280 
December 30, 1899. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
Correspondence. 
fflNTS FOR ||MATEURS. 
Greenhouse and Corridor Climbers —When one 
comes to thiDk of it, there is almost as much scope 
in the upper parts of our houses for furnishing 
beauty, as there is below. When climbers are well 
chosen, the gardener can get a very great return of 
bloom to cut for decorations, or if not for this use, 
then the floral attractions overhead may be said to 
be quite as valuable as displayed upon the stages. 
But say what we may, climbers arc valued, and they 
are used in full measure. For the sake of those 
amateurs who may desire to have a notice of some 
of the more popular of this class of plants the 
following notes have been written. I have only in¬ 
cluded species or varieties of plants which have long 
ago been proved as the best we have for the pur¬ 
poses of drapery or for yielding cut blooms. 
Clematis indivisa. — To see a fully developed 
plant of this greenhouse subject in good flowering 
condition is—well, to see a “ sight.” But we have 
not space here to eulogise on all we mention, though 
they are all worth it. C. indivisa can be raised from 
side shools struck under a band light any time after 
the flowering period. Well-made cuttings, firmly 
inserted, in sandy soil will strike readily. Layers 
may be successfully rooted if pegged down in Sept¬ 
ember. When once they are rcoted and growing, 
ordinary care will be all they require till they are 
planted out. A compost of loam, some peat, charcoal 
and sand will answer them. I have seen two plants 
cover a space of many hundreds of square feet. 
The year’s flowering shoots come from the.older 
wood, and should more or less be allowed to hang 
pendently. Pruning resolves itself into a thinning 
out of the old wood, and a severe shortening of the 
unripened shoots, which should be done soon after 
the flowering. The young growths are subject to 
attack from blackfly. 
Habrothamnus Newellii. —The Habrothamnuses 
are all more or less pretty, from the habit they 
possess when flowering. At the same time it has to 
be admitted that they are very dirty plants, which to 
the practical gardener means that they are very 
prone to the attacks of insect pests. Greenflies are 
their worst enemies, but constant, vigorous syring- 
ings with tepid water and soft soap, also a very 
small addition of paiaffin, which must be used with 
great caution, will be found generally to keep these 
invaders suppressed. This variety throws out its 
pretty crimson tassels during August It flowers on 
the current j ear’s shoots, so that no piuning should 
be done until the flowers fade. Cuttings will be 
found the best means to adopt for propagation. A 
shady, rather than a sunny corner of the greenhouse, 
is more to its liking. Strong but friable loam, with 
an addition of leaf mould and dry cow manure, and 
plenty of water during summer must be accorded to 
this Habrothamnus. There are other fine varieties 
which might well be added. 
Heliotropium.—Though I rather care to think of 
Heliotropes (Cherry-pie) as dwarf bedding plants or 
as pot specimens, yet when they are properly 
managed and in good health they form very lovely 
greenhouse climbers, and are at times used in stove 
corridors,greenhouses, and cool conservatories. The 
feeding should not be too liberal, though starving 
will not answer. Under the former regime they go 
too much to wood growth. Starting from cuttings, 
which may be taken in spring, summer, or autumn, 
when well established in 5 in. or 6 in. pots, they may 
safely be planted out. Cuttings strike with no great 
loss when cleanly made, and firmly inserted in the 
same way as for Chrysanthemums. When a central 
axis has been led up about 1 ft. or higher, it may be 
pinched, and one or two side shoots brought out so 
as to form a spreading climber. This spreading 
habit of course, should not be made too much of, 
else no height and no great symmetry will develop. 
Plant these prepared plants in a narro n border, the 
soil of which should be an open, humic loam. Press 
it firmly, first making sure that the base is not damp, 
for they do not like a " claggy ” rooting base. 
Pruning may take a variety of phases. A system 
frequently followed is to cut hard back after the 
shoots have flowered, thinning out any that are 
weak. Where Heliotropes are grown for the pro¬ 
duction of winter blooms in stove corridors, it is well 
to have a goodly stretch of plants. One half, or less, 
may then be cut back at the time the other half 
section of the plants is coming into bloom. This 
is not meant to apply to the individual plants, but to 
breadths or sections of them on the wall. By so 
doing, a succession of blooms are got. Hard prun¬ 
ing must be adopted, besides liberal feeding in these 
cases, but the roots should be confined to well- 
drained narrow borders. 
Dolichos lignosus— Here we have a plant of a 
straggling growth, which flowers naturally as a 
greenhouse or cool corridor subject in July. As a 
hanging plant, in an intermediate house, it flowers 
very much earlier. The growth is not attractive, 
but the foliage is pretty, both in its depth of green 
and the manner in which it is divided, The flowers 
are small, somewhat like a Swainsonia, which is 
another of the leguminous plants. It can be raised 
from cuttings or seeds. The most proper position is 
in a cool, wide, and high corridor, otherwise it may 
be disappointing. 
Fuchsias. —At the present time, in nearly every 
garden, Fuchsias are used for training upon pillarsi 
and are grown also as specimens in arching forms. 
Till a comparatively recent time ago, however, they 
were not thought of as climbers, or made to grow in 
this fashion. I remember how much admired was a 
monster plant which we had 18 years ago, a specimen 
of the variety named Favourite, larger, and as it now 
seems to me, brighter flowered than the well-known 
Fuchsia Mrs. Marshall This old plant was scarcely 
ever out of flower, the system of pruning beiDg such 
that only for about one month in the year was it 
bare of foliage or blooms. Planted in an ordinary 
side border of a span-roofed house, it never seemed 
to wish for rest. All plants, all Fuchsias rather, are 
not like old "Jumbo,” as we preferred to nickname 
it, so that at this season they should be dormant. 
They will start away of their own accord in February. 
Till then they must have no water, at least, only 
periodical soakings. They usually remain plump 
enough without any water. Fuchsias are propagated 
from cuttings, pieces of stout shoots with a "heel” 
being taken off when the new growth has advanced 
about two or three inches. A rich, light potting soil is 
recommended. They require abundance of water 
during the growing season, and some shade in 
summer, as, of course, do most plants under glass. 
Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums —We need not confine 
ourselves specially to the Ivy-leaved section, though 
this is a better class than that of the zonals, which, 
■ when carefully choosen, furnish very fine wall plants. 
Everyone, even those taking up gardening as a new 
hobby, knows how to strike a Pelargonium cutting. 
Fine plants are also raised on a large scale from 
seeds. Where either of the above mentioned classes 
of Pelargoniums are grown it is so more for the 
constant supply of very serviceable blooms which 
they return than from any merits of the plants as 
ornamental subjects. Firm, and moderately moist, 
loamy borders, faciDg south, should be allowed 
them. An occasional top-dressing of loam with 
bone-meal, and feedings with liquid manure when 
the border is root bound, will be found to retain 
plants in constant fertility. Toward the end of 
summer they may be rested for a lengthened period i 
as then the winter flowering pot-batches will supply 
the cut flowers. Very suitable varieties for the 
purposes indicated are: Souv. de Chatles Turner, 
Jean d’Arc, Achievement, and Queen of Roses, in 
the double-flowered ivy-leaved section. Suitable 
zonals are here a crimson flowered favourite; F. r. 
Raspail, and Raspail improved, both nearly a truly 
scarlet; and Duchess of Portland, which gives us a 
fine semi-double pink variety. The variety named 
here may be somewhat old-fashioned now, and diffi¬ 
cult to get, yet it is a grand plant for our present 
purpose. The back wall of a lean to vinery is 
adaptable for the growth of climbiDg Pelargoniums. 
Plumbago capensls. —Notes having frequently 
appeared giving hints on the culture of this lovely 
greenhouse climber, it needs only a reference at this 
time. Stubby side shoots properly made and 
attended to, strike readily enough under a bell-glass. 
The border in which P. capensis is planted should 
be rich and solid. Pruning should be done after the 
flowering period, cutting all the shoots well back and 
thinning out the useless " spray ” or weaklings. P. 
c. alba is a white and rather more delicate variety. 
Crimson Rambler and other Roses may well be 
used in high, wide corridors, but their needs, 
culturally, I must leave for another occasion.— 
Beacon. 
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. 
Linum grandiflorum rubrum — Simple : The above 
is the full name of the plant you desire. We should 
also suggest the following names of plants as like¬ 
wise valuable for the border, and which may soon t e 
ordered when making out a list:—Nemophila it- 
signis, Calliopsis, Candytuft, Celosias, flowers plume- 
like for bedding purposes planted out from the 
pots) ; Centaureas or Cornflowers, Clarkias, verv 
graceful; Coreopsis, Paris Daisies (Marguerite?) 
Delphiniums, Dianthus or single Pinks; Foxgloves, 
or Digitalis ; Eschscholtzias, lovely Poppy-like dwai f 
annuals ; Forget-me-nots ; Gaillardias, Godetia 1 , 
Golden Feather or Pyrethrum, Gypsophila panicu- 
lata and G. elegans; Helichrysum or Everlasting 
flowers; Lantana hybrida, Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella) ; 
Mignonette, Nasturtium, Nemesia, Tobacco p'ant 
(Nicotiana) ; Nycterinia, Petunia, Phlox Drurr- 
mondii, Poppy, Portulacas, Punce’s Feather (Amar- 
anthus) ; Rhodanthes, also everlasting in their 
nature, sweet pink flowered composites; Salpiglos- 
sus, fine for vase arrangements ; Scabious, Schizan- 
thus, annual Sunflowers, Sweet Rocket, Sweet Sul¬ 
tan, Verbena, Viscaria, Wallflower, Winter Cherry 
(Physalis) ; and Zinnias. These represent a bright 
class of (chiefly) summer flowering plants, but they 
are not all true annuals. They are easily raised 
from seeds, however, and are tabulated for the 
benefit of other amateur readers. 
Pot Roses — Rosarian : By pruning your pot Roses 
now and placing them in heat you may have blooms 
in the early part of March. Rose seeds may be 
sown now in frames. Mulch outdcor Roses. 
Manure for Half Acre of Land. — R. J.: Tie 
best system of manuring is that whereby natural ard 
artificial manures are conjointly employed. Fr m 
10 to 15 tons of farmyard manure, to dig in now, 
will be enough ; then to stimulate the growing crops 
nitrate of soda and superphosphate may be given to 
the crops as a surface dressing during showery 
weather, using 3 cwt. or so per acre. 
Serviceable Window Plants. —Joe Chaucer: Arau¬ 
caria excelsa. Aspidistra lurida, Kentias, Chamae 
rops, and other small Palms ; Asplenium bulbiferum, 
Nepbrolepis in variety, Dracaena australis, Pelar¬ 
goniums, and others. 
Six Pot Herbs for Kitchen Use —G. C.: Tarra¬ 
gon, Mint, Sage, Marjoram, Thymes, and Winter 
Savory. Golden Nugget Tomato you will find as a 
very serviceable salading variety. 
Stephanotis floribunda — R. Pollock : If you have 
a sufficiently warm house buy a good plant, and by 
careful treatment you may have winter flowers. It 
ought to be rested from October to the end of 
November, pruned then, if need be, and given a fresh 
start. 
Shrubs from Cuttings. — J. R-, Stow: We are 
sorry you did not note remarks of ours on this sub 
ject made in September. Cuttings put in then are 
now rooted. Take and make cuttings of the small 
bushy Conifers and the Yews which you name, and 
place them in a frame cr other place where a fairly 
moist bed can be given and outside shelter. They 
may be dibbled closely into sandy soil. 
Winter Protection. — R.D , Selkirk : Having fol¬ 
lowed up the hints, given some time ago, upon the 
value of being prepared for severe weather, R. D. 
writes to thank us for the contrivance which we 
figured By its use he was able to leave out a num¬ 
ber of tender subjects during the frost. 
Roses for Early Winter. — Rosarian : Among 
H.T.'s and Tea-scented we find White La France, 
Vicomtesse Folkestone, Anna Oliver, Devoniensis, 
Grace Darling, Maman Cochet, Safrano, Madame 
Falcot, The Bride, the new Sunrise, Madame Hoste, 
Niphetos, and Papa Gontier suitable. 
