THE GARDENING WORLD. August 24, 1907. 
562 
of the Japanese Bamboos, this is un¬ 
doubtedly one of the hardiest, and one of 
the most suitable for planting in open 
situations where it may have but little 
shelter. Should the situation be shel¬ 
tered by means of trees the conditions 
would be even more favourable to the 
well-being of the plant, especially in 
winter. It is perfectly hardy, but if the 
wind should happen to be rough, and the 
leaves are in a frozen condition, the 
chances are that many of them would be 
broken off. In a sheltered situation this 
accident can be avoided as the leaves may 
be frozen and again recover their pliancy 
in the ordinary way of thawing. 
The accompanying illustration shows 
a large clump of it in Greenwich Park, 
at the south-east end of London, where it 
is fairly sheltered, yet the trees thus 
forming the shelter being at a distance 
the Bamboos have the benefit of light and 
air, giving the park a subtropical effect. 
Those whose soils are of an indifferent 
character and not likely to induce vigor¬ 
ous growth in Bamboos, should take out 
the natural material to a depth of 25 ft. 
and get good rich friable loam, and if 
full of fibre so much the better. Some 
drainage may be put in the bottom of the 
bed, laying some turfy sods over this to 
keep the drainage open. The beds 
should then be filled up, and the soil 
trodden fairly firm or else allowed to 
settle naturally during the course of the 
winter. When Bamboos are commencing 
fresh growth then is the best time to make 
fresh plantations or to divide plants 
already established or to take off young 
suckers for the purpose of making a fresh 
plantation. This will be sometime during 
May, usually towards the end of it. 
Bamboos when planted at this stage take 
more readily to the operation, and soon 
get established. During the first season 
at least a good watering now and again 
would induce the development of the root 
system, after which the Bamboos should 
be able to take care of themselves in the 
prepared compost of good soil. 
-- 
Dahlias for Exhibition. 
A Letter to the Editor. 
Sir,— Referring to the “G.W.," August 
10th, I was interested to see some criti¬ 
cism regarding Dahlias for exhibition, 
but I wish A. Cox to kindly read the para¬ 
graph again. He will find that I did not 
say that they could not be grown from 
cuttings the same spring; but, at the 
same time, there are several delicate va¬ 
rieties that will not make sufficient tubers 
when planted out to supply them during 
winter, and also I wish to tell him there 
was no misprint regarding colour of the 
Cactus tribe. I should be very pleased 
to hear where he grows his to get them 
to expand fit for exhibition in 8 to 10 
days, as it takes that length of time for 
show or fancy, and Cactus Dahlias take 
four times as long. I have grown them 
side by side these last 17 years, and al¬ 
ways found it thus. As to the tribe of 
Pompons you cannot have the soil too 
poor to maintain smallest blooms possi¬ 
ble unless there are different rules to 
shows where he visits. Trusting you will 
kindly insert in your next issue. 
Wil minster. ' T . PRESTON- 
The Flower Garden. 
It is quite possible that about a thousand 
years or so hence some book hunter will be 
strolling down one of the back streets of 
London, and may perchance discover an old 
volume of the “ G.W.,” dated 1907. 
He will at once realise that he has made 
a find of the utmost value, for it will con¬ 
tain .a complete record of the weather which 
harassed the unfortunate gardening folk in 
the year alluded to. 
In my mind’s eye I can see this bookworm 
reading from the said volume before the 
members of the R.H.S., who are highly 
amused, because the folk of 1907 were such 
simpletons to allow the weather to have its 
own way, .as it apparently did at that time. 
More particularly is their amusement di¬ 
rected towards the chronicler who- signs him¬ 
self “ Horti,” whom they note as an arrant 
jackanapes. 
It is quite on the boards that not a few 
present-day critics have the same opinion, 
and not for worlds would I seek to convince 
them as to the contrary. But the weather 
has been a little more respectable, and for 
two whole days it has been glorious. I 
know, only too well, that the skin of my 
■nasal organ is peeling through sunburn, but 
“ lor bless me,” 1 wouldn’t grumble on any 
account. 
Sweet Peas. 
The bright weather coupled with the 
drought has had a great effect upon Sweet 
Peas. Men who were sweeping the decks 
at Sweet Pea shows in July are in many in¬ 
stances destitute of flowers at the time I 
write, that is, flowers worthy of the name. 
Northwards, growers are in great form, for 
the plants as a whole are fully a month 
late. I myself have been able to cut freely 
during the past few days, and have already 
cut out a great deal of growth. I am quite 
convinced that in the south really good 
flowers are only possible from plants that 
are cut back frequently. The mere cutting 
of the flowers will not keep them going 
strongly, and no amount of watering will 
keep the stems of good length. 
Gladioli at Ramsgate. 
I recently paid a flying visit to the Rams¬ 
gate gladioli grower, Mr. W. C. Bull, and 
it appears to me that his seedlings become 
more wonderful each season. The advance 
made in yellows and whites is surprising, 
although I was given to understand that 
next year’s batch will probably surpass any¬ 
thing yet seen. The long-continued drought 
this season has, however, checked growth 
considerably at the time of my visit. 
Tulips and Daffodils. 
Tulip bulb lifting was in full swing. 
Daffodils were all up and were being 
cleaned. I have never seen such enormous 
bulbs as the samples shown me. The fine 
old Emperor Daffodil makes bulbs over 7 
inches in circumference. Some of the Tu¬ 
lips, too, were remarkable, being quite as 
large as many varieties of Hyacinth bulbs. 
Lists of varieties have been given so fre¬ 
quently that it is unnecessary for me to 
quote any, but I would urge readers to send 
in their orders at once. 
The Madonna Lily. 
Everyone admires the old Madonna Lily, 
and those who intend to plant should secure 
bulbs as soon as possible. This Lily de¬ 
teriorates very rapidly if kept out of the 
ground, for it takes practically no rest, new 
roots pushing, forth as soon as the growth 
has died down. For this reason bulbs that 
are growing too thickly should be lifted at 
once and after grading planted afresh. The 
soil should be well broken up, trenched, if 
possible, and only very old rotten manure 
worked in. Do not plant deeply; the tip of 
the bulb need only be two or three inches 
beneath the surface. Flowers of sulphur 
should be dusted between the scales to keep 
away disease. 
Biennials and Perennials. 
'Young, newly-planted biennials and per¬ 
ennials should be kept moist, and the hoe 
worked amongst them frequently. 
Borders. 
The borders want constantly looking after 
Plants that have finished flowering should 
be trimmed up. Dead flowers are no orna¬ 
ment to my mind. 
Propagating- Perennials. 
Many perennials may be propagated by 
means of cuttings. The basal growths, if 
available, are much the best. Keep them 
moist and well shaded until rooted. Do not 
allow bedding plants to overhang the paths 
or lawns. Cut away any growths that can 
not be pushed back. 
The propagation of bedding stuff for car¬ 
rying over the winter must be pushed on 
with. A frame or handlight will prove 
very useful for this purpose. 
Dahlias. 
Keep Dahlias well watered and tied, and 
the hoe should always be amongst the plants. 
Gladioli. 
Gladioli bloom over a long season, and 
they appreciate plenty of-water. In dry 
weather the spikes are apt to get wedged 
between the sheath, and they must be re¬ 
leased when seen or a crooked spike will 
result. 
Carnations. 
Carnation layers must not be allowed to 
dry out or roots will be missing when lift¬ 
ing time comes. 
Roses. 
Roses will take any amount of water and 
liquid manure during dry weather. The 
hoe, too, should be ever among the plants to 
prevent the soil becoming caked. 
The Fruit Garden. 
Figs. 
Amateur Fig growers should never be in 
a hurry to gather their fruit. A fully ripe 
Fig is delicious, an unripe one worthless. 
Birds- are extremely partial to Figs and will 
consume them wholesale before they are any¬ 
way near ripe. Nets are an effective pro¬ 
tection. 
Peaches. 
As soon as Peaches have been cleared 
well souse the trees with water frequently. 
Red spider and other pests dislike water 
quite as much as any tramp. Indeed, a 
great many will die from shock, as did the 
French hermit who was forced to have a 
bath after twenty years’ abstinence from 
soap and water. Thin any wood that tends 
to overcrowd. 
