July 4, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
571 
been obtained from its nearest allied species, C. bowringiana, 
when used as a. parent. I suppose the autumn-flowering char¬ 
acteristics of the latter have given it preference by hybridists. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
Broccoli.— To ensure a succession of this important vegetable 
all through the winter and spring at least two sowing should 
have been made, and several varieties must be selected, so 
that no break can occur. Though Broccoli cannot be compared 
with Cauliflower for delicacy of flavour, they form a good sub¬ 
stitute, and are indispensable in many establishments. The 
earliest kinds, such as Self-Protecting and Michaelmas White, 
will have been planted, but: there is yet plenty of time for all 
the later varieties. As 1 in most localities, the smaller and 
later plants come through a severe winter much better than, 
the earlier and stronger ones. One very important rule to/ 
observe' is to plant on very firm ground ; also allow plenty of 
space between the plants, as: the more hardy and sturdy the 
growth the better will he the results. The ground for late 
Broccoli should never be freely manured or dug, but the holes 
made with an iron bar and filled in with fine soil. Should 
the. land be of a very retentive nature, this will give the plants: 
a start, after which the roots will soon find their way into the 
suffer material. Press this in veiy firmly, and well water in 
whatever the weather may be. Leamington (late) Queen and 
Model are among the very best for late supplies, the last-named 
being probably the most reliable late kind yet raised. One 
great advantage over many others is that it protects its heads 
in such a thorough manner that beautiful white flowers can 
always be depended on during its season. Ground which has 
been occupied with Peas makes an ideal spot for growing late 
crops, and later in the year the surface should be pointed over. 
Asparagus Seedling Plants.— Make quite sure that one 
plant only is allowed at each station, and keep the Dutch ho© 
frequentlv in use about them, stirring up the surface soil, and 
small applications: of patent vegetable manure during showery 
weather will greatly assist, it; also frequent small dressings of 
agricultural salt on light dry soils. 
Tomatos. — Those planted in the open have had a most un¬ 
favourable time, and .only those which have been put out 
against a south wall or fence have made but litle progress. 
Eveiy inducement must now be afforded the plants to grow 
away and set. their fruit as speedily as possible, removing all 
surplus growth and foliage. As soon as a fair amount of fruit 
is assured, stop- the principal shoot. 
Celery. —About every ten days the earliest plantings must 
be gone through, removing all side growths and split leaves, 
and be persistent in destroying the maggot, which is very 
prevalent in many parts this year. 
Potatos.— Keep the growths of all specially grown kinds in 
an upright position to allow the sun and air to play about the 
soil. 
I am pleased to inform “ Cal.” that, generally, our varieties 
are much more promising than last year; though one or two 
kinds are behaving much in the same way as last. Satisfaction, 
Ideal and Favourite being the worst. 
Turnips and other small seeds, except where injured by frost, 
are satisfactory. Undoubtedly this has been a most trying 
season to the horticulturist, especially where 1 situated on. cold, 
heavy land. Those on higher' and warmer soil have certainly 
been, most favoured this* year. I never remember such a 
plague of thrip as this spring ; they simply appear in swarms, 
and devour nearly all that comes in their way. This is, no 
doubt, owing to a. great extent to the mildness of the winter, 
though some argue that, frost has little effect, on these. The 
birds during very hard times are much more likely to search 
them out. 
I can find nothing like finely-sifted cinder ashes to prevent 
them ravaging the seedling plants. E. Beckett. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Flstree. 
The Stove and Greenhouse. 
Humea elegans. —-Although this species is not now grown 
so much as formerly, yet its merits are recognised by many 
gardeners. Now is a good time: to sow the seed for raising 
plants for next year's display in the conservatory or in. the 
flower garden. As a dot plant for bedding they are unique, 
whilst beds of them are very graceful and effective with dwarf- 
flowering plants i nderneath to form a. carpet. One of the 
best plants I have seen associated with the Humeas is Begonia 
Fairy q»ueen, which grows to the: height of 9 in., and bears 
a profusion of bright pink blossoms which harmonise well with 
the pink jrlumes of the Humea. Without this pink tinge the 
plant loses much of its beauty, and it is oidy to be seen in well- 
grown specimens, that have been accorded good culture under 
glass during spring and duly hardened off, preparatory to dis¬ 
posing it in the beds. Sow in light, finely-sifted soil in pans 
or pots and place in a cold frame that is kept close and shaded, 
and when the young plants' are large enough pot off singly into 
light, rich soil with plenty of sharp sand added ; keep gently 
growing in a cold frame or on. a. shelf in a cool house, and 
shade from bright sunshine. The lastenarned place will be 
suitable to keep- the plants through the winter. In early 
spring repot and grow in gentle warmth and shift on as re¬ 
quired ; 8 in. pots will be large enough for the final shift. 
Very little water must be given during the period of inactivity 
in winter, gradually increasing the: amount as growth starts. 
Careful hardening is essential before planting out at the end 
of June. 
Eranthemum pulchellum. —This old-fashioned winter-flower¬ 
ing stove subject is easily grown and propagated. Its rich 
blue flowers, are somewhat fugitive:, but the plants continue, to 
open other blossoms quickly to take the place of those that 
fade. The culture is. very similar to that practised with the 
Salvias when grown in pots during summer. Cuttings emit' 
roots readily in spring, and they are grown on first in a warm, 
genial temperature', and afterwards afforded a pit or green¬ 
house until autumn, when they are removed to the stove for 
flowering. 
Decorative Asparagus. — These have become immensely 
popular, and for utility in many ways they are unsurpassed. 
The plants are alike useful for baskets, for forming an edging 
to the plant stages, and last, but not least, the growths are of 
inestimable value to the decorator for table decoration, bou¬ 
quets, wreaths, and other purposes where a graceful greenery 
is required. Of varieties:, A. plumosus and A. p. nanus have 
been in the front rank for some years. The former is best 
adapted for training to- pillars and rafters of the temperate 
house, whilst the latter is dwarf and suited for growing in pots 
for cutting or other decorative purposes. A. Sprengeri is of 
decumbent habit, therefore best suited for baskets or for 
depending from the front of stages. There is a variegated 
form of this which I have not seen., hut if the constitution of 
it is as good as the type it should prove a good thing. A. 
seandens is another good climbing species, suitable for the 
greenhouse. A. deflexus is a drooping variety with dark green 
graceful leafage. 
A new variety having deep green, erect stems and leafage 
has been recently exhibited by a Leamington firm of nursery¬ 
men, the name of which I cannot, remember, but having seen 
it I should consider it well worthy of a place in. the: stove. A. 
Cooperi and A. decumbens are also well worthy of a place. 
K. M. 
Notes on Hardy Plants. 
Iris Kaempferi. — From this time of year until late in the 
autumn this class of Iris is extremely useful for several posi¬ 
tions in the garden, and the many magnificent colours are 
always greatly admired. For growing by the water’s edge 
there are few plants which surpass them, and, as they like 
a wet, boggy position, it, is advisable to plant them in such 
places if possible. Failing this, they can be grown very well 
