April  1,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
277 
PLATYLOBIUM  FORMOSUM. 
Like  many  other  hardwooded  plants,  the  Platylobiums  are  not 
grown  so  extensively  as  they  formerly  were,  notwithstanding  their 
decorative  merits.  There,  however,  are  several  species  well  worthy  of 
the  attention  of  plant  growers.  When  well  grown  P.  formosum 
(fig.  62)  is  a  most  beaut'ful  object,  and  will  thrive  well  under  the 
conditions  generally  assigned  hardwooded  plants.  It  is  a  free 
branching  plant,  and  the  stems  are  slightly  hairy.  The  leaves  are  dark 
green  above,  paler  below.  The  buds  are  deep  crimson,  and  when 
expanded  the  back  of  the  whole  flower  retains  this  colour,  whilst  the 
front  side  is  rich  orange  yellow,  saving  a  reniform  belt  of  radiating 
crimson  lines  near  the  bottom  of  the  standard.  The  flowers  are 
produced  daring  the  summer. 
PANSIES  AND  YIOLAS. 
The  usefulness  of  Pansies  and  Violas  for  the  decoration  of  beds 
and  borders  in  spring  and  early  summer  is  unquestioned.  Lines  of 
yellow,  blue,  and  white  Violas  are  very  effective  for  the  front  rows 
of  long  borders,  whether  straight  or  curved.  Plant?,  however,  do  not 
succeed  well  too  near  or  under  the  branches  of  shrubs  or  trees,  less 
because  of  the  shaded  position  than  to  the  absence  of  moisture  in  the 
soil,  where  the  roots  of  vigorous  shrubs  and  trees  ramify  and  feed.  It 
is,  therefore,  desirable  to  avoid  all  such  unfavourable  positions,  choosing 
those  which  are,  and  will  continue  to  be,  moist,  and  open  to  frequent 
showers.  For  the  same  reason  beds  in  dry  poor  soil,  and  extremely  hot 
positions,  should  be  avoided. 
Pansies  and  Violas  like  a  fairly  rich  and  retentive  soil,  though  one 
that  admits  of  the  free  passage  of  water.  Heavy  soil  may  be  well  dug 
over  and  lightened  with  leaf  soil,  sand,  or  gritty  material,  containing  no 
injurious  substances.  Wood  ashes  are  an  excellent  addition  to  the  soil 
for  Pansies.  As  is  well  known,  wood  ashes  are  largely  composed  of 
mineral  matter,  chiefly  potash.  Light  soils  are  frequently  deficient  in 
this,  therefore  their  addition  will  be  beneficial.  The  chief  effect  of  wood 
ashes  on  heavy  clayey  soil  will  be  in  the  mechanical  effect  they  exert  by 
accelerating  the  division  of  adhesive  particles.  Potash  is  naturally 
more  abundant  in  heavy  soil,  and  becomes  more  or  less  available  for  the 
wants  of  plants.  Light  soils  may  be  further  improved  for  Pansy  culture 
by  incorporating  with  them  a  fair  quantity  of  well-decayed  manure  and 
leaf  soil.  The  manure  tends  to  hold  the  moisture  in  the  soil,  and  with 
that  appropriate  food  is  readily  available,  while  more  can  be  obtained 
as  required  by  the  roots.  Excess  of  organic  matter  must,  however,  be 
guarded  against.  Under  very  moist  atmospheric  conditions  the  growth 
which  follows  may  be  too  luxuriant  in  foliage. 
The  positions  intended  for  planting  Pansies  and  Violas  are  best 
prepared  in  autumn,  when  the  soil  requires  enriching  with  manure,  and 
the  planting  deferred  until  spring.  A  further  course  of  preparation 
may  be  adopted  at  the  latter  period,  consisting  of  well  forking  over  the 
soil,  so  as  to  make  it  workable  for  planting.  It  is  assumed  that  when 
spring  planting  is  carried  out  the  plants  are  strong,  sturdy  specimens 
from  cold  frames,  in  which  they  were  inserted  as  cuttings  in  the  autumn. 
Such  plants  are  usually  freely  furnished  with  healthy  roots,  having 
active  fibres  bristling  all  over  them,  hence  the  change  to  a  new  root  run 
and  more  space  is  productive  of  rapid  growth,  as  well  as  a  floriferous 
habit. 
While  the  plants  are  yet  young  they  move  readily.  It  is  very 
desirable  to  plant  early  for  other  reasons.  By  removing  them  to  their 
flowering  quarters  early  in  April  they  have  time  to  become  established 
in  the  soil  before  the  hot  weather  arrives.  Late  planting  is  frequently 
the  cause  of  unsatisfactory  results  following.  Considerable  care  is 
needed  in  lifting  and  transferring  them  to  the  positions,  care  which  is 
not  always  accorded.  It  is  true  Pansies  and  Violas  are  not  so  difficult 
as  some  plants  to  lift  and  replant  even  in  May  if  the  ground  is  moist 
and  the  plants  not  too  large.  The  objection  to  allowing  them  to  remain 
in  the  cutting  beds  is  that  they  are  liable  to  be  spoiled  in  habit  and 
flowering  proclivities.  Early  planting  induces  the  formation  of  bushy 
plants.  The  main  stem  is  arrested  in  growth  by  the  removal,  and  the 
fresh  run  for  the  roots  gives  an  impetus  to  the  production  of  numerous 
shoots  from  the  base,  which  in  due  time  flower  freely. 
Plant  10  inches  to  1  foot  apart.  Sink  the  plants  a  little  lower  than 
they  previously  were.  Keep  the  ground  free  from  weeds,  and  occasion¬ 
ally  stirred  with  the  hoe.  This  allows  warm  air  and  moisture  to  enter, 
and  is  an  important  factor  in  promoting  free  growth.  In  dry  weather 
a  copious  watering  once  a  week  will  be  beneficial,  followed  the  next  day 
by  loosening  the  surface.  Should  the  weather  continue  dry  mulch 
between  the  plants  with  a  mixture  of  decayed  manure  and  leaf  soil. 
The  flowering  period  may  be  prolonged  by  following  the  simple 
practice  of  cutting  off  the  withered  flowers,  thus  preventing  the  forma¬ 
tion  of  seed  pods.  Beds  of  Pansies  which  have  stood  the  winter 
unprotected  require  now  some  encouragement  in  order  to  assist  growth. 
The  whole  of  the  space  between  the  plants  ought  to  be  stirred,  and  a 
little  soot  dusted  over.  Work  this  in  with  the  hoe,  and  on  an  early,  warm, 
dry  day  give  a  copious  watering  of  liquid  manure  made  by  pouring 
30  gallons  of  water  on  a  peck  of  cow  or  sheep  manure.  Frequently  stir 
this  for  a  week,  then  allow  to  settle,  and  give  the  clear  liquid  occasionally 
until  the  growth  is  free. 
In  choosing  a  position  for  planting  Show  and  Fancy  Pansies  to  afford 
blooms  for  exhibition,  shade  from  the  midday  sun  should  if  possible  be 
secured.  The  shade  and  shelter  of  a  well-trimmed  hedge  is  an  admirable 
place.  Except  for  the  shade  the  position  should  be  fully  open  to  air 
and  light,  but  the  plants  are  best  protected  from  the  effects  resulting 
from  rough  and  windy  quarters.  Regular  and  systematic  attention 
must  be  afforded  to  prevent  the  plants  being  crowded  with  growth  or 
weeds.  A  loose  surface  ought  to  be  kept,  and  the  careful  removal  of 
flowers  as  they  pass  their  best  condition,  only  allowing  one  or  two  at  a 
time  to  open  on  each  shoot.  The  plants  require  to  be  fed  with 
liquid  or  chemical  manures  about  every  ten  days.  Protect  the  best 
blooms  when  open  from  strong  sun  and  heavy  raip. 
Violas  are  termed  by  some  cultivators  Tufted  Pansies.  This  certainly 
describes  the  habit  of  growth  of  Violas  generally,  but  it  gives  no  idea 
of  the  differences  which  distinguish  them  from  the  Show  and  Fancy 
Pansies.  The  old  term  Viola  has  long  been  understood  to  mean  a  class 
of  the  order  Violacese,  having  small  self-coloured  blooms  with  a  distinct 
FIG.  62. — PLATYLOBIUM  FORMOSUM. 
eye  and  light  pencilled  rays  on  some  of  the  petals.  Some,  however,  of 
the  Violas  have  very  large  blooms,  but  the  distinction  from  Pansies  is 
usually  evident. — E.  D.  S. 
Reading  and  District  Gardeners’  Mutual  Improvement 
Association. — The  usual  fortnightly  meeting  was  held  on  Monday 
evening  last,  and  was  largely  attended.  The  President,  Mr.  C.  B. 
Stevens,  occupied  the  chair.  Apart  from  the  lecture,  the  feature  of 
the  meeting  was  a  presentation  of  a  purse  of  gold  and  an  album  con¬ 
taining  the  names  of  138  subscribers  to  the  Honorary  Secretary  as  an 
acknowledgement  of  services  rendered  to  the  Association.  Mr.  Pound 
warmly  thanked  the  members  for  the  kindness  they  had  Bhown  him,  and 
for  such  a  handsome  gift,  and  also  the  President  for  the  kind  words  he 
had  spoken.  Mr.  Townsend,  The  Gardens,  Sandhurst  Lodge,  then  read 
his  paper  on  Summer  Bedding  and  Summer  Flower  Gardens,  also  the 
Water  Garden.  A  beautiful  collection  of  Cinerarias  was  sent  by  Messrs. 
Sutton  &  Sons,  consisting  of  their  well-known  florist  varieties  and 
Cineraria  cruenta  hybrids,  also  specimens  of  Cineraria  cruenta,  the 
original  type  introduced  from  the  Canary  Islands  in  1777,  the  object 
of  the  exhibit  being  to  demonstrate  the  result  cf  a  cross  made  between 
C.  cruenta  and  the  flowers  of  the  present  day,  thus  showing  Jone 
generation  removed  from  the  original.  The  hybrids  are  sweetly  scented 
with  a  hawthorn  perfume,  and  are  exceedingly  useful  for  cutting. 
