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THE GARDENING WORLD 
February g, 1907. 
firm with a blunt label or some kind of 
small rammer. As the plants are potted 
they must be placed in some kind of 
frame inside the greenhouse, have a good 
sprinkling overhead, and be kept close 
for the first day, after which air must be 
gradually admitted; and after the first 
root-watering—which will be about the 
third day after potting—the young plants 
will generally stand the removal of the 
lights without flagging. A week later, 
if the weather is favourable, they may be 
placed in a cold frame outside; this 
frame should be provided with a good bed 
of ashes for the plants to stand on, and 
a good wall of the same material round 
the outside, which, together with some 
good mats over the glass at night—and 
in very severe weather the addition of a 
little hay between the mats—will keep 
out frost. A little air must be ad¬ 
mitted to the frame on all favourable 
occasions, and if the plants flag on very 
sunny days, a little shading will be neces¬ 
sary. This should consist of some hay 
or small boughs, just sufficient to break 
the sun's rays without darkening the 
frame. 
Slugs will sometimes make their way 
into a frame, and, as opening the frame 
at night to hunt for them is out of the 
question at this time of the year, it is a 
good plan to lay a tempting morsel in the 
way of a Lettuce leaf, together with 
something for the slugs to take shelter 
under until the next day, when they can 
easily be found and removed. 
Those who require a succession of de¬ 
corative varieties for indoors, after the 
early-flowering kinds are past their best, 
will find the following selection a good 
one: For October, O. J. Quintus (pink), 
White Quintus, Nivette, and Mdlle. Lucy 
Duveau (white), Source d’Or (bronze), 
October Crimson and Dazzler (crimson), 
Kathleen Thompson (crimson and gold), 
and Lizzie Adcock, Ryecroft Glory, and 
Mytchett Beauty (yellow). These will 
continue well into November, and be 
followed by Market Red, Godfrey's King 
(reddish crimson), Moneymaker and 
Niveus (white), with Goldmine and Mrs. 
Greenfield (yellow). These again will be 
followed in late December by Mrs. J. 
Thompson and Madame Oberthuf, two 
white-flowered kinds of totally different 
habit of growth and form of flower. The 
first-named is dwarf, having incurving 
florets, while the other is tall in growth, 
and bears florets of a drooping character. 
Three good late yellows are Lord Brooke, 
Yellow Thompson, and Golden Gate. 
The first-named has a bronzy tinge. 
One of the best late crimsons is Mafeking 
Hero ; but where this may be thought to 
be of too tall a habit of growth, Ex¬ 
mouth Crimson and Weeks’ Crimson may 
be found useful. Tuxedo is a pretty 
bronze, while Framfield Pink and A. J. 
Balfour are the best late pink-flowered 
kinds. 
Six good singles for indoors are:—F. 
1 W. Smith '(bright pink), Crown Jewel 
(yellow), Bronze Pagram, Victoria 
(cream', Framfield Beauty (crimson), and 
Earlswood Beauty (white). The two last 
are rather late. 
R. Barnes. 
—- 
Peaches and Apricots are arriving by 
frequent boats from the Cape of Good 
Hope, and have been commanding fair 
prices in our markets. 
The Flower Garden. 
So far as I can see the prophecies as 
to very cold weather following the bitter 
Xmastide have all gone astray. We have 
had a few rather parky days, but through 
January we had some excellent weather, 
which enabled one to push work forward. 
Digging. 
Digging has been quite a pleasure most 
of the time. I do not at all suppose that 
this work is completed in all places, indeed, 
in journeying about I observe many gardens 
and allotments that have not yet seen a 
digging tool. Although I am a consistent 
advocate for leaving certain soils alone until 
the turn of the year, I am not a plumper 
for leaving such work until March or April. 
There are some amateurs, however, who 
are prevented from making an early start. 
There are plenty, nevertheless, who tackle 
digging by the light of the moon. Half an 
hour in the evening is not a serious item, 
even though one labours hard all day. At 
any rate there is more logic in spreading 
digging operations over a fortnight or more, 
than leaving it until later, and then rushing 
it through in a couple of evenings. 
Ordering Seeds. 
The majority of , readers, at least all those 
who claim to be really progressive, will 
have sent away their seed orders. There is 
nothing like getting in early. Seedsmen 
appreciate early orders, and there is no gain 
in delaying. Indeed, there is a possibility 
that a certain much desired item will be sold 
out very quickly. This especially applies to 
novelties. I might instance Sweet Peas. 
Owing to the unprecedented demand due 
probably to the enormous number of prizes 
that are being given by the N.S.P.S. and 
other societies, many of the newest sorts 
are cleared very quickly. Last season that 
wonderful variety Mrs. Hardcastle Sykes, 
was completely disposed of within one 
week of its being offered. This season the 
demand for this variety is even greater, 
and I have just learned that three of the 
biggest firms in the country had cleared 
every packet before January was out, and 
this despite its high price. One grower 
informs me that he was offered _£8o for a 
lb. of it, and refused the offer. 
Herbaceous Plants. 
For much the same reason plant orders 
should be sent early in the year. If hardy 
herbaceous stuff is wanted, there is no 
reason whatever for delaying, as it may be 
planted at any time now, providing, or 
course, that there are no severe frosts. If 
the ground is frost bound, hardy plants 
should be unpacked and placed thickly’- in 
boxes with a little earth around the roots. 
Do not plant when bitter easterly winds are’ 
blowing, as such biting blasts are as drying 
as hot sunshine. 
Roots that were recently planted should 
be looked over, and if frost has caused them 
to rise at all, they should be well pressed 
with the foot. 
Roses. 
The sooner Roses are placed in position 
the better. On no account attempt to prune 
established bushes. These will already be 
showing activity in many places, and if 
pruned now, the lower buds will commenc 
to move, only to get damaged by late 
frosts. 
Antirrhinums and Pentstemons. 
Those who have a well made up hot be< 
may make a start at seed sowing. Sucl 
things as Antirrhinums and Pentstemon 
come into bloom quite early in the summe 
if given an early start. 
The latter plant I prefer to grow fron 
cuttings, as I have never found any seei 
to yield flowers equal to named kinds 
Antirrhinums, on the other hand, general! 
do better from seed, providing a good straii 
is grown. The named kinds are to my mini 
rather disappointing, except such varietie 
as Cottage Maid, Crimson King and Yellov 
Queen. 
To get these true, cu.tings, of course 
have to be taken in the autumn. Th 
present winter is not an ideal one for the? 
plants, for a large percentage of cutting 
have gone off, whilst the old plants whicl 
usually come through safely and yield som 
good shoots for rooting under glass, hav> 
been utterly destroyed by th© cold weathe 
we have had. Seed should be sown ii 
shallow boxes, not too thickly, and the sot 
should be light. The seedlings must b 
pricked out when quite small, or they wil 
damp .off wholesale. 
Lawns. 
The present is a good time to give lawn: 
a dressing of artificial manure. Basic slas 
has a wonderful effect on grass. A smal 
percentage of nitrate of soda will furthe 
stimulate the roots, especially if clover i 
in the turf. If there are any mossy patche 
on the lawn, they should be well scarifiec 
with the rake before applying the dressing 
Garden Paths. 
Garden paths and walks should receivi 
attention, and all hollows or uneven place: 
made good. Gravel that has become dull 
may, if it is fairly thick, be picked or raket 
up loose and afterwards well rolled. 
Shrubs and trees should be got in positioi 
at the first opportunity. 
The Fruit Garden. 
All work here should be practical]; 
finished by now. 
Grafting and Mulching. 
Those who intend to try their prentict 
hand at grafting may still lay in scions 
Recently planted fruit trees should be wel 
mulched with manure. This will encouragf 
surface rooting, but it must be rememberer 
that the majority of young trees have : 
tendency to grow viciously for a year oi 
two. When such is the case they shouk 
be lifted and any suggestion of tap root- 
cut away. 
Trenching and Draining. 
Thorough preparation of the soil, that h 
trenching, and draining if necessary, wil 
make young trees grow healthily withom 
any special preparations as detailed by < 
writer recently. Some people, I am afraid 
try and make hard work of what shoulc 
really be easy tasks. Candidly I have 
faint suspicion that a certain section of the 
