2 
THE HARDENING WORLD . 
January 2, 190c 
How to Make the Best of the 
Cold Greenhouse. 
A neglected structure is a very appro¬ 
priate term to use anent the general run 
of cold houses throughout the country. 
Whv this is so is hard to understand, as 
most excellent results can be achieved 
with, of course, a little care and atten¬ 
tion. I do not deny the fact that the cold 
structure does need more attention than 
the heated house, but from actual experi¬ 
ence, the extra labour is well repaid when 
one considers the expense of firing on a 
large scale. We all know, of course, that 
cold greenhouses are admirable in which 
to grow Vines, Peaches, etc., with the 
aid of solar heat alone, but my object 
is to point out what may be done in the 
way of plant cultivation. 
In the first place, a lot can be done 
with Roses, grown either in pots or 
planted out, and if the house has a back 
wall, I would say make a proper border, 
and plant climbing Roses of the Niphetos 
type. These will, of course, require to 
be cut well back, and no flowers expected 
the first season, but a few teas and 
hybrids can be brought on in pots to fill 
the gap. The wall Roses will (natur¬ 
ally) bloom weeks in advance of those 
out of doors. At the present time Chry¬ 
santhemums will occupy the cold house, 
whether they have been grown in pots or 
lifted from the garden, and it seems 
superfluous to mention bulbs, as there 
are so many kinds at our disposal, all of 
which make a magnificent display in 
early spring without the assistance of 
artificial heat. 
Pot up plenty of Narcissus, Tulips, 
Snowdrops, Aconites, Ixias, Scillas, Hya¬ 
cinths, Spiraeas, Christmas Roses, etc., 
not forgetting a stock of Azaleas, which 
will come in very useful in spring; also 
Wallflower, Auricula and Polyanthus, all 
of which will come in early. 
I am not an advocate of trying to grow 
everything in one house, but should it be 
a roomy one, there is no reason why a 
Black Hamboro’ Grape should not be in¬ 
cluded. When it begins to give a return, 
and your back wall is a wealth of beau¬ 
tiful blossom, your Azaleas bursting into 
flower, and the bulbs in bloom and bud, 
you will think your labour has not been 
in vain. 
Then a cold greenhouse is the very 
place in which to sow annuals; it brings 
them on slowly and sturdily, and is also 
a great saving in seed, so that if one gets 
a small quantity of the best article it is 
sufficient. 
The Fuchsias, Begonias, etc., can be 
shaken out, and these will come on to 
furnish decoration for the summer 
months. 
Now, as to the attention necessary. In 
the first place the greatest enemy to the 
plants will be damp, and this will actu¬ 
ally do more harm than frost. See then 
that all watering is done in the morning, 
and any surplus water dried up from the 
floor. At the same time open the venti¬ 
lators at the ridge, and get a current 
of air through the house, always closing 
those on the east side in winter. Then, 
if the soil in the pots is dry and frost ex¬ 
pected, leave off water for the time beino- 
' to J 
and get together some newspapers. These 
are splendid for keeping frost off the 
plants, but need not be used for the Roses 
or Azaleas. If it can be managed, fix a 
blind inside the house, so that it can be 
drawn down at night, and this; in con¬ 
junction with the papers, will prove of 
valuable assistance in keeping out pretty 
severe frosts. Do not water the plants 
until milder weather sets in, and never 
forget to give air in abundance. 
It is really surprising how few deaths 
there will be when spring comes round, 
and how each plant will jump ahead with 
fresh life as the sun gains power. 
D. G. McIver. 
-- 
The Board of Agriculture state that 
outbreaks of black scab in Potatos are 
now far more numerous in England than 
in Ireland. 
Holly and Mistletoe will be dearer 
this year. The red berries of the former 
are not nearly so numerous as in previous 
years. In France, where the bulk of the 
Mistletoe comes from, the crop is a poor 
one. 
-- a. w. - 
Prize Competitions. 
OENERAL CONDITIONS:—Competitors mast 
write on one side of the paper only. Regular 
paid contributors to THE GARDENING 
WORLD or other gardening journals are de¬ 
barred from entering, but occasional con¬ 
tributors may compete. The name and ad¬ 
dress of the competitor must appear on each 
article sent for competition. The Editor’s 
decision is final, and he reserves the right 
to reproduce, in any wayjl any article or photo¬ 
graph sent for competition. The conditions 
applying to each competition should be care- 
fnlly read. 
- +++ ~ 
WEEKLY 
PRIZES. 
A PRIZE OFTEN SHILLINGS will be given 
for the best paragraph or short artiole on any 
gardening subject, suoh as hints of practical 
interest to gardeners, notes on the propaga¬ 
tion or cultivation of flowers, fruits or vege¬ 
tables, eradication of pests, etc. The para¬ 
graph or artiole must not exceed a column, but 
value rather than length will be considered in 
making the award. Mark envelopes “ Com¬ 
petition,” and post not later than the Monday 
following date of issue. Entries received later 
than Tuesday (first post) will be left over until 
the following week. 
Two prizes of 2s. 6d. will be awarded each 
week for the two best letters, not exceeding 
160 words, on any interesting gardening sub- 
jeot. 
RESULTS OF 
LAST WEEK’S 
COMPETITIONS. 
Some of the best papers in this competition 
are too long, and we desire readers to keep 
within a column. 
A prize in the Readers’ Competition was 
awarded to “ Oottaerer,” for the article on 
“ My Greenhouse at Christmas,” page 790. 
The Prize Letter Competition has been held 
over owing to lack of space. 
Pansies 
And How to Grow 
Them for Exhibitioi 
Pansies for exhibition purposes req f 
to be liberally treated before large-s c 
blooms can be secured. A collectioi 
named varieties must be procured f i 
some reliable source, as seedlings -< 
practically useless for exhibition. r 
the first place select a well-sheltered, a 
not too shaded, position. A site tin 1: 
sheltered from the north and north- ; 
and open to the south-east so that it t: 
the full benefit of the morning sun c 
partly shaded from the midday sun 1 
suit Pansies to perfection. 
In November the ground should c 
trenched to a depth of not less than c 
feet, and unless it is well drained, a k i 
ofl broken bricks or (stones should e 
placed in the bottom. A liberal quar ) 
of cow manure moderately deca c 
should be incorporated with the soil ; 
trenching proceeds, taking care not < 
bring it too near the surface, at the s; 
time add some partly decayed turf, ab 
a barrow load to the square yard. Alix 
well with the soil, and when trenchin; 
finished, leave the surface as rough 
possible, so that it may get the full be 
fit of the winter's frost. About the 
of February apply a heavy dressing 
leaf-mould, and dig well in. If some 
hot-bed material can be added to t 
so much the better. 
Nothing further will be required u 
planting time, the end of March or be; 
ning of April, according to the weat 
and locality, being a good time to pi; 
Make the bed firm and level well d< 
with the rake, and plant in lines i: 
15 inches apart and 12 inches from pi 
to plant. Afterwards keep the suri 
well stirred with the hoe, and about 
beginning of June apply a mulch of si 
manure. If the soil is very dry, giv 
good soaking of water previous to mui 
ing. Weak doses of liquid manure r 
be given occasionally, and during 1 
weather spray the plants overhead v 
a syringe in the evenings. A light ap 
cation of nitrate of soda or sulphate 
ammonia about six weeks before the si 
will give the plants vigour and also h 
the colour of the blooms. 
Keep all flower buds picked off u 
three weeks before a show, and nt 
allow more than four main shoots t- 
plant. The blooms should be protec 
by pieces of cardboard fixed on woo 
pegs by means of a tack, or pieces of 
wire pushed through the cardboard 
back and the end bent down answers 
as well. A dusting of soot will he!]: 
keep off slugs, but the best plan is 
examine the plants with a lamp a 
dark, and catch the marauders 1 
handed, or some of the best blooms 1 
get eaten. Mildew often attacks 
leaves of Pansies; spraying with I 
deaux mixture usually keeps it in che 
The same method of culture also app 
to Violas. 
W. Chalmers 
Muchalls. 
