196 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER 
August  29,  1901. 
Selecting  Buds  and  Feeding. 
The  plants  are  now  showing  flower  buds  freely,  and  many  varieties 
have  already  had  buds  taken  according  to  the  term  commonly 
in  vogue,  though  a  better  way  is  to  speak  of  them  as  retained  or 
secured.  At  this  juncture  of  their  growth  plants  Bbow  a  bud  at  the 
termination  of  a  growth.  At  the  same  time,  from  the  joints  below 
this  bud,  wood  growths  also  spring,  and  if  not  rubbed  out  soon  extend 
strongly  into  growth,  and  prevent  the  flower  bud  above  them  from 
swelling,  by  depriving  it  of  support.  The  wood  growths  in  question, 
if  allowed  to  extend,  produce  in  the  n  ajority  of  cases  terminal  buds, 
that  is  flower  buds  surrounded  by  other  flower  buds  of  smaller  size. 
These  terminal  buds  do  not  usually  give  the  finest  flowers,  but  they 
do  produce  good  useful  decorative  blooms  if  the  small  buds  are  rubbed 
out.  Single  buds,  or  what  are  termed  crown  buds,  are  produced  on 
the  majority  of  plants  from  the  middle  of  August  to  the  middle  of 
September,  and  it  is  these  buds  which  usually  give  the  best  blooms  of 
the  largest  size.  Earlier  in  the  leason,  however,  the  plants  have 
produced  a  similar  bud,  which  is  termed  the  “  first  crown  ”  bud,  if 
the  plants  make  a  natural  break,  that  is  break  into  wood  growth 
without  being  obliged  to  do  so  by  previously  pinching  out  the  point. 
The  next  bud  is  termed  the  “second  crown,”  and  as  this  appears 
about  this  date  it  is  generally  considered  the  best,  when  the  finest 
flowers  are  desired.  There  are  exceptions,  and  it  may  be  found  in 
some  cases  that  a  third  crown  bud  will  do,  where  the  variety  produces 
such  a  bud.  W.'  H.  Lincoln  is  one  of  this  class.  Some  varieties  are 
naturally  late  in  producing  second  crown  buds,  hence  there  has  arisen 
the  practice  of  stopping  the  plants  to  induce  them  to  make  their 
several  breaks  earlier.  When  this  system  of  stopping  is  carried  out 
in  April  or  May  the  plants  are  prevented  forming  the  first  crown  bud, 
but  growths  are  produced  which  are  tantamount  to  those  which  would 
have  formed  had  the  plants  b  en  allowed  to  do  so  naturally.  Limit 
the  growths  to  three  of  the  best  fur  each  plant,  and  encourage  them 
to  extend  until  they  show  a  bud.  Whether  this  is  a  crown  or  a 
terminal  bud  it  may  be  secured,  all  growths  or  buds  around  or  below 
it  being  suppressed. 
Terminal  buds  do  not  as  a  rule  appear  until  the  middle  or  end  of 
September,  in  seme  cases  later.  Extra  support  and  feeding  may  be 
given  the  plants  from  the  time  the  buds  appear.  The  most  common 
way  of  affording  extra  food  to  the  plants  is  by  weak  solutions  of 
natural  and  art  ficial  manures.  Another  good  method  is  to  supply 
the  roots  with  a  slight  1  op-dressing  of  some  rich  material,  but  a  top¬ 
dressing  is  only  required  by  well  rooted  plants.  There  should  also 
be  room  on  the  surface  to  receive  this  additional  layer,  which  need 
not,  however,  be  more  than  a  quarter  of  an  inch  thick.  To  four  parts 
of  chopped  turfy  loam  add  one  part  of  half-decayed  fowl  manure  or  a 
similar  quantity  of  sheep  dung.  Press  it  gently  on  the  surface,  and 
give  water  only  with  a  fine  rose,  which  will  settle  the  soil  and  carry 
the  enriching  properties  carefully  down  to  the  roots.  At  frequent 
intervals  afterwards,  when  roots  have  taken  possession  of  the  top¬ 
dressing,  sprinkle  on  dustings  of  Clay’s,  Standen’s,  or  some  special 
Chrysanthemum  manure.  It  is  not  necessary  to  stick  to  one 
particular  kind,  as  the  Chrysanthemum  appreciates  variety.  Appli¬ 
cations  of  weak  and  clear  soot  water  once  or  twice  a  week  may  always 
be  given  with  aavantage,  but  no  manure  or  fertiliser  should  be  given 
to  any  plants  where  the  pots  are  not  full  of  roots.  If  space  permits, 
another  top-dressing  of  soil  and  manure  may  be  given  at  the  end  of 
month.  Avoid  giving  stimulants  when  the  plants  are  dry.  They 
should  have  clear  water  given  first. 
Mildew  appearing  on  the  lower  leaves  may  be  checked  by  a  liberal 
dusting  of  sulphur.  Wage  war  on  the  troublesome  earwig,  which 
attacks  the  points  of  shoots  and  spoils  buds.  Aphis  may  be  kept  in 
check  by  using  tobacco  powder. — E.  D.  S. 
Bigeneric  Hybrids. — A  contemporary  is  responsible  for  the 
information  that,  “  a  brand  new  flower  has  been  obtained  by  a 
Chicago  florist.  Mr.  Evan  Morton  of  Mayfair  has  grown  a  beautiful 
flower,  which  he  has  named  the  Centura.  A  score  of  plants  of  it  are 
uow  growing  in  his  garden.  It  was  obtained  by  crossing  the  Scotch 
Thistle  with  the  Carnation  {sic),  and  it  partakes  of  the  nature  of  both 
parent  stocks.”  Americanism  surely  No  doubt  our  readers  would  like 
to  see  the  wonderful  hybrid. 
Cyrilla  raceiqiflora. 
The  accompanying  illustration  shows  the  character  of  a  newly 
certificated  evergreen  shrub,  introduced  by  Messrs.  J.  Veitoh  and 
Sons,  Ltd.,  to  whom  the  award  of  merit  was  given  at  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society’s  Drill  Hall  meeting  on  August  13th.  This- 
attractive  shrub  is  found  in  the  West  Indies  and  Brazil,  and  extends 
northwards  to  the  Southern  United  States.  We  term  it  a  novelty,  yet 
it  is  said  to  have  been  introduced  into  this  country  in  1765,  probably 
by  Sir  Joseph  Banks,  who  travelled  in  those  quarters  of  the  globe  to 
which  we  have  referred. 
Coming  from  these  sub-tropic  regions,  it  is  necessary  to  cultivate 
this  shrub  under  glass,  at  least  during  winter,  though  an  ordinary  warm 
greenhouse  should  suit  its  climatic  necessities.  The  growth  is  slender, 
and  for  the  character  of  its  leaves  and  inflorescence  attention  may  be 
direoted  to  the  illustration.  The  flowers  are  white,  and  produced  from 
that  point  of  growth  where  the  new  wood  starts  from  that  of  the  year 
before.  As  a  rule,  6  feet  is  the  maximum  height  of  the  plant. 
Gadding  and  Gathering. 
“  Here  awa’,  There  awa’.” 
Ryecroft,  Lewisham. 
The  stock  of  Chrysanthemums  at  the  Ryeoroft  Nurseries,  Lewisham, 
seems  even  sturdier  and  stronger  than  they  have  been  in  previous  years 
at  this  period.  Their  numbers,  in  all  sizes  of  pots,  and  for  all  manners 
of  purposes  to  which  the  Chrysanthemum  as  a  decorative  plant  is  put, 
are  very  great,  as  hitherto  ;  the  plants,  too,  are  free  from  disease,  and 
unharmed  by  the  dreaded  black  fly.  Their  robustness,  and  the  oareful 
attention  they  constantly  receive,  duly  insure  their  continued  health 
and  cleanliness. 
Visitors  to  Mr.  Jones’  establishment  will  also  discover  splendid 
batches  of  all  the  finer  Heliotropes.  I  believe  the  proprietor  owns 
every  improved  variety  of  the  Cherry  Pie  that  is  worth  a  place  in 
gardens.  Moreover,  after  having  given  a  trial  to  all  he  can  secure,  and 
having  weighed  their  merits  within  his  mind,  all  that  do  not  meet  with 
full  approval  are  cast  aside,  and  he  who  purchases  may  rest  assured 
that  those  Mr.  Jones  offers  and  speaks  well  of,  really  warrant  the 
eucomiums  bestowed  upon  them.  I  would  draw  attention  to  the 
following  varieties  of  Heliotropium  amongst  others.  First,  there  is 
Circe,  deeply  tinted  with  red,  for  though  it  used  to  be  that  Heliotrope 
was  heliotrope,  yet  just  as  we  sometimes  hit  upon  white  blackbirds  (!) 
and  white  Pinks  (not  to  mention  yellow  Violets),  so,  in  like  manner,  the 
red  and  white  Heliotropiums  are  not  uncommon ;  Circe,  then,  is  one  of 
the  best  of  these.  Following  this  comes  Dr.  Juelin,  stout  and  very 
vigorous ;  Paul  Rose,  of  purplish-violet-hue  and  whitish  centre ;  White 
Lady  has  a  large,  loose  white  truss  ;  Albert  Delaux  is  also  white, 
shading  off  to  lavender-blue  ;  Boneriana,  a  sturdy  sort,  has  pale 
mauve  flowers ;  Picioli,  with  enormous  truss  of  deep  blue,  is  one  of  the 
finest  in  the  collection  ;  Chameleon,  as  the  name  suggests,  is  changeable 
in  colour,  bnt  the  prevailing  shade  is  violet  purple ;  Jeanne  d’Arc 
furnishes  another  fair  white,  and  Mina  is  rosy  violet. 
The  Ryecroft  strain  of  fimbriated  single  Petunias  are  splendid 
flowers  for  the  cultivator  who  wishes  showy  subjeots  for  conservatory 
employment.  These  I  greatly  admired,  and  not  less  so  the  double 
flowered  varieties,  than  which  -few  plants  with  double  blossoms  are 
more  pleasing  to  the  eye.  They  must,  however,  be  well  grown,  else 
the  flowers  are  monsters  of  malformed  growth.  I  will  only  mention 
three  sorts,  which  are  Albert  Samain,  coloured  a  distinct  rose,  shaded 
with  mauve ;  Helio,  heliotrope  shade,  slightly  marked  with  white ;  and 
Romeo,  a  rich  mauve  variety,  shaded  with  heliotrope.  There  are  others 
of  pure  white,  or  shades  of  pink,  rose,  and  orimson. 
The  houses  of  single  and  double  Begonias  deserve  much  more  notice 
than  can  possibly  be  given  now.  The  Picotee-edged  singles  are  still 
being  worked  upon,  as  are  the  crested  types,  whioh,  however,  no  one 
with  an  eye  for  real  beauty  will  ever  patronise.  The  habit  of  the  single 
and  double  varieties,  and  the  brilliancy  of  their  flowers,  are  being 
constantly  improved  by  the  process  of  selection.  Carnations  out  of' 
doors  were  a  sight  “  for  sore  eyes  ”  about  a  month  ago,  and  at  Ryecroft, 
as  elsewhere,  the  new  varieties  are  well  to  the  fore.  The  Cropper 
Tomato,  ot  whioh  all  who  have  given  it  a  trial  speak  in  the  highest 
praise,  has  again  borne  very  heavy  crops  of  beautiful  marketable  fruit. 
Begonias  for  winter  flowering,  including  grand  batches  of  Gloire  de 
Lorraine  and  Caledonia,  were  thriving  in  fine  style  in'  low  span-roofed 
pits.  Calla  Elliottiana  was  represented  by  numerous  seedling  plants 
of  more  than  usual  robustness.  Some  of  the  finest  blooms  of  this 
variety  that  I  have  seen  were  produced  in  the  Ryecroft  houses  this 
year.  During  the  last  two  seasons  Mr.  Jones  has  added  much  more 
liberally  to  his  collection  of  decorative  stove,  foliage,  and  flowering 
plants,  and  what  are  included  are  grown  well.  The  seed  and  bulb 
departments  of  his  business  are  also  very  successful,  and  during  part  of 
the  past  summer  this  Lewisham  nurseryman  has  opened  premises  facing 
the  High  Street,  where  a  large  retail  trade  in  cut  flowers,  Tomatoes, 
Cucumbers,  and  plants  is  transacted. — Wandering  Willie. 
