24 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
January 10, 1003. 
WITHOUT PREJUDICE. 
Quizzings by “Cal.” 
There are two small items I have to correct. 
* * * 
Firstly, in referring to the Cactus Dahlia J. W. Wilkinson, 
I used the initials “ J. 13.,” and, when speaking of Aster diffuses 
horizontalis, I alluded to it as dumosus. I raise my hat to 
all concerned. Mr. Melville fully deserves the editorial con¬ 
gratulations. 
* * * 
The past season has not been first class for Onion growing, 
thick necks and bad-keeping bulbs being more plentiful than 
desired 1 . Last season was one of the best, as on my special 
patch I lifted a number running 4 lb. in weight. However, 
these giant Onions are not desirable for ordinary use, an 8-oz. 
Onion being an excellent culinary specimen. 
* * * 
Considering the enormous importations, to wit, 6,982,420 
bushels in eleven months, it seems surprising that more are 
not grown. There is money in Onions — in fact, unequalled 
by any vegetable, save Celery — if they are grown the right way. 
-x* * * 
There are men in America making 400 dols. to 800 dols. 
per acre at Onion culture, but, as may be surmised', their 
methods are right up to date. I am in doubt as to whether 
a few details would prove acceptable to' the editorial depart¬ 
ment. Perhaps the chairman will say ? 
[A few details should be interesting. — E d.] 
* * * 
There is not a little interest■ attached to the question as to 
Bees and Sw-eet Peas. I am entirely in agreement with A. 
Hemsley, who writes to “ The Florists’ Exchange,” for I do 
not believe there is a single instance of cross fertilisation by 
insects. 
* * * 
The varieties now in commerce, which were not hand 
crossed, are really freaks of nature, or, in other words, sports. 
Mr. Hutchins once mentioned that he had observed a small 
bee settle upon the flowers, and had wondered whether the 
insect inserted its ovipositor through the body of the bud. 
Doubtless he has since definitely decided on this score. 
* * * 
As J. Fraser states, the pollen is decimated before the bud 
opens, and, like him, I have watched bees settle upon the 
flowers, and force the keel downwards, exposing the pollen- 
covered pistil or style. 
* * * 
Speaking of big Onions, did not Carter’s illustrate an Onion 
a year or two ago which scored over 5 lb. 1 [it was 41- lb.— 
Ed.] I speak from memory, but I believe I saw such a" state¬ 
ment in their catalogue. 
* * * 
To refer to other countries’ productions one would expect 
California to do something bio-, but I have never seen a single 
record of a 4-lb. Onion. 
■X" -X" -Ar 
I have some big things by me, and will hunt them up for 
readers’ edification — not merely Yankee skyscrapers, but 
actual facts. 
* * * 
The weather again! Snow on the 4th, freeze until the 11th, 
slight thaw, rain, rapid thaw ; then bitter north-easters, which 
gave rise to the curious Kentish, “ Cold old blow, eh? ” Then 
more rain, and still more, followed by “ Beastly muggy, ain’t 
it? Not healthy, you know,” “ Phew ! ’tis warm, and no error.” 
Respecting' the Sweet Briers suggested to W. Cox, I may say 
that I have reaped much pleasure from the varieties mentioned 
•by growing them on pillars formed of three Bean poles wired 
together at the top. The poles should be creosoted, and a 
simple way is to dip in tar and drive into a heap of loose ashes, 
thus forming a coating or asphalte. Cal. 
Malmaison Carnation Culture. 
This class of Carnation is largely grown, but it is very seldom 
one comes across them grown to' perfection owing to their not 
being properly understood. I happened to-notice in November 
last year .some Malmais-on Carnations in Melon houses at two 
different gardens. They were, as I thought, infested with rust, 
owing to a hot and humid atmosphere and, most likely, no 
ventilation. Anyone who purchases a fresh stock from some 
place like Newton Don, need never have rust or greenfly if he 
treats them properly. The first will never appear if they are 
treated as 1 describe. The last will not appear' either if they 
are fumigated now and again with XL all. 
They ought to be layered outside of a piece of ground where 
an early crop'has been. They will root nicely, and lift with 
good balls in a mixture of one barrow load) of loam to two of 
leaf mould, and three of sand. Proceed by knocking them out 
of pot®, and laying- them in prepared places on their sides. 
They will require' a watering after ; then put sashes over them, 
raised on pots, so that the air will pass among them; they 
must be shaded from all sunshine'. 
They will be ready for potting in six weeks or thereby, hut 
a week before sever them from the old plants. Prepare a mix¬ 
ture of fibrous loam, only two parts, one part leaf mould, one 
part wood ashes, and one part sand, ‘with a dash of soot. Com¬ 
mence by potting the largest into 6-in. pots, which must be 
well drained, with moss over the crocks, and pot firmly. The 
smaller plants can be potted into 5-in. pots. When potted 
remove them to the Carnation house, and waf er with a fine rose 
only, and shade from sunshine. 
Shading can be discontinued after -October. Give full ven¬ 
tilation at all times, top and bottom, except on the occasion 
of very severe frosts. After October heat can be turned on 
the side pipes, with a little also on the bottom ones. After 
the first watering they will need careful attention, and must 
not be watered, except they need it, and on no account wet 
the foliage in spring when the sun’s rays are felt. They must 
be shaded right on till done flowering. 
As they -begin to grow in spring, water with weak liquid 
manure twice a Hveek, composed of sheep- droppings, cow dung, 
and soot. All side blooms ought to be broken out. as they 
appear, to throw the strength into the main bloom. They 
will also require staking in spring; 18 in. to- 2 ft. will be 
long enough. Another hint I forgot. When they are potted 
up, have a double -stage ; put, them on the top one-, as near the 
glass a® possible, and let them down on the bottom one in 
spring, as they will be growing too near the glass-. When they 
are flowering, choose the- best for potting into 8-in. pots 
as bushes, with five or six shoots. C rifts. 
Ficus Elastica at Peradeniya. 
■From the specimens that are to be seen in this country 
little can be gleaned of the general aspect of this plant, when 
it attains the size of a tree. In the “ Revue de l’Horticulture 
Beige ” for December an illustration is given of what appears 
to be an old overgrown hedge of Ficus elastica at the entrance 
to the Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, Ceylon. The trees become 
branched after a time, but the lower portion of the tru nk 
appears gaunt, angular, rugged and developed into various 
strange shapes. The base of the trunk is much thickened, 
ribbed, keeled, and throws out great ribbed and interlacing 
roots that run over the top of the ground. 
