration or 
otherwise, was an art that could be only learnt by 
continual prac f ice, and the closer that nature was 
copied the greater the success, especially in the 
blending of colours. Care should be taken in selecting 
the colour to have that most liked by the employer, 
and then have it so placed that it would be seen 
immediately the room was entered ; first impressions 
are always the best. 
It should not be thought that the choicest flowers 
are necessary, for it is the simplest that make the 
best effect, besides being half the trouble to produce. 
What could be lighter or more effective than an 
arrangement of wild flowers ? Of course there are 
times when the gardener has an order to do the 
dinner table with a particular flower or colour, then 
he must suit himself to circumstances. This is the 
and comfortable when all outside surroundings are 
dull and cold. 
In giving a list of the plants and flowers most 
suitable, the lecturer pointed out that consideration 
would have to be given to the style adopted, and 
therefore it would be best to denote them under one 
of the following headings Section 1, decorating 
with plants in pots; section 2, decorating with cut 
flowers in vases ; section 3, decorating with short 
stalked flowers worked in a design on the cloth, or 
what is more generally known as “ tracing.” In the 
first division there are Palms, Cocos, Arecas, Geono¬ 
mas, Kentias, Dracaenas, Crotons, Coleus, Ferns, 
Selaginellas, Pandanus, Grevillea robusta, Eulalias, 
Lily r.f the Valley, Azalea, etc. Section 2, applies 
more to the summer time, when there is such a host 
of flowers to cut from out of doors. Mention was 
made of different arrangements of flowers at this 
season of the year. Trailing pieces of Clematis 
montana in flower always look well; so do Swtet 
Brier Roses. Sweet Sultan set up with brown 
