February 20, 1904. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
153 
being strong growers are suitable for covering archways or tall 
trellis-work. 
Gooseberries.—Where the pruning of these was deferred 
on account, of the birds molesting the buds the work must 
soon be undertaken now, thinning out the centres of the 
bushes well, so that the fruit may be more conveniently 
gathered, bearing in mind that the heaviest crops are taken 
from bushes where last season’s growths are left entire, or 
merely shortening the very longest or pendulous shoots, but 
i spurring back surplus growths to a couple of buds. Gather up 
all pruuings and bum them, affording the quarter a moderate 
dressing of good manure, and forking in the same lightly ; but 
it is quite likely after so much heavy rain the soot and lime 
remedy advocated to ward off the birds has got washed off ; 
if so, apply another dose before putting the ground in order. 
Needless to say, we must, have a few dry days before attempt¬ 
ing to work the ground in such a soddened state as now; there¬ 
fore any wheeling of manure must be done with planks' laid 
down between the rows if a frosty morning cannot be taken 
advantage of. James Mayne. 
Bieton, Devonshire. 
Among the Orchids. 
| [Cattleya Trianaei.- —There is perhaps no. more desirable or 
welcome species of this showy genus than, this early flowering 
one. Many of thesei plants will now be advancing their flowers. 
To see the blossoms in perfection it. is. desirable to have the 
floweret expanding under the most favourable conditions. This 
ueiiig the case, it is desirable that the flowering period should 
be delayed as far asi possible, so that, the brighter conditions 
prevailing outside may be utilised to bring about these de¬ 
sirable qualities. However good a variety may be, if induced 
to produce its flowers in the months of January and February, 
it will lack both in substance and colour wliat is procurable 
under the more favoured conditions prevailing in March and 
April. To. delay the flowering season, until this period carei 
must be observed to prevent, as far as possible, exciting the 
plants by liberal treatment at the present season,. Where the 
flowers are observed advancing' in the sheath, place the plant, 
in a position where it may obtain the maximum amount of 
light, procurable at, the present season,, and at the same time 
retain the minimum temperature so that iti will not require 
a great, amount- of root moisture. By the end of the month, 
when the flowers have become well advanced, they may be 
placed under warmer conditions, where more liberal treatment 
may be afforded. But, the maximum amount of light must 
still be afforded until the flowers have become thoroughly ex¬ 
panded. After they have become thoroughly developed moire 
shady conditions are necessary, as the sun so affects the flowers 
to add to their texture and colour before development, so will 
it quickly bleach the dies from the, flowers after they are fully 
expanded. 
Odontoglossums. — In the cool house the flower-scapes: of 0. 
crispum will be making considerable progress as the days begin 
to lengthen. I have dealt, with the subject of light at length 
in my notes on Cattleya, Trianaei. The remarks are as much 
applicable to Odontoglossums as they are to Cattleyas. Who 
is the cultivator who, is able to produce flowers of 0. crispum as 
, fine in, form and substance during the autumn, and winter 
: months as are produced in March, April and May? I have 
, heard many complaint® a,a to the durability of flowers where 
i leaf-soil lias been used as a, substitute for peat, and moss in, the 
patting compost. Asi I have been, one who has advocated the 
new features, in the methods of potting Orchids in, the 1 columns 
of The Gardening World, I may be permitted, perhaps, to 
j show why the flower® may not, be of the, durable nature that was 
found to exist in tire older, method of potting material. In, the 
old compost of peat and moss we used to drain to about two- 
thirds of the pot, leaving only onei-third for the roof® of the 
plant and the potting compost. Na turally, in, this, confined, 
and restricted area there was a, tendency to produce harder 
growths; in other words, better facilities were provided for 
properly maturing the growths. With the leaf-soil culture, 
even in the moderate recommendations I have made in previous 
notes in this column, we use practically all suitable material 
to 1 (sustain tire plant®, for the bracken roots used for drainage 
are a, very effective rooting medium, and therefore it may be 
considered a® a, pot, full of compost instead of the onerihird in 
the older system. Many growers will admit their enormous 
advance in, bulb development, but complain of the durability 
of the flowers. I find the reverse of this, for I not only admit 
advancement ini bulb, structure, but, I also maintain that, scapes 
of flowers', according to advanced size of bulb, may have more 
substance and colour in tlrei flowers', and that scapes may 
remain for a much longer period on, the plant® without the 
pseudo-bulbs becoming distressed. If I am asked! how this is 
brought about, I may reply through the discreet use of tire 
water-can in winter and a generous application, of light to the 
plant®. If discretion is used in the matter I have no hesitation 
in, saying that there will be no room, for complaint in the 
fliirrsin,ess of the flowers and their lasting qualities. H. J. 
The Flower Garden. 
Carpet Bedding.—There are still many votaries of this style 
of bedding', and in many gardens there exist positions where 
a carpet bed is eminently suitable. A start must be made now 
in. preparing material for the above work. In, tire past, Eclre- 
veriais have been largely used for carpet bedding and arei still 
useful for carrying out certain designs.. Plants' with coloured 
foliage, however, are more used now, and in warm sunny 
positions an excellent use may be made of several varieties of 
Alternant,hera, such as paronychioide®, amoemu,, Sohmidtii, and 
nan,a, a,urea. There are either varieties with broader leaves 
more suitable for edgings or carpeting beds of taller growing 
plants'. Alternantherasi strike readily from cuttings taken 
from stock plantsi, and, as previously stated, a, brisk bottom 
beat is, essential, according a, light, position to tire young plants 
when growing freely. Those rooted within the next month will 
themselves yield a, later batch of cuttings. Most, design® 
appear to, greatest, advantage on a, green, groundwork, and for 
this purpose Herniariai glabra, is a useful hardy plant, easily 
increased by division, at, the present time ; and in, like manner 
large quantities, of hardy Sedums 1 , Sagin'as 1 , etc., may be worked 
up. 
Begonias. — The value of Begonias as bedding plants in wet 
seasons lias been amply illustrated during the last two 
summers; and in, theinorth'they are, largely superseding Pelar¬ 
goniums 1 in, this respect,. Tlrei fibrous-rooted kind®, including 
the semperflorensi section mentioned in a, previous issue, are 
delightful bedding plants. A not, less wor thy sort is Begonia, 
ascotenisis, which is more robust, and taller-growing than the 
former. The flowers are, of a, rosy-pink colour, and borne in 
great profusion, making* a, nice show despite wet weather. 
Cuttings' are readily struck from now onwards, and good plants 
are easily raised before bedding out,. 
The semperflorens section, are now pushing numerous shoots 
from the base; these are best increased by division,, as cut¬ 
tings take longer to make good plants, than is the ca,sei with 
asco-tensiis. The tuberous 1 Begonias are well known and call 
for little comment, except, that they are averse to drought,, and 
in southern localities, this has proved a, drawback, to theii 
■extensive use as bedding plant®. In dry districts this may to 
some extent, be obviated by keeping the bed- as. low a,s- possible, 
mulching with old Mushroom manure or spent Hops and car¬ 
peting with some suitable creeping plant,. The tubers may 
now be placed in boxes of leafy soil and stood m a, warm house 
to start. B. M . J. 
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