496 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
July 25, 1908. 
Garden Tools. 
BY AN EXPERT. 
Horticultural Wire Work. 
The gardener needs horticultural acces- 
■sories as much as he does tools; indeed 
the former are inseparable from the lat¬ 
ter, for the mere tools for the tillage of 
the soil, and the cultivating of plants, are 
not enough in the twentieth century gar¬ 
den without artificial methods of train¬ 
ing plants in accordance with present-day 
ideas of a picturesque garden. In the 
olden times these were clipped in curious 
shapes, pyramids and quaintly shaped 
peacocks and other birds evolving from 
carefully cut box trees, and other old- 
fashioned plants. Nowadays the Rose 
grower, and the horticulturist who ad¬ 
mires all climbing plants and creepers, 
noted alike for foliage and beautiful 
flowers, require wire trainers to guide 
their growth, and to prevent them becom¬ 
ing unruly, thus marring the harmony of 
an artistically laid out garden. Some 
beautiful shapes, such as umbrella, bal¬ 
loon, bell, and basket trainers have been 
devised, and the splendidly designed Rose 
temples, so elaborate and artistic, suit¬ 
able for placing in the centre of the gar¬ 
den or on hilly mounds, are available. 
These metallic constructions are by no 
means costly, yet they produce charming 
effects. By the aid of machinery and 
skilful fingers ornamental flower stands 
and baskets are quickly made and are 
sold at prices sufficiently low to tempt 
even the cottager, who is no mean horti¬ 
culturist, for since the encouragement 
given by horticultural societies to cottage 
gardening, many of the best prizes in 
local exhibitions have been won by those 
who own but small strips of garden, either 
at the back or front of their modest 
homes. Then again the flower stands for 
window gardening may be reckoned a 
branch of horticultural supply. The se¬ 
lection of plants to place in them re¬ 
quires skill and tact, but if supplemented 
by the forcing house or even hand lights 
flowers may replace one another in suc¬ 
cession and the display always look fresh. 
Then again there are strong galvanised 
arches and fancy fences, well worth the 
attention of buyers. Indeed the whole 
efforts of the gardener may be made 
doubly successful by the suitable intro¬ 
duction of horticultural wire work, such 
beautiful selections of. which may be seen 
at shows and in shop windows of local 
tradesmen. We may remind readers, too, 
that there are specialists in this branch 
of the trade, and oftentimes a careful 
search in our business columns may lead 
to the selection of such goods which can 
be obtained direct from the manufacturers 
at moderate prices. 
Trellis and Lattice. 
Closely allied with wire work and 
trainers for plants is the extending trellis 
and lattice for surrounding gardens, plac¬ 
ing on the top of walls, and covering ugly 
blots on the landscape with a mass of 
greenery. Wood trellis is supplied in dif¬ 
ferent widths, closing up into portable 
lengths, and extending when open to 
some twelve feet of substantial fence, 
which when fixed by one or two uprights, 
either of wood or iron, is sufficiently 
strong to form a sound division wall, 
which may be quickly covered with 
HAWS’S PATENT 
IMPROVED 
WATERING 
CAN.——— 
The Original and 
Genuine Make. 
J. HAWS, 
10 & 25a, Lea Bridge Rd. 
Clapton, London, N E. 
creepers or even flowers. The wood¬ 
worker supplements the metal-worker in 
his supply of horticultural goods, and the 
two work hand in hand to supply the hor¬ 
ticulturist with useful and inexpensive 
accessories which help him to make the 
garden a triumph of horticultural skill, 
and where he can enjoy the beauties of 
nature even in a small and confined area. 
- +++ - 
Liachenalias 
For the 
Cool Greenhouse. 
All who have seen the Lachenalia when 
in bloom must admit that they are among 
the daintiest loveliest, and sweetest 
flowers that bloom, and ought to be high 
favourites with amateurs, considering 
that their culture is simplicity itself. 
They hail from the “Cape,” and all do 
well in a greenhouse where a temperature 
of from 35 to 40 degrees can be main¬ 
tained, excepting L. glauca, which re¬ 
quires a somewhat higher temperature. 
The best time to repot is about August, 
just before the bulbs start into growth. 
Six to ten bulbs may be placed in a six 
inch pot, giving good drainage and a 
moderately heavy soil. When potting the 
bulbs should be graded, using the larger 
ones for more immediate blooming, and 
the smaller ones to form larger bulbs for 
blooming the following season. As soon 
as growth begins they should be placed 
close to the elass and given all the sun¬ 
shine possible, using no shading what¬ 
ever. Growth should be encouraged 
from now onward, giving liquid manure 
and frequent svringings when the flower 
spikes are developing. 
After flowering they should be removed 
from the greenhouse, which will be about 
April or May, and laid on their sides at 
the foot of a wall with a west aspect, and 
will not require any further attention un¬ 
til August, when the same culture may be 
repeated as above. 
As plants for hanging baskets they look 
somewhat novel. The bulbs should be in¬ 
serted over the whole of the outer surface 
of the basket, being careful not to crowd 
them, and just burying the apices of the 
bulbs in the soil, and if they are rested 
during the summer and encouraged in 
growth during winter they will make a 
handsome basketful. 
There are only about a dozen species 
commonly grown at the present day, their 
height varying from six to twelve inches. 
1 like Aurea, Delight, Pallida, Tricolor, 
Topaz, and Nelsonii; this latter variety 
is a little dearer, and bears flowers of the 
richest yellow. THOS. FRANCIS. 
- +++ - 
Several deaths from lock-jaw have 
been reported of late, caused by bac¬ 
teria in garden mould entering a wound. 
“ East Coast Holidays.” 
This is the title of an attractively got 
up book written by Mr. Percy Lindley, 
and published by the Great Eastern Rail¬ 
way Company at 30, Fleet Street, Lon¬ 
don. There are descriptions of the many 
delightful haunts and popular resorts on 
the East Coast, and the letterpress is ac¬ 
companied by some clever illustrations 
in colours as well as photogravure views, 
and some useful sketch maps. Promin¬ 
ence has been given to some less known 
districts in East Anglia, and to the 
country between the Cromer coast and 
the Norfolk Broads. The description of 
each town is followed by a list of local 
excursions and drives, also of hotel, 
boarding houses, and estate agents, which 
adds considerably to the practical value 
of this excellent little work. 
Friendly Rivalry in the Office. 
The members of the staff of Messrs. 
Maclaren and Sons, at this office, ar¬ 
ranged to have a flower show entirely on 
their own account, and the competition 
for the coveted honours took place on Fri¬ 
day, the 10th inst., at the office. All are 
fond of flowers, and a large proportion of 
them are enthusiastic amateur gardeners. 
The keenest competition was in the class 
for Sweet Peas, and Mr. H. Standring, 
Chigwell, took the lead with flowers that 
would have taken a lot of beating. Miss 
C. McVeagh, Honor Oak, and Mr. W. 
G. Langham, Hither Green, were equal 
second; while Mr. R. A. Lingley, East 
Ham, came in third, with fine flowers. 
In the class for Roses Mr. H. Standring 
again declined to be beaten, and had the 
premier bloom, Mrs. J. Laing, in hi; 
stand. Mr. C. B. Copeman, Ilford, tool 
the second position; while Miss _ C 
McVeagh and Mr. A. E. Witty, Man 
stead Park, were equal third. Hard) 
plants furnished a considerable amount 0 
variety, and the leading honours fell t( 
Miss McVeagh. Mr. H. Standring am 
Mr. A. E. Witty were second and thin 
respectively. They had to fall back 01 
the staff of The Gardening World t< 
decide the contest. Later in the day tlr 
flowers were packed up and sent to St 
Bartholomew’s Hospital. 
R.H.S. Gardens Club. 
A year ago a number of those who a 
one time or another served on the stal 
of the Royal Horticultural Society me 
and resolved to form some sort of an a; 
sociation. Since then a much large 
number of the old members have been ir 
duced to join, and the first annual mee" 
ing was held at Carr’s Restaurant, Stranc 
London, on the evening of the 8th ins' 
On this occasion the rules were discusser 
and it was resolved that the associatio 
should be known under the name of tb 
R.H.S. Gardens Club. A president, tv 
vice-presidents, secretary, treasurer, ed 
tor, and a committee were elected 1 
serve for the ensuing year. It was ah 
agreed that the annual general meetin 
should be held during the week of tl 
R.H.S. Summer Show, when some c 
those at a distance would be coming t 
London on account of the show. Tl 
Club is intended to put all the membe 
of the staff of the R.H.S. Gardens, pa 
and present, in communication with 01 
another by means of a journal container 
the names and addresses. 
