734 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
August2 '901 
Propagating Plants for Spring Bedding. 
Now that the season is at hand for this work, which is a very 
important one, perhaps a few hints would not be out of the way. 
Starting with the various species of Pelargoniums, this month is 
about the best for propagating them, and those who have not yet 
started should do so at once. In taking cuttings see that they are 
taken all over alike from the bed, or it will put a very odd and 
shabby appearance to it. Get some pots or boxes ready, which— 
ever preferred, using old potting soil with a good layer of sand 
on top. Get the cuttings ready, and see that they are firmly 
dibbed into the soil. These will strike readily out of doors, but 
some prefer cold frames as a protection from heavy rains. Shift 
inside as soon as cold weather appears, and pot off singly, using 
3in. or 4in. pots. Given fair treatment good results should follow. 
The next thing to take will be all such kinds of bedding plants 
as Alternanthera, Iresine, Heliotrope, Mesembryanthemum, 
Lobelia, etc. Alternanthera is a very useful plant for all kinds 
of bedding. Obtain some nice strong cuttings and firmly insert 
m 5in. or bin. p°ts, and place in heat, giving them plenty of 
light. Where large quantities are in demand a good plan is 
to make up a hotbed in March and propagate from the plants 
in pots, shading if bright sunshine appears ; these, by 
the way, will soon root freely. Afford ventilation as they 
become established, and give all light possible. Some sturdy 
well-coloured plants will then be available by the middle of 
June. Iresine will also do well given similar treatment 
Heliotrope cuttings should be inserted in pots or pans and kept as 
a stock for propagating from in the spring. As young plants of 
these are a great deal better than old ones, and as they are very 
tender, they should not be planted out till the end of June 
except in sheltered and warm places. Mesembryanthemum is a 
very free-rooting plant. Strike now and keep in a cool place until 
cold weather comes, then shift inside, giving them all the light 
possible, and propagate again in the spring. 
Lobelias may be lifted from the ground now in the autumn and 
preserved in a greenhouse or light frame, admitting plenty of air 
on favourable occasions. These should be freely propagated from 
in the spring in light sandy soil, and gradually harden off and 
place out of doors until bedding season comes on. All these 
plants more or less are very valuable for all kinds of bedding, 
either carpet or otherwise, and afford a grand display throughout 
the summer months. W. 
Gleanings from the World of Science. 
R.H.S. Scientific Committee, July 7th. 
Present: Dr. M. C. Cooke (in the chair), Messrs. Holmes, 
oGrdon, Massee, and Saunders, Prof. Boulgar, Revs. W. Wilks 
and G. Henslow (hon. sec.). 
Apple Trees and Insects.—Mr. Saunders reports as follows upon 
specimens received from Mr. Campbell, of Ardross, Leeds: “ The 
Apple trees are attacked by the caterpillars of two 1 different 
moths, but the habits of both kinds are very similar. The green 
caterpillars are those of the Winter Moth (Cheimatobia brumata), 
the brown and yellow one6 of the great Winter Moth (Hybernia 
defoliaria); both belong to the family Geometridae, and are two 
of the most destructive pests to Apple trees. The females of 
both kinds are wingless, or have only the rudiments of wings, so 
that they are incapable of Hight. 
“ As the chrysalides are formed in the gound when the moths 
emerge, it is evident that they must climb up the trees, if they 
wish to lay their eggs, as is their custom, near the buds. To 
prevent this is one of the most important things, if it is desired 
to protect the trees from attacks by the caterpillars. The 
simplest way of effecting this is to fasten grease bands round 
the stems, which the caterpillars are unable to cross. As this 
might injure the tree if the grease? came in contact with it, a 
strip of grease-proof paper, 7in. or 8in. wide, and long enough 
to overlap an inch or more, should be tied round the trees, say 
3ft, from the ground, and fastened top and bottom with bast 
matting or soft string that will not cut the paper. Over this 
should be tied a strip of calico about, the same width, also tied 
top and bottom; this must be well-smeared with cart-grease, 
*** The prize last week in the Readers’ Competition was 
awarded to “Loughburian ” for his article on “Useful 
Crinums,” page 717. 
soft soap, and train oil mixed, so that a soft, sticky compound 
is formed in which the moths will be caught. 
“ These bands should be put into position as early as the middle 
of October, and kept in working order until well after Christmas. 
To do this the bands should be re-greased every now and then, or 
whenever it is found that the grease is losing its stickiness, or, 
as is sometimes the case, clogged up with the number of moths 
caught in it. Notwithstanding these precautions, some of the 
females may find their way into the young shoots. Some are no 
doubt carried by the males (which fly well) when coupled, so that 
it is useful, when it can be carried out, to spray the trees before 
the buds show any signs of opening with a caustic alkali wash, 
made by dissolving lib. of caustic soda in half a bucket of water, 
add fib. of pearlash, and stir until all is dissolved, then add 
enough soft water to make ten gallons, and finally stir in lOozs. 
of soft soap which has been melted in a little hot water. 
“ This mixture is very caustic, and must not be allowed to 
touch the skin or clothes, and if it does it should be wiped off as 
soon as possible. A still day should be chosen, so that the 
wind will not blow it on to the operators; this spraying should 
kill the eggs if any are laid on the tree. To destroy the cater¬ 
pillars the trees should be sprayed as soon as the fruit has set 
with paraffin emulsion, or ^lb. of Paris green and |lb. of lime 
mixed in fifty gallons of water. This mixture must be kept well 
stirred, as the Paris green is very heavy, and soon sinks to the 
bottom, and in this case some of the mixture will be too weak 
to kill the caterpillars, and the rest so strong that the foliage 
will be injured.” 
Lilac Shoots and Frost.—Mr. Massee showed a curious and im¬ 
portant effect of frost on the leaves of the Lilac. The apex was 
frost-bitten, then, after a thaw, the leaf became attacked by 
Botrytis cinerea, which travelled down the region of the midrib 
and petiole, till it attacked the terminal bud between the leaves. 
As thousands of flower buds were thus destroyed in consequence 
of the late frost, such represented great pecuniary loss to the 
growers for the flower markets. 
R.H.S. Scientific Committee, July 21st. 
U^essHt: Dr. M. T. Masters, F.R.S. (in the chair), Messrs. 
Udell, Hudson, Massee, Saunders, Dr. M. C. Cooke, Professor 
Boulger, Rev. G. Llenslow (hon. sec.), and Mr. Hunt, visitor 
from New Zealand. 
Verbasgum Leaves Diseased. —Dr. Cooke pronounced the, 
fungus to be Oidium Balsami. It only attacks Turnips and 
Strawberries. Powdered sulphur is the only remedy. 
Gooseberry Disease.— Dr. Cooke reported on samples sent 
from Cornwall as being Microsphaera Grossulariae. Fowdered 
sulphur is the only treatment. 
Mammillaria with Dodder. —Professor Boulger reported 
that the specimen of M. Potosiana was attacked by some species 
of Cuscuta. It might have been imported, as hedgerow Cact' 
about Monte Video are commonly covered with dodder. 
Pollination in Orchards. —Mr. Chittenden, of the County 
Laboratories, Chelmsford, sent the results of experiments in 
pollinating Pears ^.and Apples. Of eleven varieties of Pears 
artificially pollinated (March 3rd), the flowers being protectee 
by Manilla paper bags,' Conference and Durondeau set fruii 
abundantly; Bellissime d’Hiver and Pitmaston set one out.o: 
eighteen and twelve flowers respectively, neither having se' 
fruit last year. Of twenty-three varieties of Apples, Gladstom 
and Stirling Castle were self-fertile, as they also were in 1902 
Lord Derby and Schoolmaster, which did not set fruit last year 
gave positive results. Of the eleven tried for the first time thi 
year, only King of the Pippins set fruit. 
Carnations Failing.— Mr. Douglas reported on plants sen 
from Wetherby by Mrs. Duncome “ growing in a dry soil. 
“ There was no disease, but the same result ensues from to 
much or too little water. It occurs when the pot plants hav 
been neglected, and a rush of water will then kill the roots 
Degenerated plants may be too weak to produce flowers, an 
get into the state similar to those sent. Mortar rubbish, bon 
dust, or ground-up oyster shells will supply vigour to Cai 
nations.” 
Papaver dubium, semi-double. —Mr. Wilks showed a smal 
plant, about 5 in. in height, with petaloid stamens. Th 
“ doubling ” was thus probably due to starvation, a not infri 
quent cause. 
Conference of New Zealand. —Mr. Hunt gave some accour 
of the Conference of New Zealand upon fruit growing and hort, 
culture, and a discussion followed upon plants of New Ze; 
land useful for culture in England, in which Canon Ellacomb< 
Dr. Masters, and others joined. 
