June  9,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
487 
berries  on  walls  and  fences  are  wonderfully  good  also,  indeed  they  are 
a  marked  success. 
Vegetables  eve^wbere  are  excellent.  I  should  have  referred  earlier 
to  Sweet  Peas,  which  are  largely  grown  in  long  boxes  6  inches  wide  and 
deep,  being  raised  under  glass,  then  put  outdoors  and  staked.  The 
tallest  were  the  other  day  from  .5  to  6  feet  in  height,  and  just  about  to 
bloom,  others  following  in  succession.  With  the  roots  so  restricted  for 
room,  yet  frequently  fed  with  liquid  manure.  Sweet  Peas  in  this  way 
bloom  finely  for  a  long  season. — A.  D. 
DWARF  AND  RUNNER  KIDNEY  BEANS. 
A  GOOD  succession  of  Kidney  Beans  is  indispensable  in  most  kitchen 
gardens.  Both  Dwarf  and  Runner  Beans  require  sowing  in  the  early 
part  of  May  in  order  to  secure  plants  that  will  crop  freely  at  the 
earliest  period.  Later  sowings  may  be  made  during  June,  these 
proving  useful  whefa  the  early  crops  are  becoming  exhausted  and  there 
is  a  demand  for  nothing  bnt  the  tenderest  pods,  which  it  should  be 
the  aim  of  the  cultivator  to  supply.  Dwarf  French  Beans  should  be 
sown  every  fortnight  until  early  in  July.  They  come  quicker  into 
bearing,  but  also  go  out  sooner  than  Runner  Beans,  therefore  the 
advantage  of  sowing  successionally  will  be  apparent. 
There  are  other  reasons,  too,  why  one  sowing  only  should  not  be 
relied  upon.  A  cold  wet  period  may  prevent  germination  or  give  a 
check  to  the  young  plants  after  they  have  advanced  above  the  soil. 
Enemies  in  the  shape  of  slugs  and  snails  may  devour  them,  or  a  sudden 
frost  cripple  them  past  recovery.  Some  cultivators  take  the  precaution 
of  sowing  Runner  Beans  in  boxes  and  planting  out.  This  is  a  com¬ 
mendable  plan  in  cold  and  late  districts.  Dwarf  and  Runner  Beans 
require  a  considerable  amount  of  heat,  hence  we  rarely  see  good  results 
from  very  early  sowings  outdoors,  or  before  the  beginning  of  May. 
French  Beans  ought  to  be  sown  4  inches  apart  in  drills  3  inches 
deep  and  18  inches  to  2  feet  asunder.  The  seedlings  may  be  finally 
thinned  to  12  inches  apart  should  the  soil  be  suitable  and  the  season 
favourable.  Failure  to  crop  often  results  from  the  injurious  crowding  of 
the  plants.  When  the  seedlings  can  be  distinguished  above  the  soil 
loosen  the  top  crust  of  the  ground  about  them  and  carry  out  the  first 
thinning.  As  growth  proceeds  and  very  dry,  hot  weather  sets  in,  a 
mulching  down  each  side  of  the  rows  will  help  to  retain  moisture,  but 
water  freely  also  during  continued  dry  weather,  especially  in  light  soil. 
Stimulants  may  be  given  when  pods  form,  but  not  before. 
The  bearing  capabilities  of  the  Beans  may  be  prolonged  by  carefully 
gathering  all  the  pods  as  they  become  large  enough.  If  allowed  to 
become  old  and  stringy  the  pods  rob  the  plants  of  much  support,  while  at 
the  same  time  they  are  useless  for  edible  purposes.  Runner  Beans  may 
be  sown  in  single  or  double  rows,  5  to  8  feet  distance  between  the  rows. 
Accord  similar  treatment  as  for  Dwarfs  in  the  early  stages,  but  before  the 
plants  begin  to  twine,  the  stakes  for  their  support  must  be  fixed.  Smooth, 
straight,  well-pointed  sticks  about  7  or  8  feet  long  are  the  best.  To 
double  rows  a  line  of  sticks  must  be  fixed  to  each  row.  The  upper  ends 
of  the  sticks  may  be  drawn  together,  crossed,  and  firmly  secured. 
If  sown  in  single  rows  the  line  of  sticks  may  be  placed  upright,  and 
braced  together  with  suitable  horizontal  lengths  run  along  the  centre,  the 
whole  finally  made  secure  with  a  few  very  strong  stakes  driven  down 
diagonally.  Tie  with  strong  cord  or  pliable  wire.  It  is  important  that 
the  sticks  be  made  very  firm  before  the  bine  takes  possession,  as  it  would 
be  difficult  afterwards  to  do  this,  and  in  the  meantime  strong  winds  might 
blow  the  whole  of  them  down. 
Mulch  the  plants  in  dry  weather,  so  that  as  much  moisture  as  possible 
will  be  conserved.  If  necessary  to  water,  apply  copious  soakings  only. 
The  most  important  time  when  adequate  moisture  in  the  soil  is  required 
is  when  the  plants  are  showing  their  first  blooms.  Carefully  gather  the 
pods  as  they  become  ready,  nothing  being  gained  by  allowing  mature 
pods  to  hang  on  the  plants.  When  the  height  of  the  stakes  is  reached 
the  plants  ought  to  be  topped  ;  topping,  however,  being  less  necessary 
with  long  sticks  than  with  short  stakes  3  or  4  feet  high. — E.  D.  S. 
Perth,  West  Australia.  —  By  a  letter  from  this  township  of 
a  far  distant  colony,  we  learn  that  on  the  27th  of  April  last  the 
first  Chrysanthemum  show  there  was  held.  The  writer  states  that  “  not 
more  than  sixty  blooms  were  exhibited,  and  out  of  that  number  only 
about  twelve  or  so  were  worth  looking  at.  Still  it  is  a  beginning,  and  in 
an  out-of-the-way  place  like  this  any  improvement  is  acceptable.”  Xo 
doubt  readers  of  the  Journal  will  smile  at  the  suggestion  of  sixty  blooms 
being  regarded  as  a  “show.”  It  is  a  rather  smaller  beginning  than  we 
are  accustomed  to  in  Old  England,  but  knowing  how  marvellously  towns 
in  the  colonies  develop,  Perth,  having  made  a  start,  may  in  a  few  years 
have  a  big  Chrysanthemum  show.  Then  the  writer  refers  to  prices 
charged  for  fruit,  which  seem  to  us,  especially  that  we  get  at  this  time  of 
the  year  Australian  Apples  so  cheap  and  good,  as  somewhat  high  , 
Possibly  out  there  the  consumers  in  the  populous  towns  and  European 
countries  get  all  the  best,  whilst  the  local  people  are  left  without.  “Fruit 
is  as  dear  as  ever.  Apples  from  6d.  to  Is.  per  lb..  Grapes  Is.  6d.  ditto. 
Pears  Is.  4d.  ditto.  Apricots  2d.  each.  Peaches  not  purchasable.  Potatoes 
£24  per  ton.  There  is  a  fortune  here  for  gardeners  and  fruit  growers. 
If  I  understood  it  I  should  go  in  for  it.  Land  is  dirt  cheap,  even  good  ; 
160  acres  can  be  had  for  the  asking,  or  at  a  nominal  price.”  Here  is  an 
opportunity  for  some  of  our  experienced  men  who  at  home  are  vainly 
seeking  employment.  Evidently  a  little  capital  and  a  good  deal  of  energy 
with  practical  knowledge  will  help  to  build  up  a  fortune  in  Western 
Australia,  but  I  am  too  old  to  go,  and  hence  remain — An  Englander.  j 
PIMELEA  ELEGANS. 
Most  of  the  Pimeleas  are  useful  greenhouse  plants,  easily  grown, 
free  flowering,  and  of  graceful  habit,  all  recommendations  of  great  value. 
Pimelea  elegans  (fig.  91)  is  one  of  the  most  distinct  species,  and  is 
deservedly  a  favourite  with  many  cultivators,  as  its  large  heads  of  creamy 
white,  or  occasionally  nearly  pure  white  flowers,  are  produced  so 
abundantly  that  the  plant  is  ornamental  in  no  ordinary  degree.  Small 
specimens  in  60  or  48-size  pots  flower  very  freely,  and  this  is  an  especially 
useful  character,  as  such  plants  are  always  in  request  for  conservatory 
and  greenhouse  decoration.  A  moderately  light  compost  of  turfy  loam 
and  peat  with  a  little  sand  is  most  suitable  for  this  as  well  as  the 
majority  of  other  Pimeleas,  and  with  good  drainage  water  can  be 
supplied  liberally  whilst  growth  is  advancing.  It  flowers  during  the 
spring  months  and  continues  for  a  considerable  time.  Pimelea  elegans  is 
propagated  by  cuttings  of  the  young  shoots,  inserting  them  in  moist  sand. 
under  a  bell-glass,  and  subsequently  repotting  into  the  compost  previously 
recommended.  The  woodcut  represents  a  small  branch  with  a  flower  of 
about  the  natural  size.  This  we  trust  will  be  of  service  to  others  as 
well  as  to  “  Journeyman.” 
THE  YOUNG  GARDENERS’  DOMAIN. 
Thyrsacanthus  rutilans. 
Thyrsacanthus  rutilans  is  a  stove  plant.  Few  gardeners  grow  it 
successfully,  and  on  that  account,  I  believe,  it  is  neglected.  It  belongs 
to  the  order  Acanthacem,  and  is  a  native  of  New  Grenada.  It  is  ex¬ 
tremely  useful  for  table  decoration.  The  bright  scarlet  flowers  are 
borne  on  long  drooping  spikes,  which  are  produced  in  midwinter. 
The  plant  is  worthy  of  more  attention  than  is  usually  bestowed  upon 
it.  The  plants  which  have  come  under  my  notice  in  several  places  have 
been  miserable,  with  a  few  leaves  on  the  top  of  lanky  stems,  looking 
half  starved,  and  infested  with  some  insect  pest,  the  reason,  I  think,  being 
that  the  plants  had  been  subjected  to  much  more  heat  than  was 
necessary. 
When  well  grown  Thyrsacanthus  rutilans  is  one  of  our  most  charm¬ 
ing  plants,  and  is  effective  in  any  position.  It  requires  to  be  grown 
under  much  cooler  treatment  than  is  usually  given  to  stove  plants.  It 
will  then  make  strong  healthy  growth  with  leaves  down  to  the  pot,  and 
consequently  resist  much  easier  the  ravages  of  insect  pests. 
Well  chosen  cuttings  inserted  in  small  pots  about  the  beginning  of 
