February 25, 1905. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
16 
janonica aureo-reticulata has oval leaves which are beautifully 
netted with yellow. Among the deciduous Honeysuckles, the 
common iii itish species L. Periclymenum is a climber of great 
beautv It bears its red and yellow blossoms from June to 
September in great profusion. 
Wistaria — The Wistarias flourish in any garden soil, and 
when the old wood is cut out occasionally there is usually a tine 
display of blossom from April to June, W. chinensis was in¬ 
troduced to this country from China about ninety years ago. 
It is now found in all parts of Britain. The ordinary form 
lias lilac-purple pea-like blossoms. There is also a white- 
flowered variety, and one with variegated foliage, W. multi- 
ju.oi, a native of Japan, has flower-trusses from 2 ft, to 3 ft, 
in length. 
Dumbarton._ _ _ ^ Davidson. 
A Note on Neriums. 
These exquisite greenhouse plants, more generally known 
under the name of Oleanders, are, notwithstanding the fact 
tha t they rank among the oldest of our cultivated exotics, de¬ 
serving of greater attention by horticulturists than is at the 
present time bestowed upon them. The true worth of the de¬ 
corative value of these plants can only be accurately ascer¬ 
tained when they are grown on into large specimens, treating 
them more as standards and allowing them to develop dense, 
bushy heads: such plants grown in large pots or tubs, when 
producing their inflorescence of varied and delicately coloured 
flowers create an impression which is not readily obliterated. 
Neriums are subjects that enjoy plenty of moisture, conse¬ 
quently during the summer months liberal treatment in this 
respect may be accorded them, and with well-established plants 
having their pots full of roots, frequent waterings with diluted 
liquid manure will prove most beneficial in maintaining them 
in a healthy condition. 
Although the flowers of this genus are of such enchanting 
beauty, the sap of the plants is a most virulent poison ; hence 
the cultivator need exercise great, care in handling them, avoid¬ 
ing unnecessary bruising of the leaves or injury to the bark. 
The most suitable compost for this class of plants consists 
of good fibrous loam, peat, leaf-soil, and sand in about equal 
proportions. During the process of potting, the soil should 
be well rammed, making the whole tolerably firm. 
Propagation may be-effected from cuttings inserted in a light 
sandy compost during early spring, and plants so raised should 
flower the same season, but their full beauty is not appreciated 
until they have attained some considerable size. As 
soon as the flowering season is past, all the old flowers should 
he removed and the plants thoroughly overhauled and slightly 
pruned, subsequently encouraging new growths before the dull 
days of winter set in. Water may be applied less frequently 
during the winter months, but the soil about the roots should 
not be allowed to become over dry. 
Mealy bug is the only pest which I have found to infest 
these plants, and once they 7 obtain a hold it is difficult to 
entirely eradicate them ; their ravages, however, may be effec¬ 
tually combated by occasionally 7 syringing the plants with a 
diluted quantity of a reputable insecticide. 
Most of the species of this genus are natives of the Levant, 
or have become naturalised subjects in the south of Europe. 
N. Oleander, and its variety splendens, perhaps the most ex¬ 
tensively cultivated, have delightfully double rose-colouied 
flowers borne upon many-branched panicles, which possess 
the additional property of retaining their freshness and full 
beauty 7 for a considerable time. Associated with the pre¬ 
viously mentioned, there is an' exceedingly charming white 
variety known as album. 
The genus Nerium is a member of the natural order Apocy- 
naceae, which order furnishes many of the most valuable 
rubber-producing plants. 1. G. F. 
Lonicera sempervirens. 
This very desirable greenhouse twining plant is a native oi 
North America, and as its specific name denotes is < m o. ■ a ■ 
and from its very floriferous habit it could also justly lay 
claim to tlie name of semperflorens. I he flowers are bright 
scarlet outside, and bright yellow inside, about an inch Ion*_r, 
and are borne in the axils of the leaves to the very 7 end of the 
shoots, which terminate in an umbel of flowers. 
For the decoration of a rafter of the greenhouse roof or 
for an upright pillar it is quite at home, hut succeeds best when 
planted out. The border for its reception should be examined, 
and if the soil is poor a hole about 2 ft. square should he 
made, and then filled with some good potting soil, with a 
liberal allowance of sand. This operation could he carried 
out any 7 time of the year ; if the plant had been previously' 
grown in a pot there need be no fear of any 7 check if it is given a 
New Early Potato Colonist. (See p. 159.) 
From a photograph taken at H 7 <’6&s’ Kinver Seed Farms. 
cood soaking of water before planting, and also well watered 
afterwards to settle the soil round the roots. In fact, 1 am 
sure the difference in growth made after the plant has been 
planted out of the pot will be most'noticeable, and will be an 
object-lesson on the advisability of planting out similar plants, 
when they show any signs of stunted growth, where they can 
remain for several years to develop to their full extent. Do 
not make the great mistake of tying up the shoots too close 
to the pillar or rafter, but allow the ends to hang down grace¬ 
fully, and in summer these will be smothered with a profusion 
of the most brilliant flowers. After flowering thin out the 
old wood and cut back accordingly' to the strength of your 
plant, so as to encourage young wood for next season s flower¬ 
ing. Plant in an open sunny position, and give plenty of 
water during the growing season. I have noticed that this 
plant is singularly free from the attacks of insects. 
1 ° J. W. M. 
Readers’ Competition. —Particulars of weekly prizes, see 
centre page. 
The Spring Snowflake is already in full bloom in the open 
ground about London, 
