February  3,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
111 
so  that  it  is  apparent  by  the  figures  previously  quoted  that  no  opportunity 
has  been  neglected  of  making  acquisitions  to  satisfy  puldic  needs  in  this 
direction.  The  expressed  wish  of  the  Chairman  of  the  Council  that  the 
natural  boundaries  of  our  county  should  be  “  a  belt  of  green  spaces, 
providing  ample  ramparts  of  fresh  air,”  is  one  every  thinking  inhabitant 
of  the  metropolis  will  fervently  echo.  Such  public  parks  and  gardens 
are  all  of  the  utmost  value  as  factors  in  the  making  of  a  healthy  com¬ 
munity,  while,  in  addition,  historical  and  romantic  associations  of  the 
greatest  interest  cling  round  many  of  the  older  ones,  concerning  the 
most  important  of  which  it  will  be  the  province  of  succeeding  papers  to 
treat. — (“Lloyd’s  News,”) 
THE  YOUNG  GARDENERS’  DOMAIN. 
The  Past,  Present,  and  Future. 
I  READ  the  “  Young  Gardeners’  Domain  ’’  with  the  greatest  of 
pleasure.  The  writers  often  make  me  revert  in  thought  to  the  time  when 
I  was  young,  when  I  began  to  take  an  interest  in  the  cultivation  of  the 
soil,  to  wish  that  I  could  have  availed  myself  with  but  a  tithe  of  the 
advantages  offered  to  youths  of  the  present  day.  Gardeners  of  seven 
decades  ago  were,  as  a  rule,  an  undivulging  people.  One  might  be  famous 
for  this,  another  for  that  ;  but  rarely  would  they  impart  their  secrets  for 
others.  Oh  !  it  was  hard  searching  work  for  such  as  me  ;  for  very  sparse 
was  the  horticultural,  or  any  other  periodical  literatui’e  then.  I  do  not 
want  to  sermonise,  but  now  that  young  men  can  claim  so  many  advantages 
in  the  above  respects  there  must  be  great  hopes  for  the  future,  and  the  benefit 
ought  to  be  great  since  editors  open  their  pages  and  lend  an  encouraging 
corner.  My  incognito  of  “Upwards  and  Onwards”  took  a  place  in  these 
pages  very  many  years.  I  now  say,  “  Go  on  young  men  after  that 
impulse,  both  in  heart  and  deed,  and  then  there  is  no  fear  for  Britons 
maintaining  their  forefront  position.” — Robert  Fenn. 
[^Ye  place  the  “  oldest  contributor  ”  at  the  head  of  the  3mung  aspirants. 
All  of  these  have  opportunities  for  self-improvement  such  as  the  senior 
never  had,  but  we*  fear  that  few  of  them  are  endowed  with  the  spirit 
of  patient  plodding  perseverance  which  has  enabled  him  to  accomplish  so 
much  as  the  father  of  our  present  race  of  Potatoes  (for  he  was  the 
Columbus)  in  keeping  himself  young  and  making  himself  happy  in  his 
eventide  of  life.  Some  young  men  start  bravely — perhaps  at  too  high 
speed;  but  if  all  who  halt  spend  their  time  as  well  as  one  of  them,  as 
indicated  in  the  following  extract  from  his  letter,  we  shall  be  abundantly 
satisfied. 
“I  am  sorry  to  say  I  have  not  been  able  to  do  much  writing 
in  the  ‘  Domain  ’  lately,  but  I  have  been  too  busy  otherwise,  as  I  am 
attending  various  classes,  and  that  necessitates  a  certain  amount  of 
home  work.  I  am  attending  these  classes,  for  I  know  they  will  be 
greatly  to  my  advantage  in  after  years,  for  I  am  determined  to  let  no 
opportunity  pass  which  affords  a  good  chance  of  aiding  my  advance¬ 
ment.  In  the  shorthand  classes  I  am  getting  on  well.  I  nearly  always 
oblain  the  highest  number  of  marks  for  home  work,  and  as  there  are  about 
thirty  in  the  class,  chiefly  clerks,  this  is  thought  a  creditable  perlormance. 
I  have  also  been  busy  writing  essays,  and  I  intend  sending  you  transcripts 
of  good  papers  which  have  been  read  at  our  Society’s  meetings.” 
That  is  the  right  spirit  to  cultivate,  and  the  tone  displayed  in  the  letter 
will  please  the  octogenarian.) 
Chrysanthemums  for  Large  Blooms. 
The  mild  weather  of  the  past  few  weeks  has  hastened  the  rooting  of 
the  cuttings,  and  it  is  therefore  advisable  to  examine  the  plants,  and  all 
that  are  rooted  through  must  be  removed  to  a  cold  frame  and  kept 
close  to  the  glass.  To  insure  sturdy  growth  give  a  little  air  on  favourable 
occasions.  Some  growers  put  several  cuttings  round  a  small-sized  pot, 
and  these  should  be  potted  singly  as  soon  as  rooted,  but  the  better 
plan  is  to  root  them  singly  in  “  thumbs,”  as  they  thus  receive  no  check  in 
repotting. 
A  compost  found  suitable  for  this  first  potting  comprises  equal  parts 
loam  and  leaf  mould  with  plenty  of  sand.  See  that  the  pots  are 
thoroughly  clean  and  properly  crocked  ;  keep  the  frame  closed  for  a 
few  days,  spray  them  over  on  fine  da3'S,  afterwards  giving  a  thorough 
watering.  Air  should  be  carefully  given  at  this  time  of  the  year,  and  it 
is  good  practice  to  fumigate  the  plants  about  every  three  weeks,  as 
prevention  of  an  evil  is  better  than  cure. 
A  few  cuttings  should  be  inserted  now  of  those  varieties  which  come 
too  early  for  the  first  crown  bud  and  too  late  for  the  second,  as  unless 
you  secure  the  bud  at  the  right  time  3®*^  cannot  get  first-class 
blooms.  Though  I  do  not  propose  to  mention  varieties,  I  should  like  to 
say  a  word  for  Simplicity,  a  grand  white,  which  requires  very  careful 
cultivation.  The  buds  must  be  taken  about  the  middle  of  August,  as 
those  give  the  best  blooms,  while  feeding  niu^t  be  very  moderate,  or  the 
buds  may  decay  when  about  the  size  of  a  nut. —  GROWER. 
Flowering  Shrubs — Desfontainia. 
Desfontainia  spinosa  is  a  shrub  too  seldom  seen.  It  somewhat 
resembles  a  Holly,  and  is  at  times  mistaken  for  one  ;  it  is,  however, 
dwarfer  in  growth  than  the  Ilex,  seldom  exceeding  4  feet  in  height  or 
diameter.  It  is  very  effective  in  the  shrubbery  when  the  golden  yellow 
flowers  glisten  among  the  dark  green  Holly-like  leaves. 
The  Desfontainia,  being  a  slow  grower,  is  adapted  for  greenhouse  or 
conservatory  decoration,  and  is  one  of  the  best  hardy  plants  I  know  for 
that  purpose.  It  comes  into  bloom  during  the  month  of  August,  and 
continues  about  six  weeks.  The  flowers  are  tubular  in  shape,  about 
2  inches  long.  There  is  no  other  species  so  far  as  I  am  aware  besides  the 
one  named,  though  there  are  synonymes.  The  Desfontainia  succeeds  in 
ordinary  fertile  loamy  soil. 
For  pot  culture  a  compost  of  two  parts  loam,  one  of  peat,  and  half  a 
part  each  of  sand  and  leaf  soil  answers  admirably.  Good  drainage  is 
essential,  as  the  plants  dislike  a  stagnant  soil,  but  all  the  same  they 
require  a  liberal  supply  of  water  during  the  summer,  less  sufficing  in 
winter.  Repotting  may  be  done  either  just  after  flowering  or  early  in 
spring. 
Propagation  is  effected  by  cuttings  towards  the  end  of  August  or 
'  arly  in  September,  inserted  singly  in  small  pots  in  a  mixture  of  sand, 
loaf  soil,  and  loam  in  equal  quantities.  A  little  heat  facilitates  the 
rooting  process,  but  the  cuttings  will  emit  roots  in  a  cold  frame,  if  kept  close 
and  shaded  for  a  time.  They  should  not  be  disturbed  until  April,  when  the 
l)lants  may  be  potted  and  grown  in  a  frame.  Plants  thus  raised  require  to 
be  grown  for  two  or  three  years  before  they  will  be  fit  for  planting  in  the 
shrubbery,  and  rather  longer  before  they  will  make  good  specimen  plants 
for  the  greenhouse  or  conservatory. —  Edinburgh. 
[A  peculiarity  in  spelling  in  this  generally  well  written  letter,  con¬ 
sisted  in  the  plant  resembling  a  “  Holy,”  as  having  “  Holy ’  -like  leaves. 
It  will  be  well  to  abandon  the  habit  before  it  gets  as  firmly  fixed  as  in  the 
case  of  a  voluminous  writer  on  gardening  for  twenty  years,  who  always 
calls  a  spade  a  “  spaid.”] 
Crotons. 
These  are  amongst  the  most  valuable  foliage  plants  we  have,  both  for 
grouping  and  table  decoration.  I  think  there  are  few  plants  look  better 
on  the  dinner  table  than  some  of  the  fine-leaved  varieties,  such  as 
angustifolius,  Wilsoni,  interruptus  aurea,  and  others,  with  their  bright 
graceful  leaves. 
A  good  stock  of  young  plants  may  soon  be  obtained  by  taking  the 
tops  off  old  plants  and  inserting  them  in  thumb  pots  filled  with  soil, 
consisting  of  half  peat  and  half  loam,  finely  sifted,  and  plenty  of  coarse 
silver  sand  ;  place  the  pots  in  the  propagating  pit,  which  keep  close  until 
the  cuttings  are  rooted,  syringing  them  once  or  twice  a  day.  Another 
method  of  increase  is  known  as  tile  ringing  system.  Cut  through  the 
bark  of  a  shoot,  and  peel  off  about  an  inch  just  below  a  joint,  and  secure 
round  the  cut  a  small  handful  of  moss,  with  a  little  fine  soil  and  coarse 
silver  sand.  Keep  the  moss  damp,  and  the  shoot  will  soon  root  into  it, 
when  it  ma3’  be  taken  off  just  below  the  roots,  and  put  in  a  pot. 
The  old  plants  may  then  be  cut  back,  and  will  soon  make  fine  heads 
again.  A  suitable  compost  for  potting  them  is  two  parts  each  of  peat, 
good  loam,  one  of  leaf  soil,  and  one  of  silver  sand.  When  the  pots 
are  filled  with  roots  liquid  manure  may  be  given  once  or  twice  a  week, 
vvith  good  results,  especially  weak  cow  manure  or  soot  water.  The 
temperature  of  the  house  should  not  be  allowed  to  fall  below  60’  at  night, 
with  a  rise  of  10°  on  dull  days,  and  allowing  a  further  rise  to  85°  or  90° 
with  sun  heat.  Syringe  the  house  and  plants  well  in  the  morning,  and 
again  in  the  afternoon  on  bright  days,  and  keep  the  air  moist  by  damping 
the  floor. — W.  W. 
Bignonia  venusta. 
This  is  a  plant  aliout  which  one  hears  very  little,  and  I  give  the 
following  few  notes  regarding  its  culture.  It  is  a  greenhouse  climber, 
bearing  orange-scarlet  flowers,  and  occupies  the  roof  of  a  lofty 
intermediate  house  lacing  south-east. 
The  plant  in  question  is  growing  in  a  prepared  border  3  feet  square. 
Last  year  the  border  was  top-dressed,  and  liquid  manure  and  soot  water 
given  throughout  the  growing  season.  This  year,  however,  the  border 
will  be  enlarged  when  the  plant  has  finished  flowering.  As  the  growths 
were  made  the  strongest  were  secured  lu  a  wire  trellis  1  foot  from  the 
glass,  and  the  strands  wide  enough  apart  to  insure  the  thorough  ripening 
of  the  wood,  which  is  a  very  necessary  point ;  for  if  the  main  shoots  be 
not  properly  matured  the  lateral  growths  which  proceed  from  them  will  be 
sappy,  and  not  flower  well.  It  was  for  this  reason  that  a  south-east 
aspect  was  chosen  for  this  specimen. 
For  the  last  six  weeks  the  effect  of  this  plant  has  been  grand,  and 
there  is  every  appearance  of  its  continuing  to  b'oom  for  many  weeks 
longer.  It  hangs  down  from  the  roof  in  long  festoons,  the  clusters  of 
orange-scarlet  flowers  springing  from  the  axils  of  the  leaves.  Propa¬ 
gation  may  be  effected  by  means  of  cuttings  taken  off  with  a  heel  and 
inserted  in  thumb  pots,  using  a  sandy  compost  and  plunging  the  pots  in 
a  moderate  hotbed.  Those  intending  to  plant,  however,  would  do  well  to 
purchase  a  plant  from  a  good  nurseryman  in  preference  to  rooting  cut¬ 
tings,  planting  in  a  well  drained  bord  r  in  a  compost  the  staple  of  which 
is  good  rich  loam  with  some  peat  and  leaf  mould  added,  and  enough 
sand  to  keep  the  whole  porous. 
Bignonias,  as  a  rule,  are  not  subject  to  attacks  from  insect  pests  unless 
jdaced  in  direct  contact  with  infested  plants,  when  they  will,  as  a  matter 
of  fact,  soon  become  contaminated.  Long  sprays  are  very  useful  for 
house  decoration,  and  last  a  considerable  time  in  water. — T.  P. 
GARDENERS’  CHARITABLE  AND  PROVIDENT 
INSTITUTIONS. 
The  Gardeners’  Royal  Benevolent  Institution.— 
^^r.  G.  J.  Ingram,  50,  Parliament  Street,  London,  W.C. 
United  Horticultural  Benefit  and  Provident  Society'.  - 
Secretary,  Mr.  W.  Collins,  9,  Martindale  Road,  Balham,  London,  S.W. 
Royal  Gardeners’  Csrhan  Fund,—  Secretarv,  Mr.  A.  F.  Barron, 
The  Royal  Gardeners’  Orphan  Fund,  Chiswick,  W. 
