March 21 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD „ 
261 
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 
The Editor invites enquiries for reply in this column. These 
enquiries may cover any branch of gardening. Questions should be 
put as briefly as possible, and wr itten on one side of the paper only ; 
a separate sheet of paper should be used for each question. 
Readers are also invited to give their fellow gardeners the benefit 
of their experience by sending supplementary replies. 
Replies cannot be sent by post, even if a stamped, addressed 
envelope is enclosed , and the return of specimens cannot be undertaken. 
Anonymous communications are treated in the usual editorial manner . 
Address letters: The Editor, “The Gardening World,” 37 and 
38, Shoe Lane, London, E.C. 
Water Plants for a Tank (it. Wi). 
There are numerous aquatics which may be suitable for grow¬ 
ing in tanks of moderate size. These may be described roughly 
as ° 0 f two classes, namely, those that are ornamental by reason 
of their flowers, and those which might be described as fine 
foliage plants. We are not particularly sure of your views on 
this point, so we will name a few of each. Showy flowering 
plants would include such as Iris Pseudacorus, Butomus 
umbellatus, Menyanthes trifoliata, Limnanthes peltatum, 
Pontederia cordata, Sagittaria sagittifolia fl. pi., S. japonica 
fl. pi., and Water Lilies. For fine varieties of the latter see 
another column under the heading of “Hardy Water Lilies.” 
The yellow "Water Lilies include such as 1 N. advena, which has 
larger flowers than Nuphar lutea and red stamens. In the way 
of fine foliage plants you may plant Iris Pseudacorus variegatus, 
Acorus Calamus variegatus, and Acorus grimineus variegatus. 
Cut and Uncut Potatos (R. G. B.). 
There are different opinions upon the subject, but it would 
be waste of material to plant large tubers without cutting 
them, provided you are given any such for planting. About 
two or four cuts would be sufficient for veiy large tubers, because 
we think it advisable to use very strong eyes in preference to 
those that are decidedly weak. We have, however, seen every 
available eye used for making sets of Potatos, but unless increase 
in the number of sets is the object aimed at, we think it 
undesirable to multiply for the mere sake of getting numbers. 
A more regular and even crop will be obtained by planting strong 
sets at regular distances than having them unequal in size or 
crowded together. If you utilise large sets you should cut them 
a few days in advance of planting, so that the cut surfaces might 
dry up by exposure to the air. It is advisable, when you have the 
opportunity of selecting your own Potatos, to select tubers of 
moderate size, and to plant them whole. If these are sprouted 
previous to being planted, you could with advantage remove a 
number of the weaker eyes, leaving at least one strong sprout 
at the top end of the tubers to furnish the haulm. 
Are Lilies Herbaceous Perennials ? (J. W. H.). 
All of the true Lilies are perennials in the ordinary botanical 
sense of the term, because they have a persistent form or state, 
either as bulbs or rhizomes. It is also botanically correct to 
say that they are herbaceous, because none of them are in any 
way woody. Strictly speaking, then, it is quite correct to term 
them herbaceous perennials or hardy herbaceous plants, and to 
distinguish between them and the ordinary inhabitants of the 
herbaceous border it Would be necessary to state whether or not 
bulbs are excluded from exhibits of hardy herbaceous perennials. 
Tomatos Becoming Rotten in the Centre (Subscriber). 
It would be difficult to say for certain what is the matter with 
j your Tomatos without having specimens to examine. You say 
the fruit goes rotten in the centre and appears as if scalded. 
That would point to the fruit being affected with the black spot 
of Tomatos, but the indications of the disease are so well 
marked that you could hardly mistake it if you have once seen 
it and been informed of its true nature. Nothwithstanding 
these facts, it may be due to an entirely different cause, and to 
i enable us to help you it would be necessary that you send us 
specimens for examination. We have seen the stems and leaves 
of Tomatos going black, particularly those reared and fruited in 
the early part of the season, and yet there was no evidence of any 
fungoid disease nor of injury by insects. Early-sown Tomatos 
are particularly liable to„_ be affected by the unpropitious 
character of the weather, more particularly when the light is 
feeble and sunshine more or less absent. The tissues of the plant 
are altogether so soft that they are liable to injury or damage of 
a peculiar nature, showing itself in the partial collapse of the 
stems or leaves, according to which are the most damaged. 
We fear also that under those conditions cultivators'are liable to 
keep the house too close, and the Tomatos suffer on account of 
the want of air. The close atmosphere, of course, favours growth 
in the first instance, and the Tomatos seem to be growing 
vigorously, but sooner or later they collapse, owing to the feeble¬ 
ness of light and the lack of a free current of air playing about 
them. If that was really the matter with them, shading would 
only augment the evil, for Tomatos really love the sun. The 
remedy would be to give more air, even if necessary to use a little 
more fire heat to keep up the temperature. 
Parcel or Box Missing. 
The Post Office authorities have brought us a label with our 
address correctly written upon it, and bearing the post mark of 
Walk Mill, and the date March 14th. There is no other com¬ 
munication on the label, and we take this opportunity of caning 
tne attention of our readers to the fact, so tiiat the mistake, ii 
possible, may be rectified. The label had no doubt been in¬ 
securely tied. 
Address of Mr. Druery. (W. L.). 
The full address is : C. T. Druery, Esq., 11, Shaa Road, Acton, 
London, W. 
Woodlice and Melons. 
A correspondent, Air. W. Bukinshaw, writes to us that if 
“Inquirer” would introduce a toad to his Melon house his 
trouble would be at an end so far as woodlice are concerned. We 
may say that some people keep green tree frogs in their Orchid 
houses, but in all probability tne ordinary British toad would be 
more serviceable in a Melon house than a foreign animal would 
be. It would also stay more at home, and all that the cultivator 
need do is to' contrive to keep it off the paths to prevent its 
being trodden upon. If accustomed to stay on the Melon bed it 
would give no trouble there. 
Ferns for a Wardian Case. (R.W.). 
There are several of the British Ferns which would answer your 
purpose admirably. Amongst the evergreen species we should 
lay stress upon Asplemum marinum, A. Trichomanes, A. Adian- 
tum-mgrum, A. viride, and A. Ceterach. There is also a larger 
growing variety named A. C. aureum, which is fully as easy to 
cultivate as the type, and is more effective. You might also plant 
the common Alaidenhair Fern (Adiantum Capilius-Veneris), 
some forms of which have short fronds, and maite very pretty 
tufts of dwarf habit. Small plants of Scolopendnum are also 
very useful on account of their hardy vigorous habit and durable 
qualities. The Killamey Fern (Trichomanes radicans) grows 
very well under such conditions, but is liable to get fairly tall, 
so that you would do well to give it plenty of room. It may be 
necessary, however, to re-arrange the plants more or less in the 
case annually when any of thhin threaten to 1 crowd out their 
neighbours. Seedlings of the Lady Fern are singularly hand¬ 
some and graceful, but they grow rapidly, and very soon would 
require removing elsewhere. 
Depth of Turf for Potting (G. D,). 
The depth to which turf may be cut for the purpose of supply¬ 
ing loam for potting purposes depends chiefly upon the depth to 
which the fibrous roots of the grass descend. As a rule 3in. would 
be quite as deep as the fibres would descend in sufficient quantity 
to make soil of the quality required for pot plants. You could 
still further improve it by placing a layer of well-decayed cow 
manure between every two layers of turf, and leaving the stock 
for the space of six or twelve months to become mellow. Six 
months will usually prove long enough, provided you are in want 
of soil for potting. 
Potato Onions (J. B.), 
The usual method is to treat this type of Onion much In the 
samp, way as you would Shallots. Prepare- the ground as far 
Onions or for Leeks. As the planting may be done at any time 
between Christmas and March, it is now getting late for the 
work. We presume, however, that the ground has already been 
prepared, so that you could proceed to plant it at once. For 
convenience of hoeing and keeping the ground clean, the bulbs 
may be planted in lines 12in. asunder and 8in. apart in the 
lines.' Press the bulbs into the soil sufficiently deep to hold 
them firmly, leaving the apex exposed to the air, and press the 
soil firmly about it. 
Black Currant with Swollen Buds (J. J. H.). 
The presence of large buds is very good evidence that they 
are infested with the Black Currant gall mite. Provided those 
