the revitalization of strains possessing valu- 
able characteristics worthy of perpetuation 
and elaboration. 
“The results to be obtained from blend- 
ing vital forces that have been isclated for 
ages in the natural production of wild spe- 
cles give unbounded satisfaction, and the 
pleasant surprises are only limited by the 
activity of the worker. 
“In my work on the gladiolus, some of 
the most beautiful red shades come from 
crosses between light types that had been 
revitalised by a dash of choice red blood 
from new species. The effect: of working 
through the light section added most mate- 
rially to the substance of the flower. 
“Miy highest satisfaction, however, is 
from a series of new forms with large, 
round, cup-shaped flowers, like the tulip or 
nymphea. Many of these are self colors, 
ranging from pure white toi lilac and pink, 
with intermediate shades of the most deli- 
cate shell pink and flesh tints. 
“Multiplicity of the floral picces, as in 
semi-doubles, is mow quite frequent. In- 
fusions of such blood induce twinning from 
the seed so produced, a point that proved 
most interesting to Professor Bateson, of 
England, at the International Plant Breed- 
ers’ Conference, New York, 1902. 
“Valuable and interesting variations like 
the above are among the side lines of limit- 
less possibility yearly made apparent to 
the ardent worker, and selections made by 
me from over a half million of my new 
creations give promise of endless satisfac. 
tion, as well ay increased opportunities for 
ereater and more rapid progress in the 
future.” —‘Florists’ Exchange.” 
TABLE DECORATION. 
Tam quite sure that the use of baskets of 
flowers on tables would be a welcome 
change to the exclusive employment of 
vases. Not only on dinner tables, but also 
on drawing-room, corridor, and odd side 
tables, or other articles of furniture, bas- 
kets filled with suitable flowers and foliage 
would prove a most attractive feature. 
Lightly constructed plain baskets are most 
satisfactory, especially those with high 
arched handles, the body gracefully curving 
outwards, well set up on ai deep foot, and 
not squat in appearance. 
For a medium-sized dinner table one 
basket’ as a centrepiece will be sufficient. 
On a very large table one basket in, the 
centre and one on each side of it, butj;much 
shallower, would do well. Shallow or deep 
vases must be put into the baskets, accord- 
ing to the depth of the latter, to contain 
the water necessary for the flowers and 
foliage. The arrangement in every instance 
must be a light one, or there will be a de- 
cided failure. Valuable use may be made 
of tree and other foliage in the embellish- 
ment of these receptacles where flowers are 
scarce ; indeed, I think a judicious mixture 
of flowers and foliage in most cases, and 
foliage only in a few others, will give the 
best results. 
What a splendid effect has Honesty, or 
Moonwort, as it is sometimes called, asgo- 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER, 
ciated with light grasses of various kinds, 
especially when a few touches of color are 
added by using scarlet Geraniums; both 
the latter and the silvery shields of the 
Honesty show up to great advantage in gas 
or lamp light. A few strands of Ivy en- 
twined around the handle and the outer 
rim of the basket would make a suitable 
and graceful finish, and the whole arrange- 
ment will last for many days. 
PLANTS FOR A WINDOW GROUP. 
I refer to plants for a group inside a 
room, and not on the sill outside the win- 
dow. <A dwelling house, with two fairly 
large windows in the front, whether they 
be flat or bay-shaped, will look extremely 
attractive after the addition of two groups 
of plants. 
The form of the group should be circu- 
lar; then it presents a good front every 
way. Persons inside the house, and others 
passing outside, get a front view of the 
plants. 
Whether an ordinary table or a valuable 
one be used, a tin tray should be placed on 
it to contain the pots. If water is carelessly 
given at any time, the tray will prevent 
the surplus falling on the carpet or polished 
floor. 
A nice palm. for the centre of the group 
is very desirable, but not indispensable. 
The following kinds are suitable: Latania 
Borbonica, Chamerops excelsa, C. Fortunei, 
C. humilis, Phenix dactylifera (the Date 
Palm), P. reclinata, P. tenuis, Sabal Black- 
burniana, and Seaforthia elegans. The last 
named is a very graceful palm, and is good 
for the centre. 
The chief plant should always be a little 
higher than, the others. Of course, diffe- 
rent kinds of plants will be required for 
spring, summer, autumn, and winter. I 
will here only name those which are chiefly 
suitable for the summer and autumn. The 
palms and certain sorts of ferns will do well 
all the year round. Bulbs and Chrysanthe- 
mums come in for autumn. 
The Maidenhair Fern’(Adiantum cunea- 
tum) and the Pterises are always pretty as- 
sociated with other plants, such as Zonale 
Geraniums, Fuchsias, and Petunias. The 
last-named plant is generally grown for 
bedding out, but a few of the single flower- 
ed sorts make a brave show in a window. 
Clivias, Dracena indivisa, Coleuses, Epi- 
phyllums, and Abutilons, with Musk, Cam- 
panulas, and Isolepis to fringe the edge of 
the group, may be chosen. They are some- 
what expensive, but they will last fresh for 
a long time. » j 
Zonale Geraniums, Fuchsias, a few hardy 
ferns, and several pots of Mignonette, with 
various cther annuals, wilt also be most 
effective —G. G. 
se eee eee 
PLANTS ON THE BALCONY. 
The employment of growing plants upon 
the balcony produces a very charming 
effect, whether the house be situated in a 
town street or in the country. Their indi- 
vidual attractions, of scent, form, or color 
may be fully enjoyed in such spots, just 
outside the windows. 
April 1, 1905 
Some creepers are desirable. Probably 
the baleony will have tall supports at the 
ends, some are partly roofed in, or there 
will be a railing that can be climbed by 
vegetation; but, if not, climbers look 
pretty growing up Bamboo sticks that are 
latticed together by twine. These sup- 
ports can be fixed in the large pots or tubs, 
and two climbers so grown, placed on each 
side of a long French window, will form a 
delightful addition to it. 
Creepers that are suitable for this pur- 
pose are numerous, but town dwellers can- 
not hope to grow very many of them. Tro- 
peolum Canariensis is perhaps the best of 
all for London use. This graceful climber 
is lovely in foliage as well as in flower. 
Nasturtiums will also thrive ina foggy 
atmosphere, and their various colors are 
more exquisite than is imagined by the un- 
ambitious gardeners who cultivate the or- 
dinary orange variety alone year after 
year. I have seen the walls of a London 
house, in full sunshine, made beautiful by a 
show of many tinted Convulvuluses; the 
plants were growing in deep, narrow’ bar- 
rels of rich soil, and evening syringings kept 
the foliage of a fresh healthy green. 
For a permanent ornament the yellow 
winter jasmine is a success when grown in 
tubs; Pyrus Japonica, Crategus Pyracan- 
tha, and Clematis montana will flourish 
for several years, and some triumphs were 
made last year with Brier and Rambler 
Roses. 
The plants, shrubs, and trees that are 
grown. in tubs can receive attention every 
day, such as judicious watering, feeding, 
and winter protecting. The foliage will 
not suffer if it is often washed, and the 
roots can revel in a perfectly adapted soil ; 
whereas plants in the garden have to battle 
with insect enemies, are often subjected to 
droughts following deluges, and receive 
little, if any, stimulating food. Ivy-leaved 
‘Geraniums, Fuchsias, Begonias, miniature 
Roses, Violas, dwarf Antirrhinums, white 
and yellow Marguerites, Dahlias, early 
Chrysanthemums, Verbenas, Heliotrope, 
African and French Marigolds, will help to 
make color combinations on the balcony. 
In the country a Sweet Pea display on 
the balcony cannot fail to be a success. 
Ts HOUWEEBs 
MT. VICTORIA, N.S.W., 
has imported per steamship Fifeshire 
TEN CWT: 
embracing 
200 Finest European Varieties, 
for 
Autumn Flowering. 
