472 THE 
All the species of Hypericum are 
readily propagated from seed, which 
generally ripens well upon home grown 
plants. " It should be sown as soon as 
ripe, in pots or bolxes of light soil. 
Ripened shoots taken during autumn and 
placed in sandy soil, choosing a sheltered 
border, usually produce a high percent¬ 
age of good plants the following year. 
Varieties 
Hypericum Coris; foliage heath-like, 
stems erect, 6 to 9 inches^ plant bushy, 
flowers small in bunches. A rare rock 
plant. 
H. repens; foliage small, evergreen, 
coloured in autumn, flowers large for the 
size of the plant, stems trailing. A rare 
plant for the rock garden. 
H. reptans; foliage narrow, light 
green, strong grower, often 18 inches 
high, producing great masses of flowers. 
An easy rock plant. 
H. fragilis; quite a new plant, foliage 
glaucous grey, stems prostrate, flowers 
very large and borne over a long season. 
A gem which ought to be in every gar¬ 
den. 
H. calycinum; the St. John’s Wort, 
beautiful large flowers quite 3 inches 
across, woody stems about a foot high, 
flowers in sun or shade. 
H. moserianum; a hybrid between the 
last-named and patulum. 
H. uralum forms a bush some two feet 
high, foliage deciduous; pruned hard to 
the ground in spring strong shoots are 
thrown up, the young leaves being 
coloured by shades of purple in full sun. 
H. kalmianum; a beautiful North 
American variety, foliage about two 
inches long, narrow, is covered by 
bunches of flowers in autumn. Quite one 
of the best rock garden shrubs. 
H. Androsaeinum (Tutsan); a grand 
plant in autumn when covered with scar¬ 
let and black heads of fruit, grows about 
2 feet high and branches well. Quite a 
common plant, but should be used in 
bold masses. 
H. patulum; a Chinese species, which 
makes a good bush some 5 feet high, 
flowers during autumn. The variety 
Henryi is of more vigorous growth, being 
admirably adapted for massing in beds; 
strong canes for flowering can be ob¬ 
tained by cutting hard back each spring. 
Thos. Smith. 
— - 
Collins’ Handy Modern Fiction. 
A great revolution has been witnessed 
in the book world in the cheapness and 
neatness of the books now issued in handy 
form at yA. each. Not only are they a 
marvel of cheapness, but they are pro¬ 
duced by printing and binding in a few 
hours’ time. This, of, course, can only 
be done by machinery expressly designed 
for the purpose. Four of these books on 
our table are entitled respectively, “ The 
Great Refusal,” “The Secret Woman,” 
“The Brown Eyes of Mary,” and “The 
Golden Butterfly.” Those who like books 
on fiction will now be able to get works 
by modern authors at the above price in 
the form of neatly bound volumes that 
have a bright and handsome appearance 
on the library shelves. They are being 
issued by the" Collins’ Clear Type Press, 
London and Glasgow, and are obtainable 
from any bookseller or railway book-stall. 
These works were previously published at 
6s. each. 
The Flower Garden. 
I badly want to groan. At least I can 
groan well enough, but I cannot put it on 
paper. This is fortunate for my readers, 
for at the present moment I dare say many 
of them are groaning for themselves. The 
papers declare that last midsummer day was 
the coldest for 20 years. Certainly 1 have 
no recollection of such a horrible 24th, nor 
the days that followed it. “ Don’t cast a 
clout till May is out” runs the old adage. 
I did not, and when, childlike, I doffed my 
winter rig to June, I found things very un¬ 
comfortable, and as the month lengthened 
out 1 was glad enough to go back to 
woollens. It seems incredible that I was 
working with a jacket on whilst hoeing at 
the latter end of last month. However it is 
all in a lifetime. 
Layering Carnations. 
Carnations have not had a very happy 
time, but preparations for layering should 
now be made. In my opinion layers should 
be pegged down as soon as the growths have 
lengthened sufficiently. When delayed too 
long it very often happens that the layers 
are not ready when shifting time comes. 
The growths, if left too long, get tough, 
and refuse to emit roots readily. Layering 
is <a simple bus'ness, for all one requires is 
a sharp knife, some light soil and a few 
pieces of bent wire or layering pins. Al- 
way cut upwards on the underneath side of 
the shoot. The roots are emitted from the 
tongue piece. Peg the growths down into 
the little heap of light soil made round the 
plants and see that the cut is well covered. 
Not too much, however. Water must be fre¬ 
quently given, for if the tongue gets-very 
dry it will not root freely. The soil round 
about the old plant should be stirred up 
prior to adding the light rooting medium. 
Hollyhocks. 
It is a pity Hollyhocks are pestered so 
much by the rust or Puccinia, but it is rare 
to find a plant that is free from it, unless 
special treatment in the way of spraying, 
or inoculating the soil, is given. It is easy 
enough to raise single varieties from seed 
and a certain percentage of doubles can also 
be obtained by the same means. Sometimes, 
however, one comes across a really fine sort 
which is worth propagating. Now is the 
time for this work. By cutting a piece of 
stem up into small portions, each containing 
an eye or bud, and setting them in shallow 
boxes filled with fine soil, one can raise a 
batch of young plants. The boxes should be 
stood in a cold frame and kept shaded from 
hot sunshine. When rooted the cuttings 
should be potted on. 
Sweet Peas 
This time last year I was thinking about 
cutting away some of the leading growths of 
my Sweet Peas in order to make room for 
the lateral. Up to the present my plants 
have not given enough bloom to satisfy the 
house vases, let alone show vases. At the 
present rate of progress the plants will never 
reach the cutting back stage. In some 
places, however, the plants have made a 
great deal of growth, some of which may be 
removed in the near future. Autumn sown 
plants which have bloomed freely will pay 
for a little attention in this way. 
I hope there are plenty of readers pre¬ 
paring for the National on the 16th. Every¬ 
one will be there, but they will not all be 
competing. I for one shall not 4 but I shall 
be there, probably with a piece of crepe 
round my hat as an indication of my feel¬ 
ings. So far my plants have not shown any 
signs of the yellow spot, which is a warning 
that the Sweet Pea blight is abroad. If 
seen, spraying with Bordeaux should take 
place at once. 
Roses. 
Roses need plenty of attention just now. 
although the maggot trouble has eased off. 
Disbudding is essential if good flowers are 
wanted. Take away superfluous or weakly 
shoots also. The black spot disease is a 
great trial to some Rose growers, as it causes 
the foliage to fall very early. Spray af¬ 
fected plants with Bordeaux mixture. In¬ 
deed, I would say spray all plants if this 
disease is about. Cut off all opening buds 
' before spraying, as the copper burns ths 
colour out of the flowers. Rust disease is £ 
sore trouble too. Picking off affected foliage 
and burning it helps to keep it in check 
Spraying also has some effect. 
Border Plants. 
Border plants should be kept fully tied 01 
there will be trouble sooner or later. Plant.- 
that have flowered are better for being cu 
down. Doronicums and Delphiniums wil 
send up fresh flowers later on if so treated 
Cutting back does not weaken the roots, a 
least not more than seeding would do 
Chrysanthemum maximum grandiflorum wil 
give much finer flowers if some of the bud 
are removed. Pentstemons in many case: 
will need support. Cut away flower spike 
early from plants that are known to be char; 
of producing cuttings. The water can wil 
doubtless have to be freely used, especiall; 
among bedding stuff. Begonias need plent; 
of moisture, and liquid manure is ver 
beneficial. Keep- all seed pods picked o. 
Cupid and Bush Sweet Peas. These make ; 
splendid show in beds or borders if wel 
looked after. 
Pinks. 
Continue to take Pink cuttings. Seedlin 
perennials should not remain in the see- 
bed in a crowded state. 
Seed Sowing. 
Small things like Canterbury Bells nee 
careful watching or they may be dried up 
There is still time to sow seed of these 
also Brompton Stocks, and other such b. 
ennials. 
The Fruit Garden. 
Currants. 
In my notes for June 29th an error we 
made respecting the pinching of Currant; 
“ Flowers ” should have read “ growths. 
One may still continue to pinch back -sue 
shoots. 
Strawberries. 
Continue to layer Strawberries, using po‘ 
if possible. Cut away all layers that wr 
not be required. When layering make sui 
that no barren plant is being propagate- 
from. 
Apples and Pears. 
Apple and Pear trees that are carrying 
lot of fruit should be relieved of some c 
