496 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
June 6, 1903. 
Kalanchoes do not necessarily require a very high temperature ; 
on the other hand, they are found to thrive very well in a 
moderate or intermediate temperature. Over-potting must be 
avoided, and the watering must be carefully attended to, keep¬ 
ing the plants rather on the dry side. The soil for potting 
should be porous and coarse, and not rich. Most of the Kalan¬ 
choes are readily propagated from seed ; cuttings may also be 
taken and rooted in the propagating house, requiring a fairly 
high temperature. Herbert Cowley. 
Six Dwarf Flowering Shrubs for Rock Gardens. 
Daphne blagayana is a greater favourite than ever with every¬ 
one who cultivates rock plants, and deservedly so, for it is, with¬ 
out doubt, one of the best hardy Daphnes we have. 
It is equally effective planted in sheltered nooks amongst the 
rocks or roots, or massed in a bed. 
In the latter method, when it is in flower, light sandy soil 
should be introduced beneath the rather straggling growths, 
and a stone placed every year on the stems, sufficiently heavy to 
keep them in their place. It thrives well in sandy peat and 
partial shade, and is propagated by layers. Another method is 
to select ripe growths in the autumn, and insert singly in 
thumbs; place under a handlight in a cool frame or pit, and 
keep fairly dry during winter. In spring shift into warmer 
quarters, and give a slight syringing daily to encourage root 
action, and plant in permanent quarters in July. 
Its beautiful white flowers are sweetly scented, and in striking 
contrast to its dark green foliage. 
Daphne Cneorum (Garland Flower) is an older favourite, and is 
much freer flowering than the above. Its bright pink terminal 
flowers show up to advantage against rocks and Saxifrages, and 
also when used for covering the ground, round about mounds of 
Yuccas or Eremurus. 
It likes a sunny part of the rockery, and a rooting medium of 
sandy peat and loam, in equal parts. It is propagated by layers. 
Rhodothamnus Chumaecistus (Rhododendron) has pretty pink 
flowers, which are solitary and terminally disposed on the pre¬ 
vious year’s growth. It requires to be planted m a sunny 
position, and have plenty of moisture at the roots through the 
growing season. Equal parts of leaf mould and loam, with a 
sprinkling of mortar rubbish, broken fine, will suit it admirably. 
Propagated by layers. 
Ledum Lyoni is another effective plant in the early summer 
months. It is at its best when massed in a bed with gentle slope 
to the south. It likes plenty of moisture at the roots and a 
rooting medium of sandy peat. Propagated by division. 
Veronica Hectori would be worth glowing if only for its cheery 
aspect in winter, with its cylindrical stems closely packed with 
bright green leaves. Its fine heads of lilac-coloured flowers also 
make up a plant that is worth a place on any rockery. It will 
grow in any good garden soil and a sunny position. Planted 
amongst. Lysimachia Nummularia it looks well. Propagated by 
cuttings. 
Cassiope tetragona (Andromeda) is a charming little plant in 
every way. Its white Lily of the Valley-like blooms are disposed 
singly on different sides of its tetragonal stems. The whole of 
the”plant is a bright green, which adds much to its value. It 
requires shade and a mixture of leaf mould and peat, and should 
never be allowed to get dry. Propagated by layers. 
H. Arxold. 
Flowers and Foliage- 
In a great many cases flowers are arranged with little or no 
care as regards contrast; that is, to have as real as possible the 
familiar look of flower and foliage to suit, so that the one may 
look becoming with the other. In many instances this is over¬ 
looked, especially by beginners at the work. Take, for instance, 
the uses of Ferns for floral decoration, especially the Adiantum. 
There is not the slightest doubt but that the loose feathery 
fronds look very handsome when really arranged in vases or 
other structures used for decorative purposes. But in other 
cases take the Daffodils (Narcissus) of our gardens, which year 
bv year are becoming very popular with admirers of flowers 
What could be nicer than their own foliage when neatly arranged f 
or the Cal la Lily (Richardia africana), and again the spikes of 
Gladiolus in variety with their own shining green foliage, or the 
Pancratium with leaves of the Aspidistra lunda, Vallota pur¬ 
purea with the same, also Euchans grandiflora. Ihe Lily ol 
the Valley is another case ; but in this instance it is mostly its 
own foliage that is used. Then, in the case of Roses, which 
afford us another illustration of this method of arrangement 
no foliage will be so pleasing to the eye as tlieir own beautiful 
leaves " The Chrysanthemum can be arranged with many 
different kinds of hardy shrubs, such as Berberis A mi i folium. 
Farms sylvatioa purpurea, and also many rare and varied colours 
of Vine leaves, which can be used extensively for foundation 
work ; but should the Chrysanthemum produce healthy foliage 
at the time required, I think that it is preferable to be used alone. 
There are numerous other cases in which flowers and foliage 
class so well together. Therefore these few remarks are merely 
for those with whom this fault is found ; but should they care to 
try the arrangement, I am sure that they will find it more appro¬ 
priate than cutting down their large pots of Maidenhair Fern, 
Davallias, Pterises, etc., and m the latter end find that they are 
both saving and beautifying their work at the same time. There 
are many ways of utilising foliage for effect, which looks, when 
tastefully done, more effective than what flowers in many cases 
do. So, in conclusion, I earnestly trust that this method of 
decoration may be more extensively used for the sake of both 
man and his care of what lie has, perhaps, attended for years 
before to attain for that purpose. Moberx. 
Growing Onions for Exhibition on Heavy Soil. 
To grow really fine Onions is no simple matter, eyen when an 
ideal 'soil is at hand, but when the soil in the garden is very 
stiff and heavy it is really difficult to produce bulbs of first 
quality. In this article I wish to throw out one or two hints 
that are the result of several years’ experience with perhaps 
the heaviest soil in Oxfordshire. No one who has grown Onions 
iit all needs to be told that they require deeply-dug and well- 
manured soil, and on heavy land, in addition to a good dressing 
of stable manure, should be applied soot, burnt earth, or 
wood ashes. The advantage of rough digging before frost is 
we ll known, so no need to dwell upon it here. The young plants 
are, of course, raised in heat as early in the year as possible, 
pricking them off as soon as the second leaf appears. My plan 
is to prick out on a liot-bed, only taking care that the violent 
steaming has subsided before putting in the plants. 
I have always found the plants do better on a hot-bed than 
in boxes, the roots being less likely to become entangled, which 
often causes breakage when lifting again for planting. The 
plants should be allowed sufficient time to become strong 
and vigorous before the final planting, as nothing is gained b\ 
putting out small weakly plants just for the sake of getting them 
out early ; neither would I plant while the heavy soil is in a 
very wet state, as it is bound to set hard around the plants. 
Do not plant with a dibber, but either use a spade or a trowel, 
removing sufficient soil to enable you to spread out the roots 
to the utmost extent. This is easily done by cutting a trench 
the length of the row, and even though it takes a little longer 
than dibbing, the labour will not be spent in vain. 
Care must be taken that in summer the soil does not set 
hard • in other words, use the Dutch hoe as much as possible, 
and when the bulb begins to swell it is well to just point the 
soil around it with a small hand-fork, as this enables the bulb 
to develop symmetrically. 
Do not commence feeding before the bulbs are three inches or 
more in circumference, and then apply stimulants with caution. 
Many chemical and other stimulants that are beneficial to Onions 
on light soil are rather the reverse on very heavy soil, and it 
is well to be careful as to what shall be used. I have found 
that nitrate of soda causes many bulbs to split, thus rendering 
them useless for either exhibition or culinary purposes i 
believe on light soil this is not the case, but I have proved it 
to be so on heavy soil. 
I have experimented with various compound fertilisers, but 
have generally found that they either cause rough, uneven 
growth or that they destroy the keeping qualities of the Onions. 
One thing has always proved beneficial, and may be strongU 
recommended, viz., soot-water. So long as it, is not unreason¬ 
ably strong it may be applied with a free hand, and m addition 
to this I have found the cheapest, safest, and most effectual 
food to be the blood of sheep or bullocks. This is easily ob¬ 
tained from any butcher, and should be diluted with water unti 
it becomes light red in colour. A weekly soaking with this I 
liquor in conjunction with soot-water has sufficed to gio\ p 
quantities of well-formed bulbs of good size, which have, imore¬ 
over kept, sound and solid throughout the winter. Vi hen it 
is found the bulbs have almost ceased growing it is a- good p*n 
to go over the bed, bending the tops of any that still remain 
erect and when lifting time comes choose a fine dry daj. 
that the bulbs may be'left, awhile on the ground to dry before I 
Heather .dell. 
bringing into the store-room. 
* * The prize for May 23rd in the Readers’ Competition 
was*awarded to “ W. H. W.” for his article on “Decorative 
Brugmansias,” page 442, 
