742 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
September 17, 1904. 
since reliable seed cannot always be procured when; buying 
from the nurseries. 
It is customary ini some places to make cuttings of “ Cocks¬ 
comb topsi and propagate them ini heat, intentional with 
acquiring dwarf plants with large “ combs.” If plants are 
potted) moderately firm, and well grown, however, it is not 
necessary. James P. Dickson. 
Culture of Epacris. 
Of the many beautiful flowering, hard-wooded greenhouse 
plants which have been introduced from Australia, I think 
it may be safely asserted that there are few which _excel for 
their unique habit and graceful appearance those of the genus 
Epacris. 
There are two distinct sections of Epacris', those which are 
erect growing and flowering during the winter and early 
spring, whilst the others may be characterised as las growers 
and of a, more scrambling habit, producing their inflorescence 
at ai later 1 period’ of the year 1 . The erect growers are un¬ 
doubtedly the most beautiful and highly esteemed. 
Few plants possess such a diversity of colour in their flowers. 
Wei have! them ranging from pure white to dark crimson, and 
also beautiful combinationsof red and white, and various shades 
of pink and white. 
A collection of well-grown plants well repays the little extra 
attention which is needed for their successful culture, as they 
never fail to create a pleasing and lasting impression. 
The Waxy tubular flowers are produced from the axils of the 
small, closely-set leaves, almost the entire length of the 
growths of the plant, giving it a, most graceful and distinct 
appearance. 
The flowers, when cut, will remain -in a fresh state for some 
considerable time if placed in water. 
Epacris are readily propagated from cuttings, providing the 
cultivator exercises a, certain amount of care with the opera¬ 
tion. The cutting pots should be ! about half-filled with drain¬ 
age material, the remainder consisting of fine sifted peat and 
sand, with a layer of sand on the surface. 
The cuttings or young shoots should be procured when about. 
2 in. long, and inserted in, the pot about, an inch apart,. A 
bell glass should then be put, over' them, after being placed in 
a, house having a temperature of about 60 deg., and they 
should be kept well shaded. 
The' most suitable time for inserting cuttings I have found 
to' bei about thei middle of August, and, when rooted, allowing 
them to remain in the cutting pots during winter, potting off 
into small-sized pots in early spring, and encouraging growth 
by keeping them in a moist and genial atmosphere. It will 
be found necessary to stop' the shoots as growth proceeds, in 
order to obtain bushy plants. As the plants become estab¬ 
lished, afford more air,' and dispense with shading towards the 
end of summer. 
During the ensuing winter they should be kept in, a house 
having a temperature from 40 deg. to 45 deg., and at, all times 
paying strict attention to watering. 
About the! middle of March pot on. again into large-sized pots 
asi the state of the roots permit, and as the plants continue to 
grow any extra strong growths may be stopped again, care 
being taken tp> tie the shoots well out to give the plant a 
symmetrical appearance. During the remainder of the season 
treat as previously recommended. 
The following spring repot into larger-sized pots 1 , using a, 
compost of good fibrous peat and sand, and it is most essential 
that the new soil should be rammed quite firm round the ball 
of the plant; after this operation keep- the plants moist and 
shaded for about a fortnight, when gradually dispense with! 
shading, and subject to full exposure of the solar 1 heat, it being 
necessary for this class of plants to have their wood well 
ripened before autumn. 
The mode of treatment after flowering consists in cutting 
them back rather hard 1 , leaving about an inch or two of the 
previous year’s growth; introduce to a little heat, and with 
frequent syringing new growths will break away readily. If 
thought necessary, they may again- be shifted on into larger- 
sized pots. 
The lax growers will not need cutting back so hard, other¬ 
wise their treatment is the same. 
At all periods of the year great care is required in respect 
to watering, and morei 'especially so during the dull winter 
months, as no class of plant' is more susceptible to injury from 
over-watering than the finely rooting Epacris. 
Due to the fact, that, this, particular class of plants has re¬ 
ceived much attention from the hybridist, we have at the 
Fritillaria camschatcensis. (See p. 739 ) 
present tune such remarkable and beautiful varieties that the 
most fastidious may be easily satisfied in making a selection. 
F. G. T. 
A Choice Bellflower. 
Fairly well known now, but deserving the widest popularity 
is Campanula, mirabilis, which may assuredly lay claim to 
being one of the most distinct and beautiful members of this 
large and useful family. 
Its orbi'oulate leaves, strong and leathery in texture, are of 
a lustrous dark green, crenate at the margin and furnished 
with short, bristly hairs. The flower-stems of a well-grown 
plant attain a height of 2 ft. or more, and hear both at the 
apex of the main stem and on short cymosei branches large 
pale blue flowers with bearded throat. The plant delights in 
a light, rich compost, and pays for liberal treatment in the 
way of watering and feeding. It is also a useful plant for pot- 
culture, when it may be used for decorating corridors, 
verandahs, and the like. A. J. MacSelf. 
F ormby. 
The R.H.S.—The great Autumn Rose Show will be elected 
by the society, in conjunction with the National Rose Society, 
on Tuesday, 'September 20tli, when Mr. George Gordon, Y.M.H., 
will deliver a lecture o<n “Ways of Employing Roses in Garden 
Decoration,” which will be illustrated by lantern slides. 
