246 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
March 21, 1903. 
their magnificent autumn tints. Other varieties which should 
find a place are A. carpinifolium, with foliage like the Horn¬ 
beam, A. diabolicum, A. trifidum, and A. rufinerve albo-limba- 
tum. All the above are practically hardy, but a sheltered 
position is the most suitable, as the young leaves are sometimes 
injured by frost in spring. These also make charming pot 
plants for conservatory decoration, as the foliage is perfectly 
developed unblemished. 
Shrubs which were protected on the approach of winter 
should now have the covering material removed. 
A. E. Thatcher. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
Stove and Greenhouse. 
Chrysanthemums.'—It is not too late to insert cuttings for 
producing plants for decorative purposes. Take them off with 
a heel, it possible, and place singly in thumb-pots; or, if large 
numbers are required, several may be inserted round the sides 
of larger pots. The advantage in striking singly in small pots 
is that the roots are not disturbed when potting on; this is 
unavoidable in the other instance, and the young plants some¬ 
times receive a rather severe check. Aim at growing freely yet 
sturdily throughout. The next shift should be into 3-1-in. pots, 
and when these are full of roots, into 6-in. pots. The soil best 
suited for the first shift from the cutting pot should consist 
of equal parts of loam, leaf-soil and well-decayed manure, add¬ 
ing sufficient sand to' keep it open. Pass through a 1-in. sieve, 
and pot moderately firm. The greenhouse or warm-pit is best 
for the young plants from the time they leave the propagating 
frame until the beginning of April, when they may be removed 
to cold frames. Those plants intended for large blooms should 
by now be shifted on into 6-in. pots, and as they become 
established in them they also may be grown in cold frames. 
Svringe the-plants overhead twice or thrice daily and avoid 
over-watering. 
Dahlias. -If not already done, the old roots should bei taken 
from the stove and placed in a warm house to start-. When 
they produce cuttings 2 in. or 3 in. in length, take off with a 
heel and strike them. If grown on quickly they will make 
better plants for disposing in the garden than the old ones. 
Cuttings emit roots freely if placed in a frame, put on a 
half-spent hot-bed. 
The Conservatory should now be gay with various forced 
shrubs, bulbs and other greenhouse subjects. Maintain a 
buoyant atmosphere to exclude damp. Azaleas of sorts a,nd 
many other greenhouse plants that flower in the early spring 
months should be removed, as they pass out of flower, to- a 
warm structure where abundance of humidity is present in. th© 
atmosphere, for the purpose of encouraging new growth, which, 
-when ripened in summer, will produce a wealth of blossom 
another season. Too often these plants are cast on one side 
when past their best; consequently, they flower but feebly m 
the ensuing season. 
Myrsiphyllum asparagoides. -This useful twining plant is 
commonly called Smilax, and is very much in request for table 
and other decoration. Sow seed at once ii not- already rone, 
and when the young plants attain about 3 in. in height, pot- off 
three in thumb pots and grow on freely. The next shift- will 
lie into 3-1-in. pots, and finally into 6 in. or 7 in. Good trails 
3 ft. or 4 ft. in length may be taken from these the same year 
as sown, provided liberal culture is given. Place the plants, 
at the foot of a back wall in a- cool or temperate house, and fix 
strings about 5 in. apart for the growths to- cling to. Allow 
but- two shoots, to each string. Afford manuria-1 waterings as 
the pots become filled with roots. 
Pits and Frames.—Anv hardy or ha-lf-ha-rdy plants that have 
been wintered in the cold frames or pits should now be stood 
in a sheltered position in the open and the frames cleaned and 
otherwise prepared for receiving Pelargoniums and various 
other bedding plants to harden prior to bedding out. K. M. 
Letters to the Editor. 
The Question of Trenching. 
To the Editor of The Gardening World. 
Sir, —My article to “ Charles Blair ” some time ago brought 
an answer written evidently in a very angry mood, or in a high 
state of excitement—it matters little which, _ as it contained 
nothing hut a continuation of nasty, insinuating, personal re¬ 
marks. To put it in a nutshell, he lias stated his ideas as facte, 
and feels so much injured by being corrected that, in place of 
being grateful, he states as facts some of his ideas as to the cor¬ 
rector’s stock of courtesy, brains, nature, seeing ourselves as 
others see us, etc. I presume he rhymes that verse over about 
the “ giftie ” inwardly from time to time. He tries to throw out 
that I endeavour to impress on “ G. W.” readers that I grew 
Tomatos and Cucumbers out of doors. I trust they know better. 
My reason for mentioning these was that I am led to believe that 
in this locality they were in some jiarts a rather late and 
indifferent crop. 
I am not at all satisfied with “ C. B.’s ” answer to my “ epistle.” 
He does not make even a single attempt to hack up his “ inno¬ 
cently enough ” statement. He cannot—I cannot—contradict it, 
for I, like him, have not seen the result- of my treatment of the 
parts operated on, and whatever possessed him to enter such a 
sentence in his letter is to me a question. Perhaps he was under 
the impression that it, in a way. decked it off; hut to my idea- it 
took the goodness out of it. This other affair, I am afraid, is 
written under a slight, touch of jealousy, and truly I feel sorry 
that a person claiming to he a man and a gardener could make up 
his mind to put in print such a bundle of remarks about a fellow- 
creature without sufficient cause. 
He also forms the idea that my letter to him made me the 
laughing stock of the locality. He surely ran round for opinions ; 
hut my belief is that the locality is not so apt to give away its 
opinions. However, he will know best as to the truthfulness of 
the statement. I cannot say, but a laughing face is cheerier- 
looking than a frowning one. One thing he does, and does with a 
relish, and justly so, is his partaking of Mr. Beckett’s humble pie 
to a considerable extent, and I am certain had Mr. Beckett’s 
signature appeared with his article he would have been saved the 
trouble of hacking up his genuine, conscientious advice as well as 
giving away his pie. 
I still adhere to my former statement, and sav that there is a- 
vast spar‘d between trenching and the manner I treated part of 
these gardens. 
I trust “ C. B.” will take advantage of his invitation to see 
the gardens here, and by then I will try to learn the meaning of 
courtesy in case he may be dependent on my services. 
I also send a hearty invite to “ Willow Tree,” who is living in 
prospect of a good thing, and before closing I suppose I must be 
courteous and thank him for his friendly remarks, but by the 
time I see him he may be a “ Weeping Willow Tree.” 
In Scotland. I may inform “ Cal,” Raspberries are called 
“Rasps,” pronouncing all the letters. There is no “i” between 
p and -s. “ Rasp-is,” I believe, would suit well down along, as in 
that part a wasp nest is described or spoken of as a “ waspis 
nestis.” I trust I may not be sorry for trying to help him ; if so, 
do not rub it in too hard. T. S. 
Standard Orchard Trees. 
To the Editor of The Gardening World. 
Sir, — 1 must apologise for neglecting to say that the few 
remarks I make re orchard were exclusively applied to standard 
orchard trees. I would also like to express my thanks to “ A. W. 
for his very practical remarks, as I fully endorse the principle of 
bush or pyramid trees as giving the quickest and best results, 
although I think 6ft. too close for permanent trees, as it gives 
very little room for root priming, which must necessarily be 
performed to keep the trees in good fruiting order. I also think 
that the major part of the bush and pyramid trees are grown near 
the paths in the- kitchen garden, or form a background to 
herbaceous borders, and are not- usually grown in a plot to them 
selves. Our standard trees have given a very good account of 
themselves. Perhaps the nurserymen will take the hints and do 
away with growing standard trees, especially as the rising genera¬ 
tion is expected to do so much better than the past. 
“H. E. E. 
