896 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
November 25, 1905. 
The Flower Garden. 
The Mimulus or Monkey Flower.— Most 
people are familiar with Musk as represented 
by the large-flowered varieties, often grown 
in p°ts, a nd the small-flowered, strongly- 
scented Mimulus moschatus from North 
America. 
During the last year or two, however, there 
has arisen a group of lovely varieties derived 
from Mimulus luteus, which are remarkable 
for the brilliancy of their flowers and the 
readiness with which they lend themselves to 
flower garden work. Beds of one colour are a 
charming sight in June and July, and for 
groups in the forepart of flower borders these 
Musks are unsurpassed. They do not possess 
the powerful odour of M. moschatus, perhaps, 
but this is more than compensated for by 
their bright colours and good habit. One of 
the best of the set is M. 1. Brilliant, with 
vivid scarlet flowers, produced throughout 
the greater part of summer. Another beauty 
is Crimson King, aptly named, and a worthy 
companion to the former. We may add yet 
another in Prince Bismarck, a variety of 
singular beauty and good habit. These Musks 
are practically hardy under normal condi¬ 
tions, but may occasionally perish in very 
severe winters. However, they increase 
readily by division, cuttings, or seeds, and 
to keep a variety absolutely true it is a simple 
matter to lift a few plants according to re¬ 
quirements, and treat as for perennial 
Lobelias, that is, box them or plant out in a 
cool frame. In spring, when growths begin 
to push, a number may be taken from each 
plant and rooted in sandy soil in a close 
frame, not necessarily in heat. The plants 
may also be divided into small pieces at the 
same time, and seeds sown in March will 
quickly yield nice young plants. 
Mimulus moschatus mentioned above is an 
old favourite, in some places almost a pest, 
and in others refusing to grow. Moisture and 
a position not too much exposed to the noon¬ 
day sun will generally meet its requirements. 
We have seen a narrow border on the eastern 
side of a greenhouse filled with this variety, 
and a rare treat it was the summer through. 
The tall-growing Mimulus luteus is also a 
moisture-loving species, and flourishes by the 
side of a pool, where its roots can reach the 
water. There it bears myriads of its bright 
yellow blossoms, and proves a welcome addi¬ 
tion to the long list of summer flowers. 
B. W. J. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
Potato?.- — Though it may appear somewhat 
early to commence with the forcing of new 
Potatos, it is really not so. Good new Potatos 
are almost sure to find favour in any house¬ 
hold, and it is surprising, with only a 
moderate amount of means, how well these 
can be done at a small cost and range over 
a long period. Suitable varieties and proper 
methods must be adopted, of course ; those 
which are quick to mature and make but little 
haulm should be selected. The sets, which 
should be of medium size, can now be laid out 
thinly to sprout in a temperature of about 
55 deg., and, when about lin. in length, these 
should be potted up three in a pot in those 
known as 8-in. Drain moderately, and use a 
light compost, consisting of one part light 
loam and one ditto 1 each of leaf soil and old 
Mushroom bed manure. The pdt.s should only 
be about half-filled, the remaining part being 
left for moulding up in due course. These 
may be started in a greenhouse temperature, 
where they may be placed under.thei stages till 
the growth appears. Very little water should 
be given, and of tepid nature when required. 
More light must be given asl the growth ad¬ 
vances. A suitable place will be on the floors 
of the houses, where little else can be grown. 
If this plan can be adopted at intervals' of 
about three weeks, a regular supply can be 
kept up. May Queen and Sharpe’s Victor 
are both excellent for this purpose. 
Cold Frames. — Plants which are being 
wintered in these should be frequently looked 
over and cleaned, which will include such as 
Cauliflowers, Lettuce, Endive, Parsley, 
Radishes, and Globe Artichokes. Abundance 
of air should be given on all favourable occa¬ 
sions, and remove the covering in frosty 
weather during tile day time immediately it is 
safe to 1 do so. 
General Work. —The late severe frosts have 
had the effect of denuding most deciduous 
trees of their leaves, so that a general tidy up 
can be made much earlier than usual. My 
advice is, take nothing away from the garden 
but what is absolutely necessary. Everything 
which will burn should be charged on the 
smother fire on a vacant piece of land. This 
not only saves a vast amount of unnecessary 
labour, but returns to* the soil just what is 
required. E. Beckett. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
The Stove and Greenhouse. 
Euphorbias. —The time is at hand when 
these useful stove plants will be making a 
brilliant display, and every encouragement 
-should be given to assist the- flowers or bracts 
to develop properly by judicious watering and 
feeding. The application of manure to the 
roots of the earliest batch should now cease, 
but those plants that are^but now commencing 
to flower may receive some mild stimulant 
for a little longer, provided the roots are in a 
healthy condition. Nothing is so safe or bene¬ 
ficial at this time as liquid cow or sheep 
manure. Maintain a fairly dry, buoyant 
atmosphere in the structure containing the 
flowering plants. 
Chrysanthemums. —It has been abun¬ 
dantly proved that to ensure the best results 
in the cultivation of these, dwarf hardy 
cuttings are essential, therefore due regard 
must be paid to the old stools that are to yield 
them. Too often these are left in the conser¬ 
vatory so long that the cuttings become drawn 
and spindly. As the blossoms fade, or are 
cut, remove to a cold frame or pit, and protect 
from severe frosts. With many varieties of 
the large-flowering class that are shy in pro¬ 
ducing cuttings the greenhouse or other 
similar cool house is best, but they should be 
so placed that they receive the maximum 
amount of light. The first or second week in 
December is soon enough to commence propa¬ 
gating for providing plants for large blooms 
next year, whilst January and onwards will be 
time enough for inserting cuttings for bush 
plants. 
General Remarks. — The temperatures of 
the various houses should now be kept as low 
as considered safe for the various occupants, 
it being better to err on the side of a low tem¬ 
perature than otherwise, as- all plant life is 
now comparatively inactive. It is essential 
to admit all the light available by occa¬ 
sionally washing the outside glass ; especially 
is this necessary near towns or 'smoky dis¬ 
tricts. Too much importance cannot be 
attached to the cleansing of the foliage of 
Palms and other foliage plants, and, gene¬ 
rally speaking, more time can be spared for 
this work now than at any other period of the 
year. K. M. 
Hardy Herbaceous Border. 
Herbaceous Plants in the Kitchen Garden. 
—In the formation of new gardens, or when 
remodelling old ones, much consideration lias 
sometimes to- be expended upon where to have 
the hardy flower borders, and new that the 
season for this work has come, a note on the 
subject may prove useful toi those who have 
not had a- very large- experience. These can 
be adapted to and look well in many positions, 
such as at the foot of walls or hedges, where 
they obtain sufficient light and sun, on the 
margins of a lawn, and in various other 
positions in the pleasure grounds. But there 
are few parts of the garden where they look 
better, or are more serviceable, than when 
used as a- finish to- the kitchen garden, and 
might be much more largely used in- this 
respect than they are at present. Of course, 
one has- to- be governed to- a great extent by 
circumstances, but I do- not know of any 
position more suitable than this, especially 
when the amount of space is limited. A suit¬ 
able background should, if possible, be em¬ 
ployed, which shows off the flowering plants 
better, and makes a distinction between these 
and the vegetable crops. For this purpose 
many subjects are well suited, but one of the 
most beautiful and useful isi climbing Roses, 
and, if suitable varieties are planted, a good 
display of flower may be had over a long 
season. Some kind of fence or support has 
to be erected for training these to-, and a very 
suitable and inexpensive method is to obtain 
some Larch poles about 12ft. or 14ft. in 
length, o-n which a portion of the branches 
have been left—tha't is, not cut off close to the 
stem. If the lower part of these are tarred 
and firmly placed in the ground, they] will last 
for years in a good condition. These can be 
placed about 5ft. or 6ft. apart, and one Rose 
to- each will be sufficient. Bush-trained 
Apple trees also- make a very pleasing back¬ 
ground if the border is of good width, but, 
unless this is the case, these, in a few years, 
become too large. 
In small borders many plants are well 
adapted for making a hedge where the 
