July 23, 1904. 
THE GARDENING WORLD, 
595 
Orano-e River Colony, and lias dusky red flowers, presently 
becoming of a clear scarlet when in perfection, and fading 
to pale yellow for some time previously to passing out of 
blooui. The stems are slender, varying from 2 J- ft. to 31, ft. 
in height, and accompanied by slender three-edged leaves that 
form only a moderately close mass around the stems. . This 
enables other plants to be grown amongst them if considered 
necessary. At all events, the plant does-not, form such anj 
inconveniently dense mass as the common one, and therefore 
forms a pleasing change. A more important feature is that it 
continues flowering with almost unbroken continuity from June 
till frost or cold weather puts a stop to growth. 
Jeranium armenum. 
The true Geraniums would seem to be regarded as unworthy 
of the attention of the modern cultivators 1 , but several of them 
are capable of producing very fine effects in the border. Their 
hardiness is also sufficient to warrant them being placed in 
the borders, where so i many tilings are required to take care 
of themselves. G. armenum is rather a strong grower, with 
large leaves, but the flowers are sufficiently distinct from all 
other species to warrant its inclusion in select collections. 
The flowers are of a dark purple-red, with a black centres 
which is rarely, if ever, met with amongst other kinds, and 
can scarcely be said to resemble what we have, in G phaeum 
If increase is required, the plant can be lifted in, March a.ndi 
carefully divided, securing as many roots as possible with, 
each piece of the crown. 
Aquilegia chrysantha . 
The Columbines have flowered very finely this year, am., 
notwithstanding the beauty of the hybrids raised between t-ua 
and A. caerulea, I still look upon the imported species, with 
its yellow flowers, as a very handsome object. One of the 
most distinctive features of this Rocky Mountain plant is the 
Lreiat length of the spurs, which vary from l- 2 - in. to l in. on 
-more, and, while increasing the apparent size of the flowers, 
they give the whole a very graceful character, which is very 
! teffing when cut and placed in water. The crowns of this plant 
do not multiply very fast, so that the cultivator must needs 
resort to raising fresh plants from seeds; There is no gieat 
difficultv in this, however; the chief difficulty lies in the 
liability of the flowers to get mixed! by bees when growing 
in proximity to allied specie®. For this reason seed-bearing 
plants might be selected from those grown, at a distance tiom 
others in' order to retain the original beauty of the yellow 
flowers. 
Crambe cordifolia. , , , 
The ordinary seiakale would make a good garden plant, 
provided it attained some considerable height, in or ei to a 
stateliness to its ordinarily commonplace white flowers, ihe 
glaucous hue of the leaves gives it great distinction, but in 
i shape they are rather closely similar to those of a iorm off 
Cabbage. The. leaves of C. cordifolia are heart-shaped and 
i green, so that to the ordinary observer they show little affim y 
with the Seakale. The flowers are moderate’ in size,, but ex- 
ceedinely numerous, being produced in mynads upon s exn 
j 5 ft. to 6 ft. high, and freely branched from the base u pwar s. 
so as to produce a, perfect pyramid, with a, base O' ■ 01 0 • 
in width. When grown to this size, it, is obvious that plenty 
of room must be given it, so, that, where the ordinary border 
is restricted in, width, it would be well to prepare a special 
bed on the grass, or even in flhei wild garden, for t io lecep ion 
of this striking and effective crucifer. The. beauty ot the 
, plant consist® largely in. its size and sub-tropical appearance, 
so that good soil should be selectetd for it, m oicu o 
heighten its beauty by vigorous growth. 
Thalictrum aquilegifolium atropurpureum. 
If planted with discretion, some of the Tlialictrums 
are capable of producing very distinct effects m the 
herbaceous border, on account of their beaut if u °_ ia ?^ 
and the particular form of the flowers. .exeia,. o 
them are grown, chiefly for the sake of then o lage, 
but the flowers in this instance are certainly an 
additional recommendation to, that of the foliage. Inc ee , ie 
leaves can scarcely be put to any particular purpose apart 
from the flowers. They resemble those of Aquilegia to a con¬ 
siderable extent, as the name implies, but, they are produced 
rather sparingly on stiff, upright stems. The latter, in this 
instance, are of a, deep purple, and in that respect conform 
to the colour of the flowers. The great bunch of stamens has 
purple filaments, and this gives the reason for the varietal 
name applied. After the outer parts of the flower fall away 
these stamens remain for some considerable time, and are 
certainly very effective. It is not, so much inclined to run as 
some otf the Thalictrum®, but forms a neat specimen that 
readily can be adopted in the border. 
Trollius asiaticus. 
Of the late flowering species of Globe Flower, this still 
remains one, of the most beautiful, on account of the large 
size of its flowers and rich colours. The outer parts of the 
flower or sepals are not so much incurved as in the European) 
species, but spread openly like a, great basin, with the narrow 
and deeper coloured petals curved over the centre. Those 
who like variety and large flowers would find an interesting 
occupation in raising plants from seeds which ripen freely. 
This often flowers again late in, the season, as a, good open, 
soil seems to encourage a vigorous or second growth, with the 
result that equally fine flowers are produced again in tlie 
autumn,, when we get copious rainfall, while the; weather is yet 
relatively warm. The choicer varieties which may appeal- inj 
the beds, can,, of course, be selected for permanent planting. 
The crowns increase moderately fast, but as they are closely 
interwoven it is necessary to, be careful in the division of small 
plants. A sharp, knife will enable the operator, however, to 
separate the crowns without, much difficulty. The spade 
should never be employed in dividing this class of plants. 
D. W. 
Hints on Charcoal and Sphagnum. 
I know that some gardeners do not put very much value on 
charcoal, or sphagnum, for general potting purposes, but I have 
myself, however, used it freely for many years, mixing it in the 
soil for various classes of plants (both outside and inside), and 
with great advantage to all of them. I think charcoal espe¬ 
cially ought to form a part of the batch of compost made up for 
all plants. 
The Orchid family, as an example, will thrive splendidly if 
potted in a. mixture of sphagnum, charcoal, and English peat, 
first filling the pots nearly half full of crocks for drainage. I 
prefer the home-made charcoal—the branches of Beech and 
other hardwood trees—as it can be bruised down freely if 
wanted to mix with the soil for young plants. In high garden 
culture, where the different fruits or flowers are regularly fed 
with liquid manure, if a fair proportion of charcoal be in the 
soil it saves waste, as it absorbs and retains the surplus moisture 
and gases, and these form a constant fountain-head from which 
the plants can draw the rich, nourishing food stored there at 
their leisure and in their own peculiar way. 
I would say this almost necessary ingredient greatly assists 
in sustaining the high pressure culture so, much demanded from 
both fruits and flowering plants in these days. In preparing 
a compost for all stove and greenhouse plants, a fair proportion 
of bruised charcoal and old dried sphagnum, pressed througli a 
half-inch riddle, ought to be mixed with it. In gardeners’ 
language, it sweetens the soil, and helps greatly to keep it. in 
that open, healthy condition so very important to all plant life. 
I consider it good economy when re-petting Eucharis amazonioa, 
Ferns of sorts, Anthuriums, and several other plants, to even 
crock the pots with lumpy charcoal, and cover over with a thick 
layer of sphagnum. When this is done, they do not require 
re-potting annually, as generally they make by far their best 
growth by the second season, tlieir best fibrous roots woiking 
down freely into the drainage. If charcoal is used too spar¬ 
ingly, or none at all, the soil is apt to get clogged a.nd sour, and 
naturally the plants suffer to a. greater or less degree. I think 
the good effects of charcoal and sphagnum are mostly seen in 
