34 8 
May 23, 1908 
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Under the above title a book has been 
prepared by Mr. Walter P. Wright which 
partakes of the nature of a dictionary or 
encyclopaedia, as it deals with mostly all 
plants an amateur is likely to cultivate. 
The descriptions are necessarily brief. 
They do not comprehend species, but 
merely take the generic name, and under 
that are given the various facts which it 
is necessary to know in order to put the 
plant into the proper house or degree of 
temperature, as well as to know what soil 
will suit the various species. The usual 
methods of propagation are also men¬ 
tioned. Small illustrations consisting of 
drawings are very numerous and inserted 
in the text, and cannot but prove useful 
to the beginner, who is uncertain about 
the details necessary in the potting or 
propagation of the plant, as the case may 
be. The Pink, being a widely cultivated 
plant, does not receive much description 
in the text, but it shows the method of 
taking cuttings and inserting them in soil 
to be covered by a hand-light. In some 
cases a whole frame might be necessary, 
but these hand-lights are always useful 
to the owner of a small garden, as it 
enables him to propagate and protect till 
rooted a few cuttings or plants of any¬ 
thing that may be required. The method 
of potting Pinks is also shown, together 
with the plan of breaking up old clumps 
into pieces with roots so as to make a 
fresh edging or plantation. The book is 
confined to 325 pp., so as to be of assist¬ 
ance to those who do not require a more 
comprehensive work. The book is pub¬ 
lished by Messrs. Cassell and Co., Ltd.j 
Ludgate Hill, London, at 3s. 6d., with 
postage extra. 
Buds Dropping; off. 
By the time these notes appear, the 
Sweet Peas from early sowing will be 
making rapid growth, and before long, 
in many cases, will be showing flower 
buds. It is frequently seen that the 
earliest buds drop off. There is little 
doubt that this is caused by the growth 
not being sufficiently ripened. Ill- 
ripened or sappy growth is caused by lack 
of sunshine, by excessive moisture, or by 
too great liberality in manuring. 
Watering. 
The first cause can hardly be regu¬ 
lated, nor can rain be kept from the 
plants, but one can refrain from artificial 
watering except where absolutely neces¬ 
sary. I will not say that watering, -when 
wisely performed, may not be of great 
benefit to the plants, especially in long 
dry spells as an aid towards the prolonga¬ 
tion of the flowering period, but I would 
point out that some of the finest trade 
exhibits of Sweet Peas are produced en¬ 
tirely without the aid of the water pot. 
In any case it is wise to defer the com¬ 
mencement of watering until the plants 
really require it, and then not merely to 
sprinkle the surface of the soil, but to 
thoroughly soak it every four or so days, 
while the drought lasts. As to how often 
water is required can best be determined 
by experience, for it depends much upon 
the nature of the soil. 
Mulching. 
Where the plants are not watered, a 
mulch of long stable manure is very 
beneficial. It should, if possible, be ap¬ 
plied before the commencement of the 
hot, dry season, about the end of May 
being a suitable time. 
The Benefits of Hoeing. 
Another great conservator of moisture 
is the hoe. During spring and summer 
great benefit is derived from the use of 
this tool, not merely as a destroyer of 
weeds, but more as a means of keeping 
the surface of the soil loose. There are 
few plants that do not benefit by the fre¬ 
quent use of the hoe. 
The Danger of Over Manuring. 
At the commencement of these notes 
it was mentioned that unwise liberality 
with manure is harmful to the plants. 
This refers more particularly to nitrogen¬ 
ous manures. As a general rule, in all 
cases where the ground is fairly rich, no 
further manure should be added after the 
plants are in position until they are com¬ 
ing into flower. 
Plants Intended to Produce Seeds. 
It may here be mentioned that plants 
intended to produce seed need less ma¬ 
nure than those designed to produce 
flowers only, the latter not requiring such 
firm growth, and I believe that it is a fact 
recognised by seed growers that it is pos¬ 
sible to give more manure and receive 
less seed, although the flowers may be 
better and more numerous. In this year’s 
Sweet Pea Annual, Mr. Mackereth"men¬ 
tions the case of his plants last season, 
when the only plants that produced seed 
were those grown on poor, unmanured 
soil. 
The Influence of Manures on Colour. 
The question of the influence of water¬ 
ing and manuring on the colour of the 
flowers is very interesting. It is true 
that the colour of some varieties may 
often be intensified by manuring, but ma¬ 
nure in excess has the opposite effect. 
The finest coloured Helen Lewis I ever 
saw were growing on totally unmanured 
soil in dry weather, and had received no 
artificial watering, but their size was poor. 
Another peculiar fact that I have noticed 
is that flowers from plants that have not 
been watered will keep their colour much 
better when cut than those from plants 
that have been watered. 
The use of sulphate of iron is thought 
by some to intensify the colour of the 
brilliant varieties, but I do not think that 
it is used by any of our foremost growers. 
It is, moreover, very dangerous, for it 
is so easy to use too much. 
The Best Manure. 
There is no doubt that the best manure 
for summer use, for Sweet Peas, is that 
obtained by soaking animal manure and 
soot in a bag. This should be diluated 
until it is quite pale and clear, and may 
be applied as a watering. 
Use Rain Water. 
The possessors of a good store of rain 
water will have an advantage over those 
who possess only spring or tap water, for 
the former is much preferable. Where 
the latter has to be used it is well to 
stand it for a day exposed to the sun and 
air. 
To Produce New Types. 
Although I am now giving advice as to 
watering and feeding, it may not be neces¬ 
sary to make active use of it until a 
month later. Next month, however, I 
wish to describe the Way in which a cross 
is effected between two varieties of Sweet 
Peas. This is a most simple process, and 
can be understood and performed by any¬ 
one. I will not say that it is easy to raise 
new varieties, for that is a different mat¬ 
ter, and entails, or should entail, the 
fixing of any type that comes out of a 
cross. There can be no doubt, however, 
that crossing Sweet Peas is well within 
the scope of the amateur, and is already 
widely practised by him. By this means 
he can have the pleasure in growing new 
and improved types a year or two before 
they are in the market. 
Visit the Temple Show. 
During the next few weeks hopes and 
expectations will be running high, especi¬ 
ally among those who are trying varieties 
