November 5, 1904. 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
893 
picked outof a box sent us by Mr. Henry Eckford, Wera, Salop, 
towards the end of August last. This illustration would have 
appeared earlier, but several others had been previously 
arranged for. The two varieties make a beautiful contrast, and 
we feel sure that everybody with a love for Sweet Peas would 
endorse our opinion as to their beauty and merits, each accord¬ 
ing to it® kind. 
I*oras. 
Among the many hard-wooded flowering plants grown in 
the stove this genus forms one of the most beautiful. The 
gorgeous trusses of bloom produced freely through the summer 
months make a pleasing contrast to the many various foliage 
plants utilised for stove decoration. They are not among the 
most easily cultivated of plants, and some fail to bring them 
to perfect ion., but when treated in a proper manner and they 
receive all necessary attention the results amply repay for- all 
the care bestowed on them. 
The cutting®, which should be taken during the spring 
months, will strike readily if inserted in some fine sandy soil 
and placed in a brisk bottom heat in the propagating pit.. 
When sufficiently rooted they should be removed and potted 
into well-drained 60-size pots in a. compost consisting of two 
parts peat and one each of loam and silver sand, and placed 
near the glass in a, house in which a temperature of 70 deg. is 
well maintained. 
The atmosphere should be kept in a. moist and growing con¬ 
dition and the young plants watered with the greatest care, 
and if bright sunshine prevails they should be carefully 
shaded. When the pots, become well filled with roots the 
plants may be potted on into 6-in. pots, taking precautions that, 
the drainage is in perfect condition, or the soil will get. in a 
sour condition and the plant® have a. sickly appearance. The 
soil used a,t this potting should be of a peaty nature, though 
of a rather coarser texture than that recommended for the 
young plants, taking care to pot firmly, as this ensures a, 
sturdy growth. During the late autumn large plants should 
be pruned back to enable: them to make sufficient growth to 
bloom the following year. A sharp, lookout, must be kept for 
insect pests, mealy bug and scale being the most troublesome. 
Among the best varieties are Cbccinea Pilgrimii, Duffii, and 
Williamsii. E. B. 
South Berks. 
Home-saving of Onion Seed. 
I 
Really high-class seed from pure stocks of this important 
and ever-useful vegetable, is scarce and expensive, and it would 
therefore be good policy to save seed at home, and I propose 
to throw out a. hint or two that may be of service to any who 
wish to do so. 
In the. first place, it is of paramount importance that the 
Onion® selected for seed-production should be of the highest 
quality, for eves the purest stocks will rapidly deteriorate and 
even lose their character and type unless annually subjected to 
most careful selection. 
If the Onion® are to. be grown for exhibition purposes it' is, 
of course, necessary that the finest exhibition specimens alone 
be utilised for the purpose of seed-production, but. even for 
culinary purposes bulbs of true type alone, should be used. 
It is unnecessary for me to. enter into, details of the point® 
of a perfect. Onion, for our readers know the. standard of per¬ 
fection required at exhibitions, and will select their breeding 
stock on the same. line®. 
Tire storing of the bulbs until planting time arrives is a 
matter of some importance. 
A cool, dry place should be selected where, the bulbs may be 
laid out singly, taking care, of course, to avoid bruising them 
in the handling. A shallow bed of dry silver sand I ba.ve 
found to be about the beet material on which to. lay Onions, 
as they can be bedded just deep enough to hold each one in its 
place. Nothing is gained by planting too early, for should 
heavy rain or severe frost prevail immediately after planting 
damage will be done before growth commences. In an ordinary 
season, the beginning of March is about the time to plant, and 
if the bulb® have .sprouted to any extent earlier than this, I 
prefer to pot them rather than, plant out too. early. If the 
ground is in. fairly good heart, little preparation will be re¬ 
quired, andl the bulbs may be planted quite close together just 
deep enough to cover the crown, hut no more. 
On. heavy ground I have found it a good plan to plant on 
ridge®, as the moisture drains away from the bulbs into the 
alleys between, the- rows. In due course the flower-heads will 
appear, and stakes, should be. put to each plant, to which the 
stems may be loosely tied, 
Tiarella cordifolia, (See p. 888). 
The chief difficulty connected with saving Onion seed is that 
just a.s the heads are showing signs of setting well prolonged 
lain or fog will often cause the whole to damp off. For this 
reasoni it is wise to, select an open and exposed spot for the 
beds, and if a, temporary structure can, be. erected upon, which 
spare light® from the plantrframes can. be put to. ward off’ the 
rain a good crop may be secured. 
When the seed is well ripened, cut with stalks of fair length 
and hang head downwards in a, light, airy place. Spread sheets 
of paper underneath to. catch any seed that may fall, and in 
the course of a fortnight all should be rubbed out, cleaned, 
bagged and labelled 1 ready for sowing when the season arrives. 
It will be seen that the saving of Onion seed entails consider¬ 
able labour, but, be. it remembered true seed of such varieties 
as Ailsa Craig, The Aristocrat, and other high-class Onions is 
worth about a sovereign per ounce, and that any seed saved 
above that required for home use meets with a veiy ready 
sale, and my readers will agree the crop is worth taking some 
pains to obtain. Heather Bell. 
October, 1904. 
