HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2861, 13 January 1909, Page 10

HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

By J. Gebbtb. In my notes of December 30 I mentioned the shy flowering nature of Watsonia O'Brieni in North Otago. This has led a correspondent in the south to give me his experience with it. From his letter I cull the following: — "Seeing your note in the Witness regarding Watsonia O'Brieni not flowering, I had a look at and a measure of one I have. There are four spikes. One is 6ft 2£in with 89 blooms, the other 6ft. and two 4ft. 9in. I have had it for two yeursi but did not think it worth growing before this year. It is just beautiful.'' Probably there is more moisture in the Tuturau district than in Oamaru, and that < may account for it having done so well. This Watsonia was first discovered on the elopes of Table Mountain, near Capetown, and eventually became the property of the curator of the botanical garden's at Port Elizabeth, who passed them on to Mr ' Q'Brien, by wliom they were distributed as Watsonia O'Brieni. Shortly after a Mr Ardeneri, of Capetown, found a white Watsonia near Worcester, about SO miles distant from Capetown. This was propagated and sent out as Watsonia ardeneri. Both are white varieties of Watsonia iridifolia, and are said to be identical. Only a few bulbs have been found in a wild slate, and. with the exception of the specimens found on Table Mountain, they havo been found in bogs or on the bajiks of streams, so that perhaps they are plants requiring" a deal of moi6turo at the roots, j OAMARU PUBLIC GARDENS. • These gardens are just now at their best, so far as a, floral display is concerned, although at all seasons they are worthy of a visit. Mr M"Kenzie, the curator, ha 3 the grounds in splendid ord«r, and the bedo and borders are a blaze of colour, while the lawns are smooth as velvet, and, thanks to the frequent showers, everything looks, fresh and green. A large bsd of roses i» in its prime, many of the blooms being fit to grace the exhibition table. I net iced some fine examples of Mrs John Laing. Maman Cochet, and C^prain Christy. Indigofera d-ecora, a pink flowering shrub, is smothered in bloom ; \ and Deutzia crenata, with white and pink double blc&soms, is alao a free-flowering and showy shrub. Among rambler rosea, crimson rambler and blush rambler are the two best. Crimson rambler is the b«stknown, and this season it has been exceptionally fine. Blush rambler in these gar- • dens *re only small plants, but full of ! bloom. A large / specimen in a private garden in the neighbourhood is a magnificent sight, and worth going a long way ' to see. Pentstemon spectabilie, in one of thio borders, is a very altraethe new introduction to the gardens and to the district. The plant is free-flow ering. The flowers, which are pale blue, are produced on spikes about 2fi high, and in a good«ized clump are very showy and well worth cultivating. Many other noteworthy plants are in bloom, and visitors to town should not fail to visit Ihis favourite resort, where thsre is much to interest the mind and chaim the eye. HERBARIA SPECIMENS. I hare been frequently asked as to the method of drying specimens of ferns and native flowers for preservation in albums, etc., so the following instructions may pro\e useful. A perfect botanical specimen should have root, stem, lea\cs. flower, and fiuit. It is not alwajs possible to gather such complete specimens, but the collector should aim at compknene^s. .If a plant is small tho specimen 6i.ould consist of the whole plant, including a portion of the root. If too large to preserve whole, a good flowering blanch should be selected wi^h the foliage as low down as can be gathered with ii. In laying out the <-ppcimen tlvs natural position of the parts should be preserved ,-vs far a.? possible in tho laying <of it flat. Bushy specimens may be thinned, and thick parte, such a- tho head of a thistle or bulb, may ha.\e the rnderside sliced oft' before drying. Succulent specimens apd plants tenacious of life may be dipped in Loilmsr water, all but the flower*. This will kill the plant at once, snd enable il to be dried lapidly. Seme pJanfcj are apt to shed thoir leaves during tho process of drying. These aie also best ; dipped in boiling water before beinc placed in the drying paper. The paper used sLquM bo coarse, stout, and unsized, and the more of it and ihp better the paper u^ed tho lcs<; frequently will it be necessary to change ■

1 it, and the sooner the plants will dry s The- more frequently the plants are shifts s into dry paper the better. For pressm] i plants all that is required is a pair o beards the size of the paper, and a ston< or heavjr weight upon them. The amoun ' of pressure will depend on the consistenci _ of the specimens and the quantity of paper I Too much pressure crushes the delioafc parts, and too little allows them to shrivel In mounting specimens no more than oni 1 bpecies should be fastened on to the saint sheet. In mounting ferns two fronds mij ' be placed on the one sheet — ons speciinei showing the front or upper side, the othei showing the under side, en which are the 6pcre.3. The specimens can be fastenec down with liquid gum. Any loo=« or stifl portions may be secured by gumming £ narrow 6trip of paper over them.