552 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
July 8, 1905. 
SOME USEFUL 
GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 
HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 
The majority of those who possess a green¬ 
house or conservatory are so partial to effective 
flowering plants that scarcely an evergreen 
plant is visible. A recent idea also con¬ 
nected with private gardens is to grow large 
batches of one class of plants, and to arrange 
them in a mass, such as groups of Begonhis, 
Pelargoniums, Fuchsias, Hydrangeas, Sdhi- 
zanthus, etc. This system could in no way be 
criticised, as the plants are better managed, 
and do not involve so much labour as a mixed 
group. However, I prefer the mixed “ style,” 
as it, is termed. A conservatory arranged with 
a varied lot of plants is more interesting and 
natural than four or five groups of contrasting 
colours. Yes, we are too prim and artificial 
with our arrangements, botli indoors and out. 
As I was ‘‘ bedding out” a small garden re¬ 
cently, I inquired if he wanted any particular 
style, when the blunt answer came, “ Na na, 
plant them reel ral.” The same reply is 
agreeable to our greenhouse, that is to have a 
good mixed collection. I will refer to a few 
serviceable subjects which have been ban¬ 
ished to admit a host of flowering plants. 
They are all of a shrubby habit, easy to grow, 
heat is not essential if frost is only excluded. 
The amateur can cultivate them in his minia¬ 
ture greenhouse equally as well as his pro¬ 
fessional brother. 
In Diosma ericoides we have a small heath- 
like plant, the slender shoots of which, when 
slightly inbbed, give off a most pleasing 
aroma. The potting material is fibrous peai 
and sand. Flowers are produced, but are not 
of any consequence. A cool greenhouse is an 
ideal home for Diosmas. I will mention the 
propagation at the end of the notes. As Dios¬ 
mas are of a rambling habit, pinch the points 
of the young shoots. 
Adenandra fragrans is another of similar 
habit to the above, coming from the Cape of 
Good Hope, and the Diosma treatment is suit¬ 
able to this fragrant shrub. 
Boronias are not much cultivated, yet they 
produce a profusion of flowers which could 
hardly be eclipsed for perfume in spring. 
Boronia elatior and B. megastigma are two 
good sorts, the latter one in particular. It 
grows about a foot higfli, with beautiful purple 
and yellow flowers. They should be pruned 
after flowering; a little heat and moisture 
will encourage young growth. At the present 
time Boronias may be transferred to full ex¬ 
posure of sun and air for the summer months, 
so to have well ripened wood. Plunge the pots 
in ashes, and keep well watered and syringed. 
Remove indoors in September. The potting 
compost consists of loam and peat in equal 
parts, sand and charcoal. The last item is 
invaluable to all Heaths and shrubs. Pot or 
top dress the plants a fortnight after pruning. 
Propagation.—This is an opportune period 
to obtain cuttings of all these plants, which 
may all be classed as one in this important, 
branch. To propagate these mentioned and 
others of a like nature, it is generally 
imagined they are difficult to root, but the 
novice could root them. One rule is to be 
patient; do not examine the cuttings every 
day. This practice of tumbling the cuttings 
out is ruinous to the drainage, and hinders 
the root action entirely. When you see good 
top growth and the roots are seen through the 
crocks, it is then time to reoot. First fill a 
5 or 6 inch pot almost half full of crocks. 
Commence with a few large pieces and finish 
off with well broken crocks, then a slight 
r ~— -—-—-^ 
OUR PRIZE COMPETITIONS. 
ESSAY COMPETITION 
Prizes.—( 1) Two Guineas ; (2) One Guinea. 
Open to all Readers. 
I The above Prizes will be given for the best 
essays on:— 
“What I would do with a Villa 
Garden, in the production of flowers, 
fruits, and vegetables.” 
I he garden may he of any shape, provid'ng the 
area is approximately 3,000 square feet. Gu e a 
I rough plan of the garden, indicating which is the 
nort h by an arrow; show the position of the 
various crops ; if it is decided to have a lawn and 
flower-beds, their position with regard to the 
dwelling-house should he shown. Walks, flower- 
borders, fruit-trees or bushes, and vegetable 
quarters should be so disposed as to give the 
hnest effect from the house and be in harmony 
with the surroundings. State if the garden is 
enclosed with a brick wall, open or closed fencing. 
I he skill and taste displayed by the competitor 
in his arrangements will have great weight in the 
adjudication of the prizes. The expenditure in I 
first stocking the garden with seeds, plants, trees, 
bushes, and fertilisers should he stated, and the 
annual cost afterwards. The essay should be 
about 1,000 words, and must be sent in on or 
before July 31st next. Mark envelopes in the 
left-hand corner “ Garden Competition.” 
^ - - --- / 
\ 
OUR PRIZE COMPETITIONS. 
SPECIAL COMPETITION 
For Members of Local 
Horticultural Societies. 
Prizes. — (1) Three guineas. 
(2) One guinea. 
(3) Ten shillings and sixpence. 
Open only to members of local Horticultui al 
Societies. 
The above prizes are offered for the best article 
or essay on the following subject:— 
“ How to extend the membership 
and usefulness of local Horticultural 
Societies.” 
The length of the essay should be about 1.0C0 
words, and it must be sent in before the end 
of August next. Mark envelopes in left-hand 
corner with the words “Society Competition.” 
WMtttttttttttttttttttttttttttttaUtiMtitt 
\ WEEKLY PRIZE COMPETITION. 
< -— 
< - RESULT - 
< The prize in the Readers’ Competition was 
( awarded to “ E. J,,” for his article on “Tree 
< Carnations,” p. 532. A prize for a supple- 
\ mentary reply in “ The G.W. Enquire Within ” 
< column was awarded to “ Cal.,” for his article 
J on “ Heliotropes,” p. 532. 
covering of sphagnum moss or leaves. The 
drainage of pots is being greatly neglected • 
however perfect we may be in other details 
tins initial error hinders the young hardener 
from being an efficient grower ofg'ood pot 
plants. Mix a good porous compost of peat 
and sand, or loam, leaf mould and sand passed 
through a fine sieve. Fill the cutting pot to 
within an inch of tJhe top. Firm it well before 
applying half an inch of sand. 
Obtain half matured growth for cuttings 
about an inch and a half long, cut at a joint’ 
and a few of the minute leaves may be 
stripped, but this is not necessary, as these 
leaves will not hinder the rooting process, but 
tend to keep the cutting in position. Insert 
these firmly in the pot,'which should have 
been watered some time beforehand. The 
question now raised is, “ Where can we root 
them ? ” A cool greenhouse or pit is admir¬ 
able ; but endeavour to give the cuttings a cool 
bottom to rest on, and partially shaded. 
What is more disastrous to cuttings of this 
kind than hot and dry shelves and warm vin¬ 
eries ? Little success will accrue if the cut¬ 
tings are drenched with water almost daily 
therefore strive to procure a cool position. 
Cover with a bell-glass and wijie off all mois¬ 
ture every morning. Remember, if this is 
neglected the moisture will soon rot the 
points of the cuttings. If the amateur does 
not possess a bell-glass, I can furnish him 
with a good substitute. Just insert your pot 
of cuttings into an empty one two sizes larger, 
for instance, a 5 into a 7. Procure a piece of 
glass large enough to cover the 7 in. pot, and 
you have a miniature propagator, or even fill 
a good-sized pot with cuttings, so that they 
do not reach the top, and cover with glass. 
Reverse the glass every day. As already 
said, have patience ; in four or five weeks’ tim? 
the cuttings will show growth. If the sand 
shows dryness, give the pot a water with a 
fine rose. Gradually expose the cuttings to 
be repotted in a sandy compost, and plunged 
in some material for a week or two. Attend 
to pinching and potting as the plants allow of 
it. The only feeding stimulant for these 
subjects is soot water. 
The African Cypress is an excellent house 
plant. We do not see it often, but if we do, 
it is'subject to many erroneous names. The 
correct one is “ Widdringtonia ericoides.” 
Fine specimens can be had in 6 and 8 in. pots, 
with very erect stem and graceful side shoots. 
It is a permanent subieet of the cool glass 
structure. Should this be exposed to open air 
in the summer months it must he a shaded 
corner. I have seen large plants ruined by ex¬ 
posing them to sunshine. As this does not, 
necessitate frequent potting use a heavy loam 
and sand. Propagate as above, but it takes 
four to six months—a very good reason for 
its rarity. A. Y. M. 
Wish aw. 
Strawberries by the Train-load. —In one 
day recently from Swanwick, the principal 
station for the dispatch of Strawberries from 
Hampshire gardens, 65,000 baskets of fruit, 
each containing 51b. to 71b., were sent in 
special trains to the London and other 
markets. 
* * * 
Pensions for Gardeners.— Professional 
gardeners who contribute £1 annually for 
fifteen or more years to the Gardeners/ Royal 
Benevolent Institution are placed on the pen¬ 
sion v list as vacancies occur. The pensions 
are £20 per annum. If incapacitated after 
attaining their sixtieth year, such contri¬ 
butors receive a nension without the formality 
of election by voting. 
