October 24, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
885 
keep tlie surface well moved with the draw hoe on fine days, 
and prick out thickly all the smaller plants in skeleton frames 
facing south, where a little protection can be afforded them 
during severe weather. These may prove to be of much use 
next spring, and are much better than plants sown and raised 
under glass. 
Peas. —The late crops of these have done remarkably well 
this season. We have grown a good many varieties for late 
work this year, many of which have yielded good crops, but 
none can compare with that old favourite, Autocrat; its robust 
constitution enables it to carry splendid crops through all 
kinds of weather. At the present, moment we can pick large 
quantities of excellent pods of rare quality, and in all pro¬ 
bability we shall be able to do so for some time to come. 
Very late sowings should have the points of the growths 
pinched out to enable the pods which are formed to swell away 
freely, and the rows should be securely netted to prevent the 
tits devouring the Peas, as these have a, particular liking for 
late Peas especially, and thoroughly dust the growths with 
sulphur to prevent mildew spreading. 
Endive. —Choose fine days for tying up and blanching plants 
which are in the open, and air freely all which have been lifted 
and planted in frames for winter use. 
Lettuce should be treated in the same way, and to ensure 
an unbroken supply throughout the spring make a small 
sowing of both Cabbage and Cos varieties under glass. Sow 
thinly in boxes, and prick out into others as soon as the 
young seedlings are large enough to harfdle. Carters’ Har¬ 
binger is one of the best varieties that 1 am acquainted with 
for this puipose, and if grown on gently in a cool position 
under glass, it can be cut from the boxes and is generally 
much appreciated for winter and spring salads. Being a very 
pale green, in colour and the leaves slightly curled, it has a 
very tempting and pleasing appearance. 
Chicory. —Introduce small quantities of this into the 
darkest place in the Mushroom house. This 1 , when well 
blanched, is invaluable for winter salads, and Dandelion should 
be treated in the same way. 
Parsley.—I never remember the main crops of this looking 
so unsatisfactory as, it does this year, especially so on. heavy 
tenacious soil, owing to so much rain. Consequently an extra 
quantity of the late sowings should, if possible, be lifted and 
planted in cold frames. E. Beckett. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree, Herts. 
The Stove and Greenhouse. 
Gladiolus The Bride. —The flowers of this bulbous plant, 
when grown in pots, are of inestimable value. Not only are 
they unsurpassed for making a, display in the conservatory, 
but we have no more useful white flower for winter and early 
spring than this. They are' admirably adapted for making up 
into wreaths and bouquets and for arranging in vases. The 
present, is a good time to pot up the bulbs,, and imported 
ones are the best, especially for early forcing. Six-inch pots 
1 should be used, and seven bulbs may be placed in each; that 
is, five round the sides and two in the centre. The compost 
should consist of equal parts loam, leaf-soil, and well-decayed 
manure, adding plenty of road grit or sand. Both the pottino- 
and general culture of these Gladiolus, are very similar to that 
advised for Freesias. Hard forcing must not be practised, 
and the chief factor to, success in flowering them early is to, 
have well-ripened bulbs to start with, and let, them be brought 
on and grown in a temperate house near the glass. When the 
pots are filled with roots, afford an occasional application of 
liquid manure, well diluted ; twice a. week will not be too much 
when the roots are active. 
Pandanus Veitchii. —To grow well-coloured plants of this 
useful stove subject it is necessary to keep up a stock of 
young plants. As a rule, when they become old they lose the, 
variegation which is their chief characteristic. Those that 
have become green or too large to be of service may now be 
destroyed, and the highly coloured suckers pulled off from the 
base, taking painsi to retain roots where possible. Insert 
these singly in small pots; a suitable compost, consists of 
three-fifths good friable loam to, one each of peat and leaf- 
soil, adding some nodules of charcoal, silver sand, a, little 
bone-meal, and a, handful of lime. Plunge in a, frame or pro¬ 
pagating pit, and when well rooted place on a light shelf and 
grow on gently all the winter. No repotting should be per¬ 
formed until the 1 following February, when they may be 
shifted on into a size larger pot and grown, on in heat, freely. 
A fruitful source of green foliage may be attributed in great 
measure to over-potting and over-watering. 
Poinsettias. —These will now be showing their scar let bracts, 
and to ensure proper development of them the roots must 
be assisted by frequent weak applications of manure for some 
time longer. A change of diet, so, to speak, is advised at this 
time, though liquid farmyard manure should form the staple, 
alternating this with guano or liquid-manure powder. Attend 
to, placing a neat stake to each growth, and keep, near the 
glass to prevent drawing. A drier atmosphere should now be 
maintained about the plants than formerly. 
Roses. —Tea scented Roses planted out in borders under 
glass should now be kept drier than formerly in order to 
mature the wood for pruning next month. Unless the wood be 
finished ripening by now, good flowers cannot be expected early 
next year. Plants in pots that have been left out to ripen 
and are intended for gentle forcing during winter should be 
brought in and top-dressed with a mixture of loam, old Mush¬ 
room-bed manure, bone-meal and sand. Prune them rather 
hard ; that is, back to, a plump bud on well-matured wood. 
See that the drainage is good, and place in a. cool house for 
a, week or two; keeping the roots dry. A temperature of 50 
to, 60 deg. will answer for these when forcing commences. 
Both H. P. and Tea, Roses, are amenable to gentle forcing, 
provided that the plants are prepared beforehand. The best 
results are obtained when they are plunged in a, bed of mild 
manure and tree leaves. K. M. 
Among the Orchids. 
Seedling Orchids —In the early stages of development the 
growth of seedling Orchids of all kinds requires a, considerable 
deal of care and watchfulness through the dull winter months of 
the year. I am well aware that situation and conditions under 
which these tender subjects- have to be cultivated make a vast 
difference to the care required to keep them in good condition 
through the winter, but even under the most favourable cir¬ 
cumstances one cannot afford to take liberties. The better the 
plants are wintered, the greater the success and progress made 
the following season. The administration of moisture require- 
ments is one of the chief -dangers to be contended with. Excess 
of moisture, either in the atmosphere or about the roots of 
the plants during periods of excessive damp or dull, foggy 
weather, is most dangerous. One needs more than ordinary 
care and observance during periods of this, kind. Rough 
winds and cold outside conditions prove just as disastrous with 
saturated conditions about the plants. They need watching, 
not once >a day, but, frequently, to be on the safe side. Ex¬ 
cessive drought is also disastrous, but, they go a long way 
before injury is done to the small plants by keeping on the 
dry side during prevalence o,f unfavourable outside conditions. 
Light, is also essential to their well-being during the winter 
months. Means are usually provided in establishments where 
extensive Orchid hybridisation is pra,ctised by placing shelves 
close to the roof glass, on. which the plants in the smaller stages 
of growth can be placed, but where these facilities are not 
forthcoming no, great, difficulty need be anticipated, as, a, few 
shallow pans or empty baskets will accommodate a number 
•of small plants in pots, and these are easily suspended near 
the roof glass. 
