166 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
February 25, 1905. 
Reviews of Books. 
Flowers and Fruit for the Home.* 
The sub-title of this work well bears out the author s rela¬ 
tions towards her readers. For many years past Mrs. Rich¬ 
mond has been an ardent admirer and cultivator of flowers 
in her home in the country. The book runs to 24 1 pages, in¬ 
cluding a good index. It is divided up into chapters headed 
by the principal flowers with which each chapter deals. It 
deals with hardy herbaceous flowers, including a great variety 
of bulbous subjects, border Carnations, Malmaison Carnations, 
Roses in the garden and under glass, flowering trees and shrubs, 
climbers under glass and in the garden, Chrysanthemums, 
forced shrubs for winter flowering, flowering trees and shrubs 
in general and water gardens. Not even fruits are overlooked, 
as all the small fruits are dealt with, together with wall fruit, 
Grapes, and perpetual Strawberries. 
In opening the book about the middle we note a chapter on 
tuberous Begonias, which are admirably adapted for the work 
of the amateur and those who have only a limited amount of 
glass accommodation. The chapter following this deals with 
what the author very aptly describes as perpetual flowering 
Begonias. This includes a number which gardeners usually 
record under the terms of fibrous-rooted Begonias and shrubby 
Begonias. We think the term perpetual flowering is even more 
applicable than in the case of Roses, which are described as 
perpetual. Many of the Begonias under consideration may 
practically be seen in bloom at any period of the year, pro¬ 
vided they are grown in districts where the flowers are not 
liable to be destroyed by fog or the smoke from smelting 
works. 
Under this term then we note a variety of species included 
such as B. metallica, B. corallina, B. fuchsioides, B. weltonien- 
sis, B. wortliiana, B. Gloire cle Lorraine, B. Caledonia, B. 
Gloire de Sceaux, and some others. When kept under suitable 
conditions many of these keep on flowering practically for an 
unlimited period. B. weltoniensis is also remarkably well 
adapted for cultivation in the windows of dwelling houses, for 
we have seen it in windows all over Britain, within a limit 
of 600 miles at least. Apparently the author has not yet 
made the acquaintance of Turnford Hall, which is more easily 
cultivated than Caledonia. Notwithstanding the fact that 
Gloire de Lorraine and Caledonia are considered difficult of 
cultivation, they are recommended for bedding out in summer. 
AYe have not seen them so employed, but the others here re¬ 
commended are remarkably well adapted for the purpose, and 
flower most profusely even when grown in full sun. They are 
recommended, however, for a half-sliady situation, and we 
think that would meet their wants admirably. 
In the chapter headed Hyacinths and Scillas, we presume 
the latter is used instead of an English name, but seeing that 
we have the word Squill, it might very appropriately have been 
used here, as the chapter is made to include Hyacinths, Scilla, 
Muscari, Galtonia, aud Chionodoxa. Many of these bear a 
strong resemblance to the Squills proper. This chapter is 
dealt with in a way that shows the author to be familiar with 
the plants in question. The Scillas include practically all of 
the best species for open air culture. 
The Iris is also sympathetically dealt with, and the chapter 
dealing with them is accompanied by a beautiful photographic 
illustration of Iris sindjarensis. The bulbous species are first 
dealt with as they bloom during the winter and spring months 
with the exception of I. unguicularis. Many of the best Cam¬ 
panulas are also recommended, while C. Vidalli, a relatively 
uncommon species, is represented by a good illustration. All 
of them dealt with are hardy, with the exception of the last 
named, which the author recommends to be grown in a green¬ 
house or a glass porch by which frost may simply be excluded. 
Pertinent remark is also made with regard to the new garden 
Rose Soleil d’Or, a hybrid between Persian Y r ellow and Antoine 
- “Flowers arid Fruit for the Home" : Being Practical Papers on Horticultud 
for Amateurs and Gardeners. By I. L. Richmond, F.R.H.S., Garden Editor o, 
The Queen. Edinburgh : George A. Morton. 42, George Street ; London : Simps'll 
Marshall & Co., Ltd. 1904. Price 5s. net. 
Duc-her, which she says is of vigorous hardy constitution, and 
like the first named parent may be grown without much prun¬ 
ing. It will thus be seen that she deals with a subject in which 
she is both an enthusiast and has had practical experience. 
Management of Lawns.* 
This small book of some 48 pp. deals with the management 
of grass or green sward in the various aspects with which the 
cultivator is confronted. As the space at command is limited, 
the information dealing with each feature of the case is 
restricted! but those who study it will be able to have a good 
idea of how a lawn is made from the commencement and 
afterwards kept in order when once established. 
The book commences with autumn sowing, following that 
with spring, sowing, the digging of the ground, manuring, pre¬ 
paring the seed bed, soAving the seeds, and the after treatment 
of a new lawn. The second chapter deals Avith the renovation 
of worn or poor turf, and instructions are given how to main¬ 
tain a lawn in good condition. Drainage, levelling, top-dress¬ 
ing, artificial manures, turf, the selection of seed, birds, mow¬ 
ing, mowing machines, nurseries for turf, rolling, moss, and 
Aveeds of a, great variety of kinds are all dealt with, instruc¬ 
tions being given as to the readiest means of getting rid of 
each different kind. It seldom happens that fairy rings 
appear on newly-made lawns at least, but they do occur on 
old sward, and the reader is here directed as to the only means 
of combating this peculiar kind of enemy. Sheep are said to 
be- advantageous in manuring the grass and keeping it short 
as Avell as firm by their constant treading, thus saving motv- 
ing, rolling, and manuring. They are, hoAvever, considered 
to be an inconvenience 1 on golf greens by their droppings, and 
if not well fed with cake they may impoverish the land, par¬ 
ticularly on putting greens. This, of course, would not. apply 
to extensive grass pastures. Many other items of informa¬ 
tion are given, and the book is amply illustrated throughout. 
Enemies of grass in the shape of insects are also dealt, with, 
illustrations of the same in'their different stages being given. 
Cassell’s Popular Gardening.! 
This re-issue of “Popular Gardening” is notv on the A-erge 
of conclusion, if it is to be concluded in twenty-four parts, as 
the twenty-third has been on our table for some little time. 
It contains a. coloured illustration of modern Carnations, the 
varieties figured being Daffodil, The Old Guard, Professor 
Cooper, and Chanticleer. This number begins with, the second 
half of May in the north, including flowers, fruit, and vege¬ 
tables to be dealt with during that period. Many illustrations 
are given to show the practical operations needed in the case 
of such subjects, as, for instance, grafting is represented, also . 
the cutting back of Chrysanthemums, the thinning of Grapes, 
the pruning of Vine spurs, the propagation of Gloxinias from 
leaves, the training of'Peaches, pinching of Fuchsias, disbud¬ 
ding Roses and disbudding of Malmaison Carnations, the cut 
ing of breast Avood of trees on Avails, and similar practical 
matters. The whole number is devoted to fruits, flowers, and 
vegetables, the book having now reached that portion which is 
devoted to July, August, and September calendars for different 
parts of the country. An illustration dealing with the repot¬ 
ting of Cyclamens shows how the conn should rest on the top 
of the soil, not only in the small pot but after the ball of soil 
has been transferred to the larger pot. Potting of Lilies in 
such a way as to leave room for top dressing later on is also 
illustrated. Hyacinths and Tulips are potted quite differently, 
and the illustrations show the methods in general practice.^ 
Since the above notes were made the concluding part (No. 
24) of the work has reached us. 
Readers’ Competition. —Particulars of weekly prizes, see 
•centre p<a#*e. 
“The Formation and Management of Lawns and Other Grassy Grounds. By 
James Carter & Co., Seedsmen to His Majesty The King, 237, 238, and 9i, mg 11 
Holborn, London, E.C. Price 6d. _ 
t “Cassell's Popular Gardening.’ Part 23. Edited by Walter P. AVright. ta 
sell A- Co., Ltd., London ; Paris ; New York ; and Melbourne. Price 7d. net. 
