o 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
January 2. 1904. 
Work for the Coming Fortnight. 
Hardy Herbaceous Plants. 
Cimicifugas. —Among the many beautiful flowering plants 
which we have at our disposal for the embellishment of her¬ 
baceous borders there are some of great value for the beauty 
of their foliage, and it is quite probable that the various 
Cimicifugas take a foremost place in this respect. In a well- 
formed collection all the species mentioned below are worthy 
of inclusion, not only for their foliage, but also on account 
of the tall flower-spikes which, when rising above the dwarfer 
occupants, have a, most telling effect. All the varieties succeed 
well in any good garden, soil, providing it is well prepared 
before planting, as they are fairly strong rooting subjects 
when established, and the growth is. much more imposing if 
they are left undisturbed. In a slightly shaded and 
moderately damp situation, the best results are possibly 
obtained, but - if one ha,s, not the opportunity of growing them 
under these conditions they will succeed admirably and grow 
luxuriantly in the open, border. Tn veiy dry weather, how¬ 
ever, copious supplies of water" should be given, and also doses 
of liquid manure from the farmyard, well diluted, occasionally 
will be very beneficial. Propagation is easily effected by 
division, of the root-stock in spring, but this should be 1 care- 
fully done, so that the crowns: are not, damaged. 
C. raeemosia, is perhaps: the best known of the family, and 
one of the most desirable, and in a season like the present it 
is seen to the best advantage, not being affected by the 
continual wet, and revelling in a. wet summer. The foliage 
is large and spreading, between. 2 ft. and 3 ft. in, height, and 
the flower-stems, which appear during the latter part of 
summer, are fully 5 ft, in height, freely branching, and the 
white flowers cover a, large portion, of the stems. This plant, 
j s . often, thought to be the same as Actea spicata, but this is 
a mistake, a,si the two: are quite distinct, and the Cimicifuga is 
by far the superior plant. 
C. cord i foil a. has large pinnate foliage and numerous black 
stems, which carry great quantities of white flowers, 
C. japonic a does not grow quite so tall as some, but is a 
very beautiful plant, and its merits are not yet sufficiently 
recognised. The foliage is a pleasing pale green, and the 
feathery white flowers are produced late in summer. 
C. am.erioa.na is another late variety, rather tall, also with 
white flowers. 
C. dahurica is one of the most distinct, with large spikes ot 
creamy flowers. 
Hollyhocks.— The old stools of these splendid garden plants, 
now that the stem's have been cut down, should be w - ell covered 
to protect them through the winter, and also to prevent, the 
ravages of slugs, which are very partial to the plants. A good 
layer of sifted cinder ashes should first, of all be placed over 
and round the crowns, and a heavy top-dressing of decayed 
cow manure added. The manure, however, should not he 
placed on, the top of the crowns or this will injure the young 
growth in spring and prevent them developing properly. 
Hollyhocks, grown a,s ‘annuals—that is, sowing them early 
and flowering the same year—give excellent results, and in 
many cases are superior to those treated as perennials, a,s they 
do not suffer from the disease which is so prevalent now. 
The seed should he sown as early in the new year as possible 
in 60-sized pots, and placed in a gentle heat to germinate, a 
warm pit or early fruit house just started being very suitable. 
When the young seedlings are large, enough to handle, they 
should be potted off singly in small 60 pots., gradually harden¬ 
in'? off and finally placing in a, cold frame till planting, time m 
April. Air the plants freely on all favourable occasion®, so 
that dampness does not affect, them. 
% 'Convallaria majalis, or Lily of the Valley.— The per. 
manent beds, of these favourite perennials, should now receive 
a, <?ood top-dressing of well-decayed leaf-soil and road-sand. 
It is often thought that this plant succeeds best, when, planted 
in a shady position, but this is a, mistaken idea, as, better 
results are never obtained than when grown in a good open, 
sunny situation. Now is a capital time to make up the plan¬ 
tations,, and the soil should be well prepared beforehand _by 
digging the soil deeply and freely, adding leaf-mould and 
road-grit. Only the best varieties should be grown, and, to, 
obtain a succession of flower over a long period, batches should 
be grown in several positions in, the garden. When the plant¬ 
ing is completed the whole should receive a good top-dressing 
of the' material before advised. When well established, Lily 
of the Valley can, remain without being disturbed for many 
years 1 , providing it, receives a good dressing annually. 
A. E. Thatcher. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
Salading.—.During a season like the past it has been a 
comparatively easy task to provide a, plentiful supply of the 
various constituents suited for making salad. In, many estab¬ 
lishments these have to be provided the whole year through, 
and from n,ow onwards for some time to come, especially if 
we have a long spell of severe weather, which we are quite, 
likely to experience, it will be no light task to ensure this, 
particularly in oases where space under glass: is limited. Let¬ 
tuce and Endive form two of the most important items, and 
among the most useful and, reliable kinds for mid-winter use 
of the first named I know of none to beat the old Hammer¬ 
smith Cabbage variety. It is unquestionably one of the most 
hardy Lettuce,si in, cultivation,, and will, if planted at the foot 
of a, south wall and slightly protected, come through very 
severe weather uninjured. Among the large number of Cos 
varieties, Hick’s Hardy White is unsurpassed. In, previous 
calendars I have advised sowing at, frequent intervals in boxes 
under glass, kinds which answer well to gentle forcing, and 
especially Gaiters’ Harbinger. I have grown this annually from 
the time it wasi first introduced with the best results. It 
grows very quickly, having slightly curled leaves of a light 
green colour, can, be cut quite young, and both in appearance 
and quality is excellent. At the present date we have a. 
quantity of it ready for use, and very valuable it, proves. 
Another small sowing should now be made in gentle heat. 
Endive. —Very late sowings which were planted as advised 
into cold frames have made good progress, Improved Batavian 
being the most reliable. A few plants should be tied up 
weekly to ensure perfect blanching. 
Chicory is, invaluable all through the winter, and in no case 
should this he omitted to be grown, as it forces most readily 
in any dark place in, a temperature of about 50 deg. A few 
roots should be placed in soil in such a position every ten, days. 
Improved Dandelion is: equally good, and requires about the 
same treatment both as to its cultivation and blanching. 
Mustard and Cress should be sown, weekly in, a gentle 
warmth in. shallow boxes. The seed should be gently pressed 
in, but not covered with soil, thus avoiding grit becoming 
mixed with it. Watercress is often overlooked in many 
gardens, but where means can be found for devoting a suitable 
place for it, this should he, grown by all means, but the water 
should be free from all filth, a pure running stream being 
best. Make a, gravelly bottom and replant annually. 
Young Onions, when quite small, about the size of a 
darning needle, are generally much liked, and frequent sowings 
of these ought to be persisted in during the winter. These 
should be sown, thinly in boxes, making the compost, very firm. 
The best variety for growing during winter is White Naples. 
Chervil and Tarragon each give a nice flavour to a, well- 
made salad, and to ensure a, const,ant supply during severe 
weather, each of these should he grown in, pots or boxes and 
brought oni under glass; a vinery or orchard house will answer 
well for the growth of these. 
Tomato® also form a, desirable adjunct, to 1 a well-made salad, 
and these should be included as often as possible, hut can, only 
he ensured when suitable accommodation is allowed during the 
