February  1,  1900. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
101 
Narcissus  Committee. 
Chairman. —  Bennett-Poe,  John  T.,  29,  Ashley  Place,  S.W. 
Vice-Chairmen. — Baker,  J.  G.,  F.R.S.,  3,  Cumberland  Road, 
Kew. 
Dod,  Rev.  C.  Wolley,  M.A.,  V.M.H.,  Edge  Hall,  Malpas,  Cheshire. 
Engleheart,  Rev.  George  H.,  Appleshaw,  Andover. 
Hon.  Secretary, — 0.  R.  Scrase-Dickins,  Coolhursfc  Park,  Horsham. 
Barr,'R.,  12,  King  Street,  Covent  Garden,  W.C. 
Boscawen,  Hon.  J.,  Tregye,  Perranwell. 
Bourne,  Rev.  S.  E.,  Dunston  Vicarage,  Lincoln. 
Burbidge,  P.  W.,  M.A.,  V.M.H.,  Trinity  College  Gardens,  Dublin. 
Cammell,  M.,  Loxwood  House,  Billingshurst,  Sussex. 
Cowan,  C.  W.,  Valleyfield,  Penicuick,  Midlothian. 
Foster,  Sir  Michael,  K.C.B.,  V.M.H.,  Sec.  R.S.,  Shelford,  Cambridge. 
De  Graaff,  S.  A  ,  Leyden,  Holland. 
Goldring,  W.,  34,  Gloucester  Road,  Kew. 
Kingsmill,  A.,  The  Holt,  Harrow  Weald,  Stanmore. 
Krelage,  J.  H.,  Haarlem,  Holland. 
Leichtlin,  Max,  Baden-Baden. 
MacMichael,  Rev.  C.,  Walpole  Rectory,  Norfolk. 
Marsh,  Rev.  T.  H.,  Cawston  Roctory,  Norfolk. 
Milne  Readhead,  R.,  Holden  Clough,  Bolton-by-Bowland,  Clitheroe. 
Moore,  P.W.,  V.M.H.,  Royal  Botanic  Gardens,  Glasnevin,  Dublin. 
Pearson,  Duncan,  Lowdham,  Notts. 
Pope,  J.,  The  Ericas,  King’s  Norton. 
Poupart,  W.,  Marsh  Farm,  Twickenham. 
Reuthe,  G.,  Hale  Farm  Nurseries,  Tottenham. 
Smith,  J.  A.  Dorien,  Tresco  Abbey,  Scilly. 
Sydenham,  R.,  190,  Bristol  Road,  Birmingham, 
Titheradge,  G.  T.,  10,  Cavendish  Road,  St.  John’s  Wood,  N.W. 
Walker,  James,  Ham  Common,  Surrey. 
Ware,  Walter  T.,  Inglescombe  Nurseries,  near  Bath. 
Wilks,  Rev.  W.,  M.A.,  Shirley  Vicarage,  Croydon. 
Willmott,  Miss,  V.M.H.,  Warley  Place,  Great  Warley,  Essex. 
Note. — Members  of  the  Council  are  members  of  all.  the  Committees. 
GREYIA  SUTHERLAND!. 
Though  this  plant  has  been  considered  chiefly  interesting  to 
botanists  it  is  by  no  means  devoid  of  horticultural  merit,  for  the  bright 
red  flowers  are  produced  in  dense  terminal  clusters  (fig.  25),  and 
have  a  rich  appearance.  In  this  country  specimens,  which  are  not 
very  numerous,  seldom  exceed  a  few  feet  in  height,  but  in  its 
native  habitats,  the  rocks  at  Port  Natal,  it  is  said  to  attain  the  dimen¬ 
sions  of  a  small  tree,  which  when  in  flower  has  a  very  brilliant 
appearance.  The  leaves  are  somewhat  fleshy  and  crenated  at  the 
margin.  Some  are  quite  smooth,  and  others  densely  pubescent,  a 
peculiarity  that  has  been  repeatedly  noted  by  several  observers.  It 
blooms  early  in  the  year.  This  information  will,  we  trust,  suffice  for 
W.  Parsons,  and  in  addition  be  of  assistance  to  other  readers. 
BEDDING  LOBELIA  FROM  SEED. 
The  time  is  not  so  far  distant  when  it  was  impossible  to  grow 
Lobelia  from  seeds  to  produce  plants  which  would  be  of  compact 
habit  and  also  produce  flowers  freely.  It  was  necessary  to  place 
reliance  only  on  cuttings  which  were  obtained  in  early  spring  from 
stock  plants  wintered  in  the  greenhouse.  Sometimes  these  would  fail, 
or  an  insufficient  number  would  be  prepared.  This  can  now  be 
avoided,  for  if  some  of  the  excellent  strains  are  procured,  and  seeds 
are  sown  not  later  than  early  in  February,  an  excellent  stock  of  young 
compact  plants  may  he  grown  by  bedding  out  time. 
Lobelia  seed  is  very  small,  and  requires  to  be  dealt  with  carefully, 
and  to  be  sown  in  heat.  Fine  light  soil,  composed  chiefly  of  loam, 
leaf  soil,  and  sand,  ought  to  be  employed.  Use  a  wide,  shallow 
pan,  drain  freely  with  potsherds,  covering  them  with  a  layer  of  rough 
material  and  the  compost  filled  in  level  to  the  rim,  gently  shaking 
down  and  pressing  level.  Although  the  compost  should  be  moist, 
it  is  desirable  to  water  the  whole  gently  before  sowing.  After  drain¬ 
ing  scatter  the  seeds  on  the  surface,  making  no  attempt,  as  is  usual 
in  most  cases  of  sowing  seed,  to  sow  very  thinly.  Cover  the  seed 
with  very  fine  sand,  a  mere  dusting  sufficing.  Special  attention 
must  be  given  to  maintain  the  surface  uniformly  moist,  so  as  to 
avoid  the  necessity  of  watering  the  soil  previous  to  the  germination. 
This  can  best  be  effected  by  placing  a  square  of  glass  over  the  pan 
and  shading  with  paper.  A  bottom  heat  of  60°  to  65°  will  cause  the 
seed  to  germinate.  If  the  pan  can  stand  on  a  moist  base  it  will  be 
of  great  advantage  in  preventing  rapid  drying  of  the  soil. 
Immediately  the  seedlings  push  through  the  soil  remove  the 
shading  and  gradually  dispense  with  the  glass,  jdacing  the  pan  in 
plenty  of  light,  but  shading  from  strong  sumhine.  It  will  spoil  the 
seedlings  to  a  considerable  extent  if  they  are  allowed  to  become  drawn 
by  examining  them  too  late  at  the  point  of  germination.  The 
supply  of  water  to  the  soil  is  a  matter  requiring  care  with  Lobelias 
when  tender  seedlings.  It  is  a  good  plan  to  sink  the  pot  in  tepid 
water  to  the  rim,  and  withdraw  it  as  soon  as  water  commences  to 
show  on  the  surface.  With  good  drainage  and  proper  soil  this  does 
not  saturate  the  soil  unduly,  but  effectively  moistens  it  without 
disturbing  the  small  plants. 
Growth  will  progress  rapidly  in  the  light  and  warmth  oGa  heated 
structure,  and  it  will  be  evident  that  the  seedlings  are  becoming  more 
and  more  crowded,  but  they  are  short,  green,  and  healthy.  The  time 
has  arrived  for  transplanting  them.  The  best  manner  of  carrying 
this  out  is  to  prepare  shallow  boxes  or  pans,  properly  drained  and 
filled  with  a  light  sandy  mixture  pressed  moderately  firm.  Lift  the- 
seedlings  in  small  patches,  and  plant  them  a  couple  of  inches  apart, 
burying  them  to  the  seed  leaves.  Place  the  boxes  in  a  Avarm,  moist 
position,  and  syringe  daily  until  growth  commences  freely,  |when 
water  may  be  given  in  the  usual  manner.  Retain  the  plants  in  a 
heated  structure  until  thoroughly  established.  Afterwards  give  cooler 
treatment,  and  when  the  patches  of  seedling  plants  begin  to'^touch 
each  other  more  room  must  be  given.  The  best  place  this  time  is  a 
shallow  bed  on  a  hard  bottom  in  a  cold  frame,  but  they  may  be 
accommodated  in  boxes.  Prior  to  the  final  planting  at  the  end  of 
May,  full  exposure  to  air  is  necessary,  but  protection  must  be  given 
against  sudden  May  frosts.  One  aid  in  rendering  the  plants  compact 
and  bushy  is  to  frequently  top  the  growths  when  extending 
vigorously. 
The  dw'arf  compact  varieties  of  Lobelia  are  the  best  for  massing 
and  edging.  The  spreading  varieties  can  also  be  raised  from  seeds, 
but  they  are  more  adapted  for  growing  as  isolated  specimens  in  beds 
and  borders,  as  well  as  for  pots  and  hanging  baskets. — E.  D.  S. 
