THE GARDENING WORLD, 
October H, 1904. 
809 
lea| went lmrriedly through most of them, noting the principal 
contents. The condition of" the houses and the plants therein 
was quite as satisfactory as the rest of the nursery, so that we 
have ample evidence that the firm are determined to have 
everything of the best, and in the best condition for their 
business. 
The first house entered was filled with Tomatos on trial, in¬ 
cluding unnamed seedlings bearing large trusses of fruit. In 
this house were dowering plants of Lilium Henryii, L. specio- 
sum and L. Melpomene. The nest, being a warm house, was 
chiefly devoted to Ficusi, Aralias and Dieffenbachias. The 
next consisted of Palms 3 in. to 18 in. in height. Then came 
Ferns and Palms again, with a collection of (Jypripediums for 
winter flowering, thei plants being in a very healthy and clean 
condition. Next to this came two houses filled with all thei 
best varieties of pot Vines, trained under the roof. In the 
house next to it was a variety of Primula floribunda with very 
large golden-yellow flowers. A cooler house was devoted to 1 a 
fine lot of Araucaria, excelsa and Ampelopsis Veitclii. Green¬ 
house climbers occupied the most of another house, there being 
a great variety of them. 
Several other cool houses were devoted to soft-wooded plants, 
including zonal and Ivy-leafed Pelargoniums. A very fine 
variety belonging to the former section was Paul Crumple, with 
brilliant crimson-scarlet flowers, better than those of Henry 
Jacoby. The Ivy-leafed types' included the grand semi-double 
form named Col. Baden-Powell, with soft lilac-pink flowers of 
large size, and produced in great abundance. Some Carna¬ 
tions were also to be seen in this house. 
In thei immediate, neighbourhood of the house was a fine col¬ 
lection of large-flowered Chrysanthemums in pots plunged in 
the ground. The best and moat suitable of the flowering Chry¬ 
santhemums had commenced blooming. Several beds of Be¬ 
gonias Lafayette were very floriferous, showing how well 
adapted it is for bedding purposes. Sweet Peas were 6 ft, high 
and in the height of their flowering. Time did not permit the 
inspection of the extensive collection of Dahlias 1 , though we 
noted a few of the best of the Cactus varieties. Very hand¬ 
some were Coronation (scarlet.); Mrs. Jowett, with huge scarlet 
flowers held upright on strong stems ; Monarch, another scarlet 
flower of great dimensions; and the better-known Britannia, 
with salmon, flowers. 
A very favourite Carnation here is Mrs. Nicholson, with rLli 
rose flowers still produced in great abundance in the open at 
the middle of September. Violas, for which the firm has long 
been noted, had been cut down six weeks previous to our visit, 
and the plant had not only reached the flowering stage again, 
but practically formed sheets of bloom. The rayless white 
variety named Nellie was veiy conspicuous, and not yet welL 
known The others included excellent standard varieties, 
while progress is still being made by the addition of newer 
ones. Near by the Violas 1 we noted a large plantation of the 
Shasta Daisy still flowering freely. 
A Very Floriferous Shrub. 
This, description is attributing but. the least to Olearia 
Ilaastii. it is always floriferous, and as it is flowering here at 
this period no one cur rente culciino can justify with ink the 
remarkable display set off by this compact, low-growing shrub. 
It seldom attains a greater height than 5 ft., but its natural 
propensity to spread outwards is quite a desirable feature. 
There appears to be some diversity of opinion regarding its 
hardihood in this country. Indeed, in “ Thomson’s Gardener’s 
Assistant," it is put down as being “ hardy as far north as the 
Midland counties of England.” Again, in Peeblesshire, it is 
found growing at an altitude of several hundred feet above sea- 
level, and apparently never so much as touched by frost or 
ether obnoxious elements. 
Although planted close to a wall here, the lower branches 
and roots have crept far beyond the primary place of planting, 
so that no protection whatever is afforded. It is also severely 
attacked by the cold winds from all directions, nevertheless it 
continues to bloom annually in the same abundant way, 
scarcely a leaf being seen for flowers. 
It is hardly necessary to indicate any particular soil in 
wmch to plant. All that need be said on this subject is the 
inconsistency of a badly-drained soil. Care must therefore be 
taken that the site for planting and the soil used are porous. 
Cuttings are easily propagated in a cold frame in sandy soil. 
The leaves, measuring about 1 in. in length, are elliptical 
m shape, of a bright glossy green above, and white underneath. 
The young branches and flower-stalks are also white. 
The individual flowers are small. The trusses, on each of 
which are home from twelve to twenty flowers, are found grow¬ 
ing in immense profusion over the whole exterior of the plant, 
and forming a “ halo of glory,” a recompense much desired, 
but not too frequently obtained from flowering shrubs in the 
present month—September. James P. Dickson. 
Early Flowering Chrysanthemums. 
A few varieties of this section of Chrysanthemums find a 
place in most garden®, and deservedly so. They are easily 
grown, and any extra attention bestowed -on then - welfare is 
repaid by a profusion of refined blooms difficult to beat. 
Madamei Marie Masse and its sports are a host in themselves. 
Not only do we get wealth of colour from these five varieties, 
but light and graceful flowers, combined with lasting qualities, 
with from five to seven fully developed blooms on a stem. 
They are therefore flowers for decoration in every way, and 
details of their culture as practised here may he of use to some 
who are taken, with their beauty and usefulness. In November 
the plants are lifted; most of the soil is shaken from them , 
they are then, packed close together in boxes in leaf-soil and 
sand, and placed in cold frames. Varieties that do not. break 
freely, such as Craigmillar, a yellow Pompon, are placed farther 
apart in the boxes, not so much sod is shaken from the roots, 
and they are wintered on a shelf in the greenhouse. They will 
not require a lot of water, but should not be allowed to become 
dry. The cuttings are best taken in March. A bed of leaves 
trod firmly, on the top of the leaves 4 in. of soil—the lighter 
the better—and over this a layer of sand. This is a, good root¬ 
ing medium, with a temperature from 4o to 50 deg. In about 
three weeks the cuttings will be rooted sufficiently for trans¬ 
planting. 
Make up a few barrowloads, of old potting soil, leaf-soil and 
sand, the leaf-soil forming the greater bulk of the compost. 
This should be spread about 6 in. thick in, a frame; it a hot- 
water pipe is running through it so much the better, and 
proceed with the transplanting, 4 in. apart each way. In 
mixing the compost, a sharp lookout should be kept for wire- 
worm, a® they are very partial to these plants, eating their 
way right up the centre of the stem. As soon as they start to 
grow, pinch out the tops to induce bushy growth, and in May 
lift with a good hall and plant in their flowering quarters, 
which should be previously well dug, and some well-rotted 
manure incorporated with it. 
This, then, is the requirements of an ever-increasing section 
of the autumn queen, albeit they are not so popular as one 
would like, employers being of the opinion that it is ousting 
summer and welcoming winter to have anything in the way of 
a Chrysanthemum about in September. This is their only 
fault, but as new and superior varieties are raised and em¬ 
ployers become accustomed to 1 seeing them, it is to he hoped 
they will soon outlive this, and become as popular as other 
plants in the garden. H. Arnold. 
Poisoned uy Laburnum Seed.— Hoppers picking in a garden 
at Ash, Sandwich, were recently thrown into a state of wild ex¬ 
citement when three children became suddenly seriously ill. J-t 
was found that they had been eating the poisonous seeds winch 
they had picked from a. Laburnum tree. An emetic of salt and 
water saved them till the arrival of a doctor. 
