IGO 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
M  a  fell  2.  1899.’:^ 
Xor  am  I  believt*!-  in  sJron.g,  even  if  well  ripened,  canes  forjjlauting 
in  a  border.  Whether  pruned  severely  or  lightly  the  result  is  apt  to  be 
much  the  same.  They  may  break  evenly  and  grow  rapidly,  only  to 
stop  suddenly,  from  exhaustion  of  supplies  of  sap.  Not  till  fresh  roots 
have  been  formed,  and  the  leaves  have  turned  this  new  sap  to  good 
account,  does  top  growth  recommence.  In  the  interval  the  wood  has 
hardened,  ai  d  good  growth  afterwards  is  doubtful,  at  least  for  that 
season. 
What  are  sold  by  nur.seryrnen  as  planting  canes  are  much  to  be 
preferred  to  the  larger  fruiting  canes  sometimes  secured  under  the 
impression  that  the  rods  resulting  the  same  season  will  l  e  so  strong 
as  to  more  than  compensate  for  the  additional  outlay.  Strong  canes 
are  desirable  where  they  have  to  be  brought  through  from  an  outside 
border,  and  perhaps  have  to  be  trained  to  a  good  height  before  they 
are  clear  of  hot-water  pipes  and  latticed  staging — a  very  undesirable 
but  all  too  common  arrangement.  Where  possible  I  would  have  the 
whole  of  the  stems,  or  liorn  wheic  Vines  are  usually  fruited  down  to 
the  ground,  clothed  wdth  lateral  growth,  this  assisting  materially 
towards  swelling  the  stems.  In  the  case  of  those  brought  through 
from  the  outside,  it  is  difficult  to  avoid  having  a  length  of  hare  stems, 
but  the  new  growth  should  be  originated  from  the  lowest  point  that 
sunshine  and  light  can  reach. 
Planting  large  balls  of  soil  and  roots  intact  is  unwise.  It  is 
next  to  impossible  to  keep  the  old  soil  .«ufficiently  moist  without 
saturating  the  new  soil  surrounding  it,  and  new  roots  do  not  thrive 
when  they  reach  the  latter.  On  the  other  hand,  if  the  ball  of  old  soil 
once  becomes  dry  remoistening  is  a  difficult  matter,  and  a  stunted 
top  growth  is  the  result.  Greater  liberties  can  be  taken  with  Viijes 
when  they  are  recommencing  top  growth  than  at  any  other  period  of 
the  year.  At  that  stage  large  old  rods  may  be  moved  a  considerable 
ilistance  with  little  or  no  soil  about  the  roots,  and  yet,  if  properly 
replanted  and  not  forced  hard,  will  produce  a  crop  of  small  but 
serviceable  bunches. 
The  larger  pot  Vines  may,  therefore,  safely  have  their  roots 
uncoiled,  spread  out,  and  distributed  among  the  soil  in  a  border, 
taking  care  to  surround  them  with  some  of  the  finest  and  best  of  the 
compost,  and  thus  treated  will  take  quickly  to  their  fresh  quarters. 
What  promotes  root  action  quickly  is  a  mixture  of  e(iual  parts  of 
fine  loam,  good  leaf  soil,  and  “hurnbake,”  and  from  this  the  roots 
may  be  trusted  to  spread  out  into  the  ordinary  compost  in  due 
course. 
There  is  yet  another  class  of  planting  Vines  to  be  discussed,  and 
which  by  some  growers  are  preferred  to  any  others.  If  '‘eyes”  or 
short  cuttings  of  well  ripened  wood  are  inserted  singly  in  small  pots  of 
loamy  soil,  say  early  in  January,  they  soon  root  in  a  brisk  heat. 
I'efore  the  small  pots  become  crowded  with  roots  a  shift  into  6-inch 
pots  is  necessary,  and  if  kept  in  a  light  position  and  fairly  brisk  heat 
the  Vines  ijuickly  attain  to  a  height  of  3  feet,  when  they  ought  to  be 
planted.  Naturally,  these  newly  raised  Vines  succeed  best  when 
planted  in  an  inside  border  which  has  had  time  to  become  warmed 
somewhat  by  the  aid  of  direct  sunshine  and  hot-water  pi])e8  ;  but  1 
have  known  them  make  good  jirogress  when  planted  in  an  outside 
border,  the  soil  of  which  was  close  to  the  frent  wall  plate  of  the 
vinery.  Early  in  May  is  a  good  time  to  plant  these  young  Vines  in  an 
inside  border,  a  month  later  answering  better  in  the  case  of  an  outside 
border  only  being  available. 
Some  of  the  grandest  one-year-old  canes  I  ever  saw  were  grow’n 
by  Mr.  lloberts  when  at  Gunnersbury.  Some  old  Vines  had  been 
hard  forced,  and  directly  the  crops  wore  cut  cleared  out  “  bag  and 
baggage.”  A  narrow  strip  of  new  border  was  formed,  and  in  this  the 
young  strong  growing  Vines  were  planted,  if  I  remember  rightly, 
early  in  June.  By  the  autumn  all  had  ripened  perfectly,  and  a  good 
house  of  (irapes,  so  I  was  subsequently  informed,  was  (>btained  during 
the  next  season,  and  the  loss  of  a  single  crop  obviated. 
Ihose  who  may  adopt  this  plan  of  planting  quite  young  Vines 
must  not  attempt  uncoiling  the  roots,  as  this  would  cause  a  serious  check 
to  the  top  growth,  and,  mayhe,  make  all  the  difference  between  failure 
and  success.  There  is  no  necessity  for  it.  Thev  must  be  kept  steadily 
moist  at  the  roots,  while  the  top  growth  should  have  the  benefit  of 
genial  heat  and  a  moist  atmosphere. — \V.  Iggulden. 
ANNUAL  ASTERS. 
Asters  are  popular  flowers,  because  of  their  liar<ly  and  free-flowering 
habit  of  growth,  as  w'ell  as  the  brilliant  show  the  plants  usually  make 
when  in  flower.  The  dwarf  varieties,  including  the  Chrysanthemum 
flowered,  are  very  floriferous,  and  adapted  for  massing  in  l)eds. 
Tniffaut’s  I'rench  Patony-flowered  is  much  taller.  The  flowers  are 
extremely  bright  in  colour  and  incurved.  'I'he  Victoiia  Asters  are 
also  taller  in  growth,  and  have  large  brilliantly  coloured  flowers  of  various 
soft  and  delicate  shades.  The  petals  of  these  curve  outwards.  The 
variety  Comet  is  exceedingly  popular,  especially  the  white,  re.sembling 
as  it  does  white  Jai)ancse  Chrysanthemums.  The  quilled  Asters  are 
novel  and  peculiar,  also  the  cockade  or  crown-flowered  with  white 
centres. 
Asters  are  among  the  best  of  annuals,  and  easily  raised  from  seed. 
No  annual  is  more  brilliant  and  showy  during  the  time  of  flowering. 
Strong  plants  must  be  planted  if  good  results  are  to  be  obtained, 
but  fortunately  this  is  not  difficult  if  the  right  method  of  procedure; 
is  followed.  I  have  alw’ays  found  it  unnecessary  to  sow  Asters 
before  the  middle  of  March,  as  good  seeds  germinate  readily,  and 
the  .seidlings  grow  rapidly  under  favourable  conditions. 
Small,  shallow  boxes,  or  6-inch  ])Ofs,  arc  very  convenient  receptacles 
in  which  to  sow  the  seeds.  Efficiently  drain  the  base  with  a  few 
crocks  and  a  la.\er  of  the  rougher  parts  of  compost,  and  fill  up  the 
remaining  space  with  some  light  and  sandy  mixture.  Leaf  soil 
anri  old  |)otting  material  is  excellent  lor  raising  seedlings  of  Asters 
and  other  plants  which  do  not  require  extra  attention.  Kiddle  the 
leaf  soil,  and  mix  well  with  the  old  potting  material,  which  will 
probably  bo  very  dry.  If  so,  it  must  be  moistened  sufficiently  so 
that  water  wull  pass  readily  through,  as  after  filling  the  pots  or  boxes, 
a  watering  should  be  given  before  sowing  the  seed.  This  usually 
obviates  tne  necessity  of  applying  water  ])revious  to  the  seed  germi¬ 
nating.  When  the  soil  is  sufficiently  well  drained,  scatter  the  seeds 
on  the  surface,  neither  loo  liberally  nor  yet  S[iaringly,  Asters  not 
suffering  from  moderate  crowding  in  a  seedling  state  if  they  do  not 
remain  too  long,  and  are  not  weakened  by  heat.  Cover  the  seeds 
with  a  layer  of  moist,  fine  soil  and  press  down  smoothly. 
The  pots  or  boxes  may  be  ]ilaced  in  a  greenhouse  or  in  a  close 
frame.  They  do  not  need  strong  heat,  and  are  usually  better  without 
it,  f(  r  seedlings  raised  hardily  are  much  superior  in  everyway.  The 
process  of  germination  goes  on  best  when  evaporation  from  the  surface 
soil  18  pievented,  which  may  be  done  by  a  covering  of  paper  or  jiaper 
and  glass.  When  the  seedlings  appear  admit  light,  and  shortly  elevate 
near  to  the  glass  in  the  structure  so  that  they  may  have  the  benefit  of 
the  light.  The  next  position  for  them  must  be  airy.  A  frame 
is  suitable  where  the  lights  can  bo  opened  and  closed  in  accordance 
with  the  weather.  Maintain  the  soil  moist  but  not  wet. 
The  mxt  stage  consists  in  piicking  out  the  plants  into  boxes  or  in 
a  cold  frame  a  lew  inches  apart,  so  that  they  may  strengthen  and 
assume  a  bushy  habit  by  cleveloping  side  shoots  or  exhibiting  a 
tendency  to  do  so.  The  soil  in  which  the  young  plants  are  pricked 
out  should  be  fairly  good,  consisting  of  loam,  leaf  soil,  and  decomposed 
manure.  Into  this  the  rooting  will  be  freely  made,  and  good  fibres 
must  produce  the  best  plants.  Four  inches  apart  is  a  good  distance  to 
place  the  seedlings,  an  inch  less  if  room  is  limited.  The  soil,  whether 
in  a  frame  or  in  boxes,  may  be  placed  over  a  layer  of  manure 
decomposed  in  character.  Very  little  is  necessary,  as  it  is  not  desirable 
to  encouiage  a  rank  growth. 
Immediately  after  pricking  out  heavy  watering  is  not  reijuired,  but 
the  plants  may  bo  sprinkled  lightly  in  the  afternoon  and  the  lights 
closeii.  When  pricked  out  in  boxes  it  is  assumed  the  latter  are  stood 
in  frames  until  the  seedlings  are  established.  Give  air  freely  on 
favourable  occasions,  and  water  as  rec^uired.  Full  exposure  must  be 
given  lor  some  time  previous  to  finally  planting  out. 
Whole  beds  may  be  set  apart  for  Asters,  or  borders  can  be  occupied 
with  the  plants  in  masses.  Liberal  enrichment  of  the  soil  is  helpful 
to  the  growth  of  the  plants.  Good  decomposed  manure  or  leaf  soil 
incorporated  with  the  soil  when  preparing  the  beds  assists  in  retaining 
moisture  in  the  soil  as  well  as  supplying  food. 
At  the  final  planting  lift  the  Asters  with  good  balls  of  roots  and 
soil  attached,  both  being  moist.  Should  the  weather  be  dry  at  the 
time  of  jilanting  the  holes  in  which  they  are  placed  ought  to  be 
watered  before  inserting  the  plants.  Then  fill  in  the  soil  half  w’ay 
and  water  again,  afterwards  drawing  the  dry  .soil  round  the  plants. 
They  will  then  take  no  harm  in  the  driest  weather  for  some  time. 
In  borders  with  no  obstructing  plants  a  trench  may  bo  taken  out, 
watered,  and  the  plants  placed  in,  soil  filled  in  rotind  them,  again 
moistened,  and  finished  with  the  dry  soil. 
'I’he  soil  should  be  occasionally  stirred  about  the  plants  so  .as  to 
break  the  top  crust  and  destroy  weeds.  In  continued  dry  weather  give 
water  frequently,  but  the  necessity  for  doing  so  often  may  to  some 
extent  be  obviated  by  covering  the  soil  with  a  light  mulch  of  cocoa- 
nut  fibre  reluse. — S. 
