February, 1910 
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_ THE. AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
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A Field of “Pink Cupid” Dwarf Sweet Peas. 
—_— a a 
Variegated, Y. Recurva Pendulla, with its 
Variagated strain, are all very attractive 
‘Specimens. 
— Pelargoniums, — 
Pelargoniums of various kinds should be 
Cut back, and if such plants were ver- 
benas, petunias, gaillardias, and heliot- 
Yopes have become a bit shabby or leggy 
? 
4 pruning back will be of benefit. Alter- 
Nantheras and iresenes used for ribbon 
Work must be pinched back to keep them 
‘dwarf. Too much water must not be 
‘given to plants newly cut back. 
— Chrysanthemums. — 
Chrysanthemums are brittle plants, 
“nd unless staked the shoots may be 
broken off with the wind. Use light 
Stakes of just sfficient length to support 
branches ; very stout and unneccessarily 
Supports are 
habit in these plants should always 
unsightly. | Bnshiness of 
be aimed at, and it is not too late to 
Pinch out the points of plants that are 
ot wanted to flower early. Water must 
Not be given to prevent the plants from 
‘Suffering, but an excess of moisture causes 
Soft sappy growth, which should be 
Avoided. 
— Cyclamens. — 
Now is the time to pot up a nice lot of 
“Cyclamens to brighten our verandahs and 
gla-s honses in the winter. In the plenti- 
tude of sunshine and bloom of to-day, we 
must not forget that there are dark 
ungenial days with which the whirligig 
of time will revenge us by-and-by. 
Cyclamens have a peculiar grace and 
beauty of flower and foliage, Nature 
has wrought an eloborate design cn each 
leaf an exquisite tones of green. They 
can be grown also in a border if it is 
warm and sunny. and protected from 
frost in the winter, and cool and shady 
in summer. They ask above all things 
perfect drainage, They havea preference 
for achalky or a sandy soil, A rich 
sandy loam combined with a little leaf- 
mould, mortar, and limestone rubbish is 
very acceptable. Always let the corms 
app-ar well akove the ground, and avoid 
watering them when they are at rest. 
They can be raised easily from seed, or 
by division of the corms 
— Iris Koempferi. — 
Iris Koempferi has been flowering 
gorgeously in many gardens during the 
past summer months. The magnificent 
form and rare shades of the blooms and 
the strong veining of the petals combine 
to make them conspicuously distinct. 
This beautiful Japanese variety can be 
grown quite easily even. in the gardens 
of small pretentions, provided the space 
they occupy can be converted into « 
mild swamp during their period of active 
Let them 
growth and efflorescence. 
therefore surround a water tap from which 
there is constant drip or dribble of water. 
The original soil should be taken to a 
considerable depth and one of a moist 
humic or a peaty character substituted, 
This should insure permanent moisture, 
and thus eratify their semi-aquatic tastes. 
They must not be protected by tree or 
in a shady position for they revel in the 
sunshine always, providing their roots are 
kept.cool and moist. They can be raised 
from a seed but substantial divisions of 
the root stock planted in the Autumn is 
the surest way for astart. 
' 
— Cuttings. — 
Outtings may now be taken of Antirr: 
hinums, Pentstemons, Carnations, Petu- 
nias, and Zmal Pelargoniums among. 
others. 
-— Seed Sowing. — 
Save seeds, watching the plants very 
carefully of those it is desired to propagate 
by this means. Make a careful selection 
of seed and avoid perpetuating worthless, 
unattractive varieties. 
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