106 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  11,  1898. 
not  needed  except  in  the  case  of  the  top  box,  which  should  be  provided  with 
one,  especially  if  the  lid  of  the  box  in  which  they  are  packed  opens  at  the 
top.  This  allows  of  a  strip  of  wood  or  anything  else  being  placed  between 
the  two  lids,  so  that  no  movement  of  the  boxes  can  take  place.  When  the 
boxes  are  slipped  in  from  the  front  no  lid  is  needed  as  long  as  they  are 
made  to  fit  exactly,  a  few'  leaves  when  hampers  are  used  over  the  flowers 
of  the  top  box  being  ample. 
In  packing  the  flowers  the  use  of  cotton  wool,  moss,  or  Spinach  leaves 
cannot  be  too  strongly  condemned  ;  these  materials  only  take  up  room  and 
waste  valuable  time  in  preparation  and  packing.  Cotton  wool  is  one  of  the 
worst  materials  that  can  be  used,  for  it  extracts  the  moisture  from  the 
flowers,  and  thus  assists  in  their  destruction.  It  may  be  suggested  that  it 
can  be  used  in  a  moist  state  and  laid  amongst  the  stems  of  the  flowers,  and 
that  moss  or  Spinach  can  be  employed  in  a  similar  way.  In  many'  loca¬ 
lities  moss  cannot  be  had,  and  in  the  case  of  the  other  two  it  is  a  needless 
expense.  If  the  flowers  are  prepared  as  pointed  out  there  is  no  need  for 
any  packing  material  about  their  stems,  if  laid  carefully  and  closely 
together  and  the  boxes  filled. 
Packing  Choice  Flowers 
Cotton' wool  or  any  other  material  is  not  needed  in  the  case  of  Orchids, 
Camellias,  Gloxinias,  Allamandas,  Dipladenias,  Eucharis,  Lilies  of  sorts, 
and  other  flowers  of  a  like  choice  and  delicate  natuie  that  are  easily 
bruised,  and  amongst  the  most  difficult  to  pack  to  insure  their  arriving 
fresh  and  in  good  condition.  Camellias  are  best  packed  in  shallow  boxes, 
with  only  a  double  sheet  of  tissue  paper  over  the  bottom  ;  they  can  either 
be  tacked  to  the  bottom  of  the  box  with  small  nails,  or,  what  is  more 
convenient,  bore  two  holes  nearly  together  and  tie  the  stems  to  the  bottom 
with  string  or  thin  wire  ;  the  latter  is  advisable,  as  it  can  be  more  readily 
fastened  by  twisting  at  the  bottom.  Tlrs  is  supposing  they  are  cut  with 
a  portion  of  wood  attached.  Place  no  paper  or  wool  over  them,  the  lid  of 
the  box  made  secure  being  all  that  is  necessary.  If  sent  to  any  person  not 
in  the  habit  of  receiving  them  packed  in  this  manner,  give  directions  how 
to  take  them  out.  If  cut  without  wood  there  is  no  alternative  but  to 
place  each  flower  in  a  portion  of  cotton  wool.  One  layer  of  flowers  only 
in  this  case  should  be  placed  in  shallow  boxes,  and  every  care  must  be 
taken  that  the  box  is  filled  with  wool  so  that  no  movement  can  take 
p'ace. 
Any  of  the  other  flowers  named  can  be  packed  in  the  ordinary  trays  or 
boxes.’  A  single  layer  of  these  flowers  only  should  be  arranged  together, 
and  if  they  will  not  fill  the  boxes  place  a  layer  of  flowers  of  a  hardier 
nature  at  the  base,  then  the  Orchids — say  Cattleyas  —  or  Gloxinias  above 
them,  carefully  inserting  their  stems  amongst  the  flowers  beneath.  The 
latter  should  be  laid  on  their  side  and  also  the  spikes  of  Cattleyas  ; 
but  if  single  blooms  they  may  be  arranged  upright.  Spikes  of  Odonto- 
glossums,  Oncidiums,  and  others  can  be  laid  flat.  Over  these  arrange  a 
good  layer  of  Adiantum  cuneatum  fronds,  placing  their  stems  carefully 
amongst  the  other  flowers  at  first  until  the  latter  are  well  covered, 
when  others  can  be  laid  on  to  fill  the  box.  If  the  boxes  are  nearly  full 
of  any  of  the  delicate  flowers  that  have  been  mentioned  very  few  fronds 
are  needed  to  protect  any  portion  of  them  from  contact  with  the  bottom 
of  the  box  that  will  be  placed  above  them.  It  will  readily  be  observed 
that  cotton  wool  is  not  needed  when  this  method  of  packing  is  properly 
carried  out  A  spray-distributor  placed  in  a  bottle  of  clean  water  should 
be  in  every  shed  where  flowers  have  to  be  packed.  As  the  boxes  are 
filled  a  fine  spray,  like  dew,  should  be  blown  over  the  surface  of  the 
flowers,  and  when  unpacked  they  have  a  fresh  appearance  as  if  they  had 
only  just  been  cut. 
Wreaths  and  Crosses. 
Both  these  and  buttonholes  should  be  packed  in  shallow  boxes  accord¬ 
ing  to  their  size.  The  latter  must  be  secured  to  the  base,  the  same  as 
advised  for  Camellias.  For  the  two  former  two  strings  should  be  fastened 
to  the  hoop  or  whatever  forms  the  basi>,  and  then  passed  through  two 
holes  in  the  bottom  of  the  box,  and  if  tied  they  cannot  move  or  any 
harm  be  done  to  the  flowers  whichever  side  the  box  is  turned.  Secure 
bouquets  on  the  same  principle,  only  two  strips  of  wood  should  be 
arranged  across  the  box  for  them  to  rest^upon,  or,  better  still,  a  false 
bottom  may  be  made  with  a  good  sized  circular  hole  in  the  centre, 
through  which  the  stem  can  be  passed.  This  is  the  best  arrangement, 
only  it  is  the  most  trouble,  and  the  other  will  answer  the  purpose  very 
well.  The  string  or  wire  by  which  it  is  to  be  secured  should  be  fastened 
to  the  formation  of  the  bouquet  before  the  arrangement  of  the  flowers  com¬ 
mences,  then  when  made  it  can  be  hung  up,  flowers  downwards,  until 
ready  to  place  in  the  box,  or  before  if  occasion  requires.  This  string 
should  be  passed  through  the  hole  in  the  handle,  and  is  a  good  assistance 
in  drawing  the  handle  into  its  proper  position.  When  lifted  out  of  the 
box  all  that  is  needed  is  to  cut  off  the  string  level  by  the  base  of  the 
holder.  In  these  arrangements  every  flower  is  usually  wired,  and  the 
Fern  as  well  ;  therefore  it  is  of  the  utmost  importance  to  dew  both 
thoroughly  as  soon  as  they  are  made,  and  again  if  thought  necessary, 
when  the  lid  of  the  box  is  nailed  down. 
Many  boxes  suitable  for  sending  through  the  post  have  been  intro¬ 
duced  during  recent  years,  but  none  that  I  have  seen  is  exactly  what  is 
required.  Some  of  them  are  admirable  for  a  variety  of  purposes,  but  not 
suitable  to  pack  flowers  in  that  have  been  prepared  according  to  the 
method  I  have  pointed  out.  If  the  flowers  are  placed  in  cardboard  boxes 
perfectly  dry  or  nearly  so,  the  boxes  absorb  too  much  water  from  the 
flowers.  Light  tin  boxes  are  much  the  best,  then  the  flowers  can  be  placed 
in  them  thoroughly  moist  and  dewed  when  full. 
With  care,  judgment,  and  intelligence  flowers  can  be  packed  to  arrive 
after  a  long  journey  perfectly  fresh  during  the  hottest  months  of  the 
year. — B. 
Weather  in  London. — The  rain  which  fell  in  the  metropolis 
throughout  the  whole  of  Sunday  was  most  welcome,  and  gardens  show 
plainly  how  much  it  wTas  appreciated  by  their  occupants.  The  dowmpour 
appears  to  have  been  general,  as  we  have  reports  from  several  quarters. 
During  the  latter  half  of  the  past  week  it  was  fair  and  warm.  A  little 
rain  fell  on  Mondajv  Tuesday  opened  dull  and  closed  bright.  Wednesday 
was  dull  and  cold. 
-  Hybrid  Streptocarpus. — The  new  hybrid  Streptocarpus,  or 
Cape  Primrose,  takes  rank  as  a  highly  valuable  and  useful  greenhouse 
perennial,  which  produces  flow  ers  freely  when  the  plants  have  attained  a 
good  size.  The  colours  are  numerous,  and  from  a  mixed  packet  of  seed 
plants  producing  white,  purple,  violet,  red,  lavender,  or  rosy-purple 
flowers  are  produced.  Seed  sown  early  in  the  year  gives  plants  which 
may  be  grown  to  flower  in  the  autumn,  but  the  largest  and  best  specimens 
are  secured  the  second  season. — E. 
- Treatment  op  Vegetable  Marrows. — As  the  plants  are 
now  developing  rapidly  and  strongly  it  is  important  that  the  growths 
have  a  fair  amount  of  space.  It  is  an  excellent  plan  to  peg  them 
down,  not  only  to  prevent  the  wind  blowing  them  over,  which  twists 
and  damages  the  foliage,  but  to  enable  them  to  take  roothold  in  the 
soil,  whereby  a  great  impetus  will  be  given  to  the  fruit.  Plenty  of  water 
in  hot,  dry  weather,  followed  by  liquid  manure  and  a  mulch  over  the 
roots,  proves  extremely  serviceable  in  the  dry,  arid  atmosphere  of  many 
August  days. — S. 
-  Rhododendron  retusum.  —  Among  Rhododendrons  this 
species  stands  out  conspicuously  on  account  of  its  scarlet  flowers,  this 
being  an  unusual  colour  in  the  genus,  which  is  remarkable  for  the  great 
variety  of  colour  shown  by  its  species  and  varieties.  It  is  a  native  of  the 
high  mountains  of  Western  Java.  It  form  a  slender  growing  bush  with 
leaves  2  to  inches  long,  dark  green  on  the  upper,  and  glaucous  on  the 
under  surface.  The  under  surface  is  glandular  aud  sticky.  The  flowers 
are  produced  in  loose  trusses  of  six  or  eight,  which  resemble  in  shape 
those  of  the  European  R.  ferrugineum.  The  flowers  arc  tubular, 
three-quarters  of  an  inch  in  length,  and  covered  with  short  hairs,  which 
are  similar  in  colour  to  the  corolla.  When  grown  in  pots  or  tubs  it 
requires  tying  in  well  to  keep  it  bushy.  A  plant  is  to  be  seen  in  flower 
in  the  Winter  Garden  at  Ivew. — D. 
-  Pea  Mansfield  Shoay.— In  your  issue  of  July  28th  we  see 
no  mention  of  our  Pea  Mansfield  Show  amongst  the  list  of  awards  of 
merit  by  the  R.II.S.  Probably  the  list  refers  to  the  Drill  Hall  exhibition 
only.  Last  year  we  sent  you  a  sample  of  the  same  Pea  under  the  name 
Emerald,  which,  through  a  mistake,  did  not  reach  you  till  late,  and  was 
not  a  good  sample  to  go  by.  At  your  suggestion  we  have  altered  the 
name  and  have  called  it  Mansfield  Show.  Three  and  a  half  feet  is  the 
average  height  of  the  plants,  and  the  habit  is  very  vigorous  and  sturdy. 
We  recently  exhibited  a  tray  at  our  local  show  with  fifty  pods  containing 
500  fully  developed  peas. — Wright  Bros.  [The  Pea  came  before  the 
Committee  at  the  Drill  Hall  for  confirmation  of  the  award  of  merit 
previously  granted  at  Chiswick.  We  have  seen  the  variety  growing  and 
recognised  as  being  amongst  the  best.  The  pods  are  very  fine,  and  the 
flavour  is  excellent.] 
-  Flower  Gardening  at  Hampton  Court.— Country  cousins 
and  gardeners  who  may  treat  themselves  to  a  look  over  the  London  parks 
shortly — or,  better  still,  whose  employers  may  treat  them— should  make 
a  point  of  seeing  the  remarkably  pleasing  and  varied  bedding  at  Hampton 
Court,  for  it  should  be  in  first-rate  form  during  August.  The  new  super¬ 
intendent  is  to  be  congratulated  on  having  provided  much  that  is,  for 
these  gardens— that  previously  were  much  stereotyped— some  bedding 
combinations  that  will  evoke  a  good  deal  of  diverse  criticism,  and  certainly 
a  great  deal  of  admiration.  There  is  only  one  carpet  bed  this  year,  but  it 
is  a  good  one,  and  will  secure  its  meed  of  admiration  from  the  public. 
That  beautiful  small-flowered  double  scarlet  Begonia,  La  Fayette,  forms 
the  chief  feature  of  one  bed,  and  a  brilliant  one  it  promises  to  make. 
The  Begonias  are  well  grouped,  and  will  be  very  effective.  A  delightful 
way  of  reaching  Hampton  Court  from  London  is  by  steamer — A.  D. 
