762 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
September 30, 1905. 
during winter. I invariably obtain tlie best 
results by turning out the plants early in June 
on to a piece of rich ground. They should 
now be potted up, using a compost of equal 
parts loam, leaf soil, and old potting soil, with 
a sprinkling of wood ashes, sand, and old 
Mushroom-bed material. Avoid over-potting, 
and pinch out the points of the leading shoots, 
in order to divert the energy of the plant to 
the maturing of the berries. Place in the 
greenhouse for a week or two, and when re¬ 
established remove to a genial warmth to ripen 
the berries. 
Ardisia crenulata. — This is another 
pretty berried plant that deserves to be more 
extensively grown. Well-grown plants have 
dark green glossy leafage and a profusion of 
scarlet berries. These are usually raised from 
seed sown in spring and the plants grown on 
in pots or frames throughout the summer. A 
temperature of about 55 degrees will suit the 
plants well from this time onwards. 
Salvias. —Many gardeners grow these in 
open quarters during the summer, lifting them 
at this time and treating them in a similar 
manner to Chrysanthemums. They are 
invaluable plants for the adornment of the 
greenhouse during the dull winter months. 
Good species are 8. splendens, S. gesneraeflora, 
8. Bethelli, and S. Pitcherii. 
Roses in Pots. —Those required for early 
forcing should by now be well-ripened and may 
be pruned lightly, and either re-potted or top- 
dressed as considered necessary. Agood holding 
compost should be used, and it may consist 
of two parts loam, one of spent Mushroom-bed 
material, and a good sprinkling of bone-meal 
and soot. If the plants have been subjected to 
several weeks’ complete rest in a sunny position 
they may be introduced into a genial growing 
temperature of about 50 degrees at once. Keep 
as near the roof-glass as possible and maintain 
a humid atmosphere. Occasional fumigations 
should be given to keep down green aphis. 
K. M. 
-»-. 
BEAUTIFUL DWARF GENTIAN. 
(Gentiana septenifida.) 
When speaking of dwarf Gentians one 
thinks more often of G. acaulis and G. verna 
than any other, but these are practically 
spring and early summer bloomers. That 
under notice blooms about the end of 
July, and has neat leafy stems about 
6 in. or 8 in. high, terminated by a 
cluster of bright blue flowers. Each 
flower is five-lobed, and between these 
again are shorter and very fine fringed lobes 
of great beauty. This plant, in our experi¬ 
ence, is more easily cultivated than G. 
verna, and requires only to be planted in 
fairly firm but well-drained soil on the 
rockery. As growth is very slow, the best 
plan of multiplying it would be to save the 
seeds, although the crowns may sometimes 
he divided with care when they attain any 
size. 
New Markets for Loxdox. —On the after¬ 
noon of the 18th inst., Leopold de Rothschild, 
Esq., laid a memorial stone at the extension 
of the new wholesale flower, fruit, and vege¬ 
table market at Brentford, which is costing 
£43,000 to build. The front of the market 
was profusely decorated with bunting for the 
ceremony. On the 21st inst. the Portman 
Market, Edgware Road, was opened for whole¬ 
sale business in flowers, fruit, and vegetables. 
This market will meet a long-felt need in the 
west and north-west districts of the metro¬ 
polis. 
OUR . . • 
Northern Gardens. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
Jerusalem Artichokes. —It is not generally 
known that the swelling of the tubers of 
Jerusalem Artichokes is greatly hastened by 
topping the stems. From a foot to thirty 
inches may be cut off the tops, according to the 
strength of the growths. The stronger and 
taller the stems the more may be taken off. 
Some people declare that Artichokes ought to 
be frozen before they are fit to. eat. I nis is 
probably only imagination, but in tlie event of 
the roots being of poor quality, it would be 
worth while laying some of the tubers outsid 
during frost. 
Rhubarb.— As soon as the leaves have died 
down, it is well to have some of the roots taken 
up, so as to prepare them for early forcing. 
Nothing is more helpful in preparing this for 
the very earliest supplies than . a thorough 
exposure to the weather. Leave it lying fully 
exposed for a week or two after lifting, and if 
it gets well frozen, all the easier it will be to 
force. Without such preparation, the earliest 
batch is very slow, and uncertain to start. 
Seakale. —This, too, may be treated some¬ 
what similar to Rhubarb ; only it had better 
not be exposed to hard frosts after lifting. 
Place in damp earth in a cool shed, and when 
the time to introduce into heat comes, it will 
be found that the growth is quicker and more 
regular than if just dug from a garden quarter. 
Routine Work.— Little is to be gained by 
leaving roots longer in the ground than neces¬ 
sary. Potatos, as they ripen, or indeed just 
before being quite ripe, should be got up, and 
stored in a cool dark place. If there is no 
disease, all tubers should be placed together, 
and during wet weather they can be picked 
over and graded. Continue to give no quarter 
to weeds and other rubbish. Not only do 
these look untidy, but at this season they 
prevent the sun’s rays from reaching and 
warming the soil. Also, as damp is our princi¬ 
pal enemy from now onward, it is essential 
that rubbish of all kinds that prevent the air 
and sun from having free scope round our 
crops be removed. In dry weather continue 
to stir the soil with the Dutch hoe. among 
young crops of Cabbage, Spinach, Onions, etc. 
Earth up Celery as required. Where in de¬ 
mand lift a few roots of Chicory and place in 
boxes of moist leaf-mould. Stand in gentle 
heat in a perfectly dark place, and so ensure 
properly blanched tender leaves. 
Preston, Linlithgow. C. Blaie. 
with it so much the better. Protect the young 
growths in the event of sharp spring frosts 
occurring. The following are a few of the 
more suitable for Scotland : — Am-antiaca, 
aurea, brasiliensis, peruviana, and psittacina. 
Colchicums —The Colchicums or Meadow 
Saffrons are very attractive in the autumn, 
and succeed in any ordinary garden soil. They 
can be planted after the flowers die down in 
late autumn or in summer after the foliage has 
decayed. C. autumnale, C. a. fi. pi., C. pur- 
pureum, and C. speciosum are all beautiful and 
cheap. 
Conservatory and Greenhouse. 
Housing. —What is generally known as 
housing for the winter must now be proceeded 
with at once. Before commencing the rearrange¬ 
ment of the plants see that .all pots are 
thoroughly washed and attention given to 
recent directions; also wash the glass and 
woodwork clean. In arranging the plants 
it should be borne in mind that hard-woocled 
and soft-wooded plants do not harmonise v ell 
together. Water must now be given uith 
greater caution, and plenty of air should still 
be given on all favourable occasions both day 
and night, a sharp look-out being kept for 
autumn frosts that often come “ as a thief m 
the night.” 
Bulbs.—The main batch of these should 
now be potted up ; where loam is scarce old 
Melon or Cucumber soil will do quite well for 
this work, enriching it with some horse 
droppings or rotten cowdung and flaky leaf 
mould. Plunge for about six rveeks as 
previously directed. 
Chrysanthemums. —These must now be 
housed along with the general stock of pot 
plants, but any late varieties should not be 
housed till the buds are set. In the event of 
slight frost occurring the plants should lie laid 
on their sides overnight. Continue to disbud 
and give another top-dressing. C.C. 
Hardy Fruit. 
Fruit- picking still demands constant atten¬ 
tion. Apricots will require careful looking 
over at least twice a week, so that damaged 
fruit may not be left on the trees, or allowed 
to come in contact with others, as they are so 
easily affected. Methods for the destruction 
of earwigs and woodlice will require constant 
-i.111 l-.no l-.nAn oil O’of llPPPfl 
Flower Garden and 
Pleasure Ground. 
Bedding Plants.—A sharp look-out must 
now be kept for frost, and on its approach 
tender plants that have been plunged, m pots 
must be lifted and housed ; in fact, this should 
not, in any case, be delayed beyond the second 
week in October. The general stock of cuttings 
should now be well rooted, and may be trans¬ 
ferred to their winter quarters ; whether in 
frames or in houses they should be kept near 
the glass to prevent them from getting drawn. 
Alstroemerias. —These beautiful tuberous- 
rooted plants are well worth a little extra care 
and trouble. They should have a free, well- 
drained soil, and if a little peat is incorporated 
Peaches on walls now ripening are 
improved by a day or two on a shelf well up 
to the glass in a Peach house where fruit is 
ripening. The same applies to Figs ripening 
on the wall. 
Apples are coming down now, and had 
better be pulled and stored carefully on the 
fruit-room shelves. They may be laid on a 
little straw', but where the shelves are close 1 
prefer a sheet of paper beneath, and if possible 
set -the fruit on the broad end. This enables 
decaying fruit to be removed at once, else they 
will* quickly cause the surrounding fruit tc 
decay also. 
Plums on standards are ripening slowly- 
Early varieties such as Prince of Wales an 
now fit for' use. Victoria plums will requin 
