June 17, 1905. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
4S7 
The Stove and Greenhouse. 
Arum Lilies. —There are two distinct 
methods of growing these useful plants—first, 
by keeping them, in their flowering pots 
throughout Ihe summer, and allowing them 
to die down naturally, then when new growth 
commences in autumn repot and grow on in 
a cool house ; second, by planting in prepared 
trenches in the garden at this time and lift- 
in" and repotting, in autumn. After trying 
both systems, 1 prefer the former, as by 
gradually withholding water during summer 
the corms become ripened and better fitted 
for flowering freely and early in winter, 
p'rom this time the plants should be kept on 
the dry side, and when all the foliage has 
deoayed, lay them on their sides in a sunny 
spot,” but do not allow them to get too dry. 
Planting Out Pot Plants —I have re¬ 
peatedly proved that the best results are ob¬ 
tained with certain greenhouse plants by the 
planting out system. Such subjects as 
Solanum Capsicastrum, Deutzias, Bouvardias, 
Spiraeas, Salvias, Eupatoriums, and the like 
may now be turned out of their pots and dis¬ 
posed in the open ground. A border that is 
partially shaded from the sun answers well, 
and it should have been manured and, deeply 
dug beforehand. Keep the ground free from 
weeds, and give an occasional watering during 
dry weather. They must be lifted and re¬ 
potted before frosts occur in autumn. 
The Stove. —Many kinds of Palms, Ferns, 
and other plants may now be transferred to a 
shaded greenhouse or conservatory for the 
summer months, and, provided discretion be 
brought to bear in only removing the hardiest 
of them—that is, those that, are known to 
withstand a lower temperature for a couple of 
months in summer—none but good results will 
accrue. Room wall thus be made for the re¬ 
maining plants to develop, besides providing 
room for others that require growing on in 
warmth, snch as Euphorbias, Eranthemums, 
Reinwardtias, etc. 
Unsightly walls in greenhouses may be 
clothed and made beautiful by planting Pelar¬ 
goniums, Fuchsias, Heliotropes, and Smilax, 
and now is a good time to perform the work, 
in order that they may become established 
before winter. The chief factor to success is 
the proper preparation of the border in which 
they are to be planted. This may be 18 in. 
wide and 2 ft. deep, and should have good 
drainage. A good compost consists of equal 
parts loam and old potting soil, with some 
decayed farmyard manure incorporated. 
Large plants now growing in pots may be 
turned out, and their shoots trained to wires. 
Both the zonal and Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums 
are adapted for such positions. K. M. 
The Flower Garden. 
Flag Irises.-— I have before referred to the 
beauty and charm of the dwarf early flower¬ 
ing varieties of Iris pumila and Iris chamae- 
iris, and can only reiterate that those who 
take up the cultivation of these miniature 
gems will be delighted with the dainty beauty 
of their flowers in early spring. Following 
these dwarf forms, there is a wide selection 
of species and varieties flowering on into June 
and July according to locality. 
The term “ Flag Iris ” strictly applies only 
to Iris germanica, but is generally extended 
to include many other speciesi One of the 
earliest to flower after the dwarf section is 
Iris florentina, which is practically white, 
though there is a variety, “ albicans,” which 
has larger flowers ; both, however, are well 
worth growing. The type Iris germanica is 
often mot with in cottage gardens, but there 
are many handsome varieties which ought to 
receive the attention of those who are chiefly 
confined to outdoor gardening. I. germanica 
major is a line variety, with light blue erect 
segments, while I. g. Kharput lias large dark, 
blue flowers. Purple King is another hand¬ 
some variety, as also are Kochii and Siwas. 
Iris flavescens is a pretty species with yellow 
flowers. 
In the varieties of Iris pallida we meet 
with some of the best of the “ Flags,” and 
very fine effects can be produced by generous 
plantings of these varieties. Iris pallida 
“ Wainer ” is a lovely sort, with the inner 
erect segments light blue and the outer ones, 
called the falls, a shade or two darker. I. p. 
Albert Victor is light blue, as also is I. p. 
dalmatica, while Queen of May is a lovely 
rose-coloured variety. 
Iris hybrida Mrs. H. Darwin is a real 
beauty, having the falls white, with purple 
veinings and white erect segments. 
Iris aphylla Gazelle is a beauty, shading 
from white to light blue or violet, and to this 
latter group may also be added Bridesmaid 
and Madame Chereau, the last-named a very 
fine sort, having white flowers, the edges of 
the segments j ust tinged with blue. 
Many others could be mentioned, such as 
the varieties of Iris squalens and I. variegata, 
but those described are representative of a 
very fine section of the genus Iris. All have 
the flowers borne on long stalks, and are 
therefore suitable for cutting. They are of 
the easiest cultivation, most of them doing 
well in almost any position, but rejoicing in 
an open, sunny place in a soil of average 
quality, not too heavy. If grown in beds they 
may be planted in clumps, leaving spaces 
between in which can be planted some easily- 
raised half hardy annual like the orange- 
/-—--S 
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_ J 
coloured African Marigold, which will fill out 
the bed in autumn, or hardy annuals, such as 
Mignonette, Clarkias, etc., may be sown in 
April. " B. W. J. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
Broad Beans.— Immediately after a suffi¬ 
cient number of flowers are seen the points 
of the growths should be pinched out, and 
when the foliage is infested with black 
aphis syringe vdth a solution of strong soft 
soap and water, which is harmless to the 
plants, but effectual in destroying the blight. 
Keep the roots thoroughly well supplied both 
with clear and liquid manure waters, and 
to hasten the maturing of the crop it will be 
most beneficial to damp over the tops in 
early evening after fine days. When extra 
fine pods are required thin out all the smaller 
and imperfect ones, and remove all side 
growths. Support the plants by straining 
two or three stout lines of tarred cord to 
stakes at short intervals on either side of the 
rows. Make one more, sowing of Green 
Broad Windsor. 
Early Peas. — To hasten the filling of these 
stop the growths and keep well supplied with 
water. To obtain exhibition pods it will be 
necessary to severely thin them out, leaving 
the most promising, and cut away all lateral 
shoots. Make one more good sowing for 
October gatherings. The best varieties I 
know for this purpose are Autocrat and 
Webb’s Masterpiece. Sow thinly in well- 
prepared trenches, and if the weather is dry 
give a thorough watering in. 
Cucumbers in Frames. —Little difficulty 
will now be found in keeping up a good 
supply of these in portable frames or pits. 
The greatest danger, especially with the in¬ 
experienced, is overcrowding the growths. 
These will require thinning out two or three 
times a week, and do not attempt to over¬ 
crop them. When in full bearing copious 
supplies of liquid manure water should be 
given frequently, and when the plants show 
the least signs of declining, give a good sur¬ 
face dressing of turfy loam and half-decayed 
manure. Fumigate on the first signs of 
aphis, syringe morning and early afternoon, 
give air in good time, and shut up early. 
Parsley. —Make a good sowing in drills 
twelve inches apart on a south border for 
autumn and winter supplies. 
E. Beckett. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
Hardy Trees and Shrubs. 
Some Ornamental Gooseberries.— Both 
the Currants and Gooseberries are included 
under the generic name of Ribes, and it is 
fairly well known that the former contain 
some of our most beautiful early-flowering 
shrubs ; but the several very interesting 
Gooseberries are not nearly so largely planted 
as they deserve. 
The Fuchsia-flowered Gooseberry when 
well grown is one of the most beautiful of 
shrubs, and succeeds well either as a bush 
plant or when grown against a wall. This 
should be given a loamy, well-drained soil in 
a somewhat protected position if possible, and 
when carrying its quantities of scarlet flowers 
in May one will be amply repaid for any 
trouble bestowed upon it. When planted 
against a wall this shrub will grow fully 8ft. 
high, and the long shoots will need shorten¬ 
ing back after they have become ripened. It 
is also necessary to remove some of the older 
wood qccasionally. 
