630 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
June 2, 1900. 
YOUNG MEN AS OUTSIDE GARDENERS. 
That was a well-timed and pointed note at p. 582 f 
under heading " Inside versus Outside Gardeners. 
Undoubtedly, the statement is correct. It would be 
a good thing if more correspondents would sound 
out the warning note to young men, and especially 
those who are advanced in life and have gone 
through the fire. Let us tell the coming generation 
the true path that has lead us through our journey 
successfully ; and I believe there are enough good 
men to follow who will give heed to us, providing it 
is given in a true and kind spirit. 
I have gone far enough along life's journey as a 
gardener to be convinced that the best gardeners are 
thegood all-round men ; andtheseare themenmostin 
request. It is said the most valuable horse on a 
farm is the odd one, as he cannot be put out of his 
place; and this applies to a gardener. I am con¬ 
vinced there are more bad open air gardeners than 
indoor ones. 
I tell my young men never to worry themselves 
about knowing the names of the newest Coleus and 
things of this class, but to make themselves con¬ 
versant with all the best trees and shrubs and their 
needs, and where to place them to give effect; also 
to obtain a sound knowledge of the best fruits in the 
open air. Study how to grow the finest kinds of 
vegetables, and to ascertain how to keep up the best 
supply of vegetables through the year. Add to this 
a store of knowledge on hardy border plants and 
bulbs. Such information is always wanted, as most 
people have an open air garden. I train my youths 
in kitchen and fruit gardening first, and inside after¬ 
wards. I contend this makes the most useful men, 
I could say more had I time or space.— J. C., F., 
Chard. 
ASPARAGUS CULTURE. 
Asparagus is one of our most esteemed vegetables, 
and as a seashore plant deep cultivation is necessary. 
The beds should be 3 ft. wide, with 2 ft. alleys 
between. Throw the soil out to the depth of 4 ft. (if 
its quality will allow of it), and then fill in with good 
loam and rotten manure, raising the beds 18 in. 
above the surface. Plant three years old roots in 
lines ij ft. apart, and from these usable gatherings 
can be had the following year. The French method 
of blanching is not to be commended. When at 
Sandringham, in making the new gardens, I planned 
to have a number of these long beds made, and filled 
as described above. Where seaweed is obtainable, a 
small quantity may be used with the dung.— ■William 
Carmichael, 14, Pitt Street, Edinburgh. 
THE HERBACEOUS BORDERS. 
The herbaceous borders will now have become very 
interesting to the observer, and constant attention 
will be necessary to keep them free from weeds, 
frequent stirrings with the hoe being very beneficial 
to the plants. 
Such things as Delphiniums Aconitums, Paeonies, 
Pyiethrums, Phloxes, &c., will require neatly stak¬ 
ing and tying to prevent them being broken down by 
wind or rain. The stakes should be of moderate 
thickness hammered into the ground firmly, and the 
plants tied with thin tar string, care being taken not 
to bunch them in tightly or their natural habit will 
be marred. Strong growing subjects such as 
Centaureas, which spread very quickly and overgrow 
the smaller and more rare plants, should be care¬ 
fully taken out where not wanted. In dry weather 
thorough soakings of water must be frequently 
given. Hollyhocks and the like will derive much 
benefit from half rotten cow manure placed round 
them. As the plants continue to grow fresh ties 
should be put, not allowing anything to break down 
for the want of a few minutes spent in tying, which 
is often the case, thus preventing a very/untidy 
appearance, besides spoiling the beauty of the plant. 
As the Crown Imperials (Fritillaria imperialis), and 
other early flowering things, die off they should be 
cut down, the rubbish being removed to the refuse 
heap for burning, and the borders should continue 
to yield an invaluable amount of cut flower well into 
the autumn.— A. Thatcher, Aldenliam, Elstree. 
— »! •-- 
The shy Sweet Peas thrust forth their heads 
And looked around for rain ; 
But, finding they tad struck a frost, 
They hustled back again. 
—Chicago Journal, 
GREVILLEA ROBUSTA. 
Plants of this are useful for decorating the green¬ 
house or conservatory, and make graceful table 
plants in small pots with their Fern-like foliage. A 
succession of young plants should be raised yearly, 
for they soon grow tall. There are two ways, by 
seed or cuttings ; seed is sometimes unsatisfactory, 
only one or two germinating out of a packet. Cuttings 
seem to root freely, but this is very little known or 
practised. I have enquired several times, but none 
had seen them rooted or knew if they would do so. 
To satisfy myself I put in six cuttings in the begin¬ 
ning of April, five rooted in about a month. The 
cuttings were about 2 in. in length, last year's growth, 
taken from plants that were stopped when small, 
cut to a joint, dibbled in cocoanut fibre, placed in a 
propagating case with a steady bottom heat, and kept 
close, and shaded from the sun. They were potted 
up as soon as rooted into small pots, and are now 
growing freely. Cuttings can easily be obtained 
from old plants that have grown too tall or rough by 
cutting them down to within 1 ft. of the pot. Keep 
them on the dry side till started into growth. 
When the young shoots are about 2 in. in length 
take them off with a heel ; these should root 
quicker than the hard wood.— E. Ireland, Bicton, 
Devon. 
— -——— 
STEEPING PEAS BEFORE SOWING. 
From practical experience, whether for early or late 
work, I have proved that Peas when steeped in water 
for twelve hours before sowing will absorb a large 
quantity of water. A quart of round Peas will 
absorb one quart of soft water, and will fill a two- 
quart measure. Now, my contention is that Peas 
when sown in their dry state must absorb the same 
quantity of water from the soil before starting into 
growth. I have proved that the Peas are through 
the soil some days before the Peas that are sown 
dry, and grow stronger. On February 22nd, I 
sowed thirteen rows of early Peas on a south border. 
The Peas were covered half an inch when sown. 
These are now showing flower ; whereas, one row that 
was sown in their dry state will not be in flower for 
seme time. They are all one class of Pea, and sown 
together. On March 24th, I sowed two long rows of 
Prizetaker, two of Hundredfold, and two of Bounti¬ 
ful. These were sown in trenches. Now I see a 
marked difference in one row that was sown in the 
dry state, not only in the time of coming through the 
soil but in their growth. I feel sure every Pea that 
was steeped has grown, and looks strong and vigor¬ 
ous. Three long rows of Marrow Peas sown on 
May nth are now well through the soil. Care 
should be taken to soak the Peas in shallow pans, 
so that they do not press against each other. When 
troubled with birds run three lengths of black cotton 
along the Peas, 2 in. from the ground.— J. Wallace, 
King’s Lynn. 
- ----- 
WAYSIDE GARDENS. 
One often sees the fronts of cottages by the wayside 
and houses of more pretentious appearance, too, in a 
sadly neglected condition. They either get no 
attention whatever in the way of floral adornment, or, 
having some semblance to cultivation, are abandoned 
to the ruthless ravages of hens. A notable exception 
to this state of matters attracted notice last week at 
an entrance to an East Lothian farm house, which 
might well be imitated in other quarters. A curving 
border was occupied by Bluebells (Scilla nutans), 
white Tulips, and Poet’s Narcissus, in patches of 
varying breadths, quite charming in their irregu¬ 
larity. Recollections of hedgerows and woodlands 
suggested Woodruff as an additional attraction, and 
coloured Tulips, too,.but as it stood, this arrangement, 
though very simple, was very beautiful, all the more 
interesting, perhaps, on account of the late season. 
May blossom is conspicuous by its absence, even the 
historic old Thorn tree, near which Col. Gardiner 
fell on the neighbouring battlefield of Prestonpans, a 
tree noted for its precocity, shows not a hoary streak, 
and forest trees are barely in full foliage yet. The 
deviser of lovely spots by the wayside such as this 
not only gratifies his own tastes, but gladdens the 
heart of the passer by, thus promoting in some 
measure the welfare of his fellow beings, and de¬ 
serves to claim kinship at least with the man who 
makes two blades of grass grow where only one grew 
before.— J. McAra, Kingsburgh, Prestonkirh, May 28 th, 
1900. 
CALCEOLARIAS. 
These gorgeous flowers are much admired by most 
people. They are not always so well grown as they 
might be, so a few hints from a very successful 
grower may help others to like success. Sow the 
seed thinly on a very fine surface ; a mere sprinkling 
of sand is enough, the seeds being so minute. Sow 
about J uly 18th. Stand the pans in a cold frame facing 
north and do not water overhead, but when water is 
required dip the pans to the rim in water for a few 
minutes. As soon as large enough to handle prick 
nto small pots, using plenty of fine leaf-mould in the 
soil. When they require a shift a 3-in. pot is best, 
using a rather richer soil. When these pots are 
filled with roots shift into 5-in. pots, using similar 
soil. This shift should carry them through the 
winter. Early in March place in the flowering pots 
(about 8 in.). In fact, lovely plants can be grown in 
7-in. pots. The compost for this final potting should 
be good fibrous loam two paits, leaf soil one part, 
and coarse sand to keep the soil porous. Some finely 
ground bones and a good sprinkling of Thomson’s 
Manure, complete, suits these plants admirably. 
The chief enemy is greenfly. A nice damp house or 
pit suits them best. They will not stand a dry heat. 
As soon as the roots fill the pots, feed with liquid 
manure — C. Blair, Binny, Uphall. 
-- 
W00DSIDE, PAISLEY, N.B. 
This, the residence of Archibald Coates, Esq., is 
situated even in closer proximity to the town of 
Paisley than F'erguslie House, which was briefly 
described in The Gardening World two weeks 
ago. The Coates have always been about Paisley, 
perhaps at a time when the town was a distance from 
their estates, and their inherent love and the old 
associations binds them to the old homes now. I 
did not enquire the acreage of either of the places, 
and it would be useless to make a guess at this 
period of time. The houses of the demesnes are in 
both cases comfortable and secure in their encircling 
stretch of garden land and pleasure grounds, and 
occupy commanding positions on high ground, which 
allows of far-reaching views. The southern horizon 
from Woodside is bounded by the Gleniffer Hills, 
while on the other sides the undulating land forms 
part of the Vale of Clyde. The region is well-known 
from quite a number of events or causes, but these 
may not be broached upon at this time. 
Nearly every Scottish gardener has heard of, or 
has seen the wonderful indoor rockery at Woodside. 
Mr. F. Hogg, gardener to Mr. Coates, is proud of 
it, and right well manages it. Briefly described, it 
is a large stone-built house with a great glass roof. 
Seen from the exterior this building is an exceed¬ 
ingly ornamental erection, and no one would guess 
that its bowels were of artificial rock, and that it 
had bridges, falling waters, fountains, winding 
paths, and still pools all within its interior. Yet 
this is just what there is. All manner of suitable 
Ferns, and foliage plants grown from the shelving 
surfaces of the rock, from basement upwards, the 
brink of what would appear from the top as preci¬ 
pices. Paths neatly and smoothly laid and consist¬ 
ing of quartz and coloured stones, wind sinuously 
up and down and round about, displaying each of 
the many features in the house. Begonias with 
large-sized, hairy, and brightly-coloured leaves, and 
others with smooth, and small resplendent foliage, 
and Palms, Bamboos, Aspidistras, Fatsias, Nephro- 
lepis, and Saxifraga sarmentosa, spring up pro¬ 
miscuously from many pockets. The rockery and its 
features are built of red sandstone which was brought 
from the Island of ArraD, forty or fifty miles away. 
It is twenty years old, and still remains in fresh 
condition. 
Close by, and connected with this rockery by a 
show conservatory where greenhouse flowering 
plants in their season are always to be seen, there is 
a plant stove well furnished with a fine collection of 
well grown plants, Cycas revoluta, Dasylirion 
Hookerii, Dracaenas, Crotons, Xanthosoma Lindenii, 
Kentias, and Phoenix in the popular varieties, 
Lygodium Scandens, Asparagus Sprengerii, Stepha- 
notis floribunda, Fittonia argyrea, F. gigantea, 
Eucbaris grandiflora, and Pancratiums. The 
Eucharis are fine large specimens, and throw up a 
great quantity of blooms which are very welcome 
for many of the decorative needs of the Woodside 
Mansion. In one of these stoves (for there are a 
few) are to be seen some splendid pieces of Anthur- 
