392 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER.  October  21,  1897. 
to  the  successful  working  of  a  nlant  remedy  -  a  plain  solution  beads  off 
the  mycelium  growth  or  the  bodies  of  the  insects,  and  does  no  adequate 
execution. 
“  The  j)Otash  salt  is  sold  in  commerce  under  the  name  ‘  Salufer,’  as  an 
antiseptic  of  similar  application  to  boric  acid  and  borates.  Your  readers 
should  be  warned  not  to  make  it  by'  the  method  suggested.  Hydrofluoric 
acid  is  frightful  stuff  for  the  most  careful  person  to  deal  with,  let  alone  a 
gardener.  I  know  a  man  who  lost  two  '  ngers  through  accidental  contact 
with  the  acid. 
“  Silico-fluorides  can  be  made  very  cheaply  by  roasting  Derby' spar, 
sand,  and  charcoal,  and  leading  the  gaseous  product  into  water.  It  is  then 
neutralised  with  the  alkali  or  base,  and  evaporated  down  to  dryness. 
“AVith  regard  to  the  suggested  inferiority  of  Bordeaux  mixture,  it 
should  be  noted  that  nothing  has  yet  been  found  to  e(iual  it  for  dressing 
Vines,  Potatoes,  and  other  plants  against  fungoid  attacks,  and  that 
owing  to  its  adherence  to  the  foliage  it  acts  as  a  jirevnitive  for  weeks, 
while  the  silico-tluoride,  at  best,  could  only  destroy  such  fungi  as  it 
encountered  at  the  time  of  application. 
“  ]\Iy  opinion  is  that  silico-fluoride  is  not  suitable  for  gauden  use, 
though  perhaps  a  serviceable  antiseptic  for  other  purposes.  I  also  advise 
you  to  warn  gardeners  that  no  reliable  evidence  is  yet  to  hand  that  the 
stuff  is  either  effective  or  non-injurious,  two  fundamental  requirements  of 
a  garden  remedy.” 
Mr.  (i.  Abbey'  says  he  “knows  fluoride  of  potassium  to  be  a  powerful 
fungicide  and  insecticide,  very'  deli(iuescent  and  soluble  in  water,  one  part 
in  1000  ])arts  water  acting  promptly'  and  effectively'  on  germs.”  lie  has 
“not  tried  silico-fluoride  of  ammonium  (Nll4)2S.jP(|,  but  thinks  it 
ought  to  prove  what  IMr.  Mills  claims  for  it  as  a  germicide  and  fertiliser.” 
Mr.  Abbey  must  try  it.  AYe  are  glad  in  being  able  to  ])ut  both  sides  of 
the  question  before  our  readers,  and  leave  those  of  them  who  desire  to  do 
so  to  test  the  product  for  themselves.] 
CEANOTHUS. 
The  value  of  the  various  species  and  varieties  of  Ceanothus  for  the 
ornamentation  of  gardens  can  hardly  be  over-estimated.  Some  are  first- 
rate  shrubs  for  covering  walls,  others  are  useful  for  beds  or  groups,  while 
a  few  grown  in  pots  will  be  found  very  acceptable  for  conservatory  work. 
AA'hen  grown  on  a  wall,  two  or  three  species  are  among  the  first  of  early 
spring  shrubs  to  flower.  Others  flower  during  summer,  whilst  a  few 
reserve  their  energies  to  make  a  grand  display  for  fully  three  months 
during  late  summer  and  early  autumn,  a  time  when  really  good  flowering 
shrubs  become  scarce.  Most  of  the  Ceanothus  which  are  in  general  use 
are  very  showy.  The  flowers  ai'e  produced  with  great  freedom,  and  vary 
in  colour  from  white  to  blue  of  various  shades,  and  also  lints  of  pink. 
The  only  objection  that  can  be  raised  against  the  extended  cultivation  of 
these  handsome  shrubs  is  that  several  of  the  species  are  rather  tender. 
The  latter,  however,  oan  be  grown  against  a  wall,  and  by  this  means 
escape  uninjured  through  all  but  the  most  severe  w'inters. 
The  most  useful  for  general  cultivation  are  C.  americanus,  C.  azureus, 
C.  Arnoldi,  C.  divaricatus,  C.  papillosus,  C.  rigidus,  and  C.  AVitchianus’ 
together  with  several  very  good  garden  varieties  of  (\  azureus.  Of  these 
the  three  former  w'itli  the  varieties  of  <  azureus  are  the  most  hardy. 
C.  americanus  is  a  native  of  the  Eastern  United  States,  where  it  is  said  to 
cover  large  tracts  of  land,  and  make  a  splendid  sight?  when  in  flower.  It 
makes  a  moderate  sized  bush  a  few  feet  high.  The  white  fiowers  are 
iqiright  and  cyinose,  resembling  very  much  a  branched  raceme,  but 
individually  are  small.  The  flowering  period  is  from  the  end  of  May  to 
the^end  of  .1  uly.  In  North  America  this  i)lant  is  known  as  the  “New 
.Jersey  ’Tea,”  ihe  leaves  having  at  times  been  used  as  a  substitute  for  that 
beverage. 
C.  azureus  (w'ith  its  varieties]  is  possibly  the  most  useful  of  the  genus 
from  a  horticultural  point  of  view.  It  has  larger  foliage  than  C.  ameri- 
oauus,  and  also  larger  blooms.  The  flowers  are  light  blue  and  produced 
W'ith  great  freedom.  The  varieties  are  chiefly  of  continental  origin,  and 
are  for  the  most  part  very  beautiful,  and  superior  to  the  type.  They 
vary  greatly  in  colour,  the  majority  being  of  various  shades  of  blue. 
Possibly  none  is  better  than  that  known  as  C.  Gloire  de  Versailles.  The 
foliage  of  this  is  in  shape  similar  to  that  of  the  parent,  but  larger, 
many  of  the  leaves  being  4  inches  or  more  in  length  by  2  in  w'idth.  The 
grow'th  is  stronger  than  the  type,  and  the  inflorescences  are  correspond- 
ingly  large,  many  being  6  or  more  inches  in  length.  The  flow'ers  are 
bright  blue.  It  commences  to  flower  early  in  June,  and  continues  until 
frost  stops  the  growth  in  autumn. 
Several  of  the  other  varieties  have  equally  good  flowers  and  strong 
growths.  C.  Arnoldi  is  of  a  pinkish  hue  and  is  very'  free  blooming  during 
late  summer  and  early  autumn.  For  this  section,  especially  the  varietie's 
of  C.  azureus,  it  is  advisable  to  put  a  good  layer  of  dry  leaves  about  the 
plants  on  the  ajiproach  of  severe  weather  ;  this  will  give  them  a  much 
better  chance  of  coming  safely  through  the  winter.  In  spring  they  should 
be  pruned  back  fairly  hard. 
Those  mentioned  for  growing  on  walls  are  ([uite  distinct  from  those 
recommended  for  the  open,  and  also  from  each  other.  0.  rigidus  is  the 
earliest  to  flower,  and  jiossibly  the  richest  coloured  of  all.  In  a  mild 
spring  the  eaidier  flowers  begin  to  open  about  the  third  week  in  March. 
I  he  young  growths  are  very  stiff.  The  flow'ers  are  a  dark,  rich  shade  of 
blue,  and  are  produced  fi'om  almost  every  joint  of  the  young  w'ood, 
making  the  whole  shoot  a  sjnke  of  blossoms.  C.  papillosus  flowers  a 
month  or  so  later  than  C.  rigidus.  The  flowei’s  are  light  blue,  and 
produced  in  loose  racemes.  C.  Veitchianus  appears  to  be  more  tender 
than  either  of  the  others.  The  flowers  are  pale  blue.  It  can  be  grown 
w'ell  in  pots,  and  makes  a  good  plant  for  the  greenhouse. 
C.  divaricatus  is  the  hardiest  of  those  mentioned  for  walls,  and  can 
be  grown  in  the  open,  but  does  not  flower  so  well  as  w'hen  grown  on  a  wall. 
It  branches  freely,  these  being  thin  and  pendulous.  The  flowers  are  pale 
blue,  and  it  is  at  its  best  about  the  middle  of  April. 
A  fairly  rich,  lightish  loam  is  suitable  for  all  mentioned,  and  with  the 
exception  of  C.  rigidus  each  may  be  rooted  fairly  well  from  cuttings. 
C.  rigidus  reijuires  layering.  It  is  as  well  to  keep  a  set  of  plants  in  small 
pots  of  the  tender  kinds,  so  that  they  can  be  given  protection  in  case 
very  severe  w'eather  is  ex])errenced  in  the  winter.  All  will  stand  mode¬ 
rate  winters  w'ell  ;  but  by  keeping  plants  under  cover  a  stock  is  insured 
in  case  any  of  the  ])lants  are  killed  by  a  long  spell  of  frost.  Although 
they  require  a  little  more  care  in  winter  than  some  other  shrubs,  the 
trouble  is  well  repaid  by  their  exceiitional  beauty  when  in  flower. — 
W.  D. 
H1NT8  ON  WATERING  PLANTS. 
I  READ  with  much  interest  “  T.  D.’s  ”  capital  article  on  potting,  which 
apjieared  on  page  298  of  the  .lournal,  and  I  feel  constrained  to  offer  a  few 
remarks  to  supplement  it,  if  I  may  be  allowed  to  do  so,  on  the  watering 
of  plants.  1  readily  admit  and  agree  with  “  T.  D.’’  that  the  judicious 
potting  of  ])lants  is  one  of  the  most  important  operations  we  have  to  deal 
with,  and  in  my  opinion  the  proper  watering  of  them  should  rank  as 
another  equally  essential  point  in  the  successful  cultivation  of  all  kinds 
of  plant.s  in  [lOts. 
Observation  more  than  justifies  me  in  saying  that  a  great  number  of 
our  young  gardeners  do  not  realise  the  necessity  for  that  close  attention 
and  watchfulness  which  each  individual  plant  under  their  charge  requires, 
and  I  think  we  may  place  some  portion  of  the  injudicious  watering  of 
plants  to  want  of  thought  and  close  observance. 
IMany  times  have  I  seen  young  men  in  charge  of  a  collection  of  plants 
kick  the  i)ots  when  standing  on  the  ground  of  such  plants  as  Chrys¬ 
anthemums,  Azaleas,  and  others  which  are  placed  out  of  the  houses  for 
the  summer  months.  Now  I  defy  anyone  to  know  by  this  dilatory  test 
whether  a  plant  is  in  need  of  water  or  not.  I  have  always  found  the 
safest  and  most  efficient  method  is  to  rap  the  pots  smartly  with  the 
knuckles,  or  in  the  case  of  plants  (especially  valuable  specimens)  growing 
in  houses  to  lift  them  bodily,  and  so  judge  by  their  weight.  This  system 
cannot  be  too  strongly  recommended  in  the  cultivation  of  greenhouse 
plants  of  every  description,  for  with  few  exceptions  these  are  delicate 
rooted.  To  insure  success  the  cultivators  ought  to  keep  in  mind  the 
conditions  under  which  the  various  jflants  exist  in  their  native  country, 
and  following  a  course  of  procedure  as  nearly  allied  to  Nature  as 
circumstances  will  permit. 
I  well  remember  some  years  ago  (in  the  absence  of  my  chief)  showing 
a  gardener  of  note  through  the  houses,  when  he  observed  a  journeyman 
testing  and  watering  plants  by  the  system  I  have  described  above,  and  he 
made  the  following  remark :  —  “  Ah,  young  man,  it  is  a  pleasure  to  see  that 
method  of  watering  ;  it  is  a  safe  one,  and  one  that  now  (unfortunately)  is 
seldom  practised.” 
Every  collection  of  plants  ought  to  be  closely  looked  over  every  day, 
and  those  that  re(iuire  it  should  lie  properly  watered — t.e.,  given  sufficient 
to  thoroughly  moisten  the  whole  of  the  soil  in  the  pot.  If  the  pots  are 
too  full  of  soil,  as  sometimes  happens,  the  operation  should  be  repeated 
until  such  times  as  the  w'ater  has  thoroughly  permeated  the  whole  mass. 
In  the  case  of  large  plants,  which  may  be  standing  on  a  slate  slab  stage, 
it  is  a  good  plan  to  elevate  them  on  two  pieces  of  well-seasoned  wood  of 
about  I5  inch  in  thickness.  This  simple  plan  has  much  to  recommend  it. 
First,  it  allows  for  a  free  circulation  of  air  to  pass  under  and  about  the 
pot,  there!  ly  keeping  the  roots  in  a  healthy  state  ;  and  second,  when 
applying  water  the  ojierator  is  apprised  when  the  plant  has  had  sufficient 
by  the  water  passing  through  the  drainage  of  the  pot. 
To  conclude  these  few  remarks  I  would  urge  all  young  gardeners  to 
thoroughly  digest  “T.  D.’s”  ai’ticle  on  the  judicious  draining  and 
potting  of  all  species  of  plants  under  their  charge,  after  which  they  may 
with  advantage  read  and  follow  the  simple  directions  here  laid  down, 
always  remembering  that  these  are  by  far  the  most  important  operations 
connected  with  the  cultivation  of  plants  in  pots.— EpacRIS, 
Fantastic  Summer  Bedding.  —  The  note  on  this  subject  by 
“  A.  D.”  on  page  362  is  to  the  jioint,  and  in  warning  British  gardeners 
against  this  class  of  thing  he  is  giving  them  good  advice.  The  pictures, 
or  some  of  them,  have  not  even  the  charm  of  novelty  about  them,  and 
anything  more  ridiculous  it  xvould  be  difficult  to  conceive.  That  there  is 
need  for  “A.  D.’s’  warning  the  following  will  show.  I  have  just 
returned  from  a  visit  to  a  pretty  old  garden  in  the  neighbourhood,  where 
there  are  many  grand  old  herbaceous  plants  and  shrubs,  some  pretty 
bits  of  underwood,  and  other  interesting  features.  The  gardener  stopped 
at  a  jiretty  part  M  a  hardy  fernery,  from  which  the  lawn  sloped  away  to 
a  piece  of  ornamental  water.  “  I  have  planted  this  piece  of  turf  with 
Snowdrops,”  he  said.  “  Oh,  indeed  ;  they  are  very  pretty  I  should  say 
in  spring.”  Then  it  came  out  that  they  had  been  planted  to  form  the 
initials  of  the  proprietor  and  the  name  of  the  place.  And  this  in, 
perhaps,  the  pleasantest  bit  of  the  whole  garden.  AA'hat  the  proprietor 
had  to  say  about  the  arrangement  did  not  transpire,  but  tastes  differ,  and 
possibly  he  approves  of  it. — H.  R.  R. 
