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JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
March  24,  1898. 
AMONG  THE  HANDY  FLOWENS. 
One  of  the  drawbacks  to  spring  gardening  is  the  occurrence  of  late 
frosts.  This  year  such  was  the  mildness  of  winter  that  we  were  in 
hope  that  these  would  he  spared  us,  though  past  experience  made  us 
mingle  the  hopes  with  doubts.  These  fears  have  been  justified,  and, 
as  this  is  written,  night  frosts  are  not  only  frequent  but  of  great 
severity.  They  are  trying  to  the  young  growth  of  many  plants,  and, 
with  the  brilliant  sunshine  which  follows,  shorten  and  deface 
the  beauty  of  numerous  flowers.  On  a  recent  morning  everything 
was  powdered  over  with  rime,  and  as  one  went  round  the  garden  it 
was  easily  seen  how  keen  the  frost  had  been.  Many  of  the  Daffodils 
and  Snowdrops  were  almost  prone  ;  the  Water  Lily  pools  were  sheeted 
wdth  ice,  and  the  gold  fish  within  were  seen  as  through  a  window ; 
Scillas,  Chionodoxas,  and  other  flowers  were  frosted,  and  looked 
beautiful  with  their  silvering.  Especially  pretty  was  Chionodoxa 
Alleni,  which  seemed  as  if  it  had  been  carved  out  of  some  coloured 
substance,  and  then  silvered  over,  but  not  so  deeply  as  to  hide  the 
colouring  below.  As  the  sun  gathered  power  these  things  changed, 
and  the  flowers  resumed  their  wonted  appearance.  Yet  the  inclemency 
of  the  nights  leaves  its  mark  upon  the  blossoms.  Colours  are  dimmed, 
and  their  brilliancy  greatly  reduced,  so  that  it  has  become  ])rofitable  to 
cover  many  of  the  plants  in  flower  in  some  temporary  way  at  night. 
Extemporised  coverings  do  much,  but  the  possession  of  a  fcAv  hand- 
lights  and  glass  shelters  is  found  a  great  advantage  in  such  a  season. 
Put  on  at  nightfall,  and  removed  when  the  sun  shines  through  the 
frosty  air,  these  shelters  will  soon  repay  themselves  by  the  longer  and 
brighter  display  they  give,  although  they  cannot  so  well  be  employed 
for  large  masses  of  flowers. 
As  usual  it  is  to  what  are  broadly  known  as  bulbous  plants  that 
we  are  principally  indebted  for  flowers  in  March.  There  is  no  lack  of 
these,  and  those  who  embark  upon  the  cultivation  of  the  less  common 
genera,  or  species  and  varieties,  will  find  much  true  pleasure  in  its 
pursuit.  Daffodils  are,  however,  widely  grown,  though  one  can 
hardly  call  them  “common”  in  the  restricted  sense  of  the  word. 
Despite  the  prominence  given  to  them  by  the  gardening  press  and  the 
efforts  of  specialists,  it  is  surprising  to  find  how  limited  a  number 
grow  any  considerable  variety ;  how  few  are  acquainted  with  some  of 
the  more  modern  introductions,  even  those  procurable  almost  as 
cheaply  as  the  older  standard  varieties.  One  is  led  to  this  remark 
by  finding  how  much  the  pale  early  Daffodil — Narcissus  pallidus 
prfficox — is  noticed  and  admired  when  seen  in  gardens.  It  is  cheap 
enough,  and  in  light  soil  and  in  a  sunny  place  has  been  quite  a 
success  for  many  years.  Seedlings  raised  from  it  are  now  coming 
into  bloom,  and  are  showing  evidence  of  the  work  of  the  bees  in 
carrying  pollen  from  some  other  Daffodils.  One  of  these  appears  to 
be  the  little  N.  minor,  one  seedling  showing  the  size  and  perianth 
segments  of  pallidus  praecox  with  the  trumpet — but  enlarged — of 
minor  both  in  form  and  colouring.  The  majority  of  the  Daffodils 
have  yet  to  flower,  but  with  the  exception  of  the  magnificent 
N.  telamonius  plenus,  there  is  every  prospect  of  a  tloriferous  season, 
which  will  give  delight  to  the  lover  of  the  Daffodil. 
Ever  admired  also,  and  quickly  growing  in  favour,  is  the  Glory  of 
the  Snow.  Chionodoxa  sardensis  was  the  first  to  flower,  but  though 
the  greater  number  of  plants  of  this  species  are  in  bloom,  there  are 
individual  bulbs  just  pushing  their  points  through  the  surface  of  the 
soil,  so  that  the  season  of  bloom  will  be  a  long  one.  One  good  form, 
received  as  “C.  granditlora”  some  years  ago,  when  the  latter  was 
introduced,  proved  to  be  a  fine  variety  of  sardensis,  and,  as  it  has 
increased  since  it  came,  has  been  much  admired  in  its  place  in  the  rock 
garden.  0.  Alleni,  C.  grandiflora,  and  G.  Lucili^  are  now  represented 
among  flowers  in  bloom,  but  the  majority  of  these  species  are  not  in 
flower,  though  a  few  days  will  bring  them  to  perfection.-  0.  Tmolusi, 
about  which  there  has  been  some  difference  of  opinion,  is  the  latest 
to  flower,  and  is  not  yet  through  the  ground.  None  is  more 
beautiful  than  the  exquisite  C.  Lucilise  alba,  though  I  expect  it  will 
be  less  regarded  when  C.  Alleni -alba  comes  into  bloom,  as  it  will  do 
shortly.  It  may  be  of  interest  to  remark  that  seedlings  of  the  white 
variety  of  C.  Lucilise  give  a  very  small  proportion  of  white  flowers. 
There  do  not  seem  to  be  1  per  cent,  among  a  considerable  number 
coming  into  flower  in  my  garden. 
Scillas  naturally  claim  some  notice  now,  so  pleasing  are  they  with 
their  bright  flowers.  W  hether  we  look  at  the  fine  “  bells  ”  of 
S.  sibirica  or  the  smaller  flowers  of  the  varieties  of  S.  bifolia,  ive 
cannot  but  recognise  their  beauty.  In  connection  with  the  latter  I 
have  before  mentioned  Mr.  Allen’s  seedling,  named  Pink  Beauty,  and 
I  have  now  to  mention  another  from  the  same  source,  named  White 
Queen.  This  is  of  purer  white  than  the  ordinary  white  form  of 
S.  bifolia.  It  has  also  larger  flowers,  with  broader  segments.  Although 
not  at  present  procurable  from  trade  sources.  White  Queen  is  mentioned 
with  a  view  to  interest  others  in  the  work  of  improving  our  early 
flowers. 
Snowdrops  are  not  yet  over,  and  some  may  think  they  have  been 
long  enough  with  us  for  the  year.  All  are  not  of  the  same  mind,  and 
thus  two  or  three  of  the  later  species  or  varieties  may  be  named. 
Obtainable  from  some  trade  sources,  and  although  not  of  the  first 
rank  in  size,  yet  valuable  for  its  time  of  blooming,  is  a  variety  of 
Galanthus  nivalis  named  aestivalis,  which  I  have  not  spoken  of  for  a 
good  while.  It  is  small  in  size,  and  not  so  perfect  in  flower  as  many. 
Then  we  have  G.  Gusmusi,  still  in  bud  on  8th  March.  This  is  not 
plentiful,  but  I  have  seen  it  occasionally  offered.  It  appears  to  be  a 
variety  of  G.  caucasicus.  G.  Ikariae  grown,  in  shade  is  also  lasting 
long  in  bloom,  and  is  much  finer  in  that  position  than  in  sun,  its  fine 
broad  green  leaves  and  pure  bells  being  much  more  impressive.  This 
year  the  varieties  of  Iris  reticulata  are  flowering  very  badly  ;  the  only 
satisfactory  one  is  I.  reticulata  major,  a  handsome  flower  with  deep 
blue  colouring,  with  a  dash  of  white  and  gold  in  the  centre.  The 
failure  of  some  of  the  others  to  flower  makes  one  afraid  that  the 
disease  to  which  these  Irises  are  subject  may  have  obtained  entrance 
into  the  garden. 
As  usual,  other  flowers  can  only  he  incidentally  mentioned  now. 
The  singular  and  beautiful  Narcissus  cyclamineus  major,  the  rare 
Crocus  Sieberi  versicolor,  Hyacinthus  ciliatus  amphibolis,  all  deserve  a 
note  to  themselves.  In  the  crowd  of  other  things  now  coming  on 
they  may  be  overlooked.  Grape  Hyacinths  show  colour,  Arabis  grows 
daily  whiter  with  bloom,  Aubrietias  begin  to  purple  over,  and  the 
number  of  blossoms  on  the  Primulacese  increases  rapidly.  Iberises, 
too,  show  great  progress,  and  despite  the  chill  nights  flowers  hasten  to 
fulfil  their  annual  mission — a  haste  we  who  care  for  them  think  all 
too  slow. — S.  Arnott. 
VEGETABLES  EON  HOME  AND  EXHIBITION. 
Brussels  Sprouts. 
One  need  not  enlarge  on  the  usefulness  of  Brussels  Sprouts  as  a 
winter  vegetable.  No  other  member  of  the  Cabbage  family  possesses 
the  same  flavour  as  the  firm  knobs  which  are  the  result  of  a  good 
strain  and  good  cultivation.  From  an  exhibitor’s  point  of  view 
Brussels  Sprouts  come  in  only  for  the  late  autumn  shows,  and  if 
shown  on  the  stems  it  is  not  necessarily  the  largest  that  are  the  best, 
but  those  furnished  thickly  all  the  way  up  with  sound  firm  knobs. 
For  producing  sprouts  of  this  character  varieties  dwarfer  in  habit  are 
preferable  to  those  growing  large,  though  if  quantity  is  the  object  in 
view  the  latter  are  the  better  to  grow. 
From  the  end  of  October  to  April  is  the  season  during  which  we 
look  to  the  Brussels  Sprouts  quarter  to  provide  vegetables  for  the 
kitchen.  Generally  speaking  the  best  results  are  obtained  by  giving 
the  plants  as  long  a  season  of  growth  as  possible,  in  order  that  they 
may  attain  their  full  size  and  strength  before  the  growing  season  is 
over  and  the  winter  sets  in.  Early  sprouts  being  often  in  demand, 
the  first  sowing  should  be  made  under  glass  in  February,  followed  by 
a  second  in  a  warm  position  outdoors  in  March.  The  first  sowing  may 
be  made  thinly  in  shallow  boxes,  or  on  a  bed  of  light  soil  in  a  frame. 
A  great  deal  depends  on  thin  sowing,  and  it  is  easy  to  see  the 
difference  in  result  between  plants  that  are  weakly  and  drawn 
through  having  been  huddled  together  in  the  seed  bed,  and  dwarf 
sturdy  specimens,  full  of  health  and  vigour,  that  are  obtained  through 
thin  sowing  and  early  transplanting. 
Though  there  are  advantages  in  raising  early,  these  are  lost  if 
there  is  any  coddling  or  undue  forcing.  As  the  seedlings  grow  air 
must  be  admitted  freely  to  harden  them,  and  when  large  enough 
they  should  be  transplanted  either  close  to  the  glass  in  a  cold  frame, 
or  in  a  bed  of  rich  soil  in  a  sheltered  position  outdoors,  dispersing 
them  at  a  distance  of  6  inches  apart.  In  order  that  they  will  lift 
with  good  balls  for  the  final  planting  a  little  old  Mushroom  bed  refuse 
may  be  incorporated.  The  second  sowing  should  be  made  outdoors  on 
the  same  lines  as  the  first,  the  surface  of  the  bed  having  been  made 
fine,  and  the  seeds  covered  thinly  with  old  potting  soil.  Sprinkling 
the  ground  with  fine  wood -ashes  often  acts  as  a  preventive  against 
club-root  trouble.  Do  not  leave  the  seedlings  to  become  crowded  in 
the  seed  bed,  but  transplant  as  before,  so  that  the  vegetables  from 
beginning  to  end  may  have  a  fair  chance,  and  are  subject  to  no  check 
that  can  be  avoided. 
Attention  must  be  paid  to  the  preparation  of  the  ground  for  the 
final  transplanting,  and  though  the  advice  to  plant  quarters  as  they 
become  vacant  with  winter  vegetables  is  good  enough  in  the  abstract, 
the  soil  and  position  lor  this  important  crop  should  have  careful 
attention.  Brussels  Sprouts  are  gross  feeders,  and  the  soil  must  there¬ 
fore  be  enriched  with  farmyard  manure,  more  particularly  so  if  it  is 
of  a  light  sandy  nature,  and  not  of  the  character  to  hold  much 
moisture.  Fairly  strong  soil  of  firm  texture  is  the  most  suitable  for 
the  crop,  and  if  it  has  not  been  in  use  for  some  time  previous  the  top 
spit  should  be  turned  over  and  the  next  dug  in  the  trench,  incorpo¬ 
rating  with  it  some  good  manure.  By  this  means  the  ground  is  worked 
and  enriched  to  a  depth  of  from  18  inches  to  2  feet.  Soil  that  has 
been  subject  to  frequent  manurings  is  improved  by  a  dressing  of  lime. 
