204 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
March  6,  1896. 
my  Smyrna  bulbs  is  especially  attractive  ;  but  I  do  not  know 
whether  others  have  found  that  it  does  not  stay  at  home  like  the 
common  kind,  and  it  is  therefore  very  difficult  to  get  a  good  clump 
of  it.  I  have  tried  it  here  and  in  other  parts  of  my  garden,  but 
wherever  I  have  placed  it  the  same  holds  good,  and  I  can  therefore 
only  think  that  it  is  not  a  local  freak,  but  the  habit  of  the  bulb. 
Of  course,  there  are  Crocuses  of  various  species  ;  they  have  come 
out  very  early  this  year,  and  not  only  this  rockery,  but  other  parts 
of  the  garden,  are  gay  with  their  many-coloured  bright  blossoms. 
Amongst  the  species  ochroleuca,  Imperati,  Sieberi,  and  Aucheri  are 
especially  brilliant,  while  the  variety  of  Scotch  and  Dutch  Crocuses, 
as  they  are  called,  make  everything  look  gay,  and  as  they  have 
not  experienced  any  severe  weather  they  are  continuing  a  long  time 
in  flower. 
Among  the  bulbs  on  this  rockery  of  which  I  have  been  writing 
is  a  considerable  batch  of  that  beautiful  early  flowering  Anemone, 
A.  blanda,  which  I  had  through  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Whittall 
of  Smyrna  ;  it  is  evidently  the  same  which  we  receive  from  other 
quarters,  but  I  think  it  is  somewhat  earlier  than  those  from  more 
northern  climes,  and  varies  considerably  in  colour,  most  of  them 
being  somewhat  darker  than  the  ordinary  strains.  Omphalodes 
verna  is  another  plant  which  seems  to  thrive  luxuriantly  in  this 
position  ;  although  I  dislike  putting  English  names  to  plants,  yet 
the  term  Creeping  Forget-me-not  is  not  far  from  the  mark  ;  it  does 
creep  along  the  stones,  and  the  bright  blue  of  its  flowers  is  not 
unlike  that  of  the  Forget-me-not,  though  much  deeper  ;  it  does 
not  form  a  large  truss,  or  it  would  be  still  more  attractive,  but  its 
abundant  foliage  and  free  blooming  make  it  a  good  plant  for  the 
rockery  at  this  time  of  the  year. 
There  is  another  flower  which  blooms  at  this  early  period  which 
I  would  mention,  although  I  have  not  got  it  in  sufficient  quantities 
to  make  any  display,  and  this  is  Iris  histrio,  the  earliest  of  this 
widely  extended  and  diversified  family.  Most  gardeners  are 
acquainted  with  that  charming  and  sweet-scented  flower,  Iris 
reticulata,  for  whose  blooming  we  are  now  looking  out  ;  and 
Iris  histrio  belongs  to  the  same  section. 
It  may  be  asked,  Why  do  you  not  mention  Hepaticas  ?  But 
just  tor  this  simple  reason  that  I  have  never  been  able  to  get  them 
to  succeed  in  this  warm  position.  I  have  them  doing  fairly  well  in 
a  cooler  place,  but  not  as  I  recollect  them  in  my  earlier  days, 
where  they  were  little  cared  for,  and  seemed  to  like  neglect. 
H.  anguiesa  succeeds  very  well  with  me,  but  then  it  is  entirely 
different  in  habit  and  bloom  from  the  ordinary  H.  triloba.  Of  course 
we  shall  now  be  expecting  in  various  pa,rts  of  the  garden 
Chionodoxas,  Anemones,  Narcissi,  and  other  spring  flowering  bulbs 
and  plants,  but  I  do  not  touch  upon  these,  as  my  object  has  been 
rather  to  show  what  can  be  had  in  a  small  garden  before  the 
ordinary  blooramg  time  for  spring  plants  has  arrived. — D.,  Deal. 
ANTHURIUM  NOTES. 
A.  SCHERZERIANUM. 
Flowering,  as  this  plant  does,  duriDg  the  declining  months  of  the 
wmter  and  in  the  early  spring,  it  is  surprising  that  it  is  not  represented  in 
gardens  for  cuttings  and  decorative  purposes  by  the  hundred  instead  of 
by  solitary  specimens.  Few  plants  that  we  grow  for  decorative  or  cutting 
purposes  last  in  good  presentable  condition  over  a  longer  period  than 
this.  The  scarlet  spathes  are  always  striking,  and  can  be  associated  with 
the  choicest  of  flowers.  By  growing  a  large  number  of  plants  the 
flowering  period  can  be  extended  over  a  long  space  of  time.  The  plant 
lends  itself  well  to  either  extra  forcing  or  retarding,  according  to  the 
will  of  the  cultivator.  On  many  occasions  I  have  urged  the  claims  of 
this  plai  t  for  more  general  cultivation,  and  make  no  apology  for  doing 
bo  again . 
If  we  regard  the  plant  for  grouping  purposes,  for  use  in  rooms  or  other 
positions,  by  artificial  or  daylight,  no  other  plant  in  our  gardens  can  well 
surpass  it ;  under  artificial  light  its  brilliant  spathes  are  striking  in  the 
extreme,  and  a  few  plants  make  a  more  distinctive  feature  amongst 
Ferns  and  foliage.  What  other  plant  have  we  at  this  season  of  the  year 
that  contrasts  so  admirably  when  associated  with  Cattleyas  in  bloom, 
and  yet  harmonises  with  them  so  well  ?  Even  when  cut  it  is  a  gem 
amongst  these  flowers  when  its  long  slender  stems  are  allowed  to  rise 
above  them  arranged  in  suitable  greenery,  without  the  slightest  trace  of 
crowding. 
Masdevallias  are  popular  am;  ngst  Orchid  growers,  and  tbeir  bright 
colours  make  a  pleasing  display,  but  for  general  use  they  are  not 
to  be  compared  to  this  old  inhabitant  of  our  stoves.  We  do  not 
care  to  draw  comparisons,  and  will  only  point  out  one  more  use 
to  which  the  plant  is  seldom  put,  and  that  is  the  adornment  of  the 
dining  table.  Plants  in  6-inch  pots  bearing  three  or  four  of  their 
bright  spathes  look  well  in  silver  vases  down  the  centre  of  the  table, 
and  even  if  the  plants  employed  have  not  the  required  number  of 
blooms  on  them  cut  spathes  of  other  plants  may  be  added.  For 
association  with  these  nothing  is  better  than  Tulip  Vermilion  Brilliant, 
about  five  in  each  glass  with  their  own  foliage,  down  the  sides  of  the 
table  and  between  the  silver  or  other  vases  employed. 
This  Anthurium,  practically  speaking,  is  easy  to  grow,  and  is  not 
so  particular  about  soil  as  at  one  time  was  thought  to  be  the  case. 
It  can  be  grown  to  perfection  in  that  moss  which  forms  a  close  cake  on 
the  surface  in  our  woods,  in  fact  nothing  is  better.  It  resents  any  soil 
that  goes  closely  together  and  becomes  sour,  for  in  such  its  thick  fleshy 
roots  soon  perish.  The  pots  in  which  it  is  grown  should  be  well 
drained.  The  main  body  of  the  material  may  consist  of  fibrous  peat 
and  loam,  amongst  which  broken  crocks  or  gravel  have  been  freely 
incorporated.  The  top  may  be  surfaced  with  moss,  as  is  the  custom 
in  the  potting  of  Orchids.  The  bulk  of  the  roots  that  form  from  the 
stem  will  take  possession  of  the  surface  moss. 
When  the  plants  are  repotted,  which  may  be  done  annually  or  at 
intervals  of  two  years,  the  whole  of  the  old  soil  should  be  washed  away 
from  their  roots  and  replaced  with  freBh.  While  growing,  the  plant 
likes  plenty  of  heat  and  moisture  as  well  as  shade  from  the  sun.  Directly 
after  repotting  care  in  watering  is  needed  until  the  roots  are  thoroughly 
active,  when  liberal  supplies  are  beneficial.  After  growth  has  been  made 
the  plants  need  a  thorough  rest,  which  is  best  given  by  removing  them 
to  an  intermediate  temperature.  They  are  safe  amongst  Cattleyas  at 
rest.  The  drier  conditions  of  the  atmosphere  suit  them  well.  They 
also  require  to  be  kept  on  the  dry  side  at  the  roots.  If  given  too  much 
water  during  the  resting  period  the  roots  are  liable  to  decay.  Heat  and 
moisture  is  again  needed  after  the  season  of  rest  to  induce  them  to 
grow  and  flower,  few  plants  respond  to  its  application  much  quicker. 
A.  Andreanum, 
Although  not  so  useful  as  A.  Scherztrianum,  the  above  is  a  plant 
which  deserves  to  be  grown  on  a  larger  scale  than  is  at  present  the  case, 
and  where  room  can  be  given  not  represented  by  solitary  specimens.  A 
number  of  large  plants  will  yield  spathes  in  quantity  during  the  winter 
and  spring,  and  these  are  invaluable  for  cutting  purposes.  In  large 
vases  in  halls  and  other  positions  they  can  be  most  effectively  employed, 
where  small  flowers,  however  choice,  would  be  lost.  I  know  of  no 
flower  for  large  vases  where  Callas  and  their  foliage  can  be  used  that  is 
so  useful.  They  last  a  long  time  when  cut,  and  are  so  striking  in  colour 
that  they  contrast  admirably  with  the  old  favourite  Calla. 
All  who  want  abundance  of  flowers,  choice  and  distinct,  would  do 
well  to  increase  the  stock  of  this  Anthurium.  Some  of  the  varieties 
after  this  type  are  too  washy,  and  scarcely  worth  a  place  for  the  purpose 
in  view,  therefore  only  a  good  strain  should  be  grown.  Good  varieties 
should  always  be  increased,  as  seedlings  are  not  very  reliable,  and  often 
prove  disappointing.  There  are  two  or  three  distinct  forms  of  Andreanuin, 
one  a  good  flower,  dwarf  and  distinct,  while  another  runs  away  and 
forms  a  stem.  The  latter  we  prefer  for  stock  purposes,  the  other 
flowers  equally  well,  but  is  a  good  deal  slower  in  growth,  therefore  it 
takes  much  longer  in  raising  a  stock. 
The  one  that  forms  a  stem  should  be  grown  on  as  rapidly  »a  possible) 
until  it  is  at  least  a  yard  hign,  then  cut  clote  over  near  the  moss  of  the 
pot  in  which  it  has  been  growing,  the  old  stock  will  make  three  or  four 
Bhoots,  which  may  be  allowed  to  grow  the  first  season  without  being 
disturbed.  The  shoots  will  commence  to  flower  again  in  autumn.  The 
following  spring  they  can  be  taken  off  and  rooted,  the  old  stem  again 
breaking  into  growth.  This  method  we  prefer.  After  taking  off  the 
top  we  cut  the  remaining  portion  of  the  stem  into  lengths  of  two  join's, 
with  a  little  root  attached  to  each  portion  if  possiole.  The  top  portion 
of  the  stem  may  be  cut  into  pieces  of  two  joints  and  inserted  into  3-inch 
pots  in  sand  and  sphagnum  moss.  These,  if  placed  in  the  propagating 
frame  where  brisk  bottom  beat  can  be  given,  will  soon  commence  to 
grow  and  root.  These  if  potted  on  make  splendid  plants  by  the  end  of 
the  season  in  6-inch  pots. 
Plants  raised  from  stems  in  this  manner  and  grown  after  they  are 
rooted  in  the  material  advised  for  A.  Scherzerianum  are  invaluable  the 
first  season  for  furnishing  the  side  stages  of  the  stove.  These,  in  addition 
for  cutting  and  the  embellishment  of  the  stove,  are  useful  for  any  choice 
group  or  mixing  with  Cattleyas  in  bloom. — Wm.  Bardney, 
does  grape  growing  pay? 
I  have  for  many  years  been  a  reader  of  the  Journal,  and  anything 
anent  Grape  growing  which  appears  in  its  pages  is  especially  interesting. 
On  this  score  I  do  not  think  anyone  can  complaiD,  for  the  current 
numbers  have  been  exceedingly  rich  in  Grape  growing  lore.  There  are 
Mr.  W.  Taylor’s  articles  on  “  Modern  Grape  Growing,”  which  I  hope  to 
see  published  in  hook  form  when  they  are  finished  ;  an  excellent  article 
on  “Renovating  Old  Vines,”  by  Mr.  W.  West  Chapman  (page  90)  ;  and 
mors  recently  (page  122)  a  paper  on  “Express  Grape  Growing,”  by 
Mr.  C.  Colebrooke. 
When  reading  this  latter  article  I  paused  and  asked  myself,  “  Does 
Grape  Growing  Pay  ?  ”  Mr.  Colebrook  says  a  profit  can  be  made  from 
Grapes  at  6d.  to  8d.  per  pound,  and  that  three  bunches  to  a  spur,  sixty- 
six  bunches  to  a  Vine,  ia  the  crop  be  takes  ?  Now  comes  the  question, 
How  long  will  the  Vines  stand  this  ?  I  suppose  high  feeding  has  some¬ 
thing  to  do  with  it,  but  this  adds  to  the  expense  of  growing.,  I  recently 
asked  the  price  of  Grapes  at  two  different  fruiterers’  shops  in  a  provincial 
town,  and  the  price  quoted  in  each  case  was  3s.  per  pound  ;  and  I 
remember  some  years  ago  giving  4j.  61.  per  pound  for  Muscat  of 
Alexandria  rather  late  in  the  season,  after  our  own  were  gone.  From 
these  facts  it  seems  to  me  that  the  grower  ought  to  get  more  for  his 
Grapes  than  Mr.  Colebrooke  does,  What  do  others  say  ? — A  Gardener, 
