May  5.  1898. 
■JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
391 
culms  for  the  poiash.  If  kept  covered  up  in  a  tub  this  liquid  will  keep 
pood  for  six  months.  Chinchas  gnano  in  itself  makes  capital  liquid 
manure.  A  good  liquid  manure  can  be  made  by  dissolving  half  an  ounce 
of  saltpetre  and  half  ounce  of  phosphate  of  potash  in  a  gallon  of  soft 
water. 
Outside  Treatment. 
Select  an  airy  position  fully  exposed  to  the  sun,  but  sheltered  from 
rough  winds,  and  plunge  the  pots  in  ashes.  Give  plenty  of  room  for  the 
sun  and  air  to  circulate  about  the  plants,  and  sprinkle  every  morning 
between  eight  and  nine,  except  in  wet  weather.  The  object  of  this 
outside  treatment  is  to  obtain  short,  sturdy,  well  ripened  growth,  with  a 
correspondingly  strong  healthy  root  action,  and  all  the  moisture  the  plants 
require  is  sufficient  to  keep  the  hbrous  feeding  roots  steadily  growing. 
Blooming  Period. 
The  blooming  period  is  regulated  according  to  the  stopping  of  the 
bud.  D  sbud  to  the  first  week  in  October  for  flowering  at  Christmas. 
The  plants  must  have  as  much  light  and  as  dry  air  as  possible,  with  a 
minimum  temperature  of  50  for  the  singles  and  55°  for  the  double  and 
Ivy-leaved  varieties.  Give  the  plants  liquid  manure  in  proportion  to  the 
quantity  of  bloom  they  have  to  support.  If  flowers  are  to  be  packed 
and  sent  away  it  is  advisable  to  drop  a  small  particle  of  gum  into  the  eye 
of  each  one.  Never  allow  a  truss  to  remain  on  the  plant  after  the[centre 
has  fallen. 
Selection  of  Varieties. 
With  such  a  large  number  of  varieties  of  almost  equal  merit,  it  would 
be  somewhat  presumptuous  if  I  attempted  to  name  the  best  forjthis 
Fig.  74.— L.ELIO-CATTLEYA  THOKNTONI. 
If  early  bloom  is  required  allow  all  flower  buds  to  remain  after  the  end  ; 
of  August.  Examine  the  plants  frequently  for  caterpillars,  and  as  soon  | 
as  the  flower  buds  are  formed  the*  plants  may  be  allowed  their  first  dose  of  | 
liquid  manure.  On  the  approach  of  frost  the  plants  should  be  housed.  : 
Give  as  much  space  as  possible  between  the  plants,  for  it  must  not  be  | 
forgotten  that  beside  the  charming  flowers  there  is  that  fine  zonal  | 
marked  foliage,  which  is  so  pleasing  and  so  worthy  of  development. 
Insect  Pests. 
The  Zonal  Pelargonium  in  a  healthy  state  is  practically  free  from 
insects.  Its  chief  enemy  is  the  caterpillar,  which,  being  of  the  same  i 
colour  as  the  foliage,  requires  careful  watching  during  the  autumn 
months.  They  should  be  picked  off  by  hand  as  soon  as  they  appear. 
Canker  is  the  result  of  propagating  from  a  bad  cutting,  or  from  some  j 
unsuitable  potting  compost.  If  the  foliage  changes  colour,  or  black 
or  yellow  spots  appear,  turn  the  plant  out  and  examine  the  roots 
and  drainage,  replacing  in  a  clean  dry  pot.  The  chances  are  the  plant 
has  been  waterlogged,  and  if  the  roots  are  not  healthy-  cut  back  the  j 
plant.  i 
purpose.  My  advice  to  those  who  are  making  up  a  collection  is  to  visit 
the  plants  at  some  good  nursery,  instead  of  trusting  to  a  catalogue 
description,  Por  the  benefit  of  those  who  are  unable  to  do  this,  I  have 
taken  the  opinions  of  two  of  the  best  raisers  we  have  in  this  country — viz., 
Messrs.  H.  Cannell  &  Sons,  Swanleyq  Kent,  and  Messrs.  J.  R.  Pearson 
and  Sons,  Chilwell ;  these  two  authorities  agree  that  the  following  are 
the  best  in  commerce  for  winter  culture  ; — Souvenir  de  W.  B.  Miller,  King 
of  Crimsons,  Lord  Aberdeen,  Rev,  Brett,  Countess  of  Buckingham, 
lilacina,  Niagara,  Snowdrop,  Mrs.  Pole  Routh,  IMrs.  Hall,  Duchess  of 
Marlborough,  and  delicata.  These  are  single  varieties.  Of  double  I 
recommend  Raspail  Improved  and  Hermine,  which  is  white.  The  best 
sent  out  in  1897  (Messrs.  Pearson  s  selection)  are  Mrs.  W.  Partridge, 
Sir  H.  Irving,  Sir  J.  Kitson,  Crabbe,  Dryden,  Chaucer,  Southeyq  A. 
Tennyson,  and  Herrick.  The  best  single  Zonal  1  know  for  growing  all 
the  year  round  is  Cannell’s  Pavourite.  The  single  Zonal  which  has  given 
me  the  most  satisfaction  for  winter  blooming  is  Wm.  .Jacoby,  a  deep 
crimson,  which  will  be  found  classed  as  a  Hybrid  Nosegay.  Do  not 
forget  that  good  old  Zonals  are  like  good  old  songs,  and  when*  you  have 
proved  them,  stick  to  them.— C.  Hy.  Parker. 
