193 
March 5,1904 THE GARDENING WORLD . 
provision for their successful cultivation in so far as heating re¬ 
quirements are concerned. When the temperature falls lower 
than that above mentioned, refrain from damping, and keep 
the atmosphere and the potting compost as free from moisture 
as possible until the desired temperature is again reached. 
H. J. 
Hardy Herbaceous Border. 
Michaelmas Daisies, whether grown in a separate bed or 
interspersed among other plants in the herbaceous: border, 
should now be given attention before they start into active 
growth. Many varieties increase rapidly at the root., especially 
the older forms, and unless split up frequently are apt to 
become somewhat weedy. It is advisable when dividing to 
retain the young pieces as much as possible and discard the 
flowering roots, of last season if onei lias sufficient stock to do 
so, as the younger roots give better results. To see Asters 
at their best it is necessary to take them up. at least every two 
years and trench the ground 1 , freely incorporating some good 
rotten manure, and if the soil is of a. heavy texture any 
lightening material at hand should also' be added. Now is a, 
good time to perform this work. Lift the plants carefully and 
lay them in on a spare piece of ground near at hand, or cover 
them up so 1 that the roots do not become dry, also taking care 
that the varieties do not become mixed. 
When replanting, sufficient space should be allowed between, 
each to give them an opportunity to develop' fully. At least: 
i ft. should be given from plant to plant, and 3 ft. between 
the rows of all the larger-growing kinds. If one 'has not 
sufficient time to treat the border in' thiisi way, it will be very 
beneficial to the plants if some decayed manure or leaf-soil is 
lightly forked in:, taking care not to disturb the roots. 
Single-stemmed Plants. —If small pieces' are taken off now 
and potted up, these will make nice plants for putting out 
about April, and are exceedingly pretty when: grown on one 
stem. These are very desirable for planting in the herbaceous 
borders, as they keep up a good display of bloom in autumn, 
and many varieties, especially those with a drooping habit, 
answer well for this purpose. 
Delphiniums. —The: young shoots of these will now be 
appearing through the ground, and as slugs are veiy plentiful 
some precautions will be necessary to prevent the tender 
growths being eaten off. Sifted cinder ashes will be the best 
thing for this purpose, and these should be placed closely 
around the shoots in addition to a, quantity being laid round 
the whole plant. 
The old' stools of Hollyhocks should also. be treated in the 
; same way, and the ashes in both cases: used plentifully. 
Oriental Poppies. —During recent years these have grown 
largely in public favour, and there is nothing which gives a. 
brighter display in the border during early summer. The old 
Pa.paver orientale has been greatly improved, and no doubt 
■ will be more so in the future, and there is: now a very good 
selection of colours. These Poppies succeed well in the 
majority of soil ini a good open, sunny situation, but the ground 
before planting should be well worked and some feeding 
material incorporated. It is advisable not to plant too' near the 
front of the border, as they are over rather early ; neither 
should the batches consist of more than three or four plants'-, or 
a rather unsightly gap ma,y result. If used as cut flowers 
they should be gathered as the buds are commencing to 1 expand, 
and will then, last a considerable time in water. If cut when 
wide open the petals soon drop. Among the newer varieties 
the following are all worthy of inclusion, the majority of which 
have a, dwarf habit and do not require staking: Mrs. Marsh, 
rich crimson flowers, flaked white; Blush Queen, a. delicate 
pink with dark spots or blotches; Mogul, immense blood-red ; 
Silver Queen, delicate silvery-white, tinged pink ; Mahogany, 
very dark reddish-purple; Prince of Orange, a telling orange- 
scarlet ; Royal Scarlet, a very glowing" scarlet; and Livermere., 
a. deep crimson with black blotches. Any of these varieties 
give a fine effect when separately bedded, if on© can plant, 
something else to flower later. 
Saxifraga Boydii alba. —During tire latter half of February 
all lovers of Alpines, give this beautiful Saxifrage a hearty 
welcome, not only for its early flowering, but also for the pure 
whiteness of the blooms, which contrast pleasingly with the 
silvery rosettes and make this one of the most distinct' and 
desirable of all rock plants:. In a crevice on the rockery, 
between the coping-stones of a bridge or in any position similar, 
it soon makes itself at home, and will grow and flower freely 
in a mixture of good loam and grit. 
Saxifraga Grisebachii is another early flowering recently 
introduced species belonging to. the encrusted section, with 
silvery leaves and crimson, flower-stems, which appear during 
March or April. This is: also easily grown in a similar compost 
to that mentioned above, and can be increased by division. 
Though the colour of the flower’s! and stems is new in this 
section of Saxifrageis, this; Maceidonian species appears to be 
a somewhat overrated though an interesting plant. 
A. E. Thatcher. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
The Flower Garden. 
There are many useful bedding plants which may be raised 
annually from seeds, and the more we have of such the less 
house or frame room will be required for stock during winter. 
Solarium marginatum is a handsome plant- that may be 
treated asi a half hardy annual, raised from seeds sown now 
and placed in the propagating house. The seedlings may be 
pricked off when large enough and hardened off gradually ini 
tire usual manner. The value of the plant lies in the large 
silvery-grey leaves, prickly on both surfaces. It grows 
rapidly when planted out, but may be kept to a- suitable size 
by occasional pinching. It is pretty as a, dot plant in large 
beds or as a single central one in smaller* round beds'. A pretty 
effect is obtained by associating Solanum marginatum with 
other plants having bronze or* yellow foliage. 
Salvia farina,cea is another pretty plant which lias recently 
come into' favour for bedding, and is very useful for late 
summer work. Seeds may be sown under the same conditions 
as for Solanum marginatum, subsequently growing on to a 
good size in pots before planting out. As the specific name 
implies, the plant has a “ mealy ” appearance, but its chief 
beauty lies in the long spikes: of violet-blue flowers, which are 
not unlike those of the Lavender. 
Roots of Cannas intended for bedding out should now be 
placed in. heat to start-. Large roots may be divided to in¬ 
crease the stock, or side-shoots may be taken off when: of fair 
size and potted up in small pots, plunging in gentle bottom 
heat to: encourage root formation. Gannas must be of good 
size and well hardened off before planting out., or they will 
not- flower satisfactorily. 
Seeds of such things as! Cnicus (Chamaepeuce.) diacamtha, 
Albizzia. lophantha., and Eucalyptus Globulus may be sown 
now for summer work. 
Should open weather bei the rule during the next few weeks, 
conns of Gladiolus may be planted. These popular flowers 
have been greatly unproved of late years and furnish a mag¬ 
nificent display in late summer and autumn. A very pretty 
effect is obtained by planting groups of Gladiolus among 
clumps of Gypsophila. paniculata, or if this is; not to be had 
in sufficient quantity, Gypsophila eiegans may now be sown 
among the Gladiolus later. 
Bulb's in beds are now moving fast, and as soon as they are 
well above "round 1 the soil should be well loosened with the 
hoe. ° W - J - 
Singapore Pineapples. —Singapore has taken to the cultiva- 
on of Pineapples as a commercial enterprise, and at present 
Bangoon Times says the demand is greater than the supply, 
be fruits are sliced and canned before they are sent away to 
Le European and American markets. 
