34 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
January  9,  1898 
has  been  planted  in  the  summer,  lifted  in  September,  and  placed 
into  various  sized  pots,  it  is  not  so  easy  to  have  many  plants  in  flower 
by  Christmas.  Unfortunately,  they  do  not  bear  undue  forcing,  in  fact 
they  strongly  resent  it,  and  if  overdone  the  spathes  are  often  deficient  in 
colour.  They  certainly  can  be  forwarded  by  gentle  warmth  and  a  more 
confined  atmosphere  than  accorded  the  main  stock,  but  under  these 
conditions  the  foliage  soon  draws  up  weakly.  Some  years  ago  we  raised 
a  large  number  of  plants  in  boxes  under  cool  treatment  from  small 
bulblets,  and  kept  them  in  small  pots  throughout  the  following  winter. 
The  plants  were  potted  the  next  season  and  stood  outside.  They  were 
afterwards  placed  in  10-inch  pots,  and,  having  about  500  plants,  we  were 
rewarded  with  a  grand  display  of  epathes. 
The  best  plan  perhaps  to  insure  flowers  at  this  period  of  the  year  is  to 
train  the  plants  to  make  their  growth  somewhat  earlier  in  the  season, 
which  may  be  accomplished  by  keeping  the  early  flowering  plants  inside 
until  they  have  completed  their  growth,  then  turn  them  out  to  rest.  The 
plants  are  rested,  before  the  foliage  of  later  plants  dies  down,  and 
display  signs  of  commencing  growth.  Just  as  they  start  a  rich  top- 
dressing  should  be  given,  and  the  plants  liberally  fed  with  stimulants  as 
they  root  and  their  growth  is  developed.  Another  matter  requiring 
attention  is  to  house  the  plants  sufficiently  early  so  that  they  run  no 
risk  of  being  checked.  To  keep  Arums  healthy  and  strong  they  should 
be  turned  out  and  repotted  every  second  year. 
Poinsettias. — These  are  too  valuable  for  the  purpose  we  have  in  view 
to  be  left  out  or  neglected.  A  few  well-developed  bracts  rising  out  of 
a  group  of  Adiantum  cuneatum  or  Asparagus  plumosus  is  really 
charming.  By  gas  or  electric  light  they  are  even  more  imposing 
There  is  a  warmth  and  attractiveness  about  them  when  suitably  used 
on  the  dinner  table  ;  their  brilliancy  is  increased  by  the  greenery 
and  the  more  delicate  hue  of  Calanthe  Veitchi  when  used  in  conjunction. 
It  is  true  everyone  cannot  develop  the  bracts  of  these  plants  to  the  best 
advantage,  because  they  require  a  temperature  of  65°  to  bring  them 
quite  to  perfection.  Poinsettias  are  easily  raised  from  the  ripened  wood 
of  two  joints  inserted  in  thumb  pots,  as  nearly  every  one  will  root  and 
grow.  Firm,  sturdy  growth  is  the  object  to  be  aimed  at,  but  on  no 
account  should  the  roots  be  brought  to  a  standstill,  or  the  foliage  falls. 
Care  is  needed  in  the  early  autumn  not  to  excite  the  plants  into  fresh 
growth,  and  when  the  bracts  are  produced  they  should  be  carefully 
inured  to  cooler  treatment  until  they  can  be  removed  to  an  inter¬ 
mediate  temperature  or  the  conservatory.  In  the  latter  they  need 
careful  watering,  and  cold  draughts  must  be  kept  from  them. 
Carnations. — These  are  very  popular  indeed  just  now,  and  with 
many  the  favourite  flower.  It  is  easy  to  talk  and  write  about  having 
plenty  of  these  in  bloom,  but  to  do  so  requires  care,  forethought,  and 
abundance  of  room.  It  is  useless  to  think  of  starting  with  a  few  dozen 
plants  and  to  anticipate  twelve  months  hence  being  able  to  cut  some 
hundieds  of  blooms.  Those  who  entertain  these  ideas  will  most  probably 
be  doomed  to  disappointment.  Carnation  Marguerite  certainly  fills  in 
a  gap,  and  is  exceedingly  useful ;  but  it  is  all  nonsense  to  say  that, 
if  kept  cool,  they  will  flower  all  the  winter.  Under  such  treatment 
they  will  do  nothing  of  the  kind,  unless  those  who  accomplish  this 
feat  have  discovered  some  method  unknown  to  the  majority  of  growers. 
Tn  the  first  place  it  is  unnatural  for  them,  or  any  other  Carnation,  to 
flower  profusely  under  cool,  airy,  winter  treatment.  The  flower  buds 
go  blind  when  the  temperature  is  too  low,  while  to  all  appearance  they 
look  promising. 
These  plants  can  be  kept  in  good  condition  when  not  too  forward, 
and  with  increased  sunlight  in  February  will  bloom  profusely.  Last 
year  under  greenhouse  treatment  we  had  blooms  up  to  Christmas,  then 
they  ceased  to  flower  until  introduced  into  gentle  warmth.  Growth  again 
commenced,  and  thousands  of  useful  sweet  flowers  were  the  result.  The 
plants  from  the  time  they  are  placed  into  their  flowering  pots  should  be 
grown  outside  until  the  approach  of  frost.  Then  they  must  be  placed  in 
a  light,  airy  house  for  a  time,  gradually  providing  a  little  warmth  as  the 
days  decrease  in  length  and  the  sun’s  power  becomes  less.  If  not  too 
cramped  at  their  roots  they  will  commence  blooming  when  placed 
inside,  or  soon  afterwards,  according  to  the  time  the  flower  spikes  were 
removed,  and  continue  to  do  so  throughout  the  winter  months.  It  is 
certainly  wise  to  keep  all  the  later  plants  in  a  cool  temperature  for  early 
spring  flowering. 
Miss  Jollifle,  to  flower  freely  through  December  and  January,  must 
have  gentle  warmth,  but  the  flowers  will  be  paler  in  colour  than  when 
they  unfold  under  more  natural  conditions.  The  same  may  be  said  of 
tree  kinds  generally.  It  certainly  does  the  plants  no  good— in  fact,  it 
ruins  them  ;  but  where  flowers  must  be  had  provision  has  to  be  made 
for  a  sacrifice  of  plants  by  raising  young  stock  to  replace  them.  The 
character  of  several  border  kinds  may  be  so  changed  by  culture  under 
glass  that  when  layered  early  in  frames  they  push  up  their  flower  spikes 
in  early  autumn,  and  yield  by  gentle  forcing  a  good  supply  of  flowers. 
The  tendency  of  some  border  varieties  is  to  push  up  in  autumn  if  the 
layers  are  strong  and  early.  By  gentle  forcing  Carnations  may  be 
obtained  in  fair  quantity  during  the  dull  sunless  days  of  winter,  and 
they  are  worth  every  effort  that  must  be  put  forward  to  produce  them. 
Euphorbia  jacquini^hflora. — Some  cultural  care  is  needed  to 
grow  this  useful  plant  well.  Propagation  is  by  no  means  simple,  but 
when  cuttings  are  rooted  the  plants  are  easily  grown,  provided  they  are 
carefully  watered.  The  object  should  be  to  produce  strong  vigorous 
growth,  which  can  be  obtained  in  3  and  4-inch  pots.  When  the  plants 
are  in  active  growth  they  must  be  fully  exposed  to  the  sun  to 
thoroughly  ripen  and  harden  their  wood,  as  on  the  thorough  maturation 
of  the  growth  depends  success  or  failure  in  flowering.  The  plants  should 
b«  grown  upright  for  a  time,  and  not  allowed  to  arch,  mtuf&lly  too 
early,  or  they  are  liable  to  break  again  into  growth  just  where  they 
bend.  These  plants  when  well  grown  are  not  showy,  nevertheless 
they  are  effective  in  any  arrangement  of  plants  and  flowers.  If 
used  in  the  conservatory  they  should  be  kept  rather  dry,  or  they  are 
apt  to  damp  off  altogether.  How  light  and  graceful  they  are  when 
hanging  out  of  large  epergnes  on  the  dining  table,  in  conjunction 
with  a  few  Calanthes,  the  flowers  of  Eulalia,  and  arching  sprays  of 
Asparagus  plumosus  ! 
Primulas. — First  for  usefulness  we  must  place  the  small  and  insig¬ 
nificant-looking  obconica.  Young  plants  from  seeds  raised  annually 
in  the  spring  are  best,  and  from  these  abundance  of  useful  flowers  for 
small  vases  can  be  obtained  from  October,  or  earlier,  until  May.  They 
may  be  easily  brought  into  flower  by  gentle  warmth.  Our  main  stock 
of  plants  has  cool  greenhouse  treatment,  and  are  introduced  into 
gentle  warmth  as  required.  They  are  extremely  useful  in  from  3  to 
5-inch  pot3  for  room  decoration,  and  are  equally  effective  as  a  conser¬ 
vatory  plant.  In  large,  rather  dark  houses,  where  the  Chinese  varieties 
prove  almost  useless,  P.  obconica  continues  to  flourish  and  flower. 
The  old  double  White  Chinese  Primula  is  too  useful  to  be  ignored, 
and  where  plants  can  be  accommodated  they  should  be  grown.  The 
coloured  double  and  semi-double  kinds  are  also  useful  for  small  glasses 
and  table  decorations,  the  brightest  crimsons  being  especially  so.  The 
single  varieties  are  also  useful  in  many  positions  for  home  decoration. 
Dwarf  sturdy  plants  in  3^-inch  pots  with  one  stout  bold  truss  rising  out 
of  the  centre,  are  very  pleasing  for  dinner-table  decoration.  Supposing 
we  have  a  small  table  with  three  or  five  plants  of  Pandanus  Yeitchi 
well  coloured  down  the  centre,  in  silver  cups,  the  surface  mossed,  or  the 
pots  covered  with  pink  crinkled  paper,  eight  or  twelve  White  Primulas 
can  be  arranged  equally  on  each  side.  Crimsons  for  a  change  can  be 
used  with  narrow-leaved  Dracaenas,  such  as  superba  elegantissima,  in 
place  of  the  Pandanus.  The  single  blooms,  and  even  the  trusses,  are 
useful  for  table  decoration. 
Freesias. — The  culture  of  these  is  much  better  understood  than 
was  formerly  the  case,  and  they  must  be  classed  amongst  choice  flowers 
for  Christmas.  Their  delicious  perfume  will  always  make  them 
favourites.  One  or  two  plants  well  grown  in  5-inch  pots  scent  a  room. 
They  are  worth  using  with  their  own  foliage,  and  can  be  arranged  to 
hang  out  gracefully  from  large  vases.  To  have  flowers  by  Christmas 
without  unduly  forcing  them  imported  bulbs  should  be  obtained  as  early 
as  possible,  placed  thickly  in  5-inch  pots,  stood  in  a  frame,  and  covered 
with  cocoa-nut  fibre  refuse.  They  may  there  enjoy  cool  treatment 
close  to  the  glass  on  a  moist  base  until  it  is  certain  the  flowers  have 
formed,  when  they  can  be  gently  forced  at  first,  warmth  being 
increased  after  the  flower  spike  is  distinctly  visible.  What  a  difference 
in  the  size  and  price  of  imported  roots  to  what  was, the  case  fifteen  or 
twenty  years  ago  1  At  the  present  time  they  are  scarcely  worth 
retaining  after  they  have  flowered.  They  certainly  increase  rapidly, 
and  the  roots,  after  forcing,  yield  useful  flowers  if  sown  thickly  together 
in  boxes,  and  frequently,  if  allowed  time  to  grow  naturally,  the  roots 
increase  in  size.  They  need  care  after  flowering,  and  thorough  ripening. — 
Wm.  Bardney, 
(To  be  continued.) 
MODERN  GRAPE  GROWING— ESTIMATE  OF 
VARIETIES. 
( Continued  from  page  574.) 
In  estimating  the  value  of  certain  varieties  of  Grapes  we  must 
consider  for  what  purpose  they  are  required.  If  grown  specially  for 
market,  size  and  a  fair  amount  of  colour  are  the  only  points  to  take 
into  consideration  during  the  present  fashion.  But  it  by  no  means 
follows  that  we  should  plant  all  Colmans  in  a  private  establishment. 
There  are  still  a  few  people  who  know  what  flavour  is,  and  would 
perhaps  prefer  a  rod  or  two  of  West’s  St.  Peter’s  in  their  late  vinery. 
It  is  natural  for  a  gardener  to  be  anxious  to  produce  as  good  looking 
Grapes  as  his  neighbour,  but  when  his  employer  prefers  Lady  Downe’s, 
Mrs.  Pince,  or  West’s  St.  Peter’s,  these  varieties  should  be  grown  as  well 
as  it  is  possible  to  do  them.  Personally  I  consider  Gros  Colman  to  be 
both  the  best  and  the  worst  late  Grape.  Grown  as  it  is  in  a  few 
establishments,  where  it  has  plenty  of  heat,  but  not  too  liberally 
fed,  is  kept  free  of  insects,  and  not  overcropped,  it  becomes,  after  the 
new  year  has  set  in,  not  only  an  object  of  the  greatest  beauty,  but  it 
does  not  disappoint  the  palate.  Unlike  moBt  late  GrapeB  it  has  then  a 
thin  skin,  which  dissolves  in  the  mouth  like  that  of  the  best  Hamburghs, 
and  it  is  full  of  juice,  with  no  trace  of  earthiness.  It  is  the  best  of  all 
winter  Grapes  for  sick  persons  and  invalids,  and  is  much  recommended 
by  physicians. 
Strangely  when  this  Grape  is  grown  in  a  cooler  temperature  those  of 
its  berries  which  do  colour  become  a  denser  black  than  when  grown  in 
more  heat,  but  the  flavour  is  never  so  good,  the  skin  is  thicker,  and  the 
berries  are  hardly  ever  so  large.  Colmans  less  than  4  inches  in  circum¬ 
ference  (they  ought  to  be  4^)  are  not  properly  developed,  and  cannot 
be  good  ;  but  how  many  scores  of  tons  do  we  see  in  the  shops  not  more 
than  3  inches,  and  of  a  colour  something  between  green  and  mahogany. 
It  is  these  Colmans  that  give  the  Grape  a  bad  name,  and  I  am 
astonished  that  anyone  should  waste  his  money  on  them,  for  the 
Almerian  and  other  cheap  foreign  Grapes  imported  in  barrels  are 
infinitely  superior  to  such  rubbish.  One  might  suppose  without 
experience  to  the  contrary  that  fruit  of  this  quality  would  have  no 
effect  on  the  splendid  examples  produced  by  our  best  growers,  unless  it 
were  to  enhance  tho  value  of  ths  latter  If  there  tvere  nothing  but 
