884 
THE GARDENING WORLD, 
October 24, 1903; 
WORK OF THE WEEK. 
Notes on Jttardy Plants. 
As we may reasonably expect frost at any time now, it will 
be' advisable to prepare a frame for those plants which cannot 
withstand the severity of our winter and have to' be taken up 
and potted. It is not too soon to treat several in this way, 
but before doing so, one should be quite sure that the frame 
and glass are thoroughly cleansed with hot water. The laps 
of the glass, under which dirt always accumulates very 
rapidly, should be well syringed out, so that the plants ma.y 
have the benefit of all the light it is possible to give them. 
After the frame has been, stood in position, place a, layer of 
rough cinders in the bottom so as, to give a, good drainage, and 
then some finer ones on the top on which to stand the pot® 
or boxes. 
A compost suitable for the majority of subjects, which need 
treating in this way will consist of loam and leaf-soil in about 
equal proportions, with, sufficient road or silver sand to keep 
the whole in a sweet, porous condition. Have the pots also 
clean and well drained. 
Tritoinas especially are lia.blei to be injured, if not killed 
outright, by a spell of sharp' weather, particularly the better 
sorts, so that it is well to lift as soon, as the foliage' has 
become sufficiently brown, and place in good-sized pots so 
that the roots are not injured by being cramped. If one 
wishes to propagate these, care should be taken when dividing 
the crowns, this being best done with a, sharp knife, as they 
are very brittle and easily snap off at the collar. If large, 
established clumps of the' common varieties are to be left out, 
a, good dressing of fine cinder ashes should bei placed over the 
crowns. The same applies to. Eremurus, but these when 
planted, should be placed deep enough in the ground to be 
safe from frost when a, covering of ashes is given. All the 
Hesperis or Rockets, too, succeed much better when divided 
out.and replanted annually, which can either be done now, 
splitting them into small pieces and placing in boxes, planting 
out during March or April, or the operation may be done in, 
early spring as the plants are commencing new growth. On 
such ground as this, for instance, the former plan is to' be 
advised, for, in addition to many plant® succumbing to winter 
dampness, the slugs often play sad havoc. 
The best results are also obtained by treating Chelone- bar- 
bata and the variety Torreyii in this manner, and plenty of 
young growth, is now appearing at the base of these which can 
be taken off and inserted as cuttings. 
The better varieties of Gaillardias, Campanula®', Lobelia®, 
Liatris, etc., and also any new or rare plants, should also 
be taken up, as it entails but little trouble, and the plants 
are ensured. 
In, spite of the fact that we are rapidly nearing the end of 
October, it is surprising, when, one sees a, well-formed collection 
of herbaceous plants, to find what a number of plants yet. 
remain in, full beauty, and it is evident that without them 
our gardens would be very much the poorer. That old 
favourite, lludbeckia speciosa or Newmannii, has had a very 
favourable time this-season, and its dwarf stature and bright 
yellow flowers make it one of the best of border plants. 
Another fine. Rudbeckia. is R. nitida, which grows to a height of 
fully 6 ft., and has a. profusion of soft yellow blooms, and is 
valuable on account, of the great length of time it continues: 
tcv flower. 
Several Tritomas still continue to send up sturdy spikes of 
bloom, but, the first frost will settle these. 
A very interesting herbaceous plant, but, one not nearly so 
largely grown as it should be. is Tricyrtis hirtu This has, I 
believe, been mentioned in The Gardening World, but its 
beauty at the present time seems to warrant further notice. 
The flowers, which are white, densely spotted with purple, are 
produced in profusion all up the stems, and are very nretty 
when, used in a, cut state:. This grows between 2 ft. and 3 ft. 
in height, and has stood for years, in the open border without 
any protection, being seen, to the best advantage in a fair-sized 
group. 
Polygonum cymosum, with its large quantity of dense white 
flower-heads, makes an effective display, and is one of the best 
plants to withstand the wet weather. To keep it within bounds 
it needs to be frequently lifted and divided. Solidago Shortii 
is the best of all the tall-growing Golden Rods, and a most 
effective plant-, between 6 ft, and 7 ft, in height, with loner 
drooping racemes of golden-yellow flower's. The red-flowered 
Polygonum amplexicaule is very distinct and a, graceful plant 
for cutting. Helenium autumnale striatum is fine in the mass, 
and of this there are several forms, some almost pure yellow' 
ethers slightly striped, and some almost entirely red, the 
latter being the most showy form. 
Cuttings.—Assuming that the cuttings of Violas, Pent- 
stemonsi, etc., are rooted or growing on satisfactorily, air may 
he admitted freely on all favourable occasions, the aim being 
to keep these in a. dwarf, sturdy condition through the winter, 
and should any mildew make its appearance a dusting of 
sulphur should be given. Pull out, any weeds which may 
appear in the frames, or boxes, and keep, the soil in a, fresh 
condition by occasionally stirring the surface. 
A. E. Thatcher. 
Aldenham Hous-e Gardens, Elstree. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
Globe Artichokes. —These have been very prolific this 
season during late: summer, and a,t the present time are pro¬ 
ducing large quantities of splendid heads of excellent, qualitv 
These should be kept cut aud stored in a. cool place as thev 
become ready, and to prolong their season, as long as possible 
the tops wall need protection a,t night when, frost is likely to 
occur. Three stake® s-ho-uld be placed round them and tied 
together at the top, when, mats or other protecting material 
can be easily placed over them, which should be removed 
during the daytime. By so doing the young heads will con¬ 
tinue to swell and good ’Choke® may be had all through next 
month. As is generally known, the best varieties are much 
more tender than, those of less merit, and to ensure keeping 
up a good stock, strong suckers should be potted up now. 
wintered in a place of safety, and planted out on well-pro 
pared ground early in April. The old stools will also 1 need 
protection by placing long litter round them later on, but this 
should not be done till absolutely necessary. 
Celeriac or Turnip-rooted Celery ought now to be lifted. 
the tops and roots cut off, and stored in quite a cool place, 
placing layers of sand between them, which should be in a 
moderately dry state. 
Turnips. — The exceptionally wet mild weather has beer 
very favourable to the growth of these, and many which were 
sown for pulling during winter are now fully grown. Thesf 
should be pulled up and stored in pits in the open, but care 
should be exercised not to place 1 them too thickly together, or 
they will become heated and be worthless. Place a layer o 
Turnips and a layer of sand or fine cinder ashes, and ventilah 
the top of the clamp with tufts of straw. Sowings made las| 
month will prove to be of much value; these should be kep 
well thinned and the surface kept constantly stirred with tin 
Dutch hoe. Give occasional dusting of soot and wood ashes 
and in, case the land is very poor a slight, application o 
patent vegetable manure will be very beneficial. 
Spinach —The later sowings of this much-esteem e( 
vegetable will also- be of great value. Though in, many case 
the slugs have wrought sad havoc to the young plants, nothind 
is, gained by overcrowding, and where the plant® are thick 
give a good thinning and apply slight dustings of soot, weekly 
This is a, fine stimulant for Spinach at, all seasons. 
Cabbage.—Look over the beds of these and make gooc 
any vacancies. Put out one more good bed on ground wind 
has not recently been occupied with any of the Brassica family 
