March 30, 1907. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
227 
should be employed to hold the plant in 
position until the roots have become estab¬ 
lished in the new compost. After repotting 
water with rain water poured through a 
moderately coarse rose sufficient to wet the 
compost through. Shade at first from strong 
light and retain a close atmosphere in. the 
house for a time until the roots have become 
established. Watering must be carefully 
done; a spraying of the bulbs and of the 
surface moss as it becomes dry will be ample 
until the plants become thoroughly rooted, 
after which, when the plants are in full 
growth, more liberal treatment may be given, 
combined with such conditions as will be 
the most productive of satisfactory results. 
H. J. Chapman. 
THE 
NETTED 
IRIS 
(Iris reticulata). 
Of the bulbous Irises, the above is one 
of the most easy to grow by those who 
have had but little experience with this 
class of plants. One of the chief reasons 
for this is that it floiwers later than most 
of the others, and therefore makes its 
growth at a time when our winter has 
given place to more favourable growth 
out of doors. It would take rank, there¬ 
fore, as one of the hardiest, foT if planted 
in a friable, open, and well-drained soil 
in September or October it will flower 
freely during March. The ordinary form 
has violet-purple flowers, the darkest 
colours being on the fails which are also 
brightened with an orange spot and some 
other markings. The flowers • are de¬ 
liciously scented, and this also accounts 
for the popularity of the plant. During 
March the square, rush-like leaves appear 
above the soil, and at the same time the 
flower stalk pushes up rapidly if the 
weather is at all favourable. 
Owing to the unsettled character of the 
weather during March* it is always a wise 
plan to select a situation well exposed to 
light and air, say, facing the south, at 
the same time-sheltered from north and 
east winds. The flowers can then bloom 
without the risk of being dashed about 
and spoiled by rough March winds. Even 
after the plants pass out of bloom every 
care should be taken of the leaves until 
they have completed their growth and be¬ 
gin to die down. Thev should never be 
cut until they have changed colour at 
least. 
. Those who would like to have pots or • 
pan; of this beautiful Iris in their green¬ 
house can easily have them in the best 
form by potting the bulbs in autumn, say, 
October, and plunging the pots in a cold 
frame amongst ashes or cocoanut fibre. 
Here they may remain until the flowers 
are half grown, after which the pots may 
be transferred to the greenhouse. Here 
the flowers will pass through their various 
stages without being tarnished by wind or 
rain, and their fragrance, as well as their 
colour, will delight the cultivator. 
-4-f4- 
Importation of Gooseberry Bushes. 
Lord Carrington, President of the Board 
of Agriculture, will introduce a Bill in the 
House of Commons at an early date to 
obtain powers to prohibit the importation 
of Gooseberry bushes affected with mildew 
and other destructive pests. 
At this season of the year many 
amateurs will be anxiously scanning the 
schedule of their local horticultural society 
with a view as to what is most suitable for 
them to grow for exhibiting when the 
auspicious day arrives. A very large 
percentage of societies now have classes 
for flowering plants, specimen -or other¬ 
wise, and, with a view to assisting those 
who wish to grow these, I propose dealing 
with a few subjects that are specially suit¬ 
able for this purpose. Foremost among 
these is the Gloxinia, with its beautiful 
velvety foliage and splendid erect and 
bright hued flowers, which never fail to 
catch the judge's eye. 
For to grow fair-size specimens, bulbs 
or corns, at least 2 years old, should be 
procured from any of the leading firms 
which advertise in THE GARDENING 
WORLD. To have plants in flower by the 
middle of July to the middle of August, 
the bulbs should be potted into large sized 
60 pots during the month of March, hav¬ 
ing the pots well drained with clean 
crocks, and using a compost of equal 
parts good fibrous loam and leaf mould 
with plenty of sand to make the whole 
porous. Place the crocks immediately 
over the hole in the bottom of the pot, 
then fill the pots with the compost to 
within an inch or so of the top. On this 
place the bulb, hollow side upwards, and 
fill in round with the compost; do not 
press too firmly. They should be placed 
in a temperature of 60 degrees, if pos¬ 
sible, by day and 55 degrees at night, or 
better still, if bottom heat is available, 
plunge the pots in. cocoanut fibre up to 
the rim, but do not cover; water well in. 
As soon as the plants are large enough 
they should be potted on into their flower¬ 
ing pots ; a 6-inch or 32 size will be found 
the most suitable for this purpose, using 
a similar compost to that recommended 
previously, but with a little peat added, 
and pressing it round the plant a little 
more firmly, but not too hard. A mean 
summer temperature of about 65 degrees 
will keep the plants growing all right. 
Shade is necessary at all times, for a 
short spell of bright sunshine will often 
hopelessly disfigure all the best leaves. 
Gloxinias like a moderate quantity of 
water at the roots, but being very fine- 
rooted subjects, they detest a water-logged 
soil. A moist atmosphere must be main¬ 
tained. otherwise red-spider and rust will 
undoubtedly put in an appearance, which 
will mean utter ruin. 
When the plants are well established in 
their flowering pots and the buds are 
showing well, a little weak stimulant, such 
Iris reticulata. 
Gloxinias. 
Their Culture 
for Exhibition 
by Amateurs 
