2&8 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
April  2,  1903. 
CARDER  CLEANINGS 
An  Irish  Carden. 
The  photographic  illustration  on  the  opposite  page  came  tc  us 
from  Mr.  A.  E.  O’Neill,  of  20,  Thomas  Street,  Dublin,  and  re¬ 
presents  a  charming  corner  in  an  Irish  garden.  The  grouping 
of  the  subjects  is  admirable  :  robust  Yuccas  at  the  back  of  masses 
of  Liliums  and  Eremuri  (E.  himalaicus).  Each  subject  seems 
quite  happy,  and  adds  something  toward.s  making  the  general 
view  a  pleansing  one. 
Ten-week  Stocks. 
Beds  or  borders  of  Stocks  in  a  variety  of  colours  are  admir¬ 
able  for  a  summer  display.  The  main  object  should  be  to  grow 
sturdy  plants  from  the  first.  The  present  time  is  a  suitable 
period  tO'  sow  the  seed,  which  may  be  done  in  a  box  or  a  frame. 
When  the  seedlings  have  germinated  and  grown  an  inch  high, 
and  are  commencing  to  form  rough  leaves,  prick  them  out  in 
good  soil  in  a  frame  or  boxes. — E. 
Mistletoe  and  the  Trees  it  Affects. 
M.  Spalikowski  ha.s  .shown  that  in  Europe  the  Mistletoe  grows 
oftenest  on  the  Apple,  Poplar,  Pear,  and  Fir,  but  also  on  other 
trees  such  as  Pines,  the  Elm,  Maple,  Acacia,  White  and  Weeping 
Willows,  Birch,  the  Plum,  Mulberry,  and  the  Oak,  where  it  is 
rarest,  hence,  perhaps,  the  importance  of  it  in  the  eyes  of  Druids. 
According  to  M.  Bedel,  however,  the  trees  and  the  order  of 
frequency  vary  somewhat  in  different  parts  of  Europe.  For 
example,  it  is  common  on  the  Pear  tree  in  the  north-ea.st  of 
France,  but  very  rare  on  this  tree  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Dozule.  He  finds  it  most  common  oil  the  Black  Poplar  and 
Apple. — (“  The  Globe.”) 
Centropogon  Lucyanus. 
This  beautiful  warm-greenhouse  plant,  although  perhajis  of 
little  value  as  cut  flower,  is  well  worth  growing  as  an  adorn¬ 
ment  for  the  warm  conservatory  during  the  winter  .months. 
Cuttings  root  readily  at  this  time  of  year,  and  if  given  generous 
treatment' — that  usually  given  to  Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine  suits 
it  admirably — and  kept  clean,  will  easily  furni.sh  thirty-two  size 
pots  by  the  autumn.  This  Centropogon  needs  little  .stopping  of 
the  shoots,  as,  like  the  afoi'ementioned  Biego^nia,  it  develops  a 
more  free,  natural  habit  if  left  practically  unstopped.  Very  little, 
too,  in  the  way  of  staking  is  advi.sed,  ju,st  sufficient  being  done  to 
prevent  the  long  and  somewhat  pendulous  shoots  breaking  out 
at  the  base. — D. 
The  Future  of  the  Dahlia 
In  his  chapter  as  above,  in  the  newly-published  Dahlia  book, 
Mr.  W.  thithbertson  writes  these  sentences;  “  Ma.y_I  suggest  that 
larger  [Cactus]  flowers  thaaj  we  at  present  have  a'rtJlnot  wanted — 
.-.smaller  ones  Avould  be  an  advantage  sometim^.  .  .  Ncaa' 
colours  and  new  combinations  of  colour  Avill  ever  afford  the  raisers 
of  Cactus  Dahlias  an  illimitable  field.  The  round-floAvei'ed  single 
Dahlia  and  the  .single  Cactus  forms  will  continue  to  be  grown 
wherever  truly  graceful  flowers  for  cutting  are  wanted,  but  their 
culth’ation  Avill  not  be  nearly  so  general  as  the  other  types.  The 
pompon  varieties,  Avhich  are  great  favourites  for  garden  decora¬ 
tion  and  cut  floAvers,  will  continue  to  be  popular  for  two  reasons: 
their  perfection  of  form  and  daintiness  of  size  will  always  com¬ 
mend  them,  and  likewise  Avill  their  fine  dwarf  compact  habit. 
Although  the  Cactus  A’arieties  will  absorb  the  attention  of  the 
great  majority  of  growers  for  the  next  decade  at  least,  yet,  so 
long  as  Ave  have  a  sturdy  artisan  popidation — and  may  Ave  ahvays 
have  it — Avho  delight  in  producing  on  their  small  plots  large  sym¬ 
metrical  specimens  of  either  floAvers  or  vegetables,  so  long,  I  be- 
lieA'e,  Avill  there  be  a  steady  demand  for  ShoAv  and  Fancy  Dahlias. 
They  are,  without  doubt,  the  most  perfect  of  Flora’s  creation  from 
a  true  florist’s  lAoint  of  vieAv.  Efforts  Avill,  I  belieA’e,  be  made 
to  raise  a  hardier  race  of  Dahlias,  and  something  Avill  be  done  to 
produce  A'arieties  Avith  a  tendency  to  floAver  earlier.  The  future 
of  the  Dahlia  is  assured.  It  may  deA'elop  along  new  lines,  but 
that  it  Avill  be  less  cultiA^ated  is  most  improbable,  unless  it  becomes 
the  prey  of  some  dire  disease  .such  as  has  attacked  the  Hollyhock.” 
Distance  Apart  for  Forest  Traes. 
.  Soil,  climate,  species,  and  the  objects  sought,  all  influence  the 
result,,  an^  make  it  difficult  to  fix  upon  any  rule  Avhich  Avill  give 
the  largest  aggregate  groAvth.  A  European  rule  is  tO'  keep  the 
distance  between  trees  equal  to  one-fifth  their  height.  This 
Avould  call  for  3,000  or  more  trees  per  acre  until  they  are'  approxi¬ 
mately  20ft  high,  Avith  only  435  trees  at  50ft,.  and  108  trees  when 
they  are  100ft  tall.  Practical  experience  has  many  times 
demonstrated  that  thinning  at  the  proper  time  much  more  than 
pays  its  cost  in  the  increased  value  of  the  subsequent  growth. 
A  Hint  for  Forcing  Tulips. 
The  temptation  comes  to  giA*e  a  Avrinkle  obtained  from  a  trade 
groAver  anent  forced  Tulips,  of  Avhich  he  annually  produces  many 
thousands,  e, specially  as  by  adopting  his  practice  we  have  been 
cutting  beautiful  blooms  of  Golden  CroAvn,  Avhich  is  anything  but 
an  early  variety,  floAvering  naturally,  as  it  doe,s,  contem¬ 
poraneously  Avith  Gesneriana.  The  plan  is  to  force  the'm  in  the 
dark,  Avhich  Ave  do  by  iimerting  an  empt3'  close  fitting  box  over 
the  boxes  of  bulbs  Avhen  brought  into  heat,  keeping  them  thus 
covered  itntil  the  blooms  are  Avell  drawn  up  out  of  the  sdieaths. 
It  is  imperative  during  forcing  that  copious  draughts  of  tepid 
Avater  should  be  giA^en,  and  Aveak  liciuid  manure  is  beneficial.  By 
this  method  such  long  stemmed  kinds  as  YelloAV  Prince.  Duchesse 
de  Parma.,  Queen  Victoria,  and  all  the  Pottebakkers  can  be  had 
in  bloom  at  Chidstmas,  and  in  comparison  Avith  the  Due  Van 
Thols,  for  cutting,  the  latter  are  “  not  in  it.” — K. 
Tne  Dahlia:  Its  History  and  Cultivation. 
We  can  safely  prophesy  a  brisk  demand  for  this  new  booklet 
under  the  aboAm  title.  It  is  the  production  of  a  number  of 
experts,  and  is  admirably  turned  out  bj^  Messrs.  Macmillan  and 
Go.,  Limited,  at  Is.  net.  Mr.  Richard  Dean,  V.M.H.,  leads  off 
Avith  the  history  of  the  floAver,  and  Ave  think  he  is  Avell  able  to  do 
the  section  justice.  The  introduction,  Avei  .should  have  noted,  is 
Avritten  by  Mr.  William  Cuthbertson,  of  Rothesay,  head  of  a  firm 
Avhich  takes  the  lead  in  commercial  Dahlia  output.  The  book 
numbers  120  pages.  Sin  by  75in,  and  is  divided  into  chapters; 
some  up-to-date  illustrations  are  included.  The  botany  of  the 
Dahlia  is  discussed  b^’^  Mr.  John  Ballantyne ;  its  propagation  by 
Stephen  Jones,  aaIio  also  comments  on  exhibiting  the  floAA'ers. 
The  cultivation  of  the  plant  is  thoroughly  explained  by  a  compe¬ 
tent  hand,  Mr.  Robert  Fife,  AA’hile  folloAA'ing  the  catalogue  of 
varieties,  the  Dahlia  analy.sis  (printed  from  the  Journal  of  Horti¬ 
culture)  and  selections  for  special  purposes,  come  chapters  on 
“The  Dahlia  in  America,”  by  Le'onard  Barron,  and  lastl3^  “The 
Future  of  the  Dahlia,”  by  Mr.  W.  Cuthbertson.  W'e  commend 
the  little  book,  and  shall  noAV  knoAv  Avhat  to  recommend  Avhen 
asked  for  a  publication  on  this  subject.  Messrs.  Dobbie  and  Co. 
ccnjointly  publish  the  book  Avith  the  Macmillan  Co. 
Sowing  Dawn  Grass  Seeds 
Last  3^ear  Avas  an  exceptionallj’'  good  season  for  the  growth  of 
grass  seeds,  the  almost  constant  moisture  Avhich  prevailed  suiting 
the  groAvth  of  the  young  grass.  The  pre,sent  time  is  a  good 
period  to  soav,  choosing  fine  grasses  for  tennis  laAvns  and  bowling 
greens,  and  croquet  laAvns'.  A  peck  of  seed  Avill  soav  oA^er  2,000 
square  feet.  The  surface  of  the  ground  must  be  Avell  prepared, 
making  it  as  leA'^el  as  possible  for  plajdng  lawns.  Break  doAvn 
all  lumps  to  the  depth  of  a  feAV  inches,  then  rake  off  all  large 
stones,  and  roll  evenly,  again  rake  and  Siecure  the  proper  level, 
after  Avhich  soav  the  seed.  In  order  to  evenly  distribute  it  sow 
both  Avar’s  Avhen  there  is  no  wind.  The  seeid  is  best  coA^ered  vrith 
a  thin  laj'er  of  fine  soil.  Lightly  roll  aftcrAvards,  being  careful 
to  do  it  Avhen  dry.  To  keep  aAvay  birds  run  some  black  cotton 
over,  stretching  it  tightly  betAveen  sticks.  Under  the  genial 
influence  of  Avarmth  and  moisture  the  seed  Avill  soon  germinate. 
So  well  did  .some  grass  seeds  succeed  Avhich  I  soAved  last  year,  that 
in  the  autumn  it  was  possible  to  lift  some  good  turf  and  lay  it 
doAvn  on  a  laAvn.  The  grass,  of  course,  had  been  regularly  mown 
first  with  the  scythe  several  times,  and  afterAvards  Aveekly  Avith 
the  moAving  machine.  This  could  be  done  only  in  a  good 
growing  season,  and  it  is  not  a  system  to  be  generally  recom¬ 
mended,  as  there  is  no  doubt  it  Avould  be  much  improved  by 
remaining  another  j’ear.  HoAveA^er,  it  sIioavs  Avhat  an  excellent 
laAvn  can  be  made  from  soAving  seed  possessing  the  great  advan¬ 
tage,  if  the  seed  is  of  high-class  quality,  of  being  practically  free 
from  Aveeds. — E.  D.  S. 
