Season, 
July 1, 1909 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
11 
DOUBLE FRINGED I ETUNIA., 
Deseripbian 
of EiewePse 
Petunias. 
The Petunia derives its name from 
Petun, the Brazilian name for tobacco. 
No garden in Australia need be, or really 
Should be, without Petunias, 
Seldom out of bloom from January to 
December. As bedding plants for beanty 
and display they take the palm. The 
Petunia as a summer flower is much 
Neglected. It is essentially a lover of hot 
Weather, and, given even a moderate 
Supply of water, will make a grand show 
in the garden. To keep up a constant 
Supply of bloom the plants should be 
Tepeatedly cut back. - 
8arden soil suits them, 
Plants should be placed 12 inches apart, 
The double- fringed variety is the most 
handsome, and, as it is a greedy feeder» 
Should be given plenty of stable manure 
Any ordinary 
Whiie the plants are growing strongly. 
Ola plants may be cut down in spring 
4nd started in heat, or cuttings may be 
Struck in spring to flower the same 
They require rich soil, and, if 
Stown in pots, plenty of pot-room. 
They. are. 
and the young’ 
Petunias, in their many beautiful 
varieties, form a highly interesting and 
desirable class of free-flowering plants 
for garden culture, those of the grandi- 
both single and ‘double 
flowered, being specially valuable. The 
immense size, 
flora section, 
blooms of these are of 
beautifully formed, and of the most 
charming and delicate colors ; some of the 
flowers are exquisitely veined or pen- 
cilled, others blotched or striped. The 
double and 
single) prodic> some charming flowers, 
the edges of the petals being elegantly 
‘fringed’ varieties (both 
cut or fringed, whil-t the colors are most 
varied and beautiful. The Petunia is 
well adapted for pot cultivation, and on. 
account of its hardiness and free-blooming 
qualities, makes an excellent window or 
verandah plant. 
equal parts of loam and _ thoroughly 
decayed cow dung, with plenty of sharp 
sand added, forms an excellent compost 
for these; but the seeds. being very 
small, require special care in sowing. Fill” 
your pots or seod pans to near the rim, 
and press the soil down fiamly and 
‘evenly ; sow thinly, and cover the seeds 
A soil composed of 
very lightly with fine soil, and keep it 
moist. As soon as the young plants ar® 
fit to handle they may be planted into 
places where they are to remain, taking 
care to shade and water them until they 
are thoroughly established, or they may 
be put into small pots and planted out 
when larger. Petunias may be sown in 
March, April, or May, and also in 
August, September, and October. 
at 
Hoya. 
The Hoya (Wax Plant) is not a very 
showy plant, but is exceedingly interest- 
ing, climbing by means of adventitious. 
roots, which attach themselves, like ivy,. 
to the surface with which they come in 
contact, 
Hoya Carnosa is the most popular; it 
is commonly designated ‘Wax Plant’ or 
‘Honey Plant,’ the first, from the wax- 
like appearance of the flowers, and the 
other from the drop of nectar which 
hangs from each flower. . This variety 
will thrive in an ordinary greenhouse. It 
is a beautiful climber with thick fleshy 
leaves and beautiful clusters of pinkish- 
white flowers, which look as if frosted, 
H. Carnosa Variegata is a variety that 
can be grown out of doors against a brick 
wall in a warm aspect, but is seen to best 
advantage when grown in pots in a. 
greenhouse. 
The Hoyas require a_ well-drained 
soil, and do best if old lime and brick 
rubbish is mixed with it. 
Guaranteed * 
Effectual. 
The Barn for 
All Leaf-eating INSECTS. 
Orchard, Garden, Farm, 
Field and Plantation. 
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"ab: Merrimac Chemical Co. Boston, U.S.A. 
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Y Bridge Street, SYDNEY. 
