December 17, 1904. 
THE HARDENING WORLD, 
1015 
Hardy Trees and Shrubs. 
The Hamamelis —The number of hardy shrubs which 
flower during December or January is very small, consequently 
the value of the Hamamelis or Witch Hazels is all the more 
fully appreciated, for at this season of the year they do much 
to brighten the shrubbery, and when freely studded with their 
curious blossoms are among the most beautiful of shrubs which 
flower before the foliage appears. All the varieties except one 
are of Japanese origin, and have fortunately proved quite 
hardy in this country, and though they do not make large 
specimens, yet they are deserving of inclusion in all collec¬ 
tions. Their culture is extremely simple, and after becoming 
established require but little attention. No doubt the best 
soil for them is a good deep loam, if slightly moist so much 
the better, but they succeed well here on a heavy clay, and it 
is only necessary to supply a little light material when first 
planting to give the roots a start. To induce them to flower 
well, however, a thoroughly open position must be chosen 
where they receive the full benefit of the sun and air; and as 
the varieties are generally supplied in pots they can be planted 
at any time, but I would advise doing this in early autumn. 
No pruning is necessary, as they are slow growers, and it is 
advisable to plant them where they are to remain, if possible. 
The only variety which does not hail from Japan is H. vir- 
ginica, which is, perhaps, the least conspicuous of all. It is 
the earliest to flower, and generally commences during the 
latter part of the autumn, these being of medium size and pale 
yellow in colour. 
The best known variety from Japan is probably H. arborea, 
which grows taller than any others, and has rich primrose- 
yellow flowers with a claret-coloured centre. 
H. japonica has lemon-yellow flowers, and does not grow so 
quickly as the preceding, and its variety named zuccariniana 
has deeper flowers which are veiy freely produced. 
Fine as the above Witch Hazels are, they are somewhat 
eclipsed by the fine new introduction from Japan, H. mollis, 
which is perfectly hardy and succeeds equally as well as the 
others. It can be readily distinguished by its deeper-col¬ 
oured flowers or by the foliage. This is larger than any other 
variety, shaped differently, and completely covered on the 
under surface with a mass of whitish hairs. The branches are 
also much stouter. Our specimen is now about -1 ft. in height 
and nearly as much through, and when the stems are freely 
clothed with the deep yellow flowers it forms a most con¬ 
spicuous sight. 
Chimonanthus fragrans. —This is another shrub which pro¬ 
duces its flowers before the foliage, and, like the above, also 
comes from Japan. In a mild winter it flowers in this locality 
during January, and the greenish-yellow flowers are most wel¬ 
come for the delicious fragrance. If given a good open posi¬ 
tion in the shrubbery, it forms a good-sized, well-shaped speci¬ 
men with handsome foliage. It is so uncertain, however, what 
weather we may experience next month that it is advisable to 
grow this shrub on a south or west wall, so that if severe 
weather sets in the flowers are not so liable to become injured. 
A little pruning is necessary annually, and this should be done 
immediately after the plants have flowered. 
Daphne Mezereum. — This is unquestionably one of our 
most popular shrubs, and rightly so, for the reddish-purple 
blossoms which completely cover all the young wood are very 
welcome during the dull season, and, in addition, they are veiy 
sweetly scented. An excellent and very effective variety of 
this is the white form, D. M. album, which has pure white 
flmvers produced quite as freely as with the type. The fruits 
are also highly ornamental, being a bright golden colour. 
These Daphnes are veiy accommodating shrubs, groAving in the 
majority of well-chained soils, and will succeed when planted 
in the shade of larger trees. 
Cornus alba flaviramea. — For winter decoration the Dog¬ 
woods are among the most valuable of coloured-barked shrubs, 
but up till the introduction of this variety they all had stems 
of different shades of red, so that this yellow-barked kind is a 
distinct addition. It is similar in colour to the Golden Willow 
(Salix alba vitellina), and answers Avell to cutting down 
annually, and will, Avhen better knoAvn, be much appreciated. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. A. E. Thatcher, 
The Kitchen Garden. 
Unless a thorough system in the management of the kitchen 
garden is rigorously carried out, one can never expect to 
achieve that success which every enthusiast iff the cultivation 
of high-class vegetables is so anxious to accomplish, and I 
am pleased to notice that this important branch of horticulture 
is receiving more thought and attention than I have ever 
knoAvn it to do before. Scarcely a day passes but the post 
brings me some inquiries relating to this from all parts of the 
United Kingdom. First prizes and general success, especially 
in this department, are not attained so much by hard work 
Avhen the busier season comes round, but by a careful and well 
thought out plan, by studying every detail at this season of 
the year especially. The days are short and the evenings long, 
and no better employment can be found, at any rate for part 
of this spare time, than by making notes and a sketch of the 
garden, the mode of preparation for the various crops, varieties 
to grow, dates for sowing and planting, and a host of other 
details which will help to prove most useful as the seasons come 
round. The order and method by which the rotation of the 
various works is carried out will depend to a veiy great extent 
on circumstances, more especially in relation to localities and 
the nature of the land and position. Nevertheless, in many 
cases the same rule will apply to all, and the old adage still 
holds good—never put off till to-morroAV what can be done 
to-day. A chance once missed is often gone for ever. 
Horse-radish. — This, especially in large establishments, is 
a most important item, and unless a proper method of cultiva¬ 
tion is practised, this crop proves to be one of the most 
miserable and unsightly spots in the vegetable garden. In 
far too many cases no attempt is made at digging and storing 
a supply in some suitable, easily got at position for the year. 
My mode of procedure is, and alAA'ays has been, to make this 
about the first step for the year in relation to planting the 
crop, and we never put this in an out-of-the-way corner, but 
give it a prominent place on a good piece of ground. The dif¬ 
ference between quick and Avell grown roots of Horse-radish 
and that which is groAvn in a haphazard fashion can hardly be 
realised, unless one knows the reason. Our mode of treatment 
is to plant a fair-sized bed to commence with, half of which is 
lifted annually. The ground is, of course, thoroughly trenched, 
heavily charged with good farmyard manure, replanting the 
smaller rootlets at a depth of about 18 in. These will in due 
course find their way to the top and make fine, straight speci¬ 
mens for the next season. The remaining half is nicely 
cleaned and surfaced over with some fresh material, such as old 
hotbeds. Horse-radish may, I believe, be grown on the same 
spot for an indefinite period. 
Potatos. —Where early Potatos are required, and these are 
generally appreciated, every means should be taken to keep up 
a regular supply after once commencing, and the plan which 
gives the least trouble when a reasonable amount of glass is at 
command is to grow them in '8-in. and 10-in. pots, using quick, 
small-topped varieties for the purpose, such as Sharpe’s Victor 
and Mayflower. These may be started into growth under the 
stages or any out-of-the-way place in a greenhouse tempera¬ 
ture, taking care to mould up and bring them to the light when 
the tops are above the soil, and by starting these in batches 
about every fortnight a continuous supply is assured. 
Asparagus —Little difficulty will be found in forcing this 
at the present season. All that is required is a mild, SAveet, 
gentle hotbed either in the forcing house or in pits and frames. 
Bury the roots and crowns to the depth of 2 in. to 3 in., and 
syringe daily. 
Preparations should be made for soAving the earliest crops of 
Carrots. A very mild hotbed of leaves should be prepared in 
