May 16, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
421 
The Stove and Greenhouse. 
Euphorbias.—There are two' popular species of this extensive 
genus, viz., E. pulcherrima, known in the vernacular as Podn- 
settia pulcherrima, and E. fulgens, better known as E. jacqui- 
niaeflora. Both are unique for making a display in warm 
houses during the winter months, and as along season of active 
growth is essential to* ensure abundant blossom, the cuttings 
should now be inserted, if not previously done. Assuming that 
the plants that did service last winter were placed in heat a few 
weeks ago*, there will now be some stout cuttings upon them. 
Take off with a piece of old matured wood when they are 
about two or three inches long, and insert in a finely-sifted com¬ 
post of peat, loam, and sand in about equal proportions. Plunge 
in a brisk bottom heat and keep close and shaded. Dew them 
over twice or thrice daily, and when rooted pot off singly in 
thumb pots. Keep near the roof glass in a growing tempera¬ 
ture of 65deg. to 70deg. until well established, when pot on 
into* larger pots and grow somewhat cooler. Avoid excessive 
heat during summer, or the plants will become long-jointed. 
Dwarf plants with large heads of bracts are good points in 
E. pulcherrima, whilst long, well-matured growths are neces¬ 
sary for producing abundant blossom in E. fulgens. 
Table Plants.—This is a capital time to* insert strong cut¬ 
tings of various stove plants for the production of brightly- 
coloured plants for decorating in the dwelling during summer 
and autumn. Small plants of Crotons, Dracaenas, Acalyphas, 
Abutilon Sawitzii, Panax Victoria, and others too* numerous 
to mention here, are adapted for many purposes, but especially 
for dinner table decoration. Nothing larger than 3in. pots 
need be used, for when these become well filled with roots high 
feeding may be practised to keep them healthy and well clothed 
with leafage to* the rim of the pot. None but strong, well- 
coloured shoots should be inserted for the above purpose, and 
these are usually to* be had in plenty at this date. Aim at 
striking them as quickly as* r possible to* avoid loss* of foliage. 
When well rooted keep them up to the light, but give 
slight shade for a* few hours in the* hottest part of the day. 
These small plants should never be allowed to become dry at 
the root*; if they dry quickly immerse them occasionally in a 
bucket of tepid water. 
Rivina humilis.-—The chief beauty of this plant* lies* in its 
racemes of bright scarlet berries, which on well-grown plants 
are borne in profusion in the autumn and winter months. A 
stove treatment is necessary to give the best results, and they 
are readily propagated from seeds or cuttings at this time. 
Plants* adapted for the beauty of their berries alone are admir¬ 
ably adapted for table decoration in autumn and winter, and 
this species* is deserving of more extensive cultivation on that* 
account. K. M. 
Among the Orchids. 
Hybrid Phaius.—There are* no more useful or attractive 
Orchids than are to be found among the hybrid Phaius which 
belong to the kinds that have been derived from the influence 
of P. simulans as one of its parents. They include such lovely 
kinds as P. Norman in its endless variations*, and the easily- 
cultivated P. Cooksonii. I have had large plants of the latter 
in the house used for decorative purposes for as much as* five 
and six weeks during the* past spring. It* is remarkable the 
length of time these plants last in perfection, and, instead of 
injury being done to the plants, it seems to be the very tiling 
the plants require. It may be perhaps well to point out that 
as soon as the flowers expand, the plants immediately become 
dormant, and the cooler conditions thus provided are exactly 
the conditions most suitable for their requirements. Imme¬ 
diately the plants are returned to the house in which they have 
been grown they commence growing, and soon become ready 
for repotting attention. 
I am unable to conceive why these plants are not more 
popular in our prominent Orchid establishments, for we rarely 
see a plant well grown in any of the places in the South of 
England. If we ask the reason we are told that they are 
difficult subjects to deal with, and the Orchid-grower is some¬ 
what shy at tackling them. I am convinced that where suit¬ 
able conditions are provided there is no -class of plants that are 
more easy of culture, and, what is further, I feel sure that these 
hybrids will' become more popular as their utility becomes 
ascertained. There are no subjects of the Orchid family more 
deserving of attention where ordinary plant stove accommo¬ 
dation can be provided. Where Phaius grandifolius and its 
allied genera succeed, there also* will the hybrids be found to* 
thrive, with no more cultural requirements or attention. 
Re-potting.—-I would advise that the plants should be 
annually re-potted ; being robust growing, an abundant supply 
of root moisture is necessary through the late summer and 
autumn months. This naturally causes the potting compost 
to become exhausted, and in need of annual replenishing. I 
find it best to re-pot the plants at the present season. The 
plants should be carefully turned out of the pots, care being 
taken not to injure the roots more than can be possibly helped. 
Remove all the old compost, and, after cutting away all dead 
roots and decaying matter, select a clean pot just large enough 
to contain the plant* comfortably; place about 2 in. of broken 
crocks at the bottom, and, after placing the plant in position, 
fill in carefully, but firmly, with a compost consisting of good 
fibrous loam, peat, leaf soil, rough sand, or broken crocks, and 
a liberal sprinkling of dried cow manure. The top may be sur¬ 
faced with chopped sphagnum moss. 
Those who prefer the use of leaf soil, and have had some 
little experience in the cultivation of Orchids in the 
latter compost, will find very good results from this com¬ 
post*. Having tried both kinds of compost side by side*, I give 
my preference for the compost first mentioned above. Divi¬ 
sions and small plants should have a larger proportion of leaf 
soil in the compost. Water the plants thoroughly as soon as 
re-potting has been done, and arrange the plants near the roof 
glass in a house where the hot, humid conditions* of the plant 
stove can be provided. H. J. 
Hardy Trees and Shrubs. 
Shrubby Honeysuckles. —The shrubby varieties of Loniceras 
are at this season among the most interesting of our deciduous 
shrubs, and tho*i gh one seldom sees them hi gardens, yet 
several are well worthy of cultivation, as they succeed in almost 
any kind of soil and require but little attention. Those which 
bloom quite early in the year, when little other flower is visible, 
are also valuable o*n account of their deliciously-scented white 
flowers, the best, of them being Lonicera (or Chamaecerasus) 
fragrantissima*, L. Standishii and L. ligustrifolia*. 
The species which flo wer during this month and the* next are 
more numerous, and the appended list comprises the best and 
showiest, several of which produce immense* quantities of flower, 
and all of them make pleasing bushes of light green foliage. 
The flowers are produced on the young growths*, which, after 
blooming, may be* lightly pruned. The plants will be benefited 
by occasionally cutting the old wood hard back, which will 
cause them to* make nice bushy plants, and keep them within 
bounds. The best are L. Morrowii, pure white; L. Morrowii 
rosea,, pink - L. pulcherrima, deep rose; L. Blanc Virginale, a 
very showy variety, flowers pure white; L. tartarica, rubriflora*, 
deep red, the best* of this* colour ; L. muscaviense, white; and 
L. tartarica. splendens, pale pink. 
Climbing Honeysuckles, in whatever position they are* grow¬ 
ing, will now need to have the long growths tied or nailed neatly 
int but not tightly, or much of the natural beauty will be 
spoiled. It often, happens that these become infested with in¬ 
sect life before they commence to* flower, and when this* is the 
case no* time should be lost in clearing the plants of these* 
pests. A thorough syringing of some reliable insecticide 
should be given, which is best done in the evening, and well 
wash off the following morning with clear water. A good, 
mulching of half-decayed farmyard manure will be* most bene¬ 
ficial if applied at this season. 
The Scarlet Trumpet Honeysuckle is a very beautiful plant* 
