738 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
September 17. 1904. 
factors in stimulating an interest in dendrology, arboriculture, 
and forestry througout the country, and in bringing about a 
deeper appreciation of what is beautiful in the landscape in 
which trees and shrubs usually play a dominant part. 
In future years, as the work of the Arboretum broadens, and 
it is better endowed, it is hoped that the institution may have 
its own regular medium of publication in which those connected 
with it may print the results of the work accomplished. 
As the advantages and beauties of the 1 Arboretum become 
more and more evident, it is hoped that a corresponding 
amount of help may be forthcoming to enable it to increase 
its efficiency and maintain its collection in the best possible 
condition. Since the organisation of the Arboretum two men 
only have been continuously associated with it and working 
for it, and to them the condition of its living collection and its 
fame are largely due. These are Jackson T. Dawson, the pro¬ 
pagator and superintendent, and Professor Charles S. Sargent, 
the director, who, more than anyone, has brought wide public 
recognition to the institution. The name of Charles E. Faxon 
should not be omitted, for, although not. so long associated with 
the Arboretum, he has had the position of assistant director for 
more than twenty years, and, though little known to the general 
public, his silent but effective scientific work is understood and 
appreciated by his friends and among scientists in every civi¬ 
lised community where the work of the Arnold Arboretum- is 
known .—“ The Florists’ Exchange.” 
Seeds* 
('Concluded from page 681.) 
Large seeds', such a,s Sweet Peasi and Nasturtiums, are too 
big to be merely scattered, and should be sown in drills. 
Sowing in drills is by far the best plan to adopt for all kinds 
of seeds, with the usual exception of some flowering annuals. 
It is one of true economy, for while the seedlings are tender 
in the early months one, may protect them better if kept 
closely together than if scattered over the ground, besides 
having a far neater appearance, and when the seeds, appear in 
straight lines one may quickly distinguish the true things 
from the weedsi, and a hoe may easily be run, over the soil to 
kill intruders. Care should be taken to prevent small plants 
from overlapping.- If they overcrowd, the plants will be 
spindly, the leaves small and , poor, the flowers worse, and 
the time of flowering far too brief. 
Fern seeds are easily dealt, with. The seeds—or, as they are 
called, “ spores ”—are very fine, and produced on the back of 
the fronds. If young plants are desired from any particular 
crested or other good Fern, cut off the frond when the spores 
are commencing to ripen, or shake ait this period above a sheet 
of white paper, when the spores will fall as fine asi dust. Pre¬ 
pare pot® or pans with soil firmly pressed down, so that a 
smooth surface is maintained. On this scatter the spores and 
cover with a. pane of glass. Put in a. shady place 1 underneath 
the stage of the greenhouse. Do. not leave the glass off the 
pots. Spores of common Fern are floating in the air and will 
kill out the choice Ferns. 
Now, I should like before I close this paper just to touch 
on the disasters' which befall seeds and seedlings. One of 
the most deadly and the most common is 1 the appearance of 
damping off fungi. This causes the seedlings to. lie. upon the 
ground, the 1 stalks having rotted off where they touch the 
earth—the result, of either too much dampness in the air or 
over-watering. This' evil is much less liable to> appear when 
the seeds are not sown too thickly, and when they are pricked 
off in good time. Affected seedlings will not recover, and any 
near them must he placed in, a. more airy position. Mosses' and 
their bad companion, the. liverwort, are very injurious to' seed 
plots and pots. The latter forms a tough coat of green over 
the surface of the soil, so that the seeds' cannot push their 
* A paper read by Mr. H. Hindson, F.R.U.S., Barnsley, at a meeting of the 
arnsley Pa :ton Society on May 10. 
way through. Seeds' that lie a long time in the. ground before 
they sprout are the worst affected, for the liverwort has thus 
ample time to* spread. The remedy is simple and generally 
effective. When the moss makes its appearance, cover the 
seeds over with mats and slates (for pots) SO' as to. exclude 
the light. Examine frequently. Seeds grew in the dark_ 
moss cannot. Directly the seeds are appearing put them in 
the light. 
Weeds, of course, come up. everywhere, and seeds must he 
carefully protected against theiir rough approaches. Seed 
beds should be hand-weeded, and care taken not to loosen the 
roots of the right plants. Slugs find a dainty salad amone 
seedlings. Fresh soot sprinkled around the seedlings affords 
a good protection. Mice are fond of seed, especially Peas and 
Roses. Birds, largely ©hare the same taste. Before sowing, 
water the seed, then shake over them a little red lead so 
that they are c-oated with it. 
Many twining plants require support to. climb upon as soon 
as the leaves produce tendrils'. If supports are not given, the 
plants die off in, a mysterious, manner, and the result, is put 
down to had seed. 
Now, I must draw my essay to a close. It is but a bird’s- 
eye view of an. interesting subject, and which of us can say 
it is. not interesting? For is* not the seed one* of Nature’s 
mighty wonders? For out of the acorn springs tire giant Oak, 
from onei small grain of wheat we reap sixty-five grains, and, 
even more wonderful still, from one tiny seed of the Poppy we 
have a. return of 40,000, and the same of the Tobacco* seed. 
So that to* me, the greatest thing in the world is the wonderful 
and inspiring works of Nature. In closing, I thank you all 
for your kind attention, and trust that I have not been as 
dry as. my seed should be*. H. Hindson, F.R.H.S. 
Barnsley. 
Azalea japonica alba grandiflora. 
The typical form of the above isi best known in this country 
a.s Azalea sinensis', though the correct name is Rhododendron 
sinense. The name Azalea japonica was first given by the late 
Asa Dray. All of the so-called Azaleas are now classed under 
Rhododendron by good authorities in this country. The head¬ 
ing of this note is quoted from 1 ‘ Revue de l’Horticulture Beige,” 
which gives a coloured plate of the large-flowered variety in 
the number for June. Here it is 'shown with oblong, dark 
green, leaves and large pure white flowers, saving for a pale 
green tint a,t the base of the corolla, and the yellow anthers. 
This beautiful and interesting variety was raised from seeds 
imported from Japan in 1897 by the firm of MM. P. van 
Noordt and Fils, of Boskoop, Holland. The* plant isi not now 
found in, any abundance in a wild state, a.t least in. Japan. For 
a. long time past the Japanese gardener's have been exterminat¬ 
ing it in places where it grows. The Japanese are very fond 
of flowers', but they have developed to. a remarkable degree the 
cultivation of the Azalea. The mildness of the climate has 
contributed powerfully to* the spread of gardens in that 
country. We are, nevertheless, largely indebted to Belgian, 
Dutch, and French, as well a.s* British cultivators* for the great 
.improvements that have been effected. For some years past 
Rhododendron sinense has been largely employed for the pro¬ 
duction of new varieties, and though Azalea mollis is described 
as the other parent, the two are really identical. The species 
occurs wild in China, as well as Japan, though gardeners are 
unwilling to admit it . The large white variety is sweet scented 
and admirably adapted for forcing. The Dutch Horticultural 
and Botanical Society granted it a First-class Certificate in 
April last. 
On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, October 4th, 5th, and 
6th, the Royal Horticultural Society’s Eleventh Annual Autumn 
Fruit Show will be held, to which the public will be admitted at 
one o’clock on the first day on payment of 2s. 6d., and at ten 
on the other two days on payment of Is. 
