462 
THE GARDENERS’ MAGAZINE. 
I WORK FOR THE WEEK. I 
♦>... 
THE ORCHID HOUSES. 
SOBEALIAS.—Th« different species and 
hybrids will be flowerings now, and although 
tney cannot be regarded as among the most 
serviceable of orchids, owing principally to 
their flowers being so short-lived, yet, 
where large specimen pla-nts are grown for 
conservatory decorations, they are particu¬ 
larly useful. It is somewhat fortunate also 
that some of the finest varieties are those 
which last the longest in perfection. Sobra- 
lia xantholeuca and the pure white S. mac- 
rantha alba are two of the best. At this 
season of the year the plants are not only 
producing their flowers, but the young 
growths advance rapidly. In most cases 
specimens that have reached flowering 
strength rapidly fill their pots with roots, and 
they require a liberal supply of moisture. 
Where tney are at al] root-bound a weak 
application of liquid manure about once a 
fortnight will assist them. Where the 
atmosphere is at all dry, the foliage becomes 
infested with red-spider, but if kept well 
syringed, and occasionally sprayed with 
some safe insecticide, these pests may be 
effectually held in check. 
REPOTTING AND DIYISION may take 
place when the plants have done flowering. 
The receptacle used should be lar^ enough 
for two or three years* growth. The drain¬ 
age must be free and ample. The potting 
compost should consist of fibrous loam, with 
charcoal, broken, crocks, and sand ^ded. 
The mixture should be made firm about the 
roots, and, if a layer of^ 6phagnuia^^,;jiioss is 
placed over the surface of the cohost it 
will add to the appearance of the plants. 
CATTLEYAS.—Many of the species and 
hybrids that have recently been in flower 
will require repotting. O. Sfcinneri, for in¬ 
stance, which has been flowering from 
growths developed last year, will have its 
roots in an active state, and while this is a 
species which should not be disturbed more 
frequently than is absolutely necessary, 
and repotting should be done while the 
roots are thus active. C. Mossiae is not 
^nefited by too frequent potting, and it 
is often more profitable to permit a plant to 
remain root-bound and resort to top-dress, 
ing, rather than run the risk of disturb¬ 
ance, which generally ends in breaking the 
plants into smaller pieces in the endeavour 
to rid them of old, leafless pseudo-bulbs. 
All freshly-potted plants must be carefully 
protected by shading them from strong 
light; they will also be benefited if sprayed 
overhead once or twice a day, and by keep¬ 
ing the atmosphere moist and close about 
the plants. — H. J. Chapman, Oakwood Gar¬ 
dens. 
STOVE PLANTS. 
GESNERAS FOR WINTER FLOWER¬ 
ING.—^These should now be removed from 
their resting quarters, turned from the pots, 
and have the old soil carefully broken up, so 
that the strongest tubers may be selected 
for repotting. A compost such as is used 
for gloxinias will be found suitable; place 
them singly, crown uppermost, in large 60’s, 
just covering with soil, and pressing mode¬ 
rately firm with the fingers. If the soil is 
in good condition, no water beyond an occa¬ 
sional syringing will be necessary until 
growth commences. An intermediate house, 
where moist conditions are maintained, will 
be suitable. 
IXORAS.—T^ose propagated from cuttings 
in spring should be kept growing fast, be 
pinched occasionally to ensure bushiness, and 
transferred to larger pots before becoming 
pot-bound. Older plants now approaching 
the flowering stage may be gradually given 
cooler conditions. Before the flowers are 
open, it is well to give them a thorough 
cleaning with a fairly strong insddticide, 
care, of course, being taken to preserve the 
younger foliage and flower spikes from 
damage. 
GARDENIAS.—Young plants will require 
the same kind of treatment, soil, and con¬ 
ditions as the ixoras, and, given careful 
attention, will provide a succession to the 
older plants, which will shortly be produc¬ 
ing a quantity of flowers. As soon as the 
flower buds can be seen, all superfluous and 
weakly growths should be removed: Occa¬ 
sional feeding with soot water, diluted liquid 
manure or a top-dressing containing a 
little artificial manure, will be repaid by 
the production of much finer flowers. Gar¬ 
denias are subject to attacks of scale and 
mealy bug, and it is necessary to pay atten¬ 
tion to cleaning, particularly just before the 
flowering period. 
EDGING PLANTS.—To maintain a 
finished appearance in the plant houses small 
edging plants, such as fittonias, Panicum 
variegatum, selaginellas in variety, etc., 
should be propagated at intervals, so that 
older stock may be di^ensed with as soon 
as it begins to look untidy.—H. Prime, Hat¬ 
field House Gardens. 
FRUITS UNDER CLASS. 
VINES.—^The present ds an anxious time 
for those in charge of an extensive ran^ of 
vines, in order to keep every detail within 
bounds. The earliest grapes will be ripe, 
whilst others may possibly be causing some 
anxiety as to finish. As the grapes approach 
ripeness they will require o6o\ treatment, 
liberal ventilation, and less moisture; but, 
with the whole of the summer before us, 
the floors, etc., must be damped when the 
weather is favourable to a free circulation 
of fresh air. 
IN SUCCESSION HOUSES, which include 
different varieties, grapes will now be swell¬ 
ing freely, and the vines must bave copious 
supplies of tepid liquid manure and other 
stimulants. As the days become more settled 
ventilation will become less difiRcult, and the 
maximum should be approached gradually 
by slight additions at short intervals as the 
temperature rises, while reduction must be 
followed gradually as the temperature falls. 
A steady artificial heat being nearly always 
necessary, the fires should be started early, 
BO that the temperature may go down steadily 
to 70 degrees, and fall to 65 degrees in 
the morning. Examine the largest "bunches 
for the last time after stoning is completed, 
as large-berried varieties, such as Gros 
Colmars, are very deceptive when finished. 
Do not pinch the laterals too closely, but the 
strongest will require pinching and regulat¬ 
ing in order to maintain a free circulation 
of fresh air between the foliage and the 
glass. 
MUSCATS.—These require similar treat¬ 
ment, but the temperature mav ran<5^ 5 
degrees higher than is good for Black Ham- 
burghs, although Gros Colmar enjoys the same 
high temperature. The latest Muscats will now 
be swelling freely; pay careful attention 
to the roots, and afford liberal feedings of 
warm diluted liquids and other stimulants, 
and by so doing keep the roo+s in a healthy 
and active condition. Meantime provide a 
brisk temperature with plenty of fresh air 
and atmospheric moisture, and the grapes 
will quicldy respond to such treatment. 
Ladv Downes and other late grapes require 
exactly the same management in regard to 
heat, fresh air, and moisture. 
STRAWBERRIES.—It is alwavs a relief 
to get the last batch of pot strawberries out 
of the houses, but no sooner is this done 
than preparations become necessary for next 
season*s stock. Success depends upon having 
June 21, 1913. 
the plants in their fruiting po'.s as carlv 
possible in order to secure large, plL 
crowns for forcing, without which 'good p’ 
suits cannot be expected. Any of the usmi 
methods for securing runners may bt 
adopted with good results. Many 8Uc(4«fiI 
growers layer direct into 5-inch pots- thk 
method has the advantage of saving a coi. 
siderable amount of labour in potting ud 
watering, but unless great care is taken h 
watering the soil is in some danger of Uiie 
soured. Whichever method is emplow4 
runners intended for very early fowag 
should be potted into 5-inch pots and tkt 
main lot into ^inch pots by the middle of 
July.—F. Jordan, Warter Priory Gardeui. 
THE FLOWER CARDEN. 
EAST LOTHIAN AND BROMPTOK 
STOCKS .—These are most desirable for late 
spring flowering, and well repay any atteo- 
tion bestowed upon them. In well-drained 
soils they will stand all but the severest 
winters with comparatively few losses, bnt 
in heavy, cold ground they are not so re 
liable in this respect, and the safest pUn 
then is to pot them early in the autnon 
iuto fiive-inch pots, and protect them in 
frames from heavy rains and hard frosU 
until March, when they can be transferred to 
the open borders with safety. The Bromp 
ton stocks possess a hardier constitution tbu 
the East Lothians, and will sometimes sta^ 
the winter in the open where the latter fail. 
To have good plants either for potting or 
planting out in the autumn, the s^s shoaM 
be sown now in the open in well-prepared 
soil, and the seedlings, when large enougk 
must be transplanted, allowing them ampk 
room in which to develop into sturdy plaate. 
HARDY PRIMULAS.—Under thU 
ing we must include polyanthuses, auriculaa. 
and primroses, with the various primula sp^ 
cies familiar in the rock and wild gardwi. 
Varied alike in form and character, t^ 
embrace some of the most delightful of sprmf 
flowering plants. Their propagation i? 
brought about either from seeds or division. 
The former method is the one usually 
adopted, but as some kinds show i 
diversity of forms when, raised from ’ 
becomes necessary, in order to 
stock, to adopt the latter method. J^he ^ 
of some primulas lie dormant 
months before germinating, and for that * 
son it is always advisable to keep 
containing the seed for a long periw 
turning them out; while, on the > 
some come very quickly into g^rowth. i 
sown immediately after it has been “^rves , 
primula seeds soon lose their vitality, ^ 
cialiy when exposed to the air, ^ 
cause of some failures when sowing e€^ - 
of packets; so the golden rule lo to sow 
kinds as early aa possible. SMlow 
well drained and filled with light sa® I 
are very suitable for this purpose; t 
containing the seed should be ^ 
cold frame having a north asp^t, 
kept in a moist condition. . 
PINKS. — The usual meth<d of ^ 
young plants of pinks from ij now 
commendable, and preparations sh 
be made for inserting them. A 
containing light sandy soil is a 
able place in which to put 
they can be kept close and . ^t. 
bright weather until they liave « 
When taking the cuttings ,t 
growths and pull them off the 
the heel, cut away some of the Jo r 
and they are then ready for ^^h ? 
T. B. Field, Wych Cross Place Ga 
Ruellia formosa.—Several 
ruellias are very showy floweri g ^ 
and, like many other ucanthads, 
culture. This species forms a 
men from eigh^n inches to 
height, of a rather upright ha^^t U 
The flowers, which have a 
inches long, an^ nearly the saw 
expanded mouth, are of a h .?• a 
colour. Under favourable ^ 
cession of flowers is m^nta 
spring and early summer.—K. 
