tHE GARDENING WORLD. 
November 18, 1905. 
S^O 
and pleasure, is to form groups of alpine and 
dwarf herbaceous plants along the front, an 
excellent illustration of wl ich is to be seen in 
Mr. George Paul’s nursery at Broxbourne. 
Where uo specially constructed rockery exists 
this is the most suitable place to cultivate those 
plants which appreciate the presence of a 
rocky substance among the roots. The method 
of planting is quite simple, and failing natural 
rock a good substitute will be found in old 
building burrs, which should be partially let 
into the ground, not too close together. It is 
not necessary to mound these up. If the plants 
are six to nine inches above the ordinary level 
it will be sufficient, and the various heights of 
the subjects employed will make the desired 
undulation. The best results are obtained by 
planting a medium-sized group of one variety, 
and they can be planted so that each sort will 
just touch the next, or a space can be left 
between, so as to allow the interspersing of 
taller subjects, and I think this is the better 
plan. The various sorts should be so arranged 
that the early mid-season and late flowering 
ones are well mixed, as a good display of flower 
is then maintained, and when planting, either 
now or in early spring, place some fresh soil 
among the rocks, but do not cover them. The 
variety suitable for treating in this way is very 
large, many of which have the advantage of 
be ng evergreen, and a good selection would be 
found among the following : —Auorietias, the 
best sorts ; mossy and encrusted Saxifragas ; 
Helianthemums, or Rock Roses ; Alyssums ; 
Arabis, especially the double white ; A eronicas; 
Polygonum Brunonis and P. vaccinifolium ; 
Alegaseas; Lithospermums; dwarf Campa¬ 
nulas ; Alenthas ; Achilleas ; alpine Phloxes ; 
OUR . . . 
Northern Gardens. 
Flower Garde a and 
Pleasure Ground. 
Mums.—Plants that have been lifted for 
propagating from and placed in frames must 
not be coddled, but should have abundance of 
air whenever the temperature is above freezing- 
point, otherwise a weakly set of cuttings will 
be the consequence. Protect from frost. 
Top Dressing. — Many permanent subjects, 
e pscially those grown in beds or clumps, will 
be benefited by a top dressing. Lily of the 
Valley should get a good dressing of farmyard 
manure. Beds of Dog-tooth Violets, Scillas, 
Gladioli, The Bride, Primula Sieboldi, Auri¬ 
culas, and such like will be grateful for a dress¬ 
ing of such a compost as verge parings, leaf soil, 
and old potting soil. 
Roses.—Planting of the various sections can 
be successfully carried on till the end of the 
month ; see last week’s notes on the subject. 
Christmas Roses. —AA 7 here these have been 
well grown they are now yielding a good crop 
of bloom. For cutting purposes they are best 
grown in beds—and, if not already done, at 
least a portion of the plants should be covered 
with frames or plant protectors, giving 
abundance of air when the temperature is 
above freezing point. By thus protecting the 
pi uit-s the quality of the flowers is improved, 
and the supply can be kept up independent of 
our fickle northern climate. 
Conservatory and Greenhouse. 
P. imulas.—Batches of P. sinensis, P. ob- 
cuirca, and P. floribunda, that were sown 
early, are all making a brave- show now, and 
v.iil be found most useful for decorative work 
both in the conservatory and the drawing-room. 
Succession batches should be kept near the 
glass and have occasional doses of some weak 
stimulant. P. verticillata sinensis, with mealy- 
covered foliage, and whorls of canary yellow 
flowers, is also a desirable variety for green¬ 
house culture ; it prefers a rather stiff loamy- 
soil, and, being susceptible to damp, should have 
a light airy p sition during winter. It flowers 
in spring. P. Forbesi is a little gem, and 
shoukl be in every collection. It is easily 
raised from seed. It has been flowering freely 
for many weeks past. 
General—During wet weather stakes that 
have been in use should be overhauled, the 
decayed portions at the bases cut away, and 
the stakes repointed. Where material is avail¬ 
able new stakes can also be made, and the 
whole should be tied up in convenient bundles 
after being assorted. C. C. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
Winter Mulching.—Several crops are much 
benefited by having a good covering of manure, 
to be left on during the winter months. This 
mulching answers two important proposes— 
protection from severe frosts and, the heavy 
rains washing the properties of the manure to 
the roots of the plants, ensures strong healthy 
growth the following season. All beds of 
Asparagus should have first attention. After- 
cutting over the stalks of the current season’s 
growth, remove all weeds and other dirt. Then 
add four to six inches of stable manure. Finish 
off neatly, and no more will be required till the 
following March. Rhubarb is a crop that 
seldom receives any attention at this season. 
This should not be, however, as no crop is more 
benefited by a good mulching of manure at the 
present time. It not only gives a valuable 
stimulant, but also makes the growth start 
away stronger and earlier in spring than the 
roots not so treated. There is also no necessity 
for removing the mulching on Rhubarb, as it 
helps to keep the roots cool and moist during 
the following summer. 
More About Manuring.— The other week I 
entered pretty freely into the question of en¬ 
riching the garden with farmyard manure. I 
would now say a word about another important 
material that, I am sorry to say, is too often 
wasted. I refer to the garden refuse. Every 
garden 1 as its rubbish heap, but from various 
causes this m-.ferial is too often looked upon 
as nothing but a nuisance. This should not be, 
as this rubbish, if properly treated, contains 
most valuable plant food. I am aware that in 
many gardens there is no proper place provided 
for storing the rubbish until fit for use. In 
many cases it is got rid of by wheeling into a 
wood where Docks, Nettles, or Bisliop-weed 
abound, and is then of no further use for 
gardening purposes. AATiere at all possible all 
material from the garden that will eventually 
rot should be thrown into a heap, and turned 
once or twice during the year. If a little lime 
can be added a most valuable manure is formed, 
that can be used with the very best results for 
all vegetable crops. All stones must be kept- 
out of this heap, and everything that will burn 
should be kept apart from it. If used in 
quantity much less manure will be required, 
while the resulting crops will be of excellent 
quality. C. Blaik. 
Preston, Linlithgow. 
IASM1NUM SAAB AC’ 
0 HANDSOME AND FRAGRANT 
Of the many species of Jasminum which 
are suitable for stove or greenhouse culture 
there are few which afford such infinite plea¬ 
sure as the double-flowered form of J. Sambac. 
A we-ll-grown plant covered with its minia¬ 
ture Gardenia-like flowers—pervading the 
atmosphere of the house with their delicate 
perfume—creates an impression which re¬ 
mains indelible. Apart from the fragrance 
of the flowers, it is constantly producing its 
inflorescence, which undoubtedly is an advan¬ 
tage over many of the mere gorgeous occu¬ 
pants of the stove. Being of a bushy habit 
it is most admirably suited for pot culture. 
In a compost of good fibrous loam, leaf soil, 
and sand I have found it to thrive remarkably 
well. With well-established plants, occa¬ 
sional applications of wealt liquid manure will 
prove most beneficial in maintaining them in 
a healthy condition. In order to induce free 
flowering propensities it is necessary that 
they should be allowed to become fairly pot- 
bound. Over potting tends to- the promotion 
of growth at a sacrifice of flowers. 
Propagation may be effected by cuttings or 
suckers arising from the base of the plant. 
These will root readily when inserted in a 
sandy compost and placed in the propagating 
case. F. G. T. 
FHSCIAS * F " ,h * 0 s r‘ 
I . - Greenhouse 
The natural order Gesneraceae, without a 
doubt, furnishes us witn many of tlie most 
beautiful flowering stove and greenhouse 
exotics. With their aid present day horticul¬ 
turists are enabled to render their plant- 
hcrises bright, and attractive at almost all 
periods of the year. Yet, notwithstanding 
the fund of material which may be secured 
from this order, there are few Gesnera so 
highly ornamental and possessing such unique 
refinement and individual charms as the 
Episcias. Their highly ornamental foliage, 
bright and beautiful flowers, varying in colour 
from white to a deep crimson, never fail to 
attract the attention of the enthusiast, and 
to create an indelible impression of their en¬ 
chanting beauty. On account of their creep¬ 
ing habit they are most desirable subjects foi 
growing in suspended baskets, or they may be 
employed for furnishing the surface of large 
pots. They thrive remarkably well in a com 
post.of good fibrous loam, peat, leaf soil, and 
sand in about equal proportions. Multipli¬ 
cation of stock may be readily attained fron 
cuttings inserted in a sandy compost, anc, 
subjected to a gentle bottom heat in the pro 
pagating case. 
E. bicolor may be readily characterised by 
its white flowers, bordered with purple,' whicl 
are borne on slender peduncles from the axils 
of its hairy, ovate, glossy leaves. 
