A  ‘'i 
f  A '^v^'v  ;\;\A<\vv,fvyvi  -'.O  al  7V^’^' 
JfiUKl^'AL  rOF  HORTIFULXUP^^  AND .  .COTTAGE  GARDENER.  March  23,  i899. 
-  Gakdeninu  Appointments. — Mr,  G.  Hmuphry,  for  the  past 
^  ‘*Svte  years  head  gardener  at  East  Hill  House,  Ashford.  Kent,  has  been 
vap^ointed  in  a  similar,  capacity  to  T.  G.  Teckham,  Esq,,  Hall  Place, 
,  Harbledown,  Canterbury,  Mr.  John  Macdonald,  for  the  past  lour  years 
gardener  to  Lieutenant- Colonel  Courtenaj’-^Brnce,  Brook  THdiise,  Fleet, 
,  IJants,  has  been  appointed  head  gardener  to  Evelyn  Heseltine,  Esq.,  The 
Goldings,  Great  Warley,  Essex.  Mr.  J.  Garthwaite,  for  the  past  two 
years  foreman  with  Mr.  Smith  at  Eden  Hall  Gardens,  Langwathby, 
'  Cumberland,  has  been  appointed  gardener  to  Captain  Harcourt  Wood) 
Caerberris  Hall,  Builth,  Breconshire, 
/ij’ij:  PERENNIAL  BORDER  FLOWERS. 
^ '  Alliums.  ' 
' '  ‘  Btfi’  for  fheir  odour  the  Alliums  would  be  grown  in  far  more  dower 
gardens  than  at  present.  Onions  are  useful  in  their  place,  but  people  object 
to  having  their  somewhat  obtrusive  odour  among  the  border  tiowers.  Yet 
'  this  fault  is  not  so  pronounced  in  some  of  the  Allium  species  that  it  cannot 
be  overlooked,  and  others  are  so  elective  that  they  can  ill  be  spareu. 
'  The  Alliums  are  bulboua  plahts  belonging  to  that  natural  order  the 
Liliacese,  which  has  given  us  some  of  our  most  beautiful  garden  flowers. 
Nearly  all  are  of  easy  culture  in  any  good  soil.  Of  the  large  number  of 
perenn  al  hardy  species,  we  can  at  present  only  give  a  selection  with  a 
brief  descriptioU  of  each. 
A.  acuminatum,  a  N.W.  American  species,  is  a  little  tender  in  cold 
I  districts.  It  has  deep  rose  flowers,  and  grows  from  6  to  12  inches  high. 
I  I  A.  azureum,  which  comes  from  Siberia,  is  a  fine  species  with  dark  blue 
j  [flpweis  in  a  globular  head  on  stems  from  12  to  24  inches  high.  It  is  not 
'so  easily  kept  as  some.  A.  cceruleum,  also  with  blue  flowers  in  dense 
;  heads!  is  a  native  of  Kussia,  but  is  not  quite  so  easily  grown  as'  the  fore- 
going.j  It  grows  8  or  10  inches  high.  A.  Karataviense,  which  has  white 
flowers  in  dense  heads,  is  principally  grown  for  its  broad,  glaucous  leaves. 
R'hbihes  Irom  Turkestan,  and  grows  about  8  inches  high.  A.  IMacnab- 
'ianum  has  deep  magenta  flow'ers  in  good  sized  umbels  on  stems  about 
vl  foot  high.  It  comes  from  N.  America,  and  is  a  fine  species. 
The  old  Moly — A.  Moly — is  a  fine  plant  when  grown  in  a  mass,  and 
'  but  for  its  cheapness  and  its  strong  Union  odour  wmuld  be  grown  in  the 
most  select  gardens.  It  came  from  the  South  of  Europe  about  300  years 
;  ;  .‘.uflgP.'  The  flowers,  which  come  in  May  and  June,  are  bright  yellow,  and 
the  plant  is  a  foot  or  more  in  height.  A.  neapolitanum  is  one  of  the  best 
ot  the  white-flowered  species.  It  is  scarcely  so  hardy  as  some,  but  is 
valued  because  of  its  white  flowers  and  the  less  pronounced  smell  it  emits. 
A.  parado.xum  is  a  pretty  little  species  with  drooping  white  flowers.  It 
^cqmesfrpm  Siberia,  and  grows  about  a  loot  high.  A.  pederaontanum, 
which  comes  from  Piedmont,  is  pretty,  having  clusters  of  large  bell¬ 
shaped  flowers.  It  needs  a  warm  place  in  the  border. 
A.  roseuin  grows  quickly  and  soon  forms  a  clump  from  which  emerge 
its  stems  bearing  umbels  of  lilac-rose  blooms.  It  grows  from  1  to  1 J  foot 
high.  A.  sphteroceplialum  is  a  species  with  closely  packed  tiowers  in  a 
J jball.  The  blooms  are  purple,  and  as  this  plant  grows  from  to  2^-  feet 
high,  it  has  its  value  among  oilier  border  flowers.  A.  triquetrum  is 
another  pretty  species  from  South  Europe  with  drooping  flowers  of  pure 
vyhite,  and  triangular  stems  and  leaves.  Some  of  the  Alliums  produce 
little  bulbils  which  drop  to  the  ground  and  form  young  plants,  but  almost 
all  increase  rapidly  at  the  root  by  the  lormadon  of  new  bulbs.  Seeds 
are  al,so  produced  in  this  country  by  the  majority  of  the  hardy  species. 
Ar.STEoMERIAS. 
Baron  Alstiiimer,  the  friend  of  Unmeus,  has  been  kept  in  remembrance 
by  his  name  being  attached  to  a  genus  of  plants  noted  for  their  beauty 
and  value  in  the  garden  or  as  cut  blooms.  Of  the  large  number  of  species 
only  a  few  are  amenable  to  cultivation  in  British  gardens.  Even  these 
cannot  all  lie  depended  upon  to  survive  our  winters  in  every  garden.  One 
oYthe  hardiest,  and  at  the  same  time  most  valuable,  is  A.  aurantiaca,  a 
handsome  plant  3  to  4  feet  high,  from  Chili.  The  flowers  are  orange, 
and  streaked  in  the  upper  petals  with  red.  A  Jtretty  variety  of  this, 
named  A.  a.  aurea  or  lutea,  is  lighter  in  colour  and  very  bright  in  the 
garden  or  as  a  cut  flower. 
Perhaps  the  finest  all-round  species,  because  of  its  variety  of  colour¬ 
ing,  is  A.  chilensis,  which  is  only  a  trifle  less  hardy  than  the  preceding. 
It  is  not  quite  so  tall,  and  has  flowers  which  range  from  red  and  deep 
orange  to  a  pleasing  rosy  white.  A.  peregriua,  which  grow.s  about  a  foot 
high,  is  a  lovely  species,  with  white  or  pale  yellow  flowers  striped  with 
rose,  arid  each  segment  marked  with  a  yellow  spot.  It  is  unfortunate 
that  this  species  is  rather  tender,  while  its  white  variety  A.  p.  alba,  known 
as  the  “  Lily  of  the  Incas,”  is  even  more  delicate.  Its  beauty  entitles  it 
to  the  shelter  of  a  greenhouse. 
^  A  hardy  species,  not  so  pretty,  perliaps,  but  desirable  as  well,  is  A. 
psittacina,  which  has  flowers  of  crimson,  green,  and  purple.  It  comes 
irom  Mexico,  and  has  been  grown  to  as  much  as  (3  feet  high  ;  it  is  often 
seen  about  4  feet.  There  are  also  a  lovely  variety  or  species  named  Diazi, 
and  one  named  A.  revoluta,  both  of  which  can  be  recommended  tor  those 
who  have  warm  and  sheltered  gardens.  Alstrdmerias  ought  to  be  deeply 
planted  in  a  border  of  light  but  rich  and  well  manured  soil.  They  dis¬ 
like  excessive  drought,  and  should  lie  watered  freely  in  dry'  weather  if 
the  drainage  is  good.  The  less  they  are  disturbed  the  better.  In  cold 
soils  and  districts  they  ought  to  have  a  slight  covering  in  winter.  They 
may  b©  raised  from  seeds,  or  by  division  of  the  clumps  of  roots  in  autumn 
or  spring. 
In  some  gardens  Aistrbmerias  succumb  in  a  puzzling  way,  even  after 
having  been  ettablished  for  years.  The  writer  finds  old  lime  rubbish 
beneficial,  although  not  mentioned  in  standard  gardening  books. — 
S.Abnott.  (To  be  continued.)  ,  '  | 
WINTER  GREENS. 
The  term  “Winter  Greens”  is  one  that  is  used  to  include  compre¬ 
hensively'  the  varieties  ot  the  Brassica  family,  cultivated  to  furnish  a 
supply  of  green  and  succulent  vegetables,  chiefly’  from  autumn  until 
spring.  When  referring,  either  in  speaking  or  writing,  to  hardy  winter- 
green' vegetables,  it  is  more  convenient  to  speak  of  thern  collectively  by 
the  above  term  than  to  name  each  [separately,  unless  for  special  reasons- 
attention  is  directed  to  one  variety.  In  these  notes  brief  reference  will 
t  be  made  separately  to  each  vegetable  included  in  the  term  Winter  Greens. 
Brussels  Sprouts. 
Seeds  of  one  of  the  leading  varieties  of  this  esteemed  and  delicious 
vegetable  should  be  sown  at  once  on  a  piece  of  good  ground  in  a  w'arra 
position.  Good  varieties  are  Matchless,  Aigburth,  Wroxton,  and 
Scrymger's  Giant,  The  best  method  of  sowing  is  to  scatter  the  seeds 
broadcast  and  thinly  on  a  well-prepared  bed,  and  cover  with  a  thin  layer 
of  soil,  burying  the  seeds  a  quarter  of  an  inch.  Just  as  germination, 
commences,  if  not  before,  protection  must  be  given  against  the  attack  of 
birds,  but  after  the  seedlings  have  advanced  to  the  rough  leaf  they'  will, 
be  safe.  If  crowded  thin  them  well,  and  when  three  or  four  leaves 
have  formed  great  benefit  will  bo  derived  by  the  plants  if  they  arc  still 
turiher  ihiniud,  and  the  best  transplanted  a  tew  inches  asunder  to 
strengthen  previoi's  to  the  final  planting,  which  should  be  to  firm  rich 
ground  early  in  June.  Plant  in  rows  2^  feet  apart,  disposing  the  planta- 
18  inches  asunder. 
Cabbage. 
For  the  autumn  supply  seeds  should  be  sown  now.  Sowing  the  seeds 
broadc.ast  is  the  best  plan,  and  if  it  is  scattered  thinly  there  will  be  no 
necessity  to  transplant  them,  but  lift  and  plant  finally  on  well  manu  ed 
ground.  ,  The  varieties  mostly  iu  favour  for  spring  sowing  are  Sutton’s^ 
Imperial,  Wheeler’s  Imperial,  Heartwell  Marrow,  and  London  Market. 
Cauliflowers. 
A  supply  of  autumn  Cauliflowers  is  indispensable,  and  they  may  bo 
had  in  abundance  from  seeds  sown  at  the  present  time.  Sow  thinly  on  the 
surface  of  rich  soil,  and  transplant  to  permanent  positions  when  they  are 
large  enough  to  lift  with  balls  of  earth  attached  to  abundance  ot  fibrous 
roots.  Plenty  of  manure  should  bo  dug  into  the  ground  for  Cauliflowers, 
as  large  plants  are  needed  for  producing  good  heads.  Veitch’s  Autumn 
Giani  is  the  best  and  largest  variety,  and  on  good  ground  it  may  be  planted 
in  rows  2^  feet  apart,  the  plants  l6  to  18  inches  distance  in  the  rows. 
Walcheren  will  come  in  early,  while  s  ill  earlier  varieties  will  precede  it. 
Broccoli. 
IVinter  and  spring  Broccoli  rank  as  very’  important  crops,  and  good  ' 
breadths  of  the  best  succissional  varieties  ought  most  certainly  to  be 
grown.  Sow  the  seeds  in  small  square  beds  as  evenly  as  possible,  so  as  not 
to  unduly  crowd  the  plants  during  the  early  stages  of  growth.  They  arc- 
Irequently  planted  oirect  Irora  the  seed  bed,  hence  the  importance  of 
sowing  thinly  ;  but  a  better  system  is  that  of  pricking  out  the  small  plants 
to  strengthen  and  form  good  tutts  of  feeding  roots.  Good  but  firm  ground 
is  necessary  for  Broccoli.  It  is  frequently  planted  where  it  is  necessary 
to  form  holes  with  a  crowbar  before  the  plants  can  be  inserted.  There  is 
a  special  advantage  in  this  for  ihe  late  varieties,  as  it  prevents  the  plants 
making  a  luxuriant  growth,  which  suffers  from  the  effects  of  a  severe 
winter. 
The  first  varieties  to  form  close  compact  heads  of  the  purest  white 
colour  and  excellent  quality  are  Michaelmas  White  and  Veitch’s  fcelf- 
protecting.  These  are  followed  by  Snow’s  Winter  White,  White  and 
Early  Purple  Sprouting,  Leamington,  Catteli’s  Eclipse,  and  Late  Queen. 
Plant  in  rows  not  less  than  2  feet  apart. 
Savoy  Cabbage. 
This  excellent  winter  vegetable  is  a  most  useful  crop.  Good  firm 
compact  hearts  are  formed,  which  in  the  winter  are  highly  appreciated. 
April  is  early  enough  to  sow  seed,  which,  like  the  rest  of  the  Brassica 
family,  requires  to  be  sown  thinly.  It  is  an  advantage  to  prick  out  the 
seedlings  to  strengthen.  Plant  out  on  rich, deeply  dug  soil,  and  apportion 
the  distance  between  the  rows  and  plants  according  to  the  variety.  The 
small  sorts  only  require  to  ho  12  inches  apart,  while  the  largest  may  be 
24  inches  distance  hetwepn  'ho  rows.  The  Diumhead  Savoy  is  the  largest 
variety,  and  Gilbert’s  P^niversal  the  smallest. 
Borecole  or  Kale 
The  Kales  are  splendid  winter  vegetables,  and  when  well  grown  are 
quite  ornamental  in  the  garden.  Extra  Curled  Scotch,  Green  and  Purple 
Arctic  Curled,  t  ottagers’  Dwarf  Curled,  and  Tall  Curled  are  all  excellent, 
and  will  provide  a  succes-ion.  Variegated  Kale  is  suitable  for  garnishing, 
as  there  are  several  distinct  colours  in  one  leaf,  making  it  highly  orna¬ 
mental.  Seed  of  any  variety  may  be  sown  now  broadcast  or  in  drills, 
afterwards  transplanting.  The  final  ] Planting  should  be  in  rich  ground  in 
rows  2  feet  apart  before  the  jilants  grow  too  large  and  tall. 
In  dry  weather  waterings  with  liquid  manure  will  benefit  all  the 
members  of  the  Brassica  family'.  Keep  the  ground  free  from  weeds  and 
the  sdrface  stirred.  Drawing  earth  to  the  stems  helps  to  steady  the 
jlints.— E.  D.  S. 
