94 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
January 31, 1903. 
Hand-List of Herbaceous Plants.* 
The first edition, of the Kew “ Hand-List of Herbaceous 
Plants ” has long been out of print, which shows that it has 
often been wanted by visitors at Kew and others. We may 
state, however, that it was one of the first hand-lists printed, 
and has, therefore, long been out of date, owing to the additions 
that have since been made to the collection at Kew and the 
loss of some of the plants then recorded. 
The new edition runs to 1,235 pages, but, of course, the left- 
hand page of each sheet is left blank for the insertion of addi¬ 
tions and memoranda by the owner of the book, so that the 
hand-list, which runs to over 600 pages, makes a very lengthy 
list. The first edition estimated that approximately six thou¬ 
sand herbaceous plants were grown at Kew, including some not 
very well marked varieties. This number has now been in¬ 
creased to eight thousand—a fact of sufficient importance to 
all cultivators of herbaceous plants to have this book in their 
library for ready reference as to the correct names of their 
plants. 
The alphabeticaTaiTangement will prove very convenient to 
non-botanists, as reference may be made to the plants in the 
same way as one would in a dictionary. The book cannot fail 
to be of service in other respects, as it contains the popular 
names of those plants which possess one. This is a concession 
which was not made in the first edition. 
The native country, of the species will also serve as a guide to 
the character of the climate in which the plant grows, and which 
may, in some cases, be imitated or copied in this country where 
practicable. Many names are recorded which would not be 
required in a private collection, but that is of small importance 
considering that this is not a selection of plants, but includes 
all those that are grown at Kew. Its value, therefore, lies in 
the fact of its being a reference book in which the correct 
names of the plants may be found. 
Synonyms are given in italics, so that the cultivator can 
distinguish between those which are incorrectly or wrongly 
applied and those which are botanically correct. 
We should have been pleased if it had been possible to in¬ 
clude the date of introduction as well as the native 1 habitat of 
the plants under notice, because it would have given the rela¬ 
tive age or newness and novelty of the plant. 
To give an idea of the puzzling character of many of the 
names to be found in gardens, it may be stated that Adonis 
aestivalis has no less than three synonyms. The better known 
A vernalis is known by four other names besides the correct 
one. Those who have a collection of plants could therefore see 
at a glance what is the correct name of the plants which may 
be in their possession. In the same way the non-botanist may 
be slightly puzzled with certain of the genera with which he 
may not be familiar. For instance, in referring to Triticum 
repens, the Couch Grass, he will find that it is placed under 
Agropyron repens. This is merely given as an instance how 
one may get at the correct names, when any of the old genera 
happen to be broken up, and species placed under them may 
be distributed under one or more other genera. 
It may be a little puzzling to remember all the fresh names, 
but if the reader has occasion to refer to them much, he will 
soon get familiar with the change, and be able to remember 
the correct name as well as the erroneous one. The great 
value of a proper and correct nomenclature is that in course of 
time we may be enabled to systematise and correct the names 
in all collections throughout the country, so that uniformity 
in names would bring about a much-needed reform in the whole 
subject of nomenclature. 
“ Hand-list of Herbaceous Plants cultivated in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.' 
(Second Edition.) London : So’d at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Printed for 
His Majesty's Stationery Office by Darling and Son, Ltd , 34-40, Bacon Street, E, 
1902. Price Is. 9d. 
The Azalea. 
The varieties of this genus now in cultivation are numerous, 
and all gardeners are acquainted with a greater or less number 
of them. The brilliancy and peculiar freshness exhibited by 
their flowers, combined with the profuse manner in which they 
are produced on healthy plants, are qualities that place Azalea's 
in the. front rank of flowering plants, and no other class of 
greenhouse subjects can successfully compete with them as 
regards producing a brilliant and striking floral display from 
January to June. In the colour and formation of their 
flowers they present an amount of varied and interesting 
beauty that is equalled by few other classes of greenhouse 
23lants. 
Other qualities possessed by Azaleas are that, as a rule, they 
are of a compact habit of growth, and, when pi operly treated, 
never fail to produce an annual crop of flowers in great 
abundance. Their free-flowering habit, while the plants aie 
small, renders them veiy appropriate and useful subjects for 
taking part in floral decorations in the dwelling-house, where 
such are in request. As subjects for cutting from, they are 
extremely useful, their flowers being adapted both for bouquet- 
making and arranging in vases. And, further, Azaleas are 
easily forced for a supply of flowers in winter ; but the process, 
to be successful, must be gradual. ’ 
If the plants are brought at once from the temperature of 
the greenhouse to a structure where the temperature is, say, 
70 deg. or 75 deg., the likelihood is that the wood-buds will 
burst into growth, and the flower-buds will damp off or go 
“ blind,” and thereby defeat the end in view. The proper 
way is to place the plants in a temperature of from 50 deg. to 
55 deg. at first, and keep them in this temperature until the 
flower-buds are seen to. be- on the move ; then a rise of 5 deg. 
or 10 deg. in the temperature will cause the flowers to expand 
before the wood-buds have made much growth. 
The propagation of Azaleas is accomplished by seeds, cut¬ 
tings, or grafting, but they can be bought cheap from the 
nurseries at a flowering stage, and few gardeners have the 
accommodation, etc., to propagate them. The repotting of 
established plants is best done just after they have done flower¬ 
ing, but before transferring them to larger pots. See that their 
balls of roots are thoroughly moist. It- is also important to 
success that the drainage be- ample and neat-ly arranged, so that 
it will remain in a satisfactory state until repotting has to be 
done again. A suitable compost for Azaleas consists of good 
fibrous peat and coarse river sand, using four parts in bulk of 
peat to one part of sand. When applying the compost to 
the roots, make- it as firm as possible; do not fill the pots 
over full, but leave plenty of room for holding water. After 
being repotted, the plants should- be placed in a temperature 
of 60 deg., shaded from sunshine, supplied with plenty of 
atmospheric moisture, and a moderate amount of air for six 
weeks or so, after which time they should get as much air as 
possible. 
About- the middle of July the plants should be placed out of 
doors, where they may remain until the middle of September. 
While standing outside, plunge the pots to the rim in ashes to 
in-event any damage that may be done- to the roots by the 
action of the sun on the sides of the pots. This operation will 
keep the roots in a nice moist condition much longer than if 
it was not done, and thereby save a deal of watering. 
Insects. — Azaleas are liable to- be attacked by mealy-bug, 
scale, greenfly, red spider, and thrips. The two- last insects 
give most trouble. Thrips, in particular, have a special liking 
for Azaleas, and, if not checked in time, soon destroy the plants. 
A good washing with the syringe now and again will keep 
these insects in check ; but if thrips get numerous, give a strong 
dose of tobacco fumes. R. McK. 
St. Catherine’s. 
DELAYS in the post may he avoided if you will, 
at once, alter the address of THE GARDENING 
WORLD in your books to 37 and 38, Shoe Lane, 
London, E.C. 
