Februar}^  5,  1903. 
JOUnNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AXD  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
no 
some  plants  difficult  to  cultivate  in  the  rather  dry  sandy  soil 
of  the  garden.  The  largest  is  but  small,  but  its  Water 
Lilies,  Irises,  Primulas,  Ranunculuses,  Spiraeas,  Narcissi, 
Snowdrops,  and  other  flowers,  all  add  to  the  joys,  if  also  to 
the  labour,  of  the  garden.  There  is  no  water  supply  save 
from  the  garden  well ;  biit  a  small  watercourse  from  the 
pump  is  convenient  enough  for  replenishing  wherT  requii’ed. 
Perhaps  I  have  said  enough  about  the  garden,  and  I 
must  now  turn  to  the  flowers.  Here  one  is  in  a  difficulty. 
If  the  garden  is  small  the  collection  of  flowers  is  large.  I 
have  no  precise  record  of  the  number  of  species  and 
varieties  in  the  garden.  I  set  it  down  roughly  as  between 
2,000  and  3,000,  and  I  imagine  the  latter  is  nearer  the  mark 
than  the  former.  The  system  of  carpeting  bulbous  and 
taller  plants  with  others  adds  so  much  to  the  capabilities 
of  a  garden,  as  well  as  being  a  pretty  Avay  of  growing 
flowers,  that  I  follow  it  largely.  As  an  indication  of  some  of 
the  numbers  of  some  plants,  one  may  mention  that  I  have 
about  150  Narcissi,  about  100  Crocus  species  and  varieties, 
about  60  Galanthuses,  and  Scillas,  Chionodoxas,  Muscaris, 
Lilies,  Hyacinths,  Alliums,  Ornithogalums,  Tulips,  and,  in 
fact,  all  hardy  bulbs  in  considerable  numbers.  These  give 
much  delight,  and  help  me  greatly  in  my  aim — that  of 
having  outdoor  flowers  throughout  the  year ;  from  the  first 
day  of  the  year  until  we  welcome  another’s  coming,  when¬ 
ever  the  ground  is  uncovered  with  snow  or  when  the  flowers 
have  not  to  yield  to  the  biting  frosts.  There  are  few  days 
in  which  there  are  no  flowers. 
Of  Alpine  plants  I  am  particularly  fond.  They  are 
thoroughly  adapted  for  gardens  like  mine,  and  it  is  surpris¬ 
ing  to  find  how  well  plants  which  naturally  come  from  high 
altitudes  flourish  so  near  the  level  of  the  sea.  It  is  probable 
that  the  purity  of  the  air,  the  absence  of  a  still  atmosphere 
—  for  we  have  always  plenty  of  wind — and  the  brilliant  sun¬ 
shine  help  them  greatly.  Of  the  alnines  I  have  often 
spoken  in  the  Journal,  and  it  seems  superfluous  to  name 
even  a  portion  of  the  many  genera  and  species  I  grow. 
Saxifrages,  Primulas,  Alpine  Phloxes.  Soldanellas,  Aubrie- 
tias,  Dianthuses,  Geums,  Potentillas.  Iberises,  Campanulas, 
Armerias,  Helianthemums,  Ericas,  Erysimums,  Artemisias, 
Acsenas,  Alyssums,  Ramondias,  Lithospermums,  and  many 
more  claim  my  care  from  day  to  day. 
Of  border  plants  I  grow  a  good  number,  and  would  not 
consider  my  garden  complete  without  a  number  of  florist’s 
varieties  of  the  best  of  these  flowers  in  addition  to  the 
species.  Delphiniums,  Phloxes,  Pyrethrurns,  and  other 
popular  flowers  are  grown  in  fair  quantity,  besides  such 
things  as  Eryngiums,  Asters,  the  taller  Campanulas, 
CEnotheras,  Eremurus,  Aquilegias,  Kniphofias,  Spiraeas, 
Pinks,  Coreopsis,  Rudbeckias,  Papavers,  Helianthuses, 
Hellebores,  and  many  others  which  it  would  be  tedious  to 
name.  I  am  a  great  admirer  of  flowering  trees  and  shrubs, 
and  would  gladly  devote  more  space  to  their  cultivation. 
The  Rose  is  not  absent,  as  besides  a  fev^  H.P.’s  I  grow  a 
considerable  number  of  the  species  and  a  good  many  climb¬ 
ing  Roses.  I  do  not,  however,  consider  myself  a  Rose- 
grower  in  the  true  sense  of  the  word.  Of  climbers  and  wall 
plants  I  have  a  fair  number,  and  greatly  admire  the 
Clematis  in  particular.  Flowering  Apples  and  similar  things 
have  a  fair  representation,  and  such  plants  as  Prunus 
Davidiana.  and  the  dwarf  Almond  and  Magnolia  are  much 
appreciated.  Cytisuses  and  Cistuses  are  among  my  favour¬ 
ites,  though,  unfortunately,  some  of  the  latter  are  short¬ 
lived  here  because  of  their  tenderness.  Shrubby  Veronicas 
have  a  good  place,  and  I  am  a  great  admirer  of  such  dwarf 
Rhododendrons  as  prsecox,  dahuricum,  Wilsoni,  &c.  In 
truth,  all  dwarf  shrubs  are  favoured  here. 
Annuals  have  not  much  space,  though  a  certain  number 
are  grown  every  year  for  cutting,  for  border  decoration  in 
autumn,  and  to  cover  bare  spaces  Avhen  the  leaves  of  the 
bulbs  are  over.  Yet  I  think  these  annuals  deserve  to  be 
more  grown  in  other  gardens,  where  they  can  have  plenty 
of  space.  I  have  almost  given  up  Dahlia  growing,  as  I  find 
that  I  can  give  the  space  to  a  purpose  Avhich  pleases  me 
better.  Not  that  I  despise  the  Dahlia.  Far  from  it ;  but 
one  has  to  choose,  and  the  Dahlia  is  now  a  flower  which 
deserves  the  whole  devotion  of  its  grower  for  awhile,  and 
does  not  leave  him  much  to  give  to  the  many  things  which 
claim  his  attention  when  he  has  many  hardy  floAvers  to  look 
after.  Nor  have  I  much  to  say  about  vegetables,  Avhich  are 
generally  handed  over  to  the  care  of  my  “  handy  man,”  Avho 
also  looks  after  the  paths  and  the  many  sundries  Avhich  are 
ever  to  do  in  a  garden.  In  a  garden  like  mine  much  of  the 
work  devoh'es  on  oneself,  for  it  Avould  be  fatal  to  many 
things  to  alloAv  anyone  unversed  in  the  plants  it  contains 
to  meddle  much  Avith  a  border  or  a  rockery  full  of  good  bidbs 
and  floAvers.  Sometimes,  in  consequence,  things  groAv  untidy, 
and  within  recent  years  pressure  of  literary  Avork  has  made 
it  increasingly  difficult  to  attend  to  my  floAvers  as  I  should 
like.  HoAveA^er,  one  has  more  pleasure  in  Avorking  among 
them  than  in  merely  looking  at  what  another  has  done,  an(l 
with  all  the  difficulties  caused  by  want  of  time  and  frequent 
dl-health,  my  garden  yearly  grows  better  and  more  interest¬ 
ing  to  others  and  myself.  It  Avill  never  be  entireb^  to  my 
mind ;  for  one  constantly  sees  improvements  Avhich  could 
be  made,  but  its  contents  are  never-failing  sources  of 
pleasure  and  interest.— S.  Arxott. 
Notes  on  Fruit. 
Strawberries  in  Pots. 
The  early  plants  have  tliroAvn  up  the  trusses  strongly,  La 
Grosse  Sucre?,  Vicointe.sse  Hericart  cle  Thury,  and  Royal 
Sovereign  being  about  on  a  IcA-el,  the  earliest  setting  the  fruit 
freely  and  being  Avell  tliinned  are  advanced  in  swelling.  This 
should  be  accelerated  in  a  temperature  of  OOdeg  to  Godeg  at 
night  and  70deg  to  7odeg  by  day,  adA'ancing  to  SOdeg,  85deg,  or 
OOdeg  from  sun  heat,  maintaining  a  genial  condition  of  the 
atmosphere  by  dampings  and  light  syringings  on  bright  after¬ 
noons. 
Y7hen  the  fruits  commence  ripening  (and  ripe  StraAA-berries 
ought  not  to  be  out  of  the  common  in  February  this  year)  a  drier 
atmosphere  Avill  improve  both  colour  and  flavour.  Plants 
adA'ancing  to  the  flowering  stage  must  not  be  hurried,  oOdeg 
to  5odeg  being  ample  by  artificial  means,  and  GOdeg  to  Godeg 
Avith  sun  heat  and  free  ventilation,  but  avoid  cold  draughts, 
especially  directly  upon  the:  plants. 
More  plants  should  be  .started  Avithout  dela3^  Siich  as  Noble, 
Ro^’al  SoA'ereign,  President,  Augu.ste  Nicaise,  Sir  Joseph 
Paxton.  Janies  Veitch,  and  Sir  Charles  Napier  afford  grand 
fruit;  but  for  qualitj',  Lucas,  Gunton  Park,  or  Dr.  Hogg,  Avith 
British  Queen  and  Cockscomb,  are  un.surpa.ssed,  and  should  iioav 
be  introduced.  In  order  to  maintain  the  .succession  unbroken, 
some  of  the  early  varieties,  such  as  La  Grosse  Sucree,  a  true 
stock  of  Keen’s  Seedling,  or  Sir  Harry,  all  excellent  for  home 
use,  should  noAv  be  introduced,  as  a  break  is  often  a  source  of 
complaint.  Keep  a  sharp  look-out  for  aphides  in  the  stages 
preceding  floAvering,  fumigating  upon  the  fir.st  appearance,  for 
they  insinuate  themseh-es  into  tlie  opening  buds,  and  give  much 
trouble  unless  promptly  destroyed. — G. 
Young  Cucumber  Plants. 
Young  plants  raised  from  seid  .soAvn  at  the  beginning  of 
last  month  are  uoav  ready  for  transferring  to  the  ridges  or 
hillocks  in  the  Cucumber  house,  it  having  been  thoroughly 
cleaned,  and  the  soil  placed  in  a  fsAV  days  to  become  thoroughly 
warmed.  Press  the  soil  gently,  yet  firmlj’-,  about  each  plant, 
place  a  stick  tO'  each,  and  secure  it  to  the  pivot  Avire  of  the 
trellis.  If  bright  sunshine  occurs  shade  lightly  in  the  middle 
of  the  day  to  prevent  flagging,  and  after  the  plants  become 
established  it  can  be  discontinued,  subjecting  them  to  the  full 
influence  of  the  sun.  Keep  the  night  temperature  at  Godeg, 
GOdeg  on  cold  nights  and  70deg  on  mild  nights,  and  70deg  to 
75deg  by  day,  Avith  SOdeg  to  OOdeg  from  sun  Iieat,  closing  early 
in  the  afternoon  so  as  to  maintain  that  heat,  and  advance  to 
90deg,  9odeg,  or  100d('g,  Avith  plenty  of  atniospheric  moisture 
on  fine  da^'s. — F. 
Vine  Eyes  and  Cut-backs. 
Buds  ma.v  uoav  be  imserted  in  pots,  pans,  or  squares  of  turf, 
taking  the  eyes  from  Avell  ripened  Avood,  filling  the  pots  or  pans 
Avith  light  loam,  and  inserting  the  buds  Avith  a  pinch  of  silver 
sand  and  .tin  beneath  the  surface,  plunging  the  pots  or  pans  in 
a  bottom  heat  of  SOdeg,  and  in  a  house  with  a  temperature  of 
GOdeg  to  Godeg  at  night.  Cut-backs  or  Vines  raised  from  eyes 
last  spring,  and  not  of  a  strength  for  fruiting  or  planting,  or  left 
over  from  the  latter,  should  be  cut  to  an  eye  or  tAvo,  as  near  the 
soil  as  possible,  dressing  the  cuts  carefully  Avith  styptic  or  patent 
knotting.  When  they  have  made  2in  of  groAvth,  shake  them  out 
of  the  pots  and  repot' in  turfy  loam,  rather  rough,  with  a^sprink- 
ling  of  crushed  bones,  finely  done  and  steamed,  Gin  or  7in  pots 
being  large  enough.  The  pots  niay  be  plunged  in  bottom  heat, 
but  Tt  is  not  essential.  ySuffioe  if  the  house  be  kept  at  a  proper 
temperature— GOdeg  to  Gfideg  at  night,  70deg  to  7odeg  by  day, 
advancing  to  SOdeg  or  S-ldeg,  or  even  90deg  from  sun  heat,  and 
the  Vines  are  trained  in  abundance  of  light. — G.  A. 
