466 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
May  31,  1900. 
Pine  Culture. 
Pines  yield,  as  a  rule,  the  finest  fruits  when  they  show  thqse  ten 
to  twelve  months  from  the  time  the  suckers  are  potted,  but  some 
allowance  must  be  made  for  the  size  of  them  when  first  started, 
also  for  autumn  potted  suckers,  which  have  to  make  a  part  of  their 
growth  under  adverse  infiuences.  Plants  that  were  potted  last 
September  will  now  be  showing  fruit — if  not,  means  should  be  taken 
to  effect  it.  This  can  be  done  by  subjecting  those  of  that  age  not 
exhibiting  signs  of  fruiting — a  thick  sturdy  base,  and  the  leaves 
commencing  to  open  in  the  centre  of  the  plant — to  comparative  rest 
for  a  period  of  a  month  to  six  weeks,  lowering  the  heat  at  the  roots  to 
75°,  admitting  air  fully  at  75°  to  80°,  and  letting  the  temperature  fall 
to  75°  before  closing  the  house  for  the  day. 
Little  fire  heat  will  be  necessary,  but  it  must  be  afforded  to  prevent 
the  temperature  falling  below  60°  at  night,  and  to  secure  65°  by  day. 
The  plants  must  not  be  allowed  to  become  excessively  dry  at  the  roots, 
but  when  water  is  needed  supply  it  liberally.  The  smaller  suckers  of 
the  plants  placed  in  the  fruiting  pots  this  spring  should  be  kept  growing 
until  they  have  filled  them  with  roots,  when,  if  it  be  necessary,  the 
plants  can  be  subjected  to  the  same  course  of  treatment  as  advised 
for  the  larger  plants,  and  these  will  afford  a  successional  supply  of 
fruit. 
The  strongest  suckers  potted  last  March  have  filled  the  pots  with 
roots  and  should  be  transferred  when  this  occurs  to  their  largest  pots, 
as  to  retain  them  longer  in  small  pots  is  detrimental  to  their  after 
growth.  Recently  potted  plants  ought  to  have  a  regular  bottom  heat  of 
85°  to  90°,  and  be  thoroughly  watered  after  potting  if  the  soil  be  dry, 
and  no  more  should  be  given  until  the  soil  becomes  again  in  that  con¬ 
dition,  as  it  is  necessary  to  exercise  more  care  than  usual  at  this  stage, 
the  state  of  the  individual  plants  being  ascertained  before  its  appli¬ 
cation. 
Growing  stock,  now  making  rapid  progress,  should  be  regularly 
attended  to  in  every  particular.  Ventilate  early  in  the  day  at  75°  to 
80°,  to  render  the  foliage  dry  before  it  is  powerfully  acted  upon  by  the 
sun.  Discontinue  shading  successional  plants,  but  if  very  near  the 
glass  and  the  frames  large,  a  light  shade  will  be  advisable  in  the  hottest 
part  of  the  day,  also  for  fruiting  plants  with  the  crowns  in  close 
proximity  to  the  roof. — Pkactice. 
Notes  on  Figs. 
The  fruit  now  ripening  on  the  early  forced  planted-out  trees  must 
be  kept  from  damp  throughout  the  whole  of  the  process,  affording  a 
free  circulation  of  warm  dry  air,  and  a  night  temperature  of  65°  to  70°, 
75°  to  80°  by  day,  and  with  sun  heat  80°  to  90°.  Figs  ripened  in  a 
close  moist  atmosphere  are  insipid,  but  those  perfected  by  full  exposure 
to  light  and  in  a  favourable  atmosphere  are  wholesome  and  nutritious. 
If  a  circulation  of  air  be  afforded  constantly  there  will  be  little  danger 
of  “  spot,”  but  if  it  should  appear,  promptly  remove  the  affected  fruit 
and  burn  it. 
If  red  spider  become  troublesome  during  the  ripening,  it  is  a  good 
plan  to  gather  in  an  airy  fruit  room  all  the  fruit  almost  ripe,  or  suffi¬ 
ciently  to  ripen  perfectly,  and  then  give  the  trees  a  forcible  syringing, 
directing  the  water  against  the  under  side  of  the  leaves,  so  as  to 
dislodge  the  pests  and  break  their  webs.  If  clear  water  be  used  and 
air  admitted  rather  freely  it  will  not  interfere  with  the  ripening 
of  the  fruit  remaining.  By  pursuing  this  treatment  red  spider  may  be 
kept  under  subjection  until  the  fruit  is  gathered,  when  it  can  be 
destroyed  by  forcible  syringing  and  the  use  of  an  insecticide.  Scale 
should  be  removed  with  a  brush  and  a  softsoap  solution  or  some  other 
approved  preparation. 
Trees  that  have  been  cleared  of  the  first  crop  require  generous 
treatment  to  swell  the  second.  Syringe  twice  a  day  to  keep  red  spider 
in  check,  and  afford  liquid  manure  when  watering  is  necessary.  Trees 
in  pots  require  liquid  nourishment  twice  a  day  in  hot  weather,  and 
in  general  once  ;  those  in  borders  need  supplies  once  or  twice  a  week, 
according  to  the  vigour  of  the  trees  and  the  extent  of  the  rooting 
area;  others  in  restricted  areas  of  limited  extent  requiring  it  more 
frequently  than  those  in  large  borders.  The  second  crop  must  be 
thinned  where  thickly  set  before  the  Figs  are  the  size  of  pickling 
Walnuts,  and  in  thinning  reserve  the  largest  fruits  at  the  base  of  the 
shoots. 
Young  trees  for  next  season’s  early  forcing  in  pots  must  not  be 
neglected.  Afford  all  the  light  possible  and  keeping  them  as  near  the 
glass  as  is  consistent  with  their  growth.  Syringe  well  and  supply 
liquid  manure,  so  as  to  secure  a  sturdy  growth,  and  when  that  is  com¬ 
plete  they  may  be  placed  outdoors  in  a  sunny  corner  to  induce  rest. 
They  must  not,  however,  be  dried  off,  but  have  proper  syringing  and 
due  supplies  of  water,  and  if  the  wood  be  soft  the  trees  should  be  kept 
under  glass  until  it  is  thoroughly  ripened. — Groweb. 
Hardy  Border  Flowers. 
Asarums. 
Lovers  of  plants  which  are  more  curious  than  showy  may  direct 
their  attention  to  the  Asarums,  although  those  who  like  bright  flowers 
alone  had  better  eschew  their  cultivation.  Our  native  Asarum 
europseum,  the  Asarabacca,  is  rather  pleasing  because  of  its  glossy 
roundish  kidney-shaped  leaves,  and  its  dull  brown  flowers  are  singular 
in  their  appearance  and  colouring  to  those  unacquainted  with  the  few 
other  species.  They  must  be  looked  for,  or  they  will  remain  undis¬ 
covered.  An  interesting  species  comes  from  Canada  in  the  shape  of 
A.  canadense,  which  grows  about  the  same  height  as  A.  europseum — 
i.e.,  about  1  foot.  Its  campanulate  flowers  are  also  brown,  but  they 
are  even  less  apparent  than  those  of  the  former,  as  they  are  often  nearly 
buried  in  the  soil.  A  rare  species,  which  comes  from  California  and  is 
named  A.  caudatum,  has  never  come  under  my  notice.  I  understand 
that  the  lobes  of  the  calyx  are  lengthened  and  attenuated.  They  are 
said  to  be  brownish  red  in  colour.  Although  A.  europseum  occurs  in 
Britain  it  is  not  confined  to  our  isles,  but  is  found  in  various  parts  of 
Europe.  In  like  manner,  A.  canadense  occurs  in  portions  of  the  United 
States.  These  Asarums  do  quite  well  in  partial  shade, «and  are  increased 
by  division.  They  do  not  seem  to  be  particular  as  to  soil. 
Aaclepiases. 
The  Asclepias  or  Swallow-wort  deserves  a  little  more  attention  from 
growers  of  border  flowers,  although  it  must  be  admitted  that  many  find 
the  few  species  in  cultivation  rather  difficult  to  grow  in  the  ordinary 
border.  Of  the  species  obtainable  perhaps  the  best  are  A.  inoarnata, 
A.  syriaca  or  Cornuti,  and  A.  tuberosa.  The  last  named  is  the  finest  of 
all.  The  flowers  of  all  are  in  umbels,  and  when  open  produce  a  fine 
effect.  A.  incarnata  is  a  good  bee  plant  and  is  very  fragrant,  besides 
being  rather  pretty  because  of  its  red  or  purplish  flowers.  It  grows 
about  2  feet  high,  and  is  a  native  of  Canada.  It  will  grow  in  a  peaty 
or  rich,  light  soil,  and  is  increased  by  division  or  seeds.  A.  syriaca  or 
Cornuti  has  pale  purple  flowers  which  have  a  pleasant  scent  like  that  of 
honey.  It  grows  to  2  or  3  feet  high,  and  may  be  cultivated  similarly 
to  A.  incarnata. 
A.  tuberosa  is  well  deserving  of  several  attempts  to  naturalise  it, 
or  at  least  to  persuade  it  to  grow  in  the  garden.  It  has  very  handsome 
umbels  of  bright  orange  flowers,  and  grows  from  1  to  2  feet  in  height. 
It  is  a  very  showy  plant,  and  is  usually  much  admired  when  seen.  It 
likes  a  deep  and  fairly  moist  soil  with  a  little  shade.  There  are  some 
other  species  which  ought  to  be  hardy  in  our  climate.  At  the  time  of 
the  compilation  of  the  Kew  “  Hand  List  of  Herbaceous  Plants  ”  there 
were  in  cultivation  in  the  Royal  Gardens  there  the  following ; — 
A.  amplexicaulis,  A.  incarnata,  A.  obtusifolia,  A.  speciosa,  and 
A.  tuberosa.  Large  tubers  of  A.  tuberosa  do  not  transplant  well,  and 
I  am  inclined  to  think  that  young  plants  from  seeds  are  more  easily 
established. 
Asperulae. 
Asperulas  are  best  known  in  this  country  by  the  Woodruff,  as 
A.  odorata  is  commonly  called.  There  are,  however,  several  species 
which  commend  themselves  to  those  interested  in  alpine  gardens. 
These  are  beyond  the  scope  of  the  present  notes,  and  I  am  only 
acquainted  with  one  species  which  can  be  considered  suitable  for  the 
flower  border.  This  is  A.  hexaphylla,  which  I  have  grown  for  several 
years,  and  can  recommend  as  a  useful  plant  for  cutting  purposes.  It 
does  not  appear  to  be  generally  grown,  but  its  white  flowers  may  be 
used  for  some  purposes  where  the  familiar  Gypsophila  paniculata  may 
not  be  desired.  It  grows  from  18  to  36  inches  in  height,  and  has  very 
slender  stems  with  narrow  leaves  and  a  number  of  small  white  flowers. 
It  is  easily  grown  in  light  soil,  and  increases  at  the  root  with  a  fair 
degree  of  rapidity.  It  may  be  propagated  by  division  or  from  seeds. 
From  the  latter,  which  can  be  purchased,  the  writer  grew  his  plants. 
There  appear  to  be  two  Asperulas  bearing  this  name.  One  of  these  is 
synonymous  with  A.  cretacea. 
Asphodellnes. 
The  Asphodelines  are  closely  related  to  the  Asphodels,  the  distinc¬ 
tion  between  the  two  depending  upon  the  plants  under  notice  having 
erect  leafy  stems.  The  most  familiar  to  us  is  A.  lutea,  commonly  met 
with  as  Asphodelus  luteus,  a  plant  once  better  known  than  now.  It 
was  introduced  from  Sicily  as  far  back  as  1596,  and  yet  remains  one  of 
the  best  of  the  genus,  though  some  more  recently  introduced  are  very 
imposing  and  effective.  It  grows  some  3  or  4  feet  high,  and  has  a 
dense  straight  raceme  of  yellow  flowers  and  many  dark  green  leaves 
lined  with  a  lighter  shade.  A  handsome  recently  introduced  species  is 
A.  imperialis,  which  has  reddish  white  flowers,  and  reaches  a  height  of 
about  8  feet.  A.  liburnica  grows  to  about  2  feet  in  height,  and  has 
yellow  flowers.  A.  taurica,  also  called  Asphodelus  tauricus,  has  white 
flowers  striped  with  green,  and  reaches  about  the  same  height  as 
A.  liburnicus.  Other  species  are  A.  Balansae,  A.  capillaris,  A.  istmo- 
carpa,  and  A.  microparpus.  There  is  also  a  double  flowered  variety  of 
A.  lutea,  which  is  a  desirable  plant.  They  thrive  in  any  ordinary  soil, 
and  may  be  increased  by  division  in  spring,  or  by  means  of  seed  sown 
at  that  season.  There  is  a  growing  taste  for  conspicuous  plants  for  the 
purpose  of  adding  effect  to  the  border,  and  such  plants  as  the  Aspho¬ 
delines  will  be  found  very  desirable  among  others. — S.  Arnott. 
