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JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
May  3.  1900, 
more  or  less.  The  protracted  cold  and  wet  weather  kept  the  buds  in 
practically  one  condition  for  a  considerable  time.  Then  came  a  few 
days  of  unseasonably  hot  weather,  and  varieties  that  had  previously 
been  unnaturally  late  burst  their  buds,  as  it  were,  by  magic,  and  they 
were  gone.  We  had  hundreds  of  flowers  for  about  four  days,  but 
afterwards  there  was  almost  a  famine  in  the  land,  and  it  was  only  with 
difflculty  that  a  dozen  really  creditable  specimens  could  be  found 
within  eight  days  of  the  time  of  plenty.  I  am  hoping  for  better 
things  next  season,  and  in  the  meantime  had  better  return  immediately 
to  Barr’s. 
As  an  individual,  no  single  person  has  done  more  (probably  not 
nearly  as  much)  than  Mr.  Peter  Barr  in  the  popularisation  of  the 
Daffodil.  To  his  strenuous  efforts,  continued  over  a  long  series  of 
years,  we  owe  their  abundance  and  their  presence  in  thousands  of 
gardens.  Such  being  the  case,  it  is  only  just  and  right  that  when  his 
sons  name  a  variety  in  his  honour  it  should  be  one  head  and  shoulders 
above  its  fellows.  Peter  Barr  is  in  all  probability  the  finest  Daffodil 
in  the  Long  Ditton  Nurseries,  or  at  any  rate  it  was  when  I  recently  paid 
my  annual  \usit.  It  is  a  superb  white  variety  of  the  Magni-coronati 
section,  and  of  its  colour  is  unquestionably  the  finest  I  have  seen.  A 
large,  bold  flower  is  this,  that  is  not  a  bit  afraid  of  looking  you  in  the 
face  as  if  with  a  knowledge  of  its  superlative  excellence.  Not  very 
far  from  Peter  is  an  unnamed  seedling  of  the  poeticus  section  of 
Messrs.  Barr  &  Sons’  own  raising,  which  for  purity  of  colour,  excellence 
of  form,  and  for  substance  is  unsurpassed.  Big  Ben  ought  with  such 
a  name  to  be  of  the  first  quality,  and  so  it  is.  The  bright  yellow 
trumpet  is  exceptionally  large,  and  the  paler  perianth  segments 
are  of  splendid  shape.  These  form  a  trio  of  new  varieties  that 
will  probably  be  heard  something  about  ere  many  more  years  have 
passed  away — at  any  rate,  it  will  not  be  Messrs.  Barr’s  fault  if  this 
is  not  so. 
Notwithstanding  such  peers  amongst  flowers  as  those  just  named, 
we  have  always  with  us  the  older  sorts — indeed  we  should  be  quite 
at  a  loss  without  them.  Who  would  be  without  a  clump  of  Emperor 
whose  handsome  flowers  are  perennially  admired,  or  Ard  High  (fig.  105, 
page  37 5) .  Then  look  at  the  sister  flower  Empress,  with  its  white  perianth 
segments  and  its  large  but  refined  trumpet ;  can  it  be  spared  ?  The 
noble  Sir  Watkin  (fig.  105)  never  loses  one  atom  of  popularity  ;  on  the 
contrary  it  seems  to  become  a  greater  favourite  every  year.  It  is 
one  that  thrives  magnificently  within  the  smoky  areas  of  towns, 
though  of  course  under  such  conditions  the  colours  are  not  so  clear 
and  bright  as  when  grown  in  a  healthier  atmosphere.  Duchess  of 
Westminster,  under  similar  circumstances,  is  one  of  the  best,  and  at 
Long  Ditton  both  sorts  are  superb.  The  bicolors  Horsefieldi  and  the 
later  flowering  grandis  need  no  praise  here,  for  they  have  made  their 
own  reputations  by  continued  excellence  over  many  years.  Barri 
conspicuus  is  old  in  years  but  young  in  health  and  vigour,  and  is 
grown  by  the  hundred  thousand,  and  yet  one  is  informed  that  more 
could  be  disposed  of. 
One  of  the  best  known  varieties  of  the  incomparabilis  section  is 
Stella,  but  it  must  now  go  to  the  wall  before  the  newer  Stella  superba, 
which  is  indeed  truly  named.  It  produces  its  strikingly  handsome 
flowers  on  stout  footstalks  well  above  the  foliage,  and  it  must  be 
regarded  as  one  of  the  varieties  of  the  future.  The  rich  colour  of  the 
crown  of  Gloria  Mundi  makes  it  a  universal  favourite,  though, 
unfortunately,  it  is  not  everyone  who  can  have  a  really  good  stock 
of  it.  The  Leedsis,  the  Burbidgeis,  the  white  trumpet  varieties, 
and  many  others  all  ought  to  have  detailed  attention,  but  such  a 
course  would  involve  an  immense  amount  of  time,  as  well  as  occupying 
an  enormous  amount  of  space,  so  they  must  be  passed  over,  for  this 
year  at  any  rate. 
Irises  and  Narcissi  seem  a  natural  association,  hence  I  presume  the 
inclusion  of  Iris  reticulata  (fig.  105)  in  the  illustration  before  me  as  I 
write.  Black  and  white,  however,  fail  to  do  justice  to  this  singularly 
attractive  and  deliciously  fragrant  flower,  which  cannot  but  adorn 
every  garden  where  it  is  grown.  It  is  a  favourite  with  everybody  alike, 
and.  when  exhibited  in  good  condition  at  the  spring  shows  by  first-class 
growers,  receives  general  approbation.  Messrs.  Barr  &  Sons  grow 
many  Irises  with  signal  success,  just  as  they  do  Narcissi  and  Daffodils, 
with  hundreds  of  other  kinds  of  flowers,  hence  it  is  that  one  can  never 
make  a  mistake  in  proceeding  to  Ditton,  for  there  is  always  something 
in  flower  to  be  admired  and  to  instruct.  Late  Tulips  will,  as  is 
customary,  be  the  piece  de  resistance  during  the  present  month.  This, 
at  any  rate,  is  the  view  held  by — An  Annual  Visitor. 
Tl\e  Ijabrotliainniis. 
This  Avell  known  greenhouse  evergreen  flowering  shrub  is 
admirably  adapted  for  covering  the  back  wall  of  a  conservatory  or 
greenhouse.  It  may  be  planted  in  a  border  or  grown  in  a  large  box, 
tub,  or  pot.  To  plant  it  out  and  allow  free  root  room  is  probably  the 
better  method  of  culture,  especially  if  ample  space  can  be  found  upon 
which  to  train  the  growths.  A  strong  and  vigorous  plant  will  grow 
easily  to  the  height  of  10  feet  if  planted  out.  In  a  pot  the  growth 
cannot  be  so  vigorous,  yet  it  is  possible  for  good  shoots  to  be  made  and 
to  become  well  ripened,  which  is  an  essential  to  free  flowering.  In 
unrestricted  root  space  the  growth  being  so  strong  is  liable  to  fail  in 
becoming  thoroughly  well  ripened,  hence  it  is  desirable  while 
encouraging  freedom  of  growth  to  also  apply  some  restrictive  check  by 
confining  the  rooting  to  a  given,  but  ample  space. 
The  Habrothamnus  is  propagated  by  cuttings,  selecting  these  as 
short  young  side  growths  starting  from  the  old  wood  in  spring.  They 
are  best  taken  off  when  4  inches  long,  being  then  short,  vigorous, 
stubby  shoots.  When  they  are  taken  a  poriion  of  the  old  stem  should 
be  attached  at  the  base.  A  plant  may  be  induced  to  form  this  type 
of  cutting  by  pruning  the  stems,  and  placing  the  plant  in  heat, 
keeping  the  soil  just  moist,  and  syringing  daily.  Growths  will  soon 
push,  and  may  be  taken  when  they  have  reached  the  length  stated. 
The  cuttings  should  be  inserted  round  the  edges  of  3-inch  pots,  two 
or  three  in  each  pot.  Employ  sandy  soil  and  surface  the  compost 
With  sand.  In  a  moist  temperature  of  65°  the  cuttings  soon  form 
roots.  In  a  greenhouse  temperature  it  would  be  best  to  place  the 
cutting  pots  in  a  box,  pot,  or  frame,  and  cover  with  glass,  by  this 
means  keeping  the  cuttings  fresh  until  roots  form.  The  warmth  and 
moisture  of  a  hotbed  is  likewise  a  suitable  place  for  them. 
When  the  cuttings  have  rooted  pot  them  singly,  encouraging 
growth  in  warmth  and  moisture.  For  the  first  season  the  plants  may 
be  grown  to  a  single  stem,  or  if  they  are  to  be  grown  in  a  border 
plant  them  out  as  so  n  as  they  are  well  established  in  the  small 
pots.  When  intended  for  pot,  box,  or  tub  culture  the  plants  should 
be  systematically  repotted.  The  border  ought,  of  course,  to  be  well 
drained,  and  the  soil  employed  consist  of  loam,  leif  soil  in  equal 
parts,  with  a  free  admixture  of  sand  and  a  little  decomposed  manure. 
Make  these  materials  firm  and  compact  round  the  ball  of  roots  when 
planting,  so  that  the  new  soil  is  as  firm  as  the  old  ba  1.  In  cases, 
however,  where  the  plants  may  have  been  long  in  the  pots,  so  that 
the  roots  have  entwined  themselves  round  and  round,  some  of  them 
must  be  disentangled  and  spread  out  before  finally  completing.  The 
ball,  moreover,  should  in  all  cases  be  moist. 
After  potting  or  planting  water  must  be  given  with  care,  especially 
so  when  the  ball  is  old  and  very  full  of  roots,  as  it  is  possible  for  this 
to  dry  out  before  the  soil  surrounding  it  does  so.  When  once  well 
established  there  is  less  difficulty  in  the  supply  of  water.  The  plants 
will  need  it  when  the  soil  on  the  surface  dries.  Give  sufficient  at  thi.s 
juncture,  then  wait  until  the  same  conditions  present  themselves 
again. 
On  becoming  well  established  after  planting  out  freedom  of  growth 
will  be  a  characteristic  of  those  in  borders,  and  the  main  point  is  to 
train  the  growths  out  well  for  the  purpose  of  covering  the  space  and  to 
permanently  originate  some  main  growths,  these  being  equally 
disposed  over  the  available  i  raining  space.  Growth  of  plants  in  )iots 
after  the  first  season  should  be  cut  well  back,  as  it  is  necessary  for 
strong  shoots  to  be  made,  which  will  form  a  good  groundwork  or 
foundation.  The.se  ought  to  be  disposed  to  the  best  advantage  and 
extended  as  far  as  convenient.  If  it  cannot  be  done  in  one  season  it 
may  in  succeeding  years.  From  those  main  growths  lateral  shoots 
will  extend,  which  each  year  afier  flowering  can  be  shortened  closely 
back.  Growth  will  afterwards  break,  and  the  shoots  formed  duiing 
the  season  will  flower  freely  the  next  season.  This  system  may  be 
continued  each  year,  and  when  a  main  shoot  is  becoming  exhausted 
another  may  take  its  place  by  training  one  in  from  the  base.  Weak 
supplic-'S  of  liquid  or  aitificial  manure  are  beneficial  when  the  plants 
possess  plenty  of  roots.  Assistance  of  this  kind  is  very  helpful  just 
previous  to  flowering  and  when  good  growth  is  being  made. 
The  Habrothamnus  appreciates  moisture  and  warmth  when  new 
growth  is  being  produced,  but  a  free  circulation  of  air  and  abundance 
of  light  is  necessary  to  ripen  the  wood.  The  flowers  appear  in  winter 
and  early  spring,  and  are  borne  at  the  points  of  shoots.  la  H.  elegans 
they  are  carmine,  in  H.  fasciculatus  crimson.  Green  fly  is  the  greatest 
pest  these  plants  can  have,  though  they  are  subject  to  red  spider,  but 
only  in  a  dry  atmosphere  and  when  deficient  of  water  at  the  roots. 
Green  fly  is  not  so  troublesome  under  good  culture  and  free  ventilation. 
— E.  D.'S. 
