634 
purpose of getting new varieties, and 
many have been raised differing in size 
and in form. The variety, however is 
still an outstanding Daffodil, and should 
find its "way into every garden, for with¬ 
out it no collection could make any 
claim to completeness, even with varieties 
that are plentiful. 
Even now those who would possess it 
may pursue some different plan with it 
than in ordinary bedding. They should 
plant it in some position where it will be 
left undisturbed at bedding out time, so 
that the foliage may die down naturally 
before the bulbs Are lifted. By this 
method the bulbs: will be allowed to 
attain the natural size of which the soil 
and situation are capable before the roots 
are disturbed. The lifting of Daffodils 
while they are green is not the best treat¬ 
ment for them, although if they are laid 
in soil immediately and allowed to die off 
gradually, it is the best under the condi¬ 
tions entailed upon the gardener who has 
got to fill the beds with summer flowering 
subjects. Those who get bulbs of this 
grand variety should plant them at once 
in carefully prepared soil, for there is 
no advantage in delaying the planting of 
Daffodils which get the better established 
if planted early. Rather deep, rich and 
friable soil is the best to select for it, and 
although manure may be permitted in the 
ground, it should be well decayed before 
being used for this purpose and put suffi¬ 
ciently well down not to come in direct 
contact with the bulbs. 
Mme. de Graaff may also be grown in 
pots just like other bulbs, but it is a mid¬ 
season variety, and to get it into the best 
form it should not be subjected to forcing 
in any way. Daffodils of almost any kind 
reach their fullest size when allowed to 
come along slowly in a house with a low 
temperature, or even without the aid of 
fire heat at all, and given plenty of venti¬ 
lation to keep the foliage dwarf and 
sturdy. The accompanying illustration, 
good as it is, in no way exaggerates the 
beauty and handsome appearance of this 
Daffodil, the segments of which are pure 
white. The trumpet is at first pale prim¬ 
rose or lemon, but passes into pure white 
in a day or two. We are indebted to 
Messrs. Webb and Sons, Wordsley, Stour¬ 
bridge, for the use of the illustration. 
-- 
Dahlia Mauve Queen. 
The blooms of this Cactus variety are 
of large size with long, slender florets 
pointing in different directions. They 
are of a lovely soft mauve, shading into 
white at the base of the central florets. 
Award of Merit by the R.H.S. on 3rd Sep¬ 
tember and a First-class Certificate by the 
National Dahlia Society on 5th Septem¬ 
ber. The exhibitors in both cases were 
Messrs. J. Cheal and Sons, Crawley, 
Sussex. 
Dahlia Alice. 
The above is a lovely flower just too 
large to be described as a Pompon Cactus 
Dahlia and too small to be suitable for 
exhibition purposes. It has, therefore, 
been described as a decorative Dahlia. 
The flowers are white, tinted with pale 
yellow at the base and held well above 
the foliage by stout stems. Award of 
Merit by the R.H.S. on 3rd inst. when 
shown by Messrs. J. Cheal and Sons, 
Crawley, Sussex. 
The Flower Garden. 
As I write all the world seems to be at 
peace. The sun, which I had given up for 
lost, is shining brilliantly and has been 
now for several days. The air resounds 
with the hum of the wasp, whilst now and 
then I hear the faint swish of the flitting _ 
Crane Fly or Daddy Long Legs, the parent 
of that destructive demon,' the leather 
jacket. In the distance I hear the clash of 
the harvesting machine, announcing the fact 
that the farmer is making the most of the 
brilliant weather. 
The garden looks better now than it has ■ 
done all the season, but still I must growl. 
We are needing a good rain ! However, it 
matters but Little. The end of September is 
drawing nigh, so that it is hopeless to ex¬ 
pect to have summer flowers with us much 
longer. Day by day we see the sun setting 
earlier, and darkness creeps up just when 
we least desire it, bringing with it damp 
mists and chilly breezes. 
Preparing Rose Quarters. 
The time for preparation for another sea¬ 
son is at hand, and fox weeks 1 past I have 
been wielding the pick and shovel, 'breaking 
up some rock-like soil that is to'produce c 
Roses such as the neighbours never saw. I 
watch the supercilious smile of those neigh¬ 
bours, as they pass by, thinking no doubt . 
that a gardener’s duties are little, if any, , 
removed from those of a navvy. 
Such is the case when one takes in hand 
a new piece of ground, especially if it hap¬ 
pens to be old, long-standing meadow land, 
with chalk or gravel a foot or so below the ‘ 
surface. On such land real hard work is 
essential if flowers in abundance are to be 
produced. The soil must be stirred to the 
very bottom, and if it happens to be very J 
shallow, the chalk or gravel mus + be taken 
out in order to allow at least 2 feet for 
the Roses to root in. I daresay many of . 
my readers are familiar with the hard work 
entailed in making new Rose beds or bor- , 
ders, especially if the soil 'has to be 
deepened as I have stated. 
One has to smite hard and often to make 
any impression on solid chalk bottom. Then 
there is the shovelling out, the wheeling 
away, and the bringing of earth to fill in, 
to say nothing of the carting of manure, 
which has to be used liberally. Lor ! It 
is all a business, and one cannot help feeling 
sick when someone remarks later on, “I 
can’t understand why your flowers do better 
than mine.” 
Collecting Leaves. 
A job that calls for constant attention is " 
cleaning up. Where trees abound leaves are 
a nuisance. It is sweep, sweep, sweep. But 
still, those leaves are useful. If Beech or 
Oak, they are the source of good leaf mould. 
Stocked and keJpt moist and mixed with 
silver sand, they will crumble into that 
silky substance so much beloved by all gar¬ 
deners. Soft leaves like those of the Poplar 
are only useful for mixing with other green 
rubbish. 
The Birds. 
Apart from falling leaves, I have been, 
and still am, pestered by starlings and 
blackbirds, which rake off all the manure 
mulches from my beds. Sometimes I al¬ 
most think that a wandering army of 
chickens has been at work. However,, 
assume that the birds are hunting out som 
insect, possibly leather jackets. I hope sc 
anyhow. 
Rambler and Pillar Roses. 
Harking back a moment, I take it tha 
those who are preparing Rose quarters havi 
made out their lists. Don’t forget Doroth; 
Perkins. The early orders always get tb 
best attention. Established trees do not neet 
a great deal of attention, but all rambler 
and pillar Roses should have been trimmer 
up, and the bush plants should also be cu 
back a little if' running away. Som< 
varieties this' year are making shoots lik< 
climbers. 
Violets. 
Violets are everyone’s favourites, and t< 
ensure good flowers the plants must have th> 
protection of a frame. The plants should 
be lifted at once and planted in the frames 
The soil should be good and sweet. Do no 
disturb the roots and do not crowd whei 
planting. 
Planting Bulbs. 
The general 'run of bedding plants ar< 
not over with just yet, and while they re 
main bright,' it is a pity to clear them out 
but do 1 not allow them to hold the positioi 
longer than necessary if bulbs are to b< 
planted. Do not plant- bulbs when the 
ground is saturated with moisture, as i 
will set hard and lumpy about the bulbs 
This is one of the reasons why early plant 
ing is best for bulbs, as the soil has no 
then been soaked by autumn rains. Bulb: 
will put up with a lot of rough treatment 
but rough treatment does not produce thi 
best results, and we gardeners want the bes 
possible. 
Cuttings for Propagation. 
The taking of cuttings for propagatior 
is a big business just now, and one is wisi 
to rely on at least two batches. Such thing: 
as -Calceolarias, Antirrhinums and Pentste 
mons are miffy doers, and as often as not 
cuttings taken any time in October do bet 
ter than earlier lots, in the South, at least 
While I find it essential to 'take cuttings o: 
Pentstemons in order to get reliable stuff 
Antirrhinums serve me better if raised a. 
annuals. 
Snapdragons. 
Named Snapdragons are very numerous 
but the real good ones are few. Snapdragoi 
cuttings are liable to 'damp- off, especiall) 
early inserted ones, and I have, therefore 
practically stopped growing named sorts 
By selecting seed I have managed to secur< 
a finer strain than ever I was- able to pur 
chase. The new Terra Cotta strain contain, 
lovely shades of colour, and as I have notec 
the bees busily at work I expect to find mj 
own selections- still further improve. Wher 
I think of the nasty, so-called pink shade 
of a few years back and compare them witl 
the glorious pure pink, orange and buf 
.shades I am amazed. Take my tip and ge' 
a good strain of ‘Snapdragons and select seec 
annually. This flower is one of the few 
that can be improved without any grea 
labour. Of course the more plants one -is. 
able to grow -the better chance one has. 
Phloxes. 
To get good Phloxes one must propagate 
from named sorts, and -the present time is: 
