Supplement  to 
224 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER . 
March  14,  1901. 
A  New  Winter-flowering  Colens. 
Coleus  Mahoni. 
The  introduction  of  the  pretty  blue  flowered  C.  thyrsoideus  three 
or  four  years  ago  opened  up  a  new  field  of  usefulness  for  a  genus 
which  hitherto  had  been  cultivated  solely  for  the  sake  of  the 
beautifully  coloured  foliage  of  many  of  its  varieties.  The  species 
alluded  to  appears  to  have  been  the  forerunner  of  a  distinct  group, 
which  will  have  for  its  chief  attraction  winter-flowering  qualities,  for 
following  quickly  in  its  footsteps  comes  another  new  plant,  C.  Mahoni. 
the  subject  of  this  note.  It  is  named  after  Mr.  Mahon  (an  old  Kewite), 
who  sent  seeds  of  both  species  from  British  Central  Africa  to  Kew, 
the  newer  one  arriving  in  1898.  Though  not  perhaps  of  so  high  an 
order  ot  merit  as  C.  thyrsoideus,  it  is  very  pretty,  and  well  worth 
growing  for  decorative  work.  It  is  of  more  slender  habit  than  the 
older  plant,  with  smalhr  leaves  of  thinner  texture;  they  are  also 
without  the  sticky  glands  and  aromatic  character  of  C.  thyrsoideus. 
The  leaves  are  ovate  and  toothed,  and  covered  with  minute  hairs. 
The  largest  ones  are  5  inches  long  by  2  inches  wide,  with  an 
additional  2  inches  being  added  to  the  length  by  the  petiole.  The 
flowers  are  small,  purple,  with  golden  anthers,  and  borne  in  large, 
graceful  terminal  panicles;  a  striking  contrast  to  the  stiff,  upright 
inflorescence  of  the  other  species.  It  grows  1^  to  2  feet  in  height, 
and  makes  a  large  bush  if  stopped  frequently  in  a  young  state.  It 
succeeds  admirably  if  given  similar  treatment  to  that  usually  accorded 
Salvia  splenc  ens  var.  grandiflora.  A  group  of  plants  are  to  be  seen 
in  flower  in  the  Cape  house  at  Kew. — W.  D. 
- - 
A  Nonagenarian  Gardener  of  tl\e  19tlf  Century. 
It  is  a  notable  fact  that  there  was  a  strong  predilection  in  England 
during  especially  the  first  half  of  the  last  century  for  Scotch  gardeners, 
and  this  was  particularly  apparent  for  many  miles  around  the  locale 
near  where  four  shires  meet  in  Wolford  Wood,  near  Moreton-in-the- 
Marsb,  being  those  of  Warwick,  Worcester,  Gloucester,  and  Oxford,  and 
which  spot  is  marked  by  an  ancient,  tall,  and  massive  monolith,  called 
the  “  Four-shiie  Stone.”  In  former  times  it  was  a  rendezvous  for 
contestants  in  the  “noble  art”  of  prizefighting,  so  that  they  might  be 
enabled  to  evade  the  law  by  stepping  out  of  one  shire  into  another 
when  the  county  or  parish  i  olice  constable  put  in  an  appearance.  It  is 
needless  to  remark  that  the  object  in  question  afforded  considerable 
wonderment  and  interest  to  the  writer  in  his  boyhood,  and  whose 
paternal  home  was  about  four  miles  distant,  and  whose  father  (a 
native  of  Eifeshire)  was  then  head  gardener  upwards  of  forty  years  at 
one  of  the  finest  baronial  estates  situate  on  the  southern  boundary  of 
Warwickshire,  and  there  served  in  succession  three  related  members  of 
the  estate,  but  all  four  of  whom  have  long  since  passed  to  the  “  great 
majority,”  as  also  amongst  whom  is  the  writer’s  dear  old  friend  who 
heads  this  memoir,  and  who,  it  is  worthy  to  record,  was  the  late  Mr. 
George  Easton  (a  native  of  Melrose),  for  upwards  of  sixty  years  head 
gardener  to  the  late  Earl  Redesdale,  Batsford  Park,  now  inherited  by 
A.  Freeman  Milford,  Esq.,  a  nephew  (of  Bamboo  fame),  and  who  when 
he  came  into  possession  of  the  fine  old  baronial  estate  of  his  deceased 
relative,  with  characteristic  kindness  and  honour  at  once  inquired  into 
the  position  and  age  of  the  faithful  and  long  serving  “  knight  of  the 
spade,”  and  forthwith  resolved  that  he  should  continue  to  enjoy  the 
same  salary  and  garden  residence  for  the  remainder  of  his  life,  in 
company  with  his  unmarried  eldest  daughter  (his  esteemed  wife  having 
predeceased  him  some  years  ago). 
It  may  here  be  remarked  that  the  old  gardener’s  cottage  was  not  in 
immediate  contact  with  the  garden  or  kept  grounds,  and  that  a 
convenient  residence  was  provided  for  the  successor.  It  is  now  about 
four  years  since  my  aged  friend  died,  in  his  ninety-sixth  year,  I  believe. 
He  was  a  good  “all-round”  gardener,  his  forte  being  fruits  and 
vegetables,  and  I  have  a  vivid  recollection  of  the  luscious  Melons  and 
Peaches  it  was  my  privilege  sometimes  to  enjoy  in  the  days  of  auld 
lang  syne.  There  exists  a  poetical  effusion  by  his  brother  Robert  at 
the  paternal  home  at  Melrose,  the  copy  of  which  has  been  in  my 
possession  for  nearly  forty  years  past,  which,  if  they  could  read  it-, 
would  well  depict  him  to  readers  of  the  Journal.  It  is  also  a  remarkable 
fact  that  the  venerable  subject  of  this  sketch  never  visited  Scotland 
after  coming  South  in  early  manhood. 
In  reference  to  the  popularity  of  Scotch  gardeners  at  the  period 
already  indicated,  there  were  at  least  a  dozen  occupying  the  leading 
situations  within  a  radius  of  twenty  miles  of  the  writer’s  paternal 
home,  but  all  of  whom  have  long  since  gone  to  that  bourne  from 
whence  no  traveller  returns,  and  their  places  filled  by  Englishmen. 
— Sexagenarian. 
Carrots. 
Among  vegetables  for  which  there  is  a  constant  demand  these  rank 
as  one  of  the  most  important  which  a  gardener  has  to  supply.  By 
early  sowing  in  frames  on  slight  hotbeds,  in  sheltered  corners  where 
temporary  protection  may  be  given,  and  by  care  in  storing  the  roots 
from  the  main  crop,  much  may  be  done  to  prevent  a  break  in  the 
supply.  In  preparing  the  site  for  the  main  sowing  it  is  always 
advisable  to  have  the  land  tilled  to  a  good  depth.  The  ground  should 
be  light  and  fertile,  enriched  with  applications  of  manure  for  previous 
occupants,  and  not  recently  dressed,  as  fresh  manure  near  the  surface 
causes  the  roots  to  grow  forked  and  unshapely.  If  it  is  felt  that 
manure  ought  to  be  used  owing  to  poverty  of  soil,  place  it  12  or 
15  inches  beneath  the  surface  when  digging,  and  if  this  operation  can 
be  carried  out  in  autumn  so  much  the  better. 
I  have  found  the  position  previously  occupied  by  Celery  an  excellent 
one  on  which  to  60w  Carrots,  the  land  being  forked  over  and  made 
level.  Before  sowing  we  usually  apply  a  heavy  dressing  of  wood 
ashes  and  soot,  first  making  the  ground  thoroughly  firm  by  treading 
and  then  raking  all  well  together.  When  a  smooth  surface  has  been 
secured  the  seeds  should  be  sown  in  drills  a  foot  apart.  Have  the 
ground  in  first-rate  working  order,  as  nothing  is  gained,  and  often 
time  and  seed  are  lost  through  a  pasty  condition  of  the  bed  at  sowing 
time. 
In  many  gardens  Carrots  are  by  no  means  an  easy  crop  to  grow 
owing  to  the  attacks  of  grub  or  maggot.  By  dressings  of  soot,  by 
sowing  at  different  seasons  and  in  different  situations,  and  by  autumn 
cultivation  of  the  land,  exposing  the  soil  and  the  plant  enemies  it 
contains  to  the  action  of  the  frost  and  downfall  of  winter,  a  great  deal 
may  be  done  to  minimise,  if  not  totally  eradicate,  the  evil.  Carrots 
are  usually  looked  upon  as  being  a  sure  crop  ou  sandy  soil  when  this 
has  been  well  cultivated.  It  may  appear  strange  that  my  greatest 
difficulty  with  these  roots  has  been  on  gravelly  land.  The  oft-repeated 
advice  to  sow  late  was  followed  with  distinct  want  of  success,  sowings 
in  June  and  July  being  just  as  susceptible  to  attack  as  those  made  in 
April  and  May.  Sown  at  the  end  of  February  or  the  beginning  of 
March,  as  soon  as  the  ground  could  be  got  into  condition,  the  trouble 
practically  ceased,  and  a  greater  weight  of  roots  per  rod  was  the 
result.  I  know  that  in  many  cases  this  early  sowing  would  result  in 
roots  too  large  and  coarse,  but  with  us  it  was  the  lesser  by  far  of  two 
evils,  and  proved  of  great  advantage. 
Sow  thinly  and  thin  early  may  be  taken  as  a  golden  rule.  When 
the  young  plants  are  2  or  3  inches  high  reduce  their  numbers  until 
they  stand  3  or  4  inches  apart.  This  I  find  quite  enough  room  to 
allow  for  ordinary  purposes,  but  if  large  roots  are  needed  for  exhibition 
they  should  not  be  left  nearer  each  other  than  10  inches  or  a  foot.  In 
poor  soil  or  that  of  a  retentive  character  the  practice  of  making  holes 
with  an  iron  bar  at  the  proper  distance  asunder  has  much  to 
reccommend  it  if  Carrots  are  desired  for  show  purposes.  The  holes 
thus  made  are  filled  with  fine  rich  soil  mixed  with  a  small  proportion 
of  wood  ashes  and  soot. 
The  Dutch  hoe  should  be  brought  into  use  as  soon  as  the  rows  can 
be  properly  seen,  and  this  continued  at  intervals  will  not  only  keep 
down  weeds  but  greatly  assist  the  growth  of  the  crop.  Dressings  of 
soot  are  of  great  benefit  given  two  or  three  times  during  the  season, 
and  help  to  ward  off  insect  attacks.  Nitrate  of  soda,  applied  at  the 
rate  of  an  ounce  to  the  yard,  has  proved  of  distinct  advantage  in  poor 
ground,  but  must  never  be  used  in  heavy  doses.  A  solution  of  strong 
softsoap  with  a  wineglassful  of  petroleum  per  gallon  well  stirred 
together  is  excellent  for  repelling  the  aphis  trouble.  This  should  be 
applied  to  the  tops  in  the  evening,  spraying  lightly  on  with  a  syringe. 
In  forcing  early  Carrots  it  is  well  to  avoid  strong  heat.  A  hotbed 
formed  of  stable  litter  and  leaves  may  be  formed  about  15  inches  thick 
after  it  has  been  well  trodden.  The  litter  and  leaves  should  b;  turned 
over  twj  or  three  times  before  being  made  into  the  bed  pr>  per.  About 
6  inches  of  light,  open  soil  should  be  spread  evenly  on  the  top,  and 
when  warm  the  seeds  may  be  sown  in  drills  cr  broadcast.  I  prefer  the 
former  plan,  as  it  is  then  an  easy  matter  to  take  a  crop  of  early 
Radishes  from  between  the  rows.  Ventilation  mmt  receive  attention 
as  the  young  plants  grow,  and  if  very  cold  nights  are  experienced 
coverings  of  mats  and  litter  may  be  found  necessary. 
The  intermedia  e  varieties,  such  as  James’,  are  to  be  recommended 
for  main  crops  in  private  gardens,  for  though  from  these  there  may 
not  be  obtained  quite  such  heavy  crops  as  from  the  longer-rooted  sorts, 
they  are  as  a  rule  of  greater  service.  Champion  Horn  is  excellent  for 
sowing  on  warm  borders  and  in  frames,  as  also  is  Sutton’s  Early  Gem. 
Early  Nantes  is  a  favourite  with  some  growers,  and  is  certainly  of 
great  merit  for  pulling  in  a  young  state. — J.  W.  J. 
