10 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
January 2, 1904. 
sufficient to induce the Potato® to make short sturdy spears 
(or shoots), and as these attained to- about 1) in. long, they 
were taken ofi close to the tuber and potted, each being potted 
singly in 2|-in. pots in, good loamy soil, and as soon as they 
started growing were placed on a shelf close to the glass, and 
later on removed to a cool frame. By planting time we had 
a considerable number of these rooted cuttings, and there was 
a good deal of speculation as to whether they would produce 
tubers. I must add that after the original tubers were fairly 
exhausted, they were cut up and a, planting “siet” made of 
each separate eye. At planting time a little care was taken 
in, putting some light soil in the rows (it was old potting com¬ 
post mixed with soot). The season proved favourable, though 
there was but. little haulm (and for this, reason there wa,si a good 
deal of speculation about what the 1 crop would be). However, 
when, digging-timei came, there was ample proof that the cut¬ 
tings were equally as prolific as the sets, and from the 21b. 
of seed upwards of 20 bushels, or over half a ton, of Potato,5: 
was the result. I may further add that the bulk of these went 
to one London seed house at 2s. 6d. per lb., which was at that 
time considered a good return, for the investment. I have 
propagated other varieties 1 in the same way, but it is not all 
that do so well. 
I will now point out a few of the most important factors in 
the successful propagation of Potatos. In the first place, there 
is not much advantage in starting too early. February is 
quite soon enough. A temperature of from 50 deg. to 60 deg. 
F. will be quite warm enough ; too- much heat will cause weak 
growth. There' will be no time saved in taking the shoots off 
before 1 they are well advanced,. They must, be potted carefully 
and not allowed to get stunted before planting time. If 
necessary they should be given, larger pots rather than, let them 
suffer, and they cannot bet put out, until we are past the time' 
for frosty nights ; though by placing inverted pots over them 
at night they may go, out a, little earlier than, would otherwise 
be safe. 
With Northern Star I found last spring that they began to 
form tubers quite early; but some which were allowed to 
remain in pots too long did not do so well. 
There is little, doubt that any variety may be propagated in 
the manner referred to above, and anyone possessing a, few 
tubers of a choice sort should try it. I may say to those who, 
do* not like to risk failure, they may take some spears and 
then have the tubers left to, plant in the ordinary way. 
A. Hemsley. 
P.S.—With regard to weakening the, stock of any Potato®, I 
believe more depends upon proper ripening, off in. the autumn 
than the "mode of propagation. 
Gypsophilas. 
The sterling merit® of Gypsophila paniculata ape so well 
known that it would seem superfluous to, attempt, to add 
aught to the many eulogies that have been, accorded it. My 
intention,, however, is not to dwell particularly on this well- 
known, favourite, but to draw attention to one or two, other 
varieties of Gypsophilas-, each of which possesses some disi- 
t motive merit. 
If there is a drawback to the value of G. paniculata, it is 
that it blooms rather late in the summer; consequently, the 
earlier blooming flowers have to go un,embellished by the 
great “ Fern, saver,” as the Gypsophila is frequently called. 
This need not be entirely the case, for we have 1 in, G. Stevenii 
an earlier blooming variety, and although scarcely so light and 
"graceful as its relative, this plant merits extensive cultivation, 
simply because it is available for use before the better variety. 
Nor can it be said that G. Stevenii is lacking in beauty, for its 
branching panicles of bloom are very effective, either in the 
border or in. the cut state. 
The individual flowers are considerably larger than, t hose of 
G. paniculata, and are distinctly veined with rosy pink on a 
pure white ground—i.e., in, its true form—but by raising 
from seed considerable variation has resulted in this respect, 
some forms being pure white, others are very heavily veined, 
and some show a decided pink tinge throughout. The plant 
attains a height of from 18 in. to 2 ft., and is therefore of 
suitable height for ordinary border work. 
Another very useful and highly ornamental variety is G. 
latifolia. This is a tall strong-growing plant, hearing very 
large and much-branched panicles of bloom varying in different 
forms from pure white to blush pink, or in Some cases a 
greenish white, which is not pleasing. 
G. latifolia lasts in good condition for a long period. I have 
cut freely from one bed from early July until Michaelmas and 
right useful has it been, while in the garden a, mass, of this 
plant is an attractive feature:, its large panicles reaching from 
the ground to a height of 5 ft. or even 6 ft., making a light 
and charming background to other herbaceous plants of 
brighter colours. 
The new double form of G. paniculata, is a great acquisition,, 
possessing the advantage of retaining its freshness for a longer 
period than does the single form. Although double, the flowers- 
are by no means heavy, and from a decorative point of view 
the new plant can hold its own against its predecessor. The 
writer wa,s in, charge of the herbaceous department of Messrs. 
Thomson and Sons’ nursery when, G. paniculata, fl. pi. first 
made its appearance, and can well remember its discovery 
among a. large batch of seedlings. , Nor do, I forget the care 
bestowed upon the new plant, and the many speculations a® tc^ 
its probable value- and future popularity. The plant was lifted- 
witli the greatest care and potted in. a large pot, where it 
readily responded to. the liberal treatment afforded it, making 
a fine bushy plant, and producing an abundance of bloom such- 
a,s is seldom seen even, on plants in the open. This fact sug¬ 
gested to me the possibility of making a useful subject of G. 
paniculata, for decoration, of conservatories, verandahs, etc.,, 
and right, grand specimens have: I had by potting three crowns- 
in a large pot or tub. By staking out, the growths with neat 
sticks a, symmetrical shape is secured, the whole plant being: 
completely smothered in bloom. Where large conservatories,, 
corridors, or verandahs have-to, be furnished, I can confidently' 
recommend the use of G. paniculata, treated as above. 
Even, the rock garden may be enriched with diminutive and 
trailing Gypsophilas-. G. cerastioides, is a real gem for this' 
purpose. It formsi neat, compact tufts of glaucous,-greeaai 
foliage studded with flowers that are large in comparison with' 
the size of the plant, and during June and July a good-sized' 
clump is charming indeed. 
Then, there , is G. repens, a, trailing plant of great beauty: • 
The new G. rep-en,s monstrosa, is, really distinct,, and well de¬ 
served the Award of Merit accorded' it by the R.H.Si This' 
plant is, equally useful for either rockery or border decoration, 
and in a, cut state is hard to beat, especially- at the early season; 
in which it flowers. Of the beautiful little annual, Gi elegans-,. 
I will only say, here,is a, tiling, that should be sown at frequent 
intervals in, every garden. Albert J; MacSklf;. 
Lea Farm, Fqr-mby.- 
Browallia speciosa major: 
This is a showy flowering plant for an intermediate- house 1 
temperature, its purplish flowers* contrasting well with Gloire 
de Lorraine Begonia or the white Primula stella,ta,,,and it is- 
a|colour we are not overdone with at this- timecof year.. With* 
us* it has,been in flower since early November, and appears, to* 
continue well into January. As, the plants pass out of bloom,, 
shorten back the old growths,, and keep rather dry at the root,- 
but-syringed daily, when young shoots will so-on be ready tor 
be taken as cuttings, which if dibbled into 3-in. pots of sandy' 
soil and kept close in a temperature of 60 deg. will root, 
readily, and can then be treated similar to- the Fuchsia, and 
had in flower early or late in, the season as circumstances re¬ 
quire, though I think they are more useful during autumn' 
and early winter. A stock can, also he raised from s-eed sown 
in March or April, but up to the present I have not found it 
to germinate very freely. Thrips seem about the worst, enemy 
it has, but, fumigated eveiy two or three weeks-, this will not 
trouble the plant much. J- M. 
