524 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
April 14, 1900. 
tive charge about that age. Then it is, I say, when 
the higher wage can be commanded by those who 
have profited by their experience and are capable of 
managing a garden where horticulture in general is 
expected to be carried out in the highest order. 
I have made no mention of foremen, these, of 
course, getting pay from eighteen up to twenty-two 
shillings per week, bothy, etc., in some cases, are 
better off than a head gardener in many medium¬ 
sized places. As to the scarcity of young gardeners, 
this fact alone ought to raise the standard of wage 
for those left in the field, which I hope it will in an 
all-round manner.— Devonian. 
twice a day, and this matter is more important just 
after the successive potiiogs. The plants arc at a 
good fruitiDg stage when they are about x ft. high, in 
6-in. or 7-in. pots and bushy. They can be pruned 
back late in the spring and can again be potted up 
for new growth. 
WINTERING CACTI OUTDOORS. 
From some years of trial it has been proved in a 
large London horticultural establishment that a col¬ 
lection of Opuntias, Cereus, &c., can safely be 
wintered out of doors with only the occasional pro¬ 
tection of a canvas covering. 
«l» - 
ARDENING jjlSCELLANY. 
SALPIGLOSSIS. 
How it comes about is a hard matter to explain, but 
while many borders in our gardens are crammed 
with far less elegant annuals or perennials than 
Salpiglossis are, these find no place. They are 
second to nothing for graceful arrangement in vases, 
and it may be hinted here that narrow-necked, un¬ 
ornamented, and tall vases are far away the most 
suitable. The packets of seeds are as a rule mixed, 
so that some dull coloured varieties must be expected 
along with the lighter and prettier ones. Beds 
wholly devoted to them are advisable, yet, in small 
clumps here and there along the herbaceous border, 
they are helpful adjuncts in the summer display. A 
pinch of seed sown in a circular patch in May, or 
earlier, merely raking the seeds into the surface of 
the ground, is all the attention required in the rais¬ 
ing of a supply. As soon as they are a few inches 
through the soil, thin out the seedlings to a few 
inches apart either way. Stake the single plants 
neatly when they are 9 ins. high. 
THE GOOSEBERRY CATERPILLAR 
A correspondent of the Irish Farming World re¬ 
commends dry coal ashes as a dusting for Gooseberry 
bushes. Applied early in February before the buds 
break he has never known the preventive to fail. 
Another correspondent has found a strong solution 
of alum (7 lbs. to thirty gallons of water) a most 
efficient remedy for destroying the caterpillars on 
Gooseberry and Currant bushes, and has used it 
with great success for the past thirty years. 
A NOVEL AND PRETTY CORNER BED. 
In Kew Gardens there are some strikingly novel 
arrangements of shrubs. For winter effect, a corner 
bed at the divergence of paths, which is filled with 
the dwarf, purple-leaved Mahonia and pegged down 
shoots of the yellow flowering Jasmine, make a 
charming combination of bright yellow and deep 
purple! The shoots of J. nudiflorum stand well 
above the Mahonia, the ends alone being fastened 
downward. -Visitor. 
THE TEMPERATE RANGE AT KEW. 
The plants in the east division of the recently com¬ 
pleted temperate range at Kew are wearing an aspect 
of established vigour; they appear quite naturalised. 
Arching upward from the borders on each side of the 
central path are the tall rods with their fading leaves 
of Phyllostachys mitis, and Chamaerops excelsa, 
giant Camellias, Rhododendrons, Photinia japonica, 
or Loquat, with dwarfer Aralias, Liliums, Hedy- 
chium garderianum, and tree roots which make a 
fine home for Primulas and dwarf plants. The 
pillars are garlanded with the Giant Rose of China 
and other plants. 
AGATHAEA CAELESTIS, OR BLUE 
MARGUERITE. 
This blue-flowered Daisy or Cape Aster, which 
throws up numerous slender stalks and shoots bear¬ 
ing small but showy flowers, is a pretty subject for 
the greenhouse. A nice batch in 4 in. pots is at 
present enlivening a portion of the flower house at 
Kew. The plant is a herbaceous perennial, which 
strikes readily from cuttings at any period of the 
year, when cuttings can be obtained. It is a native 
of the Cape of Good Hope. It is closely allied to the 
Asters and succeeds under ordinary greenhouse treat¬ 
ment. The plants reach a foot in height. 
ARTICHOKE SOUP. 
Jerusalem Artichokes, 1 lb.; Turnips, 1 lb.; Onions, 
^ lb. ; vermicelli, 1 oz.; butter, 1 oz. ; milk, 1 quart; 
salt and pepper are the ingredients of this dish. Peel 
the vegetables, just cover with water, and boil till 
tender. Mash altogether in the water in which they 
are boiled and pass through a sieve. Add the milk, 
butter, and seasoning, boil up, drop in the vermi¬ 
celli, and allow to boil for ten minutes before sending 
to table. The addition of a little cream is an improve¬ 
ment. 
SISYRINCHIUM GRANDIFLORUM. 
This is probably one of our earliest Sisyrinchiums, 
flowering as it does in sheltered places from the 
middle of March till May. The flowers are 
modestly pretty, borne in clusters from one spathe, 
light mauve at first, deeper purple later. The 
leaves are in grassy tufts springing from the slightly 
thickened root or rhizome. A light humic soil with 
a position at the base of a rockery suits it well. 
ARDISIA POLYCEPHALA. 
Our list of stove berried plants is by no means a 
long one and the plants we do possess are not so 
liberally grown as they might be. If flowers are 
difficult to secure, we should at least make an effort 
to have a supply of plants with coloured fruits, and even 
if they are black fruits as in the case of this Ardisia 
they yield an interest to the plant houses. They are 
usually increased and propagated by cuttings taken 
any time between March and September, but a stock 
may in the first instance be obtained from a spring 
sowing of the seeds or berries. In a few weeks the 
seedlings will have appeared. These should be 
selected and potted into 3-in. pots, using about equal 
parts of peat and loam. Shift them on as they 
require it, always allowing them a light and warm 
position. Dewings over the foliage may be given 
FAST GROWING POPLARS. 
For purposes of screening undesirable views from 
sight or as wind-breaks, the Black Italian and the 
Lombardy Poplars are very much in evidence in 
villa gardens. Their value for the purpose is well- 
known and has lODg been tried. P. nigra, from its 
being a widely spreading tree, is not so suitable as the 
erect growing P. n. fastigiata or Lombardy Poplar. 
Both grow very fast and succeed fairly well in a 
great variety of soils and situations. Young trees 
about 10 ft. high transplant well, provided a quantity 
of good fresh soil is given around the roots. The 
Canadian Poplar, P. monilifera or P. canadensis is 
also another quick growing species, sometimes em¬ 
ployed for screens. Owing to the angled manner of 
growth of the branches, this tree bears the common 
name of necklace Poplar. The Abele or White 
Poplars are all fast growing trees, though for the 
smaller confines of a suburban garden none of them 
approach the Lombardy Poplar. 
SOCIETIES. 
FALKIRK HORTICULTURAL. —March 30 th. 
The spring show of the Falkirk Horticultural Asso¬ 
ciation was held in the Town Hall on the above date. 
The number of entries was about up to the average 
of previous years. The show was considered very 
creditable to all concerned considering the backward 
and unpropitious nature of the season. The winning 
competitors were not, however, particularly numer¬ 
ous, the best growers securing the lion's share of the 
prizes. Hyacinths, Tulips, and other forced sub¬ 
jects constituted the leading features of the show, 
as far as flowering plants were concerned, these 
being plentiful and of a high order of Merit. 
Azaleas, Spiraeas, and other pot plants were also in 
fine form. A new feature of the spring show on 
this occasion was the competition for the prizes 
offered for groups of plants arranged on the floor 
for effect. There were four entries, and the groups 
consisted of Palms and other fine foliage plants, 
brightened with bulbous and other spring flowering 
subjects. Cut flowers in the shape of bouquets 
were also tastefully set up. 
The competition in the class for a group of plants, 
arranged for effect, was open to all, and the leading 
prize was ta^n by Mr. T. C. Sutherland, gardener 
to T. L Learmouth, Esq., Park Hall, Stirlingshire, 
The second award was secured by Messrs. Wm. 
Murray & Son, Park Hall Gardens, on the same 
estate. Mr. Wm. Robertson, Bainsford, came in 
third. 
In the classes open to gardeners and amateurs only 
Mr. T. C. Sutherland again led the way for two 
foliage plants, one specimen Palm, three table plants, 
Deutzias, two Spiraeas, four Chinese Primulas, 
three plants of Primula obconica, and a basket of cut 
flowers. • 
Mr. Wm. Robertson secured the premier awards in 
the classes for two greenhouse plants (flowering and 
foliage), one Azalea, Mignonette, six varieties of 
Hyacinths, three Hyacinths, best Hyacinth in the 
hall, two pots Tulips, Polyanthus Narcissus, 
Crocuses, border Narcissi, four British Ferns, best 
rustic Fern basket, and an Epergne. 
Mr. Thomas Campbell, Camelon, took the lead in 
the classes for three Azalea mollis, two Dielytra spec- 
tabilis, one Cytisus, and two Cinerarias. Mr. James 
Jarvie, Falkirk, had the best Imantophyllum, Lily of 
the Valley, gold laced Polyanthus, bouquet of ever¬ 
lasting flowers, hand bouquet, and bride's bouquet. 
Mr. John Fleming, Falkirk, took the lead for the best 
hardy border plants, and had some second prizes in 
other classes. In the class for six vegetables, Mr. T. 
C. Sutherland took the leading award. 
Some of the above competitors were amateurs, and 
in the classes reserved for such, Mr. Wm. Robertson 
took the lead for a greenhouse plant, table plant, 
Deutzia, Polyanthus Narcissus, Tulips, Jonquils, 
Mignonette, Chinese Primroses, Wallflower, exotic 
Fern, hanging basket Fern, and six and three 
Hyacinths. 
Mr. James Jarvie took the lead for an Azalea, 
Crocuses, Tulips, Lily of the Valley, hand bouquet 
and bouquets of everlasting flowers. Mr. Peter Tait, 
Grahamston, took the lead for Spiraeas, and had 
other prizes. Mr. John Fleming was first for a 
British Fern, and twelve hardy alpine plants, Mr. 
Murdoch Horne had the best three buttonhole bou¬ 
quets and took other prizes. 
Messrs. Henderson and Co., Sunnyside, exhibited 
a collection of plants not for competition, consisting 
chiefly of table decorative subjects, and spring 
flowering plants of a seasonable and useful kind. 
The secretarial duties, as on former occasions, 
were ably carried out by Mr. John Fleming. The 
judges were Messrs. Petrie, Stirling; M’Kenna, 
Norton, Ratho; and Glass, Carbrook, Larbert. 
LIVERPOOL HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 
April 4th. 
The fourteenth spring show, held under the aus¬ 
pices of the above, in St. George’s Hall, compared 
favourably with its predecessors as regards quality, 
although there was a distinct falling off in quantity. 
Interest, from some cause, is undoubtedly failing, 
both from exhibitors and visitors. This is to be 
deeply regretted, for the Hall has no more beautiful 
effect than when arranged with spring flowers. 
In the open division, for a group of miscellaneous 
plants, W. H. Watts, Esq., Elm Hall, Wavertree 
(gardener, Mr. J. Bracegirdle), was the only ex¬ 
hibitor, but fully deserved the premier honour that 
was bestowed upon it, in which Crotons, Palms, 
Caladiums, Dendrobiums, in variety with spring 
bulbs, were most tastefully arranged. 
For ten pots hardy herbaceous and bulbous bulb¬ 
ous plants, J. Smith, Esq. (gardener, Mr. E. R. 
Finch), was first; Col. Shirley (gardener, Mr. G. 
Eaton), came second. For a display of miscellane¬ 
ous bulbs and foliage, Mr. Bracegirdle was again to 
the fore, winning by superior arrangement. J. A. 
Bartlett, Esq. (gardener, Mr. Thos. Gowen), 
followed. 
In the three classes for Hyacinths, twelve distinct, 
six distinct, and six pots, with three bulbs in each 
pot, the first awards were secured by O. H. Williams, 
Esq. (gardener. Mr. T. Wilson), The finest varieties 
