The gardening world 
October 7, 1905. 
^85 
"from seeds, but these do not come true to 
colour, so that division and cuttings con- 
I stitute the best rneaiis of propagation. 
Calochortus amoehus. 
Amongst the bulbs for planting out or pot-, 
ting up in autumn, the species of Calochortus 
are amongst the most interesting. It is not 
every one who succeeds with them, and there¬ 
fore the community at large does not depend 
upon them for a display. They are not spring 
bedding plants proper, as they bloom from 
May to August, according to the kind and also 
tlie treatment. 
The subject of this note belongs to the sec¬ 
tion which has globular, drooping flowers pro¬ 
duced on branching stems. Yellow is the 
most common colour to be seen in this section 
in gardens, but C. amoenus has deep rosy- 
pink or rosy-purple 1 flowers, according to the 
individuals, as there is always a certain 
amount of variation amongst imported bulbs. 
In habit and general aspect the plant is 
closely allied to C. albus and the yellow C. 
pulchellus, between, which it is said to be in¬ 
termediate. Indeed, there is little difference 
between these three except in the colour of 
the flowers. The inner segments are the 
largest, and are rendered highly interesting 
by being bearded with long purplish hairs all 
over the surface and edges. Only a single leaf 
is produced, 10 in. or 12 in long. The short 
ones to be seen on the stems accompany the 
flowers, and are usually regarded as bracts. 
The slender stems are 6 in. to 12 in. high, 
and branch freely from near the base upwards. 
Those who would undertake the cultiva¬ 
tion of this interesting bulb should select 
a soil that is light and well drained, 
incorporating with it plenty of leaf 
mould. Where the soil is heavy it should 
be taken out to the depth of 18 in., 
and a compost of equal parts of loam, leaf 
mould, and some sand substituted. It is per¬ 
fectly hardy in our climate, being a native of 
North-west America, but it comes from a 
region where the bulbs can rest more securely 
in winter than here. 
It is necessary, therefore, to use some means 
of counteracting the influence of rain to 1 pre¬ 
vent the bulbs from starting into growth too 
early. For this reason some people plant out 
the bulbs in cold frames, but by adopting the 
plan we have suggested success in most cases 
would be attained. Bulbs may also be grown 
in pots with much more certainty of success, 
as the pots can be plunged in the cold frame 
during winter, so that rain and snow are pre¬ 
vented from reaching the bulbs. They should 
be potted at the present time. Under this 
sort of treatment C. amoenus comes into 
bloom towards the end of May, and may be 
used for the decoration of the greenhouse, con¬ 
servatory, or alpine house where such exists. 
-♦- 
Destroying Wasps. 
I observe in a recent issue that you 
quote from a contemporary respecting the 
use of turpentine for killing wasps. This 
method is by no means new, for I have 
! adopted it for quite a while, and some twelve 
■months since spoke of it as a certain destroyer. 
Perchance your contemporary has been hunt¬ 
ing up the back numbers of The Gardening 
World. Cal. 
Gardening Appointment. —Mr. Hugh Tem- 
J.pletoD, for the past three years general fore¬ 
man in the gardens of the Marquis of 
Winchester, Amport St, Marys, has been ap¬ 
pointed head gardener to C. E. Turner, Esq., 
Oldown House, Almondstury, Gloucestershire, 
and took up his duties oil September 30th. 
SECOND PRIZE ESS A Y 
IN THE 
VILLA GARDEN 
at COM PETITION 
1 
T 
What I would do with 
a Villa Garden 
in the production of 
Flowers, Fruit, and 
Vegetables. 
By J. REEVES PALMER. 
The accompanying is a plan which I con¬ 
sider eminently suitable for a villa garden. 
It slopes from north to south, and is walled 
in on all sides, on the north by the house and 
on the east, south, and west by a brick wall 
6 ft. high. The flower garden is not interfered 
with or its beauty detracted from in any re¬ 
spect by the fruit and vegetable garden. At 
the same time, there is sufficient room in 
this latter to allow of all needful produce 
being grown. As it is a town garden, I should 
not aim at growing such crops as Peas, Beans, 
Cabbages, or Potatos, which can be easily 
obtained, but rather such things as Celery, 
heibs, and salad vegetables, with perishable 
fiuits, such as Strawberries, Raspberries, 
etc., which are much to be preferred when 
freshly gathered. 
I he paths are so arranged as to give easy 
access to all parts of the garden. They should, 
of course, be sloping on either side from the 
middle sufficiently to ensure perfect drain¬ 
age. Preference should, I think, be given 
to asphalt walks. 
The flower-beds are extensive enough to 
give to the garden a gay appearance. The 
Conserraforj' /n fYouje.. 
s 
