224 
THE QARDENINU WORLD. 
March 14, 1903. 
weeds are not encroaching on such plants as the Nymphaeas, 
Aponogeton distachyum, Menyantlxes trifoliate, Hottonia 
palustris, Orontium aquaticum, Pontederia cordata, Peltandra 
virginica, and the Sagittarius. If it is desired to increase any 
of the Nymphaeas, small pieces of the rhizome with a crown 
may now be taken off, placed in punnets or small baskets in 
some rich clay, and stood in a shallow stream to start them. 
When they have become nicely rooted transfer to their per¬ 
manent quarters, which, if possible, should be in an open, 
sunny position, and still water. A very good depth for the 
Marliacea, Laydekerii, and tuberosa varieties is from 2|- ft. to> 
3 ft.; for the smaller sowing ones which will include odorata, 
minor, pygmaea, and the yellow variety p. Helveola, from 
15 in. to 18 in., will suffice, while the British white N. alba and 
its variety, candidissima, will succeed admirably in 6 ft. to 
10 ft. of water. , A. E. Thatcher. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
The Stove and Greenhouse. 
The month of March is an extremely busy one for the 
gardener, both under glass and in the open. At this time the 
days are lengthening and the climatic conditions are daily 
becoming more favourable to new life in plants that have been 
enjoying either a partial or entire rest. Having this fact in 
view, it is obvious that the sooner repotting (or other disturb¬ 
ance of the roots necessary) is performed, thei greater chance 
plants have to at once take hold of the new soil, thus receiving 
no check, by which they are enabled to- withstand the hotter 
weather when it comes without being retarded. 
Potting may therefore be considered of great importance at 
this time, and no time should be lost in pushing forward the 
work. In the first, place, see that plenty of different kinds of 
soils are placed under cover in readiness. The composts must 
be neither too wet nor too- diy; to- strike the happy medium 
in this particular is very essential. To repot annually the 
whole of the occupants of the stove or greenhouse is not to be 
recommended; the grower must bring judgment, combined 
with a fair knowledge of the requirements of each genus under 
his charge, to bear upon the matter. 
Feras, for instance, are impatient of a too frequent disturb¬ 
ance of their roots, and equally as good plants may be grown 
by potting many species once in two or three years as by 
performing the operation annually, and ofbtimes much better 
results accrue, provided always that the soil is sweet and the 
drainage remains good. Ferns that have filled their pots with 
roots may be kept in a healthy, robust state for years by feed¬ 
ing with weak liquid manure, alternating this with guano or 
liquid manure powder throughout their season of growth. The 
result will be ample leafage of a bright green hue, absence of 
stunted fronds through the soil becoming sour, and last, but 
not least, the plants can be used in a greater variety of ways 
for adorning rooms in the dwelling than when they are potted 
into larger pots. 
Palms are another genus of plants that thrive under similar 
conditions, and precisely the same remarks apply as with 
Ferns. By all means examine at this season all plants growing 
in pots, but avoid over-potting. By following on these lines 
there will be less call for such extreme caution in affording 
water as is so necessary with newly-potted plants. 
Seed-sowing.—If not already done, seeds of Smilax, Celsia, 
Gloxinia, Asparagus of sorts,'Clerodendron fallax, Begonia, 
etc., for the production of plants for a display in the greenhouse 
and conservatory, should be sown forthwith. 
Annuals should also receive attention now. Sow in pans or 
pots that have been washed and well drained. The compost 
for Asters, Stocks, Marigolds, etc., should consist of old potting 
soil of a light character, whilst that for choicer seeds should 
consist of equal parts peat-, leaf-soil and loam, with sufficient 
sand added to- make the whole porous. Pass it through a 
-j-in. sieve and press fairly firm, and make quite level: then 
sow the seed thinly and cover slightly with finer soil. Give a 
good watering with tepid water through a fine rose and place 
them in heat. K. M. 
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. Exigencies of space at times compel delay in the insertion of many interesting Letters. 
The Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution. 
To the Editor of The Gardening World. 
Sir, —I shall be glad if you can afford space in your journal for 
a few comments on the above-named institution. Like many 
other gardeners, I am not in a position to subscribe to any insti¬ 
tution to benefit others unless I could see a way to benefit myself 
and those dependent on me at the same time. So, in company 
with the late Mr. William Bull, I had an interview with the late 
Mr. Cutler in 1881, who assured me that by becoming an annual 
subscriber for the stated number of years, and should I become 
“ eligible,” I would be entitled to the pension without any trouble 
or expense. Should I become eligible now I should be obliged to 
take part in a very unequal lottery. 
Allowing the necessity of revising the rules, it will be generally 
admitted that the paramount duty of the committee would bellow 
best to i serve the institution and to guard the interests of the old 
members. Have they done so- in either case? I do not think so. 
I will take my own case as an example. From 1882 to 1889 I 
subscribed twenty-three guineas, and I am told that I am entitled 
to 1,600 votes. Now if I had dribbled my subscriptions out over 
twenty-three years I should have been entitled under the new 
rules to 2,300 votes. Now there can be no question as to the 
institution benefiting considerably more from receiving subscrip¬ 
tions in the lump as compared to guineas annually, yet I have 
seven guineas standing to my credit which I receive no benefit 
from whatever. So if I had five or seven guineas to spare at the) 
present time, what inducement is there for me to send it to the- 
G.R.B. Institution? 
Or take the case of A, B, and C. A has been a life member 
for forty-nine years, B an annual or life subscriber for ten years, 
and C can subscribe to an unlimited extent in one year, and what 
are their several awards? I have had some correspondence with 
the secretary and others, and I have suggested how the funds of 
our institution may be benefited and the position of the old 
members improved. Will anything be done? That depends 
entirely on the members of the institution. Personally, I only 
ask for justice. Give me that, and I will do my utmost to help 
increase the funds. I can do nothing while £1 Is. is worth 
100 votes and £9 9s.—nothing. Thanking you in anticipation. 
—I am, Sir, etc., It. H. Robinson. 
Weed Killer on Walks in Garden and Policies. 
To the Editor of The Gardening World. 
Sir, — I have often used Smith’s weed-killer on the walks 
and approaches, and found it very profitable, but I have been 
stopped from using it because of the danger in the poison affect¬ 
ing the feet of dogs and other pet animals. I never have seen 
nor heard of any damage being done to those pet animals through 
the use of weed-killer. I should be very glad to get the opinion 
of a few other gardeners through the columns of The Gardening 
World on the above-mentioned poison. 
Head Gardener. 
Gardening Chart for Amateurs. 
To the Editor of The Gardening World. 
Sir, — I am wanting a gardening chart or guide for amateur 
gardening, giving particulars of plants, Palms and Ferns, and 
what is necessary to be done thereto in a greenhouse and flower 
garden each month in rotation. I have seen many gardening 
works, but not one so arranged that an amateur can take up 
and see at a glance what are his duties month by month. Can 
any of your readers oblige with an answer in The Gardening 
W ultLD ? T. Henry. 
