February  11,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
121 
indoor  fruit  borders  have  to  be  devoted  to  this  winter  salad,  as  well  as 
spare  pits,  and  under  the  shelter  of  walls  they  occupy  narrow  borders  at 
the  present  time  with  a  hope  of  being  turned  to  profitable  account  later 
on.  It  is  true  there  is  a  larger  number  of  late  plants  this  season  than 
usual,  from  the  fact  that  a  quantity  of  seed  remained  in  the  soil  and 
did  not  germinate  until  the  autumn  rains  set  in,  and  for  the  same  reason 
most  of  the  plants  were,  and  are  now,  undersized. 
Small  sowings  are  commenced  in  June,  and  continued  bi-weekly 
until  August,  with  a  special  one  made  for  standing  outdoors  as  previously 
intimated  at  the  end  of  August  or  early  in  September.  This  is  my 
practice,  but  it  must  necessarily  be  modified  to  meet  the  requirements  of 
other  more  northern  or  southern  counties  ;  indeed,  it  is  a  matter  that  can 
only  be  governed  by  individual  circumstances,  and  proved  on  the  spot. 
Endive  without  being  blanched  has  no  value  except  for  cooking 
purposes,  and  there  are  various  means  adopted  for  carrying  this  out  in 
varying  degrees  of  excellence.  Much  the  best  coloured  I  have  seen 
were  taken  from  the  Mushroom  house,  and  some,  I  daresay,  will  be 
prepared  to  argue  that  this  structure  is  not  always  or  in  every  case 
suitable.  The  plants  are  extremely  liable  to  decay  in  the  process  of 
blanching,  and  if  new  beds  are  being  made  up  periodically  there  must 
be  an  accumulation  of  steam,  and,  on  the  other  hand,  there  is  a  difficulty 
in  getting  just  the  right  condition  in  the  soil  to  accommodate  them. 
Overhead  watering  to  settle  them  in  the  soil  has  been  known  to  prove 
quite  fatal,  and  shrivelling  sets  in  if  they  do  not  get  sufficient  moisture 
Inverted  flower  pots,  with  the  drainage  holes  closed,  answer  very  well, 
and  dry  boards  laid  on  the  rows  of  plants  briDg  them  to  a  useful  state 
in  a  comparatively  short  time. 
In  pits  or  frames  the  lights  may  be  covered  with  mats  or  straw  to 
keep  them  dark,  but  none  of  these  methods  answers  so  well  with  me  as 
tying  up  each  plant  with  a  strand  of  raffia.  I  am  informed  that  this  is 
the  course  adopted  by  some  of  the  French  growers,  who  send  such 
excellent  salad  to  our  markets. 
The  green  and  moss-curled  are  very  pretty  when  nicely  blanched, 
and  add  a  feature  to  the  dressed  salad,  but  the  broad-leaved  varieties 
are  those  which  find  the  most  favour,  and  are  grown  in  greater  quantity. 
These  possess  in  a  lesser  degree  the  bitterness  which  is  the  complaint 
commonly  lodged  against  Endive  as  a  salad.  The  curled  sorts  cannot 
endure  frost  nor  defy  the  damp  so  easily  as  the  Batavian,  but  notwith¬ 
standing  these  failings  they  are  admired  for  their  beauty  when  presented 
in  their  best  form,  apart  from  utility. 
Lettuce  of  the  Cabbage  section  are  not  appreciated  by  my  employer 
at  any  season,  so  that  the  necessity  for  Endive  for  keeping  up  a  long 
succession  of  salad  is  very  important,  and  Cos  varieties  grown,  as  often 
advised,  on  the  Mustard  and  Cress  principle  would  not  take  its  place. 
When  Spinach  is  scarce  Endive  is  often  required  to  take  its  place,  and 
this  frequently  happens  when  the  latter  is  getting  Bhort,  and  can  ill  be 
spared  for  the  purpose.  After  trying  several  varieties  of  the  broad - 
leaved  kinds  I  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  the  improved  round¬ 
leaved  Batavian,  when  a  good  stock  is  obtained,  cannot  easily  be  beaten  ; 
but  at  the  same  time  I  would  not  advise  anyone  to  abandon  any  other 
variety  which  may  have  given  satisfaction,  because  results  are  not  strictly 
uniform  in  the  case  of  sorts  growing  under  varying  conditions.  Of  the 
moss  and  curled  there  are  not  such  a  large  selection,  and  thus  the  choice 
can  be  more  easily  made. — W.  S.,  Wilts. 
CARNATIONS  AT  RANGEMORE. 
Early  one  morning  a  young  friend,  yes,  and  an  old  friend  too, 
started  for  Bangemore.  It  was  by  moonlight,  but  three  hours  later  than 
we  intended  starting.  I  remarked  while  wending  our  way  to  the  station, 
the  moon  looks  cold,  at  which  my  companion  laughed,  for  he  has  not 
been  in  the  habit  of  watching  the  moon  in  the  country.  He  will  not 
iorget  his  visit  to  Rangemore,  for  the  day  turned  out  piercingly  cold,  a 
biting  wind  and  heavy  snowstorm  kept  us  company  all  day.  In  spite  of 
the  drawbacks  of  the  weather  we  were  abundantly  rewarded  by  what  we 
saw  under  the  charge  of  Mr.  Bennett. 
It  is  not  a  description  of  Rangemore  that  I  am  about  to  write,  for 
there  is  an  enormous  amount  of  glass.  It  is  about  the  Carnations,  which 
we  went  purposely  to  see.  My  friend  had  seen  a  noted  collection  a  short 
t>me  before,  hue  the  plants  though  good  and  numerous  were  small. 
What  he  saw  at  Rangemore  he  considered  “giants  for  their  age.”  This 
is  perfectly  correct,  some  of  the  plants,  Malmaisons  especially,  are 
enormous.  I  have  never  before  seen  in  the  early  days  of  January  such  a 
display  of  Carnations.  These  plants  are  never  showy,  but  the  house  was 
perfectly  gay. 
When  I  last  wrote  of  Carnations  at  Rangemore  a  fine  span-roofed 
house,  80  feet  long  and  20  feet  wide,  was  being  erected  for  them.  This 
had  a  division  in  the  centre,  and  was  full  of  plants  flowering  and  coming 
into  flower,  one  division  being  filled  with  what  may  be  termed  Tree 
varieties,  and  the  other  with  pink  Malmaisons — a  very  fine  strain.  The 
latter  contained  Princess  May,  flowering  profusely  ;  Churchwarden  and 
other  new  kinds  were  represented,  only  one  or  two  plants  of  the  old 
flesh  coloured  being  grown. 
Instead  of  a  description,  I  am  going  to  point  out  how  these  grand 
plants  are  produced,  and  the  management  they  receive.  I  am  writing 
from  memory,  and  if  I  should  write  anything  that  misrepresents  Mr. 
Bennett’s  practice  I  hope  he  will  put  me  right.  The  plants  are  raised 
bv  layering  in  low  frames  in  July.  At  one  time  the  strongest  of  one- 
vear-old  plants  were  selected  for  this  purpose  after  producing  one  bloom. 
Now  I  believe  the  weakest  are  layered.  The  strong,  healthy  constitu¬ 
tion  of  the  stock  has  been  obtained  by  layering  strong  shoots  only.  Do 
not  misunderstand  me  when  I  say  the  weakest  are  selected.  The  best 
plants  are  potted  on,  the  others  layered ;  none  is  weak,  all  are  strong 
and  even  robust.  After  the  layers  are  well  rooted  they  are  placed  in 
3-inch  pots,  kept  close  to  the  glass  until  they  are  well  established  and  the 
pots  fairly  full  of  roots.  Plenty  of  air  is  given  to  maintain  sturdy 
growth. 
From  these  pots  the  plants  are  transferred  into  8-inch.  A  rather 
large  shift  some  may  say,  and  bo  I  thought,  and  consequently  placed 
mine  of  the  same  age  into  6-inch.  The  results  prove  that  Mr.  Bennett 
is  right,  and  for  the  future  I  shall  work  on  the  same  principle.  At  this 
period  of  the  year  the  plants  look  overpotted,  and  the  apparently  dry 
condition  of  the  Boil  would  certainly  frighten  some  growers.  When 
these  healthy  plants  in  8-inch  pots  do  start  they  develop  wonderf  ully,  and 
continue  to  do  bo  through  the  flowering  stage,  while  those  in  6-inch 
pots  are  too  full  of  roots,  and  are  somewhat  checked  before  the  flowering 
stage  is  over.  This  is  what  I  observed  with  my  own  plants  last  year. 
The  specimens  in  8-inch  pots  are  arranged  in  span-roofed  houses  close  to 
the  glass  as  possible,  and  the  pots  sufficiently  far  apart  so  that  they  can 
be  carefully  examined  for  water. 
Under  these  conditions  the  plants  grow  until  they  have  flowered, 
the  best  being  selected  and  placed  into  10-inch  pots.  Those  are  the- 
plants  that  flower  in  autumn,  continuing  throughout  the  winter  and 
spring.  As  far  as  I  can  understand,  they  are  kept  the  whole  year  under 
glass,  and  only  shaded  for  a  few  hours  daily  during  the  very  brightest 
sunshine.  What  are  these  plants  in  this  size  pot  like  ?  is  only  a  fair 
question  to  ask.  The  foliage  is  of  the  darkest  green,  very  glaucous,  and 
wonderfully  strong.  The  plants  have  from  fifteen  to  twenty-two  shoots 
— think  of  that,  and  little  more  than  eighteen  months  from  layering. 
They  may  be  described  as  beiDg  2  feet  6  inches  high  and  2  feet  through 
them.  They  are,  indeed,  marvels  of  cultivation. 
The  syringe  is  not  used  in  any  stage  of  growth,  but  the  most 
careful  watering  is  practised.  Those  who  had  to  grow  hardwooded 
Heaths,  or  assisted  in  doing  so,  years  ago,  will  know  how  these 
Carnations  are  watered  when  I  say  the  principle  might  be  described 
ms  the  same,  but  for  the  benefit  of  younger  gardeners  I  may  say  the 
dry  appearance  of  the  top  of  the  soil  is  no  guide,  while  the  ringing  of 
the  pots  is  not  merely  followed .  The  pots  are  lifted  principally  to 
ascertain  if  they  need  water ;  in  a  word,  an  intermediate  state  for 
moisture,  as  far  as  possible,  is  aimed  at.  The  plants  are  kept  during  the 
season  of  inactivity  on  the  dry  side  The  soil  looks  dry,  but  it  is  never 
allowed  to  become  destitute  of  moisture  to  injure  the  roots  before  water 
is  applied.  When  they  do  need  water  a  good  soaking  is  given,  not  a 
mere  driblet. 
Ventilation  is  abundant  at  all  times  ;  no  close  confined  atmosphere  is 
maintained  at  Rangemore,  and  this  is  one.  of  the  secrets  of  success.  On 
the  day  of  my  visit,  in  spite  of  keen  frost  and  a  biting  wind,  the  flower¬ 
ing  house  had  the  side  ventilators  open  about  2  inches  on  each  side,  and 
the  temperature  maintained  was  from  50°  to  55°.  The  atmospheric 
conditions  were  such  that  these  plants  could  grow  slowly,  but  the 
growth  made  would  be  at  the  same  time  of  the  sturdiest  description. 
Soft  weak  growth  forced  out  by  heat  and  a  close  confined  atmosphere  is 
detrimental  to  a  healthy  constitution,  and  meaDS  puny  flowers,  while 
the  plants  are  a  ready  prey  to  disease — one  cause,  if  not  the  main  cause, 
of  so  many  plants  being  diseased  in  the  majority  of  gardens. 
The  soil  I  am  not  quite  certain  about,  beyond  good  fibrous  loam,  which 
forms  the  principal,  and  coarse  silver  sand.  Great  care  is  also  taken 
to  free  the  loam  from  wireworm  and  other  insect  pests  by  stacking  it 
in  a  position  under  cover  for  a  time  until  it  becomes  thoroughly  dried  ; 
when  broken  up  water  being  used  to  once  more  render  it  in  a  suitable 
condition  for  moisture.  The  pots  are  carefully,  even  liberally  drained, 
and  the  soil  pressed  firmly  into  the  pots.  No  light  material  for  potting 
is  used,  and  loose  potting  is  not  practised. 
Does  Mr.  Bennett  feed  these  plants?  Certainly,  on  the  surface  of 
the  soil  when  in  the  10-inch  pots  freely  by  the  aid  of  artificial  manures. 
I  think  I  may  safely  mention  the  manure,  although  I  always  try  to 
avoid  doing  this.  Clay’s  is  the  kind  used.  To  be  successful  no  treat¬ 
ment  must  j^e  followed  that  has  a  tendency  to  weaken  the  strength  and 
vigour  of  the  plants.  These  are  the  outlines  of  Mr.  Bennett’s  treat¬ 
ment,  and  the  result  is  no  finer  plants  to  be  found  anywhere,  and  the 
yield  is  abundance  of  large  well-coloured  flowers.  How  the  tree  varieties 
are  treated  shall  be  given  another  time. — Wm.  Bardney. 
(To  be  continued.! 
Tree  Peonies. — Amateurs  usually  have  a  number  of  plants  which 
grow  to  some  little  size,  and  which  are  known  as  tub-plants,  that 
are  easily  transferred  during  the  winter  and  yet  form  striking  beds  when 
placed  injudicious  situations  on  the  lawDS  in  the  summertime.  Oranges, 
Lemons,  Hydrangeas,  Oleanders,  Yuccas,  Pomegranates  and  other 
similar  plants  will  readily  come  to  the  mind  of  the  reader.  One  of  the 
most  desirable  of  this  class  of  tub-plants  is  very  rarely  seen— namely,  the 
Tree  Preony.  As  usually  seen  in  gardens,  they  do  not  make  much  of  a 
show,  because  it  takes  many  years  before  they  can  grow  to  large 
specimens.  Each  shoot  only  makes  two  or  three  buds  a  year,  and  each 
of  theie  buds  will  make  a  flower  the  year  following  ;  but,  in  five  or  ten 
years,  a  bfesh  in  flower  presents  a  striking  appearance.  A  large  Tree 
Pteeny  is  usually  considered  of  great  value.  A  ten  or  twelve  year  old 
plant  would  be  worth  nearly  as  many  dollars  a9  it  had  been  years 
growing.  It  is  a  never  ceasing  object  of  growing  interest. 
