Climbing And Weeping Roses

Climbing Roses, suitable for arches, pillars, pergolas, walls, and summer-houses are abundant. Varieties suitable for growing as standards, and drooping their branches, are less numerous.

Climbing Roses

Alberic Barbier, white Carmine Pillar, carmine Crimson Rambler, red Dorothy Perkins, pink.

Felicite et Perpetue, white Madame Alfred Carriere (wall), white Mrs. F. W. Flight, rose.

Weeping Standard Roses

Alberic Barbier, white Dorothy Perkins, pink.

Hiawatha, red and white.

Planting Carnations

It is not of vital importance that Carnations be planted during the first half of March, and yet I think that the earlier in the spring (remember March and early April are the spring planting season) that they are planted the better. I write this with an eye both to those who have been wintering plants in frames which were layered in the garden last summer, and to those who are making a complete start by buying a stock of plants. It may be pointed out that present planting exposes the Carnations to the risk of late frosts. It does, but what of it? The plant is not really tender, like a Dahlia or a Begonia. It is intrinsically hardy. True, Carnations are killed sometimes in a very severe winter, as other reputedly hardy plants are, but there is not likely to be a frost in spring severe enough to hurt them. The advantages of early planting are twofold. In the first place, the plants are removed from the comparatively enervating atmosphere of the frames; and in the second, they have ample time to get well established before the hot weather comes on. I advise that the bed be well dug, and, if the soil is stiff, that some wood-ashes and mortar rubbish be dug in. Manure will not be needed in such ground, but in the case of poor, dry, shallow soil a dressing will be advantageous. Where the soil is rich the plants should be put in two feet apart, but eighteen inches will suffice in poorer soil. They should be planted firmly, and later on, when the flower stems rise, supplied with stakes. Wire out rabbits.

In making a choice of Carnations, amateurs should take care to select varieties which not only produce nice flowers, but are also good growers. Here are the names of a few such:

Agnes Sorel, dark crimson.

Barras, scarlet.

Daffodil, yellow.

Henry Falkland, yellow ground.

Hildegarde, white.

Lady Nina Balfour, light pink Mrs. Eric Hambro, white Queen of Bedders, pink Raby Castle, salmon pink Sir R. Waldie Griffith, apricot.

A Hint About Wireworm

The mention of Carnations reminds me to give a hint about that inveterate enemy of this and many other beautiful and useful plants, the wireworm. Does the reader who is beginning gardening realise that he will have some difficulties to encounter? I hope so, because then he will not suffer disillusionment. Many forget that plants have enemies, both insect and fungoid, which have to be fought and subdued, or the garden will be a failure. There is no ground enemy more destructive than wire-worm. It is about an inch long, yellowish in colour, and as thick as a pin's head. It is so hard that no ordinary pressure hurts it, but a determined grinding between the boot heel and a stone generally suffices. Many people hate the idea of killing anything, by open contact at all events, and they will be glad to hear of a preparation which, if put into the soil in accordance with the advice of the manufacturers, will destroy the enemy in the ground. It is called Apterite, and it can be bought from nurserymen. One often sees it advertised in gardening papers.