284 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
April 2. 1904. 
folium), which is at the right-hand corner, and partly hidden by 
a neighbouring Oak. The bed is five years planted, and the 
shrubs seven to nine feet high or more. 
“ Both kinds of the Japanese Snowballs, while perfectly dis¬ 
tinct from one another, are closely related, but the American 
Snowball, except in its balls of blossoms, is decidedly unlike the 
others. The Round-leaved Snowball conies into bloom at the 
same time as the 1 American, and a few days ahead of plica-turn, 
but the latter catches up with them in a few days, when all are 
white together. The flower balls of both Japanese sorts are 
arranged quite: closely along the 
leafy branches 1 ’, and on short- pe>- 
duncles, whereas those of the 
American are on long peduncle's and 
drooping. 
“ A marked characteristic of these 
Snowballs is that the leaves: of t-lie 
American one are- always crinkled 
up with aphides or plant lice, while 
the foliage of the Japanese sorts is 
never infested with these pests. ’ 
In habit rotundifolium is a little 
more open and spreading than pli- 
catum, but not so tall growing. The 
foliage in a, general way much re¬ 
sembles that of plica,t-um, but many 
of the lower or inner leaves are per¬ 
fectly round. In, hardiness I have 
found no difference between them. 
While there' may be some advantage 
in the size of tlie balls of rotundi- 
folium over those of plicat-um, -alto¬ 
gether plieatum is the more desir¬ 
able form. “Bailey’s Cyclopedia,' 
says rotundifolium blooms about two 
weeks -earlier tlia-n plica-turn, but 
that is a- mistake; I have grown 
and bloomed them together for 
twenty consecutive: years, and there 
is: only a difference of t-wo' or three 
days. 
Besides the plain green variety 
there is a, variegated form of rot-und- 
ifoHum, but the variegation, a-s in 
the case of the Ginkgo and some 
other Japanese plants, is sparse:, 
occurring in; buds or branchlets here 
and there through the plants. 
William Falconer. 
The Culture of MaSmaisons, 
In, writing a short- article on MaT 
maisous, 1 will begin at the layering- 
season. The best plants that can, be 
spared should be used for layering in 
July or August. 
Place sufficient soil in a- cold 
frame to cover the' ball of the plant 
when laid on its: side, and in layer¬ 
ing make a, good, sound tongue by 
cutting the stem just under a node, 
half-way to the centre of the stem, 
and then cut upwards- just through 
the next node. Place the. tongue firmly in the soil and peg 
securely. Make sure there is no wireworm in the soil, as these 
pests eat, their way up tlirough the tongue and ruin the layer. 
Keep rather cl-os-e: and shaded for a- week or so, giving a, light 
spray and shutting the frame: up in the afternoon ; but admit 
a little air in the evening. 
As soon as they begin to root more air may be given, and 
eventually the: lights may be: removed in, fine weather. As: soon 
•a,si rooted sufficiently to maintain themselves: they should be 
potted up in 3-in. pots: and returned to a, cold frame with a 
moist bottom floor; water veiy sparingly and keep' rather close 
By courtesy of Messrs. Bull <ft Sons. 
Epiphyllum delicatum. (See p. 277.) 
ring. During summer more water will be required, and there 
is no need to be quite so particular about watering, but at all 
times water carefully. 
Wliein, the plants are developing then" flower spikes a little 
artificial manure will be beneficial, and they should be watered 
occasionally with liquid manure and soot-water. 
After flowering, pot those required for growing on into 9-in. 
pots. Pot very firmly, using a- compost- of two-thirds fibrous 
loam pulled to pieces by hand, a-nd the other third leaf-soil and 
peat- in equal proportions ; add to the whole a mixture of sand, 
wood ashes, fine mortar rubble' and crock dust, about six shovel- 
for a week or so, without actually shutting the frame up, after¬ 
wards admitting plenty of air. 
The best plants may be potted into* 5-in. pots as sc-on as 
rooted round, and weaker one® may remain- until the spring. 
Winter them in a cool dry house, giving plenty of air at all 
times; even in frosty weather air can be given on top ven¬ 
tilators. Water very carefully during winter. If a pot rings 
clear when rapped with the: knuckles, rub your thumbs round 
the rim of the pot and gently press the soil on the edge ; if the 
pot still rings', water it-; but- if not, let it remain until it doe® 
