32 
J01JR\^AL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
January  13,  1898. 
Planting. 
Ip  any  planter  has  still  this  work  to  perform,  and  has  had  the  privilege 
of  empty  ground,  there  must  be  some  want  of  management,  for  never  do 
I  remember  a  season  when  there  has  been  so  little  interruption  from 
early  October  until  Christmas  week.  The  ground  has  been  so  warm,  and 
worked  so  well  in  almost  all  cases,  that  Poses  made  a  few  roots  at  once. 
I  have  heard  some  remark  that  such  early  rooting  was  a  decided  disad¬ 
vantage  ;  that  the  young  roots  were  almost  certain  to  be  killed,  and 
would  surely  he  injuriously  checked  by  cold  later  on.  Such  is  not  my 
opinion.  It  is  entirely  different  from  when  Hoses  are  forced  both  top  and 
bottom,  and  the  former  growth  removed  after  roots  have  become  far 
advanced  ;  in  that  case  great  harm  does  undoubtedly  accrue.  But  with 
our  plants  in  the  open  we  do  not  find  it  so  ;  otherwise,  instead  of  being 
an  advantage  to  plant  early,  it  would  be  just  the  reverse.  We  have  long 
contended  that  if  we  could  not  move  our  plants  early,  and  while  the 
ground  was  still  fairly  warm,  we  would  prefer  waiting  until  spring. 
When  planted  in  the  depth  of  winter  the  roots  remain  so  dormant  that  a 
frost  or  drying  wind  seems  to  abstract  the  whole  of  the  moisture  from 
the  top  growth.  In  early  planted  Roses  this  is  replaced  by  young  roots, 
as  well  as  from  the  firmer  settlement  of  soil  around  them.  Another 
advantage  lies  in  being  more  certain  of  procuring  the  desired  varieties 
when  ])urchasing  from  trade  growers. 
If  there  has  been  a  season  during  the  last  twenty  years  when  the 
wood  ripened  more  steadily  and  efficiently  than  the  jmesent  it  does  not 
occur  to  me.  In  no  cases  have  we  badly  matured  wood,  and  if  only  severe 
frost  keeps  off  the  more  tender  of  our  climbers  should  be  a  grand  sight 
next  summer.  But  these  remarks  may  appear  premature,  so  I  will  leave 
any  more  about  our  future  prospects. 
There  is  one  hint  I  would  like  to  give  some  amateur  readers, 
and  that  is.  Do  not  be  in  any  hurry  to  prune  outdoor  Roses  should  they 
break  into  growth  during  the  continuance  of  mild  weather.  In  some 
notes  upon  Rose-growing  for  market  purposes  which  appeared  a  few 
weeks  hack,  I  dwelt  upon  the  advantage  of  bringing  on  plants  in  batches. 
Owing  to  the  mild  season  those  in  pits  and  frames  will  be  more  forward 
than  usual,  and  I  would  certainly  place  the  second  batch  into  heat  a  little 
sooner  than  would  generally  be  the  case. 
Roses  under  Glass. 
Under  glass  our  Roses  are  now  demanding  great  attention,  and  will 
do  so  from  this  time  onwards.  All  pruning  must  be  completed  at  once, 
and  any  dry  border  in  which  Roses  are  planted  should  have  a  thorough 
soaking.  Look  over  climbers,  and  see  that  no  scale  exists.  By  tackling 
these  pests  before  young  and  tender  growths  appear,  we  can  generally 
extirpate,  or  any  rate  greatly  check  them  ;  whereas  it  is  not  possible  to 
use  sufficiently  strong  measures  later  on.  Now  we  can  use  insecticide  of 
double  strength,  and  if  the  plants  are  trimmed  of  superfluous  growth, 
and  old  leaves  that  may  still  adhere,  it  does  not  take  long  to  go  over  the 
wood  with  a  small  brush.  Use  a  little  paraffin  in  the  solution,  and  keep 
it  well  moved  with  the  brush,  then  the  mixture  will  not  only  work 
easier,  but  will  cover  more  ground  in  less  time  and  be  more  deadly.  Half 
a  pint  will  go  a  long  way  when  so  used,  and  very  few  scale  will  survive. 
As  other  insects  come  along,  which  they  are  certain  to  do  upon  the 
appearance  of  new  growth  and  tbe  turn  of  days,  be  careful  to  take  mild 
measures  promptly.  This  applies  to  both  syringing  and  fumigation. 
There  are  few  more  annoying  disappointments  in  Rose  culture  than  to 
find  one  has  used  too  strong  measures  only  a  short  time  before  a 
pleasurable  crop  would  have  been  realised,  and  two  applications  of  a  weak 
and  safe  strength  are  more  effectual. 
Propagation  by  grafting  should  be  in  full  work  now.  Those  of  our 
own,  already  done,  have  seldom  looked  better,  and  no  delay  in  the  work 
must  be  allowed  if  one  is  to  realise  a  good  plant  for  next  season’s  use. 
Because  it  is  mild,  I  would  not  be  caught  napping  in  the  matter  of 
material  ready  to  hand  for  protection  in  the  event  of  a  sharp  frost.  We 
know  how  suddenly  these  come  on,  and  what  a  lot  of  work  they  entail 
at  once.— Practice. 
THE  PLUME  POPPY. 
There  is  a  growing  disposition  on  the  part  of  many  who  are  embark¬ 
ing  upon  the  cultivation  of  hardy  border  flowers  to  demand  an  English 
name  for  the  plants.  Human  nature  is  such  that  many  persons,  especially 
ladies,  will  even  decline  to  purchase  a  plant  with  an  unpronouncable 
Latin  or  Greek  name.  The  Plume  Poppy  is  not  so  unfortunate  as  many 
plants  in  this  respect.  Its  botanical  name  of  Bocconia  cordata  is  easily 
negotiated,  and  there  are  few  who  cannot  remember  it.  Yet  there  is 
something  attractive  about  the  English  name  besides  the  mere  fact  of 
its  being  in  our  own  familiar  tongue.  This  may  lie  in  its  alliteration. 
Whatever  it  may  be,  we  find  it  a  popular  one,  much  more  so  than  the 
other.  Although  the  appearance  of  the  plant  at  first  sight  does  not  dispose 
us  to  connect  it  with  the  Poppies,  yet  it  is  a  Poppywort,  and  fairly 
entitled  to  the  name,  although  the  genus  Bocconia  differs  from  the  others 
of  the  natural  order  by  reason  of  its  having  apetalous  flowers,  followed 
by  one-seeded  capsules.  I  have  also  heard  it  called  the  Great  Celandine. 
In  the  “  Index  Kewensis  ’’  there  are  four  species  recognised  as 
belonging  to  the  genus  Bocconia,  which  was  named  after  Paolo  Bocconi, 
the  Sicilian  botanist,  the  author  of  the  “Museum  des  Plants,”  and  other 
works.  B.  cordata  was  separated  by  Robert  Brown  from  the  genus 
Bocconia  on  account  of  differences  in  the  inflorescence,  and  in  the 
number  of  seeds.  The  name  Mr.  Robert  Brown  applied  to  it  was  Macleayi 
cordata,  after  Alex.  Macleay,  the  Secretary  to  the  Tjinnsean  Society.  It 
is  now,  however,  again  restored  to  its  former  place  with  the  Bocconias. 
It  is  synonymous  with  B.  japonlca  and  B.  or  Macleaya  yedoensis.  It 
appears  to  have  been  introduced  in  1795,  and  again  in  1866.  It  is 
figured  in  the  “  Botanical  Magazine,”  t.  1905,  and  in  Maund’s  “  Botanic 
Garden.”  It  has  also  been  frequently  figured  in  the  gardening  press 
and  other  horticultural  works.  It  is  a  native  of  China  and  .Tapan.  The 
Plume  Poppy  is  a  fairly  well  known  plant,  and,  indeed,  it  is  in  some 
localities  becoming  a  very  common  garden  flower.  It  is  also  a  favourite 
exhibition  flower  with  many,  and  is  often  very  valuable  in  a  large  stand, 
where  its  elegant  panicles  of  buff-coloured  flowers  frequently  give  a 
needed  effect  to  the  display. 
It  is  as  a  border  or  wild  garden  plant  that  it  is,  however,  seen  to  most 
advantage.  Set  well  back  in  a  broad  border,  or  planted  in  a  mass  on  the 
grass,  or  in  the  wild  garden,  its  beautiful  heart-shaped  bronzy  glaucous 
leaves,  which  are  prettily  lobed,  and  its  graceful  flowers  raised  aloft  on 
stately  stems,  look  exceedingly  well.  As  Maund  says  in  his  “  Botanic 
Garden  — “  Exposed  stamens  alone,  surrounding  the  ovary,  form  these 
airy  flowers  ;  thus,  destitute  of  their  legitimate  apparel,  a  corolla,  they 
have  a  light,  graceful,  and  airy  beauty,  which,  added  to  the  peculiar  rich 
bronze-tinted  foliage,  renders  this  plant  a  most  desirable  occupant  of  the 
herbaceous  border.”  Its  height  varies  according  to  the  soil  and  position 
it  receives,  and  it  may  be  said  to  vary  in  general  from  3  to  8  feet.  I  have 
seen  it  as  much  as  10  feet  high,  but  this  was  in  rich  well-cultivated  soil. 
B.  cordata  is  perfectly  hardy,  and  increases  rapidly  by  running  at  the 
roots.  These  runners,  if  taken  off,  will  soon  form  flowering  plants, 
especially  if  placed  in  pots  when  taken  off  during  summer  and  grown  on 
under  glass.  It  does  not  appear  to  be  too  fastidious  in  its  requirements, 
although  only  seen  in  full  beauty  in  good  soil  and  in  a  well-drained  but 
fairly  moist  situation.  It  does  not  object  to  a  little  shade,  but  looks  better 
in  the  sun.  There  has  been  lately  introduced  a  variety  named  B.  cordata 
carnea.  The  flowers  of  this  have  been  described  as  of  a  pinky  flesh- 
coloured  tint.  I  have  grown  this,  but  regret  that  I  cannot,  in  the  mean¬ 
time,  speak  very  favourably  about  it.  It  may  improve  upon  further 
acquaintance,  but  it  seemed  to  me  to  be  dull  looking,  and  wanting  the 
effect  of  the  typical  plant.  Admirers  of  stately  but  elegant  plants  of 
distinct  appearance  would  do  well  to  include  the  Plume  Poppy  in  their 
purchases  when  procuring  new  flowers. — S.  Arnott. 
HALL  FOR  HORTICULTURE. 
A  BEGINNING  having  been  made  by  “  D.,  Deal,"  towards  the 
crystallisation  of  the  actual  requirements  in  relation  to  a  hall  for  horti¬ 
culture  in  this  metropolis,  the  scope  might  be  usefully  extended.  We 
have  heard  of  space  required  for  the  Chrysanthemum  Show  alone, 
varying  between  the  square  yards  obtained  last  autumn  at  the  Aquarium 
and  the  extent  of  St.  Paul’s.  It  may  be  useful  to  the  jirivate  purpose  of 
the  promoter  of  a  St.  Paul’s  idea  to  prove  to  his  satisfaction  the  inability 
of  getting  away  from  the  Aquarium,  but  there  must  surely  be  an 
approximate  estimate  obtainable  from  a  more  serious  class  of  leading 
organisers  of  all  the  floricultural  societies,  if  they  will  make  an  effort  to 
give  the  figures  required  in  useful  dimensions  for  the  contemplated  future 
shows.  The  offices  required  for  committee  meetings,  lecture  room,  and 
library  could  be  had  “  upstairs,”  or  on  the  ground  floor  of  that  portion 
of  the  hall  not  glass-roofed. 
Mr.  H.  Cannell’s  figures  re  revenues,  given  a  few  weeks  ago  on 
page  606  of  your  Journal  on  this  subject,  might  serve  as  a  useful  basis 
for  the  erection  of  buildings  alone,  leaving  the  question  of  freehold  site  to 
be  discussed  with  full  publicity.  That  the  hall  should  be  erected  on  the 
Thames  Embankment  by  preference  few  will  doubt,  as  it  would  admit  of 
miles  of  private  carriages  and  their  affluent  owners  to  become  habitues  at 
the  new  hall,  so  that  the  full  extent  of  a  series  of  floricultural  attractions 
which  the  Committee  may  be  able  to  bring  before  the  well-to-do  of  our 
metropolis  and  provinces. 
If  thus  the  joint  societies  show  their  readiness  to  assist  to  their  full 
ability,' could  not  the  figure  for  the  possible  freehold  required  be  ascer¬ 
tained,  not  a  fancy  figure  (asked)  surely  !  but  a  serious  limit  be  stated 
that  might  lead  to  business  ?  If  this  figure  be  looked  at  by  some  of  our 
wealthy  citizens  magnanimously  disposed,  would  it  be  so  utterly  futile  to 
see  an  advance  made,  and  perhaps  half  the  amount  for  the  freehold  offered 
by  one  or  more  men  of  wealth,  on  condition  that  the  other  half  be  con¬ 
tributed  by  the  many  well-to-do  who  spend  their  hundreds  annually  on 
their  own  private  gardens  and  on  cut  floweis,  and  whose  numbers,  as 
members  of  the  various  floricultural  societies,  are  increasing  at  a  great 
rate,  especially  the  last  year  or  two  ?  The  said  societies  should  each 
canvass  among  their  own  members,  and  outside  ad  libitum,  and  if  there  be 
any  earnest  in  the  love  for  flowers,  surely  this  richest  city  of  our  globe 
could  hardly  continue  to  lag  behind  less  favourably  situated  centres. 
Expansion  of  revenue  could  be  suggested  from  other  sources  for  the 
new  hall,  and  which  might  be  discussed  hereafter,  and  might  mean  some 
extension  in  wings  of  the  building.  lYhy,  indeed,  should  the  main  hall 
not  be  let  for  exhibitions  of  all  kinds  acceptable  to  the  Committee  ?  which 
might  mean  quite  an  unexpected  run  of  income,  as  such  a  situation  alone 
would  attract  in  an  astonishing  degree  beyond  what  any  other  building 
in  London  could  do.  Indeed,  promoters  might  do  worse  than  reckon 
with  this  element  in  determining  the  dimensions. — II.  H.  R.,  Forest  Hill, 
