46 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
January  15,  1903. 
ideals,  in  the  case  of  those  flowers  already  named,  there 
is  no  reason  why  entirely  nevr  types  shoulcl  not  be  sprung 
upon  us  at  a  time  when  too  much  “  sameness  ”  reigns.  The 
raising  of  seedlings  is  to  many  the  most  fascinating  of  all 
forms  of  gardening,  because  of  the  uncertainty  and  expec¬ 
tation  which  is  interwoven  with  the  opening  of  the  flowers. 
Daily  the  cultivator  w  atches  for  some  gem  among  the  open¬ 
ing  flowers,  and  often  gets  nothing  which  wmuld  please  the 
eye  of  the  critical  florist,  nothing  wdiich  wdll  compare  in 
formal  outline  to  a  named  variety  already  possessed,  but, 
instead  infinite  variety  of  colour  and  colour  blending,  and, 
therefore,  pleasure  untold.  This  is  why  a  bed  of  mixed 
seedlings,  of  Pansies,  Phloxes,  or  Verbenas,  proves  a  con¬ 
stant  source  of  delight. 
Even  by  a  happy-go-lucky  method  of  raising  seedlings  a 
gem  has  occasionally  been  brought  to  light,  and  those  wEo 
practise  gardening  solely  for  th^  pleasure  it  brings  may 
rest  content  with  a  chance  success.  There  are  others, 
however,  wEo  should  pursue  the  matter  in  a  more  sys¬ 
tematic  manner,  with  a  definite  object  in  view',  and  consi¬ 
dering  the  great  joossibilities  which  lie  within  our  reach  it 
seems  to  me  that  horticulturists,  as  a  body,  have  not  made 
the  most  of  their  opportunities  in  raising  new  plants, 
fruits,  and  vegetables  by  cross  fertilisation. 
Great  things  have  been  done  in  some  directions,  but  in 
others  very  little  progress  has  been  made,  considering  the 
great  numbers  interested  in  gardening  in  this  country. 
There  has  been  too  great  a  tendency  for  many  men  to  con¬ 
fine  their  attention  to  a  similar  class  of  plants  or  flowers, 
instead  of  each  individual  taking  a  different  subject  in 
hand.  Every  gardener  or  nurserjmran  of  repute  should  en¬ 
deavour  to  leave  his  mark  in  some  department  of  horticul¬ 
ture  by  raising  an  improved  variety  by  systematical 
operation.  At  tlie  present  time  there  seems  to  be  a  splendid 
field  open  in  connection  with  hardy  fruits. 
Not  very  much  progress  has  been  made  wdth  Apples  and 
Pears  during  the  last  half  century,  and  it  is  quite'  possible 
that  in  time  we  might  succeed  in  raising  varieties  with 
flowers  having  sufficient  substance  and  hardiness  to  with¬ 
stand  our  spring  frosts,  as  well  as  to  be  hard  enough  in  the 
bark  to  bid  defiance  to  American  blight,  if  not  canker. 
In  indicating  improvements  which  might  be  made  in 
other  directions,  let  me  take  the  case  of  Cox’s  Orange 
Pippin,  which  ail  regard  as  an  ideal  Apple  in  regard  to 
flavour.  '  Now,  if  by  inter-crossing  we  could  produce  a 
variety  in  flavour  quite  as  good,  yet  bearing  fruit  slightly 
lai’ger,  which  would  keep  longer,  and  bearing  such  fruits  on 
a  tree  a  little  more  vigorous,  and  less  particular  in  regard 
to  soil,  a  distinct  advance  w'ould  have  been  made. 
Then,  again,  we  really  want  a  late  dessert  Apple  which 
will  keep  till  the  end  of  April,  and  then  be  as  good  as  Cox’s 
in  flavour  ;  and  I  see  no  reason  why  wm  shall  not  have  it  in 
time  if  hybridists  persevere.  How  splendidly  most  varieties 
of  Pears  flower  each  year,  and  yet  how  uncertain  the  crop 
is  ;  sometimes  through  spring  frosts,  at  others  because  the 
flowers  of  many  varieties  are  deficient  in  pollen.  The 
Windsor  Pear  is  the  most  certain  cropper  that  I  am  ac¬ 
quainted  with.  It  seems  to  crop  irrespective  of  frosts. 
Why  should  we  not  in  time  raise  from  it,  as  the  seed-bear¬ 
ing  parent,  a  variety  quite  as  hardy,  yet  bearing  fruits  with 
the  exquisite  flavour  of  Marie  Louise  1 
One  might  go  on  applying  similar  ideas  to  hosts  of 
•  fruits,  vegetables,  and  flowers  ;  but  I  think  enough  has 
been  said  how  great  a  Avork  lies  before  us.  Fortunately, 
the  value  of  observation  is  now  being  recognised  in  our 
schools,  and  structural  botany  is  receiving  a  large  share  of 
attention.  This  must  tend  to  make  the  coming  race  of 
gardeners  more  interested  than  their  predecessors  in  arti¬ 
ficial  cross-fertilisation.  Young  gardeners  of  the  present 
day  should,  however,  deA'ote  some  attention  to  the  work, 
which  may  be  the  means  of  leading  them  “  upward  and 
onward  ”  in  their  calling,  and  in  bringing  within  their  reach 
an  undeveloped  field  of  pleasure. — H.  D. 
- - 
The  Mangosteen. 
The  Mangosteen,  Avhich  is  described  by  all  tropical  travellers 
as  the  most  delicious  fruit  that  the  earth  produces,  is  to  be  intro¬ 
duced  into  Porto  Ilico  and  Hawaii.  The  Department  of  Agri¬ 
culture  is  undertaking  the  introduction,  and  if  it  could  be  tran.s- 
ported  to  Northern  markets  with  any  degree  of  success  it  would 
make  a  rvelcome  addition  to  fancy  dessert  fruits. 
Gloxinias  from  Seed. 
Gloxinias  are  among  the  most  useful  plants  we  possess  for  the 
decoration  of  the  intermediate  house  in  spring,  and  the  conseiwa- 
tory  in  summer.  They  are  readily  raised  from  seed  and  groAvn 
on  in  the  course  of  a  season  to  a- flowering  size.  Gloxinias  being, 
of  robust  growth,  they  are  not  subject  to  insect  or  other  pests, 
as  a  nde.  Provided  the  plants  are  not  subjected  tO'  too  much 
heat  or  groAvn  in  a  close  atmosphere,  they  respond  to  ordinary 
cultivation,  and  produce  a  good  crop  of  attractive  blooms,  which 
continue  to  be  thrown  up  from  the  plants  over  a  lengthened 
period. 
Gloxinias  have  been  much  improved  of  late  years,  and  .some 
really  admirable  flowers  are  produced  by  the  different  sections, 
for  there  are  three  distinct  types  of  Gloxinias,  the  difference 
lying  in  the  manner  the  Blooms  are  produced.  At  one  time  the 
only  type  of  Gloxinia  was  the  drooping  sort,  the  floAvers  of  Avhich 
hung  down.  The  result  of  improvement  is  seen  noAv  in  the  erect 
and  the  horizontal  classes,  Avhich  are  attractive  in  habit  and 
diversity  of  colouring  and  marking  ini  the  flowers.  Many  varie¬ 
ties  have  blooms  Avith  finely  dotted  throats,  and  edges  of  petals 
delicately  fringed.  The  pure  Avhites  are  much  appreciated,  as 
are  also  the  velvety  carmines,  purples,  reds  and  pinks.  From  a 
first-class  strain  of  seed  all  these  colours  can  be  obtained.  To 
establish  a  stock  of  plants  or  to  replenish  an  existing  one  Avith 
better  varieties,  there  is  no  cheaper  or  superior  method  of  doing 
so  than  by  raising  the  plants  from  seed. 
If  a  bottom  heat  of  65deg  to  70deg  can  be  maintained  during 
the  present  month  and  the  folloAving,  seed  may  be  .sown,  which 
Avill  produce;  plants  that  can  have  a  lengthy  season  of  groAvth, 
followed  by  nice  crops  of  blooms  the  first  season.  A  mixture  of 
turfy  loam  broken  small,  some  peat  and  leaf  mould,  Avith  a  little 
fine  charcoal,  may  be  well  mixed  together,  adding  also  some  silver 
.sand.  A  shallow  eartheiiAvare  pan  is  a  convenient  receptacle  for 
sowing  the  seed.  Place  a  good  layer  of  crocks  at  the  bottom  for 
drainage,  over  Avhich  spread  a  layer  of  moss.  Fill  in  the  .soil, 
making  firm  and  level,  and  moisten  the  Avhole  with  tepid  water. 
After  draining,  just  Avhiten  over  the  surface  with  fine  silver 
sand,  and  carefully  open  the  packet  of  seed,  distributing  it  as 
evenly  as  possible.  The  seed  is  very  fine.  Follow  by  dusting 
over  again  with  sand.  Plunge  the  pan  in  a  moist  bed  of  cocoa- 
nut  fibre,  and  cover  Avith  a  pane  of  glass,  shading  Avith  moss  or 
paper.  This  prevents  rapid  evaporation  from  the  soil  until  the 
seed  has  germinated.  When  this  takes  place  admit  light,  and 
gradually  strengthen  the  groAAdh  of  the  seedlings  by  admitting" 
air.  Should  water  be  required,  dew  over  with  water  the  same 
temperature  as  the  house.  Adequate  bottom  heat,  moist  atmo¬ 
spheric  surroundings,  and  subdued  light,  are  the  conditions.- 
necessary  to-  promote  a  steady  growth. 
When  the  seedlings  have  attained  to  a  size  Avhich  enables  them 
to  be  handled,  or  rather  lifted,  AA'ith  a  flat,  notched  stick,  they  may 
be  placed  an  inch  apart,  in  other  pans  filled  Avith  similar  compo.st  , 
Avhich  should  be  damp,  but  not  Avet.  Water  very  lightly  until 
established.  In  the  moist  atmosphere  they  have  hithertoi 
enjoyed,  but  little  Avater  will  be  required.  Shade  from  any  strong 
sunshine. 
The  next  move  must  be  to  small  pots.  Stand  near  the  glass 
on  a  shelf  as  the  plants  become  stronger  and  make  growth,  bottom 
heat  not  being  so  e.ssential  at  that  stage.  The  next  potting  Avill 
be  to  4|in  or  5in  pots  in  Avhich  the  plants  may  floAver.  As  the 
natural  temperature  increases  less  artificial  heat  Avill  be  necessary,, 
and  more  air.  When  in  full  floAver  the  well  ventilated  condition.s 
of  a  greenhouse  suit  the  plants  better  than  any  place,  after 
April. 
Seedlings,  hoAvever,  from  the  present  year’s  raising  Avill  not 
floAver  cj[uite  so-  early  as  that,  but  tubers  from  last  year’s  soAving 
potted  on,  and  encouraged  in  groAvth,  Avill  come  steadily  into 
floAver  early. 
Gloxinia  tubers  of  several  years’  groAA'th  are  the  best  for 
producing  the  earliest  display  of  bloom.  Having  had  a  season 
of  rest  in  a  suitable  temperature  groAvths  begin  to  push  from  the 
crown.  They  should  then  be  .shaken  free  of  soil  and  be  potted 
in  similar  sized  pots,  using  a  generous  compost  of  loam,  peat, 
leaf  soil,  cow  manure,  and  sand.  Afterwards  place  in  a  heated 
structure  Avith  a  temperature  not  less  than  GOdeg,  Avith  ample 
atmospheric  moi.sture.  As  groAvth  proceeds,  place  nearer  the 
glass,  decreasing  moisture  and  artificial  heat  as  the  plants  become 
larger.  ' 
With  a  good  stock  of  large  tubers,  the  period  of  starting  them 
may  vary  so  as  to  have  a  good  display  over  a  more  extended 
period.  Only  when  the  pots  get  full  of  roots  should  liquid 
manure  or  stimulants  be  given  the  plants.  Gloxinias  are 
cliaracterised  by  having  large  fleshy  leaves,  but  though  they  like 
to  absorb  moisture  from  the  air,  they  do  not  care  for  syringing, 
which  is  apt  to  mark  the  leaves,  especially  where  chalk  is 
deposited  in  the  water.^ — E.  D.  S, 
