December 26, 1903. 
TUB GARDENING WORLD 
1059 
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Acacias, 
This genus in the natural order of Leguminosae is on© of the 
largest known, containing as it does upwards of 400 species, 
which are disposed over the warmer parts of the world. Although 
being such a large genus, it is a remarkable fact in that a great 
many of tire species are very floriferous and handsome, yet there 
are only about 50 species cultivated in our gardens, and a great 
many of them only find a place in botanical establishments. 
We find those species which are most worthy of cultivation—- 
that is, from a horticultural point of view—are natives of 
Australia, New South Wales, and other temperate countries. 
They are among the hardiest and most easily cultivated of all 
greenhouse plants, and require a temperature very little higher 
than that of freezing point during the winter They assume 
various habits of growth, some making excellent subjects as 
specimen plants ; others are adapted for growing against pillars, 
etc. Such species as A. dalbeata should, if possible, he planted 
out, for if grown in pots for any length of time they soon fill 
them with roots, and get leggy ; hence they are always falling 
over with the least touch, which, as everyone knows, soon spoils 
the look of any plant. But if space can be found for that species 
and others allied to it in manner of growth in a bed, either in a 
greenhouse or conservatory, where they can be planted out, and 
where there is plenty of head room, the contrast of the silver- 
leaves with the globular heads of golden-yellow flower produces 
a charming effect in spring. 
To show that Acacias (some, at least) do> not require a great 
deal of heat during the winter, A. dealbata (the Silver Wattle), 
A. riceana, and others have been known to flower profusely out¬ 
doors in Devon as early in the year as March. When planted 
out in beds, either inside or out, Acacias should be arranged 
so that the plants can get full benefit of the sun’s rays after 
flowering, to ripen the wood, which is a very essential factor 
to ensure a copious supply of golden-yellow or white globular- 
heads of bloom the following spring. Some of the more shrubby 
kinds are equally at home grown' in pots or tubs, in which way 
they are more suitable, perhaps, to the general run of the gar¬ 
dener’s wants than when planted out. For they are excellent sub¬ 
jects for conservatory or greenhouse decoration when in flower, 
and after they are gone out of bloom, and the room they are 
occupying is wanted, they can be placed outside (when all fear 
of sharp frost is gone), where it will be found they will make 
cleaner growths and ripen their wood much better than under 
glass. . . 
Acacias do well, whether planted out or in pots, in a light 
rich compost consisting of equal parts turfy loam and leaf mould 
(or peat), with plenty of sand added to keep the whole porous. 
The best time to prune Acacias—by that I do not mean to say 
they require a general pruning, but should there he any weakly 
growths, or if a plant wants cutting a little bit into shape, it 
fs best to do it directly after flowering. 
Propagation is effected by cuttings, made of half-ripened 
wood, put in with a heel during the summer months, when they 
will root readily. They should he inserted as somi as made in 
a compost of leaf mould, or peat and sand, with a layer of sand 
on the top, after which they can be well watered, allowed to 
drain, and then placed in a close, cool frame covered over with 
a bell-glass, and shaded to prevent flagging. As soon, as rooted 
they can be potted off again, placing them in a close pit until 
established. Of course, as their roots fill the pots they will 
require repotting from time to time. Seed should also' be sown 
as soon as ripe in sandy soil about £-in. deep, but the gardener 
must be guided by the size of the seed in regard to depth. I lace 
them in a temperature of 55 deg. F., and pot off as soon as they 
cani be handled. Space will not permit my giving a list of the 
best species for cultivation, but I will refer my readers to some 
first-class nurserymen’s catalogues. A- H. 
Axnaryllideae. 
This natural order contains many beautiful genera, which 
produce some of the most gorgeous and brightly-coloured floweis, 
especially in the spring ; but their value cannot be over-esti¬ 
mated for an autumn display, when Hippeastrum aulicum pro¬ 
duces a spike with three or four rich crimson flowers, and at 
the same time foliage of a dark green colour. A dozen or so of 
this handsome plant should be grown by anyone who possesses 
a greenhouse. The Belladonna Lily is a gem for a border a. 
the base of a south wall. Amaryllis and Hippeastrum are 
closely allied, and their culture is similar, excepting A. Bella¬ 
donna, which should be planted about September in a well- 
drained border, with a small quantity of sand round the bulbs. 
Dryness at the root must be avoided during the growing season, 
and jrrotect with litter or old lights through the winter. Many 
fail through planting them too shallow ; a depth of 6 in. will 
be found sufficient. 
Hipbeastkum. —Of late years a splendid race of hybrids lias 
sprung up, which are welcomed by all plant lovers. They are 
increased by offshoots and seed, but when obtainable offshoots 
should be chosen, because they will flower earlier than seed¬ 
lings. Seed should be sown, when ripe, in pans of light soil, 
and when large enough plant out in a mixture of loam, leaf) 
soil, and sand, at a depth equal to their own height below the 
surface. The same applies to offshoots. A warm pit will he 
required for two years to grow them large enough to flower, 
and great care with the water-can will be needed, or many of 
them will perish. 
Older bulbs should be started in February and potted in a 
loamy soil, with charcoal and a little bone meal well mixed 
together. When flowers begin to expand, remove to the green¬ 
house, and afterwards return to the warm pit and plunge in 
fibre ; plenty of light and air should be given, and every en¬ 
couragement, sucli as keeping them moist and clean, watering 
with liquid manure occasionally. Aim at getting the bulbs we.ll 
matured and ripened by the autumn, remembering next season’s 
crop of flowers will tell if this important factor in their culture 
has been neglected. After growth is finished, store in a cool 
house for the winter until growth is apparent. 
Crinums are propagated by seeds or offshoots ; the former 
are large, and should be sown singly in 3-in. pots, but, wherever 
possible, select the latter. Crinums may be divided into three 
groups—tropical, greenhouse, and hardy; so when dealing 
with a Crinum, find its native habitat, and treat accordingly. 
A good compost consists of turfy loam, leaf soil, fibrous peat, 
using it rough and lumpy. Early spring is the best time for 
potting, and then place them in a somewhat moist house 
Plenty of water must be supplied during active growth, but| 
after flowering keep on the dry side, and give all the light 
possible. Plant the hardy ones a foot deep in rich soil, with 
plenty of drainage. C. Moorei, C. Powelli, and C. capense will 
succeed in the open air. 
Ettchakis. —The two best species are E. grandiflora and E. 
Candida. A good crop of flowers appears during the spring 
months, and a few occasional spikes throughout the year. Plant 
out in the stove in loam, silver sand, and decayed cow manure. 
Good drainage must be given ; if not properly done, the mite 
will soon make its appearance. They are well adapted for pot 
culture, and, if in a healthy condition, they should not he 
disturbed, feeding being preferable. Nerines are among the 
most beautiful of bulbous plants. The chief point in their 
culture is to give a good resting from when the foliage turns 
yellow until flower spikes appear, when a top-dressing of ordi¬ 
nary soil should he given. A frame with the frosts excluded 
will suit them admirably. Haemanthus are valuable plants, 
and when their growth is completed give less water, after which 
repot those that need it. H. cinnabarinus, H. Katherinae, IT. 
multiflorus are well worth cultivating. Other well-known 
genera are Vallota, Zephyranthes, Pancratium, and Narcissus. 
W. Anstis«. 
Salvias. 
The magnificent display of Salvias I have just liad the 
pleasure of seeing in one of our private gardens in Lanark¬ 
shire is solely the origin of this note. I cannot hut advocate 
their usefulness for a greenhouse at this period, when I observe 
them grown to such perfection. Like some of our other rare 
plants, it is too often despised, for the simple reason that the 
cultivator fails to apply the treatment essential. No plant can 
assume a move sickening appearance than the Salvia if not 
properly catered for. There is a very exhaustive list of Salvias 
in commerce, but the greenhouse section will use my available 
space. Excuse must be given me when I denunciate the general 
greenhouse, S. splendens, S. s. grandiflora, S. s. Bruantii, 
S. s. Scarlet Queen, etc., as practically worthless beside the 
imposing flower heads of the variety grown here (Glory of Stut- 
gart). Enclosed a few flowers of it, culled from hundreds, for 
your decision. The flowers are a brilliant scarlet of great 
density, 4 in. to 5 in. long, and 2 in. through. 
Treatment.— The propagation of the above is by means of 
