JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER.  May  sr,  mi. 
THE  YOUNG  GARDENERS’  DOMAIN. 
Gold  Pen-men. 
While  the  great  majority  of  young  gardeners  who  have  contributed 
to  the  page  set  apart  for  them  as  a  sort  of  literary  “  trial  ground  ”  have 
acquitted  themselves  creditably,  some  have  naturally  distinguished 
themselves  more  than  others.  Every  article  has  been  critically  examined, 
and  marks  of  merit  accorded  for  (1)  condition  of  MS  ,  (2)  usefulness  of 
matter,  (3)  good  suggestions  or  ideas,  (4)  literary  merit,  while  deductions 
have  been  made  in  proportion  to  the  extent  of  revision  required.  The 
result  is  that  “  H.  H.”  (who  has  not  given  us  authority  for  the  publica¬ 
tion  of  his  name)  and  (“  C.  P.  W.”)  Mr.  Peter  Wilkinson,  Walton  Lea 
Gardens,  Warrington,  obtained  equal  marks  during  the  last  quarter,  and 
gold  pens  with  fountain  holders  have  been  sent  to  each  of  them,  while  a 
book  on  a  subject  in  which  he  is  interested  has  been  sent  to  “W.T., 
Ireland who  was  only  five  marks  below  the  maximum  obtained.  It  is 
right  to  say  that  those  writers  have  sent  contributions  that  were  too 
lengthy  for  the  “  Domain,”  but  entitled  to  appear  in  the  other  columns, 
and  these  communications  were  rightly  appraised  also.  “  W.  T.”  is 
still  eligible  for  the  quarterly  pen,  as  are  all  who  have  not  obtained  one. 
A  separate  record  will  be  kept  of  the  merits  of  the  contributions  of  those 
who  have  been  successful  in  case  the  work  of  the  seniors  should  be 
worthy  of  some  other  form  of  recognition  in  due  time.  All  who  wish  to 
write  acceptably  are  enjoined  to  preserve  the  number  of  the  Journal  of 
Horticulture  for  December  31st,  1896,  and  act  in  accordance  with  the 
advice  therein  contained.  Their  endeavours  to  do  so  will,  altogether 
apart  from  any  special  recognition,  certainly  tend  to  their  advantage  in 
after  life.  We  can  scarcely  expect  young  gardeners  to  be  so  diligent 
with  their  pens  in  the  summer  as  during  the  winter,  for  they  are  entitled 
to  healthy  recreation.  The  extent  of  this  must  be  governed  by  tbeir  own 
judgment.  What  we  desire  is  that  the  next  generation  of  gardeners 
shall  be  better  and  more  accomplished  than  the  past.  The  status  of  the 
craft  can  only  be  raised  by  the  diligence  of  its  younger  members. 
Forcing  French  Beans. 
For  early  work  drain  the  pots  fairly  well,  and  as  the  season  advances 
one  crock  with  rough  siftings  suffices.  We  half  fill  the  pots  with  soil, 
leaving  room  for  ample  top-dressing.  Having  tried  both  methods, 
“  Stone  Wairilow’s  ”  and  “  W.  W.’s,"  I  prefer  the  former  to  the  latter, 
and  I  do  not  think  “  W.  W.”  would  pick  beans  two  weeks  in  advance  by 
his  method,  which  entails  two  pottings  and  more  work  with  no  better 
results.  Unless  his  chief  has  more  men  than  work,  which  is  most 
unlikely,  the  twice  potting  is  hardly  worth  extra  trouble  ;  but  perhaps 
he  is  like  the  squire  in  preferring  something  old-fashioned. — Single  W. 
[Has  “Single  W.”  found  the  plants  to  emit  rools  from  the  stems 
after  the  second  filling  in  of  soil?] 
Nature's  Larder. 
( Concluded  from  page  43.) 
Water-logged  land  is  suitable  only  for  aquatic  or  bog  plants.  Land 
not  waterlogged,  yet  moist,  or  too  slow  in  filtering  off  excess,  is  still 
unfit  to  grow  healthy  plants,  shrubs,  or  trees.  The  water  filla  each  tube 
and  pore  in  the  soil ;  this  evaporates  slowly  and  cools  the  soil ;  it  hinders 
the  decay  of  organic  matter,  also  of  root  action,  When  the  water 
disappears  it  generally  leaves  a  surface  which  bakes  and  cracks  in  sunny 
weather.  Water  is  heaviest  at  a  temperature  of  40°  Fahr.,  and  therefore 
the  cold  water  from  winter  snows  and  ice  retaining  its  position  in 
the  soil,  the  warm  summer  rains  cannot  descend,  while  solar  heat 
penetrates  to  no  appreciable  depth.  Now  we  see  that  by  drainage  we 
allow  water,  the  grand  dissolving  and  mellowing  agent,  to  trickle  through 
the  soil,  drawing  air  after  it  to  every  passage  it  ba9  passed. 
The  mechanism,  so  to  speak,  thus  set  in  motion  sweetly  progresses. 
Oxides  are  formed,  likewise  acids,  and  by  further  action  the  phosphates, 
nitrates,  and  carbonates,  while  the  dissolution  of  organic  matter  becomes 
more  sure  and  reliable.  The  sun’s  rays  heat  the  surface  soil,  warm  rains 
fall  and  carry  warmth  downwards,  obnoxious  matters  are  washed  from 
the  soil,  and  bacterial  with  other  agencies  encouraged. 
The  burning  of  soils  has  been  referred  to  by  Mr.  Dyke.  Speaking  of 
bacteria,  we  may  state  their  action  ceases  in  cold  wet  soils.  Nitrifica¬ 
tion,  or  the  work  of  bacteria,  is  briskest  in  a  soil  where  the  temperature 
is  90°  Fahr.,  though  from  40°  up  to  120°  the  process  has  been  proved. 
Sufficiency  of  moisture  is  retained  during  dry  weather  in  diained  lands, 
water  rising  from  below  by  capillary  attraction.  Capillary  attraction  is 
the  power  which  very  minute  tubes  possess  of  causing  a  liquid  to  rise  in 
them  above  its  level,  sometimes  as  much  as  12  or  15  inches.  To  promote 
these  fertilising  agents  lime  and  an  alkaline  condition  of  soil  is  regarded 
as  necessary. 
Lime  to  most  soils  is  highly  beneficial.  To  improve  heavy  soils  or 
those  with  an  excess  of  organic  constituents,  we  apply  lime.  It  neutra¬ 
lises  the  acids  wlrch  tend  to  sour  i  soil.  It  liberates  the  potash  and 
soda  from  heavy  land,  also  it  frees  nitrogen  from  organic  substances, 
this  forming  ammonia  and  nitric  acid.  With  this  acid  lime  combines  to 
form  calcium  nitrate.  Lime  then  is  valuable.  By  the  bacterial  agents 
aforementioned,  matter  for  ready  absorption  is  prepared. 
The  fertility  of  soils  depends  on  three  conditions :  1,  The  physical 
condition — viz. ,  lightness  or  stiffness ;  evaporative  power ;  water-retaining 
power  ;  capacity  for  heat ;  colour.  2,  Its  chemical  condition ;  referring 
to  its  constituents  and  quantities  of  soluble  or  insoluble  matter. 
3,  The  biological  condition.  We  have  oxidising  bacteria,  these  of  a 
reverse  nature,  called  reducing  bacteria,  bacteria  which  tend  to  retain 
nitrogen  in  soils. 
Besides  these,  worms,  grubs  of  all  kinds  and  various  larva  all  tend 
to  aid  in  the  pulverisation.  How  delightful  to  have  even  the  rudiments 
of  agricultural  chemistry,  and  how  profitable  in  our  culture.  Armed 
with  a  few  scientific  facts  we  need  only  to  concentrate  our  reasoning 
powers  in  cases  of  perplexity,  coupling  these  facts  with  those  gained  by 
careful  observation  in  practice,  we  must  surely  triumph  over  the 
principles  relating  to  the  “  food  stores,”  or  “  Nature’s  larder.”— 
A  Young  Scot. 
Ixoras. 
These  plsnts  are  worth  more  attention  than  they  generally  receive. 
They  are  effective  when  well  grown,  either  as  small  or  large  plants. 
They  may  be  increased  by  cuttings,  which  I  find  root  best  in  the  autumn 
where  the  heat  is  limited,  although  they  will  root  at  any  time  of  the 
year  if  sufficient  heat  is  available.  They  are  best  inserted  singly  in 
small  pots,  filled  with  fine  peat  and  coaise  sand.  If  large  plants  are 
required  ample  root  room  must  he  afforded,  but  gcod  decorative  plants 
are  grown  in  6-inch  pots  of  the  smaller  flowered  varieties.  The  varieties 
with  large  trusses  of  blooms,  of  which  Duffii  Williamai  are  a  type,  make 
the  best  specimens.  Ixoras  require  brisk  heat  and  copious  moisture 
during  the  growing  season,  always  shading  from  bright  sun.  A  good 
compost  to  grow  them  in  oonBists  of  two  parts  peat,  one  of  loam,  with 
charcoal  and  coarse  sand  added,  top-dressing  at  intervals  with  some 
well-approved  artificial  manure.  The  plants  should  be  kept  well  up  to 
the  glass  when  starting  into  growth,  so  as  to  obtain  an  even  break.  If 
one  or  two  of  the  shoots  are  growing  stronger  than  the  others  take  out 
the  point,  otherwise  one  part  of  the  plant  will  be  in  flower  before  the 
other. 
To  grow  Ixoras  well  they  must  be  kept  clean  and  free  from  inseot 
pests.  A  thorough  cleaning  should  be  given  before  they  start  into 
growth,  as  the  young  shoots  and  leaves  are  very  tender  and  liable  to  get 
injured.  They  should  be  carefully  gone  over  frequently,  killing  all 
insects  that  can  be  seen  by  touching  with  a  drop  of  methylated  spirit. 
Mealy  bug  and  scale  are  the  greatest  enemies  of  Ixoras.  A  start  should 
be  made  with  clean  young  plants  if  possible,  as  the  bark  of  the  old  wood 
greatly  harbours  insect  pests.  When  the  plants  are  in  flower  they 
should  be  removed  to  a  drier  and  cooler  house,  in  which  they  retain 
their  beauty  for  a  considerable  time. — J.  L.  G. 
Zonal  Pelargoniums. 
Now  is  the  time  to  insert  cuttings  of  Zonal  Pelargoniums  that  are  to 
flower  next  winter,  if  not  already  done.  March  and  April  are  the  best 
months.  It  is  best  to  insert  the  cuttings  singly  in  3-inch  pots  at  this 
rather  late  period,  subsequently  shifting  the  plants  into  5  and  6-inch 
pots  when  rooted,  afterwards  repotting  the  best  into  7-inch  pots  if  large 
plants  are  required. 
For  rooting  the  cuttings  use  a  compost  of  equal  parts  of  loam,  leaf 
mould,  and  e and.  For  the  flowering  pots  use  three-fourths  loam  and 
one-fourth  of  leaf  mould  and  horse  droppings,  with  an  8-inch  potfnl  of 
bonemeal  to  each  barrowload  of  soil.  Stand  the  plants  in  an  open 
sunny  position  outside  during  July  and  August,  and  if  September  is  fine 
till  the  middle  of  that  month.  Pinch  off  the  flower  buds  that  show  till 
the  end  of  August.  Use  liquid  manure  sparingly  till  the  flower  trusses 
advance  for  opening,  when  it  may  be  given  freely  when  needed. 
Some  of  the  best  though  old  varieties  for  flowering  in  winter  time 
are— Singles  :  Charles  Dickens,  D.  B.  Crane,  General  Dodds,  Miller’s 
Favourite,  Biilliantissima,  Lord  Salisbury,  very  dark  ;  and  Wm.  Dobbs,, 
scarlet  ;  Agnes,  Sir  Percival,  Swanley  Single  White,  and  Edith  Syratt 
white ;  Mrs.  Robt.  Cannell,  Beauty  of  Kent,  Mrs.  Norman,  Lady  RoBe- 
bery,  and  Mrs.  H.  A.  Needs,  salmon;  Mrs.  G.  Slatter  and  Mrs.  Wild- 
smith,  pink  ;  Mrs.  W.  Wright,  a  deep  magenta,  supposed  to  be  the 
nearest  approach  to  blue  in  the  family. 
In  the  doubles  we  have  useful  plants  either  for  cut  'flowers,  as  the 
flowers  last  so  well,  or  for  making  the  greenhouse  gay  over  a  long  period. 
I  do  not  know  any  better  varieties  for  winter  blooming  than  A.  D. 
Raspail  and  Raspail  Improved .  Golden  Rain,  Turtle’s  Surprise, 
M.  Bruant,  and  Mr.  W.  E.  Gladstone,  scarlet;  H.  M.  Stanley,  Lord 
Derby,  and  Mrs.  Dixon,  pink  ;  Swanley  Double  White,  White  Abbey, 
and  La  Sygne,  white  ;  Maggie  Ilallock,  Lord  Tennyson,  and  Beautb 
Poitevin,  salmon  ;  Miller’s  Gem,  magenta,  and  Madame  L.  Dalloy,  blush. 
A  mistake  is  often  made  keeping  the  plants  in  too  low  a  temperature 
during  the  winter.  Do  not  let  the  thermometer  fall  below  55°  with  a 
dry  buoyant  air,  and  you  will  have  flowers  in  abundance  even  in  the 
dark  days  about  Christmas. — W.  T.,  Ireland. 
A  Few  Stove  Climbers  and  their  Culture. 
We  young  gardeners  ought  to  be  a  little  ashamed  of  ourselves  if  we 
do  not  take  advantage  of  the  opportunity  such  as  is  now  provided  for 
expressing  our  ideas,  and  helping  one  another  by  giving  our 
experiences  through  the  medium  of  the  Journal.  Hence  have  I  been 
drawn  out  of  my  shell,  and  I  hope  if  anyone  thinks  I  am  wrong  he  will 
correct  me  as  far  as  it  lies  in  his  power  to  do  so.  To  undertake  an 
article  on  the  whole  class  of  stove  climbers  would  be  rather  large  under* 
