370 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
April 25, 1903. 
J* 
Readers' Competition—continued. 
Jt 
iiient they cause great damage. If present, syringe the plants 
well, particularly the under side, and then dust with flowers of 
sulphur. Create a moist atmosphere by well damping down, 
wetting likewise the hot water pipes. If done of an evening the 
house may be shut up for the night in this condition, when this 
pest can be conquered. 
A beautiful sport from Gloire de Lorraine is Turnford Hall, 
whose flowers are white and a trifle larger, and which is equally 
as profuse in flowering as its parent. G. D. Rowles. 
The Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae Rhamnoides). 
It is rather surprising to note how seldom the Sea Buckthorn, 
which is a native of the east coast of Britain, is used to advantage 
in our inland gardens. This shrub, well known to most 
gardeners, is low growing, having small linear leaves, which are 
silvery in appearance, and bearing minute yellow flowers, which 
are succeeded by bright orange berries, borne in profusion. It is 
indeed most ornamental in the winter. 
Although a seashore native, it develops its full beauty in any 
deep, rich, .and moist soil, its best position being in some damp 
spot, either near a running stream or lake. 
Being dioecious—.that is to say, it produces its male and female 
flowers on different plants—it is essential that Hie shrubs of both 
sexes should not be growing far apart. One pollen-bearing plant 
is capable of fertilising the female plants for a considerable area. 
It is particularly interesting to observe the movements of the 
stamens, for in damp, weather they are protected by the bnaoteoles, 
which form a hood over .them, and when the weather is dry they 
separate, allowing the pollen to be blown away by the wind. 
The male form is not particularly beautiful, but at the same 
time without the pollen we should not obtain the lovely clusters 
of orange berries which are so welcome about Christmas time. 
If any difficulty prevents one from growing the male plant near 
to the female plant, then it is an excellent idea to graft a small 
piece of the male shrub on to the female shrub, for then there is 
no uncertainty with regard to the production of berries. 
There seems to be no difficulty whatever in the culture of the 
Sea Buckthorn, when given such a position as that previously 
described. Herbert Cowley. 
The Essential Points in the Cultivation of 
Succulents. 
Cactaceous plants are natives of the drier region of South 
America, and are characterised by their succulent, fleshy leaves, 
which Nature has provided to enable them to withstand long 
periods of drought. There are few plants more majestic for 
tropical bedding than some of the Oereus, Opuntia, etc. They 
are much improved by the open air treatment. Another point 
m their favour is that much labour is saved, because the 
amount of water required during the summer months is con¬ 
siderably less than that needed for the well-being of Pelargo¬ 
niums, etc. 
A film effect is produced when the while bed is filled with 
them, the shorter ones, such as Echeverias and Hawortliias, 
being placed near the edge, and the spaces between the plants 
covered with cocoanut fibre. It should be noted that if they 
are plunged they can be easily taken back to their winter 
quarter. 
Even in the winter a house of succulents hath its. charms 
no less renowned than that of 1 he Orchid house, with its more 
aristocratic occupants. 
The ordinary glass structure would suit them providing the 
atmosphere was fairly' dry, and in winter admitting air on 
favourable occasions ; during the warmer part of the year all 
the air possible must be admitted. A slight syringing overhead 
during 'hot days is beneficial. The winter temperature should 
not fall below 45 deg. Eahr., and as cool as possible through 
the summer. 
Great care must be exercised in giving water, especially 
during the winter months, or many will be lost; close observa¬ 
tion is also needed, as they often stand up as if growing, but 
upon examination their roots are decayed, or the plant is rotten 
down the centre. This class of plants are not easily propagated, 
because of their thick stems and leaves, where a large quantity 
of moisture is stored, and if the supply of water is excessive 
(which is the chief cause of failure), the death rate will he 
exceedingly high. 
Aloes will thrive in an ordinary greenhouse temperature, and 
cuttings either of the leaf or stem strike readily in spring in 
sand and crock dust. 
A s soon as rooted pot off into a light compost, consisting c 
loam, peat, leaf mould, and small crocks, or silver sand, t 
keep i ll o soil porous; they can also be increased by suckers 
Agaves can be treated similarly to Aloes as regards propags 
tion, etc. Agave americana striata is a handsome plant, an. 
does well for greenhouse decoration. 
Pbvllocactus is a group which has been much improved c 
late years by hybridists, as periodical visits to our flower show 
will prove. 
The flowers are very beautiful, although they are short livec 
but this is partly made up by the succession of bloom whi- 
can be obtained from a plant well cultivated. It should b 
potted as soon as growth commences in a light, rich soil c 
loam, peat, leaf mould, and a little rotten cow manure ma 
be added with advantage. Propagation is effected by dividin 
the plant at the base, and cuttings of the stem, if placed i 
sand and crock dust, will root well if in a temperature of £ 
degrees to 60 degrees. Seeds may also be sown in March 
April. They must not be kept quite so dry in winter as th 
majority of Cacti ; just enough moisture to prevent the ste: 
from shrivelling is all that is needed. Echeverias are ver 
useful for bedding purposes ; as an edging they are almo- 
indispensable. 
Hawortliias are a group of interesting and striking plant: 
and in some of the different species the foliage is very effectiv 
either plunged among other plants or when staged above. Tl: 
soil should consist of a compost of light loam, broken crock 
or silver sand, and they are increased by suckers. 
Rhipsulis are good plants for basket work, especially whe 
a good crop of berries is secured. When they are in blooi 
give the plants a shake, as this will help to secure that end. 
Yuccas will succeed out in the open in ordinary garden soi 
Yucca giciiosa is only one of several which is well worthy i 
a place in any garden, but want of space forbids me to entt 
into fuller details. A. II. 
A Few Hints on the Culture of Cannas. 
The Canna is a very beautiful plant for sub-tropical beddin; 
but it is mostly grown for decoration in the conservatory an 
greenhouse. It is mostly raised from seeds for the sake 1 
getting mixed varieties, but by division of the roots for choi< 
varieties. Sowings may be made from January to March. Tl 
seeds should be steeped in hot water, as they are so hard, ar 
take a long time to germinate, but they will come away mo: 
quickly if steeped in hot water for a short time. Sow the set 
in well-drained pots, filled with a light sandy compost. Tilt 
cover the seed with half an inch of. soil, and place in a ter. 
perature of from 70 degrees to 75 degrees. After the seedlin: 
appear, transfer them singly into small pots with a compo: 
of light sandy soil. When the plants are well established 
the small pots put them into 4-inch pots, with a compost 
equal parts of good turfy loam and cow manure mixed will 
leaf mould and sand, and placed in a tenrperature of from I 
degrees to 65 degrees. Water freely, and see that the pots a 
well drained. After they have filled the 4-inch pots with roo : 
they will be ready for their final potting into 7-inch or 8-in; 
pots, using compost as advised for the 4-inch pots. After tl 
plants have made a good start in a warm temperature, pla 
them in a cool house for flowering, watering them freely 
their growing state, and when the flower spikes appear fe> 
the plants with liquid manure. _ I 
In the autumn, when they show signs of resting, withho] 
water and keep them in a dry state through the winter, in 
temperature of from 40 degrees to 45 degrees. When given 
good soil and sheltered position Cannas are more effective tin 
the ordinary run of bedding plants, and the dwarf varieties a 
very attractive, lasting in good condition until late in t 
autumn. The dwarf flowering varieties are effective in be 
either in conjunction with other plants or alone. They ni 
also be dotted about the herbaceous border with advantao 
They require plenty of moisture and watering, and mulclu 
is beneficial in dry weather. To winter them safely take up L 
roots in autumn with soil attached, and store in a cool gree 
house or outhouse where they can be kept free from frost. 
J. K. D. 
*** The prize last week in the Readers’ Competition w> 
awarded to Mr. J. Smith for his article on “Violets in Cc 
Frames,” page 345. 
