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June  3,  1897 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
also,  as  infinitely  preferable,  a  hand  pump  with  a  sufficient  length  of 
rubber  hose  attached,  with  which  appliance  a  large  number  of  bushes 
can  be  readily  dressed  in  a  comparatively  short  time,  especially  if  an 
assistant  works  the  pump,  and  thus  leaves  the  other  operator  to  use  the 
hose  with  a  rose  or  nozzle  attached  more  freely  with  one  hand,  and  the 
other  holding  up  the  branches  of  the  trees.  The  advantages  of  this  are 
obvious. 
I  may  add  that  the  best  period  of  the  day  is  when  the  insects  are 
roaming  over  the  dry  upper  surface  of  the  foliage,  as  well  as  beneath. 
I  recommend  the  insecticide  in  question  as  one  of  the  least  expensive, 
as  well  as  most  efficacious  ;  otherwise  there  are  several  other  equally 
effective  remedies,  and  one  of  the  cheapest,  though  most  difficult  to 
apply  on  account  of  its  adhesiveness  to  the  implement  employed,  is 
amtooniacal  liquor  or  gas  water  mixed  with  clear  water,  but  which 
difficulty  may  be  ameliorated  by  the  addition  of  a  little  softsoap,  as 
recommended  for  the  petroleum  oil. — W.  G. 
THE  FLOWER  GARDENS  OF  VICTORIA  (AUSTRALIA). 
( Concluded  from  page  414.) 
Towards  the  latter  end  of  summer  and  early  autumn  the  Liliums  are 
in  their  best  form,  and  are  easily  grown.  The  beautiful  Nile  Lily  grows 
freely  everywhere,  and  to  immense  size.  Fuchsias  are  so  common  as  to 
be  rather  despised,  and  embrace  many  kinds,  the  little  “  Baby  Fuchsia,” 
as  it  is  called  there,  growing  into  quite  a  tree.  Poppies  are  in  endless 
variety  of  size,  shape,  and  colour,  and  these  also  bloom  better  the  hotter 
the  day,  the  French  varieties,  and  one  we  call  the  Maltese,  from  the 
cross  seen  in  the  petals,  being  special  favourites.  Cacti,  crimson,  pink, 
yellow,  and  white,  grow  splendidly  and  to  great  perfection  in  the  hot 
weather.  Cornflowers  of  four  or  five  different  colours  are  to  be  seen  rn 
nearly  every  garden.  Eschscholtzias,  Dianthus,  Pinks,  Picotees, 
Salpiglossis,  Godetias,  Gardenias,  and  Heliotropes  are  splendid  bloome  js 
in  the  summer,  and  always  look  Bhowy.  Everlasting  Flowers  grow  to 
great  perfection,  some  of  the  indigenous  wild  ones  found  in  the  country 
doiDg  well  with  a  little  culture.  Hollyhocks  grow  to  a  great  size,  and 
the  flowers  are  very  large;  one  fine  one  of  a  delicate  lemon  yellow 
colour  looks  specially  attractive. 
From  earliest  summer  the  Boses  are  in  bloom,  and  before  Christmas 
the  Rose  shows  are  held,  and  draw  great  crowds  of  exhibitors  and 
enthusiasts.  This  queen  of  flowers  grows  to  great/ perfection,  and  in  a 
manner  that  would  astonish  English  growers.  I  have  heard  this  frnn 
competent  judges.  I  cannot  rt  member  the  names  of  varieties  in  such  a 
large  class,  so  can  only  generalise  ;  but  the  old  favourites,  like  Mardcbal 
Niel,  Cloth  of  Gold,  Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison,  Niphetos,  Safrano, 
Madame  Lambard,  and  Gloire  de  Dijon  are  to  be  seen  in  scores  of 
gardens  climbing  up  verandahs,  side  fences,  walls,  or  on  lattices.  La 
France  luxuriates,  and  along  with  Safrano  is  a  real  marvel  to  bloom — 
indeed,  one  can  almost  always  get  Safrano  flowers.  The  Banksias,  whi'e 
and  yellow,  are  much  sought  after,  making  excellent  verandah  shades 
and  fernery  coverings.  I  have  seen  the  front  of  a  one-story  home 
covered  with  the  blooms  of  a  yellow  Banksis.  The  following  note  is 
from  a  letter  from  Australia  I  received  about  fourteen  days  ago  : — “  In 
our  garden  everything  is  looking  so  fresh  and  green,  and  quite  a  lovely 
mass  of  blooms  cf  Boses,  Asters,  Sunflowers  (the  large  and  miniature), 
Gladioli,  and  the  lovely  light  blue  Plumbago,  also  a  splendid  crop  of 
Gaillardias.”  I  will  ask  you  to  note  that  this  is  in  the  middle  of  <ur 
hottest  month  (February),  and  is  Nature’s  response  to  a  recent  rair, 
which  has  just  refreshed  the  land.  Among  the  later  Boses  introduced 
to  Melbourne  may  be  mentioned  the  charming  petite  Bose,  Madame 
Cecile  Brunner.  It  is  especially  in  favour  for  gentlemen’s  buttonholes, 
and  grows  to  perfection.  _____ 
Dahlias  of  all  varieties  grow  magnificently  everywhere,  and  are 
universal.  The  pretty  Cactus  section  seems  to  have  become  a  general 
favourite,  though  only  comparatively  recently  introduced.  Sunflowers 
raise  their  tall  heads,  and  the  smaller  Miniature  is  a  prolific  bloomer, 
and  makes  a  garden  look  gay  in  the  hottest  days  when  other  things  are 
hanging  out  distress  signals  from  the  heat.  With  the  autumn  .gardens 
are  just  beginning  to  lose  their  beauty,  and  many  of  the  plants  are  in 
seed,  or  taken  out.  Hydrangeas  are  growing  in  moBt  gardens,  and 
bearing  immense  heads  of  blossom,  blue,  lilac,  and  white  and  pink  ;  but 
now  we  are  again  saved  by  a  wealth  of  Chrysanthemums.  These  are 
grown  to  great  perfection,  and  are  immense  favourites  ;  and  of  hundreds 
of  varieties  blooming  well  on  into  winter  Pompons  incurved,  outcurved 
Japanese  are  to  be  found.  Everyone  grows  them,  and  one  gets  rathe  r  a 
sickening  of  the  word,  for  everyone  wears  them,  everyone  almost  talks 
Chrysanthemums,  and  shows  are  the  order  of  the  day.  Some  grown  in 
Wentworth,  N.S.W.,  by  a  Mr.  Higgins  always  create  a  sensation. 
Arriving  too  late  for  the  big  shows  in  Melbourne  these  blooms  are  sent 
over  300  miles,  and  exhibited  in  the  florists,  and  seem  to  dwarf  the  first 
prize  ones  in  the  shows.  I  would  like  to  see  some  sent  to  London  if  it 
could  be  done,  because  they  would  then  speak  for  themselves.  Chrys¬ 
anthemum  growing  is  a  mania  in  Australia. 
During  the  winter  months  or  season,  which  is  generally  well  on  us 
by  the  middle  of  May,  gardens  are  seen  at  their  worst,  the  bare  deciduous 
trees  helping  in  a  large  measure  in  this  respect.  Cold  winds,  rain,  hail, 
frosts,  and  occasionally,  in  some  districts,  snow,  all  make  the  ground 
soppy  and  cold.  Camellias  are  now  in  full  flower,  and  the  trees  grow 
into  immense  size,  even  up  to  10  feet  high.  SiDgle  and  double,  and  of 
all  colours,  the  blooms  grow  to  great  size  and  perfection.  Pyrus  japonica 
does  remarkably  well  late  in  the  winter,  while  Bouvardias  are  now 
making  a  splendid  sight  ;  but,  as  remarked,  gardens  are  looking  bare 
just  now.  _ _ 
The  end  of  July  sees  the  days  lengthening  and  the  sun’s  rays 
warming  up,  the  cold  sodden  grounds  and  plants  begin  to  put  on  some 
growth,  and  by  the  time  August  is  well  in  Nature  seems  trying  her 
utmost  to  make  up  for  past  misdemeanour,  and  transforming  everything. 
The  fruit  trees  are  one  mass  of  blossom,  and  the  bees  are  busy  in  swarms 
over  the  heavily  scented  blossoms.  Later  the  green  leaves  and  rapid 
growth  of  all  spring  plants  can  be  detected.  Violets  are  in  great  variety, 
and  almost  every  small  garden  baB  its  border  or  plat  of  them. 
Daffodils,  Primulas,  Cowslips,  Oxlips,  Piimroses,  Auriculas,  Ixias, 
Tulips,  and  Crocuses,  all  are  giving  signs  of  great  promise,  and  many  of 
them  flower  early.  ' 
With  September  spring  is  in  full  tide,  and  the  Narcissus  family  reigns 
everywhere.  Daffodil  shows  are  the  order  of  the  day,  and  competition 
is  the  means  of  bringing  out  beautiful  displays  of  bulbs  in  full  and 
excellent  flower.  Hyacinths  are  good,  but  except  in  the  mountainous  or 
higher  grounds  seem  to  lack  something,  and  are  not  so  fine  as  in  England. 
Camellias  (early),  Bouvardias  (crimson  and  white),  Salvias  of  three  or 
four  sorts  are  all  helping  to  adorn  the  gardens.  Wallflowers  bloom 
luxuriantly,  and  these  flowers  and  Mignonette  can  be  smelt  on  every 
humid  breath  that  blows.  Wallflowers  will  grow  anywhere  with  us, 
and  well,  provided  the  place  be  not  absolutely  cold  and  wet.  Daisies, 
Marguerites,  early  Calliopsia,  Cinerarias,  Myosotis  (notably  a  large 
variety  whose  name  I  do  not  know)  now  remain  flowering  right  on  into 
midsummer.  Asters,  Lupins,  Larkspurs,  and  Anemones,  one  especially 
fine  scarlet  variety  doing  splendidly,  and  attracting  much  notice.  The 
Cosmos  are  all  coming  into  bloom.  Melbourne,  and  indeed  Australia, 
wherever  a  garden  can  he  obtained,  has  lately  had  a  craze  for  the  lovely 
Cosmos,  and  I  have  seen  them  often  5  feet  high  and  covered  with  their 
beautiful  delicate  blooms  of  white,  purple,  and  pink.  They  require 
plentiful  watering  to  grow  to  the  above  height.  Gaillardias  are  extremely 
hardy,  and  one  can  chop  them  b  ck,  and  yet  with  a  little  watering  they 
bloom  persistently  throughout  the  long  summer,  and  sometimes  the 
flowers  reach  really  giant  proportions.  Nemophilas,  Godetias,  Candy¬ 
tuft,  Sweet  William,  and  Lobelia  are  now  either  in  full  flower  or  nearly 
so,  and  bloom  for  a  long  time. 
About  the  shrubs  and.  trees  I  cannot  say  much,  tut  some  are  such 
well-known  ones  that  I  can  remember  them.  Laurustinus  is  very 
common,  and  grows  and  blossoms  splendidly.  Rhododendrons  and  Pitto- 
aporums,  the  latter  bearing  blooms  of  two  shades  of  colour,  a  cream  and 
a  purple,  grow  into  huge  trees  and  hedges,  and  in  springtime  the  night 
arir  is  really  heavy  with  their  perfume.  They  are  the  commonest  shrubs 
found  in  our  gardens.  Abutilons  behaVe  splendidly  in  our  climate, 
especially  in  the  cooler  districts.  Solanums  grow  to  immense  size,  and 
their  brilliant  fruit  makes  a  lovely  contrast  to  their  bright  green  leaves. 
The  Indian  Shot  or  Canna  is  a  strong  and  good  grower.  Hakeas,  Grevilleas, 
Flowering  Gums,  one  specially  fine  being  Eucalyptus  ficifolia,  bearing 
crowds  of  blooms.  Magnolias  bloom  in  great  profusion,  while  no  garden 
is  deemed  complete  without  its  Daphne  plant.  Habrothamnus  and  Salvia 
grow  into  large  trees,  and  are  splendid  flower  bearers.  The  Bottle¬ 
brush  or  Callistemon  has  beautiful  singular  flowers  of  scarlet,  crimson, 
and  purple.  The  Sterculia  acerifolia  bears  rich  masses  of  vermilion 
blossomB,  like  bunches  of  coral.  Melaleucas  or  Tea  Tree,  Lophostemons, 
Currijongs  are  all  showy  shrubs,  and  bloom  splendidly. 
In  a  country  necessitating  shade  verandahs  are  to  be  found  on  every 
house,  and  naturally  everyone  grows  some  sort  of  a  creeper  on  the  posts 
or  on  wire  stretched  between  them,  or  on  lattices  or  porches,  getting 
thereby  ornament  and  usefulness  in  the  shape  of  shade  and  privacy. 
Thug  one  finds  Bignonias,  Convolvuli,  Jasmine,  Honeysuckle,  Clematis, 
Periwinkle,  Wistaria,  Tecomas,  Grevilleas,  Banksia,  and  all  sorts  of 
climbing  Roses.  Passion  Flowers  of  the  ordinary  crimson  and  edible 
varieties,  the  lat'er  a  prolific  fruit  bearer  if  planted  in  the  right  aspect, 
are  common.  Virginia  Creeper  of  two  sorts  is  a  favourite  on  every 
brick-walled  or  cement-covered  house. 
I  must  now  mention  one  or  two  plants  which  are  indigenous  to 
Australia.  One  is  Sturt’s  lovely  Desert  Pea,  with  its  brilliant  crimson 
and  black  flowers.  In  a  hot  dry  soil  this  plant  grows  to  perfection,  and 
one  can  well  imagine  the  surprise  and  delight  felt  by  the  explorer 
whose  name  it  bears  on  his  first  coming  on  to  a  vast  plain  covered  for 
acres  with  this  glory.  Another  plant  is  the  Boronia.  It  has  the  most 
subtle  perfume,  and  is  a  native  of  West  Australia,  where  there  are  plains 
covered  with  it.  When  in  bloom  the  perfume-laden  breezes  blowing 
from  over  these  plains  are  said  to  be  simply  intoxicating. 
Now  I  must  stop.  My  object  has  been  to  try  and  give  you  the  idea 
that  we  can  grow  in  and  around  Melbourne  and  throughout  the  colonies 
of  Victoria,  and  in  much  of  N.S.W.,  any  of  the  flowers  to  be  found  in 
England,  aB  well  as  numerous  others  from  different  parts  of  the  world, 
with  of  course  those  which  are  indigenous  to  the  colonies  of  Australasia. 
There  are  many  with  whose  names  I  am  not  familiar,  and  which  would 
take  an  abler  pen  than  mine  to  treat  of  in  decent  order. — ( Read  by 
Dr.  Ernest  D’Ombrain  of  Melbourne  at  a  recent  meeting  of  the 
Horticultural  Club  ) 
