‘296 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
January 5 , 1901. 
i nts for Amateurs. 
Preparing for Seed Sowing, &c.—Every nursery 
firm is at present finishing off ns seed catalogue, 
if not already finished, and so soon as these are into 
the hands of the customers the lists of necessary 
flowers and vegetables, &c., are ticked off, and per¬ 
haps a few of the season's novelties. It is well to 
order early, and everything should be prepared in 
good time, so as to avoid anything in the nature of a 
standstill or a block. The principles of seed sowing 
differ but slightly for all kinds of seeds sown at this 
time. Avoid too thick or too deep sowing, and thin 
out the seedlings before they become crowded in the 
seed pans. 
German Irises.—When the German Irises are in 
bloom and at their best few flowers in the garden 
approach their standard of beauty and wealth of 
qualities. The common Iris germanica is grown in 
nearly all gardens,but there are at least a dozen varie¬ 
ties whose presence would be a source of attraction 
in any garden. It was more of the pot culture of 
these Irises, however, that I wished to write. Few 
gardeners, so far as I have been able to see, have 
attempted to cultivate the roots in pots ; yet they 
can be had in flower with very little coaxing. The 
plan is to lift and pot up some of the best rhizomes 
about the beginning of March or even earlier, and 
after having allowed the soil to settle the plants may 
be placed in a temperature of 6o°, which may be in¬ 
creased or lowered a few degrees on either side with¬ 
out debilitating the plants. In three weeks’ time the 
growth of the flower spike appears. When the 
flowers themselves have begun to expand the plants 
may be conveyed to the greenhouse, where they will 
remain as objects of interest and admiration. I 
think that amateur gardeners, even more than thepro- 
fessional members, might make use of this hint, for 
the smaller greenhouses stand in greater need of 
having something new than do those of large, well- 
maintained gardens. 
Lilium auratum.—Good bulbs for pot culture 
should be potted up now. The sooner they are into 
the soil the better for them, for when long exposed 
their value somewhat deieriorates. 
Lilium longifolium eximium, better known as L. 
Harrisii, may be kept on the stages of a cool Peach 
house in the meantime. Where the bulbs are 
wanted for Faster flowering they will have to be 
placed on a shelf in an early Peach house, when the 
latter is started in January. The plants should then 
be vigorously syringed once or twice a day with 
chilled water. This will keep them free from green¬ 
flies and kindred pests. Feeding and top-dressing 
should not be forgotten, but these must be judi¬ 
ciously practised, else the plants, being soft, are left 
open to the diseases which are known to cripple 
them. 
Forced or Forcing Bulbs at present under cover 
of ashes or fibre must not be neglected too long for 
fear they may have become etiolated. Those that 
are in growth (and most of the Hyacinths, Nar¬ 
cissi, Tulips, and smaller bulbs have started) should 
be taken up, or at least should have the covering 
removed, but may be left in a cool place till they are 
taken in to heat. If they are by the side of walls or 
in cold frames protective material must be always 
at hand in order to cover them securely agaimt 
frost. 
Fuchsias.—Young plants that have not been 
potted on since the end of autumn will most likely 
require a small shift immediately after the New 
Year. Employ a moderately light compost and pot 
firmly. The plants will be most serviceable as bush 
specimens, and must, therefore, be pinched and 
staked, so as to get this form of development. Over- 
potting and a higher temperature than 6o Q by day 
and 55 0 by night is certain to result in plants with 
luxuriant and too sappy shoots. Be generous, but 
be judicious. 
Pentstemons.—The cuttings in the frames must 
be kept well aired and, so long as the damp weather 
continues, they must be kept free from anything 
likely to cause decomposition of ihe leaves or stems. 
Fallen leaves that blow in about them should be 
picked off. Pentstemons are hard/ in all ordinary 
winters in the south, so that the young plants can be 
planted out early in the spring season. They enjoy 
a good loamy soil, and where the quality of the land 
is light steps will need to be taken to enrich it. The 
Pentstemons are very frequently called Penstemons, 
the letter " t ” being dropped. But when one 
remembers that the name is derived from the fact 
that the flowers have five stamens, the presence of 
the “ t ” is made evident. The other plants of the 
same order as the Pentstemon, that is, the Scrophu- 
larineae, have generally five stamens, but in this 
order the stamens of some of the genera are 
variously modified, and four is often found. The 
florists’ varieties of Pentstemons have descended 
mainly from two perennial varieties, P. Cobaea and 
and P. Hartwegi, both of which have reddish-crim¬ 
son flowers, and hail from the western regions of 
North America. By selecting from, and crossing 
with these early introduced species,the present dwarf, 
bushy, and floriferous plants with bell-mouth flowers 
have been obtained. Just as in everything else, once 
a certain degree of progress and development has 
been attained further advancement goes along 
quickly, so with Pentstemons. Each year brings 
some fine new varieties whose merits may lie in 
their increased brilliancy of colour, larger and better 
formed, attractive flowers, more persistence, hardi¬ 
ness, or improved habit. The latter, however, is now 
as fine as one could wish it to be. An inspection of 
the nurserymen’s catalogues will give anyone a good 
idea of what varieties are popular and advanced. 
Lists usually appear during the showing season in the 
reports published in the gardening journals. 
Asters. — While the seed orders are being 
considered the claims of annual Asters may be 
brought to mind. The genus of the Asters is a very 
varied one, and is most valuable so far as our 
gardens are concerned. The Michaelmas Daisies or 
Starworts and the dwarf, little annuals are grown in 
every garden, and many small gardens without them 
would be of little interest. The annual Asters, 
which include the Victoria, Quilled, Pyramidal, 
Comet, Dwarf German, Crown or Cockade, and the 
Empress "types,” have originated from the old 
Chinese annual Aster, Callistephus hortensis 
(chinensis), introduced 170 years ago. And just as 
wiih the Chrysanthemum, so with the allied genus 
of Aster, each year marks further additions and sees 
so-called new types. These types, which originate as 
freaks or sports from pre-existing types, are naturally 
taken notice of, and eventually after a number of 
years’ selection and improvement the type becomes 
more or less constant, and so adds one more to the 
list. For a fuller description of the annual Asters I 
would refer any who are interested to look up Hints 
for February 3rd of the past year, vol xvi. The 
seeds maybe sown during the second week of March 
on the surface of light soil in pans. These should 
be covered over with glass to be then placed in a 
house, frame, or pit having a temperature of 6o° off 
and on. Prick off the seedlings when a couple 
of seed leaves have appeared, using a light 
soil containing a goodly percentage of leaf- 
mould, say, nearly one-half. By the middle or end 
of May the young plants will be fit for planting in the 
beds or borders 
Pansies and Violas in beds are doing well this 
year, which is but natural after such an open season. 
It is a benefit to them to have the surface soil stirred 
between them. In case of frost a loose soil is even 
better than a firm one. Those who have not cut¬ 
tings or young rooted plants for spring planting, and 
who may still desire to have Pansies, new or old, 
should obtain and sow seeds in February in a gentle 
heat, and these will be fit for planting out in May. 
They must be transplanted, however, from the seed¬ 
ling stage to frames, after which they will be fit for 
planting out. The rich colours of the Wallflower 
strain, sent out by Messrs. Dobbie & Co., should not 
be forgotten. When planting I think that much the 
best effects are obtained when the colours are 
harmonised, that is, all the shades of bronze, red, 
and brown, even to orange-gold should be kept by 
themselves. 
Everlasting Flowers are always popular because 
they supply flowers that when properly treated can 
be had for room decoration in winter. The seeds of 
Ammobiums, Helicrysiums, Acrocliniums, Rho- 
danthes, or Helipterums as they are now properly 
named ; Waitzias and various species of Statice as 
S. latifolia, S. Fortunei and S. Bonduellii, may all be 
sown along with other flower seeds in frames in 
March, or outside in May. The Rhodanthes are 
specially pretty, but most of the other " Immor¬ 
telles " become too artificial-like to call forth much 
admiration from me—not that artificial flowers are 
not sometimes beautiful in their way. 
Correspondence. 
Questions asked 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. 
Royal Horticultural Society’s Examination.— 
Aspirant : It is true that the holding of a First-class 
Certificate gained at an examination of the R.H.S. 
does not secure one distinguished appointments; but 
on the other hand we never knew a case where the 
holder of such certificate was not recognised as 
being at least a more enlightened person than him or 
her who was not a possessor of one. You will find 
that as the R.H.S. goes on and on in prosperity 
and influence the certificates will become more and 
more valuable, and we expect that a man will in 
time be duly respected for having secured this proof 
of his theoretical and practical knowledge. Young 
gardeners in great numbers complain that though 
they may be good practical gardeners yet they cannot 
express themselves well in writing. All the more 
need, say we, for the younger gardeners to practice 
writing and composition which is one of the primary 
essentials towards success in almost any business or 
profession. Write for particulars to the secretary, 
R.H.S., 117, Victoria Street, London, S.W. 
Books Necessary. — S. T. W.: Mr. A. D. 
Webster’s book on “ Hardy Ornamental Flowering 
Trees and Shrubs” price 2s. 3d. post free, is a use¬ 
ful book on this subject. It can be bad from the 
address of this paper. There are a number of good 
and useful books on fruit culture. " Fruit Culture 
for Amateurs,” by Mr. S. T. Wright, price 3s. fid.^ 
published by L. Upcott Gill, 170, Strand, W.C., 
treats in a discursive manner about how to grow the 
various hardy and indoor fruits, and mentions the 
best varieties and their pecularities and qualities. 
"Profitable Fruit growing,” price is. 2d., from 12, 
Mitre Court Chambers, Fleet Street, I^ondon, E.C. ; 
or "Fruits for Cottagers and Small Holders,” 2^d. 
each from the Royal Horticultural Society’s offices, 
117, Victoria Street, London, S.W. These are all 
books or brochures that will be of real service to 
you. 
Hyacinths in Glasses. -R. M.\ The base of the 
bulb should not quite be in the water. Fill up the 
glasses almost to the base of the bulb and then place 
the glass in a dark cnpboard for three weeks. Roots 
will have been emitted and the glasses may then be 
placed on the window sill. A few pieces of fresh 
charcoal in the water preserves the latter in a sweet 
and healthy state. 
Ornamental Plants for a Dwelling House. — 
John Baines : Eurya latifolia variegata, Aspidistra 
lurida and A. 1 . variegata ; Araucaria excelsa, Kentia 
fosteriana, Dracaena sanderiana, Rhaphis flabelli- 
formis, Cordyline (Dracaena) indivisa, C. terminalis, 
C. stricta congesta, Pteris serrulata and its varieties ; 
Cyrtomium falcatum ; Ficus elastica, F. e. variegata, 
Aloysia citnodora, Otaheite Orange, Solanum Cap- 
sicastrum, Richardia aethopica and the smaller 
species of greenhouse Veronicas are all ornamental 
in their way and will succeed in rooms so long as 
there is not an excess of gas in the atmosphere. 
Propagation of Jasminum nudiflorum.— L.F. : 
In a gravelly porous soil this beautiful winter¬ 
flowering plant propagates readily from slips or 
cuttings. Pieces of firm shoots about 1 ft. or more 
in length may be cut through below a joint (all the 
better to have a "heel " of older wood) and should 
then be inserted by the side of a warm wall. This 
should be done in early summer. 
Cypripedium spectabile.— J. R.: The Mocassin 
flower, as this beautiful hardy Cypripedium is com¬ 
monly called, enjoys a dampish situation between 
the shelter of adjacent slopes such as will be 
furnished by a recess in any ordinary rockery. The 
soil should be largely composed of pure peat. Plant 
in April. 
Propagating Yines from Eyes— It. T.: Do this 
early in February. We intend to furnish an article 
on this subject immediately. 
