3:54 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
April  19,  1900. 
Late  Rooted  Chrysaiitliemums. 
Cuttings  rooted  in  the  spring  are  each  year  becoming  more 
appreciated,  and  really  for  many  purposes  late-rooted  cuttings  give  the 
best  results.  In  grouping,  for  example,  there  is  no  comparison 
between  the  big  three-stemmed  plants  and  those  having  only  one 
stem  bearing  a  huge  single  blossom.  The  latter  lend  themselves  to 
better  arrangement  ;  each  specimen  can  he  placed  so  as  to  exhibit  its 
cultural  merits.  Those  seen  at  such  shows  as  the  Aquarium  are  very 
fine  in  this  respect,  for  not  only  are  the  blooms  large,  but  the  foliage 
is  especially  fine. 
It  group  arrangements  at  shows  are  improved  by  this  system  of 
culture,  so  too  could  conservatories  be  at  home.  Another  consideration 
is  that  less  time  is  required  in  growing  the  plants  and  the  trouble 
slight  compared  to  that  necessary  to  obtain  big  specimen  plants. 
Some  varieties  are  better  adapted  than  others  for  the  production  of 
single-bloom  plants,  it  being  well  to  cboose  those  of  a  sturdy  habit 
of  growth.  And  in  respect  to  that  hat^dsome  Japanese  variety  Mrs. 
II.  Weeks,  this  mode  is  the  one  now  generally  followed,  since  its 
])eculiarity  of  late  bud  jiroduction  is  more  understood.  From  what 
we  hear  of  the  habit  of  the  handsome  new  variety  Florence  Molyneux, 
a  similar  plan  of  culture  is  advised,  and  the  earliest  flower  bud  a  plant 
shows  is  secured. 
A  good  time,  then,  to  root  a  quantity  of  cuttings  is  in  early  April 
in  a  cold  frame.  After  being  duly  |)Otted  singly  they  are  allowe  i  to 
grow  at'out  6  inches  high,  when  the  tips  of  the  plants  are  pinched 
out,  except  in  the  two  cases  noted  above.  This  heading  back  is  to 
delay  the  time  each  plant  shall  produce  a  llower  bud,  the  object 
being  to  select  crown  buds  in  each  case.  Potting  in  the  final  size 
takes  place  before  the  small  ones  are  root-bound,  and  then  growth 
goes  on  without  a  check.  For  single  stems  of  course  all  except  one 
shoot  are  removed.  A  stick  is  fixed  in  each  pot,  and  the  shoot 
trained  as  required.  A  7-inch  pot  is  large  enough  for  the  strongest 
growers,  a  smaller  size  being  employed  for  the  more  weakly.  In  the 
matter  of  soil  and  manures  the  plants  reejuire  equally  generous  treat¬ 
ment  to  those  grown  in  the  more  ordinary  way  for  large  exhibition 
blooms.  These  single  stemmed  plants  have  other  advantages.  They 
require  less  tying  to  prevent  damage  from  wind,  and  being  dwarf  are 
easily  managed  to  trap  insect  pests. 
For  what  may  be  termed  ordinary  decorative  plants,  late-rooted 
cuttings  are  advisable.  Oftentimes  we  meet  with  Chrysanthemums 
rooted  early,  but  neglected  and  stunted  through  want  of  repotting  in 
early  spring.  Such  plants  as  these  are  easily  beaten  by  late-rooted 
ones,  wbich  grow  freely,  and  keep  the  foliage  on  to  the  last  in  a 
healthy  state.  The  single-flowered  Chrysanthemums,  too,  lend  them¬ 
selves  to  late  propagation.  Neat  miniature  bushes  were  last  year 
grown  from  cuttings  rooted  as  late  as  May.  These  in  6-inch  pots 
were  admired  on  account  of  their  usefulness  for  decoration. 
Most  varieties  esteemed  for  the  big  blooms  may  be  cultivated  on 
the  one-bloom-to-a-plant  system ;  still  those  named  below  are  espe¬ 
cially  suita'  le  because  of  tbeir  dwarfness  and  ample  foliage.  The 
buds,  too,  appear  at  a  time  when  they  may  be  secured  to  produce  a 
well-developed  flower,  Annie  Prevost,  white ;  Belle  of  Castlewcod, 
blush  pink  ;  Chatsworth,  white  and  rose  ;  Dorothy  Sew’^ard,  crimson; 
Emily  Towers,  pink,  tinted  white  ;  Ella  Curtis,  yellow  ;  G.  H.  Kers- 
lake,  jun,,  white;  lion.  F.  W.  D.  Smith,  crimson  ;  James  Bidencope, 
rosy  red  ;  J.  K.  Upton,  yellow;  Louise,  blush  ;  Lord  Ludlow,  bronzy 
yellow;  Master  II.  Tucker,  crimson;  Matthew  Hodgson,  crimson; 
]\Irs.  Barkley,  rose;  Mrs.  Coombes,  light  pink  ;  Mrs.  J.  Lewis,  white  ; 
Mrs.  White  Popham,  pink  and  white ;  Madame  Gustave  Henry, 
white;  Madame  G.  Bruant,  white  and  rose;  Mutual  Friend,  white; 
M.  Chenon  de  Leche,  yellow,  shaded  red  ;  M.  Hoste,  blush  white  ; 
Oceana,  yellow;  Phoebus,  yellow;  Pride  of  Madford,  amaranth; 
Robert  Powell,  bronze;  K.  Hooper  Pearson,  yellow  ;  Surpasse  Amiral, 
yellow. — Specialist. 
April  Potting  Chrysanthemums. 
The  majority  of  Chrysanthemums  are  now  growing  freely  in 
2i  and  3-iuch  pots.  In  order  to  continue  them  in  a  healthy  and 
vigorous  condition  it  is  essential  that  they  have  more  root  room,  so 
that  the  fibres  can  freely  extend  and  multiply,  enabling  the  stems  to 
strengthen  and  the  leaves  to  enlarge,  the  plants  at  the  same  time 
increasing  in  height.  This  growth  must,  however,  be  made  under 
cool  and  airy  conditions  after  the  first  few  days  succeeding  potting.  In 
a  collection  of  Chrysanthemums  it  will  be  found  that  all  do  not 
require  repotting  at  the  same  time.  The  most  forward  will  probably 
be  the  strong  growers  which  were  rooted  early.  These  ought  to  be 
attended  to  before  roots  begin  to  mass  round  the  sides  of  the  small  pots 
in  which  the  plants  are  growing.  This  does  not  imply  that  roots  must 
not  be  allowed  to  multiply  freely  roued  the  ball  of  soil,  as  they  should, 
before  moving  them  into  larger  pots.  The  weaker  growers  do  not 
root  so  rapidly,  hence  they  may  not  be  ready  lor  a  shift  at  the  same 
time,  but  all  that  are  in  a  proper  state  may  with  advantage  be 
attended  to. 
The  most  suitable  size  for  the  April  potting  are  5  and  6-inch.  Let 
them  be  clean  and  dry,  and  drain  moderately  well,  with  one  large 
crock  at  the  bottom,  and  over  that  some  smaller  sized,  covering  the 
whole  with  a  layer  of  the  fibrous  parts  of  the  compost.  The  soil 
ought  to  be  fairly  rich,  and  may  consist  of  three  parts  of  fibrous 
loam,  one  part  of  dried  and  sweetened  horse  manure,  one  part  of  leaf 
soil,  one  part  of  coarse  silver  sand,  and  one  part  of  charcoal  and  wood 
ashes.  The  whole  should  be  thoroughly  well  mixed  several  times, 
and  if  dry  be  brought  to  a  moist  condition. 
It  is  important  also  that  the  plants  to  be  pottel  should  have  the 
ball  of  soil  and  roots  quite  moist,  therefore  the  day  prior  to  potting 
make  a  thorough  examination  of  them,  watering  all  that  are,  or  are 
likely  soon  to  be  dry.  In  potting  turn  the  plants  out  of  small  pots, 
and  pick  away  all  the  drainage.  This  will  loosen  the  lower  roots.  The 
roots  on  the  side  of  the  ball  need  not  be  touched,  provided  the  plants 
are  just  in  the  jiroper  condition  for  the  shift.  Loosen  the  soil  on  the 
surface  of  the  ball.  Place  a  little  compost  in  the  pot,  making  it  firm, 
then  introduce  the  plant,  arranging  it  so  that  th^-  surface  of  the  ball 
will  be  half  an  inch  below  the  rim  of  pot.  Fill  in  soil,  working  it 
down  with  a  potting  stick  until  it  is  at  least  as  firm  as  the  old  ball. 
Insert  a  neat  stick  to  each  plant,  and  place  the  pots  in  a  frame  on  a 
bard  bed  of  ashes. 
For  a  few  days  the  frame  may  be  kept  close,  and  during  that  time 
no  water  is  needed,  but  light  syringing  is  beneficial.  Water,  however, 
must  be  applied  before  the  foliage  droops.  Air  should  be  admitted 
gradually.  When  the  plants  are  established,  expose  them  fully  on 
favourable  occasions,  so  that  the  growths  may  become  hardened  to  full 
outdoor  treatment  in  a  short  time.  Stood  in  a  sheltered  position  they 
will  progress  sturdily,  ©n  bright  days  the  w'atering  must  be  carried 
out  as  necessary,  the  freest  rooting  plants  requiring  it  frequently. 
Afford  plenty  of  space,  as  the  growth  is  benefited  by  a  free  circu¬ 
lation  of  air  and  unobstructed  light. — E.  D.  S. 
Flowering  Climbers. 
Climbing  plants  are  not  sufficiently  utilised  in  gardens,  which  can 
never  be  complete  without  its  complement  of  flowering  climbers.  They 
are  rarely  used  except  for  wall  decoration  ;  while  there  are  so  many 
desirable  kinds  and  varieties,  which  if  taken  up  tall  poles  would  have 
a  very  charming  effect,  or  trained  upon  trellises  they  might  be  used  to 
hide  tool  houses,  sheds,  or  any  outbuildings  from  other  parts  of  the 
garden.  In  fact,  all  suitable  places  about  the  house  and  grounds  may 
be  thus  adorned ;  even  arches  at  intervals  placed  over  walks  might  be 
covered  with  them,  or  they  may  be  trained  over  arbours  or  garden 
seats,  when  the  comfort  of  their  shade  can  be  enjoyed  in  summer, 
while  we  admire  the  grandeur  of  their  floral  display,  and  inhale  some 
of  theii’  lavish  odours. 
Few  prettier  objects  can  be  found  than  the  beautiful  Wistaria,  with 
its  pale  blue  pendulous  blooms  giving  out  a  sweet  fragrance.  By 
training  this  in  different  aspects  the  flowering  period  can  be  greatly 
extended,  as  in  one  aspect  ic  may  be  just  coming  into  bloom  when  in 
another  it  is  passing  away.  Not  many  hardy  plants  afford  such 
combined  beauty,  luxuriance,  and  wealth  of  bloom  as  the  various  forms 
of  Clematis.  Of  the  several  types  the  Jackmanni  section  is  the 
commonest  in  gardens,  and  the  most  popular,  flowering  during  summer 
and  autumn  in  continuous  masses  on  summer  shoots.  Notwithstanding, 
however,  that  the  large  flowering  types  are  very  beautiful,  it  is 
questionable  in  many  oases  if  they  are  so  useful  as  some  of  the 
smaller  floweriug  wild  species.  C.  flammula  is  so  sweetly  scented 
that  we  can  well  afford  to  dispense  with  gay  colouring.  If  planted  in 
any  ordinary  garden  soil  it  will  quickly  clothe  a  verandah,  or  porch  ; 
or  if  planted  at  the  foot  of  some  tree  where  the  leafage  is  not  dense, 
it  will  clothe  the  naked  trunk  with  a  wealth  of  green  foliage,  and 
if  allowed  to  ramble  at  will,  what  can  be  more  effective  than  when  the 
shoots  hanging  loosely  and  informally  are  densely  covered  with  pretty, 
sweet-scented,  white  blossoms,  which  are  produced  from  July  to 
October  ? 
Clematis  montana  with  its  beautiful  white  fragrant  flowers  which 
are  borne  in  clusters  from  the  axils  of  the  leaves,  is  also  one  of  the 
best  hardy  climbers.  Where  bright  touches  of  colour  are  desirable 
