524 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
December  2,  1897. 
and  quickly  go  out  of  bloom.  I  read  the  other  day— not,  I  think,  in  a 
gardening  paper — that  the  higher  the  sticks,  the  higher  the  Sweet  Peas 
would  grow,  and  this  is  not  perhaps  quite  without  a  suspicion  of  truth. 
Heavy  waterings  will  occasionally  be  necessary,  and  a  weak  application  of 
liquid  manure  is  beneficial.  Light  waterings  are  of  no  use  ;  a  good  syringing 
would  be  better.  Mulching  is  of  great  value.  In  our  case  we  are  not  able 
to  mulch,  as  the  birds,  especially  the  pheasants,  which  abound  with  us, 
scratch  it  all  over  the  place. 
Small  clumps  of  Sweet  Peas  in  the  herbaceous  border  or  wild  garden 
are  very  charming.  I  ought  to  mention  here  that  we  grow  our  earliest 
supply  of  Sweet  Peas  in  pots,  and  flower  them  in  a  cool  house  ;  they  well 
repay  the  trouble.  These  are  always  grown  in  distinct  varieties. 
Autumn  sowing  of  a  portion  is  to  be  recommended,  as  the  plants  get 
more  firmly  established,  and  will  stand  the  dry  weather  better,  and  give 
earlier  bloom.  Market  growers  adopt  this  system,  I  believe,  and  a  good 
row  of  autumn-sown  Sweet  Peas  is  highly  remunerative. 
Nothing  is  more  charming  and  refreshing,  I  think,  than  to  see  the 
earliest  sprinkling  of  flowers  on  the  nice  green  foliage  of  the  first  row  of 
Sweet  Peas.  When  this  happens,  cutting  may  begin,  and  the  more 
it  is  persisted  in  the  better,  for  if  we  allow  the  pods  to  form,  the 
succession  of  Powers  will  gradually  stop.  The  plants  cannot  work  for 
long  in  two  opposite  directions.  This,  then,  is  a  most  important  point, 
to  keep  all  pods  as  soon  as  they  show'  carefully  picked  off.  It  is  not  an 
easy  matter,  especially  in  very  hot  weather.  I  once  tried  a  row  during 
a  spell  of  dry  weather,  and  picked  off  not  only  the  pods,  but  all  the 
flowers,  and  the  relief  to  the  plants  was  remarkable. 
It  is  possible,  when  the  pods  are  carefully  picked  off,  for  one  sowing 
to  last  the  season  ;  but  we  generally  make  one  or  two  later  sowings. 
Pinching  in  or  stopping,  when  weakness  in  blooming  shows  itself,  is 
often  done  with  good  results.  Shearing  the  rows  like  a  hedge  I  have 
heard  recommended  ;  but  the  after  growth  in  this  case  is  what  we 
call  stubby,  and  the  produce  is  generally  but  one  or  two  flowers  on  the 
stalk.  In  cutting  Sweet  Peas,  we  find  it  best  not  to  cut  the  bare  flower 
stalks,  but  just  below.  This  includes  open  flowers,  flower  buds,  leaves, 
and  tendrils.  A  bunch  cut  in  this  way  is  far  more  charming  and  agree¬ 
able  as  a  present  than  a  dense  one  of  bare  Sweet  Pea  flowers,  and  so 
much  more  convenient  and  effective  for  arranging  in  vases.  It  may  be 
considered  a  sacrifice  to  cut  the  tips  of  the  plants  as  I  have  descriljed, 
but  we  do  not  find  it  so  ;  on  the  contrary,  it  is  an  advantage,  as  it 
tends  to  promote  continuous  flowering,  and  is  really  a  gradual  system 
of  stopping,  which  is  to  be  preferred  to  the  usual  plan  of  heading  them 
all  back  at  one  time. 
Some  strong  growing  varieties  give  four  flowers  on  a  stalk.  I  think 
I  prefer  three,  as  the  odd  number  seems  more  effective  and  pleasing 
than  four  or  two.  When  we  have  shortened  bac'?  in  the  ordinary  way, 
the  kinds  that  have  given  us  the  best  second  blooming  were  Princess 
Beatrice,  Royal  Robe,  Princess  May,  Dorothy  Tennant,  Meteor,  Mars, 
Celestial,  Firefly  and  Salopian.  These  were  the  first  to  recover.  The  flower 
stalks  were  in  all  cases  shorter,  and  the  flowers,  as  a  rule,  were  one  less 
on  a  stalk  than  in  the  first  blooming.  -  (^Paper  read  by  Mr.  G.  STANTON, 
at  a  meeting  of  the  Reading  Gardeners'  Association,') 
(To  be  concluded.) 
A  BENiaNANT  NOVEMBER. 
Nature  for  some  weeks  past  has  had  a  spring-like  aspect,  atmo¬ 
spheric  influences  resembling  those  of  April  without  its  characteristic 
showers.  Very  often  of  late,  looking  out  from  the  windows  of  the 
manse  upon  the  majestic  Bay  of  Luce,  calm  as  a  sleeping  child,  I  have 
been  instinctively  reminded  of  those  words  of  the  groat  “  High  Priest  of 
Nature,”  “  The  gentleness  of  Heaven  is  on  the  sea.” 
I  am  interested  to  learn  from  his  frequent  contributions  to  this 
Journal,  that  the  horticulturist  of  the  Solway,  Mr.  S.  Arnott,  has  still  so 
many  beautiful  flowers  around  him,  for  I  feel  assured  that  this  gifted 
naturalist  is  never  happier  than  when  fondly  contemplating,  or,  with 
graphic  pen,  delineating  the  still  lingering  life  and  sweetness  of  these. 
Here,  too,  there  are  many  reminiscences  of  autumn,  and  even  —  as  I 
have  indicated — of  virginal  spring.  At  present  (November  27th)  I  have 
many  Auriculas  in  bloom,  while  other  varieties,  touched  as  if  by  a  vernal 
inspiration,  are  rapidly  preparing  to  follow  in  their  train.  This  evening 
I  cut  several  very  charming  half-blown  Roses  from  Madame  Pernet 
Ducher,  White  Lady  (positively  her  last  appearance  this  season),  Comte 
de  Raimbaud,  one  of  the  most  reliable,  especially  in  late  autumn,  of  our 
Hybrid  Perpetuals,  and  therefore  manifestly  a  Rose  that  should  be 
included  in  every  comprehensive  collection ;  Gloire  Lyonaise,  the  always 
graceful  Anna  (Ilivier,  and  Medea,  the  finest  yellow  Tea  Rose  that  our 
country  has  produced.  Another  of  Mr.  William  Paul’s  latest  and 
loveliest  productions.  Enchantress,  is  enchanting  me  at  present  by  her 
winter  activities  in  the  special  direction  of  flowering  shoots.  Should 
Empress  Alexandra  of  Russia,  with  its  uniquely  beautiful  colour,  prove 
equally  floriferous,  it  will  undoubtedly  rival,  if  not  surpass,  the  noblest 
productions  of  the  late  M.  Guillot,  of  whose  greatness  as  a  rosarian  I 
have  many  gleaming  memories  in  my  garden  every  year. 
The  sweet-scented  Violet  and  the  Naked-flowering  Jasmine  console  me 
for  the  absence  of  the  fragrant  Viola,  whose  beauty  has  been  relegated  to 
the  regions  of  memory  till  Nature  silently  assumes  her  vernal  trans¬ 
figuration,  and  we  realise  once  more  the  deep  beauty  and  divine 
significance  of  that  annual  earth  poem,  the  resurrection  of  the  spring. 
—David  R.  Williamson. 
BRIEF  NOTES  ON  ALPINE  FLOWERS. 
(^Continued  from  page  51.8.) 
Evergreen  Shrubs. 
The  furnishing  of  the  rock  garden  is  a  question  of  considerable 
diflficulty,  and  any  answer  to  it  would  be  necessarily  subject  to  the  taste 
of  the  owner  and  the  design  of  the  garden  itself.  It  may,  however,  be 
taken  for  granted  that  no  collection  of  Alpine  flowers  is  complete  unless 
it  includes  a  number  of  evergreen  shrubs  of  dwarf  habit.  There  are 
doubtless  a  very  large  number  of  the  smaller  Alpine  flowers  which  are  of 
non-deciduous  habit,  but  the  inclusion  of  a  considerable  addition  of  taller 
growth  will  do  much  to  improve  the  appearance  of  the  rock  garden  and 
increase  the  pleasure  of  its  possessor.  This  is  generally  accepted,  and 
should  be  acted  upon  even  in  the  case  of  rockeries  of  a  simple  nature,  and 
but  slightly  elevated  above  the  soil.  Skilfully  planted,  the  shrubs  may 
not  only  be  objects  of  interest  in  themselves,  but  be  also  of  value  in 
sheltering  others  from  cold  Idasts  or  in  giving  the  slight  or  deep  shade 
some  plants  require. 
There  is  a  wide  choice  among  these.  If  the  rockei'y,  a  picturesque 
structure  formed  of  large  boulders  or  blocks,  some  of  the  Ivies  may  be 
used  to  cover  these,  and  give  a  welcome  greenery  in  midwinter.  Among 
the  large  stones  may  be  grown  some  of  the  dwarf  Conifers,  Rhodo¬ 
dendrons,  Escallonias  (in  mild  districts).  Ericas,  Euonymuses,  Pernettyas, 
Cotoneasters,  Veronicas,  Eurybias,  Genistas,  Berberises,  Crataegus 
pyracantha,  Juniperuses,  Sedums,  and  a  number  of  others.  In  addition 
to  their  foliage,  never  more  pleasing  than  in  autumn  and  winter,  many 
are  decorated  with  coloured  berries,  which,  so  long  as  fresh  and 
undevoured  by  the  birds,  are  objects  of  great  beauty  and  interest. 
The  flowering  evergreen  shrubs  are  of  especial  interest  to  many,  as, 
in  addition  to  the  value  of  their  leaves,  we  have  that  of  charming  flowers 
at  other  seasons.  Gne  thinks  that  they  may  thus  be  taken  notice  of  now, 
especially  as  some  remove  readily  with  a  ball  attached  at  almost  any 
time. 
Alpine  Rhododendrons. 
It  is  doubtful  if  any  evergreen  shrubs  suitable  for  the  rock  garden 
attract  more  admiration  than  the  Rhododendrons,  of-  which  we  have 
several  admirably  adapted  for  the  choicest  collection  of  Alpines  In 
large  and  picturesque  rockwork  some  of  the  best  of  the  larger  hybrids 
may  also  be  grown,  but  it  is  to  the  dwarfer  species  and  their  varieties 
that  we  must  principally  look  at  present,  and  it  is  therefore  my  intention 
to  give  a  few  notes  on  these,  supplemented  afterwards  by  references  to 
other  flowering  evergreen  shrubs. 
Rhododendron  caucasicum. 
The  first  in  alphabetical  order  is  R.  caucasicum,  a  valuable  and  pretty 
species,  introduced  from  the  Caucasus  about  1803.  It  grows  about  1  foot 
high,  and  has  corymbs  of  pretty  flowers,  white  inside,  and  rose-coloured 
outside,  and  ovate-lanceolate  leaves,  rather  iron-coloured  beneath. 
Perhaps  the  best  of  its  varieties  are  R.  c.  Nobleanum  and  R.  c.  pulcher- 
rimum,  both  of  which  have  rose-coloured  flowers  and  oblong  leaves. 
Like  the  others  named,  it  should  be  sheltered  from  cutting  winds. 
Rhododendron  ciliatum. 
This  is  one  of  my  special  favourites  ;  but  it  has  the  disadvantage  of 
being  a  little  tender,  and  should  have  a  sheltered  position  from  cold 
currents  of  air.  It  is  sometimes  badly  cut  by  severe  frosts,  and  its 
beauty  much  destroyed  for  a  time.  The  writer  is  never  likely  to  forget 
the  effect  of  a  fine  plant  of  this  Alpine  Rose  on  a  steep  bank  of  a  rock 
garden,  in  which  is  a  recherche  collection  of  Alpines.  The  variety  was 
that  known  as  R.  c.  roseo-album,  and  in  combination  with  other  plants  in 
bloom  at  the  same  time  nothing  could  be  more  beautiful.  It  flowers  in 
May,  and  grows  taller  than  R.  caucasicum.  The  flowers  of  the  typical 
species  are  of  a  light  purple  in  terminal  heads.  They  are  of  good  size, 
and  in  'combination  with  the  pilose  and  prettily  ciliated  elliptical  leaves 
look  exceedingly  beautiful.  The  variety  mentioned  is  even  more  beau¬ 
tiful,  and  should  have  a  place  wherever  there  is  room  and  a  suitable 
position  for  it.  About  2  feet  is  the  height  given  in  works  of  reference  ; 
but  this  varies  according  to  soil,  position,  and  moisture.  It  comes  from 
the  Sikkim  district. 
Rhododendron  ferrugineum. 
This  is  one  of  the  commonest  of  our  dwarf  European  “Alpine  Roses,” 
and  is  frequently  mentioned  by  writers  who  visit  the  European  Alps.  Its 
marked  feature  is  the  rusty  appearance  of  the  under  surface  of  the  leaves, 
caused  by  the  colour  of  the  dots  which  are  so  profusely  scattered  over 
them.  It  can  hardly  be  said  that  this  is  an  improvement  to  the  beauty  of 
the  shrub,  but  this  colouring  is  only  seen  in  certain  positions,  and  thus 
does  not  to  any  great  extent  detract  from  its  usefulness.  The  oblong 
leaves  are  smooth  and  glossy  above,  and  the  flowers  are  of  a  fine  scarlet 
marked  with  yellowish  dots.  It  grows  from  1  foot  to  foot  high,  and 
flowers  from  May  to  June.  It  is  one  of  the  hardiest  of  the  Alpine 
Rhododendrons,  and  may  well  be  planted  more  extensively  than  hitherto. 
It  is  also  comparatively  cheap  and  removes  well.  There  is  a  pretty  white 
flowered  variety. 
There  are  a  few  other  species  and  hybrids  which,  with  notes  on  the 
most  suitable  soil,  will  be  dealt  with  in  a  succeeding  issue. — Alpinus. 
