August 20, 1904; 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
663 
The repotting is best done in this section either when the 
new roots make their appearance at the base of the developing 
growth, or immediately after the flowers are removed. Being 
robust growers, they require liberal pot room; it is essential 
to see that ample clean drainage be provided. The potting 
compost, which should be made moderately firm, about the 
roots, shoold consist of equal portions of fibrous peat, loam 
and chopped sphagnum moss, with sufficient rough sand or 
broken crocks added to render the compost porous. 
To increase stock. — It is alwaysi desirable to increase 
the stock, and it is most desirable to procure at least 
one duplicate as soon a® possible, for plants', like human 
beings, sometime® die away suddenly, and where there is 
only one plant the stock is thus lost. The divisions are 
easily made at the time of repotting. I would advise, where 
it can be conveniently done, that the rhizome, should be cut 
asunder between the growths where it is proposed to divide 
the' plant. T’ake away the leading growth with the 'active: 
roots', and leave the back growth or ’growths undisturbed in 
the old potting compost and pot. This gives, the back growth 
frill benefit of, and the advantage from, any live roots that 
may be attached, and being undisturbed they will greatly 
assist ini enabling the growth to produce young shoots. Where 
divisions are made it is desirable to retain the back growths 
in a fairly dry condition.. I do not infer by this that no water 
should be given, but what I wish to convey is that only suffi¬ 
cient should be given to retain the leaves in their norami con¬ 
dition. 
Occasionally spraying overhead in bright weather is: bene¬ 
ficial until the new growths commence to' develop, then it 
must cease, or there will be a possibility of causing the new 
growths: to damp, should moisture get into the centres of the 
opening leaves. Shade carefully from the direct rays of the 
sun, and in bright weather retain ample moisture in the 
atmosphere. Fumigate the: plants at regular intervals with 
vapourising fumigators, which will successfully keep insect 
pests in check and will prevent any possibility of the foliage 
being disfigured thereby. H. J. 
Hardy Herbaceous Border. 
Kniphofias or Tritomas. — For late summer and autumn 
decoration these constitute one of the most useful classes of 
border plants, and though very few of them are of any service 
for cut-flower work, they are almost indispensable for pro¬ 
ducing a beautiful display when the majority of flowers: are 
past. They are able to succeed well in the majority of soils', 
providing the requisite attention is given before planting, and 
when once established c,an be left for several years without 
division, being necessary. The best soil for them, however, 
is a good rich, fairly light loam, but failing this, the ground 
should be well trenched and plenty of well-retted cow manure 
incorporated, as Tritomas root strongly and like good feeding. 
Spring is the 'best time for" planting, and if one separates large 
crowns this has: to be very carefully done, as these plants are 
extremely brittle just where the growths leave the rootstock, 
that is the collar, and if not handled properly will easily 
break. The crownsi should he: divided with a sharp instru¬ 
ment, such as a. knifei, which will pass through easily, but at 
the same time damage as few roots as possible, and plant 
immediately in the hole: which has been prepared beforehand, 
and this: should be of sufficient size: to allow the roots being 
spread out evenly all round. Plant sufficiently deep, and 
press the soil firmly. In dry weather copious' supplies of 
water should be given, and a soaking of diluted farmyard 
liquid will be most beneficial occasionally. 
In. many districts Tritomas can be considered hardy, but in. 
the more exposed parts of the country it is 1 necessary to give 
the crowns ample protection. An effective: way of doing this 
is to' twist the leaves round and then! give' a good mulching of 
fine cinder ashes. In some- of our public gardens these hand¬ 
some: plants are used for bedding on, grass, and no: doubt they 
are seen to the best advantage in' this way. Where the space 
can be sjrared, the sio-il should be well prepared as advised 
before, and if it is of an unsuitable nature it should be taken 
out and fresh jrlaced in,. Onei variety in a bed is the best 
method, unless, of course, the bedsi are very large, and a 
suitable selection would be found among the following: — 
Triumph, Ophir, Pfitzeri, Lachesis, Ideal, Maria, grandiflora, 
Leda., and Caulesoens. MacOwanii, Nelsonii, and oorallina. are 
tliree dwarf growers, and well suited for the: above purpose on 
the front of the borders. 
Summer flowering Chrysanthemums.—These have done well 
this year, and will now be quickly coming into bloom. The 
growths and flower stems should he kept supported, and if 
any insect life appears give a, dusting of tobacco' powder. Tire 
soil should be kept stirred between, the plants and a light, 
dusting of scot or some: artificial manure given occasionally. 
Pentstemons.—The lateral growths of these should be kept 
supported lightly, and if it is net desired to save the seed, those 
spikes which are past should be removed. The cuttings of 
new varieties can be taken now if one wishes to obtain, all 
the stock possible, and they will easily root if placed in thumb 
pots and stood in, a, bandlight under a, north wall or other 
shady place. The herbaceous borders should be kept cleaned 
of all rubbish and weeds, and keep tire soil frequently stirred 
with the hoe to prevent weeds- from seeding, which they do in 
great quantities now if not removed. See that large autumn 
flowering plants are well supported, and do not hurry to cut 
down plants which have gone: out of flower, as it is- better 
to let them die: off yellow than to: cut off when, in a green, 
sappy state. The seed-pods: of such as Alstroemeriasi and the 
like should be taken off, as these only weaken the roots. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. A. E. Thatcheir. 
The Primrose and Darwinism. 
Such was the title of an interesting hook published a short 
time ago- (Grant Richards:). Many questions were asked when, 
the book was reviewed in the Horticultural Press as to what 
Dai win, whose name is soi much associated with monkeys, and 
descent of man, had to do with the humble Primrose. It is 
ready surprising to: note how much Darwin is misunderstood,, 
even m these mo-re: enlightened days. Darwin was a, great 
naturalist, devoting his whole life to the study of nature, 
and, as such, possessing a great knowledge of all pertaining 
to plants. During his life lie made many interesting dis¬ 
coveries by constant, observation, and careful experiment. 
T'o- him the Primrose was particularly interesting, for I 
think it is safe to: say that the remarkable phenomena of 
heteroistylism was first elucidated by Darwin. The term 
heteroistylism, means presenting different, forms of styles, 
typical instances may be seen, in, any species of Primula. 
Hie genus Lythrum is another example. I mention this case 
because L. Salicaria, (Purple Loosestrife) is now to be found 
in, flower ; it is generally fo-und growing at the water side. In 
this case three forms of flow occur, each on a, separate plant. 
They are distinguished as long, mid, and short-styled flowers: 
according to: the length of the styles', this being known as 
ti imorp'hisim. I have just been, down by the Thames bank 
where the Lythrum is growing freely, and growing almost 
side by side are the different, forms of flowers. 
T'o return to 'the Primrose. In this case we have two forms 
(dimorphism), the long and -short-styled, more generally 
known, in the garden asi “ pin-eyed ” and “ thrum-eyed.” 
The different form of flowers- grow each on separate plants. 
The form having the anthers seated on the top of the tube 
have a, short style concealed in the. tube. Where the style 
is long, bringing the -stigma to the: month of the tube, the 
anthers are seated low down in the latter. 
Asi I liave already stated, the different, forms: are to be 
found on different roots, there being no difficulty in deciding 
