June  4,  lg9§. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
525 
mulching  of  either  short  grass  from  the  mowing  machine,  leaf  soil,  or 
cocoa-nut  fibre  refuse  should  be  given. 
•  T'lberou8  Begonias. — These  thrive  best  when  planted  in  well  en¬ 
riched  soil  and  a  somewhat  cooler  position  than  their  old  rival,  Zonal 
pelargonium,  delights  in.  They  transplant  readily  from  the  boxes  of  soil 
in  which  they  were  started,  and  soon  become  showy,  a  rainy  season  not 
much  affecting  them.  They  are  most  effective  in  masses,  edged,  say, 
with  either  Lobelias,  Mesembryanthemums,  or  Golden  Pyrethrum. 
btrong  plants  should  be  placed  not  less  than  9  inches  apart  each  way, 
with  one  stem  only,  or  young  seedlings,  about  6  inches  apart, 
bhould  there  be  a  scarcity  of  plants,  or  if  a  change  of  style  is  desirable, 
they  may  be  disposed  farther  apart,  between  or  among  them  being 
planted  either  Lobelias  or  Mesembryanthemum  cordifolinm  variegatum. 
These,  in  addition  to  forming  a  neat  groundwork,  also  serve  to  keep 
,  ®  ^r0UD^  cooler  and  more  moist  than  it  otherwise  would  be.  The 
old  Begonia  weltoniensis  succeeds  well  planted  out,  and  a  trial  may 
well  be  given  to  Begonia  Carrierei. 
Coleuses. — The  rich  velvety  crimson  Coleus  Verschaffelti  can  ill  be 
spared  from  a  summer  arrangement.  It  is  suitable  for  banding  gold  or 
silver  variegated  Zmal  Pelargoniums  with  an  outer  edging  of  blue 
Lobelia,  but  is  far  more  effective  massed  in  the  centre  of  a  bed  edged 
with  a  broad  band  of  dwarf  golden-leaved  Pelargonium.  The  latter, 
or  any  other  edging  used,  may  be  planted  at  once,  but  the  Coleus  ought 
not  to  be  planted  before  the  second  week  in  June,  or  even  later  in  most 
localities.  It  should  be  put  out  sufficiently  thick  to  cover  the  ground 
at  once,  and  a  warm  and  light  rather  than  a  rich  soil  best  suits  it. 
Hellotroplums. — These  are  again  somewhat  tender,  and  ought 
therefore  to  be  carefully  hardened  and  planted  later.  The  dark  varieties 
are  very  effective  when  massed  in  the  centre  of  a  bed  and  surrounded  by 
a  sturdy  growing  silver  variegated  Zonal  Pelargonium.  They  ought  also 
to  be  freely  introduced  into  mixed  and  ribbon  borders,  and  they  form  a 
good  groundwork  of  variegated  Japanese  Maize. 
Fuchsias. — A  bed  of  these  may  well  be  tried,  especially  where  variety 
is  preferred.  It  is  useless  to  turn  them  out  into  poor  dry  soil,  and  they 
will  well  repay  for  any  extra  trouble  taken  with  them.  Plenty  of  leaf 
soil  and  decayed  manure  ought  to  be  mixed  freely  with  the  surface  soil, 
a  mulching  being  given  subsequently.  Any  of  the  freer-growing 
varieties  that  succeed  in  pots  may  be  planted  out  well  clear  of  each 
other,  and  Lobelias,  Musk,  Mignonette,  or  any  other  trailing  plants 
intermingled  among  them. 
Xreslnes. — In  common  with  Coleuses  and  Alternantheras  these  must 
not  be  put  out  too  hurriedly.  I.  Herbsti  is  the  freest  grower,  and  as  this 
can  be  pegged  down  and  trained  at  will  it  is  most  suitable  for  forming  a 
broad  band  round  variegated  Zonal  Pelargoniums  in  mixture  with  blue 
Violas  or  otherwise.  I.  Lindeni  is  of  stiller  habit,  and  frequentlv  fails 
on  cold  heavy  ground.  This  is  also  suitable  for  edgings,  and  is  effective 
in  mixture  with  Gazania  splendens. 
Marguerites  and  Petunias. — One  of  the  oldest  arrangements  in 
which  the  former  has  figured  consists  of  a  mixture  of  Marguerites  and 
Petunias  ;  the  latter  were  the  most  freely  used  and  formed  a  showy 
groundwork  ;  they  are  still  among  the  best  for  hot  positions  and  poor 
soils. ^  Marguerites  may  also  be  effectively  dotted  among  Verbenas, 
seedling  or  otherwise,  and  a  few  plants  ought  to  be  introduced  into 
large  mixed  beds  and  borders.  The  white  flowering  Marguerites  are 
the  most  commonly  used,  but  the  yellow  Comte  de  Chambord  and  Etoile 
d’Or  are  even  more  attractive. 
Various. — If  a  flat  even  mass  of  colour  is  needed  the  Zonal  Pelar¬ 
goniums  should  be  planted  in  a  sloping  direction,  this  rendering  pegging 
down  a  comparatively  easy  matter,  and  the  larger  ttie  plants  the  better 
for  the  purpose.  Verbenas  require  a  rather  rich  soil  and  plenty  of  mois¬ 
ture  when  growing,  and  if  clean  young  but  not  wiry  plants  are  put  out 
they  will  soon  cover  the  ground.  Cutting-raised  plants  are  suitable 
for  the  centres  of  small  beds  and  for  edging  when  one  colour  is  needed, 
while  the  seedlings  do  well  in  a  large  bed.  A  bed  of  mixed  Lantanas 
is  rather  uncommon  and  very  attractive,  and  a  large  bed  may  quickly  be 
filled  with  single  Dahlias  pegged  down.  Seedling  Petunias  and  Tro- 
paeolums  will  thrive  and  flower  freely  on  a  hot  bank,  but  Violas  require 
plenty  of  moisture  and  rich  soil.  Dahlias  will  grow  almost  anywhere, 
though  they  pay  for  good  treatment.  Stocks,  Asters,  Zinnias,  and  Pent- 
stemons  ought  to  be  planted  in  rather  rich  soil,  but  Marigolds  are  not 
so  particular  in  that  respect. 
PLANT  HOUSES. 
Camellias, — Plants  for  early  flowering  have  completed  their 
growth  ;  it  will  therefore  be  necessary  to  maintain  the  air  about  them 
drier,  in  order  to  prevent  their  starting  again.  Shade  the  plants  only 
from  bright  sunshine.  Every  ray  of  light  possible  must  be  admitted  to 
them  to  ripen  and  harden  the  wood  thoroughly.  This  is  essential  if  the 
flower  buds  are  to  be  retained.  Be  careful  not  to  allow  the  plants  to 
suffer  from  an  insufficient  supply  of  moisture  at  their  roots.  After  the 
flower  buds  have  formed,  and  are  swelling  freely,  the  syringe  may  be 
used  twice  daily,  and  the  plantB  supplied  occasionally  with  weak 
stimulants. 
Azaleas. — Plants  that  flower  in  early  autumn  must  now  be  removed 
to  cool  airy  quarters,  or  they  may  come  forward  too  rapidly  or  burst 
again  into  growth.  Shade  them  only  from  bright  sunshine,  but  admit 
as  much  light  as  possible  to  harden  and  ripen  the  wood.  After  they 
have  been  properly  hardened  and  their  flower  buds  are  swelling  freely, 
the  plants  may  be  placed  outside  with  safety.  Arrange  them  so  that 
their  pots  will  not  be  fully  exposed  to  the  sun,  or  the  fine  hair-like 
roots  will  be  certain  to  suffer.  If  the  pots  can  be  plunged  in  ashes  or 
any  similar  material  all  the  better.  Assist  the  plants  that  flowered  late 
to  make  their  growth  by  maintaining  a  warm  moist  atmosphere.  Watch 
for  thrips,  especially  on  plants  which  have  completed  their  growth.  If 
it  appear  wash  the  plants  thoroughly  with  a  solution  of  tobacco  water 
in  which  has  been  dissolved  1  oz.  of  softsoap  to  each  four  gallons,  and  a 
piece  of  common  washing  soda  about  the  size  of  a  Cob  Nut. 
Ericas. — Plants  which  it  is  necessary  to  retard  for  late  flowering 
may  be  placed  outside,  where  they  can  be  protected  from  bright  sun¬ 
shine.  It  is  desirable  to  place  over  them  old  lights  to  throw  off  heavy 
rains.  Be  careful  not  to  allow  the  plants  to  become  dry  at  the  roots. 
Shade  those  lightly  that  are  making  growth  during  the  hottest  part  of 
the  day,  but  admit  air  abundantly.  Keep  the  base  upon  which  they 
stand  moist  by  syringing  amongst  the  pots  frequently.  Pinch  shoots 
that  are  taking  the  lead  of  others,  or  draw  them  towards  the  rim  of  the 
pots  bo  as  to  give  the  weaker  a  chance  of  gaining  strength. 
Epacrls. — The  early  plants  will  now  be  growing  freely,  and  shade 
should  only  be  applied  during  bright  sunshine.  These  plants  often  fail 
to  flower  satisfactorily  through  their  growths  being  drawn  up  weakly 
by  overshading.  The  frames  in  which  they  are  grown  should  be  freely 
ventilated  during  the  day,  and  a  little  air  may  be  left  on  all  night.  The 
plants  may  be  syringed  once  or  twice  daily  according  to  the  weather. 
They  must  be  watered  liberally  yet  judiciously.  Later  plants  now 
commencing  free  growth  may  be  repotted  if  they  need  more  root  room. 
Good  peat  and  sand  should  form  the  compost.  Do  not  disturb  the  roots 
further  than  the  removal  of  the  old  drainage,  and  press  the  soil  firmly 
between  the  pot  and  the  old  ball.  They  should  afterwards  be  watered 
with  great  care,  and  the  frame  closed  early  in  the  afternoon,  syringing 
the  plants  at  the  same  time  until  they  are  growing  and  rooting  freely 
in  the  new  soil. 
Softwooded  Heaths. — All  that  are  to  flower  next  autumn  and 
winter  should  be  in  their  flowering  pots,  or  be  placed  in  them  without 
delay.  Young  plants  that  are  potted  now  should  be  returned  to  frames 
for  a  time  until  the  weather  is  settled,  when  they  may  be  stood  outside 
on  beds  of  ashes.  If  the  pots  of  the  outer  rows  are  plunged  the  others 
will  shade  each  other  sufficiently  to  be  safe  from  injury  by  the  sun 
striking  direct  upon  the  pots.  Young  and  old  plants,  if  they  have  been 
hardened  by  abundance  of  air,  will  be  better  outBide  than  in  frames. 
Give  each  plant  plenty  of  room,  so  that  it  has  abundance  of  light  and 
air. 
Greenhouse  Rhododendrons. — These  frequently  fail  to  flower 
profusely  through  overshading ;  they  practically  need  no  shade.  From 
the  time  that  the  new  shoots  appear  until  they  have  lengthened  out  and 
developed  their  foliage  light  shade  from  the  burning  rays  of  the  sun  is 
an  advantage  ;  but  from  the  time  the  foliage  and  wood  become  a  little 
firm  shading  should  be  gradually  discontinued  and  the  plants  fully 
exposed  to  the  sun.  The  wood  must  be  thoroughly  hard  and  ripe,  then 
flowers  are  certain.  The  syringe  should  be  used  freely  during  growth  as 
well  as  afterwards,  and  abundance  of  water  given  to  the  roots.  The  use 
of  the  syringe  need  only  be  discontinued  for  a  week  or  two  after  they 
have  finished  their  growth,  the  same  as  advised  for  Camellias. 
Xiapagerlas. — Plants  that  are  growing  under  the  roof  of  a  structure 
on  the  south  side  must  be  densely  Bhaded  until  they  have  completed 
their  growth.  They  cannot  endure  strong  sun  in  their  present  stage. 
The  syringe  should  be  used  freely,  and  abundance  of  water  applied  to 
the  roots.  If  they  are  confined  in  narrow  borders  weak  liquid  manure 
may  be  given  occasionally. 
SEASONABLE  NOTES. 
The  past  week  has  been  unfavourable  for  honey  production, 
having  been  on  the  whole  dull  and  sunless,  and  with  the  wind  in 
the  N.E.  the  whole  of  the  time  a  low  temperature  has  prevailed. 
On  two  or  three  occasions  a  thermometer  placed  on  a  stand  4  feet 
from  the  ground  registered  within  4°  of  freezing  point,  whilst  in 
more  exposed  places  white  frosts  occurred.  Fortunately  these 
were  not  severe  enough  to  damage  the  forward  crops,  though 
farther  northward  much  damage  was  done  to  early  Potatoes. 
Rain  has  not  fallen  in  sufficient  quantity  to  be  of  much  benefit 
to  the  growing  crops,  the  rainfall  for  the  present  month  being 
only  three-quarters  of  an  inch. 
Bees  have  been  confined  to  their  hives,  and  strong  colonies  that 
were  supered  a  few  weeks  ago  and  were  beiug  rapidly  filled  with 
honey  from  the  many  fruit  tree  blossoms  during  the  hot  weather 
experienced  a  fortnight  ago  are  now  fast  disappearing,  owing  to 
the  daily  requirements  of  the  extra  strong  colonies  on  which  they 
were  placed.  The  consumption  of  stores  at  this  season  is  very  great. 
The  majority  of  stocks,  however,  stored  a  surplus  from  the  early 
flowers,  and  are  now  in  a  position  to  withstand  a  spell  of  dull 
weather. 
Breeding  is  going  on  apace.  Tens  of  thousands  of  bees  are 
hatching  out  daily,  and  will  be  ready  to  take  a  share  of  the  work, 
and  store  a  surplus  when  the  honey  flow  comes. 
Swarms  that  have  come  off  during  the  past  fortnight,  and  were 
1 
HE  BEE-KEEPER. 
r  - 1  - 1  -  i  •  i  -  [  -  i  -  i  '-~i  v  i  . ,  .  i  ■-v-"i  .  i  -  r.  i  -  j  iT~- 
