540 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
June 20, 1903. 
WITHOUT PREJUDICE. 
Quizzings by “ Cal." 
Respecting “ Scotties ” inquiry as to food for goldfish, I 
would say that I never found anything more appreciated than 
ants’ eggs, which can be bought from any bird fancier. 
00 7 y. * 
When in possession of a number of these fish some yeais ago 
I used to feed once a day, and it was evident that the creatures 
looked for it. A tap on the side of the tank would cause them 
to swim to the surface at once. 
* * * 
“ Scrutator,” on page 445, has a little to say respecting cut 
flowers. Dear, really ! are we to oease cutting flowers ? Are the 
market men to shut up shop ? Do we not learn anything by the 
use of cut flowers? 
* * * 
I opine that cut flowers foster a love of horticulture, tending 
to urge unemotional persons to take to gardening. There is 
considerable educational knowledge to be gathered from floral 
arrangements. The floral decorator is not made in a day, nor a 
year even. 
J * * * 
Anyone may jam a number of cut flowers in a vase, but with 
what effect? The artist will place the flowers to show their 
every lineament, whereby the gardener can see haw his plants 
may be placed to get the best effect. I dare hazard that were 
“ Scrutator ” to visit an expert florist’s and see how things are 
done he would alter his opinion. 
* * * 
I deliberately state that the cut flower man has done as 
much to foster the love of flowers as any person, and having 
passed not a little of my time; in a big depot can speak with 
certainty. [“ Scrutator,” being a gardener in a private estab¬ 
lishment, looks at the matter in a different light, and likes 
to see his greenhouses looking gay instead of being bare.— Ed.] 
* * * 
I would advise “ C. L.,” page 456, to always sow some Sweet 
Peas in pots at the same time as he sows outdoors. Per¬ 
sonally I do not fear the birds, but slugs defy all efforts. 
However, I always sow outdoors merely on chance. 
* * * 
It is not necessary to have a large number of'pots, for I sow 
about eighteen seeds in a. 4gin. pot, and stand on a bed of 
ashes outdoors. When 4m. high I turn out, separate, and 
plant them singly with a dibber. 
* * * 
There is not the slightest fear of these failing, providing the 
holes are made deeply to enable the roots to be sunk to their 
full length. 
* * * 
After a shower is the best time to plant. I myself planted two 
forty-foot double rows and about thirty clumps in this manner, 
and not a single specimen has failed. 
* * * 
Had I not sown in pots I should not have had two dozen 
plants altogether, although I sowed thickly in the positions 
named. What is most remarkable is that the slugs never omit 
to devour novelties, for not a single specimen remained out of 
the fifteen novelties that I am growing this year. 
* * * 
Respecting Nettles, I think that if “ J. Warner,” page 477, 
thrashes them occasionally with a stick they will succumb 
more quickly than if cut down with a scythe, as advised by the 
editor. A badly-bruised Nettle bleeds more profusely than if 
merely cut. 
* * * 
It is a pleasure to see the reference to Ranunculus aconiti- 
folius fl. pleno on page 486. 
* * * 
It is truly one of the most delightful little tit-bits that June 
brings. Even if planted as late as April, it never fails to grow 
right away and flower as soon as June enters. 
* * * 
I.take it that Phyllocactus alatus Deutsche Eaiserin (Ger¬ 
man Empress) has not appeared before the R.H.S. previously. 
The introducer, Haage, jun., of Erfurt, claimed it as his 
grandest novelty when sending it out in 1901. I remember see¬ 
ing a photogravure of this variety where it was absolutely 
covered with flowers. 
■* * * 
I presume the writer on page 489 does not mean that German 
Empress is not a hybrid, as the raiser distinctly states that it 
is the result of very careful breeding. 
* * * 
He claimed that a one-year-old cutting would, flower, and 
when three years of age sixty to eighty flowers were not unusual, 
making it a remarkably fine thing for buttonholes and cut 
flower work. 
* * * 
One point, however, Mr. Editor. How is it that it is tdtmed 
P, alatus, whereas Herr Haage gives it as P. phyllanthoides ? 
[We were not present at the baptism in either case. Do the 
two names belong to the same plant ? What was the parentage ? 
—Ed.] 
* * * 
I doubt not that Mr. Blue Pencil enjoyed perusing the book 
on Carnations in America. As he remarks on page 492, there 
is British blood in them. 
* * • * 
Messrs. Kelway have a number of very fine varieties, obtained 
from a big Californian grower, who used the old Germania as a 
parent. 
* * * 
I have seen a few UjS. Carnations, and I strongly advise 
would-be growers to get a few from Kelway, as there are none 
to beat them in the matter of free-blooming qualities. Of 
course, all American vars. are not good. 
* * * 
I remember paying a fair price for w'hat was meant to be ; 
blue, which turned out to be a] deplorable object with single 
flowers. Possibly as it becomes acclimatised it may improve. 
* * * 
I guess “H. M. C.,” page 495, will not mind the editor 
remarking that the rust on Begonias is caused by a mite. That 
little brat of Tarsonymous was causing a power of worry in 
Fern nurseries a year or so ago. Did “ H. M. C. ” ever try 
tobacco powder? 
* * * 
“ Heather Bell,” on page 496, omitted to say what weight his 
Onions grow by his method. We all have a craze for big 
things nowadays. Still “H. B.’s” methods are good in every 
way. 
* * * 
Did he ever try a dressing of six parts lime, six parts soot, 
and one part salt when they were growing away? Further, 
does he find it absolutely essential to- bend over the tops 
I have seen some pretty good bulbs down our way without it. 
* * * 
One big grower in the States declares it is a useless pro¬ 
ceeding—-that is, for market work, and he grows his bulbs on 
the planting out system. Not a rod or two, mind, but acres. 
* * * 
May I ask Mr. Beckett how his Potato® are doing this season 1 
Despite the over-maturing, hot weather, etc., theories, some are 
doing rather poorly. 
* * * 
Some seed grown ten miles from my place has come up weakly 
enough, with the exception of the strong growing British Queen 
and Charles Fidler. 
* * * 
Further, a new variety from Hants is exceedingly poor in 
comparison with the plants from Scotch seed. To me it implies 
that something is very much amiss with southern-grown seed. 
* * * 
We had rain last season and very little hot weather, but there 
still are those weakly doers or non-growers. I have some 35 
varieties under way, and am not a little interested. I may say 
that it is not merely in my own garden, nor were any of my 
plants frosted, as they were not through at the time. 
* * * 
And the Carrots, Mr. Beckett; have the early sowings been 
successful? Further, what- about Turnips and Spinach, Mr. 
Beckett l 
