958 
THE GARDENERS’ MAGAZINE. 
December 20, 1913. 
The weather continues mild, and as yet 
there is no appearance of severe frost, but 
a change may soon come, and it is 
therefore a good plan to make preparations 
accordingly, or serious damage may he 
done. I remember, in 1879, the weather was 
very mild until the latter pai’t of November, 
when severe frost set in and continued 
for several weeks. Many were not pre¬ 
pared for such a long spell, and, conse¬ 
quently, suffered. Sometimes we have quite 
mild weather until the turn of the year, and 
then cold piercing winds, with sharp frosts, 
prevail for several weeks in succession. 
We have now a host of shrubs from 
PREPARING FOR WINTRY 
WEATHER. 
STROBILANTHES GOSSYPINUS. 
An attractive plant, worthy of consideration for its wh'te, wcolh' foliage. 
various parts of the world, and these will 
usually withstand the frost of an ordinary 
winter unprotected, but should weather of 
unusual severity visit us, and find us un¬ 
prepared, many of these choice plants will, 
in all probability, suffer, particularly those 
newly planted^ for where the soil has 
been moved quite recently the frost 
usually penetrates to a greater depth, and 
for this reason the ground around the 
roots should be mulched, and if this mulch¬ 
ing is brouglit up round the stems it will 
protect them likewise. It often happens 
that frost does less damage than the cold 
penetrating winds that accompany it, and 
older plants suffer more than young ones 
a.s they are not so readily protected. Where 
there is a collection of choice shrubs 
special precautions should be taken for 
their protection. 
In many districts the common bracken 
grows most luxuriantly, and where it can 
be readily procured there is no warmer 
material, or one more readily applied. 
Branches of spruce placed over and among 
the shrubs will often w'ard off the cold 
'winds, and thus save the plants from 
harm. 
For subjects growing against fences and 
low walls there should be no difl&culty 
in providing protection. Here, wooden 
frames with a thatch of ling or stra^v 
will be found serviceable; these are very 
portable, and may be used for other pur¬ 
poses. The ling or wild heather growrs in 
many parts of the country, and is readily 
procurable. Such coverings could be made 
ready when the weather is unfavourable for 
outside work. 
Not only do shrubs suffer from the severe 
frosts, but in some places herbaceous plants 
do so likewise. Where the soil is 
heavy and of a very retentive nature the 
crowns of tender plants should be covered 
with some light material, such as coal 
ashes, leaf-soil, or powdered moss litter. 
It is not often the frost penetrates light 
peaty soil to any considerable depth, there¬ 
fore plants suffer much less w'hen growing 
in material of that kind. 
Vegetables, too, have to be considered. 
It is always advisable to have suflBcient, 
turnips, Jerusalem artichokes, carrots, 
parsnips, and the like, in the store-room, 
in case severe weather should set in. We 
all know that such roots are sweeter when 
lifted from the ground just previous to 
u^, but when sharp frost and deep snow 
prevail it is a difficult task to lift them. 
Parsley and other herbs should also be 
protected in readiness for use. There 
should always be a good supply of the 
former in a cold frame, where it may be 
gathered at any time. The early broccoli 
must also receive attention, especially 
tliose that are turning in. These should 
be lifted and laid in by their roots in 
a sheltered) place, with their hearts facing 
the north; a covering of mats can then 
be thrown over them in case of severe frost, 
and litter of some kind may be used in 
very severe weather. In most eetablish- 
menlbs -thefee winter .b^rooeoli are highly 
prized, and where there are not sufficient 
pits for their protection much trouble is 
often experience in keeping up a supply. 
It is always advisable to have a supply of 
seakale roots in readiness for forcing. 
These should be lifted and laid in where 
they can be covered with litter. 
Chicory and endive should also receive 
attention. Where the soil is light, 
and the situation a dry one, the latter 
will usually withstand the winter in the 
open, but in some places it is necessary 
to lift the plants and transfer them to a 
cold frame, peach house, or other struc¬ 
ture. H. C. Prinsep. 
THE HORSE CHESTNUTS. 
(Concluded from page 943.) 
iC. turbinata. 
This species is a native of Japan, attain¬ 
ing in that country a height of 100ft. In 
grofwtrh and foHage the small trees in this 
country show a resemblance to the Common 
Horse Chestnut, though the panicles of 
flowers are not so long, and the fruits are 
smooth. The flowens are creamy white. A 
tree, probably the first in this country, 
flowered in Messrs. Jas. Veitch and Sons^ 
Coomibe Wood Nursery in 1891. Even when' 
leafless the clean straight branches of the 
young trees, and the brown bark, give the 
Japanese Chestnut a distinct and attractive 
appearance. 
M. Wlleonl. 
Thils new species was introduced by Mr. 
E. H.. Wilson, in 1908, from Central China. 
He collected seeds in Western Hupeh and 
Szechuen, which were raised in the Arnold 
Arboretum and a plant sent from there by 
Professor Sargeant is now in cultivation 
at Kew. As far as can be judged in a 
young state the leaflets are longer than 
those of JE, chinensis, and in this respect 
they resemble JE. indica, but, having a 
more southern distribution, it may not 
prove quite so hardy as M. chinensis. 
Small trees of the following chestnuts 
are in cultivation at Kew: M, Biickleyi, 
JE. Biisi, JE. Lyoni, JE. Sanguinea, and 
JE. Whitleyi. So far, their growth and 
characters suggest they are hybrids, pro¬ 
bably between JE. Pavia and JE. flava. 
One or two show signs of proving useful 
small trees with red, or red and yellow, 
flowers^ but it is too early yet to judge of 
their merits. A. Osborn. 
STROBILANTHES 
GOSSYPINUS. 
This is a striking and attractive bush 
when in full bloom, with its showy, white, 
woolly leaves. The flowers, borne in large 
heads, are pale blue or mauve, and very 
elegant. As with many other species or 
strobilanthes, S. gossypinus blossoms only 
once in a number of years, usually 
seven years, i.e., when raised from seeds, 
as in a state of nature. The plant is, hoT^ 
ever, well worth growing in an Engusn 
greenhouse or temperate house on amount 
of its effective foliage. It is a ^^^tive o 
Assam, being found at 3,000 feet to ^0 
feet elevation. In Ceylon it thnves best a/t 
altitudes of 4,000 to 5,000 feet. 
H. F. Macmillan. 
Peradeniya, Ceylon. 
