374 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
May 6, 1905. 
observed it would resemble tlie Banana leaf. Propagate by 
suckers or division of old plants. Medinilla magnifica is an 
evergreen stove plant. The flowers are produced in early 
summer, and are of exceptional beauty, being in large terminal 
racemes and rosy-pink, with a strong aroma. The flowers are 
of long duration. One could not readily forget the striking- 
appearance of Medinilla magnifica when in bloom. 
Monstera deliciosa is rarely cultivated in private gardens. 
It is a splendid ornament for damp walls of stoves. The 
leaves are large and perforated with holes. Edible fruits are 
also produced. However, the ornamental character of its leaves 
could alone commend it as a substitute for bare and unsightly 
walls of hothouse structures. Monsteras enjoy plenty of space 
and a damp wall, SO' that the aerial roots readily fasten to the 
wall; no other support is necessaiy. Apply copious supplies 
of moisture overhead and at the roots in summer. To increase 
your stock, cut the stem in lengths. 
Sansevieria zeylanica, or “ Bow String Hemp,” is also a stove 
subject of grotesque appearance. 1 have heard this go' under 
the name of “ Sword Plant.” Ardisia crenulata, a. very orna¬ 
mental berried plant of the stove, receives scanty attention. 
These, with others, are becoming extinct in many establish¬ 
ments, and are not propagated toany extent. The change of 
gardeners, also the random treatment these plants receive, and 
not being useful to grow in batches for effect might be a. cause 
of their rarity. So interesting specimens of many years’ 
unerring attention eventually die off and are then perpetuated 
only in botanical collections. A. V. M. 
Wishaw. 
The Japanese Maples. 
These are doubtless the finest and most varied deciduous 
shrubs in existence. Other shrubs have flowers at certain 
seasons, and some put on foliage tints in the autumn, but in 
these Maples there is diversity and colour the whole season 
through. For the decoration of the conservatory or for groups 
of plants on staircases they are invaluable, as they are ready 
for use when the stove foliage plants are growing, and conse¬ 
quently not available. 
Their culture in pots consists of potting them in the autumn 
in a compost of equal parts loam and peat, with plenty of sand. 
Thorough drainage is necessary. Keep them as cool as possible 
and on the diy side while resting. They may be brought on 
early by placing in a temperature of 50 deg. and dewing them 
over with the syringe morning and evening, but the substance 
of the leaves does not appear to me to be so good as when they 
are allowed to come on naturally. The sprays of leaves are 
veiy useful for dinner-table decoration. 
Their beauty and effect is unsurpassed when grouped on a 
lawn amongst the shrubs, or in beds in the flower-garden. 
They will succeed in many places planted out permanently. 
In these localities a situation should be chosen that is partially 
shaded; that is, w'here they can be. shaded by trees during the 
middle of the day, and protection from cold winds is necessary. 
Spruce branches placed amongst them as they are coming into 
leaf will be an advantage, although I have seen large specimens 
standing on a northern slope with no protection whatever, and 
always doing well. Still, I think it best to be on the safe side 
and protect them. Plant out the first week in June. If the 
weather is dry, watering must not be neglected. 
There are three distinct types of foliage. The palmatum 
type, with five lobes cut almost to the centre. The septem- 
lobum type has seven to nine lobes; and the dissectum type 
has deeply pinnatifid lobes overlapping each other. The foliage 
of the latter type is as elegant as any Fern. 
The following is a good selection : —Acer palmatum atro- 
purpureum, a dark purple leaf and a. vigorous grower : A. p. 
sanguineum Seigan, young leaves blood red, changing as they 
..mature to dull coppery-red; Koseo-marginatum, light green 
edged with rose; Aureum, yellow foliage, of an orange tint 
when matured ; Linearilobum, olive-green, finely cut foliage ; 
Sepfemlobum elegans, changing from green to dull red ; Palma- 
tifidum, light green leaves very deeply lobed; Atrodissectum 
variegatum, elegant foliage, reddish-green and purple, varie¬ 
gated light rose ; Atropurpuremn dissectum, same colour as the 
type, but with dissected foliage; Versicolor, a splashed green 
and rose palmate leaf; and Peliculacum, a white seven-lobed 
leaf suffused with light green; the midribs are also' of a light 
green colour. H. Arnold. 
Watering Vine Borders. 
This operation needs more care than is usually bestowed 
upon it. Too often Vine borders are watered because they 
appear dry on the surface. 
In all cases the gardener should find out the depth of the 
drainage, the porosity or otherwise of the soil. Never water 
without first testing the border at a depth of 18 in. or more. 
A piece of 2-in. steam pipe sharpened at one end is very 
useful if used in the same manner as a. grocer uses a cheese 
taster. There is also a very useful little instrument sold for 
this purpose. 
Having drawn out a small portion of the soil at the above- 
mentioned depth, squeeze it tightly in the hand ; if dry enough 
to need water, it easily falls to pieces again when touched. 
Soils, however, vary considerably in adhesiveness; allowance 
can always be made for this. The varying amount of ventila¬ 
tion and “ damping down ” make this testing an absolute 
necessity. 
As far as I have been able to ascertain by repeated investi¬ 
gation, Vines make but little new root until the flowering 
period. Heavy waterings previous to this act injuriously in 
two ways. First, they make the border sodden and unsuitable 
for root action. Secondly, most Vine borders are given a 
heavy topdressing of natural or artificial manure during the 
resting period, and if much water is given early in the season, 
this is dissolved before the roots are ready to> assimilate it, and 
it is either washed away, or if retained renders the border still 
more sour. Unfortunately, the bad effects of this treatment 
are not apparent at once. The result is first seen in the 
foliage, which is thin and has not that desired deep green tint; 
it also' scalds easily. Later, the berries “ shank ’ badly, and 
there is a general want of colour and finish, and the T ines 
are unable to properly mature their growth, and easily fall a 
prey to insect pests. 
In places where greenhouse or bedding plants have to be 
grown temporarily with the Vines some parts of the inside 
border receive a considerable amount of water from the 
drainage of the pot plants. Avoid adding more to' those places, 
but look out for dry corners near the pipes, etc, where the drip 
does not reach. 
Vine borders watered carefully in the early part of the 
season become so full of roots that they are only kept' moist 
by the use of large quantities of water, and if the roots con¬ 
tinue active—which they usually do-—this may be continued 
until the leaves fall. Experience teaches that, ripe grapes 
liano-inon the Vines keep none the worse for a fair amount 
of moisture at the root. '~ J - 
Boomed Potatos. 
“ R. S. D.” need be in no fear as to the deterioration of the 
above. The collapse of prices is due to other causes, partly 
owing to fraud and its disclosure. As one who has grown and 
is familiar with nearly every Potato novelty, I can speak veij 
highly of many sorts. Varieties such as Eldorado’, Diamond, 
etc., were too much propagated to allow much to be said of 
them, and, moreover, I fear these sweated stocks will prove 
poor, for they start weakly. “R. S. D.” need.have no fear o 
Record, Provost, Gold Coin, Rajah, Conquering Hero, Snow 
flour, Duchess of Cornwall, Tyne Kidney, Derby Success, 
Factor, etc. AL * 
