April 16, 1904, . 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
317 
are properly expanded, and as it. is said each, female lays from 
fifteen to twenty eggs in as many flower-buds, one can easily 
imagine the mischief done by a, few dozen,si of these weevils. 
Pears.— The majority of trees will be, in. bloom by now, and 
in. most instance® laden;, so that we may expect something- 
different in thei way of fruit, from that of last year, providing- 
genial weather continues a,s at the time of writing. All shoots 
required for extension of the tree must be relieved of blossom- 
buds at the extremity, if such was overlooked at the time of 
pruning. 
Miscellaneous.—Now the sap is flowing freely, push on with 
grafting operations;, remembering former advice as to the 
necessity of clean cuts and the meeting of bark to bark on 
one side, at any rate, without which a union of stock and 
scion is impossible. Strawberry plants that have been forced 
and stood in cold frames should be exjrosed as much as: possible 
preparatory to being planted out in. a feiv weeks’ time, afford¬ 
ing them plentiful supplies of water while remaining in thei 
potsj and should other work have deferred the preparation, of 
the ground for the reception of the plants, get it trenched or 
double dug forthwith, working in a good dressing of half- 
decayed manure at the bottom and between the two spits. 
Established plants are now pushing up their flower-trusses, 
which look strong and promise well; do not be in too great 
a hurry to straw down; allow the sun to warm the ground, 
which must be very cold after such a dripping season, espe¬ 
cially on retentive soils. 
The autumn,-bearing varieties, St. Joseph, Jeanne d’Arc and 
St. Antoine de Padoue, should have all flower-trusses pinched 
out, up to the middle of July, when ripe fruits may be looked 
for during September and October, providing we get a favour¬ 
able autumn ; but the past two seasons have been far too wet, 
and cold for these late crops, the slugs playing havoc with 
them. Keep, the flat hoes going between all fruit quarters 
when, the weather permit®; this killing of seedling Meeds will 
save much labour later on, if such were allowed to flower and 
seed afresh. Newly-planted fruit trees need not be mulched 
until really hot weather sets in, and where such was put, on in 
case of hard weather it would be wise to remove it for -a time, 
so that sun, and air may penetrate, and thus promote root 
action below as well as top growth above. 
B'cton, Devonshire. James Matne. 
The Herbaceous Borders. 
As many of the plants are now well above the soil and others 
are quickly pushing through, one will be able to- see if there 
are any vacancies, and these are almost sure to occur ini 
heavy, wet soils. It is always desirable to pot up a, few plants 
in the autumn for this purpose, and those which have be'em 
wintered in frame® can now be planted out. It is a good plan 
at, this season to lightly rake over the soil, removing any 
rubbish, such as stones, etc., so; that the young shoots will be 
able to grow away freely unimpeded; and as -slugs are, asi 
usual, very plentiful, some fine ashes should be placed round 
any small plants which are liable to be eaten off, as this is a 
simple remedy, and will save much disappointment. 
Among the several plants now flowering ini the borders, 
Pulmonaria saccharata is one of the most, beautiful, and wheni 
grown in a good mass it makes a splendid show. The flowers, 
which appear in large numbers before the leaves-, are bright 
pink and change wit-h age to violet, thus making a very pleas- 
mg contrast. The foliage, which is large -and prettily mottled 
with white, remains in good condition all t-hronqli the summer, 
and this is certainly -one: of the best, of the Lung-worts. 
Crown Imperials. —These beautiful early-flowering bulb-si 
are now making a rapid growth, and before they commence to 
flower each stem should be securely supported with a medium¬ 
sized -stale© to: prevent any injury being done. As Fritillarias 
flower early in the spring, they -should n,ot occupy too- pro¬ 
minent a place in the border, and if planted in batches at the 
back no- unsightly places will occur. There is a very fine form 
named F. imperialis foliis variegatis, the foliage of which is 
exceedingly effective, being broadly margined with white. In 
a. group- this makes a pleasing effect-, and the variety deserve® 
to be more largely grown than at present. 
F. delphinensis- Mo-ggridge-i is a little-known variety of great 
merit. It- grows between 3 in-, to 6 in, in height, wit-h -short, 
pale green leave-s, and fo-r thei size of the- plant bears a re¬ 
markably large- flower, fully 3 in. across- when expanded, which 
is golden-yellow in colour, with pale brown spots. For a nook 
in the ruck garden it is a charming plant. 
t. pallidiflo-ra is another pleasing specie®, with white 
flowers-, and the new F. askabadensis, which has. sweetly- 
scented white flowers, is a, good addition, to our border plants-. 
The Variegated Comfrey (Symphytum officinale variegar 
turn).—In the back of the herbaceous border, or, better -still, 
in the wild garden, by the -side o-f woodland walks, etc., this 
handsome foliage plant makes- a conspicuous group- c-f colour 
throughout the summer and autumn months. Being a some- 
what -strong grower, it should be allowed ample space to 
develop- the golden, fo-liage, and when, once- established needs 
no- further -attention:. The flo-wersi are very pale blue an-dl 
pink in colour, produced on stems ab-o-ut 4 ft. in- height, and 
when freely la-den with these it is* a- very distinct-looking plant-. 
The Rock Garden .—At this time of year there is no- other 
part of the garden which lo-o-k-s so- beautiful or has so many 
interesting subjects a® this, -and on a well-planted rockery there 
will be much to occupy thei attention o-f the cultivator. Slugs 
should be looke-d for night and morning and killed, as they 
soon, wo-rk -sad havoc with the flower-stem®, and a. few ashes 
round any special plants will effectually prevent damage being 
done-. Few plants- are mo-re beautiful at this season than the 
double Primrose®, and one -stands o-ut- conspicuously as worthy 
of culture in every garden. This is P. ac-aulis Croussed plena, 
which produce® about six flowers -on a stem, these- being plum- 
coloured with a white: edging, very double, and about, 2 in. in 
diameter. Primrose- Miss- Massey is a. splendid single variety, 
with deep crimson flowers- and a, golden centre. As- single 
plants or for massing, it, is a very beautiful form. Primula 
mnrginata, is: on© of the most beautiful for planting in the 
chinks or crevices- of large -sto-nes, and succeeds well in, a. loamy 
soil and shady position. The deep- b-lue flowers last a, long time 
in, good condition, and are produced so thickly as to almost 
hide the silvery foliage. A. E. Tiiatciier. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 
The Gardeners’ Association. 
To the Editor o-f The Gardening World. 
Sir,— In reading of the proposed Gardeners’ Association, an 
association which promotes (1) registration, of gardeners, (2) 
regulation of wages, (3) regulation o-f working hours, I have 
been wondering if employers- and gardeners- have realised the 
numerous- advantages to be derived therefrom. 
That the permanent, formation of such an association would 
be a step- forward in, lifting the profession to a mo-re: business¬ 
like as well -as 1 a more dignified level cannot be doubted. 
With it young gardeners will discern that- there is something' 
definite to be aimed at, and it, will thus be an- incentive to 
ambitions- which- under 1 thei present- conditions often become 
soured. 
Employers cannot, help- but benefit when those- working for 
them may be- depended upon to- b-ei up to a, certain standard in 
experience and ability, and such workers will o-f necessity be 
more in, sympathy with the interests of. their masters than- unr 
skilled men and men who- make it a point to do- as little as 
possible- in accordance, -as they say, with the remuneration 
received. 
May the yo-ung gardeners of to-day make it their aim to 
support an association which will at least give a, businesslike 
organisation to a neglected profession. Bugbean. 
