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AGRICULTURAL

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Jan. 3, 1891. j r™ Gabdbn-

The GiEDEN.]

[JAN. 3, 1891.

f?§m W

JAMES BACKHOUSE.

Jan. 3, 1891.]

[Tee Gabden.

ILLUSTRATED WEEKLY JOU^KftE

HORTICULTURE IN ALL ITS RRANCHES.

FOUNDED BY

W; Robinson, Author of '" The Wild Garden," "English Flower Garden" $c.

" You see, sweet maid, we marry
A gentler scion to the wildest stock ;
And make conceive a bark of baser kind
By bud of nobler race : This is an art
Which does mend Nature, — change it rather : but
The art itself is nature."

Shakespeare

VOL. XXXVI II. -CHRISTMAS, 1890.

LONDON:
OFFICE: 37, SOUTHAMPTON STEEET, COVENT GARDEN, W.C.

The Garden.]

[Jan. 3, 1891.

TO THE MEMORY OP

JAMES BACKHOUSE

THE THIRTY-EIGHTH VOLUME OF "THE GARDEN"

Is kbtcatj&.

Gr it

v. 3"

IT. i?., January, 1891.

Jan. 3, 1891.]

THE GARDEN INDEX

IHSHDEIX TO ^TOLTTIMIIE XXXYIII.

(Illustrations in Italics.)

A.

AberdeeDshire, flowers in, 2 7

Abies balsamei, 601; excelsa inveita, 323;
grandis, 291 ;grandis in theg >rdensat Castle-
wellan, 291 ; Morind'*, 509 ; nigra, 569 ; pec-
tinata, 35S ; Tsuga, 166 ; Webbiana, 433

Abutilon Golden Fleece, 332 ; insigne, 10S ;
Thonrpsonifl.-pl., 539

Acacia de*lbite, 599; decurrens, 599; echi-
nul*, 599; leprosa, 59S ; mollissim*, 599;
ovida, 599; platyptera, 5S7 ; pycnautha,
599; retinodes, 59S ; Riceana, 598; golden-
leaved, 52 ; Rose, 51 ; ulicina, 599 : verti-
cil! >ti, 599

Acacias for pillars, 598

Acanipe dentate, 5 1 6

Aciphyllas, 47S

Acropera cornute, 159

Acropteris pallens, 267

Acrostichunis, Sikkini, 99

Acrotrenia Wahkeri, 355

Actiuidia Kolomikta, 23

Actinopteris radiata, 313

Adiantum Collisi, 230 ; cuneatum, 50 ; far-
leyense, 243 ; fragrantissimum, 230 ; niani-
catum, 94

Adiantums, Sikkim, 99

Adluniia cirrhosa, SO

JEranthus Curnowianus, 142

Aerides crassifoliufii, 4S ; crispum, 48 ; Law-
rencise, 370, 395 ; Leeanum, 532 ; nobile,
229 ; odoratum, 24S ; Robanianum, 396 ; sua-
vissimuni, 444

iEschynantbus, tbe, 5S7; grandiflorus, 260, 410

Aganisia ccerulea, 12, 344

Agapantbus umbellatus, 244 ; umbellatus in
tubs, 503 ; umbellatus out of doors, 221 ;
umbellatus, 503 ; umbellatus maximus,
313

Agatbaaa erelestis, 342

Ageratum Perle Bleu, 325

Ageratums, new, of 1S90, 394

Aglaomorpha Meyeniana, 405

Alburnum, 406

Alder, cut-leaved, 10, 53 ; Imperial, 475 ;
wbite American, 282

Alders as ornamental trees, 475

Allamanda grandiflora, 172 ; violaeca in
Queensland, 49

Allspice, Carolina, 27

Almond tree, 52

Almondsbury, notes from, 19, 147

Alnus cordate, 476 ; glutinosa laciniate, 10,
53, 475 ; g. quercifolia, 476 ; g. rubro-nerva,

Alsopbila, 548 ; Oldbami, 99
Alstrcenieria aurantiaca, £0 ; Diazi, 238
Alstrcemerias, 47S

Althaea frutex, 2S1

Alyssum Benthami, 325

Amaryllis, 233; ;.utumn- flowering, 592;
Belladonna, 313 ; formosissima, 19, 80 ;
seed, sowing, 43S

Amasonia punicea, 410

Americ in notes, 576

Amomum magnificum, 19, 557

A i phic-mte Emodi, 4oi

Aniygdalus communis, £2

Ancbistea virginica, 2t7

Anemone blanda, 26S ; Japanese scarlet, a,
333 ; planting, 325

Anemones, Japanese, 313

Anemonopsis maernpbylla, 387

Angnecum articulatum, 247; caudatum, 396;
Ellisi, 475 ; Scottianum, 13, 69

Anguloa Clowesi, 3'JS ; eburnea, 328 ; inter-
media, 323 ; Ruckeri, Z2< ; alba, 32S ; san-
guinea, 328 ; Turneri, 32S ; uniflora, 328 ;
virginalis, 32S

Anguloas, 328

Annuals, bardy, cboice, 200

Anomatheca grandiflora, 313

Ansellia africana Rollissoni, 73, 247

Ant, black, tbe, 215

Antbeiicum Hookeri, 573

Anthurium Scberzerianum, 197 ; Veitcbi, a
fine, 314

Antbyllis montana, 324

Antirrbinum, wbite, 267, 3S7 ; a failure,
326

Antirrbinums, wbite, 221

Apbelandra Chamissoniana, 232

Apbropbora spumaria, 36

Apple Beauty of Batb, 147 ; Beauty of Stoke,
3S2 ; Bismarck, 206, 351 ; crop in Amtrica,
318 ; Ducbess of Oldenburg, 277, 306 ; foli-
age diseased, 143 ; Gospatric, 351 ; Grange's
Winter Pearmain, 431 ; Grenadier, 351 ;
grub, 147 ; Lane's Prince Albert, 420, 420 ;
Lord Grosvenor, 135 ; Reinette Grise du
Canada, tbe true, 207 ; Stirling Castle, 306 ;
trees, young and old, 14«, 170 ; Warner s
King, 481 ; Wellington, 522

Apples as pyramid and busb trees, 59S ;
at Maiden Erleigb, 207 ; at Salisbury
Palace, 134; at Streatbam, 4?0 ; colour in,
34S ; conference on, 405 ; dessert v. cook-
ing, 4S2 ; fruitful, notes on, ^77 ; in North-
umberland, 304 ; in the west of England,
348 ; larger, the, 4S1 ; new, 418 ; open-air
v. under glass, 399 ; precocious, 109 ; quality
of, judging the, 4S2 ; some present bearing,
277 ; two good, 592

Apricots, 5n6 ; orange fungus on, 134

Arboretum of Dr. Dieck ;ii Zuesehen, 292

Arbor-vitae, giant, th°, 76

Arch, Clematis-covered, a, 445

Arctotis arborescens, 517

Arenaria grandiflora, 40 ; montana, 40
Argemone hispida, 23S, 314
Aristoluchia elegans, 331, 517 ; floribunda,
172

Arnebia Griffith!, 253

.-nt;i

, 503

Arrowhead, Montevidean, S7

Artemisia maritima, 269

Artichokes, blanched, 231; Globe, 230; in

autumn, 276; worthless, 439
Arums, 29

Asclepias curassavica, 50, 260
Ash, the, 406 ; mountain, tbe, 216 ; saplings,

334 ; weeping, a specimen, 413 ; White, the,

474
Asparagus, ISO, 491 ; beds, 5S3 ; beds,

making, 602 ; beds, manuring, 436 ;

Chicory, 373 ; notes on, 469 ; staking tbe

growths of, 107, 193 ; when to plant, 77
Aspidistra leaves turning yellow, 515
Aspidiums, Sikkim, 99
Asplenium viviparum, 243
Aspleniums, Sikkim, 99
Aster ericoides, 47S ; japonicus, 325; lineari-

folius, 377 ; Sborti, 525 ; tataricus, 525 ;

turbinellus, 525
Asters, 151, 550; annual, 477; China, 271;

late -flowering, 525
Auricula, tliL-, 253,462, 575; Golden Queen, 108;

in August, 153 ; seed, quick germination

of, 3 4
Auriculas, yellow, 176
Autumn flowers, 241
Avens, scarlet, 29S

Azalea mollis, 411 ; mollis, imported, 469
Azaleas, 29, 1S1 ; in the open air, 165
Azara micropbylla under trees, 143

B.

Babiana rubro-cyanea, 43

Baden-Baden, nutes from, 432

Bamboos, 432 ; and orn nientd Grasses,
595 ; at Shrubland Park, 551 ; dwarf, 493

Bambusa aurea, 552 ; falcate, 552 ; Fortunei,
552 ; Hachiku, 552 ; Henonis, 552 ; Metake,
552 ; mitis, 552 ; nana, 545, 595 ; nigra, 552 ;
Quilioi, 552; Ragamowski, 552 ; Simoni,
552 ; violescens, 552 ; viridis gla
552

Barberry, Tbunberg's, 243, 364, 425, 476

Bark, constricted, 70

Burleria cierulea, 516

Batemaunia Burti. 139, 2&7

Bay, Califomian, the, 435

Bean, Indian, the, 114 ; Runner, Hill's Pro-
lific, 331

Beans, Broad, 502 : French, 107 ; French,
early, 179 ; Kidney, 156, ISO, 255, 288 ; sow-
ing, 255

Bed, a fine, 342

Bedding, carpet, 377

Bedding out in America, 209

Beech, the, 310, 384 ; purple, tbe, 77

Beechfidd, Walton on- Tr, ai.es, view in the gar-
den at, 101

Beet, notes on, 560 ; Sea', ale, or Silvery Spi-
nach 249 ; Varieties of, 603 ; White Curled
Siciss Sjrinach, 249

Befaria glauca, 563

Begonia, a sweet-scented, 3SS ; Baumanni,
3SS ; eoraUina, 130 ; glaucophylla, 31 ;
Haageana, 113 ; H. 51. Stanley, 93 ; John
Heal, 337 ; Lafayette, 93 ; meteUica, 49 ;
semperjlorens Siebtriana, 389 ; Triomphe de
Nancy, 18

Begonias as bedding plants, 104 ; at Maiden-
head, 290 ; double, 3SS ; Jlne-ltaved, in a
fernery, 581 ; fine-leaved, 591 ;new double of
*1890, 390 ; outdoors, 337 ; seedling, 243 ;
some good new double yellow, 244 ; tuber-
ous, 201 ; winter-flowering, 3S9

Beildoice-; white Peach-leaved, 575

Belifluwers, 572

Benthamia fragifera, 23, 416, 433, 454, 494,
501 ; fruit of, 517 ; in the gard n of Mrs.
Cockburn, Elm, House, Guernsey, 433 ; ja-
pouica, 601

Berberis aristata, 246; concinna, 414 ; Dar-
wini in Ireland, 243 ; Thunbergi, 364, 425,
476 ; Wallichian-i, lOi

Beschorneria yuccoides, 143

Hetula nigra, 240, 476

Bignonia purpurea, 469

Bindweed, Blue Rock, the, 271 ; double, the,
239

Birch, the, 120, 216; beauty of the, 70;
brown, common, 144 ; Red, the, 240, 476 ;
Silver, the, 136 ; Weeping Cut-leaved, 2S1

Birches, 2S1

Birds and caterpiUars, 147

Birmingham, flowers from, 362

Blac-kberrv, the, as a market fruit, 397 ;
Wilson Jun.,333

Blackberries, 2S9, 417 4S0 ; American, 243,
419

Bladder Senna, the, 293 ; Oriental, 570

Blanc, of Philadelphia, 440

Bl.mdfordias, 32

Blight, American, 512

Blue Gum Tree in North Wales, 291

Bluets, true, the, 152

1-inecouia cordata, 201

Birnninghausenia ulbiflora, 272

THE GAKDEN INDEX

[Jan. 3, 1891.

Bollcas, treatment of, 502
Bomarea multiflora, 40
Books —

"Album de Chrysnthemes," 451, 487

*( Landscape Gardening," 539

" Liste descriptive des Chrysanthfemes
d'hiver," 88

" Manual of Orchidaceous Plants," 32

" Mushrooms and their Culture," 572

"Popular Gardening, " 69

" Tne Garden -Annual pnd Alminack," 562

" Tomato Culture for Amateurs," 288
Border, window, a, 477
Borders, herbaceous, 56, 505 ; window, 477
Borecole or Kale, 492
Boronia elatior. 49

Bougainvillea glabra in Limerick, 238
Bougaiiivilleas, 391 ; in cool bouses, 130
Bouvardia President Cleveland, 40S ; Purity,

196, 381
Bouvardias, 31, 437, 489, 599
Bras. aiia peltata, 454
Brassavola Digbyana, 229 ; fragrans 408 ;

glauca, 493
Bristol House, Roelampton Cedars and Planes

on margin of lawn at, 319 ; the gardens at,

315 ; the lawn at, 315
Broccoli, late, 11 ; retarding, 385
Bromeliads, a house of, 557
Broom, Spanish, double, 305 ; Teneriffc, 592
Brugmansia Knigkti, 129
Brugmansias, 113, 129, 581
Brussels Sprouts, 534; the Bullet, 498
Buck's-eye, the, 227
Buckthorn, Sea, tho, 313
Buddleia auriculata, 563, £S7
Bulb garden, the, 150, 222, 272

Burlingtonia Candida, 13

Cabbage, 204 ; Portugal, 535 ; Winnigstadt,

535 ; Winnigstadt, 571
Cabbages, early, 7S ; early and late, 535, 572 ;

planting, 204; spring planting of, 289, 534
Caen, ponaological congress at, 196
Caladium Ibis Ruse, 50
Calandrinia umbellata, 493
Calanthe eolorans, tiO.s; Dominiana, 159 ; ma-

suca, 116; Yeitchi, 475; vestita oculata

rubra, 475
Calanthes, 592
Calceolaria amplexicaulis, 259 ; FoUiergilli,

494; fuchsisefolia, 432, 493; hyssopifoliu,

493; Kellyana, 494 ; pa von i, 539 ; planta-

ginea, 494 ; violacea, 493
Calceolarias, herbaceous and shrubby, £22
Calochortus madrensis, 172
Calycauthus, 57ti ; floridus, 27
Calystegia pubeseens tl.-pl., 2j9
Camden Park, trees in, 292
Canoellia Lady Hume's Blush, 509'; the, 409 ;

reticulata, S
Camellias, 283 ; dropping their buds, 539 ;

planted out, 603
Campanula Barrdieri as a basket "plant, 87 ;

excisa, 196 ; glomerata albi, 7; Hender-

soni, 176 ; isophylla, 86 ; lactseflora, 176 ;

mauri tallica, 271; per nci folia alba, 573;

primuheiulia, 259 ; Raineri, 176 ; Vidalli,

232 ; Zoysi, 325
Campanulas us basket plants, S6
Camphor for destroying slugs, 215
Candytuft Empress, 154
Cannabis sativa, 274
Cannas, Gladiolus-flowered, 354
Canterbury Bells, 57
Capsicum Little Gem, 438
Cardinal Flower, the, 325
Cardoons, 230, 439 ; blanching, 230
Carex, variegated-leaved, 232, 381

Cari
Cam

ii.lijl..

-99

ition, the, 91, 97, 174 223 ; Apricot, 19 ;
f« reiu-f, 9."), lb* ► ; flowers, rings for, 23^ ;
in Northumberland, 327; Margarita, 590,
313; Mrs. Reynolds Hole, 33S ; Mrs. San-
ders, 43 ; old crimson Clove, 40, S2 ; prizes,
427 ; Rosalind, 93 ; Rowcana, 93 ; tree, seed-
ling, 8

Carnations, 128 4S9 ; and Ticotees, 8', 175,
296 ; at ChiswicA, 153 ; at Slough, 126 ; bi-
zarre and naked, in pots, .31 ; border atrial
of, 74 ; Continental, 15L ; from Northum-
berland, 244: in the flower garden. SI; in
the north, V95; in vases, 342; in Vienna
.H0L;in winter, 563; lavered, :94; layering
37,55; Pieoteesaml Pinks, 575 ; pod burst-
ing in, 202, 810; run, 152; seedling. 38 ;
staging, at exhibitions, 198 ; Tree, 37, 537 ;
winter-flowering, notes on, 300, 536; yellow
244

Carpentaria californica, 24, 68

Carriage drive, a2*, 4.S0, 474

Carrots, L79 : autumn-sown, 183; young, in

mi atiutum, '298 ; Bungerothi, 293 ;
xothi Uau.li, 331} cernuum, 295

Caterpillars, 254

Cattleya amethystoglossa, 208; aurea, 337,
475, 550; aurea var., 229 ; aurea Lindeni,
381 ; aurea Ntattcriana, 262 ; aurea Youngi-
ana, 345 ; bicolor, 337 ; Bowringiana, 40s,
424. 531 ; Bowringiana violacea, 18 ; Buys-
soniana, 381 ; chrysotoxa, 344, 370 : Eldo-
rado. 247 ; Empress Frederick, 43 ; Forbesi,
48; Gaskelliana, 27, 5S0 ; gigas imperialis,
26 ; gigas Sanderiana, 14, 72 ; gigas Shuttle-
worthi, 158 ; guttata, 282 ; guttata munda,
580; Hardyana, 214, 424,550; Imschottiana,
381; intermedia Parthenia, 4S ; labiata, 454,
470; Lindeni, 425; Massaiana, 1S5, 214;
Mendeli, 72, 283 ; Mendeli Alfred Smee,
13; Mossise, 13, 16; O'Brieniana, 502.
561 ; Schrcederiana, 229 ; superba, 158. 444;
superba splendens 13, 211 ; the first, 57 ;
velutina, 159; Walberiana, 48, IQl; Wa-
rocqueana, 408,533 ; Warocqueana amethy-
stina, 381 ; Warocqueana flaniinea, 381
Cattleya leaves, 609
Cauliflower, Autumn Giant, 22S, 2S9 ; Early

Snowball, 59
Cauliflowers, 204, 322 ; and Broccoli, a year's
supply of, 60 ; autumn-raised, 137 ; grubs
destroying. 12
Ceanothus Glare de Versailles, 209
Cedar, Japan, the elegant, 546 ; Lebanon, the,

310
Cedars in Europe, 96 ; and Planes onmarg'n
of lawn at Bristol Bouse, Roehanrpton, 319 ;
Lebanon and At'as, 564
Cedrus Deodara robusta, 435
Celeriac, 204, 437

Celery, 204 ; Ctn$wnrth Park Pink, 330 ; com-
parative merits of, 414 ; failures, 2S7 ; fly,
the, 15; in wide trenches, 204; keeping,
497, 535, 572 ; Turnip-rooted, 204
Celsia cretica, 525
Cerasus pseudo-cerasus, 276
Cereus giganteus, 172; paueispinus, 469
Cerintbe retorta 258
Oestrum aurantiacuni, 432 ; fasciculatum,

338
Clnulanthes fragrans, 490 ; Sikkim, <9
Chemical remedies and manures, 237
Cherries at the Drill Hall, 67 ; and Plums fur

profit, 218 ; Morello. for dessert, 367
Chestnut, Horse, double white, 4)6, G01
Chestnut trees dying. 496
Chicory, common, 373
Chionodoxa, 223
Chiroiiia ixifera, 314
Chiriisidc, flowers from, 24
Christmas decorations, 568
Chrysanthemum A. C. Kingston, 515 ; Ada
Spaulding, 50S ; Advance, 578 ; Aida, 4;>3,
57S ; Alberic Linden, 426 ; Alexandre Du-
four, 404 ; Alice Carter. 57S ; alpinum, 494 ;
a new, 516 ; Anna Hartshome, 383, 425,
442; Annie Clibran, 3S1, 3S3, 442, £09;
Arcbiviste Blancard, 442 ; Arthur Wood,
473, 57S ; a true pompon, 52S ; Beauty of
Castlehill, 515 ; Beauty of Castlewood, 515 ;
Be=sie Conway, 579 ; blooms, keeping,
528 ; blooms, timing, 509 ; blue, the, 530 ;
Bouquet de Dame, 404 ; Camille Flani-
marion, 453, 57S ; Cesare Costa, 453 ;
Charles Maskel, 57S ; Charming, 579 ;
Christmas Eve, 509 ; Citron, 57S ; Comtesse
F. de Cariel, 360; conference, the, 453;
Coronet, 578 ; Countess of Lytton, 515 ;
curiosity, a, 359 ; O. W. Tricker, 425 ;
Dame Blanche, 579 ; Dana?, 515, 578 ;
Duchess of Westminster, 425, 426 ; Early
Blush, 215 ; E. C. Jukes, 578 ; Edwin
Molyneux, 335 ; Elegant, 5,9 ; Emily Row-
botham, 453 ; Ethel Addison, 57S ; Etoile
de Lyon, 453, 493, 527 ; Eugene Gait, 425 ;
flowers, keeping, 4S5, 528 ; F. Hart, 578 ;
frutescens, 331 ; Gloire de Rocher, 426 ;
Golden Shah, 36 ; Golden Star, 453 ; green,
a, 335 ; hniuuatoir.ma, IS; Holborn Beauty,
57S ; in Pekin, 509, 544 ; in Tasmania, 529 ;
James Carter, 578 ; James Weston, 544 ;
Kioto, 562 ; Lady Lawrence, 442 ; Lady
Selbome, 3S7 ; latifolium, 523 ; L'Au-
tomne, 530 ; Lilian Bird, 453, 530, 57S ;
Louis Bcehmer, 487, £09, 530 ; Lucinda,
290 ; M. A. Haggas, 425 ; M. Charles Le-
bocqz, 442 ; M. E. A. Carriere, 453 ; M.
Jules Humbert, 3S3 ; M. Loo Delibes, 57S ;
Mmc. Desgrange, 190, 265 ; Mme. Fred
Bergman, 442; Mme. F. Minstral, 578;
Mine. Cavral, 426, 57S ; Mme. Menard, 442 ;
Mine. Morel, 442; Mme. Say, 404; Mme.
Vogeli, 442; Mile. Mario Hoste, 425, 426;
Maribol, 578 ^ Marion. 153 ; maximum, 523 ;
Mr. A. H. Neve, 4*3 ; Mrs. A. Hardy, 147,
234, 451, 508, 540, 543, 579 ; Mrs. A.
Waterer, *7* ; Mrs. Crowcr, 442 ; Mrs. D. D.
Farson, 579 ; Mrs. E. W. Clarke, 515; Mrs.
Falconer Jameson, 3S3, 442; Mrs. F. A.
Spaulding, 579; Mrs. G. Coleman, 509;
Mrs. Horril, 579 ; Mrs. Irving (Larke, 426,
57.S ; Mrs. James Carter, 578 ; Mrs. J. C.
Price, 57S ; Mrs. J. N. Gerard, 442 ; Mrs. R.
Owen, 442 ; Mrs. W. A. Harris, 57S ;
Miss A. A. Bates, 579; Misg Lily Stevens,
308,442; Miss Mabel Wilde, 426; monta-
num, 523 ; Neptune, 404; notes on, 52S,
513, 544

Chrysanthemum, new, 335, 516; Oriental, 404;
outdoor, an, 404 ; plants, small, 57S ; Presi-
dent Hyde, 544 ; Princess Waldemar, £15 ;
Puritan, 383,442 ; pyramidal, a. 404 ; Ruche
Toulousaine, 579 ; R. W. Cowles, 453 ; Ro-
bert Canned, 509 ; Rose Laing, 442 ; Rud-
beckia, 562 ; Silver Star, 442 ; Source d'Or,
443 ; Souvenir de M. Menier, 3S3, 442 ;
spoiling the, 451, 508, 52S, 577 ; Sunset, 515,
589 ; Tokio, 544, 578 ; uliginosum, 573 ; uli-
fjhw&um, £23; Violet Rose, 515; Violet
Tomlin, 425; Viviand Morel, 425, 426;
W. G. Drover, 54, 579 ; W. H. Lincoln, 383,
442 ; W. M. Singerley, 442 ; William Lane,
426 ; William Neville," 426 ; W. Stevens, 579;
William Westlake, 453 ; Zawadtki, 523

Chrysanthemums, a distinct class of, 527,
577 ; American, 509 ; American, new,
34, 88, 485 ; Anemone classes, large,
5S9 ; an interesting diss of, 544 ; at
Battersea Park, 3S6 ; at Brighton, 451 ;
at Finsbury Park, 386 ; at Kew, 3SS,
486 ; at Lewisham, 405, 577 ; at Maiden-
head, 359 ; at Morden Park, 485 ; at South-
war* Park, 386 ; at Swanley, 544; at Sy-
denham, 4S6 ; autumn - flowering, 359 ;
coarse, 529 ; cultural notes on, 190, 336,
£07; cutting and arranging flowers of, 441;
decorative, 510, £89 ; double summer, 143 ;
dressed, 530; early, 234, 335; exhibiting,
579 ; for medicinal purposes, 453 ; for vases,
256 ; good late, 577 ; groups of at the Swansea
show, 544 ; hardy, 523, 530 ; hardy, and cot-
tage gardens, 452, 601; housing, 312; in-
curved, new Continental, 452 ; in the Chis-
wick nursery, 486 ; in the flower garden, 442 ;
in Tasmania, 14, £29 ; in the Temple Gardens,
3S6 ; in vases, 57S ; Japanese versus ia-
curved,487; late, 590 ; list of, 45 ; manipu-
lating the branches of, 15 ; new varieties of ,
404, 442, 578 ; number of, 52S ; on walls,
312 ; Ostrich Plume, ('01 ; outdoor,
404, 4S6, 52S, 544; pompon, 50S ; pros-
pects of the season, 403; rats and, 590 ;
rich colour of, 527 ; ripening the wood
of, 231 ; seeds and seedlings. 3\ 53, 87 ;show,
486 ; single, 14, 54, 5S9 ; striking cuttings
of, 543 ; top-dressing, 233 ; treatment after
housing, 3 9 ; variation of colour and form
of blooms of, 407

Chrysobactron Hooked, 573, 592

Chrysogununi virginianum, 494

Cineraria aurita, 252

Overarm a welt- grown, 538

Cinerarias in winter, 53S

Cirrhopetalum Medusae, 516, 5S0 ; Wrightia-
num, 159

Cistus, Bog, 19\ ft^ren inns, 177; laurifolius,24

Cistuses, the, 177

Clematis coccinea, 74 ; Davidiana, 272, 325 ;
flammula, 576; garden, the. 103 ; indivita
on a greenhouse icall, 557 ; Jackmani alba,
171, 422; New Zealand, the, 557 ; recta fl.-
pl., 92; scarlet, the, 214; Stanleyana, tS;
Stanleyi, 362

Clematises on arches, 445

Clerodendron nutans, 558

Clerodendrons, 43;j

Clethra acuminata, 281 ; alnifolia, 246, 292,
364 ; arborea, 6S ; barbinervis, 209

Clianthus Dampieri marginatus, 314

Climbers, native, in gardens, 4'J3 ; on trees,
501, 534, 569 ; two useful, for the green-
house, 260

ClitoriaTernatea, 49, 132, 182; Ternatea,\ZZ

Clove culture, 19 ; white, the, 148, 395

Cobaea seandens, 501 ; in the open, 244

Ccelogyne cristata, 549 ; cristata in August,
247; oistata maxima, 549; Dayana, 27;
Gardneriana, 532 ; Massangcana, 158 ; occl-
lata, 396; pandurata, 14

Colax, 470

Colchicunis. the, £68

Coleman, Mr. W., 244

Coleus, 585

Colutea arborescens £93

Conifer seed, gathering, 496

Conifers, American, in Belgium, naturalisa-
tion of, 406 ; early coning of. 286, 334 ;
good, some, for small places, 435 ; helping,
602; notes on, 246; planting, in August,
526; pruning, for leaders, 428

Coniogramma javanica, 490

Conservatory, arrangement of, 557 ; baskets
of plants in tho, 1 ; without stag ng, 514

Conservatories, arranging, 514

Contrast, a, fl, 104

Convolvulus arvensis, 50 ; inauritanicus, 50

Coppicing, growth "f , 46, 96

Cordyline australis, 409; in open border in
Sussex, 409

Coreopsis gi-andi flora, 148, 362; verticillata,
202

Cornflower, double yellow, a, 290

Cornus alba, 456; citrifolia, 244; sibirica
Spathi, 28

Coronilla Erne

, 343

.s, 516

Cosmos l.ipinnatus, 361
Co.stus igneus, 112, 517

Coloneaster frigida, 11% 494 ; horizontalis.
293 ; microphylla, 60 i; numniulariu-folia,
547, 606 ; Siniousi, 499 ; thymifolia, 500

Cotoneasters, evergreen, 364

Cottage gardens and hardy Chrysanthemums,
452

Cottagers' plants, 227

Couve Trouchuda, 535

Coveut Garden at i hristmas, 609

Coverts, game, Raspberries in, 310

Crassula lactea, 539

Crawley, fruit at, 419

Crinodendron Hookeri, 273 ; Hookeri, 273

Crinum giganteum in the open air, 73 172

Crinums, Sir Charles Strickland on, 382

Crocosma aurea var. maculata, 333

Crocus viridiflorus major, 243

Crocuses, autumn, the, 314

Crops, winter green, our, 346

Croton Memphis, 373

Cryptonieria elegans, 546

Cuckoo spit, 36

Cucumber Allan's Favourite, 44 ; Express,
167 ; plants, raising, 300

Cucumbers, 536 ; and Melons, 597 ; frame,
300 ; insects on, 19, 09 ; in pots and planted
out, 301 ; winter, 559

Cultivation, deep, 458

Cunila Mariana, 3S1

Cup Flower, tall, 342

Cupressus macroearpa, 363; in the gard ns at
Castlewellan, Co. Down, 363

Cirrrant foliage, diseased, 143

Currants, Black, 3» 6

Cutler's. Mr., jubilee testimonial, 454

Cyananthus lobatus, 127, 147

Cvathea, 548

Cyclamen coum, 272 ; Ivy-leaved, the, 268

Cyclamens, 5S5 ; hardy, 126, 338 ; notes on,
353 ; unhealthy, 44';

Cycnoches aureum, 29S ; chlorochi'on, 609

Cymbidium Lowianum, 4S, 72, 532 ; Tracy-
anum, 561,5S0

Cymbidiums, 13

Cyonotis nodiflora, 232

Cyperorehis elegans, 408

Cyperus alter n if olius, 585

Cypress, Monterey, the, 363

Cvpripcdium, a new, 531 ; Alfred, 514 ; An-
tigone, 473 ; barbatum, 285 ; Calceolus,
44 < ; Cleola, 473 ; Eisniannianum, 60S ;
flower, malformed 3S7; Gasuellianum 5'0;
Godefroya?. 159; Oodefroyaj Cardnerianum,
1S5 ; grande, 345; H.Ballantine 166; hybri-
duiu Doris, 473 ; h. Eyermannianum, 473;
h. Maynardi, 561 ; h. Pollettianum, 561 ; h.
Youngiauuni, 43 ; insigne, 494, 540, tOS; i.
Measuresse. 396 ; Marsballianum, 609 ;
Muriel Hollington, 473; cenanthum, 139;
cenanthum superbum, 282 ; Osborni, 561 ;
Parishi, 13; pavonium, 580 ; purpuratuir,
2S2; Sanderfe, 475; Schrcedene, 14, 549;
Sedeni rubicundum, 159 ; Spicerianum,
298, 444, 454; Spicerianum, a fine, 540;
Spicerianum magnificum, 532 ; Etonei
platytseuium, 13 ; venustum, 26, 502 ;
vexillarium, 345

Cypripediums at Hextablc, 592 ;atHolloway,
587 ; hardy, 27

Cvstopteris, 50<;; alpina, 5C6 ; bulbifera 506;
Douglasi, 506 ; fragilis, 506 ; montana,
506 ; tasmanica, £06 ; tenuis, 506

Cytisus filipes, 592

Daffodil, increase of the, 526 ; seed, germina-
tion of, 224, 259 ; winter, the, 526

Daffodils, imported bulbs of, 34U; and Narcissi,
222 ; for pots, 272 ; from seed, 294 ; plant-
ing, 173, 296 ; white, 82

Dahlia A. W. Tait, 3U8 ;0Beauty of Arundel,
308 ; Black Prince, 262 ; Canary Bird, 214 ;
Cannell's Favourite, 262 ; Centennial, 30S ;
Comedian, 30S ; conference, 267, 309, 332 ;
Crimson Beauty, 262 ; Dr. Peters, 262 ;
Eclipse, 214; Eldorado, 308; imperialis,
516 ; laciniata aurea, 262 ; Lorina, 262 ;
Maid of Keut, 262 ; Marion, 262 ; Maude,
214; Melita, 308; Mrs. J. Douglas, 214;
Mrs. Stanley, 214; Northern Star, 214;
origin of the, 309 ; Othello, 308 ; Robert
Maher, 166; roots, keeping, 594; Rouge
Chauviere,214 ; Rubens, 262; The Mikado,
;.iiis ; White Bedder, 427

Dahlias at Maidenhead, 375; bedding, dwarf,
40S ; decorative, 375 ; in North Wales, 327 ;
new seedling, 313 ; show, 270, 295 ; single,
at Crawley, 424

Daisy, blue, the, 342 ; Paris, yellow, 423

Daisies, Michaelmas, 421, 550; a bouquit of,
421 ; from seed, 374 ; Paris, as market
plants, 331

DatePatk, Arumhl, Sussex, 75

Daphne indica, 4S9 ; i. alba, 454

Daplmipbylluni glaucescens, 150

Havallia bullata, 99 ; Mooreuiia poisonous, £87

Davallias, 547. 591

Delphinium vestitum. 267

Delphiniums, 151

Jan. 3, 1891. ]

THE GARDEN INDEX

inn album, 230 ; album, the home
of, S28 ; bigibbuin, 361 ; b. superbum, 2S3 ;

chiysocrepis, 425 ; . hrysotis, .".SO : D.ilhousi-
anum, 60S; form. .sum. 290; I. gig.uiteum,
STO; Guiberti, Hi: H....kcriauum, 424 ;
Longicorau, 73; McCartbise, 370: uobilc,
COS": Pai'ishi, 27 ; Phalamopsis, 3L'S ; Sch-
neiderianum, 32S ; senile, 424 ; thyrsi-
florum, 172

Desmodium tilkefoliuni, 353

Diacalpe, 99

Biintluis alpinus, 260; Atkinsoni, 127;
oaryophvllus Mirgarite. 20: ; negleetus,
324: plumarius sernperfloreus, 376 ; super-
bus, ui:

Dicksonias, 517

Dictamuus Fraxinella, 102

Diervilla sessilifolia, 23S

Pigging, ordinary, 555

Dimorphotheca graminifolia, ISO

Diplacus eoeeineus, 207

Dipladenia utropurpurea, 172 ; boliviensi3,
to 2

Dipladenias, 392

Diplazium grandifoliuni, 7

Dissotis incaua, 313

Dogwood, the, 450

Donibeya burgessire, 232

Dorouicum Harpur Crewe, 595 ; $lanta-
gineam excelsam, 437

Dorset, notes frorn, 240

Dove Orchid, the, 29S

Downiugia pulehella, 45S

Draeama indivisa variegata, 130 ; Miss Glen-
dinning, 160

Drainage, thorough, benefits arising from,
3S4

Draining, notes on, 474

Drains root choking of, 46

Dropwort, double, the, 103

Drynaria inusajfolia, 243

Dwellings, model, and flowers, 449

Eccremocarpus scaber, 2t!S

Echeveria Peaeoeki, 224 ; retus', 5S3

Echinacea purpurea, 176

Elder, golden-leaved, the, 77, 365 ; variegated,

the. 58S
Elm, English, M0, 400 ; Scotch or Wych, the,

384
Elm tree stems, hollow, 610
Elms, desirable, 504 ; raising from seed, 144
Elmet Hall, flowers from, 540
Elymus arenarius, 524
Endive, 321 ; Batavian, Improved Kound-

leaved, 194 ; supply, the, 17S
Endives, 572
' Eomecon chionantha, 2SS
Epicrises, 601; late flowering, S3
Epidendrum cochleatum, 5S0 ; cordigerum,

300 ; falcatum, 15S ; f. var., 02 ; Stamfordi-

anum. 150; vitellinum majus, 13
Epiphyllums in bloom, 470
Eranthemum Andersoui, 355, 438 ; asper-

sum, 43S ; cinnabarinum, 438 ; Cooperi, 43S ;

crenulatum grandffloruui, 43S ; hypocra-

teriforme, 43S ; laxiflorum, 43S ; pulchel-

lum, 43S ; strictivm, 438 ; tuberculatum,

43S
Eranthemums as winter-flowering plants,

4iS
Eremurus, culture of, 479 ; robustus var. no-

bilis, 142
Eria myristicftformis, 159
Erica Bauksi, 4S9 ; nmltiflora, 50S ; stricta,

413
Ericas, 49

Erigeron mucronatum, 200, 224
Erinus alpinus, 257, 295 ; on stone steps, 257
Ervngium alpinum, 404 ; glaciale, 33S ; pla-
num, 295
Eryngiurns, 172 ; in flower, 24
Erythrokena conspicua, 362
Erythroniunis, 222, 503
Escallonia macrantha tt Shadwell Court,

414 ; Philippiana, 23
Eucalyptus Andreanus, 226 ; globulus, 500 ;

g. iu North Wales, 291
Eucharis amazonic i, 5S5
Eucryphia pinnatifolia, 14S
Eulalia japonica in flower, 432 ; japoniea

variegata, 103
Euonymus, the, at Hove, 456
Eupatoriuni probum, 432, 517
Euphorbia jacquiniiefiora, 256 ; palustris,

493
Evergreen trees in the north of Ireland, 5S1
Evergreens, transplanting, 310
Experience, 267

Fagus antaretiea, 23 ; svlvatica purpurea, 77

Failures, 13S

Feea spicata, 7

Felixstowe, wild flowers about, 269

Fern, Bear's-paw, 405 ; Bladder, alpine. 506 ;
Bladder, Mountain, 500; Bracken, in Rho-
dodendrons, 413 ; conference, 45, 05 ; exhi-
bition, 03 ; Hay, the, 400 ; Maiden-hair,
50; Royal, the, 209; Jioi/al, the, 209;
Tongue, "the, 40

Ferns at Croydon, 99 ; at Edmonton, 54S ;
Bladder, 506 ; Crested, 547 ; Filmy, at
Messrs. Backhouse's nurseries, York, 506 ;
Filmy, moving, 101 ; for cutting, 400 ;
hardy, 106; in variety, 400; names of.
140 ; Sikkim, notes on some, OS ; Tree, for
the conservatory, 547 ; viviparous, 5SI

Fernery, an i rtist'ie, 531 ; hard,', a, 303

Ferneries, hardy, 303

Ferula gigantea, 203

Fieus elastica variegata, 501, 539

Field in..use, the, 138

Fieldia anstralis, 373

Fig, St. John, 44 ; trees, preparing a site for,
420

Figs in the open air in Yorkshire, 314 ; in
pots for early fruiting, 430 ; protecting, 56S

Fir, Balm of Gilead, the, 450; Balsam, I'Ol ;
Silver, the, 35S ; the great silver, 291 ; O ent
Silv r in the gardens at Castl-.wellan, 291 ;
Silver, Webb's, 433

Firs iu a northern aspect, 168 ; S-ot'h, along
the drive at Offington, 455 ; Scotch at Offing-
ton, 455

Flame Flower, the, 447

Flax, New Zealand, flowering, IS ; in Scot-
laud, 74

Florist's flowers, hardy, season .ble notes on,
258, 296, 341, 575

Flower bed, an autumn, for the million, 377 ;
a striking, 340

Flower beds, small, 101

Flower garden, the, 174, 375

Flower gardening, the renaissance of, 241

Flower show at Bedford Park, 69

Flower show prizes, 5S6

Flower, wonderful a. 452

Flowers and model dwellings, 440 ; at shows,
naming, 71 ; at. Steep Hill Castle, Ventnor,
353 ; by the sea ide, 57 ; cut, and plants
in the house, 55S ; in Yorkshire, 540 ; wet
weather, S2

Fogs, 402 ; effect of, ou plants, (07

Foliage, berries, &e , hardy, stands of, 403

Foliage plant, hardy, a noble, 125; tree,
highly coloured, a, 68

Forcing, necessity for, 60 1 ; preparing for,

460. 1 01

]',:LY:-|Vi.l

Forest hygiene, 400 ; plague,
406 ; trees, planting, 46

Forests in Europe, 3S4 ; seasonable work in,
70, 496, 6.0

Forestry in Australi i. 6.0

Forsythias, the, 28, 52

Fota, notes from, 149

Foxgloves, white, in the wild garden, 24

Frauciscea calycina, 256 ; confertiflora, 256,
488

Franeoa sonchifolia, 202

Fraxinus, 406

Freak, curious, a, 2S

Freesias, 8, 231, 353, 391, 558

Fritillaria reeurva, 540, 574

Fritillaries, 504

Frog hopper, 36

Frost in October, the, 404; preparing for,
502 ; sharp, the recent, 439

Frosts, early, 24S ; effect of, 601

Fruit at Crawley, 419 ; at Maidstone, 318 ;
crops, 121, 159, 1S6, 211, 234, 251 ; crops,
birds and the, 2 ; crops, next year's, 251 ;
culture, British, 494 ; garden, hardy, the,
205, 39S ; gathering and marketing, 2S0 ;
growers, hints to, 36S ; growers, Tasmania
as a field for, 121 ; growing, 21S, 27S ; hardy,
at the Guildhall, 41S ; iu Ireland, 242 ; iu
Spain, 172, 26S ; keeping badly, 350; lus-
cious, a, 26S ; prospects, 3, 73, 110; storing,
33S, 366

Fruit and vegetables, early, at Mentone, cul-
tivation of, 303

Fruit Growers' Association, British, IS, 119,
142, 239

Fruits„bush, winter treatment of, 596 ; cul-
tivated and wild, 144 ; dried, American,
in foreign markets, 117 ; hardy, 4 ; pre-
served, exhibition of , 69 ; under glass, 34, 62

Fruit tree blossoms, protecting, 520

Fruit trees and hoar-frost, 567 ; blight on,
S4 ; a boom in, 399 ; decline of vitality of,
4S1 ; early lifting of, 317 ; in winter, wash-
ing, 554 ; lifting, 41S ; lifting the roots of,
255 ; manuring, 512, 522 ; moisture for,
519 ; on Grass, 449 ; on iron fence, 67, 207 ;
own-root, 520 ; raising, novel method of,
465 ; root-pruning and transplanting, 36S ;
seasonable work amongst, 347 ; supernu-
merary, 463 ; wall, lifting and replanting
of, 4-i4 ; winter moth on, 33S

Fuchsia Alexandria, IU ; depeudens, 517 ;
Dominiana, 300, 410 ; General Roberts,
438 ; hybrid, a, 74 ; pure white, a, 198 ;
Riccartoni, dwarf, 422 ; triphylla, 113

Fuchsias as garden plants, 125 ; as market
plants, 331 ; at Trowbridge, 203; in Hyde
Park, 130; in the flower garden, 198; in
the greenhouse, 50 ; uncommon, 372

Fumitory, Climbing, 8
Funkia Sieboldi, 68 ; i:
Funkias in flower, 79
Furcrsea Bediughausi,
Furze for hedges, 144

GaiUardiaamblvudon, 196 ; Jamos Kclway, IS;
WendeU Holmes, 214

Gaillardias, 327, 593 ; in vase, 593

Galax aphvlla, 24

Game, covert for, 20

Garden, old-fashioned, a ramble through an,
71 ; the, in October, 423 ; views, 100 ; walls,
blackened, 277

Gardeners, should they combine ? 37S

Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution,
562

Gardening, changes of faith in, 160 ; town,
175 ; town, committee of the Manchester
Field Naturalists' Society, 50 ; wall, 79 ;
wall, 25

Gardenia macrantha, 322 ; macrocarpa, 323 ;
malleifera, 323 ; octomeria, 323 ; Stanleyaua,
322

Gardenias, 256, 5S3 ; African, 322

Gardens, market, employes in, 37S ; flowers
in, 377 ; villa, 539

Garrya elliptiea, 226, 456

Gaul'theria Shallon, 136

Gazania splendens, 342

Gentiana asclepiadea, 172 ; Fortunei, 202 ; lu-
tea, 325 ; verna, 44S, 454

Geranium Shirley Blue, 214 ; Wallichianum,
127, 272, 314

Geraniums, scarlet, 50

Gerliera Jamesoni, 361

Geum chiloense, 299 ; c. var. grandiflorum,
290 ; c. var. miniatum, 299 ; coccineum,
299 ; miniatum, 29S

Gillenia trifoliata, 239

Ginkgo tree, the, 602

Gladiolus, the, 341 ; abyssinicus, 577 ; Baron
Schrceder, 214 ; Baud'in, 327; Beaurepiire,
327 ; brenchleyensis, 215 ; Charles Baltet,
327; Conite Horace de Choiseul, 326; de
Candolle, 326 ; Edison, 327 ; Eiffel, 327 ;
Empress of Germany, 166 ; E. Y. Hallock,
262 ; Ferdinand Bergman, 327 ; Gipsy, 576 ;
Grandesse, 576 ; hardy hybrid, early bloom-
ing, 41 ; hardy, new, 575 ; John Laing,
327 ; Lemoinei, 202 ; Leonard Kclway, 262 ;
L'Esperance, 575 ; Liberte, 327 ; Louis
Thibaut, 262 ; M .rceau, 327 ; Maurice de
Yilmorin, 327 ; Mons. Hardy, 326 ; Mons.
Laforeade, 326 ; Mons. Lefebvre, 326 ;
M. Torcy-Yannier, 3 i~ ; Nancieanus Le
Grand Camot, 562 ; Neue Bleue, 262 ; new,
a, 142 ; P. Duchartre, 326 ; pretty, a, 69 ;
Satin Hose, 575 ; Souffren, 5,6; Spitzberg,
576 ;Stanley, 160 ; sulphureus, 5S ; TheBride,
4SS ; The Bride, 4S9 ; tricolor, 576 ; turicen-

Glad'ioli at the Drill Hall, 242 ; hardy, 597;
harvesting, 461 ; in masses, 340 ; new hardy
French for 1S90, 326

Glidwin. the, 454

Gleichenias, 533 ; at the York Nurseries,
5)3

Glen Cove, U.S.A., notes from, fOl

Gloriosi superba, 232, 577 ; virescens, 577

Gloriosas, 182, 576

Gloxmia, the, S ; Gaiety, 43 ; maculata, 165 ;
Mrs. Stanley, 03 ; Nestor, 43

Gloxinias at Richmond, 30 ; in the autumn,
232 ; planting out, 372, 410, 437

Godetia Whitneyi Duke of Fife, 263

Golden Drop, 272

Gooseberry bushes, pruning, 554

Gooseberry foliage, diseased, 143

Gooseberry house at Taunton, 84

Gooseberries, 431 ; flavour of, 171

Grafting, crown v. piece, 72 ; evils of, 117,
140, 255

Grammatophyllum Ellisi, 4S. 15S; multi-
florum, 03. 117 ; speciosum, 73

Granadilla, the, 361

Grape, Appley Towers Seedling, 34S, 429 ;
Ascot Citronelle, 31S ; Gros Colman,
shading. 597 ; Lady Downshire, 367 ; Lady
Hutt, 561, 5S7 ; Mrs. Pince, 135 ; Mrs. Pince,
colouring, 171 ; Muscat of Alexandria, 306 ;
Muscat of Alexandria, 306

Grape conf-rence, 254, 332, 39S

Grapes affected by rust, 277; American,
classification of, 566 ; bottling, 519 ; cul-
ture of, for market, 379 ; failing to col-
our properly, 25* ; keeping, 511 ; late,
427, 597 ; outdoor, 351 ; packing, 420 ;
prizes for paekiug, at Chiswick, 349, 397,
430 ; quality in. 507 ; scalded, 22 ; scalding
and cracking of, 21 ; shanking, 145, 170, 513

Grass, ornamental, a fine, 576 ; Sea Lyme,
the, 524 ; Worm, beautiful, the, 362

Grasses, ornamental, and Bamboos, 595

Greenhouse, a <r?ll-arra»yeit, 104; plants,
hard-wooded, 30, 111, 601

Griffiniahyacinthina, 260, 209, 5S0
Ground, preparing for planting, 564
Grouping, errors in, 120
Gum Tree, Blue, the, 000
Gunuera manieata, 23S ; scabra, 103
Gymnogramma gloriosa, 405 ; peruviana

argy.ophylla, 7
Gymuogrammas, 547

Habenaria militaris, 1S5, 24S

Hablitzia tamnoides, 14S

Habrothamuus, 5S2 ; faseiculatus, 33S

Bamraria Dawsoniana, 229

Hailstorm in London, 196

Hidiuiudendroli argciiteuui, 77

Hamamelis virginica, 546

Hardy flowers, a few good, 314 ; at Osmond-

thor/ie House, Nttca-k, 339; for the last

week in October, 446 ; in November, 516,

540
Hardy fruits, exhibition of, in London, 243
Hardy plants, fme-foliagcd, for lawns, 101 ;

in a town garden, 339 ; notes on, 39, 102,

127, 152, 176, 202, 259, 272, 324, 448, 478,

503, 551, 573
Harvest festivals, 336
Hawkweeds, 223
Hazel, Witch, the, 545
Heather, Golden-leaved, 115
Heathers, white-flowered, 323
Heaths, Cape, as market plants, 331 ; notes

on, 582
Hedge, beautiful, a, 35S ; Furze for, 70, 144
Hedges, railway, plants for, 310
Hedysarunl bureale, 39
Helianthus gig.uiteus, 290; lietiflorus, 32.
Helleborus uiger and varieties, lifting, 44,

home-grown v imported, 459
Hemidictyum marginatum, 490
Hemiouitis Mulleri, 313
Heaitelia, 54S
Hemp, the, 272
Hernslev, Mr. W. B., 6S
Herbaceous plants, cutting down, 415; for

forcing, 501 ; in flower, 55 ; in 1890, 141
Heredity in plants, 45
Hesperis matreiialis ft. -pi., 223
Hibberd, Mr. Shirley, the late, 541, 562 ;

funeral of, 517 ; memorial, 592
Hibiscus grandiflorus roseus, 260 ; syriacus,

Hickory, Shell-bark, the, 178

Hipp. >pha; rhanuioides, 313

Holly, the, 240, 006 ; berries and buds, o34 ;

hedges, planting. 42S
Hollies, transplanting. 51S, 569
Hollyhock, the, 176, 199 ; address on the,

215 ; disease, 176
Hollyhocks, 147, 257, 575 ; in Scotland,

23S
Holmes Memorial Fund, 405, 516, 5Si
Holy Ghost Flower, the, 143
Bonestv in masses, 541

Honeysuckle, perpetual-blooming, 434 ; scar-
let trumpet, the, 51, 456
Hornbeam, the, 406
Horticultural Club, 586
Houlletias, 115 ,

House, cut flowers and plants in the, 5*8
Houst'-'liia e.erulea, 152
Hua ea elegans, S7 ; in the flower garden,

202
Huntleya albida fulvida, 298
Hyacinths, 373 ; Roman, 231
Hyaointhus candicaus for pots, 260
Hybrids, garden, 40, S2 _

Hydrangea hortensis 11. -pi., 160; pameulata

granditlora, 130, 569 ; plumed, the, 569 ;

stellata, 410 „

Hydrangeas, 198 ; in North Wales, 2oS ;

plumed, group of, in bloom at BighJUld,

ilioreham, Kent, 569
Hymenanthera crassifolia, 2S1, 290
Hymenophyllum caudiculatum, 7
Hypericum aureuni, 20S ; chinense, 516 ;

Moserianum, 267 ; patuluni, 268
Hvpolepis anthriscifulia, 7, 99

rubro-

Ilex decidua, 576 ; Sieboldi, 576
Impatiens Hawkeri, 4S9 ; Sultani, 585
Ipomsa Horsfallia? Briggsi, 5S7 • -

Importing plants from New Zealand, 169
Importing or exporting plants, 323
Indigofera decora alba in Ireland, 23
Insects and other collections, 371
Iochroma coccineum, 390 ; grandiflorum, 232,

300 ; tubulosum, 390
loehromas, 300
Ionopsis paniculata, 117

THE GAKDEN INDEX

[Jan. 3, 1891.

Ipoma?a purpurea, 271 ; Quanioclit, 50

Ipomaj,as, scarlet, 2130

Ireland, Berberis Darwini in, 243 ; fruit in,
242 ; mild climate in, 575

Irish garden, interesting flowers from an,
5Sb'

Iris alata, 551 ; aurea, 463 ; Candida, 531 ;
chinensis, .051, 592; fetidissirna, 454 ; glau-
copsis, 531 ; Krempfer's, OS ; Monnierl,
403 ; Monspur, 403 ; ocliroleuca, 57, 463 ; o.
gigantea, 23 ; Spanish, 295 ; Spanish, 295 ;
tricuspis, 531 ; tripctala, 531

Irises, bullions, 222 ; at Heading, 361 ; Eng-
lish and Spanish, 38 ; garden, 402 ; Peacock,
the, 530

Island garden, an, 525

Isle of Wight, notes from the, 2S4, 353

Ivy, variegated, as a pat plant, 545

Ivies and their uses, 600 ; in pots, 545

Ixias, 2

Judging card, 580
Juglans regia, 455
Juniper, Chinese golde

K.

Kale, Asparagus or Buda, 492 ; Read's 1
proved Hearting, 492, 498 ; Scotch
Curled, 492; Scotdi, true, 492; varieyat
492, 535

Kalosanthes, 284

Kentia Fosteriana, 197 ; in fruit, 197

Ken isene emulsion for mealy bug, 391

Kitchen garden, the, 536 ; preparing
winter, 59 ; work in the, 3, 33, 61, 85, 1
132, 16', 182, 204, 230, 255, 2S4, 300 3
352, 373, .'92, 411, 439, 4 9, 4SS, 501, 5
5S2, 604

Kniphofia corallina, 337 ; Macowani, 3
388

Kniphofias, 244 ; new, 238

L.

Lachenalias, 583

Lady's Tresses, the, 259, 268

Laelia albida, 502, 5s0, 592 ; amanda, 445 ; an-
ceps, 580; Arnoldiana. 29S, 5X0; autumnalis
atrorubens, 532 ; callistoglossa, 211 ; crispa,
186, 210 ; c. purpurea, 1S6 ; Dayana, 247,
345, 502 ; elegans, 283, 370 ; e. Broorniana,
158, 493 ; e. The Duchess, 185 ; e. Turneri,
262 ; exoniensis, 531 ; Eyermanni, 30S ;
Goldieana, 501 ; Gouldiana, 5S0 ; grandis,
43 ; monophylla, 247 ; Perrini, 432 ; prass-
tans alba, 338 ; puinila, 502 ; Tresederiana,
561, 60S ; Wolstenhulmi*, 24S, 370 ; xan-
thina, 117

Ladio-Cattleya Proserpine, 214

Labrador Tea, 10

Laburnums, 10

Lagerstrcemia indica, 49

Lakes, woodland, 286

Land, draining, 168, 216

Landes, re-foresting of the, 518

Lantana hybrids, 332

Lantauas, 164

Lapagcria rosea, 299, 301 ; rosea from St.
Albans, 313

Lapagerias, notes on, 555

Laportes moroides, 3S9

Lareh trees, injured, 10S ; on red sanc"it>nc
35S

Larkspur, Himalayan, the 267

Lasiandra macrantha, 454

Latania borbonica, 165

Lathyrus Drummondi, 151, 448 ; latifolius
albus, 102,259, 302 ; latifolius albus from
seed, 174 ; rnagellanicus, 314 ; satlvus, OS ;
sativus v. L. rnagellanicus, 71

Lavender, 50

Lawn trees, impoverishment of, 588

Ledum latifolium, 10

Lcea ainaliilis splcnrtens, 410

Lcoks, 284

Lcigham Court, Streatham, 68

Leonotis Leonurus, 355

Leopard' s-bane, greater, 437

Lcschenaultia biloba major at Hassock's
Gate, 470

Lespedeza bicolor, 260

Lettuce, 321 ; Cos, good, 78; Wordsley Gem,

Let*
Louo

i of, 345 ; market, 45X

id plant growth, 410
uici, 114; lurid. mi,

Lilac, forcing, the time for, 537

Lilium auratam, 594 ; auratum, a fine, 73,

172, 387 ; auratum, imported, 377 ; a. platy-

petalum, 201 ; a. rubro-vittatum, 74, 201 ;

Bolauderi, 43, 397, 40S ; Browni, 37 ;

Browai, 173; candidum, 6, 50, 173, 270,

393 ; c. in cottage gardens, 81 ; chalcedoni-
cum, 39 1 ; croceum, 57 ; elegans venus-
tum, 103 ; giganteum, 41, 200 ; Harrisi,
201, 394; Henryi, 148; Leichtlini, 201,
270; longifiorum, 74; 1., varieties of,
224 ; maritimum, 395, 402 ; Martagon,

394 ; Martagon album, hardiness of, 100 ;
Martagon o'ita, 303 ; neilgherrense, 394,
583; n. at home, 524; pardalinum, 105;
p. aureum, 396 ; p. Robinsoni, 143 ; specio-
sum, 270, 354; superbum, 203, 224, 506;
superbum, bulbs of the, 507 ; Thunbcrgia-
num, varieties of, 479 ; Wallichianum, 221,
271

Liliums, 222

Lily, African, the blue, 5D3 ; African, in tubs,
503 ; a noble, 324 ; Belladonna, the, 313,
374 ; culture of, 377 ; Martagon, the
scarlet, 154 ; Martagon, the white, 74 ;
Orange, 57 ; Swamp, the, 506 ; Swamp,
bulbs of the, 507 ; Turk's-cap, old white,
392 ; white, the, 50, 270

Lily of the Valley, 439

Lilies, 47, 283, 423, 461 ; amongst shrubs, 55 ;
at Kew, 172 ; at Weybridge, 504 ; Cali-
fornian, 396 ; garden, 440, 479, 505, 524 ;
herb, 106 ; in Devonshire, 100 ; Indian,
175 ; lecture on, 44 ; notes on, 393, 460 ;
Peruvian, 38; three beautiful, 201 ; Torch,
294 ; two good, 3S7 ; Turk's-cap, 39 ; varie-
gated-leaved, 394 ; white, 129

Lime, Silver, the, 364

Linarias, 172

Lindsaaa reniformis, 7 .

Linum perenne, 102

Lion's-tail, the, 355

Liparis Loeselli, 269

Lippia nodiflora, 33S

Liquidambar styraciflua, 20S ; in flower, 208

Liriodendron tulipiferum, 178, 208

Liriope graminifolia var. densiBora, 196, 238

Lit Ionia modesta, 130

Loasa family, the, 388

Lobelia, best white, the, 340 ; cardinalis,
325 ; Firefly, 238, 243 ; gracilis, 354 ; g.
seetllina in a hanging basket, 354 ; speciosa
Miss Hope, 553 ; Tupa, 14S

Lobelias, herbaceous, 338

Locust tree, 9, 51 ; and cattle, 115 ; Clammy,
the, 24

Lornaria chilensis, 267 ; discolor bipinnatiflda,
243 ; vulcanica, 490

t-onchitis aurita, 243

London County Council, 355

Lonicera sempervirens minor, 51

Lotus Jacobseus, 354

Luculia gratissima, 5S4 ; gratissima from
Yorkshire, 3S7

Luisia Psyche, 396

Lupine, tree, yellow, 18, 57

Lycaste aromatica, 444 ; Barringtonia3, 444 ;
Denningiana, 211 ; Deppci, 444 ; gigantea'
230; leucantha, 211 ; plana, 411 ; Sl-iniieri
444, 493 ; tricolor, 444

Lycastes, 444

Lychnis Haageana, 23, 80

Lycoris aurea, 198

Magnolia fuscata, 143 ; flowers, cut, in a vase
0 ; glauca Thompsoni, 52 ; grandiflora, 365;
Soulangeana, 294; tripctala, 9,53; Um-
brella, 9, 28

Maiden-hair tree, the, 435

Mallow, tree, the, 281

Manettia bicolor, 539

Mnnettias in flower, 558

Manure, taking care of, 493

Manures and chemical remedies, 237 • artifi-
cial, S4

Maple, Norway, the, and its varieties 476

Maples, Japanese, 225

Marianthus Drurnmondianus, 198

Marigold, garden, the, 79; Parry's, 432

Marigolds, African, 297

Market flowers, notes on, 50

Market, fruit and vegetable, a now, 214, 333

Market fruit, the Blackberry as a, 307
Market garden notes, 165, 178, 194, 289, 498,

Market plants, notes on, 331
Markets, London Christmas, 609

Maxillaria grandiflora, 532

Mazus Pumilio, 267

Mcintosh, Mr. J., the late, 495

Medinillas, 489

Mclianthus major, 503

Melon, Highland's Hybrid, 44 ; Syon House

Seedling, 44 ; The Countess, 148 ; Westley

Hall, 3S2
Melons, 66, 109, 133 ; and Cucumbers, 597 ;

black fly on, 3, 67; cracking, 171, 220;

mite on leaves of, 95 ; new, 207
.Memorial, 11. S. Williams, 357
Mentzelia bartonioides, 214, 238
Mesembryanthcinuni obcordellum, 165 ; unci-

natuni, 152
Mesembryanthemums, 49
Mesospinidium vulcanicum, 3;9, 345
Methonica superba, 232
Methonicas, 182
Mice, field, 147, 215, 268, 395 ; in frames

215
Michauxia campanuloidcs, 169
Microlepia hirra cristata, 547
Middleman, circumventing the, 2S5
Mignonette, new a, 362
Mildew, cure for, 1S3
Miltonia Regnclli purpurea, 424 ; vexillaria,

370
Miltonias, 369
Mina lobata, 244, 362, 460
Momordiea involucrata, 540, 592
Monarda didyma, 202
Monochretum scriceum multiflorum, 599
Montbretia croeosinia'nora, 14S ; c. aurea ma-

culata, 263, 290
Mootbretias, 238 ; notes on, 165
Moraaa pavonia, 531
Morina Iongiflora, 39
Mormodes luxatum eburneum, 72
Morning Glory, the, 271
Moth Orchids, hybrid, 156, 185
Moth, winter, preparing for the, 317
Muhlenbeckia complexa 499, 546
Mulberries, 289
Midlein, Olympian, the, 66 ; flowering plant

of, 55
Mulleins, 54

Musa ensete, 313 ; paradisiaca. 100
Musas, 2
Muscarias, 223

11, 475

Mushroom beds, open-air, 194, 502
Mushroom house in winter, 497
Mushrooms, 352 ; about, 227 ; culture of, C03 ;

in open sheds, 493
Musk, double, a, 595 ; what is a? 119
Musschia aurea, 1S2
Mustard and Cress, 322
Mutisia decurrens, 573
Myrtle, broad-leaved, the, 469

Naming, false, 45

Nanodes Medusa', 116

Narcissus, a new hybrid, 153 ; a new hybrid,
153 ; cyclamincus, 294, 341 ; cyclamineus,
the home of, 258, 325 ; elegans, 44S ; poeticus
ornatus, 373; Poet's, double white, 342,
375, 395, 448

Narcissi bulbs, 272, 341

Nasturtiums, dwarf, 376

Nectarine, Victoria, the, 464, 481

Nectarines, 206 ; planting, in Peach houses,
566; shrivelled, 170

Nepenthes Burkei excellens, 166 ; B. pro-
lines, 166 ; notes on, 352

Xephrodium molle, 547

Nephrodiums, Sikkim, 99

Nephrolepis, 230 ; acuta, 230 ; davallioides
furcans, 230; Duffi, 230; ensifolia, 230;
pectinata, 230 ; philippcnsis, 230 ; pluma,
230;rufeseens tripinnatilida, '.'oil ; tuherosa
99

Nerine rosea crispa, 469

Nettle, common variety of the, 100

Neurocallis pra-stantissima, 490

New Zealand, importing plants from lf9,
196, 274, 289

Newry, notes from, 432

Xicotiana fragrans, 198

Nierembergia frutescens, 342

Niphobolus bicolor, 48; Gardneri, 4S; heter-
actis, 48 ; lingua, 49 ; 1. corymbifer, 49 ;
pertusus, 49 ; rupestris, 49 ; the snowy,
48

Niphopsis angustata, 230

Notes, west of England, 220

Notospartinm Carinieliaelia-, 225

Nuts at Maiden Erlcigh, 254

Nyniphira Marliaeea, 29; stcllata Zanzibar., n-

lak, Cork, the, 130, 245 ;at Stout Hall, Oowcr,
fflam'irg-jn, 24C ; covertd way, an, 12; scar-
let Knaphill, 450, 473; Swamp, 3X1 ; trees
in chemical manufacturing districts, 334

Oaks, American, 324
Olieronia acaulis, 116
Obituary —

Atkins, F., 357

Backhouse, J., 239

Barry, P., 45

Bennett, H.,191

Brighton, Mr., 3S)

Catch pool, R., 473

Dancer, F., 19

Deal, G., 19

Harvey, E., S57

Haughton, W., 587

Hibbcrd.S., 495

Holmes, W., 309

James, Mr., 167

Mcintosh, J., 473

North, MissM., 2 9

Stewart, J., 45
October flowers, 333
Odontoglossum Alexandra, 14 ; A. flaveolum,

13 ; A. plumatum, 493 ; bictonense, 370,

632 ; blaudmn, 51.0 ; crispum Sanderianum,

550 ; cristabellum, 13 ; Duvivierianum,

473 ; excellens, 210, 29S ; grande, 248,

3 9 ; Krameri, 370, 592; Ruckerianum, 470;

tripudians, 424 ; Vuylestekeanum, 282 ;

Urn Skinneri, 424, 444 ; vexillarium, 370 ;

v. leucoglossum, 27 ; Wallisi, 247 ; Wilcke-

anum, 229 ; Youngi, 230
GSeeoclades maculata, 29S
(Knothcras, dwarf, 388
Olearia Haasti, 149, 208 ; Haasti in the Earl

of Anneslcy's garden at Castlewellan , Co.

Down, 149 ; macrodonta, 19, 23 ; m. in

Shropshire, 19
Oncidium cheirophorum, 541 ; erispum, 14 ;

Forbesi, 550, 692 ; hamiatochilum, 370 ;

Jonesianum flavens, 345; Lanoeanum, 139;

L. Louvrexianum, 444 ; Larkinianum, 247 ;

loxense, 532 ; luridum intermedium, 139 ;

macranthum, 27 ; ornithorrhynehum al-
bum, 532; rhvsorrhapis, 93; sessile, 424;

sphacelatum, 158 ; superbiens, 609; War-

nerianum, 117
Oneidiums, Butterfly, 501
Onions, 289; roping, 412; White Spanish,

276
Ononis matrix, 127
Onosma tauricum, 272
Onychiums, Sikkim, 99
Orange culture, 564 ; Mock, large-flowered, the,

413 • „

Oranges, Malaga, 522; Mock, 413 ; West

Indian, 361
Orchards, endurance of, 146 ; Moss-covered,

464
Orchard trees, 36S

< irehards, market, winter work in, 568
Orchid, curious, a, tS ; flowers, 592 ; sensitive,

a, 26
Orchids at Bramerton, Tulse Hill, f09 ;

at Cheltenham, 2S3 ; at Clovenfords, 532 ;

at Epsom, 550; at Floors Castle 532;

at Kew, 563 ; at St. Albans, 116 ; at The

Dell, Egham, 244 ; at The Grove, Tcdding-

ton, 72 ; from Rawteustall, 19 ; habitats of,

186 ; hardy, 26 ; imported. 531 ; in flower

at Holloway, 587; sale of Mr. Harvey's,

494 ..

Orchis, Golden Swan, the, 298 ; ustulata, 73
Oreocome Caudollei, 221 ; at Ascot, Br •«,

221
Orc.idaphnc californica, SOS, 435
Ornitlioehilus fuscus, 68
Orphan Fund, Gardeners', 18, 95, 142, 408,

449, 551, 562 609
Osiers, planting, 96
Osmanthus, varieties of, 292
OS"Or.dlhorpelIou.se, Nevak, hardy flowers at,

339
Osmunda cinnamomca, 209 ; Claytoniana,

210 ; regalis, 209 ; regalis 209 ; r. cristata,

209 ; r. ramo-cristata, 209
Othonna cheirifolia, 152
Owl barn, the, 32
Oxalis Bowieana, 338 ; lobata, 448
Oxera pulchella, 540
Ox-eye Daisy, the great, 523
Ozotiiainnus rosmarinifolius, 23

Pachystoma Thomsonianum, 383

Pfeonia Wittinanniana, 201 ; Wittmanniana,
201

Pseonv, Moutan, single white, 370 ; Tree, in
flower, 371

Pseonies, 40; herbaceous, 0, 56, 370

Palm, new and beautiful, a, 494

Pancratium illyrienm, 22X

Pansy, the, 81 ; Ilartree, 142 ; Jackanapes,
127

Pansics, tufted, 290, 552, 593 ; from Hawick,
23S ; treatment of, 7

Parocnetus communis, 448 .

Parsley, 560; dying off, 2S7 ; in win'cr,
491

Passitlorn adiantifolia -194, 517; cinnabarina,
•tin, 454, 159; Constance Eliott, 37; Con-
stance ISlie.lt, 502; odulis, 268; kewensis,
24 ; maerocarpa, 361 ; vitifolia, 49

Jan. 3, 1891.]

THE GARDEN INDEX

Passion Flower, hardy white, the, 37

Pavia niacrost-achva, 115, 13(3, 227

Pea, Chelsea Geni^ 23, 70, 138; Duke of Albany,
330, 3S5 ; Exonian, 7S ; Latest of All, 331,
SGI ; Ne Plus Ultra, 437 ; Stanley, 44 ; Wil-
liam Hurst, 74

Pea, Sweet, Carmen Sylva, 313 ; Countess of
Radnor, SO ; Dorothy Tennant, 14 ; Empress
of India, SO; King of the Blues, SO; Miss
Hunt, SO ; Mrs. Gladstone, SO; Mrs. Sankey,
SO ; Primrose, SO ; Purple Prince, SO ; Stan-
ley, SO

Peas, a singular row of, 276 ; Everlasting,
102, 129 ; from cuttings, 517 ; white, 326 ;
new, 103 ; new, for lS'JO, SO ; notes on, 602 ;
seed, 559 ; Sweet, 50, 129

Peach, Barringtou, 511 ; culture, open-air,
21S ; culture, successful, 317, 39S ; Golden
Eagle, 430, 516 ; Hale's Early, 67 ; Late
Admirable, 511; Lord Palmerston, 511;
Magdala, 255 ; Pavie de Pompone, 511 ;
Prince of Wales, 511 ; Princess of Wales,
511 ; Rivers' Alexander, 23 ; Salway, the,
511, 522, 555 ; Sea Eagle, 145, 511 ; shoots,
stopping, 3 ; Thames Bank, 22 ; trees, pre-
paring, for forcing, 565 ; trees, pruning, 553;
Walburton Admirable, 511, 522

Peaches from Lancashire, 244 ; late, 365, 511 ;
late, a basket of, 511 ; lifting roots of, 278 ;
outdoor, 253, 350, 4S0, 483 ; open-air at Wil-
ton House, 145 ; stone splitting in, 170 ;
wall, 351

Pear Beurre Bachelier, 366 ; Beurri Paltet, 399;
Beurre Clairgeau, 367 ; Chaumontel, 480, 519,
565 ; Poyenne Boussoch, 367; Hacou's Incom-
parable, 399; Jargonelle, 254; Keele Beurre,
351 ; Louise Bonne of Jersey, 362 ; Marie
Louise, 367 ; Ne Plus Meuris, 367 ; Nouveau
Poiteau, 349 ; Pitmaston, the, 431, 522 ;
Winter Nelis, 333

Pears, 317 ; and Apples, market, 482 ; cordon,
34S; culture of at Compton Bassett, 554 ;
leaves of uninjured, 147; late, gathering and
ripening, 365; notes on, 512 ; profitable, 366;
stewing, 429, 4S0 ; unfruitful, 300

Pelargonium De Quartremain, 391 ; M. V.
Noulens, 599 ; Souvenir de Charles Turner,
74, 100 ; Souvenir de Mirande, S, 50 ;
Turtle's Surprise, 43 ; white-flowered, 32

Pelargoniums at Swanley, 541 ; double white,
299; for pillars, 50, 182; in winter, 537;
Ivy-leaved, a note on, 331 ; new, S6 ; notes
on, 487 ; some new French, 31 ; zonal,
468

Pentstemon, the, 341 ; Le Borda, 214 ; puni-
ceus, 147 ; rotundifolius, 148

Pentstemons, 89, 290, 460, 575

Peristeria elata, 143, 172, 196, 298

Pernettyas from Chester, 494 ; new, the,
455

Pescatoreas, treatment of, 502

Petunia Holborn Blue, 166, 238 ; Holborn
Blue, Clematis-flowered, 196 ; seedling, a,
74

Petunias, double, 322, 515

Phalcenopsis amabilis, 157; amaHlis, 396;
Harriets, 2S3;intermediaBrymeriana, 493 ;
Micholitzi, 532; rosea, 186; Sanderiana,
282 ; Sckilleriana, 157 ; sumatrana, 27

Phahenopsids, 344

Phegopteris triehodes cristata, 243

Philadelphus grandiflorus, 413 ; microphyllus,
23

Phlebodium aureum, 352; aurcum, 351 ; pul-
vinatum, 352

Phlebodiums, 351

Phlox Criterion, 147 ; herbaceous while, 105 ;
Le Soleil, 214; Queen of the White), 459;
white, a fine, 142

Phloxes, 459 ; herbaceous, 105, 201 ; in pots,
112

Phoenix Roebelini, 494

Phormium tenax variegatum flowering in
the open, 100, 142, 148

Phylloxera, the, 420 ; at Chiswick, 134, 147

Physalis peruviana, 454

Physianthus grandiflorus, 100

Phytolaccas, the, 387

Picea pungens argentea, 561

Picotee Countess of Jersey, 166 ; Mrs. Wai-
ted, 166

Pictures, Miss North's, 290

Pine, Aleppo, the, 496 ; Austrian, at home,
113 ; Austrian, at home, 113 ; New Jersey,
the, 20 ; Pitch, staining, 334 ; Umbrella,
the, 324, 363, 499 ; Umbrella, coning branch
of, 499 ; Weymouth, dwarf, 264

Pines as medicinal agents, 384

Pink, the, 258, 346 ; alpine, 269 ; alpine, 269 ;
garden, the, 81 ; perpetual, 376 ; Souvenir
de Sale, 100

Pinks at the Royal Aquarium, 56 ; florists
and garden, the, 40 ; forcing, the, 258 ;
garden, 551 ; propagating, 271

Pinus austriaca at home, 113 ; excelsa, 227 ;
cxcelsa for wet ground, 141; glabra, 20;
insignis for extensive planting, 120; La-
ricio, 610 ; parviflora, 533

Pittosporum flavum, 167

Plane, Oriental, and street planting in
Edinburgh, 193

Planes and Cedars o,l margin of laicn at Bris-
tol House, Roehamoton, 319

Plant, a remarkable, 313 ; an enduring, 151

Plant houses, work in, 4, 61, 85, 108, 131, 163,
183, 203, 231, 256, 2S3, 300, 322, 352, 373,
391, 411, 43S, 46S, 4S7, 501, 536, 582, 603

riant life, effects ..f fog on, 586

Plant tubs, wood for, 610

Plants for small groups, 1S1 ; for rooms, 5S5 ;
gratis for defraying carriage, 495; half-
hardy for the summer garden, 523 ; hardi-
ness of, 374, 400 ; hardy in England, 91 ;
herbaceous, in a cold, hilly district, 422 ;
housing tender, 231 ; importing, for New
Zealand, 196, 274, 2S9, 323 ; new, protection
for the originators of, 403 ; preparing, for
long voyages, 601 ; winter-flowering, 256

Plantain Lily, Siebold's, 79

Plantain Lilies in flower, 79

Plantations, thinning, 192

Planting, haphazard, 524 ; waste lands,
utility of planting, 58S ; rotation in, 192 ;
thick, 168

Platycerium WaUiehi, 7

Platycodon Mariesi majus, 238

Platytheca galioides, 30

Pleasure grounds, shrubs in, 334 ; work in,
605

Pleione Wallichi, 408

Pleroma macrantha, 332, 432

Pleurothallis Raymondi, 2S2

Plum, Cherry, purple, fruit of the, 100 ;
Chinese, double-flowered, 605 ; Early Buhl,
206 ; Satsuma, the, 555 ; Wyedale, 145

Plums, 146; and Cherries for profit, 218'; for
cooking, 520 ; for market, 2S5 ; notes on,
317, 565

Plumbago eapensis in Hyde Park, 340 ;. c.
alba, 489

Podocarpus chilinus, 570

Poinsettias, 541

Poison Tree of New Zealand, 388

Polemonium confertum, 102 ; pilosum Rich-
ardsoni, 152

Polyanthuses, laced, 25S, 575

Polygonum yaccinifolium, 424

Polypodium sporadoearpum, 352

Polypodiums, Sikkim, 99

Polypody, golden, the, 351

Pomegranate in flower, 402

Pomological error, a, 205

Poplar, Lombardy, the, 450, 533

Poplars, Canadian, 358 ; unpruned, 216 ;
white, 450 ; white and its uses, 120

Polycycnis lepida, 15S

Polystachya carnea, 159

Poppy, Californian, the, 423 ; Plume, the,
201 ; Prickly, 238, 314 .

Poppies, Iceland, the, 25S ; new, the, 24

Populus fastigiata, 533

Potato crop in Dumbartonshire, 248 ; disease,
22 ; disease in Great Britain, 440 ; farming,
prospective, 193; prospects, 60; Red Kid-
ney, 361 ; Rural New Yorker, 290 ; White
Beauty of Hebron, 361

Potatoes, 284, 330 ; disease-resisting, 250, 2SS,
329 ; forcing, 604 ; in pots, 536 ; Inter-
national and Mr. Bresee, 249 ; lifting, 2S9 ;
market prices of, 250 ; seed, 412 ; small, on
haulm, 69 ; storing, 2S4

Potentilla floribunda, 23S ; formosa pallida,
214 ; frutieosa, 238 ; lanuginosa, 504

Preserves, common, 417

Primroses, Cape, 372 ; hardy, 551

Primula obconica, 325, 354 ; obconica as a
bedding plant, 223 ; obconica, how it was
raised? 479 ; obconica poisonous, S2, 100,
130, 143, 165, 203, 296, 462 ; Reidi, 152 ;
Rusbyi, 259

Primulas, double, 585

Propagating during the winter months,
591

Prunus Pissardi, 6S, 323 ; sinensis fl -pi., (05 ;
sinensis fl.-pl., 605

Ptelea trifoliata hctcrophylla, 2S

Pteris aquilina, 99 ; cretica, 547 ; serrulata,
547 ; Sikkim, 99

Public Gardens —
Alexandra Park and grounds, 493, 592
Battersea Park, 131
Botanic Gardens at Prague, 493
Broekwell Park, 387
Chelsea Physic Garden, 50. 383
Chrysanthemum shows in the parks, 355

386
Clerkenwell, garden at, 586
Distribution of plants in the pari s, 355
Fulham Meadow, 541
Hackney Marshes, 355
Higham Park, 541 ; purchase of, 355
Hyde Park, Fuchsias in, 130
Kennington Park, 387
London County Council, 3S3
Metropolitan Public Gardens Association,

45, 387, 453, 692
Michaelmas Daisies in the parks, 3S7
Miteham Common, 5S6
New park for Maidenhead, 16; for South-
port, 387
New parks, 131, 583

New pleasure ground, 355 ; for Charlton,
3S7 ; at Eastbourne, 49:: ; for Bedford,
45; for Paddiugton, 45; for the City,
355
Open spaces, 383, 586

Opening of Maryon Park, 427 ; of private
gardens, 54, lo ; of the Canbury Gardens,
453 ; of Vauxhall Park, 45

Paddiugton Polytechnic and Recreation
Ground, 493

Plane trees for London thoroughfares, 3S3

Playing fields for London, 16

Proposed extension of Peckham Rye Com-
mon, 16, 5S6

Recreation ground, proposed, 5S6

Regent's and Victoria Parks, 131

Seagulls in Battersea Park, 563

Tooting Bee Common, 563

Waterlow Park, 238. 493
Pyrethruni uliginosum, 342
Pyrethrums from Hampton, 142

Quercus palustris, 384 ; suber, 136, 245 ; I
ber at Stout Ha'l, dower, Glamorgan, 245

Rabbit netting, 70

Railway hedges, plants for, 310

Raspberry, black, the, 143, 171 ; Northum-
berland Fillbasket, 135 ; Superlative, 21

Raspberries, 135, 554 ; in game coverts, 310 ;
notes on, 217 ; untrained, 567

Rats, cats, and terriers, 609

Renanthera coccinea at Kew, 396

Restrepias, 532

Rhododendron balsammaaflorum aureunr,
557; Duchess of Edinburgh, 273 ; favourite,
a, S38 ; large, a, 209, 238 ; Manglesi, 225 ;
Manalesi, iloireri of, 225

Rhododendrons, 100 ; notes on, 75 ; spring-
flowering, 32

Rhubarb and Seal! ale, forcing, 469

Ribes aureviiii serotinum, 546

Richardia aethiopica Little Gem, 381

Richardias, 231

Road-making and materials, 474

Robinia hispida, 51 ; pseudaeacia, 9; p. sem-
perflorens, 20S ; viscosa, 24

Rocket, double white, the, 223

Rodgersia podophylla, 125; podophylla, 324

Rodriguezia secunda, 344

Homneya Coulteri, 314, 377, 423 ; in the mid-
lands, 7

Rondeletias, 4S9

Roots something wrong with the, 398

Rosa berberidifolia, 196; lucida, 63; rubri-
folia, 238

Rose Adam, 64; Adriennc < hnstophle, S9 ;
Aimet Vibert on a pillar, 401 ; Anna ( ilivier,
S9, 311 ; arches in a town garden, 90; Belle
Lyonnaise, 1S4 ; Blairi No. 2, 63 ; Bougere,
311; Bouquet d'Or, 1S4 ; Camoens, 154,
195 ; Catherine Merinct, 64 ; Climbing
Devoniensis, 541'; Climbing Niphetos, 266 ;
Comtesse Riza du Pare, 311 ; Copper
Austrian Brier, 600 ; Coupe d'Hebe, t>5 ;
Crimson Globe, 0 ; Devoniensis, 467 ;
Duchesse d'Auerstadt, 1S4 ; Emilie Du-
puy, 184; Fellenberg, 91, 312; Fran-
cisca Rruger, 89 ; garden, manure in the,
89, 139 ; Gloire de Dijon, 31 1 ; Gloire
Lyonnaise, 195 ; Grace Darling, 195 ;
Grand Mogul, 6 ; Henriette de Beauveau,
184; Homere, 5, 41, 811 ; Hon. Edith Gil-
ford, 5, 467 ; Innocente Pirola, 5, 311, 467 ;
Jean Ducher, 64 ; Jeanne Abel, 89 ; La
Boule d'Or, 311 ; La France, 90, 195 ; La
France, 233 ; leaves unhealthy, 184 ;
L'Elegante, 64 ; L'Ideal, 93, 302 ; Little
Gem, 91 ; Louis Van Houtte, 68 ; Luciole,
64 • Mme. Barthelemy Levet, 184 ; Mme. Be-
rard, 1S4, 195 ; Mme. Bravy, 311, 467 ; Mme.
Chauvry, 184 ; Mme. Eugene Verdier, 184 ;
Mme. Hardy, 90 ; Mme. Hippolyte Jamam,
5 467 • Mme. Isaac Pereire, 505, 540 ; Mme.
Joseph Schwartz, 5 ; Mme. Lambard, 89,
3S1 • Mme. Trifle, 184 ; Mme. de Watte-
ville 5 ; Mme. Willermoz, 312, 467 ; Mar-
chioness of Lome, 6 ; Marechal Niel, 5, 41,
63 S9 • Marechal Niel, flowering a second
time, 24 ; Marechal Niel under glass, 46S ;
Margaret Dickson, 74 ; Marie \ an Houtte,
311; Marquise de Vivens, 61; Mrs. Paul,
302,'484 ; Narcisse outdoors, 526 ; new, a,
64; Niphetos, 311, 467; Niphetos, Climb-
ing, 467 ; Niphetos growing indoors, 467 ;
Perle de Lyon, 89; Pink Rover, 268;
President, 64 ; Primrose Dame, 5 ; Princess
of Wales, 311 ; Rubens, 311, 467 ; Sappho,
268 ; shining-leaved, the, 63 ; Souvenir
d'un Ami, 64, 195, 311 ; Souvenir de
David d' Angers, S9 ; Souvenir d'Elise
Yardon, 467 ; Souvenir de Gabriello Drcvct,

5 • Souvenir de la Mahnaison, 90, 311 ;
Souvenir de Paul Neyron, 5, 46S ; Souvenir
de S \ Prince, 467 ; Souvenir do therese
Levet, 89 ; Spenser, 6 ; The Bride, 467 ; The
Eiv-iueer 43; T.io,„.,l<e oe R nnes, 343;
Viscountess Folkestone, 195 ; WalthamPet,

6 • W. A. Richardson, 432 ; White Lady, 6

Rose, Rock, the, 177, 224; Rock, Florentine,
the, 177

Rose preserve, Japanese, 290

Roses, 411 ; a border of, 232 ; among the, 343 ;
at Braiswick, 97 ; at Crawley, 3SS ; at exhi-
bitions, 195 ; at Hassock's Gate, 468 ; at
Lyons, 311; at Woking, 91 ; autumnal,
265, 301, 302, 313; climbing, 90, 401;
cut, exhibiting, 155 ; dark-coloured, 90 ;
Dijon, 1S1 ; from Waltham Cross, 6; in
a raised border, 64 ; in flower, 5, S9 ; in
Inverness-shire, 401 ; in masses, 64 ; in pots,
139. 360; in September, among the, 811 ;
in November, 5*6 ; in the garden, 41 ; in
the west of England, 98 ; Monthly, 266 ;
Moss, at Birmingham, 74; Niphetos, 64;
older kinds of, 91 ; notes on, 62 ; on their
own roots, 860 ; on trees, 64 ; polyantha,
154; pot, a house of, 302; propagation
of, 690; some good, 195, 556; standard,
unpruned, 266 ; "striking, 302 ; Tea-scented,
154, 265 ; transplanting. 556 ; two of the
best, 302 ; two good for winter, 5S0 , under
glass, 155 : useful, some, 63 ; walk of, a, 90 ;
wall, on old, S9 ; white, 467, 505 ; winter
forcing of, 411 ; winter propagation of, 579 ;
winter pruning of, 590

Roses, Christmas, 504, 573 ; Christmas, in
water, 576

Rubus odoratus, 323

Rudbeckia purpurea, 17S

Ruellia colorata, 410

Rustic-covered w^ys, 12

Ryde, flowers from, 14S, 353

Saccolabium cceleste, 1S5 ; guttatum, 607 ;

Hendersonianum, 48, 166, 370 ; praemorsum,

607
Saffrons, Meadow, the, 314
Sagittaria montevidensis, 87
St. John's Wort in masses, 136
Salisburia adiantif olia, 476
Salix aurea, 2S2; Basfordiana, 2-2 ; rcgahs,

282 ; Russelliana, 282
Salpiglossis, 342
Salt tree, Siberian, the, 77
Salvias, house of, a, 539
Sassafras, 601

Satyriums, 13S, 139, 1S6, 290
Saxifraga acantharfolia, 40 ; Fortunei, 410 ;

Macnabiana, 40
Saxifrages, hybrid, 10; and their fungus,

127
Scabiosa caucasica, 432
Scabious, 55 ; purple, in the midlands, 7
.Scarborough, flowers from, 362
Sebizieas, 405
Schizanthus, 19S

Schizanthuses as specimen plants, 31
Sehizopetalum Walkeri, 405
Schizostylis coccinea, 447, 478 ; in Ireland,

362
Schubertia graudiflora, 100
Sciadopitys verticillata, 363, 499; awing

branch of, 499
Scillasin pots, 393
Scnl -llMiia Mucciniana, S, 165
Seakale, 571 ; forcing, 457, 49S ; naturalgrown,

534; notes on, 5S3
Sea Lavender, the, 269 ; Purslane, planting,

239
Seaside, flowers of the, 1, 57
Season, past, the, 333
Sedum seinpervivoides, 321
Seed barn, big, Uncle Sam's, 36
Seed-raising, patience in, 80
Seed room, in the, t,7

Seed sowing in the open ground, 394, 460
Selinuoi Candollei, 221 ; at Asco , Be-ks,

221
Secopervivum arachnoideum, 342
Sequoia sempervirens alba spica, 166
Shanklin, The Cliff, flowers at, 353
Shortia galacifolia, 204
Sbrub, beautiful, a, 244 ; notes, 114
Shrubs and the frost, 570 ; choice, a bed of,

113 ; for wet ground, 144 ; grafted v. own

root, 324 ; in flower at Fota, 23 ; in large

towns, 426 ; in London, 501 ; in the Isle of

Man, 121 ; Lilies amongst, 55 ; pruning,

364 ; root - pruning, 364 ; under trees,

114
Silene Elizabothre, 82
Silphium laciniaturo, 259
Silphiums, the, 432
Situations, planting in exposed, 168
Slugs, camphor for destroying, 215
Sobralia Cattleya, 139; leucoxantha, 247;

Warscewiczi, 166

Soci

Ex

Auricula and Carnation, 427

Bedford Park Hardening. 425

Birmingham Rose. 92

C-rnation and Picotee, 92

Crystal lVace, 471 ; fruit show at the, 261,

357 ; Natioml Co-operative show at the,

191, 250

THE GARDEN INDEX

[Jan. 3, 1891.

Societies and Exhibitions —
Fern exhibition, 93
Flower show at New Cross, 239
Fruit show at the Guildhall, 333, 355
Hull Chrysanthemum, 517
National Chrysanthemum, 09, 263,285, 332,
383, 471, 510, 515, 502, 530 ; c it vogue of,
408 ; centemry festival, 510 ; conference
of, 427, 541
National Rose, 42, 562
Pink Society, 17, 586
Rose show at Croydon, 17 ; at Sutton, 17
Royal Aquarium, Carnation and Ficotee
show at, 118 ; Chrys mthemuma at, 382 ;
fruit at, 382 ; notes on lite show at, 407 ;
Roses at, 16
Royal Botanic, 167 ; evening f6te, 17
Royal Horticultural, 43, 92, 142, 166, 171,
214, 220, 262, 307, 332, 361, 381, 388, 425,
473, 561 ; Grape show, 307 ; preserved
fruits and jams, 382
United Horticultural Benefit snd Provi-
dent, 69, 427

Sort a, nitrate of, 563

Soil, light, plants for, 285

Soils, potting, 231

Solauum jasminoides, 267 ; jasminoides at
Cork, 23 ; jasminoides out of doors in
Essex, 408 ; Wendlandi, 68

Solanums as flowering plants, 55S

Solid tgo Drummondi, 576: speciosa, 576

Sophronitis grandiflora, 502

Spaces, open, in the ni tropolis, 387

Spade labour, 49S

Spain, fruit in, 268

Sparrow, house, the, 95

Spigelia marilandicj, 172, 362 ; splendens,
198

Spinach Beet, 249 ; Beet, white-leaf, 249

Spinach for autumn use, 107 ; perpetual,
249 ; Victoria, 23 ; winter, 284

Spinovitis Davidi f mi ting in France, 522

Spiraea arisefolia, 28 ; aruncus, 41 ; astil-
boides, 31, 41 ; Bumalda variegata, 43 ; fili-
pendula, 41 ; filipendula fl.-pl., 103 ; gigan-
tea-, 202 ; palmata, 68 ; p. alba, 259 ;
Reevesiana fl.-pl., 77 ; vaccinifolia, 365

Spirals, shrubby, the, SO

Spiranthes autumnalis, 259, 2fS

Spring flowers in South Devon. 222

Spruce, Black, the, 474, 569; Blue, the, 76;
Hemlock, Indian, 363 ; H., varieties of,'
334 ; Norway weeping, the, 3?3, 569

Stanhopea gnmdiflora, 247 ; tigrina lutescens,
283

Stapelia bufonia, 354 ; gigantea, 362

Starworfcs, 479

Statice Limonium, 269

Stat ices, 599

Stcnactis speciosa, 203

Stenogjstn concinna, 410

Stenoglottis fimbriata, 338

Stenorrhynchus maculatus, 116 : speciosus,
116

Steps and terraces, 137 ; in the old Pari; Ax-
minster, 137

Sternbcrgia lutea, 551

Stock, white perpetml, 128

Stocks, 326 ; at Chiswick, 74 ; Brompton,
258

Strawberry Tree, 23, 402, 454

Strawberry Alice Maud 21, 67 ; Auguste
Boisselot, 44 ; Augnste Nicaise 110 ; bush,
576 ; Gilbert's President, 22 ; King of the
Earlies, 109 ; Latest of All, 148 ; Noble, 3,
19 S 304; notes, 67, 279, 304, 320, 349, 368,
400, 420, 431, 466, 4S3, 513. .021 ; Sharpless
Seedling, 365 ; Sir Chas. Napier, 74 ; The
Countess, 430; Waterloo, 135

Strawberries, 84; alpine, 135; at Cherkley
Court, 21 ; at Langlcy, Slougb, 206 ; au-
tumn-fruiting, 320 ; early, how to have, 66;
failing to set, 21 ; for market, 141 ; from
Burghley, 24 ; good and bad, 170, 217, 253 :
in a wet season, 67, 84 ; in poor ground, 278 ;
in pots, 83; in September, 290 ; insects des-
troying, 22; mulching, 110, 899; pot, stor-
ing, 417 ; pot culture of, 465, 521 ; seedling,
110; tying up, 110

Streptoc irpuscs, 372

Stroph.nthus capensis, 299

Ktyrax grandifolium, 52, 226

Suffolk, notes from, 41, 221

Sugar Beet, French, 592

Swainsonia Osborni, 47

Swainsonias, 256

Sweet Gum, the, 208

Sweet Williams, 6, 57 ; from Rothesay, OS

Symphoricirpus microphyllus, 455

T.

Tacsonia mollissima, 352

Tadpoles, miniature, in rain-water barrels, 7

Tagetes Parryi, 432

Tan, new, 604

Tapeinotes Carolina?, 373

Tar and trees, 310

Tasmania as a field for fruit growers, 121

Taxus, weeping, a, 414

Tecoma capensis, 33s ; Smithi, 489

Tephrites onopordinis, 15

Thibaudia acuminata, 372

Thistle, Indian, an, 128

Thorns, 358

Thuja gigantea, 76, 100 ; Lobbi and T. gigan-
tea, 160; occidentalis Vervaeneana and
lutea, 435

Thujopsis borealis lutea, 13d ; dolabrata, 2S2

Thunia alba, 443 ; Bensonias, 443 ; Dodgsoni-
ana, 443; Marshalliana, 443; Veitehiana,
443

Thunias and their culture, 443

Thymus comosus, 147

Thyrsacanthus rutilans, 29

Tilia argentea, 3-i4 ; euchlora, 166

Timber, mould in, 406; notes, 144 ; thinning
and felling, 428 ; trees, canker in, 144

Tinnaea sethiopica, 113

Tobacco as an ornamental plant, 3S8

Tomato Conference, 331 ; culture, 436 ; cul-
ture, extension of, 361 ; culture, successful,
155 ; diseases, 231 ; flowers dropping, 194 ;
growing, without disease, 228 ; Ham Green
Favourite, 79, 331 ; leaves diseased, 107,
156, ISO ; notes, 345 ; sauce, 505

Tomatoes, 60, 78, 301, 385 ; a valuable crop of,

329 ; at exhibitions, 386 ; diseased, 138, 196,

330 ; for profit, 414 ; green, 492 ; in frames,
437 ; in winter, 7S ; in winter, 22, 560 ;
open-air, 59, 231, 24S, 458, 491 ; quality in,
360, 492 ; under glass, 301 ; winter, 560 ; win-
tering, under glass, 79

Tompkins' Trustee v. Sander, 119

Torenia asiatica, 540

Torenias, S6

Town planting, 546

Trachelium cceruleum, 275

Tree diseases, 428 ; feller, electrical, an, 384 ;
notes, 114 ; planting for shade, 2S6, 3S4 ;
planting, ornamental, 144 ; planting in
streets, 70 ; planting in Manchester, 570 ;
stumps, removal of, 406

Trees, autumn effect of, 246 ; and shrubs at
Hildon Park, Stockbridge, 412 ; composts
for, 168 ; crimson-foliaged, at Knapbill,
3S8 ; deciduous and evergreen, 51S ; dis-
figuring, 28; effect of wind on, 240; fine,
out of place, 120 ; for small gardens, 412 ;
for transplanting, age of, 542 ; for wet
ground, 144, 192 ; forest, seasonable work
amongst, 450 ; golden-leaved, rich, 77 ;
grouping, in parks, 120 ; hard-wooded, 4H8 ;
hardy, in Ireland, 570 ; how to plant, 216 ;
in Camden Park, 292 ; in large towns, 426,
501 ; in winter, 35S ; lopping, along high-
way, 191; neglect of, 450; newly-planted,
staking, 192 ; ornamental, a few, 456 ;
planting, for an early return, 51S ; pruning
and pollarding, 542 ; raising earth round,
286 ; rare, natural reproduction of, 115 ;
roots of, and gas, 09 ; shallow >:. deep plant-
ing of, 216 ; thick planting of, 240 ; timber,
need of, 120 ; transplanting, 108, 264 ; weep-
ing, 450, 496 ; young, neglecting, 564

Trenching, notes on. 556

Trichinium Manglesi, 49

Trichomanes brachypus, 267 ; elongatum,
313;parvulum, 267

Trichopilia coccinea, 1S4 ; crispa, 1S4 ; crispa
marginata, 184 ; Galeottiana, 185; hymen-
antha, 185; lepida, 14, 185; suavis, 1S5 ;
suavisallia, is;,; tortilis, 185

Trichopilias, 184

TriehosQ-a suavis, 362

Tricyrtis hirta, 394

Tritoma corallina, 337, 395; grandis, 462;

Macowani, 388 ; nobilis, 267 ; sarmentosa,

462
Tritomas, 231, 244, 294
Tropasolum Jarratti, 2S3 ; speciosum, 447 ;

speciosum at Shadwell Court, 424 ; tricolor,

2S3 ; tuberosum, 479, 551 ; t, as a vegetable,

493
Trumpet Creeper, the, 51 ; in a tree form, 51
Tsuga Brunoniana, 363 ; Sieboldi, 601
Tuberose flowers cxpandingin water, 19S
Tuberose, the Pearl, 469
Tuberoses, 391 ; in the open, 224
Tulip, the 341
Tulip tree, the, 17S, 208
Tupa Feuillei, 148
Tupelo tree, 434
Turnip Snowball, 346
Tydsas, a note on, 438

Umbilicus chrysanthus, 324
Underwood, value of, 588
Urceolina pendula, 313, 592
Urn Flower, drooping, 313, 5'
Utricularia Endresi, 14S
Utricularias, the, 517

Vaccinium pcnusylvanicum, 473

Vanda Bensoni, 26 ; Cathcarti, 345 ; ccerulea,
139, 158, 344, 396, 475 ; coerulescens, 475 ;
Dennisoniana, 24 ; Hookeriana, 25, 72, 158,
208 ; insignis, 550 ; Kimballiana, 20S, 247,
344; pale blue, the, 475; parviflora, 26;
Smderiana, 2S3, 32S ; Stella, 370, 425 ; teres
alba, 159; t Candida, 329; tricolor insig-
nis, 2S3

Vegetable garden, the, 155

Vegetable lessons, 106 ; prospects, 11

Vegetable Marrows on raised mounds, 179

Vegetables at the Crystal Palace, 194 ; at the
Royal Aquarium, 497 ; exhibition, popular,
275 ; forcing, 352 ; frosted, 604 ; hardiness
of, 571

Veratrums, 176

Verbascum Chaixi, 54 ; olympicum, 54, 66 ;
olympicum, Covering plant of the, 55 ; phce-
niceum, 55 ; ph'omoides, 54 ; vernale, 54

Verbascums, 54

Verbena Aerolith, 297 ; 'Albert Delaux,
297 ; Antigone, 297 ; Coppelia, 297 ;
Coquctt*, 297 ; Diane, 297 ; Emma
d'Erwin, 297 ; Esclairmonde, 297 ; Fleur
de Lavande, 297 ; Gabrielle d'Avor, 297 ;
Galitzin, 297; Greenaway, 297; M. P.
Fourgerat, 297; Mme. de Chabreuil,
297 ; Mme. de Selincourt, 297 ; Mme. de
Sevigne, 297 ; Mme. Graverois, 297 ; Mme.
V. Gauvan, 297 ; Mile. Carpentier, 297 ;
Mile. L. Dehault, 297 ; Mile. Lelande, 297 ;
Marie Mareshal, 297 ; Miss Bislaud, 297 ;
Miss Bly, 297 ; Mons. Giat, 297 ; Mons.
Jourdan, 297 ; multicolore, 297 ; Ophelie,
297; Tolla, 297 ; Triumphant, 297 ; Uranie,
166, 297 ; venosa, 341

Verbenas as exhibition plants, 449 ; new
French of 1S90, 297 ; seedling, 259

Veronica crispifolia, 102 ; diosmasfolia, 147 ;
epacridca, 147 ; longifolia, 18 ; pimeleoides,
127, 147, 226, 243, 449 ; speciosa, 68 ; Tra-
versi, 77, 115, 136

Veronicas, 143, 231 ; dwarf, 476 ; propagation
of, 208 ; shrubby, 434

Vervain, Creeping, the, 33S

Villa gardens, 478

Vine borders, draining, 522 ; facts about,
418 ; manuring, 360 ; old, 350 ; renovating,
482

Vine growing in the department of the
Landes, France, 520 ; manures for, 430 ;
roots unhealthy, 598 ; stems, annular inci-
sion of, 520

Vinery, keeping wasps out of, 110 ; of the
future, 429 ; plantiDg a, 3S3; wasps in the,
207

Vines, atrophied foliage of, 135 ; fine-leaved,
246 ; outdoor, 67 ; planted out v. pot, 595

Viola Munbyana, 375

Violets, 411 ; Dog's-tooth, 222 ; in summer,
148

Vittadenia tri'.oba, 200

Wailesia paludosa, 298

Wallflowers, market, 447

Walt gardening, 25 ; plants, 500

Walnut, the, 70 ; bunched, 333 ; common

the, 455
Walnuts, keeping, 420
Warscewiczella Wailesiana, 247
Warwick Castle, 520 ; from. th~ bridge, 527
Wasps in the vinery, 207 ; queen, 470
Water Lily, canary-flowered, the, 29 ; Vic

toria, 32 ; Zanzibar, 49
Water Lily house at Kew, 814
Water Lilies, Mexican, notes on, 274
Water margins, planting, 192
Water Shield, the, 454
Watsonia iridifolia O'Brieni, 182
Weather in Scotland, 68
Weeds, 371
Week's work, the, 33, 107, 131, 163, 182, 203,

230, 255, 487, 536
Weigelas in shade and under drip, 53
White, H. M., Miss, 18
Wild flowers about Felixstowe, 269 ; along

the Gipping, 47
Williams, B. S., memorial to the late, 19, 23,

100, 143, 167, 243, 541
Willow, Bedford, the, 2S2 ; Carter, or red-
twigged, 2S2 ; golden, 282 ; timber, uses of,

144
Willows, caterpillars destroying, 95 ; cutting,

286 ; ornamental, 2S2 ; planting, 310
Window boxes, winter, 298
Window gardening, 215
Wind-shakes, causes of, 474
Wireworm, gaslime for, 68
Witloof, 373

Witsenia corymbosa, 537
Wood, preservation of the, 384 ; resinous,

uses of, 240
Woods and forests, seasonable work in, 26 1
Woodwardia radicans, 99 ; r. cristata, 547
Worm Grass, North American, 172
Wormwood, Sea, the, 269

Xanthorrhiza apiifolia, 576
Xiphopteris serrulata, 267

Yew tree, poisoning, 96
York gala, distribution of profits at, 23
Yorkshire, west, autumn in, 424
Yucca orchioides major, 377

Zauschneria californica, 33S, 395
Zephyranthes Candida, 259
Zephyr flower, white, 259
Zingiber d'Arceyi, 43; Clayi, 609
Zygopetalum crinito-maxillare, 43 ; rostra-
turn, 370

^^^i

Jan. 3, 1891.]

THE GARDEN INDEX

l^^ij*

COLOURED PLATES.

AURICULA GOLDEN QUEEN
BENTHAMIA FRAGIFERA ...
BRIER, THE AUSTRIAN COPPER
CERASUS P3EUD0-CERASUS

CINERARIA AURITA

CLITORIA TERNATEA

DAFFODILS, A GROUP OF WHITE
DIMORPHOTHECA GRAMINIFOLIA
GARDENIA STANLEYANA ...

GEUM MINIATUil

GLADIOLUS SULPHUREUS

GLORIOSA SUPERBA

IRIS OCHROLEUCA AND I. MONSPUR
IRIS PAVONIA AND I. PAYOXIA CffiRU

PAGE
108

41G
COO
276
252
132
S2
ISO

4f>2
530

LILIUM B3LANDEPJ, L. MARIHMUM, AND L
NUM LUTEUM

LILIUM SUPERBUil

LILIUM THUNBERGIANUM ALICE WILSON
HOUTTEI

PJ20NY, SINGLE WHITE MOUTAN

PANCRATIUM ILLYRICUM

PANSIES (TUFTED) DUCHESS OF FIFE AND

PHALiENOPSIS HARRIETTS

PINK HER MAJESTY

RHODODENDRON PR/ECOX RUBRUM

ROSE MRS. PAUL

SAXIFRAGA BOYDI

SHORTIA GALACIFOLIA

.. PARDALI

398

506

AND YAN

440

370

228

HARTREE

552

15(i

316

32

4«4

10

2J4

The Gaeden.J [jAlr. 3> 1891.

JAMES BACKHOUSE.

The late Mr. James Backhouse, to whose memory we dedicate the Thirty-eighth Volume of The Garden, was in the truest
sense an artistic gardener, an observant botanist, and possessed a rare knowledge of natural history and geology. His death,
which took place on the 31st of August last, at the age of sixty-five, has removed one of the best of nurserymen, who
controlled successfully one of the first of English nurseries, and had a genuine love of plants apart from any business interest.

Inheriting from his father, who, with his uncle (the late Mr. Thomas Backhouse), became the proprietor of a nursery and
seed business at York in 1816, which had been carried on for about 150 years previous to that date, a love of plants and
of natural science in general, he gave special attention to the cultivation of Coniferas, Ferns, Orchids, alpine and herbaceous
plants. In this work he spared neither cost nor pains, both in the introduction of new plants and in persevering efforts to
cultivate subjects which many looked upon as intractable and unprofitable. In both directions his efforts were crowned with
success. Of Ferns he gathered every kind he could find, and, not satisfied with the usual way of growing them in pots,
he erected a large fernery, containing not less than 70 tons of rock, in which he planted out in a natural manner the best
kinds. He also built an " underground fernery " for the cultivation of Filmy Ferns. This collection contains probably a finer
specimen of the Killarney Fern than can be found at Killarney itself, not to speak of many other kinds from New
Zealand, Chili, Java, the West Indies, and other countries, which Mr. Backhouse received through his agents.

Very early he began the cultivation of Orchids, and also their importation. His collectors visited Mexico, Ecuador, Peru,
Chili, and other countries. Laelia purpurata (exhibited before the Royal Horticultural Society about the year 1850), Cattleya
Mendeli (sold to Mr. Mendel as Cattleya sp., Ecuador), and many other fine species were the results of his efforts in this
direction, whilst to-day the York collection of Orchids, especially of Cattleyas and Odontoglossums, is well known as one of the
finest in the kingdom.

Mr. Backhouse's constitution was never robust. Indeed it was so weakly for some years, that he was compelled to seek his
recreation not in the gatherings of horticultural friends, but among the mountains of Cumberland, Westmoreland, Forfar, and
Perthshire. His love of scenes like these induced him to commence the building of a rock garden at York for the cultivation
of alpine plants, when such plants were scarcely to be found in cultivation. York is the centre of a long and wide vale, and
was little suited for such a work. But Mr. Backhouse was not to be discouraged. Bringing stones, or "rocks," from a
distance of 20 or 30 miles, he formed a rock garden of considerable extent, and presenting in its many nooks, crannies, and
caves sites for the choicest plants of the Alps, the Pyrenees, and the Tyrol. In 1856 Mr. Backhouse published a monograph of
Hieracia. It was the result of several years' close observation from the cultivation of living plants. He inherited his taste for
natural history from his father, who was a minister of the Society of Friends, and it was during his mission labours in the
Southern Hemisphere that he collected many beautiful plants, Filmy Ferns in particular. These found a home in the nurseries
at York. The late Mr. Backhouse was an ardent geologist, and the museum attached to his house shows his great knowledge
of the subject.

He was one of the rarest of gardeners. He not merely knew his plants, but saw beyond the mere technicality into the
beauty of things, and had the finest taste in every kind of gardening he undertook. I had the pleasure of making long
journeys with him on the hills in the north of England and in Wales, and was greatly influenced by his delightful knowledge
of our native mountain plants. W. R.

UAN 3 1891

DISA RACEMOSA.

July 5, 1890.

*5 J^V"1 ''•" fatt^1

VOL. XXXVIII.

FLOWERS OF THE SEASIDE.
In one of the best pictures by Leader in the
Academy exhibition of this year, entitled " The
Sandy Margin of the Sea," the prickly Sea
Holly with its peculiar glaucous leaves is con-
spicuous in the foreground. This Eryngium is
one of our most beautiful wild flowers, and may
very often be seen growing on sand hills or flat
sands near the sea. It is very much like Eryn-
gium amethystinum, which may be found in
catalogues of herbaceous plants, recommended
as " one of the best border plants which should
be in every collection." The Sea Holly has the
same persistent habit, and will look well for a
long time after it has been gathered, being al-
most in fact an Everlasting. Its blue flowers
harmonise well with the grey tint of the whole
plant. Its great peculiarity is that it can live
and grow in such dry sand, from which appa-
rently scarcely any nourishment can be derived.
But its roots are large and fleshy and extend
some distance, and in this way store up food
for summer drought, as the camel stores up
water for its journey across the parching
desert.

Just at this time of the year numbers of
people who live in our inland towns are either
going to the seaside, or looking forward to a
holiday near the sea in the month of August,
and some knowledge of the flowers which they
are likely to meet with there may give an addi-
tional interest to such a time. The long fleshy
roots of the Sea Eryngo above-mentioned are
singularly brittle, and on this account they are
sometimes candied with white sugar, and so
form a sweetmeat in the same way as the pithy
stems of the Angelica of our gardens. Samphire
is another peculiar plant, growing abundantly
on shelving rocks by the seaside. It is also
supposed to find its way to the dinner-table in
the form of a pickle, though I doubt very much
if anyone has met with it in that way. In Shake-
speare's day it must have been common enough,
as it was a ' ' dreadful trade " gathering it on
the steep cliffs by being let down from above.
Samphire seems to belong to the sea in every way ;
its taste and smell remind one of the salt waves,
which very probably dash over it at high water
in stormy weather. It is almost more like a sea-
weed than an ordinary plant. But there is
nothing striking about it, and were it not for its
happy associations with holidays and the seaside,

it would be easily passed by. On the same
rounded sand-hills on which the Sea Holly grows
may frequently be found the beautiful Sea
Bindweed (Calystegia Soldanella). This creeps
so close to the ground that its stems are usually
covered over with sand, and the leaves and
flowers alone appear above it. Its beautiful
Convolvulus-shaped flowers striped with red last
no longer than those of the major Convolvulus,
and close in the afternoon. In the same neigh-
bourhood, a tall, leafy plant with a wicked-look-
ing flower may be seen. It is the common
Henbane (Hyo3cyamus niger), very poisonous,
and having a decidedly poisonous appearance,
though on the whole it is a handsome plant.
It is still much used as a narcotic, and doctors
give it in cases in which opium would not be
suitable.

It is sad to see the depredations which are
made upon some of our rarer seaside plants. I
have seen ladies, " towrists," as the villagers
generally call them, go down with baskets,
trowels, and small steps into the beautiful sea
caves to carry off from thence huge specimens
of Asplenium marinum. Now nothing adapts
itself so well to culture in a warm house as this
Asplenium. It rapidly makes a lovely speci-
men with its dark green glossy fronds. But to
rob the dripping caves of all their beauty in
such a way is really too selfish. Moreover,
small specimens always grow better than large
ones, so that it is a mistake for the depredators
to trouble and burden themselves with baskets
and implements and large plants. I believe I
still know of caves, as yet untouched by
the tourist depredator, where this Fern luxu-
riates, and spreads its dark green leaves in
the shadow of the rock to the soft sea breeze.
But ere long every place will be found out.
There is a certain little Crocus-like flower which
is to be found only in one place in the British
Islands. In that place at present it abounds,
and long may it be left there unmolested.

It is hard to know how the Sea Lavender
(Statice Limonium) obtained its name, for it has
no scent and is not beautiful. It has some
interest as the wild representative of a family
which does much to beautify the greenhouse
and even the outdoor garden. But just at this
time those who are able to go for a visit to the
south coast cannot fail to be delighted with the
bright colouring of the grassy cliffs, which are
frequently like a garden of pink Thrift and
Golden Lady's Fingers (Anthyllis vulneraria),not
to mention the large Trefoil and numerous

other seaside flowers which are bright and gay
in early summer'.

A Gloucestershire Parson.

BASKETS OF PLANTS IN THE
CONSERVATORY.
A few well-furnished baskets suspended in the
conservatory always produce a pleasing effect, and
if the house is large and lofty the baskets should
be of proportionate size. Strongly made wire
baskets are the most suitable, and if plainly and
neatly made they will answer every purpose with-
out any superfluous ornamental work. Though
certain plants are better adapted for this work
than others, the list of those commonly employed
might be considerably extended. A well-grown
plant of Plumbago capensis has a pleasing effect
when the branches are trained over the sides of
the basket so as to completely envelop it, and if
the plants are well furnished with branches before
they are placed in position, the covering up of
the wirework may be effected at once. For filling
large baskets several plants can be used in each to
make an immediate effect. The white variety is
nice for a change. For summer flowering the
Achimenes in variety has a pretty effect, but a con-
siderable number of bulbs will be required to fill a
large basket. It is best to start the plants in pans
in heat, and when they are 2 inches or 3 inches
high place them in the basket in such a manner
that not only the top, but the sides and bottom
also maybe furnished. The baskets, of course, will
be lined with Moss, and the bottom will be fur-
nished with plants before much soil has been
placed in the baskets, the sides being filled in and
the basket filled with soil concurrently. After
the baskets are filled, if they could be sus-
pended in a house rather wanner than the
conservatory for a few weeks,' the plant will
do better. Tropaeolum Ball of Fire is the
best of this family for basket-work, and healthy
young plants, several beiDg used in each basket,
soon become effective, and are of a lasting charac-
ter. In a light house they will continue in good
condition, with a little pinching and tying, all
winter. Harrison's JIusk I have found very useful
in summer, and there are few yellow flowering
plants in proportion to other colours. I have tried
Tbunbergia alata ; it is a rather pretty creeper, and
when strong plants are used so as to cover the
basket at once it is not without merit. The only
drawback is its liability to the attacks of red spider
I think the great charm of these baskets is
to have somewhat frequent changes. When the
baskets, filled with the same varieties of plants, are
constantly occupying the same positions, they be-
come monotonous. Cob^a scandens variegata has a
charming effect suspended in a lofty house. I have
used it in conjunction with Fuchsias and tuber-

THE GARDEN.

[July 5, 1890.

cms Begonias, the Cobrea forming the drapery.
The Wax, or Honey Plant as it is sometimes
termed (Hoya carnosa), is very pretty in a basket
when well done. Of course, large -sized specimens
must be used to give immediate effect, and this re-
mark applies to nearly all basket plants. A very
pretty effect may be made by planting Ivy-leaved
Geraniums, two distinct colours, Mme. Crousse,
soft rose, and Joan of Arc, double white ; the former
should be planted round the sides and trained over,
and the double white used to form a substantial
group in the centre. Petunias are nice for a change.
I like the singles best for basket work, and give
the preference to those having striped or blotched
flowers as furnishing more variety, though this is a
matter of taste, and those having fancies may
freely indulge them. Lophospermum scandens is
a very pretty creeping plant for draping a large
basket, its long drooping shoots when well fur-
nished with blossoms producing a very pleasing
effect. This is commonly treated as an annual, but
it need not necessarily be so, as under glass it has
a perennial character. To obtain early plants, an
old specimen may be kept through the winter to yield
cuttings in spring, which for basket work I have
found better than seedlings. For early spring per-
haps one of the prettiest plants for a basket or a
series of baskets is the Cape Cowslip, or Lachenalia.
The baskets need not be replanted annually. The
best time to plant is when the growth is about an
inch long, so as to reach through the Moss with
which the bottom and sides of the basket are lined.
To furnish a basket well a considerable number
of bulbs will be required, but when once a stock
has been got together, they will be a joy for
ever, as no plants are more easily managed.
After flowering, the baskets of bulbs may be
placed in a corner somewhere till the growth has
ripened, and then be transferred to the open air, as
the passing showers will tend to keep the bulbs
fresh — absolute dryness for a long period being, I
think, injurious. Epiphyllums of various shades of
colour are very effective basket plants for a warm
conservatory in winter and early spring. To obtain
a good bloom, water should be withheld for a time
after the growth is completed. An amateur friend
the other day complained of his plants not bloom-
ing well, and on inquiry I found pretty well the
same system of watering had been kept up all the
year round, and consequently the growth did not
ripen, and so flower-buds did not form. They
flower best when starved just a little in the matter
of potting. When a basket is well furnished,
nothing is required in the way of renewal for seve-
ral years, but just before the flowers begin to open
a little stimulant may with advantage be given in
the water for a change. The creeping growth used
for clothing the sides and bottom of the baskets
may be selected to form a contrast with the plants
used to fill in the centre. Sedum carneum varie-
gatum is very pretty. For draping baskets of purple
Achimenes, Sec, Tradescantia zebrina and T. vittata
are useful. Panicum variegatum is very nice for
summer work, but requires a warm house to keep
it effective in winter. The same may be said of
Cissus discolor, which must be taken back to the
stove when the nights get cold. Tea Roses are
not commonly grown in baskets, but they will suc-
ceed very well if the soil is pressed firmly about
their roots, and with some of the growth tied over
the sides of the basket the effect is very good.

E. H.

Ixias are familiar enough by name, but it is in
few gardens comparatively that these Cape bulbs
are grown. They are not strictly hardy, but a
cold frame in a warm sheltered position is quite
sufficient to grow them well if the bulbs are planted
in a light, loamy and well-drained soil. If there is
a sunny border by the side of a greenhouse, this
will suit them well without any frame, as it can be
protected when severe weather is expected. The
best time to plant the bulbs is in the autumn, put-
ting them about 3 inches deep and the same dis-
tance apart. In the early summer there will be a
forest of graceful spikes, with flowers of various
colours from the brightest self carmine (crater-
oides), through numberless other shades too many

to describe. At recent exhibitions bunches of Ixia
flowers have not been the least interesting feature,
showing possibly an increased interest in the bulbs.
They can, of course, be grown in pots for the green-
house as well as in the open.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

MUSAS.
These are now seldom grown in private establish-
ments for the fruit. At Syon the beds of two large
houses are devoted to these plants, and they give a
fair return. I find that to fruit Musas successfully
a limited space for the roots should be allowed
them, as if the plants have too much root-room they
continue growing, sending up the flowers late in the
season, and if not very near the glass or in a favour-
able place, the fruit fails to come far enough out of
the stem, and consequently rots off. I have grown
these plants very successfully in large tubs, and it
is a good plan to adopt where space is limited, as
the tubs tend to produce a sturdy growth and to
promote early fruiting. In tubs, too, the plants
can be fed liberally with liquid manure, which
should only be given when the tubs are full of roots
or when the fruit appears, Our plants usually show
fruit in the spring and summer, but by growing
different varieties they produce fruit at different
dates. The space allotted each plant is divided
off by slates, and thus the roots are kept in
close quarters. I find it a good plan to take away
some of the first lot of suckers, of which the plants
produce a large number, as if allowed to grow, they
frequently prevent the old plant fruiting. The best
plan 1 think is to allow only one good sucker after
the plants have shown fruit. After fruiting, the
sucker should be detached from the old plant, the
old soil removed, and the young plant have fresh
rooting material, consisting of heavy loam, mixed
with cow manure, bones, or fish manure, and some
charcoal. A ball of soil should in all cases be got
with the young sucker if possible, as the plants
soon suffer if not carefully handled. Plenty of drain-
age is also necessary, as Musas being gross feeders,
the beds soon become sour if this is not attended
to. From the plants put out early in the spring
we get good bunches of fruit the following spring
and through the summer. The other plants not so
well situated for light produce a succession, the
plants near the glass and at the warmest end being
the first to fruit. If possible, a thorough renewal
of soil and fresh drainage should be given every
second year. A mulching of cow manure during
the summer months is of great assistance, and
will assist to keep down thrips and red spider.
The house should be kept damp when the plants
are growing and the underside of the leaves
kept well syringed, care being taken to keep the
moisture out of the centres of the plants through
the winter months.

M. Cavendishi is the best-known kind, and
fruits very freely. It will also fruit in a cooler
temperature than some of the other kinds, but it
is not of so rich a flavour as M. Paradisiaca,
though the latter is a much shyer fruiter and re-
quires more time. M. Cavendishi nearly always
fruits in twelve months from time of planting, and M.
Paradisiaca. in from eighteen to twenty-one months,
even then only bearing a limited number of pods,
but of a delicious flavour. M. Paradisiaca. should
get plenty of room, as it runs up 20 feet high, with
leaves a great length. I also find it more difficult
to establish than M. Cavendishi, as it does not root
so freely, often having a few straggling roots and
not in a mass, as the first-named. Where space
can be afforded, it is worthy of cultivation. M.
sapientum, also a tall grower, of about the same
height as M. Paradisiaca, bears an enormous
heavy fruit. This variety requires a lot of room ;
therefore it is not often seen. Some of the bunches
weigh as much as GO lbs. or 70 lbs., but the
flavour is not so good as that of the others named.
We have this year a large specimen of M. En-
sete in fruit. This I never remember having
seen in fruit before, as it is chiefly used

for sub-tropical work. Our plant, from £0 feet to
25 feet high, and some 2J feet round the stem at
the base, is bearing enormous clusters of nearly
black fruit. As to its edible qualities, I cannot as
yet speak. G. Wythes.

Syon House.

BIRDS AND THE FRUIT CROPS.
I WAS pleased to see Mr. Iggulden's outspoken
article on the delinquencies of birds. Now-a-days
there appears to be a lot of cheap sentiment going,
and it requires some amount of courage to assert a
fact that all but the most favourably situated fruit
growers must be painfully aware of. I have no
hesitation in saying that in the majority of cases
more fruit failures are due to the ravages of small
birds amongst the buds than to all other causes put
together. What does it matter to the fruit grower
whether the birds pull to pieces and destroy his
plump fruit-buds in search of insects out of pure
mischief, or to get at and eat the tit-bits inside ?
All that remains to us is to bewail their loss, and
the legislation that prevents the destruction of
birds that are known to be nuisances. Bullfinches
are far too plentiful and too wily to admit of their
extermination, even with a strong combination
against them. I can vouch for over 150 having
been shot in two large gardens within a mile
of each other this year, and yet one can hear
those which remain piping every day, and see
several broods of young ones flying about. Mr.
Coleman would hardly say that nothing was
saved by the destruction of these birds, when it is
well known that a pair will clear a Gooseberry bush
of fruit-buds in a very few minutes. Then, again,
there is the sparrow. I look upon this bird as the
very worst enemy of the feathered tribe which we
have, and, as far as we can see, a great deal of the
damage he does is done simply out of mischief.
The titmice, too, are great enemies to the Pear
trees, as they pull the buds entirely to pieces in
their eagerness, we will say, to get at the insects (?)
inside. For three years in succession I have looked
forward to seeing a good crop of Thompson's Pear
on an excellent tree we have here, and I have had
to watch the destruction of the whole of the fruit-
buds, though the tree has been well set each time.
Our trees of Fondante dAutomne, too, though well
set with buds this year, did not get a chance to
open more than a dozen flowers. Gooseberries,
though netted over, have been badly treated by the
bullfinches, which must have got through the nets
sometimes. Shoots that pushed their way through
the nets were quite stripped of buds, as also were
the bushes which stand about in odd corners, and
which could not be easily netted. Chaffinches get
our seeds in spring, even if they are netted over,
and greenfinches play us similar tricks in autumn,
if we should try to save seed of any particular
strain of vegetable or flower. To those who are
not situated where birds are over-plentiful, it is
hard to realise the persistency with which their at-
tacks are made where they are numerous. A friend
writing to me a little while ago said, " I am sur-
prised to hear of the trouble you get with birds.
Here a single line of thread stretched over a row of
anything is sufficient to scare them." I was glad to
be able to congratulate him on the fact, but in our
case nothing that we can devise short of securely net-
ting everything liable to be attacked — a plan im-
possible with many things that we should be glad to
save — will keep things secure from attack and com-
plete demolition. I feel sure that all small birds
are greatly on the increase, and as long as this is
allowed, our fruit crops are bound to suffer more
and more. The more birds there are the more food
they will require, and it follows naturally that they
will get bolder in their search for it as they get
more plentiful. In the case of the Cherry orchard
written of by Mr. Coleman, I should say that the
tenant had done good work by shooting over a hun-
dred bullfinches and saving nine-tenths of his crop.
Had these hundred birds lived through the season,
I think it is more than likely that not even one-
tenth would have been saved. If the birds would
stop short after having decimated the buds, no one
would grumble. There is no occasion to shoot

July 5, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

among the bushes in order to kill bullfinches, and I
should imagine that very few people would be
foolish enough to do this. There are few places
that do not offer some vantage ground from which
such birds could be shot without any damage to
fruit bushes or trees from the shot. If there are
any Elm trees near, it will be found that for seve-
ral weeks before the buds burst the birds will fly to
and get busy among the buds of these if scared
from the more choice morsels, and if a position
could be taken up somewhere within shot, no better
place need be wished for. — J. C. Tallack, Lirer-
mere Park.

I quite agree with all Mr. Iggulden says at

p. 554 concerning the birds, the worst of which is
the bullfinch. In this district they are abundant.
I could have shown anyone large trees totally di-
vested of their crop of bloom by these troublesome
pests. From my own observations I consider it
doubtful as to there being insects in the unfolded
buds. Netting every tree to save the crop cannot
be done with Apples and Plums ; therefore I say
the birds should be kept down. — DORSET.

As I make a close study of British birds I

may claim to know something reliable of those
connected with a garden, and the bullfinch in par-
ticular. There is no question that it is very de-
structive to buds of fruit trees ; in fact from Feb-
ruary to May its diet is almost entirely on various
sorts of buds, according to their advancement. In
the garden scarcely any buds come amiss, those
of the Pear almost excepted, Plum and Goose-
berry buds being its favourites. I know a case where
a great influx occurred. A man was employed to
do nothing else but shoot them. Over 300 fell to
his gun. So great was the damage done that many
fruit trees were pulled up to be burnt. I myself
killed over 100 in the same locality, and the damage
to old Plum trees was irreparable. Besides fruit
trees, bullfinches are almost as partial to many
others, such as Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Bird Cherry,
Crab trees, Beech, Larch, and many others. Al-
though it is necessary to keep them in check with
the gun, yet I venture to say that extermination
would be a rash act, for after the bud diet the
change is to noxious weeds, such as Nettle, Dock,
Sorrel, &c. The young, too, are largely fed on
noxious weeds, and where beds of the two former
are to be found a colony of bullfinches is almost
sure to be found also. My verdict is that the lovely
bullfinch viewed on the broad line is as useful as
injurious. Gooseberry and Currant bushes have
had two-thirds of their buds taken out this spring
by the sparrows. Where the sparrows take to the
bud diet they are worse than the bullfinch, being
bolder and more numerous. Newly slaked lime
mixed with water to thin liquid and syringed on
while hot, as it sticks better on the shoots, has
proved with me a good remedy. — G. Abbey, June.,
Avery Hill, Eltham, Kent.

FRUIT PROSPECTS.
This is, or rather has been (for I hope we have
mastered the enemy), a troublesome spring for
aphis in its various forms, and although all wall
trees likely to be affected received a vigorous
syringing just before the expansion of the flowers,
the pest put in an early appearance, and has taken
some dislodging. I have used tobacco powder in
quantity this year, and find it both effectual and,
especially from a labour point of view, decidedly
more economical than washing. We have until
this season relied chiefly on this latter preventive,
but if the wall space is extensive, repeated syring-
ing takes up a lot of time, and as it is impossible
to dislodge the fly with one dose, repetition is ren-
dered essential. Trees, on the other hand, that
were gone carefully over with tobacco powder as
soon as aphis made its appearance have kept very
clean ; even the Cherry fly has succumbed after a
couple of dressings. I never remember to have seen
such a total failure of the Plum crop, the single
exception being a large tree of Golden Drop on a
south wall, which is carrying a nice lot of fruit.
Peaches and Nectarines, on the other hand, are
wonderfully good, an inspection of the different va-
rieties proving that in no case is it necessary to

chronicle a failure. I noted early in the season
that it was to be feared the magnificent display of
Pear bloom would not be followed by a good crop,
and this is unfortunately the case. I fancy both with
Pears and Plums that the mischief was done by
the spell of cold nights we experienced when the
trees were in flower, and that if they had been
covered with a double or triple thickness of fish
netting, the crop would have been saved. Apples
are a very fair crop here, but from different reports
received they would seem to be partial. The trees
are very free this year from caterpillar, but whether
this is attributable to a scarcity of the moth or to
remedial measures adopted in early spring I am un-
able to say ; possibly both causes may have something
to do with the better condition of the foliage. As
regards birds, I am personally very fond of them,
but must denounce them from a gardening point of
view. They have already commenced their depre-
dations, necessitating the netting of all Straw-
berries and dessert. Cherries, also Red and White
Currants on south wall. We shall soon have to
keep a sharp look-out on our early dessert Goose-
berries, and Irish Peach Apples on bush trees.

E. Burbell.

Strawberry Noble. — I notice in one of the
gardening journals that a correspondent claims for
this Strawberry a position in the very front rank
in point of size, earliness, and flavour. Different
soils and situations may be accountable for this, but
it is a verdict I cannot agree with, except from the
first point of view. Certainly it answers well to its
name in appearance, but it is with me a very light
Strawberry in proportion to its size, woolly in tex-
ture, and of a very indifferent flavour. It comes in
at about the same time as La Grosse Sucree, and
about a week later than Black Prince. There may
be a great future before it as a market Strawberry,
coming in as it does considerably earlier tl an Sir
J. Paxton.— E. B.

Stopping Peach shoots. — You will greatly
oblige by answering the following inquiry in your
next issue : I have several Peach trees bearing a
nice crop of fruit and making nice wood, some of
the growths being 3 feet to 4 feet. I am told that
they should all be pinched in. I have tried it on
one, but find it causes thin shoots to spring from
each leaf-bud. Is it the correct thing to do ?
What would be the result if so treated as regards
the crop next season '. — McK., Manchester.

%* Pinching all the gross shoots, provided they
are not leaders, upon Peach trees is good practice,
and must be persevered in throughout the growing
season. The object is obvious, viz., the suppres-
sion of strong growth in the centres of the trees
and the even diffusion of sap through the lower
and horizontal branches, which comparatively show
signs of weakness. Persevere with the pinching,
not only of points, but also of laterals, as this
watery wood will never give fruit, no matter how
hot and dry the season for ripening. If this pinch-
ing does not prevent a crowded condition of the
foliage, you may shorten back with the knife to a
good lateral and still further reduce to single buds
where these gross shoots can be spared at the
autumn pruning. Pinching will favour the perfect
development and ripening of the crop of fruit, and
immediately this is cleared off you must make pre-
parations for lifting and relaying the roots in poorer
compost, the only preventive remedy where Peach
trees make 3 feet or 4 feet of growth by mid-
summer. This work really ought to have been
performed last autumn, but never too late to mend.
Call in your practical friend who advised pinch-
ing, and he will tell you how to proceed when the
time arrives for lifting. When vigorous young
trees are filling walls and trellises upon the exten-
sion principle, we often allow the leading shoots to
run 3 feet or 4 feet, merely pinching a point to
maintain an even balance, but once they have
filled the allotted space, 16 inches to 18 inches of
growth is ample, as wood of this kind sets a profu-
sion of flower-buds and ripens properly. Peach
growers in the north should prevent grossness by
checking the points of the roots annually. — W. C.

Black-fly on Melons. — We have been greatly
troubled with black-fly on our Melons the last two

years. Last year they were completely spoiled ; the
plants had to be thrown out before the fruit set. We
have put^ this year's plants into another house which
was previously freshly painted. For a time the plants
did well, and a fair crop of fruit is ripeuiug. During
the past fortnight or more the fly has again appeared,
and in spite of fumigating with tobacco, syringing,
&c, it has gained ground, and threatens to destroy
the plants. Could you tell me what I ought to do,
or is there any remedy? — H. P. G.

THE WEEK'S WORK.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.
Beoccoli.— Those who can afford to keep good
open spaces for this crop will in many instances
have already got out the bulk of their plants ; but
in numerous gardens, where double cropping has
perforce to be largely practised, the Broccoli has to
wait till Potatoes, Peas, Strawberries, Turnips, and
other early crops are cleared off. In the latter case
the plants, if not raised too early and much weak-
ened in the seed-beds, often do even better than
those put out much earlier. Good soaking rains
have fallen recently in most districts, and as soon
as rough lumpy ground can be trod on without its
clogging badly, it should be broken down with
coarse rakes or hoes, if need be, before it has time
to become dry and hard again. This much simpli-
fies the work of planting, and renders it an
easier matter to keep slugs down and the surface
free of weeds. Move pricked out plants with a
trowel, but those drawn from a seed-bed are best
planted with a dibber.

The haediest Beoccoli.— It is a curious, but
indisputable fact that the plants raised and got
out early, no matter how they may be treated as
far as room and solidity of the ground are concerned ,
are not the hardiest. Late raised and compara-
tively small plants will stand more frost than those
much older, and with short stout stems as thick'
round as it is possible to have them. Very fre-
quently excellent results attend raising the plants
in May or early in June, the latest varieties being
sown about the first week in the latter month.
These being duly put out about 2 feet apart each
way on rich, firm, and open ground, may not attain
a great size before the winter, but the frost rarely
affects them, and medium-sized, somewhat late and
superior heads result. Young plants apparently
possess more vitality than old ones, and, not losing,
their leaves so quickly, the stems are also better
protected. It is certainly advisable to raise and
plant somewhat early extensively those varieties
that heart in before midwinter; but those who
fancy they are late with all the rest may yet find
they are not sufferers thereby.

Methods op planting Beoccoli. — Many
gardeners find it necessary to take great pains in
planting Broccoli, the aim being to ensure a sturdy,
hardy growth. This can only be brought about by
giving the plants good room and a firm root-
run. In all cases, the rows ought at least to be 30
inches apart, and as much from plant to plant, but
we find 3 feet none too far apart to place the rows.
We never plant any between Potatoes to stand
through the winter, but they do well in close suc-
cession to Ashleaf and other early varieties. All
that is necessary is to clear off the Potatoes early,
not waiting for the haulm to be dead, the tubers
storing well if lifted before their skins are hard set,
the ground being then cleared of all rubbish,
levelled, and fixed down before the lumps have time
to dry. Occasionally we plant in close succession
to Peas and Strawberries, a crowbar being used if
necessary to form the holes, but this plan answers
better where the ground does not bind so badly as
ours. In most cases, it would be quite a mistake
to dig newly-cleared land for Broccoli, a loose root-
run, as previously pointed out, being most undesir-
able. Drills may be drawn with heavy hoes, and
these being then well soaked with water, or better
still liquid manure, the planting can be done soon
after and a good start made.

Boeecole. — This is much hardier than Broccoli,
and if need be may be planted on lower ground, or
where Broccoli is liable to be killed by frosts. In any
case the plants ought to be grown strongly, a fairly

THE GARDEtf.

[July 5, 1890.

oag period of growth on firm rich ground resulting
in the production of strong heads and numerous
succulent side-shoots. The plants may be 2 feet
apart each way, and they will do very well if put
out among rows of short-topped Potatoes. Aspara-
gus Kale being dwarf and late may be planted
rather more thickly. No further delay should take
place in planting any portion of this important crop.

Chou de Burghley.— The seed of this hardy
Cabbage not having been sown till the first or
second week in May, the plants ought now to
be in good order for going out. Got out much
earlier, the growth is rank, and nothing but
great coarse hearts result — these being available
long before they are wanted. If the plants are
put out now on fairly good ground and about 15
inches apart each way, a capital lot of neat, tender
heads may be had at midwinter and much later
still if the weather is not exceptionally cold.
Where large quantities of green vegetables are
required during the winter, Chou de Burghley ought
to be planted extensively, as it will be found, gene-
rally, more reliable than Broccoli.

Savoys. — According to my experience, there is a
greater demand for these than Brussels Sprouts
even, especially for the dining-room. Being also
very hardy and reliable, there is all the more
reason why extra large quantities should be grown
Many err in sowing seed too soon. Supposing the
early raised plants are put out on good ground
as soon as they are large enough, they are
certain to attain a large size, the hearts being both
too large and too early to be much appreciated.
In all southern localities, at any rate, the first or
second week in May is quite early enough to sow
any seed, and the plants being put out now, there
will most probably be plenty to cut from in
November, especially if a few rows of Tom Thumb
or other small early forms be grown. We find
they do well on an east border, and have also had
capital breadths in close succession to Strawberries
— planting without digging the ground. Nor do
Savoys need so much room as they often receive.
The smallest varieties may well be planted 12
inches apart each way, Dwarf Ulm, Gilbert's Uni-
versal, and Dwarf Green Curled 15 inches, allow-
ing rather more space for the Drumhead. The
three first named are the best in point of quality,
the other two being later and somewhat coarse.

Leeks. — If extra large Leeks are needed, then
ought plants to be already established in trenches
prepared in a manner similarly to Celery trenches.
If the plants are to be blanched by moulding up,
then should the trenches be 3 feet apart, this
giving plenty of soil for the purpose. Much
cleaner stems, however, can be had by well paper-
ing up these, the blanching being sure and cleanly
efEected. As regards watering and the application
of liquid manure, their treatment should not differ
from Celery. Leeks quite good enough for ordi-
nary purposes can usually be had with very much
less trouble. The plants being raised early in
March on a warm and fairly rich border, will now
be fully 1 foot in length and quite fit for their
final quarters. The ground for them ought some
time previously to have been well manured and
deeply dug, the surface being well pulverised by
now. In this, form good-sized holes, fully 6 inches
deep, with a stout dibber, into each of which a care-
fully raised plant may be dropped, a little fine soil
worked and a watering being all the fixing neces-
sary. Leeks may be thus put out 12 inches apart
each way, or they may be 9 inches apart, in rows
18 inches asunder. In dry positions it may be
necessary to water them occasionally. The soil
will close about the stems sufficient to effect
blanching. W. I.

PLANT HOUSES.
Plumbago capensis.— Where there is not a
large space to occupy this fine old plant is better
than stronger-growing climbers. When planted
out, manure water or surface dressings of concen-
trated manure are necessary during the growing
season to keep up the requisite vigour. In the ab-
sence of these, after the plants have been turned
out for two or three years and the soil has become

poor, they often make little progress. The flowers 6-inch or 7-inch pots will not be too large, as this

will now be forming, and the stimulants named will

greatly assist them. Plants that are grown in pots,

either large specimens or the small examples that

have their roots confined in 6-inch or 7-inch pots,

and which are so useful for general decoration,

require assistance in the same manner.

Sollyas. — These weak-habited plants also bear
blue flowers. They will do with even less room
than the Plumbago, and might with advantage be
used as roof climbers where stronger-growing things
shade the plants that are grown under them too
much. When planted out the border should not
be too large, or the roots will not occupy the soil
sufficiently to prevent its getting sour. Even when
they have grown to full size they can be kept for a
long time in good condition in pots, provided they
are liberally treated with manure water from the
time they commence growth in spring until the
flowers open. Before or after the times named
stimulants are of doubtful use. Young examples
that are in pots not sufficiently large to support
them through the summer should have a shift
without delay, as if moved later on they will not
derive the full benefit from it.

Lasiandea maceAntha. — This differs com-
pletely in the character of its growth from L.
macrantha floribunda, being a tall straggling
grower, and only suitable for use as a climber.
Whilst L. macrantha floribunda forms a dense bush,
L. macrantha, the original kind, which was the first
introduced, has not been as much used as it deserves.
The plant likes a few degrees more warmth than
that which is generally used for ordinary green-
house stock. It is a free, vigorous grower, and
should be planted out in a well prepared border, as
even a large pot or tub does not give enough room
for its roots to sustain the necessary amount of
growth for any length of time. Like all other
climbers, it should not be planted out until it has
attained sufficient size to enable the roots to take
possession of the soil within a reasonable time after
planting. Young examples that were struck twelve
or fifteen months ago and have since been kept in
a genial growing temperature should now be moved
into 9-inch or 10-inch pots in which to remain until
next spring, when they will be ready for planting
out. Loam of medium texture that contains plenty
of vegetable matter, with some rotten manure and
sand, answers best for the plant, though it will
grow in peat which may be used if good loam is not
at hand. Little in the way of shoot-pinching is
required, as the plants generally make enough side
growths of their own accord. Plants that are turned
out, soon use up the fertile elements contained in
the border, however rich it has been at first. To
make up for this, surface dressings or some other
concentrated fertiliser should now be applied in
moderate quantities.

Lasiandea macrantha ploeibunda. — Where
a plant with beautiful flowers, distinct and out of
the common run in colour, is required that will
bloom in winter, it would be difficult to name one
that is more deserving of cultivation than this
Lasiandra. It is so free flowering, that small
examples in 6-inch pots will bloom. Plants propa-
gated last year and that were kept through the
winter and spring in a night temperature of about
45° until solar heat was sufficient for them, and
that were potted as soon as they had begun to grow,
will now require another shift. The size of pot
given will be determined by the progress made ; if
it is good, 12-inch pots will not be too large. These
will carry them through the winter, during which
time they will have flowered. If stopping has been
duly attended to, little more will be necessary in
this way. Ordinary greenhouse treatment with the
addition of a little shade during the middle of the
day in bright weather is all that is needful through
the summer. The plants cannot have too much
light, as under its influence the growth made con-
tains so much more woody fibre, the presence of
which favours the production of flowers in quantity
not obtainable from soft watery shoots, no matter
what is done afterwards to ripen and solidify them.
Cuttings that were struck in spring and are now in
small pots should have a shift. If well rooted,

Lasiandra naturally makes roots as well as top
growth more quickly than the majority of things
that come under the head of being free growers.
Attend to stopping so as to get the plants well
furnished down to the base. The shoots should be
tied out whilst they are soft and pliable. Syringe
freely overhead during this and the next month,
after which it is better discontinued. Shading also
should then be dispensed with.

Habrothamnus. — So accommodating are Ha-
brothamnuses, that they may be grown either as pot
specimens in pyramid or standard shape, or as
climbers planted out. The latter are the best, as
the freedom of growth and the size which the
plants naturally attain enable them to fill a large
space. H. elegans is the commonest and best
known kind, but it is inferior to H. Newelli, which
has much brighter and more effective flowers pro-
duced equally as freely as those of the other kinds.
Habrothamnuses are quick-growing subjects. Plants
that [were struck last summer and then moved
into larger pots early in the spring will now require
another shift. Pots 4 inches larger than those
they have occupied may be given. Either peat or
loam will answer, with some rotten manure mixed
with it and a liberal addition of sand. Sand
should be used more freely than for many things,
so as to keep the material porous enough to admit
of the larger amount of water which the plants re-
quire passing easily through it. Where the pyra-
midal form is adopted stopping must be attended
to, so as to secure a sufficient number of stout
branches to furnish the base of the plants. Stan-
dards with bushy heads on stems proportionate in
height to the house in which they are to be used
when in flower are the most useful, as this form
admits of the drooping habit of the plants being
seen to advantage. In the preparation of young
stock for standards any side snoots that are formed
must be removed as soon as they appear, confining
the plants to a single stem until the required height
is reached, when the top should be pinched out,
and as shoots are formed these in turn must be
stopped, and the operation repeated until enough
branches are present to form a dense bushy head.
Specimens of this description may be kept in good
condition for many years in large pots, but must
be assisted all through the growing season with
manurial stimulants in either liquid or solid form .
I find it best to vary these, as plants of almost any
description do better with a change of food, espe-
cially when they are nearly wholly dependent on
what is given them in this way. T. B.

HARDY FRUITS.
Peaches having made very rapid growth, must
now be carefully nailed or tied in to prevent the
young shoots from receiving injury from storms of
rain and wind, which sometimes sweep along the
walls with great force. If well disbudded each
shoot will fall readily into its place, but otherwise,
the operator may conclude that he has more wood
than is good for the trees or fruit. In our own
management an experienced man disbuds in ad-
vance of the trainers, pinches the points if too
strong, dips in an insecticide if fly lingers, draws
awkward nails where pressing or likely to press
against the fruit, and reduces the crop if too heavy,
as there is no fear of dropping after the end of this
month. When the trees are trained they may be
well hosed once, twice, or three times a week to
keep them fresh and clean, and freedom being
favourable to development, the fruit for some time
to come will swell best under partial shade from
the leaves. Look well to the wall path borders,
add more stable litter if the weather is hot and dry,
and flood until the water runs out of the drains.

Apricots must now be kept pretty closely pinched,
as the fruit will be finest in quality and colour where
fairly exposed to sun beat and light. Lay in all
extension and intermediate shoots, also pinch the
points of those likely to rob the lower parts by be-
coming too gross. Ply the hose very freely, not only
over the foliage, but also over the roots, which at
this stage can hardly be over-watered provided the
borders are well drained. If the roots are confined

July 5, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

to a limited area, as they should be, much labour
may be saved by an occasional addition to the
mulching material placed over the roots. Young
and vigorous trees should not be over-stimulated,
otherwise they will become gross and possibly cast
their fruit, but old ones carrying heavy crops will
well repay a thick mulch of good stable manure.

Peaks on walls may now be partially pruned,
that is, all the strongest shoots in the centres may
be broken or cut out, whilst leaders must have a
shred and nail or tie to prevent damage from rain
and wind. Crops, on the whole, are better than we
anticipated, but they are very partial, some varie-
ties requiring much thinning, whilst others are ex-
tremely light and show a great tendency to drop-
ping ; so much so, that one might suppose the pro-
duction of the flowers had nearly exhausted the
trees, and yet this cannot be the case, as breast-
wood is unusually rampant. Thinning, as a matter
of course, in many gardens will be necessary, but
it is not well to hurry this operation, as dropping
often continues into July when the inexperienced
busybody may find he has taken fruits Nature in
tended to remain and left others she never en
dowed with staying power, which, indeed, would
not have seen the light had the spurs and buds
been winter thinned. Cordons must now be kept
closely pinched and the leaders regularly trained,
also where bearing full crops they must be mulched
and liberally supplied with water, as the roots do
not extend very far, and although the weather may
not be intensely dry, they soon feel the pinch under
lofty walls.

Soft fruits, including Cherries, Strawberries,
and Currants, will now require careful netting, for
no matter how assiduously the gunner may have
wasted his time in shooting down his feathered
friends, sufficient will remain to take more than
their share of the coming crop. The market grower
may sacrifice appearance to a living profit by cover-
ing in whole acres with cheap wire netting, but the
fortunes of English landed proprietors indeed have
fallen low if they must turn their pleasant gardens
into huge aviaries with the legitimate occupants of
these structures locked out or destroy the greatest
charm of their estates, as well as the balance of
animated life, by shooting every bird for the sake
of a bit of soft fruit. Strawberries, Cherries and
Currants promise an abundance; therefore they
must be preserved as a substitute for Apples and
Plums, decidedly partial, if not scarce.

Raspberries have improved since we had rain,
but June has been cold, and unless we have a
change the crop will be neither so fine nor so full
as we could wish. Mulching and watering are im-
portant factors, but the conditions this grateful
fruit now requires are sunshine and shower and
warm growing nights. The plantations must be
kept clean by hand-weeding, and suckers must be
hand-thinned by drawing the weakest where too
thickly started about the old stools. The plant
just now requiring the most careful attention is the
Strawberry, for not only have we to protect and
harvest the current crop, but we have to make pro-
vision of plants for forcing and giving supplies in
future years. The ways and means are very numer-
ous, and, judging from the way in which each indi-
vidual touts his own system, we may conclude that
the Strawberry is a most accommodating plant.
Reducing the whole matter to a few sentences, I
may say the foundation upon which success rests
consists in having strong August plants of the pre-
ceding year to start with. These, well planted, are
deprived of their flower-scapes in the spring, with
the result that they throw out vigorous runners fit
for layering by the latter part of June. Many
growers still lay them into 3-inch pots, shift into
fruiting sizes, or form the beds so soon as they are
properly rooted. Others, myself included, fill the
fruiting pots with compost, convey them to the
ground, and peg down at once, thus saving the
double labour and incessant watering so essential
where small 3-inch pots are used. Those intended
for forming open-air plantations are hand-layered
upon Lovel's system, and prevented by pinching
from making second runners, they make strong,

well-rooted plants, fit for transfer to their perma-
nent quarters by the end of July. W. C.

Rose Garden.

TEA ROSES IN FLOWER.
Hon. Edith Gifford. — In a border where the
best white Tea Roses are boldly grouped this is the
most conspicuous, each stem carrying a number
of well formed flowers and shoots of later growth
are terminating in great clusters of buds. It was
raised by Guillot and sent out in 1882, and is the
best white Tea Rose we have. Although compared
with such a kind as Niphetos it is not a pure white,
yet the little flush of colour in it gives it warmth
and beauty. No white Tea Rose has fuller and
better formed flowers, and although they have
great substance they open well even in dull weather.
The contrast between the dark foliage and red
bark upon the young shoots with the rich green of
the older leaves is another charm. It is a vigorous,
but dwarf grower, and in this respect far superior
to the old Devoniensis, which does not flower so
freely and is of straggling growth. A truly cha-
racteristic plate of this fine Rose appeared in The
Garden, April 7, 1888.

Innooente Pirola comes next in point of merit
and beauty. It is a lovely Rose either in the bud
state or when fully opened. Although called a
white Tea, the flowers are often of a pale creamy
hue tinted with a delicate pink. They are large,
long, and full, and when open retain their fresh-
ness and fine form for several days. A plate of
this kind appeared in The Garden," Nov. 30, 1889.
Mme. Hippolyte Jamain is a lovely, but not
common Tea Rose. We have it associated with
the other white Teas, as that is the predominant
colour of the flower. It is a vigorous grower, with
a somewhat spreading habit, the flowers being
large, full, and well formed, the outer petals white,
deepening into yellow internally and shaded and
suffused with pale rose.

Soutenir DE Paul Neron is a free-flowering
kind, which, though at times apt to be uncertain,
occasionally comes very good. Our small plants
put out late in spring have been producing blooms
remarkable both for size and fine form. In colour
the flowers are creamy white, shaded with rose to-
wards the edges of the petals. It is at all times a
very free bloomer, and where it opens well a really
fine Rose.

Mme. de Watteville is simply charming. It
is, perhaps, one of the loveliest Tea Roses in the
garden, and certainly wherever grown or seen
never fails to attract attention. It is as variable
as beautiful, for occasionally the flowers are al-
most white, with a suffusion of yellow at the base
of the petals, and a regular margin of a clear
rose forming an even bordering around their
edges. Sometimes later in the season this rose
colour runs through the entire flower, giving it
quite a distinct appearance. Flowers of this shade
are seen in the coloured plate which appeared in
The Garden, July 14, 1888, but those that we
have been enjoying upon our bushes are quite un-
like those in the plate and much more beautiful.
Mme. de Watteville is a vigorous and erect grower,
and its later shoots terminate in great clusters
of buds so numerous, that disbudding is by some
freely practised in order to obtain even blooms of
average size. We have to thank Guillot for this
beautiful Rose.

Souvenir de Gabrielle Drevet. — This Rose
appeared about the same time, or, at any rate, only
one season later than Mme. de Watteville, and
is from the same raiser, which ought to be suffi-
cient guarantee of its quality, yet it has not become
so popular as the other. In habit of growth it is
sturdy and strong, the flowers being large and full,
of a light salmon shade, deepening into a bright
pink in the centre of the flower, but shading exter-
nally to nearly white. In the half-opened state
this is very fine, whilst the fully expanded flowers
are of a distinct character.

Primrose Dame, one of Bennett's Roses, does
not seem very popular, but perhaps it does not come
up to exhibition standard. Certainly in the garden
it is a charming and very free-flowering Rose. It
is dwarf and far from vigorous in growth, yet does
not lack hardiness ; whilst the freedom with which
flowers are borne even upon small bushes is sur-
prising. Almost every slender twig has its flower,
whilst later on, the plant sends up strong, but
dwarf shoots, which terminate in clusters of blos-
som. The flowers are of globular form, but droop,
ing in habit, of a pale primrose yellow hue exter-
nally, but deepening into rich apricot in the centre.
It is certainly worth growing, both for its freedom
and distinctness.

Mme. Joseph Schwartz may be commended to
those who love and grow Tea Roses for their own
beauty's sake. It is dwarf and free, not large in
flower, but very pretty, with shell-like petals, that
are chiefly white, but bordered and suffused with
delicate rose in a most charming way. The half-
opened buds and the globular, fully - expanded
flowers are highly attractive. A. H.

folded and standing quite erect.

Marechal Niel Rose. — In your issue of June
21 (p. 566) " D. T. F." says that this Rose can
scarcely be induced to bloom a second time. Has
" D. T. F." tried inarching it upon Gloire de Dijon ?
If not, I strongly advise him to do so, and I ven-
ture to predict that he will succeed in blooming it
for eight months out of the twelve. Four years ago
I inarched a Mare'chal Niel upon a Gloire de Dijon
growing on the roof of a span-roofed greenhouse
here. It made a strong healthy shoot in a very
short time. When about 6 feet in length it
was checked, having become cramped between the
glass and the trellis. I tried to free it from its
awkward position, and in doing so broke 18 inches
off the length of it. This, however, has been the
making of the plant, as it broke awayinto five shoots.
These shoots in turn broke into side branchlets,
from which it flowered and from which it continues
to give an almost unbroken supply of rich golden
blooms from the end of March to October. Care
is also taken while cutting the blooms to leave as
much wood on the branch that has bloomed as
will allow it to break away again. In this way it
can almost be kept in constant flower for the time
stated. During the month of January it is tho-
roughly cleaned, pruned well back to the old wood,
and freed from all superfluous spray. I shall be
glad to learn, through The Garden, if anyone else
has tried this plan of inarching it upon the " Gloire,"
as it is the only way I know of whereby it can be
induced to keep up a succession of bloom. — P.
Halley, The Gardens, Fothringliam, Forfar.

Tea Rose Homere. — Undoubtedly, as "D.T.F."
says, this is a fine Rose, but to have it in full
beauty — in fact to get good flowers of it at all, it
must be left alone. Next to Gloire de Dijon the
first Tea Rose I knew was Homere, and though now
many years ago I can recall that particular bush,
so perfect a picture did it make when annually laden
with bloom. It was a little pruned bush and stood
in an open bed with other Roses. In planting Tea
Roses lately I included a group of Homere, and a
bold group it was, some of the plants being large
and several years old, others young ones upon their
own roots. All were pruned rather hard in conse-
quence of being newly planted, and they all broke
vigorously, the shoots terminating in great clusters
of flowers, few of which ever opened well. I wrote
a note in The Garden describing Homere as a
second-rate Rose, and saying I intended giving it
up. In reply to this, " D. T. F." wrote regretting
that anyone contemplated giving up such a Rose as
Homere, and advised letting it have its head. This
was tried, although when extension became the
rule the plants had to be moved, but they were not
pruned, and now each shoot is producing perfectly
formed, properly opened and exquisitely tinted
flowers. Late last season I saw Homere as a pillar
Rose, and it was a perfect picture. Not having the
rampant habit of some kinds, it takes longer to
cover either a pillar or wall with it, but it is worth
lib. the petals half I waiting for. We often blame the plant when it is

cur method that is at fault, and having abused

THE GARDEN.

[July 5, 1890.

Homere because it did not respond to over-pruning
and over-feeding in a rich loam, I ought in justice
to praise it now because when left alone in lighter
and poorer soil its beauty is developed.— A. H.

ROSES FROM WALTHAM CROSS.
We have received a box of Roses from Messrs.
Win. Paul and Son, consisting of their more recent
varieties ; they are as follows : —

Maechioness op Lobne.— This is a delightful
flower, as rich in fragrance as the old Cabbage Rose
that scents many a cottage garden. Recent raisers
have lost sight of fragrance, and we have a race of
flowers absolutely wanting in the most precious
virtue of the Rose. The blooms of this variety fill
the room with perfume, and in addition to this we
have a decided colour, bright crimson, but those
shown at the Drill Hall recently had a more pro-
nounced purplish shade in the outer petals. It is
beautiful in both bud and half-bloom. The de-
licious scent is its best quality. Certainly we have
here a fine addition to the Hybrid Perpetual varie-
ties if the plant is free and strong, as we believe it is.

Spenser.— This is another H.P. variety, very
much in the way of Her Majesty, and evidently of
the same race, as the flowers are almost scentless.
The flower is very large, and the colour is brighter
than in the variety Her Majesty. A mass of it is
very telling.

Grand Mogul.— This needs no description. It
has established itself amongst the finest dark-
coloured H.P. varieties, and the flowers sent were
characteristic.

White Lady.— A hybrid Tea variety, very beau-
tiful and robust, at once suggesting Lady Mary Fitz-
william. The flowers sent were exceedingly hand-
some, large with strong fleshy petals, and making
up a dense, bold flower; the colour is best described
as ivory white with a flush of salmon-pink on the
central petals. The character of the blooms
suggests a remarkably vigorous constitution in the
plant.

Crimson Globe. — A richly-coloured crimson
Moss variety, the flowers large in size, and borne
abundantly.

Waltham Pet.— Another variety of the same
class, described as " Miniature Moss " ; the flowers
are white and pretty.

All these are introductions of the Waltham
Cross firm.

Flower Garden.

SWEET WILLIAMS.
How very beautiful are these fine old hardy bi-
ennials this year. The winter proved very favour-
able to young plants, whilst it killed the old ones
completely, but that is a matter of little moment
when there are plenty of young ones to keep the
stock going. I have two big beds, each some 3
rods or 4 rods of ground in extent, in which two
diverse forms of growth are seen, and those who
may have preference could choose which they
thought best. In one case all the strong young
plants of last year were dibbled out by midsummer,
and formed such broad bottoms that each one
carries a huge bunch of trusses of bloom, the entire
bed forming one grand mass of flowers. That is
one way, and a most effective way, to have a fine
show of Sweet Williams. When so planted they
need ample room, because the heads are when in
flower some 10 inches to 18 inches across. Plants
so massed also serve to hold one another up and
withstand winds— a material benefit here where
the flatness of the country offers no protection
from fierce sweeping wind storms, although,
happily, they are rare in the summer. The other
bed represents the smaller plants of the seed bed
put out late, in fact in September. These were
planted more closely in drills 12 inches apart, and
all are yet blooming finely. In this case not.more,
on the whole, than one stem per plant is seen, but
the trusses are finer generally than they are on the
older plants. Possibly also the flower pips are finer ■
indeed, those on the Sweet William are developing

great size now. I have plenty of the finest form and
most varied in colour and marking and fully the size
of a florin-piece, although the pips do not look so large
on the trusses as they are found to be. In quality of
bloom we have made a wonderful advance, and also
in variety. The old Auricula-eyed forms with their
white eyes and dark grounds, often edged also with
white, were generally somewhat toothed on the
edges. The strain known as Hunt's was chiefly
marked by smooth edges and ringed markings,
these being very clearly defined, but, all the same,
showing some monotony of appearance. Now we
have broken away from those restricted forms, and
whilst there are plenty of Auricula-eyed and ringed
flowers, we have also selfs in white, pink, rose,
red, crimson, &c, with also numerous mottled,
speckled, and variously coloured flowers in won-
drous variety, so that 100 plants will give no two
exactly alike. That variety serves to give increased
interest to the cultivation of Sweet Williams, be-
cause the flowers afford so much of charm and
beauty. It is not an easy matter to select the very
best, or what seems to the practised eye to be the
best for own seeding and improving the stock out
of a thousand or two of plants. Still, to ensure
that all the newer forms the season gives are
secured, it is needful that these and the best gene-
rally be marked for the purpose. A score of plants
will suffice, because these again where diverse will
give other diversities during the blooming of the
progeny two years later. The grower of Sweet
Williams who would keep up a good stock should
sow seed every year to make sure of plenty of
young plants. To have that succession seed must be
kept one year under the other, as a lost sowing may
make a serious break in the continuity. We have
nearly given over showing Sweet Williams in
the south, as cut trusses do not present a
favourable method of exhibiting the flowers, unless
they can be cut and carried fresh direct into the
show tent. When cut over-night, pips are apt to
close up and will not fully expand the following
day, especially if the weather be dull. If we could
exhibit big clumps of Sweet Williams in pots or
baskets something like a show would then be made
worth seeing. Still no form of show can compare
with the display made by plants as they grow if
seen under favourable conditions and where well
cultivated. I have made more than once an at-
tempt to get Sweet Williams into colours by saving
seed from white, pink, red, purple, &c, but without
effect, as the produce has been of every descrip-
tion. Very probably were a few plants of diverse
hues lifted and severely isolated from each other, a
select strain from each would soon result. Still it
is difficult to see what would be gained, as we do
not want to convert Sweet Williams into ordinary
bedding plants. All are beautiful in degree, but
there is exceeding charm in seeing the wondrous
variety of colour and markings a batch of seedlings
will produce. We have few hardy plants more
easily raised from seed. I sow in the spring, and
rarely have any difficulty in finding plenty during
the summer to put out a big breadth. Seed also
comes in plenty. Let those who would take the
Sweet William in hand with a view to develop the
finest qualities of the flower only get seed from
the best strains. Then when then' stock is in bloom
rogue hard, and further specially mark but half-a-
dozen orsoofthe very finest. Marking and select-
ing every year will soon work wonders, as much or
more perhaps than can be done by cross-fertilisa-
tion. My strain is purely the product of selection,
a valuable aid to flower improvement. A. D.

A beautiful contrast. — Many beautiful com-
binations of plants growing together in the open
air can, from time to time, be seen. We have here
a Clematis montana running over the top of an ar-
cade, which was built expressly to support an old
tree of Wistaria sinensis, and which shortly after-
wards died, owing probably to the rude interference
of its roots in excavating for the foundations of the
new structure. The stem and branches of the Wis-
taria were allowed to remain, and over these the
Clematis in question quickly rambled ; now it has
entwined itself around the branches of a Crataegus

Pyracantha, which is growing by the side of the
arcade, and which has overtopped this wall. The
effect caused by the white blossoms of the Clematis,
intermixed with the deep green leaves of the Ever-
green, is charming. I lately saw a hedge which had
been planted to divide one garden from another
formed of many different kinds of hedge plants, and
the effect was not only novel, but pleasing. The
hedge was about G feet high. Much of it was com-
posed of Ceanothus azureus ; here and there amongst
it were growing in broad patches such things as
Euonymus japonicus aureus, Lonicera aureo-reticu-
lata, and Bay tree. The deep green leaves of the
Bay tree contrasted well with the golden foliage of
the Euonymus and Lonicera, and these in turn
seemed to be quite in harmony with the Ceanothus.
— E. M.

HERBACEOUS PEONIES.
The marvellous development witnessed in the
herbaceous Preony during the last few years is
something remarkable. The greatest display made
by these flowers was perhaps seen at the last show
of the Royal Botanic Society in the Regent's Park,
when Messrs. Kelway and Son, of Langport,
staged a very large number, comprehending in the
main the finest new varieties they have raised in
recent years. There is one great advantage about
the herbaceous Preony ; it will grow in almost any
soil or situation, and therefore it may find a
place in every garden. But it is necessary, in order
to have fine flowers, to plant in deeply-trenched
and richly manured soil. The advantage of
high culture is shown in the superb quality of
the blooms staged by Messrs. Kelway and Sons,
who grow their flowers in highly manured soil, and
then present them to view in the best possible con-
dition. Peonies being of strong growth take a
good deal out of the soil ; hence the importance of
mulching the plants with rotten manure, doing this
in early spring so that they may have the advan-
tage of it while blooming.

Messrs. Kelway and Son are constantly raising
seedlings. They sow the seed as soon as ripe - say
the month of September — generally doing so on a
prepared bed in a cold frame, and the seeds germi-
nate the summer following. It will be seen that a
considerable time elapses between sowing and ger-
minating, but in all probability Messrs. Kelway and
Son find the seeds keep better in the soil than out
of it. As soon as the plants are large enough they
are transplanted to prepared beds in the open
ground, and they bloom generally the second year
after being placed in the open.

The propagation of named varieties is done by
means of grafting. P. edulis, or albiflora, is the
sort mainly used for the purpose, and therefore it
is grown extensively. The process of grafting is
performed in autumn, and cold treatment is given
throughout. Cuttings are also made of the young
growths in spring, generally about the end of April,
and they strike in sandy soil in a cold frame.

It is easy to note down the best varieties shown
on any occasion, but it might be, if names were
given, that there is only a plant or two of a sort,
and these only supplied at a very high figure. If I
were wanting a collection of herbaceous Paionies, I
think I should be content to place myself in the
hands of a grower, leaving him to make a selection
of varieties he considered most suitable.

R. D.

Lilium candidum. — The disease in this lovely
Lilium is something dreadful. Years ago I had
one of the most magnificent shows of this Lily
ever seen. People were quite amazed at the sight ;
strangers who came from a distance called to ask
what they were. Since then I have bought hun-
dreds of bulbs, and every one this year as well as
last is diseased. It is something too terrible ; all
the leaves die down, and the flower-buds become
brown and drop off, and so far as I can see nothing
can be done to remedy this evil. I have had fear-
fully bad luck with my Lilies this year. The slugs
have destroyed nearly every one that I bought last
autumn, and I value my loss at over £20. On the
other hand, I have one consolation ; I am going to

July 5, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

bloom giganteum. I have tried to bloom this Lily
for five years, but have never before got even a
flower-stalk.— John B. M. Camm, Monkton Wyld
Rectory, Charmouth, Dorset.

TREATMENT OF TUFTED PANSIES.
These are so accommodating, that they may be
treated in various ways, and " F. M. W." may follow
the most convenient plan. Still, so far as my ex-
perience goes, the best way is to propagate by cut-
tings a fresh stock annually, but not in the autumn.
Our finest groups which were in flower in April, and
even now are sheets of blossom, consist of plants
that were inserted as cuttings last July in some fine
soil and kept shaded till rooted. They were trans-
planted into their present positions in the latter
part of September, and consequently had ample
time to make fresh root-growth and obtain a firm
hold of the ground before severe weather set in.
Those plants put out in autumn, although not
making much top-growth, form a quantity of little
shoots underground, and with the first warm days
of spring these spring up, and the plant soon be-
comes a large spreading tuft and bears an abund-
ance of fine flowers. In the case of one kind,
Countess of Hopetoun, which is a 'little tender,
although nearly all the top-growth perished during
the winter, the roots did not. So abundantly were
shoots produced from beneath, that the group is
now a magnificent one. The selection of cuttings
is important, as it is useless to insert the tips of
flowering shoots which are either pithy or hollow
and will not strike. From a tuft or group it is
generally possible to select some young suckers
that have not long been up, and these if taken off
root readily, in fact often have roots at their base
when detached. When these are scarce, suitable
shoots can be obtained by stopping some of the
flowering shoots, as they will throw out side shoots
that make good cuttings. Last year I adopted this
plan in addition to the suckers, as I wished to
obtain a large stock of a particular kind.

Autumn cuttings, as mentioned by "F. M. W.,"
will strike readily, and I generally insert some in
October. They need the protection of a cold frame,
but the lights should only be on in severe weather.
These autumn cuttings give good plants to put out
in March or April, but for profuseness of bloom
they are a long way behind those plants that have
been out all the winter. Still, the system has a
value, as it assists to prolong the season of this
truly beautiful flower. Moreover, this method can
be adopted in order to have plants suitable to work
into the summer bedding arrangements, and the
increased use of tufted Pansies is a noticeable and
commendable feature of this phase of flower gar-
dening. These plants continue flowering all through
the season, but those put out in autumn will on
hot dry soils — in fact, in most places, unless the
season be very moist, cease to flower in summer, but
if cut over and top-dressed with some light rich
material they will break again and flower in
autumn, but of course not so freely as in spring.

This cutting back method is a near approach to
" F. M. W.'s " query as to whether it is possible to
treat these Pansies as ordinary herbaceous plants,
leaving them in the same position from year to
year. This I have not tried over a prolonged
period. I once left a group of Quaker Maid Pansy
to stand the second year, but this was because,
during the wet season of 1888, a disease appeared
in them in early summer in the form of a black
spot. The plants were cut down close to the ground,
and they shot up again in autumn, flowering pro-
fusely the following spring. The season of flower-
ing was soon over, as they did not send up the
quantity of successional shoots which usually ap-
pear as before stated, prolonging the season of the
bloom.

This one experiment may hardly be considered
conclusive, but, in my opinion, to leave the tufts
year after year will not be satisfactory, but result,
in a short season of bloom and small flowers. It is
the rule that most fibrous-rooted plants benefit by
frequent division and transplantation, this tending
to increase the size of the flowers and prolong then-
season. It is a practice that might be advanta-

geously extended with many other fine hardy
plants which have been left to grow into huge tufts
that have exhausted the soil near them. To neglect
these fine Pansies in the same way would, in my
opinion, be a backward step, and lead to the dete-
rioration of the kinds. Yet one more way of
increasing them is to cut over in the autumn and
lift and divide the tufts. This practice may answer
in some cases, or be adopted from want of conve-
nience or time to carry out the others ; but these
divided pieces do not make the vigorous, healthy
plants that come from cuttings, as old roots and
stems alike are liable to decay during winter, and
often die off wholesale. All things considered, I
advise fresh plants and new plantations every year,
and then there will be no scarcity of bloom.

A. H.

SHORT NOTES.— FLOWER.

The purple Scabious in the midlands.— I

send you a few blooms of Scabiosa caucasica, gathered
from plants that have stood the past winter with-
out the slightest protection.— R. H. Veetegans, Chad
Valley Nurseries, Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Romneya Coulteri in the midlands. — By
same post I send you a bloom of Romueya Coulteri
produced by a plant growiug in a cold frame. It has a
most delicate perfume.— R. H. Vertegans, Chad
Valley Nurseries, Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Campanula glomerata alba. — One of the
finest Bellflowers in the garden is C. glomerata da-
hurica, and the white variety is much the same, except
that the flowers are white instead of rich blue. The
two placed side by side make a deep contrast. The va-
riety alba is not common, but it is a useful thing for
the garden, especially when a lot of it is planted to-
gether, as in the nursery of Mr. Morse at Epsom,
where we saw it recently.

Ferns.

FEEA SPICATA.
I have recently received some Ferns to name
from " J. S.," near Derby. I find No. 2 of the
series is this species, and 1 am delighted to find
this plant coming from a private garden. Some
years ago I used to receive this plant in quan-
tity from the Island of Trinidad, where it ap-
pears to be very plentiful, but I always found
it to be sent home in stiff yellow loam, and in
this soil I never could succeed in growing it. I
found it thrive in a mixture of peat, light turfy
loam and leaf-mould, made fairly sandy and
well drained. It requires a considerable amount
of heat and an abundant supply of water, both
in the atmosphere and to the roots. The fine
collection of Filmy Ferns (Trichomanes and
Hymenophyllums) recently staged at the Temple
show by the Messrs. Backhouse should induce
people to attempt to grow these beautiful and
delicate plants, and I am extremely glad to find
this plant in the collection of "J. S.," Derby.
This Feea is a Trichomanes in everything saving
that its fertile fronds are entirely distinct from
the barren ones, for whilst the latter are sub-
pinnate, prostrate, and of a deep green, the
fertile ones are erect and contracted. It is a
beautiful little species, and' I congratulate
" J. S." upon his prize, and hope he will con-
tinue to grow these plants. This plant comes
very near to the genus Hymenostachyp.

' * W. H. G.

Platycerium "Wallichi.— In your issue of
June 7 " W. H. G." says this Fern " has never yet
graced our stoves." This is a mistake. Some
years ago a kind friend in Rangoon more than once
sent me a supply, the greater part of which I dis-
tributed amongst upwards of two dozen botanic
and private gardens in this country. One of these
plants is now growing in the Royal Botanic Gar-
den here, and some years ago I saw another at
Kew, though it did not look thriving, and is pro-
bably now dead. Possibly some may still exist at

Glasnevin or at the Manchester Botanic and other
gardens. Many of the plants were dead ere they
reached me, being small and having got thoroughly
dried up on the way, only two of the last lot being-
alive. I am very sorry there is little chance of my
receiving any more, the friend to whom I was in-
debted for them having now left Rangoon. An-
other rarity he sent was Adiantum Parishi, but it
was irrevocably gone ere it reached me. The first
and only time he met with this Fern was in the
interior of Burmah, by a riverside. It nearly
covered a large conical rock, and was, he said,
charming. The next time he passed the spot the
rock was all but bare, some ruthless collector hav-
ing swept it away.— P. Neill FeASEE, Edinburgh.

Diplazium grandifolium. — This is No. 5 of
" J. S.'s"(Derby) collection, andit is a very handsome
and, outside of botanic gardens, a little-known spe-
cies. It is a genus closely allied to Asplenium, from
which it differs in having the sori on both sides of
the veins, the indusium opening back to back, whilst
in Asplenium the sori are quite unilateral. The
plant in question, D. grandifolium, is a beautiful
species, producing fronds each 2£ feet or 3 feet long,
the lower foot of which is bare. The fronds have
some twelve to twenty-four pinna; on each side,
each being entire, some i inches or 5 inches long.
The colour on the upper side is bright, yet deep
shining green, paler beneath, the sori large and
conspicuous, rendering the plant very attractive.
— W.

Hypolepis anthriscifolia — I have received a
note from the Messrs. Birkenhead, of Sale, correct-
ing me in a statement made by me when writing
lately upon this genus. I said that the above-
named plant was not in cultivation, but the Messrs.
Birkenhead say they have it, and hope to exhibit
it at the Chiswick "Conference this month. I am
very glad to hear it is in cultivation, and shall be
pleased to see it. The plant is said by some authors
to be of a large size, with the segments finely divi-
ded, more so even than H. tenuifolia. It is said to
be a native of the Mauritius, the Cape of Good
Hope, and Fernando Po, thus becoming quite an
African Fern. — H. G.

Gymnogramma peruviana argyrophylla.
— I have received pinnules of two forms of this spe-
cies, one from the typical plant, and the other
from G. Mayi. I see by this that the form called
Mayi is slightly tinged with yellow, and it is
broader than argyrophylla. I have specimens in
my herbarium grown from the first seedlings which
appeared in the country some thirty-five years ago
or thereabouts, and they are much broader than
that of the form called Mayi, and also tinged with
the same colour. It is, as I remarked a short time
ago, very usual for these forms to crop up.

SHORT NOTES.— FERNS.

Hymenophyllum caudieulatum (B. T.).—

This is the name of the species seut. It is a Chilian
species and thrives in a moderate temperature— indeed,
I may say in quite a cool atmosphere ; it should be
carefully nurtured and cared for. I believe it was
amongst the fine set of these plants shown at the Tem-
ple by the Messrs. Backhouse, of York.— G.

Lindseea reniformis.— A plant of this Fern is
growing vigorously in a moist stove in the Royal
Botanic Garden here. It has been there since May,
1883, and is one of a small lot of this species I re-
ceived from British Guiana at that time along with L.
sagittata and L. guiauensis. These last-named species all
succumbed, the plant in our Edinburgh garden being
the sole survivor of the lot — unless they still exist m
any of the other botanic gardens to which I sent them
at the same time. "W. H.," at p. 585, says this
genus requires lime for successful management.
There was a considerable ball of earth attached to
the plants sent me, but that was a stiff red loam —
P. Neill Fkasee, Edinburgh.

Miniature tadpoles in rain-water barrels.

—Rain-water is indispensable almost for syringing,
watering, and washing, and at this season of the year
is liable, when at all stagnant, to become covered with
a green scum, and to get infested with— for want ot
knowing the correct term— what I have called miniature
tadpoles, that disport themselves therein m a mest

THE GARDEN.

[July 5, 1890.

lively manner. I should like to inquire if any reader
has found a ready expedient for banishing either ? I
tried some, and found soda (washing) get rid of the
latter if a certain quantity is used, I am told a pre-
paration of iodine does the same, hut I am not aware
if it ia innocuous afterwards. — W. J. Mukphy, Clonmel.

Stove and Greenhouse.

THE GLOXINIA.

Visitoes to the great exhibition promoted by
the Royal Horticultural Society in the gardens of
the Inner Temple could not fail to be struck with
the excellent display made by the Gloxinias from
Messrs. Veitch and Sons, Chelsea, and Messrs.
Sutton and Sons, of Reading. The varieties exhi-
bited by both firms were of undoubted excellence,
and showed the vast improvement that has been
made since the purple-flowered Gloxinia speciosa
was introduced seventy-five years ago.

In those early days the patrons of gardening sup-
ported no less than three monthly illustrated publi-
cations, and all of them figured the new Brazilian
plant. The Botanical Register contains an exceed-
ingly good coloured plate (tab. 213) for the year
1817. It is also figured in the same year in Bot.
Mag. (tab. 1937). Loddiges' Botanical Cabinet
also has a coloured plate of it (tab. 28). It was
stated to be generally cultivated in public and
private gardens round London.

There were two shades of purple colour, the flowers
drooping with a whitish throat, purple spotted in-
ternally. In the year 1833, a variety with pure
white flowers was in cultivation. It is figured in
Bot. Mag. (tab. 320G); with but three or four lines
of printed matter, not a word as to where the plant
came from, or by whom it was introduced, reference
being made to the two purple forms, but to none
other. Nine years later a very distinct variety was
introduced from the Organ Mountains in Brazil by
Messrs. Veitch, of the Mount Radford Nurseries,
Exeter. It was named G. macrophylla variegata.
The flowers were purple, but the foliage was beauti-
fully marked on the veins with white. In 1844,
four garden varieties were figured in Bot. Beg. (tab.
48). Three of them were red and rose of various
shades, and they were the produce of a variety with
reddish coloured flowers. They were raised by Mr.
Carton, gardener at Syon, who stated that they
were a cross between Sinningia guttata and the
Gloxinia, the Sinningia being the pollen parent
but Dr. Lindley, in describing them, stated that
" they give little evidence of the cross." Since
that time the Gloxinia has become increas-
ingly popular as a garden flower. Varieties
were raised producing erect flowers, which
rapidly gained precedence over the drooping
flowered type. Next came a very distinctly spotted
form of rather a weakly constitution, but this un-
desirable characteristic has been overcome, and
only varieties of vigorous constitution are now in-
troduced. The characteristics of Messrs. Sutton's
varieties were vigorous plants, large flowers of good
form, some of the white and lighter coloured varie-
ties being very charming. Messrs. Veitch's flowers
were by comparison rather smaller, but of exquisite
form and of the richest colours yet seen at a public
exhibition. I find the Gloxinia one of our most
useful flowering plants in the early summer months,
for if the plants are brought into flower in a hot-
house they will stand a long time in the greenhouse
or conservatory, the heat of these being suffi-
cient to keep the flowers in good condition for a.
long period. The culture is well known now, and
anyone who can cultivate the commonest things
can manage to grow and flower this plant, but to
get the plants up to the highest state of excellence
is another thing, and those who wish to excel must
take special pains to keep their plants in good
health. As a rule, the Gloxinia is tolerably free
from the numerous plagues that plant life is heir
to, but during the present season I have had com-
plaints of the leaves being badly injured by some
parasite of an almost microscopical size. Indeed,
this is the only insect that seriously damages the
plants ; it is a species of thrips, and may be de-

stroyed as soon as the plants show signs of its pre-
sence by fumigating them with tobacco smoke, but
plants that are badly injured by it had much better
be thrown away. The Gloxinia is very easily raised
from seeds, and any specially good varieties that
may be raised in that way can be propagated by
planting leaves or pieces of leaves in sandy soil in
a moist, warm and close atmosphere. Small corms
speedily form at the end of the leaf-stalk or at the
larger nerves of the leaves if these are carefully
cut and planted in very sandy soil or even in pure
sand. The pure sand has a tendency to become
over dry ; whereas an equal portion of loam and
leaf-mould added to it retains the moisture. The
corms formed must be kept in dry sand through
the winter in a warm greenhouse, and they may be
planted at intervals any time after the first of
January. Every one of them will produce flower-
ing plants. The system of culture is this: the
smallest corms may be planted in small sixty sized
pots, the large ones in the large sixties— the best
potting soil being formed of one part fibrous peat,
two parts good fibrous loam, one of leaf mould, and
one of decayed manure, adding to it as much coarse
white sand as may be thought necessary. The
plants grow very freely in a hothouse temperature,
and soon require repotting into larger pots, in which
they may be allowed to flower"; 4-inch to 6-inch
pots are the sizes used. The two-year-old corms
form large flowering specimens requiring 7-inch and
8-inch pots. The plants require to be freelywatered —
at least, they ought not to be at any time very dry ;
but in this case the drainage should be free, so
that the water may pass rapidly away. Seeds sown
early in the year will produce good flowering
plants by midsummer, so that by the expenditure
of a shilling or two for seeds, a stock of flowering
plants sufficient to fill a moderate-sized house may
be obtained in a few months.

Gloxinia maculata should not be overlooked as a
distinct and handsome stove plant of easy culture.
On this species the genus was founded, and the
plant was cultivated in the Chelsea Botanic Garden
in 1739. It will grow 3 feet in height, and flower
for a long time in the summer and autumn months.
A good sized plant will need a 10-inch or an 11-inch
pot to show its full development.

A smaller, more slender-growing form has been
elevated to the rank of a species under the name of
G. pallidiflora. It is a much more recent introduc-
tion, having been sent from Santa Martha by the
collector, Mr. Purdie, in 1843-4.

The genus Sinningia is not much known to ordi-
nary cultivators. It was founded on the species
S. Halleri, sent over by Mr. David Douglas from
Rio Janeiro when he was collecting for the Royal
Horticultural Society in 1825. It is an erect
growing plant, with greenish-yellow Gloxinia-like
flowers. A more striking garden plant is S. guttata,
another species introduced from Brazil through the
Royal Horticultural Society in 1826 ; it flowered in
the society's garden in 1827. Its habit is erect.
The flowers are just like those of a white Gloxinia,
densely spotted livid purple. J. Douglas.

bloom. This they will do early in spring, each stem
producing from eight to ten flowers at the end in a
raceme. Those who do not care to go to the trouble
of raising Freesias from seed can buy the bulbs at
a few shillings per hundred, as they are now being
largely imported and arrive soon after this, so that
it is a good time to get them and start them. When
doing this with bulbs, the way is to pot about a
dozen in a 6-inch pot and to bury them half-an-inch
deep, the proper soil to use being that which is
light, sandy, and rich, in which they are sure to do
well. As soon as potted the best place for them is
a cold frame ; but they should have little or no
water till they start into growth, otherwise, if the
soil becomes wet, the bulbules will rot. The treat-
ment necessary for Freesias after they have done
blooming is to keep them under glass, with just
enough water to maintain the foliage fresh till it
begins to ripen, as the longer the leaves remain
fresh the larger and finer will the bulbs be. — S. D.
Pelargonium Souvenir de Mirande. — This
Pelargonium which Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons,
of Swanley, have shown so well on many occasions
is of a peculiar and distinct shade of colour, per-
haps best called shrimp-pink. This particular va-
riety would appear to be equally free-flowering at
all seasons, and this, combined with its distinct
colour, has caused a considerable demand for it
within the last few months. It was, I believe,
raised and put into commerce by that well-known
hybridist, M. Lemoine, of Nancy, who has this year
sent out two other varieties of the same class.
They are Jeanne d'Arc and Jacques Callot, but not
having yet flowered them I cannot at present say
anything as to their merits. M. V. Noulens, sent
out this season by M. Delaux with a glowing de-
scription, is another of this section. — H. P.

Camellia reticulata. — In reference to what
is said of this plant at p. 553, I should like to ask
if the old specimen in the Chiswick garden is a
grafted specimen, or is it on its own roots? Per-
haps the specimens at Chiswick House, at Kew, and
at the Chiswick Gardens of the Royal Horticultural
Society are three of the finest in England, and it is
a point of some consequence to know whether they
are grafted or not. The custom of grafting C. reticu-
lata on to stocks of C. japonica may really be one
and perhaps the principal reason why this noble
plant is so rare in English gardens to-day. Again,
the Chinese and Japanese gardeners do not always,
even if often, increase their Camellias by grafting,
for they have a knack of getting a rooted plant by
ringing the bark of the stem, and then enclosing
the cut portion by a split joint of Bamboo, which is
tied together and then filled with moist earth. I
have often wondered how many per cent, of the
thousands of grafted Camellias now sent from Bel-
gium to our gardens ever make permanent speci-
mens. Certainly not one in a hundred, and yet the
old C. reticulata at Chiswick, "cribbed, cabined,
and confined," though it be, is alive to-day, and so
healthy and free-blooming that one is tempted to ask,
Is this because it is on its own roots ?— F. W. B.

Freesias. — These are of recent introduction
from South Africa, and very choice acquisitions
they are, especially the one known as F. refracta
alba, which has lovely pure white flowers that are
deliciously fragrant and most valuable for making
up in bouquets. Although a native of so hot a
climate, the Freesia is not at all tender, as it is
quite amenable to greenhouse cultivation in this
country, and during early autumn succeeds well out
of doors. The way to get up a good stock is to sow
seed, which is produced very freely, and if sown now
the seedlings will be strong enough to flower next
spring. To get the seed up quickly it should be
sown in pots filled with light sandy soil, consisting
chiefly of peat or leaf-mould, which Freesias de-
light in. When sown, the pots should be covered
with a pane of glass and stood in a frame, where
the seed will soon germinate. As soon as the plants
are large enough to handle it is advisable to prick
them off at once into pots or pans, and nurse them
on under lights or in a cold frame till the autumn,
when they will require a warm house or pit till they

SHORT NOTES.— STOVE AND GREENHOUSE.

Seedling Tree Carnation.— I enclose a bloom
of a seedling Tree Carnation which I have named
Duke of Clarence. It is a strong grower and has a
fine Clove perfume. Some of the blooms have been
quite as large as those of Souvenir de la Malmaison. —
R. H.VeRTEC.ans, Chad Valley Nurseries, Edgbaston.

*#* Very rich colour, similar to that of the old
Clove— Ed.

Scutellaria Mocciniana. — This is a very
beautiful plant, which used to be seen in our stoves,
but now it appears to be practically absent from
all. An exception, however, must be made in some
cases, and one of these is Sir Trevor Lawrence's
garden, where it is now in great beauty with Mr.
Bain. The flowers are tubular, erect, produced in
dense racemes, and rich brilliant orange-scarlet, the
interior yellow. It is a Mexican plant, growing
best in a somewhat cool stove, and should be potted
in a mixture of leaf-mould, loam, and peat in about
equal parts, the whole made sandy, and the pots
drained well.— G.

July 5, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

CUT FLOWERS OF MAGNOLIA IN A
VASE.

The value of the larger flowers simply ar-
ranged with their own foliage is now gener-
ally understood, and none who have put the
knowledge of it in practice will go back to the
short-stalked muddle that we can remember
some years ago. In the cutting of flowers
for vase decoration the tendency is to cut
them with short stems. If flowers are borne
on long and graceful st dks, such ought always
to be cut full length for table decoration.
The flowers should be arranged with their
own foliage, and above all, the vases should
not be crammed too full.

In a small room the scent of a bouquet of
■Magnolia might be found overpowering, but

/'.'

somewhat sickly odour. For the past three
years they have been in full vigour during the
first two weeks of June, but the flowering is,
should the weather be at all favourable, generally
continued well into July. Usually they have
somewhat of an untidv appearance, this being
caused by the outer petals hanging loosely
down, while some at the same time stand almost
erect. They are produced at the branch tips,
aud in the majority of instances the tree blooms
with unwonted freedom. The flowers are suc-
ceeded by a long conical-shaped fruit, of from
5 inches to C inches in length, and which, from
being of a distinct pink or rose colour, imparts a
curious, but ornamental appearance to the tree
during autumn.

I have not noticed good seeds being produced
here, but such might be the case, as I have paid
no particular attention to the matter. The
renewal of the stems, for there are generally

Cat flowers of Magnolia in a vase. Engraved for The GARDExfrom a photograph by Commander Walters, R. 1ST.

substance they suffer severely if exposed to a
storm for even a short space of time. A
small stream passes through the Holwood
ground, and in a low-lying nook along its course
and where perfect shade and shelter by big
growing trees are afforded, the Umbrella Mag-
nolia along with several other uncommon trees
grows and flowers with the utmost freedom, the
oil being a light loam on a deep bed of gravel.
That the stream is of great value in so close
proximity to the tree I am strongly convinced,
for in the same situation and almost touched
by its branches two giant specimens of the
nearly allied Magnolia cordata are growing, and
these, judging from their perfect foliage and
hundreds of flowers annually produced, must
be quite at home. The Umbrella Magnolia is
not by any means a common tree, but if
the above note as to its distinct and orna-
mental features is the means of bringing it
into extended culture, I will be more than paid
for my trouble. A. D. Webster,

its majestic beauty, as shown in the engrav-
ing, cannot be denied.

Trees and Shrubs.

THE UMBRELLA MAGNOLIA.

(magnolia tripetala.)
On'E of the most curious and distinct trees now
in flower on the Holwood property is a fair-sized
specimen of the Umbrella Magnolia. Not only
are the flowers of unusual size and curiously
formed, but the glaucous-green leaves, measur-
ing each on an average fully 14 inches in
length by 5 inches in breadth, and which from
their size and weight arch gracefully down-
wards, give to the tree quite a tropical appear-
ance, and render it perfectly distinct from
almost every other tree of hardy growth in this
country. Then the flowers are of huge propor-
tions, being from 8 inches to 9 inches in dia-
meter, pure white, and with a sweet, though

several — five on the Holwood tree — is a some-
what curious circumstance, the old trunks dying
off periodically and being supplanted by side
shoots, these in their turn likewise giving place
to others of younger growth. In this particular
specimen of the Umbrella tree one at least of
the old stems measures fully 7 inches in diame-
ter, so that in judging from the present rate of
increase the tree m ust take fully thirty years to
produce a stem of half a foot in diameter. The
wood is soft and easily cut, being for the greater
part, in young stems at least, composed of pith,
so that it is brittle and readily broken over.

Shelter, shade, and a sandy soil seem to suit
well the Umbrella Magnolia; at least under
such conditions it succeeds admirably in this
part of Kent, and has attained in several in
stances to large size and flowered and fruited
freely from year to year. That an exposed
and windy situation would be detrimen-
tal to its growth may be easily imagined
from the great size to which the flowers and
leaves attain, and as these are not of the best

THE LOCUST TREE.
(eobikia pseudacacia.)
If one may judge from the numerous fine speci-
mens of the False Acacia that are to be found in
a few of the Southern English counties, then it m ay
be taken as granted that soil and general surround-
ings are peculiarly well suited for its growth and
perfect development. Two unusually large trees
of this kind are growing on Lord Derby's property
at Keston, but the general growth of the numerous
specimens all over the estate bears witness to the
fact that the False Acacia is a tree of very rapid
growth, and one that in very favourable situations
will attain to a great height, and form a stem of
great thickness, and with bright clean wood of
good quality. In thinning one of the older planta-
tions I was rather surprised on cutting down some
of the False Acacias to find the wood so even of
texture, free from knots, and generally of good
quality. It works with great freedom, takes a good
polish, and being procurable in large breadths, is
useful for furniture-making and general outdoor
purposes. Reproducing itself with great freedom,
the dissemination of the tree is rapid, and that
portion of a woodland in which the tree has been
planted soon becomes thickly studded with an un-
dergrowth of the young Acacia. Even in the
densest shade young plants spring up with free-
dom, and if looked after and attended to in the
matter of pruning, well-shaped specimens are the
result. Of the Acacia there are many forms, but
there are two or three worthy of special attention,
particularly when looked at from an ornamental
aspect. The best, at least so far as my own expe-
rience teaches; is R. pseudacacia Decaisneana, the
value of which lies principally in the bright rose-
coloured flowers it produces. In point of general
hardihood it quite equals the normal species, while
so far as the habit and foliage are concerned, it is
not one whit behind its progenitor.

R. pseudacacia Bessoniana I am much pleased
with, for certainly it is a most distinct, hardy, and
beautiful-flowered variety. A few years' experience
of it in this part of Kent proves that it is very
hardy, of fairly rapid growth, and with a pecu-
liarly neat habit of growth. The Parasol Acacia
(R. umbraculifera) is not so stiff and clipped in
form as its name would denote, although looked at
on the whole it has something of the parasol-shape
in its flatly rounded head and straight, usually un-
branched stem.

There are many other well marked and perfectly
distinct varieties, such as fastigiata, which is of
the Lombardy Poplar style of growth, crispa, with
curly leaves, tortuosa, an ungainly, though notice-
attracting form, and inermis, with spineless boughs.
Good loam resting on a porous subsoil suits well
the wants of these Acacias, the largest specimens
being usually found where a deep bed of gravel
underlies the fine yellow loam. Growing on such
a soil may be seen two fine specimens in the Hoi-

10

THE GARDEN.

[July 5, 1890.

wood grounds, one of these being 78 feet high, and
with a" bole which girths 14 feet 10 inches at a yard
from the ground; another girths at 3 feet and 5
feet 18 :-;: B inches and 11 feet 7 inches, the cubic
contents being 110 feet. When in full flower these
majestic trees have a very imposing appearance,
and as they bloom profusely from year to year
thev may be classed amongst our most ornamental
and useful park and woodland subjects. Visitors
from the north are always delighted with the
Acacias as seen in Southern England, for repeated
attempts hare proved that it is not a tree for an
extremely cold or exposed situation. Even in Kent
the largest and best furnished specimens are always
found in sheltered sunny sites; whereas, on the
outskirts of exposed plantations the tree can hardly
be said to grow in a very satisfactory manner. The
Acacias are the best trees known for standing pro-
longed drousht and heat. A. D. W.

THE CCT-LEAVED ALDER.

(U.VTJ GirTTVOSA LACIXIATA.)

L\" the rage for near and rare Conifers manygood and
distinct varieties of our common woodland trees
have been sadly neglected, and the cut-leaved, or
as it is more commonly styled the Fem-leaved
Alder is no exception to the rule. Leaving out our
ornamental flowering trees. I may safely say that
for planting alongside ponds and lakes, or, indeed,
even as a standard specimen, few trees can equal,
whether for beauty of foliage or depth of colour-
ing, this form of our common Alder. It is at all
times a pleasing object of rich, though sober tone,
and one that is peculiarly well suited for judicious
mi-ring -with the more gaudy and attractive occu-
pants of the park or woodland. For planting by
the waterside it is excellent, as it not only flourishes
more vigorously in such a situation, but the spread-
ing branches of deeply-cut foliage have a beautiful
effect thus placed. To show oft the Fern-
like leaves to perfection this Alder should stand
clear of other trees, or so that the branches do not
become intermingled with those of any other
species. There are a few fine specimens of this
cut-leaved Alder in various parts of the country,
particularly the noble tree at Syon, which fully
half a centurv ago "was used by Loudon for re-
producing in his " Arboretum.'' It is growing on
the banks of the lake, and is a most worthy and
desirable occupant of the position that it so nobly
fills among many other uncommon trees and shrubs.
Growing on the banks of the lake at Holwood are
two symmetrical and handsome trees of this kind,
the foliage being finely cut, and the colouring that
shade of green of which the eye never tires. They
must have been planted about forty years ago, as
both are now fully 6 feet in stem-girth at a yard
from the ground, and wiih a sheer height of be-
tween 50 feet and 60 feet. The roots of both these
trees are constantly beneith water, so that, judg-
ing from their healthy appearance and the rapidity
with which they grow, such a method of treatment
and general surroundings suit their peculiar require-
ments.

Of the common Alder there are many red-marked
and perfectly distinct forms, and any or all of
these are well worthy of being largely used in or-
namental planting. The true Fern-leaved Alder
(A glutinosa imperialis) is perhaps the finest in
the cut-leaved section, and is readily distinguished
from the cut-leaved form (A. glutinosa laciniata)
by the edges of the leaves curling up in shell-
fashion. It is a very ornamental and free-growing
variety, with a far more easy grace than the parent
tree, and with very finely divided leaves
Hawthorn-leaved Alder (A., glutinosa incisa) has
smaller foliage than the typical tree, does not grow
so large, and has a thick bushy head. Then
we have the Oak -leaved Alder (A glutinosa
quercifolia), a most distinct and ornamental kind,
and one that is of unusually free growth. Like its
neighbours, it delights to grow where moisture is
abundant, though not stagnant, and is therefore
peculiarly suitable for a river or lakeside. TV.

Ledum latifolium (Labrador Tea). — This, the
broad-leaved Le'u :i or will Rosemary, is one of

the shrubs which Mr. W. Goldring. in his lecture
on early-flowering trees and shrubs, so strongly
recommended should be more generally planted in
English gardens. That it is not much planted is
shown from the fact that it is so seldom seen. L.
latifolium is a small shrub, reaching to about 1 feet
in height, indigenous to swamps in Greenland,
Canada, and over an immense area of the coldest
regions of America. Mr. Goldring was correct when
he stated it is an old-fashioned plant, for it has
been cultivated in Britain since 1 763, and to show
how its cultivation has declined he further stated
that where one hundred were formerly sold there
was now only one. It is a plant quite independent
of temperature ; in fact, all the sorts in cultivation
have been found to stand the most severe winters
in this country without the slightest injury. But
the Ledums are all moisture-loving plants, and are
found to succeed well when planted in a shady,
damp situation, moist peaty spots being those best
adapted to develop all the floral beauties the plants
possess. If the natural soil of a garden is loam, it
can be made suitable for the Ledums by adding
some peat and vegetable mould. The flowers are
pure white, produced in terminal corymbs, and
generally eipand in April. — R. D.

Laburnums. — Anyone seeing these in bloom
cannot have failed to notice what a marked differ-
ence there is among them, some of them being
remarkably fine, every branch and shoot being laden
with long, pendulous racemes of flowers, while
others are thin of bloom and that very poor. This
disparity in quality arises from the plants seeding
so freely, as where any are grown others come up
under them in all directions, and thus we have
many inferior varieties. To plant in pairs, one on
each side of a gate or entrance to a house, no tree
can be more suitable, and for shrubberies or to stand
in isolated positions on lawns Laburnums are quite
unsurpassed. To see them at their best they should
have nice straight clean stems. 8 feet to 12 feet
long, as then their gracefully drooping branches
show off to the best advantage. The soil they
flower most freely in is that which is light and
sandy, as in such a root-run their growth is
restricted, and the trees ripen up their wood better
than thev do when growing in ground that is rich.
— S. D.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 760.
HYBRID SAXIFRAGES.

(with a coloured plate of s. eotdl*)
It is somewhat remarkable that in such a
large, extremely variable, and popular genus
like the Saxifrages we can enumerate so few
hybrids, though it is admitted on every hand
that in a wild state as well as under cultiva-
tion there are a great many intermediate
forms between well-known and closely allied
species. These forms, of which we have seen
many examples, both in the Aizoon and 'caes-
pitosa groups, are certainly not sufficiently
distinct for garden purposes to receive sepa-
rate names, and even botanists differ as to
what shall be considered a species, what a
variety, and what a hybrid. With such a
state of affairs and once admitting the hybrid
theory, it is hard to see where the end would
be without including at least three- fourths of
them under this heading. Botanists, begin-
ning with Lapeyrouse, have at one time or
another described no less than twenty hybrid
Saxifrages, all of them certainly distinct
from their parents, at least the species sup-

* Drawn for The Garden" by H. G. Moon in the
Royal Gardens. Kew, March 22, 1SWJ. Lithographed
and printed by Gnillanme SeTereyng.

posed to be the parents, and which are in
each case given. It is to these acknowledged
hybrids, and especially to the charming S.
Boydi, I wish particularly to draw attention
at present. There are no less than fourteen
or fifteen of these crosses in cultivation, and
almost without exception they are not only
more beautiful and more free-flowering plants,
but they are more easily managed and alto-
gether more desirable subjects for the rock
garden. S. Boydi, which has been in cultiva-
tion for several years, was first raised by the
gentleman whose name it bears at Cherry-
trees, Kelso. X.B., and was supposed to be a
cross between S. Burseriana and S. Roeheli-
ana. On seeing the living plant, however,
and not being able to trace anything of S.
Bocheliana in S. Boydi, I wrote to Mr. Boyd
suggesting S. aretioides. Mr. Boyd concurred
with my views, and admitted the presence in
his garden of plants of S. aretioides, which
had possibly escaped his memory previous to
my writing.

It is true that S. Burseriana begins flower-
ing much earlier than S. aretioides, but it is
also true that the former is not past when the
latter begins, as I have had them both in
, bloom at the same time this spring. It is
these last blooms of S. Burseriana that form
seed when spring begins to make itself felt,
I and it is only in very exceptional seasons
that the first flowers produce seed. There
are traces of S. aretioides in the colour of the
flowers of S. Boydi, the number on a stalk
also tallying with that species in everv in-
stance known to me, Bruseriana being only
one - flowered. The leaves of Boydi more
nearly resemble those of Burseriana, but
instead of tapering to an acute point they are
linear, with an abrupt point. The flowers
are almost as large as those of S. Burseriana,
yellow as in aretioides, and one to three,
rarely four to five, to a stem. In this case,
indeed, there can be little doubt about the
parentage being S. Burseriana x aretioides,
the typical Boydi being almost intermediate
between these somewhat distinct species.
The cross was spontaneous, and at or about
the same time a form with white flowers was
raised called Boydi alba, undoubtedly of the
same parentage, but with more of the Bur-
seriana blood than of S. aretioides, which
only makes itself felt in the number of
flowers and denser rosettes. As may be
gleaned from the plate, it is a most lovely
plant, as free as either of its parents, and
certainly as easily, or more easily managed. S.
luteo-purpurea, which has been doing duty
as S. Frederiei-Augusti, is one of the best of
the early-flcwering kinds. In the open it
flowers a little earlier than S. Burseriana,
and continues until May. This is a hybrid
between aretioides and media, somewhat
resembling sancta, but a much more de-
sirable rock plant. It may be increased to
any extent by division or cuttiDgs. An-
other cross, and which is more nearly allied
to the true Frederici - Augusti (which I
still think can be no more than a variety of
media), is S. ambigua, a hybrid between
media and aretioides, with purple flowers

July •">, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

11

and short, blunt, broad leaves. I have nor f P tat trains that pass within easy distance as a rule, are very even and healthy in growth,

seen it in cultivation, and would lite to of our place of abode the thought occurs that very little disease and but few magg::-

know if anv reader of The Gabdes po^e^se^ some parts of Somersetshire and Wiltshire are plants being found. I have, however, met with

it or has ever seen it s live. " S. Hansmanni ^ fectl7 ™& adapted for producing very large two instances of total failure, and which it is

- - . . . it-jit. , quannnes or ear.T - - - : a very remunera- or— suit K ;. • : . ant ror. The plants came up

a fine intermediate hybrid between S. mntata .-. . . . -. . _., heayily-kden trains of well, but the greater portion of them become

and aizoides, is a decided beauty, and cer- Potatoes have been landed at Weymouth and much swollen just above ground and make no

tainly preferable to either parent, the flowers | despatched through to London, and we could further progress. My impresskr

being large and as brightly coloured as those ] lift Ashleaf Potatoes in most parts of the gar- manure used (in one case artificial, in the other

of aizoides. S. tyrolensis between aesia den under my charge when about one-half of night soil) was too strong and to blame for the

and squarrosa. has the habit and appearance ^ "amber had gone through. Tet we have a collapse, the theory thatthe quality of the seed

„t n_„ r. m-o, t\.„ „i„v •,„ ~*™,. «„J Mud clayey soil to contend with. Enterprise and has something to do with it scarcelv being

ot the former, with the glabrous stems ana _ _• - ■ ,, /. t^nj_ i- ■ •■ - • -

B Bowers of the latter. Ii is no .better hereaboufe and in" various other south-western well, but Carrots are verv patchv in m 5
for the rockery than S. e.esia: indeed, I prefer ; districts, but there are signs of a move being made gardens. Slugs are to be accredited" with these
the latter. S. Andrewsi, Guthrieana Mae- in the way of producing early vegetables and fruit partial failures, and frequent fresh sowings are
nabiana, Churchilli, Engleri, Kochi, patens, on a large scale. This experiment will be the best way out of the difficulty. Birds have
Regeli. Zimmiteii, and others are all closely watched, and if successful, as I fully been very troublesome among the Beet crops,
beautiful, and 'certainly worthy of a place on ' ?XP^X ir *"U be, the number of imitators will the plants in some gardens only being saved by

♦i.« ~w.i —i.. +V — ni v„ *,. j », increase rapidly, especiallv now that owners of netting over. Lettuces were earlv and excel-

tne rockery, where thev will be found to , . ,e -■ r^, - j - - i i - " i:i_ „j - - - ,•,,;

,, . iji a. a large estates are much more ready than tor- lent m quautv, and it m not . rrer. that Globe

thrive in some cases even better than the merIv t0 let our smaHer farms and "allotments. Artichokes are finer or more plentiful than at
parents. D. Dewab. There are many more early Peas grown in this compara tzverj - . :'.— late.

Wiltshire especially than 1 was aware of till The foregoing, although pleasant reading
quite recently, and hundreds of acres of enough for dwellers in the favoured southern
Pot re to be seen in various direct:::.- '_.-■ - -im hut have a somewhat dis-

Kitchen Garden,

VEGETABLE PROSPECTS.
We have now passed Midsummer Day, and as

heartening effect upon gardeners and the
owners of gardens in the colder northern lo-

Unfortunately, these are principally main crop

and late varieties, and near Bowood and other

localities where the soil is light and sandy, the calities. The difference in the dates in which
vet, little or no^ summer-like weather has been positions also being high and dry, therefore not vegetable crops in the open are available here
experienced. Bright sunny days were frequent much liar, r sited by severe spring frosts, and in Yorkshire and further north is most

enough in May, but thev were" accompanied bv earlj" variet ty Ashleafs, might be striking, their early crops corresponding, as far

cold easterly winds and Verv cold nights, than grown far more profitably, a crop of clean late as the dates ore itemed, with out mi'
which nothing could well be worse for delicate Carrots being had in close succession during and even late ones, it there :- -_. way rat f
tion. In June the weather has been even lne s31116 J"ear; ^^at must strike the ob- the difficulty other than the means glass and
more changeable, severe frosts in some districts Servant tourist in these districts, and Wiltshire artificial heat provide. Perhaps some"norihem
doing much damage among tender vegetables in particular, is the great size of the H _..- : errespondent will state in the pages of The
and some fruit blossom. "The sunshine has gardens, plenty of them being half an acre in Gakdex what is taking place in his locality,
been of short duration, nights cold, and the extent, and abo the admirable manner in which giving a few dates as toVhen the crops are first
weather generally has been showery, without in they are cropped. The surplus produce from ready for use. It would he iasti :;:_-; reading
our case much rain falling. This would appear these gardens and numerous large allotments is and probably come as a surprise to many,
to be very much the same as what has taken usually marketed, but of late years the prices Sown "W. Iooriizy.

place in the south-western counties generally. tor ordinary stuff have been very low re/,
only in some cases very much more rain has aJ^ but for the pigs, which turn all waste :
fallen than in others, floods occurring in some g00*1 account, the returns for so much labour
few districts. Under these conditions it would expended would be still more bh -
not at first sight have been surprising if ve;e- Potatoes generally look remarkably well.
tables of nearly all descriptions had made but never more so in fact, the dryness of the
poor progress, but such is not the case. Xever weather and the capital condition into which
probably did they look more promising than the soil was easily g ~ season, in addition
most of tLeni do now.

LATE BROCCOLI.
A SHOBX tine since a collection of late Broccoli

- — : : - .. =— :: :_:'"- . - e :r — ~: :tLe:

- - _ : . - . ' ""

- - e: ! - ■'. X v

- tell Hell Ir i. see err .:. — -.-.. :.r_ e~: :: tie e :.
t::n ::' :. . 1 er: i :: Ir: : : 1: :":: eee '.

in our case at any rate to ravounng a strong even growth, also being had selected from the types shown or. -e- " Ee -

this satisfactory e: : £ : .re'airs is largely due to favourable to the work of cleaning the ground. I think he would have favoured an old sort known as
the lightness of the rainfall during the winter Fnleee Hsease ; :>n puts in appearance, the its. I went carefully through

and spring months, a cold saturated root-run crops of Potatoes must be far above the average. titerr.— ;tl .tee lee .1 ::' ere ::' :le fere— :sr ^"r '.ee^ele

been far more prejudicial to healthy early even if no more rains fall till they are lifted, seed houses in London, and that was the conclBsion

growth than comparatively unfavourable atmo- I Peas, again, are remarkably promising, and I we came re. One of tie heads of this varle— was

spheric conditions. But if the season is favour- never remember seeing the rows in all gardens ^-e7 " •■ _ ' : - —

able to a healthy growth, it cannot be considered so even and vigorous in growth. These, how- ^^^ k^011!^0 3 ^°"3t^1' re*™e*'- An °*^

at all early, the reverse really being the case, espe- ever, want a good soaking of rain or water of ^*^manw m- eJl ~ ■.-^""V ^ "- ~r

cially where the richness of the soil is favourable I some kind, and unless given soon there will be ~ - 'd» "mw."

tostronggrowthratherthanearlyproductiveness. a great glut, and then a scarcity of well filled the~ CTird* of aBroccoU • he-wpuld he

pods. Cabbages have been better and more ^gar colour, refined, symmetrical, and deepTA

plentiful than ever known before, frequenters - - T . --

of markets asserting this to be the first season reject : indeed, he was merciless towards anything

out early in March on a south-east border, and I they could not be sold at any price. Broccoli that did not come up to his ideal of what tt; -

not protected or staked in any way, earliness held out fairly well, prices ruling low, while rect. The firm he served were famous in their day

rather than weight of crop being the principal con- Cauliflowers turned in early, and the quality is for the high qoality of their stock of Broccoli and

Our earliest Peas were gathered in quantity on
June 3. the variety being Chelsea Gem. In this
instance the plants were raised under glass, put

sideration. The extra early round-seeded varie-
ties, and also William I., sown early on a sunny

exceptionally good. We cut excellent heads - ' e-: a"c-:_: :f : er-e -_e -.

on June 10 of the small forcing variety, r system of z%H selection was earned art.

slope, were not fit to pick before June II, and I Snowball, from plants raised under glass this :-e::ee e: Broccoli sa

in most other gardens hereabouts thev were srring, and put out without protection of ury ' - —ere: ::r iVDcore Asant

fully a week later. Potatoes, not being much kind." In hand-lights thev were only about ten O^rr"; 1 . - . • . 1 - - I stol All [ itteD e

crip'pleil bv late frosts, were fairly early, are davs earlier. Runner. Eidnev. and Broad Be.vr_e -.:-- Bosonion^ Eaperor,

cropping itpitallv. and the quality is good, have all come up evenly, and in me gai lens " !S5?S^LlSSS? - '

Old Ashleaf on a warm border was available at the rows are very promising. The : .

the same time as the earliest Peas, other good in low posmons were much injured by frosts er of the leaves. B^d the reputed sorts

Ashleafs being lifted on June ( . We cannot about the first week in June, but have recovered been mixed up together, it would have been as jKffi-

possibly compete with the Channel Islanders I surprisingly well It is my belief autumn-sown eaitatask :; separate them - efrae-

and the Cornishmen in the matter of producing Onions have suffered for want of moisture at she lactic e: a broken egg. It ie _rItipiT

Potatoes when they are worth Cd. per pound: roots, as fully two-thirds in many instances have names, and it is probable that from a "plantation of

but each time I notice one of the great number run preniaturelyto seed. The spring-sown crops, either of the foregoing sorts heads might be cut

12

THE GAEDEN.

[July 5, 1890

during the early part of May well worthy a first
class certificate of merit. Veitch's Model, awarded
a first class certificate of merit on this occasion, is
a fine type of a late Broccoli with a solid curd, but
wherein it differs from a good stock of Ledsham's
Latest cf All it would, perhaps, be difficult to say.
The fruit committee have certificated both, but it
would be interesting to know how the committee
would separate one from the other if unnamed
heads of each were exhibited. Too much care can-
not be exercised in granting awards to reputed new
varieties of vegetables, and in particular to late
Broccoli. R. D.

GRUBS DESTROYING CAULIFLOWERS.
A month ago I planted about 300 Cauliflower
plants in a very light soil, and almost every one of
them has_been destroyed by a maggot lodged at

cialty if " clubbing " takes place at any time.
Growers of plants for the market are less careful
in this respect than they ought to be, and pur-
chasers of plants always run some risk in having
them from sources quite strange to them. In all
cases where plants are bought in, and wherever
those home-raised are liable to be affected by mag-
gots at the roots, it is advisable to examine each
separately, any excrescences forming on the stem
near where the roots are connected with it being
cut off. In addition to this the roots should be
drawn through, or heavily coated with a puddle
formed of water, clayey soil, and soot. This proves
| a good preventive of attacks from root-eating in-
sects or grubs, and also favours an early strong
growth, puddled plants being the least affected
by dry hot weather.

When once the " ambury," this being the term by
which the disease or pest is most generally known

An Oak-covered way.

the root. I would like to know how best to pre-
vent such a disaster in future, and at what season
the fly deposits its eggs on the plant or in the soil.
Plants of my own production are all sound ; the in-
jured ones were all bought. — Nemo.

\* This question is scarcely so explicit as it
might well have been, fuller particulars being of
service in deciding what is the cause of failure and
the best remedies that can be applied. Seeing that
only the plants bought by " Nemo " were destroyed,
those raised on the place having escaped, the only
conclusion I can arrive at is that the Cauliflowers
had been attacked by insects before they were re-
ceived. Most probably the plants are club-rooted,
the swelling being caused by a maggot or grub
hatched out from an egg deposited by a weevil soon
after the plants were raised. Those who are wise
rarely sow seed of any member of the Brassica tribe
for two successive seasons in the same place, espe-

hoes or forks. Being both a preventive of insect
attacks and a good fertiliser, soot might with ad-
vantage be more freely and of tener used than is the
case, and if " Nemo " perseveres with this remedy,
also puddling all plants before they are put out, he
may experience no further trouble with his Cauli-
flowers and allied subjects. — W. I.

is established in the garden, it is no easy matter to
get rid of it again. It is most tenacious in dry
soils, and many more plants are affected by it in a
dry season than in a wet one. When the nature of
the subsoil permits, much may be done by trench-
ing, the bottom spit being brought to the sur-
face, and the top spit with its occupants buried
too deeply for anything living to find its way to the
surface again. Trenching being out of the ques-
tion, a good remedy will be found in gas-lime.
This, however, must be applied with great care,
and at least three months before the ground is
cropped. Only enough of this should be sprinkled
over the surface to just whiten it, and then be forked
in. If used recklessly, the land will be poisoned by
it. Soot, again, is one of the best preventives of
attacks from any kind of insect or grub just on or
below the surface. A fairly thick coat of this may
be given safely, and stirred into the surface with

Lettuce Wordsley Gem. — I find this to be a
very useful kind for early or late sowing, as it
comes into use much earlier than any other Cos
Lettuce, while it is quite as hardy as the Brown
Cos or any of the kinds which are generally re-
commended for sowing in the autumn and standing
over winter. It is a rather small sort and requires
no tying, as it forms hearts which are very solid
indeed, and they are fit for cutting before others
that are grown with them have commenced to form
hearts. We have been for the past three weeks
cutting nice Lettuces from some which were sown
in a cold frame this spring and transplanted to the
Celery ridges when fit. Though small, they weigh
heavier than those of other sorts which look double
the size. I should not recommend this Lettuce for
any but early work, as it soon bolts, but for sowing
in autumn or for a first spring sowing it is well
worth a trial. — J. C. Tallack.

RUSTIC COVERED WAYS.
Boweks or covered ways near the house may
be made a very ornamental feature in the
garden. They should be of a light rustic
character, as is well shown in the annexed
illustration of a charming specimen of the work
covered with Roses and Clematis. These struc-
tures should be made in a light and natural
manner, and then the supports look as if, when
covered with verdure, they were themselves
alive instead of supporting other plants. Gnarled
Oak branches and crooked and bent Fir tree
boughs are excellent for making one of these
covered ways. Other plants to cover them,
besides the two already named, may include
Aristolochia Sipho, Honeysuckles, Hops, Ivies,
Jasmines, Vines, &c. The plants should be
set out in a border of good soil at first, and
then they will speedily cover the way and
form a charming place to walk or sit under in
the hot summer weather. T.

Orchids.

AGANISIA OERULEA.
A flower of this rare and beautiful plant comes
from "Ethel." She says the plant does not ap-
pear to do well or to be healthy, although it has
a short spike with three flowers. This is a plant
rarely to be met with. I have seen it in Sir
Trevor Lawrence's collection, and also in that
of Mr. Dorman at Laurie Park, Sydenham, but
I do not remember to have seen it anywhere
else. The discovery of this species I believe is
due to Dr. Spruce, who found it somewhere in
the Rio Negro district of South- America. This
district during the dry season is very hot, and
the wet season is a remarkably long one. It
is a district of swamps and lakes, caused by the
overflow of the river, and I do not know if this
plantis found in the vicinity of water, but I should
imagine it was. The plant, as far as I know it,
should not have much soil about its roots, and
I have found it thrive best on a block or raft,
or in a shallow pan. Under either condition it
will thrive well. During the growing season
an abundance of water is necessary, and it
should be placed in the hottest position it is
possible to find for it in the winter season. The
plant may, however, be placed in the Cattleya
house, and although kept somewhat drier, it
should on no account be allowed to shrivel or
to suffer from want of water, and the atmo-
sphere must have some moisture, for in a state

July 5, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

13

of Nature even in the dry season there will be
some amount of moisture rising from the sur-
rounding water of the river, lakes, and swamps.
It is a dwarf plant, producing a creeping rhizome,
upon which at short intervals arise somewhat
ovate pseudo-bulbs ; these are slightly furrowed
and deep green, bearing on the apex a single or
a pair of leaves. The scape is produced from
the base of the pseudo-bulb, and bears from
three to six flowers or more when strong. The
flowers are of considerable size, of a light bluish-
lilac or mauve, whilst the large and somewhat
pouched lip is fleshy and brownish-purple in
colour. In some varieties the sepals and petals
are tesselated to some extent with a deeper
shade of mauve. The flowers are produced
during the summer months, as I noted a plant
of this species shown at the Temple exhibition
last season, and now this season I have a flower
from "Ethel " past its best. I should imagine
that the summer is its usual season of flowering
in a cultivated state.

A. pulchella is another species of this genus
which has been a long time in cultivation, but
which has always been scarce. It is a native
of British Guiana, and was introduced about
fifty years ago. In habit of growth and in its
requirements it resembles A. casrulea ; the
flowers, however, are creamy white, the base
of the lip being blotched with deep reddish-
brown, and stained with yellow on the disc.
The above two species are all that are known to
me to be in cultivation. W. H. Gower.

Odontoglossum cristatellum. — The flowers
sent by " Astor :' are certainly of this species, and
they accord well with those of the plant figured in the
"Orchid Album," plate 66. The sepals and petals
a"e yellow, broadly blotched with reddish-chest-
nut. It appears to be but little known. I can-
not say, however, that there is anything about
the blooms which would suggest its being a hybrid
between 0. triumphans and O. Pescatorei, which the
sender would infer. It thrives under the usual con-
ditions adopted for 0. Pescatorei and 0. Alexandra.
— W. G.

Odontoglossum Alexandra flaveolum.—
This is undoubtedly the name of the flowers sent
me by " H. P. W.," and I can see no reason to
ascribe hybrid origin to them. The flowers are
quite typical in shape, there being nothing but
colour to cause a different name, the sepals and
petals being of a creamy yellow or sulphur-yellow,
not sufficiently decided to please me. The lip,
however, is of a more decided yellow, with a few
reddish brown spots. It is a variation in colour,
but not of sufficient merit to be valuable. — G.

Cattleya superba splendens. — A flower of
this form comes from Mr. Marsh, Arle Court,
Cheltenham. It is from an exceptionally fine spike
bearing seven flowers, and these are by no means
small, whilst the variety is very fine, the sepals
and petals being rich rosy purple, the lip deep
velvety crimson, yellow at the base. This form
comes from the Rio Negro district and not from
Guiana; the leaves are not so round as those of
the typical plant. It succeeds best when grown on
a block and hung up near the glass fully exposed
to the sun. It requires a very warm and moist at-
mosphere to keep it in good health. — G.

Burlingtonia Candida. — A nice spike of
flowers of this exquisite little gem comes to me
without any letter, so that I am quite at a loss to
say who has sent it. The plant is a native oF
Demerara, and was introduced between fifty and
sixty years ago. It was more frequently seen in
collections in my younger days than at the present
time, but it well deserves the attention of all
growers of Orchids. The plant will thrive in an
ordinary stove hung up near the glass upon a block,
or in a shallow basket. It does not like to have
much soil about its roots. The racemes are pendu-
lous ; the one now before me bears three flowers,
but I have seen it with five of its delicate frosted

white flowers, which are stained in the throat
with yellow, and yield an odour somewhat re-
sembling that of Violets. It is a species with
larger bulbs and broader leaves than the majority
of the members of this genus. — W. G.

CYMBIDIUMS.
Although the Cymbidium genus is recognised as
epiphytal, the positions in which many of its
members are found when growing wild suggest
a very near alliance to the habits of terrestrial
Orchids. Frequently one sees when passing
through jungle on the tropical slopes of the
Eastern Himalayas large bunches of stiff
leathery leaves growing from the trunks of
trees, or perhaps from the forks of the larger
limbs. Examination will frequently show that
either Cymbidium aloifolium or pendulum has
taken possession of a cavity caused, perhaps, by
the breaking away of a branch, and that its
roots are comfortably feeding on the decayed
matter within. Or a shattered trunk of a past
and gone forest king will reveal a vigorous
specimen of C. sinense ensconced in a cleft, the
roots happily rambling amongst the chocolate-
coloured food afforded by the rotting wood.

More often than not, however, these three
species, together with C. eburneum, are seen
clinging to trees in the usual epiphytal manner,
but they seldom have the happy appearance of
those whose roots have more to feed on. The
foliage is yellow, often as yellow as a guinea,
suggesting a half- starved existence, and a want
of shelter for the roots from the blazing sun.
Examine either C. pendulum or aloifolium
clinging to the trunk of a tree, and you will
find the roots growing in a huddled mass, as if
they were struggling amongst themselves who
should occupy the cooler and moister places away
from the glare of the sun. The roots of these two
species never ramble from home for provender
unless completely protected from sunlight.

Ascending higher on the mountain-side to
an altitude of 6000 feet, one comes to the home
of C. Hookerianum, giganteum, longifolium,
Devonianum," and their very near relations,
Cyperorchis elegans, cochleatum and Mastersi.
Like the species at the bottoms of the valleys,
these frequently occupy pockets in trees. But
the moister nature of the climate provides a
different condition for their existence. The
trees are invariably covered with a thick jacket
of Moss, and the removal of a handful of this
will disclose a goodly intermixture of vegetable
matter, composed partly of decayed portions of
Moss and old leaves which have fallen from the
branches above. In this the roots of Cymbidium
ramble at pleasure, seldom clinging to the wood,
and attaining considerable length under the
genial protection of the Moss.

The climatic conditions of these two localities
are quite distinct. At the lower altitude the
heat is tropical, though the temperature is
somewhat modified by the high positions on the
trees occupied by the plants. They get a much
larger proportion of sunshine than the Cymbi-
diums at the higher altitude, the rainfall is
lighter, about 80 inches for the year, and the
general atmospheric condition is much drier.

In the cooler locality, at 6000 feet, the Cym-
bidiums receive more protection from the sun-
light. The forests are much denser, conse-
quently the branches overhead are more thickly
interlaced, which not only keeps out the rays
of the sun, but prevents evaporation on the
surface of the ground during the dry period of
the year. From June till October a day's sun-
shine is quite an exceptional occurrence. The
rainy season has set in, and continues with very
little intermission for five months. When rain

is not falling, the mountains from 4000 feet up-
wards are enveloped in heavy cloud, thus keep-
ing vegetation in an absolutely saturated condi-
tion. Take off and squeeze a handful of Moss
at any time during this season, and the water
will run from it as from a well charged sponge.
Yet this is the condition in which Cymbidiums,
as well as many other Orchids exist, or rather
thrive for nearly half the year. Here the quan-
tity of rain which falls is nearly double that at
the bottom of the mountains.

In the Khasya hills the little terrestria'
species C. Gibsoni is found, and one that never
seeks the exalted situations occupied by its re-
lations. R- Pantlinci.

Cypripedium Stonei platytsenium. — This
rare and beautiful plant is now flowering with Sir
Trevor Lawrence. Mr. White, his gardener, staged
the plant in the Temple show, but there was only
one flower open at that time. This, however,
should not have caused it to be quite neglected, as it
was by nearly everyone. The plant has never been
imported but once, and then only as a single speci-
men from Sarawak in 1863. It first bloomed in
the collection of the late. Mr. Day at Tottenham,
from whence .the plant from time to time became
distributed, and one of the strongest plants is that
now flowering at Burford Lodge. I am of opinion,
however, that the hybrid of the Messrs. Yeitch,
named Morganise, a cross between C. superbiens
and C. Stonei, is superior to this plant for its beauty,
and it is very much in the same way. In platytaj-
nium the dorsal sepal is very much the same as
that of Stonei ; so also are the lower sepal and
the lip, but the petals are very much broader, be-
ing upwards of an . inch across, with a ground
colour of creamy-white, thickly spotted with dull
purplish-crimson, the lip being reddish-purple,
covered with reticulations of a deeper hue. This
plant, however, differs from Morganiai in having
foliage quite like the typical plant. — G.

SHORT NOTES.— ORCHIDS.

Cattleya Mendeli Alfred Smee has large
flowers. The sepals and petals are deep rose, whilst
the large lip is deep magenta in front, heboid which it
is white with a yellow throat. It is a superb variety.
— G.

Epidendrumvitellinummajus.— This makes
a gay group iu Mr. Malcolm Cooke's garden at King-
ston Hill. It is one of the brightest Orchids in cul-
tivation ; the flowers of the same brilliant vermilion-
orange as those of the type, but much larger. Mixed
with Odontoglossums it is unusually effective.

Angrseoum Scottianum.— This pretty species
came from the Comoro Islands in 1878, and we were
reminded of its beauty by a plant in flower with Mr.
Malcolm Cooke, Kingston Hill. It was introduced into
England by Sir John Kirk and named after Mr. Scott,
of Walthamstow. Its distinguishing character is the
terete leaves, and the flowers recall those of A . Sanderia-
num ; they are large and pure white except the pale brown
spur, which is about 6 inches in length.

Cattleya Mossise. — A superb form of this
plant comes from Mr. H. Howard, of The Grove,
Teddington. The flower is large, measuring upwards of S
inches across from tip to tip of the petals. It is nearly
as good as some of the varieties lately noted in Mr.
Smee's garden. We also noticed recently a specimen
bearing twenty-eight flowers of a fine variety of this in
the establishment of Messrs. Seeger and Tropp, at
Dulwich.

A very fine flower of this comes from " T. P . W. , "

Warwick. It is exactly the same form as noted
from Mr. Howard, but larger, measuring fully i) inches
across. The petals of this form curve round and be-
come somewhat sickle-shaped, otherwise did they stand
out at right angles, as in most of the forms, we should
corne very near to having a Mossia? flower a foot across.

Cypripedium Pari shi. — This uueommon Lady's
Slipper is in flower at Kew. It is one of the good
things collected by the Rev. C. Parish iu Burmah,
from whence it came about 1869. The scape bears
several flowers, the petals of which are oyer 4 inches
long, beautifully wavy at the edge and twisted like a
corkscrew ; the upper half is spotted with brown, the

14

THE GARDEN.

[July 5, 1890.

lower rich purple. The dorsal sepal has green veins
and a suffusion of a yellowish colour, the staminode
creamy white. It is an interesting flower.

Cattleya gigas Sanderiana This is one of

the finest forms of C. gigas in cultivation. It is
now in full beauty in Mr. Malcolm Cooke's garden
at Kingston Hill, where there is a small, but choice
collection of various kinds. This variety has a re-
markable lip, spreading, and of a deep amethyst
colour exquisitely grained with white. One of the
finest specimens we remember was shown by Mr.
Brymer, Puddleton, Dorchester, at the Royal Horti-
cultural Society's meeting on June 12, 1883. The
plant carried five spikes, eleven flowers in all— a
brave mass of colour.

Trichopilia lepida.— This is the name of the
flower sent by Ethel. It is a pretty kind, from
Costa Rica, I believe. The flowers are large and of
a vinous-red, broadly bordered with white, which is
more or less profusely spotted and dotted with red.
It produces many flowers, and sometimes as many
as three blooms appear together on one scape. It
should be potted firmly and grown in the Cattleya
house, which, I believe, will suit the majority of
the Trichopilias. During the winter the plants must
not, however, be subjected to such a dry atmo-
sphere as is usually given Cattleyas, and they should
receive some water.— W.

Odontoglossum Alexandra.— A very beauti-
ful and heavily spotted form of this 'plant comes
from Mr. Howard, of The Grove, Teddington. It
has broad sepals and petals, thus making a hand-
some flower; the ground colour is of the purest
white, the sepals heavily marked with large spots
and blotches of chestnut-brown ; the petals, which
are prettily fringed, have each four perfectly round
spots, two on each side of the broad central por-
tion, but next season the flowers may be very
differently marked. The lip is white, with a very
large chestnut-coloured spot in front of the crest,
the crest itself being rich, almost orange, yellow.

Oneidium crispum.— A very fine form of this
old species comes to me from Mr. Buchan of
Southampton, the flowers being large and of a rich
bronzy-brown, the sepals and petals and the lip
beautifully undulated and spotted with yellow and
red on the crest ; there is also an irregular shaped
yellow blotch on the lip, which gives beauty to the
flowers. This species appears to be difficult to
manage for any length of time, and one which in
my younger days amongst Orchids we could not
do at all well. Its cultivation is now, however
better understood. It should be grown in the
Cattleya house, and in the winter I prefer moving
it to the warm end of the Odontoglossum house
because here it may be rested and kept fairly moist'
1 do not think this species likes to be dry at any
season, neither does it like to have much soil about
its roots. — W.

-du?0?.10!7116 Pan<*urata.— This is another of
Mnel s flowers, and it is a very fine variety of the
plant, the sepals and petals being broad and deep
green, and the markings and streaks on the lip daik
velvety black. Green flowers were never popular
and neither do I think they ever will be ; yet there
is something very charming in the blooms of this
species, and by the number imported it appears to
be coming into favour again. I observe, however
that many of those flowering at the present time
have a greyish tinge instead of black marks, which
detracts much from the effect. We are indebted
to Mr. Stuart Low for its introduction. He says it
IS found growing upon trees in shady places over-
hanging water in Borneo. I have grown the plant
well in the East India house, but the Cattleya or in-
termediate house is quite hot enough to winter it in
care being taken that it does not get dry for if it
shrivels it is a long time before it assumes its
normal condition. It likes good peat fibre, and the
pot or pan should be well drained.— G.

Cypripedium Sehrcederse. — A ve'ry nice
photo, was recently sent me by " E. M " North
ampton. C. Scbreedera is one of the Messrs.
\ eitch and Sons' best hybrids of the Selenipedium
group ; it is a cross between C. caudatum and C

Sedeni. It is a strong-growing plant, bearing
large leaves of a pale green. The scape is erect,
bearing three to five flowers of a large size, the
dorsal sepal being white, tinged with pinkish rose,
with green veins, the lower one large, white ;
the petals are about 5 inches long, of a bright rosy
pink, twisted. In some forms the colour is more of
a dull crimson ; the large pouch-like lip is also of a
deep crimson hue, more or less spotted inside.— G.

Chrysanthemums.

SINGLE CHRYSANTHEMUMS.
It was pleasing to me, as an admirer of the Chry-
santhemum, to see the two coloured plates of that
flower recently given in The Garden, although I
will frankly own the gratification would have been
the greater had the varieties belonged to other sec-
tions than the single-flowered one.

It is evident after several years' experience that
a certain measure of floricultural education is re-
quisite to appreciate the value of these new candi-
dates for public approval. It is but fair, however,
to observe that on one occasion I rather had a
leaning to the single Chrysanthemums. At the
first exhibition of the Kent County Chrysanthe-
mum Society, Blackheath, Messrs. Davis and Jones
set up a thoroughly representative group of a most
exceptional character. It was probably the largest
and finest group ever exhibited in this country,
and in it were varieties of every class of show
Chrysanthemums, from the modest Daisy - like
single to the most resplendent Japanese. Among
the single kinds to which my attention was called,
several charming little flowers that really possessed
an attraction hitherto unknown to me were staged,
and it is a matter of regret to me now that no note
of the names was taken at the time. Unlike most
of those in The Gabden illustrations, those which
pleased me most were not of the Japanese type ;
they were, speaking from recollection, more like
coloured Marguerites.

Some flowers in a single state are unquestionably
beautiful, but the Chrysanthemum can scarcely be
counted among them. The single Tulip or ztnal
Pelargonium in that form may be, but when double
they lose much. On the other hand, such single
flowers as Stocks and Pinks, without enlarging the
list, mutt be double before they can be tolerated at
all. This may look like being dogmatic to those
who hold a contrary opinion, but honestly, accord-
ing to my taste, the Chrysanthemum belongs to
the latter category. I have long been anxious
to discover the capabilities of the Chrysan-
themum for ordinary decoration in the house.
The French, with the exception of those in the
north, never grow it as we do, and are horrified at
the idea of a single stem with three branches and a
large bloom at the end of each. Circumstances
have prevented me for two seasons from carrying
out the experiments desired, but five years ago I
made a partial attempt. About forty-five old
stools were planted out in the open, Japanese and
reflexed being the most numerous. The season
was favourable, and many of the plants being
allowed to make whatever growth they could, a
large supply of medium-sized blooms was the result.
Some of the plants, such as M. Cochet, Fair Maid
of Guernsey, James Salter, and La Charmeuse,
yielded on each branch from twenty to thirty well
developed flowers, that would have eclipsed the
best singles ever raised. It was only natural that
the penalty had to be paid ; rain and soot spoiled
the collection, but even if they had been singles, I
apprehend the result would have been the same.
The value of single-flowered sorts depends upon the
shelter given at a critical time ; with a similar care
in the case of the doubles, a better, or at any rate
an equally good, harvest would reward the grower.
The writer of the first article is correct in the
date he mentions as to the first appearance of the
singles upon the exhibition table. They had, how-
ever, been thought about some time before. The
schedule of the old Borough of Hackney Society for

Mr. W. H. Cullingford ; second prize, £1 Is., offered
by Mr. N. Davis, both of whom had taken some
little interest in the then new section. I cannot
say whether there were any entries in the class or
not, but in the list of prizes awarded for that year
it would seem improbable, as there is no record of
the amounts being received by any exhibitor. It
was a new venture, and unquestionably that gene-
ration of Chrysanthemum exhibitors cared little for
singles. I am disposed to think that even after
this lapse of time many of the best singles are not,
as is generally thought, of quite recent origin, but
that they are survivals of the earliest introductions.
America, the one figured in The Gaeden (June 7).
is certainly one of the oldest, having been raised
by Messrs. Hallock, Son and Thorpe as long ago as
1883. In the same set was Septimus Lyon, which is
notalluded to in the articles recently published, but
which is a good yellow variety, from what I can
learn. The companion flower to America, called
Lady Brooke, was one of a number of seedlings
raised by Mr. Lister.

Perhaps a few historical facts concerning single
varieties may be of service to those interested in
them. Selecting those named as the best on p. 485,
Gus Harris and Mrs. Langtry were raised byMr.C.L.
Teesdale about 1883, and distributed by Messrs.
Cannell in the spring of the following year. These
were followed, in 1885, by Mary Anderson. Miss
Rose, and Crushed Strawberry, also from the Swan-
ley Nursery. Mrs. A. Le Moult and Pure Gold are
of American origin, although the raiser's name and
date are doubtful, but the probability is that thev
were obtained in 1885, for they form'part of a col-
lection mentioned in Messrs. Hallock, Son and
Thorpe's spring catalogue of 188G. New singles for
the same spring from Messrs. Cannell included
Lady Churchill and Oriflamme, and Admiral T.
Symonds and D. Windsor came from the same source
in 1887.

Thus we dispose, without much difficulty, of
nearly all those recommended excepting Souvenir
de Londres, a variety for which we are indebted to
M. Simon Delauy. who sent it out with six other
singles in February, 1887. It is worthy of mention
that that was the first time a Frenchman had any-
thing to do with the new race. C. H. P.

Chrysanthemums in Tasmania. — The

Chrysanthemum show of the Northern Horticultural
Society was held on April 24. The display of cut
blooms was very good considering that it was but
the first exhibit ion of Chrysanthemnmsheld inLaun-
ceston, and the first since the affiliation with the Na-
tional Chrysanthemum Society. In the collections
of 48 competing for the gold medal some very fine
blooms were shown. Among the Japanese varie-
ties were Edwin Molyneux, Lady T. Lawrence,
Grandiflorum, Cannell's Sunflower, Mrs. H. Cannell,
Stanstead White, Mrs. J. Wright, Mrs. Dunnett!
Shirley Hibberd, Viceroy of Egypt, James Salter.'
Lady Selborne, M. Blanche Pigmv ; and among the
incurved, Empress of India, Novelty, Lady Har-
dinge, Mrs. G. Rundle. Golden Empress, Queen of
England, Gloria Mundi, Lord Alcester, Jeanne
d'Arc, and Mrs. Geo. Glenny. For the best
Japanese bloom in the show "the variety Edwin
Molyneux was awarded the honour, although
it was generally conceded that Lady T. Law-
rence should have carried the palm. ' Mrs. Geo.
Glenny was the finest incurved variety. The largest
blooms in the show measured a little over 7 inches
in diameter, but since that time several varieties
have exceeded that considerably, notably W. G.
Drover, which flowers much later here than the ma-
jority. While on the subject of large flowers I
would refer to a paragraph which appeared in
The Gauden of Nov. 30, headed "A Marvel-
lous Chrysanthemum." The variety was said
to be Mr. Frank Thompson, but in reality
it was W. G. Drover, and I am assured that the
measurement was quite correct. Mr. Bidencope
(clothier) is an amateur grower, but takes a lively
interest in floriculture, and with considerable suc-
cess. A short time ago a chemist in Paris wrote to Mr.

„ „* „u^ VJ1.4 lA/iuugu ui iLu^tLiivy oucieiy lor cess. A SI10

1883 contains a class for one specimen plant of Bidencope, inquiring' the price of hi:s"cuttine8 per
single Chrysanthemums ; first prize, £2 2s., offered by I doz. or 100, thinking perhaps that there was some-

July 5, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

15

thing out of the common in the Tasmanian strain.
It is quite correct that all our Chrysanthemums
are grown out of doors in the open garden ; the cli-
mate here suits them admirably, and I am of
opinion that they can be grown to much
greater perfection here. Several growers have
tried the cutting-down plan witli good results this
season. Mrs. Alpheus Hardy has just flowered
here, and it is attracting a good deal of atttention ;
the flower is decidedly a novelty, but small as yet.
— W. M'G., Superintendent Public Gardens, Laun-
ceston, Tasmania, May in.

MANIPULATING THE BRANCHES.
I have started to grow Chrysanthemums on the
single stem, and would like to know how I am to pro-
cure the best blooms. I have read several articles
on the Chrysanthemum, but I do not understand
about the taking of the bud on the single bloom
system. I now have some very fine plants, and
have kept all the laterals that have broken pinched
off, except the two at the top of the plant. Shall I
leave them or rub them off '. — An Amatetje.

%* The cause of the first natural break is the
formation of a flower-bud in the point of growth,
and during its formation growth is temporarily
checked. In a few days lateral growths will
burst from each node or eye below and next to the
bud in the point of the shoot. These grow very
quickly and need prompt action in their removal
or retention. When these lateral growths are 2
inches long, it should be determined how many
blooms each plant is to carry. The general rule
amongst leading cultivators is to allow every plant
to develop three flowers, so that the same number
of branches is required, as one flower only is allowed
upon each branch. "Where the finest exhibition
flowers are in request, three is a safe number to
retain. The difference in the time each plant
makes its natural break is governed by the variety,
some being earlier than others and at various
heights. Whereas Avalanche will break when from
1 foot to 18 inches high, Mme. C, Audiguier will
not break until 4 feet and sometimes more of
growth has been made by the single stem. As a
rule, from the early part of May to the middle of
June is the time when most sorts make their first
natural break. The bud is rubbed out as soon as
seen, three of the most promising shoots — those
nearest the top — allowed to grow, and all the
others pinched off ; thus the whole energy of the
plant is concentrated in those selected. These in
time produce another bud in the point of
growth, and from these buds the blooms in
many cases are developed according to the va-
riety and the time the flowers are required. The
bud just named is called amongst growers the
crown bud ; many of these will form early in
August, others at the end of the month, and some
not until the first part of September. Such late
flowering sorts as Boule d'Or and Meg Merrilies, for
instance, will develop their flowers from the early
part to the middle of November if the crown buds
show at the time named. Early flowering varieties,
as, for instance, the Japanese Elaine and the
Queen family in the incurved section, would be
much too early should they form buds at the time
first named. In this case the bud must be removed
and all subsequent growths, except the leading
one ; this in time will form another bud, which is
called the " terminal," and is far the best for
obtaining perfect blooms, especially in the southern
counties. At all times during the growth of the
plants surplus shoots are sure to be formed at
some part or other of the plant ; these must be
promptly removed, as they are useless and only
tend to rob the plant of energies that ought to be
concentrated in the selected growths. Some per-
sons allow these superfluous shoots to extend 6
inches or more before removing them; this is a
mistake; cut them off at once.— E. Molyxeux.

The Celery fly (Tephritis onopordinis), com-
monly called the Celery leaf miner, is very trouble-
some during the months of May and June, the
latter especially, and if left unmolested it quickly

disfigures the leaves of the plants, commencing
generally near the bottom and quickly extending
upwards. The maggot can easily be seen under
the skin of the leaves, where it secretes itself and
quickly destroys the tissues. Tobacco water is
said to rid the plants of this insect if thoroughly
wetted all over, but I fail to see how this can be.
The only remedy known to me is hand-picking,
which must be persisted in. Either squeeze that
part of the leaf where the maggot is seen or pick
the insect out with the point of a knife. — E. M.

MARKET GARDEN NOTES.
Cassations.— The culture for profit of these has
increased wonderfully within the last few years,
and when well done I doubt if there is anything
grown for market at the present time that pays
better. To give an idea of the demand for Carna-
tions now, I may mention the case of a Middlesex
grower who has one house upwards of 300 feet long
and wide in proportion filled with Carnations in
bloom. Very few kinds are, however, favoured
by market growers, the house in question being
filled exclusively with the old Souvenir, Miss
Joliffe, Alegatiere, and Pride of Penshurst, the first
and last-named forming the bulk of the collection.
Good blooms of Souvenir de la Malmaison have
been making as much as a shilling each, and even
now are worth 6s. per dozen.

Orchids. — I am acquainted with one large
grower of cut blooms for the London market who
has about 2000 Odontoglossum Alexandra; besides
Cattleyas and other showy kinds cultivated for the
production of flowers that are disposed of in
Covent Garden Market, This shows that there is a
steady demand for Orchid blooms, but it is only fan-
to state that in this instance Orchid culture was
first begun as a hobby by the principal of the firm
who personally conducts the various operations
connected with their culture. Questioned as to
whether they paid, the reply was that it is supposed
they do so, the prices obtained for the blooms being
sufficiently high to warrant that assumption. As
that market garden contains about S0,000 super-
ficial feet of glass filled with various kinds of plants
grown for cut bloom, it is difficult to accurately
gauge the profits or otherwise of any one par-
ticular thing, but I think it may be taken for
granted that with a judicious selection of kinds
and the best culture Orchids will pay to grow
for cut bloom as well as other plants cultivated for
that purpose. Then, again, as the grower above-
mentioned said, " the plants increase in value from
year to year," which is not the case with many
things that furnish cut blooms for the London
markets, so that at any time if their culture is re-
linquished from any cause there will be nothing
lost, but the contrary on the original outlay.
This is a fact that should be borne in mind by
those who may be inclined to try this particular
phase of Orchid culture. Ishouldnot myself hesitate
to grow Odontoglossums for this purpose, as there
is not so much expense in keeping them through the
cold months as is the case with many other kinds —
not more, indeed, than is required for Cyclamens or
Roses, and not nearly so much as such things as
Gardenias, Callas, &c", demand to bring them on.
Nearly all plants grown in pots have to be re-
potted once, many of them twice a year, and
Orchids are content with being attended to but
once annually in this way. In the matter of water-
ing, there is not half the labour required for cool
house Orchids, that are to be kept free from the
direct influence of the sun and at a low temperature
through the hot months of the year, as with plants
that must experience the ripening influence of the
sun to a large extent to render them capable of
yielding a good supply of bloom. Take Bouvardias,
"for instance ; the attention in watering in summer
is in their ca?e a very serious item, and must help
to lower materially the profit desirable from their
culture.

STRAWBERRIES.— The early gatherings from the
neighbourhood of Southampton have again had the
effect of shortening, or at least of seriously affect-
ing the season of indoor fruit. So early as the first

week in June, fruit from there came into the
London markets, when constant firing must be
resorted to in the neighbourhood of London to get
it ripe. It is true that these very early gatherings are
poor in quality, and perhaps do not much affect the
first class samples of hothouse produce, but only
high class Strawberries can escape their influence,
and when they come in rather plentifully they
lower the value of indoor fruit very considerably.
Take this year as an instance. On June 14, good
samples made (is. per lb. in Covent Garden, then
came two hot days, and the price dropped in three
days to 3s. per lb. It is the very large area now
devoted to this fruit in that warm district that
works the mischief with growers not so favourably
placed. I am told that in one district alone near
Southampton as many Strawberries are grown as
in the whole of Kent. I doubt if there is much
exaggeration in this statement, seeing how large the
quantity is that comes into the London markets so
early in the season. Where hundreds of acres
are grown, a large bulk of fruit is soon made by only
picking a berry here and there. At the present time
(June 18) these Strawberries are making only 9d.per
lb. for the best samples, whilst many are being sold
at 2^d. per lb., a lower price by far than used to be
obtained for the earlier gatherings in the neigh-
bourhood of London a few years ago. Here in Surrey
I used to make, less than ten years ago, Is. per
lb. of the first gatherings sent to Covent Garden.
The fact is the Hampshire growers have overdone
the thing. Led on by the higher prices of from Is.
to 2s. per lb. several years ago. they have increased
the area to such an extent that the markets are
glutted quite early in the season, with a consequent
drop in price. Half or one quarter of the quantity
now grown would give better returns, as there is
quite as much expense in producing Strawberries
at 3d. as at Is. per lb. Consumers of this fruit
benefit by this early abundant supply, the season
being lengthened by quite a fortnight. Grow-
ing plants in pots to fruit in the first fortnight
of June can no longer pay. It was difficult
to get 5s. per lb. for good fruit in the middle of
May. and few market growers now attempt to get
any before that time, there being little or no de-
mand during April. Thus the season of the Straw-
berry grower under glass has been reduced to a
very small compass indeed. Early fruit is not
wanted, and the later portion of the season is cur-
tailed by the abundant outdoor supplies. Then,
again, Strawberry culture under glass has been
wonderfully extended during the last few years, so
that there is really no chance cf making at any
portion of the season what maybe teimed goocl
prices. It is only by high culture that even a fair
price can now be obtained.— J. C, Hyt'ctt.

The season thus far has been highly

favourable for vegetable crops cf all kinds, and
the fields now present a most luxuriant appear-
ance, as abundance of rain has fallen. We now
want sunshine to solidify the growth, as under
the influence of cool, moist weather the amount
of leaf-growth is excessive, and the abundant pre-
mise is generally illusory with root crops when
the time for lifting arrives, unless there has been a
fair amount of sunshine during the season of
growth.

Potatoes of all the first early kinds are now be-
ing sent to market in quantity, Ashleaf Kidney
and Sharpe's Victor being the leading kinds for
quality, but where bulk is required Early Rose and
pink and white Beauty of Hebron are the best,
Although the prices obtainable for open-air grown
Potatoes are by no means high, owing to the large
importations of foreign and Channel Island pro-
duce, there is still a rush to get the early crops into
market in order to make room for other things.

Peas are a good crop, but the pods do not fill up
very quickly. The kinds that grow moderately high
are selected by market growers, but even the
dwarfest are growing taller than usual owing to
heavy rains lately.

Cauliflowers of the Early London variety are
just coming in and realise fair prices ; successional
crops are being put out, the season being very
favourable for planting.

16

THE GARDEN.

[July 5, 1890.

Scarlet Runner and dwarf Beans are being sown
for late crops, as they prove more remunerative
than early ones in many seasons. The early-sown
crops have been much infested with slugs. Turnips
are being sown in quantity for main crops. The
American Red Top and White Snowball are fa-
vourite market sorts. The early-sown crops are now
in good condition. Carrots, Parsnips, Beet, and
other root crops look remarkably well, the seed
having germinated well and the growth being very
regular.

In the feuit gaeden the principal work is
picking green Gooseberries, which are an excellent
crop generally. Prices are low, but, as a rule, Goose-
berries pay better when sold in a green than in a ripe
state ; when the crop is heavy, picking a portion at
this date allows the rest to swell off to a large size.
Strawberry picking is now going on, but at present
the fruit is ripening slowly and irregularly, the
plants having made a deal of leaf growth. The
amount of sunshine being very small for June, the
samples that have come into market have thus far
been deficient in colour. Currants (Red, White, and
Black) look well in this locality, and Raspberries
promise well, the showery season being highly fa-
vourable for light soils. The foliage of all kinds of
fruit trees and bushes is remarkably healthy and
vigorous ; but, collectively, the crops are once more
very disappointing. — J. Geoom, Gosjwrt.

Public Gardens.

A new park for Maidenhead. — The Mayor
of Maidenhead, Mr. James D. M. Pearce, recently
offered, at a meeting of several gentlemen and lead-
ing tradesmen of the town, to hand over his Kid-
wells Park estate to the borough for a recreation
and pleasure ground. The park, 12 acres in ex-
tent, is situated in the heart of the town, and is
worth £1000 an acre. The munificent offer was
accepted, and a trust appointed in accordance with
the deed of gift.

Proposed extension of Peckham Eye Com-
mon.— It is proposed to extend this common, and
a few days ago a number of the members of the
County Council proceeded to Peckham Rye to view
the proposed extention of nearly fifty acres, con-
sisting for the most part of beautifully wooded
land, towards the cost of which the Council are
asked to contribute £19,000, the Camberwell Vestry
having already promised £20,000. The price of the
land is not extravagant, and there are few districts
in London more densely populated than the neigh-
bourhood of Peckham Rye. On Saturday after-
noons and Sundays it is thronged with people. We
hope that the money will be forthcoming, as in
such a place a large open space is most essential
for health.

Playing fields for London.— The committee
which has for some months been considering the
question of the improvement and further provision
of playing fields, as distinguished from ornamental
open spaces for the people of London, have ascer-
tained that there is most urgent pressure on the
public grounds where cricket and football are
allowed. As an example, it is mentioned that for
the use of thirty-two pitches at Victoria Park on
June 14, sixty-nine applications were received ; on
an average there is only about half an acre for each
game. The committee recommend a scheme under
which certain portions of public spaces at present
too rough for games might be laid down as cricket
pitches ; where these are not available, they pro-
pose that suitable fields should be hired, and simi-
larly prepared. To carry out these proposals for
the ensuing season a sum of not less than £10,000 is
wanted at the outset, and they now appeal to the
public for funds to begin the work. Subscriptions
may be sent to Mr. E. N. Buxton, Knighton, Buck-
hurst Hill, Essex; or to the bankers, Messrs. Bar-
clay, Ransom and Co., 1, Pall Mall East, W., "for
the London Playing Fields Committee." This is a
necessary scheme. Cricket, as now played in many
of the parks, is dangerous by reason of the short
distances between the several pitches. To play the
game safely and properly, there must be sufficient

space, which is or supposed to be regulated by
those who are responsible for the welfare of the
parks. The acquirement of playing fields set apart
for cricket and football alone would relieve the
strain on the parks.

Societies and Exhibitions.

ROYAL AQUARIUM— EXHIBITION OF ROSES.
The exhibition of Roses at the Royal Aquarium on
Friday last (June 27) was not the least important
show of the season. Roses were there in plenty,
also other hardy flowers in competition for the
prizes offered, and a splendid display of Straw-
berries, under the auspices of the British Fruit
Growers' Association. Then it was the occasion of
the first exhibition of the National Pink Society, so
that visitors had a rich floral feast of a varied
kind. The show lasted two days, but the Roses
were for the most part removed on Friday evening.

The Roses.

There were twenty-four classes for these, and
throughout the competition was unusually keen ;
the flowers fresh and of high quality, especially
those of the Tea section. That delightful Tea Rose
Comtesse de Nadaillac-was as fine as we have ever
seen it, and such later acquisitions as Mme. Hoste
and Cleopatra were there in full freshness and
beauty. The largest class was for forty-eight dis-
tinct varieties, single trusses, and here Mr. B. R.
Cant, of Colchester, was first, exhibiting lovely
blooms of the varieties Mme. Hoste, the new Cleo-
patra, Innocente Pirola, Mme. Willermoz among
the Teas ; and Mme. Gabriel Luizet, Susanne- Marie
Rodocanachi, Viscountess Folkestone, Boieldieu, and
Ulrich Brunner of the Hybrid Perpetuals. The
variety Ulrich Brunner is again one of the finest
Hybrid Perpetuals of the season ; it is a thoroughly
constant Rose, never failing even in bad years to
give characteristic flowers. In the second prize
box of the English Fruit and Rose Company many
good blooms were exhibited. There was the same
sharp competition in the class for thirty-six blooms,
and here the Wiltshire flowers of Messrs. Keynes,
Williams and Co., Salisbury, won the first place.
Her Majesty was finely shown by this firm, also
Ulrich Brunner, Etienne Levet, Duke of Edinburgh,
Catherine Mermet, the exquisite Mme. de Watte-
ville, and Amazone, a beautiful flower in the bud,
and deep lemon-yellow in colour. Messrs. G. Cool-
ing and Sons, Bath, were second. The classes for
three trusses always make a finer show than the
single flowers, and several splendid triplets were
exhibited in the class for twenty-four varieties,
three trusses of each. It would be difficult to
surpass the blooms from Mr. B. R. Cant, especially
those of Ulrich Brunner, Her Majesty, General
Jacqueminot, Souvenir d'Elise, Merveille de Lyon,
Duke of Edinburgh, Dupuy Jamain, Francois
Michelon. A. K. Williams, and Innocente Pirola ;
the English Fruit and Rose Company (Cranston's),
Hereford, was second. These three classes made
quite a show of themselves, but the effect of a mass
of rich colour was spoilt by the rather scattered
arrangement of the several exhibits. It would have
been better if the boxes had been closer together,
foliage plants or Ferns dividing the classes.

Tea varieties were largely shown, and some of
the flowers were in fullest character. In the nur-
serymen's division Mr. G. Prince was the first prize-
winner in the class for eighteen kinds, three trusses
of each. In a few instances they were damaged by
rain, but such kinds as The Bride, Princess of
Wales, Souvenir de S. A. Prince, Catherine Mermet,
Comtesse de Nadaillac (splendid), Rubens, and
Cleopatra were of faultless quality. In the second
prize box of Mr. B. R. Cant that highly coloured
Tea Luciole was conspicuous; it is one of Guillot's
acquisitions, and bright carmine-rose in colour,
shaded with orange in the centre, the outer surface
of the sepals tinted with bronzy red. The order of
prize-winning was reversed in the class for eighteen
Teas, single trusses. Here Mr. B. R. Cant was at
the top with superb blooms of Catherine Mermet
and Souvenir d'un Ami.

The amateurs appeared in strong force. The
principal class was for thirty-six single trusses,
Mr. G. Jordan, gardener to the Rev. H. A. Berners,
Harkstead Rectory, Ipswich, winning the first prize.
Ulrich Brunner was again of great merit, also
Heinrich Schultheis, Anna Ollivier, Duke of Teck,
Mme. J. Laing, a Rose that has fulfilled its rich
promises ; Francois Michelon, Duke of Edinburgh,
Mme. Cusin, and Crown Prince. There was not
much difference between the first and second prize-
winners. Mr. J J. Bradbury, gardener to Mr. S.
Budd, Larkhall, Bath, exhibited charming flowers.
There was the same keen contest for the awards
in the class for twenty-four single trusses, those
from the Rev. A. Foster Melliar, Sproughton Rec-
tory, Ipswich, being delightfully fresh and rich in
colour. Three uncommon kinds were shown in
excellent condition. One was Germaine Caillot,
a pearly white Tea, with just a salmon tint in the
centre, and another, Rosieristc Jacobs, a rich red
flower sent out by Ducher in 1880; it is handsome
when in good character. The carmine-red-coloured
Mrs. Baker was also well shown. The second prize
box of the Rev. J. H. Pemberton, Havering, Rom-
ford, contained a good bloom of Auguste Rigotard.
Several competitors entered for the prizes in the
class for twelve Roses, distinct, single trusses ; the
first place was filled by Mr. Ernest Wilkins, Sutton,
who showed the brilliant shining scarlet-flowered
Countess of Rosebery, Mme. Gabriel Luizet, and
Dupuy Jamain in splendid character. In the cor-
responding class for three trusses of flowers, Mr.
E. B. Lindsell, Bearton, Hitchin, was first, his finest
blooms being those of Dupuy Jamain, Mons.
Noman, Mrs. J. Laing, Duke of Wellington, and
Marquise de Castellane.

Tea varieties were shown unusually well by ama-
teurs ; but in such a place as the Aquarium much
of that delicacy of tone characteristic of the
flowers is lost. Anna Ollivier, one of the finest of
its section, and Mme. Bravy, very pretty in its
blush shade, were well exhibited by the Rev. F. R.
Burnside, Birch Vicarage, Hereford, the second
prize going to Mr. J. Jordan, who was first out of
nine competitors in the class for twelve Tea va-
rieties, single trusses. Mme. de Watteville, Amazone,
The Bride, and Princess of Wales were faultless.

It is the classes for twelve single trusses of any
Rose, in certain colours, that make the most inter-
esting display. There was an unusually sharp
competition, and in the first and second prize boxes
the flowers were superb. In the class for twelve
blooms of any yellow Rose, the Rev. F. R. Burnside
exhibited Anna Ollivier, a Rose too well known to
need comment ; and Mr. S. G. Rumsey, Wrotham,
Kent, who was second, had the same flower, but
much paler in colour, and without the charming
rose tint. The white Roses brought twelve com-
petitors, no small number, when it is remembered
that this is the first Rose show held at the Aqua-
rium. Mr. B. R. Cant exhibited Innocente Pirola,
and was placed first ; Messrs. Keynes, AVilliams and
Co., who were second, showing Niphetos. The
crimson-coloured blooms made a rich show. A. K.
Williams was the winning flower, being shown of
excellent quality by Mr. B. R. Cant ; while not far
removed were the flowers of Ulrich Brunner, from
Messrs. D. Prior and Son, Colchester. The class for
single trusses of any Hybrid Perpetual usually
tells the finest all round flower of the year ; and if
Ulrich Brunner is to be of the same matchless
quality as shown by the English Fruit and Rose
Company on Friday last, then it will certainly again
take a foremost position. Every bloom was perfect.
Messrs. Cooling and Son exhibited the variety Mrs.
John Laing. The corresponding class for Tea
flowers brought many entries, but nothing could
eclipse the twelve blooms of Comtesse de Nadaillac
from Mr. G. Prince. There were also classes for
Moss or Provence Roses ; and bouquets, baskets,
and epergnes of the same flower. The bouquets
were in the usual lumpy style, but the baskets were
tasteful, especially the first prize exhibit from
Messrs. Perkins and Sons, Coventry ; while a prettily
arranged epergne was that from Mr. J. R. Chard
made up with Grasses and soft-coloured Roses.

Miscellaneous.— The Roses were shown clr'efly
in the St. Stephen's Hall, but in the main building

Jolt 5, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

17

there were the miscellaneous classes. The most im-
portant was for a collection of cut hardy flowers,
and one of the most charming displays we have
seen this season was that from Messrs. Paul and
Son, Cheshunt ; it included the best things in sea-
son now, and a mass of the large, bell-flowered
Campanula persicifolia alba grandiflora. Messrs.
Paul were placed first also for a collection of
herbaceous Preonies, comprising such brilliant
flowers as Constant Deveret, deep crimson, a splen-
did colour. Messrs. Barr and Son exhibited the
best Irises, these consisting of principally the
English and Spanish varieties.

Roses not for competition were shown by Mr.
W. Rumsey, Waltharn Cross, who had a large
collection of cut flowers in boxes, also a group of
pot plants. The flowers were delightfully fresh
and varied. The English Fruit and Rose Growers'
Company sent cut flowers of many kinds, com-
prising Moss, Tea, and Hybrid Perpetual varieties.
Messrs. Paul and Son, Cheshunt, exhibited fancy
Pansies and new Roses, also a bunch of flowers of
Rose LTdeal, a highly coloured flower, brilliant
orange-scarlet, shaded with yellow. A miscel-
laneous collection of Roses came from the Rev.
J. H. Pemberton, Havering, Romford, comprising a
delightful series of old-fashioned kinds that we
should like to see more common in gardens ; there
were the white R. rugosa, the old striped Damask,
Austrian Brier, and a selection of PolyantUa types.
Mr. C. E. Cuthell, Dorking, sent a rich variety of
kinds, as that pretty Tea Rose in the bud, Mme.
C. Guinoisseau, Comtesse de Frigneuse (yellow,
very pointed bud), Ma Capucine, Luciole, Hebe's
Lip, &c. Mr. W. Tayler also exhibited Roses. A
charming group of Lilies, chiefly varieties of
Liliuni auratum and L. umbellatum, was put up by
Mr. TV. Gordon, Twickenham ; and Messrs. Ryder
and Son, Sale, Manchester, sent double and single
tuberous Begonias and Pinks. One variety, called
Souvenir de Sale, is a well shaped flower, bold, and
light lavender in colour. A collection of hardy
flowers and Roses came from Messrs. Cheal and
Sons, Crawley.

The display of seedling border Pinks by Messrs.
Sutton and Sons, Reading, was noticeable. The
plants were large and full of bloom, the seed
having been sown in February, 1889. One with a
white flower and crimson base to the petals was
exceedingly pretty, but there was a variety of
colours. The same firm exhibited the fibrous-
rooted Begonia Fairy Queen, a neat pink-flowered
variety for bedding, and Gloxinia Her Majesty,
a bold white-flowered variety.

A list of prizes is given in the advertisement
columns.

THE PINK SOCIETY.
Fiest Show.
The National Pink Society was founded last au-
tumn with the object of reviving and encouraging
the cultivation of the florists' laced Pinks and the
garden border kinds. The result of the labours of
the committee, with Mr. E.R. Johnson, 90, Harley-
ford Road, S.E., as secretary, was a show of the
flower at the Royal Aquarium, Westminster, on
Friday last. There was not a large display. It
could not be expected, but the commencement was
encouraging, even though there were practically
but two exhibitors. Those who have the welfare of
the Pink at heart must look, however, beyond mere
laced varieties. These are beautiful in their way,
like many of the bizarre and flaked Carnations, but
it is only the enthusiastic few that care whether
the lacing forms a " solid line round the petals."
The judges' rules are of the usual type. The stan-
dard of " perfection " set up would have delighted
Glenny of old, especially such an order as this for
the " shape and size of flower."

When dressed for exhibition it should he well filled
with petals without any appearance of confusion, and
no flower should contain less than twenty petals.

The italics are ours. Here we have dressing
b jldly encouraged. The exhibitor is even told that
the flower should be stripped of every petal above
twenty, and in this mangled condition, after a pro-
cess of surgery, it is considered a legitimate bloom.

The dresser's art had not been neglected on Fri
day, nor is the exhibitor likely to ignore the
tweezers when he is told they must be used if vic-
tory is desired. Every laced flower with one or
two exceptions was dressed in such a way,
that we believe only the stiff style of exhibiting
singly on a flat board and without an inch of stem
visible held the petals together. If the society in-
sists on advocating this kind of flower manipula-
tion we hope this will be the last show it
will hold. The garden border Pinks were not un-
represented on Friday, but they were not well
shown. Each flower was wired and placed at a set
distance apart from its neighbour in the orthodox
florist's style. Such exhibiting is repugnant to those
who want to see the true beauty of the flower, and
not a bloom with a stiff stem twisted round with
wire, which effectually destroys light, shade, and
freedom.

Encourage the raising of good hardy border
kinds, of which, in the white-flowered varieties
Mrs. Sinkins is a good type, and much good will
accrue to our gardens and flower lovers generally
Even if we did hear more of the strictly laced
varieties in which the lacing is laid on with
mathematical precision, the cultivators would
increase very little, and the prizes always fall into
the hands of three or four men, as at the Carnation
and Picotee Society's show. Such exhibitions are
simply the displays of a few private growers.

What is wanted is direct encouragement to border
Pinks of good distinct self colours, or fine shades,
hardy, vigorous, and standing well through the
winter, like the old common white. Such a flower
if non-splitting in the calyx would rejoice the
hearts of the market growers, as well as those who
want sturdy garden flowers. The laced varieties
are not the easiest plants to grow. Undue care is
essential to develop the " lacing," so precious in
the eyes of the florist, and the plants are apt to
suffer from vicissitudes of weather, besides giving
few presentable blooms. Many of the flowers shown
on Friday seemed as if produced under glass, judg-
ing by a purity of colour, spotlessness, and fresh-
ness scarcely possible on blooms cut from plants
in the open ground.

The chief prize-winner was Mr. C. Turner, of
Slough, and the size of the blooms, their regular
marking and symmetry showed that this firm has
lost none of its art in growing this florist's flower.
The collection of twenty-four laced blooms was by far
the best, though in other classes Mr. F. Hooper, of
Bath, was not many points behind. Mr. Turner's
finest flowers were Boiard (which he showed well
throughout, though evidently highly dressed),
Minerva, The Rector, Hebe, Excelsior, Modesty,
Harry Hooper, Empress of India, Eurydice, and
Rosy Gem. Mr. Turner was again first for twelve
blooms, not less than six varieties, Boiard again,
for breadth, size, and colour, arresting attention.
He was also first for six flowers, and in the follow-
ing class for six, not less than three varieties. Mr.
Turner was, however, beaten for garden border
Pinks, Mr. F. Hooper, Bath, winning the prize for
beautiful flowers of the new white Pink Her
Majesty, of which we hope to give a coloured
plate. He also exhibited Oliver, white, with a rich
crimson base to the petals, and Sissy, a lovely
purple-rose shade, the base of a deeper colour.
Mr. Hooper was also first for six bunches, distinct,
and in this collection he had such varieties as
Ada, white, the base deep crimson, and Flirt, pink,
but with a purple-rose-coloured edge to the petals.
An extra prize was given to Mr. Turner for a
collection set up with their own foliage, and if the
flowers had not been so stiffly arranged this would
have made a pretty exhibit. Mr. Turner had
the best bunch of garden border Pinks, any colour,
showing a posy of the old favourite Anne Boleyn,
a very rich and handsome variety. Mr. Hooper
had the finest bunch of white Pinks, composed of
Her Majesty, for which he also received a first-
class certificate. Flowers of the variety Lord
Lyons, a well known garden favourite, were shown
by Mr. Turner.

Special prizes were offered for three flowers of
any laced Pink seedling not in commerce. Mr.

Turner was first with blooms of the variety The
Rector, white, with a bright crimson-purple margin,
which was also given a first-class certificate. Mr.
Turner was also first for the best stand of distinct
laced Pinks.

There were a few miscellaneous exhibits. Mr.
Hooper showed three boxes of cut flowers and
twelve bunches of Pink Her Majesty, and Mr.
E. R. Johnson a collection of flowers from plants
grown in the open 1\ miles from Westminster ;
they were far smaller than the dressed specimens,
but sufficiently good to exhibit. Mr. J. Crocker,
of Torquay, also showed a collection of flowers,
and Mr, Joseph Lakin, Oxford, sent a seedling
Pink named Mrs. Lakin. It has a fine pure white
petal. Mr. W. Wardill, Luton, Bedford, had seed-
ling Pinks and white Carnations.

BOTANIC EVENING FETE.
The annual fete of the Royal Botanic Society was
held on Wednesday evening last, when the grounds
were, as usual, splendidly illuminated with coloured
lamps and devices. The warm summer weather
brought a company of about 10,000 visitors, and the
gardens have seldom presented a more festive scene.
The decorations seemed more profuse than last
year, and everything would have passed off success-
fully but for a drenching downpour of rain late in
the evening, which extinguished half the little
lamps and caused a general stampede. There was
a large assortment of bouquets and arrangements
of various kinds in the tent, made exceedingly
bright and picturesque by a number of standard
lamps, and the corridor was also filled with flowers.
In this division there were sprays, bouquets, and
sideboard decorations, but there was little to call
for special mention. A collection of sprays from
Messrs. Perkins and Sons, Coventry, showed taste
in the arrangement, but a flat mass of Pansy
blooms must have been exhibited for the purpose
of showing how to spoil a flower by jamming as
many blooms as possible on a given surface. Ice-
land Poppies were gracefully used, and good bou-
quets were those from Mr. Chard, Stoke New-
ington. The table decorations filled a large
space. One arranged with seaweed and shells was
pretty, but the majority were far too crowded with
material, either glass or flowers, with tall lumpy
epergnes in the centre. One with feathery Grass
and Dog Daisies was light and elegant, also one of
white Pinks. The first prize was given to an elabo-
rate affair, costing much labour and expense, no
doubt, but poor in conception. The principal
groups comprised a charming collection of Crotons
and Ferns, delightfully set up, from Mr. H. B. May,
of Edmonton, besides Mignonette, and a large dis-
play of Caladiums intermixed with Gloxinias from
Messrs. Hooper and Co., Maida Vale. Hardy
flowers in rich variety came from Messrs. Barr and
Son, Covent Garden, and flower-holders, Roses,
and other flowers from Messrs. Cheal and Sons, of
Crawley. A very large group of the Night-scented
Tobacco (Nicotiana affinis) was made by Mr. W. A.
Clingo, the plants filling the air with perfume. It
is a lovely thing for evening decorations, as then
the blooms are fully open.

We understand it is one of the most successful
fetes the society has held, and this must be grati-
fying, considering the uncertain and stormy weather
for midsummer.

Rose shows at Sutton and Croydon.— A

correspondent sends the following: The Sutton
Rose exhibition, which was held on Tuesday, July 1,
was well supported by most of the leading rosarians.
Some exceptionally fine flowers were sent, the Hy-
brid Perpetuals of Mr. Frank Cant and Messrs.
Paul and Son, and the Teajarieties of Messrs. Frank
Cant and G. Prince, of "Oxford, being above the
average, especiallythe Tea-scented flowers. Amongst
the amateurs, Messrs. Wilkins, Lindsell, Slaughter,
F. C. Pawle, C. J. Grahame, Percy Burnand, and
the Rev. A. Cheales were the principal winners.
The local cup was won again by Mr. Malcholm, and
now becomes his property. The Croydon show was
very fine, and held on Wednesday, July 2. The
amateurs were in especially strong form, and the

18

THE GARDEN.

[July 5, 1890.

competitions large, also in many cases very close.
More than usual interest was taken in the competi-
tion for the large cup open to all England, which,
after a close contest, was won by Mr. Brown, gar-
dener to Mrs. Waterlow, Eeigate. By a curious
coincidence the second and third prizes were
won by Messrs. T. B. Heywood and R. E. "West,
both Eeigate amateurs. Mr. Brown took in addi-
tion to the cup three other first prizes and three
medals for the best Hybrid Perpetual triplets, the
best twelve of one variety (Mrs. John Laing) and
for twelve Teas. Mr. Charles Grahame, of Croydon,
also took the local cup, four first prizes, and three
silver medals, including the N.R.S. medal for the
best Rose, Her Majesty.

BRITISH FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION.
This association, promoted to encourage fruit cul-
ture, held an exhibition of Strawberries, and a
conference on the same, in connection with the
Rose show at the Royal Aquarium on Friday last.
The display was in the St. Stephens' Hall, and the
meeting was held in the same uncomfortable
building.

The show of fruit was excellent, considering
the earliness of the date and the stormy weather
of the few previous days. The exhibit that most
struck the popular eye was the show of the variety
Marguerite, made by Mr. Thomas Sharpe, Virginia
Water. The fruits were of immense size, rich colour,
and most tempting ; but size is not everything.
They are woolly and without the sparkling flavour
of such a kind as British Queen. Marguerite is
a French variety, and the fruits have been known
to weigh as much as 3A ounces each. The same
exhibitor showed several of the leading Straw-
berries, all fine fruits, especially of British Queen,
Sir Joseph Paxton, and a seedling called Alice
Maud, which, judging from the bearing plants, is
a very productive type, the fruits of rich crimson
colour and medium size. We cannot speak of its
flavour. Mr. Sharpe also exhibited boxes and baskets
used for packing Strawberries for market. Plants
of the Marguerite variety were also sent to show
its productiveness. Mr. J. Watkins, Pomona Farm,
near Hereford, sent fourteen varieties of Straw-
berries, and the fruits were good, though this is re-
ported a bad season in Hereford. The varieties
were Sharpless, The Captain, one of Laxton's intro-
ductions ; Comte de Paris, a large fruit, very deep in
colour, and a favourite for market, but not so good
in quality as might be desired ; Stirling Castle, deep
crimson ; Prescott's Improved, or Barnes' Prolific,
a great cropper and famous Lancashire Strawberry ;
and Auguste Nicaise, a thoroughly useful Straw-
berry, of which we have heard much recently in
The Gaeden. Mr. Thomas Laxton, Bedford,
showed splendid fruits of twelve varieties, mostly
of his own raising, as A. F. Barron, Noble, Com-
mander, and The Captain, besides Barnes' Prolific
and Macmahon, a cross between Noble and Presi-
dent, a very richly coloured fruit of large size. An
excellent collection of fruit came from Mr. W.Bates,
Poulett Lodge, Twickenham ; the varieties were
Noble, Sir Joseph Paxton, James Veitch, and Lucas,
an excellent Strawberry, good bearer, bright scar-
let colour, and of pleasant flavour. Mr. Henry Rige-
well, Histon Road, near Cambridge, contributed
six baskets of the variety Sir Joseph Paxton, packed
as for market, and a seedling of promise, besides
fruits of several kinds that are not known well ex-
cept in certain localities. Marguerite was repre-
sented, also Pauline, a long, very deep crimson
fruit ; Unser Fritz, Auguste Nicaise, Countess,
Eleanor, and a collection of Gooseberries. Mr.
Allis, Old Warden Park, Biggleswade, showed
Noble and Marguerite in excellent condition : and
Mr. Wythes sent a collection of several kinds.
Very fine dishes of the old Vicomtesse Heri-
cart de Thury came from Mr. E. Butt, Leigham
Court Gardens, Streatham Hill, and the Noble
from Messrs. Read and Son. A very interesting
exhibit was the plate of fruits of the Grove
End Scarlet, a small bright scarlet fruit, and a
variety of the Hautbois, from Mr. W. Tayler,
Hampton, who also showed Sir Charles Napier and
President. Mr. Webber contributed several samples

of Strawberries from various counties ; and Messrs.
H. Cannell and Sons, Swanley, magnificent fruits
of Sir Joseph Paxton, grown at Eynsford for market,
and Marguerite. The object was to show the way
in which the fruits are sent to market from Kent.
No packing is used, and the rim of the basket is
turned inwards an inch or two, so that the
baskets can be placed on the top of each other
without injury to the fruit. Lucas and James
Veitch were well exhibited amongst other kinds by
Messrs. Saltmarsh and Son, Chelmsford, while
Messrs. Paul and Son, t'heshunt, showed Pauline,
Grosse Sucree, King of the Earlies, and Com-
mander. The Kent county was well represented
by Messrs. G. Bunyard and Co., of Maidstone, who
exhibited such varieties as Grosse Sucree, Noble,
and the luscious Keen's Seedling. A good exhibit
consisted of unusually fine fruits of Sir Joseph
Paxton and Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, from
Mr. C. J. Goldsmith, gardener to Mr. C. Waterlow,
High Trees, Redhill. Messrs. Cheal, of Crawley,
showed fruits of Sir J. Paxton and Marguerite.

It is impossible to suit all growers. For some the
show was too early, and for others too late, but the
results must have been gratifying to those respon-
sible for the exhibition. Forty varieties were re-
presented for out of doors.

The Confebence.

This commenced at 5 p.m., and brought together
a large number of growers of the Strawberry, but
the noise in the hall prevented some of the speakers
being heard to advantage. It is distressing to have
to listen in a big, draughty building, with the mur-
mur of voices disturbing the lectures. The chair
was taken by Mr. F. Rivers, who mentioned that
two years had elapsed since the first meeting of the
association at the Crystal Palace, and the continued
meetings show that the work has not been fruitless.
He then dwelt on orchards, and remarked that it
may be assumed that the thirty years allotted to a
generation of man may also be taken as the proper
life of an orchard. It is part of our business to
urge upon all the importance of the restoration of
our farm orchards. The interests of landlord and
tenant not only of this generation, but of those who
are to succeed are intimately bound up with this
matter, but these interests will not be served by
planting a few trees in a grass orchard and leaving
them to grow without further attention. A small
orchard on land carefully selected, well cultivated,
and well fenced will be more profitable than a
grass orchard of larger acreage planted with stan-
dard trees, and supposed to last for a hundred
years. Every farmer knows the extreme difficulty
of protecting trees from stock, and as he usually
finds a farm in which the trees are old and rugged
enough to serve as rubbing posts for cattle, he is
inclined to leave things as they are. I hope and
am sure that some day a thorough and beneficial
change will be made in orchard planting, and that
all farms will have properly cultivated fruit gardens
in which orchard fruit will have its share, but no
more, as the land will give annual and certain crops
of Strawberries, Currants, Gooseberries, &c, which
will always reward the cultivator when the Apples
fail. He then referred to the forthcoming fruit
exhibition to be held next October at the Guildhall,
designed partly to promote the growth of fruit
amongst cottagers, and alluded to the Strawberry.
There is still considerable improvement possible in
Strawberries ; for instance, all of us would like to
have British Queens lasting from June to the end
of July. The question of soil for Strawberries
ought to be thoroughly established. Different sorts
flourish in different districts.

This address was followed by papers by Mr.
Shirley Hibberd, on the origin of the cultivated
Strawberry ; Mr. J. Wright, on the garden cul-
tivation ; Mr. Bunyard, of Maidstone, on the
market culture of the fruit, and Mr. Laxton, on
seedling Strawberries. We hope to publish some
of these papers in full.

There was some discussion, but we could scarcely
hear the speakers, and after over two hours' con-
ference, the audience had thinned considerably.
One cultivator remarked that British Queen wanted
a light soil, and always young plantations should

be made. As a market Strawberry, Sir Joseph Pax-
ton had no equal, and Noble was described as good
for size. Mr. Laxton's paper was full of interesting
points. The general opinion of the much discussed
Noble variety was that for cropping, size, and ap-
pearance it was first rate, but lacked quality. We
may also remark that a Strawberry, unless it has a
good flavour, is worth but little. It is the palate
that has to be considered, not alone the eye.
The customary votes of thanks were passed.

The Gardeners' Orphan Fund. — The usual
monthly meeting of the committee took place at
the Caledonian Hotel, Adelphi, on the 27th ult.
The hon. secretary laid upon the table a balance-
sheet of receipts and expenditure of the recent
Covent Garden Floral Fete, showing a clear gain
of £173 8s. 7d. A draft report and financial state-
ment for presentation at the annual general meet-
ing was read and adopted. Several matters of
detail relating to the annual general meeting and
dinner were considered, and a cheque for the
quarter's allowances to children on the fund,
amounting to £65, was ordered to be drawn. The
third annual general meeting of subscribers will
take place at the Cannon Street Hotel, E.C., at
2 p.m., on the 18th inst., and the annual dinner at
5 p.m. on the same day.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Flax flowering. — This seems
to be flowering well this season. There is a plant here
with ten flower spikes just coming fully out. Is such
a number common on one plant ? — W. H. M., Munches,
Dalbeattie.

Veronica longifolia. — This beautiful Speedwell
with a long, slender, eyhudrical spike of white flowers
comes from Mr. Woodall's garden. It should be
better known, as a large hush in full bloom makes a
delightful picture.

Begonia Triomphe de Nancy. — This is one
of M. Lemoine's acquisitions, and we are remiuded of
it by flowers from Mr. Woodall from the open ground.
It is a charming double bloom, rich yellow in the
centre, the outer petals of a much paler hue.

Cattleya Bowringiana violacea. — This, as
illustrated in the Revue Horticole, is a richly coloured
variety with deep violet-purple flowers, which in gene-
ral character are like those of the type. This was
figured from a plaut in a French collection.

A large-flowered Gaillardia has been sent
us by Messrs. Kelway and Son, Langport, Somerset.
The bloom measures quite 4£ inches across, and is of
rich colour, the petals deep crimson, except for a bril-
liant orange colour at the margin. It is the iiuestand
most beautiful Gaillardia we have seen, and uamed
James Kelway.

Chrysanthemum hsematomma comes from
Mr. E. H. Woodall, Scarborough. The flower was
coloured with a delightful pure rose shade, very pretty
against the yellow centre. This should be noted, as it
is not supposed to colour outside its native islaud. It
makes a lovely bush, smothered with flowers, in Mr.
Woodall's garden.

The yellow Tree Lupine. — Seeing in The
Gaeden of the 21st ult. a reference to a Tree Lu-
pine (Lupinus arboreus) in Mr. Thompson's gar-
den at Ipswich, it may interest your readers to
know that in the garden here, Kirkconnell, there
is a Tree Lupine fl feet in height and 8 feet in cir-
cumference. It is of a pyramidal shape, and for the
last month has borne great numbers of spikes.
The tree has been planted three years, and is in a
flower border of good soil.— M. Witham, Kirk-
connell, Dumfries.

Miss H. M. White, known to many of our
readers as a good gardener (or, to use the elegant
language of our contemporaries, a distinguished
horticulturist), is now principal of the Alexandra
Ladies College in Dublin, a very honourable post.
We hope it will not spoil her as a hardy flower
grower ! We hear that she hopes to add a professor
of gardening to the college, but we hope that she will
be gratified in another way — by the means of
making a good and varied garden. There are far
too many professors already. It would be better
to spend the money on trees and flowers and let

July 5, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

19

these speak to and freshen the eyes of the fair
students after they had been hard tried by pro-
fessors of many kinds. In the future we shall
teach many things direct, and not through books,
and Flora above all these tells her own story best.

Olearia macrodonta in Shropshire. — As
some doubt was expressed as to the hardiness of
Olearia macrodonta, I beg to say that it is perfectly
hardy here. I have a good many plants of it, and
a large specimen is one mass of flowers which are
very sweet. Cypripedium spectabile is flowering
well out of doors. Tropreolum speciosum is quite
a weed here and runs over everything both in shade
and sunshine. — T. M. Bulkeley-Owen, Tedsmore
Hall, West Felton, Oswestry, Shropshire,

Carnation Apricot, illustrated by a coloured
plate in The Garden' of March 17, 1888, is worn
largely as a button-hole flower, and bunches of its
warm apricot-coloured blooms are not uncommon
in the shops. It is of the right colour to take
public fancy, the rich apricot tone being quite dis-
tinct from anything in the Carnation way. This
variety is also known as Gravetye Gem and Mrs.
Reynolds Hole, but Apricot is an apt description of
its striking shade, as this is like a cut Apricot. A
history of the variety is given with the illustration
referred to.

Amaryllis forrnosissima.— The Garden of
June 28 has just come into my hands. Amaryllis
formosissima seems to be given to freaks. A good
many of them, which were kept quite dry in my
greenhouse during the winter, and then watered
abundantly when growth had commenced, have never
flowered at all ; while others, which were left in the
open border to take their chance, are now in full
beauty and the admiration of everybody. The
same thing happened last year. Mr. Barr's expe-
rience and mine seem to be quite the reverse of
each other. Is there any accounting for it ? — H.
Ewbank, St. John's, Ryde.

Bog Cistus (C. ladaniferus) is familiar by name,
but it is scarce even in good gardens, though a
lovely shrub, especially at this season when beauti-
fied by its large pure white flowers, blotched at the
base of each segment with rich crimson-lake. It is
mentioned often in The Garden, and we only wish
such a delightful shrub were more common. A mass
crowning a rugged knoll creates a distinct and happy
picture, the abundant growth spreading out freely,
and giving out a rich aromatic fragrance when
rubbed in the hand. In some gardens a hedge is
made of it, and trimmed up after the flowering
season is over. The plant strikes freely from cut-
tings, which should be put in early in the autumn
to get them rooted before winter. We saw
flowering plants of it in the nursery of Mr. Morse at
Epsom the other day.

Olearia macrodonta. — As you mentioned my
name in connection with the above-named most
beautiful and free-blooming New Zealand shrub
on pages 592-93 of your last issue, and as the
specific name it there bears was given to it by the
botanical authorities in the herbarium at Kew, on
my pointing out to them that the name of 0. den-
tata, under which it was sent out, really belonged
to a totally distinct and different Australian shrub,
figured on plate 5973 of the 98th volume of the
Botanical Magazine, I think it may interest some
of your shrub-loving readers to know that it has
now been made evident the name of macrodonta
is incorrect, and was given to it in ignorance that
its proper botanical designation under which it is
known in its native country is 0. ilicifolia. This
fact became known when Mrs. Charles Hetley pub-
lished a coloured portrait of it under this name on
plate 21 of her illustrations of the native flowers
and trees of New Zealand. Her figure, however,
must, I think, have been drawn from a very poor,
if not a partially withered specimen, as it gives a
very inadequate idea of the size of the flower
bunches, or of the breadth or colour of the foliage.
There is, however, also another quite distinct, but
much less valuable or beautiful member of this
family whose flowers are produced not in showy
bunches, but thinly and separately from the axils
of the leaves and all along the branches, to which
has been given (likewise in error) the name of ilici-

folia, before it was known what the true 0. ilici-
folia really was. The correct name of this species
has been determined to be O. myrsinoides. It is
pretty widely distributed and to be found in most
good collections of flowering shrubs, but I do not
consider it to be worth growing. — W. E. GlTMBLE-
TON.

Orchids from Rawtenstall. — A series of
Orchid flowers comes to us from Mr. G. Shaw-
Schofield, New-hall-hey, Rawtenstall, near Manches-
ter, for our opinion as to their merits. The flower
sent of Cattleya gigas imperialis represents the
true character of this splendid form, but one we
received recently was richer, though smaller. There
is nothing unusual in the other things contributed.
The Miltonia vexillaria is a well-coloured type, and
so is the bloom of Cattleya Mendeli ; while amongst
the flowers of Odontoglossum Alexandras, one, num-
bered 762, was above the average in merit, and
others were prettily spotted with brown. A variety
of either 0. Alexandra: or 0. Pescatorei must have
unusual beauty or distinctness now to be worth a
name. The flower (762) is certainly the finest of
those sent, and a beautiful variety, robust, and
fine in colour, the sepals white with a rich rose-
purple suffusion, the petals pure white.

Notes from Almondsbury. — Abutilon viti-
folium album has bloomed well with me this year.
Treated as a standard, seedlings sown last spring
are 3 feet high. I shall have a quantity of seed in
a month to give away on receipt of a stamped
addressed envelope. Iris Milesi has again bloomed
in the open border, much exposed to north and
west. My seedling plants of these, one year old,
are 18 inches high. Ostrowskia magnifica is now
in bloom ; it appears to last well in water — a lovely
tender bloom. I see it is throwing up young shoots
from the base. Rosa Brunonis is as charming as
ever ; Celeste, a white Moss, Georges Bruant, a
semi-double Rosa rugosa alba, a glaucous-leaved
white clustered single Rose, and Rosa polyantha
have given me much pleasure this year. White Lilies
promise well, no disease. The number of blooms
on a bed of seedling Carnations is astonishing.
Indeed, so mild was, our winter, that several buds
of last autumn on these bloomed here in May. The
Alstroemerias are breaking into blossom, and A.
pelegrina has done well in pots. Scilla peruviana,
Hughi, and P. alba are still in blossom ; these are
very interesting. Delphinium cardinale is nearly
out, having stood out of doors with no protection.
Verbascums are blooming well, but what an awful
foe is the Mullein moth! The autumn Gladioli
promise well.— C. 0. Miles.

Amomum magnificum is in flower now in the
interesting garden of Sir G. Macleay, Pendell
Court, Bletchingley. It was first described as
Alpinia magnifica, and the plant bloomed in the
garden of Lord Milton, of Wentworth, as far back as
August, 1832. From then, until about four years ago,
it has been practically lost, so that we have
the introduction of what we may call a new plant.
At that time living plants were imported from
Seychelles by Sir Henry Barkly, and given by him
to Sir G. Macleay. These first flowered last winter,
and the plants are again blooming. The Amomum
is in the aquatic house, and has much the aspect of
the familiar A. nutans, but larger, the stems
measuring in circumference about 6 inches. There
is an abundance of deep green, large and leathery
leaves, each with a conspicuous midrib. The
flowers are not Alpinia-like, as they are produced
on a leafless scape, rising about 4 feet high from
the rhizome. The inflorescence is beautified by a
number of rosy red bracts, which are a rich con-
trast to the purplish red corolla. It might be
likened to a Water Lily flower borne aloft on a tall
stem, and another plant to which it bears some
resemblance is the Waratah (Telopea speciosissima).
As a stove plant it is worth good cultivation, as we
have few things of more striking expression.

Clove culture. — The Clove Tree, says Society
of Arts Journal, was introduced into Zanzibar about
the year 1830, and its cultivation now forms the
chief industry of the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba.
The chief supply of Cloves is obtained from these
islands. Consul Pratt, who has lately written a

report on the Clove culture of Zanzibar, says that
a ten-year-old plantation should produce an average
of 20 lbs. of Cloves to a tree. Trees of twenty
years frequently produce upwards of 100 lbs. each.
Mr. Pratt reports that the yield of the present
season will probably exceed that of any previous
season, and amount to 1)5,000,000 lbs., averaging a
local value of 5d. per lb.

Obituary.

Death of Mr. Francis Dancer. — There were
at one time few better-known men amongst horti-
culturists than Mr. Francis Dancer, and it is with
regret we have to announce his death, which
occurred at Ealing, on the 29th nit., at the age of
75. He was, some years ago, a market gardener of
repute at Little Sutton, Chiswick, and belonged to
the old Fulham Dancer family. He was a good
authority on hardy fruits, cultivated them with
skill, and gave useful assistance on the fruit com-
mittee of the Royal Horticultural Society for some
years. His name will recall a genial, pleasant, and
intellectual man. He had been for years a con-
firmed invalid, and his famous market garden is
now for the most part covered with bricks and
mortar, but the name of Mr. Dancer will not be
soon forgotten.

Death of Mr. George Deal. — Those who
knew the severity of the apoplectic attack that
seized Mr. George Deal about the middle of last
April at Gloucester Road Railway Station will not
be surprised to hear of his death at the age of 56,
at Ealing, on the 30th ult. He suffered acutely
ever since, and at the last was completely helpless
and deprived of speech. His many friends will
sorrow for the loss of a man cut off in the full
possession of health and strength, and the Gar-
deners' Orphan Fund will lose a sturdy champion,
who never failed to give it every assistance in his
power. He presided with ability at the committee
meetings of the fund, of which he was chairman,
and seldom missed attending. It will be in connec-
tion with this charity that Mr. Deal will be best
remembered, having been present at the first meet-
ing held in the conservatory of the Royal Horticul-
tural Society in March, 1887. He was then with
general accord elected chairman of the meeting,
and at its commencement won esteem by the rare
business tact and courtesy with which he con-
ducted the meetings. Only one meeting had he
neglected to attend since its foundation— a bright
example of steady application to a cause he had
deeply at heart. Mr. Deal was a native of Suffolk,
and his first great step was becoming assistant to
Mr. J. Weeks, then the head of the well-known
horticultural business at Chelsea. Ever since Mr.
Deal had been associated with this firm, and for
twenty-two years had been a partner, assisting
largely in its development. The funeral will be at
Woking Cemetery on Saturday (to-day).

Funeral of Mr. B. S. Williams.— On Mon-
day last about 400 friends assembled at the funeral
of Mr. Williams in Highgate Cemetery to pay their
last respects to a man they held in sincere esteem.
The number would doubtless have been much ex-
ceeded but for the heavy storm of rain. There
seems a great desire to perpetuate his memory by
a memorial in connection with the Gardeners'
Orphan Fund.

Insects on Cucumber leaves (C. H.).— The
leaves you sent are infested with a small Licurus, or
mite. Syringe the plants with soapy water several
times. If this is not efficacious, syringe with 2 lbs. of
soft soap and 2.J lbs. of flowers of sulphur dissolved in
twenty-five gallons of water. — G. S . S .

Asparagus in June. — What treatment of
Asparagus is required to have that vegetable now?
Quantifies both in the Paris and London markets were
seen last week. All finished weeks ago in the north.
— W. H. M., June 28.

Names of plants. — F. L. C— Clematis integri-

folia. F. M. — 1, Antirrhinum Asariua; 2, Sedum

reflexum; 3, Sedum rupestre. Alpha. — 1, Cam-

pamda rapuneuloides ; 2, Campanula pulla ; 3, Geranium
sp. — send in flower ; 4, Geranium sanguineum ; 5,
Lychnis diurna ft. -pi. Others next week.

20

THE GARDEN.

[July 5, 1890.

WOODS AND FORESTS.

COVERT FOR GAME.
I have occasionally seen the common Yew
recommended as one of the best plants for form-
ing game covert in woods and plantations, but
that it cannot be used for such a purpose in the
forest where deer and cattle have access, on
account of its poisonous properties, there is
abundant proof. I have frequently had to grub
up Yews that had been planted in both field
and forest after some of the animals had been
poisoned. I believe cases have occurred where
animals have been known to eat a limited
quantity of twigs without any appai'ent bad
effects. The Yew makes a capital hedge plant,
but it should never be planted as such around
the margins of fields, or indeed in any place
whatever within the reach of cattle. When
planting game coverts in woods and forests, I
have found the common Juniper (Juniperus
communis) and the Mountain Pine (Pinus
Pumilio) to be excellent substitutes for the Yew.
Both plants will grow in any soil, provided
it is not absolutely water-logged, and as they
are easily propagated from seed, they can be
either raised in a home nursery, or bought
cheaply from nurserymen as seedlings. On
exposed parts the habit of both plants is low
and spreading, yet from the peculiar rami-
fication of their branches they afford open runs
for game ; hence they are a favourite resort of
the woodcock and roedeer during a storm.
Both plants are well adapted for planting
among tall bare-stemmed deciduous trees to
form a covert, and in such positions where
they have the advantage of good soil and
shelter they occasionally attain a height of some
10 feet to 20 feet with a uniform diameter of
branches. Although I have sometimes seen
the Mountain Pine nibbled by hares and rabbits
during a storm, yet the Juniper is all but proof
against such attacks. The common Holly is
one of our best covert plants, and it is a pity it
cannot be used as such without protection.
Hares and rabbits are remarkably fond of its
bark and leaves, and when deer can find an
opportunity they peel the trunk and branches
as far up as they can reach ; consequently it is
not admissible as a covert plant in the deer
forest. In places, however, where there are
only hares and rabbits to contend with, the
Holly should never be omitted, as it not only
forms excellent covert, but from its great va-
riety it is very ornamental, and if the plants
are of good size before they are put out they
can be protected in a very efficient manner
at a trifling cost. In such cases my plan has
generally been to tie, with a piece of tar twine
or Willow twig, a series of small branches or
Heather around the butt end of the stem. I
have likewise protected young Oak trees in the
same way in the forest with perfect success.
J. B. Webster,

and when the wood of the stem is cut up for use it
is found to be very resinous, but rather brittle in
texture, on which account it cannot be recom-
mended for planting in this country as a tree for
profit. Amateurs and others, however, who are fond
of variety and whose space is limited, will find it
suitable for planting on spots where larger sized
trees would be out of place. It is propagated
from seed, which should be sown on light sandy
ground, and as the seeds are small, they should be
covered very slightly with fine soil. — J. W.

The New Jersey Pine (Pinus inops). — This
very distinct species of the Pine tribe is a native of
New Jersey, and is also found in Maryland and
other parts of North America. It is quite hardy
in this country and in Ireland. Its leaves are each
fully 2 inches long, and produced in pairs ; the
branches and twigs are slightly pendulous, the
terminal points of which are occasionally covered
with a reddish or violet bloom, which imparts an
ornamental appearance to the plant. It thrives best
on a loose, gravelly, or sandy soil, naturally dry, or
thoroughly drained when requisite. When planted
on mossy ground, it makes but little progress, even
although it has been well drained and prepared
previous to planting. In its native habitats it is
said to attain a height of some 30 feet or 40 feet,

PINUS GLABRA.
Local in its distribution, and sparsely scattered
amongst the rich and varied tree growth of the
heavy forests in the Southern States east of the
Mississippi River, the Spruce Pine has until recently
been but little noticed. It was described by
Walter more than 100 years ago, but for the next
seventy years it escaped notice until it was redis-
covered by Mr. H. W. Ravenel, most probably in
the same district where it was found in the coast
region of South Carolina by the first investigator
of the flora of that State. Subsequently Dr. Melli-
champ observed the tree in several other localities
of the coast near the southern limits of the State.
About ten years later it was found by Professor
Hilgard in the south-western part of Mississippi on
the banks of the Pearl River, then by M. A. Cur-
tiss in Florida, on the Chatta-ho-chee River ; and
the same year I traced its distribution through the
Eastern Gulf States to its western limit. This Pine,
generally known to the people of the country as the
Spruce Pine, extends from the coast region of South
Carolina just below the line of 33° north latitude
to the valley of the Pearl River, in Mississippi, to
the latitude of 30° 30", and is in that State as well
as in Alabama confined to a belt of from 115 to 125
miles wide. It is found in dense woods with a soil
of deep light loam rich in vegetable mould, reten-
tive of moisture, but not wet, and particularly in
situations where a more or less sandy subsoil
favours a moderate under-drainage. Here this
Pine is found associated with magnificent Mag-
nolias (M. acuminata and M. macrophylla), the
short-leaved Pine (Pinus echinata), the Red Bay
(Persea carolinensis), and almost unfailingly the
Beech, with its dense foliage of freshest green dur-
ing the earlier part of the season, standing forth in
pleasing contrast with the dark, glistening leaves
of the Magnolia and the sombre shades of the
Pines. The variety of smaller trees and flowering
shrubs adds to the charm and interest of the sur-
roundings of this Pine, amongst them the Holly
(Ilex opaca), Palmettos, the Farkelberry (Vacci-
nium arboreum), large bush Huckleberries (V. vir-
gatum), the Angelica Tree (Aralia spinosa), red-
flowering Buckeyes (yEsculus pavia), Styraxes and
Cornels, Styrax grandiflora and Cornus sericea be-
ing most conspicuous. These lands of a rich soil,
and supporting such varied vegetation, called hum-
mock lands, are most frequent in the coast region,
where the streams emerge from the Pine uplands
to the plain or flat-woods fronting the sea-shore.
The Spruce Pine is entirely wanting in the Pine
uplands or Pine barrens proper, where the Long-
leaved Pine forms exclusively the forest growth.
This last reappears again in the region of a mixed
growth of coniferous and broad-leaved trees, form-
ing in many parts the upper section of the coast
Pine belt, and does not extend further north
than the Magnolia, the two trees following almost
the same line in the northern limit of their distri-
bution. In Alabama and Mississippi the Spruce
Pine is found singly or in groups of only a few in
dividuals scattered in the localities favourable to
its growth. In Western Florida, between the
Chocta-ha-chee and Chatta-ho-chee Rivers, it forms
compact bodies of timber, extending over several
acres, and in this region of its best development
and greatest frequency its seedlings are found to
occupy a prominent place amongst the second
growth.

The Spruce Pine attains on the average a height
of between 80 feet and 00 feet, the tall, finely
shaped, but gradually tapering trunk, from 16
inches to 24 inches in diameter, rising clear of

branches for a height of 50 feet to 60 feet above
the ground. In a rich hummock on the Tensas
River, in Alabama, rising above the Cypress swamp,
a magnificent specimen was observed, rivalling
in height the mighty denizens of the lagoon below,
considerably over 100 feet in height and fully 10
feet in circumference breast-high. The bark of
the trees of larger size is thick, furrowed length,
wise, somewhat flaky, of reddish brown colour-
getting closer toward the top, and perfectly
smooth in the crown and limbs, like the bark of
the younger trees. The limbs, rising slightly,
divide into numerous horizontally spreading
branches and branchlets, multiplied by numerous
sprouts from adventitious buds, thus imparting
to the oval-shaped crown a greater compactness
than is found in any other of the Atlantic Pines.
The tender shoots of the season are flaccid, as in
the Scrub Pine (P. inops), and by this peculiarity
during the earlier part of the season the tree
is readily distinguished from the Short-leaved
Pine (P. echinata), its frequent associate, which
it resembles in foliage, inflorescence, and fruit.
The leaves of the Spruce Pine are each from
1J inches to 3 inches long, and three of them
are always found in the short, close sheath ; they
are more slender than those of the Short-leaved
Pine, scarcely half as thick as they are wide, dark
green, contorted, and later in the season, spreading,
and are shed during the third year. Densely cover-
ing the numerous divisions of the branches, the
foliage of this tree is closer than in any of its allied
species.

The flowers appear during the latter part of
March. The lateral short-peduncled cones mature
during the second season. They are ovate-oblong
in shape, about 2 inches long and 1 inch in greatest
diameter. This Pine thrives with less light and air
than most of its congeners. It eschews exposed
situations, and it is only under the most favourable
conditions, ensuring the greatest rapidity of growth
during the first stage of its existence, that it is
found to prevail in the openings of the forest. It
is through all stages of its development of quick and
steady growth. Trees felled in Baldwin County,
Alabama, showing forty- five and fifty rings of annual
growth, measured eighty and eighty-five feet in
heightand seventeen to nineteen inches in diameter.
The rate of increase is greatest during the first ten
years, after which it appears to differ but sli ghtly
during periods of the same length of time. In one
of the trees the space occupied by the first ten
rings was found to be two and three-eighths inches
wide, by the second ten rings one and seven-eighths,
the third one and three-fourths wide, and the fourth
one and a half inches wide. The annual rings
showed but slight differences in their width. The
heart-wood can hardly be distinguished from the
sap-wood. Mr. Fillibert Roth, of the University of
Michigan, who has given much attention to the
investigation of the structure of the wood of our
southern Pines, finds the proportion of spring wood
to that formed of summer cells in one ring, on the
average, as three to two, and in almost every detail
the anatomy of the wood of this tree is remarkably
similar to that of the Loblolly Pine (P. Ta-da).
The wood is light, only slightly resinous, straight-
grained, splitting smoothly and satiny, when
finished resembling the wood of the Spruce. It is
not durable, is wanting in strength and elasticity, '
and is apt to shrink under exposure to the sun.
Hence this rare and ornamental Pine is to be con-
sidered of little economic importance as a timber
tree. — Cael Mohk, in Garden and Forest.

" The Garden " Monthly Parts.— This journal is
published in neatly bound Monthly Parts. In this .form the
coloured plates are best preserved, and it is most suitable for
reference previous to the issue of the half-yearly volumes. Price
Is. 6d. ; post free, Is. 9d. Complete set of volumes of The
Garden /rom its commencement to end of 1S89, thirty-six vols.,
price, cloth, £27; half morocco, £32 8s

"Hardy Flowers."— Giving descriptions of upwards of
thirteen hundred of the most ornamental species, with directions
for their arrangement, culture, &c. Fourth and Popular
Edition, Is. ; post free, Is. 3d.

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London : 37, S<rai7iamjiton Street, Strand, W.C.

THE GARDEN.

21

No. 973. SATURDAY, July 12, 1890. Vol. XXXVIII.

" This is an Art
Which does mend Naturo : change it rather ; but
The Art itself is Nature." — Shakespeare.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

SCALDING AND CRACKING OF GRAPES.

Hardly has the thinning of late Grapes been
brought to a close, before, as one might antici-
pate in such a cold, unsettled season, we hear
the annual cry, something is amiss with my
Muscats and Lady Downe's. The Vines are
vigorous and the foliage is dense and healthy,
and yet numerous berries in the best bunches
far away from the sun's rays within a few hours
put on the appearance of having been boiled.
This so-called disease always attacks the berries
during the stoning process, and is most trouble-
some in stormy and changeable weather, when,
no matter how careful the inside management,
the air temperature rushes to extremes. Under
these rapid fluctuations the economist who
grudges fuel allows the night temperature of
the house to fall to a low figure, when the
berries long before daybreak become extremely
cold. A bright sunny morning breaks, the
temperature of the house rises faster than that
of the berries, condensation of vapour follows,
and a portion of the skin is destroyed. Scald-
ing does not extend over a long period, gene-
rally from a fortnight to three weeks, more or
less according to the regularity of the "set"
and the active condition of the roots, whilst the
greatest destruction almost invariably is ex-
perienced where ventilation is imperfect and
the borders are wet and cold. The amateur
who never reads his calendar when he finds his
berries scalding, unmindful of the fact that this
subject has been discussed over and over again,
at once sends berries to the editor of his paper,
but before the oft repeated reply can reach him
the mischief is done, and many of his best
bunches are disfigured, if not spoiled. Once
more, then, upon the principle that prevention
is better than cure, I would suggest the produc-
tion and maintenance of conditions the reverse
of those I have described. The fires in the first
place should be started sufficiently early in the
afternoon, not only to expel sluggish vapour,
but also to maintain a brisk circulation of warm
air through the night. The apex ventilators
should never be closed, and the better to pre-
vent a sudden rise, fire heat should be shut off
before the sun strikes the roof, when by abun-
dant, if not profuse ventilation, a warm green-
house temperature may be maintained through
the day. Draughts, as a matter of prudence,
must be guarded against, otherwise another
enemy in the form of rust may put in an appear-
ance, when the intended remedy may prove
worse than the imaginary disease.

Cracking. — It is not always possible to pre-
vent cracking, especially during a continuance
of damp, gleaniy, and changeable weather, but
this annoying disfigurement of the bunches can
be greatly minimised by the observance of cer-
tain rules. Foster's Seedling, Madresfield Court
Muscat, and Black Morocco are most subject to
cracking under sudden fluctuations, not when
stoning, but when nearly ripe. Numerous cul-
tural preventive remedies have been tried, such,
for instance, as notching the shoots carrying
the bunches and allowing all the laterals and
leaders to run wild, withholding water when
the Grapes commence colouring, or covering up

the borders where the roots are outside. Notch-
ing and extension are important steps in the
right direction, but the most common cause of
splitting, I believe, is due to a check from
drought, when, although the Grapes have com-
menced colouring, they have not attained more
than two-thirds of their normal size. This with-
holding of water at a time when the supply
should be abundantly steady causes the skins
to set before the Grapes have finished swelling ;
more water becomes necessary, a change to
moist unsettled weather sets in, a flush of sap
follows, and within twelve hours the mischief is
done. Here, as in the preceding cases of scald-
ing, prevention is better than cure, but in what
way must we proceed 1 Well, in the first place,
we must see that the borders are warm,
thoroughly drained, inside, if possible, and
under complete control. There must be no
starving to day and feeding to-morrow, but
steady progress must be secured by liberal
watering until the Grapes are nearly ripe, cer-
tainly until the berries have attained their
fullest size. Mulching from the time the Grapes
are thinned plays a very important part, and
the better to prevent the surface from becom-
ing dry, this through the ripening stage may
be greatly increased. W. C.

STRAWBERRIES FAILING TO SET.
Enclosed is from a bed of Strawberries which were
covered with bloom, but no fruit has set. The staple
is ordinary garden soil on a stiff clay subsoil. We
have other kinds of Strawberries in the immediate
border within a few yards, and these are very pro-
lific. Those which fail grow on a border to the
east side of a brick wall, and were had from the
Continent some two or three years ago. They are
similarto the small wild Strawberries ; Quatre Saisons
I think they call the variety.— W. H. Maxwell.

*«* Where the mistake most probably has been
made in this instance is in treating the Quatre
Saisons Strawberry similarly to, or even less favour-
ably than the ordinary Strawberries. The latter
would doubtless succeed well on an east border and
a stiff clay subsoil, but the case is very different
with the alpine section, of which the variety in
question is one of the best forms. What these
should have, more especially where the soil is of a
strong clayey nature, is slightly raised sunny slopes,
these being more in accordance with their natural
requirements. These slopes should be neither very
rich nor too poor. A rich and over-moist root-run
is apt to cause a rank leafy growth accompanied
by a poor set of fruit, while, on the other hand, if
the soil is very shallow and poor, the plants are
liable to fail in a hot, dry season. The plants
having failed in a cool, moisture-holding position,
" W. H. M." will do well to have a sloping bank formed
now in a sunny position. By the first or second
week in August this will have settled sufficiently to
plant. The stock of Quatre Saisons can then be
lifted, divided if the plants are large, and replanted
from 12 inches to 15 inches apart, according to
their size, in rows not less than 15 inches apart.
They ought to be firmly fixed in the soil, watered
occasionally till well established, and then left
alone till the spring, when a mulching of strawy
manure should be given. If prevented from fruit-
ing during June and the early part of July, the
crops will be heavier and the fruit finer duriDg the
next three months, or when Strawberries, as a rule,
are very scarce. In some gardens and districts,
this wonderfully productive and briskly-flavoured
little Strawberry will succeed well in the open with-
out any special preparation of the ground being
made for it. Young or comparatively young plants
produce the finest fruit, and it is advisable, there-
fore, to plant a few fresh rows and destroy a like
number every year, three seasons being long enough
for each breadth of plants to remain on the ground.
Seedlings, which are easily raised on a warm
border or in boxes or pans, fruit in less than
twelve months, are found to be more vigorous, and

to produce finer fruit than plants obtained either
by runners or the division of old clumps. — W. I.

Superlative Raspberry. — This new Rasp-
berry is certainly worthy of a leading position
amongst the newer kinds of recent introduction.
It is a first-rate cropper, and bears very large
fruits of a beautiful shape and colour. It is also
of good flavour and stands drought better than
many others. I thought it such a good kind that
last season I planted a good breadth of it, as the
produce from canes planted the previous year gave
every satisfaction, the fruit being much larger than
that of the ordinary varieties. It is a very strong
grower, and the canes when once established and
doing well grow very large, therefore require little
support. This is a great advantage, as with the
weakly growers much of the fruit is often lost,
being overlooked if gathered quickly by the weight
of the fruit bending down the canes. The berries
of this variety do not suffer from wet so much as
those of less robust kinds, as, the canes being erect,
the moisture soon dries up. This Raspberry should
get plenty of room, as there is much loss if planted
closely and the season wet. I therefore plant
much further apart than is often the case— 9 feet to
12 feet and crop in between the rows. Our plants
are secured to a wire supported with a few stakes
and as soon as the fruit is gathered the old canes
are all cut away, only leaving four young canes
for next season's fruit. Raspberries are often seen
crowded with too much wood, and the old canes
allowed to remain too long after the fruit is
gathered, thus weakening the new growth. Abun-
dant top-dressing of decayed manure should be
given in the autumn, and no forking nor diggiDg
allowed.— G. Wythes, Syon Huiise, Brentford.

Strawberry Alice Maud.— In my notes on
Strawberries (p. 600, June 28) I scarcely did
justice to the good old Alice Maud, or Princess
Alice Maud, as it should more correctly be termed.
Only a few years ago it was very extensively
grown in Essex for affording the earliest supplies
of fruit, immense quantities being annually sent to
the London markets from the district in which I
was then located. It is a variety particularly well
adapted for field culture, and in comparison with
newer forms loses a point in regard to earliness
only. Noble is a grand early variety, and as such
ought to be grown in every collection, however
small, but, compared with Alice Maud, it is soft
and flavourless. I have long since found that
Alice Maud does not do well under what may be
termed high culture, a rich root-run and much
shelter resulting in the production of too many
leaves and a poor late crop of acidulous fruit.
On firm and only moderately rich ground
exactly the opposite prevails, the leaves being
very sturdy and the fruit remarkably abundant.
In a favourable season, or such as the present,
nearly the whole of the fruit attain a good market- ■
able size. They are bright red in colour, very firm
and the seeds being well on the surf ace, this favours
travelling. There may be rather too much acidity
in the flavour to suit all palates, but for eating
with cream and sugar, Alice Maud has no superior
I believe this old favourite was raised by Mr.
TroUope at Bradford-on-Avon, Wilts, at nearly or
quite the same time as he also sent out the heavy
cropping, but soft and flavourless Trollope's Victoria.
I should add that Alice Maud forces badly.—

W. IGGTJLDEN.

Strawberries at Cherkley Court.— The
fruit that is grown with conspicuous success at
Cherkley Court, the residence of Mr. A. Dixon at
Leatherhead, is the Strawberry. The fruit garden
is on a sharp slope facing north, and in one spot
there is a large plantation of Strawberries of a few
varieties, but these of the finest in cultivation.
We have seldom seen a finer crop of fruit or
of such unusually rich quality. The one that Mr.
Page, the head gardener, has a strong liking for is
The Captain, one of Mr. Laxton's seedlings,
and bearing fruits of enormous size, almost rivalling
those of Marguerite. The fruit is of rich colour,
somewhat wedge-shaped, and with a fairly brisk
and agreeable "" flavour. There is a large planta-

22

THE GARDEN.

[July 12, 1890.

tion of it, and every plant is laden with a tre-
mendous crop. It would make a noble market
variety, and it is sufficiently good in flavour to
deserve careful cultivation. More luscious than
this, however, is a variety that closely resembles
Sir Joseph Paxton, undoubtedly an improved form
of it with larger berries, and retaining the brisk
rich flavour of that famous kind. Mr. Page values
it highly. The plants of Vicomtesse Hericart de
Ihury were remarkable for the size and profusion
of the fruits ; these had been three years in bear-
ing and were in the fullest vigour. President is
grown, and this completes this list of principal
sorts that find favour at Cherkley Court. This
may not be a large selection, but on the soil here
these varieties flourish remarkably well. Certain
soils suit certain varieties, save one or two that
seem good everywhere.

Insects destroying Strawberries.— Will you
kindly tell me if possible the name and origin of an
insect that is a great pest this year on the Straw-
berry quarter, especially where the plants have
been mulched with short lawn Grass? The insect
is about half-an-inch in length, not much thicker
than a pin's point, and of a dirty white colour. It
has all the appearance of a tiny millipede. I find
about a dozen all in a heap sticking into a Straw-
berry, and apparently burrowing their way into it.
I enclose fruit attacked and the insect. I have not
found any on my main Strawberrv quarter ; it is
only on the early border where they are.— E. B
Claremont.

*»* I" reply to above, the creatures attacking
your Strawberries are, as you suppose, one of the
millipedes (the spotted snake millipede, Julus gut-
tatus). The best thing you can do at present is to
remove the mulching, which the millipedes no
doubt find a very convenient shelter, and in doing
this most of them would be taken away, particu-
larly if just the surface of the soil was also re-
moved. Then try and trap what remain by laying
slices of Mangold or Potatoes about, and examining
them from time to time. Strong brine is about the
best thing for killing these pests, and as they lay
their eggs in December and later on, give a good
dressing of salt in January or February, having
first broken up the surface of the soil. The salt
will soon become wetted if the weather be at all
damp, and will kill any of the young which hatch,
besides inconveniencing the full-grown ones, who
if they wish to escape, will have to shift their
quarters. — G. S. S.

Scalded Grapes.— I enclose a few berries of
Muscat of Alexandria, and wish to know if you can
tell me what disease the berries have, and how to
prevent it spreading. I have had to cut out several
dozen berries with the same disease this last week,
and I see a great many more are going. The Vines
have been planted about three years, and have done
wonderfully well. The main rods measure 5 inches
round. This is the first season the Vines have been
allowed to carry or bear a crop, and it is very light.
The Vines are looking well and grow very freely.

*»* This is an ordinary case of scalding, by some
called a disease, to which Muscats and Lady
Downe's are more or less subject. It always attacks
the berries when the Grapes are stoning, and some-
times quite spoils the best bunches upon which the
sun never shines if preventive measures are ne-
glected. If you will look through the past Vine
calendar, you will find numerous notes fully ex-
plaining the cause and cure, but in case copies of
The Garden may not be at hand, I may say
slightly reduce atmospheric moisture, keep the
pipes rather warmer than usual, and leave an extra
chink of air on the top ventilators through the night
to prevent the berries becoming cold, a condition
which favours condensation of moisture when the
temperature begins to rise in the morning. Venti-
late very freely by day, in fact treat the house like
a warm greenhouse or conservatory, especially
during a continuance of the changeable leather
we have lately experienced, and scalding will be
reduced to a minimum. In hot, dry weather when
free ventilation is absolutely necessary, we hear
very little of scalding, a preventive disease which

lasts about three weeks just when the berries are
stoning. — W. C.

Peach Thames Bank.— This is considered an
excellent variety by Mr. Page, of Cherkley Court
Gardens. Its fruit is about the size of that of Late
Admirable and splendidly coloured ; the colour is deep
yellow, and rich crimson on the sunny side. It has a
yellow flesh, very juicy, rich, and melting if eaten just
when it is withering a little. It was raised by Mr.
Rust, gardener to Mr. L. Sullivan, Broom House, Ful-
ham. The tree is very prolific and a good grower.

Strawberry Gilbert's President.— Judging
from the samples Mr. Gilbert kindly sent from Burgh-
ley, that well-known gardener has succeeded in select-
ing an_ improved form of President. In their con-
formation generally as well as flavour, the fruit sent
exactly resembled President as we have it, but the
colour was a much deeper red and the flesh firmer.
We do not find President a good traveller, it being in
this respect very much inferior to Sir J. Paxton, but
the greater part of those received from Mr. Gilbert,
after being in the hands of the postal authorities for
about two days, were yet in a presentable condition.
Supposing Mr. Gilbert's selection to be equally as pro-
ductive as the ordinary form, it ought to supersede the
latter on account of its more attractive appearance and
apparently improved solidity of flesh. — W. Iggulden.

Kitchen Garden.

THE POTATO DISEASE.

As yet not a trace of this is discernible in either
the foliage or tubers, nor were there any diseased
tubers among the crops obtained from frames
and pits. Latterly, however, the weather has
been most favourable to the dissemination of
disease germs and their lodgment on the foliage,
and it may be that a sudden " break-out " will
shortly take place. Unless I am much mis-
taken, a different tale could be told by the
Channel Island and Cornish growers, it being
generally asserted that so many diseased tubers
among those imported have never before been
seen. The growers were fortunate in getting rid
of the Potatoes as they did, as it is certain con-
siderable sums of money were lost by those who
bought in extensively for retailing. Knowing
this much and taking into consideration the
state of the weather, it would appear that
nothing but a pessimistic view of the situation
could well be taken . There is one circumstance,
however, that encourages me to think diffe-
rently, and it is this : When the early Potatoes
are lifted for use, a few of quite the smallest
tubers are frequently laid on one side, and are
sometimes days before they are collected, but
as yet I have not found a diseased one among
them. When there are any disease germs in
the atmosphere, it is astonishing how quickly
some of these effect a lodgment on newly-lifted
Potatoes. It is not from the connecting roots
that disease is communicated to the tubers, but
from the skins or surface, the rains washing the
germs down to these. From this it will be seen
that it is not the superior constitution of cer-
tain varieties that renders them more or less
disease-resisting, but this immunity is rather
due to the fact that the extra amount of foliage
they form wards off the rainfall, and with this
the disease germs from the ridges to the furrows,
most of the tubers escaping in consequence.
Lift any of them in dull showery weather, or at
almost any time in the season, and leave them
for a few hours on the ground, and the chances
are few or many of them will take the disease.
Especially is it most unwise to leave them a
whole night exposed to this insidious destroyer ;
yet this is a favourite proceeding with many,
cottagers especially. Potatoes ought not to be
lifted for storing when the ground is in a wet
state or in showery weather, and may safely
and ought really to be cleared off the ground
nearly as fast as they are dug. No harm would

result if they were stored without any drying
whatever. If clamped, then must outlets be
provided for any steam that might be generated
in the mass, this precaution being equally neces-
sary in the case of those with which more trouble
in the way of drying has been taken.

It is yet somewhat early in the season to be
commenting on lifting and storing Potatoes in
quantity, but the sight of so many diseased
"imported'1 tubers determined me to pen a
note of warning on the subject. What made
matters worse, as far as the consumer was
concerned, was the fact that not till the Potatoes
were being prepared for cooking was it dis-
covered that fully one-half were so badly dis-
eased as to be quite worthless. The disease was
hidden by a thin coating of dirt. Exactly the
counterpart often prevails in the case of plant-
ing tubers, only in this instance the disease is
hidden by a coat of green. Exposing planting
tubers to all weathers for a few days in order to
thoroughly green them is supposed to improve
them in some way, but I fail to see the neces-
sity for it. If greening be considered of prac-
tical value, the least that can be done is to
accomplish it by exposing the tubers on a dry
floor or bench under cover, and, therefore,
where they are much less likely to become both
greened and diseased. When diseased tubers
are unwittingly stored for planting, they keep
apparently sound for a long time, and in many
instances have been planted under the impres-
sion that they are quite fit for the purpose. As
far as communicating disease to their progeny is
concerned, I believe them to be harmless
enough, but the growth from diseased tubers is
invariably of a weakly nature, and the crops, as
a matter of course, are correspondingly poor.
Nor, as far as disease spores affect the case, is
there so much necessity for a change of site for
Potatoes every season. We are now growing
this crop for the ninth year in succession on the
same plot of ground, and I have failed to dis-
cover more diseased tubers among those lifted
annually on this particular half acre of ground
than in other quarters where the Potatoes
would be considered to receive more favourable
treatment. Eresh ground does, as a rule, pro-
mote a more vigorous top-growth, and if plenty
of room is allowed, the crops are heavier in con-
sequence, disease, as before hinted, being also
less liable to reach the tubers. This season the
Potato crops generally are unusually promising
in appearance, and if clear warm weather be
experienced soon, wonderful crops should be
lifted. Warmth rather than excessive mois-
ture is needed by Potatoes, especially during
the earlier stages of growth, and where they
have had rather too much of the latter I have
noticed a few instances of the old disease known
as the " curl." The haulm in this case is much
stunted, the leaves being curled, of a sickly
yellow hue, and covered with black spots.
American varieties, being the most delicate,
would appear to suffer worst from this disease,
but of late years very little of it has been seen.
Fortunately so, I may add, for there is no
remedy for it any more than there is for the
Peronospora and other diseases of a somewhat
similar nature. W. Iggulden.

Tomatoes in winter.— A few or many To-
matoes are much appreciated in most establish-
ments during the winter, and these can be best
obtained from plants trained up the roofs of forcing
houses. For instance, they do well in close suc-
cession to either Melons or Cucumbers, no fresh
soil or any extra preparation being needed. In
any case it is advisable to make the start with
strong plants in order to be certain of;a good set
of fruit before short wintry days set in. Plants

July 12, 1890.]

THE GAEDEK.

23

can be most simply raised from cuttings placed in
gentle heat now, but these are more likely to per-
petuate diseases and insect pests than are those
raised from seed. The sooner seed is sown the
better. It is unwise to raise the seedlings very
thickly together, a few sturdy plants being all that
are needed. Keep these growing in li^ht dry pits,
and plant or arrange them in their final quarters
directly these can be got ready for them. The
Large Red or good selections from the same are
about the best that can be grown for fruiting dur-
ing the winter, but I shall try Conference this
season, as it is remarkably free setting. — W. I.

VICTORIA SPINACH.
This is a most useful Spinach for summer work,
and far in advance of the ordinary round-leaved or
summer Spinach, the leaves being as large again
and with greater substance. Another advantage is
that it does not run to seed so quickly. I have in
a previous note advised growing this Spinach for
the autumn and winter supply, and those who give
it a trial on good ground will not fail to be satis-
fied with the produce. For summer use I should
advise sowing this kind on ground richly manured
for a previous crop, and no digging or forking is
required —only cleaning the ground previous to
sowing the seed. I find it does best when sown in
rather deeper drills during the summer months.
For the winter supply this treatment does not
answer, as an open piece of ground, thoroughly
prepared for the purpose, is necessary. The Vic-
toria Spinach requires more room in the drills than
the older kinds, as if at all crowded the leaves do
not attain nearly so large a size. I find this variety
remains fit for the table from ten days to a fort-
night longer than the old round-leaved, and for
winter culture it is the best of all, being far in ad-
vance of the Prickly. I have not sown the Prickly
for the last two winters, as the Victoria is more
hardy, and does not go off in patches, as the old
winter Spinach often does. If this variety is sown
about the second or third week in August on a
well-drained border, heavily manured, and the
drills 2 feet apart, leaving the seedlings, say,
8 inches or 9 inches from plant to plant, there will
be no difficulty experienced in always having abund-
ance of this useful vegetable. Thinning is an
important point often overlooked, as if allowed to
grow close together the plants draw, and are in
consequence very tender and unable to withstand
our winters, and in the spring only a few of the
hardiest plants survive. I have observed that the
greatest enemy to the beds of winter Spinach is
not so much sharp frost as the cutting east winds.
Shelter from the east will do much to preserve the
plants. Often this plan is impracticable, as the
sheltered corners are required for other purposes.
In that case some long dry litter or Bracken be-
tween the rows will save the crop of young tender
leaves which come in most acceptable during March
when other vegetables are scarce, and the plants
will produce much more than if checked just when
starting into growth. There will be no necessity to
sow Spinach in heat for the spring supply if the
Victoria is used, as it remains a long time
fit for use if kept closely cut, and during
dry weather, after the March winds, a thorough
watering of liquid manure greatly assists it. This
variety should not be sown for a summer crop be-
tween the rows of tall Peas, as is usually the plan
in many gardens, for if the rows of Peas are close the
Spinach soon becomes drawn. G. Wtthes.

Syon House, Brentford.

find this new Pea what it was represented to be.
In future I shall sow less of the American Wonder,
as Chelsea Gem produces a heavier crop, and
coming in as early it will prove a useful variety. I
have also grown it in pots, and it is very good, bear-
ing an abundant crop of good-sized pods. It was
sown in the first week in February on an open bor-
der and without any protection of any kind. We
gathered on June 10 a nice lot of Peas, and are
likely to continue doing so for some time, as it is
wonderfully prolific. The flavour when cooked is
excellent, and better than that of many of the
early round Peas. It also takes up such a small
amount of room that no doubt when it becomes
better known it will be much grown. Being only
1 foot high, it can be grown in many gardens where
taller Peas would take up too much space. I in-
tend sowing it at this time of year for a late crop
on a well-manured border, feeling sure it will do
well, and as at this season there is always a diffi-
culty in finding room in a well-cropped garden, by
sowing this variety, a border or any small space
can be found that would not do for the taller kinds.
The haulm should always have some support in the
way of twigs or sticks, as owing to the plants bear-
ing so freely they are very heavy and thus require
staking. — G. W.

Pea Chelsea Gem. — I have this season given
this new Pea a trial, planting it by the side of
American Wonder, and it has given great satisfac-
tion. I intend next season to grow a much larger
breadth of it, as it is a remarkably free cropper
and as early as the American Wonder. The pods
are much larger, being half as long again as those
of the kind named, and hanging in pairs from the
bottom to the top of the haulm in profusion. I am
rather chary in growing a large quantity of any
new vegetable till it is well known to be better
than the older kinds, and I was much pleased to

NOTES OP THE WEEK.

Aetinidia Kolomikta has flowered here for the
first time this spring. I have not heard before of it
having bloomed hitherto in so cold a district as North
Cheshire. — Rho.

Escallonia Philippiana.— This is a dwarf shrub
with very slender, pendulous branches. These are now
crowded with thousands of small white flowers. It is
most telling for the margin of shrubberies or associated
with the dark-leaved Japanese Maples.— W. O., Fota.
Indigofera decora alba in Ireland.— This
is a slow-growiug shrub, hut it blooms most profusely
every year and sometimes twice. It has long racemes
of pure white flowers, often reaching 8 inches in length.
It may be raised from seed, and grows in any good,
light garden soil.— W. O., Fota.

Iris oehroleuea gigantea is a fine form of one
of the most beautiful and stately of the svimmer bloom-
ing Irises. It has falls of great breadth, much larger
than those of the ordinary type, and the flowers are
more compact. It is very free, as might have been
seen by a plant recently in bloom with Messrs. Barr
and Son, Long Ditton.

Williams' Memorial. — We understand that a
committee is being formed to raise a memorial fund to
this distinguished horticulturist. Full particulars will
he duly announced. Anyone wishing to communicate
can do so to Alfred Outram, 7, Moore Park Road,
Fwlham, London.

Eivers' Alexander Peach.— I have this day
(July 7) gathered several nice ripe Peaches from a tree
growing against an open wall facing south. This is the
earliest date I have yet gathered outdoor Peaches, and
I would caution those interested in this not to put it
down to climate, because this is the worst season ex-
perienced here during the last fifteen years, and I give
the credit whollv to the especially early habit of the
variety in question.— J. MuiR, Margam.

Ozothamnus rosmarinifolins.— I have sent
a spray of this to show the profusion of flower, and to
suggest that it may prove a valuable plant in small
pots, lightly forced for conservatory decoration. _ It
grows well in any good garden soil, and is easily raised
from cuttings, hut it is not long-lived, and consequently
it is well to keep young plants. The flowers are very
small, hut so profusely borne as to completely hide the
leaves. It is a native of Australia and a most desirable
shrub to have. — W. O.

Strawberry tree (Benthamia fragifera) at

Fota. lYees of this are now quite a picture of

beauty. Our largest specimen has a spread of
branches of over 100 feet in circumference and
furnished to the ground. I must leave you to judge
of the profusion of flower from the twig I have
sent. The height of the tree is hardly in propor-
tion to the spread of branches, being only about
30 feet. In the autumn and winter the branches are
bent into a pendulous position by the great weight of
red fruits, which are equally as ornamental as the

flowers, and being a little bitter the feathered tribe
leave them until extreme hunger comes. Young
trees grow up about the place from self-sown seed.
Where it is possible to grow this it should find a
place. The fruit is often described as about the
size of that of the Arbutus, but here it reaches
about 4 inches in circumference, and is not quite so
dark and conical as the fruits of Arbutus. Native
of Nepaul.— W. O.

%* The finest flowers we have seen, a beautiful
pale lemon-yellow in colour, the edges and points
tipped with pink.— Ed.

Solanum jasminoides at Cork.— This is a
fine trailing plant with large bunches of white
flowers. Too much cannot be said in praise of
this for covering walls or rambling over the trunks
and branches of dead trees. It will keep in flower
for six months, and where white flowers are required
for table decoration it is invaluable. It is now in
flower here, and will keep so until the blooms are
discoloured by frost.

Shrubs in flower at Fota. — Many shrubs are
clothed with their white garb now, as Rapbiolepis
ovata, Weigela Candida, Weigela grandiflora alba,
Hakea saligna, &c A large bush of Leptosper-
mum grandiflorum now covered with its small
white flowers is an object of great attraction
to visitors. Magnolia grandiflora, a fine evergreen
tree, also Magnolia conspicua, a deciduous species,
both with large white flowers, are now in bloom. —
W. O., Cork.

*,* Several interesting separate notes will be
found from our correspondent. — Ed.

Lychnis Haageana.— Herewith I send a
small box containing a single floret of Lychnis
Haageana and should like your opinion, as it is far
superior in size and form of flower to others I
have seen, the petals being broader, less deeply
notched, and forming almost a perfect circle. The
plant is 28 inches high, with two stems bearing to-
gether thirteen expanded flowers with othersto
follow on, and there are also about a dozen side
branches or offsets showing buds to flower later.
This plant is useful for cutting, the flowers lasting
quite a week in water. — F. C. A.

%* Impossible to form an opinion from a single
flower. — Ed.

Olearia macrodonta. — It may interest the
Rev. T. M. Bulkeley-Owen (p. 19) to learn that this
Olearia is quite hardy here, and flowers annually
with much regularity. The small plant I received
from Mr. Owen three years ago has not flowered,
but another specimen obtained several years pre-
viously has bloomed profusely since it was 3 feet
high, and it is now 7 feet in height. From the
remarks passed on it by various visitors here, I am
inclined to regard it as uncommon, and this is to
be regretted, as it is undoubtedly one of the most
beautiful flowering shrubs extant.— J. MuiR, Mar-
gam, S. Wales.

Olearia macrodonta, now called 0. ilicifolia,

has now large terminal bunches of light flowers,
and is a most ornamental shrub, with Holly-like
leaves.— W. 0., Fota.

Philadelphia microphyllus.— In this little
Mock Orange we have a most charming addition to
hardy shrubs. There is a large number of Mock
Oranges, but they are so much alike that it requires
a very discriminating eye to detect the differences
between some of them. There is no mistaking this
new comer, asit is quite distinct from all the others.
It is a pigmy in stature compared with the others,
as the largest plants I have seen are under a yard
high. The leaves are small, much like those of a
Myrtle, and the twigs fork out on opposite sides of
the stems in a very regular way. The flowers, each
over an inch across, have four petals arranged
crosswise and of snowy whiteness. They are borne
singly on the tiny twigs, but they are so numerous
as to quite wreathe the upper half of the shoots, so
that a well-flowered bush looks amass of white. It
grows into a dense compact bush, and is altogether
a very dainty little shrub, and quite worthy of a
choice place in a garden. Half-a-dozen plants of
it placed a yard apart in a round bed on a lawn
would in a season or two be quite a feature, and
there would be no harm in having white Lilies

24

THE GARDEN.

[July 12, 1890.

among thein, so as to continue the white mass of
bloom after the Mock Orange is past. It comes
from Colorado, and though it is not absolutely new
in a nurseryman's sense, it is a novelty to most
people. Everybody admired it when it was shown
so beautifully in bloom at the Eoyal Horticultural
Society's meeting a few weeks ago. There is no
doubt about its hardiness.

Flowers from Chirnside. — I have sent you a
few blooms of a new white Polemonium raised from
seed from the blue form of P. Richardsoni. It is a
prettier thing than the ordinary white form of
Polemonium. The Androsace sent is one I got
from Herr Mas Leichtlin, of Baden. It is nearly
allied to A. lanuginosa, but very distinct. I also
enclose a bouquet of tufted Pansy Violetta, which
is certainly the dwarfest in growth and sweetest ;
also Geranium pratense flore-albo, single, and
Primula scotica, a little gem, the plants of which are
flowering a second time profusely.— G. Stuart,
Hillside, Chirnside, N.B.

Strawberries from Burghley. — Some ex-
cellent Strawberries, Chief Secretary and Burghley
President, have been sent to us by Mr. Gilbert.
This winter-in-summer-time is not a fair time to
judge the flavour of Strawberries, especially by
one who only believes in British Queen, so far as
flavour goes. The Burghley President was very
fine fruit, but the Chief Secretary had a somewhat
better flavour. We should like to hear more of it,
and hope Mr. Gilbert will give Strawberries for
flavour a share of his skilful attention.

Carpenteria oaliforniea. — This little known
shrub is now nicely in bloom. The flowers are
sweetly scented, and doubtless when better known
this plant will be largely grown and prized by all
lovers of ornamental flowering shrubs. The flowers
invariably come- from the points of the current
year's growth. They are five in number, the ter-
minal bud opening first, the others opening in pairs,
which are opposite. The leaves are light green on
the upper surface with a much lighter colour under-
neath, so that without the flowers it is a very orna-
mental shrub. — W. 0., Fata, Ireland.

%* One of the most beautiful shrubs which have
been introduced to this country for many years.
It is of extreme beauty, and has fine flowers and
graceful foliage. A coloured plate of it was given in
THE Gabden, January 29, 1887.— Ed.

The Clammy Locust (Kobinia viscosa). — At
the present time there are very few hardy trees in
flower, and certainly the most attractive is the pink-
flowered Locust or Acacia, introduced a century
ago from the Virginian woods. It is a really beau-
tiful tree, and even if it flowered earlier among a
crowd of others it would stand out prominently
from the rest. As a tree it much resembles the
common False Acacia (R. pseudacacia), the foli-
age being much the same in form and of the same
pale green, but the growth is more dense, and old
trees of it have more rounded heads. The flowers,
too, in denser and shorter clusters instead of white,
are of a delicate pink, but sometimes deeper than
those of Pecaisne's variety of the pseudacacia. It
does not grow so tall as the common Acacia, and
is, therefore, a better garden tree, especially as it
comes to maturity more quickly. I have recently
seen some fine specimens of it in an old Sussex gar-
den, where they nestled among other trees and with
a background of dark green Evergreen Oak. The
effect of the mass of pale pink bloom and light
green foliage against the dark masses of Ilex was
charming. It is not a very common tree except in
old places. At Kew there are now some fine trees
of it in full bloom, and at Syon House and about
Chiswick it may be seen. It grows well in almost
any soil, and is decidedly one of the most select
trees one can plant. It may always be recognised
from the other Acacias by the red-barked shoots
which are clammy to the touch. — W. G. Q.

The new Poppies, especially P. pavoninum, are
a charming addition to our summer flowers — the
curious horned sepals, which give the bud a. pecu-
liar appearance, and the bright coloured flowers
making a very attractive bed as lasting as most of
this class. P. aculeatum is a name under which I
have received a very fine Poppy with deeply cut

leaves and abundance of brown spines. P. flori-
bundum is probably the correct name, however, as
P. aculeatum, if I remember rightly, is a more
slender plant and an annual species from the Cape.
The plant I received differed little except perhaps
in robustness, and that it was perennial and capable
of withstanding our winters in the open. P. flori-
bundum is a native of Spain, a near ally of another
very charming Poppy known in gardens as P.
caucasicum, a good perennial, flowering all through
summer. P. atlanticum, as well as P. pilosum and
P. spicatum, are also worth growing. — K.

White Foxgloves in the wild garden. — I

send you a photograph showing a group of Fox-
gloves in the wild garden here, and which have
made a fine show during the last three weeks.
The photograph was taken on June 23. The plants
were raised from seed sown in the summer of 1888
and the seedlings were planted out in the autumn
of 1889. Many of the plants are over 12 feet high,
and are carrying from one root three and in some
cases four spikes. Lupines and tall white Cam-
panulas growing beside the Foxgloves make a
very charming group. — M. Cammell, Loxwood
Mouse, Sussex.

Galax aphylla. — One of the most charming
plants in flower with us now is the Galax aphylla.
It does not seem to be much grown, or we have
failed to see it, and that indeed would be im-
possible, considering the striking effect produced
by its abundance of pearly white spikes of flowers,
somewhat like those of a Plantago. It thrives best
in a peat bed, where it runs with the greatest
freedom, and soon forms fine tufts of handsome
evergreen leaves. These are of a deep crimson-
bronze colour, and are largely collected in America
and used for decoration. We have seen leaves
from America much brighter and deeper tinted
than our own, although those grown on plants here
may well be used in this way, especially in late
autumn and winter, when indeed the colouring is
most highly developed. It likes full sun, and may
be easily propagated by the runners, which form in
the greatest abundance. — K.

Eryngiums in flower. — Few of the Eryngiums
at present in flower equal the grand E. giganteum
so common in our gardens, its large and numerous
heads of frosted silver involucres and glaucous
leaves making it a very distinct border plant. E.
alpinum, which seems to do best on heavy soils, is
a very beautiful species when it can be seen in per-
fection, but we fancy it is more shy than E. gigan-
teum, even when suited with soil and position. E.
amethystinum is a dwarf species with large heads
of deep steel-blue involucres, very pretty and use-
ful for the rockery. We do not see very much
difference between E. Oliverianum and E. Bour-
gati in merit, the former being, however, more
robust and perhaps the freer of the two. E. pu-
milum is a dwarf form with much the same habit
and aspect. The better forms of E. planum are
very handsome ; it is one of the commonest and
easiest to manage, and is often called E. cceruleum.
E. glaciale and E. maritimum are both worth a
place on the rockery, as also E. Lasseauxi, serra,
pandanifolium, and others of this class.

Maurandya Barclayana. — When grown in
suitable situations, this greenhouse climber is cap-
able of producing the most beautiful effects. In
the temperate house at Kew it is used for clothing
the bare stems of the large Araucarias and C'ordy-
lines, and, being now in flower, forms one of the
prettiest pictures imaginable. On a tree of Arau
caria Cunninghami it is especially fine ; here the
slender, hanging shoots find sufficient support on
the peeling bark, and completely drape the stem and
lower branches. The leaves are small, and being
of a delicate light green, the scores of deep violet
purple flowers show against them in most effective
contrast. This species is a native of Mexico, and
will thrive in the coolest greenhouse -it is sufficient
if the frost be kept out. Treated as an annual it
may be grown outside. It varies considerably in
the colour of the flowers, some being of much
deeper shade than others, but all the varieties ap-
pear to be white in the throat. It is easily propa-

gated and may be increased either by seed or cut-
tings. For quickly clothing bare places, such as
those mentioned, this plant is unrivalled ; in two
years when planted out it will form a luxuriant mass
of foliage several feet high. Where it is not able
to find sufficient support of itself, a few leading
shoots should be tied up from time to time. It will
grow equally well in either peaty or loamy soil,
provided it has plenty of water.

Marechal Niel Rose flowering a second

time. — Enclosed are flowers of this Rose from a plant
that has bloomed once before thisspring. It is alarge
plant growing in a No. 2 pot. I secured a crop of
bloom in April. The plant was pruned back to two-
thirds of its growth early in May. This has caused
latent buds to start, with the resalt that I have an-
other fine crop of flowers. One flower and cluster of
buds sent show well the Noisette character of
Marechal Niel. The plant is upon its own roots,
and shows I think that it is possible to bloom this
beautiful Rose a second time in one season. —
Fsank Redington, Alderley Edge, Cheshire.

*„,* Flowers large, of fine form, and rich golden
colour. — Ed.

Cistus laurifolius and its variety maculatus,
the latter being also known under the name of C
cyprius, are both handsome and extremely useful
garden plants. These are the only two known to
us capable of forming large bushes in the garden,
and half-a-dozen planted perhaps thirty years ago
may be better described as trees than bushes.
Every year they are a mass of large blossoms.
Cistuses do in almost any situation, and will be
found most useful for planting on the edge of large
shrubberies or woods. They ripen abundance of
seed, by which means they are easily raised, or
they may be increased by cuttings placed under
hand-lights. C. monspeliensis, C. corbariensis,
and others, which form large masses in a few
years, do not seem to last very long and have to be
periodically renewed. — K.

Passiflora kewensis. — This Passion Flower is
a hybrid between P. kermesina and the well-known
P. caerulea, and forms in several respects a remark-
able link between the two. In habit it is an im-
provement on both, combining the vigour and free-
growing character of P. cierulea with the more
slender and graceful growth of the other parent.
The most important gain, however, is in hardiness,
P. kermesina being a stove species. At Kew there
are plants now flowering most abundantly in one of
the annexes to the temperate house, having been in
that position for over a year. It may therefore take
its place as one of the most beautiful and free-
flowering of greenhouse Passifloras. Its slender
growth renders it especially suitable for houses
where plants are growing underneath, which
heavier, denser-growing kinds of the Munroi type
would keep too shaded. The flowers have the
general appearance of those of P. kermesina, but,
owing to the influence of the other parent, they ac-
quire a purplish shade, and lose somewhat of the
clear delicate carmine as seen in P. kermesina. This
hybrid was raised at Kew about three years ago.

Vanda Denisoniana. — This is one of many
beautiful and interesting Orchids now flowering in
the garden of Mr. F. Wigan at East Sheen. As a
Vanda it is of more than usual interest in being
the only white-flowered species in cultivation ; in
beauty also it occupies a high place in the genus.
According to Colonel Benson, who discovered it in
the Arracan Mountains in 18G9, it loves shady spots
on the branches of large trees, and is frequently
found growing near Dendrobium crystallinum.
The raceme is short and few-flowered — generally
four or five— each flower being about 2 inches in
diameter, and, with the exception of some orange-
coloured markings at the base of the lip, pure white.
The curiously shaped, but handsome lip is broad
at the base, contracted at the middle, and divided
at the apex into two outwardly curving lobes,
happily compared by Reichenbach to the shape of
a blackcock's tail. It is a plant of stout, dwarf
habit, with stiff, recurving, deep green leaves, and
on account of its chaste beauty and distinct charac-
ter is a most desirable Orchid.

July 12, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

25

WALL GARDENING.

Although we well know that many alpine
plants thrive much better on the almost per-
pendicular surfaces of rugged walls than they
do in any other spots, wall gardening may be
said to be almost in its infancy — in this country,
at any rate. Nature, if allowed full play, will
teach us many things we do not know, and we
have only to visit an old-fashioned garden, where
things are left pretty much to themselves, to
realise the truth of this. Old crumbling walls
have many times been a source of the greatest
pleasure to us, and we have seen pretty little
alpines, that have almost baffled us to get esta-

lost through over-abundant moisture. The
difficulty will be, of course, in getting them
properly established, and the most satisfactory
way is in sowing the seeds at the proper time,
and keeping them moist until they germinate.
On a wall such as we have indicated we have
seen the Cheddar Pink flowering more freely
than we have ever known it to do on the
rockery, and the same may be said about many
alpines, such as Erinus alpinus, most of the
crusted Saxifrages, and notably S. longifolia, the
alpine Toadflax, the silvery-leaved Potentillas,
and nearly all the Stonecrops and House-
leeks. The centre plant in the accompanying

Willi gardening

will be found suitable, the Androsaces, Drahas,
Hypericums, Epilobiums, Convolvulus, Antirr-
hinums, and many other equally handsome and
desirable kinds. In many gardens, walls have
been built specially and properly for the recep-
tion of these plants, and where they have been
made a part of the rockery, as we notice has
been done at Kew, the convenience will be found
very great. In building a wall, as much care
should be taken with regard to soil as there
would be with a rockery. Roots of many
alpines travel a long way, and if the wall has
been built against a bank of good soil the more
shady spots will be found most suitable for the
various Ramondias, Janksea Heldreichi, Haber-
lea rhodopensis, most of the choicer dwarf Ferns,
alpine Speedwells, Ac. Cacti, such as Opuntia
Rafinesquei, O. missouriensis, and O. humilis,
will form a very interesting group for a rockery
of this description. In places where the
garden has been divided from the park by
sunk wall, this with a little care may be
made a highly interesting object. Indeed, all
sunk walls where the sides may be built up
of rough stones are capable of being made as
beautiful and rich with alpine vegetation as a
so-called rockery. If these remarks should help
in beautifying many of the walls and old
buildings at present bare and unsightly, they
will have served their purpose. K.

blished on the ordinary rockwork, quite at home
on such places. Besides alpines, these old walls
giveroom to otherthings. In Kew Gardens a Cu-
pressus, a White Thorn, a Forsythia, and other
such plants grow on a dry brick wall. It is no
unusual sight to see old n-alls beautifully draped
with the graceful Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Pansies,
&c. , while the top is gay with common Wall-
flower, many other Cruciferfe, Linaria purpurea,
and such like plants. We believe, indeed, that
many hundreds of alpines may be grown in this
way finer than in any other, and they will sur-
vive our damp winters much better than on the
rockery, where a large per-centage is probably

engraving is the Cobweb Houseleek (Semper-
vivum arachnoideum), and it would be difficult
to find such a handsome or healthy mass in any
other position. We are not, however, nearly at
the end of our list, as it includes many of the
Campanulas, as C. garganica hirsuta and C.
versicolor, which grows in just such positions in
sunny Italy. The Ligurian Hairbell (C. iso-
phylla and alba) stands here, when it gets killed
in the open border. It is one of the most pro-
fuse flowering species, and is not hurt by
drought. C. Raineri, fragilis and others are
also suitable, and may be made quite at home.
Almost all the Dianthuses of the plumarius typa

Orchids.

VANDA HOOKERIANA.

I am happy to say this genus appears to be
coming into favour again, and the slender grow-
ing terete-leaved V. Hookeriana is now flower-
ing freely with Mr. Whillans at Blenheim. V.
teres has been flowering freely at the same
place, also in Sir Trevor Lawrence's collection,
in that of the Messrs. Williams at Holloway,
and also with Mr. Horsman at Colchester. The
tricolor section of Vandas has been very fine
with Mr. Measures at Camberwell, and I re-
cently received a beautiful form of V. Bensoni
from Mr. Woodall, of Scarborough. I have
noted recently that these plants have realised
more money than they have done of late years
at public auctions. V. Kimballiana, figured in
The Garden, April 5, 1889 (p. 322), and intro-
duced by the late Mr. Stuart Low, of Clapton,
is a gem which no one can help admiring, and
which will doubtless do much to restore this
genus to public favour.

V. Hookeriana was figured in The Garden,
January 6, 1883 (p. 10), but the form now
flowering with Mr. Whillans is much darker
and richer in colour than the one there illus-
trated. It was originally discovered by Lobb
whilst collecting for the Messrs. Veitch in
Labuan, a small island belonging to this country,
and lying off the north-west coast of Borneo,
having an area of about forty-five square miles.
I do not find that it has any mountains of great
elevation, it being only about eleven miles in
length by seven miles in breadth, so that
the surroundings of the plant must be very
warm indeed. Mr. Chatterjee, a native of
Calcutta and a nurseryman in business there,
told me he had collected it in quantities, but
that the temperature at Calcutta in the cool
season was too low for it, and it did not thrive
with him. Mr. Whillans tells me that he grows
it in very strong heat, and keeps it constantly
moist. The plants are plunged in Sphagnum
Moss and well drained. It was named in
honour of the late Sir William Hooker, director
of the Botanic Gardens at Kew, by Professor
Reichenbach in 1856. Some few years later it

26

THE GARDEN.

[July 12, 1890.

was imported by the Messrs. Low, of Clapton,
and a plant was sent to the collection at Kew.
Although it grew well 1 could not succeed in
flowering it, and 1 believe it was not until
about the year 1882 or 1883 that it flowered
simultaneously with Sir N. de Rothschild at
Tring Park and Mr. Bockett at Stamford Hill.
Since then I have seen it upon only few occa-
sions. It is a slender plant, with erect pale
green leaves, which are each nearly 3 inches
long, tapering upwards, and ending in a some-
what blunt awl-shaped point, the stem produc-
ing an abundance of aerial roots. In fact it is
an exact counterpart of a very slender plant of
Vanda teres. The flower-spike grows from near
the top of the stem, and produces, I believe,
naturally as many as five flowers, but I
have never yet seen it with more than two
on the scape. To see it bearing several spikes,
and each of these with five flowers, would be
perfectly enchanting. The flowers are large,
each measuring as much across as its ieaves do
in length. In some forms the sepals and pe-
tals are white, more or less dotted with deep
magenta ; in others white, tinged and streaked
with bright rose. In the form now flowering
at Blenheim the sepals and petals are white,
heavily suffused with rich rose ; whilst the large
lip is three-lobed, the side lobes standing erect,
and of arichvinouspurple ;the front lobe is some-
what triangular, and stained throughout with
deep rich vinous purple, becoming pale to-
wards the margins, the disc traversed with
several raised lines of a paler hue. This plant
has been extremely rare in this country, and is
I believe still so, saving in a few large collec-
tions, as that of the Cuke of Marlborough,
where it appears to be well managed by Mr.
Whillans, who says it will not stand much dry-
ing or resting, its slender stems soon shrivel-
ing if it is subjected to drought at any season.
W. H. Gower.

petals, dotted with mauve, the edge being prettily
crenate, and the remaining portion of a bluish-
purple, saving a V-shaped mark of white along the
disc, this varying colour rendering it very beautiful.
The plant appears to have been introduced from
Bombay by the Messrs. Loddiges. It was found
in Madras by Wight, and also in Ceylon by others,
and from this latter country my " Scotch Friend "
says he imported it. It does not appear to have
been met with by our modern collectors. — W. H. G.

Cattleya gigas imperialis. — I am in receipt
of a letter from Mr. D. Oullimore, gardener to Mr.
Malcolm Cooke, Kingston, in which he says he
sends two flowers of this plant to know if it is
correctly named. The form of C. gigas is, I have
no doubt, correctly named, being of an intense rich
deep rose in its sepals and petals, with the large lip
beautifully frilled and of a uniform rich rosy-purple
hue ; there are two rich orange eye-like spots at
the sides of the throat, the side lobes being deep
rosy-purple. It is really a very deeply coloured
form of the type.— W. H. G.

Cattleya Mossise. — I am in receipt of a flower
of this species from the collection of Mrs. Studd,
Bath. It would appear to come near to the form
n imed aurea by Moore. It is less spreading than
the majority of the flowers of C. Mossia?, and has
the sepals and petals of a pale rosy-lilac ; the lip is
stained at the base with pale orange, which reaches
forward along the outer margin for a considerable
distance. The middle of the lip is bright violet-
rose, streaked with lines of a deeper shade. It
is a very bright and handsome form. — W. H. G.

Vanda parviflora. — With a letter signed " A
Scotch Friend " come some flowers of this species,
which is a very rare plant, although in years gone
by I used to have a very fine variety in the Kew
collection. It would appear to have received vari-
ous names, having been figured in the Botanical
Mai/azine under the name oE Aerides Wighteanum
(Lindley) ; the same author also called it Aerides
testaceum. I believe it comes under the genus
Vanda, and that the forms called V. Amesiana and
V. Kimballiana are near relations. In growth it
somewhat resembles V. Amesiana, although its stem
is not so free-rooting, and it bears thick and fleshy
leaves, which are unequally lobed at thS points.
The raceme is erect and many-flowered, the sepals
and petals of a brownish-yellow ; the lip is very
conspicuous ; the outer border of the large spreading
front lobe is of the same colour as the sepals and

A SENSITIVE ORCHID.

MASDEVALLIA MUSCOSA.

This species enjoys the distinction of being the
most interesting of all Masdevallias, it might
almost be said of all Orchids, for there is only one
other which is known positively to possess a similar
peculiarity, namely, that of a lip so sensitive as to
be set in motion by the slightest touch. Although
far from being the prettiest of the genus, it has a
distinct and quiet beauty that entities it from that
point of view alone to more notice than many
other species in cultivation. It is of dwarf and
very compact habit, the leaves being thick and
leathery and each 2 inches in length. The scapes
are G inches high and thickly covered with pale
green hairs, a most unusual character in Masde-
vallias. The solitary flowers they bear are pale
yellow, the veins on the sepals being tinged with
red. The sepals are triangular at the base, but
with attenuations an inch long. The petals are
small and stand forward over the column. The
front portion of the lip is somewhat triangular, but
at the back it narrows into a delicate hinge. On
the broad part (which normally hangs down and is
fully exposed) there is a crest or ridge, and it is
here that the irritability is centred. The least
touch, that of a hair even, is sufficient to excite
the lip into movement. At first this is slow, but it
ends in a quick jerk upwards towards the column.
When an insect alights on the sensitive part it is
carried up and enclosed in a little box that is
formed by the lip and the other parts of the flower.
At the top, near the anther case, however, there is
left a small aperture, and it is suggested that the
insect by escaping through this carries away the
pollen masses, and by afterwards visiting another
flower brings about cross-fertilisation.

This Masdevallia is a native of New Grenada,
where it was first collected by Mr. Shuttleworth,
from whose dried specimens Eeichenbach made
his original description in 1875. It was introduced
to cultivation by Messrs. Low about four years ago,
and a plant presented by them to Kew flowered in
1887, when the mobile lip was first noticed. This
plant is now in flower.

Of the other instances of movable labellums the
best known is the rocking or dancing motion, as
seen in Anguloas, Bulbophyllums, &c, when the
flowers are disturbed. This, however, is entirely
different from what occurs in the Masdevallia,
being simply mechanical, and due to the delicate
hinge on which the flower is balanced. A more
interesting case is that of Megaclinium falcatum,
which displays at times a curious automatic move-
ment of the lip, which is quite spontaneous. As
stated at the beginning of this note, there is only
one Orchid besides this Masdevallia where the lip
is excited into movement by external stimulus ;
this is a little Australian species belonging to the
genus Pterostylis, which has never, I believe, been
in cultivation. W. Bean.

of V. Bensoni ; in fact, the finest I have seen ; the
only' other species which it comes near may be V.
Stangeana, but this I have never seen. — W. H. G.

Vanda Bensoni. -Flowers of what appear to
me to be those of this species come from Mr.
Woodall, of Scarborough, and they are from a very
beautiful variety. The ground colour in front is of
the usual yellowish-green, but this is so covered with
spots and blotches and iines as to almost amount
to reticulation, in spite of what some authorities
assert, that it is distinguished " by the absence of
tessellations." The lip is three-lobed, having small
erect side lobes, which are white ; the front lobe is
bifid at the apex, the two lobes being of a soft
violet hue, and the white spur short, straight, and
conical. My opinion is that this is a very fine form

HARDY ORCHIDS.
Both Habenarias (H. ciliaris and H. fimbriata)
and Orchis spectabilis have been sent me in
good form from Rochester, but, like those at
Edge Hall, they have gradually dwindled away,
probably, as Mr. Dod sajs, from our seasons being
too sunless to ripen the tubers. That they do well
under cultivation I am often informed by that
veteran plantsman, Mr. Ellwanger, who gets them
to do well on his rockery.

Never before had I so fine spikes of our native
fragrant Orchid (Orchis conopsea) as this season
from those collected on the chalk cliffs near Dover.
It is a pretty wilding, full of beauty and fragrance.

The Scorched Orchid (0. ustulata) seems to take
every visitor by surprise, and my goodly-sized
clump has become less and less by the admirations
of friends, indirectly. I hope that it is amenable
to garden culture ; if so, it will be one of the neatest
and prettiest gems of the rockwork, for it likes a
dry hillock, or perched high amongst rocky boulders,
and in loamy lime.

We have all heard of the postman and his Filmy
Ferns, but less so of the railway porter and his
Bee Orchids, a curious instance of how certain per-
sons succeed with miffy plants. The latter instance
is that of a South-eastern Railway porter who
grows the Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) to perfec-
tion on the railway cutting and close to busy traffic.
Such strong, sturdy plants and so large flower-stems
I have not before seen on this pretty Orchid.

The Madeira Orchid (0. foliosa) promises well,
but it must be well established before the big green
leaves and great head of flowers are at all freely
produced. Easy of growth and delighting in
damp peaty ground, it is just the Orchid for the
amateur, for I question if any other is more readily
grown. 0. maculata is unusually fine this dripping
ummer, and where its likes are studied it is cer-
tainly a pretty plant of noble bearing. Coppice
woods that have recently been thinned out or cut
over abound with the Butterfly Habenaria (H. bi-
folia), a sweet and interesting representative of our
native flora, and one that takes kindly to the gar-
den border. The Twayblade, too (Listera ovata),
though of nogaudy floral tints, deserveslookingafter.

But amongst all our hardy Orchids few can com-
pare with the giant Helleborine (Cephalanthera
grandiflora), a plant that must be measured by
feet, and not, as is usual with our native species,
by inches. I measured it 3 feet 3 inches, and have
seen more than one plant of that height. Pretty
and uncommon amongst its family are the big erect
flowers of this particular species. Chalk escarp-
ment and under the shade of the common Spruce
Fir are the simple requirements of this noble Orchid.
Neither the narrow-leaved form (C. ensifolia) nor
the purple variety (C. rubra) grow around here, so
some kind reader would be rewarded by forwarding
me plants.

Both the Spider and Fly Orchids (Ophrys arani-
fera and 0. muscifera) have flowered well this
season, but they want often replacing from
their native wilds. A noble plant is the Lizard
Orchid (0. hircina), and it is just as curious of
formation as it is stalwart of growth. It flowers
with me. Orchis mascula has been very fine, but
the white form, of which there is a fine specimen
on Mr. Lubbock's rockery at The Rookery, is chaste
and handsome, and unfortunately very rare. Violet,
pink, and mulberry-coloured have been the varying
tints of 0. Morio in a field hard by, and the former
is the favourite. They all do well under cultivation.
That our native Orchids are worthy of some
attention in the garden will be admitted by most
of those who have attempted their culture, but
that they are still a neglected family can hardly
be denied. A. D. Webster.

Holly dale, Kent.

Cypripedium venustum. — It is seldom that
any class of Orchids, whose habit is so decidedly
terrestrial as the Cypripedium, ever attempts to

July 12, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

27

change its manner of existence, but I think an ac-
count of how I once saw C. venustum growing may
prove interesting to your readers. We were jour-
neying in the Eastern Himalayas during May, 1885,
and had before us one day the almost vertical
ascent from a river bed to an altitude of 5000 feet.
"Vegetation was scarce on that rocky mountain side,
and the heat and exertion of that climb were expe-
riences never to be forgotten. Having reached the
highest point of the ascent, the path descended
gently for a couple of miles, bringing us to a stream
whose course, as far as could be seen, was a series
of waterfalls, amidst huge Moss-covered rocks and
banks of dense jungle on either side. Thence the
track took ns through a piece of thick forest, in the
midst of which we discovered a huge boulder
cropping out of the earth and sloping slightly over
our heads. On the under surface, to our astonish-
ment, we saw at least a couple of hundred plants
of C. venustum growing in the greatest luxuriance,
their roots clinging to the rocks after the manner
of true epiphytes. By reason of the angle of the
under side surface no soil could remain on it ; and
neither was there, as is frequently the case in
rocks, any coating of Moss to provide shelter or
food for the roots. Moreover, the overhanging
rock prevented direct rainfall reaching the plants,
the necessary moisture being supplied by a small
stream which trickled over the crest, and branched
in several directions in just sufficient quantity to
keep the whole surface damp. But for the protec-
tion and shade afforded by the forest, as well as the
equable moist condition of the air arising from the
swampy ground near, I doubt very much if these
plants would ever have come into existence. But
under these circumstances they were certainly in
the best of condition, and had produced as good a
crop of flowers as any I ever saw growing in the
soil. The roots struck me as being exceptionally
long, measuring as much as 3 feet and 4 feet. — R
Pantling.

was introduced by the late Mr. Stuart Low. I do The sepals and petals are spreading, nearly white

not remember having noted such a strong odour of
Turkey Rhubarb as pervades these flowers. In
some forms of this plant the stems are very gouty
and ugly. " J. M." says this plant was bought last
February, so that the investment has turned out
excellent.— W. H. G.

SHORT NOTES.— ORCHIDS.

Cattleya Gaskflliana. — A flower of this comes
from Mr. Malcolm Cooke, of Kingston Hill. It is
pretty, but not equal to others in cultivation, especially
such a lovely form as that shown by him recently at the
Drill Hall under the name of Cooke's var.

Odontoglossum vexillarium leueoglos-
sum. — A very large and fine flower of this species
recently came to me from " B. M.," of Northampton,
the sepals and petals soft pale rose, and the large lip
pure white. It is very handsome, the flowers being large
and of good substance. — G.

Masdevallias. — These gay flowers are now
beautiful in Messrs. Seeger and Tropp's establishment
at Dulwich ; here many shades of colour are to he
seen in the varieties of M. Harryana, hut one form
is quite distinct and handsome, and comes very near to
the variety named annemaca, the sepals being of a
soft rich apricot colour, the throat rich bright yellow.
— W.

Oncidium maeranthum. — A lovely variety
of this plant now flowering iu Sir Trevor Lawrence's
garden at Burford Lodge is hearing between forty and
fifty flowers, and the rich orange-yellow blooms are
very effective. I prefer, however, to see the panicle
of flowers stretched straight along the house in
preference to being tied round sticks. This is a plant
which appears to thrive in the coolest position and it
enjoys moisture. — W. G.

Phalaenopsis sumatrana. — I was much pleased
to see this plant recently blooming in the collection
at Burford Lodge. The plant appeared to be in fairly
good health, and the flowers were exquisite. It is
one of the hrushdeaved section ; consequently its
sepals and petals are somewhat narrow. They are
thick and fleshy in texture and creamy white in colour ;
lip of the same shade with a few lines of purplish violet.
It flowered for the first time in this country about
twenty-five years ago, and it has remained a rare
species ever since. — W. G.

Dendrobium Parishi. — J. Malcolm, of Shef-
field, sends me some flowers of this species. He
asks if they are not good, and he also adds the
plant is bearing seventy-six flowers. The flowers
are very richly coloured, of a rosy purple, having
two dark maroon-purple blotches in the lip at its
base. I flowered this plant the first year after it

HARDY CYPRIPEDIUMS.
Beighteb in colouring than almost any other occu-
pant of the alpine bed is the now well-known and
generally cultivated Mocassin Flower (Cypripedium
spectabile). No one need want a bit of rich colour-
ing on any shady mound or even amongst semi-
aquatic plants when they have this most accommo-
dating of hardy Orchids, for that it will grow well
under the most varied circumstances is well known
to most cultivators of the plant. Speaking gene-
rally, I have found that the North American Slipper
Orchids want a rich vegetable soil— decayed and
decaying leaf-mould and woody matter — in which
to grow, a plentiful supply of moisture, and partial
shade ; and lastly, but most important, to be left
alone when established. A top-dressing of rich
leaf-mould is not to be despised, if wemay judge from
how the roots rise up in quest of it. It may be
taken as granted that everyone can manage C.
spectabile and the still more accommodating C.
parviflorum, but it is not every crack plantsman
who can boast of having coaxed to remain with
him for four years the pretty stemless Slipper
Orchid (C. acaule). That it wants peculiar treat-
ment and a peculiarly cunning hand to deal with it
I have found out, though by paying dearly for my
experience. For years I procured remarkably
good specimens, and these are not often extra
good, and planted them out under many and
varied circumstances, but all to no purpose, for dis-
appear the plant would, coddle it as I might. Leaf
soil picked from under the Douglas Fir, a specific
for not a few plants, was tried in vain, and plant
after plant dwindled away and ultimately died out.
A very simple method of dealing with the plant
was then suggested, and that was to half sink in
the ground a crumbling Pine log, and on its de-
cayed and decaying surface to plant the roots of
the Cypripedium. This had the desired effect, for
the roots not only took freely to their epiphytal-
like surroundings, but the plants increased slowly,
a sure sign that matters were going on aright.

No credit, be it remembered, is due to me for
this novel method of culture, for an American
friend writes that in some of the large shady forests
" it seems to have a particular fondness for decay-
ing wood, and I often see a whole row perched like
birds along a crumbling log."

The small yellow Lady's Slipper (C. parviflorum)
succeeds with no care whatever if planted in a
partially shady spot and amongst gritty leaf-mould.
Treated so, it has increased with me in five years
from a double crown to sixteen flowering stems. It
is a miniature of our native C. Calceolus. With
neither the curious and rare Siberian plant C. ma-
eranthum nor the less pretty and equally uncom-
mon C. arietinum (the Ram's-head Slipper Orchid)
have I been at all successful, unless it can be called
so to flower a good root for the first time after re-
ceiving and never do so again. Last year both
these species flowered well with me out of doors,
but, alas ! this season not a flower has made its ap-
pearance, although the majority of their near allies
bloomed with freedom. C. pubescens can, I think,
be managed, for I once succeeded in getting it to
increase and produce fine flowers and very strong,
healthy leaves. This I may also say of the pretty
C. candidum, whose flowers are indescribably beau-
tiful and distinct from any of its race.

The above-named American Orchids are about
the only ones I have succeeded well with.

A. D. Wbbstbe.

or creamy- white ; lip also of the same colour,
bordered in front with dark brown, the side lobes
also blotched with the same colour. It is an ever-
green plant, native of Borneo, and requires to be
grown in the East India house. It does best in a
basket in rough fibrous peat and Sphagnum Moss,
and should have thorough drainage, as during the
summer season it enjoys a liberal supply of water,
and even during winter when resting it must be
kept sufficiently moist to keep it from shrivelling.
It was recently very handsome in the Burford
Lodge collection. — W. H. G.

The first Cattleya.— My friend, " F. W. B.,"
is right and he is wrong in his statement on p. 593
of The Gaeden, June 28. It is quite true that a
plant was imported in 1818 from some part of
Brazil, and that Lindley on this founded his genus
Cattleya, naming in honour of its possessor, Mr.
Cattley, of Barnet. This was, I believe, in the
autumn of 1821, but there was a plant introduced
some few years earlier by the Messrs. Loddiges,
of Hackney, and called by them Epidendrum vio-
laceum. This was afterwards included in the
genus Cattleya, so that C. Loddigesi must claim to
be the first Cattleya introduced to English gar-
dens, although it was the second species known
under this name. The old and true form of C.
labiata I cannot discover to have been introduced
more than once, and this fact would have led
our present race of botanists to call it a variety, as
no one would appear to have found it since, al-
though it has been searched for most assiduously
of late. I take little heed of statements made by
certain persons of finding it in such and such lo-
calities. A good illustration of this may be found
in C. Lawrenceana, discovered first by Sir Robert
Schomburgh, who passed it by, considering it to
be C. Mossiaj,' from which nothing could be more
distinct. It is now known that the number of
species or varieties belonging to the same section
as C. labiata are widely scattered over the conti-
nent of South America, and might easily be mis-
taken for it, especially by those not well ac-
quainted with Orchids. — W. H. G.

Trees and Shrubs.

THE CAROLINA ALLSPICE.

(CALYCANTHUS FLORIDUS. )

With its pretty and deliciously fragrant flowers,
one cannot help wondering why so accommodat-
ing a shrub as the Carolina Allspice is not more
frequently to be met with in this country.
Shade-loving shrubs, too, are valuable amongst
our commonly cultivated kinds, a fact that
should likewise render this Allspice of particular
value. Unfortunately, it has been branded
with the title of "half hardy," a misnomer, I
think, for that it does well almost anywhere
when planted as its peculiar nature demands,
few who have had the opportunity of observing
will care to deny. When perfectly established,
too, it is a plant of great beauty, the handsome
deep green leaves and numbers of dark crim-
son leathery flowers being so distinct from
those of any of the ordinary occupants of our
shrubbery. The flowers from being deliciously
fragrant — they having a sweet Quince - like
odour, or very near that of the Pine-apple — are
much in request for bouquet-making, and in
several parts of the country are cut and placed
in a satchel or in the pockets of the wearer.

Four feet or so is usually described as the
height to which the Carolina Allspice attains in
this country, but that it far exceeds these
bounds will be seen by the appended measure-
ments of a shrub growing a few yards from the
Ccelogyne Dayana.-This is a plant with I f™nt <}oor at Holwood House. This specimen
long, narrow, fusiform, pseudo-bulbs with the ls wel1 furnished in every way, being 8 feet
same habit of growth as C. Massangeana, and it high, and with branches which spread laterally
produces drooping spikes, bearing many flowers, for fully 10 feet. It is growing in light loam
and hence it is best to treat it as a basket plant. ' atop of gravel and in a shady and fully sheltered

28

THE GARDEN.

[July 12, 1890.

situation where sunshine does not enter for
more than an hour even on the brightest day.
But these are the conditions, I am told, under
which it is found in greatest perfection in its
native American wilds, and, as a rule, by imi-
tating Nature we cannot far err. The Holwood
specimen just referred to is, perhaps, of un-
usual dimensions, but evidently the peculiar
surroundings are in keeping with its wants in a
great degree. Tall Portugal Laurels, Straw-
berry trees, dwarf Limes, and Lombardy Pop-
lars keep away harsh blasts, while the light
warm soil, at all times sufficiently damp, nur-
tures it in the best possible way.

Few shrubs have a longer range of flowering
season than the Allspice, for from early spring
to late in summer a rich abundance is always to
be found on healthy vigorous-growing speci-
mens. The flowers vary but little in size, colour,
texture, or lasting properties, whilst the sweet
scent for which they are so remarkable seems
never wanting. Trained to a wall on the Kes-
ton Rectory I last week noted a fair-sized spe-
cimen of this shrub, but L fancy that it is not
well adapted for this, the easy graceful na-
ture of the plant being quite obliterated when
trained into shape in almost parallel lines on
a wall. Some shady sheltered nook, not far
from a road or path for the sake of its fragrant
flowers, is just the spot for the Carolina All-
spice, and all the better if a suitable soil is pre-
sent, although such I find is not of paramount
importance. In planting it should be relieved,
or kept free from the encroachment of other
shrubs and trees, although it is one of the few
shrubbery subjects that thrive well beneath the
shade of forest trees, and then its pretty habit
of growth and wealth of curiously tinted flowers
will be best shown off. Propagation is difficult,
and is effected from cuttings and by grafting, the
latter being generally resorted to. So distinct,
hardy, accommodating, and sweet-scented a shrub
deserves to be found in every garden and park.
A. D. Webster.

mon with many other desirable North American
trees, it is still comparatively rare. — T.

Ptelea trifoliata heterophylla— This is a

curious variety of the shrubby Trefoil, which
differs from the type in having leaves of five leaf-
lets, being interspersed with the normal trifoliate
ones. In other respects it does not differ from the
normal form, for it is of quite tree-like habit.
Though but a shrub in stature, it is very attractive
when profusely laden with its flattened seed
capsules, while besides this, the foliage often dies
off deeply tinted with gold. It will also succeed
better in dry sandy soils than many other shrubs.
There is a golden form which is very bright and
telling if in a position fully exposed to the sun's
rays, for like many other shrubs in which the
leaves are suffused with gold (not variegated) it is
never seen at its best when shaded, as the yellow
tint is then much less pronounced. — T.

Magnolia umbrella. — This, which is also
known as M. tripetala, is one of the finest of the
American Magnolias, for though the leaves are not
so large as those of M. macrophylla or M. auricu-
lata, it is not so particular as to soil and situation
as the other two. M. umbrella forms a free-
growing tree of a somewhat open character, whose
branches are furnished principally towards their
extremities with huge leaves, each considerably
over 1 foot (sometimes nearly 2 feet) in length,
and correspondingly broad. The whitish-coloured
flowers are not showy, but individually they are
large, and borne erect on the points of the
shoots, while the leaves are arranged around them
in a ray-like whorl. Owing to the size of its leaves
this Magnolia should never be planted in an exposed
position, as the noble foliage is apt to be injured
by strong winds. The Umbrella Magnolia is found
in a wild state in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and
Kentucky, and was introduced into this country
about the middle of the last century, but, in coin-

DISFIGURING TREES.
The disfigurement of our rural scenery by in-
judicious beheading and lopping of trees and
shrubs is, unfortunately, not a thing of the past,
for even in these more enlightened days the
practice is far too common. That the finest land-
scape effects are produced by trees that have
been left to their own free growth, neither
clipped and pruned into geometrical and other
shapes nor elbowed into insignificance, will
readily be acknowledged by all those who have
a love for Nature in its truest and widest
sense. Strange as it may sound, it is, neverthe-
less, true that in and around London are to be
found a greater number of mutilated, mop-
headed trees than could be met with in any
other part of the country. Travel where one
will in the outskirts of the great metropolis he
is hourly confronted by ugly elbowed Limes,
gaunt, hardly trimmed-in Willows and Poplars,
and hosts of other trees, the hacking and prun-
ing in of which come little short of vandalism.
The too common practice of planting before
thinking accounts for fully one half the mis-
chief, the other half being attributable to the
pardonable desire of having a bit of greenery
as a window outlook. Trees of large growth
are planted commonly enough within 10 feet or
12 feet of the house front, others of equally
large dimensions around the small plot of
ground or lawn, and without one thought as to
how tall or bushy these very trees would be-
come if left to their own free will and growth.
Can it be wondered at that in a few years views
are shut out, the flower garden cramped and
ruined, and the rooms made dark as twilight
by the injudicious use of such trees as Limes,
Poplars, Willows, and other specimens of ma-
jestic growth?

Some of the suburban districts are truly de-
plorable with the bad system of planting that
has been adopted, and this not only in regard to
private residences, but public roads and streets
as well. One of these, a road three miles long,
has been planted with 8-feet-high specimens of
Oak, Sycamore, and Plane, each tree rarely ex-
ceeding a distance of 10 feet from the borders
of the street lawns and gardens. In a very few
years these same trees will have far exceeded
their bounds, and lopping and beheading will
then have to be brought in as the only remedial
measures. Not one, but fifty instances could be
pointed out of Limes particularly having been
planted at a distance of 4 yards from the walls
of houses and outbuildings, just giving sufficient
room for a narrow pathway between them and
the building. Were there no trees of small
growth, one could pardon the frequent use of
our biggest forest subjects for planting in such
cramped positions, but when we think of the
hosts of neat-growing, deciduous, ami evergreen
trees and shrubs that are so well suited for this
particular work, we cannot but feel astonished
at the misused material that in ninety-nine
cases out of a hundred is brought into request.
In dealing with this subject, it must not be
forgotten how dear to the eye of a townsman is
a bit of greenery, and so in proportion is lessened
the enormity of the evil of injudicius planting
and lopping that he has brought about. I can-
not see, however, why Limes should be cut back
in the ugly and unnatural way that seems to be
the practice everywhere in this district, for that
a careful method of shortening ungainly and
rambling branches would be productive of
greater good and also do away with the present
marring of the landscape I am convinced.

Travel where one will around the subur-
ban parts of London, perpendicular walls of
leaves confront the eye — walls with sides
clipped level as a gable, and top flat and equal
as can be done without the aid of T-scluare
and level. The ludicrous appearance of these
elbowed Limes would hardly be credited unless
by those who have seen this unusual phase of
forestry going on from year to year.

When the trees have attained a height of say-
15 feet, or rather when in their youth they
have outgrown the limited garden bounds, this
lopping and hewing commence, and are
regularly carried on from year to year, just as
is the cutting down of a farm crop. The top
is cut back, the branches sawn, sometimes
hacked off, either close to the stem, or at a
stated distance of inches therefrom. By so
doing, protuberances are formed at the ampu-
tated parts, great knobs twice the size of the
branches surmount the tips, and the whole
appearance of the pretty Lime is changed as
much as is that of the pigmy Fir by the
Japanese. During the leafless period these
maltreated trees look the very picture of in-
elegance, cramping, and subordination.

Small growing trees, and their names are
legion, of neat graceful habit would certainly
be preferable to these ill-used specimens. Why
those who have the management of public
business in connection with our towns and
cities do not interfere, and so put a stop to in-
judicious planting and the consequent lopping
and trimming, is a matter of surprise to not a
few who like to see trees and shrubs unmuti-
lated and left as Nature intended them.

A. D. Webster.

SHORT NOTES.— TREES AND SHR UBS.

Fagus antarctiea. — Can anyone ted me where
a specimen of this tree may be procured?— A. D.
Webster.

A curious freak. — A friend of mine planted
some white May trees between red ones. The flowers
of one of the white varieties have become entirely red,
and another one has white flowers which turn pink
when they are going off. Is this usual, and what is the
cause? — J. Young.

Spiraea arisefolia is one of the most beautiful
shrubs in the garden at this season, and a lovely thing
at Cherkley Court, near Leatherhead. It is a North
American plant, slender in growth, and rising almost
10 feet in height when in a good soil and position. In
July it commences to produce its dull white flowers,
borne in the richest profusion. Our fines shrubby
Spiraeas are much neglected.

Forsythias. — Besides the two species, F. sus-
pensa and F. viridissima, mentioned in connection
with the coloured plate given in TnE Garden,
June 28, 1800, there is yet a third form which was
distributed some three or four years ago under
the name of F. intermedia, and announced as the
result of a cross between the two known species.
The appearance of the plant would suggest that
such was its origin, for it is about midway between
the two, and though interesting and pretty, it is
not, I think, equal to either of its parents, for ranch
of the charm of F. suspensa is in the graceful
manner in which the long slender shoots are dis-
posed. This is to a great extent destroyed by a
union with F. viridissima, while as a shrub in ihe
open ground this last appears to be better than its
newer relative. By all means grow the two original
species in preference to the hybrid form. — T.

Cornus sibirica Spathi. — This is one of the
latest additions to the golden-leaved shrubs, and
very bright and cheerful it is at the present time,
while it retains its richness of colouring throughout
the summer, not like some, which are already nearly
green, while others are apt to burn during very
bright sunshine. The greater part of the leaf is
coloured with rich golden yellow, the centre being
.rregularly splashed with green. The best varie-

July 12, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

29

gated Dogwoods are this variety, the white varie-
gated form of C. sibirica, which is of a purer tint
than the variegated form of the common Dog-
wood, and the tricoloured form of the Cornelian
Cherry, known as C. mas aureo-elegantissirna. Apart
from the fact that the Siberian Dogwood supplies
us with these two well-marked variegated forms, the
typical kind is also noteworthy from the fact that
its leafless stems are during the winter very bright,
being, in fact, brighter than those of the common
Dogwood.— T.

Stove and Greenhouse.

ARUMS.
The name Arum has a general as well as a
special signification. As generally used it
stands for a host of plants remarkable in many
ways, and varying in size from the Wake Robin
of our hedgerows to the Sumatran monster
which flowered at Kew last year. The Arum
Lily of S. Africa, the Bell Arum from India,
the Indian Turnips (Arisremas), and many other
plants of special interest, horticulturally as well
as botanically, are all Arums in a broad sense.
The plant here figured is often known as an
Arum, the Corsican Arum, but botanists have
found other names for it, the latest being Heli-
codiceros.

One must visit a garden like Kew at least
once a week if he wishes to get a good general
idea of the character and variety of the Arum
section of Aroideas. Kew naturally possesses a
great many species which are scarcely, if ever,
seen in cultivation elsewhere. Everybody grows
the Arum Lily, perhaps the most useful plant
in the whole family of some 900 species. A few
are acquainted with the really ornamental
character of the native A. rnaculatum when well
treated, and it therefore finds a little favour
amongst horticulturists. But the great mass of
them are not known as garden plants. Some
of them are remarkable in possessing a power-
ful, disagreeable, penetrating odour, and we
can sympathise with those who refuse a place
in the garden to all plants of such character.
But many of the Arums have not this draw-
back, notably the Arisrenias, of which one of
the best, A. speciosa, was figured in The
Garden last week. Equally attractive both in
colour and form are A. fimbriatum, A. Griffithi,
A. utile, A. Wrayi, and A. filif ornie. These are
really good greenhouse plants which anyone
may grow and find pleasure in looking at.
Amongst hardy kinds there are A. italicum, not
unlike our native species, but larger, with white
veins instead of spots ; A. palestinum, a beauti-
ful plant, with a deep purple spathe 6 inches
long ; A. dioscoride, still larger than the last-
named ; Helicophyllum Alberti, which flowers
perfectly in the open border at Kew ; and
Arum Dracunculus. These will grow well and
look after themselves if planted in a moist
position at the foot of a wall facing south or
west. Then we have the Sauromatums which
fill a whole border at Kew, and whose long
curling snake-spotted spathes, tall black wand-
like spadices, and powerful odour were a great
attraction a week or two ago. Presently these
plants will be in full leaf, when they will again
be handsome objects.

The Helicodiceros is grown at Kew in pots
for the cool greenhouse as well as in a sheltered
border out of doors. It does best in pots,
flowering every year about March. It has a
large fleshy tuber, from which spring several
pedate green leaves, the stalks folding over
each other and forming a stem about 1 foot or
11 feet high. When the leaves ai'e mature the
inflorescence is developed. The form of this is

shown in the accompanying woodcut, whilst its
size is 14 feet long, the expanded part bending
over and suggesting a bear's ear both in form,
fleshy look, and in the surface being clothed
with shaggy hairs. Its colour is dirty cream
yellow inside, the hairs purple, whilst outside
it is green mottled with purple. The flower
lasts about a week. It has an offensive smell
on first opening.

In the Water Lily house at Kew there is a
bed filled with A. campanulatum, and some of
the plants are in flower. Interesting and even
fascinating though these huge flowers are in
appearance, we think their powerful and dis-
gusting odour interferes a good deal with the
enjoyment of those visitors who wish to see the
Water Lilies and other beautiful plants now
flowering in this house. W.

The canary-flowered Water Icily (Nymphrea
Marliacea), of which a coloured plate was given in
The Gabden, March 31, 1S88, is grown in several

Flower of Aram crinitum.

o-ardens now, but we have not seen it finer than at
Cherkley Court, where it is grown both in hot and
cool temperatures. It does much better in the
cooler tank, and this is natural, as it is a variety of
N. tuberosum, the North American 'Water Lily. It
is a seedling, raised in the nursery of Mons. Latour
Marliac, Temple-sur-Lot, Garonne, who in a note in
The Gabden accompanying the coloured plate
mentions that in the north of France it is quite
hardy. It was first called N. Marliacea Chroma-
tella, but since its relationship to tuberosa has been
established we have it labelled N. tuberosa var.
flavescens. Whatever its name, it is a charming
variety, which we hope will not always be kept in
a hot tank, but planted in the cool house and the
open air pond. At Kew it is making an undue
orowth in the tropical Water Lily house, though its
flowers are very beautiful in their shades of yellow
against the deep blue tints of the Water Lilies of
the tropics. The leaves are characteristic in their
marbled mottling.

Thyrsacanthus rutilans. — This differs in
its form of growth from most other plants. If not
stopped it rarely produces side branches until it
has attained a considerable height, and so much
inclined is it to run up with a single stem that if
the top is taken out in the usual way it does not
generally break more than a couple of shoots, so
that it is a matter of choice whether stopping is
resorted to or not. Eight- inch pots are large enough

for plants that have been propagated during the
past spring. If any of those that flowered last
winter, after being headed down, have been kept
for blooming again, they will require 10-inch pots.
As the shoots extend each will need a stick for sup-
port. This Thyrsacanthus is somewhat slender and
weak in the wood, and is apt to run up long-jointed.
To counteract this tendency the plants should be
stood with their tops as near the roof of the house
or pit in which they are kept during the summer as
possible. This, with no more shade than is neces-
sary to prevent the leaves getting scorched and a
fair amount of air in the dajtime, will render the
wood firm, and so enable the plants to flower much
better. When the roots have got well into the new
soil, manure water should be given frequently. But
in all cases where the cultivator has not had enough
experience to know correctly how strong the liquid
should be it is best to use it weak. — T. B.

AZALEAS.
That the Azalea as a specimen plant for exhibi-
tion is now much less grown for the purpose than
it used to be there can be no doubt. The large ex-
hibitions already held this year prove this fact, as
at Manchester, where large and showy plants are
absolutely required to make an effective display. I
can rejoice as heartily as anyone that artistically
arranged decorative groups are becoming such a
prominent feature at flower shows, but it must not
be forgotten that all flower shows are more or less
a matter of commercial speculation, and unless they
can be made to pay must inevitably fall through.
To make flower shows remunerative the support of
the million is necessary, and the popular mind is
much more attracted by large plants than are
masses of flower, or bold and striking examples of
handsome foliage, green or variegated. Size counts
for a good deal in the popular estimation, and size
is also necessary in order to impart an imposing
and well furnished appearance to tents of plants.
There is no plant that can furnish such attractive
masses of colour as the Azalea at large shows like
those at the Crystal Palace, at the Kegent's Park,
at Manchester, and at the Royal Aquarium. Azaleas
are of the greatest value, and the exhibitor of a
dozen examples of stove and greenhouse plants in
May or early in June knows the value of a good
specimen Azalea or two to give effect to his group.
We rarely see a very large specimen of an Azalea
now, and though they have been somewhat de-
risively termed " elephants," the noble examples
staged by Messrs. Veitch and Turner at our great
shows a quarter of a century ago were examples
of skill in plant culture, and illustrated in a remark-
able degree the eminent ability of the English gar-
dener.

It is curious to notice how, when Azaleas are
shown as specimens, they are mainly old varieties
grown for the last thirty years. Charmer, Due de
Nassau, Cedo Nulli, Coronata, Duchesse Adelaide
de Nassau, Extrani, Mars, Souvenir de Prince Al-
bert, and others are still exhibited. Some newer
varieties are also produced. Baronne de Vriere,
Jean Vervaene. Model, Reine du Pays Bas, Roi
d'Hollande, Roi Leopold, Stella, and others are also
grown. Of late years a very large number of new
Azaleas have been introduced from the Continent,
and visitors to flower shows occasionally see some
of them in collections of small plants grown in pots
limited in size.

For exhibition, and, indeed, for general decora-
tion, I think the single-flowered Azaleas are prefer-
able'to the double, though it is very much a matter
of fancy ; but it is quite certain that a considerable
proportion, if not the largest part of our newer Aza-
leas are double varieties. Among newer introduc-
tions will be found the following fine single flow-
ered varieties : Apollo, white, with carmine stripes;
Ferdinand Kegeljan, salmon-red ; Flambeau, be-
cause of its peculiar dark crimson colour, the
darkest Azalea no doubt yet raised, and
remarkably free, but the flowers lack the size and
substance found in most of the other single-
flowered varieties ; Madeline, more properly a semi-
double variety, yet sometimes almost or quite
single, pure white, very fine : Mrs. Turner, bright

30

THE GARDEN.

[July 12, 1890.

pink, margined with white ; Perfection de Gand,
rosy purple ; and Reine des Fleurs, salmon, fringed
with white. Of double varieties Baron N. de
Rothschild, rich purple, shaded with violet ; Bern-
hard Andreas alba, pure white, very free ; Charles
Lecreus, dark salmon, black blotches, very fine,
and distinct ; Deutsche Perle, white, very early in
blooming ; Louise Pynaert, white ; Mme. H. Siedel,
white, faintly striped with rose ; Pharnilde Ma-
thilde, white, striped and spotted with cerise,
very large and well formed double flowers ; Presi-
dent Oswald de Kerchove, salmon-pink, soft and
delicate ; Theodore Reimers, magenta-lilac ; and
Vervaeneana, bright pink, with broad margin of
white, occasionally striped with salmon-red, and
altogether an extremely fine variety.

The hardiness of the Azalea is somewhat re-
markable. I have at the present time a plant in
full bloom that is kept in a cold house all the
winter and is frozen hard at times when frost is
severe, but no one would advise subjecting the
plants to such a severe test. Excessive cold causes
a stunted habit, and the natural freedom of growth
of the plant is thereby retarded. R. D.

Gloxinias at Richmond. — Whether it be
due to strain or to culture, it was very evident that
the nine Gloxinias shown in one class at the Rich-
mond show on the 25th ult. from Mr. Rankin's gar-
den at East Sheen were a long way more compact,
more evenly flowered, and more beautiful than were
the first prize nine in another class, which were
almost treble the size of the Sheen plants. It would
seem that strain had much to do with the diverg-
ence. The big plants were from old bulbs or tubers,
had perhaps been kept a little too remote from the
glass, had huge long leafage, and also gigantic
blooms, but chiefly of heavy hues. The other nine
plants had short broad foliage, the flowers set with
remarkable evenness in solid clusters, very erect,
beautifully coloured and marked, and were from
roots of comparative youthfulness. I have for the
size of the plants rarely seen better, and I hope
that the sight of these may lead other growers of
what is now one of the loveliest of greenhouse
flowers to reform their Gloxinia culture, and pre-
sent on those tables henceforth only plants of the
most compact habit and of the highest merit. Had
the two lots of plants been put into competition,
it is possible that the big plants would have been
placed first because of their size. For compactness
and beauty the Sheen plants were greatly superior.
If private growers would get clear of the old lanky
strains and get into the newer, richer, and more
varied spotted and edged ones, they would find
great gain, and far more admiration for their
exhibits on the show table. When plants can be
produced from seed and induced to. bloom freely
in some six months, an old and inferior strain may
soon be replaced by a better one. — A. D.

Platytheca galioides. — This pretty green-
house flowering shrub is certainly overburdened
with synonyms, for a few years since it was Tre-
mandra verticillata, then while the generic name
was changed to Tetratheca the specific remained
the same, but now according to the latest authori-
ties the plant is to be known as Platytheca gali-
oides, though it is far more frequently met with
under the other names. It flowers for a long sea-
son, and is so beautiful when in bloom as to well
repay any little extra attention that may be taken
with it. The long and slender shoots of this plant
are clothed with narrow leaves arranged in whorls
around the stem, while the soft reddish violet-
coloured drooping blossoms hang suspended
by slight thread-like stalks. Cuttings strike root
easily, provided they have reasonable care and at-
tention. Give water carefully, as if allowed to get
too dry the slender fibres suffer greatly, while an
excess of moisture is just as injurious. Owing to
its tall slender habit, pinch back the shoots freely
during their earlier stages if bushy plants are de-
sired. There is a ready sale for this Platytheca
when in flower. Pots 5 inches in diameter are
usually employed, the plants being about 1.8 inches
in height with their slender shoots thickly studded
with blossoms. If it is intended to keep the plants

dwarf and bushy for another season, they should
directly after flowering be cut hard back, not just
topping the shoots. Take them off nearly at the
base, leaving only sufficient of the last year's
shoots to break out and form the future plant.
The mistake is often made of not cutting back
hard- wooded plants sufficiently, for they break out
just at the top and soon get bare of leaves at the
base. The operation of cutting back, too, should
be carried out as soon as possible after the flowers
have lost their beauty, as a delay of a week or two
will make all the difference between success and
failure in their culture. The allied genus Tetra-
theca also contains several members that are very
pretty flowering plants, requiring much the same
treatment as the Cape Heaths. — H. P.

HARD-WOODED GREENHOUSE PLANTS.
Those of us who remember the splendid collec-
tions of stove and greenhouse plants exhibited in
London from twenty to twenty-five years ago, and
even during recent years, will appreciate the remarks
by " T. B." at p. 597. The wonderful specimens
exhibited had reached a point of excellence beyond
which the art of the gardener could not advance —
specimens so large that it required four men to
carry a single one in and out of the exhibition
tent. They were wonderful examples of good cul-
ture, and the skill of the gardener was rewarded
by the substantial prizes his plants were able to
win. It would be invidious to mention names, but
Mr. Thomas Baines and Mr. John Ward were cer-
tainly the most successful cultivators. But the
most enthusiastic cultivator of these " elephants,"
as they were humorously designated in contem-
porary periodicals, could not assert that they
were useful plants for the decoration of the
greenhouse and conservatory. Indeed, to utilise
them for this purpose would have been fatal to
their prospects as exhibition plants. The reason of
this is not far to seek. The plants had to be
placed close to the glass roof, and sufficiently far
apart that light and air might be freely admitted
to every individual specimen. It was the same
with the large specimen Pelargoniums. These
were also arranged upon pots or some other thing
to bring the top of the plants almost in contact
with the glass. I more than once visited esta-
blishments where exhibiting was carried on to a
large extent, and on walking through the houses
you looked up to the stage and saw an intermin-
able arrangement of strings, sticks, and inverted
flower-pots. The part where the flowers were was
high up, and you had to mount a pair of ricketty
steps to see them. There they were arranged in
regular order, with black thread woven in and out
amongst them to hold each bloom in position. No
flowers could be cut for any purpose whatever until
the exhibitions were over ; they were held sacred
to the purpose for which they were grown. On
exhibition day the plants were, as they are now in
fact, held in position at an angle of 45° or so to turn
a good face to visitors. Owners of gardens who
love flowers for their sweetness and beauty like to
see them, as " T. B." suggests, with " a stick each
to a few of the principal branches, and in the case
of some a single stick to the main stem," and
the flowers or trusses of flowers hanging grace-
fully and lightly bending down the branches with
their weight. Sprays of many of the New Holland
plants are exquisite to cut for small vases — the
Boronias, for instance. A spray or two of B. me-
gastigma would scent a large room. The beautiful
B. het erophylla, with its rich scarlet-carmine flowers,
is also delightfully fragrant.

Other species of this genus are charming plants ;
but as exhibition specimens they are not nearly so
useful as ornaments to the greenhouse as naturally
grown examples in 6-inch or 8-inch pots, or even
smaller. How much more beautiful, too, are the small
Azaleas, grown without a stick or tie anywhere, and
no training except to pinch back an over-exuberant
shoot or two when the plants are making their
growth, than the monstrous specimens trained in
the form of a cone, hard and close, a mass of
colour with scarcely a green leaf to be seen— eye-
dazzlers every one of them. One plant, now seldom

seen, but which used to be beautifully cultivated
by Mr. Baines, is Acrophyllum venosum ; no exhi-
bitor could spoil this, but, unfortunately, few could
grow it well, probably because thrips are very
fond of feeding on its leaves. It is very ornamental,
and the plant produces terminal flower-spikes of a
pinky-white colour. The various species of Aphe-
lexis lend themselves to decorative effect also, but
these must have the growths supported by sticks
and trained into form ; the various colours are rose,
rose-pink, and rosy-purple. The flowers when dried
retain their form and colour.

The Darwinias are elegant decorative plants, and
are more beautiful as large specimens than some
others. The best of them is D. tulipifera, grown
also under the names of Hederoma tulipifera, and
Genethyllis tulipifera. The bell-shaped involucres
are much like those of an inverted Tulip, inside
straw colour, streaked and flaked crimson. D.
fuchsioides is next best ; it is freer in growth, the
involucres being pendulous, bell-shaped, and of a
deep red colour. The Epacrises and Ericas are
also charming flowers for the greenhouse ; they
have always been indispensable as exhibition plants,
the Ericas much more so than the Epacrises, but
of the last-named, E. Eclipse and E. miniata splen-
dens are exceedingly good for flowering in May ;
most of the others bloom in winter and early
spring. Erica ventricosa and varieties of it, with
E. Cavendishi and E. depressa are the best exhibi-
tion kinds. It is quite safe to add that they are
the most useful also for the adornment of the green-
house, even when the plants are very small.
Many persons with even a fair knowledge of soft-
wooded plants manage to kill off or seriously
damage a whole collection of Heaths simply from
lack of knowledge of their cultural requirements.
These are of the simplest kind: 1. Clean well-
drained pots for the plants, and a good potting soil
of fibrous sandy peat. 2. Careful attention to
water. The feeding roots are of a delicate hair-
like character, and if the plants suffer for want of
water the fine points are destroyed. Water applied
freely after excessive dryness might kill the plants.
Heaths can take water freely when in good health,
and the roots should never be dust-dry. Mildew
does much mischief also if not observed in time.
On its first appearance dust the affected parts with
flowers of sulphur. 3. Give plenty of air, and
never force the plants in a close warm atmosphere.
They are purely for the greenhouse.

Rhododendrons are beautiful greenhouse plants,
and cannot be spoiled by being grown for exhibi-
tion. I have noticed magnificent specimens at
various times at the annual spring exhibitions of
the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Botanic and Horticul-
tural Society. The most useful greenhouse or con-
servatory species are R. Dalhousiae and R. Edg-
worthi, or garden varieties of this type, of which
R. Countess of Haddington is an example.
Small-sized plants are also charming. The hand-
some garden varieties introduced by Messrs. Veitch,
of Chelsea, are also supremely beautiful, hut
they require a warm greenhouse. R. Veitchianum
is a charming species, but it is a native of Moulmein.
Others are from Borneo, Java, and other warm
districts ; they do not require a tropical house, and
will succeed in a greenhouse in summer, but an in-
termediate temperature is best in winter.

The Leschenaultias are also strictly speaking
greenhouse plants, and do well either as large or
small specimens. The best three species are L.
biloba major, deep blue; L. Baxteri, salmon colour;
and L. formosa, scarlet. Many other Cape and
New Holland plants may be added to complete or
supplement a collection. To produce anything like
satisfactory results, a house should be set apart for
their culture. They are seldom seen in good
condition when arranged amongst Pelargoniums,
tuberous Begonias, Callas, and other fast-growing
large-foliaged plants. The reason is obvious ; the
soft-wooded plants increase in bulk so rapidly, that
the more slow-growing hard-wooded specimens are
robbed of their due share of light and air. Ample
ventilation and much light are needful for the
healthy growth of New Holland plants, and a dry
atmosphere, especially in winter. A healthy growth

July 12, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

31

is more necessary in the case of these plants to re-
sist parasites than it is that of most other things.
Insect pests are more injurious to some than to
others. For instance, grccn-fly will almost smother
the shoots of Leschenaultias before it is observed,
as the shoots, the tiny leaves, and the fly are one
shade of green. None of the aphis tribe touch
Heaths. Scale gets upon the old wood, and, as was
before observed, mildew attacks the young growths
and leaves. Thrips and red spider have each their
favourite plants, but the experienced cultivator
soon finds out when anything is going wrong with
the objects of his care, and takes immediate steps
to put them right. Delay is dangerous, and some-
times fatal. J. Douglas.

Choice bizarre and. flaked Carnations in

pots. — These have been lightly surface-dressed with
a mixture of decayed manure, loam, and leaf-mould.
I am not sure that much benefit accrues to the
plants through this dressing, but it affords an
opportunity to overhaul the entire collection, and
it does not take longer to spread a small handful of
soil over the surface than it does to stir it up with
a label. One or two good growers have written to
say that they have not cared to surface-dress their
plants, as they thought it did not do much good.
It certainly cannot do any harm, and in some
instances may throw more vigour into the plants,
thereby increasing the size of the flowers and in-
tensifying then- colours. We have had much wet,
and the weather has not been very warm during
the last week or two, so that thrips have not
troubled us much. I shall now place most of the
plants under glass, and a good fumigation with
tobacco smoke will destroy all insect pests. — J. D.

Begonia glaucophylla. — This Begonia is sel-
dom satisfactory in a pot, but place it in a hanging
basket and it forms a very handsome specimen
that will flower for months together ; indeed, a
plant of it that produced a great number of blos-
soms throughout the winter has scarcely been
without some since that time. So free-blooming is
it, that a cluster of flowers is produced from nearly
every joint, and as many of the shoots hang down
to the length of a yard or more, it will be readily
understood that the quantity of flowers borne by
a single specimen must be considerable. The blooms
of this are of a peculiar reddish salmon colour, and
the foliage is of a very distinct light green shade.
This Begonia can also be used for pillars or cover-
ing walls, but it is perhaps as a basket plant that
it is seen to the greatest advantage. In common
with most other members of the genus, this can be
easily struck from cuttings. Besides the specific
name of glaucophjila I have also seen it under
that of Comte de Limminghe.— H. P.

Schizanthuses as specimen plants. — One
of the features of the Botanic Gardens at Man-
chester during the time of the great Whitsun show
was the splendid specimens of Schizanthus Mr.
Bruce Findlay uses so largely for the decoration of
the plant houses. He appears to be much more
successful in obtaining striking specimens than
any grower whose productions I have previously
seen. He employs seeds both of S. retusus and S.
pinnatus ; the former is regarded as a half-hardy
biennial, the latter as a half-hardy annual; both
are from Chili, and both are suitable for growing
in pots for house decoration. In large pots Mr.
Findlay secures specimens each 3J feet to 5 feet high
and 2 J feet in diameter, and bearing countless blos-
soms of many varied colours, the lower portions
of the flowers being more or less handsomely
marked, and in an ordinary greenhouse the plants
remain for a long time in blossom. The method of
growing these splendid specimens is a simple one.
The seeds are sown in the month of September,
and when the plants are large enough to handle
five or six are put into a pot large enough to
take them and wintered in a cold frame. About
the first week in February they are shifted, with-
out disturbing the roots, into 10-inch pots, placed
in the exhibition house, which is warmed just
enough to keep the frost out, and there grown on
into size until they come into flower at the end of
May or early in June, when they are transferred to

the flowering houses with Azaleas and such-like
things. Mr. Findlay adopts the practice of placing
five or six plants of one variety together, thus
making the specimens more effective. These Schi-
zanthuses are so easily grown and so highly effec-
tive, that any amateur with a frame or house could
grow them and make a rare display in spring.
Seeds are easily procurable, and in colours, too, as
collections of them are sold. If anyone were to
grow a few fine specimens, such as Mr. Findlay
does, and exhibit them at one of the meetings of
the Royal Horticultural Society, they would create
quite a sensation. — R. D.

BOUVARDIAS.

We now have the large white variety B. Humboldti
corymbiflora flowering well. This beautiful Bou-
vardia requires rather different treatment to the
other sorts. In the first place, it is essentially a
summer - flowering sort, and plants frequently
stopped and treated with the others for winter
flowering will generally fail to bloom satisfactorily.
If plants are grown on vigorously they will com-
mence to bloom early in the summer, and continue
until quite late in the autumn. Last season we were
cutting from the same plants for fully four months,
viz., from June to October. After the terminal
trusses are cut, the side shoots come on and flower,
and as these are cut, those below keep up a succes-
sion. Of course, the side shoots do not produce
such large trusses as the terminal ones, hut still
they are very useful. To keep up a succession the
plants must have rather large pots, and good, rich,
loamy compost, the rougher and more porous the
better. After the pots are well filled with roots
manure may be used, beginning with weak doses
and gradually increasing the strength. I have seen
this fine Bouvardia flower well when planted out in
the open during the summer, but the flowers being
easily damaged by wet or wind, it is better to have
it under glass. I should, however, add that it
must be grown almost entirely without shade and
plenty of ventilation given. Even late in the
autumn, when a little artificial heat is necessary, the
house should not be kept close, or spindly growth
and no bloom will be the result. The fine new
variety President Cleveland is also flowering freely ;
the trusses are much larger and the colour more
brilliant than those of any other scarlet variety, be-
sides which it is such a remarkably vigorous grower,
that it should find favour with all lovers of
this class of plants. The plants which are flower-
ing now are of somewhat straggling growth, but
those stopped frequently for blooming in the
autumn make splendid pot plants. I find that this
variety is a little inclined to deteriorate ; occasionally
I find a plant or shoot with flowers of a paler shade
of colour. I believe this is also the case with other
sorts, for Dazzler, as grown now, does not appear to
be nearly so deep in colour as when first exhibited
by its raiser. I believe this deterioration may be
avoided by carefully selecting the plants which are
intended for propagating from. Mrs. Robert Green
is another which shows some variation in colour,
but to some extent this depends upon the position
it is grown in. In a shady place it is rather pale,
but when well exposed to the sun and light, the
colour is remarkably bright and pleasing. The
flowers of Yreelandi, so useful for winter blooming,
become deeply deeply tinted with pink in the
summer, but in the winter time, or under shade,
they are of the purest white. Such sorts as jas-
minoides, candidissima, and the one alluded to at
the commencement of these notes show no colour
under any conditions. It is curious that all these
three varieties are very fragrant, while there is no
scent whatever in those with coloured flowers.

F. H.

Spirsea astilboides. — This beautiful plant
which I spoke of a short time ago in such praise I
recently noted has one bad feature, and that is the
heavy and offensive odour of its flowers. This would
not be of any importance in the open air, but it is a
serious objection when used indoors. I was lately
in the greenhouse of a reader of this paper when I
noted the disagreeable smell of this plant. The offen-

sive odour will certainly preclude its use as an in-
door plant, but as a beautiful shrub in the open air
it certainly has few rivals. — W.

SOME NEW FRENCH ZONAL PELAR-
GONIUMS.
At last year's great summer flower show of the
Royal Horticultural Society at the Temple Gardens,
Messrs. Cannell, of Swanley, showed a new and
beautiful zonal Pelargonium of French origin
named Souvenir de Mirande raised by M. A.
Herlaut. This attracted considerable attention
amongst all admirers of these beautiful flowers, as
though somewhat thin in substance of the petal
and not over perfect in form, it was something
quite new in shade of colour and unlike anything
hitherto known in these plants, being of a bright
and pleasing shade of salmon colour with a pure
white centre, and altogether a remarkably pretty
novelty. It had also evidently attracted the atten-
tion of the hybridisers and raisers of new varieties,
as when the new foreign catalogues came out in
the spring of this year no less than four single and
one double-flowered variety were offered by two
leading French nurserymen amongst their novel-
ties as having had Souvenir de Mirande as one of
then" parents, and, of course, as considerable im-
provements in size, depth of colour, and other
points on this variety. I sent for them all, and
have them now in flower in my greenhouse, so am
able to give some account of their respective merits
from personal observation and careful comparison
of one with the other. The names of the three
varieties sent out by one firm at Toulouse were
M. V.Noulens and Beauts Toulousaine ,=ingles, and.
Leon Levis with double flowers. The first of these
was announced to be of extraordinary beauty, and
to possess shades and tints to which no descrip-
tion could do adequate justice, with a violet centre,
shading off into heavenly blue. I am sorry to say
that these wondrous tints and indescribable beau-
ties exist only in the describers' too vivid imagina-
tion, as the reality is only a rather smaller flower
than its parent, of a deeper shade of salmon, and of
somewhat less perfect form. The very high price
at which this was sent out was certainly in no wise
justified by the beauty or extra merit of the plant.
The second-named variety, much less elaborately
described than its companion, shows little if any
resemblance to its reputed parent, beyond a faint
white veining extending from the centre up the
lower half of the upper petals, and though a pretty
light red flower it has nothing novel about it, and in
no wise deserves its name. The double-flowered
variety is fairly good and might be accurately de-
scribed as a deeper hued form of the very fine
older variety Gloire de France, which is one
of the handsomest and largest trussed of double
zonals. The two varieties raised and distributed
by a Nancy firm were named Jeanne dArc and
Jacques Callot. Of these I am happy to be able
to speak much more favourably than of the other
three, as the first-named is a really beautiful flowi r
of more perfect form and more rounded petals, anu
of a much deeper tint of salmon than its parent ; in
shade it much resembles M. V. Noulens, but in
both size and form of flower it is in every way
superior to it in beauty. The second-named has s>.
lander flower of somewhat thinner texture, ai d
nearly identical in shade with that of its parent, but
of a much larger size. Another beautiful variety
of a most curious and quite novel combination of
colours and named Noblesse, also of French oiigin
and raised I believe by Mons. Gerbeaux, w; s
sent to me by Messrs. Ryder, of Sale, near Man-
chester, who met with it on the Continent, and
being struck with its novelty and beauty, were, I
believe, the introducers of this fine variety int..
this country. Their description of it most accu-
rately describes the peculiar colour of the flower as
one that they never expected to see in zonals, being
puce or rosy puce with a salmon-red centre. No
variety at all resembling this has appeared hitheito,
and I consider it quite an acquisition to any collec-
tion. In conclusion, I may venture to express my
opinion, formed from a long and constant observa-
tion of a large collection of these most free-bloom-

32

THE GARDEN.

[Jdly 12, 1S90.

ing and beautiful plants, that, though the foreigners
may send us from time to time new and beautiful
shades of colour, their flowers cannot for a moment
compare with those of our leading English raisers
either in size of pip, breadth of petal, or perfection
of form. W. E. Gtjmbleton.

Belgrove, Queenstorm, Ireland.

BLANDFORDIAS.
Thbss are beautiful Australian plants, rarely seen
in collections, but now flowering with Mr. Bain in
Sir Trevor Lawrence's garden at Dorking. Such a
show of these plants makes one regret their absence
from our greenhouses. Blandfordias are liliaceous
plants, and they like somewhat dry treatment
through the winter months, but I do not recommend
storing them away under the stages at this season,
and neither can I believe that it is this system of
neglect which has brought them into disrepute.
Blandfordias are very easily grown. The plants
should be potted in loam and sandy peat, and
the pots drained well. The best time for repotting
is the autumn months, and during the winter they
should be kept on the dry side and in a somewhat
low temperature. I do not believe in giving them
too low a temperature, as I do not think they get a
very low atmosphere when growing naturally ; more-
over, if kept in such a cold air they will not start
into growth at the proper season. When growth
does commence they require a greater supply of
water and an increase of heat. The following kinds
are just now passing out of bloom with Mr. Bain,
but they have been magnificent : —

B. aurea.— The leaves of this, like those of all the
sp?cies, are somewhat rigid aud entire, the flowers
being borne in an umbel. They are large, well shaped,
and drooping, the colour being rich golden-yellow.

B. flammea. — The flowers are funnel-shaped, some
•3 inches or more long, bright rich orange, with yellow
borders. .

B. NOBILIS. — On this plant the flowers are large and
pendent, rich orange-red, the upper portions passing
into bright yellow.

Besides the above we have

B. CtJNNiNGHAsn.— This is perhaps the handsomest
species. The flowers are borne in large umbels, and
are individually large, hell-shaped, some 2 inches long,
the colour at the base being a rich coppery-red passing
into golden-yellow.

B. grandiflora— This is fewer-flowered than the
last-named, and the individual blooms are somewhat
smaller, the colours being similar.

B. marginata is another species with manv-flowered
racemes of flowers, which are coppery-red with yellow
margins.

All these plants are natives of various parts of
Australia, and we may perhaps yet have some new
forms to come from the interior of the country.
W. H. G.

SHORT NOTES— STOVE AND GREENHOUSE.

The Victoria "Water Lily is in splendid
health in the conservatory at Cherkley Court. The
specimen has seven immense leaves with two unfolding,
and was in full flower a few davs ago. There is an in-
teresting collection of Water Lilies here.

White-flowered Ivy-leaved Pelargonium.

—Despite the great improvements that have been
effected in this class of Pelargonium within the last.
few years, a good pure white variety is much wanted.
1 he best of the light-tinted flowers are Jeanne d'Arc
very pale mauve; Candeur, almost white; and Sarah
Bernhardt, white, marked with crimson. If any of
your correspondents know of a variety with flowers
equal to the coloured kinds, hut pure white, I shall be
pleased to hear of it, as I have raised many seedlings
in the attempt to obtain one, but without success —

safely stowed away under their mother's wings when
the owl is seeking its food. Lord Lilford writes : —

I have examined hundreds of the pellets cast up by
this species in and under their nesting places, and
never discovered either bones or feathers of any game
bird, the castings consisting mainly of the bones and
fur of small mammalia, with feathers and skulls of seed-
eating birds, and occasionally a few bones and scales of
small fishes.

The utility of the owl is illustrated by Lord Lil"
ford with a very amusing anecdote. He states that
when he was a schoolboy he had a half-grown barn
owl that he regaled on one occasion with as many
mice as it would swallow. Eight in quick succes-
sion disappeared down the capacious gullet of the
owl, the ninth followed all but the tail, which for
some time hung out of the mouth of the bird, but
the quick digestion of these raptors is well illus-
trated by the fact that in three hours the owl was
ready for a second meal, and took four additional
mice. If this is the performance of a single bird, the
effect that the feeding of nests of six or seven
young would have on the numbers of rats and
mice in a district is self-evident. Lord Lilford says
that he has seen a pair of barn owls bring food to
their nest no less than seventeen times within half
an hour. This rate, if continued for only four hours
out of the twenty-four, would give (if we include
the animals eaten by the old birds themselves) more
than 150 " rats and mice and such small deer " de-
stroyed daily for the support of one nest of owls.
Is it surprising that vermin abound where their
natural enemies have been exterminated by farmers,
gamekeepers, and plumassiers ? — Field.

The barn owl.— The destruction of owls in
general, and the barn owl in particular, is an act
of egregious folly, not only as regards young game
birds, but also from an agricultural po'int of view,
for owls not only destroy enormous numbers of
rats, mice, voles, lint take many sparrows from their
nocturnal retreats, whilst (lie young of game birds
small enough to be attacked by the barn owl are

Books.

MANUAL OF ORCHIDACEOUS PLANTS. *
Paet VI. of the above work is devoted to genera
which, with the exception of Calanthe and Ccelo-
gyne, are, unfortunately, not general favourites with
the Orchid grower of the present day. We say
" unfortunately," for it really is a misfortune that
plants possessed of such interest as some of the
Bletia, Ccelia, Epidendrum, Spathoglottis, and others
should be relegated almost entirely to botanic gar-
dens, and that, following the present popular taste,
the culture of showy flowers almost exclusively
should have developed in such proportions to the
detriment of others which, though less valuable
perhaps from a decorative point of view, are none
the less very attractive and interesting. We there-
fore hope for increased interest in these plants.
The present publication is entirely devoted to
Arundina, Bletia, Broughtonia, Calanthe, Ccelia,
Ccelogyne, Chysis, Diacrium, Epidendrum, Ipsrea,
Nanodes, Pachystoma, Phaius, Pleione, Spatho-
glottis, Thunia, and Trichosma. All these genera
are treated in the thorough manner which charac-
terises the previously published parts of this excel-
lent work, in which the authors have maintained
their reputation for clearness of description and
accuracy of general information.

A lesson from Nature may be learnt at page 7,
where in the historical note of the interesting
Spathoglottis aurea we find it stated that " it was
detected by Thomas Lobb growing near Nepenthes
sanguinea and Rhododendron jasminiflorum on
Mount Ophir, in Malacca." Such being the case,
would it not be possible and advisable to grow
Nepenthes under cooler and certainly more airy
conditions than they are grown at present ? For it
is evident that the treatment given to the two
plants in company of which this Orchid is said to
have been found are totally different, and as under-
stood now the culture of Rhododendron jasmini-
florum could hardly be said to be similar to that of
Nepenthes sanguinea, or indeed of any other known
species.

As in the previous parts, the species of each
genus first are described, and their varieties,
whether natural or home-raised, follow them im-

* "A Manual of Orchidaceous Plants Cultivated
under Glass in Great Britain." J. Veitch and Sons,
Chelsea, S.W.

mediately. The same careful attention as pre-
viously noticed has been observed all through the
book, and its compilation is in reality an assem-
blage of facts and the exposition of a series of ob-
servations which are given in the best possible
form for the instruction and benefit of the reader.
We take this opportunity of expressing our re-
gret at this part having been published before the
flowering of Seden's singular hybrid, Epiphronitis
Veitchi, the result of a cross between Epidendrum
radicans, also known as E. rhizophorum, and So-
phronitis grandiflora, which was shown at the
meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society on
June 24, when it was pronounced one of the most
interesting plants produced by that skilful hybri-
diser.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 761.

SPRING-FLOWERING RHODODEN-
DRONS.

(WITH A COLOURED PLATE OF R. RR.ECOX rubrtjm.*)

The plant represented in the plate this week
is one of the most useful of early-flowering
Rhododendrons. It is perfectly hardy, and
its floweis are developed in early March, no
matter what the weather may be. Grown in
pots and treated as if it were an ordinary
greenhouse Azalea, it forms a stubby bush,
and will flower regularly every year at any
time after November, according as it is given
more or less beat. Forcing does not injure it;
its flowers are as large and beautiful in Decem-
ber as in February, and it grows and sets its
buds for the following year as certainly as if
it were permanently out of doors. Hardiness
and freedom of flowering are characteristic of
one of its parents, viz., R. dahuricum, a na-
tive of Siberia, the Altai Mountains, and
other cold parts of Europe and Asia. Equally
free-flowering, but not quite so hardy, is
its other perent, R. ciliatum, from the
Sikkim Himalaya. These two species were
crossed by Messrs. Davies, nurserymen, of
Liverpool, about thirty years ago, and E.
praacox was the result. The variety here
figured differs from the plant raised by Messrs.
Davies in having darker coloured flowers,
those of the type being pale lilac, whilst in
prrecox rubrum they are, as Mr. Moon has
shown, a soft purplish-rose. Some large
bushes of the last-named were noteworthy
among the flowering shrubs in the conserva-
tory at Kew this spring. The plant is not
deciduous, although it loses most of its leave3
in winter ; but even if the whole of the leaves
remained they would be quite hidden by the
wealth of bloom developed, every twig pro-
ducing its bunch. From its attractive colour
and other good qualities, we think this Rho-
dodendron worthy of general favour. It is
certainly the sort of plant to grow for a supply
of bloom at a time when flowers are scarce.

Another Rhododendron of the same useful
character as R. prrecox was raised by the
Messrs. Veitch in their Coombe "Wood nur-
sery about fifteen years ago, and named by
them Early Gem. It was obtained by cross-
ing R. pra3COx with one of its parents, viz.,

* Drawn for The Garden by II. G. Moon in the
Royal Gardens, Kew, February 18, 181111. Lithographed
and printed by Guillaume Severeyns.

12 1890

RHODODENDRON PRECOX- RUB RUM

July 12, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

33

E. dahuricum, the result being a plant with
the habit and leaves of the last named, and
flowers quite as large as those of E. ciliatum,
that is fully 2 inches across, their colour
being rosy lilac. According to Sir Joseph
Hooker, who figured E. ciliatum in his folio
work on the Sikkim Ehododendrons, the
colour of the flowers of this species is lilac
in India, although in England they are in-
variably white. E. ciliatum, itself a first-rate
pot shrub and good for forcing, has proved
an excellent breeder plant, some really good
hybrids having been got by crossing it with
other species.

One of the most delightful, hardy Ehodo-
dendrons is E. fragrans, with the odour
of Honeysuckle and a perfect habit. Two
large beds of it near the Palm house at Kew
have been pictures to look upon, and so
powerfully fragrant that one could smell
them 100 yards off. This plant is supposed to
be a hybrid between E. catawbiense and
some other unknown, but whatever its origin
it is a first-rate flowering shrub, and appa-
rently not by any means well known. Grown
in pots it may be forced as well as E. prascox.
In E. formosum and its progeny we have
other good early-flowering kinds.

Messrs. Davies, of Ormskirk, have raised a
number of hybrids which are valuable for pot
culture as well as being hardy. These are E.
Pixy Queen, a dwarf plant with large white
flowers which expand in February ; ele-
gantissimum and roseum odoratum, both
fragrant and large white-flowered kinds, the
origin of which was a hardy white Azalea
crossed with a large-flowered hardy Ehodo-
dendron. Others are E. multiflorum, a white-
flowered dwarf bushy plant, andE. EosyBell,
rose-piak coloured, in other respects like E.
multiflorum. These kinds are amongst those
grown in pots at Kew. Then there are the grand
flowered Countess of Sefton, Countess of
Derby, Countess of Haddington, Dalhousise
hybridum, Lady Skelmersdale, and Mrs.
James Shawe. We have here altogether a
considerable number of plants available for
conservatory decoration hi early spring, and
as easily managed as the commonest of green-
house plants. It is possible to have Ehodo-
dendrons from December to July without
much trouble ; it is impossible to find plants
superior to them for a similar purpose.

W.

THE "WEEK'S WORK.

PLANT HOUSES.

Stove. — Stephanotis. — At whatever season the
plants flower, the time for cutting in is immediately
the blooming is over. Any pruning that is done
after the growth is made is a loss of flowering wood.
Large specimens that are planted out and have
filled the space allotted to their tops should have
a considerable portion of their growth removed
annually. If this is not done, the time comes when
there is little flowering wood unless young shoots
are encouraged to twine round the old ones that
already occupy the wires in which case the plants
get too thick. When this happens it is difficult to
keep down insects. In pruning large specimens
the shoots should be cut back to different lengths,
so as to have an even distribution of flowering- wood
all over the plants. Nothing is gained by crowding

the shoots thickly together, or by having many to
each wire. If affected with mealy bug advantage
should be taken to give the plants a dressing with
insecticide whilst they are divested of all soft
growth. Where the shoots can be taken off the
wire and steeped for an hour or two in the liquid,
this will be found the best way to proceed. One
dressing of this kind is more effectual than two or
three partial applications.

Stephanotis, pot specimens. — Where the
plants are well supplied with liquid, or with solid
stimulants regularly duringthe time the growth is be-
ing made, large specimens may be kept in full vigour
for a number of years in pots, even when they are full
of roots. One advantage in pot culture is, that the
plants can be moved about, and with two specimens
to fill a given space by starting one in advance of
the other a longer succession of flowers can be had.

jEschynAnthus. — Plants of the earlier-flowering
kinds should be cut back as soon as they have
bloomed. If this is not done annually, especially
when they are grown in hanging baskets, they soon
get too long and straggling, and produce their flowers
only at the extremities of the branches. The
shoots may be cut back to within two or three
joints of where they have sprung from. Allow the
soil to get drier than usual before removing the
tops, and do not give much water until the new
growth has made some progress. A daily sprink-
ling with the syringe will in most cases give enough
moisture till the young growth has started. In the
case of old plants that are in pots or baskets as
large as it is desirable to give them, they can have
a portion of the old soil removed and be returned
to the same baskets or pots with new material.
This may be done when the young shoots have
grown 2 inches or 3 inches in length. Cuttings of
these iEschynanthuses may now be put in , and pieces
consisting of three or four joints of the present
season's growth will strike readily. If the object
is to get up good-sized examples with little delay,
five or six cuttings may be put into each pot, and
then grown on all together. They will in this way
make nice flowering plants next year. They strike
freely in ordinary stove-heat, if kept moist and
moderately close, with shade.

Hoya Bella. — This is one of the prettiest and
neatest-habited of all stove subjects that are suit-
able for growing in hanging baskets. In fact, this
is really the only way in which the plant should be
grown, for when the shoots are trained erect to
sticks in the manner sometimes done it looks out
of character. As soon as the plants are out of
flower the shoots should be shortened moderately,
after which the plants should be kept in stove
heat and encouraged to grow. Previous to cutting
in allow the soil to get somewhat dry, and do
not give much water until the new shoots begin to
grow away freely. Through not being cautious in
this matter many plants of this Hoya and H. Pax-
toni are lost, as their roots are more impatient of
any excess of moisture when they are not growing
freely than those of some things.

H. Paxtoni. — This distinct-looking Hoya has
weaker shoots that droop more than those of H.
bella, for which reason it is preferred by some as a
basket plant. It needs cutting in after blooming
in the way advised for H. bella. In other respects
the treatment required is also the same. Cuttings
of both these Hoyas strike freely. Any portion of
the present season's growth will root ; the extremi-
ties consisting of about 6 inches in length make
plants the quickest. Three or four pairs of leaves
should be removed from the bottom. Put them
singly into small pots, or several together into
others a little larger, in sand. Treated in the way
that answers for ordinary stove plants as regards
heat, shade, moisture, and a confined atmosphere,
the cuttings will strike in three or four weeks.
When well rooted, pot them off singly. Pinch out
the points of the shoots as soon as the growth has
begun to move freely. Young examples struck
now should be kept growing slowly through the
winter.

BotjvAEDIAS. — Plants that were struck soon after
the beginning of the year and are to be grown on
in pots will now require moving to those in which

they are to make the remainder of the season's
growth and to flower. The size of pots given will
have to be varied according to the progress the
plants have already made and the size the varie-
ties naturally attain. A small-growing sort like B.
Vreelandi will do with less room than such varie-
ties as B. jasminoides, which again does not require
pots so large as B. Humboldti corymbiflora. If
stopping has been properly attended to, nothing
further will be required in this way, as it is not
well to encourage a quantity of weak shoots. Let
the plants stand sufficiently far apart to allow the
light to reach them on all sides. When kept dur-
ing the summer in pits well up to the glass, they
will do stood somewhat closer together than if in
higher structures at a further distance from the
roof. As soon as the roots have made some pro-
gress in the new soil, manure water or surface
dressings with concentrated manure should be
given freely until towards the end of September,
after which less in the way of stimulants will suf-
fice till the time when the bloom is pushed along
more quickly.

BOUVABDIAS PLANTED OTJT.— Young stock that
has been planted out in pits and frames will re-
quire extra attention in closing the lights early in
the afternoon during this and the ensuing month,
unless the weather comes much warmer than it has
been through the early part of summer. Without
this, if fire-heat has not been used so as to bring
the plants on, they will be deficient in size when
the time comes for lifting and potting them. See
that all the stock is free from insects, particularly
such pests as mealy bug. T. B.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.
Planting between Potatoes. — In the most for-
ward districts the Potatoes have formed rather more
haulm than usual, and unless plenty of room has
been allowed between the rows aDy plants put out
between them are likely to fare badly. Most of
our Ashleafs are in rows 42 inches apart, but even
in this case Brussels Sprouts, autumn Broccoli,
and Cauliflowers between them would have been
smothered had we not tucked back the Potato
haulm. Varieties that form sturdier branching
haulm do not lend themselves so readily to this
treatment, but there is no reason why these should
not be lightly trimmed back with a hook. This
reducing the top-growth does not appear to ma-
terially affect the weight of the tubers, and it is
advisable to do it rather than to spoil what should
prove very serviceable crops during the coming
autumn and winter. If the rows of any variety of
Potatoes are less than 3 feet apart it is useless to
attempt planting between them, but by adjusting
the haulm it might be possible in some cases to
plant between every third row.

Lifting eaely Potatoes.— There is no neces-
sity to wait till the haulm has died down before
lifting and storing early Potatoes, and it may be
advantageous in several ways to anticipate this
ripening period. For instance, when Brussels
Sprouts or other winter green plants are put out
between the rows, these soon attain a great size
and render it a rather difficult matter to lift the
Potatoes properly if this is much longer deferred.
Then, again, plots of good ground are frequently
wanted badly at this time of year, and if a breadth
of Potatoes can be lifted early they leave the
ground in excellent condition for almost any other
successional crop. It may be possible to leave Pota-
toes undug a few days too long, the opportunity of
storing them free of disease being missed. All the
while the haulm is erect and the tubers still grow-
ing it would be folly to interfere with them, but di-
rectly the skins are fairly set, this being while the
haulm is still fresh, lifting and storing may safely
be proceeded with.

Sowing Cabbage seed. — Every district has a
certain date for sowing seed of Cabbage to stand
through the winter, and growers fresh to the lo-
cality ought, as a rule, to be guided somewhat by
the experience gained by the older inhabitants.
When the seed is sown much earlier than this fixed
date there is a probability of many of the plants
raised running prematurely to seed, while, on the

34

THE GARDEN.

[July 12, 1890.

other hand, if sown much later the chances are
the plants will not have attained a good size before
wintry weather sets in, a late spring crop being the
consequence. Occasionally successful departures
are made, comparatively early sowing being
followed by good results. That excellent variety
Ellam's Early may safely be sown earlier than most
older varieties, and it may be other forms of recent
introduction will answer well under similar treat-
ment. In most late districts and in naturally back-
ward gardens the first week in July is not too early
to sow seed. About the middle of the month is
considered, and rightly so, the most suitable time
hereabouts, and there are districts where the best
results attend sowing seed late in July or early in
August. Those who are in doubt about the matter
may well make an early sowing, and another a fort-
night later on.

Hints upon sowing the seed. — If good beds
of Cabbage plants are raised a promising start has
been made, but more often than not there is a
scarcity at planting time. It is advisable, there-
fore, to take more than ordinary pains in sowing
the seed. A good open piece of border ought to be
selected and thoroughly well pulverised some time
prior to sowing the seed. When the seed is sown
thinly in shallow drills and covered with fine soil
it germinates very surely, but in most instances the
plants are sown too thickly in the rows, this, perhaps,
necessitating pricking out in order to prepare them
for the open quarters. The better planis to break
down the surface, watering if at all dry, and
then to sow thinly and broadcast, well covering
the seed with sifted soil from the frame ground.
Plants thus raised grow sturdily and transplant
easily when required. Birds and slugs are great
enemies, the former to the seed, and the latter to
the seedlings. If the bed cannot be closely netted
over, the best preventive of attacks from birds is
to red-lead the seeds. First, just damp the seeds
in a moistened cloth, and then well roll them in the
dry lead. If too freely damped, the seeds will be
stuck together by the lead. Frequent dustings of
soot and lime will usually preserve the plants from
slugs, and to a certain extent prevent the birds from
drawing up the seedlings for the purpose of getting
at what is left of the seed at their base.

Late kidney Beans. — A few rows of late raised
plants often afford serviceable dishes late in the
season, or until the plants are cut down by
frosts. They invariably do well on the ridges be-
tween Celery plants, a single row through the
centre of each not greatly interfering with the
work of moulding up the late Celery. The higher
the ground the less likelihood of frost cutting
down the Beans before they have done good service,
and as Celery also keeps best well away from the
more moist parts of a garden, the two crops go well
together. Ne Plus Ultra, Canadian Wonder, or
any of the early sorts answer well for this sowing.
Drills should be drawn about 2 inches deep, mois-
tened if dry, and the seed then sown thinly. Later
on it will be advisable to lightly stake the tallest
plants, and a temporary protection during two or
three nights may be the means of preserving the
plants till quite late in the season. More seed
might also be sown soon on a warm border in rows
18 inches apart, with the view of covering these
with frames or some kind of rough protectors.

W. I.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.
Peaches.
Trees in the early house, from which the fruit was
cleared before the end of the past month, will now
be clean, and having a long season before them
each of the roof-lights may be thrown open to its
fullest extent, or, better still, in warm situations
they may be removed to the shop for painting and
repairs. The foliage of the trees will then have
the full benefit of refreshing dew and rain, and the
latter will pass evenly through the borders, to the
lowest roots. I take it for granted that the trees
have been properly pruned and the shoots re
arranged not less than 5 inches apart, also that the
old balls have been thoroughly soaked where there
existed the shadow of a prospect of their being dry

If trees under fixed roofs cannot be treated to an
abundance of fresh air, the danger of loss of foliage
and premature ripening of the buds may be averted
by the removal of the bottom row of squares, which
must be laid by and replaced when the hot weather,
still due, has passed away.

Succession houses now giving the supply of fruit
will no longer require fire-heat, but, on the con-
trary, will be all the better for a free circulation of
air, the more the brighter the colour and the fresher
the flavour, provided the rain does not reach the
fruit. Wash thoroughly, also water freely as each
tree is cleared of fruit. Cut out all superfluous
shoots and re-arrange those retained, as next year's
crop greatly depends upon full exposure to the sun
and a constant circulation of fresh air. If spider
has been at all troublesome, ply the syringe
with some force every evening until the trees are
quite clean, then run off the lights and give an
occasional washing from the outside after the sun
has left the roof on hot, dry days.

Autumn Peaches. — If late sorts are wanted in
September, now is the time to retard by giving
a profusion of air both by day and night. The
fruit, it is true, under this treatment may not
be quite so fine as if shut up with sun-heat in the
afternoon to swell, but by being kept back it can be
so managed later on, when, the sun having lost its
intense power, there will be no necessity for
shading, a too common practice which cannot be
too severely condemned.

Figs.

If second crop fruit has not been well thinned,
no time must be lost, otherwise under the best of
management it is sure to run small. The crop,
moreover, will be along time in ripening, and this
is not desirable when the trees have barely time for
rest before they are again forced. If spider has
gained a footing, now is the time to thoroughly
break up the colony by copious syringing above as
well as below the leaves, and good culture being
the best preventive, the roots must be well top-
dressed and copiously fed.

Late houses in which the fruit is now ripening
must have plenty of air, and should this cold
weather continue, the quality will be improved by
a little warmth in the pipes through the night.
Damp the floors, walls, and old stems once or twice
on fine days, but guard against shutting in moisture,
which may spot the fruit by condensation through
the night. Keep the roots fairly moist by the
judicious application of pure warm water on bright
mornings, and the better to keep it in add a little
fresh dry mulching in the course of the day. All
pinching from this date forward must be discon-
tinued, as fresh points will not have time to ripen,
but all useless spray and barren shoots where
crowded may be carefully cut out. Trees in cold
houses and wall cases must be kept thinly trained,
and one crop being all they can ripen, all late shows
must be rubbed off. Small figlets which will stand
through the winter will then form, and future
success depending upon ripe points, these from this
t:me forward may be allowed to turn up to the sun.
Melons.

Where late fruit is expected and considered
worth eating, a few seeds may be sown once a fort-
night well into August. The late batches may not
be of much account, but failing, the pits may be
cleared in time for winter Cucumbers. Late Melons
should always be grown in pots or very narrow beds
abundantly heated with hot water. Pots, however,
I think are best, and for this reason : they can be
plunged in fermenting material immediately over
the pipes, which may remain cold until short days
and long cold autumn nights render supple-
mentary heat from the fire necessary. The roots,
again, being so thoroughly under control, con-
ditions favourable to setting, swelling and ripen-
ing can always be maintained to a nicety. Plants
now swelling crops will be none the worse for a
steady circulation in the top and bottom-heat pipes,
as the weather just now is unseasonably cold, and
at present there is no prospect of improvement-
Keep the fruit well up to the light, remove every
bit of useless lateral, and carefully preserve the
main foliage, as injury by breakage, especially in

cold sunless seasons, is frequently the cause of
canker. Damp the side walls and surface of the
bed on bright mornings, but do not wet the fruit
or foliage, and the heat being brisk and good, assist
swelling and maintain cleanliness by an overhead
syringing when the house is closed for the day.
Top-dress with strong, finely broken loam and bone
dust, and wash it in with clear diluted guano or
soot water.

Frames. — This being a bad season for plants in
pits and frames, the hot-water pipe I have so often
advocated will be greatly appreciated by those who
have adopted this mode of supplementing the fer-
menting material. Those who cannot command
fire-heat must be extremely careful not only in the
manipulation of the plants, which must be kept
thin to prevent an accumulation of stagnant mois-
ture, but also in root watering on bright fine morn-
ings, when there is a prospect of the surface of the
bed becoming fairly dry before nightfall. When
morning watering is practised, wetting the stems
and foliage "must if possible be avoided, and the
better to carry out this principle, a rough trellis of
some kind, if only of Kidney Bean sticks, should be
provided for keeping the stems a few inches above
the compost. Fermenting manure being plentiful,
renovate the linings, first the back, then the front,
at short intervals, and a brisk bottom-heat being
imperative when the fruit is ripening, it is a good
plan to pull down the linings and rebuild with
fresh manure when trial sticks indicate decomposi-
tion and a general fall of temperature. Frame
Melons should be covered up at night, a chink of
air being left for the escape of steam, and draughts
by day may be prevented by tilting the lights on
the south side in preference to the north, this, the
highest point, being favourable to the escape of hot
air as fast as it is generated. W. C.

Chrysanthemums.

NEW AMERICAN CHRYSANTHEMUMS OF 1890.
Since the compilation of the list of new American
Chrysanthemums on p. 3G7 was completed, some
information has come to hand concerning further
introductions, the majority of which were selected
in Japan by the agents of the two well-known Ame-
rican nurserymen whose names are appended to the
following list, and the remainder are announced as
seedlings from the far-famed Mrs. Alpheus Hardy.
From a communication received last autumn from
a Chrysanthemum-growing correspondent of repute
in the United States, I learn that altogether a. batch
of thirty seedlings was raised from Mrs. Alpheus
Hardy, but in no case did any of the issue exhibit
signs of the peculiar hairy petals that so distinguish
the parent variety. It is well here to observe that
Louis Boehmer, the so-called pink Mrs. Alpheus
Hardy, is not in any way the result of such seeding,
nor is it a sport from that variety, but was obtained
direct from Japan.

All these additional American varieties have been
imported into England, and to keep the readers of
The Gaeden acquainted with the newest importa-
tions of Chrysanthemums from every source, I have
arranged these later novelties into an alphabetical
list for convenience of future reference, as it is
probable that many of them will be exhibited by
trade growers at shows and floral meetings in the
course of the coming autumn.

One of the American introducers prefaces his list
with the following remarks : —

The croup of Chrysanthemums below named was
selected by our agent in Japan last season, and flowered
by us in the autumn of IPSO. We offsr them now Eoi
the first time under the title of " The Oriental Group,"
as f hey were selected from the finest eastern collections.
Taken as a wdiole, they represent every type and va-
rieiv ill' the Japanese section with some markedly dis-
tinct and novel departures in form and colour. Many
of them will unquestionably become standard sorts, as
did I he collection from the same source sent out by us
i wo years ago.

The collection thus alluded to comprised twelve
varieties, only one of which, however, Volunteer,
has up to now become familiar to English culti-

July 12, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

35

vators. It is proper to add that it is the exception
for Chrysanthemums imported from the other side
of the Atlantic to make a reputation here, no matter
how meritorious they may be, in less than three or
perhaps even four seasons. The chief reason for
this is that the shipments are nearly always made
far too late in the spring for the plants to be grown
on and bloomed satisfactorily the same year ;
another being that the Americans have not the best
reputation in the world for careful or intelligent
packing.

From a Chrysanthemum grower's point of view,
the Americans are fortunate in being so accessible
to Japan, and it seems within the bounds of pro-
bability that they will ere long be in possession of
all that is novel and good in the way of Chrysan-
themums from the land of the rising sun. In an
interesting account of the Imperial Chrysanthe-
mum Fe*te at Tokio, by M. Pierre Loti in the Revue
des deux Mondes, some two years since, he alludes
to the curious style of nomenclature adopted by
the Japanese florists, as an instance of which he
quotes a flower that had received the magniloquent
appellation of " Ten thousand times sprinkled with
gold." In making up the present list I notice that
one flower, Saladin, is described as looking as if
it were dusted with gold. It would indeed be a
remarkable circumstance were it possible that the
select private collection of the Emperor, which is
generally supposed to be unequalled throughout
the world, had been ransacked by enterprising
plant dealers to gratify the taste of our western
Chrysanthemum enthusiasts. These importations
from Japan, via America, will undoubtedly be
watched with many an anxious eye, for there
appears to be, as far as we know, an almost in-
exhaustible variety of form and colour among the
flowers grown by these ingenious florists of the
Extreme Orient.

Arabian (Henderson). — Piped petals, lilae rose tipped
carmine. Imported from Japan.

Arizona (Pitcher and M.). — Japanese, dwarf and
stiff stems ; tubular petals outside and fiat incurved
ones in centre ; light chrome. Imported from Japan.

Ben Har (Henderson) . — Long silken petals, beautiful
piuk, large. Imported from Japan.

Bohemia. (Pitcher and M.). — Large reflexed flower,
Venetian red.

Brahma (Henderson). — Large, pure white forked
petals.

Cashmere (Henderson). — Loug wavy petals, orange-
scarlet, tipped golden-yellow. Imported from Japan.

Damascus (Henderson). — Plat petals, scarlet aud
yellow. Imported from Japan.

Delhi (Henderson). — Orange and yellow, delicate
wavy petals. Imported from Japan.

Elliott F. Shepard (Pitcher and M.). — Japanese,
large flowers, broad ribbon-like petals, lemon-yellow.
Imported from Japan.

Ismail (Henderson). — Pure white, fine petals like a
cotton ball. Imported from Japan.

Iona (Pitcher and M.). — Rsfiexed, tubular deep rose

Iowa (Pitcher and H.). — Chinese white, tinted
mauve at the ends.

Java (Henderson). — Crimson-purple, petals thin,
tipped lilac. Imported from Japan.

Jean Humphrey (Pitcher aud M.). — Japanese, large
fawn-coloured flowers, outer petals long and tubular,
the inner incurving. Imported from Japan.

Kearsarge (Pitcher and M.). — Chinese, light mauve.

Khivia (Henderson). — Pine petals, one half white,
the other lilac. Imported from Japan.

Lallah Boohh (Hendersou). — Buffish-carmine, piped
petals, slightly hairy. Imported from Japan.

Land m Humphrey (Pitcher and M.). — Japanese, like
Ithaca, hut deeper rose colour. Imported from Japan.

Mahomet (Henderson). — Deep golden yellow. Im-
ported from Japan.

Mecca (Henderson). — Yellow piped petals, ends
forked. Imported from Japan.

Molcanna (Henderson). — Yellow, long piped petals.
Imported from Japan.

Mrs. Hicks Arnold (Pitcher and M.).— Japanese,
soft rose, dwarf, early.

Nineveh (Henderson). — Lilac-rose, darker inside.
Imported from Japan.

Umar (Henderson). — Very dark ox-blood-red. Im-
ported from Japan.

Oneida (Pitcher and M.).— Chinese, full flower,
light pink.

Palestine (Henderson). — Deep golden yellow, long
drooping petals. Imported from Japan.

Passaic (Pitcher andll.). — Japanese, flower loose,
white ; stiff, standing, tubular petals. Imported from
Japan.

Queen of Sheba (Henderson). — Brilliant carmine,
inside petals fringed. Imported from Japan.
_ Raleigh (Pitcher and M.).— Japanese incurved ; buff
tinged rose, ceutre petals lemon-yellow.

Saladin (Henderson).— Ribbon-like petals, looks as
if dusted with gold. Imported from Japan.

Saracen (Hendersou). — Medium, white. Imported
from Japan.

St. Sophia (Henderson). — Large lilac. Imported
from Japan.

Syria (Henderson).— Large yellow, pencilled ear-
mine. Imported from Japan.

Turcoman (Henderson). — Piped petals, pure white.
Imported from Japan.

Vishnu (Henderson). — Anemone, outer petals pure
white. Imported from Japan.

Vizier (Henderson). — Anemone, white, outer pe-
tals long and curly. Imported from Japan.

Chrysanth.

THE QUEEN OF AUTUMN; OR, CHRYSAN-
THEMUM SEEDS AND SEEDING*
The Chinese are a peculiar people, and in many
ways different to the gardeners of the West. They
are more insulated and self-contained. Less than
a century ago China was the whole world to the
Chinese. Although they live much nearer to the
tropics than we do, they have not felt that soul-
hunger for the plants of other and warmer lands
than their own, which is such a characteristic fea-
ture in our horticulture of to-day. The mandarins,
or nobles of China, allow the aristocratic Orchid to
sway and flutter neglected on its native bough ;
but the one thing they do admire and value is their
native Chrysanthemum, a flower which, with their
neighbours the Japanese, they cultivate to perfec-
tion. It is the national flower of a great and
powerful people, and not only of the conservative
Chinese themselves, but of the more liberal Japan-
ese, and also of the people of Siam. But what at
the beginning of this paper I am anxious to empha-
sise is the broad central fact that the Chinese gar-
deners have gone out to their own waysides and
hedges, and have brought into cultivation their
own wild flowers. The Tree Pjeony, the Camellia,
the Azalea, the Rose, and, above all, the Chrysan-
themum, are a few only of their favourites, which
may serve to illustrate what I mean. Mr. Fortune
told us, after his second return from China, that
the Celestial gardeners did not care for any of the
plants he took out with him from England, except
for the scarlet zonal Pelargonium ; and certainly
the faith and persistence with which these people
have improved their own wildings is very remark-
able, and I have sometimes thought that therein
lies, by implication, the moral lesson to our British
gardeners, " Go thou and do likewise." I am afraid,
however, we are too fond of jumping to conclusions,
too fond of rapid results, to take up the culture of
our native Corn Marigold (Chrysanthemum sege-
tum), or our great Ox-eye Daisy (Chrysanthemum
Leucanthemnm), with anything like the long-suffer-
ing faith that must have prompted and animated
the Chinese gardeners who first began the culture
of the wild Chrysanthemum centuries upon cen-
turies ago. It is not only possible, but extremely
probable, that the Chrysanthemum was a popular
garden flower in China when Egypt was in its
prime, and in the future it is likely to remain the
national floral emblem of a people who will either,
as friends, help us to keep our foothold in the East,
or, as foes, they may possibly eat up the Russian
Bear, and then reserve the Eastern half of the
world's loaf for themselves.

We have now to consider the flower itself. I
have reasons for believing that the small single
yellow Chrysanthemum indicum (commonly cul-
tivated in India, although only wild in Corea,
China, and Japan) is the original wild type from
which natural variation and culture have evolved
all larger-growing and more highly coloured forms.
All the botanists, from Linnreus and De Candolle

* Paper read by Mr. F. W. Burbidge, F.R.H.S.,
F.L.S., &c. Curator of the University (Trinity Col-
lege) Botanical Gardens, Dublin, at the Chrysanthe-
mum Conference at Chiswick, Nov. 6, 1889.

to Messrs. Forbes and Hemsley (Jour. Linn. Soc,
vol. xxiii., p. 437-8), have considered C. indicum
and C. morifolium ( = sinense) as two distinct
species. I only believe in one species — the so-
called C. indicum (of which C. morifolium (C.
sinense) is, as I take it, a mere geographical
variety), since I find that nearly every batch of
seedlings exhibits a tendency to revert to this, as
the primitive yellow-flowered type, although all
sorts and sizes, and conditions and colours, are
obtainable from seeds gathered from the same
capitule, be the seed-bearer pompon (C. indicum)
or large-flowered (C. morifolium-sinense). When
the weird forms, now known to have been of Japan-
ese garden origin, were introduced by Mr. Fortune
in 1862, we were very nearly led to believe in a
third species (C. japonicum), so distinct and dif-
ferent were these flowers to those previously known
in Britain. Even supposing that there were origi-
nally two wild species of Chrysanthemum in China
or Corea (a view from which I dissent), the result,
as above stated, would tend to show that they
must have intercrossed freely with each other ; but
all my observations go to prove that the weedy
little single yellow pompons, which so often come
from the seeds saved from the finest and most
modern of the large-flowered kinds, really imply
reversion to first principles (ativism), and not the
unmixing of two distinct wild plants naturally or
artificially cross-fertilised.

Botanically the Chrysanthemum is a glorified
Ox-eye Daisy, trying hard to raise itself from a
herbaceous perennial into an evergreen shrub. It
belongs to the great natural family of the Daisy
Flowers (Composita;), and what we as garder.eis
call a " flower " or a " bloom " is really a flower-
head or capitulum made up of a hundred or more
separate individual flowers, all neatly arranged into
a bouquet-like group, and held in their places by a
cup-shaped common calyx or involucre. In fact,
composite flowers are made up on what I may
call the paint-brush principle, the florets repre-
senting the hair or bristles, and the involucre
replaces the supports by which the hairs or com-
ponent portions are held together. The florets are
generally of two kinds, the outer or ray flowers be-
ing more or less ligulate, while the central or disc
florets are tubular. The outer ray florets are female
flowers having styles only, and no stamens, but the
central or disc florets are hermaphrodite, being
furnished with pollen-yielding anthers as well as
with pollen-receiving bifid styles. The anthers of
the Chrysanthemum, as of all the members of the
composite order, are coherent by their margins, or
syngenesious, and they are, moreover, proteran-
drous— that is to say, the pollen is ripe and ready
some days before the stigmas of the same flower
are fit for fertilisation. In a word, the Chrysan-
themum had ages ago become naturally adapted
for cross-fertilisation, and to that fact no doubt is
due its variability in nature and in our gardens.

Our finest and best Japanese Chrysanthemums
of to-day are raised by M. Delaux, Dr. Ed. Audi-
guier, M. D. Pertuzes, and other raisers of Toulouse;
M. Reydellet of Valence, M. Boucharlet, aine", and
M. Rozain Boucharlet of Lyons, and Major Charles
Le M. Carey of Guernsey ; but the American
growers, although much later in the field, are
already sufficiently successful to become formid-
able rivals in the future.

England and Ireland. — And now comes the
question what shall we do in England ? Shall we
rest contented with the varieties our friends in
France, the Channel Islands, and in America rear
and send us year after year, or shall we rear home-
grown seed and seedlings for ourselves ?

Chrysanthemum seeds were successfully har-
vested" in England fifty or sixty years ago, and they
are ripened here to-day by Mr. Alfred Salter, Mr.
Cullingford, Mr. Teesdale, Mr. Piercy, and other
growers. Mr. Hartland ripened seeds at Cork,
cutting the flowers, which were pompons, as the
seed approached maturity, after which the flowers
were dried in a hot air press. Seeds thus ripened
were given to Mr. Cullingford, who raised from
them Hartland's " Marguerite," a small single-
flowered white, and from this last-named variety

36

THE GARDEN.

[July 12, 1890.

Mr. Piercy has raised in the second generation
several superior early-flowering kinds, including
Miss P. Broughton, Clara, White Lady, Goldsmith,
Dodo, and others.

Jacintha was reared from home-saved seed of
Salter's Early Blush, the flies having no doubt
carried pollen to its stigmas from other single or
semi-double varieties. The best early yellow pom-
pon, viz., Golden Shah, originated from this seed,
as also did the lovely white Duchess of Fife.

When we come to consider the harvesting of
Chrysanthemum seed in the garden, we of course
find that the question of nutrition is at the bottom
of the whole thing.

Being, as we have said, naturally a sub-shrubby
plant, the more woody it is the better it seeds.
Our plan of cutting down the plants every winter,
and growing on young plants from the succulent
young growths in rich soil by the aid of stimulants,
is quite opposed to the possibility of seeds being
saved. All other things, such as heat and light,
being equal, rich soils and much moisture or ma-
nurial stimulants conduce to the production of
vegetative growth, and the development of the
female floral organs, such as ray florets and styles.
On the contrary, poor soils and drought are highly
conducive to the growth of the andi'tesial whorl, or
the anthers and their golden harvest of pollen, and
also to the production of seed. Heat and drought
= 5. As. Cold and moisture = ? or neuter flowers.
Do we not see this result every year of our lives in
the garden ? After a hot, dry summer and autumn
(which, as the gardeners say, ripens the wood) we
get good fruit and seed crops the succeeding year,
but after a dull, wet, cold season we know the re-
verse is generally the rule. We must apply these
broad and simple principles to the Chrysanthemum,
and good seed will be attained in England quite as
readily as large blooms.

But there must be no manurial stimulants, none
of the syringing, and but little of the watering so
necessary in the culture of large and showy flower-
heads for decoration or exhibition. The Chrysan-
themum seeds best planted out in the open air
in a high and dry position, and when the flowers
show colour they should be protected by a glass
coping, with a roller-blind of stout canvas to let
down in front of the plants to protect them from
rain and frost. The thin, late and shabby blooms
seed best, and the greatest drawback to the seed
ripening is wet, or even a damp atmosphere. As a
rule, the large and early flowers of the Chrysanthe-
mum are erect ; but the later axillary flowers are
drooping, and not so liable to suffer from rain or
dew and fogs as are the large full flowers. The
whole secret in the harvesting of Chrysanthemum
seed is to place the plants in a very dry, warm
(55° F.), and airy atmosphere when in bloom. Even
in the dry and sunny winter climate of Guernsey,
the first seed was obtained by a baker (Mr. Webb),
who trained his seed-producing plants on a warm
wall at the back of his oven, thus securing the two
great essentials of warmth and dryness so neces
sary to seed and pollen-production. Again, a gooc
deal of patience is required, for the seeds swell and
ripen slowly long after the florets have withered
away. The decayed florets should be carefully cut
away, or there is great danger of damp ruining the
crop. As is shown later on, Mr. John Thorpe cuts
off the female florets before he fertilises or pollen
ises the stigmas. Very good keen eyesight, and
some practical knowledge of what Chrysanthemum
seed is really like when ripe is also necessary,
for there are numerous instances of good seed
having been overlooked or thrown away by the un-
conscious grower. M. Reydellet, of Valence, was
led to become a raiser of seedling Chrysanthe-
mums by finding a self-sown seedling growing in
one of his Geranium pots. On its flowering, it
proved to be a distinct variety, a fact which led
him to make further experiments ; and to-day, as a
raiser, he ranks second only to M. Delaux. I have
here a small packet of Chrysanthemum seed, which
anyone may inspect if they care to do so. This
seed is very plump and good and clean ; but as
originally mixed up with dried bracts and the

debris of the old flowers which produced it, one
might easily pass it over unnoticed. So far, I be-
lieve, but little artificial cross-breeding has been
resorted to by the raisers of Chrysanthemum seed-
lings. It has been done, but not so much as is de-
irable. Most old raisers seem to have trusted to
insect aid, or to chance, in the matter. It is, how-
ever, quite easy to take the pollen from one flower
on a dry and sunny day when it is ripe, and to
apply it to the out-curling stigmas of another capi-
tulum. A camel's-hair brush moistened in the
honey of a Fuchsia flower is best for removing and
applying the pollen. As a rule the incurved varie-
ties are deficient in pollen, most of the florets being
9 or O, and to this fact is mainly due the extra
difficulty in rearing these kinds. Late flowers from
old and hard-grown plants sometimes contain a
few disc florets from which pollen is procurable.
All the single and Anemone-centred kinds seed
freely ; and so do the Japanese when grown natu-
rally as above indicated.

(To oe continued,.)

Chrysanthemum Golden Shah. — This has
been described by Mr. Piercy, who makes a special
study of this section of Chrysanthemums, as the
most beautiful early yellow-flowering pompon in
cultivation. It is certainly a very good variety, and
one that should be made a note of by all lovers of
early-flowering Chrysanthemums. It is by no
means a rank grower, but makes a good specimen
about 2 feet high, very freely branched, and studded
with deep golden-yellow flowers about 3 inches in
diameter. The foliage is not over-abundant, while
the flowers are borne in great numbers, and as all
of them are on long stalks they are especially con-
venient for cutting. It is one of those varieties
that will, no doubt, become well established in our
gardens. Golden Shah is certainly a large flower
to be classed as a pompon, a term at one time ap-
plied only to the little button-like flowers, but the big
bloom craze is extending even to the miniature
varieties. — H. P.

%* This is quite true. The flowers of some of
the pompon varieties are as large as those of the
reflexed, the result of the inordinate desire of the
growers to make the blooms as big as possible. — Ed.

Cuckoo spit or frog hopper (Aphrophora
Spumaria) causes much more mischief to the growth
of Chrysanthemums than many people imagine.
The curious-looking mass of green spittle formed
on tender shoots of many other plants, besides
Chrysanthemums, contains an insect which may
create much damage if allowed to develop into
what I term the " jumper." It attacks the tender
points of the young shoot, puncturing the skin on
one side, and thus crippling its growth. All that
are now seen should be destroyed, either by expos-
ing the insect to the sun and air with the aid of a
small brush, or by squeezing the parts between the
finger and thumb. If the plants are badly affected
with cuckoo spit they may be syringed with to^
bacco liquid. To one gallon of water add one table
spoonful of nicotine ; with this thoroughly dissolve
1 oz. of soft soap, apply the mixture lukewarm, and
wash it off afterwards in about an hour with clean
water. Hand-picking is, perhaps, the easiest way
to clean the plants while amongst them to manipu-
late the growth. — E. M.

UNCLE SAM'S BIG SEED BARN.
Uncle Sam's seed barn is just now in a hum of
activity. It is so for about a month every year at
this season. Go into it any time during the next
two or three weeks and you will find it a scene of
bustle and industry- hundreds of women putting
up with rapid fingers myriads of paper packages,
men dragging heavy sacks hither and thither, and
other busy workers pasting and addressing labels.
They must needs be quick, for within a few days
£20,000 worth of seeds of all sorts have to be sent
in small parcels to a million different individuals in
all parts of the United States. That is the sum an-
nually appropriated by Congress for investment in
germs of things vegetable, to be distributed through-
out the country in order that products of the soil
may be improved in quality. If you would like some

you can get a share by simply writing without de-
lay to the Department of Agriculture, Washington
— a postal card will do — and making the request.
Mention what you want and it will be mailed to
yon free of charge in a bundle marked " Official
Business." If you have no place to grow Beans and
Potatoes in, ask for flower seeds, and you will re-
ceive enough to make your garden bloom for an in-
definite period. Anyone can obtain a portion by
merely communicating the wish.

Probably this newspaper will not charge any-
thing for advertising the fact that Uncle Sam is
distributing this year seeds of a better quality than
ever before. Some time ago the seeds given away
by the Government acquired such a reputation for
badness, that many farmers would not even take
the trouble to plant them, considering it impro-
bable that they would ever come up. But things are
managed differently now, and the seeds you get
from Uncle Jerry Rusk are accompanied by a
guarantee that they will sprout. They are all tested,
in fact, before they are sent off, and the manner of
this testing is exceedingly interesting.

First, however, it will be best to tell where the
seeds come from. Hitherto they have been bought
from farmers and seed growers, who sent samples
to Washington and received orders on the strength
of them. But this year an agent has been employed
to travel all over the country and buy up whatever
seemed best. The result is that all the seeds now
being distributed are exceedingly fine, and the
department represents a certain Potato it is send-
ing out as probably the most excellent article in the
shape of a Hibernian tuber ever obtained by culti-
vation. It never offered Potatoes before this sea-
son, by the way. The germs of this wonderful vege-
table will be sent to you, if you make the request,
twenty-five " eyes " in a wooden box, all cut up and
ready to plant. Of course, the notion is that the
farmer, observing that the Potatoes grown from
these twenty-five eyes are superior to any others of
his crop, will keep them for seed, and other agricul-
tural persons in his neighbourhood will obtain from
him specimens of the vegetable for planting, the
product of all that particular district being in this
way improved. Such, indeed, is the whole idea
and purpose of seed distribution — that the vege-
tables and flowers grown in this country shall be as
good and pretty of their kinds as possible.

The seeds bought of the farmers by the agent are
sent to Washington in bags, and in this shape are
piled in the storage department of Uncle Sam's
barn, which is a big brick building just behind the
main structure of the Department of Agriculture.
An enormous room adjoining is filled with women
sitting at little tables and measuring out seeds from
sacks into brown paper envelopes. Some of them
use quart pots, others pints, and so on down
to mere thimbles with long handles for such
little seeds as Carrots. Obviously, too, the en-
velopes differ in size. Each envelope, having re-
ceived its measure full, is sealed up, and a label is
pasted on it, telling what seeds it contains, giving
directions for planting them, and saying at the
bottom: "Please report results." It is desired to
know, you see, how the seeds turn out. Finally, the
packets are put up in bundles of fives and tens, and
after being addressed they are sent off in this shape.
If you ask simply for " some vegetable and flower
seeds," you will probably receive ten envelopes of
the former and five of the latter. A sample bundle
of ten vegetables would very likely contain a quart
of Corn, half a pint of Beans, half a pint of Peas,
and some small envelopes of Cabbage, Pumpkin,
Tomato, Pepper, Radish, Cucumber, and Beet.
Quarts are also given of Buckwheat and lawn
Grass. A separate room in the barn is devoted to
the putting up of flower seeds, which are purchased
from the big seed houses. . . . Write to the depart-
ment for the seeds you want, and you are all ready
to go into business. Own your own kitchen garden ;
every city family should have one on the window
ledge. Flowers will do as well.

Two-thirds of the £20,000 worth of seeds go to
Congress, each member of which gets about 5000
envelopes of them yearly. Usually the department
sends them off under instructions from the Congress

July 12, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

37

men. The remaining one-third is distributed by
the department as it sees fit. Its generosity is
often abused, for people sometimes send as many
as a dozen times for seeds in one year. As a rule
they get them, too ; for it is the policy of the de-
partment to be very amiable and to conciliate every-
body.— Brooklyn, N.Y., Times, April 24, 1890.

Flower Garden.

THE HARDY WHITE PASSION FLOWER.
Your interesting article on " Passion Flowers
for Cutting" (p. 584) will probably bring this
charming family into greater popularity than
ever. I must, however, confess that I was
somewhat disappointed at finding no mention
made of the hardy white Passion Flower for
decorations, especially as when cultivated under
glass its pretty flowers and foliage are brought
to the highest perfection. Its merits and great
beauty have been noted in more than one way,
and it is now pretty generally known how I dis-
covered this very line plant in Devonshire in
1882 when travelling for Messrs. Lucombe,
Pince and Co. , of the Exeter Nursery. It is.
I believe, the last of the many good things in-
troduced by that ancient establishment. In
1884 the Royal Horticultural Society bestowed
on it a first-class certificate, and it "was figured
and described in the Gardeners' Chronicle about
that time, The Garden also publishing a life-
like coloured plate on May 7, 1887. Since then
thousands of specimens have changed hands,
particularly in America, where I am told it is even
better known and appreciated than it is in this
country. It might also be interesting to record
that it was named after a Mrs. Eliott, of Exeter.
But often the name is wrongly spelt in the gar-
dening papers — Constance Elliott for Constance
Eliott ; and at Kew Gardens the fine specimen
there was also incorrectly labelled. This is but
a trifling error ; still, such petty blunders some-
times lead into more serious complications. A
man named Fuller is reputed to have raised it
from a seed of the common blue Passion
Flower. There is, however, some doubt on this
point, and for my own part I do not believe that
this parson has any claim whatever to the honour,
for I possess letters which were written to me
in 1887 by a lady named Miss Morris, of South
Hill, Lustleigh, Devonshire, in which she
says : —

The story of the white Passion Flower is as fol-
lows : In 1879 I lived at Ford Park, Newton Abbot,
and in the garden found a stump with no appear-
ance of life ; being near the water-cock, I threw
gallons of water on and around it, and about the
first week in September I picked the lovely white
bloom on what I had taken for an ordinary Passion
Flower. The stump looked as if it had seen many
summers, but neither I nor my friends ever saw a
bloom like mine, which, till known in the market
as Constance Eliott, always went by my name, and
I gave many plants away. Fuller had nothing what-
ever to do with mine, or I with his. Mine was
blooming in 1879, his in 1882.

This lady's epistle shows how important it is
to always satisfy ourselves that even a stump is
worthless before destroying it. Many gems have
no doubt been annihilated by thoughtless per-
sons from time to time, especially in old-
fashioned gardens. W. Napper.

Chelsea.

Layering Carnations. — In three weeks or so
layering will have to be attended to. Some gar-
deners have recommended propagating by cuttings
instead of layering, but the leading cultivators
favour layering, except in the case of the growths
that cannot be brought down to the surface. The
cuttings may be taken off, the lower leaves re-
moved, and then planted firmly in sandy soil and

covered with bell-glasses or a close handlight, as
they shrivel up if exposed to the air and fail to do
well ; on the other hand, many will damp off unless
the glasses are removed daily and wiped with a dry
cloth.— J. Douglas.

LILIUM BROWNI.
Among the various Lilies of the longiflorum or
tube-flowered section, this is one of the most dis-
tinct and beautiful, though it is occasionally con-
founded with the Japanese L. odorum ; but there
are many well-marked points of difference between
the two. L. Browni grows 1 yard or more in height,
the stem being sparsely furnished withrather narrow,
dark green leaves, which are slightly drooping and
terminated, except in very strong specimens, by a
solitary flower of a massive texture, in shape some-
what like that of the Bermuda Lily ; but the out-
side is heavily tinged with purplish-brown, while
the inside is of an ivory-white tint. The dark
chocolate-coloured anthers stand out conspicuously

L. Browni, and with a raised centre. The whitish
bulb, too, is more apt to decay than the darker
coloured one. When growing, L. Browni is in all
stages tinged with brownish-purple, which is quite
wanting in the other. The foliage, too, is totally
different, as the leaves of L. odorum are broad,
thin in texture, and of a dull pale green, very
different from the dark shining foliage of L.
Browni. As a rule, L. odorum is less heavily
tinged on the outside of the flower. A third Lily
of this class, that is to say, with the outside of the
bloom deeply coloured, has been flowering very
finely at Kew this year. I allude to L. longiflorum
formosanum, a very rare form of the long-flowered
Lily, which may be described as resembling in
general character the variety known as Wilsoni,
but it is tinged on the exterior in the way of
Browni, though not so pronounced. T.

Flowers of Passiflora Coustauce Eliott.

against the white petals. When growing, the stem
of this Lily is tinged with purple, especially towards
the base. L. Browni, although it can scarcely be
called rare, must nevertheless be included among
the more uncommon Lilies, and one that is always
expensive to purchase. Its origin or native country
is unknown, though it has been described as a Ja-
panese plant ; but, singularly, among the immense
number of Lilies from that country which are dis-
posed of by auction in London during the winter
months, I have never met with the true Browni,
though the allied L. odorum or L. japonicum Col-
chesteri, as it is often called, may be purchased by
the hundred. This last can be readily distinguished
from L. Browni when the bulbs are dormant, for
Brown's Lily has rather a peculiarly shaped bulb,
narrow at the base, widening towards the centre,
and flattened at the top, while the scales are tinged
with reddish-brown. L. odorum has a whitish bulb,
like that of L. longiflorum, broader at the bace than

■ TREE CARNATIONS.
PLANTS for winter blooming should now be in their
flowering pots. Any that are now showing bloom-
buds may be stopped. This should not
be done unless the plants are required
for early spring-flowering only. Both
green-fly and maggot appear to be very
troublesome this season, especially the
former, and when plants are out in the
open it is more difficult to deal with
such pests. I do not like using insec-
ticides for Carnations, for if strong
enough to kill the insects, it is almost
sure to injure the plants. The injury
may not be apparent for some time
after, for it is at the base of the young
leaves where the injury is done. The
best way of keeping the plants clean
while they are out of doors is to fre-
quently syringe with soot- water, which
should be made some time previous to
its being used, so that it may settle
down and become clear. The great
advantage of using soot is that it not
only keeps off both fly and maggot,
but also acts as a valuable stimulant.
If properly used it does not disfigure
the plants.

As Tree Carnations have to stand
for a considerable time in the same
pots, it is necessary to use some well-
prepared compost. The manure should
have a good sprinkling of soot or lime
well mixed with it previous to adding
it to the loam. About three parts
good mellow loam and one part well-
rotted manure, with a little sand,
will make a good compost for Tree
Carnations. The pots should be well
drained and the plants potted mode-
rately firm. When the Carnations are
first potted it is better to place them
where they can be protected from
heavy rains, otherwise they are better
quite exposed. Tree Carnations are not
infrequently spoiled through ■ being
kept too close and warm during the
early stages of growth. Give them
a light open position and plenty of
air and no artificial heat, and they will form
dwarf stocky plants which will scarcely require
any stopping, but which will branch out naturally.
If the first flower-stems start early, they will not
prevent the side shootsfrom following on, especially
if they are disbudded so as to leave only a few
flowers.

Varieties. — Of all the Tree Carnations, Miss
Joliffe (the flesh-pink variety) is the most popular.
It is remarkably free- flowering, and the colour is
much appreciated. Of the scarlet varieties, A.
Alegatiere is still among the best, though some-
times this variety is inclined to run a little. Luci-
fer is a fine variety, but rather delicate. Vesuvius
is free-growing and the flowers very bright. Duke
of Fife, a new variety, promises to become a
popular variety, and Souvenir de F. Labruyer is a
variety of some merit. Of white varieties we have
a valuable addition in Mrs. Moore. It is dwarf in
habit, a good grower, free-blooming, and with

38

THE GARDEN.

[July 12, 1890.

good, full, pure white flowers. Mile. Carle, La
Belle, and Purity are good varieties. Of crimson
varieties Dr. Raymond is one of the best. The
Mikado and Carrie Robinson are also good dark
kinds. Among yellows there is nothing to equal
Andalusia as a winter-flowering variety. Germania
is fine for early spring ; the flowers are larger and
the plant of better habit than Pride of Penshurst.
The two last-named belong to the border section,
but are desirable for pot culture and will flower
well either in the autumn or early in the spring.
The beautiful Apricot, or Mrs. Reynolds Hole, may
be treated with the Tree Carnations, but I have
not been able to flower this except early in the
spring. Plants propagated from cuttings early in
the year come in very useful for the following
year's early flowering. I believe many of the other
border sorts if treated the same way would be
valuable as pot plants for early spring flowering. —
F. H.

If good flowering plants are expected they

must now have careful attention. Young plants —
that is, those propagated within the year— are the
most satisfactory, but it depends very much upon
the treatment they are now receiving whether they
will abundantly repay the care bestowed upon
them. The plants propagated in January and
February should now be thrifty, well-furnished
specimens. They are propagated and grown on in
their early stages in a moderately warm propagat-
ing house and are gradually inured to a cold frame,
where they should have ample ventilation, and the
removal of the lights altogether in mild weather is
the best preparation for placing the plants out of
doors in an open position. During three months at
least, beginning with the 1st of June, they should
be quite in the open air, and they form handsome
specimens, if carefully attended to as regards water-
ing. If they are quite free from insect pests, such as
green-fly, before they are removed from the frames,
the leaves are not likely to be attacked by this or
any other pest when out of doors. In dry, hot
weather syringing at night or in the morning daily is
good for the plants. They will flower in pots from
5 inches to 7 inches in diameter, according to the
constitution of the varieties. The soil should be
rich and of a porous nature, provision being made
to allow the water to pass away freely in wet
weather. Good potting material consists of three
parts fibrous loam, one part fibrous brown peat, one
part leaf-mould, one part decayed manure, and
some coarse sand. The above I think best ; but in
case the whole of the materials should not be avail-
able, I would use soil in which Pelargoniums,
Fuchsias, Cinerarias, &.C., do well. The main point
is to have free drainage, as stagnant water at the
roots may give the plants a check from which they
might not recover. — J. D.

Seedling Carnations, of whatever section,
that were raised from seed sown in April and
pricked out in boxes, have this week been planted
out on ground from which the Tulips have just been
removed. They are planted for the most part
15 inches apart. Those of the previous year are
growing and flowering strongly, but I find that
seedlings from the yellow-ground varieties, if the
seeds are sown at the same time as the flaked and
bizarre varieties, will not bloom so freely ; indeed,
this year, as last, not more than half of them have
flowered. This shows that the seeds of all the
buff and yellow-ground varieties should be sown
earlier. I also observe that the seedlings are
flowering rather earlier than the named varieties
under the same cultural conditions ; they also show
more single varieties than usual. The flowers of
the single forms are often rich in colour and freely
produced, but they cannot be recommended as good
garden plants.— J. D.

Peruvian Lilies No one need be afraid of

Alstrccmeria aurantiaca, aurea and hsemantha when
once they have become fairly established. We
planted them on a border a few years ago, and they
now threaten to crowd everything else out, annually
producing such a show of their charming flowers,
that we dislike disturbing them. A. aurea and A.
aurantiaca are placed together by botanists, but

our plants, at least, are distinct enough to warrant
separate names. With A. haamantha we are greatly
in love. It seems to be a variable species, and
from a batch of seedlings we have quite a variety
of different shades, many of them very handsome.
— K.

ENGLISH AND SPANISH IRISES.

These two flowers of June and early July have
bloomed well this season, and given rich colour
to many gardens We have seen in our rambles
splendid clumps of the English Iris, so called in
cottage gardens, where, too, we may discover
many an old discarded favourite, once the glory
of the grand garden, blooming with delightful
freedom, and giving rise to an expression of
surprise that such a charming thing should be
permitted to hide its beauty in a remote village.
We are recovering our beautiful hardy plants,
and the Iris genus is more thought of each
season. In the garden of Cherkley Court, the
residence of Mr. Dixon, near Leatherhead, Irises
of fine colours give beauty to the steep banks of
foliage on either side of the carriage drive, and
occasionally one is rewarded by a rich display
of that noble Iris, I. ochroleuca, as stately and
beautiful, with its bold, pure white yellow-
blotched flowers as anything we have in the
"Flag" way. Amongst what we may call the
more popular Irises we must give a foremost
place to the English and Spanish forms. We
might call both Spanish Irises, as one is no
more English than the other, both hailing from
the region of the Pyrenees. The English Iris is
considered by some a native of our isle ; but
this is not the case. There are, of course,
only two native species — the beautiful yellow
Flag, I. pseudacorus, that makes a picture of
colour by the stream-side, and I. foetidissima,
better known as the Gladwin. We wish such a
lovely flower as the English Iris could be
claimed as one of the wildings of this cherished
isle. The name arose from the fact that it was
imported from its Spanish and Portuguese
homes to England first, then to Holland, and
the Dutch, whom we have to thank for many
charming varieties, considering it indigenous to
Britain, called it the "English" Iris. This
flower appeals most strongly to me, and the
white variety is as chaste and lovely as the most
delicate exotic. One of the prettiest bits of
church decoration I have seen was a font,
smothered with this flower resting on a base of
Maiden-hair Fern — an exquisite piece of floral
work, bold, striking, but not garish. The
English Iris is, of course, known to everyone
who cares for flowers. It was cultivated as far
back as the days of Parkinson, who cherished
it, and gave it the name of the "great broad-
leaved Fleur de Luce." We prefer the name of
" English Iris" to this effusion, even though it
is geographically incorrect. The bulb does not
range over a wide area in its native home. It
is found principally on the Spanish and French
slopes of the Pyrenees, and is known as Xiphion
latifolium, or Iris xiphioides, forming part of
the division Xiphion, to which also belong the
delightful little Netted Irises that welcome the
new-born year. The growth is luxuriant and the
leafage broad, and though there is a certain re-
semblance between this and the Spanish Iris,
they are as distinct as any two bulbous Flags. The
English Iris spears later, showing itself above
the soil in the spring ; whereas the other com-
mences to grow in the autumn, but both have
the same liking for a soil that is sandy without
being poor, and some amount of moisture, while
to be screened from cold winds is not unim-
portant. The Dutch growers have created many
distinct varieties by hybridising, and we have
flowers of varied colours, and rich and delicate

shades. There is also a wide mixture, some
varieties having blooms dappled and speckled
in a way that spoils their effectiveness. Such
varieties should be cast aside. One I saw re-
cently was pale lavender colour, spotted with
deep purple, a poor thing not worth space in
the garden. But there is no need to have these
curiosities when amongst the many varieties
may be found flowers of magnificent breadth
of fall, rich in colour and bold in expression.
The most striking hue is intense purple, and
nearly all the self-coloured shades should be
sought for in preference to any in which the
colour is distributed in spots or splashes. The
pale blue or lavender Iris is a lovely thing, and
so is the pure white already referred to. As
flowers for decoration the English Irises are
most useful, as much for their long - lasting
properties as for their characteristic mas-
sive character. A bowlful of them on the
sideboard or a tall vase filled with the flowers,
inserted without the stems being cut, makes a
noble adornment for the house. It is always
well to cut the blooms on the point of expan-
sion, as when left to open on the plant, a
heavy downpour of rain bruises the broad and
robust segments. The flowers of this species
appear later than those of the Spanish Iris,
quite a week or a fortnight thus prolonging the
Iris season until the glorious Kaempfer's Flag
expands its blooms in early August.

The Spanish Iris has an equal right to good
culture as the other, though I, personally, love
the " English " form best. The Spanish species
also requires a sandy soil, enriched with manure
or leaf-mould. It is no use to give it poor stuff
without goodness, and to plant the bulbs on
heavy land is courting direct failure. It is easy
to gather from these remarks the kind of staple
necessary for a successful growth. Too much
moisture is hurtful, but sun is wanted, and in
both cases the soil should be dry in the autumn
to promote perfect ripening of the bulbs. It
is easy to start, as offsets are produced freely.
Always replant quickly to prevent the bulbs
drying, as must follow if they are exposed to
the air for any length of time. In some gardens
it is not unusual to find bulbs treated as things
without life, forgetful that they contain the
embryo flower and require proper treatment.
Lily bulbs are left stewing in bags on hot and
dry shelves, and other things suffer in the
same way ; then complaints are frequent of the
poorness of the bloom. Plant Irises promptly,
carefully, and,in the case of offsets, get them into
the ground as quickly as possible, then we
may look for other reasons than dried bulbs if
the flowers fall short of expectations. It is
important not to disturb the clumps once they
have become thoroughly at home in the soil.
Hardy plants differ in the treatment required.
Some want annually lifting, but the English
and Spanish Irises should be left alone for four
years ; then when the leaves have withered,
division may be done if thought necessary. Big
masses give infinitely more pleasure than little
bits, and it is only in a mass one gets the true
richness and beauty of a plant or discovers its
capabilities for creating distinct effects. It is
not uninteresting to raise seedlings, but it is
only the enthusiast or nurseryman that is likely
to undertake this work. The Daffodil is
known to require seven or even eight years to
make flowering bulbs, and about half this time
must elapse before these Irises show bloom,
perhaps only to produce something not worth
an inch of soil. Occasionally a good thing will
occur, and this will be a reward for fruitless
experiments and years of trouble. The Spanish
Iris is found along the coast and as high as
I 6000 feet above the sea, and exhibits the same

July 12, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

39

delightful range of colour as we find in tho
English form, but the expression of the flowers
is different. They are stiffer, without the
graceful curves that distinguish the other, and
have narrower falls. We get all shades of colour,
running through tints of violet, purple, and
yellow, with a clouded bronzy hue in some
varieties mixed with yellow, the result, doubt-
less, of using I. lusitanica, while we may trace
the bluish tones to the type, I. xiphiuni. The
Thunderbolt Iris, which appreciates stiff soil,
should not be forgotten when growing the
two charming groups that go by the name of
English aud Spanish Flags. C.

TURK'S-CAP LILIES.
The term " Turk's-cap " is usually applied to
several Lilies other than the common Turk's-cap
(Lilium Martagon), all of which have, however,
the prettily reflexed blooms characteristic of that
well-known species. One of this group may be re-
garded as the harbinger of the Lily season, viz., L.
pyrenaicum, as in the open ground it is the first of
all Lilies to bloom, and on that account it is in-
teresting, but as far as the ornamental qualities are
concerned it is one of the least valuable of the
whole genus. L. pyrenaicum forms a stout stem,
very thickly furnished with leaves, while the blos-
soms are usually of a greenish-yellow colour, and
about the size of those of the common Turk's-cap.
There is a form of the Pyrenean Lily with reddish
blossoms, usually known as L. pyrenaicum rubrum,
though at one time it was regarded as the true L.
pomponium, which is a quite different plant, and
one of the brightest coloured of its class. This Lily,
which has become widely distributed since a
coloured plate of it was given in The Garden,
October 22, 1881, is a more slender-growing plant
of a less robust constitution than L. pyrenaicum,
while the colour of the flower is an intense seal-
ing-wax red. Another of this class, the smallest
and one of the earliest of all, is the Siberian L.
tenuifolium, which may be regarded as a minia-
ture form of the last, the blossoms being equally
as bright and showy. Of the common Turk's-cap
(L. Martagon) there are many different forms,
the colour of the flowers being very variable.
That usually met with has blossoms of a dull
purplish or lilac-purple colour, but there are two very
distinct varieties which are among the most
striking of all our hardy Lilies. These two varie-
ties, which were shown together in a coloured
plate in The Garden, Jan. 13, 1883, are album
and dalmaticum, the first having spotless white
blossoms, while those of dalmaticum are of a very
deep purple, and in the best forms have almost a
blackish tinge. It is, indeed, the darkest coloured
of all true Lilies, the next to it, perhaps, being a
variety of L. elegans or Thunbergianum, usually
known as hasmatochroum, for the so-called black
Lily which was at one time included in the genus
Lilium is now generally regarded as a Fritillaria,
under the specific name of F. kamtschatcensis. The
Japanese L. Hansoni, which in foliage more nearly
resembles L. Martagon than any other species, has
blossoms of a deep yellow colour, spotted more or
less towards the centre. The blooms of this are
also much like those of the common Turk's-cap in
shape, but the segments are much thicker and more
wax-like, while they do not re9ex quite so grace-
fully as those of L. Martagon. This is a remarkably
pretty Lily, by no means fastidious in its require-
ments, but though often imported in considerable
numbers from Japan during the winter months, it
is still among the more expensive kinds. The last of
this group to be mentioned, and also the last to flower,
is L. chalcedonicum, usually called the Scarlet
Martagon, though it is at least as far removed from
that Lily as L. pomponium, which has certainly an
equal right to this English name. L. chalcedonicum
does not flower till Jul}', at which time all of those
previously mentioned are over. The blossoms of
this are of a bright vermihion-red, dotted over
irregularly towards the centre with black. This
Lily often fails to grow satisfactorily, but where it
succeeds it is a most beautiful species. The finest

examples are frequently met with in some old-
fashioned gardens, where they have been undis-
turbed for years ; indeed, so impatient of removal
is L. chalcedonicum, that it will seldom flower the
first year after it has been shifted. Apart from its
beauty, this Lily is interesting as being one of the
supposed parents of L. testaceum, a pretty nankeen-
coloured flower, whose origin is quite unknown,
though it is usually regarded as a hybrid between
L. chalcedonicum and the Madonna Lily (L. can-
didum). H. P.

PENTSTEMONS.
What with big breadths of plants of Pentstemons
which have stood well through the winter and are
now practically blooming en masse, with young
plants from cuttings taken from the best forms,
and with seedlings which will bloom freely
in the autumn, I will have some five months of
flower from these excellent biennials. The winter
proved far kinder to Pentstemon stools than to
Snapdragons, but these latter have less hard wood.
Snapdragons lack that perennial character which
Pentstemons so largely possess. Pentstemons break
up from the bottom so freely that they will make
fine clumps if allowed plenty of room. If the old
wood is injured by frost it is best to cut it clean
away, but if some show strong growth in the
spring that will carry the earliest spikes of bloom,
and therefore should be retained. Thus with old
plants the flowering season is prolonged. Because
of the facility which exists for the multiplication
of plants both by cuttings and by seed, it is not
desirable to keep plants in the borders or beds over
the second year. Cuttings put thickly into sharp
sandy soil in pans iu September and stood in a
frame will all root and give strong young plants to
put out in the spring. These follow well upon the
old plants which have wintered out of doors. They
also ensure stock of all the best varieties, as
the cuttings are safe from the hardest of weather
in a greenhouse or frame. The labour involved in
securing a few score or even hundreds of young
plants is trifling. I should like to see large beds
of Pentstemons planted out in our public parks and
gardens, Pansies or any similar carpeting plants
being used to cover the surface of the soil until the
Pentstemons had become of full growth. Whilst by
means of cuttings all good forms are easily
increased and perpetuated, they can be indefinitely
increased by saving seed from them and raising a
batch yearly. It is well to sow in March in a cool
house or frame. Because so hardy, artificial
warmth is not needed to assist growth. I find seed
germinates freely so early as March in a cold un-
seated frame, and thus plenty of strong young plants
to dibble out about the middle of May can be secured.
These soon make growth, and bloom so profusely
from the end of July till the winter sets in, that
quite a charming display is made. Such plants
will often produce some of the finest spikes
in which colour in the deep hues is often more
vivid than it is in the summer. We have made
great progress during the last twenty years in the
direction of dwarfing Pentstemons. The plants
now are far more stout and compact-habited than
they used to be, the spikes more thickly set, broader,
and very much larger. The flowers now rival those
of the largest Foxgloves for size, but are superior
in form, the mouths being broad, rounded, and often
well recurved. They are more than twice as large ;
perhaps the finest are three times the dimensions
of those of the old gentianoides, from which the
present race seems to have sprung. So far as
colours are concerned, these are almost infinite, and
it would seem as if fairly good blues would some
day be plentiful. The deepest hues are found in
violets and purples, dense heavy crimsons, and
similar shades. These when lit up within by
clear pure white throats clearly defined are very
striking. With the paler lines ranging through
scarlet, red, pink, lavender, and other pretty
shades, pure white throats are less effective,
perhaps, although still very pretty, but the pencil-
ling found in the throats of these is of the most
exquisite beauty ; indeed, there is on the whole far
more of variety and charm found in the markings

of pencilled flowers than is seen in those having
white throats only. Judging from what has been
seen in some more recent seedling flowers, it
seems just possible that not only will rare colours
be presently developed in the throats of pencilled
flowers, but also that some of the more novel mark-
ings found in Gloxinias will be imitated. Pencil-
ling may develop into blotching and speckling, anil
when that is the case some two or three diverse
hues may be found where just now only the ground
white and the self-coloured markings are found.
Good flowers should have broad, well-defined
mouths, the lips being somewhat recurved. The
stouter stems and bolder flowers are also now more
rigid, and do not droop so much as in the older va-
rieties. Pentstemons might make a capital class
for exhibition during the summer and autumn if
the spikes were shown in bunches of three and
some twelve varieties in number. They will, when cut
overnight and kept in water, travel very well if
laid carefully on Moss in flat boxes, and if not too
thickly set up, as is so often the case with bunches
of cut flowers, they produce a very pleasing effect. Al-
though there is need for the introduction into the
Pentstemon of other ground hues, yet the variation
in colours which exists, and especially in throat
markings, now affords infinite variety. Yellows
may be out of the question, but we may reasonably
hope for deeper blues, more vivid scarlets, and
purer whites. These latter especially would be
most acceptable. Great as has been the advance
made in the Pentstemon, however, there still seems
to be ample room for further improvement in this
charming flower. A. D.

NOTES ON HARDY PLANTS.
Morina longifolia. — This Thistle-like plant is
seldom met with, but it never fads to delight those
who see it in full blossom. The long tubular flowers
are arranged in whorls, but a considerable part of
their length is hidden in the herbage of the whorl.
Still the rich colours about the mouth of the trum-
pet are amply displayed. At first the flowers open
white, and as they become aged, other colours,
such as pink, carmine, and orange, are developed.
Nothing more need be said to show that this is an
interesting and beautiful border plant. It enjoys
hot weather, and I have known old plants fail
to flower after a cold or wet summer. The present
one is very favourable, and we shall doubtless se-
cure plenty of ripe seed. I have noticed that this
plant does well with my friend Mr. Ferguson, of
Duns, and I mention the fact because I believe my
climate to be warmer than his, and yet I have
thought the plant looked happier with him. At
any rate, if not healthier, it flowers and seeds
better than with me. This fact points to something
in the soil or climate which we have yet to learn.

Libertia grandiflora. — This is another beau-
tiful June flower, of the purest white and unusual
shape. The flowers are borne in dense clusters on
a long slender scape of from 2 feet to 3 feet, but I
wish to speak about the way in which this plant
behaves in Yorkshire compared with Berwickshire.
My experience of the plant had taught me to look
upon it as somewhat tender or uncertain, and until
I received some very strong plants from my friends
over the border, I rarely grew it taller than 1 foot,
and often lost stout and bushy specimens. These
facts again point to something that this, with other
plants, finds more genial in another, though colder
climate.

Hedysarum boreale. — I am aware that many
of the leguminose plants are not cared for for gar-
den decoration, and many of the Orobuses, Astra-
gali, and such things are none too handsome, and
certainly ought to be kept out of the more showy
quarters of the pleasure garden. The present spe-
cies, however, is not only uncommon, but showy
and even beautiful. The flower-spikes are from 2
feet to 3 feet high, and the blooming portion is
about a foot long. The little flowers droop and
form an arrangement close to the stem, which for
all the great numbers of flowers clustered on it
looks thin, and is certainly elegant and suitable for
cutting. The purple colour is just the tint of that
of a fresh spike of Orchis foliosa. I have found it

40

THE GARDEN.

[July 12, 1890.

a plant somewhat slow to become established, and
though I began open ground culture with strong
pot roots, all did not grow well alike, and some
died. I believe the position the plant likes best is
a somewhat shaded one, not by being over-sha-
dowed, but with some side screen from the southern
sunshine ; and as the roots clearly indicate, the soil
should be deep and rich.

Arenaria montana. — A charming rock plant
with, for a Sandwort, large white flowers. It is
easily raised from seed, and for a continuous
blooming, cushion-like plant it would be hard to
name a better white- flowered subject than this.

A. grandiflora. — Though very similar to the
above, when grown side by side the plants are
readily seen to be distinct. The whiteness of the
flower of this plant is purer than that of A. montana,
while it is also a little larger. With me the
flowers are not produced in such vast quantities,
and whereas A. montana has somewhat glaucous
foliage, that of the present kind is comparatively
green. Both are well worth a place among choice
alpines, but their encroachments should be watched
in the interests of slower growing neighbours.

Saxifraga acanthasfolia. — Somebody has
been saying a good word for the London Pride,
of which there are some half-a-dozen beauti-
ful varieties. I do not think that the present
variety is much grown ; had it been so, someone
might well ere now have spoken in its praise. For
a London Pride the flowers are very beautiful,
even when compared with those of the common
type, the colour being more effective. The stems are
very >ed, too, but the best feature of all is the
deep cherry-red colour of the bulky fruits or
capsules, which attain the size of Eed Currants.
The feature of the foliage, indicated by the name,
is also worthy of note, and in no season more than
in the depth of winter are the rosettes to be seen
to advantage. They are of distinct form and of
extremely neat habit, and vastly superior to those
of the ordinary London Pride, compared with
which it is a slow grower.

Saxifraga Macnabiana. — This hybrid has
done splendidly this season, thanks, no doubt, to
two fine and early summers in succession, for it
does not flower well every year, at any rate here.
Half-a-dozen plants have borne some six and thirty
well developed spikes. These are not only effective,
but I wish to speak more especially of the
perfume given off by a good batch, and which may
not have been generally noticed. The length of
time, too, that the flowers endure is another strong
recommendation of this Saxifrage, and there can
be no doubt that it is one of the best of the Aizoon
or encrusted section.

Bomarea multiflora. — I believe this belongs
to a genus not much represented among plants
grown under hardy or open-air conditions. I merely
wish at present to say that the bright flowers and
distinct habit of the Bomareas render them espe-
cially desirable for the open garden, and that for
three years I have tested a plant on a small bit of
rockery fully exposed. It has been slow to esta-
blish itself, and still is anything but strong, but I
am able to give the fact that it has improved
yearly, and is now making an attempt, if but a
moderate one, to flower.

Paeonies. — This is a grand year for Peonies,
though the plants suffered a little from the hot
weather in May, which severely curled the leaves.
Since then, however, they have not only grown out
of it, but nearly all the buds have opened, which is
not the case every year. There is, however, what
I consider to be a serious mistake committed in
planting Prconies, and those who care to take the
trouble may just now have the benefit of their own
observation. The mistake I allude to is planting
the finer sorts near to trees where one side is
glaringly open to the light. This results in badly
formed or one-sided flowers, as may be seen to-day
in many gardens. It would be better either to
plant in shade more balanced or equal all round,
or, better still, to set them in the full light, as seen
in nurseries. Of course, a plant which does so well
among shrubs must needs have aplace among shrubs,

but such planting need not be done with the more
costly or rarer varieties. The double and semi-
double varieties, and especially those with large
guard petals, are badly spoiled when they open ir-
regularly. Another common mistake in Preonia plant-
ing is setting the plants too deeply, when even strong
roots may fail to flower for years. J. WOOD.

WoodviUe, Kirlistall, Yorkshire.

GARDEN HYBRIDS.
Theke is no doubt that the plants of Nature's
own raising are infinitely preferable to those
produced by artificial crossing. Still, a good
deal may be said on behalf of hybrid plants, and
even of varieties. How much, for instance, should
we miss if we had not the grand yearly display of
Irises, which have been so exceptionally fine this
season, and have lasted so long in flower. And the
same may be said of Roses, Pinks, Carnations, and
a host of other things. As a fact, I do not myself
grow many varieties, not because I do not admire
them, but because I find the true types so much
more interesting, and I cannot make room for
everything. In a garden, however, like mine, which
numbers some thousands of perennial species, both
hybrids and varieties will force themselves into
notice, and amongst the former I am glad to
possess plants which rank in beauty and interest
with the best natural forms. Amongst these are
two, of which I send you specimens. The one is a
Mullein, the parentage of which is probably ni-
grum and phoaniceum, as the plant partakes of
the nature of both. It is a true perennial and
of perfect habit, throwing up a number of straight
spikes, 2 feet to 3 feet high, from a close, com-
pact root. The flowers, rich salmon-pink in
colour, like a common form of phceniceum,
are sweetly scented, while the leaves resemble
those of nigrum. The other plant is a very beau-
tiful Thalictrum, a cross between aquilegifolium
and flavum. It stands 6 feet high, and the stalks
are of a deep purple-plum colour. The leaves re-
semble those of flavum and the flowers those of
aquilegifolium, only, instead of being white, they
are a clear delicate pink. In all my collection I
know of no two more showy perennials than these,
and I class them in point of attractive beauty with
such noble growths as Inula glandulosa, Spiraea as-
tilboides, and the Pyrenean Aconite. Besides these,
in addition to the many hybrid forms of Aqui-
legia, Campanula, Anemone, and others, I have a
Bellflower resembling persicifolia, with long in-
stead of round, cup-shaped flowers, and a distinct
looking Veronica, which has appeared in two places
on the rockery this year, but has not yet flowered.
All of these are the result of natural crossing with-
out an attempt at artificial aid, and whatever may
be said in favour of true natural species, it cannot
be denied that hybrids, with the surprises they
have in store and the interest their development
affords, add greatly to the pleasure which a well-
stored garden never fails to give.

F. M. Burton.
Highfield, BainsborougTi.

Carnation old crimson Clove I was glad

to see a correspondent drawing attention to the
disease that is so fatal to this old favourite, and
trust by the ventilation of the matter we may get
at once to the origin of the disease and find a
remedy. The plant, or rather flower, is a great
favourite here, and I grow some hundreds annually.
For the last two seasons I have tried a batch in
pots, potting up some from the rooted layers and
keeping them through the winter in a cold frame.
But the experiment has not proved a success, the
plants becoming so badly affected with the disease
that they had to be thrown away. I have tried
sulphur and soot water, but nothing seems to arrest
the progress of the fungus, if fungus it is. It is
not unlike the disease that has for several seasons
either partially or wholly destroyed the foliage of
Lilium candidum. There is, fortunately, very little
the matter with our out-door stock of this old
Clove — plants that were transferred to their flower-
ing quarters early last autumn. They were slightly

attacked, but seemed to grow out of and defy the
disease, and are just now expanding their first
flowers. They do best with me on a warm south
border in a lighter compost than that described by
" A. H.," as the soil, which is naturally rather light,
has leaf-soil and a good sprinkling of road sand
incorporated with it before planting. The plants
get a good mulching of stable manure as soon as
they are fairly started in spring, and a heavy
watering in June should the weather prove very
hot and dry. — E. Bueeell, Claremont, Surrey.

THEFLORISTS' AND GARDEN PINKS.
I wish it to be understood at the outset that I am
not to be supposed as setting up any specific dis-
tinction between these two by employing the terms
"florists'" and "garden" Pinks. All that it is
necessary to say by way of explanation is that for
years past the florists have taken in hand what is
known as the laced Pinks, and it is not at all un-
reasonable to suppose that the original type had
white petals and a dark centre, and in times long
past flowers were observed showing a tendency to
throw some of the colour in the centre of the
flower on to the petal edges. This peculiarity
was seized upon by the florist and in course of time
laid on all round the petal edge in the form of a
dense, solid, and even margin. In this way the
fine florists' Pinks of the present day were reached.
Whether the Pink of our day is an offspring of
Dianthus plumarius,as some suppose, or of D.Caryo-
phyllus, as some contend, matters not in this rela-
tion. My desire is to call attention to a section of
the perennial Dianthus, so hardy and so easily
managed that anyone can grow it, and so sweetly
fragrant and so free of bloom as to take a high
place among hardy border plants. It is with this
view that a Pink Society has been formed, and
held its first exhibition at the Royal Aquarium on
June 27. It is a plant that it is not necessary to
grow in pots, like the Carnation, in order to have
fine blooms. All the flowers shown on the above
occasion were grown in the open ground, but in
order to have the lacing round the petals deep,
perfect, and bright in colour the flowers have to be
shaded from the sun and rain. This is done by
means of tin or zinc shades, which attached to a
stake can be moved up and down it in order to
have them at the requisite height. Pinks are usually
grown in beds raised a few inches above the ground
level, in order that too much of stagnant moisture
should not gather about the roots during the
winter. The best soil for Pinks is a good free
sandy loam, enriched with well-decomposed ma-
nure and leaf soil. It is usual to prepare the bed
in August or September and plant out early in
October, so that the plants may become well esta-
blished before winter sets in. But in order to have
finely developed and handsomely marked flowers,
the plants should be young and vigorous ; hence it
is that pipings or cuttings are struck at this period
of the year. The old method — and one still em-
ployed for doing this— is to make up a bed with
manure and leaves, and on this to put some light
sandy soil. Place the cuttings in this as soon as the
heat is sufficiently reduced, and cover them with
small hand-glasses. At Slough, where the propaga-
tion of Pinks is carried on largely, the plan now
adopted is to place the pipings in medium-sized
pots of sandy soil, plunge them in a gentle bottom-
heat in a propagating house, and cover with bell-
glasses. They root in about three weeks or a month.
Then the plants are gradually hardened off and
either planted out in nursery beds or potted off.
One of the finest beds of Pinks seen at the Royal
Nursery this year was from plants put out in
the open from cutting beds in August last. They
grew into fine examples by the end of the autumn,
and bloomed in the spring with remarkable free-
dom.

Pinks also make excellent border plants, put out
in patches of two or three or singly, though the
usual practice is to have them in a bed. One chief
charm about the Pink is its exquisite fragrance,
exceeding that of its near relative the Carnation ; a
few flowers placed in a sitting-room diffuse a
most agreeable perfume, while the contrast of

July 12, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

41

colours, rose, red, or black on a pure white ground,
is all that can be desired.

A selection of the finest laced Pinks shown at the
recent exhibition of the National Pink Society in-
cluded Bertram, Boiard, very fine, probably the
finest laced Pink in cultivation ; Empress of India,
very fine ; E. Ranger Johnson (new) ; Eurydice ;
Harry Hooper, very fine ; Device, Ne Plus Ultra,
Mrs. Darke, very free, a charming border variety ;
Mrs. Barlow, Mrs. Waite, Princess of Wales, Re-
liance, Rosy Morn, and The Rector, the last named
a very fine new variety.

Anyone intending to grow a collection should
obtain the plants at the end of the summer, or as
early in the autumn as possible, so as to get them
out in the open before bad weather sets in. The
usual plan is to sell Pinks in pairs, which is a good
method, because if one plant should die, there is
another to take its place. The grower should guard
against possible harm, or damage from winds, by
placing small stakes to support such shoots as need
them, and in early spring, when icy and cutting
east winds sweep over the beds, a few sprays of
Spruce Fir or any other evergreen can be employed
as shelter over a screen with decided advantage.

Border Pinks of the better class are a little
scarce, and some of those bearing flowers of the
finest quality, such as Ascot, Derby Day, Lord
Lyon, and Newmarket, are, unfortunately, of a
rather delicate constitution. The best shown at
the Royal Aquarium were Charmer, pink, with dark
centre; Her Majesty, Mrs. Sinkins, and Mr. Lakin,all
three white, the latter with a finely formed petal, and
quite pure in colour; Norab, blush, with rosy purple
centre ; Flirt, pale pink, laced with rosy purple ;
Charles Lockyer, in the same way, but yet quite
distinct ; Beauty, white, with dark centre and
slight rosy purple lacing ; Fimbriata, soft pink, the
petal edges deeply fimbriated, a charming variety ;
and the old Anne Boleyn, with its deep glowing
lilac petals and dark centre. There were also
some promising seedlings unnamed, and some very
pretty forms of the Pheasant-eyed Pink from the
Bedfont seed grounds.

The two premier laced Pinks selected from the
whole show were Empress of India, laced with
purple, and Boiard, laced with red.

The common name Pink appears to have been
obtained from the German pinltsten or Dutch pink-
ster, which means Whitsuntide, the season of
flowering. The dictionaries derive it from a
supposed Dutch word, pink, an eye ; but, as Dr.
Prior points out, it is a word that does not appear
to have any such meaning in that language.

R. D.

SHORT NOTES.— FLOWER.

Spiraea astilboid.es as a rock plant lias no equal
among the dwarf species of this genus. Just now it is
one of the loveliest masses we have seen.

Lilium giganteum is very beautiful in Mr.
G. F. Wilson's garden at Wisley, one clump of twenty-
three stems making a noble picture of growth and
bloom. Each stem carries on an average twelve
flowers.

Spiraea filipendula and S. Aruncus. — These
are two very useful plants for cutting, the first
named being just now at its best, and its place will
be promptly and worthily filled by the Goat's-beard
variety. Plentifully used (with Asparagus foliage)
against a dark background, the flowers show off to
great advantage, and an arrangement in" which they
are blended with spikes of Delphinium, and also with
the blue Cornflower, is very pleasing, whilst for a
centre table vase a few graceful spikes rising from
a quantity of the brightest of the Poppies is a
simple and effective combination. — J. Burrell.

Early blooming: hardy hybrid Gladiolus
Hypolita. — The beautiful variety named Hypolita,
raised by Mr. James Snow Whall, to which a first-
class certificate of merit was awarded by the floral
committee of the Royal Horticultural Society at
one of the Drill Hall meetings last summer, and
which was kindly sent me for trial by its raiser,
commenced to open its fine large flowers on July 1,
at least a fortnight to three weeks before any of

the other varieties, which cannot be expected to
bloom till from middle to end of this month. It is
a fine, free, vigorous growing kind, and much re-
sembles Lemoine's fine variety of 1889 named Ad-
miral Krantz.— W. E. Gumbleton.

Rose Garden.

ROSES IN THE GARDEN.
I gladly agree with every word that " A. H." has
so well written on this subject (p. 588, last volume).
And we are making progress along those lines in
all directions up and down the country, and per-
haps most rapidly down country in the remoter
provinces furthest away from the excitement of
the metropolis and other big towns. Possibly the
number of Rose exhibitions has not greatly in-
creased during the last few years, while the growers
of Roses in the garden have been doubled, mayhap
quadrupled ; and the culture has been as greatly
improved as the Roses have been multiplied. The
farmyard forcing style, that rendered the presence of
Roses often offensive on bed and border, has given
place to more rational and cleanly treatment. It
has, in fact, been found that good loam or most ordi-
nary garden soils are the most suitable of all for the
healthy growth and free blooming of the majority
of our Tea and other Roses, and for the preservation
of the health and life of the plants to a reasonable
period. A medium course has in fact been found
between gross feeding and semi-starvation that
has made the successful culture of Roses in beds
and borders in the garden possible, easy, and at-
tractive. The rapid multiplication of Teas, the
discovery of their greater hardiness, and their
wonderful persistency in flowering when allowed a
pretty free head in bed and border, have given quite
an impetus to their culture in the garden.

But I quite agree with " A. H." that even the
old monthlies are not to be despised. What more
charming in their heyday of beauty, or more per-
sistent in flowering from May to November, than
beds, masses, or single plants of the pink and crimson
monthly Roses or some of the dwarf fairy forms of
these charming old favourites.

Years ago I recollect that magnificent beds of
these were safely wintered in Scotland by a thin
layer of Oak leaves, held down with a screen of
Spruce boughs. Throughout the greater part of
England these monthlies, and most of the Teas if
properly cultivated, are virtually hardy without
any protection. In colder places they can be
rendered say 5° hardier by an annual lifting in
October or November. When more protection is
needed, a handful of Bracken or litter suffices. All
this, which can never be unsightly to the true
lover of Roses in the garden, is cleared off before
the time of Roses comes. D. T. Fish.

Tea Rose Homere. — This charming Tea
Rose does well in a cool house. I have had a
couple of trees worked on standard Briers in my
Rose house here for the past 16 years. They bloom
not only early, but more profusely than any other
variety ; indeed, were enough of warmth furnished
in the winter they would bloom perpetually. The
variety bears the hardest of pruning, breaking
again and again with renewed vigour, and so freely
as to render considerable thinnings needful. No
sooner is one crop of flowers gathered, cutting the
shoots hard in so doing, than another growth is
made all full of bloom. In the spring, although
the flowers are small, they are of the best form and
of a lovely rosy-pink hue. For bouquets and
button-holes they are perfect. When the heat is
great the Rose would be best in a north house, but
at all other seasons it does splendidly and blooms
profusely in a southern aspect.— A. D.

Marechal Niel Rose The statement that

this Rose will bloom successively for months if
worked on to the Gloire de Dijon Tea is a surprise.
Although it is so well authenticated it is hard to
believe, because so very wide of others' experience.
There is very little difference between Gloire de
Dijon and Mme. Berard, and yet I have never

found the slightest tendency on the part of the
Marechal to alter its character because worked on
to that robust-growing Tea Rose. Possibly in the
case referred to by Mr. Halley, some accident in
pruning or culture may have led to the long and
frequent blooming to which he refers. Has any
other grower ever had similar experience ? With
me summer or autumn flowers have been exceed-
ingly rare, although my trees have always made
ample growth, breaking side shoots from strong
main shoots, and re-breaking later. — A.

NOTES FROM SUFFOLK.
To the Editor of The Garden.
Sir, — The drought which made gardeners
look anxious and point despondingly to Potato
haulm turning yellow and Strawberry blooms
threatening to be blind has happily passed over,
and the steady downpour since then gives rise
to other fears in quite an opposite direction.
The Strawberry crop has been hereabout abun-
dant, berries fine and well coloured, and the
flavour all that could be desired. Raspberries
revived by the rain are plentiful, and bush fruit
everywhere a capital crop. The Cherry or-
chards are yielding well, and Apples look more
numerous than was at first supposed. But
much of that fair looking fruit is disfigured and
spoiled by the Apple maggot ; already the wind
has strewn heaps of immature, affected Apples
on the ground and more must follow, so the
crop will not be a plentiful one after all. On
standards Pears are very few and far between,
but on the wall they hang thickly and look
well. This sparse distribution of Pears and
Plums after such a splendid display of blossom
has been accounted for by the spell of cold
weather which intervened between the mild
days of earliest spring and the later time. To
come into the flower garden, the Roses are and
have been lovely. In spite of east winds,
canker, and green-fly, the rosarian at least may
rejoice in the beauty and vigour of his favour-
ites. Marie Van Houtte is superb in her deli-
cate colouring, and Gloire Lyonnaise, splendid
in her pure robed dignity. William Allen
Richardson, most free-flowering of the tribe,
has been a mass of buds and blossoms, from the
accidentally almost white bloom to that of the
richest apricot, but loveliest and most distinct
when the outer petals are margined with white,
setting off the intense hue of the centre. Al-
though it has been flowering for a month or
more, yet amidst the new dark foliage still
more buds are corning. Homere, of which such
kindly words have lately been written in The
Garden, is loaded with its fair burden of
flowers, and Heinrieh Schultheis is massive
and brilliant. How sweet Lamarque is under
glass, and what a rich, distinct, and citron-like
perfume has this Rose ; it seems not to do so
well in the open border, but in a cool vinery it
grows rampantly and flowers profusely. "Will
no one write a panegyric on the old-fashioned
summer Roses — the climbing ones, the cottage
Roses, Maiden's Blush, and white, and last,
but fairest of all in bud, the Rose Celeste,
that, alas ! almost single of Roses, and lasting
therefore too short a time in beauty, but ex-
quisite when half opened, the bud of all buds
for a button-hole ? If the pen strays into the
Rose garden, it allows itself to run wild and
wants checking, and though I am no advocate for
carpet bedding, still bedding-out plants in their
place and not in other plants' places deserve a
note. What charming beds are those filled
with Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums, and later on how
beautiful will be those borders filled with the
large-flowered white Bouvardias ! Among her-
baceous plants the pale bright blue Delphinium
looks well in the back row. Aquilegias, Can-

42

THE GARDEN.

[July 12, 1890.

terbury Bells, Pyrethrunis, and here and there
a patch of Poppies, and as a foil the dark-leaved
Heuchera or other foliage plant distract the eye
with the wealth of beauty in form and colour. A
note on the Lilies I must defer to another time.
July 5, 1890. Suffolkian.

Societies and Exhibitions.

NATIONAL ROSE SOCIETY..
The great Rose exhibition at the Crystal Palace
on Saturday last was a pleasant surprise. Visitors
expected a display of blooms battered and spoilt
by the incessant and heavy storms of rain, but this
was not happily the case. The flowers from certain
districts where the rains had been most severe
were damaged, and the frail Tea blooms conspicu-
ously touched, especially those in the second and
third prize stands. The weather on Saturday was
eminently characteristic of what we have been ex-
periencing of late. Rain descended in torrents
accompanied by a cold wind, suggestive rather of
foggy November than midsummer. It is scarcely
necessary to remark that as the exhibits were ar-
ranged in the transept and in front of the stage,
there was nothing to hinder a comfortable in-
spection of the flowers, unlike last year, when they
were crammed togetber under two tents. The
dark - coloured Hybrid Perpetual varieties we
have seldom seen of finer colour, the character-
istic shading — rich crimson and velvety purple,
almost black — being developed in its fullest perfec-
tion. This is natural. We have had no hot sun to
burn out the colour, but a cool, moist season to
deepen it and strengthen the petals. Nor were the
light coloured flowers poor, rather the reverse in
some instances, as Mrs. John Laing, but they were
wanting in substance as a rule, while the beauty of
the Tea flowers was spoilt by soiled outer petals.
It is not a good season for these. Several varieties
were splendidly shown on Saturday, and none finer
than Mine, de Watteville, which was in full charac-
ter throughout the stands. When in full beauty,
that is, with its bold petals delightfully margined
and shaded with rose, there is nothing in the Rose
way that can compare with it for delicacy of tone
and frailty of expression. A few of the more un-
common kinds exhibited were the following : Mme.
P. Perny, a very pretty flower, of lovely saffron-
yellow colour, which changes to a whitish yellow ;
it is exquisite in the bud and in a mass.
Another variety always good was The Bride, a
sport from Catherine Mermet, and described as
white, but of a distinctly lemon tint ; Grace Dar-
ling, a lovely flower that comes early and larger
until the last Rose almost has faded ; Mme. Hoste,
Rubens, Corinna, a new variety from Messrs. Wm.
Paul & Son ; Cleopatra, a recent hybrid Tea Rose
from Mr. Bennett ; Princess Beatrice, another of
this raiser's gains ; Ethel Brownlow, a bright and
beautiful flower ; Sunset, Comtesse Riza du Pare,
very distinct in its pinkish shade and pointed
bud. Nor must we omit mention of the magnifi-
cent blooms of Comtesse de Nadaillac from Mr.
Prince, of Oxford, who cultivates this variety with
unusual success. It was good in all his stands.

The new Roses excited considerable interest,
and on this occasion there were two gold medals
awarded. One went to Messrs. William Paul and
Son for Salamander, a Hybrid Perpetual flower,
and the other to Messrs. Paul and Son, Cheshunt,
for a Bourbon Rose, named Mrs. Paul. The variety
Salamander is a striking flower, quite distinct,
though we may compare it to A. K. Williams in
build, and it is not unlike it in colour, but it is
absolutely distinct, making a full massive flower,
with broad, robust petals of a deep shining crimson
colour. It has a good centre, massive character,
and brilliant colour, three essentials in a first-class
exhibition Rose, which it will undoubtedly make,
besides being of value in the garden, judging by
the freedom and robustness of shoots, exhibited.
The flowers from the Cheshunt firm'are quite
different. They are from a Bourbon variety,
but of delightful beauty, full, broad, with a
fine imbricated petal, and of flattened form. The

colour is exceedingly soft and delicate, white
with the outer petals of a rose colour, and those in
the centre charmingly tinted with a salmon shade.
We know nothing as to the constitution of
the plant, but, judging from blooms alone, it is
a valuable and without question lovely flower.
Mr. H. Bennett, of Shepperton, had a boxful of a
pedigree Hybrid Perpetual Rose named Captain
Haywood. It reminds one of the old General
Jacqueminot, but it is not that variety ; indeed it is
quite distinct. The flower is of excellent form,
full, strong, and with a fine petal, while the colour
is very bright crimson. It is a useful bloom in the
bud and expands well, when it shows a kind of
bluish tint that lights up the flower. There was a
class for twelve new Roses, distinct, single flowers,
the finest box coming from Messrs. Paul and Son,
and here we could judge of the newer additions to
the ever increasing list of Roses. Ernest Metz, a
fine flower, white, tinted with salmon in the centre ;
Sir Rowland Hill, a very dark coloured Hybrid
Perpetual, an excellent flower, well shown in several
stands ; Mons. Trevoz, brilliant carmine ; J. D. Pawle,
crimson ; Mrs. James Wilson, a pale lemon-yellow
flower ; Marchioness of Lome, Lady A. Hill, Sou-
venir de S. A. Prince, and Lady Alice. As a rule,
the flowers in this class were too inferior to judge
from.

The great class is for seventy-two flowers, open
only to nurserymen, and several of the leading firms
competed. The Colchester flowers of Mr. Frank
Cant were infinitely the best, and to him went the
first prize and champion trophy. There was an
all-round excellence in the blooms not often seen,
and superb colouring and freshness. The flowers
this year may lack fulness, but we have seldom
seen the shades of colour brighter or fresher. The
finest blooms were those of Prince Arthur, Victor
Hugo, Mme. de Watteville, Comtes=e de Ludre, a
very bright carmine-scarlet Hybrid Perpetual ;
Mme. Lambard, Etienne Levet, Henri Pereire,
Heinrich Schultheis, Duke of Connaught, General
Jacqueminot, Crown Prince, Grand Mogul, Lady
Helen Stewart, Duke of Teck, Sir Rowland Hill,
Due de Rohan, Horace Vernet, and Charles Lamb.
The English Rose Company were second, and
amongst the blooms were some of superb finish,
such as Constantin Petriakoff, crimson ; Prince
Arthur, Lord Bacon, Mme. C. Wood, Auguste
Rigotard, Louis van Houtte, E. Y. Teas, and
Ferdinand de Lesseps.

The finest blooms occurred in this class ; the best
Tea and Hybrid Perpetual flowers occurred in the
fourth prize collection of Messrs. Harkness and Sons,
Bedale, Yorkshire. The Tea variety was a very hand-
some flower of Catherine Mermet, but the Hybrid
Perpetual was not so meritorious ; it was a bloom of
Mrs. John Laing, faultless as regards form, but some-
what faded, however, in colour. The finest forty-
eight blooms, distinct, three trusses of each, came
from Mr. B. R. Cant ; and again we have to record
victory for the Colchester grower, and also to
mention the beauty of the flowers shown of Mme.
de Watteville, Mrs. John Laing, Maurice Bern.irdin,
Ulrich Brunner, Innocente Pirola, A. K. Williams,
Prince Arthur, The Bride, Due de Rohan, Mme.
Lambard, and Le Havre. The English Rose and
Fruit Company (Cranston's), Hereford, were again
second, their exhibits including fine blooms of that
brilliant, shining carmine flower Rosieriste Jacobs,
also of Prince Camille de Rohan, Marie Finger,
Duke of Wellington, Louis van Houtte, and General
Jacqueminot. The Cirencester firm of Messrs.
J. Jefferies and Sons scored a triumph in the
corresponding class for single blooms, and, as in the
other exhibits, there were an unusual freshness and
beauty in the flowers. Here there were only two
competitors, and throughout we noticed the com-
petition, except in one or two instances, was scarcely
so sharp as on some occasions. The amateurs showed
splendid flowers, and to Mr. E. B. Lindsell, Bearton
Hitchin, belongs the credit of winning the first
prize and trophy for forty-eight distinct varieties,
single trusses. The majority of the varieties men-
tioned above were shown, and especially good was
the flower of Suzanne Marie Rodocanachi, a Rose
that increases in popularity each season, and cer-
tainly its delightful colour is sufficiently attractive

This collection was one of the freshest and most
even in the show. A bloom was exhibited of
Dong^e Conard, brilliant purple-crimson, and an
excellent one of Auguste Rigotard and Countess of
Rosebery. Thirty fine flowers came from Mr.
J. C. Salter, gardener to Mr. T. B. Haywood, Wood-
hatch Lodge Gardens ; they were remarkably even
in quality, fresh, and beautifully coloured. Again
we noted the beauty of that dark-coloured variety
Louis van Houtte. A Reigate amateur also secured
the second place — Mr. J. Brown, gardener to Mrs.
Waterlow, Great Doods, and he had good blooms
of Her Majesty and Pride of Reigate, a flower we
dislike ; its spotty look is against it. Mr. J. Gurney
Fowler, Essex, won with twenty - four distinct
varieties, single trusses, showing excellent flowers,
especially of the dark-coloured Roses. Mr. J. Brown
also secured the first place for twelve varieties,
three trusses, but the blooms had evidently been
much damaged by the wet. Mr. E. Mawley, Berk-
hamsted, had the finest eighteen flowers — a splen-
did collection, in which such varieties as A. K.
Williams and Prince Arthur were delightfully fresh
and charming. Mr. C. J. Grahame, Coombe Road,
Croydon, showed the best twelve flowers, distinct,
comprising noble blooms of A. K. Williams, Com-
tesse de Nadaillac, unusually fine ; Charles Lefebvre,
Marie Baumann, and Ulrich Brunner. A delightful
box of flowers came from Mr. R. E. West in the
class foreightdistinctblooms; andthedark-coloured
Roses were conspicuously rich in tone, especially those
of Duke of Edinburgh, Annie Wood, and Marie Bau-
mann. The best nine, distinct single trusses, were
from Mr. G.Moules,Hitchin,andin the other smaller
classes there were good blooms.

The Tea Roses were not so fine, of course, as
when we have a clear sky, but it would have been
difficult even in the most favourable year to eclipse
the beauty of those shown by Mr. G. Prince, Ox-
ford, in the class for twenty-four distinct single
trusses. The flowers were fresh, tenderly coloured,
and not much hurt by rain, and the finest were
those of Niphetos, Comtesse de Nadaillac, shown
in faultless style throughout, by this grower ;
Paul Neyron, Adam, The Bride, Princess of Wales,
Mme. Furtado, Anna Ollivier, Amazone, Alba rosea,
and Comtesse Panisse. Mr. B. R. Cant was second.
The same grower had the finest flowers in the class
for eighteen distinct, three trusses of each, ex-
hibiting well besides those mentioned the richly
coloured Mme. Cusin ; he was followed by Mr. B. R.
Cant. Messrs. Harkness and Sons came first for
eighteen single blooms, and the Yorkshire flowers
were excellent in quality, delicately and characteris-
tically coloured, especially those of Niphetos, Prin-
cess of Wales, Mme. Hoste, The Bride, and Souvenir
de Paul Neyron ; but we have again the name of
Mr. Prince at the head of the prize list for twelve
flowers of any Tea or Noisette, showing Comtesse
de Nadaillac in perfect freshness and beauty. We
never remember having seen finer specimens. Mr.
B. R. Cant had a delightful box of Mme. de Watte-
ville. We think the classes for flowers of one kind
always the most beautiful. The blooms do not
suffer by contrast with unsuitable tints, as in those
exhibits where several are placed together. A Tea
Rose, for instance, amongst a lot of Hybrid Per-
petual flowers is lost.

The amateurs, 'as in the Hybrid Perpetual classes,
showed up well. The best flowers in the class for
eighteen varieties were from the Rev. F. R. Burn-
side, who thus won the challenge trophy, showing
Ethel Brownlow, Catherine Mermet, Mme. Hoste,
Innocente Pirola, The Bride, Mme. Bravy, and
Hon. Edith Gifford. Rubens, The Bride and
Caroline Kuster were conspicuously beautiful
in the first prize box of twelve flowers from
Mr. O. G. Orpen, Hillside, West Bergholt, but
the Rev. H. A. Borners carried off first honours in the
corresponding class for three trusses. This is very
late in the season for Marechal Niel, and therefore
it was more creditable to show six such excellent
blooms as came from the Rev. Alan Cheales,
Brockham Vicarage, Surrey. All were of deep
colour and good form.

The finest Hybrid Perpetual in the amateurs'
classes came from Mr. E. Mawlev, who won the

July 12, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

43

silver medal for a noble bloom of that constant
variety Ulrich Brunner. The finest Tea flower ap-
peared in the class for nine blooms of this variety.
It came from the Rev. F. R. Burnside, and was an
exquisitely beautiful specimen, true in colour and
form— one of the prettiest displays in the exhibi-
tion.

The classes for flowers of one variety are usu-
ally well filled, and there was no exception to a
general rule on this occasion. We always regard
these as the most interesting part of the exhibition,
and on Saturday superb blooms of a few kinds were
staged. To show the sharpness of the competition,
there were sixteen entries for the best twelve
trusses of any Hybrid Perpetual variety, and here
Mr. Frank Cant won with blooms of Mrs. John
Laing, exquisite in colour, form, and freshness.
We have seldom seen brighter coloured specimens of
this favourite kind. Nor must we omit mention of the
blooms shown by Messrs. G. Bunyard & Co. of Ulrich
Brunner. Mr. B. R. Cant had the finest flowers of
Niphetos, and Messrs. Paul and Son, Cheshunt,
scored first place in another class with the best
specimens we have seen this season of Her Majesty,
a delightful Rose in colour, but, unf ortunately , with-
out fragrance. A most interesting class was for
twelve trusses of any new Rose, and here Mr. Prince
was decidedly first, showing charming flowers of
Souvenir de S. A. Prince ; while Messrs. Curtis,
Sandford & Co. for second place exhibited blooms
of The Queen, which is the same as the other.
There was a good display of Marie Baumann, the
most finished blooms coming from the Maidstone
nurseries of Messrs. G. Bunyard & Co., while Messrs.
D. Prior & Son, Colchester, had the finest flowers
of Lady Mary Fitzwilliam, a Rose that was exhi-
bited in splendid form last Saturday, the bulky
blooms being very little soiled by rain. Mr. B. R.
Cant was first for twelve trusses of A. K. Williams,
an old-fashioned crimson Rose that was in excel-
lent character in several stands. The class for
twelve trusses of any dark velvety crimson Rose
always brings a good competition, and Mr. B. R.
Cant was first on this occasion, staging- the variety
Prince Arthur in matchless style. When thus
exhibited it would be difficult to find a more pleas-
ing shade than in this deep velvety variety. Mr.
Frank Cant, who was placed second, exhibited an-
other fine dark-coloured^Rose named Victor Hugo.
Marechal Niel Rose is past now, but fair blooms of
it were shown by Mr. B. R. Cant, although he was
the only competitor. There was a large competition
for twelve flowers of any crimson Rose. Mr. B. R.
Cant exhibited finished blooms of Alfred Colomb.
The class for twelve flowers of any distinct Tea
variety made a fine break of delicate colour. Of
course, Mr. Prince carried off first honours. His
twelve flowers of Comtesse de Nadaillac were fault-
less. Each bloom was perfect in itself both in form
and colour. Another charming exhibit was the
twelve blooms of Rubens from Mr. J, Mattock, who
•was first for any white Rose, followed by the Fruit
and Rose Co., who staged Merveille de Lyon. Rubens
can scarcely, however, be called a " white " Rose.

There were several other classes for Roses. Mr.
J. Mattock had the prettiest display of button-hole
flowers, charming buds of Mme. de Watteville
and Rubens, and Messrs. Paul and Son had a beau-
tiful collection of garden Roses, including some of
the old-fashioned varieties we see too little of. Mr.
Charles E. Cuthill, of Dorking, also made a delight-
ful exhibit of garden Roses, in which conspicuous
for beauty were the single macrantha, Hebe's Lip
and the white variety of R. rugosa.

Miscellaneous. — The finest group came from
Messrs. William Paul and Son, comprising both
cut flowers and plants tastefully arranged with
Ferns and foliage plants, and filling a large space.
There were twenty boxes of cut blooms and forty
baskets, each filled with one variety. Amongst
the most noticeable were the varieties raised by
this firm and described recently in The Garden,
while there were splendid flowers of Grand Mogul,
Lady Helen Stuart, The Queen, and that charming
Moss Rose, Little Gem ; also the new Tea Rose Co-
rinna, Marchioness of Lome, Grace Darling, Mme.
Hoste, Countess of Rosebery, and beautiful baskets of

Mme. Lambard, which when a mass of flowers is
exhibited shows a very variable character ; Captain
Christy, and the little seen Tea variety Mme. P.
Perny. Not less beautiful was the basket of
Waltham Climber No. 1, a well formed rich crim-
son flower ; Crimson Globe, and the deep coloured
La Rosiere. It was an excellent assortment of
flowers and well merited the gold medal. Messrs.
J. Veitch and Sons showed a collection of flowers,
in all ten boxes, containing very fine blooms, espe-
cially of the rich yellow Tea Mme. C. Guinoisseau,
Sultan of Zanzibar, Pride of Waltham, Senateur
Vaisse, The Bride, Marie Van Houtte, and Merveille
de Lyon. Messrs. J. Peed and Sons, Streatham,
also Mr. William Rumsey, Waltham Cross, and
Mr. W. Taylor, Hampton, showed collections of
blooms of Hybrid Perpetuals. Two boxes of
flowers of Souvenir de S. A. Prince came from
Mr. Prince.

Besides Roses, there were a few other groups worth
mention. Messrs. John Laing and Sons, Forest
Hill, showed a collection of double and single
tuberous Begonia blooms resting on Asparagus, and
Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons, Swanley, a beautiful
collection of Gloxinias tastefully set up, and
representing many choice varieties. Flowers of
Pink Souvenir de Sale, a light lavender-fringed
variety, came from Messrs. Ryder and Son, Sale,
Manchester. A very attractive group was that from
Mr. H. J. Jones, Lewisham. The most noticeable
exhibited was a batch of plants of a new yellow
Carnation named Mrs. Sanders. It is of a rich
yellow colour, very free and handsome, the plant
strong and hardy. It should make a thoroughly
useful variety. Besides these were double and
single Begonias in variety. Mr. Charles Turner,
Slough, had an interesting collection of Straw-
berries of the leading varieties, and Messrs. Cheal
& Sons, Crawley, hardy flowers.

A full list of prizes is given in our advertising
columns.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
These was a good meeting on Tuesday last in the
Drill Hall, but, unfortunately, few visitors to see
the flowers, which were numerous and varied. A
glance at the plants certificated will not show that
the floral committee exercised much judgment in
giving their awards. It is ludicrous to give a first-
class certificate to Babiana rubro-cyanea, which
everyone knows, or ought to, if he cares for bulb-
ous flowers, as it was introduced in 179G from the
Cape. The awards were also unequally bestowed.
Only what is called an " award of merit" is given
to such a charming small-flowered Lily as L. Bo-
landeri, and a first-class certificate, which is more
highly prized, to the Babiana.

A fiest-class CEKTiPicATE]went to each of the
following : —

Babiana rubro-cyaxea — This is a variety of
B. stricta, and a familiar Cape bulb, with very deep
blue flowers, the base of each segment deep crim-
son. From the Society's gardens, Chiswick.

SPIEJ3A BuMALDA VAEIEGATA. — We have no-
thing to say in favour of this. Its variegation is
displeasing. From Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons,
Chelsea.

L^lia geAndis. — This is a rare Orchid, found
only in good collections, but it is not new. It was
shown by Messrs. Sander & Co., of St. Albans, and
bears a striking flower, bold, and of distinct colour.
The sepals and petals are of a brownish-yellow
shade, and the trumpet-shaped lip rich rose, deepen-
ing at the entrance to the throat to a velvety
crimson- purple shade, from whence run lines of
crimson into the inside. It is an interesting and
attractive Orchid in its shades of rose-purple and
yellowish-buff or brown.

MasdevalliA Schecedeeiana.— This is an at-
tractive flower, the plant having several blooms,
which are of a purplish-rose colour in the upper
portion, the lower half white, broadly margined
with the same shade, while the long tails of the
sepals are greenish-yellow. It is certainly a Masde-
vallia for every good collection. From Mr. Ballan-
tine, gardener to Baron Schroeder.

Cattlbya Empeess Frederick. — This was
without question the finest Orchid exhibited. A
well-grown specimen came from Baron Schroeder's
collection bearing two spikes of flowers, which,
though this hybrid is said to be a cross between
Cattleya Mossise and C. Dowiana, did not show the
parentage so plainly as some hybrid Orchids. It
reminds one, especially in the lip, of Ljelia pur-
purata, and this in the hybrid is bold, regular in
shape, almost round, and coloured with intense
purple, relieved by a frilled margin of white, while
just within the throat there is a suffusion of yellow
which suggests the Dowiana cross. The sepals are
narrow and white, lightly touched with rose, but
the broader sepals are quite pure. It is a beautiful
hybrid, strong in growth, and with compact flowers
well defined in colour.

An award of merit went to each of the follow-
ing:—

Zygopetalum crinito-maxillabe. — Here we
have a hybrid Zygopetalum with the parentage
expressed by the name, and a glance at the flowers
will show the resemblance to the two species. The
flowers are about half the size of those of the others
and, though small, very pretty, by reason of a rich
depth of colour ; the sepals and petals are deep
green, almost covered with rich blotches of purplish-
brown, and both claw and lip are of an intense
violet colour. It is a pretty flower. From Mr. Hill
gardener to Lord Rothschild, Tring.

Cypripedium hybridum Yotjngianuh.— This
is a pale coloured, but very distinct and attractive
Lady's Slipper, the result of a cross between C.
superbiens and C. Roebelini, possessing the charac-
ters of the two fairly united. The first is the seed
and the other the pollen parent. It has petals
about 5 inches in length, almost covered with spots
of deep purple-crimson — the margin lined with hairs
of the same colour — on a yellowish white ground.
The dorsal and lower sepals are white distinctly
marked with green longitudinal lines, and flushed
with the same bright colour at the base, while the
lip is pale brown. From Messrs. F. Sander and Co.

Rose polyantha The Engineer. — This is in-
teresting, as it is a cross between a Moss and poly-
antha variety. It has a frail crimson flower not
unlike that of the Monthly Rose. A bunch of
flowers was shown, very little to judge of the
merits of a new Rose. From Mr. John Gilbert,
Lincolnshire.

Lilium Bolanderi.— This is a small-flowered
and interesting Lily, with a flower about the size
of a large thimble, but of the deepest crimson, en-
riched by large blotches of an almost black colour.
The segments are narrow, pointed, and make a ro-
bust bloom. It has a stem with whorls of glaucous
leaves at intervals, and, like L. columbianum,
wants a half shady place. We hope to publish a
coloured plate of this gem among Lilies. From
Mr. T. S. Ware, Tottenham.

Zingiber d'Arceyi. — A pretty decorative plant
from the South Sea Islands, the abundant leaves
distinctly and attractively variegated with creamy
white and pale yellow. It will make a good plant
for the stove. From Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons.

Gloxinia Gaiety. — A charming variety, with
a good habit and flowers of rich colouring ; they
have a broad margin of pure white, then crimson
cut into by spots of purple, with a mauve-coloured
ring at the mouth of the flower. From Messrs. J,
Veitch and Sons.

Gloxinia Nestor. — This is remarkable for the
brilliancy of its scarlet shade, spots only appearing
in the mouth of the flower. Like the other, it has
a good habit, and the blooms stand up well above
the leaves, an important point. From Messrs. J.
Veitch and Sons.

Pelargonium Turtle's Surprise.— A zonal
variety, very free blooming, and carrying large
trusses of rich crimson double flowers. An effec-
tive flower for the greenhouse. From Messrs. H.
Cannell and Sons.

Carnation Mrs. Sanders.— This will be found
described in the Crystal Palace report, but we refer
again to it, as it is without doubt a beautiful ac-

44

THE GARDEN.

[July 12, 1890.

quisition to our border Carnations. It blooms
freely, strongly, and has bold massive flowers of a
bright yellow colour. From Mr. H. J. Jones,
Lewisham.

Sweet Peas Dorothy Tennant and Stanley.
— Two new varieties from Mr. Eckford, Salop. The
first-named has bold flowers of a rich purplish blue
colour, while those of the other are deep purple-
crimson, almost black, a distinct variety. While
Mr. Eckford keeps to definite colours he will main-
tain the beauty of the strain.

There were several large groups. Messrs. J.
Veitch and Sons had a large collection of various
plants, including several things which are described
in the above list, and a charming lot of flowers of the
Javanese hybrid Rhododendrons, which extend in
variety of colours each season, besides several plants
of Anthurium Rothschildianum, which varies con-
siderably in the profusion of spots from seed.
Several hardy shrubs were well represented, as the
beautiful Acacia viscosa, Berberis aristata, the
white Indigofera floribunda alba, a lovely shrub ;
the yellow-flowered Genista capitata, Pink Broom
(Notospartium CarmichaeliEe), a lovely pink-flowered
plant from New Zealand; Stuartia pseudo-Camellia,
a vigorous shrub for a warm position, with deep
green leafage and white flowers, not unlike those
of a single white-flowered Camellia, and Ptelea tri-
foliata aurea. The same firm had several fine
blooms of Iris Ksempferi in variety, Delphiniums,
Potentillas, seedling Gaillardias, Phloxes, and a
number of hardy herbaceous flowers, as Scabiosa
caucasica, a noble border plant, and (Enothera
macrocarpa, one of the best of the Evening Prim-
roses, besides plants of the three finest varieties of
Lilium auratum, viz., virginale, macranthum, and
platyphyllum (silver medal). Mr. T. S. Ware,
Tottenham, exhibited a representative collection of
Lilies, which served to illustrate the remarks of
Mr. Elwes. A cross between L. Parryi and L. par-
dalinum, called Francis Fell, has given a variety
with a charming flower of an orange-yellow colour
freely spotted with crimson, and another variety of
L. pardalinum, called luteum, has a bloom also of
an orange shade, intensified by numerous spots of
crimson-brown; L. Columbianum, L. Hansoni,
L. Martagon in variety, L. odorum, L. Browni, L.
Washingtonianum, L. Krameri, L. pardalinum minus,
a pretty light yellow flower, flushed with scarlet.
L. p. Bourgaei, with a rich crimson-yellow flower,
having reflexed segments spotted freely on the upper
half on a yellow ground, and L.pulchellum were also
represented, besides a delightful gathering of varie-
ties of L. elegans or Thunbergianum. The best
and rarest of these were Alice Wilson, cruentum,
robustum, deep orange-yellow and blotched with
crimson, and Van Houttei (silver medal). Messrs.
Barr and Son, Covent Garden, exhibited a collec-
tion of hardy flowers, amongst which were large
bunches of the white Mallow, moschata alba, and
the pretty rose-coloured variety ; also varieties of
Lilium elegans and Digitalis lanata, a white and
purple-flowered kind, interesting though not showy,
besides other things in season (silver medal).
Not the least interesting exhibit came from Mr.
Eckford, Salop. It consisted of a selection of his
finest Sweet Peas, a flower he has made peculiarly
his own. Besides the two already referred to, other
good kinds were Mrs. Sankey, the best white, ab-
solutely pure; Orange Prince, very distinct, the
standards orange-scarlet and the lower petals
pink ; Mrs. Gladstone, pink and white ; Countess of
Radnor, blue, very fine ; Primrose, a forerunner,
doubtless, of a pure yellow flower ; Ignea, brilliant
scarlet and carmine, very bright ; and Lemon
Queen, white and pink. But we notice Mr. Eckford
encourages indefinite shades.a crude kind of flaking,
as in Princess of Wales and Gaiety, which is most
certainly a blemish. The flowers are ineffective.

A noble group of Carnation Germania, one of the
finest yellow varieties in cultivation, came from
Mr. Hill, gardener to Lord Rothschild, Tring Park.
We have never seen a finer collection of one kind
of Carnations, the plants being splendidly flowered,
strong, and the whole arrangement set up with
Maiden-hair Fern (silver medal). A very creditable
display was made by Mr. H. J. Jones, Ryecroft

Nursery, Lewisham, the group consisting of double
and single Petunias, one of which, the double rose-
coloured Rose Beauty, was distinctly attractive. He
also had a batch of the new yellow Carnation Mrs.
Sanders, described above.

Other exhibits were a charming collection of
tuberous Begonias from Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons,
Swanley, comprising both single and double varie-
ties, displayed on a groundwork of Selaginella. The
double flowers were very beautiful, especially the
rich crimson and soft pink forms, also those suf-
fused with a terra-cotta shade.

Eight boxes of Roses came from Messrs. Paul &
Son, Cheshunt, containing superb blooms of the new
Bourbon Rose Mrs. Paul ; also Mrs. John Laing,
Beauty of Waltham, Mme. Isaac Pereire, Suzanne
Marie Rodocanachi, Sir Rowland Hill, a lovely
dark Rose, with a distinct and not unattractive
bluish shade in it (silver medal). Mr. C. Leach,
Albury Park Gardens, showed seedling Alstrce-
merias, but nothing so finely coloured as the old
aurantiaca ; there are various shades, but, as a rule,
weak; also seedling Pentstemons. The strain of
Canterbury Bells from Mr. R. Dean, Ealing, was
remarkable for size. Such immense flowers may
have admirers. Plants of a bright carmine-flowered
Pelargonium, the upper petals blotched with velvety
purple, were exhibited by Messrs. Garaway & Co.,
Bristol ; and Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, Forest Hill,
sent a double-flowered tuberous Begonia of the
richest crimson colour named Juno. A crested Fern
named Scolopendrium cristatum Morgani was shown
by Mr. J. Hall, Cambridge, and a specimen of S.
alcicornioides, a bold growing kind with forked
fronds. Mr. Wythes, the Gardens, Syon House,
exhibited Stuartia virginica and Clethra arborea.
A branch of Picea nobilis glauca bearing cones
came from Messrs. Saltmarsh & Sons.

There were few other Orchids besides those certi-
ficated. Messrs. Sander & Co., St. Albans, showed
a specimen of Aerides expansum Leonia; carryino-
four spikes ; this was certificated in 1887, and such
a charming variety deserved the honour. It re-
minds one of A. falcatum, and produces a raceme
of flowers in which the sepals and petals are tipped
and flushed with rose, the lip purple-rose in front
and along the keel, the other part spotted with the
same colour. Oncidium hastilabium Ernesti is more
quietly coloured than the type. Sir Trevor Law-
rence, Bt, Dorking, exhibited a plant of Aganisia
cyanea, certificated in August, 1885, as csrulea. It
is a Brazilian species, introduced in 1870, and a
delightful flower, having the same pale blue col-
our that distinguished Vanda CEerulea, only the
lip is of a distinct brownish-red shade, the
anther cap yellow ; Cypripedium Curtisi,' and
Bulbophyllum grandiflorum, a curious species, with
flowers deep rose in colour, and long tapering nar-
row sepals and petals.

Fruit Committee — There was a good display
of fruit, principally Strawberries. The finest col-
lection was from Messrs. Rivers and Son, Saw-
bridgeworth, who had a rich variety of Cherries
comprising the Turkey Black Heart, Early
Rivers, a splendid black Cherry of luscious flavour;
Bigarreau de Schrenker, very rich polished black
colour ; May Duke, Bigarreau Noir de Guben, and
white Bigarreau, besides seedling Peaches' and
Nectarines, fine fruits of Exquisite Peach, Warwick
and Jefferson Plums, and Goldoni Nectarine. The
fruits of the Peaches and Nectarines were not so
highly coloured by reason of the unusually sunless
season (silver medal). Messrs. G. Bunyard and Co.,
Maidstone, showed an excellent collection of Straw-
berries, the fruits of superb colour and unusual
size. The varieties were John Powell or Kipley's
Goliath, Dr. Hogg, Bicton Pine, James Veitch, The
Kemperley, a handsome fruit ; Sir Joseph Paxton,
Green's President, British Queen, and Sir Charles
Napier. Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, Chelsea, sent
a collection of about thirty kinds, including Water-
loo, and such briskly flavoured varieties as Ham-
monia, La Constante, Lucas, Lord Napier, Auguste
Boisselot, Filbert Pine, Bicton Pine, and Samuel
Bradley, besides other well-known varieties (bronze
medal). Mr. H. Ridgewell, Histon Road, Cam-
bridge, sent also a collection, and fruits of a new

variety named Incomparable, which is described
below. The fruits of Sir Joseph Paxton and Presi-
dent from Mr. W. C. Leach, Albury Park, Guildford,
were worth a note for their size and colour, a very
commendable exhibit. Mr. Leach exhibited also
Raspberry Hornet, a very free-cropping and plea-
santly flavoured fruit ; Black Heart Currant, a large
fruit, and very prolific ; and Gooseberry Gipsy Queen,
a large, smooth, green-fruiting kind. Messrs. Paul
& Son, Cheshunt, showed twelve varieties of Straw-
berries, including Auguste Boisselot and others
(bronze medal). Mr. H. C. Jones, Lewisham, had ex-
cellent fruits of the Peach and Perfection Tomatoes.
Mr. Goodacre, Elvaston Castle Gardens, Derby,
sent fruits of The Countess Melon, and Mr. W. A.
Cook, gardener to Major C. W. Heneage, Compton
Bassett, Calne, Wilts, pods of what promises to be
a good Pea, the result of a cross between Duke of
Albany and Jubilee. Mr. Allan sent from Gunton
Park Gardens Allan's Favourite Cucumber, a long,
heavy, and straight fruit, of handsome appearance
and most useful for exhibition. A very interesting
exhibit was the basket of Strawberry Collis's Seed-
ling from Mr. Collis, Acton Green. The fruits were
large, rich in colour, though not very good in
shape, but deep red in the flesh and pleasantly
flavoured. It is evidently an excellent market
kind, having a firm flesh. There were several other
exhibits in this section.
A first-class certificate went to each of the

Strawberry Auguste Boisselot. — The fruits
of this are bright in colour, well shaped, medium
in size, and pleasantly brisk. A valuable garden
Strawberry. From Messrs. Paul and Son.

Fig St. John. — This variety was also exhibited
by Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons at the Temple show,
and on Tuesday a plant was exhibited bearing a
profusion of large, rich green fruit of fine flavour.
It is one of the earliest varieties in cultivation, and
retains its crop remarkably well. As a variety for
pot culture it has unusual merit.

An award op merit was also given to each of
the subjoined : —

Seedling Melons.— No less than three seedling
Melons were each given an award of merit. One called
Highlands Hybrid came from Mr. J. F. Wilkinson,
Minchinhampton, a well flavoured, netted, scarlet-
fleshed fruit; and another named Syon House Seed-
ling was shown by Mr. Wythes, Syon House Gar-
dens. This is a cross between Blenheim Orange
and Milfield Hybrid, the fruits being of luscious
quality, medium size, and almost smooth. Yet
another came from Mr. W. A. Cook, gardener to
Major C. W. Heneage, Bassett, Calne. This was a
cross between Hero of Lockinge and Golden Per-
fection, and a coarsely netted, scarlet-fleshed fruit.

Cucumber Allan's Favourite.— A very hand-
some fruit, straight, thick, and of great length,
the three shown by Mr. Allan, Gunton Park Gar-
dens, being excellently grown.

Strawberry Incomparable.— This "seems a
distinct variety, a cross between Keen's Seedling
and probably Kitley's Goliath. The fruits shown
were from plants not artificially fed, and are large,
deep crimson in colour, pleasantly acid in flavour,
firm, but rather rough in shape, unlike the finished
character of Sir Joseph Paxton. It is said to be a
good cropper, and lasts in season for seven weeks.
Exhibited by Mr. H. Ridgewell, Histon Road,
Cambridge.

Lecture on Lilies.
The lecture delivered by Mr. H. J. Elwes at the
Drill Hall last Tuesday, under the title of " Culti-
vated Lilies," was of special importance to all con-
cerned in the cultivation of hardy bulbs. Mr.
Elwes has done for Lilies what Mr. Maw did for
the Crocus, and what Dr. Foster is doing for the
Iris, and the value both to botanists and gardeners
of his book, " Lilies and Lily Culture," can only be
measured by those with a full knowledge of the
difficulties presented in this large and variable
genus. Dating from the time of the publication of
his Lily book (1880), Mr. Elwes said that all the
fifty-two Lilies recognised by him as species have

July 12, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

45

bean at one time or another in cultivation, with a
single exception, and although a few undoubtedly
new species have been introduced since that time,
he still considered the number about that given
above. A few of those, for want of sufficient data,
being described as species are now reduced to
varieties of well known, but variable species.
Indeed, Mr. Elwes is not quite sure how many
of the Lilies with specific distinction in his book
would stand the test of remaining true from seed.
Lilies have one advantage over such genera as Nar-
cissi, Tulips, &c, in being almost proof against
the hybridist ; many of the frail constitutioned
Lilies hybridised with a more robust kind would
almost surely give a new lease of life to the weaker
parent, if it could be successfully managed, but
few such crosses have taken place ; indeed, authen-
tic cases of intercrossing could almost be counted
on the fingers of one hand. Some of these weaker
Lilies defy all the arts of the cultivator. They
flower once or twice, dwindle and die, not so much
in many of the cases for want of skill on the part
of the cultivator, but some of them are so short-lived
as to be considered annuals, and indeed in their
native habitats are perpetuated by seed only. In
the truly perennial species curious developments
of the rootstock annually take place ; for instance
canadense produces a stolon, at the end of which
is the flowering bulb for the following year, and it
not infrequently happens that the flower-stems of
the present year are produced a foot or more from
those of the previous one. It is a- curious fact with
regard to these Lily bulbs that the American
species are totally different from the European,
and both from the Asiatic, and also that anyone
fairly conversant with Lily bulbs can tell the
species, and even the varieties, from the bulbs
alone. L. testaceum is a supposed hybrid between
chalcedonicum and candidum ; it is said to have
originated in Belgium thirty or forty years ago,
and has never been found in a wild state, although
some of the Asiatic species are very nearly allied.
It is the only hybrid in general cultivation. L.
Parkmanni, raised in Massachusetts about twenty
years ago between speciosum and auratum, is
a grand Lily, the stock of which is in the hands
of Mr. Waterer, and we believe is doing well.

Mr. Elwes then proceeded with what was
the most interesting part of his lecture, i.e.,
Lilies easily grown, Lilies beautiful, but not easily
grown, and Lilies difficult to grow. This is exactly
what is wanted. We get a catalogue full of names
and vivid descriptions of fine Lilies with no key
whatever to help us in selecting a choice few that
will grow anywhere. Lilies should always be grown
in a half wild state if possible, the very best re-
sults being always obtained in the vicinity of
shrubs or bushes, and above all by leaving them
alone.

Fern Conference. — There will be a conference
and great exhibition of Carnations and Ferns in the
Society's Gardens at Chiswick on July 22 and 23
next. The National Carnation Society offers several
prizes for Carnations and Picotees, and two silver
challenge cups will be awarded to amateurs by
the Royal Horticultural Society, viz. : one for the
best collection of hardy Ferns, the other for the
best collection of Filmy Ferns grown without heat.
The conference on Carnations will begin on the
22nd inst. at 2.30 p.m., and the following papers will
be read, viz. : " The Carnation, from a botanical
point of view," by Mr. F. N. Williams, F.L.S.; "The
Florists' Carnation and Picotee as Exhibition
Flowers,'' by Mr. Harry Turner, F.R.H.S. ; " Carna-
tions and Picotees in Towns," by Mr. Martin Rowan ;
" Border Carnations," by Mr. Richard Dean, F.R.H.S.
On the 23rd inst. the conference on Ferns will open
at 2 p.m., and papers will be read as follows : " The
Systematic Rjlations of Ferns," by Professor Bower,
F.L.S. ; " Hybrid Ferns," by Mr. E. J. Lowe, F.R.S. ;
" Plumose British Ferns," by Mr. C. T. Druery,
F.L.S. , F.R.H.S. ; " Hardy Ferns and their Cultiva-
tion," by Mr. J. Birkenhead, F.R.H.S. Intending
exhibitors are requested to communicate with Mr.
Barron, superintendent, R H S Gardens, Chiswick, on
or before July 18, stating the classes in which they

propose exhibiting, and giving an approximate idea
of the amount of space they will require.

Public Gardens.

New recreation ground for Bedford. — At

the request of the Bedford Corporation, plans have been
prepared for laying out the Mill Meadows estate as a
public recreation ground. The estate consists of a long
and rather narrow strip of laud between the upper and
lower streams of the River Ouse, about 35 acres in ex-
tent. The plans also provide for an ornamental lake,
about 3| acres in extent, connected with the upper
stream. There is already a public park in Bedford,
nearly 70 acres in extent.

Opening of Vauxhall Park. — This park,
which was opened by His Royal Highness the Prince
of Wales on Monday last, is an important addition
to the open spaces of London. It is within a very
short distance of Vauxhall Station, and occupies the
site of a group of houses formerly known as The
Lawn, and of a detached residence known as
Carroun House, and is about eight acres in extent.
Vauxhall Park owes its existence to the fact that
Mr. Fawcett lived at The Lawn for the ten years
which preceded his death, and when it became
known that it was likely to fall into the hands of
the builder, a vigorous effort was made by the local
committees, the Kyrle Society, and the working men
of the neighbourhood to purchase The Lawn and
Carroun House for a park. A sum of £45,000 was
wanted, and of this £9000 had to be raised by
private donations — the other coming from the rates
and the funds of City parochial charities. Much of
this was raised by the exertions of Miss Octavia
Hill, and the Kyrle Society made themselves respon-
sible for laying out the grounds. In order to asso-
ciate the park more closely with the late Mr
Fawcett, the house in which he lived has been left
standing. A large gathering assembled to witness
the opening ceremony, and the inhabitants of South
Lambeth may be congratulated on having acquired
a park in their midst.

Metropolitan Public Gardens Associa-
tion.— At the monthly meeting held at 83, Lancaster
Gate, W., recently, £50 was voted towards the ex-
penses in connection with the proposed preserva-
tion of the Bethnal Green Poor's Land, and £50
for seats in Vauxhall Park, while a grant of £10
was made towards a public gymnasium in Plum-
stead. It was also agreed to give seats for Ber-
mondsey Churchyard, and to offer them for St.
John's Walham Green, and a position in Caledonian
Road, N. The secretary reported that seats had
been accepted for St. Mary's Churchyard, Alder-
manbury, and for King Street, Hammersmith, that
Bay trees in boxes had been placed in front of the
National Gallery, and creepers and plants in St.
Martin's Churchyard, and that the association
was taking part in a movement to promote the for-
mation of a boulevard in the Marylebone and
Euston Roads. Among the spaces which it is hoped
may shortly be secured or laid out may be men-
tioned the Hilly Fields, S.E., an open space in Ful-
ham, a field in Clapton, Bartholomew Square, E.C.,
and the disused burial-grounds of Christ Church,
Spitalfields, Seward Street, the Cross Bones, South-
wark, St. James's, Ratcliff, and St. Botolph's, Aid-
gate. Questions connected with Wandsworth,
Barnes, and Tooting Bee Common, Sloane Square,
the Fulham Lammas Lands, and the Main Drain-
age Embankment are also under consideration.

Padding-ton Recreation Ground. —Vigorous
efforts are being made to acquire an open space as
a recreation ground at Paddington, and to support
the scheme the Prince and Princess of Wales
visited Paddington on Wednesday last. The ob-
ject of the scheme is to secure 21 acres of ground
for recreation. Situated at the junction of four
great parishes, with a population of over 400,0i 0,
it would be strange if strong efforts were not made
to secure so important an open space. North-west
London, equally with other parts of the metropolis,
urgently needs provision for physical recreation.
North-west London must also sooner or later be
provided with more ample means than now exist
for technical instruction in the form of polytechnic

institutes. As a firrt step to both those ends, the
acquisition of an open space is of paramount im-
portance, and a primary object of the present
scheme is to affiliate this recreation ground to such
institutes, and thus help towards combining physi-
cal recreation with technical and industrial train-
ing. The Regent Street Polytechnic has already
been affiliated to the ground. To acquire the free-
hold of these 21 acres a sum of about £50,000 is
needed, towards which contributions have already
been made. The land once secured, buildings for
the purposes of a polytechnic can follow at any
time.

Obituary.

Death of Patrick Barry.— We have to record
the death recently, in Rochester, Western New
York, of Mr. Patrick Barry, whose work for the
past twenty-five years has had a strong influence on
American horticulture, and the Pomological Society,
one of the most valuable and vigorous institutions
of its kind in the United States, will lose a vice-
president of acknowledged ability. His "Fruit
Garden," which appeared in 1852, showed a man of
no mean literary worth; but before this he had
been an able contributor to various periodicals.
His most useful work is possibly the " Catalogue of
the American Pomological Society," which he had
to chiefly undertake. A portrait and history of his
life are given in The Gabden, July 3, 1886.

Death, of Mr. John Stewart.— The Royal
Caledonian Horticultural Society loses in Mr. John
Stewart a faithful secretary, who for twenty-five
years held this position to the satisfaction of all.
His kind genial manner made him a host of friends,
and a large gathering assembled in the cemetery
of Inveresk, near Edinburgh, on July 4, to pay
their last tribute of respect to him who had served
them so honourably. He was 76 years of age.

False naming.— I don't think any English nur-
seryman has equalled Messrs. Childs, of New York, in
cleverness, selling me a packet of seed — a washed-out
Poppy, not even pure white, and calling it an annual
Romneya Coulteri! — C. O. Miles.

Heredity in plants. — I am anxious to record all
cases that I can hear of of variations in plants which
have arisen under cultivation in different soils or other
external conditions — whether they occur in roots, stems,
leaves, flowers, fruits, or seeds, and have become here-
ditary by seed. I shall be much obliged if any readers
will kindly communicate with me if any instances have
come within their experience. — George Henslow,
Drayton House. Ealing, London, W.

List of Chrysanthemums —A handy little
French book of a descriptive list of Chrysanthemums,
by Mons. O. de Meulenaere, will be useful to those who
are constantly requiring information on the winter
flower. The varieties are arranged alphabetically, and
where possible the raiser's name and date of introduc-
tion are given, besides a short, but sufficient descrip-
tion. It is well printed, nicely bound, and just the
thing for the coat pocket. The list only comprises
those varieties that bloom in winter. It is published
by Messrs. J. Laing and Sons, Forest Hill.

O. H. — Your Grapes seem to be suffering from scald-
ing. We see no traces of mildew. Please send name
and address.

Names of plants.— W. R.—l, Styrax japonica,-
2, Fothergilla alnifolia ; 3, Carya or Juglans ; 4, Catalpa
bignonioides ; 5, Viburnum cotinifolium ; 6, Senecio

japonicus. A. B. — 1, Daboecia polifolia rubra; 2,

Deutzia scabra ; 3, Escallonia rubra; 4, Dabcecia poli-
folia alba; 5, Spirsea carpinifolia ; 6, Escallonia ma-

crantha. T. B. Bolitho, M.P. — Rhododeudron pon-

ticum variegatum — a very common plant. E. M. — ■

Leptospermum grandiflorum. Adolescens. — Telekia

speciosa. Alpha. — 6, Dianthus arenarius ; 7, Cle-
matis integrifolia ; 8, Sedum hybridum. W. H. A.

Leptospermum graudifloruni. — W. Spencer. — 1, com-
mon Borage; 2, Lythrum salicaria; 3, common Loose-
strife (Lysimachia) ; 4, Astrantia major; 5, Geranium

arvense album. M. A. N. — 1, Anthurium, hut spathe

wanted; 2, Adiautum Legrandi; 3,Davallia; 4, Adian-
tum concinnum ; 5, Lonicera sempervirens ; 6, Jas-

minum revolutum. E. O. — Leycesteria formosa. —

— A. B. Ricardo. — Rose looks like Innocente Pirola,

46

THE GARDEN.

[July 12, 1890.

WOODS AND FORESTS.

PLANTING FOREST TREES.
In The Garden, June 28 (p. 610), I notice an
article on this important subject by "A. B.,''
in which he says : "To obtain the maximum
of profit from his woods the planter must
exercise great judgment in selecting his trees
and in preparing the land." This is sound
advice, and is generally acted upon by all
experienced planters, but in giving illustrations
of this standard of perfection "A. B. "makes
some suggestions that cannot be reconciled with
practical experience and observation, and if
not corrected they might, in some cases, be the
means of doing harm. For example, "A. B."
says : " Upon the higher ground and upon
chalk ridges the Larch and Scotch Pine may be
mixed with Birch and Beech. The Alder also,
though best adapted to moist and even wet
situations, grows freely at a great height," &c.
The Alder should never be planted as a tree
for profit upon high chalk ridges, as the ground
in such places is too dry and warm for the
healthy development of the tree ; and although
it will grow on damp or wet ground, yet to
obtain the best and most profitable results
such ground should always be drained some
time previous to planting. In the Highlands of
Scotland, where the soil was alluvial deposit by
the margins of mountain streams, at an eleva-
tion of about 1100 feet above sea level I have
cut good Alder of a fair size, but here the soil
suited its requirements. Again, what ex-
perienced planter would ever think of planting
Larch as a profitable investment upon high
chalk ridges 'I Although the Larch does not
absolutely refuse to grow on such a soil, yet it
never attains the size of a profitable timber tree,
and besides it is very apt to contract disease
and die off altogether in the early stages of its
growth.

On inspecting Larch trees growing on calca-
reous soil some time ago, I found some of the
best only to have attained a size suitable for
telegraph poles, and as many of the trees were
affected with heart -rot and pumping, it showed
clearly that they could not be grown for profit
on high chalk ridges. " A. B." says : " In
rearing plantations upon very exposed sites, an
admixture of scrub or underwood with the
standard trees is of the greatest importance.
This checks evaporation, and at the same time
fixes the fallen leaves, so that they decay in situ,"
&c. Leaf mould no doubt makes a valuable
manure for surface-rooting trees, but young
plantations at high elevations never begin to
make rapid progress until they subdue and kill
the surface vegetation and natural scrub
Rank surface scrub often lies like a wet blanket
upon the ground, thus preventing the dor-
mant particles of the soil from becoming
active as food for the tree roots. This applies
in particular to cold, stiff, retentive clay
and mossy ground. If we admit heat, rain
water, and air into the soil, the whole
mass is thereby rendered active and fertile;
hence, the reason that young plantations thrive
so well upon ground that has been trenched,
and the surface occasionally broken up by the
hoe and rake during the growing season to sub-
due weeds and undei'growth. Although organic
matter serves a useful purpose, yet we are not
to admit, as some writers would seem to imply,
that the value of the soil is to be gauged accord-
ing to the quantity of this matter which it may
contain. Some of our best forest trees dip their

roots deep into the subsoil, and obtain their
food to a certain extent among loose, hard, in-
organic matter. J. B. Webster.

THE GROWTH OF COPPICING.

In many parts of the country, upon soils which
will not grow the ordinary timber trees of suffi-
cient size to make their cultivation profitable,
coppicing may be substituted with advantage, and
the annual income to be derived from this will,
under proper management, be little less than that
obtained from the periodical falls of timber upon
superior soils. In order to ensure the maximum of
profit from these, the kinds of trees grown must be
such as are suitable to the land, and also those for
which there is a local demand. Thus in Kent,
Sussex, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire, Hop-
poles meet with a ready sale ; in the mining dis-
tricts, pit-props ; in hardware districts and in the
potteries, material for making crates ; and in the
basket-making localities, Willows of various kinds.
The subject of local demand is an important one ;
as compared with their market value the materials
obtained from ordinary coppices are too bulky to
admit of long carriage either by road or rail.

Pure coppice of the best kinds, such as Ash,
Spanish Chestnut, Red Willow, Red Birch, and
Maple, are in the Hop-growing counties more re-
munerative than coppice with standards ; but
where the underwood is of an inferior kind, such
as Oak, Beech, Hornbeam, Hazel, and the common
kinds of Willow, a considerable admixture of stan-
dard trees may be reared with advantage. Under
ordinary circumstances these should not occupy
more than one-third of the wooded area, and their
lower branches should, after every fall, be either
pruned back close to the boles, or else considerably
fore-shortened to mitigate the effects of too much
shade. Most of our common deciduous trees cop-
pice freely — the Ash, Oak, Spanish Chestnut, Elm,
Lime, Maple, Poplar, Willow, Hornbeam, Birch,
Mountain Ash, Sycamore, Hazel, Alder, and, for a
shorter period, the Beech. Some of these, such as the
Lime, Willow, Aspen, Birch, and the White Alder,
grow very freely from suckers. For pure coppicing
the Spanish Chestnut is best adapted to sandy or
gravelly land, Ash for a moist loamy soil, and
Larch for rocky slopes ; upon a moist loamy or
clay soil Chestnut stools very soon die out, and
upon deep rich ground Larch grows too rapidly to
be very serviceable.

By means of planting and subsequent layering,
growths of coppicing may be carried over rocky
surfaces where timber trees even of the smallest
size are reared with difficulty, for as long as its
connection with the parent stool is maintained, the
layer will continue to thrive, even though its roots
obtain little nourishment beyond what they find in
the thinnest surface soil or among the crevices of
the rocks.

The length of a rotation will depend to a great
extent upon the kind of wood grown, and the pur-
poses to which the produce is to be applied, as well
as upon the climate, site, and quality of the soil.
The shorter the rotation, the sooner the stool is
exhausted. When Osiers receive an annual cutting,
the stools seldom last more than thirteen or four-
teen years ; though those worked upon a two or three
years' rotation endure for nearly double that period
Standard trees cut down after the age of from forty
to fifty years seldom leave a productive stool, though
instances have been recorded in which they have
shot up afresh even when more than a century old.
With good management and careful cutting, a
Chestnut plantation may last for a great number
of years. From nine to thirteen years is the com-
mon length of a rotation, but basket- makers' Osiers
are cut at the end of the first and second years ;
Hazel for crates and hampers and for the cooper's use,
at the end of the third ; Ash and Spanish Chestnut
upon good soils, at the end of the ninth or tenth
years ; and Oak, Hornbeam, Birch, &c, upon infe-
rior soils, at about thirteen years old.

As coppice shoots are produced either by the
adventitious buds which spring from the edge of

the cut surface of the stool, or from the dormant or
lateral buds which proceed directly from the me-
dullary processes in the wood, and below the
former, the method of cutting has a considerable
influence upon the future crop. When the bark is
torn from the edge of the stool's surface, the ad-
ventitious buds are destroyed, and heavy blows
from a blunt instrument will also destroy the dor-
mant buds, and even break off the finer fibres of
the small stools standing in loose soils. To avoid
this, the poles growing upon the smaller stools
shouldalwaysbecut off with the bill-hook, and every-
thing under 6 inches in diameter with a light axe.
All tools used in coppice felling should be of the
best kind, and also be kept to a keen edge. No cut-
ting should be permitted during frosts, and all
blows should be directed upwards as far as practic-
able. Except in very wet situations, where the
stools are occasionally partially immersed, they are
best cut off as close to the ground as possible, in
which case the dormant buds send up shoots near
the surface of the ground, or even below it, and
these in time become well rooted in the soil, and at
the next cutting considerably extend the area of
the stool.

To produce a luxuriant crop of young shoots, the
best time for cutting is between the middle of Feb-
ruary and the end of March. In most districts the
work goes on from early in November until the
beginning of April. Where a large breadth has to
be cleared by the same hands, the younger planta-
tions should be cut first. A.

Root - choking of drains. — However deep
drains may be laid, they are never altogether free
from the possibility of being put out of order by
the roots of trees, or of certain kinds of crops which
may penetrate the drains, and hinder the free
passage of the water through them. The roots of
the Elm, Ash, Willow, and other trees are known
to enter the pipes, and even pass through the
ground for several yards to reach them, as if they
were attracted by the moisture and air which they
find in the pipes, and by the nourishment afforded
them there. To obviate this difficulty it is advis-
able, where it occurs or is apprehended, to use
socket-pipes jointed with cement, or to lay the pipes
as far as possible from the trees. I have found
that embedding the pipes in lime, mortar, or con-
crete has prevented them from being choked, and
kept them clear for some years, although close to
trees which it was impossible to avoid. The roots
of some crops, if they should penetrate the pipes,
die away when the crops are removed, and are fre-
quently washed out at the mouths of the drains by
the strong flow of water through them. Other sub-
stances give the drainer a vast amount of trouble.
Ochreous water, depositing oxide of iron, is a com-
mon source of obstruction. It appears to harden
and consolidate as it receives air through the pipes,
and ultimately chokes them. I have found it best
to get at the source of the spring or springs, and
conduct the water away by large pipes independent
of the general system. Conferva? and parasitic
plants will also get into the pipes, grow, and ulti-
mately stop the flow of water through them ; another
source of trouble is the percolation of sand into the
pipes, which necessitates patience and care in tak-
ing them up frequently after being first laid and
relaid, until all the water has run out of the bed,
and then laying them in straw and on strips of
wood. — P.

"The Garden" Monthly Parts.— This journal it
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reference previous to the issue of the half yearly volumes. Price
Is. ed. ; post free, Is. 9d. Complete' set of volumes of The
Garden from its commencement to end of 1889, thirty-six vols.,
price, cloth, £27,- half morocco, £32 8s

" Hardy Flowers." — Giving descriptions of upwards of
thirteen hundved ol'lhe most ornamental species, with directions
for their arrangement, culture, ilic. Fourth and Popular
Edition, Is. ; post free, Is. 3cf.

"Farm and Home" Monthly Parts. — This
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London : 37, Southampton Street, Strand, W.C,

THE GAEDEK

47

No. 974. SATURDAY, July 19,1890. Vol. XXXVIII.

"This is an Art
Which does mend Nature : change it rather ; but
The Art itself is Nature." — Shakespeare.

LILIES.
There are some flowers which are in their
■very nature as well as in the many associa-
tions connected with them more attractive
than others. It is so "with Lilies and Boses.
They have hoth of them the disqualification
of not lasting long when in bloorn, but their
beauty, their fragrance, and the many
pleasing associations which surround the mere
names of Lily and Eose will always make
them favourites, even with those who are not
really gardeners nor fond of gardening as a
pursuit. Undoubtedly giganteum is the
queen of Lilies. It is so tall and stately, so
graceful in its grand upright growth and its
large glossy green leaves. But it is not easy
to make giganteum flower, except in very
suitable places. It likes the mild climate of
the far west, and I have seen it in flower
there in a sheltered corner in several gardens.
But in this county I have only succeeded in
flowering it once, which was soon after I re-
ceived some plants from the late Hon. and
Eev. J. T. Boscawen, who was exceedingly
fond of this Lily. Last winter was so mild
that I am hopeful of blooming it again next
year, the plants have done so well. I have
placed it against the wall of the greenhouse
and given it a great deal of peat Moss litter
from the stable, which this and other Lilies
seem to appreciate. For several years I tried
in vain to grow speciosuni out of doors. It
was disappointing to see the wild luxuriance
with which this beautiful Lily grew in a
milder climate, and then to see fine roots gra-
dually dwindle into nothing here. I was per-
suaded at last that the soil had as much to
do with it as the frost and cold. So I mixed
a quantity of ashes and peat Moss manure
with the somewhat clayey soil and put out
the plants just after they had started. In
winter when they died down they were
covered with a mound of nothing but peat
Moss litter. This year they are doing re-
markably well. I shall have a good deal of
flower from this, and I feel that I have solved
the question as to how to grow speciosum
out of doors. It is beautiful in large pots,
but, like other things, it never has in cap-
tivity the full beauty and luxuriance of plants
which can enjoy the freedom of outdoor life.
I have read a good deal in The Gabden
and other periodicals about the Lily disease.
Here, I am thankful to say, we know no-
thing of it. There is close to me, as I
write, a bed full of massive white Lilies,
which show no sign of any sort of disease,
but are making the finest possible display of
their great heads of bloom. They are just
now the most striking feature in the garden.
Some of the roots were imported two years
ago ; the rest were old inhabitants of the
garden, but moved into this bed, which is a
new one cut out of the lawn. - Possibly the

fresh new soil may have something to do
with the perfect immunity from Lily disease.
In the same bed a fine group of umbellatum
is just passing away. This Lily is really
gorgeous in its colouring, and apparently a
great favourite with the cottagers. Indeed,
cottage gardens at midsummer owe very much
of their brightness and beauty to the Lily
tribe. Lilium candidum, L. umbellatum, and
the orange Lily are the commonest of hardy
plants, and what can exceed them in beauty
in the garden'? The Turk's-cap Lilies are also
easily managed ; chalcedonicum looks beauti-
ful by the side of a large mossy stone,
and the purple Martagon sows itself in my
garden, and this year especially throws up
its long spires of bloom crowded with flowers
in every shady part of the borders. If the
white Martagon will only prove equally hardy
and kindly in its mode of growth, it will be
a delightful companion to this fine purple
Lily. I am inclined to put Harrisi second to
the giganteum, and its lovely clear white
flowers may be had at almost any time of the
year. There is one in a 6-inch pot in full
beauty by my side as I write, its thick, massive
petals giving it so much substance, and the
pale green throat harmonising so beautifully
with the clear white of the rest of the flower.
I agree with a correspondent of The Garden,
that it is hard to start this Lily into growth.
Purchased bulbs seem to start without diffi-
culty, but mine this year were old bulbs,
which I had flowered last year, and they
have been more eccentric in their growth. I
left one out of doors all the winter, and it is
now about 8 inches high, with three or four
buds. It will be late, but sturdy and strong.
The rest were kept in their pots.

Lilium testaceum, which I see is the only
hybrid Lily, is not equal in my opinion to
any of the above mentioned ; but the nankeen
colour is peculiar, and it seems to be as
hardy as candidum. Auratum did well out
of doors last winter, and is coming up strong.
Everyone seems to agree that this Lily cannot
be depended on, and that it is singularly
capricious. Under favourable circumstances
it seems to do well in this neighbourhood,
but to keep up the stock I suppose it will always
be necessary to buy imported bulbs. Its fra-
grance is almost too powerful for a room, but
to see it in perfection it is necessary to have
it in a pot and sheltered from wind and rain.
Eor myself I prefer the pure white L. Harrisi to
its more gorgeous relation, decked out in its
rich and varied colours.

A Gloucestershire Parson.

latter being erect and about 6 inches long. The
flowers are Pea-like, with a large standard petal
nearly 1 inch across. The colour is a bright purplish-
red, with a white eye-like spot in the centre. If
this plant is grown in pots, it may be kept to a
convenient size by cutting the old shoots down to
within 1 inch or 2 inches of the soil about March.
Treated to a little warmth, it will soon break
freely into growth and form shoots from 1 foot to
18 inches high during the season. Plants of this
description are now flowering at Kew. In the con-
servatory there is a fine specimen several feet in
height, grown as a climber, also in full bloom. It
thrives best in loamy sandy soil, and is readily in-
creased by cuttings. — W. B.

Swainsonia Osborni.— The genus to which
this plant belongs contains over twenty species, all
of which, with the exception of one found in New
Zealand, are Australian. Several of these are well
worthy of cultivation, the best, perhaps, being S.
Osborni. It may be grown in pots and used for the
greenhouse stage, or it may be turned to account
for training up the roof as a climber ; in both ways
it makes a very ornamental plant. Commencing to
flower in June it continues without intermission up
to September. It is a plant of slender growth, with
pinnate leaves, the racemes proceeding from the
axils of those near the end of the shoot. About a
score of flowers are produced on each raceme, the

WILD FLOWERS ALONG THE GIPPING.

There is a distinct and characteristic beauty in
the types of flowers and vegetation generally which
adorn the banks of our rivers and tributary streams
The yellow Flag in broad masses has been veiy
beautiful, especially where it springs out of a
carpet of the water Forget-me-not (M . palustris).
Again, the Iris is associated with the beautiful
Meadow Sweet and the creamy plumes of the
Meadow Rue (Thalictrum flavum), both of which
hold aloft their feathery clusters. In this natural
grouping one sees pretty contrasts that might be
imitated or extended in gardens. Certainly we
may borrow many an idea from the arrangement of
water wild flowers, because if we happen to have a
piece of water of artificial creation in or near the
garden its most conspicuous fault is usually the
nakedness and perhaps formality of its margin
Just as our native Iris and Spirsea adorn the river
banks, so might finer Irises like ochroleuca, Krernp-
feri and sibirica, and finer Spineas, like S. palmata.
venusta and Aruncus, revel in rich masses by natural
or artificial waters in or near the house or garden.
The Flowering Rush is undoubtedly one of the best
of our native water plants ; its large umbels of
pink or white flowers last so long and sometimes
have as many as fifty flowers. The Arrow-head
(Sagittaria sagittifolia) is another of the common
" weeds." A mass of this is beautiful when in leaf,
but doubly so when in flower. The leares, like
arrow-heads, are thrust just above the surface of
the water, and among them stand the spikes of
flowers.

The Water Plantain is plentiful and pretty, dis-
tinct in foliage and graceful in flower. It grows
into huge plants upon the margin of the water ; its
flower-spikes, attaining to -i feet in height and
branching in a pyramidal manner, bear hun
dreds of small white or pale pink flowers. The
white and the yellow Water Lilies are the gems of
water vegetation, but, unfortunately, occupying as
they do the centre of the stream, they are often
cleared away, and our season of enjoyment of them
considerably curtailed. Two fine flowering plants
are the great Willow Herb (Epilobium hirsutum)
and the purple Loosestrife (Lythrum Salicaria). In
the rich mud along the banks the Willow Heib
grows G feet high, and is a perfect mass of rosy
purple blossoms. It is the finest species in tie
genus and a really good native flower. The purple
Loosestrife is a noble feature for many weeks.
Already some of the leading spikes are in flower,
and there will be no scarcity of blooms till late in
September. Although considered a valuable hardy
plant, no border specimen such as we sometimes
see in gardens can compare with the great bushes
of it by the river-side, where it revels in rich
soil and perpetual moisture. Mingling with the
Reeds and Rushes it has a graceful effect, and is
very showy. It is very variable in colour, em-
bracing different shades of pink, deep rose, and
purple. The great leaves of the Butterbur (Peta-
sites) have a fine effect, especially where the banks
are high and steep, as it will monopolise such a
bank and clothe it with huge leaves, many of
which are 18 inches in diameter. The flowers
appear before the leaves early in the year, but
they are not particularly pretty. The Water Dock
(Rumex hydrolopathum) is one of the noblest of
water-side plants, and fortunately does not increase
too rapidly and become an intolerable nuisance.

48

THE GARDEN.

[July 19, 1890.

like most of the other species. Year after year it
throws up its great tufts of leaves, which often are
a yard or more in length and of proportionate
width, the spike of brownish flowers growing 6
feet high. In autumn this Dock is a striking
feature, for the leaves assume a lurid red hue,
which they retain for several weeks. All pieces of
ornamental water that have not the Water Dock
lack one of the finest and most effective foliage
plants. Giant Teazles, rigid in structure, but bold
in aspect, contrast with tall, nodding, graceful
Reeds, almost as graceful as a Pampas Grass,
whilst Rushes, such as Typha latifolia and Scirpus
lacustris, have a unique and telling effect.

A. H.

Orchids.

CATTLEYA INTERMEDIA PARTHENIA.
It is now considerably over sixty years ago
since the typical C. intermedia was first brought
to this country from Brazil, and the Botanic
Gardens at Glasgow received the first plant.
There it flowered for the first time in Europe.
In the earlier days especially these gardens re-
ceived many new things from South America,
and of later years also from Western Africa, do-
ing much more then in aid of horticulture than
latterly. This Cattleya has a very wide distri-
bution, being found in many parts widely sepa-
rated in Southern Brazil, and it varies very
little. It is still a favourite in collections, al-
though some young Orchid growers are apt to
regard it as " only the old intermedia." The
stem like bulbs attain a height of from 1 foot to
18 inches, bearing a pair of leaves, which are
oblong-ovate, thick and leathery in texture, and
deep green ; the scape is erect, rising between
the leaves, and bearing from three to nine
flowers, but usually about five is the number.
The^e flowers are thick and fleshy in texture,
but have not the broad petals of the C. Mossiee
section. The petals are spreading, each between
4 inches and 5 inches across, and with the se-
pals ligulate-acute, nearly equal, and of a deli-
cate soft rose colour, varying to pure white,
sometimes dotted with amethyst, and when
thus marked it has obtained the name of C.
amethystina. The lip is three-lobed, the lateral
lobes large, rolled over the column, and form-
ing a tube, being usually coloured like the se-
pals and petals. The front lobe resembles very
much that of La^lia elegans, but it is not so
large ; it has a much-lobed and undulated mar-
gin, and is wholly of a deep rosy-purple, vary-
ing to rich deep purple, the colour breaking oft"
abruptly at the throat. Iu the variety named
Parthenia we have a lovely chaste flower, in
which every part of the bloom is of the purest
white. The plant was named by Professor
Reichenbaeh. It is extremely rare, and I know
only of its existing in two collectioms, i.e., in
that of Mr. Measures, of The Woodlands,
Streatham, and that of Sir Trevor Lawrence at
Burford Lodge, Dorking. W. H. Gower.

Cattleya Walkeriana.— This is the name of
the flower sent by " J. H.," and it has a delicate
and grateful perfume. I am told by the sender
that the bloom comes from a small leafless stem,
and he was surprised to find it produce a couple of
flowers. This is the peculiarity of the species, and
I believe it is the only species, saving C. nobilior,
having this character. In C. nobilior the side lobes
of the lip are large, enclosing the column, but in
the flower of C. Walkeriana now before me the
lateral lobes are small, and only cover the column
at the base. It measures 4 inches across, the sepals
and petals being of a rosy-pink, but I have seen
them deep rich rosy-purple, lip large and spreading
in front, clawed at the base, undulated, having a
broad marginal band of crimson-magenta, stained

at the base with pale sulphur-yellow. This beauti-
ful species was found by Gardner some fifty years
ago near the diamond districts of Brazil, and it was
named by him in honour of his fellow traveller, a
Mr. Walker. It was for many years a rare plant
and considered difficult to grow, but both conditions
have been set aside by Mr. Sander, of St. Albans,
who has imported it largely and grown it freely.
In habit it is dwarf, seldom exceeding some 6 inches
or 7 inches in height, the pseudo-bulbs being stout,
and thus it was that Lindley called it C. bulbosa,
a name by which it may now still be frequently
found in collections. The plant requires to be
grown in a very warm position, well exposed to sun
and light. I prefer shallow earthenware hanging
baskets to blocks of wood, the plants being sur-
rounded by a little peat fibre and Sphagnum Moss.
During the season of growth it requires a good
supply of moisture to its roots and in the atmo-
sphere, but during the winter just sufficient to keep
it from shrivelling will suffice. — W. G.

Grrammatophyllum Ellisi. — This is an old
acquaintance. Flowers of it come from " G. T. H.,"
who says it has bloomed from a plant sent him
from the island of Madagascar by a friend. The
pseudo-bulbs are four-sided, bearing rich green
leaves; these, however, are, I think, deciduous. The
long drooping spike comes up with the young bulb,
and the flowers are developed about the time the
bulbs have finished growing. I have seen much
brighter flowered varieties. It requires the warmest
corner of the East India house, and must be well
drained. During summer a large quantity of water
is necessary to its well-being, but a less quantity in
winter will suffice. I first saw this plant in the
collection of the Rev. W. Ellis when Mr. Gedney
had charge of his plants. — W. G.

Cymbidium Lowianum.— A very fine speci-
men and an excellent variety of this plant is now
flowering in the nursery of Mr. B. S. Williams and
Son, of Holloway. The plant is neither so large
nor so profusely bloomed as that shown at the
Temple by Baron Schrceder, but I believe it has
been in bloom nearly as long, and that is between
four and five months. These plants, however, do
not flower annually, there not being sufficient time
to allow of a good strong growth being made after
blooming ; therefore, the plants should be flowered
every other year. It enjoys the heat of the Cattleya
house, and during the winter should not be allowed
to suffer from want of water. Although a plant
from Burmah, it would not appear to be a native
of the warmest parts. — G.

Cattleya Forbesi. — " J. J." asks how to manage
this plant. It should be grown in a shallow earthen-
ware pan with a little soil and be well drained.
This is better than blocks, on which it used to be
grown. The pan should be hung near the glass and
in strong heat, as it comes from quite the coastline
about Rio Janeiro. In the winter it must be kept
drier than at the growing season, but from its prox-
imity to the sea, it is enveloped in dew frequently
during the dry season, and hence its slender stem-
like bulbs are sustained. It is scarcely worth the
care bestowed upon it, for the flowers are not showy,
and it is only remarkable as being the third species
of the genus grown in English gardens, the first
being C. Loddigesi, introduced in 1815 ; next C.
labiata, in 1818, and the present plant in 1S23. —
W.G.

SHORT NOTES.— ORCHIDS.

Aerides crassifolium.— This is a magnificent
species introduced some years ago by the Rev. Mr.
Parish from Moulmein. Its flowers are large and, as
well as the leaves, of great substance, the spike being
long and carrying many flowers, which are deliciously
scented. Jt is, however, a somewhat slow-growing
species. A plant now past its bast bearing five spikes
has been very beautiful in the collection at Cambridge
Lodge, Camberwell.

Aerides crispum.— This is the name of the
Orchid sent by a " Devonshire Grower." It
is said to have come from the Madras Hills, but
how the owner came to attach the name of
Schrcederi to it seems a mystery, as the plant
known by that name would appear never to have

been imported but once, and if a " Devonshire
Grower " could drop upon the spot from whence it
came, a good importation would be a paying in-
vestment. The plant was bought in Mr. Stevens'
sale rooms many years ago, somewhere in the
earlier parts of 1850, by Mr. Schrceder, of Stratford
Green, and in whose grand collection it flowered
several times. It has always remained one of the
scarcest of the genus. — W. G.

Saccolabium Hendersonianum. — This beau-
tiful and showy little species is, I believe, a native
of Borneo, and although known for some years, is
still rare and very seldom seen. It is now in great
beauty in Sir Trevor Lawrence's garden, but the
plant being small, I would advise Mr. White to
relieve it of its blooms early. It is a small-growing
plant, a near relative of S. ampullaceum and S.
curvifolium, but I have never seen it growing so
strong as either of these plants. It has narrow,
distichous, coriaceous leaves some 6 inches in length,
and when they are not arranged uniformly it arises
from inattention to its growth. The spike is erect,
and bears quite a crowd of flowers, which are
bright rosy red, the lip being very small, and the
spur longer than the sepals is obtuse and pure
white. It thrives best on a block of wood, and it
requires to be kept warm and moist all the year
round. — W.

Ferns.

THE SNOWY NIPHOBOLUS.
A frond of the crested form of Niphobolus
lingua corymbifer has been sent mebya "Young
Fern Student. " Hooker makes this a section of
the genus Polypodium, but this old genus re-
quired splitting up and dividing in order that
Fern students might be able to more readily
distinguish their specimens.

The plants in this genus are distinguished by
their simple leathery fronds, which vary in size
from an inch to 2 feet and 3 feet, and are
thickly covered with a dense coat of snowy-
white or brown hairs, which cover the whole
under side, and through which the sori pro-
trude. This gives them a hoary appearance,
as when young many of them are clothed on
both surfaces, but as they become mature most
of them lose these scales or hairs from the
upper side, and assume a deep green tint. A
large number of species is recorded, but I shall
confine my remarks to those only which I know
to be in cultivation.

These plants are easily grown either in pots
or in the open fernery, all they require being
ample drainage and some good, turfy, sandy
loam and fibrous peat, well mixed together and
made tolerably firm. They also require to be
liberally supplied with water and a fair amount
of heat. Some kinds, however, will thrive best
in the cool fernery. Others again make very
elegant ornaments in a Wardian case, whilst
others require the warmth of the stove.

N. bicolor. — This species is said to be a native
of New Zealand, although I have never discovered
its locality in that country. It has a slender creep-
ing rhizome, densely clothed with pale brown chaffy
scales. The barren fronds are somewhat distant,
about 3 inches long, and half that in width in the
middle, the upper surface bright rich green, be-
neath thickly clothed with snowy white hairs ; the
fertile fronds are narrow, heavily laden with sori.
It is a very handsome kind, and one that makes a
pretty ornament in a Wardian case.

N. Gardnbki. — A somewhat rare species,well de-
serving attention, making fronds from 9 inches to
15 inches in length and about an inch in breadth.
The upper surface is rich green, the under side co-
vered with reddish brown hairs, through which (he
sori protrude. It comes from the island of Ceylon,
and requires the temperature of the stove.

N. heteractis. — This is a magnificent species
introduced by myself from Upper India, now over

July 19, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

49

twenty years ago, and it forms a beautiful object
in a stove fernery. The rhizome is creeping, covered
with a dense coating of light brown scales ; the
sterns are bare for 9 inches or a foot, and the blade
of the frond is about 7 inches in length and
2 inches and upwards in breadth, tapering to a
point, the upper side bright green, beneath thickly
covered with a pure white pubescence, which
changes to a brownish white with age. When fer-
tile, the fronds are very little contracted and
wholly covered with sori.

N. lingua (the Tongue Fern), a beautiful ob-
ject for the greenhouse fernery, was introduced
about the beginning of the present century. It
comes from India, China, and Japan, and is fre-
quently to be found under the name of N. sinen-
sis. The fronds, from 9 inches to a foot long, the
lower 3 inches or 4 inches being naked, rise from
a hard creeping rhizome, clothed with short brown
scales ; the barren fronds are frequently close upon
2 inches wide, bright green on the upper side,
and clothed with a white pubescence when young.
The fertile frond is contracted to about half the
size of the barren one, wholly covered with sori,
which are of a deep reddish brown, and very con-
spicuous.

N. lingua coeymbifeb. — This is the form
sent by my correspondent. In this plant the
barren frond is similar to that of the type, saving
that the apex is densely crested with a heavy
tassel. I have never seen this plant fertile, and
so cannot say what appearance it puts on when
bearing spores.

N. PEETU3U3. — This is a very elegant plant well
deserving the attention of everyone having a
fernery. It appears to be widely distributed, as I
have it from the Fiji Islands gathered by Milne,
from China, and from the Philippines, collected by
Mr. J. G. Veitch. The fronds are thick and fleshy
in texture and shining green in colour. The barren
ones are from 3 inches to 5 inches long, and the
fertile ones from G inches to 8 inches in length,
deep green on the upper side, beneath covered en-
tirely on the upper half with reddish-brown sori.

N. bupestbis. — The barren fronds of this are not
more than about 2 inches in height, the fertile ones
erect and about 1 inch longer. This plant from
its size is well adapted for a Wardian case. It ap-
pears to be common in New Zealand and in Aus-
tralia, as well as in numerous of the Pacific islands.
W. H. Gowbe.

Stove and Greenhouse.

CLITORIA TERNATEA.

This is a most useful stove climber for covering
a trellis or side of a glass partition, but for
roof-work it is scarcely strong enough. It is also
pretty when trained loosely round a few sticks
in a pot, thus allowing its azure or dark blue
flowers to be seen at their best. I find this creeper
does not require much pot room, as it soon gets into
an unhealthy condition when over-potted. It is
seldom seen in collections of stove plants, and I
think it worthy of a place. It does not do well
when once neglected, as red spider soon gains head-
way and the plants are ruined. To get a profusion
of bloom, as soon as the pots are well filled with
roots, the plants should have plenty of liquid ma-
nure, and then they flower abundantly. We get
our plants both from seed and cuttings. Many of
the seedlings differ in their colour and size of
bloom ; therefore it is desirable when a good form
has been secured to perpetuate it by striking cut-
tings, and also from seed. I find seedlings come
very true, and give a lot of bloom. A light warm
place close to the glass is necessary when seed is
required. We grow a few seedlings yearly, and
endeavour to get size and colour in the flowers. All
the inferior varieties are discarded. Early in the
winter the flowers at first are often small, but get
much larger by feeding and plenty of heat and
light. There is one objection, that the flowers remain
good such a short time, but then the plants keep on
flowering, and there are always a few blooms open
on the old plants nearly every day in the year. We

sow a few seeds early in spring, and by autumn the
plants are in their flowering pots. They bloom
through the winter and during the following spring
when well fed. A few cuttings should also be struck
early from good varieties, and grown on in a warm
moist house. G. Wythes.

Syon House, W.

The Zanzibar Water Lily (Nymphrea stellata
zanzibarensis) is noted in The Gabden, June 14,
1890 (p. 558), where its history is given, but we
may well refer to it again, as it is now in finer
condition than we ever remember to have seen it in
the Lily house at Kew. There is a superb speci-
men in the centre of the tank carrying four fully
expanded flowers, each measuring about 11 inches
across, one on the point of expansion and buds,
while the colour is of the deepest violet-purple, a
lovely tint, especially in contrast to the large,
boldly-toothed rich green leaves. All who have a
warm house suitable for Water Lilies should not
omit this magnificent variety.

The pretty Trichinium Manglesi is a rather
troublesome thing to do well, but it always suc-
ceeds at Kew, where it is now well in bloom in the
Cape house. A lovely mass of it we also saw in
one of the pits, where there was a lot of it planted
out in a bed of peaty soil. There are few plants
of such distinct character. It makes very few
leaves, but its heads of flowers are like balls of white
wool run through with rich pink-coloured skeins. It
is said to be difficult to propagate except by seeds,
but cuttings may be made of the roots. The stouter
ones should only be selected, and cut into lengths
of about 1 inch. Prick them into pots or pans of
light soil and place them on the shelf of a warm
greenhouse. Give water cautiously. The autumn
when the flowers have faded is the time for propa-
gating.

IJagerstrcemia indica. — This is a lovely flower,
called by some the Crape Myrtle, but whatever its
name it is a plant that should be in every
conservatory. It is a true conservatory plant, and
will grow several feet in height, and spread about
in a graceful way when not cramped in a pot. Those
who have never seen a good plant of it will find one
in the annexe to the Water Lily house, opposite the
Palm house in the Royal Gardens, Kew. It has
made excellent growth, and is now a mass of charm-
ingly crimpled pink flowers, as frail, beautiful, and
distinct as anything we can call to mind. Besides
its characteristic flowers there is another feature,
and that is, the abundance of ovate, deep green,
polished leaves. Although the Crape Myrtle was
introduced as far back as 1816, it is a very un-
common plant, easily grown, and in the summer
smothered with bright bloom. The plant should
not be always kept in a stove, the best way being
to winter it in a greenhouse, so that the wood may
become thoroughly ripened, but the soil should not
get dust-dry. Cuttings taken in spring and early
summer will strike easily if short-jointed bits are
selected. It may be well to mention that the
flowers are absolutely useless for decoration or
cutting, as they drop very quickly.

Mesembryanthemuins are not popular flowers,
but they are very bright and showy when well
grown, as may be seen at Kew, where in the
annexe to the Victoria Water Lily house at Kew
there is a large and interesting collection. Several
species and varieties are there represented, the
finest being M. blandum and M. falciforme ; the
flowers of the former are of a rich rose colour,
but deeper than those of M. falciforme, and also
smaller. Large pans filled with either of these
are exceedingly pretty covered with bright blooms
and appearingjust above the rich mass of succulent
leafage. Another very distinct kind is polyanthon
elegans, which is taller than the others, having
glaucous leafage and rich magenta-coloured flowers.
M. Cooperi is a very dwarf form, the flowers yellow,
large, and loose, while those of M. crassulinum are
creamy white, the flowers small.

Begonia metallica is almost too familiar to
need description, but we may allude with advan-
tage to the beanfy of the plant when between 4
feet and 5 feet high and smothered with bloom, as

in the stove at Kew, where there is a specimen
quite that height and a perfect picture of luxuriant
growth and flower. The leaves are of the richest
green, against which the pink and white flowers
are in tender contrast. Of course it wants a fairly
large house to accommodate such a spreading mass
of growth as this, but it is well worth the room.
We usually see B. metallica in a small pot, and
very handsome it is for decoration, but not
equal to the effect of it when grown as advised. A
considerable quantity of flowers could be cut also
for indoor arrangements without spoiling the beauty
of the plant. It was introduced from Mexico in
1875, and shown by Mr. Croucher in the September
of that year at South Kensington, when it was
given a first-class certificate.

Boronia elatior. — This is a new species added
to an old genus, which, by the way, the present
race of gardeners have almost extirpated, so that
a handsome specimen exhibited at the recent Croy-
don show was quite unusual. It is a free grower,
and bears a profusion of rosy-purple flowers, and as
it is a plant that requires to be cut back hard every
season, it is not injured by having large sprays ga-
thered from it for room decoration. It, however,
lacks the delicious perfume of its near relative, B.
megastigma. B. heterophylla can also be used for
cutting without injury to the specimen, because
it requires cutting back after flowering to preserve
its bushy habit, and to keep it well furnished with
leaves. — W.

Passiflora vitifolia. — This unique Passion
Flower was beautifully in bloom a few days
ago in the noble conservatory at Cherkley Court,
Leatherhead, where a vigorous plant has become
well established. A coloured plate was given of it in
The Gaeden, March 13, 1880, and from it one can
gain an idea of its brilliantly coloured flowers,
which may be compared in colour to those of P.
insignis ; they have narrow segments, each of the
most intense scarlet tone, very bright seen against
the abundant rich green leafage. P. vitifolia was
formerly known as Tacsonia Buchanani, and is re-
corded as having flowered in England in 1869, while
it was exhibited by Mr. Robert Parker, of the once
famous Tooting nursery, in 1871. It may be
easily increased from cuttings, and makes a beauti-
ful climber for a conservatory.

Allamanda violacea in Queensland. — In
The Gabden of March 8 you have figured Alla-
manda violacea. It may interest you to kno w that
the plant grows with much luxuriance in these
gardens ; in fact it is not at all likely to be lost
either, as it suckers most freely, forming dense
bushes. I have a corner occupied by A. Hender-
soni, A. neriif olia, and A. violacea all mixed together,
and the effect is very pleasing. I have two distinct
colours of A. violacea, the flowers of one being
much redder than those of the original form. At
first I was inclined to believe that the soil and
position accounted for the difference in colour, but
in planting the two sorts side by side the same
difference remains. As regards colour, A. violacea
is not such a rampant grower as A. Hendersoni,
being more shrubby in habit, but flowers much
more freely. Allamandas succeed splendidly in the
open here, and flower continuously from October
till June. — Wm. Souttee, Curator, Borcen Park,
Brisbane.

Ericas. — As the summer-flowering varieties of
Heath go out of bloom the flowers should be im-
mediately picked off before there is time for the
seed to make any perceptible progress. Those who
have not had much to do with these plants have
seldom any idea what a strain is inflicted on them ,
when after maturing a heavy crop of flowers, their
energies are still further taxed when the seed
formation is allowed to go on if only for a week or
two after the flowers have withered. Most of the
varieties will be better now out of doors ; in fact,
to get any of the Heaths that bloom in the latter
part of spring or in summer in their best garb with
the full amount of colour in the flowers, they must
be stood out in the open air whilst the bloom is
opening. This applies to all but the white-flowered
kinds; even such soits as have only the sliyltift
tinge of red or pink in the limb of the floweis are

50

THE GABDEN.

[July 19, 1890.

improved by being outside during the last stage of
their development. The autumn-flowering varie-
ties, such as E. Austiniana, E. Irbyana, E. Jacksoni,
E. retorta, and others that come in about the same
time, are better out of doors, for though their
flowers are not yet far enough advanced for expo-
sure to have any influence on them, the growth that
is going on will be much better hardened when
made outside than it will be under glass, and in this
way less likely to be affected with mildew.— T. B.

Ipomaea Quamoclit. — Though a common
■weed in some parts of the tropics, this annual spe-
cies of Ipornrea forms a very attractive greenhouse
plant when grown in a pot and allowed to ramble
over a few branches stuck therein, as in this way it
forms quite a mass of its prettily divided, Fern-like
foliage, thickly studded with bright red or white blos-
soms like little stars. Trained to a few strings or al-
io wed to ramble over a slight wire trellis this Ipomsea
is also at home, and very pretty it is for some time
during the summer. In a warm season it will thrive
out of doors, but cannot always be depended upon
to prove satisfactory. It succeeds better in cold
seasons in an intermediate house. It can by no
means be classed with the large-flowered species,
yet it is a very pretty little Ipomsea. Seeds sown
in heat in the spring will germinate quickly and the
plants soon attain flowering size.— T.

Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums for walls and

pillars. — These are charming plants for covering
the walls of a cool greenhouse or conservatory, or
if planted in panels of various colours where there
is a long stretch of wall to cover, such as there
is in the glass colonnade at the Crystal Palace,
a veritable sensation would be created, and for
the most part they are of rapid growth. Towards
the end of last year I planted the wall of a green-
house with Ivy Geranium Mme. Crousse ; it is now
close upon 10 feet high, and the house has been
kept quite cool. The flowers of the double and
semi-double varieties are nice for cutting, and are
so freely produced as to make it worth while to
plant them for that purpose. All the varieties are
not so free growing as Mme. Crousse, but when
planted out in good soil, even such kinds as
Mme. Thibaut and Jeanne d'Arc will soon cover
a 10-feet wall. They are charming plants for
covering the pillars used to support lofty con-
servatories, and in a warm house they will be
nearly always in bloom. In addition to those
named, Konig Albert, Louis Thibaut, and Sou-
venir de Charles Turner are good. They are
easily propagated, and are effective in a small
state, as they begin blooming as soon as the
cuttings are rooted. — E. H.

extend, the plants should be suspended. Thus grown
they look exceedingly well in either cold houses, ver-
andahs or windows. If a contrast thereto is deemed
desirable, nothing will afford it better than the Money-
wort (Lysiniachia nummularia), but it must not he
grown in the same pot or basket as the former, or it
will soon outstrip it in rapidity of growth. — J. H.

SHORT NOTES.— STOVE AND GREENHOUSE.

r"'Caladium Ibis Rose.— This, shown in Mr. J.
Laing's beautiful group at Croydon (not for competi-
tion) was certainly the most charming plant in the
exhibition. It is dwarf in habit, having leaves with a
white ground over which is spread a soft shade of deli-
cate rose.

Pelargonium Souvenir de Mirande — In
The Garden, July 5 (p. 8), Pelargonium Souvenir de
Mirande is referred to by " H. P.," who imagined it
was raised by M. Lemoine, of Nancy. This variety
was raised by M. Herault, and sent out in 1887 by
Messrs. Thibaut & Ketelccr. We have sent out this
year Pelargonium Gloire du Plessis, raised by M.
Ketelccr. It is a very great improvement on the va-
riety Souvenir de Mirande. — J. Sailiee fils.

Asclepias curassaviea. — This has been intro-
duced nearly a hundred years, and hence it has become
discarded as an old and useless plant. It is usually
styled a stove herbaceous plant, hut I have seen it
growing vigorously and flowering profusely in the open
border, its scarlet heads of flower beiug particularly
noticeable. A plant of this species was exhibited t.t
the Croydon show, and I hope that not only this, but
many of the beautiful species that once adorned our
gardens will again he grown. — W. II. G.

Convolvulus arvensis and C. mauritani-
eus. two of the Bindweeds, arc beautiful basket plants.
The former is almost or quite a weed, yet none th3 less
han Isome when seen in good condition. C. mauritanicus
is best crjwn in a cold house or frame through the win-
ter, but ii the spring, when the young'shoot? begin to

NOTES ON MARKET FLOWEKS.
Growing flowers for market is rapidly extending,
and although so many people have embarked in the
trade, the demand seems to increase as fast as the
supply. The enormous quantity put on some of
the markets at certain seasons of the year causes
the price to sink below what can possibly prove
remunerative to the growers. The flower that
appears most overdone is the Rose. Rose growing
under glass is probably as safe a venture as any ;
but in the open air I question if there are not many
flowers far more remunerative, and the following
are in many respects more likely to repay the
growers, viz. : —

Lilicm candidum (the common white Lily),
that grows very freely on the south coast without
any very special care, sells readily and realises fair
prices. The large spikes of bloom, cut with at least
2 feet of stem, are great favourites with flower
hawkers, who have large deep baskets in which
they can set the spikes erect, for if they are laid
down the blooms crush each other and the pollen
spoils the purity of the blossoms lying beneath
them. If carried erect, however, and cut before
the blooms get fully expanded, they retain their
purity, and sell more readily than when the anthers
are picked out. I may remark that we replant our
stock of this useful flower about once in three years,
taking up one third soon after the leaves die down
naturally, and on our light stony soil they grow
well and keep remarkably healthy.

Lavender is one of those old-fashioned flowers
that will never die out or cease to be in request.
It grows freely with very little trouble, for when
our beds need replanting we lift the roots in autumn
and pull them to pieces, and, selecting a fresh
piece of soil, take out deep trenches so that the
pieces of Lavender can be laid in more deeply than
before, and trod in firmly. Whether they are fur-
nished with roots or not, they scarcely ever fail to
grow freely, and produce a fair crop of bloom the
first year after planting, and a splendid crop the
second and following years. The bloom-spikes are
cut off with a pair of hand shears and tied in
bunches for market. As a rule the hawkers like to
buy the beds of bloom and cut and bunch it them-
selves. Lavender is eagerly sought after, as, being
a flower that does not spoil if not sold within a day
or two of being cut, there is little fear of loss.

Sweet Peas, when sown on good soil and the
flowers kept closely picked, so that no seed-pods
are formed, will produce an enormous lot of bloom,
and they invariably sell readily, even when choicer
flowers are left on hand ; the distinct coloured va-
rieties are the best.

Scarlet Geraniums are in request at all times
of the year, and no sort in cultivation sells more
readily than the semi-double scarlet, as the flowers
do not fall to pieces like the singles.

Maiden-hair Fern (Adiantum cuneatum), in
spite of all efforts to find a substitute, still takes the
lead for button-hole and other bouquets, sprays,
&c, and the more flowers there are sold the more
Fern fronds are sure to be required. Like all other
flowers that are grown for market, it must be
grown well if it is to pay. J. G.

Gosport.

Fuchsias in the greenhouse are always
pretty when the flower-laden shoots drape pillar
and rafter, and we have seldom seen them
finer than in the greenhouse at Kew, where
several varieties are in the fullest beauty.
One of the most delightful ways of growing the
Fuchsia is as a climberfor a rafter, as then it is per-
mitted to ramble about in its own way. Alexan-
dra is one of the varieties at Kew and one mass
of flower-laden shoots ; the flowers are bright crim-
son with a white corolla, a very decided contrast of
colour. Macrostemma, better known as gracilis, is

a lovely Fuchsia, exquisitely graceful, especially
when crowded with long, slender, and tapering
crimson flowers, as at Kew. It is a picture of beauty
in itself. Then we have the large-flowered Mon-
arch and a kind named Gen. Roberts, which has
very bold flowers, with broad crimson segments,
deep violet-coloured corolla, and very long style. It
has not the same elegance as such a gem as gra-
cilis, but it is very showy and striking. The old
Rose of Castile and the scarlet-flowered variety Mar-
quis of Bristol are also charming varieties. We
hope that those who have greenhouses with heavy
unsuitable climbers on the rafters, or none at all,
as is too often the case, will take a lesson from
Kew, and make a feature of the climbing Fuchsias,
which, for grace and beauty, are in their way un-
surpassed.

Public Gardens.

Chelsea Physic Garden. — The announcement
made recently that the Apothecaries Company
are about to sell this garden, which was pre-
sented to them in 1721, by Sir Hans Sloane, has
roused up considerable opposition. Sir Hans
Sloane gave it on condition that " it should at all
times be continued as a physic garden, for the
manifestation of the power and wisdom and good-
ness of God in Creation, and that the apprentices
might learn to distinguish good and useful plants
from hurtful ones." If the garden is sold, Chelsea
will lose one of its characteristic features, and an-
other open space will be lost to the public for ever.
It is suggested that some scheme might be devised
in connection with the Polytechnics or City Guilds,
so that more persons might have the opportunity of
availing themselves of the garden for the study of
botany, or that it might be utilised in some other way
so as to prevent its being covered with houses. The
future of the garden being a matter of deep interest
to the inhabitants, a meeting was held at the Town
Hall, King's Road, Chelsea, on Wednesday last, to
elect a committee to watch the matter, and to take
such action as may be deemed necessary. The Right
Hon. the Earl of Meath, Chairman of the Metro-
politan Public Gardens Association, was in the chair.
The Town Gardening Committee of the
Manchester Field Naturalists' Society has been
vigorously prosecuting its work. The esplanade in
front of the Manchester Infirmary and Albert Square,
in which the Town Hall stands, is now decorated
with seventy-five beautiful specimens of Holly and
Aucuba, whose bright green leaves show up with
good effect against the darkened stone of the neigh-
bouring buildings. The plants have been placed in
substantial, but movable boxes 3 feet square and
4J feet in height. The Parks Committee of the
Manchester Corporation, of which Mr. Chesters-
Thompson is chairman, has shown a laudable anxiety
to carry out the plans suggested, and has con-
tributed the greater part of the £500 already spent
by the two committees on plants. It is hoped next
year to carry on tree-planting on a large scale in
the open spaces and streets of Manchester, and
with a view to ensuring success under the extremely
unfavourable atmospheric conditions peculiar to the
city, the Town Gardening Committee is occupied in
collecting all information relating to the subject,
and will shortly issuea pamphlet of recommendations
to those actually engaged in the work. Dr. Bailey,
of Owens College, will contribute an essay on the
effect of noxious gases on plants, and Dr. Poisson,
of the Museum in Paris, will send a detailed account
of the progress and experience gained in tree-plant-
ing in French towns. Several of our most distin-
guished botanists have also consented to act as
corresponding members of the committee. It is
probable that the movement will spread rapidly over
the north of England, as the committee has already
received official and unofficial requests for informa-
tion about the work from Liverpool, Carlisle, Leek,
and many other towns. The hononary secretary,
Mr. C. J. Oglesby, Hi, Kennedy Street, Albert Square,
Manchester, will be glad to receive additional in-
formation from anyone who may have had expe-
rience in the cultivation of trees and plants in
manufacturing towns.— Nature.

July 19, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

51

Trees and Shrubs.

THE TRUMPET CREEPER.

(tecoma radicans.)
Our friends in America, in their climate of
extremes, possess a decided advantage over
us in the matter of deciduous flowering trees
and shrubs, and it makes us quite envious
every time we have evidence of the way they
" do " things in this direction over there. The
photographMr. E.S. Carmen sendsof a glorious
tree-like mass of the Trumpet Creeper shows
what this climbing shrub is in a climate like
that of the United States, and one can pic-
ture what a striking effect such a specimen
must be in full bloom at midsummer. In
our variable and capricious climate we can-
not hope to see this brilliant climbing shrub
behaving in such a way ; our short and, as is
the case this year, almost sunless summers
are not conducive to the vigorous growth and
the ripening of the wood of such southern
plants as Tecoma radicans, except it be, per-
haps, in some of the warm corners of the
country like Devonshire, and there even only
with the assistance of a southerly wall.
About London one sometimes meets with a
fine specimen of it against a wall, and some-
times it flowers pretty freely, but it never as-
sumes the tree-like growth, as in the illus-
tration. To see this Trumpet Creeper in
Europe at all like Mr. Carmen's, one must go
to the south, and especially to sunny Italy,
where it thrives, perhaps, better than in Ame-
rica. A few weeks ago I saw a grand ex-
ample of it in the Pincian Gardens at Rome
running over a Robinia, and it could- not
have been less than 50 feet high, from which
height it sent down an avalanche of shoot?,
which in June would be wreathed in orange-
scarlet bloom. In Italy the plant finds its
native climate, a warm and moist early sum-
mer and a hot and dry autumn, which ripens
thoroughly the young growth. The other
hardy Tecoma, T. grandiflora, from Chiua,
thrives there with equal vigour, and so does
their red-flowered relative, Bignonia capreo-
lata, also from North America.

There was a description some time ago in
an American paper of the specimen herewith
illustrated. It says : — ■

Everybody that catches a glimpse of this climber
at midsummer stops to admire it. Its stem
is a foot in circumference at the ground, and forks
above first into two and further up into several
stems for 20 feet in height. It is supported by a
pole 19 feet in height and held to it by a chain,
and the pole is concealed by foliage. It is one of
our most familiar climbers, a thing of singular and
surpassing beauty.

The Trumpet Creeper makes a capital wall
covering, as it clings like Ivy until it reaches
the top, when, like the old white Jasmine, it
forms an umbrageous head of shoots, which
after a hot and dry summer flower well.

As a choice wall plant, however, the variety
sanguinea should be given the preference, it
being much superior to the ordinary form in
point of colour, and it, moreover, flowers
much earlier than the type. In most nursery
catalogues this deep-coloured variety is named

sanguinea, but in some others it is called atro-
sanguinea, sanguinea precox, and coccinea
These names all stand for the best variety,
which is always priced higher. Loudon men-
tions a variety called major, which he describes
as having larger flowers of a paler scarlet than
the type, but this, I believe, is the same form
as that known as sanguinea. T. grandiflora
is not so hardy as T. radicans, and should
always be planted against a south wall. It
flowers about the same time as the other, but
its blossoms are much larger and of a brighter
colour. W. Goldring.

Trie red trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera
sempervirens minor). — Though more often seen as
a greenhouse climber than in the open air, yet this
beautiful Honeysuckle will succeed upon a wall in
a sunny spot in the majority of gardens. With us

The Trumpet Creeper (Tecoma radicaus) in a tree form.
Engravedfor The GARBENfromaphotographsentby
Mr. E. S. Carmen. Editor of Rural New Yorker.

it grows almost as freely as the Dutch Honeysuckle,
and blooms much more profusely and continuously,
wreathing a low wall with its rambling shoots and
lighting it up with a warm glow of colour, its abun-
dant clusters of orange-red flowers being of a shade
quite unique among Honeysuckles. It flowers upon
the current season's growth ; first the shoot is ter-
minated with a cluster of blossom, then laterals
shoot out and flower, and these, at least the
strongest of them, branch and bloom again. Thus
continually growing and flowering, an unbroken
succession of flowers is kept up from June till
October, and this prolonged season of bloom
amply atones for the want of fragrance. Some
of the Honeysuckles flower and look best when
the knife is not much used among them, but
with this species a good amount of pruning can be
done in winter, laying in all the best and strongest

shoots, as the object is to secure an amount of fresh
growth annually, and the quantity produced in a
short season is ample to outgrow all traces of
formality consequent upon close tying after prun-
ing.— A. H.

THE ROSE ACACIA.

(KOBINIA HISPIDA.)

Foe brightness and beauty during the early sum-
mer months nothing amongst hardy trees can sur-
pass the pink or rose-coloured Acacia. Speaking
broadly, deep pinkish-tinged flowering trees and
shrubs are few and far between ; at any rate every-
one wishes for this particular colour both on the
lawn and in the shrubbery. When the flowers of
the pink Hawthorn and deeper tinted Horse Chest-
nut are waning this beautiful Acacia bursts upon
us in full glory, and quite fills the place of these
honoured members of almost every park and lawn.
That the Rose Acacia is one of our most conspicu-
ous and beautiful shrubs or small growing trees
will readily be admitted by anyone who has seen
a goodly-sized specimen when laden with fully de-
veloped flowers in one of the Southern English
count ie?, for there alone in this country does it
flower to perfection. Sufficiently distinct to be
noticed at a stone's throw away is the small-leaved
and more brightly flowered form known as micro-
phylla. Perhaps it is that the smaller leaves show
up the deep pinky flowers to better perfection than
is possible in the normal tree, but notwithstanding
it is certainly a rich adjunct to our long list of
pretty Acacias. In what soil and under what par-
ticular conditions the Acacias do best with us I
know not, for here at least they seem to grow well
everywhere— near the chalk, on thin loam resting
on deep gravel, and in poor stony soil where only
a few wayside weeds could exist for any length of
time. To venture an opinion, I might say that
where the subsoil is gravelly or sandy there the
Acacias grow well and flower freely, but that the
milder climate of South England has much to do
with its successful culture I cannot doubt.

The Rose Acacia is not, when compared with
many others, a neglected tree, for Kentish people
at least have been alive to its value and planted
it in fair numbers. It stands a smoky atmosphere
well,andforthis reason it is largely used in suburban
districts, not exclusively, however, for some of the
prettiest specimens I have seen are not far from
Seven Dials. Where space is confined this Acacia
is a valuable small-growing tree, and it associates
well with almost every other occupant of the place
in which it is planted. Robinia hispida is nearly
allied and not infrequently confounded with R.
viscosa, but it may be readily distinguished by its
dwarfer habit, and by having the branchlets and
leaf -twigs beset with fine hairs or bristles instead of
a clammy sticky feeling that is so characteristic of
the latter. If anything, the flowers of viscosa are
inferior to those of R. hispida, while those of hispida
are not only larger individually, but in long loose
racemes. Either is a plant of great beauty and
cannot well be left out from the park or shrub-
bery. As well as microphylla, there are at least
two more distinct forms of the Rose Acacia. One
called rosea well deserves the name, for its flowers
are of a deep rosy tint and last well on the tree ;
another pigmy form is named nana, but it is more
curious than beautiful.

Generally the Acacias commence flowering to-
wards the end of May or in the first week of June,
and continue in good form for three weeks or a
month. By having several species and varieties
the flowering period maybe much prolonged. Aca-
cias are readily propagated by layers, numbers of
young plants springing up at varying distances
from the parent trees. Than the three Acacias, R.
hispida, R. viscosa, and the well-known R. pseud-
acacia, no more ornamental or useful trees have
come to us from North America. A. D. W.

The Locust tree.—" D. W." (p. 10, Gaeden,
July 5) writes a paragraph on the Locust tree.
May I be allowed to add a further testimony to its
merits by mentioning another useful quality that it

52

THE GARDEN.

[July 19, 1890.

possesses, and which I discovered by chance. Some
years ago I planted one at the side of a small field,
let afterwards as accommodation pasture to the
butcher of the place, and consequently continually
grazed by all sorts of cattle. But the Acacia tree
has never been barked, neither has it suffered in
any way from them, although it has stood there
entirely without guard or protection of any sort. —
M. R , Liphooh.

THE ALMOND TREE.

(AMYGDALU8 COMMUNIS.)

Br a suburban road, and occasionally in the very
heart of the crowded city, one may now and then
catch a glimpse of beauty in the flowering of the
Almond, but that it is a neglected tree in
the park goes without the saying. Dotted here and
there around several of the tree clumps in the
park at Holwood and interspersed with pink Haw-
thorns, Brooms, and other early-flowering shrubby
trees, are some fine examples of how well fitted for
spring effect and woodland decoration is this pretty
deciduous, small-growing tree. Persistent in flower-
ing from year to year, and that, too, at a time when
treacherous frosts come upon us unawares, this
Almond, but particularly the larger and brighter
flowered kind (A. communis macrocarpa), quite
lights up the woodland boundary with its plenti-
fully produced pink flowers. Then it is hardy as a
Crab or Black Thorn.

Here it grows well in a stiff and rather cold yellow
loam, and in some instances amongst stiff plastic
clay, and where but a limited number of even our
native trees could eke out an existence. Given
good free loam and a sunny spot, the plant is no
doubt much improved, but that it will flourish and
do well under more adverse circumstances I am
quite prepared to prove. Being of slow growth and
usually not over 1 4 feet in height, this Almond is suit-
able for planting where space is limited, such as in
cottage gardens and on small lawns, where taller-
growing trees would be out of place. It is a neat
tree too, the branches being usually pretty uni-
formly arranged, and thickly clad with bright green
foliage that is not easily affected either by a smoky
atmosphere or ill-timed east winds.

Of the several forms of the Almond, none in my
opinion can equal the large-fruited macrocarpa,
the flowers of which are sometimes as much as
3 inches in diameter, and of a pleasing pale pink.
It flowers earlier than the parent tree, and is of far
more vigorous growth. There is a variegated va-
riety, too, but it is not always of good appear-
ance, though when well grown it may be tolerated.
Many ways of planting the Almonds might be
suggested, but I think that they are peculiarly
suitable for massing or using in small clumps of
three, five, or seven, or planted singly around the
margins of woods and shrubberies. The former
way, when ground is procurable, is to be recom-
mended, for few small growing trees have a
brighter appearance in early spring than a well
placed and well arranged clump of Almonds. In
planting this autumn it is well to bear in mind
that there is such a tree as the Almond.

A. D. W

Styrax grandifolium. — About two years ago
Mr. T. Smith, of Newry, sent me a shrub for trial as
to hardiness, which he said you had received from the
American nurseryman Saul, under the name of Elliot-
tia racemosa, and sent on to him for trial. I soon saw
it. could not be rightly named, as Elliottia racemosa is
an Evergreen and this was deciduous. It has now
bloomed and turns out to he Styrax grandifolium of
Aiton, figured by Loddiges on plate 1010 of his "Bo-
tanical Cabinet." It is a pretty and rather sweet-
Bcented shrub with pure white flowers and yellow sta-
mens. It seems perfectly hardy. — W. E. Gumbleton,
Belt/rove, Qneenstown.

Golden-leaved Acacia. — To the .varieties of
the False Acacia, recently mentioned in The Gar-
den, should be added the golden-leaved form, as it
is now one of the most attractive of trees, and will
continue so till the leaves are cut off by frost. Its
foliage does not become green as the season ad-

vances, neither does it get scorched by the hot suns
of July or August ; indeed then it gets deeper. In
common with all trees of a very pronounced charac-
ter this must not be overdone, as a too constant
repetition will rob the golden-leaved Acacia of its
charms, and the planter has such a wealth of beauty
to select from, that this error can be easily avoided.
Such mistakes are, however, of frequent occurrence,
one of the greatest sufferers in this respect being
the variegated Negundo, which is far too often re-
peated. The golden-leaved Acacia against a back-
ground of dark-leaved trees or shrubs is very strik-
ing.-T.

THE FORSYTHIAS.

Referring to the article on Forsythias in The
Garden, June 28 (p. 598), and particularly with
regard to the statement that there is practically
no difference between F. Fortunei and F. sus-
pensa, I send you three shoots representing F.
suspensa, F. Fortunei, and F. viridissima, as
we have them named here. F. suspensa is a
trailing, rambling, weak-shooted shrub, unable
to rise without support. You will note the
much greater strength of the shoot of F. For-
tunei, or what I believe to be that variety.
Our specimen is 6 feet high on a single stem,
branching into three main stems, of erect
growth in the centre, side branches gracefully
curving downwards, but nowhere coming near
the ground. It is also more often trifoliate
than F. suspensa. We had no prettier shrub
this spring than the variety in question, the
shoots being wreathed with golden bloom, and
if it is not F. Fortunei, I should be very glad
to have it correctly named. We have discarded
F. viridissima owing to its shyness of flowering.
— Rho, Edgedale, Peel Causeway, Cheshire.

*il* The shoots sent are cut from Forsythia
viridissima and F. suspensa ; of the two shoots
of the latter species, one is from a weakly grow-
ing form, the other from a vigorous form. Bo-
tanically there is no difference between the
typical F. suspensa and the vigorous growing
form known in nurseries under the names of
F. Fortunei and Sieboldi. Since I received the
above note I have taken some pains to verify
the statement I made on the Forsythias both
in the Kew herbarium with the dried specimens
and in the garden among the plants. In the
herbarium the name even of F. Fortunei does
not occur, though there is a great diversity of
character among the specimens, some being
slender shoots with small finely-toothed leaves,
others large shoots with broad and coarsely-
toothed foliage, and between these extremes
there is every gradation, but all are labelled F.
suspensa. In the growing examples in the
arboretum one sees the same variation, from
the vigorous specimens that rise without sup-
ports to the forms that have shoots so slender,
that they trail along the ground. It can-
not be denied, therefore, that there is a form
of F. suspensa characterised by very vigorous
growth, which is propagated in nurseries and
sold under the names of F. Fortunei and F.
Sieboldi, but when one finds every degree of
vigour between it and the slenderest form, one
doubts the propriety of giving it a distinctive
name, particularly a name that would lead one
to suppose it to be specifically distinct. How-
ever, if nurserymen continue to distinguish this
extremely vigorous form, it may be convenient
to retain the name Fortunei by which to recog-
nise it from the slender form, especially now
that the name has taken root in gardens. Why
the names Fortunei and Sieboldi have become
so common is because nurserymen only pro-
pagate the slender form to represent F. sus-
pensa, and the robust form to represent F.
Fortunei. If they grew the intermediate forms

they would want more names, and would per-
haps have a difficulty to sort the plants of the
different forms if they became mixed. Your
correspondent does not say if he has observed
any other distinct characters, or that the flowers
are different or are produced earlier or later. I
am glad he has drawn attention to the subject,
and I hope he will note any other point that I
may have overlooked. He may have observed
that some plants of Forsythia bear flowers
having short styles, others having long styles,
just as occurs in the common Primrose and
other plants. It was thought at one time that
this peculiarity would constitute a difference
between F. suspensa and the so-called F. For-
tunei, but the long and short styled flowers
occur in all the forms. The character of the
lobing of the leaves varies also in individual
plants, so that it cannot be relied upon. I see
that some of the Continental nurserymen cata-
logue F. Fortunei at a higher price than sus-
pensa, and no doubt as a lawn shrub it is supe-
rior to the slender form, while the latter is
more suitable for walls and the rock garden or
rootery. — W. Goldring, Kew.

THOMPSON'S MAGNOLIA.

(M. GLAUCA TH0MP30NIANA.)

The small Laurel Magnolia, as M. glauca is
called in North America, is one of the few trees in
flower at the present time, and in many an old
garden and tree nursery it is giving off from its
cup-like blossoms a fragrance as strong and as
pleasant as that of a Tea-scented Rose. Very much
like it in growth and aspect is the far rarer M.
Thompsoniana, also a very old inhabitant of our
gardens, and which also is in bloom at the present
time. At one time it was supposed to be a hybrid
variety obtained by intercrossing M. glauca and M.
tripetala, a large-leaved species. From the fact
that M. Thompsoniana is intermediate in character
between the two alleged parents, having much
longer, broader, and thinner leaves than M. glauca
and larger flowers, there were, no doubt, good
grounds for supposing it to be a hybrid, but when
one examines herbaria specimens and sees such a
wide range of character in M. glauca, from small to
large-leaved forms, one is inclined to regard
Thompson's as one of the numerous forms of a
variable tree. It was first brought into notice
many years ago by Mr. Thompson, who had a nur-
sery at Mile End, and subsequently other large-
leaved forms appeared, which were also looked
upon as hybrids. Gray and other North American
botanists note the variation in the size of the
leaves and flowers, as well as in the size of
the tree in its native habitat, and it is'
quite possible that similar variation from the ty-
pical form would occur in seedlings. The origin ,
and identity, however, are matters more for the
botanist. We as gardeners prize it as one of the most
beautiful trees on our open lawns, and I should like
to see it more often planted in new gardens. But
it is apparent to everyone who knows what the
wealth of our exotic tree flora is that it is very
seldom indeed that an out-of-the-common tree is
planted, and even the other Magnolias, M. cordata,
acuminata, and their relative the Tulip tree, com-
mon as they are in the best tree nurseries, are
seldom planted in gardens, public or private. The
hardy sweet-scented Magnolias (M. glauca and its
varieties) being trees of small size and stature are
suitable for even small lawns, and if some attention
is given to pruning them, they will grow into
shapely specimens which for several weeks during
summer will produce a continuous crop of blossoms,
while in winter their foliage is almost evergreen.
The flowers of M. glauca are cup-shaped, about
the size of a duck's egg, and the petals are of ivory
whiteness. Those of Thompson's variety have
longer and narrower petals, not so white, but quite
as powerfully scented.

Another variety called longifolia is similar. They
flourish well in a light, moist soil, such as sandy

July 19, 1890.]

THE GAEDEK

53

loam or peat, but perpetual moisture is necessary.
The olilest trees I have seen were from 10 feet to
15 feet high. W. G. Q.

The cut-leaved Alder lAlnus glutinosa la-
ciniatal.— There is a splendid specimen of this in the
garden here, I imagine about eighty years old. At 4
feet from the ground the girth is 9 feet 3 inches. It
grows in heavy soil close to a pond. The great snowstorm
of Christmas, 1886, knocked it about terribly, yet after
this it grew with much more vigour and seemed to have
taken a fresh lease of life. — W. WlCKHAM, Hants.

"Weigelas in shade and under drip.— At
p. 591 of The Garden, June 28, it is observed that
Weigelas " are seldom well treated in gardens." How-
ever, sometimes they take care of themselves well in
a grove. I have found one of the varieties of W.
rosea— sent to me under the name of Grcenswegi—
growing and flowering luxuriantly under a weeping
Elm, and, curiously enough, it blooms more freely on
the side of the bush most under the shade and drip
of surrounding shrubs.— M. R., Liphook.

Magnolia tripetala.— Mr. Webster's praise of
the Magnolia tripetala is well deserved. The one weak
point is, as he notices, the dying off of the old trunks.
With me it generally remains in flower for fully three
months. In some years I have had a blossom before
the end of May and a last one in September. With
regard to soil, mine grows well on a heavy one, and it
is fully exposed to the sun, but I am inclined to think
that abundant moisture is essential. — W. WlCKHAM,
Binsted Wyck, Hants.

Chrysanthemums.

THE QUEEN OF AUTUMN: OR, CHRYSAN-
THEMUM SEEDS AND SEEDING.*
At a meeting of the Floral Committee of this
society held on April 1, 1884, a very interesting
specimen of Berberis japonica was exhibited. It
appeared that the specimen, a flowering shoot, had
been cut from and placed in a vessel of water,
where it continued to expand its flowers for several
weeks, and eventually ripened a number of berries
which, when examined carefully, were found to
contain perfect seeds. This was considered more
remarkable seeing that this shrub, although flower-
ing freely, rarely produces ripe seeds. Now comes
the interesting part of the story. In connection
with this fact Mr. Alfred Salter informed the com-
mittee that nearly all the Chrysanthemum seed
from which he and his father, Mr. John Salter,
raised the many varieties of Chrysanthemums for
which they became famous was ripened by them on
carefully crossed flower heads cut from the plants
and placed in jars of water, where they often took
three months to ripen their seed, but that in almost
every instance they did ripen it perfectly and
thoroughly, a circumstance which could not be de-
pended on if the flower-heads were left on the
plants, where they usually damped off without
ripening any seeds (" W. E. G." in The Gakden,
vol. v., p. 301). I have written to Mr. Alfred Salter,
who kindly replied corroborating in the main the
facts as above given. " It is quite true," he writes,
" that I ripened seed from gathered flowers at Ver-
sailles Nursery, Hammersmith, W. They were
Japanese varieties, and it was done in the follow-
ing manner. It had been a warm autumn, and
some varieties had flowered early. The flower-
heads of these were taken off with about 6 inches
of stem attached, and were then placed in bottles
of water on a shelf in a warm house, where they
remained for nearly two months, and I was re-
warded by a nice lot of plump seed, one of which
produced the weU-known James Salter.''

It seems probable that the first seedlings were
raised in England a year or two later than in
France. Salter, at p. 9 of " The Chrysanthemum,"
tells us that "in 1830 seed was first saved in the
south of France." Chevalier Bernet, of Toulouse,
has generally been credited as having been the first
raiser of seedling Chrysanthemums in Europe in (?)
1826 ; but if he really was the first in the field with

* Paper read by Mr. F. W. Burbidge, F.R.H.S.,
F.L.S., &c, Curator of the University (Trinity Col-
lege) Botanical Gardens, Dublin, at the Chrysanthe-
mum Conference at Chiswick, Nov. 6, 1889.

bond tide seedlings, he must have been very closely
followed by Mr. Isaac Wheeler, gardener at Mag-
dalen Hall (now Hertford College), Oxford, who is
also said to have reared seedlings from home-saved
seed in 1830, or in the following year. Mr. Haworth
tells us in his " New Arrangement of the double-
flowered Chrysanthemum," published in 1833, that
Mr. Wheeler's seedlings were chiefly obtained from
the Early Blush, the Early Crimson, the two-
coloured Red, all originally imported from China.
His eldest son, Mr. Rowland Wheeler, tells me that
he was too young at the time to know anything of
his father's process ; but what he does remember is
" the fact of his having dried the various flowers in
order to procure the seed." I want you to notice
this fact of the seed-bearing flowers having been
dried — a point of importance to which I shall again
return.

On December 2, 1832, Mr. Wheeler is said to
have exhibited some of his seedlings in London
before the society, and it is recorded that he re-
ceived a silver Banksian medal for them as being
the earliest seedling Chrysanthemums raised in
England.

Mr. Wheeler's success was very soon followed by
at least two Chrysanthemum growers in Norfolk,
about the year 1835, when Mr. Short and Mr. Free-
stone reared some fine incurved kinds. Norfolk
Hero, Nonpareil, and Prince of Wales (of Free-
stone, not of Davis!) were amongst the pioneers.
This last-named variety was, as Mr. Alfred Salter
informs me, a very remarkable two-coloured, or red
and yellow flower, that would be highly esteemed
to-day were it not lost to cultivation.

France.— In 1838 the late Mr. John Salter
settled as a nurseryman at Versailles, and, finding
the climate suirable, he imported many of the best
kinds as then grown in England, and set himself
about their further improvement. Seedlings began
to be reared at Versailles in 1843, and, at a later
date, others appeared at the Versailles Nursery at
Hammersmith, W., and one of my pleasantest
memories as a gardener is of a visit I made in 1868
to that classical ground, where I saw Mr. Salter
himself, and heard him discourse on the best new
Chrysanthemums of that year. Mr. Salter may
fairly be called the "Father of the Chrysanthe-
mum " in England, since he not only raised many
fine varieties himself, but he bought up the finest
and best of the seedlings of his time, as then raised
by Webb, Smith, Clark, Davis, Pethers, and others
in the Channel Islands, where the tradition still
lingers that neither Mr. Salter nor Mr. Bird of
Stoke Newington would look at any seedlings ex-
cept incurved, or now and then a superior new
pompon.

The following is a list of Chrysanthemums ac-
tually raised from seed by the late Mr. John
Salter, or by his son, Mr. Alfred Salter, who is,
happily, still spared to us as an enthusiastic ama-
teur, and as a distinguished raiser of seedlings of
our popular flower : —

Jenny Liud
John'Bunyan (1862)
*John Salter (1866)
Ka?mpfer (A. Salter)
King of Anemones (1S5")
*Lady Talfourd (1S6D
*Mme. Poggi (1844)

* Annie Salter (1844)
*Alfred Salter (1856)

Adrastus

Andromeda

Arthur Wortley

Chang
*Cloth of Gold (1850)

Comet

Countess Granville

Cossack (A. Salter)
*C'rimson King, or King
of the Crimsons (184")

Daimio

Diamant of Versailles

Duchess of Edinburgh

Emperor of China

Fleur de Marie (1846) ■

Garnet

Golden Hermione
*Golden Queen of Eng-
land (1859)
*James Salter (1869)

Jane Salter

* Perhaps those marked with an asterisk are Mr.
John Salter's best seedlings.

The way Mr. Salter managed his seed-bearing

Marquis of Lome (A. Sal-
ter)

Meg Merrilies (1871)

Nancy de Sermet

Purple King
*Queeu of England (1849)

Queen of the Isles (1860)

Rex Rubrorum (A. Sal-
ter)

Scarlet Gem (1S5D

Snowball (1862)

Tisiphone (single red) (A.

Salter)
*Venus (1865)
*Versailles Defiance (1852)

plants at Versailles was to plant the early kinds at
the foot of a south wall, and in the autumn a
coping of glass was placed just above the flowers
to keep the blossoms dry. They were also pro-
tected in front by a blind or other shelter during
severe frost. The seed takes a longtime to mature,
and was seldom ready for gathering before Febru-
ary or March. Seed-saving was found by Mr.
Salter to be a more difficult matter in England,
particularly with the incurved varieties, the rains
and, worse still, the London fogs of November,
rendering it nearly impossible, so that one might
almost be tempted to say that the seed gained
was not worth the trouble. The only way
found successful was to grow the plants quite
naturally in 4£-inch pots, and to flower them as
early as possible, keeping the flowers quite dry, but
in the open air, in a warm sheltered situation,
until the flowers were quite over, after which they
were placed in a warm greenhouse, with a free
current of air passing through it, and the result was
a little seed.

Channel Islands.— Mr. Charles Smith, of
Guernsey, who has raised some of the very best of
incurved varieties, tells me that he grew his seed-
bearing plants, and saved the seed, in the open air,
against sunny walls. One season he raised 3000
seedlings, out of which some sixty or so were sold
to Mr. Salter and to Mr. Bird, of Stoke Newington.
Mr. Smith says a warm, sheltered, high and dry
garden are the necessary conditions for securing
seeds, a result very difficult to attain in low, damp,
and foggy localities.

One feature insisted on by Mr. Smith, who reared
incurved and pompon varieties only, is that the
seedlings from the same seed-head yield flowers of
all colours, and he feels convinced that many of
the Guernsey seedlings of twenty or thirty years
ago, and then discarded as not fulfilling the condi-
tions required, would, if they existed now, be
placed in the so-called Japanese section. In those
days they failed to " fiU the bill " of the florist's
ideal, and were thrown away as " rags."

A very celebrated amateur cultivator in Guern-
sey, to whom I wrote concerning the rearing of
seedlings, kindly replied as follows : " As to saving
seeds, we always try to do so every season, but in
damp autumns it is most difficult. We have no
secrets about the subject, merely choosing the
finest kinds and placing them near to each other
so as to secure cross-fertilisation by means of the
flies. We then very carefully dry the heads of
seeds, sowing them as soon as ripe, and blooming
them the same autumn. All our seed is now saved
in a dry, warm, and airy greenhouse, but we have
had a splendid harvest during dry seasons from
plants outside on a wall covered by a glass coping
and protected by a blind in wet cold weather."

Very few growers in Guernsey now save seeds as
compared with those of twenty or thirty years ago,
when incurved varieties or pompons only were all
the rage. Major Carey's gardener (M. N. Priaulx),
however, still harvests seeds, as I am told, under
glass. Major Carey, to whom I wrote in 1885, very
kindly gave me the following list of varieties, as
raised by himself to that date: —
Beaumont Ethel

Belle of Japan Sarnia

Yokohama Orange , Bijou of Guernsey
Diamond j Peter the Great

Sir Isaac Brock • The Czar

Emperor Nicholas \ Hackney Holmes
Red Gauntlet j Victoria

The Khedive ' Mrs. Charles Carey

Another notable raiser in Guernsey is Mr. James
Downton (gardener to Mr. Saumarez Carey, of
The Grange), who will long be remembered as the
raiser of that " snowy-breasted pearl," Elaine, and
her scarcely less popular foster-sister, Fair Maid of
Guernsey. As I have shown, James Salter was
raised by Mr. Alfred Salter, from cut flower-heads
in water, in 1869, and it is interesting to know that
this variety bore the seed from which these twin
varieties were raised. Mr. Downton, at my request,
was good enough to tell me the history of the
birth of Elaine, and no words of mine could tell the
story better.

" About seventeen or eighteen years ago," says

54

THE GARDEN.

[July 19, 1890.

Mr. Downton, " I sent for a plant of James Salter,
a new Japanese variety, to grow for conservatory
decoration. I flowered it in a south house, and
having given up raising seed I thought no more
about it until one day my friend, Mr. C. Smith, the
raiser of so many fine kinds, went into the house
and noticed its dried and withered blooms, and set
me looking at the seed-heads, when I noticed for
the first time some seed. I sowed it the same
spring, producing Fair Maid of Guernsey and
Elaine. The plant of James Salter was the only
Japanese variety in the house, all the rest being
incurved and reflexed kinds. The Japanese varie-
ties were very little thought of a few years previous,
and I have known hundreds of single and half-
double flowers consigned to the rubbish-heap, which
were certainly superior by far to many of the kinds
now common."

Portugal. — In Portugal, where, as Consul Craw-
ford tells us, the Japanese varieties were introduced
and grown long before they were imported to Eng-
land, seed is produced with tolerable facility. An
amateur Chrysanthemum grower in Oporto kindly
tells me that James Salter, Fair Maid of Guern-
sey, and other so-called Japanese kinds produce
seed in his garden in the open air. He also cor-
roborates what Mr. Forsyth, of Stoke Newington
told us long ago in the Gardeners' Magazine (April
20, 1872), viz. : that the earliest and finest of the
flower-heads produce no seed, but that the poor and
and straggling pendulous flowers, which are borne
on weak axillary branches at the end of the season,
or in February or March, do so pretty plentifully if
kept dry. In Oporto cross-fertilisation is effected
by a small drone fly, and also by small beetles. In
America, also, where Dr. H. P. Walcott and Mr.
John Thorpe were the pioneers in saving seed, I am
told that the flies are found to be useful in crossing
the various seed-bearing varieties.

Southern France. — Of all modern seedling
raisers the place of honour must perforce be ac-
corded to M. Simon Delaux, of St. Martin du
Touch, prcs Toulouse. In 1864 he first obtained
some of the then new importations introduced by
Mr. Fortune from Japan in 1862, and in 1866 he
from these obtained his first crop of seed. During
1872 and 1873 he sold to M. Boucharlet several dis°
tinct seedlings, such as Gloire de Toulouse, Miron,
Ornament de la Nature, Soleil d'Or, Carnot, and
Mine. Delaux. No other raiser has been so success-
ful, and if he continues his labours of skilful cross-
fertilisation and selection, one can scarcely predict
the point where his triumphs may end. M. Delaux
has kindly informed me that he grows his seed-
bearing plants in pots in the open air, but removes
them into the houses on the approach of damp
weather in October, or into special structures
wherein the flowers can be kept perfectly dry, and
air admitted freely during fine weather. As will
have been gathered by references throughout this
paper, atmospheric drought is the essential factor
in seed-saving, and this is a point M. Delaux par-
ticularly emphasises in his letter to me.

compared with the best English seedlings reared
from Continental seed by Mr. Cannell (Avalanche),
Mr. J. Laing (Stanstead White), or Mr. Stevens, a
success that is most encouraging.
(To be continued.)

A Selection of the Chrysanthemum Seed

LINGS RAISED BY M. SlMON DELAUX.
Bouquet Fait
Fanuy Boucharlet
Fernaud Feral

Flamme de Punch

Hiver Fleuri

Japonais

L'lle des Plaisirs

Margot

M. Astorg

Mme. John Laiug

Mme. Bertier Eendatler

M. Tarin

Mr. W. Holmes

M. Gamier

Dr. Macary

M. John Laing

L'Adorable

Mme. do Seviu

M. Delaux issues every year a descriptive cata-
logue (illustrated) of his new seedlings, which, to-
gether with his general Chrysanthemum catalogue,
should be in the hands of all admirers of this
flower. Beautiful and distinct as some of the
Continental seedlings are, there can be no doubt
that the selection of varieties might have been
more rigid, seeing the weeding-out which purcha-
sers in this country have had to do for themselves
after paying high prices for delicate or worthless
novelties. The new seedling varieties of the past
two seasons were, generally speaking, below our
average standards of to-day, and are not to be

Chrysanthemum "W. G. Drover. — This
variety, mentioned in The Garden, July 5, 1890
(p. 14), is regarded as synonymous with Mrs. Frank
Thompson, and as it produces enormous blooms it
is no doubt the variety referred to in the paragraph
headed "A marvellous Chrysanthemum." This
custom of giving two or more names to one variety
prevails to such an extent as to be most confusing,
and it often leads to much unpleasantness, for it
is most provoking on flowering a supposed new
kind to find it is one grown previously under
another name. An illustration of this may be men-
tioned in the case of the Japanese variety William
Robinson (a rosy salmon sport from Bouquet Fait),
which was illustrated by a coloured plate in
The Garden, April 12, 1884. This was sent
out about then, and was followed after a lapse of
three or four years by Marchioness of Downshire,
now considered to be synonymous with it, while to
add to the confusion, Magicienne, sent out still later,
is at least by some growers considered the same,
and certainly varieties in which the difference
from those already in cultivation is so slight as to
afford subject for controversy are not needed. — H. P.
Single Chrysanthemums. — The varieties
Mrs. A. le Moult and Pure Gold, mentioned in The
Garden, July 5 (p. 14), are, as stated, of American
origin, but they must have been obtained previous
to 1885, as they were distributed throughout the
States in the spring of that year, and were in the
course of the summer in the hands of some of our
nurserymen. The raiser's name I am unable to
give, but of course they must at least have flowered
in the autumn of 1884. The year 1885 is remark-
able for the introduction of American Chrysan-
themums, which have been continually sent over
since that time. Together with those raised in
this country and in France, it is quite impossible
to satisfactorily try the whole of them. Among
those sent here from America in 1885 may be
mentioned a few that are now largely grown.
Perhaps the finest of all is gloriosum, now so
popular, while bicolor, delicatum, Hon. John Welsh,
Snowstorm, Syringa, Mrs. C. W. Wheeler, Moonlight,
and Golden Prince are well known among the Japan-
ese varieties, and Mrs. J. R. Pitcher, which has
since then attracted a good deal of attention as an
early flowering variety, was also sent out in 1885.
The singles of that year sent from America were
Casino, Crimson and Gold, Helianthus, Hinsdale,
Imogen, Marigold, Mrs. A. le Moult, Pure Gold,
Sadie Martinot, and The Virgin. Several of the
above, however, were, with difficulty, to be obtained
in this country before the spring of 1886, as many
of the consignments of spring-struck plants reached
here in very bad condition, and it was not until
they had been exposed to the summer's sun, and
were therefore thoroughly hardened, that they
made the journey across the Atlantic in safety.
Generally speaking, we get them in better condi-
tion now, but whatever care is taken, a young suc-
culent plant runs a great risk whilst so long con-
fined. If starved in a small pot and thoroughly
esposed to sun and air they then make the journey
easily enough. — H. P.

and houses, he had not missed a single bloom, nor
discovered a broken plant.

Now, after such a fact as this, how can those
who are always in the midst of horticultural trea-
sures keep those treasures to themselves ? This
is a thing which only wants pointing out. There
are very few who would not enjoy a walk through
a well-kept garden, or a few minutes in a nic«ly
arranged greenhouse or conservatory.

I know there are parks and public gardens
which are nearly always open, but poor people
cannot always find time and money to get to
them, and it is the poor and middle-class people who
most appreciate a walk through a private garden.

I look forward with pleasure to the (I hope not
very distant) time when there will be a recognised
system with all people who live in and near large
towns and have pretty gardens, to open them oc-
casionally during the summer months on certain
days, for no one knows except the working classes
what a boon it is, and how healthful to both
body and mind to walk amongst and admire pretty
garden scenes, and to breathe the sweet odours of
a garden, after the disagreeable and often injurious
smells of a woikroom. Donto.

OPENING OF PRIVATE GARDENS.
The act of throwing open private gardens occa-
sionally is becoming more common every year,
and correspondingly more appreciated. As an
illustration, close by where I live there is a num-
ber of goodly houses, and most of them have, I
cannot say large, but very pretty and well-kept gar-
dens, and some have in addition a fair amount
of glass. Several of these gardens and glasshouses
are opened to the public occasionally on Sunday
afternoons and evenings during summer. A gar-
dener connected with one of these establishments
told me that no less than 1400 people visited
his place one day alone, and notwithstanding so
large a number being in and about the grounds

Flower Garden.

MULLEINS.

(V E R B A S C U M S . )

Some of these arc very striking, and though
mostly of biennial duration they have a value
in gardens which can hardly be overlooked.
Especially is this the case where there are large
beds or borders that need furnishing with vege-
tation of a stately character. Another great
recommendation these Mulleins have is the
readiness with which they grow in soil of the
lightest and poorest character, although, of
course, they do not attain to quite such noble
proportions. Still, upon a loose sandy bank, a site
that many would have condemned as useless for
plant growing, we have fine' specimens of Mul-
leins associated with Foxgloves, Evening Prim-
roses, <fcc.

Verbascum phlomoides is the best of all the
Mulleins. It varies in height from 5 feet to 9 feet
according to the richness of soil, but in either case it
flowers equally as freely and lasts as long. The
buds are in clusters upon its tall spike and open
successionally, but not as the Foxglove does ; the
lowermost buds in each cluster are the first to
open, and their expansion goes on all up the spike.
Then there are secondary buds opening similarly
from the base upwards, and after these come other
buds, so that one plant continues producing flowers
over a prolonged period, lasting in beauty nearly
the whole season through. Numerous flowering
side shoots are produced from the base of the main
spike, especially upon plants isolated in rich soil.
The abundance of large woolly leaves forms almost
as pleasing a feature as the flowers.

V. olympicum (illustrations of which are here
given) is similar in stature, more handsome in foli-
age, but smaller and not so long-lasting in flower.
It is not so generally useful, as it cannot always be
relied upon to flower the second year from sowing,
sometimes waiting till the third or even the fourth
year. When it does flower it is striking and hand-
some, and one feels well repaid. Moreover,
until the time of flowering comes it is very
conspicuous by reason of its huge rosette-like tufts
of long broad leaves, which are densely covered
with a woolly tomentum, giving the whole plant
a grey colour. The best plants of this Mullein I
have seen were grown against the foot of a wall,
which seemed to afford during winter a little need-
ful shelter to the tufts of great leaves. In such a
position I am now growing some plants, and
though raised last year they will not flower this
year.

V. Chaixi or V. veenale is a magnificent kind,
and valuable because perennial on light warm soils.

July 19, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

55

It is not a common plant, but is worthy of ex-
tended cultivation. A fine group of it in Mr.
Thompson's garden at Ipswich is a striking feature
in early summer. It has handsome, large green
leaves, which quite early in the year shoot out and
look effective, but the flower-spikes are marvellous
both for their height and the amazing prof useness
of bloom upon them. The flowers are yellow,
rather small, but very closely set and pretty, as the
yellow colour of the petals is contrasted with the
anthers which are thickly covered with purple hairs.
Such a fine species as this is fit to adorn any border.

V. PHCEXICEUM is a distinct and pretty species,
and quite dwarf in comparison with the giants
of this family. It has the merit of earliness,
being the first to flower. It rarely exceeds 4 feet
in height, and consequently can be grown in many
positions where the other kinds would be quite in-
admissible. Upon light warm soils it sometimes
proves perennial, but treated as a biennial it
does perfectly well, and good results are assured.
Moreover, whilst yellow is the prevailing colour
among other members of the family, in this
species it is quite absent, but, on the other hand, a
charming variety of hues characterises it. There
are purples and violets, reds in novel shades, some
distinct and pleasing, the majority otherwise, but
the soft shades of lilac and rose and pale flesh- white
are of delicate beauty.

These are the best of cultivated kinds, but
even among the native forma there is much
beauty, and those who wish to make a feature
of this particular family could hardly afford to
ignore them. These native kinds are most
useful for, and would look better naturalised
in, the rougher parts of a garden where the
garden kinds were freely grown. With us they
abound, so there is no need for it. Upon the
banks of an old chalk pit in the park they are
flowering in profusion. V. nigrum is especially
plentiful and pretty. It may be likened in
every way to v. vernale of gardens, the only
point of difference being its diminished stature.

Associated with it are V. Thapsus and V.
pulverulentum, both tall growing kinds with
white woolly leaves, the first-named producing
simple spikes of yellow flowers, and the last
named panicled spikes with flowers of similar
colour, but smaller. V. Lychnitis, too, is a
pretty pure white native kind, not generally
common, yet sometimes met with in quantity
upon chalky banks in Kent and Sussex, or
upon the margins of woods, where it mingles
with the rough and scattered tufts of Grass,
flowering long and freely. The Moth Mullein
(V. Blattaria) is a rather rare native kind, with
thinly arranged, small yellow flowers. It lasts
longer than any other kind, its season extending
from July till November. V. virgatum, a
rather rare native kind which inhabits banks,
has large yellow flowers arranged in clusters
above a leafy bract, like the arrangement upon
the spikes of V. phlomoides.

All the kinds enumerated have an interest
and beauty, and those who wish to grow them
cannot do better than obtain seed and sow it at
once in an open sunny border. If sown thinly,
there will be no need to prick the young seedlings
out, but they may remain till autumn, and then
be transplanted into the positions they are to
adorn. Those who have bare shrubberies
might adorn them with these Mulleins in
broad groups and masses. They would associate
well with the shrubs, and probably seed and
become established. A. H.

Scabious. — Just now very common in corn-
fields and hedgerows is found the pretty mauve-
coloured flower of Scabious arvensis, and hardly a
child's nosegay of wild flowers is seen at shows
without some blooms of this variety being seen in
it. We have in our garden forms a similar
colour, but brighter and wedded to much finer

flowers ; indeed those of any good garden Scabious
are thrice the size of those of the field variety.
The prettiest colours, and there are several, are
pure white, mauve, carmine, and crimson, the latter
a very fine hue of colour and singularly striking
when the flowers are fully expanded. The white is
a valuable variety for furnishing cut flowers, and
plants blooming in pots in a little warmth early in
the spring give those of great purity and useful-
ness. Being borne on long single stems and of a
solid, enduring nature, Scabious flowers are far
more useful than is usually considered. Last year
a neighbour drew my attention to some plants he
had blooming some 12 inches high as a very dwarf
strain. The dwarf ness, however, seemed to be
chiefly due to the fact that the plants had been
left rather thickly in the seed bed. I selected
four plants of the colours mentioned above, lifted,
shortened them back, and planted them out in
a garden border. They are now densely flowered
clusters some 20 inches in height and as much
through, and present very attractive features.
It seems obvious that to ensure even quantities of
colour, seeds should be saved distinct, that it may

Flowering plant of the Olympian Mullein (Verbascum
olympicum).

be mixed later, provided, of course, that it comes
true to colour. On that point at present I cannot
give any experience. There may be other hues of an
equally attractive kind in the Scabious which I
have not seen, but a few distinct and good are
better than many, which often are undecided or
confusing. — A. D.

Herbaceous plants in flower. — Herbaceous
borders are very gay this year. The plants were not
affected, like the summer bedders, by the spell of
cold weather we experienced during the latter part of
May ; they have derived great benefit from the rains,
the foliage is luxuriant, and the flowers abundant
and well sustained. In the blue shades of colour
we are now cutting, Delphiniums, Aster alpinus,
Campanulas, Eryngium, Funkias, and some of the
Veronicas ; the red Everlasting Pea, Poppies, the
scarlet Lychnis, and the Eose Campion supply us
with this shade of colour ; Alstrcemerias and He-
merocallis give an abundance of yellow ; while such
things as Spirceas, white Campanulas, and Pyre-
thrums, the white Lathyrus, and Lilium candidum
are answerable, with others, for the supply of white.
I am glad to say the old Lily is looking better this
year ; the foliage is affected, but the flower-buds are
not injured, and we shall get a few very fair spikes.
The above short list is just taken at random from
the herbaceous border simply to represent the dif-

ferent shades of colour. A wonderful amount ot
cut bloom can be secured from a border of this de-
scription, and the plants can be grown in any gar-
den and, with few exceptions, by the most inexpe-
rienced in horticultural matters. Much has been
done of late to popularise these flowers amongst
cottagers, but with a view to extend their cultiva-
tion may I suggest the advisability of showing
them largely at all cottage-garden exhibitions,
putting them up in collections of one, two, or three
dozen as space and means allow. They could be
tastefully arranged, always devoting the jug or vase
to the one variety, and clearly labelled, giving the
botanical name, if that were considered necessary,
but certainly the simple name. Thus by all means:
give Everlasting Pea in preference to Lathyrus lati.
folius albus.— E. Bubbell, Claremont.

LAYERING CARNATIONS.
Moee Carnations are probably lost from neglect to
layer them at the proper time than from all other
causes put together. It is most important that a
fresh stock of all good garden Carnations be an-
nually obtained by the above process, as a young,
well-rooted layer planted early will stand severe
weather that would kill an old plant, whose gouty,
woody stems were lying upon the surface of the
soil exposed to all extremes of weather. Early
layering should be the rule, as the shoots put down
in July are by the end of August well rooted, and
can be planted out in September if desired, or left
upon the plants till later, as they will gain in
strength and take no harm. When layering is de-
ferred till August, and there are some who layer
much too late, the shoots do not root so readily or
in such quantity, for September is often charac-
terised by heavy rains, and wetness is not con-
ducive to the free-rooting of Carnation layers. If
the soil is friable and comparatively dry, little
water is needed after it is seen that the shoots are
recovering from the operation of cutting and peg-
ging down. Nor is there any need for the
mounds of soil which are often piled round Carna-
tions that have been layered. They root freely
in a fresh light compost, and if at layering
time the surface soil of the bed can be loosened
and is friable, only a little need be added,
and after the shoot is cut and pegged down
the merest covering suffices. I believe root
action commences much sooner than when an
inch or more of soil is placed upon the layer.
I have left some quite uncovered, though pegged
down very firmly, and they rooted well enough,
but of course it is hardly advisable to leave the
fresh cut fully exposed to the scorching sun.

It is not wise to attempt layering till the shoots
are of sufficient length, strength, and solidity, but
generally they will be found quite fit for layering
by the middle or end of July, when an effort
should be made to get them done as soon as
possible, for the loss of a week or two then may
have disastrous results later on if the autumn be
cold and wet. If, as advised, the operation was
only carried out earlier and expeditiously to give
the layers the full benefit of the warm summer
sun, plants would be strong, with great balls of
roots, and we should hear little about winter losses,
whether in the open air or in pots, for even when
potted up, a weakly ill-rooted shoot cannot be
expected to make a good plant, and it is just as
liable to perish as a similar plant in the open
ground.

A. H.

Lilies amongst shrubs.— There is no more
effective or pleasing way of growing Lilies than
amongst shrubs, and we refer particularly to the
types represented by Lilium auratum, L.speciosum,
and the varieties of L. umbellatum. In the Royal
Gardens, Kew, they are thus treated, and create
when in full bloom unquestionably the finest
feature of the place. The gloriously-coloured L.
auratum is planted freely amongst Rhododen-
drons, and the soil used for the shrubs just suits
the requirements of the Lilies, the young
growths of which are also sheltered in spring, when

56

THE GARDEN.

[July 19, 1890.

late frosts are apt to injure them. The effect of the
planting two together is very rich, the bold, freely-
spotted flowers of L. auratum showing up well, while
the growth of the shrubs hides the long bare stems
of the Lily. A fine effect also results from plant-
ing the dark-coloured L. umbellatum amongst deep
green-leaved shrubs, and this has been successfully
carried out at Kew. There are many ways of
obtaining beautiful effects, and certainly one is by
using the many kinds of Lilies differently to what
is common in gardens.

PINKS AT THE EOYAL AQUARIUM.
Small in extent and unpretentious in appearance
as was the display of Pinks held at the Westminster
Aquarium on the 27th ult., under the auspices of
the newly - formed Pink Society, yet it afforded
the liveliest satisfaction. The Pink is a compara-
tively neglected flower, especially here in the south.
The Pink might well have commanded the support
of the lovers and growers of Carnations, but it
blooms pretty well a month earlier, and therefore
its flowers will not be at their best when the Car-
nations are. In spite of the objections which are
offered to the multiplication of special floral socie-
ties, and the new Pink Society is one of the most
modest and unpretentious of all, yet it is best for
the Pink doubtless that its improvement and ex-'
pansion should be taken in hand by those who are
so deeply enamoured of the flower, because they
bring to the work enthusiasm, which has proved in
the past, and will yet in the future be a potent
force in the florist's work. If the florist's critics
could but realise the depth of love found in the
enthusiasts' bosoms, and how earnestly and un-
selfishly they work for the development of their
favourites in flowers, the criticisms would more
often be tempered by kindness, even when di-
vergences of opinion are of the strongest. Of
course, the laced, which is par excellence the
florist's Pink, was in the ascendant at the Aqua-
rium. There is a good deal of character in one of
the best of these laced flowers, if there be not much
variety in the general bulk. The grower gets to
know all his children easily, in spite of their
minute differences, and what to the ordinary on-
looker seems to be but one and the same because
more or less laced, is to the exhibitor a beautiful
variation. The trader who submits laced Pinks for
sale seems unable to provide for his flowers any
very diverse distinctness beyond names. One is
simply red, another deep red or dark red, another
is rosy red, rosy purple, or rose, and so on. the
diversity in the hues being so trifling. Still they
suffice to the grower, for varieties are after all
comparatively few, and even if doubt existed as to
the distinctness in markings between this and that
flower, habit of growth or grace or some other ex-
ternal feature determines the difference. After all,
laced, as all true florists' Pinks are, and great
as in consequence must be the likeness which runs
through the group, still we find sameness abundant
in the Rose, Dahlia, and many other flowers, the
distinctness to the general public being so fine as
to be undiscernible, whilst to the florist it is as
broad and clear as is the sun at noon-day.

It was not a matter for surprise that the lion's
share of the awards in laced Pinks fell to Mr.
Turner, because the Royal Nursery, Slough, has
long been the home of the Pink. Mr. Hooper, of
Bath, another excellent florist, followed close upon
Mr. Turner, and against these the few little ama-
teur florists who exhibited were nowhere. The
little men will now pluck up courage and do better
next time, that is certain. The continuance of
the show will stimulate them, the exhibition has
opened their eyes to the best and more robust va-
rieties, and we shall see every year finer average
quality from the little florists and extending ex-
hibits. In selecting a dozen of the best of the laced
forms from the stands, it was but natural the largest
number should come from Mr.Turner.whonadBoiard,
heavy laced with bright red ; Eurydice, rosy red ;
Harry Hooper, reddish purple; Minerva, dark red;
Modesty, reddish purple; Bertram, broad red
lacing ; Hebe, rosy-red ; Device, red ; The Rector,
heavy red ; and Empress of India, the premier

flower of the show, dark red. Messrs. Hooper's
stand gave beyond those named James Douglas,
rosy-red, and Mrs. Barlow, peach-red. These com-
prise without doubt a first-rate selection, but Pinks
have their season and dates of blooming, and it
would be wiser for the new amateur cultivator to
venture upon twenty-four varieties at starting, if
possible, as giving him a better field and offering
wider prospects of success at exhibitions. There
can be no doubt but that showing Pinks in boxes
on the old-fashioned flat system destroys the beauty
of the flowers. It gives them a flat, lumpy, and unin-
teresting aspect. The abolition of the horrid paper
collars would be one gain, and a further one would
be found in lifting each flower fully an inch or even
more above the level of the boxes by means of cups,
as is done so admirably with the Chrysanthemum.
Specially effective is the method seen in some other
classes of setting the flowers up in bunches by
means of wire aids, but of course the plan would
militate against the proper judging of the indivi-
dual blooms.

Naturally, lovers of border Pinks turned from the
laced flowers produced under glass to the hardier
and more free-flowering varieties grown for bunch-
ing. These were sparsely represented, however,
and showed that as a class there is great room for
their expansion. The pure whites cut the best
figure, especially Hooper's fine Pink Her Majesty,
which seems to be an improvement upon the older
and better-known form Mrs. Sinkins. Both these
fine Pinks, however, have so much stuff in the pods
that the calyx always splits and the blooms are
lopsided, unless duly prepared and tied round the
base before they fully expand. To create a race of
hardy Pinks which would not show this defect, and
yet give abundance of bloom and rich or decided
colours, would be well worthy the attention of the
florist. A newer and more useful white is Mrs.
Lakin, the flowers smaller and petals broader, and
almost smooth-edged. The best pure white, smooth-
edged Pink, Mrs. Welsh, was not exhibited. Of
darker flowers, Lord Lyon and Anne Boleyn were
the best, whilst a batch of ordinary seedlings from
Bedfont gave a pleasing variety of sweetly perfumed
flowers.

Some of the pink or rose-shaded flowers with
moderate lacing were pretty, but still wanting in
decided hues. It is flowers of the Lord Lyon type
wedded to robust habits of growth which we so
badly want ; but smooth edges and weak habits
seem to go together. Of the pale red forms shown
by Mr. Hooper, Charlie Lockyer, Sissy, and Flirt
were very pretty. It is hoped that next year we
shall see the truly hardy border Pink in greater
variety and profusion. A. D.

Herbaceous borders. — This has been a busy
week in this department ; the heavy rains of Satur-
day and Monday night knocked the plants about a
great deal, and staking is the order of the day. A
lot of plants that, as a rule, keep fairly well up
without support have, owing to the wet season,
made much taller growth, and as a consequence
are more susceptible to wind and rain. The wet is
responsible for the early destruction of many
flowers of the Canterbury Bells and the Peach-
leaved Campanula, also early Spirseas and Funkias.
All the Pink and Carnation family are likely to be
good this year, and there will be some very fine
Grass for layering, which is very likely to be
deferred yet for some time, as the flowering
season will be late, as with the exception of
Grenadin we have very few out. This same late-
ness is noticeable among nearly all tenants of the
flower garden, whether annual or perennial. There
should be a wonderful quantity of flower through-
out the herbaceous borders during the autumn
months. All late-flowering plants are very vigorous,
and there will doubtless be a proportionate display
of bloom. The old adage as to the " ill wind," &c,
has been verified on these borders this year, the
spell of wet so prejudicial to the proper ripening
and gathering of the softer fruits proving just the
thing for all spring-planted stuff, whether they were
flowering shrubs or the bolder herbaceous plants, as
Funkias, Asters, Coreopsis and the like. There are

some few things that will have to be shifted from
the herbaceous borders to the wild garden, as the
oriental Poppies, which are very short-lived in the
matter of flower, and present an untidy appearance
all the summer, and the rosy Yarrow, a pretty
thing, but a decided pest amongst choicer subjects,
and very difficult to eradicate. Now is a good
time to commence a short inspection of these
borders, to take notes of the height, habit, &c, of
the different favourites, that no mistake may be
made in the event of future planting. All labels,
too, should now be renewed if necessary, and small
stumps placed to mark the site of bulbs that have
lost their foliage. — E. Bubbell, C'laremont, Surrey,
July 12.

HERBACEOUS PEONIES.

The flowering season just over has been one of
the best I remember for Pseonies. A large bed of
named varieties was a fine sight for the two or
three weeks during which it was at its best. These
plants revel in well manured soil, and, although
they are impatient of removal, the manure may be
lightly dug in without causing them any injury ;
in fact I prefer that the surface soil shall be
broken, as plenty of water is of great assistance to
them. Mulching with rich manure is generally re-
commended, but it is not always practicable or de-
sirable to do this, for the birds scratch the mulch-
ing about and render the place untidy. If it is
wished to move or divide any established plants, it
should be borne in mind that they will not flower
satisfactorily the first year after removal, but with
generous treatment this will be the extent of the
loss. Care should be taken in the selection of sorts,
only the most robust being suitable for growing in
prominent positions. There are some kinds which
appear to have a tendency to develop a great num-
ber of small crowns that are useless for flowering,
and these are very disappointing, for it seems al-
most impossible to induce them to make really
satisfactory growth, and at most one or two flowers
on a plant are all they will produce. All such
kinds are ineffective in the flower garden. The old
P. officinalis is very useful for planting in rough
places amongst the Grass or as a fringe to the
shrubbery, for it does remarkably well when let
alone after it gets established. None of the named
kinds I have seen can compare with it for this sort
of work. No doubt these Preoniej would be more
often planted in masses or beds in the flower gar-
den if they did not lose their foliage just when the
garden should be looking at its best. If no means
are taken to cover the ground with some quick-
growing plant, big blanks are the result. To pre-
vent this, I usually plant Verbenas between the
Pseonies, and draw the foliage of the latter some-
what closely together directly flowering is over, as
this gives the Verbenas air and the chance to grow
away and cover the bed by the time the Pajonies
are ripe enough to be cut down. Of course this
could not be done if the surface of the bed or bor-
der was never broken and the mulching system
adhered to.

I append a list, selected from about thirty named
sorts, which have been exceptionally good here
during the past season.

Candidissima. — Pure white guard petals, pale prim-
rose centre.

Carnea grandiflora. — Delicate blush, changing
to pure white, iucurved flower, very strong and good.

Charles Binder. — Deep rose, very full flower,
scented.

Constance Devred. — Deep carmine, large flowers.

Dr. Calot. — Deep rose guard petals, centre salmou.

Festiva maxima. — Pure white, iucurved, stained .
carmine on centre petals, strong grower, magnificent. '

Isabella Karlitzky.— Carmine rose, full centre,
very fiue, scented.

Louis VAN Hoi'i'TE. — Bright purple-lake, strong
grower, very large flowers, Hawthorn scented.

Marie DHOUR.-Pale flesh colour, full centre,
dwarf, fine and free, scented.

Mini. Muyssaert. — Bright rose, light centre.

Mme. Jules Calot. — Bright rose, chamois-yellow
centre, scented.

Paul Rubourg. — Rose, very double, late, strong,
and good.

July 19, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

57

Rosamond. — Rose, incurved, strong grower, very
fine flower, scented.

Rdbra triumphans. — Deep crimson, incurved,
strong grower.

Whitleyi. — Single, pure white, large "ball of golden
anthers, dwarf, free, and the earliest of the section.

Zivermere Park. J. C. Tallack.

Canterbury Bells. — A large breadth of these
in an out of the way spot has been a very fine fea-
ture. This is one of the good old plants that ought
not to be neglected in gardens, for a suitable spot
can generally be found where they can be
boldly massed. Seed sown early in the sum-
mer will give good plants that can be dibbled
out where they are to flower. They will make
strong plants during autumn, and flower with amaz-
ing profusion in the following summer. There has
been a good deal of attempted improvement, but
taken all round there is nothing to equal a good
strain of fine single forms for general effect and
usefulness. The whites are very pure and fine,
varying much in size and shape of flower; the pink
shades are delicately beautiful, also some of the
lilacs and pale blues, whilst the deep blues have a
striking effect. These single Canterbury Bells are
most useful for cutting, as they last fresh for a long
time in that state, and make a very bold arrange-
ment with some suitable foliage. They bloom at a
time when flowers are often scarce in gardens. — A.

Sweet Williams. —I read with interest "A. D.'s "
remarks upon these beautiful and good old-fash-
ioned flowers. On looking over a large breadth of
our own I found that the fine self forms were
conspicuously lacking, although of white-eyed,
dark-eyed and general mixtures of colour there
was confusing variety. It is satisfactory to know
that there are strains giving a good proportion of
self-coloured kinds. These Auricula-eyed forms
have no great charm for me and many others. It
would certainly be a gain if we could obtain Sweet
Williams in colours, for although " A. D.," from
want of time or convenience or area to isolate
respective kinds, may not be able to supply our
wants, still others may, and I hope will. Many
other things are obtainable in this way, notably
Sweet Peas, which can be had absolutely true, as I
have now some rows of purple, red, and white with-
out a rogue among them. It would be a gain if we
knew, when we had a batch of Sweet Williams, of
what colour the flowers were going to be. As
we can obtain Sweet Peas, Asters, Stocks, Ver-
benas, and many other things in separate and dis-
tinct colours, there is no apparent reason why we
should not have Sweet Williams in the same way.
If a demand arises, probably a supply will soon be
forthcoming, as competition is keen, and those in
the trade are closely watching to provide for and
often anticipate our wants. — A. H.

(Lloydia serotina), then no fear need he entertained
as to its extermination, for it lias more homes than one
on that rugged Cambrian mountain. — A. D. Webstek.
Plantag-o lanceolata. — The two varieties of
Plantago lanceolata sent were gathered in a lane
near here. One is proliferous ; that is, produces
young plants with flower-stems instead of bloom.
The other has a branched head of flowers somewhat
resembling the Hen and Chickens Daisy. I believe
there is an inferior form of the first already in culti-
vation, but I do not remember to have seen anything
like the other. I shall save and sow the seed, as I am
curious to know if it will then perpetuate itself.
All the flower-stems are of the same character. —
J. M., Charmouth, Dorset.

SHORT NOTES.— FLOWER.

Iris oehroleuca (p. 390) is, as Mr. Pim writes,
the most stately of all the Iris tribe. It is certainly
rather a shy bloomer and rather straggling in growth.
— W. Wickham, Binsted Wycle, Hants.

The yellow Tree Lupine (p. 590) is a lovely
bush, hut not hardy. Every one I had was killed a few
years ago. Every bit of the wood stuck in the ground
will grow. — W. Wickham, Binsted Wyclc, Hants.

The orange Lily (L. croceum). — It has been
suggested in The Garden to plant abed of this Lily
and Larkspurs, the contrast between the two being
very marked, while the effect is most pleasing. In one
respect the orange Lily is better than L. umhellatum
and the red varieties of the Japanese L. Thunbergianum,
as soon after opening they both become somewhat dull,
while the other retains its brightness almost till the
flowers drop. — H. P.

Flowers of the seaside. — " A Gloucestershire
Parson," Garden, July 5 (p. 1), doubts very much
if Samphire ever finds its way to the dinner table
as a pickle. I can assure him that it does in
Kent at least, and a by no means second-rate
pickle it is, although the taste for it is what may
be called acquired. If the certain little Crocus-like
flower referred to, and woich is stated to have but one
habitat in the British Isles, is the Mountain Tulip

IN THE SEED ROOM.
In a previous article we called attention to the
fact that there are many plants in our gardens
which suggest interesting lines of thought or
teach us something as to the methods of Nature,
although they are not among the most decora-
tive or attractive in our collections. The notes
which we sent relative to the forms of certain
succulents may serve, however, not only as an
apology for such less decorative plants, but also
as evidence of the pleasure which an observer
may obtain if only he will make comparisons of
one plant with another and amuse himself with
speculations as to the possible reasons for the
phenomena he observes. With such a point of
view the subject matter in even a small garden
appears endless, nor is the intellectual effort
required for such comparisons a great one ;
were it so, we would hesitate to recommend it
when we realise that for most of us it is an article
of faith that our gardens shall be pre-eminently
placed for quiet rest, for freedom from the work
and the bustle of every-day life.

For all, the colours, the fragrance, the grace-
ful and luxuriant forms exist as so many sooth-
ing, sweetening influences, which have always
had, and we trust always will have, an especial
charm for the minds of mortals, whether
younger or older, ignorant or learned. Because
this is so there is the less need to eulogise where
all admire ; rather may we praise other less
evident pleasures and uses which our gardens
may afford. As an example of these we would
point out some of the more noteworthy and
curious facts regarding seeds, possessing interest
for us at the moment, and giving to us, more-
over, some further insight into the ways and
methods of Nature.

The seed room is for most merely the abode
of order and neatness, the storehouse of possi-
bilities in the way of future display, a satisfy-
ing evidence of some return from the garden.
But we confess to having possessed many
other sentiments than these when we entered the
seed room of La Mortola and saw ranged one
above the other the open bottles containing
more than 2000 species destined to be distributed
broadcast to botanical and private gardens.

The order and neatness delighted us, it is
true ; there seemed a bewilderingly rich oppor-
tunity for future display ; but into the mind
there crowded at once recollection of various
facts and hypotheses as to the mechanisms,
devices, and attractions by means of which in
Nature these seeds might be distributed. The
collection became for us no mere array of
bottles containing the germs of future flowers ;
it was a fascinating field for the testing of
fancies by facts, for the proving or disproving
of preconceived ideas as to the adaptations of
Nature, and perhaps also a field wherein might
be discovered some new or pleasing thought or
suggestion.

At once there came before the mind the pro-

blem as to whether there was evidence of
colouring which could attract those useful sowers
of seed, the feathered race. Then, as the eye
wandered up and down in search of such, it
was arrested, here by some curious parachute-
like feathery outgrowth, there by some woolly
attachment, some evident device for better dis-
persal. It was to be seen at once that all seeds
were not meant to fall simply to the ground at
the foot of the parent plant, but that some were
to have a chance given to them to travel to a
habitation where they might have less competi-
tion from individuals of their own species. Yet
these aids in dispersal might not be an unmixed
benefit. The easy-going life of the seed of an
annual dropped at the foot of the parent, which
dies away to make room for it — save for the
horrible struggle for existence with seedlings of
its own kind at the first — might be preferable.
The thought of the dangers of travel, the
chances that, carried by the will of the wind,
the seed is lodged in some unsuitable spot, all
withhold our exclamation of surprise that some
seeds should be so marvellously, others so seem-
ingly ill equipped. Inquiry might be made as
to what plants they are which possess these
greater chances for the continuance or wider
dispersal of their kind. How have such me-
chanisms arisen l How are they modified in the
closest relatives of these favoured species ?
What compensations (if any) may be detected
for those not favoured ? Such questions, of
more or less value in so far as they afford plea-
sure, are ready for the answering which obser-
vation and comparison alone can give us. A
partial answer was indeed offered by the sight of
Gourds and other gaily coloured fruits, which
were suspended in a conspicuous place against
the wall of the seed room. We recognised that
there was little need for every seed to be attrac-
tive in itself ; the fact of a brightly coloured
carpel — belongings such as the Orange, the
Plum, or the Cherry are favoured with, which
shall attract some of the countless animals,
birds, or insects which are ready to devour them
— is quite sufficient to secure their favourable
distribution. Seeds of such plants as Orange or
Gourd are commonly whitish ; there is no reason
why they should be brightly coloured, nor do
they require the protection which is often asso-
ciated with a black or brown testa. They fall
to the ground manured, as it were, by the mass
of pulp from the decaying fruit, and are thereby
sufficiently aided.

Again, the fruit of Ecballium elaterium, or
Squirting Cucumber, recalls to our mind other
properties than the passive one of mere external
beauty. Such ability to project its seeds as is
manifested by this most curious fruit would
deserve especial mention were it not that a score
of other ingenious and somewhat similar devices
may be seen in Euphorbia, Genista, Impatiens,
and others. The Martynia, with its sharp and
awkwardly curved horns, the object of which is
doubtless to fix the fruit in the foot of some
unfortunate animal, which shall carry it with
more or less annoyance, eventually scatter-
ing the seeds, serves as the type of another
class of fruits which possess prickles and
thorns by which they may be distributed.
These may be noticed briefly and in the most
interesting manner amongst the species of
Medicago, which are represented in Mr. Han-
bury's garden in great quantity. There are all
the forms of carpel, from the simple, slightly
curved, through the smooth coiled, to the coiled
and prickly one of M. Echinus, which justly
receives its name from its resemblance to the
Sea Urchin ; this sticks as closely as the burrs
of the Burdock, famous among schoolboys.
There are many plants belonging to widely

58

THE GAKDEN.

[July 19, 1890.

separated natural orders which possess fruits or
seeds with appendages of a prickly, adhesive
character; most often these appendages are out-
growths from the carpellary leaf which had en-
closed the seed. There are visible all grada-
tions from seeds thus enveloped in bristles to
those coated with fine silky hairs or with wool,
the same end being always in view, viz., their
dispersal. Especially are there to be seen larger
or smaller crowns and parachutes of hairs
amongst plants with flowers crowded together
into a compact head. The Thistle, Dandelion,
Valerian are examples well known to all of the
innumerable seeds so provided with a mechan-
ism which expands in the sunshine or in dry
weather, forming often a wonderful ball of
lightest feathers which is shattered and blown
away by the slightest wind. Perhaps almost
as commonly are seeds provided with a
more or less membranous wing ; of this we
have well-known instances in species of Big-
nonia, Pinus, Hakea, Casuarina, and Akebia.
The seed is completely surrounded by mem-
branous tissue in seeds of Bignonia ; the
wing is an outgrowth from one extremity in
Hakea and Casuarina ; in many groups of plants
it is a part of the carpel or calyx, which persists
more like a membranous frill than a wing. In
several species of Statice the whole inflorescence
is so modified, that it may be the better blown
about.

Many seeds are but slightly winged, e.g., Far-
setia and Dasylirion ; many are only flattened
out, so that they offer a considerable surface to
the wind as compared with their weight. It is
not to be supposed that such seeds will be car-
ried veiy far ; they may, however, be blown
along the ground, and, in most cases, a strong
wind would certainly carry them beyond the en-
tanglement of branches of the parent. One of
the most remarkable of all the winged seeds
which we have seen is that of Epipactis, where,
although the total length is only one-fifteenth
of an inch, the embryo and cotyledons appear
as a minute spot, less than one-hundredth of an
inch across, in the midst of a delicate gauze-like
meshwork of cells which buoy up the whole.
Not only, therefore, is the minute size of the
seed, as in so many plants, of advantage in its
dispersal, but the lightness is here particularly
remarkable. The seeds of Begonia, certain
species of Campanula, most Orchids, and several
of the succulents, as Cotyledon, are especially
minute, and therefore the more easily dis-
persed. It is commonly the case that if the
seeds of one species are small, its fellows from
the same genus, and often throughout the same
family, are small also. At times, as amongst
the Gourds, there is considerable variation in
their size ; so also among a couple of score of
species of Salvia we have noticed one or two
whose seeds are, perhaps, ten times the bulk of
their fellows.

The very different sizes and the great differ-
ence in the texture of the coats of seeds in one
group of plants as compared with another sug
gest the widely different conditions under whicl
they have to germinate in Nature, and it would
be an interesting study to see as to what amount
of adaptation to circumstances might be recog-
nised. Close examination of the external layer
would show in some cases the presence of cells
which turn to mucilage whenever the seed is
placed in a moist situation. By this means the
seed is fixed to the ground very firmly either
when the mucilage is sticky, or afterwards, if it
may have dried. It is curious to observe that
the exceptionally large seed of Salvia inter-
rupta, noticed above, does not possess a coat
of which the outer cells breakdown into mucilage ;
whereas all the other species with the smaller

seeds exhibit this character. We might well
inquire why some seeds have a shining,
others a dull coat ; so also as to the sig-
nificance of colours in the testa, and the
reason why black is so predominant. We
are indeed now-a-days so accustomed to
search for reasons for the characters, colours,
forms, &c.,of the natural objects about us, that
we might add cpiestion to question concerning
the curiosities alone of the seed room. It is
perhaps not true that every feature in an or-
ganism has some use, or has even been of use in a
past time ; there are, however, many clues forth-
coming upon comparison of similar structures in
one and another individual, and it is by making
such comparisons that not only may we amuse
ourselves, but add a little to the knowledge
which the biologist now has of the world of living
forms about him. There may be no practical
value attaching to such pleasurable work, but we
believe it will not be difficult before long
approximately to predict the cultural require-
ments of a plant by its morphological charac-
ters, an art of which the clever practical gar-
dener already knows something.

In conclusion, we must again say how much
more of interest it has been possible to find in
the subject, because of the superb collection
brought together at La Mortola by Mr. Han-
bury. Perhaps in a smaller or worse organised
seed room it would have been more pardonable
had we examined without interest, longing only
to return to the greater charms of the open gar-
den. It may be there are some who may con-
sider that to refer much to the treasures of so
excellent a garden when it is impossible that
many can see it is more tantalising than
pleasant, but such cannot be true lovers of gar-
dens, nor, we think, a numerous class. Rather
may we be glad that so much of interest to
botanists and horticulturists may be learnt by
the many visitors who year by year are here
allowed freely to enter. It were idle to wish
that La Mortola were nearer home where more
might see it, but may we not indulge in the
hope that in Britain there will increasingly be
such gardens, or even less well-equipped ones,
to which the public may have access.

It is apparently one of the brightest signs of
a revival of enthusiasm for knowledge, due
chiefly to the introduction of the scientific spirit
amongst us, that those who have advantages of
education and fortune are more than ever will
ing to make use of such for the benefit of their
less favoured fellows. Witness as evidence of
this our university settlements and extension
lectures, the purchase of parks and open spaces
for the people, and, in a less degree, such work
as we have seen carried on in London and Edin-
burgh (to mention but two places) for the increas-
ing of an interest in flowers, window gardens,
and natural history pursuits. It is almost
enough to stamp a man as behind the times if
he do not believe in the advantages of such
form of pleasure and recreation as the study of
Nature may afford, and if he fail to realise that
pleasures of this sort are as much to be desired
for the poorer part of the population as for the
wealthy. Nay more, we would say that it becomes
almost the duty of any man professing to care
for the well-being of his fellows to see that they
have a chance of sharing in the pleasures of Na-
ture and of gardens, pleasures the more needful
because of the great tendency now-a-days to
crowd together into towns.

Mr. Hanbury's garden and schools at La
Mortola are only another out of the many satis-
fying evidences that social work of a useful kind
is increasingly engaged in by men of leisure.
Philanthropy has not merely one channel — the

religious— for its outputs, as has been too much
the case heretofore. The adding to the know-
ledge of our world, and to the pleasure of those
who live in it, is no unworthy aim, and one
which we are glad to think is recognised more
than ever by thoughtful and cultured men.
Philip Sewsll.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 762.

GLADIOLUS SULPHUKEUS.

(WITH A COLOURED PLATE.*)

There are close upon a hundred species of
Gladiolus, according to Mr. Baker, who di-
vides them into groups typified by large or
small flowers, narrow or broad leaves, pointed
or blunt flower segments, &c. Out of this
large number of species only very few are
represented amongst the popular garden
Gladioli, which, are hybrids or crosses, mostly
from G. cardinalis, G. psittacinus, G. blandus,
G. Saundersi, and G. dracocephalus. These
are all sword-leaved and large-flowered. There
are also two well-known garden plants, viz.,
G. Colvillei and its variety The Bride, in the
production of which a narrow or Rush- leaved
species has been used, namely, G. tristis and
G. cardinalis. G. tristis is of special interest
to us just now, as the plant represented in the
plate and called G. sulphureus is merely a
large-flowered, self-coloured variety of that
species. There are about a dozen species in-
cluded in this narrow-leaved group, and al-
though their flowers are not brightly coloured,
yet they are elegant in form and, as a rule,
delightfully fragrant. Some of them emit
fragrance only in the evening, others only
during the day. They are as easily cultivated
as Freesias, which they also rival in their free-
blooming nature, and in their flowering early
or late according to the time of starting them
into growth. At Kew the following species
of this section are cultivated in pots in frames
and brought into the greenhouse when in
flower, viz., G. recurvus, with scapes nearly 2
feet long, and creamy-white flowers spotted
with purple ; the segments are narrowed to a
tail-like recurved tip. This species flowers
from January to March and is very fragrant.
G. grandis is like G. recurvus, except that the
flowers are larger and striped instead of
spotted with purple. G. angustus has the
flowers creamy-white, with an oblong blotch
of purplish-red on each of the three lower
segments. G. gracilis, G. cuspidatus, G.
villosus, and several others are also grown at
Kew. Considerable improvement might be
made by crossing some of these with such as
the gandavensis or brenchleyensis kinds.
The value of G. Colvillei as a garden plant
will be admitted by everyone who knows it,
and it was got by a cross such as this recom-
mended to hybridists now.

G. tristis is a very variable plant. It is
said to vary in the colour of its flowers from
pure white to almost wholly purple. All the
forms are very fragrant. If grown cool they

* Drawn for The Garden by H. G. Moon in the
Royal Gardens, Kew, March 22, 1890. Lithographed
and printed by Guillaume Severeyns.

I 9 : .

GLADIOLUS SULPHUREUS

July 19, 1890.]

THE GABDEK

59

usually flower in March or April under pre-
cisely the same treatment as answers for Ixias,
Sparaxis, &c. The Cape house at Kew con-
tained a fine display of several of these forms
of G. tristis, and by far the most elegant and
fragrant among them was the one here figured.
It was originally obtained from Mr. Joad's
collection -where it bore the name here
adopted. When liberally treated it produces
scapes 2i feet high and flowers 3 inches long.
All of these Bush-leaved Gladioli multiply
themselves rapidly by means of numerous
offsets or " spawn " about the base of the
mature bulbs. After flowering they should
be placed in a frame where they will get
plenty of sunlight with drought for about two
months. They should be shaken out and
repotted in October, placing about six bulbs
ia each 5-inch pot.

Another easily managed, free, and early-
flowering section of the genus is that of
which G. segetum may be taken as the type.
Mr. Baker recognises fourteen species amongst
these, but cultivators find a difficulty in dis-
tinguishing most of them from each other.
G. palustris, G. illyricus, G. communis, G.
byzantinus, and G. imbricatus might reason-
ably be called varieties of G. segetum, and
some of them scarcely even that from a cul-
tural point of view. G. segetum is a first-rate
garden plant which deserves to be better
known. Some beds of it have been particu-
larly attractive at Kew this spring, the spikes
3 feet high, the number of flowers and their
expression suggesting Foxgloves at a little
distance. G. segetum will grow in almost
any soil, and if not disturbed by the digger
it will take care of itself, never fail to flower
every year, and, moreover, it will increase
rapidly. Planted in groups at the foot of a
sunny wall, it makes a glorious picture in
early June. This and its allies are all natives
of the countries bordering the Mediterranean
and some parts of Asia. All the other species
are African. W. W.

Kitchen Garden.

PREPARING FOR WINTER.
To bs successful in keeping up a good supply of
vegetables during the winter should be the aim
of all gardeners — whether amateur or profes-
sional. Of the great value of abundance of
green food little need be said, this fact being
very patent to all. But if all are agreed upon
the subject, it does not follow that all succeed
in growing abundance, or even enough, of what
is needed or could well be utilised if available.
Various reasons might be assigned for the many
comparative failures that are annually to be
met with. Some fail to raise abundance of
plants or to sow seed of other crops where they
are to grow, at the right time, while others rear
abundance of plants only to leave them in the
seed beds to spoil. It is the smaller gardens,
where perhaps more space than can really be
afforded has to be devoted to Potato crops, that
are oftentimes the worst stocked with winter
vegetables, and in such cases the owners are as
much, or more, to blame as the gardeners. Late
Potatoes especially can now-a-days be bought
at a very cheap rate and, as a rule, of good
quality, and rather than there should be a
scarcity of other vegetables it would in most

cases prove much the most satisfactory in the
end if late Potatoes were bought in and other
vegetables grown. It is somewhat late in the
season to comment upon cropping with Potatoes,
but I venture once more to advise that many
more planting tubers of Ashleafs or other early
maturing varieties than usual be stored, with
the view to plant these extensively next spring,
thereby rendering it a much easier matter to
find room for winter vegetables in abundance.

Much depends upon what is done during the
month of July and the early part of August
both as regards planting and seed-sowing. Not
a rod of ground ought to be lying idle, unless
it is being prepared for such important crops
as winter Spinach or Strawberries. In our case
the only clear space of ground in the garden at
the present time is that sweetening for Spinach,
room being found for various other crops accord-
ing as spaces are cleared of early vegetables.
Thus in most southern, or comparatively warm,
districts, hardy Broccoli can be planted in
close succession to early Peas without ma-
nuring or digging the ground. Endive and
Strawberries may follow the earliest lifted Po-
tatoes, while the cooler quarters cleared of more
early and second early Potatoes may be sown
with Turnips, and, if need be, Spinach, or
planted with Strawberries, Broccoli, Chou de
Burghley, Borecole, and Savoys. The ground
cleared of Tripoli Onions can be closely planted
with Coleworts or June-raised Cabbage, and
that which has been occupied with spring-sown
Onions with the principal crop of winter Cab-
bage. All the foregoing are indispensable
crops, and the same may be said of Brussels
Sprouts, Savoys, Leeks, and Celery. Celery
ought scarcely to be treated as a successional
crop, the wiser plan in this case being to get
out the trenches early in the season, and to
closely crop the ridges with, in this instance,
quick-growing summer vegetables. Leeks are
especially hardy, and if fairly well grown are
worthy of being more often used than is
generally the case. Borecole, notably the best
Scotch or Green Curled and hearting forms, is
very hardy and greatly esteemed ; consequently it
ought to be extensively planted. The Cottager's
Kale is perfectly hardy and very productive,
the quality being fairly good. The hardiest of
all Broccoli will be found in the Purple Sprout-
ing. In times of scarcity, or when the ordinary
and more tender Broccoli and other winter
greens are not available, the Purple Sprouting
is cut in large quantities in the neighbourhood
of towns long before it has formed any small
flower-heads. It is then a very profitable crop,
and if the quality is far from being equal to the
spring gatherings, it is yet passable. The
earlier the plants are got in the better. Savoys,
again, are among the most reliable of winter
crops, and if not too coarsely grown they are in-
variably appreciated. It is surprising what a
number of neat serviceable heads can be grown
on a small plot of ground. The same remark
applies to Coleworts and other early sown Cab-
bages, these hearting in during the autumn and
early winter months and standing a fair amount
of frost. Not unfrequently many more plants
would be put out if only they wei'e to be had
without much trouble or expense. It is no
economy to be parsimonious in respect to getting
seeds in the first instance, and if from any
cause there is a scarcity of plants, then ought
the requisite number to be obtained elsewhere.
They can usually be bought at a comparatively
cheap rate at the nearest market town, and, as
a rule, they can be depended upon to be true to
name.

If a certain amount of perseverance is called
for in the matter of stocking the garden with

abundance of winter greens, there is still greater
need of this in respect to seed-sowing. In
showery weather especially the greatest diffi-
culty is experienced in saving a good plant of
either Lettuces, Endive, Turnips, or Spinach ;
but if one sowing fails then ought another to be
made directly it is found to be necessary, a few
days' delay frequently making a great difference
in the value of the crop ultimately obtained.
The greatest pains should be taken in forming a
moist and finely divided seed-bed in dry hot
weather, and in protecting the seedlings from
slugs and other pests in a showery season. With
the ground both warm and moist the seeds
germinate very quickly, and may be up and
eaten before the unobservant grower has taken
any notice. Soot and lime dusted over the rows
or beds early in the morning, and at other
times if need be, are the best preventives of
insect attacks. There are more failures probably
from sowing too late than from being too early,
and in any case those who get in their seeds
quite as soon as recommended by most autho-
rities have a better chance of making good any
failures that may occur. In conclusion, I would
add if by any chance there happens during the
winter to be a superabundance of vegetables and
salading, few employers or owners of gardens
will be disposed to grumble ; whereas a scarcity
is, to say the least, very unsatisfactory.

W. Iggtjxpen.

Early Cauliflower Snowball. — Ihave recently
seen this useful Cauliflower in splendid condition,
and it is strange that it is not more extensively
grown. It is the earliest Cauliflower that I know
of, that is, when the true Snowball is grown. In
some instances there is a kind grown as Snowball
taking a much longer time to come to maturity and
coarser. Having been favoured with the true kind
by the original raiser of this Cauliflower, I was
astonished at its quick-growing qualities and the
small amount of room in which it can be grown.
When this kind is grown, there will be no difficulty
in having a lot of useful heads to come in as the late
Broccoli are cut, and thus supply a want that is
often experienced. This variety comes into use in
such a short time, that this alone should recom-
mend it. I have grown it fit for the table — nice
compact heads — in fourteen weeks from time of
sowing, and I believe it has been grown in a shorter
time. Most of the Cauliflowers are best sown in
the autumn, but this requires just the opposite
treatment. Early in February will be time enough
to sow on a warm bed of leaves or in a frame,
afterwards removing to a cold pit or hand-glass as
soon as the rough leaf appears, finally planting out
on a warm border. The plants ought to be 18
inches apart, giving the roots abundance of de-
cayed manure to enable them to make a rapid
growth. If sown in the autumn, the plants are
worthless, as they always button. This point is
of great importance, as this kind has often been
sown at that time and condemned as useless. I con-
sider this an excellent variety for small gardens, as
it requires so little room, and for table it is much
to be preferred to a large, coarse, strong Cauli-
flower, as it is of a mild flavour. — G. Wythbs,
Syon House.

Tomatoes in the open. — These have grown,
all things considered, surprisingly well, are setting
freely, and as yet there are no signs of disease.
Just now they require frequent attention both in
the way of disbudding and training. Neglected,
they soon form numerous strong side shoots, and
the leading growth, falling about, cannot easily be
got into proper position again. All superfluous
side shoots should be kejt closely pinched out, and
the leading growths either tied to stakes or trellis-
ing, or secured to the walls by the aid of stout
shreds and nails. Do not cut away any of the foli-
age on the reserved or main branches, nor as yet
top the latter. Probably the plants will not ripen
off or sufficiently mature more than three clusters
of fruit to admit of their being cut and ripened in

60

THE GARDEN.

[July 19, 1890.

heat ; but a fourth or even fifth cluster in some
cases would be found of value, there being various
uses for green Tomatoes. Therefore do not stop,
unless head-room is much limited, till the fourth or
fifth cluster of fruit is set. It is very unwise to
crowd Tomatoes. When they form — as many are
now doing — two strong leaders, one of them is
invariably cut out, that is to say, if there is not
sufficient room to lay both in well clear of each
other.— W. I.

TOMATOES.
Referring to the coming Tomato crop, a large
grower of Tomatoes remarked the other day that
abundance and cheapness were not alone due to
the great extension oE cultivation which had taken
place. The shy setters of the Perfection type, he
said, have given or are giving place to much freer
setters, and through that agency alone we are
almost doubling the produce. That fact has been
very strongly impressed upon my mind in seeing
how very freely, in fact perfectly, the new Con-
ference Tomato sets its blooms. I have discarded
the Perfection variety because even in a compara-
tively cool temperature, with ample light and air,
I found it always fail to set its earliest blooms
unless duly artificially fertilised, and that is a
labour for which I can spare little time. The Con-
ference plants growing where the Perfection has
been grown for several years in pots not only
throw out long racemes of flowers, but not one
falls, every bloom setting from the first. That is a
great gain, and for that gain we are indebted to
Horsford's Prelude and Ham Green Favourite, va-
rieties which set every bloom with wonderful free-
dom. Conference, whilst having all the free crop-
ping and setting qualities of Prelude, gives finer
fruits and is of dwarfer habit. Possibly those who
need big fruits for exhibition, the samples obtained
from these free setters will not satisfy. To the
average market grower they are, however, a great
gain. The falling price of Tomatoes is, of course,
partly provoked by their increased production, but,
on the other hand, the grower in striving to recoup
himself has to look for means which will enable
him to obtain a larger bulk of fruit from the
same area as before occupied, and the new
free setters help to that end most effectually. If the
fruits be smaller, they are more generally useful
and certainly far more accommodating to the
trader who has to retail out his supplies in small
quantities. Probably no class of persons more
favours large Tomatoes than judges and exhibitors
at shows, and yet it would be difficult for either to
give a satisfactory reason why they did so. It is
not that large fruits are specially desirable or
needful. The production of one big fruit, always
the product of bad setting or of hard thinning, is at
the expense of several smaller ones. Instead of
having Tomatoes shown in single fruits on dishes,
I should like to see the best six or twelve clusters
cut from plants invited. That would put Tomato
fruiting and production in a very different light,
■would encourage free setting, and the abundant
production of myriads of medium-sized handsome
fruits in preference to a few big ones. The newer
forms happily give us excellent quality, handsome
form, and rich colour, so that all ttie best con-
stituents of good Tomatoes are found in them. It
is very probable that if further crossed they will
degenerate back to the comparative sterility of the
Perfection type, and nothing will be gained. It
seems as if in the matter of production we had
gained nearly all that was possible to hope for.
No one has hitherto, so far as I have heard, taken
the trouble to test by weight the produce of say
two plants of some ten or twelve varieties, all
equally well and evenly grown. That sort of trial
would be valuable, as showing in the most
practical way what were the relatjve produc-
tive qualities of the best sorts. It would be
needful also to account for the number of fruits,
shape, and general qualities. So far we have not
yet made the Tomato a dessert fruit, When
recently talking with an enthusiastic vegetarian he
stated that he had now discovered the ideal human
diet in one of a purely fruit nature. I did not

learn, however, that Tomatoes were included in
the diet, but they may have been. No doubt in
regarding Tomatoes as simply condiments to
chops and steaks, we have rendered it difficult
to get this fruit on to the dessert table. Still
the taste for them eaten, as is commonly said, raw,
but as should be said ripe, is growing, and we only
require that the taste shall be encouraged or culti-
vated to render the consumption of Tomatoes in a
ripe uncooked condition general. To add some-
thing pleasant or piquant to the flavour of the
Tomato would be to render far more service to
growers and consumers than to raise a score of
kinds hardly other than duplicates of those we
already possess. There are qualities in Toma-
toes which make them specially acceptable for
dessert. They are handsome, of moderate size,
usually of rich and pleasing colour, thin of skin,
needing no peeling, soft of flesh, and luscious,
without being, like a Peach or Pear, unduly juicy.
We only want some addition to the flavour to make
the fruits remarkably popular. Some day, perhaps,
so much may be done in that direction, that having
been popularised in high places they will be sold
in small quantities from the dealers' barrows
to the children of our towns for ordinary con-
sumption in place of unripe Apples and Pears.
Without doubt the result, so far as health is con-
cerned, would be exceeding gain. We are yet, so
far as this fruit is concerned, only beginning to
understand its value. A. D.

A YEAR'S SUPPLY OP CAULIFLOWERS

AND BROCCOLI.
With a suitable selection of varieties, there is
no difficulty in having an unbroken succession
of Cauliflowers or Broccoli all the year rouud.
Starting in May with Veitch's Forcing Cauli-
flower sown end of August and wintered under
glass, followed by Early London, Walcheren and
Autumn Giant, the Cauliflowers will carry us up
to the end of November, or later if required. I
find it a good plan to make a small sowing of
Autumn Giant Cauliflower in autumn and
winter the plants in a cool frame, setting them
out in spring. They are so reliable in dry sea-
sons, that treated thus they will produce
close white hearts in August, a somewhat criti-
cal time for Cauliflowers. The Walcheren
Cauliflower sown in May usually comes in well
for autumn use, when the Giant is often too
large for the dining-room table. Of course, in
hot weather the north borders come in useful.
Often during a dry time, when the Cauliflowers
in the exposed quarters have been open and
worthless, those planted under the north wall
have worthily filled up the gap, but the Giant
seems indifferent to sunshine and drought, its
trace of Broccoli parentage making it less sus-
ceptible to heat and drought ; hence its relia-
bility where the soil soon parts with its mois-
ture. Such expedients as mulching with manure
are valuable in a dry time. Planting a part of
the crop in broad, well-manured trenches,
though increasing the labour, often averts
failure. Happy has been the lot of the man
who has never found it necessary to adopt any
of these means to ensure a crop of good
Cauliflowers in a trying season, and as one
never knows when these exceptional seasons
are coming, it is always necessary to be on the
alert. If Cauliflowers are sown twice in spring,
once in heat in February, and again in the open
border about the 1st of April, adding the Giant
at this sowing for late use, followed by a some-
what larger sowing of Walcheren in May, there
should be an unbroken succession of Cauli-
flowers from the end of May to the end of
November, when Veitch's Self-protecting Au-
tumn Broccoli will take up the running, and if
there is a cold pit or some other means of pro-
tection at hand, the supply will last till Peb-
ruary, and before that time, barring accidents

of weather, Snow's Winter Broccoli will be
turning in. This, again, will be followed by
Early Penzance, and later will come in rotation
Cooling's Matchless, Perkins' Leamington, and
Chappell's Cream, an old, but very reliable
kind. For very late use there are none better
than Cattell's Eclipse, Sutton's Late Queen,
and Gilbert's Late White. Cattell's Eclipse is
a very useful Broccoli, lasting in season a long
time. It is also very hardy; the only objection
to it is, that it is not perfectly white. The late
Broccoli should have plenty of space for air to
circulate among the plants. Crowded planta-
tions very often succumb when the thermometer
falls below 12°, especially if the previous
autumn has been mild and damp. Not less
than 3 feet should separate the rows of Broc-
coli ; 3£ ft. will be better, with 2i-ft. intervals
between the plants in the rows. As a check to
grossness plant in firm ground. If the land is
in fairly good heart it cannot be too hard for
late Broccoli, and it will be better not to delay
the planting later than July. Of course the
early and second early sorts will go out earlier.
Heeling in Broccoli or laying them down, to
use another form of expression, though it
checks growth, does undoubtedly give them a
better chance of passing through a severe winter
unscathed. E. H.

POTATO PROSPECTS.
The heavy rains and thunder storms which have
visited almost every part of the country so freely
have naturally created some alarm as to the pos-
sible effect upon the Potato crop. Could we have
a warm, dry July there would soon be an immense
crop of early Potatoes, for the breadths generally
look exceedingly well and have made strong growth.
Still that growth has been chiefly made during the
past month, for the weather in May was not of a
kind to promote early Potato growth. However,
there will be nothing to find fault with if warmth
and sunshine come speedily. Every dull, cold,
and showery day now puts us nearer to the inevit-
able development of the disease, just as every
warm, dry day will help to push on growth and
check the advance of the fungus. We have of late
suffered so little comparatively in our main crops
of Potatoes from the disease, tubers being so ab-
normally cheap in consequence, that we have got
to regard the ordinary visitation with comparative
indifference. Still we may have a bad turn some
day, for in spite of our now possessing varieties
less subject to disease than previously, they are
but Potatoes after all, and enjoy no absolute
immunity from attack. If we could but get dry
weather the bloom is so good and there is in it
such a wealth of pollen, that a first-rate season
would be present for cross-fertilisation. It does
seem, however, as if the trade of the raiser
was gone. No one cares for new varieties of
Potatoes now, old ones are so astonishingly cheap.
For me, however, the chance has been too tempt-
ing, and I have made some crosses with first early
varieties with great success, the seed apples al-
ready hanging where, but for the introduction of
foreign pollen, seed apples never would hang. It
is exceedingly odd that, whilst some varieties of
Potatoes will berry profusely, others never naturally
set a bloom. Woodstock Kidney, once a very
popular variety, Radstock Beauty, and Reading
Russet set blooms readily and fruit enormously ;
in fact, become in that way thorough nuisances,
as they exhaust the tuber-bearing strength of the
plants very much. It is not a matter for wonder
that these have largely given place to other varieties.
It must not be assumed that lack of pollen in
Potato flowers signifies want of robustness in the
plants. That is not at all the fact. Such varieties
as Chancellor, Magnum Bonum, Abundance, and
many others rank amongst the strongest of growers
and heaviest of croppers, yet never naturally set a
bloom. Generally, it may be said that consider-
able tuber-production and apple-production are not
consistent, and no doubt it is true. Seeds saved

July 19, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

61

from flowers self -fertilised almost always reproduce
their kind. It is only when fertilised with other
pollen that undoubted variety is produced. It may
be desirable to obtain pollen from free fruiters, be-
cause so many sorts have little or none. Still even
those are best avoided, if ever so little can be ob-
tained from sorts less free to produce seed apples.
The merest evidence of pollen on the thumb-nail
will suffice to fertilise several flowers. A. D.

THE WEEK'S WORK.

iTHE KITCHEN GARDEN.
The latest Peas.— Any of the early Peas sown
late in June or during the first week in July are
apt in most fairly warm districts to come on too
rapidly, the crops being available long before the
much superior late Marrow or wrinkled-seeded
sorts are over. During the average season it is
possible to save seed of William I. in time to sow
for a late crop, the plants resulting from new seed
being the most vigorous in growth, and therefore
the least liable to succumb to mildew. This season,
owing to the absence of sunshine, it is very doubt-
ful if any seed will be ripened in time to be sown
again, though we hope to be able to make the
attempt with Chelsea Gem. This serviceable early
variety we ceased to pick from during the third
week in June, and with a few dry sunny days the
seed ought to ripen quickly. Both this and William
Hurst are admirably adapted for late sowing, and
if single rows are got in now along the ridges
between the late Celery several serviceable dishes
may be obtained. Such was the case last year,
and there is no reason why it should not be so this
season. If more seed were sown soon on a warm
wall border the plants could eventually be tem-
porarily protected and a few extra late dishes
obtained.

Peas pilling badly.— In most gardens Peas
are running to haulm more than usual or desirable,
and the pods fill very slowly. An improvement in
the weather or plenty of sunshine would soon alter
this, but in the absence of this it is advisable to
resort to topping the haulm in order to induce the
pods to fill more rapidly and surely, otherwise the
bulk of the Peas may be all in together. Especially
is early topping necessary in the case of exhibition
varieties. Supposing extra well filled pods are
needed, these in many instances can only be
obtained by stopping the haulm, thinning out the
pods also favouring the enlargement of those
reserved. On lighter soils liquid manure can also
be given with advantage during dull wet weather,
but in the present cold and moist state of clayey
ground it would do more harm than good to the
Peas rooting in such. Blood manure has a marked
good effect upon Peas.

Tuenips. — To sow Turnips has recently been
simply to waste seed and labour, slugs having in
spite of all attempts to prevent it cleared every-
thing, short of weeds, before them. Seeing how
useful Turnips are through the winter, no time
should be lost in getting in more seed, and a dry
time following, most probably a good plant will be
saved. The Early Milan or some extra quick-bulb-
ing variety ought to be sown with later varieties
if there is any prospect of a break in the supply,
otherwise it is not advisable to sow these, as far as
quality is concerned, second-rate forms before
August. Our favourites for present sowing are
Snowball, Red Globe, and Chirk Castle Blackstone.
The last named, in addition to being exceptionally
hardy, is also when cooked the most tender and
delicately flavoured, and might well be grown ex-
tensively in most gardens. It does not form much
foliage, and if the drills are drawn 15 inches apart,
and the plants eventually thinned to about 5 inches
apart, that will be ample room. The stronger
growing varieties ought to have not less than an-
other 3 inches each way. Soot and lime frequently
dusted over the plants when these are damp will
usually preserve them from birds, slugs, and fleas.

Lettuce and Endive. — These again have fared
very badly, plants being very scarce owing to the
slugs. All that can be done is to persevere with

seed-sowing. Ere this, sunny borders will in many
gardens have been partially or wholly cleared of
Potatoes and other early crops, and may well be
utilised by Lettuce and Endive, both of which
can be cleared off in good time to prepare the
ground for other crops. The quick, neat-grow-
ing varieties of Cabbage Lettuce are the best that
can be sown in these positions, as they heart in
more surely, and blanch better than the Cos forms.
Both the Green Curled and Batavian forms of En-
dive should now be sown, some of the newer French
or other Continental varieties also being given a
trial. The seed may either be sown in drills where
the bulk of the plants are to grow, or, as we prefer
to do it in the case of the small Lettuces especially,
broadcast and thinly, a good breadth of ground
being covered by each variety. The surface of
the ground being in a moist state and the seed
well covered with sifted soil, abundance of plants
should quickly be obtained, some being eventually
transplanted elsewhere, and the rest left to heart
in where they are.

Peepaeing mateeial foe Musheoom beds.—
Mushrooms are being collected in the open fields,
and this is a bad sign, the crops coming now in-
stead of September and the autumn generally. A
hot and dry summer naturally favours the running
of the spawn, the autumn rains bringing up the
Mushrooms. These conditions are likely to be re-
versed and Mushrooms be scarce. This being so,
there is all the greater necessity for making an
early start with beds, whether these are formed in
the open or under cover of some kind. Very much
depends upon the way in which the manure is pre-
pared, the greatest pains being necessarily taken
with it now. Where there is a number of corn-fed
horses, a large heap of droppings can be quickly
saved. Much, however, may be done with the
droppings from a few horses, or even a single horse.
In either case, the droppings ought to be kept clear
of the mass of stained straw and stored thinly till
enough has been collected to form a bed. Then all
should be thrown up into a good-sized square heap
to ferment, this being turned inside out directly
the centre has become violently hot, and before it
heats itself dry. Once the centre becomes white
and dry, the manure is practically spoilt. Subse-
quently turn the heap inside out about every other
day, and well moisten the manure through a rose
on the watering-pot whenever it is found too dry
to ferment further. In from a fortnight to three
weeks the manure ought to be sufficiently sweet-
ened and advanced in decay to be ready for making
up into a bed. Manure for ridge-shaped beds should
be prepared in much the same way as that for the
ordinary beds, only in this case all the short straw
must be left with the droppings to the extent of
one-third of the bulk of the heap. W. I.

PLANT HOUSES.
Wintee-floweeixg stove plants. — The diffe-
rent kinds of stove plants that are mostly propa-
gated annually are often kept during the summer
months in houses and pits with little or no fire
heat, as by regular attention to shutting off the air
early in the afternoon so as to make the most of
the sun power, the necessary growth can be had.
But in seasons like the present little progress is
made, so that if artificial heat is not now used, the
autumn will be here before the stock has made
sufficient progress to admit of the plants giving
the required amount of bloom. Where the propa-
gation was not done until late in the spring, it is
doubly necessary to push the plants on for the next
six or eight weeks, when the object should be
more to ripen the growth than increase the size.

Poinsettias. — As the cuttings which were put
in some weeks ago get well rooted, they should at
once be potted off. They like rich material ; good
loam with sifted rotten manure added and a
sprinkling of artificial manure mixed evenly with
the whole. Enough fire heat should be used to
allow of the requisite amount of air being given
daily. Old examples that are being grown on to
flower again should have manure water regularly
as soon as the pots get moderately full of roots.
When large heads of bloom are wanted, the num-

ber of shoots which even old, strong examples are
allowed to carry must be limited. If there is any
deficiency of stock, cuttings may yet be struck ;
though there is not sufficient time for them to
make plants equal to those which were propagated
earlier, they will still come in useful provided they
are pushed on with sufficient heat and regular at-
tention.

Dipladenias. — Strong examples should be kept
somewhat moister at the roots than it would be safe
to have them earlier in the season. Liquid stimu-
lants may be given every time the soil requires
water. They should not be used so strong as many
things will bear without danger ; and whatever is
used as the fertilising agent, the water should be
quite clear. The syringe should be used freely
every day ; not a mere sprinkling, as is sometimes
supposed to be sufficient, but enough water should
be applied, and with sufficient force to remove in-
sects, especially mealy bug.

Dipladenia boliviensis. — Where showy white
flowers are much in demand for cutting late in au-
tumn and earlier in the spring than the other sorts
of Dipladenia can be had, this plant should have
a place in a moderate stove temperature. Unlike
the other Dipladenias, it does best when planted
out in a border that will give its roots more room
to run than they can have in a pot, yet not larger
than the roots can fill. In this way the plant at-
tains a much larger size, so that its head will fill a
space as large as a full-sized specimen Stephanotis.
Young plants of this species should be grown on
rather than encouraged to flower at this time of the
year when there is usually no deficiency in the
supply. This may be done by pinching out the
bloom stems as they appear. In the case of plants
that have been turned out in borders a year or two,
surface dressings and liquid stimulants must be
given.

AllAMAxdas. — Unlike most things that na-
turally make much growth, these plants will do
with a limited root-run, provided they get suffi-
cient sustenance by frequent surface-dressings with
concentrated manure, or continuous applications
of manure water. The latter may be given with
advantage all through the summer almost every
time the soil requires moistening which, in the case
of large specimens, will be daily. Where this is
done it is surprising what large plants may be
grown in 14-inch or 15-inch pots. The large-
bloomed sorts, like A. Schotti and A. Hendersoni,
are preferred by many, especially the last named
variety, which is a free bloomer ; but they are not
the best for cutting, being too large and not equal
in colour to the others. A. Chelsoni, taking into
account the quantity of flowers it produces, with
their beautiful colour, I look upon as the best kind,
and, in addition, the flowers are better formed than
those of the others mentioned, which reflex objec-
tionably.

Bougainvillea glabba. — Where this Bougain-
villea is grown in pots and'started into growth, so
as to have it in bloom in May, the plants will pro-
duce a second crop of flowers quite as good as the
first. An ordinary stove temperature is all that is
required to induce the plants to make the growth ne-
cessary to bloom again about the end of August or
beginning of September. Bougainvillea glabra, will
do with more manure, in either solid or liquid form,
than many things.

Bougainvillea spectabilis and B. speciosa.
— These kinds are not adapted for pot culture, as
from the size which the plants naturally at-
tain, their roots want more room than pots or tubs
afford. But when planted out, the bed or border
should not be too large, or the top-growth will be
such that no reasonable amount of space will ac-
commodate it. Plants that flowered in the spring
should now be moving freely. In the case of any
that are in borders which the roots have occupied
for several years, they will be almost wholly depen-
dent on the support that is now given them, and
they should have good soakings of manure water
once a fortnight until the end of August, after
which treat them so as to ripen the wood rather
than encourage further extension. More air with
less water to the roots and in the atmosphere as

62

THE GAEDEN.

[July 19, 1890.

well, and no shading, are necessary to make good
blooming plants. T. B.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.
Orchard house. — Trees in the early house may
now be divided into two sections, vi2., those which
require a shift into larger pots and others capable of
producing another crop before the roots are disturbed.
Of two evils it is better to have the pots small than
too large, as the fruit always sets and swells best
when they are well filled with good roots. This
being so, vigorous young trees in 12-inch pots may
be the better for a shift into others just large
enough to admit the potting stick, and these, pro-
vided the balls are in a moist and suitable condition,
may be dealt with at once. We use rather heavy
calcareous loam, old lime rubble, a sprinkling of
bone-dust, and a dash of soot to kill worms. Mix a
month in advance, and use the compost when
fairly dry. The pots, I may say, should be quite
clean, well crocked, and, like the compost, perfectly
dry. Firm ramming may then be indulged in, a
very important point, and the balls being moist,
root-watering may be deferred for several days,
possibly a week, where the foliage is regularly
moistened with the syringe and the house is kept
pretty close. Although the wood may be getting
firm and the buds prominent, the trees should be
kept under glass until the leaves, by their
crisp appearance, show that the young root:
are at work, when the whole batch may be
placed in the open air. Steady root-action being
important, the pots should be plunged on a south or
west border, lightly mulched, regularly watered,
and well syringed when fine evenings succeed
bright warm days. The trees forming the second
batch already in pots large enough also may be
kept under glass until the others are ready to go
out, or, space being limited, they may go to their
open-air quarters at once. These, as a matter of
course, will take liberal supplies of pure water
through good mulching or clear diluted liquid
where manure is not used. The roots, in fact,
should never become dry, otherwise a check will be
followed by red spider, no matter how copiously
the trees are syringed.

The general house.— Pot trees now swelling
full crops of fruit will require frequent moieties of
top-dressing and very liberal feeding with clear
diluted liquid or guano water, whilst, by way of
change, soot water may be used twice a week for
the evening syringing after the sun has lost
its power. If earliness is any ■ advantage, the
house may be shut up about 4.30 p.m., and
opened again at 8, but a good crop being the
only object, the front or side ventilators may remain
open by day and night. The most important feeding
time is when the Peaches are stoning and taking
their second swelling, but once they have attained
full size and show a tendency to transparency,
flavour must be secured by the use of pure water
only and a liberal current of fresh warm air. The
great fault in mixed houses being overcrowding, an
occasional rearrangement may be advantageous,
now barren or lightly-cropped trees are sufficiently
advanced for removal to the open air. Plums and
early Pears, no matter how heavily they are
cropped, may be removed to warm sunny borders
not only safely, but with decided advantage, as the
fruit in these airy positions always colours well,
and is more delicious than when ripened in a cold
house. Late Plums, including the Gages and
Golden Drop, as well as the best dessert Pears
which ripen after October, should be kept in until
the fruit is ripe enough for gathering, and, quality
being preferable to quantity, one and all should be
well thinned. All exposed pot trees should now be
looked over with water at least twice a day, the
first time early after breakfast, the second just
before the afternoon syringing, when all balls
approaching dryness should be thoroughly soaked.
Cherries cannot be kept too dry, 'cool, and airy
when ripe ; hence the absolute necessity of a glass
roof at least, and being so acceptable to birds, the
ventilators and doors require careful netting.

being imperative, they must be kept under glass,
regularly watered and syringed, to maintain a clean
and healthy condition of the foliage. When the
latter begins to show signs of changing colour,
remove the laterals quite down to the fruiting
buds, commencing at the base of each Vine, but
carefully preserve the main leaves, and leave a few
rambling laterals near the points as safety-valves
for the buds below them. If well advanced, the
house may have a profusion of air through the day,
provided it be shut up with a little dry sun-heat
for the night ; but otherwise maturity may be expe-
dited by treating as an ordinary vinery and closing
an hour or two earlier. Another important point
is the prevention of rooting into the fermenting ma-
terials so often happens when the introduction of
tiles or slates is neglected. The Vines enjoy the
escape of crock roots, but suffer in the end, as the
whole of them must perish, whilst the compost, un-
occupied and inert, becomes sour and worse than
useless.

Vines from eyes, if well managed and judi-
ciously worked out of the fermenting material so
soon as the roots have taken to the compost given
at the final shift, will now make satisfactory pro-
gress in any light airy vinery, that is to say, where
every ray of sun can reach the foliage. As these
planting or cutting back canes need not make more
than 6 feet of growth, they should not be over-
potted, pots 6 inches to 7 inches being ample. At
this length then they should be pinched, and plump
base buds being important, the side laterals should
be kept in subjection throughout the season. These
like the preceding will enjoy a little weak clarified
liquid when well rooted, also they will require fre-
quent syringing to prevent the spread of thrips and
spider.

Early Vines. — The principal work in this de-
partment is good syringing, careful watering, and
liberal ventilation. If insects of any kind have
gained a footing, the very worst enemies may be
greatly reduced, if not annihilated, by the repeated
application of one of the many preparations now
so strongly recommended. A mild emulsion of soft
soap and paraffin is very good for the removal of
thrips, spider, and bug from the wood and foliage,
but be it borne in mind mineral oils should not
be applied to the porous rods when dormant in
winter.

Succession vineries.— The Vines in these as
they are cleared of fruit should be divested of the
lowest laterals on each of the spurs to plump up the
pruning buds, care being taken that the primary
leaves do not suffer. The next operation will be
the removal of all loose litter and exhausted mulch-
ing, as these materials not unfrequently form the
home of noxious insects. The borders may then
be lightly pointed up, remulcbed if necessary, tho-
roughly watered, and the foliage well hosed or
syringed.

Muscats.— The weather continuing so dark, wet.
and cold, fire-heat in this house is constantly neces-
sary, not only to help the Grapes forward, but also
to favour the admission of air, the best preventive
of scalding. The pipes, in fact, should be kept
comfortably warm, the supply of atmospheric mois-
ture moderate, and top ventilation constant with a
liberal increase early in the morning. Scalding
under this treatment will not be troublesome, and
in the event of the weather becoming warm, bright,
and steady, it will disappear altogether. Although
thinning is now finished, all large bunches should
be looked over once more, as berries likely to bind
can now receive relief without injury. Madresfield
Muscat and Black Morocco, two noble Grapes, but
subject to cracking, should be extra well thinned,
as the slightest tendency to binding favours this
proclivity. If growing in inside borders, the
swelling of the berries should be maintained by
regular and liberal supplies of tepid water, not only
until they have attained their fullest size, but until
colouring is well advanced, when a heavy mulch
will keep the surface roots fairly moist until after
the crop is cleared. A free run of lateral no doubt
is a step in the right direction, but a house literally
crowded with laterals will not safeguard from

and regularly watered until the Grapes have at-
tained their fullest size.

Cucumbers. — A few seeds of Telegraph, Lockie's
Perfection, a superb variety, or Cardiff Castle,
should now be sown, for a stock of sturdy plants
which, whilst maintaining the supply up to Christ-
mas, will favour the removal of others now getting
past their best, if not more or less damaged by
insect pests. The best nursery for young plants is
a single light frame placed on a sound manure bed,
firmly made, and filled to a depth of G inches with
old tan, ashes or leaf-mould for keeping down
steam. Here in good sized pots the plants may
remain until the points nearly touch the glass, by
which time the house, heated by hot water, must
be ready for their reception. If fermenting mate-
rial is used, no fire-heat will be needed until the
nights become long and cold, but having it at com-
mand the valves may be opened when the regula-
tion temperature begins to decline. Old plants in
houses and frames may be cut over, top-dressed,
and induced to produce useful fruit, but for quality
and quantity they will not touch vigorous maiden
plants. W. C.

Rose Garden.

Pot Vines intended for early forcing should now .
be nearly ripe, but perfect maturation of the buds cracking unless the borders are warm, well drained,

ROSE NOTES.
A few minutes' walk from Waltham Cross
Station is a prettily placed roadside nursery
called " Joynings," and it is here Mr. Rumsey
grows the many beautiful blooms he brings to
London and country exhibitions. His name is
familiar, not only as an exhibitor of cut Roses,
but also of pot plants, specimens and so forth
of the type that delighted visitors at the Temple
show where a group of Niphetos was charmingly
arranged, compelling comparison with more
formal exhibits of the same flower. The nur-
sery has been established since the beginning of
the century, and for many years Mr. Rumsey
has cultivated the queen of flowers in this spot,
all classes, from the Hybrid Perpetual varieties
to the little Monthly Roses that seem deter-
mined to flower themselves to death. One ex-
ceedingly pleasant walk, fragrantwith the count-
less flowers of many old-fashioned Roses, runs
across the nursery, and this has been left
much as the present owner found it. Masses
of the crimson Centranthus and the graceful
Goat's-beard Spirsea are in the borders, with
the time-honoured Roses that should be wel-
comed in every good garden. A large spread-
ing standard of the old Mme. Plantier must
have been one of the first trees of it planted, as
it is at least fifty years old, and the variety
first appeared about fifty-five years ago. This was
laden with bloom, having near it a more recent
and splendid climbing Rose Cheshunt Hybrid
crowded with finely shaped, deep crimson sweet-
scented flowers. Then we had a pretty picture
made by old bushes of Fellenberg, smothered
in the autumn with its bright flowers, and The
Garland, a small-flowered, but beautiful climb-
ing Rose, wreathing a pillar with luxuriant
growth and deliciously scented blossom. There
were also the Ayrshire Ruga and a lovely mass
of three kinds, all intertwined to produce a tall,
spreading, and delightful bush some 20 feet
high, forming an arbour over a garden seat.
These were the Boursault gracilis, Ayrshire
splendens, and Russelliana, a crimson Rose,
excellent for London gardens, climbing well,
and producing its crimson flowers freely. This
peep at a few of the old Roses, left to grow al-
most their own way, suggested that those who
are without such lovely flowers miss many a
bright picture of free bloom and graceful growth
which dwarfer plants cannot give.

The varieties that invite attention more than
others are the dark coloured Hybrid Perpetuals,
which the cool, almost sunless, days of June

July 19, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

63

and early July have suited peculiarly well. The
colours are intensely rich, not burnt nor dimmed
as in a season that agrees better with the lighter
tints and the Tea flowers. In a large batch of
dwarf plants on the cutting Brier, Prince Arthur
was perfection ; this is an excellent crimson
Rose, robust in habit, a good grower and free,
more constant than Sultan of Zanzibar, which
was, however, showing many good blooms.
Louis van Houtte is another dark Rose that has
done well this year. In nearly every stand
of Hybrid Perpetuals at the Crystal Palace
exhibition it was represented, invariably in
full beauty of shape and colour. Charle3 Le-
febvre, one of the most familiar kinds, was
almost as dark with Mr. Rumsey as Sir Row-
land Hill, a variety of intense colour this year,
and when in full possession of its rich claret
and maroon tone, one of the most charming
flowers in existence. It is a good grower, and
in this nursery does well on both the Brier
and Manetti. A very beautiful Rose is Gloire
de Margottin, thriving well on its own
roots or on a stock ; it is certainly one of the
most brilliant things Margottin has given us
(1887), its large, full, finely formed, and glori-
ously red-coloured flowers hanging gracefully on
long stalks ; it has fine leaves, and as a stan-
dard spreads out vigorously, the blooms appear-
ing freely and all of fairly even merit. The
characteristic gracefulness of the hanging flowers
is not the least of its charms. The fact that it
will climb and force remarkably well will not
be against it. Pride of Walt'.iam is a bsautiful
shining rose variety, which has given a better
account of itself this season than many light col-
oured flowers, and makes a good plant on the
cutting Brier. Marie Finger and Duchesse de.
Morny, both excellent growers, were conspicu-
ous amongst hundreds of blooms dashed and
spoilt by the heavy rains, or crippled in the bud
through the unnatural coldness of the season.
A Rose that was exquisitely beautiful with Mr.
Rumsey, and that seems to do well generally, is
Mrs. John Laing, a noble exhibition flower,
brilliant rose in colour, maisive, full, large, and
telling. It is unquestionably one of the greatest
acquisitions of recent years — in the way of Mme.
Gabriel Luizet, very vigorous, commencing to
bloom early and lasting until quite the autumn ;
while it seems absolutely proof against mildew,
even when in the midst of plants affected with
this disfiguring and hurtful pest. It was raised
by Mr. Henry Bennett, who has given us several
Rose3 of pronounced usefulness. Mrs. George
Dickson, a bright satin-pink-coloured flower, is,
like Mrs. John Laing, a Rose that keeps free
from mildew. It grows well, and its charming
colour has made it an established favourite with
all. In a break of about two thousand three-
year-old dwarf plants there were many choice
varieties, some, as the unfortunately scentless,
but brightly - coloured Baroness Rothschild,
being covered with the massive flowers. Here
also was Lady Helen Stewart, one of Messrs.
A. Dicison and Sons', of Newtownards, ac-
quisitions of 18S7, a bright crimson flower,
full and very fragrant, continuing to give excel-
lent blooms in the autumn. It does well with
Mr. Rumsey, also such favourites as Anna de
Diestach, Benoit Comte (a fine old bright red
flower, giving beautiful blooms late in the
season), Mme. Isaac Pereire, and Heinrich
Schultheis, nearly all on the Brier stock.
Standard Roses are grown largely, and though
we dislike this mode of culture, a few of the
leading varieties in this nursery were developing
splendid heads, laden with flowers.

Triomphe de Noisettes, a variety raised by
Pernet in 1837, and a cross between General
Jacqueminot and Ophirie, was noticeable for its

richgrowthandvigourasastandard ; it has sweet-
scented salmon-rose flowers borne abundantly.
Out-back plants of it have been giving blooms
for the past four or six weeks, and here also we
noted the beauty of Gloire de Margottin and
that lovely hybrid Tea Viscountess Folkestone,
another invaluable Rose from Mr. Bennett. If
he had raised no other kind, this would have
been sufficient to perpetuate his name. It
makes a beautiful dwarf plant, bearing a pro-
fusion of massive, handsome flowers, creamy
white, tinted with a salmon colour in the centre,
very lovely in its bright mixture of shades.
Other beautiful Roses, brilliant in colour,
were Princesse de Sagan, the true crimson Tea
flower referred to later on ; The Bride,
Charles Lefebvre, Sophie Fropot, Mme. Gabriel
Luizet, Mme. Isaac Pereire, Duke of Teck,
Eugene Verdier, Blanche Moreau, Pride of Wal-
tham, Eclair, a very compact deep crimson
flower ; Earl of Dufferin, Colonel Felix Breton,
Eugene Furst, MerveiUe de Lyon, Mme. Ver-
dier, the old Le Havre, Magna Charta, Annie
Wood, and as a half standard the favourite
E. Y. Teas. The white Moss Rose, which makes
a splendid head of growth and bloom, is a
delightful flower in the bud, of the purest white,
and beautifully mossed. These are a few
varieties that were making conspicuously fine
standards, and if striking garden Roses are
wanted, and not varieties that have a peculiar
temperament, these are some of the most effec-
tive by reason either of their freedom, colour,
or shape in the flower. Near this vigorous
break of standards is a charming collection of
Monthly Roses, the deep crimson amongst
others, and the old Souvenir de la Malmaison
— a delightful batch of familiar types that we
should like to see in every garden.

The soil of Mr. Rumsey's nursery is cold and
heavy, and Tea Roses do not thrive with the
same vigour as the Hybrid Perpetuals A se-
vere frost in the early part of the year dealt
them a severe blow, shown by thinned rows ;
but several noteworthy kinds were in bloom
recently, and amongst others the crimson Tea
Princesse de Sagan, which if it were fuller and
larger would be trebly valuable. The flowers
want substance, but they hang gracefully on the
plants, and light up the garden with their dazzling
crimson colour. It is quite a recent variety,
having been raised about two years ago by
Dubreuil. Those who want a true crimson Tea
will find it in this flower. It is a vigorous
grower, and certainly worth a place if only for
its brilliant colour. It is on the cutting Brier
stock. The Bride is a very charmingly col-
oured flower, of a soft lemon-yellow shade,
and a sport from Catherine Mermet. Red
Safrano, a variety that more recent types
have overshadowed, is a splendidly coloured
Rose, very much like the new acquisition of
Nabonnand called L'Ideal, and, as is well
known, it makes a free vigorous growth.
Mme. Hoste, the lovely Mme. Charles, very
pretty with its Mme. Falcot-like colour, and a
free vigorous plant ; Mme. de Watteville, the most
exquisitely coloured of all Tea Roses when in
true character, and Grace Darling, for which we
are again indebted to Mr. Bennett, were note-
worthy. This is one of the best garden Roses
in existence, a good kind for pots, thriving al-
most anywhere and on any stock, and flowering
early and late. It is very vigorous, and a
bed of it makes a distinct and beautiful feature
in the garden. We have seen it blooming right
into the dull November, even then giving pre-
sentable buds for the table. All the leading va-
rieties are grown, but the rains have effectually
spoilt the display of bloom.

Besides the outdoor Roses, Mr. Rumsey

grows a large collection of pot plants, which fill
several houses. There are specimens in prepara-
tion for the early shows next year, and a noble
batch of Niphetos, which graces many an exhi-
bition in the spring. It is a true Rose nursery,
where the flower is successfully grown in its
various phases.

The shining-leaved Rose (Rosa lucida).—
According to Loudon, this North American species of
Rose is found in bogs and on the edges of marshes,
yet it does well with other Roses. When from i feet
to 5 feet high it forms a very ornamental specimen,
clothed with bright green glossy leaves, and is now
thickly studded with its deep rose-coloured flowers.
The shining foliage forms a distinctive feature,
while the bright red fruits, which are borne in
great profusion, make it very showy during the
autumn months. At that time the foliage dies off
richly tinted with various shades of brown and
crimson, and when in a sunny spot it is then most
beautif ill. It is a very old Rose, but, like most of
the other species, neglected. — T.

Rose Blairi No. 2. - One of the most effective
Roses we have here now is a plant of this, which is
climbing up the stem of a fine old Larch that has
lost its bottom branches. The Rose covers the stem
for about 15 feet in height, and is bearing a large
number of fine flowers that tell well from a dis-
tance or on close inspection. The quality of the
flowers is surprising, for they are quite double and
large, although the plant is growing in the rough
Grass and does not get any assistance from manure
or cleaning round its stem. All the pruning it gets
is to cut out the dead and weak wood annually.
Many Roses lend themselves to this treatment if
care is taken to select positions where they will not
get killed to the ground whenever there happens to
be a hard winter or spring.— J. C. Tallack.

Some useful Roses. — Under this heading I
would include a few Roses which may not be very
attractive from a florist's standpoint, but which are,
either from their season, habit, colour, or free
flowering, useful in a garden. The old Malmaison
was very early this year, and although some of the
blooms were malformed, sufficient were perfect to
furnish a good supply. We have this on the end
of a vinery, and get a plentiful cutting of early
aad late flowers. On another vinery is Ophirie,
a Rose of very vigorous habit and a nice button-
hole flower. Given a mild autumn, it will furnish
occasional flowers until very late in the season. I
cannot quite rank among the admirers of Homere ;
it is very pretty in the bud, but comparatively
scentless, and a most erratic flower. I had two
plants almost close together, the one a standard
that always did well, the other on a wall, which
produced during the time it was allowed to remain
nothing but monstrosities. Reve d'Or has not much
to recommend it to those who demand a perfect
flower, but is a "cut-and-come-again" variety, and
seems to make itself at home in most situations.
Catherine Bell is another useful sort, very free, and
without exception about the sweetest Rose in cul-
tivation. I saw some tremendous plants of old
Coupe d'H6be the other day against a wall, and very
beautiful they were. It looked as though some
bushels of flowers might be taken from them.
Another Rose belonging to this group, a good com-
panion to Coupe d'H^b^, is Mme. Plantier, and Paul
Verdier is good in the darker shades. These hybrid
Chinas are well adapted for walls, also first-rate for
arches, pillars, trellis-work, &c. — E. Eueeell.

Marechal Niel Rose. — No Rose has had so
much written about it as Marechal Niel, and yet
for all that it is a puzzle to most people, as few
seem to understand or know the reason of its going
off at the union, some attributing that failing to
one thing and some another. In the majority
of cases there can, I think, be no question but that
it arises from unsuitability of stock, as when plants
of it die they are those that have swollen at the
junction. To put such a free growing Rose on the
Crier that swells so slowly in its stem is a great
mistake, and double working, as advised by " A. p."

64

THE GARDEN.

[July 19, 1890.

(p. 587), is only half a remedy, for of what ad-
vantage is it to put one kind of Rose on a starving
stock and then another on that ? Surely it would
be far better to give the Marechal what it wants
at the very outset, and that is a Rose which is
just as free growing as it is, and then there will be
no enlargement at the union, as the two will swell
on together. We all know very well that if the
Manetti is worked high and has a stem out of the
ground that it will starve any head on it, as it
hardly ever increases in size, and it is just the
same with the Pear on the Quince or Peaches and
Nectarines on bad Plums, all of which enlarge at
the joint when the stocks are exposed. There is
nothing then at all singular that precisely the same
thing should happen with Roses, and the gout in
the trunk of the Marechal only shows that it needs
a stock of similar habit and growth to it, and when
worked on such we shall hear little or nothing of
the sudden death of large plants.— S. D.

TEA ROSES IN A RAISED BORDER.
Some of the best Tea Roses do not carry their
flowers erect, and it is necessary to lift them in
order to examine them or see their beauty.
This would seem a defect, and obviously such
pendent-flowered kinds grouped on the level
would not be so effective as those kinds which
hold up their flowers on strong foot-stalks.
The champions of standard Roses would say
this is clearly a case which demonstrates the
necessity of budding some Roses standard high,
in order that their beauty may be seen. There
is, however, a better way of growing tkem so
that the drooping tendency will become a charm
instead of a defect, that is in raised beds or
borders. We have a long raised border about
2 feet high, and in it are grouped some of these
drooping flowered Teas, which now display
their blooms to the best advantage.

Niphbtos is known to everyone, but it is not so
generally cultivated out of doors as it might be.
Grown so much under glass, and so extensively, in
order to supply the great demand for its great
white buds, a notion is abroad that it is rather
tender. This is not so ; it is as hardy as any of the
other Teas, and dwarf bushes in beds or borders
grow and flower with vigour and great freedom.
Our plants were originally in a bed on the level,
but they have been transferred to the raised border
because of the drooping character of the flowers,
which will now display themselves to the best ad-
vantage. This Rose when grown in the open air has
flowers of better substance than those upon plants
under glass. They open well even in dull, damp
weather when full or very double flowers would
rot.

Marquise de Vivens, so beautifully figured in
The Garden, February 16 (p. 146), is another
drooping flowered kind that needs to be brought
up nearer to the eye. This is essentially a garden
Rose. It would be almost useless for exhibition, as
there are only about twelve petals in a flower, which
when fully expanded is loose and semi-double. In
the bud and half-opened state, however, this is a
lovely Rose. Externally the flowers are pale,
almost white, shaded with soft rose, which inside
the flower deepens to a bright carmine- rose,
again shading to cream or pale yellow in the
inner base of the flower. When seen in clus-
ters, it is particularly bright and effective. The
habit of growth is sturdy and moderately vigor-
ous. Only where several plants are grouped
closely can the full beauty of this Rose be seen,
and it is well worthy of one of the best positions
the garden can afford.

. Souvenir d'un Ami is one of the good old kinds
that will ever rank in the first class. It is hardy,
vigorous, and free, with flowers of a drooping cha-
racter. The flowers are large, double, of a fine
round form and pale rose colour. The wealth of
glossy foliage is conspicuous in this kind. It is or-
mental even when not in flower, but when the
bushes are 'laden with blossoms they are seen to

the best advantage, and look extremely charming
in their setting of abundant healthy foliage. This
Rose is vigorous and makes a fine bush, but it can
be grouped in a very bold way, as the plants may
be placed at greater distances apart.

Adam and President may be taken together,
as they are synonymous. " Adam " was sent out by
Adam in 1833, and President by W. Paul and Son in
1860. Among Tea Roses nowin general cultivation, if
we except Bougere, which appeared in 1832, Adam
is the oldest, and it is saying a great deal in its
praise that after so many years it should still be
possible to associate Adam with some of the very
best kinds of recent origin. In form, colour, habit
of growth, and richness of foliage, it somewhat
resembles Souvenir d'un Ami.

Jean Ducher is planted in the same raised
border, as I thought under such conditions it
might be induced to flower satisfactorily. It is a
full Rose, with flowers of such great substance
that heat is required to open them. A few blooms
opened well, and in their sunny position assumed
that richness and variety of colouring so charac-
teristic of the kind. It is a yellow salmon-shaded
Rose, suffused with rosy-peach, which varies in
depth and intensity according as the weather is
bright or otherwise. Such a fine Rose is worthy
of a good place, and if successful the grower is
well repaid, but, generally speaking, it will not
be found reliable, and might be avoided by those
who only having room for fewer kinds want only
the best.

Luciole, a comparatively new Rose, is very dis-
tinct and attractive. It is a vigorous grower and
exceedingly free-flowering. It has very large, long
buds of striking appearance and very distinct in
colour, being of a bright rosy carmine suffused
with yellow, which deepens at the base of the
petals to quite a coppery hue. The combination of
shades in this flower is very novel and charming.

Catherine Mermet is faultless in form and
exquisite in its pale soft colour. Its merits, how-
ever, are sufficiently well known, and need no
further mention here.

L'Elegante. — Roses are often in great request
for button-holes, and this is essentially a button-
hole Rose. It is a dwarf spreading grower and
very free blooming, The flowers are on the outside
pale rose, shading to white, whilst a deeper rose suf-
fused with varying shades of yellow characterises
the other part of the flower. A. H

there are now several of these that produce very
fine flowers. Reine Marie Henriette is a most ex-
cellent Rose, that has nice satiny crimson blooms,
and it is a good plan to plant this or any other of
similar colour on one side of a tree, and on the
other a pale sort and let them run together,
in which way they are very striking and have a
pleasing effect. Another fine Rose for the same
work is lime. Berard, and C'heshunt Hybrid is also
a fine variety. The grand old Gloire de Dijon
must not be forgotten, as when this is allowed to
run free from knife and restraint there is no Rose
to equal it, as it sends out long strong shoots that
become smothered with blooms, and is a sight in
the season. I have not yet tried the Marechal Niel
on trees, or seen it growing in that way, but as it
is so remarkably vigorous, I have no doubt that it
would do as well as any of those named if a warm
sheltered place be chosen for it. — S. D.

A new Rose.— Flowers of a finely coloured
and scented new Hybrid Perpetual Rose have been
sent us by Mr. Henry Bennett, of Shepperton, and
it is another valuable addition to a long list of good
things this raiser has given ns in the Rose way.
The flowers are very showy, and remind us when
fully expanded of those of Ulrich Brunner, but
they are quite distinct. Their colour is rich crim-
son, shaded with a bluish tone when open, while
the scent is strong and rich. The vigour of the
bloom and stem indicates unusual robustness in the
plant, and if this is the case, then we have a wel-
come Rose of fine bold character for the garden.
Its name is Capt. Hayward.

Roses on trees. — I am glad to see that these
have received a notice (p. 587), as no finer objects
can be seen in a garden than Roses on trees, that
is, if the trees happen to suit them, as for the
Roses to show off to the greatest advantage, the
trees must be thin of branches and foliage. The
best in these respects are the Oaks, especially old
decrepit ones that have been pollarded, as they
have low heads and suitable trunks, and another
thing with them is that they do not root near the
surface, but low down in the ground, and therefore
do not rob any plants under or near them, and the
Roses have a good chance. To give them a fair
start, the earth should be dug out to the depth of
2 feet or so, and fresh rich soil put in, or if this is
not thought necessary, some rotten manure, well
worked up with the old before the Roses are
planted. The most suitable sorts for the kind of
ornamentation referred to are the very strong
growers that send out long shoots annually, and

ROSES IN MASSES.
ALTHODC4H the practice of growing Roses in beds
is now general in gardens, it cannot be said, in the
majority of cases at any rate, that the plants
are arranged to produce the best effect. Too
frequently the beds are formed regardless of the
position and general surroundings, and the Roses
planted without a thought as to their height, con-
stitution, and colour, with the result that may now
be so commonly seen in English gardens — a mixed
medley of trees varying in height and size, and,
worse still, a crude mixture of washy and bright
colours that even upon the dullest mind fails to
produce an effect. Apart from this, the varying
vigour of the different varieties generally employed
in such cases causes the wide unsightly gaps and
vacancies which unfortunately characterise the
average so-called Rose beds. Thus it is that the
queen of flowers is so frequently seen at a disad-
vantage, and fails to produce the effect in the
garden that amateurs and other enthusiasts expect.
Reverse matters, however, by planting the beds
with such varieties as are suitable for the imme-
diate surroundings, and how different would be the
result ! Then we should have a rich and bold mass
of colour instead of, as is now the case, a mixture
of good and bad, and seen from the distance such
beds would produce a striking effect.

Few who make a study of Roses will question the
fact that in the majority of gardens too many va-
rieties are employed to produce a good effect.
Beds of mixed and numerous varieties may yield a
more bountiful supply of flowers for cutting, but
let these be formed in less conspicuous spots, if
necessary to have them at all. Those who desire
blooms for cutting in quantity will find it a better
plan to plant trees or bushes in the reserve ground,
and leave those that are employed for garden decora-
tion to perform that function to the utmost. Where
this is done, it will be found that by far the best
and most satisfactory results are produced. If
space is limited, a score or less varieties will be
ample to produce a good effect, and in gardens of
greater pretensions only the brightest and best va-
rieties should be employed. Where possible, each
small bed may be planted with one variety only ;
but when grown on banks or in large beds, it is
advisable to plant groups of each variety. By
adopting this method, and rigidly excluding all of a
doubtful constitution and inferior colour, a brilliant
display will accrue. In grouping or massing Roses
thus, some knowledge as to the characteristics of
the best and most suitable varieties is desirable.
Among the Hybrid Perpetuals there are many kinds
that may be recommended for the purpose, but my
advice, as before given, is to confine the varieties
to a few, making a limited and choice selection of
the cream of these extensively-grown Roses, espe-
cially in the case of small gardens. Of these, none
is, in my opinion, more beautiful than La France.
It is one of the freest-blooming varieties in cultiva-
tion, producing its deliriously fragrant and charm-
ingly tinted blooms in great profusion, and is,
moreover, under good management, a vigorous
grower. In addition to this, it is one of the best
autumnal Roses, as well as one of the first to expand
its lovely flowers. But, despite these good traits,

July 19, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

65

comparatively few gardens can show a bold mass oE
this beautiful Rose. True, the blooms of this
variety are in some cases frail in texture and ex-
pand rapidly in a hot dry summer, but it is, never-
theless, to be regretted that it is so scantily em-
ployed for the above purpose, it being one of the
best bedding and decorative Roses extant. Then,
again, for producing an abundance of beautifully
tinted pink Roses, what variety is better than Mme.
Gabriel Lnizet .' But, like La France, this charming
Rose is rarely permitted to display its charms to
advantage, such as it would if grown in bold masses.
In some gardens, however, this variety has not
proved satisfactory as an autumn bloomer, but if
cut well back after the first flowering period is over,
it will, especially in favoured localities, produce a
fair amount of blooms until far into the autumn.
Another useful variety for effective massing in the
garden may be found in Baroness Rothschild, al-
though for cutting this Rose is but second-rate.
As is well known, it has an upright habit of growth,
but produces very large pale rose-coloured blooms,
which when seen in masses are very effective. It
also blooms freely in the autumn. Marguerite de
St. Amand, too, is well adapted for massing, being
of good habit and producing its charming, rosy,
flesh-coloured blossoms with great freedom, while
the same may be said in regard to Catherine
Soupert and Captain Christy, both very useful light-
coloured Roses. In favourable weather Merveille de
Lyon makes a bold show with its fine shaped,
slightly-tinted blooms, but owing to their delicacy
they are liable to be discoloured in wet seasons,
and therefore cannot be recommended for massing.
But, as a substitute for the last-named variety,
Violette Bouyer may be planted with advantage.
This, a seedling from Jules Margottin, I believe, is
perhaps the most attractive of the light-coloured
Hybrid Perpetuals, and is one of the freest flower-
ing kinds, producing its delicately-hued blooms in
great profusion through the summer and autumn
months. Garden Favourite, again, is a capital Rose
for massing, but, as far as I have seen, it is somewhat
scantily grown. It has well-formed flowers, bright
pink in colour, and is a very free-blooming variety.
Among those of a darker hue suitable for the above
purpose Alfred K. Wdliams must be given a fore-
most place. It is a good grower and most profuse
bloomer, producing its fine carmine-red blooms both
early and late, and a bold mass of this grand variety
would make a telling effect in the garden. A simi-
lar character maybe given. Charles Lefebvre, which
in the rush for novelties is too frequently over-
looked. Duke of Connaught is another useful dark
Rose for garden decoration, and if given a favour-
able position it makes a capital subject for massing.
One of the best masses of dark Roses it has ever
been my good fortune to see, however, was formed
of Rosieriste Jacobs, which has bright velvety red
blooms of fine form. It is a free-flowering variety
and should be more generally grown. The well-
known Dupuy Jamain with its brilliant blooms also
makes a grand show when planted in masses, being
a good grower and free bloomer, and the same may
be said of Ulrich Brunner, General Jacqueminot,
and Gabriel Tournier. There are many other Hybrid
Perpetuals that might also be utilised for a like pur-
pose with advantage, but the foregoing forms a
choice selection.

There are other kinds equally as well adapted for
massing as the Hybrid Perpetuals, and among these
not the least important are the Chinese, or monthly
Roses. Of these there are two groups —the old
crimson Chinese (Rosa semperflorens) and the
ordinary monthly Rose (Rosa indica). The varie-
ties of both, however, differ so little in general ap-
pearance, that for gardening purposes they may
well be classed under one group. For producing
abundance of bloom the varieties of the old crim-
son Chinese Rose are perhaps the most useful
kinds, but few modern gardens can boast of a
rich display of them. It is in old-fashioned and
cottage gardens that these beautiful Roses are seen
at their best, and I have many times cut a handful
of fresh blooms from a clump of these that are now
growing in a noithern garden in November. There

guinea, or the old crimson, is a very free-flowering
kind, and so is Cramoisi-Superieure. Duchess of
Kent, too, is well worthy of being planted in a mass
on every lawn or flower garden, where it would show
its pretty light-tinted flowers off to advantage. A
few varieties of the monthly Rose are also worth
planting in masses, especially such kinds as Mme.
Breon and Ducher. The former has fine blooms of
rich rose colour, and the latter white, both being pro-
duced in immense quantities until late in the autumn.
Among the dwarfest growing Bourbon Roses se-
veral good kinds for massing may also be found,
these blooming with great freedom until far into
the autumn. Armosa, pink, is perhaps the best of
this section, but closely following it in point of
beauty comes Queen of Bedders. In some gardens
the latter is the best, while by others the former
is preferred. Queen of Bedders is, nevertheless, a
useful variety, and can scarcely be planted too ex-
tensively. Queen is another useful kind of this
section, producingimmense quantities of large fawn-
coloured flowers until late in the autumn, and as
an addition to this, Souvenir de la Malmaison may
be planted if necessary. The last-named, although
practically an autumn bloomer, cannot be strongly
recommended, as it fails to perfect its blooms in a
wet season, and is at its best not a very showy
kind, although it is useful for producing cut blooms
at a late period.

Many of the hybrid Polyantha Roses are also
adapted for massing in beds, they being, as a rule,
remarkably free autumn bloomers. A useful variety
of this section is Anna Marie de Montravel, a dwarf -
growing and very free-blooming sort, producing
clusters of pure white flowers in enormous quan-
tities when judiciously managed. The same may be
said of Paquerette, another pretty little white
Rose, that is deserving of greater attention than it
hitherto has had. Belonging to the same class is
Perle d'Or, a beautiful little Rose, and worthy of a
place in every garden. It produces small, pale
yellow flowers with orange centre in great profu-
sion, and, apart from their utility for garden de-
coration, these are very useful for cutting.

Even the old-fashioned striped Roses are not
wanting in effect when judiciously massed to-
gether, as many an old cottage garden can show,
and where a variety of groups is desired these
may with advantage be included in the list. By
" striped Roses " I do not mean the true York and
Lancaster, as this is comparatively worthless for
massing, but Rosa Mundi, or Rosamond, as it is
sometimes called. This is frequently mistaken
for the York and Lancaster, but there is a ma-
terial difference between the two. The blooms
of the last-named are somewhat flimsy in texture
and poor in colour compared with those of Rosa
Mundi, which has a broad white petal and bright
red stripe. The best group of this Rose I ever
saw grew in my father's garden in the south of
England some thirty years ago, and the trees had,
so I have since ascertained, been there for many
years previous to my knowledge of them. But
these, like many more good things in old-fashioned
gardens, have recently been demolished to make
room for less interesting subjects.

Then, again, what is there to prevent Moss Roses
being grown in masses in gardens 1 True, they do
not produce a very striking effect, nor are they the
best of autumn bloomers, but still I see no reason
why they should not be more extensively planted,
for what could be more beautiful than a bank or
bed of Moss Boses ? There are several varieties of
them, the best of which were described at length
in a recent issue of The Garden ; but for garden
decoration the common Moss Rose can compare
favourably with any ; while of no less importance
is Little Gem. The last named is a beautiful little
Rose, as the samples exhibited at the recent Temple
show could testify, with small double crimson and.
well-mossed flowers. It is a rather dwarf grower, and
should therefore be planted in good soil in a favour-
able position. As a companion to this or the com-
mon Moss, a white variety named Blanche Moreau
very suitable. This is a good bloomer, and,

The Austrian Roses or Briers I should also like
to see more extensively used for massing, as they
are well adapted for the purpose, and, more-
over, produce flowers of a shade that is none
too plentiful among outdoor Roses, namely, a bright
yellow. The varieties Persian Yellow and Harri-
son's Yellow, or Harrisoni, as it is generally
called, are perhaps the most popular, but they are
neither more showy nor beautiful than the single
yellow Austrian Brier, for when grown in a
mass the latter will produce a very striking ef-
fect. In addition to these, there is the single
copper-coloured variety, which is also worthy of
forming a mass in every garden. Where space
permits of one group only being grown, however,
preference should be given to Harrison's Yellow,
which, in my opinion, is by far the best of all the
yellow Briers.

There is still one more class of Roses -well
adapted for massing that I should like to call
attention to, namely, the Scotch Roses. These are
exceedingly hardy and will flourish amazingly in
almost any soil and situation, and where it is desir-
able to clothe a bank or hide an unsightly part of
the garden, these are undoubtedly the best Roses to
plant. There are many varieties of them with yellow,
pink, white, rose, and crimson flowers, which, as a
rule, are produced in the early days of summer.
There is, however, an exception, namely, Stanwell
Perpetual, a deliciously fragrant, light pink Rose,
which flowers freely until late in the autumn.
Therefore, in forming masses of the Scotch Roses,
this variety should always be included, and thus
secure a succession of bloom from May until No-
vember.

Although considered to be of a somewhat tender
nature by the majority of Rose growers, many of
the Tea-scented kinds may also be planted in masses
with advantage. In this case, of course, a favour-
able position should be afforded the trees and a
little regard given to the nature of the soil in which
they are planted, adding, if possible, a moderate
amount of fibry loam and burnt clay. Treated
thus, and afforded a little protection in the shape
of dry Bracken during severe winters, it is sur-
prising how Tea Roses will thrive and produce a
fine effect in the garden, as well as supply an
almost inexhaustible supply of cut bloom during
the summer and autumn months. To secure the
best results, however, the hardiest and most showy
varieties only must be planted. As is well known,
there are many kinds of Tea Roses, some exquisitely
beautiful, others comparatively worthless for sup-
plying cut blooms or for garden decoration. Among
the best for the purpose named.Gloire de Dijon must
take a foremost place. This grand Rose and its good
qualities are too well known to need a lengthy de-
scription here, but a reminder that it is not so ex-
tensively planted in masses in gardens as it might be
may be of service. Beds of it are extremely showy in
early summer, and the same may be said of them
during the autumn. In this case the long shoots
should be pegged down when pruning is being
done. Anna. Olivier, with beautifully-shaped buds
of a light rose colour, is a free-growing variety
adapted for massing, and so is Isabella Sprunt,
sulphur-yellow. Mme.Berard,too,is a strong grower,
well adapted for this purpose, producing salmon-
rose coloured blooms in abundance ; while the same
may be said of the popular Mme. Falcot, apricot-
yellow. Safrano I have also seen do well when
planted in beds, and, given a favourable position,
it will not fail to prove satisfactory. Two other
charming varieties may be found in Perle de L3'on,
deep yellow, and Perle des Jardins, canary-yellow,
orange centre ; while a sport from the latter variety,
named Sunset, may also be included in the list.
This bears flowers similar in form to its parent, but
of a deeper yellow, and is beautiful in the bud.
Additions may, of course, be made to this selection
but for ordinarv purposes the foregoing will suffice.

C. L.

are many varieties of this section, among which I unlike" the common variety, flowers rather freely
Fabvier (bright crimson) is one of the best, San- 1 until the autumn.

Rose Coupe d'Hebe. — This is one of the finest
and grandest Roses, as it has very large, beautifully
formed, cup-shaped flowers of a lovely pink and soft
satiny hue, which renders it quite distinct among

66

THE GAEDEN.

[July 19, 1890.

others. We have it here on a trellis at the back of a
border, where it gets but little pruning, and is there-
fore free, and the number of flowers it yields is enor-
mous. Unfortunately, it is not a Perpetual and only
flowers once, and I expect that has told against it, and
may account for its not being more frequently seen.
— S. D.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

HOW TO HAVE EAELY STRAWBERRIES.

Gabden'S naturally vary considerably, especially
as regards earliness, there being a difference of
from a week to a fortnight in this respect in a
single locality even. In some gardens, again , there
are various warm borders and other sheltered
sunny slopes where Strawberries can be had much
earlier than in other parts of the garden, and those
owning or in charge of these have a decided advan-
tage over others much less favourably situated.
What the latter lack in the way of good oppor-
tunities they must make up for by greater perse-
verance and skill, and it sometimes happens that
those least favourably circumstanced succeed in
surpassing those presumably better situated. For
instance, it must be a poor place if a site could not
be'found for *orwarding Strawberries so as to have
some ripe in' all southern localities during the first

neighbours, and which might in our case this sea-
son be reasonably taken for two-year-old clumps.
It is not a very heavy, but rather an extra early
crop that is wanted, the gain of a few days making
a great difference in the value of the fruit, this
whether for market or home consumption. Early
Strawberries I have proved to be the most profit-
able crop that can be grown on a warm border,
and instead of wasting valuable ground over Peas,
which frequently can be had quite as quickly in a
sunny, open spot, we much prefer to increase our
breadth of Strawberries. What is to prevent most
others in charge of walled-in gardens doing the
same ? They may not be able, as we do, to devote
a border of 50 yards long and 3 yards wide to this
important crop, but they might yet have a few
rows or enough to provide small dishes of fruit
daily from the time they are first fit to pick till
Strawberries are plentiful in the open. We find
they ripen very early on borders with south, south-
west, and south-east aspects, the preference being
given to the two first named.

As it happens, there are innumerable gardens,
managed by amateurs or otherwise, where there are
no garden walls and borders, or else only very
limited in extent, and in these cases some different
plan must be adopted for forwarding Strawberries.
I have never yet seen a place where a suitable site

The Olympian Mullein (Verbascum olympicum). For description see p. 54.

week in June and a week or fortnight later in
colder districts. One great advantage attending
the gathering of Strawberries thus early is the fact
of its doing away with the necessity of growing so
many in pots, at least two batches of plants being
saved. We, this season, found we should not
want nearly all the plants in pots, and these, there-
fore, were planted on a north border for the pur-
pose of affording late pickings of fruit. Those
who are not in a position to grow Strawberries
under glass are even more likely to appreciate what
is done in the way of lengthening the season in the
open air, a gain of a week, say, being very gratify-
ing.

My ideas on the subject may not be altogether
novel, but they were not borrowed in any sense of
the word, and I claim for the practice I shall
detail the merit of being simple, uncommon, and
most successful. Few observant gardeners need be
told that young Strawberry plants usually produce
the earliest and very frequently the finest fruit.
It is too much foliage that retards ripening, and I
go to the length not only of advising that a cer-
tain number of fresh plants be given a sunny spot
every season, but also that these be not too well
grown. The smaller or more weakly plants were
three or four days ahead of their more vigorous

could not be fixed upon ; it may be at the foot of a
sunny fence, boundary wall, walls of outbuildings,
sheds, and even the fronts of plant houses or vine-
ries. Strawberries would also pay well for the erec-
tion of wooden fences or screens, these being utilised
for Tomato culture, late varieties being grown at
the back and early ones in front. It is quite im-
material, whether the ground or site has previously
been cultivated or not ; in fact, a bed of soil resting
on a hard gravelly bottom or pathway answers
even better, being warmer in every way. A depth
of about i) inches of fairly rich loamy soil made
quite firm is ample to support Strawberries a
single season, especially if a mulching of strawy
manure is given early in the spring and water
freely applied in dry weather. In each and every
case a good slope to the south is desirable, and if
ridges or banks of soil were formed in the open
and planted on the sunny side with early Straw-
berries, and on the opposite with later varieties, a
capital early and late supply of fruit would result.
To be thoroughly successful, young plants only,
as before hinted, must be grown in these sheltered
sunny positions. Destroying them after producing
a single crop may seem an expensive and wasteful
proceeding, but it is not so, and I strongly advise
that it be done. In the first place, there is no

necessity to expend much labour in the preparation
of the ground, trenching a border occupied most
probably by fruit tree roots being an unwise pro-
ceeding, and, besides, a temporary crop of Straw-
berries does not need it. We simply manure the
ground rather freely for Ashleaf Potatoes, and all
the preparation required after these are cleared off
is to clean, level, trample and break down the sur-
face prior to putting out rooted Strawberry runners.
A heavy dressing of rich manure only results in the
growth of too much foliage, and that we strive
to prevent. Planting and destroying Strawberries
annually are really no more trouble than treating
Broccoli the same.

In anticipation of this early removal, the Straw-
berries are put out about 18 inches apart each way,
or much more thickly than those more permanently
planted, this being done about the first week in
August. They are watered occasionally during Au-
gust or till they are well established, all runners
being pinched off as they form. In the spring, just
when active growth commences, a light surfacing
of some kind of special manure, or, failing this,
either guano, soot, and wood ashes, or else a good
soaking of liquid manure, ought to be given, and
shortly after, in any case, a mulching of strawy
manure to prevent an early loss of moisture. Spring
frosts sometimes prove destructive among the early
flowers, the earliest and finest fruit therefore being
lost, and in order to prevent this unfortunate oc-
currence it is advisable to temporarily protect the
beds with cotton blinds, the cheap scrim canvas to
be obtained of any draper being a fairly good sub-
stitute for these. Directly the fruit is plentiful on
the plants in the open, it is a good plan to cease
trampling among the early plants, in order to
preserve the capital lot of early runners these in-
variably produce. The latter can be rooted and re-
moved in time for the old plants to be cleared off
and the ground manured and dug for another batch
of young Strawberry plants if need be, this being
better than leaving the old plants to fruit a second
time. We ceased to gather from the early beds
since June 21, and there is a fine lot of runners
already rooted in good soil between them.

Both early and second early varieties ripen under
the treatment just described well in advance of
any less favourably located, but it is not advisable
to plant other than the very best of the former.
Laxton's Noble is by far the best sort for the pur-
pose. This, in addition to being very early, is also
exceptionally productive, the fruit being very large
and taking in appearance. We commenced gather-
ing Noble on June 2, and large dishes of fruit were
available daily afterwards. Frequently sixteen
fruits weighed 1 lb., a few of them being still finer.
It does not weigh so heavily, according to its size,
as Sir J. Paxton. If eaten before it is very ripe,
the quality is good enough for most people, especi-
ally if its marked earliness is taken into considera-
tion. Sir J. Paxton on the same border was fit to
pick eight days later, this fine variety being quite
as early as Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury.

W. IGGULDEN.

Melons. — Those who understand the erratic
qualities of Melons, and none know better than
those who have to taste them and make awards at
exhibitions, will marvel to read that no less than
three certificates of merit were awarded to them
at the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society
on the 8th inst. The committee on that occasion
must have been in exceeding good humour, and
having granted one certificate felt that they could
do no less than make three awards in a lump. The
awards were as meritorious as those made to the
Strawberries on the same occasion, neither of
which will be heard of again, but then thst has
ever been the case with nine-tenths of the awards
of the fruit committee. If any member be dis-
posed to challenge me, let him refer to the list of
certificated things published for the past twenty
years, and he will then have to admit that what I
have asserted is correct. Who does not know with
regard to Melons that for one fruit taken from a
house just at its best a dozen are the reverse. Still
further, it is a fact that the bulk of the most showy
looking fruits are far less luscious and piquant eat-

Jdly 19, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

67

ing than are some of the poor-looking fruits. Pro-
bably in all the range of fruits there are none less
reliable than are Melons. They have this merit,
dear in the estimation of seedsmen, that, unlike
nearly all other fruits, they seed freely, and some
must be occasionally honoured to have novelties in
commerce. No Melon should be certificated ex-
cept it be shown at least three times during a sea-
son, and each time show equal high-class quality.
Some guarantee would then be had that the variety
in question possessed the, for Melons, unusual
merit of being constant. Until some such ordeal
had been passed through it is not wise to assume
that any variety has merits entitling it to the
highest honours the Boyal Horticultural Society
can bestow. — A. D.

OUTDOOR VINES.
I XOTICE several correspondents have again taken
up the question of outdoor Vines, and the argu-
ments for and against their retention from a
fruit point of view will doubtless be again ad-
vanced. I say from a fruit point of view, as this is
really the question at issue. Everyone admits the
ornamental character of the Vine as a wall plant,
but not one practical gardener in twenty will allow
that from a strictly remunerative standpoint it
will ever pay for the trouble bestowed on it. How
many bunches, for instance, in, we will say, a term
of years could be taken from an outdoor Vine of
average size and that would be tolerated on the
dinner table or find a sale at the average
fruiterer's . I would never recommend a cottager
to plant Vines, and where they exist the space
might be more profitably filled by the most prolific
of the Plums or Eed Currants, not to mention
Morello Cherries, which are invariably a safe and
paying crop. The above remarks have arisen from
an inspection of an old Sweetwater that covers a
large space in an odd corner of the garden, and is
retained for the supply of leaves it furnishes
through summer and early autumn. It is showing
an abundant crop of good-sized bunches this year,
and if there were any prospect of the venture
proving remunerative, it would be a favourable
opportunity of bestowing extra attention on the
old Vine. As this, however, in addition to the
stopping would entail a careful thinning of the
bunches, mulching, and protection with lights from
the cold rains of early autumn, so much in fact of
labour and attention and so little to hope for in
return, that the old Vine is again likely to take its
chance. I believe our cold, late spring weather
is alone answerable for the failure of outdoor
Grapes. If we could have warm nights from the
middle of April and a consequent early develop-
ment of foliage, flowering and setting,"we mi°-ht
hope with attention to growth and thinning to get
very fair fruit. As it is, the fruit very seldom
ripens. E. BrBEELL.

Surrey.

Strawberry notes. — Much has been written
from time to time on the culture of Strawberries :
the most useful varieties for market, as well as for
a gentleman's family, the early properties of those
that are grown for their earliness, heavy croppers,
and also a not unimportant quality, viz., flavour.
During my rather long gardening career I have
made many experiments in Strawberry culture, be-
sides trying a good many varieties. Setting aside
the British Queen, which all admit to be of first
class quality, yet not adapted to every garden, the
best flavoured variety that I have met" with is Fil-
bert Pine, a midseason variety of conical shape.
It is a splendid Strawberry for the dessert, but not
what I should recommend for the main crop. For
a heavy cropper, though not possessing the most
exquisite flavour, I can recommend Preston Seed-
ling. I referred to these two varieties four or five
years ago. During that period a few new sorts
have been introduced, and reputed to possess pro-
perties superior in some respects to those that have
gone before them. But for productiveness com-
bined with large berries, there never has, and I think
there never can be anything to surpass Preston
Seedling. It is an important matter in Strawberry
culture to get runners in early, and last year I was

fortunate in getting the new plantations well esta-
blished before the cold days of autumn set in, and
this season I am rewarded with a most prodigious
crop of fruit. One plant alone is throwing up as
many as twenty-five spikes of bloom : this may
almost appear incredible, but nevertheless it is a
fact. I have always considered six or eight trusses
of bloom to each plant an excellent crop for the
first season, but twenty-five is marvellous. Gene-
rally the Strawberry crop is a good one this season,
though the fruit is somewhat lacking in flavour for
the want of more sunshine. — Q. Read, Daventry.

CHERRIES AT THE DRILL HALL.
Me. Rivers, in exhibiting his truly superb Cherries
at the recent Drill Hall meeting, did go as far as
any honourable man well could do in contravening
the scriptural injunction, " Lead us not into temp-
tation." In spite of the large number of fine Straw-
berries staged, and some Melons, Peaches, and Nec-
tarines, it was evident that all eyes were turned to
the Cherries and their tempting forms and glossy
skins. Cherries rank with Grapes almost exclusively
in being appreciated the blacker they are. With
some things a black hue would be a tremendous
disqualification, but the blacker Cherries and
Grapes are, the more rounded and finished the
skins, the more are they preferred. The Early
Rivers is at once the earliest, finest, sweetest, and
blackest of Cherries. It fruits freely outdoors,
and with good sweet Cherries in general thrives
admirably on a north wall. Mr. Rivers stated that
it was fruiting, or rather it had been fruiting freely
with him for a month on standards and pyramids,
but how he preserved the fruit from the birds, un-
less at Sawbridgeworth these feathered thieves are
pious ascetics, I cannot well understand. It would
be well if that distinguished cultivator could favour
The Garden with a paper on the best Cherries and
best methods of garden cultivation. Of other
blacks, Turkey Black Heart, Black Hawk. Bedford
Prolific, Hative de Boulbon, Bigarreau de Schreken,
and Bigarreau du Japon were all very fine. The
size and gloss seen on the fruits were remarkable
features, helping to place them in the very front
rank of dessert fruits. Whites were very fine also,
especially the grand Bigarreau Monstreuse de
Mezel (what a pity this superb fruit has such a
long appellation : why not call it Monster Bigarreau
at once ?), Ludwig's Bigarreau, Grand Duke, Bigar-
reau Napoleon. White Bigarreau (very pale fruits),
and Elton. The reds included dEspagne, Griotte
Imperial. May Duke, and Olivet. These form a
selection of some seventeen kinds. What is most
desired for publication is a list of, say, six sorts,
and twelve sorts of the best suited for indoor or
outdoor culture, or both. No gardener can well
bother with so many varieties ; probably few would
care for more than half-a-dozen, and these should
be of the best. That the bulk of the fruit shown
at the Drill Hall was from house-grown trees there
could be no doubt ; the remarkable finish found on
them indicated that pretty clearly. It would be
interesting to learn what was the average cost per
pound weight of these fruits, so that gardeners
might ascertain to what lengths they might fairly
go in house Cherry culture. Outdoors, without
doubt, the chief enemies of Cherries are birds and
aphis. The latter can be dealt with by the regular
use of strong solutions ; birds can only be kept in
check by preventives. They are incorrigible pests
where Cherries are concerned and show no mercy.
Where walls are not at disposal, and especially
ample netting, the best method is to plant a
quarter thickly with bush and pyramid trees, and
fix over it some substantial framework, the sides of
which should be covered with fine mesh wire, a
wide door being fixed on one side. Then in the
fruiting season stout nets might be fastened over
the top. Probably they would not be required on
longer than six weeks, when they could be removed
to admit sun and light. Unless some such protec-
tion be afforded outdoors for small trees, it will be
difficult to make high-class Cherry culture in
gardens general. A. D.

Black fly on Melons. — This pest should not
have been allowed to increase to such an extent as

to render its extinction by fumigation the impos-
sible matter described by" " H. P. G." I know it
is very difficult to dislodge if in great numbers,
but if taken in time it is a comparatively easy
matter. Even if the plants are badly affected, I
should think they might be cleaned if not in too
advanced a stage. Dust all affected parts with
tobacco powder in early morning, taking care not
to miss any insects, and for two afternoons, in lieu
of clear water, syringe with a solution made from
one of the insecticides, giving a thorough wetting,
so that not an inch of wood or foliage escapes.
Keep a high, rather humid temperature, shutting
up the house or pit with plenty of sun-warmth,
and I think " H. P. G." will get rid of his enemies.
They may be killed by fumigation, again and again
renewed, the only drawback to this being that
plants kept, as they must be, rather on the dry
side, from an atmospheric point of view, to prepare
for the smoking, are apt to be attacked by red
spider, if this pest is locally troublesome. — E.
Bubbell, Claremont.

Strawberries and the wet weather. — This
season has been a very trying one for Strawberries .
I have heard numerous complaints about the fruit
being spoilt with the slugs, but here I have had no
trouble with them, as my plants have been tied up
to keep the fruit off the ground. It may seem a
very tedious operation to tie up Strawberry plants
in large gardens, but nevertheless I consider it well
worth doing, especially when one sees his plants
that are tied up carrying sound fruit, and those
left on the ground nearly all spoilt with the slugs
There is also the advantage of getting the fruit in
a dry state hours before those that were untied.
Some neighbours laughed at me last year to see
my Strawberry plantations all tied up, but now
they tell me they intend doing the same next year
(a proof that it is worth doing). Three sticks
about 1 foot in length are stuck in the ground
around the plants, and a rough bit of matting
placed around will keep them up all the season ; a
boy goes in front and places the sticks in position
and a man follows and ties. In this way a large
number of plants can be done in a day. I first
saw it done at Eastnor, where I daresay Mr. Cole-
man has done it for years. Laxton's Noble, Paxton,
and James Veitch I have had fine fruit of. Mar-
guerite seems a very great favourite about here. It
is a fine cropper, but too soft to travel. I am told
British Queen will not do in this locality. — J.
Hill, Babraham, Cambridgeshire.

SHORT NOTES.— FRUIT.

Fruit trees on iron fence. — I have an iron
flake fence running north and south about 60 feet in
length and 4 feet high. Would someone say what kinds
of fruit trees would be the most profitable to train on
it? Aspect east. Would it be too late in August to
make Strawberry beds to expect a fair crop the follow-
ing season, or would it be better to defer planting till
spring?— Constant Reaper.

Strawberry Waterloo. — We are now gathering
very fine fruit of this Strawberry, and though it is not
first-class in flavour, it has great depth of colour and
a remarkably rich varnished appearance, which render
it nice-looking and very distinct. It is a good cropper
and of close sturdy habit, and is likely to be of great
use as a late variety and for preserving, as the flesh is
dark red, and looks very rich. — J. Sheppaed.

Strawberry Alice Maud. — This used to be in
great favour some thirty-five years ago, but it and
Keen's Seedling were the two most generally cultivated
both in pots and outdoors. Trollope's Victoria was of
later date than Alice Maud, and was much grown in
the west of England when first sent out, hut though a
prodigious cropper and large, it was not of very good
tiavour, and too pale and soft to be of much use.
— S. D.

Hale's Early Peach. — When at Wycombe
Abbey, Bucks, a short time ago. Mr. G. T. Miles
spoke very highly of Hale's Early Peach as an early,
finely coloured, free cropping variety, which colours
well with him on a south-west wall, and though
not of the best flavour, he considers it to be a very
useful variety on such a wall as that named.
Peaches have a fine crop on the walls at Wycombe

68

THE GARDEN.

[July 19, 1890.

Abbey ; Mr. Miles says the best crop he has had for
the past twenty years. Diamond colours finely
with him also ; so do Stirling Castle and Gos-
hawk, which Mr. Miles describes as a very
fine Peach. Outside the earliest varieties of
Peaches, like some other fruits, do not always carry
the best flavour, and so there is ample room for
raisers of new varieties to improve on those we
already have. — R. D.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Leigham Court, Streatham, a suburban resi-
dence, famous for its well-kept and tastefully laid-out
gardens of 00 acres, has been recently sold for £1)2,01.10.
This beautiful garden is to be covered with small houses.

Sweet "Williams from Kothesay— Messrs.
Dobbie send us a beautiful lot of rather simple-col-
oured and cl?ar-margined Swept Williams. It is a very
beautiful strain. The Sweet William is always charm-
ing.

Weather in Scotland. — We learn that there
was a heavy fall of snow in Scotland during Monday
night, July 7, and the following day the Grampians
and Monadhliadh Hills were covered as in midwinter.
The rivers and streams are in high flood. The weather
since then, however, has materially improved, and is
like what we expect in summer.

Gas - lime for wireworm. — Mr. Henslow,
at a recent meeting of the scientific committee of the
Eoyal Horticultural Society, remarked upon the use-
fulness of gas-lime in destroying wireworms. Thinly
spread over the ground and dug in, a plot where
previously not a Cabbage could be grown in his garden
has borne excellent crops for several years since.

A curious Orchid in bloom at Kew is called
Ornithoehilus fuscus. It is in a small hanging basket
and bearing two branching racemes of small flowers,
of which the sepals and petals are gold-coloured lined
with crimson, the lip being deep crimson-purple, mar-
gined with stiff dark-coloured hairs ; the spur greenish
yellow. The profusion of bloom is its chief attrac-
tion.

Mr. W. B. Hemsley. — We are pleased to state
that the post vacant by the promotion of Mr. J. G.
Baker to the position lately resigned by Prof. Oliver
as keeper to the herbarium has been filled by the ap-
pointment of Mr. W. B. Hemsley, who has been nearly
thirty years connected with this department of the
Royal Gardens, Kew. We know no one better fitted
for the place.

The new Clematis Stanleyana, introduced,
we believe, from New Guinea, is in bloom at Kew in
a cool house, where a batch of it is planted out. The
growth is distinct, slender, and much divided, making
a graceful and elegant plant, but the flower is disap-
pointing, though perhaps it is scarcely fair to judge
from the first opened blooms. The flower is about the
size of a crown-piece, the colour magenta-rose, over-
laid with deeper veins, with a bunch of pale yellow
stamens in the centre. As far as one can see at
present, it is a poor introduction.

Veronica speciosa is, of course, familiar to
everyone who cares for shrubs, but there are varie-
ties of it, some very pretty and rich in colour. One
of the most intense we have seen is in bloom in the
temperate house at Kew. The flowers are closely
set in a larger spike than usual, and remarkable for
their depth of intense claret colour, as rich as any-
thing we can call to mind, especially against the
dark green leafage. A few pots of such varieties
as these placed about in the greenhouse with dark
foliage as a contrast would create a striking and
unusual effect. There are few shrubs more easily
grown than this old favourite, and gardeners should
not overlook its best forms.

Carpenteria californica. —We were reminded
of the beauty of this comparatively recent shrub
by flowers from Fota Island, Cork, and again by
a plant blooming on a south wall at Kew, where it
makes a free growth every year. When in full
bloom there are few shrubs more distinct, and a
reference to the coloured plate of it given in The
Garden, January 29, 1887, will convince those
who are yet unacquainted with it of the beauty of its
large white Japanese Anemone-like flowers of the
purest white, relieved only by a central bunch of
golden stamens. With that plate is given a history
and description of the shrub. It will grow from

6 feet to 10 feet in height, and bears terminal
clusters of flowers, which are very chaste
against the delicate green leafage. We believe it
will make a thoroughly useful hardy shrub ; at
least it thoroughly deserves a good trial both in
southern and northern gardens.

Solanum Wendlandi, illustrated by a coloured
plate in The Garden, February 1, 1890, is still
very beautiful in the Water Lily house at Kew,
although it was as far back as the month of May
crowded with the large heads of lilac-blue flowers
shaded with purple. Those who want an uncommon,
bold, and handsome climber should not forget it.

One of the finest dark Roses this season is
unquestionably Louis van Houtte, which has been
splendidly shown this season at several exhibitions,
and a large mass of it in Messrs. Jackman & Son's
Woking nursery was gay with flowers, many of
which were of exhibition standard. It is there on
the Manetti stock, and, unlike several other Roses,
is not much afflicted with mildew, a few only of the
younger shoots showing this pest. It is unnecessary
to describe the colour of such a well-known fa-
vourite, but it may be interesting to mention that
it is one of the many good Roses given us by La-
charme, who sent it out in 1869, and described it as
a sport from Charles Lefebvre. It is not one of the
hardiest of Hybrid Perpetual varieties, but its
crimson-maroon, deliriously scented flowers appear
freely, and are always welcome. It is decidedly
one of the, if not the finest dark crimson Rose
introduced.

Kaempfer's Iris is flowering well this season,
the exceptionally moist weather of the past few
weeks suiting the requirements of what is essen-
tially a water-loving plant. We have now many
charming varieties, thanks to the Japanese who
have made this flower essentially their own, culti-
vating and hybridising it with the same assiduous
care that is bestowed on the Chrysanthemum.
What we so much dislike is the mixed colouring
one sees in the flowers of many varieties, which
makes them like bits of bad mosaic. There is no
effect to be got from such spotty blooms, and the
richness of the self-coloured kinds is evident when
the two are placed side by side. The deep purple,
maroon, and allied shades are delightful, also the
pure white variety, which is a noble flower seen by
the stream or brookside. If those who try to grow
this Iris and fail would remember that it loves
water, even actual contact with it, better results
might be obtained. It is frequently planted in
positions utterly unsuited to it, but there are many
edges of ponds now bare that might be made beau-
tiful by the abundant sword-like foliage and bold,
spreading flowers of tender and rich colours of the
great Japanese Flag.

Clethra arborea. — Like many other old-fash-
ioned plants, this has in late years had to give
place to newer arrivals. One reason for this, no
doubt, is the fact of its not flowering freely until it
attains a height of G feet or 8 feet. In the older
and loftier greenhouses such specimens might
easily be accommodated, but in the new and more
modern structures, which are built with a view to
getting the plants as close as possible to the glass,
they would be inconvenient. It is mainly, there-
fore, in the old-established gardens that this Clethra
is seen at its best. When it receives suitable treat-
ment it blossoms in great profusion during summer
and early autumn, its beautiful racemes of white,
cup-shaped, drooping flowers giving rise to the
popular name of " Lily of the Valley Tree." Even
as a foliage plant it is not to be despised, as the
deep glossy green of its leaves always tells in a
group of plants. In situations where it can get full
sunshine and plenty of fresh air it will flower satis-
factorily when planted out in the greenhouse. It
is very apt, however, to run into growth and form
thick, sappy shoots which rarely flower. It is pro-
bably best to treat it as a pot plant, as it is then
easy to correct any tendency to over-luxuriance.
Bushes 6 feet high and 4 feet through may be
grown in 11-inch pots, and if these are plunged out
of doors in summer, flowering is almost ensured.
Hot, dry summers are most favourable, as in 1S88,
after the notable heat of the previous year, we

noticed plants scarcely 2 feet high flowering at
every shoot, this being most unusual in specimens
of that size. The species was introduced from the
Canary Islands in 17S4.

Lathyrus sativus. — I send you a few blooms
of a blue Pea, which I have grown under the follow-
ing circumstances: The seeds were given to me ns
a novelty. They were bought from a seedsman's
catalogue under the title of Lathyrus azureus. I
find in a London seedsman's catalogue Lathyrus
azureus, or Lord Anson's Pea. Now the plant is
figured in full size in the coloured plates of "Flora
Britannica," engraved by Sansom from orig'nnl
drawings by Sydenham Edwards, 2 vols., 4to, Li n-
don, 1812. There I find it called Lathyrus sati\ us.
In Alton's " Hortus Kewensis" I find Lathyrus
sativus, or Blue Chickling Vetch, came from Italy
and Spain, and was grown by Parkinson in 1640.
Whence then the name of Lord Anson's Pea? There
can be no mistake about the plate in Edwards'
"Flora." It is the identical flower which is now
described as a novelty and styled Lathyrus azureus.
The novelty, then, was in existence in 1812, and
apparently cultivated by Parkinson 250 years ago.
— Richard Hooper, Upton Itectory, Didcot.

The crimson-flowered Spiraea palmata is
common enough in most gardens, but it is not
always grown well, the result of improper treat-
ment. It loves to be near water, and in the drip-
ping well at Kew, where the soil is spongy and
soaked with moisture, it grows and flowers with a
freedom very different from what is seen in plants
on dry exposed borders. In a wet soil it runs riot,
producing a profusion of flower clusters, which rre
brighter in colour in contrast to deep green lea fa pe.
There are many damp spots in gardens where this
plant could be grown, and if it is associated with
such a bold thing as the Royal Fern, a rich effect
would be obtained. The Royal Fern, too, loves
moisture and half-shade, running up several lei t
high. This dripping well at Kew is not the lenft
interesting spot on the rockery. It is gay with
colour, from the time of the Kingcups which make
golden blocks of colour until autumn frosts destroy
everything. One very striking plant used here is the
Victorian Lobelia (L. fulgens var. Victoria), one of
the noblest perennials of its race, having very bold
dark-coloured leafage and intensely brilliant crim-
son flowers. Like the Spirjea, it loves moisture.

A highly - coloured foliage tree at the
present time is Prunus Pissardi, an invaluable
purple-leaved tree, and commonly known as the
purple-leaved Cherry Plum. We were struck with
the beauty of a break of it in Messrs. Jackman
and Son's nursery at Woking, where there is a
large assortment of good deciduous trees and
shrubs. This purple-leaved tree has nothing weak
about it in colouring ; its abundant leafage is of
an intense colour, which is quite constant; indeed, it
becomes intensified by exposure to sun, until in
the autumn it assumes a brilliant reddish crimsf n
hue, vieing with the richest tints of autumn. This
Plum has not been introduced many years into
English gardens, but it has already become fairly
common, and those who do not yet know it will
find a coloured plate of it in The Garden, Sept.
10, 1887, which shows the beauty of the delicate
blush-tinted flowers and expanding foliage. It
makes a charming shrub when forced, and very
little artificial heat is necessary to bring it into
bloom in February and early March. It is a va-
riety of Prunus cerasifera (P. Myrobalan), and is
named in compliment to M. l'issard, head gardener
to the Shah of Persia, who introduced it into
France, and from thence it found its way to our
own shores. The great danger in using trees of
this decided character is in planting them tco
freely. We frequently see the variegated Maple
used to such an extent that it becomes obnoxious,
spoiling scenery and creating a distaste for the
tree, which planted judiciously is very pretty.

Funkia Sieboldi. — The finest specimen of this
highly ornamental plant that I have met with I
saw recently at Glen Alia, the residence of Mr. H.
Chichester Hart in Co. Donegal, which county con
tains the most northern point of Ireland. I had no
idea that one plant, not a made up one, could grow

July 19, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

69

to such a size and produce so fine an effect. The
dimensions of this plant may interest some readers
of The Garden. They are as follows : 27 feet in
circumference, !1 feet across, and 5 feet high. The
height would yet be considerably greater, as the
flower-spikes were by no means at their full de-
velopment when I saw them. Several leaves were
as much as 1 foot 9 inches long and 1 foot 2 inches
broad in the blade, and with the stalk measured 2
feet 10 inches in length. I think few herbaceous
plants rival this Funkia in massive grandeur and
beauty of leaf colour when seen, as the plant at
Glen Alia was, in an isolated position on Grass in
the front of dark-leaved shrubs. This grand spe-
cimen grew to its present dimensions in about seven
years, having been planted in its present quarters
as a single crown. Though Donegal is so northern,
many tender plants are hardy there. At a seaside
residence of Mr. Hart, on the shores of Lough
S willy, I saw Oleanders coming into flower, and
Habrothamnus elegans and Solanum jasminoides
flourishing against a wall, where they got no pro-
tection in winter.— Frederick Tymons, Clogkran,
Co. Dublin.

Angreecum Scottianum. — So far as is known
at present, this species is the only one in the genus
with terete or cylindrical leaves. It is noteworthy
how frequently such departures from the usual
types occur in genera of the Orchid family, Den-
drobium teretifolium, Saccolabium gemmatum,
Aerides vandarum, Oncidium Jonesianum, and
Vanda teres and Hookeriana being all examples
showing a habit entirely distinct from that charac-
teristic of each genus as a whole. In Angrsscum
Scottianum the leaves are arranged in two oppo-
site rows, each leaf measuring some 4 inches in
length. The scapes are produced from the axils of
the upper leaves, and plants under cultivation
usually bear a single flower, but dried specimens of
wild plants occasionally show two on a scape.
Besides its distinctness in foliage, this species has
the additional recommendations of great beauty
and interesting structure of flower. The sepals and
petals are white with a faint greenish tinge, the
lip being pure white, and the slender tapering spur,
which is 5 inches long, greenish-yellow. It is the
lip which gives the flower its distinctive character.
In shape it is almost perfectly rectangular, and in
comparison with the other parts of the flower is
unusually large, measuring 1J inches in breadth
by 1 inch in depth, terminating in a short mucro-
nate apex. It was discovered by Sir John Kirk, in
the Comoro Islands, in 1878. It requires warm, and
especially moist conditions at all seasons, and is
most satisfactorily grown on pieces of soft Fern
stem with a little Sphagnum fastened near the
roots. A good sized specimen is now flowering
freely in the Orchid house at Kew.

National Chrysanthemum Society. — On

Monday evening last a general committee meeting
of this society was held at Anderton's Hotel, Fleet
Street, Mr. R. Ballantine occupying the chair. The
attendance was unusually large considering the
time of year, and the first part of the evening's
business was of an exceptionally interesting nature.
Mrs. Marian Thrower, a representative of one of
the colonial societies affiliated to the National,
attended the meeting, and in recognition of the
event she was presented with an address of wel-
come, to which she very suitably replied, expressing
her pleasure at being present, and giving some par-
ticulars as to Chrysanthemum cultivation in her
Antipodean home. It was resolved that a copy of
the address and of Mrs. Thrower's reply be in-
scribed in the minute-book of the society. A com-
munication was read from the Royal Horticultural
Society, with a scheme of affiliation for local
societies, and the suggestion that the National
Chrysanthemum Society should join was negatived.
Since the last committee meeting the following
vice-presidents had signified their willingness to be
elected : Duke of Westminster, Duke of Sutherland,
Lord Rothschild, and Mr. Joseph Chamberlain^
M.P. Some correspondeuce was read from the fol-
lowing colonial societies on various matters of
interest concerning the Chrysanthemum, viz., the

Auckland Society, Northern Horticultural Society
of Tasmania, the Melbourne Society, and the
Wellington (N.Z.) Society. • A large number of
English societies applied for affiliation and were
admitted, the principal being the Batley, Bacup,
Market Harborough, Hartlepool, Surrey, Watford,
Cheshunt, Eccles, Cardiff, Bradford, Bexley Heatb,
West Kent, and Wells Chrysanthemum and Horti-
cultural Societies. Twenty-three new members
were elected, and the society's annual outing was
fixed for Friday, the 25th inst.

United Horticultural Benefit and Provi-
dent Society. — The quarterly meeting of the above
society was held at the Caledonian Hotel on Mon-
day evening last. Seven new members were elected,
making a total of 50 for the half year. There is
but one sick member on the funds. One death
has occurred during the quarter, and the amount,
£25 10s. 3jd., standing to the credit of the late
member was paid to the widow (Mrs. Hannah Back).
The treasurer reported that he had invested since
the last meeting the sum of £200 in 2| per cent,
consols. The Convalescent Fund is progressing
favourably. A vote of condolence was accorded to
Mr. H. Williams on the death of the late Mr. B. S.
Williams, who was one of the society's oldest
honorary members.

Exhibition of preserved fruits. — A large
exhibition of jams, bottled, preserved, and dried
fruits of all kinds, will be held, under the auspices
of the Royal Horticultural Society, in the Drill Hall,
James' Street, Victoria Street, Westminster, for
three entire consecutive days, in October next, viz.,
on the 14th, 15th, and 16th. The chief object of
the exhibition will be to show the public the great
advance which has been made during the last
quarter of a century in the methods and processes
of preserving and drying edible fruits for consump-
tion. Awards will be given to those preserves con-
sidered worthy of recognition. A schedule is being
prepared, and will be circulated in due course.
Information regarding the proposed exhibition may
be had on application to the secretary of the Royal
Horticultural Society, 117, Victoria Street, S.W.

A very pretty flower show and fete was held
last Saturday at Bedford Park, Chiswick, the occa-
sion of the annual display of the Natural History
and Gardening Society. The flower show was, of
course, on a small scale, but the club house which
contained the exhibits has seldom looked brighter
with the various bouquets, plants, and common
garden flowers. The entries in the various classes
were, we are pleased to learn, more numerous than
last year, and consisted chiefly of bouquets. Na-
turally, those in which Grasses were used showed
the best taste, as such things are less difficult to
arrange than flowers ; but we confess to having been
disappointed with some of the bouquets and other
arrangements, as one expects in such a place as
Bedford Park a truer idea of the harmony of
colour, and happier disposition of flowers than were
evident on Saturday. Some of the bouquets and
posies were far too lumpy, one colour destroying
the other, and producing a very unpleasant con-
trast. We must commend the Roses from Mr. Ays-
cough, as excellent blooms of their kind, well put
up, and well finished, and coloured, as to stand well
in a large exhibition. Then a word of praise must
be given for the excellent fruit and vegetables from
Mr. Larkcom, who cultivates both with much skill
in the station garden at Turnham Green. This
society has been established several years, and
throughout the winter and spring monthly meet-
ings, which are invariably well attended, are held.

Boots of trees and gas. — Can you inform me
what effects gas would have by coming in contact
with the roots of Peach and Nectarine trees ? Would
it cause loss of crop ? The trees do not suffer
in the least as far as the foliage is concerned. A
range of glass here is divided into three houses —
two vineries and Peach house, the back wall of Peach
house being planted with cordon Peachand Nectarine
trees. An escape of gas occurred from a pipe which
runs outside the back wall of the whole range, with
the result that Geraniums, Lapagerias, Hoyas, &c,
which were planted against the back wall lost all
their foliage. Peaches and Nectarines on back

wall dropped some of their fruit, but how could the
gas travel across the house 15 feet wide inside and
affect roots of those trees planted outside ? For,
assuming that gas did find its way into the border
outside, would it not show its effects on the foliage
as well as cause the fruit to fall ? I should say that
the fruit was about finishing its stoning process,
but had not begun its last swelling. The trees are
old and bear well every year. The fruits set
thickly, but were well thinned. Maiden-hair and
other Ferns on a stage in vinery are not injuied in
the least. — R. S.

Insects on Cucumbers (W. F. H. Merton). —
The insects on your plants are mites belonging to the
family Gamasidse. The white insects are notwoodlice,
hut springtails, one of the Podmidse. Syriuge the
plants with half a pound of soft soap, one pouud of
flowers of sulphur, and ten gallons of water. — G. S. S.

Small Potatoes on Potato haulm (E. 8.).—
Such cases are not very uncommon ; they generally
excite curiosity when seen for the first time. The ex-
planation is clear when it is remembered that a Potato
is a dilated bud on an underground stem. — W. G. S.

"Popular Gardening," an American periodical,
reproduces by a ''process" our engraving of the Spring
Snowflake without acknowledgment, and with the name
of some rascally engraver, named Blanc, in America on
it. It is much reduced and wretchedly engraved. There
is no acknowledgment of the matter either on the part
of Popular Gardening. No one gives the care and cost
that we do to engravings of plants, and the least these
American journals can do is to state their source. We
also object wholly to their reproducing a beautiful en-
graving in a shabby manner.

A pretty Gladiolus. — A large patch of an ex-
tremely pretty Gladiolus is to be seen in flower at
Messrs. Veitch and Sons' seed trial grounds at Chis-
wick. It appears not to bear a distinctive name, hut
is probably a variety of G. blandus, the flowers pro-
duced three and four on a stem, opening blush, with
white spots on the lower segments margined with
bright rose, the flowers becoming a little deeper in
colour with age. It grows to a height of 15 inches to
18 inches. The bulbs are small, and if five or six are
placed in a pot they make really charming pot plants.
The flowers stand well iu a cut state, even in a room
in which gas is burning. This very pretty and useful
type should bear a distinctive name. — R. D.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

"Manual of Orchidaceous Plants." Part6. Codogyne,
Epidendrum, &c. J. Veitch & Sous, Chelsea.

" Art and Practice of Laudscape Gardening." By
H. E. Milner, with plans and illustrations. Of the
Author, Dulwich Wood, Norwood, S.E. ; or Simpkim,
Marshall & Co., Limited, Stationers' Hall Court,
London.

Hames of plants. — Scott. — 4, send better speci-
men ; 5, Davallia Mooreana ; 6, Goniophlebium sub-

auriculatum. H. P. — 1, Peristeria elata; 2, Anguloa

Clowesi; 3, Stauhopea oculata ; 4, Oucidium praetex-

tum ; 5, Cattleya Leopoldi, good variety. Kate. —

Your Ferns are suffering only from a severe attack of
thrips ; 1, Pellaea hastata ; 2, Cyrtomium caryotideum ;
3, Platyloma Browni ; 4, Onychium japonicum ; 5,

Campyloueuron repens ; 6, Lomaria ciliata. L. 8. —

1, Statice profusa; 2, Boronia elatior ; 3, Eugenia

bullata; 4, Begonia Rex. 67. F. IF.— Some varieties

of Begonias, all shrivelled. Cowesfield. — Brough-

tonia sanguinea. Nante. — 1, Adiantum cardioch-

henum ; 2, Blechnum orientale ; 3, Doodia lunata ; 4,

Davallia Mooreana ; 5, Cyrtomium lucidum. L.H.

8. — 1, Asplenium Ruta-muraria; 2, Pteris tremula ; 3,
a Davallia, looks like D. Tyermani; 4, Asplenium
bulbiferum ; 5, send again ; 6, Aspleuium Trichomanes.

J. W.J. — 1, Setaria verticillata; 2, Phleum Boeh-

meri; 3, Agrostis canina; 4, Calamagrostis lanceolata ;

5, Bromus erectus ; 0, Hordeum pratense.- B. M. — ■

1, Cantuahuxifolia; 2, Habrothamnus elegans argentea;
3, Mandevilla suaveolens ; 4, Franciscea calycina; 5,

Witsenia corymbosa ; 6, Aphelandra Roezli. W. H.

M. — 1 and 2, Goat's-beard Spiraea (S. Aruncus), evi-
dently both the same, one spike being from a very weak

plant; 3, Mesembryanthemum Cooperi. Mrs.

Layard. — Araucaria excelsa. Wm. Harper. — Cle-
matis recta. Mrs. Greenwell. — 1 appears to he Cam-
panula Hosti, and 2, C. rhomboidalis, but both are
too much decayed to determine accurately ; 3, Per-
nettya mucronata; 4, Saxifraga Aizoon var. ; 5, Saxi-

fraga pectinata ; 6, Seduni reflexum. Bobbie & Co.

— 1, Erigeron speeiosum ; 2 and 3, E. macranthum. —
— F. Bull. — Hsenianthus Kalbreyeri.

Name of fruit. — Reginald Kelly. — Impossible
to name from such a specimen.

70

THE GAEDEN.

[July 19, 1890.

WOODS AND_ FORESTS.

SEASONABLE WORK.
Notwithstanding the cold wet weather which
we have experienced of late, trees and shrubs,
as a general rule, are making remarkable pro-
gress, and some kinds have been transplanted
with perfect success as late as the end of May and
beginning of June. This arises, no doubt, in
a great measure from the exceptional showery
weather, as well as from the fact of the plants
being on the spot where required, so that no
risk was run by exposure in bringing them
from a distance. Trees in recently formed
plantations, where the plants have not acquired
a large size, if not looked after at this season,

method has been proved far superior to burying the
wire perpendicularly. The height above ground
that I name is, I think, sufficient, provided ordinary
supervision is exercised. I have found that hares
are far more destructive to young Larches than
rabbits. Even in the summer time a hare will go
from tree to tree, and bite off the leading shoot,
presumably for play ; and the mischief that two or
three hares will do in a plantation of Larch recently
planted is astonishing. Rabbits, on the contrary,
will generally leave the trees alone, except during
snow. — G.

STREET TREE PLANTING

The planting of trees along the margins of streets

is a matter of great importance, not only on account

of the cheerful aspect produced by their colour and

, I shade, but also from a sanitary point of view. Some

are apt in many cases to get choked up with few me(jiCal men may object to the planting of

Brambles and surface weeds, which greatly re-
tard their growth. When Brambles are cut
over on the surface of the ground about mid-
summer, the roots generally perish and give no
further trouble. In addition to cutting away
surface weeds and scrub to admit air to the
plants, any trees that are forming double
leaders should be attended to by cutting off the
weakest shoot and leaving the best to form the
stem of the tree. This applies to Conifers as
well as hard-wooded trees, but in cases where
any of the latter produce a series of suckers
from the roots, which is frequently the case,
such should be cut or pinched off in order to
prevent the plant from forming a mere bush.
The pruning of hard-wooded trees, however,
that are known to bleed at this season had
better be left over till the end of August or be
ginning of September, when the work can then
be done without risk of injury. Young hedges
and recently formed ornamental plantations
should be occasionally hoed, this not only
keeping down weeds, but also promoting the
growth of the trees. Any of the plants that
may require staking and tying had better be
seen to as tthe work proceeds. These hints on
cleaning may also be applied to the home nur-
sery, and ever, in cases where few weeds appear,
the surface of the ground among the plants
should be frequently broken up with the hoe
during the growing season. Fences of all kinds
should be well looked after and kept in a tho-
rough state of repair, to prevent the inroads of
sheep and cattle, which are very destructive to
young plantations. This is a proper time to
prepare wet mossy ground for planting, as the
work can be executed in the cheapest and most
efficient manner during the warm season of the
year. The main drains should be cut first, and
the number and depth must always be regulated
as the circumstances of the case may direct.
By the time the larger sized drains are finished,
the moss will have had time to drip and become
firmer, so that the smaller drains can be cut
with facility. Heather and all kinds of surface
herbage on this class of ground should be burnt
or removed, in order to admit the air and render
the ground more suitable for the roots of the
trees which are to be planted. Where clay can
be had from the bottom of the drains, it should
always be utilised for mixing with the moss at
the spots selected for the trees.

J. B. Webster.

Rabbit netting- is more efficient if, instead of
being buried vertically in the ground, it be bent at
right angles and placed just beneath the soil, say
2 inches deep. Take galvanised netting 3 feet high.
Have 2 feet (i inches above the. ground, and 6
inches bent at right angles, towards the side where
the rabbits are, just beneath the soil. The rabbits,
if they begin to burrow close to the netting, are at
once stopped by the wire. It never occurs to them
to start 1 foot or so away from the wire fence. This

trees on the ground that decaying vegetable matter
is dangerous to health ; but surely such objections
are frivolous and easily overcome, being simply a
question of scavengering. The power exercised by
a given quantity of healthy foliage in the purifica-
tion of the atmosphere during its period of growth
is vastly in excess of any vitiation it may cause by
its decay in autumn.

So much carelessness or want of the right sort of
knowledge has been shown in the matter of plant-
ing street trees, that a section of the public has
become tired of the subject in consequence of the
expense and subsequent failure. If we wish to
succeed in enlisting the favourable opinion of the
public regarding street trees, our first and principal
aim must be to succeed in the object we have in
view, viz., to form along the sides of our streets
lines of trees, which from their nature are suited to
withstand the murky atmosphere inseparable from
large towns, trees which will grow with reasonable
rapidity, and produce an abundance of healthy
foliage which will remain in good condition until
October. These are conditions which the public
have a right to expect, and for which they are
called upon to pay in the shape of rates. Since,
therefore, the planting of street margins devolves
generally upon public bodies, it seems to me to be
necessary to employ competent persons to carry
out the work. Too often it is placed in the hands
of the surveyor, who, as a rule, has no knowledge
to fit him for the purpose, and it is carried out by
labourers who are perfectly ignorant of what is
required. Consequently, failure is almost certain,
or, at all events, only a poor return for the outlay
is the result. None but really good trees should be
planted, and the necessary preparation for their
reception should be thoroughly made. Even though
the expense may appear somewhat large at first, I
am perfectly satisfied that the result will more than
repay it, and, what is of great importance, several
years will have been gained through making a good
beginning.

Public bodies would do well to consider these
remarks, and let the cost of trees and tree guards
be somewhat more proportionate than hitherto.
The latter may be replaced at will, but a few
years' growth upon the trees means so much time.
Tree guards or fences may be expensively ela-
borate, but should the cost of the trees exceed a
few shillings each, it is often looked upon by the
uninitiated as unnecessary expenditure. No greater
error than this can be committed, and if, by giving
expression to these opinions, public, bodies may be
induced to take up the matter earnestly and fairly
in favour of the trees, my object will have been
gained and myself amply rewarded. Absolute suc-
cess would be the result, and would certainly be a
satisfactory return for any reasonable outlay which
might be made in respect to purchasing and plant-
ing trees on street margins. D.

sap vessels get confined and their proper functions
suspended. In the Plane tree, the outer layers of
bark peel off ; in the Oak they become torn longi-
tudinally ; and in the Beech stretched horizontally.
When in this hide-bound state the trunks often
become covered with Mosses and Lichens, and are
preyed upon by insects. The only sure remedy is
scoring the trunk, and perhaps the main branches,
right through the bark from the top to near the
roots. The operation may be safely performed
about midsummer, and the relief given to the tree
will become apparent directly. I have seen old
Apple trees renovated by scraping or stripping off
a considerable portion of the rough old bark, and
hide-bound young ones instantly revive after scor-
ing. By leaving the inner layers of bark uninjured,
considerable liberties may be taken with the rough
external coating. — A.

Beauty of tlie Birch.— It seems surprising
that the Birch, which is sometimes called "the
Lady of the Wood," should be so seldom admitted
into the garden and pleasure ground. In habit,
general style, beauty of stem, colour, and form of
leaf, what tree is more beautiful than the Birch ?
It looks well singly, or in groups, or associated
with almost anv other trees. Against purple-
headed Limes the green leaves of the Birch look
soft and rich. Standing up among Arbutuses,
what a contrast of habit and colour is produced !
Birch trees also look grand towering up with clear
stems far above the heads of glossy Laurels or
Hollies, or glowing Rhododendrons. Indeed, every-
where they have a graceful appearance ; and un-
like so many other trees, their roots prey but little
upon those of their neighbours. And yet, some-
how Birches are comparatively little used for orna-
mental purposes. There are a good many varieties
of the white, paper, and other Birches ; but per-
haps the common white, the cut-leaved, the varie-
gated, the weeping or pendulous, the broad-leaved,
and hairy-twigged paper, and the Poplar-leaved
are as interesting as any. All the Birches are,
however, useful, and almost all ornamental planta-
tions would be improved by their presence.— T.

Furze for hedges. — The common Furze does
not generally attain its fuU size until four years
old, and to make the most of it for lime-burning
and such-like purposes, it should not be cut of-
tener. It will upon poor land generally make a
return of from 15s. to 20s. per acre. The soils best
adapted to its growth are dry, sandy, or gravelly
ones. It does not flourish well upon thin heath or
damp clay soils. Upon its favourite soils it makes
a good hedge with proper management. The diffi-
culty is to keep it thick enough for fencing pur-
poses near the ground. By sowing it in three rows
or tiers upon a bank, and afterwards cutting the
first near the surface, allowing the second to attain
a height of 2 feet or upwards, and the third or
uppermost row to grow to its full height, an almost
impenetrable fence may be obtained.— A.

The Walnut.— This retains its leaves for so
short a time, that it is best planted singly, or in
groups unmixed with other trees. The warm russet
hue which it assumes in May renders it highly
effective as a contrast to the almost universal ver-
dure which prevails at that season. The ramifica-
tions of its branches render it one of the most
beautiful and interesting of deciduous trees, the
blunted and partially-rounded ends contrasting
well with the lighter and more graceful spray of
the Beech and Elm.

Constricted bark. — This disease is occasioned
either through the action of the roots becoming too
feeble for the proper support of the tree, or through
very dry, cold air playing upon the trunk and
branches of a tree which has become exposed. It
is occasionally shown by the bark becoming indu-
rated and losing its elastic properties, whereby the

"The Garden" Monthly Parts.— This journal u
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coloured plates are beat preserved, and it is most suitable for
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Is. ed. : post free, Is. 9d. Complete set of volumes of The
Garden from its commencement to end of 1889, thirty-six vols.,
price, cloth, £27 ; half morocco, £32 8s.

"Hardy Flowers."— Giving descriptions of upwards of
thirteen hundr<d of the most ornamental s]neies, with directions
for their arranpement, culture, &c. Fourth and Popular
Edition, Is. ; post free, Is. 3d.

"Farm and Home" Monthly Parts. — This
journal is published in neatly bound Monthly Parts,

which
most suitable for reference previous tothe issue of the
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London : S7, Southampton Street, Strand, W.C.

THE GARDEN.

71

No. 975. SATURDAY, July 26,1890. Vol. XXXVII I.

" This is an Art
Which doea mend Nature : change it rather ; but
The Art itself is Nature." — Shakespeare.

LATHYRUS SATIVUS V. L. MAGEL-
LANICUS.
This plant is otherwise known as the " Blue
Chickling Vetch," and, as the Rev. Richard
Hooper states (Gardex, July 19, p. 68), it
has recently heen re-distributed or sent out
under the erroneous name of L. azureus, or
" Lord Anson's Pea."

Now the true "Cape Horn, or Lord An-
son's Pea " is a totally different plant ; in
fact, a very beautiful blue everlasting or
perennial species, and not an annual one, as
is L. sativus. Both myself and others have
been for years trying to procure the true
" Lord Anson's Pea," as figured and described
in Sweet's " British Flower Garden " (series
2nd), plate 344, under the name of Lathyrus
magellanicus, which bears its flowers six to
ten in a spike. Sweet says of it : —

The plant was originally introduced by the cook
of His Majesty's ship Centttrion, commanded by
Lord Anson, in 1744, and was cultivated by Miller
in the Apothecaries' Garden at Chelsea, but it ap-
pears to have perished shortly afterwards, other-
wise a species so highly ornamental could not fail
to have become generally cultivated.

Sweet's plate was published in 1838, the
drawing by Hart having been made in Messrs.
Osborn's nursery at Pulhain in June, the
plant having withstood the previous winter
trained to the front wall of one of the plant
houses, where it was several times studded
with icicles, but sustained no permanent
injury. Sir Joseph Banks and Dr. Solander
are said to have collected this plant at Port
Desire, in the Straits of Magellan, the native
specimens being, however, smaller in size
than the cultivated one. Sweet further re-
marks —

The habit is altogether peculiar, being suffruti-
cose and evergreen, and there is nothing like it
in this tribe of LeguminosEe.

To return to the annual L. sativus, it is
just possible that it was the plant introduced
from Spain by a Dutch collector named
Guillaume Boel, whose expenses Parkinson
had partly paid, but with whom he was much
displeased, since he says in reference to this
man that he —

Going into Spaine, almost wholly on my charge,
brought me little else for my money than seeds of
Chiceling Peas, yet he gave seeds to others, so that
"I beate the bushe, and another catcheth and
eateth the bird."

L. sativus is pretty enough as a garden
annual, and is, I believe, or was, largely
grown as a green forage crop in the south of
Europe, but it must not be confounded with
the true, rare, and beautiful magellanicus or
" Lord Anson's Pea," which would, if a^ain
procurable, form an exquisite companion for
our white and deep rosy forms of L. latifolius.
Unfortunately, however, L. magellanicus is,
I believe, not now in cultivation, so that we
must look forward to its re-introduction by

some traveller in the Straits of Magellan who
touches at Port Desire, or elsewhere on the
mainland of S. America, where it may pos-
sibly be found. A blue Everlasting Pea, such
as Sweet's figure represents, is assuredly
worth striving for as an ornamental plant in
our gardens of to-day. — E. "W. Burbidge.

There are three kinds of ornamental

Pea, which are quite distinct from one another,
but are often confused by writers on garden-
ing. The first is Lathyrus magellanicus (Lord
Anson's Pea), confused with the Blue Chick-
ling Yetch in a note on p. 68. Lord Anson's
Pea is a beautiful blue Everlasting Pea,
figured and described in Sweet's " English
Flower Garden," part 2, tab. 344, published
in 1838. It was introduced from Cape Horn
in 1744 in a ship commanded by Lord Anson,
and Sweet's portrait was taken from a plant
flowering in Messrs. Osborn's nursery at
Fulham. I should be glad to learn that the
species is now in cultivation in England, but
I have never seen it or heard of it in recent
years, and all Cape Horn plants are difficult
to keep in English gardens. The next kind,
Lathyrus sativus (the Blue Chickling Vetch),
is a native of Southern Europe and Northern
Africa, and is an annual easily cultivated,
seed being commonly offered in catalogues.
There is a portrait of it in Curtis's Botanical
Magazine, vol. iv.,tab. 115. The flowers are
often dull white, and the blue form is some-
times sold as L. azureus. It can hardly be
called an ornamental garden plant. The
third kind, L. tingitanus (the Tangier Pea),
is found in Morocco, together with the
Chickling Vetch, and the two are often mis-
taken for one another, but the Tangier Pea,
of which a portrait is given in Curtis's
Botanical, Magazine, vol. iii., tab. 100, has a
much larger flower, of a rich crimson colour,
and is altogether a larger plant. It is an
annual, and seed is common. It is less
ornamental than the ordinary Sweet Pea, of
the same colour, and is scentless ; therefore
not often cultivated. — C. Wolley Dod,
Edge Hall, Malpas.

A RAMBLE THROUGH AN OLD-FASHIONED
GARDEN.

Thebe were many things that were past and gone
for this season. The choice bulbs were asleep be-
neath the soil ; the Christmas Roses, large old
clumps growing in a shady plant border, were busy
making growth; Michaelmas Daisies, Rudbeckias,
Anemones, and other autumn flowers were in broad
masses, but their day was not yet come. To my
mind, a plant in the midst of its growth is as plea-
sant an object to look upon as is the plant in blos-
som. To those accustomed to look beyond the
present, and whose life is so full of work that the
seasons revolve year after year with increasing
rapidity, there does not seem to be any long wait-
ing period for anything. But there is plenty of
things in blossom to attract attention without
reference to those which are past, or others that
will come in the future. Beds of the perennial
Centaureas, of which the red and white are the
most useful, are not only effective in the garden,
but they are useful for cutting. Anchusa hispida
is a very pretty blue-flowered plant, very showy
and lasting. A group several feet over of Alstrce-
meria aurea was particularly charming, and an-
other mass of almost equal size of Achillea ptarmica
plena was also pleasing ; Veronica italica, a pale

rose-coloured species, was very pretty ; Stenactis
speciosa, a large lavender-coloured Daisy-flowered
plant, is nice for cutting and makes a telling group
in the border. In happy contrast is a dwarf mass
of Polygonum amphibium ; Helenium pumilum is
a dwarf, yellow-bloomed Daisy -looking flower ;
SpirEea filipendula plena is a very chaste species,
dwarf, and pleasant to look upon ; whilst for
grandeur of aspect, Spmea Aruncus and S. palmata
were near enough for the eye to pass from one set
to the other. Away in the background could be
seen glimpses, between the shrubs, of the Evening
Primrose (Oenothera biennis) and the white and
purple Foxgloves. A step or two further displays
a bright mass of the old scarlet Lychnis. Chrysan-
themum (Leucanthemum) speciosum is growing
near. Gaillardia grandiflora is one of the most useful
subjects for cutting from either for exhibition or
for the rooms, and requires no particular skill in
its culture. Some hardy plants are not so easily
managed ; some people, for instance, find a difficulty
in working up a stock of the old double white
Rocket ; others, again, can grow the double white,
but fail with the purple. I am told by an old cul-
tivator of Rockets that the secret of getting
up a stock of these plants is to divide and re-plant
as soon as they have done floweriDg. Cuttings of
the young shoots which often break out from the
flowering stems will root freely then. Alchemilla
Eupatoria has a large, bright yellow flower, with
foliage not unlike that of the Tansy. Geraniums
of several species, including G. pratense and its
double form, Catananche, white and blue, are grace-
ful and pretty and nice for cutting. Crucianella
stylosa, a pretty dwarf spreading elegant plant, is
in a large mass. Delphiniums in variety are for
the most part tall and stately, the very picture of
what background plants should be, or at least
some of them. Sweet Williams and Canterbury
Bells were numerous enough to give tone to parti-
cular spots and add to the variety, which is always
so charming. Many other things there were in
blossom which were not jotted down, but I must
not omit to notice the show of hardy annuals, which
formed the most conspicuous feature of the garden.
It is rare to find such masses of Clarkia alba, Candy-
tufts of various shades, Godetias in variety, and I do
not think I ever before saw such brilliaut masses of
the scarlet Linum. Larkspurs, both tall and dwarf,
added their quota of beauty. Annual Chrysanthe-
mums, mostly of the brilliant single-flowered forms,
were very showy and attractive, as were likewise
Collinsia bicolor, an old, but very pretty annual,
and Convolvulus minor. The large patches of
annuals were dropped here and there wherever
there was room ; but all things were kept distinct
so that whilst there was no confusion, there v as
no great amount of bare earth visible, not sufficient
anywhere to suggest poverty of material. Annuals
in small patches are pretty of course, but if we
want to bring out all their effectiveness there must
be quantity. The white Clarkia in a mass 4 feet cr
5 feet over has no counterpart among white-
flowered bedding plants for purity of tint and
general elegance. Again, among blues, nothing
in the flower garden can match a large mass of
Phacelia campanularia, a dwarf plant bearing bell-
shaped flowers of the deepest blue. Nemophila
insignis is a well-known annual, its flowers of light
blue being very effective. The flowers of Whit-
lavia grandiflora have another distinct shade of blue ;
the plant is somewhat straggling, but this is less no-
ticeable in a large mass, as the shoots can be pinched
back. There is a better, a cheaper, and more inte-
resting way of gardening than filling the beds with
Pelargoniums, which now (July 19) have not grown
sufficiently to hide the soil, over which they, in
their meagreness of growth, cast a flickering shade.
I have said nothing about the Roses, but they were
in numbers sufficient to be seen and to scatter their
perfume upon the atmosphere, blendiDg with the
fragrance of Mignonette, Musk, and other subtle
odours which always seem to float about one of
these old-fashioned gardens. A. H.

Naming flowers at shows. — Whilst I agree
with Mr. Burrell that the common name of any
plant or flower exhibited at shows should, so far as

THE GARDEN.

[July 26, 1890.

is passible, be placed on the labels, I hold that in
every case it is not enough, and that the botanical
name should also alwaj's be given. I have been
asked by cottagers, and indeed all sorts of persons
at exhibitions for the botanical names of plants, as
the thirst for knowledge in these matters is not
satisfied with the common appellation only. Still
further, being in communication weekly in another
direction with many thousands of cottagers and
amateur gardeners, I am constantly having flowers,
leaves, &c , sent by post, of which the botanical name
is invited to be furnished. These facts show that the
inquirer desires to be the possessor of the fullest
knowledge, not only for his own sake, but also that
he may be enabled to inform his fellows. Nomen-
clature at shows is too often of a very slovenly kind ;
not only are the names often badly spelt, but they are
indistinctly written, whilst very often no names are
given. Especially are proper names desirable in the
case of common garden plants. I quite believe that
the culture of any flower is enhanced in interest
when the name is well understood. " Any further
information with regard to the habit of the plant
would greatly oblige," is a common postscript to
the letters requesting correct naming. That fact
further shows that the more people know about the
origin and common life of their cultivated plants,
the better are they pleased. Generally we can
hardly give the public at flower shows too much
useful information respecting plants. — A. D.

Orchids.

MORMODES LUXATUM EBURNEUM.
I am in receipt of flowers of this beautiful plant
from Mrs. Carrol, who says that she has five
spikes of bloom each bearing eleven and twelve
flower3. I saw it first in flower in the nurseries
of Mr. B. S. Williams, of Holloway, some years
ago, anil named it M. Williamsi. Professor
Reichenbach made it out afterwards to be a va-
riety of luxatum, and called it eburneum, from
the creamy- white or ivory-white of its flowers,
which is a good and expressive name for it, and
is here adopted. It is one of the most beauti-
ful plants of this family, the flowers being large
and very fragrant.

Mormodos is at once one of the most
interesting and curious of Orchids, and closely
related to the still more obscure genus Catase-
tum.

These plants are natives of Mexico, Colom-
bia, and Central America, and are found in
warm localities, epiphytes upon trees and de-
ciduous. Under cultivation, however, they
thrive best treated as pot plants. The pots for
them should be well drained, for during the sea-
son of growth they enjoy a large amount of
water. The soil should be composed of
pe it fibre and Sphagnum Moss with some sharp
sand added ; treated in this manner I have been
very successful with the Mormodes. In a state
of nature they are subjected to heavy down-
pours of rain, and many cultivators are under
the impression that copious waterings overhead
arc necessary to their well-being in this country.
They evidently forget that these plants growing
aa epiphytes do not form such erect stems
as they do under pot culture, and that
the pseudo-bulbs stand at all sorts of angles.
Moreover, there is a greater amount of air in
their natural state than they can possibly have
in this country, and for this reason I have
always been the mo3t successful with them
when syringing overhead was discontinued en-
tirely. The whole of the Mormodes have thin
plaited leaves ; these soon become injured if ex-
posed under glas3 to the full sunshine, but they
all enjoy goad exposure to sun and light. After
growth is completed, the water supply should
be curtailed, and as the leaves begin to drop off
less should be given, until by the time all have

fallen water should cease. The plants may be
wintered in a shady place in the stove or Cat-
tleya house, keeping them quite dry in order to
prevent them growing. Upon the least sign of
renewed life they should be at once removed
from the old soil and repotted, and during the
early period of growth especial attention should
be given to watering, as at this time in par-
ticular the young shoots are very tender, and
hence my previous advice to avoid syringing
altogether, keeping a thoroughly moist atmo-
sphere by pouring water upon the stage and
the floor. During the season of growth, the
very warmest position may be given them, but
afterwards a cooler and drier atmosphere is
necessary.

Mormodes luxatum eburneum has become
somewhat commoner during the past two years
than it has hitherto been, and I am very glad
to see such a great beauty becoming a general
favourite. I am, however, under the impres-
sion that more attention has been given to the
propagation of the species than to growing and
flowering it, but this is a mistake, for its beau-
tiful spikes of pure white flowers last a very
long time in full beauty and yield a delicious
odour. Mormodes may, during the winter
season or time of rest, be most conveniently
divided, which will induce the latent eyes to
break out in the returning spring months. This
species has terete bulbs, which are furnished
with numerous thin plicate leaves ; the scape
should be radical, but flower-spikes are also
produced from the nodes ; these bear numerous
flowers, which are larger than those of the
type. ■ The blooms, each measuring nearly
4 inches across, are pure ivory white, fleshy,
and sweetly scented, and last' for about three
weeks in full perfection." In the typical plant
the flowers are lemon-yellow in the sepals and
petals, the lip being of a deeper yellow, with a
streak of deep brown traversing the centre.
Another white form is punctatum, having the
inner side of the sepals and petals prettily
dotted with red. All thrive under the same
treatment. Wi. Hugh Gower.

Vanda Hookeri (Garden, July 12, 1890)

This was never found by T. Lobb or anyone else in
the island of Labuan. That island is nine miles long
by seven miles broad at its widest, and I have walked
over every acre of it with natives who know its
plants well. V. Hookeri is found in swamps beside
the Tandarowan and Limbang rivers, twenty miles
from the capital Brunei, and there Lobb, Low, and
others obtained it. Dendrobium Lowi is found on
the neighbouring hills. V. Hookeri is epiphytal on
a slender-stemmed sp. of Pandanus, and grows and
flowers above the water or mud, fully exposed to a
blazing sun. -F. W. B.

Cattleya Mendeli.— From Mr. Cannon, of
Merton, comes a superbly-coloured and well-shaped
Sower, but it lacks size. This, I am told, no doubt
arises from its having been produced upon a weak,
small growth, and I advise the owner to cut the
other flower, and to encourage the plant to grow as
strongly as possible. It is certainly one of the most
charming flowers I have yet seen of this species,
and should it come as fine another season, it will cer-
tainly deserve a varietal name. The sepals and pe-
tals are both broad, of a soft French white, the
latter having a broad central stripe of pale magenta
from the point downwards ; the lip is the richest
and brightest I have ever seen, being of an intensely
brilliant crimson-lake, the base and the throat very
rich orange-yellow. — W. H. G.

Cattleya Sanderiana. — A grand form of this
plant comes from the gardens of Mrs. Studd at Bath.
The flower is massive and bold, measuring nearly
9 inches across. The sepals and petals are broad, the
latter 3 inches across and beautifully frilled, being
of a soft delicate rosy-mauve colour ; lip very large,

being upwards of 4 inches long, and the front lobe
nearly 3 inches across; the side lobes, rolled over the
column, form a tube, and are rich deep crimson in
colour; the front lobe beautifully frilled, rich, deep
crimson-magenta, with a narrow marginal border of
rosy-mauve ; the throat to its base and the inner
side of lobes being rich crimson-magenta, veined
with gold, whilst at the sides and close to the throat
are the two characteristic eye-like spots, which are
white, shaded with rich yellow. It is truly a mag-
nificent form, and is, I believe, bearing numerous
flowers. This appears to be a free-flowering form
of C. gigas.

ORCHIDS AT THE GROVE, TEDDINGTON.
This is a pretty old-fashioned place which is
thickly wooded and with a good-sized kitchen gar-
den. I have known the garden intimately for
nearly forty years, but never wearing such a smart
and well-kept an appearance as now. Orchids have
always been grown here, but since the premises
changed hands and were taken by its present owner
they have been more largely cultivated. Cattleya s
are represented in great beauty, especially C. aurea,
a fine variety of which was bearing several flowers,
this being somewhat early for the species. C. gigas
in many varieties, together with Sanderiana, seme
forms of gigas being very deep in colour, whilst the
largest was a light variety, the flowers being
enormous, were also here, and numerous forms of
Mendeli and Mossite, all about over, to be followed
by the lovely C. Gaskelliana, and later on by the
equally beautiful, but smaller-flowered C. Bowring-
iana. Odontoglossums were well represented, but
most of the fine forms of O. Alexandra?, for which
this collection is famous, have passed their fullest
beauty, and are now preparing for a fresh supply
another season. 0. vexillarium Cobbianum was re-
presented by a large flowered form in which
the large lip is pure white ; this in size
makes the beautiful vexillarium rubellum look
somewhat diminutive. 0. Schlipperianum in
variety, the beautiful and long-lasting 0. has-
tilabium, and 0. Harryanum also were in great
beauty, and so were the bright, although smaller
flowered Sanderianum, and many others, such as
Alexandras, Pescatorei, &c. Numerous plants of On-
cidium macranthum also were flowering here in
profusion, one in particular being worthy of a
special note, on account of its sepals and petals
being of a rich clear yellow. The flowers, it is
true, are smaller than those of the ordinary type
of macranthum, but the colour is very bright and
excellent. Amongst Dendrobiums, there is little
now to be noted, most of them making growth and
flowers for a coming year. D. Bensonia?, however,
was very bright and gay, its large creamy-white
flowers being beautifully enriched by the black
blotch in its lip D. thyrsitlorum also still remained
very fine, its large pendulous spikes of pure white
flowers, set off by the orange-coloured lip, being
very beautiful. A plant of Burlingtonia named
fragrans was also very pretty, but the flowers were
scentless, although perhaps at the time of day I
saw them they had no smell. Thunia alba was also
very pretty, and I noted that these plants appeared
to have a better opened flower than is usually the
case. Growers should look after such variations.
Epidendrum vitellinuni majus was brilliant, and
many of the better-known kinds were also flower-
ing. These are grown in an aquatic house, and the
most beautiful plant which I saw there was a
Nymphrea cairulea, which had been laden with
flowers all the season. W. H. G.

Cymbidium IiOwianum. — In The Garden,

July 19 (p. 48), " G." remarks that this species
should only be allowed to flower in alternate years,
assuming that the plants have not time to make up
their growth after flowering. I do not know what
the experience of other cultivators may be, but I
have grown this Orchid for many years, and have
had no trouble in flowering it annually. Most
practical growers are aware that the young growths
start with the flower-spikes, and they grow away
freely enough together. The only trouble I have
with this Orchid is that the plants grow too large

July 26, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

73

in a few years, and the number of spikes is about
doubled on each plant annually. There must surely
be something wrong in the culture where it is
necessary to rob the plants of their handsome spikes
in alternate years. Notwithstanding all that has
been written about the culture of these Cymbidiums,
one every now and again finds some hapless indi-
vidual growing them in a thin layer of peat, as if
they were some species of Cattleya ; they cannot
and will not thrive under such treatment, and cut-
ting off the spikes every year would scarcely keep
up their stamina. What they do thrive in with vigour
almost beyond belief is a good mixture of yellow
fibrous loam, a fourth part of good fibrous peat, a
fourth part of decayed manure, and some pounded
charcoal to keep the material open ; when the loam
is of a clayey nature add some coarse sand. The
drainage should be good, but not more than is
needed for any other plants, such as Chrysanthe-
mums which require large supplies of water. Be-
cause a plant happens to be an Orchid, some persons
fancy that the pots should be half full of drainage
or more and that the compost should be Sphagnum
and peat.— J. Douglas.

SHORT NOTES.— ORCHIDS.

Orchis ustulata. — I am pleased to say that this
seems quite at home with other things in the hardy
border, lasting in flower from Whitsuntide to early
part of July. It has been very fine in its native haunts
here on a lofty, exposed pasture — west aspect. — Geo.
Bolas, N. Derbyshire.

Dendrobium longicornu (G. TT.).— This is
the name of the flower you send, asking if it is not D.
Jamesianum. It belongs to the nigro-hirsute section,
of which D. formosum, D. Jamesianum, and such-like
plants are near neighbours. It is more difficult to
grow than D. Jamesianum, but usually gets too much
warmth aud heat.

Grrammatophyllum speciosum.— A photo
of this species has been sent to us by Mr. Chatterjee.
The plant appears to have bloomed well in his nursery
at Calcutta, but the flowers in the photo do not come
out distinctly enough to make a good engraving, or we
Bhould have been glad to have shown how well this
plant thrives under cultivation in India.

Ansellia africana Rollissoni. — Some plants
of what appear to be this variety were recently
put up for sale by Mr. O'Brien, and he tells me
they came from the interior of the dark continent,
and are very difficult to get home in good condition.
The plants in question had very stout, stem-like
bulbs 1 foot or a little more high, and they were
accompanied by some dried flowers, some of which
have been promised me. I shall then be able to
compare them with some blooms from the variety
which flowered in the Messrs. Rollisson's nursery
at Tooting in 1878. As before remarked, the plant
in question has pseudo-bulbs 1 foot or 18 inches
high, stout, and the spike of bloom, is, I believe,
large, the individual flowers being as large again
as those of the typical plant and fully expanded,
which in africana they are not. The ground colour
is rich yellow, and the large spots and blotches are
rich brown ; the colours donot differmuch from those
of the type, but we have a much dwarf er plant, a large
many-flowered spike, and the individual flowers
are bigger. — W. H. G.

Crinum giganteum in the open air. — A

note upon this Crinum appeared in The Gaeden,
May 31 (p. 500), and it was said to require a stove
temperature. At Betteshanger Rectory this Crinum
is planted out in a sheltered spot in the flower
garden every year, and it grows and flowers freely,
some of the strongest peduncles carrying a dozen or
more flowers, whilst the strongest plants sometimes
send up a second spike. Late in the year when
there is danger of frost the plants are lifted and
wintered in a house from which frost is excluded.
The plants have now been subjected to this treat-
ment for several years, and they have never failed
to grow freely and flower strongly. This treatment
is of a very opposite character to that mentioned
in the note, and the conclusions drawn from several
years' experience of the plant in the open air point
to its suitability for diverse methods of culture, and

show that those who have not a stove nor suitable
spot in the garden can grow and enjoy the beauty
of this fine old plant in an ordinary greenhouse.
—A. H.

CROWN V. PIECE-ROOT GRAFTING.

At the fifteenth annual meeting of the American
Association of Nurserymen, Professor L. H Bailey,
of Cornell University, in speaking of this, said
that in no country but our own is nursery
stock largely propagated by piece-root grafting.
The advantages of this method are, that more trees
can be made from a given stock ; that it cheapens
the multiplication of trees ; that a given number
of trees can be produced more quickly ; that, with
deep planting, scions of hardy stock will throw out
roots of their own and preserve a tree even if the
original root was tender. Of course, all varieties,
when grafted, do not root equally well, but it is
possible in this way to get what are practically
own-rooted trees, for example, of the Chicasa
Plum when grafted on to the Peach. In this way
piece-roots are good for temporary stock, as when
the Quince is grafted on the Apple. Besides this,
it enables us to grow rare plants of which we have
no seeds or cuttings. What seem to be some dis-
advantages of this form of grafting are that the
roots always grow more pronged and not so deep ;
fewer fine roots are thrown out, and most of them
start on one side ; trees from such stock (it is said)
are more liable to blow over, and Professor Bailey
cited as examples two contiguous orchards, one of
crown-grafted trees and the other of trees from root-
grafts, in which it seemed clear that the latter
needed staking more firmly in order to keep them
upright. As a rule, root-grafted trees make a
smaller growth, and Professor Bailey exhibited
some photographs which seemed to show that two-
year- old budded trees were as large as three-year-
old root-grafted trees. Professor Bailey explained,
however, that these pictures were not conclusive
evidence, since they were not grown by the same
persons and for several other reasons. Again, root-
grafted trees tend to be more crotched and straggly
in the top. It is also said that they are not so
long-lived.

The advantages of crown-grafting on whole roots
or budding are that larger trees with deeper and
more symmetrical roots are secured ; that the young
trees have greater force behind them in a more
perfect root system, so that they are more vigorous
and growthy. It is argued also that the crown is
the best place to graft, because it has a more dense
tissue than the root, and probably, therefore, will
make a more perfect union.

Mr. Albaugh, of Ohio, enforced the views of
Professor Bailey by saying that, in the experience
of [his company, which is very large, they have
lately succeeded in getting more and better trees
from crown grafts, so that they think the method is
preferable both for the nurseryman and planter.
At all events, they never have any block of trees
failing utterly, as they formerly did when they used
root grafts.

A nurseryman from Nebraska declared that the
question was a sectional one ; that in the east,
where a very strong growth was needed, whole
roots were the best, but in the deep, rich soil of
the west these long, strong growths failed to ripen
up, and in consequence were winter killed. There-
fore, root-grafting was the best in the west because
such plants only grew to a moderate size and
ripened well to the tip. He also never had found
any lack of lateral roots and the trees from root-
grafts stood as stiffly as any others. — Garden and
Forest.

In reference to the above by Professor

Bailey and others, Mr. Hoskins makes the following
observations : —

Ceown and eoot-geAFTS. — I am glad to see
this distinction clearly made by Professor Bailey
and others at the nurserymen's meeting. Anyone
who grows his Apple seedlings for grafting, and
grows them well, knows that they will be too long
to be used entire, so that the claim often made that
trees are grown op " whole roots " is misleading.

The roots must be shortened and side-roots removed.
The question then remains, whether we shall
use any more of each root than the crown sec-
tion ? I have been testing the matter for many
years, and carefully noting results. There are ele-
ments of great uncertainty in these tests, unless
much care is used and sufficient time allowed for
observation. Even if the crown is best, crown-cuts
are not all equally good ; scions are not all equally
good ; the soil is not always uniform, and other
disturbing conditions are possible.

My experience with Apple seedlings has been
that if plump, vigorous seed is used, and properly
planted in good and suitable soil, yearling roots are
better than older ones. We then have yearling
wood in the stock joined to yearling wood in the
scion ; the size of the stocks is more nearly that of
the'scions, often allowing the bark to j oin all around ,
and the wood of the stock is softer and more easily
cut. Two-year stocks are either too large or of in-
ferior growth and quality.

In our climate it has been found a wise plan to
plant our grafts deeply, so that but one bud of the
scion is above ground — using scions of three buds
or more. In this way, from many varieties we can
get good roots from above the point of union.
When sufficient care is taken in all points I have
never seen any marked difference in growth, in nur-
sery or in orchard, between the first and second
cuts of well grown and carefully selected roots
which could be charged positively to the roots. It
must be remembered that we are apt, while at work,
to put the larger scions on the top cut, leaving
the smaller for the second cut, so that the com-
pleted grafts of the latter are somewhat less in
size. But, even allowing all that is required here,
I am not able to say that alternate rows of first and
second cut grafts have ever, in my nursery, shown
sufficient difference at the end of the third season
to be discriminated with any certainty. So I must
conclude that, with good work all around, it is
allowable to use the second cut. But with careless
work and unsatisfactory material the result might
not be the same.

As to the preference for budding over root-graft-
ing, I find many buyers who object to the crook in
a budded tree and prefer the straighter root-graft.
But aside from this, where ironclads are de-
manded, we want none of the stock above ground
or near the surface, as must be the case with budded
trees.

I can see no reason why trees root-grafted should
have roots on one side only. It may happen that
an occasional tree will show that peculiarity, but
when this occurs so very seldom who can be sure of
the cause 1 I should be most apt to regard it as a
peculiarity of the seedling stock. Neither have I
noted that the roots of root-grafts are more
pronged. Observing nurserymen soon discover
that nearly every variety has its own style of root,
which is determined by the scion, so that many va-
rieties can, when taken up at three years old, be
known by their roots alone. The spadesmen notice
this very quickly when digging, and have a ready
anathema for certain varieties with a vigorous,
deep-going root system.— T. H. Hoskins, in Garden
and Forest.

Fruit prospects do not improve as the season
advances, for the continuous rains have damaged
a good deal of the Strawberry crop, and small
bush fruits have been very difficult to get in
a condition fit for preserving. The Raspberries
were especially damaged by the excessive rains,
as it was impossible to get them dry enough to
gather until over-ripe. The Apple crop, that
is our main reliance this year, has been thinned
by unusual dropping of the fruit, but even now
there is more than enough on most of the trees. If
we are again disappointed with the crop of fruit,
we at least have more hope in the future, for the
abundant rains have cleansed the trees, and given
them such a vigorous look, that there will be no
question about their being in good condition fcr
another season. Very much, however, will depend
op the kind of autumn we get, for the rampant

74

THE GARDEN.

[July 26, 1890.

growth and rigorous leaves need bright sunshine
and dry warm weather to ripen the wood, and ma-
ture the fruit buds, without which it is evident we
cannot get good crops. Where dwarf fruit trees
cultivated on the modem system have superseded
those left to grow at will, there will be plenty of
work for some time to come in thinning, stopping,
and otherwise manipulating the shoots of the cur-
rent year's growth, in order to concentrate the
vigour of the tree in the fruit-bearing wood for
nest season. — J. G. H.

NOTES OP THE WEEK.

large a yield of fine saleable pods. Certainly the and Lorna Doone (Bunyard), a beautiful salmon-
season was favourable for continuous bearing, be- j coloured flower, very free, non-splitting, and of
ing cool and showery, but the crop was so much \ good habit. These are a few of the best self-
superior to that on" other varieties growing along coloured kinds, all having a strong habit and free-
with it. that it merits the high character that has flowering.

The finest Ivy -leaved Pelargonium in its
line of colour is unquestionably Souvenir de Charles
Turner in the beautiful collection at Chiswick. The
-plant is very free, the trusses of blooms large and
of a brilliant carmine colour, with a dark blotch at the
base of each of the upper petals.

The white Martagon Lily.— " A Gloucester-
s'-iire Parson" (Garden, July 19, p. ±7) speaks of this
Lily. I quite recently saw it nourishing in the Rev.
C . Wolley Dod's garden in Cheshire, where the natural
soil is stiff and the climate rather cool and damp, and I
do not think there is much fear of its not succeeding in
Gloucestershire.— G. F. Wilson-. '

Lilium longiflorum. — The old L. longiflorum.
if large imported bulbs are planted, is fine under glass.
Our finest plant now in the conservatory has seven
flowers and bads, and stands 6 feet high in its pot.
This Lily sometimes blooms well out of doors, but
earlv sprin? frosts are a constant source of danger to
it.— G. F. Wilson.

A seedling Petunia in the Royal Horticultural
Gardens at Chiswick. labelled compact rose-white
centre, is worth noting, as it is a dwarf, compact,>and
small-flowered variety, that is, its flowers are less than
half the size of the big, flabby, blooms than we see at
exhibitions and, unfortunately, in many gardens. The
flowers are rose, the centre white, and very pretty in
a mass, resisting winds, and making an excellent show
in the border. Petunia flowers are spoilt by their size.
The New Zealand Flax in Scotland. — 1
send you a photograph of a Phormium tenax which is
flowering here for the first time. There are ten flower-
spikes, and I have three other plants with a smaller
number. It seems perfectly hardy here, as it is in
Wigtonshire, where I am told it flowers regularly, and
also in some parts of the north of Scotland. — Munches,
Dalbeattie.

Lilium auratum rubro-vittatum.— I have
never realised how showy a plant this is till this season.
There are two pots of bulbs in the conservatory, one
with twenty -four flowers and seventeen buds, the other
with twenty flowers andj seven buds (the tallest stems
6 feet high). They are gorgeous. One stands beside
a fine pot of L. a. macranthum with stems J feet high.
The defect in the red-banded Lily is that the fine crim-
son changes after a few davs to a dull claret colour. —
G. F. Wilson.

Strawberry Sir Chas. Napier. — For a wet
season I have found Sir Charles Napier to be the best.
While other varieties are rotting on the ground, Sir
Charles Napier has stood well. It is still the best for
packing and sending long journeys. The softer fruits
of other varieties always suffer more or less in wet
weather, especially when packed. There has been a
grand crop of all varieties this season, notably the old
scarlet preserving Strawberry.— W. A. Cook, Compt
Basset t.

Pea William Hurst.— This new dwarf Pea
promises to become one of the leading market varie-
ties, for although the seed was expensive last sea-
son, I hear that the outlay was amply repaid by the
splendid crop and the length of time that the
plants continued bearing. I have no doubt that
when better known it will be very largely grown.
If a good or better crop can be grown on short
haulm that requires no stakes, there is no doubt
but that it is only a question of time for such
varieties as this to supersede all the tall-growing
ones, as Pea sticks form a considerable item in the
cultivation of this highly esteemed vegetable. In
this case the seed was sown at the end of January
on well cultivated soil in drills 1£ feet apart, wide
drills being drawn and the seed spread out evenly
.and regularly, so that every Pea made a good plant
and had room to develop. For the quantity of seed

already been given to it. If a crop of seed can be
ripened. I feel sure that this variety will be largely
grown next season. — J. G. H.

A hybrid Fuchsia. — I send a spray of hybrid
Fuchsia raised here, a cross between the two species
fulgens and cordifolia. The latter, the seed-bear-
ing parent, has transmitted the green sepals and
shorter, thicker, and in a slight degree flattened
tube. During its winter rest it forms flower-buds,
which expand in early spring before the foliage
appears : these, however, are smaller and paler
than those produced later on, which this premature
blooming does not seem in any way to affect. It
is a less robust plant than fulgens, but, like cordi-
folia, it throws up numerous suckers. — J. M., Char-
mouth, Dorset.

Rose Margaret Dickson. — The chief point of
attraction in the National Rose Society's show at
Birmingham was a little box of three blooms of
this new seedling Rose exhibited by Messrs. A.
Dickson and Sons, of Newtownards. By several it
was pronounced the best white Rose of its class,
and in the language of one of our most successful
exhibitors, the days of Merveille de Lyon are num-
bered. It is singular that two white Roses. Mrs.
Paul and Margaret Dickson, should have been ob-
tained in the same year, and that the National
Rose Society which has in many seasons not
awarded its gold medal should have this year
awarded three. There is one very rematkable
characteristic about Margaret Dickson, its. wonder-
ful foliage, which is large and very thick, so much
so that, as many Rose growers expressed it, it is be-
lieved to be mildew-proof . The Messrs. Dickson, who
have already enriched our Rose gardens with such
flowers as Earl of Dufferin, Miss Ethel Brownlow,
and Lady Helen Stewart, may well be congratu-
lated on this new gain, which will be sought for
by all exhibitors and admired bv all lovers of the
Rose

Moss Roses at Birmingham. — Lord Cal-
thorpe offered a ten guinea silver cup for a collection
of Moss Roses. It was a mistake, as it was pointed
out to him that there would be very great difficulty
in getting a collection of Moss Roses. As it was
confined to amateurs, there was only one box
shown, a very good one indeed, but it would have
been more agreeable to the winner, that excellent
rosarian, Mr. T. W. Girdlestone, had he had to meet
foes more worthy of bis steel. He has so identified
himself with the " garden Rose " side of the ques-
tion, that many who know him not personally, but
who have read his admirable articles on this sub-
ject in The Gabdex and in the " Bosarian's Year
Book," will rejoice that the cup has fallen into such
worthy hands. — Delta.

Clematis coccinea. — This is a charming Cle-
matis, but if it were stronger in growth and freer
in bloom it would be an advantage. It is planted
against a wire trellis in the fine old garden of
Audley End, the seat of Lord Braybrooke, near
Saffron Walden. A coloured plate of it was given
in The Garden, March 12, 1881, which shows the
character of the flower. It has now become fairly
well known, and may be planted against a wall,
pillar, or trellis, but not in company with any
strong-growing climber, which would quickly
smother it. It is a native of Texas, where it grows
from 3 feet to 8 feet high, and bears campanu-
late scarlet flowers of distinctive shape, the apex
of the segments being turned back. The foliage
is not unlike that of the common Honeysuckle,
rich green, and fairly abundant. It should be
planted in a warm sunny spot, and will give variety
to the garden.

Stocks at Chiswick. — The finest feature in the
Royal Horticultural Society's Gardens at Chiswick
is the display of Stocks from seed sent by Herr
Putz, a German nurseryman, of Erfurt. The varie-
ties comprise late Ten-week and dwarf German, all
of splendid habit, and possessing every good quality
of this charming garden flower. We have seldom
seen a truer or finer strain, very few rows showing
more than one or two " rogues." Of the German
types the best are the dwarf compact white, the
flowers very double and one mass of bloom, scarcely
a leaf showing. One can judge of the effect of a
distinct bed in the garden. The Crimson is a deep
colour, the plants very free, and more spreading
than the last-mentioned variety. Chamois is not
the most effective ; the flowers are perfectly double,
but the colours, white and pink, with sometimes a
yellowish shade, scarcely decided enough ; the
coppery red we dislike, bat the dark violet and
blood-red are two splendid colours, very rich and
bold, the individual flowers large and handsome.
A pretty colour is the double mauve, and the car-
mine-rose would make a telling mass : also the rose
and flesh tints, the latter being a variety very com-
pact, dwarf, and delicate in tone. These are the
finest of the dwarf German varieties, and we have
the same richness and range of colours in the late
Ten-week types, the rose, dark blue, flesh, dark
carmine, crimson-peach, which may be better de-
scribed as a rich rose; Carmine, Aurora, veiy
pretty, but the colours are too mixed, pale yellow
and rose, light blue, and the white, a very beautiful
kind, exceptionally free, very double, and compact.
The least desirable is canary yellow : it comes, as
the others, remarkably true, but the colour is sickly.
Two good varieties are the dwarf forcing Ten-week
Stock Snowflake, which, however, does not come so
true as the other varieties, but very pure, and
scarcely about 4 inches high, and the A'ictoria
Bouquet Ten-week Stock, a fine dark red colour.
The beauty of this selection and strain of Stocks
from seed sown where it has flowered, the best
way to get good plants, and the richness and range
of colours should commend it to all who wish to
make gay blocks of flowers in the summer. The

A trial of border Carnations in the Royal
Horticultural Gardens at Chiswick is interesting
and useful, and in the large plot of plants in flower
now there are several excellent and promising
kinds. They have been sent by various nursery-
men, and Messrs. Veitch contribute Hodge's The
Bride, a very pure flower, but scarcely, as seen
here, free-blooming and strong enough for the
border. The object is to encourage a plant of
vigorous habit, strong grass, and bearing its
flowers well up above the foliage on a sturdy stem.
Napoleon III., brilliant scarlet, is a good bold
flower, which does not split, and Mrs. Reynolds
Hole, W. P. Milner, and Comtesse de Paris need no
description. Snowdrift (Fisher) is a variety of
vigorous habit, and bears a large, handsome, pure
white flower, the grass being also strong and plen-
tiful. Juno (G. Paul) is an ideil border Carnation
as regards habit, leafage, constitution, and freedom
of bloom, but the flowers are not of marked excel-
lence. Caledonia has a rich purple flower of
fine colour, very free, and robust. Maggie Laurie
is a promising variety, of a beautiful salmon
colour, bold, and free ; a very delicate and charm-
ing kind. The most vigorous and striking in
the whole collection is Horace (F. Dan, Faversham).
It is a perfect mass of growth and flower-stems,
while the flowers are brilliant scarlet, bold, but un-
fortunately split in the pod. As a border flower, it is
of great value, but of no use for cutting. Fair Maid
(Dean) is a lovely salmon-rose-coloured flower,
very free and pretty ; the blooms are not large, but
neat, non-splitting, and like Mrs. Joliffe in cha-
racter. The Moor (Dean) is a fine dark maroon
variety, with an excellent petal and strong habit.
It does not split. Rowena (Dean) is a splendid
border Carnation. The plant is very strong, free,
and with broad, exceptionally robust leaves, while
the flowers stand well up, and are of an intense
scarlet colour. The calyx does not split — a great
point. Purple Emperor (Turner) is a large massive leaves of most of the plants ere quite hidden be-

•sowzl I do not remember ever having heard of so flower of a fine purple colour, an excellent variety, ' neath the mound of bloom

July 26, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

75

DALE PARK, ARUNDEL.
Dale Pake stands on high ground, where
the long range of South Downs falls away in
broad and gentle undulations. A noble drive
winds through the park, in which Beech trees in
groves and clumps are beautiful. Nowhere
does this tree assume such fine proportions as
upon the chalky loam of this part of Sussex,
between the Downs and the sea. By the drive
were many healthy, fine trees of Abies
morinda. This is a beautiful tree, so graceful
in form, and without the sombre hue which
renders some Conifers heavy, that it is surpris-
ing planters do not give it a place. We have never
seen better specimens of this tree than those
about the grounds and adorning the verges of the
drive at Dale Park. The landscape on all sides
is varied and picturesque. Upon the sides of the
Downs which approach near the house, native

if crowded together are weakened by stronger
companions.

In the conservatory were some enormous
Abutilons, which when planted out yield a pro-
fusion of flowers that are useful for cutting. A
plant of the variety Boule de Neige was carry-
ing thousands of blooms. Cassia floribunda,
effectively used as a pillar plant, was very charm-
ing ; when liberally treated it is nearly always
in flower. Nature has favoured this beautiful
spot with many wild flowers. Beneath a some-
what thin grove of Beeches the yellow Bird's-nest
(Monotropa Hypopitys) wa? flowering prof usely
in strong tufts and broad open masses.

are fostering dishonest habits by putting tempta-
tion in the way of people who cannot resist it
when the vigilant eye of the guide is off them. — P

Opening private gardens. — One could

scarcely expect a gardener advocating the opening
of private gardens to the public, as those who

Trees and Shrjbs.

NOTES ON RHODODENDRONS.
Surrey is as famous for its Rhododendrons as
Kent is for its Cherries. There are gardens in
this beautiful county whose chief charm is the
Rhododendron, as The Deepdene, Dorking,
and Mr. Mcintosh's pretty place at Weybridge,
where the shrubs sweep the turf with rich
growth, the product of a soil that exactly suits
their somewhat peculiar requirements. There
are nurseries also famous for the Rhododen-
dron, and one will at once occur to mind, that
of Mr. Anthony Waterer at Knaphill, Woking,

Dale Park, Arundel, Sussex. Engraved for The Garden" from a photograph by Messrs. J. Russell A Son. Chichester.

Yews in dense low forms have a quaint and some-
what formal effect, which is, however, lightened
by masses of Beech.

The lawns about thehouse spread out into broad
expanses of gentle undulation, with trees and
shrubs naturally grouped. The Venetian Sumach
was in flower — many specimens — mounds of
beauty. This pretty shrub has been freely planted,
both isolated upon the lawn and for fringing
shrubberies. The engraving of the house as
seen from the lawn well illustrates the greater
beauty of shrubs and such things as Pampas
Grass when they are planted in simple masses
upon turf. They break the too often formal
line of larger shrubberies, and this plan at the
same time affords an excellent opportunity for
growing in the best way choice things, which

have to contend with the results of such a short-
sighted act know too well that flowers and ripe
fruits are too tempting to some of those who have
not the means or inclination to produce them
themselves, and this " Donto 7' (see p. 54), were he
a gardener, would very soon learn. The gardens
here have been open to the public two years, and
although every individual who passes through them
cannot be looked upon with suspicion, yet among
the many are to be found persons less particular as
to how a thing is obtained than they should be,
and entirely regardless of the trust put in them.
Xot only have fruit and flowers disappeared during
these two years here, but plants as well. This is
only what any rational person would expect, and
those who adopt it will find out that their infatu-
ated ideas of the universal integrity of man is
based upon a false conception of the principles by
which many are actuated, and will learn that they

where in the month of June one can have a
rich feast of the flowers of this shrub. To
those who care anything for trees and shrubs,
the long rising walk of Rhododendrons at
Knaphill is familiar, and when the plants, that
may be more truthfully called trees, are in full
flower, nothing can excel them in grandeur and
beauty. Some of the rich spreading bushes rise
to a height of over 20 feet, covering a large area
of ground, and in June smothered with flowers,
which, by reason of the finest varieties only hav-
ing a place here, are of characteristic beauty,
bold, and compelling admiration from the many
soft, rich, and striking colours and markings
they display. No shrub in English gardens
will give the same effect as the Rhododendron
when in its fullest perfection. There are a mas-

7G

THE GAEDEK

[July 26, 1890.

siveness, breadth, and richness of leaf and
flower eminently characteristic ; it stands alone,
inviting comparison with nothing else, as the
hardy Azaleas, which are as beautiful at Knap-
hill as the Rhododendrons, are entirely distinct
in aspect, flower, and character of growth. We
have already alluded to the beauty of the hardy
Azaleas, regretting their absence from many
good English gardens that they might well
adorn, and a few notes on the more com-
monly planted Rhododendrons may not be out
of place. The varieties that are mentioned
here are, of course, well known to many by
name, but there are others wishing to plant a
few of the finest kinds that have not yet made
acquaintance with them. One of the most
beautiful is album elegans, nobly represented
at Knaphill by immense bushes, creating a
lovely picture of delicate bloom. One wants
always to see the large spreading trees of
Rhododendrons to gain a true idea of their
splendour in the garden. The charm of
Duneevan or Deepdene is derived from the
free growth of the shrub, the flowers touch-
ing the green turf, and every twig laden
with clusters or trusses. It is then the
time to make comparisons with those on a
chalky soil, or some such compost they utterly
abhor, and those on a loose peaty or loam land
that they appreciate.

It may be useful to those who intend
making a selection of the best varieties to
note a few of the most striking, but, of course,
it is always well for the planter to see
the shrubs in bloom and then choose those that
please best. This is not difficult, as during the
Rhododendron season the Knaphill nursery is
open to all, and hundreds resort thither to re-
fresh themselves with a picture unequalled, of
its kind in the world. A very useful article,
with some of the leading sorts mentioned, was
given in The Garden, April 12, p. 335, in
which the kinds are classified in colours, with a
view to forming groups in which the shades
shall be harmonious, to prevent the crude and
unpleasant mixtures that offend in some gar-
dens. Those recommended will be found to go
well together, and on this plan Mr. Waterer
planted the Rhododendrons in Rotten Row,
which light up this corner of Hyde Park with
a charming glow of colour early in the season.
Another list will be found in The Garden, June
7, p. 538, in a description of Mr. Mcintosh's
garden at Duneevan, where nearly all the best
varieties are planted. Every one of those men-
tioned in these two notes are, of course, in the
collection at Knaphill, but we may allude to a
few that were strikingly beautiful in June and
justify mention here. One was album elegans,
well known to all who care for Rhododendrons
as a lovely shrub. It is one of the most
tenderly coloured of all, blush changing to
white. Another is John Waterer, a very free
rich crimson variety, and also worthy of note
are Silvio, rich purple with a yellow centre ;
Kate Waterer, rose, yellow centre ; Mrs. Harry
lngersoll, rosy-lilac, the centre greenish colour ;
Stella, a very striking flower, rose, with an un-
usually deep chocolate blotch ; this is very
distinct, and soon picked out from amongst the
othera for its deep colouring ; Charles Thorold,
purple, greenish-yellow in the centre, the habit
and leaves both good ; Mrs. John Penn, a noble
truss of soft lilac flowers ; The Queen, familiar
as one of the best of the Rhododendrons ;
Michael Waterer, another splendid type ; and
the o!d catawbiense, of which at Knaphill
there is a magnificent bush, showing a noble
spread of leafage, and in the season a rare dis-
play of flowers. Sefton is one of the finest of
the dark maroon-eoloured varieties ; MartinHope

Sutton, scarlet, distinctly marked ; Mrs. Simp-
son, which is white blotched with purple. Be-
sides these we have Doncaster, an excellent
grower, the truss large and the flowers scarlet ;
picturatum, cream, blotched with chocolate,
very showy ; Ayrshire, purple, deep yellow eye ;
Marchioness of Lansdowne, the finest Rhodo-
dendron possibly in cultivation, the flowers pale
rose blotched with almost black ; Everestianum,
rose-lilac ; Edmund Rand, brilliant crimson ;
Caractacus, purplish-crimson, very rich ; James
Marshall Brooks, rich scarlet, spotted with
bronze ; purpureum grandiflorum, purple ;
Minnie, blush white spotted with chocolate, a
very distinct and pretty kind ; Mrs. Shuttle-
worth, scarlet, lighter centre, freely spotted ;
roseum elegans, and F. D. Godman. These
are a few that were noted casually, and with
those mentioned in the articles referred to will
make a selection of the finest Rhododendrons in
cultivation.

We are writing now only of past productions,
but, as with the hardy Azaleas, there is no
standing still, but a steady advance forward.
There are hundreds of seedlings at Knaphill,
but, unfortunately, much of the bloom of this
season was destroyed by an untimely frost on
the first day of June, and from the large
breadths of seedlings there is ever appearing
some new and improved variety. There are
other things to be considered in the Rhododen-
dron besides colour. We must have a strong
habit, fine, broad, and abundant rich green
foliage, and a large compact truss of well-shaped
flowers. These points, it is scarcely necessary
to write, are possessed in their fulness in the
majority of the varieties mentioned, but in the
seedlings in flower one could easily tell that
there is great progress still being made with a
flower that one might think incapable of further
improvement. The aim is to have a race of
plants with these special features, not one
merely having a good colour and poor leafage,
or weak habit to spoil the garden eleven months
out of twelve. Some of the shrubs would be
valuable if they did not produce a single blos-
som simply for the richness and beauty of
their foliage. There is also an endeavour to
have the flowers with the upper petals slightly
reflexed so as to show the spots, which give
richness to the flowers hidden when the petals
form a funnel-shaped bloom. It is surprising
the difference of the reflexed petalled types over
those not possessed of this characteristic, the
one being infinitely bolder and more showy
than the other, though by reflexed is not
meant a petal suddenly turned right back, but
rather just to show up the deeply coloured
spots and blotches. Of course it is only in a
large nursery that Rhododendrons can be raised
on any scale, and now that the flower has at-
tainedsuchperfection, many have tobe overlooked
before something worth special recognition is
obtained; but the work goes on, and thus we
are given shrubs possessing every feature of
beauty in habit, leafage, truss, individual
flowers, and colour through the efforts of those
who are never content with mediocre things.

The Blue Spruce. — The note that occurs on
the Blue Spruce in The Garden of June 14 (p. 560)
is likely to give an erroneous impression of this
plant. It is there called Abies Engelmanni glauca,
but the true Blue Spruce is Abies pungens glauca, a
far finer Conifer. The note was made at Knaphill.
There are two Spruces that have close affinity. One is
A. pungens, which has a glaucous form called glauca,
and the other A. Engelmanni, of which there is also
a glaucous variety, but much inferior to pun-
gens glauca. The nomenclature is confusing, hence
the mixing up of the two ; but the true Blue
Spruce is the one to which we wish to direct atten-

tion. A. Engelmanni is stated in some books to be a
synonym of A. (Pioea) Parryana or A. pungens ; both
are identical names that are often used for the same
plant in nurseries, hence the error. There is no
question as to the beauty of the genuine A.
pungens glauca at Knaphill. It is an admir-
able lawn Conifer, very hardy, vigorous, and
starting late into growth, thus escaping spring
frosts. Its foliage is as if frosted with silver or
covered with hoar-frost, and not a green bit is
visible. One can imagine the beauty of such spe-
cimens, very different things to the so-called glau-
cous Spruces that we see in gardens. The spurious
varieties have very little of this delightful frosted
glaucescence, which is brighter still against the
rich green growth of the type, a vigorous, hand-
some, and desirable Conifer. Large masses of the
two at Knaphill show their worth.

THE GIANT ARBOR-VIT^E.

(THUJA GIGANTEA.)

Thinking that this Arbor-vitas would yet turn out
to be a most valuable timber-producing tree in
Britain, I have been noting for a number of years
past its behaviour in several parts of the country.
All my notes and observations tend to point out
that our climate is peculiarly suitable for the cul-
ture of this handsome, fast-growing, and valuable
timber-producing tree. What speaks much in its
favour is the fact that although introduced to this
country only thirty-eight years ago, there are not
a few specimens of the tree fully 70 feet in height.
Again, more seldom than perhaps any tree that is
cultivated in this country does the giant Arbor- vita?
suffer from storms, as rarely is the leader broken
over or the main branches damaged in the slightest,
even during the most severe and long-blowing
winds. Regarding the value of the timber as pro-
duced in this country, it would yet be premature to
speak, as sufficient time has not elapsed since the
tree was introduced for the timber to become ma-
ture. Experiments are, however, going on, and so
far the quality of the timber can be favourably
spoken of.

Damp, alluvial deposit, such as may be found
along not a few of our rivers and lakes, would
seem to be the soil best suited for this tree, but it
grows rapidly, too, on deep, damp loam. At any
rate the largest specimens in this country are grow-
ing in alluvial matter that had been from time to
time deposited by a rapid flowing English river,
commingled with rocky debris brought down from
the hills where the river takes its rise. Some of
these are fully SO feet high, straight as could be
desired, and girthing 5 feet at a yard up the stem.
There is not a single specimen of these dimensions,
but dozens.

A good point in favour of the tree, too, as a
woodland subject is the narrow spread of branches
in proportion to the tree's height — a 70 - feet
high specimen having a branch spread of rarely
more than 15 feet. At 900 feet altitude in North
Wales (at Hafodunos) the giant Arbor-vita3 grows
freely in the most exposed situations. Unless it
be the hardy Austrian and Corsican Pines (Pinus
austriaca and P. Laricio) I feel confident that few
other trees could have succeeded nearly so well in
this particular instance. Sir C. W. Strickland says
that at Hildenley, Yorkshire, " there is a hillside
with a thin soil upon limestone rock, which I
planted two or three times over with Larch with
very small success, chiefly, I believe, on account of
the extreme dryness of the site. The Thuja grows
there with great vigour, and I have scarcely lost
one of those planted." At Benmore, in Argyle-
shire, this Arbor- vita? is thriving well at high alti-
tudes, and in some instances where planted in
alluvial soil it rivals the Larch as a rapid grower.
The Prussian Government, too, are becoming alive
to the value of the tree, for it is being introduced
in quantity to the State forests.

Generally speaking, the rate of growth of the
giant Arbor- vitie is rapid, for out of twenty-four trees
measured, the average annual growth was found to
be fully 22 inches, and this, too, where the soil in
which they had been planted was only of medium

July 26, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

77

quality. On deep rich sandy loam I measured a
number of trees that had been planted for twenty-
five years, and found the annual average rate of
growth to be 28 inches, while on reclaimed bog the
growth was quite surprising, specimens having
formed a shoot of 38 inches in one season.
For chalk soils, the giant Arbor-vitee is to be
recommended, although its rate of growth does not
equal that on either rich loam or alluvial deposit.
In many parts of Kent it grows with great rapidity,
being stout and sturdy, and not apt to fall a prey
to disease or insect pests. For planting on the chalk
it is certainly invaluable, being one of the few Coni-
fers that can be relied on to thrive well where but a
small depth of soil overlies this. Even amongst
pure chalk, or at least where but a small mingling
of earthy matter is present, the giant Arbor-vitas
grows freely and retains that glossy tint for which it
is so remarkable.

As an ornamental tree, Thuja gigantea is well
worthy of a large share of attention, the gracefully
arranged bright green foliage rendering the tree
one of peculiar beauty and much interest. Placed
here and there along the outskirts of hardwood
plantations it has a telling effect, and it is an ex-
cellent tree for replacing such as have been blown
over by the wind. Where space is limited, few
trees are more valuable than that under notice.
This Thuja is easily propagated, seeds of the very
best quality being produced in quantity by the
majority of specimens, while cuttings if properly
treated root freely enough, and soon form nice
young trees. That the giant Arbor-vitje will yet be
planted largely for economic purposes in this
country I feel quite convinced, and this not from
mere hearsay, but from actual experience of the
tree on an estate where it is grown in greater quan-
tity than anywhere else in the British "isles.

A. D. Webster.

A rich golden-leaved tree at this season is
Catalpa bignonioides aurea, synonymous with
syriogEefolia, or Lilac-leaved, a tree introduced to
English gardens in 1726. Very old trees of the
type exist about London, amongst other places at
Fulham Palace, where it was planted by that en-
thusiastic lover of trees, Bishop Compton. The
golden-leaved variety is one of the finest things of
its kind we have, as the colour is constant, rich,
and not dimmed by bad weather or burnt by the
summer sun. It is very bold and handsome in many
gardens now, its leaves, which are about the size of
those of the type, being of a uniform yellow colour,
very effective against a dark green background. Of
course, such a tree must not be used too frequently.
Its colour is not of the kind we require much of,
but used judiciously to light up the landscape or
garden scenery, few things are more effective. It
may be cut back every year.

The Siberian Salt tree (Halimodendron ar-
genteum). — This is a very uncommon shrub, whose
usual habit is to form a much branched bush 5 feet
or 6 feet high, the slender shoots being clothed
with small pinnate leaves covered with silky hairs.
This silvery character is most pronounced when
the foliage is fully developed ; therefore through-
out the summer months it stands out very conspi-
cuous, especially where associated with dark-leaved
subjects. Its flowering season is during the months
of June and July, the blossoms being of a pleasing
rosy purple colour and agreeably scented. They
are borne for a considerable distance along the
slender shoots, and being comparatively large im-
part when at their best a very distinct character
to the plant. This shrub is sometimes grafted
standard high on the Laburnum, and in this way
the long, slender, and gracefully disposed shoots
are seen to great advantage without the mop-like
appearance of many standard subjects. It will
thrive in dry sandy soils ; indeed, under such con-
ditions the foliage is more silvery than in moister
and richer spots. It is also a first-rate subject for
the seaside, resisting the salt-laden blasts with im-
punity; indeed, bymany.salt is considered necessary
to its well-doing, though I know some thriving
specimens far inland. Being a native of Siberia,
there can be no question as to the thorough hardi-

ness of this shrub. Thus while the Halimodendron
in question may compete with the Tamarisk as one
of the very best seaside shrubs, it also forms a very
handsome and distinct specimen for the lawn,
whether as a standard or on its own roots.— T.

THE PURPLE BEECH.
(fagus sylvatica purpubea.)
Few trees have a more decided effect in the
landscape than the Purple Beech, but in order to
derive the greatest pleasure and most varied con-
trast, nice discrimination is necessary. It some-
times happens, however, that trees planted in a
haphazard way, or without any meaning, so far as
effect is concerned, turn out to be most suitably
placed, and impart that variety to the wooded
appearance of the park or garden that is most
desirable. Not long ago I noticed a goodly speci-
men of the Flowering Ash (Fraxinus ornus) dis-
playing a great wealth of its pretty white Spiraea-
like flowers in front of a clump of dark-leaved
Scotch Pines, and again to day I could not help
noticing how the bronzy leaves of the Purple
Beech were shown up by the tree standing directly
in front of and at about 20 yards from a full-grown
specimen of the white Poplar. Both these trees
may have been planted by some wise and foresee-
ing person, but, uncharitable like, I hardly enter-
tain the idea that the original intention was for
effect. The Purple Beech, like the typical tree,
grows with unusual freedom and attains to large
proportions on the chalky downs of Kent. One in
particular that is growing on this property has
attained to a height of nearly 60 feet, and with a
branch spread of 75 feet in diameter. The stem at
3 feet girths 11 feet, and at 5 feet, 10 feet 11 inches.
In this particular tree the depth or tint of leaf
colouring is not so desirable as it is on many other
specimens of smaller growth, but it is yet sufficiently
so to render the tree one of great beauty, and that
is visible from a long distance away. Self-sown
seedlings of the Purple Beech come true in
a rather remarkable manner, for out of every score
not more than three revert to the typical green ;
but I am not sure that this would hold good with
seedlings from every purple-leaved Beech. If so,
and the young plants retain their parent leaf
colouring, and which I think they do, grafting
need not be relied upon as the principal means of
obtaining a stock of this tree at least. How much
the depth of colouring in the leaves of the so-
called Purple Beech vary is quite surprising, and is
only fully realised where a large number of speci-
mens are planted in close proximity. Here there is
one at least, the leaves of which are of a beautiful
crimson tint, and between this colour and the
ordinary purple there are many grades.

Few places come amiss to the Purple Beech, for
wherever placed its beauty is to some extent re-
vealed, but a background of a lighter shade than
its own is most desirable, as then the pretty foliage
tint is best shown off. It is well, when intending
to plant this Beech, particularly in a conspicuous
situation, and where the best coloured form would
be desirable, to select such when in full leafage
the previous summer, and so do away with the
possibility of mistake, for that many of the forms
sold are almost worthless for the purpose intended
I am quite convinced. It makes a neat lawn tree,
and has the good quality of being improved by
timely pruning and foreshortening of ungainly and
straggling side branches, while few soils, if at all
dry, come amiss to it, and it is also of very free
growth and not subject to disease.

A. D. Webstee.

SHORT NOTMS.— TREES AND SHRUBS.

Spirasa Reevesiana fl.-pl.— This is one of the
more uncommon kinds, and forms a dense-growing,
twiggy hush, 3 feet or 4 feet high, thickly clothed with
lanceolate leaves, which on the strong young shoots
are often deeply lobed, while the pure white flowers
are borne in terminal corymbs about the end of June.
The individual blooms are perfectly double and some-
what larger than those of S. prunifolia fl.-pl., hut it
does not appear to be as free-flowering as that better-

known kind. _ It is a native of the neighbourhood of
Canton, and is also known by the name of S. cantonien-

Veronica Traversi.-In several villa gardens I
have recently noticed dense hushes of this beautiful
hardy Veronica covered with its pretty light-coloured
blooms. It makes a pretty ornament for a small lawn,
and its cultivation and propagation require no great
amount of care or skill. Cuttings of the ends of the
shoots will strike now under glass with the Pinks and
Pansies. — X.

The golden-leaved Elder. -If grown in good
soil and even slightly shaded, there is nothing
about this Elder to attract one's attention, the
foliage being of a yellowish, somewhat sickly green
and nothing more ; but plant it in a sandy or gra-
velly soil, where not too much parched up, and yet
fully exposed to the sun's rays, and it will be
throughout the latter part of the summer one of the
brightest leaved of all our hardy shrubs, as however
hot and scorching the sun's rays may be during
July and August, these only intensify the richness
of colouring in the Elder. It is very easily propa-
gated, for cuttings root readily if taken and stuck
in the ground at any time during the autumn or
winter months. If desired to be kept comparatively
dwarf, this Elder may be cut down every year, as
on the return of spring the young shoots are
pushed up from the base, and quickly reach an
effective size. — T.

Kitchen_Garden.

WHEN TO PLANT ASPARAGUS.

This may appear a rather unseasonable date to
offer advice or comment upon the various
methods of planting Asparagus, but my remarks
will have a special reference to the summer
treatment of seedling plants. Transplanting
Asparagus frequently proves a more ticklish
undertaking than anticipated, failures to
quickly establish a good bed being far more
numerous than successes. At any rate, such is
the case in this district, and it is likely to be so
until a different method of procedure is adopted.
In most instances the beds have been prepared
considerably in advance of planting time, and
if the soil was of a light or quickly drying cha-
racter, this would be a correct, or at any rate
quite safe proceeding. As it happens in our
case, it is neither the one nor the other. The
soil in the beds being deep, loose, and finely
divided, soon becomes saturated and cold, very
rarely being fit for the reception of the roots
when planting time arrives. What makes
matters worse if the roots or crowns are bought
in is that they are usually days before they
reach their destination. As a consequence, in
addition to being unavoidably mutilated when
lifted, they also become very dry, cold winds,
and it may be some sunshine completely
killing what fresh root fibres may have been
formed prior to their being lifted. In this badly
crippled state it is not to be wondered at if a
good percentage of them fail to recover from the
severe check.

Late in March or early in April, according to
circumstances, is the usual time for transplant-
ing Asparagus, this being the time when active
root and top-growth commences, nor if the
fiesh stock has to be got from a distance, can
this rule be well departed from. It would not
be wise to plant earlier, the lifting and replant-
ing being done perhaps during the prevalence
of cold March winds, while if deferrad till
late in April or early in May, all the more
forward shoots and young roots would be lost
in transit. As it is, many of the just moving
shoots come to grief, these being very brittle,
and the packing must be very careful indeed if
it saves them. All this is mentioned, in order
that employers may appreciate the difficulties

78

THE GAEDEN.

[July 26, 1890.

their gardeners have sometimes to contend
with, and to be better able to account for any
failures that occur. How to avoid these unfor-
tunate occurrences is the next question, and
this 1 think can be answered satisfactorily. My
ideas, however, on the subject are not novel, but
having from experience found it answers well to
deviate from the usual routine, I can with confi-
dence recommend others to do the same. After
repeated trialsand from close observation of what
has been done elsewhere, I have arrived at the
conclusion that the seed should be sown where
the plants are to grow, or else that new beds
ought to be formed with one-year-old plants
only. Frequently higher prices are paid for
much older roots, the impression being that
these will be much the quickest to yield strong
shoots for cutting. They may do so in some
few instances, but more often than not they
make but poor progress, many of the roots fail-
ing outright ; while others ought not really to be
cut from till they have two clear seasons' growth.
When the seed is sown where the plants are to
remain, the seedlings being well thinned out not
later than July, those reserved grow strongly
and root vigorously in all directions. During
the following summer they will throw up
numerous strong shoots, and may be cut from
lightly in the third season, though it is better,
if possible, to encourage early and strong growth
for yet another summer.

The next best method of quickly forming pro-
fitable Asparagus beds is to transplant one-year-
old home-raised seedlings, deferring this im-
portant work in all cases, especially where the
soil is cold and heavy or the position late and
cold, till the first fortnight in May. We have
found the best results attending the latter prac-
tice, and for the future no transplanting will
be done before May. Not only is it wise to
defer this work till the first shoots are about 1
foot in height, but — in our case, at any rate—
we prefer to prepare the beds only a few hours
or just immediately in advance of planting.
The soil can be returned to the trench, well
mixed, and the beds formed evenly, all there-
fore sinking regularly, or it can be trenched,
well broken up, and otherwise made fit for
planting at once. Once a heavy rain falls on
newly moved soil of a clayey nature, it is not
fit to plant for many days or even weeks after,
the wiser plan, therefore, being to plant the
Asparagus before the soil has become saturated.
If the plants are prepared on the place, there
is no difficulty about it, as, should the weather
be unfavourable for the work early in May, it
may safely be deferred till nearer the end of
the month. Last spring we prepared and planted
a raised bed with two-year- old roots during the
first week in April, another being formed a fort-
night later, and filled with an equal number
each of two-year-old and one-year-old plants ;
while yet a third bed was planted during the
second week in May, this time with one-year-
old plants ouly. Already the young plants have
surpassed the older ones, and what is still more
satisfactory and conclusive, the last-formed bed
is much superior to the other two.

One-year-old plants not having become so
strongly and widely rooted as those older are
much more easily lifted without breaking many
roots, and if replanted carefully as fast as they
are got up the check is scarcely perceptible.
Ours with quite long shoots scarcely flagged in
bright sunshine, and not a plant has failed.
Those, then, who have raised a few rows of
seedlings with a view of forming new beds with
them should not neglect the plants in any way.
It is not such a great number that is needed
for a fresh plantation. Our raised beds are 5

feet wide at the bottom, with sloping edges, and
20 yards long, and in each there are three rows,
totalling about 150 plants. There is no neces-
sity to clear the rows of seedlings, but if a por-
tion are left about 18 inches apart, these would
either be available for forcing at the end of the
second year or else may be left where they are
to yield shoots for a few or many years. The
seedlings raised this season ought, therefore, to
be thinned to 0 inches or 9 inches apart accord-
ing to the number required next spring, and all
that is further necessary at the present time is
to keep the ground about them quite clear of
weeds. After a long spell of wet weather
clayey soils are apt to crack badly, but a mulch-
ing of short manure will tend to prevent this.
W. Iggulden.

Pea Exonia. — This new claimant for public
favour has some very good qualities to recommend
it. As regards season of gathering, it comes in
with the earliest section (gangster's No. 1, Day's
Sunrise, &c), but it has the ^reat advantage over
these varieties of superior flavour and greater
cropping qualities, with a longer bearing season,
growing about 3 feet to 4 feet high ; the haulm is
studded with pods to within 1 foot of the ground.
The pods, of medium size and similar in shape and
colour to those of Ne Plus Ultra, are closely
packed with Peas of a deep green colour, which
have a fine appearance when on the table. The
quality is equal to that of the Wrinkled Marrows,
to which section it really belongs. It is a fine
cropper, and the individual pods contain seven and
eight, and sometimes nine and ten Peas. Having
grown it here by the side of the early sorts, and also
having seen it grown in large quantities, I consider
it a decided acquisition as an early Pea, and it only
requires to be known for it to become a general and
established favourite. A first-class certificate has
been awarded to it by the Royal Horticultural So-
ciety after having been tried at Chiswick with others
of its class. I believe it will be sent out next season.
— John Gaeland, Killerton, Exeter.

Tomatoes. — One of the features of Chiswick
Gardens this season again is the big span house,
which is being gradually converted into a vinery.
This is again filled with Tomatoes carrying a very
fine crop of fruit. The plants are so far about one-
half grown, but fruiting finely from the ground
upwards, and it is one of the special merits of this
house, either in its build or of the peculiarly good
cultivation adopted, that every plant sets its first
blooms, and so close to the ground, that no space
is wasted. The plants, all trained vertically,
are rather close together, and have ample head
room with, however, plenty of light and air. ' Hav-
ing seen this fine house of Tomatoes, I was soon
after surprised to find out on the Chiswick high-
way on a coster's barrow boxes of really handsome
well-coloured Tomatoes, the contents being offered
at so little as 2d. per lb. Good house-grown Toma-
toes are, I learn, to be had for 4d. per lb. If that
be so, one is tempted to ask what can the grower
even so early in the season as now be getting, and
what will be the ruling prices in August when
Tomatoes will be abundant from under glass ? Out-
doors the prospect for Tomatoes is poor, as the
plants are making strong growth and there is such
an absence of warmth. It does not look as if there
would be many fully ripe fruits outdoors before
September, and by that time the public appetite
should be pretty well satiated, if that be possible,
with Tomatoes. When good fruits are offered in the
streets at 2d. per lb., it is very obvious that there
cannot be much money in home-grown ones, ex-
cept special prices are obtained for them. What
seems probable is, that unless a severe attack of the
Pcronospora sets in, Tomatoes, come from whence
they may, must be very cheap indeed. — A. D.

Good Cos Lettuce. — In an interesting trial of
Cos Lettuces at Messrs. Veitch and Sons' trial
grounds, three of them appear to stand out from
all the rest for their distinctive and useful cha-
racter. They are the Bath Cos Black Seed, a very

favourite, hardy, and long-standing variety ; Hick's
Hardy White Cos, an excellent early variety be-
cause hardy, and a grand summer Lettuce also, of
a bright fresh green colour, and very like the Ful-
ham White Cos, so much grown by the market
gardeners ; and that universal favourite, the Paris
White Cos, with all the various names by which it
is known. All three of the foregoing are fine exhi-
bition Lettuces. If anyone should desire anything
larger, let him try Ivery's Nonsuch Cos, or a more
compact and self-folding form of it known on the
Continent as the Balloon Cos. It is indeed a giant
Lettuce, and said to be very crisp and sweet to eat.
— R. D.

EARLY CABBAGES.
At this date Cabbage is rather a third-rate vege-
table in most gardens of any size, but now is the
time to think of the next spring supply if this use-
ful vegetable is required in quantity. To get an
early supply, the early sowing in most cases should
depend upon the district and the soils in which
the Cabbages are grown. In late districts the
third week in July is none too early to sow. The
chief point is getting sturdy plants that will stand
the winter. To obtain these I advise pricking out
as soon as the plants are large enough to handle.
I have often seen large breadths of this favourite
spring vegetable with scarcely a plant left at the
end of February. I do not see how it can be other-
wise when the plants are left crowded in a small
seed bed till' perhaps late in October before plant-
ing out takes place. If by chance a mild winter
should favour them they invariably succumb to the
fierce blasts of our March winds which we rarely
ever escape. I should therefore advise two sow-
ings, one at this date, and another two or three weeks
later. I find that the seedlings are much better
when pricked out on land that has been manured
for a previous crop, as if given fresh manure the
growth is too quick for the winter plants. For
spring sowing quick growth is necessary, as the
plants only remain a short time on the ground, but
it is different when a short sturdy growth is re-
quired. The ground before pricking off should
also be made rather firm. I think the best plants
for early spring use are the small kinds. I have
observed that these suffer much less than the larger
varieties, and in private places I consider a large,
coarse Cabbage of no use. Many gardeners have
their own special varieties, and I certainly advise
them to keep to them when they have secured a
good early kind. Of late years several good kinds
have been sent out, but some of them are old
favourites under new names. Still a step in the
right direction has taken place, many of the large
coarse kinds grown a few years ago having been
discarded for the small compact varieties. Ellam's
Dwarf Early is a good kind for sowing at this date,
followed by a later sowing in three weeks, of the
old true Nonpareil, thus forming a succession.
When strong sturdy plants are secured for planting
in their permanent quarters early in September in
ground deeply dug and the plants planted thickly,
say 12 inches apart from plant to plant, and 2 feet
in the rows — I advise 2 feet, as it allows plenty of
soil to form a ridge for protection against east
winds— every other plant may be used very early
in spring, and thus allow the remaining ones room.
I do not advise too much manure, but prefer it dug
deeply in so that the plants can obtain assistance
from it at the time most required, namely, when
starting into growth in early spring. If on the
surface it only excites a premature growth likely
to be destroyed by the first frost that comes.
Syon House. Geo. Wythes.

Tomatoes in 'winter. — The notes in a recent
number of The Gakden on the cultivation of this
now favoured fruit were very welcome, as most
ardeners should grow these in quantity. during the
summer. In the winter very few are grown, but
no doubt they will become popular, as they can be
had with much less heat and trouble than Cucum-
bers, and are always a welcome addition both to
the salad-bowl and for cooking. We had some
small plants left from a late lot for autumn work
some time ago and gave them a trial, potting them

July 26, 1890.]

THE GAKDEK

79

on and placing them indoors in September, and
they gave a fine lot of useful fruit. No doubt, if
sown as advised at this date, they will do equally
well if in moderately-sized pots. I have also utilised
the old plants that have been forced early, by cut-
ting back hard, partially shaking out, repotting, and
getting into bloom before the dark days come on,
as a good set is the chief thing aimed at. Confer-
ence is also recommended, and I can speak highly
in its favour ; it certainly is the best Tomato to set,
next to Prelude, I have yet tried. For winter work
I should say it will prove invaluable. We have it
under the shade of Peach trees syringed daily, and
it sets freely, and as it gives larger fruit than
Prelude, it will in time, when better known, be one
of our leading kinds. Ham Green Favourite, one
of the parents of Conference, is also a good winter
Tomato, and will not disappoint those who give it
a trial, as it possesses the free-setting qualities of the
others named above, and bears a beautiful-shaped
fruit that hangs a long time without cracking. For
growing in large numbers for salad or flavouring,
Prelude is a good winter variety, giving a great
number of small, good-coloured fruits, that are just
the size required for this purpose. Green Gage is
also a good kind where a yellow Tomato is required,
being one of the best setters of the yellow section
and of a good flavour. For winter work, however,
the red kinds named I like much the best. —
G. W. S.

WATERING TOMATOES UNDER GLASS.
Excess of moisture is doubtless bad. On the other
hand, such strong-rooting, vigorous-growing things
as healthy Tomato plants are when well managed
must have a good amount of water or the blossoms
fail to set well, or if they set, the fruits will not
swell without moisture. The whole difficulty in
Tomato culture under glass lies in the proper ad-
mission of fresh air and the regulation of the water
supply, and when plants are diseased or covered
with mildew something must have been wrong with
airing or watering. In damp, dull weather venti-
late freely, even use a little fire if necessary,
though, as the latter costs money, it should be
done without as much as possible at this season.
Still, when cold, wet days follow each other, a
little fire heat, just sufficient to warm the pipes
and set the atmosphere in motion, is not always
money thrown away. Never water in dull or sunless
weather if the plants are set out in the border. It
is difficult to keep the atmosphere of a house where
the borders have been recently saturated with water
in that buoyant, healthy condition necessary to
keep the foliage free from mildew. All borders in
which Tomatoes are planted should be mulched with
manure before the plants are a yard high. This keeps
the roots comfortable, and saves much labour in
watering. Tomatoes should never be syringed or
watered overhead with the hose. Neither should
the house be altogether closed after the middle
of June ; sufficient ventilation should be left on all
night to keep up a circulation and prevent stagna-
tion. Large houses are more easily managed in
this respect than small ones. When a heavy crop
of fruit has been set, stimulants may be given
freely. Nitrate of soda and guano in equal quan-
tities, half an ounce to the gallon, may be used with
advantage once a week from this time onwards till
the end of September. Soot and salt form a cheap
and most useful stimulant for Tomatoes, either
under glass or in the open air. As regards defolia-
tion, do not do it till compelled. There will, of
course, come a time when some of the leaves must
be reduced in size, but the wholesale defoliation
sometimes practised must be wrong, as plants so
denuded of their foliage cannot do their full amount
of work. Tomatoes are often planted too thickly,
and the crop suffers in consequence. We planted
the rows in our houses this year a little over 3 feet
apart, and the leaves have pretty well reached
across the intervening spaces. E. H.

in quite small pots. In addition to its setting quali-
ties, the flavour is also good.— J. C. F.

Pea Chelsea Gem.— "G. W." (p. 23) writes of
the above as a new Pea, which it may he to him, but
it has been out many years and ought to be generally
known, as it is a greatly improved American Wonder,
for it is as free cropping, somewhat taller and stronger,
and produces larger pods and Peas that are of excellent
flavour. We sow ours on warm borders at 2 feet apart,
and give them a few bushy twigs to run amongst. This
is better than having them on the ground. — J . S H E ppard .

SHORT NOTES.— KITCHEN.

Tomato Ham Green Favourite.— This To-
mato is grown largely by Mr. Pratt at Longleat, and
highly spoken of by him. When recently calling there
I noticed it was fruiting grandly on the cordon system

Flower Garden.

PLANTAIN LILIES (FUNKIAfi) IN
FLOWER.

These handsome hardy plants when in flower
impart a truly noble appearance, and are
grand subjects for either the sub-tropical gar-
den or for planting near the margins of lakes
or streams. They are seen to best advantage
in groups of fairly good size and depth, and
should not be drawn out or attenuated into
marginal lines to too great an extent. They
look as well in clumps or masses with no
surroundings save the green Grass as when

too much under the shade of trees, especially
under such as have a tendency to root near
the surface. A little shade will do no harm ;
in fact it will be with a moist soil more con-
ducive to a free and robust growth. Funkias
last in flower a long time, especially when in
good health and vigour. When the flower-
spikes are plentiful some may be cut for the
flower vases, and they associate well with
Lilies, Gladioli, and Irises. J. H.

THE GARDEN MARIGOLD.
When looking over some cottage flower gar-
dens a few days ago I was much struck by the
beauty and variety of a bed of common garden or
pot Marigolds, both single and double flowered.
Some of the latter had very large blossoms, full
and beautifully imbricated ; some self-coloured, and
the colours ranging from pale yellow to the richest
deep orange, while the petals of some were mar-
gined at the sides and tipped at the points, as in
the case of the well-known Meteor and Prince of
Orange. The single types were much more varied ;
there were flowers of just one row of petals, some
deep coloured, some so pale as to be approaching
white. Another series were semi-double. But the

Siebold's Plantain Lily (Funkia Sieboldi) in flower.

planted with a suitable and appropriate back-
ground of shrubs or other massive foliage. A
too close or stagnant soil should be avoided,
for when excessively wet in the winter sea-
son the roots are apt to suffer. Therefore,
when planted near to the water they should
be slightly elevated to guard against this evil.
Good holding loam suits them well. They
will, however, thrive well in a light, peaty
soil, but precaution then is necessary to en-
sure sufficient moisture at the roots during
time of drought. In places where they are
likely to suffer from either cold in winter or
dryness at the roots in summer, it is a good
plan to give them a good mulching every
autumn with rich soiL This will answer
both purposes, and encourage a stronger
growth as well. Transplanting should be
seen to when the clumps become too much
overcrowded, or weakness will ensue with a
diminution in the number of flower-spikes
and an unhealthy appearance in the foliage
itself. It is not a good plan to plant Funkias

most pleasing type was in the case of some having
but one ring of petals, about four-fifths of which
were white from the base upwards, and the rest
deep orange. The cottager appeared to have no idea
of the wealth of novelty and beauty he had among
these common Marigolds ; they were chance seed-
lings that had come from flowers which had no
doubt been fertilised by insect or some other
agency, hence the variation seen in these common
garden types.

I am quite sure that it is possible to obtain varie-
ties of great beauty from this Marigold were the
work of improvement set about in a systematic
manner. When allowed to seed in an indiscrimi-
nate way, as in the case referred to above, the
inferior forms, no doubt, hold back the more novel
and striking ones in the march of improvement. If
a few of the most distinct could be isolated and
carefully seeded and selected, a remarkable strain
might be produced. It is sometimes said that
the garden Marigold has but a short season of
bloom. This is because it is allowed to seed. If
the seed-pods were picked off, the season of bloom
would be considerably prolonged, and the blossoms
are very useful for indoor decoration. R. D.

Wall gardening. — This is one of the features
of Dr. Webb's garden at Wirksworth, especially

80

THE GARDEN.

[July 26, 1890.

what I may name the Wallflower wall. In every
cranny that a lead pencil could be got into, Dr.
Webb grows a Gillyflower, and his mode of propa-
gation is unique. He simply takes the seed-pod
when ripe, intact, and inserts it into any crevice he
can get it ; the husk seems to feed the young root-
lets till the plants get firm hold. No doubt many
plants might soon become established on our walls
if the above plan were adopted. I pass a wall daily
beautifully fresh with Asplenium Trichomanes and
A. Ruta-muraria. In the crevices of a brick wall are
now growing fine Foxgloves, masses of the golden
Pyrethrum,Fragaria vesca beautifully in fruit, and
masses of Linaria cymbalaria, known here as Derby-
shire Ivy. We have a wall capped with Ivy which
grows entirely from under the coping, and always
carries a lot of berries. I once saw in S. Wales,
near a railway station just opened, some 50 yards
or more of a wall covered with Ceterach officinale.
—Geo. Bolas, Hopton, Derby.

The shrubby Spiraeas. — Two valuable kinds,
either for grouping or planting amongst shrubs, are
S. arisefolia and S. Lindleyana ; the former has
small entire leaves and flowers about ten days
before the latter. S. arisefolia is in no way fas-
tidious as to the nature of the soil ; mine at least
grows well and flowers most profusely every year
in poor quality of loam, and needs always to be
kept within proper limits. Lindley's Spiraea is in
my opinion the prince of all the woody varieties ;
it is of truly noble growth, with handsome pinnate
leaves and very long terminal spikes. This variety
will with me be soon a perfect picture of foliage
and flower. I do not at times know which to
admire most, the buds when assuming the pearly
white colour, or the fully expanded ones with others
advancing. This Spirsea makes a good plant for a
prominent position on the lawn, where it can have
ample room for development. Like the first
named, it is not particular as to soil. Both with
me are perfectly hardy, and in every way reliable.
-J. H.

Lychnis Haageana. — It is possible "F. C. A."
(The Gaeden, p. 23) may have a fine form of this,
but he must remember that this fine species is ex-
tremely variable in form, habit, shape and size of
flower. A very fine form is represented in the
coloured plate which appeared in The Garden,
June 1, 1889 (p. 508). I have now in bloom a batch
of plants raised from seed sown on an open, sunny
border last summer. All are now in flower, and
they embrace many shades of colour, especially the
varying tones of red. Two pretty forms have flowers
of a salmon hue which become lighter with age,
ultimately changing to quite white. Some of the
shades of orange-red are very bright and effective.
The flowers vary in size, some having petals more
or less round and broad in proportion ; others being
narrow and deeply cut into segments almost as
narrow and small as those of the flower of the
Ragged Robin. As this can be so easily raised from
seed and in such variety, being also a long-lasting
and showy plant, it ought to become popular. Of
course if a particularly striking form appears dis-
tinct in colour or fine in shape, it must and can be
easily increased by division. A packet of seed is
almost sure to give some good kinds worth increas-
ing in this way, and this should be done, so that a
stock might be obtained to group in a bold, free
way. — A. H.

Alstrcemeria aurantiaca.— The Alstroemerias
are much neglected plants. Although some are of
doubtful hardiness, such is not the case with the
above named kind, which is one of the freest and
most beautiful of hardy plants. In order to succeed
with this and all the other species, the site should
be thoroughly prepared by deep digging, adding
fresh soil if necessary. Plant the roots deeply
and let them alone. In this respect this plant
differs from many hardy subjects, for if we would
have it in its fullest beauty it must remain undis-
turbed, and each year it will increase, -the tufts ex-
tending outwards and always, as the season comes
round, flowering with great profusion. Although
growing 1 yard high, this plant needs no support ; its
shoots are stiff and strong, well clothed with
ample foliage and terminating in an umbel of from

twelve to fifteen flowers, which are of a deep
orange colour, streaked with red and highly effec-
tive both upon the plant and in a cut state. It
continues blooming for the greater part of the
summer and ripens seed freely. It is increased
from seed, as to attempt to divide the tufts will
end in disaster. The seeds are about the size of
Peas. They may be sown when ripe and in the
place where the plants are required to obviate the
risk of transplanting. If not before, they will ger-
minate the following spring and grow strong enough
that year to flower the next. If it is not con-
venient or possible to sow the seeds in borders,
they should be sown thinly in pots, as the young
plants can then be planted out without disturbance.
Such a fine hardy plant as this ought to be increased
freely and grown extensively in bold groups, which
from July onwards would brighten up the border.
—A. H.

PATIENCE IN SEED-RAISING.
In August, 1889, I found the remains of a small
packet of seeds of Aquilegia coerulea, and wishing
to have a few plants of the species, I sowed them
in a pot, placed a piece of glass over it, and placed
it in a corner of a cold frame. In October
three or four seedlings began to appear. The pot
was carefully kept through the winter, and in
March and April other plants appeared above the
soil, and to this day— the middle of July— they
continue to come. I think the pauses and delays
in the operation of germination are largely traceable
to the fact that the seeds were two or three years
old, and I am surprised they grew at all ; and it is
because some seeds are very slow to germinate that
I have headed this paper with an exhortation to
patience in seed-raising. I remember that in one
of the Rev. F. D. Horner's essays on the Auricula,
he, in reference to raising seedlings, remarks that
he keeps his seed-pots for three years, and finds
some to come at that distance of time. Why some
seeds should germinate two months after being
sown and some not for two or three years is one of
those mysteries which the florist notes, but cannot
explain ; and it is another singular fact that gene-
rally the coarse and inferior flowers are, in the
case of Auricula seedlings, generally those from the
seeds which germinate the quickest, while the good
ones are among those that come after a lapse of
time.

Some seeds come much more quickly raised in
heat than in the open ground, and vice versa. I
remember Mr. John Laing once telling me that
some years ago he sowed some seeds of herbaceous
Phloxes in pots and placed them in heat in the
hope of securing a quicker germination, but none
came. After a time, thinking it was no use to
keep the pots longer, he instructed one of his men
to turn out the contents of the pots on the verge
of a border of shrubbery. He did this, and a little
time afterwards he was astonished to find a good
growth of seedling Phloxes. From that time for-
ward he gave his seedlings a cold treatment, and
experienced no difficulty in raising them. If
choice seeds be kept in bottles air-tight and in a
dry place, they will retain their germinating powers
much longer than is generally supposed.

R. D

stakes inserted in the ground. It is very beautiful
just now on the wall facing the herbaceous ground
at Kew, reminding one of a Maiden-hair Fern in
the delicacy and beauty of its leaves, against which
the pinky flowers are in tender contrast. It is a
native of North America, and sometimes labelled
under its old name, Corydalis f ungosa, but Adlumia
is generally used. It is biennial in character, but
seeds very freely, so that there is no difficulty in
keeping up a display. A warm soil is wanted to fully
develop its growth, and although it may be placed
against a wall, there are many old tree stumps and
bits of rockery in gardens over which it might be
permitted to ramble.

NEW SWEET PEAS FOR 1890.
The eight beautiful new varieties of these most
deliciously sweet-scented, old-fashioned hardy
annuals (now so seldom seen, save in very old-
fashioned gardens), raised by Mr. Eckford m his
garden at Wem, Salop, and distributed by him in
early spring of this year, are now in most abundant
bloom in my garden, and are the admiration of all
who see them, while the agreeable perfume ex-
haled by their pretty flowers yields a great addi-
tional attraction, which should make them much
more universally cultivated. The greatest novelty
amongst them is —

Primrose, the nearest approach to a yellow Sweet
Pea that has yet been obtained, and even the seeds of
this variety, instead of being a blackish brown, as al-
most all other Sweet Peas, are quite light and whitish
in colour. The flowers of this variety wheu they first

Amaryllis formosissima. — The fact related
in The Gaeden, June 28, of Sprekelia bulbs flower-
ing perfectly in a dry state, has been observed fre-
quently. This bulb is also very suitable for grow-
ing in glasses in water. To have good flowers, the
bulbs ought to be well ripened when taken out
from the ground in autumn. If the bulbs are left
in the ground, provided they have sufficient protec-
tion against frost, or in pots they flower as well,
but usually at a later period than those kept dry
and warm in winter, and then, as a rule, the flowers
and leaves develop at the same time. In general,
many Amaryllises are apt to develop flowers from
bulbs in a dry state, but usually the blooms are
much inferior in size and beauty to those obtained
by rational cultivation. — T. H. K., Haarlem.

Climbing- Fumitory (Adlumia cirrhosa) !-tands
alone, the only representative of its genus, but it
is a pretty plant, climbing freely or running over

matures bleaches out to almost white, but it is de-
cidedly a step in a new direction of colour, and win
doubtless ere long lead to better things under the
mauipulations of the experienced hauds that produced

Countess of Radnor is another novel shade of
colour not before known in Sweet Peas, being ot a
delicate and pleasing bluish grey self colour, the
shape of the flower, however, leaves something to be
desired, as the upper petals, instead of being quite up-
right as in other varieties, almost he down on the centre
portion of the flower, giving it a curious appearance.

Mrs. Sankey is a fine pure white, of good size and
excellent shape, and a most beautiful variety.

Eiipuess of India is an exceedingly pretty variety,
the upper petals of which are deep rose colour, the
lower pure white, making a most charming contrast.

Miss Hunt is a most beautiful deep rose-colourtd
self.

Mrs. Gladstone is a pale rose and white flowerand
very pretty.

King of the Blu(s is the nearest approach to a
blue Sweet Pea that has yet been obtained but leaves
a good deal yet to he done before a really blue flower
is seen, as this is only bluish.

Purple Prince is a fine la'ge bold flower, and a de-
cided improvement in size and intensity and depth ot
colour on the common Sweet Pea. From this also
has appeared on one of my plants a most curious, and
1 think I mav sav beautiful, but certainly interesting
sport, the flowers being distinctly striped and flaked
with purple on a white ground. I shall carefully
mark all the bunches bearing these peculiar flowers
and hope their variation may come true from seed
next year.

All these Peas were sown in pots in the month of
April kept in the cold house and an unheated
frame till the second week in May, and then
planted out in the bed, where they have reached a
height of between 5 feet and G feet.— W. E. Gum-

BLETON.

I have been growing here this year some of

Mr Eckford's newer Sweet Peas, although it is
evident from the collection shown at the Drill Hall
on the 8th that he has some kinds in stock which
have not yet got into commerce. The general
characteristics of the strain are very robust habit,
fine flowers, and wondrous variety in colours and

markings, h is in mis i»i" "»k^" -"•"" *

Mr Eckford's strength is his weakness, because so
many diverse hues lead to a desire to multiply and
develop them, and the exhibition of such exceeding
variety rather tends to bewilder than to aid intend-
ing growers. There is also in the strain a tendency
to follow the habit of Lathyrus latifolius and pro-

July 26, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

81

duce scapes or spikes of flowers. That is in the
ca?e of flowers so valuable for cuttiDg as Sweet
Peas presumably are, hardly a recommendation.
Simultaneously expanding twin blooms on each
stem would be far more acceptable than several
opening at diverse times. Of those growing here
Captain of the Blues is striking and very fine. It
is really a bluish purple, and is in some of the newer
forms, Dorothy Tennant, purplish mauve, and
Countess of Radnor, soft mauve-blue, materially
excelled, although both these pretty forms leave
ample room for the enriching of the blue tints in
Sweet Peas. Queen of England and Mrs. Sankey
are with me very fine pure whites, and the latter
was the best white shown at the Drill Hall. Of
flesh tints none excel Mrs. Gladstone, a very lovely
variety ; Cardinal is a pretty rosy red, and Splen-
dour a fine rosy scarlet. Primrose is of a pale sul-
phur hue, and gives hope of a good yellow eventu-
ally. Princess of Wales, purplish striped, is pretty,
but lacks decision. The finest scarlet at the Drill
Hall was Ignea, and Triumph was a beautiful rosy
pink. Stanley is an almost black glossy maroon,
and Orange Prince, orange-scarlet, is a very telling
colour. The more decided the colours selected the
better.— A. D.

The garden Pink. — This is much more readily
propagated by pipings than the Carnation. The
cuttings should be planted in fine soil on a shady
border early in July. If left until the end of the
month, it is perhaps advisable to plant them under
close hand-lights or in a gentle hotbed with a
frame over it. It is better to treat these hardy
garden flowers as far as possible to the culture of
the open borders, and if the pipings, as they are
termed, are planted in a suitable place about the
end of June or early in July, at least ninety per
cent, of them will produce roots, and form strong
thrifty plants without any glass protection what-
ever. When the pipings are well rooted they should
be planted out in an open place 3 inches or
i inches apart, and about the end of September or
early in October they ought to be set out where
they are to flower. Strong, vigorous plants may
be set out a foot apart, smaller ones 8 inches or
9 inches apart. Good, deep, well-manured soil is
necessary to produce large well-laced flowers.
Heavy soil is improved by the addition of leaf-
mould and sand. — J. Douglas.

Lilium candidum in cottage gardens. —

Whilst the general complaint is that the beautiful
old white Lily is cut down by disease in the beds
and borders of our large gardens, I have observed
for several seasons past that they do not seem to
have suffered much in cottage gardens. In several
cottage gardens in Suffolk there are strong tufts,
healthy in foliage with large and abundant blooms,
and not the slightest trace of disease, yet our plants
within tvjo miles of those referred to had not a
flower la#t year and will not this. That this Lily
loves a dry spot is plainly shown by many of the
tufts in cottage gardens about here, where they
grow in narrow borders close to the wall of the
house, whose projecting eaves throw off the rain,
and the soil in the border is dust-dry even after a
heavy summer shower. In some of the Middlesex
market gardens this Lily used to be largely grown,
and flowers were sent in large quantities to Covent
Garden Market. Perhaps " A. D." or someone else
can say how these Lilies are doing, if still grown,
and whether disease is rampant there. It is certain
that the cry concerning the ravages of disease in
private gardens is a general one, extending over a
great part of the country. — A. H.

The Pansy. — This has been a splendid season
for these lovely flowers. To maintain the quality
of the blooms, pick off all the flowers from one bed
or border at a time, give a surface dressing of rich
decayed manure — cow manure is the best for light
soils — and peg the shoots down into it. The plants
will come into full beauty again in a week or ten
days. It will soon be time to take off the cuttings
for next year's plants. The small growths at the
centre of the plants should be gently pulled out
with the fingers, and as they have usually a few
roots attached, such cuttings, or rather suckers,

soon establish themselves if planted in a moist
shady border out of doors. Some growers maintain
that cuttings must be planted in propagating pans,
or something of the kind, and be placed under
glass. The Pansy is very impatient of being grown
under glass, and, as a rule, the cuttings do much
better quite in the open if planted in a suitable
soil and position. It may be good policy to put a
plant or two of each variety into boxes, and to
place them where lights can be placed over them
in winter. — J. Douglas.

CARNATIONS IN THE FLOWER GARDEN.
The value of Carnations for the adornment of the
flower garden is but imperfectly understood. As
cut flowers, Carnations run Roses a very close race,
but it cannot be said that the same attention has
been paid to them as garden flowers. There
are, unfortunately, many gardeners labouring
under the impression that Carnations are too
tender to withstand an average winter, and this
to a great extent accounts for their scarcity in
English gardens. This idea, however, is erroneous.
During the unusually severe winter of 1880-81 I
had many beds of Carnations under my charge in a
Yorkshire garden, and although the thermometer
dropped as low as 4° below zero on several occa
sions, not one of them was injured in the slightest
degree. When spring came the plants were made
firm in the soil, top-dressed, and they at once
began to grow vigorously. The result was a pro-
fusion of richly-scented and highly-coloured blooms.
Nor is this all the proof we have of the hardiness
of Carnations, for in many of the beautiful old
cottage gardens in some of the remote rural dis-
tricts Carnations are deemed indispensable ; no
garden is considered complete without them, and
how vigorous and healthy the plants generally look.
I have on many occasions seen huge masses of
Carnations in cottage gardens in an old-fashioned
out-of-the-way village in Hampshire, and the same
can be said of the fishing villages on the bleak
coast of northern Northumberland. In the latter
case Carnations of all kinds flourished amazingly,
particularly the sweet-scented old crimson Clove,
and this is largely due to the fact that the fisher-
men's wives use sea sand extensively for mixing
with the soil in which they plant Carnations. This,
simple though it be, affords a lesson, which every-
one who hitherto has failed to grow Carnations in
the garden with success will do weU to bear in
mind.

To attain the best results, however, the coddling
system which is now practised in many gardens
must be abolished. The plants must be thoroughly
hardened from the very commencement of their
existence. The practice of wintering Carnation
layers in pots under glass cannot be too strongly
deprecated, since it is by no means conducive to
success. Cottagers who are so successful with Car-
nations in the garden never think of keeping their
plants in a frame or greenhouse during the winter,
for the simple reason that, in the majority of cases,
they have no such protection. Therefore, if these
inexperienced growers can do it, why not those
who are responsible for the management of large
gardens ? The former class of cultivators plant
out early in the autumn, and the latter in spring,
after having coddled the plants in a frame all
the winter. I readily admit that plants that have
been wintered under glass, and then planted out in
spring, will die off wholesale during the following
winter' if the weather is at all severe, because their
constitutions are weakened considerably; but plant
them early in the autumn, or as soon as rooted
layers can be obtained, and they will prove per-
fectly hardy, and, moreover, an adornment to the
(lower garden. The matter of position and mode
of planting, too, are important points to study.
Rarely are these beautiful flowers put to the best
advantage. In hundreds of otherwise well-kept
English gardens, Carnations are stuck here and
there in wretched places in some out-of-the-way
plant border, or perhaps grown on an unimportant
border in the kitchen garden. Can their beauty
be seen to advantage in such places as these?
I think not ; neither do I think that the plants are

given a fair chance to prove their value for garden
decoration. But such is the way in which Carna-
tions are generally grown, and unless assigned bet-
ter positions, I fear many will never see these lovely
flowers at their best. Give them suitable sites and
proper treatment, however, and Carnations will
never fail to produce satisfactory results. In open,
well-exposed borders Carnations may be planted in
bold masses with advantage, but on no account
would I advise them to be put in singly, or for that
matter in threes. The clumps should be at least a
yard or more across, and then when in full flower
the effect is unique. Even better results may be
obtained by planting them in beds in the flower
garden proper, but rarely are they seen growing
thus. A bed or two of the old crimson Clove
or the white Clove would produce a far better
effect during the summer months than the now
too common array of Pelargoniums, &c. With
Roses, too, Carnations may be advantageously
associated, but few gardens can boast of such an
association. A mass of the rich old crimson Clove
planted in close proximity to a bed of light-coloured
Tea Roses forms a pleasing contrast, to say nothing
of the fragrance emitted from both. Thewhite Clove,
again, contrasts beautifully with the dark crimson
hue of many Roses, and I cannot too strongly
recommend their being planted together in the
flower garden. In very large beds a pleasing effect
may be had by planting the Roses in groups and
filling in the intervening spaces with Carnations.
When planting the Carnations it ought to be borne
in mind that one variety only should be used in
each group ; we have too many crude mixtures in
the flower garden already, and not unfrequently
this may also be seen in regard to Carnations, all
kinds of colours being indiscriminately mixed.

Soil, again, is an important item, for, as every
grower knows, Carnations will do much better in
some gardens than in others. A rich and rather
gritty or sandy loam is most suitable for them, and
given this and systematic culture, Carnations will
produce undreamt-of results. Some gardens pos-
sess this kind of soil naturally, and in others it has
to be introduced. This, however, is no difficult
matter, for by excavating the natural soil, if heavy,
to a depth of 9 inches or 12 inches, the prepared
compost could easily be substituted. But this is
not always necessary even in very heavy loamy
soils, for the best Carnations I ever saw were grow-
ing in a very stiff staple to which plenty of sea
sand had been added. The free use of this very
often accounts for the vigour with which Carna-
tions grow in gardens near the coast, and ncVt, as is
generally supposed, to atmospheric influences.
Soil of a light sandy nature, if poor, may be en-
riched with liberal applications of decayed cow
manure some time previous to planting, and in dry
summers a mulching with short manure or lawn
mowings may be also given with advantage.

Then, lastly, the selection of varieties requires
some consideration to secure the best results.
There are plenty of so-called show Carnations, in-
cluding the flaked bizarre and other ideals of the
florist, but these are of but little value in the gar-
den. What we want for garden decoration are
quiet self-coloured varieties, and these hardy,
sweet-scented, and free-flowering. The old crimson
Clove still remains one of the very best border Car-
nations in cultivation, despite the many recent in-
troductions. As a companion to this we have
nothing better than that beautiful white Clove
Gloire de Nancy. Like the old crimson, this has
thick broad foliage, and the flowers are deliriously
scented. The old purple Clove, too, is well
worth growing, and so is the blush Clove, a
delicately tinted variety of the old crimson.
Royal Purple, again, is a good self, with light
purple flowers. For producing abundance of
charming rose-coloured and sweetly-scented
flowers Mary Morris is, perhaps, the best variety in
cultivation. It is a good grower, too, and with me
has proved itself quite hardy. Among the whites,
W. P. Milner and Duchess of Westminster are as
good as any, and may be grown in addition to the
white Clove before mentioned. Of yellows none
are better than Pride of Penshurst and Germania,

82

THE GARDEN.

[July 26, 1890.

though a new variety, named Mis. Sanders, has
been exhibited much this summer. It is a beauti-
ful yellow and will no cbubt prove itself a useful
variety. C. L.

CARNATIONS AND PICOTEES.
The behaviour of Carnations and Picotees in this
part of the west of England this season is very dis-
appointing. It is the more perplexing because the
plants made abundance of grass last summer,
so that layering was begun earlier than usual.
Plenty of plants with good roots were obtained
early in the autumn, and everything promised well
for the then coming season. The winter was fairly
favourable It was not until early spring set in
that I noticed any particular degree of weakness in
any part of my stock of nearly 1000 plants, but as
the season advanced the plants of some of the more
delicate sorts gradually died away. The first symp-
toms of anything being wrong appeared in the
leaves, which gradually lost their green colour.
This began as soon as the plants were put out in
the beds in which they were to flower, and has
been going on ever since. Some sorts of which I
had three and four plants of each I have lost alto-
gether. The last to succumb is the beautiful
Picotee named Her Majesty, two plants of which
were quite healthy in the spring. The only Picotees
out of more than a dozen sorts that I have left are
Nellie, Favourite, and Alice.

I can in no way account for such wholesale losses
in my stock. I cannot find any insects at the roots
or detect any fungoid growth on the foliage until
it begins to wither. The old crimson Clove and that
fine hardy Carnation The Governor, which I have
kept in good health in open beds for the past eight
years without any losses, are also in a very weak
state. Six plants of Gloire de Nancy are also
already dead. The only good white kind that has
survived is H. P. Milner. Amongst those bearing
red or crimson flowers that have escaped the dis
ease — if disease it be— are Norma, Royal Standard,
and Cardinal. These three sorts are as yet quite
healthy. The greatest losses occur amongst the
bizarre and flaked flowers. The loss is the more dis-
appointing because the stock was in good condition
when transferred from the frames to the beds
Only the self-coloured flowers were wintered with-
out protection, but the number of selfs which have
since died amounts to almost as many as in the
other sections.

So far I have only referred to my own plants ; I
am, however, sorry to report that some of my
friends' losses are even greater than my own. One
in particular has lost the whole of a dozen new
yellow Carnations of different sorts that he pur-
chased from a distance last autumn ; while others
have fared nearly as bad. Nor does the disappoint-
ment end here, as the plants that are left are from
some cause in a weak condition, and in conse-
quence the flowers are small, although there was
plenty of flower-buds. J. C. Claeke.

Grcemray, Taunton.

Wet weather flowers.— Usually we have had
to indicate for our summer seasons the flowers
which withstand heat and drought best. The case
is now so far altered that we need flowers which
will rather withstand rain storms and excessive
heavy wet rather than drought. What a bedraggled
aspect many usually beautiful flowers present just
now I Certainly the rainfall has been of an excep-
tional kind, for when the average fall of a month is
crowded into a few hours, it is evident that the fall
will bo of a terribly heavy description. But we
have not had the hoped-for fine sunny weather to
follow upon the storm and revive the beaten and
bedraggled blooms. More rain, gloomy skies, and
cold northerly winds are hardly calculated to revive
flowers. They are rather calculated to make mat-
ters far wor;.e, so that flowers just now look in far
far worse condition for July than I have ever before
seen them to exhibit. It is most distressing thus
to see all the glory of the summer destroyed by
adverse weather. The best flowers just now are
those which exhibit their true form effectively
undsr these distressing conditions. Long-spiked

flowers, if the blooms are erect, suffer much;
others —Foxgloves, for instance— seem little the
worse for the pouring rain. Sweet Peas seem to
suffer slightly ; very dwarf flowers, like Lobelias,
are not only sadly knocked about, but are much
dirtied by the plashing rain. Pinks and Carnations,
though securely tied up, are looking sadly tar-
nished, but double Stocks are fresh and bright.
Where there are large quantities of diverse flowers
growing, no doubt a long story could be told of the
good qualities of one kind and the distressing ap-
pearance of another. If seasons go on in this way,
we shall presently have to invent special wet
weather flowers. — A. D.

GARDEN HYBRIDS.

Mb. Burton (Garden, July 12, p. 40), writing on
this subject, makes a statement which he may find
very difficult to substantiate when he says " that
the plants of Nature's own raising are infinitely
preferable to those produced by artificial crossing."
Infinitely is a strong word to use ; and before Mr.
Burton gets to the end of the article he has written,
he qualifies it considerably, for he says, " It cannot
be denied that hybrids, with the surprises they have
in store and the interest their development affords,
add greatly to the pleasures which a well-stored
garden never fails to give." This is perfectly true,
and every lover of beautiful flowers will admit that
one of the greatest charms of a garden consists in
anticipating the flowering of seedlings from hy-
bridised flowers ; it is a pleasure almost as great
as admiring the new and beautiful colours of the
Bowers themselves. Hybrids are produced in two
ways — by the agency of insects or by the careful
hand of the gardener, who selects say two distinct
species of the same genus of plants, and such as in
his judgment will produce a more beautiful plant
than either of its parents. Sarely we have evidence
all around us of the success that has crowned the
efforts of the hybridist. Some genera of plants are
more readily dealt with by the hybridist than others.
For instance, what a wide and fair field is open to
us in the Lily family. Scarcely anything has been
done to hybridise Lilies. We read in the same num-
ber of The Garden (p. 45) that L. testaceum is a
supposed hybrid, and is the only hybrid in general
cultivation ; but what a beautiful Lily L. Park-
mani is. It was raised in America by a Mr. Park-
man, president at the time of the Massachusetts
Horticultural Society. I saw this beautiful Lily
when it first flowered in 1875, and can truly say
that it is surpassingly beautiful. It is figured in
the now defunct Florist and Pomologist for 1876,
page 49. This is but one instance of what can be
done by artificial crossing. If Mr. Elwes or Mr.
Wilson would but take this matter in hand, what
beautiful garden flowers might they not succeed in
obtaining from their famous collections. Let us
look for a moment at another genus of plants well
known at the present time, viz., the Hippeastrum.
Compare the numerous introduced natural species,
not now in cultivation, but freely scattered through
the pages of the Botanical Register and Bo-
tanical Magazine in the form of coloured plates,
with the artificial productions raised by English
cultivators, and I fancy Mr. Burton would
be convinced as to their superiority. I am quite
ready to admit that opinions may differ as to what
constitutes the points of a beautiful flower. I will
even admit that these charming productions of the
gardener should not be divided into " points," or a
standard of excellence set up to judge them by.
They will stand or fall by their own intrinsic worth,
and every tasteful person will declare that the
natural species are not in it. Tulipa gesneriana,
the supposed first parent of the garden varieties, is
a beautiful plant as a border flower, but it cannot
be compared with the garden varieties, so spot-
lessly pure in the cup, so richly feathered or flamed
on rich gold ground, delicate rose, or pink and rich
scarlet, all the products of the hybridist's skill ; for
the recent introductions have been produced by
ardent enthusiasts, who would not sow a seed if
the flower had been fertilised by butterfly or bee.
Take one more illustration from the hardy plant
garden— the Heartsease and the tufted Pansy. I

like the old name of Heartsease for the Pansy. No
one would find room for the common weed Viola
tricolor, but what beautiful flowers the show and
fancy Pansies are. The tufted Pansies we owe
entirely to the skill of the hybridist. They are the
production of Viola cornuta crossed with the
Heartsease. I believe the yellow varieties are the
production of Viola lutea crossed with the Hearts-
ease. J. Douglas.

SHORT NOTES.— FLOWER.

The old crimson Clove.— I notice Mr. E.
Burrell's letter in your paper upon this charming Car-
nation. I have grown this some years, and my soil is
cold, wet clay. It grows with me luxuriantly, and all
I do to the plants is every year to peg down the
shoots and leave them alone. No winter seems to hurt
the plants. I have now quantities of bloom, and
take care to thin the buds out well. If not pegged
down the old roots soon get worn out. — W. W. P.

Primula obeonica poisonous. — I should be
glad to know if any of the readers of The Garden
have suffered any inconvenience from touching the
leaves of Primula obeonica. I have lately heard of a
case in which a gardener had a severe attack of a rash
or kind of eczema from handling the leaves of this
plant, not only on his hands, hut over his arms and
body as well. This lasted for some time, hut yielded
at length to medical treatment.— G. S. S.

Silene Elizabethse. — It is seldom a quantity of
this beautiful CatchBy can be seen in flower, but when
seen it cannot fail to attract attention from its charm-
ing, bright, rose-coloured, Clarkia-like flowers, each
blossom being fully 1| inches across, and also from its
glossy foliage, arranged in a compact tuft, resting
upon the ground. It succeeds well on dry banks in
deep soil, with an abundance of nodules of sandstone,
among which its long tap-like roots can descend. It
is generally considered rather difficult to grow, but if
once established it forms one of the most pleasing
features of the rock garden, and should find a place
in every collection. It is now blooming freely in
pots, fully exposed to the sun, in the York nurseries.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 763.

WHITE DAFFODILS.*
Wbitk flowers have always been reckoned
choice and precious, and wherever there exists
in any family of strongly-coloured flowers a
white variety or group, it is certain to be es-
teemed beyond its kindred. Daffodils are
no exception to this rule. In the list of the
great Daffodil specialist, the noble Mme. de
Graaff, queen of white Daffodils, is also
queen of all Daffodils, and commands a truly
royal price — five guineas for a single bulb.
Mme. de Graaff is, I believe, to form the sub-
ject of a future plate in The Garden, and is
not represented in the accompanying drawing.
This is of the older garden varieties, and as a
student for some years of Daffodils, I may be
allowed to say that Mr. Moon has drawn them
very beautifully. Some four of these, grouped
for convenience under the term N. moschatus,
but distinguished according to their varying
shape, as N. albicans, cernuus, tortuosus, and
Colleen Bawn, have long dwelt in old gar-
dens in England, and more abundantly in
Ireland, where two or three dwarfer sort3 are
also found. The rarest and most shapely of
theseisthelittle "white minor," shown towards
the middle of the plate and lowest down ; it
has been discovered in but one or two Irish
gardens, and is but a shy flowerer when found.

* Drawn for The Garden by H. G. Moon from
flowers sent by Miss H. M. White, Charleville, March
20, 1890. Lithographed and printed by Guillaume

July 26, 1890.]

THE GAKDEN.

83

It has been suggested that these prized
bulbs were brought to Ireland by refugees
from France or other parts of the Continent,
but it appears more probable that they survive
upon the sites of the old religious houses,
whose inmates cherished them for their real
or supposed medicinal virtues. In my own
English county I have three times found
white Daffodils in gardens where monasteries
stood centuries ago.

By some botanists the little wild N. mos-
chatus of the high Pyrenees has been supposed
to be the parent of all these garden kinds, but
in my garden two generations of seedlings from
this wild white flower show no advance in size.
It is my belief that some day larger wild white
sorts will be found bearing the same relation
to the miniature Pyrenean flower which some
of the larger yellow Daffodils bear to the wild
N. minor and minimus.

White Daffodils do not thrive so well in
most gardens as their yellow relatives. They
make foliage early in spring, when it is sub-
ject to scorching by sharp frost, and they seem
to dislike a stiff soil. It has been noticed
that they often succeed best where the ground
is somewhat dried by the roots of Poses or
other small shrubs, or close to walls or gravel
paths, where they obtain ready drainage. This
is particularly the case with the double N.
cernuus, an ivory-white flower of great refine-
ment and beauty when well grown.

White Daffodils often yield seed, and I
have in my garden many promising seedlings,
both pure and crossed with other Daffodils.
N. tortuosus has a pleasant aromatic scent,
and a variety in Mr. Barr's collection has the
fragrance of Violets.

G. H. Engleheart.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

STRAWBERRIES IN POTS.

Shortly after the last batch of plants in pots
are got rid of, the time arrives to take steps to-
wards preparing a fresh stock for forcing or
otherwise next season. It matters little whe-
ther few or many are required, much the same
preliminaries have to be gonethrough. Opinions,
however, vary as to the means whereby the re-
quisite number of strong plants can be most
simply and effectively attained, but it is my be-
lief very much more fuss is made about it than
there is any necessity for.

Instances occur every season where the most
promising plants, as far as appearance goes, give
the poorest results. No doubt the advice to get
the plants early established in their fruiting
pots holds good in the more northern districts,
and there may be also some force in the doc-
trine that the crowns require ripening, but
surely this does not apply to any moderately
early or southern locality I Who ever yet saw
a plant with four or five leaves that failed to
fruit, always provided it was rooting in firm
ground 1 And, again, where is the sense in
growing extra strong plants only to mutilate
them by the removal of some of the several
crowns into which they inevitably divide 1 Not
only is this growing the plants too stronglyan un-
called-for proceeding, but it is also objectionable
en account of the greatly impoverished state of
the soil, this inevitably resulting long before the

plants are introduced into heat or even stored
for the winter. Probably there is not an expe-
rienced gardener in the country who has not at
some period of his cai'eer been in what he
thought a predicament with his Strawberries,
the plants being either comparatively small or
potted up much later than usual, only to find
that they succeed far beyond expectations. Even
plants potted up in the winter or early in the
spring, and forced soon after, have been known
to excel others well, too well established in pots
at the orthodox period.

In addition to arranging for or proceeding
with the work of potting up or layering runners,
it also has to be decided which varieties shall
be forced most extensively. Not merely must the
selection include varieties that have been proved
to be the best for fruiting early and in succes-
sion, but the likes and dislikes of those for
whom the fruit is grown should also be taken
into consideration. Some employers there put
flavour before everything, and rightly so, I
think. Others attach more importance to great
size and colour, this class of fruit also being
the most profitable for market. Fortu-
nately, it is possible to comply with all these
conditions, though not generally till early in
April. Where many err is in growing too
many varieties. It may be advisable for those
new to a place to try six or eight sorts if they
will for a season or two, in order to discover
which succeeds best under their particular treat-
ment, but when once these are found there is
no necessity for, or wisdom in, growing more
than these. Several varieties may be necessary
to afford a good succession in the open without
much trouble, but they are altogether uncalled
for in pot culture. No other variety equals
Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury for early forcing,
the fruit of this ripening to perfection in quite
a strong heat. By introducing fresh batches
into heat at certain intervals a constant supply
could be maintained of it till those outside
were fit to gather ; in fact this is the variety
that can be most nearly had fit for the table all
the year round. Unfortunately, the fruits are
not quite large enough, or else we should not
fruit any other variety in pots. Last season we
tried a small batch of Noble, and another, as
usual, of Princess of Prussia, but these, though
a few days earlier than the Vicomtesse, were so
inferior in other respects that they will not be
grown again, and the only sorts extensively
grown will be Vicomtesse, one large batch
each of Auguste Nicaise and James Veitch,
and Sir Joseph Paxton in quantity. The second
and third named are both very fine in pots
and a little earlier than Sir Joseph, which early
in the season ripens slowly with us. When once
the latter is ready, no other variety equals it,
size, firmness, colour, and flavour all being first-
rate. It is not everywhere that Sir Joseph
Paxton can be fruited satisfactorily in pots, and
where it fails, either President, James Veitch,
Sir C. Napier, or La Grosse Sucree may well be
substituted. Where good runners of British
Queen can be had, this will be found very fine
for the late crops. Large collections of varie-
ties in pots are as a rule very unsatisfactory.

There are several methods of establishing the
requisite number of plants in pots, most of
which I have tried, and it is my belief one an-
swers equally as well as another, provided the
work is done properly. Where they differ most
is in the amount of labour to be expended in
each case. A large number being required, a
simple plan is to layer direct into the fruiting
pots, and if those who follow this plan take care
to have strong young plantations conveniently
near the paths and water supplies, matters are
further simplified. When there are no plants in

the way, there can be no evading the work of
heavily ramming the soil into the pots, and the
latter being set thickly between the rows, a
runner fixed on each with the aid of a stone
in preference to pegs and kept moistened, are
soon filled with roots. Those who follow this
practice not unfrequently leave the plants too
long attached to the parent clumps. The latter
at first assist to rapidly build up strong plants
in the pots, but in dry weather especially are
not long before they commence to rob their
progeny of sustenance, the soil in the pots be-
ing thereby greatly impoverished. If detached
directly the plants are rooted, little or no check
will be given, and there will be much less risk
of their being either too large or the pots unduly
filled with roots.

This season abundance of runners are already
rooted into the mulching and soil between the
rows, and it is simply waste of labour to layer
these into either large or small pots. The
better plan would be to lift them with trowels
at once and place direct into fruiting pots. As
a matter of fact, any runners, with leaves par-
tially grown, that have not formed and lost
their first set of roots may be taken off and
placed direct into the fruiting pots. Properly
fixed and kept uniformly moist, very few in-
deed of the runners thus treated will fail, the
majority soon striking root into the soil below,
and develop into good plants quite early enough
for anything. This, then, is the simplest and
most economical plan, as far as labour is con-
cerned, of any that can be tried, and ought to
be adopted in most places. The pots can be
filled, the runners dibbled in, and then set
where they are to remain till stored in some
way for the winter. Runners taken off, dib-
bled out in beds of good soil, and potted up
either in the autumn, during the winter, or early
in the spring also answer well, especially if they
can be started in gentle bottom heat.

The more common method, or that most gene-
rally adopted in private gardens is to first layer
the runners into small, or say 3-inch pots, suffi-
cient being done for both shifting into fruiting
pots and also for forming new beds. In this
case there is much the same ceremony as in
layering direct into fruiting pots, while the
small pots require to be more frequently
watered, or otherwise the soil quickly becomes
dust-dry. To obviate the latter difficulty, the
pots are sometimes plunged into the ground,
this, again, entailing much additional labour.
They are left attached to the parent plants till
the pots are well filled with roots, when they
are, or ought to be, detached and stood in
beds ready for potting on or planting out.
Both operations are not unfrequently delayed
far too long, the plants suffering in consequence.
Then there is the risk of the work of repotting
not being done properly, the soil not being
firmly packed about the old ball of soil and
roots. Or if the old ball is very dry at potting
time or becomes so before the roots have struck
out into the new soil, a serious check is given,
and re-moistening the old soil may also mean
souring the new. One other error I would also
point out, and that is the very prevalent one of
shifting the very strongest plants into the fruit-
ing pots. This may be advisable in some in-
stances, or where the runners were late and
weakly, but, as a rule, the medium-sized to
comparatively small would be the best for pots,
the strongest being at once planted where they
may attain full size without any necessity for
mutilating or reducing the number of crowns.
It is not advisable to in any case to mix much
strong animal or special manure with the loamy
compost for Strawberries in pots, this only
causing a rank growth at the outset and be-

84

THE GARDEN.

[July 26, 1890.

coming exhausted long before fruiting time
arrives. I believe in a good handful of half-
inch bones over the drainage crocks in each pot.
W. Iggulden.

STRAWBERRIES.
Is there another variety of the Elton Pine Straw-
berry in cultivation, or can it be that diverse places
alter colour? At the Drill Hall last week both
Messrs. Veitch & Sons and Messrs. Paul & Son
had under the designation of Elton Pine a medium-
sized fruit of very dark colour, heavier even than
Sir J. Paxton. I have known Elton Pine for nearly
fifty years, indeed from childhood, and never re-
collect even in more southern districts seeing it so
deeply coloured. Still further, the fruits were ripe
before they were with me or with Mr. Bunyard.
Elton Pine is of a rich scarlet hue, one of the
richest of scarlets, in fact, when the fruits are well
coloured. The earlier fruits are also large and
handsome. It is, though late, a remarkably heavy
cropper, and if a little acid, it is very firm and
fleshy. For preserving it is unrivalled, and may
even now be regarded as the best general late
Strawberry in cultivation. The new late Strawberry
Waterloo was not largely represented at the Drill
Hall, but the samples staged were enough to more
than satisfy the cravings of the coarsest appetites
for Strawberries. Anything more unpleasant-look-
ing in Strawberry fruit could hardly be conceived,
and we have indeed cause to wonder how such
a variety could have secured a certificate of
merit. In a few years with so many other certifi-
cated varieties, it will happily have been forgotten.
If raisers cannot give us something better in the
way of flavour, they might at least cease bothering
us with so-called new varieties. The one certifi-
cated on the 8th July, Ridgeway's Incomparable,
is a rough, poor-looking fruit, and far below in
appearance our best standard sort, whilst adding
nothing in flavour. A far better variety in my
estimation, House's Prolific, seems to have re-
ceived no recognition, and yet I have found it to be
wondrously prolific, producing fine richly coloured
fruits of capital flavour ; indeed, British Queen was
one of its parents. In other respects it closely re-
sembles Marguerite. Of all the samples shown on
the 8th, and they were numerous, Sir Joseph Pas-
ton, its intense crimson hue contrasting very effec-
tively with the paler hue of capital British Queen,
also excellent, A. F. Barron, of the Paxton type,
but even deeper in colour, President, Sir Charles
Napier, and Marguerite ranked amongst the finest
and best. Were a thousand growers to name the
best half dozen, they would, perhaps, differ as to
the earliest and latest, but would probably include
President, Sir Joseph Paxton, British Queen, and
Sir C. Napier in every selection. It was worthy of
note that in spite of the large number of fruits
shown at the Drill Hall and their general excel-
lence, I saw on the dealers' barrows in Westminster
the same day far finer fruit of Sir Joseph Paxton,
the favoured market growers' variety. These were
being sold at 4d. per lb. If ever the value of
mulching for Strawberrries has been evidenced,
surely it has been this year. Few growers can re-
member so wet a time as we have had here
from June 28 to the present time (July 11). The
volume of rain which has fallen has been enor-
mous, but in spite of it I have seen scores of
women out gathering the fruit whilst the rain was
falling pitilessly. But for ample mulchings the
fruit would have been splashed with dirt beyond
all redemption. In some cases too much mulching
has led to the rapid decay of the fruit, because re-
taining so much moisture. It is better to be rather
sparing than too free unless a hot, dry time can be
assured. A. D.

ground round each plant, a man holds up the fruit
with one hand and puts in the sticks with the
other. The fruit is allowed to drop into the clefts
of the branchlets, no tying being required. Our
Strawberries, which promised so well at first, have
not maintained their promise of goodness. James
Veitch, Mr. Radclyffe, and Due de Malakoff have
been better than most of the others. Pauline was
the best of the early varieties.— J. Douglas.

Strawberries in a wet seaso.n.— Mr. Hill,
in The Gardex, July 1ft (p. (iO), gives excellent
advice when he recommends placing sticks round
the plants to keep the fruit from the ground. I
have practised this for many years, and find it
answers admirably, but I use sprays cut from the
top of Pea-sticks. Two or three are stuck in the

GOOSEBERRY HOUSE AT MAR3TON.
Recently some remarks were made in The Gab-
den about the above, and a description of its con-
struction was given. I lately had an oppor-
tunity of seeing the Gooseberry house alluded
to, and having seen many private gardens
in various parts of the country during the
last thirty years, I can confidently assert I have
never seen a better crop nor healthier Gooseberry
bushes than those I saw at Marston on July 5. The
branches were literally weighed down by the fruit,
and the trees had made good growth, and were co-
vered with splendid large deep green leaves.
I closely examined the trees and could not see a
grub or the trace of one. The Gooseberry
bushes growing in the open quarters were not
to be compared with those under the wire netting.
I observed under this roof at one end some Cur-
rant bushes equally well fruited and clean.
I believe the aspect of this border is north-east.
Looking at the expense, it is only the first cost
that has to be taken into account. Everyone knows
the amount of labour it takes to put netting on
Gooseberry trees, and more especially when it has
to be done twice a year, in spring and autumn.

Having had to supply Gooseberries, Currants, and
late Strawberries for dessert as late as possible in
the season, I know full well the difficulty in doing
this. I had a north border planted as above
described, but without the wire house, and I well
remember how difficult it was to keep out the birds.
Often when we thought we had made the netting
secure a bird or something would make an opening,
and to our disappointment many of our best fruit
were gone. All this is removed when the wire-
covered house is adopted.

I well remember, when residing in Dorset many
years ago, a garden where there was a large
breadth of Gooseberry bushes covered with wire.
I never could see any difference in these over those
outside the netting in their being affected more by
the grub. There was, however, a marvellous dif-
ference in them when the fruiting time came
round, those outside often being destitute of
fruit from having their buds destroyed by the birds
in spring.

Some readers will say, How do the market
growers get on ? The private garden is often
placed close to covers and coppices in country
places where birds and vermin abound in enormous
quantity, and the gardener is often not allowed to
use a gun, while the market grower may do as he
pleases on his own land. The garden here is often,
as it were, alive with birds of all kinds, destroy-
ing seeds, fruit, and often flowers. Lately I had
to sow a piece of land in our garden four times
with Turnip seed, the finches taking the seedings
as they came through the ground.
Forde Abbey. John Crook.

BLIGHT ON FRUIT TREES.
I never remember a season when blight and green
and black fly have been so troublesome on fruit
trees, especially Cherries, as this year. The trees
were regularly syringed every day and gone over
carefully, dipping the points of shoots of the Cher-
ries, and yet it has been almost impossible to cope
with the pests. I have tried numerous insecticides,
and yet they continued to increase. I thought at
one time that strong doses of tobacco water and
soft soap had killed them, but regret to say such is
not the case. I have of late given up using tobacco
water for hardy fruit trees and have used Quassia
water. So far I have had no cause to complain, as
this settles the black fly with one good dressing if
used rather strong, while it does not injure the

fruit or leaves. I have also used it with great
success on Melons and it answers well. The mixture
is easily made, as the chips only require soaking
for twenty-four hours. I do not use boiling water,
as is sometimes recommended for Quassia chips, as
if soaked for twenty-four hours in rain water,
boiling water is not necessary. I generally use
1 lb. of chips to a gallon of water. I should advise
using a tub or large pail, and always to have
some of the water ready by soaking a few pounds
of chips, as the mixture is often required at a
short notice. Quassia is also very reasonable in
price, and should be used more than is the case. It
is also advisable to soak the chips a second time,
as the mixture does for slight attacks of green fly.
I have not tried Paris green which has been recom-
mended in the gardening papers, as it requires
much care and judgment in its application. The
Quassia water may be used by anyone, and may
be relied upon if the insects are thoroughly satu-
rated with it. American blight, which this year
is also troublesome, and seems to spread with
amazing rapidity in spite of the heavy downpours
of rain which do not make any impression, if not
taken in hand at the time it is first observed,
will eventually destroy the trees if in a young state.
I find soluble paraffin oil one of the best remedies
for this pest ; it is safe to use, and can be syringed
all over the trees without injury. When paraffin
or petroleum oil is used in its ordinary state it is
not safe, as it often kills the foliage, being difficult
to mix thoroughly with water. With soluble paraf-
fin this is not the case, as it mixes readily, and can
be applied as strong as the trees require it, accord-
ing to the state of the blight. I find a thorough
brushing of the infected parts of the trees in
the winter, and a good dressing over afterwards
with soluble paraffin, will prevent its appear-
ance next season. I have also used the solu-
ble paraffin as a dressing for fruit trees in the
winter when badly infested with scale, mixing up
some clay with it to make it like paint. This is also
a good plan to adopt for trees badly infested with
the blight, as a thorough painting of the old wood
will keep it under. Any badly infested trees at this
date should not be left till the winter, but should
get a thorough syringing, as advised, as early as
nobble in order to prevent the young wood being
destroyed. As the blight to a certain extent throws
off clear water, the soluble paraffin requires to be
used with some force; a garden engine is
therefore best, although a syringe will do if used
close to the tree and allowed to play directly on the
infected parts, repeating the dressing to trees badly
attacked several times during the summer, and
choosing a dull day for the work.
Syon House, Brentford, 11". Geo. Wythes.

Artificial manures.— All dry manures used
as summer dressings should find a somewhat ready
sale this year for comparatively poor soil, because
of the frequent floodings of rain. Liquid manures,
except for pot plants, are best given to trees and
shrubs, which will invariably absorb any quantity.
Garden plants and ordinary crops have, however,
had so far such an overcharge of moisture, that
not only is growth too luxuriant, but it does not
receive the assistance of ample sunshine in ma-
turing that growth. When in a garden the other
day where the culture of vegetables for exhibi-
tion constitutes a specialty, I found that the
hose was laid on to a bed of Onions which
had just received a dressing of artificial manure.
The 'gardener, who is a first-class cultivator,
stated that he invariably washed the dry
manures in about the crops so soon as pos-
sible Had he, however, had a little more patience,
his stored water might have been saved, for soon
the rain fell in torrents, and must have washed
the manure not only into the soil, but deeply down
also Perhaps it may be urged that with such
heavy and constant rainfalls we have little need
for artificial stimulants. There is truth in that
where the soil is already rich in manures, but I
referred specially to poor soils this season, as
growth is already abnormal where there is ample

July 26, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

85

nutriment. Soot is a first-rate fertiliser. A grower
of market spring flowers mentioned the other day
that finding his Polyanthus foliage looking, to use
his phrase, " rather dicky," he gave them a good
dressing of soot, and being soon after well washed
in, the effect was almost marvellous. There is
nothing patent about soot, but without doubt it
finds its way largely into patent manures. — A. D.

THE WEEK'S WORK.

PLANT HOUSES.
Stove. — Ixoras. — Where the plants are strong,
successional crops of flowers may be had at shorter
intervals than usual. After the flowers have fallen
the usual course is to shorten the shoots more or
less according to their length, after which the
plants again break into growth and form another
set of shoots, that, after extending some length,
produce bloom. If, instead of removing any of the
wood along with the decayed trusses of flowers, the
old bloom-stems alone are cut out, the eyes which
exist at the base of the pair of leaves immediately
below will break and show flower before the growth
has extended more than a few inches. In this way
three crops of flowers may be had in the course of
the season from many of the varieties now in culti
vation. I. coccinea especially quickly produces
successional bloom when treated in the manner
described, provided it gets enough heat and the
management generally is right. One mistake fre
quently made in the cultivation of Ixoras is growing
them in heavily-shaded stoves ; whereas no more
shade should be given than is necessary to prevent
the leaves being scorched. Respecting the potting
of Ixoras, it is best to give them a shift whenever
the roots require it. The plants push their roots
down to the lower part of the ball, leaving the upper
portion with none in it. On this account, when
repotting, it is well to remove whatever part of the
ball at the top is found unoccupied by roots. But
beyond this there should be no interference with
the plants further than by removing the old
drainage crocks.

Gloxinias. — Young plants that have been raised
from seed sown in the spring, with the intention of
having them in bloom about the end of the year,
should now be moved into the pots in which they
are to bloom ; 4-inch pots will be large enough. A
mixture of loam and peat, with some leaf -mould or
rotten manure and sand, is the best compost in
which to grow the plants. The best place to keep
small stock of this description is on a shelf near
the roof. If there happens to be one over a path it is
just the position for them ; so placed, the light will
reach them on all sides. When Gloxinias are well
grown, with all the light they require, the leaves
come stout with short stalks, and spread out,
clinging close to the rims of the pots, which they
almost hide. They should be well syringed daily
until they come into flower. Where this is not done
the leaves suffer from thrips or red spider, either of
which soon spoils them, as, however well they may
bloom, i£ the foliage is disfigured it detracts much
from their appearance. A thin shade is necessary in
bright weather, but this should never be over the
plants when the sun is not on them.
- Gloxinias, old plants.— Old tubers which
usually bloom the earliest will in many cases have
done flowering. They should be kept where they
will be fully exposed to the light until the tops die
down naturally. Let them have more ah- than was
necessary whilst active growth was going on. Give
water regularly so long as the foliage retains vi-
tality. Gloxinias now come so fine from seed of a
good strain, that there is less occasion for propa-
gating them from cuttings ; yet when exceptionally
good varieties appear, it is a pity not to increase
them. In the case of such, leaves should now be
put in. Where the most is to be made of any va-
riety, the principal nerve running down the middle
of the leaf may be severed in two or three places,
and the leaf laid flat en a pot or pan filled with
sand, weighting it at the places where the in-
cisions are made with pebbles so as to bring the
cut portions in clop-, contact with the sand. In

this way small tubers will be formed before autumn
The sand must be kept moist and shade used in
bright weather.

Gardenias. — In an ordinary stove temperature
the roots and tops of Gardenias make rapid growth
provided the plants get the pot room they require.
If the roots are allowed to become cramped,
the plants get into a stunted condition, out of
which it is difficult to induce them to move. Plants
that were struck in the spring and afterwards
potted will now require another shift. Gardenias
will thrive in either peat or loam ; in the former
the leaves usually attain a larger size and the
shoots extend faster, but the plants seldom flower
any freer than when grown in loam. Where only
heavy peat can be had, it is better to grow them in
loam, adding enough sand to keep the soil porous,
as there should be no attempt at shaking out the
roots with the intention of giving them new ma-
terial even when the plants are several years old,
unless they are first headed in closely. If they are
grown where they receive plenty of light there will
not be much need to stop the shoots, except shorten-
ing any that are inclined to outgrow the others.
Larger examples that have flowered during the
spring and summer and that are at all pinched for
root room should be at once moved into larger pots.
A liberal shift may be given if they are in a vigor-
ous state. Where flowers are required during the
two first months of the year enough plants should
be retained for the purpose, as it frequently hap-
pens that some of the buds drop just before they
should open. Stout plants that have had an abun-
dance of light during the season whilst they have
been making growth, and consequently have strong,
short-jointed wood, are the best to depend on for
winter blooming. A rest in a cold house or pit for
the next five or six weeks will benefit them, after
which they should be put in moderate warmth
and there remain until later on, when they must
have more heat and be kept, if possible, with their
tops close to the glass. T. B.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.
Celery. — This needs warmth as well as plenty of
moisture, and the plants getting too much of the
latter and not enough of the former are not mak-
ing very good progress as yet. They ought not to
be left to take their chance, but should be kept
clear of weeds and suckers, the surface soil in the
trench being also lightly stirred occasionally, this
improving matters somewhat. Soot sown freely
and salt sparingly among the plants for the rains,
or, it may be, for the watering-pot to wash in, will
serve to promote a healthier growth, both also be-
ing good preventives of attacks from slugs. It is
next to impossible to ward off the Celeryfly, and all
that can be done is to crush the maggots that re-
sult from the eggs deposited by the flies before
they make much progress in their work of destruc-
tion. The inexperienced will need be told that
these maggots are to be found between the two
skins of the leaves, whence they gradually eat their
way in all directions. In time much of the sub-
stance is thus eaten away, little else but rags re-
maining. The more closely these grubs are des-
troyed the fewer will be the later broods. As yet,
however, they have not done much harm in this
district this season.

Moulding up eaely Celery. — It takes not
far short of two months to thoroughly blanch early
Celery if the plants are of a pink or red variety, it
being accomplished in rather less time in the case
of forms with greenish white stalks. Those there-
fore who are anxious to have good Celery for the
August shows will have already commenced mould-
ing up or have taken some other steps to start
blanching. In each and any case it is possible to
be too hasty in moulding up, or otherwise covering
the stems. It ought to be done gradually, commenc-
ing in time to prevent the outer leaves opening out
badly, also taking care not to be in advance of the
inner leaves. Nor must the soil be pressed very
hard against the stalks, as this frequently causes
bulging and splitting [at the base. Make the soil
fine with a spade, bring the stalks well up together
with the hands, keep them so with one hand, and

with the other carefully pack the soil about them .
The moulding up should be done in about three
times and at fortnightly intervals, finally finishing
off neatly, and so as to enclose the lower portion of
the leaves only. Celery should never be moulded
up when in a dry state at the roots. Any rows
that are dry should be watered overnight prior to
moulding up, and where slugs are troublesome dust
soot and lime freely about the stems. If brown
paper wrappers are substituted for soil, these keep-
ing the stalks clean, the same gradual process of
blanching must be adhered to.

Late Celery. — The plants for the latest rows
ought now to be, or soon will be large enough for
removal to the trenches. Left in the beds where
pricked out till they crowd each other they trans-
plant badly ; whereas if this crowding is antici-
pated and the plants are moved, each with a good
square of soil and roots, they will not flag in the
hottest weather. A low or badly drained position
is not suitable for late Celery, frosts being most
destructive and decay rapid in such quarters. If
higher warmer ground cannot be assigned this
crop the least that can be done is to either form
very shallow trenches or else plant completely on
the level. Wide trenches, or those containing
about four rows of plants, can be most readily
covered with mats, thatched hurdles, or other con-
trivances, but, as a rule, Celery keeps best in single
rows, where it can be protected if need be with
V-shaped board covers, bracken, or dry straw.
These trenches ought to be fully i feet apart, eo as
to admit of plenty of good soil being banked up
against the Celery. The very sturdy solid varie-
ties do not keep so well with us as those which
attain a greater height. Standard-bearer is one of
the best late keeping sorts.

Globe Artichokes.— These are doing fairly
well, but would produce finer heads if the weather
was warmer. It is a great mistake to leave any
old heads on the stems. If they cannot be used
while yet tender and succulent remove and throw
them on the rubbish heap. Also remove early any
small heads from near those that promise to
attain a good size, this being especially necessary
if they are wanted for exhibition. On shallow or
quickly drying soils Artichokes are liable to fail
early, but if in addition to removing both the old
and superfluous small heads, liquid manure or even
water only is given freely before the ground becomes
quite dry, the season may be prolonged consider-
ably. Our plants being thus well attended to con-
tinue in good bearing order till cut down by frosts,
and the tender young heads are always appreciated.
Thin out seedling plants to about 18 inches
apart, and directly the more worthless of them are
discovered root them out at once. A great per-
centage of seedlings invariably produces nothing
but spiny thin heads of no value whatever, and
these ought not to be left to weaken those that
are worth preserving.

Cauliflowers. — There is no lack of these this
season, and caterpillars being unusually scarce
extra clean heads are easily found. As the dates
of various exhibitions will soon draw near, exhi-
bitors of vegetables will be under the necessity of
bestowing rather more than ordinary pains on their
Cauliflowers. A thorough soaking of liquid ma-
nure, and not mere driblets, will assist the plants
to form extra fine heads, and if these are kept well
protected from sunshine and rain, caterpillars be-
ing looked for almost daily, the blanching will be
perfect. No matter how solid and close the
"curds "may he, if they are discoloured in any
way points are lost. The leaves ought to be kept
closely tied over the hearts from the time they
commence developing, this in preference to break-
ing down the leaves. The Autumn Giant will
shortly be in season, and this is the best for exhi-
bition, and if not too large it is also fully appre-
ciated in the kitchen.

Garlic, Shallots, and Onions. — The two
former must not be left on the ground long after
they have matured, or otherwise they may keep
badly. Directly they will come away from the
ground readily all should be drawn and laid on
mats, old doors, or some other kind of dry bottom,

86

THE GARDEN.

[July 26, 1890.

and fully exposed to the sunshine till thoroughly
harvested. In dry weather they would dry fairly well
on paths or level firm ground, but must be turned
frequently, and stored in a cool dry place before
they attempt to root afresh. In dull showery
weather they harvest most surely under glass, a
dry pit or garden frame answering well for the
purpose. Underground Onions require to be treated
in a similar manner, but it is too early to pull the
Tripoli or autumn sown Onions. The Queen is the
first to mature, but this form keeps badly, and
ought to be used early in the season. Spring-sown
Onions are very thick on the ground this season,
and do not, as a rule, promise to bulb quickly and
well. In many instances it is advisable to thin out
once more, removing those with thick necks or the
least promising in appearance. Weeds also being
kept down, sunshine and dry weather may soon
alter the character of the crop for the better.

Herbs. — The forwardest of these or any in
flower ought to be partly cut over, and the requi-
site quantity carefully harvested prior to storing
for winter use. They should be dried quite as
carefully as hay is made, or otherwise the
bunches when stored will become mouldy in the
centre. W. I.

Stove and Greenhouse.

CAMPANULAS AS BASKET PLANTS.

It has often occurred to me that these beautiful
plants are not cultivated to the extent they de-
serve. One or two varieties are often seen in
some localities in cottage windows trailing over
and below the pot in which they are growing ;
these when suspended are very beautiful
whilst in flower. I met with the alpine spe-
cies, Campanula garganica, on one occasion
doing remarkably well in a conservatory near
to the drawing room door. Whilst admiring it,
then in profuse bloom, the gardener told me
that the lady of the household grew the plants
herself, being particularly devoted to them.
My experience in the cultivation of these Hare-
bells in pots has led me to the conclusion that
damp is their chief enemy, and especially so in
the winter time. At one time I had to supply
a quantity of these and similar plants for grow-
ing on brackets in the conservatory, and for
the lower ones I found the dwarf Campanulas
to be particularly useful. In the growing sea-
son and until nearly in flower these plants were
kept on shelves in a cool greenhouse, with
plenty of light and only moderately supplied
with water until the pots were well filled with
roots. After the flowering period, a little rest
is essential either in a cold frame or out of
doors ; then as soon as growth recommences,
propagation, if needful, may be proceeded with
by division, or, if not, the old stools should be
repotted after removing sufficient of the old soil
to allow for a fair quantity of fresh. This soil
should be composed of good loam, with the ad-
dition of old mortar rubbish, leaf -mould, and
sand. The potting should be done firmly and a
little extra attention given the plants until
they are again on the move. When winter sets
in it is safest to keep them where just excluded
from the frost, and to avoid also a damp place
as much as possible. Thus treated they make
most useful plants, and are sure to be admired
when in flower. Insects are rarely troublesome
to them; green-fly may attack the young shoots
at times, but I never remember it to have given
any trouble. Campanula garganica, the va-
riety above named, is one of the best for pot
culture, being quite distinct. C; fragilis, also
known as C. Barrelieri (the subject of the illus-
tration), is another good kind for the same pur-
pose. C. isophylla, sometimes known as C.
fragilis (also illustrated), is another capital va-
riety. Of this there is also a white form, which

contrasts well with the lilac-blue of the type.
C. mollis (syn. , garganica hirsuta) is a trailing
species with soft woolly leaves. One point
that ought to be noted is to avoid the use of
sticks entirely if possible, as no training can in
any way equal the natural growth of these
beautiful plants. J. H.

best of the early varieties, and the late ones named,
a succession of flowers may be had from the end
of October until May. No harm is done by cutting,
for decoration, the flowers with plenty of wood
attached to them. — B.

New regal Pelargoniums. — The two new re-
gal Pelargoniums, Prince Henry and Princess Bea-
trice, noted in The Gaeden, May 31, p. 506, though
very different from each other, appear to have both
originated as sports from the well-known and ex-
tensively grown variety Mme. Thibaut, for both of
them have with me produced blossoms identical
with those of that variety, while in foliage and
habit they are precisely alike. The reversion in
either case was not sufficient to detract from the
beauty of the plant, as in the case of the rich col-
oured Prince Henry it was only one truss that pro-
duced the paler blossoms of Mme. Thibaut, while
the same thing happened in the case of Princess
Beatrice, and in another fine truss on the same plant
every flower was of the blush-white semi-double
character except one, and that was simply a repro-
duction of the type. Since writing the note on p.

Campanula isophylla.

50G, Princess Beatrice has pleased me better than
it did at that time, and I now look upon them as
two decided acquisitions to the regal, or perhaps
a better term is decorative, Pelargoniums.— H. P.

Epacrises, late -flowering varieties. — The

large - growing varieties of Epacris, such as E.
grandiflora, E. miniata, and E. Eclipse, flower in
spring, and require to be differently treated in the
matter of exposure in the open air to those that
bloom in the autumn, for whilst the early- flowering
varieties must be stood out early in summer, so as
to get them to set their bloom-buds early, the late-
blooming sorts are better kept indoors until they
have made considerably more growth than it is ne-
cessary or advisable that the early flowerers should
have. To enable the late kinds to bloom pro-
perly, they must be outside for a time. From the
end of the present month to the middle of Septem-
ber will complete the ripening process, though if
the plants are vigorous, the shoots will keep
on growing until towards the end of the year.
After allowing the plants to have a week or
ten days in a position where they will be out
of the reach of the sun in the middle of the
day, so as to gradually get them inured to the
solar rays, they should be moved to where they
wfll have plenty of sun. With a selection of the

TOBENIAS.
All the Torenias are very pretty free-flowering
plants of easy culture, and under glass may be
had in bloom throughout the greater part of the
year, while where they are required for blooming
during the summer months alone, a little heat in
which to raise the seeds and grow on the young
plants till their earlier stages are passed is all that
is needed ; in short, treated as tender annuals they
are very useful. Being naturally more or less of a
procumbent habit, all the Torenias are Veil adapted
for suspended pots or baskets, and very attractive
they are in such positions either in the tempera-
ture oE a greenhouse or in an intermediate struc-
ture. Besides this, they may be grown in pots,
and in this way are often useful for the embellish-
ment of the greenhouse or conservatory, being in
general appearance very different from most of the
plants employed for such a purpose. They may be
easily struck from cuttiDgs, but the better way is
to sow a pinch of seed of each of the
varieties in the spring. The seed
should be sown in a compost of loam,
leaf-mould, and silver sand, this last
being distributed pretty freely, as in
all stages the Torenias dislike a stiff,
heavy compost. The soil should have
a good watering through a fine rose
previous to the sowing of the seeds,
and while still wet sprinkle the seed
thinly thereon and give a very slight
covering of soil. Then in a tempera-
ture of 55° to 60° they will quickly
germinate, and when the young plants
are large enough to handle they should
be pricked off. Where large speci-
mens are required, four plants may be
put around the side of a pot, and
when this is full of roots they can
be shifted on without being further
disturbed, or the young plants may
be pricked off into pans or boxes
and potted singly afterwards. For
large plants pots 8 inches or 9 inches
in diameter may be used ; while
pretty little specimens can be grown
in pots not more than 5 inches across.
In any case the soil must be of an
open character, and when large pots
are used, turfy loam, lightened by an
admixture of leaf -mould, sand, and
well decayed manure, forms a very
suitable compost. Bed spider is the
principal insect pest, and to guard against this as
far as possible the plants must at no time be
kept in a warm, dry atmosphere, or allowed to
get pot-bound when young. As the flowering pots
get full of roots an occasional dose of some
stimulant will be of use, and, judiciously applied,
the flowering season will be greatly lengthened.
By carefully hardening them off I have had Torenia
Fournieri succeed well when planted out in a shel-
tered spot, but the yellow T. Bailloni seems to be
rather more delicate. The best kinds for general
cultivation are T. Fournieri, with lilac and purple-
coloured blossoms, which is a native of Cochin
China, and also T. Bailloni, or flava as it is some-
times called, from the same region. The flowers of
this are rich golden-yellow with a purple throat,
and it is also rather more procumbent in habit
than the other. To these may be added the
stronger-growing T. asiatica, a violet-blue flower ;
or, better still, a form known as rubens, which
appears to be a variety of T. asiatica with deeper-
coloured blossoms. T. asiatica is one of the oldest
members of the genus, being also a stronger grower
than the two previously mentioned, while it appears
to be rather more tender than either of them.
There is also a new American variety, White Wings,
which should prove very desirable. H. P.

July 26, 1890.]

THE GABDEN.

87

Humea elegans. — There are few plants so
graceful or so effective in conservatories, halls, or
any place where associated with things of denser
form than a well-grown plant of Humea elegans.
For such purposes it is not nearly so much
grown as it deserves. Plants that were raised
from seed sown early in the spring, and after-
wards put into 3-inch or 4-inch pots, should now
be moved to larger ones, in which they are to
remain until next spring. This Humea is a free
rooter, and if the plants have made fair progress,
they may be given 8-inch or 9-inch pots. If much
cramped for room, the bottom leaves will be defi-
cient in size and substance and of short duration.
Loam, with a liberal addition of rotten manure and
some sand, is the best material to use. After pot-
ting, a cold frame where the plants will be close to
the glass is the best place for them until the time of
housing for the winter comes. Never let the plants
suffer for want of water, and keep them free from
aphides and red spider, either of which pests soon
injure the leaves. — T.

The Montevidian Arrowhead (Sagittaria
montevidensis) is a very beautiful indoor flower,
of which one of the first coloured plates appeared
in The Gabdex, January 3, 1883, prepared from a

beauty. Seeds are easily raised. If sown in pots of
mud, and, of course, placed in a high temperature,
so quick is the growth that only three months need
elapse from the time of sowing until flowering.
The best season to sow is February, and when of
sufficient size to handle, pot off the seedlings into
small pots, which should be stood about half their
depth in pans of water. Give plenty of light, and
for soil loam mixed with a small portion of cow
manure. It revels in a bed of mud, such as Ne-
lumbiums delight in, and it is grown under these
conditions at Kew. If it cannot be planted out, it
must be grown in a pot quite half filled with drain-
age and the soil loosely put in, also kept very
moist. When well grown, this Arrowhead has a
beauty decidedly its own, and nourishes in the at-
mosphere that tropical Water Lilies, Nelumbiums,
and other moisture-loving aquatics require.

Chrysanthemums.

THE QUEEN OF AUTUMN; OR, CHRYSAN-
THEMUM SEEDS AND SEEDING.*
Ameeica. — In America the Chrysanthemum has
been a favourite winter flower for the past eight or

Campanula Barrelieri as a basket plant.

plant which flowered in the June of that year,
from seeds sent to the Royal Gardens in 1S83 by
Mr. J. Bull, he having collected them in Buenos
Ayres when on a botanising tour in Brazil. This
aquatic stove plant is not common, one reason
being that it is not every garden that can accom-
modate such a plant, but in a few places it is grown
well, amongst others, Kew, where it is a feature in
the Water Lily house. The finest forms are splendid
objects inf ull flower, that is, when they are seenrising
from 4 feet to 5 feet high or over, and adorned
with flo .ver-stalks, which proceed from the axils of
the herbaceous leaves, that appear in quick succes-
sion. The upper portion of the stalk bears whorls
of male flowers, those on the lower whorls being
female. In colour they are white, with a blotch of
crimson-purple at the base of each segment, sur-
rounded with a pale gold colour. A succession of
bloom is kept up by the flowers commencing to
open before the stalk has freely grown, and by the
time all have expanded there will be plenty of seed
from the female blooms. On its first appearance it
proved disappointing, but when 4 feet or more
high and full of handsome flowers, there are few
stove aquatics that can rival it for distinctive

ten years, and Dr. H. P. Walcott began to rear seed-
lings about the year 1879, he being very closely
followed by Mr. John Thorpe, and the results are
every year becoming more and more important.
Mr. John Thorpe kindly informs me that, although
single and half-double Japanese kinds seed spon-
taneously in some cases the progeny is as a rule poor,
and that the best of seed is only to be gained by care-
ful management. " Before attempting to cross the
flower-heads I always shear or clip off the florets
nearly as low as the protruding styles, and then
apply pollen to the stigmas. But few of these per-
fect seed, but the little obtainable under these con-
ditions generally yields some good varieties. For
seeding I generally grow the plants in C-inch pots,
each plant bearing only two or three flower-heads."

Some varieties have been refined so much that
when well grown they are sterile and yield no
pollen, and such kinds must be starved back into
fertility. Seeds from the best forms cross-fertilised

* Paper read by Mr. F. W. Burbidge, F.R.H.S.,
P.L.S., &c, Curator of the University (Trinity Col-
lege) Botanical Gardens, Dublin, at the Chrysanthe-
mum Conference at Chiswick, Nov. 6, 1889.

with each other may be small in quantity, but the
quality of the resultant seedlings is in inverse pro-
portion, and from 50 to 100 per cent, of really good
seedlings may be obtained. Mr. Wm. Falconer has
also, at my request, given me the following account
of the seeding and the seedlings of this flower in
America : —

Chrysanthemums set seeds freely in this country,
and we have no trouble whatever in getting all the seed
we want. Indeed, on beuches where Chrysanthemums
have stood and ripened their crop of blooms we often
have lots of little seedlings come up from seeds
dropped from the plants. I grow a large number of
Chrysanthemums out of doors altogether, and in long
open Novembers, when the flowers open early and ma-
ture themselves, we, next spring, find lots of little seed-
lings come up around the old plants ; but in cold, raw,
wet Novembers seeds do not set well and seldom ripen
on our outdoor plants.

Seed-saving is a little business of itself, and several
florists find it as profitable to raise seed as sell the
flowers. They put out their plants iu the open
ground early in May, lift and pot them early in
September, and bring them into a light greenhouse.
Feeding the plants and thinning the flower-buds are
well attended to. When the flowers begin to open,
the house is kept cool and airy, and the atmosphere
dry. This gains stocky plants, stiff stems, and perfect
flowers. As the flowers open wide the petals are
clipped off short with a shears. This gives a good
chauce to the generative organs to perfect themselves,
and admits of natural aid, as flies or wind, to dis-
seminate the pollen. But we do not wait for Nature
all the time ; every fine sunny forenoon we brush the
flowers with a camel's-hair brush to spread the powder.
Clipped flowers set far more seeds than do undipped
ones — that is in the case of full doubles ; of course,
in the case of singles, clipping makes very little differ-
ence. Clipped flowers do not damp off as do unclippsd
ones.

In saving Zinnia seed you may also observe the
great value of clipping in the petals as a guard against
damping off ; also to permit air and insects to fertilise
the flowers.

It is of no use talking to us folk in America about
imported Chrysanthemum seed. We do not believe in
it. The American-saved article is in large demand
and commands a big price, but imported seed is in
bad odour.

The following list of the best American kinds is
compiled by Mr. John Thorpe, who is the father of
the Chrysanthemum in America.

List of the Best Chrysanthemums as beaked
pkd.m se3ds (m03tly home-saved) in the
United States op America.

Wm. Dewar

Colossal

Mrs. E. W. Clark

Thorpe Junior (Anemone)

Puritan

Grace Attiek (very early

Japanese)
Sam. Henshaw

Robert Walcott

Mrs. A. Carnegie

Mrs. W. K. Harris

John Thorpe

Mrs. L. Canning

Mabel Douglas

Mrs. John Wauamaker

Mrs. J. C. Price

President Hyde

Coronet

We-Wa

Mrs. Judge Benedict (fine

Anemone)

Note. — Mrs.Alpheus Hardy was introduced direct
to New York from Japan, and is not a seedling raised
in America, as some have supposed.

Very often when I have recommended the raising
of Chrysanthemum seed I have been met with the
reply, " Oh ! it is no good ; our climate is not suit-
able for that kind of work " ; and it has not always
mended matters when I have pointed out the fact
that we have in England perhaps the finest and
most varied area of glass-roofed climate in the
world. Of course, I know that men worried by
business and routine have not the time to devote
to careful hybridising or cross-breeding and seed-
saving ; but is it too much to expect that some few
amateurs in such a wealthy country as is ours
should take to the saving and rearing of Chrysan-
themum seeds, not for profit, but as a useful and
pleasant hobby, having some of the excitiDg
attractions of racing and of whist and chess com-
bined ? As a matter of fact, seeds have been saved
in England over and over again, and I believe far
more seeds have been thrown away unconsciously
than have been seen and preserved for sowing. I

THE GARDEN.

[July 2G, 1890.

have saved seeds in Ireland from the golden pom-
pon St. Michael as trained to a sunny wall, and
have now and then found good seeds in the heads
of Japanese varieties, which had ripened as they
lay on the rubhish-heap after having been cut from
the plants.

When once good seed is secured, the rest is easy.
Sown in March in a gentle bottom heat of 65° to
70° F. it germinates as freely as Cress seed, and in
a few weeks from sowing, the plants are large
enough for pricking out into boxes or pans. Their
after culture is similar to that of cuttings, and, as
a rule, all the seedlings flower the same year in
which they are sown, i.e., in about eight or nine
months from seed sowing.

The main good points raisers everywhere should
strive to obtain may be grouped under the follow-
ing heads : —

1. Constitutional vigour. — That best of all hardy
kinds, old Emperor of China, is the type of vigour
and hardihood desirable in new seedling Chrysan-
themums. Hardy outdoor kinds are most desir-
able. •

2. Habit. — May vary, but dwarf and bushy
habited kinds fulfil the desires of the majority of
growers, and a dwarf free-flowering habit is a point
worth striving for, even although by adopting the
" cutting down " and other cultural methods, we
can render even the tallest kinds dwarfer than
they naturally are.

3. Quality and size of blooms. — It ought to be
more generally recognised that mere size is by no
means an element in beauty. Blooms of 9 inches
to 12 inches in diameter are now not very un-
common, and such blooms of good and refined
quality are quite large enough. Some of the
smallest of Roses and Chrysanthemums are the
most exquisite after all.

4. Sliape or form of flower. — This again may be as
variable as size, and new forms are, of course, always
to be welcomed, seeing that variety is proverbially
charming. Incurved flowers, showing the backs of
the florets, will never equal the reflexed or Japan-
ese varieties in colour, as in these the face of the
florets is shown. All forms are welcome. We
want more quaint flowers of the Belle Paule,
Fabian de Mediana, and Sceur Dorothee Souille
type — the so-called Japanese Anemone-flowered
race. In a word, let us emancipate ourselves from
the dogma of the old globe and circle school, and
take onr feast of beauty as nature and art can best
develop it to our hands. Beauty is not definable
by the compass or by the rule ; the artist, the
amateur, and the decorator must be pleased, as
well as the true and high-bred florist so-called.
The best of all beauty is perfect fitness for a
perfect use, and is not to be bounded by either
circles or globes.

5. Texture of the florets. — So far, as a rule, the
florets of all Chrysanthemums have been smooth,
but Mrs. Alpheus Hardy, one of the most remark-
able varieties ever sent from Japan, and exhibited
here to-day for the first time, opens up a vista of
textural possibilities and potentialities undreamed
of before its introduction to Europe. This variety,
with Phoebus, a heavy yellow, ought to be wel-
comed by the seed-raiser as a new departure indeed.
We must try for a new raise of Chrysanthemums
having hairy or fringed florets — a result that is
now foreshadowed and sure to come.

G. Colour. — Our present range of colour is not so
vast as to preclude the hope of more variety. From
yellow and white, through pink and rose tints to
orange and red (very brilliant in Tokio), and crim-
sons of varying shades to purple, is at present the
range. So far we have no blue Chrysanthemum,
and, indeed, blue-flowered composites generally are
rare. Our native Chicory plant is an exception to
the rule. But twenty years ago nobody ever
expected to see a blue Chinese Primula, and yet
to-day it is very nearly obtained ; and I think our
Chrysanthemum raisers should try for a seedling
blue Chrysanthemum. They may not succeed for
a generation or two, but it is a result sure to come
sooner or later; and although people now alive

may never reach the end of the journey, what
lovely varieties will crop up by the way !

7. Perfume. — Belonging as does the Chrysanthe-
mum to that section of the composites (Anthemida?)
which includes the Yarrows, Camomiles, Tansy,
and Wormwoods, it is at once remarkable as being
the most agreeably fragrant of them all. The
Chrysanthemum flower is very often agreeably
perfumed, and the single white varieties as a class
are the sweetest. Nearly all the single-flowered
kinds are more or less scented, and Progne and
odoratum are quite remarkable as deliciously per-
fumed flowers, and a plant named St. Leonard in
the society's collection at Chiswick has also a
Violet-like fragrance. The scent of the Chrysan-
themum is said to be of that sweet and healthful
character that has a good moral in it, and it is very
different to the luscious and demoralising sweetness
of the Gardenia or Tuberose. Even the leaves and
young shoots of the Chrysanthemum are agreeably
aromatic when pressed in the fingers. By carefully
selecting the sweetest varieties and judicious cross-
breeding much may be gained in this direction.

8. Time of flowering. — This is important, as we
want any quantity of good early- flowering kinds of
the Madame Desgrange and Wm. Holmes type, as
also vivid and free-blooming pompons like Golden
Shah. Chrysanthemums that are sure to flower
well during September, October, and November
will add a wealth of colour to our parks and gar-
dens everywhere. I shall say no more on this
head, because our friend Mr. Piercy has made this
branch of the subject peculiarly his own, and is
waiting to tell you about them.

As to the very late kinds, so far they have not
proved so useful. Meg Merrilies, Fleur de Marie,
and the old grandiflorum often flower well into
January, as do roseum superbum and other varie-
ties after being cut down early in June. Late
blooms are easily obtained by well-known cultural
means of retarding the growth and buds, but the
early-blooming kinds must have precocity inbred
in them, and there are enormous potentialities in
this way yet to be developed.

Even the best of raisers in France, in England,
in America, anywhere in the whole world, so far as
we at present know, have never yet equalled the
natives of Japan in their culture of this flower from
seed. The names of three or four Japanese seed-
lings occur to me that are unique in their way, viz.,
Comte de Germiny, Edwin Molyneux, Mrs. Alpheus
Hardy, Thunberg, and some few others, and from
these and other known results, Japan seems worth
ransacking for varieties from one end to the other.
We may not find the " true blue " variety, but we
should at least be able to gather many new and
beautiful forms in their native land, and we might
also establish a trade in the best and choicest of
Chrysanthemum seed with the natives of that
interesting country.

Nomenclature. — Not only should the final selec-
tion of seedlings be a rigid one, but their names
should be as short and euphonious as possible, and
should in all cases be authenticated by the name of
the raiser. As things are, much time and labour are
wasted in writing long names, and as several
popular names are represented by two or more
different varieties, the result is often a matter of
annoyance and confusion.

SUMMAEY.
From the foregoing information it appears that
the early or summer-flowering Chrysanthemums
produce seed more freely than the late kinds, but
that all kinds produce seeds from the latest or
starved blooms in a Warm, dry, and airy atmo-
sphere. Single-flowered kinds seed most plenti-
fully, and are also as a rule more fragrant than the
double kinds, while the incurved varieties produce
seed most sparingly of all the sections, because
deficient in pollen. The fact of good seed having
been ripened on flower-heads cut from the plants
and preserved in vessels of water in a dry, warm,
and airy greenhouse is very interesting, and would
be a method worth resorting to during damp and
foggy seasons. I am also perfectly convinced that
if half the keen observation and ability displayed

by the growers of large show blooms was devoted
to the practice of careful cross-breeding and seed-
production, we should soon equal any raisers in the
world in the production of new varieties. Even in
Portugal and Spain, and in the warm Southern
States of America, where the Chrysanthemum seeds
spontaneously, there are many other climatic draw-
backs that neutralise success. Incurved varieties,
for example, cannot be grown in America, where a
Peronospora attacks their leaves and kills them
off, and in Southern France the climate also spoils
them.

After all, no natural climate in the world can
equal, all things considered, our glass-house
climate in many parts of England, where the
plants are absolutely under our control. I am sure
we are all free-traders, inasmuch as we gladly take
the best seedlings from America or France, or
wherever they may chance to come from, but at the
same time I think we should also do our own best
to originate more Chrysanthemums than we now
do. I believe it is a well-proved axiom that the
plants best suited to our gardens are the plants
we raise from seeds grown and sown under the
climatic conditions in which they have to live and
thrive. People used to say we could not grow
seedling Roses in England, but it has been done,
and our English seedling Roses are equal to those
of any other land. We must not blame our climate
as an excuse for our own shortcomings, and I will
go so far as to say that any plants which cannot
be reared from seeds in English gardens equal to
the varieties from other countries are in the main
unworthy of our culture.

In conclusion, I hope most sincerely that some
amateurs, with time and a love for this flower, will
take up this phase of Chrysanthemum culture as a
speciality ; and, if they exhibit some varieties with
novel features or extra good qualities before this
society, I feel sure that they will be rewarded as
was Mr. Wheeler half a century ago.

New American Chrysanthemums. — In the

list of new American Chrysanthemums on page 34
are the names Brahma and Iona, both of which have
been given to varieties already in cultivation, while
in a previous list the repetitions are still more nu-
merous, including as they do the names Aureole,
Coquette, Garnet, Golconda, Gold Thread, Golden
Fleece, Model, Snowdrop and Zenobia. This prac-
tice of giving the same name to two distinct varie-
ties of Chrysanthemums is inexcusable, as a glance
at the catalogue of the National Chrysanthemum
Society will show if the proposed name is already
in use. While we are inundated with such numbers
of so-called new varieties, a little care should cer-
tainly be taken in their nomenclature, though un-
doubtedly the most satisfactory way would be to
send out about one-tenth of the number that is
every year put into commerce. If this were done,
the task of separating the grain from the chaff
would not be so large nor so expensive an operation
as at present. — H. P.

Books.

A NEW CATALOGUE OF CHRYSANTHEMUMS.*
The short paragraph at page 45 reminds me that
I intended some few weeks ago to send a note
upon M. 0. de Meulenaere's " Liste descriptive des
Chrysanthemes d'hiver." In the first place, although
the work is published in this country by Messrs.
John Laingand Sons, of Forest Hill, it is in French,
and, so far as at present ascertained, there is no
probability of an English edition being prepared.
As for the list being useful to those who are con-
stantly requiring information on the winter flower,
it is but proper to observe in connection with the
new book that it is almost a translation of the
National Chrysanthemum Society's alphabetical list,
which forms the greater part of the society's cata-
logue. It is quite true that additions have been made
to bring the work as nearly up to date as possible,

* " Liste descriptive des Chrysanthemes d'hiver,"
par 0. de Meulenaere, Ghent. (London : John Laing
and Sons, Forest Hill, S.E.)

July 26, 1890.]

THE GABDEN.

89

but the remark contained at p. 45 as to the raiser's
name and date of introduction being added where
possible is hardly in accordance with strict accu-
racy. This appears to be done in M. de Meulenaere's
work, only where he has embodied the varieties de-
scribed in the N.C.S. select lists and the French
new Chrysanthemums for the past two and present
years. Otherwise the particulars are meagre, and
the sources of the compiler's information appear to
be anything but extensive. On the Continent there
is at present a very pressing necessity for a really
trustworthy Chrysanthemum catalogue, and in
spite of the rapid increase in the number of growers
in France and Belgium, it is noticeable that until
the work now under notice was published the
growers in those countries had scarcely anything to
guide them but trade catalogues. There happens
to be nothing worthy of the name of a list in any
French treatise on the Chrysanthemum, with one
exception. M. Ghys, an amateur in the north of
France, five years ago wrote a capital little essay
on the famous flower, and a portion of it was de-
voted to a list of the best 400 Chrysanthemums
then cultivated in France. The information ob-
tained by M. Ghys was very ample, and the fullest
particulars were given by him as to raisers and
year of introduction. Being in the same language,
■and probably known to M. de Meulenaere, it would
have been of much service if he had consulted this
French essay for the purpose of more completely
finishing his own descriptive list.

This is the first attempt of our Belgian friends
to increase Chrysanthemum catalogue literature,
and M. de Meulenaere besides being an enthusiast
is also eminent as having scored a long list of suc-
cesses at the Great Centenary Chrysanthemum
Show at Ghent as well as at its forerunners. He
is therefore perhaps as well qualified as many of
his countrymen for the task he has undertaken,
and it would hardly be fair, considering that Chry-
santhemum cultivation in Belgium is almost new
to the present generation there, to criticise the
result of his labours too closely. Without attempt-
ing to indicate the numerous instances where the
compiler might easily have added the raiser's name
and date, it may be pointed out that such errors as
the following should be corrected in a future edi-
tion: Admiral Courbet was not raised by Delaux,
but by De Reydellet in 1885. The entry Alphonse
Raw is the same as Alphonse Karr. Ana'is (pom-
pon) should be Delaux, not Laing. Belle de France
and Belle France instead of being two distinct
sorts are one and the same thing. Comte de Mun
(Delaux, 1887) is intended for a flower of that
name sent out two years later. Comet (A. Salter,
1882) and Cornet (A. Salter, 1882) are undoubtedly
the same thing, for Mr. Salter never raised a Chry-
santhemum by the latter name. Egle and Eyle1 bear a
similar relation to each other ; so also do Fournaise
and La Fournaise. There are two entries of Empress
of India, the second being unquestionably meant
for the Golden Empress. Rozain Boucharlat's
flower, J. R. Pearson, there is no need to say, should
not be described as syn. Pink Lacroix. Katkoff
(De Reydellet, 1S38) is an error in the year of dis-
tribution for exactly half a century later. Mme.
Clemence Audiguier is given as an 1889 variety ;
whereas it was raised at least ten years before.
Mme. Poggi, a very favourite old incurved of the
past generation of exhibitors, is attributed to Smith
instead of Salter, an error more excusable than
many, for the constant reversal of these two emi-
nent raisers' names is rather the rule than the excep-
tion. Memerou is credited to Pethers instead of Per-
tuzes; and Pump Court is stated to be properly
Rump Court, when really the opposite is the case.

Nobody is better able than I am to appreciate the
difficulties that the earnest cataloguer of Chrysan-
themums has to contend with. A few years ago
the whole subject was in an almost hopeless state of
confusion, but by dint of incessant work, Chrysan-
themum nomenclature is now in a far better state
than it has ever been since the death of the late
Mr. John Salter.

Any earnest, conscientious worker in this field is
welcome, and there is little excuse for our falling
back into some of the dreadful blunders that cha-

racterised the best Chrysanthemum catalogues of
eight or ten years ago. Our hearty congratulations
are due to M. de Meulenaere for the step he has
taken, and it is gathered from Ms preface that if
his present work meet with a reasonably good re-
ception, he proposes to embark upon a similar task
so far as the early-flowering varieties are concerned.
The form of the " Liste descriptive des Chrysan-
themes d'hiver " is admirably adapted for the
visitor to exhibitions. It is 8J inches long by 3J
inches wide, and fits the pocket most conveniently.
To the English grower who knows French, an inter-
leaved copy will be of the utmost service during
next show season. Cheysanth.

Rose Garden.

TEA ROSES IN FLOWER.

Anna Olivier continues to produce a succession
of beautiful buds and blossoms. It is one of the
hardiest and most charming Tea Rose we have. It
is a vigorous grower, and makes a handsome, com-
pact bush a yard high. In the fine form and novel
and exquisite colouring of its buds it has no equal.
The buds are long, urn-shaped, pale flesh, deepen-
ing to rose externally, but the base of the petals,
in fact of the whole bud, is of a very distinct hue,
varying from salmon to buff. The flower appears
to have a warm glow of colour at its base when
about half opened, but this gradually grows lighter
as the bloom expands. Not only upon the bush,
but when cut this is one of the loveliest of Roses,
especially when seen at night under artificial light!
I do not know another Rose that opens in water so
well as this one. Small buds that have only just
begun to expand will, if cut and placed in water,
grow larger and more open daily, ultimately de-
veloping into flowers as good in form as would
have been produced upon the plant itself. The
smallest collection of Teas should contain this
kind, as it ranks among the best half-dozen. Anna
Olivier was sent out by Ducher in 1872. He has
given us many fine Roses, but this one alone would
have sufficed to for ever keep his name before the
Rose-growing public.

Adeienne Christophle was raised by Guillot
in 18(38, yet it can hardly be called common — in
fact it is rarely seen. It is a distinct and beauti-
ful Rose, vigorous and hardy, making a large bush
and flowering with amazing freedom. The flowers
do not generally come up to the exhibition stan-
dard, and this may have kept it in the background,
but now we are in search of good garden Roses!
apart from any exhibition considerations, this kind
must obtain recognition. The flowers are large
and double, extremely variable in colour and very
effective upon the bush. Externally they are of a
copper-yellow hue, shaded and suffused with rosy
peach, but internally the yellow becomes paler and
clearer at the tip of the petal, and deepens into a
rich apricot at the base of the flower, a rich and
striking colour. In a heavy loam last year this
Rose was not satisfactory, but in lighter soil it is
growing and flowering with the greatest freedom.

Jeanne Abel is comparatively new, having been
sent out by Guillot in 1882. It is free and distinct,
globular, not very double, but exquisite in its extra
sweetness and the richness and variety of delicate
hues, which commingle in the flower — pale yellow,
shading to white, suffused with tender rose, which
grows much brighter in the centre of the flower.

Fkancisca Krugee has been very disappoint-
ing this year, although generally so free and good.
Heavy rain has spoilt nearly all the first crop of buds
which have such great substance, that they require
some amount of warmth to open them. A few
flowers opened well and were richly coloured, exter-
nally coppery-yellow bordered with flesh pink, the
yellow growing lighter, and the pink deepening to
rose in the centre of the flower.

Peele de Lyon is a very sturdy and strong,
but dwarf kind, particularly handsome in foliage,
and striking in flower, by reason of the size and
rich colour of the blooms, which are bright yellow,

and the blooms have an enormous mass of petals,
but the form of the flower is poor.

Souvenir de David d'Angees is very distinct,
and in every way a useful Rose. It makes a sturdy
compact bush, and the quantity of flowers it pro-
duces is enormous. The little buds are very pretty,
lasting long and looking showy, as they are of a
clear rosy-red hue. The full expanded flower is of
medium size and substance.

Souvenie de Theeese Levet has fine buds and
good double flowers of a dark shaded red hue. It is
very free, perhaps the best of its colour, or rather
of its class, and the strength of the flower-stalk is
a noticeable feature of the kind, as the blooms
stand out boldly from the plant, and are displayed
to the best advantage. The habit of growth is vi-
gorous, but dwarf and spreading.

Mme. Lambaed might be called everybody's
Rose, it is so thoroughly good and reliable at all
times, and in all seasons. In the present cool, wet
weather the flowers are opening well and lasting
long. The freedom and variability of form and hue
so characteristic of this kind cannot be appre-
ciated or enjoyed if it is restricted to one bush, but
in a good group there is much to attract/and it is
often possible to gather flowers of the most diverse
colours and shapes from different plants in the
SrouP- A. H.

Good wall Roses.— At Compton Bassett,
Calne, Wilts, the west walls of the house are
clothed with fine healthy specimens of three popu-
lar Roses. William Allen Richardson is very beau-
tiful in the bud, and covers a space 12 feet square,
and when I saw it in June it was flowering abun-
dantly. The good old Gloire de Dijon has covered
a space 12 feet wide and 25 feet high, and there
were hundreds of the most perfect blooms of the va-
riety I have ever seen. Equally healthy and free
flowering was Cheshunt Hybrid, this grand and
most serviceable Rose occupying a wall space of
about 15 feet square. Of Cheshunt Hybrid whole
baskets of blooms fit for exhibition could have
been cut, and on the whole it is one of the very

best Roses that can be planted against walls.

W. I.

Marechal Niel Rose.— It may seem ui>
courteous to say of " S. D." that in referring to the
double working of Marechal Niel Rose he does not
know what he is writing about ; yet if he
could see the double-worked trees here, and double-
worked for some ten or twelve years, he would find
that the original sorts, Lamarque and Mme.
Berard, being both very robust growers and not
subject no canker or gout, had distended the Brier
stems in the same relative proportion to their own
growth. Thus whilst the Brier stock having Mare-
chal Niel worked on to it direct and planted some
sixteen years has wood above the union fully three
times as large as is the stock stem below, on the
double-worked plants the stems throughout the
original stock, secondary stock, and Marechal Niel
are of a perfect evenness. There are no canker, no
goutiness, and no evidence of bursting rinds.
What other experience of the value of double
working can be needed ? When I last wrote of this
Rose I mentioned having cut back the trees on one
side of the house ; those on Lamarque so hard as to
leave only some 6 inches to 8 inches of main stems.
This was drastic treatment, but it has fully answered
my expectations. It has now made numbers of
strong shoots each from 12 inches to 20 inches long,
and not a few of these will make fully 6 feet to 8
feet growth by the winter, literally filling the roof
on their side. Buds put in to shoots allowed to
break from the secondary stock have also made
strong growths. There is nothing like having the
Marechal on robust stocks and cutting it back
yearly to bare stems so soon as the bloom is over
—A. D.

Manure in the Rose garden.— "A. H.'s"

metaphor of the Rose garden being converted into a
foul-smelling manure heap is amusing, but, coming
from a gardener who must know the value of a
manure heap, is incongruous. To assume that

deepening to apricot. The buds are of great size, | because Roses are all the better for feeding through

90

THE GARDEN.

[July 26, 1890.

manure mulchings and waterings with strong
liquids, that any unpleasant perfume will or does
arise, is too absurd an idea to be entertained. Soil
is the best of all deodorisers, and unpleasant per-
fumes arising from manures, either solid or liquid —
always more imaginary than real — are so soon ab-
sorbed or dispersed, that no nuisance whatever
arises. Nature, operating through vegetation, is
the greatest of all chemists, and converts the
foulest of gases into the most delicious of per-
fumes. The delicious scent which is inhaled from
Tea Roses, and the most delicate and lovely of
colours in the flowers, have been distilled, as it
were, from the strong odours of the manure heap,
or the compounds reeking with ammonia employed
to furnish liquid manures. Manure applied on the
surface of the soil is to established Roses the most
efficacious of nutriment. It encourages surface-
rooting, keeps the roots in the best soils, promotes
healthy, hard growth— which furnishes the best
flowers— and renders the trees or bushes long lived.
—A. D.

CLIMBING ROSES.

The desire for the varieties of Roses that pro-
duce the finest formed flowers is so great that in
many gardens the sorts best adapted for parti-
cular purposes are completely lost sight of.

flowers. A very effective-looking object is the
trunk of a dead tree with its upper branches
partly shortened and covered with Ivy, from
amongst which hang long, untrained shoots of
these Roses in flower, with no further tying in
than just sufficient to disperse them irregularly
over the upper portion of the stump. Such a
combination is easily obtained where the soil is
suitable and manure in plenty is dug in. The
Roses must also be well supplied with manure
afterwards, as the Ivy, being a gross feeder,
will impoverish the soil to such an extent that
will prevent them getting sufficient susten-
ance. Where this combination is attempted,
the Ivy should have two or three years' start,
otherwise the Roses, being such free growers,
will monopolise the whole of the space. The
same arrangement on a wall looks equally well ;
but if a successful effect be expected, the Ivy
and the Roses must not be left to fight out a
war of extermination. On the contrary, which-
ever is found to be unduly taking the lead must
be kept within bounds. The evergreen Roses
(R. sempervirens) are also well adapted for
covering arched trellises over walks, or for divi-
sional screens to shut out anything which it is
desirable to hide, or for overrunning wooden

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Rose arches in a town garden.

Even where lists are given of what may be
termed garden Roses, it often happens that they
contain a selection of the freest growing Hybrid
Perpetuals, with a few Noisettes, Bourbons, &c. ,
distinct and lovely kinds, much more appro-
priate for planting in many positions in any
garden — large or small — being left out. Take,
for instance, the Banksians, both white and
yellow. What can be more beautiful than the
innumerable bunches of full, yet not formal,
flowers that these produce when well established
in a warm situation ? But how seldom are they
seen. All they require is either a naturally dry
bed, or one that is sufficiently drained to make
it so, with plenty of rich soil. They should be
left undisturbed, except to shorten any over-
strong shoots and to nail and tie in others, so as
to regularly cover the space which they are
required to fill. A good washing two or three
times in the spring with weak Gishurst water,
allowed to dry on the leaves, is a. great assist-
ance in keeping down red spider and green-fly.
Where any particular object has to be covered,
the Ayrshire, Boursault, and Garland Roses are
very much more in keeping with the surround-
ings than the kinds that produce finely-shaped

fences anywhere not overhung with trees, and
where the soil is not only in the first instance
made sufficiently rich to promote free growth,
but is continuously kept in that condition after-
wards The Noisettes are equally useful for
intermixing in the way above recommended.
Their great advantage is their disposition to
flower profusely late in the autumn. The Teas,
Gloire de Dijon, and Climbing Devoniensis are
unsurpassed for using in this manner ; where
they have plenty of head-room, the long in-
formal branches of the latter with its great
clusters of flowers hanging from the points, and
the ever-blooming disposition of the former are
not equalled by anything in their way. In the
case of these also, the principal matter is to see
that the roots are well sustained, and to use the
knife as little as possible. T.

A walk of Roses. — There are other ways of
growing Roses than as standards or bushes in a
plantation of several varieties set out side by side
in formal rows, but in many gardens this is the
only way in which Roses are planted. They are,
however, far differently treated at Cherkley Court,
Leatherhead, where there is a charming walk of

them on a raised terrace overlooking Rannsore
Common. This break of Roses is one of the prettiest
features of this garden. They are planted on 3
feet of made soil, and not set out formally, but old
and more recent varieties placed here and there
without rigid lines and equal distances. Here we
noticed the fine old white flower Mme. Hardy, a
lovely fragrant Rose we should like to see more of
in gardens. It is very free, and a batch of plants
will scent the air for many yards around. The blush
Provence, the old Cabbage, and Souvenir de la
Malmaison all graced this walk of Roses, in which
the plants are allowed to bloom in their own way.
They are dwarfs, and supply endless clusters of
fragrant flowers for the house.

Dark - coloured Roses. — This season has
brought out in perfection many varieties not
often seen in true character. The Grand
Mogul is a very dark flower, almost black,
and has been exhibited remarkably well. It
has certainly established itself as one of our
finest dark-coloured Hybrid Perpetual flowers, and
also good have been La Rosiere, Duke of Teck, Ca-
mille Bernardin, Xavier Olibo, Louis van Houtte,
Prince Arthur, Victor Hugo, Countess of Rosebery,
Suzanne-Marie Rodocanachi, a bright carmine flower
with a broad handsome petal, Ulrich Brunner, which
never fails to appear well, Le Havre, Due de Ro-
han, Auguste Rigotard, Henri L6dechaux, brilliant
carmine colour, and Marie Baumann.

Rose Mme. Hardy. — It is refreshing to dis-
cover a break of this beautiful old Damask Rose in
a garden, and at Cherkley Court we discovered a
charming lot of plants in the most vigorous health.
It is highly prized there, and for a good reason, as
we have few Roses of more delicious scent and of
the true Rose kind. One bloom we have had in a
vase has perfumed a large room, which could not
be said of the many varieties, absolutely scentless,
that are awarded certificates simply for their form
or colour. Scentless Roses should not be en-
couraged, but they are held up to our admiration
when others that have this precious trait are
ignored. Mme. Hardy at Cherkley Court is
smothered with white flowers, which scent the air
for a long distance. The shoots carry as many
as three buds, besides expanded blooms. The
plants are all grown as bushes, and on made soil
about 3 feet in depth. The flowers are large, full,
and flat in form, and the leafage is abundant.

Rose Souvenir de la Malmaison.— This,
when it opens right, is lovely, but somehow or other
the opening seems a difficult matter with it, as
neither wet nor heat suits it, and it is only in few
autumns that it is seen at its best, and then when
soil and situation are favourable, it is sometimes a
grand sight, as all the flowers expand and exhibit
the rich delicate tint of their petals. I remember
seeing some years ago a bed of it at Colchester,
that home of the Rose, and there was nothing that
could approach it for beauty. We have a few
plants, but our soil is too light, as what it seems to
require is a cool bottom and plenty of moisture.
As the texture and substance of the blooms are so
great, I should think it would be a good one to
cross with some of the Teas, and it would give them
what they lack — stoutness and erectness of foot-
stalk.—S. D.

Rose Lea France. — I well remember the time
when this splendid Hybrid Perpetual was first in-
troduced into this country. The first plants which
I saw of it had been sent over to England by a
lady for her own garden in Surrey. This was in
18G8. They did very well at the time, but I lost
sight of them a few years afterwards. Probably
its constitution was not then so good as it should
have been through excessive propagation. I have
now a plant that has done well, and flowered most
profusely every year for the past fourteen summers.
It is a standard, and was not removed after its first
planting until this past winter, when it was neces-
sary to re-arrange the plants around it. It is still
doing as well as could be expected after removal,
and promises to become again well established.
With me it is one of the best of all Roses for con-
tinuous flowering, one crop hardly being over be-
fore another is on its way. It also flowers mode-

July 26, 1890.]

THE GABDEN.

91

rately early, more so than many of its class. For
my own part I prefer it as a standard ; its flowers
are often too heavy for the footstalk; hence they
do not stand erect, and are therefore seen to better
advantage when the plants are of fairly good
height. As a Rose for grouping it is one of the
very best, hardly any other kind surpassing it in
freedom of flowering. In beds or masses it should
be planted in various heights. When first pur-
chased the plants are somewhat disappointing, the
growth not then being of the strongest.— J. H.

ROSES AT WOKING.
A large breadth of Roses is grown in the nursery
of Messrs. G. Jackman and Son, Woking, and
thousands of flowers are cut every morning. To
supply the large demand, a few sorts known to
do well are grown, and it may be useful to briefly
refer to these. All are on the Manetti stock,
and amongst those giving fine masses of bloom
are Earl of Pembroke, a handsome variety,
vigorous, and distinct, bearing velvety crimson
flowers, brightened by a bright red colouring on
the margin of the petals ; and Duke of Wellington,
an effective Rose, raised by Granger in 1864, with
flowers of a red colour, shaded crimson. Sultan of
Zanzibar does well here, though it is not always
constant, and when good blooms can be picked
there are few more delightful Roses either for
colour or true Rose fragrance than this variety.
Pride of Waltham, one of Mr. Wm. Paul's acquisi-
tions of 1881, was conspicuous by its bright
flesh-rose shaded flowers. Also here was Mabel
Morrison, a sport from Baroness Rothschild, and
sent out about 1878. Its flowers are flesh colour,
changing to white, and very useful in the gar-
den. Ulrich Brunner, of course, has taken its
place amongst the best garden Roses, and those
also for exhibition. It is free from mildew, and its
bold, handsome flowers make a grand show of
colour. A break of 4000 plants of the variety
Merveille de Lyon showed its freedom from mildew,
and the massive character and delicate colour of
the flowers. It is a showy Rose in the garden, full,
large, and lasting well, but too formal and flat to
please everyone. The plants of Abel Grande, raised
by Damakin as far back as 1865, were white with
mildew: it is, however, a good garden and forcing
Rose, the flowers large, fragrant, and of a shining
rose colour, often appearing best in the autumn.
On the other hand, the rows of Mme. Bosanquet,
five in number, were quite free from the pest ;
it is a pretty and useful Rose, the flower
touched with pink in the bud, and expanding
nearly white. A good Bourbon variety, raised
by Guillot in 1859, was also perfectly free from
mildew. It has very robust leafage, and a profu-
sion of well-formed, sweet-scented, rose-coloured
flowers, very pretty in the garden. A good free
Rose is Triomphe de Rennes, which is a seed-
ling from Lamarque, and raised in 1856 by
Panagez. It is very free, and has large, full flowers,
cxnary-yellow in colour, and tinged in the centre
with salmon. Duke of Edinburgh had no mildew •
but it is not a first-rate Rose, although here its
bright crimson flowers are useful for cutting. It
was raised from General Jacqueminot by Messrs.
Paul & Son in 186S. Of course, the red Maiden's
Blush, crimson China, and common Moss Roses
were represented, and the long rows of the China
were as pretty as anything we have seen in the
Rose way this season. The plants were a glowing
mass of colour. Louis Van Houtte was a little
affected with mildew. It is a splendid dark Rose,
as valuable for exhibition as for the garden.
Duchesse de Morny was not free from mildew,
unlike Fisher Holmes, a fine vigorous variety, which
has flowers very much like those of the old General
Jacqueminot; it was raised in 1865 by Verdier.
Prince Camille de Rohan is a well-known variety,
and one of Verdier's additions of 1861. It has very
richly-coloured velvety crimson flowers, full, hand-
some, and richly fragrant. When good, there are
few finer in colour or of stronger scent. Mme.
Alfred Rougemont was pretty as seen here with
its pinky white flowers. It was raised in 1862
by Lacharme, from Blanche Lafitte. Alfred

Colomb, which needs no mention, is a splendid
garden Rose, raised by Lacharme in 1865 from
General Jacqueminot, a variety which, in spite of
the many beautiful varieties that have appeared
since, still keeps its place. President Thiers was
raised by the same rosarian in 1861. It has bril-
liant carmine-red flowers and is very free from
mildew. Duchess of Norfolk is a Rose absolutely
free from mildew. Its flowers are rosy red, cup-
shaped, while the leafage is very dark green and
robust. It is not a very valuable Rose. Twenty
rows of Victor Verdier were gay with the rose-
coloured flowers, and we have few more valuable,
though tender, garden Roses than this variety of
Lacharme, who raised it in 1852. John Hopper is
a very free-blooming variety, as all who care for
Roses well know. It was raised by Ward in 1862,
and is one of our best garden forms. These axe a
few that were worth a note in the Woking nursery,
and their effect in masses was remarkably rich and
striking.

THE OLDER KINDS OF HYBRID PERPETUAL

ROSES.
With the advent of so many newer kinds of Roses
in this class, there is just the possibility of many of
the old favourites of past years being discarded as
not up to the required standard either in form or
size. Those who are renovating their Roses and
replenishing their stock should bear this in mind
and not lose sight of those kinds which have proved
of great value in the past as decorative or garden
Roses. In the formation of new collections there
is the danger also of these good old kinds being
overlooked entirely, and that not with advantage
in every case by a long way. Take, for instance,
Baronne PreVost, a fine old kind, rosy-pink in col-
our, flowering in clusters, and of good constitution ;
even with all the new introductions, there is no-
thing in my mind to surpass it in its way. Anna
AlexiefE is after the same style, but darker in colour.
This is also an excellent old Rose. Auguste Mie is
another good pink sort, and makes a fine plant
for a pillar. It has globular-shaped flowers which
last well. Another good kind of strong constitution
with blooms which retain their colour exceedingly
well is Eugene Appert, with brilliant crimson
flowers of fine substance ; Geant des Batailles is
somewhat similar in colour, flowering in greater
clusters and of dwarf growth ; Jules Margottin is
grown probably in greater quantity than either of
the foregoing, but it is seen none too often. La
Reine is a very full and fine Rose, deep rosy-pink,
flowering freely in clusters. Louise Peyronny, a
rather shy bloomer in the autumn, is a fine globular
shaped variety, silvery-rose in colour, and well
worthy of a place in any collection for the sake of
its fine form. Pius IX. I have not seen for years,
yet we have but few in its colour, which has more
of the violet shade in the blossoms. Souvenir de
la Reine d'Angleterre is a splendid garden Rose of
vigorous constitution, the flowers, which are freely
produced, being bright rose, large, and full. Of all
the old Roses grown thirty years ago, not one per-
haps has held its own so well as General Jacque-
minot, and that in spite of such a number of kinds
intended to supersede it. With the exception of
Louise Peyronny and The General, the afore-named
Roses will all succeed very well indeed upon their
own roots. In the case of newly purchased Roses
that have been propagated either by budding or
grafting, the best plan is to plant them sufficiently
deep to allow them to root on their own account.
Strong growths may also be layered, and when
well rooted they may be transplanted ; cuttings,
too, may be struck of these good growers without
any great trouble. This latter plan of propagation
might be seen to as soon as the first flowering is
over. Sandy soil, or road scrapings added as need-
ful in place thereof, will suit best for the cuttings,
which should not afterwards be disturbed for the
rest of the season ; in fact, they would make
better plants if not moved until the following au-
tumn twelvemonth. J. H.

Moss Eose Little Gem. — This is a charming
little dwarf Rose, very pretty recently at Cherkley
Court, Leatherhead, where there is a group of it, pro-

ducing a rich effect by reason of the abundance of
small crimson flowers. It was sent out in 1880 by
Messrs. Wm. Paul and Son, and makes a compact
bush, while the well mossed flowers are valuable for
cutting.

The old Noisette Fellenberg is a good Rose
for massing, and a break of it may be seen near the
greenhouse at Kew, the plants being smothered with
rosy crimson, semi-double flowers. It is a free grower,
and one of those old-fashioned favourites that have
suffered neglect.

THE CARNATION.

The meeting of Carnation growers in connec-
tion with the annual show of the National Car-
nation and Picotee Society (southern section)
was more interesting than usual, and a strong
effort was made by Mr. Martin Smith, who
presided, to urge the cultivation of the Carna-
tion as a garden flower. He alluded especially
to the want of hardiness in the plant, the result
of being pampered under glass, and, like an-
other flower, the Chrysanthemum, so quickly
affected by an ordinary English winter. It does
not require a very severe frost to destroy
sappy Chrysanthemums, pampered like the
florists' Carnation under glass, until almost every
vestige of hardiness is driven out of them. The
result is a coddled plant, weak in constitution,
and never giving flowers to please, unless every
attention has been bestowed upon its cultiva-
tion. Those not well acquainted with the
florists' Carnation are led to believe, as it is
supposed to be a thoroughly hardy plant, that
the flowers placed in a card collar on the ex-
hibition board are from the open. Such blooms
are deceptive ; they are dressed, smoothed, and
brought into what is considered the correct
shape by the help of the tweezers. At the ex-
hibition on Tuesday there were few self varie-
ties, and not many of those from the open
ground, simply from the fact that the flowers
have not had a chance to open yet, owing to
the cold, rainy summer. It cannot be too
widely known amongst those who visit exhi-
bitions and select the varieties there that the
show flowers are cut from plants under glass,
which is necessary to produce blooms of the
quality there seen with " dressing" in addition.
What we want, and we are pleased to see that
at last it is becoming recognised, is a plant that
will, like the common garden Pink or the
old Clove Carnation, resist the trials of winter,
require no glass whatever, and bear flowers of
rich, decided, and telling colours. The plants
of the striped kinds, as was truthfully pointed
out, are short-lived, refusing to live through the
winter without severe suffering or total extinc-
tion, and the longer they are given glass houses
the weaker they will become. The conference
of Tuesday helped to stimulate an interest in
the flower, and to promote the cultivation of a
thoroughly hardy and vigorous race. The show
was of course interesting, but it was mainly the
display of a few men, and to call it representa-
tive would be obviously a mistake. It cannot
be, unless the self and the true border flowers
are exhibited. There was not a good bunch
there, nor could it be looked for when there
were only two classes allotted for selfs and
fancies and another for pot specimens, to in-
clude also tree varieties, while there were no
less than ten for show flowers.

Plants hardy in England. — Are the follow-
ing plants, which are grown in the Botanic Gar-
dens, Dunedin, hardy in the midland counties of
England, viz.: Olearias, Senecios, Pittosporums,
Aristotelia, Dodonrea viscosa, Metrosideros lucida,
Metrosideros tomentosa, Weinmannia racemosa,
Cassinias in var.? The plants in which I am par-
ticularly interested are Senecio Muelleri, S. Bu-

92

THE GARDEN.

[July 26, 1890.

chanani, S. elreagnifolius, S. rotundifolius, and
others, which would form so striking a feature on
the lawns surrounding your stately edifices. I find
Olearias in bloom here from cuttings taken off trees
last year, also Senecios taken from an altitude of
from 1500 feet to 2000 feet. These ought to
thrive very well in England. It may have
escaped me in reading The Gabden, which I have
had for several years, to note the varieties that do
well in England or Ireland. I would, therefore, feel
oblige! to anyone having the opportunity of reply-
ing to same at convenience. The greater number
of the plants I mention, with the exception of
Senecio Muelleri, have stood 14s of frost — some-
thing unusual here during the last twenty-six years,
so say the old settlers.— John McBean, Curator,
Botanic Gardens, Ditnedin.

Societies and Exhibitions.

tess of Eosebery, Duchess of Bedford, and other
well-known varieties.

The Jubilee stand of Messrs. Harkness and Son
was very beautiful, and showed that in a cold and
wet season like this, it is only as the Rose showing
season is drawing to a close that those northern
firms ever exhibit in their full perfection. It says
not a little, too, for the pluck of the eminent Irish
firm, Messrs. Dickson and Sons, of Newtownards,
that they made so good a fight for the trophy,
when we recollect the dark and stormy water of the
Irish Sea and the subsequent railway journey, for
the Roses were fresh and beautiful. Messrs.
Jefferies and Sons, of Cirencester, exhibited some
very fine flowers, and were awarded the chief
honours in the classes in which they exhibited,
while amongst the local amateurs Mr. A. H. Grif-
fiths exhibited some excellent flowers, winning the
National Society's silver medal for the best box in
the local classes.

A prize list is given in our advertising columns.

NATIONAL ROSE SOCIETY.
Peovinctal Show, Bibmingham, July 17.
The National Rose Society may well be congratu-
lated on the success of its provincial exhibition for
1890, for it was in truth admitted by all those who
have been able to attend these annual displays to
have been the best that the society has ever held ,
whether as regards the quantity or quality of the
blooms displayed. It brought together exhibitors
from Ireland and Scotland, as well as those from
England and Wales. From far north Aberdeen, from
Dundee, from the fertile wolds and valleys of York-
shire, from the rich lands of the Co. Down in Ire-
land, Roses came in great profusion, while from
both amateurs and nurserymen in Kent, Surrey,
Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire, and,
indeed, all Rose -growing counties grand and
lovely examples of the queen of flowers were to be
seen. The exhibition was held in the conservatory
of the Birmingham Botanic Society, a most suitable
and convenient position for it, and as the weather
was cool and happily fine, Roses were not only
good when set up, but kept so throughout the day.
They were arranged in a convenient position for all
to see them ; the light was good, the glass shaded,
and every detail was carefully considered by the
curator, Mr. Latham.

It was a matter of surprise how it was possible
to obtain such clean and beautiful blooms as were
to be seen on all sides. It has been essentially a
Hybrid Perpetual year, the delicate tones of colour
in the Teas not bearing the constant moisture so
well as the Perpetuals. This difference was very
noticeable at the Crystal Palace exhibition of the
society, where the Teas seemed to many as if
they wanted "a wash and brush up." Not so,
however, at Birmingham. The two or three pre-
vious fine days had told wonderfully upon them,
and they were shown in great perfection, those of
the amateurs being superior to those shown by the
nurserymen; indeed, it is impossible to exaggerate
the beauty of those exhibited by the Revs. A. Burn-
side, Page Roberts, Foster Melliar, and other exhi-
bitors, while it is needless to say that Mr. Geo
Prince well maintained the high position he has
obtained as a grower and exhibitor of Tea Roses.

The principal honours— i.e., the two Jubilee
challenge trophies — fell to the lot of the winners
of these in 1889 — the Rev. Joseph H. Pemberton
in the amateur and Messrs. Harkness and Son in
the nurserymen's class — and unquestionably very
beautiful blooms were staged on these stands. As
the numbers in these are lower than in the first
class, i.e., 3(5 instead of 72, and 24 instead of 48, it
gives an opportunity for selecting the best blooms.
These stands were almost faultless in their
beauty, the dark Roses, such as Victor Hugo, Ca-
mille de Rohan, Horace Vernet, and Jean Soupert,
being especially fine, while on many stands through-
out the show might have been seen fine examples of
Suzanne-Marie Rodocanachi, a beautiful light pink
Rose with a silvery sheen on it ; Mrs. John Laing,
soft pink ; La France, a beautiful box of these from
Yorkshire being greatly admired ; Lady Helen
Stewart, bright clear crimson-scarlet ; Her Majesty,
Harrison Weir, Ulrich Brunner.Etienne Levet, Coun.

NATIONAL CARNATION AND PICOTEE
SOCIETY.
(Southeen Section.)
PeobABLY no one was more surprised than the
growers themselves at the fine display of flowers
made on this occasion. There were not so many
as last year, for the season had proved a very un-
kind one in many respects, and insect pests had
been very troublesome. Cold, dull weather and
heavy drenching rains had been constant, and it
was generally considered that the flowers would
have been limited in quantity and indifferent in
quality. The flowers staged were large and, on
the whole, well coloured, but they were not so pure
in the ground as could be desired owing to the sun-
less weather. Still, it was a very encouraging ex-
hibition, and the southern growers were well repre-
sented. There is no decrease in the interest taken
in the Carnation as a florist's flower for exhibition,
while the newer selfs, fancies, and yellow ground
varieties were very fine indeed and found many ad-
mirers.

Caenations. — There were three collections of
twenty-four blooms, and Mr. Douglas was first, Mr.
C. Turner second, and Mr. Martin Rowan, Manor
Street, Clapham, third. The best scarlet bizarres
were Arthur Medhurst, Robert Houlgrave, Edward
Adams, Joseph Crossland, Squire Potts, and Ad-
miral Curzon ; the best crimson bizarres, Harrison
Weir, Albion's Pride, Rosamond ; the best pink and
purple bizarres, Harmony (Douglas), H. K. Mayor,
Sarah Payne, and William Skirving; the best
purple flakes, Mayor of Nottingham and James
Douglas ; the best scarlet flakes, Matador, Alise-
mond, and Jupiter ; and the best rose flakes, Thalia,
John Keet, James Taylor, Miss Erskine Wemyss.
Mr. Martin Rowan was first with twelve varieties,
having some very fine blooms, and these having
been grown so near to the centre of London, lent a
point to the paper he re id at the conference
on the town culture of the Carnation. The varie-
ties were Thalia, Alfred, J. D. Hextall, Master
Fred, James Douglas, Sarah Payne, George Mel-
ville, Admiral Curzon, Edward Rowan (very bright
in colour), Gordon Lewis, Sportsman, and John
Buxton. Mr. James Douglas was second. In the
class for six Carnations there were eleven com-
petitors, and here Mr. Joseph Lakin, Temple
Cowley, Oxford, was first with admirable blooms of
James Douglas, Duchess of Fife (a delicate and
beautiful variety), Squire Llewelyn, Matador, J. D.
Hextall, and Lovely Mary. Second, Mr. T. Anstiss,
Brill.

There were also classes for the best blooms in
each of the divisions of Carnations. The premier
Carnation selected from the whole exhibition was
Robert Houlgrave, raised by Mr. Samuel Barlow, of
Manchester.

Picotees were charming in their variety of tint
of colour on the edge, and in the depth in which
it was laid on, in some cases making the flowers
heavy or light edged. Mr. Charles Turner had the
best twenty-four Picotees, and Mr. James Douglas
was second. Mr. Turner had fine blooms of Lucy,
Nymph, Lady Holmesdale, Princess Dagmar, Royal

Purple, John Smith, Madeline, Norfolk Beauty,
Miss Flowdy, Her Majesty, Mrs. Gorton, Favourite,
Mr. Sharpe, Constance Heron. Mr. Douglas had
the best twelve, Mr. C. Phillips coming second.
Muriel, Princess of Wales, Jessie, Silvia, Zerlina
and Brunette were among the best flowers shown
in this class. Mr. Rowan was first with twelve
Picotees, and we give the names of his flowers be-
cause, as in the case of his Carnations, they indi-
cate the varieties which can be grown in the vi-
cinity of London : Martin Norman. Favourite, Edith
D'Ombrain, Clara Penson, Muriel, and Brunette.
The premier Picotee was Liddington Favourite, a
beautiful variety shown by Mr. J. Douglas.

The beautiful yellow ground varieties were much
admired, and one can see in the trial beds at Chis-
wick that many of them are well adapted for cul-
ture in the open. Mr. C. Turner had the best
twelve blooms, Mr. J. Douglas being second. A
good number of seedlings were shown, especially
by Mr. Douglas. The best named varieties were
Annie Douglas, Janira, heavily edged with dark ;
Dorothy, Almira, Agnes Chambers, Mrs. Whitbourn,
Star of Bath, Mrs. Little, Duchess of Albany, a
beautiful variety, and Sparkler. Mr. Geo. Hooper,
of Bath, had the best six blooms, and Mr. George
Chaundy, Oxford, second ; the latter had Alfred
Gray, a very fine variety.

How rich, striking, and even delicate were
many of the selfs and fancies, and how large and
full the flowers. Mr. C. Turner had the best six
blooms, staging Mary Morris, rose ; Anna Benary,
white flaked with rose ; Germania, deep yellow,
very fine ; Colonial Beauty, Mrs. Reynolds Hole,
Sunset, Rose Celestial, Victory, very fine ; and
Ruby. Mr. J. Douglas was second with some
very promising seedlings. Mr. G. Chaundy had
the best twelve varieties, very fine indeed, such as
The Major, Nancy, Queen of "the West, pink ; Mrs.
Champness, Beauty, deep flesh, and some very fine
seedlings. Mr. C. Phillips was second. There was
a class for plants in pots, and they were exhibited in
this way to show their adaptability for decoration.
Prizes were offered for seedling Carnations and
Picotees, but none of them were considered to be
good enough. Mr. Douglas had two blooms of a
fine unnamed yellow ground seedling, to which the
first and second prizes were awarded, and a certi-
ficate of merit was also given. The latter award
was also made to two very fine fancy Carnations,
viz., Victory and Sunset, shown by Mr. C. Turner.

Messrs. Veitch and Sons, Mr. T. S. Ware, and
Messrs. Paul and Son all exhibited Carnations and
Picotees not for competition. From Mr. Samuel
Barlow, Manchester, came a stand of laced Pinks
from the open ground, including such fine varieties
as Boiard, James Thurstan (awarded a certificate
of merit), George Hodgkinson, Mrs. Darke, Henry
Hooper, and Brown's Heavy Red.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.
The Chiswick Gardens were chosen for the meet-
ing on Tuesday last, a wise thing to do in midsum-
mer, when the grounds are in their best dress.
There were comparatively few exhibits before the
committees, and many of those were distinguished
by some award ; but the beautiful display of Ferns
which occupied a large tent and part of another
amply compensated visitors, attracted to Chiswick
by the brilliant summer weather, for the absence of
many novelties. There was the annual show of
the Carnation and Picotee Society (southern sec-
tion) besides a conference on the flower on the first
day, and a conference on Ferns on Wednesday.

Fiest-class cbetificates were awarded to each
of the following : —

Clematis eecta fl.-bl.— This is the double
variety of a well-known garden Clematis. It bears
a profusion of small very double flowers, button-
like, pale greenish white in colour, and lasting
longer than those of the type. A large bunch of it
was shown by Messrs. Paul and Son, Cheshunt.

Epidendbum falcatum vae.— This is a good
form of the beautiful E. falcatum, one of the best of
the genus, and introduced from Mexico in 1835.
The plant has long, thick, and stout green leaves

July 26, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

93

with a characteristic twist, and bears bold, hand-
some flowers, which have pure white petals and lip
and bright pink-coloured sepals, a very delicate
and charming contrast, set off by a rich yellow
centre. From Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bt.

Oncidium ehysobehapis.— A very fine plant
of this came from the Burford Lodge collection,
and at first sight it reminds one of O. pubes. The
specimen carried several racemes very graceful
and pretty in appearance, due to the mass of small
flowers, insignificant taken separately, but strikingly
showy bunched together. They are rich yellow in
colour, relieved only by bars of brown on the sepals
and petals. A few plants in a house would give it
rich colour at a season when Orchids in bloom are
not plentiful.

An awaed of mebit went to each of the sub-
joined : —

Begonia H. M. Stanley. — A very distinct and
beautiful tuberous variety from Messrs. H. Cannell
and Sons, Swanley. The plant is of sturdy, dwarf,
and compact habit, bearing flowers each over 5
inches across, more open than the stiff conical-
shaped blooms, and intense carmine in colour.
We like such types as this with bold, free flowers.

Begonia Lafayette. — This is also a tuberous
variety from Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons, but very
different from the foregoing. The plant has small
leaves and comparatively small double scarlet
flowers, which are, however, borne in unusual pro-
fusion. It would make a showy window variety.

Gloxinia Mes. Stanley.— The flower of this
variety is of quite sufficient size. It measures 4J
inches across, and would be better if firmer, but it
is prettily coloured with a profusion of rose-pink
spots on a white ground, leaving the margin pure.
The habit is good and the flowers stand well up.
From Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons.

Hose L'Ideal. — This is a Noisette variety, and
one of the best things in its way Nabonnand has
given us, he having sent it out about two years
ago. It is in the style of W. A. Eichardson, just
as useful in the bud, but of no use when fully ex-
panded. As a button-hole Rose it should be wel-
comed, as it is Tea-scented and the colours are
bright — a mixture of orange-carmine and apricot,
melting one into the other, the carmine tint appear-
ing brightest in the centre of the opened flowers.
It has, we believe, a good habit and is very free-
flowering. From Messrs. Paul & Son.

Caenations Rosalind and Rowena.— These
are two border varieties from Mr. R. Dean, Ealing.
The first grows about 15 inches high and has
bright, self, pink-coloured flowers, full, not split-
ting in the pod, and robust, while the other pro-
duces rich scarlet-coloured flowers.

Geammatophylldm mdltifloeum. — This is
not a showy Orchid, but its quietly coloured flowers
have considerable beauty ; they are greenish in
colour, marked with brown blotches, and borne in
a long, strong, and bold raceme. The plant of it
from Messrs. Sander & Co., St. Albans, snowed that
it is vigorous, possessing rich green leaves, and
when bearing a good raceme, not uninviting.

Masdevallia Rolfeana. — This is an interest-
ing kind, the flowers very dark crimson, and if not
thowy, at least interesting. A large plant in full
bloom would give colour to the house. From Messrs.
Sander & Co.

There were few exhibits of flowers. An interest-
ing collection came from the Royal Gardens, Kew,
including the mauve-coloured Solanum Wendlandi ;
the orange-flowered Mutisia decurrens, Nerine
curvifolia, brilliant scarlet ; Littonia modesta, a
graceful, yellow-flowered climber ; Zephyranthes
robusta, the flowers white, shaded with a lovely
pink colour ; Mesembryanthemum falciforme, one
of the best and showiest of its race ; iEschynanthus
speciosus, Solanum Seaforthianum, which bears a
bunch of pretty blue flowers ; Pavetta caffra, Hedy-
chium flavescens, and H. coronarium, white.
Messrs. Paul and Son sent a large collection of cut
Roses, including beautiful flowers of several of
the Hybrid Perpetual varieties and new varieties,
of which it is not fair to judge now, with the ex-
ception of Mrs. Paul, the Bourbon variety, which

is a very striking and tenderly coloured flower,
broad, bold, and handsome. The same firm sent a
collection of hardy flowers, in which Gladiolus
Lafayette, one of the hardy types, the flowers
large and yellow in colour, with the lower seg-
ment marked with rich crimson ; Coreopsis lanceo-
lata, the fine double blue Delphinium ranunculse-
florum, Arnebia echioides (the Prophet Flower),
Alstrcemeria aurea, and Clematis coccinea were
conspicuous. Mr. Leach, Albury Park Gardens,
sent a gathering of Pentstemon flowers, showing
interesting variety of colouring, and bunches of
the double bronze and white varieties of Chrysan-
themum carinatum came from Messrs. Hurst and
Sons.

A large and pretty group was put up by Mr.
Reynolds, Gunnersbury Park Gardens. It con-
sisted of the ordinary and pink Souvenir de la
Malmaison, arranged with one of the finest of
yellow varieties, Germania, set off by Palms and
Ferns. Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons had a charm-
ing selection of double Begonia flowers of beautiful
colours, especially the rose tints, and Messrs. J.
"Veitch and Sons, flowers of Javanese Rhododen-
drons.

There were a few Orchids. Messrs. Sander and
Co. exhibited the little rose-flowered Dendrobium
chrysolabium, the D. bracteosum of Reichenbach,
and a large plant of Cattleya Schofieldiana, which
produces on a short stem a number of bold, handsome,
and striking flowers, finely spotted with crimson on
a rich green ground, the lobes of the lip creamy
white, but the central one coloured with gold at
the base, and rich crimson-brown in front, the
margin pure white. They were large and fleshy in
character. Messrs. Pitcher and Manda sent Den-
drobium species, but which was D. crystallinum
and a plant of Cypripedium Lawrenceanum
Hyeanum, which had a flower more green and yellow
than usual, the lip of quite a greenish-yellow shade.
It was a pretty form. A botanical certificate was
given to Masdevallia elephanticeps, from Messrs.
J. Veitch and Sons. It has a bold flower, but
the sepals do not expand to show the centre of the
flower ; they are yellow outside. An interesting
species from New Granada. A new species, some-
thing like an Ansellia, but absolutely distinct appa-
rently, came from Messrs. B. S. Williams and Son,
Upper Holloway. The stem is long, sends out
roots, and has glaucous leaves, the flowers being
white spotted with pink, the lip crimson. It comes
from Eastern Asia.

Fruit Committee. — There was very little fruit,
but a first-class certificate was awarded to

Melon Babkham's Seedling, a scarlet-fleshed
fruit, freely netted, juicy, finely flavoured, and of
good appearance. This is the fourth Melon that
has been, given an award recently. It came from
Mr. J. Barkham, The Gardens, Longford House,
Ryde.

Two excellent fruits of The Queen Pine-apple
were sent by Mr. R. Nicholas, and given a silver
medal. Mr. Leach also showed Pine-apples, Cur-
rants, and Raspberries.

Prizes were offered by Messrs. Sharpe and Co.:
Sleaford, for six and three varieties of Peas, but
there was little competition. Six excellent dishes
came from Mr. W. A. Cook, gardener to Major
Heneage, Compton Bassett, Calne.

Fern Exhibition.

The display of Ferns on Tuesday and Wednesday
last at Chiswick, was as interesting as anything of
the kind that has been held there, by reason of its
thoroughly representative nature. All classes were
shown, from the stove Adiantums to the common
British Lady Fern in its delightful variations, and
it would have been difficult to find a species or
variety not present in one or other of the collec-
tions. The arrangement was good. The plants
were displayed on either side of a spacious tent,
which they, arranged in distinct groups, com-
fortably filled. Each genus with its species was
kept distinct for the better examination and com -
parison of the several kinds. Two silver cups were
offered, and a praiseworthy effort made to bring

again into favour a beautiful class of plants that
have, to a great extent, ceased to have the interest
shown some years ago. There is, however, a gradual
change, and Ferns are more grown in their many
forms. A few kinds, as the old Adiantum cunea-
tum, always will keep a firm hold ; but our
British types and also stove species and varie-
ties have been neglected — a condition of things
that this exhibition and conference should do
much to rectify. On the second day those kinds
considered best to grow in the open, cold green-
house, warm greenhouse and stove were selected,
and in the afternoon a conference was held, with
Dr. Masters in the chair. The nomenclature
of Ferns is, to say the least, scarcely likely
to give increased interest to their culture-
It is the varieties of British species that are
afflicted with absurdly long and unpronounceable
names, and a few here quoted are taken at random :
Polystichum angulare var. divisilobum plumosum
densum, Blechnum spicant imbricato-cristatum,
Polystichum angulare var. polydactylon Wollas-
toni, Aspidium angulare plumosum var. plumosis-
simum, Asplenium Filix-fcemina laciniatum ramu-
losum, A. Filix-fcemina cruciatum gracile.

A collection of about 100 species and varieties of
Lady Ferns was shown by Mr. C. T. Druery, Fern-
holme, Forest Gate, and amongst them many
delightful variations. The majority were found
wild, Exmoor and Dartmoor, places which
have been well searched by Mr. Druery,
yielding many treasures. One of the most
striking kinds was the Hard Fern (Blechnum
spicant) and its many varieties. The finest
was unquestionably a large mass of the variety
plumosum, the fronds broad, rich green, and vigor-
ous, hanging down over the pot. An interesting
panful of concinnum from Exmoor and a variety
called lineare were worth noting, but the variation
is almost infinite. We have a distinct thing in the
variety Maunderi, a little tufted plant, quite a minia-
ture gem, and another kind with tufted fronds
in ramo-cristatum. This only indicates the differ-
ence in the Hard Fern, and in some this is of mere
botanical interest, but those in which the fertile
fronds rose gracefully in the centre, the barren
ones forming a base to the plant, have considerable
beauty. A crested form of the Royal Fern (Os-
munda regalis) was pretty, but the finest and un-
questionably a Fern that deserves to be well and
largely grown was the plumose form of the Prickly
Shield Fern (Polystichum angulare) called divi-
silobum plumosum densum. The fronds are of
great width, the pinnules closely arranged, and
making a dense handsome frond like a rich piece
of lace. It is of robust growth, spreads out, and
forms a noble specimen. Another form called
laxum, a sister plant, had fronds very similar in
character, but of a deeper green and not quite so
dense. A variety called polydactylon Wollastoni
had the fronds crested, a pretty variation. We
have never seen a finer form of the Hart's-tongue
(Scolopendrium vulgare) than crispum, one of the
fronds measuring 5 inches across, strong, rich in
colour, and handsome. Throughout the crispum
varieties were remarkably fine, especially one
labelled crispum robustum. In Couseni, the bright
green fronds are densely tufted, and in majus tall
and bold. Many of the Ferns represented in this
collection were collected by the exhibitor, but he
was also indebted to Colonel Jones, of Clifton, who
died about a year ago, for many of the kinds, the
Polystichums in particular. He was an enthusiastic
Fern lover, and has given us many beautiful varia-
tions by his ardent attention to the subject. Of
the Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-foemina) there were
several noteworthy forms. One called nudicaule
coronans was peculiarly distinct, as densely tufted
as Parsley, and resembling the variety acrocladon
found wild in Yorkshire. A pretty group was
formed of plumose varieties— the Axminster type,
found wild in Axminster, and plumosum elegans,
the parents of numerous crested and plumose forms
of the Lady Fern. The fronds are of a delightful
light green tint, exquisitely soft and delicate in
texture, bold, handsome, and as graceful as any-
thing we have in the Fern way. Such varieties
should be made good note of. A very finely crested

94

THE GAEDEN.

[July 26, 1890.

form was called plumosum elegans cristatum,
raised from unorested fronds, and a large specimen
of the king of Male Ferns (Lastrea pseudo-mas
cristatum), grown as a Tree Fern by the cutting
off of all side shoots, had tall, narrow, stiff, erect,
dark green crested fronds, making a bold, but not
elegant specimen. A variety of Lastrea montana,
(the Mountain Buckler Fern), named ramo-coronans,
was prettily and densely crested, and in another,
cristata gracilis, the fronds are of a paler green and
elegantly crested (silver-gilt flora medal).

The collection from Mr. Lowe was extensive and
interesting, and contained forms raised by himself
in infinite variety, and specimens from the collec-
tion of the late Col. Jones, which, we believe, is
under the charge of Mr. Lowe. The Fern enthu-
siast would have found countless varieties in this
group of Ferns, for the most part represented by
well-grown specimens, especially the plants of the
Hart's-tongue (Scolopendrium). The finest varieties
were Kitsonise,a fine bold Fern; ramosumBowdeni,
from the Lake district ; and angustum, all remark-
ably fine plants, over 2 feet in height and as
much through. One crested foim was decidedly
distinct, but too much like bad Parsley. There
were a large number of other varieties, a few of the
best, including grandiceps, raised from spores ; a
bold, handsome Fern, crispum robustum, found
near Shirehampton by Col. Jones ; and reflexum,
another distinct kind, with fronds of a drooping
tendency. There was also a collect ion of variegated
varieties, but these were as sickly as anything
we have seen amongst variegated plants and
not worth house room. Polystichum aculeatum
(the Prickly Shield Fern) was represented by
many forms, and the finest Lady Fern in the
exhibition was the plumose variety of Poly-
stichum, here called Aspidium, angulare divisi-
lobum plumosum, rai-ed from spores by Mr. Fox.
The fronds were rkh in colour, massive, and
strikingly handsome. Mr. Lowe showed also A.
a. hybridum, a cross between A. angulare and A.
aculeatum, which has a long narrow frond, showing
fairly well the two parents. The plants of Aspidium
were splendid, and this remark may apply to the
collection generally. They were in many instances
true specimens, and this is the way to show Ferns,
especially those that have crested or distinctive
characteristics. A graceful form is A. a. decompo-
situm frondosum, and a plumose form from York-
shire, called plumosum var. plumosissimum, a beauti-
ful Fern, and worth a special note. A. a. divisilobum
plumosum Baldwini is another lovely Fern, light
green, and with graceful upright fronds ; its name
ii its only blemish. Nephrodium paleaceum was
shown in variety, and splendid plants of varie
ties of Lastrea Filix-mas from Clifton; these
were amongst the finest exhibited. The little
Trichomanes radicans crispum cristatum, from
Ireland, was an interesting form. The collection
was strong also in varieties of Asplenium Filix-
foemina, the Lady Fern, one variety, named cris-
tatum, having light graceful fronds, like beau-
tiful lace in their delicacy and refinement. Another
pretty crested form was cristatum concordia, and a
richly divided kind was laciniatum ramulosum ;
while in cruciatum gracile the narrow dark green
fronds were curiously crossed. A graceful Fern is
A. F.-f. laciniatum excelsum, the brown rachis
adding to its beauty. A Fern that thoroughly de-
serves culture is A. F.-f. plumosum Willsi, a beauti-
ful form, the fronds exquisitely soft, graceful, and
almost as feathery and elegant as the Tamarisk. A
large number of varieties of the hardy Spleenwort
(Adiantum Capillus-veneris) were also shown, the
plants being large and unusually well grown. The
collection was indeed a remarkable exhibition of
hardy Ferns in almost every phase. Mr. Lowe was
awarded the silver cup offered by Mr. N. Sherwood
for hardy Ferns.

The groups from trade growers were representa-
tive and very large, comprising not only hardy
kinds, but those also for the stove and greenhouse,
all arranged in separate divisions.* Messrs. Birken-
head, of Sale, Manchester, had no fewer than GOO
species andvarieties.includinglOO different Maiden-
hair Ferns, 40 Selaginellas, 20 Gymnogrammas, 24
Filmy types, and about 100 British kinds, besides

smaller numbers of other genera. The best of the
Selaginellas were S. cassia and its climbing variety
arborea, also called Wildenovi, and amongst the
Davallias were splendid pieces of the close-growing
parvula, well established on a Tree Fern stem, D.
fijiensis, and the graceful plumosa variety. The
parvula species is not easy to grow, wanting a stove
and plenty of moisture. The Adiantums were well
grown, and comprised the distinct lunulatum and
dolabriforme, which has smaller pinnules, not so
lunulate and rounded as those of the other ; good
plants of the kidney-shaped A. reniforme, farley-
ense, princeps, Mariesi, and O'Brieni, which has
smaller fronds and pinnules, Siemanni, Flemmingi,
Feei, very distinct, the rachis covered with chaffy
brown hairs, the pinnules small; and A. Lathomi,
besides many other beautiful kinds too numerous
to mention. The Gymnogrammas comprised that
lovely Fern G. schizophylla gloriosa, G. elegan-
tissima, like beautiful lace, and the elegant peruvi-
ana robusta, besides G. Muelleri, the pinnules
covered with conspicuous silvery white scales. The
little Palm-like Actinopteris radiata was shown,
Lomaria L'Herminieri, characterised by dark rose-
coloured young fronds, several Pellreas, Notho-
chlaenas, and the Bear's-paw Fern (Aglaomorpha
Meyeniana), also the Violet-scented Lastrea fra-
grans, whose fronds have a distinct and agreeable
fragrance of Violets. The North American Ferns
were well shown, such as Osmunda Claytoniana,
Onoclea sensibilis. The collection contained also
the crested form of the Royal Fern (Osmunda re-
galis), the chief varieties of the Lady Fern, plu-
mosa elegans amongst others. Neither were the
several kinds of Todea forgotten nor the Tricho-
manes (gold medal).

A very large collection also came from Messrs. J.
Veitch and Sons, Chelsea. The plants were re-
markably well grown, large, bold specimens that
showed the true character of the species or variety.
A very interesting group was composed of Todea
seedlings, which showed interesting variation, and
not only that, but reproduced several types, as
grandipinnula, pellucidaferrulacea, and intermedia;
the spores sown were of superba and Wilkesiana.
Another group was of seedlings of Pteris serrulata,
showing various stages of cresting from very
narrow pinnuled forms to those distinctly and
boldly crested ; also a batch of Lomaria discolor
bipinnatifida, a gradual change from those with
quite narrow slender pinnules to those as dense
and rich as in the best forms. Almost if not every
section and type of Fern was represented, including
Pteris tremula and its varieties, a fine specimen of
P. t. foliosa, P. serrulata cristata Naylori, a densely
crested variety like Parsley, the finely divided and
beautiful Gymnogramma Pearcei robusta and Las-
trea Filix-mas Iveryana cristata. Adiantums were
well represented, amongst others A. amabile
erectum, a very pretty light green Fern with cut
pinnules ; A. cuneatum Pacotti, A. versaillense, A
farleyense alcicorne, the pinnules much divided,
not such a fine Fern as the type, and A. Lathomi.
There was a small and interesting group of
curiosities, seedlings of Todea superba show-
ing the various stages of development from
the prothallium to the independent plant ; a
large mass of Hymodium crinitum, Doryopteris
nobilis in its various stages, and Adiantum asari-
folium, a very rare Fern, like reniforme, but larger,
and the fronds more kidney shaped and closer. It
wants every bit of heat that can be given it. Pteris
tricolor was very beautiful, and the seven species
of Platycerium made an interesting central group.
Other conspicuous exhibits were the densely crested
Nephrodium molle corymbiferum, Gymnogramma
schizophylla argentea with the fronds as if dusted
with silver; Davallia tenuifolia, a lovely specimen ;
Nephrolepis rufescens tripinnatifida, one of the
most beautiful and distinct of the class ; Davallia
tenuifolia Veitchiana, Gymnogramma Pearcei
robusta, and Lomaria gibba platyptera, a barren
plant resulting from spores of L. gibba and Blech-
num brasiliense ; the rare Thyrsopteris elegans, a
tall robust species with broad, finely divided fronds
(gold medal).

A large representative group was exhibited by
Mr. H. B. May, Edmonton ; in fact, two, one having

a length of about 60 feet. All the leading species
in cultivation were shown, and the varieties that
have been raised by this firm in recent years. The
plants were well grown, and comprised every class
almost of Ferns, especially Adiantums, of which
nine varieties were shown of A. Capillus-veneris,
including magnificum, one of the best, Mariesi, and
the crested Luddemannianum. It is curious to
notice the complete absence of colour on the young
fronds, even when treated the same as A. rhodo-
phyllum, in which the young fronds are prettily
tinted. There were several new varieties of
Adiantum, besides very fine plants of A. Veitchi,
versaillense, Weigandi, amabile, lunulatum, Ke-
gina3, Victoria;, digitatum, and Williamsi. A dis-
tinct Fern is Drynaria mussfolia, which has long
fronds, veined distinctly with almost black on a
glaucous ground ; and another good Fern, called
Lastrea aristata variegata, was boldly coloured at
the base of each pinnule with light green, very
conspicuous against the dark green of the other
portion. L. patens, the dense-growing Cheilanthes
hirta Ellisiana, Pleopeltis phymatodes cristata (an
excellent form), Doryopteris peltata (dark green,
the fronds much divided). Pteris cretica Mayi
and forms of P. tremula were also shown. The latter
closely resemble each other, almost too much to
receive different names. Lomaria discolor bipin-
natifida was represented by a good specimen, also
the various Nephrolepis, Bausei, Duffi, and acuta
amongst the number. Gymnogramna Massoni and
Alstoni are two of the most distinct of the genuF,
the pinnules upturned at the tip to show the gold
powdering. Not the least beautiful was the plant
of G. schizophylla gloriosa (silver-gilt flora medal)

Of course, in all these collections there were many
other varieties too numerous to mention here, but
which will have separate notes.

A charming collection came from Mr. H. Wright,
gardener to Mr. J. A. Whittard, Streatham Hill.
The finest plant was Platycerium grande, a splendid
specimen, and three years ago a small plant in a
G-inch pot. Also worth mention were fine plants of
Gymnogramma Alstoni, Davallia pynocarpa, a
form of pentaphylla, Asplenium palmatum crista-
tum, A. ciliatum, commonly called Edgworthi, A.
Wrighti, a distinct variety, a seedling between
cuneatum and amabile, raised by Mr. Wright. Mr.
Stansfield exhibited a collection of handsomely-
crested forms of Scolopendrium crispum, one of
bold character being fimbriatum.

Ceotificated plants. — It is impossible and
unnecessary to give a list of those Ferns awarded a
first-class certificate, for the reason that fifty were
given — some of them poor things, far surpassed by
others in cultivation, but we suppose having some
peculiar crest or malformation to recommend them.
We have noted a few of the best plants, and must
give the first place to

Adiantum manuatum. — A lovely seedling form,
very distinct, exquisitely graceful, spreading, and
with bold, broad fronds of a pleasant green tint.
The pinnules are much divided, narrow, and give
a peculiarly attractive character to the plant. It is
certainly one of the most beautiful things given us
in the Fern way of recent years. It came from Mr.
Birkenhead, Sale.

The same firm had a form of the Lady Fern
named Frizellia; coronans, an upright, dense-grow-
ing Fern, very prettily crested, and also one called
setigerum percristatum, a fine variety, of a fine
green colour, finely crested at the points of the
fronds. Mr. Druery showed a variety called stella-
tum angustatum, which has long slender fronds,
the pinnules narrow and much divided, also an ex-
cellent form called plumosum superbum. Mr. Lowe
received the best part of the certificates, but we
note only Trichomanes radicans crispum cristatum,
found in Ireland, a fine crested form; Adiantum
Capillus-veneris variegatum, a bright yellow-col-
oured variety, very graceful and pretty, not varie-
gated like the Hart's-tongue Ferns; Nephrodium
paleaceum pendens, very dark green fronds with
drooping tendency at apex; N. p. globosurn, a well
tufted form; the Prickly Shield Fern (Aspidium
(Polystichum) angulare decompositum frondosum),

July 26, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

95

a very graceful Fern ; A. pluinosum coronans, from
spores, the tufts light green, a dwarf form. The
Hart's-tongues were very numerous. Scolopendrium
vulgare crispum robustum, a fine form, wavy fronds
of rich green colour, and S. v. inrequale cristatum
Victoria, prettily crested, were the finest.

Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons had Pteris serrulata
cristata parvula, a very sturdy robust form,
densely crested, and erect. A very distinct Fern
came from Mr. May, Edmonton, called Gynrno-
gramma schizophylla grandiceps superba,the fronds
much divided and forked, covered on the under
sides with a rich.yellow powder, a showy Fern. A
hybrid Dicksonia was exhibited by Mr. Latham, of
the Birmingham Botanic Gardens. It was de-
scribed as a hybrid between D. arborescens and D.
antarctica, and showed the two parents fairly well.
It is a good kind and useful addition.

Fern Conference. — This was held on Wednes-
day, and Dr. Masters, in the absence of Mr. Baker,
occupied the chair. The following papers were
read : " The Systematic Relations of Ferns," by
Professor Bower, F.L.S. ; " Hybrid Ferns," by Mr.
E. J. Lowe, F.R.S. ; " Plumose British Ferns," by
Mr. C. T. Druery, F.L.S. : " Hardy Ferns and their
Cultivation," by Mr. J. Birkenhead. An exceptional
chance was lost in not thoroughly revising the names
of theFerns. One would think this an important duty
in a conference of this kind, but so far as we know,
unlike that of the Apple and Pear Conferences,
which did valuable work in correcting the nomen-
clature, nothing was done in this direction.

Carnation Conference.

This was held on Tuesday afternoon in the Chis-
wick Gardens under the chairmanship of Mr.
Martin R. Smith, and brought together a large
number of growers of the flower. The remarks of
the chairman were different to what we are usually
treated to at such gatherings. He spoke of the
neglect of the Carnation as a true garden flower,
and of its want of hardiness, the florists' varieties
dwindling down, the blue-green colour of its leaves
gradually changing to a miserable yellow, until the
plant disappeared. The true falling off was in the
constitution of the Carnation, which had been pam-
pered under glass, and the growers, in their desire
to produce pretty flowers, sacrificed stamina in
their plants. He also pointed out that sufficient
distinction was not made in the catalogues between
the hardy and tender varieties. Many eminent
growers have given their attention to border Car-
nations, and there is undoubtedly difficulty in
growing Carnations unless judgment, care, and
thought are exercised ; but many of the varieties
chosen are unfit for the open ground by reason of
their tenderness ; thus amateurs give up growing
the Carnation. Mr. Smith then said that he would
establish a class for hardy Carnations to be grown
and wintered out of doors, to give encouragement
to the cultivation and improvement of the flower
for the open. It is absolutely useless for those
who interest themselves in outdoor Carnations to
attempt to think they can stand side by side with
those in the greenhouse. He offered twenty guineas
for five years to get more interest bestowed on
thoroughly hardy Carnations. There must be no
coddling of any kind. The chairman then urged
amateurs to raise their own seedlings from plants
which succeeded in their own particular soil and
climate. Do not be content with the Malmaisons
in the greenhouse, but try and raise a thoroughly
hardy and beautiful race of flowers.

As we wish to bring out strongly the value of the
Carnations simply for the garden, we may allude to
the paper of Mr. R. Dean on border varieties. He
said the Carnation was essentially a garden flower,
second only in importance to the Rose. He illus-
trated his remarks by some good self flowers, and
mentioned that the chairman's desire had been in
some part anticipated. The seed of the varieties
he had there was sown early in March, 1889, in
light sandy soil, and the young seedlings afterwards
planted out in the open ground, where they had re-
mained ever since.

The Carnation and Picotee as exhibition flowers
were well treated by Mr. Harry Turner, and as a
town flower by Mr. Rowan ; while Mr. F. N.
Williams dealt with the botanical part of the ques-
tion. We hope to publish some of their papers.

A vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Masters to
the speakers, and he asked in doing so if the old
Fairchild Mule Pink was still in cultivation. We
may remark here that it is unfortunate that four
long papers are crammed into one afternoon. No
time is left for discussion whatever, and many in-
teresting questions that might be asked as to the
flower cannot be put. Those who are responsible
for conferences should have fewer papers or allow
more time, so as to enable those who want to ask
for information to do so.

THE GARDENERS' ORPHAN FUND.

The annual general meeting of the subscribers to
this fund was held at the Cannon Street Hotel on
Friday, the 18th inst., Mr. N. N. Sherwood presiding.
The business included the reading of the report
and balance-sheet. The former dealt with the loss
the committee had sustained in the death of the
late chairman, Mr. George Deal, whose valuable
services to the Orphan Fund were fully recognised.
The report further alluded to the fact that thirty
children would be in receipt of the benefits
of the fund after that day's election, includ-
ing the child put on through the Wildsmith
Memorial, the entire annual charge being £390.
Hearty recognition was given to the help rendered
through the recent Covent Garden Fete, the profits
of which reached £173 ; also to Messrs. Hender-
son, of Thoresby Gardens ; Mr. J. Brown, Reigate ;
Mr. J. Hughes, Birmingham; Mr. D. T. Fish, Hard-
wicke ; Mr. G. Roupell, Streatham ; Mr. Cummins,
Hackbridge; Mr. Todd, Edinburgh; and Mr. T.
Turton, Maiden Erleigh. The balance-sheet showed
that receipts from subscriptions and donations for
the year amounted to £927 2s. 7d. ; other sub-
scriptions through Mr. H. J. Veitch, £200 13s. ;
Wildsmith Memorial, £138 14s. ; Covent Garden
Fete, £262 8s. ; other receipts, £204 5s. Id., added
to balance from previous year made a total of
£2338 17s. 2d. Expenditure side showed paid
to orphans, £247 ; various expenses, £141 5s. 5d. ;
Covent Garden Fete andannual dinner, £143 10s. Id.;
the remainder of the income being invested in the
purchase of stock, and balance in the bank and in
hand. The various officers and members of the
committee were then re-elected, the only alteration
being in the election of Messrs. John Wills, G.
Bunyard, and William Marshall to fill vacancies on
the committee. During the meeting a suggestion
was made that some tangible memorial of the
late Mr. Deal should be promoted, and Messrs.
Sherwood and H. J. Veitch, with exceeding gene-
rosity, offered to provide a yearly sum sufficient
to maintain five of the seven orphans, who that
day could not be elected, if the committee would
undertake to raise £250 to maintain the other two,
the special election and fund thus raised to form a
George Deal memorial. The proposal was readily
accepted, and, as the report of the dinner proceed-
ings shows, the required £250 was speedily raised,
so that virtually every one of the seventeen candi-
dates becomes a recipient of the benefits of the
fund almost at once. Business was then suspended
to enable the scrutineers to count the votes. On
the resumption of the meeting Mr. H. J. Veitch
presided, when the scrutineers reported that the
following children had been elected : R. J. Phil-
lips, 582 ; T. Henderson, 241 ; G. P. Shrubb, 142 ;
H. E. Skelton, 131 ; G. Beveridge, 100 ; B. S. Deed-
man, 95 ; S. E. Baker, 86 ; T. Butcher, 87 ; W. H.
Milne, 79 ; A. Lacey, 78 votes.

Some desire was expressed during the meeting
that the time of holding the annual gathering should
be altered to enable the financial year to conclude
on December 31, and the committee propose to
take the matter into their consideration.

The annual dinner, which was largely attended,
took place in the evening. The large hall was pro-
fusely decorated, and a good supply of fruit and
cut flowers had by the kindness of friends of the

fund been placed on the tables. Mr. Shirley Hib-
berd presided, and spoke in feeling terms of the
loss the fund had sustained by the death of Mr.
George Deal. Mr. H. J. Veitch, in proposing the
toast of " Gardeners and Gardening," said that he
hoped the meeting would subscribe the £250 to
place the two children on the fund, in addition to
the five whom he and Mr. Sherwood were prepared to
find the money for. We are glad to say that the
money was forthcoming, so that all the children,
to the number of seventeen, have now been elected.
The success which has attended the fund during its
three years' existence is very marked, and we
should like to see every gardener throughout
the length and breadth of the land become a sub-
scriber to this most deserving institution.

Scalded Grapes (R. (?.).— Your Grapes have
been scalded. See article in The Garden, July 12,
1890 (p. 21).

Mite on Melon leaves.— In reply to W. P.
Roberts, I do not know what conditions would particu-
larly favour the increase of this mite, but want of
proper ventilation and dryness at the roots probably
would. Anything that would tend to lower the vitality
of the plants would be in the mites' favour. You
should add the flowers of sulphur to the soap and
water, as it is one of the best insecticides for mites,
though it may not take effect at once. — G. S. S.

Caterpillars destroying "Willows. — The
leaves on our large Willows are being entirely de-
voured by caterpillars ; nnder one tree we can
sweep up quite one bushel. I should be obliged if
you could tell me what it is. I send some of them
in a box, and with this note I have enclosed a few
twigs showing the foliage untouched, and some
which they have devoured. They are causing sad
havoc, and I am trying different plans to eradicate
them ; if successful I will write you again. I should

like to know whether such a blight is general.

J. Coppis, Battersea Park.

%* In reply to the above, the caterpillars at-
tacking your Willows are the grubs of a saw-fly
(Nematus salicis). Some might be shaken down
and trodden on, or, if the trees are not too large,
the foliage might be thoroughly wetted by means
of a garden engine with the following mixture,
which would probably kill the grubs : The extract
from 5 lbs. of Quassia chips, 6 lbs. of soft soap, 4
pints of paraffin or of Calvert's carbolic acid No. 5.
To prepare this mixture, put the Quassia chips in
a coarse bag, boil them for about an hour, and let
them stand for several hours, squeezing the bag of
chips every now and then. Dissolve the soft soap
in warm water, and while quite warm pour in the
paraffin or carbolic acid, and mix thoroughly ; then
pour, in the Quassia water, and add 100 gallons of
soft water. The mixture is then fit for use. Keep
it well stirred, so that the paraffin may not all
collect at the top. The trees might be dusted with
one part of London purple with twenty-five parts
of flour. London purple is an arsenical prepara-
tion and very poisonous. — G. S. S.

The house sparrow.— I am decidedly opposed
to the wholesale destruction of small birds fre-
quently advocated, having witnessed in other
countries the evil effects of this war of extermina-
tion. I have even had a good word to say for the
sparrow as a grub destroyer, but the doings of this
bird at the present time are enough to justify all
the bad things that have been said of him. Everyone
knows that just as the wheat is ripening the spar-
rows attack it, but farmers are prepared and to a
certain extent resigned to this. It is only a matter
of employing a little extra labour for a week or ten
days until the wheat is cut. But this year this bird
has made a new departure, attacking the grain
most voraciously as soon as it was well out of
bloom. I hear of fields that are almost ruined, and,
judging from what I have seen, the damage is veiy
great. One cannot but feel for the much-tried
agriculturist, for although the rains are making
root crops grow vigorously, the wheat is much
beaten down, hay crops are either rotting on the
ground, or are got up in a sadly depreciated condi-
tion, and now the sparrow threatens to destroy
what might otherwise have given satisfactory
results.— J. C. B.

9G

THE GARDEN.

[July 26, 1890.

WOODS AND FORESTS.

THE CEDARS IN EUROPE.
There is no difference in the hardiness of the
Cedar of Mount Lebanon and of that of the
Atlas when these trees are planted in Europe.
The two grow well all over Southern Europe,
although an exception must be made to the hot
and exceedingly dry region on the shores of
the Mediterranean, where they cannot exist ;
for it must not be forgotten that the Cedar
is a plant of high mountains, demanding a
certain amount of humidity, and cannot
bear an exceedingly dry soil. The northern
limit of the region where Cedars can be grown
in Europe ascends from the east to the west, a
well-known phenomenon noticed also in the
case of many other plants like the Beech and
the Holly which do not require an excessively
cold climate. This shows that the mild, rainy
winters which distinguish the climate of the
Atlantic coast of Europe are singularly favour-
able for southern trees. The Cedars follow this
line and succeed admirably in the parks of
Great Britain. Probably nowhere, not even in
Syria nor on the Atlas, can such splendid
groups of Cedars, relatively young, although
already of imposing size, be found as are seen
in the gardens surrounding English villas and
castles. In the garden of the Museum at Paris
there is a famous old plant now beginning to
fail, which is popularly, but incorrectly sup-
posed to have been brought home by Tourne-
fort from the Orient. The sandy shores of the
lakes which follow the southern slopes of the
Alps afford conditions where the Cedars grow
perhaps as well as they do in England, although
in the north of Switzerland and in the Vosges
the Cedar is occasionally subjected to too severe
cold, and so perishes perhaps once every ten or
twenty years. In Germany this danger is in-
creased, and there are in that country only a
few sheltered localities where the Cedar can
live.

The Cedar of the Atlas is less commonly cul-
tivated than that of the Lebanon. It must be
acknowledged, too, that the former, with its
shorter leaves and more compact ramifications,
is less agreeable in aspect and more severe in
outline than the classic tree of Syria. The
largest specimen of the Atlas Cedar which I
know is in the celebrated garden of M. Thuret,
belonging now to the French Government, and
directed by the Nestor of Erench botanists, the
venerable and distinguished Naudin. This tree
is 75 feet or 80 feet high or more, and very
vigorous. The leaves are short and it is easily
distinguished at a glance from the Asiatic
variety.

The Deodar has in Europe a more restricted
range than the other Cedars. It grows well
only where such Evergreens as the Laurel, the
Arbutus, and the Laurel Cherry thrive — that is
to say, along the Atlantic coast as far north as
Southern England and in the region of the lakes
south of the Alps. Here it is a tree of great
beauty, far more graceful than its congeners of
Syria and of the Atlas ; it is distinguished by
its longer and richer leaves, and by its slender,
graceful branches, pendent like those of the
Weeping Willow, and by its enormous size. It
is, however, on the shores of the Lake of Ge-
neva at the extreme limit of the region where
it can be grown successfully as a tree, although
north of the Alps it is possible to have graceful
young plants during several years. Sooner or
later, however, generally once every five to six
years, these plants either suffer badly or are
killed outright by a severe winter, just as the

Araucaria of Chili and the Fir of the Himalayas
are killed occasionally.

In order to realise how beautiful trees can be,
one should see the Deodar in some of the
gardens on the shores of Lake Majiore, growing
with the most beautiful Evergreen in the world,
the Magnolia fcetida, which flourishes so well
there, and which is covered year after year with
its immense flowers, which appear to float on
the shining, dark green masses of foliage like
Water Lilies on the dark mirror of some lake
hidden in the forest. This union of the finest
Conifer of the East with the most beautiful
Evergreen of the New World is, without doubt,
the most delightful effect of vegetation which
that fortunate region of the Italian lakes can
offer. The Riviera of Geneva, although hotter,
is too dry for the satisfactory development of
such delicate trees ; but would it not be possi-
ble to bring them together in Carolina, or
Florida, or Louisiana, in the country of the
Magnolia?— H. Christ, Bdle, Switzerland, in
Garden and Forest.

THE GROWTH OF COPPICING.
Under this heading there is an article in The
Garden, July 12 (p. 4G), where the writer gives a
long list of deciduous trees capable of being utilised
as coppice on different classes of soils and situa-
tions. In compiling his list " A." says :'—

For pure coppicing the Spanish Chestnut is best
adapted for sandy or gravelly land, Ash for a moist
loamy soil, and Larch for rocky slopes ; upon a moist
loamy or clay soil Chestnut stools very soon die out,
aud upon deep rich ground Larch grows too rapidly to
be very serviceable.

Surely there must be some mistake here. I have
travelled a good deal through Great Britain and
Ireland, and I have never seen the Larch, under
any conditions as regards soil and climate, capable
of being utilised as coppice. In one part of Ireland
I have seen the roots of the Larch retain their
vitality in the ground for a series of years after the
trunk of the tree was cut and removed ; yet,
although they retained their vitality, they never
made the least attempt to produce suckers from the
stools. The branches, however, of young Larch
plants, when sunk deep into loose sand, will some-
times produce fresh roots ; but this mode of propa-
gation is never put into practice even under the
most favourable circumstances, and on dry, bare,
rocky slopes it cannot be done at all. Among our
common deciduous trees that coppice freely " A."
mentions Elm. No doubt the English Elm (Ulmus
campestris) makes a useful thrifty coppice plant ;
but then the Scotch Elm (U. montana), which is
one of our best timber trees, never produces suckers
from the stool at all, and as this distinction is a
matter of much importance to cultivators, writers
on such an important subject should be careful to
mark the difference of the two species in this respect
to prevent disappointment. " A." says : —

To produce a luxuriant crop of young shoots, the
best time for cutting is between the middle of Febru-
ary and the end of March. In most districts the
work goes on from early in November until the begin-
ning of April. Where a large breadth has to be cleared
by the same hands, the younger plantations should be
cut first.

Irrespective of the age and size of the trees,
practical experience and observation prove that,
the kinds of trees that in a great measure exhaust
their substance by bleeding when cut in spring
should be felled during autumn and mid- winter, in
order as far as possible to guard against this evil.
It should always be borne in mind that the strength
and vitality of the stools of this class of trees that
are intended to produce another crop should be
husbanded as much as possible, and this can al-
ways be best accomplished by early cutting to pre-
vent bleeding. In cases, however, where the manu-
facture of bark is a consideration, which is some-
times the case, the Birch and Spanish Chestnut
must be allowed to stand over till spring, when the
bark can then be removed from the trees with

facility. It is both instructive and interesting to
watch the difference in the progress and vitality of
the suckers which spring from the roots of trees
that have been cut in spring after the ascent of the
sap as compared with those of the same species
cut in autumn and winter. The former are gene-
rally weak and feeble, and sometimes I have known
the roots even of the hardy Birch after being cut in
spring to die off altogether and gradually moulder
into dust. I should, however, mention that the
common Birch (Betula alba) springs more freely
from the root and is hardier in other respects than
the weeping variety, and is therefore by far the
best tree to plant for coppice.

J. B. Webster.

Yew tree poisoning. — Notwithstanding the
many warnings which we get regarding the danger-
ous properties of this tree when eaten by cattle,
cases occasionally occur here and there throughout
the country which ought to teach us to keep the
branches and twigs of the tree beyond the reach
of cattle. On Thursday, the 17th inst., a case was
tried in the sheriff's court, Ayr, before Sheriff Orr-
Paterson, who gave judgment in an action in which
the tenant of the farm of Gillerton, Stair, sued the
minister of the Free Church at Stair for damages
for the death of three cattle, which were poisoned
from eating twigs and leaves of Yew trees which
had been thrown into pursuer's field by defender
or his servants. The Sheriff gave decree for
£31 9s. 8d., and found pursuer entitled to expenses.
As Yew hedges in many parts of the country are
being pruned at this season, the twigs and branches
had better be collected and burned at once to pre-
vent any risk of this kind. — J. B. W.

Planting Osiers. — The sets should be planted
at the depth of a foot or more, according to their
length, leaving about 3 inches or 4 inches above
the surface of the soil. For convenience in the
after- cultivation of the ground, the cuttings should
be planted in straight rows, and if these can be
arranged to run from north to south so much the
better, as then each side of the stool will produce
rods of equal quality. The rows should be from 2
feet to 3 feet asunder, according to the soil, as on
very rich loams less distance is needed than on
poor sandy soils of a hungry nature, but as a
general rule, a distance apart of 30 inches is suffi-
cient. The sets should be from 15 inches to 18
inches apart in the rows, for the same reason, as en
rich soils, if too wide apart, the rods will be tco
large and bushy, while if too close together on
poor soils, they will be too small to be of much
market value. The number of sets required to
plant an acre of ground varies from 20,000 to
24,000, and the price varies from 10s. to 12s. per
thousand. The sorts which the basket-maker
technically terms " trustworthy " are those to be
chosen for profitable cultivation, and where good
tough sorts are locally grown, the sets can be had
from the local growers. A good basket rod is one
that will work without breaking, and which will
when green, twist from end to end without snap-
ping off. Good kinds are the Golden, Brown
Spaniard, White Osier, Plum, Long-skinned, and
Sussex New Kind, as they are called by basket-
makers, and for these when sorted there is always
a ready sale. Where the Golden grows well it is
very profitable, as the small rods, which are of but
little value in other kinds, are largely used by
market gardeners for bunching purposes. By
using the sets from the best sorts, the most profit-
able results are to be obtained ; indeed a judicious
selection is one of the first considerations in Osier
growing.

The Garden " Monthly Parts.— This journal it
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coloured plates are' best preserved, and it is most suitable for

■ence previous to the issueofthe half-yearly volumes. Price
Is 6d. ; post free, In. 9(2. Complete set of volumes of The
Garden from its commencement to end of 1889, thirty-six vols.,
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Farm and Home " Monthly Parts. — Thii
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London : 87, Southampton Street, Strand, W.C.

THE GARDEN.

97

No. 976. SATURDAY, Aug. 2, 7890. Vol. XXXVIII.

" This is an Art
Which does mend Nature : change it rather ; bi.t
The Art itself is Nature."— Shakespeare.

THE CARNATION.

I desire to recognise in the fullest way the
kindly feeling and the genuine love of the
flower by which Mr. Martin Smith's remarks
on Tuesday, July 22, were prompted, as well as
the public spirit of the generous offer by
which he followed them up. But as an ama-
teur growing and exhibiting florists' Carna-
tions I have to point out that they were
made under a very common misapprehension,
that because our exhibition varieties are re-
fined in character they are necessarily tender
in constitution, and that because they are
usually flowered under glass they are there-
fore, like the Malmaison varieties, so grown.
After speaking of the want of hardiness in
the Carnation, the pampering of the plant
under glass, the desire of growers to produce
pretty flowers leading them to sacrifice sta-
mina, Mr. Smith concluded by urging ama-
teurs not to be content with the Malmaisons
in the greenhouse, but to try and raise a
thoroughly hardy and beautiful race of
flowers.

In the paper which I read at Chiswick I
ignored the greenhouse Carnation, having no
experience of it and not deeming it in any
cise to come within the scope of my subject,
" The Carnation as a Town Flower." How
far I had anticipated Mr. Smith's remarks,
which are only the. expression of a frequent
error in confounding the greenhouse with our
florists' sorts, will be seen from the following
extract from my paper, in which after deal-
ing with border culture I said: —

For the production of flowers for exhibition the
plants are usually grown on in pots. Not that they
would not give us show blooms in the beds and
borders, for as a matter of fact the Newcastle and
many other northern exhibitors grow their plants
in this way, and none are more exacting in the
quality of the blooms. The system of pot culture
as generally followed is one mainly of convenience,
whereby the exhibitor may have his plants under
more complete control than they could be in the
borders, especially at the time of bloomiDg in July,
which is more often than not a period of rain and
storm.

Some good people are occasionally much exer-
cised that Carnations should be grown in pots,
which it is thought must needs be a system of
coddling. This is an utter mistake, but is worth
noticing, because it reflects a notion, to some ex-
tent prevalent, that our exhibition sorts are to be
treated as tender plants, and one of which the be-
ginner if he entertain it should be disabused at the
outset. People are accustomed to see the tree
and Malmaison sorts growing under glass for the
sake of continuous or early flowering, and they also
see the exhibition sorts— probably at the only time
they ever see them— when they have been brought
in from outside to flower in the same way, and to
those unfamiliarwith the various forms of Carnations
the idea of artificial treatment is suggested all round.
Of course, the objects sought with these diverse
forms of the flower are quite distinct. We desire
to exhibit Carnations at the plant's natural season
of flowering in the highest state of development to
which culture can bring it, and plants in pots for
exhibition are grown in the open air, and are just

as much dependent on seasonal influences as those
in the borders. The simple proof of this is seen in
the fact that plants in the borders flower at just
the same time as the same varieties in pots on the
stage.

There is no grower of florists' Carnations
who does not grow plants of them in the open
border. The bloom of Brunette in my first
prize stand of six Picotees on Tuesday, July 22,
was cut from a plant which had grown the
whole winter through in the open border,
none of the plants in pots of the same variety
being so forward. If we were to "pamper"
our plants under glass they would be in flower
early in June, and would not in all proba-
~hi\\tj come in proper character.

The statement that Carnations are short-
lived, as applied to the floiists' sorts, is aho
erroneous. There were varieties shown on
Tuesday last that were raised in 1841, 1845,
1855 and 1857, and heap3 of them dated
from early in the seventies. Nor is there
any tendency in the florists' sorts to decline
in stamina. Quite the reverse is the case.
Take the latest " cracks " : Scarlet bizarre,
Robert Houlgrave ; crimson bizarre, Edward
Bowan ; pink and purple bizarre, Harmony ;
scarlet flake, Alisemond ; rose flake, Thalia ;
purple flake, Oscar Wilfred ; rose-edged
Picotee, Mrs. Sharpe. Here are the newest
things in their several classes. There are no
better growers. Hard and sound in growth
varieties like the above will pass the winter
in the borders, especially in our confined town
gardens, where the more succulent sorts like
the old Clove and the so-called border kinds
fall a prey to spot, and gout and maggot.
M. Bowan.

Rose Garden.

ROSES AT BRAISWICK.
Roses are extensively cultivated round about Col-
chester, but especially so by Mr. Frank Cant at
Braiswick on a breezy elevation rather more than
a mile from Colchester station. Mr. Cant has only
been established in this nursery a few years, but he
has got together and grows well an extensive stock
of all the best kinds. Originally a farm of 45
acres, it is now a Rose farm, but all that area is not
stocked with Roses alone ; a system of rotation is
followed, so that after a field has been planted
with Stocks, and these duly worked and the plants
grown and sold, that field has a rest of four years
before being again devoted to Roses, corn and other
crops being taken off in the meantime. The soil
varies greatly upon so small an area ; in some parts
it is a rich sandy loam, in others it is very shallow,
less than a foot deep, resting upon pure gravel,
whilst another part is almost pure sand.

With Roses growing in soils so diverse in cha-
racter good blooms are often obtained from one
plantation where conditions of climate have in-
juriously affected those upon another site. Evi-
dence of this is forthcoming in such a season as the
present, when Roses upon light soils have opened
better than those upon soil of a heavier nature.
That most lovely section of Roses, the Teas, is as
extensively grown here as the Hybrid Perpetuals,
and although it was late in July when I saw them,
there were still glorious masses of bloom, whilst
the promise of an autumnal blossom was equally
good. The comparative absence of mildew and the
vigour and healthiness of these broad masses of
Teas were very noticeable. All the good old kinds
vigorous and full of blossom

were met with,

standing protest against their tenderness, for here, applies especially to Rubens, a breadth of which

as in many other places, they pass unscathed
through our average winters, and Mr. Cant was
most emphatic in denouncing the need of protective
measures. The plants are openly and hardily
grown, and are hardy in consequence, but were
they pampered and fed with rich manurial stimu-
lants, which foster a sappy growth, then would
frost make sad havoc among the soft unripened
wood. Dwarf Teas were the most prominent
among this section, and old and new kinds alike
were seen in great breadths. Nothing can compare
for beauty with masses of such good Tea Roses as
Marie] Van Houtte, Perle des Jardins, Anna Olivier,
Catherine Mermet, Jules Finger, and hosts of
others, and the rich free-flowered masses we see in
these Rose nurseries are as easily attainable in our
gardens and the most charming adornment they
could have. Mme. de Watteville is a great Rose
here, so good and free, and some idea of the extent
to which it is grown may be gathered from the
fact that over 1000 blooms had been cut on the
morning of my visit in execution of one order.
Though comparatively new, it is not surprising
that this Rose should have become so popular, it is
so vigorous and free, such an abundant bloomer,
and unique in its exquisite colouring. Comtesse de
Nadaillac is quite at home at Braiswick. There
were about 3000 plants of this kind, varying
greatly in the richness and depth of their
flowers. No one has grown this Rose like Mr.
Prince, but it promises great things at Braiswick,
as it does not lack a single good quality. The
Bride has been decried by some who probably have
given it an unfair trial; here beside Catherine
Mermet it was magnificent and even more vigorous
and free than its parent. The Hon. Edith Clifford
is, in Mr. Cant's opinion, the white Tea Rose of the
future, hardy and vigorous, dwarf and free, with
every good quality. Growing near Devoniensis its
superiority was manifest, for at its best Devonien-
sis is a straggling grower, running away to two or
three shoots, but not making a handsome bush.
Innocente Pirola and Mme. Hippolyte Jamain were
also good , whilst a whit eTea that has been particularly
good this season, and here was no exception to the
rule, was Souvenir de Paul Neron. The smallest bushes
bore their burden bravely, and almost every twig
was terminated by a perfect flower. Goubault (Gou-
bault, 1843) is one of the oldest of Tea Roses, yet
it is rarely seen. At a first glance I mistook it for
the newer Dr. Grill, as though both are distinct
there are points of resemblance in the suffusion of
f iwn-pink which characterises the flowers of both.
Francisca Kruger and Jean Ducher both had grand
flowers. They were growing in a shallow soil upon
gravel, and doubtless the poor root-run and greater
warmth brought out the richness of the copper-
peach suffused hue so charming in both these kinds.
The first-named kind is the freest bloomer, and in
this respect few surpass it. Ethel Brownlow was as
good as it was possible for it to be. If our English
raisers do not give us many new kinds, it is notice-
able that those they do send out are of sterling
merit. This was sent out by A. Dickson and Son
in 1887. The form of the flower is perfection, the
colour a deep pink shaded with salmon and yellow
at the base of the petals. It is a free grower and
a very free bloomer, needing much disbudding to
obtain fine flowers. Princess of Wales and Princess
Beatrice, both raised by Bennett, are pretty Roses,
but they do not appear to make good bushes, and
Mr. Cant does not recommend them as garden
Roses. On the other hand, a Rose rarely seen,
but which can be highly recommended is Ma Capu-
cine. A breadth of it was a striking feature, the
colour being so rich and telling. It is only a mode-
rate grower, and should, therefore, be closely
grouped, but the smallest bushes were laden with
buds, in which state it is at its best, as their colour
is a deep copper shaded with orange-red. The colour
grows lighter as the flower expands, but in the bud
state this Rose is unique and most useful for button-
holes. Mme. Welch and Mme. Willermoz were
both good. It was a pleasure to see so many of
the good old kinds not neglected, but growing side
by side with others more recent, holding their own
and losing nothing by comparison. This remark

98

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 2, 1890.

had many fine flowers. It is generally the first Tea
Eose to open, and is always reliable and beautiful.
Mrs. .Tames Wilson (A. Dickson and Son, 1889) is a
new kind of great promise, vigorous in growth with
fine flowers of a lemon-yellow hue shaded with rose.
Cleopatra, one of Mr. Bennett's last year's novelties,
was carrying fine buds, which in form recalled
those of Anna Olivier, but they are quite distinct in
colour, which is a pale pink deepening into rose.
Ernest Metz and Mme. Pierre Guillot, both coming
from Guillot in 1888, will probably take their place
among the first-rate kinds. Ernest Metz is of the
tenderest rose colour, a flower of great substance,
fine form, and borne erect on a strong stout stalk,
evidently a Eose that will tell in the exhibition
stand and also in a group in the flower garden.

In Mme. Pierre Guillot we have a Eose distinct
from, but somewhat resembling Mme. de Watte-
ville. The petals are pale yellow or almost white,
deepening to copper at the base and margined with
rosy pink. When fully opened, it is a large-
petalled, fine flower. Sunset has been good every-
where this year. It is rich in its deep apricot-
yellow colour and a fine flower. Amazone, with
long-pointed lemon-yellow buds and fine double
flowers, and Mme. Hoste, a veritable pale yellow or
straw-coloured Anna Olivier, concludes the list of
those noted as particularly striking in walking
through as large, healthy, and complete a collec-
tion of Tea Eoses as can be found in the eastern
counties.

Hybrid Peepetuals.
Equally as vigorous, with strong wood, healthy
leathery foliage, free alike from mildew and
rust, was the large collection of Hybrid Per-
petuals. All the newer and better-known kinds
were in flower, and many of the older ones too,
such as John Bright, with rich glowing crim-
son flowers ; Dr. Andry, carmine-red, bright and
full ; Comtesse de Paris, clear rosy-cerise ; Countess
of Eosebery, bright rose ; Alfred Colomb, A. K.
Williams, and the bold, stately TJlrich Brunner.
The breadths of these fine kinds were beautiful
indeed. Of the good old General Jacqueminot there
were about 3000 plants ; whilst La France and
Baroness Eothschild were almost as extensive to
meet the demands of the cut flower trade. It is both
curious and interesting to note the hold some of these
fine Roses have upon the popular fancy, and it is gene-
rally one or other of these few kinds that is asked for
in quantity for balls or great dinners. Eclair was
fine. It is a bold, rich red flower, a Eose of great
merit. In Mrs. John Laing we have the finest
rose-coloured Eose, and doubtless it will long re-
main so. The great breadths here, 3000 plants,
were noticeable alike for vigour, fine foliage, and
bright flowers. This kind is not without flowers
the whole season through, and its leathery leaves
seem impervious to attacks from mildew. Heinrich
Sohultheis (Bennett, 1882) is a massive, vigorous
rose-coloured variety that will hold its own for
some time to come, but Her Majesty will never be
a garden Rose. Fine blooms were plentiful, but
not fine plants, as Mr. Cant pointed out, all the
vigour seems concentrated in the production of one
strong shoot. Germaine Caillot proves both a good
and distinct new Rose, dwarf and free, with flowers
that remind one of those of Viscountess Folkestone,
of a salmon suffused rosy flesh colour. Maid of
the Mist is a most distinct sport of Lady Mary Fitz-
william, being quite white, but perhaps not so full.
Merveille de Lyon is without a doubt the very best
white Hybrid Perpetual Eose; it is so dwarf, vigor-
oiis, free, .iii.l reliable, bearing its flowers so erect,
yet apparently set in clusters of richest foli-
age. It is equally as beautiful whether in a great
breadth in the nursery or in a bold group in the
garden.

Sl'ANDAKDS.
Although by far the greater part of the stock
consisted of dwarf plants, yet a large breadth
of fine standards was grown to meet demands
for them. It is satisfactory, however, to note
that this form of culture is not on the increase.
Probably the abuse of the practice more than its
use lias done much towards bringing it into dis-
favour, for it has been the rule with many to graft
as standards kinds quite unsuitable for the pur-

pose. But without advocating an extension of the
practice, it may be remarked, as was evident, that
many vigorous Eoses, and especially some of the
strong Teas, do make good plants with free-
branched graceful heads. Marechal Niel grafted
standard and half- standard high was very fine, and
Mr. Cant remarked that it was from these he ob-
tained his best blooms.

Stocks.
My visit being in the height of the budding season,
conversation naturally turned upon stocks and the
suitability of those used. Mr. Cant strongly con-
demned the Manetti for Tea Eoses, and he never
uses it for this section. The Teas here are worked half
on the seedling Brier and half on the cutting Brier, as
the demands for them are about equal. The supposed
advantage of the cutting Brier over the seedling is
that it is more fibrous-rooted, but obviously it is
the nature of most seedling things to produce few
roots which strike deeply, and the Brier is no ex-
ception. Probably a seedling Brier root-pruned
would become as fibrous as a Brier cutting, but
this is a difference of opinion, minor in importance
to the firm establishment of a great and important
fact, for if own-root propagation is too slow a
method for nurserymen generally to practise, it is
to their interest, and we have a right to demand
that the plants supplied to us shall not be hampered
in their progress or crippled by complexities arising
from an unsuitable union of scion and stock. An
extensive experience, extending over several years,
of Tea Eoses upon the Brier stock leaves nothing
to be desired. The Manetti has been called the
nurserymen's stock, but as Teas worked upon it
linger and ultimately die, it can hardly bring credit
to the vendor of plants. Among the Hybrid Per-
petuals, however, the Manetti is more used, although
there are growers who will not use it for this section.
Mr. Cant uses it, and there were some fine breadths
of this stock then being budded, one great piece of
an acre or more was to be budded exclusively with
five kinds to supply the demands of the Ameri-
can trade. These were General Jacqueminot, La
France, Baroness Eothschild, Merveille de Lyon,
and TJlrich Brunner, all of which are great kinds
extensively grown in pots in America. It is interest-
ing to learn that they import their plants so largely
as one would have thought they could have been
raised more cheaply at home. Evidently such is
not the case. Apart from the cost of freight, there
must be great risk attached to importing plant
from such a distance.

Great things are often accomplished in little
time, and this comparatively young, but essentially
Eose nursery is a fine example of the reward reaped
by industry and perseverance. Apart from the
Eose as an exhibition flower, we have to consider
its value in our gardens, and it was satisfactory to
find Mr. Cant growing and recommending kinds
which, though lacking exhibition merit, were garden
Eoses of great beauty and importance. Although
at present those two great sections, Teas and
Hybrid Perpetuals, are the great features here, yet
there is room for more, and Mr. Cant will benefit
hundreds who love the Eose for its beauty in the
garden if, exercising the tame discrimination, he
would bring together all good Eoses from what-
ever class or section that have real merit and claim
our attention. A. H.

same of the majority of the Hybrid Perpetual
varieties, for a good many of the blooms never
opened at all, owing to the low temperature and
continuous dull weather. Such full-petalled
flowers as La France, Queen of Queens, and
Captain Christy refused to expand.

The changed conditions in the soil and tempera-
ture, however, showed very clearly that the cha-
racter of the soil influences the behaviour of Eoses
a good deal. My observations have been made in
a district in which one part of the land rests on
gravel, the other on clay. In both cases there are
a good many gardens in which Eoses are grown.
The best flowers and the greatest number were
on trees on the clay soil, and, what is more, the
plants with their roots resting on a clay subsoil
made the strongest growth. This is especially the
case with standards, which evidently enjoy the
cool bottom furnished by the bed of clay not far
below the principal portion of the roots. I begin
to think that there is something in the advice
which has before now been given, viz., that stan-
dard Eoses should only be planted on a clay soil.
Such advice is sound and good when the plants
will be left to take care of themselves, but the
majority of Rose growers know that it is possible
to get them to grow fairly well in a lighter soil, if
the roots are not starved for the want of moisture
and the ground annually mulched with some good
rotten manure. Apart from the influence of the
soil on the behaviour of standard Eoses, I think
that many fail with them through pruning them
too hard. If those who find it difficult to keep
them healthy more than two or three years would
just shorten back the long shoots to within a foot
of the stem, they would meet with greater success.
Taunton. J. C. C.

EOSES IN THE WEST OF ENGLAND.
In more than one respect the Rose season, so far,
has been disappointing. In the first place, green-
fly was very numerous, and where no attempt was
made to destroy the pest, it seriously interfered
with the opening of the flowers, as well as with the
plantsmaking growth. Green-flyis generally allowed
to go unmolested, but the consequences are serious.
The earliest flowers were, however, the best, as
until the third week in June the rainfall in the dis-
trict to which I refer was below the average ; so
much so in fact, that the plants suffered for the
want of moisture, while absence of any heavy rain-
fall in the way of storms left the green-fly fairly
unmolested. Notwithstanding these drawbacks,
the temperature was fairly high, so that the early
Eoses made a bright display. But I cannot say the

Ferns.

NOTES ON SOME SIKKIM FERNS.
For its size the little country of Sikkiin pro-
bably possesses as goodly a collection of Ferns
as any in the whole world. Its area, seme sixty
miles by forty-five in width, is indeed only a
small portionof theextensiverangesof the Hima-
layas, which run east and west of it, but excep-
tional climatic conditions, shared partially by
Nepaul on the west and more freely by Bhotan
on the east, favour very much the existence of
these attractive plants.

On these mountains there is every variety of
temperature, from the torrid heat at the bottoms
of the valleys to the everlasting winter at 10,000
feet, where vegetation fails to exist. The rainy
period, which lasts about six months, forrns a
distinct season of the year, and commencing
with light showers in May bursts over the
country in full force during June, and continues
with little interruption till the end of October.
The outer or southern ranges of mountains
vary in height to 8000 feet, and rising abruptly
from the plains of India are the first to receive
the deluges of rain brought up by the moisture-
laden clouds from the Bay of Bengal. Travel-
ling onwards, these clouds continue to discharge
their contents in diminishing quantities until
stopped by the gigantic ranges of everlasting
snow that separate Sikkim from the dry and
mysterious regions of Thibet. During these
six months the rainfall varies in amount from
00 inches to 250 inches, according to locality.
From the ceasing of the rain in October the
dry season sets in and lasts till May, during
which period only the scantiest of showers fall,
aggregating not more than 5 inches or 0 inches.
Though so little rain falls during half the year,
a fairly high state of humidity is maintained
amidst the undergrowth in the forests by the
leafy canopy overhead and the numerous streams
which traverse the mountain sides. Taking the

Aug. 2, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

99

Fems generally, they may be said to exist under
conditions attributable to them all the world
over, that is amidst abundant moisture, and
where visited by little sunshine. Still many
grow beyond the protection of forests, and to
these the following notes more particularly
apply.

Davallia bullata, one of the commonest
Ferns in Sikkim, is to be met with at 2000 feet to
5000 feet altitude, growing on rocks exposed to the
full light of the sun and almost unprotected by
neighbouring vegetation. From November it is
marvellous how this species exists. The fronds
have fallen away and the brown scaly rhizomes are
left to live as best they can until the commence-
ment of the rainy season in the following May.
With the first showers that fall the fronds rapidly
unfold and within an incredibly short time are in full
leaf again. One of the prettiest sights afforded to
a lover of plants in the Himalayas are the huge
boulders, the faces of which are perfect little gar-
dens in themselves, with abundance of D. bullata
intermixed with Orchids, ^Fschynanthus, Vacci-
nium, &c. This species is also found on the
branches of trees in company with Dendrobium
nobile, D. densiflorum and other familiar Orchids,
but under the leafy shade the habit becomes more
straggling and seldom presents to view the solid
mass of overlapping fronds that it does when
growing in the full light of the sun. D. cha^ro-
phylla is without exception the choicest of the
genus ; it has exquisitely cut fronds, is of deciduous
habit, and is often found in company with D. bul-
lata. But it prefers more shelter, and seems never
to flourish so well as when growing on Moss-
covered rocks or trunks of trees almost amidst the
spray of a mountain stream and quite out of sun-
shine. D. pedata, though belonging to the same
section as the two species above referred to, is a
very distinct little member of the family, and
differs in having tough, persistent fronds. It de-
lights in breezy places on the branches of trees low
down in the valleys. Of the Davallias which grow
in the soil, it may be said they are all to be found
under circumstances where the collector would
naturally expect to meet with them. D. tenuifolia,
nodosa, polypodioides with its varieties, and platy-
phylla are the best and most ornamental.

Adiantums are represented by five species : A.
lunulatum, caudatum, Capillus-veneris, pedatum,
and venustum. These all select their homes where
dry rather than moist conditions prevail. A. venus-
tum is the rarest, though abundant in the western
Himalayas, where the climate throughout the whole
year is of a dry character. I once found some plants
at an altitude of 10,000 feet, growing in the clefts of
a precipice, and to gather which necessitated a
scramble amongst the sturdy branches of Ehodo-
dendron Hodgsoni. The fronds were withered and
dead, but examination testified that new ones
would be forthcoming as soon as the vivifying rains
should have set in.

Onychiums. — Of these there are but two species :
O. auratum and japonicum. By far the prettier is
auratum, which is to be seen at its best growing
in soil in the hottest and driest places at the bottoms
of the mountain sides. I doubt if any other Fern
in the Himalayas requires so much heat for its
welfare. Certainly it often grows in comparatively
cool spots, but direct, fierce sunshine, where the tem-
perature in the shade often reaches three figures,
is necessary to the development of its extremely
handsome golden fronds. It may be added that
the barren fronds are of the usual green colour.
O. japonicum is more dainty, and grows under cooler
conditions further up the mountain side.

Woodwaedia eadicans, rare on the outer hills,
becomes common further in among the mountains.
I have seen large areas of cliff overhanging the
Lachen River occupied by this plant with fronds
measuring 5 feet in length.

Pteeis is a genus that is well represented. P.
longifolia, cretica, and the curious semipinnata
stand unlimited sunshine, and flourish as well in
the open as in the shade. The remainder of the
family exists in the orthodox manner.

Asplesiums.— Of these the familiar A. Nidus is
plentiful in the hot valleys. It objects to strong
light, and prefers before other places either cavi-
ties in the trunks of trees, or positions in mid-air,
resting on the loops of gigantic climbers— Bauhinia.
Certain positions on rocks are suitable, but it shuns
direct contact with soil. Some varieties of A. Filix-
fcemina are frequently to be seen growing in clefts
or on the under surfaces of overhanging rocks at an
altitude from 3000 feet upwards, quite by them-
selves and completely protected from sitnshine and
direct rainfall. Such a situation appears on the
face of it to be an impossible one in which plants
of any kind should exist, more especially a moisture-
loving class like Ferns. But in many cases the
rocks offer but a small portion of then- surfaces to
the air, the bulk being buried in the mountainside,
and protection from sun and wind being afforded
by trees or overhanging jungle, the necessary
moisture either percolates through cracks and
crevices or is provided by the dampness of
the neighbourhood, arising from wet ground or a
stream passing near. A. Clarkei, a pretty delicate
species at 6000 feet, has slender narrow fronds 1
foot to 15 inches in length. It selects as its home
swampy ground where leeches swarm to the col-
lector's ankles, compelling him to retreat with as
much haste as possible.

Poltpodium contains more members than any
other genus, and numbers some fifty species. It
presents every form of frond, from the simple P.
rostratum to the exquisite P. subdigitatum, with
compound pinnae. Except the sub-section Nipho-
bolus, whose members scramble over partially
shaded rocks in dry situations, the whole genus,
with two or three other exceptions, may be said to
exist under normal circumstances. Of these the
dimorphic P. propinquum grows abundantly at
2000 feet to 5000 feet, on almost every tree that is
exposed to strong winds and sun. Let the season
be ever so hot and dry, the rhizomes always re-
main plump and full of vitality. P. coronans, numer-
ous at the bottoms of the valleys, is remarkable
for the unique manner in which the stout rhizomes
encircle the erect branches of trees. As the stiff,
almost vertical pinnatifid fronds, some 3 feet in
length, lean slightly outwards, a perfect imitation
of a crown is produced, and the effect is one that
the lover of Nature cannot pass without repeated
gazes of admiration.

Cheilanthes, a very interesting family that
has few species, is abundantly distributed in the
lower altitudes. Most of them have small silvered
fronds, and as they invariably grow in patches, an
exceedingly pleasing effect is produced. C. argentea
is present everywhere, and scarcely a rock can be
passed at from 2000 feet to 5000 feet without meet-
ing with this species. That it can exist under such
circumstances is indeed marvellous, left as is fre-
quently the case for weeks in the blazing sun, with
not a drop of rain to sustain life. The little golden
C. argentea var. chrysophylla I once gathered dur-
ing May, after some months of dry weather, in a
valley near the perpetual snows, at an altitude of
9000 "feet. It was attached to the face of a precipice
in the full light of the sun. The little fronds were
withered and curled up, and only close examination
of its crown showed that life remained. C. Dal-
houslse is plentiful in the soil at 6000 feet, and has
large triangular fronds 6 inches and more in length,
that are intensely silvered underneath.

Nephbodiums offer scarcely any exception to
the general rule. N. cochleatum, which affects the
blazing heat on slopes low down the mountain side,
lives in the soil, and exists without shade or shelter.

Acrostichums number some seven or eight
species, and call for no special remarks. A. tri-
cuspe is regarded as one of the rarest Ferns in
Sikkim. Although found many years ago in one
particular valley near Darjeeling, it has not yet, I
believe, been discovered elsewhere either in or out
of the country.

DiACALPE is represented by two species only,
D. aspidioides and fceniculacea, found together at
8000 feet to 10,000 feet. The former is found
under the usual circumstances in soil and well in
the shade. On the other hand, D. fceniculacea

selects exaclly similar situations as those given for
Asplenium Filix-fi cmina. I have gathered much of
it, but have never seen it elsewhere than nestling
under the shelter of rocks.

Nepheolepis tubeeosa is very abundant every-
where up to 5000 feet, and selects in preference to
other situations fissures in precipices, ledges on
rocks, and occasionally even in forks of trees ; in
fact any spot is acceptable that is elevated, has a
free circulation of air, and contains a handful or
two of soil to cover its tuber-bearing roots.

Aspid;ums, as a whole, select normal condi-
tions for their habitations. A. aculeatum and
its varieties are ubiquitous, from 2000 feet to
12,000 feet. A. aristatum is equally plentiful, but
limited to the temperate zone. A. Atkinsoni I have
gathered at 800 ) feet under shelving rocks at least
6 feet from where rain would fall vertically, and
where life appeared to be sustained only by the
general humidity of the surroundings. This plant
seems always to select such nooks.

Although several of these Ferns are found
growing in such inhospitable places, it cannot
be accepted that these conditions are necessary
to their existence. The little golden Cheilanthes
is growTi in the Darjeeling Botanic Garden,
receiving the usual treatment given to Ferns,
and in nowise appearing to miss the annual
drying up it experienced when growing wild.
Adiantum lunulatum invariably disappears dur-
ing the dry season, and comes into existence
again only when the rainy season is well ad-
vanced, yet when cultivated in this country the
plant is decidedly evergreen. The same may
be also said of the rhizomate Davallias and
many others. The exceptional circumstances
in which many of them exist point rather to
the difficulties certain plants have to contend
with, and their incapacity to struggle on equal
terms with the many species growing in the soil.
Places where fights for the mastery may be
avoided are taken possession of, and there they
exist without doubt on the very least possible
quantity of food moisture necessary for the
maintenance of life. In crevices and fissures of
rocks soil, of course, is found, but some of the
Cheilanthes and Adiantums grow on the flat faces
of boulders with no protection for their roots
from the sun, but perhaps an occasional bit of
Lichen, and apparently nothing whatever to
feed on but the decomposing surface of the
rock. R- Pantling.

SHORT NOTES.— FERNS.

Hypolepis anthriseifolia.— Messrs. Birken-
head are not the only possessors of this seemingly rare
Fern, as my donor of the plant has to keep it in bounds,
so rampautlv does it wander about amongst his rock
plants.— A. D. Webster.

Perns at Croydon. — These were largely shown
at Croydon, but I am sorry that so many people seem
to be satisfied with the common ordinary forms. There
was not anew Fern at the show, but many of them
were excellently well grown. The naming of these
plants, too, should be correct.— W. H. G.

Pteris aquilina and Alsophlla Ol&hami.—
These two species of Ferns, so totally unlike in
every way, yet resemble each other in having a
remarkable habit apparently contrary to all the
accepted laws of the vegetable kingdom. Vegeta-
tion in all parts of the world rests at some definite
period of the year, a condition brought about either
by diminution of temperature, or, in certain tropical
parts of the world, by the periodical cessation of
rainy weather. In the Sikkim Himalayas these two
Ferns become dormant during the summer months
—from June till October or November— and at a
season of the year when atmospheric conditions
and a sustained high temperature favour rapid
growth in all other plants. Moreover, as winter
approaches, these two Ferns resume vitality, and
growth continues with most vigour during the
coldest months of the year— from December to
February, Bracket abounds on the mountain-sides

100

THE GAEDEN.

[Aug. 2, 1890.

to an altitude of 6000 feet, chiefly in places where
native settlers have cleared away the heavy jungle
for cultivating purposes. Free exposure to the sun
is necessary to its existence, and extinction gradu-
ally follows when left to struggle on equal terms
with the surrounding jungle. Now, the home of
Alsophila Oldhami is an entirely different one.
This species is rare, and only found at 6000 feet to
7000 feet, under conditions entirely opposite to
those which favour the growth of Bracken. Deeply
shaded forests, with a minimum of sunlight and a
running stream by its roots, would appear essential
to its well-being, for plants of it are seldom found
under other circumstances. The conditions under
which these Ferns grow being entirely'different one
from the other, will therefore throw no light on the
anomaly — that of resting in summer and resuming
growth in winter. Perhaps some of your readers can
afford some enlightenment, or give other instances
of a similar nature. — R. Pantling.

NOTES OF THEJWEEK.

„,Iv7"1maved Pelargonium Souvenir de

Charles Turner is a splendid bedding variety, as may
be seen from a mass of its brilliantly coloured carmine
flowers iu the Slough nursery of Mr. Turner. While
all the ordinary zonal types have run to leaf, this is
one mass ot bloom. It is not very free, but graceful
and robust— just the flower for using in baskets and
vases.

Fruits of purple Cherry Plum (Pnmus Pis-
sarch).— We have received from Messrs. Ewing & Co ,
Havant, fruits of this Plum, which are pleasantly fla-
voured, deep red, and about the size of a small walnut.
I he tree from which they were gathered is grafted on
the Cherry Plum. Primus Pissardi is a purple-leaved
variety of P. Myrobalan (cerasifera), aud is now iu its
richest leafage.

Musa paradisiaca — I enclose some fruits of
Musa paradisiaca. They are much finer than usual
for this variety. The plants put in from suckers
thirteen mouths ago arc now 20 feet high.— G Wvtiies
oyoji House.

*#* Very large aud fine fruit; much thicker and
more fleshy than the best imported Bananas. We wish
that fruit of this sort could be sent to our London
markets. — Ed.

Variety of the common Nettle.— The odd
variety of the common Nettle (Urtica dioica)
which I send, not for its beauty, originated on an
inside Vine border here. Noticing a peculiarity
about it two years ago, when a very small seedling,
I left it undisturbed. You will observe it has a
round stem, short branching habit, glaucous, shiny
leaves coarsely and rather sparsely notched, and
many of them have a long spur in the centre of
the underside of the midrib, contracting the leaf
on the upper surface, and forming an umbilicate
hollow or cup. The flowers are few, white, and
pendulous. I find, however, it retains its stinging
property.— J. M., Charmovth , Dorset.

Physianthus (Schubertia) grandiflorus.
— As a free-blooming climber, or rather twiner, for
a warm stove [or intermediate house, this old-new
plant deserves a word or two of commendation. A
small plant from a 3-inch pot was planted out in
the corner of a stove in February of this year, and
has made a growth of from 18 feet to 20 feet,' run-
ning along wires pretty close to the glass, and it is
now, and has been for some weeks past, full of
flowers for at least a third of its length. The
flowers are three to nine in a cluster, of wax-like
whiteness, and have a fragrance like that of Cocoa-
nut. Each truss of flowers is supported by a stout
stalk, and the individual flowers are nearly three
times as large as those of the Stephanotis, which in
general appearance they somewhat resemble. As
a bouquet flower this plant deserves attention, and
it is very handsome and fragrant as seen growing,
producing a cluster of flowers at every joint after
it commences to bloom. The only drawback is its
foliage, which smells badly if handled, a fault also
of which the hairy flower-stalk is not -quite clear.
The plant is also as milky as a Euphorbia, and the
flowers die off a dingy drab colour ; nevertheless the
plant is, as planted out in a sunny house, so free-
flowering, and the buds and blossoms have such a

bold, firm, waxy look about them, that it deserves
attention from all those to whom superior white
flowers are an attraction. Our compost was mainly
sods of good loam and leaf mould, and after the
flower-buds appeared manure water was given with
advantage. — F. W. B.

*»* A coloured plate of this appeared in The
Gaeden of July 30, 1887.— Ed.

Hardiness of Lilium Martagon'album. —
I do not think " Gloucestershire Parson " need
entertain any fears as regards the hardiness of
Lilium Martagon album. It has thriven in my
garden here in mid Norfolk for the past fifteen
years. Lilium giganteum is perfectly hardy also
in these parts where it meets with congenial, i.e.,
somewhat light and gravelly soil. Lord Walsing-
ham has naturalised it in his woods at Merton.
Much depends upon the position of things ; for
instance, Azara microphylla is generally considered
to need the protection of a wall. With me a fine
plant, some 10 feet high, flourishes in a perfectly
open and exposed position, but then its feet are
kept warm in a low bush of Treelvy, through which
it grows. — P. Nobman.

Phormiunftenax variegatum'flowering in
the open. — A very fine blooming spike of this plant
was shown by Mr. Samuel Barlow at the recent
Rose exhibition in the Botanic Gardens, Old Traf-
f ord, Manchester. It came from the gardens of his
Welsh residence at Llandudno, and was cut from a
plant which has been in the open for six years past.
The flower-spike was about 8 feet in length, and
alternately branched, and it bore a large number
of deep orange flowers. Mr. Barlow stated that
the flowers attracted a considerable number of in-
sects. Is it unusual for this form to flower in the
open air ? Mr. Barlow's residence is near the sea,
on the side of a valley, and where a large number
of things flourish in the open that would soon die
in the neighbourhood of Manchester. — D.

Pink Souvenir de Sale. — This is a charming
bright, pinkish-lilac coloured border variety, and I
daresay it will be in the remembrance of some of
the readers of The Gaeden that it was exhibited
at the Rose show held at the Royal Aquarium at
the end of June by Messrs. Ryder and Son, of Sale,
Manchester. Some two dozen blooms were shown,
and Mr. Harry Turner and I having been se-
lected to deal with the seedling flowers on that oc-
casion awarded it a first-class certificate. Our deci-
sion was criticised by some of the florists pre-
sent, but we held to the award. It appears this
Pink was raised by Mr. Thomas Walkenden, of Sale;
it is a robust grower, very free of bloom, and not
only makes an effective border variety, but is cer-
tain to be greatly esteemed for cutting. It was well
shown by the raiser at the exhibition of the North-
ern Pink Society at Manchester on the 19th of July,
and the judges of Pinks there also awarded it a first-
class certificate of merit. It was also gratifying
to find my estimate of the flower upheld by the
representatives of what may be regarded as the
strict school of florists. — R. D.

Thuja'gigantea. — On reading Mr. [Webster's
article on p. 76, 1 determined to ask if there are two
trees bearing the name Thuja gigantea. I think it
is in my recollection that there was some contro-
versy on the subject some time ago. At any rate,
I know that I purchased three plants under that
name fourteen or fifteen years ago, and that their
rate of growth is in marked contrast to that of the
T. gigantea described by Mr. Webster. In fact, of
all the taller-growing Conifers I have — and I have a
good many — I should say it is much the slowest, and
does not seem to me to be anything more than a low,
rather lumpy tree. It is very dark green, close grow-
ing, and with a stem disproportionately thick for its
height. I have it where it is moist and sheltered
and where it is dry and exposed, but it has the
same character under both conditions. I shall
be glad to know if there is a true and a false T.
gigantea, and if so, what is the correct name of the
pretender. — Fbedeeick Tymons, Cloghram, Co.
Dublin.

Garden views. — I see you are asking for
photos, of garden arrangements. I enclose one
of a corridor connecting my drawing and dining-

rooms, taken about twelve months ago ; the roof is
now covered with Fuchsias. The other is an open-
work wall in an intermediate house, the recesses
being filled with soil. This wall is about four
times the size shown, the part in the photo, being
that seen out of the dining-room window on one
side of the bay. I may say that the idea of this
wall was obtained from one in the Liverpool
Botanic Gardens. — T. Fletchee, Museum Street,
Warrington.
*#* A beautifully clothed wall. — Ed.

A memorial to Mr. B. S. Williams. — A

committee has been formed to give practical shape
to the proposed memorial to Mr. Williams. A
meeting was recently held, and Mr. A. Outram and
Mr. J. H. Laing, Forest Hill, elected as honorary
secretaries. The memorial will take the form of
money prizes and certificates to be offered for stove
and greenhouse plants and Orchids at exhibitions.
Mr. Hibberd is chairman of the committee, and it
was announced that another meeting would be held
on August 1 to enrol members of the committee,
as it is desired to include all leading horticulturists.
A vote of condolence was also passed to the family
of the late Mr. Williams.

Rhododendrons. — I am interested in your
remarks on Rhododendrons. We never had so fine
a show, and this seems generally the case. Perhaps
some of your readers would be glad to bear how
easy it is to multiply many kinds by layers. We
slit the lower branches longitudinally and bury
them in the peat, and in a year or two they make
fine plants. Leopardi, a very distinct one you
never mention, layers well. Lady Eleanor Cathcart,
on the contrary, seems to grow standard fashion,
and would be difficult to layer. In this moorland
district, air and soil moist, Troprcoluin speciosum
and other Tropasolums, Lardizabala biternata and
Berberidopsis corallina flourish, and so we must be
content, though fruit and other things fail out of
doors. Desfontainea spinosa is always noticed
here. — Maey Woodley, Halslumger, Asliburton,
Devon.

Primula obconica poisonous. — Replying to
the question of " G. S. S." in The Gaeden of
July 26 respecting the poisonous nature of Primula
obconica, I may say that since repotting a batch of
plants about three weeks ago I have been affected
in a similar manner to the gardener he mentions,
having a kind of rash or eczema on my right arm
where it came in contact with the leaves of the
plants while potting. In my case it has not spread
beyond the lower part of my arm between the elbow
and wrist. I have been quite at a loss to account
for it, but since reading the remarks of " G. S. S."
I certainly think that Primula obconica is the cause
of it. Another instance that helps to convince me
is that I have several plants of this Primula in the
windows of my cottage, and since my wife has
attended to them she also has the same kind of rash
on her arms. I hope some more of the readers of
The Gaeden will give their experience on the
subject. P. obconica was one of the most useful
plants I grew last winter ; the quantity of blooms I
cut from twenty plants was wonderful, and the
flowers last a long time when cut. — R. G.

Lilies in Devonshire. — I have had white
Martagon Lilies here forfourtecn years ; a few origi-
nally came from an old garden (now swallowed up
in London). Two years ago I had seventy spikes
of bloom in the Rhododendron beds. I gave away
and exchanged the bulbs at times. This year forty
spikes are now flowering, each from 4 feet to 5 feet
high with an average of eighteen flowers to a stem. As
tall and as fine are five L. dalmaticum in the same
bed. But it is not so good a Lily season as some
years. Croceum, candidum, &c, rotted off, and
though one fine Lilium auratum is now out, the nu-
merous other stems look poor and are backward. I
never move the bulbs if I can help it, but always
cut the stems off just below the lowest flower, or
nip the seed-pods off, leaving the stems to die
naturally, as I am sure it is better for the bulbs ;
sometimes they do not die off till the following
spring. — Maey Woodley-, Hahlianger, Asliburton,
Devon.

Aug. 2, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

101

Flower Garden.

fixe-foliaged hardy plants

FOR LAWNS.
In the endeavour to produce what is called a
sub-tropical aspect in gardens, much trouble
is often taken in raising tender, large-leaved
annuals, like the Wigandia, Tobacco, Castor-
oil Plant, while the numerous handsome,
hardy perennials with large and fine foliage
are neglected, although the effect they pro-
duce is frequently more remarkable than that
of the tender exotics, which only in excep-
tional seasons grow vigorously.

The illustration of the lawn view at Beech-

of the best include Gunnera manicata, which
is quite as large as the other, G. scabra, but it
I is not so common. It is a fine plant for a moist
spot, such as the margin of a lake or stream.
In such a place it grows to a large size, and
if allowed space to spread, it will measure 10
feet or more across. Another fine-leaved
plant is Crambe cordifolia, which likes a
rather dry place. Its heart-shaped leaves are
a deep green, and it sends up tall spikes of
white flowers. The two great Polygonums
(P. sachalinense and P. cuspidatum or Sie-
boldi) are both indispensable plants. The
first-named rises from 10 feet to 15 feet high,
its arching stems spread out in a very grace-
ful way. If the Globe Artichoke was not

treated the graceful Ailanthus, Aralia canes-
cens, Rhus glabra, and Dimorphanthus ; in
short, there are numbers of perfectly hardy
plants that will produce sub-tropical effects
without using a single tender plant. We
ought to see more of this style of gardening
in our public gardens and parks, and then the
practice would spread more widely in private
gardens. \V. G. Q.

SMALL FLOWER BEDS.

It must not be supposed from the heading of
this article that I am an advocate for small beds
of flowers, and cuttiDg up the turf for that pur-
pose. Large beds will always look best, except
under special circumstances, and they are also

View in the garden at Beechfield, VTalton-on-Thamas. Engraved for The Gakdex from a photograph sent by Mrs. Hewitt, Devote Lodge, Walton-on-Thames.

field, Walton-on-Thanies, shows admirably
what a pretty effect can be obtained by hardy
plants alone, for not one plant shown in the
view is tender. In the foreground is Gun-
nera scabra, each of whose leaves frequently
measures 1 feet or 5 feet across. Beyond is
the Rheum officinale, the Turkish Rhubarb
plant, and behind is the Japanese Bamboo
(Bambusa Metake), while the background of
trees, including the variegated Maple, and
with the surrounding masses of bright-
flowered hardy plants, compose a scene as
pleasing as one could wish in a garden.

It would be a long list were I to enume-
rate all the handsome hardy herbaceous plants
that have a sub-tropical appearance. Some

such a common plant in the kitchen garden
it would be better appreciated, for there are
few finer plants when grown well, the pecu-
liar silvery effect of its foliage being very tel-
ling on a lawn. The bold-leaved Acanthuses
and the Fern-like Ferulas make a beautiful
lawn group, and for the wilder parts of a
garden, no plant could produce a more strik-
ing effect than the giant umbellifer, Hera-
cleum giganteum. Then there are the hardy
Barnboos and great Grasses like the Pampas
and Arundo, and one might produce sub-
tropical masses by the use of large-leaved
trees like the Paulownia, Catalpa, Californian
Plane, which when cut down annually send up
vigorous shoots. In a similar way might be

easier to manage. But specimen plants, dotted
near the large flower borders, have a good
effect, and they add very much to the interest
of a garden. One of the best subjects for this
purpose is the Canna, or Indian Shot.

Cannas are very easily managed and give no
more trouble, indeed not so much as a Dahlia.
Stored away in winter in a cellar, they quickly
start into growth in the spring with a little
heat, and they can be put out at the same time
as Dahlias, and will make rapid growth in rich
ground with plenty of water. They may be di-
vided into two sections, the large foliage sec-
tion and the flowering section. The former is
the best from which to select specimen plants.
As the summer goes on they will produce beau-
tiful large, cool-looking leaves of a pale green,
which gradually unfold out of the inverted

102

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 2, 1890.

cone, in which they are at first rolled, and then
spread themselves out with tropical luxuriance
to enjoy the summer sun and air. Few things
are more attractive in the outdoor garden than
fine specimen Cannas standing alone in small
beds, with some bright flower like Lobelia
trailing at the base.

The flowering section gives many useful
plants for the decoration of the greenhouse or
the mixed flower border. Every year visitors to
Kew in May admire the beautiful plants of Paul
Bert and other flowering Cannas in the conserva-
tory. These flowering kinds are easily raised from
seed, and will bloom the same year they are
sown. The seeds are hard and require to be
steeped in hot water before they are sown.
They will then quickly vegetate. I sowed a
packet of Crozy's dwarf Canna this spring, and
1 put out the plants in the flower border as
soon as all fear of frost was over, and they have
done exceedingly well. One is already in
flower, another has dark mahogany-coloured
foliage. All will flower this season.

Another plant, something like a giant Canna
and resembling it in the spiral folding of its
huge leaves, is the Musa Ensete. This is far
more delicate than the Canna, and will only do
well in a very sheltered corner. Where it can
be placed in a spot which rude winds are not
likely to attack, it forms a striking object in
the outdoor garden. I used to put one out in
front of my house for several summers, but it
outgrew the shelter of its winter quarters, and
I gave it away. It requires a warm greenhouse
during the cold months. Visitors to the Palm
house at Kew or to warm sub-tropical gardens
will be familiar with this Musa. It is easily
raised from seed. My specimen grew 20 feet
high in its ultimate home, and had to be con-
demned, as it was pushing through the glass.
Could it only be restrained into moderate di-
mensions I should never be without it. But
things which grow so prodigiously fast and re-
quire warm winter lodgings are not easily
managed. Still Musa Enseta is worth trouble
as a specimen plant, and no one who has room
for it indoors and out will be sorry for having
made some effort to grow it successfully.

Another interesting and very beautiful spe-
cimen plant is the Ricinus, or Castor-oil. In
Japan this plant lives on out of doors through
the winter, and is considered, I am told, a
great favourite. Here it has to be treated as
an annual, for though it might survive a mild
winter in a sheltered nook, it loses its beauty.
Nice young healthy seedlings, put out when
about 20 inches high, soon make fine specimens
if they are well treated. I am never tired of
the Ricinus. This year the plants are seeding
early, and the tuft of round, spiny pods is an
additional ornament. Most people are familiar
with the immense spreading leaves of this
plaut and the shiny, oily-looking young foliage
before it has fully opened out. The leaves
bear close inspection, for their real beauty is
only seen when the eye can trace the smooth
red line of the midrib, which runs like a little
railroad through the midst of the wrinkled
surface of the glossy, dark olive-green leaf.
There is a great variety of different species of
Ricinus, and the difficulty is to choose between
them. Some grow taller and some have darker
foliage than others, but otherwise there is a
great similarity amongst them.

There are many other things which might of
course be recommended as subjects for speci-
men plants for 'small beds, but they are apt to
have this failing, that in the autumn, when the
last warm days are specially precious in the out-
door garden, they lose their beauty, and show

signs of premature decay. Nevertheless, the
giant Hemp and other plants of that kind do
certainly in the early summer months add very
much indeed to the beauty and interest of a well-
managed flower garden.

A Gloucestershire Parson.

NOTES ON HARDY PLANTS.

Dictamnus Fraxinella. — I have just been look-
ing at some rather strong specimens of this. How
well all the varieties have done this summer, espe-
cially the typical pale red sort, to my mind the
best. With regard to the inflammable property.it is
only developed at the flowering period, according
to my observations, and even then to get a distinct
flash of flame the flower-stems should be induced
to give off the contents of their glands by drawing
them through the folded hand, or rather the hand
up and over them, so breaking down the glands,
and then in a moment the light should be applied ;
but even then there is only a flash about the size
of one's hand. Plants vary in this property ; all
depends on the full maturity or ripeness of the
half woody stems, and there is a stage of flores-
cence when the glands are better charged than at
other times, and this is to be known by their more
sticky and stronger aromatic smell— always strong
enough. A mere touch of the flower-stems about
the peduncles will cause the hand to smell after it
has been washed several times. The smell is
pleasant and aromatic, with just a trace of Kue in
it. The roots of this plant are enormous in strong
rich land, both as regards the stock and fibre. I
find it better to give an annual top-dressing of rich
stuff, and the way the crowns rise every year
rather suggests such cultural treatment.

Polemonium confertum.— It is a mistake to
suppose that this plant is wanting either in hardi-
ness or the perennial property, but it is equally an
error for anyone to try to cultivate it where the
land is stiff. I believe it is hardy enough for
any climate in Great Britain, but where soils are
stiff or clay-like there should be due preparation
of the surrounding parts where it is intended to
establish the most fascinating of all the Jacob's
Ladders. I believe it to be mainly a question of
soil in order to grow it on into fine clumps.
You should treat it kindly, making the soil
light and deep by means of rotted leaves,
sharp sand, and silky loam. The plant has
been grown here by the hundred for many years,
and it is no exaggeration to say that it thrives like
a weed; indeed I have more difficulty with P.
humile, flavurn, and pilosum or Richardsoni.

Linum perenne. — It is no matter how care-
fully you select your seed, with a view to get an
unmixed set of blue and white-flowered plants, and
especially if the seed-bearing plants are growing in
the same garden, only a moderate percentage of
seedlings will come white, and there may be many
shades ranging between the typical blue and white,
such as mauve, grey-blue, and other delicate tints.
When it is desirable to get certain effects, or dis-
tinct white and blue forms, the better plan is
to grow seedlings on in pots until they flower,
which they will mostly do the first year, marking
them in the meantime, and in the autumn they
may be planted out and depended upon for the
desired effects as regards flower colour.

Lathyrus latifolius albus.— Here again we
have a plant that requires considerable patience
when produced from seed. You have to wait two
or three years to prove whether it is white or the
typical red, although you may have had seed from
a white parent. It is well known that the white
produces seed but sparingly, but perhaps not so
well known that although the seed is smaller and
of quite a different colour, it does not follow that it
will produce plants like the parent. I was once
well laughed at by a seedsman who with a self-
satisfied air showed the seeds of both in each hand,
as if their growth would be sure to be right because
the seeds were so distinctly different. Oft repeated
experience, however, has taught us better. The

best and quickest means I have found of propa-
gating the white perennial Pea is to plant very
strong roots with their crowns 6 inches deep ; each
sprout then becomes a young root-stock for a cor-
responding length, and there may be six or a
dozen of them, according to the vigour of the old
root. In the following March you may cut off
these young stocks all their length, leaving
two or three to keep the old plant going.
These young root cuttings will be found to have
good crowns, of a white colour and pliable
texture, just the material for pushing away either
in pots or open ground. Two points are important :
set the old plant in deeply worked soil, well
drained and without manure in it, and do not
sever the rootlets until March.

Veronica crispifolia is one of the most quaint
plants imaginable, herbaceous, hardy, and perhaps
rare. It is one of the treasures I had from my
late friend Niven just before he died at the Hull
Botanic Gardens. This plant has stems 9 inches
to 18 inches high, and as straight as a dart,
curious dark green shining leaves, turned under at
their ends, wrinkled, with crisp and almost curly
edges. The flower-spikes are thin, and when
young pointed like a darning needle ; flowers
bright blue. J. Wood.

Woodville, Kirlistall, Yorkshire.

EVERLASTING PEAS.

The perennial varieties of Peas are valuable, as
they are of such free growth and last such a
long time in bloom. The kinds are not numer-
ous, yet quite sufficient to keep up an unbroken
display from May till October. They have long
fleshy roots, which, when once established, will
go on for years without giving further trouble
or needing attention. Near a low wall or trellis
they succeed admirably, and climbing up grace-
fully drape it in a rich growth of foliage and
blossom. Upon banks, raised borders, or on
the rockery few things can be better used, and
they never look better than when scrambling
over the face of some great rock or root, flower-
ing as they go. The way to spoil them is to
attempt to tie and train them in a stiff or formal
way. Taking them in the order of flowering,

L. Sibthorpi is the first, and especially valuable
because it is so early, being at its best in May and
June. It does not grow very tall, rarely more than
1 yard, but it produces in the greatest profusion
fine spikes of delicate flowers of a rosy purple
colour. In Mr. Thompson's garden at Ipswich there
is probably the finest bed in existence of this early,
pretty, and somewhat rare species. The plants are
all in a large nursery bed, and are supported with
a few branched stakes, upon which the flowers
cluster in rich masses.

L. gbandiflorus is a magnificent species for
the early summer garden. It will succeed any-
where, and, as the name implies, is the largest-
flowered species, the blooms being quite as large as
those of a Sweet Pea. It is at its best in June and
early July. The flowers are usually borne in pairs,
and are of a rosy purple colour, rich and effective.
Though considered a dwarf grower, it has this year
with us in good loamy soil grown more than G feet
high. We also have it abundantly naturalised
about the gardeD, in one place among a lot of
stones, in another on a poor dry bank, whilst in
one semi-wild part of the garden it grows up be-
tween and among Lilac and other shrubs, scram-
bling up their branches and wreathing them in ricli
clusters of bright flowers. Nothing seems able to
exterminate it, and its own roots are so thoroughly
intermingled with those of the shrubs, that I failed
to obtain any when trying to dig some up to plant
elsewhere.

L. rotundifolius comes into ilower at the same
time or a little later. It is known also under
the name of L. Drummondi, but there is no
necessity for this name, as it only leads to confu-
sion. This is a very old species, but it is not often
met with though most desirable because of its

Aug. 2, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

103

earliness and freedom of flowering. It grows about
5 feet high, and the shoots are densely clothed
with clusters of carmiue-red flowers.

L. latifolius and its varieties are the best known
forms. They do not come into flower till July, and
continue throughout the summer and autumn grow-
ing and blooming profusely. The stems are strong
and rampant, attaining sometimes 6 feet in
length. The type, L. latifolius, is the best known
kind, and it is one of our finest and prettiest trail-
ing hardy plants. The flowers are numerous and
of a rosy purple hue. The white form is, however,
more useful and pretty, both in the garden and for
cutting. Where white flowers are in great demand
it should be extensively grown. We have also an
exceedingly pretty form sent to us under the name
of L. latifolius carneus. which I do not think is
common. The upper petals are pale pink deepen-
ing into lilac ; the lower ones are suffused with a
delicate pink upon a white ground. I know nothing
of its origin, but it might be, and appears to be, a
cross between L. latifolius and its white form.
Certainly it is very pretty, and our large plant of it
is now very attractive.

Sometimes in warm seasons these Peas ripen
seed, and advantage should be taken of in-
creasing the stock in this way. Generally,
however, little if any seed is produced or
ripened. Propagation can be effected by divi-
sion, but it is very undesirable to have to dis-
turb the plants for this purpose.

There are one or two native species worth
the attention of those interested in this class of
plants. L. sylvestris is one of these. It is not
particularly showy, but has large flowers of
variable colour, and generally of a greenish hue
veined with red or bright purple. I have occa-
sionally met with it climbing over a bush or
hedge upon the outskirts of a wood, and simi-
larly placed in a wild part of the garden it
would prove both interesting and pretty.

Lathyrus Nissolia, too, is a pretty native
species, but it is generally of annual duration
only. It may, however, be associated with L.
sylvestris among Grass or thinly planted shrubs.
It grows little more than 1 foot high, has Grass-
like leaves, and when growing in the woods can
hardly be distinguished from the Grass till it
flowers ; then it becomes conspicuous and at-
tractive, as the blooms are of a bright crimson
colour, brighter than in any other species. I
know of one wood where it forms a pretty
feature in May and June. A. H.

The double Dropwort (Spiraea filipendula
fl.-pl.). — This, like many other hardy flowers, suffers
from neglect and greatly deteriorates if left too
long in one spot. We have evidence of this in two
groups which are now flowering for the third time
in the same spot. The spikes are as numerous this
year as last, but they are certainly not so tall, nor
are the clusters of bloom nearly so large. It is a
free rooting plant and obviously must in the course
of a season or two exhaust all the soil that its roots
reach. New groups will be made later on in fresh
places, and then the plant will go on for several
more seasons. . Even when not in flower, and espe-
cially in winter, the tufts of leafage formed by this
Spiraea are handsome and effective, and almost as
graceful as a Fern. — A. H.

Lilium elegans venustum. — This Lily is re-
garded as a distinct species under the name of Lilium
venustum, but it is certainly only a variety of the
variable L. elegans or Thunbergianum, though it
differs from all the rest in the fact that it does not
bloom till the other forms are nearly, if not quite
over, while the blossoms are also of a very distinct
shade of colour. This Lily grows a foot or a little
more in height, and bears several comparatively
large blossoms of a bright reddish apricot colour
without spots or marking of any kind. It is a very
telling Lily when in full flower, and is sometimes
met with under the name of of L. elegans armenia-
cum. There is quite another species, L. Bate-

mannire, whose blooms greatly resemble those of the
last-named, but the whole plant is altogether dif-
ferent, for it reaches more than double the height
of the other, the foliage also being quite distinct,
and it is seldom retained till the flowering season in
as good a condition as in the case of L. venustum.
The bulbs, too, are totally distinct from each other,
those of the last-mentioned being the same as those
of other forms of L. elegans, while in the case of L.
Batemannise they are somewhat larger and pecu-
liarly flattened on the top after the manner of L.
Leichtlini. The supply of L. venustum is principally
maintained by consignments from Holland, while
L. BatemanniEe is imported in large numbers from
Japan during the winter months along with L.
auratum, L. speciosum, L. longiflorum, L. Krameri,
two or three varieties of L. elegans, and a few other
Lilies. L. Batemanniic is a good traveller and
usually reaches here in sound condition. — T.

THE GARDEN CLEMATIS.
One of the most useful and beautiful climbers is
the Clematis, and few pictures are more familiar
in gardens than the violet-purple-coloured C. Jack-
manni that wreathes many a pillar, post, and rustic
doorway with its free growth and countless flowers.
This old favourite still remains popular, and the
large breadths of it in the nursery of Messrs. G.
Jackman and Son, Woking, who grow this plant
in every possible variety, show that the demand
increases rather than decreases. As there are
several distinct sections of the Clematis, it will be
well to refer to them under their separate headings
and briefly touch upon their cultivation.

There is nothing troublesome in growing this
climber, and the freedom of Jackman's Clematis
shows the vigour and hardiness of the plant
even when associated with sturdy things that seem
determined to choke it to death. Some of the
prettiest effects in gardens are the result of grow-
ing this climber with Ivy, the rich green leafage
bringing out the intense depth of the flowers. A
light loamy soil is best for all the Clematises, and
the growth is stronger and the display of bloom
more profuse if a little lime is mixed with the loam.
There is one thing to guard against, i.e., an over-
saturated soil, and it is thus necessary to have a
well drained material to promote vigour, which
must be maintained by a good dressing every year
of manure, or on a heavy soil leaf-mould. It is
most important to prune at the right time and in
the right way. In the case of the types represented
by the lovely C. montana that sheets many a gar-
den wall and cottage with white flowers in spring,
florida, patens, and lanuginosa, cut out in Febru-
ary or March weak or overcrowding growth, laying
in the strong and well-ripened one-year-old shoots.
To cut carelessly will simply result in pruning
away the nest season's flowers. This is sometimes
done, and the plants complained of as shy flower-
ing. A different course must be followed, how-
ever, with the Jackmanni and Viticella types, which
usually bear large, variously coloured flowers in
summer and autumn on the young shoots, which
should be therefore encouraged. Cut back the
plants when their beauty is destroyed by frost to
within a few inches of the soil, and give a mulch-
ing of manure. This is a short review of the cul-
ture of plants which are of free growth, hardy, and
may be grown in various positions in the garden,
while they give a profusion of bloom of various
shapes and colour over a long season. The Jack-
manni type is the most common, except such a
variety as montana, and besides the type that
everyone knows we have a white form, which has
given rise to some discussion in The Garden, its
early flowers appearing pale mauve in colour, but
those subsequently produced are white, as indicated
by the name ; Alexandra, reddish violet, the well-
known velutina purpurea, tunbridgensis, mauve-blue;
rubella, claret ; Gipsy Queen, very deep purple; and
magnifica, purple barred withred,arethefinest, whilst
those in the Viticella group which should haverecog-
nition are Thomas Moore, violet with white stamens ;
Viticella rubro-grandiflora, claret-red; Lady Bovill,
blue-grey; and Mrs. James Bateman, lavender. One
of the great classes is the "patens," those varieties

that bear large flowers in the spring of various
shades. Standishi, mauve-purple, is one of the
most familiar ; The Queen, lavender, and Vesta,
white tinged with cream, are also popular kinds,
while such kinds as Fair Rosamond, Lord Londes-
borough, Mrs. G. Jackman, and Miss Bateman are
excellent. Two other types remain, and these are
florida and lanuginosa. Of the former one of the
finest is Duchess of Edinburgh, a pure white double
flower, sweetly scented, and very chaste when the
plant is in full bloom. Another full and bold flower
is Countess of Lovelace, while Fortunei, John Gould
Veitch, and Lucie Lemoine are worth having. The
lanuginosa class is larger, and embraces some very
choice flowers, as alba magna, white, and the sky-
blue-coloured Blue Gem ; Henryi, creamy white ;
lanuginosa Candida, grey-white ; Gem, lavender-
blue ; Louis Van Houtte, bluish-purple ; Otto
Frcebel, one of the very large-flowered kinds with
blooms of a greenish-white tone ; W. Kennett,
lavender ; Princess of Wales, bluish-mauve ; and'
purpurea elegans, violet-purple.

These are a selection of a few of the best in their
several sections, and in disposing them in gardens,
we may remark that the common way of nailing
the plants to a wall is not the most happy if we
want the full characteristic graceand elegance of the
flowering shoots. Nor do we care for the varieties
that bear very large saucer-shaped blooms, but
rather for those of smaller size which are more in
keeping with the character of the group. Of course,,
besides the large breadths outside, principally com-
posed, however, of young plants not in bloom,
Messrs. Jackman and Son are famous for their pot
specimens, which they used to exhibit to the as-
tonishment of many at the London exhibitions.
The fact remains that, familiar as the Clematis is,
it is principally the smaller class of gardens in
which they are planted, not the large places that
have many odd and bare corners, walls, pillars, and
posts that such charming things would wreathe in
growth and flower. The Clematis in one or other
of its many varieties would fill the gaps, and give
pleasure by the boldness, freedom, and beauty of
the variously coloured flowers, which range from
white to the deepest purple.

Eulalia japonica variegata.— When grown
in pots for decoration a very poor idea is had
of its beauty in comparison with plants that are well
established in the open ground. There is now a
splendid specimen upon the lawn at Avenue House,
Finch] ey. The plant in question is 6 feet in height,
and still retains its beautifully variegated cha-
racter. As a specimen this plant looked all that
one could desire ; it would, however, look well
planted in groups, whereby more effect could be
obtained with its eiegant growth.— H.

New Sweet Peas. — At several exhibitions this
season flowers of new varieties of Sweet Peas have
been shown by Mr.Eckford, Salop, and many beauti-
ful colours occur, but there are others very mixed and
weak, the result of having the flowers flaked and un-
decided. It is only the rich self and pronounced
shades that make an effect in the garden, especially
such varieties as Mrs. Sankey, pure white ; Mrs.
Gladstone, very lovely in its pink and white shad-
ing; Countess of Radnor, blue, a bold, handsome
flower ; Primrose, primrose, and giving promise for
a true yellow flower; Ignea, brilliant scarlet;
Lemon Queen, white, the outer surface of the
standards flushed with a brownish colour ; Orange
Prince, very distinct, standards orange-scarlet, the
other portion pink ; Dorothy Tennant, purple- blue ;
and Stanley, a very distinct flower, of quite a
polished purple shade. These are all of good dis-
tinct colours, and some of them are flowering now
in the Chiswick Gardens of the Royal Horticultural
Society, where there are two rows to show their
value for brightening the garden in summer.

Gunnera scabra. — When recently walking
round the grounds of Mr. Stephens, at Avenue
House, Finchley, I was much struck with a splendid
group of this noble fine-foliaged plant in luxuriant
health. Its requirements as to an abundant supply
of moisture at the roots had evidently been studied
and duly provided for at the time of planting, with

104=

THE GARDEN.

[AtG.

1890.

the reward of a healthy and vigorous growth. I
never remember to have seen a finer mass of this Gun-
nera, which should be planted far more than it is
in damp spots or near to the margins of large
sheets of water, where it is seen to the best ad-
vantage. A slight protection in severe weather
would prevent any injury to the roots, or in
very cold and exposed situations the plants may be
lifted.— J.

TUBEROUS-ROOTED BEGONIAS AS BEDDING

PLANTS.
I THINK this wet season will assuredly bring
into favour for the decoration of the flower gar-
den these popular plants, that is, if a strain of
good shaped flowers has been secured. Our beds at
this date are charming, and though the growth has
not been so strong as could be desired, the plants
are blooming very freely, and present a cheerful
contrast to Geraniums and other plants more com-
monly used. These useful plants, if not given too
much heat at starting, are much better for bedding,
as when planted out the growth is sturdy and
they do not surfer from the cold nights we often
get during June. If possible, only those kinds
should be used which have erect flowers. Our
plants had scarcely any heat at starting, and after
planting, the same week we had several degrees of
frost, and they did not suffer in the least. I think
for bedding the cold frame treatment at starting
suits them best, as they never receive a check and
commence to grow freely. This class of plants will
be an immense boon to gardeners who have hitherto
had a large number of soft-wooded plants to house
through the winter months, taking up a lot of room
and making a lot of work in the spring, as the Be-
gonias when dried off occupy little room and give
no trouble for months. Some of our bulbs did well
planted out of the fibre in which they had been
stored in boxes. I think at lifting time it is the
best plan to place the bulbs in cocoa fibre, gradu-
ally withholding water, and keeping free from
frost. Starting in spring in the boxes, they soon
push through the fibre, and when taken out are
well rooted. — G. Wythes, Syon House.

There are comparatively few failures when

tuberous-rooted Begonias are used as bedding
plants, but they do fail occasionally. One of the
causes of failure is, that the plants are not pro-
perly hardened off before being planted out, and
the other is in planting them in positions where
they get the direct rays of the sun early in the
morning before the foliage has had time to get dry.
Injury from the sun I find occurs principally in the
early part of the season before the leaves get pro-
perly hardened. I have also noticed that when the
foliage gets scorched, the plants do not recover.
It is, however, my experience that if the plants are
properly hardened off, the foliage is not more liable
to injury than that of Pelargoniums. Failures may
and do occur no doubt, through putting out weakly
plants and planting them in soil that is not rich
enough or too light in its character, but this does
not detract from the merits of Begonias for bed-
ding. It is a mistake to plant small bulbs and ex-
pect them to do well in the open air. The bulbs
should be at least one year old, and even then they
must be well grown the first season to get them to
a satisfactory size. There is no better plan than
planting the seedlings out in a bed of good soil in
a cold pit or frame as soon as they are large
enough. This plan not only saves labour, but
larger bulbs will be obtained than when they
are grown singly in small pots. There is time
enough to gain something this season in that
way if the stock is planted at once. The
more exposed the beds are that the plants
are to occupy during the summer, the more
necessary is it to bring them on slowly under
cool treatment before they go out. For bed-
ding, I maintain that Begonias do not require any
fire-heat ; a cold frame in which 'is a bed of good
soil, and a mat or two on the lights at night to ex-
clude the frost, is all the protection they want. If
carefully lifted and planted out, the Begonias will
come into bloom as soon as the Pelargoniums. A
good many people find it difficult to get the seed to

vegetate when it is sown in the spring. I recommend
all who have experienced any difficulty in that way
to sow the seed as soon as it is ripe. The pans or
boxes should be prepared in the same way, and the
same care exercised in managing them as in spring-
sown seed. If there is no warmer house, an ordi-
nary greenhouse will do in which to raise the seed-
lings. In any case, the pans must be shaded from
the sun until the little plants are well above the
soil. If the seed-pans are stood in the warmest
corner of the greenhouse, the plants will keep grow-
ing until near Christmas ; the leaves will then begin
to turn yellow, which indicates that the bulbs
require no more water. The pans should then be
stood on the floor of the house, and remain there
all the winter. In the spring it will be found as
soon as they begin to grow again that the soil near
the surface is full of little bulbs, some as large as
good-sized Peas. I have often had good-sized
flowering plants the following autumn with much
less trouble than in the case of those sown in the
spring.— J. C. C.

A CONTRAST.

From the first I was in sympathy with the
writer of a long series of articles which some
years ago appeared in the pages of The Garden,
condemning the practice, generally in vogue, of
depending solely upon tender plants for the
flower garden in the summer months, to the
utter disregard of a host of other far more
serviceable and equally beautiful hardy plants.
At that time I was called upon to annually
plant out many thousands each of zonal Pelar-
goniums, Calceolarias, Verbenas, Heliotropes,
Ageratums, Lobelias, Iresines, Coleuses, Alter-
nantheras, and such like, and despaired of ever
being in a position to get rid of these in favour
of the hardier plants. Go where I would the
same state of affairs prevailed, very few gar-
deners, even if so disposed, being able to break
away from the thraldom imposed upon them by
a fashion set by the London parks principally.
Hundreds of my fellow - practitioners were
annually sent to London by their employers in
order that they might more closely imitate what
was being done in Battersea, Hyde, Victoria,
and Regent's Parks, Hampton Court and other
gardens, and if they did not profit by their note-
taking excursions so much the worse for them.
In very many cases — the great majority in fact
— owners of private gardens quite overlooked
one very important element in the success in
the public parks, viz., that the greater portion
of the plants put out were either bought in at
planting time, or else were prepared in houses
erected and devoted solely to that purpose. In
most private places the bulk of the tender bed-
ding plants have always perforce to be prepared
in various plant and fruit houses in the best
manner circumstances will permit, the condi-
tions being anything but favourable to their
preparation. If the truth must be told in a
few words, the preparation of these thousands
of tender plants is from first to last a great
hindrance to private gardeners, and the fewer
there are grown the greater the likelihood of
better things being done in other directions.
If the results were at all commensurate with the
outlay of skill and labour, there would have
been more to be said in favour of this
temporary method of filling the beds, but
too often the best effects were over before
they were seen by the owners of the gardens,
while in any case the blaze of colour was
or is of the shortest duration, heavy rains
or early frosts ending their career in a most
ignominious manner. Not unfrequently by the
time the beds are well filled — very few private
gardeners being able to imitate the park super-
intendents and put out large plants that cover
the ground at once — the season is over. In

any case the necessity for taking cuttings early
in- the autumn greatly disfigures the beds at a
time when perhaps this can ill be tolerated, and
it will not be denied that no sooner do those
responsible get their beds well filled with plants
than they must make fresh preparations for re-
filling them with the same class of plants in the
following season. Where the beds are also
filled with hardy spring-flowering plants many
of these have to be propagated or taken good
care of many months prior to their being wanted
for the beds. Only those " behind the scenes "
have even a faint conception of the amount
of work and worry connected with the tem-
porary filling of the flower beds, or other-
wise we should hear of or meet with still more
cases of a revolution in this important work.

Quite recently I have had an opportunity of
inspecting several large gardens and of contrast-
ing the different methods of filling the beds.
In some instances the tender plants are still in
the ascendant, very few of the hardier sections
being included. As might be expected after so
much cold, rainy weather, the Pelargoniums,
Calceolarias, and such like present but a sorry
figure, while the Iresines, Coleuses, and Alter-
nantheras are little short of being failures.
They are alive, and that is all that can be
said about them. Lobelias and tufted Pansies,
the latter, unfortunately, not being extensively
used, have done well and are very effective, but
in but few other cases has any real progress
been made. Where a departure has been at-
tempted in the shape of a few beds or groups of
hardy plants the breakdown is not so complete,
and in some instances well-managed beds of
gorgeous annuals and biennials have had the
effect of saving the gardener's credit and pleasing
those who like " plenty for their money. " The
Nasturtiums are now and have for some time been
remarkably gay, quite surpassing the Pelar-
goniums, and the Poppies generally never
were so fine before. Evidently there is a
" future " before the Poppies, as on all
sides we hear of orders being given for
or a determination expressed that masses
of them shall be grown next season. But these
and other comparatively tall subjects are of no
use for small beds, and the first step of the
reformer should be to re-model the flower beds.
In one place that I visited this season not a
flower bed was to be seen on the lawns. Large
expanses of velvety, well-kept turf were not cut
up into numerous fanciful designs, and the
lover of all that is beautiful in Nature can stroll
round the place and enjoy grand banks of Rho-
dodendrons and a great variety of the best
spring and early summer flowering shrubs,
groups of flowering and berry-bearing deciduous
and other trees, rare shrubs, Conifers, and
grand specimen forest trees. The flowers, and
these mostly hardy kinds, are principally to be
found in the kitchen garden, and the borders
are well stocked with them.

It is not to be expected, however, that many
owners of gardens will agree to this wholesale
turfing over of beds, but there is no reason why,
in numerous case, a middle course should not be
pursued. Thus instead of a flower garden being
located exactly under the windows of the house
or mansion, with a mass of colour and nothing
else whatever to interest anyone in them,
the far better plan would be turf this down,
and to be content with a few extra large beds
and others somewhat smaller distributed in
various parts of the pleasure grounds. Some
might be filled with the oidinary tender plants,
including the ever popular Pelargonium, others
with annuals, and still more with Roses, Carna-
tions, and other hardy plants. In this manner
no breadths of turf would be unduly cut up, but

Aug. 2, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

105

there would yet be plenty of beds, and, what is
more to the purpose, these would be infinitely
more attractive to nearly all classes of visitors.
A gardener with ordinary tact and ability ought,
under such circumstances, to be able to cater
for the tastes of most people, and with far
greater satisfaction to himself. Not many
hundreds of tender plants would be needed to
fill a few beds in the usual formal manner, and
the labour saved in this department could then
be better diverted in the direction of properly
cultivating the hardier classes of plants, shrubs,
and annuals. That plenty of time and labour
must be expended upon hardy border plants no
one can dispute, and till a good stock is obtained
the outlay must also be considerable, but those
who have well tried what can be done with
them having something tangible to show at all
times, whereas the glory of the tender plants is
very fleeting.

In a garden I lately visited the beds are prin-
cipally filled with Carnations and Tea Roses,
not in mixtures, but in masses of one variety
only, with a groundwork of tufted Pansies,
Stonecrops, or other beautiful dwarf hardy
plants. In my career I have never met with
anything in the way of garden decoration to
equal what is being done at this place. There
are thousands of Carnations and nearly as many
Tea Roses, all in excellent health. The Roses,
having given one good display of bloom, were
growing strongly, the young foliage being most
beautiful, especially in contrast with the ground-
work of Sedums and tufted Pansies, and abund-
ance of lovely blooms will be available till frosts
intervene. Nor are the efforts of the experienced
owner of this place confined to the flower gar-
den proper, but on all sides are to be seen
masses or groups of hardy flowering bulbs,
plants, and shrubs. Nowhere else probably are
there so many Michaelmas Daisies to be seen in
groups of one colour, and these in the autumn
must be a glorious sight. "What adds to the
charm of a place thus well stocked with plants
is the fact that large basketfuls of beautiful
Roses, Carnations, and a variety of other
serviceable flowers can be cut daily without
being missed, and there is scarcely a month in
the year when there are not any good vase
flowers to be had. Even in this instance room
is found for a few Pelargoniums, notably the
Ivy-leaved section, Heliotropes and annuals, a
grand mass of Godetias being very effective ;
but instead of being in full possession of the
most prominent beds, they are used more in the
way of providing groundwork for thinly planted
Roses. The contrast between this exception-
ally beautiful place and some of those where
hundreds of thousands of tender bedding plants
only are put out is most marked in favour of
the former. I. M. H.

Forms of Lilium pardalinum.— I enclose
three blooms of as many vars. of Lilium parda-
linum. No. 1, purchased from a dealer who did
not know what it was, as I also had not seen a bulb
like it, is a veritable giant in growth ; the tallest
stem is now 9 feet 4 inches high, the ordinary good
floweriDg stems running from 7 feet 6 inches to 9
feet, and bearing seven to ten blooms. The big
stem will gain 2 inches or 3 inches yet, as the
pedicel of the topmost bloom will lengthen to that
extent. No. 2, purchased as L. p. californicum, is
5 feet G inches high, bears three to seven blooms,
and after expansion of the bloom, the crimson tips
of the petals become of a livid hue which in a day
or two spreads over the whole bloom. No. 3, pur-
chased as L. pardalinum, is but 3 feet high, and has
only a terminal bloom (four stems), probably not
yet well established. Notwithstanding your plate
and description (Vol. XX., pp. 526-8), I am in some
doubt. No. 1 is probably Robinsoni. No. 2 is

very like Michauxi in the plate. I have a Lily
bought as Michauxi, but it is not yet in bloom, and
bad I wanted to send you that also, there would
not have been a good flower of my so-called cali-
fornicum left. No. 1 was the first to bloom, July
5 ; No. 2, July 8, but I have only one clump of
No. 2. — Kho.

*„* The petals of the Lilies sent had all dropped
with the exception of a couple on one of the flowers ;
still by a careful examination of them and the
accompanying lucid description, we have little
doubt that No. 1 is Robinsoni ; No. 2, californicum ;
and No. 3, the typical pardalinum. The poor mate-
rial and the variable character of this Lily, how-
ever, prevent us from speaking positively on the
matter. — Ed.

THE HERBACEOUS PHLOXES.
These useful hardy flowering plants are equally
as valuable for small as for large gardens.
From the middle of July onwards they continue
to produce an abundant supply of flowers until
the damp days and nights of the latter part of
October destroy their beauty. The few first
frosts do not usually do them much injury, at
least not to the same extent as damp. The soil
best suited to their successful cultivation is
good loam not of too light a nature, as when
this is the case there will be a tendency to suffer
from drought in dry weather, and this should
always be carefully guarded against. A position
that is tolerably moist and cool during hot
weather is well adapted for their requirements.
When this can be secured, even with a less
amount of sunshine, it is better than being too
fully exposed to the heat and drought. Poor
soil or that which is light and gravelly should
be enriched with cow manure previous to plant-
ing, being deeply dug at the same time. They
thrive very well indeed in heavy loam with a
tendency to clay. Whenever they are found to
grow freely and flower profusely it is not a good
plan to add much manure, but better to leave
them for a few years as they are. After a time
they will show signs of weakness, then the best
plan will be to add manure to the soil or re-
move them to a fresh piece of ground. When
this is being done the clumps may be divided
as necessary. This is a very good and simple
way to cultivate them for all general purposes.
Where, however, more extensive propagation
is necessary or when plants of extra vigour and
strong spikes are the chief aim, then propaga-
tion should be by means of cuttings taken off
just when of sufficient length in the spring and
struck in sandy soil in pots under a cold frame.
When well rooted these may be planted out
permanently or left in pots and plunged for the
first year, and planted the following spring
when commencing to grow. This plan gives
rather more trouble, but no doubt better plants
are thus obtained. Large established clumps
always throw up a superabundance of shoots
every spring ; as soon as the strongest of these
can be fairly distinguished, all of the weaker
ones should be thinned out sufficiently for each
shoot to develop itself without being drawn up
weakly. Those growths remaining will thus in-
crease in vigour, and at the same time remain
more dwarf and compact with less need after-
wards of any undue amount of staking and
tying, both of which are objectionable whenever
they can well be dispensed with. Hardly any
of either one or the other is necessary with the
dwarf er kinds when the shoots are not drawn
up weakly, but the taller varieties do certainly
require some support. This should be given
them in good time before the shoots incline out-
wards from the perpendicular. Where there
are several shoots to one stool the best plan is
to place about five slender sticks around, the ]

outside, and then run a slender tying material
around from one to another. When only three
or four shoots have to be considered, then one
stick in the centre is sufficient with loose ties
to secure each one.

ThesePhloxesareveryusefulforcutting, look-
ing well when arranged by themselves, two or
three colours together. The faint, but delightful
fragrance of the flowers can hardly be found
fault with by the most sensitive in this respect,
whilst they last for several days in good con-
dition. This latter point may be further en-
hanced by using for the spikes receptacles which
hold a good quantity of water, so that the stems

White herbaceous Phlox.

may go a good depth into tke same. Small side
shoots taken off before all of the spike is in
flower do remarkably well for small-sized vases
or glasses. A few spikes of any of the orna-
mental kinds of Grasses would associate very
well with these Phloxes, but do not attempt to
add to the effect by introducing flowers of quite
a different character, either in colour or forma-
tion. Had I to keep a good supply of flo-vei s
in the conservatory during the season these

106

THE GAEDEK

[Aug. 2, 1890.

Phloxes are in bloom, I would have several of
them in pots well prepared for the purpose.
Good plants could thus be had in 9-inch or
10-inch pots that would lend quite a distinct
feature, and where they had not previously been
grown would constitute a pleasing change to the
ordinary run of the flowering plants then in
season. They should be potted on from cut-
tings the previous year, and plunged out of
doors to the rim of the pot ; in this way well-
established plants could be had, which being
plunged would give but little trouble in water-
ing. Care must be taken, however, that the
plants do not at any time suffer from want of
water, especially after the pots are well filled
with roots. After flowering in pots they may
be either turned out into the open border, or
potted into a size larger for another season with
a succession from cuttings to suit each case.

The following are a good selection of kinds to
grow, the dwarf ones amongst which would be
I the best to choose for pots : —
| ^ Early-flowering varieties (Phlox omniflora).—
| Clipper, white, shaded lilac, fine spike ; Hamlet, rosy
pink with white, large and fine ; Historia, white,
I shaded rose, very fragrant ; Linnet, white, mottled
! with rosy lilac ; Magnum Bonum, rosy crimson, light
i eye ; Max Kolb, lilac and crimson, fine spike ; Mrs.
: Hardie, white and rose ; Pauline, clear white, rosy
i crimson eye ; Prima Donna, pure white ; The Shah,
i rosy purple, one of the test ; -Annie Lockhart, white,
! with pink eye ; William Kirkpatrick, rosy purple, with
) distinct eye.

• Later flowering varieties (Phlox decussata).—
! Alexander Von Humboldt, very dwarf, pure white,
i with rosy purple eye ; Carot, pure white, fine spikes!
j dwarf j Clara, white, tinted rose, dark eye ; Comtesse
de Bron, orange-red ; Earl of Rosslyn, rosy crimson ;
1 Fille de F Air, white, with rose centre, dwarf ; Frau-
lein Steiner, white, carmine centre; General Breart,
' large flowers, white, tinted lilac ; Georges Sand, waxy
white, one of the best;' James Allan, salmon-scarlet;
John Alexander, scarlet,, with crimson eye ; Lafayette,
rosy lilac ; Liervalli, dark rose, with white stripes!
dwarf ; Mme. Crousse^ pure white, with crimson eye ■
Meteore, rose, with white eye ; Mrs. James Anderson!
rosy salmon, fine spike ; Pelleton, white, light crim-
son centre ; The Queen, the best white, dwarf habit ;
Panorama, rosy lilac, very dwarf; Bayard, mauve!
with darker shade, dwarf ; Enchantment, carmine!
with white eye, dwarf; Flore, rosy mauve, large star-
like white centre, dwarf; Espoir, white, carmine
centre, dwarf.

. As* the season is now advancing for these
Phloxes, note should be taken of the varieties
seen in flower ; they will be staged at the
autumn exhibitions, but are even better appre-
ciated when seen in a growing state. Planting
had better be deferred till the spring, when
growth is commencing, taking the precaution to
well prepare the soil when vacant in the
autumn. If wireworm is suspected in the soil,
a good dose of soot and lime had better be
applied at the same time. J. H.

Herb Lilies (Alstrcemerias).— Herewith I send
for your inspection a few blooms of Alstrcemerias,
which I think are very pretty and useful hardy
plants. I suppose the reason these beautiful plants
are not more frequently seen is because they are
planted in unsuitable places, such as open borders
where the soil is of a heavy nature with insufficient
drainage. In such places they quickly perish. I
have planted them in various parts "of the garden,
but tin; place where they thrive best is in front of
a greenhouse or at the foot of a warm brick wall
which supports the greenhouse. When these
Alstrcemerias were planted, I took out a trench 18
inches deep and 2 feet wide, and in the bottom I
placed 1 inches of brick rubbish, and filled the
remainder up with sandy soil from the potting bench
This seems to suit them admirably, for they in-
creased rapidly and flower profusely every year,
and untiling could surpass them for brilliancy of
colours and lasting qualities. This row of Alstrce-
merias is 45 feet long, and at the present time is a

perfect mass of colour, and few hardy plants can
surpass them when seen in good health. I should
think these Herb Lilies would be suitable for
dry rockeries, where they would have a fine effect.
-T. A.

"A. H." in The Gabden, July 20

80), does well to call attention to these. ^Un-
doubtedly A. aurantiaca is the best of them,
although all are desirable plants for the open gar-
den. It is for cutting that I wish to draw atten-
tion to Alstrcemerias, as their long stalks and large
heads make them very serviceable, and they also
remain a. long time fresh after they have been cut.
When recently talking to a florist at Bournemouth,
noticing a large bunch in a glass in his shop
window, I asked him if these sold well, and he re-
marked they met with a ready sale, and that they
travelled well. It is to be regretted that such a
lovely hardy border plant is not better known and
more extensively grown.— J. C. F.

Kitchen_Garden.

LESSONS OF THE SEASON.
A dripping June is supposed to put all things
in tune, but when the wet weather extends
through the greater part of July and culminates
in the downfall of 2£ inches of rain in about
twelve hours, it is not to be expected that vege-
tation generally, and kitchen garden produce in
particular, will continue to do well. There are
soils that are really benefited by very frequent
showers, and those dealing with these have
every reason to be satisfied with the produce of
all kinds. For instance, in the neighbourhood
of Calne, Wilts, where the soil is of a light
gravelly nature, the Pea crops have been un-
usually remunerative, a clear profit of .£20 per
acre having been realised ; but this, as might be
expected, is at the expense of other growers,
who wanted more dry weather and sunshine
badly for their Peas. As a rule, Peas have
filled very badly this season, mildew, thrips,
aphis, and other enemies to the crops being also
in the ascendant. The best crops have been
obtained from open quarters and poor ground,
the unstaked field Peas cropping and filling by
far the best. Some varieties have behaved very
oddly this season. For instance, William I.
has not maintained its reputation for earliness,
and in one Kentish garden it was actually
later than Duke of Albany. The latter has in
various quarters proved of very great service,
the pods filling well and more rapidly than those
of Telephone. Evidently it is one of the most
serviceable varieties in cultivation, and no fault
can be found with its quality. As a rule, the
wet season has told most injuriously on the
medium height varieties of Peas, there being
scarcely a good row of any of them to be seen.
They are usually the first to fail in a dry season,
and, on heavy land especially, collapse quickly
in a wet summer. Prodigy, a variety which
attains a height of about 5 feet, is very produc-
tive in several gardens I have recently passed
through, and Criterion fully maintains its well-
earned reputation of being a reliable second
early and main-crop variety. On the whole,
however, there are none to equal Ne Plus
Ultra, grand rows of this general favourite being
seen in various gardens, and in Kent they are
already gathering it. It is naturally tall-grow-
ing, and this season some of the rows will attain
a height of 8 feet. The good old Champion of
England likewise offends in this respect ; but I
have seen such good rows of it in gardens where
the less robust sorts present a sickly, yellow
appearance, that I feel disposed to grow it once
more, especially seeing that Uuntingdonian, an
"improved" form of Champion, has not done
nearly so well as usual,

Broad Beans appear to revel in a showery
season, but there is far too much stalk and the
pods fill slowly. Beck's Dwarf Green Gem has
done extra good service, and room ought to be
found for it in every garden where early Beans
of superior quality are desired. I do not re-
member ever having seen the Scarlet Runners
in such excellent condition as they are in most
gardens this season. The crops are very late,
but they will be exceptionally heavy. Those in
the open fields are also backward, and are by
no means growing strongly. I have known
them to be sent to the markets by the end of
June, but in very many cases there will be few
or none before August. Kidney Beans, again,
are very late, very few having been gathered
on sheltered borders or sunny open spots
before the middle of July, and in the majority
of cases they will not be available before the
end of the month. Beet where sown early
promises to be very coarse, the Turnip-rooted,
in warm districts being already quite large
enough. Cauliflowers have been abundant and
good everywhere, and Cabbages a glut. Let-
tuces also do well in a showery summer, abund-
ance of very fine hearts being generally plentiful.

The two great failures of the year are Carrots
and Parsley. I have not seen a single good
breadth of the former, grubs or maggots being
blamed for the collapse of so many plants. In
the majority of instances, it is the earliest sown
beds that have failed the most conspicuously,
and this is a lesson that ought not to be lost
sight of, as it is very certain late sown Carrots
are invariably the best in every respect. Grubs
of some kind and slugs have been most destruc-
tive to the Parsley, repeated sowings ending
similarly, and sowingthe seed in boxes or frames,
followed by transplanting, has unavoidably been
resorted to. Nor does Asparagus like so much
cold and rain, the growths in many cases being
both stunted and sickly in appearance. We
shall suffer for this next season. On nothing
has the long-continued rainy weather acted
more prejudicially than Potatoes. For a sur-
prisingly longtime they kept free of disease, but
recently a complete change has taken place, and
large breadths are to be seen with the haulm all
blackened and decaying. Low-lying districts are
likely to be the greatest sufferers from this bad
attack, and not a few growers must have already
regretted not having planted more of the re-
puted disease-resisters than they have done.
All the American varieties and many of the
home-raised sorts are in a bad plight ; whereas
the good old Scotch Champion, Magnum Bonum,
Laxton's Reward, Abundance, Chancellor, and
Chiswick Favourite never appeared more pro-
mising, and up till now are free of disease. The
contrast presented between the latter varieties
and those of less robust habit is most marked
in favour of the well-tried disease-resisters.
Come what will, we most probably shall have a
great abundance of Potatoes this season, though
many of the tubers will be very coarse, while
the quality will also be impaired.

Badly drained land is very easily detected, as
on this the crops generally are in a sickly con-
dition. In low-lying positions it may not always
be possible to avoid this bad state of affairs,
and the floods recently experienced in the neigh-
bourhood of the Thames must mar all prospects
of profitable crops. Where, however, the
ground stands in need of draining, advantage
should be taken of a clear course durin<* the
winter to effect it properly, as it is very evident
it will remain unprofitable all the while it is in
a cold, sour, or water-logged state. In some
instances it may only be necessary to renovate
choked drains, and now is the time to examine

Aug. 2, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

107

the gardens or fields, as the case may be, and
mark the places where drainage is needed.

I. M. H.

STAKING THE GROWTHS OF ASPARAGUS.
It is to be feared there are many who do not suc-
ceed with this vegetable simply because they do
not pay proper attention to the beds after they
cease cutting. It is not an uncommon occurrence
to see long, strong growths of Asparagus blown
down flat on the ground or broken quite off by the
ground line before they come into bloom. This I
consider is very injurious to the crowns. For
several seasons I have noted that wherever the
shoots were strong and remained upright till the
growth ripened off naturally the crowns produced
the best grass next season. When living in Hamp-
shire in an exposed garden I planted some Aspara-
gus in rows 3 feet apart. The second season these
plants grew strongly, and I decided to have some
of the rows staked to keep the growth from being
injured by the wind. Two or three rows were left
unstaked, and in these many of the shoots were
broken off at the ground line at an early period.
Although these crowns grew next year the growth
was not half so strong as that of those that were
staked, although treated the same in every other
respect.

It is my opinion more depends on the care of
the tops (than many cultivators think) than it does
on giving the plants salt, which some people con-
sider necessary. In a garden in which I practised
several years I had a good example of this. At
the foot of an espalier Apple tree a strong root of
Asparagus had established itself, and from this plant
I cut large fine Grass every season for eight or nine
years. This growth was not produced by the salt
nor from the manure the plant received. All that it
ever could have received in this way was just a
little manure the border may have had. I noticed
every year that the growths after cutting was
finished always grew up and were supported by the
branches of the tree, ripening off and producing
large seeds. In sheltered situations or where
the growth is protected I consider the single
row system the best, but when planted in beds
the plants are not so much exposed to the
wind. Would labour permit I would have all
our Asparagus supported by small brush stakes.
Old Pea stakes are very serviceable for this purpose
when removed from early Peas.

After taking care of the tops, the next important
matter in the treatment of Asparagus is giving
the plants a good soaking of liquid manure water,
this greatly helping the growth. I find liquid ma-
nure is far more beneficial than giving a quantity
of salt. I believe from observation that giving the
land such a quantity of salt every year makes it
very heavy and tough. I do not infer that salt is
of no use ; used in limited quantities, it is good as
a change of manure, and also helps to keep down
the weeds. I know some beds twenty years old
that have never been salted, and yet they produce
good grass every year. Doeset.

Spinach for autumn use.— The end of July
is a good time to make a sowing of this valuable vege-
table for autumn picking. By sowing at this time a
good growth will be made before the hard weather
comes on, and it will be found useful to come in after
the New Zealand Spinach is destroyed by frost. It
also prevents that which is sown to stand the winter
being picked. Our usual method is to make this early
sowing, and we are scarcely ever without Spinach. —
J. C, Forde Abbey.

French Beans. — These are useful when Peas
and many summer vegetables are over, and being
so dwarf they lend themselves admirably to
frame or pit cultivation. In this way I have found
them most useful this spring. A two-light garden
frame was planted with them. We had a con-
tinual supply after those grown in pots were over
till those sown in the open were ready, which, by
the way, was very late this season. We made our
last sowing in the open on the 22nd on a warm
border, and I hope to sow a batch where I can
place a frame over them as soon as there is any

danger of frost. From these a continued supply
can be had long after those are over in the open
border. Ours will be sown on an open south bor-
der just the size of a three-light garden frame.
These frames are always in demand, as they can be
used for other purposes. One of the main points
in these dwarf Beans is to select a good free
bearer and a dwarf kind. Having tried many
kinds, I find Syon House and Fulmer's Forcing
good. Nothing, however, equals Ne Plus Ultra.
This was tried this season with several other
kinds and surpassed all the others. It is very
quick-growing, and produces an enormous quantity
of Beans considering the space it occupies. — J. C,
Forde Abbey.

TOMATO LEAVES DISEASED.
By this post I send you some diseased Tomato
leaves, and shall feel obliged if you will kindly tell
me what is wrong with them. I have a large
greenhouse filled with plants, some in pots and
some planted out. Up to a week ago they were the
picture of health and vigour, and I cannot account
for it. The soil is light rotten turf without manure,
and the drainage perfect, and they are kept rather
dry, with plenty of air day and night. So far the
fruit is not affected, ana as there is an enormous
crop, I should feel very grateful if you could tell
me anything that would check this disease, and
also whether the fruit is likely to be destroyed. —
H. Franklin.

*«* The plants from which the leaves were cut
are badly overrun by the Cladisporium fulvum, or
some very nearly allied disease of a fungoid na-
ture. On the underside of the leaves are first found
numerous mildew-like spots or patches, and in the
course of a few days wherever these are, yellow
spots will appear on or show through the upper
surface. This disease is far more prevalent than
many seem to be aware, there being scarcely a dis-
trict that I am acquainted with where one or more
places have not suffered from it. It is perfectly dis-
tinct from the ordinary Potato disease (Peronospora
infestans), and far more difficult to deal with. No-
thing that can be done will rid a place of either
the disease or germs, but it is a comforting reflec-
tion to know that after the first two or three sea-
sons its virulence is much less marked. Mr. Frank-
land appears to have gone to work in a very intelli-
gent way with his Tomatoes, and his treatment is
not to blame for the outbreak. As a rule, neither
the fruit nor the stems are affected by this disease,
but if the greater portion of the leaves are des-
troyed, as they most probably will be, this naturally
greatly affects the weight of the crops. Clearing off
every diseased leaf that can be found will not pre-
vent the later ones from being overrun when they
reach a certain age, and it is not advisable, there-
fore, to go to extremes in this matter. It answers
well to remove both diseased leaves and stems af-
fected by the Potato disease, but this is no remedy
for the Cladisporium. In order to maintain the
roots in an active state and a good flow of sap to-
wards the clusters of fruit, it is advisable to cease
closely removing what are usually considered su-
perfluous side shoots, a few of these being laid in
to provide leaves to take the place of those diseased.
Strong mildew specifics seem to check the spread
of the disease, and a fairly good remedy consists of
painting the hot-water pipes with sulphur mixed
with milk or linseed oil, the pipes being made quite
hot and the house shut up close occasionally. A
good circulation of air, assisted by fire-heat in dull
cold weather, and a dry atmosphere constantly
should be maintained, and in this manner the crops
may be preserved and ripened. I had this disease
in the plants intended to fruit during the winter,
but, unlike a neighbouring gardener, I did not des-
troy them or consider the case hopeless. By perse-
vering with the preventive measures just given, the
plants were kept in a fairly healthy state, and they
were decidedly profitable, the last of the fruit not
yet being used up. — W. I.

Young Carrots in autumn.— In spring young
Carrots are sought after, and many ways are
adopted to obtain them at the earliest possible mo-

ment. Few vegetables are more appreciated than
veiy young French forcing Carrots. Our earliest
were obtained from an early sowing on a hotbed in
a pit, these being followed by frequent sowings
in the open. Our last sowing for the open was
made on July 25. I hope to make a sowing on a
warm sheltered border on August 1, and by pro-
tecting this I will be able to keep up the supply
till Christmas. It is difficult to obtain a good
change of choice vegetables after Peas, &c, are
over till such things as forced Seakale, Asparagus,
can be got in. These autumn Carrots should be
sown on a light, well-tilled soil in a warm, open
place. Having tried many kinds for early drawing,
I find nothing equals the French Forcing. It
grows very quickly, and is of a better flavour than
any other kind. It is almost round, very bright
red, and has a short top. This is the only kind
that is appreciated here when young. — J. C. F.

THE WEEK'S WORK:.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.
Carrots in frames. — In many gardens if seed of
any of the Horn or stump-rooted varieties is sown
during June on a warm border, the soil of which
is light and fine, a serviceable lot of tender young
roots will be available early in the autumn. Then,
if more seed is sown early in July this will carry on
the supply throughout the winter. The latter, how-
ever, is a somewhat precarious crop, and to be cer-
tain of a constant supply of clean tender roots,
frame culture must be resorted to. Hot-beds are
not absolutely necessary, but a shallow bed formed
of partially exhausted materials serves to raise the
frame from the ground and favours a strong start.
Four inches or rather more of fine soil
raised well up to the lights is needed, the seed be-
ing sown in shallow drills drawn 8 inches apart
and previously moistened. Unless wanted soon,
there is no necessity to put on the lights till cold
weather sets in, and with additional protection the
Carrots will continue to grow all through the win-
ter, the principal portion of the thinning out being
delayed till the most forward roots are large
enough for use. Three or four frames, prepared
and sown now, are none too many for a large
establishment, and the cooks prefer the French
forcing, though Nantes Horn suits as well.

Winter Spinach. — It is a mistake to be late
in making a good sowing of Spinach to stand
through the winter. Supposing a good breadth of
ground is sown late in July, another about the
middle of August, one, if not both, will most pro-
bably prove very serviceable during the autumn,
winter, and spring months. In warm districts still
later sowings may be made with advantage, as it
is scarcely possible to grow too much Spinach, but
as a rule it is the earliest breadths that best with-
stand all weathers and attacks from insect pests.
In each and every case the ground ought to be ma-
nured, dug, and pulverised well in advance of the
sowing time. The seed should be sown, not very
thickly, in drills drawn for the earliest crops not
less than 15 inches apart, rather less room being
needed by the latest sown plants, as they do not
attain a serviceable size till the spring. The Vic-
toria and Monstrous Viroflay are the best for the
present sowing, and failing these either the prickly
or round-seeded forms may be grown, one being
quite as hardy as the other.

Runner Beans. — These have grown very rapidly,
and are now setting good crops. They ought not
to be allowed to form much superfluous growth,
and topping the haulm should be resorted to as
soon as the tops of the stakes are reached, other-
running growths being also pinched back. Those
grown without stakes after the fashion adopted by
market growers must be kept closely stopped, or
otherwise the shoots run together into a thicket, in
which state the plants soon cease to bear well.
They ought to be gone over frequently. In order
to keep the pods on the dwarf rows clean it is ad-
visable to mulch between the rows with strawy
litter. If extra long straight pods are needed, thin
out the clusters freely, reserving the most promis-

108

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 2, 1890.

ing in appearance only. Gathering the pods closely
whether required for use or not, serves to keep the
plants in a productive state, perhaps to the end of
the season, perfecting seed having the most ex-
hausting effect. A few early pods, however, must
be saved if seed is required, but the best course
is to reserve a few plants for the purpose of pro-
ducing an early crop of seed.

Mushrooms feom hotbeds. — Hotbeds are not so
often utilised for Mushroom culture as they might
well be, especially seeing how easily good crops
can be had from them. It is not recommended
that hotbeds be specially formed for Mushrooms,
but rather that those now supporting frames of
Melons and Cucumbers be turned to good account.
When Melons are ripening off their crops and Cu-
cumbers are failing, the soil in the bed is usually
kept rather dry, and it is then when lumps of
Mushroom spawn should be inserted G inches or 8
inches apart all over the bed, and about 3 inches
below the surface. The exterior of the hotbeds
may also be spawned in a similar manner and with
advantage. Soil is not indispensable in Mushroom
culture at any time, nor, on the other hand, is
there any real necessity for the lumps of spawn to
be inserted in manure. Sometimes the best crops
of Mushrooms are obtained from the interior of the
frame ; at others a better if somewhat later supply
can be had from the sides of the bed. In about a
month after the spawn was inserted, the Melons
being all cut, the bed may be either watered, or,
better still, be exposed to gentle rains, and after-
wards heavily mulched with dry strawy litter. This
ought to bring up the Mushrooms in abundance.
The sides may be productive in the autumn, or if
not then will usually give numerous clusters in the
spring.

Mushrooms prom Marrow heaps. — Where
large heaps of manure and decaying rubbish are
formed for Vegetable Marrows these usually retain
a gentle heat throughout the season. This just
suits Mushrooms, and if lumps of spawn are in-
serted all over the heaps, as advised in the case of
Melon or Cucumber beds, the chances are a heavy
crop of Mushrooms will be obtained in the autumn
without any further trouble. Salt has a wonderful
effect on Mushrooms, and a very light sprinkling
duly washed in by rains or the watering pot will
bring them up to the surface in large numbers.
After frost cuts down the Marrow foliage this
should be carefully cut away from the beds bearing
Mushrooms, and a heavy mulching of soft strawy
manure or litter given. Frosts rarely injure Mush-
room beds, but either much cold rain or drying
winds do ; hence the necessity for mulchings.

"W. I.

PLANT HOUSES.
Epiphyllums. — The large-flowered Epiphyllums
will in most cases have made their growth, which
should now be matured. Without this, the bloom
will be deficient next summer. These plants are
often whilst making their growth kept in vineries,
or with other plants that need shading ; whereas
they delight in all the sun that can be given them.
Exposure in the open air in a position where the sun
during all the day will reach them is the best
means of getting the plants into condition. If they
can be stood in a line, close to the foot of a south
wall, with their tops temporarily secured to the
wall, the heat that is given off by the bricks in
bright weather will benefit them much. During
the time the plants are outside no more water
should be given than will suffice to keep the stems
from shrivelling. The varieties of E. truncatimi
are benefited by similar treatment, for though
naturally free bloomers, they do not produce the
full amount of flower they are capable of unless
the season's growth is thoroughly ripened.

Cereus. — The night- flowering Cere%uses are inte-
resting plants, bearing a succession of large re-
markable blooms when grown properly. When the
arrangement of a stove happens to be such that
the chimney-shaft runs up against one end of the
house, and where its drying influence is of a
character that few plants could be made to grow
there, this is just the place for the Cereus. A com-

paratively small pot suffices, as the aerial roots,
which they produce in large quantities, go far to
sustain the growth. The stems should be trained
against the bricks, and as soon as they get near the
roof they will flower. Under such conditions, two
distinct crops of flowers are frequently produced
each summer. During the growing season the
plants should be syringed copiously once a day.
Air ought to be admitted freely in the middle of
the day, but no shade should be used, as unless the
shoots are thoroughly ripened whilst in course of
formation, no amount of drying by withholding
water will enable them to flower.

Stove-flowering plants in cool quarters.
— The way stove flowering plants are often grown
prevents many good uses to which they might be
put. By permanent shading during the growing
season to shut out much of the light which is so
necessary to give solidity to the wood and leaves,
and still further by the plants being stood too far
from the glass, they are made too soft to bear re-
moval to a conservatory or a greenhouse, even for
a few weeks in the summer. Yet, where properly
treated, the kinds which require the most heat, such
as the Ixoras, will feel no ill effects from being kept
in cool quarters for three or four weeks in July and
August. All the rest that I ever gave to the plants
in question during the year was given in this way.
All that is necessary, when, as already said, the
plants have been properly grown is to stand them
at one end of the house, and keep the lights and
ventilators closed opposite them, admitting the air
required at the other end, and also to give no more
water than is needful to prevent the roots getting
so dry as to cause the young leaves to flag. The
softest and least matured may droop a little for a
day or two after the plants are moved out of heat,
but they will soon get used to the change. Where
there is a conservatory kept at an intermediate
temperature, warm stove plants may be freely used
in the manner described, and allowed to remain
longer without injury.

Fine-foliaged stove plants. — Many fine-
leaved stove plants may be similarly used in a cool
house for a time in summer. Eut in their case also
much depends on the way they are managed
through the year. Most of the representatives of
this section require protection from the sun in
bright weather. But shading during the hours
when the solar rays would disfigure them is different
to continuous shading. When properly prepared,
all the stove Dracaenas, Palms, Pandanuses, varie-
gated Pine-apples, Aralias, Theophrasta , Tillandsias,
Curculigo, Cyperus, Marantas, and Sarracenias,
with others of a like description, may be used in
this way. By the use of the plants named flower-
ing and fine-leaved, a conservatory can, for a time
in summer, be made to look far more effective and
interesting than when only common-place things
are used.

Achimenes. — Where a portion of the stock was
started into growth late, with a view to having suc-
cessional bloom, they will shortly be in flower, and
if well grown and not too much crowded in the
pots, they will be attractive at a time when there
is not too much variety available. The plants
should have weak manure water once a week to
keep the leaves fresh and green down to the bottom,
and it will help them to bloom longer. Plants that
have done flowering should be moved to a house or
pit, where, by giving them plenty of light, and
taking off the air early, so as to shut in sun-heat,
the tubers may get properly matured before the
tops die down. See that they do not suffer for
want of water.

Gloriosas.— The time of flowering of these
plants to some extent depends on that at which
they are started in the spring, and on the amount
of heat they are given. Where treated so as to
have them in bloom during the end of the present
month and through September, they are the most
useful on account of there being fewer things in
bloom then than earlier in summer. There is no
necessity for giving them so much pot room as is
sometimes supposed requisite, provided manure
water is applied regularly after the roots have
taken well to the soil. By assistance in this way

the plants will continue to flower longer. Whilst
they are in bloom they may be kept somewhat
cooler than earlier in the season ; but this must
not be carried too far with stove bulbous peren-
nials, as they are certain to suffer severely.

Herbaceous Calceolarias. — Seed should now
be sown without delay, or the plants will not have
time to attain the requisite strength and size
before winter. Where home-grown seed is saved
under a proper system of each year selecting
plants with the best formed and best coloured
flowers alone to produce seed, there is no danger of
the strain degenerating, but rather an improve-
ment will take place. Another essential matter is
that the plants should be vigorous and compact in
habit. Where home-grown seed of this character
is not available, it is better to procure some from a
source that can be depended on. The soil in which
the seed is sown must be light and open, so that
when the time comes for pricking off the plants,
they can be moved without the root breakage that
is unavoidable when the material is heavy and
adhesive. Loam that has lain together until the
roots of the Grass have become so far decayed that
the whole can be rubbed through a fine sieve, with
some leaf-mould in a similar condition, and sand in
proportion to that which the loam contains, is a
suitable mixture. If the loam is deficient in fertile
elements, a little rotten manure may be added ;
this also must be sifted. Where a considerable
number of plants are required, it is better to sow
in a good sized shallow box, as the seeds should be
put in thinly. Where thick sowing is practised
with these and other soft-textured subjects, the
seedlings get drawn up weakly before they are large
enough to handle ; whereas, if they have enough
room the leaves will spread and cling close to the
soil. Young plants of this description take the
lead, and will continue to maintain it up to the
time of their flowering, over such as are crowded in
the seed-pan. Cover the seeds very slightly, and
keep the sun from the surface of the soil, so as to
avoid the necessity for giving much water until the
seeds have germinated. As soon as the little plants
appear they should be stood near the glass to give
them as much light as possible. A cold pit or
frame kept moderately close is better than a green-
house during the time the seed is vegetating, and
afterwards until the season is so far advanced that
there would be danger from frost. T. B.

Garden Flora,

PLATE 764.

AURICULA GOLDEN QUEEN.*
The plate of a yellow-flowered border Auricula
given this week affords an opportunity to direct
attention to the tendency of this plant to revert
to the colour of its original wild state. I have
no knowledge of how the variety figured has
been produced, but I do know that all the best
selfs now cultivated have been raised as chance
seedlings from green, grey, or white-edged va-
rieties. Mr. Simonite produced a beautiful
variety, which he named Primrose Day ; about
the same time, I think ten years ago, Sunshine
was obtained by the Rev. F. D. Horner. Later,
another seedling, named Hetty Dean, appeared
with Mr. Horner, and quite recently he has
raised a variety which has been named Butter-
cup. All of them appeared by accident, as it
were, amongst the seedlings from the edged
flowers, and in my own experience I would cer-
tainly assert that the greater number of yellow
varieties is found amongst seedlings from white-
edged flowers. The dark ground colour dis-
appears, as also does the white edge in some
cases, leaving only the plant in its original form

* Drawn for The Garden by H. G. Moon from
a plant exhibited by Messrs. Ryder, Sale, April
25, 1890. Lithographed and printed by Guillaume

AURICULA " GOLDEN" QUEEN."

Aug. 2, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

109

as a yellow self. Buttercup (Horner) has all
the qualities of the best self edged flowers so
much desired by the fanciers. The flowers are
quite round, the outer edge of the corolla is of a
bright yellow colour, and quite free from
notches ; the centre pure white, and paste re-
markably dense for a yellow self. The mouth of
the tube is filled with the anthers, the stigma be-
ing down in the tube. The variety Golden Queen
may be taken as an example of a robust-growing
border kind, free from the points to which
the fanciers wish to cultivate their flowers. The
stigma at the mouth of the tube, which is not
heeded, and scarcely observed by the ordinary
flower cultivator, is prominent in the plate.
Both forms of the stigmas are found in Nature,
and philosophers, such as Darwin, have pointed
out that both forms are necessary for the repro-
duction of the species in a state of Nature.
This continual reversion to yellow self-coloured
forms, and in some instances to quite golden
yellow, lends considerable force to the sugges-
tion that the wild species of Primula, P. Pali-
nuri, may be a progenitor of the garden Auri-
cula. It is a native of Palinuri, near Salerno,
in the Neapolitan dominions, and may have
found its way into cultivation with P. Auricula.
This last-named species is not free in producing
varieties, unless it has been crossed with some
other species. The calyx, pedicel, and involucre
of P. Palinuri are densely covered with white
farina, similar to those of the Auricula. The
yellow Auriculas as border flowers are great
favourites, and are likely to increase in popu-
larity, but we must have plants with a vigorous
constitution ; and it may be well to remark
here that P. Palinuri is one of the most vigorous
of the European Primulas. For culture out of
doors in borders or rock gardens, some pre-
paration of the soil is necessary to obtain really
satisfactory results. Groups of one colour are
abtained by planting half-a-score or more plants
in an irregular mass, avoiding perfectly round
masses, a form much favoured by some culti-
vators. Dispose them so as to lead to the con-
clusion that the plants have grown where they
are by the scattering of the seeds from a parent
plant. In some gardens the soil is too light,
dry, and sandy ; if to this is added a dry gravel
subsoil, the Auricula will not succeed unless
some new soil is introduced. Yellow loam in
which Primroses grow naturally is best for
Auriculas ; add to this some decayed manure
and leaf mould to the depth of at least a foot,
and success is assured. The Auricula, like the
Primrose and Cowslip, is a moisture-loving plant,
but ought not to be too wet in the winter, and
dryness at that season can only be secured by
good drainage. We have a mass of one variety
of Auricula in the rock garden here planted in
loam, leaf mould, and manure, as advised, which
produced upwards of one hundred trusses of
flowers.

The rich yellow colour of some border
Auriculas contrasts admirably with the crimson-
maroon shades of the alpines. The differ-
ence in form of the foliage of some Auriculas is
very striking, as also the density of the white
or yellowish farina with which it is covered. In
a collection of named varieties where the owner
carefully attends to his plants and notes their
peculiarities, it is found to be quite as easy to
distinguish them by the foliage as it is by the
flowers. I need not add much more, except to
state that the finer show Auriculas are not well
adapted for out-of-door culture, although they
are hardy enough to withstand injury from
frosts, but damp and alternate frosts and thaws
seem to injure them so much, that they cannot
start into vigorous growth in the spring, as they
ought to do. It is rather remarkable that for

many years but one yellow self Auricula was
grown or cared for by fanciers. Probably be-
cause it was of delicate constitution, and re-
quired much watchfulness to obtain a good
flowering plant. It was named Stadtholder
(Gorton).

In the Department of Botany, Natural His-
tory Museum, South Kensington, there is a
large book of drawings of well-finished flowers,
prepared for a certain Count Dermatt, about the
year 1720 ; amongst them the yellow Auricula
figures prominently. One named Theseus is a
beautiful yellow self, and amongst them there
are some with the corolla distinctly striped with
yellow and brown. One of the best of this type
is Grote Cammander. One named Oranie Crow
has the edge flaked yellow and rose colour. I
admired one named Brudelle, which had the
margin of the corolla striped with a beautiful
combination of brown and gold colour. One
might in these early flowers trace the transition
state of the Auricula from the yellow flowers of
Primula Auricula and P. Palinuri to the edged
flowers of the present day. J. Douglas.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

PRECOCIOUS APPLES.
Several varieties have of late years been most
extensively planted on account of their free-
bearing habit while in a comparatively young
state, but the results have generally been far
from satisfactory. The trees in many instances
that have come under my notice have failed to
otow as strongly as could be wished, but each
season either bear, or try to do so, a heavy crop
of fruit. This may not always be the fault of
the variety, but whether so or not, there is no
disputing the fact that such precocity is very
detrimental to the health and vigour of the
trees, and is likely to end in their early up-
rooting. When young trees are allowed to
carry what under the circumstances must be
termed a heavy crop, they very rarely form any
healthy shoots, and not a few of them soon
become miserable, stunted objects, and of little
value to anyone. One of the worst offenders
in respect to premature bearing, and consequent
stunted growth, is found in Lane's Prince
Albert. This variety has been most extensively
planted during the past few seasons, and rightly
so, but I have recently seen a number of trees
on the Crab stock that were carefully planted
in 188V and 1888, all of which are complete
failures. They try to bear crops, but the fruit
is not worth saving, and no attempt is
made to form fresh shoots. In quite another
district dwarf trees are equally as precocious
and stunted, while all around are to be seen
capital trees of other varieties. Equally diffi-
cult to otow is the variety now known as Lord
Grosvenor, but which has long been cultivated
in Essex under the name of Jolly Beggar.
When in Kent the other day I saw whole rows
of this sort smothered with small malformed
fruit, but not a healthy shoot was on them.
Ecklinville Seedling has also a tendency to be
too productive in a young state, and the same
may be said of Worcester Pearmain, King of
the Pippins, and Cellini. The least that can
be done in all cases where the trees are attempt-
in" to crop heavily is to at once remove the
whole of the crop on those in very poor health,
or otherwise they will be completely stunted and
spoilt. It would have been far wiser to remove
the bloom or the greater portion of the crop
directly it was set, and then a few shoots might
have been formed. A mulching of manure
ought also to be given if not already done, and

in the autumn it will be advisable to wholly or
partially lift and replace the roots in a richer
compost than they are now in. If this will not
put new life into them nothing will.

Fortunately, there are considerable numbers
of Apples that grow strongly and yet bear well
in a young state. Foremost among these must
be placed that very serviceable variety Bram-
ley's Seedling. Nearly all the trees I have
seen of this sort are in a very healthy state,
and carrying a sprinkling or quite enough of
clean fruit. Even more robust in growth is
Domino, this forming stout growth, very fine
foliage, and already the fruits on young trees
are extra large and well formed. Trees of this and
Warner's King, which it much resembles in res-
pect of healthy productive growth, promise to
make capital pyramids. The growth of the Queen
is equally healthy this season, and youngtrees are
carrying a few fine fruits, while Prince Bismarck,
which much resembles the last-named in every
respect, is even more productive and alto-
gether a most desirable variety. The better
known Duchess of Oldenburg grows freely and
yet bears fairly well in a young state, and so
also does Small's Admirable, nor can much
fault be found with Mere de Menage, the crops
of this variety on dwarf trees being both heavy
and good. Mr. Gladstone compared with the
foregoing is not particularly precocious, strong
young trees bearing but few fruits this season.
Another capital early variety, Beauty of Bath,
bears well in a young state, and a failure rarely
occurs. Cox's Orange Pippin is not, as a rule,
particularly precocious, but grows freely, though
not so sturdily as could be wished. It is the
dwarf or sheltered trees generally that are bear-
ing much the heaviest and best crops this sea-
son, but these ought in no case to be allowed to
mature an injurious weight of fruit. The early
varieties will not be greatly benefited by thin-
ning fruit now, but it is not yet too late to
lighten the crops on the later sorts. Not only
does judicious thinning out greatly improve the
value of the crops, but it also prevents a severe
check to the growth of the trees. Neglect this
timely thinning out and the precocity of certain
varieties may prove a drawback rather than a
blessing to those owning the trees.

W. I.

Strawberry King of the Earlies. — This,
although a small Strawberry, is decidedly a good
one from a flavour point of view. In a rainy
season like this a Strawberry that possesses a good
flavour is of great value. This, King of the Earlies
possesses. 'When compared with many other kinds,
having grown upwards of a dozen kinds this season
besides the above one, I find this is far ahead from
a flavour point of view. It commenced ripening
the first and continued as long as any. Its only
fault is that it is rather too small. — J. Ceook,
Forde Abbey.

Melons. — I think the note on the above by
'•A. D." (The Gabdex, July 19, p. 66) was rather
severe. I believe I am right when I say there has
been no Melon certificated since last May twelve-
month, viz., at the Temple show, and it has not
been for lack of new Melons, for there has been
plenty of them, and many of fair quality. I own
the committee was in a liberal mood on the day
named, for it was noticed that out of eleven
present there were seven voted on each occasion.
I do not think the committee infallible, and it is an
easv matter to give an award to a Melon that does
not' merit it. but it is a sweeping assertion to say
that probably it was one good out of a dozen, as in
the case of one of the Melons shown it had actually
been before the committee three times, twice this
year and once last, and I trust it will be heard of
again. Those who have to judge Melons at the
present time will admit that the weather during
the last few weeks has been anything but favour-
able to give flavour; therefore perhaps the com-

110

THE GAEDEK

[Aug. 2, 1890.

mittee thought the Melons shown more deserving
of the awards. I agree that each new fruit of
whatever description should at least be shown
twice, but in some cases the committee is composed
of new members, not being the same on each occa-
sion. They would therefore only have the exhibit
before them once, and would possibly think very
different from the first committee, and often the
sending of fruit and vegetables entails expense,
and in many cases out of the sender's own pocket ;
therefore a difficulty exists. The only solution is
that in most cases a good fruit or vegetable will
by its merits soon become known, that is if it is
brought before the public— G. W. S.

MULCHING STRAWBERRIES.
How "doctors" may differ in relation to very ordi-
nary methods of garden procedure is evidenced in re-
gard to the mulching of Strawberries. Mr. Bunyard,
the distinguished Kentish fruitist, in a recently pub-
lished paper on Strawberries, advocated the mulch-
ing of the plants with long straw manure, heavily
too, so early as April. Conversing with a neighbour,
a market grower of Strawberries, the other day!
he stated that having in May mulched his breadths,
heavily too with straw manure, he found the frost
of June 1 to have done far more mischief to
the blooms on plants thus mulched than where
there was no mulching. "Seeing," he said, " how
terribly the expanded blooms were blackened on
my mulched plants, I went to other growers'
breadths and found that they had similarly suffered
where they had mulched also, but generally they
were later than I was in doing that work, and there-
fore, on the whole, suffered much less." That is a
fact worthy of note, and although one experience
will not suffice absolutely, yet there can be no doubt
whatever but that in retaining a considerable de-
gree of moisture about the plants, the mulching
did very materially aid the sharp frost in doing it's
work of destruction amongst the blooms. Certainly
about here henceforth little mulching will be
done earlier than the first days of June, and the
mulching will be lighter than usual. It is odd that
we should find mulching early to be so productive
of harm through frost, and yet later so absolutely
essential to protect the fruits from dirt, through
unusually heavy rains in the same season. Whilst
in this particular case of early mulching the grower
had a poor crop of fruit, generally about here,
where mulching was late done, the crop has
been a wonderful one, and I am glad to learn a
paying one. One grower told me of his crop and of
his receipts, which showed a wonderful return per
acre, but his fruit was exceptionally good. Still
we have in Strawberries to take the average of
several years, and the most reliable returns as to
profits per acre are those spread over five years
rather than are those of one prosperous year only.
The grower who had been unfortunate with Pax-
ton in one field was successful with British Queen
elsewhere, having splendid fruits, which sold at
double the price obtained for ordinary varieties.
British Queen, as a rule, does well in his medium
soil, colouring up admirably. He formerly grew
Oscar, which did remarkably well with him, and
then declined in prolificacy. This grower is now
anxious to hear of a thousand strong runners of
Oscar true, as he proposes to try his old love once
more. It is odd to find this strong fancy on the
part of market growers for old varieties when we
have so many new ones in the field. Still Oscar
has the reputation of being early, of fine flavour
and so firm of flesh that it travels well The
newer soft watery fruits of the Noble and Waterloo
type, often mere bags of water, are of no use to
growers except they can put them into the market
very easily. If they have to endure long carriage
their market value is greatly discounted. Without
doubt the grower who is within easy reach of the
market, and has a light vehicle in which he can
send his fruit to the market early in the mornirjg
fresh gathered, is best off. My neighbour, who'
had done so well, stated that all his best fruits
were gathered from :'; o'clock to 5 o'clock in the
morning, then sent off to the shops immediately
and they thus retained that freshness and gloss

without which Strawberries often have to put up
with moderate prices. A. D.

Tying up Strawberry plants.— J. Hill, in
The Garden of the 19th July, makes a very use-
ful suggestion in regard to the culture of Straw-
berries when he recommends that the plants should
be tied up in such a manner that the fruit cannot
touch the ground, and thus fall a prey to slugs, for
the fruit is not only attacked by slugs, but also by
snake millipedes and woodlice ; one of the former,
the spotted snake millipede (Julus guttatusi, is very
partial to ripe Strawberries, and may sometimes be
found in considerable numbers on one fruit. I
have had several cases brought to my notice this
season in which this creature had caused consider-
able damage to the Strawberry crop. This would
not have occurred had the plants been tied up, as I
do not think it likely that these millipedes would
climb up the plants to reach the fruit. The Straw-
berries also would be kept much cleaner in wet
weather if tied up, for unless they are kept off the
ground by means of straw, lawn mowings, fas.,
which are sure to harbour slugs and millipedes,
they become dirty, and more or less covered with
soil. Unless, however, the tying up is carefully
performed I should think there would be a chance
of the fruit, not being sufficiently exposed to the
sun.— G. S. S.

Fruit prospects.— With the exception of a few
trees here and there the Apple crop is nearly a
failure, certainly under a quarter of a crop. The
trees have in some places undergone defoliation,
looking like as in midwinter, whilst in others the
leaves are quite riddled by leaf-eating insects,
principally the winter moth and its numerous allies.
This only applies to those orchards whose owners
left them to take care of themselves. In our case
we attribute the failure of the crop to the injury
done to our trees by last season's defoliation by
the winter moth principally. The trees made a
second growth after midsummer, and this did not
ripen properly and could not therefore be expected
to bear fruit. The flimsy character of the flowers,
their imperfect generative organs, and subsequent
dropping off fully corroborated these surmises.
The weather at blooming time was not of the best —
continued dry easterly winds. Some trees of Court
Pendu Plat, which flowered a month later in good
weather, shared a similar fate. Our winter dress-
ings of lime, &c, to the trees saved us from a severe
attack of winter moth caterpillar, although we
suffered by another enemy — the Apple-blossom
weevil, an insect of altogether different habits and
less easy to combat successfully. We tried both
Paris green and London purple of the prescribed
strength, both of which answer the desired purpose
of destroying the winter moth caterpillar after they
have been applied for a few days. The greatest
difficulty is to keep the ingredients in proper solu-
tion, as they will settle to the bottom, and thus the
London purple is too strong and consequently de-
stroys the foliage also when this fact is carelessly
overlooked. It should be applied before the bloom-
ing period, being fatal to the flowers, and as every
shower of rain washes it off, it must be re-applied.
The crops of Pears are rather better, but Plums are
nearly a blank, and the trees are unhealthy from
aphis attacks. Both Apple and Pear trees not
having suffered so much this year by defoliation
as heretofore, have made better growth with every
prospect of ripening, some encouragement for next
year after so many disappointments. — W. Crump,
Madresfield,

SHOUT NOTES.— FRUIT.

Strawberry Augus'e Nicaise.— At Spye
Park Gardens the other clay I saw wonderful crops and
large-sized fruits of this Strawberry. I never remember
to have seen so many large fruits on a plant. The
plants had only been planted one year. — W. A. Cook,
Gompton Bassett.

Keeping wasps out of vinery.— Can you
tell me the best thing to use to keep wasps out of a
vinery? The material used must not he perforated
z.iuc', but something that will work with the lights. —
Reader.

SEEDLING STRAWBERRIES*
When I was invited to read a paper on " Seedling
Strawberries " at this conference, I felt that there
might be listeners who would inquire of themselves
why seedling Strawberries should require to be
separately treated when the history and cultiva-
tion of the fruit is expounded by the able fruitists
and writers who have kindly taken those subjects
in hand ; but looking at our special and most popu-
lar summer fruit as almost of an annual character,
as it gives its produce from seed more rapidly than
any other fruit with which I am acquainted, and
to the enormous demand to suit the various tastes
and requirements of consumers, I do not hesitate
to lay before you a few of the simple facts and
slight experiences gathered by me in a period of
thirty-two years, during which I have, mostly at
intervals of three or four years, continued to raise
and send out a batch of seedlings, chiefly by cross-
fertilisation. The annual character of the alpine
Strawberries, so much appreciated by our Trench
neighbours, is well known, as they are ordinarily
and best treated as such, coming fairly true from
seed, and the produce generally finer than from
runner plants. Our so-called English Strawberries,
which probably contain an admixture of the blood
of all the edible species, may be treated in a similar
manner, and may be more quickly fruited from
seed than, I believe, is generally understood. As
these are now cultivated in mc st temperat e and semi-
tropical climates, and as almost every soil and situa-
tion have a peculiarity for some particular variety or
varieties, it becomes necessary to provide sorts suit-
able for these varied climes and localities. In North
America, I believe, this has been largely and sys-
tematically carried out, with the result that a more
vigorous race than we have in most of our English
and continental sorts has been secured, for if there
be a falling in our many good quality Strawberries
it is chiefly that of weak constitution. The health
and vigour of most of the American varieties lead
me to look to these as suitable parents to be in-
troduced into our home stud book, for although
the American sorts are not all or generally suitable
for our moister climate, especially in a wet season,
still their great fertility, hardiness, and vigour,
combined with good size of fruit, have seemed to
me just what we want on this side of the water to
keep up the health standard and constitution of
the Western European varieties, for our cousins
looking at the matter in a practical and profitable
way have excelled us in the production of hardy,
prolific, and large-fruited varieties adapted for
market and field culture. By the introduction of
the American Strawberry blood we have an alliance
of two distinctly acclimatised races, and I cannot
but think that such an alliance is equally advan-
tageous for our artificially produced and cultivated
fruits as it has proved for the over-civilised human
race. Now following the lines adopted in America
in raising seedling Strawberries, the objects which
it has appeared to me that we ought to seek are: —

Constitution and moderate vigour.

Fertility.

Solidity and external firmness to adapt the fruit
for transit.

Flavour and quality.

Size and appearance.

The latter points many market growers will hold
as constituting the blue blood of the Strawberry,
while, on the other hand, private gardeners will put
quality in the foreground, as Strawberries are
grown to be eaten as well as to form captivating
works of art. This adds to the necessity of provid-
ing a sufficient number and variety of sorts as may
be required for the particular purpose It has
been my folly to seek the philosopher's stone, and
to blend all the desired qualities in one. I need
hardly say that this happy goal has not yet been
attained, and the pleasure may yet be looked for-
ward to by workers in the interesting field of
seedling-Strawberry raising. But to be practical,
what is most wanted now are early, main crop,
and late sorts having good-sized high-flavoured
fruits with a firm exterior, the colour of a bright

* Paper read by Mr. T. Laxton at the Strawberry
Conference, Royal Aquarium, June 2", 1890.

Aug. 2, 1890.]

THE GAEDEK

ill

glossy scarlet and lasting. The conical or heart-
shaped form may perhaps find most favour, but
the shape should be regular; the plant hardy,
moderately vigorous, and sturdy, and fairly pro-
ductive of runners ; a stout footstalk carrying
about ten or twelve even and regular-sized fruits,
free of, but not too far from the ground ; the fruits
of good and distinct flavours, it not being neces-
sary that all sorts should assimilate in this re-
spect, variety and novelty being desirable to suit
various tastes. Lastly, if these qualities can be
adapted to fruits suitable also for forcing, a mate-
rial gain will be secured.

How these Ends mat be Attained.
1. By sowing seed from naturally fertilised, large,
and well-shaped fruits approximating to the above
standard or objects desired. Perhaps the varieties
Sir Joseph Paxton, Noble, or Auguste Nicaise may
supply what is wanted in the earlier sorts, and
British Queen, Commander, President, Dr. Hogg,
Loxford Hall, Waterloo, Latest of All, or Eleanor
similar advantages for the improvement of the
main and late sorts. 2. By artificially intercrossing
the best English and foreign varieties.

Modes of Opeeation.
The seed may either be sown as soon as the fruit
is thoroughly ripened, when it may be broken up
and the pulp or flesh well washed out and separated
from the seed through a fine sieve or piece of
muslin, dried, and at once sown in a box of rather
light soil, kept moist and in a shady situation until
vegetation takes place, which will probably occur
in two or three weeks. As soon as the plants are
large enough to handle they may be pricked out
into boxes or potted off at once into 72's, and after-
wards repotted from time to time or planted out as
may be required, or the fruits may be dried in a sunny
place and retained until the early spring following,
when the seed may be rubbed or picked out and sown
and treated as above. The former method has the
advantage of gaining time, and from it I have been
able to obtain fruit from some of the seedlings in
about fourteen months from sowing the seed. The
latter mode avoids the preservation of and carrying
through the winter a number of small plants, and
the attendant risk of loss from slugs and insects.
I prefer and adopt the former when possible and
time is important, and this, I find, was the mode
preferred by the late Dr. Roden, well known as a
successful raiser and improver of the Strawberry.
When the seedling plants are strong enough, I
usually plant them out in rows about 1 foot 'to
1 foot 3 inches apart, according to size and vio-our
giving 2 feet (i inches between the rows. This
affords a fair opportunity for testing and securing
a few runners during the first two years ■ for
although some of the plants may flower and fruit
the year following that of sowing the seed, many
will not, however, fruit, nor can any be satisfac-
torily put on further probation until the second
year. Where convenient, it is a good plan to put
out the seedlings by the side of an open walk or
path, facing south if possible, as there the plants
get ample light and air and can be readily tended.
How and what to Intebcboss.
Where it is desired to intercross two distinct
varieties or species the parents should be both
healthy and vigorous plants, but not too vigorous
and it will be well for security and convenience that
the intended seed-bearing plant should be crown
in a pot. The anthers must be removed from the
flower to be operated upon with a pair of small
sharp-pointed scissors the day preceding the open-
ing and full development, and early the f olio win <*
morning pollen of the sort required as the male
parent should be applied to the pistils of the in-
tended seed-bearing flower directly from the pollen-
bearing flower, and as there is a possibility of Itie
organs not being sufficiently ripe or developed it
may be advisable to repeat the operation a few
hours later; but the first access of pollen will
usually suffice. When it is clear that fertilisation
has taken place, I pinch off all flowers and fruit not
required, so as to strengthen those intended for
seed. There is also an advantage in potting the
plants to be worked upon, as they may be advanced

or retarded for use with varieties flowering earlier
or later in the open, and the operations can be
more safely conducted under cover, the protection
of gauze, however, being unnecessary for a many-
pistilled flower like that of the Strawberry. It will
be wise not to over-fertilise or apply too much
pollen, as when many seeds are obtained from a
fruit the whole are generally weaker than when a
few well-developed seeds are secured. I have an
impression also that an excess of alien pollen tends
in the Strawberry to a predominance of the charac-
ters of the pollen-bearing male parent.

AS TO FOETHCOHING RESULTS,

it may be anticipated that as the cultivated
Strawberry is a cross-bred fruit, there will be con-
siderable variety as well as some wide breaks in
the progeny from intercrossing, but generally the
offspring will show characters intermediate between
the parents, and with perseverance it will be pos-
sible to gain the end sought. Having practised
Strawberry crossing so long, however, it is some-
what discouraging to know that Noble, probably
the most remarkable break in Strawberries of recent
years in this country, was obtained without artistic
intervention. I surmise there are some who will
like to know its actual origin— such is easily told.
In 1884 I grew and sowed the seed from a large
and handsome fruit of Forman's Excelsior (a fine
and good shaped, firm-fleshed Strawberry on light
soils). From this sowing I obtained only five
plants, one of which proved bolder than the rest,
and subsequently became " Ennobled "— the re-
mainder were not acquisitions. Now, considering
that I have during the past thirty-two years from
my own work of cross-breeding raised at least
10.0C0 seedling Strawberries, and out of these only
nine have as yet been sent forth to the world, al-
though all have had to be tried, and many after
being largely cultivated for 3 ears have had ulti-
mately to be abandoned, and that out of a small
batch of five from natural fertilisation there should
be one distinct gain, I feel that the work of a cross-
breeder who can only point to such results is not al-
together satisfactory , nor, I may feelingly add , profit-
able. Although Noble was only from natural, or in-
sect, or wind fertilisation, I am able, with some con-
fidence, to indicate its breed, and that it contains
American blood , as the fruit from which it was grown
was taken from a row of Forman's Excelsior grown
contiguous to one of Sharpless Seedling, a large,
early, and vigorous sort, andif the foliage, habit, fruit,
and periods of maturity of these two varieties be
examined and considered, it will appear tolerably
plain that Noble has a good deal of each of these
varieties in it, and that the advantages of American
blood have been secured without the agency of
man. The influence and weight of Noble will,
however, doubtless soon be apparent in forthcoming
varieties, for by intercrossing it with all the best
varieties, and reversing the crosses in most cases,
a large number of seedlings have been obtained and
are on trial. In carrying out my own work I have
found that the seed of Noble is lighter, and does
not vegetate so freely as that of the varieties
crossed with its pollen, and it may be that to this
imperfection of seed the fertility of Noble in
quantity and size of fruit may be owing. I have
also introduced with success the blood of other
American seellings into my crosses, and I am a
believer that in this introduction of new blood
there is greater probability of further advancing
our own home race of Strawberries, a field in which
there is yet ample scope for progress.

of growth, with a few huge blossoms which are
not so beautiful as those of this kind, which is
also of very good habit. One great drawback many
of these large-flowered Fuchsias have is that the
sepals stand out almost horizontally, and there-
fore the blossoms are never so symmetrical as in
such old kinds as Try-me-0 and Guiding Star, in
which the sepals are regularly reflexed. While
Alexandrina is such a desirable Fuchsia it may in
vain be looked for in most catalogues, being long
since displaced by others, many of which are cer-
tainly greatly inferior to it. Single - flowered
Fuchsias are to me much more beautiful than those
with double blossoms, many being but huge mon-
strosities, wanting in the grace and elegance of the
others.— H. P.

Stove and Greenhouse.

Fuchsia Alexandrina. — This Fuchsia is cer-
tainly one of the best of those with white corollas,
as may at the present time be seen in the green-
house (No. 4) at Kew, where it has been for many
.years one of the most attractive plants there
throughout the summer. This variety has a good
white corolla and brightly-coloured prettily reflexed
sepals, while the blooms are borne in great profu-
sion. The flowers are, however, not large, and size
now seems all important in such things as Fuchsias,
Pelargoniums, Chrysanthemums, &c. Thus many
of the newer varieties have an ungainly habit

HARD-WOODED GREENHOUSE PLANTS.
Many of the best varieties of hard-wooded
plants indigenous to New Holland and adjacent
countries, as also those from the Cape, require
more or less exposure each summer in the open
air. This is necessary for different reasons.
Some of the species will not set their flowers in
such quantities as required if kept indoors al-
together. Others there are in which, though there
is no need for outdoor exposure to induce the
formation of flower-buds if they are not stood
out for a time, the leaves made during the cur-
rent season do not get sufficiently hardened to
enable them to resist the attacks of mildew,
which usually makes its appearance, more or
less, in dull damp weather during the autumn
and winter. It may be well to state here that
the requirements of the different species in the
length of time it is necessary they should be out
of doors to effect the object in view differ widely,
as also in the kinds that are benefited by being
put out at all. There are some sorts in which
nothing is gained by outdoor exposure, whilst
in the case of a few of the most beautiful species
turning them out leads to a condition from
which they never recover, even if they do not
die outright. I feel the necessity of urging these
important matters to meet the mischievous
treat-all-alike advice that is frequently given on
the subject, and which does more harm than
good by misleading those who are not fully
conversant with the treatment required by this
section of plants.

To show the need for due discrimination in
the matter under notice it is only necessary to
point to the difference in the requirements of
different species of the same genus. Take the
Boronias, for instance ; B. serrulata, if kept, as
it should be, near the glass in a light airy house
during the growing season, will flower freely ; if
stood out of doors the leaves assume a bronzed,
unhealthy appearance which disfigures the
plants. All the other kinds that have come
into cultivation, except B. tetrandra (which is
so far inferior to the others as not to be worth
growing), set their flowers freely under glass,
but require to be outside for four or five weeks
to harden the leaves. Without this they suffer
from mildew. The parasite seems to be especi-
ally fond of B. Drummondi, and B. pinnata,
and not unusually affects the leaves during the
early months of the year, particularly if the
temperature is a little lower than the plants
like. The last - named beautiful species is
not only the best of the genus, but it is one of
the best of all hard-wooded greenhouse plants.
When well managed so as to get strong vigor-
ous growth, it keeps on flowering for three or
four months. With fair treatment this species
will continue healthy and vigorous for a dozen
or fifteen years, blooming every season. Four
or five weeks during August and up to the

112

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 2, 1890.

middle of September is the best time for the
Boronias to be in the open air. Most of the
Acacias that are suitable for pot culture, except
A. armata and A. Drummondi will set their
flowers freely indoors, and need not be turned
out except to make room for other things. The
two species mentioned are the best of the
Acacias for pot culture, as their bushy habit
and the moderate size to which, with the neces-
sary use of the knife, they can be confined ad-
mit of their being kept for many years in good
condition. To induce them to set their flowers
freely, they must be stood outside. A. armata
is better for being out from midsummer to
about the end of September; half this time will
do for A. Drummondi.

All the varieties of Aphelexis should have a
spell out of doors of five or six weeks in August
and September. This, though not so essential
to the flowers setting as with some things,
hardens the small scale-like leaves so as to en-
able them to retain vitality longer. Acro-
phyllum venosum should never be out of
doors. So different is it in its requirements
from other plants, that its leaves cannot even
bear too much sun coming on them when in-
doors. If near the roof in a light house the
foliage turns a dull bronzy colour and the wood
becomes stunted, a condition which is intensi-
fied if the plant is subjected to open-air treat-
ment. When stunted in the way described it
rarely recovers, though it is often years in
dying off altogether. It does best when grown
in a house where most other hard-wooded sub-
jects would get insufficient light. All the spe-
cies of Chorozema will set their flowers without
being put in the open air, and they are not
subject to the attacks of mildew; consequently
there is no necessity for their being put out ex-
cept where room is wanted. In this case they
may be outside from the middle of July to
the middle of September. Clianthus puniceus
and its relative Clianthus magnificus may
be outs:de from the time they have done
flowering until the time for housing the less
tender kinds of greenhouse plants. For though
when grown in a light house they will bloom
freely when altogether indoors, the red spider
to which these handsome and distinct plants
are subject can be better got at with the
syringe or garden engine when they are standing
outside. If from the beginning of August to
the middle of the following month Adenandras
are stood out, it helps to mature the wood and
leaves so as to ensure a full display of flowers.
Though in a light house the bloom will set with-
out open-air treatment, the foliage looks all the
better for it during the ensuing winter and
spring. Cytisus racemosus and its variety fra-
grans should both be in the open air in the
summer. A month or six weeks will suffice to
ripen the wood so far as necessary to help the
blooming of the latter, but the commoner sort,
C. racemosus, should be outside soon after mid-
summer, otherwise it is not certain all the
shoots that are strong enough will flower.
Neither of theforms of Daphne indicashouldever
be out of doors. To have them as they can
and should be, they want a little more warmth
and a closer atmosphere than they get continu-
ously when in the open air.

Desfontainea spinosa, though it will stand out
of doors in some parts of the kingdom, deserves
to be extensively cultivated in pots. It is a
good, but not too rampant grower, that will live
for an unlimited time if fairly treated ; but to
induce it to produce flowers worth naming it
should be out of doors during the whole of the
summer except whilst in bloom. Dracophyllum
gracile should be found in every greenhouse
where there is any attempt to grow other

than commonplace things. Its snowy flowers
are produced in the greatest profusion. It is
all but proof against insects, and quite so
against mildew. Every shoot that is not too
weak will bloom every year. It should never
bo exposed in the open air, as the chances
are that it will not live through the winter if
stood out in summer. Diosmas are now rarely
seen, yet their slender branches, clothed with
the profusion of flowers, have a charming
effect in a greenhouse or conservatory, and
they are as easily kept in good condition as an
Eriostemon. They should be out of doors for
six or eight weeks in the latter part of summer,
during which time they grow as freely as under
glass. Eriostemons should be in the open air
from the middle of July to the middle of Sep-
tember, without which they will not produce
such an even sheet of their starry white flowers
as when the wood is thoroughly matured
by full exposure in the open air. Hedaromas
require exceptional treatment. H. tulipifera,
which is much the finest species, is so sub-
ject to mildew, unless the foliage is hardened
out of doors, that it becomes a prey to
the parasite in the winter, and which if let go
on long, would not only destroy the leaves and
cause them to fall off, but would spoil the
flowers as well. There is one peculiarity about
this plant, that is, if it is stood out before the
flowers are formed they will fail to set after-
wards. The flowers are easily seen ; being pro-
duced at the extremities of the shoots, they
bend over as soon as formed in a horizontal
position. This generally takes place between
the middle of July and the middle of August.
A month or five weeks out of doors is sufficient
to ripen the leaves. H. Hookeri requires to be
treated similarly, though not usually so liable
to mildew.

Gompholobium polymorphum and G. bar-
bigerum are amongst the most beautiful and
telling of all greenhouse flowering plants. Their
Pea-shaped blossoms are unusually large for the
strength of the shoots that bear them. In the
best variety of the first-named kind, the colour
is glowing crimson with a pale centre ; in the
last - mentioned sort it is of the purest and
brightest yellow. The foliage is liable to mil-
dew in winter, especially if the temperature is
kept low, but ou no account should any attempt
be made to harden it out of doors, as the plants
rarely get over the great change of being moved
to the open air. Hovea Celsi and H. pungens are
amongst the most beautiful of all blue-flowered
plants, though now scarcely ever met with.
Their hard leaves are not affected with mildew,
and the flowers set freely under the ordinary
conditions of a greenhouse, so nothing is gained
by turning them out of doors. H. Celsi is the
betterand stronger grower ; it grows freely if only
it is let to have its natural way, which is to run
up for a considerable height before it begins
to branch out. Leschenaultia biloha may
be set down as the finest of all blue-
flowered hard-wooded occupants of the green-
house. _ It is liable to mildew in winter and
spring if kept in only a cool greenhouse tem-
perature. To ensure the plants flowering there
is no necessity for standing them out of doors,
as if strong and well grown they will bloom ;
consequently it is better not to put them
out. L. formosa, L. Baxteri, and L. intermedia
are very different in their habit of growth and
also in their flowering. L. formosa keeps on
blooming during the greater part of the year.
All the three last-named sorts will do out of
doors for a time during the latter part of sum-
mer. Phcenocoma prolifera I have never seen
affected with mildew. The wood does not
require ripening to induce it to flower further

than that which takes place in a greenhouse
that admits plenty of light. The freer and
stronger the growth is the more flowers are pro-
duced. This being so, there is nothing gained
by outdoor exposure, which, as already said, is
a trying ordeal.

Pleroma elegans should be in the open air
from the middle of August to the middle of
September. But it so far differs in the treat-
ment it should have whilst out that it should
not be stood where the sun will reach it for
more than a few hours in the mornings and
evenings, otherwise the leaves are liable to get
spoilt. Polygalas flower better for being a
month or six weeks outside during the latter
part of summer. I have not found any difficulty
in getting Tetrathecas to flower profusely, or
in keeping them free from mildew without turn-
ing them out. T. verticillata keeps on blooming
so long as any growth is made, whilst the dis-
tinct and much finer species T. ericoides will
set a full crop of flowers in a greenhouse.
Epacrises require to be stood out, but there is
a wide difference in the time at which the early
and the late-flowering varieties should be put
out. To have the early sorts in bloom as early
in the autumn as they are usually wanted, they
should be out of doors during the greater part
of summer, whilst to have the spring-flowering
varieties to come in late they should not be put
out until about the beginning of August. At
whatever time in the summer, after some growth
has been made, they are stood out, Epacrises
will at once begin to set their flowers ; hence
the difference in the time which is best to en-
sure the early as well as the late sorts bloom-
ing when they are wanted.

The different kinds of plants treated upon
are not by any means all that require to be
differently dealt with in the matter of open-air
exposure. But they are possibly enough to
show that the serve-all-alike proceedings which
are often advised will not lead to success.

The many fine varieties of Cape Heaths are
all light, and air, as well as sun-loving plants ;
but there is much difference in the time at
which they should be put out of doors. It may
be taken as a rule that, with very few excep-
tions, all hard-wooded greenhouse plants when
removed from under glass should be stood for a
week or so where the sun will not reach them
for five or six hours in the middle of the day,
so as to lessen the trying effect which the change
naturally has on both the roots and the tops. In
addition to this all plants that have fine roots
and are not able to bear as much hard usage as
a Nerium or an Agapanthus should have their
pots shaded on the sunny side by some means.
If covered all round with a piece of mat or old
canvas all the better. A trifling, and what the
superficial observer would look upon as un-
necessary attention like this frequently makes
all the difference between a plant retaining rude
health and getting into such a condition as to
be useless, even if it does not die outright.

T. Baines.

Phloxes in pots.— These are excellent when
grown in pots for conservatory decoration, and they
must now he well attended to in order to have them
very strong at the time of flowering. The Phlox is a
gross feeder and requires rich stimulants, which should
be supplied either in the way of surface dressing or clear
manure-water, not too strong. Tie the growths to
stout sticks as they advance, and place the plants where
they can obtain plenty of light and air.

Costus ig'neus. — AmoDg stove-floweiing plants
at this season of the year, the bright orange-red
flowers of this Costus stand out conspicuously by
reason of their colour, which is different from that
of any of their associates. Besides this it is of easy
culture, and a good healthy specimen will yield a
succession of bloom for a considerable period. The

Aug. 2, 18S0.]

THE GARDEN.

113

roots of this Costus are thick and fleshy, and it
forms a strong crown, from whence are pushed up
stout erect stems, which reach a height of a couple
of feet or thereabouts, and are terminated by a
flattened cone-like arrangement from which the
blossoms are produced. The individual blooms are
about 1 J inches across, and as two or three are often
open together, they then make a good show. It is a
native of Bahia, from whence it was introduced by
M. Linden in 1S82, but for some reason or other
it has never become generally cultivated. Perhaps
this neglect is to some extent owing to the fact that
the blossoms are of no use for cutting. This Costus
can be readily increased by division during the
spring months.— H. P.

Begonia Haageana.— "Whether known by this
name or that of Begonia Scharffi, this comparatively
new introduction is very valuable, as it is most
beautiful when in bloom, and will keep up a suc-
cession of blossoms for months together, frequently,
too, throughout the autumn and well on into the
winter months. Where there are a few specimens,
one or the other of them is seldom without flowers
all the year round, but its most general period of
blooming is from July onwards. This Begonia be-
longs to the metallica group, the bronzy green leaves
being borne on stout, erect stems, while the pale
pink blossoms are arranged in large, massive clus-
ters which are so weighty as to partially droop.
Like B. metallica, this is of easy culture, and it can
be readily propagated by cuttings of the young
shoots in early spring, which, if grown on free'y,
will form good flowering plants the following
autumn. Large two or three-year-old specimens
are, however, very useful for the decoration of the
intermediate house. — H. P.

Fuchsia triphylla.— This species belongs to
that section of the genus which is characterised by
long slender flowers in contradistinction to the
commoner rounded type, of which F. globosa is
perhaps the best known species. The group is but
sparsely represented in gardens, although it com-
prises such species as F. fulgens, corymbiflora, and
serratifolia, all of which are very beautiful when
in bloom, and certainly worthy of more attention
than they get at present. So far, however, as re-
gards brilliancy and depth of colour, no species
equals F. triphylla, the flowers of which are of a
rich scarlet. The dark purplish green leaves have
veins of a reddish purple shade, and, like all dark
backgrounds where scarlet is the prominent colour,
serve greatly to heighten the effect of the flowers,
which are borne at the end of each shoot in panicles
of twenty or more flowers. The calyx tube is 1^
inches long, opening at the top into four pointed
lobes, the petals being rounded and not so large as
the sepals. As a garden plant this Fuchsia has its
defects. It is much more difficult to grow satis-
factorily than the commoner class of Fuchsias,
and even healthy plants never have the same
bushy habit or luxuriant growth that is so easily
obtained with them. It is a delightful and interest-
ing plant, and the colour of its flowers ought to
make it valuable for hybridising. It was originally
discovered on one of the West Indian Islands in
1703, and the genus was then founded on it. It is
a curious fact that it remained practically unknown
in European horticulture until the present decade,
when it was introduced by a London firm of nur-
serymen.— B.

SHORT NOTES.— STOVE AND GREENHOUSE.

Tinnsea sethiopica— From the early part of
March to the present time this tropical African shrub
has kept up a succession of its curious little dark-col-
oured blossoms, remarkable both for their beauty and
delicious Violet-like perfume, which is so pixmounced,
that only a few blossoms scent the house. It wants
the ordinary attention stove plants require. Cuttings
may be put in at any time when the young growing
shoots are to be obtained, hut the spring and early
summer months are the best. — H. P.

Brugmansias. — Plantsthat are grown inlargepots
or tubs, and after being wintered cool were started
late, naturally bloom late, but they often come in when
they are quite as useful as those that flower earlier.
Manure water should now be given freely to them.

Vigorous quick-growing subjects of this character will
bear whatever is applied in the way of stimulants
stronger than slower growers. Use the syringe freely
and often to keep down red spider. — T. B.

Trees and Shrubs.

the austrian pine at home.

We are all familiar now with the Austrian or
Black Austrian Pine (Pinus austriaca), it
being probably the most commonly planted of
all the exotic Conifers, but though it has
been planted in this country for upwards of
half a century we see it only in a juvenile
state, and even the huge specimens we meet
with sometimes do not show the characteris-
tic habit of growth as it appears on the
mountain heights in Austria. There in its
adult stage it spreads out broadly in an um-
brella-like head and looks very different from

The Austrian Pine (P. austriaca) at home.

the prim young conical trees we see here in
England. M. Louis Kropatsch, of Vienna,
who sends the photograph from which the
present engraving was prepared, says that in
Austria this tree is called the " Broad Pine "
on account of the broad and flat spreading
head. He says that always when old it as-
sumes this growth, and a photograph of an
aged specimen he sent a few years ago shows
the habit better than the present illustration.
We shall have to wait many years before our
Austrian Pines grow into such rugged pic-
turesqueness, but still it is well for planters
to know the adult growth of all the trees
they plant. The landscape gardener knows
well the value of the effect produced by the
heavy masses of deep green of the Black
Austrian Pine, and the contrast it makes
with the lighter greens of deciduous trees.
For park planting this Pine is particularly
valuable, as it is such a telling tree at a dis-

tance, and it groups admirably with the
Scotch Pine and other trees. It can, more-
over, be early stem-pruned so as to afford
shelter for cattle, and as it grows well in
almost any kind of soil and is indifferent to a
bleak exposure, it may be said to be one of
the most valuable ornamental trees we have.
I have never seen a plantation of it on a
large scale, but I imagine that the effect of its
sombre foliage in a ma-s would be a remark-
able if not a pleasing feature in the landscape.
It is in Austria a very valuable timber tree,
and there is no reason why it should not be
planted for timber here more generally than
it is. W. G. Q.

A BED OF CHOICE SHRUBS.
A laiige circular sloping bed around one of the
fountains in the gardens at Castlewellan is planted
with an assortment of very choice hardy shrubs.
Groups of Acer polymorphum atropurpureum and
A. dissectum are very telling, especially
in the autumn. Spirtea opulifolia lutea
is a deciduous, fme-foliaged shrub, the
young growths of which are veiy effec-
tive. Desfontainea spinosa, an interesting
evergreen shrub, with Holly-like foliage
and crimson and yellow flowers, produced
in the autumn, has been extensively
planted. Some of the specimens are
about 8 feet in height and as much
through. Diplopappus chrysophyllus, a
golden-leaved shrub with whitish flowers.
Andromeda axillaris, CatesbEei, and ja-
ponica are three splendid flowering
shrubs requiring a peaty soil. A. japonica
is one of the handsomest flowering shrubs
we have. Aralia Maximowiczi is a decidu-
ous-leaved shrub of neat habit. Ceanothus
divaricatus is a blue flowering evergreen
bush of very free growth, and makes a
capital wall climber. Lomatia pinnati-
folia is a very distinct plant with Fern-
like foliage, and is of strong growth.
Fabiana imbricata, an evergreen shrub
of dwarf habit, and wreathed with
white flowers in the spring, requires a
peat soil. Olearia macrodonta, an ever-
green shrub with Holly-like foliage ; 0.
gummifera, a dwarf shrub of straggling
growth, flowering early in spring ; and
O. Haasti, an autumn - flowering ever-
green shrub of dense, compact habit,
are all worth attention. Metrosideros
floribunda, with leaves 1 foot long and
8 inches wide, and M. robusta are free-
flowering evergreen shrubs of straggling
growth. Pittosporum eugenioides, luci-
dum, nigrescens, and Mayi are very distinct,
making handsome specimens in a short time.
P. Tobira makes a handsome, free - flowering
bush ; the flowers are sweetly scented. P.
Tobira variegatum has very handsome variegated
foliage. Baccharis patagonica, a strong growing
Evergreen, flowering early in spring. Veronica
anomala, Traversi, and decussata are floweriDg
splendidly. V. Hulkeana is one of the best of the
Veronicas. Viburnum Awaf uki is a splendid ever-
green shrub with leaves over 1 foot long. V. plica-
tum is a very beautiful dwarf bush ; the flowers,
which are snow-white, are much larger than those of
the Guelder Rose. Another variety that flowered
well this season is V. macrocephalum ; the flower clus-
ters are much larger than in V. plicatum. Leucothoe
Davisife is a very neat little Evergreen, requiring
peaty soil ; it grows about 1J feet in height, and is
covered in May with clusters of white flowers.
Leucothoe pulverulenta is a charming variety of
free growth and with white Lily of the Valley-like
flowers. Daphniphyllum glaucescens is a strong
growing evergreen shrub, not unlike a Rhododen-
dron in habit ; the young leaves are of a rich soft
yellow colour, as they get old changing to a pale
glaucous green ; it flowered here for the first time

114

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 2, 1890.

this spring, and at present there is a lot of fruit on
the plants. Cornus masoula variegata, C. m.
Spathi, and C. in. elegantissima aurea are three
showy 'deciduous variegated shrubs. Libertia ixi-
oides, a charming evergreen plant, with narrow
Grass-like foliage and spikes of small white flowers.
Grevillea sulphurea and G. rosmarinifolia, two
graceful evergreen hardy shrubs. Eucryphia pin-
natifolia, a very beautiful shrub from Chili, with
white flowers. Berberis Darwini, dulcis, Thun-
bergi, stenophylla, japonica, purpurea, nepalen-
sis are all ornamental when in flower and fruit in
autumn. Ilex Lawsoni is one of the best of the
variegated Hollies. Exochorda grandiflora, a
SpiraTa-like shrub with white flowers. Several
plants of Ampelopsis japonica planted in the bed
are very fine when the leaves change colour in the
autumn ; also quantities of the newer varieties of
Pernettyas, which are very showy -when covered
with berries. Eugenia apiculata, myrtifolia, and
Ugni, three free-growing white-flowered evergreen
shrubs.

Illicium religiosum, a Chinese shrub with yellow
flowers, being of soft growth, does best with a little
protection. Piptanthus nepalensis, a free-growing
evergreen shrub, has large green leaves and yel-
low flowers. Elreagnus aureo-marginata makes a
fine variegated bush. E. oblongifolia and macro-
phylla are both interesting evergreen shrubs.
Another very handsome, slender-growing, sweet-
scented Evergreen is Azara microphylla. Quercus
Bun°,ei and Q. bambussefolia, two handsome and
distinct Evergreen Oaks, of dwarf, spreading habit ;
Q. banibusrefolia is a slender, graceful-growing
shrub. Senecio Fosteri, a fine-foliaged plant of
quick growth. Styrax obassia, a strong-growing
deciduous shrub, has not flowered here as yet.
Teucrium fruticans, a silvery-leaved plant, useful
as an edging plant. Also several green and varie-
gated Osmanthuses, Leptospermums, Skimmias,
green and variegated Ligustrums, Puya chilensis,
Fourcroya longieva, Eurybia erubescens and pur-
purea, Escallonia montevidensis, organensis, and
Pterocladon. Intermixed are golden Thujas, Reti-
nosporas, Junipers, golden and variegated Lawson's
Cypress, Prumnopitys elegans, and other small
Conifers, altogether making an interesting bed of
very choice hardy shrubs. T. Ryan.

Castleivelltm.

Darwini, Berberis japonica, and common Yew. All
these are evergreen, and may be obtained at a cheap
rate in nurseries. For very dense shade I have
found nothing succeed better than the Butcher's
Broom (Ruscus aculeatus), with an undergrowth of
the creeping St. John's-wort (Hypericum calyci-
num), Periwinkle, and Ivy. The common English
Ivy grows naturally in dense shade, but the Irish
Ivy has a bolder effect. Gaultheria Shallon may be
planted in light or peaty moist soil, and a good
carpet-like growth may be had of Euonymus radi-
cans and its variegated form. There are few deci-
duous shrubs that grow well under trees, so that I
have not mentioned any. — W. G., Kew.

SHRUBS UNDER TREES.
I SHALL be much obliged if you will answer the
following question in your next edition. What are
the best shrubs for planting under trees ? The
trees I want to plant them under are not tall, but
as I want the shrubs to fill in at the back, it does
not matter what they look like, provided they are
thick and grow to a fair size. — John Hall, Jtjn.

* * You do not mention the kind of trees under
which you wish to plant shrubs. In making a selec-
tion of shrubs for such a purpose it is necessary to
know whether the trees are of dense growth, like
the Evergreen Oak or Beech, under which very
few plants will thrive, or thin-headed trees, like the
False Acacia or Ash, under which numerous kinds
may be grown. As a general rule you will find that
most shining-leaved shrubs will thrive as under-
growth beneath the shade of trees, but, in any case,
the soil must be well prepared for them at the out-
set. If the large trees have been planted within re-
cent years and the soil is tolerably good, but little
preparation is necessary beyond deep digging, but
if the trees are large and old, then the soil will be
found overrun with roots and impoverished. In
this case fresh soil should be substituted (say from
9 inches to 12 inches deep), and in this the shrubs
intended for undergrowth should be planted. The
small shrubs should be vigorous and with plenty of
roots, and the best time to plant is during Septem-
ber and October, allowing the leaves that fall from
the trees to remain among the plants through the
winter. The choice may be made from the follow-
ing list: Common Holly, Berberis Aquifolium or
Mahonia, common Box, Oval-leaved Privet, Portugal
Laurel, Rhododendron ponticum (if no chalky
matter is in the soil), Laurel, Evergreen Privet,
Cotoneaster Simonsi, Skimmia oblata, Berberis

THE INDIAN BEAN.

(catalpa bignonioibes.)

In its ripe old age the Indian Bean possesses
a very different aspect from the young trees
and saplings often met with. Then it is twisted
and contorted, frequently of unsymmetrical
growth, and with gaps here and there — the
result of long - forgotten storms. For all
that, when in full bloom the Indian Bean is a
most remarkable and highly ornamental tree,
the curiously marked flowers and unusually
large and bronzy tinted foliage being distinct
from those of any other tree of my acquaintance.
That it is not, perhaps, perfectly hardy in every
part of the country is to be regretted, but as
one of the largest, healthiest, and most free-
flowering specimens I know is growing on Sir
Richard Bulkeley's Baronhill esiate, in the
dreary, wind-swept Isle of Anglesey, there
need be little to fear when assigning the pretty
and uncommon tree a position in our parks and
gardens. The Anglesey tree to which I refer is
growing in anything but a sheltered situation,
although in the flower garden. It is of hand-
some proportions, the head bushy and evenly
branched, and the trunk thick and somewhat
ungainly, as is generally the case with most
specimens of the tree. Where the Acacia does
well, in a light loamy soil always on gravel or
sand, there flourishes the Indian Bean, but
this is not to say that it may not be equally at
home on other and damper soils, but the above
is my somewhat limited experience of the tree
in England and Wales.

We have a goodly-sized old Bean tree at
Holwood growing above the gravel, and it
flowers freely every year, but I have not yet
seen the rarely produced pods in this country.
The tree is fully 40 feet high, well branched,
though it has been sadly cramped by a big
Beech, and girths between 3 feet and 4 feet.
The Catalpa shoots freely from the old stem,
if occasion necessitates the removal of such, and
it is thus rarely lost, though cut over during un-
usually severe winters. Jt is hardly the tree
for confined spaces, for as it branches widely
and strongly, and is of somewhat contorted
growth, a small corner that would suit many
another close-habited tree would not be suitable
for its peculiar wants. The flowers, produced at
the branch tips in rather large clusters, are
tinged with violet, and spotted with deep
yellow and purple inside. They are of large
size individually and very ornamental, and
being usually produced freely, give the tree a
bright and pleasing appearance when fully
developed.

Being a capital smoke-resisting tree, it is of
great value and largely used. So handsome a
tree with flowers and foliage so different from
nine-tenths of those we cultivate, it is perhaps a
little surprising that the Indian Bean is not
more commonly grown than is the case at
present, but with the Conifer rage now nearly

over, this pretty tree, with hundreds of others,
will gradually, but surely make headway.

A. D. Webster.

TREE AND SHRUB NOTES.
Htdeangeas. — The Oak-leaved Hydrangea (H.
quercifolia) is in perfect bloom. It has large,
thyrsoid panicles of fertile flowers with a good
scattering of showy white sterile ones at the out-
side. It is indigenous to the rocky banks of streams
in Georgia and southward, but is perfectly hardy
at Philadelphia, and apparently here too, and lives
fairly well in sheltered places at Boston. The
early flowering form of H. paniculata is within
three or four days of being in full bloom; the H.
p. grandiflora, the one so common in gardens, will
not be in bloom for weeks ; and the late flowering
variety of the typical plant does not yet even show
signs of buds forming. Hydrangea Thunbergi, a
Japanese species, is in splendid bloom. It grows
about 3 feet high and has flat cymes of bluish
flowers, the perfect ones towards the middle and
the showy sterile ones at the outside. It dies back
a little every winter, but that does not matter, for
its roots are perfectly hardy and the young shoots
bloom abundantly every summer. Hydrangea
vestita var. pubescens, now past its best, does not
flower freely.

Stuaetias. — The comparatively rare S. pseudo-
Camellia has been blooming for about a fortnight.
It is a Japanese shrub of large proportions, fast
growing, but neat, full, and branching and very
clean. The flowers are white, a little smaller than
those of S. pentagyna, the American one that is
hardy here, and more fugacious. The autumn
colouring of the foliage of this Oriental shrub is
very fine — gold and crimson. The S. pentagyna
has single Camellia-like crimp-edged white flowers,
and it lasts in bloom for a month. It starts to
bloom about eight days later than the Japanese
species, and lasts in flower two weeks longer.

Lespedeza bicoloe deserves the recognition of
every gardener and planter ; as yet it is very little
known. It belongs to the Pea family, comes from
Northern China and Japan , and is a hard-wooded , but
graceful shrub about 6 feet high. Its flowers are
small, dark rose-purple, and arranged in axillary
racemes, which are borne in the greatest profusion
throughout the month of July. Our plants began
to bloom five or six days ago. This shrub must not
be confounded with Desmodium penduliflorum,
which is entirely distinct and a month later in
blooming.

Benthamia japonica. — This looks exactly like
an American flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
in full foliage and full bloom at the same time, and
might be appropriately termed the Summer Flower-
ing Dogwood. Our plants began to bloom, that is
the large showy petaloid bracts assumed their pure
white colouring about the 10th of June, and they
were in their finest condition between the 13th and
24th of June, and even now there are many perfect
satiny blossoms upon the bushes. These shrubs
seem to be perfectly hardy, very free-blooming even
in the case of small plants, and are well furnished
with deep green glossy foliage, and they are easy
to transplant. I understand that Bentham and
Hooker have now merged the genus Benthamia
into that of Cornus. — W. Falconee, in American
Florist.

IiigTistrum Fortunei.— One of the very finest
of all shrubs now in flower is this Privet, which
never fails to bloom freely during the month of
July. It forms a free-growing branching shrub of
a somewhat spreading habit, whose numerous twigs
are crowded with small erect clusters of blossoms.
It is a very handsome lawn shrub, as when occupy-
ing an isolated position the branches frequently
sweep the turf on all sides. Like the other mem-
bers of the genus, it must not be planted too near
the dwelling house, as the scent of the blossoms is
almost overpowering. On warm dry soils it suc-
ceeds perfectly, and withstands the suns of July
both as to flower and foliage better than most
shrubs. L. Fortunei and L. sinense are, if not ex-

Aug. 2, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

115

actly the same, at all events very nearly related to
each other. It is a plant of very easy propagation,
and grows quickly ; therefore it is cheap in nurseries,
but there is little demand for it. The robust-grow-
ing Japanese Privet (Ligustrum japonicum) with
large very dark green leaves is also in flower, and
the white blossoms of this, though not borne in such
profusion as in the case of the preceding, yet con-
trast well with the deep hue of the foliage. — T.

NATURAL REPRODUCTON OF RARE TREES

AND SHRUBS.
Nowhebe have I noticed rare trees and shrubs re-
produce themselves with greater freedom than on
the Holwood property, one of the Kentish seats of
Lord Derby. Here the Lebanon Cedar (Cedrus
Libani), the Weymouth Pine (Pinus Strobus), Ever-
green Oak (Quercus Ilex), Acacias, and many other
of what may be styled rare trees spring up in the
woodlands with the greatest freedom. To-day I
examined a number of seedlings of the Lebanon
Cedar that five years ago had been lifted from be-
neath a large specimen tree on the lawn, or rather
close to the lawn, at Keston Lodge, and carefully
planted out in one of the nurseries. They are quite
as healthy and of as free growth as any I have ever
seen raised from imported seeds, and that had been
subjected all their lives to nursery treatment.

That the ground beneath this fine old Cedar was
suitable for the natural reproduction of the tree I
am weR aware, for both the soil, site, and under-
growing herbage were all that could be desired in
that way. In the case of the Weymouth Pine the
young seedlings in all stages and even up to a
height of 4 feet are by no means uncommon, the
natural herbage being principally Heath, Lily of
the Aralley, Wintergreen (Pyrola), and a few wood-
land Grasses of rather rough growing character.
The seeds seem to have taken and sprung up most
freely wherever bare patches of small extent occur
in the heathy ground or within short distances of
the stems of old specimen trees.

Along with the Weymouth Pines may be found
hundreds of self-sown Yews, Holly, Juniper, and
the commoner species, such as Oak, Beech, Scotch
Fir, Larch, Horse Chestnut, and common Syca-
more. The Yew and Holly reproduce themselves
with unusual freedom, the former being rarely
found as single specimens, but usually in good
broad masses of from 50 to fully 100 plants in each
group. Juniperus communis hibernica (the Irish
Juniper) I have noticed growing wild on several
occasions, and, strange to say, the fastigiate habit
of growth is f idly retained. In company with it
may be found self-sown seedlings of the Beam
Tree (Pyrus aria), and occasionally a single plant
of the Cluster Pine (Pinus Pinaster).

On a steep chalk-pit face I was rather surprised
to find the Evergreen Oak (Quercus Ilex) growing
freely from naturally dispersed seed, although no
specimen of the tree could be found within
300 yards of the place. The Beam Tree, Guelder
Rose (single), and Dogwood were also to be found
growing freely from self-sown seeds in the same
place and under exactly the same conditions.
Beneath a large purple Beech (Fagus sylvatica
purpurea) I had a number of young seedlings
collected and given nursery treatment, the result
being that the majority of the young plants have
turned out to be quite equal to the parent plant in
depth of leaf-colouring. Side by side with the
Beech is growing a brightly-flowered pink Horse
Chestnut, and it has likewise reproduced itself with
the utmost freedom. But what surprises and
delights me most is the free manner in which the
False Acacia springs up wherever old specimens are
present in the woodlands. Young plants may be
picked up by the half hundred in most instances.
The Maple, too, reproduces itself in certain planta-
tions very freely, and hundreds of young plants
have been procured in that way. Nordman's Fir
(Abies Nordmanniana) I have found on at least tw«
occasions, but not Abies nobilis, although it is
growing in exactly a similar place and under the
same conditions as A. Nordmanniana. The plants of

as any of those ever raised from seed. Regarding
Nordman's Fir, I noticed that the seeds start to grow
while yet forming part of the cone, particularly in
such of the latter as have fallen on damp ground or
amongst Grass. Some of these cones, of which we
have impressions, are curious instances of a pre-
mature, if we may so style it, start into growth.
The Guelder Rose (Yiburnum Opulus) reproduces
itself with the utmost freedom wherever a bare
patch in the woodland is brought about through
thinning. This may also be said of the Dogwood,
English Maple, and the Wayfaring Tree (Yiburnum
Lantana).

Amongst small herbaceous plants reproduction
goes on quickly in the lake wood at Holwood.
The Cape Pondweed (Aponogeton distachyon) ousts
out every other plant in some of the ponds, and
increases amazingly. In the double -flowered
Arrowhead (Sagittaria sagittsefolia fl.-pl.) we have
an example of the same kind. Lilium auratum
doubles its quantity of flowering stems each year
planted on the edge of one of the lakes ; but then
the soil — the finest of sandy peat — would tempt
any plant to become established. The Lily of the
Valley is a notable example of how plants will
increase when a woodland is opened up. Here it
grows by the acre, and wherever a few trees are
cut out and an opening made in the woodland,
there it takes possession of the ground, and almost
to the total exclusion of other plants. Paris
quadrifolia and Cephalanthera grandiflora behave
in a similar manner to the latter, and are quite a
feature of our early summer woodlands.

A. D. Webster.

the Heather are well suited, for in most of their
class the foliage is of a deep, somewhat sombre tint,
and these yellow varieties serve to greatly lighten
them up. Whether exposed to the cutting winds
of winter, or to the hot suns of July, these Heaths
always retain their brightness of colouring. On the
exposed parts of rockwork the golden Heathers are
very pretty. — T.

Pavia macrostachya.— I have often won-
dered why this beautiful little tree or shrub should
be so scarce, as it is very ornamental in appear-
ance, perfectly hardy, not difficult to propagate,
and yet I suppose one might visit half the gardens
in the kingdom without finding it, although its
giant relative the Horse Chestnut is known and
appreciated everywhere. It usually flowers in the
month of August, and continues in blossom for
some time. It does not grow so fast as many of
the common things do, but once get up a handsome
weR-shaped specimen and it will be a joy for ever.
If one had an old stool, by layering the young
shoots a large stock might soon be worked up. I have
never rooted it from cuttings, but it throws off
suckers from the bottom, which when planted in a
nursery row for a few years make good plants. I
do not know a more handsome object for the lawn
to associate with the Venetian Sumach and good
specimens of Hibiscus. — E. H.

SHORT NOTES.— TREES AND SHRUBS.

Locust Tree and cattle.—" D. W." (Garden,
July 5, p. 10) writes a paragraph on the Locust Tree.
May I be allowed to add a further testimony to its
merits by mentioning another useful quality it possesses
which I discovered by chance 'i I planted one at the
side of a small field, let afterwards as accommodation
pasture to the butcher of the place, and consequently
continuaUy grazed by all sorts of cattle, but the Robiniii
Tree has never been harked nor suffered in any way
from them, although it has never had any tree-guard or
protection. — M. R., Liphooli.

Veronica Traversi, one of the most useful
shrubs that have come to us from New Zealand, is
flowering unevenly this year. In some gardens it
is, as usual, smothered in bloom, but in others a few
scattered flowers appear. This is possibly due to the
past season, which prevented the Carnations opening
their flowers and spoiled the Roses ; but at Kew the
shrub is onemassof delicate bloom, creating apretty
effect where the specimens are placed singly on
the grass. It is quite hardy and makes a round-
headed bush about 4 feet high, the abundance of
small, closely and regularly set, deep green leaves
being as attractive in their way as the small spikes
of mauve-coloured flowers.

Cotoneaster frig-ida.— This native of North
India might with advantage be more generally
grown than it is. At Compton Bassett, Calne, large
isolated trees of it are to be seen both on the lawn
and in the park, and they prove remarkably orna-
mental. Trees with a good clear stem are planted,
and these in the course of a few years form quite
large heads. In the spring, the long pendulous
branches are clothed with large bunches of white
flowers, all of which set freely, and in time assume
a bright red colour, a beautiful contrast to the
glaucous foliage being afforded. These clusters of
fruit are very tenacious, and not being eaten by
birds, differing in this respect to both the Mountain
Ash, to which it bears a slight resemblance, and
the Holly, are therefore of great service for house
or church decoration at mid-winter. — I.

Golden-leaved Heather — In selecting low-
growing shrubs of a golden hue, this variety of the
Heather must not be passed over, as it is very beau-
tiful, and acquires a desirable richness of colouring
in summer. Perhaps I should have spoken of the
golden Heather in the plural, as there are two dis-
tinct forms ; in one the foliage is of a rich golden

Orchids.

hue, and in the other orange with a tinge of bronze.
the former were quite as strong and healthy looking | As an edging to the larger Ericaceas these forms of

HOULLETIAS.

This is a genus which one seldom sees or hears
about — in fact it seems to be neglected by the
majority of Orchid growers ; yet some cultivate
these singular and beautiful plants, as I am in
receipt of two flowers of H. odoratissima from
Mrs. Carrol. I should like to know the collec-
tion whence these flowers come, but as the letter
has simply the address " London '; on it, I am
quite at a loss to know its whereabouts. The
first species, which was introduced to our gar-
dens about fifty years ago, flowered a year or
two afterwards in the collection of Mr. Brockle-
hurst, of Macclesfield. This was the species
upon which Lindley established the genus, and
some other species have been added from time
to time by collectors, but the plants have never
been common. In my younger days the species
upon which the genus was founded was a plant
looked upon as being very difficult to flower.
Of late years, however, it has been found that
the plants really require less heat than was for-
merly given them. The genus, named in com-
pliment to a M. Houllet, a French gardener,
appears to be related to Stanhopea. The
flowers, however, differ in having spreading
sepals and petals, and in the lip, which is
jointed in the middle, having on the lower part
two horns which point upwards towards the
column. The flower-scape is erect and the
flowers are very sweet scented. The plants
belonging to this genus have rather small
pseudo-bulbs, each one supporting a single large
plaited leaf, and the scape is radical, rising from
the base of the pseudo-bulb some 12 inches or 15
inches in height, bearing many flowers. These
are for the most part highly coloured, and some
of the kinds produce very fragrant flowers. I
have found these plants thrive best in a cool
house. During the winter months Houlletias
may be grown along with Miltonia vexillaria.
This will assist in maturing the pseudo-bulbs
after the growth is finished. During the season
of growth, that is to say, through the summer
months, the plants should be well exposed to
light, but at the same time shaded from the sun,
in order to prevent the leaves being scorched.
Peat fibre and Sphagnum Moss are the best
materials for growing them in. The plants
should be put into good sized pots, which should
be well drained. When growing, Houlletias

116

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 2, 1890.

like a liberal supply of moisture to their roots,
but in winter just sufficient to keep the plants
from suffering will be ample. The flower-spikes
usually appear about the time when the plants
start into growth, so that at this period care
in watering is necessary. The following are
some of the chief species and varieties, and
these deserve more general cultivation, being
rich in colour and deliriously fragrant. If grown
as directed and in a cool house, there need be
little fear of their flowering freely.

H. odobatissima. — The flower of this, sent me
by Mrs. Carrol, has been in water for a week, and
it looks as fresh as ever. It measures about 3
inches across, and the sepals and petals are nearly
equal, of a dull reddish purple, longitudinally
streaked with narrow lines of a deeper red ; the
lip is pure white, the horns at the sides being of a
duller red than the sepals. It yields a delicious
fragrance, resembling that of Boronia niegastigma.
It comes from Colombia.

H. odobatissima antioquiensis is a similar
plant, with deep, blood-red sepals and petals, and
the curious shaped lip is white, tinged with yellow.
Native of Colombia.

H. odobatissima xanthina. — This is a variety
of somewhat recent introduction, having originated
amongst some plants received at the St. Albans
establishment of Mr. Sander. The flowers are
large and of a rich orange- yellow ; the lip is
white, faintly tinged with yellow. It comes from
Colombia.

H. Brocklehuestiana. — This species produces
a dense spike of very beautiful flowers, which are
of a deep tawny brown, spotted with purplish
brown ; the lip is yellow, more or less spotted with
purplish brown, the flowers being large and very
fragrant. It comes from Brazil.

H. picta. — This is a rare plant from New
Granada, the flowers being dull yellow on the out-
side, and on the inside the lower half of each
sepal and petal is dull yellow, spotted and tessel-
lated with cinnamon-brown, the upper portion
being plain cinnamon ; the lip is yellow, tessel-
lated with deep purple.

H. tigrina is a very pretty, somewhat slender
growing plant with a decumbent scape, which
bears a few very large flowers. The sepals are
yellowish green, spotted and barred with chocolate ;
petals much smaller than the sepals, tri-lobed, the
ground colour blotched with reddish crimson ; lip
creamy white in front, freckled with chocolate, and
tinged with pale yellowish green, the base white,
barred with purple. It is said to grow on the
ground in the forests of Weinmannia, and thus
affords a different aspect to most of the species,
but it is also said to be one of the handsomest
plants in the province of Ocana.

H. chrysantha. — This, perhaps the rarest
specimen of the genus, was introduced from the
western part of New Granada some twenty years
ago by M. Linden, of Brussels, but it has never
become plentiful. Like all the genus, it has been
under a cloud in European gardens. The plant is
very distinct in appearance, being dwarf, with
broad, bright green leaves, which are tapered
slightly at either end ; the scape is short and some-
what few flowered, the flowers being plain yellow
without, but inside they are rich golden yellow
spotted with purple, making a beautiful flower.
W. H. Gower.

cool, but not quite dry, just sufficient water being
given to keep the roots plump. Whenever the
slightest indication of growth appears, the roots
should be repotted into new soil, and as growth
increases, so may the amount of water to the roots
be increased, until the flowering stage is reached.
The plants I have noted are usually to be seen in
Sir Trevor Lawrence's garden in excellent condi-
tion about this season of the year. The plants are
natives of Jamaica and other of the West Indian
Isles, and they are also said to be found in Mexico.
-W. G.

Stenorrhynchus speciosum and S. macu-

latum. — The two flowers sent by " Nemo " are of
these two species, maculatum being the one with
silvery spottings on the leaves. S. speciosum used in
years gone by to be a popular plant, and it was
largely grown. These plants produce stout dark
green leaves, and in the case of maculatum they
are sprinkled with silvery spots, and the spikes are
erect and of a brilliant red ; these are many flow-
ered, the interior portion of the flower white. It
should be grown as a terrestrial plant, well drained,
and the soil should be of a good retentive loam.
When the plant loses its foliage, it should be kept

ORCHIDS AT ST. ALBANS.

A walk round the great establishment built up by
Mr. Sander for the growth of these plants is always
attended with interest, but just at present that in-
terest is increased, for here are to be seen thou-
sands of hybrid plants bred in the establishment,
and long though it may be before many of the
Cattleyas and other things reward one with their
blooms, there are other plants which are now be-
ginning to flower and to induce Mr. Sander to still
prosecute his labours. Amongst these I may men-
tion a new Masdevallia, a cross between M. tovar-
ensis and M. amabilis, with its first flowers upon a
weakly plant, and the new and very beautiful
Cypripedium Youngianum, the result of a cross
between C. Robelini and C. superbiens, the first
of a series of extraordinary hybrid Cypripediums,
which will astonish us, I feel certain. Passing,
however, from the new seedlings, I may observe
the houseful of Phalaenopsids, which here appear
to be thriving as well as those of the celebrated
Partington collection. Their treatment also seems
to be conducted on the same lines, the one feature
which I have so often advised, i.e., the sparing use
of peat or Moss about their roots, here being well
exemplified, for the plants have an abundance of
roots, whilst the foliage is ample and good. The
temperature of the house was warm, there was an
abundance of moisture, anda veryfree circulation of
air, so that there was no feeling of oppression ; in-
deed air is admitted so freely in all the houses that
this feeling never appears to be experienced, and
this explains the health of the whole collection.
The flowers of the Cattleyas and Lrelias were rather
scarce, but the beautiful C. Gaskelliana in many
varieties was in bloom, and its successor, C. Bow-
ringiana, was pushing up its growth briskly. There
were also many fine examples of C. Leopoldi bear-
ing clusters of its charming flowers, whilst amongst
rarer kinds now flowering may be noted C. Arnoldi-
ana, a beautiful and delicate form of C. Mossiaa. C.
Schofieldiana is another plant of great beauty and
in various varieties. C. aurea is also in good form
here, its rich flowers being so very different from
all except this Dowiana section. The flowers of C.
Eldorado, although somewhat small when com-
pared with those of other members of this section,
as seen here in quantity were quite enchanting. I
was glad to find that the long neglected genus
Stanhopea was also engaging the attention of Mr.
Sander, for these plants, although the individual
flowers are not long-lived, yet when established
they produce a quantity of many-flowered spikes,
and the majority of the kinds yield a pleasant
perfume, which in the old-fashioned Orchid houses
was too oppressive, but in the Orchid houses of to-
day with a free circulation of air is quite de-
lightful. In flower I noted beautifully marked
forms of S. oculata, the flowers waxy white and
of good substance, profusely spotted with purplish
spots. S. Wardiana is a beautiful variety and one
of the very best of its class, the flowers having a
rich orange-yellow ground, profusely spotted with
blackish purple, whilst in S. eburnea we have one of
the rarest kinds, bearing large ivory-white flowers.
In another house there was a fine display
of Aerides and Vandas. Amongst the most con-
spicuous was Aerides Leonis expansum, which was
represented by many dozens of plants, with their
pendulous spikes in profusion, the colours contrast-
ing well with the rockwork and green Fern foli-
age behind them. On one side of this house
stood a plant of Sobralia xantholeuca, a grand
specimen and a most excellent variety, covered

with its rich and rare deep yellow blossoms. Upon
only one occasion have I seen a finer example, and
that was in the collection of Baron Schrceder at
The Dell, Egham. Calanthe oculata gigantea was
also well represented in this collection, its large
flowers being set off well by the evergreen foliage.
The house devoted to Odontoglossum vexillarium
was full of this charming species, the plants being
in exceptional health, the few blooms remaining
being the last of between thirty and forty thou-
sand flowers which the plants have borne this
year.

Angrrecum Scottianum is another charming
plant now flowering here in great quantity, its large
ivory-white lip being very conspicuous. This is a
species worth the attention of every grower of Or-
chids. At first the plant may be somewhat disap-
pointing, but when thoroughly established and seen
in masses it is really a charming species, more es-
pecially when it is taken into consideration that it
is oneof the outlying species with short terete leaves
from the Comoro Islands. Masdevallias, too, receive
great attention at St. Albans, and amongst many
forms of M. Harryana was one of a richer and
deeper colour than has yet been seen ; at present
it has no varietal name, but the flowers are large
and of an intense, deep, heavy crimson. Disa
grandiflora is also largely grown and well flowered,
and although the plants are not to be compared with
those of the Comte de Germiny near Rouen, France,
Mr. Sander must, I think, have taken a lesson out of
the Count's book in his treatmentof this lovely plant,
for they appear to have been grown quite cool,
their foliage being rich green, and the flowers nu-
merous and brilliantly coloured. This is a plant
which everyone desires to cultivate, and which
may be grown with the greatest ease, provided it
is treated to a moist, cool temperature. Dendrochi-
lum filiforme, the Golden Chain Orchid, was repre-
sented in large numbers, its delicate racemes of
yellow flowers being quite enchanting, whilst the
pure white flowers of Dendrobium formosum gigan-
teum in the Water Lily house were very beautiful.
Although this is about the slackest time of the
year for Orchid flowers, the species to be found in
bloom at St. Albans, even at the present time, are
very numerous. W. H. G.

Oberonia aeaulis. — This is the name of the
specimen received from " Rama." I had the plant
in the Kew collection some years ago, but I have
not seen it for a long time. It is very curious and
pretty, and the plant should be attractive at the
present time. In habit the plant resembles An-
grrccurn Leonis, but the leaves are narrower and
longer ; the flower-spike is about the length of the
leaves ; the flowers, rich clear yellow, are fringed
on the edges with somewhat long, soft hairs. I
am not aware that any members of the genus can
now be found in cultivation. It is a native of
Northern India, and should be grown upon a block
hung up near the glass in the warm house, but it
■may be rested cooler. — H.

Nanodes MedusBB. — This is, perhaps, the
most weird-looking Orchid which I know. A large
specimen is now flowering very freely in Mr.
Sander's collection at St. Albans ; the growths are
flattened, and the leaves are of a peculiar glaucous
hue ; the flowers are terminal, thick and leathery
in texture, each measuring from 2 inches to 2^
inches across the lip. The margins are deeply
laciniated, and the whole is of a dull reddish-
purple, saving a patch of green on the disc ; the
sepals and petals are of a dull green. In former
times I used to have a much smaller plant in the
Kew collection under the name of N. discolor. It
bore a great resemblance to this N. Medusse in
miniature, but the lip had no fringe. I should be
glad to know if this plant is still in cultivation. N.
Medusae should be grown in a basket and well
drained, and it thrives in the cool house amongst
the Odontoglossnms. — W.

Calanthe masuca. — This fine old species is
very grand at the present time in the nursery of
Messrs. Williams at Holloway ; the spikes are nu-
merous, the flowers large, while the rich deep green
of its leaves forms a beautiful background for its

Am. 2, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

117

flowers. This species is easily grown. It requires
good drainage, and should be potted in about equal
parts of turfy loam and peat made tolerably sandy.
It should be potted as a terrestrial plant, which it
really is, and during the growing season it should
have a liberal supply of water to its roots ; the plant
thrives well in the stove with a mixed collection
of plants, but during the summer months slight
shade is necessary to prevent the leaves being
scorched.

Ionopsis paniculata.— This is a very beau-
tiful little plant which usually gets the reputa-
tion of flowering itself to death, and therefore it
behoves growers to cut the spikes away ere the plant
suffers materially. Even in its native haunts it is
said to continue blooming for some six months.
This species is perhaps the finest amongst the
limited few which may be included in the genus ;
the flowers are white or blush-white, the lip having
a distinct and pretty crescent-shaped spot of purple
on the front. Many examples of this species are
now flowering in Mr. Sander's nursery at St.
Albans. — G.

SHOUT NOTES.— ORCHIDS.

Tjffilia xanthina. — Flowers of a magnificent form
of this species come to me from Messrs. Seeger and
Tropp, of Lordship Lane, Dulwich, the sepals and
petals being of a rich chamois - leather colour, the
white lip being strongly and conspicuously streaked
with rosy-purple. It is certainly the best variety of
this rare plant that I have yet seen. — W. H. G.

Grammatophyllum multiflorum.— This is
an interesting member of a much-coveted family of
plants now blooming beautifully in Mr. Sander's col-
loctiou at St. Albans, the flowers resemhliug those of
the African Ansellia. It appears to enjoy heat and
moisture when growing, but during its season of rest
it may be kept without water, saving just sufficient to
keep it from shrivelling. — W. H. G.

Oneidium Warnerianum. — Under this name
I saw last week a curious Oneidium in the nurseries of
Mr. Williams, of Holloway. The sepals and petals
are somewhat small, yellow, streaked with Hues of rosy-
purple, the lip very curiously shaped, the side lobes
large and flat, the front lobe deeply hi-lobed in front
and clear yellow throughout, saving the disc which is
orange-yellow. The plant, I am told, has been in the
collection a great number of years by this name, but I
do not remember ever having seen it until now. — W

THE EVILS OF GRAFTING.

To the Editor of Garden and Forest.
Sir, — As Mr. S. B. Parsons does not approve
of Mr. Burbidge's opinions on grafting, may I
ask Mr. Parsons, whom I had the pleasure of
meeting in America, a few simple questions.

1. I have a number of American Weeping
Willows, and in nearly every case the suckers
of the common Sallow, on which they are
grafted, are springing up and killing them. It
is not in the garden proper, and I am too busy
to keep a man looking out for suckers in out-of-
the-way places. Let me ask him if grafting in
this and like cases is right. I buy a delicate
and graceful tree worked on a vigorous one,
which must in time kill it if not carefully
watched.

2. I bought one hundred plants of the com-
mon Pyracantha to form a low fringe above a
sunk fence, where I wanted the view clear. In
every case suckers of the common Quince came
up, notwithstanding some care. Does Mr. Par-
sons think this is right ? In our country the
Quince grows to 20 feet high. I wanted my
Pyracantha to spread about as a low Evergreen
on the ground and now I must have an eternal
fight with suckers or remove the trees.

3. The Ribston Pippin Apple is of so fine a
quality that it may be called the most famed of
English Apples, but in England the tree is
generally cankered and decayed. For a trial I

planted it on every stock I could obtain, but I
could not in Britain nor in Europe get the plant
on its own roots. To get this Apple into a
vigorous state and free from the canker and de-
cay which affect it would be worth a million
guineas to England ! Is it reasonable to suppose
that every Apple does equally well on the Crab
(or what we call the Crab), on which we gene-
rally graft 1 I have seen much to make me
doubt it, but I am doing what I can to test the
matter^ fully. I think from Mr. Parsons' long
and wide experience and clear observation he
will be able to throw some light on these ques-
tions.

I could ask other questions of the same kind,
and I believe his experience of the above men-
tioned sorts of disaster must be considerable.
I am sure he is too reasonable to forget that
the question is how the tree behaves in the
plantation or garden after it leaves the nursery,
and not the convenience of the nurseryman,
who puts almost everything on a few easily
raised stocks in preference to more natural
ways of increasing trees by seeds, cuttings, or
layers. W. Robinson.

Office of The Garden, London.

No intelligent or conscientious nurseryman
will think, under ordinary conditions, of graft-
ing a scion upon a stock which suckers [ Un-
happily, " very respectable nurserymen" do this
every year by millions. There are of tenno exceptions
because we have found it impossible to get plants
of many flowering trees and shrubs on their oivn
roots at all. — Ed. Garden], or upon a stock
which is not closely related to it ; but many
nurserymen dissent from Mr. Burbidge's
sweeping assertion that " any fruit-bearing
or ornamental tree which will not succeed
on its own roots had better go to the
rubbish pile at once." They will also object
to his assertion that "grafting is always a
makeshift, and very often a fraud," as a reflec-
tion upon a large body of respectable men.
And now for the questions.

1. The American Weeping Willow grows
readily from cuttings and can be trained to any
required height. 1 can see no advantage in
grafting it.

2. We grow the Pyracantha by the thousand
for hedges, and grow it by cuttings only. Seed-
lings will not answer here, for one variety only is
hardy, and this will not come true from seed. I
cannot conceive why anyone should go to the
expense of grafting on an unrelated stock like
the Quince, or why anyone should graft an ever-
green tree on the root of a deciduous tree.

3. I do not know the cause of the failure of
the Ribston Pippin. It may be an inherent
weakness of constitution, and in that case a plant
grown from layers would be equally weak. We
have similar trouble in this country with the
Newtown Pippin, and we overcome it by graft-
ing twice, just as the French do to the Pomme
Chataign, a variety which also has inherent
weakness. In this double working we have a
remedy which it would be unwise to neglect,
although it is still more "unnatural" than
grafting once. Transfusion of blood may be
unnatural, but it has saved human life. If the
Ribston Pippin cannot be grown by double
grafting, I would try la_yering ; but the Ameri-
can market could never be supplied in this slow
and expensive way.

Of course, I can see no reason why plants
which take root readily from cuttings should be
increased by grafting, and I yesterday found
myself very impatiently rooting out some Tea
Roses which I had imported from England, and
which were budded and overgrown by the stock.

Our largest Rose growers here, who produce
800,000 plants a year of Teas and Hybrid Per-
petuals, grow them from cuttings only, and we
cannot understand why English nurserymen
bud Roses at all, unless it is some sort like the
Persian Yellow, which does not strike readily
from cuttings.

There is little need of adding anything on the
general subject of grafting to what I have
already said. Nearly all horticultural opera-
tions, even to the transplanting of seedlings, are
" unnatural " in one sense ; that is, they differ
from Nature's ways, although they may not be
opposed to Nature's laws. But why should it
be called "more natural " to force a cutting to
throw out roots than to place it on a stock and
allow it to make use of roots already formed ?
[It is quite fair to say that raising a tree from seed
or a shrub by pulling it in pieces is a more natural
mode of increase than grafting. — Ed. Garden.]
I should use cuttings where they will root
readily, because it is easier and cheaper than
grafting. I have never observed that a tree
from a cutting was more vigorous or long-lived
than one from a graft when properly set. Near
the spot where I am writing is an Oriental
Spruce, which is one of the most beautiful and
completely furnished specimens I have ever seen
of any Conifer. It was grafted forty years ago on
a stock of Norway Spruce. Propagation by seed
is probably the most " natural," but this is im-
possible when varieties are to be preserved, t
know grafted Apple trees a century old that are
as healthy as any seedling tree. Seedling Apple
trees have sprung up all over the older settled
parts of the country, and there are no statistics
to show that as a class they are longer-lived
than grafted trees. Some die youDg, some live
to an old age, according to their vigour of con-
stitution and the congeniality of their surround-
ings ; and it is the same with grafted trees. I
can show Mr. Robinson grafted Apple trees still
in healthy bearing condition which my father
planted seventy-five years ago.

Flushing, L.I. S. B. Parsons.

AMERICAN DRIED ERUITS IN FOREIGN
MARKETS.
Two complaints have been made against the
healthfulness of American dried fruit. The first is
that when this product is sulphur-bleached there is
a question whether the after-drying removes all
traces of the sulphur, and therefore whether the
fruit has absorbed and retains enough sulphuric
acid to impair its healthfulness and flavour. The
other objection is that when fruit is dried on gal-
vanised wire trays it takes up a sufficient quantity
of zinc to make it poisonous. Very careful chemi-
cal tests made in this country have failed to secure
any proof of the presence of free sulphuric acid,
and Dr. Lattimore, in behalf of the New York State
Board of Health, after testing numerous samples
of the evaporated fruit, found no trace of zinc.
Nevertheless, the exclusion of our fruit from cer-
tain European markets particularly on account of
alleged danger from zinc is a serious matter to
producers. The fact seems to be that traces of
zinc have been discovered in exported fruits, and
although the quantity was so minute as to be
utterly harmless, this serves as a pretext for shutting
out our fruits from foreign markets, and therefore
any remedy or any method of evaporation which
will leave the dried fruit absolutely free from
foreign substances is much to be desired. We add
a portion of an interesting paper which was read
by Mr. Michael Doyle, of Rochester, at the meeting
of the Western New York Horticultural Society
last winter, and which has been published in the
proceedings of that meeting.

The agitation against evaporated fruits com-
menced in 1884 in Holland, and since then has
spread to Germany, the largest consuming country
in Europe, and later to the other adjacent countries.

118

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 2, 1890.

It is claimed by the health authorities that evapo-
rated Apples contain minute portions of the oxides
of zinc to an extent more or less deleterious to
human health. Not a single case of illness result-
ing from a proper use of this fruit has ever been
reported in this country or the United Kingdom,
notwithstanding the fact that tens of thousands of
tons have been manufactured and consumed since
the business began some eighteen years ago. The
effort on the part of the German Government to
prevent the importation of this class of fruit has
been based largely upon the desire of excluding it,
for the object of encouraging the manufacture of
the same class of goods in Germany. Only a few
years ago the Hanoverian Government gave the
sum of 50,000 marks, say £2500, for the establish-
ment of an evaporating factory, the first of its kind
in that country. The promoter of the scheme did
not, however, calculate with much accuracy upon
the large quantity of fruit required to keep the
factory in steady operation, and he found it im-
possible to secure a sufficient supply. Besides, the
cost was so much above the value of the pro-
duct when offered in competition with fruit
shipped from this country, that the manufac-
ture was only continued by drawing on the subsidy
of the government to cover the loss. In other
words, fruit was offered from here at about
id., delivered at Bremen, while that made at
Hildersheim cost fully 5d. per pound. As a
result the evaporator was operated until the dona-
tion of the government was exhausted, then stopped,
and it has not since been reopened, for the Ger-
man experimenters have found to their satisfac-
tion that, in the present condition of orchard cul-
ture in their country, they cannot compete profitably
with America. This we believe to be the beginning
of the alarm in that country over American Apples

It is safe to say that there is no more danger in
fruit dried upon galvanised trays than there is from
the employment of the ordinary tinned cooking
utensils. At present it is almost impossible to do
business with Germany without furnishing a sworn
declaration as well as a chemist's certificate,
attested by the consul at New York, declaring and
showing that the goods are absolutely free from
zinc or zinc oxides. Goods which are found to
contain even the most minute quantity are confis-
cated by the government officials and their value
destroyed by pouring crude petroleum on the fruit,
which renders it unfit for food. As a result the
business is done with no little hardship, and many
houses in Hamburg and Bremen have abandoned
the sale of American fruit, as the penalties, not only
in the way of confiscation of the fruit, but of
heavy fines and long imprisonment, are sufficient to
make the dealers extremely careful and cautious in
handling the product.

But although our fruit contains no injurious
amount of zinc, we must prepare it absolutely free
from every trace of the metal or we can make no
sales. Fruit dried on wooden trays, or those made
from netting, is absolutely free from zinc. Recent
analysis has shown this ; and although the change
was made at a rather inopportune time, and rather
late in the season, the quantity of fruit produced
and dried on those trays was quite considerable,
all of which has been taken without objection
abroad. A prompt improvement is necessary
either by greater care in the use of galvanised
trays, for it has been shown that the small particles
of zinc found in the fruit have been caused by the
use of the iron scrapers used in removing the fruit,
which very often adheres to the wire, or by ceasing
to use them. The use of these sieves for three
seasons has shown a loss of twenty-four per cent
of the weight of the zinc galvanism by this means
alone. In order to retain the trade established
many years ago on the Continent it is imperative
that some other system be employed, for it is only
by abandoning the galvanised trays that the pre-
rudice necessarily created against the product can
be successfully overcome.

_ There is room for inventive genius in this direc-
tion, and proper remuneration will attend the suc-
cessful efforts of the man who will offer to the
manufacturers a satisfactory substitute for the gal-

vanised wire now employed. It should possess
fire-proof qualifications if of either wood or net-
ting, and if metallic it should not be liable to oxi-
dation and should not discolour the fruit. Just
now this is the only impediment to increased trade
abroad, which will undoubtedly follow these much
needed improvements in the manufacture, and all
fruit growers should be interested in pushing the
industry to its maximum development, and thereby
assure a remunerative outlet for our constantly in-
creasing orchard products.— Garden and Forest.

Societies^and] Exhibitions.

ROYAL AQUARIUM.
Exhibition of Caenations, &c.
The show at the Royal Aquarium on Tuesday and
Wednesday last was principally of Carnations and
Picotees, but there was a large display of Begonias
besides a rich variety of miscellaneous things to
add to the interest of the exhibition. The Carna-
tions and Picotees were, of course, a show in them-
selves ; the flowers were beautifully fresh, and we
were pleased to see a good competition in almost
every class, those for gself varieties included. But
the Aquarium, we may remark, as heretofore, is not
a place for an exhibition, especially of such a
flower as the Carnation. Before some of the exhi-
bits had been staged one hour, they lost freshness
and, of course, much beauty. No flower can stand
long the insufferable dust, heat, and fumes of bad
tobacco that make the Aquarium a place to avoid.
But that does not alter the character of the exhibi-
tion, which was as successful as any of those pre-
viously held at Westminster.

Carnations and Picotees.

We place these first, as the exhibition was princi-
pally made up of Carnations. The self varieties were
finely exhibited, but only for the most part single
blooms, placed on the boards in the usual style. It
would be a relief to see a few good bunches of one
kind, loosely arranged, and showing the leafage or
grass and stem. A single bloom does not convey
the true beauty of the variety. It shows the colour
of the flower and its form if it is not dressed, but
nothing more. The great class for Carnations was
for twenty-four blooms, not less than twelve dis-
tinct varieties, and, as in many other classes, Mr.
J. Douglas, gardener to Mrs. Whitbourn, Great
Gearies, Ilford, was first. His blooms were su-
perbly coloured, fresh and even, and consisted of
several promising seedlings, Arthur Medhurst,
Thalia, Alisemond, Robert Houlgrave, and a sport
from Tim Bobbin. Mr. Rowan, Clapham, was se-
cond ; the flowers clean, bright in colour, and fresh,
especially those of Sportsman, Rob Roy, Matador,
Rifleman, Alisemond and Jessica. The finest twelve
came from this exhibitor, and we have seldom seen a
better series of flowers, good in colour, even, and
fresh, especially those of Jessica, Alfred, Sarah
Payne, Matador, Rifleman, Rob Roy, Fred, G. Mel-
ville, Gordon Lewis, Robert Houlgrave, William
Skirving, and Sportsman. Mr. J. Douglas was
second here. There were twelve competitors for
six blooms, and the best were from Mr. J. F. Kew,
Southend, an even, well finished collection. The
same keen contest for the awards was noticeable in
the single specimen class, and for a full list of the
prizes we must refer to our advertising columns.
We note here the leading blooms, and amongst the
scarlet bizarres, the finest flower, a specimen of the
variety Robert Lord, came from Mr. Phillips, Read-
'-%. The most finished crimson bizarre was a

wer of Master Frank, but no exhibitor's name
was given ; and of the pink and purple bizarres
the best bloom came from Mr. Rowan, who also
had _ the finest purple flake, a bloom of Gordon
Lewis. The flaked flowers were remarkably good,
especially the blooms of the brightly coloured Alise-
mond from Mr. J. Douglas, and of Thalia, a de-
lightfully coloured variety, pure and fresh, from Mr.
Rowan.

The self and fancy classes brought a strong com-
petition, and the twenty-four flowers put up by
Mr. Charles Turner were faultless. We have seldom
seen a finer or fresher collection, comprising such

fancy flowers as Almira, which has a bold, full, and
handsome bloom, yellow, flaked a little with car-
mine ; Robert Houlgrave, Dorothy, Lord Ren-
dlesham, and such distinct selfs as Ruby, brilliant
scarlet, Germania, Romulus, and Mrs. Reynolds
Hole. Mr. J. Douglas, who was second, had several
seedlings of fine colours. The apricot-coloured
Mrs. Reynolds Hole was also exhibited well by Mr.
Turner in the class for twelve blooms, other varie-
ties comprising such a lovely Carnation as Rose
Celestial, pure rose colour, full, strong, and telling;
Ruby, the yellow Germania, and Victory, which is
an exceptionally free-blooming fancy variety, the
flowers having a buff ground, coloured, almost
covered, with red, as the edge is unusually heavy.
Mr. Rowan, who was second, also showed beautiful
blooms of Governor, Rose Celestial, Mrs. Reynolds
Hole, A. L. Roland, a fine scarlet flower, very full
and rich ; Mars, rich crimson, with a broad maroon
band ; and Gladys, a lovely rose-coloured bloom ,
all varieties of fine shades, especially Gladys, A. L.
Roland, Rose Celestial, and Mrs. Reynolds Hole.
Mr. Anstiss had the best six blooms.

There were also classes for yellow ground Carna-
tions and Picotees. Besides the class for twelve
blooms, in which Mr. Douglas was first, there was
also one for six flowers, Mr. C. Turner being first
with several seedlings and Agnes Chambers, an ex-
cellent yellow ground variety, full, and handsome,
and in the class for six yellow self-coloured flowers
the best, including blooms of Germania, came from
the Slough firm ; Mr. F. Hooper, Widcombe Hill,
Bath, coming second with several promising seed-
lings of soft shades of yellow.

Picotees.

There was just the same sharp competition in the
Picotee classes as in those for Carnations, and here
Mr. Charles Turner scored many prizes. His Pico-
tee flowers were extremely beautiful, fresh, in ex-
cellent character, and very even. His first prize
lot of twenty-four was exceedingly fine, especially
the blooms of Favourite, Dr. Epps, John Archer,
J. B. Bryant, Madeleine, Mrs. Chancellor, Lord
Palmerston, Mrs. Sharpe, Lord Valentine, Edith
D'Ombrain, and seedlings. Mr. J. Douglas was a
good second. The best twelve were also from Mr.
Turner, the finest flowers being those of Mrs. Payne,
Madeleine, a beautiful variety, white with a charm-
ing rose edge : Mrs. Sharpe, Mrs. Gorton, Mrs.
Chancellor, Favourite, and Princess of Wales. In
the other class for six flowers there were fourteen
competitors, at the head of which was Mr. F.
Hooper, who had excellent flowers of J. B. Bryant,
Favourite, and Dr. Epps. In the corresponding
classes for single specimens the same keen com-
petition prevailed as in those for Carnations. Mr.
A. J. Sanders had the finest flower amongst the
heavy red-edged varieties, showing the richly-edged
J. B. Bryant. The best amongst the light red-
edged flowers was a flower of Souvenir de Head-
land from Mr. Headland, but this is a medium-
edged flower. The lovely variety Madeleine stood
highest in the class for heavy rose-edged flowers,
being shown by Mr. Turner, whilst the best heavy
purple-edged bloom (Zerlina) came from Mr. A. J.
Sanders, and the finest light rose-edged (Lidding-
ton's Favourite) from Mr. Douglas. Pride of Ley-
ton was the premier flower in the light purple-
edged class, coming from Mr. W. H. Headland.

One class was for eighteen bunches of Carnations
and Picotees, and several good collections were put
up, the finest coming from Mr. Turner, who showed
the plant's own foliage with the flowers ; but there
is still a formality in all the arrangements which
destroys half the beauty of the individual flowers.
His best blooms were those of Agnes Chambers,
Rose Celestial, Germania, Dorothy, Dazzle, a bril-
liant scarlet flower, bold and showy ; Almira, Ruby,
Rosy Gem, rose ; Victory, Dr. Epps, Mrs. Reynolds
Hole, and Favourite— a good assortment of self-
coloured varieties. There was also a class for a
vase or epergne of Carnation flowers, Mr. E. Chad-
wick, The Gardens, Hanger Hill House, Ealing,
winning the first prize, and also for one bouquet of
Carnations ; but stiff arrangements like this are
what we might see in any florist's shop window.
The bouquets were good of their kind, but the class

Aug. 2, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

119

would have been more interesting if for the best
bunch of flowers fit for the table loosely arranged.

The premier Carnation in the show was a splendid
bloom of Robert Houlgrave from Mr. Rowan, and
of Picotees the premier flower was Liddington's
Favourite from Mr. Douglas.

TUBEBOUS BEGONIAS.

These made a brilliant display, and the chief
interest centred in the class for a collection ar-
ranged for effect, and after a close contest the prize
went to Messrs. J. Laing and Sons, Forest Hill. The
second prize was awarded to Messrs. H. Cannell
and Sans, Swanley. Both were beautiful displays,
a mass of the finest varieties in cultivation, and
leaving little to choose between them. In both
cases the many fine varieties of the respective
firms were exhibited. Besides these there were
classes for double, single, white, yellow, pink or
rose, and scarlet or crimson-flowered varieties,
Messrs. J. Laing and Sons being first in every case.
Although they were the only exhibitors, it would
not have been easy to eclipse the specimens shown.

A few classes were allotted to hardy flowers, but
there was no competition except for twelve bunches
of Gaillardia, for which Mr. T. S. Ware, of Totten-
ham, was first.

Miscellaneous exhibits were numerous. Roses
were largely shown and in splendid condition, the
result of the weather we have experienced during
the past fortnight. A large collection came from
the Rev. J. H. Pemberton, Havering Rectory, Essex,
the flowers of fine colours and absolutely free from
blemish. A large group came also from Mr. Turner,
of Slough, the flowers finely shown, especially such
varieties as Her Majesty and Alfred Colomb. A
charming lot was that from Messrs. D. Prior and
Co., Colchester. The best blooms were of Anna
Olivier, Niphetos, Jean Ducher, Catherine Mermet,
Ma Capucine, Mme. Watteville, and W. A. Richard-
son, all Tea or Noisette Roses, and superbly exhi-
bited. The Cheshunt Roses of Messrs. Paul and
Son were well represented. There were about
fourteen boxes of excellent flowers, especially the
dark-coloured Hybrid Perpetual varieties and seve-
ral new kinds, as the climbing Tea variety Progress,
a seedling from Gloire de Dijon and a promising
Rose; the Bourbon Mrs. Paul, Dowager Duchess of
Marlborough, a brilliant scarlet flower ; Bruce
Findlay, a dark and richly coloured Hybrid Per-
petual Rose, being intense and attractive in its
distinctive shade ; Cheshunt Scarlet, a brilliant
scarlet-flowered variety ; and T. B. Haywood, also
of a deep crimson-scarlet shade, very rich and pro-
mising. A box of l'ldeal, the new Noisette Rose,
was also exhibited ; it has been previously de-
scribed. The Roses from Mr. Rumsey, Waltham
Cross, were exceedingly fine, the varieties consist-
ing of Tea and Hybrid Perpetual Roses, the flowers
of Niphetos and the old Aimee Albert meriting
notice, also the dark-coloured Hybrid Perpetual
varieties, which were of splendid colour. Mr. Tay-
lor, Hampton, also had a collection of Roses.

Hardy flowers were shown in quantity. Mr.
T. S. Ware, Tottenham, had a number of choice
things in season now, comprising Phloxes, varieties
of Oriental Poppies, single and double Begonias,
white Lupines, and Gaillardias: while a large
group was staged by Messrs. Paul and Son, Brox-
bourne, the flowers being in large bunches, clean,
and finely grown, especially Coreopsis lanceolata,
Chrysanthemum maximum, Scabiosa caucasica,
and the Bichou' Poppy, of which a box of cut
blooms was exhibited; they are large, full, and
brilliant coloured with scarlet. The collection
from Messrs. Barr and Sons, Tooting, was also of
interest. The plants included such things as
Lilium auratum in "variety, Rudbeckia calif ornica,
and seedling Pinks and Carnations. A large dis-
play was made by Messrs. J. Yeitch and Sons,
Chelsea, comprising a collection of cut blooms of
the leading show and self Carnations in cultiva-
tion, the latter including such varieties as Gloire
de Nancy, Purple King, Rose Celestial, Mary
Morris, and Mrs. Reynolds Hole, while several
stands were filled with tuberous Begonia blooms
from the open, bold, clean, richly coloured flows rs,
especially those of crimson shades, and the bright,

free blooming, scarlet - flowered B. Worthiana.
Messrs. Dobbie and Co., Rothesay, N.B., brought a
large collection of tufted and show Pansies. In
the former section were flowers of the new variety
Duchess of Fife, of which we hope to give a col-
oured plate ; Daldowie Yellow ; Hartree, very deli-
cate mauve flower, yellow eye, and violet radiating
central lines; Archie Grant, the finest of all the
purple types ; and Skylark, all the best in cul-
tivation being represented. Of the show flowers,
Mrs. John Bolton, rich yellow, deep purple-maroon
centre, a bold fine flower ; and Mrs. Hudson, a large
white fancy with a rich intense purple blotch, were
worth notice. Messrs. Ryder and Son, Sale, Man-
chester, showed a large number of seedling Pansies
of the show and fancy types, besides hardy flowers.
The Sweet Peas from Mr. Eckford, Salop, were of the
several varieties lately mentioned in The Gabden,
and fine-leaved Begonias came from Messrs. J.
Laing and Sons, who also had an interesting selec-
tion of seedling Carnations and herbaceous plants.

Lilies in variety formed a large group from Mr.
Gordon, Twickenham, but it is unfortunate to place
such things between two glaring masses of tuberous
Begonias. The two large displays of Gloxinias
from Messrs. John Peed and Sons, Norwood, showed
a rich range of colours in the flowers, brightened
by the groundwork of Maiden-hair Fern. Mr.
Holmes, Frampton Park Nurseries, Hackney, had
Palms and foliage plants. Not the least interesting
exhibit was that from Mr. Stacey, Dunmow, con-
sisting of a collection of Verbenas, the colours rich
and decided. These pretty flowers are a novelty
now. Mr. E. Such, Maidenhead, showed hardy
flowers in large variety.

Feuit And vegetables. — Several special prizes
were offered for fruit and vegetables by Messrs.
Sutton and Sons, Reading, and Messrs. C. Sharpe
and Co., Sleaford. They were given for certain
varieties of Peas and Melons. Mr. C. J. Waite,
gardener to the Hon. W. P. Talbot, Glenhurst,
Esher ; Mr. R. Simms, Tyler's Green, Bucks ; and
Mr. C. Cornish, Enfield, had the finest Peas, and
Mr. A. J. Sanders the best Melons. There were a
few miscellaneous exhibits. A collection of Melons,
the fruits remarkably well grown, were those
from Mr. W. G. Gilbert, gardener to Mr. B. Ie
Neve Fester, Sennowe Hall, Guist, Norfolk, the
varieties consisting of Eastnor Castle, Sennowe
Hall Seedling, William Tilbury, A. F. Barron and
Blenheim Orange. The same exhibitor also had
Peaches and Nectarines. A large collection of well-
grown fruits of the leading varieties of Tomatoes
was shown by Messrs. Fellowes and Ryder, West-
land Nursery, Orpington, and a group of Tomatoes,
small plants in i \ -inch pots, very freely fruited,
came from Mr. Jones, Ryecroft Nursery, Lewisham.
Mr. F. Gilbert, Merrow, exhibited Prodigy and
Duke of Albany Peas, Mr. A. W. Edmonds, Stam-
ford, well-grown Tomatoes, and Mr. W. A. Cook,
Compton Bassett Gardens, Wilts, excellent pods of
a Pea called Compton Bassett. Perpetual, which
seems of considerable merit. It should certainly
have a good trial. A new Cucumber, named
Express, a cross between Purley Park Hero and
Tender and True, seemed distinct, but there are
already so many new Cucumbers of the Telegraph
type, that it is not safe to express much opinion
upon a few fruits. It was from Mr. Mortimer,
Farnham.

A list of prizes is given in'our advertising columns.

The British Fruit Growers' Association.

— A meeting was held last Thursday in the Horti-
cultural Club room, Mr. T. Francis Rivers in the
chair. The principal business was concluding
arrangements for the conferences at Leicester, the
Crystal Palace, and Brighton, on August 5, Septem-
ber 5 and 11 respectively. It was stated that the
exhibition at Leicester is expected to be a large
one. At Brighton the conference will be held in
the King's room at the Royal Pavilion. A most en-
couraging letter was read from Sir Edwin Saunders,
and that gentleman was unanimously elected a
Vice-President, together with Mr. W. B. Waterlow,
Dr. S. Makovski, and Mr. W. H. (Bullock) Hall.

"What is a Musk ?— This question arose at a
recent country flower show. Prizes were offered to

cottage competitors for a Musk plant, and one or two
of them put up plants of Mimulus cardinalis with
those of M. moschatus. The judges passed the former
over on the ground that they were not Musk-scented,
as in the case of M. moschatus. Dr. Lindley stated
that this species is allied to M. moschatus, but that
does not necessarily make it what is generally under-
stood by a Mus^. But I have heard men who are
reputed authorities say it is a Musk. I shall he glad
to have opinions on the subject, and remark that M.
cardinalis makes an excellent window plant, and it is
frequently shown by cottagers as such in admirable
condition. Not long siuce I saw at a country flower
show a fine specimen trained to a kind of trellis. —
R. D.

Law.

Tompkins' Trustee v. Sander. — On Friday,
July 25, His Honour Judge Holl, Q.C., delivered
judgment in this action, which arose out of the
bankruptcy of John Tompkins, who was formerly
in Mr. Sander's employment at St. Albans as office
clerk, and to whom Mr. Sander sold his George
Street seed business for over £800, whilst Tompkins
had absolutely no capital, and was never able to pay
the purchase money, although he was allowed by Mr.
Sander to take possession and trade for several
months without being sued. The chief points that
His Honour had to settle in a very complicated case
were : Did Mr. Sander part with his business in a
bond fide way, believing Tompkins would get
financed by an uncle; and when, later on, he re-
covered an unopposed judgment in the High Court
against Tompkins for £1000 for the purchase oE
the business, did he obtain that free from collusion
and as an honest piece of litigation ? The claim of
the trustee was that j udgment should be set aside and
declared void as having been obtained by collusion.

His Honour delivered an elaborate judgment,
occupying nearly half-an-hour, and entered into
the details of the case. He came to the conclusion
that Mr. Sander sold the business in a perfectly
bond fide way to Tompkins, that Tompkins' testi-
mony was not to be relied on, that Mr. Sander
(also the solicitor, Mr. Cannon) obtained the High
Court judgment for £1000 honestly and without
collusion, and that throughout Mr. Sander had
only been concerned, first, in disposing of a good
and profitable business, and afterwards in protect-
ing, as he had a legal right to do, his own interests
and recovering the purchase-money of his George
Street seed business. The trustee's application
against Mr. Sander failed on every point. The
judgment was therefore for Mr. Sander on every
point, with costs against the trustee, who would be
allowed to recoup himself from the estate, as far
as it will go.

The effect of the above judgment seems to be a
personal order against the trustee, inasmuch as the
heavy costs (extending probably into four figures)
will go considerably beyond the available assets in
the bankruptcy case. It therefore looks as if the
case will involve a heavy private loss on the trus tee,
who, in the earlier stages of the litigation, swore
that, at every step, he was advised by counsel in
the interests of the creditors, and acted with the
approval of the committee of inspection. — Hert-
fordshire Standard and St. Albans Citizen.

Names of plants. — W. Connelly. — 1, Rudbeckia

speciosa ; 2, Lychnis viscaria ; 3, Erigeron macranthus ;
4, CEnothera Youngi ; 5, Fair Maids of France (Ranun-
culus aconitifolius fl.-pl.) ; 6, Chrysanthemum maxi-
mum ; 7, Scabiosa caucasica ; 8, Vicia pyreuaica ;
9, double Sneezewort (Achillea ptarmiea fl.-pl.) ; 10,

Deutzia crenata fl.-pl. Win. Ntlson — Centaurea

babylouiea. A. B. S.— Please send in flower. It is

difficult to tell from leaves. F. R.—1, Periploca

gra3ea ; 2, Asplenium fureatum. Ammi. — Send the

Fern when fertile. The Orchid is a Dendrubium, hut

the flowers are too poor to tell specific name. Pax-

toman. — 1, Coccoloba platyclodon; 2, Abelia florihunda.

E. M. — 1, Masdevalha coriacea ; 2, send again.

/. Taylor. — Epidendrum ; yellow flower sen! again;

other, Acropa Loddigesi. Jersey. — Odontoglossum

hastilabium. T. A. — 1, next week ; 2, Erigeron spe-

ciosus; 3, Astrantia major; 4, Anthemis tinctoria.

Nemo. — 1, Strelitzia Reginse ; 2, Crinum americanum ;
3, Hydrangea scandens ; 4, next week ; 5, Onychium
japonicum. J. H. — Leycesteria formosa.

120

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 2, 1890.

WOODS AND FORESTS.

GROUPING TREES IN PARKS.
It is one thing to plant, and almost anyone may
in some way accomplish the task ; but it is
another thing to plant effectively, for it needs a
true artist to do this successfully. A wide range
of acquaintance with the aspects, habits, and
dimensions of plants, their development of
special features, times of flowering, alternation
of tint, the positions best suited to bring out
their beauties, or to be beautified by them, are
all matters of importance, and calculated to tax
the skill and taste of the most experienced and
accomplished. Grouping is a department of
ornamental planting at once the most effective
and the most difficult. There is a wide diffe-
rence between a group and a clump. A clump
is usually a mass of planting, formal and mono-
tonous in aspect ; whereas a group should
present an infinite variety of form and outline,
all the material of which it is composed retain-
ing a certain amount of individuality, and yet
blending in happy and graceful unison, free
from trim formality, as also from absurd in-
congruity ; and he who would accomplish the
art of thus planting cannot do better than
become an earnest student of Nature herself.
As a rule, groups should be bold and dense ;
anything like thinness has a mean and poverty-
stricken aspect, which should be carefully avoided.
The outlines of groups, both on the ground and
against the sky, should be carefully designed ;
the ground lines should be easy and flowing,
free from false curves and anything approaching
to rigidity ; the sky-line widely diversified, but
ever harmonious — here rendered striking by the
upshooting of some plant of distinct character,
anon merging easily and naturally into lines of
smoothness, graceful as those of Nature herself.
Thus will be secured those exquisite effects of
light and shade so full of charm and beauty to
the eye capable of their appreciation. These
features are of the greatest importance in the
immediate vicinity of water, where shadows and
reflections are ever changing and ever new.
Again, park and other like groups should always
be accompanied by a few irregularly-planted
trees, such as Thorns, <fec, especially at their
salient points ; this happily removes all stiffness,
and gives a natural expression to the whole.
The composition of groups should always be
ruled by the position they occupy. On the
lawn the plants employed should be rich and
elegant ; in the park, or on the hill-side, noble
and majestic ; near water, partially pendulous ;
and not only so, but the general aspect of the
locality and the style of house should also be
taken into account, as certain trees are more in
unison with wild, and others with sylvan
scenery. It is also usually laid down as a rule
that pyramidal forms harmonise best with
Grecian, and round-headed forms best with
Gothic styles of architecture. This rule, how-
ever, must be understood as of general rather
than minute application, or a most unnatural
and monotonous effect will be the result. Groups
may be composed of one or more species or va-
rieties, and, if carefully executed, with equally
good results. As a rule, the plants should
differ in size, in order that the outline may be
more varied ; if the group be of irregular form,
the largest plants should be placed in its centre
and salient curves ; it will thus gain in dignity,
and be far more natural and pleasing than if
faced by a stiff gradation. Mixe'd groups should
be composed of such trees as harmonise or con-
trast well with each other. W.

regrets that it should be so seldom admitted into
the garden and pleasure ground. This may be so
to a certain extent in some parts of the country,
but as a general rule the many attractive forms
and varieties of the tree now in cultivation are
appreciated by most people, so that they have
been and are being planted extensively. " T." says :
" Everywhere Birches have a graceful appearance,
and, unlike so many other trees, their roots prey
but little upon those of their neighbours." With
the exception of the common Ash, I know of no
other tree whose roots are greater robbers than
those of the Birch. It is astonishing the distance
to which its roots will travel in search of food. In
former times, in the Highlands of Scotland and in
Ireland, these long pliable roots were cs.? .for the
making of ropes and different kinds of . cordage in
use by the natives. In planting Coniferpe and other
species of ornamental trees in the native Birch
forest, I have often found considerable difficulty in
getting such trees established on account of the
roots of the Bireh robbing the strangers of their
legitimate food ; and had it not been that I cut
deep, narrow drains around the plant and about a
couple of yards from the stem in order to intercept
the roots in their passage, the Coniferas could never
have been established. These drains should be
allowed to lie open for a series of years, after which
they may then be filled up with soil. This root-
power of the Birch explains in a great measure the
capability of the tree to grow on such a variety of
soils and situations, as we find it equally at home
on damp bog and among the fragments of rotten
rock on the hill-side. — J. B. W.

Pinus insignis for extensive planting.— I
have found no Pinus nearly so rapid in its growth
as this one, though I am unable to quote precisely
as to its rate of growth. This species enjoys the
moisture of our climate, coming, as it does, from
the sea-coast of California. I consider it one of
the best of nurses, giving better shelter and grow-
ing more quickly than either P. austriaca or the
Pinaster. P. insignis suffers severely from snow in
a cold winter, losing entire limbs and often dying
from its effects. As to the timber, home-grown
samples are not yet old enough to test ; but I have
planked and used wood of thirty years' growth
both for furniture and for wheelbarrows, &c, and
found it easily worked, light in weight, tough, and
strong, though liable, as might be expected from
immature timber, to be wormed. If planted
closely, it may be made to produce clean, straight
timber.— R.

of belts. A few years, however, are only required
to develop and show errors, and the tall, slim
Arbor-vita3 or Irish Juniper of to-day is soon over-
topped by the stocky Norway or Hemlock Spruce.
Planting ornamental trees is a work requiring some
forethought, as it is not altogether for the present
immediate effect that it is done, but for time far
distant, and one needs to have the future form,
size, and general appearance of the trees in his
mind's eye at the beginning, if he would avoid
making blunders that never can be corrected. It
requires a practical and intimate acquaintance with
all the trees used in forming groups, not only as
they appear in their native forests, but when
cultivated, for some show the effects of culture
differently from others.— F.

The Birch.— In The Gabden, July 19 (p. 70),
1 T." very justly extols the beauty of the Birch, and

Fine trees out of place.— How often in our
rambles do we observe trees planted in situations
in nearly every garden and pleasure ground that
would almost cause one to imagine that little
thought and consideration had been previously
given as to the amount of space they would re-
quire for extending their growth, or the size to
which they would ultimately attain. Everywhere
do we find fine old Cedars, Larches, Cypresses,
Evergreen Oaks, and even Poplars, Yews, Horse
Chestnuts, Elms, and other large and ornamental
trees planted close to old castles, mansions, halls,
&c. ; and such misplacement is continued. Often a
pot plant is bought of a newly-introduced tree, and
a conspicuous spot is chosen for the reception and
future development of the little favourite, hence
the reason why we find stately and handsome trees
planted so near mansion houses. During their in-
fancy, all goes on well ; but as they grow older,
they increase in stature, as a matter of course ; and
if not removed they ultimately attain dimensions
which render them quite unsuitable for the situa-
tions they occupy, sometimes darkening the house,
and at others obstructing a free view of the dis-
tant landscape. — B.

Errors in grouping. — At least one person
in three of those who plant trees in groups or belts
for ornamental purposes commits errors in conse-
quence of not taking "one long look ahead."
Probably, in many instances, mistakes are made in
consequence of the ignorance of the persons direct-
ing the planting of the trees, as they judge of the
future size from the specimens in hand, the largest
being selected for centres of groups or backgrounds

THE WHITE POPLAR AND ITS USES.
The wood of Populus alba is white, soft, light,
and very tough ; it is used for bent ware, and made
into various kinds of hoops for tubs, pails, and
ships' masts, &c. ; the timber is sawn into boards
and strips from three-eights to five-eights of an
inch thick ; it is then steeped and steamed to ad-
mit of its being bent with ease and without split-
ting. It is also made into corn shovels, bottoms of
tubs, pails, corn and other measures, and also used
in cheap cabinet and turnery work. I ought also
to add that it is used extensively for railway car-
riage break-blocks, on account, I suppose, of the
non-combustible character of its wood, which will
bear almost any amount of friction without ignit-
ing ; and, moreover, it is very durable under friction.
As a timber tree it is classed amongst inferior
kinds, but it is the best of all the Poplars; at least,
in some parts of the country it is preferred to any
other kind. It is worth from Is. to Is. 6d. per
foot, but the timber must be sound, clean, and of
large dimensions to realise this price ; smaller-
sized and ordinary quality trees sell at from lOd.
to Is. per foot. The Black Italian Poplar (P. moni-
lifera) is used for similar purposes as the White
Poplar or Abele, as it is also popularly called ; it
is, however, a coarser tree with a more branching
habit, and, as a rule, it does not cut up so clean and
free from small knots as the latter, neither is its
wood so white. It is not in such request for bent
ware as the Abele, and, in consequence, it is hardly
worth so much per foot in the market. Both these
Poplars are extremely fast growers in moist heavy
land. The White Poplar exhibits a highly orna-
mental aspect in the landscape, particularly in
spring, when the foliage is unfolding its whiteness,
presenting a striking and pleasing contrast when
associated with darker-foliaged trees. It is also a
most distinct and effective tree, owing to the white-
ness and smoothness of its stem, exhibiting a
glittering appearance, particularly during sunshine,
when its bark looks almost as bright as polished
silver. The name White Poplar is applied to it on
account of the white and woolly under-surface of
the leaves ; its bark, too, except when old, is white
and very smooth. It is probably indigenous in
Eastern and Southern England, readily propagating
itself by means of seeds and suckers. 0.

Need of timber trees. — People forgot that
while the supply of timber is limited the demand
increases and accelerates the day of scarcity. At no
very distant period, material for implements, ships,
and building will be comparatively unavailable, aud
children may have very tangible reason for appre-
ciating their fathers' wise forethought in planting
trees.

"The Garden" Monthly Parts.— This journal is
published hi neatly bound Monthly Parts. In this form the
coloured plates are' best preserved, and it is most suitable for
reference previous to the issueofllte half-yearly volumes. Price
Is. 6d. ; post free, Is. 9d. Complete set of volumes of The
Garden from'its commencement to end oj 1889, thirty-six vols.,
price, cloth, £27; half morocco, £32 8s.

"Hardy Flowers." — Giving descriptions of upwards of
thirteen hi'n<lr<d of the most ornamental spevies, with directions
for their arrangement, culture, <£'c. Fourth and Popular
Edition, Is. ; post free, Is. 3cZ.

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London : 37, Southampton Street, Strand, W.C.

THE GARDEN.

121

No. 977. SATURDAY, Aug. 9, 1890. Vol. XXXV 111.

"This is an Art
Which does mend Nature : change it rather ; but
The Art itself is Nature." — Shakespeare.

TASMANIA AS A FIELD FOR FRUIT

GROWERS.
In The Garden of April 26 I notice an
article on the " Australian Irrigation Colon-
ies." I read the hook mentioned hy "W. C.,"
and it certainly gives all the advantages, hut
none of the disadvantages. For instance, the
situation is quite 10° nearer the Equator than
the south of France, the thermometer reach-
ing over 100° in the shade, and no mention
is made of how selectors falling in arrears are
dealt with — a very important matter. Again,
it is not stated what sorts of fruit are im-
ported to the value of £750,000. I helieve
the largest trade is done with Fiji in Bananas
and Pine-apples, neither of which can be pro-
duced at Mildura. A large quantity of fruit
is sent from Tasmania to Sydney every year,
hut very little to Melbourne, owing to the
heavy duties imposed. This plainly demon-
strates the superiority of our fruit, otherwise
there would be no need for protection. Mil-
dura is decidedly a superior situation for
growing all soft fruits, more especially Grapes
for wine and drying. Vegetables are grown
to perfection in these tropical climates where
water is available, but readers of The Gar-
den will agree with me when I say that a
high temperature is the worst thing hard
fruits can have. Fancy growing Apples or
Pears in a stove ! You may compare Apples,
&c, ■ grown at the Australian irrigation
colonies as stove grown and those in Tas-
mania as out of doors. By these comparisons
it will be plainly seen that Tasmanian fruit
will always carry the palm in the London
market for superior flavour, being of much
firmer and finer quality than anything grown
in the colonies except in temperate portions of
New Zealand. It will also bs patent to
all that the firmer fruit will travel more
successfully over the 12,000 miles. Very
likely "TV". C." had tasted some Tasmanian
Apples, which accounts for his high opinion.
One drawback to our fruit trade is the want
of system and experience in packing and
sorting the fruit ; time of course will rectify
thes3 evils, but in the meantime it is a
serious matter when opening up a market
with London. In my opinion, another mis-
take is made in the mode fruit is stowed on
the steamers ; the freezing chamber is not at
all a suitable place for this purpose. What I
have suggested is this : To set aside a portion
of the hold, and to pack the cases in such a
manner as to allow the free circulation of
air, which may he supplied by a fan. The
southern portions of the colony are the chief
producing districts for export ; but in the
north, large orchards are being planted with
all the select sorts. In former years very
good orchards existed in and near Launceston,
and at that time a considerable trade was
done with Melbourne ; but immediately

Victoria was able to produce fruit, Tasmania
was practically shut out, both as regards
fruits and jams. This naturally checked the
industry, but now we hope the dawn of a
new era has arrived. In my next it shall be
my endeavour to lay before your readers the
natural advantages and the modes of planting
orchards, and the various fruits grown with
profit. W. McGowan.

Launceston.

P.S. — Since writing the above, The Garden
of May 10 has come to hand. A short note
(page 430) mentions the fact of samples of
Tasr"- ^ian Apples having been found rotten
at the oore. I believe the Summer Pearmain
is very apt to decay in the manner described.
The cause may be also attributed to the evil
influence of the freezing chamber. It puzzles
me to see fruit growers adhere to this unnatural
system of transport.

SHRUBS IN THE ISLE OF MAN.
To the Editor of The Gaeden.

Sir, — In reply to the latter part of the query
of Mr. McBean (Garden, July 20, p. 91), the
climate of the Isle of Man is especially favour-
able to the well-being of plants of the degree of
hardiness to which he refers. The kindness of
a friend resident on the island, who placed his
garden at my service for experiment, has en-
abled me to test the endurance there of many
half-hardy shrubs. Olearia Haasti, O. Gun-
niana, and O. myrsinoides seem quite hardy.
Senecio, Weinmannia, and Cassinia (except 0.
fulvida, which is apparently as robust as a
native), have not been tried, and I thank Mr.
McBean for putting me on the track of these
genera by his question. Pittosporum Mayi,
P. eugenioides, P. undulatum, P. Tobira, and
P. tenuifolium are all pictures of health, and so
far stand sea breezes as if they were invigorated
thereby. Aristotelia Macqui and its variegated
variety are hardy in the somewhat less genial
climate of the Clyde. Metrosideros floribunda
was in full bloom a few weeks ago. In addition
to the above — if I may travel a little out of the
bounds of the query, still, however, confining
my selection from our experiments in Manxland
to such genera as would presumably be of inte-
rest to the querist — Correa speciosa was in
bloom all through lact winter ; Chorozema ilici-
folia withstood not only the cold, but also a pest
of climbing snails which took a fancy to its young
growths. All shrubby Veronicas, Phormiums,
Dracaenas of the indivisa type are perfectly at
home, the last reaching in places tree form.
Albizzia Julibrissin (Acacia Nemu) is expected to
succeed. Acacia armata and A. affinis are luxu-
riant in growth, the former also having flowered
fairly this spring. Sundry Eucalypti are under
trial, and there are great hopes of E. coriacea.
In hand, for future trial, are various species of
Callistemon, Eriostemon, and Leptospermum.

The climate of the Isle of Man is remarkable
for its cold spring (i.e., cold mean temperature,
not extreme cold), cool summer, and mild
autumn and winter. I find from Mr. A. W.
Moore's tables that during the years 1854 to
1860, and 1878 to 1888 (being the only periods
for which he gives tables of absolute minimum
shade temperature), the thermometer fell below
18° in four months only, viz. , in December in
the years 1859, 1860, and 1878, and in January,
18S1. The rainfall is extremely variable accord-
ing to locality, ranging from a mean of 26 inches
at the Calf of Man to 62 inches in the district
round Snaef ell. Th e mean rainfall of our field of

experiment is 44 5 inches. The Manx gardener's
great trouble is the gales, which sweep violently
over the island and render protection by planting
or shelter by position necessary for very many of
the subjects of his care. The Clyde district,
especially on the west, approximates in climate
to the Isle of Man, but the winter of the latter
is slightly milder. Edgedaie,

The Fruit Crops.

We are enabled to publish through the kind-
ness of our many correspondents in all parts
of the British Isles the reports of the fruit
crops for 1890. We need not enter into
details, as the following accounts speak for
themselves. We give first of all Mr. Coleman's
remarks : —

Once more the patient fruit grower is thrown
upon his back, the Apple and Plum, two of our
most important crops, being so partial that viewed
from a commercial point we may safely say they
have again failed. The winter like that of 188?-!)
was extremely mild and a wonderfully fine and
profuse blossom escaped the ravages of spring
frosts, but thus apparently favoured the flowers
did not set, whole orchards almost before they
were fully expanded having been literally denuded
of their petals in the short space of twenty-four
hours. Numerous theories as to the cause of fail-
ure have been started and will be started again,
but right or wrong these will not benefit the plod-
ding men who have thrown their all into the ven-
ture, and year after year find their hopes of juicy
crops turning to ashes on the lips. The grub now
so prevalent, and which invariably destroys the first
leaves, no doubt is at the bottom of the mischief,
for notwithstanding the fact that the majority of
the trees recover after midsummer, the season is
too short for the second growths to become tho-
roughly ripe. Nostrums, again, are as numerous
as theories, but so long as we have mild winters
followed by cold or moderately fine summers, grub
will flourish and crops will fail. Paris green-
greased bands and other preventives may check
their thousands — a feeble step, no doubt, in the
right direction, but occupiers and owners who have
tried their very best apparently are no better off
than those who have not even put their shoulders
to the wheel, and this I fear will go on until an old-
fashioned frost searches the Moss-covered trunl s
of our old trees and penetrates deeply into the
ground. When this cycle again comes round, as
most surely it will, our enemy will disappear with-
out the aid of pomatum or puff, and although spring
frosts may devastate low-lying orchards, those
better situated under improved cultivation will pro-
duce enough for their owners and the masses who
buy. Quite recently I passed through several
counties, including Sussex and a part of Kent, but
throughout the journey the trees looked battered
and beaten with scarcely an Apple or a Plum to be
seen. There are, no doubt, some exceptions, but
these will be found in private gardens and amongst
certain varieties which have not produced crops
within the past two or three years. Blenheim
Orange and the finest dessert kinds are very scarce
in this county, although the blossom never was
better, whilst King of the Pippins, Keswick Codliri,
and some other second-rate varieties may produce
sufficient for private use, leaving a deficit which
will not be covered by scores of thousands of
pounds.

Pears are rather better than Apples, but here,
again, the crop is extremely partial, some few va-
rieties on walls requiring thinniDg whilst the ad-
joining trees, atone time equally promising, are
masses of leaves and wood, but minus the fruit.
Crops, where they have been secured, are late, ow-
ing, no doubt, to the extremely low night tempera*
ture and the absence of sun. The fruit, neverthe-
less, is clean and free from spot, but the quality
for keeping or eating can hardly be good, ng
matter how great or favourable the change.

122

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 9, 1890.

' Stone fruits, with the exception of Apricots
and Plums, are plentiful, and promise to be very
good. Cherries, never more numerous, promised a
rich harvest, but here again the growers' hopes have
been dashed, for just as the crops were ready, down
came the deluge, and tons of fine fruit were des-
troyed. May Duke, Governor Wood, Elton, and
Bigarreau Napoleon have been very fine and plenti-
ful on walls, and where protected by broad coping
boards, the latter with us are keeping good. Morellos
imperfectly fertilised dropped pretty freely, but the
crop notwithstanding is plentiful, and. the autumn
being dry will do good service, as the fruit,
though forward enough, is not too forward
to hang.

Peaches and Nectabines flowered well, and
although the crop is abundant, the set was not so
profuse as we have known it in former years, The
trees broke clean and well and just as we were con-
gratulating ourselves on immunity from fly, a
plague set in which proved most persistent for
several weeks. The trees are now quite clean, and,
thanks to heavy rains, have made an extra strong
growth, so strong, indeed, that notwithstanding
good crops, root-lifting must be performed with
more than ordinary care. Autumn pruning, too,
must not be neglected, the main point in the man-
agement of this eastern tree being the free admis-
sion of light, sun and air from the time the fruit
is gathered until the leaves fall.

Bush fruits, including Red and White Currants
and the large show Gooseberries, are very heavy
crops, but Black Currants and the smaller varieties
of Gooseberries are not quite so kind, leading one
to infer that the Lancashire Gooseberries, this year
at least, are the most profitable sorts to grow
They are not, however, so highly flavoured ; there-
fore, those who go for quality should keep a good
selection of the smaller sorts. Raspberries flourish in
a dripping season, especially upon light warm soils;
hence the fact that the fruit this year has been
plentiful and fine, but lacking sun here, as elsewhere,
the quality is below the mark.

Nuts of all kinds are a most profuse crop, but the
bushes having made strong growth the harvest will
be late and the quality inferior, unless we now have
dry weather accompanied by hot sun.

Figs on walls are bearing fairly well, and the
young wood having escaped winter frost, the
fruit is forward and promises to be early and
fine.

Strawberries. — Strawberry plants generally
produced a profusion of bloom, and escaping frosts,
a large percentage of the flowers set their fruit.
We at one time thought of watering, but rain came
just right, and we have not found it necessary to
lay on the hose. The quality, indeed, would have
been greatly improved had we received less rain
and more sun. The bulk early in the season was
very abundant and the berries remarkably fine, but
as for quality, the less said the better. Ordinary
consumers, who know nothing about sorts, charged
this falling off to the cold and wet weather, and
this absence of sun no doubt made bad worse ; but
why these hundreds of tons of Noble, when, hollow,
pithy, and destitute of flavour, its only recom-
mendations are earliness and vulgar obesity ? If
the public will have big things, why the market
growers will give them Noble in plenty, but there
are other sorts nearly, if not quite as early and in-
finitely superior in flavour, the best with us this
year being the odd-shaped Pauline. I did not think
very much of this Strawberry when it came out a
few years ago, but it may have improved with age,
or, what is more likely, the fertilisers having got
on a downward track, later debutantes taste to dis-
advantage beside the fair Pauline, a good cropper
and possessing marked Pine flavour. We do not
grow many varieties here, our object being quality
in preference to novelty. Noble, as a matter of
course, has been tried, but will not be propagated,
and King of the Earlies has been discarded. As
successors to Pauline we grow La Gr'osse Sucree,
Hericart de Thury, alike good for dessert or pre-
serving ; President, Paxton, still one of the best ;
Sir Charles Napier, Filbert Pine, Dr. Hogg, British
Queen, Oxonian, for giving a supply through Au-

gust, and Elton, the last a deep red sub-acid
variety, and one of the very best for converting
into jam or preserving whole in syrup. Waterloo
is now on trial, but the crop so far does not justify
an opinion. I grow all my Strawberries in rows,
2 feet 6 inches apart, using new loam rather exten-
sively at the time of planting, and propagate from
maiden plants of the preceding year, as I do not
believe in falling back upon pot plants which have
been enervated by forcing. — W. C.

SOUTHERN DIVISION.

Bedfont. — Apples form a most insignificant
crop throughout this extensive market orchard
district. It is not possible to indicate other than
generally, sorts which crop best this year, because
so thin universally, but the Codlin and Yellow
Ingestrie forms seem to be the best. Of the limited
quantity of fruit which set, one-third at least has
since fallen, so that what is left should be fine, if
small in quantity. The trees are now making
strong, almost luxuriant, growth, and are very
clean. Pears and Plums may be linked together as
in worse case than Apples. Of these three stan-
dard fruits, we have this year probably the poorest
produce seen for the past ten years —a result
which must presently prove a heavy loss to the
growers. Sorts have next to nothing to do with
the scarcity. It is a case of barrenness arising
from harsh climatic conditions. In this district
caterpillar has not been very injurious this season,
so that the poorness of the crop cannot be laid upon
the shoulders of that insect. Cherries have been
fairly good, though the heavy rains induced some
cracking as the fruit ripened. With respect to
bush fruits, Red Currants have been fine and plenti-
ful. Black Currants were much blighted, and the
crop relatively not more than half an average.
Gooseberries fairly good, with no caterpillar. All
bushes are now very clean, and have made remark-
ably good growth. Raspberries have, as usual,
been plentiful, and are now making robust canes
for next year. It may be said that, barring some
breadths of Strawberries which suffered from late
frosts, the general crop has been a remarkably
heavy one, the fruits unusually fine and well
coloured. It is certain that a cool moist season
promotes in the Strawberry higher colour than does
hot weather. — A. Dean.

Great Gearies, Ilford.— The season of 1890
will long be remembered, at least in the London
district, for the almost complete failure of the
Plum crop and partial failure of the Apples and
Pears. One fails to account for it considering the
abundant crop of Cherries and their excellent
quality. I account for the failure in our case
owing to the severe frost early in March, when the
thermometer fell very low for the time of the year.
Fahrenheit's thermometer registered in our garden
22° of frost, and those who observed the unex-
panded blossoms, by cutting them open a few days
after the frost would notice that although the
stamens inside the bud might be apparently unin-
jured, the stigma itself, though better protected,
would in most instances be killed, not being so
hardy in its nature as the stamens. Apples are an
irregular crop, and no reliable data can be formed
as to the hardiness of the blossoms of early or late
varieties, for sometimes one variety will escape the
frosts and another will suffer ; next year the re-
sults maybe different. For instance, this year the
White Juneating has failed and the Devonshire
Quarrenden is laden with fruit, this being quite
exceptional. In one garden Golden Noble is a
good crop, but ours is a failure. Taking one tree
with another, we have less than half a crop of
Apples. Pears are even worse. Those varieties
that are usually shy in bearing have no fruit on
them whatsoever, while such free bearing varieties
as Williams' Bon Chretien, Louise Bonne of Jersey,
and the Jargonelle may have half a crop. The
quality of the fruit is not good either, being appa-
rently stunted in its growth. Plums are the worst.
I can only say the failure is complete, for with the
exception of a few straggling fruits on such free-
bearing varieties as Victoria, Rivers' Autumn Com-
pote, and Pond's Seedling, the crop is nil. The

trees of all the above are as a consequence of the
lack of fruit and the exceptionally wet season
making far too much growth, much young wood,
and but small promise of blossom buds. Cherries
both on wall trees and large standards have been
abundant and very good. The Morello trees on a
wall facing north-east are an exception to this.
We have about a dozen fine trees planted eight
years, and they were sheets of white blossom,
which seemed to set and the fruit progressed veiy
well until the stoning period, when half of it or
more shrivelled up and dropped off. All small
fruits without exception have been abundant and
very good. We lost perhaps half the crop of the
Lancashire Prize Gooseberries owing to the fruit
bursting with the excessive wet after heavy rains.
The other varieties usually grown in gardens did
not suffer much. We did not suffer much from the
caterpillar pest ; our plan has been hand-picking,
when the colonies kept close together. If they
are allowed to remain until they spread out over
the trees it is impossible to get rid of them in that
way. I hold there is no way of destroying them
so effectual as hand-picking. Strawberries pro-
mised well at the beginning and up to the time of
colouring, but they were attacked by mildew all at
once, and but for that the crop would have been
abundant.— J. Douglas.

Syon House, Isleworth. — This will prove one
of the most barren years in this district for Apples
and Pears. I never remember such a total failure
of the Pear crop. We have often a few trees of
favoured kinds that give a few fruits in the worst
seasons, but they have this year failed. There was
an abundant bloom and every promise of a large
crop, but the hail and frost, when the trees were in
bloom, destroyed the pollen. The only kinds with a
few fruit are Passe Colmar (the best), Glou Moi -
ceau, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Duchesse d'Angou-
leme, and Winter Nelis. There are scores of fine,
healthy young pyramid Apple trees without a
single fruit. Many of our best Pears are on a
south wall, and the result is the same. The only
kinds of Apples bearing are the Keswick, with a fair
crop, a few Manks, Cockle Pippin, Lord Grosvenor,
Irish Peach (good), Devonshire Quarrenden, and a
few Ribstons with a sprinkling of the most useful
of all Apples, the Blenheim on old trees. The Pear
and Apple trees are making an enormous growth that
will be very soft and full of sap, and unless we get
a favourable sunny autumn to ripen the wood, our
supply of fruit buds for next season will be very
poor. Apricots are a poor crop, and the only kinds
with any fruit with us are the Moorpark, New Large
Early and Hemskirk. Peaches and Nectarines are
specially healthy and well covered with fruit ; so
many set that heavy thinning had to be resorted
to. The best kinds this season are Hale's Early,
Condor (especially fine), Dymond, Bellegarde, No-
blesse, and Red Magdalen. Of Nectarines, Lord Na-
pier is best ; Rivers' Early OraEge, Pitmaston, and
Elruge, with a few fruits of Pine- apple on small
trees. The foliage is also very clean, and so far
free from mildew. Plums are almost a total failure.
On a south and west wall some 100 feet long we
have not got five dozen fruits. There are a few early
Rivers' Prolific, Pond's Seedling, and Victoria.
Good dessert kinds are nil. Damsons showed
abundantly, but nearly all dropped. Cherries have
also been promising, and would have furnished a
good crop but for the aphis, which came in such
numbers, and which was most difficult to cope
with . Syringing daily had no effect ; tobacco water
was not strong enough ; they still increased till we
used Quassia chips rather strong. Morellos are
good and abundant, but required much cleansing.
Owing to the excessive moisture much of the des-
sert fruit cracked before it was fit for use. Straw-
berries have been good, but many rotted owing to
the wet. President and Sir J. Paxton have been
very fine. Sir J. Paxton has this season borne
enormous crops. Waterloo and British Queen have
also been good. The early kinds, such as Noble,
King of the Earlies, and Vicomtesse Hericart de
Thury, came in fully a week earlier than last year.
Raspberries are in splendid condition, being well
laden with fine large fruit. Superlative is the
largest and best of the newer kinds I have tried,

Aug. 9, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

123

and continues the longest in bearing. Bush fruits
are good and above the average. There are large
crops of Black Currants and the fruit larger this
season than I remember for years. Some of the
fruit hang like small bunches of Grapes ; they cer-
tainly have been benefited by the extra moisture.
Red Currants are also good and fine ; the same re-
mark also applies to White Currants. Gooseberries
are not so abundant, but the trees have so far
escaped the caterpillars, and the fruit is clean and
large. There are no Walnuts worth mentioning.
Other kinds of miscellaneous fruits are much under
the average, and the year may be summed up as
bad, with the exception of bush fruits.

Vegetables are good, but require warmth to
give them substance and flavour. Early Potatoes
have been good and free from disease, but I am
afraid later kinds can hardly escape it after the
great quantity of rain during the past month.
Second earlies are sadly in want of heat to ripen
the tubers, which are very flavourless when boiled.
Salads are excellent and in abundance. — George
Wythes.

Fulham Palace. — I am sorry to say that the
report of the fruit crops here this year is not very
good as regards Apples, Pears, and Plums. Apple
trees bloomed well, but the fruit did not set, with
the exception of Ribston Pippin, of which kind I
have several very old trees, and on these there is
a fair average crop, but all others are under the
average. Pears a complete failure. Plums a
magnificent show of bloom, but no fruit set.
Peaches : not many grown, only a few old sorts,
and they have a fair crop, and shoots very clean.
Peaches as well as Roses are yearly getting worse
owing to the increased amount of smoke caused by
the enormous additions to the buildings in Fulham.
Figs a fair crop. Morello Cherries a fair crop.
All bush fruits have again been exceedingly good.
Gooseberries and Black Currants very fine and
above the average. Strawberries a very good crop,
but late, owing to the cold wet weather. I have
tried several kinds of new Strawberries, but find
none equal to President and Aricomtesse Hericart de
Thury, two good old sorts. I also make them do
for early and late crops by planting in various
positions. All mine are planted 2 ft. 6 ins. between
the plants, and the same distance between the rows.
I am growing six sorts of Tomatoes -Ham Green
Favourite, King Humbert, Hathaway's Excelsior,
Trophy, Mammoth, and a new kind. Under glass
all the kinds are doing well with the exception of
Trophy and Mammoth. Out of doors they did not
set at all till about the middle of July. I always
used to grow them on the extended system, but
this year I am also trying fifty plants, an equal
number of each kind, on the single rod system on
6-ft. stakes ; but I have mere fruit set upon the ex-
tended system.

Potatoes. — My main crop for this year is
Schoolmaster, and it is looking excellent. I
am also growing Reading Giant, Chiswick Favourite,
Early Puritan, and Come-to-stay. I have tried
them all to-day on purpose for this report, and
without exception there is a wonderful crop of each
kind, and entirely free from disease both in stalk
and tuber. I have not had much blight or cater-
pillars here this year. The continual rain has kept
most things clean. I find the best method for the
caterpillars is to lay a piece of tiffany under the
trees and shrubs, &c, and to play the hose-pipe
well into them, and then gather the dead up and
burn them — a sure way of keeping them from in-
creasing.— A. J. Ballhatchet.

Titsey Gardens, Iiimpsfield, Surrey. —
Apples here are not more than half a crop ; trees
blossomed well. There was a fine promise of fruit,
especially on the Scarlet Nonpareil, which was
covered with bloom, but not more than half-a-
dozen fruit set on the trees. Many of the trees
have no fruit whatever. There is a good crop of
Quoinings; this is the only exception, for out of
150 sorts many are without fruit, others with three-
quarters of a crop. We do not suffer from the
caterpillar. A few years ago in sharp weather the
rabbits destroyed several trees before we were
aware of it ; since then I have had recourse to
dressing the stems with Stockholm tar, and when

this is properly done no rabbit will trouble the tree
again. I do not know whether this has anything
to do in keeping the caterpillar away, but since we
applied it nothing whatever has interfered with the
trees. The Stockholm tar will have an effect for
two years. Pears in orchard are few ; on walls
some have good crops, but the general complaint
is that the crop is only partial in some places, in
others quite a failure. Plums generally a failure in
this neighbourhood. Apricots have failed, unless
where protected. Peaches and Nectarines in some
places a fair crop, in others a good crop, but trees
much mildewed. Nuts. — Cultivated trees are few
in this neighbourhood, and there is but a spare
crop. The wild nut in wiods is very plentiful.
Gooseberries a very fine crop ; in fact, there is more
fruit than I ever saw upon the trees in any season.
Some trees, especially the Warrington, have been so
loaded with fruit, that some of the trees have
broken down with the weight. In the neighbour-
hood the complaint is that the crop is only partial.
Red, Black, and White Currants are very heavy
here. — J. Dean.

Albury Park Gardens, Surrey.— Fruits,
such as Apples and Pears, are a light crop. This I
attribute to the ravages of the caterpillars last
year, the first growth having been nearly all
destroyed, the second growth of wood and buds
being badly matured and ripened. Where birds
are numerous they are of some use, but in nine
cases out of ten they do more harm than good, and
if trees are to be kept clean, lime is one of the best
dressings in winter and spring ; also a thorough
syringing with soapsuds from the laundry is one of
the best of insecticides. Stone fruit, such as
Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, &c, are, on the whole,
a light crop, and badly infested with green and
black fly. Some sorts of Plums, such as Victoria,
are in some gardens a good crop on walls, but in a
general way all stone fruits will be light, but I
never remember seeing berry-bearing trees and
shrubs so full of fruit as they are this year. All
bush fruits this year are good, and in my case have
been excellent, both in quantity and quality.
I never had Strawberries finer. — W. C. Leach.

Grenehurst Gardens, Dorking. — The mag-
got has again proved very destructive to the Apple
trees in the gardens here, although the foliage was
not punished so badly as last year. I have not
more than half a bushel of Apples in the whole
orchard. This is the third season that the maggot
has attacked the fruit trees here, and my orchard
being situated in the centre of an Oak forest,
the trees have been punished very much more
than those of my neighbours round about, for I
find that the winter moth abounds where Oak trees
are numerous. I have repeatedly dressed the trees
this year and last with a strong solution of soft
soap water and a little paraffin mixed, a solution
which kills the maggot, but does not save the crop,
for every hour fresh ones are hatched out, and they
are no sooner hatched than they pierce the stalk of
the Apple blossom and the mischief is done. What
we want is a dressing which will adhere to the
trees without injuring them, and which will prevent
the maggots when hatched from being able to feed
at all. It seems there is no dressing which will
kill the eggs without injuring the trees, and no
frost, however severe, seems to destroy the eggs.
I am sure that the Apple trees here will never be
the same again. The Apple crops round here are,
on the whole, very good, and some trees I have
seen are carrying a good crop, especially where the
trees are not near any Oaks. Pears here are a
very good crop. Plums on east wall are a eood
crop, but I have no Plums on trees in the orchard.
Peaches and Nectarines outdoors are a very heavy
crop, and the trees are looking very healthy.
Morello Cherries are a very heavy crop also, and so
were the earlier sorts of Cherries on walls, but
pyramids in the orchard have none. All kinds
of bush fruits are carrying very heavy crops
of fruit. Quinces also are carrying a fine crop
of fruit, especially the pear-shaped Quince. — J.
Shephebd.

Claremont, Esher. — Apples are, I hear, rather
partial in this district here. We have a fair

average crop, bush trees esp:cially being well
covered. We are very free from caterpillar this
year ; the trees were treated to a good wetting of a
thin solution of soot and quicklime in early winter,
and I fancy this has prevented the development of
the egg of the moth. I did not know whether our
comparative immunity from the pest was due to
the remedy employed or to the scarcity of the
moth last autumn, but noticing that many Apples
and Oaks in the neighbourhood are badly affected,
I have come to the conclusion that our remedial
measures have most to do with it. Cherries
(dessert) have been plentiful and very fine, May
Duke, Early Purple Gean, and Bigarreau Napoleon
specially good. They are on a south-west wall,
and were protected with double 1-inch fish netting
when in flower. Plums are a total failure, and
Pears are thin. I shall always in future spring-
protect as many as possible of these, cordon Pears
getting the preference. There is no doubt that a
slight protection, say two or three thicknesses of fish
netting, would have made a lot of difference in the
crop, as the greater part of the bloom, rendered
susceptible to frost by the continued wet, was
blackened and destroyed by the cold nights ex-
perienced just when it was fully expanded. Peaches
and Nectarines are very plentiful ; in fact, there is
hardly a failure throughout the length of wall.
Apricots are fairly good ; early-flowering trees were
cut up by frost, but later varieties set a fair crop.
Small fruits are plentiful. Gooseberries on open
quarter suffered severely from ravages of birds,
but trees on trellis escaped, and are giving us a
good supply of dessert fruit. Strawberries were
plentiful, but suffered from the continued wet, and
the picking was neither so plentiful nor so prolonged
as it would have been under more favourable
circumstances. — E. Bueeell.

Duneevan, Oatlands, Weybridge.— Peaches
on walls outside very thin. Dr. Hogg, Violette
Hative, and Dagmar the best. Of Nectarines,
Darwin, Pitmaston Orange, and RiveTs' White are
the best. Plums quite a failure, owing to the late
frost and east wind. Cherries, Morello very thin,
owing to blight and east winds. Pears very poor.
Beurre dAmanlis, owing to being sheltered from
east wind, a full crop. Glou Morceau, Alexandre
Lambre and Fertility about half a crop. Most
other kinds very thin. Apples very poor ; Ecklin-
ville Seedling, Hawthornden, Manks Codlin, Sei-
gend's Reinette being the best, whilst Lord Suffield,
Keswick Codlin, and Bedfordshire Foundling have
failed. Gooseberries a failure ; what with frosty
east winds and bullfinches some of the trees have
been almost killed. Black Currants half a crop ;
White and Red Currants a full crop and clean.
Raspberries are good ; the wet in June suited
them well. Strawberries very good and fine. — T.
Taylor.

Brookwood Asylum, Surrey — There are
very few Apples ; there was a good bloom, but a
very thin set. Irish Peach Apple trees have a good
crop, so have some Keswick Codlins on the high
ground, but none on the low-lying ground. The
trees of Ecklinville have as many as they can bear,
as they have not fully recovered from last year's
severe check through caterpillar. There is a fair
crop of King of Pippins on some trees. Wellingtons
scarcely a fruit to be seen, and only here and there
an Apple of other sorts. Standard Pears bloomed
well, but weak. Bon Chretiens are very poor
and thin; Beurre: Clairgeau a moderate crop. A good
crop of Croft Castle — this is a good Pear, hardy, a
good cropper, ripening in October and November,
other sorts only a Pear here and there. On walls
there is a fair crop. There was a grand show for
Plums. The trees were sheets of white, but the
continuous frosty nights destroyed the bloom. We
may get three bushels where we ought to have had
as many hundred bushels, but the rest will do the
trees good after three years in succession of heavy
crops. Bush fruits have been plentiful and good.
Apricots have a nice crop, trees healthy. Peaches
moderate crop ; trees in very poor health owing to
the very cold frosty nights and unsuitable positions.
The rainy season has been a great help to all trees
and bushes. They are regaining their strength after

124

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 9, 1890.

the severe weakening through the caterpillar plague
of last season. I have taken no artificial means to
counteract the caterpillar plague. I think the wet
season and the birds are doing more to put a check
on it than any artificial appliances can.— R. Lloyd.

Busbridg-e Hall, Godalming, Surrey.—

Apples are a thin crop this year, the under-
mentioned bearing: Old Ribston Pippin, Golden
Pippin, Sturmer Pippin, Old Nonpareil, Braddick's
Nonpareil, Emperor Alexander, Keswick Codlin,
Hawthornden, Lord Suffield. Cherries good crop
on young trees. Peaches and Nectarines are a thin
crop. Plums a few on wall, none on standards
this year. Pears very few indeed, the under-
mentioned bearing : Gansel's Bergamot, Napoleon,
Jargonelle, Williams' Bon Chretien, Marie Louise.
Currants good; Gooseberries good; Raspberries
good. — G. Kitsou".

Denne Park, Horsham, Sussex.— The fruit
crops in this district are far below the average,
especially so in the case of Pears, which are the
thinnest crop I have ever known. Of Plums and
Damsons, especially the latter, the prospects are
very poor, although you may find an occasional
sprinkling of Victorias in sheltered positions on
walls. As regards Apples, I think that we are
more favoured than many in this district, having, I
should estimate, a good half crop. Some of the
trees even are beginning to make a good show,
Early Juneating, Devonshire Quarrenden, Keswick
Codlin, Ribston Pippin, and Blenheim Orange being
the most prominent. Gooseberries have been good.
Currants and Raspberries have also been satis-
factory. Morello Cherries are swelling off a heavy
crop of fine fruit. Strawberries have been very
abundant, but suffered very much with the con-
tinued rains. Figs both outdoors and under glass
are an abundant crop, but require sunshine. Brown
Turkey is the sort grown here, and does well.
Young trees planted seven years ago in a lot of
lime rubbish, stones, and brickbats are now cover-
ing a large space of south and west walls 15 feet
high, outdoors, in a sheltered spot. Only a small
amount of soil was added at planting time, but
they are thoroughly at home.

Potatoes very much diseased ; earliest crops
were heavy and good, but later ones are rotting-
fast.— H. Harris.

Coolhurst, Horsham.— Fruit here generally
speaking is considerably under a full crop. Apples
are very thin; although on many trees the blossom
was most profuse, yet it failed to set a crop equal
to what it gave promise of, owing, no doubt, to the
caterpillars destroying the flowers, which was quite
easily seen to be the case on examination. The
foliage in many cases is still cut and rolled up in
woolly lumps, giving the trees a most unhealthy-
like appearance, while other trees have benefited
by the recent heavy rains which have washed the
foliage. Last year there was no blossom, and con-
sequently no fruit could be looked for, and the trees
having got a rest and a good season together to
make plump buds for this season, it was natural to
expect a full crop this year. Pears are thin, too,
all over, for although some trees are pretty full jet
there are others that have scarcely any, so they are
anything but satisfactory. Plums are almost a
tailure, there only being a few fruits on wall trees,
[standards have none. Cherries are much on the
same lines, unless Morellos, of which there is a fair
lot. Figs are fair on the wall. Cob Nuts and Wal-
nuts are fair crops. Gooseberries are very thin
the birds taking the buds in spring. Black, White'
and Red Currants are all fairly good, and would
have been much better but for the buds being
taken. Raspberries have been a good crop and
have been fairly well gathered considering the wet
state of the weather. They like a cool bottom and
shady overhead, so of these elements there has
been no want lately.— A. Kemp.

Mote Park, Maidstone.— Very few flowers
set on the Plums, and the crop very light, but good
in orchard house. Damsons very little bloom, crop
very light. Apples good on cordons, and I had to
turn them; on standards fair sprinkling of fruit

A few of the late kinds full crop. A few growers
in this neighbourhood whose trees were badly
attacked in previous years, by putting grease bands
round the stems and following it up with wash-
ing so soon as the fruit was set,have very full crops
of all kinds of Apples. The grease bands want
using with great caution. Some orchards are
showing the result of their excessive use, the stems
or trunks of the trees swelling below and quite up
to the grease band. Above this band the tree
ceases to swell, and some of the fruit plantations
look very bad, as many of the trees are losing their
foliage and some are already dead. Cherries in a
few instances are a light, but generally a fair crop,
some places having heavy crops, but much damaged
by the storm of wind and rain on the 4th and 5th
of July. In many fruit gardens quite half the crop
was lost. Nuts generally thin, though one grower
near here was obliged to stake the trees. We had
a very bad attack of caterpillar on Apples, Pears,
and Plums. I use petroleum mixed with rain
water. This I find the most simple and effective
when put on with the syringe in the proportion of
1 pint to 36 gallons of water. At this strength it
neither hurts foliage nor fruit, but destroys all in-
sect life. — Chas. Davies.

Bearwood, Wokingham. — Our fruit crops
here and in the neighbourhood are not what we
expected them to be in the early part of the season.
We had a dry and favourable winter and spring,
also a fine show of bloom on most kinds of fruit
trees in the open on standards and walls generally.
I attribute the great failure of most crops to the
severe frosts we had at the end of May and the
beginning of June. Then followed such a mass of
blight on most things that the growth and foliage
were so much injured that what fruit are left will
be much crippled. Apples are under an average
crop ; some trees are quite destitute of fruit. Pears
are a thinner crop than Apples. I never saw them
so bad in this part of the country. Plums are still
worse. Our walls are almost bare, and on standards
there are very few fruits. Cherries are an average
crop, but Apricots none. Of bush fruits there is a
good average crop, but blight is rampant. Peaches
and Nectarines are a good average crop — I may say
the best crop of fruit in the open air we have, and
will come in most useful. As regards the cater-
pillar, I never apply anything to standard fruit
trees, as we have such swarms of sparrows here.
They readily take to the maggots, and when they
abound I find the birds do not interfere with the
vegetable crops, such as Peas, &c. For walls we
use tobacco paper, soft soap and sulphur, boiled up
in a large copper, and allowed to cool down. We
give all the wall trees a good syringing with it two
or three times during the season. — James Tegg.

IiutonHoo Park, South Beds Apples are

a good crop. Some of the trees — Keswick, Blenheim
Orange, Mere de Menage, Lane's Prince Albert, Haw-
thornden— have had to be relieved of part of their
crop. We were much infested with the caterpillar.
I observed it was worst where the trees were on
Grass. Two years ago I trenched the orchards and
put them under crop. The best remedy for the pest
is to syringe the trees with a strong solution of
hellebore. This I did before the blossoms opened,
and again when the fruit is set. A dry time must
be chosen for the operation and care taken to moisten
every green leaf. Apricots under average. Our
heavy chalk soil is very ungenial, the trees dying
off in pieces. Cherries are an average crop and of
good quality. Currants are abundant and of good
size, but owing to so much wet are deficient in fla-
vour. Figs are a fair crop, but much depends on
the next two months as regards weather for their
proper maturation. Gooseberries are under aver-
age, but of good size. The sparrows destroyed
many of the buds during the early spring. As a
rule we are obliged to keep these netted all winter.
Medlars are under average. Mulberries are a light
crop and very late. Nectarines are a good crop,
but do not finish well out of doors without glass.
Nuts are a good crop ; they have improved very
much during the last few weeks. Peaches are a
heavy crop. We pulled some Alexanders on the
26th, while trees of older varieties in a cold Peach

house will not be ready for several weeks. The
fruit is small, colour excellent, and very juicy.
Pears are under average, but trees healthy,
and with good warm weather the fruit will be of
good size. Plums are a light crop. Many of the
trees are barren. I have not observed a single fruit
on standards. Raspberries are a most abundant
crop and of unusual size. Carter's Prolific is the
champion, Northumberland Fillbasket coming next.
These we mulch with about 6 inches of lawn mow-
ings every year, they are never disturbed at the roots
and the Grass keeps down all weeds. Strawberries
have been abundant and of enormous size. Sir
Joseph Paxton, President, Vicomtesse Hericart de
Thury, and Keen's Seedling are our standards. Old
Grove End is much prized for preserving and com-
potes.— Wm. M. Baillie.

Brickhill Manor Gardens, Bletchley,

Bucks. — I am sorry to have to report so unfavour-
ably of the fruit crop in this district. It is the
worst we have had for many years. Strawberries
have been a very good crop, the first pickings the
best. All kinds of bush fruits in the early stages of
growth were infested with aphis, and in conse-
quence the fruit has suffered. Apples are here and
there some trees bearing, others barren. Early
Codlin and Lane's Prince Albert are most plentiful.
I have one particular variety of Apple growing
here that blooms very late, which I think deserves
cultivation. It always escapes spring frost and
bears abundantly. Not having yet been troubled
with the caterpillar, we have had no need to try
remedies. Nuts, Cob, and Filbert, and Wood Nuts
are very plentiful. Walnuts also plentiful. — G.
Bloxham.

Aldenham House, Elstree. — I regret to say
the fruit crops here and in the district are in most
cases unsatisfactory, particularly Apples, Pears,
and Plums. I attribute the failure principally to
the severe frost of March 3, when we registered
here 22° ; although the trees were not fully in bloom
they were so far advanced that the bloom buds
were frozen through, and on careful examination
when the petals were unfolded the imperfections
of the blooms were easily detected. Especially
noticeable was this in the Plum, which flowered
profusely, but the crop itself is a total failure.
Apples are far below the average, the caterpillar
again ravaging both foliage and fruit whilst form-
ing, notwithstanding the precautions we had taken,
such as banding the trees several times during the
winter and early spring with cart-grease and oil,
and constantly syringing the trees later on with
soft soap, tobacco water, and extract of Quassia
chips. The sorts best here are Fearn's Pippin, King
of the Pippins, Scarlet Pearmain, Lane's Prince
Albert, Hanwell Souring, Northern Greening, and
Irish Peach. Pears with us are a fair crop on walls,
standards thin. Cherries, more especially Morellos,
are extra good. Apricots a good crop. Peaches
and Nectarines very thin. All kinds of Currants
plentiful. Gooseberries thin. The Strawberry crop
has been above the average, the fruit being extra
large, but owing to so much wet and very little sun
the flavour has been deficient. — Edwin Beckett.

"Waddesdon Gardens, Bucks.— The fruit
crops this season with us are very unsatisfactory.
Apples not one-fourth of a crop. Many kinds are
quite a failure. What fruit we have is chiefly to
be found on espaliers and upright cordons. Of
dessert kinds, Cox's Orange Pippin and Margil are
the best. Of cooking kinds, Cellini, Ecklinville
Pippin, and Lane's Prince Albert are the best.
Apricots half a crop on Breda, Frogmore Early,
and Golden Drop; Moorpark and other large
varieties nil. Cherries good half crop ; Morellos
full crop. Pears very thin indeed, and confined to
Williams, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Marie Louise, and
Autumn Nelis. Plums of all kinds as pyramids
quite a failure ; on walls half a crop. Damsons
quite a failure. Of Strawberries fine crops of large
fruit, but somewhat damaged through want of sun
and rain. Gooseberries and Raspberries a most
abundant crop of all kinds. Black, Red, and
White Currants not quite a full crop, and fruit
rather small.— J, Jaques.

Aug. 9, 1890.]

THE GAKDEK.

125

Flower Garden.

A NOBLE HARDY FOLIAGE PLANT.

(rodoersia podophylla.)
Plants of distinct habit of growth, or those
with leafage of noble proportions, are often
quite as valuable in our gardens as are the
most brilliant of the flowering plants, and
one of the most beautiful of all the hardy
fine-leaved subjects known to me is certainly
Eodgersia podophylla, an ally of the Saxi-
frages, and a native of Japan. It requires to
be well planted in a sheltered, but not shaded
position, and although it luxuriates in almost
any deep rich garden earth, yet it seems to
prefer that of a moist and peaty" character,
and before its leaves shoot forth in the spring

no doubt its roots find ample moisture. I
have also seen this plant luxuriating in a
sheltered spot beside a small pond in the full
sunshine, and its leaves as so grown were
suffused with lovely bronzy-red colouring, so
as to quite light up its environment of marsh,
aquatic, and rock plants or alpines. As I
have said, the plant is, so far as winter's
frost and cold are concerned, quite hardy, but
unless sheltered from the rough dry winds of
spring the large leaves are apt to be very
much injured. The specimen represented
in the illustration measured about 9 feet in
diameter, its largest bronzy leaves being each
nearly 1 yard across, and as seen nestling in
an alcove formed by surrounding clumps of
Bamboo, it really formed the focus spot of
beauty in a small, but well-furnished garden.

Sweet, although, of course, more like those of
the Saxifrages, or Bockfoils, in structure.

Although perfectly hardy in Ireland,
Southern England and on the west coast of
Scotland, yet its foliage is apt to become in-
jured by high winds in very cold and exposed
positions. The plant may be grown fairly
well in a box or tub, sheltered by a cold
frame until May, when it may with safety
be plunged outside. I am not sure of
its being amenable to gentle forcing, but if
so, it would form a very distinct and beauti-
ful object for a cool greenhouse or conserva-
tory during the early spring-time, and I hope
to give it a trial in this direction during the
next season. As to the magnificent effect of
the plant in a sheltered spot in the open air,
the wood engraving speaks for itself. It was

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Rodgersia podophylla. Engraved for The Garden from a photograph hy Gi

it may with advantage receive a rich top-
dressing or mulching of well decayed ma-
nure. It is also a plant of rapid growth and
increase, and demands ample space for its
full development. During its early growth a
soaking of weak manure water will add mate-
rially to the size of the leaves, each of which
under good culture varies from 1£ feet to 3
feet in diameter. As seen at its best, few
other fine-foliaged subjects can equal this plant
in beauty. Each leaf is divided into five
parts or lobes, and when young these divisions
are of a rich warm brown colour, ultimately
changing to a metallic bronzy hue. Each
leaf is supported on a central petiole or leaf-
stalk, varying from 1 foot to 3 feet or even
more in height. Like the various forms of
Acanthus, this plant seems to enjoy the proxi-
mity of large stones or boulders, under which

The Bamboo on the left of the picture is the
large-leaved B. Eagamowski, and behind the
Eodgersia itself grew clumps of B. Khasiana,
B. Metake, Arundinaria falcata, and other
species, some 10 feet or 12 feet in height, and
the effect of their gracefully, light, and elegant
leafy overhanging wands as they swayed
gently to and fro in the breezes of an April or
May day is one not at all easy to describe.
The illustration, while showing the Eodgersia
itself most perfectly, in reality only represents
a morsel of what was, and is, a real garden
picture.

Apart from the unique effect of this plant
from the leafy point of view, its long feathery
sprays of fluffy white flowers, borne on spikes
4 feet or 5 feet in height, are by no means to
be despised. These spikes somewTiat resemble
those of some species of Spirasa, or Meadow

made from a photograph kindly made by Mr.
Greenwood Pirn, E.LS., in "St. Brig id's "
garden at Howth, near Dublin, in the latter
part of April of the present year.

F. W. B.

Fuchsias as garden plants. — I never pass
through the well-known thoroughfare of the High
Street, Egham, at this time of the year without
stopping to admire the Fuchsias, which 3eem to
bloom profusely all the summer, and are most
charming in the effect produced. I cannot so well
admire the Mushroom heads of Petunias, double Nas-
turtiums, &c, which have been run up on tall single
stems to form standards ; pleasing as the head may
appear when seen only, the plants generally have a
somewhat spectral aspect and do not command
admiration. In the gardens attached to the resi-
dence of Mr. N. L. Cohen, Englefield Green,
Fuchsias are largely employed in beds and masses,
and also as pot plants. The gardener, Mr. Sturt,
seems to have a particular fancy for these flowers,

126

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 9, 1890.

and said that during the wet and stormy time
through which we had been passing, whilst the
blooms of zonal Pelargoniums had suffered greatly
and foliage was coarse and unduly strong, the
Fuchsias seemed to have suffered nothing, indeed
rather enjoyed the rains. Some fine pyramidal
Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums in these gardens, used
both for outdoor and indoor decoration, show
how much of beauty and colour can be got from
this charming section when well grown. Souvenir
de Charles Turner, rich rosy pink and double, is
a superb variety, the pips of wonderful size.
Messrs. Daniels Bros, is a beautiful, free, small-
flowered double. Robert Owen, Mme. Thibaut,
Mme. Crousse, and alba plena are other good varie-
ties which form fine pyramids. — A. D.

HARDY CYCLAMENS.
These are gems among hardy flowers, and it
may safely be asserted that no garden exists in
the United Kingdom in which they may not be
made to grow. It is, however, well to say
that they require special conditions for their
welfare ; but these are not by any means diffi-
cult to realise, and, unlike so many of the
flowers commonly grown, they do not need, and
indeed dislike, frequent transplanting. With
careful preparation of the soil, in the first in-
stance, the same bulbs will remain for years in
good condition, and will yearly delight with
their bright, dainty little blossoms. Now is the
best time of year for planting the bulbs, as they
are at rest and will be starting into growth in a
couple of months, at which time they cannot be
safely transplanted.

C. HEDEKiEFOLlUM. — This is the most easily
managed of all the hardy Cyclamens, and so easily
accommodated, that the remark previously made
as to a careful preparation of the soil scarcely
applies to it. With me it flourishes in any part of
the garden ; but my soil is light, and I doubt if it
would be likely to thrive with any degree of vigour
in very heavy, moisture-holding ground. Good
drainage is absolutely necessary for all hardy Cycla-
mens, and this species is much more robust of
habit, and consequently more free rooting, than
other kinds. Where the natural soil is close and
cold, it must be lightened by a liberal addition
of some suitable material, nothing being better
than leaf-soil, in which every member of the family
roots more freely than in any other kind of
soil. As regards position, this Cyclamen is most
accommodating, not fearing the full blaze of the
sun whilst flourishing in the shade of trees, where
little else will live. At the same time, I find that
it blooms most freely when the corms feel the
direct influence of the sun. I can, however, strongly
recommend this Cyclamen for planting in the
shade of deciduous trees, as the foliage remaining
fresh all through the winter, no matter what the
weather may be, and being nicely variegated, it
may be made the means of furnishing with pleasant
verdure places that would otherwise have a bare
appearance at that time of year. The flowers
appear in autumn, and continue to push up for a
pariod of about six weeks, varying in colour from
the purest white to bright pink, and being even more
elegantly formed than those of the indoor kinds.
The corms should be planted about 3 inches deep,
and an annual mulch of leaf soil will do much to
keep them in a vigorous condition.

C. EUROP.EUM.— This is one of the most fragrant
flowers I am acquainted with, and for this reason
is well worthy of being grown in pots for the window
or greenhouse. It is by no means showy, the
flowers being dull in colour, but they are well set off
by the dark green glossy foliage. As this Cycla-
men differs from the rest of the family in being in
full leaf in summer, at which time it blooms, it is
grateful for some shade. Sheltered from hot sun
it remains fresh and green, and lasts some time in
bloom ; whereas, without such protection, the folipge
is apt to turn yellow. This is the species that is
rooted up by tourists in such quantity and brought
home generally to die, but this destruction has, I

believe, been put a stop to. Formerly it was com-
mon to see huge bulbs of this Cyclamen in pots
coddled up under glass in this country, few realis-
ing that it is thoroughly hardy.

C. coum is now much more cultivated than a few
years ago, when it was rarely to be seen in good
condition. It is a charming little species, blooming
quite early in spring when inclement weather may
be expected, and although it is quite as hardy as
other kinds, the flowers are liable to be destroyed
by frosty winds, melting snow, or heavy rains. In
the case of this Cyclamen the best results are un-
doubtedly ^ obtained by growing the plants in frames,
so that inclement weather can be warded off in the
blooming season. If grown in this way the frame
should face the south, so that the plants get the
benefit of whatever sunshine we may happen to
have at that time. Of course, the corms should
be planted out, and not be disturbed from year to
year. A framefnl of this little Cyclamen has a
very taking appearance when flowers are so scarce
in the open. When planted to remain in the open
ground, a position should be chosen where the
plants at blooming time are as much screened as
possible from inclement -weather. Easterly and
northerly winds are especially to be guarded
against, but in most gardens there is little difficulty
in finding a place where Evergreens give the requi-
site shelter. This Cyclamen never does so well as
when growing close to old tree stumps or big stones.
If these are arranged so that little nooks are formed,
the plants seem to find therein just the conditions
that suit them ; as, indeed, do many low-growing
hardy flowers that do not naturally grow in open
positions. It is very noteworthy how happy plants
of this description appear to be when their roots
can run clown by the side of a big stone or a tree
stump. In any case there must be provision made
for good drainage, and the soil should be rather
light, so that the somewhat delicate roots can work
freely in it. Mortar rubbish or pounded brick,
liberally mixed with the soil, is a great help— any-
thing, indeed, that will tend to keep it open and
allow of the free passage of water in the winter.
The typical form of this Cyclamen has rose-coloured
flowers, but there is a pretty white variety. When
the plants do well they seed freely, and seedlings
are sure to come up, especially if the surface is
mulched with leaf mould.

C. Atkinsi. — This, the gem of the family, is cer-
tainly destined to take high rank among hardy
flowers. Its natural blooming season is in winter
and early spring. It has a good appearance grown
in pans, in which condition it was exhibited last
season at the London shows, attracting a con-
siderable amount of attention. The colour of the
flower ranges from the purest white to bright pink.
The majority of the plants produce pale rose
flowers, and those who think of obtaining this
charming kind should make sure of getting both
rubrum and album, which are rather higher in
price, but are well worth the extra outlay. Con-
sidering what has been done with the Persian Cycla-
men, and how immeasurably superior the flowers
of the present day in both size and colour are to
those of a few years ago, I see no reason why a
corresponding improvement should not be effected
in this hardy species. With greater variety of
colour and flowers three times the size, this little
Cyclamen would become one of the most valuable
of hardy flowers. This is the best time to pot
the corms, as they will soon be starting into
growth. Do not overpot, and give it the same
kind of compost that it is usual to employ for
the indoor kinds, but I think it enjoys a little peat
in the form of small lumps in the soil. Shelter the
corms in a cold frame, but as soon as they come
into growth expose them night and day in fine
weather, so 'as to keep the plants in a compact
hardy condition. They will do much better in a
cool frame until they come into bloom than in a
greenhouse that is heated to keep out frost.

C. vebnum is not a showy species, the flowers
being small and rather pale in colour. It is, I
think, more delicate than the rest of the family,
requiring rather a lighter soil with perfect
drainage. If it does not get just what it needs

in this way, it soon dies out. There is a white
variety of it that is more valuable than the typical
form. I should advise the addition of a little fibrous
peat when making a permanent situation for this
species, as helping to keep the roots in good con-
dition. I do not advise planting the corms of this
and the two preceding kinds very deeply. If they
are covered with from 1 inch to 2 inches of light
soil, that will be ample.

C. cilicicum. — This is a species about which I
would rather ask for information than attempt to
give any. It appears to be very little cultivated,
and up to the present I have not seen plants offered
in any trade list, although I have just got seed from
Mr. Thompson, of Ipswich. This is all the more
strange, as it was described as a novelty in the old
trarttfiier's Magazine about half a century ago.

J. C. B.

CARNATIONS AT SLOUGH.
The interest that has been awakened in the self
Carnations has naturally given much zest to
their cultivation, and in the collection of Mr.
Charles Turner one may find besides the ordi-
nary varieties and Piootees, a large number of
beautiful self flowers. The plants at Slough
are almost all grown in pots, but a new de-
parture lias been made in having distinct beds
of one variety. This is the first season the Car-
nation has been bedded out in this way, and we
hope it will be extended, to show visitors that
it is a good garden flower, and need not be
grown in pots or placed under glass. This is
not the best of years for border Carnations.
The unnaturally cold season hindered the
flowers expanding, and the long continued rains
split the pods, but the summer weather of the
last few days has put a different complexion
upon matters, so that we may still have good,
though unusually late blooms. The best groups
were those of the old crimson Clove, a splendid
Carnation, as everyone knows ; Gloire de Nancy,
another fine flower, an excellent companion to
the old Clove, as it is pure white ; and Dazzle,
a brilliant scarlet variety, tall in growth, but
not weakly, and very striking in a mass. These
are all finely self - coloured flowers, which
create the finest picture by reason of the dis-
tinct shade of colour. A bed, however, of
Agnes Chambers deserves a note. This is a
good yellow-ground Carnation, and makes a
bright bed, but not so attractive as those of a
purely self decided' tint. The flowers have a
good yellow ground colour, the petals flaked
with rose-carmine. Amber (Maunder) is a
medium-sized amber-coloured self flower, and
does not split its calyx, a great point in judging
the usefulness of a Carnation. It is very early,
the bed at Slough having been in bloom on July
2G for three weeks and was then in full bloom. In
pots placed for the flowering season under glass
there were several very fine self-coloured varie-
ties, not the least beautiful of which was Rose
Celestial, a seedling of Mr. J. Douglas, and a
lovely flower, clear rose in colour, full, largo,
but not coarse, and not splitting much in the
pod. It is good both in the open and in pots,
and was shown well in the self classes at the
recent exhibition at the Royal Aquarium. Its
habit of growth is strong, and with this in the
collection one can dispense with the old
favourite, Mary Morris, as it surpasses this in
usefulness. Of Germania in the self class it is
not necessary to write ; it is well known as the
best of the yellow-coloured flowers, which are
very rich, full, and telling. Another good self is
Purple Emperor. We did not see this variety out
of doors, so cannot speak of it as a border flower ;
but the plants in pots show great vigour, and a
free display of bold, large, and richly coloured
purple self flowers. Its decided tone and showi-
ness should make it a favourite. Baby Castle

Aug. 9, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

127

is a hardy and pretty kind, used in Hyde Park
with happy effect, where there is a large bed of
it along by Park Lane. The flowers are very
full, pure salmon-piuk in colour, and finely
fringed.

^Ye have now several white Carnations, as
The Bride (Hodges), Duchess of Westminster,
very fine, the flower having also a fine
smooth petal ; Duchess of Connaught, Lady Rose
Molyneux, and The Bride (Over). There is
a large bed of the last mentioned variety at
Slough, which supplies large quantities of me-
dium sized, smooth petalled, and pure white
flowers. It is a tall grower, robust in habit,
exceedingly free, and of use for cutting, as the
flowers do not split in the pod. One variety
that appears of exceptional promise is Catherine.
It is a pure rose self, the flowers almost as large
as those of a Malmaison, very fine, bold, and
borne freely, although of unusual size. It is in
pots, and therefore we cannot write of its
value for the open, but if a vigorous constitu-
tion counts for anything, then it will succeed.
The variety Mrs. Reynolds Hole is largely grown
at Slough. The plants are in pots, and produce
splendid flowers of warm apricot colour. The
height of its growth is against it, but it is a
useful outdoor variety, the flowers not only
having breadth and fulness, but that distinctive
shade which has made it almost as popular for
bouquets and personal adornment as the big-
bloomed Souvenir de la Malmaison. The Go-
vernor is a fine border Carnation ; its flesh-
tinted flowers are delicate in tone and large,
useful for cutting, aud making good clumps for
the border. It will stand out well. A fine rose
self is Viscountess Down, the colour very pleas-
ing and pretty, while we have a rich scarlet,
robust-petalled flower in Ruby, one of Mi-.
Turner's seedlings. Both are good growers, and
vigour of constitution is not the least important
consideration in a Carnation.

All the varieties mentioned, as far as we could
judge from pot plants, bear flowers that do not
burst the calyx. A Carnation that bursts its
pods is worthless. We should like to see every
variety tried well planted out-of-doors, as the
Carnation is essentially a hardy border flower.

Amongst what are known as "fancy "Car-
nations we find several excellent varieties, and
a new seedling of Mr. Turner named Victory
is a beautiful flower in its way. It is excep-
tionally free, the blooms appearing several to-
gether, and all are full, handsome, and showy,
the yellow, or rather buff-yellow, ground colour
being almost hidden with the heavy edging of
red. It is of good growth, and a useful addition
to its class. Of Almira there is a large group.
It is one of the most valuable of fancy Carna-
tions, very free, and bearing large flowers of a
distinct yellow colour, brightened by a few
stripes or flakes of carmine. Sunset is also buff,
enriched with red flaking ; and in Lord Ren dies-
ham the buff ground is almost suffused with a
purplish-grey tone. It is a very distinct flower,
but not so pretty as Victory or Almira. Terra
Cotta is a distinctly tinted flower, buff, with
rose-carmine flake s or stripes ; it is very full
and showy. Romulus is also a yellow ground
flower, heavily suffused almost with brilliant
rose-carmine. One house is devoted alone to
the yellow ground section, and in it we find
such varieties as Almira, Colonial Beauty, buff-
yellow, slaty coloured edge ; Agnes Chambers,
Terra Cotta, and others that have been men-
tioned, besides new seedlings unnamed, many
showing rich promise for the future. These are
a few of the leading self and fancy varieties at
Slough ; and at the Royal Aquarium show last
week, self flowers were represented by such

lovely varieties as Comtesse de Paris, P. H.
Roland, a rich red-coloured self ; Mrs. R. Hole,
&c.

It must be remembered that the Carna-
tion is not simply to be grown in a pot, placed
under glass for a few weeks, and disbudded to
produce a few good exhibition blooms, but as
a garden flower. It is this phase of its culture
we urge, and the finest border Carnations must
be like a few of those at Chiswick (see p. 74)
vigorous in constitution, with sturdy habit,
broad strong "grass," and well-placed flowers,
which are of one distinct colour, full, non-split-
ting in the pod, and fragrant. The fancies also
are distinct and pretty, except those flowers that
have a dead ashy colour, peculiarly objection-
able, but they should never be preferred for
bold groups in the border to the self-coloured
varieties.

NOTES ON HARDY PLANTS.
Tufted Pansy Jackanapes.— This charming
variety appears to possess the habit of Magpie.
The deeper colours which render it so distinct and
pleasing in April and Way leave it ere the month of
June goes out, when the predominating and almost
only colour of the late flowers is yellow. If, how-
ever, one may suppose that its energies for pro-
ducing the rich brown - crimson have become
expended for the current season, there can be no
room to complain, for the vast numbers of flowers
and long succession must have satisfied anyone.
It is a most useful and effective plant, and seems
to keep going with less care than show Pansies.

Saxifrages and their fungus.— It is inte-
resting, and perhaps useful, to note the habit of'the
fungus peculiar to the genus Saxifraga. So far as
my observations go, it occurs mainly on the en-
crusted and Aizoon sections, and when it is remem-
bered that most of the varieties of the Aizoon class
are also more or less encrusted, it suggeststhe inquiry
whether the punctures and exudations on these
kinds do or do not favour the development of the
fungus. Of one thing I am pretty confident — the
fungus is the cause of more losses than many of us
imagine, and especially of the rarer and smaller spe-
cies and varieties, such as crosia, tyrolensis, squarrosa,
minima, marginata, &c. On such kinds this in-
sidious pest is almost invisible to the naked eye,
and when the plants die we are often at a loss for
the cause when all else seems to be right. The
larger forms, such as Cotyledon, ligulata, longi-
folia, &c, develop the fungus in proportionately
large patches. A wet season favours the fungus.
Saxifrages grown over free drainage and in other-
wise fairly dry situations are least troubled with it,
and I have fancied that clear soot water has helped
to save the plants. I have given it pretty strong—
of course in the growing season, which is also the
period of the fungus growth.

Dianthus Atkinsoni.— Once more I have to
announce that this plant has proved perfectly
hardy and perennial. Small plants produce stems
15 inches long with spreading tops, heavily laden
with flowers the size of a florin, and so brilliant as
to exceed either Poppies, Lychnis, or the most in-
tensely coloured Lilies. These masses of bright
colour are so durable, as to last from six to ten weeks,
and as a very old friend said yesterday, " that is
just the thing for me ; it is something I can see, even
with my failing eyesight." I should like to point
out, too, the suitability of this deep crimson flower
for growing among the various dwarf Cisti, among
which there is no corresponding colour, but more es-
pecially among the whites does this deep colour
stand out magnificently. The blooming periods
both of Cisti and the Pink exactly correspond. The
best effects that I have noticed have been where
the Pink was contrasted with the white Cistuses,
such as florentinus, lusitanicus, cyprius, corbarien-
sis, the rich golden maroon-spotted formosus, and
the somewhat similar algarvensis. I think it would

among which such things flourish with less care
than on the level ground.

Ononis natrix. — This is an exquisite little
shrub, which for the sake of, perhaps, a better
description might be termed half shrubby and half
herbaceous. The leguminose flowers are pro-
fusely borne on the sappy shoots. They are yellow
in colour, almost orange, with distinct and regular
brown stripes at the back of the wings, which
owing to the pose of the flowers are as well dis-
played as the front sides where there are no stripes.
The abundance of blossom and the symmetry of
the plant, and the way in which the rich colour is
blended with the pubescent foliage are features at
once uncommon and beautiful. Every collection
of hardy flowers should include this charming Rest
Harrow.

Cyananthus lobatus.— There are at least two
varieties of this species, bolh of which have been
grown here for some years. I received from
General Lowther my first kind with dark blue
flowers and a somewhat contracted limb. I think
he said that the seed had been collected in the
Himalayas. More recently I received a plant from
Mr. Wolley Dod, the flowers of which were larger
and fully expanded, the colour being a very pale
blue. This kind I like better, not only because of
the better form of flower, but the plant has a
neater habit, is not so strong perhaps, but more
compact and certainly more showy. Why do so
many people fail to grow it 1 I fear it is because
it is generally understood to require shade. It does
well I know in some gardens in shade, where it has
been tried and failed in more open places, but I
believe that it succeeds in such situations because
of the more humid surroundings. I am sure it
loves sunshine, but I am not so sure that it would
be advisable to plant it in full sunshine in every
garden; for instance, where the district happens
to be very dry. I am not only on the sand-
stone, but surrounded by woods, and the climate
here is naturally humid, so that doubtless many
things can be more fully exposed to sunshine than
they would like to he in drier places. Asa matter of
fact I not only grow this plant facing south, but
on a slope (practically a wall garden) where it gets
the greatest possible amount of sunlight, and
rarely receives any water. In such situations I
have grown it for five years together, or rather in a
position but a few feet away, and when owing to a
change we dug the plants up we found the main root
stems to be nearly as thick as a man's wrist, and
so long that we could not get them up without
chopping. This fact, too, would also show that
when the plant is fairly established it is capable
of finding at least root moisture for itself.

Geranium "Wallichianum. — I referred last
year to the same variety that I wish to speak of
now, namely, the kind given me by Mr. Buxton,
then of Knutsford. It is one of the latest to bloom
of all the hardy Geraniums with which I am ac-
quainted. The almost Nemophila - blue flowers,
which are large and numerous, begin to open
in July, and a succession is kept up until frosts
cut them down. I was told that it enjoyed shade,
but considering my climate I placed it in the
driest and sunniest situation in the garden, and
I cannot conceive how it could be more happy.
It is not in full flower yet, but it promises to be
similar to last year, when in late summer it at-
tracted the notice of many people,, even so late
as the middle of October. I believe there is still
a little doubt about its identity. It is certainly
different to the plant I have grown under the same
name. The other features of variation are its
brighter flowers, more profusely borne, sturdier
growth, smaller and darker foliage, and much
shorter stem-joints. It is a most desirable plant,
and I think now jr. curat Is.

Veronica pimelioides. — This is a very dwarf
shrubby species of procumbent or slender habit.
The little leaves are blue-green, glaucous, and fleshy,
but no larger than those of the ordinary Thyme. It
has abundance of short twiggy growths, and bears
flowers freely of a reddish purple colour in small
clusters. It is a capital rock plant, very suitable

be worth while to try bedding in some such way,

or better still to form beds into small rockeries, I for classing with the Conifer-like section and the

128

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 9, 1890.

trailing V. chathamica. I feel I can safely recom-
mend it to all who have a rockery. It cannot fail
to please everybody who can give it an open sunny
position.

An Indian Thistle. — I send you heads of a
plant grown from seed received about five years
ago from an officer in India. I have failed in get-
ting it identified. Beautiful as the flowers are, I
think the buds were more so a month ago when
the upper side of the downy ball was furnished
with a coloured filament at regular distances of a
quarter of an inch. At the time I thought this
might be all the flower, or at least the coloured
portion, that would ever be visible through the
thick knappy substance, but later, as you see, the
purple florets appeared. The leaves are very beau-
tiful, and are each furnished with four rows of
prickles. The plant grows 5 feet high and sends

be something radically wrong when the presi-
dent accuses his brother members of having
pampered and spoilt Carnations to such an ex-
tent as to drive out almost every vestige of
hardiness from what should be a thoroughly
hardy plant. In establishing a class for Car-
nations grown and flowered in the open air
without any protection, Mr. Martin Smith did
the right thing, and should his projected scheme
meet with the support it merits, we may justifi-
ably look for a considerable extension of it.

Next to the proposal of the president, the prac-
tical paper read by Mr. R. Dean and the kinds with
which he illustrated and forced home his re-
marks should tend to stimulate Carnation lovers
and growers. And those kinds on trial in the

up many stems at once, so that everybody has been ' gardens had a lesson to teach, much more so

struck with its unusual beauty. The flowers have
a honey-like smell. I am hoping to get ripe seed.
J. Wood.
Woodville, Klrhstall, Yorkshire.

CARNATIONS.

than the boxes of blooms in the tent. Among
those on trial there might be seen good sorts
with vigour of growth, freedom and abundance
of bloom, in clear and decided colours. Re-
ference has been made to the best of these in
The Garden (July 26, p. 74), so nothing
Surely, if slowly, we are making progress m further need be said upon them, beyond em-
popularising and extending the culture of these phasising the fact that there had been no cod-
sweet and lovely flowers, and " C. L." deserves , dling here, and good blooms were opening in
the thanks of all who grow the Carnation for , spite of an untoward season, whilst, doubtless,
his excellent and thoughtful article upon " Car- the recent fine weather has opened many more,
nations in the Flower Garden " at p. 81 of The Yet the Chiswick garden soil is not the best
Garden, July 26. He is quite right in saying adapted for Carnations, nor is the ordinary soil
that the value of Carnations for the adornment of other kitchen gardens or the mixed borders
of the flower garden is but imperfectly under- j in which Carnation culture is attempted and as
stood Again and again in past numbers have often fails. A firm root-run is most essential to
I asserted that it is a neglected flower, and the the well-doing of Carnations, and the nearer
recent conference proved the same, for on such the soil approaches to a pure loam the better
an occasion one anticipates a representative they will do. Only those who have seen other
show apart from prize-winning motives, yet kinds so used could imagine the effect and great
from an exhibition point of view the conference beauty that would be produced by some of these
was nothing more than the ordinary annual fine selfs seen in the trial grounds grown in
show of the society under whose auspices it was irregular masses covering an area of 1 yard, 2
held, and the exhibitors the same as in previous yards, or even more, according to the quantity
years those who grow the flower, but not in the of a kind and the space at disposal,
best way to find out and realise its value in the . . , . ...

flower garden, and show it as it should not be : , fs»eJ°™ said, soil is an important matter,
shown, with a paper collar round its neck bu* 1 , ea, arf extensively grown m groups,
necessary, we are told in one of the papers read, ^nd beds or borders of good soil are prepared
for a contrast. Moreover, even then the bloom for the™> ,that ls the Plaoe *? &r?w good Carna-
.we see is not as grown upon the plant, T* k. tl01ls- * have seen them thriving in a heavy

to be manipulated,

It has
small petals pulled out,

heavy
loam which could not be worked in winter and
others loosened" and fllttene^VImoothed, &o' baked as hard as a road in summer. Still, as
till the only individuality the bloom possesses ,V' Pomted out a sandy loam is most suit-

is its colour, since all the flowers must be able, and my present batch m a soil of this des-
brought into the "correct" form or shape. criPtlontu ly bears out the truth of the statement
There is exceeding and charming variability of fade by their vigour and profusion of bloom,
form in the Rose, and he who would "dress " it ; L read W1™ great interest " C. L. s remarks

away would be denounced as a fanatic. Simi-
larly in the Carnation. As I see it in the gar-
den there are flowers with smooth flat petals,
others with reflexed ones, some erect and wavy,

upon the vigour induced by mixing sea sand
in the soil, as this particular characteristic I
had noted, but supposed atmospheric influence
had something to do with it. Along the south-
ern coast I have seen Carnations growing into

and some fine flowers, exquisitely sweet, are Zlu coas i nave fen carnations growing mt
made up of such a mass of little petals that it J^ J""^ and Reading tufts, whilst th

would be impossible to dress such a bloom, and,
though ever so pretty and sweet, it is denounced
rough and useless by the " dressers."

Could we have seen here bunches of flowers
of good self kinds made up with their own
foliage, which makes the prettiest of all contrasts
and a perfectly legitimate one, then those who
visited the conference with a view to taking up
the culture of the flower would have gained
some better idea of the flower, and what beauty
it would give in return for rational cultivation.
In the stands of Mr. George Paul and Mr. Ware
the Carnations were so arranged and a better
idea of the merits of the respective' kinds was
obtained.

But yet the conference was not in vain ; the
stirring opening address of its president, Mr.
Martin Smith, should stimulate energy in a
direction where it is sadly needed. There must

largest, healthiest, and broadest masses of the
old white Pink I ever saw were in a coast-
guard's garden upon the top and at the very
edge of high chalk cliffs. Moreover, a gentle,
man from Scarborough once told me that some
kinds which we and others in inland gardens
had to layer annually, with him in his seaside
garden assumed such a free, yet tufted habit as
to live, thrive, and spread into masses without
any attention, and quite counteracted the need
of annual propagation by layers. In most gar-
dens, however, annual layering must be prac-
tised, and, provided this is done early (our last
were put down on July 28) plenty of strong,
well -rooted layers will be ready in early autumn
to plant in bold groups. That well-rooted,
firmly planted layers will withstand our hardest
winter, " C. L.'s" experience, cited at p. 81,
forcibly demonstrates if people can only be in-
duced to grow them in a bold way.

The suggestion thrown out by " C. L." of
massing them between groups of Roses is ex-
actly how ours have been grown. The finest
group fills up the space between two groups of
light-coloured Tea Roses. It covers about 4
square yards of ground, and the kind is a vigor-
ous, highly-scented brilliant red self. There are
hundreds of flowers open, and the effect is truly
grand, whilst the delicious perfume pervades
the air all round. A similar mass of scarlet
Pelargoniums would not produce more effect nor
give a tithe of the beauty. Many other kinds
we have embracing light and dark, bright or
quiet shades of colour. One or two small groups
of prettily flaked kinds add to the variety, but
for effect in the garden the selfs must predomi-
nate.

The raising of Carnations from seed should
be practised. There is a lot of rubbish among
seedlings raised from the seed usually obtained,
but those who have a few good kinds should save
their own seed. It takes a long time to mature,
but preserve the pod produced by the leading
flower and it will ripen in due course, whilst its
ultimate progeny will assuredly give greater va-
riety. In this way good garden selfs can be
obtained. A friend recently sent me some
blooms of kinds so obtained, and two or three
of them in their respective colours were all that
could be desired, and quite as good as some
named kinds that I had in similar colours. By
rigid selection from extensive batches of seed-
lings good garden Carnations would soon be as
plentiful as good Roses and quite as welcome.

But following upon "C. L." comes Mr. J. C.
Clarke with a woeful tale of dire disasters
among Carnations and Picotees. Is the soil or
the treatment wrong? I gather from what is
said that although the plants produced good
layers last season, the plants were potted
up. Now even some of the vigorous selfs re-
sent this. I can point out a group three parts
of which was planted last autumn, but the re-
maining layers of the kind were potted up,
some being wanted for another purpose. A
dozen or more of these were added to the group
early in April, and then they looked the
strongest ; now they are sickly and weak, with
poor shoots that cannot be layered, whilst the
established plants have quite hidden the ground
with a quantity of healthy vigorous growth.
Only one inference can be drawn from this fact,
and that absolutely in favour of autumn plant-
ing. Other groups of kinds obtained late and
consequently wintered in pots are no exception,
as they lack both the vigour and quantity of
bloom, but they will give layers of sufficient
strength for autumn planting this year. Given
an equal number of plants I have always had
more losses from spring plantations than from
those made in autumn. Such experience as
that of Mr. J. C. Clarke is obviously very dis-
couraging and apt to deter an ardent cultivator,
for certainly Carnations ought to do quite as
well in the west of England as they do with us
in the east. Would that we could see them in
a hundred gardens where now we see them in
but one or two. A. H.

White perpetual Stock. — I have growing
here, under the name of White Perpetual Ten-week, a
charming pure white Stock of somewhat tall branch-
ing habit, which, because of its admirable double
quality, the excellent form and purity of the flowers,
and its free branching habit, is an extremely useful
variety for cutting from during the summer. I
have found it to be identical with the variety
named Princess Alice, some seed of which was sent
me by a friend to grow, and I met with it in capital
form, and in considerable quantity also, in the small

Aug. 9, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

129

nursery of Messrs. Bruckhaus and Bulling, Twicken-
ham, who had their plants sent all the way from
Germany by an enthusiastic friend, who thought
the variety would make a good stock for
cutting. These looser-growing branching varieties,
if less effective than the pyramidal forms as garden
plants, are far more useful to supply good flowers
for cutting. The Germans send us so many badly
coloured Stocks, that any specially pure good form
deserves mention. In the Royal Horticultural Gar-
dens at Chiswick just now may be seen growing a
collection of pyramidal forms, not more than three
or four of which are meritorious, all the others
having hues in the flowers of the most ineffective
kind.— A. D.

Sweet Peas In every garden where cut

flowers are required in quantity Sweet Peas should
be well grown, as few things are sweeter or more
useful for cutting. There is now no lack of variety,
but perhaps for cutting and floral decoration these
fancy kinds are hardly so suitable as good, distinct,
self-coloured kinds. It is possible now to obtain
seed in packets of self-coloured kinds that will
come absolutely true, and a row of such a distinct
kind as the Scarlet Invincible, or the old purple, or
a pure white, is very valuable, and will furnish a
good supply of flowers for a prolonged period. —
A. H.

Everlasting Peas. — I came across a prettily
blooming clump of the white form of Lathyrus
latifolius in the gardens of Glenhurst, Esher, re-
cently. It is very much more rare than is the ordi-
nary coloured form, as, indeed, are all the breaks
away from latifolius, of which there are several
very pretty indeed, the delicately tinted delicatus
and the deep crimson hued forms being some
of the best. Some half-dozen diverse and exceed-
ingly beautiful forms of this grand old Everlasting
Pea may be found well worthy of cultivation, and
gardeners may do far worse than have clumps of
each in their gardens, for they bloom long and
late, also profusely, and furnish an abundance of
flowers. Once established they give comparatively
little trouble beyond being furnished with some
needful support and a stout tie or two just to
keep the growth in order. It would be interesting
to learn whether hybridists have ever sought to en-
graft the perfume of the Sweet Pea on to the
permanent habit of the Everlasting variety. Per-
haps the twin-flowered and exceedingly beautiful
grandiflorus would offer the best field for that
form of intercrossing, because the flowers are so
much finer than are those of latifolius. Lathyrus
grandiflorus is much the earlier to bloom, and is in
hot places sooner over, but if grown where the soil
is deep and cool, the site all Everlasting Peas pre-
fer, it will remain in bloom for a long season. What
with Lathyrus Sibthorpi, Drummondi, and rotundi-
folius, for these two latter are quite distinct here,
it is evident that gardens may be adorned with
goodly collections of Everlasting Peas. They look
prettier and much less formal in clumps than in
rows. The same may be said of Sweet Peas, which
are most valuable in gardens for furnishing cut
flowers. — A. D.

of that of the Hollyhock, for the fungus on this
plant seems to be as rife as ever, in spite of all
that has been done by change of soil and seed-
ling-raising to check the action of the disease.
After a couple of successional failures from fungus
few care to make a third attempt, and prefer to
devote soil and attention to flowers which are not
so amenable to fungoid disorders. It is a matter
for surprise that this Lily disease has not extended
to choicer varieties, but so far I hear of it only
in association with L. candidum. Perhaps the
winter foliage of the variety forms a sort of nest
in which it is generated into active existence when
the summer advances. — A. D.

White Lilies. — I should be very pleased could
I give " A. H." (Gakdbn, July 26, p. 81) some as-
surance that Lilium candidum was any healthier
in this district than he finds the kind to be in East
Anglia. I was in a garden the other day where all
the bulbs, really fine ones, too, had been dug up
and left lying on the ground, because the stems
and leaves had collapsed through the fungus. The
bulbs had a semi-scalded appearance, which might
have resulted from exposure, or was the product of
the white mould affecting the plants. I suggested
that if the bulbs were washed in a solution of
paraffin, and for a time buried in half-dry old
pot soil, and then planted in fresh ground, they
might recover, but the grower had no faith in
nostrums. In another smaller garden a big bunch
of stems carried a fine head of bloom, but almost
before expanded there was general collapse, the
fungus creeping up and eating the leaves off and
destroying the flowers. Here and there in an
isolated garden a healthy plant may be seen, but
white Lily culture has gone pretty much the way

Stove and Greenhouse.

BRUGMANSIAS.
The following remarks have reference more
particularly to the greenhouse varieties of
shrubby growth. They are when well grown
exceedingly handsome plants, their magnificent
bell-like pendulous flowers emitting a delicious

growth before being planted out the following
season. If I had my own way with Bruginan-
sias I would prefer to pot them into large pots
or tubs and turn them out of these ; thus they
would not die back so far in the winter, and
when planting time again came round they
would make a quicker start. "When cultivated
in a house either in tubs or in the border an
annual pruning should be given them early in
the spring ; thus treated they would be kept
fairly within bounds. Under glass the chief
enemy is green fly, but if fumigation is carried
out in time this need not give any trouble. For
the open border of a large house a few
standards with stems S feet or so in height
would make a grand show. Their propagation
is simple, merely taking off the young shoots in
the spring and striking them on a gentle heat, one
cutting in a small pot. When struck do not let the
plants starve, but grow on as fast as possible peep-
ing them to the one stem until of good height.
They will yield a few flowers the first autumn
when planted out, but the second season they
should make a good show much earlier. As

Brugraausia Knighti.

perfume during the afternoon and evening in
the summer and autumn when planted out in
the flower garden. The flowering season may
be considerably prolonged when the plants are
grown in the border of a cool conservatory or
greenhouse. Brugmansias are of easy cultiva-
tion, and when well cared for will soon make
large plants. The better way of growing them
is as standards, so that when in flower their
long drooping flowers may be the better seen.
In growing them in the flower garden a position
rather sheltered, but with a good proportion of
sunshine should be chosen. The plants may be
safely put out about the end of May in good
soil, not of a heavy character. The best 1 re-
member to have seen used to be grown in a
garden in Sussex, where they had been planted
out from year to year for a Jong time, the same
plants continuing to do good service. These
plants were not potted in the autumn when
lifted, but placed away in a cellar or shed where
safe from frost, and there left all the winter to
be brought out again and slightly started into

they become older they flower more profusely,
the growth then not being of course quite so
luxuriant. On one occasion I remember taking
up some young plants about two years old from
the open and potting them up into 1 2-inch pots.
They were then introduced into a gentle heat and
gave several flowers during the early part of the
winter. When planted out in the open ground
Brugmansias are seen to the best advantage as
centre plants to fairly large beds, with a carpet-
ing of dwarf plants under them. They should
not be smothered up with other things of tall
growth, or the result will be a sacrifice of flower.
The example of Brugmansia Knighti in the
illustration is an instance of the good effect
produced when not overcrowded. This is one
of the best varieties in cultivation with large
handsome double flowers produced very freely.
This sort is also of rather more compact growth,
yetveryrobust ; itsfoliageisalsoof adarker green,
and somewhat longer than that of other kinds. B.
suaveolens, another good white variety, is a
profuse bloomer, its, flowers being perhaps

130

THE CzARDEK

[Aug. 9, 1890.

larger than those of B. Knighti, but single. B.
sanguinea has flowers of a deep orange-yellow,
tinged with green towards the base ; this kind
does not flower quite so freely as the white
ones, but should be grown for its distinct cha-
racter. There is also a double yellow variety of
B. ehlorantha, which is free-flowering and well
worthy of being included. The annual kinds
are more botanical curiosities than anything
else. J. H.

Bougainvilleas in cold houses. — Many and
diverse are the opinions as to whether these are
stove or greenhouse plants. At Cricket >St. Thomas,
near Chard, both B. spectabilis and B. glabra
flower in the most profuse way in the conservatory.
Both are planted out against the back wall and
tiained under the roof downward close to the glass.
They each cover from 15 yards to 20 yards long by
3 feet to 4 feet wide. The aspect of this house is
south-east. A novel plan has been adopted, so that
they can be seen when in bloom, viz., tying the
main stems to wires, which can be untied and large
masses let down. I never saw a finer piece of
colour before. B. spectabilis, which is regarded as
a shy bloomer, was so covered with blossom that
scarcely a leaf could be seen. The temperature in
winter often goes down to 40° at night. Recently
at Marston House I saw B. glabra growing in the
conservatory trained against the west wall. It
blooms most profusely every autumn and keeps on
until towards the end of the year. Yet this con-
servatory is only kept at greenhouse temperature.
I may add that the flowers are far richer in colour
under cool treatment than when grown in a stove.
— J. Ceook, Forcle A bbey.

Littonia modesta. — At one time the tempera-
ture of a stove was considered necessary for the
successful culture of this plant, but such an idea is
now pretty generally exploded, for it will succeed
perfectly in a cool house, or under favoured con-
ditions if planted in the open ground during the
summer months ; indeed, it has been more than
once spoken of as surviving the winter out of doors
where protected, and there certainly seems no
reason why it should not be fully as hardy as other
tuberous and bulbous plants from the same region.
It is, however, as a greenhouse climber that this
Littonia is seen at its best, and under these con-
ditions it is just now flowering freely. The Lit-
tonia is similar to that old plant and near rela-
tive Gloriosa superba, both being slender growing
climbers, attaching themselves by masses of ten-
drils from the ends of the leaves to any neighbour-
ing object. The flowers, which are bell-shaped and
drooping, are about 2 inches across and of a rich
orange colour, a hue but little represented among
greenhouse climbers. They are borne singly from
the axils of the leaves, and a succession is kept up for
some time. After the flowering season is past, the
foliage gradually ripens and the stems decay, the
plant then passing through the winter in a com-
plete state of rest, during which time the soil must
ba kept almost, if not quite dry. On the return of
spring as much of the compost should be removed
as can possibly be done without injury to the
tubers (in most cases it can be entirely shaken
away). They must then b? repotted in light sandy
soil, using well-drained pots, as stagnant moisture
is fatal to the welfare of the plant. When seeds
are produced, which, by the way, is not always
the case, an additional feature is imparted to the
plant, for when the pods burst, the bright-coloured
fruits remain visible for some time before they
drop.-H. P.

SUORT NOTES.— STOVE AND GREENHOUSE.

Primula obconica poisonous.— I had a case
here of the poisonous effects of this plant. A young
man was potting a hatch, and a? sdou as he touched
the leaves his hands began to itch. I have observed
the same thing myself, although we have seen no in-
jurious effects result. — J. C, Forde Abbey.

Dracaena indivisa variegata. — In this we
have a plant which is of greit interest. It is not
the broad-leaved New Zealand pi mt, but the npr-

row-leaved Australian form which has the leaves
bordered with white ; thus every leaf is conspicuous
for its bright green centre and pure white border.
This plant, moreover, is not one requiring heat, but
thrives in an ordinary greenhouse temperature, and
I am not sure but in the south in sheltered posi-
tions it would not be found hardy in the open air.
It deserves a trial at any rate. — W.

Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora.— We
all know what a beautiful plant this is, but some
plants I saw lately which had been trained up with
a straight stem (not grafted), and then the stem
stopped and made to branch out and form a head,
were simply magnificent. There was nothing formal
in them, nor anything to lead anyone to suppose
there was anything of a trained character about
them, whilst for the decoration of halls and cor-
ridors they would simply be unique, and I should
like to see the plant thus grown in quantity. — W.

Begonia corallina.— I was much pleased to
find this fine species blooming freely in Messrs.
B. S. Williams and Son's nursery at Holloway. It
is one of the very finest, and is a plant which I had
occasion to note some two years ago when travel-
ling through Normandy, when I saw it used as a
wall plant in the stoves, and also planted out. In
this latter position it had made growths strong
and erect, resembling those of a Bamboo. These
growths were thickly laden with flowers, and these
as well as the more slender ones on smaller plants
flowered equally free. Its bright coral-red flowers
are very attractive, and nearly the whole season it
may be seen in bloom. — W. H. G.

Public Gardens.

FUCHSIAS IN HYDE PARK.

The Fuchsia is a leading flower in the London
parks, and the change from the formal parterre
to bold arrangements in which graceful flowers
as the Fuchsia play a leading part is welcome,
especially as it leads to the use of other things
unfortunately until recently foreign to the
places where they should be best represented.
We write now only of the Fuchsia, and in every
park it is used more or less. In the recently
opened Ravenscourt Park at Hammersmith there
are specimens on the turf of such well known
favourites as the old Tower of London, Mrs. Mar-
shall, and Rose of Castile, and a bed with the
centre filled with white-flowered tufted Pansies
and Fuchsia Tower of London is not a bad con-
trast of colour. But it is in Hyde Park that
the Fuchsia is in its fullest glory, where there
are specimens, unfortunately very regularly
placed ou the turf, upwards of 3 feet and some-
times more in height, in a few instances the
slender shoots sweeping the ground. This is a
decided improvement upon ribbon borders and
panel bedding, and each season there is a
greater tendency to grow hardy flowers and
use graceful things, as the Heliotrope, Ivy-
leaved Pelargonium, and Fuchsia. Hyde Park
has taken a lead that might be followed by Vic-
toria and Regent's Parks, where much of the old
style remains.

This is a bad season for outdoor flowers ;
the seared leafage amongst the sub-tropical
plants at Battersea tells a tale of cold heavy
rains and sunless skies, which have prevented
the flowers opening in full beauty. The Fuch-
sias have felt the adverse influences, and in
Hyde Park are not flowering so freely nor have
made the same rich growth as last season, when
we never saw a finer display of bloom. The
leadingvarieties are theold variegated Sunray, in
which the variegation is both distinct and pretty ;
Earl of Beaconstteld, nicely associated with
masses of Bluebell tufted Pansy ; Annie Earley,
white, corolla scarlet ; Elegans, purple and
crimson ; Mrs. Marshall, white and rosy-pink ;

Annette, deep coloured flowers and robust,
dark leafage ; Daniel Lambert, scarlet and pur-
ple ; Henry Brooks, scarlet and violet-purple ;
Mme. Cornellisen, scarlet and white ; Tower of
London, and Mrs. Marshall, Fuchsias that were
the pride of gardens when this flower was more
thought of than in the present day. The plants
are mainly specimens, in groups of three, one
kind to each group, and the prettiest effect is
obtained with Mme. Cornellisen, as the flowers
are lighter and more graceful than in such robust
types as Annette. Earl of Beaconsfield is also
very graceful. The specimens of it are one
mass of long, drooping, brilliant scarlet flowers,
and a bold mass like this might bo repeated in
good gardens. The arrangements are, of course,
not always happy. One bed of plants of Mrs.
Marshall, each about 2 feet high, was smothered
with bloom, but theeffectwas somewhat spoilt by
the groundwork of Wood Sorrel that was past
its beauty. In another arrangement the beau-
tiful Statice Suwarowi was doing well, but hid-
den by a crowd of other things. We should
like to see a border edged with this interesting
flower, which bears long spikes of pink-coloured
bloom, as in the Chiswick Gardens, where it
makes a pretty picture. A very unsatisfactory
bed is made up of variegated Pelargonium
Ariosto and tufted Pansy Bluebell. We should
rather have seen the Pansy used alone, and this
also applies to three large beds of it in St.
James's Park, where the brave mass of blue is
spoilt by mixing with it here and there the
variegated Abutilon that disfigures many an
otherwise pretty spot. It is strange the love
that seems to exist for this variety, which if
used cautiously is not disagreeable, but weak
and spotty when planted immoderately. A very
pretty zonal Pelargonium is Omphale, the
flowers single and rich salmon-pink in colour,
and used in contrast with dark purple-flowered
tufted Pansy is rich aud showy, different to a
dull and uninteresting bed of the bronzy-col-
oured Calceolaria Bijou.

This season a greater use* has been made of
Mme. Crousse Ivy - leaved Pelargonium and
Heliotropes, while several specimens are planted
out of the delicate blue-flowered Cape Lead-
wort (Plumbago capensis), which in this uncer-
tain season is, however, not a success. They
are about 3 feet in height and sparsely flowered,
very different to what would be the case in a
bright and reasonably warm English summer.
The Pelargoniums have made more leaf than
flower, except the Ivy-leaved section. Mme.
Crousse is a delightful variety for making bold
groups. It is of free growth, blooms with the
greatest profusion, and has handsome trusses of
bright pretty rose - coloured flowers, which
light up effectively the park scenery. Sou-
venir de Charles Turner is another va-
riety, that, while the common scarlet and
other coloured zonal varieties have run to
leaf, is blooming as if proof against cold rainy
summers. Placed against dark- coloured Helio-
tropes, we get the full richness of its large
double flowers. Another plant grown to a
large size in Hyde Park and used in the same
way as the Heliotropes and Pelargoniums is
the Petunia, which is a charming garden flower
when not too big. The varieties in Hyde Park
are of intense purple shades, with fairly large
flowers, unlike the broad, flabby, and thin
blooms one sees in many gardens. A bold bed
is composed of large plants of Pelargonium
Mme. Crousse, with a groundwork of tufted
Pansy Bluebell, the two colours making a not
unhajjpy contrast.

The tuberous Begonia has done much to
lessen the use of scarlet Pelargoniums, and
two beds of seedlings are worth a note.

Aug. y, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

131

They show the perfection to which the plant
has been brought. The flowers are single,
large, varied in colour, but mostly of different
shades of one tint — crimson — and create a rich
mass of colour. One bed is filled with the rich
crimson variety Charles Baltet, but the two
beds we most admired are of two distinct va-
rieties of self Carnations, both in the fullest
perfection, aud named respectively Raby Castle
and The Coroner. The first of the two is a
strong grower and bears beautifully fringed or
salmon-pink flowers, which have been, however,
somewhat spoilt by the boisterous weather, the
groundwork of blue-flowered tufted Pansy set-
ting off this bright shade. The other is a rich
red variety, the flowers decided, large, full, and
handsome. It is an old variety, but very effec-
tive when used by itself. We hope there will
be a greater use still made of the Carnation.
Two beds are not sufficient. They only whet the
appetite for a greater feast of self-coloured Car-
nations, and we have now many varieties to
select from of robust growth and bearing finely
coloured flowers. Bold groups in the borders
would give pleasure and beauty, and show the
capabilities of the plaut for making rich
breaks of colour in London. In the Embank-
ment Gardens at Charing Cross, the crimson
Clove, the old white Carnation, and a brilliant
crimson kind do remarkably well, in spite of
the dirt and smoke. Palms look better in Hyde
Park than in Battersea Park, but they have had
a troublous season to contend with. Large
groups are formed of Phienix dactylifera and
Kentia boliviana, the best way to make a broad
mass of imposing leafage. It is, however, the
Fuchsias that mark Hyde Park out from the
other great open spaces of London.

Regent's and Victoria Parks.

The former of these two has less bedding of
the usual style than formerly. In one wide border
are clumps of the bold Lilhun auratum, which is
very showy amidst dark-coloured leafage, Erigeron
macranthum. very handsome in a mass, tufted
Pansies, Mignonette, and English Iris. These are
all plants easily grown and capable of making rich
effects when planted in good groups of one colour.
One large bed in Regent's Park is composed of
Lilium auratum and white single Dahlias — a happy
relief from what was formerly here — a scroll bed
of some weak, paltry device. There are large breaks,
too, of the common Mignonette, the fine-leaved
Plantain Lily (Funkia Sieboldi). Pelargonium Mme.
Crousse, and the tall purple and white-flowered
Aconite. By the side of the path leading up from
the Cambridge House entrance are beds of Carna-
tions and Picotees, with a groundwork of tufted
Pansy Duchess of Sutherland or Golden Prince,
the Carnations being self - coloured. This is a
healthy change, and the free use of the tufted
Pansy, too, is evidence of a strong reaction in
favour of beautiful summer flowers. Nothing can
exceed the tufted Pansy in usefulness. It blooms
from spring until autumn, and is easily raised and
grown. Bluebell is the principal variety, but it
would be well to extend the list. A lovely variety
as Archie Grant should certainly be made more
use of ; it is the finest of the deep violet-purple-
flowered types, and to be seen spreading about in
broad masses in many English cottage gardens, es-
pecially in Middlesex. Victoria Park is still in the
throes of bedding out, but a pleasant border of
hardy flowers runs from the main entrance in front
of the long belt of shrubs and trees. Here Boc-
conia cordata makes a fair growth, Funkias, blue
Speedwell, perennial Sunflowers, Cornflowers,
Spiderworts(Tradescantia), and various other hardy
things, besides Verbenas, which we noticed were
planted in a variety of good colours. But it is
scarcely possible to expect a rich growth from
plants in a narrow border backed with vigorous-
growing common shrubs, which must draw most of
the nourishment from the soil. Why not have a

bed of noble-leaved plants as Plume Poppy (Boc-
conia cordata) in place of a starved growth in a
root-ridden border. It is as telling and beautiful
as the finest sub-tropicals, spreading out into a large
massive bush ; it will in good soil grow as much as
8 feet high ; the leaves large, deeply veined, and the
creamy white flowers borne in bold spreading
panicles. A good bed, bold and showy, is made up
of the Gum Tree (Eucalyptus globulus) and Lilium
auratum, but several depressing and heavy arrange-
ments are composed of dark-leaved Cannas and
Coleus. Their effect may be better when the
Cannas are in bloom, but there is nothing now to re-
lieve the didness of the beds.

Battersea Park.
This beautiful park, the most pleasant of all the
open spaces in London, is as usual interesting for
its sub-tropical garden ; but the plants this season,
especially big-leaved things, have suffered severely
from the cold and heavy rains of early summer. The
Plantain Lily is used with excellent effect in large
masses, and the light purple flowers give distinct
and charming colour, while the purple and white
double Ten-week Stocks are well planted. One long
line of the tufted Pansy Bluebell is as gay as the
brightest scarlet Pelargonium, and a fine picture is
the long lines of Virginian Stock which in the cool
of the evening scent the air with a sweet fragrance.
This is a pretty and showy annual when used in a
mass, and one might mention other annual flowers
that could be used with equal advantage. Nastur-
tiums are already sown as freely as desirable, but
we might see more of such things as the annual
Candytufts and Canary Creeper climbing about in as
free and graceful a way as the Jackman's Clematis.
On the rocky ravine facing the lake and illustrated
in The Garden, May 10, p. 43, we noticed a clump
of Eryngium Oliverianum (amethystinum) in perfect
keeping with the Brambles and rocks. The Sea
Hollies present interesting variety, and bold clumps
of such noble types as those mentioned, giganteum,
or the pretty planum, crowded with small, lustrous,
blue flower-heads would create a distinct effect.
They are very easily raised, thrive well in almost
any fairly good soil, and, like our own little Sea
Holly of the seashore, love the sun.

In Battersea Park we may find interesting fea-
tures. A shady dell is given up to the French
Willow Herb(Epilobium augustifolium), the yellow
Mullein (Verbascum), Spiraeas, yellow Lysimachia,
and various other strong-growing things permitted
to spread about in their own way. A few plants
of the purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) were
blooming by the side of the lake. This kind of
gardening might be extended. Instead of three
spikes we should like to see a forest of bloom, giv-
ing rich colour to the waterside, and bringing some
of our native stream-side scenery to the London
parks. In the Palm glen Clivia miniata was flower-
ing well, considering the season. The most con-
spicuous picture in the sub-tropical garden is a bed
of large specimens of Brugmansia suaveolens flower-
ing well, and scenting the air for many yards round,
while in the distance G.innera scabra is used to form
a bold group on the turf. It is surprising more use
is not made of the Night scented Tobacco. It
would make a distinct and handsome bed, and the
flowers open wide in the afternoon after the sun
has lost power, when they send forth a delicious
fragrance. It is used with good effect in Battersea
Park amongst dark-leaved shrubs.

ing an elegance and lightness with a profusion of
peerless yellow flowers that few things can produce.
Another effect of the same kind may be seen in
Battersea Park, where in a leafy recess a number of
sticks have been placed closely together to support
a dense growth of Clematis Jackmanni and at the
present season a bower of flowers. The effect is
made richer by a number of light-coloured Fuch-
sias in front. The Canary Creeper at Ravenscouit
Park commences a border of hardy flowers arranged
in clumps, as the old Jove Flower (Lychnis flos-
cuculi), Carnation Gloire de Nancy, Night scented
Stock. Nasturtiums, and a long line of pale mauve
and blue tufted Pansies, besides double garden
Stocks. This is the kind of planting we hope to
see more of, and it certainly gives more pleasure
than the glaring masses of red and yellow. Those
who are fond of asserting that hardy herbaceous
borders have no colour in the later days of summer
should take a little trouble to prove such a state-
ment. The hardy flowers in the parks speak for
themselves. The garden Stock might be made good
use of for enriching large open spaces. It is seldom
used well ; in some instances the colours are weak,
and in others the plants are spoiled or over- sha-
dowed by things either in bad contrast or too vigor-
ous in growth. A few beds of Stocks, each of
one colour, or of shades that blend well together,
would produce a rich picture if the flowers were
double, besides loading the air with a sweet frag-
rance. It is best to sow the seed where the plants
are to remain. This cannot always, of course, be done
in the parks, where things have to come on in quick
succession to keep a gay supply of flowers. A few
of the more distinct shades in a strain like that in
the Chiswick gardens should be selected. The
double crimson German or late Ten-week variety,
or the double white would make bold masses
of colour.

THE WEEK'S WORK.

New Parks.

It is impossible to write much of the recently
acquired open spaces, as they are only in pro-
cess of transformation, which is likely to produce
strange effects from what we can see of the
planting, but this we shall refer to later. The
pretty open space, Kavenscourt Park, in the vicinity
of Hammersmith, contains one or two pleasant fea-
tures. Behind the public library, formerly a pri-
vate residence, there is a corner planted with
old - fashioned flowers, as the yellow - flowered
Canary Creeper (Tropaeolum canariense). It is sur-
prising more use is not made of this popular an-
nual in London parks. At. Hammersmith it is
clambering over sticks in a delightful way, display-

PLANT HOUSES.
Greenhouse. — Large - flowered Pelargo-
niums.— The plants that were turned out of doors
a short time ago to get their shoots hardened
will now be in a condition for heading down. In
this there should be no delay, for on the progress
the new growth makes before autumn depends the
time at which they will flower next spring. In the
case of specimens that are already as large as
required, the shoots should be headed back to
within two eyes of where the shoot springs from.
Young examples that have not attained the desired
size may have the shoots left two or three joints
longer, provided the wood has got brown in colour.
When the wood becomes of a reddish brown shade
it is an evidence of its being sufficiently ripened.
If any shoots are cut where the wood is yet green,
the plants will break indifferently, and the after-
growth will be irregular, as any eyes that push
from shoots that are in this state take the lead of
those that spring from ripened wood, and make
rank growth that will be more inclined to produce
gross, sappy leaves than bear flowers when the
time of blooming again arrives. Before removing
the tops allow the soil to get dry ; if it is in a wet
condition the roots will be liable to perish. The
stools should be stood in a cold pit or frame, and
have no water until the buds burst, except what
they get from the syringe, which should be used
moderately at the time of shutting the lights in
the afternoon. If any aphides are present on the
plants, the stools should be well fumigated with
tobacco as soon as the tops are removed. If this
precaution is not taken, the insects will give trouble
when the young leaves appear, and will be more
difficult to kill.

Fancy Pelargoniums. — The varieties of this
section are much weaker growers than the large-
flowered kinds and should not be cut in so close.
I have always found them do the best when the
tops were removed at a point where the wood was
somewhat, green. If cut back to the hard ripe
wood they sometimes fail to break. After heading
down treat the plants in the way advised for the
large-flowered sorts, being particularly careful that
too much water does not reach the roots either

132

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 9, 1890.

before the new growth appears or afterwards. The
fancy Pelargoniums are more likely to suffer from
any excess in this direction than the stronger grow-
ing kinds.

Cutting-stbiking. — The time of heading the
plants down is often taken advantage of for propa-
gating young stock, as the tops afford a choice of
cuttings. In the case of any variety that is scarce
and of which it is desirable to make the most,
every eye will make a catting except one or two at
the extremities of the shoots, which are too soft.
Yet strong cuttings, such as consist of about three
joints of the top of each shoot, make the best
plants, as they take the lead and keep it over those
that are struck from single eyes. The cuttings are
best put into boxes about 4 inches deep, drained, and
filled with a mixture of sifted loam and sand in
about equal proportions, with a little clean sand on
the top. The cuttings sh uld stand about 3 inches
apart. Water gently to settle the soil, and stand
the boxes on the ground in a sunny place. The
cuttings will strike with fewer failures in this way
at this time of the year without any shade than
if put into a close frame.

Pelargoniums, labge-flowebed forcing va-
eieties.— Where the early blooming varieties that
will bear forcing so as to have them in flower at
the end of winter are grown, the plants must not
be let want for pot room in a way that will in-
terfere with their progress either in the tops or at
the roots, for unless the soil is full of roots be-
fore the autumn gets advanced and the progress
becomes slow, the plants when put into heat will run
to growth instead of blooming. Old examples that
after flowering ripened their wood and were cut
down early in the summer, and since then have
been shaken out and put for a time into smaller
pots, should as soon as they have filled the soil mode-
rately with new roots be moved into the pots in
which they will remain until they have again
bloomed. The size of the pots should be regulated
by the strength of the plants and the vigour natural
to the variety. With good rich soil and the assist-
ance of manure water judiciously applied at the
right time much may be done with plants in 7-inch
pots. An inch larger is enough to give the strongest
of these winter-blooming sorts.

Libonia floribunda. — Plants struck in the
spring of this useful small-growing greenhouse
plant should now be nice bushy little examples in
3-inch or 4-inch pots, and be ready for moving to
G-inch or 7-inch pots, which in most cases will be
large enough to carry them through until they have
flowered. Free loam with some rotten manure, leaf
mould, and sand forms a compost that this and
other free-rooting subjects like. Pot moderately
firm, but do not make the soil so solid as is necessary
with things of a more permanent nature. As a rule,
it is best to propagate the requisite amount of
stock each spring. If a portion be wanted larger,
all that is necessary is, after the plants have
flowered, to cut some well back, and when they have
broken, to half shake them out of the soil and re-
place them for a time in the same sized pots with
new material. Plants that have been treated in
this way should shortly have a shift into pots an
inch larger. Keep the plants a little close for a
week or two, and continue to close the house or pit
in which they are grown early in the afternoon
until the middle of September. Give a little shade
in the middle of the day when the weather is bright,
and treat generally so as to secure as much growth
as possible during the next six weeks. If stopping
has been duly attended to the plants will be bushy
and even in growth. Nothing more should be re-
quired in this way further than pinching out the
points of any shoots that by chance are taking an
undue lead.

Stove.— MedinillAs.— Amongst the various spe
cies of stove plants that will flower of either a me
dium size or as large specimens, Medinilla magni-
fica and its erect flowering variety M. amabilis are
both desirable, especially where there happens to
be a large conservatory that is kept at an inter-
mediate temperature, as the plants will do in such
a house during the time they are in bloom. To
flower these Medinillas well they are better not

grown so hot as many stove subjects require to be,
and also with less shade, less atmospheric moisture,
and more air. They likewise want well hardening
up in the latter part of summer so as to get the
wood thoroughly ripened. From the middle of this
month no more shade should be used than is found
necessary to prevent the leaves being scorched; this
with less vapour and more air will bring about the
condition in the wood that is favourable to flower-
ing. T. B.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.
Sowing Onion seed.— The first or second week is
a good time in most localities to sow seed of
Onions to stand through the winter. As a rule, the
Tripolis, notably The Queen, White Naples, Giant
White, and the Roccas, are principally sown now,
and the three first named are the first fit to use in
the order given, while the Roccas are the best for
keeping. Any of the White Spanish forms or those
most generally sown in the spring are equally as
well adapted for sowing in August, but they are
more likely to form handsome bulbs if not raised
too early, the end of August being quite soon
enough for getting in the seed of these. All re-
quire a firm and moderately rich root-run, and if a
rather sunny position is assigned them, those not
transplanted in the spring will bulb in early and well.
Draw shallow drills about 12 inches apart and sow
the seed moderately thick, this admitting of a few
Onions being drawn for salad. Onions succeed re-
markably well with Strawberries, and if the latter
are planted late there is no reason why one or two
rows of Onions should not be sown between them.

Late planted Beoccoli.— Late planted Broc-
coli is frequently more serviceable than any got
out earlier in the planting season. The older and
much stronger plants are apt to lose much of their
foliage during the winter, and the stems being ex-
posed are liable to be crippled by severe frosts.
The younger plants appear to possess greater
vitality and to longer retain their leaves in spite of
cold, frosty winds, these effectually protecting the
stems. It is not to be expected that they will pro-
duce such large heads as those established much
earlier, always provided the latter survive the
winter, but if small they are tolerably certain, and
comparatively small heads are better than none at
all. Unfortunately, in the majority of gardens the
stock of plants is raised far earlier than there is
any necessity for, the consequence being that those
long left in the seed beds become extremely leggy.
To attempt to bury these long stems to their full
depth would be so much labour thrown away, the
plants making poor progress under such conditions,
and if planted in the ordinary manner the first se-
vere frost would destroy them. The difficulty can
be obviated by simply digging in the plants. A
sloping trench can be formed at the usual intervals
according as the ground is dug, and the plants
being then laid in can have their roots surrounded
by soil and manure, and the stems right up to the
leaves covered with soil. Thus treated they would
grow strongly, prove very hardy, and most pro-
bably form far better hearts than anticipated.

Borecole and Savoys.— It is not often that
frosts destroy or cripple these so badly as Broccoli,
but, all the same, leggy plants are very unsatis-
factory when put out in the usual manner. Rather
than have a short supply, it is advisable to put out
any tall plants much as advised in the case of late
planted Broccoli, and seeing that there will not be
time for them to attain a great size, they may well
be planted somewhat thickly. For instance, there
is no reason why all but the Drumhead Savoys
should not now be planted about 12 inches apart
each way, very little more space being needed by
the Borecoles. If the plants are freely thinned out
in the seed beds, those reserved will heart in early,
and may prove very serviceable.

Colewoets.— This has been one of the best sea-
sons known for Cabbages, the hearts being abun-
dant, clear of caterpillars, and tender when cooked.
Plants of small-growing sorts are also very plenti-
ful and move well from the seed-beds, so that there
is no likelihood of a scarcity for some months to
come. Supposing a good breadth of ground was

sown with the London Rosette, or any other small
Cabbage or Colewort, the plants may be left about
8 inches apart all over the bed, and will heart in
capitally. The thinnings should be dibbled out on
good ground 12 inches apart each way, and these
will prove very serviceable towards midwinter.
Ground newly cleared of autumn-sown or Tripoli
Onions without any preparation beyond cleaning
suits Coleworts well. Should there be any strong
plants of larger varieties of Cabbage in the seed-
beds, as many as possible of these might with ad-
vantage be at once put out on good ground, and
about 15 inches apart each way. These would afford
a good change to Savoys at a time when Broccoli
and other green vegetables are usually rather
scarce.

Salading. — Every opportunity ought to be taken
of putting out more Lettuce plants, as these will
heart in during the autumn and be available for
storing. In the more southern districts, seed of the
smaller Cabbage varieties may yet be sown on
warm borders with every prospect of the plants
hearting in before severe frosts intervene. Slugs
are very troublesome this summer, and unless these
are trapped smd destroyed, not many Lettuce
plants will survive their attacks, it being next to
useless to dust over with soot and lime in long-
continued showery weather. Endive requires very
similar attention. If the first or successional sow-
ings, as the case may be, fail, sow more seed at
once, and if there are any doubts about preserving
the seedlings thus raised, sow seed thinly either in
frames or boxes, and prick out the seedlings before
they crowd and spoil each other. There must be
no delay in doing this, or the chances are the plants
will not have time to attain a serviceable size be-
fore frosts intervene. Where Corn Salad is appre-
ciated, more seed ought now to be sown. Select a
warm border, not necessarily of a south aspect, and
sow seed thinly in drills 8 inches apart. The black
Spanish Radish for winter use, and a good breadth
of the quick-grown Turnip-rooted and Olive-
shaped Radishes ought also to be sown now. The
French Breakfast is still one of the best varieties
for either early or late sowings.

Weeds. — This season it is a very difficult matter
to keep the kitchen garden free of weeds. The seed
appears to germinate in a few hours and the plants
rapidly arrive at maturity. If it is not possible to
keep them down while yet in a small state — and
very much may be done towards accomplishing this
if advantage is taken of sunny days to stir the sur-
face of the ground with Dutch hoes — then must
hand-weeding be resorted to. The longer the weeds
are left undisturbed, the more laborious will be the
work of clearing them off, and there is the risk to
be run of many of them leaving numerous seeds
behind them, these stocking the ground both this
season and during the next. W. I.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 765.

CLITORIA TERN ATE A*.
This Clitoria, which was introduced into Eng-
land just over a century and a half ago, is a re-
markably good illustration of the fact that
beautiful plants grown by our grandfathers are
now seldom seen, while more recent introduc-
tions, even though much inferior, are largely
cultivated. Except in a few botanic gardens,
or in the collection of some lover of uncommon
plants, such as Sir George Macleay's beautiful
garden at Pendell Court, Clitoria Ternatea is
seldom or never seen, although one of the most
lovely stove climbing plants that we possess,
and of easy culture. In the conservatory at
Syon House, Isleworth, may also be found many
interesting things, this Clitoria amongst the
number, and from flowers from a plant there
the accompanying coloured plate was prepared.

* Drawn for The Garden by H. G. Moon at Syon
House Gardens, April 24, 1890. Lithographed and
printed by Guillaume Severeyns.

PHI C

/

CLITORIA TERNATEA

Aug. 9, 1890.]

THE GAEDEK

133

In The Garden of July 19 (p. 49), Mr. Wythes
gives his mode of treatment of this plant.

C. Ternatea is an annual, and seeds can be
obtained from most of our leading seedsmen.
If these are sown in heat early in spring the
seedlings soon appear above ground, and
make rapid progress if favourably situated. The
general appearance both of the flowers and
foliage is well shown on the plate ; therefore
nothing further need be said on the matter, ex-
cept that the slender twining stems mount up-
ward by whatever means of support are avail-
able, and continue to grow and flower for
months together. By some -writers this is
spoken of as the three-leafleted Clitoria, the
specific name of Ternatea implying that some
part of the plant was ternate, or in threes. As
may be seen by the plate, this does not apply to
the foliage ; and indeed such an idea is alto-
gether erroneous, the specific name being de-
rived from Ternate, one of the Molucca Islands
in the Malayan Archipelago, of which the plant
is a native. It is now, however, generally dis-
tributed throughout the tropics, and rambling
over hedgerows or in similar positions will flower
almost the whole year. As may be expected
in a plant possessing to a certain extent the
variable character of many of the Leguniinosee,

Clitoria Ternatea.

there are several distinct forms of this Clitoria,
but the most striking of all is Ternatea, which is
regarded as the type. In addition there are
varieties bearing white, entirely blue, and parti-
coloured flowers, while some have an unusual
number of petals, and thus form a semi-double
bloom. I do not remember any illustration of
it in recent years, so that the beauty of the
flower as depicted on the accompanying plate
will surprise many. To succeed in its culture
this Clitoria must have liberal treatment, for
like its allies the Peas and Beans, if starved in
any way the results will never be good. When
grown in pots, good open loam with an admix-
ture of well-decayed manure and some sand will
suit it, and if planted out much the same kind
of compost may with advantage be used. Dur-
ing the growing season frequent syringings are
of use, as red spider is apt to attack the foliage,
especially if the shoots are trained near the roof.
In a small structure a remarkably pretty effect
is produced by training this Clitoria to some
strings or wires along the roof till the allotted
space is covered, when the plants may be
allowed to grow at will. Their long drooping
shoots studded with blossoms are then most
graceful.

Besides the above there are other species of
Clitoria, most of which were introduced in the
last century or during the early part of this,
but very few, if any, are at the present time in

cultivation, though some are, if not equal to C.
Ternatea with its rich blue blossoms, at least
worth growing in gardens. Among them we
have C. brasiliana with pink flowers; C. hetero-
phylla, blue ; and C. mariana, pale blue and
flesh coloured, while several others are included
in various botanical publications. In addition
to C Ternatea there are many other annuals
requiring the temperature of a stove, or at all
events of a warm house, that would give a pleas-
ing variety from the climbers commonly used in
such structures. In such a list several of the
Ipomseas would occupy a prominent position,
many of the tropical kinds, annual as well as
those of a woody nature, bearing beautiful
flowers. H. P.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

MELONS.
The term "non-keeping " is applied to all those
Melons (Melons de saison) which, whatever
their kind or quality may be, are fit to eat as
soon as they are almost quite ripe, and which
must be eaten at once, or very soon after they
are gathered, for the plain reason that they will
not keep. The greater part of the Melons now
cultivated come under this heading, whether
they belong to the Cantaloup section, the
netted, or the tall-growing (or climbing) Melons.

The term "keeping" is applied (1) to all those
Melons which will keep in good condition, re-
taining their good qualities for several days
after they are gathered when ripe and eatable ;
and (2) to those kinds which, although ripe
when gathered, nevertheless require to be kept
for a greater or less number of days in order to
bring their quality to perfection, by enabling
them to acquire certain special properties which
are appreciated at the dinner-table.

Lastly, the term "winter" is applied to all
those kinds of Melons which, after they have
ripened — i.e., in the sense of having attained
their full growth and development — neverthe-
less, when gathered, require to be kept for some
time in a suitable place, where they undergo
certain chemical changes. The result of this
chemical or fermentive action is that the flesh
of the fruit becomes soft, sometimes melting,
and acquires a peculiar flavour which before was
wanting. The Melons of this class may be
compared to those winter fruits (Apples, &c.)
which, after they are gathered, require to be
stored for some time, in order to tone down
their asperities before they can be eaten.

Having summarised the subject in the pre-
ceding few general observations, we shall now
take each of the three groups separately, and
mention the principal kinds or varieties of
Melons which belong to each group.

Non-keeping Melons. — There is nothingvery
particular to be said about this group, which
comprises almost all the kinds of Melons in cul-
tivation, the Cantaloups, the netted, the market
garden kinds, &c. ; red-fleshed, white-fleshed,
pink-fleshed, and green-fleshed — in short, all the
kinds which are commonly gathered for use as
soon as they have coloured, to be eaten within
two or three days afterwards, according to their
nature and the degree of ripeness which they
have attained.

Keeping Melons.— Although the length of
time during which they will keep is not the
same for all the varieties, yet in their general cha-
racteristics these exhibit a marked resemblance
to one another. By their various shapes or
forms, however, they show that they include

various races of Melons. The following are the
principal kinds which belong to this group :
The Cavaillon Melon. — This is a netted
Melon, somewhat variable in shape, un-
equally attenuated, rounded at both ends, nar-
rowly ribbed, red-fleshed, and with a high vinous
flavour. The pale green-fleshed variety of this
Melon is equally good. The tall-growing or
climbing Melons, and the Pine-apple Melons,
which are grown late in the season, may also be
classed as "keeping" Melons, suitable for small
families who find small-sized fruit answer
them best. For large families, however,
the Honflenr Melon is more to be recom-
mended. The flesh of this is deep, and of an
orange-red colour. Two other kinds, viz., the
Market Garden Melon of Saint Laud, the flesh of
which is orange-red, firm, and of good quality,
and the Musk Melon of the United States,
a green-fleshed kind, both of which are netted
Melons, may also be considered in some
degree as "keeping Melons." One of the
best of this group is the Piehon Melon which
comes very near to the Cyprus Melon (Melon
de Chypre) and the Malta Winter Melon (Melon
Malte d'hiver).

Winter Melons. — The Red-fleshed Malta
Winter Melon has well-marked, though not
very deep ribs, and is of a greyish-green
colour with narrow linear markings. The
flesh is red, firm, pretty deep, and of good
quality when the fruit is thoroughly ripe. The
green-fleshed variety of this Melon has a smooth,
greyish-white, or slightly greenish skin. This
latter variety is chiefly grown in the south of
France for winter use, and the fruit is gathered
in autumn. For the same purpose it is quite
as much grown in the south of Spain, on which
account it has been called the Valencia Melon
(Melon de Valence). We may also mention as
winter Melons the Persian Melon (Melon
de Perse) and the Cyprus Melon (Melon de
Chypre). The Persian Melon is of a very
elongated, spindle-shaped form, attenuated at
both ends, and especially so at the stalk end.
The fruit is not ribbed. The flesh is green.
The skin is smooth, of a very deep green colour,
marked with yellowish stripes, dotted with green.
The Cyprus Melon, which is tender in the cli-
mate of Paris, comes very near the Red-fleshed
Malta Winter Melon. Lastly, the Antibes
White Winter Melon (Melon d' Antibes blanc
d'hiver) which has green flesh and the skin
smooth and without ribs. This kind may
be compared to the Spanish Melon (Melon
d'Espagne), or to the green-fleshed Malta Winter
Melon (Melon Malte d'hiver a chair verte).

The foregoing are, in a general way, the prin-
cipal varieties belonging to the three groups,
which, taken together, make up the great Melon
family as practical men understand it. Science,
to be sure, goes much further than this, but in
a matter of plain practical work there is no
occasion for us to trouble ourselves with the
notions of the scientists.

Culture. — We think it is not necessary here
to enter into the details of Melon culture, as
these are so well known everywhere, but we
must point out the necessity of sowing late in
the case of the keeping and winter Melons,
especially the latter kinds. We must also
observe that, with respect to the classified
groups, the varieties named in each group are
not the only ones, but are the principal ones
exclusively, their general characteristics, and
especially the object aimed at in growing them,
having been taken into consideration. More-
over, in actual practice certain accessory pre-
cautions, as to the time of gathering the fruit,
for example, and special attention as to the

134

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 9, 1890.

mode of keeping, may produce differences in
the results and alter the period of ripening.

Time for gathering Melons. — In the case
of the non-keeping Melons the proper time for
gathering is indicated by the change of colour,
perfume, &c3 in the fruit, as most Melon
growers know well enough. But in the case of
the other two groups, the keeping and the
winter Melons, it is quite different. All the
Melons of these two groups must not only
be gathered as late as possible, but the seed
must also be sown at such a comparatively
late period that the time of ripening may
occur as late as possible, due regard being
paid to the climate of the locality. It is self-
evident that if anyone wished to experiment
the idea of converting non-keeping Melons into
keeping Melons, he would have to sow late in
the season, as we have just said, in such a man-
ner that the fruit would ripen and could be
gathered before any frost came.

The keeping of keeping and winter

Melons. — The first step to be taken is to secure
a place suitable for the purpose of keeping these
Melons ; in other words, some kind of fruit
room will be required. This room must be dry
and wholesome, and have as equable a tempe-
rature as possible. The temperature should
also be comparatively low, a few degrees above
freezing point being sufficient. Should frost be
likely to make itself felt, it may be warded oft'
by using a stove or even earthen pans filled
with burning charcoal. The chief point of all
is that the place should be perfectly dry.

In the countries of the South where the keep-
ing of Melons is carried out on a large scale,
the people are in the habit of hanging up
the fruit with a string to the ceiling of a
room. In the fruit room the attentions
necessary are to visit it from time to time and
inspect the Melons, removing any of them that
show any signs of becoming mouldy, also to
keep up as equable a temperature as possible,
considering the climate, the nature of the fruit,
and especially the object in view as regards the
utilisation of the fruit. It is obvious that for
immediate table use the ripest fruits should
always be taken, just the same, in fact, as
would be done in the case of Pears or Apples.

At Saragossa, in Spain, where we used to grow
these winter Melons (Melon d'Espagne or Melon
de Valenee), which, by the way, flourished to
perfection there in the open ground without
bell-glasses, frames, or hotbeds, we used to
keep the fruit, hung up to the ceiling,
up to the following February and March ;
and, showing the difference which each Melon
may exhibit, this same variety, nevertheless,
sometimes shows quite as great differences in its
keeping qualities as may be observed in any
fruit room and amongst the fruit of any one
kind whatever. Who does not know, for in-
stance, that of the fruit of a Doyenne d'Hiver,
gathered from the same tree, one may eat, as
they become fully ripe, from the end of Novem-
ber up to February and March. Each fruit,
like each species, is, so to say, an individual
which has its own peculiar qualities, properties,
nature and constitution. — Bevne Horticole.

Orange fungus on Apricots. — I enclose
leaves o£ Apricot trees that are covered with a
fungus that has caused nearly all the leaves to fall.
The trees looked very healthy and clean till within
the past week. Can anything be done, to prevent
it another season, as it attacks the trees every year >
I may mention that the roots of the trees are
healthy.— T. T.

*.* The attack being periodical, the best remedy
you may apply just now will only be temporary,

but I see no reason why you should not prevent its
recurrence in the future. In the first place, see
that the roots are fairly moist quite down to the
drainage ; but avoid getting them too wet, other-
wise the fibres may perish, as the trees, you say,
have lost nearly all their foliage. Mulch the bor-
ders with fresh stable litter to keep in moisture,
and when damp, thoroughly dust the branches and
the walls with dry flowers of sulphur, repeating the
operation should heavy storms of rain wash it off
before the time of leaf fall. Early in the autumn
— say the latter end of October — detach the trees,
burn the shreds and nails, and lift them bodily.
Remove all the old soil, correct the drainage, cut
away all faulty roots, sprinkle with quicklime those
retained, and relay in fresh loamy compost into
which old lime rubble enters rather freely. Defer
pruning until January, then wash the branches and
spurs with a solution of Gishurst, U oz. to the
gallon of water. Kepoint the walls if necessary ;
otherwise give them two coats of wash composed
of quicklime, soot, and sulphur, with Venetian red
added to give an old brick-red colour. Nail in the
trees, and when all is finished give a thorough
syringing with soapsuds containing a pound of
sulphur to every 20 gallons. Mulch the borders,
and see that the roots are kept properly moist
throughout the following season. Watch the young
growths, and in the event of reappearance ply any
sulphur with an ordinary dredge or puffer. It is
by no means improbable that the roots will have
got down into a cold, wet, or it may be a dry, un-
favourable subsoil. If so, the lifting will put an end
to the cause ; but you must trust to sulphur for de-
stroying the spores of the fungus, otherwise it may
reappear under conditions favourable to develop-
ment.— W. C.

Colouring Grapes. — Will you please tell me
how to colour Grapes properly ? I have a house of
flue Hamburghs, but the berries will not colour.
The bunches are also large. The Vines have had
plenty of water and fire-heat, but not a high
temperature. When they began to colour I left
half an inch of air on at top, but none at the bottom at
night. Plenty by day. The borders, which have
never been dry, are inside. Would you advise more
air at night ?— G. T.

%* There is no royal road to the colouring of
Grapes. If there were, and any one man possessed
the secret, he would soon make a handsome
competence. There are, notwithstanding, cultural
rules which must be observed, otherwise failure is
certain. The roots, for instance, must be fresh,
healthy, and active in warm, well-drained borders.
They must not feel the want of water, neither must
they be saturated to repletion. The foliage must
be kept clean, free from insects, the reverse of
crowded, yet sufficiently plentiful over the whole
area of the trellis to maintain the most active
reciprocal circulation, added as a matter of course
by allowing free licence to the intermediate
laterals. Ventilation with gentle warmth on the
pipes must be constant by night and day, and
abundant when external conditions are favourable
to opening the lights without making any appreci-
able depression or causing a chill, often fatal to the
flow of colouring matter. Time and fresh air are
equally important, hence the advisability of fixing
the night temperature at (>0° for Hamburghs and
65° to 70° for Muscats. Last, but not least, that
great stumbling-block, over-cropping, which nips
thousands, must be most carefully avoided. Vines,
like many other fruit trees, produce shows in
abundance, and these, as a matter of course, should
be reduced in their infancy, some say by one's
neighbours, as nine-tenths of the owners have not
the heart to perform this operation effectually. If
" G. T." has over-cropped, his Grapes being now
sweet, no amount of attention will put on the
proper finish. He may, nevertheless, give more air
along the top and open the front lights pretty
freely ; also if at all dry he may moisten the
surface root-: with warm diluted liquid or soot
water. Large bunches, I may say, do not always
colour so freely and perfectly as small ones ; still,
all the conditions I bave named being satisfactory,
" G. T." should experience no difficulty in colouring

a reasonable crop of Hamburghs in July and
August.— W. C.

APPLES AT SALISBURY PALACE.
With so many failures to be met with and
heard of, it is quite refreshing to pay a visit to
a garden where Apples are both plentiful and su-
perior in quality, this being the case at Salisbury
Palace. At this place, as in most other gardens, it
is the dwarf trees of different kinds that are most
productive, standards, or any not sheltered, as a
rule, failing to bear good crops. During the past
decade a capital collection of pyramids on the
dwarfing or Paradise stocks has been formed, these
not only bearing well nearly every season, but also
continuing to grow more vigorously than is often
the case with this class of trees, the flinty, com-
paratively light Wiltshire soils evidently suiting
them well. I noticed that the trees are not so
rigidly stopped nor pruned during the summer as
many growers of dwarf trees seem to think neces-
sary, and this it is my belief tends to keep them in
a more healthy state than would otherwise be the
case, without in any way impairing their produc-
tiveness. Mr. Smith, for many years gardener at
this place, has used good judgment in his selection
of varieties, as will be seen by the list appended.
Of kitchen Apples, the best are Keswick Codlin, the
pyramids of which are very heavily laden with
fruit; Lord Suffield, very fine; Stirling_ Castle,
bearing so many large fruit as to need tying up ;
Ecklinville, fine, both pyramids and standards being
heavily laden with large fruit : Emperor Alexander,
moderate crop, very handsome fruit ; Duchess of
Oldenburg, exceptionally free, the fruit being
large, colouring well, and when ripe fit for either
dessert or cooking ; Cellini, quite free from canker
and very productive ; Cox's Pomona, moderate crop,
large fruit, colouring well ; Hawthornden, one of
the best for espaliers, heavy crop ; Warner's King,
handsome pyramids, with very fine fruit ; New Haw-
thornden, fine trees, abundance of large well- formed
fruit ; Reinette du Canada, capital tree, good crop ;
Pott's Seedling, heavy crop, fine fruit ; Golden
Noble, fairly good ; Lady Henniker, poor tree, but
a good bearer ; Lord Derby, sturdy tree, sure
bearer, fine fruit; Alfriston, good late variety, bears
well ; Bedfordshire Foundling, fine pyramid and
valuable crop ; Wellington, heavy crop ; and Queen,
one of the best of recent introductions. Fewer
dessert varieties are grown, but nearly all are doing
well. Worcester Pearmain forms a good pyramid,
rarely failing to bear well, and this season the fruits
are very fine ; King of the Pippins is fairly well re-
presented, and there are good pyramids of Cox's
Orange Pippin bearing a somewhat thin crop of
fruit. Braddick's Nonpareil, a valuable fairly long-
keeping variety, is bearing a capital crop, and the
same may be said of the less well-known Reinette
Franche. Espaliers of Blenheim Orange are heavily
laden with well-formed fruit, and it is worthy of
note that this valuable old favourite is bearing
much better than usual in private gardens gene-
rally, though I am afraid the orchard trees are
failures. W. I.

Phylloxera at Chiswick.— Mr. Morris called
the attention of the scientific committee to the ap-
pearance of this disease, and invited the members
to pronounce as to the treatment of it ; as it is un-
doubtedly present in one vinery in the Chiswick
gardens, containing young plants from Hungary.
It was first observed on a single plant at one corner,
but both root and leaf galls have been found
on another plant at the other end. Although the
presence of the Phylloxera would suggest the oppor-
tunity for a careful series of investigations and ex-
periments, yet it was the opinion of the committee
that it was far too serious a matter, and they were
unanimous in counselling instant destruction of
everything growing in the house. The following
process was suggested and will be carried out at
once : 1. Syringing the whole of the interior of the
fabric as well as the ground and Vines with water,
then to burn sulphur, the presence of the water be-
ing desirable in order to absorb the sulphurous
acid gas ; this process is to be repeated. 2. To burn

Aug. 9, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

135

every part of every plant as well as to calcine the
soil thoroughly. 3. To remove anil burn all rotten
or defective wood that may be in the house ; and,
lastly, 4, to have the whole of the woodwork well
scraped and repainted. It is hoped that these sug-
gestions will be useful and followed out elsewhere
should the Phylloxera appear in other gardens.

Raspberry Northumberland Fillbasket.
— This is an excellent variety with me, and has this
season been far superior to others grown by its
side, amongst which were Cartel's Prolific, Fastolf,
Lord Beaconsfield. and Baumforth's Seedling. The
unusual amount of rainfall during June may have
suited the Fillbasket better than the others. Suffice
it to say that it has been a far heavier cropper with
the finest fruits of any. and these withstanding the
dripping weather exceedingly well. In colour it is
rather paler than most kinds, in shape slightly
more conical, the flesh firm, and the flavour good
Raspberries this season appear to have ripened a
few days earlier than usual, but the Fillbasket was
the earliest of all. Its growth is very robust with
large foliage, which affords some little protection to
the" fruit.— J. H.

Apple Lord Grosvenor.— This splendid cook-
ing Apple, known also under the name of Jolly
Beggar, should be extensively planted. I have
always observed that when many others fail to
fruit this one has often a fair crop. Our trees are
bearing well this year, and last season the crop
was also good. The fruit is of a good size and of
delicious flavour, and for many purposes it is un-
equalled. With us, as a cordon or bush, it does
well. It does not keep so late as many Apples
with a firmer flesh, but it may be had in good con-
dition till December if kept in a cool place. The
tree is also a good grower, with large healthy foli-
age, and as a pyramid is compact and easily
managed. In small gardens, where ouly a few kinds
of Apples are grown, this variety should certainly
be grown, as it is one of our most reliable Apples
to fruit in adverse seasons. I have also noticed
that it does not canker so much as some varieties.
— G. Wythes, Si/on House.

Strawberry Waterloo. — Having now grown
this kind for two seasons, I am induced to say a
few words in its favour. I consider it to be one of
the best of all late Strawberries : it comes into use
when the more popular kinds, as Sir Joseph Paxton,
President, and Sir Charles Napier, are getting past
their best and only yielding small fruits. In size
it equals Sir Joseph Paxton, but in shape it is not
quite so conical. It is an excellent kind for pack-
ing and travels well. Its dark colour at once causes
it to be distinguished from other kinds, and for my
own part I do not think anything can be said
against it in this respect, but rather the reverse.
A good dish of Waterloo is an acquisition to any
dessert, and of truly noble appearance. In flavour
I do not compare it with the Pine Strawberries,
but with others it is very well able to hold its own.
Even during this wet season its flavour has been
good with less acidity than several other kinds. I
have noted also that it withstands wet weather,
such as many of us have experienced of late, ex-
ceedingly well, with far less of damaged fruit than
in some kinds grown by its side. Its constitution is
of the best, and with me leaves nothing to be de-
sired ; the flower-spikes are robust and freely pro-
duced, and the fruits set freely with but a small
proportion of either deformed or undersized ones
amongst them. All things considered, I think
Waterloo will be grown far more extensively than
it now is when its good qualities are better known
and appreciated. — J. H.

Raspberries. — It is not surprising that Rasp-
berry canes should be making unusually strong
growth this season. I do not regard it as specially
satisfactory unless we have a very ripening autumn,
because all the growth in the world will fail to
furnish fruit next year unless the rods be well
ripened and buds stout and fruitful. It may be
worth while to thin out the rods early, as also to
remove all old ones, now that the fruiting is over,
so as to permit sunshine and air to penetrate to the
rods quickly, and help to produce that maturation
so needful. Probably no fruit crop fails us so sel-

dom as do Raspberries, and if so, then rather from
the deficiencies of the previous season than from
late frosts or other causes during the fruiting year.
If we have secured for the winter well-ripened
canes, a good fruit crop seems absolutely certain to
follow. Thus, on the whole, where there is a good
market near, Raspberries constitute one of the best
paying of fruits, if the soil where grown be holding
and deep and fairly well manured. If Raspberry
plantations have long and profitable lives, so much
more the reason why the soil they are to grow in
should be well prepared and cleansed. To find in
a few years that Bindweed and Couch Grass have
got intermixed with the stools is to find a source
of annoyance and cause for needless labour for
many years, for it is almost impossible to eradicate
these pests fully without destroying the entire
plantation. Perhaps the best check to weed deve-
lopment is in heavily mulching the breadths with
long manure ; but that act of precaution may be in
wet seasons too provocative of growth, as is the
case now, and the difficulty of ripening enhanced.
Coarse new canes usually make side shoots. These
should be cut away at once ; but it is not advisable
to shorten back the tops of the canes, lest it should
cause other side eyes to break That may be done
a month hence very well. When we have excep-
tional seasons, it is evident that we must adopt
exceptional methods of culture to meet their re-
quirements ; and although it may be thought that
what is advised is premature, I think the cane pro-
duct of the season will justify them.— A. D.

ALPINE STRAWBERRIES.
A GOOD deal of useful information upon Straw-
berries and Strawberry culture has recently ap-
peared in the columns of The Garden, but I do
not remember to have seen any notice taken of the
smaller, though not a whit less useful, alpines :
possibly this may be because the alpines are too
small in size to meet the present taste for big
things. But a basket of ripe alpine Strawberries
gathered in the morning with the dew on them is
not a bad accompaniment to the morning meal.
The fruit of the alpine Strawberry in point of
flavour, to my thinking, compares favourably with
most of the large varieties, and is at its best in the
month of August and early part of September, and
so forms a good succession to the large-fruited
varieties. Besides using it as a breakfast fruit it
is always found useful in the kitchen in some of
the many forms in which fresh fruits are now used
by good' cooks. It is of no use to the market
grower. It is too small, and unseasonable things
do not sell. It is not particular to soil or situa-
tion, but like all other things it does best where
well treated. Planted a foot apart each way, so
that each plant has a square foot all to itself, the
surface mulched with old Mushroom manure,
weeds kept down, and in very hot dry weather
given an occasional soaking of water, the plants
will be sure to do well and bear freely. Many of
the large-fruited Strawberries, such as British
Queen, Dr. Hogg, and others, have their whims
and fancies ; some fail in one place, others fail in
another, and it requires a good deal of experience
brought to bear before all can be suited in soil and
climate, but the alpine will succeed everywhere
under fairly good treatment. As regards the length
of time a plantation should stand, it depends some-
what upon the treatment given. When supplied
with an annual top-dressing of rich manure and the
weakly runners thinned out inFebruary or March. the
plantation may stand for a number of years without
any signs of exhaustion or wearing out. I have had
beds on the same ground for five years that were
doing well, but the rich top-dressings were very
necessary. At the end of five or six years the land
is generally required to fall into the regular rota-
tion, and the alpines get moved elsewhere. Be-
sides, when a plot of land has been five years under
one crop, there are almost sure to be a few perennial
weeds that have crept into the bed unawares, and
for the sake of their eradication the Strawberries
must move on. I have planted new beds at various
seasons, and on the whole I like early spring, the
end of February, or beginning of March best, or

later in northern latitudes. The surface of the beds
should be made fairly firm before planting, and
water should be given once or twice to establish
the plants and start them on the way. For many
years I have depended upon selected runners for
making new beds ; but seed sown in spring,
especially if started in the hotbed, will, under a
good system of cultivation, bear fruit in the autumn.
For the sake of variety both the white and red va-
rieties should be cultivated, although I have found
the red most generally esteemed. E. H.

GRAPE MRS. PINCE.
On the whole, this has proved a most disappointing
variety, and yet it is considered by a few growers to
be the best late black Grape in cultivation. There
was such a demand for it when first sent out, that
it was propagated in every conceivable manner, or
as rapidly as possible, and experienced gardeners
expressed the opinion that when sufficient time had
elapsed for a recovery of the constitution thus much
weakened, a marked improvement in its value would
take place. At the outset, or when first sent out,
young Vines grew vigorously— at least they did in
the vineries under my charge, and they also in due
course produced abundance of large, handsome
bunches. Little or no difficulty was experienced in
setting the berries, but when it came to the colour-
ing I failed. Instead of being nearly or quite Mack
in colour when ripe they were "foxy red," nor
could I greatly improve on that in after years.
In other gardens Mrs. Pince proved very difficult to
set, or much more so than Muscat of Alexandria,
but what bunches were worth saving not unfre-
quently coloured fairly well. Much the same state
of affairs prevailed whether the Vines were on their
own roots or rods were inarched or grafted on
other stocks, and in the end the variety was con-
demned as being worthless. Nor has a lapse of
fourteen or more years done much towards restoring
Mrs. Pince to public favour. There is still just the
same difficulty experienced in setting and colour-
ing, and the foliage is quite as thin, therefore as
liable to burn as ever it was. Occasionally in-
stances are to be met with where the variety is
grown extensively, and much valued on account of
its superiority, both as regards flavour and keeping
properties, over either Lady Downe's, Alicante, or
Gros Colman. At Longleat, for instance, I have
tasted it crisp and good in April and May, or after
the best of the Lady Downe's were used up. At
this noted Grape-gro'wiDg place one large Vine of
Mrs. Pince with several long rods is grown in a
compartment of the large vinery with other late
black varieties. Confining the roots somewhat has
been found to answer fairly well, the crops setting
better since Mr. Pratt had this done, and it has
always been found necessary to lightly syringeahttle
lime water on the glass overhead to prevent burning.
This season one rod was later in flowering than the
rest and it is a curious fact that on this the bunches
have set better than on the rest of the Vine, plenty
of them promising to be quite fit for exhibition. At
Sherborne Castle Mr. Pragnell devotes a house en-
tirely to Mrs. Pince, and he succeeds well both m
setting and colouring, the treatment not differing to
that given other late varieties, beyond perhaps arti-
ficially spreading the pollen at flowering time. A
still larger compartment is wholly planted with it
at Wilton House, Salisbury, and a capital lot of
bunches is now to be seen on the Vines. Mr. Challis
considers it by far the best late black Grape m
cultivation. Under his treatment it sets and
colours well, and no shading is needed. In his
opinion Mrs. Pince, as a rule, is driven too hard at
the outset, a flimsy, weakly growth and puny
flowers being the consequence. At Wilton, air is
freely admitted to the Vines in the earlier stages
of growth, this causing the foliage to be sturdy and
the flowers strong, a good set being the result.

W. IGGTJLDEN.

Atrophied foliage of Vines —At a recent
meeting of the scientific committee of the R.H.S., spe-
cimens were shown of a very common condition ct
Vines Several of these occurred in a house in the
societv's gardens at ChiswieV. in which the lateral

136

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 9, 1890.

shoots were dwarfed, the leaves being only about an
inch across. It has been a source of great trouble to
Vine growers for many years.

Trees and Shrubs.

THE CORK OAK.

(quercus suber.)
It is seldom indeed that finer specimens of this
comparative^' rare and interesting tree are to
be seen than those growing on the lawn in front
of Holwood House. Such trees as these, with
their rugged bark, contorted growth, and den-
sity of dark evergreen foliage, would be welcome
specimens on any lawn or amongst any collec-
tion of uncommon trees and shrubs. Though
approaching the common Evergreen Oak in
general appearance, particularly foliage, yet
there is one marked difference, at least, in the
pleasant light buff colour of the bark, as also
its rugged corky nature, both these being visible
at a considerable distance from the tree.

Two of the largest specimens of the Cork Oak
at Holwood occupy conspicuous positions on the
lawn, though, as if for the contrast afforded, not
far from equally fine trees of the Evergreen
species. The largest is 45 feet high, the girth
of stem at 2 feet from the ground 7-i feet, and
the greatest spread of branches 42 feet in dia-
meter. In the other the height is less, being
about 30 feet ; while the stem girths at 3 feet
and 5 feet from the ground 6 feet 5 inches and
6 feet 2 inches, and the branch-spread is 33 feet
in diameter. They are growing in a fully ex-
posed situation and in loam on a gravelly bed .
Both trees have a peculiarly distinct mass of
foliage, and this is more pronounced than I
have ever noticed to be the case with the Ever-
green Oak, and tends greatly to impart an easy
air and informal appearance to the outline. The
season at which the Cork Oak looks best is just
immediately after the fresh growths are com-
pleted and before the dull dark green of the
mature leaves is put on. On examination, I
found the bark of these trees, which is in most
parts 3i inches thick, to have all the elasticity of
good bark, and to contain but few of the rusty
spots which so mar the sale of this valuable com-
modity. Kent can, I think, boast of possessing
more and individually larger specimens of the
Cork Oak than any other county in Great
Britain or Ireland. The famous old specimen
at Linton Park, in that county, was, when last
measured, fully 52 feet in height, and with a
bole girthing at the smallest part, 5 feet up,
9 feet, while the branches are 52 feet in diameter
of spread. It is growing at 300 feet altitude,
on decomposed Kentish rag, and in a by no
means sheltered situation. At Hursley Park,
in Hampshire, the Cork Oak has attained to
nearly 40 feet in height, and 5 feet 10 inches in
size of stem. The soil is a deep stiff clay on the
chalk. In the south of Ireland there is perhaps
the largest and best furnished tree of this Oak
that is to be found.

Numerous instances might be brought forward
to prove that the Cork Oak, when placed in
a suitable soil and not too exposed situa-
tion, is well adapted for planting in this country,
particularly the south and west ; but it is well
to bear in mind that it cannot long do battle
against oft-recurring cold winds, nor a damp
plastic soil. Everyone has a desire to see the
Cork Oak, and natural enough, for the know-
ledge of its use is familiar to all. That it might
be more generally planted than it is at present,
few who are acquainted with its hardiness,
freedom of growth, and value as an ornamental
tree will be inclined to dispute. The acorns, which

nearly resemble those of the Evergreen Oak,
ripen freely in most instances in this country,
and not a few healthy young trees from home-
grown seeds have been raised.

A. D. Webster.

St. John's-wort in masses. — When in large
masses, as in the pleasure grounds at Marston
House, near Frome, this St. John's-wort is very
beautiful. I saw a large mass growing on a sloping
piece of ground which served as a kind of wall at
the end of the conservatory. There are many other
large pieces of ground covered with the St. John's-
wort, which at the time of my visit was a mass of
bloom. It is remarkable how well this plant grows
here, spreading itself in every direction, and making
a charming picture against the green turf. It would
be better if other gardens had large masses of this
lovely shrub instead of common Laurels. The
Hypericum calycinum does not need half the
trouble to keep in good condition, and is ten times
more beautiful. — J. C. F.

The golden Chinese Juniper. — There are
many Conifers with foliage more or less golden
now in our gardens, but few of them are equal to
this variety of the Chinese Juniper, which is, with
the exception of the golden Yew perhaps, the
brightest coloured of them all. It is less vigorous
than the typical J. chinensis, and usually forms a
pyramidal-shaped specimen of a close, compact
character. It is perfectly hardy, and should be
planted where fully exposed to the sun's rays, as
then the foliage becomes of its richest hue. This
Juniper, as well as the male form of the typical
J. chinensis, with its bright green leaves, form
exceedingly ornamental lawn plants where com-
paratively small-growing subjects are required.
Though variegated Conifers are little better than
rubbish, this does not apply to those kinds in which
the entire foliage is suffused with gold, as in their
case the sun which frequently disfigures the varie-
gated forms serves only to increase the richness of
their colouring. This variety of the Chinese Juni-
per originated in the nursery of Mr. Maurice Young
at Milford, near Godalming, and is therefore usually
known as Young's Golden Juniper. Like many of
the Junipers, it is readily struck from cuttings put
in during the autumn ; but the shoots with the
long needle-shaped leaves strike root more easily
than those furnished with more mature foliage. — T.

Gaultheria Shallon. — The different low-grow-
ing shrubs that will succeed in the shade and are
available for carpeting the ground more or less
underneath the drip of trees may be counted on
one's ringers, and among them all this Gaultheria
stands forth as one of the very best, provided it
is not in too dry a position, and that the soil is of
a light open nature. It will grow luxuriantly near
the water ; indeed, under such conditions this
Gaultheria appears to be a totally different plant
to what it is when clothing a shady bank. At
all times the richly-coloured foliage is very pretty,
while in the spring the wax-like, urn-shaped blos-
soms, though partially hidden among the masses
of leaves, impart a very pleasing feature, and when
they are succeeded by blackish -purple coloured
berries, the plant wears a totally different aspect.
These fruits are much sought after by game, so that
this Gaultheria is often extensively employed as a
covert plant. So accommodating is it, that many
a bare spot which is but an eyesore in the garden
may be furnished and rendered very ornamental by
means of this Gaultheria. If the birds do not dis-
turb them, the berries remain on a considerable
time. There is also a second species of Gaultheria,
like the last a native of North America, but it is
altogether a less vigorous-growing plant than G.
Shallon. I allude to the Wintergreen or Checker-
berry (G. procumbens), a low-growing plant, clothed
with small, deep green, leathery leaves, and, like
G. Shallon, flowering in the spring. The berries of
this, however, which are about the size of Peas, are
of a bright scarlet colour when ripe, and nestling
as they do among the deep green leaves, which ac-
quire a bronzy tint in the winter, they are at that
time wonderfully bright, especially when seen in
the sunshine of a cold winter's day. This species

reaches but a few inches in height, though it will
spread laterally for some little distance. It is
more exacting in its requirements than the other
kind, but may be employed as an edging to the
larger Ericacea;, especially where they are growing
in peat, or for carpeting ground around them. On
the shady parts of rockwork, too, it is just at home,
as with the little bright berries just peeping forth
it is in the winter one of the showiest rockwork
plants we have. — T.

Pavia macrostachya. — This, referred to
by " E. H." in The Gabden, Aug. 2 (p. 115),
possesses features belonging to no other tree or
shrub in cultivation. It should be planted in ex-
tremely rich soil, and — possessing in itself every
charm of clustered shrubs— is, of all plants, the
best suited to stand wholly isolated. It is un-
doubtedly one of the best possible shrubs to stand
alone, but I have also seen it producing a very
charming effect as an undergrowth beneath low
trees. Its fine foliage and flowers almost make
one dislike calling it a shrub, as it possesses all
the amplitude of noble leafage and charm of stately
blossom that belong to the finest of its race. It
seems indeed a tree come down to nestle on
the Grass. — W.

Thujopsisborealislutea. — This, a sport from
Thujopsis borealis, originated here twelve years
ago. I have plants 8 feet in height, of a golden
hue in the lowest branches, and I find the plant in
every way quite as vigorous and hardy as the parent
kind. I think it a good plant, being such a fast-
growing, golden conifer, far surpassing any other
kind. — TV. C. Slocock, Goldsworth Old Nursery,
Woking, Surrey.

*** This is not a variegated conifer of which we
have far too many, but a pretty change of colour
towards a golden green. We have seen the plant
and think it very promising. — Ed.

Veronica Traversi. — I recently saw on two
separate occasions some splendid bushes of this
shrubby species flowering freely, and was much
pleased with it in both cases. This shrub is
certainly deserving of more extended cultiva-
tion, and to all appearance would be an excellent
plant for suburban gardens. In both cases where
I saw it, though not far removed from the influence
of fog and smoke, it was thriving most luxuriantly.
From my observation the chief point to guard
against is any excess of water at the root. This
will have a tendency to check an otherwise luxu-
riant growth, which would all the more readily fall
a prey to our severe winters and their accompani-
ments. It is a good plant for rockwork gardens,
and most attractive even when not in flower, its
glossy miniature foliage standing it in good stead.
It should also make a good plant for dwarf hedges,
being easily kept within bounds with the knife. —
J. H.

The Silver Birch. — I am surprised that this
tree should not be more extensively planted in
pleasure grounds, parks, and on large estates gene-
rally than it is. In its growth it is so graceful
and so distinct from all other forest or hardy trees
as to render it eminently fitted for purposes of iso-
lation. A large well-developed tree, so placed that
its natural habit is fully displayed, forms a very
pleasing feature in the garden landscape, not only
when in full leaf,butalso during the winter months,
when, denuded of foliage, its characteristic features
are more fully revealed. The graceful spray-like
pendulous growth and silvery bark show up charm-
ingly against the fresh bright turf of a well-kept
lawn, a tree dotted here and there about pleasure-
grounds doing much towards relieving them of
their sameness, and, where Evergreens are largely
employed, somewhat sombre aspect during the dull
months of the year. There is, however, a variety
of ways in which the Silver Birch may be em-
ployed. It has a very pretty appearance when so
placed among coniferous trees and evergreen shrubs
that they form a background to it, in such a
manner that the head of the Birch stands out clear
and well defined, whilst the white stem is as it were
framed in verdure. In parks, good use might be
made of this tree by grouping it here and there in

Aug. 9, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

137

such a manner that the bright stems would be dis-
tinctly -visible when the foliage was off. I may
mention, however, that there is considerable va-
riety amongst the Silver Birches — some having the
bark much more silvery than others, and having
consequently, from an ornamental point of view, a
much higher value. It is a pity that seeds should
be saved from inferior varieties. Were a rigorous
selection made, choosing only those trees remark-
able for their clean white bark, a great improve-
ment would in the course of time be manifested,
and the value of this tree from a decorative point
of view would be sensibly increased. — T.

STEPS AND TERRACES.

The illustration here given is very instructive as
regards the state of English geometrical gardens.
In many terrace gardens no vegetation is allowed
to grow on the walls and steps. The older and
the more beautiful way is to garland all such
surfaces with life. Surely among the large num-
ber of plants that we have we can find enough

the plants, and even when this has been done a
mistake is very often made in the training by
allowing each plant to run " up to a head," so
to speak, rendering it top-heavy and bare at
the bottom. The object should be to keep
every part of the wall covered. A great point
is to make the strong-growing kinds cover a
good surface. Confine them to a small space,
and they must be cut away frequently or allowed
to run wild. As regards the steps, they should
never be made with cement or mortar, and not
so trim and formal as they generally are.
Rocky steps afford little hiding places for al-
pine plants, Violets, &c, which help materially
to conceal the artificial aspect which they have
when coming out of the gravel. P.

Kitchen Garden.

AUTUMN-RAISED CAULIFLOWERS.

Since the introduction of superior late Broc-

Steps and terrace in the old Park, Axminster.

handsome and really effective climbers to drape
our walls with.

The terrace steps at Cherkley Court, Leather-
head, are made beautiful by the use of the
small-leaved Cotoneaster rnicrophylla, a hand-
some plant when allowed to hang over a wall, or
hide in part the ugly masonry of stone steps.
The steps are covered with the plant, except
where it is necessary to tread, the wiry growth
finding its way into every nook and corner.
These steps are now beautiful, and freed from
the glaring formality of bare stones. The steps
at Cherkley Court are not unlike those illus-
trated in the accompanying cut, but more
clothed with vegetation.

If well covered with climbers a wall becomes
a thing of beauty, and from it may be gathered
flowers from one year's end to the other. We
may make use of every piece of garden wall, no
matter what its aspect or height. The first and
most important consideration is the selection of

coli and extra quick-growing Cauliflowers there
: has, in many instances, been less need to so
, closely follow the old practice of raising a stock
' of plants in the autumn, and wintering the
greater portion of these under glass. At any
rate, this holds good where there is abundance
of rough pits, deep frames, and hand-lights
available for Cauliflower culture, as with the
aid of these it is a comparatively easy matter to
cut from February-raised plants excellent hearts
; of Snowball, or one of its various synonyms,
before the latest Broccoli are over. This
method of procuring early Cauliflowers, how-
1 ever, entails a considerable amount of work at
a season probably when time and suitable house
room can ill be spared, and it is advisable,
therefore, in most cases to still adhere to the
older practice of raising a good stock of plants
in the autumn. If these fail from any cause
then extra pains must be taken in raising the
dwarf early form in February, or, better still,

one batch of plants may well supplement the
other, as it is very certain none of the larger
varieties of Cauliflower surpass the dwarf early
Snowball in point of quality.

As was pointed out on page 59, it is unwise
to raise plants of Snowball, or its synonyms
Early Forcing, First Crop, and Early Defiance,
in the autumn, these invariably buttoning dur-
ing the winter, or soon after they are put out,
and the aim in this instance should be to grow
on the seedlings raised in gentle heat during
February as sturdily as possible. Autumn
raised and not unduly coddled plants of either
Early London, Dwarf Erfurt Mammoth, Wal-
cheren and Magnum Bonum are, however, much
to be preferred to any obtained by sowing seed
in heat early in the year, and of this most gar-
deners have had good proof some time in their
career. The exceptions to the rule are when
the plants are raised too early in August to suit
the locality, premature hearting or buttoning
usually resulting from this undue haste in sow-
ing the seed. Very small plants, again, are not
very easily preserved during a trying winter,
and it is those of a medium size that are the
best in every respect. In very cold northerly
gardens it may be necessary to sow Cauliflower
seed during the first or second week in August,
but, as a rule, the third week, or say about
August 23, is quite early enough, and we are
content to sow as late as the end of the month.
Various methods of wintering the plants are re-
sorted to, the most common practice being to
prick them out in frames, these being set on shal-
low beds of old heating material, sufficient short
manure and fine soil being put in to bring the
plants well up to the glass. Two or three lights
hold as many plants as most places require, and
in these they ought to be pricked out about 5
inches apart each way. Where only a few
dozen plants are needed, these may well be
pricked out and kept in shallow boxes during
the winter, and the plan of storing Cauliflowers
singly in 3-inch pots or in pairs in 4-inch or
rather larger pots answers well, especially if
finally planting out is not delayed till late in
the spring. In many gardens the hand-lights,
set on well-manured, deeply-dug ground, a
good open position being preferred, are filled
with Cauliflower plants by the middle of Oc-
tober, double the quantity being placed in
each that it is intended should develop to their
full size.

Pricking out the plants is necessary to check
strong growth in all cases where the seed is
sown somewhat early, but we find they winter
better and transplant more readily when win-
tered where raised. Thus if a frame is pre-
pared much as advised for pricking out plants
and the seed sown broadcast and thinly on this,
there will be no need to disturb the bulk of the
plants till spring. The requisite number could
be drawn and pricked out in hand-lights, and
the rest thinned out where too thick and
then left alone. Plants raised on a warm
border could also be covered with shallow
frames or a framework for supporting mats,
and similarly treated. In each and every case
or wherever the plants are wintered, all cod-
dling should be avoided. They ought never to
be very dry at the roots, and to have plenty of
light and air with the view of keeping them
sturdy, yet healthy. The hardier they are
kept the less need is there to heavily cover in
anticipation of frosts ; indeed, our plants in
hand-lights are never matted over nor afforded
any covering other than the glazed tops, and
we rarely lose any by frosts. In some winters
a good percentage of plants may be wintered at
the foot of sunny walls, but they can be far
more easily preserved from slugs when well to-

138

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 9, 1890.

gether in glazed or mat-covered frames. Exhi-
bitors of vegetables have long since found out
that if Veitch's Autumn Giant is sown in
August or September with the earlier varieties
and the plants in other respects similarly
treated, these will heart in in close succession
to them. In this manner very fine hearts can
be obtained in July and August, or at a time
when the earlier forms are poor in quality and
perhaps over-run by caterpillars. This being
the most simple method of securing a long suc-
cession of Cauliflowers, and quite doing away
with the necessity for sowing in heat in the
spring, it ought to be more generally adopted.
I will go even further and advise that Veitch's
Autumn Protecting Broccoli be also sown in the
autumn with the Cauliflowers, and if duly put
out on good ground it will heart in during
August. I have seen this Broccoli in August so
good in every way as to puzzle anyone to say
that it was not a Cauliflower, and seeing how
easily it can be had thus early, the least that
can be done is to give the plan of autumn rais-
ing a trial on a small scale. Better by far grow
more autumn-raised Autumn Giant Cauliflowers
and Protecting Broccoli and fewer of the earlier
varieties, very many of the latter being annually
spoilt in most gardens. I. M. H.

Pea Chelsea Gem. — Mr. Sheppard, Garden,
July 20 (p. 79). objects to my calling this a new Pea,
and remarks that it may be new to me, and that it-
has been out many years. I believe I am right
when I state that this Pea was tried at Chiswick in
1885 or 188G, and sent out afterwards ; therefore, it
is not so very old. I do not think much objection
could be made on that score if the Pea has only
been out so short a time ; at any rate, it is not yet
widely known nor grown, and when writing of it I
think the term new not wide of the mark. I tho-
roughly understood it was not sent out last year or
the year before, but my object was to call attention
to it's merits as a good Pea not much grown, and,
therefore, worthy of extended cultivation, as there
are a lot of Peas termed new and with names that
are not new. Mr. Sheppard admits it is an im-
proved American Wonder, taller, stronger, and freer
cropping. I have no doubt but that Chelsea Gem
is an improved American Wonder, and I recom-
mended growing it on account of its improved quali-
ties. I hope it will not degenerate into the old
stock, as I consider it far ahead of it, and worthy
of extended cultivation. The length of pod and
larger Peas place it at the top of the list of our
early Peas. It will no doubt be much liked when
the price of the seed is lowered. — G. W.

FAILURES.
I have often thought that a column or columns de-
voted to the above subject and accompanied byqueries
as to their origin, or hints as to a successful com-
bat against them would form an interesting feature
in every gardening paper. None of us like to admit
failures, and yet they meet us daily, and in many
cases no effectual remedy has been found. Take,
for instance, the flower garden. In many places
Lilium candidum and the old crimson Clove are
almost total failures. I have some very fair flower-
spikes of the Lily, but the foliage presents a
miserable appearance, and no application with
which I am acquainted, either in the form of liquid
or powder, is of the slightest avail in arresting the
disease. Again, for the first time in my experience
here Calceolarias are quite a failure. Every care
was taken of them ; they were transplanted from
the cutting box into prepared beds, and transferred
with good balls of root and earth to their flowering
quarters, or, to write more strictly, what should
have been their flowering quarters ; they have gone
so completely to the bad as to necessitate then-
removal, and the filling up their place with
dwarf Marigolds and Tagetes. I believe failure in
this case is due to the wet season. I can find, nor
have found, any external destructive agency at
work, either on foliage or root; the stem slowly

rots through. The unusual spectacle of many of
the zonal Geraniums gradually dying off has
been apparent this season. I thought they
might possibly have been injured by the Dutch
hoe and become partially severed, but an
examination of the stems revealed the fact
that the spotted snake millipede (to which allusion
was lately made as a Strawberry destroyer) was
answerable for the damage. How many failures
have to be chronicled with the blue Gentian. There
are very few places where one sees it thoroughly at
home. Will a good grower of Humea elegans give
us an article on the cultivation of this plant, in-
cluding temperatures essential at different stages ?
It is a great favourite in some places, and is occa-
sionally well grown ; but I must confess it is not
one of my successes, and the same may be said of
Luculia gratissima. Many, perhaps most of the
failures connected with fruit culture have been
ventilated, and remedial measures suggested and
applied with varying results, possibly, as a rule, to
the satisfaction of the operator ; but there are
some mysteries in this branch of gardening which
have yet to be solved. A Royal George Peach in
one of our Peach houses has been a puzzle to me
this season. The tree, in common with the other
inmates of the house, has carried a good crop of
fruit ; but is, and has been, quite exceptional in
foliage. I noticed a white semi-transparent look
about the leaves when the fruit was about the size
of a walnut, and thought that the tree might pos-
sibly have not received its share of water. An in-
spection of the border did not, however, bear out
this supposition, and I cannot account for the
peculiarity of foliage.

To pass from mysterious visitations to open
enemies. Some old places are terribly infested
with vermin, and a crop of Melons will sometimes
be nearly all attacked in a single night by one or
more rats. Whilst the enemy is being destroyed
by trap and poison it may not be generally known
that plaster of paris thinly mixed and placed in the
holes nibbled in the fruit will exclude the air, and
prevent the fruit from rotting. Whilst on the sub-
ject of Melons it may interest some of your readers
to know that cats are lovers of this fruit. I was
not aware of this until last summer, when having
placed a nice ripe fruit on a bench for a time I
found on my return that a favourite black cat
had gnawed a hole right into the heart of the
Melon, and seemed to be enjoying the meal. It
would seem that it is possible to successfully
cope with the Apple moth, as from steps taken
early last winter it is clear that preparations
applied in solution to form a coating over the
branch are capable of destroying the eggs of the
moth. Aphis in all its forms is so abundant and
so pertinaceous in its attacks, as almost to draw
forth the confession of f dlure to dislodge it. In
some cases with a lot of wall trees susceptible to
it, and perhaps an amount of extra work calling
for attention, trees get badly affected, and one
wishes for a preparation that would at once kill
the insect and leave an aroma on the foliage that
would be distasteful to further visitations. 1 would
strongly advise steps to be taken for the trapping
of earwigs at once, if these pests are troublesome
on walls, or the hole-boring process will com-
mence before the cultivator is aware of it, and
unless the fruit can be eaten quickly there will be
a decided loss. This enemy was quicker than my-
self to detect the approaching ripeness of Early
Beatrice Peach on the open wall.

Claremoiit, E. Burrell.

The field mouse. — Will any of your correspon-
dents who may have had some experience in the
ravages of the common field mice kindly advise me as
to the best means for their extermination? Here we
have quite a plague of them, and they have within the
last twelve months done great damage to plantations
and most kinds of growing crops. — E. Beckett,
Aldenham House, Elstree, Herts.

Tomatoes diseased. — At the last meeting of the
scientific committee of the Royal Horticultural Society
specimens of Tomatoes from the gardens at Chiswick
were shown attacked by Phytopthora. As this
appears to infect the Tomatoes when growing in flic

open, it is suggested that whenever possible they
should he at once transferred indoors to a warmer and
drier atmosphere, Tomatoes requiring a warmer cli-
mate than the average English summer to ripen
properly. This treatment appears to invigorate them,
and renders them not only less susceptible to the
disease, but has been known at once to check the
further growth of the fungus.

Orchids.

SATYRIUMS.

This is a genus of terrestrial Orchids which ap-
pear to be of common occurrence in South
Africa, and many beautiful species are recorded
from the Cape of Good Hope. Mr. O'Brien is
the only person I have known in recent years
who seems devoted to this class of plants, and
he has imported large quantities, the majority
of which have been grown in Messrs. Seeger
and Tropp's nursery, Lordship Lane, Dul-
wich. Indeed, although many of the kinds
were past, some I saw lately were, to me, the
prettiest sight in the establishment. Several
frames were full of plants, with large racemes of
flowers, which were exceedingly pretty and at-
tracted attention by their rarity and singular
form. Satyriums have never been done well
under cultivation, and hence have become ne-
glected, but one or two species are usually to
be seen in good condition in Sir Trevor Law-
rence's garden at Burford Lodge.

Mr. Seeger says, "These plants, which are now
growing, when they shall have lost all their
leaves I will keep quite dry, and by this time
the autumn will have nearly come to an end.
At the end of autumn the pots are removed
into a cool, but dry house, the soil re-
moved and the tubers shaken out. In this
cool position they are kept until the month of
February, when they require to be potted. For
this small well-drained pots should be used.
Satyriums do well in a mixture of light turfy
loam, leaf-mould, and chopped Sphagnum, the
whole being used in a fairly moist condition.
The plants are then stood in the Odontoglossum
house, but not watered. When the tubers have
started into growth, which they will do soon
(from the moisture of the soil and the slight in-
crease in temperature) and the shoots begin to
appear through the surface of the soil, they may
be watered, and if the weather is suitable soon
after this they may be plunged into frames in
the open air." When warm rains occur,
Mr. Seeger says he removes the lights
from the frames entirely, and allows the plants
to have a good soaking of water. At all times
a liberal supply should be given. Under these
conditions the plants grow well and flower pro-
fusely, and as I saw them recently would form
a most interesting feature in any garden.
Amongst the kinds most conspicuous I may
mention S. evectum, a large-flowered, bright
golden-yellow species ; S. cucullatum, another
yellow species, but with paler flowers than the
preceding; S. foliosum, with purple flowers; and
S. pustulatum, a purplish-pink flowered kind ;
S. carneum, a strong grower, with dense spikes
of pinkish-flesh colour ; S. candidum, with white
flowers ; and S. aureum, with deep orange-yel-
low blooms ; these and many others past flower-
ing were in splendid condition recently in Mr.
Seeger's nursery, and they well deserved a visit
from those interested in these exceedingly beau-
tiful terrestrial members of the Orchid family.
Their near allies the Disas are also done well
here, and numerous species are from time to
time to be met with — D. racemosa, D. grandi-
flora, D. tripetaloides, and D. graminifolia

Aug. 9, 1890.]

THE GABDEK

139

having flowered here under similar treatment
to the Satyriums. W. H. Gower.

Masdevallia Davisi ( O. MeL.}.— This is the

largest and the richest-coloured form of this plant
I have yet seen. The flower is nearly I inches
in length by about 2 inches in breadth, and
the colour a rich deep canary - yellow. This
plant I always considered would yield to cul-
tivation. It is one of the very coolest, grow-
ing, as it does, at from 10,000 feet to 12,000 feet
altitude, and it likes an abundance of water and
shade.— "W. H. G.

Sobralia Cattleya. — A fine plant of this
species has recently changed hands from that of
Messrs. Seeger and Tropp, of Dulwich, to the
Messrs. Veitch, of Chelsea. This is a plant still
undowered in this country. Mr. Shuttleworth, with
whom I was speaking a short time since about S. Cat-
tleya, says it is one of the grandest Orchids he saw
in South America. It has spikes of large flowers,
bearing as many as a dozen blooms, and these are
of great size and substance, it is one of the finest
of "its race ; the only fault it has is its height, but
perhaps we may be lucky enough to come across a
dwarf variety of it. It is a great pity we cannot
see it in flower in England. — W.

Oncidium luridum intermedium. — A grand
plant of this rare variety is now flowering magni-
ficently in Messrs. Seeger and Tropp's ' nursery,
Dulwich. It resembles the typical plant in its
growth, but its inflorescence is quite distinct. The
spike is about 3 feet high, much branched, and
bears many flowers, the ground colour of which is
yellow, thickly spotted and blotched with deep
chestnut-brown. Some growers find a difficulty with
O. luridum and its varieties, but if treated reason-
ably there need not be any trouble. This variety
comes from the island of Cuba, and therefore the
heat is not much lower than that of the hottest
part of Brazil, and I have found that all the forms
of O. luridum require a great deal of heat. I
have succeeded admirably with them when grown
in the East India house and wintered in the Cattleya
house. The old and typical form of the species is
not worth room, and neither should I give it unless
to prove the variety. — W.

Batemannia Burti. — This is a noble species
which was flowering a short time since in Mr.
Sander's nursery at St. Albans ; indeed, I may say
that these Batemannias, Warscewiczellas, and Pes-
catoreas are growing and appearing to thrive far
better than I have ever seen them. They are con-
sidered rather particular, and are plants which
we expect too much of, wanting under cultivation
to see specimen plants and to have flower as well.
The plants in the St. Albans nursery are doing
this, for here in the oldest house on the place they
are growing and flowering luxuriantly. The tem-
perature I could not ascertain, but as it is kept as
a house for Vanda suavis and V. tricolor, it must
have been of the warmest in the month of July.
This B. Burti is one of the most extraordinary
plants in the whole section, having flowers of
great substance. They are each quite 3 inches
across, the sepals and petals somewhat triangular,
of a reddish-brown hue; the curiously-shaped lip is
also of the same colour at the tip, but white at
the base. It is a remarkable fact that in some cross-
breeding that is being done with these plants, it
appears that the lip falls in about twenty-four
hours, but the sepals and petals remain almost in-
tact until after the seed-pod has swollen. — W. G.

Vanda caerulea (Q. T. W.J. — The flowers
sent are of this species, but although of fair size,
they are of such a washy colour as not to be worthy
of the name cserulea. I cannot understand why it
is, but I should imagine that these plants are more
easy of access than their deeper coloured brethren
for I find that these varieties are more frequently
imported ; moreover, they grow more freely under
cultivation than the high-coloured forms do. Years
ago I used to import this plant from Khasya, where
good highly-coloured forms were to be found, but
was never very successful, and I do not suppose
any of these can now be found living. It is a great

pity that selected varieties are not collected instead
of inundating us with such a lot of inferior forms.
■G.

SHORT NOTES.— ORCHIDS.

Satyrium flowers from Messrs. Seeger and
Tropp, of Dulwich, are superb. The variety named
evectum is very beautiful, being of a rich deep golden
yellow, whilst S. carneum, although better known, is
very seldom to be seen in such fine heads and of such
a large size. — W. H. G.

Oncidium Lanceanum. — An excellent form of
this fine old species is now beautifully in dower with
Mr. Goodhart at Langley Park, Beckenham. It thrives
well here, and makes grand spikes, whilst the flowers
are richly coloured and sweet-scented.

Cypripedium cenanthum. — This plant and
its variety cenanthum superbum are now flowering pro-
fusely in Messrs. Williams' nursery at Holloway.
This is a Veitchian hybrid, and I have before re-
marked that were I compelled to confine myself to one,
it would certainly be this one. The plant is free-grow-
ing and it flowers freely. It is a charming variety,
and should be grown by everyone. — W. H. G.

Rose Garden.

TEA ROSES IN POTS.
Want of room usually necessitates the plants that
were forced during the winter and spring having to
be turned out of doors. Yet if they could be kept
inside with plenty of air through the summer and
autumn — the only time that the Teas ever should
have air, except in very limited quantities— the
plants would recover from the exhaustion of flower-
ing much better than they can do in the open air.
They will also increase in strength and size under
glass in a way that is not possible with pot-grown
plants out of doors. Presuming that the plants so far,
since their removal from the house, have been well
cared for, by keeping them free from mildew and
insects with the necessary assistance of manure
water given alternately as the soil has required
moisture, they will now have made a considerable
amount of new growth. I like the strong shoots
springing up from near the bottom, which soon out-
grow any that already exist. These are the best
evidence of improvement in the plants, so as to
admit of their blooming better than hitherto.
With skilful treatment, Tea Roses in pots, like the
Hybrid Perpetuals, will go on improving in size,
and correspondingly in the quality and size of the
flowers they produce for a number of years. The
season for repotting is at hand, and no time should
be lost to admit of the roots getting fully esta-
blished in the new soil, and of further progress in
the tops before the season is too far gone.

Pruning. — Previous to turning the plants out of
the pots, all the weak wood, that is, all the hard
shoots that have not been strong enough to flower,
should be cut clean out from where they spring.
Shoots of this description that have been too weak
to produce flowers will not in the future make
growth sufficiently strong to do so ; consequently
they are useless. On the other hand, it is necessary
to be cautious with the knife, not to remove any
wood that is strong enough to produce shoots which
will flower ; and in dealing with the strong vigor-
ous shoots, their length should only be slightly re-
duced by removing the extremities of any that are
to ) tall. I often see Tea Roses cut much too close,
with the apparent idea of giving them a compact,
trim appearance. The result of this kind of treat-
ment is that the plants frequently get smaller in
place of larger. If as much wood is cut away at
this the annual pruning as has been made during
the season, the roots are thereby weakened, so that
they have not the power to do their part in increas-
ing the strength of the plants.

Potting. — The greater portion of the old soil
should be shaken away. In doing this do not in-
jure the roots more than is unavoidable, and ex-
cept in the case of large old specimens that are
already in pots as big as it is desirable they should
have, few roots should be cut away, unless where a

large mass of the fibres has got down amongst the
drainage, and which if retained would not leave
enough room for the necessary quantity of new soil
unless larger pots than requisite were given.
Drain well and secure the crocks from the soil
getting down into them by a layer of turfy matter.
Make the soil thoroughly solid in the pots ; if this
is not done the plants will not root as freely
as they should. The soil should consist of the
best rich loam of a strong heavy nature. To
this, add about one-sixth of rotten manure passed
through a fine sieve, so that it will mix evenly
with the loam. Sand must be mixed with it, but
it should not be used in such quantity as will
make the whole too light and open. After
potting see that the ground where the plants are
stood has enough fine coal-ashes on it to prevent
worms finding their way into the pots. Continue
to syringe the plants plentifully overhead once a
day, but limit the amount of water given directly
to the soil until the roots have begun to move freely.

T. B.

MANURE IN THE ROSE GARDEN.
When Roses are extensively grown in groups in
beds or borders under and in front of the very win-
dows of a fine country residence, the assumption
that mulchings and liquid manures will prove un-
pleasant is perfectly correct, and the idea has to be
entertained, for no one can prevent the odours
escaping in the application, whilst they assuredly
will be wafted into windows which are open all the
hours of daylight at this season of the year. The
delicious scent and delightful colours in our Tea
Roses are " distilled " not from " compounds reek-
ing with ammonia," but from 2 feet to 3 feet of
pure maiden loam, in the depths of which the roots
revel, with enough of moisture to obviate the ne-
cessity of watering, except in specially dry times.
Instead of a manure heap, a heap of loam provides
forrenewing by top-dressing witha material that does
all that is required, Tea Roses being had in abund-
ance to adorn the garden, and, if need be, decorate
the house. This top-dressing will encourage ample
surface rooting ; in fact, the Rose shoots root readily
in it, and many of our groups now have an abund-
ance of own roots working near the surface, whilst
those of the stock (the seedling Brier), as is their
wont, strike down deep into the stores of ample
rich food below. Doubtless " A. D." has had to
adapt himself to circumstances of less easy adapta-
tion than this, for when the manure heap and kin-
dred, but objectionable methods of feeding were,
lost resources, the loam heap became the mainstav
and will probably prove equal to all that is required
of it. The Roses, too, where not already filled up,
are mulched not with strawy manure, but with
growing carpets of Saxifrages, Sedums, and other
suitable plants, which cover the ground and do not
rob the Roses, but ward off the hot sun's rays.
Some of the most subtle and charming contrasts
are thus created. Last, yet not least, some of these
carpets are most effective weed-destroyers, as the
weeds have not a chance to grow. The Rose gar-
den without the manure heap may not be the
general thing, certainly not with exhibitors, but
the fact that it is a possibility should be made
known for the benefit of others placed in similar
circumstances. A. H.

THE CARNATION CONFERENCE.
I quite agree with the view expressed by you
as to too many papers having been set down
for the meeting at Chiswick on the 22nd of
July. There was a want of promptness in com-
mencing at the time advertised ; the tent, which
was about the worst place that could be selected
for such a gathering at mid-day, was hot and ill-
ventilated, and unless anyone spoke or read in a
pretty loud voice, but few could really hear, and
then the interest in the main object of the confer-
ence soon waned, while during the reading of Mr.
Williams' paper, which proved a little too scientific
to suit the popular taste, and which was imperfectly
heard, the audience visibly thinned. I could not but
admire the outspoken directness of the chairman's
opening address, and if the work of the conference

140

THE GARDEN.

[Atjfl. 9, 1890.

could have been mainly confined to that particular
part of the question, say the papers read by Mr.
Rowan on the town culture of the Carnation, and
my own on border Carnations, ample material would
have been afforded for one sitting, and some valu-
able discussion and interchange of ideas might
have followed. The chairman took up aline which

disadvantages of a languid interest "and a greatly
diminished auditory.

The papers read at these conferences have
to submit to considerable delay in publication,
and they do not appear till long after the
momentary interest in the subject has quite died
out ; the council of the society stipulate that

////>..

<_--^<-^i — .

a

cc^cr^C<

appeared to call forth a good deal of sympathy and
agreement from the audience, but that was soon ex-
tinguished by a cold current of scientific disquisi-
tion. It would have been a great deal better if
two sittings could have been arranged, one dealing
with the scientific and more theoretical side of the
question, and the other with the practical. Mine
being the fourth paper, I had to contend with the

the papers are to be handed over to them for pub-
lication in the journal of the society, and they are
not published in any form till then. I think the
immediate objects of the conferences held under
the auspices of the society would be much more
largely promoted if the council had the papers sent
in two or three weeks previous to their being read,
then set up in type and sent to each of the garden-

ing papers, so that they might publish any or all of
them they pleased immediately following the
conference, or an abstract of each, and when pub-
lished six months or so after in the journal of the
society, they would be just as acceptable to the
Fellows. The three papers read by Mr. Turner,
Mr. Rowan, and myself were all practical, and dealt
with matters of immediate importance to cultiva-
tors and intending cultivators, and the main aim of
the writers of each of the papers was to interest
lovers of flowers in the Carnation. It is impossible
the listeners to a paper can retain all the points, or
indeed many of them, in their memories, and not
having the papers to refer to, their roused in-
terest soon subsides. We cannot possibly expect
that the Carnation papers will see the light before
the beginning of next year, as several conferences
have been held, and there is a large arrear of
articles waiting publication.

The prizes offered by Mr. Martin R. Smith should
incite many to grow border Carnations. But who
is to settle the terms of the competition ?

R. D.

THE LATE MR. ROBERT MARNOCK.

We this week give a better portrait of the late
Mr. Robert Marnock than the one which
appeared in the sixth volume of The Garden in
1874. A notice of his life and of the many-
gardens made by him appeared in our issue of
December 7, 1889.

The evils of grafting. — In reference to what
Mr. Parsons says at p. 117, I should like to say that
when I wrote the aphorism, "Grafting is always
a makeshift, and very often a fraud," I did so as a
simple statement of the facts of the case, and in
no sense as reflecting " on the practice " of respect-
able nurserymen ; and, in Mr. Parsons' own reply to
Mr. Robinson's questions, he practically admits that
grafting was wrong in two out of the three cases
mentioned. As to the Ribston Pippin being
cankered and unhealthy generally in British
gardens, Mr. Parsons suggests that " it may be
inherent weakness of constitution, and in that
case a plant grown from layers would be equally
weak." This line of argument is neither clear nor
logical, for in order to be quite certain that the
delicacy is inherent, we must have the variety on
its own roots. It is quite unfair to judge of the
inherent weakness of any tree or shrub as it appears
grafted on roots not its own. If grafting is always
an improvement, as some people seem to believe,
then I think that nurserymen should also grow
fairly a few things on their own roots, in order
that the boasted superiority of grafted plants may
be apparent to purchasers. There is a fatal facility
of increase apparently gained by grafting ; but
any plant once grafted becomes exceedingly diffi-
cult of increase, except by grafting ; whereas a
Magnolia, or Tree Pseony, or Rhododendron on its
own roots naturally yields rooted suckers, or its
lower branches are easily layered. Mr. Parsons'
own experience with "worked" Tea Roses corro-
borates what I have so often said, and it is pleasant
to know that American Rose-growers grow Roses
from cuttings. My impression is that all plants
should have a fair trial on their own roots before
we stick or splice them on to the roots of something
else.— F. W. B.

Names of hardy Ferns. — From time to time
we have had discussions in the horticultural jour-
nals as to the best form of label for general use,
and, judging by the names of many of the Ferns,
especially of the hardy varieties exhibited last
week at the Fern conference at Chiswick, one is
inclined to think that by far the best label for
such things is that which allows the greatest space
for writing on, as several of the names are of inor-
dinate length, and most confusing to everyone.
Thus certiticates of merit were granted to plants
overburdened with such titles as Athyrium Filix-
fucmina setigerum percristatum, Scolopendrium
vulgare undulatum muricate spirale, Athyrium an-
gulare divisilobum plumosum imbricatum, and nu-
merous others in the same way. It is difficult to

Aug. 9, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

141

see the utility of embracing in the name of a hardy
Fern all its prominent characteristics, for though
the name may be a more or less concise descrip-
tion of the entire plant, still, were such a rule uni-
versal, we should hare the names of several other
subjects spun out to the same length, and such a
formidable array of names would frighten many
away from the study of plants. " A. D.'s " note
(pages 71 and 72) on the naming of flowers at
shows is well expressed and to the point, and while
I perfectly agree with him where he says : " I quite
believe that the culture of any flower is enhanced
in interest when the name is well understood," a
few names such as are above quoted would prove
to an average person with but little, if any, know-
ledge of botanical phraseology, an almost insur-
mountable stumbling-block. Many varieties of our
hardy Ferns are undoubtedly most beautiful, but
with such a mill-stone around their necks they are
heavily handicapped in the race for popularity. —
H. P.

STRAWBERRIES FOR MARKET.*
This crop is most extensively grown for market in
the county of Kent, and I propose in the first place
to give a resume of the usual way they are culti-
vated there, and then to detail the varieties. Soil
and situation will come first. The best soil is a
deep stiff loam rather inclined to clay than a lighter
sandy mixture, and by preference such as does not
feel the summer drought to a great degree, but
avoiding the chalky uplands and the sandy drifts.
Strawberries seem to flourish on all other soils pro-
vided deep and clean culture is carried out and a
heavy manuring is applied before the plants are
put in. I have seen them grand on cool clay
bottoms and in higher flinty and pebbly soils which
are common in the Grays district near Swanley.
Situation is unimportant ; all that is requisite is an
open space free from trees, and the larger the field
the better, the aim being to reduce manual by sub-
stituting horse labour in hoeing, and such open
fields are more readily kept clean than where they
are bounded by woods and intersected with hedges.
It is important to have the land thoroughly clean
at first, and in order to do this a crop such as
Potatoes, Cauliflowers, Peas, or Beans may be taken
in the previous years, when the ground can be kept
quite free from weeds, and be frequently stirred
and laid up for the sun, wind, and frost to purify
and mellow it.

Preparation of the soil. — This must be
deeply cultivated ; large fields may be ploughed by
steam, and if both ways so much the better. In
smaller ones the land may be deeply dug or
trenched, being previously manured with 35 tons to
50 tons of manure per acre, and harrowed down
two or three ways about a fortnight before plant-
ing. The cost of manure, carting, spreading,
ploughing, coal, fas., will be about £15 to £20 per
acre, or if dug £25 to £30.

Planting. — This is generally done in March,
when all danger from the runners being lifted by
frost is past, and the plants are about making
their rootlets, when they strike at once and soon
develop fine healthy foliage ; an ingenious marker
with spokes on a wheel which strike the land at
regular distances is used, and the planters then
follow with the dibble and plant by the acre. The
distance preferred in Kent is 32 inches between the
rows, the plants being 16 inches apart. Care must
be taken that the crowns are not buried beneath
the soil, and they should be set as firmly as
possible.

Summeb cultivation. — The first year this con-
sists in removing the runners about four times with a
knife, horse-hoeing to keep down the weeds, and
hand-hoeing between the plants.

Autumn cultivation is completed by earthing
up the plants with a mould board plough to protect
the foliage, and to allow the water to drain away
from the crowns the plough is set as shallow as
possible.

Cultivation in spring. — The field will require

* Read by Mr. G. Bunyard at conference of British
Fruit Growers' Association, June 2", 1890.

horse-hoeing to level down the plough ridges in
March or April when the land is dry, and a
hand-hoeing when the plants are in bloom. The
fields are littered with Barley straw, requiring about
2\ loads to 3 loads per acre (about 1J tons) prepa-
ratory to picking.

Cultivation first year of cropping. — As
soon as the crop is cleared the straw is raked off,
the runners and eld dead foliage having been re-
moved by a bagging-hook; the horse-hoe is used
again, and every encouragement given to the plants
to develop foliage and make plump crowns for the
second season's crop, which is generally the best.
The straw is used in the cattle yards, and thus pays
for cost of removal.

Expenses per acre. — Estimated roughly, the
cost up to the time of picking may be set
at nearly £50 per acre— i.e., £25 a year first and
second years per acre, the expenses for the rest
of the series of years the crop is on the land being
very much less. If five years, an average of £15 to
£20 per acre.

Duration of crop. — About five years is con-
sidered the utmost during which a profitable crop
can be expected, as when the fruit becomes small the
market value will not be remunerative.

Average of yield. — Two tons an acre is con-
sidered a fair yield; much more is occasionally
taken, and rarely less.

Price. — This varies year by year according to
the weather ; a dry warm time stimulating the con-
sumption from £16 to £28 per ton will be a fair
average. The cost of picking and packing is about
4d. to 6d. for 12 lbs., this being done by women,
boys, and girls, and they are paid by the dozen or
gross in punnets, and by the peck later in the
season — this included in the expenses quoted per
acre. The usual plan is to place a shed at a con-
venient spot for the vans to load and for the
pickers to assemble, and as each set of punnets or
peck baskets is brought in a tin tally is given to the
picker, which is turned into cash as required.
Some large growers dress the Strawberry land three
times a year, using soot or artificial manure, and
an autumn and spring dose of farmyard manure.
After the third year a mulching of manure, about
15 to 20 tons per acre, must be placed round the
plants to assist them, and this might be annually
repeated, as the Strawberry lands are so well cared
for, that one or two crops can be taken after they
are ploughed up without extra manure. The uses
of Strawberries are well known. As a dessert fruit
they take the first place, and as a preserve are very
rich. The custom is to send all earlier pickings
for table use in punnets, and to " plum " the rest
for the jam makers when they are stripped off the
stalks. As regards the consumption, it increases
year by year in a remarkable degree, and when the
price gets low they are eagerly purchased by the
working classes. In 1888thecrop was very large, and
one retailer in Maidstone sold 1200 lbs. over the
counter on a Saturday, when formerly you could
scarcely buy a basket in the town at all. Truly the
luxuries of one generation are the necessities of the
next. It may be asked as to the profits of Straw-
berry growing. The growers are naturally reticent
at giving these particulars, but I gather from various
sources that from £20 to £40 per acre may be ex-
pected where the Strawberries are well done and
cared for, and put on the market in good condition.
None but the best make top prices, and care to the
little details of culture will reap an adequate re-
ward, and at times an exceptional profit. My notes
give 6000 pecks of 12 lbs. each as the largest picking
at the Crays on one farm alone, while another grower
is said to have 2000 acres, and to have picked 360 tons
in one week. As Strawberries are very perishable, the
plantations should be near a railway, to avoid as
far as possible the bruising in transit. In the great
Strawberry districts picking commences as soon as
daylight allows, and the earliest pickings go in
special vans for Manchester, Birmingham, and the
large centres of consumption, later pickings being
in time for the London markets. ' Growers in other
parts deliver to the towns daily in spring vans.
This enables growers to put them in the market in
a fresh condition. The bottom of the van should

have 1 foot of straw in it to prevent jolting, and
a neat light cover should be placed over them to
exclude the sun and dust. Only those varieties that
carry well can be largely grown, and in this respect
none approach Sir Joseph Paxton ; its fine rich colour,
firm flesh, and glossy skin make it taking in appear-
ance. It is as hardy as any kind, and most produc-
tive. For an earlier crop, Alice Maud or Vicom-
tesse Hericart de Thury are used in some grounds,
and Sir Charles Napier for a main crop, while
Elton Pine and Eleanor are favoured for a late
crop. Laxton's Noble will be very much grown
in a few years ; its large size, freedom of crop
and vigorous growth are what the growers desire.
We picked fruit nearly an ounce in weight on
June 13, and no other kind can compare with it
for earliness and bountiful crop. This is the early
market Strawberry of the future. The practice in
other counties is slightly different ; for example, in
Scotland, where they are extensively grown about
Aberdeen, the small early kinds, Black Prince and
King of the Earlies, furnish the first gatherings, and
Eliza, President, and British Queen are grown, and
as the rainfall there is considerable, the beds will
last in good order as long as eight years. British
Queen is well grown near Sandwich, where the cool,
deep, and rather heavy loam suits it ; but, as a
rule, this variety is not a paying crop, as it bears
sparsely, and the beds must be renewed every other
year. For preserving, Mr. Beach, the contractor
for Lord Sudeley's extensive fruit farms in Glouces-
tershire, prefers the old Carolina Pine to any other
for jam ; the colour is bright, and it makes
a delicious whole fruit preserve. In the same dis-
trict Sir Charles Napier and Stirling Castle Pine
are preferred with Paxton for punnet sale.

In the Cornish system, by deep cultiva-
tion and heavy manuring, beds are sometimes
retained as long as fifteen years. Possibly
the rainfall keeps the plants in health and
vigour, while the proximity to the sea may
be advantageous. One farmer there picks an
average of 2 tons per day, and as all are marketed
with baskets this represents an enormous picking.
In conclusion I would venture to suggest a trial of
more varieties, such as James Veitch for early,
and Waterloo, Laxton's Jubilee, and Aberdeen Late
for late sorts. Waterloo is of very deep colour(quite
a mulberry), but its fine appearance would in time
command a sale. A grower says it sells for double
the price of others at the same season. Jubilee is
an enormous cropper. A plot of land should be set
aside, and two or three new or fresh varieties tried
every year, as both early and late Strawberries are
much appreciated. Other promising varieties are
Laxton's Latest of All, a grand berry of the richest
flavour ; Prince Teck, an improved Paxton ; and
Aromatic, a finely coloured midseason fruit. The
American varieties have not yet been of much
service, or equal to existing sorts. For preserving,
enormous crops are produced by Newton Seedling,
a very strong grower. John Powell (Kitley's Go-
liath) and the old Elton Pine are also useful for
this purpose. Crescent Seedling, from America, is
the earliest, and the fruit could probably be gathered
at two pickings, as it produces a very large crop of
small berries, and will prove valuable for jam to
start the factory. King of the Earlies would also
make a fine whole fruit jam, and is very productive.
I am of opinion that as far as culture is concerned
we have reached the best possible, and the only
thing I object to in our Kent field system is the late
hoeing which is often given.

If the land is thoroughly cleaned and pulverised,
by the time the flower trusses show and before
they open, it would be preferable to finish hoeing
at this stage, and not delay the work until the
flower is out; but the weather is a factor in all
operations, and is often wet when such work would
otherwise be done. The object of the final hoeing
is to destroy seed weeds and to prevent evapora-
tion. Great care is exercised in laying on the
straw or the annual mulching. In May the manure
is sometimes carried on by hand-barrows to pre-
vent the closing of the soil , as happens when wheel-
barrows are used. If short stuff is at hand, baskets
and bodges are used. To sum up the culture in a

142

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 9, 1890.

few words— deep cultivation, heavy manuring,
clean culture, and care in sorting the fruit seem
to be essential. We appear to have reached the
best market Strawberry in Sir J. Paxton, but those
who have time and patience should try hybridi-
sation, taking this as one parent. In Prince
Teck we have a reputed advance on this old favour-
ite, and earlier and later Strawberries that have
the same characters as Paxton would be valuable
additions to market varieties. At this date (June
27) several promising varieties are under trial, but
they must be proved before we can admit them into
a list of market kinds.

Societies and Exhibitions.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The floral committee met at the Society's Gardens,
Chiswick, on July 22 and inspected the collections
of Carnations, Picotees, Stocks, and Pansies grow-
ing in the gardens, when the following awards
were made. *** Equivalent to first-class certifi-
cate ; ** to award of merit : —
Carnation *** Juliette (R.H.S.), bright rosy purple
self.
,, ,, Mrs. Frank Watts (Ware), white

self.
Picotee ,, Romeo (Paul & Son).
,, ,, Augusta „

,, „ Pica „

Carnation ,, Juno ,, rose self.

,, Snowdrift (Fisher, Son, & Sibray),
white self.
,, ,, Horace (Dan), scarlet self.

,, ,, Maggie Laurie (Dickson & Co.), deli-

cate blush self.
,, „ Caledonia ,, bright

purple
,, ,, The Moor (Dean), dark crimson.

,, ,, Rowena ,, bright scarlet.

Picotee „ B. J. Bryant (R.H.S.).
„ ,, Favourite (Turner).

Carnation ,, Clown (Dodwell), yellow ground.
,, ,, Osonian ,, salmon self.

,, ** Beatrice (Fisher, Son, & Sibray), huff

self.
,, Fair Maid (Dean), blush.
Pansy *** The Bride (Dobbie), creamy white,
edged blue.
,, ,, Duchess of Fife ,, orange, edged

bronze.
„ ,, Neptune ,, dark purple,

top petals pale.
,, ** Duchess of Sutherland (Dobbie), pale

lavender.
,, ,, Marchioness of Tweeddale ,, pure

white. -
Stocks *** Large Ten-week (Putz), brilliant rose.
" >> >> ,, purple.

" >> ,, ,, white.

" >> M ,, sulphur-

yellow.
,, ,, Dwarf Ten- week ,, lilac.

Fbdit and Vegetable Committee.
The committee inspected the collection of Peas
growing in the gardens, and made the following
awards of merit: The Daisy (James Carter and
Co.), a dwarf wrinkled Marrow ; Boston Hero (G
Bunyard and Co.), a tall white wrinkled Marrow •
Ambassador (H. Eckford), a tall green wrinkled
Marrow.

The floral committee on July 31 again inspected
the collections of Carnations and Picotees, also the
Pelargoniums, growing in the gardens, and made
the following awards : —
Carnation *** Mrs. Reynolds Hole (Veitch), terra-
cotta.
,, Grandiflora (Veitch), deep rose.
,, Alice Ayres (Veitch- Ware), white,

slightly streaked.
,, Gloire de Nancy (Veitch), white,

large.
,, Germam'a (Veitch-Benary), yellow.
,, Ruby Castle (Turner- Veitch), rose-
pink, fine constitution.
,, Admiration (Veitch), dark purple

edge.
,, Guiding Star (Ware), scarlet self.
,, Will Threlfall (Paul), bright yellow.

Picatee

Carnation

Picotee
Carnation

Carnation *** Edith (Fisher, Son and Sibray), pale
pink, spotted scarlet.

,, ,, Canary (Fisher, Son and Sibray), pale

yellow.

,, ,, Comtesse de Paris (Paull, pale blush.

,, ,, Penelope (Hooper), white self.

,, ,, Merlin (Lakin), deep crimson.

,, ,, Boadicea (Douglas), purple flaked.

,, ,, Caractacus ,, crimson bizarre.

., ,, Feuerball (Benary), deep scarlet self .

,, ,, Mirakel von Zirbst (Benary), very

dark crimson.

,, ,, Albrecht Duesser (Benary), deep rose,

crimson flake.

,, ,, Orestes (R.H.S.), pale rose.

„ ,, Countess of Ellesmere (R.H.S.), pale

flesh, spotted with crimson.
Picotee ,, Agnes Chambers (Turner), yellow
ground, lilac edge.

,, ,, Colonial Beauty (Turner), terra-cotta,

streaked.

,, _ ,, Dorothy (Turner), terra-cotta.
Carnation ,, Scarlet Premier (Storrie), scarlet
self.

,, ,, Rose Celestial (Turner), rose self .

Picotee ,, Atalanta (Dodwell), yellow ground.

,, ,, Diana (Dodwell), white self.

,, ,, Ariel ,, yellow.

, , , , Andromeda (Dodwell) , terra - eotta

flaked.
Picotee ** Grosken (Veitch), purple edge.

,, _ ,, Alfred Grey (Dodwell), yellow ground.
Carnation ,, Hypatia (Paul), white self.
Double-flowered Ivy -leaved Pelargoniums —

] ; #*# De Quatrefages (Lemoine) , violet-ma-
genta.

,, ,, Souvenir de Charles Turner, flowers

of a deep pink shade.

,, ,, Galilee, No. 1, soft lilac.

,, ,, ,, No. 2, soft rosy pink.

,, ,, Mme. Thibaut, deep pink.

,, ,, Le Printemps, rosy pink.

,, ,, Comtesse Horace de Choiseul, satiny

rose.

,, ,, Gloire d'Orleans, bright pink.

Single-Sowered Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums —

,, ***Gem, blush white.

,, ,, Mrs. H. Cannell, deep mauve-purple.

Zonal Pelargoniums —

,, ***Charles Mason (Pearson), fine scarlet,

of good habit.

,, ,, Mons. Poirer (Lemoine), flowers of a

beautiful purplish shade, of good
habit of growth.
Stock, large-flowering Ten-week —

,, ** Aurora (Putz).

Fuchsia ,, Dunrobin Bedder (Melville), seedling

from F. Riccartoni, a dwarf, free-
flowering, bedding variety.
Mimulus ,, Moschatus compactus (Putz), of
dwarf, even growth, free flower-
ing, and useful for edging pur-

The British Fruit Growers' Association

held their first provincial conference in conjunction
with the horticultural show in the Abbey Park,
Leicester, on Tuesday last. The meeting was a
most successful one, the chair being taken at 3 p.m.
by James Ellis, the mayor of Leicester. Dr. Lan-
kester was also present on the platform, and there
was a large attendance of persons interested in the
subject. After an opening address by Mr. Ellis, a
paper was read by Mr. T. Francis Rivers on " Cher-
ries and Plums," Mr. W. Ingram contributed a
paper on "Fruits for Leicestershire," Mr. A. H.
Pearson dealt with " Apples for the Midlands," and
Mr. G. Bunyard with " Pruning." The meeting con-
cluded with votes of thanks to the readers of papers
and to the chairman.

The Gardeners' Orphan Fund.— The usual
monthly meeting of the committee took place at
the Horticultural Club, Hotel Windsor, on August 1.
After reading the minutes of the last meeting, Mr.
William Marshall, Chairman of the Floral Com-
mittee of the Royal Horticultural Society, was
unanimously elected chairman for the ensuing year.
Mr. Hugh Low, Clapton Nursery, E., was elected a
member of the committee in the place of the late
Mr. George Deal. The matter of the Deal Memorial
Fund was deferred until the next meeting of the
committee ; meanwhile subscriptions to it will be
thankfully received by the hon. secretary. A sug-

gestion made by the chairman of the annual meet-
ing that the financial year should end at Decem-
ber 31, and the annual dinner take place earlier in
the year, was postponed for further consideration.
The hon. secretary brought up a report of the
dinner expenses, and hearty votes of thanks were
passed to the donors of plants, fruits, and flowers
for the decoration of the hall and for dessert. It
was resolved that the next meeting of the com-
mittee take place in the last Friday in October;
meanwhile a sub-committee, consisting of the
chairman, hon. secretary, and Messrs. R. Dean, J.
Wright, and B. Wynne, was appointed to prepare
the annual report, &c, and to bring up reports on
certain matters submitted to them.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Pyrethrums from Hampton. — A large bunch
of single and double flowers, cut from plants blooming
the second time, has come from Messrs. Collins and
Gabriel, Hampton. The colours are rich and decided,
not the washy pink tints that disfigure the garden
Pyrethruni.

A fine white Phlox. — A very beautiful variety
of the herbaceous Phlox, named Avalanche, has been
sent us by Messrs. Collins and Gabriel, Hampton. The
spike sent was a mass of flowers, each bold, large, and
white, very delicate and pure in the mass. A bed or
large clumps in the borders of it would be a distinct
feature in the garden.

A new Gladiolus bloomed recently atKew, and
is called primulinus, by reason of the flower being
wholly of a soft primrose shade, without spots or
streaks. The corms of it were sent in the July of 1887
by Mr. J. T. Last, who found it in theUsagaraMouutains
of South-east Tropical Africa. It is a pretty flower,
reminding one, as well as the whole plant, of G. psitta-
cinus.

Tufced Pansy Hartree.— A few blooms of this
new tufted Pansy have been sent to us by Messrs.
Dobbie and Co., Rothesay, N.B. It is a well-shaped
flower of delicate colours, the outside light mauve
deepening towards the centre to lilac ; the centre is
yellow, relieved by violet radiating hues. It was raised
by Dr. Dicksou, of Hartree, Biggar, Lanarkshire, and
we hope to give a coloured plate of it.

Phormium tenax variegatum flowering1. —
At p. 100 of The Gakden " D." asks if it is unusual
for the above to flower. Here we have several now
in flower on a small island, and one Phormium
Colenzoi with eight spikes of flowers. If " D." sows
the seeds of the plant he mentions when ripe they
will germinate freely, but the seed-leaves of most
of them will be entirely white, and the seedlings
will consequently die. Some will come green, and
these will live and keepthe character of the species.
— W. 0., Fota.

Eremurus robustus (Kegel) var. nobilis. —
An Eremurus sent out under the above name hence-
forth should be called E. Elwesianus. It was justly
suggested by those of my friends who had received
and grown it that it should have a name not re-
minding one of robustus, and thus likely to cause
confusion. The plant never has been properly
examined, but horticulturally it is very distinct
and unquestionably the most showy Eremu-
rus, in spite of himalaicus and the large variety of
robustus. — Max Leichtlin, Baden-Baden.

Aeranthus Curnowianus.— During recent
years Madagascar has received a considerable
amount of attention on the part of Orchid collec-
tors and importers, with the result that many new
and valuable species have been brought under
cultivation. Although several of these new arrivals
surpass the plant under notice both in size and
display of bloom, there are few that excel it in
beauty and interest. Reichenbach, who named it
in 1883, rightly described it as a lovely Orchid.
The flowers are mostly, if not always, solitary on
the scapes, and are unusually large compared with
the plant, which is altogether not more than
3 inches or 4 inches high, with narrow, bi-lobed,
and slightly scabrous leaves. On a plant now in
bloom at Kew the flower is 2 inches across, the
sepals wide at the base, gradually tapering to a
point. The lip is large, broadly ovate, and slightly
hollowed, and joined to it is a slender, tapering

Aug. 9, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

143

spur 5 inches in length. All the parts of the
flower are of a pure, glistening white, with the
exception of the spur, which towards the lower
end assumes a greenish tinge. Nearly allied to the
Angnecutns, this little gem requires similar treat-
ment. It should be planted in a small teak basket
with a few pieces of soft brick on the bottom, and
the remainder filled with Sphagnum. It requires
moist, tropical treatment throughout the year.

Azara microphylla under trees. — It may not
be generally known that the above-named shrub will
thrive well under the shade of trees. Here we have
some planted under Sweet Chestnut trees, where
the sun's rays never reach them, except during
winter when the leaves are off the trees. The
leaves of the Azara are much larger and darker in
the shade than when fully exposed to the sun. In
all situations it is a most desirable shrub. — W. 0.,
Fata.

Beschomeria yuccoides. — I send you to-day
a flowering branch of a fine plant I bought at
Beaulieu, near Nice, winter before last, and which
has lived planted out in this garden ever since.
The name I received with it is Beschomeria yuc-
coides, but it seems so unlike other BeschorneriEe,
that I have sent it to Kew for verification. The
flowering stem is fully 9 feet high from the ground,
rising from a tuft of leaves just like a Yucca, and
with a short thick trunk below the leaves. So
striking a plant deserves a place in any sheltered
or seaside garden, as it suffered more from a heavy
fall of wet snow than from a frost of 8° or 9° during
last winter when it was unprotected. — Edwabd H.
WOODALL, Scarborough.

The black Raspberry. — This here, under
generous treatment, is more productive than the
cultivated Raspberry. It is said to be a hybrid
between the Raspberry and Blackberry, but this is
questionable. It appears to be a distinct species of
Rubus. There is nothing of the Blackberry either
in the wood or foliage, except that the tops of the
canes show a disposition to traD. that is, they are
attenuated and droop. Whether these brought in
contact with the soil would root like the Bramble I
have not tried, although it would be an interesting
experiment. The flavour of the fruit is not equal
to that of the best varieties of Raspberry, but when
cooked it is scarcely distinguishable. The present
season seems to suit it well. Plants in a moderately
moist soil and shady situation here have already
thrown up canes 12 feet high, and as big at the
base as a man's thumb, and are still growing.
These next year will probably be loaded with the
dark purple, almost black, fruits. It does not
increase so rapidly by suckers as the Raspberry,
but I find the portions of root left in the ground
after transplanting all become plants, and can thus
be increased to any extent. The white variety is
t>f less account. The fruits are smaller and rather
flat-flavoured. Altogether it seems a welcome and
useful addition to our hardy fruits. — J. M., Char-
inoiitlt, Dorset.

Primula obconica poisonous. — In your
impression of 2nd inst., I note the reply to
" G. S. S." (see Gabden, July 20) in reference to
above. There is no doubt as to the poisonous
effects of this plant on some constitutions.
About three years ago after repotting some I had
on my hands and wrists a severe rash (or eczema),
which for several days was distressing. The
sensation experienced was similar to the tropical
" prickly heat," and after the irritation passed
away the skin peeled off from the parts
affected. I mentioned the circumstance to a
medical friend, and shortly afterwards a gardener
saw him professionally respecting a rash from
which he suffered. On asking his patient if he had
been handling plants of this Primula, he replied
that he had a few days previously repotted some.
One of my daughters who gathers flowers for house
decoration has been caught, and the verdict passed
by the ladies is to pitch them away. But they
are — as Longfellow so beautifully expresses it —
" Stars of Earth," and I shall do nothing of the
kind. I have them in flower now, and shall in a
few days repot a batch for winter. They are
capital subjects for enlivening the greenhouse

during the dreary winter days, and flower in
profusion for a long time. Who would debar them-
selves the pleasure derived from the Euphorbias,
&c, because of their formidable spines, or refuse to
eat luscious fruit from the tree because a wasp has
been by others carelessly taken into the mouth 1
I may remark that my man is not affected by these
plants, and I am of opinion that no one will suffer
unless endowed with a highly sensitive nervous
organisation, and those so favoured (?) should,
when handling these plants, wear gloves. — Edwabd
Bbettelle.

Dendrobium Guiberti.— This is a showy
species, regarded as a native of India, and pos-
sessing a resemblance to D. densiflorum, if not a
variety of it. It is in bloom now in The Dell col-
lection, and has clavate stems about 1 foot high,
each surmounted with broad foliage, a contrast
to the pendent racemes, bearing closely together
richly coloured flowers, which are yellow, deepening
to a rich golden shade in the lip, the base stained
with intense orange. It is a beautiful and attrac-
tive species, especially valuable at this season when
the Orchid house wants colour.

Double summer Chrysanthemums. — We
send herewith some flowers of a new strain of
annual Chrysanthemums, double carinatum varie-
ties. They are very difficult to fix exactly ; in
fact, you get great variation even in the produce of
one plant. We have, however, been selecting in
the direction of forming two varieties, the bronze-
yellow and the lilac-rose, and all belong to these
two types. They may, however, best be looked
upon as a mixture. — Huest and Son, Sounds-
ditch.

*,* A very excellent gathering of flowers, which
are chiefly of bronze-yellow and lilac-rose colours.
They, however, vary, and very pretty is the double
white, with a tinge of rose-lilac in the centre.
Bold, showy, and handsome varieties. — Ed.

The Holy Ghost Flower (Peristeria elata)
is not of great beauty as commonly seen, but when
in the perfection that it attain in Baron Schrceder's
collection at Egham it is interesting and attrac-
tive. The plant bears three splendid spikes, each
carrying a number of the singular flowers, in which
the column, side lobes of the lip, and the lip itself
form themselves into the likeness of a dove. It is
an Orchid that because of this curious mimicry has
been much talked about, and Spanish altars are
said to be beautified by it, as it is regarded as a
" sacred " flower by reason of this dove-like re-
semblance. There are in truth far more beautiful
flowers for decoration, but it is worth growing
simply for its interesting associations. It was in-
troduced from Panama, and not the least striking
characteristic is the bold, broad, light green leaves,
a set-off to the tall, erect scapes, rising from 3
feet to 5 feet high. The flowers are waxy- white.

Magnolia fuscata. — For the sake of its fra-
grance alone this old Chinese plant is worth culti-
vating. It commences to bloom in April, and
continues without intermission up to August and
September, and during the whole of that time,
whenever the sun is upon the plant, its flowers give
off the most delightful odour. Even in such a
capacious house as that devoted to temperate
plants at Kew, a considerable portion during fine
weather is filled with the fragrance from a single
plant. This Magnolia is evergreen and of hand-
some bushy habit, the leaves being of a bright
glossy green. The young shoots are clothed with a
brownish tomentose substance. It has no preten-
sions to beauty of flower, these being small, dull
purple, and only half expanded. Altogether, how-
ever, it is a delightful conservatory plant, and being
of slow growth is especially convenient for planting
out, as this may be done without fear of its speedily
overcrowding its neighbours. The shrub in the
Winter Garden at Kew is 8 feet high and about
5 feet through ; it must, therefore, be a very old
one.

Memorial to the late Mr. B. S. Williams.
—We understand that a meeting of horticulturists
will be held in the Hotel Windsor, on Tuesday next,
August 12, at 2 p.m., in connection with the pro.

posed memorial to the late Mr. Williams, and a
circular has been issued which gives information as
to the form the memorial is to take. The proposi-
tion is to establish a "Williams Memorial Fund,"
and provide at horticultural exhibitions money
prizes and certificates for the encouragement of the
cultivation of stove and greenhouse plants and
Orchids, these prizes to be competed for in the
usual way. A committee to carry out the above
proposals is now being formed, and we are asked to
state that particulars may be obtained from Mr.
H. J. Veitch, 544, King's Road, Chelsea, or Mr.
Shirley Hibberd, Kew, near London.

Lilium pardalinum Robinsoni. — Thinking
you might be interested in this Lily, I have sent
you a flower-stem, which from ground-level to the
tip of the terminal bloom, fairly measured, was
9 feet 11 inches high. In the same clump were
stems 9 feet 8 inches, 9 feet 4^ inches, 9 feet
lj inches, and seven others over 8 feet 10 inches.
The terminal bloom will have fallen, and so take
off an inch or so of the height. The paler colour
of the 1£ inches of the stem means that when these
Lilies are about midgrowth I mulch with peat Moss
litter, and in measuring height think it quite fair
to pull away the mulching, and take the measure-
ment from ground-level. — Edgedale.

Currant, Gooseberry, and Apple foliage

diseased. — I herewith send you a small box with
some affected branches of Apple, Gooseberry, and
Currant trees, and I shall feel obliged if you will
tell me what the disease is. Eight of the Goose-
berry trees look nearly dead, and the more robust
sorts are now being attacked. The Apple tree is
in the same line as the Gooseberries. I am trying
the French system for the cure of Vine mildew on
my Rose trees, and I think it will be very success-
ful. A Marechal Niel Rose in a cool house that has
been severely attacked by mildew ever since the
early spring, and which has been treated with
sulphur with no success, I cured with one syringing
of sulphate of copper and quicklime in solution. I
have syringed the outdoor Roses twice with the
solution, administered through a spray syringe, and
I have healthy bushes and fine blooms ; the leaves
are a little spotty, but that looks better than
mildew and red rust. I am trying Sulfosteatite, or
talc powder, with eight per cent, of sulphate of
copper in powder for the Potato disease, which
promises to be bad this year. — S.

%* A fungus named Septoria ribis is growing
profusely on the Currant leaves, a second named
Microsporia grossulariie upon the Gooseberry foli-
age, and a third named Diatrype strumellais infest-
ing the Currant branches. We can see nothing but
mycelium and discoloured patches on the Apple
leaves.— W. G. S.

Lilacs. — Can anyone oblige by telling me on what
the choice Lilacs are grafted ? I find they do not grow
with me, but are about the same in size as when I got
them.— J. N.

Pittosporum fiavum.— Can any of your readers
tell me where Pittosporum (Hymenospermum) flavum
is figured or described ? Seed and seedlings are far
from Pittosporum-like in appearance. — EDGEDATJ3.

"Veronicas. — I am much interested in the shrubby
Veronicas of the smaller sorts, and I am endeavouring
to get a complete collection. I should much like tc
have the difference between V. epacrioides and V. dios-
m«folia explained. It seems to me that they must be
the same so far as the trade is concerned. —
Edgedale.

Southampton Show. — A prize list of this excel-
lent exhibition is given in our advertising columns.

Names of plants. — L. H. S. — 1, Lychnis chalce-
donica ; 2, Campanula macrantha ; 3, Francoa ramosa;
4, Adiantum scutum ;5, Nephrodiummolle ; 6, Adiantum

assimile. J. JS. R. — The true Cattleya Dowiana.

T. C. Elliott. — Rhynchospermum jasminoides.-

J. W. Leigh.— Staphylea pinnata. Norman. —

Galega officinalis. J. T. — Phygelius eapensis. — —

Kirkconnell. — 1, Lysimachia lanceolata ; 2, Gillenia

trifoliata. 67. S. S. — Next week. Farnlwm. — 1,

Spiraea Aruncus ; 2, Spiraa callosa var. ; 3, Dutch
Honeysuckle ; 4, Tropaeolum pentaphyllum.

144

THE GAEDEN.

[Aug. 9, 1890.

WOODS AND FORESTS.

ORNAMENTAL TREE PLANTING.

The principal cause of the failure of single
trees and of small groups is the neglect of a
proper preparation of the soil as well as of
the trees themselves. Frequently the plant in-
tended to make an effective single tree, or to
figure in a group in park scenery, is brought
direct from a much more sheltered situation than
the one in which it is planted. Instead of being
subjected to such previous treatment as will
produce a gradual hardening of its sap vessels,
a thickening of its bark, and the enlargement
and density of its head, all of which can be ob-
tained by a gradual opening out, it is too often
placed in a position where all these qualities are
required, while not one of them has been deve-
loped. The result of such treatment is that
through sudden exposure permanent injury is in-
flicted upon the sap vessels. All this might be
prevented by a gradual removal of the selected
tree into a soil and a situation somewhat similar
to that for which it is ultimately designed ; or, if
the tree be of large dimensions, by such a gradual
clearance of surrounding objects as shall secure
for it a proper hardiness of constitution before
its final removal. The trenching round and
cutting oft of the larger straggling roots, though
condemned in some quarters, should by no means
be neglected, as the fibrous roots, afterwards
formed in abundance where good soil is supplied,
enable the tree to start at once into vigorous
growth. The time, however, allowed for the pro-
duction of these should be proportioned to the
size of the tree and the quality of the soil in which
it stands, as the poorer the land the longer the
period required. Where single trees are planted
in wet soils, some provision should be made for
carrying off the superfluous water, which other-
wise drains to the holes in large quantities, in
consequence of the looseness of the soil. The
only sure preventive for this is a thorough
trenching of the whole of the intermediate
spaces in the case of groups or clumps of trees,
and the formation of some kind of outlet in
that of single trees. Where time will not per-
mit of the ground being properly trenched be-
fore planting, the work may be carried out
afterwards, and the soil thus loosened will
greatly aid the extension of the rootlets.

The principal thing to bear in mind in form-
ing an ornamental plantation is always to allow
sufficient space for each of the permanent plants
to develop its natural character. Therefore, in-
stead of planting indiscriminately, as is so fre-
quently clone, plant upon a regular plan, and
fill in with plants which can afterwards be cut
back or removed as the permanent ones increase
in size. Half the plantations formed for orna-
mental purposes are planted too thickly at first,
and afterwards allowed to remain without thin-
ning until tliey are rendered comparatively use-
less.^ Large and small-growing trees and shrubs
are intermixed without regard to proper posi-
tion. Inexperienced planters should be cau-
tioned against what is misnamed cheap planting,
that is, merely loosening the earth, and stick-
ing the plants in holes barely large enough to
receive their roots. Trenching and properly
preparing the ground before planting are in
the end true economy. A.

Common brown Birch, as a nurse, is very
superior to Oak, Ash, the white or ornamental Birch,
and others. The brown Birch is common on our
open plains, and among Oaks and Hazels in so many
coverts, holts and thickets. It comes sufficiently
true from seed, though differing only as a variety
from the white Birch, and united with it by inter-

mediate crosses or sub-varieties between them ; but
this common brown Birch is the hardiest of all, and
is the most ready to reproduce itself as coppice,
which is a great merit. It does not become too tall
and domineering like the graceful and pendulous
white Birch, which has been far too exclusively cul-
tivated. The brown Birch is rigid and erect, of
lower stature, its bark often partly brown, partly
white.— R. C. E.

Pinus exeelsa for wet ground.— This is a

good evergreen tree for wet ground. Two years ago
I planted in two separate places on very wet ground
a series of evergreen and deciduous trees, compris-
ing such as are generally considered to thrive best
under such conditions. On looking at them the
other day I found all the Pinus exeelsa (and there
were seven of them) had thriven admirably, but
they and Poplars and Willows were the only trees
that remained. If this tree (P. exeelsa) is found to
flourish in a wet soil, what a boon it will form to
those who wish to ornament such situations. Some
of your readers may probably have planted it under
similar circumstances, and if so, one would be glad
to know the results, as they would be valuable to
those who wish to plant wet situations. — W. P.

Uses of Willow timber.— There is no wood
in greater demand than sound Willow. It is light,
smooth, soft, tough, will take a good polish, and
does not easily burn. It will bear more pounding
and hard knocks without splinter or injury than any
known wood, and hence it is used for cricket-bats,
and, whenever it can be obtained, for the floats of
paddle steamers, break-blocks for luggage and coal
trucks, the sides and bottoms of carts and barrows,
where wear and tear are greatest. To the wood-
turner it is almost invaluable, and were it grown as
timber and obtainable, it would be used for very
many purposes to which foreign timber is now ap-
plied, and that, too, with considerable advantage
both to producer and consumer. — H.

Cultivated and wild fruits.— Owing to the
cold wet weather which we experienced in June
and July some of our early cultivated kinds of
fruit have this year partially failed, yet it is
interesting to know that there appears to be a
superabundance of wild fruits ; some of our forest
and ornamental trees and shrubs are actually
loaded with fruit. After the magnificent display of
flowers which the Hawthorn presented in May, there
is now an enormous crop of haws, which will prove
of great value for raising young plants, which are
generally in great demand for the formation of
hedges and other purposes. The wild Dog Rose or
Brier is a useful plant in many respects, and to all
appearance there is certain to be a heavy crop of
hips. The Laburnum, Mountain Ash, and Service
Tree are heavily laden with fruit. The common
Elder is at present a complete mass of flowers.
Trees and shrubs, whether wild or in a state of
semi-cultivation, are generally in excellent health.
As a general rule, coniferous trees are well fur-
nished with cones, and as the weather in early
ummer was favourable for fertilisation, most
probably we shall reap a rich harvest of seed.
J. W.

Canker in timber trees. — This disease, though
more frequently found upon fruit trees in orchards
than amongst timber trees, sometimes attacks both
the Elm and the Ash upon very wet soils the drain-
age of which is imperfect. It is more especially
found in low situations, where there is not a free
circulation of air. It may also arise from an un-
wholesome substance in the soil becoming lodged
in the vessels of the young shoots, causing blisters
near the buds and at the bases of larger branches.
The parts affected are generally chosen by insects,
whose larvae keep the diseased spaces open by feed-
ing upon their margins. It is not unusual to find
fast-growing trees in the above situations attacked
by canker. The only effectual remedies for the
disease seem to be good ventilation by means of
open cuttings or rides in the woodlands, and tho-
rough drainage.— B.

Furze for hedges.— In The Garden. July 19
(p. 70), "A." recommends the common Furze for the
formation of hedges, and when well managed it makes a

close, beautiful fence and affords good shelter, hut
planters should remember that the Furze is not
thoroughly hardy, and cannot be depended upon to
form a permanent fence or covert at a higher elevation
than about 800 feet above sea-level. In severe winter
weather I have occasionally seen the stems killed down
to the ground by frost at a much lower elevation than
that indicated. — J. W.

Raising Elms from seed. — In gathering the
seed, select tall, well-grown trees, and be particular
in the handling and storing of it, as it is very deli-
cate and heats quickly. On this account it should
be well spread out if not sown the same day on
which it is gathered. When intended to remain in
the beds for two years it should not be sown too
thickly, as the plants are apt to become drawn up
and weakly. A covering of half an inch of soil is
sufficient, and this should be both rich and mellow.
The seeds kept over for sowing in the following
spring should be well and gradually dried before
being stored away. An airy loft is the best place
for storing them. The quality of Elm seeds may
be ascertained by the firmness of the capsule.
—A.

Trees and shrubs for wet ground. — I know
of nothing more profitable to grow or that will
succeed better in wet land than the Alder. When
once the plants become established, it is astonish-
ing how quickly after being cut down they start
again and 3'ield fine poles, that is, if protected fiom
the attacks of game, such as hares and rabbits,
which are fond of nibbling the young shoots as they
start into growth. Next to Alders in point of profit
and suitability for wet land stands the Ash, the
wood of which always meets with a quick and
ready sale. Elm, too, does well where it can get
plenty of moisture at the roots, and it is only when
so favoured that it keeps healthy for any length of
time or acquires a large size. By planting the two
last-named at wide intervals, the Alder will be
found to do well between them, and come in as a
sort of undergrowth, an arrangement by which
there would not be many years to wait before the
ground would yield some return. Evergreen Oaks
interspersed here and there, and some of the
Coniferse, such as the Austrian Pine, Pinus Laricio,
and Abies Douglasi, would also have a good effect,
but if the land be very wet, it may be necessary to
plant these on raised mounds. — D.

Timber notes. — The untoward weather which
we experienced in many parts of the country during
June proved unfavourable for saving Oak bark, yet
some samples that were dried before the weather
broke realised £6 5s. per ton, and Larch bark
£2 15s. The demand for home-grown timber of
good quality is fairly good. The following extract
from a paper before me might prove interesting :
" A few days ago Messrs. Richardson conducted for
Earl Fitzwilliam, on his Wentworth Woodhouse
estate, a sale of timber. Prices ranged high, but
the chief feature was the value fetched by indivi-
dual trees. One fine Oak made £110, the highest
sum recently obtained for any English-grown tree.
Other Oaks were sold at £71, £51, £41 and £40.
Of the 126 trees felled, seventy-three averaged £17
apiece." Although there are no cubic contents
given for forming a proper estimate, yet there can
be no doubt that the trees were of large size and
exceptionally good quality. Young Oak trees fit
for spokewood generally fetch from 10s. to 15s.
per ton, but the price varies considerably in dif-
ferent parts of the country, owing to the distance
that the timber has to be brought to market. — J. W.

The Garden " Monthly Parts.— This journal is
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reference previous to the issue of the half- yearly volumes. Price
Is. 6d. : post free, Is. 9d. Complete set of volumes of The
Garden from its commencement to end of 1889, thirty-six vols.,
price, cloth, £.11 : half morocco, £32 8s

"Hardy Flowers." — Giving descriptions of upwards of
thirteen hundred of the mod or neemcntal species, with directions
for their arrangement, culture, &c. Fourth and Popular
Edition, Is. ; post free, Is. 3d.

"Farm and Home" Monthly Parts. — Thit
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London : 37, Southampton Street, Strand, W.C.

THE GARDEN.

145

No. 978. SATURDAY, Aug. 16,1890. Vol. XXXVIII.

"This is an Art
Which does mend Nature : change it rather ; but
The Art itself is Nature."— SJiakespeare.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

GRAPES SHANKING.
The shanking of Grapes has puzzled physio-
logists as well as our most experienced prac-
tical Grape growers ever since Vine culture
was first attempted in this country, especi-
ally under glass. In my own experience I
have found that Grapes never show signs
of shanking until after the berries have
stoned, and then when subject to this disease
all appears satisfactory until colouring indicates
the change from the acid to the saccharine state.
When this dreaded stage is reached the prac-
tised eye is ever on the alert for a few tiny
black spots round the shank, a thin limpness of
the stalk, and a stationary condition of the ber-
ries both as regards size and colour. These ber-
ries never recover, but shrink rapidly to the
shrivelled vinegar condition, whilst the re-
mainder of the bunch, and other bunches in
their entirety on the same Vine, will attain the
greatest perfection. Some varieties, notably
the old Frontignan, are more subject than
others to shanking, and what at first appears
strange, Vines started in midwinter never pro-
duce a shanked berry, whilst similar varieties in
borders exactly alike, but started in the spring,
are badly affected by the disease. The internal
treatment in each case being all that the most
fastidious grower can wish, the cause of the
mischief, it is quite evident, lies principally, but
not entirely in the mismanagement of the roots.
I use this term in a qualified form, as I believe
it is quite possible, where the roots have the
run of the best border ever made, not only to
produce shanking, but to ruin the crop by with-
holding water, by overloading, or by destroying
the best foliage when the Vines are in full
growth.

The conditions, however, under which shank-
ing is most generally met with are too heavy
cropping, that is, allowing the Vines to carry a
weight of fruit altogether out of proportion to
the spread of leaves, whilst the roots, white and
fleshy like those of the Hyacinth, are feeding in
fat borders, it may not be too damp, but most
certainly too wet and cold. If Vines thus situ-
ated were started on New Year's Day, mode-
rately forced and lightly cropped, it is more
than probable the berries would not shank to
any serious extent, perhaps not at all ; but
allow them to break naturally, give them plenty
of rich liquid throughout the summer, keep
these quill-like roots growing well into the au-
tumn, and although the foliage may be dense
green, and plentiful, some berries in every bunch
will shank. This shanking is easily accounted
for in the following way : the leaves as autumn
comes on cease to act, and in due course fall
but the roots started late die back, as they are
far from ripe. The Vines, nevertheless, con-
tain a certain quantity of stored-up sap, which
keeps them through the early stages in the fol-
lowing spring ; but so soon as this is exhausted
by the first flush and setting of the fruit a check
follows, as they have no feeders to maintain the
supply, the few they made in the preceding
year being paralysed or dead. Now when a
plant through any cause loses its roots, all gar-
deners know that it cannot renew them without
the aid of leaves ; consequently the formation of

these has scarcely begun when the berries are
passing the stoning process ; and although, as
I have just stated, the disease does not then
develop, it is owing to the pinch at this most
trying of all stages that the foundation of
shanking is laid. The same Vines, on the other
hand, started in January have the whole sum-
mer in which to ripen their roots. These keep
fresh and sound, and by the time the stored-up
sap is exhausted, they are again not only in
full work, but capable of replenishing the cells
before the Vines feel the check.

When Grapes shank, the owner should first
of all ascertain that they are not over-cropped,
that the foliage is clean, healthy, and plenti-
ful, that the roots are liberally supplied with
water, and the house properly managed.
Finding these points satisfactory, as most fre-
quently he will, he must seek the prime cause
of this evil in the borders, and although possibly
only recently lifted, his only and never-failing
remedy will be found in lifting and relaying
again. I will not go into details, as the prepara-
tion of compost and the formation of Vine
borders are thoroughly understood, but this
much I may say, ihe compost should be poor
rather than too rich ; bones or Thomson's ma-
nure should be used in preference to that great
curse, animal manure, and the drainage should
be good.

The roots formed in a well-drained porous
border of this kind will be small, numerous,
bright as gold, hard and woody, and so active
that they will permeate the whole mass. These
hungry mouths, capable of supplying any amount
of wholesome food, it is hardly necessary to say,
will ripen before the cold autumn rains set in,
and in this condition they will be well up to, if
not actually in advance of, their important work
in the following spring. — W. C.

Peach. Sea Eagle A prejudice against large

varieties of Peaches exists among good judges of
fruit, and with good cause. Lord Palmerston,
Prince of Wales, Princess of Wales, Pavie de Pom-
pone, and Crawford's Exquisite all produce extra
fine fruit, but very rarely are either of them of
good quality, especially when grown under glass.
Barrington, which also attains a great size, is
usually of good quality when well grown, but a
still more noteworthy exception to the rule that
large Peaches are wanting in lnsciousness will be
found in the Sea Eagle. I consider this one of the
best late Peaches in cultivation, and can strongly
recommend it either for culture under glass or
against sunny walls. It is of fairly vigorous habit,
but is rarely too gross to be fruitful. The fruit at-
tains a great size, colours beautifully, and ripens
perfectly, the quality being first-class. Planted in
either an early, successional or late house, or
against a sunny wall, Sea Eagle affords a good
succession to Bellegarde, Noblesse, GrosseMignonne,
Royal George, or any other second early or com-
paratively late sort, and from any point of view it
is of more value than either of them. The fruit
keeps longer than is the case with most varieties,
but the quality suffers greatly after the first week.
As a traveller it has no equal, at least such is my
experience.— W. Iggdldbn.

Wyedale Plum.— This Plum is not commonly
grown, but it is a most useful variety, as it keeps
up the supply till very late in the year ; in fact, it
will be found on the trees in favourable seasons
till late in November, and may with care be had at
Christmas if kept in a cool fruit room or suitable
place and free from damp. It is a good cooking
Plum of medium size and of a deep black colour,
but its chief quality is its late-keeping property.
There are many Plums of better flavour and larger
size, but these do not keep so late as the Wyedale,
as this variety hangs without shrivelling. The
tree is of moderate growth, very hardy, and does

well as a standard, and generally fruits well, bear-
ing a heavy crop. I have not tried it as a pyramid,
but no doubt it would do better in exposed windy
positions if grown as a pyramid. Our trees are
much sheltered, therefore do not suffer in this re-
spect. The trees are very fruitful in a young state
and soon get broken down with the weight of the
fruit. I have also noticed that birds and wasps do
not attack this variety. I intend planting more of
this useful late Plum, as it fills a void after the
Damsons are over and other fruits are past. — G.
Wythbs, Syon Souse.

OPEN-AIR PEACHES AT WILTON HOUSE.
At Wilton House, near Salisbury, there is to be
seen one of the finest Peach houses in the country,
but long before the crops in these are exhausted,
Peaches are usually available in abundance from
trees growing against sunny garden walls. This
year, in spite of the unfavourable weather ex-
perienced from the beginning of the growing
season till now, excellent crops of fruit are being
taken from the trees, the supply promising to last
from near the middle of July till late in November.
Nor can Mr. C'hallis be said to have a highly
favourable position for the trees, as the garden
under his charge is in a comparatively low position,
being only a few feet higher than a broad stream
of water passing through it. The success is due
partly to a judicious selection of varieties, but
more particularly to skilful treatment, and which,
being somewhat Hovel, I will describe. What
would be termed a wall of medium height is
devoted to Peaches, the aspect being due south.
Nothing but well-balanced dwarf trees are grown,
these being found to thrive best when planted as
maidens. About 4 feet of the border is entirely
reserved for the trees, an example many more of
us ought to follow, and to this the roots are con-
fined. Every autumn each tree is root-pruned half
way round, and at that time receives some fresh
loam, a little burnt earth and a sprinkling of lime,
in which Mr. Challis has great faith. A mulching
of manure early in the spring and liquid manure
occasionally are also given, and treated in this
manner the borders are kept crowded with roots
near the surface, and a fruitful growth is the con-
sequence.

Trees thus well managed at the roots would, if
under glass especially, long remain in a very
healthy productive state, but in the open, unfortu-
nately, atmospheric conditions are too often un-
favourable, first to a good set of bloom, and
afterwards to a healthy wood growth. To obviate
the first difficulty some kind of temporary protec-
tion is afforded the trees in most gardens, but at
Wilton this protection, in the shape of well-made
roller cotton blinds and rods, is of a more per-
manent character, and is kept in position till late in
the season. The blinds are made in workable
lengths, running down to within 2 feet of the
ground, and are easily rolled up and let down by a
simple arrangement of pulleys and. lines. They
are kept well clear of the trees by means of a few
sloping poles or rods let into the ground, and when
rolled up fit closely under a wooden coping. In
the afternoon, when the sun is receding from the
walls, or, say, about five o'clock at the present
time, the trees are freely syringed with clear
water and the blinds at once let down, being drawn
up again in good time next morning. Another
south wall on which there are a few Peach trees
that were protected at flowering time only serves to
demonstrate the correctness of the treatment given
those on the principal wall. These blinds not only
serve to prevent the loss of much of the heat
radiated by the brick walls, but, what is of even
more importance, they also protect the trees from
cold winds. As a consequence, there are fewer
blistered leaves and fewer insect pests to contend
with. This season it is almost impossible to keep
down red spider, especially on exposed fruit
trees ; at any rate daily syrmgings with clear water
will not do it. At Wilton nothing is left undone
to prevent disasters of any kind. Thus directly
the buds on the Peach trees begin to swell all are
well syringed with an insecticide. Next, when the

146

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 16, 1890.

fruit is set, a fumigation with tobacco is given, the
fumes being confined by means of a thick canvas
blind thrown over them, this effectually destroying
aphis, and from the first a healthy growth is made
and fostered. The growths being kept duly thinned
out during the summer do away with the necessity
for much winter pruning, and from what I saw of
the trees there will be no difficulty as regards well
ripening the young wood even in this sunless sea-
son.

As before stated, the selection of varieties is a
good one, and to be depended upon in most seasons.
Early Beatrice was ripe this summer on July 12,
but the fruits were rather small and not of good
quality. Early Alexander was only a week later,
and of this Mr. Challis gathered several dozen
large, highly coloured fruit, and which, considering
the season, were of good quality. Hale's Early
was fit to gather about July 26, and of this there
was a grand crop of fruit to be seen. It is one of
the best for open-air culture. Early Grosse Mig-
nonne comes next in the Wilton selection, and this
excellent Peach is closely followed by Dr. Hogg,
another favourite variety for either forcing or open-
air culture. Early Alfred is well spoken of, and
Mr. Challis gathers fine fruit of Belle Beauce,
Bellegarde, and the good old Royal George. Prince
of Wales always does well. Barrington is a very
reliable late variety of good quality, and Walburton
Admirable is also very good late in the season.
Nowhere else have I seen Salway so fine as at.
Wilton, and Mr. Challis contrives to keep it in a
presentable condition till the last week in Novem-
ber. In order to ripen and keep this variety, a few
frame lights are placed on end close to each other
against the wall, and if the Peaches thus taken care of
are not of very superior quality, they are yet pro-
bably of more value even for market than any
others grown, not even excepting those gathered in
April.

Nectarines under similar treatment to the Peaches
also do well against the open walls at Wilton.
Lord Napier is the first to ripen, and is reliable and
good in quality. Next comes Hardwick Seedling,
and after this the Elruge. Pitmaston Orange is
another superior variety, and Violette Hative also
does well, while Pine-apple and Victoria complete
a long succession of varieties. W. I.

YOUNG AND OLD APPLE TREES.
I have just been for a run through the eastern and
midland counties, and find almost everywhere
evidence of the folly of clinging to old fruit trees
after they cease to bear fair-sized fruit. It is true
some old trees of the Codlins are, as usual, carrying
fair crops, but younger trees will bear better and
finer fruit. I do not believe in destroying anything
so long as it does good work, but there are thou-
sands of trees in the orchards and gardens every-
where much too old and too exhausted to bear" a
paying crop even in a good season. Those who are
thinking of planting young trees should get the
site prepared by trenching or digging it up to let
the air and the weather generally act upon it I
believe in the value oC depth of soil, though I should
not recommend any bad soil to be brought to the
surface. Break it up, and let it wait below till it is
improved. A good dressing of manure well blended
with the soil will be beneficial, especially where
dwarfing stocks are used, but the mixing should be
so carried out that no encouragement should be
given to grossness of habit. There are plenty of
soils that, if well broken up and exposed to
atmospheric influences, are rich enough for fruit
trees. These will require nothing beyond the
usual surface mulch till the trees get fairly into
work. When that time comes help must be given
if the trees are to do their best. Lime and soot
might with advantage be used as a top dressing to
fruit trees. Both these are cheap enough and are
easily applied, and both have a deterrent effect
upon insects. One thing is certain ; young trees in
vigorous health are less troubled by insect pests
than are the old worn-out trees crowded thickly to-
gether in many orchards. Get the positions ready
tor the trees as soon as possible, and as soon as the
leaves fall have home the trees and plant in cr0ori

time in the autumn. Plant a few good kinds suit-
able for the district, and in the future have no
compunction about grubbing up any tree that does
not pay its way. E. H.

THE ENDURANCE OF ORCHARDS.
It is a very common remark that our modern
orchards do not live so long as the orchards of
our fathers and grandfathers. There is truth in
the statement. Those old orchards were usually
seedling trees, picked up in the fence corners,
planted in sod, sparingly pruned, slow to come
into bearing, and to a very large extent ungrafted,
and producing little other than cider Apples. I
was reared in a ten-acre orchard of this sort, and
having followed fruit-growing nearly ever since,
I think I can explain why our modern orchards are
shorter lived than those of our forefathers. Those
old seedling trees, picked up wherever the scat-
tered seeds found a hospitable spot, were rarely
transplanted to the orchard until 6 feet or 7 feet
high — which means at least as many years of
age. Set out in sod, they re-established them-
selves slowly and grew slowly, so that few of
these orchards came to full bearing in less than
twenty years. In those days there was little
market even for good fruit, and but few trees
were grafted with the better kinds in cultivation
- hardly more than enough for home use. Cider
and cider brandy were the objects sought by the
orchardist then. The old-time orchardist was not
a skilful pruner ; his implement was the axe ; but
he only pruned to get rid of limbs that were in
his way. Land was cheap and the trees were
allowed plenty of room. The soil was fresh and
they grew thriftily — such wounds as they received
healing quickly. Selection had given only the
most vigorous of the abundant seedlings a place
in the orchard, while the winters had sufficient
time, before these were transplanted, to winnow
out the weaklings. So the old orchards started
with strong trees, in good soil and widely spaced,
grew up with but slight pruning under the very
best conditions for a long existence.

Contrast all this with our present method of
planting an orchard. Beginning with two or
three-year-old trees from a highly enriched nur-
sery, we find nearly all but the few skilled profes-
sional orchardists planting these trees in the Grass,
as of old. The papers are full of advice about
pruning fruit trees, and the jack-knife and saw are
allowed free play on these younglings before they
have got fairly to growing. The injury in cutting a
tree is in direct proportion to the amount of wood
removed relatively to what is left, and it too often
happens that the ignorant pruner administers a life-
long check to his tree in the first years of its life.
Such a tree struggles alongf eebly, it may be for many
years, but at last it dies without ever yielding any
profit to the planter. On the other hand, it may
be that the would-be orchardist sets his trees in an
enriched piece of tilled land. This is right, if his
selection of varieties is right. But the ease with
which trees can be had from a distance, and the
persistence with which new varieties are pressed
upon the public, too often lead to a heterogeneous
collection of sorts, few of them well suited to the
place in which they find themselves. There are
very few cosmopolitan Apples. The old orchards
were native to the spot and their trees were well
winnowed by the seasons before they were ad-
mitted to cultivation. We must admit that the old
orchards were vigorous and long-lived, and for the
times and uses when and for which they were
planted, they were profitable. A modified form of
the old method still continues in many places.
Most of the commercial orchards of Maine are
grafted upon seedlings selected and set out as
above detailed, and the practice is not confined to
Maine. It is in many places, especially in the
north, better than purchasing from nurseries, be-
cause the stocks are tested for hardiness before
the grafting is done. Many of our best market
Apples are too tender in Maine to be profitable,
unless top-worked upon stocks more hardy than
themselves.

This brings one to another reason why orchards

in many places, though productive for a while, are
not enduring. These orchards consist of sorts not
quite hardy enough for the spot where they grow.
Top-worked upon native seedlings, they do well
for a while ; but severe test winters, in conjunction
with heavy crops of fruit as they come into full
bearing, weaken the vitality of the grafts ; and
with a hard winter, immediately following a large
yield of fruit, the orchard is found in a bad, and
often an irrecoverable condition. There is nothing
in such a result that should be unexpected to an in-
telligent cultivator. If he wants a long - lived
orchard he must plant only such long-lived varie-
ties as are quite capable of enduring the severest
extremes of the locality. But I believe it will
often pay sufficiently well to practise the other
method, though inevitable risks attend it. The
orchardists of South-western Maine grow such
valuable commercial Apples as the Baldwin, the
Rhode Island Greening, the Roxbury Russet, and
the Gravenstein successfully only when top-worked
upon hardy native stocks. Handy to Portland and
to Boston, these growers have easy access to the
best home and foreign markets with their Apples,
which, when well grown and properly handled,
have a quick and sure sale at a high price. Their
trees will not be long-lived, but they will live long
enough to yield a handsome profit ; and as they
rarely die all at one time, the orchard can be kept
up by replanting, or by successive plantings, so as
to make the business continuous. Such orchards,
short-lived though they may be, are very much
more profitable than their long-lived predecessors.
We can still have long-lived orchards by reverting
to old methods. In changing from them we have
not effected any change in Nature. She will still
give us all that she gave our fathers if we will
comply with her conditions. — T. H. Hoskins, New-
port, T r., in Garden and Forest.

PLUMS.
I notice in a paper read at the Leicester confer-
ence of the British Fruit Growers' Association that
the Plums recommended for market purposes were
Denniston's Superb, Prince Engelbert, Sultan,
Pond's Seedling, and Victoria, and I should say a
better selection could not be found. To these may
be added Gisborne's, which is like the old yellow
Egg Plum, grown, I may say, in tons in Worcester-
shire, and which is a most profuse bearer and very
useful for preserving. Now that there is such a
large demand in many establishments for fruit,
what is advised for the market will in many cases
be good for private growers ; therefore, to intend-
ing planters who have not had an opportunity of
testing the merits of the different kinds, a selection
this season will be most opportune. I am afraid
intending planters will not be able to judge of the
above varieties this season by seeing the fruit, as
the Plum crop may be termed a total failure. It is
well known that such varieties as Victoria, Pond's
Seedling are classed as sure fruiters, and rightly
so, for they usually fruit when all others fail ; but
this year such is not the case, as the trees in many
places have not got a single fruit, and I believe in
the Plum-growing districts the failure is general.
I believe Pond's Seedling and Victoria to be two of
our best Plums for planting for a reliable crop, as
they do well in most places. Prince Engelbert is
also a fine Plum, and when grown on a wall comes
of large size, hangs late, and may be used for
either dessert or cooking. Sultan is also a. good
bearer, and an improved Prince of Wales without
the latter's bad qualities, viz., its liability to die off
and to canker. Denniston's Superb is a good early
kind, most prolific, and of good flavour. I should
recommend in exposed positions dwarf trees, as
then the fruit is less liable to injury. The old Per-
shore Egg Plum should also be included where a
large number is grown, as it rarely fails to crop
well. Wyedale should also be included where a
later Plum is required. There are other good kinds,
such as Diamond, which does well in some districts
and is a first-rate Plum for cooking or preserving.
Monarch, a large Plum of recent introduction, I
have only seen at exhibitions, and it was most ex-
cellent, being of a deep black-purple, and classed

Aug. 16, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

147

as a good kitchen and dessert variety. It is of
robust growth, and not so liable to crack as others.
The Autumn Compote is also a free-growing va-
riety, but not so useful as the Victoria. Angelina
Burdett i-; a good dessert Plum that comes in in
August and of delicious flavour, but an uncertain
cropper. There are a number of good dessert kinds,
but I do not include them, my object being to re-
commend a few good reliable sorts that will repay
for the labour and ground they occupy. Those
kinds I have given a list of I have found to be best
for this purpose. G. WYTHES.

i»jo)i House.

Pear tree leaves injured. (Anon). — The grubs
are those of the Pear saw-fly (Selandria cerasi) and
are often known as slug worms. They should be
picked off and destroyed. While the tree is in
fruit it is difficult to recommend any other means
of destroying the grubs, but dusting the leaves
with lime or syringing them with the extract of 10
lbs. of Quassia chips, 7 Its. soft soap, and 100
gallons of water; or 5 lbs. of Quassia extract, 6
lb-;, of soft soap, and i pints of Calvert's carbolic
acid Xo. 5. The extract of Quassia chips may be
made by tying them up in a bag and boiling them
for half an hour in just enough water to cover
them ; then allow the decoction to cool and stand
for twelve hours, squeezing the chips every now
and then. As the chrysalides are formed in the
ground, dig- up the soil under the trees in the early
winter and carefully break all the clods ; this will
expose the chrysalides. — G. S. S.

Apple grub. — 1. Does the moth lay in the
ground, or in the bark or bud I 2. Where is the
chrysalis formed ? 3. When is the egg laid? I ask
for the following reasons : If the moth lays in the
tree, I do not see much use in the greased ring ;
if in the ground, would it not be well to grub
round the tree in winter ? I ask where the chry-
salis is formed because I have turned an old
orchard into a fowl run. The trees have been
riddled by the grub, and after every storm I see
the fowls particularly busy under the worst of the
trees, and I fancy they pick up the chrysalides;
therefore it would be a good thing to form chicken
runs under Apple trees, for every chrysalis eaten
would be a moth less.— S.

Birds and caterpillars. — I am always glad
to say a good word for the birds, who as a rule do
far more good than harm in gardens and fields.
The following extract from the Entomologist's
Monthly Magazine shows how useful birds may be
in destroying insects which we are almost power-
less to cope with. Some low Aspen trees were
covered with the caterpillars of a not very common
moth (Taeniocampa populeti) which spins the leaves
together. The writer of the article in the magazine
says : " Capt. R. bad picked off about a hundred
larva? the night before ; but this morning when we
arrived at the trees we found some starlings had
also discovered the caterpillars, and had gone over
the trees systematically from branch to branch,
pecking a hole in one side of the spun-together
leaves and drawing out the caterpillar, and so
nearly had they cleared them all off, that we had
much trouble to find a dozen. We caught the birds
in the act, and although they had so nearly finished
their feast they were very unwilling to go, and
loudly objected to our disturbing them." — G. S. S

Phylloxera at Chiswiek— It is recommended
that the whole of the woodwork be scraped and re-
painted. It would be well, I think, in addition to the
above, to paint the whole structure with the following
solution, viz.: 2 ozs. corrosive sublimate dissolved iu
methylated spirit, and then niived with a quart of ben-
zoline or naphtha. This should be well rubbed into
all crevices of brick, wood aud old putty, and it will
destroy all eggs. I have tried this and found it most
efficacious. — S.

Field mice.— In answer to Mr. B. Beckett as to
the best means of exterminating field mice, I would
aid that, so far as my e tperience extends, I have found
that the cat is the best defence the gardener can find
against field mice. S ime few years ago we could not
gather a single Strawberry but what had been mutilated
by these pests, by nibbliug the seeds from the outer
surface of the fruits. At that time I tried all sorts

of things, but I soon found that a good cat was the
best defence. — C. Warden, Clarendon Gardens,
Salisbury.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Thymus eomosus is a strong, vigorous-growing
species, with round Xumrnularia-like leaves. _ The
stems are prostrate, from which arise erect, cylindri-
cal spikes, each2 inches or morelong, of rose or rosy-lilac
flowers. A very distinct species of rock Thyme, and
one which is very pleasing duriog July and August.
— R. P.

Apple Beauty of Bath. — This handsome early
dessert Apple was on August 1 quite ready for rise.
Although other varieties are scarce with us this has a
full crop. It is pretty iu appearance and of good
flavour, and when well known will become a favourite
with private as well as market growers. — Cooling &
Sons, Bath.

Hollyhocks. — Flowers of these have been sent to
us by Mr. F. Smith, Martell Road, West Dulwich.
The blooms were of medium size, but of good form,
the colours of many of the varieties beiDg very brilliant.
Among the best o"f those sent were Black Prince,
very dark crimson ; General Gordon, deep crimson ;
Purity, pure white ; Excellent, blush ; Duchess.rose-
pink; Golden Ball, sulphur-yellow; John Noble,
cream.

Chrysanthemum Mrs. Alpheus Hardy.
—I should like to know how this variety is doing this
season. Last year the excuse was over-propagation.
With me it is' a most miserable-growing variety. I
potted it in smaller pots and lighter soil than my ordi-
nary collection, but it looks diseased _ and stunted,
while all the other varieties are growing freely. I
think after this season it will be a thing of the past,
at least with me. — W. C.

Purerssa Bedinghausi.'— The plant whose
lowers I sent you last week under the name of
Beschorneria yuccoides, referred to in The Garden,
August 9, p. 143, has been recognised by Mr. Baker as
Furcra?a Bedinghausi, allied pretty closely to the
Yucca family. It has been grown at Kew for many
years in a pot without flowering, so that it is possible
that the fine plant now blooming outside with us is
the first to show blossom in England. It has been
photographed, and you shall have a copy shortly. —
E. H. Woodall, St. Nicholas House, Scarborough.

Pentstemon puniceus, shown at the Drill
Hall last Tuesday from the Royal Gardens, Kew, is
one of the most charming of this unusually beauti-
ful genus, and a decided acquisition. It has all the
rare qualities of P. Murrayanus, and is apparently
as easily managed as the almost ubiquitous P. cam-
panulatus. If this should prove to be the case, we
have certainly an addition to our border flowers of
unusual merit, and one that will be of vast import-
ance, flowering as it does with so much freedom at
a dull time of year, between the summer and
autumn.

Notes from Almondsbury.— Several grumbles
about rain injuring the hardy herbaceous border
have surprised me. I thought hardy flowers loved
a wet summer. It is true that we have not had
here the same heavy downpour that other places
have enjoyed, and I never saw my garden looking
better. Poppies have been splendid; Phloxes just
now are magnificent. I have masses out now, each
bloom as large as a half-crown. Iris Krempferi
bloomed well with me, the first time. A bed of
seedling Carnations is a mass of bloom. The new
improved kinds of Montbretias are thick with fine
heads of bloom. Antholyza paniculata, a plant I
introduced in 1882, is blooming freely ; three other
kinds are also about to bloom. It is many years
since Ligustrum Fortunei bloomed so freely as this
year. Various Tigridias promise well, among them
T. Pringlei. Malva moschata alba should be in
everyone's garden. White Lilies have been fine.
Begonia seedlings of this year are now making a
fine show. Ipornffa pandurata is not yet out, but
promises well. It has been a grand year for Alstrce-
merias. At Knole Park in my parish the amount
of bloom on these has been wonderful. Apples
here are plentiful : Pears, few ; Plums, none.
Gladiolus Saundersoni dracocephalus doing well :
also purpureo-auratus. Autumn Cyclamens are
rapidly coming out, so are many of the Michaelmas
Daisies. Silphiums are blooming well, S. feet high ■

seldom see these. I have many kinds of Veronica
and Hypericum blooming profusely ; these latter
seem to me to stand any amount of rain. — C. 0.
Miles.

Herbaceous plants in 1890.— It would be
interesting to know from various gardens what
perennials have done best in this exceptionally wet
summer, having especial regard to the nature of
the soil, which, of course, makes all the difference.
On the heavy clay soil here amongst the large
number of perennials grown Coreopsis lanceolata
and Rudbeckia californica have been exceptionally
fine. All perennials have done well, and even on
our heavy soil a wet summer suits them better than
a dry one. — M. C, Loxtrood, Sussex.

Cyananthus lobatus.— With regard to J.
Wood's treatment of this lovely little plant, I
imagine a partially shaded or sheltered spot during
summer will afford the conditions most likely to be
appreciated. I have seen much of it in the Hima-
layas, at about an altitude of 13,000 feet, growing
in open, undulating pasture land without shelter
protection of any kind. During the summer
months these mountains are drenched with an
almost unceasing rainfall, substituted occasionally
by dense clouds, through which the sun's rays are
scarcely able to pierce. This lasts from the end of
May until October is well in, the remainder of the
year being characterised by bright and continuous
sunny weather, with an occasional fall of snow
about Christmas time. The flowers are all dark
blue, I do not remember ever having seen a pale-
coloured variety.— R. Pantling.

Veronica pimeleoides. — The description of
this plant given by Mr. Wood (p. 127) differs en-
tirely from that contained in an article on the
shrubby Speedwells in an earlier number of The
Gaeden, Vol. XXVIII. (p. 292). The writer of the
article states that V. pimeleoides has small, sessile,
roundish or oval-shaped leaves, and that it is dis-
tributed under the name of V. glauco-crerulea. V.
pimeleoides, as obtained from Mr. Wood, has nar-
row lanceolate leaves and is of procumbent habit.
V glauco-cnerulea (Wood) answers fairly to the de-
scription of the author of the article, but does not
show " a distinct reddish tinted margin to the
leaves," which are besides more or less obtusely
pointed. If Mr. Wood will refer to the article I
have mentioned he will find that both of us, if we
accept the authority, will have to correct our no-
menclature as to other members of this very inter-
esting genus.— Edgedale.

Phlox Criterion. — The plant of which a
head of flowers is sent I have never seen anywhere
out of my possession, except at the late Mr. Hugh
Low's Clapton nursery, where I obtained it very
many years ago under the name of P. Criterion. I
do not know to what group it belongs. It is a
short-lived shrubby perennial, requiring to be
propagated by cutting* almost yearly. The flowers
are very pretty, bright rosy purple, each petal
deeply edged with white. It is of straggling habit
and difficult to keep iu any shape, but it is quite
unlike any other Phlox that I have seen. Perhaps
the flowers of tie once popular and beautiful P.
Drummonci Radowitz, which seems now to be lost,
were the reirest appror.ch to the flowers of this.
The flowers of P. D. Racowitz were crimson with
white edge, and the plant had likewise to be
kept on only bv cuttings. The one in question is
certainly not a Drumniondi. I know nothing of its
hardiness, as I have always treated it as a greenhouse
plant but I do not think it would survive a winter
in the open ground. The flowers generally are
considerably larger than those sent.— J. M., Cliar-
moiith, Dorset.

"Veronica epacridea and V. diosmasfolia.—
" Edgedale " inquires as to the difference between
Veronica epacridea, which he calls epacnoides,and
V diosmjefolia, and says he thinks they must be
synonymous. In this opinion he is quite mistaken,
as they are altogether distinct and different plants.
He will find a "good coloured portrait of V. Qios-
mfcfolia on plate 106 of Knowles and Westc, tt s
"Floral Cabinet," published in London from
1S37-I0, and now a somewhat scarce work, but 1o
>>o fnuvH in most botanical libraries cf note \ ■

148

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 16, 1890.

diosmief olia is not hardy even with me on this mild
seaboard, and is chiefly interesting from being one
of the parents of the beautiful blue-flowered and
upright growing hybrid form known as V. Gird-
woodiana, which is also of a much more hardy con-
stitution. V. epacridea only exists with me here,
and does no good, though quite distinct in foliage
and habit of growth from any other of the family,
of which I believe. I possess nearly every known
variety, most of which I owe to the kindness of
the curator of the Royal Botanic Gardens at
Edinburgh. If " Edgedale " likes to communicate
with me direct, and will send me a list of the
Veronicas he already has I may be able to add to
and improve his collection. — W. E. Gumbleton,
Belgrove, Queenstomn, Ireland.

Coreopsis grandiflora. — This rare plant, for
the introduction of which we are indebted to W.
Thompson, of Ipswich, has surpassed our most san-
guine expectations. Dr. Gray gives the size of the
flowers as nearly the same as that of C. lanceolata.
In the plant we saw they were much larger, and
gave jffomise of greater size when the plants get
fairly established. Judging again from the des-
cription it appears to be variable, and Dr.
Gray does not seem to have made up his mind
whether to consider it an annual or a perennial spe-
cies, although there can be little doubt about the
perennial character of the plant in question, and
as little about its being the correct thing. It is
figured in the Botanical Magazine, t. 358G, under
the name of C. longipes.

The white Clove. — We saw a quantity
of the white Clove recently in a Middlesex village,
and regret that bold groups of this white, finely
shaped, handsome flower are not more common in
gardens. It is a companion to the old crimson
Clove, that has for many years beautified our gar-
dens with its rich crimson flowers. It is in cottage
gardens that we find these two lovely plants spread-
ing out into broad vigorous tufts and sending up
many flowers. The only fault they have is the
splitting of the pod. Both are apt to show this
evil trait. The Carnation has a great future before it
as a hardy garden flower. It is still scarce in ^
gardens where it might be planted with the happiest
effect in bold groups of one colour associated with
Tea Roses. We might go into many places and
find not even the white Clove, much less good
groups of the best self-coloured kinds.

Lobelia Tupa, or Tupa Eeuillei, as it may
still be found named in gardens, is a perennial
from Chili, but hardier in many instances than
some of its more northern allies. When the blooms
are fully open and the plant in robust health, it
forms a noble picture. The flowers are brilliant
scarlet, the stems 4 feet high, and covered with
bloom often more than half their length. The great
merit of this species is in its flowering in August
and September, and the ease with which present-
able clumps may be obtained with a minimum
amount of trouble. On dry sandy soils it may be
planted almost in any exposed situation, but
where the soil is of a clayey nature or the district
cold, a southern or other warm corner had best be
chosen. It is the noblest of this family and well
worth obtaining. It can be easily raised from seed
many of the seedlings flowering the following year'

Montbretia crocosmiseflora. — Last year I
wrote you about the hardiness and free-flowering
nature of Montbretia crocosmi^flora in this place,
but I cannot refrain from sending you a further
note about it. This year it is remarkably fine. I
have probably from 1000 to 2000 tubers planted in
large clumps amongst Rhododendrons and other
shrubs. Just now the Montbretia is a perfect blaze
of colour, and tall spikes of Hyacinthus candi-
cans rising amongst it have a most telling effect.
I think it is not generally known what a grand late
summer perennial this is. With me its increase is
something enormous. I take it up every year, pull
the matted roots and rhizomes apart, and replant
them thickly in large clumps in almost pure leaf-
mould. I find it admirable to divide it even before
the foliage has died down, as the rhizomes
commence pushing out early in all directions
their strong white roots. I consider it one of

the most effective and durable perennials I have,
for it is perfectly hardy, the position where I
grow it being easterly and thoroughly exposed.
Besides its magnificent colour when in flower, the
bright green foliage all through the early summer
is most effective, especially amongst dark green
shrubs. When I say I find it desirable to divide it
every year, that has been my course hitherto,
taking it up, dividing, and replanting it at once.
I mean this year to have a few clumps and observe
the difference between divided and undivided
plants. — M. C, Loxirood, Sussex.

Pentstemon rotundifolius, a new species, is
in flower now ; the habit, however, is not so
robust, nor are the flowers so brilliantly coloured
as those of P. puniceus. P. cordifolius, of a different
type, we find a most useful border plant, flowering
as it does continuously from early summer until
late autumn. It is perhaps a little more tender
than most of the other kinds, but it can be wintered
in a cold frame with perfect safety.

Eucryphia pinnatifolia. — This is a lovely
August-flowering shrub. A plant of it about 10
feet high and smothered with bloom may be seen
in the nursery of Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, Coombe
Wood. It is quite hardy, although introduced
from Southern Chili, and a shrub we should like to
see more common in gardens. Every shoot is clus-
tered with bold handsome flowers which remind one
strongly of those of the Rose of Sharon, but they
are pure white instead of yellow. The younger
flowers have crimson anthers, but with age lose this
crimson tint. The flowers clustering amongst the
abundant leafage are exceedingly pretty, yet we
may search many gardens without finding a trace
of this shrub.

Pkormium tenax variegatum flowering.
— Two very fine specimens of the above are flower-
ing freely this season here. One has sixteen spikes,
the other twelve, from 12 feet to 14 feet high. The
plants are in splendid health, their luxuriant foliage
covering over 35 feet in circumference. They are
planted on a large Grass slope, one at each side of
steps ascending to second terrace. Their position
seems to suit them admirably, as they have made
wonderful growth during the five years they have
been planted there. They are quite hardy, not
having required the least protection at any time. —
A. Campbell, The Gardens, Ashford, Cong, Co.
Galway.

Hablitzia tamnoides. — This is a charming
hardy climber for clambering over a pole or
pillar, or clothing some rough piece of rockery
with its luxuriant growth. We want more
variety in the climbers used in gardens, and
Hablitzia tamnoides is one of the things that
will give this. It will reach a height of about
8 feet, and will bloom throughout the summer,
even into the autumn, producingadensemass of light
greenish yellow flowers, individually of no value
whatever, but in the cluster giving a graceful and
distinct aspect to the plant. It m'ght be used to
clothe dead stems of trees or tree trunks, but must
have a good soil, moisture in summer, and during
the winter a dry situation, where the roots will not
be injured by wet. There is a plant of it in the
herbaceous ground at Kew.

TJtricularia Endresi. — This lovely Bladder-
wort is very beautiful now in Baron Schroeder's
garden at The Dell, Egham, where several plants
are suspended in baskets near the glass. This is
the way to show off to the full the exquisite grace-
fulness and delicate colours of this Utricularia.
The genus is poorly represented in gardens, con-
sidering there are upwards of 100 species, the
only types in common cultivation being U. montana
(a native of Martinique) and U. Endresi. Both have
much in common, but the flowers of II. montana
are larger than those of U. Endresi, while they
are also snow-white except for the orange palate.
U. Endresi was named after the late M. Endres, who
found it in Costa Rica, and sent it to Messrs.
Veitch, of Chelsea. A coloured plate was given
of it in Tjie Gabden of October 30, 1880 ; and
from it one can judge of the beauty of the delicate
mauve-coloured flowers, enriched with an orange
centre on the lip. This figure was made from a

plant in Sir Trevor Lawrence's collection at Dork-
ing at the time the late Mr. Spyers had charge of
the Orchids. He used to grow it in a shallow
suspended basket, filled with a little peat and Sphag-
num. It is deciduous, and therefore in the winter,
when without leaves, should be given just sufficient
water to keep the rhizomes from shrivelling. The
cool end of the stove will winter it well, and when
growth commences, place it near the roof in the
warmest corner, where the roots can be kept con-
stantly wet until the leaves begin to decay. The
sprays of flowers, delicately poised in mid-air, are
of value for the choicest decorations.

Strawberry Latest of All.— Last August I
planted about fifty, and this year many of the
plants have produced fruit turning the scale at
2 ozs., without any special attention in the way of
thinning, &c. It is very free bearing, a good grower,
and when better known will no doubt be largely
grown. The flavour has been pronounced good by
my employer. This season has not by any means
been favourable for imparting flavour to any fruit,
and so I think in an ordinary season it would be
excellent.— J. Anning, Digsn-ell House, Welwyn.

Melon The Countess.— I find the above named
Melon to be the best I have grown for some years.
As a rule, I am not a patron of many new Melons
when first sent out, having usually a stock of seed
of kinds I have grown for some years. When
ordering our seeds last spring I broke through my
rule, and procured a packet of Countess. It is of
a good constitution, a free setter, of a nice medium
size, well netted, and of a most excellent flavour.
Readers of The Gabden who have not tried it
will, I feel sure, not regret doing so. — H. J. Clay-
ton, Grimston, Tadeaster.

Violets in summer. — We had the first picking
of these on June 17, and we have picked several
times a week since, but on July 23, when the
weather became warmer, we were rewarded with an
abundance of fully developed blooms. The variety
is Marie Louise ; single crowns were planted out
in open quarters during the last week in March. I
need not add how highly appreciated they are,
although there are so many sweet-scented flowers
at this time ; they are sweetly scented and quite
perfume the air. I hope ere long with frequent
transplantings and positions to have them most of
the year. — J. T. Ebbutt, Winslade Gardens.

Flowers from Hyde. — I send you a blossom
of Poinciana Gillesi, of which Sweet says (vol. iv.,
page 311, of second series) "that he has seldom
had to record such an interesting production," and
I do not think his words are exaggerated. The
shrub is now 10 feet or 12 feet high, and quite
hardy. I grew it from seed which I had from Mr.
Thompson, of Ipswich, ten or twelve years ago.
Sweet will tell you all there is to be said about it.
Also I put in the tin a specimen of Tropreolurn
speciosum which I had from Mr. Smith, of Newry,
which is very brightly coloured and of good size.
It can be grown quite well as here, as you see, as in
Scotland, I should say. Also I send you a fine dark-
coloured form of Sparaxis pulcherrima, which I ad-
mire very much indeed. — H. Ewbank, St. John's,
Hyde.

%* Poinciana Gillesi, yellow and with long crim-
son anthers, is interesting, and the form of Tropseo-
lum speciosum very rich and beautiful. We are
pleased to hear it grows so well in the Isle of
Wight.— Ed.

Lilium Henryi.— This is an interesting Lily of
considerable promise horticulturally, judging by
the wild specimens and a plant now in flower at
Kew. The species is a new one, and was dis-
covered by Dr. Henry in Western China, who sent
a few bulbs of it to Kew last year. The habit of
the plant is that of L. lancifolium, but taller ; the
flowers are in loose corymbs, specimens showing as
many as eight flowers on each stem ; they are re-
flexed, as in L. lancifolium, 3 inches across, and
coloured rich orange-yellow with a few tiny dots
of purple. The Kew plants are weak, as the bulbs
travelled badly, but there is every promise of their
flowering well next year. As a decorative plant
this species will take rank with L. tigrinum and L.
superbum.

Aug. 16, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

149

Trees and Shrubs,
oleaeia haasti.

An illustration of this valuable New Zealand
shrub could not have appeared at a more ap-
propriate time than the present, when in every
well-planted garden throughout the land it is
flowering in profusion, and has been so for a
fortnight past. This plant has now become
one of the recognised stock shrubs in nur-
series, yet only a few years ago there was
some doubt about its perfect hardiness in
this climate. Now everyone knows, or
should know, that it has not a suspicion of

good deal like the common Box, the leaves
being of similar size, and shape, and colour,
except that the under sides of the leaves are
covered with white down. The habit of
growth is a dense rounded bush, and when
planted out in the open it grows from 3 feet
to 5 feet high, but gets much taller if crowded
by other shrubs. The flowers look like tiny
white Daisies, and the clusters that terminate
almost every twig are very dense. This de-
scription of the plant is meant for those who
do not know it, but these must be few, judg-
ing by the frequency with -which it is met in
gardens, large and small. No one need hesitate

Olearia Faasti in the Earl of Amiesley's garden at Castlewellan, Co. Down.

tenderness, as it has withstood without injury
several winters quite unprotected. The pecu-
liar value of this plant lies in the fact that it is
one of the very few hardy shrubs that flower
throughout August. If it blossomed earlier,
when crowds of others were in bloom, it
would probably not be so noticeable. Being
an Evergreen likewise adds to its value, and
in almost all kinds of soils it thrives and
flowers in the greatest profusion, particularly
on light warm ones. So profuse are its
white blossoms that the whole bush looks a
mass of white, and this continues for three
weeks or a month. Out of flower it looks a

to plant it, but in doing so the shrub should
be given a fair chance, that is, not stuck in a
crowded shrubbery or on the fringe of one,
so that it would be starved. Being so neat
and compact in growth, it makes a capital
lawn group in a good-sized oval or circular
bed, and some very effective combinations
may be made by planting say half-a-dozen
Olearias about 2 J feet to 3 feet apart, and plant-
ingbetween a pale-flowered Delphinium during
early spring, so that it -would flower at the
same time as the Olearia. A dozen Lark-
spurs and six Olearias are sufficient for a
good-sized bed. Another good mixture is

Olearia and Orange Lilies, or Tiger Lilies, or
Lilium venustum, but the Orange Lilies
must be planted rather late in order to flower
at the same time. A pretty mixture also
is Olearias and Hypericum oblongifolium,
which is now blooming profusely, and whose
large cup-like flowersof golden-yellow contrast
well with the white. The Hypericum goes
well with Olearia as regards growth, but being
somewhat smaller should be kept at the mar-
gins. To give the group a better appearance,
plant one or three purple Cherry Plums
(Prunus Pissardi) among the others, but in
the centre of the mass. The scarlet Gladio-
lus brenchleyensis, now in full beauty, com-
bines effectively with the Olearia, and some
of the most striking groups I have seen
lately in a northern garden were of these
two plants. Various other combinations will
suggest themselves to those who know the
plants they are dealing with. It is a capital
rock garden shrub, and does not mind dry-
ness. The only other point I can think of
about this Olearia is that the flowers are
fragrant, and if cut and placed in water they
last a long time in beauty.— W. Goldeing.

This is admirably adapted for the embellish-
ment of. the kept grounds or fronts of shrubberies
where a little shelter can be afforded. At this date
(August 9) 0. Haasti is in full bloom and is a lovely
object, being completely covered with its fragrant
white blooms. It is also a pretty shrub when out
of flower, and is very suitable for small borders
where a larger-growing plant would be unsuitable.
0. Gunni requires similar treatment, and will bloom
later than the first named, thus forming a succes-
sion if a few groups are made. The plants bloom
in profusion every year and give little trouble.
They would grow in many places devoted to plants
of less beauty, and are hot particular as to soil, do-
ing well where such plants as Rhododendrons and
Azaleas would not thrive. Of course, if the soil is
poor a little preparation is best, as the young plants
start off more freely and soon get a nice size. They
never form large bushes, only growing a few feet
high, and are more useful on this account, as they
can be utilised for small spaces and often get the
protection required from the larger shrubs. They
also make charming plants in pots for conservatory
decoration.— G. Withes, Syun House.

Notes from Fota. — Among the numerous
shades of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs
a relief in the landscape is very pleasing. I will
mention a few plants which have proved very suit-
able for the purpose, and which attract the attention
of all who see them. Acer Negundo variegatum with
stems about G feet high, planted in clumps with
Clematis Jackmanni between them and trained to
the stems of the Acers until they reach the branches
where they are allowed to wander at will from
twig to twig and from tree to tree, the dark violet-
purple of the Clematis draping and hanging in the
wildest profusion from the Silver Maple, has a
charming effect. The bed in which these are
planted should be deeply worked and moderately
rich, and should the Acer revert to the green form
from which it doubtless sprang, it should be cut
away from the variegated part or it will ultimately
gain the complete mastery. The purple-leaved Fil-
bert and the Silver Maple planted together is an-
other combination we use here with good results.
Seen at a distance the combination is much admired
by everybody, a proof, I think, that it is not out of
place. I mention the above-named shrubs because
they are cheap and within the reach of all, who
have a garden and love it, for they will doubtless
derive a maximum of pleasure for a minimum of
cost. Another good group we find is made up of
Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora and the dark-
coloured Japanese Acers ; the large heads of white

150

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 16, 1890.

Hydrangeas and the Maples make a very pleasing
bed. Acer polymorphum disseotum is a slow grow-
ing species but most ornamental with its finely-
cut dark leaves, and very suitable to mix with the
Hydrangea, as it does not grow tall.— W. O., Fata,
Carle.

THUJA LOBBI AND T. GIGANTEA.
Notwithstanding all that has been written on
the subject, much confusion still exists as to the
trees bearing the above names. Without going
into any technical descriptions, the following are
the great points of difference between these
two trees : That which has of old been known
and named in most collections throughout the
country as T. gigantea is by no means a fast
growing conifer, and inclined to be pyramidal
or fastigiate in general outline. The foliage is
dark green both above and below, bushy or
massed, and with a most disagreeable odour.
The bark is rather dark in colour and somewhat
rough. T. Lobbi (now T. gigantea) has an easy
graceful appearance, and is quite wanting m
that hard decided outline which is so character-
istic of the old T. gigantea. The branches are
of medium length, with foliage of a dark green
above and light silvery green underneath, this
latter being one of the most marked differences
between the trees. Generally speaking, the bark
is less rugged than in T. gigantea, and of a
-pleasant red or brick colour. It is a fast growing
tree, attaining fully double the latter's height m
the same space of time. Perhaps the name of
no other tree has been the subject of so much
confusion as Thuja gigantea ; even the honour
and date of its introduction to Britain are
matters of dispute. Veitch's " Manual of Coni-
fers;" states that it was introduced by them,
through their collector, William Lobb, in 1853
—a statement which receives little credence from
Edinburgh authorities, for in the "Transactions
and Proceedings of the Botanical Society of
Edinburgh," 1872, Mr. James M'Nab tells us
that "a Thuja raised from seed, and proved to
be the true Thuja gigantea (yellow Cypress), is
another acquisition first sent by Jeffrey. At
first the seedlings resembled Thuja occidentals,
and little attention for a time was paid to
them. " This statement is rendered all the more
probable by specimens taken from three of the
trees raised from seed sent home by Jeffrey to
the Oregon Association, and now growing in the
Botanic°Garden at Edinburgh, which were re-
cognised about four years ago by one of the
principal authorities at Kew as " forms of the
true Thuja gigantea." It is also well to re-
member that both T. gigantea and the nearly-
allied T. plicata grow side by side in their
native wilds, which, coupled with the fact that
two more of Jeffrey's seedlings were recognised
by the same authorities as T. plicata, goes far
to substantiate Mr. M'Nab's remarks. When
sendhi" the specimens to Kew for examination,
the curator of the Edinburgh Botanic Garden
stated they were from plants "raised from seeds
sent to Edinburgh by Jeffrey in 1851." This
statement, along with the recognition of the
specimens by so high an authority as forms of
the true T. gigantea, gives Jeffrey's claim two
years of priority over that of Lobb. Who is re-
sponsible for the changing of the names of these
two trees I know not ; but that it is perfectly
ricdit to do so I at once admit, for it certainly
seems ridiculous to nameone of the smallest grow-
ing trees of a genus gigantea.— A. D. Webster.

Much confusion has existed for years and

still continues with regard to the plant intended
as Thuja gigantea, there being two very distinct
forms to which that name has been given. The
true Thuja gigantea, which by the way is more
commonly known as T. Lobbi, is a handsome tree,

and is according to some authorities one of the
only three species of Thuja in cultivation, the
other two being the Japanese T. Standishi and the
American T. occidentalis. All other forms are
regarded as varieties of one or the other of these
species. T. occidentalis, known commonly as the
American Arbor-vita;, is a native principally of the
Atlantic States, while T. gigantea inhabits the
Rocky Mountains and Pacific region on the west.
T. gigantea forms altogether a more vigorous-
growing plant than the other, and another very
marked difference between the two is that the foli-
age of the giant Arbor-vita? is at all seasons of a
rich green hue, but in the other it changes to a
brownish tint during the winter. As a specimen
for the lawn no less than as a timber tree, Thuja
gigantea is one of the most valuable of its class,
and as a rule it succeeds well in this country. In
the rich alluvial soil along the banks of the
Columbia River it is said to reach a height of 150
feet, but it more usually grows from 50 feet to 80
feet high.

The second plant, frequently met with under the
name of Thuja gigantea, is Libocedrus decurrens,
a member of a limited, but widely distributed
genus, for out of the seven or eight species known
there are representatives from Chili, New Zealand,
Japan, China, and New Caledonia, as well as that
just mentioned from North America. This last is
the only thoroughly hardy species of Libocedrus in
this country, and therefore the only one worthy
the attention of planters, though some of the
others are very beautiful, notably the South
American L. chinensis and the New Zealand L.
Donniana. The one often known as Thuja gigantea,
viz., L. decurrens, is said to reach a height of 120
feet to 140 feet, with a trunk 6 feet to 7 feet in
diameter near the base, and free of branches for
70 feet to 80 feet of its height. In this countryit
forms a dense columnar-shaped specimen very dis-
tinct in outline from any of its allies, and also for
the rich deep green of its foliage. It is certainly
very ornamental, but it does not appear to be nearly
so quick a grower as the true Thuja gigantea. The
bark is very rugged, while the trunk is towardsthe
lower part much stouter according to its height
than in the case of the other. This Libocedrus,
known sometimes in America as the White or
Bastard Cedar, is there regarded as a valuable
timber tree. It is perfectly hardy and even with-
stands the intense cold of the North German win-
ters. From its columnar habit, this Libocedrus
does not require nearly as much lateral space
allowed it when planting as does the true T.
gigantea. T. gigantea, like the rest of the Thujas, is
comparatively easily propagated by means of cut-
tings, while the Libocedrus is among the most diffi-
cult, and was at one time regarded as almost, if not
quite, impossible to root. Such is really not the
case, though the cuttings will often stand a very
long time before they strike, an enormously large
callus being formed in the meantime. The origin
of the confusion which exists between these two
very distinct Conifers is thoroughly explained by
Messrs. Veitch in their "Manual of Conifers;,"
p. 257.— T.

Your correspondent at p. 100 seems to he

in a fog iu reference to the name of the above tree,
and well he may, 'for there is great confusion in the
names of many Coniferse. The true Thuja gigantea is
a quick-growing pyramidal tree, and one of the most
ornamental we have. It was distributed by the late Mr.
Veitch, of Exeter, the seeds having been collected by
W. Lobb in the west of America. By the description
of the tree your correspondent has, it is Libocedrus de-
currens, wliic.li is also known by the name of Thuja
Lobbi. Ithasamuch denser growth than Thuja gi-
gantea and the foliage is much darker— W. O., Fota,
Cork.

grand acquisition for the kept grounds and other
places where a bold, dwarf, fine-foliaged shrub is
required. It is of a dense and compact growth,
with large leaves each from 6 inches to Sinches
lono- of a delicate pale green, with the ribs and
footstalks a bright crimson, the foliage or under sur-
face being covered with a bluish glaucescence. it
is a very pretty shrub, and does remarkably well in
towns or smoky districts, as the bright glaucous
leaves do not retain the soot and dirt as in shrubs
with a rougher leaf. It does well in any good gar-
den soil, and this is a great advantage, as it is not
always practicable to make up the ground for these
shrubs the cost of soil and other expenses being a
heavy item near large towns. There is another
variety named viride, but it is not so showy, having
no crimson markings in the ribs of the leaves and
the footstalk. Our plants have made most vigorous
growth, and are growing in an open position. Many
of these useful shrubs will, I hope, be more widely
grown, and in time take the place of the common
Laurel, which is an unsightly object if not fre-
quently cut back and kept within bounds, as it
soon dies back and loses its usefulness when it
gets old. Considering the great wealth ot better
things and their beauty, the common Laurel should
now be only planted as a screen to choicer shrubs
with a view to its removal as soon as it is not
required, not left, as is sometimes the case, to
ruin and over-grow better and choicer plants and
trees.— G. Wythes, Byon Home.

Catalpa syringifolia— A large tree of this
is now coming into flower in the nursery of Messrs
Seeger and Tropp, of Dulwich. It is a beautiful
flowering tree, and withstands the smoke ot towns
better than many tilings. It thrives best, however, in
somewhat sheltered situations. It comes from America,
and is found in moist places in Ohio.

Daphniphyllum glaucescens. — This re-
cently introduced evergreen Japanese plant is a

Flower Garden.

THE BULB GARDEN.

There is no busier time in the whole year in
the bulb garden than the present ; particularly
is this the case in all those instances where
amateurs and professional gardeners alike
rejoice at doing things at the right season, and
could we but trace many of our failures to then-
right sources, I think not a few would have to
figure under the head of neglecting to do this
or that at the right time. If we except the
majority of Lilies, we have in reality not many
other plants of a bulbous character that are
not benefited by a periodical— I do not say
annual— lifting, cleaning, and replanting, inc.
actual benefits that accrue from this or that
practice can only be gleaned by constant obser-
vation and long experience in such matters. We
must not altogether take our large bulb growers
for our guide in this, for this extensive body
have no alternative but to lift a very large pro-
portion of their stocks annually for commercial
purposes alone, an item we are prone to over-
look too frequently.

There are times, however, when most bulbs
may be lifted with considerable advantage to
their future welfare, when to leave them alone
would mean speedy deterioration, either from
overcrowding or from impoverished soil, or both ;
indeed it can hardly be expected that these
things can continue to send forth fresh roots
year by year into precisely the same soil with-
out in some degree or other being injured, the
amount of such injury depending entirely upon
their individual constitutions.

Tulips. — I think these are much better lifted
annually, cleaned, and dried, and placed in
some airy shed or outhouse which will exclude
sun and rain. It is, however, late to be lifting
these, so far as this season is concerned, though
I would even now, consequent upon the pre-
valence of disease among these during the past
spring, prefer to lift them and give them an
entire change of soil. To do them justice, they
should be lifted when the foliage begins to show
signs of decay, while the stems are still f.eshy ;
this done, they maybe laid on the surface and a
thin covering of soil scattered over them, for it
left exposed to sun and air at this stage, the

Aug. 16, 1890.'

THE GARDEN.

151

new coat of skin -will invariably crack and
eventually fall off, which by no means improves
appearances, to say the least. A week or two
thus covered will harden the skin thoroughly,
when they may be collected and placed in open
sheds or similar places to await cleaning. This
consists in removing the old coats, an operation
which may be set aside for a rainy day.

Liliujis. — As I have said, these are invariably
better left alone, a statement to which I adhere,
provided they are in good health. With one spe-
cies of this genus, however, and that one of the
most beautiful of all Lilies — I mean L. candi-
dum — disease has worked great havoc, not only
out of doors, but under glass also, the instances
of good healthy foliage and flowers being very
rare. I have noticed whole beds of this fine old
plant push forth fine vigorous flower-stems early
in the year, and for a time grow away in the
most promising manner, suddenly and without
warning swept off entirely by disease with
hardly a leaf to be seen before one is able to
realise that the attack has commenced. Some-
times the stems and leaves are affected; at
others it plays great havoc among the bulbs.
"Where the latter are attacked I would advise
lifting them at once and exposing fully to the
sun ; no time, however, must be lost in doing
this, for if left in the soil they will soon be push-
ing forth fresh roots which they do towards the
end of the present month. I have seen some
fine healthy examples of this Lily this season,
the plants or clumps fully G feet high, the foli-
age healthy from base to summit, and producing
immense quantities of flowers, but, strange to
relate, all the instances referred to have been
old, clumps in wayside gardens, where the soil
to. a large extent was composed, of coal ashes,
an item alone which points to the fact of their
preferring a very poor soil indeed. I do not,
however, infer that this absolutely prevents dis-
ease, for the latter has to do more perhaps with
atmospheric and climatic conditions in the main,
greatly accelerated, no doubt, where the soil is
over rich in humus.

Cbowx Imperials. — Complaints were fre-
quent last spring that these had not flowered so
freely as usual, the cause of which I attribute to
the bulbs having attained a large size the pre-
vious year and having flowered well, divided,
and in themselves were not sufficiently large to
flower the following year. In all such instances
it will be best to lift the stock and divide and
replant without delay. The whole of this sec-
tion of Fritillarias are very gross growers, and
delight in a deep rich soil, and coming into
flower as they do in spring-time with little else
of such noble proportions to vie with them they
are deserving of every encouragement as highly
decorative border and shrubbery plants. Being
among our early-flowering bulbs, producing their
fine heads usually in April, they should not be
kept out of the soil longer than is absolutely
necessary, planting them back G inches deep.
Those who have not given these a trial should
do so, as they are easily managed when once a
start is made. It should also be remembered
when ordering that there are some very hand-
some yellow-flowered kinds that may be in-
cluded in all collections. Their height is 3 feet,
and they should be lifted and replanted —di-
vided also should they need it — every second
year. E. J.

Continental Carnations. — Seedling plants of
these, although blooming profusely, have withstood
the heavy rains badly; indeed, some on rather
damp soil have almost died off. It is evident that,
in spite of the remarkable blooming powers of
these French and German forms, they lack the
hardy constitution of our best border varieties.

Ordinarily they are easily raised from seed, and if
seed be sown every spring, it is not in the least
worth while to trouble about propagating the plants
by cuttings or layers. The flowers are of medium
size in most cases, rather rough, but here and there
a good form may be found. Strains differ so far,
that I have found the French better than the Ger-
man. Those who want small Carnations simply to
give cut flowers would do well to raise a batch of
seedlings every year, and thus ensure a stock of
plants. With these forms at hand for cutting
from, the better border varieties are left to bloom
for the beautifying of the garden. — A. D.

- AN ENDURING PLANT.
The art of gardening is full of disappointments to
many people, among amateurs at least ; but not by
any means confined to them. Even the most ex-
perienced and wise gardeners reap anything but
good harvests, and the more spirited and energetic
they are, the greater the number of failures. Soils
have such an influence that how many things will
do cannot always be known. Carnations that spread
into tufts i feet wide in sandy soil about Edinburgh,
perish like tender exotics in sandy soil in Surrey ;
and some plants will not do as well in some soils,
no matter what pains are taken with them. Many
other troubles come in to disconcert the gardener's
plans apart from soil, so that one looks with pleasure
on any plant or plants that are rarely or never known
to fail. Such among these now in bloom is the Day
Lily (or Hemerocallis), which we have never known
to fail from any cause, and which only requires to
be well placed and grouped to be satisfactory. Day
Lilies are perfectly hardy, and among the most
vigorous of perennial flowers, hold in leaf and grace-
ful in habit, growing from 1 foot to 3 feet or 4 feet
high, according to the soil. We do not say they are
fit for the choicest parts of the flower garden", but
admirable for borders, bold groups and shrubberies,
by the margins of streams and even in the wild
garden among the strongest plants. They like deep
soil, and there is no more to be said except perhaps
that, like many strong hardy flowers, if they grow a
long time in one place they exhaust themselves and
the soil too. Therefore, when they are firmly matted
together and in old tufts, the whole should be
divided and put into new soil ; but this need not be
done for three or four years at a time.

The following are the principal kinds: —

H. DmiOBTiEHi.— This is the first to flower of
all the Day Lilies, and, when it becomes better
known, it is likely to prove popular. Coming, as
it does, from Japan, it is quite hardy in the open
air in this country. The individual blooms are
short lived, but the reserves are so numerous as
to keep up the succession for a considerable time.
The leaves are about five or six to a growth,
about 18 inches long and half-an-inch broad, nar-
rowed to a point, bright green above and pale, but
not glaucous on the under surface ; flower-stem
1 foot to 2 feet in height, bearing a corymb of large
orange-yellow flowers.

H. flava (the yellow Day Lily).— Few plants
that we are acquainted with can be so successfully
grown with so little trouble in the ordinary mixed
border as this. It appears from the older writers
that this plant was considered only as a variety of
H. fulva ; and Parkinson observes that " it agrees
with fulva so nearly, as that it might seem to be
the same ; but the leaves are not fully so large, nor
the flower so great or spread open ; the colour is a
fair yellow wholly ; it is very sweet, and it abideth
blown many days before it fades." H. Thunbergi
and japonica are forms of this species.

H. ftjlva (the copper-coloured Day Lily) is a
more robust plant than H. flava, and, consequently,
more suitable for extensive planting in semi-wild
or neglected portions of the garden or woodland.
It seems to be variable under cultivation, and the
numerous forms now grown, many without names,
are all worthy of attention for the above purpose.
H. disticha is a well-known garden variety of this
species, notable for the fan-like form of its growths.
The flower-stem is forked near the summit, and
carries two or three heads of flowers, six to eight

blooms on each, of a brown-orange colour. There
is also a double- flowered variety of this. H. Kwanso
is a variety with variegated or striated leaves. It
is a handsome plant for edgings or for the rockery.
Of this there is also a double-flowered form. H. f .
var. angustifolra, narrow-leaved, longituba, crocea,
&c, natives of China, flowering in July and August,
belong to this section.

H. Middendoefiana is a comparatively new
species from Amurland, and has not yet found its
way into general cultivation. In general appear- "
ance it nearly resembles H. Dumortieri; the leaves
are, however, broader, the flowers about the sime '
size, closer and paler in colour, and with a distinct '
cylindrical tube half an inch or so long. It is of
easy cultivation, and the gracefully curving bright
green leaves and pretty delicate flowers give it a
unique place even among its fellows.

H. mixoe, also known in many gardens under
the name of H. graminea, from its Grass-like foli-
age, was formerly classed by the older botanists as
a variety of H. flava, though now considered dis-
tinct enough to warrant a separate place amongst
the others of this genus. It is the smallest, though
by no means the least showy, and. like flava, sweetly
scented, the individual flowers lasting two or three
days before decaying. — The Field.

Lathyrus Drummondi. — Amongst the eccen-
tricities of floral life produced by the excessive
rainfall of the past month is with me a second
blooming of a huge bunch of Lathyrus Drum-
mondi. I have never seen it flower in this way
before, but this season having bloomed profusely
in the usual course, although the flowers were
greatly injured by the rains, the shoots have broken
into blooming even more densely than before, but
the stems are shorter and the spikes of flowers
smaller. I have the Pea growing in a somewhat
dry, warm spot, but the recent flood found the
roots thoroughly. No doubt the Pea would be best
at home on a cooler aspect. I can very well ima^
gine that, somewhat shaded in a deep-holding soil,
the growth would carry bloom of a rich colour. I
have been enabled to prove from growth here of
seedlings raised last year of both Drummondi and
rotundifolius that these differ, though one is pro-
bably but a variety of the other. Here Drum-
mondi has darker stems, shorter points, blooms
earlier and much more profusely than rotundir
folius. — A. D.

Delphiniums. — In almost every case I notice
that Delphiniums are blooming a second time this
summer, a product doubtless of the unusual rains
of the past month. Usually we get an early sum-
mer bloom, a very fine one, and then with the
advent of heat all is over. Now we shall enjoy a
bloom of nearly three months' duration from the
same plants, as I look for a continuation of the
new growth and flowering for some six weeks
longer. Delphiniums thrive best in deep holding
soil, but not where too wet during the winter.
They seem to need little extra cultivation after
being planted beyond having the old growths cut
away, all weeds destroyed, and the soil about them
occasionally loosened on the surface to produce
that aerating without which few plants thrive well.
That there ought to be myriads of these fine
perennials in all gardens is certain, if for no other
reason than that they seed plentifully, and this
sown in the open ground in the spring germinates
very freely. The double forms seed less readily, but
still with ample abundance. We have few longer
lived perennials so easily raised from seed, for they
will endure over a long period. Still, with the
facility free seeding offers for the production of
improved varieties, it is unnecessary that old roots
should be too long kept. A little of the very best
seed saved and sown every year will not only en-
able a good stock to- be maintained, but will also
increase the variety found in the strain, which,
if a good one at starting, will increase in quality
with steady success. — A.

Asters.— :It is rather odd to find that, whilst
Asters almost everywhere have done so badly and
wear a miserable aspect, I should have found some
of the bouquet strain in several varieties doing

152

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 16, 1890.

better than I have ever had Asters doing before.
Eeally it does seem as if it were the later sown
plants which suffered most from either aphis or
cold, as other varieties sown and put out later,
although at the time stout hard plants have done
very badly. Wherever I have seen Asters in other
gardens, I have found them to present a dirty,
starved aspect. I do not attribute the exemption
to harm which I find in my bouquet varieties to the
strain so much as to the fact that the plants were
sown under glass and dibbled out early,thus getting
well hold of the ground before the aphis became so
destructive. Certainly, from the first, several hun-
dreds of plants have not been in the least affected.
Bouquet Asters, or indeed any of the pompon forms,
are not only very free bloomers, but furnish bunch-
ing flowers in great abundance. That the different
varieties come so true from seed assures me that
the Aster is capable of furnishing its own pollen
and producing ample fertilisation. Were this not
the case, we should see the varieties, after being
grown side by side, produce progeny irretrievably
mixed. Sporting is, however, very rare, and almost
every plant from a colour comes absolutely true.
We could not so fully rely upon some other flowers
in this way as upon Asters. To secure seed in this
country, it is essential that plants be got out early.
It is possible to have our strains very good and fine
from home-saved seed, but the chief difficulty to
surmount is the weather. Quilled or small flat-
petalled Asters suffer less, but large-flowered Asters
damp off wholesale under heavy rains. — A. D.

"RUN" CARNATIONS.

Some of the most striking among the self and
fancy Carnations at the recent show at Chiswick
were the " run " varieties, to employ a technical
term used by the florists. A " run " Carnation
is a flower, say, of a scarlet bizarre, which in-
stead of having a pure white ground has it
suffused with scarlet, the white being with-
drawn, leaving only the maroon flakes upon the
scarlet ground. It takes different forms accord-
ing to the class of flower, and it occurs in
Picotees also, though in not such a marked
manner as in the case of the Carnation. I use
these two distinguishing terms, but the Picotee
is only a Picoteed Carnation, and instead of the
colour being laid on in longitudinal flakes and
stripes along the petals, it is congregated along
the edge of the petals in the form of a beading.
It was the work of a long time to secure the dis-
tinct type known as the Picotee, and it has
given to florists a group of singularly chaste and
beautiful flowers. Running occasionally occurs
in the Pink, though there are some flowers like
Lord Lyon, for instance, with its violet-rose on
pale purple ground, and dark centre that is not
merely a " run" flower, but a distinct seedling
type. The tendency to "run" on the part of
the Carnation is a peculiarity in this section of
the Dianthus very difficult indeed to account
for. "Various reasons have been assigned for
this occurrence, but it is begging the question
somewhat to say either one of them is abso-
lutely correct. The real cause or causes are
hidden in the silent mystery of the flower's
nature. Some have thought that strong stimu-
lating soils operated to cause running, but ex-
periments made with various soils and com-
posts, from pure sandy loam down to unalloyed
decomposed animal manure, show about equal
results. It has been observed that a pretty
general complaint has been made of the number
of run flowers during a season in a particular dis-
trict, but it is barely possible to suppose that
the composts used by several growers were all
precisely the same. Many theories have been
suggested, but the phenomenon puzzles florists
as much in our day as it did fifty years ago.

In the course of the paper on the culture of
exhibition Carnations which Mr. Harry Turner
read at the recent conference at Chiswick he

said, so I and others understood him, that a
run Carnation never goes back to its original
character. Mr. Turner's statement was doubt-
less founded on his own experience. But other-
growers attest to the fact that run flowers do
revert to their original character. Only the
day before the conference I was with Mr.
Samuel Barlow in his garden at Stakehill,
Manchester, looking over his collection of Car-
nations in pots. I was admiring a number of
plants of his scarlet bizarre Robert Houlgrave,
and he informed me that in 1888 a number of
plants of this variety " ran," the petals of every
flower almost being suffused with the scarlet
which gives this flower such a bright appear-
ance when in its best character. In 1889 — last
summer — alltheseplants bloomed in then-correct
form, and he scarcely had a " run " bloom among
them. The first year that Robert Houlgrave
bloomed after being sent out the flowers were
generally of a "run "character, and this occurred
in many parts of the country. But other
growers than Mr. Barlow say that the plants
bearing run flowers in 1888 produced them in
true character in 1889. Therefore it is quite
correct to say that there is a reversion to the
original and correct form, Mr. Turner's state-
ment notwithstanding.

Many of the flowers of " run " Carnations are
very beautiful, and they supply some of the
best fancy varieties. Mr. Charles Phillips, of
Reading, showed at Chiswick on a stand of
fancies some very handsome and striking " run "
flowers. I should state in justice to those who,
like Mr. Turner, propagate Carnations largely
for sale, that at the time of flowering all plants
bearing ' ' run " blooms of Carnations are very care-
fully marked, and though layered in the usual
way none of the plants are sent out, it being
properly assumed that they would not produce
flowers of the right character. The term "run "
is applied only to such flowers as have the white
ground obscured by some other colour in the
flower, which should be only in the form of
flakes.

The Carnation is sportive also, and it occa-
sionally sports to one of a distinct section, with-
out, however, missing the white ground. Promi-
nent among the pink and purple bizarres
shown at Chiswick was Ward's Sarah Payne,
almost one of the oldest varieties in cultivation,
having been sent out in 1817. Some years ago
this sported to a purple flake, that is to say,
the pink disappeared from the petals, leaving
only the purple and white, and a very fine
purple flake it makes, but it is inconstant, and
it may revert to the bizarre character at any
time. Samuel Brown and Sportsman, two
scarlet flakes, are both sports from scarlet bizarre
Admiral Curzon ; in the case of these two the
maroon is drawn from the scarlet bizarre, leav-
ing only the scarlet flake on the white ground,
and thus the character of the scarlet flake is
taken on. Sportsman is frequently exhibited,
thus showing that the sport is maintained
through years of culture, for it originated at
Nottingham as far back as 1855. A rose flake,
named Jessica, raised at Slough by the late Mr.
Charles Turner, is very sportive. Other cases
might be mentioned, but those set forth suffice
to show the sportive character of the Carnation.

In my paper on border Carnations, read at
the recent conference, I acknowledged the help
the raisers and exhibitors of Carnations afford
those who grow border varieties by furnishing
them with many beautiful forms the limitations
set by the rules governing exhibitions compel
them to reject. But they are all great gains to
the border. No "run" flower need be thrown
away. All of them come under the all-embrac-

ing denomination of selfs and fancies, and they
gild the border with many shades of colour,
that, while enriching the garden, afford great
satisfaction to those who grow them well.
I am sure that many losses which occur in
the case of border Carnations are largely due
to defective cultivation, as if border Carna-
tions could take care of themselves, and be as
beautiful and effective as when tenderly cared
for. R. D.

NOTES ON HAKDY PLANTS.

Othonna cheirifolia. — This beautiful half-
shrubby plant is perfectly hardy, but it flourishes
best on chalk subsoils. Its propagation is not so
easy as one might imagine after seeing how the
stems of old plants root themselves, or after an
examination of the firm wood of both present
and past seasons' growth. If I had a strong spe-
cimen from which I wanted stock I should layer
the stems. Young plants, however, afford plenty
of material for cuttings, and these may be struck
with a little care in midsummer. Do not
remove the leaves, and if you can sustain these
in a tolerably fresh or firm condition for a week
or two, you are sure to get roots. It is a mis-
take to remove too much foliage from cuttings,
for they are not only the main factors in form-
ing a callus, but the best indicators, if duly ob-
served, of the treatment the cuttings should re-
ceive. The longer you can keep the existing foliage
fresh the better.

Polemonium pilosum = Richardsoni. — I
see Dr. Stuart has referred to the white form of
this species, which is a truly charming variety, but
he is evidently not able to tell us how it originated.
So far as I know, it originated naturally in the
garden of Mr. Ferguson, of Duns. Anyhow, my
plants came thence, and my friend told me it must
have come of its own accord, as he had no previous
knowledge of such a form. It is quite as widely
distinct from the white form of cserulea as the two
types are from each other.

Houstonia cserulea (the True Bluets). — To
see this plant in full beauty, it should be well es-
tablished and grown into a broad compact mat,
and to get this result, set out young plants in May
in roughish fibrous loam with plenty of small
stones in it near the surface to keep the roots,
which are short, cool and moist. I have also given
it the sunniest position, and it (together with the
white variety) has made rapid growth. I allow no
flowers the first season. I have wintered the plants
several times fully exposed, but it is far better
to either put one of the glass shelters over them or
pot and place them in a cold, but well-aired frame
during winter. The pans should be half filled with
drainage. All who know this plant are aware that
it is worthy of all care.

Mesembryanthemum uncinatum.— On a
steep bank formed of big stones and a little earth,
which is practically a wall garden, this succulent
species has been wintered for two seasons. The
small plants were originally fixed between the
narrow joints when the stones were being fixed.
The position is therefore dry, and it is otherwise
adapted for this plant and Cacti, as it faces due
south. No protection whatever was given, as the
various succulents were placed there specially to
test their hardiness. Under the conditions men-
tioned I may safely say this plant will withstand
14° of frost. Whether in flower or not the plant
has a unique and pleasing effect from the manner
in which it spreads and droops over the stones. It
should be introduced for wall gardening.

Primula Reidi. — It certainly does not matter
about this new and distinct species being con-
stantly drenched with water during summer. I
have it doing nicely in its second year from seed in
small pots plunged and treated just the same as P.
japonica, P. sikkimensis, and alongside a batch of
Erythraa diffusa, and it receives no more watering
than they do. I found that from seed sown as
soon as ripe I had some plants that flowered in ten
months. I do not wish to be understood that the

Aug. 16, 1890.]

THE GABDEN.

153

plant can endure hot and parching weather. I
should add that the plants are plunged where the
hottest sunshine cannot reach them and where
there are humid surroundings, such as occur where
shrubs and Ferns are growing somewhat rankly.
Woodville, KirkstaM, Yorkshire. J.Wood.

THE AURIC 0LA IN AUGUST.
Growers of Auriculas in pots need to keep a sharp
look out for a small green grub that is rery trouble-
some at this season of the year, eating holes in the
leaves and devouring large portions of them,
generally commencing on the outside ones and
making its way inwards, but not uniformly so, for
occasionally it will make a dash at the filbert-like
heart of undeveloped leaves in the centre of the
plants, and woe to it if the grub be undiscovered
and it is able to penetrate to the heart of it and
devour it. How it comes I know not, but I would
strongly advise every grower to keep a sharp look-
out for the marauder and mercilessly destroy it
when found. It appears to be quite small when it
commences the attack, but it rapidly increases in
size and its appetite grows prodigiously. Green-fly
is also prevalent just now, and there is nothing
like a good fumigation with tobacco smoke to rout
the invader. It does not, however, destroy the
grub, and directly after I had given my Auriculas
a good fumigation I discovered it to be active. If
the green-fly is only partially present a camel's-
hair brush will be found very useful in dislodging
the pests, taking the plants away out of the house
or pit and brushing away the fly.

Alas for the rot ! It visits the most careful as well
as the most neglectful grower, and his strongest
and most promising plants will go down before it.
I have been particularly unfortunate in losing a
very fine plant of Woodhead's Black Bess through
the rot. I noticed the leaves began to flag, and on
turning the plant out of its pot and shaking the
soil from the roots discovered that the carrot, as
the florist terms the main root, had commenced to
decay. Unfortunately, one characteristic of the
rot appears to be that it makes a rapid ascent
within the stem, and if anyone will cut an affected
plant across at a point in the carrot which appears
to be hard and sound, it will be found that the in-
terior is stained with dark lines, reminding one of
a telegraph cable when cut across transversely.
The rot, unfortunately, has already pushed itself
along the centre of the stem, and its utter decay is
only a question of time. The best thing anyone
can do is to turn the plant out of a pot as soon as
the leaves begin to show signs of flagging and ex-
amine it in the hope that any further progress of
the decay can be stayed.

Young plants that are well established in small
pots may now be repotted. It is best to keep them
growing on into size, as it seems to be the natural
tendency of young plants to make headway. In
the act of repotting, it is not advisable to shake all
the soil from the roots, but repot with balls of earth
about the soil, giving them just a shift and nothing
more, so that they may soon root freely into the
added soil round the sides of the pots. If any old
plants remain for the August repotting, and any
rooted offsets can be taken from them, it is best to
place them round the sides of small pots, using
a good light soil, and then plunge them in cocoa
fibre under a hand-light, keeping them close for a
few days and shaded from the sun. In this way
young stock can be brought along very quickly.

Auriculas have done so well during the cool,
moist days of May, June, and July, putting forth
such a vigorous growth, that I should not be sur-
prised if more than the usual number of autumn
trusses of bloom appear. When they do this, it is
best to allow the flower-stalks to rise above the
foliage, and as soon as the blossoms are produced
in bud form to cut them away, but leaving the
truss-stem to die gradually.

I am giving my plants a little weak soot water
twice a week, but I do not find that it destroys the
woolly aphis, as some have asserted it will. I find
the best thing to do when it clusters about the stem

of the plant on the surfaoe is to brush and wash it hybrid which, perished is precisely as in N.
away as cleanly as possible. R. D. Johnstoni. G. H. ENGLEHEART.

Appleshaw, Andover.

A NEW HYBRID NARCISSUS.

(N. EMPEROR X N. TRIANDRUS.)

This flower is a seedling frum N. Emperor
fertilised by pollen of N. triandrus. It has
long been supposed, with some certainty,
that the plant known as N. Johnstoni, and
others closely akin to it, which have been
found wild in Portugal, are hybrids between
forms of N. pseudo-Narcissus and N. trian-
drus. This parentage I think I may say I
have proved by experiments of my own. A
cross between the Pyrenean N. moschatus
and N. triandrus gave me a very pretty white
flower exactly like a little white Johnstoni,
but the hybrid inherited the weak constitu-

A new hybrid Narcissus (N. Emperor x N. triandrus).

tion — weak at least in England — of N. mos-
chatus, and perished. The flower now figured
may be fairly called a new Narcissus, as the
first hybrid raised between our finer garden
Daffodils and N. triandrus. The cross was
effected and the seed sown in 1885 ; the flower-
was produced this spring. In size it is 3 inches
across the perianth ; the crown is 1 inch in
length. The flower is of fine waxy substance,
and of one irniforni colour throughout — a
creamy ivory-buff. As this plant has been
grown for the last three years in an open and
exposed garden, I am in hopes that it will
prove thoroughly hardy. The splendid con-
stitution of the mother, N. Emperor, has
evidently given robustness to the offspring. I
have other bulbs from the same cross which
will probably bloom next spring. It is inte-
resting to note that the insertion of the
anthers both in this flower and in the white.

CARNATIONS AT CHISWICK.
It is not to the exhibited flowers and plants, but to
the large collection growing out in the open ground
in the Chiswick gardens to which I now refer, and
which are well worthy of inspection, although
there are so many varieties in the collection which
are obviously unfitted for ordinary outdoor culture.
The selfs stand out prominently in all cases as the
best, so far as colours are concerned. Next come
those, whether Carnation or Picotee, which have
heavy or decided markings, so as to produce some
appreciable effect when seen in bulk. The pale
flakes and thin Picotees are of little use, even if
the plants be ever so robust. All the same, there
are very many of the selfs and florally effective
kinds which seem to be entirely unfitted for out-
door culture, because lacking constitution, or even
if strong have so much of the loose straggling
tree habit about them as to unfit them altogether
for the ordinary border. A good border Carnation
should have a stout constitution,
make plenty of grass, and send up
several stout stems of flowers. These
latter should reach to the height of
about 15 inches to 18 inches, the
blooms of a clearly defined and effec-
tive hue, of good size and double
quality, produced in great quantities,
so as to give a long season, and in no
case to split, but to be fitted for cut-
ting if required. Too many of the
varieties at Chiswick start with evi-
dently weak habits, and produce big
round short pods, which it is certain
will burst into raggedness so soon
as they open. It is altogether wrong
to try and get the huge bulk of a
house grown Malmaison into an out-
door flower ; indeed there is no need
whatever for blooms of such dimen-
sions in the Carnation. No one can
say that these monsters are elegant or
beautiful. They are masses of coloured
petals crowded into a pod or calyx,
creating deformity and confusion, and
that is all. A bloom of fair average
size, having a large deep calyx, and
petals so naturally arranged that they
fall into proper form on expanding
with graceful regularity, is indeed, if
its size be but moderate, a far more
pleasing bloom than is one of the di-
mensions of a Pseony. The chair-
man of the Carnation Conference in
his opening address did say some very
hard things of the Carnation raisers
of to-day. They were not absolutely
exact, as is exemplified by the fact that many of
our beautiful border Carnations of to-day have been
raised, though perhaps not intentionally, by the
florist raisers. Those rejected have often found a
high place in the garden ; that very many of the
sorts they produce which it is hoped will give show
blooms are of moderate and perhaps weakly con-
stitution there can be no doubt, but, on the whole,
the Carnation of to-day is a fairly hardy plant if
properly treated as such. The defects of constitu-
tion lie rather in the method of culture than in the
strain, and we have but to select the stoutest of
every form of bloom or colour, work them in the
open, plant them out with ordinary care in suitable
soil, ' and give them about the same attention
that we do to ordinary border plants, to have very
good results. It is absurd, for instance, to insist
upon the necessity that a strain of Carnations be
hardy that seed be sown in the open ground. That
is really ridiculous. Carnation seed germinates with
such ease, that it never needs heat ; but even if a
little warmth be given to help the process of ger-
mination, especially in cold damp districts, the
plants later will be none the worse, because a
robust childhood means longer life, and robustness

.154

THE GABDEN.

[Aug. 16, 1890.

in the early stage of life is dependent upon quick
germination. After the seedling plants are well
up, no one of sense would think of keeping them in
heat, as green-fly almost inevitably follows. The
seedlings will do well in a cold frame until strong
enough to plant out in the open, and then they are
as well fitted to take their chance with the elements
•as are plants raised under slower conditions of
growth in the open ground. There is nothing, on
the whole, like sowing seed in pans or shallow
boxes in the month of April, raising the seedlings
in a frame without bottom-heat, for there is ample
.warmth in a frame then without, standing the pans
outdoors in May and dibbling the seedlings out in-
to the open ground in fairly good, but not richly
manured soil so soon as strong enough to endure
transplanting. Seedling plants may be put out in
beds of four rows each 1 foot apart, the plants
being angled in the rows. As they bloom the fol-
lowing year not a few will be found to be single
and will have to be pulled out ; others if double will
be found to have split pods or bad habit. Those
should be ruthlessly pulled out also, and thus
ample room will be made for the layering of what
are good and worthy of retention. It is in the fact
that we can only retain our stocks of even the
hardiest of Carnations by layering that we find the
strain differing so much from hardy border flowers.
Did we not layer or take cuttings, the old plants
would die out in time, whilst the layering renders
the lifting and transplanting of these layered plants
yearly absolutely indispensable. Thus it is that
Carnations give more trouble than ordinary hardy
-border plants usually do, but it is only on the con-
dition that the needful trouble is taken that the
stocks are maintained. I think that Carnations
prefer a fairly stiff soil to one that is very light and
porous. Also, that high manuring is more con-
ducive to the production of excessive growth and
non-bloom production. The Chiswick soil, it is
evident, generally suits admirably. The plan of
putting out the plants into triangles has answered
admirably where they have done well especially,
for in some cases there are heads or clumps of
bloom fully a yard over. It is in such clumps as
these that those who examine the collection are
enabled to see what is expected from a good border
variety, and how very short so many of those
being grown fall from the ideal. I have made
some liberal notes of the best, or apparently best
of those now in bloom, and I hope to be able to
refer again to these outdoor Carnations at Chis-
wick after seeing them a second time and when
fully developed. A. D.

Heldreichi we have a form rather later in expand-
ing than the others. — T.

Empress Candytuft. — 'Under this designation
a very fine Rocket Candytuft was certificated some
two years since. It is without exception when well
selected and grown the finest Candytuft ever seen.
Practically it is a giant white Rocket variety, and
I have it also under the designation of Giant White
Spiral. It was under this name I got it from a
northern house somewhat famous for its florists'
flowers, but here it has turned out to be a very in-
ferior stock and exceedingly disappointing. The
Empress strain, if it be a distinct strain, is by far
the best after all, but to keep that good it must
annually be very hard rogued, or otherwise it will
soon revert to an inferior form. The true Empress
reaches to a height of about 12 inches, has one
stout main stem, and breaks into from three to five
large conical or spiral heads, each about 6 inches
high when fully developed. To have it in its best
character seeds should be sown thinly, so that the
plants may have ample room ; and any plant not
showing the finer properties of the variety should
be rigidly pulled out. Seedsmen often do them-
selves great harm in sending out stocks of assumed
choice things which have not been well cared for.
It is trouble enough when a really well selected
thing naturally throws back, as this Candytuft
does, and full allowance must be made by pur-
chasers for what is a radical defect and may never
be overcome. White Lobelias will always throw
from seed a large proportion of blue, and it seems
to be a defect of the variety. That is very disap-
pointing, but it is not the seedsman's fault, and in
the case of this very fine Candytuft the most he
can do is to rogue it hard and do his utmost to en-
sure that it is as far as possible true. — A.

The scarlet Martagon (Lilium chalcedoni-
cum). — Like the common white Lily, L. mona-
delphum, several of the Turk's-caps and others,
L. chalcedonicum is very impatient of removal,
and frequently after being transplanted many bulbs
will fail to flower the first season ; in fact, some
will scarcely make their appearance above ground,
but if allowed to remain undisturbed, better re-
sults may be reasonably expected the following
:year. This Lily will succeed in a heavier loam
than many of the others, and as far as my experi-
ence extends, it does not seem to be very liable to
that mysterious Lily disease which works such
-havoc among some species, the white Lily, for
instance. Though columns have been written on
the evil effects of late planting of Lilies, in many
cases it seems to have no effect, and the scarlet
Martagon is one of the worst sufferers in this
respect, for directly after flowering the very stout
roots are pushed out from the base of the bulb,
which is greatly injured if they are broken. When
transplanted, which should not be done unless
absolutely necessary, the operation must be carried
out directly after flowering, as the chances of
a satisfactory display of bloom the following
season are much greater than if longer delayed,
though I have often seen them exposed for sale in
a dry state till long after the time they should
have been in the ground. The colour of the flowers
varies somewhat, but in the very finest form it is
i wonderfully rich. In the variety maculatum the
segments are spotted with a purplish colour, and in

Rose Garden.

TEA-SCENTED ROSES.
In whatever direction one goes there is evidence
that Tea Roses are becoming very popular, so
much so that they may now be considered as
placed on their merits. Should their behaviour
after a severe winter disappoint those who have
now taken them into their favour, they will disap-
pear at a more rapid rate than they rose into notice.
I can only hope that the bright promise they now
make may be continued, but of this I am not over
sanguine, as even in the west of England their be-
haviour is a good deal influenced by the weather
when the plants are set out in open beds. It is to
that way of growing them that I am now referring.
Actual frost may not occur of sufficient intensity
to kill the plants, but the growth is not proof
against a freezing wind, as I have seen every
branch killed down level with the ground by the cold
piercing winds which often occur in the months of
February and March. I do not mention this with
a view to deter anyone from planting this section
of Roses.

The end of March I find a very good time to
plant Tea Roses. The plants may at that timeperhaps
be making new leaves or growth, but it will do them
no harm to move them. A month later they may
be pruned, and the best way to prune them is to
cut all the branches down within an inch of the
soil. I should, however, have said before, that
when the plants are upon any other roots but their
own, the stem at the point of union should be buried
at least 2 inches under the surface, and in the fol-
lowing autumn a layer of soil 2 inches thick should
be spread over the roots ; this will bury the stem
altogether about 4 inches, which is none too much.
Treated in this way the plants will soon form roots
from the stem, and then there will be no more
danger of their dying if the foster roots should
fail. As a preventive against frost, it is very de-
sirable to cover the surface of the bed with some
dry material, such as leaves or half rotten Bracken.
The amount of protection that is given must, how-
ever, be decided by the requirements of each case.
If the plants are wanted to flower early, some
means must be adopted to protect the branches, or
at least the principal ones, as these will produce

the earliest flowers if they are only lightly pruned.
The largest and best formed blooms are produced
by plants that are cut down to near the ground.
These will, of course, be later, but their superior
quality will be a good set off to the small blooms
of the early plants.

Planted at the time I suggest in well-prepared
soil and cut down close to the ground at the end of
April, young plants will flower almost continuously
the whole of the summer. Some quite small plants
that I treated, as I have advised, last spring have
already flowered once, and are now making
second growths that are showing flower-buds at
every point. These flowers will be valuable later
on, as whatever may be the merits of the Hybrid
Perpetuals as garden Roses, the Teas are more
valued for personal decoration on account of the
beauty of the half-opened flowers and their
delicate colouring and exquisite perfume. There
is something very fascinating in the bursting buds
of such varieties as Mme. Charles, Perle de Lyon,
Ma Capucine, and Grace Darling. Shelter is a
wonderful incentive to an early growth in these
Roses, and to plant them in full exposure to east
winds is to court failure. The other primary points in
providing suitable conditions is a fairly dry and
rich soil and a rich mulch of half rotten manure
laid on the surface over the roots every spring.
J. C. C.

Camoens Rose. — This fine Rose, given us in
1881 by Schwartz, should be in every garden. It
is a delightful flower of its kind, remarkably free,
and in a bold group making a mass of flowers,
which are of a bright rose colour, the centre shaded
with yellow, full and showy. The colour varies,
and the different hues of rose sometimes shading off
to almost white make a pretty picture of delicate
tones. Some of the shoots carry as many as six
flowers besides buds, the stems bending with the
weight of blossoms. A large break of it in the
nursery of Messrs. Paul and Son, Cheshunt, was
as gay as anything of the kind we have seen this
season. Camoens is certainly a Rose that should
be planted in distinct beds, to give bright colour
to the garden.

A charming class of Roses is formed by the
Polyanthas, a set of miniature varieties which are
of value for making large masses in the garden, or
as edgings to beds of other Roses. We have now
a large selection, and several of the best were in
bloom the other day with Mr. G. Paul, of Ches-
hunt. They are excellent autumnals, flowering
with the utmost freedom, the various types dis-
playing a range of delicate colours. Paquerette
is the best known ; its panicles of small, double, and
pure white flowers are familiar in many gardens.
Then we have the soft rose-coloured Mignonette, a
delightful little flower, the delicate rose shading
changing with age to white, and the small double
blooms borne freely in dense clusters. Perle d'Or
is a pretty Rose ; it is just as free as the others,
and the flowers are individually of exquisite shape,
nankeen-yellow in colour, set off by an intense
orange centre. It is a gem for button-holes or
dainty decorations. Not so well known as this is
Mile. Josephine Burland, a beautiful Rose, with
flowers larger than usual in this class, and white,
shaded with pink ; it is very free, and blooms for a
long season. Red Pet is a good Rose, also its white
counterpart, White Pet, a very double flower. Mme.
Alegatiere has large light cherry-rose flowers ; and
Gloire de Polyantha, which is one of the best of all,
has deep rose blooms, white in the centre, and
well formed, the petals each like a little shell. A
row of it should be in every garden ; the plant is
smothered with bloom. Golden Fairy does not seem
to make such a strong growth as the others. It re-
minds one of Perle d'Or, but the beautifully shaped
flowers are not so yellow. George Fernet has large
flowers for its race, but none the worse on that ac-
count. They are of a rosy shade shot with yellow,
and change with age to quite a. peach tint. Another
very fine kind is Anna Marie de Montravel, which
is one of the best of the Polyanthas. It is delight-
ful in the Cheshunt nursery, where there is a row
of strong plants, almost hidden with the quantity
of white, full, imbricated flowers. Some of the

Aug. 16, 1890.]

THE GAKDEK

155

shoots bend with the weight of the dense clusters of
blooms. Blanche Rebatel has carmine flowers,
with a trace of rose in them ; it is very free and
distinct. Clothilde Soupert is a useful Polyantha
Rose ; it is very dwarf, compact, and exceptionally
free ; the flowers are pearly white, except in the
centre, which is of a pretty rose tint. They are
comparatively large and vary in shade, but this
variability constitutes a delightful feature.

Exhibiting cut Roses.— At several shows this
season I have seen the boxes of beautiful flowers as
staged by the Messrs. Yeitch, of Chelsea. Their
method of cutting and arranging the clusters of
each kind in many instances is well worthy of more
extended practice. Such kinds, for instance, as Wm.
Allen Richardson, Safrano, Mme. Falcot, and others,
the individual blooms of which are not of sufficient
size to arrange singly with the larger kinds, can
thus be shown with distinct advantage and good
effect, being at the same time instructive, giving one
a definite idea of what the Rose is when grown
under ordinary conditions for garden decoration.
The addition of the undeveloped buds with some of
the growth also has in such cases a good effect.
— J.H.

Tea Hoses under glass. — I have a house of
Tea Roses in which they thrive beautifully. In May
the whole house was a mass of flowers, of course all
the best varieties. What can I best do after the first
bloom with the long straggling shoots bearing blossoms
at their ends, which destroy the tidy and nice appear-
ance of the house ? The Roses were planted out the
spring before last. — S.

*#* Leave them as they are until the time comes to
prune them. You may tie the shoots up loosely. Ad-
mit all the air possible in order to ripen the wood. — En.

Kitchen Garden.

SUCCESSFUL TOMATO CULTURE.

Disease lias had the effect of greatly reducing
the supply of Tomatoes as far as British growers
are concerned, but the enormous quantities of
imported fruit keep the price down very much
lower than otherwise would be the ease. When
fairly presentable fruit is hawked about provin-
cial towns, even on barrows, and retailed much
the same as common Apples and Pears, this
very considerably lowers the price of superior
produce. This state of affairs coupled with
lighter crops and dearer fuel is most detri-
mental to our growers. Of growers it may now
be said their name is legion, but unfortunately
not a few have failed this season to set and
swell off really remunerative crops, and, judging
by the inquiries that reach me, the "why and
wherefore " is somewhat difficult to ascertain.
A few noteworthy exceptions to the rule have
come under my notice, foremost among these
being the success attending the efforts of Mr.
H. J. Jones, Ryecroft Nursery, Lewisham.
Airy houses, or those well provided with front
and top ventilators and plenty of hot- water pip-
ing, are considered much the best for Tomato
culture, a free circulation being thought one of
the best preventives of disease, this also tending
to promote a sturdy fruitful growth. Mr. J ones's
houses, however, are of a very different descrip-
tion, top ventilation and not very much of that
only being possible in this case. They are low,
narrow, cheaply built, span-roofed structures,
with very sharp angles, and rest on low side-
walls. There is a narrow walk through the
centre and a single raised brick put on each
side filled with a solid bed of ashes. During
the winter these are occupied by a variety of
pot plants, immense numbers of Tomato plants
being also prepared on them. Directly the beds
are clear, a shallow ridge about 1 foot in depth
of turfy loam, evidently cut in a gravelly neigh-
bourhood, is formed at the back of each, and in
this the Tomatoes are planted. The soil is
rammed about the roots, and the whole ridge

in fact is made as " hard as a road," the con-
sequence being the top growth is of the
sturdiest character. There would appear to be
no necessity in this case to withhold water
at the roots for a time in order to check rank
unfruitful growth, the plants having abundance
at all times, a special manure, rich in phos-
phates, being frequently given after the crops
have commenced to set. I should add that the
plants are put out about 1 foot apart, and
not stopped till they meet at the ridge of the
house. All side shoots are pinched out as fast
as they form, but the foliage is not reduced in
any way. Nowhere else have I seen such grand
crops of fruit, there being no trace of any dis-
ease. The lower clusters were touching the soil,
and in many cases almost resembled the pro-
verbial ropes of Onions, so thickly were the
stems furnished with fruit. This was noted
early in July, and it is, therefore, too soon for
the grower to state about what weight will be
taken from a house of a given size, but that I
hope to lay before the readers of The Garden
at some other time. This season the greatest
difficulty in setting a good crop has been experi-
enced in the majority of cases that have come
under my notice, but very probably growers
have only themselves to blame for this. Mr.
Jones finds it pays well to take a little trouble
in distributing the pollen, and this he does daily
all the while it is necessary. Transferring the
pollen from the anthers to the pistils with a
camel's-hair brush is too tedious, and gently
rubbing the fructifying parts of the flowers to-
gether is equally slow. Mr. Jones has a very
simple expedient. Towards mid-day, or as soon
as sufficient air to well dry the flowers has been
admitted, each bunch is smartly tapped with a
light hazel twig and this causes the pollen to
spread effectually. Jarring the trellis or the
plants proves insufficient, and the smart tap
must be given to the bunches of well-expanded,
yet not too far advanced flowers. Seeing how
quickly this nan be done, it is advisable to prac-
tise it, not only through the spring and summer
months, but also and more especially in the au-
tumn and winter.

Under Mr. Jones' treatment, the smooth
round-fruited varieties set quite as freely as the
ribbed sorts, and the former are found to be
much the most profitable. Perfection and Ham
Green Favourite are very fine, and the fruits
being solid weigh well. Conference is even
more prolific, and the fruits are of the best size
for marketing, the colour and quality a' so giving
great satisfaction. The Peach sells very readily,
especially when put up in punnets holding 1 lb.
of fruit. Under glass it bears long Currant-
like racemes of nearly round fruits, which are
soft to the touch, of a prettily veined ruby red
colour, and carry a bloom resembling that on
Peaches. The flavour is also distinct and
pleasing, and I am not at all surprised to learn
that it is becoming popular for dessert. In
July it was fetching Sd. per lb. readily, though
that was about the price Mr. Jones was obtain-
ing for the rest of his fruit.

Yet another hint from the same source. In-
stead of sending the fruit to the market, the
grower getting back just what the middleman
thinks proper to return, Mr. Jones has arranged
to supply certain large establishments where
there is a great daily demand for Tomatoes with
all he can grow, and as a matter of course
derives a benefit from the transaction. What
is done in this case might well be imitated by
others similarly situated, or even by private
gardeners who market their surplus, consumers
as well as growers being benefited by this ar-
rangement. Fruit that goes through many

hands cannot be nearly so fresh nor cheap as
that consigned direct to a shop, hotel, or
restaurant. W. Iggtjlpen.

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN.
Foe the kitchen gardener the present will, or
should be, a busy season, as there is much to be
done by way of preparing for crops and seed sow-
ing, and unless these operations are attended to at
once, supplies of vegetables during winter and
early spring must run short, as there will be but
little coming on to keep up a succession.

Cabbage. — One of the first and most important
things to think of perhaps is the Cabbages, which,
though of little or no value now, are highly prized
early in spring, as then they are tender and deli-
cious in flavour, especially those smallkindsthatturn
in quickly — one of the best of these being Ellam's
Early, which not only has the good quality of heart-
ing in first, but plants of it rarely bolt or run to
seed after standing the winter, which many other
sorts do. This being so, Ellam's should be chosen
and sown now, but as the weather is generally dry
and hot at this season, the sowing should be done
on freshly dug ground, which should be sprinkled or
gently watered before being raked and broken up
fine. As soon as this is done the seed ought at
once to be sown and just buried with sifted soil,
and if then covered with a garden mat just to
shade and retain the moisture the young plants
will quickly appear, but before these show the mat
must be removed or the plants will be drawn. The
best situation for the first batch of Cabbages is a
warm sunny border or other similarly sheltered
spot in the garden, and the ground for them should
be heavily manured and then dug, when the plants
may be planted. As the kind referred to and recom-
mended is a small grower the rows need not be
more than 15 inches apart, and the plants a foot or
so from each other.

Cattlifloweks. — The second or third week in
August is quite soon enough to sow Cauliflowers,
as when got in before then they are almost certain
to run, the way to treat the seed and raise the
plants being just the same as that for Cabbages,
but instead of planting out, the plants must either
be potted and wintered in a cold frame, or pricked
out under the foot of a sunny wall or fence, other-
wise they will be destroyed by the frosts. The
earliest variety is the Erfurt, which is a dwarf
robust kind that produces fine large white heads.
It is a good plan to sow at the same time a
small bed of Early London or Walcheren to
succeed the Erfurt, or to raise a batch of the last-
named in March on a hotbed, and nurse on in gentle
heat to get the plants strong.

Spinach. — This vegetable is quite indispensable
during the winter months, and to have a good bed
at that season it must be sown now, the best sort
to get for the purpose being a new kind called the
Victoria, which produces much larger and thicker
leaves than the old kind. The distance apart to have
the rows of this Spinach is 15 inches, and the plants
should be thinned out and left a foot apart, as then
they have room to spread and develop. The most
suitable place to grow Spinach for winter is a warm
sunny border, but it will also do very well on any open
sunny quarter if the ground is prepared, and free
from wireworm and grub, which feed on the roots. To
cuard against these insects it is always advisable
to give a good dressing of soot before digging the
land, as not only does the soot prevent the ravages
of the worm and grub, but it acts very beneficially
on the Spinach, as it is a most excellent manure
and stimulant that just agrees with the plant. As
soon as the ground is deeply dug it should at once
be raked fine, the drills drawn an inch deep at
the distance already stated, and the seed sown
thinly and then covered with soil.

Onions.— It is always necessary to have a good
bed of these to succeed the spring-sown, as they do
not keep after May, by which time the autumn-
raised crop is in, or the bulbs large enough for
pulling for use. The earliest amongst all the new
comers is the Queen, a handsome Onion pro-
ducing medium-sized white-skinned bulbs that

156

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 16, 1890.

are very mild and excellent eating. To succeed
this none is better than the Giant Rocca, which,
as its name implies, is very large, first-rate
for kitchen use, and lasts sound till spring-sown
kinds are ready to pull. To grow Onions well the
land for them must be rich and deeply cultivated,
as few plants that are on the ground only a short
time send their roots down lower than they, and
unless they have plenty of freedom and manure
to feed on, the bulbs never swell to any great
size. Soot mixed with the manure or sown over
the land just before digging is good for them,
as it prevents grub or maggot, to which Onions in
some soils are very subject ; it is difficult to grow
them on that account, as the maggot feeds at the
base of the bulbs and causes them to rot at that
part and die off at once. In sowing Onions, the
rows should be about a foot apart, and the seed
dropped thinly in the drills, as then no thinning
will be necessary, but the plants may be left to
pull and use as wanted in the spring. In doing
this the main crop need not be interfered with if
the pulling is judiciously done, as it is an easy
matter to let the best stand at regular distances to
finish their growth.

TUENIP9 sown at this time are always very use-
ful, as though they do not come large, they are
particularly mild when boiled and mashed, but to
have them bulb, no time must be lost now before
they are sown. Almost any light friable soil does
for Turnips, and it needs but little preparation
before putting the seed in, as they do well after
Potatoes by just levelling and raking the ground.
Some sow broadcast, but plants are more trouble to
single out and keep free from weeds than they are
when in drills, and it is therefore better to have
them in this way, giving them about 18 inches
betwc en the rows and thinning out to a foot or so
apart, thus letting in plenty of light and air and
preventing any drawing. For sowing at this season,
the Snowball and Veitch's Red Globe are as good as
any, as both are fine in the flesh and very nice eating.
Lettuces. — These must not be forgotten, as with-
out autumn-raised plants it will be very late in the
sprirjg before a salad can be had. The best for
sowing now are Hick's Hardy Green and the
Bath Brown Cos, both of which stand the winter
well, and form close compact hearts of very fine
quality. The proper place for a Lettuce bed is
a sunny border that lies high and dry, as then
wet runs off freely and frost takes little effect on
the plants, which may remain till spring and be
then planted out in a warm position in rich soil,
or dibbled out when large enough at the foot of a
sunny wall or fence, where they will stand and turn
in very early. S. D.

cold weather intervene it ia just possible that
Runner Beans would continue bearing market-
able produce for a very long time. — A. D.

Runner Beans. — Whilst Peas have been hold-
ing on fairly well, Dr. Maclean being widely picked
from, yet Runner Beans have turned in plentifully,
the rains having been favourable to setting the
first bloom. As a result prices are moderate, but
so far the abundance of the crop has to some
extent compensated for the low returns. A most
valuable and usually productive vegetable is the
Runner Bean, whilst Peas give, as a rule, about
two gatherings, and then have to be cleared off to
make room for another crop. Runner Beans will
furnish literally a score of diverse pickings, and if
planted at 4 feet apart afford ample room for a
successional crop of Brussels Sprouts, or some other
suitable winter green. Hence the double cropping,
which takes place usually in May, keeps the
ground well furnished for a year, or nearly so, and
the profits extend over a long season. A big
breadth of 10 acres or 12 acres of Beans or Brussels
Sprouts gives a remarkable amount of labour ;
indeed, few persons not familiar with the cost of
gathering would comprehend how great was the
sum paid for this one item alone before one penny
could be made from the produce in the market.
Runner Beans are probably less affepted adversely
by insect or fungus than are any other vegetables.
If the weather be not too hot and dry, the blooms
come abundantly and set profusely. The frequent
gatherings give the plants ready relief, and thus
the continuance of the crop is assured. Did not

TOMATO LEAVES DISEASED.
The excellent advice given by " W. I. ' on page
107 of The Garden to Mr. Franklin with re-
ference to the Cladisporiuni fulvum on the
leaves of his Tomato plant is worthy of note ;
indeed I am inclined to believe that the instruc-
tions with regard to sulphuring the pipes, ven-
tilation, and fire-heat assistance, if properly car-
ried out, will not only check the spreading of
the disease, hut will entirely destroy it. As
" W. I." says, this disease is far more preva-
lent than many seem to be aware, and, what
is more, it is in too many cases not observed
or taken little notice of till it has got firm hold
of the plants and the crop is endangered. In
the county of Sussex great loss has been sus-
tained this season from the ravages of this dis-
ease, causing in some cases the cultivation of
Tomatoes to be abandoned.

It is doubtless an evil to entirely divest the
plants of their leaves, but I venture to think
the evil is intensified by allowing them
to remain on when thoroughly diseased. I am
inclined to disagree with " W. 1." on one point,
namely, that the clearing off of every diseased leaf
that can be found will not prevent the later ones
from being overrun when they reach a certain
age. It must be admitted that the disease is
propagated by spores, and when these are des-
troyed a cure is at once produced. Picking off
the diseased leaves alone will not, I admit, pro-
duce this result, but when this is combined with
sulphuring and ventilating, as recommended
by " W. I.," I think the disease may be com-
pletely cured in any house, no matter how
badly attacked. I would here repeat the opinion
already expressed by me in the pages of The
Garden, that an all-important point in dealing
with this disease is to remove every leaf as it
becomes diseased from the very earliest stages
of the plant's existence. This requires watch-
fulness and perseverance, but the trouble will
be amply repaid by an abundance of foliage
throughout the season and the consequent full
development of the crop. I have seen this plan
carried, out by one of the largest growers in
Sussex with the most happy results.

Free ventilation and a dry atmosphere seem
to be inimical to the growth of the Cladisporiuni,
whilst it revels in houses managed under oppo-
site conditions. With regard to night air, 1 am
not in a position to say whether it is injurious
or otherwise. To settle this point would per-
haps require considerable and close observation,
as well as lengthened experiments. I may,
however, just mention that in the establish-
ment mentioned above the ventilators of the
Tomato houses are never allowed to be open
after sunset throughout the season.

I have had under my notice this season a
number of Tomatoes which never received a drop
of water at the roots for six weeks after planting.
The growth was luxuriant and satisfactory, but
not quite so the setting of the blooms, but this
was at once corrected by the application of
water. Up to the present date water has only
been given in very limited quantities, although
the plants are now some four months old. The
blooms at the present time are setting well, and
not one speck of disease has ever been seen in
the house, pointing, I think, to the benefit
accruing from a moderate use of water in the
cultivation of the Tomato plant under the con-
ditions of disease obtaining at the present day.
It would appear to mc that with regard to the
Cladisporiuni fulvum, the less the moisture

given the more will be the chances of keeping
the enemy at bay. I believe the Tomato plant
would make luxuriant, fine robust growth during
a whole season without the application of a
drop of water to the roots, but the blooms to a
great extent might fail to set. Let this then be
the indicator, and when by close observation the
flowers are seen to show signs of failing, let
water be given at once. J. L.

Garden Flora,

PLATE 766.

HYBRID MOTH ORCHIDS.

(WITH A COLOURED PLATE OF PHALzGNOPSIS
HARRIEITiE.*)

Ever since Phalrenopsis intermedia was in-
troduced from the Philippine Islands in or
about the year 1850 the occurrence of natural
mules or hybrids among the wild Moth Or-
chids has been suspected, and more modern
experiments and observations made in gar-
dens have proved at least in one instance that
what was suspected is in reality a fact, and
further, that not only have these plants varied
in their native countries by hybridisation,
but that such variations may be produced by
artificial cross-fertilisation or hybridism in the
garden. It is something to be quite sure
that the P. intermedia found growing wild by
Lobb and by Porte in the Philippines is to
all practical intents and purposes the same
plant as that more recently produced by hy-
bridising its parents in Messrs. Veitch's nur-
sery garden at Chelsea. Considering how
recently the efforts to hybridise these flowers
have been crowned with success, the results
already obtained are wonderful. Speaking
at the Orchid Conference as recently as 1885,
Mr. Harry Veitch remarked that he only
knew of three instances besides their own in
which the seeds of Phakenopsis had germi-
nated. In 1868 Mr. Dobbs, gardener at
Ashton Court, near Bristol, reared seedlings
which were afterwards lost. After that Mr.
Grey, gardener to Mr. Erastus Corning, of
Albany, New York, raised seedlings, these
again being lost in their early stages; and,
again, he mentioned Mr. Hollington, of En-
field, who at that time had only one seedling
alive.

Our own experience with Phalamopsis, said Mr.
Veitch, dates from 1875; our first cross was be-
tween P. grandiflora and P. Schilleriana, but with
that and with several succeeding crosses no results
beyond the capsules were obtained. The first cap-
sule to yield seedlings was gathered from P. grandi-
flora x P. rosea ; a few of these are still living.
Then we obtained a few from P. amabilis x P.
rosea, which grew with more vigour than their
elder brethren, and may not improbably flower
within the next two years. Still later we obtained
seedlings from P. Schilleriana X P. rosea, P. grandi-
flora x P. Luddemanniana, and from one or two
other crosses.

From the above evidence and the more re-
cent practical results, it seems not at all impro-
bable that we shall in the immediate future
obtain garden seedlings of the more lovely of
Moth Orchids that will be more amenable to

* Drawn for The Garden by n. G. Moon from
flowers sent to Kew by Mr. Corning, Albany, New
York, March 1, 1890. Lithographed and printed by
Guillaume Severeyno.

AUG IS (830

PHAL^ENOPSIS HARRIETTS

Aug. 16, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

157

cultural practices than, as a rule, are tlie wild
species. As seen at their best, no other
Orchids can rival the Phalsenopsis in elegance
and beauty, but they are so difficult to grow
as compared with Odontoglots, Cattleyas, and
many other genera, that but few growers
care to form and keep up a full collection of
them. Mr. B. "Warner, of Broomfield, Essex,
formerly grew P. Schilleriana and other species
well, and in America, Mr. Erastus Corning
has a very extensive collection of species and
varieties of this superb genus, but, broadly
speaking, they are not so popular now as in
the past.

Apropos of garden hybrids, we may again
point out how amenable as a general rule they
are to cultivation. Even the wild hybrids
introduced from their native habitats seem

as follows, and it will be very interesting to
note how many of these will have their
parentage proved or disproved by the syn-
thetic efforts of the hybridiser here at home
during the next few years.

Wild Hybrid. Presumed Parents.

P. Sanderiana P. amabilis X P. Schilleriana

P. Stuartiana (?) x P. „

P. casta P. Schilleriana x P. amabilis

P. leucorrhoda P. amabilis x P. Schilleriana

P. Veitchiana P. rosea x P- >.

P. Valentini P. Cornu-Cervi x P. violacea

P. intermedia P. amabilis x P. rosea

The following hybrid Moth Orchids
were all raised and have flowered with
Messrs. Veitch and Sons at Chelsea : —

P. inteemedia. — This rare plant has
long been an inhabitant of our gardens,
and was introduced from the Philippine

The first of all natural hybrids in this
genus introduced to our gardens was P. in-
termedia, the very specific name illustrating
Lindley's own faith in his prophetic views,
and the first of all artificial or garden-raised
hybrids to flower in Europe was this identical
plant, as reared by Seden at Chelsea between
P. amabilis and P. rosea, the experiment hav-
ing been made expressly to prove whether P.
intermedia was a native hybrid or not. The
home-reared P. intermedia first flowered
in March, 1886, the seed having been sown

Phalsenopsis amabilis.

more robust and long-lived in our gardens
than are the parent species from which they
are supposed to have descended. Both P. in-
termedia and its variety Portei were intro-
duced many years ago and in the most limited
quantity, and yet they, like the "old autumnal
Cattleya labiata" (which has also been pre-
sumed to be a natural hybrid), are alive and
healthy in our gardens to-day.

The garden hybrid Phakenopsis of which
the parentage is absolutely certain, and
which so far have flowered in Europe, are
three only, viz. : —
Garden Hybrid. Parents.

P. intermedia P. amabilis x P. rosea

P. Rothschildiana P. Schilleriana x P. amabilis
P. Harriettse P. amabilis x P. violacea

The presumed wild or native hybrids are

Islands by Thomas Lobb when collecting for
Messrs. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea. It is described
in Lindley and Paxton's "Flower Garden"
as long ago as 1852, and even at that remote
date it is most interesting to note that Dr.
Lindley surmised that it was of hybrid
origin. "It is not improbable," wrote Lindley,
" that this beautiful plant is a natural hybrid
between P. amabilis and P. rosea. It agrees
with the former in foliage and in the ten-
drils of the lip, with the latter in colour, in
the acuteness of the petals, and in the pecu-
liar form of the middle lobe of the lip." This
guess was a shrewd one, and that it has since
been proved to be correct shows us that
there is something in scientific prophecy
after all.

Phalsenopsis Schilleriana.

four years previously, viz., in 1882. It was
exhibited at South Kensington the year it
bloomed, and not only attracted much
attention from orchidists, but was awarded a
botanical certificate by the scientific com-
mittee of the Eoyal Horticultural Society.

P. Eothschildiana. — This is another of
the interesting hybrids raised at Chelsea, and
one which first flowered early in 1887. It
was produced by a cross effected between P.
Schilleriana and P. amabilis. The foliage is
similar in general appearance to that of P.
amabilis, but with some of the marbled grey
markings of P. Schilleriana. The flowers are
somewhat like those of P. Sanderiana, but
even more so resemble those of P. leucorrhoda,
a rare natural hybrid introduced some years

158

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 16, 1890.

ago by Messrs. Low and Co., and, so far as I
know, never since rediscovered in its wild
state. The sepals are creamy white, the lower
ones dotted with rosy-purple at their bases,
the petals being broadly rounded and not so
creamy in hue, while the crest .of the lip is
orange-yellow, dotted with red or purple. Its
artificial production sheds a lucid light on the
natural production of such hybrids as P.
casta, P. leucorrhoda, and P. Sanderiana,
apart altogether from its own intrinsic beauty,
which is very uncommon.

P. Harrietts. — This variety, one of the
most interesting of all the Veitchian hybrids
that as yet have flowered, was obtained
from a cross effected by Seden between P.
grandiflora and P. violacea, the first named
plant bearing the seeds, which were sown in
January, 1882, and the first flowers, or rather
flower, opened in May, 1887, or something
short of six years after sowing. The coloured
illustration by Mr. Moon is so expressive of
the form and colour of this plant, that words
are scarcely needed in describing it. The
leaves approach those of P. grandiflora, while
the flowers in form and coloration seem more
suggestive of those of P. violacea. The plant
was acquired by Mr. Erastus Corning, of
Albany, ]STew York, and was named by re-
quest after that gentleman's daughter by Mr.
Eolfe, of Kew. As shown in our plate, the
sepals and petals are creamy or ivory white,
suffused and dotted with amethyst-purple,
the lip being crimson-lake, and the crest of
the lip suffused with rich orange. The ten-
drils at the apex of the lip are but slightly
developed, and remind one of those of another
hybrid — a native one— P. Veitchiana.

F. W. B.

plant plump and in good health. Treated in
this way, " Orchidopholist " will find his plant
increase in size, and produce many spikes laden
with, richly-coloured yellow flowers which are
barred with bright chestnut-brown. The small
sprigs or branches are very useful for cutting and
placing in glasses upon the table. When in
these positions they continue long in beauty.
There are numerous forms of this Oncidium.
W. H. Gower.

Cattleya gigas Shuttle worthi.— This is by
far the grandest form of this species yet seen, and
the true form is now flowering beautifully in the
nurseries of Messrs. Charlesworth and Shuttle-
worth at Clapham. The flowers are very large,
the sepals and petals broad, and of a soft resy
purple, the broad lip being rich crimson-lake tinged
with a shade of mauve, and having a narrow mar-
ginal border of white ; the eye-like spots in the
throat, peculiar to this species, being pale yellow.
Unfortunately, the name is frequently applied to
inferior forms which do not deserve it.

Orchids.

ONCIDIUM SPHACELATUM.

I am asked by " Orchidopholist " to give him
some hints upon the management of this species,
which is one of the oldest cultivated Orchids we
have. I have seen it grown in all sorts of ways
■ — in mixed collections of stove plants, in the heat
of the East India house (where it produced long
branched spikes, laden with its many flowers),
and again in the temperature of the Cattleya or
intermediate stove. Under these varying con-
ditions the plant increased and grew with great
rapidity ; therefore I am rather at a loss to
know what can be the matter with the plant of
"Orchidopholist," which he says he has had
about five months, and now it is the same as
when he first had it. I have always found it
the freest-growing plant oue could have. It is a
native of Guatemala and Mexico, I believe, and is
best treated as a pot plant, the pot being well
drained, and the soil used kept free from
the drainage material by a layer of Sphagnum
Moss. Use good peat fibre and a mixture
of Sphagnum Moss for soil. This should be
built up into a cone-like mound above the rim
of the pot, and upon the top of this mound the
plant should be placed. Make the whole firm,
and in this way a very large speuimen may be
grown without the slightest trouble. I prefer
the Cattleya house, and the plant may be
sprinkled overhead during the winter months.
.The water supply should be greatly reduced in
winter, yet sufficient is necessary to keep the

Epidendrurn falcatum.— This is an old, but
pretty species, of which magnificent specimens
used to exist in the Kew collection some twenty-
five years ago. It is, however, in bloom in the nur-
series of Messrs. Seeger and Tropp, Lordship Lane,
Dulwich, and deserves the attention of all Orchid
growers. The plant is a native of Mexico, about
Oaxaca, growing upon rocks, and therefore it is not
necessary to give much soil to its roots. The
flowers are large and pale yellowish in colour ; it
is to be found in collections sometimes under the
name of E. Parkinsonianum.

Laelia elegans Broomiana. — Under this
name I have received a flower from Mr. Broom, of
Llandudno, and it is a truly grand variety. The
bloom measures upwards of 6 inches across, the
sepals and petals being rich purple throughout, but
slightly paler towards the base ; lip three-lobed,
the basal lobes rolled over the column and creamy-
white, the tips of the lobes being reflexed and
heavily tipped with rich maroon ; front lobe rich
deep velvety maroon, the edge prettily undulated ;
throat white veined with maroon. — W. H. G.

Vanda caerulea (J. &.).— The flowers sent are
those of an extra good variety of this species. They
are between 4J inches and 5 inches across, and the
sepals and petals of a rich blue, not the pale,
washed-out lavender colour so frequently seen. The
plant is said to have been grown in a temperature
almost the same as that of the Odontoglossum
house, with an abundance of air continually ad-
mitted, and nearly all the sun which we had this
season. This beautiful species was introduced by
Lobb whilst travelling for the Messrs. Veitch, al-
though for its first discovery we are indebted to
Griffiths, who found it growing upon the trees of
Gordonia, which exist in the forests of Pine and
Oak in the Khasya hills where it flourishes at from
2500 feet to 4000 feet elevation. There are innu-
merable varieties, the greater portion of which are
poor colourless things, and collectors should send
home rather a few good selected varieties than a
quantity picked indiscriminately. Certainly out of
the many hundreds of this species which I have re-
ceived from time to time from their wild habitat,
I never saw such a fine form as this. There is little
doubt but that the moderate heat applied, together
with abundance of air, has helped to produce such
fine flowers.— W. H. G.

Ccelogyne Massangeana.— This species bids
fair to become one of the most popular of
Ceelogynes. Willi the exception of C. cristata, it
is probably the most ornamental and free-flowering
in the genus, and, provided it is given suitable
treatment, thrives as well as any. It produces its
flowers during the present month, and the pen-
dent racemes— each from 1J feet to 2 feet long,
bearing from a dozen to twenty flowers— make it
especially effective when suspended from the roof.
The flowers individually are 2J inches across.the
narrowly oblong sepals and petals being of a light

ochre-yellow. The lip is distinctly three-lobed, the

side lobes being erect at each side of the column
and of a rich brownish-crimson, traversed by a few
thin yellow lines ; the front lobe is of the same
colour, but with a narrow margin of yellowish
white, and numerous yellow crests on the centre.
Like all Ccelogynes, the pseudo-bulbs are crowned
by two leaves, which in this instance are deep
green, leathery, and broadly lance-shaped. The
pecies is a native of Assam, whence it was im-
ported ten or eleven years ago. It should be
grown in a basket or shallow pan in a compost of
peat fibre and Sphagnum, requiring a warm inter-
mediate temperature and copious supplies of water
when growing. It may now be seen in flower at
Kew.

Polycycnis lepida. — Flowers of this plant
come from France. It is a species rarely seen
in this country, and as a genus comes near to
Cycnoches, but the flowers are produced on long
spikes some twenty together, and the individual
blooms resemble those of Gongora. It resembles
P. barbataand P. muscifera. The sepals and petals
are tawny yellow, with dull purple dots, and the
lip is somewhat triangular, creamy-yellow, and
sparingly dotted with deep brown. It is a very
pretty plant well deserving the attention of lovers
of Orchids, but not new. One of the many gems
introduced from New Grenada by M. Linden
about twenty years ago. — G.

Vanda Hookeriana.— Not having had the ad-
vantage of walking over every acre in the island of
Labuan, like my friend " F. W. B.," I am not in a
position to so distinctly assert that the plant does,
or does not, come from that locality ; but when one
with the authority of the late Mr. Thos. Moore tells
us that it does, and not only that it does, but backs
his statement by referring to specimens collected
there, one must accept the statement in the " Orchid
Album," ii, t. 73. The late Mr. Thos. Moore in de-
scribing the first plant which flowered in this
country at Tring Park, the residence of Sir N. de
Kothschild, says it " appears to have been originally
discovered by Lobb at Labuan, being represented
by No. 317 of his collection, and from Lobb's spe-
cimen in the Hookerian herbarium it was named
by Professor Reichenbach in compliment to Sir
William Jackson Hooker, and published amongst
other Orchid notes and descriptions in the volume
of the " Bonplandia," issued in 185G." — W. H. G.

Grammatophyllum Ellisi. — We have seen
this Orchid flowering well in several collections
this season, amongst others that of Baron
Schrooder, The Dell, Egham, where there is a good
plant suspended in a basket, and carrying one
spike of numerous flowers. These have tawny-
yellow sepals, thickly lined with reddish brown ;
the tip coloured with the same shade, whilst the
petals are of smaller size, and the lip is white,
enriched with reddish purple streaks. The glossy
appearance of the blossoms does not lessen their
beauty. The plant does well in a basket near the
roof, and wants plenty of moisture. It is not so
robust in growth as G. speciosum, and has hand-
some arching leaves of a fine green colour. G.
Ellisi is named after the Rev. W. Ellis, of Hoddes-
don, who introduced it from Madagascar. We are
indebted to this intrepid missionary for many
beautiful Orchids, of which, perhaps, Angia;cum
sesquipedale is the most striking. This Orchid is
also in bloom in the collection of Baron Alphonse
de Rothschild at Ferrieres, the plant bearing a
spike of thirty-seven flowers, and attaining a length
of between 2 feet and 3 feet.

Cattleya superba. — Numerous as have been
the species and varieties of Cattleya. introduced to
English gardens since 1838, the year in which this
species made its first appearance, its specific name
cannot be described as less appropriate than it ever
was. In size the blooms are exceeded by those of
some of the labiate section, but in richness and
depth of colouring and in substance of flower the
si "Tie-, is unsurpassed. The flowers each measure
5 inches in diameter, and four or five of them are
borne on one spike. The sepals and petals are of
a bright rosy purple, and the lip, the terminal lobe
of which is I'}, inches across, is of (he richest crim-
son-purple at the front, changing towards the base

Aug. 16, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

159

into white and finally into yellow. The side lobes
are acutely angled and folded closely over the
purple column. Unfortunately for our collections,
this Cattleya has never proved amenable to
cultivation. Mr. Anderson considers it one of
the most difficult of all Orchids to keep in good
condition for more than a few years after importa-
tion. I find that it must have considerably hotter
treatment than the generality of Cattleyas, and
except when in bloom it should always occupy a
light position in the warmest house. Neither will
it withstand the long, comparatively dry season
which is usually given its congeners after their
growth is completed. It does not like much ma-
terial about the roots. Mr. Spyers, who was one of
the most successful cultivators of this plant, used
to grow it on a Fern stem, but it may be also
grown in baskets with a thin layer of ordinary
Orchid compost over the drainage. A good variety
is in bloom at Kew.— B.

Cattleya velutina. — I am in receipt of a flower
from the original plant, which bloomed just twenty
years ago with Mr. Broom when residing at Dids-
bury, near Manchester, but who has now removed
his plants to Llandudno. It is still a very good form
of the species, which by many is supposed to be a
hybrid between C. bicolor and C. guttata. It has,
however, been imported in somewhat too great
quantities to render this probable, and the side
lobes of the lip differ entirely from those of C. bi-
color ; the sepals and petals are of a tawny orange
colour, freely spotted with purple, the lip being
large, the front lobe somewhat ovate, undulate,
white, veined with purple, and having a marginal
band of velvety pubescence of a tawny yellow
colour. The flowers are very fragrant. — W. H. G

SHORT NOTES.— ORCHIDS.

Cypripedium Sedeni rubicundum. — This
is an exceedingly beautiful form of the type, raised by
Mr. Measures, of Cauiberwell Lodge, and now flower-
ing very freely iu his garden there. It is very dwarf,
and bears from three to five flowers on the spike. It is
a most desirable form.

Polystaebya earnea. — This is the name of the
flower sent by " J. W." It cannot he called a showy
species, but it is worthy of note. There used to be a
good specimen in the collection at Kew. It makes a
long spike and bears many flowers, which are of a deli-
cate flesh colour, with a small yellow ernarginate Up

E pidendrum Stamfordianum. — A portion of
an Orchid spike comes from Capt R. T. He says
it is new. There are, however, about two flowers
only in fan' condition, and these have lost all colour ;
but from the description sent with the plant, we are of
opinion that it is the species named above. Anyone hav-
ing a few flowers to spare of a named plant will much
oblige by sending them.

"Vanda teres alba. — I have received flowers of this
variety from " G. T. W." They do not, however, agree
with my notions of a white form of the species ; it cer-
tainly has nearly white sepals and petals, but the lip is
nearly of the same colour as the type. This will not
be any advantage, whilst we have a nearly pure white
form in Y. teres Candida, named by Reiclienbaen. It,
however, is very pretty, and if it proves to be a free-
flowering plant, it will be very desirable. — W. H. G.

Calantbe Dominiana. — This a garden hybrid
raised in the Messrs. Yeitch and Sons' nursery
nearly thirty years ago. It is a cross between
C. masuca and C. veratrifolia, and has the character
of the first-named parent, having lilac sepals and
petals, more or less tinged with purple and a deep
purple lip. We recently saw a plant of this in bloom,
and it had been so for more than a month. It looked
as if it would continue flowering for another month.

Eria myristicaeformis.— This, I think, is the
name of a pretty species of the genus Eria, which
I saw recently in Mr. Sander's collection at St.
Albans, but not having any flowers with me I can-
not be certain. If it is this species, it was dis-
covered originally by the Rev. Mr. Parish in Moulmein,
and flowered in the Messrs. Low's nursery at Clap-
ton just twenty-seven years ago. It is a pretty
plant, bearing an erect spike of fleshy, pure white
flowers, faintly stained with yellow on the disc.
The name is derived from the supposed resem-

blance of its pseudo-bulbs to the nutmeg of com-
merce.— W. H. G.

Cirrhopetalum Wrigbtianum ( W. Marnoclt).
— The flowers sent are of this species. We have
only seen plants of it in the collection of Sir Trevor
Lawrence at Burford Lodge. It bears upwards of
twelve flowers on a spike, the lower sepals, which
render the floweis conspicuous, being each over 11
inches long, pale yellow when fresh, but when dried
changing to a rich golden yellow. It is a charm-
ing plant, and thrives best in a shallow basket sus-
pended near the glass in the East India house.

Acropera cornuta. — This appears to be the
plant sent by J. Rarnsbottom, and not A. ar-
meniaca. It is not new by any means. A. cor-
nuta differs from the other species in having
pale yellow flowers spotted with red on the inside,
the lip being yolk of egg colour. It is a native of
Guatemala, and doubtless comes from some con-
siderable altitude, as it thrives during the resting
season in quite a cool temperature. In summer,
however, the plants appear to enjoy heat and mois-
ture.

Cypripedium GodefroysB. — Fine flowers of
this plant come from " P. i\," who says, Is it not
near to C. bellatulum ? C. Godefroyse certainly
belongs to the same section as C. bellatulum, but
here the resemblance ceases. C. Godefroyse is,
however, one of the very handsomest of these
spotted forms of Lady's Slippers. We are indebted
to M. Godefroy-Lebeuf, of Argenteuil, for the in-
troduction of this species, and when last in his
place he had a fine lot of plants. It comes from
the island of Champon.

The Fruit Crops.

SOUTHERN DIVISION.

Wycombe Abbey Gardens. — Apples partial
not more than half a crop. Pears about a third of
a crop. Plums scarcely any. Peaches abundant
and good. Nectarines abundant and good. Apricots
about a third of a crop. Cherries average crop
and good. Strawberries abundant where not
destroyed by a frost on June 1. Nuts and
Walnuts very abundant. Bush fruits barely an
average crop. Currants much affected by blight in
some places. — G. T. Miles.

"West Grinstead Park, Horsbam. — The
autumn of 18S9 being very favourable for the ripen-
ing of wood and fruit-buds, and a very mild winter
following, there was good promise of a grand blos-
soming season. Early in March, however, we had
two very sharp frosts, cutting blooms off Apricot,
Nectarine, and Peach trees, although well pro-
tected. Apples, Cherries, Pears, and Figs are all
good crops. Plums light. Bush fruits of all kinds
very plentiful and good. Nuts fair crop in places.
Quinces thin. Strawberries have been good, heavy
crops, but many have been lost through the dull,
sunless weather in June, more so where the plants
are thickly planted iu the rows. Caterpillars have
been prevalent again this year on young trees only.
Hand-picking and pinching with finger and thumb
we find are the best ways of destroying the same.
On the older Apple and Pear trees last October we
applied a ring of cart-grease about 6 inches round
each tree. This plan proved satisfactory, and did
not hurt the trees.— J. Thoms.

Barbara Court, Maidstone.— Apples under
average. Better prospects as regards bloom I never
remember to have seen, but from whatever cause
(and there are various opinions upon this point) it
almost all fell off, and what fruit did set continued
to drop, and does so even now. I would like to
bring before your notice the useful Apple Ecklin-
ville ; for these last ten years with me it has never
failed once to carry a good crop. It is an excellent
grower, making quite an ornamental pyramid, and
requires very little pruning. Another good sort is
Dredge's Fame, being only second to Wellington
for quality and keeping and of better appearance,
conical, and bright crimson next to the sun. For
destroying caterpillars, where it can be done (such
as pyramids in small gardens), there is nothing

more effectual and gives better results than hand-
picking. This, I know, is thought to be a very
tedious and rather expensive way ; but -1 acres of
trees that were hand-picked last year have not re-
quired any attention worth speaking of this year.
Strong Quassia water and soft soap I have used,
but find a great difficulty in bringing it in contact
with the caterpillars. There is one thing about
Quassia, viz., in whatever strength it may be used,
I have never known it to injure the trees. Pears. —
The same remarks apply as for Apples. Plums and
Damsons considerably under average ; in fact, in
this locality there are hardly any. Peaches and
Nectarines a good average crop, trees and fruit
looking remarkably well ; only want plenty of sun
to ripen them off. Apricots under average, but
what there are are really good. Bush fruits, with
the exception of Black Currants, have been very
heavy. Raspberries good average. Cherries
good average. Sunless days, cold nights, with
showers, have caused them to crack very much,
especially the earlier sorts. Strawberries very
heavy crop, rather poor flavour, and very watery.— -
G. Woodwaed.

Wierton House, Maidstone. — In the gar-
dens here all kinds of soft fruit, as Currants, Goose-
berries, Raspberries and Strawberries, were a full
crop, the last very heavy and fine, but much damaged
by wet weather, flavour not so good from want of
sun. Cherries poor and light crop. Plums of aU
kinds, also Damsons, are very light. Pears almost
a failure ; the best are Knight's Monarch, Louise
Bonne of Jersey, Pitmaston Duchess, and Seckel.
Apples a fair crop, not very good in sample, and
continue to drop off. Figs very poor and dropping,
Brown Turkey bearing best crop. Peaches and
Nectarines a heavy crop, required much thinning,
Early Beatrice ripe on open wall July 11 ; Early
Louise on 20th : Apricots on the 26th. Apricots
are a light crop from sharp frost when in bloom,
10°, 10°, 17= of frost in succession, with only nets
for protection. In orchards and plantations fruit
varies much. All soft fruit is plentiful. Plums are
very scarce, Rivers' Early gathered for market from
standard trees by the 20th of July. Apples are a
partial crop and not healthy, fall off very much.
Trees are in better health this year, not so many
caterpillars nor maggots as last year. Wabrats
light and spotted. Cob Nuts better than last
season, trees healthy.— W. Diyees.

Knebwortb, Herts. — The fruit crop in this
district is a disappointing one, Apples, Pears, and
Plums being very light crops indeed. Apple trees
especially flowered most profusely, and to all
appearance the blossom was robust, healthy, and
perfect, and our hopes ran high of having an abun-
dant harvest of fruit. As it is, we have to record
barely a third of a crop in our own case, and much
less in some places. Some of our most promising
trees, and those of the best kinds, both cooking
and dessert, have not a single Apple on them.
Apricots are mostly a thin crop, the severe frost in
March destroying most of the blossom. Cherries,
too, are thin, Morellos excepted, which are a fair
average crop. It seems rather strange that of the
stone fruits, Peaches and Nectarines should be
everywhere abundant, a full average crop. I
noticed that these fruits were in blossom a week or
so before Plums and Cherries on the same wall
and aspect, and that the average temperature of
both night and day was warmer and drier than the
night and day temperature during the blossoming
of Cherries and Plums. This may account for the
abundant set of Peaches and Nectarines. Bush
fruits are abundant and fine with us. Both Goose-
berries and Currants are weighed down with fine
fruit. Raspberries, too, are a heavy crop of fine
fruit. Most of our fruit trees are clean and in fair
health. In some the aphis, and also the leaf rollers,
have been troublesome, but that dreaded scourge,
the caterpillar, has not as yet paid us a visit, and I
hope it never will. In the early season Peach trees
were much troubled with aphis, and also much dis-
figured with leaf-blister, but are now free and clean,
and swelling off heavy crops of good fruit. Straw-
berries have been an abundant crop of fine fruit,
but much damaged ; fully half of the crop rotted on

160

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 16, 1890.

the ground from the continued rains, and the other
half was rendered flavourless and insipid from the
same cause. — J. Kipling.

Dropmore, Bucks.— The fruit crops in this
district have been fairly good. Apples a good
average crop ; the trees free from caterpillars and
healthy. Pears a very light crop, almost a failure.
Peaches and Nectarines outside are a full crop, the
trees healthy and clean. Apricots and Plums a
failure. Bush fruits, Strawberries, and Nuts abun-
dant and good.— CHAS. Heeein.

Holly Lodge, Highgate. — A fair average
crop of cooking Apples, but dessert kinds very
light. Many trees infested with red spider,
but free from caterpillars. Pears almost a failure.
Peaches, Nectarines, and Cherries partial. Plums
and Damsons quite a failure. Gooseberries abun-
dant and good. Currants, Red and White, scarce ;
Black a heavy crop.— J. Willabd.

Mu.ntb.am Court, "Worthing.— Apples are
plentiful in this garden, but only moderate in the
neighbourhood generally. Last year the crop was
a total failure with us, while in many of the cottage
gardens near there was a good crop. Pears are
below average. Plums very thin in this district,
and we have only one tree of Victoria bearing any-
thing approaching a crop. Cherries (dessert) good
crop, but many of the fruits cracked and decayed
on the trees through the incessant rain during the
ripening period. Figs abundant, but late in ripen-
ing. Peaches and Nectarines fairly good. Goose-
berries, Currants, and Raspberries excellent. Straw-
berries abundant and fine, though hardly so good
in flavour as usual, too much rain and lack of sun-
shine having caused them to be watery and defi-
cient in flavour. — S. Pullman.

Addington Manor, Bucks.— I can say very
little in favour of the fruit crop in this neigh-
bourhood. Plums which were abundant and good
last year are a total failure. In the first place the
trees were not well set with buds, and what buds
there were bullfinches destroyed. They served
Gooseberries and Currants just the same. All the
mischief was done in a very short time, and early
in the year, except in the case of Black Currants.
They were not touched until the bunches were
well formed. Of birds, the bullfinch does more
harm in the garden than any other. It does its
work very quietly, and is not easily frightened.
Apples and Pears scarce. Young Apple trees are
healthy and fairly free from caterpillars, though
nothing was done to the trees. Raspberries and
Strawberries abundant. — J. Mathison.

Redleaf, Penshurst — To begin with the Apple
crop, as being the most important fruit for every-
one, I may say that we have a better show of fruit
than was expected at one time. A few sorts are
bearing a good crop, viz., Golden Noble, Bramley,
Waltham Abbey Seedling, Wellington, and Winter
Queening ; most other sorts are below the average,
but still we have some on nearly all. We have
not gone into any extensive experiments to rid the
trees of the caterpillar plague. A few trials on
small trees have not been very successful. Liming
the trees in the early autumn as a check to insects is
apparently useless, but the advantage is in having
trees clean and free from Moss and Lichen. Syring-
ing with Fir-tree oil and washing with a power-
ful stream of water from the garden engine seemed
to make no difference, as the caterpillars grew and
multiplied through it all. Some trees that had no-
thing whatever done to them have as good crops
of fruit as any we have. A large grower in this
neighbourhood who has tried all sorts of things
likely to do any good has found the same results,
that trees left alone are cropping equally as well
as those treated with various dressings. Pears on
■walls are thin, a full crop being the exception.
Standards and bush trees are a failure. Peaches a
fair crop, our earliest outside being Waterloo, one
dozen gathered on July 16 from a, south wall.
Alexander comes in about the same time. Amsden
June, gathered July 20 from a west wall. These
varieties are a great gain in earliness, but the fla-
vour is not first-class. I am inclined to think
Amsden June is the best, so far as I can judge at

present. Gooseberries, Currants, Black, White and
Red, are about an average crop. Raspberries both
fine and good, Superlative being a decided acquisi-
tion. Cherries a fair crop, but greatly damaged by
the wet. Plums and Apricots a failure ; the worst
crop for years. Nuts, Cobs and Walnuts a fine
crop, and, lastly, Strawberries a heavy crop, but the
wet, sunless weather we had at the time of ripening
did not bring them up to the standard of flavour
that they otherwise wouldhave had. — W. Holah.
Swanmore Park, Bishop's Waltham.—
Apples here are a very good crop on the whole.
Some sorts are especially heavily laden. Warner's
King, Nelson's Glory, Ecklinville, Mere de Menage,
Worcester Pearmain, New Hawthornden, Wormsley
Pippin, Irish Peach, King of Pippins, and Cox's
Orange Pippin are most noteworthy. The trees
are exceptionally healthy. Pears, considering the
season, must be called a good crop. Jargonelle
has the fullest crop of any kind; Pitmaston
Duchess, Beurre" Diel, Winter Nelis, Passe Colmar,
Ne Plus Meuris, Williams' Bon Chrgtien, and
Catillac are also good. Cherries, both sweet and
Morellos, have borne very fine crops ; the former
extra fine, both in numbers and quality. Governor
Wood, White Heart, May Duke, Bigarreau Napoleon,
and Elton are the most noteworthy. Plums, with
the exception of Victoria, Orleans, and a few Coe's
Golden Drop, are a failure. Peaches so far as
grown are extra fine, GrosseMignonneand Barring-
ton being the best sorts. Bush fruits of all sorts
are exceptionally heavy, the fruit being exceedingly
fine in size and quality. Raspberries are not quite
so thickly laden with fruit as in some seasons.
Insect pests have given little trouble this season ;
the foliage on all sorts of fruit is in the best of
health. — E. Molyneux.

Danesbury Gardens, Welwyn. — Apples
are carrying very good crops, the best being
Blenheim Orange, Monstrous Pippin, Fearn's Pip-
pin, Small's Admirable, Striped Beaufin, King of
the Pippins, Lane's Prince Albert, Greenup's Pip
pin, Jolly Beggar, Duchess of Oldenburg. Pears
are very bad, the worst I have known here for the
last ten years, owing principally I think to the
severe frost we had late in March. The thermo-
meter was very low on several occasions, and
once went down to 8° ; many of the Pears were in a
forward condition at that time and suffered very
much. Plums scarcely any, Denyer's Victoria
bearing the best crop. Peaches very thin, trees
healthy. Cherries rather thin, White Heart,
Bigarreau Napoleon, Kentish, and Morellos being
the best. Apricots fair crop, but small, Royal
Apricot being the best. Raspberries heavy crop
and good. Gooseberries a partial crop. Currants
same as Gooseberries, with the exception of Black,
which are plentiful. Nuts are abundant.— Robeet
Sanfoed.

Claydon Park, Winslow, Bucks.— Apples
are much below the average, excepting on young
trees, which are bearing well. Ecklinville Seedling
Lord Suffield, Irish Peach, Keswick Codlin, North-
ern Greening, and King of the Pippins are amongst
our best varieties. Pears on the walls are bearing
an average crop, Jargonelle and Marie Louise above
the average, but the crops on the standards are
very poor. Peaches and Nectarines look promising.
Apricots are below the average. Plums are a light
crop; Damsons almost a failure. Cherries average
crop. Bush fruits exceptionally good, especially
Gooseberries. Strawberries have been abundant
this year, and though damaged by the heavy rains
we had just as they were ripening, yet they have
been above the average. Sir Joseph Paxton is
principally grown in this neighbourhood. I find
the cottagers prefer this kind to any other. King
of the Earlies, Noble, Sir Joseph Paxton, James
Veitch, and Elton Pine are the varieties grown by
me, and I find them do well. Raspberries are
abundant, and of very fine quality. Walnuts are a
heavy crop with us this season.— Isaac Milsom.

Downside, Leatherhead.— Our fruit crop,
taken on the whole, is satisfactory, the heavy rain-
fall having suited our dry, chalky soil. Bush fruits
have been exceptionally good. Cherries very fine
crop. Plums are very scarce. Apples moderate.

Pears very few. Peaches and Nectarines not so
good as usual. Strawberries have been an abun-
dant crop.— W. Mease.

Caversham Park, Reading.— The fruit crop
here has this season turned out much better than
I thought it would do in the spring. The cold east
winds we had then did damage to lots of early
blooming trees, notably Plums, which are a very
light crop. Pears also suffered a little, still we
have a fair crop. Apples — such varieties as
Irish Peach, Cox's Orange Pippin, Wellington,
Hawthornden, Manks Codlin, Peasgood's Nonsuch,
and Stirling Castle— are a good crop. Peaches,
Nectarines, and Apricots are a fair crop. Small
fruits, Currants (Black and Red), Gooseberries, and
Raspberries have all borne good crops. Straw-
berries an enormous crop and the quality good. —
J. Jefpbey.

Nuneham Park, Abingdon. — Apples are a
good average crop, our heaviest croppers this year
being Golden, Blenheim, King and Sturmer Pippins,
Margil, Cellini, Flower of Kent, and Dumelow's
Seedling, while Kerry, Cox's Orange and Lemon
Pippins are carrying fair crops. Against the rav-
ages of the caterpillar plague I adopted the grease-
band remedy, but although we captured a good
many female moths I do not think we put the bands
on soon enough, but shall put them on this year not
later than the beginning of October. Our trees at
the time of blossoming were very much infested
also with aphis, but thanks to the storm of the 17th
of July, when we registered 1-59 inch, it com-
pletely cleared them, and they with all others are
now making good growth. Pears are under aver-
age with a few exceptions, as Alexandre Lambre,
Comte de Flandre, Glou Morceau, Louise Bonne
of Jersey, and Seckel, which are carrying fair
crops. Cherries of early varieties were an average
crop ; Morellos abundant. Plums a very light crop
indeed with the exception of Alctoria. Straw-
berries average and good. We grow no Peaches
nor Nectarines outside. Apricots are but a
partial crop, and the trees very much affected with
canker. Small fruits of all sorts are abundant
and good. Figs are splendid on a south wall. We
afford the trees no protection during winter, but
keep the wood well thinned, our aim being to get
it well matured. Medlars are a good crop, but
Quinces are very light. Nuts are an average crop.
Walnuts abundant.— A. G. Nichols.

Lockinge Gardens, Wantage. —Apples in
this district are a very thin crop both in gardens
and orchards, although there was abundance of
bloom, which, however, failed to set, which I can-
not account for, as there were very little frost and
wet during the flowering period. Our best sorts
are King of Pippins, Lord Suffield, Hanwell Sour-
ing, and Keswick Codlin. Pears are also very thin
on walls ; the best are Jargonelle, Williams' Bon
Chretien, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Josephine de
Malines, and Passe Colmar. Plums are almost a total
failure both on walls and standards. I never no-
ticed such a scarcity of bloom for years. Peaches
are a fair crop with us, but they are not much
grown in this locality. Nectarines — same applies to
these as Peaches. Apricots are a very good crop in
some gardens, others very thin. Ripe fruit was
gathered on July 5 in a tenant-farmer's garden
from a south wall, about four miles from here.
Cherries a good crop in the orchards in this district.
Strawberries a heavy crop and very fine, but
showery weather prevented gathering ; hence a
great many rotted on the ground. Nuts are an
average crop. Red Currants are under average, but
quality is good. Black Currants under average,
quality bad. Gooseberries under average, quality
good. Raspberries heavy crop, quality good. Re-
specting the caterpillar plague, I am glad to say
up to the present time we have had very little
trouble with it. I trust we shall sail clear of the
pest in yenrs to come. Suspected trees were
syringed just before the bloom opened with a solu-
tion of petroleum oil, in the proportion of half a
pint of oil to i gallons of soft water and 4 ozs. of
soft soap. A friend of mine experimented with old
sacking soaked in the petroleum, tied on poles,
lighted, and held about among the branches ; the

Aug. 16, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

161

fumes were sudden death to the caterpillar, and at
the present time the trees show very little of the
scorching they got, but I am not an advocate for
this remedy. — J. Rose.

Warren "Wood, Hatfield, Herts.— The fruit
crop in this neighbourhood and in our own garden
is oaly partial. We have no Plums, and I believe
that is the case in almost all the gardens round
here. Apples I have some trees laden, others
barren, although all flowered well. Pears about
the same. Of Damsons we have a fair crop. Goose-
berries quite a failure with me. Red, White, and
Black Currants abundant. Raspberries a very pro-
lific crop and very large. Strawberries have been
a very heavy crop with me, but unfortunately the
greater part were spoilt with the rain. — G. Aslett.

Moorpark, Rickmansworth. — We have
good crops of Apricots, Pears, and Cherries on
walls. Bush fruits of all kinds have been heavy.
Apples, Pears, and Cherries on pyramids very thin.
We have been terribly infested with caterpillar on
the Apple trees. The trees were painted with a
mixture of lime, soft soap, and sulphur in the
autumn. We tried syringing with paraffin and
hand-picking on choice bush fruits, and where
that plan was continued we have the most fruit.
On orchard trees only a few have anything
like a crop, and these are Lemon and Orange and
Moorpark Pippins, Cos's Pomona, Lord Suffield,
and Prince Albert, which rarely misses, Rosemary
Russet, Pearmains, and a few others. Blenheims,
fine healthy big trees, scarcely a fruit on. Of
Peaches we have heavy crops on walls. Plums are
almost a failure. Strawberries have been plentiful
and good.

The Potato disease has made its appearance, and
has spread rapidly. In this neighbourhood, especi-
ally in our allotments, the tenants complain of
finding many diseased tubers. Moorpark is one of
the recording stations of the Meteorological Society,
and of all the records the highest fall of rain here
was on the 17th, when 4-19 inches fell between
G p.m. and 11.30 p.m. The previous highest record
was 2.12 inches on September 14, 1880.— J. C.

MrXDELL.

Yattendon Court, Newbury. — Apples a fair
crop, some varieties much better than others ; those
bearing best with us are King of the Pippins, Kes-
wick Codlin, Worcester Pearmain, Old Hawthorn-
den, Warner's King, Exniouth Seedling and Ribston
Pippin. I likewise notice good crops of Apples
on the trees in many of the cottage gardens.
Cherries a very poor crop. Plums very thin,
bloomed fairly well, but went off in an unaccount-
able manner. Pears very thin, few grown ; Goose-
berries good, no caterpillars ; Currants', Black and
Red, good ; Raspberries good ; Strawberries ex-
cellent. Caterpillars were very troublesome at
Apple blooming time, and the remedy I tried and
proved successful was 10 lbs. Quassia chips
toiled with 7 lbs. of soft soap added to 100 gallons
of water, and applied with a syringe when the trees
were out of flower. And I think if the above
mixture was applied to fruit trees once before
blooming period, that is as soon as the buds were
swelling, and again when the bloom was going
off, the caterpillar plague would be considerably
lessened.— Robert Mahee.

Gunnersbury House, Acton. — The present
year will without doubt be long remembered for
the failure amongst Apples. Pears, and Plums. I
never recollect a more sparse crop of either of these
useful fruits than this season for very many years,
unless it was in 1880 after the very wet summer of
the previous year, that too being followed by
a severe winter. With me the trees are making a
clean, but not over robust growth this year, looking
sturdy and healthy on the whole. After the good
crops of the past few seasons I do not think there
is much reason for complaint, for in the course of
nature it will give the trees a partial rest, the bene-
fit of which I hope we shall see in good crops next
year. Plums with me are the most complete fail-
ure of any. Pears will yield a partial crop. I no-
tice we have a sprinkling of Jargonelle, Beurrfi
Ranee, Josephine de Marines, Beurre' Diel, Louise
Bonne of Jersey, and Catillac, the last being the

best of any. Of Apples, Ecklinville Pippin is bear-
ing a good crop, the trees being on the Paradise
stock ; King of the Pippins, Cox's Pomona, Golden
Noble, Lord Derby, and Braddick's Nonpareil carry
partial crops. I am more favourably impressed
with the first named Apple than before. I have
always liked it, but think its good qualities are not
enough known, especially for private gardens. The
crops of bush fruits have been extra good, Rasp-
berries perhaps the best of any. The Currants were
for a time troubled with fly. Cherries are only a
thin crop, the best being Morellos ; these were per-
sistently attacked for several weeks with black-fly,
which was finally destroyed by a solution of to-
bacco juice. Peaches and Nectarines are carrying
a heavy crop, and the trees look exceedingly
healthy. Fly was troublesome early in the sea-
son, but by repeated syringing every evening it
was kept under, resort only on one occasion hav-
ing been had to any stronger remedy ; for this
we applied Quassia chips, 1 lb. of chips to 4
gallons of water and boiled for fifteen minutes. The
addition of soft soap might have been more effec-
tual if the case had been a bad one, but there is
danger of injuring the woolly exterior of the fruit
of the Peach, as I have found by past experience.
Alexandra Peach is ripe and over, Hale's Early just
turning in, Early York (Rivers) will follow it, Dy-
mond, one of the best for a main crop, following
these. Lord Napier Nectarine is not so good out
of doors as under glass ; Humboldt is first rate both
in cropping qualities and flavour ; Elruge also bears
well. Both Peaches and Nectarines are on a west
wall. The Walnut crop is a heavy one, last year
having been a failure. — J. Hudson.

Hackwood Park, Basingstoke. — The fruit
crops in this neighbourhood are much under the
average. Apples a very thin crop ; Lord Suffield,
Warner's King, Potts' Seedling, Ecklinville, Manks
Codlin, and Cox's Pomona, Worcester Pearmain,
Court Pendu Plat, Cox's Orange, King, Sturmer,
and Ribston Pippins being the best. A few sorts of
Pears have good crops. Williams' Bon Chretien,
Marie Louise d'Uccle, Pitmaston Duchess, Beurre
Diel, Beurre Clairgeau, Louise Bonne of Jersey, and
Winter Nelis have good crops ; several other sorts
quite a failure. Plums much under average ; Early
Orleans, Denniston's Superb, Prince of Wales,
Victoria, Pond's Seedling, and Washington have a
fair sprinkling on them. Apricots very few. Peaches
over average, good. Cherries, dessert, thin, Morellos
bearing heavy crops. Strawberries abundant, but
suffered much owing to heavy rains. Raspberries,
Black and Red Currants over average. Gooseberries
the worst we have had for years. Walnuts and
Filberts a fair crop.— J. Bowebhan.

Basing Park, Alton, Hants — Apples are a
fair crop in these gardens ; some of the trees are
over-laden, especially such kinds as Irish Peach,
Keswick Codlin, Blenheim Pippin, and Lord
Suffield. We have not been troubled with cater-
pillars, and our trees are very clean. There are
very few Apples in this neighbourhood ; many
orchards and gardens round me have not a bushel
of fruit in them. Pears are a very bad crop on
standard trees, but fairly good on walls. Peaches
and Nectarines a very thin crop indeed, and drop-
ping badly from wet and cold nights. Plums are a
poor crop, a few on walls. Currants, Red, White,
and Black, are good crops. Raspberries a most
abundant crop, fruit very large and good. I have
never seen them better. Fastolf is the best kind I
grow, and I think it. the best kind grown if true
to name. Strawberries very heavy crop, and the
fruit large and fine in colour, but of inferior
flavour. — W. Smythe.

Polesden Lacey, Dorking, Surrey. — Over
average crops of Currants, Gooseberries, and Straw-
berries. Morello and other Cherries good. Plums
almost a failure. Apples and Pears very irregular.
No Peaches grown outside. Walnuts and Nuts
are an unusually heavy crop.

Potatoes are a very heavy clean crop. Haulm
slightly diseased. Fortunately, we are not troubled
with caterpillars. My employer is a great lover of
birds, so they are very numerous about here, and
the caterpillars soon get cleared by the sparrows.

Bullfinches are very troublesome some seasons, and
in others they are scarcely seen. I hope to try
some experiments this winter by netting some trees
and leaving others, to prove if the bullfinches are
after the grub or the buds only. — O. GOLDSMITH.

Englefield , ne ar Reading, Berks . —The fruit
crop here is not so good as I anticipated in the
early part of the year. Apples were exceptionally
prolific in bloom, but the fruit set badly. The only
sorts that have set well are Blenheim Orange,
Alfriston, Yorkshire Greening, Keswick Codlin,
and Worcester Pearmain. Cox's Orange very scarce,
other sorts also scarce. Pears are a fair crop. The
only sorts failing being Marie Louise and Williams'
Bon Chretien, which I have never known to
fail before. Bush fruit plentiful and good.
Raspberries very good ; Plums half a crop ; Apricots
good ; Strawberries only half a crop. — J. Coombes.

Eridge Castle, Tunbridge "Wells Apples

are, as a rule, a bad crop. The blossom opened
very late, and strong hopes were entertained that
the crop would be abundant, but wet and cold
weather prevailed till now many trees are barren.
We have full crops of King of the Pippins, Crim-
son Queening, Northern Greening, Duchess of
Oldenburg, Irish Peach, Besspool, Manning-ton's
Pearmain, Margil, Small's Admirable, New Haw-
thornden, Winter Hawthornden, Codlin, Potts'
Seedling, White Paradise, Hicks' Fancy, Hanwell
Souring, Beauty of Kent, Sam Young, Ringer,
Evagil, Betty Geeson, Lady Henniker, Ecklinville,
and Kerry Pippin.— J. RUST.

Shirley Cottage, Croydon. — Apples generally
in this district have a light crop, notable excep-
tions being Stirling Castle, Lord Grosvenor, Potts'
Seedling, Lord Suffield. Pears scarce. Plums a
failure. Raspberries have been plentiful, and in
Superlative we have a splendid new kind. Apricots
none. Peaches and Nectarines under average.
Morello Cherries a capital crop. Currants abundant,
and Gooseberries the same. Strawberries produced
a splendid crop, but many fruits were spoiled by
constant wet weather at ripening time. — H. Shoe-
smith.

Morden Park, Mitcham.— In this neighbour-
hood there are scarcely any Apples, Pears, or Plums.
The trees, however, have made very good growth
and have been troubled this season with few cater-
pillars. We have had heavy crops of Straw-
berries, fine fruit and of good flavour, also good
crops of Raspberries and Currants, but the
flavour was indifferent. Gooseberries are good
and plentiful where the buds were not molested
by the birds last winter. There are no Apricots,
but a fair crop of out-door Peaches and Nectarines,
although warm weather is much wanted to assist
the swelling of the fruit. — C. Gibson.

Leigham Court, Streatham. — Apples are
very scarce in this district. King of the Pippins is
carrying a good crop, Blenheim Orange is fairly
good, next to these come Hawthornden, Cellini,
and Lemon Pippin ; other sorts are very thin. Pears
are very bad, only a stray fruit here and there.
Plums and Damsons are quite a failure. There are
no sweet Cherries ; Morellos are rather light, but
the fruit is good. Peaches and Nectarines are a
full crop, and the trees are strong and healthy.
Raspberries have been good. Gooseberries and
Currants have borne heavy crops of fine fruit. — E.
Butts.

WESTERN DIVISION.
Compton" Basset. — Apples in the orchard are
a good average crop, and we have a fair sprinkling
on the espaliers in kitchen garden. Apricots are
an average crop. Some trees are bearing well, while
others are light. Branches are dying off this season
more than usual. Cherries, Morello, are an average
crop. Other Cherries fail with us. Currants, Red,
White, and Black, are a heavy crop and of first-rate
quality. Gooseberries are an average crop. Medlars
are very thin. Quinces are very thin. Pears on the
walls are a splendid crop; have had to heavily thin,
notably Louise Bonne of Jersey, Doyenne1 du Co-
mice, Pitmaston Duchess, Catillac, Forelle, Williams'
Bon Chretien, Ne Plus Meuris, Comte de Lamy,

162

THE GAEDEN.

[Aug. 16, 1890.

Jargonelle, Glou Morceau, Knight's Monarch, Citron
des Cannes. No cracking has been observed this
year. Citron des Cannes and Doyenne d'Ete we
are gathering July 23. Plums are rather thin, but
a few on most trees ; Victoria, Jefferson's, Trans-
parent Gage, and Magnum Bonum are among the
best. Peaches are bad ; trees badly affected with
aphides in the early summer months, and in
spite of daily washing with garden engine are only
just recovering. Strawberries have been very
heavy; in fact, I never saw more fruit or better in
quality. Raspberries have been very heavy and of
good quality. Filberts and Cob Nuts blossomed
very freely, but the late frost destroyed all. Wal-
nuts are a heavy crop. I am glad to say
we have not been troubled with any cater-
pillars. I have not seen one in the garden
or park, but a few miles away I have seen
trees riddled with them. We have been sadly
attacked with green and black fly, which we keep
down as well as possible by tobacco powder and
soapsuds applied to the trees with the garden en-
gine; in fact it is a good plan to go over all trees
that are planted upon walls as often as possible.

Potatoes are a heavy crop, but signs of disease
are apparent. — W. A. Cook.

Batsford Park, Gloucester. — Fruit crops
with us and in the neighbourhood are, as a rule,
very thin, but there are trees in the garden and in
orchards that are fairly well laden. Most bush
fruits have been good, and Strawberries a heavy
crop, but all have lacked flavour from want of sun-
shine and as a result of frequent, though not very
heavy rains. Nearly all the trees here are com-
paratively young, and are making wood this year
too strong for fruit bearing, although root-pruning
was practised last autumn wherever it was thought
necessary. This has not, however, the effect in
checking over-luxuriant growth that complete
lifting has, and the latter will be attended to when
the season comes round again. Peaches on open
walls were much blistered in the first growths, and
several trees were badly attacked with fly before
the [lowers dropped ; they were protected with fish-
netting. Alexander and Hale's Early have most
fruits of any. The first named was ripe the last
week of July, this variety being most valued for its
earliness. Grosse Mignonne, Alexandra Noblesse,
and Princess of Wales have each a few fruits.
Amongst Nectarines the same remark applies. to
Elruge, Lord Napier, Hardwick Seedling, and
Violette Hative. All are very thin. Apricots on
old trees are a better crop than they have been
since 1887, and the trees are making a healthier
growth. Moorpark is the only variety grown. Des-
sert Cherries on west wall were nearly a failure ;
the trees flowered well, but nearly all dropped pre-
maturely, and the shoots have been much infested
with black fly, which repeated washings with soap-
suds and crushing by hand have failed to eradi-
cate. Morello Cherries are a very fair crop, the
trees not being quite so badly attacked by insects.
Figs have a good show of fruits ; if we get sufficient
heat to ripen them, very few have dropped so far ;
some young kitchen Plum trees on walls are heavily
laden with fruit, including Victoria, Red Magnum
Bonum, Pond's Seedling, Prince Englebert, and
Rivers' Early Prolific, the last named being an ex-
cellent early sort, ripe the last week in July. Des-
sert Plums are nearly a failure, scarcely a fruit on
any of the Green Gages, Coe's Golden Drop, Wash-
ington, or others of best quality. The Pershore
Plum is principally grown in this neighbourhood
as a standard, but the crop is nearly a failure in
most instances. Our Pear trees on walls are rather
young specimens, and have scarcely a fruit upon
them. Pyramids in the open have very little fruit,
especially the best varieties. Emile d'Heyst on
Quince stock is an exception ; it had a splendid crop
last year, and is again bearing better than most
others of best quality. Clapp's Favourite, Jersey
Gratioli, Knight's Monarch, and Bem-re" Clairgeati
are bearing more or less, the first named being best
on the Quince stock. A few varieties of Apples are
bearing fairly well on dwarf pyramids, the best
crops being on Warner's King, Tower of Glamis.
Golden Winter Pearmain, Cox's Orange Pippin

Orange, Ribston Pippin, Irish Peach, Stirling
Castle, Ecklinville, Reinette du Canada have a
thin crop, and but few others are bearing this
year. Some of these are on Paradise and others
on the free stock. Standard orchard trees of Blen-
heim Orange (a variety grown largely round this
neighbourhood) have but few fruits upon them ;
other varieties with us are as a rule thin also, ex-
cept a tree or two of Keswick Codlin. Walnuts
and Filberts are promising at present. Goose-
berries are plentiful on bushes that were closely
netted to preserve the buds from bullfinches which
proved very destructive where this protection was
not provided. Red and White Currants are a very
good crop ; Black ones not quite so good. Rasp-
berries were rather small, and were soon over.
Blackberries are very full of blossom, especially a
quantity of plants of the cut-leaved Bramble (Ru-
bus laciniatus) which bears large and excellent
fruits. — J. Gaeeett.

Wilton House, Wilts. — Apples good crop.
Many of the trees, especially in exposed situa-
tions, suffered severely from the cold and boisterous
storms we had in the month of June, and in some
instances from the ravages of caterpillars ; conse-
quently the majority of the Apples will be small.
The varieties which appear to have suffered least
are Lord Sufiield, Irish Peach, Quarrenden, York-
shire Greening, Alfriston, Cox's Orange Pippin,
Margil, Striped Beaufin, and Wellington. Apricots
excellent crop where the trees have been protected
with glass coping and Brittan's No. 3 shading. The
most reliable sorts are Moorpark, Large Early, and
Hemskirk. Cherries good crop on walls ; best va-
rieties Belle d'Orleans, Elton, Frogmore Bigar-
reau, Black Tartarian, Bigarreau Napoleon. Cur-
rants and other bush fruits good crop, especially
Raspberries and Gooseberries. Figs fair crop.
Peaches and Nectarines good crop where protected
with canvas blinds, and where the trees have been
annually root-pruned. The best and most reliable
varieties of Peaches out of doors are Alexander,
Hale's Early, Early Louise, Early Alfred, Grosse
Mignonne, Noblesse, Barrington, Bellegarde, Prince
of Wales, Walburton Admirable, Salway ; Nectar-
ines : Lord Napier, Elruge, Hardwick Seedling,
Pitmaston Orange, Pine-apple, Violette Hative, Vic-
toria. From the varieties mentioned I find no
difficulty in keeping up a continuous succession
from the first week in July to November. Nuts
heavy crop, best varieties Cosford, White Filbert,
and Kentish Cob. Pears fair crop ; would have
been very heavy but for the cold severe storms in
June, after which the fruit fell off in large quanti-
ties. The leaves also suffered from the same cause
most severely, the trees presenting an appearance
similar to that after a severe hail-storm. The most
hardy and reliable sorts are Citron des Cannes,
Jargonelle, Williams' Bon Chretien, Autumn Ber-
gamot, Comte de Lamy, Louise Bonne of Jersey,
Duchesse d'Angouleme, Doyenn§ du Cornice,
Josephine de Malines, Ne Plus Meuris, Beurre'
Ranee. Plums none, except a few on walls. Straw-
berries heavy crop, poor in flavour, and much dam-
aged by long, continuous, wet, dull weather. — T.
Challis.

Killerton, Exeter. — Peaches and Nectarines
good. Trees healthy and have made good growth.
We began gathering Early Beatrice the first week
in July. This was followed by Early Rivers and
Early Louise. We are now the last week in July
gathering Hale's Early, a larger and better quality
Peach than the preceding sorts. Apricots are
below an average crop. Pears are below average
on the pyramids, but there are good crops on the
walls. Comte de Lamy, Doyenne du Cornice,
Knight's Monarch, Glou Morceau, Ne Plus Meuris,
Josephine de Malines, Pitmaston, Beurre' Clairgeau,
are among the best croppers. Plums are moderate
crops on walls, but very heavy on standards in the
orchard. Early Rivers, Pond's Seedling, Prince
Englebert, Pershore and Victoria have extraordi-
nary crops. Apples are partial; some trees in or-
chards are very good, others being very light. King
of the Pippins, Manks Codlin, Loddington, Cox's
Pomona, Frogmore Prolific, the Queen, Prince
Albert, and Blenheim are all very good. Cherries

Sturmer Pippin, Court Pendu Plat. Blenheim I are a fair crop, May Duke and Morellos among the

best. Gooseberries, Raspberries, and Red and
White Currants have been plentiful and fine, while
some Black Currants have been very fine and
others much blighted. A good deal of damage was
done to the Black Currants by birds destroying the
buds in the spring. Strawbemes were a good crop,
but the fruit much spoilt by the wet season.— J.
Gaeland.

Inwood House, near Blandford.— Rasp-
berries were above the average. The new Superla-
tive is a very fine fruit, and the same can be said
of Beaconsfield. Gooseberries are an average crop
and the fruit large. Of Black, White, and Red
Cm-rants there is an excellent crop. Carter's
Black Champion is a good cropper, and bears
much larger fruit than the older varieties.
Cherries are a nice crop, especially Morellos, but
the black fly has been very troublesome with us
and occasioned much syringing. Peaches and
Nectarines below an average, as the trees were
blistered in spring. Royal George Peach is one of
the best for outdoors here, and Elruge among Necta-
rines. Apricots scarcely any at all. Plums about
quarter of a crop. Those cropping best are Pond's
Seedling, Jefferson's, Diamond, Kirke's, New Or-
leans, Magnum Bonum. Apples below an average.
The trees flowered well, but the blossom dropped
off as soon as fertilised. Pears a partial crop ; in
some places a good lot and in other places none.
Filberts and Cob Nuts a tremendous crop.—
T. Wilkins.

Arle Court, Cheltenham.— The fruit crop in
this district has fallen far short of the great pro-
mise of spring. Apples and Pears flowered well
with matured wood, but the ravages of grub have
been serious, specially amongst the Apples. Kes-
wick Codlin and New Hawthornden are the only
sorts that carry anything like a crop. Pears have
done better and are a much better crop— Jargo-
nelle, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Beurre Diel, Beurre
d'Aremberg, Josephine de Malines, and Bergamotte
d'Esperen being the best. Plums are a failure.
Poor reports reach us also from the Vale of Eves-
ham. Apricots are good. Large Early does best
here. Gooseberries are very abundant. Red and
Black Currants have borne very heavy crops of
fine fruit. The yield of Strawberries has been
great, and in some places the late frosts did much
damage. Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury does well
for early forcing (first fruit picked March 11), suc-
cession batches President and Sir Joseph Paxton.
Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury and President are
the best in flavour. We picked President first out-
side ; late Strawberries are not much grown here.
Our mode of cultivation is in angle stools.— G. W.
Maesh.

Forde Abbey, Chard, Somerset.— Apples
average crop; some trees bearing heavy crops, the
trees being clean and free from caterpillar. Pears
very thin, there being only a few fruits on Marie
Louise and one or two other kinds. Of Apricots
we have a few fruits under glass coping at the top
of wall ; Moorpark and Early Large are the best.
Peaches are not grown outside here. We have a
long cold house for them. There are only a few
Plums on a tree planted last autumn. Cherries
(dessert kinds) under average ; Morellos good.
These are large and clean, but the trees much
affected with black fly. Figs average, although
late. Castle Kennedy is the best and earliest va-
riety. Currants good and large, especially the
Black and Red. Raby Castle is a useful late kind.
Gooseberries are very good, the fruit large and
clean, and the trees not much injured by cater-
pillars. Some kinds of Raspberries are good, espe-
cially Hornet, which is large and clean. Straw-
berries are a very heavy crop, but the fruit was
much injured by rain. Hedge Nuts and Walnuts
an aveiage crop.— John Ceook.

Winslade Gardens, Exeter.— All kinds of
bush fruits very abundant. Raspberries a full crop.
Strawberries heavy crops, but deficient in flavour.
Plums very few with us here, but in a market
garden in the neighbourhood Rivers' Early Prolific
is carrying a good crop. Cherries abundant. Apri-
cots are thin under glass ; we have a fine crop,
although we suffered slightly from 14° of frost dur-

Aug. 16, 1890.]

THE GAKDEK

163

ing the time the trees were in bloom. Peaches
with good crops are Dagmar, Early Beatrice, Wal-
burton Admirable. Nectarines — Rivers' Early,
Orange, Humboldt. The Goshawk Peach is worthy
of being much more cultivated as a midseason
Peach of exquisite flavour ; it is void of glands, be-
ing subject to mildew here on open walls. Apples
carrying good crops are lied Astrachan, Ribston
Pippin, Cox's Orange Pippin, Blenheim Orange,
King of the Pippins, Lord Suffield, Alfriston, Haw-
thornden, Dumelow's Seedling. Cider Apples
mostly a full crop in orchards. Pears on west
walls, Marie Louise d'Uecle, Huyshe's Prince of
Wales, carrying good crops. Beurrfi Clairgeau,
Beurre d'Arnanlis, Beurre Easter, Bem-rcS Ranee,
Josephine de Malines are carrying fair crops.
Medlars a fair crop. Walnuts very few. — J. T.
Ebbutt.

Witley Court, "Worcester. — Apples and
Pears are almost a total failure, more especially the
former, due in a great measure to the renewed
attacks of caterpillar, and also to the cold frosty
nights during the flowering period, and throughout
the month of May. The latter remark applies more
particularly to Pears, which are not nearly so much
infested with caterpillar as the Apples. Pears
bloomed well and plentifully, but failed to retain
their fruits. Peaches and Nectarines are very pro-
mising indeed, good crops, trees healthy, clean, and
vigorous. I may remark here that I began gather-
ing Alexandra Peach from the open wall on July 15,
medium-sized, highly coloured fruits, juicy and
well flavoured. Apricots and Cherries, especially
Morellos, are fair average. Plums and Damsons
almost a complete failure. Strawberries abundant
and fine, so also are Red Currants and Gooseberries.
Black Currants and Raspberries suffered somewhat
in the flowering stage from drought ; consequently
the crop is only an average one.— John Austin".

THE WEEK'S WORK.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.
Lifting Potatoes.— The haulm of the less
robust varieties is badly diseased, and most pro-
bably a considerable portion of the crop has
suffered. When it is seen which are really sound
and which are not, the work of lifting and storing
of all but the latest varieties may well be pro-
ceeded with. Those who dug up their early crops
a few weeks since, though not soon enough to
anticipate disease, have had to sort the tubers over
repeatedly, so many of them giving signs of being
diseased. Our haulm was carefully drawn from
all the early varieties by the second week in July,
and this would appear to have saved a good many
tubers, there being, now the crop is being lifted,
fewer diseased than expected. Where the rows of
early or second early Potatoes have Broccoli,
Brussels Sprouts, or other winter plants between
them, the lifting ought to be seen to before these
are of great size, or it cannot be properly done.
If a few or many rows are left undug till the
spring, the chances are no harm will have resulted.
Each time we have tried this plan we have been
rewarded with a capital lot of firm tubers, excellent
alike for cooking or planting.

Stoking seed Potatoes. — Successful cultiva-
tion of Potatoes begins with the proper storage of
planting tubers. Neither kidneys nor rounds
ought to be allowed to sprout prematurely, this
having a most weakening effect upon the subsequent
growth. The Ashleaf and Lapstone sections in
particular should not lose their first strong sprout,
but this will happen if they are kept in heaps for a
few weeks after they have been lifted. They ought
to be sorted over directly they are lifted, all the
medium-sized and best formed tubers being
reserved for planting, and the rest used in some
way. Do not leave any in the open air or on the
ground longer than can possibly be avoided, but
spread them out thinly on a dry floor. On the first
opportunity, or say during wet weather, all should
be packed closely on their smallest ends in shallow
trays, boxes, or baskets, a single layer in each.
Plenty of light and air should reach them in all |

but frosty weather, but if storage room is limited
there is no reason why the boxes or trays should
not be placed one above another, always provided
they are kept well clear of each other.

Change of seed. — Those who believe in a
change of seed as far as Potatoes are concerned,
and if properly carried out it pays well, ought not
to delay making their purchases or exchange till
near planting time, as so often happens. Seeds-
men, for instance, take every pains, especially in
selecting planting tubers, but they cannot possibly
store immense quantities so thinly as most private
growers are able to do, and as a consequence the
original sprout is frequently lost. Even if it is
preserved till the order is given there is every likeli-
hood of its coming to grief in transit, and what,
therefore, is gained in one way is lost in another.
If the requisite quantity of planting tubers were
obtained now, seeds from heavy soils being got for
light ground and vice versa, and the tubers stored
as just advised, then the change, other conditions
being favourable, would lead to the growth of far
heavier crops than can be had from unchanged
seed.

Moulding up winteb plants.— The greater
proportion of Broccoli, Cauliflowers, and other
members of the Brassica tribe are leggy when first
put out, and they become still more so after the
lower leaves have fallen. If these are well moulded
up this has the effect of steadying them in rough
weather, and also to a certain extent protecting
the stems — the most vital part of the plants— from
severe frosts. Moulding ought to be done early, or
before the plants have fallen about the rows, a
heavy hoe being the most handy tool for the pur-
pose. Liquid manure is not thrown away on many
of these crops, and this can be most readily applied
in the furrows caused by moulding up the rows.
Cabbages also do well under this treatment, and
quite strong liquid manure may safely be applied.

Winter Spinach.— This crop is of such im-
portance that more than ordinary pains should be
taken in preparing the ground for the seed and in
taking care of the seedlings. If from any cause
the rows are patchy, steps should immediately be
taken to make good the blanks. In some instances
there may be so few plants as to necessitate hoeing
over the ground and re-sowing. In others or where
ugly gaps only occur, the best plan is to open short
drills and sow seed afresh. If there are any vacant
quarters newly cleared of some kind of summer
crop, more seed of Spinach might in many cases be
sown with advantage. No harm will result to the
ground, and the crop may be found of the greatest
service, and if not required it is a simple matter to
dig it in. Soaking the seed in water for a few
hours or till it has plumped up considerably will
hasten germination, and if the ground is at all dry,
the least that can be done is to well moisten the
drills prior to sowing the seed. This will be found
a far better plan than watering after the seed is
sown and covered. Either the Round-seeded or
Summer or the Prickly-seeded Winter Spinach may
be sown, one being quite as hardy as the other.
The Victoria and Monstrous Viroflay are much
superior to either.

Thinning Spinach.— Early thinning-out ought
to be resorted to as a precaution against weakly
growth. As, however, there is always a demand
for young leaves or small plants, the thinning-out
should be light at first, and continued according as
the plants are large enough to use. Leave them
3 inches apart at first, and finally thin to G inches
apart. Spinach as a rule transplants badly, but if
any can be lifted with a trowel without much in-
jury to the tap root, blanks may be made good in
that way. This should be done in dull, showery
weather if possible, but ought not long to be de-
layed. Slugs and grubs are very troublesome in
places, especially to quite young plants and those
newly transplanted. Soot and lime freely and fre-
quently dusted among the rows, and stirred between
them with flat hoes and among the plants with
pointed stakes, will do much towards keeping
troublesome pests at bay, and also promote a
stronger growth of the Spinach.
Scarcity op Parsley.— Very few gardeners are

in the fortunate position of being able to point to
a good bed of young Parsley. The worst failures
are on heavy soils. Either the seed failed to come
up, or else the seedlings were cleared off by slugs
and other pests. Repeated sowings have improved
matters somewhat, but the difficulty has yet to be
mastered in many gardens. Sowing in frames and
transplanting is always the surest way of having a
good bed of Parsley, and in all cases where there is
yet a scarcity it is advisable to sow in boxes or in
beds under a frame. With the seedlings thus surely
obtained, other frames, beds or boxes may be
planted, and with the aid of glass protection, the
winter supply will be ensured. Where possible,
neighbours or friends should be drawn upon for
surplus early raised plants, and these being firmly
dibbled out on good ground, and otherwise well
attended to, will soon attain a serviceable size. The
self-sown plants from cottagers ought not to be
despised, as these, if poor in quality, may prove
much hardier than the finely curled strains.

W. I.

PLANT HOUSES.
Greenhouse. — Cyclamens. — It rarely happens
that Cyclamens are grown so well in private
as in market gardens. To have useful flowering
sized plants in fifteen or eighteen months, it is
necessary from the time the seed is sown up to
the seedlings coming into flower to keep them
warmer than ordinary greenhouse stock. This ne-
cessitates a separate house or pit for them, which
often cannot be afforded ; consequently it takes
longer to bring the plants on to a good flowering
size. Many sow the seeds in spring, in place of
the present month or later on in the autumn.
Young plants raised from spring sowings, and that
have been kept gently moving in the way indicated,
will now be large enough for putting into the small
pots in which they are to remain through the
winter. Good yellow loam, with some mellow cow
manure that has been kept until it is quite black
and will crumble in the hand like peat, and a
moderate quantity of sand answer well. Drain
the pots in the ordinary way and use soil that has
been passed through a fine sieve, and in potting
make it moderately firm. Do not sink the little
tubers too deep in the soil ; the crown should be
just above the surface. After potting, an effort
should, if possible, be made to give them a separate
pit, where a few degrees of heat above that of an
ordinary greenhouse can be kept up through the
autumn ; this will make a great difference in their
condition. Stand them close to the glass on a
moist bottom such as a few inches of fine coal
ashes will afford. Use a thin shade in sunny weather
up to the end of September, or later should the sun
continue bright and clear. Shut up early in the
afternoons and syringe overhead freely.

Older stock. — Plants that are intended to
bloom during the ensuing winter and spring should
now be well established in the 5-inch or G-inch pots
in which they are to remain. Encourage growth
by keeping them as close as circumstances will
permit. There is no danger of this resulting in
drawn leaves, provided the plants are placed close
to the glass and a moderate amount of air given
in the middle of the day. Keep the material on
which the pots are stood always a little damp.

Old Cyclamens.— Old roots that after flowering
in the spring were stood out of doors in a shady
place, and had the soil kept slightly moist in the
way advised, will in most cases now be about to pro-
duce a fresh crop of leaves. As soon as these are
fairly unfolded and have made a little progress, it
will be time to repot. Shake all the old soil away
except that which the roots hold to. Pots from
one to two or three sizes larger, according to the
size the corms have attained, will be needed. Use
soil of a like character to that advised for the
younger stock, but break the loam with the hand
instead of sifting it. The manure should be passed
through a fine sieve, as it can then be better mixed
with the loam and sand. After potting stand the.
plants in a cold pit or frame raised near the glass.
Keep the atmosphere somewhat close for two or
three weeks to encourage growth. Shade carefully

164

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 16, 1890.

from the sun. These older plants, in common with
younger stock, should be syringed every afternoon.
This should not be done in a nap-hazard kind of
way by sprinkling a little water on the top of the
leaves, but care should be taken that it reaches the
underside of the leaves as well as all round the
plants alike. Through the omission of this many
fail to succeed in growing Cyclamens well. Red
spider and green-fly conceal themselves on the
underside of the leaves and cause their destruction
often before the presence of the insects is seen.
Be careful not to over-water plants that have been
shaken out, as with a considerable body of new
soil not yet occupied by roots there is danger of its
becoming close and adhesive.

Stove. — Autumn and wintee-flowebing
plants. — The different kinds of autumn and

apart, for if at all crowded the branches will get
drawn, and the flowering capabilities will suffer in
proportion. More air should now be given so as to
induce a somewhat drier state of the atmosphere,
with the object of solidifying the growth before the
season gets too far advanced. The plants under
notice are naturally such free bloomers, that they
will flower to some extent even when the wood is
soft and badly matured ; but when in this condition
the flowers are few, and so far wanting in sub-
stance, that they do not last any length of time
when cut as compared with those produced by ex-
amples that have had their wood properly matured.
The shading should only be allowed to remain over
the plants during the middle of the day when the
sun is the most powerful.
AphelandeaaueantiacaRoezli.— Late-struck

A well-arranged greenhouse.

wood is stout and sturdy, the plants will not suffer
from being in a lower temperature than that of an
ordinary stove. What is here said applies to a
large number of stove plants that do not need an
exceptionally high temperature. The only precau-
tions necessary in using stove plants in a conserva-
tory are to give most of the air at the top of the
house and to just give sufficient water to keep the
leaves from flagging. T. B.

winter-flowering plants, such as Plumbago rosea,
Justicia carnea, •Sericogrnphis Ghiesbrcghti, and
Thyrsacanthus rutilans, will now have fairly filled
their pots with roots, and to some extent will de-
pend for support on what is given in th3 form of
manure water. If sustenance is given regularly in
this way, smaller pots will suffice, for though most
of the plants are quick growers that root freely,
yet by the help of liquid stimulants or surface
dressings of concentrated manure, the nutritive
elements of which are carried down to the roots in
the ordinary course of watering, the plants will
attain the requisite size, and keep their foliage in a
healthy condition as well as if more pot room was
given. As they increase in size stand them further

plants of this beautiful winter flowering Aphe-
landra should now have a shift. It will bloom in
almost any state, however small, on which account
it is useful for mixing with Fittonias, Isolepis
gracilis, Panicum variegatum and other things
of a like description that can be used on the side
stages in a stove. The brilliant orange colour of
the flower lightens up everything that is associated
with it. Four-inch or 5-inch pots are large enough
for plants of the description named, whilst larger
stock that have been stopped several times to form
bushy specimens should have pots proportionate to
their size. Aphelandra cristata comes in well for
conservatory decoration during this and next
month, as if stood away from cold draughts and the

Stove and Greenhouse.

ARRANGEMENT OF THE GREEN-
HOUSE.

The greenhouse of the average garden does not
always display happy bits of plant arrangement,
but rather the reverse, the outcome in part of
the usual way of placing the plants in rows on
tall stages so that they can be near the
glass. This is right in one sense. Plants want
light, and will never thrive without a proper
share, but to have a beautiful greenhouse where
good groups can be formed artistically, it is
necessary to set apart a structure for the pur-
pose. It is impossible to grow and exhibit the
plants in the same house. A greenhouse should
be gay the whole year, a miniature conserva-
tory, in which we get pretty effects. In the
usual run of houses this is impossible. They
are filled with the woodwork of ugly stages
on which it is useless to try and make an artis-
tic and pleasing display, such as can be had
when, as in the accompanying illustration, they
are arranged on the ground. The group thus
shown consists of several common plants, the
white Lilies standing out boldly from the sur-
rounding verdure of Ferns and Palms. One of
the best greenhouses of its kind we know is in
the Royal Gardens, Kew. The plants are not,
of course, grown in the structure, but brought
to it in their flowering season ; thus we obtain
from January to December a gay succession
of flowers as varied as they are beautiful.
In the early months of the year we have a va-
riety of forced bulbs, Heaths, Epacrises, and bold
groups of Freesias, Doronicums, (fee, while in
the summer the air is scented with pot Roses,
and the roof gay with a variety of climbing
plants, such as Fuchsias, ifec. It is such light
graceful climbers as these that display their
fullest charms in a greenhouse. The principal
variety is F. gracilis, a lovely gem for wreathing
a rafter with slender shoots and a profusion of
flowers, and another is a larger, more richly
coloured variety known as Alexandrina. Such
types as these are rare in gardens, when a light,
airy greenhouse would provide them with the
best of homes. Lilies of various kinds, Salvias,
especially the blue-flowered S. patens, the pyra-
midal Bellflower (Campanula pyramidalis), a
few Rhododendrons, Oranges, and the supposed
stove-loving Pleroma or Lasiandra niacrantha
would do well. It is strange that, long as the
deep purple-flowered Pleroma has been intro-
duced, it is usually grown in a stove, the place
that least of all suits its nature. It will do
well in a greenhouse, growing and flowering
with the utmost freedom, and creating a variety
in the climbers usually placed there, while its
constitution is not too vigorous. The Kew
greenhouse has low stages running round each
side, but no central stage, so that large groups
can be formed without interfering with the
light or impeding the traffic. This is far better
than the ordinary greenhouse, only requiring
that the house given up to flowering plants
should be kept for this purpose alone.

Lantanas. — These fiee-flowering plants are not
so much grown as they deeeive. Where there is a
well-lighted conservatory Lantanas are amongst the

Aug. 16, 1890.]

THE GAKDEN.

165

best things that can be used during the summer,
as they will keep on flowering for a considerable
time, and when they get drawn and unsightly they
can be headed down or thrown away and replaced
by others. The ease with which they can be pro-
pagated, coupled with their quick growth, admits
of this. Plants struck now and kept in an ordinary
store temperature during the winter will bloom
well by the time that most of the spring-flowering
things are over. The cuttings strike as freely as
possible treated in the usual way with moderate heat,
shade, and moisture. When well rooted put them
into 3-inch pots; loam with some rotten manure
and sand is all they require. Stop the shoots once
or twice during the autumn. — T. B.

Azaleas in the open air.— A good many
hard- wooded greenhouse plants may be kept indoors
without injurious results all the year through, but I
would not advise this being done with Azaleas.
Few plants benefit so much by being exposed to
the elements during the late summer and early
autumn months as these showy greenhouse plants.
They are very liable to the attacks of thrips which
are almost sure to make their appearance when the
plants remain under cover all through the warm
months ; therefore the sooner they can be put out-
side the safer will they be, for thrips will not breed
in the influence of the copious rains and cool moist
nights that the plants are subjected to by a sojourn
of some weeks in the open. An instance lately
came under my notice of the danger of neglecting
this detail in the culture of these plants. The
plants were grand specimens such as are to be
seen at the London exhibitions. It happened that
they changed hands, and the man into whose care
they passed thought proper to keep them indoors
all the summer. The plants became so infested
with thrips that the greater part of the foliage
dropped off, and they can never regain their former
vigour.— J. C. B.

Notes on Montbretia Since the introduc-
tion of Montbretia crocosmia;flora, itself a hybrid
between M. Pottsi and Crocosmia or Tritonia aurea,
we have had many other varieties put into com-
merce, principally by M. Lemoine, of Nancy, who
has made a special feature of these Montbretias
for some years. There is now a considerable range
of colour among them, and very valuable they are
for the decoration of the greenhouse or conserva-
tory at this season. Besides this they are thoroughly
hardy, and form handsome masses in the open
ground, though unfortunately the foliage is apt to
turn yellow just before the flowering season. In
light dry soils they are just as free as under other
conditions, but the foliage is generally more sickly
than on plants in richer and moister soil. These
Montbretias increase very rapidly, long underground
shoots being pushed out from the parent corms,
and in turn they produce corms of their own, which
form the parent of another cluster. These Mont-
bretias are extremely useful where flowers are re-
quired in the house, their long clear stems being of
great service to them in this respect, while the
blooms last a considerable time in water. In the
open ground they start into growth very early in
the year, and though this season the young foliage
was injured a good deal by the severe frost of
March i, they did not suffer any permanent injury.
A well-drained soil is necessary to ensure their
passing through the winter in perfect safety. — H. P.

SHORT NOTES.— STOVE AND GREENHOUSE.

Mesembryanthemum obeordellum.— This
is the name of the plant sent by Emile Hart. It is a
native of the Cape Colony, and introduced originally
nearly a hundred years ago. It should be watered very
little, and during the winter months care must be given
it, or the plant will in all probability disappear.

Gloxinia maeulata (Querist). — Yes, your plant
is correctly named. It obtains its name from the
spotted stem, and not from its flowers. It is a very old
plant, having been introduced iu the early part of the
last century from South America, but it may yet be
grown with success. Your flowers are of deeper blue
than one usually sees.

Latania borboniea. — I recently noted some very
fine specimens of this noble fan-leaved Palm standing

in the pleasure grounds of a well-kept garden. They
were huge plants in tubs, and in the best of health,
being evidently well eared for whilst under glass at
other seasons of the year. They produced a grand
effect, especially two which stood, one on either side of
the terrace steps, and another away in the distance,
toweriug above groups of hardy herbaceous plants and
rockivork with alpines. In spite of the great useful-
ness aud value of the Kentias as decorative Palms, this
old fan-leaved kind is still worth growing, aud when
seen as I saw it, it fully maintains its character as an
excellent specimen Palm.— J. H.

PRIMULA. OBCONICA POISONOUS.
It is surprising that the peculiarly poisonous nature
of Primula obconica is so little known. It should
be marked as a dangerous plant, and carefully kept
out of conservatories which adjoin sitting-rooms of
dwelling houses. It must, however, in fairness be
said that its poison affects only certain consti-
tutions, and works in a mysterious and subtle way
which it is difficult to trace. I have known several
instances of most serious trouble induced by
Primula obconica. Let me give one. The wife of
an intimate friend and neighbour had been for
nearly two years a great sufferer from a strange
form of eczema which was seriously weakening her
health and making life miserable. It affected
hands, face, neck, and greater part of body, but
especially eyeballs, eyelids, nostrils, and mouth,
with burning irritation and discolouration of skin.
This continued for months, and in its worst stages
sleep was quite destroyed, and an alarming state of
ill-health set in which baffled the efforts not only of
the family doctor, but of the highest specialists
consulted. All conceivable remedies were tried in
vain — arsenic in large doses had no effect, and the
sufferer's health was seriously undermined. At
length the fact was repeatedly noted that when
this lady left her own home and went anywhere else
she immediately recovered, and as soon as she re-
turned to her own house the eczema also returned.
It was therefore concluded that the house was at
fault (although the sufferer had lived in it the
greater part of her life in perfect health). Drains
were lifted and relaid, smoke tests applied, and
much expense undergone to remedy any faults.
But the trouble remained as bad as ever, disap-
pearing only when a change of air was occasionally
made. And now for the explanation which was
reached after closest watching and repeated experi-
ments. The lady was fond of tending her flowers,
and had a conservatory opening out of her parlour.
It was suspected that the moist air from the con-
servatory might be the cause of the trouble, so the
conservatory door was built up and communication
stopped. At once the trouble disappeared, and it
was supposed that it had all arisen from the damp
greenhouse air. But after a few days the lady
began to handle some flowers in her conservatory
again, gaining access to it from the outside door, and
immediately the trouble appeared again as bad as
ever. To shorten the story, it may be said that
suspicion was aroused after weeks of watching that
this lady's favourite flower (Primula obconica) was
the cause of the trouble. When she handled it she
at once became ill. It was therefore completely
banished from the conservatory, and although the
door communicating with the parlour was again
opened, there was no more eczema, until some weeks
later the lady visited the greenhouse at the end of
the garden where the poisonous plants had been
banished. She began handling them, and soon
after, her illness returned as before. All these
flowers have now been destroyed, not one being
allowed near the place, and since then the lady's
health is perfect, and for months no trace of
eczema. Doubtless she could bring it back at any
time by petting Primula obconica. Medical men
are mostly unaware of such facts. Doubtless many
people suffer from this insidious poison since this
Primrose became such a favourite, and it is time
that attention should be called to it as a dangerous
poison for some constitutions. George Eeid.
St. Andrew's, N.B.

Scutellaria Mocciniana. — Where this plant
is grown in sufficient numbers it does much to

keep the stove gay through the greater part of the
year, for it is scarcely ever out of bloom. Plants
that are intended to flower during the last months
of the year should have the flowers pinched out im-
mediately they appear. This will cause the eyes
below to break and make growth that will flower
at the time named. There is no particular season
for potting plants of this character that go on con-
tinually growing and producing a succession of
flowers so long as they get enough warmth to keep
them moving. Any that are likely to suffer for
want of root room before spring had better have a
shift now. Ordinary turfy loam with a moderate
quantity of rotten manure and sand is all that the
plant requires. Cuttings of this Scutellaria struck
now,if keptinamoderately warm stove, will continue
growing slowly through the winter and make use-
ful blooming stock in spring. Put them singly into
small pots half filled with a mixture of sifted loam
and sand. Confined under propagating glasses or
enclosed in a striking frame with a temperature of
75° they will root readily. When well established
move them into 3-inch pots ; these will be large
enough to carry them on to the beginning of the
coming year, when more root room may be given.
— T. B.

MARKET GARDEN NOTES.

Splendid summer weather has come at last, and
with it plenty of work in clearing the ground of
exhausted crops and the luxuriant growth of weeds
that has been setting hoes at defiance during the
recent downpours of rain. There is now a press of
work to get the land cropped again , as the days are
visibly drawing in and every day lost is of import-
ance. First on the list of most pressing crops
are

Early PoTATOES.'that are being lifted and mar-
keted as rapidly as possible, for the dread disease
spreads fast, and although the conditions are now
favourable for checking its progress, growers are
anxious to sell, not only to set the land at liberty
for other crops, but especially from the uncertainty
as to the losses they may incur by keeping them on
hand.

Broccoli, Cauliflowers, and other winter
greens are being planted in quantity. These crops
do well after Potatoes with very little prepara-
tion, as the ground is generally well manured and
cultivated for Potato planting. After the Potatoes
are dug the soil is levelled down, and good strong
plants put out at once in rows 2J feet apart. If the
weather is dry a good soaking of sewage is given.

Celery is now claiming a good deal of attention,
not only in getting out the late crops, but in attend-
ing to those that were early planted, clearing the
base of suckers, giving manure water, tying up and
earthing, and, above all, clearing the plants of the
maggots of the Celery fly, that has been unusually
busy this season.

Cabbages. — The sowing for main crop has lately
been pushed on, and now young plants need pro-
tecting from birds and slugs. Everyone tries to
have a good supply of early spring Cabbages.

Tomatoes both under glass and in the open
air have very materially improved since brighter
weather prevailed, and pruning and training are
receiving daily attention, as there are now more
hopes of getting some return for the labour than
prevailed a month ago. Some of the most for-
ward fruits are ripening out of doors, and with a
fine autumn we may get a fair crop.

Cucumbers and Yegetable Marrows are
now producing more fruit, and the higher tempe-
rature causes a better sale for them. Ridge Cu-
cumbers are now coming in plentifully.

Letiuce And Endive for the winter supply
are being planted on any vacant spaces, and seed
of the hardiest kinds for plants to stand through
the winter is being sown, also Radishes of the China
Rose and Black Spanish kinds, as they sell freely
in winter when other salads are scarce. Onions
of the White Lisbon for drawing in a green state,
and Giant Rocca and the Tripoli varieties for

166

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 16, 1890.

transplanting are being sown in drills about 1 foot
apart.

Early Apples are being gathered and mar-
keted, and owing to the failure of Plums and
Pears, they are likely to realise better prices than
usual. J. OK

Hants.

Societies and Exhibitions.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
THERE was a good show of flowers for mid-
August in the Drill Hall, Victoria Street, on Tues-
day last, and several interesting fruit exhibits, but
very few visitors to see them.

A first-class certificate was given to each of the
following : —

Saccolabium Hendersonianum. — A small
spike of this rare Saccolabium was shown, quite
insufficient to give a true idea of its beauty when
seen on a vigorous plant in full bloom. It is a
Bornean species, very compact, and jnst the thing
for a block or basket, having much the appear-
ance of the little Mesospinidium vulcanicum, only
it is distinctly a Saccolabium. It has leaves
about (J inches long, and from the axils spring the
erect and close self-rose-coloured flowers of a
bright and pretty shade ; the lip, reduced almost
to a mere spur, is white. When grown well and
flowered freely, i r. is attractive. From Major
Mason, The Firs, Warwick.

Masdevallia Lowi.— This is a distinct and
interesting species, not unlike M. Shuttleworthi in
the colouring of the flowers, but they are more
spreading, pointed, and bolder in shape. The se-
pals narrow gradually to a fine point, and each is
almost covered with a profusion of magenta-rose
spots, the tails being light greenish-yellow. The
plant was in fair condition and bore one bloom
only, so that one can scarcely judge of its value for
creating a show in the Orchid house. From Mr.
S. Courtauld, Braintree (C. Wright, gardener).

Sobbalta WAR3CEWICZI — This is a useful spe-
cies, judging from a specimen shown by Messrs. J.
Veitch & Sons, the growth being strong and the
leaves of a deep green colour, more polished and
intense than in other types. There was only one
flower, and it is the fleeting character of the blos-
soms that prevents Sobralias from becoming more
grown; but this is of a delicate colour, about half
the size of that of S. macrantha, and tender mauve-
lilac in the sepals, the sepals of a deeper shade,
o.nd the large frilled lip of a richer tone still, a
gradation of varying hues of one colour. Inside the
throat of the lip there is a suffusion of yellow.

Cypbipedium H. Ballantine. — This Lady's
Slipper is the result of a cross between C. purpu-
ratum and C. Fairrieanum, but there is little of
the Fairrieanum character, except in the petals,
which have in a measure the peculiar curve that
distinguishes those of that delightful species. The
dorsal sepal is white at the upper margin, striped
longitudinally with dark chocolate, and suffuse!
with green around the base ; the petals are dull
rose, greenish in the centre, and hairy at the edge,
the lip pale purplish colour; the base green.
It is an interesting hybrid. From Messrs. J. Veitch
& Sons.

Drac.ena Miss GLiiNDiNNiKt;.— A~distinct and
beautiful variety, and a, plant that should be valuable
for table decoration. It is essentially a table plant,
the leaves narrow, tapering, and bending gracefully,
while they are intense green in colour, the margin
rich crimson. Its rich colouring is as beautiful as
its gracefulness. From Messrs. B. S. Williams
and Son, Upper Holloway.

Abies Tsuga.— This is found plentifully on the
Japanese mountains between 3000 feet and IIMOO
feet elevation. It is quite hardy in this country,
and bv reason of its dwarfness and elegance, useful
for a lawn. It was introduced in l.S.<">3~ by the late
Dr. Siebold, ami has much the character of the
Canadian Hemlock Fir. From Messrs. J. Veitch and
Sons.

Sequoia sempervirens alba spica.— This is a
good variegated variety of the Californian Redwood

with smaller leaves than those of the type, and the
tree is more graceful. The contrast of glaucous
leafage and the creamy-white young growth is not
unpleasant. The tips of the shoots are nearly all
of a creamy colour. It is a strong grower, and
might be used to advantage in the garden if planted
with extreme caution. From Messrs. J. Veitch and
Sons.

Tilia Ecchlora.— This is a fine avenue treerof
good habit, and with rich glossy green leaves that
hold on much longer than those of the ordinary
Lime. An avenue of it would be exceedingly beauti-
ful by reason of this glossy character in the foliage.
From Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons.

An award of merit went to each of the follow-
ing :—

Petunia Holborn Blue.— This is described as
of the " Clematis section," but it is a mistake to
call plants after others that have no affinity what-
ever. One might suppose it to be a Petunia that
climbs over doorways and arches. The flowers re-
mind one of those of Jackman's Clematis in colour,
these being of varying depths of blue, and very
showy in a mass. A large basketful of it came from
Messrs. J. Carter and Co., High Holborn.

Gladiolus Empress of Germany —This has a
fine bold flower, typical of the present race of
Gladioli, the petals very smooth, broad, even,
white, and daked at the margin with brilliant car-
mine. From Messrs. J. Kelway and Son, Lang-
port.

Gladiolus Stanley.— This has the size, form,
and expression of the finest florists' Gladioli. The
flowers are white, flaked with crimson, the lower
segments having a yellow suffusion in the centre.
From Messrs. J. Kelway and Son, Langport.

Hydrangea hortensis fl.-pl.— A perfectly
double variety of the common greenhouse H. hor-
tensis, the flowers of a bright rose colour. It is
naturally more massive than the ordinary form.
B'rom J. Veitch and Sons.

Nepenthes Burkei prolifica.— A very dis-
tinct and pretty Pitcher plant ; the pitchers are
smaller than those of the type, but produced with
remarkable freedom. A fairly large plant bore
seventeen, and each is lightly coloured. The
ground colour is pale green, the upper portion of
the pitcher being blotched and flaked with light
red, the margin of the throat of a deeper shade ;
the lid is light green. As graceful and charming
as any Pitcher plant we know. From Messrs. J.
Veitch and Sons.

Nepenthes Burkei excellens.— This is quite
different. It comes nearer the type, and is not so
free as the other, but the pitchers are almost three
times the size, straighter than in those of Burkei,
and deeply coloured. The ground colour is green,
striped and blotched with chocolate, and shaded
with brown, while the margin of the mouth is deep
crimson-brown, which extends into the throat ; the
lid is prettily and freely veined with rose. This is
a species that ought to become much grown, as it
is of unusually rich colour and bold form. It was
introduced from New Guinea. From J. Veitch and
Sons.

Dahlia (Cactus) Robert Maher.— A very fine
variety, unusually pleasing in colour, which is light
yellow, deepening in the centre to a richer shade.
It is of good Cactus shape, not flattened out like
many of the newer varieties. From Mr. T. S. Ware,
Tottenham.

Verbena Uranie. —A beautiful light blue-
coloured flower, with a fine centre eye of white.
Several good trusses of it were shown by Messrs.
H. Cannell and Sons. We hope to see Verbenas
again in favour, as they have colours of great richness
and beauty.

Picotee Mrs. Walford.— This is a yellow
ground variety, and a beautiful flower of its class.
The colour is light yellow, the edge of the petals
being striped with red, surrounded by a suffusion
of white. It is a distinct and tenderly coloured
variety. From Mr. C. Turner, Slough.

Countess of Jersey, also a yellow ground Car-
nation, the petals touched with rose. It is exceed-

ingly pretty and of bold full shape. From Mr. C
Turner.

Orchids were few in number. A group was
shown by Messrs. Sander and Co., of St. Albans,
comprising Cattleyas of several kinds. A plant
was exhibited of C. Schofieldiana, an evergreen
species with the character of C. guttata Leopoldi.
It has tawny yellow sepals and petals, spotted freely
with crimson-purple, while there is also a suspicion
of purple and green ; the lip is coloured with ma-
genta-purple, the side lobes white with a tinge of
rose. Several beautiful varieties of C. Gaskelli-
ana were shown : also the finely-coloured C.
Dowiana; Angrajcum articulatum, white; Vanda
hybrida Amesiana, a pretty buff-yellow kind ; and
Pbalrenopsis Micholitzi, which bore one flower with
the sepals and petals of almost equal size, greyish-
white, except at the base of each which is cream-
white in colour, the lip also white, ridged in the
centre, the base orange-yellow (botanical certifi-
cate). A very beautiful group of Satyriums was
shown by Messrs. Seeger and Tropp, Dulwich, the
plants well displayed on a bed of Moss and
superbly flowered. The finest were carneum roseum,
rich rose ; evectum, and nitens, which has yellow
flowers (silver medal). Mr. Malcolm Cooke, Kings-
ton, sent a very beautiful variety of Ltelia elegans,
th« flowers unusually rich in colour. The sepals
and petals are deep crimson and purple, the lip
more intense still. We should give it a distinctive
name. Cypripedium superbiens was represented
by aplantfi om thesamegarden with malformed lips.
This is a light-coloured species, and one of the best
of its group. Messrs. T. and J. Rogers, Lodsworth,
sent C. callosum ; and Mr. Young, gardener to Mr.
F. Wigan, East Sheen, a richly coloured form of
Oncidium Lanceanum.

A large group of miscellaneous plants was put
up by Messrs. B. S. Williams and Son, consisting
chiefly of the leading varieties of Dracjena and
several very fine plants of Cypripediums, also the
pretty Pachystoma Thorn psoni. Among the Cypripe-
diums was C. cenanthum superbum, of which a plant
bearing several blooms was shown. It is the finest
of all the Lady's Slippers, and that is a bold state-
ment when their number is almo-t legion. C. Ash-
burtonise superbum, a beautiful variety, the flowers
very neat and more compact in form than those of
the type, C. tonsum and C. grande were also exhi-
bited (silver medal).

The most brilliant, but most formal, display was
a superb collection of Gladiolus spikes from Messrs.
Kelway and Son, Langport. The rows of spikes
showed the variety of colours, breadth of petal, and
massiveness to be obtained now in the Gladiolus ;
and a few varieties besides those certificated that
were worthy of note comprised Lady Carrington.
light mauve, very delicate ; Epictetus, bright rose ;
Agrins, scarlet, lower segments coloured with
yellow ; Mr. Barnes, scarlet, with a line of purple
down each of the segments ; and Duke of Fife,
crimson, lower segments white in the centre, and
the others beautified by a thin line of white down
the centre of each (silver medal). Messrs. G. Paul
and Son, I heshunt, exhibited a collection of mis-
cellaneous things, comprising sprigs of August-
blooming shrubs, as Ceanothus azureus, Hypericum
oblongifolium, a bold and rich yellow-flowered St.
John's-wort, with excellent leafage: Spiraea callosa
in variety, besides other Spiraeas : also a group of
cut Roses, very fresh and creditable for the season _

The plants from Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons were
exceedingly numerous and varied. They consisted
of shrubs, those that have been certificated, and
Sciadopitys verticillata, the almost white and
weak-coloured Ceanothus azureus albidus, Eucry-
phia pinnatifolia (see p. 148), a Chinese species of
Acer ; Cupressus Lawsoniana filiformis, Abies
canadensis pendula, and Acer argutum, a beautiful
tree, the young leafage rich rose, and also the
stems. Another group was mainly of stove plants,
as the fine-leaved Begonia Marie Louise ; Anthu-
rium hybridum delicatum, the spike large and very
pale rose, almost white ; A. le Flambeau, rich
crimson; Gymnogramma schizophylla erectn, very
graceful and spreading, the fronds erect and deep
green, a beautiful Fern, and a collection of Javanese

Aug. 16, 1890.]

THE GARDEN".

167

Rhododendrons. The same firm also had a large
and varied collection of hardy Gladioli, the out-
come of crossing G. purpureo-auratus and ganda-
vensis : the race is of course in its infancy, but we
are getting a fine range of colours Fascination,
light salmon, the lower segments with a blotch of
purple-maroon, and Amazon, rose, are two distinct
forms. -Messrs. Yeituh exhibited besides these a
selection of African Marigolds in their several
colours — yellow, orange, lemon, and the smaller
striped French types (silver medal). A large
group of seedling Gloxinias was shown by Messrs
J. Peed and Sons. Norwood, the plants tastefully set
up amongst Ferns. The variety of colours and erect
bold character of the flowers show this to be an
excellent strain (bronze medal). A selection of
Cactus, single, and pompon Dahlias came from
Messrs. J. Cheal and Sons, Crawley. Of the Cactus
varieties, Duke of Clarence, rich maroon-crimson
was noteworthy : and of the single types, the best
was Miss Maud Millet, brilliant rose.

A group of florists' flowers was shown by Messrs.
H. Cannell and Sons. We were pleased to find a
beautiful stand of Verbena blooms, comprising such
varieties as LTliade, rich sapphire-blue, the eye
white ; Ball of Fire, scarlet; and Purple Queen, pur-
ple ; besides a selection of double and single tu-
berous Begonias and a plant of the little Venus
Vietrix Fuchsia, parent of our white varieties.
Heliotrope Swanley Giant was represented by seve-
ral plants, full of the large spreading spikes of
richly-scented blue flowers. Messrs. Canmll also
had early Chrysanthemums ; amongst others the
Golden Shah, a rich yellow and thoroughly useful
early variety, and two boxes of cut flowers of
Begonia Octavie, which are like those of a Gardenia
and of a purer white.

Several plants of the old Chimney Bellflower
(Campanula pyramidalis), in both blue and white
varieties, showed the value of this fine flower for
grouping. An effective display was made by Mr.
Wythes, Syon House Gardens, Isleworth, who also
had amongst them an excellent form of the type ;
the spike and plant more massive, the flowers of a
deeper blue in colour, and the leaves larger and
stronger (bronze medal).

Other exhibits of flowers included Sarracenias
from Mr. A. Wipf, Lincoln, the result of crossing S.
Drummondi alba and Chelsoni and the reverse
cross. The forms were unusually rich in colour,
especially S. Claytoni, in which the pitchers varied
in colour from those brilliant crimson, heavily col-
oured with dark veins, to those beautifully netted
and veined. S. Cockburniensis has handsome
pitchers of fine colours, also S. Lincolniensis, which
has tall pitchers of varying shades of crimson. Mr.
Wipf has certainly produced good work amongst
Sarracenias, which he should still go on with. Mr.
Ware showed a white-flowered Cactus Dahlia of
promise called Harry Freeman ; and Mr. Dean.
Ealing, a few good things in the hardy
way, especially Aster Comet, which has been
frequently referred to in The Gaeden ; it is
a fine variety, of good rose colour, broad, massive,
and handsome. He also showed African Mari-
golds of the approved florists' type, the colours of
varied shades of yellow. They are showy in a mass,
but we cannot admire them cut singly and placed
on a board. A large collection of Carnations and
Picotees came from the Chiswick Gardens, also
plants of the delightful annual flowers Brachycome
iberidifolia, white and blue ; the rich yellow
and purple-crimson Arnebia cornuta, Torenia Bail-
loni, T. Fournieri. and T. White Wings, a very
pretty pure white-flowered variety. From the
Chiswick Gardens were also sent flowers of Ivy-
leaved Pelargoniums, of which the double-flowered
carmine Souvenir de Charles Turner is the best-
Messrs. Hurst and Son, Shoreditch, sent flowers of
double annual Chrysanthemums, and Messrs. Car-
ter and Co., High Holborn, excellent spikes of
Hedychium Gardnerianum.

The Royal Gardens, Kew, contributed several
interesting flowers, comprising a gathering of
Streptocarpus seedlings obtained by crossing S.
Saundersi and S. kewensis, Watsoni, Rexi, &c.
The result is a race of charming flowers, varying

from white to purple, exquisitely shaded and pen-
cilled. S. Watsoni was also shown, the flowers
deep rose. Such easily grown and free-bloommg
things as these should be much grown in green-
houses. There are many uses for them. S. Rexi
alba is a beautiful flower, white, with a few stripes
of mauve on the lower segments. The scarlet
Pentstemon puniceus, Cyrtanthus MacKeni, Chi-
ronia pedunculata, C. palustris var., and Lobelia
tupa, a Chilian species, were also sent.

Fruit Committee. — A first-class certificate
was given to the following: —

Cucujibee Express. — A handsome, straight,
and showy variety, a cross between Puiley Park
and Tender and True. It is necessary to exercise
caution in giving certificates to Cucumbers. We
have already an overwhelming number of supposed
" new " varieties. This seems of real value. From
Mr. Mortimer, Farnham.

The fruit was more plentiful than usual. We
expect it now. Large collections of Gooseberries
were shown by Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons and Messrs.
Paul & Son, the Chelsea firm having also the leading
varieties of Red and White Currants, the La Ver-
sailleuse being one of the best of the Reds, and
early Pears and Apples. A silver-gilt medal was
awarded, and a silver medal to Messrs. Paul & Son.
An interesting exhibit was the Peaches from Messrs.
Burton and Son, Bexley Heath, Kent. There were
eight boxes packed for market, the varieties being Os-
piey, Princessot Wales, Albatross and Sea Eagle, the
fruits of which were superbly coloured (silvei medal).
Mr. Roupell, btreatham, exhibited early Apples.
Mr. Wytues exhibited fruits of Musa paradisiaca,
which were very fine, thick, and showed excellent
culture. A cultural award was worthily made to
them. Melon Holkham Hybrid, from Mr. A. Lan-
caster, Holkham, Norfolk, seems to be a good fruit.
Mr. Leach, Albury Park Gardens, sent splendid
fruits of a Raspberry. It would be better if the name
were always given.

The most interesting feature was the collection
of Tomatoes from the Royal Horticultural Society's
Gardens at Chiswick. The fruits were admirable
samples, and the varieties numerous. One of the
best was Shamrock, a splendid fruit, good in
quality, of fair size, somewhat conical in shape,
and deep crimson. One fruit of President Cleve-
land weighed 20^ ozs. Other varieties were Hors-
ford's Prelude, Ficarazzi (a very even fruit). Gold-
finder, Advancer, Mikado, Red Mikado, The Con-
ference, Chemin, Tennis-ball, Ham Green Favour-
ite, and The Peach, besides the leading yellow-
fiuited kinds. All the fruits were excellently
grown, and of the newer sorts we shall give further
notes.

In the afternoon a paper on " Fruit Drying by
Evaporation as Practised in America " was read in
the absence of Mr. Badger, of Birmingham, by the
Rev. W. Wilks.

The Royal Botanic Society. — In the

museum of the Royal Botanic Society's Gardens,
Regent's Park, recently, the Fellows of the society
held their fifty-first anniversary meeting, under the
presidency of Mr. Arthur Rigg. There was a fair
attendance. The report of the council, read by
Mr. W. Sowerby (secretary), congratulated the
Fellows upon the firm position held by the society
in the year of its jubilee, and thanked them for
their action, in response to which 109 new names
were added to the list. This success was not only
the natural results of the jubilee, but a permanent
growth of prosperity, as shown by the total sub-
scriptions for the year — £3568— which had not
been reached since 1SS5. Notwithstanding the
fact that the weather during the past season had
been far from favourable, the returns of both the
spring and summer exhibitions had shown an ad-
vance over those of last > ear. The evening fete,
although not quite so financially successful as last
year, proved a good average, the total number of
visitors being 6312. The floral parade was again
undertaken, the exhibits being generally superior
to last year. It was found, however, a matter of
great difficulty to induce florists, and others

interested in the public use of flowers, to assist the
socie y in this new line. The report concluded by
expressing the regret of the council at the death
of Mr. R. Marnock, the designer of the gardens,
the whole of the construction of which was his
practical handiwork.

Williams Memorial. — A meeting was held
at the rooms of the Horticultural Club, Hotel
Windsor, Victoria Street, London, S W., on Tues-
day, the 12th inst., to consider the form of the pro-
posed memorial to the late Mr. B. S. Williams. Dr.
M. T. Masters occupied the chair, and there was a
good attendance. Letters were read from Sir
Trevor Lawrence, Bare, M.P., Baron Schrceder, Mr.
Thomson of Clovenfords, Sir Joseph Terry, Dr.
Hogg, Mr. J. Watson, Mr. W. Robinson, Mr."Regi-
nald Young, Mr. J. Vere Goodman. Mr. H. Perkins,
Mr. Sander, Mr. W. Bull, Mr. W. Smythe, Mr.
Stephen Osborne, Mr. Jas. Coomtes, Mr. E. Pidsley,
Mr. Bruce Findlay, Mr. Gaskell, Mr. Pynaert Van
Geert, Mr. Eckford. and several other gentlemen,
expressing approval of the scheme, and offering-
various suggestions as to the form it should take.
The chairman stated that they were all at one as
to the proposal to establish a fund, and invited dis-
cussion as to the character of the scheme that
should be placed before the public. The following
resolution was proposed by Mr. Henry Cannell,
seconded by Mr. H. J. Veitch, and carried unani-
mously: "That this committee desires to raise a
sufficient sum to perpetuate Mr. B. S. Williams'
memory by investing an amount sufficient to put a
certain number of orphans on the Gardeners' Or-
phan Fund, as Williams' Memorial Orphans, and
also to give prizes in money with Williams' Me-
morial certificates for excellence in the cultivation
of plants."

Obituary.

Death of Mr. James. — We regret to record
the death of this well-known florist, which took
place on the evening of the 8th inst. at his resi-
dence, Farnham Royal, Bucks. Mr. James for
many years had suffered from heart disease, to
which, after some three months' acute illness, he
finally succumbed. His latest exhibit of plants
in London was at the Temple show in May, when
some truly grand herbaceous Calceolarias showed
how ably during twenty-four years he had thus
sustained the high reputation of the strain shown
at the great International Horticultural Exhibition
of 18(113. Not only with Calceolarias, but notably
Cyclamen, Primulas, and Cinerarias, the latter es-
pecially, had Mr. James achieved high reputation.
After s >me thirty years of gardening at Redlees,
Isleworth, where he became one of the most suc-
cessful of florist exhibitors near the metropolis,
Mr. James went, some eight years since, to reside
at Farnham Royal, where he cultivated his favour-
ite flowers largely. He «as possessed of singularly
good judgment in relation to flowers, and the very
line strains created, e-pecially of Cinerarias, showed
that his judgment was well directed. A member
of the floral committee of the Royal Horticultural
Society, of the Auricula Society, &c, he was, so far
as weak health permitted, in active touch with the
floral world. Having during the past few years
become the owner of some excellent land at Farn-
ham Royal, he laid down several acres of an admir-
able slope with standard fruit trees, and in a few
years his successors will reap the benefit in having
a fine orchard of well selected trees.

Pittosporum flavum. — The above named beau-
tiful golden- Hon ered shrub, about which " Edgedale "
inquires m The Gard»k, August 9 (p. 143), is figured
and described on plate 4799 of the Sflth volume of
Botanical Magazine. — W. E. Gumblhton.

Names of plants. — J. B. — 1, Blechnum corcova-
dense ; 2, B. occidentale ; 3, Davallia aculeata; 4

Woodwardia radicaus ; 5, Nephrolepis hirsutula.

Henley.— 1, Cibotium Schiedei ; 2, Aspleuium Fabia-
num ; 3, Goniopteris refracta; 4, Lomaria nuda; 5,

Polypodium trichodes. M. T. J. 1, Utricularia

Eudresi ; 2, Torenia Bailloni ; 3, Ixora salieefolia ; 4,
Columnea seaudens ; 5, Gloriosa superba ; 0, Gardenia
citriodora ; 7, Meyenia Vogeliana . Others next week.

168

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 16, 1890.

WOODS AISHD FORESTS.

PLANTING EXPOSED SITUATIONS.

Those who live in high and exposed situations
have difficulties to contend with in forming
plantations of which people who live in
sheltered valleys and in the low lands know
nothing. Low-lying districts undoubtedly ex-
perience the severest frosts, but they are a
moderate evil compared with persistent and
cold winds, which starve and retard vegetation
more than all other causes put together. I am
acquainted with parks situated many hundreds
of feet above the level of the sea, where the
effects of exposure on the one hand and shelter
on the other are strikingly contrasted. In
some of these instances the demesne may fitly
be compared to a circle planted in concentric
rings ; the outer circle, being most exposed, is
stunted and poor ; the next is better, and as
we approach the centre the trees improve both
in height, girth, and luxuriance, the result
simply of the shelter afforded by the outer
rings, which break the force of the blast. Much
disappointment would be avoided if in planting
exposed sites suitable subjects only were se-
lected, for although all specimens are affected
more or less by exposure, there are many trees
and shrubs that will thrive tolerably well if
they get a favourable start. Along the " back-
•bone of England," and on other high-lying
tracts, there are many residences situated at
or near these elevations where planting for
shelter would be very desirable if it could al-
ways be carried out successfully.

Planting. — Nothing is so likely to promote
a vigorous growth, or to sustain the vitality of
plant life under adverse circumstances, as a
good, deep, and well-drained soil. If the soil
be not deep, then thick mulchings of any loose
vegetable matter should be applied to the sur-
face after the trees are planted, and for a year
or two afterwards till they have become fairly
established. There is nothing so likely to pro-
mote the well-being of shrubs in any way as a
good mulching. It retains the heat of the
ground in a wonderful degree, and also prevents
evaporation. The scathing dry winds of the
spring months try newly-planted trees worse
than anything else, as I have had occasion to
observe very frequently, and their evil effects
are felt ten times more if the soil be bare and
hard, for then both branches and roots are
literally starved with cold and drought. An-
other point is, in buying the stock, to get what
are called transplanted trees, that is, trees that
have been moved perhaps two years previously.
These are not nearly so likely to fail after plant-
ing as others are. Some nurserymen take great
pains to transplant their stock periodically, while
others do not trouble themselves to do so ; but
to the buyer it is a matter of much importance.
The non-transplanted trees are generally the
finest-looking and largest, never having received
any check — a fact which frequently deceives the
inexperienced, but they have proportionately few
roots, and lifting them as they are usually lifted
in a nursery simply half ruins them, and it is
long before they recover the shock after plant-
ing, while transplanted trees experience little
or no check at all. With the exception of
Hollies, which should be planted in August, or
in May or June, according to the locality, the
general planting should be done in October or
early in November, or it should be deferred till
March or April following. Unless in very
favourable seasons mid-winter is the worst sea-
son in the whole year for such work, and espe-
cially so in cold districts. Care should be taken
to have the plants put in the ground as suon as

they arrive from the nursery. When warmth
and shelter round the house and gardens are
the objects, the hardier species — such as the
Firs, Birch, Willow, Mountain Ash, and others
— should occupy the background, chiefly at
those points from which cold winds prevail, and
thick planting should be the rule. Thinning
can be effected afterwards, if necessary, but
nursing for the first few years is of great im-
portance, and thick planting is the best protec-
tion. J.

Thick planting. — In crowded plantations
there is a marked difference between the trees on
the outside and those in the centre ; the former,
having their branches and leaves fully exposed
on one side, grow with comparative vigour, and
form excellent timber on that side of the stem
where light and air are admitted ; while the
latter, hemmed in on all sides, are drawn up like
bare poles, and produce a small amount of ill-
conditioned wood. A crowded plantation, in
which the trees are allowed to increase in size
until they interfere with each other, cannot be
easily reclaimed ; for every attempt at thinning
in this advanced stage of growth is accompanied
with the risk of exposure to the blast, which
speedily levels trees having no firm hold of the
soil. — T.

Draining land — There is no doubt that stag-
nant water in land is most injurious to vegetation,
and although it may be ever so fertile, no crop of
any value can be produced by it when in that con-
dition. Its effect upon pastures is to encourage the
growth of a number of semi-aquatic plants, which
are devoid of any useful property, and they and the
dampness combined tend in many instances to en-
gender unheal thiness and disease in those animals
which graze upon them. The surface layers of soil
in a healthy state are more or less in an open and
porous condition, so that air and the essence, so to
speak, resulting from the decay of organic matter,
are freely percolated through them. It is necessary
for the healthy growth of plant life that the soil
should be in this state in order to prepare new
supplies of fertilising matter for their absorption.
Should the land, however, be in such a state that its
interstices or air passages are filled continually with
water, it is evident that the requisite alterations
cannot take place. It is therefore necessary to re-
sort, in these cases, to a system of drainage, so as
to draw off all superfluous water that may be lodg-
ing in the soil, and thereby promote a means by
which the water falling on the surface may pass
away freely. Among other beneficial effects con-
sequent on draining is that the sun has a more di-
rect influence in imparting heat to the soil, thus
raising its temperature, which results in vegetation
being forced earlier in the season and in hastening
its growth. The soil is also brought into a fit state
for being benefited by the application of manures,
which, if laid on those in a wet and undrained con-
dition, would have but a slight influence upon them.
When pasture lands have been drained the inferior
Grasses gradually disappear,' and are replaced by
others of a richer and more abundant character.
— A. S.

The time to transplant trees. — A good deal
has been written on this subject. Although a few
planters may boast of having planted both deci-
duous and evergreen subjects every month in the
year, still there is a right and wrong season for
such work, and I think most growers will admit
that midsummer and mid- winter are thetwo wrong,
and autumn and spring the two right seasons. The
reason why transplanting is not advisable at mid-
winter is that the vitality of all plants is at its
lowest at that season, and there is not sufficient
heat in either the air or the soil to excite growth
and thereby heal over the mutilated roots and give
the tree even a feeble hold. Its animation is all
but completely suspended, and it is at the mercy of
the season and all its vicissitudes. There is indeed
absolutely nothing to be said in favour of trans-
planting in winter. As to summer planting, it is
open to an opposite set of objections. Of course,

provided a tree is moved with all its roots intact,
it is of no consequence when it is transplanted, but
that is not what is contemplated. At midsummer,
unless the roots are abundant and in good condi-
tion, evaporation from the leaves and trunk is in
excess of the supply of moisture from the root, and
the tree withers if it does not die— doing no good
that season at least, so that at the best nothing
is gained and a good deal may be lost. In March,
April, and May, and again in August, September,
and October, all these influences are moderated,
and the vital forces of the tree and temperature
of the earth and air are more nearly adjusted, so
to speak, and unite to promote that root-action
which is of the first importance in all trans-
planted trees, because although excessive heat and
moisture may cause an apparent growth of the
shoots for a short time at first, no real progress
can take place till roots are formed. The reasons
why planting succeeds better at certain seasons
than others are, indeed, physiological rather than
what are called " practical," and cannot be set
aside with impunity, notwithstanding the accounts
of certain people's experiences, which, on the
whole, are very conflicting. Whether spring or
autumn is best depends much on circumstances.
An early, dry, and warm summer tries all kinds
of newly transplanted trees and shrubs, unless
water is abundant and judiciously applied, and an
early and severe winter is even worse for autumn
moved trees.

Larch trees injured (IT. S. Matt). — Your
Larches are infested with the Larch aphis (Cher-
mes laricis), which will cause much injury to the trees
unless checked by their natural enemies or by
artificial means. I should recommend you to apply
with a syringe or garden engine one of the washes
used for washing Hops : 5 lbs. of soft soap, 8 lbs.
of Quassia chips (the extract from), and 100 gallons
of soft water. If the water be hard add a little
soda. To make the extract of Quassia, tie the chips
up in a coarse bag and boil them for half an hour
in just enough water to cover them, then let all get
cold and stand for twelve hours, squeezing the chips
every now and then. Or use the extract of 5 lbs.
of Quassia, G lbs. of soft soap, 4 pints of Calvert's
carbolic acid, No. 5, and 100 gallons of soft water,
or use 1 pint of paraffin oil instead of the carbolic
acid. In this case be sure and mix the oil
thoroughly with the soft soap before adding the
water, and keep the solution well mixed while
using. — G. S. S.

Composts for trees. — A well-made compost is
oue of the most valuable auxiliaries of the tree planter,
and no opportunity of collecting materials for such
should be lost by the judicious planter. Lime not only
purifies and stimulates, but it also in the course of
time enriches such admixtures of raw materials.
Upon land infested with insects, and upon mossy lands
and peat bogs after drainage, a heavy dressing of lime
will render it unnecessary to pare and burn the sur-
face.—B.

Firs in a northern aspect. — So much does a
cold situation influence the growth of the Fir, that
trees grown on the northern side of a hill are superior
to those grown on the southern side, as those on a
northern aspect grow less rapidly than those on the
sunny side of a hill. The timber on the northern side
will therefore be, as a rule, mora durable than that
grown on the southern, and the trees would not be so
liable to injury from frosts; indeed, many diseases are
induced, perhaps aggravated, by the sap being checked
during early spring on a south or south-eastern aspect.
— B.

'The Garden" Monthly Parts.— This journal it
published in neatly bound Monthly Parts. In this form the
coloured 2~>lat.s are best preferred, and it is most suitable for
reference previous to the issue of the half yearly volumes. Price
Is. 6d. ; post free, Is. yd. Complete set of volumes of The
Garden from its commencement In end of 1SS9, thirty-six vols.,
price, cloth, £27; half morocco, £32 8?.

"Hardy Flowers."— Giving descriptions of upwards of

thirteen hundred of the most oriitimeltlal species, with directions
for their arrangement, culture, &c. Fourth and Popular
Edition, Is. ; post free, Is. 3d.

"Farm and Home" Monthly Farts. — This

journal is published in neatly bounel Monthly Parts, in which
form it is most suitable for reference previous to the issue of the
yearly volumes. Price 5d. ; post free, Sd.

London : 37, Southampton Street, Strand, W.C.

THE GARDEN.

169

No. 979. SATURDAY, Aug. 23,1890. Vol. XXXVIII.

" This Is an Art
Which does mend Nature : change it rather ; but
The Art itself is Nature." — Sliakespeare.

CHANGES OF FAITH IN GARDENING.

No changes of faith are more apparent now-a-
days than the ultra metamorphosis of garden-
ing taste. Imprimis, gone the " bedding-out
mania," gone the " white elephants" of the
stove and greenhouse ; in a -word, gone the
era of the useless, except as ostentatious show
products, and instead have we not the era of
beautiful utility ; fruits and vegetables to eat,
and flowers to bring into the house and enjoy,
rather than grown for the exhibition table 1

But there are other great changes, such as
the decadence of the great centres, so called,
of horticulture in Great Britain and in Ireland,
where the " Royal " societies are nearly de-
funct, while the local or district societies are
often in the most flourishing condition.

Gone also are the florists of the globe and
circle school, the cult who dressed their
choicest flowers in paper collars, and stuck
them down on the hard, metallic-green show-
boards like so many criminals in the stocks.
Then, again, some of us who are not even yet
very old can remember when hardy floweis
could only be seen in the herbaceous grounds
at Kew, or in the Regent's Park, or along the
broad walk in Kensington Gardens ; but now-
a-days we find them everywhere, and in all
good gardens they have a place. In a word,
there has spread over the length and breadth
of England a more pure and catholic taste for
all the products of the gardener's art, whether
they be merely pleasant to the eye or good for
food.

Some of us can call to mind the time when
even flowers of certain colours were banished
from the house, even if not from the garden.
Yellow flowers of all kinds, for example, were
considered gaudy and vulgar, and it was not
until yellow came to us in the shape of the
exquisite Marechal Niel Rose that the colour
itself was emancipated and allowed to be be-
coming in floral decorations generally. Even
the Daffodil was once considered an extremely
" common " and vulgar thing, but its repre-
sentatives now-a-days have their revenge,
and the same is true of yellow or golden
flowers generally. Even the aristocratic Or-
chids have spread themselves throughout the
length and breadth of the land, no longer the
prized possessions of the rich alone, but cul-
tivated in a thousand private gardens where
Stephanotis or a few Eucharis Lilies formerly
represented the tropical or glass-house flora.
An old friend of mine is always regretting
the Ericas, the Proteads, the big Pine-apples,
and the great bunches of Grapes, &c. , which
were the glory of a few gardens in his younger
days, but I, while admitting that gardening
has not gone ahead so much as some of us
could wish, yet feel thankful that its lateral
and general development has been so enor-
mous during the last few years. The great

diffusion of plants, flowers, fruits and
vegetables among the masses during the last
decade or so has been but little short of a
miracle. This bringing of the flowers and
fruits of our own and of other lands to the
doors of the people is a healthy sign, and one
which some of us consider as the dawn of a
sweet and gentle democracy. And yet much
remains to be done to popularise gardening
or garden-farming in some of our best rural
districts. Yearly tenancies at will must be
replaced by leases before it will be safe to in-
vest money, and apply the best of intelligence
to fruit or flower, or choice vegetable culture.
Then hand labour is now-a-days too expensive
to be exclusively employed, and the use of
horsepower cultivating machinery will be ne-
cessary in order to compete with imports from
abroad. In the use of garden-farm ma-
chinery we may with advantage take a few
hints from the American cultivators, even
although it be not quite unknown to our
London market gardeners. Good and cheap
land, cultivated by horse power and near a
good market, is sure to yield good returns.
The point is to vary the crops so as to always
be harvesting something off the land. No one
crop may pay always, but if three or four or
more crops a year are obtained by good ma-
nures and prompt cultivation, there is then
not much fear of unprofitable results. Fruit
alone is subject to vicissitudes of climate,
and so may often prove unremunerative ; so
also any but the best of vegetables during an
abundant season may not be worth marketing,
but if a sufficiently wide range of produce be
cultivated, the chances of loss are reduced to
a minimum, and the chances of profit propor-
tionately increased.

The selection of profitable crops demands
much forethought, for it is no use trying to
grow at a profit, crops which can be produced
at a cheaper rate elsewhere. If cheap and
suitable glass houses are erected, Grapes,
Peaches, Tomatoes, Strawberries, and forced
or protected flowers may be grown at a pro-
fit. So also on light and rich sandy soils
in mild localities near the sea such crops as
Seakale, Asparagus, early Peas, Wallflowers,
Narcissi, Turnips, Strawberries, and other
produce for which there exists a demand can
be profitably grown.

But a word of warning must be given on
this matter, for in order to succeed with a
garden-farm the proprietor must be an adept
at marketing as well as in growing his pro-
duce, and this is a point where many good
cultivators fail. Some of the most successful
of London market gardeners are in Covent
Garden by 3.30 a.m. every market morning —
that is to say, three times a wreek during the
summer months — so that it will be seen that
the marketing of garden produce to the best
is no sinecure. B. W. F.

Michauxia campanuloides. — Although over
100 years have elapsed since this plant was intro-
duced from the Levant it is strange that so few
grow it. It is one of the handsomest and most
striking biennials we have and few things better
repay good cultivation. We lately saw a group of

it upon a knoll of light sandy soil, and the plants
being in flower they made a striking feature. The
seed was sown in July of last year, and when large
enough the plants were transplanted to their
present position, where they soon formed thick
fleshy roots and large spreading tufts of deeply
lobed, rough, hairy leaves. The flower-spikes
began to shoot up early in June, and some of them
have attained a height of nearly G feet. They
branch freely into a pyramidal head, bearing large,
white purple-tinged flowers in great profusion.
They sometimes live and flower for the third or
fourth year, but in this respect they are uncertain ;
therefore by far the best plan is to raise a batch
every year and then flowering specimens can
always be assured. A warm sheltered border and
a good depth of soil are all the plant requires, and
it is so striking, bold, and stately when well grown
that the cultivator is amply repaid for any little
trouble he may have taken with it,

IMPORTING PLANTS FROM NEW
ZEALAND.

To the Editor of The Garden.
Sir, — I should be obliged if I could get some
serviceable hints from any of your correspon-
dents about importing plants from New Zea-
land. I am very far from saying that the
treasures of Switzerland and the Pyrenees are
worked out and that our gardens can look for
nothing new from these and similar localities,
but it is certain that there would be a great
freshness about flowers from New Zealand if we
could only get hold of them, and those which I
have seen are very beautiful indeed, and they
seem to me quite easy to grow. Linum mono-
gynum, Celmisia spectabilis, and Ranunculus
Lyalli are good representatives of the flora of
their native land. But the question is how to
get hold of others, and it is about that I am
writing to you now. The three I have named
above are not inaccessible to a little patient en-
deavour, and Linum monogynum may very
often be obtained. But how about countless
other good things which would do just as well
if we only could get them ? I believe Celmisia
spectabilis is said to be a poor representative of
an exceedingly numerous and interesting family,
but no other Celmisia has ever come alive into
my hands. This one grows easily enough on my
rockery, and it has done so for several years.
But I want to have some of the others as well,
and it is this which so exceedingly baffles me.
I thought from what Mr. Matthews, of Dunedir,
wrote to me that he knew all about the best
method of transit, and that my garden would
be greatly enriched by my dealing with him.
So the expense of a Wardian case, as big as a
dog-kennel, was incurred, and yesterday came
the excitement of seeing it opened. Its arrival
had been heralded from the docks a short time
before, and yesterday the importation came
into my hands. Oh, sad and grievous dis-
appointment ! Not a single Celmisia or any-
thing else I had ordered was alive, save a fine
specimen of Ranunculus Lyalli, and a Ligus-
trum, Geum, and one other plant with which I
am unacquainted. All the Celmisias had be-
come a blackened mass of miseryvand there
were a good many of them. The Ranunculus I
cared for least of all, because I was able to buy
it in Belgium in the spring and it is in my gar-
den already. If anyone can give me any special
hints about this question of the importation of
plants from a distance I should be very much
obliged to him. One thing is clear to me al-
ready : Ranunculus Lyalli and the Celmisias
should never travel together. The former may
perhaps need to be wetted, but the treatment
which is required by it has proved to be death
and destruction for most of the other plants,
and just those which I most desired to obtain

170

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 23, 1890.

have come off the worst. But any general hints
about this matter would be most acceptable to
me, that I may send them out to New Zealand.
H. Ewbank.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

STONE-SPLITTING IN PEACHES.

The tendency to stone-splittingamongst Peaches
and Nectarines is greatly on the increase, not
in the open air, but under glass, and this is
not surprising when troubled growers admit that
they allow the temperature to run up to 100°
in the daytime. Splitting is a disorder, hardly
a disease, which has been discussed by the best
authorities, but no one as yet has found the
royal road to completely curiDg it. Some say
it is constitutional in certain varieties like
Early Rivers, others that it is due to bad stocks,
to grossness or weakness, and all, no doubt, are
right, as any one of these defects will influence,
if it does not prevent, the process of fertilisa-
tion. The first intimation the grower receives
of split stones is a small brown spot the size of a
threepenny-piece at the apex of the fruit, beneath
whicli there is frequently a vacuum large enough
to hold a drop of water. The next is early
maturity, and in bad cases the rent is so large
that, viewed from below on a bright day, the
experienced eye will detect daylight through
the fruit. When the roots of the trees get
down into a cold, wet subsoil, or when gum-
ming has set in, splitting increases, simply
because an unhealthy condition of the roots or
stock has prevented perfect fertilisation. Split-
ting then, from this point of view, is due to a
defect in the earlier stages of growth, and
although the fruit is passable and fairly good in
flavour, no one likes being twitted with split
stones ; almost as soon would he allow a brother
of the craft to catch him painting the pipes in
his vinery with sulphur.

The Peach is not a tropical fruit ; therefore
the rank and file of gardeners, or men who call
themselves such, must learn that high tem-
peratures, which a few years ago killed millions
of pounds worth of Orchids, are quite as fatal to
stone fruits, also that they should regard the
sweet fresh air as their best friend, and not shut
it out as they would a deadly enemy.

If stone-splitting was entirely constitutional,
cases would be more frequent upon trees grown
against open walls ; whereas the general cry
comes from cultivators whose crops are grown
under glass, and although only a disorder, it
can be modified or aggravated by good or bad
cultivation, such, for instance, as lifting and
relaying the roots in fresh calcareous compost,
or allowing them to descend into bad soil,
where they 'will become sluggish and inactive,
by briuging them on slowly in airy temperate
houses, or forcing the petals of the flowers in
advance of the organs of fertilisation, and last,
but not least important, by using pollen from
the old Royal George Peach or Elruge Nec-
tarine instead of leaving them to shift for
themselves "in a very high temperature.

w. c.

Shrivelled Nectarines. — Can you tell me why
my Nectarines shrivel like the one I send you ? The
trees have not been watered since the fruit com-
menced to ripen and have had air on night and clay,
but no heat. The temperature has never been
below 60° at night. The stones of my Peaches
have all split. The Peaches are growing in the
same house and have had the same treatment. I
gave them a dressing of artificial manure in the
winter and again when they had set their fruit.
They have not been hard forced in the night, but

sometimes in the day the temperature has risen to
90° or 100° with the lights fully open.— S. ShAEP.

■%,* The Nectarine sent to me for inspection
has been grown in too high a temperature, 80° to
85° being ample for any Peach house with full ven-
tilation. A temperature of 60° through the night
is quite right, but a rise of 30° to 40° from sun heat
will roast any Peach or Nectarine kept dry at the
roots, especially when there is a tendency to split-
ting. Restore the borders to a thoroughly moist
condition when the fruit is gathered, give an abund-
ance of air, and if you cannot keep the temperature
down to 80°, improve your mode of ventilation.
Cross-fertilise all the flowers next season and give
the trees plenty of time, as stone-splitting, in some
varieties constitutional, in nine cases out of ten is
due to the maintenance of a high, close tempera-
ture. If the foliage is clean, the fruit should not
be syringed after the stoning process is complete,
especially in the morning, but the atmosphere
should be kept moist by damping the floors and
stems and syringing the walls, otherwise tender
varieties like Napier will roast or become rusty. I
take it for granted that the borders are satisfac-
tory, but if they are not, lifting and relaying the
roots in sound loam will favour perfect fertilisation,
the best preventive of splitting. Avoid artificial
manures, but mulch after the crop is set and feed
if necessary with warm diluted liquid. — W. C.

STRAWBERRIES, GOOD AND BAD.

We have got into a vicious circle with regard
to appearance versus quality in fruit and vege-
tables. The foolish public wastes its money on
things which are big, gaudy, and flavourless,
and therefore the growers produce things which
are flavourless, gaudy, and big. The following
two opinions as to the merits of that worst of
impostors, Strawberry Noble, are instructive.
They both occur in The Garden of Aug. 9 : —
Mb. G. Bunyahd. Mr. W. Coieman.

Laxton's Noble will he
very much grown in a few
years ; its large size, free-
dom of crop, and vigorous
growth are what the grow-
ers desire. We picked fruit
nearly an ounce in weight
on June 13, and no other
kind cau compare with it
for earliness and bountiful
crop. This is the early
market Strawberry of the
future.

.... But why these
hundreds of tons of Noble,
when hollow, pithy, and
destitute of flavour, its
only recommendations are
earliness and vulgar obe-
sity ? If the public will
have big things, why the
market growers will give
them Noble in plenty, but
there are othersortsnearly,
if not quite, as early aud
infinitely superior in fla-
vour We do not

grow many varieties here,
our object being quality
in preference to novelty.
Noble, as a matter of
course, has been tried, but
will not be propagated.

In short, like the Jew's razors, Noble was
made to sell. So far as selling is concerned, it
is " the early market Strawd)erry of the future."
Where it has to be sent to the table of folk with
palates, it "will not be propagated." Observe
that Mr. Bunyard says not one syllable about
flavour — that is absolutely unimportant in a
market fruit — yet he knows a really good Straw-
berry as well as anybody, and indeed has else-
where spoken of Noble as "deficient in flavour"
(a mild way of acknowdedging that it has none).
All this is very vulgar and very miserable, and
makes one desire to ask the British public to a
big tea party and give them Strawberries and
cream — not Noble and cream — and teach them
to know Strawberries from Turnips. Will no
one give us a Strawberry like British Queen —
alas ! she entirely declines to fruit in my gar-
don — which will crop in any soil? Are we
really to acquiesce in Mr. Bunyard's belief that
" we appear to have reached the best market
Strawberry in Sir Joseph Paxton V This is

eatable, it is true, and not a knob of coloured
cotton-wool like Noble ; nevertheless, as re-
gards flavour, it is not even half way towards
the ideal Strawberry, and we need not consider
it hopeless to combine flavour with colour and
firmness. At all events, let all who have noses
and mouths turn up the former and shut the
latter (except for purposes of well - deserved
abuse) against such empty braggarts as Noble.
G. H. Engleheart.

GRAPES SHANKING.

" W. C." (Garden, August 16, p. 145) points out
with his usual clearness the main causes that lead
to this perplexing malady, and although I can add
but little to what he states, I agree with him as to
the loss of late-formed and immature roots being
one of the most frequent causes of shanking. The
natural conditions here are decidedly favourable to
Vines retaining their roots and consequently per-
fecting their crop, for the soil is a moderately light
loam, resting on gravel ; therefore the drainage is
good, and the soil being not over rich, a great mass
of healthy roots is formed. These, in the case of
open-air Vines, or such as are not planted in artifi-
cially prepared borders, ensure long life and good
crops when the summers are propitious for ripen-
ing. But when we come to artificially constructed
borders, we find plenty of failures, although in many
cases great expense has been incurred in their con-
struction. It would be impossible to enumerate all
the cases of shanking in a severe form that have
come under my own observation, but in this locality
I could classify all the worst cases as happening
when the borders were excessively wet in winter,
and in many cases too dry in summer. The soii
here is but very little above the level of the sea,
and when we get exceptionally high tides, accom-
panied by heavy rains and high winds, the springs
in the ground rise so close to the surface of the
soil that stoke-holes are flooded for weeks together,
and unless some precaution has been taken to have
the roots of the Vines on a higher level than the
stoke-holes, there is certain to be an excessive
amount of shanking the following summer. That
the cause lies at the roots I feel confident, for the
worst lot of Vines for shanking that I know in this
locality are the best managed in every respect as
far as top culture is concerned. To look at the
show of Grapes in spring, one would think they
would beat all in the parish in the autumn, but by
that time they are veritable skeletons, whiie other
Vines not nearly so much cared for in many re-
spects are carrying fine crops, the only difference
being that their roots were a few feet above high
water mark. I could point out Vines that have
been wretchedly treated by over-cropping, ignorant
winter and summer pruning, and every other ill
that the Vine is liable to, and yet they finish off
their crops far better than these other well-cared-
for A'ines, simply because their roots are elevated
above the ground level, and consequently out of
the reach of cold spring water when at rest. In
my own ease I crop heavily, but the Grapes do not
shank, as the Vine borders are above the reach
of stagnant moisture in winter, although I seldom
escape a good deal of pumping to keep stoke-holes
clear. In the growing season I give abundance of
liquid manure, even in seasons like this, to A'ines
carrying heavy crops, with the result that the
oldest S'ines are now carrying far better crops than
they did half-a-dozen years ago. If Vine borders
were kept wetter in summer and drier in winter, I
believe shanking would be greatly reduced.
Gosport. James Groom.

Young- v. old Apple trees. — I quite agree
with all that " E. H." says in favour of young Apple
trees (Garden, Aug. 16, p. 146), for I have proved
that if you want fine fruit, and plenty of it, you
must keep on planting young trees, and grubbing
out any that are not paying their way. My Apple
trees are all young, yet I find it necessary to
keep grubbing up a few each year that
do not come up to the requisite standard to be pro-
fitable in some way or other, for one must be very

Aug. 23, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

171

fortunate in planting a mixed collection if he does
not get hold of some sorts that will not either
grow satisfactorily or produce good specimens of
fruit in sufficient quantity to pay for the space they
occupy. When the trees do this for two or three
years following it is better to grub up and plant a
flue healthy young tree of a reliable sort than to
try remedial measures in the shape of root-pruning,
xoot-lifting, &c. Young trees are now cheap
enough. There is nothing worse than a lot of old
worn-out trees that seldom produce any fruit, and
when they do it is in seasons when better samples
are so plentiful that second-rate ones hardly pay for
the labour of picking. I am well aware that there
aresome soils so favourable for fruit trees that they
(the trees) retain their vigour years after those in
less favoured spots are worthless, but as a rule
those that grow for market cannot select the best
soils, for the best market is of much more conse-
quence. If I could ensure a ready sale I would
endeavour to make the soil suit the trees, at least
for the short service system, as I do not think occu-
piers want to plant trees to stand for generations,
but such as will give speedy returns. I find on
making calculations of the crop they are carrying,
and the prices now obtainable, that my young Apple
trees are paying for the area occupied as well as
any crop I grow.— Jambs Groom, Gosjjoit.

COLOURING MRS. PINCE GRAPE.
I WAS interested in Mr. Iggulden's communication
(Gaeden, August 9, p. 135) on Mrs. Pince Grape. I
grew Mrs. Pince Grape for nearly twenty years, and
I experienced the same trouble in getting the
berries to colour properly, especially near the foot-
stalk. This went on for a few years, after which I
decided to crop the Vines more lightly, the result
being that I was fairly successful in getting the
berries to colour properly. With me the Vines
always produced large and handsome bunches, and
although the growth was vigorous enough to please
anyone, I came to the conclusion that Mrs. Pince
could not finish off properly the same quantity of
fruit as the Muscat of Alexandria, or any other
Muscat variety under the same conditions. I still
believe that if those who are not quite satisfied
with it will take lighter crops, they will not have
much cause to complain. I have never thoroughly
mastered the cause of the uncertain behaviour of
this Grape. For some few years after it was sent out
many of the Vines refused to make any headway,
while with me it grew luxuriantly and bore abun-
dantly, but that it is of somewhat delicate consti-
tution I believe, as I have seen the rods defoli-
ated by a somewhat sharp frost in November,
while other sorts were unharmed on each side of
it, yet actual frost had not penetrated the house,
so far as I could see. I saw the variety under
notice growing and fruiting in the Exeter nursery
the year before it was sent out. The condition
of the crop then was everything that could be
desired, the berries being well coloured even up to
the footstalk. Mr. Randall, now a nurseryman in
the same city, was then manager of Messrs. Pince
and Co.'s nursery, and had charge of this new
Grape. Still feeling an interest in this Grape, I
called upon Mr. Randall last autumn, and ex-
plained to him the difficulty I and many more
had experienced in getting the berries to take
on a good colour. At the same time I asked
him how he had managed the Vines to get the
Grapes with such a depth of colour as the fruit had,
the first time I saw them under his care. His an-
swer was that he placed a thin shade on the glass
in bright weather as soon as the berries began to
change colour, and continued to do so until the
crop was ripe. It must be understood that the
house was not permanently shaded. It was only
in very bright weather that any shading was used,
and then it was only a thin sheet of canvas placed
on the roof. There was nothing in the structure in
which the Vines were growing that differed from
ordinary vineries to require any special treatment.
Mrs. Pince, however, is not the only Grape that is
benefited by a little shade while the fruit is ripen-
ing. For several years I made a regular prac-
tice of giving a little shade to Muscat of Alexandria,

always with the result that it prevented the foliage
from getting scorched and secured a rich amber
colour in the berries. The question of shading
Muscats may be new to many, but it is one that
ought to be adopted, especially in places where the
foliage is liable to get scorched by the sun.

J. C. C.

FLAVOUR OF GOOSEBERRIES.
In most kinds of fruit there are varieties that are
far superior to others, but in none is this more
striking than in Gooseberries. For several years
when residing in North Hants I had to provide as
long a supply of ripe Gooseberries for dessert as
possible. I am partial to a good ripe Gooseberry,
preferring it to almost any other kind of fruit.
From observations, I am convinced there are but
comparatively few of the best kinds grown for
dessert compared to the enormous quantity of
worthless kinds that are grown for this purpose.
There are some who think the value of Goose-
berries depends on their size. There could not be
a greater mistake, that is, if flavour is to be the
first consideration. Recently when judging at a
country show I made it a point to taste every dish
of Gooseberries. In every instance the large-berried
kinds were of inferior flavour. Some of the large
green kinds were positively bad and not fit to eat.
Again, I noted at this show that all the white
kinds were superior to the green kinds.

There are many kinds that are most valuable for
gathering when green and kinds that we cannot
do without. One of the best I am acquainted with
to gather from green is Whinham's Industry, an
enormous cropper, free grower, and late in coming
into bloom, a point in its favour. When ripe it is
poor compared to many other kinds I could name
It is also worthy of observation that many kinds
that are prodigious croppers have a horizontal or
drooping habit. To have good, ripe, well-flavoured
fruit for eating, one of the most essential points in
the cultivation is to obtain them from young
vigorous bushes ; also to keep the leaves free from
the ravages of caterpillars. Should the leaves be
destroyed by these, the flavour will be reduced
accordingly. Another point to observe is to let
the berries hang till they are fully ripe. To have
a good late supply, I know of no better kind than
the old Red Warrington. J. Ceook.

Melons cracking1. — We never perhaps pass
through a season in which we do not hear of
Melons cracking more or less, but I do not re-
member a season since the cold and wet summer of
1800 when the complaints have been so many as
they are this year. In some cases that I have seen
the loss is really serious. I should think less of
this matter had it not spread over such a long time.
As early in the season as the end of June I met
with the first case of cracked fruit, which was then
on the point of ripening. At that time the weather
had not been altogether unfavourable for Melons,
as we had been favoured with quite an average
amount of sunshine. I, however, had an idea that
the pit in which the plants were growing was in-
sufficiently ventilated, so I advised that a little air
should be left on the back of the pit all night. The
advice was acted upon, an'd from that time there
were no more cracked fruits. It appears to me that
when Melons have been shut up, say for fourteen
or sixteen hours in a close warm temperature, that
the skin or rind contracts when fresh air is sud-
denly admitted. This causes the cracking. If that
is not the cause, I am at a loss to account for so
many instances of it this season in widely different
places, and with a variety of sorts. Experienced
growers know that when the fruit is on the point
of ripening the skin is very tender. The sudden
appearance of the sun after a dull day will scald
the skin of the ripening fruit ; therefore, I see no
reason why an influx of cold air should not act in
a similar way in causing a contraction in the skin
in the way I have pointed out.— J. C. C.

The black Raspberry.— I am sorry I cannot
speak of the above so highly as " J. M." (p. 143) does,
for here it is far inferior in every respect, except
vigour, to the ordinary Raspberry, and not to be com-

pared even with the humble Bramble, its fruit bem;
small and covered with a mouldy-like bloom that is far
from inviting, and the return for the ground occupied
is very small. Should "J. M." be anxious to increase
his stock of it, it will root freely at the points by
merely laying them on the ground. — J. Roberts, N.
Wales.

THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
To the Editor of The Garden.

Sir,— In the "Short Historical Sketch of the
Royal Horticultural Society," by the Rev. W .
Wilks, which has been circulated among the
Fellows, some events which have had an important
bearing on the fortunes of the society have not
been touched upon, and I should like to say
a few words on these.

The society's archives are rather scanty
(I tried in vain to get the names of all the coun-
cil of 1873), and Mr. Wilks is not an old stager,
so could have no personal cognisance of what
took place.

The society was bound to pay rent (£2400
once in five years) ; this was in order that it
should not continue to hold the very valuable
land, unless it showed sufficient vigorous life to
enable it to make this payment. The rent day
drew near and money was short, when General
Scott, who took the greatest friendly interest in
the society, influenced H.M. Commissioners of
1851, of which he was secretary, to pay in ad-
vance the share of the exhibition admittance
money which would have later become due to
the society ; this enabled the society to enter on
another term of five years.

The crisis of the fate of the South Kensington
Garden came in 1873. The council at that time
was the strongest I have ever known, men of
good position, some of the best horticultural
amateurs, and some first class men of business
who took the deepest interest in the society's
welfare. Mr. John Clutton and Sir John Kelk,
men with enormous concerns of their own,
were a sub-committee, and attended at many
long meetings ; as a third was wanted I was
added to the sub-committee, and thought it
rather hard to have to attend two meetings, of
several hours each, in the Christmas fortnight
(usually a holiday time). About this time H.M.
Commissioners were holding exhibitions, the
weary long round of the arcades was a great
drawback to success, so General Scott was em-
powered to ofler most liberal terms to the coun-
cil if they would admit visitors through the gar-
dens to the different parts of the exhibition
buildings.

The offer made was that H.M. Commissioners
would free the society from rent (£2400 once in
five years), would take over the debenture debt
£2000 a year, and would give a share of admis-
sion money estimated to amount to £1000 a year.
To the horticultural part of the R.H.S. these
were, of course, splendid terms, and would
practically have relieved the society from its
difficulties, but to the South Kensington part of
the society it involved destroying the privacy
of the garden (which they had long enjoyed as
a square for the use of their children on very
lowterms) duringthetimethe exhibition washeld.
They therefore allied themselves to the so-called
" horticultural party," which consisted mainly
of a small section of professional horticulturists
(principally journalists and nurserymen). These
two classes of dissentients were on the spot,
the amateur horticulturists were scattered
about the country, and the whole attendance
at meetings was small, so that when the
council brought forward the proposition,
a small majority voted against it. The
chairman then said it was of such vital im-
portance to the society that the proposal should

172

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 23, 1890.

be carried, that he would allow time for con-
sideration by adjourning the meeting for a fort-
night, and that if the motion was not then
adopted the whole council would resign. The
adjourned meeting still refused to support the
council, so it resigned. The new council soon
began to have difficulties among themselves, and
a bad time ensued.

The debenture-holders, some of them Fellows,
who might have secured their position by sup-
porting the council, did not appear to be repre-
sented. The society lost a great chance. The
exhibitions could not succeed, the debenture-
holders lost their money, and the neighbour-
hood will have buildings instead of open space.

Nothing is said about country shows which
were so successful in old days ; the first at not a
large centre, Bury St. Edmunds, besides doing
good to the society and to the neighbourhood,
gave i/100 profit. The " Expenses Committee"
of H.M. Commissioners could not run the risk
of a show unconnected with their land, so the
council took the personal responsibility on them-
selves, and the society was thus entitled to the
full amount, and laid it out on the orchard
house at Chiswiek.

I believe H.M. Commissioners were sore
about the lawsuit which cost the society much
money. It was probably necessary for the secu-
rity of the society to get a decision of the court
as to the debenture qviestion, but it is to be re-
gretted that this could not have been obtained
in a more friendly manner.

George F. Wilson.

August 15, 1890.

NOTES OF THE "WEEK.

Crinum giganteum in the open air.— This
is again flowering in the open air at Betteshanger Rec-
tory, in spite of a cold wet season. Three fine spikes
have been thrown up, each carrying ten blooms.

A fine Iiilium auratum.— Mr. H. Stevens, King
Street, Covent Garden, has just showed us an excellent
photograph, taken by himself, of a plant of Lilium
auratum grown outdoors in a border without any pro-
tection, and bearing on one stem eighty-seven flowers,
all of which are perfect, as also the leaves. The head
formed a perfect circle of bloom, all the sides being the
same. The bulb was imported this year from Japan.

The Holy Ghost Flower (Peristeria elata).—
In The Garden for August Ifi I noticed a description
of the Holy Ghost Flower in bloom at Baron Schrceder's.
In The Garden, November 2, 1889 (p. 404), is the
description of a plant bearing six splendid spikes, the
tallest being 5 feet 3 ioches and bearing thirty-two of
its lovely blooms. The same plant is in flower now
with five spikes bearing about 100 blooms.— A. W.,
Jersey.

Dendrobium thyrsiflorum.— Accompanying
this is a photograph of this showy Orchid which we
had in bloom here some time ago. The spikes of bloom
seem to me to be longer, with the individual flowers
more densely arranged on them, than is usual with this
variety.— J. Graham, Milne Graden, Coldstream, N.B.

**f The photograph shows an excellent specimen,
bearing several massive racemes of bloom. Few Or-
chids are more handsome than D. thyrsiflorum. — Ed.

Eryngiums.— Few plants of the Umbellifer
family are so well adapted for the ordinary mixed
border as Eryngiums, and few of them so compact
and withal so handsome as E. giganteum. It is
one of the very best border plants, the flower-heads
lasting all through the summer and autumn. It
seems almost as variable as the others, and unless
one really sees what he is getting he may be dis-
appointed, as the colour in some is almost wanting,
while in the better forms it is of the most intense
glaucous-tinted steel blue. The foliage, too, lea-
thery in texture with silvery spiny edges, is always
attractive, and never at any season of the year
ragged and unsightly. E. Olivierianum has been
disappointing in some places, many of the
forms being almost grey, and without a trace

of the beautiful blue that characterises this species.
E. cceruleum, a rare plant, is just now at its best.
— K.

Iiilies at Kew. — No one need despair of grow-
ing even the rarer kinds of Lilies after what has
been accomplished at the Royal Gardens, Kew,
L. auratum especially making the grandest display
we have ever seen anywhere. This has not been a
good Lily season, and yet the plants of L. superbum,
5 feet to 6 feet high, are marvellous both in variety
and beauty. These are growing in a bed of dwarf
Azaleas in sandy peaty soil, and appear clean and
free from the disease so prevalent in this form. L.
tigrinum may almost be said to be wild, so much is
it at home here. It is one of the most easily
managed, and should be in every garden, however
small.

AUamanda grandiflora. — There is a plant of
this covered with flowers in one of the stoves at
Kew, and it is certainly one of the most attractive
climbers we have ever seen there. Compared with
A. Hendersoni and the other robust kinds, A. grandi-
flora is small in stature, size of leaf and flower, but
the colour of the flowers is superb, the clearest soft-
est yellow, whilst the form is as elegant a trumpet
as a bloom of this shape can be. Experience with
this species proves that whilst it is bad to cultivate
when on its own roots it is as easy to manage as any
other Allamanda if grafted on one of the strong
growing kinds. For small stoves either to train
upon a rafter or grow as a loose shrub this Alla-
manda is a really first rate plant.

Aristolochia fioribunda.— I send flowers of
one of the tropical Aristolochias (A. fioribunda), a
name well merited, for at nearly every joint it pro-
duces from two to six flowers. It is a species
rarely cultivated, but, like most of the family,
really deserves to be. The blooms somewhat re-
semble those of the now well-known A. elegans,
similar in colour and markings, with a yellow
throat. Why this curious and most interesting
family should be so shelved seems unaccountable,
unless the Orchid craze has driven them, as it has
hundreds of equally charming things, out of culti-
vation. I devoutly hope that this mania may be
quickly crushed out, and that we may again see
the hosts of beautiful plants of thirty years ago,
but now neglected, despised, and almost forgotten,
reinstated in the gardens- of this country.— J. M.,
Charmoutli, Dorset.

The North American "Worm Grass (Spi-
gelia marilandica) is just now very beautiful, the
peculiar and brilliant blossoms being almost alone
in the bog bed. It is one of the loveliest and most
distinct of all hardy plants, and given the condi-
tions suitable to North American plants generally,
it thrives and makes large healthy patches in a
few years ; the flowers are brilliant red outside and
deep yellow within, a portion of the yellow peeping
above the red, making a striking contrast and a
brilliant display when grown in any quantity. It
requires a sheltered spot in a deep peaty or vege-
table soil, and should have abundance of water
during the hot season. A little sheltered nook on
the rockery where a bed of the proper soil has
been prepared will answer very well.

Gentiana asclepiadea. — The stock phrase of
travellers, " Oh, if you could see that plant growing
wild," is not applicable at least in one case known
to me, i.e., Gentiana asclepiadea. At Saas, in
Switzerland, where this charming plant grows abun-
dantly.on the woody slopes in rich moist soil, it is
neither so robust nor so free-flowering as it is under
ordinary cultivation in our garden borders. When
cared for and given a moist situation and rich deep
soil, it forms one of the grandest autumn-flowering
plants we possess ; indeed, in a few such positions
known to me it has taken such a hold, that less ro-
bust plants are being steadily crowded out, the
Gentian seeding everywhere around in such abun-
dance that the ground is literally strewn with young
plants, which usually flower the second year. The
Himalayan G. tibetica, known in gardens as G. mi-
crophylla, is a poor variety, the flowers being of a
dirty green colour. — K.
Linarias — Something akin to what happens in

the case of the Pink family has been my experi-
ence in getting a collection of these plants together.
The predominant plant in this family is not as may
be supposed L. vulgaris, but L. bipartita, this
latter species this year alone having done duty for
no less than six names. L. bipartita is a good an-
nual species. It begins to flower amongst the
earliest of them, and even now is little past
its best. The flower colouring is very variable,
going through nearly all the shades of purple,
lilac, and grey, variously marked and shaded.
Amongst perennial species worthy a place even in
select collections, L. triornithophora, L. anticaria,
and L. origanifolia, with, of course, L. alpina, must
be placed first. I find the three last quite indis-
pensable for the rock garden, and when grown in
good-sized groups or patches they form very beau-
tiful and interesting objects.— D.

Caloehortus madrensis. — This is a new spe-
cies from the Sierra Madre, Chihuahua, where it
was collected by C. G. Pringle in September, 1887,
for the first time, and was introduced into English
gardens last year. Although not by any means the
most beautiful of the genus, its chief merit will be
in the fact of its flowering at a time when all or
most of its allies are past. It is in full flower now,
extremely free for a member of this genus, and
most charming in a group. This species will be
more easily managed than most of the others. It
will ripen later, and may be kept out of the ground
until spring if placed in boxes of dry soil in a cool
shed. All the Calochorti require lifting to ripen
thoroughly, and if this is well done they will suc-
ceed as well as most bulbs we grow in our borders.
A little more care in selecting a warm dry spot on
which to grow them, a little attention to covering
the ground in severe weather with loose material
of some sort, and the return of summer will ensure
a grand display of Mariposa Lilies.

Cereus g-ig-anteus. — A large example of this,
the most gigantic of all Cactuses, may now be seen
in the Palm house at Kew. So far as we know, this
is the first time that a big living specimen of C.
giganteus has been successfully imported into Eng-
land. The size of the stem is 14 feet in height by
nearly G feet in girth, and it weighs over half a
ton. Compared with the full-sized plants of this
Cactus, the Kew example is a mere baby, although,
judging from the slow rate of growth of small
plants of this species, one of 14 feet must be
somethinglike lOOyears old. Stems 60 feet high have
been measured in Mexico, and sometimes the stem
develops several branches, which also attain a large
size. The flowers of this Cactus are not gigantic ;
they are sometimes borne by plants 12 feet high.
We hope the Kew authorities will succeed in esta-
blishing this fine specimen, which is a striking ob-
ject amongst the big Cycads and Palms in the large
Palm house.

Dipladenia atro-purpurea. — A plant of this
is now in flower at Kew. It was introduced from
Brazil by Yeitcb, of Exeter, in 1S42, and in the
same year awarded the Banksian medal by the
Royal Horticultural Society. It was figured in the
Botanical Register, vol. xxix., t. 27, under the name
of Echites, and figures of it were published in several
other works of the time. In spite of medal and
figures, however, the plant had long disappeared
from cultivation until a year or two ago, when it
was re-introduced by accident with an Orchid and
flowered by Mr. Russell Clarke, of Croydon. As a
garden plant it is of first-class merit, growing and
flowering as freely as D. boliviensis, and having
flowers quite as large as those of that species, but
coloured deep velvety crimson, quite as dark as
Prince C. de Rohan Rose. Paxton recommended it
to be grown in combination with Stephanotis for
the sake of contrast. The flowers are fragrant
when they first open. Cuttings of it root freely.
The Kew plant is grafted on D. boliviensis.

Fruit in Spain. — When a Spaniard eats a Peach
or Pear by the roadside, wherever he is, he digs a hole
in the ground with his foot and covers the seed. Con-
sequently, all over Spain by the roadside or elsewhere,
fruit in great abundance tempts the taste, and may be
picked and eateu by anybody. This free fruit is a great
boon to tired or thirsty travellers.

Aug. 23, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

173

Flower Garden.

PLANTING- DAFFODILS.

The time is near when bulb dealers allow new
Daffodils to be planted, and a few notes on
the subject are in season. The best month for
planting Daffodils to remain permanently is
August ; the drier the ground when they are
planted the better. They should be in their
place before the first soaking rain of autumn
comes ; a wet bed is very bad for them before
they begin to grow. Those who arc obliged
to plant them when the soil is wet had better
take round a barrow of dry soil and surround
the bulbs with it in planting. Anything is
better than laying bulbs in mud ; otherwise I
am doubtful about the good of putting coarse
sand round Daffodils, as often recommended ;
it is very good for many kinds of bulbs, but I
am inclined to think that some of the genus
Narcissus dislike it. Daffodils should be ready
to grow when the soil becomes wet and while
it is still warm. They require to make good
long roots during September and October, and
then the less growth they make till February
the better for them. Few people will take
the trouble to make any special difference in
the soil where they are planting them, and it
is hardly worth while to do so. Daffodils arc
said to like loam, and so they do. Soil which
contains a large proportion of clay, but readily
breaks up small when dug is better for them
than peat, or that which contains much vege-
table mould ; but it is less troublesome and
as likely to lead to success to trust to the
goodness of the ordinary soil of the garden.
Narcissus poeticus and its hybrids like a
stronger soil than the trumpet Daffodils, and
of these the white-flowered trumpets are more
impatient of stagnant wet than the others ;
but it is a mistake to think that the tribe do
best in very rich soil, and to plant them in
manured soil often causes them to die out in
two or three years. What I say about soil
does not refer to bulbs grown in pots which
are for one season's flowering ; for them it
cannot well be too rich.

If the soil of the border in which the bulbs
are planted is very fertile, the flowers will
generally be fine for the first season ; after
that there is a tendency to multiply too
rapidly ; the main bulb breaks up into slender
divisions which crowd one another too much
for healthy development, and often many
bulbils in addition are formed round the base
of the old bulb, the competition for food in one
spot of soil becomes too great, and the whole
mass soon dies of starvation. In other cases,
especially where the soil holds wet, the foun-
dations are laid of a very destructive disease
called basal rot, in which the bulb, after
lingering for one or two seasons, gradually
dies of a kind of dropsy. Where a tendency
to rapid multiplication prevails, I advise gar-
deners to try deep planting — say 8 inches
instead of the regulation i inches — but those
who wish to obtain a large stock of any
choice kind, and prefer shallow planting,
should dig up the bulbs early in every summer,
and after allowing them to dry thoroughly

separate and replant them, giving growing
room to each. It is not to be expected that
those who have a large mixed garden can re-
plant their whole stock of Daffodils every
season, but for delicate and choice kinds this
treatment will be found most successful,
especially in rich and retentive soils. I do
not believe that any soil which is naturally
good for Daffodils ever becomes bulb-sick,
that is to say, conducive to disease or decay
from being long under the same crop. We
find that these plants grow thickly and flower
luxuriantly for many years together in the
same spot in orchards and meadows, and I
have often seen flourishing clumps in flower
borders which have grown there beyond the
recollection of the owner. In these cases

or dwindled off before they came to maturity. This
year I syringed all my Eose trees for aphis with boiled
soft soap and one wineglassful of petroline to every
three gallons of liquid. The Lilies received the spray
at the same time, and I have had splendid flowers on
borders at all four points of the compass. — S.

Lilium Browni.

their increase is slow. Where they multiply
fast, the effects of neglect or of a wet and cold
summer will often last for two or three
seasons, in spite of transplanting, and when
replanted bulbs continue to look unhealthy
the soil is often blamed without cause.

One more hint and I have clone. When a
spot is dug for planting Daffodils, the soil
beneath them should not be left too loose,
but pressed together, so as to be moderately
firm, otherwise the roots cannot get a steady
hold, and the flowering is less strong. The
soil may be filled in above as lightly as you
please, and should never be allowed to become
caked. C. Wolley Dod.

Edge Hall, Malpas.

Lilium candidum. — Last year I had not a
flower, although I had fine spikes, The buds damped

LILIUM BROWNI.

The origin and early history of this Lily appear
to be obscure, for by some it is considered of
garden origin, while by others it is regarded as
a native of China and Japan. This I should
consider very doubtful, for among the vast
numbers of Lilies sent here from Japan during
the winter months I have never found the true
L. Browni, though the nearly allied L. odorum
or japonicum is imported from that country in
quantity. L. Browni is a remarkably beautiful
and striking Lily, belonging, as may be seen by
the accompanying woodcut, to the tube-flowered
section, forming the Eulirion
group of Mr. Baker. The
habit, foliage, and general
characteristics are so well
shown, that nothing further
need be said on these matters,
except that a glance at the
illustration will show that the
flowers are by no means soli-
tary, though they have been
described as such. The flowers,
which are large and massive in
texture, are ivory white within,
but heavily tinged with choco-
late on the exterior, especially
if they are in a position fully
exposed to the sun, as where
heavily shaded the marking is
less pronounced. The bulbs
of this are very distinct from
those of any other Lily, being
narrow at the base, widening
towards the centre, with a
peculiarly flattened top, the
entire bulb being tinged with
reddish brown. Its flowers
have an agreeable perfume,
which is not so powerful as in
many other Lilies. The foliage
is very dark green, while the
stem, especially towards the
base, and the leaf-stalks are
tinged with purple. When the
blossoms are fully expanded
the dark brownish anthers
stand out very conspicuously
against the ivory white petals.
L. Browni is, especially when
dormant, very impatient of an
excess of m oisture, as the scales
of the bulb are liable to decay just at their base,
and sometimes the bulb, which at a casual glance
appears to be sound enough, will fall to pieces
on being handled. Though by no means a rare
Lily, it must be regarded among the more un-
common kinds, as, like L. Leichtlini, Hansoni,
neilgherrense, and others, it always commands
a good price. It is thought to have been named
in honour of Mr. F. E. Brown, a nurseryman of
Slough, near Windsor, in whose catalogue it
was published about fifty years ago, so that it
is not new.

The only Lily with which L. Browni can be
confounded is L. odorum, known also as L.
japonicum, and in auction catalogues during
the winter frequently called L. japonicum Col-
chesteri. Though a good deal of confusion has
existed between the two the points of difference
are so well marked, that there is really no ex-
cuse for it, as commencing with the bulbs, those
of L. odorum are whitish, and in shape more

174

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 23, 1890.

like those of the longiflorum section, that is
broader at the base than in L. Browni, while
the centre is somewhat raised. In all stages
the stems of this are green, the leaves much
broader and thinner in texture, while they are
throughout of a dull pale green, very different
from those of L. Browni. The flowers, too,
are somewhat shorter and rather more widely
expanded at the mouth, while the exterior is
much less deeply tinged than in L. Browni. This
Lily is said to have been introduced early in the
present century, but was soon lost to cultiva-
tion, and it is only within the last few years
that the constant importations from Japan have
made it comparatively common. It is, how-
ever, not a good traveller, the bulbs being
liable to decay just at the base, as mentioned in
the case of L. Browni. On this account freshly
imported bulbs need to be closely examined
before purchasing them. It is somewhat diffi-
cult to understand the specific name of odorum
being applied to this Lily, as so many other
members of the genus are quite as fragrant.
The above two Lilies may be easily grown in
pots. H. P.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.
Op the various inmate3 of the flower garden, all
annuals and perennials are, and have been, un-
usually good this season, the growth being luxu-
riant and the bloom abundant and well sustained.
All such autumn-flowering plants as Dahlias, Asters,
Heleniums, and Rurlbeckias are also very strong, and
promise a plentiful supply of flower. The culture
of dwarf annuals is with us mostly confined to those
subjects useful for cutting, as the double white
Clarkia, Godetias and Cornflowers in variety, and
later still Scabious. I do not like the idea of
growing these in the flower garden proper ; they
get an ugly appearance with age, and it is not
always convenient to pull them up if there is a fair
amount of flower, so they are shelved to the
shrubbery border or to a spare piece of ground in a
slip garden. Amongst many perennials that have
stood us in good stead this summer I may mention
Dianthus in variety, Funkias, Gaillardias, Peruvian
Lilies and the old double Rocket. The newer
varieties of Poppy are very popular, and charming
arrangements can be effected with them in con-
junction with wild Grasses. Like the annuals, they
are best in some out-of-the-way border if their
decaying foliage is an eyesore. Summer bedding
plants were not at home for some time, but the
advent of dry and warmer weather has altered
their appearance, and they are now very gay. I
have decided to dispense with Calceolarias after
this season ; they are quite a failure, and some
spaces filled with them have required entire re-
planting with other things. Tagetes pumila and
a yellow Viola will be grown as substitutes.
Verbenas have done remarkably well, and are
at the present time about the brightest feature
in the garden. A very free-flowering seedling
white variety backed by Dell's Crimson Beet forms
a striking bed. The so-called white Ageratum is a
failure. The value of Dahlia Fire King for bold,
large beds, or as a background for smaller subjects,
has again been demonstrated. It is about the
earliest to flower, and continues in full beauty until
cut down by frost. I saw a large semi-circular
bed on rising ground planted with this with a fore-
ground of the fine leaved Marguerite, and it was
a bright and striking combination. Bridal Bouquet
is a small white pompon, very free as a bedder and
invaluable for cutting. The beauty of the Fuchsia
for summer bedding is well shown in the handsome
pyramids of flower that may now be seen in many
of the London parks. Carnations, both Clove and
seedling border, have been very good^this season ;
the growth of grass is strong and abundant, and
layering is in active progress. As this class of
plants is grown here chiefly for cutting, I sow a
packet of seed each year, weed out the indifferent
varieties and perpetuate those of the better class.
The percentage of singles among the seedlings has

been rather beyond the average, nor has C. Grena-
din come so true from seed as it usually does. A
combination of colour in the front of the her-
baceous border that is just now very bright is
blocks of Camomile backed by the old double scar-
let Tropreolum. All plants used for clothing tree
stumps and similar subjects, as Canary Creeper
and the Japanese Hop, have grown with great free-
dom, and have very quickly achieved the object
for which they were planted. E. Burrell.

Clare mont.

THE CARNATION.

Permit me, as one who has watched with
interest the remarks on Carnations made from
time to time in The Garden, to answer Mr.
Rowan's article on p. 97. As regards that
grower's effort to say the Carnations are not
always grown under glass, let me ask what does
it matter where they are cultivated if they only
bring a lot of burst flowers, tied round the
lobes with matting or string, and flattened out
into a certain shape with the tweezers ? As a
matter of fact, Mr. Dodwell and other svell-
known growers do grow their Carnations in
greenhouses, as I and others who have visited
their houses know well. It is idle to say they
are not tender. I have given up the culture of
such miffy things, for the reason that they
absolutely refuse to weather the winter trials,
and one year in particular the varieties " ran '
so, that scarcely a flower of the supposed true
character could be gathered. Things might
possibly have been different if the layers had
been potted up, carefully sheltered through the
winter months, and planted out again in the
spring ; but such labour I had not time to give
them, nor should they require it, when we
consider that the Carnation is, or ought to be,
a thoroughly hardy garden flower, as hardy
as a Delphinium or herbaceous Phlox. This
surely shows a " want of hardiness" ; and if not
the result of growing the plants in pots, giving
them special foods, and placing under glass
several weeks at least in the year, what does the
tenderness arise from ? People are too often
content with the big fat blooms of the Mal-
maison Carnation, simply because they are
unaware of the many beautiful self varieties
with bold, showy flowers that require no under-
glass treatment and certain soils. Mr. Rowan
cannot deny that the plants are grown in pots,
a most unnatural and hurtful way of treat-
ing the flower, and the fact that they are
permitted to be thus grown is surely "cod-
dling," or I mistake the meaning of the
word, which to my mind conveys this fact :
giving a plant culture of an exceptional kind
and treating it to conditions foreign to its
nature. This is what is done with the Carna-
tion, and besides growing it in pots the buds
are removed to a certain number, so as to throw
all the vigour into a few flowers likely to gain
a prize after they have been well pulled about
by the tweezers. The ardent grower of the
florists' Carnation may, it is true, not refuse to
grow a few plants in the open border, but it is
only a paltry few that find a place there. I
was in a large garden of Carnations the other
day where the varieties were of the orthodox
stamp, and nearly all were in pots under glass,
the flowers disbudded, and each tied up with a
little stick. This was before a forthcoming ex-
hibition, when the several blooms required
would be cut with a short stalk, dressed, and
made ready, like a fancy doll, for show. Mr.
Rowan seems to think that growing the plants
in pots, placing them under glass, giving special
composts, which an ordinary border flower
would never have, disbudding, and then as

a final fillip, smoothing out the petals, does not
constitute <; pampering." I wish he would tell
me what to " pamper" means, if the course of
treatment followed by the florist is not a full
definition of the word. 1 wish, too, all the
Carnations I have tried would do as well as the
white Clove Gloire de Nancy and its crimson
companion, which is described as a good bait
for spot, gout, and maggot. I could point to
clumps of these tsvo Carnations in the heart of
London in a sultry air and in the midst of dirt
and smoke so laden with flowers, that scarcely a
bit of " grass " is visible. I am certain the
striped bizarres, flakes, &c, would not give the
same profusion of bloom nor exhibit the same
remarkably vigorous health. We have now
self-coloured varieties just as vigorous, and giving
handfuls of brightly and softly tinted flowers,
which not only create splendid masses of colour
in the garden, but give abundant bloom for
the house. It will not be by growing the
plant in pots, disbudding, and all the other
favourite tricks of the florist that we shall
get a Carnation that is hardy in the truest
sense of the word, vigorous, with healthy abun-
dant grass, sturdy flower-stalks, and full, bold
flowers of decided colours, fragrant, and non-
bursting in the bud. That is what we ought to
strive for, and then we should see the Carnation
in every good garden. One may now go into
many fine gard ens without seeing a trace of the
flower except perhaps a few clumps of the
crimson or white Clove in the border. This
wretched condition of things must be altered,
and by striving to promote a race with the essen-
tial qualities named above we are doing all that
is possible to accomplish it.

This is not all. Mr. Rowan carefully avoids
saying anything of the present style of showing
the Carnation. It is degrading it to exhibit it
in the way we see at every show. Improvement
is absolutely impossible so long as this lovely
flower is shown in a collar and permitted to be
bandaged up. The only proper way to show
the Carnation is to cut it as it grows, and not to
touch it with the tweezers. There was not at
the recent Carnation and Picotee show at Chis-
wick, nor at the Royal Aquarium, a single good
bunch of Carnations — a lamentable state of
things when there were dozens of boxes filled
with single flowers, dressed — so much so, that at
the Royal Aquarium I heard even an ardent
florist protest — and without a scrap of foliage to
act as a foil. At the Aquarium there were a few
bunches of flowers in a special class provided for
these, but the result was a number of small
" bouquets" of about six blooms each, as form-
ally arranged as any Covent Garden bouquet,
the flowers all pointing one way, and with a few
bits of growth sticking up behind in strict regu-
larity. When we see good bunches of flowers
cut as they grow, and not ' ' done up " with the
tweezers, we should see the burst kinds disappear
in favour of those that stand well without burst-
ing and with all the other charms we seek.

Carnation Grower.

Lathyrus latifolius albus from seed.— I

was surprised to find from the note on the above
(p. 102) that Mr. Wood found this so uncertain and
so long before flowering from seedlings. I saved a
lot of seed from an old plant in the hot summer of
1887, and probably about 100 plants were raised
here and elsewhere from it in the spring of 1888,
and I have not heard of one having been anything
but true. Our seed was sown in pots in gentle heat
in March, 1888 ; the seedlings having been hardened
off and planted out early, grew very well, and the
majority of them flowered the same autumn suffi-
ciently to prove that they were true, while all
flowered grandly in 1889, and there was not the
least departure from the parent plant amongst

Aug. 23, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN8

175

them. At the present time our plants are very
fine, having grown over 8 feet high, while they are
covered with flowers ; many hundreds of the pe-
duncles are from thirteen to fifteen-flowered, and
this is but a repetition of the display last year —
seventeen months from sowing the seed. So true
were the plants that I have had to get seed of the
red form in order to obtain plants of it, there being
none on the place ; this seed was sown in the same
way this spring, and some of the young plants are
now showing flower — less than five months after
sowing. I cannot think that our not having any
of the red form on the place had much to do with
the white one coming so true, as there is a very
fine plant of the former less than a quarter of a
mile away and several others within half a mile of
us, and this is but a short distance for bees and
other pollen-bearing insects to travel. I may add
that the seed-bearing and the hot, dry weather of
1887 nearly killed the old plant, so that it made no
growth in the following year and was given up for
dead. Since then, however, it has recovered, but
it is not nearly so vigorous or free flowering as the
young ones are. — J. C. Tallack.

THE CARNATION AND PICOTEE.
I have read with much interest the remarks in
The Garden (page 97) by Mr. Martin Rowan on
the Carnation. I have grown the Carnation and
Picotee since my boyhood, and I have cared for
the plants in cold bleak districts in Scotland, on
the sea-coast, and also many miles inland ; but my
largest experience has been obtained in gardens
near London, where I must say the finer varieties
succeed much better than they do in Scotland. As
being one of the first to promote the establishment
of a National Carnation and Picotee Society near
London, I appreciate to the fullest extent the
generosity of Mr. Martin Smith in offering prizes
for Carnations grown in the open borders ; and I
have some hope that the inducement to compete
for the prizes will be a great stimulus to the culti-
vation of these border flowers, so beautiful and
sweet in themselves, besides being interesting for
their historical associations.

Carnation growers generally who listened to Mr.
Smith's remarks were pretty unanimous in their
expression of opinion that he laboured under some
misapprehension as to the relative degree of hardi-
ness between the border varieties so called and such
as are designated exhibition varieties. When the
National Carnation and Picotee Society was es-
tablished in the south, it was with the idea of pro-
moting the culture more especially of the finer
varieties of the Carnation, the bizarres and flakes,
as well as the beautiful edged Picotees. This has
been done, but other work in the meantime has not
been left undone. It was thought well by those
who instituted the society that every section and
every variety of the Carnation and Picotee should
be represented at the exhibitions. Prizes were
offered for selfs and others that might be included
in the comprehensive designation " fancies," and
those who have visited our exhibitions could not
fail to recognise the fact that the efforts of the
society have been equally successful in this direc-
tion. It was also thought desirable that the plants
should be exhibited as they were grown, and to
encourage the growth of the Carnation as a de-
corative plant the following clause was inserted
in the schedule : —

The object of the prizes in Class N is to develop
excellence as decorative subjects, aud the judges will
be instructed to award the prizes for cultural excel-
lence and a liberal head of flowers which may not be
shown on cards. The plants may have been lifted from
the open ground, and the pots may contain]oue or more
plants at the discretion of the exhibitor.

The above remarks apply to the offer of a series
of prizes for twelve plants in pots. Besides the
above, yellow ground varieties are specially en-
couraged in a class by themselves. The efforts of
the society have not been appreciated in every
direction; it was not to be expected that they
would ; but I can say this much, that when the
society was inaugurated about fifteen years ago,
the Carnation was comparatively a neglected flower ;

it is now almost universally cultivated. Some may
say that this revival of the cultivation of the Car-
nation and Picotee is not owing to the National
Society ; others would and do say it is. There is a
revival, as a matter of fact. Many persons do not
care to see the choice varieties of Carnations and
Picotees exhibited on cards, and would do away
with this method of exhibiting them. I cannot see
any good reason for this. To many amateur culti-
vators a Carnation or Picotee displayed upon a
card is a perfectly natural picture in itself, where the
beautiful markings are displayed to the best advan-
tage. There are other ways in which the Carna-
tion may be exhibited, such as in bunches of six
blooms, or more, with buds and foliage, also in the
form of epergnes for the drawing-room, or as
bouquets of Carnations only. All the above methods
were illustrated at the exhibition held at the Royal
Aquarium, Westminster, on the 29th of July, and
1 must confess, that in much that was to be com-
mended, an evil example was set in the style of
the bouquets especially by the free use of wires.
I made a bouquet of Carnations without using a
wire in it, or placing a paper frill round it, or
dangling ribbons therefrom, but it was not no-
ticed. When the artificial-looking objects win
the prizes, exhibitors will make them. So it is
with the table decorations ; the artificial produc-
tions wired all over win at the flower show, but
wires are not tolerated in the drawing-room. If we
are to have bouquets of Carnations, vases of Car-
nations, and bunches of the beautiful flowers at
our national exhibition, do let us have them in
their natural elegance ; they do not need the aid
of ribbons, lace papers, or wires. Let the bouquets
be such as one would like to present to a friend,
cut from the plants, and tied up just as they are
with buds and leaves ; the epergnes such as one
would arrange for the drawing-room and the
bunches of Carnations be shown in the same way. I
do hope that others besides Mr. Smith will take this
matter up, so that we may have the addition of
prizes for bouquets, epergnes, and bunches of Car-
nations arranged as we would like to see them in
our own dwelling-houses.

As to the relative hardiness of the different sec-
tions of the Carnation, I confess that my experience
of thirty-five years leads me to support Mr. Rowan.
I have at the present time flaked and bizarre Car-
nations, Picotees (yellow and white ground), grow-
ing in the open borders with as much, and in some
instances greater, vigour than those growing in
pots. Mr. Rowan alludes to his fine bloom of
Brunette (Kirkland) heavy red Picotee. This is
certainly one of the most delicate constitutioned
sorts grown, and my stock cultivated in pots had
much decreased in vigour. As a trial, I planted
some out in an ordinary border of herbaceous
plants, with the result that they grew much more
vigorously, and produced some of the best flowers
I have ever had. The show Carnations and Pico-
tees do not bear forcing. The exhibitions are fixed
to catch the flowers at their best in the open bor-
ders ; they are cultivated in pots, so that they may
be removed under glass or under a canvas tent to
protect them from the heavy rains we expect, and
often get, in July. J. Douglas.

Town gardening. — In the garden of a relative
residing in Cromwell Road, Kensington, I lately
picked some excellent Mulberries, and the follow-
ing hardy plants were conspicuous in flower and
foliage. Many of them I already knew to be first
rate town plants, and these I have marked with an
asterisk: Cactus Dahlias and Asters in variety,
Sunflowers (Helianthus) and Harpaliums in several
kinds of each, *Dimorphanthus mandschuricus and
*Aralia spinosa (the Angelica Tree), Veronica verti-
cillata and another species, Hemerocallis fulva
(Day Lily) double, *Yuccas, filamentosa in bloom,
gloriosa and recurva in foliage, *Rheum palmatum
and *R. tanguticum (the two finest town plants I
know), Lilium auratum and lancifolium (the latter
has been established there for many years and
blooms annually), Geum coccineum (double scarlet),
Clematis Jackmanni, and Edelweiss (this latter was
brought into the garden this summer, and does not

look happy). In the same garden, among many
other plants not here enumerated, Iris germanica
in a number of excellent varieties is this year
growing luxuriantly. Their bloom is, of course,
long past, but in their season they are so much a
feature in the garden that they should be named in
any reference to it. I see I have omitted from the
above list Aconitum (the blue Monkshood). The
blooming spikes of it are 7 feet from the ground.
The two Rheums are growing more superbly than
ever here, where the air is quite pure. The furnish-
ing of this garden has for some years largely rested
with me, and I am therefore able to speak to its
capabilities for growing the above plants in any
ordinary seasons. The list may be found useful
by some of your town readers. The selection may,
of course, be largely extended without probability
of going astray by adding other varieties of the
species above named, and other allied species in
the genera so named. The garden is all too confined
by walls ; were it otherwise I should expect that
more might be done with some of the more easily
grown alpines. But this class of plants rather exacts
free air even where otherwise "ready to oblige."
— H. S. Leonard.

INDIAN LILIES.

To the Editor of The Garden.

Sir, — It has been frequently stated in The
Garden that Indian Lilies will not bloom a
second season in England, but I have now
several specimens of these beautiful flowers in
full bloom (one with two large blossoms on it)
for the second time, having received the bulbs
in March, 1889, direct from Mr. Frank Griffith
(of C'orsley, Kotagiri, India), who sent them
safely packed by parcel post. Both Lilium
neilgherrense and Lilium Wallichianum have
done well in my houses (the latter being, how-
ever, the shyer bloomer of the two) with the
following treatment : —

Directly the bulbs arrived they were carefully
potted in light, rich compost (such as would be
suitable for Hyacinths), well drained, and
all worms carefully picked out. Some of the
bulbs were planted in 6-inch pots, others in
those of a larger size, but as I have now a fine
L. Wallichianum flowering in the same 6-inch
pot in which it was then placed, I believe they
do not require very much room. When potted
the bulbs were placed in a hothouse and started
into growth, but this year they have done
equally well in a vineiy with very gentle heat,
and that in their earliest stages only, the fires
having been let out as soon as the Vines had set
their fruit. Directly after flowering in August the
blossoms were removed, and the plants were
placed on slates on the vinery bed and top-
dressed with rotten stable manure and good soil,
the surface of the soil having been first re-
moved (so far as it was possible without dis-
turbing the bulb) with a stick. They were then
kept in a low temperature, just moist, but no
more, until the whole of the stems and leaves
had decayed, this process taking many months

in some eases.

At the end of February the plants were again
carefully top-dressed (removing less of the
upper soil than before), and they very soon be-
gan to throw up stronger stems than those of
last year. I believe that these Lilies will not
thrive if their roots are disturbed by constant
repotting ; they should be allowed to stay in
the same pots as long as they can, and when re-
potting becomes a necessity the ball of roots
must be kept as entire as possible.

Another common mistake is to starve them
after they have bloomed. That is the very
time they need fresh nourishment, as they are
then preparing for next year's work, and al-
though they must not be over-watered during

176

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 23, 1890.

the period of rest in which they gradually lose
their leaves, they must never be allowed to be-
come dust-dry.

As the Lilium Walliohianum grows on the
Himalayas above frost line, I think it very pro-
bable that it would stand out of doors in Devon-
shire if planted rather deeply in good peaty
soil and mulched each autumn with stable ma-
nure, and I hope to try a few in this way. No
doubt if they will bear the cold, they will be-
come strongly established in the open ground
and do better than in pots.

T. L. Richmond.

Clare House, Tiverton, Devon.

NOTES ON HARDY PLANTS.
Veratrums. — As to which is best to grow of
album or viride is somewhat difficult to say, for the
reason that they are similar in habit, and their
specific names by no means convey a correct idea
of the blossom colour. For instance, the so-called
green variety is anything but really green, neither
is the white variety white, only by comparison with
the so-called green. To be able to see the distinct-
ness of the two kinds clearly, they should be grown
side by side, and it is then that the names are seen
to be justified. I should like to say that for my
part I greatly prefer the black variety, nigrum,
which has smoother and brighter foliage, a more
slender spike of bloom, and though the flowers are
smaller and of a brown-black colour, they are ele-
gant and more effective. The Veratrums require a
deep soil made rich, and unless the crowns are very
strong ones, they may be a year or two before they
llower. Height, 3 feet to 5 feet.

Campanula lactseflora. — The whitish-blue
flowers are borne in massive panicles, 18 inches long
and a foot in diameter. Owing to the manner in
which the flowers, each an inch across, continue to
open in succession, large plants are capable of
making a fine show in the border for nearly two
months, their stature being 5 feet. The blue-milk-
white flowers are in great favour, and a panicle of
bloom such as can be cut from this Bellwort is no
mean object for indoor decoration. Where large
showy perennial flowers are wanted in the hardy
borders, this may be safely recommended. Raised
from seed, the plant proves variable as regards
flower colour, some being darker than those de-
scribed above.

Campanula Hendersoni.— This grows about
a foot high ; I have known it grow much taller
under favourable conditions. In my view this is one
oE the best of the Bellflowers. The spikes are
heavily laden with buds that open in succession for
a lengthened period. The colour is a clear violet-
purple, and each salver-shaped flower is 1\ inches
across. The sturdy spikes are a mass of bloom from
top to bottom. The plant is not one of the more
rampant growing class, and though it cannot be
said to be difficult to manage, its propagation can-
not be effected in a wholesale manner, as with other
hybrids and species.

Campanula Raineri. — This is a still dwarfer
kind, more in the way of turbinata. The heart-
shaped, crenate and grey pubescent foliage is all
radical ; hence the plant rarely rises more than 2
inches from the ground, even with its large pale
blue salver-shaped flowers. It is a lovely plant
when seen in flower and full vigour. How different
this plant behaves in different gardens. In some
places its foliage rarely exceeds the size of a six-
pence, and yet it flowers well. In other gardens I
have seen it almost as vigorous as turbinata. I be-
lieve it has the reputation of being wanting in har-
diness, but I think that where it flourishes in sum-
mer, it will need no protection in winter.

Rudbeckia (Echinacea) purpurea.— This
is again in good form, and I am glad to see that
year by year it is coming more into use. Those
who have seen flowers on their young plants, at a
stature of perhaps 18 inches, will no doubt have
been pleased by the singular colour and quaint form
of the heads ; but, provided they grow the plant

well for another year or two, they will find that it
attains a height of 5 feet or more, and that the red-
purple ray florets will each measure U inches across.
It is after seeing a specimen of my own that has
been growing in a new border for three years that
I have been induced to pen this note. I am sure
that everyone that may try it will be delighted with
a flower so effective and unique. J. Wood.

Woodrille, Kirlistall.

THE HOLLYHOCK.
The last time I wrote upon the Hollyhock in the
pages of The Gakden (Volume XXXVII., page
2G4) the ground was being prepared for planting
out the young stock that had been propagated in the
months of January and February previous. Cuttings
taken from the old stools very early in the year,
and rooted by the aid of a little bottom heat, when
well managed produce the best spikes of bloom. We
had the ground prepared for ours early, but the
weather being cold and unfavourable for planting,
we did not get the plants out until May. I had
stated in a previous number that we had left the
plants growing in the open ground for two winters,
and during the season of 1889 no trace of disease
was noticed. It might not be safe to say that no
trace of the troublesome fungus was there at all, for
the fact remains that when the plants which had
been propagated in a forcing house were examined, it
was found that the disease was present ; we tried
our old cure of soft-soapy water and flowers of sul-
phur, but the cure seemed but temporary, as the
plants have been attacked again in the garden,
though not severely, as they are now flowering
freely and are very strong. Although the fungus ap-
peared on these propagated plants it did not do so
on those that had been kept in a cold frame. We
must, therefore, consider this as more evidence in
favour of keeping the plants outside a forcing
house altogether, but for spring propagated plants
I fear this will be unavoidable. Cuttings may be
taken now from the plants that are in flower, and
these will generally produce sturdy little plants that
will pass through the winter well if the small pots
in which they are growing be plunged to the rims
in some dry material, and within a foot or so of the
glass. The best treatment for such plants is to re-
move the glass lights altogether whenever the wea-
ther is at all favourable. If it is desirable to obtain
a large stock of Hollyhock plants, the side growths
may be taken from the main stem, and at
the axil of every leaf where there is not a flower-
bud there will be found a leaf growth, which, if
planted with a portion of the stem attached, as
Vine eyes are, will form a plant.

There has been no need to water Hollyhocks this
year, for, with the exception of a few days about
the end of July and the first seven days in August,
we have had really too much rain. The flowers
opened splendidly in those dry warm days,
but a change came suddenly on the night of
the 9th of August, when 0t>4 inches of rain fell,
and as I write these lines on the evening of the
11th rain is falling, I may say, in torrents. I have
just measured it, and find that in the last twenty-
four hours 200 inches have fallen. The diseased
portions of the leaves are not exposed to the rain,
as it attacks the under sides of them only, although
it shows through on to the upper part. A corre-
spondent, writing in The Gabden early in the
year, recommended tobacco powder and sulphate
of copper as being an effectual remedy for the
disease. A correspondent from the north assures
me that Condy's Fluid is also an effectual remedy ;
it destroys the fungus spots, and does no injury to
the leaves. The Hollyhock as an exhibition flower
has not justice done to it ; single blooms are cut
from the spikes and are exhibited as Dahlias are,
but the right way to exhibit them is in the form of
spikes. This was done thirty years ago, and more
recently north and south, and ought to be again.
The recently introduced varieties are well in ad-
vance of the older sorts, and it would be well to let
the public see them as they grow. The raising of
seedlings should by no means be neglected, and
now is the time to attend to the saving of the seeds,
which, by the way, is not so easy as it used to be.

The flowers are so very double that the pollen can-
not reach the stigma. Another matter to be at-
tended to is the removal of the decaying flowers as
soon as they can be pulled off with the fingers ; in
wet weather they decay very rapidly and cause the
seeds to rot. May is a good month in which to
sow the seeds ; the young plants have plenty of
time to grow into strong plants that will flower
well the following season. When planted out
where they are to flower, 3 feet should be al-
lowed between each plant and 4 feet between
the rows ; this will give ample space for the full de-
velopment of the spikes. In dry seasons the
flowering plants should be freely watered. Mulch-
ing the surface of the ground near the base of the
stems always gives greater vigour to the plants,
as the stimulating properties of the manure are
washed down to the roots, whether water is applied
artificially or in a natural manner.

J. Douglas.

YELLOW AURICULAS.

Mb. Douglas's paper on yellow Auriculas is full of
interest. I am so fond of good yellow Auriculas
that I have several varieties of both single and
double. At the head of the list stands a grand self
shown by the Rev. F. D. Horner last April, and
which I think he has named Goldfinder. I have
never seen anything to compare with this for
beauty and quality, and as it appears to be of
vigorous constitution and likely to increase quickly, I
trust Mr. Horner will be able to distribute it some
day, so that those of us who favour this very
limited section of self Auriculas may be able to
add it to our collections. Next to Mr. Horner's
variety, there is nothing in point of quality that
can compare with Hetty Dean. This has all the
good qualities of a self, but it is a little thin in
substance and reflexes a little when fully expanded.
It is very easy to flower also, and it is always the
first in bloom of my collection. On one occasion
when Mr. Samuel Barlow was visiting the Rev.
F. D. Horner, then at Kirkby Malzeard, Ripon, he
brought away with him to Manchester a number of
Mr. Horner's castaway seedlings, which Mr. Barlow
put on his rockwork at Stakehill. I happened to
be at Stakehill the following spring, when one of
them flowered, and I was so struck with it that Mr.
Barlow had it lifted and potted it, and at my re-
quest named it after my youngest daughter. Subse-
quently he gave me a plant of it. It is a good
grower, but I fear it cannot be depended upon to
reproduce itself in any improved form, as I have on
two or three occasions raised seedlings from it only
to have border rubbish. There is no doubt Mr.
Douglas is quite correct when he states that the
yellow selfs appear to come from the white-edged
varieties.

Mr. Samuel Barlow, who has a great liking for
the section of fancy Auriculas, has raised a num-
ber of seedlings, and among them he has some
good yellows. He claims to have two or three of
a very promising character, and when looking over
his collection of Auriculas a few days since I
noticed several marked as being of high quality.
Sunshine is a very vigorous grower, and anyone
fancying a yellow self Auricula should endeavour
to obtain this variety.

I do not notice that Mr. Douglas makes mention
of the double yellow Auricula. I have no doubt
that it has been in cultivation for many years, and
a well-established plant flowers freely, producing
bright yellow semi-double flowers. For several
years— having a fancy for yellow Auriculas— I
endeavoured to obtain seedlings from it, and at last
secured one that was quite distinct in character.
From this I obtained a few grains of seed, and the
progeny has given me three or four varieties, mak-
ing a distinct advance. For some reason the double
Auriculas in my collection bloomed very sparingly
indeed last spring, but the plants have grown freely
this summer, and I hope next season to be able to
exhibit some double yellow Auriculas that will be
regarded as decided improvements upon the old
double yellow. R. D.

Hollyhock disease. — I have some reason to be-
lieve that a palliative, if not a remedy, for this fungus

Aug. 23, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

177

will be found in sulphate of copper and lime. I have
syringed one plant badly attacked, and have left
another without treatment. The one I treated is full
of flower ; the other is a mass of disease.— S.

Trees and Shrubs.

THE CISTUSES, OR ROCK ROSES.
The Rock Roses, or at least a few of them, are
known to all who have an interest beyond the
common things one sees in gardens, for apart
from their wondrous flower beauty they have a
peculiar interest, having been tended with
loving care by Parkinson as early as the begin-
ning of the seventeenth century, at which
period several of the finest Rock Roses we have
in our gardens now were first introduced from
the sunny South. They are, in fact, true old
English garden flowers, for there is scarcely one
that could be called a modern introduction.
Judging from what we gather from old garden
books, they must have been more numerous

for there is no place between the open rockery
and the great temperate house, which is quite
unsuited for the growth of shrubs that must
have free root room and all the sun and air it is
possible to give them from the close of winter
till the end of autumn. An admirable plan
of growing Rock Roses was that adopted by that
keen lover of plants, the late Mr. Joad, in his
richly stocked garden at Wimbledon. He had
a long sloping bank thrown up against a low
wall facing south, the soil being open and
well drained. On the surface were great
boulders half buried in the soil, and around
these he planted his Cistuses and other
half hardy shrubs. In winter he had a con-
trivance for protecting the plants by erecting a
movable framework, over which he stretched can-
vas, and this was quite sufficient to protect his
Levantines, Australians, and New Zealanders,
as he used to call them, from injury by frost.
From spring to early winter you saw nothing of
the winter-protecting apparatus, and I need
scarcely say that the bank was always full of

The Florentine Rock Rose (Cistus florentinus) ; flowers white.

fifty or sixty years ago than they are now, for
when Sweet wrote his monograph of the Cistinise
in 1830 there were numerous kinds grown then
that have disappeared from even our botanical
gardens, ousted, no doubt, by newer, if less
beautiful plants. The rarity of Rock Roses in
gardens now-a-days is doubtless due to the un-
fortunate tenderness of the majority of the
species, and it is evident that we do not, as a
rule, take the trouble to grow and care for
tender open-air flowers as the early gardeners
did. In these days of cheap greenhouses there
seems to be no middle course between the abso-
lutely hardy and the tender class of plants that
will not thrive outside a glasshouse. But we de-
prive ourselves of much beauty in our gardens
not only by the exclusion of Rock Roses, but
by a host of beautiful warm climate shrubs and
plants that only require protection during our
long and often severe winters. Even in our
great national garden at Kew the means of
growing to perfection the Rock Roses and
plants of a similar nature is still a desideratum,

interest, and during the height of summer it
always had a kaleidoscopic effect of colour,
always changing, always bright.

Such a simple plan might be adopted by any-
one who wished to have a good collection of
Rock Roses and plants of kindred nature ; but
in mild localities, and with a light, warm soil,
many of the Cistuses may be grown on an
open, well-drained rockery. Miss Jekyll grows
numerous kinds to perfection on a simple raised
bank, and I shall not forget the brilliancy of
her Cistus bank when I saw it once in July.
The conditions then for these plants are a light
soil, thoroughly drained, raised, and sloped to
the south, and screened from the cold winds of
winter and spring. In hilly gardens these con-
ditions occur naturally, and if there is a sunny
retaining wall, such as occurs on a terraced
slope, that is just the place to plant the Rock
| Cistuses that have a low spreading growth. In
' the rock garden at Kew some species, such
as C. corbariensis, C. monspeliensis, and C.
hirsutus, have been growing for some years.

and planted as they are, high and dry, they
escape the damp and cold of winter without
much harm.

Without attempting a full and detailed ac-
count of the Rock Cistuses now in cultivation
(for that has already been done in an early
volume of The Garden), I will mention some
of the best that could be grown well in any
garden in the neighbourhood of London and
south of it, and even in more northerly gar-
dens where the soil is light and the situations
naturally mild, such as those near the sea,
and without much trouble beyond planting
them well at the outset and taking care of them
during the winter.

The two largest growing kinds, and at the same
time the hardiest, are the Ladanum Gum Cistus
(C. ladaniferus), and the Laurel-leaved Rock Rose
(C. laurifolius), both extremely beautiful. The
Ladanum Gum Cistus was introduced from Spain
by Parkinson in 1629, and has been in our gardens
ever since. It is an evergreen shrub of somewhat
erect growth, and rises when full grown 5 feet or 6
feet in height. It may be recognised at once by
the deep green on the upper surface of the leaves,
and by the whiteness of the undersides. The pro-
fusion with which it flowers during June and July
makes it one of the most beautiful in the genus.
The blossoms, each nearly 2 inches across, with
white crumpled petals, are conspicuously blotched
with yellow, in the variety maculatus the petals
are adorned with a large deep crimson blotch. For
several weeks at midsummer this species is an ob-
ject of great beauty, so profuse are the flowers, and
as it is the hardiest of aU the Cistuses, it may be
grown in a mass as a lawn shrub. The spotted
variety (maculatus) is, I think, one of the finest of
all open-air shrubs, and is one of the few obtain-
able in nurseries.

C. laurifolius has larger and paler green leaves
than C. ladaniferus. The flowers also are white and
blotched with yellow. It is a larger growing and
hardy shrub, and makes a beautiful object on a
lawn in a group with others.

C. flobentintjs.— Among the dwarf er species
perhaps this is the most beautiful. The annexed
engraving is an admirable representation of a well-
grown specimen, andshowswellthespreadinggrowth
of the shrub. Its flowers are each 2 inches across
with snow-white petals blotched with pale yellow
at the base. It blooms plentifully in June and
July It is an Italian plant, and in close affinity
with the Montpelier Rock Cistus (C. monspeliensis),
which as its name implies, grows wild about Mont-
pelier. This has been in English gardens for over
two and a half centuries, since the time of Gerard.
The flowers are smaller than those of the Floren-
tine Cistus, but are also white and plentifully pro-
duced.

C. Clusi is a lovely little shrub from Spain and
Portugal. It grows from 1 foot to 2 feet high, and
forms a compact, dense mass of foliage, and at
midsummer is covered with snow-white blossoms.
Other white-flowered species to be found in good
collections include C hirsutus, C salvfefolius, C.
lusitanicus, C. laxus, C cyprius, C corbariensis, C.
populifolius, and C. obtusifolius. These are all
worth growing, but those who seek to make a col-
lection will find that there are numerous other
white- flowered species to be added to this selection.

The species with purple flowers are few, and
all should be grown on a Cistus bank. The best
known is

C. purpureus, the large purple-flowered kind that
one frequently meets with in warm southern gar-
dens. It is a free-growing bush, reaching a yard
or more in height, having large and more or less
wrinkled leaves of pale green. The flowers are
large, of a bright reddish purple, with a crimson or
deep 'red centre, and are borne in clusters of two
or three from June up till the end of August.

The Cretan Cistus (C. creticus) is dwarfer and
more tender than purpureus. It also has wrinkled
leaves, and the large purple flowers have yellow

178

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 23, 1890.

blotches at the base instead of crimson. C. vil-
losus may be distinguished at a glance by the
Sage-like leaves, and when in flower by the more
or less lilac-purple flowers. It grows about 3 feet
high and makes a dense bush. Similar, if not
identical with it, are C. incanus and canescens, and
afewothers with purple flowers, including C.crispus,
could be added to make a full collection.

Besides the true Cistuses there are some
species of Helianthemum (the Sun Rose) that
are known in nurseries and sold erroneously as
Oistus. These include H. formosum, the beau-
tiful little yellow-flowered species catalogued as
Cistus formosus, one of the gems of a large
genus. The Sun Roses so closely resemble the
Rock Roses, and require the same kind of treat-
ment, that they should be grown together. As
a rule they are much hardier, and well adapted
for any sunny bank. They have been so fre-
quently described in The Garden that there is
no need to allude to them here. Wherever
warm sunny banks occur in a garden they
should be clothed with such plants as Sun
Roses and Rock Roses, remembering that the
former are hardy, and require little or no care
after being well planted, while the Rock Roses
require protection during spells of severe winter
weather. It is always advisable to keep dupli-
cates of Cistuses and other tender shrubs in
pots in frames, so that in case deaths occur the
plants may be replaced. There are several
hybrid varieties of Cistus already in gardens,
and if some hybridist turned his attention to
them he would doubtless increase the number
and perhaps raise hardy varieties if he could
intercross with Helianthemum. The experiment
is quite worth trying. W. Goldring.

THE TULIP TREE.
(liriodendron tulipifera.)
Some kind friend in the south of Prance (Pau)
has sent me a boxful of the prettily coloured
and deliciously fragrant flowers of the Tulip
Tree, to point out how much finer they are
than those produced in England. At Gwydyr
Castle, in North Wales, I have seen a heavy
crop of flowers of the Tulip Tree produced on
more than one occasion, and the individual
blooms were quite as large, as brightly coloured,
and as sweet - smelling as those from the
Continent. Many fine old specimens of the
Tulip Tree scattered over England and Wales
bear testimony to the fact that it is well suited
in every way for being planted in this country,
and that, too, without in most instances having
to take into account either altitude or situation
— the two conditions that require careful scru-
tiny in planting out nine-tenths of foreign trees
and shrubs. That the large leaves are all the
better of being sheltered from rude winds can-
not be denied, and the same may also be said of
the flowers, though they are stout and of good
substance ; but it seems to me that in ex-
posed sites both leaves and flowers are stouter
and less liable to accident than are those grown
in lowland sheltered districts.

For the large and handsomely shaped foliage
alone, the Tulip Tree is well worthy of cultiva-
tion, and that, too, supposing it never produced
one of its gaudy and sweet-smelling flowers.
There is something eastern in the big leaves of
the Tulip Tree, Umbrella Magnolia, and a few
others of our more uncommonly cultivated
trees, and that strikes one at once as rendering
the specimens of unusual interest, and well
worthy of a doubleattempt to cultivate. I know
of nothing more pleasing than to see a clump
of Pine trees fronted up by either this Lirio-
dendron or the Umbrella Magnolia, the foliage
of the latter being of a distinct pale green, and

contrasting so markedly with that of the dark-
hued Pines. For any choice spot the Tulip
Tree is a fitting subject. Towards October the
leaves of the Tulip Tree assume a bright golden
tint, and it is then a conspicuous mark on the
landscape.

Growing on the lawn at Hampton Court,
Herefordshire, is a noble specimen of the Tulip
Tree, the stem rising 80 feet in height, while
the girth at 5 feet is 12 feet 7 inches, and the
contents of stem 223 feet. At Jardine Hall,
Lockerbie, there is a Tulip Tree fully 60 feet in
height, and with a remarkably uniform stem
that girths at 9 feet up 6 feet. Hampshire,
too, can boast of possessing an unusually fine
specimen of this tree in the one growing in the
garden at Hale Park, and which at 1 yard from
the ground girths 18 feet 3 inches, and stands
nearly 80 feet in height. Around London are
many large and old specimens of the Tulip Tree,
thus showing that at one time it was planted
with no scant hand, certainly greatly in excess
of what it is at the present time, or has been
for the last quarter of a century.

A. D. Webster.

The shell-bark Hickory (Carya alba), and
which I suppose is that referred to by "N. H.," is
readily propagated from nuts, by treating them in a
similar way to those of our common Walnut. Owing
to the long tap-root it is advisable to sow the seeds
where the plants are intended to remain, as transplant-
ing is often fraught with had results. — A. D. W.

MARKET GARDEN NOTES.
Peas. — This has been a good season for Pea
growers, due in a great measure to the copious rains,
which, however disastrous they may have been to
Grass and Corn, did nothing but good to the Pea
crops. Our light Surrey lands are favourable to
early Peas, and immense quantities are annually
grown on them for the London market. Late kinds
are but little grown, as owing to the parching na-
ture of the soil, the pods in ordinary years would
not swell up sufficiently well to allow of their cul-
ture being profitable. When rain fails at the end
of June and beginning of July, the yield is more
or less light, but this season a copious rainfall just
at the critical moment filled up the pods, and where
the land was well done heavy crops were taken off.
The character of the season also materially influ-
enced prices, for at no time up to the middle of
July was it so hot as to bring in a great glut of
Peas. At a time when good samples are in ordinary
years not making more than 3s. per bushel at the
most, growers here were selling at double that rate
in the London markets. Some of the largest
growers in this district are their own salesmen,
whilst others who only cultivate a few acres dis-
pose of their produce to middlemen, and have no-
thing to do with the gathering and marketing.
These small cultivators confine themselves to
one or two kinds that come in as early as pos-
sible, but those who have a connection in the
London markets do not confine themselves to so
limited a selection of varieties. One man has gener-
ally about a score in cultivation, for he has various
classes of customers to please. Having what is
termed a " high-class connection," he must grow a
certain amount of the better-flavoured kinds. Two
varieties that he finds well suited to this purpose
are North Wonder, a Pea that I have seen no men-
tion made of, and Princess of Wales.

Runner Beans.— These are exceptionally late,
very few having been gathered up to the present.
Neither do the plants look so strong as is generally
the case at this time of the year. In some places
Broccoli is planted between the rows, but in this
district intercropping is not practised, neither do I
see the advantage of so doing, as the Beans must
be sown much wider apart, and there is not the fa-
cility for keeping them free from weeds. When
nothing is planted between, the horse-hoe can be
run down between the rows, rendering the cleaning
less expensive, and keeping the surface in a more

free open condition than can be effected by ordinary
hoeing. After a time of heavy rains such as we
have this summer experienced, theadvantage of well
stirring the surface is especially noticeable. When
once the Vine covers the ground the labour of
cleaning is at an end.

Dwarf Beans have done much better than
could have been expected. Considerable quanti-
ties have been gathered during the last fortnight,
but prices are not particularly good, owing, proba-
bly, to the abundance of good Peas being sent into
market at the present time.

Winter greens of all kinds have had a good
time, for the ground has not yet been in a parched
condition. There will therefore be abundant early
crops, with the consequent result of very low prices.
In a time of such abundance it is only the men
with good connections in the large markets that
are able to sell at fair prices. The man who has
not this advantage is often obliged to sell at an ex-
tremely low price, or perhaps almost give away
loads of winter greens to cow-keepers. The worst
of it is the retail prices are never correspondingly
low. J. C. B.

Kitchen Garden.

THE ENDIVE SUPPLY.

In all places where a good salad is appreciated
it is scarcely possible to grow too much Endive.
Great gluts of anything are wasteful, but in
some cases this is unavoidable ; whereas, with
Endive there need be no difficulty in this
respect, for if the seed is not sown too early
and premature bolting result, the blanching
can be effected piecemeal, and a long supply
be obtained from one batch of plants. In many
districts if the seed is sown much before the
month of July, the plants are liable to run to
seed before they attain a useful size even, and
we are content to sow a rather large patch of
ground with the Louviers Laciniated, Green-
curled, Lettuce-leaved, and Improved Broad-
leaved Batavian about the middle of July. If
this sowing fails from any cause, or an insuffi-
ciency of plants is saved, then more seed is
sown directly this is discovered. As a rule, from
this one large sowing abundance of plants is
obtained, or enough to carry on the supply from
October to February inclusive, and sometimes
even longer, and to succeed these, more plants
are raised from seed sown late in August, the
greater portion of which remain unprotected
throughout the winter.

Endive in a small state is fairly hardy, but
fully grown plants must be protected in some
way, though not necessarily with the aid of
glass. Those who have plenty of garden frames,
pits, Peach houses, and other glazed places
where a large number of fully grown Endive
plants can be stored and protected during the
winter, have a decided advantage over those
who have few or no such conveniences, but that
is no reason why the latter should neglect cul-
tivating such an important crop. A faprly large
stock of plants could be stored in dry sheds,
and from these a supply of well-blanched hearts
drawn, say, up to midwinter, and in some lo-
calities Endive keeps well in the open, being,
however, duly enclosed by flower-pots, and
either mounds of leaves, sand, ashes, or garden
soil placed over them. All this is mentioned in
order to encourage many gardeners, amateur
and professional alike, who have raised a bed of
plants — not for the first time, let me add —
only to leave them to spoil where they are.
Nothing is more easily grown. If Endive fails
anywhere, it is on cold, heavy, or badly drained
ground, but in most gardens such positions can
usually be avoided. The earliest crops of
Potatoes, Peas, Kidney Beans, Cauliflowers, and

Aua. 23, 1890.]

THE GABDEN.

179

Lettuces are generally taken from sunny and
not unfrequently raised wall borders, and En-
dive will succeed capitally in close succession to
any or all of them. Supposing the ground was
well manured for preceding crop, there would
be no necessity for manuring again for Endive,
and in very many instances even digging might
be dispensed with. It is not advisable, how-
ever, to plant on either very hard or very poor
ground, this crop thriving best on light, fairly
rich, somewhat loose soil. In any case the sur-
face of the ground ought to be levelled, finely
broken down, and a dressing of soot may be
stirred in with advantage. The old-fashioned
plan of planting in drills 3 inches deep and 6
inches across answers well for the earliest
batches especially. In these drills the plants can
be kept well and easily supplied with water in a
dry season, and they also serve to give the
outer leaves an upward tendency, blanching
being thereby partially effected. For the main
crop and late supplies it is preferable to plant
on the level, the plants being carefully drawn
from the seed beds and put out with a dibber.
The Batavian and Lettuce-leaved under favour-
able conditions attain a great size, and the rows
of these may well be 1 5 inches apart and the
plants 12 inches apart in the rows, less space
being allowed the later batches. Any of the
Green-curled forms may be put out 12 inches
apart each way. All should be kept supplied
with water in dry weather, at any rate till well
established, and a good look out kept for slugs.
Early and good Endive may be had by leaving
a considerable number of plants 6 inches apart
each way on the seed-beds. Here without any
further trouble they will grow rapidly, and
forcing each other into an upright position per-
fect blanching results. Such beds covered with
either garden frames or hoops and mats will
provide a long supply of superior Endive.

Unless properly blanched, Endive is simply
uneatable. Perfectly blanched it is only very
slightly inferior to Lettuce at its best, and is
certainly much superior to Lettuce as the
latter is generally seen in the autumn and
winter months. As it happens, blanching is a
comparatively easy matter. First grow the
plants to their full size, and it will be
found the blanching is naturally half ef-
fected ; while, on the other hand, it is al-
most impossible to convert a plant without
any heart into good salad material. It
is unwise, therefore, to be in too great a
hurry in blaoching the hearts, as it is not
possible to effect this without completely stop-
ping all further growth. Nor should very
many be started to blanch at one time, as they
do not keep long after the hearts are fit for use.
Supposing from three to four dozen are re-
quired in the course of a week, about that
number should be taken in hand every week. A
considerable number of plants may well be
blanched where they are grown, but the bulk
of the crop ought to be lifted before frosts
cripple the points of the leaves, as if once only
slightly injured by frosts premature decay is
certain if slow. Nothing should be left to
chance, and the careful grower will do well to
store a good number of strong plants late in
September or early in October. No sharp
frosts may be experienced before Novem-
ber, but storing the plants long before that
month does not in all cases necessarily mean a
check to further growth of the plants, unless
they are packed away in sheds. Our plan is to
fill what frames can be spared, and also to
place several hundred plants in Peach houses
and vineries, the plants in each case being |
lifted with a good ball of soil about the roots
and replanted moderately thickly in somewhat

rich soil. Any intended for storing in sheds of
any kind may well be left in the open ground
till the early part of November, but they must
be lightly protected from severe frosts in the
meantime. This can be done with the aid of
Broccoli or Cauliflower leaves, or, better still,
with mats or thick canvas. In lifting Endive,
whether for storing in frames or under glass in
any way, care should be taken not to bruise or
break the outer leaves, and this is even more
imperative in the case of those to be stored in
sheds. The latter, and indeed all, may well
be tied up prior to lifting, and the greater part
loosened again after they are replanted, but
those completely surrounded by sand in a dry
shed should not be untied. It is surprising
what a long time Endive stored in sand will
keep, and the quality also is nearly as good as
that of plants stored and blanched under more
favourable conditions. Immense quantities of
Endive are frequently stored in pits, with no
other covering than either wooden shutters or
felt-covered frames, and a fairly long supply
may be drawn from a bed of plants stored
rather thickly in a sheltered corner of a dry
wall border, and merely covered with hoops
and mats.

To return to the blanching process. I would
advise that the earliest batches be blanched
either by covering the requisite number of
plants with boards, slates, or tiles, or else
by tying them up much as we would the good
old Brown Cos Lettuce. When there is any
risks to be run from frosts, then these tied up
plants may be enclosed in inverted flower-pots,
with their holes stopped, and the latter covered
if need be with either litter, ashes, or soil.
Tying up the plants in beds, frames, or houses
will in time be the means of effectually blanch-
ing the hearts, but this can be more quickly
done by transferring the requisite number
every week to the Mushroom house.

I. M. H.

Vegetable Marrows on raised mounds.—

These have been very late in coming into bearing,
a result of the cold wet season. Requiring a
regular and long supply, and not having glass ac-
commodation to give them early, I decided to
plant them in various situations and under various
conditions — some on the level ground, some in
warm corners under walls, while others were
planted on hillocks made by digging out a hole
and putting in some hot manure, placing hand-
lights over the plants at first. Having a good stack
of freshly cut turf, on this I decided to place some
plants. These were not protected in any way. The
stack is 5 feet high and standing on a not very
favourable site, but from these plants I cut the
earliest Marrows, and the plants are by far the
best.— J. C. F.

Carrots. — I have found Carrots this year to
suffer very much from rust, which has literally
decimated many plants, whilst it has sadly thinned
the leafage on others. I attribute this to the ex-
cessive rainfall, the soil here being very stiff and
retentive of moisture. It is interesting to note
that whilst Onions close by are growing very freely,
showing not a trace of fungus or other ailment,
the Carrots have suffered so much. It is thus
pretty evident that whilst Onions do not dislike a
strong clay, Carrots abhor it in wet seasons. How-
ever, it does seem as if Carrots generally were not
so good as is desirable even on light soils, and
where not appreciably affected, should the growth
be very strong, we may look for many split roots
of the large varieties. It may be urged that Carrots
are suffering from a disease, but an excess of wet
is hardly |a disease, but promotes ill-health in
the plants! That, however, is but of a tentative
kind, and next season with finer weather we may
have as good a crop as ever. It is even more pro-
bable that with a dry, warm autumn we shall find

Carrots making a healthy growth, but still some-
what at the expense of the roots, because once
growth is checked the flesh becomes hard, and is
never afterwards so succulent as when growth has
been healthful and persistent. New growth will
also doubtless tend to the production of numerous
side fibres, not desirable elements in Carrots, but
in such a season as is the present probably un-
avoidable. Pulling away of the rusted leafage and
lightly stirring the soil between the rows may have
beneficial results. — A. D.

EARLY FRENCH BEANS.
Having a demand for Beans from February till
the end of July, I have usually only sown or trans-
planted two varieties for the supply after the forced
Beans in the pots are over, sowing Ne Plus Ultra and
Syon House in 3-inch pots in April, and then plant-
ing out on a warm south border under hand-glasses
as soon as large enough. Sometimes in the best
managed establishments a few days may elapse and
the transplanted Beans be behind their time owing
to cold nights or sunless days. I have this season
sown our first early for the open ground in cold
frames (in pots, not in heat, and find this much the
best plan) ; the Beans are dwarf, and not drawn,
and when planted out do not receive the check that
Beans usually do when got up quickly in a forcing
house. A few days longer should be allowed them,
and no water given at the time of sowing, as if
watered many of the Beans come up irregularly,
and some rot off, as if the soil is moist that will be
sufficient to bring them through. The Beans should
also be planted out before they become too far ad-
vanced, so as to get the roots to take to the new
soil. From Beans sown in April I gathered in
quantity on June 15 with only the ordinary hand-
glass protection. I have this season tried a few
kinds to test their earliness, sowing them on a south
border on the date those sown in pots in a cold
frame were planted out, and it is surprising to see
the difference in the different Beans. They were
all sown on the same date, and on an old
Vine border facing south. The kinds sown were
Ne°ro Longpod, Negro Mammoth. Ne Plus Ultra,
Syon House, Sir J. Paxton, and Mohawk. The last
named variety was ten days to a fortnight earlier
than the others, coming in soon after the Syon
House sown in pots, which had the glass protection
over them. I was pleased to observe how well the
Mohawk did, and shall certainly sow this variety for
a first early in pots for planting out. The sow-
ing in pots is really not necessary, only a short
time being gained than if sown under the hand-
glass, but a few days where there is a large
demand are of importance ; therefore I still follow
out the old system. I sow the Canadian Wonder
for the last lot in cold frames, and it is wonderful
how well they do if carefully watered when in their
early stages. Ne Plus Ultra is the best Bean to
succeed the Mohawk in the open, and after that
Syon House comes in. Canadian Wonder comes in
last in the open ground and maintains the supply
till the runners are in. I find the Negro Mammoth
soon gets old and not nearly so useful as Ne Plus
Ultra, but this is a point often overlooked, as if the
Beans are not gone over every day or so they soon
become tough and not fit to use. Many dwarf
Beans are allowed to remain too thick after sewing,
and are soon exhausted for want of room and nour-
ishment. They are often allowed to get dry, and
red spider soon puts in an appearance, and the
plants are doomed. If a space of 3 feet between
the rows can be given them they give a much bettc r
return, as if only a space of 2 feet is allowed they
get altogether and are soon dried up. Six inches
from plant to plant should also be allowed, and the
heavy-cropping varieties, such as Ne Plus Ultra and
Canadian Wonder, should be supported with a few
twigs. Plenty of moisture and liquid nianuie
are also essential. A damping over with the water-
pot every evening in hot weather will go a long way
to prevent the attacks of red spider and to main-
tain the Beans in a healthy condition. It is sur-
prising how long this useful vegetable will remain
in a fruiting state if a few simple details ai e attendc d
to. Many persons do po^ grow French Beans be

180

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 23, 1890

cause they soon get old, This can be prevented
by always keeping the pods gathered, and nourish-
ing the haulm for the succession crop. A few rows
sown at an early date will prolong the supply for a
long time in the autumn if a few lights or frames are
placed over the rows at the approach of frost, air be-
ing freely given through the day, For the autumn
supply I usually sow Syon House or Osborne, as
the taller growers are not so suitable, and 2 feet
apart for late autumn work will be room enough,
as the plants do not grow so robust as iu the sum-
mer. G. Wythes.
Syon House.

diluting with 2 gallons of water and pouring slowly
into the solution of sulphate of copper. Both these
are used in France for the Vine, the Tomato, and
the Potato. The powder is applied by a dredger or
bellows, the liquid with a spray syringe, and both
are stated to be efficacious, not to cure, but to
arrest. I think the French, having many millions
of people dependent on the Vine, have studied
mildews more than we have, and know more
about them. I am trying both these remedies,
and certainly the liquid arrests the mildew on the
Rose trees, although I only use it half the strength
of the weakest formula recommended for the Vine.
-S.

ASPARAGUS.
This is to a great extent needlessly imported into
this country. " Dorset's " article in your issue of
August 2 is one step in the right direction, but
one must have something to tie up before the
stakes become useful or necessary. There is
nothing new in staking ; the French always do it,
placing their stakes at an angle of 45" to prevent
injury to the crown and increasing the length of
the stakes each year as the plant becomes taller,
and when the bed is fully developed they cut off
one-third of the growth.

My experience may be of benefit to others. For
three years I have been trying to grow Asparagus.
Each year I had to buy new plants, and each
year I suffered the same disappointment. It was
wireworm, heavy soil, bad drainage. It was not
want of staking, for there was nothing to stake.
Early this spring I watched the replanting or
" making-up " of the beds for the third time. I
said nothing, but I thought if a root of that descrip-
tion will take kindly to the soil with that treatment,
it is the most amiable root in creation, and I began
to study Asparagus and its culture, and I found —

1. That a bed properly taken care of would last
for twenty-five years, and therefore that it was
worth spending time and money on.

2. That in heavy soil it requires perfect drain-
age.

3. That it requires loose sandy soil, sand, and
plenty of manure.

4. Freedom from weeds, slugs, and snails.

5. Salt, it being a marine plant.

6. Very careful planting.

7. Staking.

So I made my bed on the top of a drain. I burnt
up a lot of earth, turf, weeds, and old Apple tree
fagots, and made cinders and charcoal. I sent to
a river ford for some coarse sand and mixed this
with good soil and fresh manure, and had the bed
dug and re-dug several times. I sent to Argen-
teuil for 100 plants. The grower sent me 101,
which were planted April 28, and I have to-day
101 plants up and staked, some with four or five
shoots, and many 4 feet high. I covered my old
beds with cinders and ashes. I planted all the paths
with Kidney Beans for wireworm, and the bed has
thrown up shoots 7 feet or 8 feet high, and thick
in proportion. I have had stakes put in here and
there and string interlaced, but it is an idle man's
trick, and all I can say for it is that it is better
than nothing.

Lleihault, of Argenteuil, has published an excel-
lent pamphlet on the culture of Asparagus, which
gives precise instructions how to grow every sort,
and how to force it. I can see no earthly reason why
we cannot do here all they can do in France. A
bad sample of English Asparagus fresh cut is
better than a good sample of foreign which has
travelled for a day or two ; therefore what better
investment could a poor man make than a few beds
of Asparagus, which always commands a ready
sale. S.

Tomato leaves diseased. — Perhaps H.
Franklin (Gabden, August 2, p. 107) would like
to try Sulfosteatite, i.e., a mixture of fine talc with
8 per cent, of copper in powder, for his Tomatoes,
or syringing them with a solution of 1 lb. sulphate
of copper dissolved in 20 gallons of rain water, add-
ing half a pound of quicklime made into a paste
after immersion for one minute in water, and then

THE SCARLET RUNNER.
An old writer has remarked that the Scarlet
Runner is the chief of vegetables in the estimation
of the poor, and there is no doubt a great deal of
truth in the statement. It is a thoroughly English
vegetable, much more appreciated in this country
than in any other. It has been termed "the most
valuable and frequently the most beautiful plant in
English cottage gardens." As a summer-flowering
climber it is, perhaps, unrivalled, for in a short
space of time it hides with its quick running and
vigorous shoots many ugly surfaces in summer.
The bright scarlet of the blossoms can be seen
from a considerable distance. Anyone travelling
through the seed-growing districts of Essex and
Bedfordshire at this season of the year will see
many acres of Scarlet Runner Beans being grown
for seed, while in the latter county there are a
great many acres of this Bean cultivated for
market.

There are what might be termed three distinct
types of the Scarlet Runner ; first the ordinary
scarlet with its light wine-coloured seeds blotched
with black and its blossoms all scarlet ; then the
Painted Lady, bicolor, or York and Lancaster
Runner, the seeds of the same size as those of the
preceding, but with a pale ground, blotched with
brown, the flowers half red and half white, the
standards bright red, the wings and keel white;
and the White Giant Runner, the blossoms and
seeds both white. Messrs. Vilmorin and Co. in
their book on the " Vegetable Garden " make a
distinct variety of the black-seeded runner, but it
is found that seeds wholly black frequently come
among the ordinary Scarlet Runner, and it appears
to be much more a sport than an actual variety.
It has also been found that black runner Beans
will produce seed of the ordinary Scarlet Runner.
Messrs. Vilmorin and Co. also make the Painted
Lady to produce seeds scarcely differing in
character from those of the old Scarlet Runner,
while what is grown in this country as the
Painted Lady is really the hybrid Scarlet
Runner. The Champion Scarlet Runner, the Girt-
ford Giant Scarlet Runner, and the Ne Plus Ultra
Runner are simply fine selected varieties of the
Scarlet Runner with long and handsome pods ;
while the Czar, Fillbasket, and others are selected
forms of the white-seeded runner.

As there is keen competition among the subur-
ban market gardeners in reference to getting their
Runner Beans into the market as early as possible
in order to secure the highest prices, it has become
the custom among some of them to sow then- Beans
early in pots, raise them in frames, and then plant
out as soon as it is safe to do so. The plants having
commenced to run, they are placed out on a slightly
raised mound, three to a mound, and a stake 4
feet or so in length is placed to each plant and the
three tied together at the top. These plants come
into bearing much more quickly than those sown
in the open ground, but the latter provide a succes-
sion. In open field culture in Bedfordshire, Surrey, and
other counties adjacent to London, sticks for sup-
port are not used in many instances, but the lead-
ing points are removed, this causing the plants to
put forth lateral growths that bloom profusely and
bear freely. The plants have space in which to
develop and admit of the Beans being gathered
without injuring the plants. .

When at Banbury last year I was much inte-
rested in the manner in which the gardeners in that

locality who grow for exhibition cultivate their
Ne Plus Ultra Runner Beans. They sow thinly,
much more thinly that is usually the case, they have
a well-prepared soil, and they mulch and water
where necessary. The result is a very vigorous
and strong vine and grand pods, which hang in
clusters. Good cultivation is rewarded by heavy
crops. The length, symmetry, and fresh bright ap-
pearance of the pods are very remarkable.

R. D.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 767.

DiMORPHOTHECA GRAMINIFOLIA.

(WITH A COLOURED PLATE.*)

This pretty little perennial composite is from
the Cape, and is one of some twenty species,
all natives of South Africa. It is veiy
closely related to the Marigolds proper, viz.,
Calendula; indeed, it was known for many
years as C. graminifolia. Philip Miller grew
it at Chelsea, and speaks of it in his famous
dictionary as the " Marigold with narrow en-
tire leaves and a naked stalk." It was, how-
ever, a garden plant in Europe long ere
Miller grew it, for it appears to have been
cultivated in Holland 200 years ago. Like
many other handsome composites from the
Cape, this Dimorphotheca had long ceased to
obtain much notice as a garden plant, until
Mr. Gumbleton drew attention to it in The
Garden of March 31, 1883, in the following
words : — -

This very old, but, I believe, exceedingly scarce
and seldom met with composite is now nicely in
flower in my conservatory. Introduced into Hol-
land so far back as 1698 and into England in
1731, it first bloomed in the Chelsea Botanic
Garden from seed received from the Cape in the
last named year, but has ever since continued a
scarce plant from its being, I fancy, difficult to
propagate by cuttings, and from its not ripening
seed in this country. It was figured in the year
1818 in the 4th vol. of the Botanical Register by
Lindley under the name by which it was known
to Linnieus, Miller, and the older botanists of
Calendula graminifolia, but more modern authori-
ties have assigned to it the name at the head of this
notice as more correct and appropriate. It is a
very curious plant, of trailing habit of growth,
with twisted stems, bearing tufts of light green
grassy foliage at their ends, out of the end of each
of which, when strong enough to flower, springs a
single blossom, borne on a tall naked stem, and
much resembling in appearance and colour the
flower of the well-known annual D. Pongei, with
bronzy-purple under petals and creamy-white in-
side. Like it also, it only fully expands when the
sun shines.

Mr. Gumbleton presented a plant to Kew,
from which the plate was prepared. Under
proper treatment this species forms a
compact tuft of many short trailing stems,
which are clothed with linear, bright green
foliage, and bear long slender-stemmed flower-
heads, not unlike those of Arctotis arborescens
in size and colour. The rich bronzy-purple of
the undersides of the ray florets makes the
flowers almost as attractive when closed as
they are when wide open. Like all Marigolds, ,
the flowers of this are closed when the sun is
not actually shining upon them. At Kew
there is a plant over a foot across, and this

* Drawn for The Garden in the Royal Gardens,
Kew, by H. G. Moon, April 28, 1890. Lithographed
and printed by Guillaume Severeyns.

DIMORPHOTHECA GRAMINIFOLIA.

Ana. 23, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

18L

during summer is frequently well furnished
with flowers. As a greenhouse plant of easy
culture and striking appearance, this Dimor-
photheca is deserving of more favour than it
enjoys now. It thrives in a frame or sunny
house from which frost is excluded, growing
and flowering well if potted in sandy loam or
peat and watered moderately. It is not easily
propagated, cuttings having always failed with
us. "We have, however, obtained several plants
by layering the stems.

There are several other species of Dimor-
photheca in gardens, and of these the annuals
■D. pluvialis and D. annua are not uncommon.
The former is a quick-growing, free flowering
plant about 18 inches in heighf, and its
flowers are not unlike those of D. gramini-
folia, but smaller. It is a useful plant for
covering large spaces iu front of shrubberies
in sunny positions, flowering freely from July
to October. D. annua is dwarfer in stature,
otherwise it is similar to the last named.
Both these plants may be grown in any light
soil in positions such as suit the Calendulas
proper, and as they flower continuously until
the summer is over, they rank with the best
of hardy annuals. "W. "W.

Stove and Greenhouse.

AZALEAS.
I have often noticed that however great the
merits of any particular plant or race of popular
plants may be if easily grown, and there does not
happen to be a rage for them, they are very often
met with in bad condition. The fact that a plant
will bear a deal of hard usage without absolutely
dying out seems to warrant a conclusion that
the measure of its endurance will be tested by
many who attempt its cultivation. It is scarcely
necessary to say that these remarks apply to
such plants as are grown in pots. With
hardy kinds out of doors the case is different.
A plant in the open air, with a free run for its
roots, is usually able to take care of itself if the
conditions are at all favourable ; whereas pot
plants are wholly dependent on what is done
for them, so that if subjected to neglect or
wrong treatment they aie sure to feel it.
No pot plants that I can call to mind go
further to support what has been said than
Azaleas, for with fair treatment and reason-
able attention to their well being, they never
fail to do well, and to outlive the greater
portion of other hard-wooded kinds grown in
pots. In fact, Azaleas are amongst the longest
lived of the various tribes of greenhouse plants.
In proof of this I may instance several large
collections that are in the hands of some of the
market growers near London, many of the
specimens in which are known to be fifty years
old. They consist mostly of the old white indica
alba and Fielder's White, which is only slightly
different from the original sort. The plants in
question are as full of vigour as it is possible for
them ever to have been. They make shoots
from 8 inches to 15 inches in length annually,
only a small percentage of which fail to flower.
The whole of the flowers are cut with from 4
inches to 6 inches of wood attached. The
plants are models of skilful cultivation ; many
of them run from 7 feet in height to 9 feet or
10 feet in diameter, though they are sub-
jected to hard forcing, every year coming
into bloom at the beginning of November
and onward up to the commencement of

the following year. As soon as all the
flowers are cut, the plants are started into
growth in heat and kept there until the buds
are as big aud plump as large Apple pips, after
which, to prevent their blooming before the
flowers are wanted, the houses are either thrown
open, or the plants are moved to the open air.
But when the latter course is followed with
plants that are forced to come in early, and
which are afterwards kept for six months under
glass with fire-heat until the weather comes hot,
it has a widely different effect to that which
follows when plants that do not bloom until the
end of the winter or in spring are put out either
as soon as they are well out of bloom or whilst
the young wood and leaves are both soft and
the ripening process has not commenced. Yet
this is the way that in nine cases out of ten
Azaleas are treated. The outcome of this bar-
barous exposure of plants that have flowered at
the end of winter or in spring, when, to do jus-
tice to them, all the time that intervenes
between then going out of bloom and the close
of summer they should be in a genial growing
temperature under glass, is that Azaleas are, as
a rule, the most unhappy looking things to be
seen in most gardens. One of the results of
thus turning out the plants directly the danger
from frost is over or soon after, is that they never
attain the size they should, although the annual
growth is not sufficient to admit of much in the
way of cutting, unless the flowers are taken off
with a scrap of wood that makes them all but

The weakening effects which turning out of
doors has on plants whilst making their growth
may be seen in hardy shrubs that have been
flowered in pots under glass when treated in
this way; the partially formed shoots do not
thicken, the immature leaves look yellow and
sickly, and when the plants are again planted
out and fairly cared for, it usually takes two
years to bring them round. After all it may
be said that there is some plea to justify this
way of treating Azaleas, inasmuch as most of
what has been written on their cultivation is to
the effect that the turning-out process is the
right course to follow.

Another source of weakness that Azaleas,
in common with most other hard-wooded
plants, suffer from is want of sufficient
nutriment. In the case of pot plants ot the
numerous kinds that bear partial shaking out
and repotting annually, the old material which
has become exhausted is to a great extent got
rid of and its place supplied by new. With
Azaleas and other things of a like description,
the nature of which is such that they will not
submit to be treated in this way, the roots
remain for years in the same soil, and unless
something is done to make up for what the
roots extract from it, the whole becomes so
poor that the plants cannot do more than exist
in it. This especially is what takes place with
old specimens that after being put into pots as
large as it is convenient to give them shortly
become dependent on what they receive in the
shape of manure in some form. That old
Azaleas can be kept for any length of time full
of strength and vigour I have proved with
specimens that have remained undisturbed in the
same soil for ten years, and at the end of the
time they made as much wood as when they
were young. It may be well here to say that
peat of even the best quality is not rich enough
to enable Azaleas to make the growth they
should do. The assistance that is required in
this way to either get young Azaleas on quickly
or to keep up the vigour of old plants is much
more than seems to be generally supposed.
When ordinary manure water is used for old

specimens it should be given once a week during
the time the plants are making their growth,
and up to the time the wood is approaching a
hard mature condition and the buds are promi-
nent. After this stage has been reached, it is
doubtful if manure in any shape does not do
more harm than good.

Regarding the new varieties of Azaleas, many
of which have been sent from the Continent
within the last score of years, it is doubtful if
taking all their properties into account they are
any improvement on the well - known older
sorts. Some of them are an advance in the
colour and also in form of their flowers if we
accept the florists' circular outline as the stan-
dard to aim at. But there is another matter
which I hold to be of more consequence than a
shade in the colour of the flowers or a slight
difference hi shape, that is, the constitution of
the plants. I have not seen a single plant of
any of these newer sorts that was half the size
that the length of time they have been in the
hands of the growers would warrant one to ex-
pect. One of two things is certain : either the
varieties in question are deficient in vigour, or
the cultivation is at fault. Taking the best of
the Azaleas that are now seen at the leading
exhibitions, neither in the size of the plants norin
the quantity or quality of their flowers will they
bear comparison with the plants that used to
be exhibited at the metropolitan or the pro-
vincial shows. T. B.

PLANTS FOR SMALL GROUPS.
I do not propose in these few notes dwelling on
individual specimens that go to build up the large
groups one meets at our big shows, and which often
comprise some of the choicest and rarest inmates
of the Orchid house and stove, but on a few
things within the reach of anyone with an ordinary
greenhouse and which can be utilised quickly and
effectually in the formation of those small bright
groups now so generally in demand at garden
parties, or one or the other of those entertainments
peculiar to the summer season. Fuchsias stand
high on the list of such plants, and are the best of all
subjects for the background of groups, as they can
be easily grown to a considerable height in one
season, and are always light and graceful. Some
of the older varieties are best for the purpose ;
their foliage is better proportioned and more sym-
metrical in outline than that of many of the big-
flowering class, and they are generally wonderfully
free. Try-me-O, Wave of Life, Minnie Banks, Rho-
derick Dhu, Rose of Castile, and Annette are half-a-
dozen varieties that I have grown and found ad-
mirably adapted for the purpose. Berliner Kind is
one of the best doubles. For mixing among the
Fuchsias (their long feathery spikes waving over
and mingling with them) there are few better
things than the old Francoa, and it is a plant so
easily grown as to be within the reach of all. A
few plants of Galtonia candicans with, say, five or
six bulbs in flower in a pot are also useful,
and are easily grown. Some very light things
in the way of greenery are best for filling any
spaces between the larger pots, a few small plants
for instance of Areca lutescens ; these, however,
are not always available, and a good substitute
may be found in that common, but very graceful
greenhouse Fern, Onychium japonicum. Adian turns
should only be used sparingly ; they give a heavy
crowded appearance. For the centre and what I
may call the wings of the group there is nothing
more effective than some well-grown Begonias
interspersed again with Onychium. Choice named
varieties are not within the reach of many, but a
few free-flowering varieties can be purchased
cheaply, grown easily, and stored away with very
little trouble or expense during the winter months.
If means for seed-raising are at hand, it is a good
plan to sow a pinch every season and plant out the
seedlings as soon as all danger of frost is over ;
they will show sufficient alike of habit and flower

182

THE GABDEN.

[Aug. 23, 1890.

before the end of the year to enable the cultivator
to make his selection of anything it may be advis-
able to keep.

I should advise that the Begonias predominate
in all such groups under consideration, as it is im-
possible to secure any other class of plants at once
so pretty and effective and that can be grown at
such a minimum of trouble and expense. As a
dwarfer plant to brighten up the edge of the group
there is perhaps nothing better than Gloxinias, and
if a small vinery is started fairly early these can be
had in perfection early in the season. As in the
case of the Begonia, there is, fortunately, no need
to go to any great expense to acquire a splendid
strain of this lovely flower ; a packet of seed from
any high-class firm will give a great variety of
nearly perfect blooms, or a batch of seedlings can
be purchased and grown on. Failing facilities to
grow the Gloxinias, a small batch of the best and
'most free flowering of the zonal Pelargoniums may
be grown in pots to take their place. The blue and
white varieties of Campanula carpatica make
charming little plants for the extreme edge of
groups mixed with Isolepis or small Maiden-hair
Ferns. The mention of Campanulas reminds me I
might have included C. pyramidalis and variety
alba amongst the taller plants suitable for the back
of groups ; they mix well with Fuchsias, and are
fine showy plants. E. Bubeell.

Claremont.

METHONICAS (GLORIOSA).

I AM glad to see that these beautiful summer
climbers are being again sought after and en-
couraged. M. superba is a glorious flower I re-
cently saw very fine in Mr. Laing's nursery at Forest
Hill, in Mr. Sander's at St. Albans, and with Mr.
James, Castle Hill Nursery. In the last place,
too, I heard of a pure white-flowered form which
would certainly be a great acquisition. Here also
I saw a rich clear yellow self-coloured flower, in
which I recognised an old favourite (M. grandi-
flora) which flowered with me first in the autumn
of 18C0. At that time I used to have the roof of
the Begonia house at Kew entirely covered with
these plants during the summer and autumn, and I
may say that never have I seen them at any place
nearly so well done, or in such quantities.
Mr. Bull, of Chelsea, I see, has also a new kind this
season, which he calls superba grandiflora. These
plants, which form a forked tuberous root, are
deciduous, and the roots when mature should be
taken out of the soil, and stored in dry sand and
be kept fairly cool. I attribute the cause of the
tubers of M. grandiflora and many other kinds
failing during the winter of 1860 to their having
been kept too hot and dry. They have soft
sessile leaves, terminated by a long tendril, by
which these plants hang fast, and hence it is ne-
cessary to place them, at an early stage of their
growth, in the positions in which they are to
flower, and for the same reason, the tubers when
potted in the spring should be placed in the pots
they are to flower in. Thus confusion in the
growth is avoided, and the leaves of the plants
are not broken in any way. In Mr. James' nur-
sery the plants are trained upon a large balloon-
shaped trellis, and when wanted for public exhi-
bition, this is the best manner to grow them, but
for home decoration they are far more showy
when trained on the rafters of the intermediate
stove. They like rich soil and good drainage. I
used to grow them in a mixture of good light
yellow loam, leaf-mould, well decomposed manure,
and sand in about equal parts, and added to this
about one half part of peat. They will not require
any water immediately after potting, the large body
of soil if used in a moderately moist condition being
sufficient until the growths appear through the sur-
face, after which they will require a good supply,
while weak liquid manure about once a week will lie
found to make them grow and flower profusely.
They must not be subjected to dry heat, or they will
become attacked with thrips and red spider. These
can only be kept down with moisture and by keep-
ing up a moderate heat ; therefore the syringe
must be used freely. Treated in the above manner

I had them produce flowers abundantly, and ripen
plenty of seeds. The seed-pods are ornamental,
as when ripe they split and exhibit bright red seeds.
Propagation can be done in this way, and also by
division of the roots. The flowers continue in full
beauty from the end of June until the end of Sep-
tember. The old name of the family is Gloriosa,
referring to the beauty of its flowers.

M. graveiflora. — This is a much stronger growing
plant than any other species. The flowers as seen in
Mr. James's nursery, however, seem to be more
crispate than in those of the form flowered first by me
and figured in the Botanical Magazine, t. 5210 ; the
colour is a clear rich cauary-yellow. It comes from
the coast of Western Africa.

M. superba. — This species is widely distributed
throughout the East Indies. The flowers are very cris-
pate on the margins, the colours being rich orange and
red. It appears to have been introduced just 200 years
ago.

M. superba grandiflora. — This appears to be a
uew and superior form of the plant brought into com-
merce this season by Mr. Bull, of Chelsea. The Sowers
are deep rich vermilliou-scarlet at the base, passing
into rich yellow towards the tips.

M. Planti. — In this plant the flowers differ some-
what in shape, the petals do not reSex so much, aud
are not at all crispate. They are yellow at the base,
the upper part being rich deep orange-red. This
species will thrive in quite a cool house. It comes
from Abyssinia and Natal.

The above are the principal kinds which have
come under my notice. W. H. G.

Clitoria Tematea. — This climber, of which a
coloured plate was given in The Garden, Aug. 9,
is a member of the Pea family, and though of annual
duration only, it grows, flowers and seeds very freely,
so that one need never be without some plants of it
in the stove. It is, however, very apt to suffer fr; m
red spider, which proves that it requires a moist
atmosphere. The blooms have the most brilliant
blue colour of any flower I know. It is an old plant,
having been introduced in the early part of last cen-
tury, but it is evidently much thought of in the
East, for most consignments of seeds to Kew con-
tained this species, and yet how seldom it is seen in
our stoves. — W. H. G.

Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums for pillars. —
These are most desirable plants for the above work
when suitable kinds are chosen. In some places
large structures are sadly marred by the walls as
well as the pillars being bare. This should not be,
as these Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums are most useful
for covering pillars, &c, and give good returns in
the way of cut flowers. When recently calling
at Marston House, I saw a pillar in the conservatoiy
clothed from top to bottom with an Ivy-leaved
Pelargonium. The trusses of a bright flesh colour
were freely produced. Mr. Iggulden had kept, it
tied in just enough to clothe the pillar at first.
The plant was allowed to grow in a natural way,
hanging loosely round the pillar. On some of the
side walls were other Pelargoniums equally beauti-
ful. Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums ought to be more
extensively planted out in glass structures, and
would repay for the room occupied and trouble they
give better than many other thiDgs now used. —
J. Crook.

Musschia aurea. — It is seldom that the flower-
ing of this plant under cultivation has been re-
corded, although a figure of it is given in the Bo-
tanical Magazine for 1881. It is stated to be the
most beautiful of all the indigenous plants of
Madeira, and Mr. Low, the author of a manual on
the "Flora of Madeira," says that nothing can ex-
ceed the singularity and splendour of a fine panicle
as it is seen on its native rocks. It belongs to the
order Campanulaceaj, and was originally named
Campanula aurea; obvious distinctions, however,
have occasioned its removal to the present genus,
where it has but one fellow species, M.Woollastoni.
There is a plant now flowering at Kew. This is
about 2J feet high, with a stem the thickness of a
man's finger, branching into two near the top.
Each branch bears a tuft of deep green shining
leaves and a panicle of flowers, the latter being
about 1 foot high and of pyramidal shape. The

calyx is very large, the green lobes standing about
the petals, which are golden yellow and curled out-
wards between the calyx lobes. The style is a
prominent feature, standing up above the rest of
the flower and separating into five greenish radiat-
ing segments. This plant abounds in Madeira on
the cliffs near the sea, growing out of the fissures in
the rocks. It was originally sent to Kew in 1777
by Masson. It is there grown in a greenhouse tem-
perature, and succeeds in a light sandy loam.

"Watsonia iridifolia O'Brieni.— This is a
beautiful plant. The flowers are large, plentiful
on the spikes, of good substance, and snow-white.
The constitution of the plant is exceptionally good
for a Watsonia, and it appears to seed freely and
produce abundance of bulbils, so that its safety in
gardens is assured. Unless we are very much mis-
taken, this Watsonia will rival the Freesia as a
greenhouse plant. As a source of cut flowers of
the most valuable kind it cannot be too well looked
after. For the introduction of this beautiful Irid
we are indebted to Mr. James O'Brien, of Harrow,
with whom it flowered last year, when it was shown
and certificated at one of the meetings of the
Royal Horticultural Society. A plant of it is now
in flower in the Cape house at Kew.

THE WEEK'S WORK.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.
Peas. — A few sunny days soon altered the character
of the Pea crops, and a glut was the result. After
August, Peas become rather scarce in many gardens,
and especially those that are most quickly affected
by heat and dry weather. Even if rain does fall,
very little of this finds its way down to the roots,
and those who are anxious to keep up a supply till
frosts intervene must, as a rule, use the watering-
pot freely and often. Not only do those rows
just coming into good bearing order require to be
watered, but those late sown also ought to have
water while hot and dry weather lasts. Mere drib-
lets are simply thrown away. A trench or basin
ought to be formed, and into this water, or, better
still, moderately strong liquid manure be poured,
sufficient being given to thoroughly moisten the
ground to a good depth. The soil ought to be
tested with a pointed or barbed stake, and if very
dry it should be moistened with clear water prior to
applying liquid manure. A heavy mulching of
strawy manure will not be thrown away on the late
rows, and all ought to be well staked.

Saving Peas from birds. — Birds are a great
hindrance to saving seed in private gardens, and
late Peas are frequently cleared by them. Small
steel or iron traps baited with Peas and attached
to the rows will catch a good many tomtits and
other small birds that prey on Peas, but in many
cases will scarcely save the best portion of the crop,
especially if house-sparrows are numerous. In
this case both those nearly ripe and being saved
for seed and those just filling the pods must be
netted over, or they will be spoilt by birds. Either
three-quarter inch netting or the ordinary fish-
netting doubled should be hung well over the rows,
and this will most probably keep off the birds.
Small birds are very shy of cats, and one or two of
these kept in a garden are of good service in scar-
ing them off. They get used to anything else, the
report of a gun merely driving small birds from one
end of a row to the other.

Onions mildewed.— As far as my experience
goes, Onions are more badly mildewed this year than
I have ever seen them. In most instances the
seed germinated very evenly, and thick beds of
Onions were the result. As it happens, this has
proved an evil rather than a gain, the most thickly
furnished beds being the worst affected by mildew.
Not only does this disease soon completely stop
the growth of the plants, but the bulbs swell and
mature badly. All that can be done now is to
keep the beds free of tall weeds, and if the Onions
are also thinned out somewhat, those bulbing badly
being drawn, the rest may ripen off much better.
Those that are to be stored must not be too quickly
drawn, but directly they come away from the

Aug. 23, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

183

ground freely, all should be placed together in a
sunny place on a dry bottom, if possible, and extra
pains taken with the harvesting. This advice
applies to the Tripoli, or autumn raised, as well as
the spring-sown Onions.

Onion The Queen. — As a rule, mildewed Onions
keep badly, however well they may be harvested,
and it is advisable, therefore, to be prepared for
any emergency. It is in April and May when a
scarcity is most likely to result, but if one or two
ounces of seed, according to the demands of the
establishment, of The Queen are sown, abundance
of useful, mildly flavoured little bulbs ought to be
available early in the spring. If possible a fairly
rich, sunny border should be selected for this really
important crop. This should be made quite firm,
and shallow drills drawn G inches apart. Water
these if at all dry prior to sowing the seed, sow
rather thinly, and cover with fine soil. Thinning
out lightly for salads and keeping the ground clean
is all the further trouble that need be taken. The
Golden Queen is a good companion for the silver-
skinned form, and the White Naples also forms
bulbs more quickly than the large Tripoli varieties.

Turnips. — By persevering with the sowings after
repeated failures good even breadths of Turnips
have been obtained, and these now require to be
thinned out. Much may be done with a hoe,
patches of plants being left about 8 inches apart in
the case of the larger topped varieties, 6 inches
being sufficient for Chirk Castle Blackstone, Early
Milan, or any other of the strap-leaved forms ;
these patches to be finally reduced to a single
plant before they become leggy. Turnips transplant
fairly well in showery weather, and blanks may be
made good in that way accordingly. Turnips sown
at this late date rarely bulb properly, but would
give a crop of greens. Early Milan and Early
Munich might, however, attain a serviceable size If
sown now ; both of these bulb very quickly and
would prove useful. Soot and lime freely dusted
over the plants will keep off slugs and insects, and
surface stirrings with the Dutch hoe are not thrown
away. W. I.

PLANT HOUSES.
Greenhouse. — Carnations, winter-flower-
ing.— Plants that were turned out in the open
ground in spring, with the intention of lifting and
potting them in autumn, must not be allowed to
want for water if the weather continues warm and
dry. Attention in this matter will be particularly
necessary with old plants that have before been
grown and flowered in pots, as they will have a
large mass of roots that soon exhaust all the mois-
ture in the soil, even if the weather is only dry for
a short time.

Carnations in pots. — Plants that have been
kept in pots through the summer should, if all has
gone well, have now filled the soil with roots.
When in this condition they should have manure
water once a week. This will help them to attain
the size and strength necessary for them to bloom
well. Horse droppings, with a little soot added, is
the safest material to use in making the liquid
stimulant. Highly concentrated manures, such as
guano or sulphate of ammonia, are dangerous to
deal with, unless great care is used, and there is so
much difference in these and other manures of a
like character when pure to what they often are
when they reach the hands of those who use them,
that nothing definite can be said as to the quantity
which should be mixed with a given amount of
water. With slow-growing plants like Carnations,
that are not gross feeders, it is necessary to use
anything that is given in the way of a stimulant in
a much weaker state than would answer for things
that are naturally more vigorous. Nothing further
must be attempted in the way of stopping the
shoots, as any interference of this kind would pre-
vent the plants flowering until the spring was well
advanced. The shoots of those that are to bloom
early will now begin to spire up preparatory to the
flower-stems appearing.

Cutting striking. — Cuttings of Carnations
may be struck at almost any time when shoots can
be had in right condition. The growths that have

been made during the summer are much stronger
than those formed when the plants are indoors,
and will make stout plants in proportionately less
time ; consequently it is well to strike a batch now.
An ordinary garden frame on a slight hot-bed is
the best appliance to use. If the frame is deep
the manure should be raised inside, so that when
the requisite amount of soil and sand is put
on, the cuttings will be well up to the glass, so
as to avoid getting drawn, as it is not advisable to
disturb them until they are well rooted. The stock
should be looked over from time to time, to see
that the whole are free from aphides and mildew.
In a comparatively cool summer, like the latter
part of the present has been, there is less likeli-
hood of the aphides being troublesome than the
mildew, which most often makes its appearance
when the foliage is somewhat soft. If either of
the pests named is found, immediate steps should
be taken to get rid of them, or much harm will be
done in little time.

Primulas.— Plants that were sown in spring
and pricked out in boxes as advised will now have
attained size enough to require potting. The pro-
gress made when in boxes is much greater than
when the seedlings are put singly into little pots,
and it is not well to allow them to remain too long
in the boxes, or the roots become entangled so that
they cannot be separated without harm. The
plants should be put into the 5-inch or G-inch pots
in which they are to flower. Good fresh loam, with
about one-fifth part of rotten manure and leaf-
mould in equal proportions, and a moderate quan-
tity of sand is the best compost for Primulas.
Drain the pots fairly, and in potting make the soil
sufficiently solid to prevent its holding too much
water. In potting Primulas it is well to avoid the
common mistake that is often committed in keep-
ing the plants too high out of the soil. This is
frequently done with the idea that it will prevent
their damping at the base of the lower leaves and
the stems ; whereas it has just the opposite effect.
When the bottom of the lower leaves is sunk a
little in the soil they are much less apt to damp
than when the collars of the plants are exposed.
When potted, the best place for them until the time
for housing is in cold frames facing north. The
frames should be filled with fine coal ashes so as
to raise the plants to within 6 inches or S inches
of the glass ; or they may be stood on inverted
pots that will raise them to a like extent. Stand
them so that the leaves of each plant will not touch
those of its neighbour, and as they grow, thin
them out to give similar room. Water sparingly
for about a fortnight, so that the roots may begin
to move before the new soil is very wet. Give air
freely both night and day. Shade in the middle of
the day, when the weather is sunny, with a piece
of fishing net ; this will break the solar rays with-
out darkening the plants, and keep the ashes a
little wet. Treated in this way the plants will
be stout and compact, with their leaves clinging
close to the rims of the pots, and when the time
of blooming comes they will produce double the
quantity of flowers which weak indifferently ma-
naged examples are capable of. Plants raised
from a late sowing that are intended to bloom
later in spring must be kept where they will get
plenty of light until large enough for potting.
Shallow pits, or frames with a damp bottom, and
the plants kept up near the glass, with air and
no more shade than is necessary, as advised for
the older stock, is the treatment required.

Double Primulas. — Plants that flowered last
winter and have been moved into larger pots may
be treated much in the way recommended for the
single varieties until the season is further advanced
and it becomes necessary to give them a little
warmth at night and in chilly weather. Young
plants that have been raised from offsets during
the spring should be pushed on so that they may
gain size enough before autumn to admit of their
flowering well. The lights of the frames or pits
they occupy should be closed sufficiently early in
the afternoons to shut in some sun heat. By rais-
ing the temperature in this way for some hours be-
fore nightfall, the plants will grow fast without
being weakened or the leaf-stalks becoming drawn.

Their proximity to the glass with the air they re-
ceive in the middle of the day prevents this.

Cinerarias. — The earliest raised plants, in-
tended to flower about the end of the year, will be
large enough for moving into the pots in which
they are to bloom. This should always be done
before the roots have got at all cramped in the
little pots to which they were first moved. When-
ever Cinerarias get in the least stunted in the way
named, nothing that can afterwards be done will
induce them to grow freely. A check of this kind
invariably causes the premature loss of the bottom
leaves, which not only disfigures the plants, but
limits their flowering. Cinerarias require richer
soil than many things will bear ; three parts good
turfy loam to one of rotten manure and leaf-mould
combined, with a good sprinkling of sand, will be
found to answer well ; G-inch or 7-inch pots are
large enough to grow full-sized specimens, pro-
vided they are regularly fed with manure water as
soon as the roots have begun to run freely into the
soil given at this shift. By beginning to give liquid
stimulants thus early and continuing up to the
time when the flowers open, the plants will attain
a size and produce as many flowers as if grown in
larger pots with the liquid feeding deferred until
they show flower in the way that is often prac-
tised. The best place for the plants from the time
of the final potting till well on in autumn, when
there is danger of frost, is in cold houses, with
enough coal ashes in them to raise the plants to
within a few inches of the glass. The frames
should be stood so as to face northwards, which
will reduce the necessity for shading to a few hours
during the middle of the day in bright weather.
The lights should be tilted on one side sufficiently
to admit plenty of air night and day till about the
end of September, after which it will be safer to
close them during the night. Plants raised from
later sowings with the object of giving a succes-
sion of bloom in the spring, if not already in small
pots— 3- inch is the right size to put them in from
the seed- pan — should at once be put into them. Let
them have rich soil, such as advised for the earlier
sown batch. Cold frames arranged similarly to
those in which the larger plants are located, with
sufficient room to prevent the leaves becoming
drawn, will give better results than when the plants
are stood on shelves or stages in houses or pits,
where the air is necessarily much drier than in
frames that enclose a body of moisture-holding
material. A humid atmosphere is indispensable for
Cinerarias from the time the seedlings appear
through the whole course of their existence. With
cool humid air playing round the plants they are
much less liable to the attacks of insects, and they
attain a size and luxuriance impossible where the
conditions are less favourable. The whole stock
should be frequently looked over to see that aphides
do not gain a footing. Any plants that are affected
ought to be immediately dipped in tobacco or
Quassia water. If only an old plant is infested
and the insects are left to themselves, they will
quickly spread over the whole stock and give much
more trouble than where timely means are taken
for their destruction. Where Cinerarias are well
grown it is not safe to fumigate them, as the luxu-
riant foliage is too soft to bear as much smoke as
will kill the insects. T. B.

Cure for mildew. — I seem to have settled my-
self down into a hotbed of mildew and fungi.
Apples, Pears, Currants, Gooseberries, Potatoes —
all these plants are affected ; and as to the Peas,
they are simply white with mildew. Last year
mildew was bad enough, this year it is worse ; but
whereas last year at this time my Rose trees were
a mass of sticks garnished with mildew and red
rust, this year they are a mass of foliage and Roses.
This I owe to the application of sulphate of copper
and lime, and I give the benefit of my experience
to others who may be seeking for a remedy against
this pest, and to such interested persons I would
recommend them to procure two little pamphlets :
"Du Mildiou, du Rot, et de l'Anthracose de la
Vigne," par A. Millardet (Paris: G. Masson, 120,
Boulevard St. Germain), and "Resume Pratique des
Traitements du Mildiou," par V. Vcrmorel (Paris :

184

THE GABDEN.

[Aug. 23, 1890.

Michelet, 45, Quai cles Grand Augustins). There is
much in both which may be of use to men who have
to gain their living by agriculture or horticulture.
It would be a good thing if an English translation
were made, for the first publication teaches you
all about the diseases, and the second how to apply
the remedies in the most practical manner. — W. S.

Rose Garden.

DIJON TEAS.

Gloire db Dijon is perhaps one of the most
generally useful Roses we have, and the term
Dijon Teas is used to classify a few other really
first-rate Roses of similar habit, vigour and use-
fulness, but varying in colour.

Perhaps the best use to which this section
can be put is for covering bare walls, fences,
or any unsightly object. This they will quickly
do. Where room can be found for huge bushes
this section will supply the kinds, and for the
pegging-down system none are better adapted
than these. To prune back their 6-feet shoots
is ridiculous, as scores of flowers are wantonly
sacrificed, but peg them down and they will
flower their entire length and cover the ground
with a carpet of Roses. Gloire de Dijon is too
well known to need further mention here.

Bouquet d'Oe is quite fit to associate with
Gloire de Dijon, being as hardy, vigorous and
very free-flowering, with large, long-pointed buds
of bold and pretty shape and full double blooms.
In colour it is a pale yellow, deepening into copper
and buff. Apart from the flowers, the abundance
of glossy foliage characteristic of this and others
in this section is not the least of its charms. A col-
oured plate of this Rose appeared in The Gabden
for Feb. 22 of this year.

Emilie Dupuy has been more recently figured,
as a plate of this kind appeared in The Garden
for May 10 of the present year, with a full descrip-
tion. It is a noble Rose and deserves extended
cultivation, being vigorous and free, with massive
flowers of a deeper apricot or buff colour than
those of Bouquet d'Or. These two fine kinds hav-
ing been so recently figured and described, there
is perhaps now no danger of their merits being
overlooked, but there are other old and new kinds
that might be associated with them where space is
available.

Mme. Beeaed is now fairly well known, having
been in commerce since 1870, and yet it is curious
that Emilie Dupuy, sent out in the same year and
by the same raiser (Levet), has up till now re-
mained in comparative obscurity. Mme. Berard is
a free grower and bloomer, and distinct in colour,
the flowers large, double, of a salmon-yellow hue,
shading: to clear yellow, suffused with rose. It is a
grand Rose upon wall or fence, but in some situa-
tions seems especially prone to mildew, although
I have seen it where it was never attacked by this
pest. In a light soil upon chalk it grew more
freely than Gloire de Dijon and flowered better.

Mme. Chauvry is placed next, because, although
a new addition to this section, in habit of growth
and richness of fine foliage it much resembles Mme.
Berard. When in flower, however, it is not only
distinct from Mme. Berard, but from any in this
section. It was sent out by Bonnaire in 1886. It
is very vigorous and even beautiful in growth, the
young shoots and foliage being deep red and charm-
ing in contrast with the older growth and foliage
In the bud and half-opened state this Rose is very
striking, being of a deep buff colour, shading to
fawn-yellow at the edge of the petals. When half
expanded it is a striking flower, but as the bloom
opens fully it fades to a paler colour, suffused with
salmon and tinged with rose. Though compara-
tively new this Rose gives great promise, but like
others in this section it forms a great bush the first
year after planting-, the rich harvest of flowers
being reaped the following season. Both on a wall
and in the bed it is making vigorous growth this

year, whilst what few flowers it has produced mark
it as a fine and striking Rose.

Mme. Eugene Veediee is comparatively new,
as it was sent out by Levet in 1882. It has the re-
putation of being a little tender, and this may have
deterred some from growing it. I have had it both
as a group in the open border with the long shoots
pegged down and upon the wall, and although it
was not found to be tender it did not seem to
flower so freely as might be expected when pegged
down. Although vigorous, it is not so rampant as
some, and probably on a warm wall will be its best
position. The choicest position might be given
this Rose if it can only be induced to grow and
flower satisfactorily, for in the richness of its
colour and its powerful fragrance it is unique.
The flowers are of medium size, globular, deep
chamois-yellow — a most attractive colour, whilst
the fragrance is delicious and more powerful than
in any other Rose I know. It is generally best in
the autumn, producing at that time fine flowers
which open well and last long.

Mme. Baethelemy Levet is another little-
known, but valuable member of this section, and
a free and beautiful Rose, powerfully scented, an
abundant bloomer, and very vigorous. The flowers
are of medium size, globular, and of a pale canary-
yellow colour. It promises to be very satisfactory
upon the wall, and I have seen it doing well upon a
fence.

Heneiettede Beau VEAuisone of thebest among
the latest additions to this section. It was sent
out by Lacharme in 1887. It is vigorous in growth,
free-flowering and sweetly scented. The flowers
are globular, full, of fine form, and of a bright clear
yellow colour. Undoubtedly it is a valuable addi-
tion to this section. The same remark applies to

Duchesse dAuebstadt, sent out in 1887 by
Bernaix. Of the two it would seem even more vi-
gorous, but in habit of growth, colour, and shape
of flower it is quite distinct. It might almost be
called a fuller and deeper coloured Reve d'Or, and
in its growth it somewhat resembles that well-
known kind. The buds are long and pointed, pale
yellow, shading to fawn, deepening into a nankeen-
yellow when fully open. Its strong climbing
habit will fit it for many good uses [upon wall or
trellis.

Belle Lyonnaise is one of the older kinds. It
is apt to suffer in winter in some situations, and
sometimes fails to open well in summer if the wea-
ther is damp or cold. These observations, however,
were based upon plants growing in a very heavy
soil, and this may have affected them.

Mme. Teifle, growing in a similar situation,
flowered most freely, but so many of the blooms
were quartered or otherwise malformed, that it was
discarded as being not quite first rate. Undoubt-
edly the kinds already enumerated represent the
cream of this section, and it is important to know
what are the best, as nothing is more annoying than
after covering a large space of wall with one of
these rampant Roses to find that it is of doubtful
merit and an uncertain flowerer. Among such are
the following : Beaute de 1'Europe, Reine Marie
Pia, Reine de Portugal, and Reine Olga de Wurtem-
berg. They may have their admirers and may be
recommended, but my advice is to avoid them for
any choice position, as they will cover a great
amount of space and give little or no return in the
way of flowers. When there is no lack of really
fine Roses one can afford to discard those of doubt-
ful merit, and, moreover, besides those here recom-
mended there are other Noisettes and climbing Teas
such as W. A. Richardson, R£ve d'Or, Marechal
Niel and Climbing Niphetos, so that if our walls
are bare or clothed with Roses that do not flower
satisfactorily, it is not from want of good variety to
make a suitable selection from. A. H.

they had been attacked by the grubs of one of the saw-
flies, but the injuries are by no means recent, and I
cannot find auy insects on them. If you can find any
of the grubs at work, please send some, and I will tell
you what they are and how to destroy them. — G. S. S.

Rose leaves unhealthy. — Will the editor of
The Garden inform me what is the cause of the dis-
ease on enclosed Rose leaves, and if anything could be
done to prevent it? It. only occurs on a few plants,
not on the Roses in general, and only in one particular
part of the garden. — T.

*#* In reply to the above, the Rose leaves look as if

Orchids.

TRICHOPILIAS.

Teichopilia is a genus of Orchids belonging to
the Vandie ; the plants comprised in the family
are mostly natives of various parts of South
America and the West IndiaD Islands. The
majority of the Trichopilias should be grown in
the Cattleya house or intermediate stove ; that
is to say, the temperature must not fall lower
than 55° at night at any time, but during the
summer months they will enjoy the usual strong
heat which prevails in a stove at this season.
The pots must be well drained, because the
plants like plenty of water during the summer
season. I prefer to grow Trichopilias in pots,
and the soil should be built up into a somewhat
tall cone-like mound above the rim of the pot,
and upon the top of this mound the plant should
be set so that the flowers may show to the
greatest advantage. These plants enjoy a sea-
son of rest, which should not be given them by
roasting and drying, but by the lowering of the
temperature, say to between 55° and t50°, by
lessening the moisture in the atmosphere, and
at the same time reducing the amount of water
to the roots. To do these plants well they
should never be dried, but just enough water be
given to keep the bulbs and leaves fresh and
in good condition. The soil should consist of
good peat fibre and Sphagnum Moss mixed with
some nodules of charcoal. This latter is of
great assistance ; indeed, I do not know any
Orchids that exhibit such a marked appreciation
for charcoal as do Trichopilias. The time for
repotting is immediately after blooming. I
hope I have satisfied my correspondents
"J. B. T.," "M. T. W.," and "J. J, P.," and
that in the following short descriptions of the
best species and varieties, "W. J." and
" T. M. B." will find what they want.

T. ceispa. — The finest flowered plant of this
species which I have ever seen I conveyed to the
first international exhibition held in St. Peters-
burg, just twenty-one years ago. This specimen
had considerably over 100 flowers open upon it.
As soon as this the first crop of the season
faded, a second crop appeared, which is the pecu-
liarity of the species, these flowers being open in
about a month or six weeks after the first lot are
past. It must, however, be confessed that the
second crop is quite a third below the first in num-
bers. The sepals and petals are light cherry-red,
and the throat large and funnel-shaped, rich crim-
son with a white border, undulated at the edges. It
is a species which is sure to please every person.
It comes from Central America.

T. ceispa maeginATA.— Fine varieties of the
last plant are frequently tried to be palmed off upon
the unskilled in Orchids for this variety ; indeed I
have heard it asserted that there is no such plant
as the one here named. The sepals and petals are
cherry-red in the centre, broadly bordered with
white, the large funnel-shaped lip deep crimson.
The throat is deep red, with a crisp margin, bordered
with white. It is an extremely rare variety, a bold,
strong grower, coming from about the same dis-
tricts as the last-named plant.

T. coccinea is a species discovered by M.
Warscewicz, and named by him. When the variety
is good it is a most desirable plant, but there are a
great quantity of poor forms of it. The pseudo-
bulbs are narrow, the flowers large and bright car-
mine, the sepals and petals bordered with white,
which I suppose caused Henfrey to name it T. mar-
ginata. It flowers in the spring months, and comes
from Central America.

Aug. 23, 1890.]

THE GAEDEK.

185

T. Galeottiaxa. — The form now flowering with
Mr. Shuttleworth in the Clapharu Park Koad is
very prettily coloured, but it is quite different to
those previously mentioned, and thrives in a some-
what cooler temperature than the majority. The se-
pals and petals are yellowish green or white, the lip
yellow, fading to white at the margin, deeper yellow
in the throat, streaked and spotted with purplish
crimson. It is a very pretty plant, coming from
the mountain ranges of Central America.

T. hijiexaxtha. — This is a distinct and pretty
variety when in flower, whilst coming from New
Grenada, it will be found to thrive well with the
Odontoglossums. It is now close upon forty years
since it was named by Professor Reichenbach. The
pseudo-bulbs are reduced to root-stocks ; these are
short, and bear narrow, stout, and fleshy pale green
leaves ; scape drooping, about 4 inches long, bear-

it is possible to grow in a collection of plants, and
I have never seen it in better condition than in the
gardens of the late Mr. John Day, of Tottenham.
It blooms in the spring months, and yields a deli-
cious odour resembling Hawthorn. The foliage is
bold and deep green, and the flowers, borne upon
stems two and four together, are large, creamy
white, the lip being more or less spotted with
violet-rose, passing into rich crimson in some of
the varieties. From Central America.

T. SUAVIS alba, also from Central America,
is one of the choicest of the white-flowered Orchids.
The blooms, quite destitute of the spots, are pure
white, saving a yellow blotch in the throat. This, I
think, is a great improvement, as if the yellow was
absent the flowers would have a very dead and
insipid appearance. It has the fragrance of the
typical plant and flowers at the same season.

Trichopilia suavis.

ing five to sis flowers, each nearly 1J inches across ;
sepals and petals white ; lip nearly flat, white,
speckled with deep red. It is in flower at the
present time.

T. lepida. — This charming species from Costa
Rica requires to be grown in the Cattleya house,
and likes to be shaded during the hottest part of
the day in summer. The plant has much the habit
of T. crispa, with erect, compressed, deep green
bulbs, each bearing a single leaf. The flowers,
however, are borne in pairs or three together ; the
sepals and petals are long and narrow, purplish
red in the centre, with white borders, which are
more or less spotted ; lip large, funnel-shaped, pur-
plish crimson in the throat, passing into purplish
rose, bordered with white. It is a spring blooming
species.

T. suavis is one of the most charming Orchids

T. TOETILTS. — It is now nearly sixty years since
this plant was introduced from Mexico, and some
thirty years ago it was a plant in which I took
great interest. I had at one time two plants of
evidently two distinct varieties. They were grown
side by side with Anguloas and Lycastes, and each
bore an immense quantity of flowers, which did not
differ in colour or in markings. The plants differed
entirely in the time of flowering, one being gay in
the end of spring and beginning of summer and the
otter in winter. Since then a pure white-flowered
form has been introduced, I believe, by M. Linden,
of Brussels. It is typical in the corkscrew twists
of its sepals and petals, which are brownish purple
in the centre, yellowish white at the edges ; the
broad funnel-shaped lip is white, stained with
yellow in the throat, and profusely spotted with
bright rose. W. H. Goweb. I

Saccolabium coeleste. — This charming and
beautiful species was recently very beautiful in
Mr. Laing's nursery at Forest Hill. The plant re-
quires the greatest amount of warmth that can be
given it ; it also likes a very humid atmosphere and
plenty of sunshine. In Mr. Laing's plants the
spikes are about 8 inches long (I have seen them
longer) ; the flowers, set upon stout pedicels, are
white, the sepals and petals being tipped with pure
blue; the lip wholly blue, which gives it a very
brilliant appearance. The plant belongs to a sec-
tion of which we have a more familiar example in
S. curvifolium, a plant with rich, bright cinnabar-
red flowers and an erect spike. The most beautiful
form of this plant which I have seen was in the
collection of Mr. Cobb, of Sydenham ; it had a
spike longer than the one here mentioned, and the
flowers were tipped with the most brilliant azure
blue. It is a native of Siam, and the present ap-
pears to be its natural time of flowering. — G.

Cattleya Massaiana. — A very fine form of
this was sold on Friday, the 8th of August ; it was
offered as a new natural hybrid, and was bought
for 75 guineas. The flowers were grand in the ex-
treme, being of large size, the sepals and petals
being broad and of the richest rose ; the lip much
lengthened and of an intensely deep magenta-
crimson ; the throat rich deep yellow, streaked
with crimson, and at the sides a rich deep orange-
yellow eye-like spot. This flower appears to me to
be the same as one figured in the 8th volume of
the " Orchid Album," t. 362, but the figure is
scarcely true as regards the shape of the sepals and
petals, and the colour is deeper in the flower than
in the figure. But to me they are one and the
same variety, a supposed natural hybrid between
C. aurea and C. gigas, and the very finest of its
family.— W. H. G.

Hybrid Moth. Orchids. — There are at least
one or two other Phaltcnopsids of hybrid origin
than those mentioned by me at p. 157. One of
these was exhibited by Messrs. Veitch at the Royal
Horticultural Society's meeting on January 10, 1888,
and was named Phalamopsis F. L. Ames. It had for
parents P. amabilis of Blume, or P. grandifiora of
Lindley, and P. intermedia Portei, and is very
pretty and distinct. The sepals and petals are
white, the lip being flushed with rose on a white
ground, and having a brownish-red disc. The lateral
lobes of the lip are suffused and pencilled with
rose, and spotted with purple towards the base.
Another natural hybrid is P. Cynthia, a supposed
cross between P. amabilis and P. Schilleriann,
which bloomed in the collection of Mr. F. Wigan,
of East Sheen. It most resembles P. Schilleriana,
and is distinct from the other natural hybrids of
this presumed parentage, viz., P. leucorrhoda and
P. casta, the lip being shorter and broader in out-
line. A paler tinted variety of the same structure
has more recently bloomed with Messrs. Low & Co.,
of Clapton.— F. W. B.

SHORT NOTES.— ORCHIDS.

Cypripedium Godefroyas Gardenianum.

— This is a very gay and pretty species, differing from
the typical plant in having the under side of the leaves
deep "green instead of piu-ple. The flowers are pure
white, heavily spotted with very deep purple. It, is
now flowering in Mr. Laing's nursery at Forest Hill,
where this species appears to thrive well.

Habenaria militaris. — Messrs. Seeger and
Tropp send flowers of this rich and rare gem, introduced
a few years ago by M. Godefroy-Lebeuf, of Argen-
teuil, near Paris. The mass of colour is produced by
its lip, which is as bright as a guardsman's coat. It is
somewhat rare, but I observed on my last visit to Bur-
ford Lodge, Sir Trevor Lawrence's beautiful garden,
several pfants of this species in excellent health and
promising well for flower. — W. H. G.

Iiselia elegans The Duchess.— This is the
name of a variety received from Mr. Whillans, gar-
dener to the Duke of Marlborough at Blenheim. The
flowers surprised me by their esquisite fragrance
as well as by their unusual colour; the flower is very
compact, the sepals and petals rose colour, and the lip
in front of a deep rich rose, the basal part being pure
white inside and outside, savhig the reflexed tips of

186

THE GAEDEN.

[Aug. 23, 1890.

tie side lobes, which are rose colour. The plant is a
strong grower, and its flowers yield an exquisite and
agreeable fragrance, which being of a spicy and aro-
matic character is very agreeable.

Phalaenopsis rosea (0. B). — This is the name
of the flower sent. It is just over forty years
since Thomas Lobb first sent this species home, I be-
lieve, from the island of Luzon. Your flowers have
more orange-yellow in the side lobes of the lip than
usual, and represent a very handsome form. It should
be much more grown than at present. A very fine lot
of this species used to be grown in the collection of
Mr. Warner at Chelmsford, and when in flower were
a conspicuous feature. — G.

Lselia crispa and L. crispa purpurea. —
Messrs. Seeger and Tropp, of Lordship Lane, Dulwich,
send flowers of both these plants, and they are very
distinct ; those of the type are pure white, saving the
lip, which has the front lobe stained with purplish
crimson. In the variety the sepals and petals are
marked with stains of purple, whilst the lip is more
expanded than in the type and of a deeper and richer col-
our. Very beautiful forms of a much neglected Oreliid.

Satyriums. — I have grown several species of
these as hardy plants, but never very successfully.
For several years S. carneum did fairly well out of
doors, but it never flowered, nor was the foliage as
perfectly developed, nor of so bright a colour as
that of plants sent me from their native wilds. I
hardly think that any of the species are sufficiently
hardy to survive long out of doors unless protection
in some way or other is afforded. Frame culture
did not in my case bring any better results, and I
finally abandoned, though very reluctantly, their
cultivation as hardy, or even half hardy, plants in
the climate of England or Wales. — A. D. W.

Habitats of Orchids. — Yanda Hookeri (p. 158)
may have been originally discovered by Lobb at
Labuan, but it had previously been brought there
from Borneo. Labuan is, like Singapore, an entre-
pot, to which all sorts of commodities are brought
from the neighbouring islands, and many plants
get credited to these two places that never natur-
ally grew there. I believe I am right in saying
that Lobb was a very reserved and reticent collec-
tor so far as habitats were concerned, and even
to-day collectors do not give too many precise de-
tails as to the habitats of their best discoveries, for
reasons well understood. Fully half the plants
credited as natives of Labuan and Singapore never
naturally grew there, but were brought to these
ports by coasting steamers or native boats and
thence shipped to Europe. If my friend " W. H. G.''
would try to find the native habitats of Orchids
from the information in printed works on these
plants, he would soon find them anything but infal-
lible guides.— F. W. B.

The Fruit Crops.

"WESTERN DIVISION.
Longford Castle, Salisbury. — The Apple
and Pear trees when in flower last spring gave
promise of yielding a rich harvest of fruit in
autumn, but the unfortunate appearance of frost
late in May marred, as it has often done before,
this fair prospect by severely thinning the expanded
blossoms and checking the growth of the trees to
such an extent as to render them an easy prey to
the subsequent and persistent attacks of the cater-
pillar. These attacks have in many places resulted in
the partial defoliation of the trees, thereby render-
ing the prospect of their bearing a crop of fruit
next year very uncertain. Espalier or horizontal
trained trees of Red Astrachan, Summer Nonpareil,
Red Juneating, Annie Elizabeth, and that sure
cropper Keswick Codlin on either side the central
walk in kitchen garden are bearing well, as
also are young standards (in walled- in fruit garden)
of Blenheim Pippin, Cox's Pippin, Irish Peach, and
Red Quarrenden. These trees, which are annually
summer and winter pruned, form a striking con-
trast to those in our four-acre orchard nearly a
mile distant from the kitchen gardens. Of Peais,
Marie Louise, Glou Morceau, Josephine de Malines,
and Citron des Carmes on south and west walls are
carrying good crops, though that of the last named
excellent early Pear has been gathered and eaten

since the middle of July. Standards of Beurre1
Gris, Beurre" de Capiaumont, Ne Plus Meuris,
Eyewood, and Dunmore, out of a great number of
varieties, are fairly well cropped. The Peach crop
generally is lighter here than it has been for several
years past. The trees, too, were all protected with
Eddy's No. 5 shading when in flower, but the
blossoms did not set well, except on a few trees —
Alexander, Amsden, Yiolette Hative, Chancellor,
and Sea Eagle. Of Nectarines, Lord Napier, Pine-
apple, and Elruge are well cropped. The trees in
both cases are clean and in good condition, and
with a fine autumn to thoroughly ripen the wood
good crops of Peaches and Nectarines may reason-
ably be expected next year, that is, provided
the blossoms are duly protected. Cherries gene-
rally are, or have been, a good crop, trees of May
Duke, Black Tartarian, and Bigarreau Cleveland
being heavily cropped. Morellos, though the trees
are not so heavily cropped here as they have
been during the last sixteen or eighteen years,
have borne fairly well. Black aphis was very
persistent in its attacks on all Cherry trees
this year — two or three applications of to-
bacco water, at the rate of 1 quart of tobacco
juice to 4 gallons of water, distributed with the
syringe on dull days, being necessary to effect a
dislodgruent of this the most troublesome and
destructive enemy of the Cherry. The Plum crop
is the lightest of all fruit crops this year. The only
three varieties out of a goodly number grown here
which are carrying good crops this year are Early
Favourite, Early Prolific (purple) on an east wall,
and Guthrie's Late Gage on a south wall.
Bush fruits are very plentiful and good. Straw-
berries were only an average crop. Figs on
south and east walls are a good crop, the
varieties being White Marseilles, Brown Turkey,
Castle Kennedy, and Brunswick. I may say that
the Apricot crop is thin, and the condition of the
trees in the " going off " of a branch here and
there in the most unaccountable manner unsatis-
factory.—H. W. Waed.

Clarendon Park, Salisbury. — The fruit crop
in this locality is not generally a good one, but we
have plenty of Apples. Several orchards near here,
as well as the trees in this garden, are laden with
fruit, which must result in being small and inferior,
as thinning of the fruit on standard trees cannot
be thought of. Some of the kinds that are bearing
good crops here are Lord Suftield, Cat's-head Codlin,
Irish Peach, Dumelow's Seedling, Blenheim Pippin,
and Cox's Orange Pippin, as well as many of the
local kinds. Pears are generally thin, but there is a
fair crop of Glou Morceau, Gratioli of Jersey,
Nouveau Poiteau, Beurre Ranee, Winter Nelis, and
Flemish Beauty. Plums are also thin ; many kinds
are without fruit. Denyer's Victoria, Guthrie's
Green Gage, and Rivers' Early are carrying light
crops, and a few standard trees of a local kind
are laden with fruit. Strawberries have been
plentiful, but much wanting in flavour ; the season
has been, however, almost double as long as last
year. Raspberries I never saw more abundant.
Gooseberries and Red and White Currants have been
abundant ; while Walnuts and small Nuts are also
very plentiful. — C. Warden.

Stoke Edith Park, Hereford.— The fruit
crops in this neighbourhood are, taking them on
the whole, much more satisfactory than they at
first appeared to be, with the exception of Plums,
which are a complete failure. The trees bloomed
well enough and had to all appearance set good
crops, but the fruit never swelled off properly, and
eventually turned yellow and dropped. This com-
plete failure was caused in my opinion by dull
weather, cold winds, and the low temperature dur-
ing the whole of the time the trees were in bloom.
Pears are a scanty crop, and the trees suffered
partly from the same cause as Plums and partly
from the ravages of caterpillars. In the garden the
following varieties are carrying fairly good crops,
viz., Jargonelle, Fertility, Beurre Hardy. Duchesse
d'Orleans, Brockworth Park, Althorpe Crassane,
Mme. Treyve, Doyenne du Cornice, Beurre d'Arem-
berg, Glou Morceau, Marie Louise d'l'ccle, Chau-
montel, and Bergamotte d'Esperen. Marie Louise

are scarce, one or two trees only bearing well.
Some of the noted varieties of perry Pears are
bearing well in some orchards, while in others
they are a complete failure. As regards Apples,
gTeat damage has again been wrought by the
caterpillars, but on the whole the crops are
much better than last year. It is very strange
that the later varieties of cider Apples, such
as the Normans or Herefords, have almost entirely
escaped. In the garden I have secured good crops
by resorting to washing the trees soon after the petals
of the flowers fell, and I am of opinion that it is more
efficacious than all the grease bands put together.
Hitherto I have been an advocate for " greasing,"
but my experience of the past spring has taught
me that it is almost useless. All our trees had
bands of paper smeared with cart grease securely
fastened round the stems, and they were well
attended to throughout the winter, the grease be-
ing kept in a soft state and often renewed, but in
spite of all these precautions we had more cater-
pillars than ever, and this, I think, goes a long way
towards proving the theory advanced by some
people— that the female moth is carried by the
male to the tree to deposit her eggs. For destroy-
ing the caterpillar I made use of a preparation
called curative hop-wash, which is sold in 5-gallon
cans, or it can be had in barrels. The price is 3s.
per gallon for the cans, and slightly less for the
barrels. One gallon of this mixed with 78
gallons of water makes a wash sufficiently strong
enough to kill caterpillars when sprayed on the
trees, and without doing the fruit or trees any
injury whatever. It is the safest insecticide that I
am acquainted with for the purpose. The follow-
ing varieties of Apples are bearing well : Juneating,
Ribston Pippin, King of the Pippins, Worcester
Pearmain, Cox's Pomona, Seek-no-further, Lamb
Abbey Pearmain, Warner's King, Potts' Seedling,
Stirling Castle, Cellini, Small's Admirable, New
Northern Greening, Lord Clyde, Reinette du
Canada, Tower of Glamis, Beauty of Kent, and
Melon. Sweet Cherries have been abundant and
good, and the Morellos are a heavy crop. Apricots
are a full crop, and quality of fruit all that can be
desired. Peaches and Nectarines are doing better
than they have done for years, and are bearing
well. Gooseberries and Currants are very heavy
crops. Raspberries have done remarkably well,
while Strawberries have borne enormous crops of
fine fruit of first-rate quality. Nuts of all kinds are
very abundant. — A. Waed.

Holme Lacey, Hereford. — Bush fruit is plen-
tiful, but Apples are almost a failure ; there are a
few varieties, namely, King of the Pippins, Alfris-
ton, and Manks Codlin, which here and there make
a fair show, but generally the trees show a very
scanty crop. Pears, too, are much under the
average, but the fruit looks remarkably well. We
have here about eighty varieties, most of them
growing on the single cordon ; the varieties which
seem to do best and are good croppers are Beurre
Diel, Beurre Ranee, Beurn* Supertin. Conseiller de
la Cour, Duchesse d'Angouleme, Gansel's Berga-
mot, Glou Morceau, and I may add Marie Louise,
Louise Bonne of Jersey, and Williams' Bon Chre-
tien. Peaches and Nectarines under glass are
fairly good, but Peach and Nectarine culture in
the open air is more or less a failure here. Apricots
are good, although during the time they were
in bloom the trees were subjected to 6° of
frost. Figs are fairly plentiful and promise
well. Plums are quite a failure. Cherries are ex-
cellent, especially Morellos. Nuts are also very
plentiful, both Cobs and Filberts, and I do not re-
member ever to have seen Walnuts promise such a
heavy crop as they do this season. The cater-
pillar has been very prevalent this season upon
Apples, Pears, and Apricots, and also on the Roses.
I used soot water, syringing the trees well two or
three times a week, but the best remedy is hand-
picking, where the time can be spared. — Thomas
Randall.

Canford Manor. — I find the following sorts of
Apples have good crops : Devonshire Quarrenden,
Adams' Pearmain, King of Pippins, Early Harvest,
Sturmer Pippin, and many other varieties only

Aug. 23, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

187

known locally. Pears are a good average crop, the
following varieties carrying full crops : Beurre'
Hardy, Beurr^ Ranee, Conseiller de la Cour, Duron-
deau, Easter Beurre, Jargonelle, Seckel, Beurre
d'Amanlis, St. Michael, Glou Morceau, Marie Louise,
Van Mons Leon Leclerc, Williams' Bon Chretien,
Winter Nelis, Huyshe's Victoria, Knight's Monarch,
Hacon's Incomparable, Duchesse d'Angoultime,
Citron des Cannes, DoyennS d'Alengon. Bush
fruits are very good. Peaches and Nectarines (out-
door) fair; Plums very few. Apricots very few.
Cherries up to the average. Gooseberries and
Currants very fine, and the crops heavy. Nuts fine
crops.

The Potato crops are very heavy, but badly
diseased. This applies, I believe, generally to the
district.— T. H. Ceasp.

Onslow Hall, Shrewsbury.— The fruit crop
in this district is decidedly under the average.
Apples and Pears are very thin indeed. Apricots
one of the heaviest crops I remember. Gooseberries,
Currants, Red and White, very good, but Black
badly infested with fly and very dirty. Caterpillars
on Gooseberries, although they appeared early in the
spring, have not done much damage. Hand-picking
I find the best and safest way of getting rid of
them when there are children about the garden.
Plums on walls very thin. Damsons, only a few in
very favoured places, although such a fine promise.
Peaches and Nectarines, none grown here outside ;
good crops in some warm sheltered gardens. — J.
Lam beet.

Badminton Gardens, Chippenham.— The

fruit crops in this garden and district are on the
whole fairly good, with the exception of Plums,
which seem to be scarce everywhere this season.
Apples are extremely partial ; in sheltered orchards
and gardens the crop is a good one, but where
much exposed the fruit is thin and the trees much
blighted. Pears are in a similar case. Apricots
here are an average crop, but in neighbouring gar-
dens complaints of scarcity are heard. Peaches and
Nectarines are plentiful, but green-fly was ex-
tremely troublesome in the early part of the season.
The trees require more sun, or the fruit will be late
in ripening and the young wood will stand a poor
chance of passing through the winter satisfactorily,
should it prove at all severe. Figs are numerous,
but need warmth. Gooseberries I never saw better,
and no appearance of caterpillar here. Whenever
that enemy makes its appearance either on Goose-
berry or Currant trees I find that Fir tree oil and
warm water, the mixture of fair strength, syringed
sharply into the bushes will soon clear them. The
caterpillars fall to the ground and should be at
once raked together and sprinkled with soot and
lime. The dose can be repeated if necessary in a
few days. Currants have been plentiful, but the
foliage has been somewhat blighted. Nuts of all
kinds are abundant. — Wa. Nash.

Iwerne Minster, Blandford.— Two months'
wet, cold, and sunless weather has been most un-
favourable for the swelling and ripening of outdoor
fruits. The mean temperature (from 50° to 54°,
nearly 20° below that of average years, with inces-
sant rains) has prevented the full development of
fruits, flowers, and bedding plants, while even vege-
tables have suffered a check. We have not had such
a cold, wet summer since 1879. Apples hardly half
a crop, are very much blighted, and the fruit we
have got are from such hardy and free-bearing va-
rieties as Hawthornden, Stirling Castle, Eck-
linville Seedling, Lemon Pippin, Keswick Codlin,
&c, but the fruit is small, and unless the weather
soon changes it must be imperfectly ripened. Pears
are also very scarce. Trees look stunted, and
some of the tender varieties on espaliers, such as
Brown Beurre, Beurre Magnifique, and Gansel's
Bergamot, are cracked with continued cold nights
and soakings of rain ; while hardy sorts, such as
Vicar of Winkfield, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Marie
Louise, and Williams' Bon Chretien, &c, are doing
better. Plums a failure both here and in the neigh-
bourhood. Peaches and Nectarines are not grown
here outside, but in some neighbouring gardens
they seem to be bearing light crops, especially
where the blossom has been protected. Apricots

do not thrive on our chalk subsoil, but this year
the trees look healthy and are bearing thin crops.
Cherries also dislike our soil, and consequently few
are grown, chiefly Morellos, which this year are
only a poor crop. Trees have suffered much from
the ravages of black fly. I find syringing with weak
tobacco water (when breaking), say half a pint to
two gallons of water, will keep off the fly and will not
retard the growth of the tree. Paraffin may also
be used in a similar proportion without injury.
Bush fruits, Currants, Gooseberries, and Rasp-
barries a fair average crop and free from cater-
pillar. Strawberries are abundant, but wanting in
flavour. — P. Davidson.

Tortworth, Falfield.— The Apple crop in this
district is a very poor one ; in many gardens and
orchards it is a complete failure. The caterpillar
has been very destructive in many places. We put
on a band of tree-dressing in December, unfortu-
nately six weeks too late, nevertheless we caught
great numbers. This year we intend to put on the
bands of tree-dressing the first week in October,
thereby catching the first batch. Pears are only a
third of a crop again. Cherries on the wall a good
average crop, pyramids and standards a complete
failure. Raspberries, Gooseberries, Currants, and
all kinds of Nuts abundant and good. Straw-
berries abundant and good. — T. Shingles.

The Hendre Gardens, Monmouth.— The

Apple crop here is not an average one ; although
some varieties have good crops, these in most cases
are late flowering kinds. The early blossoming
sorts set but little fruit, perhaps owing to the
low temperature which prevailed during their
flowering season. Pears are partial, and also
under average- ; the trees blossomed freely, but
mostly failed to produce much fruit, except those
in favourable positions. Some trees, however, of
Jargonelle, Beurre Diel, Flemish Beauty, Beurre
d'Anjou, Clapp's Favourite, Pitmaston Duchess,
and Ne Plus Meuris carry heavy crops. Apricots
are rather thin and some kinds are splitting.
Plums almost a total failure, although they
blossomed very freely. Cherries are fair both in
crop and quality, Morellos being plentiful. Rasp-
berries fine and abundant. Strawberries average
in crop, but rather undersized. Bush fruits are
tolerably good, while Nuts are exceptionally pro-
lific.— Thomas Coombee.

Tedworth Gardens, Marlborough. — The

Apple crop in this locality is above the average,
Irish Peach, Hanwell Souring, Lord Suftield, King
Pippin, and Court of Wick bearing good crops.
Pears are very partial, although all (also Apples)
bloomed most profusely, Seckel (which rarely fails),
Glou Morceau, Easter Beurre, Beurre Diel, Beurre
Ranee, and Doyenne du Cornice being our best.
Figs are above the average. Apricots very thin.
Plums very scarce. Morello Cherries abundant and
good. Gooseberries under average, the buds having
been destroyed by birds in winter. Currants a
heavy crop. Raspberries a good crop and fine,
Lord Beaconsfield being best. Peaches on young
trees are an average crop. Strawberries were good
and fine, the wet season suiting them on our light
soil. We have had very little trouble with cater-
pillars this season ; they are generally very trouble-
some on Gooseberries, but we have scarcely seen
one this year. We find a good preventive is to
sprinkle slaked lime on the ground close to the stems
late in March or early in April, and hand-pick as
soon as seen.

Potatoes are very fine, but disease is spreading
rapidly. — G. Ixglefield.

Toddington, Winchcomb. — Apples generally
a very thin crop, though here and there some varie-
ties are bearing freely. Pears very few. Plums
fair crop, and in some situations the crop is heavy,
more particularly on the Pershore and Victoria.
Good crops of Peaches and Nectarines ; the trees
have been less affected with blister than usual.
Apricots very few. Cherries good. Strawberries
good. Gooseberries good. Red Currants good.
Black Currants fair. Raspberries good. After
many experiments, the best means of destroying
the caterpillar was found to be 1 oz. of Paris green

to 10 gallons of water, distributed by a French spray
pump, which I have found a most useful instru-
ment for waging war against the numerous insect
pests with which we have been troubled this sea-
son. It is in the form of a knapsack, which the
operator carries at his back, and holds about 3
gallons. On one side a short handle for working
the pump is fixed, and on the other side a piece of
flexible tubing fitted with anozzle which the operator
guides with his left hand. The pump throws a
continuous spray, and may be charged with any
kind of liquid. The Paris green can be obtained
either as a powder or paste, but the paste is prefer-
able, as there is less danger in using it. The mix-
ture should be kept well agitated. In the autumn,
bands of grease-proof paper are tied round the
standard trees and coated with cart grease. The
grease is renewed occasionally ; in this way great
numbers are caught.— J. Cleaee.

EASTERN DIVISION.
Gunton Park, Norwich. — Apples are not,
generally speaking, a good crop, although in some
instances the trees are full of nice clean fruit, the
caterpillar not having done so much damage as
last year. The crop on the whole is a much better
one than we had in 1889. Of Pears we have the
thinnest crop of Doyenne du Cornice I ever re-
member. This is one of the few Pears that gener-
ally fruits freely and ripens well either on walls
or bush trees. Having several trees of it, the loss
will be felt greatly in November, when no fruit
can surpass it. Other kinds of Pears on walls are
bearing an average crop ; perhaps Glou Morceau is
carrying the best ; standard or bush trees are al-
most barren. Plums the same. There are no
exceptions ; even that reliable variety Rivers' Pro-
lific has disappointed us this year. Cherries, Mo-
rello and dessert, are very good, Morellos making up
in a measure for the failure of last year. Currants,
Black, Red, and White, good. Gooseberries very
heavy crop ; some bushes planted against a trellis
5 feet high and trained, each with eight perpen-
dicular shoots, are just now worth looking at. The
sorts planted are the pick of the Lancashire kinds,
and are grown specially for dessert ; the trellis runs
north and south. Useless wood is spurred in and
the fruit thinned when large enough ; thus fruit of
the finest description, fully exposed to the sun, is
secured, repaying one in appearance and quality for
the extra labour given. Raspberries have been un-
usually good this season round about Great Yar-
mouth, where Raspberries are grown extensively.
Falstaff is still the favourite variety where the true
stock is grown. Apricots are a very thin crop, the
very severe frosts experienced on the 1st and 2nd
of April (as much as 22° in some places) literally
froze the buds through before they had expanded.
Peaches, on the contrary, escaped the frosts of
April, and are looking exceptionally well, foliage
free from blister, and the trees are carrying in
several instances that have come under my notice
excellent crops. Violette Hative Peach is the hardiest
and freest grower in this part of Norfolk ; it outlives
all other kinds.

Vegetables of all kinds have been abundant
and excellent, Potatoes and Peas quite remarkable.
The disease has now attacked the tops of the Po-
tatoes, but up to the present but little damage has
been done to the tubers. The drier weather should
help to ward it off. Among the comparatively new
Peas of the last four years, I find the variety called
Prodigy really first rate. It comes in early, after
William I., and bears an enormous crop of large, well-
filled pods of green and delicious Peas. It will, I
am sure, become a standard variety for home or
private consumption. — W. ALLAS.

Herringswell House, Mildenhall.— Apples

half a crop ; Pears few, but the trees are lookingclean.
We are not much troubled with caterpillars this
year. Of Peaches there is a fine crop, all grown
on open walls, viz., Condor, Early York, Grosse
Mignonne, Alexandra Noblesse, Bellegarde, Barring-
ton, Walburton's Admirable, and Late Admirable.
Nectarines— Elruge, Rivers' Early Orange and Vic-
toria, very fair. Plums a failure here, as also in
the neighbouring market gardens, where last year

THE GAEDEN.

[Aug. 23, 1890.

tons of fruit were sent by rail to the large towns in
the north.— F. Dodds.

Sandringham. — Our crops are as under : Apples
a fair sprinkling. Apricots none. Cherries poor.
Plums none. Pears good on walls ; standards,
none. Bush fruit all good. Nuts plentif nl. Peaches
a failure outside. Strawberries plentiful and fine.
Noble a grand early ; Oxonian late and good.

Vegetables good, especially Potatoes and Peas.
Potatoes Carter's Prizetaker for outside work, fla-
vour, and colour ; Sharpe's Victor for frames, with
Farren's Early and Table King next. No disease
as yet.— C. Penny.

Hardwicke, Bury St. Edmunds.— Now
that the bush fruits and Strawberries are getting
over there is but little fruit left in most gardens
and orchards. Cherries have been on the whole
thin, and at best erratic— here a crop, but in many
gardens in the neighbourhood none. Plums and
Apricots literally a total failure. Pears very
irregular and much deformed. Apples better,
but scarce, with here and there a heavy crop.
Many dropped off at the end of July. Peaches
and Nectarines in some districts good, in others
thin or none— on the whole, however, the stone
fruit of the year. Trees generally clean and so far
healthy, though the growths are abnormally late,
and unless August and September give us more than
an average of sunshine, there is a danger of three
fruit failures, or poor crops in succession— a unique
experience in the memory of the oldest fruit grower.
— D. T. Fish.

Ickworth, Bury St. Edmunds.— Apricots
are a very thin crop. There was in the early spring
an abundance of healthy bloom, but the very
severe frosts early in March destroyed nearly the
whole of it, as well as greatly injured the trees
themselves. Peaches suffered much though not to
such an extent, and they have been seriously
affected with aphis and blister; the crop is very
thin. It is very seldom that we miss a fair crop of
Plums here, but this season they are a total failure.
Apples and Pears are nearly as bad, and the fruit
small, and continues to drop off the trees. The
caterpillars have not done so much harm this year
as last, at least the kind that feeds upon the
leaves, and the foliage is healthy. Bush fruits, such
as Red, White, and Black Currants, are an abun-
dant crop, and the same also applies to Raspberries,
but Gooseberries are rather under the average, the
fruit being clean and of good quality. — Robekt
Squibbs.

Livermere Park, Bury St. Edmunds.—
Apples are very irregular this year, many trees be-
ing quite barren, while others have to be propped
up to sustain the weight of fruit. Altogether I
should say we have about two-thirds of a crop. By
far the best fruited trees are those of early kinds,
Manks Codlin heading the list for weight of crop.
Pears are almost a total failure except on wall trees,
which are carrying one-third of a crop, and on
pyramids of free - bearing kinds, such as Marie
Louise d'Uccle. Apricots again may be considered
a complete failure, the bloom having suffered badly
from the 29° of frost registered here early in March.
Up to that time there was every promise of a heavy
crop, as trees were exceptionally well set with buds
and looked healthy. Plums on walls are in a few
cases well cropped, the best being Huling's Superb,
Reine Claude de Bavay, and Early Orleans. It is
useless writing of the standards and bush trees, for
bullfinches always strip the flower-buds from these.
Cherries have carried a good crop and finished
them well. This they have never done before, as
the fruit always turned yellow and dropped when
about half grown. The trees, which had always
been hard pruned previously, have not been touched
with a knife for two seasons, and to this I attribute
the improvement. Morellos are bearing an average
crop of fine fruit. Figs promise to finish a fine
crop, and the trees are in splencfid condition.
Medlars over average. Soft fruits have here, as
elsewhere, suffered badly from the wet. Straw-
berries were a fine crop, but a large quantity of the
fruit rotted on the plants. Raspberries good crop,
but these also suffered from the heavy rains and

continuous dull weather. Red and White Currants
rather over average and the fruit is very fine.
Black Currants under average and dropped early.
Gooseberries good on north wall and in places
where they could be protected. In a neighbouring
garden, where there is no cover for bullfinches,
there is an exceptionally fine crop. Peaches and
Nectarines are good, and did not suffer from the
frost which proved so destructive to the Apricot
bloom. Grapes outdoors are thinly cropped except
in the case of Sweetwater, which is carrying a
heavy crop that, though late, is swelling fast under
the fine weather we are now getting. Filberts, &c,
much under average after a good show of bloom.
Walnuts under average. . Tomatoes are carrying a
fair crop from early trusses, and I am much pleased
with the look of the new Conference ; Horsford's
Prelude and Perfection arc also good. No disease
apparent as yet.

Potatoes are very badly diseased in the neigh-
bourhood, whole fields being completely black with
it. As we confine ourselves for main crop to such
disease-resisting kinds as Magnum Bonum, and
Covent Garden Perfection for late work, and dig
our Ashleafs early, we have escaped so far well,
but I hear reports of at least two-thirds of the
tubers of some sorts being badly affected. Early
Peas suffered badly from drought before the rains,
and their season was short. Late kinds look well.
— J. C. Tallack.

berries and Red and Black Currants not up to an
average crop, many of the buds being destroyed in
early spring by bullfinches. These birds are very
destructive to Gooseberry buds in this neighbour-
hood. Raspberries a fair average crop. We have
not had the Gooseberry caterpillar, but Apple trees
are much injured by insects of various kinds.
We frequently use soapsuds, tobacco water, and
other advertised remedies with varied success.
About to try London purple, &c. — D. Lumsdbn.

Babraham Hall, Cambridge.— The Apple
crop is a complete failure ; although there appeared
to be a very fair show of blossom at first, scarcely
any set. The caterpillar has done very little dam-
age here owing to the large number of birds, espe-
cially the much hated sparrow and bullfinch, but
they did their best to take the Pear buds, which has
made them very scarce. The only trees carrying
fruit are those that were covered with old fish net-
ting to protect them from the frost as well as the
birds. A very severe frost when the Pears,
Plums, and Gooseberries were in blossom did
much damage. Cherries, including Morellos, good
crop. Plums and Damsons none. Apricots fair,
but trees not satisfactory, being old and gumming.
Peaches are doing well, bearing trees carrying good
crops, and young trees that were planted in No-
vember look clean and healthy. I gathered Water-
loo about July 21. The principal sorts grown are
Royal George, Diamond , Noblesse, Bellegarde, Grosse
Mignonne and Barrington. The same remarks
apply to Nectarines. Gooseberries promised well,
but the frost greatly thinned them. Currants and
Raspberries abundant. Filberts, Cobs and Wal-
nuts plentiful.— J. Hill.

Woolverstone Park, Suffolk.— On the whole,
the fruit crop in these gardens and around this
district is the most unsatisfactory that has been
experienced for years, for excepting Strawberries,
Raspberries, Gooseberries, and Currants, which have
been abundant, everything is below average, and
Plums are nil, as only one fruit here and there can
be found on the trees. Apples and Pears are very
thin, and what fruit there is does not look like
swelling to its proper size ; the dry condition of the
air and the cold so prevalent while in its small,
tender state have injured the skin and caused con-
traction, which is now showing itself, as many
Apples and Pears are deformed through being so
crippled. Cherries were in just the same condi-
tion, and great numbers fell during the process of
stoning. Peaches and Nectarines have followed in
the same way, but Apricots have stood very well.
With regard to the caterpillar on Apple trees, I am
glad to say that we are quite free from it, which I
attribute to liming our trees during winter, and
this we do in a quick, effectual manner by slaking
fresh stone lime and pumping the wash over the
heads with the garden engine, which coats the
whole of the branches over thoroughly, and the
trees are white with the lime now.— J. SHErrAHD.

Bloxholm Hall, Lincoln. — Apples a complete
failure, very scarce on all varieties. Pears and
Plums also a failure. Apricots and Peaches on
wall were well protected from spring frosts, and
there is an excellent crop of fine fruit. Goose-

MIDLAND DIVISION.
Westfields, Retford. — The fruit crops in this
district, such as Apples, Pears, and Plums, are very
poor this season, owing to the sharp frosts we had
at the time the trees were in bloom. The only
sorts of Apples carrying crops are Lord Suffield,
Keswick Codlin, Bramley's Seedling, Golden Pip-
pin, &c. Of Pears, Jargonelle, Louise Bonne of
Jersey, Marie Louise, Beurre dAremberg, and
Glou Morceau are satisfactory. Late varieties are
very scarce this season, and Plums are almost a
total failure. Cherries of all kinds are plentiful
and good. Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots are
very good crops, the last being better than I
have known for many years, particularly where
they received protection in spring. The trees are all
healthy and clean and making good growth, al-
though we have had less rain here than in most
districts this season. Bush fruit, such as Rasp-
berries, Red and White Currants, are plentiful and
good. Black Currants much under average both
in quantity and quality owing to the blight on the
trees. Gooseberries much below average this sea-
son in quantity, but they make up in quality. —
Thos. H. Sutton.

Abberley Hall Gardens, Stourport. — In
this neighbourhood the fruit crop is not very good
as a whole. Apples are poor. The failure I attri-
bute not so much to the caterpillars as to the cold
and parching winds experienced just before the
opening of the blossom. It will be remembered
that at one time the fruit buds were advancing at
a rapid rate, but then a spell of cold weather with
easterly winds prevailed and checked the flow of
sap, which must then have been in an advanced
state, and so crippled the bloom whilst in embryo.
Plums and Damsons are very poor. Damsons are
grown largely in this district. They blossomed and
set their fruit most profusely, but a very severe
attack of aphis crippled them and caused the small
fruits to drop wholesale. Cherries in the open are
about a third of a crop. These blossomed most pro-
fusely, and apparently seemed to set well, but when
about the size of Peas dropped; Morellos on
north walls, and which consequently blossomed
late, are an abundant crop. Apricots we never
had better. These set their fruit most abundantly,
and very few failed to swell. These were protected
whilst in bloom. Peaches and Nectarines are ex-
cellent. We have a south wall 100 yards in length
containing twenty trees. These blossomed and set
abundantly, and were also protected whilst in
bloom. Gooseberries, Raspberries, and both Red
and Black Currants have borne and are bearing
heavy crops, Gooseberries exceptionally so. Straw-
berries have been very good, in fact, the best crop
we have ever had, and the quality excellent. Berry-
bearing shrubs are fruiting most profusely. — A.
Young.

Studley Castle, Warwickshire.— Apples
and Pears are the smallest crop I ever saw. Here
and throughout the district they are nearly a fail-
ure. The trees flowered well and looked promising
until cold storms and frosty nights damaged the
prospect of a good crop of fruit, and then followed
that most destructive of all causes, the caterpillar.
It ate up both leaf and flower, and I have not yet
been able to get rid of it. The Oak, the Ash, in
fact nearly every tree and hedge were smothered
with the caterpillar. One reason of this is the de-
struction of birds by man. The blackcap, the tit-
mouse, the nightingale, the blackbird, in fact all
the small birds of our woods destroy swarms of
caterpillars that ruin our crops. There are some
good trees of Apples, the sorts bearing best being
Bedfordshire Foundling, Herefordshire Pearmain,

Aug. 23, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

189

Dutch Codlin, Durnelow's Seedling, ' Worcester
Peaxmain, Keswick Codlin, Ecklinville Seedling.
Pears are almost a failure on walls, and the pyra-
mids have only a light crop. The same may also
be said of the cordons, such kinds as Seckel,Winter
Nelis, Uvedale's St. Germain, Citron des Carmes
having fair crops. Apricots Moorpark and Breda
have good crops of fruit. We have some good
fruiting Peach trees. Plums and Damsons are a
failure, owing chiefly to the work of the bullfinches
in this part. Filberts and other Nuts are a heavy
crop, Dwarf Prolific, the red and the white Filbert,
and the Kentish Cob being the best. Medlars are
a good crop, Raspberries fair, and Currants and
Gooseberries heavily laden. The trees are quite
free from the Gooseberry caterpillar.— H. Poster.

Thoresby Park, Notts.— Apples, Pears, and
Plums are a light crop; there was plenty of bloom
on all, but the weather was so cold and want of sun
with east winds, that the blooms did not open at all
kindly and did not appear to have much vigour in
them. This is the same in this district. A farmer
who has a large orchard and usually sells a quan-
tity told me he would have none to sell this year
of either of the above. Apricots are a fair half
crop, but we have a wide glass coping on the top
of the wall, and from this we hang nets, which
we always think protects the bloom. Cherries a good
crop, and fine in quality. Small fruits are plenti-
ful ; later than usual in ripening.— A. Henderson.

Clumber, Worksop, Notts.— The fruit crop
here, as I am afraid in many other places, is far
below the average. Apples, Pears, and Plums only
a partial crop. Gooseberries, Currants, and Rasp-
berries a fair crop. Cherries below the average.
Apricots are a very poor crop, the trees given to
canker. Peaches on outside wall a first-rate crop.
Strawberries a good crop, Vicomtesse Hfricart de
Thury, La Grosse Sucree, and Bicton Pine being
worth mention. The finest crop of Apricots and
Figs I have seen for very many years is at the
Gardens, Worksop Manor. The soil seems to suit
both in every way.

Vegetables in this neighbourhood are abun-
dant and good, except Carrots, the whole crop hav-
ing been destroyed by wireworm. Potatoes are a
good crop and at present free from disease. —
Charles Slade.

Hopton Hall, Wirksworth, Derby.— Most
fruit crops so far are quite a fortnight later than
last year, with some remarkable peculiarities. We
escaped any ill effects from frost as regards fruit,
though a very severe frost in March completely
killed plants of Pinks and Carnations, leaving
them as if bleached. Apples are good crops, especi-
ally Irish Peach — this never fails— Nonpareil, Lord
Suffield, Keswick, &c. Maiden trees planted last
March of Stirling Castle and Warner's King are
carrying fruit. Bramley's Seedling has a crop, but
failed for many years. Very old trees are producing
crops of fine fruit, samples of which I hope to send
up when ripe for naming. The fine old Royal
George Apple — now little met with — realised
5s. per peck in January. The fruits had been
carefully stored and wrapped in paper, but they pay
for the extra trouble. Victoria and Orleans Plums
very poor — Dovebank, Early Prolific heavy crops ;
Goliath, Purple and Green Gages, Coe's Golden
Drop, &c., moderate. Damsons moderate. Of
Cherries, Elton has been good, and Late Duke and
Morello are ripening full crops. Pears not worth
mentioning. Gooseberries are very heavy crops, and
the early yellow variety ripened fruit before Straw-
berries, viz., July 8. Standard trees planted in
March are a picture. Crown Bob, Whitesmith, &c,
are producing splendid fruit. Black, Red, and
White Currants grand crops and clean. Red and
White Raspberries very prolific. — G. Bolas.

Wytb.ensb.awe, Northenden, Cheshire. —

The fruit crops here and in this neighbourhood are
a comparative failure, the exceptions being Straw-
berries, Raspberries, and Morello Cherries, the
Morellos carrying good crops on both standard
and wall trees. Apples flowered very profusely;
yet although we had no frost to cause any injury,
but few sorts are bearing any fruit, except the

following, which have light crops : Ribston Pippin,
King of the Pippins, Stunner Pippin, Court Pendu
Plat, Gravenstein, Lord Suffield, Keswick Codlin,
Manks Codlin, Old Hawthornden, Lewis's Incom-
parable, Wareham Russet, and Grenadier. Pears
also flowered freely, but few set their fruit, and
those which did have since cast the greater portion
of it. Louise Bonne of Jersey, Autumn Bergamot,
Beurre Diel, Easter Beurre, Beurre d'Aremberg,
Williams' Bon Chretien on wall trees, and Citron
des Carmes, Green Chisel, Louise Bonne of Jersey,
Althorpe Crassane, Emperor Francis, Beurre
d'Amanlis, Comte de Lamy, Fertility, Beurre Super-
fin, and Beurre de Capiaumont on pyramidal trees
have a light sprinkling of fruit. Gooseberries and
Currants in some situations have had a fair crop,
while in others they have been a failure. For the
destruction of caterpillars, which have been rather
prevalent this year, I have found nothing so good,
and, at the same time, non - injurious to the
fruit or leaves, as ground alum, used at the rate of
1 ounce to 1 gallon of water, and applied forcibly
through a syringe to the undersides of the leaves.
Cheapness is another point in favour of the alum,
and one man can dress a good number of bushes
in the course of a day. Plums and Damsons here
and in the neighbourhood, so far as I have been
able to ascertain, are a complete failure. Rasp-
berries and Strawberries have borne excellent crops,
but the fruits were much damaged, especially those
of the latter, by the unusually dull and wet weather
of June and July.— W. Neild.

Ingestrie Hall, Staffordshire.— Fruit crops
in this neighbourhood have been very disappoint-
ing, although we had an abundance of bloom, and
early in May all kinds of fruit looked well and pro-
mising. Since then changeable weather has been
experienced, some days being very warm, others
very cold, with morning frosts, and many kinds of
fruit have suffered severely. Apples with us are an
average crop, such sorts as Beauty of Hants, Small's
Admirable, Lord Suffield, King of the Pippins,
Golden Drop, and Worcester Pearmain bearing
best. Pears on walls are quite a failure. We have
an average crop on standards, the sorts bearing
best being Easter Beurre, Beurre Diel, Marie Louise,
and Louise Bonne of Jersey. Plums are very scarce,
and in many places absolutely none. Apricots
over the average, and the trees, growing strong
and well, always bear a good crop with us.
Cherries an excellent crop. Bush fruits, Goose-
berries and Raspberries very good. Currants of
all sorts are very plentiful, but so badly blighted
as to be almost useless.— E. Gilman.

Crewe Hall, Cheshire.— A very large show of
bloom with an absence of late spring frosts gave
hopes of an abundant crop of fruit this season, but
another enemy, a dry, cold, east wind, made its
appearance at the time the fruit should have
formed, bringing with it a stock of aphides. The
result is that, with the exception of a few free-
bearing kinds of Apples, Pears, and Plums, the crops
of these are generally below the average. The trees
here have not been much troubled with caterpillars,
which I account for principally by the ground
around them having been forked over in early
spring and an inch or two of the soil removed,
which destroyed the eggs or larvje, and partly by
the action of birds. Peaches, Nectarines, and
Apricots on walls, protected in spring, are bearing
good crops. Cherries an average crop, but Plums
and Damsons under the average. They were very
much infested by aphides, but, in common with
nearly all other fruit trees, are now in a healthy
growing state. Small fruits are abundant generally.

Vegetables, except Carrots, which are a failure,
look well and healthy, but the haulm of Peas
and stems of Potatoes are rank, as was to be ex-
pected. No sign of disease amongst the latter has
yet appeared.— W. Whitakee.

Newnham Paddox, Lutterworth. — The
fruit crops in this neighbourhood are much under
the average. Apples are scarce, the trees having been
as they came into bloom much infested with cater-
pillars. Pears, like the Apples, suffered in the
same way, and the crop is very light, many varie-
ties having none. Plums are quite a failure.

Peaches and Apricots a good crop. Cherries
average. Strawberries were abundant and the
fruits very fine. Gooseberries plentiful. Raspber-
ries and Currants equally abundant. Damsons
and Filberts very few, both having suffered very
much from the caterpillar. — D. Harman.

Orton Hall, Northampton. — Strawberries,
Red and Black Currants, and Raspberries are a good
crop in this neighbourhood, but Gooseberries only
a moderate crop. Apples and Pears are almost a
failure, especially the former. Many of the or-
chard trees and pruned bushes have only a slight
sprinkling of fruit. The varieties showing the best
crops are Dutch Codlin, Ribston Pippin, Northern
Greening, King of the Pippins, and Baldwin. Of
Pears the best crops are on Jargonelle, Williams^
Bon Chretien, Lammas, Ne Plus Meuris, Beurre
Ranee, and Brown Beurre. Apricots and Plums
scarce. Of the latter, Orleans and Victoria are the
best, and these are on walls. Peaches and Nec-
tarines a fair crop. Nuts good. There was a
plentiful supply of bloom on the standard, bush,
and wall trees, particularly Apricots and late
Apples, but with 16° of frost when the former were
in bloom, and wet weather when the Apples were
flowering, a poor crop has resulted. The caterpillar
has also been prevalent amongst the Apple trees,
but I have seen small birds (blackcaps) working
busily amongst the trees, and doubtless destroying
a great many.— A. Harding.

Canons Ashby, Byfield, Northampton-
shire.— We have a large Apple orchard here, and
there is not half a bushel of fruit on the trees. We
have no Plums nor Damsons, but have a nice sprink-
ling of Pears on wall trees, also a fair crop of Apri-
cots, which I consider due to my old plan of stick-
ing small bits of sprigs of Yew all over the branches
in winter and allowing them to remain on until
they are covered with leaves and the fruit is safe
from frost. Gooseberries are only a partial crop,
but the fruit is fine and now ripening. Red Cur-
rants a fair crop. Black Currants not so good,
some of the bushes being rather blighted. Mor-
ello Cherries not a full crop. I may say that the
caterpillars have not troubled us this season. There
is abundant foliage on the Gooseberries. I some-
times in winter and spring give them a dusting of
lime with a little soot mixed with it. This is a
good remedy if applied in early spring. More than
one dressing would be useful. — T. Walker.

Madresfield Court, Malvern.— Apples and
Pears under the average, but here and there a few
trees are an exception, the failure being in a large
measure due to the defoliation of trees in 1889 by
insects. Plums are almost a total failure. Apri-
cots, Peaches, and Nectarines are good crops and
the trees are healthy. Bush fruits abundant and
good. Cherries an average all-round crop. Cater-
pillars have again been very prevalent in places ;
prevention by liming in winter is better than cure.
We have used both Paris green and London purple,
either of which is efficacious, but both are dangerous
compounds, injurious to the trees sometimes, owing
to the difficulty of keeping them in proper solution.
Grease-banding the trees is the best plan of entrap-
ping the winter moth, but there are other equally
destructive kinds of insects, weevils, &c, more diffi-
cult to deal with, but to which we hope to give
earlier attention in future seasons.— W. Ceump.

Coddington Hall , Newark - on - Trent.—
The fruit crops in this district are, on the whole,
unsatisfactory. Apples and Pears very scarce, and
the quality will be inferior. In our garden Duchess
of Oldenburg, Stirling Castle, Ribston Pippin, and
Lane's Prince Albert are the best amongst Apples,
and Glou Morceau, Marie Louise, Beurr6 de l'As-
somption, Louise Bonne of Jersey, and Beurre'
Diel amongst Pears are the only varieties yielding
fruit, and on these the crop is light. Plums are a
complete failure. We had a good show of bloom,
but it failed to set, and my experience proves that
the short sunless summers are mainly answer-
able for our empty fruit rooms in winter, as wood
and buds formed "with little solar heat cannot ripen.
It is also wrong to suppose that a fine autumn can
make up for a dull and sunless summer. Cherries
are poor in quality, the trees being badly affected

190

THE GARDEN.

[Adg. 23, 1890.

with the black fly. Apricots are the best wall crop
we have, heavy thinnings of the fruit having been
necessary. Raspberries, Currants, and Gooseberries
are under average. Amongst the former Baum-
forth's Seedling is indeed an acquisition. Concern-
ing that universal pest the caterpillar, I can only
say that in the case of wall trees it may be partially
dealt with by tedious hand-picking and the use of
insecticides applied to the foliage by the garden
engine, but in orchards and plots of bush trees it
is, I fear, unconquerable, as it comes without
warning and in large numbers.— John CeAWfoed.
Thrumpton, Derby. — Peaches indoors are a
good crop. Apricots outside very middling. Plums,
Apples, and Pears scarcely any, and I have little
hopes for next year, as the rainfall has not been
sufficient to reach the roots of the trees. Small
Apple trees in kitchen garden are bearing good
crops, but we took the fruit off last year, as we
always do when there is a good orchard crop. —
W. M. Geddes.

Cole Orton, Ashby-de-la-Zouch. — At the
present time the fruit looks better than it did, as
the recent rains have cleaned the trees. I picked a
ripe fruit of Early Alexandra Peach on July 27 and
some more yesterday from the open wall. Apricots
have dropped their fruit very much. Pears are a
poor crop, also Apples. Morello Cherries are very
good. Plums — Victoria and Pond's Seedling fair
crops, and the trees very healthy. Raspberries,
Gooseberries, and Currants are bearing good crops.
— G. C. Maynabd.

"Worden Hall, Preston. — The fruit crop about
here is very irregular, especially of Apples and
Pears. We find some trees pretty well covered
with fruit, and others with scarcely any. Apricots
a fair crop. Peaches a few. Gooseberries and
Currants are very heavy and fine excepting Black
Currants, the fruit of which nearly all dropped off.
Raspberries plentiful, but not very large and want-
ing in flavour. Plums about the same as Apples
and Pears. Nuts a good crop. Figs a few.
Cherries moderate. Strawberries an average crop,
but the best part of the fruit was spoilt by the ex-
cessive wet. I may say that since the latter end
of May we have scarcely had two fine days together.
— R. Feisby.

Glossop Hall, Derby. — This has been the
worst season I have known. Nearly all kinds of
fruit gave promise of most abundant crops, but the
weather proved so wet, cold, and generally unfa-
vourable to a healthy " set " that, with few excep-
tions, the crops are under the average. Such va-
rieties of Apples as Emperor Alexander, Lord Suf-
field, Northern Greening, Keswick Codlin and Cel-
lini are bearing fairly well, and the trees are very
clean and healthy; in fact, this is the case with all
our fruit trees. We have never had caterpillars,
which seem to have been so troublesome in many
places, with the exception of the Gooseberry cater-
pillars, and this we speedily got rid of by one or
two applications of fresh slaked, hot lime, applied
when the trees were damp. This has always proved
a perfect remedy with us. Dessert Pears are a very
thin crop, Williams' Bon Chretien, Louise Bonne
of Jersey, and Marie Louise being the best. Stew-
ing Pears are a heavy crop. Plums none. Cherries a
failure, excepting Morellos, which are a fair crop and
will be good. Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots
will not do here outside. — R. Ashton.

Abney Hall, Cheadle.— The fruit crops in
this part can only be called moderate this year.
Strawberries promised well, but with so much wet
weather a quantity have been lost. Gooseberries
have been an average crop. Currants under, partly
caused by the sparrows taking the buds in the
spring. Cherries rather under average ; though they
set apparently well, a larger quantity than usual
fell afterwards. Apples are about an average crop.
A young tree of Cox's Orange was bearing a full
crop, but every one fell about a week ago from the
cold weather or some such cause. Pears are very
scarce, none of the best kinds bearing anything like
a crop. — R. Mackellab.

Edmondthorpe Hall, Oakham.— Apples are
a fair crop generally, Keswick Codlin and Lord

Suffield carrying the heaviest crops. Pears under
the average. Plums poor, as the early frosts des-
troyed the blooms. Of Morello Cherries, also Black,
Red, and White Currants, there are good crops.
We have very few Gooseberries, the bullfinch having
been very destructive here in February. Of Rasp-
berries there is a heavy crop. — T. Blackshaw.

Chrysanthemums.

CULTURAL NOTES.

The present is a busy time with cultivators of
plants, especially for those who make the
growth of large blooms a speciality, as they will
be now very busy " taking " the buds. This is
a term well known amongst growers of these
plants, and really means the retention of any
particular flower bud which it is considered de-
sirable to select for future development. From
this time onwards all buds which form in the
points of the shoots, no matter in what locality
they are situated, and for whatever date the
flowers are required to be in perfection, should
be " taken." I am of course presuming that
large exhibition blooms are preferred to those
smaller and later. Cultivators who require the
two kinds will of necessity have two sets of
plants to provide both wants. Chrysanthemum
plants have been somewhat irregular in their
manner of growth, the orthodox number of
breaks have been extended somewhat this sea-
son, owing possibly to the hot weather experi-
enced during May which may have had a ten-
dency to contract the sap vessels, and if water-
ing was at all neglected just previous to trans-
ferring the plants to their flowering pots, this
would have a tendency to promote the forma-
tion of abortive flower buds rather than a free
dom of growth.

When the bud is forming in the point of the
shoot the growth of the plant in that part
stops for a brief period. In a few days Nature
asserts herself by pushing forth shoots from the
nodes below the point where the bud is forming.
Directly these can be handled they should be
cut off, a few at a time. As a rule, three shoots
spring from about the base of the bud, which
is called a " crown;'' two of these shoots should
be pinched or taken off at once, leaving the third
as a safeguard in case the bud should be de-
formed or damaged by earwigs, jumpers, or any
other enemy ; the shoot left is also useful to as-
sist the first swelling of the bud, as sometimes
buds go blind, caused probably by too great a
flow of sap. Directly the flower-bud is seen to
be swelling and is of perfect shape, the growth
shoot alongside will be then about 2 inches long.
The best time to remove the growths is in the
morning or evening when they are covered with
dew, which renders them brittle ; in that state
they easily snap off.

While the buds are forming, and for a week
or two afterwards, stimulants should not be ap-
plied to the plants nearly so freely as will be ne-
cessary later on when the buds are swelling fast.
At this stage clear water is the best for the plants.
When the buds attain the sizs of small Peas,
the plants must be well supplied with food in
some form or other in addition to what the
soil contained, as no matter how much was
there at the time of potting, it will by this
time be well-nigh exhausted, Chrysanthemums
being such gross- feeding plants, owing to the free-
dom with which roots are made. It is useless
to expect good blooms from bad buds ; there-
fore these must be made to grow large and the
peduncles stout. This can only be assured by
feeding the plants. Almost every grower has
his favourite mixture or manure, and as there
are now so many kinds of artificial mixtures,

there need be no lack of supplying the plants
with all they require. In the use of any kind
advertised, care should be exercised to apply it
only of the same proportion as directed by the
vendors. Where it can be obtained, cow or
sheep manure is as good as anything, especially
if some soot is added. My plan is to place
either of these manures in a coarse sack, so that
the manure cannot mix with the water. Chry-
santhemums prefer a change of diet ; therefore
it is not wise to restrict the manure to one
kind for a considerable length of time. A change
should be given of whichever sort is the most
convenient. In damp showery weather, when
the plants cannot be fed with a liquid stimulant,
a sprinkling of some artificial kind on the sur-
face will be found beneficial ; the manure will
be gradually washed into the soil by rains and
absorbed by the plants. In this manner during
a long-continued spell of wet weather the plants
do not suffer in consequence of the inability of
the grower to assist them with liquid food.

Securing the growths at this time of the year
needs special attention, as strong south-westerly
winds often do much damage by breaking the
tender shoots just below the point where the
buds are formed or forming. The worst time for
this is in wet weather, when the tips of the
shoots are borne down by the weight of water
lodging among the leaves, and which, if not
secured to the supports, often break. The Prince
Alfred family is the worst in this respect ; the
shoots are extremely brittle and the leaves
large. Even if the shoots are not broken by the
force of the wind, the leaves are often so much
injured as to destroy the tissues, and so cause a
check to the free development of the blooms.

Bush plants cultivated to produce blooms in
quantity are now growing freely, making nu-
merous shoots, and need no more attention than
regularity in watering, a free use of stimulants,
and securing the shoots from damage by
winds or heavy rains. The best method of doing
this is to place three or four stout stakes around
the outside of the pots ; to these tie a stout
piece of bast, which prevents the branches from
parting from the main stems, as they sometimes
do by their increasing weight of foliage. This
method of cultivating Chrysanthemums is pro-
ductive of capital results when quantities of
flowers are needed for cutting, especially for
large or tall vases. Neglect in watering these
plants means a partial loss of the lower leaves,
which spoils their value. Any signs of mildew
upon the leaves must be instantly checked by
the usual remedy of dusting the leaves with
sulphur.

Plants growing at the base of walls are making
satisfactory progress. Where they have been
in the same place two or three years, a surface
dressing of partly decayed manure will be an
advantage. E. Molykeux.

Chrysanthemum Mme. Desgrange — Just
now capital blooms of this, the best of the early-
flowering Chrysanthemums, are obtainable where
the plants have had the necessary disbudding of
the shoots, restricting the growth to a limited
number. By this means larger and fuller flowers
are to be had on plants not more than 2 feet high,
and which are decidedly useful in the conservatory
or greenhouse, where the regular summer occu-
pants/as Begonias, Fuchsias, and such like,arelosing
some of their freshness. Not only for early flower-
ing in pots is this variety useful, but also for the
decoration of the herbaceous borders. For supply-
ing cut flowers in quantity, I lately saw two large
batches of this sort planted out on a border in the
kitchen garden at Orton Hall, near Peterborough.
Mr. Harding informed me that he always grew a
batch of it in the same manner, and was able to cut
abundance of flowers in September. One of the

Aug. 23, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

191

batches consisted of two-year-old plants, and
promised, by the profusion of buds and foliage, to
well repay the little trouble the plants had given.
The one-year-old plants were rooted in February,
the points of growth pinched once, then allowed to
develop afterwards as freely as they chose. The
plants were about 3 feet high, thickly studded
■with buds and profusely covered with foliage. I
lately saw this variety used for covering an iron
fence about 3 feet high : the plants were struck in
December, grown on without pinching, planted out
in April, and allowed to make as much growth as
they could. At the present time the plants are
covered with bloom.— E. M.

Ferns.

MOVING FILMY FERNS.
Will you kindly inform me whether I can without
risk remove to other quarters some well-established
Filmy Ferns which are planted out ? I intend to
arrange for them a handsome rockery of sandstone
under glass, such as these Ferns require. They
have been planted out four or five years, and have
grown to a considerable size. — HAMBURG.

%* Provided that a little attention is bestowed
upon the plants after their removal, there need be
no or very little anxiety in connection with this
seemingly difficult operation when it is carefully
done. It should be borne in mind that Filmy Ferns
suffer more from exposure to draught (even when
only for a short time) than from any other natural or
artificial causes. The point of the greatest import-
ance is then the condition of the new place, which
should be thoroughly saturated with moisture be-
fore the plants are put into it. The material to be
used should also be porous and thoroughly mois-
tened before receiving the plants. These condi-
tions being carefully observed, the moving of Filmy
Ferns becomes as simple and as practicable as the
moving of any other plants. Although these plants
grow more or less all the year round, it is well when
moving them to avoid the hottest parts of the sum-
mer (June, July, and August), when the evaporation
is such that the transplanted subjects would require
almost continual artificial damping. It is also best
to leave their roots undisturbed during the months
of November, December, and January, although the
operation when carefully done even at that time of
year is seldom injurious. Whenever possible it is
best to select a dull day when the atmosphere is
naturally laden with moisture, and the compost
being, as previously advised, in a moist condition,
the plants may with all security be brought into it.
After the operation, a slight watering is beneficial,
and the plants require to be kept even a little closer
than usual for a short time until the appearance of
the fresh roots, when they may be subjected to the
treatment they received previous to their trans-
plantation.

Societies and Exhibitions.

NATIONAL CO-OPERATIVE FLOAVER SHOW.
Year by year this exhibition grows in importance
as well as in extent. The first and second of these
exhibitions, held under the auspices of the Agricul-
tural and Horticultural Association, Limited, took
place in the conservatory of the Royal Horticul-
tural Society at South Kensington in 1886 and 1887.
On the first occasion there was a respectable dis-
play of horticultural produce, but of a quality
below the usual standard of country exhibitions.
It could be readily seen that the competitors gene-
rally on that occasion had little experience as exhi-
bitors, but the significance of the awards made by
the judges was by no means lost upon those who
competed for prizes. The second exhibition was a
decided improvement on the first : the quality of the
subjects staged showed a marked and very satis-
factory progress. The third, fourth, and fifth ex-
hibitions were held at the Crystal Palace, the last
on the 16th inst . The show now forms a part — and an
important part— of a great national co-operative
festival, which also includes a home industries

exhibition, a co-operative productive exhibition,
an athletic meeting, a concert of 6000 voices ga-
thered from all parts of the country, conferences
and meetings, &c, and which brings to Sydenham
a concourse of 40,000 persons. It is, however, with
the horticultural display we are most concerned.
Its dimensions may be computed when it is stated
there were considerably over 4000 entries, and that
the whole of the nave east of the centre transept
had to be utilised for staging the exhibits— a work
of immense labour, but admirably performed by Mr.
Waugh and a large stafE of assistants. On this oc-
casion the number of judges was increased to four-
teen, working in pairs, the entries in some of the
classes numbering nearly or quite one hundred.
What struck anyone with a knowledge of horticul-
tural produce was the high quality which prevailed
generally, and it was this which made the
labours of the judges so exceptionally onerous.
There were several classes for collections of
vegetables, the classes confined to certain districts
embracing several counties, which operated to
place the exhibitors on a fair footing of equality,
and it must be admitted there was an excellent
display from all parts. The plants grown in pots
were in general small, but there were good Ferns,
Adiantums predominating, also well- grown hardy
kinds, Coleus and a few other foliaged plants, and
such flowering subjects in pots as zonal Pelar-
goniums, tuberous-rooted Begonias, Petunias,
double and single, Plumbago capensis, Phlox
Drummondi, dwarf Nasturtiums, and a few climb-
ing var'eties ; Musk, some very large and well-
grown ; Mignonette, bedding Lobelias, some very
good indeed ; Balsams, Asters, several varieties in
a pot ; Zinnias, a capital specimen of Calliopsis
coronata, a fine pyramid Tropfeolum canariense,
Godetias, Salpiglossis, French Marigolds, Stocks,
Cockscombs, Fuchsias, some very good small speci-
mens, &c. Of flowers there were Dahlias, Mari-
golds, Sweet Peas, annuals and perennials in large
quantities and great variety, the bunches of Sweet
Peas being one of the most attractive features.
There were also bouquets and other decorations of
this character.

Of the better class of fruit there were good
bunches of Black Hamburgh, Gros Maroc, Alicante
and Madresfield Court black Grapes ; and of white,
Muscat of Alexandria, Foster's Seedling, and
Buckland Sweetwater ; fairly good Peaches, Necta-
rines and Apricots, while there was an abundance
of Gooseberries, Currants, Plums, Apples, Pears,
Cherries, &c.

Vegetables were a marvellous feature, and the
quantities competing in the various classes some-
thing astonishing. The number and quality of
the Potatoes recalled something of the great Po-
tato shows formerly held at the Crystal Palace.
Onions were a great feature also. Carrots were very
fine ; perfect types of the Horn, the Intermediate,
and the Long Red Surrey. Pe3s, dwarf French and
Runner Beans were largely shown, and, having
regard to the late period of the season, the Longpod
and Windsor Beans were excellent. Very fine Shal-
lots came from all parts of the country ; red and
white Cabbages were very good.

The moral power of the co-operative movement
in this country cannot be over-estimated. It was
seen in the well dressed, orderly, intelligent-look-
ing representatives of the working classes present
on this occasion, so different to what is met with
at the Crystal Palace on Bank holidays. The di-
rect influence of the movement is to bring about
thrift, carefulness, sobriety, self-respect, and all
the other high social and moral qualities which
follow in the wake of these. When it is stated
that there are now in the United Kingdom 1515
co-operative societies with 1,054,996 members, and
a share capital amounting to over eleven millions
of money, and that the business annually trans-
acted by these societies represents a sum of over
forty millions, the profits to a sum of nearly
four millions, some idea may be gained of the
strength and influence of the co-operative move-
ment.

The proposed fruit show in the Guild-
hall, London. — This exhibition, which is being

organised by the Fruiterers' Company, with the
object of encouraging the culture of useful fruits
in the homesteads and cottage gardens in the
United Kingdom, will be held on the 6tb, 7th, and
8th of October. Schedules are in the course of
preparation, and classes are provided for cottagers,
tenant farmers, gardeners, amateurs and nursery-
men. Prizes in the form of medals, money, and
certificates will be awarded on the occasion. Sir
James Whitehead, Bart. (Master of the Company)
is Chairman of the Executive Committee.

Lopping' trees along highway. — In the
Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of
Justice, Mr. Baron Pollock gave judgment in the
case of Unwin r. Harrison. The plaintiff, Major
Unwin, is the owner of property adjoining a high-
way in Norwood, and he sued the defendant, the
highway surveyor of the district, to recover
damages for the mutilation of certain trees, which,
he said, depreciated the value and beauty of his
estate. The defence was that the surveyor was
only carrying out to the best of his judgment the
orders of the local authority, the plaintiff having
neglected to do so. The case turned to some ex-
tent upon the point whether the Highway Act
which gives the surveyor power to prune and lop
trees to the best of his judgment so as to admit
free access of the sun and air to the roadway, in-
cluded the power to "top "the trees. The judge,
before whom the case was heard some time ago,
now gave judgment for the defendant with costs.

Obituary.

Death of Mr. Henry Bennett. —Rose growers

in all parts of the world will learn with deep regret
of the death of this famous raiser of seedling Roses.
He had long been suffering with heart-disease, and
for some weeks previous to his death had been con-
fined to his bedroom. Mr. Bennett was at one
time a farmer near Salisbury, and came to Shepper-
ton about nine years ago. Here he took up Rose-
growing, and his success in the raising of seedlings
is well known to all readers of The Garden. To
Mr. Bennett is due the honour of having raised
some of the finest English seedling Roses, promi-
nent among these being Mrs. John Laing, awarded
the National Rose Society's gold medal in 1885, and
which during the past season has been shown in al-
most every winningstand, and Her Majesty, honoured
in a similar manner in 1886. To these, besides
many others, may be added Viscountess Folkestone,
Lady Mary Fitzwilliam, Earl of Pembroke, Princess
Beatrice, Cleopatra, and last, though not least, Cap-
tain Hayward. Had Mr. Bennett only given us Mrs.
John Laing, Rose growers would have been grateful.
He has left four sons and two daughters to mourn
his loss, and we trust that they may reap the benefit
of his sterling successes.

-1,
Ha-

Mames of plants. — J. P., Tottenham
Asplenimu marinum ; 2, Pelkea hastata; 3, s
worthia — send better specimen ; 4, Davallia bul-
lata; 5, Nephrolepis pectiuata ; 6, send when fer-
tile ; 7, apparently a Kleinia ; send when in bloom.

J. T. — It looks like Oneidium sphacelatum, hut

it is difficult to name it from a single flower —

Antipodes. — A species of Anigozanthus. Miss

Steu-mt. — 1, Veronica Andersoni variegata ; 2, Desfon-

tainea spinosa ; 3, Eryngium Olivierauum. W.

Button.— Magnolia flower decayed. Please send again.

.4. M. Z.—l, Cichorium Intybus (Chicory) ; 2,

Verbascum nigrum (Mullein) ; 3, Echium vulgare

(Bugloss). G. G. — 1, Cornus alba; 2, send when in

flower; 3, Ligustrum chinense ; 4, Leptospermum seo-
pariurn ; 5, Hypericum elatmn ; G, Lonicera tomentella ;
7, Lilac sp.— — Old Subscriber.— 1, Spiraa Aruneus ;
2, Lychuis chaleedoniea ; 3, Heliauthemum vulgare var. ;
4, Vicia pyrenaiea ; 5, Corydalis lutea; 6, Dactylis
glomerata variegata.— —James Scott.— 4, Acer poly-
morphum; 2, Aralia elegantissima ; 3, Euphorbia jac-

quinueflora. Miss Stewart. — Alisma laueeolata. —

— T. D. If.— The Golden Lily (Lyeoris aurea). W.

Alison. — The growth on the Rose is the Redegaur gall

(Rhodites rosa;). Miss Dayrell. — Sedum populi-

folium. tf. S. S. — Bouvardia leiantha. Others next

192

THE GARDEN,

[Ana. 23, 1890.

WOODS AND FORESTS.

TREES FOR WET GROUND.
In The Garden, Aug. 9 (p. 144), there are
some interesting remarks given by dift'erent
writers on the above subject. "W. P." has
found the Pinus excelsa to be a good evergreen
tree for planting on wet places, and wants to
know the results obtained by others under simi-
lar conditions. This tree appears to be capa-
ble of growing on a great variety of soils and
situations, and although I cannot say that I
have grown it to advantage on wet ground, yet
I have planted it with success on flat peat bog
after the land was drained and allowed time to
drip and become firm previous to planting. A
little soil or clay was mixed with the bog at the
places where the trees were planted. Wet, flat
ground is sometimes apt to attract frost, and I
have seen the Pinus excelsa frost-bitten under
such conditions, but this is not surprising, as the
hardy Scotch Fir occasionally suffers in the
same way. Pinus excelsa is a tree of rapid
growth, and requires abundance of space to
develop its side branches, which extend a con-
siderable distance from the trunk. When once
the tree is thoroughly established and clothed
with branches and t*igs from the ground up-
wards, it is astonishing how soon the tree drains
the ground for itself. Should the timber of
matured trees in this country prove to be of
good quality, I have every reason to believe
that it will yet prove very valuable. "W. P."
has also found that Poplars and Willows were
adapted to his wet ground, which is just what I
would have expected, as I have found them
and the Alder to be the most profitable
trees for such situations. "D.," however,
writing on the same subject, and on the same
page as the above, says, " Next to Alders in
point of profit and suitability for wet land

stands the Ash Elm, too, does well

where it can get plenty of moisture at the roots,
and it is only when so favoured that it keeps
healthy for any length of time or acquires a
large size." This statement cannot be recon-
ciled with my experience and observation, for
although both trees grow on wet ground, yet
they are liable under such conditions to con-
tract heart-rot and canker by the. time they at-
tain maturity. On the same page, under the
heading "Canker in Timber Trees," "B."
gives some excellent and practical hints regard-
ing the liability of the Ash and Elm to become
diseased by canker upon wet ground that has
not been properly drained, and as these agree
in the main with my own observations I need
not repeat them here. I have found Birch to
be a profitable tree for planting on ground that
cannot be thoroughly drained. Although it
does not attain so large a size as the Poplar
and Willow, it has this advantage that it can
be grown more thickly upon the ground, and I
havesoldforturningall shapes and sizesfrom half
an inch in diameter up to any size at rates
ranging from about 10s. to 14s. per ton. Among
evergreen trees suitable for wet ground I have
found the different varieties and species of the
Spruce among the best, and in order to give
the plants a good start it is an advantage to
form the ground into narrow ridges or mounds,
on the centre or highest part of which the
plants should be inserted. I have always found
the best results from planting this class of
ground in spring, as in this way the roots have
time to take to the soil and become established
before winter. • J. B. Webster.

Rotation in planting'.— Whatever diversity of
opinion prevails among foresters as to practical

management, nearly all are agreed as to the im-
policy of replanting with the same description of
trees, at any rate until a certain period has elapsed.
There must be time for the soil to become sweet-
ened, for fresh mineral food to be prepared, or for
the destruction of enemies, insect and fungoid.

PLANTING WATER MARGINS.
Teees and bushes are indispensable embellishments
to water. They are important for concealing its
real extent, besides producing light and shade. In
planting near water, however, we must not interrupt
the best and most lengthened view of it, as seen
from the house and the principal parts of the park ;
neither must we entirely shut out from view the
whole of the ends or boundaries of the outward
prominences, or some of those parts which project
into the water. At the same time caution must be
used not only to prevent the eye from catching the
various bends of the outline of water from any one
point of view, but also to afford variety in the group-
ing of the trees and shrubs ; indeed, the whole
planting must be so effected as to leave the extent
of the water undetected, and even unimagined,
from any one position.

The following may be named as suitable for plant-
ing in the neighbourhood of water. The Alder,
kept low by occasional cutting, makes a fine fringe,
and forms a strong barrier for the margins of water,
when the current is liable to wash away its banks.
The common Whitethorn, Bramble, hedge Rose,
Red Dogwood, Honeysuckle, and Blackthorn are
also very suitable. Trees best adapted for positions
nearest the water, where the ground is liable to be
moist, must consist of the common Alder, various
kinds of Willow, Alnus cordifolia, Norway Spruce,
deciduous Cypress, and Hemlock Spruce. Such
trees are also quite proper for the islands ; but in
order that the roots may not lodge too much in the
water, the parts of the island to be planted should
be raised irregularly, or in a natural manner, with
stones, roots, sods, &c, mixed with suitable soil, a
few feet higher than the level of the water. The
five last-named kinds of trees are most appropriate
for beautifying water in well-kept grounds.

Amongst the larger trees employed, not exactly
for fringing the margin, but at a moderate distance
from the water, the Wych Elm is the most elegant,
and should always be planted in extensive places ;
its elegant massive twigs and pendent branches en-
title it, above all other iarge trees, to this distinc-
tion. Nevertheless, the English Elm, Lime, Beech,
and Weeping Birch would be appropriate. Every
kind of Poplar should be excluded, except, indeed,
the Lombardy, of which two or three may be planted
so as to rise out of the midst of masses of other
trees. In planting, room should be allowed for
walking near the water's edge ; sometimes close to
it, and at other times with a bush or group of shrubs
interposing. G.

Staking newly planted trees.— The stak-
ing of newly planted trees is a matter of the first
importance, for if they are allowed to be blown
about by the wind, the roots become strained or
broken off at the collar. I, however, object to the
driving of a stake down by the side of the stem
through the roots and tying the tree to it, because,
in the first place, the roots are sure to get injured,
and, again, the stem of the tree is in great danger
of being chafed by the top of the stake, or by the
tie during wind-waving. I once saw an illustration
of this in the case of two long lines of fine avenue
Chestnuts, each of which had four long poles
driven in round the bole to serve the doulile pur-
pose of steadying it and to prevent cattle from
rubbing against it. At the top of the poles, which
were 6 feet high, a band of straw had been wrapped
round the tree, the poles being tightly bound
against the straw by a coil of strong wire. Me-
chanically the operation had been at first well
done, but in the course of time the straw from the
wind-waving of the trees had wasted away, and
then the stems had become so chafed that only a
narrow communication of bark existed, and one' of

the trees had lost its top by breaking over at the
damaged part. The plan which I like best is using
three galvanised wires fixed to a collar at a con-
venient height up the tree, and fastening them to
stumps driven into the ground at a certain distance
from the stem, thus avoiding the roots altogether.
Wire looks better than stakes, and is cheaper in
the end, and any kind of stake strong enough may
be driven into the ground as a holdfast. Strips of
old guano ba_!S make good collars, or rags of any
sort, or even straw ropes. Tar cord, instead of
wires, is sufficient for small trees such as Cypresses
and Thujas up to the height of 10 feet. — T.

THINNING PLANTATIONS.
Teees that have room and light on all sides make
short thick trunks and a large head of branches,
which, taken together in the bulk, will amount to a
greater weight of timber than that of a tree grown
up in a circumscribed space among other trees,
but it does not follow that the first will make the
most useful timber. Where woods have been sub-
jected to different degrees of thinning at various
times, it is most instructive to contrast the shapes
and sizes of the different trees. All species are
governed by the same laws ; that is to say, those that
have the least room laterally, within certain limits,
invariably produce the tallest and straightest
trunks, and vice versa. It seems to be just a ques-
tion with the woodman of the dimensions wanted,
but I notice that Beeches, Oaks, Elms, Larches and
Chestnuts grow fast and produce thick trunks as
straight as an arrow when growing not many yards
apart — perhaps from 3 yards to G yards. Much less
space than this suffices to produce a good trunk,
provided the top, even if small, has light and air.
In the centre of a patch of wood which bad been
thinned, a Beech was left with a fine trunk which
measured 3 feet in diameter G feet from the ground,
tapering gently to a height of 70 feet or more.
Close to this Beech is a Plane of the
same age with a trunk about 20 feet high.
Between these two had grown up a Larch
about 80 feet high, and 18 inches in diameter
at the base. For nearly twenty years, to my
knowledge, that Larch never had more than a few
feet of living top clear above the tops of the Beech
and Plane as it grew up through them, and it had
all its life struggled on in the same way, having
been planted at the same time as the others. Yet
in this limited space it had attained to the
size of a goodly tree, and the presumption
is that had its neighbours been of its own
kind, three good Larches could have been
taken off the same area, or a tree to about each
square yard, thus bearing out the description given
of the natural forests, the trees in which are
said to stand as thick as seedlings in a hotbed. In
another part of the same wood is a Larch with a
diameter of 2i feet 2 feet from the ground about
the same height as the other, and enveloped in the
branches of three Beeches just in the same manner,
the lower branches having perished where covered
by those of the Beeches, only the top, consisting of
a few branches, being alive. It would appear,
therefore, that a rather small proportion of green
top is sufficient to produce a trunk of useful dimen-
sions. In connection with this I may mention that
I was once struck by the number of trees to the
ground in a portion of the Forest of Fontainebleau,
consisting of Oaks chiefly, all fine and straight, the
majority appearing to be in threes close together,
or growing from the same stool. I never remember
to have seen Oaks of the same age so dense on the
ground, nor so uniform in size, whether as regards
height or girth. Y.

The Garden " Monthly Parts.— This journal is
published in neatly bound Monthly Parts. In this form the
coloured plates are best preserved, and it is most suitable for
reference previous to the issue of the half-yearly volumes. Price
Is 6d. : post free, Is. 9d. Complete set of volumes of The
Garden from its commencement to enel of 1889, thirty-six vols.,
price, cloth, £27,- half morocco, £32 Ss.

"Farm and Home" Monthly Parts. — Thii

journal is puJ'lislud in neatly bound Monthly Parts, in which
form it is most suitable for reference previous to the issue of the
yearly volumes. Price bd. ; post free, 8ci.

London : 37, Southampton Street, Strand, W.C.

THE GARDEN,

193

No. 980. SATURDAY, Aug. 30,1890. Vol. XXXVIII.

" This is an Art
Which does mend Nature : change It rather J but
The Art itself is Nature."— Shakespeare.

THE OEIENTAL PLANE AND STKEET
PLANTING IN EDINBTJBGH.

If anyone wishes to see the superiority of
the Oriental Plane for town planting, lie
should see it in Edinburgh, in Charlotte
Square, where nice trees 12 feet or 15 feet
high were introduced by Mr. Lamont, of
Hope Street, about five years ago against the
somewhat adverse opinion of others. The
squares and gardens in Edinburgh are well
kept and managed, but the trees are the
dingiest to be seen anywhere, for they are
not green, but black everywhere, excepting
the Oriental Plane, which at this date (Aug.
20) is most conspicuous by its glossy green
leaves and healthy look among the already
fading Elms, Thorns, Sycamores, and Limes,
&c, which appear to be still planted
in Edinburgh with persevering assiduity.
The Elm with its rough leaf has an excep-
tional capacity for holding smuts and dust,
anl the middle-aged Elms growing on
the south side of West Princes Street are
almost as black as the railings under them.
Two or three small Oriental Planes have been
introduced among them of late, and they are
bright enough, but there is no need for trees
there at all. I am told that when the Cale-
donian Company wanted to tunnel along under
Princes Street to extend the railway accom-
modation, the danger to the roots of these
Elms was the main objection urged, and ex-
perts were consulted on the subject, but if the
entire row of trees were swept away it would
be the best stroke of landscape gardening that
has been done in Edinburgh for many a day.
It is quite clear that they have been originally
planted along the side of the street without
realising the fact that they would ultimately
block up the foreground of the half of Princes
Street, and shut out some of the finest views
in Edinburgh, viz., the Castle, the Castle
Bock, the bright green slopes and the trees on
the distant background, and almost the whole
of the National Gallery on the west side — a
fine feature with its own base line of trees and
shrubs, but practically invisible unless you go
into the gardens and past the row of Elms.
"Where the trees want to b3 is in the hollow,
and more particularly in the background,
where there are some now, if they could
be seen, only they are black like the others.
To visitors and dwellers in the hotels in West
Princes Street the above mentioned row of
Elms has long been obnoxious, and enlight-
ened horticulturists in Edinburgh are well
aware they violate one of the first principles
of landscape gardening where they are, but
the authorities hold on to them as tenaciously
as if they were part of the creed, although I
feel sure if any one of them would just walk
backwards and forwards on the north side of
Princes Street as far as the trees extend and
see for himself, he would acknowledge the

truth of those remarks. There are one or
two gaps where you can see through, where
trees have died or been removed, but the
general view is blocked up from end to end.
J. S. W.

Kitchen Garden.

PROSPECTIVE POTATO FARMING.
During the past few days, or rather weeks,
paragraphs have been going the rounds of pro-
vincial newspapers to the effect that the Potatoes
are in some parts of Ireland a complete
failure, and that there is a prospect of a light
crop of sound tubers in the other parts of Ire-
land and Great Britain generally. These re-
ports arose principally from what has been
written by correspondents to certain London
dailies, and being somewhat of a sensational
character have been quickly purloined and en-
larged upon by numerous editors in all other
parts of the country. If we are to believe the
latter there is but little hope of anything ap-
proaching a good average crop of Potatoes
being saved, and although starvation may not
be the actual outcome of this scarcity in the
poorest parts of the west of Ireland even, there
is yet plenty of scope for an inventive imagina-
tion, very woeful pictures being drawn accord-
ingly. As a matter of fact the reality is not
half so bad as painted, and unless the disease
makes rapid strides there is every prospect of
abundance of Potatoes being available, or quite
sufficient to meet all demands in Great Britain
and Ireland. That the disease is very bad in
certain districts and among many delicate varie-
ties I readily admit— many such instances
having recently come under my notice — but
after visiting not less than ten counties during
the past few days and making inquiries in each,
I may safely assert that there is a good prospect
of an average crop of Potatoes being lifted this
season. Naturally the weight of sound tubers
stored will vary considerably, but in no county
I have gone through will there be a scarcity.
The more south-western counties, notably dis-
tricts where the atmosphere is somewhat moist,
are the most over-run by disease, and nowhere
worse than Somerset, Dorset, and Devon.
Large breadths of Potatoes were badly and
suddenly diseased as far as the haulm was con-
cerned late in July, but in many such cases the
crops cannot be termed failures, the disease ap-
parently not travelling down to the tubers half
so badly as might have been expected. In lift-
ing the delicate Ashleaf and American varieties
about one half of the tubers are unfit for use,
but then the crops were extra heavy, and there
is yet a good weight sound. Many of the
second earlies and main crop varieties not re-
puted disease-resisters are far from being badly
diseased at the roots, while the well - tried
disease-resisters, such as the Magnum Bonum,
Scotch Champion, Abundance, and Reward,
will yield comparatively heavy crops with few
or no diseased tubers among them. Magnum
Bonum is particularly good this season, the
tubers being numerous, of good size and form,
and already of excellent quality.

After the traveller leaves Gloucestershire, it
is to be noticed how much greener the haulm
looks. In Monmouthshire the crops look very
well, and, I am informed on good authority, are
yielding well. In Herefordshire they are better
still in appearance both in private gardens and
the open fields. Although the latter county
annually sends large quantities of Potatoes to
the midland markets, it is doubtful if Worcester-

shire does not surpass it in this respect, and
nowhere else have I seen such large breadths in
so healthy and vigorous a state. Evidently there
is little or no disease among them, and the crops
that I saw being lifted were both exceptionally
heavy and perfectly sound. The contagion of
growing vegetable crops extensively for the
m arkets has spread to the neighbouring co unty of
Shropshire, and apparently they are equally as
well cultivated. In the open fields I could find no
disease worth speaking about, and but very
littlo of it was traceable in small gardens, while
the crops already lifted or being dug were both
heavy and sound. There may be exceptions to
the rule in each of these counties, but on the
whole the disease has done but little harm, and
there is every prospect of extra heavy crops
being lifted.

Magnum Bonum is the variety most exten-
sively grown for the markets, and it is doubtful
if a better selection could well be made. It is
thoroughly reliable in all seasons ; it is usually
of good quality, and especially so on free work-
ing soils, while the prices obtained are always
much better than are realised in the case of
Scotch Champion or any other coarse, deep-
eyed variety. If the poor Irish peasant farmers
took the same amount of pains with their
ground and made as judicious a selection of
varieties as do the Worcestershire farmers, par-
tial failures would be fewer, and probably a
complete breakdown never occur. It is the hap-
hazard system of farming that is the most liable
to break down, and in any case it rarely if evt r
pays. Probably consumers who are not also
growers will not, thanks to the English and
Scotch farmers, have very little more to pay for
Potatoes than they did last year, and there will
be plenty of openings for the benevolently dis-
posed to purchase at a cheap rate and ship large
quantities to the Irish districts standing most
in need of outside assistance. Personally, I
should be glad to note an improvement in the
prices paid to the growers, as this would not
materially affect the consumers, but rather the
middlemen, and would be encouraging the first-
named. Of late years the prices obtained by
the growers have been ridiculously low, and the
crops could not possibly have been at all re-
munerative. Farmers must have something for
their outlay of capital and labour, or they will
cease to grow what are so much needed, viz. ,
abundance of Potatoes. The more fortunate of
them may do well with Potatoes this season,
but not particularly so unless the crops are far
more badly diseased in other counties than in
those I have named. I. M. H.

Staking trie growth of Asparagus.— Th:s

subject was well treated in The Gabden at p. 107,
and is, I consider, a valuable suggestion, and one
that should be carried out if possible. I am sorry
to say that in many establishments the garden being
often badly off for labour at the date the Asparagus
requires attention in the way of stakes and mois-
ture, it is often neglected, and of course the
beds do not produce such good grass as if the beds
had been flooded with liquid manure. I quite
agree that if abundance of liquid manure was
supplied, salting the beds is not required, as the
liquid manure is much better for the purpose. We
often get hot dry weather through July and August,
just at the time the Asparagus requires this atten-
tion, and I have made it a practice for years to
thoroughly saturate the beds with the liquid manure
from cowsheds. It is surprising the difference in
the growth from the beds that are so treated and
others some distance away that are at times
allowed to take their chance. Our forcing beds
have been made twenty years, and have been
regularly treated in this way every summer and
give a splendid return of large Asparagus. They

194

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 30, 1890.

have also of late years had some support to the
growth, but only by running a string each side of
the beds. Other beds left to take their chance are
not to bo compared with those that are thus treated.
Another point often overlooked in Asparagus cul-
ture is allowing the ripened seed to drop on to the
beds, thus covering them with seedlings and im-
poverishing the permanent roots. This is, I think,
a mistake, as the aim of the cultivator is large,
fleshy grass, and from the first sown or planted
roots only should this be got, not from the yearly
seedlings, as they soon cover the beds with a lot of
weak growths, and eventually destroy the original
plants. I do not like the old raised bed system,
preferring a very shallow alley with two rows of
Asparagus from 2 feet to 3 feet wide ; by this plan
the moisture is retained and the beds do not dry so
quickly.— G. W. S.

OPEN-AIR MUSHROOM BEDS.
Ridge-shaped beds if properly formed and
attended to will produce heavy and continuous
crops of Mushrooms, and are frequently found
far more profitable than those located in pre-
sumably more favourable positions. It is al-
most useless, however, to make the attempt in
any position much exposed to cold, drying winds,
or where mice and moles have free access to the
beds. The latter are especially troublesome out-
side garden walls, and their runs are generally
taken possession of by field mice directly there are
any Mushrooms to be eaten. The sooner one or
more of these beds is made the better. For flat
beds little else but horse droppings is generally
used, but this would not answer for ridge-shaped
beds, and very much more short stained straw must
be retained when the manure is collected and pre-
pared. Fully one half of the heap should consist
of this stained straw, or otherwise the beds will
not hold together or do well in other respects.

Pains should be taken in preparing the material,
frequent turnings inside out being necessary to get
rid of rank heat and obnoxious gases, and if the ma-
nure is found to be at all dry at any time gently
moisten it through a rose pot, moisture being
needed to promote the requisite steady fermenta-
tion and decay. Ridge-shaped beds are apt to heat
more strongly than do those flatly formed, hence
the greater need of preparation of the materials.
The manure when squeezed in the hand ought to
bind together somewhat, but if moisture runs out
of it, then it is far too wet, and another spell of
fermentation in a conical heap must be allowed.
A bed may be of any length, but should be slightly
under 3 feet in width at the base, and the same in
height, the width of the top of the ridge being
about G inches. The material ought to be put to-
gether in layers, being well shaken out and mixed
as the work goes on, and rammed as firmly together
as possible; the sides and ends to be neatly
combed down, and trial stakes inserted.

The beds ought not to be coveredin any way, unless
the heat fails to risein threeorfourdays. Should they
become very hot, the trial stakes becoming too hot
to hold in the hand, then ought deep holes to be made
with iron rods down through the centre, these not
being closed till all danger of over-heating is past.
When the heat has declined to about 80°, or when
the trial stakes can be comfortably borne in the
palm of the hand, the time has arrived for spawn-
ing. Rather large lumps of spawn ought to be
used, a brick being only broken up into eight pieces.
Insert these into sha How holes formed about 8 inches
apart all over the bed with the exception of the
flat top. The spawn will naturally travel upwards,
and it is wasteful to insert lumps very near to the
top. Do not case over with soil too quickly, or till
it is seen there is no danger of destroying the spawn
by over-heating. Prevent a great drop in the tem-
perature by covering the beds with G inches or more
of strawy litter. I

Tomato flowers dropping I have a large

house of Tomatoes, and am sorrv to say they are an
entire failure. I had a grand show of flowers, but
they hive nearly all dropped off. The plants are
in 12-inch pots, and get plenty of water, light and

air. I give them a sprinkling of artificial manure
occasionally and a slight bottom heat. — Tomato.

*#* From what " Tomato " has written concern-
ing his failure, it would appear that the flowers
drop off before they are expanded, and the cause
very probably is traceable to the roots. Seeing
that the plants failed to set a crop, there was no
need to give them any kind of fertiliser, and if
they had been kept somewhat drier at the roots
there would have been a greater likelihood of the
flowers being preserved and set. Over-feeding
usually ends badly, grossness rarely, if ever, being
attended by fruitfulness. " Tomato " ought, there-
fore, to keep his plants much drier at the roots
than heretofore, even if this is attended by flagging
occasionally, taking care also to smartly tap the
branches of flower when the pollen is dry enough
to distribute properly. As soon as a good crop of
fruit is set the time has arrived for more liberal
treatment to be given at the roots. This may take
the form of a top-dressing of turfy loam, plenty of
water and a fertiliser occasionally. At Belmont
House, Taunton, grand crops of fruit may be seen
hanging from pot plants, but these are trained up
the roof, where they always seem to set most
freely. Very often an insufficiency of light and air
is the cause of many flowers dropping prematurely,
but " Tomato " professes to have avoided these
errors in culture, and as he does not mention dis-
ease, I can only repeat that over-luxuriance is to
blame for the failure. — W. I.

Improved Bound-leaved Batavian En-
dive.—I have found this the best Endive for
standing the winter and for sowing at this date.
Without this hardy kind it would be a difficult
matter to provide a quantity of mixed salad through
the winter months and early spring. I have had
numerous kinds, but so far this variety has proved
the best, being of a hardy constitution if not
coddled in the autumn, of compact habit, and with
full well-blanched centre, and very little of the
leaves which cannot be used. I found this to stand
longer before running to seed than the curled and
the old broad - leaved kinds ; therefore grew it
largely. Sow in the second or third week in August,
or earlier in cold districts, and thinly so as to
secure sturdy plants for transplanting. A good
place for the winter plants is at the foot of a wall if
space can be found. A border sloping to the south
also suits it, planting it in rows 1 foot apart. At
the approach of severe weather a little dry Bracken
or hay will be beneficial, but I find it stands all
ordinary winters without any protection. Birds
are very troublesome, and means must be taken
to keep them from attacking the young tender
growths.— G. Withes.

MARKET GARDEN NOTES.
Seldom have we had such a season for growing
crops, for whether transplanted from the seed bed
or sown where they are to mature, a rapid and
luxuriant growth has been made. Market growers
are making allowance for this extraordinary season
by sowing a succession crop at least a fortnight
later than usual of such vegetables as Cabbages,
Lettuce, Tripoli Onions, &c, so that should the
present conditions prevail for some weeks longer
and the first sowing get too forward, they will have
a reseive to fall back on. The crop claiming most
attention now is

The Potato, the digging and marketing of
which are being briskly carried on, not only to get
the tubers off hand, but also because the land is
needed for other crops. In this locality the early
sort most largely grown is White Beauty of Hebron
that has to a great extent superseded Pink Beauty.
A splendid crop has thus far been lifted, but the
dread disease is spreading, and if v e do not get
brighter weather for the late crops, I fear the
winter supply will be much reduced. Our local
Potato growers are very unanimous in urging an
entire change of seed procured from soil as dif-
ferent as possible to that which prevails here, and
in avoiding rank manures. Those who have put
these safeguards into practice have the best and
soundest crop* this year.

White Turnips are being sown very largely,

for should Potatoes rise in price, as there is a fair
prospect of their doing towards spring, then the
late Turnip crop will be sure to sell well. After
Potatoes are lifted there is very little expense in
preparing the soil and sowing the Turnips, which
if not in time to make good roots will yield plenty
of tops.

Winter Spinach (prickly seeded) is being
sown in quantity. It is a not over-reliable crop,
but if the season favours a demand, it proves very
profitable. If not, it is dug or ploughed into the
soil, and no great loss is sustained.

Tomatoes (outdoors) have suffered badly from
the disease, and very few can now be looked for,
even if brighter weather comes, as not only the
foliage, but the fruit is beyond recovery.

Apples are realising good prices, as there is
little else in the way of fruit. Good samples are
worth from 8s. to 10s. per bushel. Lord SufEeld is
the variety giving the largest supply at present,
and the finest samples are invariably the produce
of young trees.

Plums are so scarce, that even the commonest
are double their ordinary price, and good ones that
are fit for dessert are not obtainable. Both home-
grown and foreign fruit appear to be very far below
the average in quantity and quality this year.

J. G. H.

VEGETABLES AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE.
It is doubtless a matter for boasting that the entries
in the respective classes of the show of the Horti-
cultural Association, held at the Crystal Palace on
the 16th inst., were the largest on record. As a
disinterested observer, it struck me that inducing
some forty, fifty, or sixty persons to compete for
some four prizes was not a matter for congratula-
tion, as in comparison with the competition the
prizes were few indeed. When out of fifty competi-
tors forty-six are left without reward, it seems
pretty obvious that more effort has been made to
bring together a gigantic collection than to recom-
pense the unfortunate producers. That the various
exhibits were presented in enormous quantities
naturally struck everyone ; indeed, the show might
be said to represent enormous waste, as myriads
of gardens had evidently been denuded of their best
produce ostensibly to secure prizes, in reality to
form a popular advertisement for a great trading
association. Had the exhibits generally been of
special excellence, the result might have evoked
some admiration. Really there was no more of
average merit than may be seen at any rural
show in the kingdom, and of many shows, especially
where cottagers exhibit largely, far less merit.
Specially there was lacking the element of fresh-
ness found in rural shows where the produce comes
direct from the gardens, and is served up on to the
show tables in all its pristine excellence. There is,
too, in rural shows the satisfaction of seeing some
four or more prizes in the respective classes dis-
tributed amongst ten to fifteen entries ; whereas,
at the Palace the proportion of prizes to entries
was enormously varied. The Potatoes at the
Crystal Palace naturally formed one of the chief
features in the competition, and I was struck with
the fact that the judges, whosoever they were, had
in the white kidney class given the chief prizes to
that beautiful, but detestable variety International,
whilst in the coloured kidney class, an even more
objectionable, though very handsome variety, Mr.
Bresee took the chief honours. Peas were very
plentiful, but generally looked a little stale. One
and All exhibition Marrow was here, as I saw it
some time since in Colonel Talbot's garden at
Esher, but our old aquaintance, Duke of Albany.
Generally judges revise nomenclature when they
find things incorrectly named. I did not observe
that any had revised the glaring misnaming
at this show. Stratagem Pea was also shown very
well, but was allowed to figure under its proper
appellation. Beet was seen in immense quantities,
the very best being that excellent variety Chelten-
ham Green Top, which was not so named, and was
placed second — some larger roots of a coarse
topped kind, One and All Blood Red, being first.
The appellation One and All seems to dominate

Aug. 30, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

195

everything, such a capital old Turnip as the Snow-
ball being One and All something. And of Carrots
the St. Valeryor New Intermediate was seen as the
One and All Scarlet Intermediate. Of dwarf. Beans
a very even show in one class only of forty dishes,
Canadian Wonder was almost exclusively shown in
excellent form, whilst of Runner Beans there were
no samples equal to what the Ne Plus Ultra has
made us familiar with. The selected dishes for the
prizes of Champion Scarlet, a coarse form, were all
past ordinary eating stage, and would not have
satisfied the judges at a country show. A glaring
case of misnaming was seen in the Celery,
where that capital red variety, Major Clarke's, was
served up as One and All Solid Red. There were
about sixty pairs of Marrows, a very heterogeneous
collection, but a pretty pair of the long white came
in first. Tomatoes were fairly good where they came
from well-known exhibitors who are gardeners. At
a show of this description the professional exhibitor
who can get in under the guise of a co-operator,
or as a co-operator's servant, finds a wide field for
the display of his peculiar abilities. That this
exhibition was a telling advertisement for the
trading association promoting it there can be no
doubt, for it is distinctly laid down in the rules
and regulations governing. the show that allseeds of
subjects shown shall have been purchased from the
Horticultural Association. That is certainly very
diverse from the entire freedom of choice which
governs exhibiting at all ordinary shows. Prac-
tically the show consisted of the products of the
Horticultural Trading Association and its customers
conjointly. A. D.

Rose Garden.

SOME GOOD GARDEN ROSES.
Of all the sections or classes into which the
different types of Roses are divided, there is
none more absurdly named than the so-called
class of Hybrid Teas. In this class have been
placed several Roses of the highest merit, and
here they have remained comparatively obscure,
because those who had not the opportunity of
finding out have imagined that they were not
good enough to be included in either of the two
great classes, Teas or Hybrid Perpetuals, and
in consequence they have not been planted half
so freely as they deserve to be.

In some of the Roses so classed will be found
kinds that flower with all the profusion and
continuity of the best Teas, producing large
blooms and biids of the greatest value for
cutting, and very effective upon the plant when
in groups. A Rose that flowers all through the
season and that makes an effective display in
the bed is a typical garden Rose, and such is

GnACE Darling. — It is hardy, vigorous, and
free, blooming in. great profusion all through the
summer into autumn, but especially late in autumn,
as often throughout the dull wet days of October it
is possible to cut good half-opened buds that have
developed and unfolded in spite of wet and cold
The flowers are large, very sweet, and double, out
side of a creamy white hue, shaded towards the
edge of the petals with rosy peach, which colour
also suffuses the centre of the flower. This kind
makes a handsome bush.

Viscountess Folkestone is a good and in every
way a grand Rose. It is newer, and consequently
its merits are less known, but it is destined to take
a high position among garden Roses. It makes a
compact bush, blooms early, and continues long
and late. In form and colour the flowers are very dis-
tinct, and quite unlike those of any other Rose. It
has a large, loose, but well-formed flower, at
first when half expanded quite globular, but
fully opened the petals are reflexed, half-
folded, and rather pointed. The scent is very
sweet and powerful, the colour a pretty salmon-

piik, shaded with creamy white. The flowers of Saslom, Chesterfield.
this Rose are delightful when cut, lasting long and %* A remarkable fiowerin
fading gradual! to a delicate flesh colour. A I Rose. Notwithstandin

group in which the plants are closely massed is
the only way to obtain and realise the exceeding
beauty of this fine Rose. This Rose was raised by
the late Mr. H. Bennett, and sent out in 1886,
whilst Grace Darling, also raised by Mr. Bennett,
appeared in 1884. He has enriched our gardens
with several other very- fine Roses, but these two
alone will worthily remind us of their raiser.

Gloire Lyonnaisb, raised by Guillot et fils in
1884, ought soon to be found in every garden. It
is said to be of hybrid origin, the result of a cross
between Mme. Falcot and Baroness Rothschild,
but it is quite unlike either of its parents, and alto-
gether an unique Rose. The habit of growth is
exceedingly vigorous, as it makes shoots G feet in
length in the course of the season. These shoots
grow quite erect, and are remarkable for the almost
entire absence of spines, and for the profusion and
texture of their glossy, dark green foliage which
is distinct from that of any other Rose, and very
rarely attacked by mildew. The vigour of this
Rose renders it useful for walls, but the best way
of treating it is to peg down the long shoots, when
they flower from every bud, and carpet the ground
with rich foliage and chaste flowers. Individually
the flowers are large, double, fine in form, and of a
pale creamy white hue, deepening to sulphur-yellow
about the centre of the flower. It does not flower
so freely in autumn as the kinds above named,
but very fine blooms are often produced terminally
upon the long shoots of the current season's growth.
A close observation of the doings of this Rose for
the past four seasons has not revealed a single de-
fect or fault of any kind.

Camoens is another valuable and comparatively
new Rose belonging to this section. It makes a
dwarf, vigorous bush, and blooms with amazing
freedom. The flowers are borne in great branched
clusters terminating the shoots, and it is hardly pos-
sible to cut them without sacrificing a lot of buds.
They are neither very full nor double, but as the
season of flowering is a long one, the effect is pro-
longed and enjoyed for a considerable period. The
colour of the flowers is a clear bright shining rose
suffused with white at the base of the flower, which
becomes lighter in colour as it expands.

La France, though one of the good old kinds,
still holds its own. A bold group should be found
in every garden, as from it one can cut freely and
yet leave plenty of flowers upon the bushes to
beautify the bed or border.

Souvenir de la Malmatson is equally as im-
portant. We are often told that it is best in
autumn, but I do not know that it is ever other-
wise than good. I look upon it as a Rose that will
always be indispensable. A large group that we
have has already made two fine displays this sea-
son besides the few stray blooms which prevent an
absolute break between. The bushes are again
throwing up shoots which terminate in great
clusters of buds, which will maintain a succession
of flowers till sharp frost intervenes.

It is not possible for many who love Roses to
grow all they could wish. An attempt to grow
a collection often ends in failure, or if successful
does not give the best results when perhaps only
one or two plants of a kind are or can be grown.
The true and only way to have Roses in profu-
sion in small gardens is to grow in quantity a few
of the very best kinds. The six Roses noted
above have been very highly commended, and
they should be included in every collection.
A. H.

A fine Mme. Berard Rose.— I enclose a
photograph of a branch of a Tea Rose (Mme.
Berard) which I cut in my Rose house a few days
ago; it had thirteen blooms and buds upon it. Mr.
0. Thomas, of Chatsworth Gardens, saw it and
pressed me to get it photographed for you. It
formed the point of a shoot 9 feet long all of this
season's growth.— Geoege Gibb, Calrer Lodge,

branch of this fine
the wretched summer,

recent severe storms and rains, we find it con-
stantly in bloom, and very useful in the open air
now. — Ed.

TEA ROSES AT EXHIBITIONS.

Tea-scented Roses have never been presented in
better condition at exhibitions than they have this
season. It has been particularly noteworthy tht.t
the flowers shown by amateurs have been better in
August than they were in July. The blooms < f
late have been larger and fullerthan theearlier ones',
while in form and substance they have left nothirg
to be desired. The majority of the blooms th;.t
have come under my notice have borne the impre; s
of skilful cultivation and ardent care. It may nc t
be always so, but in the case of a good many amr.-
teurs their second crop of flowers is often bettc r
than the first. This is, I think, what may be ex-
pected, seeing that the flowers have had the bene£t
of more warmth than those shown earlier in tie
season. What with the cold wind which usually
prevails far into the summer and the abundai t
crop of aphis which usually attacks and weakens
the plants, it is not surprising that the second let
of flowers should be more striking than the first.
That has, however, been the case this season.
Whether climatic conditions have had anything to
do with the behaviour of the plants I do not pre-
tend to say ; I only know that at exhibitions held
in the west of England there has been a greater
number of exhibitors, and the quality of the flowers
shown has been an advance on all previous exhibits.
This statement is borne out by the fact that the
public have lingered longer over the Tea Roses
than over the Hybrid Perpetuals, while the excla-
mations of delight which have been expressed have
plainly shown which have afforded the most
pleasure. Looking at the general behaviour of the
plants and the character of the flowers shown, it is
just a question whether Tea Roses should not re-
ceive more attention from framers of schedules of
shows held from the middle of August onwards.
If this was done we should find the number of com-
petitors increase as well as an improvement in the
quality of the flowers. Another thing that has
struck me as being worth mentioning with regard
to the exhibits of amateurs is that several stands
of blooms have been marred by the appearance
of one or two faulty flowers. This clearly indi-.
cated that the exhibitor had not a sufficient num-
ber of varieties to select from. Under the circum-
stances perhaps there was no help for it ; at the
same time one felt sorry to see flowers that were
faultless in every respect associated with those
which were not. In one instance three blooms of
Marie Van Houtte were put up that were two days
past their best, yet on the same stand were ex-
quisitely formed flowers of Luciole, Grace Darling,
Perle de Lyon, and Mme. de Watteville. This, is
only one instance of several which I have seen
where an otherwise meritorious stand had been
spoilt by the introduction of one or two inferior
blooms. The only way of guarding against such a,
contingency is for the exhibitor to increase both
the number of varieties and plants.

We want more variety in regard to colour. More
of the same colour as Mme. Lambard are required
to give a greater degree of brightness to the
flat surface of Rose show stands. I have often
wondered why that bright pink variety Mathilde
Lenferts is not more grown. The flowers, I know,
are small, but the form is excellent, and the colour
sufficiently bright and distinct to make a telling
feature on any stand. Then there is Letty Coles,
which is altogether different in colour to those now
so commonly staged. The deep shade of pink
that characterises the flowers of this Rose when
associated with the pale white and yellow va-
rieties is very striking, and if used, would give a
much needed relief to the sameness that now pre-
vails. It may be said, perhaps, that all the sorts
now recognised as fit for exhibiting are beautiful
enough in themselves without any addition. T o
the practical rosarian that may be so, but the publ c
require more colour or greater contrast.

One can get a good deal of information from a
communicative exhibitor, if he be fortunate enough

196

THE GARDEN.

[Ado. 30, 1890.

to meet with such, as was my lot at a certain show
not long since. My admiration of a single flower
of that well-known variety Innocente Pirola, which
had a conspicuous position on his stand, brought us
into contaot, and a friendly exchange of opinions
was the result. Pointing to the particular bloom I
was admiring, I was told by the owner that it was
the first flower fit for exhibiting that he had been
able to get this season from three plants. I men-
tion this instance just to show how uncertain some
of the varieties are sometimes, and how necessary
it is to have a sufficient number of plants to select
from to make up a given number on a certain date.
J. C. C.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Hailstorm in London.— I send you a few out-
door leaves to show you what an effect 'the hailstorm
had on them last Sunday afternoon. It cut every
leaf off the Chrysanthemums in some instances. In
fact, everything outside is now completely spoiled.
— H. Simpkins, Camberwell.

*#* The leaves sent were those of Geraniums, Tobacco,
and some succulents, and looked as if they had been
riddled by shot. — Ed.

Peristeria elata — In The Garden, Aug. 23,
"A. W.," Jersey, speaks of this plant with five
spikes bearing 100 blooms. In Mrs. Joad's collec-
tion at Patching there is a plant that produced
twenty-two spikes from the year 188G to 1889, and
has now (Aug. 26, 1890) seven spikes with 160
blooms and buds. The tallest spike is 5 feet 9
inches high. Twenty-two blooms have already
been gathered from this plant.— M. Standing.

Rosa berberifolia has flowered again at Kew
this year, but not so freely as it did last year. The
flowers borne recently were of a deeper yellow, and
the crimson blotch at the base of the petals was
more decided than last year, owing doubtless to
the effect of bright sunlight. Except for collec-
tions or for hybridising, we scarcely think this
Rose likely to become a garden plant. Of course
it yields to no species of Rosa in interest, the
monophyllous character of the leaves, the nature
of the stem and spines, as well as the exceptional
colours of the flowers, placing it among the most
remarkable of all Roses. It has failed out of doors
at Kew.

Tomatoes diseased.— We have a large breadth
of Tomatoes (Old Red) planted out. Each plant
has an average of from three to five bunches of
fruit on it. At the beginning of this week the plants
looked very promising and we expected many tons
of fruit, but on Tuesday the disease began to at-
tack them, turning the foliage and the fruit black,
as per bunch enclosed (weight 2h lbs.). On
Wednesday we sent a man to pick off "all diseased
fruit, and to-day (Friday) we have picked off about
4 cwt., and fear the whole crop will be ruined. On
inquiring of our neighbours around us we hear of
serious losses. Mr. Page, of Teddington, expected
to pick a great quantily of fruit, but the crop is
now looking in a sad state, and we have seen other
large breadths about here very much diseased.
Have you received complaints from other districts 1
—Collins Bbos., Hampton, Middlesex.

Liriope graminifolia var. densifiora.—
We have just received from our valued corre-
spondent, Herr Max Leichtlin, of Baden, a most in-
teresting specimen of the above named plant, under
the name of Ophiopogon muscarioides. It is a
native of China and Japan, and of course will be
perfectly hardy in the open border. At least, how-
ever, it is no more than a dense flowered fasciated
form of the plant known in gardens as Ophiopogon
spicatus, but which both in Baker's " Monograph of
Liliacere " and the " Genera Plantarum " has been
placed under Liriope. The plants known as
Fluggea japonica, F. intermedia, F. Jaburan, &c,
are under the latter work placed in Ophiopogon!
which differs from Liriope by the shorter fila-
ments and the divisions of the perianth only reach-
ing the top of the ovary, instead of being free to
its base, as in Lirio;e. The synonymy of our plant
will be as follows: Liriope graminifolia ( = Ophio-
pogon spicatus) ( = Convallaria spicata) ( = Flug-

gea spicata) (= Ophiopogon japonicus) ; L. grami-
nifolia var. densifiora (=0. spicatus, Bot. Mag.,
t. 5348, O. Muscari, Fl. des Serres, 17,181). The
chief merit of the variety in question will be in its
flowering at the present time if it can be relied
upon. The type flowers in spring and is always
much admired. The variety will be a somewhat
showier border plant. We have always considered
it as belonging to Liliaceaa, but in tie "Genera
Plantarum " it is transferred along with Ophio-
pogon to Hajmodoraceffi.

Campanula excisa. — Until a few years ago we
had never seen the charming Campanula excisa in
cultivation, although next to C.Zoysi,it is the most
curious and interesting of all the Hairbells known to
us. C. excisa is a common roadside plant in many
districts in Switzerland, plentiful about Saas, and
almost as common on the Furka and Simplon
passes as Poa annua is by our own roadsides. On
the loose stone walls built by the roadsides,
amongst fallen debris, indeed under almost all
conditions, this pretty little Bellflower is found
nestling close to the ground.

Strawberry Noble.— After reading in The
Gaeden (p. 170) G. H. Engleheart's remarks on the
flavour of Noble Strawberry, every word of which is
too true, I offer to send him next season (if he will
favour me with his private address) some Straw-
berries that will surpass British Queen. Taking the
hint given in The Garden by the editor in 1885, 1
potted up seven varieties and cross-fertilised them
with British Queen the following April, and obtained
from these some COO plants. I have selected four
from this number. One, if not two of these will, I
think, prove equal to the high opinion I have formed
of them. If G. H. Engleheart will accept this offer,
he may state in the pages of The Garden whether,
after trial, this seedling Strawberry is superior to
British Queen in flavour. — Wm. Allan, Gunton
Parlt, Norwich.

Clematis-flowered Petunia HolbornBlue.

— We notice that exception has been taken to the
descriptive name applied to this new selection of
Petunia, which originated in our experimental
grounds at Forest Hill, but we think the fact of
the name as applied to this flower offers no sugges-
tion that the habit has been changed, nor is such
the case. We were struck some three or four years
ago by the close resemblance it bore to Clematis
Jackmanni, and since that time we have been care-
fully re-selecting the type each season, and have
now succeeded in fixing it. In habit the plant is
more robust than the ordinary Petunia, the flowers
also have greater substance, and are thrown well
above the foliage.— James Carter and Co.

Importing plants from New Zealand I

would advise H. Ewbank to try the Parcel Post as
an alternative to Wardian cases for importing
plants from New Zealand. Four or five years ago
I sent from the Himalayas to this country some
boxes containing chiefly temperate Ferns, a Filmy
Fern, and some small growing Orchids; the whole,
with one or two exceptions, arrived in good order, a
result I should never have expected had they been
entrusted to Wardian cases. The plan adopted
was as follows : Light wooden boxes were made,
15 by 12 by 12 inches, and the four sides perforated
with as many quarter of an inch holes for ventilat-
ing as could well be crowded in. The plants to be
packed were gathered in the forest as late as pos-
sible before posting time, all the soil shaken from
their roots, and then laid in alternate layers with
slightly damp living Moss in the boxes, and the
whole pressed firmly down before nailing on the
lid. January was the month selected, for the
plants were not only dormant, but would arrive in
England at the best time of the year for com-
mencing growth. Another instance. I saw a small
box containing three plants of an Alternanthera
which had arrived in Calcutta from England
through the post. These were all liviDg and in
excellent order. An experiment on a similarly
small scale from New Zealand would at any rate
prove its feasibility in that direction, though I ad-
mit that the different seasons and longer voyage
are more serious obstacles than anything we have |

north of the Equator. Long voyages are at best
unsatisfactory to plants sent out in Wardian cases,
for if they escape being baked in the sun there is
always the chance of damage from rough treat-
ment in bad weather. I was once on board a
vessel that was taking three cases to Australia.
During a storm the lashings which secured them to
some fixtures on deck gave way, and the cases
shot from one side of the vessel to the other, now
on end, then upside down, occasionally cannoning
against the donkey engine. Ultimately they were
secured, and when fine weather had set in the
: carpenter showed us the interior. What a few days
before was probably an interesting collection in-
tended to gladden the heart of some enthusiast
at the Antipodes had now become a well churned
mass of mud and battens, intermixed with scraps
of roots and leaves. Even if the weather through-
out the whole voyage be fine there is always the
probability— unless, of course, the case is made of
the most substantial materials — of sea water find-
ing its way through joints and seams during the
daily process of swabbing down, when everything
on deck is subjected to a free application of the
hose. Should a gap in any way occur or a seam
have started, the contents will quickly become a
" blackened mass."— R. P.

Gaillardia amblyodon.— The large forms of
Gaillardia pulchella, such as hybrida, maxima,
grandiflora, and a host of other varieties, seem to
be the favourites just now to the neglect of this,
one of the most charming species of this genus.
It is a native of Texas, of annual duration, and of
comparatively recent introduction. Its glowiDg
cinnabar-red flowers produced in such abundance
render it, to my mind, far preferable to the above
varieties, the flowers of which are becoming far
too large. G. amblyodon gives little more trouble
than the perennial forms ; the seeds may be sown
in the open air in March, the only attention re-
quired being to thin the plants when necessary.
I find the flowers of this species most useful for
cutting, and indeed grow them for nothing else.

Hardy Ferns. — In almost every garden corners
may be found where it is difficult, nay even im-
possible to grow alpines or herbaceous plants, and
here we often find in the way of a Fern collection
all the rubbish that can be picked up planted
and dignified with the name of a Fern rockery. If
readers of The Garden could only see some of
these dwarf alpine Ferns in their native haunts and
fully realise what is possible with a little care in
our own gardens, a good Fern collection would, I
believe, iorm part of every garden. To see the dry
rocks and walls literally covered with the forked
Spleenwort (Asplenium septentrionale). Wall Rue
(A. Ruta-muraria), the Black Spleenwort (A. Tri-
chomanes), the Green Spleenwort (A. viride) is to
see a garden of unfailing interest, and by grow-
ing the Holly and Parsley Ferns in all the half
shady nooks still more beauty may be added to the
garden. — K.

New Bouvardia Purity.— From Mr. H. B.
May we have received blooms of a new Bouvardia
called Purity. It is somewhat after Humboldti
corymbiflora in general habit, but rather dwarfer,
and seems likely to flower freely. The flowers are
pure white with a short, stout tube and broad
lobes. The leaves are rather narrower than in
Humboldti corymbiflora and of a pale glaucous
green ; the stems are also green, instead of reddish
brown, as in the old variety alluded to. The great
objection to Humboldti corymbiflora is the long,
slender tube, which is not strong enough to support
the lobes, and after the first day or so the blooms
fall over. In the new variety the short tube is a
great advantage, and the blooms appear to be alto-
gether of greater substance ; therefore, it should
become one of the most popular of this useful
class of flowering plants. Among other sorts sent
us were President Cleveland, rich scarlet ; Mrs.
Robert Green, soft pink ; Vulcan, vivid crimson ;
Hogarth fl.-pl., the best double scarlet; candidis-
sima, pure white, very dwarf, and Alfred Neuner,
double white.

Aug. 30, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

197

Stove and Greenhouse.

KENTIA FORSTERIANA.

By botanists these two Palms are removed dently there are many specimens old enough
from Kentia and constituted a separate genus, to fruit in gardens in tropical countries other
called by some Grisebachia, and by others than their native island. Notwithstanding
Howea. In gardens, however, they are com- their usefulness as decorative Palms they can-
Tins and K. Belmoreana were discovered in ' monly known as Kentias. not be grown in a greenhouse temperature, but
Lord Howe's Island by Mr C. Moore, the di- j ^ fa difference between the must have stove heat with plenty of moisture.

rector of the Botanic Gardens at Sydney, who , - _, rv , „ _ WW

visited the island in the interests of botany in *w<\?Pf if 7"f ^DS, although some growers . vv. .

t i- i r ,i- ■■;!. t. „tii.„ say that the leaf-stalks of Kentia Belmoreana are .,T™TT.„

In Ins account of this visit he states y/„owi3h and that those of K ForsteriaIla ANTHURIUM SCHERZERIANUM.

are green. Both kinds may, however, be To grow this Anthurium well, it should be shaken
raised from the same batch of seeds." Neither out once a year, for however open and porous the

1869.

that

. One of the most remarkable features of the vege^

tation of the island is the prevalence of Palms, of

Sir Joseph Hooker nor Wendland are satisfied material in which it is grown may be, it is liable
^«^^nrijSe°^ are two good sPecies under these toget sour through the quantity of water that is

he ^settfers "That* Palm ' and ^rffl n»m According to Mueller and Moore, K. g-en, especially during the seasor .of active .growth,
p'alni ^are ve rfgtlrallnd mos't ab^danTin , Belmoreana, the Curly Palm, has the segments " ^7 an - t s g

appearance ana: character these two closely re- ! of the leaves converging upward,, whilst m K. S^wiUbe that Tw"/^ years t" ^ bring
semble each other ; both grow to about the same , Forsteriana the Thatch Palm, they hang down. | the plants round Thr h not 'bei]Q0. repotted
height, the highest observed being about 35 feet, , Considerable variation m the form and habit of i when necessary manv of even the finest forms
and both have pinnate fronds from 6 feet to 8 feet the leaves is shown by the plants in English produce inferior flowers. Another mistake is in
in length. gardens. So far the botanical features of these t repotting at the wrong time. This operation is

" Plants of both species were sent to Kew by ' two Palms. As garden plants they occupy an ] more often than otherwise carried out in spring at

a time when the growth is finished, in
place of doing it towards the end of
summer, when the plants are about to
make their annual crop of new leaves.
Now is the time for potting. All the old
material should be worked out from
amongst the roots without injuring them
in the least. The nature of the roots
is such that with ordinary care this can
be done. The only material that will
enable this Anthurium to attain the
strength and vigour of which it is capable
is a mixture of the fibrous matter con-
tained in good Orchid peat with the
earthy matter shaken away and chopped
Sphagnum, with broken charcoal, pot-
sherds, and sand added in such quantity
as will allow the water to pass quickly
through it. The plant is a surface
rooter, so that if ordinary pots are used,
they should be nearly half filled with
drainage. For large, full J sized speci-
mens shallow pots are best. The plants
should be kept well up in the pots much
in the way that Orchids are potted.
Work the new material carefully in
amongst the roots so as not to injure
them, and press it down moderately.
Water as soon as the potting is com-
pleted. The plants should be kept well
up to the light, with no more shade than
is found necessary to prevent the leaves
being injured. An intermediate tem-
perature will answer much better than
more heat ; so treated, the plant makes
stronger and larger leaves, producing
correspondingly larger flowers.

This Anthurium varies in the time of
ripening its seed according to the
amount of heat it receives. Seedlings
differ in the size and general quality
of their flowers more than most things,
so that even when seed is saved from
a good variety, by far the greater pro-
portion of the progeny is inferior to the
parent. These who happen to have a
Mr. Moore in 1871, and in the following year unrivalled position among cultivated Palms, plant of the large-flowered form that was first im-
they were catalogued for sale by Linden. There ! There are hundreds of thousands of them in ported would do well to raise seedlings from it. Not
is a specimen of K. Belmoreana in the Kew ' English nurseries now, and at least as many od1J are the flowers of the first importation of this
Palm house now, with a stem 25 feet high . more in Belgium, France, and Germany. For Anthurium superior in size to those that came later
and 9 inches in diameter, carrying a large crown . furnishing purposes of all kinds, from the deco- mto tie country but they are better m colour and

of elegant plume-like pinnate foliage about , ration of dinner tables to the embellishment of al?° hf fr ' u-^^fPf w fw tt '
on r a 4.v. v. n i ii. i *.£• i j. ■ i it.,, , ■ , i i mi without the obiectionable curl in it tnat disfigures

20 feet through Considering that this plant , large halls, these two are m great demand. They the flowers of many otherwise fine varieties In
cannot be more than twenty years old, its size is bear exposure to cold draughts, gaslight, and most cases the seeds from last year>s flowers will

the vitiated atmosphere of crowded rooms as have ripened during the present summer, and if not
well as any plant ; they are elegant from baby- already sown should at once be put in. The best
hood to maturity, and they are easily culti- material to sow in is Sphagnum chopped fine, with
vated. If rendered sickly by too hard usage , a liberal addition of sand and broken potsherds or
by Mr. Moore, whose note on this and other j they are soon restored by placing them in a ', charcoal. Large pans or shallow boxes will an-
Palms was published in The Garden (Vol. j moist stove and feeding them with cow manure swer ; drain and fill them with the material, press-
XXXVII., p. 589). The full length of the stem or nitrate of soda. \ ing it down firmly, give a good watering, and sow

is not shown in this figure ; it is probably about Large quantities of seeds of these two Kentias the seeds evenly over the surface. Do not cover
30 feet long. i are sometimes sold by auction in London. Evi- ' them, but keep the soil quite moict in a similar

Kentia Forsteriana in fruit. Engraved-for The Garden from a photograph sent by Mr. Charles Moore,
Botanic Gardens, Sydney.

surprising. It flowered for the first time two
years ago, and was figured in the Botanical
Magazine, t. 7018. The accompanying figure of
K. Forsteriana is from a photograph sent

198

THE GAEDEN.

[Aug. 30,-1890.

way to that which is done in the raising of Ferns
from spores. In an intermediate or an ordinary
stove temperature the seed will vegetate during
the winter. The seeds when ripe should be washed
out of the pulpy matter in which they are con-
tained, like those of a Tomato, and if not sown im-
mediately should be kept cool and dry. Seedlings
that were pricked off into pans in the spring should
have now made enough progress to be ready for
putting singly into small pots. They should have
material of a similar description to that in which
the seed was sown, adding a little fibrous peat
to it. T. B.

SPIGELIA SPLENDENS.

Of this genus, to the best of my knowledge,
we have had but two or three species in culti-
vation ; one is a native of North America, S.
marilandica, and was figured in the third volume
of the Botanical Magazine, t. 80, so long ago as
17£9. Even then it had been introduced nearly
100 years to the gardens of England, where it
was considered a beautiful and showy plant,
and one now and again gets a glimpse of it.
The plant, however, to which I here specially
wish to direct attention is a stove plant which
flowered first in England with me now about
thirty years ago. It was figured in the Botani-
cal Magazine, t. 5268. This plant is a native of
Costa Rica, and grows some 18 inches or 2 feet
in height, producing a profusion of its richly
coloured flowers. It requires good drainage,
and should be potted in a mixture of good yel-
low light loam and peat, with a fair amount of
sand mixed with it to make it gritty. During
the growing season it requires a liberal supply
of water, but after flowering, the leaves and
stems ripen oft' and gradually die away.
This is the critical time, for although very little
water is necessary, the plant must never be al-
lowed to become quite dry or death will be the
result. The stems are leafy, the leaves being each
some 4 inches or 5 inches long, slightly hairy,
and rich deep green ; the spikes are produced
from the apex of each stem, five or six being
produced upon each. These are recurved, the
flowers being erect and set in a two-ranked
fashion ; they are tubular, each an inch long,
and brilliant scarlet or coral-red, with the
mouth white. It usually blooms at this season,
and I recently saw it in a small garden to which
I had sent it, now nearly thirty years ago.
This is proof enough that the plant will live if
looked after, but in this case it has not been
well done, and I was told that it had nearly
been lost on several occasions through becom-
ing over-dry in the winter during the resting
period. The plant was collected by Herr
Wendland, of Hanover, and I believe was
brought home at the same time as Antlmrium
Scherzerianum. VV. H. G.

Schizanth.ua. — Wherever there happens to be
a conservatory or large greenhouse that is kept
well furnished with flowering plants this old-
fashioned annual should be grown in pots. During
spring, before Fuchsias, Geraniums, and other
soft-wooded things come in, the Schizanthus when
well grown will make a display that it is not easy
to match. Sow five or six seeds in a 3-inch
or 4-inch pot, thinning the seedlings when they
come up to one or two. A cold frame, with the
plants raised up close to the glass, is the best place
for them until the time for housing comes. Before
the roots get much crowded move into 6-inch pots,
which will be large enough to winter them in. A
position near the glass in a house or pit where a
greenhouse temperature is kept up is all that is re-
quired for the winter. — B.

Hydrangeas. —Where large heads of bloom on
the smallest plants are required, these can be had
from autumn-struck cuttings better than from
those that are put in in spring. Plants that are

grown out of doors provide the best cuttings. The
tlower-buds will now be formed and getting plump.
The shoots should be taken ofi at the second or
third joint from the buds ; remove the lower pair
of leaves, and put each cutting into a small pot filled
with sandy soil. Plunge in a gentle bottom heat
with the tops exposed, as if confined in the way
followed with cuttings of most things there is
danger of the buds starting. As soon as the cut-
tings are well rooted put them into 3-inch or 4-inch
pots, and keep them during the winter in a green-
house temperature. — T. B.

Nicotiana fragrans. — A fine bunch of the
flowers of this has been sent me by a friend, and
they certainly do yield a delicious odour. For this
reason alone it should find a place in every green-
house or conservatory. The plant was discovered
many years ago by an old acquaintance of mine in
the Isle of Pines growing near the seashore. The
flowers are produced in large terminal panicles.
The blooms have a very long, pendent tube, which
is greenish white, and the spreading limb is thick
and fleshy and pure white. The plant may some-
times have a rough and bad appearance, but this
can always be hidden by arranging other plants in
front. It requires to be grown in good light loam.
The plant first flowered in England about thirty-
five years ago, and remains in flower for months
during the summer season. — W. H. Gowee.

Marianthus Drummondianus. — " J. C. W.'
sends a flowering spray of this plant, which he
says "he has raised from seeds sent him from the
Swan River." This is a slender climbing plant of
rare beauty, the soft blue of its flowers being very
charming. The leaves are simple, the lower ones
obtusely lobed and edged with long hairs, with
which the stem and petioles are also clothed. The
upper leaves are smaller and quite destitute of
lobes, and the upper branches are thickly clothed
with blue flowers. The plant was originally, I
believe, introduced by the Messrs. Veitch, of
Chelsea, about twenty-five years ago. Potted in a
mixture of peat, light loam, and sand, it will, as
" J. C. W." says, keep on flowering for three
months. It belongs to the order Pittosporacere. —
W. H. G.

Lycoris aurea (the Golden Lily). — Flowers of
this old garden plant have been sent us by Mr.
Miles, Appley Towers, Isle of Wight. It was intro-
duced by Dr. Fothergill, in 1777, from China, of
which it is a native. It is cultivated in Japan. In
England it has been called Amaryllis aurea, under
which name there is a figure of it in the Botanical
Magazine, t. 409, and it has also borne the name of
Nerine aurea. It has an egg-shaped bulb, 2 inches
in diameter, glaucous, ensiform, deciduous leaves,
and an erect, stout peduncle 18 inches to 2 feet
long, bearing an umbel of from five to ten flowers,
which are each 3 inches long, shaped exactly as in
Nerine, [and of a bright yellow. The plant re-
quires greenhouse treatment. L. radiata is another
species, sometimes cultivated in gardens under the
name of Nerine japonica ; it has a long slender
peduncle and deep red flowers, which are developed
in autumn after the leaves have perished. L.
squamigera and L. sanguinea are two new dis-
coveries in Japan, which promise to be first-rate
garden plants.

very robust grower, but is of compact habit aud
blooms. very freely. The flowers are small, the taibe
and sepals of a paper white, and the corolla pure
white; the sepals are slightly retlexed. It is a very
striking anil pretty variety, and would he largely
grown were it more widely known.

SHORT NOTES.— STOVE AND GREENHOUSE.

Tuberose flowers expanding in water. —

It may not he generally known that these flowers ex-
pand when the stems are cut, placed in water, and
kept in a cool room almost as well as they do when
growing on the plant. This is a distinct advantage in
many instances, especially when the flowers have to be
sent some distance, packing heingfar easier done when
in the bud than when the flowers arc expanded. If
the stems are cut when the lower pair of blooms open,
those above will develop and continue fresh much
longer than when growing on the plant. — S.

A pure white Fuchsia. — At the recent cot-
tagers' exhibition of garden produce at Farley, Bead-
ing, Messrs. J. Holdar and Co. of the latter place
exhibited what to very many present at the show was
a distinct novelty in the form of an entire white-
flowered Fuchsia named Purity. The variety is not a

Flower Garden.

FUCHSIAS IN THE FLOWER GARDEN.

The Fuchsias in Hyde Park deserve all the pro-
minence you give them in your notice of the
summer bedding arrangements of the present
year. I strolled through the park early one
morning in the latter part of July, after we
had had a long spell of chilly, sunless weather
and copious rains. The Pelargoniums looked
miserable and dejected, and there was hardly a
good truss of bloom upon the plants. The Be-
gonias, however, were brilliant and a mass of
blossom, whilst the Fuchsias were beautiful be-
yond description.

There is room, however, for improvement in
the disposition of those handsome pyramids
which are let into the turf. Individually, the
plants are fine examples of good culture, and
could not be seen to better advantage than in
contrast with verdant Grass, but the set dis-
tances at which they are placed, the manner of
grouping is too formal, and evidently artificial,
and might with advantage be improved upon.
The Fuchsias in the flower beds were happily
associated and disposed except in one or two
instances, where a better plant might have been
chosen for groundwork. The selection of suit-
able kinds is a matter of great importance, as was
evident here, for a bed or two containing one of
the modern large double-flowered kinds was very
unsatisfactory, as the plants bloomed sparingly
and the flowers looked heavy and clumsy. Such
kinds, however, as Mrs. Marshall, Lord Bea-
consfisld, Rose of Castile, Improvement, and
several others were all that could be desired, and
in good soils, no matter what the weather, they
make a fine display the whole season through.
The Fuchsia in the flower garden provides
a welcome and much needed change from the
all too flat and formal masses of average summer
bedding plants. No one can deciy the Fuchsias,
they are so graceful and free, and if thinly
placed in the beds they offer facilities for grow-
ing other pretty flowers between, as, for example,
tufted Pansies. Some of the freer growing types
may even be planted or boldly grouped close
enough to furnish the bed or border without
other associations, and when so used they have
a striking and beautiful effect. For this purpose
it is much better to let the plants grow more
naturally, when they will form huge spreading
bushes. To pinch and train all the plants into
pyramidal shape is tending towards too much
formality.

These Fuchsias give very little trouble, as they
can be lifted and potted late in autumn and stored
in any cool house, which need not be absolutely
frost-proof solongas it protects theplantsfrom the
greater severities of hard winter frosts. A little
pruning in spring is essential to remove weak
and unripened wood, but there is no necessity
to start the plants by artificial heat. They
should be allowed to start natural^, and if they
could be placed in a sheltered corner or an open
airy shed to make the whole of their growth from
the first start in the open air it would be advan-
tageous, as then when planted out they experience
no check, but go on growing, and are in flower
before plants that have been coddled up to
start them and g-et them more forward have re-
covered from the check. Those which start
naturally are always forward enough, and

Aug. 30, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

1-99

every good cultivator knows the advantage of
an unchecked growth, such as they make when
hardily treat' d. Both large plants in large
beds and small plants in small beds are equally
as effective in their way. Certainly some of
our prettiest beds arc of young plants of Fuch-
sias Mrs. Marshall and Rose of Castile struck
last autumn, shifted into 4$-inch pots early in
the year, and planted out thinly in small beds
with dwarf Ageratum beneath them.

Probably in some gardens many of the
good old greenhouse Fuchsias may survive the
winter in the open garden, especially with a
little Bracken or a good mulch of leaves upon
them. Even if most of the wood above ground
be killed, the buried portion of the stem will
not be, and when spring corn's round again it
will put forth growth of a stronger, healthier
character than that which is produced by plants
turned out of puts. We have a good example
of this in a group of an old Fuchsia, a green-
house kind, the name of which I am not cer-
tain, but think it is F. coccinea. It has passed
two winters in the open air, and this summer,
as last year, it is growing and flowering with
greater vigour and profusion, and the richness
of its growth is in marked contrast with that of
plants put out at the beginning of summer.
Mine. Cornellisen and other good old kinds
will, I believe, succeed in the same way. But
whilst laying stress upon the value of good
greenhouse kinds of Fuchsias for garden de-
coration, the great merits and givater value of
the hardy kinds must not be overlooked. Some
of them, like F. gracilis and F. microphylla, are
like ordinary herbaceous plants, as they die
down every year, or rather should be cut down,
before it is time for new growth to commence.
Others, such as F. globosa and F. Biccartoni,
live and grow into huge bushes, especially in
favoured gardens.

If the garden were large enough, a Fuchsia
corner would not be the least interesting portion
of it. Here a special feature might be made of
the known hardy kinds, and suitable beds or
borders kept for associating with them those
choice free-flowering kinds placed out for the
summer only. But gardens and their aspects
vary so greatly, that no general rule can lie laid
down for the disposition of different classes of
fine plants, although random suggestions are
often helpful. One thing is certain : the Fuchsia
is returning into favour, and will probably re-
ceive more of the attention to which it is en-
titled by reason of its great beauty and high
merits. It is a fit and charming plant for any
garden whether great or small, whilst, as
a matter of fact, the finest bushes of the hardy
Fuchsias are generally seen in the little gardens
of poor cottagers, where for years they have
been allowed to grow unrestricted.

A. H.

Staging- Carnations at exhibitions. — Atthe
recent show held in the Royal Horticultural Gar-
dens at Chiswick the public were again edified by
the display of Carnations staged in the old-fash-
ioned and unnatural manner still adhered to by the
florists. By this, of course, I mean the addition of
the paper frills or collars to support each flower in
its position as arranged for exhibition after having
been dressed. Those who adopt this practice (and
I conclude that no one who does not do so stands
any chance in the competition) will defend it no
doubt, but upon what grounds ? It cannot be to
retain the natural form of the flower, for that
would not be necessary. It is rather that of pre-
serving a prim appearance, making the flower often
look like what it is not in reality. There were a
few boxes of these popular flowers staged in
bunches with their own foliage, and these afforded
quite a contrast to the formality of the rest. The

best arrangement, however, that I have seen was
at the last Northampton show, where Mr. Fyfe,
gardener to Lord Wantage, staged a beautiful lot
of blooms from six to e^ght in a bunch. These
were arranged quite informally with their own
foliage, looking almost as if they had been thus
grown. I think it would be a step in the right di-
rection if the National Carnation and Picotee
Society were to offer prizes for such exhibits, but I
assume that the executive are bound too hard and
fast to the old lines. I remember a few years ago
that Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons staged several
boxes with single blossoms arranged upon green
Moss. This was a step in the right direction, but
one which has not in many cases been copied. I
hope that we may yet see these popular flowers
shown in a manner more worthy of their excellent
qualities.— J. H.

THE HOLLYHOCK.
When well managed the Hollyhock is one of the
finest hardy plants in cultivation, and can hardly be
too extensively used for the embellishment of gardens
during the late summer and autumn months. Un-
fortunately, however, it is rarely put to the best
advantage, and despite the feeble attempt to rein-
state it in our gardens which took place a few years
ago, it is to-day unknown to many modern esta-
blishments. The terrible fungus which plays sad
havoc with the plants when it once becomes fully
established may in a great measure account for the
scarcity of the Hollyhock in English gardens, but
there is no valid reason why attempts should not
be made again, and this grand old plant, which our
forefathers grew so well, given equally as much
attention as it was in days gone by. Terrible
though it be, the fungus or disease may be
overcome if taken in time. There are several
remedies recommended, but " prevention is better
than cure," and to assist in preventing the plants
taking the disease is the giving to them proper treat-
ment. I have proved, and as no doubt many others
have done, that the Hollyhock is far less liable to
be attacked by the fungus when grown as a hardy
plant, which it really is, than when " coddled " in
heat a greater part of the year. This is the ruin of
many of our most beautiful hardy plants, and un-
til the practice is dispensed with we shall never
be able to grow them satisfactorily in the garden.
I do not say that the disease can be actually kept at
bay by growing the plants out of doors all the year
round, but plants propagated and grown in heat
during the early part of their existence are far more
liable to suffer from it than those that are tho-
roughly hardened from the first. In support of
this contention we need go no further than a few
old-fashioned cottage gardens in rural districts. In
many of these that I know the Hollyhock thrives,
and has done for years without the slightest fear
or danger of being attacked. No protection what-
ever is given the plants in winter. They are sim-
ply cut down in the antumn, left in the ground all
the winter, and grow with remarkable luxuriance
on the return of sunshine and genial weather.
This goes on year after year, and plants would
behave similarly in large gardens were they sub-
jected to the same treatment. In a word, the Holly-
hock is a hardy plant, and to secure the best re-
sults it should be treated as such.

There are many places in the garden where
clumps or masses of Hollyhocks should be esta-
blished permanently. Bold masses on the mixed
border or among dwarf growing shrubs are very
effective at this time of the year, as also they are
on the margins of shrubberies. Associated "with
other hardy subjects in large beds they likewise
produce a very fine effect, or as a background to
dwarfer growing subjects. Generally, however,
they are planted in lines at the back of hardy plant
borders and at regular intervals. I would "rather
plant in large clumps, say at least a dozen plants
together, and then the result is a miniature forest
of spikes, producing a rich mass of colour. This
system of planting should, as has been so fre-
quently pointed out, be more generally seen in
English gardens.

There is one drawback, if drawback it be, in the

Hollyhock which some people have a great dislike
to, and that is the untidy appearance of the blooms
as soon as they begin to fade. This is particularly
so with the double varieties. Long before the top
buds on the spikes have expanded, the lower
blossoms are nothing but a mass of pulp, caused
by the action of rain or sunshine. Consequent
upon this many people do not grow these
fine flowers. The objection, however, can be soon
remedied. To obviate it, the central spike should
be cut out early in the summer while yet the lower
blooms are good, and then instead of one tall
spike a number of side shoots will be produced,
and these in turn will be covered with flowers. Of
course the blooms will be smaller in size, but that
is a matter of small importance. Not only is
a greater number of flowers produced by this
method, but the effect is altogether better and the
plants will continue to bloom for a much longer
period. When grown for garden decoration pure
and simple, it is a wonder that the Hollyhock is
not more generally treated thus.

Hollyhocks will thrive in any ordinary garden
soil, but to obtain the best results the plants should
be treated liberally. They require deep cultivation
and a bountiful supply of decayed manure, together
with thorough soakiDgs of water in dry weather,
moisture forming an important detail in their cul-
tivation. Although this is essential in summer,
however, it cannot be too well known that excessive
wet in winter is very detrimental to their well-
being. On account of this many growers make it
a point to lift their plants in the autumn and keep
them in cold frames during the winter, but, as
above pointed out, there is no absolute need for
this, especially if growing in a light sandy soil. If
there be any apprehension of danger in this respect
a little sand or ashes placed round the collar of the
plants will prevent this. Where the soil is excep-
tionally wet and heavy and choice varieties are
grown it may be necessary to lift the plants in
the autumn and lay them in temporarily in a cold
frame for the winter, or place bell-glasses or hand-
lights over them where they are. But even if the
plants are thus covered with glass, abundance of
air should be given them on all favourable occa-
sions. It is not frost or cold that injures Holly-
hocks, but wet. If no frames or hand-lights are
forthcoming, then the plants may be placed at the
foot of a south wall, where the coping above
carries the rain beyond their reach. This is a
capital place for them, and I have seen hundreds
of Hollyhocks wintered thus.

As regards raising or propagating the plants, there
is a variety of ways in general practice. Root-
grafting finds favour with some, but the method
involves no little trouble, and I cannot recommend
it. Cuttings, on the other hand, root quickly, and,
taken on the whole, this is an easy method of propa-
gation. This is sometimes done in heat in spring, and
by others the cuttings are inserted in sandy soil in
a cold frame or under a hand-light during the
summer. The latter method I have proved to be
the best, because it does away with the necessity of
employing artificial heat. The cuttings should be
taken from the side shoots of the flowering spikes,
cut into single joints, and inserted thickly in a
sandy soil. If carefully watered and shaded from
bright sunshine they will quickly root, and may
then be transferred to pots, and grown in the open
air during the remainder of the summer. In autumn
store in a cold frame or at the foot of a wall where
they can be protected from rains, and plant them
out permanently in the spring.

Another method of propagating the Hollyhock
is from seed, and much may be said in its favour.
It is an easy matter to raise plants thus without
the aid of any artificial heat whatever, and those
produced in this manner will be found to, in the
majority of cases, possess a vigorous constitution,
capable of battling against the disease. The seed
should be sown on a warm border in June, and to
ensure success the soil must be well pulverised. If
rather heavy, it is advisable to place a little fine
rich prepared soil in the bottom of the drills which
should be about 2 inches deep, and also to cover
the seed with a similar compost. In dry weather

200

THE GAEDEN.

[Aug. 30, 1890.

the ground should be well watered, and as soon as
the seedlings appear, a dusting of soot may be
given with advantage. If rather thick the young
plants should be thinned out so as to give them
room to develop, and then they will be ready for
planting out in autumn.

As regards varieties, any good strain of seed will
produce as much colour and as good a display in
the garden as the best-named kinds ; even a few
good masses of the single-flowered kinds are by no
means to be despised in the garden. C. L.

LILIUM GIGANTEUM.
I AM not aware that the great Himalayan Lily
(Lilium giganteum) has been previously grown in the
open air in this state ; it was a stranger to Western
New York, I have reason to believe, until this season.
My first experience with this Lily dates back to the
autumn of 1885, when several flowering bulbs were
sent me from England. The gigantic conical bulbs
were potted and housed in a cool house over winter
and planted in the open in the spring, only to be
cut down and killed by an unexpected sharp frost
during early May. The following autumn a dozen
small bulbs were sent me by a friend in North
Wales. These, likewise, were potted and housed
over winter with the exception of three, which
were planted late in November in the hardy fernery.
The latter all put forth leaves the following spring,
showing conclusively that the species is hardy in
this climate. The remaining bulbs were also placed
in the fernery and the shaded portion of the rock
garden. Of eight of the dozen bulbs which sur-
vived, four have just blossomed, the remaining four
being strong plants which, unquestionably, will
produce flower-stalks next season. The plants
have all received a slight winter protection of
leaves ; and every spring the early projecting crown
has been protected by pots or other covering when-
ever any danger from frost has appeared, this Lily
being one of the very first plants to show above
ground in spring and being extremely sensitive to
sudden cold. The stem begins its ascent early in
the season, throwing out the large heart-shaped
leaves, which diminish in size as they advance
upon the stem, the flowers forming in a great
raceme at the extremity of the stalk. Even as a
foliage plant, independent of its stately flower-stalk,
this Lily, with its huge, glossy leaves, is strikingly
attractive, and the leaves remain fresh and green
until mid-autumn. The strange beauty and majesty
of the great Himalayan Lily must be seen, how-
ever, to be fully realised ; and it is to direct the
. attention of all flower-lovers to one of the grandest
of hardy plants that I am prompted to refer to it.
Its beauty could only be fully portrayed by a poet.
If any flower may be termed regal, this term applies
to Lilium giganteum. It looks like the inhabitant
of a tropical jungle — a sacred flower of the far East,
supreme in its stateliness and its grace. Its suave,
haunting odour sets me dreaming. Fragrances as
of Jasmines, Japanese Honeysuckles and Gar-
denias ; perfumes as of Casearilla and Sandal-
wood ; spices as of Sassafras and Clove Carnation
cling to its long, chaste chalice and scent the entire
garden in the evening. Then the cernuous poise of
its great flower cluster, nodding from the tall,
tapering stalk above the majestic leaves, and the
refinement and beauty of the long trumpet-shaped
blooms 1 A distinct feature of the six-petaled
blossom is the pencilling of the inner petals, these
being exquisitely shaded with purple merging to
deep lake, from the extremity of the flower to the
flange of the chalice. The height of the Bamboo-
like stalk in the four specimens referred to varies
from 8 feet 3 inches to 9 feet, the diameter of the
thickest stalk exceeding 2J inches. The flowers
number from ten to twelve, while the individual
blooms measure from 8 inches to 9 inches in length.
After flowering, the stalk dies down and the old
bulb shrivels and dies. Each bulb has thrown out
from two to four offsets, which will "be lifted and
placed where desired in the autumn.

To obtain success with the king of Lilies, it
should have a sheltered and partially shaded
position in rich garden soil and leaf-mould, and
receive abundance of moisture. An application or

two of liquid manure will prove of benefit in
developing the flowers. It is seen to advantage
placed among the native red and yellow meadow
Lilies, which unfold their gay Turk's-caps at the
same period. A number of Lilium giganteum grown
by themselves or with L. auratum, where the latter
can be successfully grown, would be a novel and
magnificent feature of any garden, more especially
if placed against a background of green. The last
raceme of the last flowering plant now stands in a
vase in the hall, and fills the entire house with its
subtle penetrating perfume, the odour being ex-
haled most intensely at night. The garden looks
deserted since these giant Lilies have passed, and
no blaze of the Bee Larkspur nor gay rosettes of
the ranks of the Hollyhocks serve to take their
place. The king of Lilies is individual among
hardy flowers.— George H. Ellwangee, Roches-
ter, If. Y., in Garden and Forest.

CHOICE HARDY ANNUALS.
The moist summer with its many dull days and
cool nights has kept the annuals in flower longer
than is usual, and they are still brilliant. If sown
thinly in good soil they flower more continuously
and retain their colours longer than is generally
supposed. If those who grow annuals would cul-
tivate them a little more, they would be astonished
at the increased beauty the flowers display.

There are among the annuals many things worth
a place in the garden. Take, for instance, the beau-
tiful Phacelia campanularia ; it is difficult to name
another plant which can compare with it for its
rich deep hue of blue. Growing about a foot in
height, it produces chalice-shaped flowers of a
deep and glowing tint of colour. It will do well
in any good and fairly light soil, and the seeds
being very small they should be sown as thinly as
possible, and some of the plants pulled out to give
the others room in which to develop. Another very
pleasing blue annual is Neinophila Atomaria coeru-
lea, the plant dwarfer and more compact in growth
than the N. insignis type ; the blossoms smaller, of
a dark ultramarine blue, and very freely produced.
The pale blue N. insignis, one of the most popular
of hardy annuals, and the dark spotted N. macu-
lata are desirable companions for it. Another
Nemophila merits notice, namely, a rose-coloured
form of N. insignis ; it produces pale purplish
rose flowers, is quite distinct, and appears to be
constant ; the white form of N. insignis makes a
good companion plant. Another charming dwarf
annual is the dwarf double white Clarkia integri-
petala, which forms dense masses of flower lasting
for a considerable time, except when dried up by
an unusual drought. There is also a pretty dwarf
variety with single flowers called marginata, the
rose-coloured petals being charmingly margined
with white.

Among the annual Chrysanthemums I lately saw
one with golden foliage ; it is one of the carinatum
type, possessing the crimson, white, and yellow
flowers of the variety Burridgeanum, and named
Cloth of Gold, the dark flowers contrasting well
with the yellow foliage. There are several types
of these annual Chrysanthemums, varieties of cari-
natum and coronarium, double and single, and all of
them well worth growing for cutting and border
decoration. I candidly confess that I much prefer
the single-flowered varieties, but the double forms,
which have all originated as sports, find their ad-
mirers. All the single varieties of the carinatum
section are given to sporting, and so one variety
will be certain to produce several.

What a splendid mass of brilliant crimson colour
Linum grandiflorum rubrum makes ! At the time
it was first distributed, a great deal of discussion
took place as to raising the seeds ; it was supposed
then to be necessary to raise them in heat ; to assist
them to germinate it was recommended they should
be soaked in water previously. Then some one dis-
covered the seeds germinated well when sown in
the open, and ever since this method has been fol-
lowed. Layia elegans, a Californian annual, the
flowers yellow, edged with white, seems to be iden-
tical with Oxyura chrysanthemoides, but it is a

very useful one. Among showy yellow-flowered
annuals, Coreopsis coronata and C. Drummondi well
deserve a place.

How grand the beds of Poppies are ! Among
the annual Lupines, L.hybridus atro-coccineus takes
a high place ; its large spikes of scarlet flowers are
very showy. The red Hawkweed makes an excellent
annual to cut from ; there are other colours also —
yellow, white, and silvery annuals, not nearly so much
grown as they deserve to be. A fine and showy blue
annual is found in Convolvulus minor monstrosus,
with its large deep indigo-blue blossoms, and one
named sub-cceruleus is noticeable for its pale sky-
blue flowers, a remarkable contrast to the preced-
ing. Then there is a very fine lilac Candytuft
selected from the large and bold flesh-coloured one
that well deserves a place in the garden. The large
Japanese Poppies are very striking floral objects,
but, unhappily for so much richness of colour, they
do not remain a long time in flower. A very bold
and striking hardy perennial not generally known
is a Rose Campion named Agrostemma coronaria
atro-sanguinea, with silvery foliage and fine rich
crimson flowers. As it can be raised from seed,
there is no difficulty in procuring it. The white
form of it is very good also. Malva moschata, rose-
coloured, and its white variety are capital hardy
perennials, blooming very freely indeed, and stand-
ing through the hardest winters. If seed be sown
in the open in March, the plants will bloom at the
end of the summer, while established ones will com-
mence to flower early and put forth lateral growths
that will continue blooming all through the sea-
son. The old Kaulfussia amelloides, blue-flowered ;
kermesina, brilliant crimson ; alba, white ; and
atroviolacea, violet, are capital annuals; and among
the Californian Leptosiphons, the pure white is very
good. Gilia minima ccerulea is a dwarf and free
blue-flowered annual, but somewhat late, and so
helping to secure a succession.

One of the best yellow-flowered annuals to cut
from is Sutton's Miniature Sunflower ; the flowers
are small, but they are handsome and profusely
produced successionally. The double pot Marigolds
are also admirable subjects. They appear in cata-
logues under the head of Calendula officinalis.
Meteor has handsome double flowers, the lemon-
coloured petals margined with white at the sides,
while Prince of Orange has rich orange flowers,
sometimes self-coloured and sometimes striped with
white. There are some very pretty single-flowered
varieties also, and if anyone will take the trouble
to select them, he will make his flower borders
exceedingly gay, as they are very free indeed, and
continue to flower for a longtime. The time of
floweiing is prolonged by keeping the seed-pods
picked from the plants. A mass of the rich crim-
son Candytuft is very fine, and the pretty dwarf blue
Lupinus nanus may be added to the list of good
blue-flowered annuals.

One might largely extend this list, but the sorts
named supply a collection quite large enough.

^_ R. D.

Erigeron mucronatum, or Vittadenia triloba
is sometimes recommended for the rock garden, but
no idea can be gathered of its beauty in such a
situation. It is of a spreading, but neat and tufted
habit, rarely exceeding more than 9 inches in
height, whilst all through the season it is studded
with a mass of flowers, almost exactly like those
of the common Daisy, pink when first they open,
afterwards fading to white. It is very effective as
a broad band around, or edging to a mass of some
bright colour, especially in a bed upon the Grass.
It has been so used for several years in the garden
at Bettshanger Rectory, and it is always admired.
It is quite hardy, and may be propagated by divi-
sion, but it succeeds very indifferently under this
method of increase. The best way is to raise it
from seed, which it produces and ripens freely.
There is hardly any need to gather seed and sow it,
as late in summer seedlings spring up in myriads
around the flowering plants, and as many as are
required can be taken up and pricked into a suit-
able bed of fine soil, and if in a cold frame for the
winter, they will make good plants for putting out

Aug. 30, 1890.]

THE GABDEN.

201

the nest season. In broad masses in naked shrub-
beries, or as undergrowth to taller thinly-placed
hardy plants it might be extensively used. — A. H.

P.EONIA WITTMANNIANA,
A delightful surprise is in store for those
who have not yet seen this curious and beau-
tiful Pajony. "When the leaves first appear,
their bright, pale, golden green colour must
strike any grower of plants accustomed only
to the deep-toned leaves of the better known
herbaceous kinds. But the picture is com-
plete when the flower appears, of a beautiful
and delicate colour, that may best be de-
scribed as strong primrose with a dash of
lemon, The texture of the petals is so firm

be more easily rooted from cuttings, as I have
found them to do so even without heat in three
weeks. I have often wondered that Phloxes are
not exhibited at the autumn shows ; three fine
heads in a 9-inch pot and a dozen of such pots
would make a beautiful feature. So also would
out trusses if allowed ample room. There is
wondrous variety found in the section, and much
of exceeding beauty in colour. If some one would
but set the example, perhaps through exhibitions
we should find a beautiful hardy border flower
regain popular favour. — D.

THREE BEAUTIFUL LILIES.
As I have the following Lilies in flower now, I may
draw attention to them, for I consider them well
worthy of cultivation. The complaints which are
made of the eccentricities of Lilium auratum are
so general, that it seems as if there was something

Paeonia Wittmanniana.

as to remind one of a Magnolia, and the seed-
pod is a bold and handsome object.

Herbaceous Phloxes. — To have these in
their full beauty they should be grown in good-
sized clumps. Single plants after all give but an
indifferent idea of the wealth of floral material
found in these hardy flowers as compared with
what is seen in large clumps. I have here now in
bloom a row of some nine plants of a fine pink-
coloured variety named Rosa Mundi. The row
covers a length of 12 feet, and is fully 3 feet through,
and literally a mass of bloom. Where plants are
produced from cuttings annually, and in every
garden Phloxes should be so increased, about six
should be grown together to bring about the fine
show so much desired. Single plants may be all
very well in pots, and should not exceed from
20 inches to 30 inches in height when in bloom,
but outdoors older plants run higher. Still that is
no drawback if plenty of room is allowed. Very
fine heads invariably come from spring-struck
cuttings, and these make a capital succession to
the old stools. These latter, however, should never
be other than two years old. If allowed to remain
longer on the ground they soon become leggy and
starved, as Phloxes are very exhausting, especially
in dry weather. Few hardy plants, however, may

yet to be learned as to the proper way in which it
is to be treated. Of the tens of thousands of bulbs
which are annually imported, the very smallest
percentage sees another season ; and, in fact, they
are mostly treated as Hyacinths have been for a
number of years — grown from imported bulbs and
then left to their fate. I cannot say that I think
this is creditable to English gardening, but I do
not find that the Continental growers are a bit
more successful than ourselves. When I see an
advertisement pathetically headed " Imported bulbs
do die," it is no doubt intended to teach us that
home-grown bulbs do not die. This is not my ex-
perience, and, in fact, I see very little difference
between the two as far as longevity is concerned,
and I confess nothing is more disappointing than to
receive a fine, sound, plump bulb as big as two fists,
to see it send up a thick flower-stem bearing its
dozen blooms or more, to take every care of it, and
then to find next year that it has rotted away or
broken up into small pieces. But there are two
varieties of this Lily which, as far as I can judge,
are hardier and more easily cultivated.

L. aubatum btjbro-vittatum. — This is unques-
tionably a very showy Lily, the yellow band in the
centre of the petals, which is the essential charac-
teristic of the type, being replaced by a broad red
band. This gives it a very striking appearance ;
in fact, I know of no more gorgeous-looking Lily.

The petals are broad, well spotted with carmine,
while the band is broad and deep in colour. So far
a* I can see, it does not suffer by cultivation ; nay,
the bulbs increase in size.

L. aubatum platypetalum. — A grand flower
and suggesting the question whether these aura-
tums are not natural hybrids of the old lancifolium
or speciosum, as it is more correctly called. The
Dutch growers, who are much more particular on
such points than their English compeers, have, I
see, gone to the length of calling auratum, specio-
sum imperiale. If it be a variety of speciosum it well
deserves the name. Platypetalum in its foliage re-
sembles much more the speciosum section than the
auratum, the leaves being broad instead of narrow.
It would seem also to resemble it in being more easily
cultivated. I have found it vigorous and keeping
well from year to year. At the same time I would
advise that it should not be much disturbed. My
bulb having grown large and apparently giving a
chance of dividing, I did divide it, with the result
that I lost one of them. It is evidently better,
therefore, not to disturb it, but as the bulb in-
creases to put it into a large pot until it divides
naturally without any force.

Lilium Leichtlini is certainly one of the most
distinct Lilies that that land so fruitful in this tribe,
Japan, has given to us ; its colour is a peculiar
shade of bright yellow, while the petals, re-
curved as in the Martagon and the Tiger Lilies,
are thickly spotted with dark crimson spots. I
believe it to be easily grown in the open, thriving
in any light, sunny spot, and being perfectly hardy.
The growth is slender, and the plant is about 4 feet
in height. Delta.

Iiilium Harrisi. — In writing some time ago
on Lilies I ventured to suggest that Lilium Harriti
would not retain its peculiar character after culti-
vation here. This season's experience has fully
confirmed my idea. The imported bulbs have re-
tained their distinctive character, but those that I
had last year have reverted to the original longi-
florum character, and have produced single flowers
on the stem. If this should be verified by further
experience, it will afford a very curious instance of
what change of air will do, and will help to con-
firm the view that in the growth of plants it does
not always follow that a close adherence to their
natural movements will ensure successful results.
The climates of Bermuda and Japan must be very
different, yet so much does this Lily prefer what is
not its natural climate that it develops into a much
more vigorous and beautiful plant, just as we see
our native Maiden-hair (Adiantum Capillus-veneris)
become much more vigorous in our stoves than in
its native haunts. — Delta.

Tuberous Begonias. — The Begonias outdoors
at Messrs. Laing's, Forest Hill, although very fine,
have this year not appeared to such advantage as
usual. This has been caused by the inclement
weather, as the plants, drowned through the month
of July and now parched in August, have not had
time to grow. At Forest Hill there are about 200,000
bulbs planted in the open air, and when one re-
members these are this year's seedlings, the wonder
is how the plants survived at all, let alone grow
and flower. There are many superb flowers in the
open ground, but it is upon the plants in pots that
the grand flowers are to be seen. Among the
white and yellow varieties the greatest improve-
ment appears. Plants with a drooping habit emi-
nently suited for hanging baskets are here to be
seen heavily laden with bloom, whilst the large
pot plants exhibit the point which Mr. Laing has
had before him in the improvement of the Begonia,
viz., erect flowers which can be seen without raising
them.

The Plume Poppy (Bocconia cordata). — A
large group of this, associated with tall Bamboos
and backed up by large trees, is now a very striking
feature. It is at all times an interesting plant,
handsome in foliage as well as flower. Its tall
stems are clothed with large, deeply-lobed, glau-
cous leaves, and terminated by panicles of cieamy
white flowers, which fade of a peculiar snuff-brown

02

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 30, 1890.

shade. When seen in gardens this plant is usually therefore, it will be necessary that they be clearly

found at the back of a border, where perhaps it has
stood for years, and is in a half starved condition.
The plants which form our group are in fresh
ground that was trenched up for Bamboos. The
group, covering several square yards, is a mass of
vigorous growth and flowers 9 feet in height. Some
of the terminal panicles of flowers are nearly 1 yard
long, and the shoots which produced them have
thrown out laterals which have also flowered, these
bearing bloom down among the rich foliage which
clothes the stems. Without a doubt, if we paid
more attention to these vigorous types of hardy
vegetation, we might create in our gardens per-
manent effects, strong in contrast, of a striking
character, and at little cost. — A. H.

defined and rigidly enforced. I trust, therefore,
no mercy will be shown to varieties that are pod-
bursters, as they disfigure rather than beautify a
border. There are now a good many varieties of
capital Carnations that are not pod-bursters, and
there should be no difficulty in augmenting these.
It is necessary, in order to have an approximately
perfect form in a Carnation, that the flower should
be full and unbroken in outline, and this cannot be
had in the case of a pod-burster without the addi-
tion of some artificial support to hide defects.

R. D.

POD-BURSTING CARNATIONS.

We shall soon have to inaugurate a crusade against
pod-bursting Carnations ; and the necessity for
some such reforming movement will be made clearly
apparent when the method of showing Carnation
blooms in bunches, introduced with so much suc-
cess in the Carnation Show at the Royal Aquarium,
Westminster, by Mr. W. Holmes, is extended. If any-
one has gone carefully through the collection of Car-
nations and Picotees being grown at the Chiswick
Gardens, he will find they are pod-bursters, that is
~to say, the calyx splits on one side and the petals fall
down, imparting to the flower a loose, irregular and
ungainly appearance. This is particularly the case
with many of the yellow ground varieties, and it is
necessary, in order to have them in condition for
exhibiting, to tie a piece of bast round the pod to
prevent it splitting too far down, and also to place
a card at the back of the flower when it is exhi-
bited in a cut state. Forty years or so ago
the practice of generally exhibiting Carnations and
Picotees on cards commenced, and a great deal of
opposition was shown against the introduction of
the practice on the part of the older school of
florists, who probably foresaw it might be used to
hide defects in the flowers that would otherwise
disqualify them. Pod-bursters without the support
of cards would present to view only a sorry floral
spectacle ; and I think one main reason why many
persons who having purchased named Carnations
after seeing them exhibited do not gro w them is not
that there is any lack of hardiness, but rather that
they are pod-bursters, and fail to present to view
that symmetrical form which they did when
arranged on the exhibition stand.

In Mr. E. S. Dodwell's book on the Carnation,
which deals mainly with the treatment of the
■Carnation for exhibition, there is a chapter
upon " what constitutes excellence." There is set
forth the disqualifications of the florist, that is to
say, the justifications of the judges for shutting out
certain flowers from being taken into the competi-
tion at exhibitions, and one of them is, " the split-
ting of the calyx (or pod) so low as to touch the
sub-calyx." I am afraid this disqualification is now
almost entirely overlooked at the Carnation shows
of the present day, and I am certain that if a great
many of the blooms were closely examined, they
should, in order that the practice of the judges
should be in strict conformity to Mr. Dodwell's
dictum, be ruled out of the competition. It may be
said, Who is Mr. Dodwell, that he should set him-
self up as the lawgiver of the floricultural com-
munity i and my reply is, that Mr. Dodwell simply
puts into plain language the floricultural traditions
and practices which have governed the exhibition
of Carnations for very many years past. I should
like to see the time when a certificate of merit shall
be withheld from every Carnation that bursts its
pol, and which cannot be put forward in present-
able form until it has had its calyx tied to prevent it
from splitting, and a card has been placed at the
back of it.

I do not know who is to have the drawing up o^
the conditions under which Mr. Martin Smith's
prizes for border Carnations are to be awarded,
but I hope it will be made clear that the flowers
will have to be shown without ties or supports of
nnv kind. It is easy to draw up conditions, the
d.dbalt.y lies in ensuring they wijl be acted upon

Humea elegans in the flower garden. —
In the article upon "Failures" in The Garden
for August 9 Mr. Burrell includes the above plant.
Certainly it is a miffy subject, this in all proba-
bility accounting for its comparative rarity in gar-
dens. Throughout the entire period of its exist-
ence it is given to all sorts of caprices ; the vigorous
plant of to-day may be dying to-morrow, and that
without apparent reason or cause. Late this
spring I purchased six strong, healthy plants in
6-inch pots. They were planted out in due course
some distance apart as a group, with another plant
beneath as a carpet. At the time of planting three
were showing the flower-spike and three were not.
Of those that were showing flower, one continued
lengthening its spike, and is now at its best ; an-
other when its spike was half developed and was
just becoming graceful suddenly collapsed and
died, whilst the other never grew an inch, but
lingered a few weeks and then expired. Of those
that were not showing flower one never grew and
ultimately died; another grew vigorously, making
a large bushy plant, but showed no signs of flower-
ing. One day, however, it showed signs of distress
and in a week it was gone. The other, the sixth
plant, grew and still is growing vigorously, being
nearly a yard high and 2 feet through, with many
strong shoots, but no signs of flower-spikes. Pro-
bably it will not bloom this year, and it has been
suggested to me to lift the plant later on and put
it in a large pot or tub on the probability of its
making an extremely pretty specimen when in
flower next year. The likelihood is that it will re-
sent the disturbance, however carefully done, and
go the way of the rest. An attempt at raiting this
plant from seed sown in July was also a total fail-
ure, as not a plant appeared, although the seed-
pan was tended with the greatest care. Doubtless
our most expert plant growers would have to record
some failures in their attempts to grow this beauti-
ful, but most capricious plant. — A. H.

Passiflora Constance Eliott. — Our attention
has been called to an article on this in The Gar-
den, July 12, 1890, in which Mr. Napper, late
traveller for Lucombe, Pince & Co., doubts our hav-
ing raised it, because a Miss Morris told him she
found a plant in her garden in Ford Park that
turned out to be a white one. We shall prove that
the same plant she spoke of was planted by our
workmen while laying out the garden for a former
tenant. We supplied that plant from the bed of
seedlings from which we took Constance Eliott,
having had these seedling Passion flowers long be-
fore there was any house in Ford Park, not know-
ing then but that all were Passiflora ccerulea. In an
article written to the Western, Times on the 11th of
May, 1887, Mr. Napper says : —

It was on the 25th day of August, 1882, that I met
with the original plant while acting as their traveller.
The plant was at that time standing alone, and appa-
rently uncared for, in the court at the rear of Mr.
Fuller's dwelling-house at Newton Abbot, and so
poor and uninteresting was its appearance that the
price set upon it by its owner was the despicable sum
of 3s. fid. It was not then in flower, but on the 13th
day of the following month Messrs. Fuller and Son
wrote to my employers as follows : " AVhen Mr. Napper
was here he asked us to send you a flower of a white
Passion flower, which we raised from seed of the Passi-
flora ccerulea. He does not know it himself. Flower
sent by this post." And on the Kith they wrote : " We
have only the one plant of the white Passion flower,
which was the only one from the hatch of seedlings.
Mr. Napper saw the plant which you shall have." And
on the 19th Messrs. Fuller and Son again wrote : " YV

have this day forwarded to your address the white
Passion flower, as you requested."

It was agreed that if it proved a distinct variety
we should be paid a fair trade price before it was
sent out and have the credit of raising it. When the
plant was sent out, we, according to arrangement,
received goods to the amount of £10 10s. and the
credit of raising this Passion flower. Between the
time the plant was forwarded and the time of its
being sent out, namely, two years, many more
plants from the same bed flowered. All of these
had white flowers, and were forwarded to Exeter.
—William Fuller & Son, Courtenay Nursery,
Newton Abbot.

NOTES ON HARDY PLANTS.
Gentiana Fortunei. — This is an exquisite Gen-
tian both in regard to habit of plant and beauty of
the individual flowers. As yet, I believe the variety
is extremely scarce in cultivation, but this is not
due to the fastidiousness of the plant, for it is em-
phatically a good doer. Handled at the right time
it may be divided to almost any extent, and the
divisions grown with more certainty than those of
such common species as verna and acaulis. The
plant seems to be midway between Pneumonanthe
and the smaller varieties of septemfida as regards
foliage and general habit, but the flowers are
totally distinct from those of either, though about
the same size as those of the latter. They are a
pale blue, beautifully spotted about the limb of the
corolla, and borne erect. I have only tested the
plant for hardiness one winter, when it never
showed the least signs of distress, and very young
plants plunged in the open in pots (to my mind, a
condition more trying than in the open ground)
came away strongly. So beautiful a plant will be
sure to be watched by lovers of alpines with more
than ordinary interest— at least, until its hardiness
has been thoroughly tested and its distribution ex-
tended.

Dianthus superbus.— I believe this species is
generally considered to be no more than biennial,
and according to my experience large plants have
gone off in borders of rich soil after flowering
freely in their second year. But I noticed seve-
ral years ago that one plant held on in a posi-
tion where the soil was very stony. Indeed, I
may say it was in the walk. I removed the same
plant a year ago into a small wall garden, where it
has flowered more profusely than ever, and it rivals
deltoides for the amount of grass it has since
made. It appears to me that a situation at once
dry and sunny, where the soil is not too rich, ex-
actly suits this plant. The importance of its peren-
nial property comes in from the fact that when the
plant is seen in large masses, with its long branch-
ing stems hanging over stones, it presents a very
different object to the smaller specimens. Its
delicately tinted and feathery flowers are distinct
from those of all other Pinks that I know, and
where it can be treated so as to continue perennial,
few if any of the alpine Pinks can be employed to
better effect.

Coreopsis verticillata. — Wherein does this
elegant plant come short in beauty compared with
the rarer C. tenuifolia 1 Practically for garden
purposes it is the same, and very often it is the
same commercially. It is of more moment, how-
ever, to those seeking for choice plants for their
borders, or material for cutting, to know that this
is a kind well worth attention. It may be shortly
described as a plant 2 feet high, with finely-cut or
Nigella-like foliage, among which on slender stems
are borne small, Sunflower-like heads. The stems
cut for indoor use without other material are very
useful, and can often be used with good effect
where heavier material might be amiss.

Monarda didyma is a well-known plant, hav-
ing fine scarlet flowers arranged in whorls. Beau-
tiful, however, as the type may be, there is a more
desirable variety, which may be described as having
maroon-scarlet flowers of velvety effect. The whorls
are more massive and the individual flowers are
larger. The stems and leaves are stronger and
the plant dwarfer. I have not seen more than

Aug. 30, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

203

two plants of this variety, but it is hoped that it
will soon become more common.

Francoa sonchifolia.— I have just seen this
plant in Berwickshire with my friend Mr. Ferguson,
of Duns, in such splendid form, that I wonder it is
not more grown in open borders. It far exceeded
in beauty F. appendiculata, the flowers and spikes
being much larger. Of course it is not to be compared
with rarnosa, because its flowers are red and white.
I was assured of its perfect hardiness, the plants I
saw having been grown in heavy soil in the open bor-
ders for three years. We have learnt to admire the
other species for their beauty, but we can never
feel sure that they will live through the winter outof
doors, at any rate in Yorkshire. It is to be hoped,
however, that this kind, which survives the winter in
the Berwickshire climate, will prove hardy, and its
merits certainly entitle it to a fair trial.

Spiraea gigantea.— I have measured young
plants to-day grown from small divisions of the
root made last autumn, and they are 6 feet to 7
feet high, some of the palmate leaves being 1 foot
across. Blooms produced in a sunny situation are
certainly not a good white, but I have seen flowers
on plants in the shade of trees much purer, and
certainly more durable. The flowers have a
pleasant smell, in the way of the common Meadow-
sweet, without being too strong, as many may con-
sider those of our native kind. J. WOOD.

Woodoilli, Kir7tsta.il, Yorkshire.

Ferula gigantea. — Those who grow this noble
Fennel and raise their own plants from seed need
to have patience with it. It does not always make
so good a display as one might expect for the first
two seasons, but when once established it makes
truly noble growth, with individual leaves between
•1 feet and 5 feet in diameter. Being quite hardy
(at least with me), it gives no trouble at all. I re-
member to have seen a very fine bed of it at Heck-
field some years ago, and as seen there in a mass it
produced a grand effect. — J. H.

Iiilium supertmm. — While this Lily is often
seen in far from a flourishing condition, this is
probably owing to the bulbs being planted in too
dry a spot, as in its native state it is said to grow
principally on the outskirts of damp woods and in
the neighbourhood of streams, where the soil is
always moist. That moisture is essential to its
well-doing may be seen at the present time at Kew,
where near the Palm house there are a couple of
beds of this Lily in far finer condition than I have
before seen them, and in that particular spot the
ground is at times quite wet, and never by any
chance very dry. The huge spikes, in some in-
stances nearly as thick as a broom handle, are in
the case of a few individuals 8 feet or thereabouts
in height, but some of the shorter ones bear as fine
or even finer flowers than the very tallest. The
elegantly reflexed blooms are in many cases ar-
ranged so as to form an almost perfect pyramid,
and this is especially noticeable in the most vigor-
ous. When seen in such numbers as at Kew one
cannot fail to be struck with the many forms of this
Lily, for not only do they differ in height and in
the foliage, but also in the shape and colour of the
blossoms, some being almost crimson, while others
are nearly yellow. The spotting of the flower, too,
is very variable. It is a matter for surprise that
we have not had a great many varieties of L. su-
parbum, as the difference between them is so con-
siderable, for in the case of some Lilies — L. longi-
florum, for instance— all sorts of hair-splitting is in-
dulged in to form a new variety, and when several
of them are grown under similar conditions the
name is the only difference. A form of L. super-
bum was figured in the "Flore des Serres" under
the name of pyramidale, but this might be applied
to all or nearly all of the most vigorous specimens
— H. P.

Stenactis speciosa, or Erigeron speciosum, as
it is sometimes called, is one of the tallest and best of
the family, and a showv plant when well grown in good
soil. Its large purplish-lilac Daisy-like blooms with
orange centres recall the Michaelmas Daisies of
autumn, but it is valuable because it flowers so early
and lasts so long in beauty. It grows about 2 feet

high aud bears huge clusters of flowers, each of
which is about 2 inches in diameter. Such a stately
and effective species should he boldly grouped m the
border where it would prove an interesting feature,
and also be useful for cutting. Most of the compo-
site flowers are useful in this respect, and this one
especially so, because there are few of that extensive
family with flowers of that colour then in bloom.—
A. H.

PRIMULA OBCONICA POISONOUS.
Complaints and fresh evidences are weekly being-
brought to light respecting the poisonous properties
of this charming Primrose. If the fact be established
it will be interesting from a scientific point of view,
and at the same time will no doubt debar many
from continuing its culture, and prevent others tak-
ing up its cultivation. Some growers of it assert
that they do not believe in its poisoning effects, and
even were it true, they would still continue to grow
it. This at once illustrates a deep attachment to an
extremely useful and graceful plant, but how far
such attachment would extend or how deep would,
I think, depend entirely upon how much each indi-
vidual became a sufferer, for I venture this remark,
that not one of them would profess any love or
attachment to the stinging Nettle of our hedgerows,
even did it produce beautiful or useful flowers,
much less cultivate it in pots, knowing the results.
At the same time I have been so great a sufferer
from the poisonous glands of this particularly
innocent - looking, though beautiful species of
Primula, that I would much more willingly handle
a bunch of Nettles than a like bunch of the Primula,
and for this simple reason, that where the Nettle
touches there remains the sting, which in a few
hours will have vanished. Not so with the Primula
in question, which has in my case proved contagious,
and in this manner— while I was still in darkness
as to the cause of my ,: disease," as I had termed it,
it has been conveyed from one hand to the other,
and from these to my eyes, nose, and lips by invo-
luntary touches, repeated undoubtedly as the irrita-
tion increased. From the time of its introduction
I have been an ardent admirer of this Primula, and
though I still admire it, I take care not to touch it.
I have not heard of anyone who has suffered to
the same extent as myself, for it has cost me dozens
of sleepless nights and restless days, as well as
pounds for medical treatment. My first attack
occurred in the summer of 1883, and by a careful
investigation of all the facts I have always suffered
when growing the plant.

In my case, while the irritation was constant it
was greatest at night when the body became of a
uniform heat. When suffering from my first attack
the local physician told me it was a species of
urtica, but although I suffered considerably for
some weeks, nothing he gave me afforded the
slightest relief. In endeavouring to trace the
source of the disease this significant fact came to
light, that for two years during which I did not
grow this plant I never had the slightest symptoms
of the disease, but during the past four years I have
grown it largely and suffered greatly too. For six
weeks at a time I have been a victim to this
disease being under treatment the whole time. At
length 'tired of costly treatment and no improve-
ment, I faced my doctor with the inquiry, Whether
he really knew what was the matter with me 1 and
he candidly confessed he did not, and that it had
been a puzzle to him altogether. In the spring
of 1889, when suffering from the worst attack I
have had, I betook myself to one of the London
hospitals' for skin diseases, where I was subjected
to a minute examination of all the affected parts —
my eyes and hands being at the time particularly
bad— and after some forty minutes the disease was
classified as erythema, though all the doctors pre-
sent did not agree, as some of the characteristics
of this were not present in my case. In my case,
the symptoms were briefly these : first, swelling of
the fingers between the joints followed by exces-
sive redness of the skin ; during this stage the irri-
teUon seemed at its highest; this was followed
again by numerous watery pimples on all the parts
affected. At first I thought my visits to the
hospital were doomed to be as unsuccessful as those

to the local physicians, but just at this time some
references were made in the horticultural press
concerning the poisoning influences of this plant,
and these agreeing exactly with my own case
proved conclusively to my mind that the Primula
was at the root of the evil, and I forthwith gave up
touching the plant altogether, with the result that
while I keep clear of it I am quite free from the dis-
ease. Twice this year I have touched the plant in
question, once experimentally and once by accident,
and in each case was attacked in less than twelve
hours. I now keep away from it. It is strange,
however, that none of my men suffer from
touching it. As soon as I gave up handling the
plant I found the ointment which I had from the
hospital of much benefit, and in my last attack it
quickly allayed the irritation. Happily, I made a
copy of the prescription while at the hospital, and
anyone suffering similarly may have the recipe for
the ointment by forwarding a stamped addressed •
envelope through the editor. Some time since I
gave my experiences of this plant in a contem-
porary, and, judging by the applications for the
recipe, it is obvious there are many sufferers both
in England and Ireland, and doubtless there are
others who may still be in the dark as to the cause
of the disease, much less a cure for it. B. J.

THE WEEK'S WORK.

PLANT HOUSES.
Mignonette.— The practice of growing large spe-
cimens of this plant from seed sown in spriEg,
trained tree or bush fashion for flowering in winter,
is now seldom adopted. Smaller plants that take
up less room and occupy much less time between
the seeds being sown and their coming into flower
give a better return. Under high cultivation plants
in 6-inch pots can be had from 12 inches to 15
inches in diameter at the time they come into
bloom in spring. It is from the earliest sowing, that
should now at once be made, that the finest exam-
ples can be obtained. The seed should be sown
in small pots, putting three or four seeds in each,
and thinning the seedlings out to a single plant
when they are an inch or two high. The soil should
consist of good free loam with a liberal quantity
of rotten manure mixed with it, sand being added
if necessary. Press the material firmly in the pots,
and give water enough to make it fairly moist, but
not too wet, Stand the pots in cold frames filled
with ashes to raise them close up to the glass, as
from the time the seed vegetates to when the
plants come into flower they must have all the
light that can be given them. In the absence of
this the growth will be weak and long-jointed, a
condition that is fatal to their blooming well.
Little air will be required until the plants appear,
after which it must be given by tilting the lights
back and front day and night till the middle of
October so long as there is no danger of frost.
After this the plants should be moved to a light
house or pit, where they can be stood on a shelf
within a short distance of the glass. When 2 inches
or 3 inches of growth have been made, pinch out
the tops to induce the formation of several tranches,
which when they have extended sufficiently must
be tied out to lay the foundation of busby speci-
mens Water must be given carefully during the
winter, with air in mild weather. When the soil
gets fairly filled with roots move the plants into 3-
inch pots.

Ivy-leaved PELAEGONirMS.— A sufficient stock
of this beautiful section of Pelargoniums should be
propagated annually. Beyond the uses they can
be put to in filling hanging baskets, training to
pillars and kindred purposes, they can be grown in
the form of tall pyramids, 4 feet or 5 feet in height
rendering them invaluable for greenhouse and
conservatory decoration. All the training they re-
quire when used in this way is to wind the branches
round a few thin sticks inserted within the pots,
allowing the lateral shoots to hang loosely. So
continuous is their habit of flowering that they
keep on blooming from early spring until the au-
tumn is so far advanced that they cease growing.

204

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 30, 18 JO.

Needless to say, it requires two [years to get the
plants up to effective-sized specimens, though small
stock, such as struck from cuttings, put in now will
be useful next summer. In both the double and the
single-flowered varieties there has been much im-
provement of late years. For cutting these Ivy-
leaved sorts are even more useful than the zonals,
their flowers being less formal. Shoots should
be selected for cutting that have not set bloom.
Strong specimens usually produce these from the
hard wood about the base of the plants.

PELABGONIUMS, LABGE - FLOWEHED KINDS. —

Plants that were headed down a few weeks ago
will now have broken and made enough progress to
require repotting. Most of the old soil must be
shaken away ; in doing this, care must be taken to
avoid breaking as few of the fine roots that are situ-
ated near the collars of the plants as possible,
as these are most to be depended upon to
sustain the growth until young fibres are formed.
All the long straggling roots that have gone down
to the bottom of the balls and amongst the old
drainage should be cut away, so as to allow the
plants to be put into pots a size smaller than those
they have been in during the season. This applies
to plants that have attained specimen size. Later
on, when these pots are moderately filled with roots
the plants must be shifted into the pots in which
they are again to flower. Good rich loam of
moderately free nature that contains plenty of
vegetable matter, with rotten manure added and a
sprinkling of sand, is the material that answers
best for all the kinds of Pelargoniums. In potting,
ram the soil so as to make it solid ; without this
the plants are more inclined to make gross sappy
shoots and over-luxuriant leaves than to flower
freely. Give no water for a week or ten days after
potting, but syringe the plants overhead in the
afternoons. Admit no more air for a week than is
necessary to prevent the temperature getting too
high whilst the sun is on the glass ; afterwards air
must be given freely. This, accompanied by an
abundance of light through keeping the plants
close to the glass and without shade, is necessary
to have the growth even and short-jointed.

Fancy Pelargoniums. — In shaking the old soil
away from the plants of this section, more of it
should be retained than in the case of the large-
flowered sorts. In the case of full-sized specimens,
enough of the old material should be discarded to ad-
mit of their being put into pots a size smaller. Treat
generally as recommended for the large-flowered
varieties, being especially careful that the soil is
not made wet until the roots have begun to move
freely. Young examples of the fancy kinds that
have not yet attained the requisite size will do with
still less of the old material being removed, and in
place of putting them into smaller pots, they may
have a size similar to those they have been in, or
if the plants are large in proportion to the pots
occupied, a size larger may now be given. See that
all the stock is quite free from aphides ; if these
are troublesome, fumigate before they get numer-
ous, or they will quickly destroy the young leaves.

T. B.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.
Cabbage. — The seed came up quickly and evenly,
and to all appearance plants will be plentiful in
most gardens. In many cases they will be ready
for finally putting out long before the ground in-
tended for their reception — this being the site now
occupied by spring-sown Onions — is cleared of the
present crop. Cabbages invariably do well in close
succession to Onions, the ground being hoed over,
but not dug in any way. A firm root-run just suits
this crop, the opposite or newly-manured deeply-dug
ground being more conducive to the growth of
outer leaves than close neat hearts. If plant'
ing is long delayed, many of the plants will
spoil in the seed-beds, and to prevent this it is advis-
able to prick them out into fine soil in an open posi
tion about 4 inches apart each way. In trans-
planting these to their final quarters a trowel must
be used.

Planting Cabbage. — Sturdy, medium -sized
plants are the best for putting out, and if the seed-

bed is moistened a few hours prior to drawing them There is little fear of the roots being grown to
they will come up without much damage to the too great a size, and a surfacing of some kind of

roots. Thus drawn they can be replanted most
readily with a dibber, and the ground being well
rammed about them, sturdy growth and early
hearting result. Good Cabbage, however, cannot
be grown on very poor ground, but much may be
done without the aid of solid manure if they
are put out in drills previously well soaked with
liquid manure, and abundance of the latter poured
between the rows after the plants have beenmoulded
up will greatly benefit the crop. If the ground must
be manured and dug, the least that can be done is
to make it as firm as possible for the reception of
the plants. Given the benefit of firm ground, the
plants may be put out far more thickly than many
seem to be aware. A distance of 15 inches apart
each way ought to be ample for all but the very
coarsest varieties, and the latter need not be given
more than another 3 inches between the rows. If
the rows of any variety of Cabbage to stand through
the winter are arranged 2 feet apart, then ought a
rowof Coleworts to be grown between them, thelatter
being drawn and used towards midwinter. Where
clubbing takes place, soot and lime should be freely
stirred into the surface of the ground to be cropped
with Cabbage, and all the plants ought to be
examined, cleanly cutting away any excrescences
prior to drawing the roots through a puddle formed
with clay, or loamy soil, soot, and water,
the roots with this puddle is advisable even where
the disease known as clubbing is not prevalent,
not only because it acts as a preventive, but also
because plants thus treated do not flag so badly
when first put out.

Celeet. — It is unwise to mould up Celery very
early unless the plants are extra strong and an
early supply is needed. When comparatively small
plants are surrounded by a heavy weight of soil,
this greatly checks their growth, and in many
cases, even where the plants are fairly strong,
moulding up too quickly frequently causes bulging
and cracking at the base. On the other hand, if it
is too long delayed the stalks open out considerably,
and cannot again be got into an erect position
without cracking or splitting many of them. All,
therefore, that are now well advanced in growth, and
whether required for keeping late or not, ought to
have the suckers, small lower leaves, and weeds
cleared from them. Prior to moulding up, examine
the soil about the roots, and if at all dry, well
water over-night or a few hours before any soil is
worked into the trench. Soot and lime, with a
slight addition of salt, dusted between the plants
acts as a fertiliser and also as a deterrent of slugs and
worms, and liquid manure may always be given to
Celery with advantage. About 2 inches of fine
soil is enough for the first start, more being added
at fortnightly or rather longer intervals, taking
care never to be in advance of the hearts, and not
to unduly confine the latter.

Celeby in wide teenches. — Where the plan
of growing several rows of plants in a single
trench is adopted, more than ordinary pains must
be taken in moulding up. If the stems are all well
enclosed in several folds of brown paper, without,
however, binding them up too tightly, the soil can
be more easily banked up around them, the paper
effectually excluding both soil and troublesome
pests. This plan not meeting with favour, then
must the stalks be gathered up neatly together and
tied with a strip of matting just above where it is
intended to mould up to. Two boards being placed
across the trench between the first and second
cross rows of plants, the soil may then be chopped
down and placed between the boards, after which
the latter can be withdrawn, the soil neatly levelled
round the stems, and so on until all the plants are
surrounded by it. The ties must be removed after
the soiling up has been completed, the same pro-
cess being gone through each time it is necessary
to add more soil.

Celeriac, ob Tubnip-eooted Celeey.— These
being planted on the level have been more benefited
by a long spell of comparatively cold wet weather
than was the case with ordinary Celery in trenches.

special manure, soot, or guano duly washed in by
rains or the watering-pot, or else liquid manure of
some kind may in most cases be given with advan-
tage. If the soil about them is loose and rich, top
growth rather than large thick roots will most
probably result, and we sometimes find it advis-
able to well trample the ground about and close
up to the plants. Breaking down some of the
strongest leaves is sometimes resorted to in order
to check undue top growth, but with a firm root-
run there ought to be little need for this. It is
during the late autumn and winter months when
Celeriac is at its best, and seeing also that the
roots keep well, it is unwise to use many before
November.

Cauliflowees.— If from any cause there is
likely to be a scarcity of Cauliflower plants for
keeping through the winter, the best way out of the
difficulty is to either sow a pinch of seed in a
frame, the soil being raised well up to the glass, or
else to sow the seed in boxes. In either case the
seed ought to be sown thinly, the plants left un-
disturbed where they are, and given abundance of
light and air whenever the weather permits. Those
raised earlier and on open borders will soon be
large enough to transfer to hand-lights, frames,
boxes, or pots, as the case may be, where they
must not be coddled in any way, or otherwise they
will be but poor things for putting out next spring.
Plants being plentiful, a portion of them may well
be left where they now are, a light protection in
the shape of hoops and mats being afforded during
frosty weather. Some might also be pricked out
at the foot of sunny walls, but in these positions
slugs are often very troublesome, and in our case, at
any rate, few plants escape them during the winter.

W.I.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 768.

SHORTIA GALACIFOLIA.

(with coloured plate. *)
The history of this rare and interesting plant
from its discovery in 1788 until re-found by
Professor Sargent in 188C reads more like a
romance than a simple statement of facts. It
was originally discovered in December, 1788, by
Michaux in the mountains of North Carolina,
as stated on the label of the original specimen
in museum at Paris, " Hautes Montagnes de
Carolinie," and it was here that Dr. Gray first
saw it in 1839. This specimen, says Professor
Sargent, excited his curiosity, and after his
return two years later from his first botanical
exploration of the Carolina mountains, where
he had searched in vain for the Shortia, he de-
scribed it, naming it after his friend, Dr. C. W.
Short. Nothing more was seen or heard of
this rare plant, but so strong was Dr. Gray's
faith in Michaux, that every botanist visiting
Carolina carried a special commission to look
out for it. In 1868, says the same authority,
Dr. Gray was studying a collection of Japanese
plants, and recognised in Schizocodon uniflorus
(Maxim) another species of Shortia almost iden-
tical with the Carolina plant, these specimens
curiously enough being in exactly the same
condition as Michaux's, without either corolla
or stamens. The keeneBt-eyed plant hunter,
says Professor Sargent, looked for the Shortia
in vain year after year in all the region in which
Michaux was supposed to have travelled, and
the search was almost given up as hopeless,
when in May, 1877, Shortia galacifolia, after
having been lost nearly a century, was found

* Drawn for The Garden in the Royal Gardens,
Kew, by H. G. Moon, April 11, 1890. Lithographed
and printed by Guillaume Severeyns.

«Uo vj(J ISEJ3

SHORTIA GALACIFOLIA

Aug. 30, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

205

by a Mr. Hyams on the banks of the Catawba
River, near the town of Marion, in McDowell
county, North Carolina, at a considerable dis-
tance from the high mountains to which
Michaux's label assigned the plant. Dr. Gray,
however, still clung to the belief that the home
of Shortia was in the high mountains, regard-
ing the above locality as an outlying post to
which the plant had been washed by the
streams. In the autumn of 1886 Professor
Sargent visited the Carolina mountain region,
previous to which, however, he consulted
Michaux's journal, where he found the follow-
ing entry : "Nouvel arbuste a. f. denteles ram-
pant sur la montagne," noting the directions
Michaux had written down with much detail.
It was possible, says Professor Sargent, with
the aid of the journal, to find without much
trouble the spot where Michaux camped in
December, 1788, and to trace his footsteps upon
the different excursions which he made into the
mountains from this camp. The two torrents,
which he described as descending in a rough
and tumultuous course from the high moun-
tains to form the Keowee, are now known as
the Toxoway and the horse pasture. The little
fertile plain which Michaux found at the junc-
tion of these two streams still exists, as also
does the old footpath. It was by the side of
this path 102 years ago that Michaux dis-
covered his " arbuste " with denticulate leaves,
and here 98 years later Professor Sargent, as
described in Garden and Forest, 1888, p. 509,
found it. Since then it has been found in the
same neighbourhood in abundance, so that
there need be little fear of its being extermi-
nated for some time to come.

In 1877, all the plants found on the banks of
the Catawba River were taken, many being dried
and sold to herbariums, while a few got into
cultivation. One or two of these flowered with
Mr. Woolson, of Passaic, at which time a coloured
drawing was made. This was reproduced
in Goodall's "Wild Flowers of America," t. 24,
and also in the Gardeners' Chronicle May 7,
1881, p. 596. Some few plants of this first batch
reached England alive, but none so far as I know
flowered. It may be best described as having
the habit of a Pyrola, with the foliage and gene-
ral appearance of Galax aphylla. Its companions
in a wild state are the well-known Mitchella
repens, Asarum virginicum, and the Galax,
which, by the way, Dr. Gray blames for crowd-
ing out Shortia, it being the more robust and
quicker-growing of the two. With such com-
panions all of which are well known in cultiva-
tion, we need fear no difficulty in cultivating
Shortia galacifolia ; indeed, the plants now at
Kew and elsewhero bid fair to outgrow the
Galax, and all through the summer and autumn
months certainly form more attractive tufts in
the open. It multiplies by stolons, which are
produced in fair quantity annually, so that now
the plant is fairly established we may hope soon
to see it widely distributed. It seems to thrive
best in a partially shady position ; not too much
shade, or the leaves fail to develop the beautiful
bronzy tint that usually characterises this plant.
It belongs to the same order as the Diapensia
lapponica, a plant which is difficult to keep
under cultivation. The order is a very small
one certainly, only containing six genera and
ninespeciesjviz. , ShortiagalacifoliaandS. Davidi;
two species of Schizocodon from Japan ; Galax ;
Berneuxia from Thibet ; Pyxidanthera barba-
tula (the little Pine Barren) from the Pine
woods of North America ; and two species of
Diapensia, D. lapponica and another species
confined to the Himalayas. The Shortia is one
of the most delicate and beautiful of alpines,

and the accompanying coloured plate will ap-
peal to the reader with greater force than would
a page of description. D. K.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

THE HARDY FKUIT GARDEN.
Taking it as a whole, this has been a good season
in this department, the exception being some por-
tion of the Strawberry quarters, where the fruit
suffered from the incessant wet. On that portion of
the quarter devoted to varieties for dessert we had
little to complain of. The plants are grown here
on the annual system, they are not crowded in any
way, and there is consequently a chance of the
fruit drying immediately the rain is over. Where
the plants, however, are allowed to stand two or
three seasons, and the fruit is used for preserving
and other purposes the foliage gets dense, and
there is little chance of fruit or mulching getting
dry.

Gooseberries (next in value to the Strawberry)
have been partial, a heavy crop on trellis where
dessert varieties are grown, but very few on the
open quarter. For the latter failure I must, how-
ever, plead guilty ; the birds did not seem inclined
to be troublesome last winter, and the open quarter
did not receive its annual syringing and dusting
with soft soap and lime. Engaged with other
work, the eye was off the quarter for a few days in
January, and three parts of the buds were taken.
There is no doubt that early Gooseberries are a
paying crop. I heard of good prices having been
realised this year with Berry's Early Kent, and in
places where anything in the way of dusting the
buds does not deter the birds from taking them,
it is a question if it would not pay to protect with
fish-netting until the buds burst. I am not
sure if the statement can be substantiated,
but I believe that the arguments as to the
efficacy of the lime coating are simply a ques-
tion of the different birds, and that what
will keep off the one is not effectual with
another. There is no doubt that the wall or
trellis is a capital place for dessert varieties. I
should give the preference to the latter, as on old
walls both Gooseberries and Currants are liable
to the attacks of aphis and red spider, and re-
quire nearly as much attention as the choicer fruits.
Bushes are often badly attacked by spider in a very
dry spring, and would speedily be defoliated did
we not resort to a vigorous application with the
garden engine. I may just mention as a caution
to those who contemplate the trellis culture of this
fruit that strong vigorous varieties are best for the
purpose, and that it is not advisable to plant those
of thin weakly habit. Raspberries have been a
heavy crop, but, like the Strawberry, the fruit was
much damaged by the continued wet. We could
not complain of the quantity, but the quality was
very indifferent. We are just now engaged in the
removal of all old fruiting canes and weakly young
growth, only reserving what is likely to be required
for tying in for next season, and when this is
finished the quarter will receive a good surface
mulching with half-rotten manure. Red and White
Currants were a heavy crop ; we have a portion of
a north-west wall devoted to some of these, and
here aphis was troublesome early in the season.
This must not be allowed to make headway, or the
fruit gets dirty and unfit for use. Black Currants
were very plentiful, but the season, as usual, was
comparatively short. All other small fruit was
netted, and the birds had to fall back on Black
Currants. Now that these are over, I see that the
feathered friends (!) have turned their attention to
early Pears and Apples, the most tempting-looking
fruit of Jargonelle, Irish Peach, Duchess of Olden-
burg, and Peasgood's Nonsuch having been attacked.
Surely, as a writer recently observed, those who
stand up so strongly for the birds cannot have ex-
perienced their depredations to any extent.

The Apple crop seems partial, but the fruit promises
to be good . Some of our most useful varieties for cook-
ing, as Dutch Codlin, Blenheim Orange, and Ham-

bledon Deux Ans, are fortunately very plentiful.
Indeed, there are few seasons in which we have
to chronicle the failure of these three sorts. 1 he
Deux Ans is the latest sort we have in quantity
valuable as a cooking Apple. There are some old
trees of Norfolk Beaufin, a sort which is practically
worthless. I notice Duchess of Oldenburg in-
cluded among dessert varieties in some catalogues.
Is this right J It is a very free variety, but no
better in quality than the Codlin and Hawthorn-
den. I am open to correction if this is not
a just estimate of its merits, but such is the
character of the Apple I have under this name.
Season, August ; skin white with a yellow tiEge,
and red on sunny side ; flesh white and firm, but
rather tart and flavourless. There is a better crop
on Cornish Gilliflower than I have seen for several
seasons, but we are not likely to house many unless
the tree is netted. The blackbirds are particularly
fond of this Apple, and will attack it some time ere
it is fit to gather. There is a good crop of such
sorts as Peasgood's Nonsuch, Northern Greening,
Ecklinville, and Alfriston on bush trees, but dessert
varieties are rather thin. E. BrBBELL.

Claremont.

A POMOLOGICAL EEROR.

The error of which we are about to speak does not
date from yesterday, as we must go back for more
than half a century to discover its first appearance
in books ; the author of it, however, has prudently-
concealed his name. Readers of the Revue Horti-
cole will not be surprised when they are informed
that this error still has reference to the so-called
Eve Apple, the identity of which was questioned in
the Revue Eorticole of June 16, 1884, and which is
really the same as the Rhode Island Apple. We
have written "so-called Eve Apple" because this
name was given to the fruit in question long after
the same name had been applied to some other
kinds of Apples which ripen earlier. Of these we
have already mentioned the Margaret or Marguerite
of Lindley and the Annates de Pomolcgie, and the
Manks Codlin, Mirabelle or Rosee, to which may be
added the Beafing, Beau-fils striee, Doux-d'argent,
Reinette verte tres-tardive, &c. There is no need
for us to describe this winter Apple, which is so
well known to amateurs, further than by repro-
ducing the succinct account of it given in the Ron
Jardinier and other works about half a century
ago, viz.: "Fruit very large, more or less flattened
in shape ; skin thick, remaining green for a very
long time, and eventually becoming yellow during
the period of the months of February to May."

The discussions on this subject at the Pomo-
logical Congress, where this fruit had been ex-
hibited in 1856, are well known. It was finally re-
jected by this same congress in 1874, which, how-
ever, did not prevent it from making its way as if
nothing had happened— a proof that the fruit is
not quite so inferior as some would pronounce it
to be. This, however, will be easily understood
when the truth is known that this fruit, under its
borrowed name, is in reality identical with another
variety. The question may here be raised whether
there is, as some authors assert, any relation
between the variety of which we are writing and
the Newtown, or Green Newtown Pippin, notwith-
standing the many points of analogy between them.
This notion, however, has been disposed of, and the
Pomological Congress rejected the last-named
variety in 1884, ten years after their decision re-
specting the Eve Apple.

But the case is different when we compare the Eve
Apple with the Rhode Island Green Apple, a variety
well known to fruit growers, as a careful examina-
tion of the trees and the fruit of the two varieties
will suffice to convince anyone of their peifect
identity. As is well known, the Rhode Island
Apple originated in America, and it was introduced
into France about the year 1830, a short time be-
fore the Eve Apple first appeared in cultivation.
The latter, which was highly spoken of at the time,
succeeded in supplanting the former variety with
fruit growers, and was also received at the Pomo-
logical Congress. It is not a little remarkable that

206

THE GAEDEN.

[Aug. 30, 1890.

the Rhode Island Green Apple, although very ex-
tensively cultivated, has never heen exhibited at
the congress, for, being the favourite Apple of the
Americans, one would suppose that a fruit of such
high merit deserves at least to be exhibited. An-
other circumstance, not less extraordinary, is that
for more than half a century these two varieties of
Apples have got on well together and shared their
favours amongst the horticultural public without
ever having been subjected to any examination
more or less critical by any of the numerous pomo-
logical savants into whose hands they may have
fallen. — Revue Sortieole.

STRAWBERRIES AT LANGLEY, SLOUGH.
An extremely interesting trial of Strawberries was
carried out during the present summer on Mr.
Charles Turner's new fruit and Rose nursery at
Langley. The soil, a good deep strong yellow
loam, appeared well'adapted for the plants ; with
but very few exceptions they grew strongly and
fruited finely, but the heavy rains which fell dur-
ing the early part of the Strawberry season seriously
affected the quality of the fruit. Finer crops' of
fruit I have scarcely ever seen, and standard
varieties, such as President, Sir J. Paxton, Sir
Charles Napier, James Veitch, and Vicomtesse Heri-
cart de Thury, of which large quantities were grown,
were marvellously prolific and fine. The varieties
occupied a large space of ground, fully open, and
so all were grown under exactly the same condi-
tions, and an excellent opportunity was afforded
for comparison.

Pauline, a Continental variety, proved the earliest,
preceding King of the Earlies. This variety was
represented by strong two-year-old plants ; it is
both very early and very free, bearing long, dark
crimson fruit, and Mr. Arthur Turner said it was
better flavoured on two-year-old than quite young
plants ; it is a variety that holds on well, producing
its fruit successionally. Jewel, an American va-
riety, came next, a highly valuable sort, with excel-
lent foliage, a very compact free grower, bearing
its large, bright scarlet fruit in a circle below the
leaves. At Langley a dish of very fine Strawberries
could have been picked from a single plant. It is
a variety that cannot be too highly recom-
mended, judging from what was seen of it here.
King of the Earlies (Laxton) came next, early,
prolific, cropping successionally, and of good
quality— a highly refined Black Prince. The latter
will, no doubt, still be grown, for it is decidedly
useful. Next came Laxton's Noble, with its fine,
large, bold fruit, handsome in appearance, a va-
riety that has become very popular indeed, though
decidedly lacking quality. Of midseason varieties,
Trotman's Royalty bears pale crimson fruit of ovate
form, having a decided Pine flavour, but it is a shy
bearer. Lucas, with its large fruit of handsome
shape, was grand in colour and deserves recogni-
tion as a very fine dessert variety. Aromatic has
large and handsome fruit, something like British
Queen in appearance, with a very pleasing aroma
and flavour, and it was well described by Mr.
Turner as a gentleman's Strawberry. Eclipse
(Reeves) is a very fine cropper, and produces solid,
heavy fruit of good flavour. It is also a good market va-
riety. Jeyes' Wonderful is a very free bearer, pro-
ducing large, bright crimson fruit, a little late,
and a very useful preserving Strawberry. The
Countess, one of Dr. Roden's seedlings, with some-
thing of the habit of Wonderful, bears large and
handsome deep crimson fruit ; a fine and useful va-
riety. Marguerite has the appearance of being a
valuable market and garden variety; a prolific,
early, mid-season sort. The Captain (Laxton) has
large and bold folinge ; a very free bearer, producing
large, solid, handsome fruit, and carrying it well.
Sir Harry (Underbill) is not a good grower at
Slough, but it was shown at Manchester at Whit-
suntide as a very fine forcing variety. Prince
Arthur, one of the Frogmore-raised seedlings,
is of Pine shape and flavour, good in colour,
but it is not a free bearer at Slough. Bradley's Ama-
teur was not doing well, as if the locality did not
suit it. A variety under the name of Souvenir de
Kieff had small and poor fruits." Moffat's Duke

of Edinburgh is a variety much grown in Scotland,
fruit very large and remarkably deep in colour ;
crops well. Belle du Midi, which bears large and
globular fruit, is very distinct in appearance and
of a brisk flavour. Helena Gioede is a somewhat
disappointing variety here, bearing large fruit.
Auguste Nicaise produces large solid fruit and is
an abundant bearer ; it is a variety that is no w being
much grown for forcing. Sir Charles Napier
was very fine, bearing a great crop of bright-
coloured fruit. One of the most useful is un-
doubtedly Vicomtesse H. de Thury, quite early
mid-season at Langley, carrying a very heavy and
continuous crop of fruit, not large, fine in colour ;
an excellent grower. Due de Magenta has large
fruit of a bright crimson colour, but not an attrac-
tive variety as seen here. La Grosse Sucrt-e has
dark glossy fruit, very bright in colour and of good
size ; it forces well, the fruit colouring finely. Sa-
breur is a very promising Strawberry, likely to
prove very useful ; fruit of medium size, freely
produced; a capital preserving Strawberry. Of
Sir Joseph Paxton it is simply necessary to say
that it is a good standard sort ; the handsome
fruit of a dark glossy crimson colour travels well ;
an excellent grower and of fairly good flavour, one
of the best market varieties. Keen's Seedling is
a little earlier in ripening than Sir J. Paxton, and
carries its fruit well above the soil ; foliage quite
dark and distinct ; a valuable standard variety.
President was excellent, very free, and, like the
preceding, an acknowledged standard Straw-
berry. A variety named Bothwell Bank is very
like President in growth, but the fruit appeared
to be a little deeper in colour. Grove End Scarlet
bears small round fruit said to be good for preserv-
ing, but it is not a promising variety as seen at
Langley. Victory is something in the way of Presi-
dent, but the fruit is of a different shape. James
Veitch produced its large and striking fruit of great
size, a strong growing variety and a good cropper.
John Ruskin is a new variety, producing somewhat
small redfruit; probably it requires another season's
growth to be seen to better advantage. Pioneer
(Laxton) is a large and handsome mid-season va-
riety, but not particularly striking as seen at
Langley.

The late varieties were scarcely in on the occa-
sion of my visit, and the heavy rains of the succeed-
ing days prevented them from being inspected to
advantage. Filbert Pine is one of the best of the
Pine varieties, but to do it justice it needs a light
rich soil. Eleanor (syn., Oxonian) is one of the
best late varieties, fruit large and a good bearer.
Frogmore Late Pine is so late, that when the mid-
season varieties were at their best the fruit had
not commenced to colour. It is a free-bearing
Strawberry and a strong grower. Waterloo was
doing well here, quite late, large fruit of fine col-
our, and a good grower. Elton Pine is a fine late
preserving variety, and the fruit colours well to the
very centre. Cockscomb is a free-bearing variety
of good quality. Jubilee (Laxton) is a pale-coloured
late variety, and, as far as it could be judged of
here, not likely to become a leading variety. Dr.
Hogg and British Queen were growing freely and
bearing well. Loxford Hall Seedling is by no means
a good grower at Langley, and others who grow it
make the same admission. Unser Fritz, Latest of
All, and one or two others were not in a sufficiently
forward condition to judge accurately of their
merits.

The best -six garden Strawberries as named by
Mr. Arthur Turner are King of the Earlies, Sir J.
Paxton, President, Dr. Hogg, Sir C. Napier, and
Eleanor, the names being in the order of ripening
The best market varieties are King of the Earlies,
Noble, The Captain, Vicomtesse H. de Thury, Sir
J. Paxton, James Veitch, President, Sir C. Napier,
Frogmore Late Pine, and Eleanor, the same order
being observed. For preserving, Grove End Scarlet,
Vicomtesse H. de Thury, Sabreur, Eclipse, Wonder-
ful, and Elton Pine, also in the order of ripening.
The best of the Pine Strawberries are Dr. Hogg,
Royalty, Filbert Pine, British Queen, and John
Powell, one of the varieties raised at Frogmore, but
not included in the Slough collection.

R. D.

NECTARINES.
Fortunately, we have been favoured with some
really good kinds in the recent introductions and we
are largely indebted to one firm for the useful and
welcome additions they have made to the list of Nec-
tarines. We have now several valuable varieties of
the Stanwick type and flavour, but with a more ro-
bust habit. One of our most useful early Necta-
rines and best I consider, either indoors or in the
open, is Lord Napier. I find this variety very useful
for forcing, specially good for a first early in the
open on a wall, and a free setter. The tree is an
enormous bearer, and the fruit should be well
thinned to secure size. It is pleasing to see the
quantity of Nectarines on our young trees of this
variety on the walls when nearly every other kind
of wall fruit is conspicuous by its absence. That this
variety is being largely grown is apparent, as at many
exhibitions Lord Napier is the best early Nectarine.
Hardwick Seedling is another good kind, and suc-
ceeds the first named. We gathered Lord Napier
this season from an open wall without any protec-
tion on the 12th of August, and are still gathering
good fruits of it from trees on a later aspect. The
Hardwick is a large hardy kind, and certainly de-
serves a place in a collection. After that the Elruge
comes in. This is an old favourite, and for general
purposes it is not easily beaten, being of a fair
size when well grown, of good colour, and one
of our best flavoured varieties. For forcing it
is invaluable and a free bearing variety. Pitmaston
Orange is also a fine Nectarine and largely grown,
but not so robust as the Lord Napier. It is, how-
ever, a deliciously flavoured variety, and one I
should specially recommend for a small house.
Violette Hative is also a good Nectarine. Pine-
apple, a seedling from the old Pitmaston Orange, is
one of the lichest yellow-fleshed Nectarines we
have. It does remarkably well in this district in
the open, and is a fine large fruit. Victoria,
another of the newer kinds, should be grown. It
should have a south wall to ripen. There are
other very good kinds, but the ones named I prefer.
We mulch our wall trees as soon as the fruits
are ready to thin. Thinning is often neglected,
being done too late. By early mulching and thin-
ning the trees get the support necessary to produce
large fruits. Many Peach and Nectarine trees
become a prey to insect pests through a deficiency
of moisture at the roots, and by early mulching,
this, to a great extent, is prevented. Mulching
with good decomposed manure in the autumn
greatly assists in building up the buds for the
next year's supply of fruit, while a deficiency of
moisture at the roots of trees often causes the
buds to drop when starting into growth. Forced
trees need abundance of moisture with good drain-
age and feeding. We water frequently with liquid
manure from the cowsheds both inside and out,
and use cow manure as a mulch. On our light
sandy soil it is very beneficial. We unnail the
trees as soon as the leaves fall, and leave them un-
fastened as long as possible, thus getting a late
blossoming period. G. Wythes.

Syon House.

Plum Early Buhl. — By the same mail I send
you a sample of fruits of the Biihler Friihzwetsche
(Early Buhl Plum). This Plum is very early. It
begins to ripen about the end of July and stands
travelling very well. Every day during the harvest,
ten to twelve railway wagons are dispatched from
Biihl. The Plums are sent to many parts of Ger-
many, Switzerland, Holland and Belgium, and
even as far as London. The tree is a strong grower
and a sure and heavy cropper. The bloom stands
3° of frost without being injured ; therefore it very
seldom misses a crop. I learn that this variety was
first found in the small village of Kappel, near
Biihl, where a few strong trees about forty years
old are still to be found. The tree can be propa-
gated very freely from suckers. In fact, the people
hereabout say that grafted trees do not last long ;
they grow all right for a few years, when they sud-
denly die off without any visible cause. Besides
supplying the markets of the neighbouring towns,
especially that of Baden-Baden, the fruits used
to be chiefly employed for making brandy, but now

Aug. 30, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

207

the demand for it as a dessert fruit for exporting
has so increased, that it pays better to sell them
directly from the trees. The demand for this ex-
cellent Plum is increasing yearly, and therefore the
peasants keep on planting it largely. They say it
pays better than growing Grapes, which have been
a total failure these last ten years. — G. W. Uhink,
Licktenthal, near Baden-Baden.

%* A nice little Plum and well- flavoured. Thank
you for sending it. — Ed.

Apple Prince Bismarck. — This with us is
equally good grown as a cordon, a pyramid, or a
standard, and will, I am certain, be worthy of a
place in every collection of Apples. I find it very
free both on the Paradise stock and on the Crab,
and last year it was one of the most handsome
fruits in the fruit-room, keeping till the spring and
retaining a splendid flavour, and well meriting the
first class certificates it has received when shown
at the Royal Horticultural Society and at the
Crystal Palace. I think it one of the best intro-
ductions we have had of late years, and as it bears
well and keeps for a long time, it will no doubt
be largely grown. It is a large Apple with a yellow
skin, flushed and covered on the sunny or exposed
side with red. This Apple was shown in good
condition at the Temple show on May 30, thus
proving its good keeping qualities. — G. Wythes,
at/on Souse.

New Melons.— I quite agree with all that Mr.
Clayton says, on page 148, in favour of the new
green-fleshed Melon The Countess. I have grown
it this season, and have found it to be a very excellent
variety. Another new kind of great merit which I
have grown along with the above is Scarlet Invin-
cible, a scarlet-fleshed kind. The plant is a very
strong grower, almost to a fault, as fruits are not
easily obtained until the plant is fully developed,
when they set very freely. The fruit is large
and handsome, beautifully netted, and of delicious
flavour. These two kinds, the last-named in par-
ticular, should prove splendid sorts for exhibition.
The cool, cloudy weather of this summer has not
been conducive to high flavour in Melons in common
with other fruits ; kinds, therefore, like those under
notice, possessing that essential even when grown
under conditions not the most favourable, should
be noted as varieties worthy of being added to the
list of reliable sorts. — Jas. Geaham, Milne Gfraden,
Coldstream, JV.B.

Fruit trees on iron fences. — There was
an inquiry in The Gaeden recently respecting
growing fruit trees on iron fences. It appears
to be rather a strange question to ask, seeing
that fruit trees have been grown on iron arches as
well as trained horizontally on wires for some
years past. It is, however, evident that the corre-
spondent who asked the question was not aware that
such was the case. Many kinds of fruit trees may
be well grown if trained to an iron fence. Any
kinds of Apples, Pears, or Plums that make good
espalier trees maybe safely taken in hand for cover-
ing an iron fence. The trees, if the fence is 5 feet or
more in height, should be trained fan-shape instead
of horizontally. When the fence is only 3 feet or 4
feet high horizontal training is the best. Under
this system the trees will bear very well for a rea-
sonable time. Some good sorts of Apples for this
sort of work will be found in King of the Pippins,
Ribston Pippin, Rymer, Lane's Prince Albert, and
Jolly Beggar. Amongst Pears I may name Louise
Bonne of Jersey, Emilie d'Heyst, Durandeau and
Duchesse d'Angouleme. Probably the best Plums
are Rivers' Early Prolific and the white and purple
Magnum Bonum. Of the ultimate result of this se-
lection I have not a doubt if the conditions in other
respects are equal, but what tells against this style
of growing fruit trees is the persistent system of
summer pruningthat is adopted by the majority of
people. They prune much too early. The end of
August is quite soon enough to remove the summer
growth, as when it is done at that time in a proper
manner very little winter-pruning is necessary. —
J. C. C.

Apples at Maiden Erieigh. — On a large num-
ber of young trees on the Paradise stock, now some
four years planted, Mr. Turton has a fine crop of

Apples, but still there are many trees barren, and
like trees generally, making far too much growth
this year. Of sorts fruiting well, some indeed
having had to be hard thinned, are Frogmore Pro-
lific, Warner's King, the finest selection of which
is grown here under the name of Barker's Seedling,
Small's Admirable, King Harry (Codlin type), Car-
dinal (Sufheld type), Cox's Pomona, Cockle Pippin,
King of the Pippins, Gascoigne's Scarlet Seedling,
Potts' Seedling, Winter Hawthornden, Saltmarsh's
Queen, Stirling Castle, Bismarck, and Court Pendu
Plat. On old standard trees Irish Peach lias fruited
well. On the walls some kinds of Pears have
set well, but of Plums there are none, as is the
case so generally. — A. D.

WASPS IN THE VINERY.
On page 110 a correspondent asks for information
as to the best thing to use to keep wasps out of a
vinery, but up to the present time (August 23) no
one has offered any hints upon the subject. This
is to be regretted, for there are a good many Grape
growers besides " Reader " who would be glad to
know of a cheap material that would keep out wasps
and yet not be detrimental to the Grapes. As far
as my experience goes, no material of sufficiently
fine mesh to keep out wasps that can be tried is to
be recommended. Hexagon netting, frigi domo,
scrim canvas, and coarse muslin have all been tried
at different times, and, as far as the wasps are con-
cerned, successfully. The drawback to the use of
either or all of the materials named lies in the fact
that they exclude air to such an extent as to seri-
ously affect the keeping qualities of the Grapes.
When there is a clear atmosphere and plenty of
air stirring no harm results, but directly wet, muggy
weather sets in, then also commences the trouble
with the Grapes. One or two berries decaying in a
bunch and overlooked for a few hours soon spoil
the rest of the bunch, and in a few days more harm
results to the Grapes from the stagnant atmo-
sphere than the wasps could effect in a month. It
is true, much may be done by keeping the hot-
water pipes warm and so maintaining a buoyant
atmosphere, but the owners of small vineries
especially -are not easily induced to burn
much fuel during August and September, and
that is when the mischief is done. Unless
plenty of fire-heat has been given this season
the Grapes will not keep long, plenty of heat —
either from sunshine or the hot-water pipes — being
necessary to bring about the chemical changes in
the berries, or in other words to develop the sugar,
without which the Grapes are of little value. The
very worst thing that can be done is to enclose the
bunches separately in muslin bags, as they are
almost certain to keep badly in these. When we
were under the necessity of covering the openings
with hexagon netting, a material that might suit
"Reader," we also had framework covered with
it to fix in the doorways, and the doors being set
constantly open, more air was admitted through
these than the ordinary ventilators. Of late years
we have been content to use Davis' wasp destroyer
inside the house, and to search out and take as
many wasps' nests as possible. By " taking,'' I mean
destroying, this in most cases being done simply by
pouring in gas tar and closing the openings. A
piece of cotton wool steeped in cyanide of potassium
and placed in the hole is equally as effective, and
answers best for the nests at a great distance from
the tar supply. The wasp destroyer is also recom-
mended for use in a manner similar to the potas-
sium, and I have found it answer well. A little of
it placed on berries which have been partly eaten by
wasps soon attracts them, and, what is far more
remarkable, quickly poisons some and scares away
the rest. This season the wasps started strongly
on our Grapes, and it was several days before we
discovered a nest in the outside border. In order
to test the wasp destroyer more fully than usual,
this nest was not destroyed when many others in
the neighbourhood were, but very rarely do any of
them find their way through the ventilators not
more than 2 yards from the nest, and they do not
long remain at the vinery. Being able to keep the
ventilators open to their fullest extent whenever

advisable is an advantage of which too much can-
not be said, and a very great relief to us, as our
earliest houses are in a low moist position.

W. IGGT/LDEN.

THE TRUE REINETTE GRISE DU
CANADA APPLE.
The Universal Exhibition has once more de-
monstrated the fact that fruit growers are not
agreed as to the variety of Apple tree which
has produced the sub-variety known as the Rein-
ette Grise du Canada. Under this name some
exhibitors showed the Grosse Reinette Grise
d'Automne, one of the most prolific and best
kinds ; others the Reinette Grise de Bretagne,
the Reinette Grise Parmentier, and even the
Reinette Grise d'Hiver, called by our forefathers
the Peau de Crapaud, or Toad-skin Apple. It
must, however, be stated that a few exhibitors
presented the true variety (or rather sub-variety,
as it will be presently seen that it originated as
a chance sport on the Reinette du Canada Apple
tree, just as formerly the Doyenne Roux, and
more recently the Duchesse d'Angoulcme
bronzee Pears appeared as sports on their respec-
tive original varieties). On February 1, 1853,
the following letter appeared in the .Rente Hor-
tlcole : —

A Spobtixg Apple Teee.

My discovery, like many others, was made by
chance. A few years since I laid out a garden
about 2i acres in extent, and planted in it nearly
300 fruit trees of various kinds. Among these was
a Reinette du Canada Apple tree, which from the
time it commenced to bear constantly produced
only the normal fruit of this variety. On Sep-
tember 20, 1847, however, after gathering forty-
three Apples from this tree, I was greatly surprised
by the appearance of one fruit which was of an
entirely grey colour. I examined the tree very
carefully under the impression that one of my as-
sistants nr'ght have inserted a graft upon it, but of
this I found no trace. The branch which bore this
grey-skinned Apple was very slender compared
with the other branches; and although the tree
was of very vigorous growth, and was trained in
spindle or distaff fashion, the leaves of this parti-
cular branch were very small and almost closed up.
I allowed the phenomenal Apple to remain on the
branch, which also bore two other fruits of the
normal type. I invited several of my fruit-growing
acquaintances andshowed them this freak of Nature,
at which they were astonished, having never seen
anything like it before. I then tied an Osier twig
round the branch in order to mark it, and in the
spring of 1848 I cleft-grafted my new variety. In
the previous December we ate the strange grey-
skinned Apple, and found that it had the flavour
of the Reinette du Canada Apples. We then named
it Reinette de Chalons.

This year the parent branch on the original tree
made very little growth, but produced four fine
grey-skinned fruit along with ninety-two of the
ordinary Reinette du Canada Apples.

Renaud.

After reading this letter we at once applied
to our colleague, the writer, for grafts or a
specimen plant of the new variety, and from
that day to this no other kind has been pro-
pagated in our nurseries under the name of
Reinette Grise du Canada.

From the time this variety was put into
commerce, substitutes for it which bear reddish-
skinned fruit have been frequently palmed off
on the unwary. Skilled fruit growers, how-
ever, know how to distinguish the true sub-
variety. In the nursery, the orchard, and the
garden the appearance of the type and the sub-
variety is identical as regards vigorous growth,
habit, the fertility of the tree, the shape and
indentations of the leaves, and the form, size,
and ripening time of the fruit. The slight
difference in the flavour of the fruit is similar

208

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 30, 1890.

to that which is found in the fruit of all grey,
tawny, or golden-skinned Apples and Pears
when compared with green, yellow, or red-
skinned fruit of the same kinds.

This resemblance between the sub-variety and
the type does not occur in the Apples described
under this name by Philip Miller, Forsyth, and
Etienne Calvel in 1805, by Louis Rose in 1809,
and by Louis Noisette in 1825. Andre Leroy
has it as a tree with short wood, like Parker's
Pippin — a character which the true sub-variety
does not exhibit. Monsieur Mas, in his
" Verger," makes it only synonymous with the
Royal Russet of the English ; but the Pomo-
logical Congress has truly described it as "A
sub-variety of the Reinette du Canada, possess-
ing the same qualities and requiring the same
mode of culture." As it originated not far
from our own part of the country, we have
been the better enabled to study it and recom-
mend it. — Charles Baltet, in Revue Horticole.

then exceeded 30 feet in height, yet they
had every appearance of attaining to goodly
dimensions, judging by their bright foliage
and current year's growth. Around London I
have met with many fine specimens of the
Liquidambar, some of the healthiest and freest
growing being those on the lake side in
Chevering Park, Lord Stanhope's well-wooded
estate. That alluvial deposit is best suited for
bringing this tree to perfection is very evident
to the observer of a number of specimens
scattered over a tract of varying ground — vary-
ing as to soil. Where the Douglas Fir does well,
there also the Sweet Gum is quite at home, the
long prettily tinted growths and glossy green,
pleasantly scented leaves indicating perfect
harmony with its surroundings.

The splendid tints assumed in autumn by the
Sweet Gum are alone sufficient reason for ad-
vocating an extension of the planting of the
tree in our parks, and its being perfectly hardy,

Trees and Shrubs.

THE SWEET GUM.
(liquidambar styraciflua. )
Especially handsome, whether for its brilliant
autumnal colours or pretty star-like leaves, the
Sweet Gum is a tree of which every owner of
even a medium-sized specimen may justly feel
proud. For ornamental planting the Sweet
Gum is second to no other tree of my acquaint-
ance ; even when stripped of its richly-tinted
autumn foliage the erect and peculiarly symme-
trical growth gives it a handsome and pleasing
outline. Then it must not be described as hard
to cultivate, for any dampish loamy soil would
seem to suit it well, and when once established
it grows away as freely as a Maple or a Poplar.
That there are dwarf forms cannot be denied,
and some of these grow very slowly, and rarely
exceed a score of feet in height, but for all
that they are of particular interest, and of
great value for planting where ground space is
scant or where a larger-growing tree would be
out of place. The character of the soil has, no
doubt, much to do with the perfect development
or otherwise of the Sweet Gum, for I notice on
this property, where there are not a few speci-
mens young and old, that a poor dry soil is
inimical to the welfare of the tree, while a rich,
somewhat dampish loam induces a long and
strong annual growth. This dwarfing of the
tree is, however, no serious drawback, so far at
least as general appearance is concerned, as the
leaves, though smaller in slow-growing speci-
mens, are quite as handsome in outline, and
develop all the autumn charms for which fully
grown trees are so remarkable. The smooth,
shining, long-stalked and deeply-lobed leaves
and dark grey corky-ridged bark render the
tree of easy recognition, even in the younger
stages of growth, while there is a neatness
about the general contour and stately form of
growth which can hardly be passed by unno-
ticed.

Introduced to this country about two cen-
turies ago, and being a general favourite with
planters of ornamental trees, the Sweet Gum
has in a few instances at least attained to
goodly dimensions, the head being bushy and
well clothed and the stem stout and straight.
At Syon there was, and may be still for aught I
know, a noble specimen of this tree, the total
height at that time (1883) being fully 80 feet,
while the stem rose clean and straight and with-
out a branch for fully 30 feet. Some few years
ago there was a healthy group of the Sweet
Gum at Kew, and though none of the trees

Liquidambar styraciflua in flower.

accommodating, and by no means difficult to
procure are extra recommendations.
Eolwood. A. D. W.

Erica multiflora. — This is a near ally of the
Cornish Moor Heath, Erica or Gypsocallis vagans,
and like that well known kind it is at its best dur-
ing the summer and early autumn months. While
the pink blossoms of the Cornish Heath are borne
for a considerable distance along the upper part of
the shoots, those of E. multiflora are arranged in a
much denser manner. Both of them are very valu-
able during the latter part of the summer, and, in-
deed, frequently till cut off by frost, for they will
both grow and flower profusely almost anywhere
provided they are in a sunny spot, and the soil is
not waterlogged. A very interesting and orna-
mental feature in the garden might be formed by
these hardy Heaths alone, some of which would be
in flower nearly all the year. — T.

Hypericum aureum. — Among the various St.
John's- worts now in flower this is very showy, and
it must certainly be regarded as one of the best
American species of Hypericum. It is of compara-
tively recent introduction, and is by no means
common in this country. The foliage is of a beau-
tiful bright green tint, while the flowers, which are
borne on very short stalks and in dense leafy clus-
ters, are of a bright yellow colour, and remarkable
from the circumstance that the stamens are so nu-
merous, and so long as to extend over the major
portion of the flower, the points of the petals alone
being visible. The blooms are each about 2 inches
in diameter, and a succession being kept up for a
considerable time it is an object of great beauty at
a season when hardy shrubs in flower are by no

means numerous. In Torrey's and Gray's " Flora of
North America" this is said to be a splendid, butlocal
species. It is found in Carolina and Georgia, and
seems to be hardier than some of the beautiful
oriental species which are liable to be injured in
the winter.— H.

Robinia Pseudacacia semperflorens. —

This variety of the False Acacia is remarkable from
the fact that while it flowers at the same time as
all the others a scattered succession of bloom is
afterwards kept up throughout the summer, and this
peculiarity is certainly in its favour when regarded
solely from an ornamental point of view. The
flowers of this are, as in the typical kind, white.
The False Acacia is certainly very prolific of va-
rieties, perhaps the finest being the now well-known
Decaisneana, a free-growing kind with pink blos-
soms, and besides this there are fastigiata, which is
of quite an erect habit ; monophylla, with large en-
tire leaves ; the curious little umbrella-like umbra-
culifera ; sophora:folia, with leaves very like those
of Sophora japonica ; angustifolia or elegans, with
light elegant foliage and habit of growth ; and the
golden - leaved aurea, one of the
prettiest golden leaved trees that we
possess. — T.

Olearia Haasti.— To the many
good qualities possessed by this shrub,
and noted on p. 149, may be added
the fact that it will thrive close to
the sea, and -where fully exposed to
the spray. Along our southern coasts
it may be often seen in flourishing
condition in company with the Ta-
marisk and shrubby Veronicas, all of
which seem to find their surroundings
very congenial to them. There are
very few shrubs that have made such
headway in a short time as this
Olearia, which is no doubt owing to
the fact that it is easily propa-
gated, and forms a neat evergreen
at all times. It may be readily struck
from cuttings put in at almost any
season of the year, but perhaps the
best time is towards the latter part of
the summer when the current season's
growth is almost ripened, and the
shoots then form the best of cuttings.
All they require is to be placed in sandy soil in
a frame that should be kept close till they are
rooted.— H. P.

The Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera). — I
was interested in Mr. A. D. Webster's notice of this
tree, which is a favourite of mine. Mr. Webster,
however, should note that it is not suited to every
soil, but requires rather a damp soil. I have tried
it here, but could not get it to grow. Our soil is
loam upon chalk (or rather upper green sand) and
the situation very high. The soil is evidently too
dry, as the tree flourishes in a low damp situation
about a mile off. The finest specimen with which
I am acquainted is at Taplow House, near Maiden-
head. I cannot give its dimensions, but it is a very
lofty and noble tree.— Richard Hooper, Upton
Rectory, Didcot.

Oreodaphne californica. — The specimen
sent by J. Oswald is worthy of a note as well as
name ; it is not the Camphor Laurel, as supposed by
the sender, but Oreodaphne californica, which
forms a tree in California, and attains to a height
of 20 feet to 100 feet, with a very stout stem. It
grows in forests, and the odour of camphor is very
strong at all seasons. The flowers are not showy,
being small, of a greenish yellow, produced from
the axils of the leaves in small umbels. The
plant was, I believe, introduced to this country by
that prince of travellers, David Douglas. It belongs
to the order Lauracese, which includes the Camphor
tree of China and Japan (Laurus Camphora). — H.

Veronica propagation. — I do not know any-
thing that can be more easily propagated than the
dwarf shrubby Veronicas. At almost any stage of
their growth their short shoots may be struck like
bits of Willow, and that in nearly any medium, so

Aug. 30, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

209

that I am at a loss to account for failure, unless
from one cause, and if that should happen to be
the guilty one, it would be sufficient to frustrate
any attempt, however carefully made. It is this :
Very often during both summer and winter the
dwarf species will have withered branches, and so
slowly sometimes does the withering process come
about, that the precise time it begins may not have
been noticed. If cuttings should have been taken
from any such faulty parts, they are sure to fail. I
always examine the slips to see that the pith is not
brown nor the wood stained with any other than
the normal colour ; cuttings with such faults are
sure to dry up, but with healthy material one could
hardly fail.— J. Wood.

A huge Rhododendron. — In the pleasure
grounds of Bulmershe, near Reading, where Rho-
dodendrons, Azaleas, Kalmias, &c, grow in won-
derful profusion, there is one of the former shrubs
planted many years ago on the Grass, and which
has, having been let too much alone, covered the
immense area of 92 feet in diameter, being upwards

bed planted at the city institutions at Deer _ Is-
land: "The central design of the surface work is a
large G. A. R. badge 12 feet by 6 feet. Every detail
of the familiar insignia is faithfully worked out. The
eagle which forms the clasp in the badge is composed
of Altanantheria Orea, and the crossed cannon beneath
it are Tropolibes, the sword being of St. Helena. The
cannon-balls are of Simberbi, and the bars of the flag
are alternately of red Altanantheria and white Ocas."

Ferns.

THE ROYAL FERN.

(OSMUNDA EEGALIS.)

This Fern is not found in a wild state in the
neighbourhood of London, but I should think
it will eventually become established in the
neighbourhood of Carshalton and Hackbridge,
in Surrey, for the plant is grown in large quan-
tities in Mr. Smee's grounds there, and I should

becomiug a large mass of roots, which enclose
many crowns. These fronds, notwithstanding
their tough and leathery appearance, are, how-
ever, of only one year's existence, as they die
away in autumn ; thus the plant is deciduous.
The fronds are twice or three times divided,
the pinnie being coriaceous in texture, and
about 2 inches long in the upper part of the
frond. The pinnules are wholly contracted,
and form a dense Spiraea-like head of flower ;
but on many of the fronds only half of the
pinnae are contracted and fertile. There are but
very few varieties of this plant, although we
have several exotic kinds which are specially
desirable, and all are entitled to the name of
flowering Ferns, as the fructification is produced
in masses upon the contracted pinnules. The
varieties are : —

0. eegalis ceistata, a very handsome Fern, hav-
ing all its divisions well developed, and in addition

The Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis) .

of 270 feet in circumference. It is about to be re-
moved, as it occupies far too much of lawn space,
especially that all around similar shrubs grow in
great luxuriance. The park at Bulmershe is finely
timbered and wooded, the soil suiting all sorts of
trees and shrubs remarkably well. — A. D.

Ceanothus Gloire de Versailles. — What a
charming effect is produced in late summer and
early autumn by having in an irregular group a large
bold mass of Ceanothus Gloire de Versailles, planted in
prepared, light peaty soil, in conjunction with Hy-
drangea paniculata grown in natural soil. — W. Crump.

Clethra barbinervis, obtained from Japan
throueh Mr. Thomas Hogg in 18/5, is now in bloom at
the Kissena Nurseries, Flushing, and a very striking
shrub it is. It is a strong grower, with leaves 6^ inches
long and 3 inches wide on leaf steins 1 inch long. The
flowers are pure waxy white, with white pistil and sta-
mens, and they are arranged in racemes 6 inches long.
The plant ii especially valuable because it blooms when
few shrubs are in flower. Mr. Parsons reports that it
is sometimes affected slightly by the winter.

Bedding out in America.— The following
from a Boston daily paper purports to describe a

imagine the spores will eventually find their
way into the many fine and suitable places to
nurture it which exist in the locality. It is a
common Irish Fern, and I have found it
abundantly in that country ; it is also found
plentifully in Devonshire, and I know of it in
one locality in Sussex, which shall be nameless,
for this is a county too frequently haunted by the
itinerant Fern salesman, and if disclosed the
whole stock would be cleared away before next
year. I have also had several plants sent me
from North Wales, from the neighbourhood of
Dolgelly, a district where Ferns abound. The
fronds of the Royal Fern attain a large size,
especially if the specimens can be planted in
the vicinity of water, for it loves such a spot
and a moist atmosphere ; indeed, it does not
grow well if these conditions are not accorded
it, and probably the greatly increased drainage
of the land has had something to do with its
scarcity. When strong the fronds rise to a
height of 6 feet or 7 feet or more. They are
leathery in texture and bronzy green, the stem

having upon the ends of the fronds segments flatly
expanded and crested, giving the whole plant a
very distinct and handsome appearance. This form,
I believe, is another of the many examples of
British Ferns assuming the crested form in a state
of nature. I know of but one other form of this
Royal Fern.

0. eegalis eamo- ceistata. — This plant re-
sembles the preceding,"but in addition to the crests
it has the frond itself divided and split up, and
thus it becomes ramified. I do not know how this
plant originated.

O. cinnamomeA. — This is one of the most dis-
tinct and beautiful of foreign Ferns, and no collec-
tion of exotic kinds should be without it. It is a
deciduous plant, the fertile and barren fronds being
distinct. The barren fronds are twice divided, each
from 2 feet to 3 feet long, and about 6 inches or
7 inches wide, spreading outwards, the colour being
of a metallic green. The fertile fronds rise in the
centre, erect, each some 2 feet to 2J feet long, the
greater portion of which is naked stem, the upper
portion being densely covered with the contracted
fertile pinna? and a dense mass of reddish-brown or
cinnamon-coloured hairs. This plant I have im-

210

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 30, 1S90.

ported largely from North America, and it is also
found in various parts of the East Indies and South
America. I have also had a very pretty form from
the island of Jamaica.

0. Claytoniana, more appropriately named 0.
interrupta, by which name it is also frequently
known, is another lovely species from North Ame-
rica. The fronds, which are quite barren, are each
from 2 feet to 3 feet long, spreading outwards, the
fertile ones rising in the centre and erect, and hav-
ing some four or five pairs of the central pinna? con-
tracted and wholly fertile, rendering it at once
conspicuous and attractive.

Anyone having a suitable place for the growth
of Osmundas should endeavour to raise them
from seed, and to do this fruiting fronds of the
right age should be obtained, this being whilst
the spore cases or husks are of a deep green
colour. The spores themselves, too, are of a
dun-green hue when they are ripe, and there-
fore the fruiting points of the fronds should
not be left until they become brown, or they
will be quite empty. The spores having been
secured, they may be sown on genial spots in
the open air, but I prefer sowing them under
cover and growing them on for a year or two,
as thus the seedlings will have the benefit of
protection for the first winter, their most try-
ing time. G.

tion than usual. None of Mr. Jesse's flowers call
for special attention saving No. 4, which is a finely
opened bloom with a spreading, well-marked lip,
the colour being very rich. It is easily grown, and
in habit of growth much resembles L. purpurata.
It is an old species in English gardens where it is
best known as Cattleya crispa, and first flowered in
this country upwards of fifty years ago. — W. H. G.

Orchids.

ODONTOGLOSSUM EXCELLENS.
Flowers of this beautiful and rare plant, a
supposed hybrid between O. Peseatorei and O.
tripudians, have been sent me from "C. H. "
for a name. This plant was figured in The Gab-
den, April 1, 1882, in company with O. Pesea-
torei. The flowers are considerably larger than
those of Peseatorei, the sepals and petals bright
canary-yellow, with a few spots of chestnut-
brown on each segment, but usually the petals
are destitute of spots, and have a central band
of almost white running through them ; the lip
large, white, more or less blotched with reddish
spots, the crest and disc being rich deep yellow.
This is the description of the flower sent me,
which is really a beautiful one. As a rule, 1
do not like either yellow forms of O. Peseatorei
or Alexandra, because the yellow has been of a
very impure hue, and it usually appears to me
that the pure white of these flowers has been
sacrificed for a dirty shade of colour with no
claim to beauty. Here the yellow is bright and
beautiful, and the white lip affords an agreeable
contrast. The plant, I believe, first appeared
in the collection of Sir Trevor Lawrence at Bur-
ford Lodge, since which time I have observed
it in one or two collections in the country. It
has never been imported by itself.

Hybrid plants, either naturally or artificially
raised, usually grow very freely, but I am not
aware that this Orchid has given any inkling of
its being of hybrid origin by this test ; indeed,
were it to do this, I am of opinion the plant
would have become more common by this time,
or it would at least have been more frequently
seen. The plant in question came home with a
consignment of O. Peseatorei from New Gre-
nada, gathered at some 7000 feet to 8000 feet
elevation, consequently it requires cool treat-
ment ; indeed, the course pursued to secure
good O. Alexandre and O. Peseatorei will also
be equally successful with O. excellens, which
" C. H. ' ought to prize highly, as it is an Or-
chid that cannot be obtained every dav.

W. H. Gower.

Lselia crispa. — A fine series of flowers of this
plant come to me from J. Jesse, and I am pleased
to see this beautiful old plant receiving more atten-

VANDA HOOKEPJANA.

Without entering into the present controversy
between "F._ VV. B." and " W. H. G." as to
the occurrence, or non-occurrence, of this
species among the flora of Labuan, I think it
might interest your readers to read the follow-
ing description of its appearance when wild
in another place. These remarks are from
Major Frowd Walker, of Perak, who has kindly
allowed me to pass them on to you and were
called forth by some inquiries I made of him as
to the climatic conditions under which this, to
us, coy beauty flourishes in its native habitats.
He says : —

Strange to say, this Orchid only grows in one
district of Perak, the Kinta district, which differs
in no way as regards natural formation from any
other, with the exception that there are numerous
outcrops of limestone. The district of Kinta is a
long valley formed by ranges of hills running due
north and south, thickly covered with vegeta-
tion, and watered by the Perak River, which has
numerous tributaries rising in the hills on either
side. This district, like others in the State of
Perak, is thickly studded with marsh. These
marshes are full of thick low undergrowth, no
more than 5 feet high, and quite or almost bare of
forest. They are, therefore, exposed to the full
rays of the sun. In some of these marshes the
Vanda Hookeriana is found creeping over the
undergrowth. The stems seem to rest on the tops
of the bushes and the suckers cling gently to them.
The flower is always to be seen on the top of the
bushes, away from all shade, in the blazing sun. It
does not grow, apparently, in the shade. It flowers
all the year round. I have passed through a marsh
such as I have described deep in mud and water,
and seen the whole undergrowth covered with this
Orchid in bloom. It is no uncommon sight when stay-

_ in Kinta to find the dining-table covered with
these flowers, and I daresay as many as 1000 blos-
soms would be in vases about the house ; and every
morning fresh flowers can be supplied without
making the slightest effect on the appearance of
the marsh which happens to be at the foot of the
plateau, where the officers' quarters are built at
Batu Gajah, Kinta. So common is this flower in
the district, that it is called "the Kinta weed.'' The
stems grow to the thickness of an ordinary lead-
pencil, though that would be rather above the aver-
age. The flowers last for days when cut and placed
in water — fully ten clays before showing signs of
fading, which they do by gradually losing their beau-
tiful purple-violet shade until they become quite
white. Even then they do not look dead ! These
marshes are wet all the year round, and never really
dry. If not up to your knees in water, they are
in the dry season (which is very seldom) moist and
muddy.

I have several plants of this Orchid growing in
my garden on high dry ground, well manured ;
also in wet marshy ground. Thick common sticks
are placed for them to climb up. In every case
the plants are thriving wonderfully, the stems be-
ing as thick, thicker I think than when in the
jungle. But those on the higher ground are by far
the finest. The plants are always in flower, and the
blossoms very large. The roots are planted in the
ground. This seems to upset the theory that they
must be grown in marsh, which is their home, and
the only place where they are found existing in a
wild state.

I do not think the plan of attaching them to rafts
a good one ; I would rather advise the roots being
put into a rich loamy soil, and the plants kept in a

temperature of 114°. Also adopt my system of
placing thick sticks for them to creep up, and see
how it answers.

Then follow most carefully prepared and
very elaborate tables of the thermometrical
readings for the year 1889 at Batu Gajah,
Kinta, which, however, seem to me more
suited to the pages of the Royal Meteorological
Society's journal than to your columns. But
briefly summarised they show that the maxi-
mum varied last year between 92° in March
and 86° in November, while the minimum rose
to 74° in April and May and fell to 71° in De-
cember ; the greatest rainfall (11 '42 inches)
occurring during September.

Major Frowd Walker adds in a note —

The highest temperature registered in shade was
97° at Knola Kaiysa on April 9, the lowest G4° at
Taiping on December 23.

The greatest rainfall for the year was 155'G9
inches at Taipeng, and the least 6439 inches at
Knola Kaiysa. So the highest temperature went
with the least rainfall and the lowest with the
greatest.

The greatest rainfall in any one month was at
Topola in September with 23G8 inches, and the
greatest in any one day at Taipeng with 5'17 inches
on July 20.

Information such as the above is most valu-
able, for giving us a clear notion of the natural
conditions under which Vanda Hookeriana
thrives, and which we must endeavour to
imitate as closely as possible before we can
hope to achieve success in the manage-
ment of this most troublesome epiphyte.
I fancy, however, Major Walker must be mis-
taken in supposing that a temperature of 114°
necessary for its cultivation here. However that
may be, his graphic description of the swampy
valley, deep in slush and mud, and covered with
low scrub resplendent in a blaze of borrowed
beauty from myriads of delicate flowers all court-
ing the fierce rays of a tropical sun, will awaken
feelings of envious wonder in the minds of Or-
chid lovers when they recollect their own past
failures with " the Kinta weed."

Caversham, Heading. B. D. Knox.

P.S. — Since writing the above I have re-
ceived another letter from Major Walker
announcing his immediate return home. He
will then, I trust, further enlighten us upon the
proper treatment of this perverse, shy-blooming
V. Hookeriana, of which he tenderly remarks :
" It is the dearest plant, the very kindest ;
blossoms everlastingly, and is the most beauti-
ful, I think. My table has been covered with
it at times."

Vanda Kimballiana. — I have received flowers
of this species from Mrs. Studd, of the Royal Cres-
cent, Bath. One form in particular is very fine,
the lower sickle- shaped sepals being very broad,
these with the dorsal sepal and the petals being
pure white, the lip large, prettily fringed at the
edge, bright rich magenta in colour. This plant,
Mr. Cypher, the gardener, tells me, has been grown
in the Cattleya house, and the spike bears eleven
of these beautiful flowers. It was figured in The
Gaeden, April 5, 1S90 (p. 324) — G.

Cattleya amethystoglossa. — A spike of this
bearing twelve flowers has been sent to me. I do
not know why this plant has never become com-
mon ; it is now about forty years since the species
was first introduced, but I had never seen it in
quantity until about two years ago, when a fine lot
was imported by the Messrs. Low, of Clapton,
where I saw a quantity of its lovely blossoms. It
resembles C. guttata, and by many is considered
only a variety of that plant. The form sent me is,
however, very distinct and beautiful ; the sepals
and petals are white tinged with yellow (in some
| cases they are rosy-purple), spotted with rich bright

Aug. 30, 1890.]

THE GABDEN.

211

purple ; the front lobe of the lip is rich arnethyst-
purple. It comes from the province of Bahia,
which is warm, and succeeds best during the sum-
mer months at the warmest end of the Cattleya
house.— W. H. G.

Cattleya superba splendens. — An enormous
flower of this variety comes from Messrs. Seeger
and Tropp, Lordship Lane, Dulwich. Mr. Seeger
says, '• I send you this that you may see what a fine
form of this variety we have imported ; it is the true
Kio Negro form of the species." I must confess to
this being the very finest flower I have ever seen ;
it measures upwards of (3 inches across, the sepals
and petals being broad and of a rich rosy-pink
throughout, the middle lobe of the lip intense deep
crimson-purple, yellow on the disc, whilst the odour
emitted is very grateful and powerful. This Rio
Negro form I had when with Messrs. Eollisson and
Sons, of Tooting, and it used to grow much more
freely than the old form of superba which comes
from British Guiana. The plant appears to be
widely spread in South America, but mostly in the
vicinity of the large rivers and inundated land
lying near them. In its native country the wet
season is said to extend from December to June,
but under cultivation this has to be its resting sea-
son. The plants should never be allowed to get
quite dry. This Cattleya does well on blocks
cut out of Tree Fern stems, and should have a large
amount of sunlight. During the growing season
the plants should be taken down two or three times
in the day and dipped in a tank.— W.

SHORT NOTES.— ORCHIDS.

Lycaste leuoantha. — Flowers of this species
come to me from Mr. Seeger for a name. It is an old
and pretty plant, the sepals being light green, the
petals and lip large and pure white. — W. H. G.

Laelia eallistoglossa. — This is a wonderful
flower, the colours being gorgeous. It is a Veitchian
cross, having been raised by Mr. Seden. The plant
was obtained by crossing Laslia purpurata with Cattleya
gigas, and the flowers are of an immense size ; the se-
pals and petals are rich rosy-lilac ; the lip large, the
middle lobe being deep purple with a darker shade to-
wards the base ; throat pale yellow streaked with lines
of deep purple. It requires the same treatment as L.
purpurata. — W. G.

Lycaste Denningiana.— This was named by
Professor Reichenbach in honour of Mr. Denning
when gardener to Lord Londesborough. It is a grand
species, in the way of L. gigantea, hut handsomer, the
flowers as large, hearing greenish-white sepals, pass-
ing into ivory-white at the bis", the smxller petals be-
ing of the same hue. The lip is large, chestnut-brown,
with a thick fleshy appendage at the base, the tip re-
flexed. The plant is now blooming in Mr. Measures'
collection at Streatham. The species is said to come
from Ecuador. — W. H. G.

The Fruit Crops.

NORTHERN DIVISION.

Lathom House, Ormskirk The fruit crops

are under the average in this neighbourhood.
Apples are only a very moderate crop, and have
been much disfigured by the caterpillars. I find
nothing better than the fire-hose for cleansing the
trees. Pears are a fairly good crop. Cherries,
Gooseberries, and Currants are also a heavy crop and
the fruit is of good size. Strawberries were a heavy
crop and the fruits fine, but owing to so much cold
and rain they were of poor flavour and a great many
decayed. Raspberries are also a good crop. Plums
we have none, and Damsons are very scarce.
Peaches are a good crop on the open wall, but will
be small owing to the cold wet weather.

Potatoes are a good crop, but the disease has
made its appearance, especially among early kinds.
—J. Hathaway.

Alnwick Castle, Northumberland.— Apples
generally in this neighbourhood are a moderate
crop, several varieties being heavily laden with fruit,
whilst the leaves of some kinds are much injured,
apparently with cold frosty winds. Stirling
Castle, Duchess of Oldenburg, Lane's Prince
Albert, Lord Grosvenor, King Pippin, and several

small varieties have a crop, whilst Ribston Pippin
and Cox's Orange Pippin are good on walls. Of
varieties planted since 1888, Domino, Bismarck,
Grenadier, and Tyler's Kernel on Paradise stock are
fruiting freely. Pears are scarce, and there are
very few Plums. Apricots when in bloom promised
well, but 12° of frost on April 12 completely des-
troyed the crop in some places, whilst in others it
escaped. May Duke Cherries, as usual, are very
plentiful, but other varieties are lightly cropped.
Bush fruit very good.

Potatoes promise to be very productive. —
George Harris.

"Underley, Kirkby Lonsdale. — We had a
glorious show of blossom, but owing to adverse cli-
matic influences, the results are poor crops of fruit.
Apples are a light crop ; King of the Pippins, Annie
Elizabeth, Northern Greening, and Cellini being our
mainstay. Pears Marie Louise, Duchesse d'Orleans,
Louise Bonne of Jersey, and Fondante d'Automne on
walls have a sprinkling. Plums and Cherries light
crop. Bush fruits plentiful. Caterpillar has worked
havoc amongst trees not in first-class condition. Re-
peated dustings of fresh slaked lime, given on damp
quiet days in winter, seem to give the trees a
chance to resist their attacks. — W. A. Milleb.

Raby Castle, Darlington. — Apples are a
good crop and of good quality. Pears very few.
Plums quite a failure. Apricots good. Cherries of
all kinds fairly good. Bush fruit good, and Goose-
berries abundant. Strawberries, of which we only
grow three varieties, viz., Keen's Seedling, Sir
Charles Napier, and James Veitch, which answer
all purposes, are good. The only variety of recent
introduction that I have grown and which I have
now discarded for pot culture is Laxton's Noble,
which can never be an acquisition in any respect
but appearance. Aphides have been very trouble-
some, and the attack would have been severe had
it not been arrested by the heavy rains we have
frequently had. Caterpillars have been very preva-
lent, and I find that hand-picking is the most
effectual remedy.— R. Westcott.

Thorpe Perrow, Yorks. — Apples are better in
this district than was at first expected, although
some sorts have fallen off very much, dessert kinds
in particular, and worst of all is Cox's Orange
Pippin. Pears are good in some places on the walls,
but in the open they are much below the average.
Plums are a bad crop generally, although we have
here and there a few good trees. Cherries are very
scarce ; Morello and Kentish moderate. Peaches
and Nectarines on a partially heated wall are good
crops, and promise to be very fine. Apricots are
good in most places, more especially at the end of
a dwelling house, where the trees have the benefit
of a warm chimney. Bush fruit is very fine and
plentiful. — W. Culvekwell.

Broug-hton Hall, Skipton. — Fruit trees on
standards and walls all gave excellent promise, be-
ing full of blossom and buds. Never did fruit trees
look more promising, but the warm sun of March
and early April brought them on prematurely, and
then frost, cold rain, and east winds set in. Many
trees have not a single fruit, and late Apples are
best. Plums very thin except Victorias, of which
there is a very good crop. Pears thin everywhere ex-
cept on south walls. Peaches and Apricots are not
grown outside. Bush fruit of all kinds very plenti-
ful.—J. Rainbow.

Bishop Auckland. —The fruit crops in this
district are certainly under the average. Apples,
Pears, and Plums are a very thin crop. Apricots
and Cherries about an average crop. Peaches extra
good. Strawberries are an excellent crop, but the
wet weather rotted fully half the fruits. I find the
best cropping kinds are Sir Harry and Bothwell
Bank. President and Sir J. Paxton also do well
here. Gooseberries and other small bush fruits,
especially Black Currants,have been much damaged

' insects, wind, and rain. — Jas. Laekin.

Sandbeck Park, Rotherham. — Gooseberries
and Currants have been a light crop, owing to
severe frosts during the time they were in flower.
Strawberries have been a heavy crop. Apples are
a light crop, the best being Lord Grosvenor, Manks

Codlin, Irish Peach, and King of the Pippins. Mo-
rello Cherries are good, and Apricots a heavy crop.
— G. Summers.

Keele Hall, Staffs. — Apples are a very poor
crop here. Old orchard trees are very thin, there
being scarcely any fruit on them. The best we
have are on small bush trees on the Paradise stock.
Pears are no better and Plums even worse, as there
is scarcely a fruit to be seen out of doors. Cherries
are an excellent crop, but much of the fruit has
rotted on the trees owing to the heavy rains. Goose-
berries, Currants and Raspberries have been good.
— J. Wallis.

Lowther Castle, 'Westmoreland.— Apples
are very thin ; indeed some orchards are quite a
failure, the fruit small and late, owing to the cold,
wet, and sunless weather. Pears, as a rule, do not do
well here, except early varieties on walls, which are
a very thin and late crop. Of Cherries there is an
average crop, both on early and late wall trees.
Plums are below the average, and Damsons are a
failure. Apricots are very scarce, and Nuts do not
succeed here. — F. Clabke.

Clayton West, Huddersfield Caterpillars

were prevalent in this district last year amongst
Gooseberries and Red Currants, and also for a short
time early in June last, but suddenly disappeared.
The plan I adopt is to give the trees a dressing of
Hellebore powder before they secure a footing, us-
ing four pounds to twenty gallons of water, applied
with a jet syringe or engine, taking care to wet
every part of the trees. The men are warned to
keep from the trees for ten days. The trees are then
thoroughly washed with the hose, and a second
dose is not necessary. The application has never
failed with me. Strawberries were abundant and
the fruit clean and good. Cold and sunless weather
prevailed during the time the earliest fruits were
ripe and a portion was lost in consequence. Cur-
rants, Gooseberries, and Raspberries are plentiful
in most cases, fruit clean and fine, especially that of
the last, Ne Plus Ultra, MacLaren's Prolific, and
Baumforth's Seedling doing well here. Apples
very thin. Pears none. Plums and Peaches can
only be grown outside under the most favourable
conditions, and this year they are a failure. Cher-
ries, including Morellos, half a crop. Peaches and
Nectarines under glass are a good average crop ;
trees are clean and healthy ; other fruits are also
good.— F. Atkins.

Tranby Croft, Hull. — The cold, cutting
winds during April and the early part of May, to-
gether with rather keen frosts and a damp atmo-
sphere, acted somewhat severely upon the hardy
fruit crops in this neighbourhood. Plums, both on
walls and standard trees, although showing good
bloom, proved a failure. Apples and Pears are only
a moderate crop, whilst May Duke and other early
Cherries suffered from the severity of the season.
Morello Cherries on walls are a fair crop, and Apri-
cots pretty good. Bush fruits, such as Goose-
berries, Raspberries, Red, White, and Black Currants,
are quite up to the average here, the last men-
tioned in many cottage gardens in this neigh-
bourhood having proved a capital crop. Unfortu-
nately, we suffered through the prevalence of an
enlarged bud on the Black Currant trees, which
caused many trees to fail. The experience of those
who are better acquainted with the cause of this
would be welcome. We do not appear to have
suffered very much from the ravages of the cater-
pillar this season, only two or three of the Goose-
berry trees exhibiting symptoms of its prevalence,
but we are generally able to keep it in check by
syringing with a solution of Quassia chips. — J. P.
LeADbettee.

SCOTLAND.
Fintray House, Kinaldie, Aberdeen. —

In reply to your inquiries regarding the fruit crop
with me, I scarcely ever saw a more abundant crop
of fruit in general than I have this year, and
although later the fruits are much larger than
usual. Regarding caterpillars, I find the best mode
of destroying them is to put a coating of soot
around the roots of the bushes in the autumn, and

212

THE GAEDEN.

[Aug. 30, 1890.

to point it slightly in. This has proved very success-
ful with me.— P. OGG.

Tyninghame, East Lothian. — Apricots are
generally a full crop. Apples, Gooseberries, and
Black Currants in some instances a good crop; in
others almost a failure. Pears are generally below
average, and Plums all but a failure. Strawberries
a very heavy crop, and Peaches generally good. —
R. P. Beotherston.

Dunkeld House, Perth.. — Apples are not a
good crop, except a few kinds, such as Codlins. I
notice now they are not swelling as they ought.
Pears are not a crop ; one or two sorts are fair.
Plums on walls are not good, but bush trees are
bearing fairly well. Cherries are first-class ; they
have not suffered with the sunless weather so much
as some fruits. Peaches are fine on open walls ;
fine large fruit, good crops and colour. Nectarines
are also fine.— P. W. Faiegeieve.

Glenbervie House, Kincardine. — The fruit
crop in this neighbourhood is about a week later
than last year. Apples and Pears are very poor.
Plums a fair crop. Cherries a failure. Black and
Ked Currants, Gooseberries and Raspberries very
abundant. Strawberries a very heavy crop, but a
great quantity of them lost owing to so much rain,
and very deficient in flavour. We have been quite
clear of caterpillars this season. I have not seen
one in the garden, but when troubled with them I
find the best way of destroying them is to mix 1 oz.
of hellebore to 1 gallon of water and apply it to the
bushes with a syringe when the caterpillars or
green-fly make theirappearance. — A.Ckuickshank.

Cullen House, Cullen, N.B.— The fruit crop
in this district is not what at one time it gave pro-
mise of. In the early part of the spring the trees
looked very promising. Apricots set very well, but
the trees were protected with a double fold of nets.
Outside Peaches bid fair in this northerly climate.
I picked a well ripened and highly coloured Peach
from the open wall on July 2G, the variety being
Alexander. The tree was planted eighteen months
ago. Plums are very poor. Pears fair. Straw-
berries and all the small fruit very good.

Potatoes are looking well, although not so early
as usual ; they seem to be quite free of disease as
yet. My old favourite Sharp's Victor still carries
the day for earliness, and is excellent for forcing.
That excellent variety Lord Rosebery is making
steady headway with farmers as a heavy cropper
and of grand quality.— J. F. Smith.

Dunrobin Castle Gardens, Sutherland. —

Small fruits of all kinds are an extra heavy crop.
Gooseberries are unusually good. Black Currants
are over average and fruit fine and large. Apples
are an excellent crop ; few trees have missed, and
the crop on most trees is much over average. The
crop south of the Tweed is in many places some-
what thin as contrasted with the north. Pears are
under average on the whole, although on some
trees there is a fair crop. Plums are under average,
but, like Pears, there are good crops on some trees.
Cherries May Duke, Black Tartarian, and similar
kinds are fine in quality and over average crop on
a north-west exposure. The Strawberry crop is
good.— D. Melville.

Dalkeith Palace Gardens. — Although the
winter and spring were unusually mild and free
from killing frosts, a few cold, raw days and nights
at the time the Apples were in full bloom did much
to lighten the crop on many free-bearing varieties.
In gardens where they receive proper attention the
crop is decidedly better, and with us it is about
the average, owing chiefly to the fine crops borne
by varieties not reputed to be regular bearers, but
they escaped the raw weather when in full bloom.
Pears are a fair crop, and the fruit clean, healthy,
and large for the period of the season. Plums are
a partial crop, most trees having borne too heavily
last year, but where the crops were thinned and
the trees duly attended to there is a good crop this
season, particularly on such excellent sorts as Early
Prolific, Pond's Seedling, Sultan, Early Transparent,
and Jefferson's. Cherries are a full crop, and the
fruit large and fine. Apricots are the finest crop
we have had for years, and only require a mode-

rately good autumn to ensure abundance of fruit
of the best quality. Peaches and Nectarines are a
fair crop, but only the earliest varieties of them
can be grown with any success on open walls. In
a favourable situation, such as this is, midseason
Peaches do tolerably well, but late Peaches, and
still more so late Nectarines, are not a profitable
crop grown in the open air. Where Peaches and
Nectarines are in demand, they ought to be grown
under glass to command success. So far the fruit
trees in this district are remarkably clean and free
from all insect pests, and the growth is strong and
healthy. Small fruits are an abundant crop, and
the fine weather which has prevailed for the past
fortnight has brought them to perfection and al-
lowed them to be gathered in the best condition.
The heavy rains in June and early part of July have
been beneficial to the small fruits. Strawberries
are a splendid crop in most places, and especially
on light soils in good condition, where in hot sea-
sons they are often burnt up. — M. Dunn.

Broxmouth Park, Dunbar. — Though there
was a great promise of fruit this season, in some
respects it has been rather disappointing in this
locality. Apples are very poor, except on Lord
Suffield, Warner's King, New Hawthornden,
Duchess of Oldenburg, Worcester Pearmain, Oslin,
Golden Noble, and King of the Pippins. Pears are
barely half a crop, except Louise Bonne of Jersey
and Beurrfi Ranee. Apricots are a splendid crop,
especially Shipley and Moorpark. Plums are light,
except Victoria and Jefferson. Cherries, particu-
larly May Duke on young trees, have been very
fine, but not Morellos. Gooseberries are very good ;
also Raspberries and Black Currants ; but Red
Currants very light, probably the result of an ex-
cessive crop last year. Strawberries I never re-
member being better than this season. They set
well, and with occasional showers to assist the
swelling of the fruit, they have been abundant. —
W. McKelvie.

Newbattle Abbey, Dalkeith Apples are

under average, but the fruit is clean and good, so
that when gathered there will be a nice lot of good
fruit. Strange to say, some of our surest croppers,
such as Warner's King, Wellington, and Hawthorn-
den, are almost a failure ; other sorts which we
used to look upon as poor croppers are bearing well.
Pears on walls are a good crop in every respect.
Plums are not an average crop, the trees having
had a terrible struggle with the caterpillars while
setting their fruit. We syringe with a strong mix-
ture made of Gishurst compound. Cherries are
an abundant crop and of good quality ; Morellos
over average crop and good. Peaches and Nec-
tarines are an average crop, but I am afraid unless
we get warmer weather they will have no flavour.
Apricots are a heavy crop and good, but they also
require sunshine. Small fruits are plentiful, and
since the weather has improved they have been
better in quality. Strawberries are a heavy crop.
— J. W. McHattie.

Milne Graden, Coldstream. — The fruit crops
in the gardens here and neighbourhood are as
follows : Apricots are generally abundant, but in
some gardens they were completely destroyed by
frost (12°) on April 13, when the fruits the size of
Walnuts were frozen to a pulp. We escaped and
have a good crop, the trees being very healthy.
Gathered ripe fruit of the variety Blenheim on July
20. Breda is now nearly ready for gathering, fruit
a beautiful orange colour with a dash of crimson
next to the sun ; a good free-fruiting and apparently
hardy variety. Peaches out of doors are also a
heavy crop here, but the fruit is going to be very
late in ripening. Green fly and blister have been
very troublesome owing to the prevalence of cold
east and north winds during the greater part of
April, May, and June. Pears and Plums are almost
a failure. The wealth of blossom on the trees in
the early part of April gave us great anticipations
of a very heavy yield, but, alas! the 12° of frost
with which we were visited a little later in the same
month, and which I have already noted, put an end
to such expectations, bud and blossom being seri-
ously crippled and ultimately falling off the trees
altogether. Some varieties of Pears which flowered

later are bearing well. The kinds are Doyenne
d'Ete, Doyenne du Cornice, Easter Beurre, Beurr§
Hardy, and Beurr^ Bosc. Apples are a very uneven
crop, some kinds requiring a severe thinning, whilst
others are without a fruit. Gooseberries are an
enormous crop this year, as also are Currants of all
kinds, and Raspberries, Bigarreau and May Duke
Cherries have been plentiful, but Morellos are very
scarce here.

Vegetables of all kinds are growing freely.
Potatoes are lifting well, and I hear no complaints
of the disease. — J AS. Geaham.

Balcarres Gardens, Colinsburgh, Fife. —

The fruit crops in this district are a fair average.
Apples and Pears about half a crop. The best of the
Apples are Warner's King, Annie Elizabeth, Nelson's
Glory, Bramley's Seedling, Lord Grosvenor, Cellini,
Irish Peach, and Cox's Pomona. Plums a fair
crop ; the best are Victoria, Kirke's and Pond's
Seedling. Peaches and Apricots where sheltered
are a full crop. Cherries half a crop. Bush fruits
in great abundance with the exception of Black
Currants, which are very scarce. I never saw"
Gooseberries so heavy and so large ; the bushes
are weighed to the ground, particularly such varie-
ties as Sulphur, Whitesmith, Crown Bob, and
Whinham's Industry. Strawberries, Garibaldi, Presi-
dent, and Elton Pine have all been exceptionally
heavy.

All kinds of vegetables are in great abundance,
but late. Potatoes are looking well both in garden
and field, and free from disease.— Edwaed Tate.

Glamis Castle, Forfarshire — The crop of
large fruits is a comparative failure in this district.
With the exception of Pears, Peaches, and Necta-
rines, most sorts bloomed well, and I think the
failure is caused by exhaustion, chiefly want of
moisture at the root, seeing we had an abnormally
dry winter and spring. Apricots and early Plums
got frosted on 13th and 14th of April, when we had
18° and 14° frost ; consequently these are light. A
few of the later Plums are better, viz , Victoria,
Pond's Seedling, Magnum Bonum, and Goliath.
Cherries generally are over average, the best being
May Duke, Black Heart, and Bigarreau Napoleon.
Morellos failed when stoning, and the trees are
gumming very badly, two and three-year-old shoots
dying out. Peaches, Nectarines,1 and Pears are a
failure. Apples are a short crop and very irregular.
In some places odd trees bear a fair crop, whilst
others are fruitless, even of the same sort. Canker
is much more prevalent, especially in trees under
twelve years old. We have several trees ruined by
canker, Lord Suflield, Manks Codlin, and Stirling
Castle perhaps the worst. Small fruits are good
in most places, though there are complaints regard-
ing Gooseberries and Black Currants being thinner
than usual. Strawberries, are over average, and
better in quality than anticipated with such a cold,
showery season. Our earliest got touched with
frost on '27th May, and the Strawberry season is
fully a fortnight later this year than usual. — James
Whitton.

Carron House, Stirling.— The general crops
of fruit will be throughout of average quantity,
and the quality is fair. Apples of the Codlin
classes, King of Pippins, Stirling Castle, Northern
Greening, Cellini, Warner's King, and Seaton
House are bearing good crops; dessert kinds are
scarce ; Margil, Worcester Pearmain, and Devon-
shire Quarrenden are the only kinds fairly cropped.
Every tree of Seaton House, large and small, is
loaded with fruit. This is never known to fail.
We have always abundant supplies of that sort
from September to May, and the quality is greatly
esteemed. Pears are few, except on some of the
coarse kinds peculiar to the district. Apricots
looked remarkably promising at one time, but the
crop was greatly decimated by severe frost early
in May. Cherries generally are a heavy crop ; Mo-
rellos are very abundant and likely to be of first-
rate quality. Currants (Red and White) are abun-
dant and of extra fine quality ; Black Currants are
a poor crop. Peaches are only grown under glass,
and are extra fine in quantity, size, and colour.
Those root-pruned as soon as the crop is removed,
from June to September, outdistance the others.

Aug. 30, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

213

Nectarines, too, have the same peculiarity. Plums,
like Apricots, at one time promised to be very
abundant, but now they have dropped their fruit
so much they will be under average. Victoria is
the freest cropper in the district. Raspberries are
abundant and good. Strawberries are a very heavy
crop, and though generally somewhat acid in
flavour must be pronounced first-rate. They are
large, and most kinds highly coloured. — M.
Temple.

Kingsmuir Hall, Peebles. — Apples are a
fair crop here, but if we do not get very good
weather during August they will not ripen, and
even if they do they will be small. Pears on walls
are few ; Louise Bonne of Jersey is the one we can
rely most upon here ; Citron des Cannes generally
ripens about the first week in September here.
Cherries and Plums are a poor crop, having suf-
fered from the spring frosts. Peaches, Apricots,
&c, are not grown in the open air in this quarter.
Small fruits of all kinds are a good crop here, and
the trees are quite free from caterpillar. I gene-
rally use tobacco juice when it makes its appear-
ance, which is seldom.— John Connison.

Cawdor Castle, Nairn. — Apples on old stan-
dards good crops ; all young trees thin ; such old
kinds as Oslin, Fulwood, Jenny Sinclair, and Blen-
heim are carrying heavy crops. Pears very poor ;
the trees bloomed well, but the flowers all dropped.
Plums almost a failure on walls ; Victorias, as stan-
dards, a full crop. Apricots fair crop. Peaches
half a crop. Cherries fair. Bush fruits — Goose-
berries extra ; Currants good ; Raspberries good ;
Strawberries good ; Garibaldi, Duke of Edinburgh,
and Elton are the best with us. The only new one
I tried this year is Noble, a fine-looking fruit, but
deficient in flavour. I never had so few caterpillars ;
the cuckoo destroyed the few we had. In spring
I scatter some hot lime about the roots of the
bushes. This I have done for the last two years,
and have found effectual. — James Maitland.

Coltness. — The crops in this neighbourhood are
the worst we have had for some years past, espe-
cially those of stone fruit. In the early part of the
season a good crop seemed almost a certainty ; the
bloom was abundant, but it did not set well. Goose-
berries are an average crop and of good quality.
We have not been much troubled with caterpillars
this year, but I find dusting with hellebore powder
and sprinkling hot lime round the trees check
them. Strawberries as a whole have done remark-
ably well, although somewhat late, owing to the
cold and almost continuous rains in this district. I
find in some parts of our neighbourhood that the
earlier kinds have suffered, owing to the bloom be-
ing damaged by the late frosts. The late kinds promise
well. I only grow a few varieties in open air, namely,
Vicomtesse H. de Thury, President, Elton Pine and
Berry's Seedling, all of which succeed well in the
neighbourhood. I have tried King of the Earlies,
but it is inferior. I find the Strawberries do best
as single stools, although they are very largely
grown in beds by those who grow them for market.
— M. Matheson.

Lochryan House, Cairnryan, "Wigtonshire.
— The fruit crop in this district on the whole is
good, Gooseberries and Currants especially so.
Apples and Pears very fair, especially late varieties.
Dessert Apples are poor and to all appearance likely
to be small. Kitchen varieties, especially Codlins,
good. Pears are a more even crop, the best crops
being on Hessle, Jargonelle, Lammas, Beurre' d'Aman-
lis, Beurre' Diel, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Colmar
d'Ete ; Marie Louise thin. Plums on walls fairly
good ; standards almost a failure ; the best crops
on walls are Duke of Edinburgh, Pond's Seedling,
Green Gage, Golden Drop, and Victoria, all good-
sized fruit. Cherries are a good crop, Morellos
especially being heavy and the fruits large.

Vegetables upon the whole are a good crop,
although much later than usual. Peas, Cauliflowers,
Beans, &c, are very good, and should we have any-
thing like a good month of August, the season,
although late, will be above theaverage. — J.Cockeb.

Drummond Castle. — The fruit crops this sea-
son in this neighbourhood with the exception of
Plums are average. Apples, Pears, and Cherries

are good crops. Gooseberries, Strawberries, Red,
White, and Black Currants are also plentiful,
but late, owing no doubt to the cold, dull, wet sea-
son.—John ROBB.

St. Fort, Fife.— This is a good fruit garden
in general, but this year Apples, Plums, and Cherries
but half a crop. Pears very deficient. Peaches and
Apricots good. All small fruits plentiful and fine.
I have not been troubled with caterpillars for many
years. I pick them off when first hatched.— Wm.

CONACHEB.

Arbuthnot House, Kincardine.— Apples an
extra crop. Pears average. Plums a good crop ;
Victoria best cropper. May Duke Cherries an extra
crop ; Morellos very poor. Gooseberries a very
heavy crop ; Langley Green (as it is called in this
quarter) the best Gooseberry. Black Currants a
heavy crop and large; Red and White very good. —
J. M. Gaibxs.

Alva, Stirling. — The general fruit crop here
this year is as follows : Apples and Pears are
average. Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots are a
good crop. Plums above the average, especially
Coe's Golden Drop, Green Gage, Kirke's, and Vic-
toria. Cherries are very abundant, and other small
fruits are very plentiful. Gooseberries here are
never troubled with caterpillars. — H. McDebment.

Blair Drummond, Perth The fruit crops in

the gardens here, Pears and Plums excepted, are
all under average. Apples are an entire failure.
Strawberries looked remarkably well when in flower,
and even set a good crop, but wet weather being so
prevalent they grew all to foliage, which prevented
the fruit from getting the sun, especially where
the soil is heavy. On light land I believe there are
good crops.— J. King.

Cluny Castle, Aberdeen. — The fruit crops in
general here are good, Apples, Cherries, and Plums
being above an average. Small fruit, such as Black
and Red Currants and Gooseberries, are the best for
many years. Caterpillars are not troublesome, as
every second year I generally give a good dusting
of lime and soot round the stems of the bushes. If
any appear, I generally dust with hellebore powder.
—James Milne.

Lennox Castle, Stirling. — I have a good crop
of Pears, not many Apples, very fine Plums ; a good
crop of Cherries. Wasps used to destroy all my
Cherries ; this year not one wasp is to be seen.
Gooseberries heavy. Red, White, and Black Cur-
rants good. In many places in this neighbour-
hood Gooseberries, Red, White, and Black Cur-
rants are a very poor crop. I have a very good
crop of Strawberries. I have always found hand-
picking to be the best plan for destroying cater-
pillars.—J. Tinslet.

Dalmeny Park, Edinburgh. — Apricots
Peaches, and Nectarines on south walls here are a
good crop, requiring a severe thinning, but are
quite from two to three weeks late. Plums on east
aspect all but blank, while standard trees of Victoria
are fairly cropped, a thing I never noted here be-
fore. Pears on west aspect are very few. Morello
Cherries on north aspect fully half a crop ; while
Gooseberries and all bush fruits are all but a failure,
Raspberries excepted. With regard to Strawberries,
I still continue to grow Keen's Seedling for first
crop, and Elton Pine for late, in preference to all
new-comers, and in rows about 3 feet apart, 15
inches from plant to plant. — John Motes.

Galloway House, Wigtonshire. — The fruit
crops in this district are good with the exception of
Plums, which are the poorest we have had for some
years. The only varieties bearing a crop are
Victoria, Kirke's, and La wson's Golden Gage. Apples
are very good on young trees ; on old trees the fruit
is small and quantities have fallen off. Cherries
have been very good, and Morellos are finishing up
well. Peaches are good and the fruit large and
finely coloured. Early Louise was ripe on August
4, Hale's Early on the 10th, Early Grosse Mignonne
on the 20th, and these will be closely followed by
Royal George and Grosse Mignonne. These are
quite a fortnight earlier than usual. Apricots are
a fair crop for this district ; many of the fruit
dropped at the stoning period. Pears are the

best crop we have had for some years, nearly all
sorts doing well. Marie Louise, Louise Bonne of
Jersey, Pitmaston Duchess, Jersey Gratioli, and
other popular varieties promise to be very fine.
Figs are very good ; Brown Turkey and Castle
Kennedy are the sorts grown. The former usually
fruits well here, but much depends upon the wea-
ther in September as to their ripening. Strawberries
have borne heavy crops, but deficient in flavour.
Laxton's Jubilee has proved a very prolific variety,
as many as 200 fruits being oounted upon a plant
at one time. Gooseberries are very good. Red,
White and Black Currants are abundant, also Rasp-
berries.

Eably, Potatoes are very much diseased ; late
ones look quite healthy at present. — JAMES DAY,

WALES.

Cardiff Castle, Glamorgan. — The fruit
crops in this district generally, with the exception
of Raspberries, Strawberries, and Currants, are
very poor. Rome of the Apple trees were infested
with red spider during the month of June, but the
heavy continuous rain of July washed the trees,
and they are now making clean healthy growth.
The following varieties of Apples are bearing
good crops in the garden here : Keswick Codlin,
Lord Suffield, Lord Grosvenor, Potts' Seedling,
Beauty of Kent, Beauty of Hants, Rymer, Haw-
thornden, Devonshire Quarrenden, Rhydd Court,
Syke House Russet, Irish Peach, and Wellington.
Some of the above are so heavily laden that they
have to be supported with props to keep the
branches from breaking. The following are bear-
ing an average crop, and the fruits are large and
fine : Cox's Orange Pippin, Nelson's Glory, Ecklin-
ville Seedling, Alfriston, Worcester Pearmain,
Emperor Alexander, Court of Wick, Annie Eliza-
beth, and Braddick's Nonpareil ; while Blenheim
Orange, Reinette du Canada, King of the Pippins,
Sturmer Pippin, Bramley's Seedling, Lane's Prince
Albert, Waltham Abbey Seedling, French Crab,
Besspool, Tom Putt, and Peasgood's Nonsuch
have scarcely any. Of Pears, Jargonelle a full
crop on pyramids and standards, partial on walls ;
Beurre Ranee a full crop on walls ; Beurr<5 Diel a
good crop on walls, half a crop on pyramids ;
Easter Beurre a full crop on walls, none on
pyramids ; Winter Nelis scarcely any ; Marie
Louise not more than half a crop on walls, none on
pyramids ; Louise Bonne of Jersey a failure on
walls and pyramids ; Pitmaston Duchess half a
crop on walls and pyramids, fruit large, trees
vigorous and healthy ; Williams' Bon Chretien half
a crop on walls, none on pyramids ; Bergamot
Esperen heavy crop on walls, none on pyramids ;
Beurre d'Amanlis half a crop on walls and pyramids ;
General Todtleben half a crop on walls ; Ne
Plus Meuris a heavy crop on walls ; Glou Mor-
ceau a good crop on walls, none on pyramids ;
Beurre" Magnifique a heavy crop on walls, fruit
large ; Beurre Clairgeau half a crop on walls, and
none on pyramids. The following varieties of
Peaches are bearing good crops in the open : Royal
George, Dr. Hogg, and Sea Eagle ; Alexander had
only a few fruits which were ripe the third week in
July. Nectarines, Pitmaston Orange and Elruge
are bearing heavy crops, and the trees of them and
the Peaches are clean and healthy. Figs none.
Walnuts plentiful. Strawberries plentiful, but of
poor quality on account of the cold wet weather we
had when they were ripe. President is the favour-
ite variety in this* district for market and other
purposes. — A. Pettigeew.

Margam Park, Glamorgan. — The season
here has been one of the worst ever experienced— a
superabundance of rain and a great deficiency of
sunshine. Apples are small and a good crop, and
quite free from the grub which ruined them so
much last season. I attribute this to the frequent
and copious washings the trees have received from
rain. Pears are an average crop, but very smaD.
Plums are thin, but extra large in size. Peaches
are very good, but late. Morello Cherries have
been abundant, other varieties poor. Gooseberries,
Currants and Raspberries abundant, but deficient
in quality and flavour. Strawberries were very

214

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 30, 1890.

promising, and we gathered quite an average for
preserving and dessert, but many of them decayed
before maturing, and not a few rotted from wet
when ripe. Every variety I know of has been
superseded by Noble as a producer of an immense
crop of huge fruit, but I cannot assert it is the best
i-n flavour, as a deficiency of this is its only fault.
It is also earlier than Black Prince. King of the
Earlies and A. F. Barron have refused to do here,
out Keen's Seedling and President are still regarded
with much favour. Nuts are uncommonly plentiful
in the woods. — J. if UIB.

Glanafon Gardens, Taibach Generally

speaking, the fruit crops in our neighbourhood
have not been very heavy. Raspberries, Gooseberries,
and Currants have been plentiful enough, but out-
door Strawberries have been almost a failure. But
for Laxton's Noble, which does very well in this
neighbourhood, I should not have been able to
gather a single dish of Strawberries from my beds.
This may be attributed to the wet season we have
experienced this year. Keen's Seedling, Black
Prince, and Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury gener-
ally do very well in this neighbourhood, both for
outdoor culture and forcing. The Apple crop is
plentiful ; Hawthornden, Keswick Codlin and Lord
Suffield have borne good crops. Pears promised
well during the early part of the season, but late
frosts almost ruined the crops ; Jargonelle, Marie
Louise, and other Pears grown on walls have borne
a moderately good crop. Cherries and Plums have
proved almost a failure on standards, but the wall
crops are good, Morellos being very productive.
Apricots are a failure in our neighbourhood. The
Peach crop is good and the trees very healthy.— H.
Moebis.

Societies and Exhibitions.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The exhibits at the meeting of the society held in
the Drill Hall, Westminster, on Tuesday last were
fewer than usual. Somehow nothing induces the
public or Fellows generally to attend the meetings
in any numbers.

First-class certificates were awarded to the fol-
lowing : —

Cattleya MassaianA.— A supposed natural
hybrid between C. gigas and C Dowiana, which
are also the supposed parents of one of the most
gorgeous Cattleyas known, viz., C. Hardyana. The
only difference between the two is in the colour of
the flowers, which in C. Massaiana are rose with a
yellowish tinge, a somewhat peculiar colour, the
feathery veins picked out in a lighter shade ; the
lip, which is nearly 3 inches across, elegantly
fringed and lobed, is rich maroon- crimson in front,
with two deep yellow areas on the sides of the
front lobe, and veins of the same colour in the
throat. The plant is worthy of its parents. It was
introduced two years ago, and named in honour of
the Due de Massa of Luzarechez, France, in whose
collection it was first flowered. The plant exhibited
came from Mr. E. G. Wrigley, of Preston.

Geranium Shieley Blue, said to be the pro-
duct of an accidental cross between G. armenum
and a variety name unknown. Foliage and growth
of the ordinary form, flowers size of and resembling
those of the Nemophila, white in centre, with
dense blue margin. This very much resembles if
not identical with the variety known as G. Wal-
lichianum. From the Rev. W. Wilks, Shirley
Vicarage, Croydon.

The following were given awards of merit: —

Cattleya Hardyana (Wilson's variety).— In
our opinion this is nothing more than a good
deep-coloured variety of C. gigas. The main diffe-
rence between this last named species and true C.
Hardyana is in the beautiful golden reticulating
veins of the labellum, a character which it gets
from C. Dowiana. In the plant shown, the veins,
however, were not present. It was exhibited by Mr
A. Wilson, Westbrook, Sheffield.

Cypeipedium Alpeed.— A hybrid from C. ve-
nustum and C. laevigatum. It has dull coloured

flowers, which in form present the combined cha-
racters of the two parents, but can scarcely be
called as attractive as either. From Mr. Drewett,
Riding Mill-on-Tyne.

L/elio-Cattleya Proserpine.— An interesting
hybrid raised in the Veitchian establishment from
Laslia pumila Dayana and Cattleya velutina, the
latter the male parent. The hybrid has pseudo-
bulbs 3 inches high, as thick as a goose-quill, and
on each a pair of oblong leaves 3 inches long. The
flower is about the same size as that of L. puniila,
but has narrower segments, which are coloured
rosy mauve with crimson veins. The lip has a
large front lobe, crisped and wavy, and is coloured
rich purple, the raised parallel lines of a darker
colour and the throat yellowish. L. pumila Dayana
is one of the prettiest of the smaller Orchids, whilst
C. velutina, of which a plant was exhibited along
with the hybrid, is a tawny-coloured long-legged
plant, remarkable chiefly for its violet-like odour.
It is supposed to be a natural hybrid between C.
bicolor and a form of C. guttata. Exhibited by
Messrs. Veitch & Sons.

_ Potentilla foemosa pallida. — Flowers
single, medium sized, and of a pretty pale pink
colour. From Messrs. PauUand Son.

Phlox Le Soleil. — Flowers rosy pink, but
slightly cupped, and of irregular outline. From
Messrs. Paul and Son, Cheshunt.

Mentzelia babtonioides.— A Mexican annual,
flowers yellow, slightly cupped ; petals somewhat
reflexed ; stamens long, projecting, densely set, not
unlike those in the flowers of St. John's-wort.
Height about 12 inches. From Mr. G. Wythes, Syon
Gardens, Brentford.

Gladiolus Babon Schecedee.— Flowers fiery
scarlet, of great size, fine form, and densely set.
From Kelway and Sons, Langport, Somerset.

Pextstemon Le Boeda. — Very fine, heavy ma-
roon-purple, with deeply marked throat, and fine
form. From Kelway and Sons.

Gaillaedia Wesdell Holmes. — Fine form,
ground reddish rose, margined with yellow, very
clearly defined. From Kelway and Sons.

Dahlia Rouge Chauviebe.— White, heavily
flushed and edged rosy crimson. One of the pom-
pon section. From Kelway and Sons.

Dahlia Maude (single).— White, charmingly
edged purple, and exceedingly attractive. From
Mr. T. S. Ware.

Dahlia Mes. Stanley (Cactus).— Pretty puce
self, a very pleasing variety. From Mr. J. G. West.
Brentwood.

Dahlias Eclipse and Northern Stae (single).
—The former rose, shaded heavily with mauve, and
the other reddish maroon, edged yellow. Rather a
bizarre-looking flower and far from pleasing. From
Messrs. Cheal and Sons, Crawley.

Dahlia Mes. J. Douglas (Cactus). — Very
pretty, salmon, shaded with purple. From Messrs.
H. Cannell and Sons.

Dahlia Canary Bibd (show).— Clear bright
yellow, of fair form and quality. From Mr. G. S. P.
Harris, Orpington, Kent.

Mes=rs. Hugh Low and Co. sent a number of
flowering plants of Vanda Kimballiana, figured and
described in The Garden, April 5, 1890. A silver
Banksian medal was awarded. Mr. Cooke, Kings-
ton Hill, showed two varieties of Lselia elegans, and
several spikes of Satyrium carneum were sent by
Mr. Wythes, Syon House. Mr. Drewett, in addition
to the Cypripedium referred to above, also sent two
other hybrid Cypripediums, one named Constance,
a cross between C. Curtisi and C. Stonei, and
another named Alice, from C. Spicerianum x C.
Stonei. Mr. J. Douglas, Great Gearies, Ilford, sent
a plant of Cypripedium Numa with large, dark-
coloured flowers. Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons
exhibited Lselia grandis and Cypripedium H.
Ballantine, a cross between C. Fairrieanum and C.
purpuratum. Mr. Ballantine, gardener to Baron
Schneder, had two flower-spikes of Cypripedium
Morganite, one with four and the other with five
handsome flowers.

The chief feature of the meeting was a grand
display of cut Gladioli from Messrs. Kelway and
Sons, who staged 144 spikes in great variety, the
end dozens being the superb Baron Schrceder, men-
tioned above, and Baron Rothschild, an intense
deep scarlet, heavily flushed with Vermillion.
Of other varieties, Horace Vernet, crimson and
pure white throat; Mr. Bain, orange - scarlet ;
Dr. Bonsor, reddish carmine ; and Celemine,
rosy-salmon, were among the best selfs. Of flaked
flowers, Electra, crimson stripe ; Jerome Kelway,
smallish flowers, heavily striped, rosy-red, and yel-
low throat ; and Baroness Burdett Coutts, flaked
and flushed purple, were among the most striking,
where all were beautiful. The firm also showed
some late Delphinium spikes of rich colours, a box
of varied and excellent Pentstemon spikes, some
good Gaillardias, one of which it will be seen was
certificated ; and some bouquet Dahlias, one of
which also was certificated. A couple of Dahlias,
Guiding Star, of white Aster style, and G. Brinks-
man, were very good (silver-gilt Banksian medal).
Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, had a large and most
interesting collection of hardy flowers in bunches
and boxes, including numerous perennial Phloxes,
of which one received an award. Amongst 1he
things shown were Helianthus multiflorus, double
and single : also Rudbeckia Newmanni, the pretty
orange-red Montbretia crocosmirefiora and M. Pottsi,
both singularly pleasing as cut flowers. The clear
yellow Coreopsis lanceolata, Potentilla formosa
pallida (awarded a certificate), the small Eryngium
planum, a number of Iceland Poppies, Delphi-
niums, Campanulas, and the statue-like Polygonum
Brunonis were also shown. The firm also exhibited
bunches of their intensely fiery-coloured Hybrid
Perpetual Rose Bruce Findlay, which seems to ex-
cel even Cheshunt Scarlet in brilliancy of colour
and is of better form (silver Banksian medal).
Messrs. Jas. Veitch and Sons, Chelsea, set up a
varied and most interesting collection of varieties
of hardy trees and shrubs from Coombe Wood.'
Amongst those in bloom were Philesia buxifolia
with red Lapageria-like flowers ; Cytisus capitatus,
bearing tufts of yellow flowers ; and Cydonia ja-
ponica Moerloosei, with scarlet flowers. Of trees and
shrubs, Quercus Daimyo with leaves 12 inches long ;
Broussonetia papyrifera with very fine, oval leaf-
age ; Acer colchicum and palmatum sanguineum,
rich deep hue ; Cornus sibirica Spathi, rich golden
leafage ; Salix annularis, long pendulous shoots
with Box-like leaves curled into rings, &c, formed
some of the most interesting features of the collec-
tion (silver Banksian medal).

Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons set up a small group
of double and single Begonias, plants lifted from
the open ground and carpeted with Cocoa fibre
refuse, producing a natural and admirable effect.
If carpeted with Moss, a better result even would
have been obtained. This firm also showed three
forms of Coleus, the best being found in a group of
Vesuvius, with foliage of a rich rosy-magenta hue.
Cactus Dahlia Jas. Douglas was also shown here.
Messrs. J. Cheal and Sons had a pretty collection
of single, Cactus, and pompon Dahlias. Of the
singles very striking were Albert Victor, ma-
roon self; Miss Bowman, purple self; Formosa,
scarlet ; Duchess of Westminster, white ; and
Sunningdale Yellow. Of Cactus forms, the
most striking were Duke of Clarence, very
deep rich maroon, and W. Rayner, rosy-buff.
The best pompon forms were Juno, white; Isabel,
scarlet ; Circe, buff ; Darkness, maroon ; Hector,
red; Pure Love, lilac; and Golden Gem, yellow
(silver Banksian medal). Mr. G. Wythes, Syon
Gardens, had spikes of Campanula pyramidalis,
showing admirable culture. Mr. R. Dean, Ealing,
showed Aster White Mignon, a very pure white, of
fair height, densely flowered, and of the best qual-
ity for cutting ; also a huge bunch of fine African
Marigolds of remarkable size and quality. From
the Rev. H. H. D'Ombrain came a box of 6 spikes
Of Gladioli in three varieties. Messrs. Paul and
Son, Waltham Cross, had bunches of La France
Rose, pale pink, and Duchess of Albany, to show
the distinction, the latter being of much deeper hue.
Mr. J. G. West, Brentwood, in addition to the
Dahlia certificated, had flowers of Cactus Dahlia

Aug. 30, 1890.]

THE GAKDEN.

215

H. M. Stanley, deep crimson. Mr. T. S. Ware, Tot-
tenham, had a fine white Cactus Dahlia in Harry
Freeman, and a pretty single variety in Emily, rosy-
magenta ; he also showed Gaillardia flowers. From
the society's gardens came a collection of Asters in
pots, chiefly dwarf bouquet, pyramidal, and Chry-
santhemum-flowered. The best were white, car-
mine, blue, red, crimson, and lilac. The incurved
forms were poor. Mr. T. F. Smith, Dulwich, and
Messrs. Stuart and Mein. Kelso, sent double
Hollyhocks of fair quality. Messrs. H. Low and
Sons, Clapton, staged a box of cut blooms of Lilium
Wallichianum, figured in The Gaeden, October
28, 187(>, and a couple of flowers of L. nepalense,
a striking variety, figured in The Gaeden, Jan.
19, 1881). Messrs. Jas. Carter and Co. showed Be-
gonia Mrs. Jas. Carter, a very good single rose-
coloured variety.

Fruit committee -The only award made by

this body was that of a bronze Banksian medal to
Mr. J. H. Crasp, Canford Manor Gardens, Wim-
borne, for a large collection, chiefly of cooking
Apples, many of which were, for the time of year,
of great excellence, whilst some others required
fully six weeks longer to become matured. Of
the larger forms, Cat's-head Codlin, Lord Derby,
Warner's King, Lord Suflield, Mere de Menage,
Ecklinville Seedling, Dutch Codlin, and Emperor
Alexander were exceedingly good. Duchess of
Oldenburg was the only variety showing colour.
Mr. Crasp also exhibited a dozen fine fruits of
Peach Ked Magdalen, rounded, of good colour and
very clean. Mr. G. Wythes showed good-sized fruits
of Sea Eagle and Princess of Wales Peaches. Mr.
F. Taylor, gardener to Sir John Lubbock, High
Elms, Farnborough, Kent, had a dish of Lady
Sudeley Apple, an early ripening variety of good
size. Mr. Ely, gardener to Mr. J. C. Stevens, showed
two green-fleshed Melons, both being of indifferent
quality. Mr. W. Allan, Gunton Park, Suffolk, had
some very fine bunches of Mrs. Pearson and Dake
of Buccleuch Grapes ; also some very good Gros
Maroc, and a seedling said to be from Muscat of
Alexandria crossed with Black Morocco. The seed-
ling resembled Madresfield Court without the fla-
vour of that excellent variety. Mr. Bones, Tower
House, Chiswick, showed a very fine Tomato of the
Perfection type named Tower House Seedling, and
Messrs. Jas. Carter & Co., High Holborn, had dishes
of Tomatoes Market Favourite, about the size of
Horsford's Prelude and rich in colour, and Blenheim
Orange, a buff-coloured form. A box of La Grosse
Sucree Strawberry, rather small, some huge use-
less Cucumbers and some International Potatoes, put
up as a seedling, completed the list of exhibits.

In the afternoon Mr. James Douglas gave a short
address on the Hollyhock, illustrating it with some
root and cutting portions to show methods of pro-
pagation. Referring to the introduction of the
Hollyhock, Mr. Douglas said that it had been with us
300 years at least, and then was found in both
single and double forms and various colours.
Coming down to forty years ago, he found that
whilst the Scotch double flowers seemed to have
no guard petals, the centres being full, those of the
English strain were less double and showed the
guard petals. He thought all good Hollyhocks
should show the guard or outer petals some half
an inch or more. A shoemaker at Walworth had
done much to promote the culture and quality of
the Hollyhock, and Mr. Douglas digressed from his
subject to pay a warm tribute to the working-class
amateur florists of the kingdom for what they had
done so well in the development of florists' flowers.
Dealing with methods of propagation, he mentioned
raising from seed , from side shoots or cuttings, from
leaf-buds rooted in warmth, and also by root-pro-
pagation, of each of which methods samples were
shown. With respect to the disease, he felt that
under all methods of culture it seemed equally de-
structive. He had been advised by Mr. Mein, of
Kelso, to u^e pure Condy's Fluid as a useful deter-
rent. He had found plants left out all the winter
not so badly attacked as those raised from cuttings.
Liter this position was contested by speakers who
maintained that plants never put under glass had
been most severely affected by the fungus. Dr.

Masters, who presided, mentioned that without
doubt the Hollyhock came here in the days of the
Crusaders. Mr. Cannell bore out the assertion as
to the exposed plants of Hollyhock being badly
diseased, and Mr. Dean mentioned that although
the common Mallow was a noted rest plant for the
fungus, j'et it did not attack the white Mallow now
so much grown in gardens.

Grape and Dahlia Conference at Chiswick-

— This will be held on September 23 and 2t. The
Dahlias are to be staged in groups of show, fancy,
Cactus, single, and pompon varieties. Collections
of Grapes are to be arranged in groups: A — Sweet-
water Grapes, including Chasselas and Muscadines ;
(1) black or purple-berried varieties; (2) white,
green, or golden-berried varieties; B — Muscat and
Frontignan Grapes : (1) black or purple-berried
varieties ; (2) white, green, or yellow-berried varie-
ties; (3) Frontignan. C — Vinous or late keeping
Grapes : (1) black or purple-berried varieties ; (2)
white or golden-berried varieties. Classes are also
provided for Grapes of very high flavour (any kind).
American varieties : Grapes grown entirely in the
open air ; Grapes grown under glass without artifi-
cial heat ; foreign grown Grapes ; pot Vines with
fruit ; examples of packing Grapes for market, to
be sent by rail ; examples of packing Grapes, 4 lbs.
to 6 lbs., for private use, to be sent by rail ; ex-
amples of the enemies of the Grape Vine — diseases,
injurious insects, &c. The Dahlia Conference will
be held on Tuesday, September 23. Mr. Harry
Turner (president) in the chair, and papers will be
read by Mr. Shirley Hibberd, Mr. T. W. Girdle-
stone, and Mr. W. H. Williams. The Grape Con-
ference will be held on Wednesday, September 24,
Dr. Hogg (president) in the chair. Papers will be
read by Mr. T. F. Rivers, Mr. R. D. Blackmore, Mr.
W. Thomson, and Mr. W. Coleman.

Window gardening. — When recently judging
at a cottage show at Hinton St. George, Somerset, a new
feature was presented to me ; the committee offered
prizes for the best window gardening. I think the
space was not to exceed 4 feet by 2 feet. For these
prizes there were four entries, all more or less good.
The first was very gay ; the plants used were variou. —
Geraniums, Fuchsias, Hydrangeas and things of this
nature, with Lobelia, Musk, Campanulas, &c, as edg-
ing plants. These prizes help to increase a love for
flowers.— J. C. F.

Mice ill frame3. — Will some one he kind enough
to inform me of the best way of getting rid of field
mice, that appear to eat. all the young Cucumbers iu
the frames 't I may say arsenic has been tried without
effect, and traps do not seem to he of aDy use. —
W. A. S. H.

Camphor for destroying slugs— For about
three years I have been trying various things to des-
troy the slugs. I have tried lime, wood ashes, alum,
&c, but I have found nothing equal to camphor broken
into small pieces, not exceeding the size of a Pea, and
thrown among the plants. The next day the slugs will
be found swollen up and dead. I have been usin * it
for Adiantums and Dracamas, and it has not destroyed
a single leaf, but before using it amoDg other plants
trial ought to be made with a few first. — G. A. L.,
Stockholm.

Field mice.— In The Garden, Aug. 9 (p. 138).
Mr. E. Beckett asks advice as to the best way of
exterminating field mice, which for the last twelve
months have done great damage to plantations and
most other crops. Cats do very well about a gar-
den for keeping these pests within bounds, but they
should never be encouraged to visit plantations on
account of their propensity to kill game. Traps
of various kinds are sometimes used with but small
success, and poison, however carefully it may be
handled, is always attended with a certain amount
of danger. If Mr. Beckett would breed a few owls
in his plantation and see that they are properly
protected, I guarantee that they will soon reduce
the number of mice to such an extent that his
trees and other crops will be safe.— J. B. W.

The black ant. — I lately saw an interesting
operation on the part of the large black ant or
horse emmet, as it is locally known, which may
interest some of your readers. We get many nests

of the insect in the Pine woods of this neighbour-
hood, and I came across one the other day of extra
size — roughly judging the dimensions, it would he
6 feet by 3 feet by 2| feet. The ants were, as usuaj,
very busy all round the nest within an area of 10
feet or 12 feet. I also noticed on this occasion a
dense line of the insects making their way back-
wards and forwards in a given direction. Making
my way towards their goal, I found it to be a half-
decayed Beech tree, some 10 yards from the nest,
the trunk of which was literally swarming with
ants. At the height of about 15 feet from the
ground they had found a dead branch of the tree,
and their work was the conveyance of the rotten or,
as we know it locally, touch-wood from this part of
the tree to their nest. The weight conveyed and
the distance to be traversed, in proportion to the
strength and size of the insect, seemed to me
wonderful. — E. Bueeell, Claremont.

Chrysanthemum Early Blush. — This dwarf-
growing and early-flowering variety is just now
very beautiful in the borders. From its profusion
of flowers and compact habit of growth it is well
adapted for this form of cultivation. The flowers
individually are small, neatly formed, showy, and of
a rosy blush colour. In the front of the herbaceous
borders early-flowering Chrysanthemums of dwarf
growth from now onwards will be found very
useful when many of the regular occupants of these
borders have passed their best. It is in only a few
places that early-flowering Chrysanthemums are
largely grown, and the wonder is that they are not
more so when their usefulness is taken into con-
sideration.—E.

Gladiolus brenchleyensis. — Some ten yea-s
ago I planted a line 40 feet long of this Gladiolus, and
have never lifted the bulbs. This year they make a
grand show. — R. H.

BOOK RECEIVED.

" The Book of Choice Ferns for the Garden, Con-
servatory, and Stove." Parts 1 to 5. London:
Upcott Gill, 170, Strand, W.C.

Names of plants. — E. G. R., Honolulu.— One of
the numerous " sports " of Panax frutescens. The
branch carrying the abnormal foliage may be propa-
gated hy cuttings, and thus the variety would be per-
petuated. Several forms of this Panax have been in-
trcduced to this country from the South Sea Islands. —
— T. C. Elliott. — A hairy variety of Rhynchospermum

jasminoides. A. M. C. — 1, Nephrodium molle

corymbiferum ; 2, Pteris cretica ; 3, Adiantum scutum ;
4, shrivelled up ; 5, Selaginella Marteusi variegata ; 6,
Onychium auratum ; 7, Adiantum Capillus-veneris ; 8,
Begonia Weltoniensis ; 9, next week. E. B. Rey-
nolds.— Your Gloxinias are covered with thrips. T.

May. — Deciduous Cypress (Taxodium distichum).

G. C., headingley. — 1, Gleichenia circinata glauca; 2,

G. Spelunca3. A. E. — Asplenium flaccidum, New

Zealand. /. P., Braintree. 1, immature form,

send better specimen ; 2, Adiantum formosum ; 3,
Cystopteris bulbifera ; 4, a Diplazium, send when fer-
tile. B. W., Scarborov gh. — 1, Gymnogramma glo-

riosa; 2, Davallia Tyermani; 3, Cystopteris Dickieana;
4, Asplenium viviparum. A. Wolley Dod.— Speci-
men insufficient : some escape, I should presume.

07. M., Galway. — Send when in flower, and number the

specimens. Hereford. — 1, Adiantum pubescens ; 2,

A. formosum ; 3, Asplenium flaccidum ; 4, Asplenium
bulbiferum; 5, Cheilanthes profusa ; 6, Psilotum tri-

quetrum. A. G., Sussex. — Lirananthemum nym-

phaaoides. G.B. — 1, Corn Cockle (Lychnis Githago) ;

2, Impatiens glandulifera ; 3, CheHdonium majus ; 4,
Orobanche minor ; 5, Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum.

J H. O. Erin. — 1, Calluna vulgaris ; 2, Crypto-

meria elegans ; 3," Juniperus species ; 4, Retinospora
pisifera aurea ; 5, Chama?cyparis sphseroidea aurea ; 6,

Picea excelsa nana; 7, Cupressus Lawsoniana var.

W. Gray. — Bromus secalinus. W. Clibran Sr Son.

— Coreopsis praecox is Helenium autumnale; Helenium
Harpur Crewe is H. autumnale var.; H. Bolanderi is

H. autumnale; Spiraea is S. eallosa. — W. Nelson.

Trachelium coeruleum. John Roberts.— 1 , Impatiens

glandulifera ; 2, Erica mediterranea ; 3, Arundmaria

falcata; 4, Bambusa viridis glauceseens. M . T..I.

JVb. 9. — Mesembryanthemum sp. Cannot name with-
out flowers. K. W. G— The Smoke Tree (Rhus

Cotinus). F. Compton. — 1, Pteris longifolia ; 2 and

3, next week; 4, Adiantum Capillus-veneris; 5, Ne-
phrodium molle ; 6, Pteris serrulata cristata ; 7, send
fertile frond ; 8, Cactus flagelliformis ; 9, Selaginella

ia ; 10, Selaginella Martensi.

216

THE GARDEN.

[Aug. 30, 1890.

WOODS AND FORESTS.

SHALLOW V. DEEP PLANTING.

More failures occur, in my opinion, through
deep planting than from any other cause, and
yet it is far wiser to err on the right side and
plant too shallow than too deep, for in the
former case the plant can assist itself ; in the
latter it is helpless. The roots of plants, as
well as the parts above ground, want air and
warmth, and if properly accommodated, will
soon adapt themselves to the place in which
they are to grow. If the surface soil be natu-
rally dry, the roots will run down after moisture,
and if it be wet they will spread near the top,
but no trees nor plants except such as strike
root at every joint will nourish if the collar be
much lower than the surface. In planting small
trees or shrubs, over which the wind has no
power, there is no excuse for deep planting, not
even the plea of saving trouble, yet we often
meet with even small shrubs planted far too
deeply. Many practise deep planting because
they imagine it saves trouble and time in stak-
ing the trees, to secure them from the effects of
high winds, and so, to remedy this, they plant
them down low enough to tread them firm, and
thus while they save the trouble of supports
they incur risk of failure and the certainty of
damage, for when a plant or a tree is not of a
nature to strike out roots at a proper distance
from the surface, it cannot flourish ; it may
exist for a time, but eventually it will die. On
the other hand, if a plant be merely held
upright on the surface, and its roots spread
round it, and a few inches of soil put over
them, they have the power to strike down,
and this they will do to the necessary dis-
tance to afford support. Of course, all trees
over a certain height require to be made firm
by staking, or some other method, to secure
them from the effects of high winds ; other-
wise much injury frequently occurs.

Hundreds of persons have to complain of the
effects of deep planting in the frequent failure
of their trees and shrubs. Although it may
be asserted that thousands of trees and shrubs
are annually killed through deep planting, more
especially where it is carried on by large con-
tracts, there are many losses occasioned by gross
carelessness of another kind, as, for example,
taking up the plants badly, chopping off the
extremities of the roots, allowing them to dry
after they are taken up, and before re-planting,
neglecting to tread the earth firmly and to press
it in between all the roots, or allowing the wind
to move the trees backwards and forwards till
every fibre is disturbed. Deep planting, how-
ever, is the most prolific source of damage. In
planting I would direct attention to the follow-
ing : On no account plant anything deeper than
it has been before ; let the collar of the root be
level with the surface of the ground, or, if in
wet situations, above it. If the roots be spread-
ing, loosen the earth, spread the roots round
the stem, throw from round the spot enough of
the best soil to sustain them, and heap it up
round the stem so as to be just even with the
collar, which is in all well-grown nursery plants
the mark which shows the depth at which the
tree stood before. Be j ust as particular with
small plants, which, if planted at a right depth,
instead of having to struggle against disadvan-
tages until the roots accommodate themselves
to the ground, will at once start into healthy
growth. E.

Unpruned Poplars.— These, in the neighbour-
hood of a mansion, are often positively dangerous,
their large limbs being frequently blown down ; and if
it should be found necessary to remove them, great

difficulty often attends the operation. The branches
in such cases must be lowered down piecemeal by ropes,
in order to prevent them injuring buildings, fences, or
neighbouring ornamental trees.

HOW TO PLANT DECIDUOUS TREES.
The best time for planting trees and shrubs is
when they are dormant, that is, after they have
made their season's growth and before they have
begun to start afresh. Deciduous trees speak for
themselves ; when their leaves have fallen they
may be said to be at rest, and they should be trans-
planted before the buds have begun to swell, not
that there is much mischief in a little delay, but
the proper time is before the buds have become
excited. The next point is to take up the tree with
every fibre, if possible, undamaged, and more care
is required to do this than many think proper to
bestow upon it. I have seen valuable trees literally
torn up by the roots in some nurseries because the
men would not take the trouble to lift them properly.
How, therefore, can such trees be expected to
thrive for at least a season or two after removal 1
Again, if the roots are mutilated the head of the
tree must be reduced in proportion. Moreover, in
planting, the earth must be made to fill up all the in-
terstices between theroots — there must be no hollow
places ; and when a tree has been much mutilated
it is a good plan to puddle or, at least, make the
pit in which the tree is to be put a kind of mud
hole, that is, pour into it two or three pailfuls of
water, and throw in a cone of loose earth, on which
the trees should be placed, spreading out the roots
well and filling up all round with loose soil. By mov-
ing the tree sideways, backwards, and forwards, lift-
ing it now and then a little, and continuing to fill in
with earth, it may be made a fixture at a proper
height, and a little patience will enable you to hold
it moderately firm until stakes can be put in to
support it until the soil settles. This kind of treat-
ment is unnecessary when trees are small and are
carefully lifted, as they should be.

I prefer dry planting when the soil is in good
order and finefy broken ; it can then always be got
in among the roots well enough to answer the pur-
pose. In that case the point of most importance
is to take the plants up well. Dig round them in
a circle, as far off the stem as the ends extend, and
release the latter carefully, so as not to break
them; then, with a sharp knife, cut off the tap
root close to the stem, and all ends that may hap-
pen to have got accidentally bruised, and, having
roughly estimated the quantity of root lost or in-
jured, make amends by reducing the head in pro-
portion. Cut out all weak shoots close to the stem,
and remove any that grow upward or cross each
other in the centre, retaining only the best branches
in the best positions, and, if any of them be too
long, shorten them. Then, having made a pit
large enough to hold all the roots, fill in with some
soft, well-worked soil, and press the roots into posi-
tion without bruising them. Hold the tree upright
while the hole is being filled in, and shake it, in
order that the soil may get well worked in between
the roots. When the tree is properly placed, fill
up the rest of the hole, and tread it well in, not by
pressing the soil close to the stem, but by treading
on it all round where the points of the roots are.
When pretty firm, drive in three stakes, in a sloping
direction, so as to meet at the stem, and to these
fasten the tree, so as to prevent wind- waving.

A much neater way, however, of fastening trees
is to drive three posts into the ground, in the form
of a triangle, and nail some slabs to them. I have
removed Cedars 33 feet high, and fastened them
quite securely in this way, the post being driven
into the ground U feet deep. But though deciduous
trees show us so well when they are at rest, that
period is not so apparent in the case of Evergreens.
It needs close observation to ascertain when they
are at rest. With some it is at midsummer, with
others later ; but the cause of so many failures in
transplanting Evergreens is moving them when they
are in active growth. If the foliage has attained
its full size and proper colour, and if the last growth
made has assumed the same colour as the rest of
I the trees, it may be transplanted with safety. If

the ground where the trees are to be planted is dry,
it must be well watered ; and even on the branches
the garden engine must be used if the weather is
warm. Plants taken out of peat form an excep-
tion, for it frequently happens that a ball of earth,
larger than the entire root space, lifts with them,
and they are thus unaffected by removal. They do
not, indeed, lose a fibre. Planting successfully
consists, firstly, in removing a plant from the place
in which it grows without disturbing its roots
much ; secondly, if any roots have been lost, cut in
the head so as to lessen the work which the roots
that remain have to do ; thirdly, in placing the
tree again in the ground where it is to stand,
solidly, and with the roots as nearly as possible in
the position in which they were before removal ;
and, lastly, in supplying moisture, if it be deficient,
and in so fastening the tree in its place that it
shall not afterwards be injured through wind-
waving. X.

The Mountain Ash. — This tree, now laden
with bright scarlet berries, forms a most con-
spicuous object in the landscape ; indeed, its merits
in this respect are not sufficiently appreciated,
for it is oftener found growing in out-of-the-way
situations than as an ornamental tree. Like the
Barberry, it delights in a somewhat strong soil
and damp climate. Under such conditions its
graceful foliage is luxuriant and green, and the
berries large and bright. The wood is also valu-
able for many purposes, so that there is some
inducement to plant it. Its effect is most strik-
ing when planted in groups. — S.

Draining the land. — The first step to be taken
in improving the land is to have it thoroughly
drained. In forming main drains, care should be
taken to carry them along the margin of the pro-
posed plantation, as in this way they answer the
double purpose of a fence and an outlet for the
water discharged from the smaller drains within
the plantation. If possible, large arterial drains
should never be cut within the plantation, as they
prove a source of trouble and expense in the forma-
tion of roads and the removal of timber. Main
drains may be cut about 8 feet wide at top, 5 feet
deep, and 2 feet wide at bottom. In ordinary work-
able bog I have had them cut to the above dimen-
sions at the rate of Is. lOd. and 2s. per perch
of 5| lineal yards. In places where the bog forms
a quagmire, and where extra work is required, the
cost will be a little more according to circum-
stances. —J.

The Birch. — This tree throws off the outer
layers of its bark annually, and thus it generally
presents a smooth and shiny appearance. Upon
very old trees, however, the bark is sometimes
burst and bent in all directions. The ^branches
are slender, and at their extremities divided into
numerous small twigs and rods. The leaves are
ovate, sharp-pointed, and double serrated ; they
are bright green in colour, and when young emit
a strong balsamic odour. The leaves droop down-
wards, and give a peculiar appearance to the tree,
by which it can readily be distinguished from its
forest companions. The flowers form catkins de-
pending from the branches upon slender peduncles ;
the male catkins appear in autumn, but remain un-
developed throughout winter, and open only in
spring. They bear upon each of the scales of
which they are composed three quadripartite florets
with four stamens. The female blossoms appear in
spring ; they bear upon each scale two naked
germs, each of which has two thread-like styles.
The seeds are ovate, and provided with two mem-
braneous wings.

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London : 87, Southampton Street, Strand, W.O.

THE GARDEN.

217

No. 981. SATURDAY, Sept. 6,7890. Vol. XXXVIII.

" This is an Art
Which does mend Nature : change it rather ; but
The Art itself is Nature." — Shakespeare.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

NOTES ON RASPBERRIES.

The autumn pruning of Raspberries is often
neglected in gardens, but the work should be
done as soon as possible after the fruit is
gathered, so as to strengthen the canes left for
the next year's supply of fruiting wood. Rasp-
berries are often seen in poor condition,
through being far too much crowded with weakly
wood and planted in very unfavourable posi-
tions. When well grown, the Raspberry scarcely
requires any stakes or ties, only one about three
parts of the way from the bottom being suffi-
cient to keep the canes in position. Many
market growers do not use stakes at all, merely
tying a few canes together and forming an arch,
thus keeping the fruit clean. There is one
drawback to this practice, and that is much of
the fruit underneath is difficult to get at, being
hidden with the abundant foliage that large
healthy canes should produce. The best system
and the least costly is, no doubt, to have a few
stakes or iron rods with a wire strained, giving the
plants a tie and regulating the growth. By this
system the fruit is readily gathered, the young
canes are better ripened, and the fruit suffers
less in wet seasons, as the sun and air can get
at it after wet, which is not the case when
otherwise trained. Often too many canes are
left at a root, and they are then weak, and not
able to produce nearly as much as when only
three or four strong suckers are left. I restrict
them to this number, and can get wood as thick
as one's thumb, and before shortening back the
canes are often 9 feet or 10 feet high.

The old fruiting canes are not allowed to re-
main on the summer fruiting varieties a day
longer than is necessary after the crop is over.
We then give the ground a good cleaning be-
tween the rows (not digging). This should
never be allowed near the roots, and a thick
mulching of decayed cow manure several inches
thick is placed over the roots. This builds up
the canes for the next year's crop. We prefer
cow manure, owing to our light soil, but it is
not necessary, as good manure of any sort
answers well. The plants require plenty of
room, and a moist soil suits them best, but
with liberal mulching they do well in most places.
Six feet apart in the rows and 3 feet from plant
to plant is the proper distance. If the manure
is left till spring much of its value is lost, as
the autumn and winter rains wash it into the
roots of the plant, and when put on late in
spring it only tends to promote the growth of
suckers and does not assist the formation of
strong fruiting canes. In dry soils a summer
mulch just as the fruit is formed is beneficial,
and prevents excessive dryness at the roots.
The summer fruiting varieties should be in-
duced to make good wood for the next year's
supply ; therefore timely attention in the way
of pruning and mulching is required. They
are often planted under large fruit trees and
get the drip and little sun. This is a mistake,
as an open position, if it can be spared, is much
the best, and the fruit will amply ^epay by its
large size and quantity when given a good posi-
t ion. For a later lot of fruit to keep up the supply
after those planted in the open, a north border
should be utilised, thus prolonging the summer

fruiting plants from ten to fourteen days. After
that date the autumn fruiting canes will con-
tinue the supply if the latter are grown specially
for this purpose by pruning later and getting
the fruits on the summer wood. For the late
fruit the mulch should be in the spring, and in
light soils a late autumn manuring will be of
much service to the plants.

New plantations are best made as early in
the autumn as possible. I prefer October. When
the old stools or roots get far away from the
base the plantation should be taken up early in
autumn and replanted if possible on new ground
well trenched, and only young healthy canes
used, discarding the old roots as much as
possible. Plenty of manure is necessary for the
new ground when being prepared, and if the
soil is poor do not bring it to the top, but
thoroughly trench 2 feet to 3 feet deep, well
mixing the manure and slightly firming the rows
previous to planting. A well manured and
trenched plantation will last many years if
attended to by removal of suckers and useless
wood and autumn manuring. We do not prune
or shorten the tops till February or later, as if
cut back early in the winter they are sometimes
injured by severe frosts, and consequently are
obliged to be shortened back to the live wood
by late cutting of the tops. A uniform height
of 5 feet to 6 ieet can be given the canes. There
are a number of varieties of this useful fruit of
which Hornet, Northumberland Fillbasket,
Baumforth Seedling, Carter's Prolific, and the
lately introduced Superlative are all good. The
latter variety I like very much, as it produces
fine fruit and continues long in bearing.

Syon House. Geo. Wytiies.

STRAWBERRIES, GOOD AND BAD.
I AGREE with Mr. Engleheart's estimate (Gaeden,
Aug. 23, p. 170) of the merits of Noble as regards
quality, but he is hardly just to the raiser in saying
that " like the Jew's razors, it was made to sell."
The same remark might be made to any new
fruit, flower or vegetable. The raiser naturally
desires to reap some reward for his labour, so much
of which is lost in the trial of seedlings that have
to be thrown away. Seeing how much expense and
labour have to be incurred in vain, the wonder is
that anyone should seriously engage in the raising
of new fruits or flowers. Mr. Laxton states that he
has proved 10,000 seedling Strawberries, and out of
that large number only about half adozen were found
good enough to be put into commerce. The raiser
of Loxford Hall Seedling once stated in The Gar-
den that out of about 1400 seedlings it was the
only one worthy of naming. This shows that the
production of first-class flavoured novelties is no
easy matter. It would be interesting to know how
many seedlings Mr. Laxton has raised of which
British Queen was one parent and with what result.

I have raised a good many seedling Strawberries
myself, and know how difficult it is to obtain a new
distinct kind that can be cultivated with profit or
pleasure. If the flavour is good it will probably be
of weakly constitution, or perhaps shy in fruiting,
and however fine the quality may be, a Strawberry
that is lacking in vigour, hardiness and fertility
should never be distributed. I have at the present
time a seedling under trial that is of good flavour,
but I am afraid that it is wanting in vigour. If it
should turn out to be satisfactory it will be my
first real success.

As regards Noble, it must be borne in mind that
its popularity is not the result so much of the
raiser's recommendation as of the premier awards
of which it is the recipient. Had it been passed
over when exhibited, as so many new things are, its
merits would only have become recognised after a
period of years. It was thrust into prominency by
the favourable opinion of men supposed to be com-
petent judges, and by the flattering notices in the
horticultural press. The raber took advantage of

his good fortune, and no one can blame him for
doing so. It is, however, evident that the judges
were influenced by size, colour, and precocity, and
one can only charitably surmise that they did not
taste it, for if flavour had been a primary considera-
tion, Noble would never have gained a first-class
certificate.

I cannot, however, agree with Mr. EDgleheart
that this Strawberry is an impostor. It is really a
heavy-bearing kind that will fill our markets with
fruit ten days earlier than is now the case, and this
is something gained. All other very early Straw-
berries have failed to do this, and hitherto we have
had to wait until Sir J. Paxton came in for Straw-
berries to be at all plentiful. After all the great
consideration is abundance. The connoisseur may
turn up his nose at Noble, but the great majority
of those who eat Strawberries are well content with
any juicy kind that can be had at a low price. Mr.
Engleheart writes as if there were no Strawberry
worth eating save British Queen. The fact is this
Strawberry is so good, that when once the palate is
accustomed to its rich flavour all other kinds appear
insipid. But if we had not this kind, then I am
sure that President would be cited as all that is
desirable in the Strawberry. Sir J. Paxton I have
always considered overrated. It is a good
Strawberry to grow where this fruit has to be sent
a distance, and is therefore a great favourite of
the market grower, but the firmness of flesh robs
it of juiciness and aroma. President is far before
it in flavour and quite as reliable, and if I were
confined to one Strawberry it would be this one.
It is evident that if we are to raise the standard of
quality in the Strawberry it must be done with va-
rieties of English origin. The French, judging by
the kinds grown in this country, appear even more
than ourselves to have made size and earliness a
primary consideration. Marguerite, for instance,
is as early, as large, and crops as heavily as Noble,
and is about the same in flavour. This is one of
the Strawberries that on account of its earliness
the French grow for importation to this country.
The fruit comes in boxes of about 7 lbs. in a box,
and is sold at about 7d. per lb. As before men-
tioned, it is a heavy cropper, and I have heard
more than one private grower say that it formed
their great mainstay in the supply of this fruit.
Auguste Nicaise, which appears to be coming into
notice, is only remarkable for size and appearance,
and Pauline seems to be the earliest kind of all, but
not having grown it, I am unable to give an opi-
nion of its merits in other respects. The American
kinds never seem to have obtained a footing in this
country, but so far as I am able to judge they are
more distinguished for vigour and fertility than
for flavour. Since writing the above I have seen
Mr. Allen's note, and I hope that he has the Straw-
berry we need, but even should any of his seed-
lings be superior to British Queen, they will be no
real gain unless they are as hardy, vigorous, and
prolific as Sir J. Paxton or President. We need no
advance in flavour on British Queen, but just that
variety improved in every other way. — J. Coenhill,
Byfleet.

I quite agree with your comments on this

subject, and about Strawberry Noble being an im-
postor as far as flavour is concerned ; but before
criticising the " foolish public " for wasting their
money on such rubbish, I would like to know what
you think of practical gardeners deliberately put-
ting Noble at the head of the list, as was done at
the Edinburgh show lately, where Noble was
awarded the first prize by the j udges, and second and
third prizes to other good dishes of known quality.
I was not at the show, but I go by the report, and
I was also told that one of the committee tasted
the fruit in question and declared it to be " the
worst flavoured Strawberry he had ever put into
his mouth." On what principle did the judges pro-
ceed? They were mostly all advocates of good
flavour as one of the essentials. — J. S.

Permit me to express my regret that the

Rev. Mr. Engleheart (page 170) should commit
himself to such a wholesale condemnation of Mr.
Laxton's Strawberry Noble. In flavour he com-
pares it to a Turnip, and further as a " knob of

218

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 6, 1890.

coloured cotton wool." That is not our experience
in Ireland, especially the south, so far as I know,
and I have lost no opportunity of finding out the
truth. I admit the flavour is not so good as that of
King of the Earlies, nor yet, under similar treat-
ment, equal to Sir Joseph Paxton, and in some soils
gardeners have told me, the flavour is inferior to that
of British Queen. Mr. George Gough, of Birdhill,
who lives near here, and who is famous for his Or-
chids, gives Noble first place for early ripening,
size, and (in his warm, sunny, rich, loamy soil,
with reclining southern aspect) flavour. I made it
a point when judging at the shows at Waterford,
Dunmore, and recently Limerick, to inquire about
Noble, and everywhere I went it is still the fa-
vourite. Piquancy of flavour with many does not
at all stand first. For market, earliness, size,
beauty and productiveness come before it, and
very often the same characteristics are looked for
in private establishments, and these Noble pre-
eminently possessss. Fruits each 1\ ozs. are not
uncommon with this variety. I have it planted
with most of the old varieties in my garden, and
have added all new ones, including Competitor,
White Knight, Commander, Cardinal, Latest of All,
Albert, the not quite new Auguste Nicaise and
A. F. Barron, and shall, with your permission, re-
port the result on a light, fairly rich limestone soil,
situated in the centre of a town. — W. J. Mubphy,
Clmmel.

OPEN-AIR PEACH CULTURE.
In The Gaeden (August 16, p. 145) reference was
made to the very successful culture of Peaches and
Nectarines against the open walls at Wilton House,
near Salisbury, and I would add yet other instances
of equally good practices elsewhere. At Witley
Court, near Stourport, they are found to well repay
for the extra trouble taken with them, and Mr
Austin has every reason to be proud of what he has
achieved in a comparatively short time. About six
years ago, when he commenced re-arranging the
wall fruit trees generally, a fairly healthy tree of
Barrington Peach was transplanted from a low
south wall to a much higher one, and a remarkably
fine specimen it now is. It covers a wall area of
21 feet by 1G feet, is clothed throughout with
strong healthy growth, and carries a full crop of
large fruits, or about one to every square foot of
space. A tree of Early Alexander Peach, brought
ia and planted six years ago, is now fully 15 feet
across, and this also has produced a grand crop of
fruit. The earliest were gathered on July 15, and
the few left that I saw were large, highly coloured,
and oE excellent flavour. Mr. Austin considers this
the best of the early Peaches, as it proves quite as
early, and superior in point of quality, to the popu-
lar Hale's Early. The latter also is well represented,
and large young trees of Royal George and Belle-
garde shifted last autumn are also bearing excel-
lent crops of highly-coloured and comparatively
large fruit. Peach Dr. Hogg is doing equally well,
while Nectarines Lord Napier and Elruge are
simply grand, it being hardly possible to find better
crops of large highly coloured fruit even under
glass. All the trees have a good border space, or
from 4 feet to G feet, given entirely up to them, and
receive timely attention in the way of cleaning and
disbudding in the spring. In every case the young
growth is strong, yet not too much so, and very
clean ; but if any gives signs of grossness, this is
soon checked by root-pruning. Temporary protec-
tion is afforded when the trees are in bloom, and
latterly many of the trees had large glazed pit
lights fixed over them, this serving to keep the
fruit clear-skinned, and in some instances probably
hastens ripening. This covering, however, is, accord-
ing to my experience, most needed by the Necta-
rines, too much wet causing the skins to crack.

At Abberley Hall, this also being located near
Stourport, Worcestershire, there is a row of Peach
and Nectarine trees against a south wall that can-
not possibly be surpassed elsewhere. I will go
further, and assert a more perfect lot of trees were
never seen either under glass or in the open, not
even omitting the time when former generations of
gardeners bestowed so much skill and attention on
the open wall trees. This vyall is exactly 1U0 yards

long and 14 feet high, and is completely covered
with twenty trees only, there being scarcely a foot
of unoccupied space to be seen. The trees have a
6-feet border solely to themselves and the benefit of
a glass coping and blinds. From the first insects
of all kinds are kept down, a free use of soft soap
and tobacco water just when the young growths are
forming, and a frequent use of a garden engine
keeping the trees very clean. When any of the
trees either commence to grow too strongly or
the young leaves fail to attain a healthy green
colour, it is rightly concluded that the roots re-
quire either checking or else to be brought nearer
the surface, and in the following autumn they are
either partially or wholly lifted and replanted ac-
cordingly. Not merely do these trees produce
large crops annually, but the fruit is unusually fine.
For instance, some of the fruits of Nectarine Lord
Napier I measured were each 8^ inches in circumfer-
ence, and those of the other varieties were equally fine
and well coloured. Room has not yet been found for
any of the early American varieties other than Hale's
Early, and this is found to be very early and ser-
viceable, colour and size good, and quality fairly
so. Alexandra Noblesse is well spoken of, this being
a decided all-round improvement on the more
delicate Noblesse and totally distinct from Early
Alexander. Dr. Hogg and Stirling Castle also do
fairly well, but Royal George at Abberley and
elsewhere is much subject to mildew. Dymond is
a great favourite with Mr. Young ; in fact, he con-
siders it superior to any other variety for open-air
culture. It is of vigorous, yet fruitful habit, the
fruit large, richly coloured, and of first-class
quality. It is a midseason Peach, and one well
worthy of a place in any collection, however small.
Princess of Wales, a large and somewhat late va-
riety, is found to be very reliable, and the quality,
too, is not to be despised. Barrington is a very
good late variety, and one of the best for open
walls. Walburton Admirable and Sea Eagle com-
pletes the Abberley list, the last-named being ex-
cellent in every respect, and the quality decidedly
good for a large and late ripening Peach. Among
Nectarines Lord Napier stands well first, not
merely on account of its earliness, but also because
of its various other good qualities. The next best
for the open walls in Mr. Young's estimation is the
Pitmaston Orange, and this he has very good,
Elruge and Yiolette Hative completing the succes-
sion. The wall of Peach and Nectarine trees at
Abberley is worth going a long way to see.

I. M. H.

FRUIT-GROWING.
Me. Gladstone's address at Hawarden raises
the subject of climate in relation to profitable fruit
culture. My experience, a little short, indeed, of
Mr. Gladstone's, but I feel sure of greater practical
value, leads me to the conclusion that during the
last fifty years our climate has gradually, with
occasional interruptions, become less suitable for
fruit culture than before.

Prolonged and severe winters, followed by con-
tinuous spring weather and by hot summers and
autumns, have been succeeded by early promises of
spring, tempting to premature growth, and followed
by nipping winds, cold rains, and almost sunless
summer and autumn. My memory, assisted by a
few records, goes well back to 1827. From that date
to 1839 I recollect two or three indifferent harvests,
but no failure in the produce of outdoor fruit. The
harvest, it must be remembered, was then the re-
sult of less skilful farmingthan is now general, and
the mischief was chiefly owing to the then slow
process of cutting and garnering the grain.

From the year 1841 to the year 1844 I gathered
in Lincolnshire, in Notts, in Lancashire, and in
Cumberland, Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, and
Figs of perfect ripeness and flavour. Eighteen
hundred and fifty-three was not so favourable, yet
in that year, as in 1851 and 1852, I gathered in
Lincolnshire excellent fruit of all these descrip-
tions. From 1854 to 18511 I had all these of excel-
lent quality on open walls, and in 1851 a. south wall
Vine produced me 4 cwt. of fully-ripened Grapes.
The year 1860 was t)ie first great failure. Not only

were fruits scarce, but they ripened so slowly as to
become a prey to the various vegetable and insect
parasites which thrive under such conditions. The
fruit trees themselves suffered so severely that
many of them did not thoroughly recover and had
to be replaced ; and not till the year 18G8 was there
a sign of the old prosperity in Pomona's kingdom.
It proved evanescent, and after trying" new trees of
the most approved sorts for some years, I gave up
the task as hopeless, and so did thousands of
others, as the enormous increase of glass structure
for fruit-growing from that time proved.

In 1887, the jubilee year, Favstum Omen, came
a somewhat better season, to be followed, alas ! by
a retrograde progress culminating in this present
year, of which it may be said that after a vast pro^
mise in spring there is less fruit in quality than
ever, and that scarcely any of the common fruits
are worth the gathering. What a fatal mistake,
with these facts before us, if we induce cottagers
and farmers to cover their land with trees which
may be utterly unprofitable and of which, judging
from the past half- century, we can only hope that
they might now and then yield a fairly remunera-
tive return.

One point more. The failure of this year will
most surely add another incentive to the rapidly-
increasing efforts of those in more favoured climes
to compete with our supply, poor in quality and
utterly unreliable in extent.— H. T. Fletcheb, in
Times.

*»* Enthusiasts about fruit culture in our cli-
mate would do well to consider the above facts.
—Ed.

CHERRIES AND PLUMS FOR PROFIT.*
The Cherry is, and has been always, one of our
most important industrial fruits, coming into use
almost as soon as the Strawberry, and remaining
for some weeks after. A May Duke Cherry tree
loaded with its crimson fruit is a sight beloved of
boys and birds. The Norman orchardists declare
that the orioles who arrive first pass the word to
their followers that the Cherries are reddening in
Normandy, and when the signal is given they descend
in shoals on the trees. It is certain also that in many
parts of England it is almost hopeless to keep a crop
of fruit from these busy thieves. I know from my
own experience that it is quite hopeless, and I am
compelled to grow all my fruit under glass. The
tree is hardy, and will bear abundant crops of fruit
very far north. In St. John's " Wild Sports of the
Highlands " he speaks of the wood pigeons feeding
on his plentiful crops of Cherries in Morayshire,
near the Bay of Findhorn. It flourishes and fruits
freely in all dry sandy soils, but does not thrive in
deep rich alluvial districts. On the high and dry
Epping plain, where I believe water has been sought
for and not found at a depth of 800 feet, the
Bigarreau and Heart Cherries thrive exceedingly ;
and I have also seen abundant crops of May Duke
Cherries in the dry and sandy soils of Woburn
Sands, near Bedford. When establishing a Cherry
orchard this condition of the tree should be always
considered, and the knowledge will be of consider-
able use in winning a profit from a soil which the
farmer or grazier would pass by as unsuitable for
his purpose.

For practical purposes the Cherry may be divided
into four classes — the Guignes or Heart Cherries,
the Bigarreau, the May Duke, and the Morello.
The Guignes or Heart Cherries are the earliest to
ripen. The earliest large Cherry of this class is
the Guigne d'Annonay, which is large, sweet, and
very good, purplish black in colour, ripening in an
unheated orchard house about the first week in
June, and in a warm, hot season the last week in
May. The next in order, and in my opinion the
finest of the class, is the Early Rivers. This was
raised some years since from the Early Purple
Guigne, a very delicious and fine Cherry, but rather
too tender for out-of-doors culture in this countiy.
Under glass the Early Rivers ripens the first week

* Paper «ad by Mr. T. V. Rivers at a meeting of
the British Fruit Growers' Associatiou at Leicester,
August 5, 1890.

Sept. 6, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

219

in June, and will hang in good condition until the
second week in July. For some time I hesitated
to recommend it for cultivation as a standard tree
in orchards, but I now find that it is as hardy as
the May Duke, and it produces abundant crops of
fine large black fruit a fortnight before the May
Duke. I can safely recommend it as one of the
most profitable Cherries existing. It has lately
been planted on a large scale in Kent, with the
most successful results, and I am therefore sup-
ported in this opinion by the experience of others.
The Belle d'Orleans is a very early Heart Cherry,
bright red and white in colour, ripening also in the
beginning of June, but flowering too early to es-
cape damage from frost. The Governor Wood is a
bright yellow and red Guigne, ripening about the
middle of June, very hardy and vigorous, a most
abundant bearer, and a profitable market Cherry.
It is a popular sort in America, from whence it was
introduced into England some years since. The
next in order to ripen is the Early Red Guigne, a
very dark red Cherry, of large size and delicate
flavour, worthy a place in a collection, but not
adapted for general cultivation. The Elton, a well-
known early sort, ripening before the Eigarreau.
The next in order are the well-known Turkey Black
Heart, the Bedford Prolific, a hardy variety of the
Black Tartarian, which is too tender in this country
unless grown under glass or on a wall, the fruit of
which will hang on the tree under glass until
August, when the Late Purple Guigne, a very fine,
large, and rich Cherry, ripens, hanging through
August and late into September ; the Guigne de
Winkler, a bright red, juicy and sweet sort, ripens in
September, and lasts well on the tree until October,
closing the series of Guignes, which differ from the
Bigarreau in the quality of the flesh, which is very
tender, sprightly, and delicious. The Bigarreau
Cherries are perhaps better known than the Guignes ;
the fruit is more solid in texture, and hence better
adapted for carriage. The Bigarreau Jaboulay or
Early Lyons is the earliest large fruit of this series.
This is a very large and fine Cherry, earlier than the
May Duke by some days, requiring a wall or an
orchard house. The Bigarreau de Schreken is an
early black sort of recent introduction, very hardy
and good. The Early Black Bigarreau, the Early
Red Bigarreau, the Bigarreau Noir de Guben, pre-
cede the White Bigarreau, and are very fruitful.

The White Bigarreau is the Cherry grown
for the markets in Kent, the orchards being said to
realise fabulous profits. The variations of this sort
are the Bigarreau Monstreuse de Mezel (when well
grown the fruit of this sort is enormous), the Bigar-
reau Napoleon or Late Mottled Bigarreau, with
numerous other synonyms, very large and late. The
Emperor Francis, a recent introduction, is very late,
hanging long into September under glass ; this is a
very large bright red sort, exceedingly handsome
on the tree. The Late Black Bigarreau ripening
after their light red and yellow cousins, may be
described as very large, firm and rich flesh of a
lustrous black. Placed in their order of ripening
they consist of the Bohemian Black Bigarreau, the
Bigarreau Noir de Schmidt (an enormous fruit), the
Large Black Bigarreau, and the Late Black Bigar-
reau. The Tardive de Lich and the Belle Agathe
are late sorts, lasting well into October. I have
named many varieties which I do not think are
generally known, but I have cultivated them all
under glass, and I have thus been able to take
special notice of their different habits. Those who
cultiva'e them in an orchard house will, I am sure,
find the study of the variations a source of peculiar
interest, and also of great benefit to the fruit grow-
ing community, as it is only by cultivation under
glass that new and possibly valuable sorts can be
tested. The Bigarreau and Guigne Cherries are of
the highest value as dessert Cherries, and as the
fruit is said to be entirely devoid of acidity, they
are a very welcome diet to the invalid, to whom
the tender and delicate flesh of the Guigne is
better suited than the firm and sometimes rather
hard Bigarreau. The May Dake Cherry is perhaps
the most popular of the tribe : at all events, we are
most familiar with it. No boy ever seems to be
surfeited, and can consume an indefinite quantity.
There are not many varieties, but some are distinct

from our old English sort— not in quality, but
in the season of ripening. The Empress Eugenie is
an earlv variation, having a maturity of some ten
days earlier. The Royal Duke, the Duchesse de
Palluau, the Gloire de France, the Archduke, and
the Late Duke all follow in succession. If pro-
tected by netting from birds these Cherries will
hang some weeks on the trees, giving a continual
supply of fruit, either for the dessert orthe kitchen.
There are some palates which are very well satis-
fied with the acid Cherries of the fourth class,
which comprises the Kentish, the Flemish, and the
Morello. Of these I think the Kentish and the
Morello are the best.

The Morello.— The value of the Morello is
well established, as it is the Cherry for preserving
either in bottles or spirits. Cherry brandy has long
been a popular cordial in England. On a north wall
protected with netting it will last very late into the
autumn, and when black and thoroughly ripe the
fruit is very refreshing and grateful. The cultiva-
tion of the Cherry in orchards is not difficult. As
I have said before, it is essential to success that a
dry calcareous gravel be selected, but instead of
planting standard trees at 24 feet apart, of
which the prospect of profit to the planter
is somewhat remote, I should plant dwarf
trees in rows 15 feet apart row from row, and
12 feet apart tree from tree for all Guignes
and Bigarreaux, and rows 12 feet apart row from
row, with 9 feet plant from plant, for the May Duke
andMorello. These trees are easier to manage, the
fruit can be gathered without ladders, and the
space between the rows can be utilised for vegetable
crops, or for a certain number of years by Straw-
berries, Gooseberries, or Currants. The trees should
be pruned as little as possible, as the Guignes and
Bigarreau are very impatient of pruning. My own
experience is that this should be done in the au-
tumn, superfluous shoots removed, and the summer
growth thinned about the beginning of October. If
severely pruned both these classes are inclined to
gum, and then comes disease. The May Duke and
Morello classes may be pruned in the summer and
autumn without detriment, but as they are always
inclined to produce fruit in quantity the trees after
a certain age will not require much pruning ; it will
be necessary, however, when the trees are grown in
rows to keep the growth as far as possible in
the line of the rows. The Montmorency Cherries
are very dwarf growing kinds which merit a place
in English fruit gardens; they are dwarf, easily
grown, and abundantly fruitful ; they are grown in
large quantities near Paris, and sold in the markets
very early in the summer, being used for the de-
licious Cherry compStes so popular in France.

The stocks for grafting Cherries are of two kinds,
the Mazard or wild Cherry - the seedlings from this
are necessary for the Bigarreau and Guigne Cherries
—and the Cerasus Mahaleb or Cerise de St. Lucie,
which is a good stock for the May Duke and the
Morello. The advantage gained from the employ-
ment of the Mahaleb stock is that it may be planted
on a poor chalk soil. It will grow freely in the most
unpromising situation provided that the soil is dry.
It is of course, only an alternative, as the May
Duke and Morello grow perfectly well on the wild
Cherry stock. With the exception of the Governor
Wood and the Early Rivers, the Guigne and the
Bigarreau will not grow on the Mahaleb stock, and
it is useless to try it. I believe that I am right in say-
ing that Cherry culture is not unprofitable in Eng-
land and I am certain that many districts may be
utilised for the production of this very useful fruit.
Those who wish to grow and taste Cherries in
perfection must grow them under glass ; the fruit
attains very great perfection, and is protected from
rain and birds. An unheated span-roof house about
18 feet wide will give a very large supply of fruit,
the trees being placed down the centre of the house,
so that the sun shines on both sides of the tree.
When grown in pots they can be removed at will, a
convenience not obtained when the trees are planted

in the soil.

Plums.

About the end of July, when Cherries cease to be

plentiful in the markets, their place is taken by

another fruit of greater economic value, and in

which the cultivation in this country will some
day be much more extended than it is at present.
The Plum, like the Cherry, may be divided into
classes, of which the principal divisions are the
round-fruited and oval-fruited, freestone and cling-
stone. The earliest Plum to arrive in the market
in large quantities is the Early Rivers or Early
Prolific. This is a well-known and popular Plum,
raised about forty years ago. Although I under-
stand that it dees not succeed everywhere, I think
that in suitable localities it is one of the most
profitable Plums in existence. My own orchards,
on a calcareous clay, have always given me abun-
dant crops. The Czar, a very hardy and fine Plum;
closely follows the Early Rivers. These two Plums
are valuable sorts, as they are abundantly fertile,
and can be sent to market at a very early date, for
although the foreign Plums arrive in England by
the end of July, the quality is not to be compared
to our own productions. The Early Orleans is also
a popular market Plum, ripening with and after
the Czar. The tree produces large crops, but the
fruit is so liable to crack, that a crop is often
seriously damaged by a shower of rain. During
the month of August market Plums are plentiful ;
those of which I have actual experience are the
Oullins Golden Gage, which I do not recommend
anyone to plant. I have, I think, some 500 trees
of this sort from ten to fifteen years old, and they
have never yet paid the rent of the ground, the
skin of the fruit being too thin for packing, and
consequently it is difficult to send to market in
good condition. Denniston's Superb is a most
abundant bearer, and as it ripens some days
before the Green Gage it commands a good price.
The Belgian Purple is a large Plum of good
quality, and in some places I understand it is a
profitable fruit. Prince Englebert, a large, oval
purple Plum, produces enormous crops. Sultan, a
large, round, purplish-red Plum, bears abundantly
and always commands a good price ; it is said to
be one of the richest preserving Plums known. At
this time we have Gisborne's, of which the Syston
or Beef Plum appears to be a synonym, and the
Pershore; these are followed by the Victoria, Prince
of Wales, which has a bad habit of sometimes ceas-
ing to grow ; Belle de Louvain, a very large oval
Plum, closely resembling the red Magnum Bonum,
but ripening some weeks earlier ; Pond's Seedling,
always commanding a high price; Diamond, a
popular Plum in some districts ; Monarch, a large
and late purple Plum, which I venture to predict
will some day be very largely planted ; after this
the Autumn Compete and the late Black Orleans,
lasting until the second week of October. There are
some sorts which I have not named as market Plums,
as I have not found them profitable in my district.
These are : Kirke's, which is very uncertain in its
produce ; Cox's Emperor, the fruit of which is pro-
duced in' large clusters, and often rots on the tree,
the skin being tender, like its parent the Early Or-
leans ; Mitchelson's, a great bearer, but a very in-
ferior Plum. . . ■
The Damsons come into bearing generally about
the middle of September. The most prolific Dam-
son that I know is the Crittenden, Cluster or Far-
leigh The King of the Damsons, a sort of recent
introduction, promises to be a valuable addition, as
it is very large and very prolific. The Prune or
Shropshire Damson is well known and esteemed in
the north The list of late economic Plums closes
with the Bullace and the Wyedale Plums, the fruit
of which will hang on the tree until late m No-
vember—a valuable quality, as it reduces the con-
sumption of preserved fruit.

At the head of garden dessert Plums, as dis-
tinguished from maiket sorts, the Green Gage and
its varieties undoubtedly stand. One variety of
this family was introduced from France many years
since under the name of Reine Claude Diaphane,
or Transparent Green Gage. When thoroughly ripe
this can challenge the Green Gage for excellence ;
it also has the property of communicating a dis-
tinction to the seedlings derived from it. There
are three which deserve a place in any garden.
These are the Early Transparent Gage, the Golden
Transparent Gage, and the Late Transparent Gage.
Other Gaee Plums of great excellence are tie

Other Gage Plums of gr

220

THE GARDEN.

[S£i>T. G, 1S90.

Bryanston, the Oallins Golden (although not an
orchard Plum, it is an excellent garden Plum), the
Purple, the Reine Claude du Comte Atthems (a
Hungarian Red Gage of excellent quality), the
Guthrie's Late Gage, and the Reine Claude du
Bavay. Of Plums which are not Gages, but of fine
flavour and quality, we have the Stint, the Early
Favourite, the De Montfort, the Yellow Impe'ratrice,
the Jefferson, Angelina Burdett, Golden Esperen,
Decaisne, Grand Duke, and Coe's Golden Drop.
The small Mirabelle Plums are very pretty and pro-
ductive, and should be planted in gardens, as they
make a delicious preserve. I hardly think, how-
ever, they would pay for market.

The Plum does not make a lofty tree, and does
not, therefore, require very much space. My own
system, which I have found to answer very well,
is that of planting dwarf trees in rows 9 feet apart
and 9 feet tree from tree, the stems of the trees
be'mg a clear 4 feet to the branches. I find that
trees of this size are more easily managed than
standards, especially in the gathering season. Dam-
sons, particularly the Crittenden, may be planted
much nearer than Plums, in fact 6 feet is not too
great a distance, so that the trees form fruitful
hedges. I should recommend the distance, how-
ever, of 9 feet between the rows. Like the Cherry,
the Plum is impatient of pruning, and this should
be done in the autumn about the beginning of
October. A calcareous clay appears to me to be
absolutely necessary to the well-doing of the trees.
There is, of course, an element of uncertainty in
the production of fruit out of doors in this country,
but this may be made a certainty by the employ-
ment of glass. The Plum adapts itself very readily
to pot cultivation under glass, and as the fruit may
be removed to the outside for ripening during the
summer months, a glass house may be made avail-
able for a large supply. Fruit from pots grown in
suitable soil is always of excellent quality, and
when ripened under glass is singularly rich and
gocd. The fruit will hang for some time when
fully ripe. The facility with which Plums may be
dried has hitherto been overlooked in England, but
this industry is now in the process of development,
and with the assistance of improved methods we
shall not hear in the future of Plums rotting on the
ground from the abundance of the crop, a waste
which is sinful, as the plenty of one year is usuaUy
followed by the scarcity of succeeding years.

Melons cracking.— Having read "J. C. C.'s"
article in The Garden upon Melons cracking, I can
fully bear out his plan of giving more air and less
atmospheric moisture at the time of ripening. Upon
entering my present situation I was informed that
my employer was very fond of Melons, so I prepared
a bed and planted it, keeping it at a temperature of
70° at night, and 75° to 80° by day with plenty of
moisture. On the 7th of August I first noticed
signs of ripening, and being rather anxious to send
my first fruit to table as soon as possible, I reduced
the air by closing earlier than I had done previously.
To my great disappointment, on the 10th I noticed
my Melons had cracked so badly as to render them
quite unfit for table. The sole cause of this I attri-
bute to too much moisture and not sufficient air, for
since I have kept a little air on the pit all night, I
have not seen the least signs of cracking.— W. Gut.

Eoyal Horticultural Society. — Questions
■having been asked as to whether fresh fruits may he
shown at the forthcoming exhibition of preserved
fruits, jams, &c, to be held by the Royal Horticultural
Society, in the Drill Hall, on Oct. 14, 15, and lfi next,
it may be as well to call the attention of intending ex-
hibitors to the following decision of the council : " Any
new or rare fruits submitted to the fruit committee
wdl be heartily welcomed, but there will he no room
for general collections of fresh fruit. The show will
be exclusively of preserved fruits with the exception
of novelties in flowers and fruits sent for the judgment
of the committee." The jams and other preserves are
to be, as far as possible, in glass vessels or packages,
although other materials are not absolutely prohibited.
In respect to the Grape show, we may also mention
that a silver-gilt cup will be awarded in Class X. for
the best examples of packing Grapes, 4 lbs. to C lbs.,
lor private use, to be sent by post or rail.

WEST OF ENGLAND NOTES.

Cornwall is the land of flowering shrubs. They
grow and flourish and abound in the churchyards,
in cottage gardens, by the roadside, in the deep
shadowy lanes, and in the beautiful gardens at-
tached to the large houses of the couDty. One of
the most striking features of the gardens of
the west is certainly to be found in the size and
beauty of the flowering shrubs. At this time of
the year Hydrangeas are specially attractive, and
they are unusually free -flowering this season on
account of so much rain ; they seem to grow
and flourish everywhere and under all condi-
tions. At one place, Menabilly, on the south
coast, there must be tens of thousands of these
shrubs, as they meet you on all sides with their
fine heads of bloom, which are about equally red
and blue. They fringe the top of a roadside
hedge, they abound in the woods, which are very
extensive, and they go with you down the walk
to the beautiful little cove of Pridmouth, where
they are almost washed by the spray of the sea.

It is a pity that the cottagers depend so much
upon flowering shrubs as they do. With the
many advantages which those who live in the
far west possess, it is provoking that the pre-
vailing condition of their gardens is not better
than it is. Cottage gardens are too often un-
tidy and uncared for, and contrast most un-
favourably with the average cottage garden ' ' in
the shires," which is a common mode of designat-
ing the more central parts of England in use
among the natives of Cornwall. But Nature
does so much for them, that frequently a cottage
garden, though full of weeds and bearing marks
of utter neglect, will look pretty and bright
from its wealth of flowering shrubs. A tall
Fuchsia in one corner occupying a large space,
and covered all over with its scarlet bells, will
be greeted vis-a-vis by a huge Hydrangea in the
other, covered likewise with flower, but con-
trasting beautifully with the Fuchsia, and both
probably hanging well over the garden wall.
Between them the space is often occupied by
a large Veronica with its light blue or
purple spikes, and a Myrtle or two half
trained against the wall or hedge may fill
up the intervals of space. The wliole re-
quires little, if any trouble, and yet the passer-
by would naturally be attracted by the bright-
ness exhibited by the shrubs in this plot of
ground, which scarcely deserves the name of a
garden. Fuchsias, of course, do well in Corn-
wall, but I have never seen either Myrtles or
Fuchsias excel those of Minehead, on the north
coast of Somerset. I think the people there
take more trouble in training them to their
houses. A pretty effect is produced in a lane
at Carbis Bay, near St. Ives, by growing Fuch-
sias with the usual Thorn in a hedge. They
are evidently clipped together, and form a
pretty roadside fence.

But the scarlet Geranium cannot be seen in such
perfection anywhere as in the far west country.
It seems to delight in the climate of Penzance,
and extends its luxuriant boughs loaded with
scarlet blossoms to the top of the second-floor
windows in many instances. A very pretty
effect is produced by growing this Geranium with
Solanum jasminiflorum; the redand whiteflowers
mingle prettily together and present a striking
appearance, especially to those who for the first
time see these plants treated as hardy climbers.

Passion Flowers are apparently great favour-
ites in Cornwall, not that they require so mild
a climate, as they do well in the midlands, but
perhaps they like the genial warmth and mois-
ture of the west. At all events they are
smothered in their lovely and suggestive flowers,
but I saw no fruit ; perhaps it was too early.

In Upper Bagot Street, Dublin, I have seen
Passion Flowers studded over with their large
egg-shaped and orange-coloured fruits, which
look singular and are somewhat ornamental.

There has evidently been a great wish to ac-
climatise plants of doubtful hardiness in some
of the best gardens. It is interesting to see
what plants from a more southern clime or
from across the ocean can be made to stand the
Cornish winter, which is never severe, but is
sometimes prolonged. This year there was a
frost in June west of Penzance. At Menabilly
there is a walk or terrace with tall plants (trees)
of Dracsena australis, bearing their great hanks
of bloom on one side, and Palms (Chamierops
excelsa or Fortunei) on the other. Groups
of Yucca, New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax),
Bamboos, and other tall growing plants and
shrubs fill up the background, and the whole
presents a most strikingly tropical appearance.

The churchyard at Gulval is well known, be-
cause it is so beautifully kept and so well situ-
ated. Probably there is no other churchyard
in the kingdom in which such a variety of
flowering shrubs could be found. We find
there masses of Fuchsia, Hydrangea, Veronica,
Escallonia macrantha, and Myrtle, and along
with these fine specimens of Dracaena australis,
New Zealand Flax and Bamboo. It was men-
tioned not long ago as a wonderful thing that
the New Zealand Flax had flowered in some
gardens. At Sheviocke Rectory this Phormium
long ago flowered and seeded, and young plants
are now growing from the seeds.
. One of the peculiarities of the far west which
must be noticed by anyone who takes a drive
on one of the numerous coaches, which take
pleasure parties to see the country, is the wild
condition of the hedge-banks. They are lite-
rally banks, and not properly hedges, and as a
rule look wild and unkept with a profusion of
some flower according to the season, and quan-
tities of the common Brake Fern and Hart's-
tongue. Our hedges are often beautiful with
Primroses and Bluebells, but they never pre-
sent that appearance of vegetation run wild
which prevails in the hedge-banks of the west.

The lemon-scented Verbena (Aloysia citrio-
dora) is a common plant and often attains a
large size as a shrub, and in a garden close to
Newlyn a fine Blue Gum tree has evidently
been growing without any protection for many
years. It has now attained a large size, and is
fully 20 feet in height.

There has sprung up of late years a great
industry in growing Grapes and Tomatoes for
the London market. When within two miles
of Land's End you come upon a roadside vine-
yard of considerable extent. The glass in one
part comes down to a level with your eye, so
that the passer-by on the road can look straight
into a large house well covered at the present
time with a fine crop of Muscat Grapes, which
hang thickly from the roof. In other houses
Tomatoes are grown under the Vines. A notice
outside informs the weary traveller that he can
buy Grapes for a certain price, and no doubt
many are sold in that way. In other remote
valleys, far from the hum of busy life, you
suddenly come upon a large establishment in
which there are rows and rows of houses devoted
to the culture of the Vine and Tomato. As
the culture of these fruits and others is rapidly
extending, we must suppose that the people of
the far west listen more favourably and more
readily to the advice of Mr. Gladstone than
many others to whom he has so often recom-
mended the great advantages to be derived
from fruit growing.

A Gloucestershire Parson.

Sept. 6, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

221

Flower Garden.

OREOCOME (SELINUM) CANDOLLEI.
For the special purposes to which these plants
are best adapted, we have nothing to take the
places of the giant and extremely ornamental
Heracleums, the Pleurospermums, Angelicas,
and Selinums, and, coming nearer home, the
Beaked Parsleys, Chervil, Cicely, and many
other unrivalled foliage plants. No one with a
sense of beauty, in however small a degree,
could possibly fail to give the Eryngiums a
place. The Astrantias are also very popular,
a good index to the beauty of a plant or plants.
The Oreoeome, or, properly speaking, Selinum
Candollei, is one of the most effective of these
graceful and highly ornamental subjects, the
beautiful leaves, as finely divided as the

increased either by seed or division. A native
of the Himalayas. K.

NOTES FROM SUFFOLK.
The heavy rains have somewhat dimmed the
beauty of many of our garden flowers, but at
least the extreme verdure of the lawns in the
driest and most sunny of aspects compensates
in a measure for the dull borders. The Be-
gonias also revel in the wet season, but, alas, for
the promising beds of the late crop of Roses.
Homere holds its own bravely, and here and
there a rich crimson Ro3e peeps out from the
bed whence the summer glory is departed, but
for the most part the second flowering of the
Roses is hardly to be hoped for, at least in
ordinary profusion. Reine Marie Henriette is
an exception ; one of the first to bloom, her
lovely, drooping, crimson buds are numerous
now. But the feature of the garden just now

Oreosome (Selinum) Candollei at Ascot, Berks.

perfect little pompon Dahlias, or the pure white
Everlasting Pea ? Next to the Rose, perhaps,
the Carnation is the favourite flower, including,
if florists will allow, the sweet white Pink and
its later congeners the old Clove and the beau-
tiful white variety Gloire de Nancy. But every
form of the Dianthus has a beauty of its own,
from the tiny alpine Pink, or that one finds in
dry pastures or on old walls, to the richly
marked garden variety Dianthus Heddewigi in its
double form, which is grown so much and so
well abroad ; especially have I noticed in Ger-
many.

The great white Daisy, C. latifolium, is
almost too rampant, but the Anemone japonica,
fairest of autumn flowers, thrives well through
the heavy showers. Among the drooping
boughs of the Deodara numbers of gold-crested
wrens are flitting (two broods were hatched off
this year) ; thrushes and blackbirds are busily
employed on the lawn in quest of food ; swal-
lows and swifts low-flying seem to foretell more
rain, while a bold kingfisher, like a flying flower
of brilliant blue, plunges into the fountain in
quest of golden prey. Colour and beauty every-
where, and yet, thinking of cornfields and Hop
gardens, one wishes for bright sunshine and
cloudless days, even though the Grass should
wear its parched August look.

Stjffolkian.

fronds of a Todea, spreading out almost
horizontally, gracefully recurving towards their
tips and making a beautiful specimen, perfect
in symmetry and form. The illustration will
assist readers of The Garden not acquainted
with the Oreoeome to form an idea of its beauty
as a specimen plant, as when isolated on a lawn
and not allowed to flower it is very effective.
The cutting out of the flowering stem will be a
matter for the grower to decide ; some will
prefer to see it take its natural course, although
I always think that the foliage suffers with the
development of the flowering stem. The pretty,
fresh green colour of the leaves renders this
plant very effective on the margins of shrub-
beries, and as the Oreoeome is perfectly
hardy, growing luxuriantly in ordinary garden
soil, little difficulty need be experienced in
establishing it in most places. It may be

are the grand, fragrant Lilium auratum, from
the veteran who has stood many winters and
summers in the same spot to the tiniest of
offsets who offers its quota of one or two
blossoms only, the first rearing proudly above
the Rhododendrons, the last brightening with a
dash of colour the dark recesses of the over-
arching boughs. The border is fringed by
masses of Montbretia crocosmiseflora (might it
not be termed flime-coloured Gladiolus?), and
the effect is literally gorgeous, for, as artists
would say, the colour is carried out by two or
three spikes of Tiger Lilies, which repeat the
crimson-orange shade.

Pelargoniums, Asters, Zinnias have so many
admirers ; but must not praise be meted out to
the sturdy herbaceous Phloxes, whose perfume is
so delicious intheevening air — strongest then, or
for those who prefer a scentless nosegay, the

Agapanthus umbellatus out of doors. — A

plant of this when grown entirely out of doors
presents a far different appearance to one grown
in a greenhouse. In the latter case it generally
has long weakly-looking foliage, and flower-spikes
still more attenuated. The colour of the Bowers,
too, is generally very pale when the plants are
grown under glass. I know there are exceptions
to this mode of treating this very accommodating
Lily, but they are few. It is more often seen
in a broken pot, and stuck into an out-of-the-way
corner of the garden or greenhouse. I lately saw
six or eight plants growing in a clump at the
foot of a greenhouse wall, the foliage being
dense green. They were producing spikes of
blossom very freely, each being not more than
1 foot above the leaves, which were of about the
same height. The flower-heads, too, were much
larger than usually seen, the colour of the flowers
being a deep blue. — S.

Lilium "Wallichianum. — I was much inter-
ested in reading the account by " T. L.," Richmond,
of this plant and his mode of treatment. I can hardly
believe, however, that he will succeed in growing it
in the open air, for the plant is more sub-tropical
than temperate, and can scarcely be said to grow
in the zone visited by frost. An elevation in the
Himalayas of about 4000 feet is where the plants
are most frequently found, the temperature ranging
from 70° to 75° during the summer and declining in
the winter to 45° or thereabouts. The heat ex-
perienced during summer may not appear high,
but it is steadily maintained, with scarcely any
fluctuation from the time growth is commenced
until September. Some plants in a border along
the front of my bungalow— 3600 feet elevation- do
remarkably well, and produce flowers that measure
individually 9 inches across the mouth. They grow
in no specially prepared soil, but receive a quantity
of manure once in the season. One to three
flowers are produced on a plant, and I have heard
of well authenticated cases where seven and nine
blooms had been seen. Unless really large flowers
are produced, the species becomes insignificant,
appearing at first sight like a lanky, ill-grown L.
longiflorum. As companions in the border my
plants have Arundina bambusfefolia, Fhaius
Wallichi, Calanthe masuca, Bignonia venusta
on the roof, Davallia polypodioides, Asplenium
Nidus, and others. — R. P.

White Antirrhinums.— Without a doubt the
most effective bedding plant in the garden here
this year is the white Antirrhinum. I had no

222

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 6, 1890.

idea that the Antirrhinum could be found so use-
ful as a summer flowering plant. It is a dwarf-
growing variety, raise 1 originally at Drumlanrig,
from whence it found its way to the neigh-
bourhood of Liverpool, where I obtained it last
season. It does not grow more than 15 inches
high. The flowers, of the purest white, and
producel in great profusion, commence to
open in May, and continue up to the end of
September. We have a long row of it growing in
front, of lemon-coloured African Marigolds, which
are backed up with Rhododendrons. In front of the
Antirrhinum there is a broad row of a dwarf-
growing bright scarlet Tropaaolum. The contrast
between this and the Saaplragon can easily be
imagined, especially as there is a good mass of
both. Undoubtedly it is a graud plant for the
flower garden where borders similar in character
have to be filled with summer-flowering plants. It
grows freely from cuttings, which are best in-
serted in a cold frame early in October, if pos-
sible choosing the small side shoots which have not
flowered. Afford them some protection from severe
frost during the winter, and early in April plant
out into a temporary pit, using an abundance of
l3af soil into which the roots ran freely, and from
which the plants can be readily transplanted
j'lto their permanent quarters. — E. M.

Germination of Daffodil seed. — I heard Mr.
Engleheart read his interesting paper on seedling
Daffodils at the Chiswick Conference in the spring,
and was under the impression that he made some
reference to the method he employs in raising
seedlings. On-looking over the paper as published
in the Royal Horticultural Society's Journal just
issued, I fail, however, to find any special mention
of his procedure ; therefore, I trust that Mr. En-
gleheart will kindly respond to a request to
state what are the conditions under which
seed is by him usually sown, what is the pe-
riod usually elapsing between sowing and ger-
mination, and what proportion usually germinates
I am induced to put these queries because they are
of special interest to all who may take the advice to
heart which both Mr. Engleheart and Mr. Wolley Dod
so freely gave at the Daffodil Conference with re-
gard to raising seedlings. Last spring I crossed a
flower of Emperor with pollen from incompara-
rabilis var. Stella. It was a pure experiment
just to see what would result. Now, whilst not
one other flower of Emperor produced seed, this
fertilised one bore a large pod of eventually well-
ripened plump seeds. Almost directly the seed was
ripe I sowed it in a shallow pan of soil, and stood it
in a partially shaded.place outdoors. No signs of ger-
mination are yet visible, however, and therefore
I am anxious to learn what is the customary period
of time elaps'ng between sowing and growth. — A. D.

Spring flowers in South. Devon.— Perhaps
some of those readers of The Gakden who are in-
terested in the charming notes of " A Gloucester-
shire Parson" might like to hear a little about our
wild flowers in South Devon. I will start from my
home on a steep cliff overhanging the sea, and
drive about fifteen miles inland. Let it be a fine
bracing day in March towards the end of the
month, the lark singing his joyous " song without
words," and the sun very warm, but still an icy
touch in the air when a cloud obscures the sun —
just to remind us that we have many a day yet to
pass over before summer comes. We draw rein by
the banks of a pretty little river, which flows from
Dartmoor, and enter a wood principally composed
of Scotch Firs, and there we are gladdened by the
sight of hundreds of sweet pale Lent Lilies
(Pseudo-Narcissus) springing up from a carpet of
glossy green Ivv leaves. A little further on we
come to a bed of lovely white wood Anemones. We
also see traces of where Snowdrops had bloomed,
happily unseen by the greedy flower-pickers, who
about here not only pick and sell the blooms, but
most ruthlessly grub up the roots, thereby destroy-
ing " the goose that lays the golden eggs." Leaving
this pretty wood, wo scramble on to the road, with
its tall steep banks decorated on one side by innu-
merable fronds of long Hart's-tongue Fern (Scolo-
pendrium vulgare), and on the side next the

river, where there is a sort of hollow ditch, the
Lastrea dilatata flourishes and grows to an enor-
mous size. The sweet white Violets are also to be
found in sheltered nooks, and the Willow, with its
fascinating soft balls of flowers, which we in
our childhood called " goslings," from their soft
yellow downy plumage. As we drive home we pass
banks blue with Periwinkle (Vinca minor). Near
the fine and stately ruins of an old castle can be
found at this time of year the strange and pretty
Iris tuberosa, " La Vedova," as the Italians call it,
the green flowers with bars of purplish-black velvet
being most curious. If not actually indigenous to
South Devon, it must have been planted in its pre-
sent locality hundreds of years ago. Having led
my readers, I hope not unwillingly, over nearly
twenty miles of lovely country, I must conclude
lest I might weary them. Perhaps another week I
may give a short account of our Orchises, and later
Ferns.— M. S.

THE BULB GARDEN.

Liliums. — All Lilies of the canadense and parda-
linum groups must, in the event of long-con-
tinued drought, be attended to, particularly in the
matter of moisture, the greatest essential of all,
probably, as regards attaining success in their cul-
tivation. It is to be regretted that nurserymen
generally do not lay greater stress upon this all-
important item in their bulb catalogues ; some, in-
deed, merely content themselves with inserting the
name ; others will endeavour to describe the num-
ber of spots on certain varieties ; while any special
references as to their culture, soil, position, and the
like appear to be avoided. It is surprising what a
large percentage of really well-informed and en-
thusiastic amateurs there are ready and willing —
not to say waiting — to grasp cultural details upon
almost any subject in the garden, and why should
they not have it ? Nurserymen generally would do
well to see to this.

A bountiful supply of moisture at the root is a
decided advantage to these two groups of Lilies.
Given this and a fair depth of spongy peat mixed
with an equal proportion of half-decayed leaves for
the roots to ramble in, they soon make themselves
at home. Thus treated, they seem to regard shade
from hot sun as of secondary moment, and rather
delight in having their pleasing graceful stems and
flowers fully exposed. In fact, many Lilies prefer
this, provided the surface of the ground in which
they grow is well protected from scorching sun.
Moisture overhead from excessive rains is invari-
ably more harmful to all Lilies if long continued
than anything I know. In well-appointed hardy
plant gardens, or at least those places where these
plants receive more than ordinary attention, a good
home for such Lilies as these will exist already ;
but where such is not the case, they should be tho-
roughly soaked with water two orthree times weekly,
and so assist in maturing fine bulbs for the ensu-
ing year, for, as everybody knows, the good, bad,
or indifferent flower-spikes "in the year 1891, in so
far as many bulbous plants are concerned, are de-
pendent in the main on the maturation of the bulbs
during the present season. Few people are really
aware of the grace and beauty of these leopard or
panther-spotted Lilies, as they are called, when
seen in established clumps, and sending up their
stems to a height of 8 feet or 10 feet. Not that
beauty consists in mere height alone, but height in
these illustrates exceptional vigour and fine, per-
fectly healthy bulbs below. The due reward of
building up such fine growths comes in their hand-
some heads of flowers. Under precisely similar
conditions of moisture and soil may be placed the
Swamp Lily (L. superbum), a lovely Lily, having
rich orange-coloured flowers, beautifully recurved
and freely spotted with crimson and purple.

Daffodils and Narcissi. — Where it is in-
tended to lift any portion of the stock of these it
must be done at once. The heavy downpour of
rain during June and the early part of July
favoured in no small degree the bulbs remaining
more or less active at the roots. This is always
particularly noticeable in the Poet's Narciss and

nearly all its forms in seasons like the present-
This fact should be borne in mind at lifting time,
and acted upon accordingly. By this I mean that
these varieties of poeticus should be lifted first,
notwithstanding that they flower much later than
many kinds. A very large majority of the trumpet
Daffodils, if not all, lose their roots at a much
earlier date than the varieties of poeticus ; indeed,
there seems an inclination on the part of these
latter to continue sending forth new rcots even
while the old ones are quite fresh and vigorous. I
have come to the conclusion with regard to poeticus
varieties that it would be difficult to examine them
at any time after they had been planted a few
weeks without finding new roots pushing from the
bulbs. I have examined them frequently from
early in January to the end of June, and invariably
found new roots as above stated. The first week of
July I lifted the bulk of my ornatus and some
other varieties of this group ; the following week I
lifted a nice batch of poetarum, which, by the way,
does splendidly in our light, loamy soil, both
flowering freely and increasing rapidly, and in each
case new roots were apparent about an inch long.
Fortunately, the bulbs do not appearto suffer mate-
rially in consequence of these new roots having to
be destroyed by the lifting ; but, on the other hand,
putting a stop to their continued energies for a
while renders them more capable of renewed
vigour when replanted. For the present all the
varieties as soon as lifted should be taken to a dry
airy shed to await cleaning as opportunity affords.

Bulbous Ikises.— By these I mean tlie whole of
this section, and not merely the two groups of
Spanish and English alone. All these stand very
much in need of immediate attention, and when
lifted should not be neglected for a single day.
These bulbous Irises, and particularly the Spanish
and English portions of them, are very peculiar in
their behaviour when out of the soil, and bulb
merchants and growers also could tell us of very
severe and heavylosses in connection with these. In
good positions, if soil and other matters are favour-
able, they are generally safe enough in the open
ground, but not permanently so, and in no instance,
excepting the blue typical Spanish form, would I
leave them in the soil for a longer period than two
years. After that time, especially among the white
and yellow varieties, a speedy deterioration of stcck
results ; therefore the best plan is to lift them
every second year. This may be done from the
middle of July to the end of August, preferably,
however, during July. During warm, dry summers
these do not emit their new roots even when left
in the soil before the early part of September, so
that readers will perceive the necessity in moist
seasons of having them out of the ground earlier
than usual, and to some extent this may guide their
actions. This year their roots perished more
quickly after flowering, as also did their foliage,
than is their wont, due in a measure probably to
the cold and wet in the early part of the present
year ; the bulbs, however, do not, as far as may be
judged by outside appearances, seem to have ma-
terially suffered in consequence, and, generally
speaking, they have a firm, solid appearance, and
are not lacking in size, while offsets are fairly
abundant. Apart from the question of deteriora-
tion, their rapid increase by means of offsets would
necessitate their being lifted and replanted periodi-
cally, planting the larger or flowering roots by
themselves, and the smaller ones in nursery beds in
the reserve garden. No bulbous plant of my ac-
quaintance requires either more careful lifting or
storing than these Irises, as the smallest bruise will
quickly result in a wound, speedily followed by a
blue mould or fungus. A perfectly dry, airy place
must be given them while out of the ground, nor
should they be allowed to lie thickly together in
trays or the like. It is also prudent to clean them
as early as possible, thereby divesting them of
some of the thick fibre which forms the outer
covering to the bulb ; this done, they will be com-
paratively safe whilst dry for some little time. I.
juncen, I. reticulata, I. persica, &c, will also need
a similar overlooking from time to time.
Doct's-TOOTn Violets (Erythroniums).— If an

Sept. 6, 1890.]

THE GAKDEK

223

illustration were needed of a bulbous-rooted plant
being' materially injured by lifting and drying, I
should without hesitation select the Erythroniums,
or Dog's-tooth Violets, for I know nothing which
so speedily resents it as these. Indeed, to abso-
lutely dry them off as one would aTnlip, Hyacinth,
or Crocus is fatal to them, so that they must be
planted again without delay ; or should it for various
reasons be inconvenient to plant them at once, they
should be covered with soil or cocoa-nut fibre, and
not exposed to the air, replanting them as soon as
circumstances permit. Frequently we find im-
portations of these very pretty, though short-lived
spring-flowering bulbs much shrivelled in transit,
and after coming in contact with the moist soil
quickly decay. It will be wise to prevent their
shrivelling at all, when placing them in soil or
fibre will keep them fresh and plump.

Ohio nodoxa.— These appear to endure a long
season of rest and quiet, for in spite of their flower-
ing with the Snowdrop very early in the year, they
are still among the latest to commence pushing
new roots. This is fortunate, and in consequence
renders them valuable for spring gardening, seeing
they may be planted at any time during September
to flower in the very ea-ly part of the year. These
may still be lifted if it is desired to replant any
portion of the stock, for they show no signs of
fresh roots at present ; these, however, will quickly
follow should we get a few hours' rain.

MU3CAEIA9 are growing again, and should not
be disturbed now. The same remark also applies to
Leucojum vernum and some other miscellaneous
bulbs. E. J.

THE DOUBLE WHITE ROCKET.

(HE3PERI3 MATROXALIS PL.-PL.)

The common garden Rocket, or Dames' Violet,
though considered by some indigenous to Britain,
is yet a doubtful native plant, but it is well known,
though in these days, when there are so many fine
subjects for the border, scarcely good enough for a
place there, though of decided value for naturalising
in semi- wild places. It is of tall growth, so much
so, that it is perhaps doubtful if the double varie-
ties have originated from it, especially as while the
single form will grow almost anywhere, the double
forms requiring a cool and moist situation to succeed
well.

I have met with three forms of the double
Rocket ; one, the purple or reddish purple, and there
is a form of this which was produced some years
ago under the name of Compactness, but which
differed only slightly, if at all, from the original
type; the strong-growing French white, with its
large and delicately tinted blush flowers, and the
dwarfer-growing and smaller-flowered pure white,
a delightful hardy plant where it will do well.
, This last seems to be very impatient of heat and
drought, and it succeeds best in the cool and
moist districts of Lancashire, where it is much
prized by the native botanists, and in Scotland.
Away in the north it appears to have two blooming
seasons, in May and June and again in the autumn,
but that is brought about by the treatment given it
by those who cultivate it well. I remember on one
occasion seeing a riband border of plants in the
north, and the White Rocket made one line, and
very striking it was, blooming later, it is: true, than
in the south, but the way in which it had been
treated conduced to this result. There is what is
known as the double yellow Rocket (Barbarea vul-
garis floie-pleno) with its small double yellow blos-
soms produced in the form of spikes ; and I have
heard of one gardener in Scotland who had every
season (some years ago) a riband border formed of
the four types of Rocket ; the front line, a row of
the dwarf double white ; then one of the crimson ;
then a row of the French white ; and finally a line
of the double yellow. I think it is very likely that
there exists in Scotland — or certainly did exist a
quarter of a century ago — one or two distinct types
of the red or crimson Rocket, and we may perhaps
hear something of them again.

While the single Rocket produces seed, the double
forms do not, and increase can be had only by

means of suckers or cuttings. A good plan to
adopt with the double forms is to cut them
down to within (! inches or S inches from
the ground when the flowers have faded, stir the
surface soil round the plants, and top-dress with
some good light soil, say well rotted leaf-mould
and sand in equal proportions. In the course of a
few weeks young suckers will be thrown up, and
they will form roots for themselves. These can be
taken off and planted out under a hand-glass or in
a cold frame in light sandy soil, be well shaded
from the sun, and carefully watered. With good
management, these soon grow into excellent plants.
If the suckers are not rooted when taken off they
soon strike under a hand-glass in a suitable sandy
compost. Cuttings are sometimes made out of
the flower-stems that are allowed to remain, but
they do not generally make such good plants as
the suckers.

In suitable localities the young plants when
sufficiently rooted are put out in nursery beds,
some well decomposed manure being added when
planting is done, or, as a matter of precaution, they
can be wintered in a cold frame, and planted out
in spring not later than March.

Snails are apt to be troublesome at times, de
vouring the leaves and robbing the plants of ver
dure, and a small green caterpillar, which generally
makes its appearance in the month of April, will
locate itself in the centre of the bud of the flower-
stem ; its locality is soon discovered by the leaves
being drawn together. A hunt should be made
for this marauder. Some sharp sand spread round
the plant stems will lessen the danger from the
attacks of snails.

There is no period of the year like May and eaily
June when cut flowers of hardy plants can be seen
to better advantage on the exhibition table. One
of the most telling subjects is a good bunch of the
double white Rocket. In such a season as that we
are now experiencing the doub]e white Rocket
would, no doubt, do in the south, but during a hot,
dry summer it is difficult to keep it unless well
cared for. It is always worthy of being well cared
for, and I trust that the foregoing remarks may
tend to call attention to this undoubtedly fine
garden plant. R. D.

Hawkweeds. — The group of Hawkweeds
(Hieracium), which find a place among the most
popular of the hardy annuals of our day, are doubt-
less natives of various parts of Europe, though it is
said there are from twenty to thirty species in-
digenous to Britain, growing in hedges, woods and
mountains. Those which find a place in our gar-
dens are the red, silvery-white and yellow — an in-
teresting group, because easily grown, very free and
continuous in bloom, and admirably adapted for
cutting from. If sown in good garden soil the
plants when thinned, so as to give the individuals a
chance of growing and developing their blossoms to
the best advantage, are decidedly ornamental and
useful. A well-known seedsman said the other day
that he thought the Hawkweeds the most desirable
among hardy annuals, which is high praise indeed,
and if one were to give the preference to any one
variety, it would be the yellow. The seed can be
sown in the open in March and April, and the plants
are not a great while in getting into bloom. — R. D.

Primula obconica as a bedding' plant. —
It is doubtful if the value of this Primula is known
as yet. It is true one sees it used as a pot plant,
and occasionally it may be found in a shady
situation in the open garden. I confess I was not
prepared to find it used as a bedding plant, nor
had I ever heard of it being tried for that purpose.
Recently I called on a friend who had upwards of
three dozen plants of this Primula planted out in
his front garden. It was in an east aspect. The
front line was planted with a good type of Blue
Lobelia, behind this was Primula obconica with
several plants of a rosy-red tuberous Begonia
between. This Primula was as healthy and free-
blooming as I have ever seen it in pots. . Nothing
could be more beautiful than the Begonia and
Primula blooms mingled together. I may add that

at the back of these were some light-coloured
Fuchsias, also some golden shrubs (small plants),
with various hardy things, which made a most inte-
resting and pleasing bed.— J. Crook, Forcle Alley.

THE CARNATION.
I repeat for the benefit of "Carnation Grower":—

That florists' Carnations, of which he says " it is
idle to say they are not tender," and that " they abso-
lutely refuse to weather the winter trials," are
grown by the Newcastle and other of the northern
growers the whole year through in the open ground.

That where they are wintered in frames they are
protected, not from frost, but from the winter rains.

That they are grown on though in pots in the
open air, and are subject to the same seasonal in-
fluences as plants in the borders.

That the proof that they have had no coddling, or
pampering, or protection from frost is shown by
the fact that they flower at the same time as the
plants in the open ground.

That if they were protected from cold through
the winter they would come into flower weeks be-
fore the dates of the exhibitions, which represent
the natural flowering time of the plant.

These facts prove that the florists' Carnations
are not grown or pampered under glass. As to
" Carnation Grower's " assertion that florists grow
only a paltry few plants in the borders, I beg leave
to tell him they are grown there in thousands, and
that all seedling plants are so grown.

His other statement as to giving the plants
" special foods " in the senfe of unnatural composts
is also wide of the fact. Loam with a proportion
of manure and leaf-mould is what they have. I
have myself grown Carnations in soil out of a com-
mon wheat field, and taken a first prize at the
National Society's show with them. — M. Rowan.

%* We will assume that all Mr. Rowan says is
true, but he omits to notice

1. The destruction by the florists of the form of
the flower. Of all the heaven-sent things for our
gardens the Carnation is that which in the double
state assumes the most beautiful form, free as
foam in its delicate and varied toss of petals ; its
form is as good as its delicious scent and as pre-
cious as its unrivalled colour, and this lovely form
the human ass complacently sets himself to correct
with a tweezers !

2. The banishment of the Carnation from the
flower garden, of which in our often wet and
stormy summers it is the biightest flower. The
public "sat upon" by a few people who give each
other prizes and lay down the laws for the exhibi-
tion of the Carnation in the silly way we see it
shown have scarcely a chance of seeing the value
of the flower for our gardens. The laced flowers in
collars are useless for the flower garden. Exhibi-
tions of them are childish things, aimless and ugly,
so far as any good to gardens is concerned.

3. The encouragement of burst and monstrous
flowers. The deformed flowers, very few of which
would be tolerated in the flower garden, are wel-
come to the ordinary exhibitor, who binds up the
burst flower, then puts it in its paper collar with
all the petals levelled back by the tweezers. All
this gives a false ideal to the raisers of new kinds,
and improvement from their side is barred so long
as these things last. If the Carnations were shown as
they grow with buds and flowers, burst and mon-
strous flowers would soon disappear, as there is no
difficulty in raising plants free from this great fault.

L Pot culture. — Mr. Rowan allows that the Car-
nation is "wintered in frames and in pots." But it is
needless, and worse, to go to the expense of pots
and glass shelter for flowers that are the hardiest
we know. There were thousands in the flower
garden at Shrubland all last winter, and Mr. Fish
and others can testify to the lovely pictures they
made this summer. Not only are pot culture and
frame protection wasteful in all open country gar-
lens, but no one can get the best bloom who does
not plant out his Carnations where they are to
flower in early autumn. There is a double reward

224

THE GARDEN.

[Sei-i. 6, 1890.

for this course— the beauty of the plant all through
the winter in the flower garden and the finer
bloom. There may be cold valleys where the Car-
nation will not bear this plan, but for the greater
part of the country early layers planted in early
autumn is the best and simplest way. — Ed.

From the many articles that are appearing

in The Garden it seems quite evident that general
interest is now being taken in Carnations, more es-
pecially as regards those suitable for general gar-
den decoration and cutting. Owing, however, to
the many failures in their cultivation, great desire
is apparently shown to realise the cause. Unfortu-
nately, too many lovers of these sweet and beauti-
ful flowers consider them delicate subjects, and
consequently nurse and coddle the plants during
the autumn and winter months, only planting out
late in spring, by which time there is then little
chance of good grass being made and very often
numbers die off entirely. If growers would only
be persuaded to plant out the layers early in
autumn much better success would result, as by
getting the plants into their flowering quarters
early half the battle is won. Carnations are essen-
tially hardy plants and resent coddling ; in fact it
is this coddling that is spoiling their natural hardy
constitution. The variety of border and yellow
ground sorts is now so great, that what is most
wanted is to practise autumn planting, discard the
delicate and weakly growers, and then we shall
soon have Carnations taking their right place
amongst hardy garden plants. Layers planted
out in autumn should be gone carefully over after
frosty weather, and a little dry soil placed round
the necks of the plants will be found beneficial. —
R. V. M.

%* This is a sensible note and should be fol-
lowed, but it is essential to success to get out of
the childish florists' sorts, " collars," tweezers, and
to get or raise bold selfs in many colours that
stand and bloom well and do not burst. — Ed.

Not long since a strong protest was made

against big Chrysanthemums, but a stronger
protest is needed against the artificial and decep-
tive practices with which the art of exhibiting is
fraught Probably in many cases it is not the best
cultivator, but the most expert dresser, that wins
the prize, granted of course that previous to manipu-
lation the difference in merit of the respective
competing lots is not very great. No flower looks
worse upon the exhibition table than the Carnation
without a scrap of its own foliage, but instead a
wretched paper collar. Though this may be the
orthodox plan, it is ridiculous to argue that it is
the best way of exhibiting the flower. We some-
time complain of the formal manner in which
Roses are exhibited, but even they have their own
foliage to relieve them, and are not to be compared
with the Carnation blooms.

But how much of deception this collar hides.
What does it matter, or who can tell whether the
Carnation bursts or not 1 In the bud state it is
tied up, and when the collar is on, the petals are
disposed upon it at the will of the dresser, not as
naturally disposed in the undressed bloom. Let
who will deny this, it is a fact that can be verified
by looking over a collection of plants growing
naturally, and a collection of flowers arranged for
show. In the first lot there will be individuality, a
variety of form charming in itself, but in the
dressed flowers they are all brought as near as
possible into the supposed orthodox form, and
why ? Who is there that would attempt to dress
the Rose, and if not the Rose, why dress the Car-
nation ? The contrast of the white paper collar is
inharmonious, and has a bad effect upon such a
lovely pale flesh-coloured Carnation as Comtesse
de Paris. Were growers compelled to exhibit them
without these artificial aids, we should get rid of
Carnations which burst. Till then we never shall,
because the grower knows it is in his power to
adopt an artificial method to remedy this, and
many who see the flower at the exhibition know
nothing of its great defect. Although the Carnation
has been exhibited so long in this way, the tolera-
tion of such a deceptive method does not justify its
continuance, for surely in this, as in other things,

we may make improvement, and here, at least,
there is room for vast improvement. In the flower
garden the Carnation which bursts is a distorted,
ragged-looking object, and I destroy every kind ex-
hibiting this worst of all defects.

I do not know upon whom will fall the responsi-
bility of framing the conditions to bo observed in
competingforthe prizes offered byMr.Martin Smith.
In this break away from the beaten track there
would seem to be prospects of a salutary change,
ending perhaps in a wholesome reform of the whole
method of exhibiting Carnations. It is settled that
the plants are to be hardily grown, the flowers are to
be shown as cut from the plant, presumably a spike
with buds and blooms intact. Nothing could be
better than some narrow-mouthed, long-necked re-
ceptacle to exhibit these flowers accompanied with
a little of their own grass. In the single bloom
classes of the Carnation Society earthenware re-
ceptacles are used, which come near to the thing
required, only minus the inevitable paper collar
which is placed around the flower, even in those
classes. If we can once make a fair start at some
more natural method of exhibiting, the improve-
ment will be so marked that the present artificiali-
ties will soon disappear.

In trying to show that the labours of the Carna-
tion Society were exhaustive, Mr. Douglas (p. 175)
alludes to the class for plants in pots. What were
the plants in pots, as shown this year, in com-
parison with plants in the beds? They had
from six to twelve flowers, all the other buds
having been removed long before. Did those
plants convey any idea of what flowers a strong
Carnation plant will produce ?

Again, is Mr. Douglas consistent in decrying the
use of wire in small bouquets of Carnation blcoms
when it is the rule to draw every bloom upon the
exhibited plants round to one side and enclose it
in a wire collar, which has a stem stuck into the
stick that supports the flower-spike? This was
one of the most palpable artificialities in the recent
show, as such a disposition of blooms is most
unnatural. One thing is certain ; if the powers
that be in the Carnation Society continue
along the already well-worn track, they will not
enlist the sympathy and help of the many
who are now paying more regard to this com-
paratively neglected flower, because each year's
work is but a dull routine and each annual show
resembles the previous one, as proved by the fact
that the names and places of the leading prize-
winners rarely vary. With a progressive policy
and the introduction of new and novel features the
society would grow in usefulness and in strength,
and at its shows we might see 100 blooms where
now we see but one. — A. H.

Erigeron mucronatum. — This name is not
synonymous witli Vittadenia triloba., as it is said to
be in The Garden, August 30, p. 200. I recollect
that twenty years ago it used to be called the
Australian Tree Daisy, and was supposed to be the
Vittadenia triloba of De Candolle, native near Port
Jackson, in Australia, and it was formerly treated
as a greenhouse plant (see De Candolle's "Prodro-
mus," vol. v., page 281). It has since been iden-
tified with Erigeron mucronatum of De Candolle, a
Mexican plant (see De Candolle's "Prodromus," vol.
v., page 285). As for its hardiness, it lives here
through ordinary winters, though it dies to the
base, but it is probable that 30° of frost would kill
it. I have heard from several friends that it is na-
turalised in Italy. — C. WOLLE5T Dod, Edge Hall,
Maljms.

Echeveria Peacocki (T. TF.).— I had the stock
of this before it was distributed to the public at
the Messrs. Rollisson's nurseries at Tooting. The
plant is one of Roezl's introductions from New
Mexico, and was named in honour of Mr. Peacock,
of Hammersmith. It is a beautiful glaucous
rosette, and the flower-spike has a terete reddish
brown stem, the flowers being bright red. It is
one of the most beautiful of its race, and is ex-
tremely useful for winter flowering ; indeed there
are several species which may be used for this pur-

pose with great advantage. The plants may be
increased by splitting off the leaves close to the
stem, and laying them upon a dry shelf in a warm
house, when young plants will soon form at the
base. — W.

VARIETIES OF LILIUM LONGIFLORUM.
In the case of no other Lily has there been so
great a desire evinced to bestow varietal names
on individuals that vary in the least degree from
what is usually regarded as the type, or from
each other. This difference is in many cases
owing to the conditions under which they have
been grown. Thus we have had such names as
L. longiflorum Wilsoni, eximeum, densatum, grandi-
florum, Harrisi, floribundum, Takesima, Madame
Von Siebold, albo-marginatum, and roseo-margi-
natum, which with the typical kind make up
eleven supposed forms of the long-flowered Lily,
all of which have white blossoms, the names having
been given owing to some slight difference in
the leaves, length or shape of flower, or their
time of expanding. I am suie it would be im-
possible to pick out many of them after they had
all been grown together a season or two. Among
the vast numbers of L. longiflorum imported into
this country from Japan during the winter months
there are many slight individual differences to be
found, some of the varieties coming very close to,
if not identical with, the American L. Harrisi,
which for early flowering is unsurpassed in the
longiflorum section. The fact that this blooms so
early is no doubt owing to the plants going to
rest while ours are in full growth, as the first
consignments have already reached this country
from Bermuda, and L. longiflorum is in many
cases now out of doors nearly as green as ever.
Not only does this apply to the common form
of the long-flowered Lily, but also to the
Japanese ones as well as those from Ber-
muda that flowered last year in pots, and
were then planted in the open ground. As
these tube-flowered Lilies are greatly valued when
in bloom under glass, no time should be lost in
procuring Bermuda-grown bulbs for this purpose.
In all cases Lily bulbs are greatly weakened by
being kept long out of the soil, and as those from
America are usually packed in sawdust, which
encourages the formation of roots, many of them
have commenced to start by the time they reach
this country. Such being the case, it is evident
they should be potted without delay, and some
of them that were so treated a fortnight since
have the roots now quite active. When potted
thus early they may be stood out of doors, giv-
ing just enough water to encourage the formation
of roots, but before the heavy autumnal rains they
should be removed to a cold frame, from whence
occasional batches may be taken into a gentle heat.
In all cases avoid hard forcing, give the plants as
much light as possible, and as the pots get full of
roots a little liquid manure will increase the size of
the blooms. In all stages of growth aphides must
be carefully looked after, as they soon permnnently
injure the blooms. H. P.

SHORT NOTMS.— FLOWER.

Tuberoses in the open. — My gardener at
Heatherbank made a bed of Tuberoses on the lawn.
They have better blooms than any that he grew under
glass. This may not he new, but I think it is worth a
note. — G. F. Wilson.

Lilium superbum. — This season has suited this
Lily. We have some large clumps of it, but it looks
best with only a few together, with trees as a back-
ground. There are many plants here between 8 feet
and 9 feet high ; the tallest measures 10 feet C inches.
A paper has been sent me from New York in
which Lilium canadensis is recommended as the na-
tional flower of the United States, in preference to
the Golden Rod, which has been suggested. I think
L. superbum would be better, as it is not only a
more striking Lily, but has a better name.— George
F. Wilson.

Hock Roses. — I have received two yellow-flow-
ered Helianthemums for name, but it is so seldom

Sept. 6, 1890/

THE GARDEN.

225

one sees these plants that I have taken the liberty
to note them here : 1 is to my mind N. ooymoides,
having rich bright yellow flowers with a purple eye,
the leaves slightly covered on both surfaces with a
woolly tomentum. 2, appears to be H. tuberaria.
The plant seems to be hairy all over ; the flowers are
bright yellow, stained at the base with a deep red
spot. It is a great pity these beautiful rock plants
are so seldom seen in our gardens. — G.

Trees and Shrubs.

RHODODENDRON MANGLESI.
This hybrid Rhododendron was raised by
Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons by crossing R.
Auckland: with a garden variety named album

Mangles, of Haslcmere. Besides R. Manglesi,
there are several other hybrids of which R.
Aucklandi is one of the parents. Probably
the best of them is R. kewense, obtained by
crossing that species with R. Hookeri, and
flowered at Kew three years ago ; this, however,
must have protection from spring frosts. There
are some handsome bushes of it in the Kew
collection now, and these last June were simply
sheaves of large, rich, rose-coloured flowers.
Messrs. C. Smith and Son, of Guernsey, Mr.
A. Waterer, and Mr. Mangles himself have
also raised hybrids of considerable beauty by
crossing R. Aucklandi with the common kinds,
but they do not appear to have got into com-
merce yet. A plant which combines the size
and elegance of flower of R. Aucklandi with

Flowers of Rhododendron Manglesi. Engraved for The Gaeuen.

grandiflorum. It was awarded a first class certifi-
cate by the Royal Horticultural Society in 1885.
In habit it is not unlike R. Aucklandi, which
it also resembles in foliage, but the flowers are
borne in crowded globose trusses instead of
loosely, as in R. Aucklandi. Each flower is
about 3 inches in diameter, somewhat saucer-
shaped, and pure white with a few red spots on
the upper segment of the corolla. The plant is
quite hardy at Coombe Wood, neither flower-
buds nor foliage having shown any signs of
injury from frost, although the plants are grown
in an exposed position. It resembles R. Auck-
landi in not flowering when small, but large
plants bloom as freely as any garden Rhododen-
dron. It is named after the late Mr. J. H.

the freedom of flowering and hardiness of R.
ponticum is a valuable addition to early sum-
mer-flowering shrubs, and such a plant we have
in R. Manglesi.

Notospartium Carmichaeliae. — This, the
pink Broom of New Zealand, is a wonderfully dis-
tinct and pretty member of the Leguminos je family,
so widely distributed throughout the globe, especially
in Australia, but singularly enough in the neigh-
bouring islands of New Zealand very few are to be
found, though among the limited number there
occurs this Notospartium. As seen here it is sim-
ply a shrub, but is said in New Zealand to some-
times reach a height of 20 feet. Its general appear-
ance is that of a bush with green Rush-like leafless

branches, which are studded with clusters of tiny
Pea-shaped flowers of a bright rosy-pink colour.
Even when out of flower it is a pretty and interest-
ing shrub. It was introduced by Messrs. Veitch
and Sons, and they were awarded a first class cer-
tificate for it by the Royal Horticultural Society
in 1883, but it never seems to have made much
headway, probably owiEg to an idea that because
it is a native of New Zealand, this pink Broom can-
not be depended upon to survive our winters, but
as it is quite hardy at Coombe Wood no fear
need be entertained on that score, at all events
in the southern part of England. It is one of those
shrubs that will at once arrest attention, whether
in or out of flower, by its singular appearance.
— H. P.

JAPANESE MAPLES.
The Japanese Maples will in time, no doubt, take a
high place in the furnishing of English gardens. Up
to the present time they have been somewhat costly.
This, no doubt, is owing to the slow rate at which
they can be increased. As time goes on, however,
this difficulty will be overcome, and they will be
largely planted. During the past four years I have
had access to a good collection of these Maples all
planted in the open air. I have, therefore, been
able to compare the rate of growth of the different
sorts, as well as to note the extreme beauty of some
of them. The first thing that struck me with re-
gard to them was the marked difference in the
several types. As a rule, the typical plants have
green leaves, but the majority of them also furnish
a wide departure in the way of mottled or varie-
gated foliage. Those of the palmatum section, as
a rule, have five-lobed leaves, but some of them are
fan-shaped. The typical plant of this section is a
good grower. The septemlobum section is not so
easily defined, as some of them have seven and others
nine-lobed leaves. It is, however, rich in variety,
containing some of the most striking forms. Dis-
sectum ornatum (or rubrum) is very distinct, as the
leaves are cut down to the foot-stalks, giving them
a Fern-like appearance. With a judicious selection
from the various groups a wonderful variety may
be had. The most striking of the palmatum group
are aureum and variegatum. The first mentioned
has large fan-shaped leaves of a rich yellow colour,
variegatum having leaves mottled with green, rose,
and white. Septemlobum is the largest group.
The variety named tricolor is perhaps the most
distinct, the leaves being charmingly marked with
brown and yellow. Discolor is also very pretty.
Disseotum rubro-marginatum is a very striking
variety, the leaves being variegated with green,
white, and rose. The above are only a few out of
many that I have had under observation, and they
struck me as being the best for a limited selection.
With regard to the best way of growing them,
it should be understood that unless they are worked
on high stems, the plants grow in a low spreading
form. The plants which I refer to are growing in
this way. They are arranged in groups of three
distinct kinds, and planted in prominent positions
in a shrubbery border— a more interesting or pleas-
ing addition I have not seen in any garden for a
long time ; they appear to be quite hardy, and will
evidently grow in a fairly light soil. Owing to the
dwarf character of their growth it is very neces-
sary when planting to place them near to a walk
or other prominent position, as unless they come
directly under the eye, the beautifully formed
leaves and the exquisite markings are not seen to
advantage. In gardens of a fairly large area, I
should be inclined to place them in beds on Grass,
as the distinct character of the growth and the
variously coloured leaves would then be well dis-
played. Arranged in this way in bold groups, the
brilliancy of colouring for which these Maples are
so remarkable in the autumn would be a striking
and uncommon feature. Those who are not well
acquainted with the characters of the different va-
rieties will do well to make their selection while
the plants are in full leaf, as they will then be able
to arrange them in such a way as to secure the
greatest degree of distinctness. If I have a leaning
towards one section more than another it is for the

22.6

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 6, 1890.

disseotum group, in which the leaves are deeply
cat, rendering the branches as graceful as Fern
fronds. Many of these Maples are also invaluable
for conservatory decoration through the summer
and autumn, as when associated with flowering
plants, the deeply-cut green-leaved kinds have a
refinement about them quite their own. When
grown in pots for this purpose they are no more
trouble than any other hard-wooded plant. I have
not seen them used on rockwork or other elevated
portions, but I have no doubt that they will be
found very suitable for such positions.

I see no reason why these Maples should not be
used in corridors and large unheated houses, as
there they would afford a charming variety, which
could be obtained with a minimum amount of
trouble. J. C. C.

VERONICA PIMELEOIDES.
I am much obliged to "Edgedale" for directing
my attention to the article in The Gaedbn, Vol.
XXVIII,, p. 292, to which I have referred, and I
may say that my mind is otherwise perfectly open
for any information respecting the identity of Ve-
ronicas, and I shall always esteem "Edgedale's"
views in reference to plants of this genus, espe-
cially as I know he has long been paying attention
to the identity and culture of the species, at any
rate of the shrubby section. With regard to the
present species, I fancy he has material of the
same stock as my own, so that we shall be right
on the point of identity of plant. The strongest
assertion I wish to make at present is, that after
referring to the article and authority as above,
though the description varies somewhat from mine
at p. 127, I fail to see that the two descriptions
refer to different plants, as "Edgedale" said they
must do ; if they differ, they harmonise. My de-
scription, however, might be wrong on one point;
I said that the leaves were no larger than those of
the ordinary Thyme, but I find that as my plant
makes its later growth the leaves are bigger and
slightly more lanceolate. Whilst, therefore, I
shall be grateful for any information or reference, I
cannot at present see sufficient reason to alter the
present name of my plant, especially as I find no
suggestion of another for it. Since the addition of
so many forms of late years to the dwarf shrubby
class there has been considerable confusion about
their nomenclature, and what I for one very much
feel is the want of a monograph up to date. With
regard to foliar and stem tints, to which " Edge-
dale " refers us, I fear that if we pay too much re-
gard to such colour features they may not help
us, but rather cause confusion in our efforts to
identify species. It is very well known to cultiva-
tors that plants vary widely in these respects ac-
cording to local conditions, and I have proved over
and over again that the small shrubby Veronicas
become so changed under different treatment that
the keenest student might be easily misled, notably
by the Conifer-like class, when grown under the
shelter of even a cold frame. TherareArmstrongiand
lycopodioides are quite different in their foliage
when so treated, and others, too, in a less degree.
Woodville, Kirkstall. J. Wood.

lowing spring we saw at once that we had received
the wrong plants." All this shows how careful one
should be in sending out novelties. I hope to send
those friends who had plants Elliottia after a short
time. — John Saul, Washington, V.S A.

Garrya elliptica— This is a most useful shrub
either for placing on the Grass in a sheltered nook or
in the mixed shrubbery. When grown thus, it is seen
to the best advantage. It is not often one meets with
this plant fruiting. Wh ?n visiting a private garden in
the neighbourhood of Taunton, I noticed a large bush
full of berries, which made a distinct, feature in the
grounds. The female plant appears to be seldom met
with. In the garden referred to a male plant was
growing not far from the female one.— J. C. F.

Styrax grandifolium.— I noticed in a recent
number of The Gaeden Mr. Gumbleton's note to
the effect that one of a few plants sent out by me
for trial as Elliottia proved to bo Styrax grandi-
folium, in which he is correct. I discovered my mi: -
take as soon as my plants bloomed. I had the plants
from a very reliable man, who explains the error
in this way : " In 1883 or 188 I a friend sent me the
flowers and leaves of Elliottia, and said he could
get up a large stock. The plants were received in
t lie autumn and we sent out a number. In the fol-

EUCALYPTUS ANDREANA.
It is pretty generally known that a good many
years ago an immense collection of Eucalypti was
established at the Villa Thuret, Antibes, with the
object of distinguishing the species and proving
what degree of hardiness they would exhibit in
that climate. The study of the genus is a difficult
one, not only on account of the great number of
species it contains (fully 150 are already known
and more remain to be discovered), but also and
especially on account of their great variability and
the different aspects which individual trees present
at different stages of their growth. The works of
writers on this genus, who, for the most part, have
only seen the dried specimens of the herbarium,
which are almost always imperfect and in bad con-
dition, have contributed in no slight degree to in-
crease the confusion. However, the fine mono-
graph by Baron Ferdinand Midler, which was pub-
lished a few years ago under the title of ■' Eucalypto-
graphia," has cleared up many of the difficulties
and obscurities of the subject.

At the Villa Thuret we have about eighty species
or wel'- jnarked varieties of Eucalyptus, but in addi-
tion to this goodly number we also from time to
time, in the gardens of the district, come across
some species which we do not ourselves possess.
Thus in the garden of Monsieur H. de Vilmorin, on
the Gulf of Juan, I discovered the valuable Euca-
lyptus marginata, a West Australian species, the
timber of which is considered to be one of the best
kinds that are produced in that part of the Austra-
lian continent, on account of its solidity and dura-
bility even under water or in damp ground. This
last-named quality has been so far recognised in
England, that at the present moment the streets in a
certain part of London are being paved with blocks
of this timber imported from Australia. The spe-
cimen of the tree growing in M. de Vilmorin's gar-
den is probably the only one of the species at pre-
sent in Europe, and although it has not yet attained
a very large size, it has commenced to yield seeds
which will, it is hoped, serve to propagate the spe-
cies. This small discovery is not the only one that
I have made lately. In addition to the E. marginata,
I also found in the same garden (as well as in
M. Ed. Andre's garden at the Villa Columbia,
which is not far away) another Eucalyptus, the
name of which I have vainly sought for in the va-
rious works on the genus, and also in the herbarium
of the Museum. Consequently, I think it must be
a new species, and yet I should not be surprised if
it turned out to be one of the • species which
have been confounded with the E. amygdalina of
Labillardiere, although it is very different from
this. There are, in the two gardens which I have
just mentioned, several well-developed specimens
of it which flower and produce seeds. We do not
yet know what height the trees of this species may
attain as they grow older ; it will probably be
enormous, like that of E. amygdalina. Perhaps it
is a Tasmanian species like the last named, and if
so it ought to be one of the hardiest of the genus.
All I can say about it at the present moment is that
it is highly ornamental, from its long narrow habit
of growth, its glistening foliage, and especially
from the wreaths of white flowers which hang pen-
dent from the branches. As it wants a name, I
think a better one could not be given to it than
that of Eucalyptus Andreana, seeing that it was the
learned editor-in-chief of the Ilevtie Horticolc, our
eminent colleague in botany and horticulture, M.
Edouard Andre, who first introduced it into our
Provencal gardens, where it will no doubt be com-
mon enough in a few years' time.

With respect to E. amygdalina, of which I have
just spoken, and which' I had great difficulty in
recognising, owing to the confusion which c.xisls in
the nomenclature of the Eucalypti, I must say that
if i.< not very uncommon in the district. One

meets with it here and there in the gardens, where
it is recognised from the narrowness of its leaves,
which almost gives the foliage the appearance of a
head of hair. The two finest specimens that I
know of are one in the Dognin garden and the
other at the Villa Saint-Jean at Cannes. The last-
mentioned specimen is of a remarkably long and
narrow habit of growth, and its trunk, which is
bare of branches to some distance from the
ground, is almost as white as that of a Birch tree.
According to Baron Ferdinand Midler, E. amyg-
dalina is one of the most gigantic trees known. He
mentions instances of some trees of this species
that had grown to a height of over 400 feet. The
genus, which contains trees of such colossal stature,
also includes mere shrubs, the beauty of whose
flowers causes them to be greatly in request in
southern gardens. Such, for example, is E. Preis-
siana, bearing large yellow flowers, and of which
M. Maurice de Vilmorin brought me a specimen
from the Cordier collection, near Algiers ; such
also are E. ficifolia and E. miniata, both remark-
able for the size and the purple or orange colour of
their flowers. These species appear to require
more heat than do most of the Eucalypti which have
been a good while introduced into Europe ; how-
ever, they would very probably succeed in well
sheltered localities on the Provencal coast.- Berne
Hortico'.e.

PLANTING CONIFERS IN AUGUST.

Theee is still a deeply-rooted prejudice against
August planting. The comment is made, even by
nurserymen and old planters, that it can be done,
but that it is not practicable except on a limited
scale and when the removals aiefor shoit distances.
It is even said that it is misleading the public to
advocate the practice. I need not now reiterate
the theory of the comparative rest and maturity of
the top of an evergreen tree after the middle of
August, and, in contrast, the activity of the roots
in the warm earth during September and October.
It is most interesting to examine the roots of a tree
late in autumn which had been moved two or three
months previously, and to find how amply it is
provided with feeders not only sufficient to sustain
it against the exhaustion of the winter, but also to
give it vigour for a strong start in the following
spring.

In the first week of September, 1869, I trans-
planted a lot of 320 Picea pungens, thirty-one
Douglas Spruce, and six Norway Spruce standing
on a lot which I wished to clear, and where the
soil was considered too heavy for these varieties.
The trees would run from 2^ feet to 4 feet in
height. At the present date I find all the trees in
most vigorous growth, with the exception of one
P. pungens, which is dead. It is not the success
in making them live which pleases me ; it is the
thrift of the trees, which, after an experience of
forty years in transplanting, I do not hesitate to
say, I never saw equalled in the first year of spring-
planted trees. The same can be said of Austrian,
Scotch, and White Pines, Norway Spruce, and
Retinosporas transplanted last August. They have
made better growth than I ever saw in spring
planting.

But the objection is at once raised that all these
were for short distances, and that "with special
care evergreen trees may be moved short distances
at any season of the year." Without stopping to
show the inadequacy of the objection to meet the
facts, I will cite other facts which seem to me to
prove clearly that long distances may be success-
fully overcome. On the loth of May, 1889, I re-
ceived from a collector in Colorado 5U0 Abies con-
color and 100 Junipers. On the 23th of the same
month I received 400 Picea pungens. These came
in such good condition and looked so promising
that I ordered from the same collector in August,

1889, a much larger number. Upon this July 24,

1890, I have personally examined and assisted in
counting flic two plantings and now submit the re-
sults.

Of the spring-planted 500 A. concolor, 190 are
living; of the 100 Juniper?,'70 arc living; of the

Sept. 6, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

227

400 P. pungens, 310 are living. The August col-
lections were delayed in reaching me, and were
planted from Sept. 9 until the 10th. Of the 2800 P.
pungens, 2332 are now living and 4G8 are dead. Of
the 3223 A. concolor, 2389 are living and 834 are
dead. Of the 500 Pseudo-tsuga taxifolia, 355 are
living and 145 are dead. It may be thought that
this is a large mortality, especially so with the
concolors and Douglas Firs. But as these are all
wild seedlings, a considerable shrinkage is to be
expected.

Making the comparisons more definite, it may be
stated in round numbers as follows : Of spring-
planted trees, GO per cent, of A. concolor have
died ; 30 per cent, of Junipers have died ; 23 per
cent, of P. pungens have died. Of autumn-planted
trees : 25 per cent, of A. concolor ; 29 per cent,
of P. taxifolia, and 12J per cent, of P. pungens
have died. The above seedlings were of various
sizes, from G inches to 10 inches in height. I
wish to add, in fairness, that I received from
another Colorado collector, September 19, 1889,
1000 P. pungens of a larger size, from 1 foot to
2 feet in height. As might be expected, they
were more stunted and unpromising. The mor-
tality has been heavy upon this lot, rising above
50 per cent., or, stated more exactly, 527 are
dead and 473 alive at this date. For myself I
shall continue to advocate the planting of Coni-
fers in August and September. For .long dis-
tances, it is only necessary to guard against heat-
ing and drying. Success presupposes care. —
William C. Strong, Wabtrn Nursery, Nertton
Highlands, in Garden and Forest.

THE EUCK'S-EYE.

(PAVIA MACROSTACHYA.)

Forming, as it does, a regular hemisphere of
foliage, and in August adorned with its numerous
spikes of attractive flowers, the Buck's-eye or Pavia
possesses features that is shared by no other tree or
shrub. Usually its girth is greater than its height,
shooting freely from the running root, and creep-
ing along the ground in a most persistent way.
For standing alone it is unquestionably one of the
best spreading shrubs thar. we possess, for the
well-rounded and dense masses of foliage stand out
well in almost any position where the tree may be
placed, and contrast markedly, owing to their noble
size and divided form, with that of most other oc-
cupants of the lawn or shrubbery. By the first
week of September the Buck's-eye was this season
in full beauty of flower and leafage — a little later
perhaps than usual owing to the backward, sunless
summer — and as the blossoms have almost unusual
lasting qualities, we may yet enjoy the beauties
of this partially rare tree for nearly another month.
The flower-spikes are thickly arranged and stand
erect, Tesemble somewhat those of the Horse Chest-
nut, and are deliciously fragrant, while for cutting
and using for room decoration they have a special
value of their own. By a streamside at Hollydale
there is a noble specimen of this kind, and which
for the past few years has bloomed with unremit-
ting persistency let the August weather be what
it should or not. Like the Walnut tree, the Buck's-
eye must have the strongest and best of soil, plenty
of room for developing fully the ample foliage,
and an open sunny site where the soil never
becomes dry, nor yet too warm and dusty.
How it can hold its own in a wind-swept posi-
tion I cannot say, for no one would ever think
of exposing to rude and cutting blasts so handsome
and valuable a tree. True, at Holwood, in the
lake wood there is a big specimen of this tree in
anything but a sheltered site, but that it is at least
partially protected from the worst winds is only
fair to admit. Propagation of the Pavia is so sim-
ple, that the possessor of one specimen may with
the utmost ease increase his stock, for the run-
ning and fast rooting stolons, if cut away and
nursed for a year or two, make excellent plants.
No pruning nor shortening of the Buck's-eye should
be permitted, for it is one of those wonderfully ac-

commodating and easy habited trees that despise
the shears and pruning hook, and never seem strag-
gling nor untidy.

Another value of the Pavia is that it may be
planted beneath the shade of the larger-growing
trees, and there it will thrive in a surprising manner,
although we may lose in profusion and brightness of
bloom. The tips of the shootsare terminated by a tuft
of Aralia-like leaves, and as the leaf-stalks are a
bright pink and the flowers a speckled white, the
contrast is peculiarly striking and rarely passed by
uncommented upon. Like the Heath family, the
Buck's-eye blooms all the more freely if the
flower-spikes are annually cut off, a fact that is
worthy of extension to many other trees and shrubs.
Small gardens are hardly the places for the Buck's-
eye, for a well developed specimen frequently
measures as much as 20 feet in circumference.
If by calling attention to this by no means com-
mon tree its cultivation will be extended, the end
in view will be attained. A. D. Wbbsteb.

are the remarkably good plants the cottagers
grow round Earley. — A. D.

Finns excelsa. — Though this Himalayan Pine
has been mentioned in The Garden as a good
tree for planting on wet ground, it is not under
such conditions that its distinctive characters are
seen to the best advantage, and when planted solely
as an ornamental tree the best place for it is in a
light well-drained soil, not too fully exposed to the
wind. So situated it is of quick growth, and forms
a very handsome and distinct specimen, whose
widespreading branches are very different from
those of any other members of the group to which
it belongs. The bluish-green tint of its foliage
too, is very marked, and this is especially notice-
able when standing out from a background of
darker-leaved Firs. The large size of the branches
in proportion to the trunk is very much against P.
excelsa as a timber tree, and in planting it for
ornament ample space must be allowed for its late-
ral development. In this last respect indiv:'duils
vary somewhat, and should the tree appear likely
to become too widespreading, the branches may be
shortened back without any risk, as if judiciously
carried out the specimen will not suffer, and
it acquires a more symmetrical character. By
some a great objection to prune Conifers in any
way is entertained ; still in spite of this, no part of
tree should be allowed to gain an undue advantage
over the other. Not the least pleasing feature of
P. excelsa is the long pendulous cones which are
so freely produced, and from their size as well as
from the fact that the branchlets are by no means
dense, they are very conspicuous. The ash-grey
tint of the young bark is another feature in which
this Himalayan Fir differs from most of the others.
— T.

Cottagers' plants.— I never find at any horti-
cultural show such fine plants, so admirably grown,
and of such excellent character for cottagers' pro-
ductions as I see at the cottagers' garden produce
exhibition, held every August at Earley, Reading.
The competition is purely bona fide, there being no
question as to the status of the exhibitors in
social life and also as to the merits of the society
which promotes the shows. The tenth exhibition
of the society was held on the 20th at Bulmershe,
and the improvement found in all descriptions of
produce, especially in plants, as compared with
what was seen at the earliest shows is remarkable.
Fine pyramidal and bush Fuchsias some 3J feet to
4 feet in height and densely bloomed, large zonal
Pelargoniums, double and single, full of bloom,
really fine Begonias of surprising excellence, huge
Hydrangeas some 3 feet through or more, and
carrying from fifteen to twenty fine heads of bloom,
large sweet-scented Verbenas, hardy Ferns, early
Chrysanthemums, Balsams, &c, all displayed first-
rate cultivation, and led one to wonder how such
specimens were preserved through the winter. The
huge giants of stove and greenhouse p'ants which
one sees hawked about from show to show in the
provinces for the purpose of picking up pr'zes avc
not half so meritorious as horticultural products as

Kitchen Garden,

ABOUT MUSHROOMS.
Very few Mushrooms are being collected in the
open fields this season, and taking into con-
sideration how unfavourable the summer has
been for spreading the spawn, I am not at all
surprised at the scarcity. It may seem some-
what early to write about the failure of the open
air supply, but there has been plenty of rain of
late to well moisten the ground, the day and
night temperatures also being comparatively
low, and yet no Mushrooms worth speaking
about have been forthcoming. It is only during
dry hot summers that the spawn srjreads to any
appreciable extent, and directly these are fol-
lowed by a cooler time and soaking rains Mush-
rooms spring up in abundance. Agreat number of
poor people and many farmers will be the suf-
ferers from this failure, and still more con-
sumers will be disappointed of a cheap supply.
As far as most of the parties named are con-
cerned, there is no remedy, as the field crops are
altogether at the mercy of the weather, but with
the owners of stables and gardens in connection
the case is very different. There is no reason
why these should not have plenty of Mush-
rooms during the autumn and throughout the
greater part of the year — the very hottest
months only being excepted — and that, too,
without much expense or trouble. According
to my experience, the number of Mushroom
growers has been largely added to of late years,
but there is plenty of room for improvement in
this respect, and, let me add, a ready sale for
all surplus produce can always be found. To-
matoes are supposed to be the most paying
things that can be grown for the markets,
but Mushrooms are equally as popular, and
never fail to realise good prices. Nor are
they very difficult to grow. Failures there
are and will be every season, yet some of the
best crops of Mushrooms I have ever seen were
grown by men of little previous experience in
their culture. Given a good supply of droppings
from well-worked, corn-fed horses, and the
principal difficulty is surmounted. Droppings
obtained from horses turned out to grass or fed
principally on soft food are of little or no value,
as they are not sufficiently cohesive, are not
easily sweetened, and decay far too quickly. A
great point to be observed in preparing drop-
pings for making into beds is to get rid of rank
gases without actually destroying their slow
decaying and heating properties. Mushrooms
require, so to speak, a sweet root-run, but there
must also be sufficient decay going on to sup-
port the crop. In preparing the material two
extremes must be avoided, viz., over-heating
and over-drying. If the former takes place
while the manure is in a large heap the greater
portion of the strength is lost, a dry mouldy
mass remaining. Spreading the droppings thinly
in covered sheds and turning them repeatedly
also greatly weakens them, and when made into
a bed such poor dry masses of material usually
refuse to either decay or heat sufficiently to suit
Mushrooms. By all means store the droppings
somewhat thinly till sufficient have been collected
to form into a good sized bed, after which quite
a different plan ought to be adopted. This con-
sists in throwing all up into a good-sized and
somewhat conical shaped heap, leaving it in
that state till the centre is quite hot, but not a
day longer. The mass may heat strongly in
four or five days, or it may be a week, though

228

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 6, 1890.

it should bs frjquont'y exam'.njd after t!i3 first
th-es day'. A white heat must not take place
in t'ai cmtre, the right thiug being to antiei-
j) ite this by turning the heap inside out, re-
peating this every two or three days for about
a fortnight. In dry weather it may be neces-
sary to lightly damp the manure while turning
it to prevent undue dryness and consequent
cessation of fermentation, but ' anything ap-
proaching saturation ought to be avoided. If
the heaps must be prepared in the open, then
ought heavy rains to be warded off by means of
shutters or heavy coverings of litter, remov-
ing these, however, as much as possible during
fin 3 weather. In every case the manure should
be well broken up at each turning and also
when the beds are formed. The preparation of
the manure for either ridge-shaped open-air
beds or flat beds under cover may well be much
the same, the o i!y difference being in the selec-
tion of the materials. For the latter, little or
no short straw should be left with the drop-
pings, but for ridge-shaped b3ds this plan must
not be adopted, or failure will inevitably re-
sult. Given abunlancs of well - sweetened,
moderately moist manure, no one ought to fail
in growing Mushrooms. If the manure gives
oT a sour smell, if it fails to bind together when
pressed in the hand, or, worse still, moisture
exude3 from it when so pressed, then it is not
fit to make into a bed ; sourness, over-dryness,
and too much moisture require to be corrected
by additional turnings. Being in too great a
hurry to make up a bed often ends in loss of
time and it maj'be in failure. The manure may
b3 only moderately warm when in a loose heap,
but directly it is made into a solid bed a sud-
den change may take placj. At the same time
a bed of any form, or whether under cover or
in the open, must be made as solid as possible,
and if the trial stakes denote a great rise in the
temperature, this may be obviated by the forma-
tion of de 3p holes all over a flat bed and through
thecentreof the ridge-shaped beds. If very badly
prepared, it may even be necessary to break
up the be 1 and throw the material into a heap
to ferment again for a few days. Occasionally
the manure may refuse to heat at all, and it
would b3 as futile to spawn the bed as it would
b3 in the case of an overheated one. Nor is it
wise to make the flat beds very shallow, these
frequently soon becoming dry and cold. They
ought not to be less than 8 inches deep at the
back and 15 inches deep in front, and if material
is plentiful and well prepared, an additional 3
inches throughout the bed is an advantage
rather than otherwise. Some of the best ridge-
shaped beds I ever saw exceeded the size of the
orthodox beds by about a foot each way, being
f.illy 4 feet through and as much in height.
Such a mass of manure, however, requires ex-
ceptionally skilful management, being very
liable to become excessively hot in the centre,
and I would recommend a bed of the smaller
dimensions, to the inexperienced especially.

The spawning ought to take place directly the
heat declines to about 80°. Delaying the inser-
tion of sp i wn till the heat has declined much
lower is usually attended by a slower and less
satisfactory spread of the mycelium. The
fresher the bricks of spawn are the better. The
most economical plan is to break each square
into about eight pieces, such good-sized lumps
being the least liable to be spoilt by too much
heat or steam, while from them spring extra
large circles of Mushrooms. To put either large
or small pieces of spawn into holes formed with
dibbers— a plan by do means obsolete— is most
unwise, these holes being so many steam traps,
which no amount of hammering from the sur-
face, after the spawn is inserted, will close. The

holes ought to bs opened with the hand about
8 inches apart each way, the spawn being placed
flatly just below the surface, the manure closed
round it and well beaten down.

Whether the soiling over shall be done at
once, or in the course of a week or ten days,
ought to depend upon the state of the bed. The
preference ought to be given to fine, fresh, or
virgin loam, a thickness of about 2 inches being
required. Failing this, use the freshest loamy
soil obtainable, and never water and plaster
over the surface, or shrinkage and cracking
will surely result. A casing of soil is not actu-
ally indispensable, as I have seen excellent
beds of Mushrooms without any soil about
them, but I prefer to use it. Mulchings of soft
strawy litter, heavy or somewhat light, accord-
ing to the position, are of the greatest benefit.
Well mulched beds rarely require tobe watered or
syringed ; in fact the less there is of this needed
the more freely are the Mushrooms produced. A
depth of from 12 inches to 18 inches of mulch-
ing material, well combed down on the exterior,
is none too much for open-air beds, and nearly
as much ought to be placed over the flat beds,
especially when these are in cool places. Well-
managed beds frequently commence bearing
within a month of the time of being spawned,
but if they are six weeks or much longer even
before any Mushrooms appear, that is no reason
why those in charge should despair of success,
or aggravate the evil by watering or syringing
heavily. I. M. H.

Autumn Giant Cauliflower.— This is very
abundant now. Growers for market get plants
raised early and pot out early, but they do
not by any means desire them to turn in so
soon as August. Though very good, however,
prices rule low because the demand just now is
moderate, and Runner Beans are so plentiful and
cheap. Autumn Giant Broccoli are naturally more
useful as well as acceptable when the weather be-
comes colder. The caterpillar pest is not appreci-
ably in evidence this year, and consumers have not
much to dread in relation to live stock ; still, there
is always more danger of finding such visitors now
in the Cauliflower heads than in October. It is
rather from the beginning of October until Christ
mas, if the weather be not too severe, that Giant
Cauliflowers seem to be best flavoured. Perhaps
the colder weather renders them all the more plea-
sant eating. After these are over come the Self-
protecting, and if very hard weather intervenes, an
interval must elapse ere the earliest of the winter
Broccoli turn in, in spite of the fact that Snow's
Winter White is presumably a mid-winter variety.
It is obvious that, starting with the Dwarf Early
Snowball in June, we can have a long season of
Cauliflower and Broccoli heads if proper succession
be secured by sowings and plantings. In the case
of extensive market breadths of Autumn Giant,
growers find it takes a month or more to fully
clear off the plants, but when such is the case early,
the ground is ready for winter manuring, and can
be prepared for the earliest sowings of Peas or of
some other crop which it is important should
be got in soon. — A. D.

Tomato growing without disease. — For

the past two years in my town garden here I have
grown Tomatoes against a south wall in the open
air and on the back wall of a greenhouse most
successfully. As to the Tomato fungus (Cladis-
porium), I do not believe there is any real remedy
for it any more than there is for its allied destruc-
tive fungoid relative, the Potato disease (Perono-
spora). Prevention in both cases is better than
cure, and that prevention I consider is a dry air,
soil, and sunshine. Unfortunately, with the Po-
tato in the open field or garden, and with a persis-
tent rain, cloudy sky, and little or no sunshine, as
during the past season, the fungus (blight) has be-
come most destructive, without any hope of being
successfully combated'. Not so the Tomato disease.

Planted against a south wall, the soil having a
gentle slope outwards, that soil dries' quickly alter
the severest downpour and is always warm. In
this position, without any undue attention, I have
a fine promising crop, late, of course, and not quite
so good as in other years, but perfectly healthy.
Of course the fruits have been thinned and well
exposed to allow of proper and early ripening.
Any variety will thus succeed. Mine are Perfec-
tion and Blenheim Orange, red and yellow. A
great mistake is having the soil too rich and feed-
ing with liquid manure if fruit is desired early and
free from disease ; but I pass on to growing under
glass. I use my greenhouse for both Vines and
plant3, and even moisture-requiring ones like Ferns.
The odds are therefore against having a dry atmo-
sphere. I manage that by having all lights, even
the holes for the Vine rods, open night and day
during the summer. I never therefore have a
moist, sluggish, confined atmosphere, and, strange
as it may seem, the plants are models of healthy
growth in soil quite dust-dry. Apparently Tomatoes
feed more on the atmosphere and less on the soil
than any other garden fruit or vegetable. — W. J.
MuEr-HY, Clonmel.

Garden Flora,

PLATE 769.

A HAEDY PANCEATIUM.

(WITH COLOURED TLiTE OF P. ILLYRICUM.*)

The plant from which tlie accompanying
plate was prepared lias been for some years
established in an ordinary flower bed with
Crinum capense, Leucojurxs, and other hardy
bulbous things for its neighbours. It is one
of the oldest of garden plants, having been
grown by Parkinson nearly 300 years ago
under the name of Narcissus m ariaus, to
whom its hardiness was known, as also it was
to Miller, who gave a figure of it in his
" Icones." Dean Herbert grew it, and was
much interested in the extraordinary charac-
ters of its flowers and seeds. It was figured
in au early volume of the Botanical Maga-
zine, and it has been brought into notice
many times since then. Add to this the
fact that it is abundant in a wild state in
Southern Italy, Corsica, Sardinia, and Malta,
that it ripens seeds freely under cultivation,
is easy to cultivate, and is withal a pretty
flowered plant, quite distinct from anything
bulbous, and at the same time hardy. Such
a plant one might reasonably expect to find
fairly common in gardens, but unless I am
much mistaken, it is as rare in cultivation as
the other South European species, viz., P.
maritimum. This latter will always be rare,
because of the difficulty of cultivating it in
England. Its beauty on the sands of the
Mediterranean sometimes induces people to
collect the bulbs for cultivation here, hut they
almost invariably fail. According to Herbert,
the sand where it grows is sometimes so hot
that one could not bear to keep his hand on
it. P. illyricum is sometimes sold erroneously
for P. maritimum, a circumstance which has
led many to believe that the last-named is not
so difficult to grow and flower as it is reputed
to be. P. illyricum has large egg-shaped
bulbs, which when happy produce offsets as
freely as Daffodils; the leaves are about afoot

* Drawn for The Garden by H. G. Moon in the
Royal Gardens, Kew, June 4, 1890. Lithographed
and printed by Guillaume Severeyns.

sep e

PANCRATIUM ILLYRICUM

Sin. G, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

229

long by 1 \ inches broad, grey-green, and persis-
tent until the frost kills them. The flower-
scape is about a foot long, erect, flattened,
and it bears an umbel of from six to twelve
flowers, which are pure white, save a tinge of
yellow in the short, spreading staminal cup.
In favourable weather the flowers last several
weeks. The Kew specimen is planted in
ordinary soil, which gets a dressing with ma-
nure every spring. It is close enough to some
large Elm trees to be shaded by them during
most of the day. Treated in the same way
as the Belladonna Lily, it would, no doubt,
prove a perfect success. Bulbs of it are
offered in the catalogues of the principal
dealers in such plants. The genus Pan-
cratium, as now defined, includes only twelve
species, of which P. verecundum and P. zey-
lanicum, besides the two already mentioned,
are the only species at all represented in gar-
dens. The many beautiful tropical bulbs
which are even yet popularly known as Pan-
cratiums are really species of Hymenocalli*,
viz., H. speciosa, H. ovata, H. littoralis, H.
caribcea, H. expansa, &c.

P. maritimum has narrow, very glaucous
leaves, which ultimately grow to over 2 feet
in length ; the scape is a foot high, with an
umbel of flowers, each of which is not unlike
the flower of N. pseudo-Narcissus in shape ;
indeed the old botanists called it pseudo-Nar-
cissus albus. The cup is fully an inch long
with the stamens attached ; the whole flower
is white and very fragrant. W. ~W.

Orchids.

BRA.SSAVOLA DIGBYANA.

I would here direct attention to a plant, large
and small specimens of which have been flower-
ing in several collections in and about London
this season. I think that since the days when
there used to be an enormous specimen in the col-
lection at Kew, and which very rarely bloomed,
a much more free-flowering form must have
been introduced. B. Digbyana is a native of
Honduras, and was introduced upwards of forty
years ago, and flowered first in the garden of
Mr. Vincent Digby, of Dorsetshire, after whom
Dr. Lindley named the plant. This species
and a near ally, B. glauca, have been recently
removed to the genus Lrelia, but although I do
not question the necessity for their removal, I
think the two species are sufficiently distinct to
require a new genus to be made for them, and
the removal to Laelia would appear to be simply
a makeshift. Whatever the relations which
may come about by hybridisation may disclose,
I am unable to say, but even this is of a ques-
tionable feature. I have seen B. glauca crossed
with Sophronitis grandiflora by Mr. Osborn
when gardener to Mr. Buchan, of Southamp-
ton, and the plant, I believe, passed into the
hands of Mr. Sander, but even this will not be
thought so much of by those who claim Sophro-
nitis as a Lrelia.

Brassavola Digbyana produces a somewhat
stem-like, compressed pseudo-bulb some 6 inches
high, and bears a single fleshy leaf, which is
dull green covered with a glaucous hue. The
flowers are large, each measuring some 5 inches
or more across, deliciously perfumed ; sepals
and petals spreading, nearly equal, of a pale
yellowish green hue. The lip is very large,

thick and fleshy in texture ; the margin, with a
deep and beautifully tasselled fringe extending
all the way round; it is between half an inch and
1 inch in length, the colour ivory white, with a
tinge of pale green on the disc. It is a very
strange and beautiful flower, and the plant
thrives well at the warm end of the Cattleya
house. I have seen it blooming this season
treated as a pot plant, and also growing upon
blocks of wood and suspended from the roof.
The plants appeared to thrive and look well on
this latter system ; indeed I am of opinion that
it does not require a great amount of soil to its
roots. It has been said that bad cultivation is
one of the causes of its non-flowering, but all I
can say is that the specimen I had in the Kew
collection was by far the largest plant that I
have ever seen, and its growths were more
robust than I have ever seen elsewhere, and
yet it never flowered with me. It was treated
as a pot plant, but I prefer for it a hanging
basket, and it should be planted in good peat
fibre and Sphagnum Moss ; the drainage must
be ample, and during the summer season it will
require a liberal allowance of water, and during
the winter months every care should be taken
to prevent it suffering from want of moisture.
It likes full exposure to the sun, except during
the full heat of the mid-day.

B. glauca. — This is the other species which
belongs to this section. It was first introduced
into this country from Mexico upwards of fifty
years ago. It has somewhat the appearance of
the plant named above, but the foliage is scarcely
so glaucous as that of that plant, although it
bears the name of glauca. The pseudo-bulbs,
leaves and flowers are smaller. The sepals and pe •
tals are dull greenish yellow, the lip being white,
with no fringe. This plant, being a native of
Mexico, thrives with less heat than the preced-
ing, but in other respects it may receive the same
treatment. It blooms during the late spring
months. W. H. Gowek.

Haemaria Dawsoniana. — This is the name of
one of the leaves sent by " J. W.," and I am very
glad to find that these plants are again coming
into cultivation. This I gather from " J. W.'s "
letter, and also from the plants which I see of them
about in several gardens. It used to be known as
Anrectochilus Dawsonianus and Goodyera Dawson-
iana, but the one mentioned above is the latest given
by Reichenbach. The leaf has a rich, dark, bronzy
ground, traversed by several deep coppery lines
The accompanying leaf, with a ground colour of
light velvety green, netted with lines of lustrous
pale yellow, is that of Macodes petola, which, like
many of these beautiful-leaved plants, passes as an
Anasctochilus, and requires treating in a similar
manner. — G.

Cattleya aurea var. — A lovely form of this
plant was to be seen a short time since with Mr.
Whillans, gardener to the Duke of Marlborough at
Blenheim. Whilst having a very bright and richly
coloured lip, the sepals and petals were of a
delicate rose colour, more or less mottled with
white. It is not the form known as marmorata, a
name I heard given it, neither is it the form I
received last year from Mr. Sander under the name
of Amesiana. In Amesiana the whole of the much
produced front lobe is of a rich, deep, velvety
maroon without stain or streak of yellow. The
variety to which I have drawn attention has the
whole front lobe bright golden yellow, lined and
streaked as in aurea, and with a broad border only
of velvety maroon. It is a charming variety, and
if of hybrid origin the cross has only effected it as
far as the sepals and petals are concerned. — G.

Aerides nobile. — This beautiful species is now
in full beauty with those possessing a collection of
East Indian Orchids, and with Mr. Steele it would
appear to be very fine. He sends me what under
ordinary circumstances would be considered a

raceme, saying, "this is but the branch from the
base of the spike which is nearly 2 feet long." I
remember some thirty-four years ago having a
magnificent example of this plant, which when in
flower passed into the collection of Mr. John Day,
of Tottenham, and I used to see a fine variety
under the care of Mr. Brockhurst, near Cork,
now many years ago, but it is a scarce Orchid
and always has been. It very much resembles
some of the forms of A. suavissimum ; the spike is
long, densely-flowered and branched ; the sepals
and petals are creamy white flushed with pale rose,
the lip being of the same colour dotted with pur-
plish-rose, and the incurved spur is yellow, freely
dotted with red. The flowers yield a delicious per-
fume.—W. H. G.

ODONTOGLOSSUM WILCKEANUM.
A spike of bloom of this variety has been sent me
from the south of England with the following ques-
tion : " Is this not the same plant as that flowered
in Baron Edmond de Rothschild's garden near
Paris, and named Leroyanum ? The flowers sent
are from an imported specimen." To this I can
only reply that I have not seen the Baron's plant,
but it occurs to me that from the description given
of it in a contemporary one would easily be led to
suppose the two identical, and if so, M. Leroy has
established the supposed hybrid origin of this
plant by artificial means in Europe, a fact worthy
of note, and showing that hybrids so raised should
be carefully considered before naming, or great
confusion will arise. The following is a descrip-
tion of the flowers now before me, which measure
upwards of 3 inches across : Sepals and petals
nearly equal, the sepals neither notched nor
toothed, but slightly undulated, the ground colour
pale yellowish white, and bearing two and three
large reddish brown blotches, which in some in-
stances become transverse bars ; the petals are
broader than the sepals, undulated at the margins,
and having a toothed edge, more especially in the
upper half ; ground colour pale yellow, bearing un-
equal-sized blotches and spots of reddish brown ;
the lip resembles that of a good crispum, with a
toothed edge, and the ground colour is yellow,
having just below the disc a large reddish brown
spot; the crest is of a deeper yellow and much
toothed. I do not think I am wrong in pronounc-
ing this to be 0. Wilckeanum, but of its growth I
have no knowledge.

The following is the description given of 0. Le-
froyanum : —

Pseudo-bulbs rounder than those of 0. crispum and
more like those of 0. luteo-purpureum. Flowers Si
inches across ; sepals and petals nearly equal, the
latter slightly broader, the sepals of a pale yellowish
ground tint, more strongly marked at the tips ; the
petals are whiter, and perhaps will become still more
pure. The sepals have each three broad reddish
brown bars, these being more clearly defined in the
upper one than the two lower. The petals are undu-
lated at the margin, with one large blotch in the
centre, two smaller rounded ones at the side, and a
few still smaller near the centre of the base. The Up
is three-quarters of an inch in diameter, somewhat
like 0. luteo-purpureum in shape, fringed at the edge,
white, with one large reddish blotch and a deeply
divided yellow crest at the base~on a reddish base.

There does not appear to be much difference in
the plants, saving in the colour of its lip, which is
really very immaterial, and, judging by the flowers
before me, without having seen M. Leroy's plant I
should be very much inclined to say they are iden-
tical. W.H. G.

Cattleya Schrcederiana.— This is not the
plant which comes near to C. Trianse in its habit
of growth, and which is so remarkable for its de-
licious odour, but a plant named by the late Pro-
fessor Reichenbach in 1S83. By some it has been
called a variety of Cattleya Walkeriana, but al-
though it resembles the last-named species in the
shape of its flowers, and especially with regard to
its column and the side lobes of the lip, it is quite
distinct from it in the formation of its flowering
growth, which in C. Walkeriana. is produced upon
a stem distinct from the pseudo-bulbs which bear

230

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 6, 1890.

the leaves, and which I think a character peculiar
to this species amongst Cattleyas. In C. Schrce-
deriana the flowers are produced in the normal
manner from the apex of the pseudo-bulbs. A
flower now before me from a plant in the collection
of Mr. Measures, The Woodlands, Streatham,
measures ih inches across, the petals and sepals of
a uniform deep rose, lip deep rose-purple, becoming
deeper and brighter purple in the centre, and hav-
ing a narrow marginal white band. The locality
whence this plant was brought still remains undis-
closed. This is quite in accordance with the trade
custom, and it is better than giving false localities
for species, as we are led to suppose that collectors
do.— W. H. G.

SHORT NOTES.— ORCHIDS.

Lycaste gigantea. — Although not such a
showy species as the grand L. Skinneri, this forms
a handsome and distinct specimen. The sepals
and petals are spreading, olive-green ; lip deep
velvety maroon, having a marginal border of orange.
It flowered in Mr. Tate's collection at Allerton,
Liverpool.

Dendrobium album. — This is by no means a
new plant, but a much neglected one. Poor flowers
were first produced in Messrs. Loddiges' nursery in
the year 1813, and this led Lindley to name it D.
aqueum. It has flowered with Mr. Slatter, Stand
Hall, Manchester, and bears pure white flowers,
saving a stain of yellow in the lip, which enhances
its beauty. It should find a place in every garden
where these plants are grown.

Odontoglossum Youngi. — A new species in-
troduced from Mexico by Messrs. Shuttleworth and
Co., and flowered by Mr. Young, Linnett Lane,
Liverpool. It is a somewhat small-flowered plant ;
the sepals and petals are pale yellow, or yellowish
white, freely spotted with dark chocolate ; the lip
white, streaked with short lines of reddish brown,
and bearing two oblong spots of dark chocolate
just below the crest.

Ferns.

NEPHROLEPIS.

All the Nephrolepis are very effective, and with
ordinary care there is little difficulty in having
nice healthy young plants. Most of the species
are readily increased from the spreading stolons
or rhizomes, which will take root, and from
which young plants spring up wherever they
find suitable material to root into. In most
cases it is not necessary to make any special
provision for increasing the stock, but where
they do not come freely enough, a plant may
be plunged or planted out in a bed of Cocoa-nut
fibre refuse. This will ensure arj abundant
supply of young plants, which may be taken off
as soon as they have made two or three fronds.
The Nephrolepis should be potted in a light
porous compost. A little peat may be used,
but the compost should consist mainly of good
fibrous loam, and as the plants do not root
deeply, it is essential that plenty of drainage
should be used. Such sorts as N. Duffi, N.
davallioides, and the beautiful N. rufescens
tripinnatifida succeed best iu rather a high
temperature, but the other sorts may be grown
in an intermediate house, and the fronds will be
of better substance and more serviceable than
when grown in too much beat. Grown in a
moist shady position, they will make longer
fronds, but in a more exposed position they
make better shaped plants, which arc more
useful for decoration and stand exposure much
better.

N. EUFBSCKN3 trtpinnatifida is one of the
handsomest Ferns in cultivation; the beautiful
IV.il her-like fronds attain to fully 3 feet or more in
length. The side pinnae are each from 3 inches to
I inches long. The fronds grow nearly erect, arch-

ing over just sufficient to give the plant a graceful
appearance. This Fern requires stove treatment,
and must be grown on freely from the time the
young plants are first started. Young plants should
always be growing on to succeed the older ones,
for after they get to a certain age they get too
dense, and do not develop such fine fronds ; this
also applies to

X. davallioides furcans, another beautiful
variety. There are several distinct forms of this,
but none appear to be an advance on the original
type. N. plumosa, which was exhibited by Mr.
H. B. May some time ago, and for which a first-
class certificate was awarded by the floral com-
mittee of the Royal Horticultural Society, is a
seedling from the above. The committee, however,
classed it with exaltata. This may be right, but
it is evident that the furcated variety does not
belong to davallioides, an error which I anticipated
would have been corrected at the Fern Confer-
ence. I have, after careful comparisons, come to
the conclusion that the variety known as N.
davatlioides furcans is more nearly allied to

N. ensifoliA, a type which may be recom-
mended where plenty of room can be given, espe-
cially for hanging baskets, for which purpose it is
admirably adapted, the long drooping fronds attain-
ing to fully G feet in length.

N. acuta is supposed to be synonymous with
this, but that which we grow as N. acuta is quite
distinct. It has rather long fronds, with a smooth
even surface ; the stipites are very dark, and the
surface of the fronds has a peculiar bluish metallic
shade.

N. pectinATA is a pretty form, having long nar-
row fronds.

N. philippinensis somewhat resembles this, but
differs in the pinna? being recurved and more deeply
serrated on the upper edge. The fronds are also
of a deeper green. This succeeds better in a cool
house than most of the species.

N. PLUMA, a deciduous species with very pretty
pale green fronds, which grow erect, may be re-
commended, as also the variety Bausei, which has
deeply serrated, or rather lobed pinna?.

N. Duffi is a curiously distinct species with
narrow branching fronds, which are slightly
tasselled at the apices. I have never seen fertile
fronds of this distinct Fern, even among oid plants
growing from 2 feet to 3 feet high.

Most of the Nephrolepises vary somewhat in
character when raised from spores, and it is
probable that some of the so-called species are
only variations of the same type. F. H.

with age. The rhizome is creeping. Although the
genus contains but one species, I have seen a variety
of this with the points forked, which gives the
plant quite a distinct appearance. It is also known
by the name of Polypodium sphrerccephalura. It is
a native of the Malay Islands and Northern Aus-
tralia, and may be, I think, obtained from most of
the Fern nurserymen. — W. H. G.

Adiantum fragrantissimum. — Although
not fragrant enough to warrant the name,
when a number of plants are together a veiy
delicate perfume is perceptible, especially when
the fronds are young. Apart from the perfume,
it is a most desirable variety. Young plants
are a little loose and straggling, but older plants
make beautiful specimens. The large spreading
fronds with deeply cut pinnules are of a pale
soft green and very effective. This variety suc-
ceeds best in an intermediate temperature, and if
compact plants are required they must not be over-
potted.— F.

Adiantum Collisi. — This is a very pretty
Maiden-hair. It has large spreading fronds ; the
pinnules are rather small and somewhat distant.
When grown in a light open position the young
fronds have a beautiful bronzy tint. The fronds being
of good substance, the plant may be recommended
for house decoration, as it will stand equally as well
as A. scutum, which is now well known as one cf
the best of the large-fronded Adiantunis. It is
essential that A. Collisi be grown in an open posi-
tion and not crowded. In the shade or when
crowded the fronds run up tall and fall over when
the plants are stood out singly. Being of free
growth and readily obtained from spores, it should
become a great favourite. — F. H.

Nipbopsis sngustata (Z.~). — This is without
doubt the name of the frond sent. Baker makes
this a Phymatodes, to which it is nearly allied.
John Smith in 1857, however, made a distinct genus
for it under the name of Nipbopsis, which refers to
the snowy whiteness of the tomentum on the under
side, and in which respect it brings it into alliance
with the genus Niphobolus, but from this family it
is distinct, through the large round sori which are
confined to a single row near the margin. The
fronds are sometimes 1 foot long and 1J inches
broad, the upper side being plain, bright green,
thickly covered beneath in the young state with a
snowy white covering which becomes dull brown

THE WEEK'S WORK.

THE KITCHEN GABDEN.
Cardoons.— On cold heavy soils these have not
grown so strongly as desirable, and it is advisable,
therefore, to delay the blanching process for two or
three weeks longer. In more favourable positions,
or where the soil and subsoil are warmer, the
showery summer has just suited Cardoons, and
they are very vigorous. Although they do not thrive
so well in a cold and very moist position, they
must yet be prevented from suffering from dryness,
or premature flowering may result. The soil about
the roots should be probed to a good depth, and if
found at all dry a good soaking of water ought to
be given. Liquid manure of some kind would do
good, and, failing this, either soot, guano, or some
kind of special manure might be washed in with
advantage.

Blanching Cardoons. — Well-blanched hearts
only are of any value, and although the blanching
much resembles that necessary in the case of
Celery, it is somewhat slower, and more trouble
ought to be taken with it. As a rule, the plants
are not much given to suckering, but if any suckers
do form, these and the small lower leaves should be
removed prior to moulding up the first time. It is
scarcely possible to get the outer stalks into an up-
right position so as to effectually enclose the hearts
and keep them clean, and the old plan of binding
them well up together with hay-bands is yet the
best that can be tried. Those varieties with spiny
leaves are the most difficult to deal with, but la-
bourers with strong clothes and leather gloves usu-
ally contrive to master that difficulty. After from
one-third to one-half of the length of stalks has
been bound up, soil ought to be banked around the
plants to the same height, the process being re-
peated in the course of about three weeks, or
according as the hearts advance. Eventually only
the tips of the leaves ought to be exposed, and the
blanching will then be perfect, if slow.

Globe Artichokes. — These are holding out re-
maikably well this season, good heads being as
abundant now as at any previous time. During
September, or until they are cut down by frosts,
young heads are appreciated, it hardly being pos-
sible to have too many for most large establish-
ments. In older to prolong their usefulness and
also to strengthen the crowns for next season, the
old flower-stems ought to be closely cut down, or
otherwise these will continue to exhaust the plants.
Also thin out the heads on the later stems, and in
very many cases liquid manure might be given with
advantage. It is to be hoped no injurious frosts
will be experienced for some weeks longer, but it
is as well to be prepared for them towards the end
of September. Supposing there are late rows
planted, say, last spring just coming into good
hearing order, it is advisable to have a temporary
framework erected over them for supporting mats
or blinds whenever a severe frost is anticipated'.
A little timely trouble taken thus early in the

Sept. 6, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

231

autumn might be the means of prolonging the sup-
ply till the end of November.

Blanched Artichokes or Chaeds. — Globe
Artichokes are very nearly allied to Cardoons, too
much so in fact, and that is the reason why the
greater portion of the seedlings of the former are
worthless. One is equally as good as the other in
a cooked state, and if there are a few plants or
rows of Artichokes not wanted for next season, the
best of the growths might be blanched and sent to
th3 kitchen as required. The old flower-stems should
be cut cleanly out and the smaller suckers removed,
a good soaking of liquid manure being then given.
This will promote a strong growth of the reserved
suckers, and before severe frost cripples the leaves
all ought to be enclosed in haybands and moulded
up as advised in the case of Cardoons, taking care
to well finish off the top of the ridge so as to throw
off heavy rains. The Chards should be ready for
use early in December, and will keep for some time
after they are blanched.

Open-aie Tomatoes.— In most instances these
set badly during the early part of the season, more
warmth evidently being needed, the exceptions to
the rule being those plants trained against the
warmest walls. Latterly extra large clusters have
commenced to swell off, and there will be abund-
ance of green fruit if comparatively few ripe ones.
The former should be taken good care of, as there
are several purposes to which they can be put. It
is yet somewhat early to remove the more forward
fruits and place these in heat to ripen, as many of
them ought to ripen better on the plants. Con-
tinue to remove all side shoots as they form, also
badly diseased leaves, but do not completely strip
the stems, or otherwise the fruit will not swell or
ripen properly. Where there are spare pit and
frame lights at liberty these might be fixed with
advantage over the best fruited wall plants, these
warding off both cold rains and early frosts.

Tomato diseas33. — Up to the present time very
little of the Potato disease has been noticed
among Tomatoes in the open, and this, seeing how
badly the haulm of Potatoes is over-run by it in
many southern gardens, is very gratifying, though
somewhat surprising. The Cladisporium seems to
have followed the plants outside, but its progress
is comparatively slow, and will not, as a rule, ma-
terially affect the weight of the crops. Nothing
that can be done will arrest the spread of the
Cladisporium, but the Potato disease seldom does
much harm if the foliage is kept dry with the aid
of glazed lights or copings. Various remedies
have been tried against the first-named and most
to be dreaded disease, but none have proved really
effective. The most that can be done with advan-
tage is to keep up the fire heat and a good circula-
tion of dry air. The plants carrying heavy crops
should not be allowed to suffer for want of water,
or the fruit will be small, but they ought to have
rather less than healthy plants. Remove badly
diseased leaves, and continue to lay in young
shoots thinly all over the stems, or otherwise there
will soon be no foliage to assist in swelling off the
crops. Coat the hot-water pipes occasionally with
sulphur and linseed oil and make them quite hot
every few days, at the same time keeping the house
close for a few hours. This acts as a deterrent,
and will keep down the troublesome small white
fly known as Aleyrodes vaporariarum.

W. I.

PLANT HOUSES.
Veronicas. — The late autumn and winter flower-
ing kinds of Veronica that have been planted out
in the open air should now be prepared for lifting
and potting. These Veronii as are exceptionally
free rooters, and unless the roots are well shortened
before taking up it is not possible to get them into
pots of reasonable s'z3. Plants of V. Andersoni
and V. salicifolia that have been raised from spring
struck cuttings should have their roots cut in suffi-
ciently to admit of their going into .S-inch or 9-inch
pots with enough soil to support the growth and
carry the plants through the time of their flower-
ing. Veronicas are not so susceptible of injury
from a slight frost as some things that are planted

out of doors in the summer, but it is not safe to
leave them out later than the end of the present
month. In three weeks after the roots are short-
ened sufficient new fibres will be formed to prevent
the plants receiving any check through lifting that
will interfere with their flowering. As soon as
potted it will be best to stand them in a cold pit
for a week or two, giving little air during the time,
and syringing them overhead daily so as to en-
courage root growth. After this plenty of air must
be admitted.

Eichaedias. — Where Bichardias have been
planted out and have been attended to with the
little water that this showery summer has rendered
necessary, the plants will be strong and much
stouter and more compact in their leaves than it is
possible to have them when kept through the sum-
mer in pots. It is not well to risk them out late,
for though a few degrees of frost will not kill them,
the leaves are so susceptible of injury that it does
not require much frost to spoil their appearance.
The roots of single crown plants will bear cutting
in so as to admit of their being put in 7-inch pots.
When potted the plants should at once be well wa-
tered, and the soil afterwards should be kept
moister than is requisite for most things.
A cold pit where they can be kept close for
two or three weeks will be the best place for them
through the autumn. Until the time they are put
in heat to bring them into flower an ordinary
greenhouse temperature is all that the plants re-
quire.

Roman Hyacinths.— A sufficient quantity of
bulbs of this early-blooming Hyacinth should now
be potted. They do not need nearly so much room
as it is necessary to give the large-flowered varie-
ties. Where the flowers are wanted for cutting
alone, large seed-pans or small shallow boxes are
preferable to pots, as a larger number of roots can
be accommodated in a given space than when
ordinary pots are used. A 5-inch pot is large
enough for four or five bulbs. The pots must be
well drained, the soil used should be of a free open
nature, and should be made rich by the addition of
plenty of thoroughly rotten manure that has been
passed through a fine sieve, so as to admit of its
being evenly mixed with the soil. Keep the crowns
of the bulbs well above the soil, which should be
made solid in the pots. Plunge the pots in sifted
coal ashes or cocoa-nut fibre, with enough of the
material underneath to prevent worms getting into
them. There should be 3 inches or 4 inches of the
material placed over the bulbs ; if this precaution
is not taken to keep them in their place when they
begin to emit roots, in place of these descending
into the soil, they will lift the bulbs up above it.
These small Hyacinths take a shorter time to make
enough roots to permit of their being put in heat
than the large-flowered ones do, yet they must not
be forced until sufficient fibres have been formed
to support the top growth, otherwise they will
bloom indifferently.

Tkitonias. — Where these free-flowering plants
are well treated they increase fast under pot culture,
and attain a size and strength which enable them
to bloom in a way that indifferently grown examples
are not capable of. Success in their cultivation
depends quite as much on the way the plants are
treated after they have finished flowering as on
what is clone for them in the earlier part of the
season. As soon as the bloom fades the plants
should be stood out of doors, or, if they flower late,
in a cold frame, where the tops will have a chance
of getting properly matured, and will die down
slowly. To enable them to do this water must be
given, so as to keep the roots in a fairly moist con-
dition, without which the tops die off prematurely,
with the natural result that the roots suffer pro-
portionately.

Preparation for housing tender plants.
— In the northern parts of the country it is not
safe to allow greenhouse plants to remain out of
doors much after the middle of September, espe-
cially after cool damp summers, such as the pre-
sent, which unfortunately are frequently followed
by early frosts. To prevent being taken unawares,
provision should be made by rearranging the houses

and pits, so as to make room for housing the more
tender subjects on the appearance of cold nights,
the advent of which can generally be seen by any
one who takes the trouble to watch the weather.
The absence of a portion of the stock from the
houses where the things now in the open air are to
be wintered should be taken advantage of to give
a thorough cleaning out, washing the paint and
also the glass both inside and out, as well as lime-
washing the walls. The additional amount of light
which a process of this kind admits of the plants
receiving through the winter months has a greater
influence on their health and well-being than is
often supposed. For though light is to some ex-
tent of less consequence during winter than it is in
summer, there are still numbers of plants that are
never wholly at rest, and others that even when
their growth has been fairly matured in the autumn
set their bloom and flower better when under the
influence of a maximum amount of light during the
season of comparative rest.

Potting soils. — This and the ensuing month
are the best in the year for digging and stacking
the different kinds of potting soils — loam and peat.
At this season the roots of the various Grasses
which have grown thereon, and which compose the
fibrous matter that plays such an important part
not only as food for the cultivated plants, but also
as a means of keeping the soil open and porous, are
at their best, being tough and matured, so that
they decompose much more slowly than when the
soil is dug earlier in the season. An effort should
be made to have the soils required of the best
quality. It is poor economy, after incurring the
cost of house room, fuel, and labour, to attempt
to grow the plants in unsuitable soil.

T. B.

Stove and Greenhouse.

FREESIAS.
These are beautiful Cape bulbs and of compara-
tively easy culture when a few simple details are
carried out. We use the flowers largely for cutting,
and find them most useful. F. refracta alba and F.
Leichtlini major are the best varieties, though many
of the seedlings are beautiful and distinct in the
colour of their flowers. These little bulbs can be
had in bloom from December to June if the bulbs
arepotted at different dates, thus giving a long period.
Many could grow them with only small houses or
frames, as they require little heat and room and the
flowers last a long time. When placed in water
the buds expand and last for a long time in the
house. I have for the last few seasons been favoured
with bulbs sent by a friend at the Cape, and
splendid flowers have been produced. I find that
these bulbs do not require such rapid drying off as
others, as they grow very vigorously when kept on
the move longer, that is, allowing the growth to
remain green, not drying completely off so early.
They last for years if this treatment is carried
out. A size larger shift occasionally is only
needed, and frequent supplies of weak liquid ma-
nure; also removing the young offsets and pot-
ting on as necessary. We usually place about six or
eight bulbs in a 4^-inch pot, giving the bulbs ample
drainage and some light sandy loam, leaf mould,
and decayed manure, placing the pots in a cold
frame, and giving one good watering when potted ;
then not again until growth commences. The bulbs
are kept close to the glass with abundance of air in
mild weather, only just keeping them free from
frost. They increase very rapidly, and when pot-
ting, the small bulbs should be removed and potted
up thickly together for future supplies. The later
potted bulbs require rather more care, as they soon
go wrong if given too much water. If very early
bloom in the autumn is required, a little more
warmth may be given the bulbs, say 50° to (J0U
if they are showing their spikes, but they do
best grown cool, and last much longer than when
forced into bloom. For late flowering the bulbs
should be potted not later than the middle of Sep-
tember, and kept as cool as possible close to the
glass and not over-watered. If potted up later in
the year they do not flower nearly so well, and often

232

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. G, 1890.

do not start at all. We usually make three pot-
tings, July, August, and September, keeping the
later lots just free from frost, and exposed to the
weather on all favourable occasions, and in a sunny
position. Avoid cold currents of air in frosty wea-
ther, and cover up with mats or any other warm
material to exclude frost. A slight covering of
cocoa-nut fibre over the bulbs will do good if the
covering is removed as soon as the bulbs commence
to make top growth. Geo. Withes.

Syon House.

Iochroma grandiflora (T. Z.).—l have to
hand flowers and a leaf of a plant which were sent
from Ecuador, and have no hesitation in pronounc-
ing them to be those of Iochroma grandiflora. It
is a solanaceous plant of considerable beauty, al-
though somewhat coarse in habit, the flowers be-
ing pendent and rich deep purple in colour. It is
a plant which usually commences to flower about
the end of autumn instead of the beginning, and in
a large greenhouse or a conservatory slightly above
the usual temperature of the cool house it will con-
tinue in beauty for a considerable time. The plant
being a strong grower, it requires ample pot-room, or
its lower leaves will decay, leaving it leggy and bare-
stemmed, which does not add to its beauty. The
pots, therefore, should be ample and well drained,
and the soil consist of peat, loam, and leaf-mould,
with a fair amount of rotten manure and sharp
sand. It may be increased by cuttings of the young
shoots in summer. To obtain these it may be ne-
cessary to head a plant down. — W. H. G.

Variegated-leaved Carex.— Whatever be the
specific name of this pretty little Carex for which
Messrs. Veitch were awarded a first-class certifi-
cate last autumn by the Royal Horticultural So-
ciety, it is certainly a very beautiful and ex-
tremely useful plant, one, in fact, that will no
doubt after a time be generally grown. This
Carex forms a dense tuft of very narrow leaves,
which arch over in a graceful manner, while each
leaf has a comparatively wide band of white down
the centre. It is altogether a low-growing subject,
being at most but a few inches high, and in the
furnisher's hands it will be useful for the edges of
groups and similar purposes, being in fact just the
thing to alternate with the deep green Isolepis
gracilis, the characters of both being intensified
by contrast with the other. It is a plant of very
easy culture, as it grows well in any ordinary soil,
and may be readily increased by division. The
best time to carry this out is in the spring, as the
plants then quickly push up new leaves. Whether
it is hardy I cannot say, but it succeeds well in a
warm greenhouse or in an intermediate tempera-
ture. It requires to be shaded from the full rays
of the sun ; indeed this Carex will thrive under
just the same conditions as the Isolepis. — H. P.

Gloxinias in the autumn. — These useful
plants are seen so frequently through the spring
and summer in full bloom, that they are looked
upon as summer decorative plants, but they are
very accommodating, as with a little trouble good
flowering specimens may be had nine months out of
the twelve. To obtain plants for the late autumn
supply a small quantity of seed should be sown in
April and the seedlings pricked off into pans or
3-inch pots, only giving a moderate amount of
heat. An intermediate house suits them best, or a
warm frame close to the light, and only shaded
during bright sunshine. If these plants are not
too much shaded in their early stages, it is sur-
prising the amount of light they will do with with-
out showing signs of flagging. One shift only is
necessary out of the 3-inch pots for the late blooms.
Early in October the plants may be removed to a
few degrees warmer temperature close to the glass.
They will then bloom if fed with a good fertiliser
till the middle of December, and the blooms will last
well, and when cut will keep good for over a week.
Another plan may also be adopted by sowing early
in the year, say January, and blooming the plants
in 3-inch pots, then giving a rest for two months
in a cold frame by giving less water. Start
again by placing in a warmer house and shift

on into 4|-inch pots as soon as growth commences.
These plants will give a lot of bloom. A few
plants that were flowered at the early part of the
summer, if they are old bulbs, will also produce a
second crop of bloom if placed in the open or cold
frames and kept rather dry, but in this case re-
potting will not be necessary, only feeding, as large
pots are not conducive to winter blooms. I like the
first-named plan best. A temperature of 50° to 60°
suits them late in the autumn when in bloom with
a dry atmosphere and close to the glass. For
older bulbs a shelf in the stove does well. We
usually give them the front of a small house, and
use the back for Bouvardias.— G. Wythes, Syon
House.

Aphelandra chamissoniana. — In common
with many other Acanthads, the Aphelandras are
very beautiful flowering plants of easy culture, and
nearly the whole of them will bloom at almost any
season of the year, but, of course, their bright
coloured blossoms are most valuable during the dull
autumn and winter months. While many of them
bear blossoms of some shade of scarlet or vermil-
lion, the flowers of this species are of a clear bright
canary-yellow, and the long spiny-edged bracts are
also of the same tint, except just on the tip, which
is green. The lanceolate leaves are also very pretty,
being marked with a broad silvery band down the
centre, while the rest of the leaf is dotted more or
less with white. This Aphelandra, which is also
known under the name of A. punctata, is not so
frequently met with as some of the others, yet it
well deserves a place in the stove by reason of the
beauty of both foliage and flowers.— H. P.

Campanula Vidali.— This species of Cam-
panula is widely removed from the rest of the Can-
terbury Bells, as it forms a plant of a shrubby cha-
racter, clothed with dark green, oblong-shaped
leaves, about 2 inches in length and of a thick
waxy nature. The stem is stout and fleshy, while
the flower-stems, which are formed by the elonga-
tion of the branches, are in vigorous specimens a
yard high or thereabouts, but often less, especially
if the plants are confined in rather small pots. The
upper part of the spike is studded with large waxy-
white blossoms of a distinct form, being somewhat
between a bell and an urn-shaped flower. From
their great substance they remain in beauty a long
time, and this Campanula forms a very ornamental
flowering plant for the cool greenhouse in July and
August. It is a native of the Azores, and requires
to be protected from frost during the winter, but if
planted out when all danger is over, it both grows
strongly and flowers well in the open ground. I
have several times tried to keep it through the win-
ter outside, but here, not far from London, it is al-
ways killed by the frost. This Campanula may be
struck from cuttings put in during the spring, but
it seeds very freely, and this is by far the best way
to propagate it. The seed should be sown in the
spring, when the young plants quickly make their
appearance and grow away freely afterwards. C.
Vidali was introduced as long ago as 1851, but it is
rarely seen outside of a botanic garden, though it
deserves more extended cultivation. A group of it
in the greenhouse at Kew has during the summer
shown its value as an ornamental flowering plant.
~H. P.

Tffethonica (Gloriosa) superba.— It is im-
possible to over-estimate the value of this climber
for covering roofs of stoves. In many warm houses
the roof is clothed with heavy, strong-growing
climbers, such as Passifloras and Bougainvilleas,
not without injury to the plants growing under
them. This plant does not require a large pot to
grow in. I have a vigorous specimen covering a
large space now in full beauty and growing in an
8-inch pot. It is potted in loam and peat, with a
little sand to keep it open. When in full growth
manure water is given twice a week. Last year it
was grown in the same sized pot equally as well.
Another advantage this plant possesses is its deci-
duous character. After the blooming is over it dies
down. Care should be taken not to ripen it off pre-
maturely, as on its well ripening depends a satis-
factory start next season. To all who want light

recommend itself. To have the roof clear in winter
is of great importance to those who have little
warm house accommodation and need such plants as
Poinsettias, Bouvardias, and a multitude of other
useful winter-blooming subjects. The plants winter
most satisfactory if the pots are laid on their side
at the back of a stove and kept quite dry. In spring
shake them out, repotting again in clean pots and
fresh soil. When in full bloom the growth may be
taken down and trained to a trellis or bound to a
few sticks placed in a pot, when it can be removed
to the dwelling house for furnishing. If the room
is light and warm, the plant will remain a long
time in full beauty. As a cut flower it is most use-
ful by reason of its long stalks. It may not be
generally known that the shoots of this Gloriosa
will open their blooms after being removed from
the plant. Last year I had an accident to a plant
when trying to train it to sticks in a pot when
taken off a roof. The shoot was taken into the pot-
ting shed, the stem placed in water, tying the head
upright. Here it continued opening its flowers for
more than a fortnight.— J. Ceook.

Dombeya Eurgessise (C. G.).— This is the
name of the tree which you send me flowers of, and
which you say you raised from seed obtained in
Zululand. The flowers are very fragrant and beau-
tiful. It is now nearly 30 years ago since the plant
was first raised in English gardens. The only fault
for English plant growers which the plant possesses
is its height and the rapidity with which it grows.
The leaves are some G inches long and nearly as
much broad ; the flowers, each nearly 2 inches
across, are borne in a somewhat dense corymb of
from six to twelve, pure white, veined with
bright rose, the colour extending from the base
about half-way up the petals. It requires the warmth
of an intermediate stove. — W.

Cyanotis nodiflora is the name of the plant
sent by " J. M. B." It comes from South Africa,
and it is erect in growth, producing its flowers from
the joints ; they are rich rosy-purple, and the
long exserted stamens are also clothed with long
woolly hairs of the same colour, which give it a
very chaste and beautiful appearance. The plant
thrives well in the greenhouse during winter. —
W. H. G.

Rose Garden.

A BOEDER OF HYBRID EERPETUAL
ROSES.

One of the successes of the present season has
been a newly made border, in which was planted
in March a selection of the very best Hybrid
Perpetual Eoses, six of each kind in a group.
This section of the great Rose family is not so
generally useful as the Teas which are always hand-
some in foliage and truly perpetual bloomers.
On the other hand, the Hybrid Perpetuals are
less profuse, not so continuous nor ornamental,
and often late in summer are half defoliated in
consequence of red-rust and kindred causes,
which never affect the Teas.

These remarks are not mado in disparage-
ment of the Hybrid Perpetuals, but rather to
show the motive for providing them with a
special border in a less prominent position.
Moreover, it is from this section that we obtain
the largest and brightest coloured blooms.
With these, as with the Teas, the best effect is
produced by following out the grouping method
of arrangement. The average Eose garden or
border in which the plants are set out at regular
distances, exhibiting far too much bare ground
between, is poor in effect when compared with
a similar border, in which the plants are simply
and naturally grouped, and from such groups it
is possible to obtain a true idea of the effect
and value of any particular Rose and its use in
Each kind, too, was also grouped

the garden,
in their warm houses in winter, this plant should I according to its colour, the red, rose, and pink

SEn. G, 1890.'

THE GARDEN.

233

kinds being associated, thus affording good
opportunities for comparison.

General Jacqueminot is a tine kind for group-
ing, a free grower and bloomer, producing
large, full, brilliant, crimson-red flowers, which
are very sweet. It also blooms freely in autumn.
Gloire de Margottin, a new Rose sent out by
Margottin in 1887, is a free and brilliant Rose,
and when plentiful should be found in every
garden. The flower is not very full, but rich
and sweet. The flowers droop, owing to the
weakness of the foot-stalks, but as the growth
is rambling it would be a decided advantage to
peg the shoots down. The old Dupuy Jamain,
with large, finely-formed, cerise-red flowers ;
Alfred Colomb, bright red ; and the brilliant
A. K. Williams are all kinds that make magni-
ficent groups, and produce a quantity of large

clear, bright, pinkish-rose colour. Queen of
Queens is handsome if closely grouped, and so
is the fine old Marquise de Castellane, which
still deservedly holds its own, in spite of new
candidates for popularity. An old and neglected,
but very fine rose-coloured Rose is Anna
de Diesbach, with large bright rose flowers,
which are produced in great profusion. This
Rose should not be lost sight of. Other good
rose-coloured kinds fine in groups are Countess
of Rosebery and Mine. Prosper Laugier.
Among the lighter shades are some free and
valuable kinds, such as Captain Christy, La
Prance, Violette Bouyer, and Duchesse de
Vallombrosa ; whilst among whites, there is
none better than Merveille de Lyon. It must
be closely grouped, as the habit of growth is
dense and rigid. Its large flowers, borne erect,

Eose La France.

bright floweis. Beauty of Waltham, bright
red ; Comtesse de Paris, rosy red, fine, and free ;
Etienne Levet, carmine-red ; and Mme. Victor
Verdier, cerise-red, have been very fine.
Among the rich dark crimsons, Charles Lefebvre
and Fisher Holmes have been by far the best.

Of the rose-coloured Roses there are some
grand kinds for grouping, foremost among
them being Mrs. John Laing. It is so
f.-ee in growth and handsome in appearance
with a wealth of rich foliage and a profusion of
fine flowers. In its clear bright distinct colour
this kind has no equal, and it will long remain
one of the best garden Roses. A group of
Heinrich Schultheis was, and still is, very fine,
as this kind seems very profuse in its second j
blooming. It is a large massive Rose, with
great substance and breadth of petal, and of a

set in a wealth of rich foliage, are displayed to
the best advantage, and the group of twelve
plants of this kind was very beautiful for seve-
ral weeks. The best group was one of that
charming Rose Mme. Gabriel Luizet. When
set out the plants of this kind had well-ripened
shoots nearly a yard long. They were not short-
ened back, as were those of other vigorous
kinds, but pegged down to the ground. A
flower was produced from every eye, and the
ground was hidden with a carpet of foliage
and flowers. The plants have also made strong
shoots 4 feet long, which will be pegged down
next year. The distance at which plants should
be placed apart in grouping must be determined
by their habits of growth. As a general rule,
2 feet is ample for most kinds, but 3 feet is
not too much for such a kind as Mme. Gabriel

Luizet, and this and other vigorous kinds should
be grouped at that distance, and the ground be
hidden by pegging down the long shoots. There
is no better way of obtaining a quantity of
flowers, and, moreover, to prune these long
shoots is to wantonly sacrifice hundreds of
blossoms. On the other hand, such kinds as
Marqruse de Castellane and Merveille de Lyon
do not require to be placed more than 18
inches apart in order to make a fine compact
group.

Only a few of the best kinds have been enu-
merated. Few or many can be grown by those
who desire them, for all are amenable to the
grouping method of arrangement, all that is
necessary being to know somewhat of the habit
of the respective kinds before planting them.
Observation will teach much in this respect, and
in no way better than by looking over the large
breadths of fine kinds in the Rose nurseries and
noting how they grow. One thing is absolutely
certain : Those who seek to beautify their gar-
dens with Roses, or wish them to have a telling
effect in the garden landscape, must be content
with fewer kinds, and group or mass them
boldly. The most complete and extensive col-
lection may fail to satisfy if badly arranged,
but, on the other hand, a meagre assortment
will give all the effect desired if the plants are
disposed to the best advantage and each kind is
plentiful enough to tell its own story, and con-
tribute its part in the making up of a bright and
glorious picture, full of life, variety and change,
a joy to every beholder, and especially charm-
ing to its possessor. A. H.

Chrysanthemums.

TOP-DRESSING THE PLANTS.

Directly the flower-buds are set and seem to
be swelling evenly the plants must not lack
support at the roots, the object being to retain
a vigorous growth. To assist the growth of the
plants a top-dressing of some mixture may be
laid on the surface to cover the roots, which
will have been washed bare by continued water-
ings. The addition of fresh soil to the roots on
the surface will encourage those to make more,
and the greater the number of those close
to the top of the soil the better chance will
there be of good flowers. With abundance of
surface roots the plants will be able to take
stimulants, which must be given them from tho
time the buds are taken until the flowers
are three parts expanded. Without plenty of
these roots on and near the surface it is a mis-
take to feed the plants heavily, as they are not
in a condition to receive strong stimulants.
Brdly rooted plants can easily be quickly ruined
by gorging them with strong food when they
are not in a condition to receive it. Most
growers have their favourite composts, but to
those who have not had the necessary experi-
encs to test the matter for themselves I will
give a few hints. The character of the soil
in which the plants are growing must be taken
into consideration before it is determined what
mixture shall be employed. If the soil be
light, inclined to sand, a top-dressing of partly
decayed cow manure and turfy loam in equal
parts, with a light sprinkling of soot added,
will prove of immense advantage. If the soil
be naturally heavy, and consequently of a re-
tentive nature, horse droppings must be substi-
tuted for cow manure. Where animal manure
cannot be procured some artificial preparation
should be employed, such as finely ground
bones, dissolved bones, or any of the numerous
mixtures advertised. In all cases when using
artificial manures great care should be exercised

234

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 6, 1890.

not to employ them above the strength recom-
mended and which accompanies each kind. If
bones in either form named above are chosen,
one part of either sort to two of tnrfy loam,
from which the fine soil has been taken, may be
laid on half an inch thick. Into this the roots
will run freely. This top dressing is not only
of much benefit to the plants by encouraging
extra surface roots, but the manure, helps to
feed the plant. When the plants were finally
transferred to the flowering pots, space in most
cases was left for this top-dressing, but where
this was not done, pieces of turf should be
placed around the edges of the pots to allow
for the water and top-dressing.

The growth of plants which are late in show-
ing signs of forming their buds should now be
hastened on, provided, of course, that the
blooms are required in perfection from the
early part to the middle of November. In the
case of plants that do not appear to be growing
freely and the wood inclined to be hard, which
is a sign of premature ripening, caused pro-
bably through neglect in supplying the plants
regularly with water before they were trans-
ferred to their flowering pots, nitrate of soda
acts quickly. Great care is necessary in apply-
ing this, or serious injury may be done to the
plants. Superphosphate and the nitrate of
soda may be used together, the former being
also a quick acting manure. Crush finely some
of the nitrate and add to it two parts of super-
phosphate, mixing thoroughly well together.
On the surface of the pots sprinkle a three-
quarter teaspoonful, afterwards watering it in
with clear water. In ten days' time this dose
may be repeated. E. Molyneux.

plants. Such means as these do not produce pro-
perly ripened wood, but cause a check to the
growth, which means a contraction of the sap
vessels. Blooms that are small, especially those
with extremely narrow florets, are generally the
result of over-ripening of the wood.

The leaves of plants which have their wood in a pro-
perly matured state in September assume a bronzy
appearance, though some varieties show this cha-
racter more clearly than others. The way to have
plants with thoroughly ripened wood is to pot them
firmly, give them an open position during the sum-
mer, keep the growths tied out thinly, so that every
leaf has its full share of air and light, thorough
attention to supplying their wants with water,
never giving them more than is necessary, and at
no time exciting them unduly with too strong stimu-
lants ; by following these few simple details,
growers never need fear the results of immaturity
of growth. There is no such thing as growing the
plants very strong and ripening them suddenly, as
some aver there is. The growth from the cutting
until the time the flowers expand must be built up
gradually. E. M.

RIPENING THE WOOD.
This is an important point to consider if blooms of
the highest class are wished for, because it is abso-
lutely impossible to obtain them if the wood of the
plants is immature. Many growers fail in their
desire to produce perfect blooms of Chrysanthe-
mums through no other reason but this. It is more
apparent in blooms of the incurved section than in
the Japanese and other kinds, as in the former kinds
depth and solidity in the flowers are essential
points. I have seen plants of what might be
termed immense strength in both the wood and
foliage alike, but which at flowering time produced
blooms large in diameter, having coarse petals, but
far too few of them, these showing a far greater
tendency to reflex than to incurve. This de-
fect was owing entirely to the wood being badly
ripened. The greatest of all faults is not making
the soil firm enough at the last potting. Under
such conditions the roots ramble away into the new
loose soil, and the growths are soft and devoid of
that hard wood-like character so desirable. Using
soil of too rich a nature and the excessive applica-
tion of stimulants, such as nitrate of soda, induce
an undesirable luxuriance of growth. This may
be pleasing to those who do not thoroughly under-
stand its nature, but it is nevertheless deceptive,
for the tissues are not solidified. Overcrowding
the plants is another common source of badly
ripened wood ; the stems under such conditions
grow weakly and the leaves are imperfect.

A free circulation of air amongst the plants, with
their full exposure all day if possible, contributes
powerfully to substantial growth. Where the
plants are compelled to occupy a position near to
tall trees on the west side of them they lose much
of the afternoon sun, which is so desirable in ripen-
ing the wood at this time of the year and onwards.
By the time the plants are in bloom the wood
should be almost as hard as a piece of Oak, and the
colour of the bark should be rich brown with a
rough, uneven surface. This condition must not be
brought about by irregular treatment, such as with-
holding water from the roots, or any other means
which are detrimental to the well-being of the

Chrysanthemum Mrs. Alpheus Hardy. —

My experience of this Chrysanthemum is much the
same as that of " W. 0.," p. 147, viz., that it is a
miserable growing variety, and I think with him
that it will after this season be a thing of the past,
or at least almost so, for the foliage has such a
diseased, unhappy look that it is seldom one can
find a perfect leaf, while the prospect for flower is
not very promising. When in good condition the
blooms are undoubtedly quite distinct, and as
shown last year at the Aquarium very striking ;
still it was so much praised previous to being
sent out that one is naturally disappointed that it
should prove of such bad constitution as to be
almost worthless. — H. P.

Early Chrysanthemums.— In the gardens at
Maiden Erleigh, early or summer- blooming Chry-
santhemums are largely used for decoration, and
supplying flowers of an enduring nature to send to
Scotland during the shooting season. A long line
of the Desgrange family, including Guernsey and
Mrs. H»wkins, are making a fine show, and giving
immense quantities of bloom. In another place
the footpath is bordered by plants of St. Crouts,
White Crouts, Mr. A. Piercey, Mrs. Cullingford, pure
white ; Precocite, Mme. Jolivart, white ; St. Mary,
Mrs. J. R. Pitcher, and others, carrying big heads
of bloom. The season, so far, has not been favour-
able, as so much heavy rain has tended to the dis-
figurement of the flowers. The cuttings are quickly
rooted in February in forced Asparagus beds under
frames, and soon make very strong early plants. —
A. D.

The Fruit Crops.

IRELAND.

Summerville, Limerick.— Apples and Pears
in this district are a good crop. Plums are scarce.
Cherries are little grown about here except Mo-
rellos, which are a poor crop. The same may be
said of Peaches and Nectarines. Apricots are
quite a failure. Bush fruits are an abundant crop,
particularly Gooseberries. The bushes are break-
ing down with the weight of fruit. Raspberries are
also plentiful. All kinds of trees and bushes are
making extra strong growth, which will need much
sunshine to ripen it. Strawberries have been a
good crop, but quantities have decayed before half
ripe, owing to the continued heavy rains through
the season.

The Potato crop here is very heavy, but disease
has made its appearance ; the haulm of some varie-
ties has quite disappeared already, and many tubers
have been found to be affected.— J. Ellicott.

Hillsborough Castle, Co. Down.— The fruit
crop in this part may be classed as average.
Strawberries have been very large and plentiful ;
the kinds I find do best here are Sir Joseph Paxton,
President, and British Queen. Keen's Seedling is

useless here, never fruits; Noble promised well,
being early, prolific, and of good size. All the
above are planted singly in rows, 2 feet between
each plant, and 2| feet between the rows. Apples
are a fair crop, some trees being heavily laden.
Pears a good average crop on walls and pyramids.
Plums average crop, the best we have had for years.
Cherries good. Morellos good. Peaches, Necta-
rines, and Apricots good. Damsons a failure. Red
and White Currants and Raspberries were abun-
dant. Black Currants below the average. Goose-
berries are a very heavy crop, bushes clean and
healthy. We are never troubled with caterpillars
here. We clear away the surface soil around the
bushes every autumn, and mulch well with manure
composed of decayed weeds and vegetables mixed
with lime, and stacked for twelve months previous
to use.
The vegetable crops are good. — Thos. Bbadshaw.
Markree Gardens, Collooney, Co. Sligo. —
The fruit crops in the gardens here, on the whole,
are very satisfactory, and in this district, too, I
hear that the fruit is abundant. Apples, Pears,
Cherries, and all the bush fruits are very good both
in quality and quantity. Strawberries a good crop,
but lacking flavour owing to the dull season we
have had. Plums a medium crop ; chiefly Victoria
and Jefferson's grown here. Peaches and Apricots
not grown outside. I am pleased to say we are not
troubled with the caterpillar, but there is a small
yellow winged fly that attacks my Pear trees on a
south aspect wall under a permanent glass coping.
I attribute the cause to the great heat. I find the
use of soapsuds and keeping the borders well wa-
tered the best remedy against this pest. — Heebeet
May.

Castlewellan, Co. Down. — Apples are about
an average crop. Some trees are heavily laden,
while others are barren. The following kinds are
carrying a good crop: Cellini, Hawthornden, Kes-
wick Codlin, Lord SufBeld, Stirling Castle, Prince
Albert, Yorkshire Beauty, Golden Noble, Manning-
ton's Pearmain, White Juneating, Yorkshire Green-
ing, Sultan, Frogmore Prolific, Beauty of Moray,
King of the Pippins, Kerry Pippin, Warner's King,
Lemon Pippin, and Worcester Pearmain. Cherries
are under the average. Morellos are about half a
crop. Pears are a good average crop. Young trees
against walls of Beurre de Capiaumont, Autumn Ber-
gamot, Conseiller de la Cour, Clapp's Favourite,
Marie Louise d'Uccle, Althorp Crassane, Passe Col-
mar, Princess, Chaumontel, Louise Bonne of Jersey,
Beurre Diel, Duchesse d'Angouleme, Knight's
Monarch, Soldat Laboureur, Beurre Bachelier, Sou-
venir du Congres, and Comte de Lamy are carrying
full crops. Plums are a complete failure. Small
fruit, such as Gooseberries, Black and Red Currants,
Raspbenies, and Strawberries are a good crop, but
much injured by the constant wet weather we have
had. -T.Ryan.

Castle Upton Gardens, Templepatrick. —
Apples generally poorly cropped, wall trees having
the best, showing that the protection afforded by
the walls was beneficial. We have the following
sorts bearing good crops : Irish Peach, Duchess of
Oldenburg, Ribston, King of the Pippins, Allen's
Everlasting, and Cornish Gilliflower ; this latter
sort I consider the best flavoured of all Apples. It
is a shy bearer and does not mature here, except
on walls, and even then a good warm season is re-
quired to bring up that delicate piquancy of fla-
vour peculiar to this Apple. On standard or bush
trees the Codlins are heavily cropped. Pears are
more evenly represented ; the best crops are Doyenne1
d'Ete, Seckle, Passe Colmar, Louise Bonne of
Jersey, Williams' Bon Chretien, Beurio Diel, Bound
Stere'kruans— this with us is a peculiarly insipid
Pear, although in a good position, south wall. It
never becomes of third-rate quality ; being a late
sort, we allow it to hang as long as possible, but
we never get that buttery characteristic which we
might expect from the name it bears ; indeed, it no
more than makes a good stewing fruit. One word
in its favour ; it is hardy and a free bearer. I should
be glad to have the opinion of some pomologist.
Bush trees here do not ripen well. I shall not plant
anymore Pears without theprotection of a wall ; such

Sept. 6, 1890.]

THE GAKDEN.

235

hardy sorts as Hessle and Green Aohan do fairly
well, but Louise Bonne of Jersey, &c, does no good.
Plums partial; Prince Euglebert, Kirke's, Diamond,
Sultan, Rivers' Peach, and Victoria well cropped,
particularly the first-named : this is a most excel-
lent free-bearing Plum. Of Green Gages, Bryanston
has the best crop. Cherries very good crop,
both sweet and Morellos ; the latter were unusually
fine in size. Raspberries very poor. Currants good,
particularly Red and White. We have a north wall
devoted to Red Currants, which yearly carry
a full crop ; in this position, with the aid of nets,
we have had fruit up to Christmas, but naturally
at that unseasonable time of the year they become
very acid, but up to November they are of excellent
service in the kitchen. Gooseberries only a medium
crop with us, but fruit of fine quality. We have
those also on a north wall ; in this position they do
well and can easily be protected with nets. I find
Warrington hangs and keeps best of all the other
sorts I have tried. Warrington is my favourite red
Gooseberry, but for market, Industry is perhaps pre-
ferable. Strawberries have been poor. — S. Kevajt.

Barons Court, Tyrone. — The fruit crop, on
the whole, is fairly good here. Apples are over
the average and promise well for quality. Pears
are an average crop, as also Plums and Cherries.
Small fruits are all over the average ; Gooseberries
especially are an enormous crop. Strawberries
have suffered in flavour from so much rain, but the
crop is a good one. I find hellebore powder the
b"ist remedy for caterpillar. — Robert Bell.

Curraghrnore — The fruit crops in this locality
are the best we have had for many years. Goose-
berries, Currants, and Raspberries are fine, as well
as a heavy crop. Cherries are good. Pears and
Apples are the best I have had. The Plums are
almost a failure. Peaches outside are a heavy crop.
Apricots are better than for many years. The
Strawberry crop was not so good here as last year,
much damage having been done by heavy rains and
slugs. The only effectual remedy for caterpillar is
hand-picking. — E. Tuckee.

Castle Dillon, Armagh. — The fruit crop this
year will be very thin. Apples and Pears are not
more than half a crop. Stone fruit is very poor ;
some trees of Early Rivers Plum on wall a fair
crop. Victoria was heavily cropped last year ; this
year it is a failure. Apricots and Peaches are under
average. Nuts are a fair crop. Currants good.
Strawberries good and fine. Gooseberries and
Raspberries heavy crop. — T. Sheasby.

Narrowwater, Co. Down.— In this garden and
district Apples are an abundant crop, but late. Pears
good average crop. Plums almost a failure. No Apri-
cots grown. Peaches not much growniout of doors, but
what I see are a fair crop. Small fruits abundant.
Figs on open walls abundant with me this season.
We have had a cold, wet summer, no sunshine ; fruits
are consequently small and very deficient in flavour.

Potato disease, I am sorry to say, has appeared
amongst the early sorts ; and should this damp
weather continue our field sorts will soon suffer. —
Jno. Moeeison.

Powerscourt, Co. "Wicklow. — Apples very
scarce and poor. Trees looked most promising in
the spring, but the long continuance of cold rain
injured the flowers. The same state of things holds
good with Pears, very few indeed ; none on stan-
dard trees. Plums are a good crop and good fruit,
Victoria, Englebert, Kiike's and Green Gage being
the best. Apricots are scarce, fruit rusty. Cherries
are above average, fruit fairly good. Gooseberries
are a heavy crop and fine. Black Currants very
plentiful and good . Red Currants very heavy. Rasp-
berries are a full crop, Baumforth's Seedling beiDg
the best. Strawberries have been plentiful and
good all round this district. — D. Ceombie.

Clontarf Castle, Dublin. — Apples on all our
trees, young and old, almost a blank, and the few
fruits on some varieties have not the usual healthy
appearance expected at this season. Pears are a
failure. Plums the same excepting The Czar and
Rivers' Early, which have yielded fair crops of good
fruit. In this district fruit generally is far below
an average crop, though in a few gardens which

were sheltered from the cold east wind and rains in
April and May the crop is a fair one. On the cele-
brated Peach wall at Marino there is a magnificent
crop of splendid fruit, while elsewhere it is al-
most a failure. — J. Doean.

WALES.
The Gardens, Slebeck Park, Haverford-
west, Pembrokeshire. — Apples are not quite up to the
average this season. The trees bloomed remarkably
well and never was there a fairer promise of an
abundant crop, but the cold wet weather which pre-
vailed during the blooming season prevented the
blooms from setting well. The trees on walls set
well. In looking over the orchard trees it does not
appear that any particular variety has set better
than another, unless it be the King of Pippins.
Pears are a heavy crop, but the cold, wet, sunless
summer we have had has damaged the more tender
sorts very much. Marie Louise, Beurre' Ranee, and
some others are nearly worthless. Some varieties
are satisfactory, especially the following: Beurre
Baltet pere, Durandeau, Marie Benoist, Marie Louise
d'Uccle, Baronne de Melo, Pitmaston Duchess,
Josephine de Malines, Bonne d'Ezee, and Zephirin
Gregoire. Plums, including Damsons, are below
average. Peaches and Nectarines do not succeed
out of doors in this district except in a few favoured
corners. Apricots are not grown at all. Small
fruits are very good. Nuts are also good. — G.
Gbiffin.

The Quinta, Chirk, Denbigh.— The older
sorts of orchard Apples are plentiful ; finer varieties
very thin. Warner's King, Russian Transparent,
Stirling Castle, King of the Pippins, and a few
others are full crops, but on the whole they must
be classed as under average. Pears much the same,
Louise Bonne, Williams' Bon Chretien, and a few
others being very good. Peaches and Nectarines
full crops and of good quality. Plums poor in every
way. Apricots very heavy crops. Cherries fair.
Raspberries very good. Red and Black Currants
under and of poor quality. Caterpillar has been
bad here. I find fresh lime dusted on them as good
as anything, and it is soon done. A good douching
with the engine afterwards cleans the fruit nicely.

Potatoes. — Early varieties have been grand this
year and of fine quality, later ones also doing well,
while field crops are very promising. So far I have
heard of no actuil disease. Vegetables with the
exception of Carrots are wonderfully fine. Peas I
never remember better. — J. Louden.

Gogerddan Hall, Cardigan. — Apples, Pears
and Plums are, as in most places, a thin crop — War-
ner's King, Small's Admirable, Keswick Codlin,
Kerry Pippin, King of the Pippins and Mr. Gladstone
carrying the best crops of Apples. Damsons are
thin. Nuts good. Strawberries and Raspberries a
heavy crop. Currants, both Black and Red, good
crops. Gooseberries abundant and good. Cherries
—May Duke and Morello — gocd crops. Peaches,
Nectarines and Apricots are very thin. Our Apple
trees were very badly attacked with caterpillars in
the spring of 18St>, but this last spring I had our
orchard trees well syringed with hot lime j nst before
the trees pushed their buds, and the result is the
trees have been almost free from the pest this sea-
son.—JAMES Veaeet.

Bodnant Gardens, Eglwysbach, Denbigh.
— Respecting the caterpillar question, we experi-
mented on a small scale with Paris green, accord-
ing to directions given in the various garden periodi-
cals, and carefully watched results. The foliage
was injured in most cases and appeared as if
scorched, but the caterpillars appeared none the
worse. The difference at the present time (in the
attacked trees) between the dressed and undressed
trees is very apparent ; the dressed ones have got
over their injury and set a fair quantity of fruit; the
undressed ones are perfectly riddled in foliage and
minus fruit. All the trees were full of bloom, with
no frost to injure them. We tried the greasy band
in the autumn withnogoodresults. — J.Satjndeeson.

Dynevor Castle, Llandilo. — Peaches and
Nectarines plentiful and excellent. Figs fairly good,

but late. Cherries abundant, very fine. Plums
of all kinds also abundant. Apricots generally
very shy. Pears partial as to kinds, but excellent
crops of the following : Doyenne! d'Ete (now ripe),
Williams' Bon Chretien, Althorpe Crassane, Duran-
deau, Doyenne du Cornice, White Doyenne, Louise
Bonne of Jersey, Beurre Bosc, Beurre Diel, Beurre
d'Anjou, Easter Beurre, Passe Colmar, Old Colmar,
Jargonelle, Bergamotte d'Esperen, Glou Morceau,
and Beurre Ranee. Marie Louise, which cropped
so heavily last year, is this season quite a failure.
Apples same as Pears, partial as to kinds, but
throughout a fair average crop. Gooseberries,
Raspberries, Red and Black Currants have all been
abundant. Filberts and Nuts are also very plenti-
ful. Strawberries most abundant, fruit large and
good, and owing to the dull weather have had a
longer season than usual. We have been gathering
now for six weeks. — Thomas Cowbubn.

GUERNSEY.

Saumarez Lodge. — Apples and Pears here are
very scarce, and to all appearance they will be
small. There was a good set of fruit, but they
nearly all dropped when about the size of marbles.
Small fruits have done very well. Raspberries
very fine. The caterpillar came on my bushes just
when the fruit was fit to gather. I have done
nothing for them ; they are few. I have never seen
outdoor plants suffer so much from aphis as this
year ; some Liliums are quite spoilt for this year.
— W. Cameeon.

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORTS.

Gnaton Hall Gardens, Plymouth. — Bush
fruit somewhat partial, as there were plenty of
Currants, Raspberries, but no Gooseberries at all
(the late severe frosts accounting for that). Apples
a heavy crop, both in gardens and orchards. Pears
and Plums very thin. Peaches and Nectarines
somewhat light, but the fruits are exceedingly fine
and of excellent flavour. Figs a fair crop. Filberts
about the same ; while the Hazel Nuts in the hedge-
rows are a most profuse crop.

Vegetables have been good throughout, Pota-
toes being an exception, as two-thirds of the entire
crop are rotten. Magnum Bonum we find the least
affected. — P. Mueton.

Taymount, Broughty Perry, Forfar. —

The fruit crops in this district, generally speak-
ing, are under the average. Apples, Pears, and
Plums are in many cases a complete failure ; occa-
sionally a good crop of Victoria Plum is to be
seen, but most of the finer dessert varieties on
walls have scarcely half a crop. We had a fine
show of flowers, but they did not set well,
and the trees have been badly infested during
the early summer months with green and yellow
fly. Pears on walls of the following varieties are
a fair crop : Williams' Ben Chretien, Louise Bonne
of Jersey, Beurre Clairgean. Marie Louise, and
Winter Nelis. Apples, with the exception of a
few free-bearing varieties, such as Keswick Codlin,
Lord Suffield, Ecklinville SeedliDg, and Worcester
Pearmain, are a complete failure. Blenheim Orange,
undoubtedly one of the finest Apples in cultiva-
tion, is not half so much grown in the noith as
it ought to be. Standard trees in an orchard al-
lowed free growth are not half so long in coming
into bearing as the majority of gardeners imagine.
Cherries are about half a crop ; all kinds of small
fruits are plentiful, but in ncany cases small and
insipid, not from excess of moisture, but from want
of sun. The caterpillar has been very destructive
here. As a preventive I syringe the trees in winter
and early spring with a solution of scapy water and
paraffin, using a wineglassful of paraffin to every
gallon of sonpy water. — A. Smith.

Marston House, Frome, Somerset. — We are
in the fortunate position of being able to state that
a much better crop of fruit generally has not been
seen here for at least the past ten years. Even
Plums are not such a failure as with many other
growers in this district, and the conclusion I have
arrived at is that we owe nearly everything to the

236

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 6, 1890.

sheltered position of the garden. There were no
spring frosts to do much damage, and that is an-
other reason why the Pears especially set so well.
Apples are very plentiful, but in most cases by far
the best crops are on trees ranging from 6 feet to
12 feet in height. Beauty of Bath, Irish Peach,
Quarrenden, Worcester Pearmain, King of the Pip-
pins, Margil, Cox's Orange Pippin, Braddick's Non-
pareil, Blenheim Pippin, Ribston Pippin, Adams'
Pearmain, and Lord Burleigh are among the best
dessert varieties ; while of culinary Apples the most
productive are Carlisle and Keswick Codlins, Lord
Suffield, Ecklinville, Duchess of Oldenburg, Beauty
of Kent, Lemon Pippin, Tower of Glamis, and Lord
Derby. All the Pear trees are not bearing well,
but there are or have been good crops of Doyenne'
d'Ete, Citron des Carmes, Windsor, Jargonelle,
Williams' Bon Chretien, Beurre d'Amanlis, DoyenntS
Boussoch, Doyenne du Cornice, Marie Douise, Comte
de Lamy, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Chaumontel,
Winter Nelis, and Josephine de Malines. Apricots
under glass coping bore exceptionally heavy crops,
and Peaches are doing well. Figs are earlier than
usual, and Brown Turkey will ripen a good crop.
Standard Plums failed completely, but wall trees
of De Montfort, Dry's Seedling, Victoria, Trans-
parent Gage, McLaughlin's Gage, and Orleans all
yielded heavy crops. Strawberries were very plen-
tiful and ripened well, considering the unfavour-
able season. Raspberries cropped very heavily
and ripened well. Gooseberries protected were
heavily laden with fruit, but the crops were
very light where bullfinches had an opportunity of
getting at the buds. Currants much as usual.
Filberts where the trees are exposed to cold winds
are very thin, but sheltered trees are very heavily
cropped. There is a good sprinkling of Walnuts,
and Medlars are plentiful. — W. iGauLDEN.

Chats-worth, Chesterfield. — Pears are an
entire failure here, even the Jargonelle trees are all
barren. Apples are a better crop than I at one time
expected they would be. For this part of Derby-
shire, Lane's Prince Albert is without doubt the
best Apple to grow in quantity. It is the surest
and the heaviest cropper of any variety I know.
The Duchess of Oldenburg comes next, and the
Keswick and Manks Codlins usually crop well. It is
useless to try to grow dessert varieties in the
open quarters. It has frequently been said that
Apricots cannot be grown in the open air here. I
planted a few trees in the spring of 1889, and they
are now bearing a good crop of, as yet, small fruit,
which will be ripe, I should think, towards the end
of September. We have scarcely any Plums or
Damsons. Cherries, both sweet and the Morello,
are an abundant crop. Bush fruit of all descrip-
tions plentiful and good. Strawberries have been
an excellent crop, but much of the fruit has been
damaged by dull weather and almost incessant rain.
Caterpillar made its appearance early this year and
in strong force, threatening to destroy the prospects
of the bush fruit crops, especially Gooseberries.
Quicklime is the only remedy I use to destroy it on
bush trees. The trees are thoroughly and effectu-
ally dredged with it whilst they are wet with dew
in the morning. The operation is not half done,
but the trees are smothered all over. One appli-
cation of this kind compleely rids the trees of this
pest. The weather in the course of a fortnight will
clean the trees of the lime, when the foliage and
fruit will be as clean and fresh as before the appli-
cation.— Owen Thomas.

Royal Gardens, Frogmore.— The crop of
Apples is much below the average, standards al-
most a failure, but on cordons and bushes there are
fair, and in some cases heavy crops. The follow-
ing sorts are looking well : Jolly Beggar, Winter
Codlin, Lord Derby, Early Nonpareil, Lord Gros-
venor, King of the Pippins, Rosemary Russet, and
others. Pears are very thin, but of good quality.
Cherries quite a failure on standards, but good on
walls. Apricots a fair crop. Peaches and Nectar-
ines good crop, trees clean and heal'thy. Plums a
failure. Damsons none. Walnuts plenty on some
trees, others very poor. Nuts an average crop.
Strawberries very good. Noble, La Grosse Sucrte,
James Veitch, Sir Joseph Paxton, Sir C. Napier,

Aromatic, and Waterloo are very fine here ; other
varieties also good crops. Raspberries abundant
and fine. Bush fruits good crops with the excep-
tion of Gooseberries, which were thin, having suf-
fered from frost when in flower.

Potatoes.— Early crops were extra good, and
free from disease up to the end of July. Late
sorts have done remarkably well, but I regret to say
disease appears to spread rapidly since the late
rains. — Thomas Jones.

Ketton Hall, Stamford.— Strawberries heavy
crop, part of which decayed through the wet
weather and slugs, flavour very poor this season.
Caterpillars have not troubled us. I think the
wholesale use of arsenical compositions is a plan
that ought not to be generally adopted. — W. H.
Divees

Highclere Castle, Newbury. — Apples are
this year with us a full crop ; trees clean and free
from caterpillar, but fruit rather small. Pears a
short crop, young trees on walls bearing much the
best. Cherries plentiful and very good, especially
Elton, May Duke, and Black Tartarian ; but trees
have been much infested with black fly, in spite of
repeated dressings. Plums none. Peaches and
Nectarines a very good average. Strawberries very
fine and plentiful, but the flavour poor, owing to
the cold sunless season, British Queen and Vicom-
tesse Hericart de Thury being much the best.
Gooseberries half a crop. Currants of sorts very
abundant and good. Raspberries very good. Nuts
bearing abundantly. — Wm. Pope.

Childwell Hall, Liverpool.— We have here
about fifty varieties of Apples, and taking them all
round they will not this year average quite half a
crop. Among cooking varieties carrying fair or
moderately fair crops are Cellini Pippin, Golden
Spire, Mere de Menage, Northern Greening, Potts'
Seedling, Queen Caroline, Royal Codlin, Small's
Admirable and Warner's King. Among dessert
kinds, King of the Pippins, Lady Derby, Ribston
Pippin, Scotch Bridget and Scarlet Pearmain. Pears
are even thinner than Apples. We grow about two
dozen varieties, and the only one carrying anything
approaching half a crop is Jargonelle, while Beurre
Diel, Comte de Lamy, Easter Beurre, and Napoleon
are carrying about a third of what they are capable
of. Of Plums we never had a scantier crop. Even
that usually prolific variety Victoria has but a very
light sprinkling of fruit, and the same may be said
of " Kale Wood Plum," a local free-bearing kind.
Cherries are carrying fair crops, both the Morello
and sweet kinds. These are usually among the most
satisfactory of hardy fruit with us and in the pre-
sent season this is no exception. Gooseberries are
a fair average crop, and the Rough Reds and White-
smiths have swollen to a good size and are ripening
well. Currants, both Red, White, and Black, have
abundant crops where the latter is free from the
mite, which, I am sorry to say, is very prevalent
about here. Raspberries are, as usual, a full crop.
They have with us a partially shaded corner, with
a good deep soil, so that they rarely, if ever, suffer
from drought. Of Strawberries, British Queen,
Dr. Hogg, Eleanor, Sir J. Paxton, and Myatt's
Prolific are bearing good crops. — Thos. Wink-

WOKTH.

Eydon Hall, Byfield. — Apples are a very par-
tial crop ; a few varieties are bearing heavy crops,
while others have not a fruit on them. All the trees
were equally well bloomed, and the atmospheric
conditions were apparently very favourable to a
good set. Orchard standards of the following kinds
are bearing heavy crops : Blenheim Orange, Devon-
shire Quarrenden, Northern Greening ; a few others
have a sprinkling. Bush trees in the kitchen of the
following sorts have very good crops of clean and
healthy fruits: Greenup's Pippin, Duchess of Olden-
burg (very good), Small's Admirable, Annie Eliza-
beth, Worcester Pearmain, and Irish Peach. Pears
are a very thin crop. Plums, like Apples, are a par-
tial crop; the only kinds in this neighbourhood
bearing fruit are Rivers' Early Prolific, Prince
Englebert, The Czar, and Victoria. Apricots are
about an average, Moorpark being the best. Peaches
and Nectarines never set a heavier crop. Cherries,

sweet kinds have been very good ; Morellos rather
light. Bush fruits are abundant and good. Straw-
berries have also been abundant and very fine, espe-
cially Noble as an early and President as a main
crop variety.— J. Hughes.

Maiden Erleigh, Reading.— Once more we
have failed to get the long hoped for all round
good fruit crops. Of Apples, although better than
last year, quite two-thirds of our trees are wholly
or nearly barren, and those bearing are the ever
constant Frogmore Prolific, Stirling Castle, Ecklin-
ville Seedling, Prince Albert, Cellini, Warner's
King, King of the Pippins, Mannington's Pearmain,
Worcester Pearmain, and the newer Saltmarsh's
Queen, most of which are heavily cropped. Here
we have suffered considerably less from the cater-
pillar pest than we did last season. Before the
trees came into bloom I had all those which have
been planted within the last twelve years well
dusted over with fresh soot, and specially well
directed into the bloom trusses. This was done
early in the morning, whilst the trees were damp,
and although it failed in quite checking the cater-
pillars, it did so to a great extent. Pears in the
open, with the exception of Duchesse d'Angoultrce,
Beurre d'Aremberg, Peach, and Clapp's Favourite,
all of which are bearing heavy crops, are really
barren. The puzzle to me is why the kinds named
should be bearing good crops and some three or
four dozen other kinds should fail. The following
on west walls, viz., Duchesse d'Angouleme, Beurre
Die], Marie Louise, Conseiller de la Cour, Doyenne
du Cornice, Glou Morceau, Fondante d'Automne,
Easter Beurre\ Zephirin Gregoire, Urbaniste,
Gansel's Bergamot, Seckle, Jersey Gratioli, Louise
Bonne of Jersey, and Williams' Bon Chretien have
good crops. The 77° of frost which we registered
here during April, and which was accompanied
with cold winds, rains and snows, rendered the
safety of the Pear blossom doubtful. But still the
mystery remains why the blossom on the kinds
named should have escaped. Plums are so few
that we consider the crop quite a failure. Peaches
and Nectarines are splendid crops, and the follow-
ing kinds of Apricots here, viz., New Large Early,
Frogmore Large, and Turkey, are hearing average
crops, and the fruits are very fine, but many kinds,
including Moorpark, have only the merest sprink-
ling. Bush fruits have all been plentiful and good.
Raspberries an extraordinary crop, the moist season
being in every way favourable for them in our
light soil. Of Nuts, both Walnuts, Cobs, and
Filberts are very plentiful. Of Strawberries, I
always consider it really unnecessary to repoit upon,
as where a proper system of cultivation is carried
out, the crop seldom varies. — T. Tueton.

Grimston Park, Tadcaster.— Apricots are a

good crop, quantities had to be thinned from all
the trees. Within some few miles of us there are
a number of trees which usually do well in favour-
able seasons ; the stiff loam resting on magnesian
limestone suits this fruit well. With us here there
has been much of the mysterious branch-dying so
frequent with Apricots. St. Ambrose is more free
from this disease than any other kind I know, but
it is not such a good cropper as Moorpark, Kirke's,
and Hemskirk, the other kinds we grow. The old
Turkey variety does not fruit so freely as the others,
though it is often considered a hardy, free-bearing
sort. Apples are very disappointing afterthe great
quantity of blossoms the trees had on. In our case
spring frosts were not the cause of the fruit not
setting, as we had a fine time for this important
part of fruit culture. Caterpillars have not done
any injury ; in fact I have not seen any material
injury from this cause during my eighteen years'
experience hereabouts. In some seasons the foli-
age is affected with a black fungoid growth that
causes the leaves to fall, the Codlin section being
most affected thereby. This year the trees have
suffered somewhat. Irish Peach, Kentish Codlin,
Lord Suffield, Warner's King, Yorkshire Greening,
and Beauty of Kent are the best cropping kinds.
Pears, too, are very thin, though the trees are
healthy. The blossom was fairly plentiful, but not
so much so as I have seen it. It had a thin, what
I may term watery look though, and I was not at

Sept. 6, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

in

all surprised at the fruit being a light crop. Passe
Colmar, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Autumn Berga-
mot, Citron des Cannes, Josephine de Malines are
the only kinds with anything like a crop. Plums,
too, are a very thin crop, though in their case the
blossom was not so plentiful comparatively as on
Apples. Jefferson's and Victoria on walls are the
only kinds with anything like a crop, Rivers'
Early Prolific being the only one that has a crop
on bush and standard trees. A local kind called
Cobbler's Balls has a fair crop in some farm
orchards a few miles away. This variety usually
crops fairly well, though it is only a very ordinary
kind as to flavour. Cherries are not much grown
about here, save Morellos, which on pyramidal-
shaped bushes in the open gardens have capital
crops. They do better with us in this way than
wall trees ; though the fruit is not perhaps so fine
in size the trees are more healthful and longer-
lived. Small fruits of all kinds are and have been
good, especially Raspberries and Red Currants.
Gooseberries have been heavier crops in some sea-
sons, though the trees have quite as much fruit on
as is consistent with good annual crops. They are
free from the caterpillar, which in some seasons do
the trees much injury. We find by annually giving
the trees for some 2 feet round the stems a good
dressing of wood ashes or charred refuse there is
no danger of this pest. It is necessary to first
scrape off an inch or two of the surface soil before
applying it, which is done during the winter after
pruning time. Strawberries were a good crop, but
were much injured by the excessive rains early in
July when the fruit was ripe and ripening. Some
market growers near us did not suffer so much in
this way as we did, their plants not having so much
foliage on them as in our case. — H. T. Clayton.

Lythe Hill, Haslemere. — The Apple, Pear,
and Plum crops are a failure in this district. There
are, of course, a few exceptions in this part where
Apple trees are bearing heavy crops, the trees be-
ing clean, healthy, and free from maggots, and
where they have not been attacked with caterpillar,
they are in robust health. Last year the trees
suffered from the ravages of the caterpillar to such
an extent that they were denuded of their foliage,
and thousands were in July as bare as in mid- win-
ter. The trees, therefore, were wholly dependent
on the midsummer growth for maturation of fruit-
buds. This they did to a certain extent, but when
the spring came for developing the blooms, they
were deficient of part of their fertilising organs.
On examination I found many of the blooms with
no stamens, and many more deformed. Many trees
were white with bloom, and seemed to give great
promise of a full crop. Many people attribute the
general failure to late frosts, but I am convinced
that the failure of the above crops is due more to
unripened wood, consequently deformed blooms
and non-fertilising power. We have other orchard
plantations in Hampshire which carried good crops
last year, and which are now heavily cropped, show-
ing that the first growth got matured, while the
second was not. Raspberries are a heavy crop and
the fruit is very fine. Gooseberries, Red and White
Currants are very fine and heavy, but I fear they
will not hang long this season in the open quarters
and trellises. Where gardeners have planted both
Gooseberries and Currants on north walls, the
latter especially will be well rewarded this year.
These can be so easily protected either by top
hoards and mats in front, or any odd light rested
against the walls in front. Strawberries have been
a most abundant crop and very fine fruit, but ow-
ing to the cold and wet summer, the flavour was
deficient, and the loss by rotting was very great.
Nuts are a heavy crop. Figs do not succeed as
bushes, but on walls they are very plentiful and
fine. Peaches and Nectarines are over an average
crop ; trees clean and free from blister. Apricots are
not so heavily cropped as Peaches, and trees are
dying off more than usual. — A. Evans.

Old "Warden Park, Biggleswade.— Apples,

Plums, and Pears generally are very scarce about
here, but several of our old trees are carrying fairly
good crops. I may mention that the trees are well
sheltered on all sides. We have been wonderfully

free from caterpillars this year. Gooseberries and
other bush fruits have been fine and plentiful, and
the trees are making good growth, and are remark-
ably healthy.— G. R. Allis.

Woburn Abbey, Beds The fruit crops on

the whole are again disappointing. Apples are
almost a failure. Pears the same. No Plums nor
Damsons, and but few Apricots. Morello Cherries
are an average. Gooseberries very thin. Currants
much blighted. Raspberries an average. Straw-
berries abundant and good. Nuts plentiful. As to
the caterpillars, as yet I know of no insecticide that
will cope with them but what damages or kills the
foliage first. Last year and the year before we were
nearly eaten up, but are not so bad this. About
Christmas I put a good dressing of gas-lime all
over the borders under the trees, and allowed it to
work in to destroy eggs or larvae, then before the
buds opened I applied slaked lime fresh from the
kiln, by dusting it all over the trees. There can be
no doubt this destroyed numbers of eggs, for
sufficient foliage remains to promise a good crop
next season. I tried London purple by request,
but in my opinion it is too dangerous to recommend.
I applied it far weaker than recommended for trial
on a few Pear trees. The effect was peculiar, for
some kinds lost nearly all their leaves, and on others
only half the foliage was burned, but none escaped
serious damage, although rain followed soon after
application. As to the caterpillars curled up in the
leaves, they lived through it all, as far as I could
see.— Alex. McKay.

CHEMICAL REMEDIES AND MANURES.
At the general session of the association of
former pupils of the Versailles Horticultural
School held on July 15 of this year, M. Chaume,
an outgoing pupil, read his report on the expe-
riments which had been carried out in the
school in the year 1889-90. This report will be
published in full in the " Bulletin " of the asso-
ciation, prior to which we have been permitted
to lay before our readers extracts on some of the
most interesting subjects, viz. : —

Saccharate of Copper as a Preventive
of Mildew, Black-rot and Spot.

Mode of preparation. — The saccharate of
copper, which was first used by M. Michel Per-
ret, a Vine-grower in the south-east of France,
as a preventive against mildew, is prepared in
the following manner : Dissolve 4i lbs. of sul-
phate of copper (bluestone, or blue vitriol) in 4
gallons of water ; to this add 6J lbs. of carbon-
ate of soda, which precipitates oxide of copper.
When the precipitation ceases, add from 9 oz.
to 12 oz. of treacle, carefully stirring up the
mixture from time to time for the period of
twelve hours ; after which dilute the whole with
22 gallons of water ; the preparation is then
ready for use.

The chemical combinations which take place
in making this mixture are easily understood.
When the carbonate of soda is added to the so-
lution of sulphate of copper, it immediately
forms sulphate of soda, which remains suspended
in the water, while oxide of copper is precipi-
tated and carbonic acid liberated. The treacle,
which is added last, then combines with the
oxide of copper and forms the saccharate of
copper.

jjsem — The solution is applied by means of a
distributor. A single application is sufficient,
that is, provided it is used as a preventive to
anticipate the appearance of mildew. It is
equally efficacious as a preventive of spot.

Advantages. — The preparation of saccharate
of copper has an advantage over the bouiliie
bordelaise (described below) in that it does
not evaporate so quickly after it is applied. Its
action and effects consequently are of longer
duration. In addition to this it never, even in

Per-

Quantity for

centage.

2A acres.

33 34

.. 880 lbs.

16-66

.. 440 „

25-00

.. 660 „

25-00

.. 660 „

the hottest weather, contributes to the scorch-
ing of young leaves and buds.

Anli-fuwjus operations adopted at the school.
— 1. During winter, Vines, Peach trees, and
and Pear trees are brushed over with bouiliie
bordelaise, which is composed of 6i lbs. of sul-
phate of copper (blue-stone or blue vitriol), and
G^ lbs. of lime dissolved in 22 gallons of water.
An application of this mixture should destroy
not only the spores of noxious fungi, but also
any larv;e of insects that may have established
themselves on the trees or the walls. 2. In
spring the preparation of saccharate of copper
is used as a preventive on the Vines and Pear
trees. 3. During the last fortnight of June,
Apples and Pears (i.e., the fruit) have bags
drawn over them, in order to preserve them
from spot and moth.

Results. — This course of treatment very care-
fully carried out has been most efficacious, not
only against mildew and black-rot, but also as a
preventive of spot, and it will be resorted to
every year in future. We therefore do not
hesitate to recommend it to our readers.

Chemical Manures for Gardens.
M. Georges Ville submitted to M. Hardy for
experimental purposes the subjoined three
chemical manures, which are respectively com-
posed as follows : —

Perfect Manure No. 2.

Superphosphate of lime
Nitrate of potash ...
Nitrate of soda
Sulphate of lime ...

10000 2640 lbs.

Percentage of fertilising elements: nitrogen, 6'25;
phosphoric acid, 5 00; potash, 7'50; lime, 1500.
Perfect Manure No. 3.

Per- Quantity for
centage. 2£ acres.
Superphosphate of lime ... 40 00 ... 880 lbs.

Nitrate of potash 3000 .. 660 „

Sulphate of lime 30'00 ... 660 ,,

10000 2200 lbs.

Percentage of fertilising elements : nitrogen, 3'90 ;
phosphoric acid, 6 00 ; potash, 13-50; lime, 19'00.
Imperfect Manure No. 6.

Per- Quantity for
centage. 2^ acres.
Superphosphate of lime ... 40 00 ... 880 lbs.
Carbonate of potash at 000 2000 ... 440 ,,
Sulphate of lime 4000 ... 880 ,,

100-00 2200 lbs.

Percentage of fertilising elements: nitrogen, 000;
phosphoric acid, 6 00; potash, 12-00; lime, 2200.

Quantities to be used.—l. For experiments
under glass. Of each of the above manures 30
grains (troy) for pots the contents of which do
not exceed a quart ; 45 grains (troy) for pots
holding between 1 quart and 2 quarts ; and for
pots of larger size than 3 quarts, 75 grains (troy).
2. For plants in the open air. To every square
yard, of manure No. 2, 3 oz. 3G grains (troy) ;
of No. 3, 3 ozs. 6 grains ; and of No. 6, 3 oz.
6 grains (troy).

Results.— Various plants were grown in pots
with these three manures, plants of the same
kind and strength being kept under precisely the
same conditions in order that the test might be
more complete. The effect of the manures is
undeniable, as the plants which were so treated
far outstripped the others in growth, but the
result varied according to the special manure
which was used and also with different kinds of
plants. For example, on plants of Maranta
zebrina the greatest effect was produced by
manure No. 3, next to which came No. 2, the
least efficacious being No. 6 ; on the contrary,

238

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. G, 1890.

with plants of Selaginella Mertensi, No. C was
very effective, while the action of No. 3 upon
them was hardly perceptible. On a number of
plants of Begonia Rex No. 2 gave the best
results, No. 3 coming next, and No. 6 last.
Lastly, of three borders of grassy turf the finest
was that which was manured with No. 2. Ex-
periments were also made on Palms, Bro:neliads,
Drachmas, Eucharis, Pelargoniums, Cyclamens,
<fec, but of these the results are not as yet
appreciable.

In conclusion, we can say that the use
of these manures is to be recommended in a
general way. Experience will teach how far
each or all of them can be used with advantage
in any particular case. — Jtevae Hortioole.

NOTES OP THE WEEK.

Diervilla sessilifolia is a very distinct shrub,
of vigorous habit, and now bearing terminal clusters of
yellow flowers which are not particularly bright. — T.
Smith.

Kings for Carnation flowers. — We have had
sent to us little india-rubber rings for preventing the
flowers of Carnations bursting, hut we should do much
better not to grow those kinds that burst. The whole
Carnation question is the thing.

Alstrcerneria Diazi must be placed quite in the
front rank of this most handsome group. It is of
vigorous habit, bearing on stout stems a 10-inch um-
bel of bright rose-coloured flowers of large size. So far
as I know, it is a most uncommon plant. — T. Smith.

Hollyhocks in Scotland. — We send you a few
blooms of Hollyhocks, which, although badly wea-
thered, we trust will show that we can still grow them in
the north. — Stuakt and Mein.
*#* Excellent and beautiful in colour. — Ed.
Mqntbretias are beautiful at Wisley, some of
Lemoine's newer introductions especially, notably a
yellow one with bronzy leaves, Solfaterre. They look
well in a clump, but show their graceful growth by far
the best when planted, say only half-a-dozen, 4 inches
or 5 inches apart. — G. P. Wilson.

Potentilla floribunda. — This is the most dis-
tinct shrub now in flower. It grows 3 feet or so high,
and is thickly sprinkled with golden yellow blossoms.
P. parviflora and P. sp. ignota are similar, but of more
prostrate habit, the former having smaller flowers
and leaves than the latter. — T. S.

Platycodon Mariesi major is a giant of its
race ; the stems are tall and strong, and bear about
twenty^ flowers each. These are deep shining blue
and 3 inches in diameter. It is a particularly hand-
some plant, and I wish I could say that it was of
rapid increase. — T. Smith.

!Rosa rubrifolia is worth more than a passing
word of praise. It grows vigorously. The stems are
reddish purple, the leaves reddish, covered thickly with
a glaucous bloom, and the general effect is that of a
purple-leaved shrub. Planted thinly on a suitable
carpet a most distinct effect would be produced. — T. S.
A favourite Rhododendron.— Visitors at the
great horticultural show recently held in Berlin were
invited to each mention the finest Ehododendron ex-
hibited. The greatest number of votes (12,800) went
to the variety Everestianum, which has rosy lilac
flowers, spotted and fringed ; while limbatum, white
with a margin of crimson to its flowers, was placed
second, and Viola third.

Lobelia Firefly.— This is a great beauty, and
the most brilliant flower now in the garden. Not only
is the colour brilliant, but the petals are broad, the
spike long, and in good soil it Brows 5 feet high. It
must find its way into every collection of good things.
— T. Smith.

*#* Excellent ; flowers very large and rich in colour.
What is the origin of this form i* — Ed.

Tufted Pansies from Hawick. — Mr. J.
Forbes sends us some very fine tufted Pansies and
Pentstemons. The Pansies this year owing to the wet
have been quite as good in the south of England as
they have been in Scotland, and have shjwn how valu-
able they are in a suitable season for the flo* er garden.
Amongst the varieties sent by Mr. Forbes were Gold-
finch, yellow, with purplish edge ; Favourite and
Bronze Queen, bronzy-purple ; Le Grand, rich violet-
purple ; George Corbett, pale yellow ; and Eynsford

Gem, rich yellow. Among the Pentstemons there were
some very fine scarlet varieties.

"Waterlow Park. — Waterlow Park (Fairseat,
Highgate Hill), where alterations are now in progress,
will not he open to the public till next spring. The
season's fruit crops in the houses and gardens are to be
distributed among the various London hospitals. A
limited number of tickets are being issued by authority
of the County Council to visitors desirous of viewing
the grounds.

Liriope graminifolia var. densiflora. — To
the nomenclature of this plant must also be added
Ophiopogon muscarioides Reichardt (probably de-
scribed in Oesterr. Bot. Wockenschrift). It always
flowers in September, October, and a batch of it in
a shady position is a very pleasant sight. Of course,
it is a very different plant from O. spicatus of com-
merce.— Max Lbichtlin, Baden-Baden.

Eomecon chionantha is proving to be a dis-
tinct and handsome garden plant. It forms a tuft
of triangular pale - coloured leaves, and bears
lovely milk-white cups more than 2 inches in dia-
meter, the centre of which is filled with a boss of
orange-yellow stamens. They are borne on a foot
long scape, three to five on each. It increases ra-
pidly, making underground stolons half a yard
long in the season. It belongs to the Poppy tribe.
A coloured plate was given of it in The Gaeden,
Jan. 2G, 1889.— T. Smith.

New Kniphofias.— Star of Baden-Baden has
now five well-formed spikes on a stalk 6 feet in
height, and there is no fasciation, as described last
year ; the colour is a bronzy-yellow. Chloris is a
medium-sized plant, the flowers of a delicate soft
yellow. Diana is a shining showy flower, canary-
yellow, with long protruding scarlet stamens ; it is
one of the gayest among the lot. Benvenuto is of
a pale sulphur-yellow, the anthers being black.
Leda has peculiar charms ; the flowers are apricot-
red. — Max Leichtlin, Baden-Baden.

Prickly Poppy (Argemone hispida). — We have
at last, after searching many years, caught sight
again of the hispid prickly Poppy (Argemone his-
pida), and one regrets that such a lovely plant was
allowed to disappear from our gardens. It is an
annual, but so hardy that the seeds may be sown in
the open air any time after March. If the soil is rich ,
the plants will soon attain a good size, and finally
3 feet to 5 feet high and almost as much through
is not unusual. One plant which we saw the other
day had almost a score of flowers open at one time,
all of them being nearly as large as those of Rom-
neya Coulteri, and not unlike them in appearance.
This Argemone may be grown in every garden. It
is far more beautiful in foliage and bears a greater
abundance of pure white flowers, the centre be-
ing filled with golden stamens, than the Romneya,
yet it is neglected.

Mentzelia bartonioides. — This pretty Mexi-
can annual, exhibited by me at the last meeting of
the Royal Horticultural Society, is very useful for
pot culture for conservatory decoration or cool
house during the summer months. We use it for
this work early in the year on account of its light
sulphur-yellow flowers and for its long season of
bloom. For the front of stages or groups it is very
useful. If the seed is sown in the early spring in
pans or pots, and the yoimg plants pricked off
when large enough, and finally each potted into a
5-inch or G-inch pot, they soon grow into useful
plants. If allowed to get drawn in the seed-pan
they are difficult to remove, as the leaves are very
thin and soon get damaged. A light cool frame
near the glass suits them, and plenty of leaf-mould
in the compost at the first shift, using more loam
at the last potting. There are other varieties, M.
ornata being a white-blooming kind, but as the
flowers only expand after sunset, it is not so useful.
M. laivicaulis is bright yellow, the large flowers
expanding in the early morning and closing at
noon. I have also sown the seeds in small pots,
thinning to three in each and giving one shift. By
this plan much time is saved, as the seedlings soon
make good plants. They like plenty of moisture
when full of roots and liquid manure occasionally.
They then last a long time in bloom if given a light
place. For outside culture I prefer to sow the

seeds in pans and to plant out on a warm border in
May or June.— Geo. Wythes, Syon House.

The great Gunnera (G. manicata) is in splen-
did condition at Kew this year. We have never
seen a finer or more imposing specimen anywhere.
It is growing on the margin of the lake facing the
great Palm house, with its roots in the water, and
the larger leaves cannot be less than from 8 feet to
10 feet in diameter. When we remember that this
gigantic ornamental foliage plant only requires the
slight covering afforded by a few dry leaves, one
cannot help wondering at its comparative scarcity,
for it is rare to see either of the species, even in
gardens able to supply the aquatic conditions re-
quired. As a foliage plant it is a marvel, and the
huge flower-heads, though wanting in attractive-
ness, are not without interest.

Potentilla fruticosa.— Flowering shrubs are
always in request, and although not by any means
a novelty, Potentilla fruticosa in its maDy and va-
ried forms will be found an acquisition for all dry
or exposed situations. The shrub in question seems
to be very common on the Himalayas, and in this
country stands even our severest winters with im-
punity, continuing in flower, more or less freely, all
through the summer and autumn months. As a
rockery shrub, however, it will be most useful. It
is of a dense compact growth, the pinnate leaflets
often silky, and the abundance of golden yellow
flowers always welcome, and never disappointing.
The situation on which we find it do best is one
exposed to the south, the soil sandy or gravelly. — K.
Bougainvillea glabra in Limerick.— I send
yon a few flowering shoots of BougainvDlea glabra,
just to show what a lovely colour it is, and how well
it does when grown in a cool temperature. The
plant from which the shoots were cut is growing
and flowering profusely in a lean-to greenhouse at
Doneraile Court, Co. Cork. It is planted in a
border outside the house, the stem having been
brought through a hole underneath the surface of
the border, and is therefore protected from frost in
winter. The main stems are ttained2feet apart
and carried up the rafters nearly to the top of the
house. In the winter the previous season's growths
are pruned hard back to the mainrods, and besidesan
occasional syringing with soft soap and water that
is all the treatment given. Mr. Hollway, the gar-
dener at Doneraile, who kindly gave me the flowers,
told me that in winter the house was kept just over
40° or higher, according to the weather outside,
and that during the past four months the top and
bottom sashes have been kept open day and night.
I could have had much stronger shoots, but I
thought the ones enclosed were sufficient to show
what may be done with this lovely subject, and to
illustrate how much better is the colour of the in-
dividual flowers than from those cut from plants
always grown in a stove. — Ebin.

*«* Very beautiful and rich in colour. Many
things are grown in a stove that would do quite as
well, often far better, in a greenhouse. The Bou-
gainvillea is a case in point. — Ed.

A large Ehododendron.— I have been much
interested in reading in The Gaeden of Aug. £0
an account of a Rhododendron at Bulmershe Park,
near Reading, which is to be removed owing to its
having encroached too much on the lawn. Cu-
riously enough, only last week we settled, with very
much regret" to take away one here for the same
reason. Ours is 330 feet in circumference as com-
pared with the one at Bulmershe of 270 feet. It
is said to be the largest specimen known in
the kingdom, and I should be glad if any of your
readers would kindly mention if they know or have
heard of any larger one growing from a single
stem. Few people in planting specimen trees make
up their minds to allow sufficient room for growth.
We all want to get too much into the space. If
the Conifers, which have been so popular here for
the last thirty years, only grow to anything like
the size they do in their native country, our des-
cendants will be somewhat puzzled as to how to
keep them in their present positions. I read a
letter recently from a gentleman who has been
travelling on the Pacific coast of Noith America,
He describes Cupressus Lawsoniana as growing

Sept. G, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

239

180 feet, or perhaps 200 feet high. He measured
two ; one was 44 feet in circumference at 4 feet
from the ground, and the other G6 feet. All the
old trees of this variety are over 35 feet in circum-
ference.— Thomas Ryan, Castleroellam.

Gillenia trifoliata much resembles a Spiraea
in habit and general appearance. It has proved
with me, in the thick of the London smoke,
one of the most reliable of hardy plants. Nothing
seems to affect it, and so far it has not once failed
with me. It grows about 2 feet high, branching
towards the top into loose panicles of pretty white
flowers. So much do I think of this handsome
plant that I have no hesitation in recommending
it for sunny positions, more especially if the soil
be light and somewhat dry. G. stipulacea is said
to be even more ornamental than G. trifoliata , but
I have never seen it growing strongly. — K.

The double Bindweed (Calystegia pubes-
cens fl.-pl., or perhaps more properly C. Sepium
var.) is, when doing well, one of the most charming
autumn climbing plants we possess. It is found
useful for trellises, old stumps of trees, porches,
rustic work of all kinds, and as a screen, as it will
climb up ordinary Pea stakes, we know of no plant
more worthy of a place in the garden. The flowers
will also be found useful for cutting in times of
scarcity, and as the plants continue in bloom for a
considerable time, its value is much enhanced.
The flowers are large, double, of a pretty rose-blush
tiat, beginning early in June and continuing often
until stopped by the autumn frosts. It does well
on a warm border in light rich soil, and may be
readily increased by division of the pipe-stem-like
roots.

Societies and Exhibitions.

- BRITISH FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION.
A meeting of the executive committee of the
above association was held in the Horticultural
Club Room, Hotel Windsor, Victoria Street, S.W.,
at 5 p.m., on Thursday, August 28, Mr. T. F. Rivers
in the chair. After the minutes of the previous
meeting had been read and confirmed, the hon.
secretary presented the following report with regard
to the business transacted since the July meeting.

Ttie Strawberry report. — In accordance with
the resolution of the committee the report of the
Strawberry exhibition and conference in St.
Stephen's Hal], Westminster, on June 27 last,
has been printed in book form and distributed free
to all members. It is also on sale to the general
public, and can be had post free for Is. from Mr.
Lewis Castle, Hotham House, Merton, Surrey. In
addition to the complete historical and cultural in-
formation embodied in the papers read at the con-
ference, a chapter has been incorporated on Straw-
berry forcing by an experienced cultivator.

The Leicester Conference. — At the Leicester
Conference on August 5, the programme as ar-
ranged was fully carried out. Mr. James Ellis,
M.P., occupied the chair, and Messrs. Rivers, In-
gram, Pearson, and Bunyard read the papers an-
nounced. Several members of the association
journeyed a considerable distance to be present,
and the conference was attended by over 200 per-
sons, the chairman being supported by the Mayor
of Leicester, Dr. Lankester. A committee of the
Town Council had made the necessary arrange-
ments for the conference, having placed a large
tent at the disposal of the association. The readers
of papers and officials were also entertained at
lunch by the mayor and committee. Special thanks
are due to the Abbey Park superintendent, Mr. J.
Burn, for the assistance rendered in the arrange-
ments of what proved to be a very satisfactory
gathering.

The outline report of the inspection of fruit
culture in Ireland, by Mr. G. Gordon and Mr. Lewis
Castle, to be presented at the Crystal Palace on
September 5 will comprise the chief subjects that
will be dealt with more fully in the official report
to b3 published later en. It is only necessary to
say here that thousands of acres of fine land suit-
able for fruit culture were inspected, and that

fruits, especially Apples, were good, succeeding
even under the worst treatment, from the extreme
north to the south ; that good culture was seen in
a few instances, and the results there were as
satisfactory as anywhere in England, and that im-
ported fruits had a large place in the shops and
markets of the principal towns, proving the exist-
ence of a demand for fruit.

Sir Charles B. Barrington, Glenstal Castle, Lime-
rick, having kindly consented to become a vice-
president of the association, was unanimously
elected to that office. Votes of thanks were also
unanimously accorded to Mr. James Ellis, Dr. Lan-
kester, Mr. Burn, and other officials at Leicester,
who have assisted so greatly in the arrangements
for the conference.

The Brighton conference will be held in the
King's Room, Royal Pavilion, on September 11, at
4 p. m., the Mayor of Brighton in the chair. This
will be the second day of the annual autumn show,
and a good display of fruit is expected. Papers will
be read on the following subjects : " General Fruit
Culture," by Mr. T. F. Rivers ; "Grapes for Mar-
ket," by Mr. J. Roberts ; " Tomatoes for Profit,"
by Mr. W. Iggulden; "Wall Fruit," by Mr. R.
Smith.

A NEW CROSS FLOWER SHOW.
In the midst of that marvellous growth of work-
men's dwellings which during recent years have
covered so many acres of the once famous market
gardens of Deptford, stands the copper and brass
engineering works of Messrs. J. Stone and Co.,
which give employment to a large number of per-
sons, and the Messrs. Preston, the partners in the
works, built some time since opposite to the works
in the Kerry Road, New Cross, a commodious coffee
tavern, a large hall and suitable offices, for the
benefit of their workmen and others, and appropri-
ately named it the " Welcome Institute." As a
large number of the workmen cultivate plants in
their windows, and such homely glass structures as
they have erected for themselves in their small
back gardens, the committee of the institute con-
ceived the idea of holding a flower show together
with an exhibition of models, drawings, and paint-
ings, and this came off on the 29th and 30th ult.
in the hall of the institute. It being a first
attempt, the plants were naturally limited in
number, but they were of a very encourag-
ing character, seeing they had been grown
in a low, crowded, and somewhat smoky lo-
cality. The leading subjects were Lilies, repre-
sented by L. speciosum and L. auratum (one speci-
men of the latter had eight flowers), Fuchsias,
zonal Pelargoniums, Aspidistra, Begonias (tuberous-
rooted and B. Weltoniensis), succulents, Musk,
Ferns, Coleus, Gloxinias, Dracaenas of the hardier
types, Tobaccos, Stocks, Asters, &c. A few
of the workmen having introduced artificial heat
to their small glasshouses had, as might be ex-
pected, a commanding position in the competitions.
Cut flowers were represented by Dahlias, Asters,
Stocks, Zinnias, Phlox Drummondi, &c. A few
vegetables were staged, but the exhibitors state it
is very difficult to grow anything but Scarlet
Runner Beans in the locality. The Messrs. Preston
sent from their gardens groups of plants to help
the effect, and Mr. Child, florist, Lewisham High
Road, contributed a large number of plants. Mrs.
W. J. Evelyn, the wife of the lord of the manor,
attended during the afternoon and declared the
exhibition open. A great deal of interest appeared
to be taken in it in the immediate neighbourhood.

R. D.

Distribution of profits at York Gala— A

meeting of the life members and guarantors of the
York Gala Society was held last evening at the
North Eastern Hotel under the presidency of Sir
Joseph Terry. The following were present : Aid.
Rooke, Aid. McKay, Councillors Browne and Mil-
ward; Messrs. Balmford, Blenkin, Dunkley, Ander-
son, Craven, and Border. Sir Joseph Terry said it
was a pleasure to learn that this year the society
had been very fortunate. They had given freely
of their profits, and they anticipated another year

giving as they had done on the present occasion.
The total profit on the fete had been £258 13s. 2d.,
and the committee had agreed to make the follow-
ing donations : County Hospital £40, Dispensary
£40, Bootham Asylum £20, Charity Schools £20,
Boys' Industrial School £10, Girls' Industrial
School £10, the Penitentiary £10, and the York-
shire Society School in London £10. A few days
after their last meeting the committee received in-
formation of the death of Mr. B. S. Williams, of
Upper Holloway, and a request that they would
contribute to the proposed " Williams " memorial
fund. They had had the advice of Mr. Williams
since the inauguration of the gala. It was there-
fore with much satisfaction that the committee
had resolved to give a donation of £10 to the me-
morial fund. Votes of thanks were accorded to
the officers and those who had assisted.

Obituary.

Miss Marianne North. — On going to press
we heard of the death of this enthusiastic traveller
and artist, who will be best remembered by
the collection of pictures, painted by her in the
various countries she visited, and bequeathed
to the Royal Gardens, Kew. Among the countries
visited may be mentioned Teneriffe, Brazil, Jamaica,
California, India, Ceylon, Borneo, Singapore, Java,
Japan, Australia and New Zealand. A long and
painful illness was the result of a journey to South
America, and which ended in her death on Saturday,
August 30, at her home in Gloucestershire.

Mr. James Backhouse. — It is with great
regret we hear of the death of this well-known
nurseryman, which occurred at West Bank, York,
at the age of 65. It was not unexpected. For
months past Mr. Backhouse had been been suffer-
ing and death was a happy release. He was head
of the firm of Messrs. James Backhouse and Son,
of Holgate Nurseries, and first derived his love for
flowers from his father, who with his son studied
the flora of Teesdale and the wilder Scottish dis-
tricts. Natural history also had many attractions
for him, and of his keen love for flowers of all
kinds— hardy plants, Ferns, and Orchids — we have
ample proof in the large nurseries at York, where
full collections of all three classes of plants are
grown well. Mr. Backhouse was a minister of the
Society of Friends, and took a warm interest in all
things for the advancement of temperance and
religious liberty. The funeral was on Wednesday
last in the Heslington Road Burial Ground, and
there were many present to pay their last respects.
James Backhouse was one of the rarest of gar-
deners— an artistic gardener, who not merely
knew his plants, but saw beyond the mere
technicality into the beauty of things and
had the most exquisite taste in every kind of
gardening he undertook. His rock gardens,
planted with his own hands, were the most artistic
and picturesque we have seen. We had the plea-
sure of making long journeys with him on the hills
in the north of England and in Wales, and are
greatly indebted to his kindness and delightful wide
knowledge of our native mountain plants in a living
state.

Planting Sea Purslane. — I am thinking of
planting some fine bushes of Sea Purslane in a very shady
place, and wish to know if they are likely to thrive
there. They have been hitherto exposed to the full
sun — such sun that is as there has been this year — and
are of great vigcur. — A. M., Cornwall.

Names of plants. — F. M. — Pyrus (aria) latifolia.

If. Young. — Your Begonia leaves are covered with

thrips. -W. 67. Gill.—Mv. Pearson, Chilwell, Notts.

Z. — Niphopsis angustata. A. 67. — 1, Aerides

quiuquevulnerum ; 2, Zygopetalum Gautieri ; 3, Scuti-

caria Steeli. H. W. — 1, Callicoma serratifolia ; 2,

Bomarea Carderi; 3, Limnochaiis Humboldti. T.

Owen. — Gloriosa superba. H. G.M. — l,Guzmannia

•ricolor; 2, Pepioia apfielu.ndro2aora ; 3 and 4, Ama-
ryllis, very fine, but cannot name home-raised seed-
lings.— J. NcElrvij. — 1, Lilium speciosum album ; 2,
Gordonia javauica ; 3,. Brugmansia sangumea.

240

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 6, 1890.

WOODS AND FORESTS.

active, and often do much damage to the roots
and vitality of trees planted on the surface.
J. B. Webster.

THICK PLANTING.
Under this heading there is an article in The
Garden, Aug. 16 (p. 168), by "T.," where he
tells us that —

In crowded plantations there is a marked diffe-
rence between the trees on the outside and those
in the centre ; the former, having their branches
and leaves fully exposed on one side, grow with
comparative vigour, and form excellent timber on
that side of the stem where light and air are ad-
mitted, while the latter, hemmed in on all sides,
are drawn up like bare poles, and produce a small
quantity of ill-conditioned wood.

This is not practical ; at any rate I have
always found that the trees in the centre of a
plantation, where the side branches had lost
their vitality through confinement, produce the
cleanest and most valuable timber, while the
" ill-conditioned wood " was to be found around
the margins where the trunk was comparatively
short and full of knots. When cutting down
a plantation of Ash, where the trees were grow-
ing about 4 feet asunder, I found that the trees
in the interior present fine clean shafts for a
distance of fully two-thirds the height of the
stem. These trees I sold for coach-building
and handle wood at Is. 6d. per cubic foot,
while the trees along the margin only fetched
from Is. to Is. 3d. per foot. No matter what
species the trees are, if clean, valuable timber
is the object in view, thinning should always
be conducted in such a way that the side
branches are gradually subdued, and thus pro-
mote the formation of clean elastic timber in
the trunk. Again, " T." says: —

A crowded plantation, in which the trees are
allowed to increase in size until they interfere with
each other, cannot be easily reclaimed.

No doubt this is the case where the trees are
allowed to form a mere thicket, but when the
culture is rationally carried out they must not
be allowed to interfere with each other. On the
same page as above there is an article on plant-
ing exposed situations by "J." that may be
read with advantage. In The Garden, Aug.
23 (p. 192), there is an article by " Y." on thin-
ning plantations, and the writer shows the use-
fulness of growing trees as thickly on the
ground as is consistent with the capabilities of
the soil and situation. The whole article is
distinctly practical.

On the same page as above there is an article
by "G. ," giving advice as to the planting of
water margins and islands, but I cannot help
thinking that the writer has made a mistake in
advising roots to be used for raising the ground
on the islands to a higher level previous to
planting the trees. After giving a list of trees
and shrubs to be used, "G." says : —

Such trees are also quite proper for the islands!
but in order that the roots may not lodge too much
in the water, the parts of the island to be planted
should be raised irregularly or in a natural manner
with stones, roots, sods, &c, mixed with suitable
soil, a few feet higher than the level of the water.

This raising of the ground is certainly to be
commended, and there is no objection to the
use of stones, sods, and other hard material for
that purpose, but then roots or old timber of
any kind are very different and cannot be used
without the risk of encouraging the growth of
fungi, which poison and retard the growth of
the trees, and often kills them altogether.
When old roots are allowed to be exposed on
the surface of the ground for any length of time
they are sure to get impregnated with the spores
of different kinds of fungi, and when such roots
are buried below the surface these spores become

THE ENGLISH ELM.
The Elms may be classed among the most useful
and ornamental of our timber trees. They range in
height from the dwarf species of Siberia, which
seldom exceeds 4 feet, to the towering tree of our
English plains, which sometimes rises above 100
feet in height. The toughness of Elm wood renders
it of great value in the arts, and its durability under
water or in situations where it can be kept per-
fectly dry is another strong recommendation. The
English Elm (Ulmus campestris) nourishes in a
deep loamy soil, moist, but not wet. It is very
common in this country as a hedgerow tree. The
wood is generally of a rich brown colour, hard,
tough, and crooked in the grain, being consequently
difficult to split or to work up. Its medullary rays
are either altogether wanting, or else very difficult
to distinguish. This tree may easily be known by
its alternate habit of growth, each succeeding
year's shoots springing in alternate order from the
sides of those of the previous year. The leaves are
also similarly placed. These are unequal at their
bases, rough, and doubly serrated. The English
Elm is common to the central and southern parts
of Europe, and particularly to France and Spain,
and it is also found in the western parts of Asia.
When the timber has to be kept unused for any
length of time after felling, it is better immersed in
water. The strength of its lateral fibre causes it to
be much sought after for making blocks for ships'
rigging. It was formerly used for keels of ships
and as gunwales for men-of-war. Now it furnishes
naves for wheels, furniture, coffin boards, pumps,
and piles, and is used by carpenters and wheel-
wrights generally. The timber is but little liable
to shakes of any kind, and its sapwood proves to
be nearly as durable as the heartwood. Without
great care, Elm plank warps very considerably
after sawing. The pruning of Elm trees is generally
followed by rapid decay of the stumps, and when
these are of large size the timber soon becomes
injured. In some of the midland counties the
trees are kept closely pruned up from the time
they are young, and though they are thus rendered
very unsightly, the practice is supposed to be
favourable to the growth of tough and gnarled
timber. This tree but seldom ripens its seed
in England, and consequently nurserymen obtain a
great part of their supply from the Continent.
The appearance of the blossom in early spring
before the leaves unfold gives to the tree a cheer-
ful appearance in the park, the hedgerows, and the
woodlands. It proves very effective as a decorative
tree on account of the great masses of light which
the conformation of its branches and its dense
foliage enable it to reflect. It is supposed to be a
native of Britain, as nearly forty names of places
given in Doomsday Book include the word Elm
The timber should be winter-felled, and is best cut
down between November and February. It was
formerly extensively used as weather-boarding in
the construction of houses in Kent and Essex, and
wherever fuel for burning bricks was scarce. The
narrow-leaved Elm is only a variety of campestris,
and there are several other varieties more or less
distinct from each other. A. J. B.

Uses of resinous woods.— No other kinds of
wood are so much used for engineering and archi-
tectural purposes as that of Pines and Firs. The
kind known as Memel is the most convenient for
size, Riga the best in quality, Dantzig when free
from large knots the strongest, Swedish the
toughest. For framing, Christiania battens are the
best ; for panelling, White Christiania (Norway),
Yellow Christiania deals have much sap. Swedish
timber not so good. Of Baltic timber, Memel sup-
plies three qualities— Crown, in baulk, 11! inches by
13 inches, and 28 feet to 50 feet long. Best Mid-
dling, Second Middling, or Brak. The two last are
about the same dimensions as crown, but contain
large knots, and not so fit to be cut into small
scantlings. Dantzig common baulks are from 14

inches to 16 inches square. Crown baulks are
sometimes 26 inches to 30 inches square, and 70
feet long. These should be used where whole
timbers are required. Riga 13 inches to 14 inches
square, and 40 feet long. Difficult to tell the dif-
ference between Memel and Riga in the log. Nor-
way timber is of smaller dimensions. The best
Pitch Pine comes from Florida. It is very elastic,
but not very durable under ground ; it is redder in
colour than Scotch Pine.

The Holly. — A wood may be completely trans-
formed in its winter aspect by planting it with
Holly. When the tall trees are leafless, and the
Bracken brown and dead, the Holly shines out green
and glistening in all its beauty. Besides, it has a
recommendation from a sportsman's point of view.
The Holly is a warm tree, and the birds flock to it
in winter. When snow is on the ground, if there be
a bare or warm spot in the wood, it is under and
around a Holly tree. The snow always melts away
near it, and at such times you are almost certain to
start two or three pheasants from amongst its
lower branches if there be any pheasants in the
wood.

The Red Birch (Betula nigra), although per-
haps hardly so quick a grower as our native species,
is well worth attention, if only for the picturesque
effect produced by the red bark during the winter
months. In the red or river Birch the red bark
hangs in thin broad flakes from the stem and larger
branches, and imparts a distinct and peculiar ap-
pearance to the trees — an aspect as different as can
well be from that presented by the chalky-white,
smooth trunks and branches of the Silver Birch.
The red Birch, in its native habitats along the low
river banks in the United States, forms a medium,
or rather large-sized tree. The wood is light-col-
oured, and does not seem to be so valuable as that
of some of the other North American Birches. — G.

Effect of wind on trees. — Trees which grow
in exposed situations have their tops always lean-
ing away in the opposite direction from the prevail-
ing winds, and the casual observer concludes that
the branches have been bent by the constant pres-
sure of the wind and retained their position. Now,
although such trees have the appearance exactly of
trees bending under a gale, still it is not pressure
in that way which has given them their shape. The
fact is, they have grown away from the blast and
not been bent by it after they grew. Examination
of the branches and twigs will show this. We
hardly realise the repressive effects of cold wind
upon tree growth, which it partially or altogether
arrests, according to its prevalence. Conifers
show the effects of this more distinctly than other
trees. Owing to the horizontal habit of growth
of the branches they point directly in the teeth of
the gale from whatever direction it comes, and can-
not, like the Oak, lean over and grow in the oppo-
site direction, hence coniferous trees growing in
exposed situations produce good long branches on
their lee side, while on the windy side the branches
retain their rigid horizontal position, but make com-
paratively little growth which is simply suppressed.
Example : I measured the branches of a Nordmann's
Spruce, growing in a position fully exposed to the
north and south. One branch on the north side of
the tree had fifteen annual nodes or growths, and
was 7 feet long, and its opposite had the same
number of nodes, but was nearly 2£ feet longer,
all the lateral branches being proportionately long
and well furnished.

" The Garden " Monthly Parts.— This journal i«
published in neatly bound Monthly Parts. In this form the
coloured plates ore best preserved, and it is most suitable for
reference previous to the issue of the half-yearly volumes. Price
Is. 6d. ; post free, Is. 9d. Complete set of volumes of The
Garden from its commencement to end of 1889, thirty-six vols.,
price, cloth, £27; half morocco, £32 8s.

" Hardy Flowers." — Giving descriptions of upwards oj
thirteen hundred of the most ornamental species, with directions
for their arrangement, culture, &c. Fourth and Popular
Edition, Is. ; post free, Is. 3d.

" Farm and Home' Monthly Parts. — This
journal is published in neatly bound Monthly Parts, in which
form it is most sxeilable for reference previous to the issue of the
yearly volumes. Price 5d. ; post free, Sd.

London : 37, Southampton Street, Strand, W.C.

THE GARDEN.

241

No. 982. SATURDAY, Sept. 13, 1890. Vol. XXXVIII.

" This is an Art
Which does mend Nature : change It rather ; but
The Aet itself is Nature."— Shakespeart.

AUTUMN FLOWERS.
The ways of flower gardening are many, but we
see far too few of them. Occasionally one meets
with a bold break away from the orthodox ideas,
as in the autumn bed under notice. It is called
an autumn bed because at this season it is in its
full beauty, but as a matter of fact this bed has
been beautiful for many weeks, and will con-
tinue so many more. Only three things are
contained in it, and there is nothing of a tender
nature. Hardy Fuchsias, Tritomas, and the
Cape Hyacinth (Hyacinthus candicans) are the
three plants, except some Oenotheras, which
trail over and break the stiffness of the stone
margin near the walk. The bed is large and
oblong, admitting of bold grouping and the ex-
tensive use of fine hardy subjects, and that is the
secret of its success. There is a large group
of the common Tritoma, and everyone knows the
brilliant effect of a mass of this fine plant. Then
there are other fine Tritomas, from the dwarf
and pretty T. Macowani or T. corallina through
intermediate forms up to the stately T. Saun-
dersi and that giant of the tribe, T. nobilis. It
might be possible to make a grand bed with
Tritomas alone, but in this bed they have
associates. The Tritomas areirregularlygrouped,
and a large break is made in them by a group
of six plants of Fuchsia Riccartoni. These are
thinly placed, and among and around them,
extending also into and among the Tritomas,
are at least 100 bulbs of Hyacinthus candicans,
which in the one case uplift their stately spikes
of white blossoms above graceful branches, from
which suspend the pendent bells of the
Fuchsias, whilst in the other they stand
erect in strong, but beautiful contrast with
the bold stately spikes of the Tritomas. Groups
of other Fuchsias, such as F. microphylla,
F. gracilis and F. globosa, complete the bed.
It must be a strange taste, indeed, that would
prefer a bed of the ordinary bedding plants to
such a bed as this produced at little cost or
trouble. It was planted last November; the
soil is thoroughly well prepared, and it will
therefore need no attention beyond keeping
clean for several years. Even then it may not
be absolutely necessary except for the desire of
creating a change with fresh associations of
other fine hardy plants.

Moreover, a bed such as this points out a way
of escape from the weary monotony of the aver-
age summer garden. If our flower gardens are
worthy of their name they ought to have sea-
sonable flowers. Different parts might wear
varied aspects, and denote the season by the
flowers they contain. This would be infinitely
better than crowding in a lot of little beds be-
fore the front of the house, perhaps cutting up
the best piece of lawn in so doing — a common
fault in many places. It is with fewer and
larger beds, such as the one under notice, that
one can create good garden pictures that have
all the effect desired. Such beds may be beau-
tiful at all or any season. There is material
enough to have spring, summer, autumn, and
winter beds, whilst the garden that has an
abundance of sweet seasonable flowers is in
every way more interesting and beautiful than
one that wears only two aspects, that of dreary
barrenness in winter, and in summer a glowing,
but monotonous mass of brilliant hues without
variety or change. It is liable also to be swept

away by early September frost long before the
beauty of the garden should show signs of wan-
ing, for autumn has many fine days, and the
autumn interest in the garden should be little
less than that of summer. A.

THE RENAISSANCE OF FLOWER-GARDENING.
Foe a dozen or more years this has been in more
or less active operation. Brilliancy of colouring,
regularity and trimness of form have been giving
way to a greater variety of subjects and of treatment.
The scarlet fever, once so prevalent in floral land-
scapes, has been virtually cured, through a fresh and
more liberal infusion of verdure and a richer va-
riety of plants. It is hardly true to say that in the
new styles of furnishing, Nature supersedes art, but
rather that art becomes more natural, because
broader in its selection and adaptation of Nature's
full storehouse of materials. For too many years
the furnishing of the flower garden was very much
a matter of mere imitation and servile reproduc-
tion. Plants with flowers of certain colours, say
red, white, blue, yellow, were grown in orthodox
squares or circles, and these were endlessly re-
peated.

We must not rest in bringing back all that
is best in the past, but also utilise the richest
of the present. Thus our gardens will be ever grow-
ing into a wider beauty, and reaching up to a
higher perfection. Such gardens should be mobile
as the playful sunlight of an April day, not fixed
like architecture.

In selecting and grouping flowers and plants, suffi-
cient scope will be found for the manifestation of
the most cultured taste. There is no more reason
in Nature and art why two or more flower gardens
should be as like each other as two peas, than that
our great painters should servilely imitate each
other. Departure from this beaten track is, there-
fore, heartily to be welcomed.

I met with a very striking illustration of such
originality at Shrubland Park the other day. There
has been no canon of landscape art more generally
proclaimed nor servilely obeyed than this, that
the floral furnishing of the base of the mansion
should partake of the architectural character or
style of the same. A great truth seems wrapped up
in this canon of art, and it must have needed
some courage in the present proprietor of these
fine gardens to so far set it at defiance as to wrap
the base of the mansion round with Carnations, Tea
Roses, Lavender, and so-called common flowers !
True, the hard architectural lines are still softened
down or rounded off with floral embroideries of
greater freedom, fragrance, freshness, verdure, but
very much of the statuesque-like uniformity, stiff-
ness, trimness of the floral buttresses have disap-
peared.

Few real lovers of gardening will fail to admire
the boldness of the design, nor the success of its
execution, for this is no parsimonious endeavour
to furnish a flower garden with old material or
hardy plants at less cost than exotics, but rather
a bold attempt to show the capacities of hardy or
half-hardy plants. Space would fail to note the
subjects or material used, but the most prominent
are Carnations and Tea Roses. It was a sur-
prise to me to find such an old fragrant fa-
vourite as Lavender occupying such a prominent
position on the terraces at Shrubland, and as if
conscious of its new dignity, it might be fancy, but
it seemed a fact, that the flowers were more numer-
ous and highly coloured and fragrant than usual.
The semi-glaucous foliage of the more or less
massive groups of Lavender also threw a peculiar
sheen over other plants and flowers near them,
while the odour mixed with that of Carnations,
Tea Roses, and the many waif and stray scents
of other plants and flowers breathed delightful
odours. The Carnations provided marvellous
masses of colour; most of these were bold selfs
of exceptional vigour and hardiness of constitution
and great distinctness and brilliancy of colouring.
Great points are the securing, either through care-
ful selection of existing varieties or the raising of
seedlings, strains of great vigour, hardiness of con-

stitution, and brilliancy of colouring, and of free
and if possible continuity of bloomiDg, the raising
of them annually by layers, and the planting of
them out in masses of any desired size in sweet,
well prepared, and as far as may be fresh soil in
September. This gives the plants time to esta-
blish themselves before winter, and they need little
more attention unless keeping clear of weeds till
they are staked in the spring. Groups of these are
used in the upper terrace contrasted with groups
of Tea Roses, many of the latter carpeted with
Saxifrages, Sedums, Pansies, and while some Violas
were holding their own in lines or groups so late as
the 9th of August, favoured through the abnormal
moisture of the season. AmoDg Tea and other
Roses thus grouped with Carnations on the terrace
or clothing the upper terrace walls, the following
were the most conspicuous on the 9th of August:
William Allen Richardson on the terrace wall; the
growth was luxuriant, though it was nearly all
hidden beneath the more profuse and richest spread
of deep bronze, orange -yellow, pink, and whitish
petals ever seen on this very variable, but ever
beautiful Rose.

This Rose is also very charming in beds or
borders on warm soils and in sheltered situa-
tions. Among other Teas making a brave dis-
play on August 9, the following were the more con-
spicuous : Catherine Mermet, Anna Olivier, Perle
des Jardins, Mme. Lambard, lime, de Watteville,
and Mme. Charles, a decided improvement on Mme.
Falcot, and that is saying a good deal, for there are
few brighter and better Roses on warm walls or
nooks than this rather small, but brilliant Rose,
especially in bud. Dr. Grill is a new Rose of great
merit for this mode of culture, the flowers having
that rich mixture of yellow, copper, and rose that
form such telling features in floral landscapes. It
was also a pleasing surprise to find Sunset in con-
trast with masses of different coloured Carnations.
Of yet deeper yellow, merging at times into apricot,
was Perle de Lyon, in great perfection. Princesse
de Sagan, a little-known Tea of deep crimson col-
our, shaded with purple and amaranth, also seemed
quite at home on the terrace at Shrubland. Sou-
venir de David dAngers seems an improvement on
the Souvenir de David, and was seen in grand and
brilliant form. Marie Van Houtte, always beauti-
ful, showed its delicate hues and exquisitely formed
flowers in perfect form. The following were also
noted: Grace Darling, Viscountess Folkestone,
Comtesse Riza du Pare, Edith Gifford, Amazone,
Mme. Hoste, Innocente Pirola, Mme. Hippolyte Ja-
main, &o.

From the above it will be seen that all the Teas
may probably be used successfully for lighting up
with colour and verdure the floral landscapes of the
future. The whole of these varieties passed through
20° of frost unscathed and unprotected in the March
of this season. Some escaped unharmed, others
suffered a little, but none were seriously crippled
or disabled for filling their niche of beauty through-
out this rather cool summer in consequence of
their severe frost-bites in the spring. Neither
is it either needful or desirable to subject Tea
Roses to such severe risks. By growing them
on their roots or burying the stock 4 inches deep,
and earthing their crowns over 3 inches more
before winter, the life, and growing, and flowering
force of these Roses is assured. The tops, too, are
easily protected with branchlets of trees or shrubs,
or a great coat of dried Bracken. Or if left un-
protected, the worst that can befall them is to
be killed or frosted back to the crown of the plants.
Such decapitation mostly results in stronger breaks
in spring or early summer, though such additional
strength is too dearly purchased by the enforced
delay of the first flush of Tea Roses a month or
six weeks or more. Neither must the rich effects
of the leaves and shootlets of Tea Roses be left out
of account in any estimate of their value for the
garden. The infinite variety of verdure, ranging
from deepest green to glowing crimson, to say
nothing of the autumnal tints and brilliant golden
purple or scarlet heps of some species of Roses and
Briers, entitle them to a prominent place in land-
scapes, apart even from the exquisite beauty and

242

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 13, 1890.

fragrance of their blossoms. While with the
latter added, what flowering plant or shrub can for
a moment compete with the Rose ? No passionate
lover of Roses can witness the new place of land-
scape honour and decorative effect to which they
have been raised on that fine terrace without a deep
feeling of pride and satisfaction. True, Mr.
Robinson, in breaking away the formal stiff-
ness of Mr. Barry's terraces and carpet beds, has
sought and found the aid of many other plants,
a few of which will be noted. But in his war to
the knife against geometry and formality, and his
successful attempts so to remodel and replant the
garden as to ensure bold masses of colour, disposed
in an artistic and picturesque manner, the Tea
Rose has been his most powerful friend and ally.

I write thus in full memory of the startling fact
that the Carnation and not the Tea Rose is the
plant chosen for furnishing many of the vases on
the terrace walls. Notwithstanding one excellent
reason given on the spot, that the forcible drooping
habit keeps the flowers dry and preserves them
longer, I think Carnations in vases inartistic, and
that Tea Roses would be far better. Well-fed and
carefully selected flowers and foliage alike would
furnish more artistic draping for vases and walls.
Of other flowers or plants noted were crimson
Monthly and other Chinese and Fairy Roses, seve-
ral coloured Everlasting Peas, various CEnotheras,
Fuchsias, Hyacinthus candicans, Tritomas, Lych-
nis, Agrostemmas, Pentstemons, Gladioli, Ane-
mone japonica, Lobelias, Gypsophilas, Agathfeas,
Zinnias, Stocks, Dianthus, Phlox Drummondi, and
dwarf plants, such as Pansies, Sedums, Saxifrages,
Verbenas, tea., as carpets. Descending from the
upper terrace, we arrive at what used to be one of
the striking beauties or anomalies of Shrubland.
This consisted of a straight walk with a rough,
rugged sloping bank further rusticated with rough
roots or banks, &c, on one side, and a smooth ribbon
border on the other. These two forms as well as
their mode of furnishing were designed to repre-
sent Nature and art in violent contrast and closest
proximity. The result satisfied very few, while it
produced a peculiar physical effect upon most.
Even Donald Beatonconfesseditwassomewhat diffi-
cult to walk straight along that straight walk. The
bank with its rugged masses of Ferns, Foxgloves,
&c, seemed to be throwing you on or into the ribbon
border.

For this and other reasons, most landscape gar-
deners will be pleased to learn that this violent
contrast has been skilfully harmonised through the
planting of both sides alike with Bamboos. It
saems that Mr. Saumarez acquired a special know-
ledge and love for these graceful plants in Japan.
It was, therefore, a happy and natural thought to
try the hardiest, and most graceful, and suitable of
these on some of the charming banks and braes of
Shrubland. Their beauty and hardiness have ex-
ceeded all expectations. Such excellent prepara-
tions have been made for them, and the sites were
so sheltered that even the few that were cut by
the March frost have quite recovered, and have
made stupendous growths.

A few striking foliage or flowering plants light
up the Bamboos with changes of verdure or gleams
of colour. Prominent among these were the Evening
Primrose ((Enothera Lamarckiana), Sweet Tobacco,
Sea Hollies, Funkias, and Lilies. But the most
novel and striking plant in these borders was the
very curious-looking Michauxia campanuloides.
the tall branching stems of which, covered
with their curious-shaped, white and purple blooms,
have a unique effect among the Bamboos. Another
striking plant seen among the Bamboos was
the almost equally rare and more showy Bocconia
oordata, Might I suggest Hollyhocks in quantity
among this fine collection of Bamboos, and masses
of the finer Poppies and Foxgloves?

Other parts of Shrubland, with the exception of
the removal of the Box scroll works and other
change* here and there, and the planting of new
masses of Perpetual Roses near the conservatory
wall, the abolition of the ribbons of Dahlias on the
bank by the long green walk that forms the upper
boundary of the series of flower gardens extending

from the base of the grand steps, remain much as
they were. The beds of Marguerite, Salvia patens,
pretty Petunia Countess of Ellesmere, sweet-
scented Geranium Shrubland Pet, and the old
shot-silk beds, of which the late Sir Wm. and Lady
Middleton and old Donald Beaton were so proud,
formed of Mangles' variegated Geranium and Ver-
bena venosa in irregular mixture— albeit no flower
of spring takes the place of Mangles', though the
latter is still there in force— are among the gems
of the present garden, and most strongly sugges-
tive of old memories.

With the spell of the Renaissance on the upper
terrace strong on one, it is impossible to walk
through these gardens towards the Swiss cottage
or the lake without feeling that the revival ought
to be carried further. And should hardy or flower-
ing plants fail, or the charming mixtures of Carna-
tions and Tea Roses flanked with Lavender satiate,
there are yet thousands of hardy shrubs, trees, and
Ferns that have hardly yet got foothold at Shrub-
land that would immeasurably enrich without un-
duly curtailing the charming sweeps of turf that has
seldom looked fresher, greener, richer than in
August, 1890.

The great terrace garden at Shrubland was re-laid
out by the editor of The Garden three years
ago, and planted under his direction by Mr.
Herrington. The flower garden has now been
planted two seasons, the aim being to show that
while a garden could be made more interesting and
fragrant and picturesque than by the carpet and
bedding system, masses of colour equally fine could
be got wholly without the geometry of that system.
The result is now visible to all, and the garden is
likely to improve year by year.

Vineries, Peach, Fig and Plum houses filled with
plenty, and still under the experienced manage-
ment of Mr. Blair, merit more extended notice.
Indulgent readers will kindly note that these
notes do not affect to be a description of Shrub-
land, but only a hurried glance at the renaissance
that has been accomplished in a portion of these
beautiful gardens. D. T. F.

the planting time advocated, so as to give a succes-
sion, the bulblets or cormlets being planted or sown
in drills 2 inches or 3 inches below the surface in
ApriL It must not be forgotten that these Gladioli
are most impatient of stagnant moisture, and where
the soil is inclined to be clayey good drainage is
absolutely necessary.

M. Lemoine, who has given us so fine a variety
of these flowers, commenced his excellent paper
with a description of the most important parent of
his hybrids, G. purpureo auratus. This latter was
introduced from Natal by Mr. Bull in 1870, and de-
scribed and figured in Botanical Magazine, 1872,
tab. 5941 ; its usefulness as the progenitor of a new
race of flowers was predicted from the first, and so
soon as 1875, the third yearafter crossing, Lemoinei
and Marie Lemoine were produced, a great advance
on the purpureo auratus, though affecting that spe-
cies more than the gandavensis hybrids with which
it was crossed, and suggesting great possibilities as
to size and range of colour, which in our judgment
have been fully realised. From that time these
hybrids have been increasing annually, and will
without doubt in time be as popular in gardens as
our Tulips and Daffodils are now. Apart from their
great beauty and diversity of colouring, they are
hardy in constitution and capable of thriving in any
soil, "in almost any climate, and they flower persis-
tently, whether the season is wet or dry, cold or
warm. Like G. purpureo-auratus, they are perfectly
hardy in the open, and from the rapid increase of
cormlets, soon form good tufts. Another series of
crosses between Saundersi and Lemoinei, and which
has been named Nancieanus, gave good results; the
hybrids stand well and flower much earlier than
the ordinary gandavensis forms. The hybrids be-
tween Saundersi and gandavensis, first raised by
Max Leichtlin, give size of bloom and a brilliancy
of colour unequalled. Altogether M. Lemoine's
paper was a masterly production, giving the whole
history of the raising of these superb hybrids.

GLADIOLI AT THE DRILL HALL.
To all lovers of this remarkably beautiful flower the
meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society last Tues-
day was of more than ordinary interest, as it brought
over from Nancy M. Lemoine, the distinguished raiser
of the finest hybrid Gladioli in existence, and also
the father of what may be termed English Gladioli,
Mr. Kelway, of Langport.

The beautiful collections shown from time to time
by Mr. Kelway tell of the high state of perfection at-
tained in their cultivation at the nurseries at Lang-
port, which, besides being a cultivating and show
ground, is also used as a nursery in the true sense,
as here annually hundreds, nay thousands, of seed-
lings of all kinds may be seen in various stages,
large areas also being given to the development of
the fry or small conns which annually form at the
base of the full-grown ones. All Mr. Kelway's forms
of this charming flower belong to the well-known
G. gandavensis, figured in Van Houtte's catalogue,
1841, in " Flore des Serres," March, 184(1, plate i.,
and which is itself said to be a hybrid either be-
tween psittacinus and cardinalis or psittacinus and
oppositiflorus. This will at once account for its
variable nature, but other and fresh blood must
have been brought into play to secure anything
like half the variety now seen. The first hybrid of
this old class was raised at Fontaineblenu, and
flowered for the first time in 1845. Mr. Kelway de-
scribed his method of hybridising in a very lucid
manner, as also the method of cultivation adopted
at Langport. Much of the failure experienced in
cultivating the Gladioli was attributed to watering
at unseasonable times, especially in the case of
heavy soils. Mr. Kelway says that these Gladioli
will grow in almost any soil, though a black sandy
loam was considered best. Cow manure well mixed
with the soil was also advocated, mulching in sum-
mer with either cow manure or straw being con-
sidered necessary, as :i means of keeping the soil
cool and save weeding, &c. February to May is

FRUIT IN IRELAND.

A conference of those interested in fruit culture,
as well as of members of the Fruit Growers' Asso-
ciation, was held at the Crystal Palace on Friday
afternoon last, Sept. 5, and over which Mr. Rait,
deputy chairman of the Palace Company, presided.
The attendance was good, but thinned down at
the close of the discussion on fruit culture in Ire-
land. The chairman, in welcoming the association
to the Palace, referred chiefly to Peaches, and said
that whilst Mr. Rivers' paper would deal with these
fruits under glass, he had grown them very success-
fully* outdoors. He strongly advised securing a
constant succession of young trees, so that old
trees might be eliminated from walls and be rapidly
replaced by well-grown younger ones. The chair-
man then called upon Mr. G. Gordon to read bis
and Mr. Lewis Castle's joint report as to the results
of their recent visit to Ireland and investigations
into the conditions of hardy fruit culture in that
country. It was desired to have a report of the
conditions of fruit culture in the United Kingdom,
but as the conditions of the Irish climate and cul-
ture differed so much, it was thought best to pre-
sent a special Irish report. The deputation visited
Ireland in the month of August, starting in the
north and working down through to the south and
west. In Ulster orchard-planted Apples looked fair,
but generally were much neglected, many having
been planted some seventy to eighty years. Few
new orchards were seen, and these generally planted
on old sites. Where orchards were under private
gardeners' attention, the appearance was better.
Around Dublin the market gardens and orchards re-
sembled what is seen about London . but t h e crop was
poor this year in spite of excellent cultivation. All
bush fruits and Strawberries seemed to do well
generally, but trees rapidly become Moss-covered
and stunted, and it was not always possible to
say whether this was due to neglect or to the
persistent rainfall of the country, which was some
40 inches per year. In orchards Apples are not
usually gathered, but are shaken down, to their
great injury. Cider-making was at one time a
great industry in the yalley of the Suir, but had

Sept. 13, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

243

now died out. There is great room for the de-
velopment of fruit culture,"but under the existing
conditions of the country the people seem apathetic.
In the opinion of the deputation, Ireland was fully
capable of growing all the hardy fruit needed.
Wood matures well even in the moist districts.
Tlums, Pears, and Cherries are very thinly grown,
and afforded little indication as to their fitness for
general culture. A cordial vote of thanks was
awarded to Messrs. Gordon and Castle for their ad-
mirable report. Mr. Bullock-Hall, who was pre-
sent, made some observations rather deprecatory of
the priesthood and the Catholic population, whilst
he eulogised the schools and said his hope was in
the children. He was admirably replied to by Mr.
Denny Lane, of Cork, a gentleman who certainly
was able to give much useful and practical in-
formation on Ireland. He said they rarely
had a severe winter on his side of the island, and
the coast line presented a series of bays which
were naturally admirably fitted for fruit culture.
The reason why culture was better in the north
than in the south was that education had many
years' start there, and also the occupier of the soil
had property in what he planted, whilst anywhere
else the improvement of land only led to increased
rental or eviction. Later, Mr. T. F. Rivers read a
paper on " Peaches and Nectarines," also one was
read from Mr. Smith, of Mentmore, on " Plums for
Market," and Mr. Bunyard gave a paper on
" Cherries for Market." A cordial vote of thanks
to the chairman closed the proceedings.

Ferns.

LOMARIA DISCOLOR BIPINNATIFIDA.
Eaely in the summer I saw some fine specimens
of this beautiful Fern at Mr. Bull's nursery ; it is
certainly the most elegant of all the Lomarias.
The fine feather-like fronds are of a pleasing shade
of green, and arch over just enough to give the
plant a graceful appearance. I do not know the his-
tory of this Fern, but it appears to be a hybrid, for
when raised from spores only a small percentage
come true to the type. A great many of the seed-
ling plants will very closely resemble L. nuda, to
which it is probably related. It is not often that
fertile fronds are matured ; in fact, it has generally
been considered to be abortive, for although what
appear to be fertile fronds are frequently produced,
Sin examination they will be found to be imperfect.
It is worthy of note that Messrs. Veitch and Sons
exhibited a fine group of seedling plants at the late
Fern Conference. There were also some plants in
Mr. May's group, some being very beautifully
feathered, while in others the fronds were quite
plain. In some the pinna? were slightly lobed, thus
showing the variations found in a batch of seedling
.plants. : It. is therefore evident that true fertile
fronds are sometimes produced. This Fern will
succeed well in a compost of equal parts of fibrous
loam and peat with plenty of sand added ; the
plants may be kept fairly moist at the roots, but
not soddened, and the fronds should not be wetted.
The former may be kept in a cool moist atmosphere,
and they also like a shady position ; in heat or a
dry atmosphere they will be liable to the attacks
of thrips, and no Fern is so soon disfigured by these
"pests as this Lomaria. When kept in a healthy
condition, the same plants may be grown on for a
number of years, and older specimens make larger
fronds. The stems may be kept covered with
"fresh Sphagnum as they advance in growth, and if
this is attended to, it will go a great way towards
keeping the plants in vigorous and healthy condi-
tion. There is not much difficulty in keeping them
healthy, but once let them get unhealthy, and it
will require some skill to bring them into good con-
dition again. For the cool fernery it is certainly
one of the grandest Ferns we have, but as spores
are so rarely produced, and then only a small per-
centage of the true variety obtained, it will never
become common. F.

Adiantum farleyense. — I have never seen
this lovely Fern with such brightly tinted fronds
as it has had this season. It is difficult to describe

the tint, being of such a peculiarly soft delicate
rosy-pink with a bronzy-yellow shading. Plants
which are grown under conditions favourable to
the development of this beautiful colour are not
only much prettier, but may be used for decoration
without fear of damaging the fronds. For a long
time this Fern was considered useless for decora-
tion. When grown in a close moist atmosphere
under heavy shading it is so, but since it has been
grown under different conditions it has found much
favour, and is now extensively used, both as a pot
plant and for cutting, by some of our best florists.

F.

Drynaria musasfolia. — I saw this Fern re-
cently in beautiful condition grown in a basket,
and for such a position I have constantly recom-
mended it for thirty years. It has been said that
its plain and simple fronds were quite unsuitable
in such a position, but anyone requiring a tho-
roughly distinct and beautiful object should so use
this plant. The fronds are simple, from a foot to
3 feet in length and from 2 inches to 4 inches
broad, the colour being very pale green, which
allows the network of dark green veins to be seen
very distinctly, and forms one of the prettiest ob-
jects one can conceive. It is very different from
the usual Fern foliage. In one garden a plant of
it in a basket is the most beautiful object in the
stove. It is a native of the Malay Islands, and
consequently requires stove warmth ; it has a
creeping rhizome and grows quickly. Those who
have never tried this plant should do so. — W. H. G,

Phegopteris trichodes cristata. — This, I be-
lieve, is the Fern put into commerce last year as a
new plant under the name of Nephrodium pallidum
cristatumby Messrs. Williams, of Upper Holloway.
It is an elegant kind and sweetly scented, espe-
cially when grown in a warm, moist atmosphere,
which appears to add to the plant's delightful
odour. It was received from South Australia by
the firm just named, not, however, as a wild plant,
for it was raised from spores by a gentleman resi-
dent in Adelaide, and thus it falls into the list of
cultivated varieties, and not a wild find of a crested
Fern. It will thrive in a low temperature ; the
fronds are about 3 feet in length when fully de-
veloped, the pinnules being closely set and very
leafy, and the end of each segment as well as the
point of frond are prettily crested. The plant
thrives well when potted in loam and peat made
sandy, and the pots should be well drained. Those
rather larger than usually used are necessary, as
the plant is a strong grower with a decumbent
habit.— W. H. Gowee.

Lonehitis aurita. — I have carefully looked
over several species of this genus and I think
Hooker gives six, but I certainly cannot see in what
way L. natalensis, L. Lindeniana, L. pubescens
differ from the typical species, and so I must bring
them all under the old Linnean species named here.
It is a very handsome bold growing plant, having
an erect stem, the fronds being from 2 feet to 6
feet long, the stem and rachis densely hairy. They
are broad and two or three times divided, the seg-
ments being cut down closely to the rachis, and in
the sinus is situated the marginal sori. The reti-
culation of the veins and the pale green of the
fronds cause the venation to be very conspicuous.
The plant requires stove heat where it grows freely
and forms a noteworthy object, being distinct from
almost every other species in the fernery. It re-
quires abundance of root room and a large amount
of water ; therefore good drainage is necessary.
The soil should be an admixture of loam, peat, leaf-
mould, and sand, and the whole should be pressed
down firmly and kept well supplied with water.
Light syringing will also be beneficial, but beware
of heavy drenchings, as it is very apt to injure the
fronds which are spoilt if broken, as it mars the
symmetry of the specimen. It seems to be widely
scattered in Africa from the east to the west, and
is also found in many of the African islands, such
as Mauritius, Madagascar, St. Thomas, and Fer-
nando Po, &c— W. H. G.

Asplenium viviparum. — This is an exceed-
ingly handsome Fern belonging to the sub-genus
or section Darea, having the segments finely cut

and the sori confined to a single line on the edge.
This, the true plant, is confined to the islands of
Mauritius and Bourbon, and yet how many plants
bearing young plants upon the upper side of the
fronds are given the name of viviparum. It is true
that they have the viviparous habit, but none are
so finely cut and so delicate as the plant in ques-
tion. It was first introduced about seventy years
ago, and is one of the handsomest of our stove
evergreen Ferns. It was pleasing to see it in the
gardens of Mrs. Chalmers, where beautiful plants
are preserved with care in spite of their being old
introductions. The true plant has fronds somewhat
ovate-lanceolate in outline and three times divided.
They are beautifully arched and deep sea-green in
colour, the segments being very narrow and thickly
clothed with young plants, which readily root and
become separate, so that there should not be any
scarcity of the species. One thing I observed in
Mrs. Chalmers' plant (which is one of the largest I
have seen) was that it is confined in a very small
pot, and to the want of this I believe so many fail-
ures have resulted in its culture. It should be
drained well and potted firmly in loam and peat
and broken mortar and brick rubbish, treated to a
moist stove heat, and watered freely to the roots ;
but I do not like to syringe it, as this system is apt
to cause the segments of the fronds to turn black,
and thus give the plant an unpleasant appearance.
— W. H. G.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Lobelia Firefly.— To Mr. Chas. Smith, The
Gardens, St. Ann's, Clontarf, belongs the credit of
raising this fine plant, referred to in The Garden,
Sept. 6 (p. 238).— T. S.

Thunberg's Barberry.— Mr. Anthony Waterer,
Knaphill, Woking, sends us some twigs of this beauti-
ful shrub, brilliant in colour at present. We grow it
and like it weU, and wish people would pay more at-
tention to this charming family.

Crocus iridiflorus m8jus is this year the
earliest of the autmnn-floweriug kinds here, and a very
fine thing it is. The perianth segments are 2h inches
long and of the richest purple-blue colour. It opened
on the first day of September.— T. S.

Berberis Darwini in Ireland.— Lady Cler-
mont, Raveusdale Park, Newry, sends us a beautiful
photograph of Berberis Darwini. The shrub is 18 feet
high and 82 feet in circumference. About 2 feet from
the ground it was larger, but had to be cut in on one
side, as it spread over a walk ; it flowers very well.

Veronica pimeleoides. — The plant which has
been circulated under the name of V. glauco-ccerulea
is the true V. pimeleoides, and the one grown under the
name is at present unmatched in the Kew herbarium,
and will have to be re-christened. At any rate, the
name is not appropriate, as the plant has a trailing
habit.— T. Smith.

American Blackberries. — Our American
Blackberries are good this year, and being protected
by netting from the birds, we have a good crop ; their
merits have often been discussed. I send a few in a
tin that you mav taste them.— George F. Wilson.

*** Very fine' fruit of full rich flavour. — Ed.

Seedling tuberous Begonias.— I have sent
three blooms of seedling Begonias which I think re-
markably good. Would you be kiud enough to express
your opinion through The Garden ?— W. Coates,
WinWord, Cheshire. .

*** All excellent varieties. The pink flower is ot
immense size, and therefore will be valued by some,
but we dislike such bulbythings. The others are very
pure and charming.— Ed.

B S.WilliamsMemorial— Thisfund is making
fair progress, and it is desired that all who have pro-
mised and not paid their subscriptions will favour the
committee with the several amounts by cheque or
otherwise, payable to Mr. H. J. Veitch, 544, King's
Road, Chelsea. Owing to a clerical error, Mr. H.
Cannell's name was omitted from the list of committee
recently published. Mr. Cannell was the mover of the
resolution on which the committee is operating.

Exhibition of hardy fruits in London.—
This promises to be a large show. It is promoted by
the Fruiterers' Company, who are desirous of extend-
ing the cultivation of useful hardy fruits in the home-
steads and cottage gardens of Great Britain. Money
prizes to the amount of over £200 will be offered for

244

THE GAEDEK

[Sept. 13, 1890.

exhibits of fruit, and there will be also prizes for ex-
hibits of jims and preserves by manufacturers. The
exhibition will be held on October 6, 7, and 8 at the
Guildhall.

Orchids at The Dell, Egham. — A few days
ago a specimen of Cypripedium Morgauias in the col-
lection of Baron Schroeder was carrying five spikes of
bloom, each bearing five flowers. C. orphauum was
also very good, much finer than we have hitherto seen
it. Lselia Amesiana was in bloom, the specimen
carrying thirteen flowers.

Cornus eitrifolia.— A Cornus I had under the
name of eitrifolia years ago from Osborne at Fulham
is the most brilliantly cherry-coloured tinted thing I
ever see in the autumn, also from the peculiar way the
leaves curl ; it shows an under tint of grey so prettily.
Of course it has not nearly come to its coloured stage
yet. I do not see the Cornus mentioned in lists now.
I noticed it once praised by Mr. Loudon. — M. It.

Mr. W. Coleman, long known to readers of The
Garden and one of the best gardeuers in England, has
been appointed manager of the Eastnor Castle estates,
including two thousand acres of woodland. While losing
some of Mr. Coleman's precious aid in the fruit-growing
department of The Garden, we are happy to know
that we do so through his attaining so important a
position. We have no doubt that he will prove worthy
of it, and wish him many years of good health and hap-
piness in his honourable charge.

Yellow Carnations.— I am sending you two
blooms of a seedling Carnation of my own. I am not
a judge of Carnations, but they seem to me fairly good.
I shall he obliged if you will kindly give your r pinion
whether the plant is worth naming and propagating. —
Henry J. Fuxljames, Wimbledon.

*#* The flowers were very good, full, rich yellow in
colour, and non-splitting, but it is hard to tell from a
few flowers the character of a variety. Are the plants
in the open or under glass ?— Ed.

Peaches from Lancashire I enclose for

your opinion some Peaches and Nectarines, grown
in the open air upon a south wall in the garden
here. The whole of the trees on the wall have
carried good crops this season. Apricots have been
very fine. Please say what you think of the fruits
enclosed. — H. G., Lancaster.

%* It is very gratifying that the Peach can be
grown so well in the open air in England. The
fruits of Bellegarde especially were excellent, much
finer in flavour than the Peaches sent to Covent
Garden by Peach growers. The other Peaches
were not so good in flavour because belonging to
those kinds sent out without reference to flavour.
A Peach without a good flavour is so bad that we
do not know any words bad enough for it. The
Pitmaston Orange Nectarine was very good. If
anyone would take the pains to find out the really
good flavoured kinds that can be grown well in
England it would help things very much for others
—Ed.

Carnations from Northumberland.— Being
much interested in the discussion in The Gabden
respecting the hardiness of the Carnation and
Picotee, I herewith send you a boxful from the open
border. The plants from which the flowers are cut
were planted on Sept. 23, 1889. We are situated
within a few miles of the Cheviot Hills, and have
to endure very severe weather during the winter,
through which the plants pass quite safely. — E
Elliott, Ilarhottle Castle, Rotlibury.

*»* A large number of lovely things. Their
beautiful colours please us very much, although not
the selfs, which we prefer for their effect in the open
air. Harmony, which we illustrated by a coloured
plate in The Gabden, Dec. 29, 1889, is extremely
fine with this grower, who cut the blooms from
plants that have stood two winters in the open
border. The soil must be very good and the situa-
tion favourable to the Carnation in this garden.
About these things we should be glad for some
particulars, for we have not seen this type of Carna^
tion so well done in the open before. Thomas
Williams and Thalia are two other very pretty kinds.
Shoots were also sent to show the robust vigour of
the plants. — Ed.

Tritomas, or Kniphofias.— Tritoma Uvaria
gigantea is really a giant ; the main stems are over
8 feet high, and surmounted with a huge head of
bright scarlet and yellow flowers ; it was selected
from a batch of seedlings raised here some few

years since. T. U. sanguinea is another particu-
larly fine form, the flower-stems being 4 feet high
and the heads brilliant crimson, not fading to any
appreciable extent, as most of them do. A big
clump of Tritoma Leichtlini distachya with seven
flower-stems, the tallest over 4 feet high, is now a
most distinct and handsome object, the crimson
protruding anthers giving it quite a Bottle-brush
look. — T. Smith, JVeivry.

A new fruit and vegetable market. — Pre-
parations have commenced for the new market to
be erected at the corner of Charterhouse Street,
Farringdon Road, to take the place of the old
market in Farringdon Street. At present, and for
the next twelve months at least, the efforts of the
contractors will be centred upon the substructure
of the building, which has been designed by the
City architect, Mr. Peebles, and will be carried out
under the auspices of the Markets Committee of
the Corporation. What the ultimate cost of the
market will be remains to be seen, but the contract
for the present works is somewhat under £42,000.

The scarlet Clematis (C. coccinea). — This is
so distinct from any other species or variety in this
varied and lovely family as to merit a note. We
have several plants in a warm corner upon a wall,
and many who see it, whilst struck with its appear-
ance, can hardly believe it to be a Clematis. Both
in the brightness of its colour, its thick fleshy
petals and urn-shaped blossoms it is quite unlike any
other Clematis. The shoots die back in winter, but
it springs up from the root in spring, is soon in
flower and continues growing and blooming all
through the season. It is a most interesting and
pretty plant for a wall. — A. H.

Agapanthus umbellatus. — I entirely agree
with " S." (p. 221) as to the mistake in growing
this noble Lily entirely in a greenhouse, but I can-
not believe that we should see it at its best grown
entirely out of doors. Our climate demands the
happy medium of giving it some shelter from No-
vember to May, and letting it be in the open air
from May to November. There is no finer plant
for a terrace or formal garden. I have eight tubs
of it on the terrace here, two of which have thrown
up fifteen heads apiece ; they are arranged along
the terrace at intervals with tubs of Hydrangeas
between them. The Agapanthus is a gross feeder
and rapid grower, and the chief point in cultivat-
ing it is to know when to divide. If the plants are
allowed to wait too long and overfill their pots or
tubs, they will dwindle away. Very little shelter in
the winter is necessary, even a covered shed or
tool house being sufficient, except in very excep-
tional seasons, but I "certainly would not advise
anyone to treat the Agapanthus as hardy. — Wm.
Wickham, BinsteA-Wycli, Alton.

Some good new double yellow tuberous
Begonias. — As all who grow these most beautiful,
free-blooming, and easily cultivated plants, whether
under glass where they are always seen at a disad-
vantage, or in the open air where their lovely
shades of colour intensify themselves and arrive at
a degree of perfection seldom if ever seen in a
greenhouse, it is well known that amongst all the
exquisite varieties raised and distributed for seve-
ral years past by both Continental and English
growers, those of a yellow colour have invariably been
the least satisfactory. They invariably had some
drawback either in the shade which could not be
called a pure or clear yellow, or in having a reddish
or greenish under petal, or in the form or imperfect
duplicature of the flower. All these deficiencies
have now, I am happy to say, been removed, and
amongst the four dozen new double Begonias I
have this summer had under view are three most
beautiful yellow flowers, which each from a diffe-
rent point of view leave little if anything to de-
sire. Two of these come from the well-known
French raiser, M. Felix Crousse, of Nancy, and are
named Source d'Or and Toison d'Or, and the third
and largest flower of all, more resembling a very
double Hollyhock than a Begonia, comes from Messrs.
Cannell, of Swanley, and is named Mrs. Jenkins.
For depth and clearness of pure canary-yellow, the
first-named of these varieties is quite unequalled
by anything I have yet seen; its flowers are of

medium size and the edges of the petals beautifully
undulated, the only slight imperfection being in
the somewhat weak foot-stalks on which the lovely
flowers are borne, requiring a few small forked
sticks to show them off to full advantage. The
second variety is of a rather lighter shade of yellow
with flowers also of a medium size, but borne on
stout, upright foot-stalks. They are of good form,
protruding from the back or guard petals in the
manner described by the raiser as bombshaped.
The flowers in the early part of the season were not
quite evenly or fully double (as is often the case
with these plants), but those afterwards produced
were perfect. Messrs. Cannell give a woodcut of
their fine variety on page 19 of their "Floral
Guide" for this year, but instead of flatterkig the
original, as these portraits usually do to a greater
or less degree, this woodcut decidedly greatly
understates the perfection and beauty of this really
grand flower, making it out to be thin and some-
what poor in duplicature ; whereas, it is in reality one
of the most intensely double flowers I have seen.
It is of a pale shade of yellow, and its only draw-
back is that its foot-stalks are somewhat weak and
quite unable to show off the enormous flowers they
bear without the assistance of a small forked stick.
This fine variety is, I am also happy to say, an ex-
ceedingly free bloomer, and what gardeners usually
call a good doer, as the tuber sent me this spring
was so miserably small, being in fact no larger than
a Pea, that my gardener quite thought it would do
no good this year, being too weak to make a bloom-
ing plant. In this opinion, however, he was quite
mistaken, as it has grown into a better and much
bushier plant than other tubers four and five times
its size, and produced a large number of fully-sized
and most beautiful flowers which have been the
admiration of all visitors to my garden. — W. E.
Gumbleton, Belgrove, Qtieenstoivn, Ireland.

A beautiful shrub.— I send you specimens of
Gordonia pubescens, a rare and beautiful shrub, or
small tree, native of our Southern States ; it suc-
ceeds beautifully with me, but north of this the
winters are too severe for its successful culture.
Here it is unquestionably our finest summer-
flowering shrub, giving a profusion of its beautiful
snow-white flowers with deep yellow stamens from
early in July until middle of October. As the cool
autumn weather approaches the foliage changes to
a rich crimson. In England it should be grown in
a warm situation ; the great object is to mature the
wood, which, if properly done, will enable it to
withstand any cold.— John Saul, Washington.

%* We thank Mr. Saul for sending us some
specimens of this beautiful shrub, which we saw in
flower when in America. We think it might be
worth trying in Southern England near the sea.
We are also indebted to Mr. Saul for specimens of
almost all the most valuable new shrubs that have
come into cultivation from America of recent years.
—Ed.

Mina lobata, which did so well last year in
many places, has this year proved disappointing,
owing doubtless to the dull, damp summer. It is
a handsome annual climber, with Vine-like foliage,
pretty in itself, and a charming foil to the two-
branched spikes of red and yellow flowers, which
stand out boldly and last long in beauty. Last
year the plants wreathed great branches in foliage
and flower, and would have covered more space.
This year we provided them with more room, and
they have not made a tithe of the growth. There
is only one flower-spike where last season we had
one hundred. — A. H.

Cobsea scandens in the open.— This is now
flowering upon the open wall, and is one of those
interesting plants rarely met with outside a green-
house. It is well worth treating as an annual
climber, for if raised in heat, hardened off, and
planted out in light, rich soil, it makes rapid
growth and flowers freely. It will cover a large
space upon wall or trellis, is handsome in foliage,
and effective in flower. The blooms are large,
borne upon long stalks, bell-shaped, and of a dark
purple colour. There is a really pretty variegated-
leaved form, which makes a handsome greenhouse
flower, but it is rarely seen. — A.

SEfr. 13, 1S90.]

THE GARDEN.

24i

Trees and Shrubs.

THE CORK OAK.

(quercus suber.)
Very few hardy trees are so interesting as the
Cork Oak, for the economic uses to which its
bark is applied are well known to all, while the
tree itself is a very uncommon one. Why, it
is difficult to imagine, as it is ornamental, and

this rough rugged bark must present a most
picturesque appearance, and this is also assisted
by the form the specimen usually assumes, as
the large dense masses of dark green foliage are
relieved by glimpses of its light, warm-coloured
bark. There is a rather widespread idea that
the Cork Oak is tender, and on that account it
is seldom planted, besides which it is by no
means common in tree nurseries. Concerning
its hardiness little fear need be entertained on

The Cork Oak at Stout Hall, Gower, Glamorgan. Engraved for The Garden.

possesses features quite distinct from those of
any other Oak in cultivation.

In general appearance it much resembles
some of the broader-leaved forms of the Ever-
green Oak (Quercus Ilex), but the extraordinary
development of the bark is the great character-
istic of the Cork tree. Anyone familiar with
the cork of the shops can fully understand
that a tree whose branches are clothed with

that score, as is shown by the grand specimens
the few trees scattered throughout the country
have grown into. A truly noble tree is that
herein depicted, which is growing at Stout Hall,
Glamorgan. It is between 60 feet and 70 feet
high, and the illustration thereof well shows
the dense clustered masses of foliage character-
istic of the Cork Oak. This specimen is of un-
usual height, for one not more than 20 feet to

30 feet high will often present all the features
of an adult tree — the rugged bark, the curiously
contorted branches, and dark irregular masses
of foliage. The Cork Oak maybe met with in a
thriving state under varying conditions, but as
a rule it makes the most rapid progress where
the soil is principally composed of an open
sandy loam, resting on a gravel subsoil, so that
though the roots do not at any time suffer from
drought, they are always properly drained. In
many parts, especially of the southern counties,
chalk is present to a greater or lesser extent in
the soil, and while many trees (Conifers more
particularly) fail to thrive under such condi-
tions, the Cork tree is quite at home, and a
handsome single specimen it forms when planted
in this way. At Linton Park, in Kent, so
noted for its many fine specimens, there is a
noble tree of the Cork Oak in a position that
shows its thorough hardiness in that part of the
country. In many places the Acorns ripen, and
thus afford a ready means of propagating this
Oak. Like all of the Evergreen section, it is
rather impatient of removal, especially after it
has passed the earlier stages, and consequently
great care should be taken in transplanting,
more particularly if the plants have attained
any size. Loudon gives the height of the Cork
tree in its native country (Southern Europe
and Northern Africa) as 20 feet to 30 feet, but
that is in several instances exceeded here, which
is proof that the conditions are favourable to its
well-doing.

Concerning its economic value, it may be said
that the greater part of the cork we use comes
from Spain and Portugal, where there are in
many cases great forests of the tree. When it
has attained sufficient size, the first crop of bark
is removed by means of sharp curved instru-
ments made for the purpose. The bark thus
taken off is not used for any particular
work, but constitutes the virgin cork which is
now so frequently used for various rustic
purposes, and also as floats for the larger fishing
nets.

Loudon mentions two or three varieties
of this tree principally differing from each
other and from the type in the shape of the
leaves, but in the various specimens through-
out the country there is a considerable amount
of variation in the habit and contour of the
whole tree. In some, the minor spray is far
more plentiful than in others, but this may be
owing to outside circumstances, as I have fre-
quently observed in the case of the Evergreen
Oak (Quercus Ilex), for some large trees of this
species, which have been under my notice for
years, were severely injured during the frost of
1866, so much so that in many cases the leaves
were quite blasted, and the bark in places ap-
peared to be killed. However, during the
summer young shoots were pushed out from all
parts of the branches, even to the very stout
ones, so that after two or three years no trace
of damage was to be seen, but the trees were
far more dense than formerly. The same thing,
although in a much lesser degree, was to be
observed after the sharp winter of 1881, that
tested the hardiness of so many trees through-
out the country.

The Holm or Holly Oaks, of which the com-
mon Evergreen and the Cork tree may be taken
as examples, are natives principally of Southern
Europe, North Africa, and the Levant, and all
with the exception of the common species are
rarely seen. Among the distinct varieties of
the Evergreen Oak are Fordi, the best of them
all. In this the leaves are narrower than those
of the type, and of a deep very glossy green
above and whitish beneath. The habit, too, is
very different, as it forms a far more compact

246

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 13, 1890.

specimen than the common kind, and grows
naturally into a broadly pyramidal shape.
Other forms, some of them more curious than
beautiful, are latifolia with very broad leaves,
thick in texture and almost entire ; crispa with
curled leaves ; integrifolia, serratifolia, and
laurifolia, whose distinctive characters are indi-
cated by their respective names. Besides these,
there are one or two others, apparently only
geographical forms of the Holm Oak, viz., Q.
Ballota, the sweet Acorn Oak, chiefly remark-
able from the fact of its Acorns being twice the
length of those of the common kind, and also
agreeable to the taste. As an ornamental tree,
however, it is by no means equal to a good form
of the Evergreen Oak, and the same may be
said of the variety Gramuntia, a straggling tree
with small prickly leaves. A very interesting
Oak is the little South European Kermes Oak
(Quercus coccifera), which forms a dense bush
usually not more than 4 feet or 5 feet high.
This is thickly clothed with small spiny leaves,
somewhat curled, and very hard in texture. So
prickly is the foliage of this shrub that it re-
sembles a miniature Holly, but is even more
formidable to handle than that well-known tree.
Q. coccifera is called the Kermes Oak, from the
fact of a small insect somewhat resembling
cochineal and known as the Kermes, which is
used as a dye, being found on it. T.

THE ALDER-LEAVED CLETHRA.

(C. ALNIFOLIA.)

The pure white, almost overpowering fragrant
flowers of this rare North American shrub are now
in full beauty on some of the specimens in our
home nursery at Holwood. It is certainly a re-
markable plant, the spikes of flowers being thickly
arranged. Delighting to grow in the northern
swamps and wet lands, this Clethra is, however,
not at all particular as to the soil in which it is
planted when brought under cultivation in this
country. Our specimens in loamy peat are just as
fine as any we have noted the dimensions of as
growing in their native wilds of the Alleghanies
and "Virginia. Blooming late in the season, when
most other shrubs are ripening their seeds, increases
the value of this Clethra. Then it is so deliciously
and powerfully fragrant, and so smothered with
flower-spikes, that no one can pass by a specimen
unnoticed.

It bears pruning without harm, while severe cut-
ting back would almost, as in the case of some of
our Willows, seem to increase the wood-forming
and flowering properties of the specimens operated
upon. There is a form of the Alder-leaved Clethra
named acuminata which differs little from the nor-
mal type except in the shape of the leaves, which
are more or less pointed. Both are good shrubs of
neat habit, and free-flowering from year to year.

Whether a sheltered site and where the warm
rays of sunshine are at all times welcomed will be
the most suitable place for the Clethras, I have
not yet determined, but as our best specimens are
growing under such conditions, it cannot be very
hurtful to them. But not only does this Clethra
flower early, but the blooms remain in good form
for a long time, comparatively speaking, when cut
and placed in water.

Propagation of the Clethra is easy enough, so
anyone with a fair - sized specimen may soon
work up a stock if he so wishes. The season for
planting is again upon us, and I would recommend
every lover of hardy and uncommon shrubs of pecu-
liar merit to note this plant. It is worthy of all I
have said in its favour. A. D. Webster.

age, which tint also extends to the young bark.
This Barberry is one of the vulgaris section and
well worth planting, as it grows freely and is quite
as accommodating as the common kind. — T.

Berberis aristata.— This Himalayan Barberry
flowers after all the others are past ; indeed, so late
does it bloom that the berries rarely ripen, being
usually cut by the frost. Just at present, too, the
young vigorous shoots which are so freely produced
are clothed towards the points with bright red foli-

NOTES ON CONIFERS.
Many of the Abies here are laden with orna-
mental cones, much more so than usual, and
perhaps the most ornamental is Abies Webbi-
ana. This is a Himalayan species which is often
injured by spring frosts in many places, but
here it generally escapes. The cones are from
6 inches to 8 inches in length and over 2
inches in diameter, of a fine purple colour, and
stand erect from the branches ; they can be seen
from a long distance, forming a pleasing con-
trast with the silver foliage.

Abies religiosa. — The branches of these are
now brought into a pendulous position with the
weight of cones, which are very ornamental, of
a dark colour, with numerous globules of trans-
parent resin, which glitter in the sun. There
are two varieties of this species here, one with
much darker foliage and growing more erect
than the other, but the cones are identical.
Doubtless the finest specimens in Europe are
here. Native of Mexico, tender, especially the
light coloured form.

Abies nobilis has also numerous cones near
the top of the trees. This has larger cones than
either of the above species, but being of a much
lighter colour they are not so attractive.

Abies grandis is now coning here for the
second time. This is a very quick-growing
species, the cones being about 3 inches long, and
not so ornamental as many others ; judging
from the rapid growth it is likely to reach a great
height. Its spread of branches is not at all in
proportion to its height.

Abies Veitchi is now in cone for the first
time. It is a very ornamental species with its
small dark-coloured cones about 2£ inches long.

Abies orientalis, Abies Smithi, A. cepha-
lonica, A. Pinsapo, and many other well-known
species are coning freely.

Araucaria imbricata has two crops of cones
upon it, those that are just ready to shed their
seeds, and those to mature next year. The male,
which is about 90 yards from the female, has
numerous catkins at the ends of the branches,
the pollen of which fertilises the above, and
from it we have raised numerous trees in former
years.

The Deodar (Cedrus Deodara) is also bear-
ing its thick blunt cones, which are very light
in colour until matured.

Cedrus atlantica glauca cones freely, from
which we have reared young trees that have the
same glaucous character as the parent. The
cones are the same shape as those of Cedrus
Deodara, but not nearly so large. W. 0.

Fota, Cork.

Fine-leaved Vines. — A few of the Grape
Vines, but more especially the North American
representatives of the genus, such as Vitis Lsbmscs,
vulpina, cordifolia, and others, are very beautiful
climbing plants, while some of the garden varieties
of the States are not less attractive than their
wilder brethren in foliage. This season seems to
have been unusually favourable for the production
of noble foliage, no doubt owing to the constant
showers we experienced during the growing season.
When oovering an arbour or festooning a tree, these
huge-leaved Vines are seen at their best, for it is
useless to plant them where space is limited. In
planting, too, some manure should be mixed with
the soil, as all the Vines are gross feeders, and with
liberal treatment the leaves are much more hand-
some than where the plants are starved. The cut-

leaved form (apiifolia) of the common Grape Vine
is also remarkable for its distinct foliage, as also is
another variety, the Claret Vine (V. purpurea),
whose foliage towards the end of the summer be-
comes deeply tinged with red, which colour is
retained till the leaves drop. The American Vines,
too, die off very brightly tinted in the autumn.
Other Vines worthy of note as ornamental climbers
are the Japanese Vitis Thunbergi, whose deeply
lobed leaves are especially remarkable for the rich
dark glossy green of the upper surface, while the
underside is covered with a rusty down. Another
yet to mention is one whose leaves are of medium
size, and not remarkable, but the berries, though
small, are of a bright blue colour, a tint but little
represented among hardy fruits. The berries of
this, which are about the size of large Peas and
borne in good clusters, are sweet and insipid to the
taste, but remarkably showy when ripe. This Vine,
which is known under the name of Vitis hetero-
phylla humulifolia, should be planted against a
warm wall, otherwise except during an unusually
warm summer the berries will not ripen. — T.

TREES FOR AUTUMN EFFECT.
Instead of the monotonous and sombre green of
our Pines, we may (now that deciduous trees are
once more beginning to attract the attention which
was diverted from them when the Conifer rage be-
gan), by noting the wondrous autumnal changes in
the foliage of deciduous trees, plant accordingly,
and so produce that harmonious effect which alone
can be brought about by judicious contrast. Fore-
most for leaf colouring in autumn we must unhesi-
tatingly place the beautiful American Oaks, many of
which have only been introduced of late years, for
certainly, so far as depth of tint is concerned, they
are unrivalled. What can be more effective in au-
tumn than Quercus tinctoria"; by reason of the
prettily tinted crimson and green, deeply-lobed
leaves and stately habit the tree is one of the very
best for the purpose under consideration.

The scarlet or red Oak (Q. rubra), too, has charms
of its own, for the intense reddish tint of the de-
caying leaves renders the tree conspicuous for half
a mile away. It is well set off by a dark green
background of Pines or evergreen Oaks. Two others
are nearly equally as fine ; we refer to Q. alba and
the Chestnut-leaved Oak (Q. Prinus).

Q. Daimyo and Q. Mirbecki have their own
beauty also, and which, though less intense, is
nevertheless distinct and appreciative.

The autumnal tints of the Sweet Gum (Liquid-
ambar styraciflua) are exceedingly beautiful, while
those of the Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
are not one whit behind.

As seen along the margins of some of our laker,
the Medlar is a valuable tree for its autumn leafage,
the golden tints being very deep.

Some of the Maples, too, particulaily Acer sac-
charinum and A.rubrum, can hardly find equals for
the intensity of their golden sheen in autumn and
early winter.

But the prettiest effect I have ever seen produced
by autumnal leafage was a mixed clump of Dog-
wood and Bird Cherry that had teen happily placed
directly in front of a group of dwarf-growing Pines,
while on either side were the variously tinted Silver
Maples that seemed to set the whole place aglow,
and to harmonise softly with the green and rosy
red of the Pines and Cherry. Even the common
wild Cherry has foliage of the richest shades
when dying off, particularly when it is grown
in low-lying rich soil and not exposed to too
much wind.

Not every specimen of the Horse Chestnut dies
off in masses of golden yellow, but a few do, and
they are certainly very ornamental and visible for
a long way off.

Other trees and shrubs that are remarkable for
the pleasing tints of their old leaves are the Hicko-
ries (Carya porcina and C. microcarpa), the June
Berry (Amelanchier), some of the Acacias and the

Sept. 13, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

247

Cheny Birch (Betula lenta) — the latter a rare and
distinct tree that should find a place in every wood.

Coniferous trees do not, as a rule, reveal much
beauty of autumn foliage, but certainly in this
respect the deciduous Cypresses (Taxodium disti-
chum and T. mesicanum), the Golden Larch (Larix
Krempferi), the Cryptomeria elegans, and a few
others cannot be passed by unnoticed. Particu-
larly valuable are the Taxodiunis, for they die off
of the sunniest yellow and the leaves hang for long
on the trees.

Amongst shrubs the ArnpelopsisVeitchi is one of
the most fascinating, for the leaves are steeped in
the deepest dyes in September and October. In-
tense early frosts spoil our autumn effects consider-
ably, while rude winds and pouring rains help the
disaster. A. D. Webster.

Leucophyllum texanurn. — We have received
from Mr. P. J. Berckmans, of Augusta, Georgia, a
flowering branch of Leucophyllum texanurn, a shrub
which has rarely if ever been seen here in cultiva-
tion. Mr. Berckmans writes that he tried for years
to propagate this species with living plants, cut-
tings and seeds, but he never succeeded until some
five years ago, when two plants were started. These
are now 4 feet high, and with their ashy white
foliage and abundant purple flowers, they are very
conspicuous. They endure the warmest and driest
weather well, since their large roots penetrate the
soil to a great depth. The foliage, which is ever-
green in its native habitat, stands without injury a
temperature which does not fall below 15° Fahren-
heit, and these plants have lived through a freeze
of 5° above zero. In writing of the forest vegeta-
tion of the Lower Bio Grande Valley, Mr. C. G.
Pringle speaks of this plant as the most striking
shrub of the region, and calls it " surpassingly
lovely, with a profusion of purplish bloom sur-
mounting the velvety white foliage." No doubt it
will prove a great addition to our list of shrubs for
latitudes south of Washington, and it may survive
winters much farther north if slight protection is
given to it. — Garden and Forest.

Orchids.

SOBRALIA LEUCOXANTHA.
This is a genus which from time to time I have
noted as becoming popular, and to some the
fact of the flowers being short-lived does not ap-
pear to be a drawback. There is such a long
succession upon each spike, that flowers in
abundance can be obtained. S. leucoxantha
was recently flowering in the establishment of
Messrs. Seeger and Tropp in Lordship Lane,
Dulwich, where I was in hopes of seeing the
magnificent kind named S. Cattleya in bloom,
but this plant has now passed into the collection
of Messrs. Veitch. The above plant, however, is
of a different habit and freer in blooming,
forming Reed-like stems some 2 feet and 3 feet
in length, and having evergreen leaves ; these
are sheathing at the base and much plaited.
The flowers measure some 5 inches across, pro-
duced on terminal racemes, one bloom only be-
ing open at one time, but when the plant is
strong and it has numerous flowering growths,
this feature is not objectionable ; neither is it
very noteworthy, because a long succession is
kept up. The sepals and petals are slightly re-
curved, the petals being somewhat shorter and
much broader than the sepals. All are of the
purest white ; lip the same colour on the out-
side, within bright golden-yellow, with a few
spots and streaks of reddish-orange at the base ;
the basal portion is convolute, forming a hood
over the column, and the expanded front por-
tion is bilobed, and the margin, which is quite
round, is white and prettily frilled.

Sobralias are terrestrial and appear to be
widely spread over the mountain regions of

Mexico and Colombia ; the species here named,
however, is said to be a native of Costa Rica.
The plants are all easily cultivated, and being
terrestrial, they should be potted in the usual
way and not elevated above the pot's rim. Pots
of a considerable size are requisite, as the
plants make quantities of large and fleshy roots.
The soil should consist of good yellow loam, not
of the stiffest nature, but light and fibry. To
this may be added a little leaf- mould and peat,
and the whole should be well mixed together be-
fore use. A large quantity of drainage is neces-
sary, as it likes an abundant supply of water
during the summer season, whilst even in win-
ter the plants can never be said to be at rest, so
that drying at this season must not be thought
of. Many grow Sobralias in the hottest position,
and so I did myself ; but we know better now,
and the reduced heat found to suit them best
has improved their health and appearance, for
when grown in the East India house they are
very subject to the attacks of red spider and
black thrips. The Cattleya house suits them
best, but they like and require more moisture
in the air than is accorded the Cattleyas in win-
ter ; therefore we would suggest that an inter-
mediate stove house is by far the best position
for them, and Sobralias mix admirably with
stove ornamental-leaved plants.

W. H. Gowek.

Oncidium Larkinianum. — This beautiful
plant, first flowered by Mr. Larkin, Highbury New
Park, was exhibited before the committee of the
Boyal Horticultural Society in the spring of the pre-
sent year by Mr. Larkin. It is midway beween
0. Forbesi and 0. Marshallianum, the sepals and
petals being like those of the former, while the rich
golden yellow lip is identical with that of the latter.
Its spikes become branched, and the flowers are
produced in large numbers. It comes from the
Organ Mountains.

Ansellia africana Rollissoni Flowers of

this variety have been received from Mr. J. O'Brien ;
they are from the short bulbed form recently im-
ported by him, and upon comparing them with
blooms which opened on the Messrs. Rollisson's
plant in the nurseries at Tooting, I cannot find any
difference. These plants flowered before they had
established themselves, but Mr. O'Brien tells me
that the old spikes have the remaining scars of
between fifty and sixty flowers, so that with such
a dense spike upon a short growth, it should prove
a valuable plant. — W.

Ccelogyne cristata in August.— This is a
surprise, but such a surprise as most lovers of this
elegant flower will be glad to welcome. I was very
pleased to see it in the gardens of Mr. Gabriel, in
the Palace Road, Brixton, or Upper Tulse Hill. It
was the true species, and I shall be curious to know
if this summer flowering will be repeated. The
plant is somewhat different in habit to the ordinary
type, being wider in the nodes and altogether more
in the style of the pure white-flowered variety ; the
species is well and largely grown here, being, I be-
lieve, a great favourite, and therefore it is especially
welcome at this season, as it perpetuates the time
of blooming.— W. H. G.

Odontoglossum "Wallisi.— Flowers of an
excellent variety of this plant come from Mr.
Osborne, The Grove, Teddington, for a name. It is
a plant not yet well understood. It was intro-
duced about twenty years ago by M. Linden,
of Brussels, and is variable, but the variety now
before me has the sepals and petals spreading,
the ground colour rich deep brown with a yellow
border, and the front lobe of the lip is wholly
rosy purple, without the white border which
usually accompanies it. It is a native of Vene-
zuela, and thrives under the same conditions as 0.
crispum.

IiSelia monophylla. — This little gem is well
established in Messrs. Williams' collection at Upper
Holloway, and is now flowering beautifully. It has

been known through Dr. Bancroft for more than
fifty years, but it is "only within the last decade that
it has been seen in our gardens. It is the only
member of the genus which has been found off the
American mainland. The flowers resemble very
much those of Sophronitis grandiflora in size,
shape, and colour. We believe horticulturists are
indebted to Mr. O'Brien for the living plants now
in our collections. It comes from Jamaica, where
it grows from 3500 feet to 5000 feet elevation, and
where the mean temperature is said to be about
65'. It succeeds best on a block or in a shallow
pan.

Stanhopea grandiflora (/. B., Lincoln). — A
flower of this beautiful pure white form comes f< r
a name, and it is another proof that the flowers, al-
though not long lasting, arebecominggreater favour-
ites. A few years ago it was almost impossible to
find Stanhopeas in English gardens ; and, indeed,
they are not well known there at present, S. tigrina,
S. Wardi, and one or two others, being the most
easily determined. The white one here named is
still a rare plant, and we congratulate the sender
upon having it, and he, no doubt, wiU be equally
pleased with it. The flowers last about a week in
perfection if the plant is kept cool and not too dry.
Water, however, must not touch the blooms. —
W. H. G.

Lselia Dayana. — This charming plant is now
in beauty with Messrs. Williams and Son at Hollo-
way, being in large baskets. It is bearing large
numbers of its large, deep purple flowers, and is a
very free plant grown in this way. It is very vari-
able in colour, the very deepest form that has c oms
under my notice being one of an intense deep
blackish purple. It is now in flower in The Wood-
lands collection at Streatham. For the introduc-
tion of this plant we are indebted to Mr. Boxall
whilst gathering plants in Brazil for Mr. Stuart
Low, of Clapton.

Vanda Kimballiana appears to be flowering
in many collections about London, thus confirming
my previous statement, that it would be a free and
beautiful species. Plants just now at Holloway
are very fine, and that, too, from the same which
flowered in profusion last season, thus proving it
to be a continuous flowerer. From all I can see
and hear respecting this plant, it does not require
any great heat, the Cattleya house being found by
most people very suitable. — W. H. G.

Cattleya eldorado. — This is a species which
thrives well in Mr. Goulter's garden at Norbiton,
and many fine varieties have flowered this season.
The house has not a high roof, and the interior
arrangement is fitted with water tanks, so that
there is a great amount of moisture in the atmo-
sphere. Vanda ccerulea is another plant thriving
in a remarkable manner here, and sending up
numerous spikes of bloom, whilst most of the
Cypripediums are very robust. This is very en-
couraging for amateur growers, as Mr. Goulter is
quite a self-taught Orchid fancier. — G.

Angr8ecum articulatum. — Flowers of this
species come from Mr. Buchan's collection, South-
ampton ; it is frequently misnamed A. Ellisi, but as
I have dried flowers from the original plant of A.
Ellisi, the present plant may be easily distinguished
when placed side by side with the one now under
consideration. It differs from A. Ellisi in having
larger flowers, and the lip especially is larger, which
deprives it of the bird-like character, from which it
has got the name of the Cockatoo Flower ; it is
pure white, with a straight spur 6 inches long. — ■
W. H. G.

"Warscewiczella "Wailesiana. — Flowers of
this charming plant come from " J. B." for a name,
marked " A." It and numerous other species well
deserve more attention than they have received by
English Orchid growers. Tbey are, however, veiy
difficult to manage, but Mr. Sander at St. Albans
is succeeding remarkably well with them. They
are growing in a somewhat cool house, flat- roofed,
and rather dark, and it will be interesting to report
upon their progress on a future occasion. W.
Wailesiana is very fragrant, the sepals and petals
being creamy white or French white. The lip is

248

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 13, 1890.

concave and also French white, having at the base
a violet stain, from which radiate several streaks
of bluish violet. We do not know the locality, so
cannot say from what part of Brazil it is derived.

Lselia Wolstenholmiee. — This plant is fre-
quently classed as a variety of L. elegans, but the
true elegans has a distinctly threo-lobed lip. In
the present variety, however, the lip is shaped like
that of L. purpurata, the sepals and petals being
pale lilac, deeply bordered with deep purple ; the
convolute side lobes of the lip are of the same
colour externally, the slightly recurved tips stained
with purple, and the front lobe is a deep rich
purple, which passes into a deeper hue towards the
base. This plant flowered many years ago in Mr.
Day's collection, and it was dedicated to his
sister. A beautiful figure of it was given in
Warner's "Select Orchidaceous Plants," ii., t. 29.
It thrives under the same conditions as L. elegans,
but has always been a rare variety. It is now
flowering in the nursery of the Messrs. Williams
and Son, of Holloway.

SHORT NOTES.— ORCHIDS.

Habanaria militaris. — Flowers of this beauti-
ful species have been received without any name. It
is, however, a splendid variety, the lip being large and
bold and of a rich deep crimson-scarlet. It is to be
hoped that this lovely Orchid will not pass out of cul-
tivation. We have seen this doing well with Sir Trevor
Lawrence at Burford Lodge, Dorking.

Odontoglossum grande. — "J. B." sends a
spike of a fine variety of this species. We have never
but once before seen this number of flowers on a spike,
and this was in the collection of Mr. Measures, The
Woodlands, Streatham, where we are pleased to find
it is now largely grown. Some excellent spikes of this
plant are also just now in fine condition in Mr. Gabriel's
garden, Palace Road, Upper Tulse Hill.

Aerides odorata. — This old species is not often
seen in good condition towards the end of July, its
usual time of floweriug when I used to grow it being quite
a month earlier. The plant was quite a neat specimen,
having more than a dozen spikes of bloom in fresh con-
dition. It occurred to me when seeing this specimen
that if it could he made to grow in a eool stove
during the winter, it would, by adopting a drier course
of treatment at that season, bloom now. — J. H.

Kitchen Garden.

EARLY FROSTS.
On the mornings of August 30 and 31 and
September 1 there was quite a sharp hoar-frost,
and although nothing apparently was injured,
there is no doubt about its having materially
checked the growth of vegetables generally. So
very cold and frosty did the weather feel on
each of the mornings named, that I should not
have been surprised to find that Runner and
Kidney Beans especially were blackened by the
frost, and a serviceable crop destroyed not long
after the rows had arrived at a full bearing
state. Fortunately, the foliage was quite dry
over-night, and the frost also being of short
duration, lasting only about an hour about the
time of sunrise, that only a " pinch " was given,
and it is to be hoped we shall now go on for
some time longer without any more such un-
welcome visitations.

But because we have escaped scot free this
time, it does not follow the same good fortune
will fall to our lot when next an abnormally
low temperature is reached, and those who are
wise in time will do well to be prepared for the
next frost whenever it comes. Very few owners
of gardens are content to quietly put up with
the inevitable, or, in other words, are at ail
satisfied that it is owing to no fault of the gar-
dener that the supply of vegetables is suddenly
abridged much before October or November,
and it behove! the latter to protect the more
tender species as much as possible, in order to

prolong their usefulness. It is really an agree-
able surprise to many to find how much may be
saved by a comparative light and temporary
covering, and it often happens that if tender
crops are preserved through September, no more
severe frosts are experienced till November.
Runner Beans are wonderfully productive this
season, and a row or rows would pay well for
being protected. It may have been noticed
that any placed under overhanging fruit trees
escape injury when the rest of the rows have
been blackened, and if a rod or a strong wire
was strained well above the rows, the cotton
blinds used for protecting Apricot and other
fruit trees when in flower, blinds from the
house, or even lengths of scrim canvas — a very
cheap material — could then be suspended over
the plants and allowed to drop down on both
sides. This would ward off an ordinary early
frost, and the supply of tender Beans be avail-
able at a time when much wanted, viz. , for the
shooting parties. Branches of trees, evergreen
or otherwise, fixed well above tender vegetables
will do much towards checking rapid radiation
of heat — of which there is very little in the
ground this season — and thereby prevent in-
jury from a moderately severe frost. Runner
Beans would not easily be protected in this
manner, but the dwarf or kidney Beans might.
Late rows of the latter or of any in a free-bearing
state ought certainly to be protected in some
way, these suffering even more quickly than
the running Beans. Benders and either mats
or blinds are the most reliable protectors, and,
failing these, branches of trees ought to be
fixed over them, so as to effectually shade them
from the sunshine as well as to enclose heat,
sudden thaws being most prejudicial to a par-
tial recovery from injury by frosts. Where the
late dwarf Beans are growing upon a warm
border or well together in any convenient spot,
then ought rough or large garden frames be
placed over them, the protection being afforded
by lights or mats or both together. Peas are
not so easily crippled by frosts, but late dishes
of these are even more appreciated than Beans,
and it is well therefore to be prepared for
eventualities. Ne Plus Ultra, the best of the
late varieties, is apt to grow rather too tall to
be easily protected, though it would not un-
frequently pay well to cover the best rows
much as advised in the case of Runner Beans.
The medium height varieties, including late
sown William I., can be readily protected, and
the breadths of Chelsea Gem and William
Hurst, both of which do well when sown late,
can be either matted over or covered with
frames similarly to dwarf Beans.

On the morning of August 29, the thermome-
ter, 30 inches from the ground, fell to 29°, or 3°
below freezing point, and this slightly injured
the late planted Potatoes. These were pre-
viously diseased, and it is doubtful if many of
them will recover sufficiently to be of any ser-
vice this autumn. Where there are healthy
rows or breadths, some provision ought to be
made for protecting in case of another frost
threatening. Frames, benders and mats, blinds,
branches of trees, or even dry litter or Bracken
are each and all suitable for temporarily cover-
ing the Potatoes, and if the haulm can be pre-
served till the tubers have attained to a service-
able size, the haulm has done it work, and little
or no further trouble need be taken in affording
protection. Globe Artichokes again are always
serviceable, and the late head-bearing stems
might in many cases be protected with advan-
tage. At this comparatively late date the heads
keep well on the plants for several weeks, and
if a few of the best stems are reserved and sur-
rounded with stakes and mats whenever a severe

frost is imminent, they can be depended upon
to give acceptable dishes during November or
even later. Autumn Cauliflowers and early
Broccoli are liable, any time after the hearts
have commenced to form, to be spoilt by only a
moderately severe frost, and they ought, there-
fore, to be kept well covered with either their
own leaves tied over them, or else with leaves
snapped off other plants from which the hearts
have been cut. Later on they will have to be
lifted and stored where they can be effectively
and simply protected. More often than not
most mischief is done by an early and per-
haps unexpected frost, and the timely, yet sim-
ple precautions advised would frequently save
hundreds of Cauliflowers and Broccoli.

Early frosts rarely injure any of the root
crops, Celery, and other more hardy vegetables,
but such salading as Lettuce and Endive is
frequently "touched" by frost before Septem-
ber is out, and when this happens neither will
keep long afterwards. At least a good half of
the more forward crops ought to be so arranged
that they can be quickly and simply covered
with either frames, mats, blinds or shuters
whenever a frost is anticipated. It is not ad-
visable to unduly coddle either salading or any
of the vegetables named, but no risks ought to
be run, or the supplies may be suddenly cut off.
W. Iggulden.

OPEN-AIR TOMATOES.
Some Lessons of the Season.
Judging from present appearances, this is likely
to be a bad season for open-air Tomato growers,
and even those who cultivate Tomatoes under
glass are feeling the effects of the cold, compara-
tively sunless weather, especially where the plants
are crowded. Overcrowding has much to do with
the diseased condition of many Tomato planta-
tions, both under glass and outside. Again, it is a
mistake to plant in rich land, such as is found in
alluvial valleys, where the atmospheric circulation
is languid. It is true that when the sun shines for
weeks at a time the alluvial valley has the best of
it, but hot summers are scarce ; they come only
once in about seven years, and even then they can-
not be depended on to keep up the average. The
best situation for a Tomato farm is a sunny south-
ern breezy slope on a limestone formation, where
the circulation is rapid and the soil of medium
character as regards composition, but well drained,
and at least from 12 inches to 15 inches deep. On
such a soil I should have no fear of results if the
plants are set out thinly, say from 3 J feet to 4 feet
between the rows and from 2 feet to 3 feet from
plant to plant. Those at the former distances
should be allowed two branches or main stems
and the latter three. The removal of side shoots
and the training must be regularly attended to, so
that each plant and every part thereof may be
hardened by exposure to the rapidly circulating air
which is afforded by the situation selected. Shel-
tered situations are usually stuffy as regards circu-
lation, and are not adapted for Tomato culture in
a season like the present. The Tomato is undergo-
ing the same treatment and with a similar result
to what befell the Potato forty-five years ago, and
the plant will have to be treated more rationally
before it becomes a profitable subject for field cul-
ture. In my experimental plot the old red is the
most profitable variety, the fruits being large and
not diseased. This I attribute partly to the breezy
situation on which they are growing and partly to
the character of the soil (2 feet of loam over chalk),
aided by thin planting and proper training. The
land was not manured before planting.

E. H.

Potato crop in Dumbartonshire. — The dis-
ease showed itself here on the Potato shaws quite
early in the season. Ashleaf Kidneys were a poor
crop and the tubers badly diseased. White Forty-
folds on one part of the garden where the soil is of

Sept. 13, 1890.]

THE GAEDETST.

249

a poor peaty nature are hardly worth lifting.
Champion grown on the same ground fares better.
On another part where the soil is gravelly and open
the shaws are quite as badly affected, but at pre-
sent the tubers show very little disease, and with
good weather the outlook is fairly hopeful. — James
Brown, Arddarroch Gardens, Qareloeh Head.

PERPETUAL SPINACH, OR SPINACH
BEET.

This is a most excellent and useful vegetable,
which can be had all the year round by making
sowings at three different times — one in April,
one in July, and another in September — devot-
ing ground to it according to the demand. The
Perpetual Spinach seems to grow luxuriantly
on any soil and at all seasons of the year, and
being a gross feeder, one can give the plants a
good quantity of liquid or other manure. Often,
in very hot, dry weather, the round-leaved or
summer Spinach is liable to run early to seed ;
therefore, it produces but few leaves, and those
of only second quality. The perpetual sort, on
the contrary, grows well in hot weather ; and
by feeding the plants freely with artificial ma-
nure, one is able to get from the spring (April)
sowing alone a good supply during the summer
and autumn. The second sowing must be
mad<3 early in July, in order to give the

Whito-leaf or Spinach Beet.

plants time to get well established before win-
ter, and from these one is able to have a good
supply, in proportion to the size of the piece of
ground devoted to the crop. The September-
sown lot comes in well in early spring. This
Spinach is exceedingly hardy, and often, when
the ordinary prickly-seeded winter Spinach is
killed, it survives the winter unscathed.

Ground for this Spinach is either dug deeply,
or, better still, trenched, working into it, at
the same time, plenty of rotten manure for the
roots to feed upon. The seed may be sown
broadcast upon the beds, or in rows, as they
afford a better opportunity for keeping the
ground free from weeds, and if need be artificial
manure can be sown between the rows, hoeing it
in deeply with a draw hoe. I find superphos-
phate of lime, or bone meal, one of the best
manures for Spinach ; it seems to invigorate the
plants in a very short time after being used.
Liquid manure from the farmyard is, however,
quite as good, only it requires to be oftener
used during the season. I find two good dress
ings of bone meal to carry a crop on for six
months. The kinds best worth growing are the
following : —

White -leaf or Spinach Beet. — The leaves
of this variety when true are very numerous,

broad, slightly undulated, and of a very light or
yellowish-green colour. The leaf-stalks are some-
what larger than those of the Beetroot, and are of
a paler colour than the blade of the leaf. A most
excellent kind.

Silvery Spinach or Seakale Beet. — A
very fine and good kind, with large broad leaves,

Silvery Spinach or Seakale Beet.

which are very much undulated, half-erect, and re-
markable for the size of their stalks, often 4 inches
broad or more, and midribs. This variety has,
when cooked, a very delicate acidulous taste. The
blade of the leaf may also be used like the first-
named kind.

White curled Swiss Spinach Beet. — This is
almost as vigorous and productive a variety as the
preceding one, with leaves equally white, but
crimped and curled in a remarkable manner. The

White Curled Swiss Spinach Beet.

stalks and midribs are not so broad as those of
preceding kind, but they are of quite as good qua-
lity. ______________ T' C"

NOTES FROM DORSET.
The excessive rainfall is having a bad effect on
some vegetable crops. It may be that we who re-
side in the west, where the average rainfall is much
higher than in many parts, suffer to a greater
degree.

Carrots have suffered as badly as any crops.
Those sown early in March in warm borders for
drawing young produced a clean crop, while, on the
other hand, those sown for main crop (middle of
April) came up grandly, giving most promising
appearances after they had attained 4 inches or 5
inches larger and had been thinned. After dress-
ing them between the rows with soot and wood
ashes in a short time they began to turn yellow, the
growth being arrested. Now they present a poor
appearance. Like " A. D." at page 179, I am not
disposed to think it is disease, but the result of the
excessive rainfall, and the fact that our land is of

a retentive nature, although the ground was
trenched 2 feet deep in winter. This is plainly
seen here. Our breadth of land at one end on the
south side is shaded by some Apple trees on a
border. Where shaded the Carrots are a total
failure, being better in the open and in the most
exposed places. It is also worthy of note here that
we grow four or five kinds, but the nearer the
variety approaches the white Carrot the less it is
affected. This is seen from the fact that Long
Orange is the best. White Scarlet Nantes is_ the
worst, all being sown under the same conditions.
Last season we had a good crop. Nor have I seen a
good crop in this neighbourhood, although I have
visited many gardens and flower shows. Onions
likewise will be a poor crop. I wish I could speak
as favourably of this crop as " A. D." at page 179.
Our bulbs looked well until they began to swell,
then they showed signs of mildew, and in a few
days it had played sad havoc with them. Although
it did not altogether stop the growth, the tops kept
continually going off, and now the bulbs will be
only about half their size, and many of them
thick-necked and promising to keep badly. We
have a good show of Leeks, and also plenty of
Shallots. I note the same results in all gardens in
this part. Peas have filled badly, the best being
Veitch's Perfection, Champion of England, and
Telephone. The late kinds are more promising,
and that grand Pea, Ne Plus Ultra, is now (Aug. 26)
bearing splendidly. No Pea can equal this.

Spinach has made but sparse growth compared
to other seasons. The New Zealand grown on
raised mounds is now growing fairly well. Parsley
has been difficult to obtain a good plant of. Cauli-
flowers and Globe Artichokes have given good
returns. We find by planting a portion of our
Artichokes every year that the supply is greatly
extended. Asparagus has made splendid growth,
and promises to give good heads next season. Celery
is making poor growth, needing more warmth.

Forde Abbey. J C.

INTERNATIONAL AND MR. BRESEE KIDNEY

POTATOES.
It has been said that a prophet should_ have a
good memory, and I am quite certain it is
equally important that a critic should have a
good memory also. International Kidney is one of
Mr. Fenn's seedlings, and it was put into com-
merce by me in 1870-77. In Vol. X. of The Gar-
den (p. 299), " A. D." wrote of it as follows : " This
variety has well maintained its character as the
best and most productive of all white kidneys."
What was the best in 187G is now " detestable."
Since International Kidney was sent out many new
varieties have received first-class certificates of
merit and been put into commerce, but where are
they? and yet this "detestable" International
Kidney exists, and is as generally grown for exhi-
bition as any other variety. I suppose those who
grow it like it, or they would change it for some-
thing they preferred to it. I have met with
growers of it who state that they approve of it for
the table and market, thus showing there are diffe-
rent tastes as to quality in Potatoes. As Interna-
tional Kidney is one of the handsomest of the white
kidneys, so is Mr. Bresee or Peerless Rose among
the red kidneys. It was sent out by me under the
former, and by Messrs. Daniels Bros., of Norwich,
under the latter name, and it is now largely grown
for exhibition. It has received certificates of merit,
and it is highly approved by many who cultivate
it. I think its table quality is as good as that of
any red or purple-skinned kidney in commerce.

As one of the two judges who made awards to
these Potatoes at the recent Co-operative Festival
at the Crystal Palace, I may state that under the
terms of the schedule of prizes, we had to give
prizes to the handsomest, cleanest, and most even
samples. We did this, selecting the very best
dishes answering to these requirements, and in do-
ing so we followed the practice of all judges at
Potato exhibitions. We were not called upon to set
up an ideal standard of table quality, nor had we any
rio-ht to dp so. It is just possible my colleague and

250

THE GABDEN.

[Sept. 13, 1890.

myself might have differed as to what constitutes
table quality in Potatoes. We contented ourselves
with taking up the position as assumed by " A. D."
in a former volume of The Gabden, when writing
on Potatoes for exhibition. He said, " Apart from
all considerations of table quality, there are many
persons who are cultivators of the Potato for pre-
cisely the same reasons that other people grow
flowers, not for their own consumption or profit,
but because they love to cultivate them, to watch
their growth, to note their respective produce, and
to exhibit with pride the beautiful tubers they have
raised." We should have exceeded our instructions
and our duty had we put aside any variety on the
ground of indifferent table quality.

The schedule laid down that the prizes in the
four classes for single dishes of Potatoes " would
be awarded for quality only," that is, quality in the
sense of external appearance, of beauty and finish
in the tuber. What a nest of hornets would buzz
about the ears of the judges who would take upon
themselves the quixotic task of setting up a stan-
dard of table quality; trade interests would become
alarmed, animosities would be aroused, and censors
would be in danger of being accused of having
acted from interested motives. E. Dean.

Ealing, W.

DISEASE-RESISTING POTATOES.

An Irish correspondent of one of the daily papers
in concluding a somewhat distressing account of
the effects of the Potato disease in Ireland said that
the Champion, on which the peasantry had relied,
had failed badly this season, and that experts
should set themselves to find a better substitute.
It exhibits in a forcible aspect the wide divergence
which exists between Potato culture here and in
Ireland, that whereas we have long dispensed with
the Champion as a coarse variety and one eminently
subject to disease, having a score of better and
healthier varieties to fall back upon, the Irish
should have only this variety to form the back-
bone of their Potato crops. The Champion was,
when introduced with such a flourish of trumpets,
but an indifferent kind at the best. It lacked the
properties of a real disease-resisting variety, such
as Magnum Bonum and other good sorts have
shown ; indeed Magnum Bonum has proved to be
worth a score of Champions, and is grown in larger
quantities in this country than is any other Potato.
It has been made most obvious that only just as
seedling varieties of Potatoes partake of the erect
growth and peculiar character of the Magnum, so
will they prove disease-resisting or otherwise. All
sorts which have sprawling tops seem to suffer
more severely than do kinds having stiff, erect
tops. The difference evidently lies in the nature
of the stem growth, that of the Magnum and its
progeny being so much more woody. The diffe-
rence in nature may be well seen in the dead
haulm late in the autumn, as whilst not a vestige of
the softer spreading haulm perhaps exists, the
erect haulm still shows itself in the form of dry
stems, and will, if allowed, be about in that condi-
tion all the winter. I am writing, of course, of
Potatoes grown under field culture, where because
fie haulm growth is moderate it is erect, whilst in
the rich soil of gardens the same sorts of Potatoes
will throw tops of moderate length, which sprawl
about. Of varieties produced from Magnum
Bonum which have disease-resisting properties
more or less are Chancellor, Beading Giant,
Stourbridge Glory, The Bruce, Governor, Vic-
tory, The Speaker, and others of the white
kidney form ; whilst of flatfish rounds, Abund-
ance, Satisfaction, and several other similar
strong growers are all good. It would be very
difficult, no doubt, to satisfy the wants of Ireland
from any of these varieties, as so far they are not
yet sufficiently abundant. But, no doubt many hun-
dreds of tons of Magnum Bonum could be spared
for the purpose, and it would be to th"e peasantry
of the Green Isle considerable comfort to have good
seed stocks of the excellent Magnum from British
soil to plant next spring. The writer to whom I re-
ferred evidently knew little about Potatoes or of
their cultivation, and it is unfortunate tha.t so far

the general press has gathered its information re-
specting the operation of the Potato disease in Ire-
land from correspondents who know little or
nothing either about Potatoes or methods of cul-
ture, or of the manner in which the disease ope-
rates in the Potato plant. Perhaps there is none
too much reason for conceit in that matter here,
where still the greatest possible ignorance prevails
in some quarters. It was a favourite element in
disease theories not so long since that the fungus
operated on the Potato plant not externally, but
internally, the minute spores being carried by the
return sap flow from the black spot in the leaves
to the newly-forming tubers. Then, Mr. Jensen
introduced his earth-protecting theory, which was
based upon the belief that the rains washed the air
spores from the leafage of the Potato tops into the
young tubers in the soil, and only a thick coating
of soil which fully covered the tubers would pro-
tect them from the spores. There seems to be
much truth in both theories, as whilst in one case
the first proposal finds ample evidence of its truth,
the second seems also to be founded on fact. In
any case I attribute the disease-resistance shown
by the Magnum Bonum and its types to the woody
nature of the stalks, which prevents contact be-
tween the fungus spores and the tubers. Still,
there remains the difficulty that at least under the
Jensenian theory the tubers of the Magnum should
be affected by the washed in spores equally with
those of other varieties. But still such is not the
case. A curious problem is presented and one diffi-
cult to solve. What is certain is that our home
Potato crops have been saved to us for some years
through the introduction of disease-resisting varie-
ties, so that Potatoes are still wonderfully cheap.
No doubt the same sorts will do as much for Ire-
land if fairly tried. A. D.

MARKET PRICES OF POTATOES.
" I. M. H." holds that the prevalent very low prices
paid for Potatoes just nowis due to the middlemen or
dealers. In this district Potatoes lifted and carted
direct to London and sold by the growers them-
selves have been fetching from 50s. to 60s. per ton.
It is not a matter for surprise, therefore, that in the
dealers' shops the prices retail have been about
five pounds for threepence. The fact shows that
the poor consumer is getting the full benefit of the
low market rates. I should like to learn what are
the growers' prices in the west of England, where,
as we learn from " I. M. H.," Potatoes are now so
largely grown. It will not be a matter for surprise
to learn that tubers are selling at 40s. per ton, but
then the price relatively would be as good as is ob-
tained in Middlesex where land is rented at from
70s. to 80s. per acre, and labourers are paid 3s. per
day. It does seem absolutely impossible that Po-
tatoes can pay for cultivation at such prices, and
yet they seem to be grown as largely as ever. One
real cause of the low prices of Potatoes is found in
the enormous quantity now grown, and the fact
that varieties are both, on the whole, much less in-
fluenced by disease than formerly and generally
much more prolific. The worst evidences of disease in
this locality are found where the soil was water-
logged for some time after the flood of July last.
Still such soils are partial, and on the whole I find
that whilst about one third of the earlier sorts are
diseased, the Inter kinds which form the bulk of
the breadths grown are fairly sound, so that the
effects of the disease in this country will hardly be
felt in the markets, as prices show. London forms
the largest congerie of Potato consumers in the
world, but it is easily supplied in its Potato wants
from the home districts, up till the end of the year
at least, or later. Then by rail and ship myriads
of tons of Potatoes from the north are poured into
the markets, and the prices rarely vary appreciably,
for when seed is wanted in March for the home
growers they can usually buy cheaply enough at
rates about the same as those now being quoted.
One good result is that changes of seed are easy
and frequent. One result of this wealth of Potatoes
at home is that the foreign trade has practically
been killed— I mean, of course, for winter supplies.
A few years ago we were largely dependent upon

Belgian and German Potatoes for ordinary shop
trade. Now foreign Potatoes are seldom seen ; in
fact, the strong-growing sorts Magnum Bonum and
its progeny have proved to be such bulk- producers,
that even a fierce attack of the Potato fungus, such
as we have experienced this season, fails to create
alarm. It is probable that there will be some call
for Potatoes for Ireland, where they are so severely
diseased. It is all very well to blame Irish peasants
and their methods of culture, but we may not
forget that Ireland is an island surrounded by
the ocean, which causes the atmosphere to be
unusually moist, especially on the west coast,
and this year, as we have found to our cost, it has
been unusually wet. When Potato tops are exist-
ing in what may be termed a perpetual bath of
moisture, disease in its worst form is inevitable ;
hence the sad condition of the Potato crop in Ire-
land. If the peasantry could have access to the
higher and drier areas for Potato culture the evil
would be lessened. Here we are now getting drier
weather, and although all through the south and
midlands the tops are gone, yet the tubers left in
the ground will greatly benefit thereby. A. D.

NATIONAL CO-OPERATIVE SHOW AT THE
CRYSTAL PALACE.
" A. D." (page 194), although a disinterested ob-
server, appears, nevertheless, to have formed im-
pressions of the show which scarcely seem possible,
at least to a careful reader, to have been formed by
a purely unbiassed mind.

The whole tone is so petulant as to lead anyone
to suppose the writer was writhing under some sup-
posed personal slight, or else that his whole mind was
antagonistic to anything and everything that bore
the stamp of co-operation. Doubtless in such a
large, diverse, and rapidly increasing show there
existed a few errors and inconsistences, but that
they existed to the number and extent, and were so
glaring as " A. D." would have your readers believe,
is simply inaccurate. His chief aim appears to have
been to disparage and condemn the method adopted
by the executive of the exhibition, and especially
that of the Agricultural and Horticultural Associa-
tion, as he states —

That this exhibition was a telling advertisement for
the trading association promoting it there can be no
doubt, for it is distinctly laid down in the rules and
regulations governing tie show that all seeds of sub-
jects shown shall have been purchased from the Horti-
cultural Association. That is certainly very diverse
from the entire freedom which governs exhibiting at
all ordinary shows.

But this is not an ordinary show. It is distinctly
a special show, by and for members of co-operative
and industrial societies only, and, as far as I know,
only members of such societies are requested to
subscribe to it. And not only is the method of pro-
cedure submitted for the approval and adoption of
the many affiliated co-operative societies through-
out the kingdom, but each society guarantees and
contributes its quota of the necessary expenses, and
in addition some of the societies offer special prizes
for their respective members, while many others
pay the carriage of their members' exhibits to and
from the exhibition. " A. D." may not have known
these facts, and may therefore in some measure be
excused the somewhat carping remarks he was led
to make. Not that I presume, or even desire, to be
their champion. In justice to that association, how-
ever, I cannot omit to state that they have not only
borne the brunt of the hard work, but they have
each year generously contributed a large sum to
meet the financial deficit, which I regret to say has
hitherto resulted from these popular festivals.
Under these circumstances I do not think even
" A. D." can possibly raise an objection to their
method of procedure. For even when a compara-
tive paltry prize is specially offered by a trading
firm at one of our public shows, it is invariably
governed by restrictive rules, accompanied by an
important and special trade advertisement, quite
distinct from the other prizes offered. In short, I
venture to think " A. D." may safely leave the co-
operative community to conduct its own affairs

That so many persons should be induced to com-

Sept. 13, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

251

pete for so few prizes did not appear to " A. D." to
be a matter for congratulation, but, from a co-
operator's point of view, this is one of the most
hopeful signs, not only showing how determined
and earnest the competitors are, but it also augurs
well for future festivals, when it is hoped that
more money will be at the disposal of the com-
pilers of the schedule.

But " A. D." complains of " the enormous waste
and the myriads of gardens denuded of their best
produce ostensibly to secure prizes, but in reality
to form a popular advertisement for a great trading
associat'on."

It is somewhat difficult to imagine how that can
be called waste which gives so much happiness to
those who cultivate it, to the tens of thousands
who go to see it, and afterwards goes to sustain
and comfort the inmates of our London hospitals.
" A. D." also complairis that there was quantity, but
not quality, "that there was no more of average
merit than may be seen at any rural show in the
kingdom, especially where cottagers exhibit largely."
But surely " A. D." must have overlooked the fact
that it is these very cottagers who represented
nearly every town and country district in the king-
dom whose exhibits he disparages, and who cer-
tainly would not on such an important occasion
leave their best produce at home.

Another evil detected by " A. D." was not, I
regret to say, peculiar to this show alone. To mis-
apply the names of horticultural subjects for trade
or selfish purposes is a bad practice. No one can
reasonably support it, as it leads to endless con-
fusion, and the sooner a determined attempt is
made to stamp out such an objectionable and
despicable practice the better. But who are the
chief offenders ? The trading firms or the
public ? A trading firm makes a careful selec-
tion from the seedlings from some choice, well-
known, and correctly-named vegetable. This
in due time is distributed to the public
as say "A. B.'s" "improved something." The
public, for the sake of brevity or convenience,
omit " the something," and it henceforth bears the
name of "A. B." Shortly, however, under ordinary
cultivation, it probably reverts to the original type,
and the identical subject appears under two, or it
may be under more names. But " A. D." must, in
conclusion, abuse the judges. To expect and im-
pose on a few ordinary judges the task of inspect-
ing and revising the nomenclature of about 5000
exhibits, in addition to their more important duties
and in the limited time at their disposal, does, to
say the least, seem rather exacting. Then, a<*ain,
the unfortunate pair who were deputed to decide
the merits of almost endless dishes of Potatoes
came under his scathing censure. Why ? Because
they awarded a prize in the coloured kidney class
to "that objectionable, though very handsome va-
riety, Mr. Bresee," and further, because in the white
kidney class they placed " that beautiful, but de-
testable variety International" in a similar position.
Has " A. D." arrived at that pitch of perfection so
as to know the quality of a Potato by its outward
appearance ? When judges can so detect the flavour
of a Potato, then, and not till then, can we afford to
discard those "that are beautiful, but detestable;"
but while soil, situation, and cultivation prove such
powerful factors in changing the quality of every
Potato, we cannot venture to put into practice such
a drastic measure, or we should, I fear, commit
even greater mistakes than those which " A. D." so
recklessly censures. But to show how even doctors
differ, I venture to quote a paragraph which ap-
peared under the signature of " A. D." in a contem-
porary some time ago : —

International Kidney Potato. — This variety has
well maintained its character as one of the best and
most productive of all the white kidneys. Those who
saw the fine samples it produced last year will not soon
forget it.

Thomas Challis.

undeceived us. However, it must be admitted that
buds on hardy fruit trees in every direction, Apples
and Pears especially, wear a remarkably stout and
fertile aspect. It would be very interesting to
learn from observers in various parts of the kingdom
during the month of October, or as soon as the
leaves have fallen, what is the nature of the bloom
bud promise, that the prospect then may be com-
pared with the realisation the following year.
Generally, I think, whilst trees have made good
growth the fruit buds are in great plenty and
present a remarkably robust appearance. — A. D.

The Fruit Crops.

Next year's crops. — It would be absurd to
speculate yet upon the prospects of hardy fruit for
next year. We thought that last autumn gave good
promise, but the present season's barrenness ha,s

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORTS.
Shrubland Park, Suffolk.— In reply to your
inquiry respecting the fruit crops in this place and
neighbourhood, I regret to say it is almost a failure.
We have some Pears on the walls— Jargonelle
(small), Marie Louise, Glou Morceau, Pitmaston
Duchess, Old Crassane, Uvedale's St. Germain and
Catillac, but all the standard trees are a blank.
King of the Pippins is the only Apple we have with
a full crop. We have no Plums on the trees out of
doors, but in the orchard house there is a heavy
crop. Apricots are clean and healthy, but not half
a crop. Cherries have been good, but the tender
sorts were spoiled by rain — Morellos are plentiful
and fine. Gooseberries were scarce. Currants of
all kinds plentiful. Filberts and Walnuts are most
abundant. We have none of the new sorts of
Strawberries ; therefore I cannot give an opinion on
their merits. Of the older kinds, Vicomtesse Heri-
cart de Thury is our best early sort for forcing and
open-air culture ; Prince Imperial is also a good
bearer ; Sir Charles Napier also does well with us,
but British Queen is our best both in pots and out
of doors. I have not seen any kind of Strawberry
to approach the Queen either for look or flavour.
We had a great crop this year, but the rain and
want of sun spoiled a large portion of the fruits.
We grow our Strawberries in rows, 2 feet between
the rows, and 18 inches from plant to plant. Cater-
pillars have been troublesome this year. I always
find hellebore powder diluted in water and applied
with a syringe an effectual cure. — Thos. Blaie.

Waterdale, St. Helen's, Lanes. — The fruit
crops in this locality are various — Peaches, Nec-
tarines and Apricots not being much grown outside.
Apples are a very poor crop, here and there a tree
being fairly loaded, but the same variety close by
has not a fruit on ; even the free-bearing sorts are
no exception, such as the Codlins, Greenups, Suf-
fields, &c. Pears are about the same — a very thin
crop. Plums in a sheltered situation are fairly
loaded, but where exposed there is scarcely one
fruit. Cherries a light crop — Morellos a fair aver-
age. Gooseberries plentiful. Black and Red Cur-
rants fairly good. Raspberries a good crop, but
soon over, being watery and flavourless from want
of sun. Strawberries a heavy crop, but poor in fla-
vour through damp and sunless weather. The kinds
that answer best on our cold clay subsoil are Yi-
comtesse He'ricart de Thury, President and Sir Joseph
Paxton. The above three kinds answer best for
forcing. Noble forces well and is very fine, but so
flavourless, that it will be of no use except for mar-
ket growers.

We grow a large quantity of Potatoes all round
here, and the early crop is very heavy, Sutton's
Early Regent being the chief sort grown. The late
or general crop looks quite as promising, the two
kinds most grown being Magnums for light soil, and
Champions for heavy soil, both being good in qua-
lity and heavy croppers. — James Smith.

Straffan House, Co. Kildare Apples are

much under average, but there are good crops of
Cox's Orange Pippin, Kerry Pippin, Tower of
Glamis, Besspool, Tibbit's Pearmain, Yorkshire
Greening and Ecklinville. Pears are a thin crop,
and the fruit is inclined to be small. Plurns, with
the exception of Kirke's, are a failure, and Apricots
none. I do not think that frost had so much to do
with failure as the long continuance of east wind.

The fruits set well and were healthy and strong, but
the sap was simply dried out of them, and they
turned yellow and dropped. Cherries were extra
good, and all kinds of small fruits abundant and
good. Scarlet Filberts and Walnuts plentiful.— F.
Bedford.

Hampton Manor, Hampton-in-Arden.—

After a remarkable promise, the fruit crops are very
disappointing. Apples are a partial crop, Keswick
Codlin, Hawthornden, Golden Noble, Warner's
King and King of the Pippins having the most
fruit. Pears are almost a failure, the only excep-
tions being Jargonelle and Louise Bonne of Jersey.
Plums and Damsons are the same, except a tree
here and there. Morello Cherries are plentiful, as
also are Gooseberries, Currants and Raspberries.
Strawberries, both forced and out of doors, have
done well, and the latter continued in bearing a
long time. For forcing the only kind grown here
is Vicomtesse He'ricart de Thury, nothing, in my
opinion, approaching it for this purpose. It both
sets and swells freely and is excellent in flavour.
This kind and President have again proved the two
best kinds we have for flavour and heavy cropping.
— W. Heath.

Gunnersbury Park The fruit crops here this

season are very thin, although there was abund-
ance of bloom, but the parching easterly winds and
late frosts destroyed all prospects generally. Pears
are a failure altogether. Apples are somewhat
better and a few varieties are bearing very good
crops, viz., Stirling Castle (which seldom fails),
Pott's Seedling, Cox's Pomona, Early Harvest, Yel-
low Ingestrie, and Margil ; also a sprinkling on Cox's
Orange Pippin, Ribston Pippin, and King of the
Pippins. Peaches on the outside walls are very
good, but were sadly attacked with green-fly in the
early stages of growth. Alexander has ripened
earlier than usual, having gathered fruits here the
second week in July, Rivers' Early and Hale's
Early keeping a good succession, the latter just
coming in. Nectarines are also very good. Cherries
have been a moderate crop, but great numbers of
the fruit cracked and were useless from the con-
tinuous wet. Plums are a failure. Strawberries
have been very good, but deficient in flavour from
want of sunshine. Keen's Seedling ripened firstwith
us, being a few days in advance of Laxton's Noble.
President and British Queen have been very fine.
There has been an abundance of bush fruit, Black
Currants being exceptionally fine. Raspberries
have borne heavy crops; the sort grown here is
Carter's Prolific. There is a very large quantity of
Filberts and other Nuts this season. — G. Reynolds.

Croft Castle, King-sland, Herefordshire.

— The varieties of Strawberries grown here are
not many, viz., President, Doctor Hogg, Vicomtesse
He'ricart de Thury, and Elton Pine. President
was very fine. Doctor Hogg was also fine and of
good flavour. Vicomtesse He'ricart de Thury was
good, also Elton Pine for dessert, but not very pro-
lific with me this season. The Strawberries here
are planted in beds. After the ground has been well
prepared by trenching and manuring, the plants
are put in singly 2 feet apart and 3 feet between
the rows ; the soil is light upon a limetone rock.
Doctor Hogg requires 3i feet between the rows.
Apples — Keswick Codlin is fruiting very well, also
Cellini Pippin, Earl Grosvenor, Nelson's Glory,
Summer and Winter Hawthorndens, Kentish Fill-
basket, Schoolmaster, Tower of Glamis, Sturmer
Pippin. The variety Mr. Gladstone also has a fair
crop, and we have a good crop of Blenheim Pippin,
but a moderate crop of Ribston Pippin on much
older trees growing in an orchard of Pears which
have a fair crop. BeurriS Diel is good against the
wall, and Swan Egg, Marie Louise, Gansel's Ber-
gamot, Winter Nelis, and Glou Morceau may
be mentioned as having a moderate crop. Of the
varieties not against a wall which are bearing fairly
well I may mention Williams' Bon Chretien, Marie
Louise d'Uccle, Brown Beurre, Soldat Esperen.
The gardens here are situated on an elevation. Of
the orchards and gardens in this neighbourhood
some that are not too old are well stocked with
fruit, particularly cyder fruit, and the varieties
called White and Red Normans, and Brown Thorns

252

THE GARDEN.

[SiPT. 13, 1890.

appear to be mostly laden with fruit. Many of
the orchards have very old trees and I see very
little fruit upon them. The same remarks apply to
the perry-making Pears. The caterpillar has not
done so much damage this season as it did last
year. I have not heard of any plan being used to
get rid of it at present about here. — W. Bytheway.
Poles, Ware.— Our fruit crops until the pre-
sent have been very satisfactory, but from now on-
wards we have little to look for. Small fruits were
all over the average, Raspberries especially, both in
size and quantity. Gooseberries were very much
thinned in spring by the birds ; still, they left us a
fair crop. Soot and lime are not to be trusted to as
a preventive. Cherries have been a good crop and
would have been better but for the plague of black
fly which got hold of them early and curled the
leaves up, so that they were out of reach of the
syringe and black soapsuds, which we tried for
them with only partial success. Peaches are a full
crop as usual, and Apricots also, a noteworthy fact,
as they have seldom done so well as this year.
Plums, Apples, and Pears are almost a failure. We
have got a fair crop of Smith's Early Orleans Plum
and also Rivers' Early Prolific, both on west wall.
A thin crop on two Green Gages, one tree on the
west wall another on the north, and a good crop on
Coe's Golden Drop on west wall. Washington very
thin, so also is Prince of Wales, Victoria, Magnum
Bonum, Standard of England, &c. Angelina Burdett
has never failed in having a heavy crop until this
year. The same may be said of Black Diamond, but
neither have a single fruit ; Autumn Compote, Belle
Septembre none ; Damsons none. Apples are very
thin all round here, with the exception of one or
two orchards I have seen. One facing north on the
side of a hill has hardly a tree in it without a heavy
crop. We have a thin crop on Tower of Glamis,
Blenheim Orange, Ribston Pippin, Irish Peach,
Hawthornden, Syke House Russet, Guildford, and
Gravenstein. The great proportion are either devoid
altogether of fruit, or have only a few among the
branches. Pears are the same.— W. M. Alex-
ander.

Preston Hall, Aylesford.— This year will
prove to be a barren one as regards Apples, Pears,
and Plums. The severe frost of March 3 doubtless
caused the failure. We had 32° of frost, which
blackened the Apricot buds and killed and damaged
a quantity of shrubs. I never remember seeing
more blossom. We have not had any trouble with
the caterpillar for years, so that it is not the cause
of failure here. Some sorts of Apples are bearing
good crops, especially Cox's Orange Pippin, Blen-
heim Pippin, Warner's King, Oslin Pippin, Tower of
Glamis (which never fails with me), Stirling Castle,
Peasgood's Nonsuch, Washington, Ribston Pippin,
Gravenstein, Wellington, Ecklinville Seedling, and
Cellini Pippin. Pears are not so good as Apples, but
there are crops on trees of Jersey Gratioli, Jean de
Witte, Bishop's Thumb, Beurre de Capiaumont,
BeurriS d'Esperen, and Brockworth Park. Plums
and Damsons are a failure. Cherries were abun-
dant, but the heavy rain and damp atmosphere
caused the early ones to crack, but the later came
out well, especially Morellos, which are very fine.
Gooseberries were plentiful and good, also Black,
Red, and White Currants. Raspberries are abun-
dant and good. Strawberries were plentiful and
good, but the wet spoiled much fruit. We have no
Apricots, but Peaches and Nectarines are a full
crop. Nuts are a good crop in most places.—A.
Waterman.

Trelissick, Truro — The Apple crop is the
worst we have had for years. The trees appeared
to have bloomed and set well, but the cold, wet
storms of June have destroyed the greatest part of
the fruit in this neighbourhood. Pears will be very
scarce, and what fruits we have are, as a rule,
cracked and disfigured. Of Peaches we have a fair
show, but nothing like our usual crops. Wall
Plums are very scarce and inferior, but some of
the large Plum orchards about here, that are
sheltered from the east winds, have abundant crops,
while other orchards not so favoured have next to
none. Cherries and Apricots never do much in our
humid climate at any time, and this year they are

worse than usual. Bush fruits of all kinds have
been abundant, but much of it was spoiled by the
cold, wet weather of June and July, the fruit being
quite flavourless, and large quantities rotted on the
bushes. As to Strawberries, we have had a fair
crop, but wretchedly poor in quality ; in fact I have
not seen a really first-class dish for the season.
The sorts that have done best here are Black
Prince, Sir C. Napier— the best of all both for
dessert and preserving. It is a very handsome
fruit, and both forces and travels well. I have
sent splendid fruits of it by parcels post to south
of Ireland, where I was told they arrived as fresh
and perfect as if they had been just gathered
from the plants. I have tried most of the new
sorts, but shall discard in future all except Jubilee
and The Captain, which have given us our best late
dishes. Noble is certainly a very fine fruit, but
very much wanting in flavour. — W. Sangwin.

Mentmore, Bucks.— The Apple and Pear crops
are almost a failure here this season. There are a
few varieties of the former that are bearing a good
crop, viz., Schoolmaster, Aiton House, Worcester
Pearmain, Mr. Gladstone, and Emperor Napoleon.
These are dwarf bushes on the Paradise stock.
Hardly any of the old trees in orchards have a crop
with the exception of Court Pendu Plat. Plums
are very scarce ; no Green Gage or Victorias, and
only a very few sound Damsons. Bush fruits have
been abundant and good. Peaches and Nectarines
are about half a crop. The trees are healthy and
clean. Cherries have been almost a failure, except
Morellos, which are good and plentiful. Filberts
and Walnuts are very heavy crops, the best we
have had for years.— J. Smith.

The Gardens, Leonardslee, Horsham.—

Apples are much below the average, some large
orchards having scarcely any fruit. The cater-
pillar made sad havoc with the trees. Pears are,
on the whole, about half a crop, but promise to be
very good. Plums are quite a failure. Gooseberries
have been about half a crop. Currants, Black,
White, and Red, a fair average crop. Strawberries
were an enormous crop and the fruit good; the
heavy rains caused much, however, to rot. Rasp-
berries have been very good, and Nuts are abun-
dant.

Potatoes very badly diseased.— Geoege Gold-
smith.

New-burgh Priory, Easingwold.— Apricots
plentiful ; fine large fruit. Apples fair average
crop, Lord Suffield, Ecklinville, Ribston Pippin and
Lemon Pippin being very good. Pears and Plums
rather scarce crop both on walls and in orchards
Cherries (Morellos) fair crop. Small fruit— Goose-
berries, Currants and Raspberries— plentiful and
good.

The showery weather we have had during the
summer has suited Peas ; crops very good, especially
those of Ne Plus Ultra. Potatoes good both in gar-
dens and fields. Altogether we are having a very
favourable season in this part of Yorkshire.—
George Morrison.

Edgcote Park, Banbury.— Apples are a very
light crop ; Pears lighter still. We have neither
Plums nor Damsons. Cherries good ; Gooseberries
very light ; Red, White, and Black Currants a fair
crop. Apricots, Nectarines, and Peaches are good
crops. The last three named are grown under glass
here, as we cannot get any outside ; the Apricots,
also the Apples, have been badly affected with
the caterpillar. The only plan I have used has been
to hand-pick the trees several times. The varieties
of Strawberries grown here are Keen's Seedling
and Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury ; for early forc-
ing the first-named does the best. President and
James Veitch are grown for late work, and the
first-named of these two is the finest. These, with
several other varieties, are grown outside in beds,
and President is the best all-round variety I have
grown here. The crop has been rather light this
year, as the frost on the last night of May spoilt
all the early bloom, &c— E. S. Wiles.

Tremough, Penryn, Cornwall The fruit

crops here and in the neighbourhood are of a very
meagre character, especially the better class of

fruits. Apples in most instances are thin, such
standard sorts as Blenheim Orange, Lord Suffield,
Cox's Orange Pippin, &c, which usually give us the
main supply, being nearly bare this year. Happily
there are a few exceptions to this rule. Cornish
Aromatic has a splendid crop. I consider this the
most reliable variety we have for any purpose.
Stunner Pippin and King of the Pippins are fairly
cropped, also some local sorts. Pears are even
worse than Apples, especially wall trees. A few
standards are bearing crops, while the same sorts
on walls are bare. Peaches and Nectarines almost
a failure, Royal George beiDg a good exception
Plums nil. Small fruits plentiful, especially Goose-
berries, where protected from birds in winter. The
caterpillar has been very troublesome, hand-picking
being the only remedy adopted. Strawberries a
medium crop, the most approved sorts being Sir C.
Napier, President, Old Caroline, and Vicomtesse
Hericart de Thury. Amongst new sorts Noble
stands out well. — R. Gill.

Silvermere, Cobham, Surrey.— Of Apples
we have an average crop. As our trees were covered
with Moss last winter, we gave them a good
brushing with a dandy brush and lime, and washed
the stems and main branches ; the trees are in a
much healthier condition. Of Pears we have a fair
crop. Owing to late frost Plums and Apricots are
a complete failure. Cherries were good. Since we
allowed the Morellos to grow well away from the
wall they have been free from black-fly. Goose-
berries, Red and Black Currants plentiful and fine.
Raspberries exceptionally good both in size and
flavour. Strawberries have been an excellent crop,
and quite repaid the extra labour bestowed upon
them in protecting them with straw on the night
of May 31 and propping the fruit up with sprays of
Birch. James Veitch has done well with us both
indoors and out. Peaches and Nectarines under
glass are carrying a heavy crop. We grow none
outside. Nuts are abundant, but I fear the squirrels
will claim nine-tenths of them.— James QUARTEK-
man.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 770.

CLNEEAEIA AUEITA.*
This is a beautiful greenhouse plant, about the
value of which there can be no two opinions.
In several of the greenhouses at Kew last
spring it was a chief attraction for about two
months. The plants as grown there were 3
feet high, branched from the middle upwards,
and each branch bore on its end a large, ele-
gant raceme of pretty, bright-coloured flowers
whose fragrance was as powerful and pleasant
as that of Violets. Although new to most
cultivators, yet this plant was cultivated in
England over a hundred years ago. There is
a figure of it (a poor one) in the first volume
of the Botanical Magazine, 1787, where it is
called C. lanata, and where it is spoken of in
the following high terms : —

In the beauty of its blossoms this species of
Cineraria, lately introduced from Africa, by far
eclipses all the others cultivated in our gardens.
Its petals exteriorly are of a most vivid purple, in-
teriorly white. This change of colour adds much
to the brilliancy of the flower. What renders this
plant a most valuable acquisition to the greenhouse
is its hardiness, its readiness to flower, and the fa-
cility with which it may be propagated. It flowers
early in the spring, and by proper management
may be made to flower the whole year through. It
is sometimes kept in the stove and may be made to
flower earlier by that means, but it succeeds better
in a common greenhouse, with no more heat than
is just necessary to keep out the frost. The only

* Drawn for The Gakpen in the Royal Gardens,
Cevv, by II. G. Moon, Juno 5, 1890. Lithographed
ud printed by Guillaume Severevns.

Jvew, Dyll. U. Moon, Juno a, 1SU
aud printed by Guillaume Severeyns

E - IS SS 3

CINERARIA AURITA.

Sept. 13, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

253

way to have handsome, healthy, strong-flowering
plants is to procure a constant succession by cut-
tings, for there is no plant strikes more readily.
These should be placed in a pot and plunged into
a bed of tan.

Here we have the whole story of the plant,
with a rough, but perfectly trustworthy out-
line of its cultural requirements, and. all
written a hundred years ago. But the plant
disappeared and was forgotten, notwithstand-
ing all that Curtis had said in its favour. For
its re-introduction we are indebted to Mr.
Moore, of Glasnevin, who sent a plant of it to
Kew last year, and recommended it for its
beautiful and useful qualities in the green-
house. From this plant a good many cuttings
were struck in a little heat in autumn, and
afterwards grown on slowly all winter in a
sunny greenhouse. Their final shift was into
a 5-inch pot, and in this, assisted when pot-
bound by frequent doses of manure, they grew
a yard in height, were well furnished with
leaves and flowered freely, the flowers open-
ing in March and continuing on into June.

The branches are slender, zig-zag, covered
with a white felt-like tomentom, as also are
the leaves on the underside, the upper surface
being smooth and glaucous green. The plants
are cut down to within about a foot of the
soil and kept during the summer in a frame,
where they push into growth again, the new
shoots forming the cuttings which are to be
relied upon for the next season's plants. The
soil used at Kew is a mixture of loam and
leaf-mould, with plenty of silver sand. The
plants thrive perfectly in an unshaded green-
house.

Such are the details of treatment which
produced the plants so greatly admired at
Kew in the spring of this year. The beauty
and elegance of the flowers are well shown in
Mr. Moon's drawing, which, however, repre-
sents only a small raceme.

Compared with the specimens of this Cine-
raria in a wild state, the cultivated plants are
immeasurably superior. This brings us to
the question of native habitat, which in the
Botanical Magazine is stated to be Africa,
but which is really the Canary Islands, the
home of C. cruenta and several other species
with considerable claims to beauty. Al-
though known at Glasnevin and Kew as C.
auTita, the plant here figured is not reaUy a
Cineraria at all, but a Senecio, its specific,
name being as given above. C. aurita of
botanists is an inferior plant to this. It is
figured in the Botanical Magazine, t. 1786,
where it is shown to be similar to C. cruenta,
but less showy, the flowers being smaller and
having a very disgusting smell. This species
was introduced by P. Masson to Kew from
Madeira exactly 100 years ago; so far as I
know, it is not in cultivation now.

C. cruenta is another species of exceptional
beauty. It was brought into prominent
notice at Kew in the spring of 1888, when a
large group of it formed a conspicuous object
in the conservatory. Plants of it were also
exhibited at meetings of the Royal Horticul-
tural Society. The plants were from 3 feet
to 5 feet in height and bore enormous heads

of bright purple flowers, which, though small,
were elegant, and remained fresh a long time.
These plants had been raised from seeds im-
ported from the Canaries, the home of this
species. Under cultivation seeds are freely
produced, from which a fresh stock of plants
must be raised every year, this species being
an annual. Beautiful as it is as a greenhouse
plant, there is an additional interest in this
Cineraria from the fact of its being the pro-
genitor of the popular garden Cinerarias.
The difference both in habit, foliage, and
flowers between the parent and its offspring
is so extreme that it is at first difficult to be-
lieve in the relationship of the one to the
other. The dwarfness of habit and flowers
over 3 inches in diameter, with ray florets
overlapping so as to form an outline of flower
almost perfectly round, are the outcome of
selection and cultivation applied to a plant as
tall as a man and with loose flowers only half-
an-inch across. The florist will, no doubt, pre-
fer the progeny, but there are many who ad-
mire and even prefer the " Simon pure," C.
cruenta, in its original form as first intro-
duced into English gardens in 1777, when
Masson sent it to Kew, where it reappears
again as a surprise and a delightful green-
house plant over 100 years afterwards.

W. W.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

STRAWBERRIES, GOOD AND BAD.

I must explain to Mr. Cornhill that the sen-
tence of mine to which he rightly takes excep-
tion, that Noble, "like the Jew's razors, was
made to sell," contains either a slip of my own
pen or a printer's error. What I meant to say
was "is made to sell," not "was made to sell." I
meant that Noble is produced now by growers
simply because it sells. I had not the original
raiser in my mind at all. But as regards raisers
of new Strawberries, it may be pointed out that
they are altogether on the wrong track in using
the American varieties, which are notoriously
flavourless. Thus Jewel, which was highly
spoken of lately as seen (not tasted) at Mr.
Turner's trial ground, is worthless if flavour be
made the chief criterion. Mr. Cornhill mis-
understands me about British Queen. I put it
first, but am by no means spoilt for other good
sorts, since my ground, however "well done,"
will not grow it. President I consider excel-
lent. If people delight in Noble, let them, but
I protest against catalogues describing it as
"of superior flavour," or "of rich vinous
flavour." As for Mr. Murphy's defence, it a
good deal surprises me. He admits that the
flavour of Noble is inferior to that of Sir Joseph
Paxton, which is itself of inferior flavour. This
at once makes Noble third-rate. But then Mr.
Murphy adds that in some soils Noble is in-
ferior to British Queen, the very best flavoured
of all Strawberries ! Finally, he concedes the
whole point by saying that with many growers
flavour does not stand first, and gives four cha-
racteristics which take precedence of flavour.
Precisely so ; and Cucumbers are most admir-
able when a yard long, and King of the Pippins
is the best Apple (for cows), and a Palmerston
Peach is so immense that it must be the best
(for pigs), and leather-jacket Gros Colman is
the "grandest" of all Grapes, and our new

coarse-podded, half-filled Peas must oust the
delicious thin-shelled, cram-full Ne Plus Ultra,
and a Chrysanthemum is loveliest when grown
one on a plant and 13 inches across, and Roses
need not smell so long as they are inches enough
in diameter. In short, scent comes, say, third
in flowers ; flavour does not reckon at all in
vegetables, and is counted. fifth in fruit. I do
not accuse Mr. Murphy of this heresy directly,
but I do say he is admitting the principle at the
bottom of it. Everything tends the same way
now-a-days. A year or two ago I was caught
by plentiful advertisements of a huge red
Gooseberry, Whinham's Industry, which was,
of course, said to be of "sweet rich flavour."
I planted a row of it, and sure enough the fruit
is as big as Plums, but I would give the pro-
duce of the whole worthless row for one hand-
ful of the delicious little old-fashioned rough red.
"Howe'er it be, it seems to me, 'tis only J\Toble
to be good." — G. H. Englehbakt.

Here, at any rate, this new comer has size

and earliness to recommend it, and nothing else ;
flavour it has none. This being so, one can readily
accept the statement that even in the south of this
island its flavour is " inferior to British Queen." The
raising of new Strawberries would not seem to be
the losing game people try to make out. From a
circular lately sent out by the raiser of Noble, it
appears that he has already sold over 100,000, and
his present lowest price is 20s. per 100, and it has
never been less.— T. Smith, Kercry.

OUTDOOR PEACHES.
The outdoor Peach and Nectarine crop is always
valuable, and exceptionally so in a season like the
present, when dessert Pears and Apricots are thin
and Plums almost a total failure. It is not diffi-
cult to account for this failure. The Peach wall is
always the first consideration, and, as a rule, mono-
polises nearly the whole of the stock of netting, and
the result is that other things have to take their
chance of frost, incessant wet, and hailstorms.
The one or two sharp frosts experienced when the
latter fruits were in bloom are certainly responsible
for the failure of the crop in the present year, and
the heavy crop of Peaches and Nectarines is very
acceptable. Early Beatrice is decidedly the first
to ripen with me, and, small as the fruit is, it is
acceptable on that account. Two trees of Alex-
ander obtained last year are carrying some good
fruit. This variety, however, cannot be true to
name ; it is not (Aug. 26) yet ripe. Hale's Early
was a fortnight after Beatrice, and bore a good
crop of above medium-sized, well-flavoured fruits.
Early Alfred and Crawford are misnomers so far as
earliness is concerned ; they are really midseason
Peaches, and have not yielded all their fruit before
Royal George is ready — in fact in point of season
there is not much to choose between the three ;
the last-named is a trifle later. Alfred is a hand-
some Peach when it gets plenty of sun, and is
amongst the best for flavour. Dr. Hogg is given
in some fruit catalogues as in season at the begin-
ning of August, and a good market variety. I can-
not agree with this recommendation, and the va-
riety should not be kept in an outdoor collection.
It is a contemporary of Royal George and Dymond,
and a very tender skinned Peach. The two sorts
just named in connection with it, together with
Noblesse, are probably the finest midseason
Peaches in cultivation. I have not tried any of
the new late Peaches, and am therefore not able
to write as to their merits. Barrington and Wal-
burton Admirable are the best. These two, with
Noblesse, Dymond, Royal George, Hale's Early and
Alexander, would represent a good selection for
their respective seasons. All these varieties (with
the exception of Alexander, which, as I have said,
is not true to name) have yielded and are carrying
very heavy crops of fruit. I should be glad of the
experience of your correspondents as to the merits
of Lord Napier as an outdoor Nectarine. It crops
well with me, but the fruit is not satisfactory, be-
ing far below the standard attained by indoor cul-

254

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 13, 1890.

tivation. I fancy it is a tender variety. The late
sorts are not good out of doors ; it is only in very
favourable seasons that we can ensure good fruit.
Hunt's Tawny, Elruge and Violette Hative are the
best. Pine-apple and Humboldt have plenty of
fruit, but I cannot recommend them for outdoors.
The Peach and Nectarine wall has seldom looked
better in the matter of wood and foliage than at
present. We had a plague of aphis early in the
season, but a constant recourse to tobacco powder
kept them in check. In common with nearly all
tree and shrub life, this season's growth has been
at once luxuriant and also firm. There are, unfortu-
nately, other enemies the gardener has to contend
against in the outdoor cultivation of the Peach and
Nectarine, and in some seasons earwigs and wasps
are troublesome. I know of nothing more effectual
for the destruction of earwigs than the Broad Bean
stalks, which should be examined every morning
and the insects blown into water. These traps
should be set some fortnight or more before the
fruit begins to ripen, or much damage may result.
As to the wasps, no time should be lost in search-
ing for nests within a given area of the garden and
in destroying them at once. E. Buebell.

Ciaremont.

THE CHISWICK GRAPE CONFERENCE.

This gathering, which will be held in the Royal
Horticultural Gardens at Chiswick on the 23rd and
24th inst., will prove useful and attractive just as
it may be supported. A committee of some
twenty persons, including several well-known Grape
growers, has been formed by the council, which
also issued a kind of schedule of classes prior to
any meeting of the Grape Conference committee
being held. As to that, there would be little cause
for complaint were it the case, as in association
with the Vegetable Conference of last year the
schedule was in the rough, leaving the conference
committee to fill in the details. A meeting of the
committee was held in the Westminster Drill Hall
on the 28th of last month, Mr. T. F. Rivers presid-
ing, but the attendance was limited, one member
boldly resigning on the ground that the council
having defined the nature of the schedule, the
committee had no power to revise it. The com-
mittee did, however, make some slight alteration,
as, for instance, proposing that Frontignan Grapes
in large collections should not be put into the
second group with large-berried Muscats, but be
grouped with the small-berried Muscadine, Chas-
selas, &c. There seemed to be grave doubt, how-
ever, whether any considerable number of large
collections of Grapes would be sent, as the fruits are
too valuable to admit of showing for two days with-
out the opportunity to find some repayment in the
shape of good prizes. Naturally, Frontignan Grapes
will be looked for in the second class, viz., " Grapes
of high flavour." Then follows a class for Grapes of
American origin ; also one for " Grapes grown en-
tirely in the open air," rather a superfluity this year,
and one of a more practical kind, viz., for " Grapes
grown under glass without any artificial heat."
" Foreign-grown Grapes " should, in the hands of
market men, make a very good class. " Pot Vines
with fruit " may be very well represented from
Berkhamsted, but in private gardens pot Vines are
mostly fruited early. A big show of these, there-
fore, can hardly be looked for. Very interesting
may be the classes for Grapes packed for market
sent by rail, and also for small quantities of Grapes
packed and sent for private use per rail or parcels
post. These packages must in all cases be so sent
and not carried by the exhibitor. The latter class
should prove of much interest to gardeners, who
may assume that they are sending to their em-
ployers or friends, whilst the first class should find
favour with market growers of Grapes. Examples
are invited in the last class of "enemies of the
GrapeVine, diseases, insects, injuries, &c."It is hoped,
however, that no foolish and adventurous scientist
will carry to the conference examples of the dead-
liest enemy of the Vine (the Phylloxera), as if so, we
may be sure there will soon be a stampede of all
who have Grape Vines at home. As it is, there
may be some hesitation on the part of many Grape

growers to attend at Chiswick. It was bad enough
that one small house of Vines should have been in-
fested with the Phylloxera so badly that absolute
destruction was needful. That was right and
proper, as the sooner the disease was stamped out
the better. But it was folly or worse to publish the
fact that Phylloxera had appeared at Chiswick to
all the world, and that the scientific committee did.
As a consequence the Grape Conference will pro-
bably suffer, whilst the publication of the Phyl-
loxera manifestation did no good except satisfy-
ing someone in authority who should have dis-
played better sense. Those who may feel alarm
may rest assured that all danger has been es-
caped, but it is difficult to recover from a need-
less alarm. The papers to be read in connection
with the Grape Conference, which will really take
place on the second day, viz., the 24th, the Dahlia
having the priority of place on the 23rd, are four, at
least one too many, as listeners become wearied,
and any interesting discussion is out of the ques-
tion. The paper set to Mr. Rivers' " Cultivation of
the Grape" is an error, and should have been
" Frontignan Grapes." Mr. R. D. Blackmore, the
novelist, has undertaken to deal with the " Enemies
of the Vine," Mr. W. Thomson has been asked by
the committee to drop " Soils and Manures " and
take " Grapes as a Marketable Commodity," and
Mr. Coleman will treat on " Packing Grapes for
Transit." A. D.

Pear Jargonelle. — It is doubtful if there is a
better kind of early Pear than Jargonelle when the
soil is favourable to it. It is much affected by soil,
situation, &c. Here in the west it is very good
from a south wall. We have here two old trees
growing on part of the chapel adjoining the abbey.
It would be difficult to tell the age of them ; the
aspect is south. These trees both last and this
year gave us a good crop, and although they make
but little wood the fruit is of good size and of first-
rate flavour. We have also a young tree growing
in the garden on a fresh aspect in a cultivated bor-
der, but from this tree the fruit is not half as good
in flavour, although much larger. Those on the
abbey wall are planted on the Grass and never get
any stimulants. — J. Crook, 1'brde Abbey.

Grapes failing' to colour properly (F. C.y

— If you will refer to The GAEDEN August !l (p-
131) you will there find my reply to a person
whose Grapes have not finished properly. The two
cases may not be identical, indeed they are not, his
Vines having internal, yours external borders ; the
cause, nevertheless, is the same, viz., the inability
on the part of the roots to respond to the demand
when the berries commenced turning from the sour
to the saccharine condition. Your roots being out-
side, it is hardly likely that they can be dry, and
yet some of the Vines flag, a fair proof that the
roots are in bad condition, whilst the crop, ac-
cording to your own admission, is heavy. Examine
the border, and if it is found unsatisfactory, lift, or
partially lift, and relay the roots in fresh compost,
choosing fine, dry weather for the operation imme-
diately after the crop is gathered. Your tempe-
ratures and mode of ventilation are all right, but
two mistakes I think you have made in detailed
management. Finding two shoots left on each
spur, no unusual mode of good management, why
did you check the flow of sap by the removal of
half of them ? This check might not show at the
time, but it is more than probable it deranged root
action. The application of salt and guano again,
whilst helping your Roses, may have proved worse
than useless on a, Vine border in which the roots
are inactive. Avoid this powerful dressing in the
future, also checks by a sudden removal of half the
foliage ; give your Grapes plenty of time, and crop
moderately. — W. Coleman.

Caterpillars. — For three years we have had
to contend with this serious pest, and though we
have tried all methods advised to keep the enemy
in check, it is only this year that we have been
successfully able to cope with the plague. Having
a good many thousand trees (dwarfs), it has been
an uphill task, but at last we may look forward

with confidence in dealing with insect enemies.
First we tried grease bands, which were not of
much service, for though immense.numbers of male
and female moths were caught on the sticky bands,
sufficient females got into the trees to deposit vast
numbers of eggs, which commenced to hatch out in
the following April. In the case of standards
grease bands are of great service, as the male has
more difficulty in carrying the female into tall
trees than in the case of dwarfs. When the cater-
pillars began to hatch out we sprayed the trees
with 2 ozs. of Paris green to 40 gallons of water,
keeping the mixture well and continually stirred,
which is very important, for if this is not done the
foliage gets scorched by the mixture becoming
stronger. A prejudice exists in the minds of some
against the use of Paris green because of its poison-
ous nature, but having used it constantly for weeks
together, I can assure all such that with ordinary
care there is not the least danger. I may here
mention that I found Paris green more effectual
and less liable to damage the foliage of trees than
London purple. When the caterpillars attain a
fair size they will fall to the ground by giving the
trees or branches a vigorous shake, and if fowls
are allowed range among the trees they will follow
the person shaking the trees and greedily devour
all caterpillars that fall. By the aid of Paris green
and fowls I question if a single caterpillar escaped
destruction, and, moreover, the trees are now in
good health and have made splendid growth and
formed plenty of fruit-buds. Last year when we
did not use Paris green all our trees were leafless
till July, consequently the growth was not properly
ripened, being made late. — S. T. Weight.

I am very glad to see that you have made

the above a special subject of inquiry, for no-
thing can be of greater importance to gardeners
in general than the great increase of insect pests,
and, at the same time, the enormous increase of
small birds. I used to have very great trouble
in preserving our fruit bushes from the ravages of
bullfinches, tomtits, and sparrows through the
winter, and in summer it was almost impossible to
preserve the fruit from the blackbirds and thrushes.
Four years ago I covered a large quarter of the
kitchen garden with wire netting of 1 inch mesh
and 6 feet high, and was told by many interested
friends (especially the vendors of old fish net) that
the trees would soon be devoured by caterpillars,
but after four years' experience I find we have not
suffered more from that source than in previous
years. Last year many acres of Gooseberry trees
fully exposed were quite destroyed, while our trees
were entirely free, but if matters had been reversed
there would have been an outcry by bird-lovers
against the wire net. I believe in most of Mr. Cole-
man's practical teachings, but can he tell us why,
with the great increase of small birds, insect
pests were never so troublesome as at present?
Every seed sown has to be protected. One half of
our Pea crops is destroyed, three-fourths of our
finest and best Pears, and the very choicest speci-
mens of our Apples get pecked and spoiled. Choice
Polyanthuses and many other flowers arc destroyed
in early spring unless protected. The gardener's
difficulties increase in spite of the advertised anti-
dotes and nostrums said to cure all the ills that
such men are subject to. — W. Sangwin, Trelis-
sicli.

Nuts at Maiden Erleigh.— If Walnuts are
everywhere as plentiful as oh the trees at Maiden
Erleigh, these fruits must be a very heavy crop.
That the trees bloom so late is doubtless one
reason for the abundant crop. Still it is difficult
to reconcile that assumption with the fact that in
the same gardens small Nuts are fruiting most
profusely. These bushes are planted on a broad
border which skirts the east side of a large open
kitchen garden. They are some 7 feet to 8 feet in
height and ."> feet through. The sorts include
Cosfordand Kentish Cobs.RedandFrissled Filberts,
&c, and are heavily laden with fruit. As these
bushes bloom as a rule in February, the mere fac ,
that Walnuts bloom so late seems to have little in-
lluence on crop-production. Perhaps it is better
for trees to bloom in February or in May than it is

Sept. 13, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

255

in the ordinary blooming months of March and
April, both now so treacherous. — A. D.

Peach Magdala. — I am anxious to recommend
this Peach as being of most delicate and delicious
flavour. It is grown in a cold orchard house here, is
from medium size to lar^e, beautifully coloured and a
good grower and free setter. It is a great exception
to the majority of newer Peaches, which are mostly of
inferior flavour. — E. A., Thornham Cottage, King's
Lynn.

THE EVILS OF GRAFTING.
There has arisen a tendency to graft everything, as
if there were some advantage in the mere operation
of effecting a more or less perfect union. The old
notion that a strong-growing stock would add
strength to a weakly scion is exploded. The graft-
ing of a vigorous scion upon a weakly stock may
in certain cases conduce to precocious fruiting, but
certainly the same result could be more readDy ob-
tained by other methods. An English gardener who
visited Florida lately tells us that the grafted
Orange trees there fruit earlier than the seedling
trees, but that the latter are immeasurably superior
in health, fertility, and longevity. Dr. Wallace in
his chapter on " Acclimatisation," in his latest work,
" Darwinism," says that the eastern Orange trees
as introduced to Italy and increased by grafting
continued tender and unsatisfactory until the prac-
tice of rearing seedlings began. Again, even our
greatest English experimenter and cultivator of
fruit trees, Thomas Andrew Knight, began to doubt
the efficacy of grafting toward the end of his career

I still believe that a vast amount of harm has
been done to gardening by the fatal facility of
grafting plants, which, as Mr. Parsons himself
shows, could be better and often cheaper increased
by other and more simple methods.

Grafting, even although it sometimes does afford
facilities of increase, also acts indirectly in the
very opposite way. For example, if a choice shrub
or a fine fruit tree is worked on a common stock,
then the suckers are a source of trouble and loss,
but were these desirable plants on their own roots
suckers would become a gain. In a word, a plant
grafted on a stock standard or half standard high
becomes difficult of increase except by grafting.
This is a point worth bearing in mind in connection
with this question, and looking at grafting from all
points of view, I am convinced that we should have
had better fruit trees and better and healthier and
more prolific varieties in our gardens to-day had
grafting never been invented. — F. W. Bukbidge,
in Garden and Forest.

LIFTING THE PvOOTS OF FRUIT TREES.
In the case of orchard trees where they have room
to strike out, a little exuberance at the beginning
may not matter much, as after a time the trees will
bear freely without meddling with the roots. But
with wall trees, espaliers and pyramids steady pro-
gress and the production of short-jointed wood is
better both for the present and the future than
anything approaching grossness. I suppose no
one now-a-days would attempt to correct a too
gross habit by the use of the knife to the branches,
it being well understood that the proper course is
to apply the remedy to the root, which is the seat
of the evil. A young tree, or a middle-aged tree
for that matter, may make too much wood or wood
of an unfruitful character even when it has not
been over-manured. Loose, newly-made borders
encourage strong growth always, and when there
has been no sun to steady the growth, it may easily
acquire a too plethoric habit. In the case of young
trees of too vigorous a tendency, root-lifting is the
best remedy and it is easily applied, and the sooner
it is done now the better if the work be carefully
carried out. Begin far enough away from the tree,
open a trench deep enough to get under the
roots, and then with a fork work towards the trunk.
Lift out the roots, especially those which are
young and that will develop fibres, cutting off those
which have a pronounced downward direction, and
save all that can be lifted near the surface. There
are soils so well drained naturally that they never
produce gross wood. The inference that may be

drawn from this is, that all land intended for fruit
growing if not naturally dry should be drained, so
as to meet the requirements of a dull damp summer.
The trees most likely to suffer from over-luxuriance
are stone fruits, especially Peaches and Apricots.
It is not customary to plant these in land that has
been recently manured, but old turf full of fibre
will often produce wood of too gross a character for
fertility, simply because it is impossible to ripen it
before winter in a dull summer. Lifting the roots
in such a case, making the soil firm beneath, and
then relaying the roots in the border not more than
from 9 inches to 12 inches from the surface, is a
simple and easy remedy, and if the work be done
whilst the leaves still retain their influence upon
the buds, the latter may yet become fertile and the
wood firm and hard. If the leaves flag after the
roots have been lifted, hang a few mats in front of
them when the sun is hot, and use the garden en-
gine to damp the foliage. If the leaves are kept
up their action will soon be felt upon the roots, and
to convert a gross-habited tree into a fruitful one
quickly is worth some effort. Young Peaches under
glass often develop a character closely bordering on
grossness, and the only remedy if fruit is required
is to get under the roots and lift them without
much damage beyond a little shortening. Even if
the trees were not actually too gross for immediate
fruit-bearing, it would even then be beneficial to
lift up the young roots, and the mere fact of doing
so would tend to the production of fibres nearer
home and be a permanent benefit. It is not well
for the permanence of trees when the roots rush too
quickly through the border provided for them, pro-
ducing a corresponding extension of branches. At
the present moment I have some young Peaches in
a new house that have made stronger wood than I
care to see. It is an advantage, of course, to fill a
house quickly, but I want fruit next year ; hence,
I am busy lifting the roots, and I shall put on a
little fire-heat to harden the wood. E. H.

THE WEEK'S WORK.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.
Kidney Beans. — In some low-lying positions frosts
have completely crippled the late rows of both
Scarlet Runners and Kidney Beans, even those
plants being prepared in pots for cropping under
glass in succession to any grown in frames being
badly frosted. There is, therefore, all the more
necessity for fresh batches to be sown and grown
on rapidly, in order to have a few useful dishes in
November and December. Where the late sowings
in boxes and frames have escaped injury, the time
has arrived for housing the former and putting on
the lights over the latter, very little progress after
this date being made in the case of exposed plants,
even if no more sharp frosts are experienced for a
time longer. Good care should also be taken of
the crop of seed saved on the earliest raised plants
in the open, as in all probability perfectly ripened
sound seed will be scarce next season. They ought
not to be much longer exposed to all weathers,
much wet and also moderately severe frosts soon
spoiling the bulk of the seed. All well matured,
though not necessarily perfectly ripe, pods should
be gathered now, and stored thinly on dry vinery
shelves, or in other dry positions under glass, where
they will harvest properly. In some instances the
plants are drawn out of the ground and suspended
under glass, or in a dry sheltered position to ripen,
but if not examined occasionally the bundles are
apt to heat and decay in the centre, this quickly
spoiling the seed. Not till the seeds are thoroughly
hard or perfectly ripened ought they to be stored
in either boxes, drawers, or paper bags, or other-
wise they will keep badly, the best plan being to
first dry them after shelling.

Sowing Kidney Beans. — Unless a good light
position and abundance of heat can be afforded, it
is next to useless to attempt forcing Kidney Beans
during the dullest and coldest part of the year. If,
however, a start is now made with new seed of Ne
Plus Ultra, or some other well tried early variety,
the extra strong plants raised may produce good

crops before the most trying weather sets in. New
seed is always to be preferred, this germinating
quickly, and the plants grow far more strongly
than do those obtained from old seed. The least
laborious plan is to sow seed direct into the pots in
which the plants are to be cropped, this method
also answering better in other respects than first
raising the plants in small pots and shifting into
larger ones. Either 8-inch or 9-inch pots are suit-
able, and fifty of these would be a fairly large
batch, a similar number being sown about three
weeks hence. Drain the pots fairly well, fill with
moderately rich loamy soil, and sow from nine to a
dozen seeds in each. Top-dressings are thrown
away on these Beans in pots ; therefore leave no
space for these. The seed germinates the most
quickly in a brisk heat, and the plants being duly
reduced to about six in each pot should have a light
position, a moderate amount of water after the
pots are well filled with roots, and plenty of heat,
ranging say from 60° to 65° by night to 70° to 75°
in the daytime.

Onions. — A considerable portion of the crop of
spring-sown Onions is still in a growing state,
and it is scarcely possible to ripen these sufficiently
to keep well during the winter. As it happens,
there are plenty of fairly good bulbs sufficiently ma-
tured to keep well and to maintain a good supply,
and if not already done, these ought to be taken
good care of. If all are left any longer on the
ground the chances are those that have matured
properly will re-commence root action and keep
badly accordingly. These ought, therefore, to be
separated from those with green tops, and after
being thoroughly harvested in an early vinery, if
possible, be stored in a cool, dry place for winter
use. It is useless trying to harvest those with
green tops, and these should be the first used.
Seeing that all vegetables are far more watery than
usual, there is every likelihood of Onions failing to
keep well, especially if stored in heaps or where
much dry air does not reach them. The old plan
of tying them to stakes or ropes and suspending in
cool, airy sheds is the best method of storing that
can be recommended this season.

Beet.— If the Turnip-rooted and. some of the
strong- growing long-rooted varieties are left long
on the ground, they are apt to become far too
coarse to be of any value. It is yet somewhat
early to commence pulling and storing Beet, but it is
better to do it now rather than that the bulk should
become nearly the size of Mangolds. Care should be
taken not to break any more root fibres than can
be avoided, and the tops ought not to be cut off
very close to the roots. They will keep best in
heaps covered with litter for a time, and eventually
soiled over, or much as Potatoes are clamped.

Pabsley. — In many gardens there is still a
scarcity of Parsley, and in any case it is advisable
to prepare for any possible contingencies in the
shape of severe frosts during the coming winter.
Strong roots transplant readily, and a good num-
ber might with advantage be stored either where
they can be covered with lights and mats in frosty
weather, or in boxes ready for placing under glass
next month. If pits previously occupied by Melons
or Cucumbers can be spared, it is in these where
abundance of fine Parsley can be grown during the
winter without much trouble. No time should be
lost in dibbling in strong roots somewhat thickly,
only quite the smallest leaves being left on them
for the present. The older or least curled forms
are the hardiest, and these might well be left un-
disturbed. In no case, however, do old leaves
keep well, and if these are removed early the
younger leaves will have a better chance of de-
veloping.

Chehvil and Cobn salad. — A few leaves of
the former are of good service in flavouring a salad,
and the latter is in demand in some establishments.
Chervil may be sown thinly on a warm border and
covered during the winter with a garden frame, a
single light usually being ample, the same plants
lasting all the winter. The first batch of Corn
salad ought now to be nearly fully grown, and if
given good room will form little hearts. The plants
obtained by sowing seed in August should be early

256

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 13, 1890.

thinned out to about 4 inches apart, and side
leaves will be available from these during the
winter. More seed may be sown now thinly in
drills 6 inches apart, and from the plants thus
obtained leaves will be available next spring.

W. I.

PLANT HOUSES.
Stove. — Feanciscea confeetiploea. — This is a
very free-flowering plant, lasting in bloom for a
considerable time. It can also be had in flower
at any time from March to July. One reason why
this Franciscea is now seldom met with may be
attributed to the fact that it requires different
treatment to most things. To grow it well, it needs
stove heat during the summer until growth stops
and the flower-buds are just perceptible at the ex-
tremities. Immediately this stage is reached the
plants should be taken out of heat and kept in a
temperature of from 45° to 50° during the winter.
If allowed to remain in heat until the buds have
attained any size, the check they receive when
moved to cooler quarters often causes them to fall
In most cases the plants will now have made

off.

their growth and require cooler treatment. The
leaves are very impatient of sun, and should be
shaded in bright weather. This species does
in a greenhouse treatment, but the plant never
attains anything like the size, nor produces
so much bloom as when treated in the way
suggested. The flowers come on and open under
the cooler conditions indicated better than if sub-
jected to more heat in their latter stage.

Feanciscea calycinA. — This is also a free-
blooming species ; the flowers are larger than those
of F. confertiflora, but it does not attain nearly the
size and vigour of that kind. It requires to be
differently treated in the winter, as it will not bear
keeping so cool. Plants that are now about com
pleting their growth should be moved to where
they will have a temperature of about 55° ; here the
buds will develop slowly. Less water should be
given to the roots, but on no account must either
of the species named be allowed to get so dry
through the winter as many plants will bear.

WlNTEB-FLOWEBING- PLANTS. — Most of the Soft-

wooded winter-flowering stove subjects, such as
Plumbago rosea, Sericographis Ghiesbreghti, Thyr-
sacanthus rutilans, Eranthemums, Scutellaria
Mocciniana and Aphelandras, that are usually kept
during the summer months in pits, with only the
assistance of sun heat, should at once be moved to
where they can have artificial warmth, as cold
nights that would check their growth may now be
looked for. Such portions of the stock as were
struck early and their growth pushed on at the
beginning of the season, so as to have enabled
them by this time to have attained something like
the requisite size, should be subjected to a somewhat
drier atmosphere, with more air and no shading,
to solidify the growth and prepare them for flower-
ing. In the case of late struck examples that are
yet deficient in size, more growth should be en-
couraged by sufficient heat to keep them moving,
and by frequent applications of manure water.
Syringe overhead at the time of shutting off the
air until the end of the month. All the plants
named should be kept with their tops as near the
glass as possible. The influence that this has on
the amount of bloom which quick-growing subjects
of a soft nature will produce is not sufficiently
understood by those who have not noticed the
result of treating one portion of their stock in the
way advised and standing another portion where
less light will reach them.

Euphoebia jacquini-efloeA. — Where the man-
agement has been such as advised hitherto through
the season, the plants will be from 1 feet to 5 feet
high, and will continue to -extend. Little or no
shade will now be required, and the nearer the tops
are to the glass, provided they do not touch it, the
better. The night temperature should not be lower
than 65°, and in the day it will bear as much heat

as the warmest occupants of the stove require.
Manure water may be used from now until the
plants come into flower every time the soil requires
moistening, especially where the small pot system
of cultivation that has been previously advised is
followed, and from which there is a double advan-
tage in the comparatively small amount of roots
which this Euphorbia makes keeping more healthy
when confined to a limited space than when they
have more room, and under such conditions the
manurial stimulants necessary to bring the plants
up to their full size can be given more freely with-
out danger of injury. Where this Euphorbia is
turned out in a border and trained near the glass
on the end of a stove, it attains a size such as not
possible under pot culture ; but even at this time
of the year, whilst there is still a considerable
amount of growth going on, water must be given
cautiously, as however ample the drainage may be,
if the soil gets soddened the roots will perish.
When planted out, manure water should be applied
less frequently.

Gabdenias— Plants that have been prepared
for blooming in the winter by being given cooler
treatment for a time— after the buds were set —
should now be moved to where heat can be given
them on cold nights or in the event of the weather
becoming cool, for though the plants are less
susceptible of injury through a low temperature
than most stove subjects, still, if allowed to remain
after this time where they do not get enough
warmth, the buds are almost sure to fall off when
given enough heat to bring them into bloom.
Where Gardenia flowers are required in the dead of
winter, there is no more certain way of obtaining
them than by striking stout pieces of the current
season's wood with the flower-buds already set on
them. Unlike many other plants, branches that
have formed several shoots will root freely. The
latter part of the present month is a good time for
striking them. These branch cuttings should be
put singly in 4-inch or 5-inch pots, well drained
and nearly filled with sifted loam or peat, that
has a liberal admixture of sand in it, with half an
inch of sand on the top. Treat the cuttings in the
ordinary way with bottom-heat, or without if
the top heat is that of a warm stove. The tops
should be somewhat confined, but not kept closer
than necessary to preserve the leaves from any ap-
proach to flagging. Either of the two extremes
of being too close and moist, or the leaves being
allowed to flag, will be likely to cause the buds to
fall off. After the plants are struck, keep them
in a moderate stove temperature through the
autumn. The advantage of this small pot system
is that when the plants have to be subjected to
the high temperature requisite to bring them into
flower in the early months of the year, they can
be raised so that their tops are close to the glass
on shelves, or, these failing, they can be hung up
with wires to the rafters. When in close prox-
imity to the glass, exposed to the full light, there
is little disposition in the buds to drop without
opening in the way that often takes place with
larger specimens that cannot be got so near
the glass. Where the stock has been at all
affected with mealy bug, the plants should now
be gone carefully over, so as to get rid of the in-
sects, which if left until more heat is applied will
give additional trouble.

Geeenhotjse.— Swainsonias. — As soon as the
plants have done flowering it is best to shorten
back the shoots considerably. If this is not done
they get bare and naked at the bottom, with a lot
of leafless wood that has an unsightly appearance.
The length the shoots should be left depends on
the age and size of the specimens ; plants that
were struck from cuttings or raised from seeds last
year, and consequently this is the first season of
their flowering, may be shortened to within 10
inches or 12 inches of the bottom. Larger examples
may have a greater length of the wood retained,
Where the plants are used for clothing a pillar or
hiding a wall, the branches should be shortened at
different lengths, leaving a portion of them much
longer than is the case of plants grown as ordinary
pot specimens and trained to trellises or stakes

By thus treating them they will well furnish the
space required with flowering shoots. T. B.

Chrysanthemums.

SMALL PLANTS FOE VASES.

Dueing the month of November Chrysanthemum
blooms in any form are welcome, but dwarf plants
not more than 1 foot high and occupying only a
4-inch pot, each carrying a flower 6 inches in dia-
meter, are extremely useful for the decoration of
rooms, or the dining-table may be made to look
gay with living plants. When it is considered at
what a small cost such plants can be produced, it
is a wonder more are not cultivated in this manner.
The Japanese varieties are the most suitable
for this form of growth on account of the stiffer
peduncles of each in comparison with the incurved
section, nearly all of which require support to keep
them from being accidentally broken off just below
the flower-bud. Such varieties as these then are not
nearly so suitable for growing in a dwarf state in
small pots as are the bulk of Japanese sorts and the
Anemone section, both the ordinary type of show
varieties and those of more ragged appearance,
now known by the name of Anemone Japanese.
Any variety that is both light and graceful and not
too prim in appearance is suitable. Such sorts as
Avalanche, Edwin Molyneux, Baronne de Prailly, or
Princess of Wales among the incurved are useful.
As all are self-supporting, they do not require any
artificial means to enable their blooms to be seen
to the best advantage. One advantage of cultivat-
ing plants in the manner named is that any points
of growth which may through accident be broken off
those that are intended for the supply of large
bloom can be utilised. From now onwards some
points are sure to be broken off the plants, and the
ligatures which support them will have become too
tight to allow of the shoot growing. The growth
is thus " buckled," so to speak, and then snaps off
generally about 4 inches long, or heavy rains will
sometimes damage the succulent growths, or birds
will alight on the extreme points where they ex-
tend beyond the top of the stake, or are not kept
tied to the supports. Such cuttings as are pro-
cured in this manner will grow into dwarf plants
for small pots. Some growers allow four shoots to
grow from the first break in April or May instead
of the orthodox three, with the idea that the extra
shoot prevents the growth being so rapid during
the summer. By that means the buds form rather
later than they would upon the three shoots by
reason of the growth being slightly less vigorous.
At this time one of the four is cut off, choosing the
weakest one, of course. These make excellent
cuttings, and can be used any length. In the
case of large growing kinds of Japanese the
stems are better if longer than in the case of
those with smaller and more compact flowers, as
the former need longer stems to show off the
drooping petals better. Cuttings of these may be
6 inches long, the others 4 inches, only the bottom
pair of leaves being removed. The cuttings should
be dibbled firmly into pots 2-1 inches in diameter and
well watered to settle the soil. Plunge the pots in a
gentle hotbed, shading the cuttings carefully from
the sun. Syringe the foliage every afternoon on
fine days, and by keeping the frame nearly close
roots will be formed in about a month, when air
should be admitted gradually, and afterwards
freely, when the plants will bear exposure without
flagging. When they are well supplied with roots,
shift them into 4-inch pots, using a fairly rich com-
post and potting firmly. At this stage they should
stand in a cold frame and be kept rather close until
new roots are f onued, when they should have plenty
of air, so that the growth may be stocky and the
foliage clean. At this time, no place suits them
better than a shelf close to the glass in the green-
house. Directly the plants are well supplied with
roots stimulants should be given freely, as plenty
of support is required when growing in such small
pots.

Single vAeieties and some of the bright-col-
oured Anemone pompons make useful dwarf plants

Sept. 13, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

257

for vase decoration, but instead of inserting the
cuttings singly in small pots, as many as four
should be put into a 4-inch pot, or six in a 5-inch
one. The soil in this case should be made richer
than when the cuttings are placed singly with a
view to repotting them, because those in larger pots
at striking time will not need repotting. Mrs. G.
Rundle and her sports, Mrs. Dixon and George
Glenny, are excellent varieties for growing in small
pots in a dwarf state for vase decoration, as neat
little blooms are had by this treatment. If mildew
attacks the leaves, as it sometimes does in the
frame when the cuttings are first inserted, no time
should be lost in sprinkling with sulphur, as if the
foliage is allowed to become marked by this fungus
the beauty of the plant is gone. E. Molyneux.

such alpine gems as the Erinus. Old walls bare
of vegetation may be turned into gardens of
living beauty by permitting to grow in the
mossy chinks and crevices charming alpine
plants, which flourish under such conditions.
The illustration shows what can be done, but in
most gardens stone steps are left in their
hideous bareness, when by allowing the Erinus
to seed itself in the many crevices, they might
become pretty and interesting spots.

Flower Garden.

ERINUS ALPINTJS.
This is a charming and distinct little plant, pro-
ducing a profusion of its violet-purple flowers

HOLLYHOCKS.

Me. Douglas, though striving to encourage the
culture of good class double Hollyhocks, does, in
the course of his remarks at page 126, somewhat
discourage, for he shows that what should be a
very easily grown hardy border plant is subject to
so many enemies, and is produced under so much
difficulty, that one is almost disposed to ask
whether the trouble is, even with successful results,
repaid. Howdisappointingit is when the fungus pest,
one of the very worst which affects vegetation, de-

Eriiius alphius on stone steps. Engraved for The Garden.

over the tufts of abundant leaves. It is quite a
gem of its kind, and very pretty as seen in its
high Alpine and Pyrenean home. Many fail
with this rock plant ; it is put often on level
ground, none too dry, where it invariably perishes
in winter, but it lives well planted in the way
shown by the accompanying illustration. It
will run riot over old walls, ruins, and even on
stone steps, where, as shown in the illustration,
it has made itself thoroughly at home, running
into every nook in the steps and flowering with
the utmost profusion. It is only necessary to
sow the seeds in the chinks where there is some
Moss or earth to root into, and leave the rest to
Nature. The plant will even flower on mere
mossy stones and rocks without earth. Much
beauty is lost to gardens by not sowing seed of

stroys the plants needs no emphasising. I may be
wrong, but I have some doubt whether, as Hollyhocks
may be readily raised from seed, it is at all worth
while to take so much pains in propagating the
best double sorts by means of cuttings as is advised.
A very double-flowered variety may be attractive
when cut for exhibition, but the very finest double
does not create a more pleasing effect in the garden
than does one of comparatively semi-double quality.
Hollyhocks to produce effect should stand rather
remote from the observer, and should have some
three or four tall stems well clothed with flowers
and leafage, so that at some 20 feet distance a fair
semi-double variety will look quite as effective as
a superior double kind of the same colour. But
whilst, as Mr. Douglas has shown, the finest double
produces seed sparingly because of the density of
the petals and the blooms when they decay prov-

ing so full of moisture, those of the less double
forms seed freely, and will always from seed re-
produce as good progeny as themselves. The
finest double flowers have petals so large and
densely set that the outer or guard petals are quite
hidden. That seems to me to be a misfortune. I
like to see the guard petals showing some half an
inch at least, if not more, beyond the body of
centre petals. That feature is seen more or less in
all fairly good seedling strains, and should be pre-
served. Individual flowers of Hollyhocks exhi-
bited in dozens or less at shows make poor objects
at the best, and to cut spikes is to rob the garden
beyond all necessity. I do not think the game of
exhibiting Hollyhocks in spikes is worth the candle,
as the waste of fine floral decorative material is
so great. In a cottage garden which I frequently
pass on my way to Feltham there have been re-
cently blooming a few plants of a very good white
Hollyhock which commanded admiration. The
spikes were tall, full, and the flowers very pure.
The plants were very remarkable, because in spite
of the abundant moisture which has prevailed this
season, and which it was hoped would have kept
the fungus in check, that pest has been as rampant
as ever about the locality. I hope to have some
seed saved from this plant and sow it when ripe,
and see how far the progeny may be free from the
prevalent disease, the extermination which seems
to be an impossibility. If reproduction from exist-
ing healthy plants, and those are few enough, will
not keep the fungus checked, nothing will, for ex-
ternal applications which will destroy this pest
will also probably destroy the plants. It is useless
to plant even seedlings of a healthy stock where
old infested plants have been growing. Only in
entirely fresh soil will they do at all, and even
then it is doubtful, if the fungus is in the locality,
whether the plants will long remain unharmed.
Perhaps were Hollyhock culture given over for
several years and seed eventually obtained from
some country where the fungus did not exist, we
might once more have healthy plants. — A. D.

One or two slight errors have crept into the

short paragraph at p. 215, which a few remarks by
way of explanation may put right. I stated, as you
correctly say, that the Hollyhock had been culti-
vated in our gardens quite 300 years ago. The
"History of Plants," published by John Gerard,
makes this quite clear. The date of this publica-
tion is 1597, and two double varieties are figured,
besides several single forms being mentioned. It
must, therefore, have been in cultivation at least
nine years previously. The chairman of the meet-
ing stated that probably the plant had been intro-
duced by the Crusaders. If this is so, it is worthy
of record. The remark, however, that the Scotch
flowers of forty years ago were very double with
scarcely any guard petals is an error. It was the
English flowers that had arrived at this stage. The
Scotch strain was not so double and with wide guard
petals. Mr. John Laing, of Dysart, obtained excel-
lent results by crossing these strains. It was
Mr. Baron, a shoemaker of Walden, not Walworth,
who raised some of the most beautiful of these
double forms. The best varieties now in cultiva-
tion are very double, and lack the attraction of a
well defined guard petal, the want of which de-
tracts considerably from the beauty of the flowers.
The Hollyhock disease, like the disease of the Po-
tato, moves in a mysterious way, but I cannot con-
ceive it possible " that plants never put under glass
had been the most severely affected by the fungus."
The disease appears on the plants in the forcing
houses as early as February, and notwithstanding
the continual efforts to get rid of it, it hangs about
them until the autumn. The specific character is
quite different from that of the Potato fungus
(Peronospora infestans), but the leaves I exhibited
showed how severely the plants were attacked, and
I can testify to the rapidity with which it spread
over the whole of the stocks. The disease in a
very modified form was there all the summer, and
I have made allusion to the Potato disease because
the two diseases spread with equal rapidity; it
seemed to be a neck-and-neck race with them as
to which would first complete the work of destruc-
tion. A month ago I may say there was no appa-

258

THE GAEDEK

[Sept. 13, 1890.

rent trace of Potato disease ; now in the garden
where the finer types of ro-ind and kidney varie-
ties only are grown, it is difficult to find one or two
sound ones to each plant. J. Douglas.

SEASONABLE NOTES ON HARDY FLORISTS

FLOWERS.
The Auricula. — A few notes early in September
on this lovely hardy spring flowering plant may be
useful. I never in any year have been so late in
gathering the seeds. The last pods were not gathered
until the third week of August. Some seeds were
sown about the second week in the month, and
from that sowing a few plants are appearing, but
we may not expect the seeds to vegetate generally
until the spring. Plants from seeds sown last
summer, if they have not yet been repotted into
their flowering pots, should be seen to at once.
We finished repotting the last of our specimen
named varieties about July 20, and on carefully
looking over the collection the other day, I find the
latest to be repotted are the best, a much smaller
percentage of them having thrown up autumn
trusses. This may be accounted for by the fact
that these plants have borne seeds which would to
a considerable extent check their growth ; whereas,
those that had not borne any seeds and were free to
make an earlier growth, naturally developed autumn
trusses. September and October are growing
months, and any plants that developed trusses in
August may yet " heart up," as the fanciers say,
and give good results in April. Weeds had grown
amongst the plants, decayed leaves were numerous,
and green-fly and woolly aphis also, so that we
had to look over the whole of the stock. The aphis
of both species are best removed with a camel's-
hair brush and dry tobacco powder.

Laced Polyanthuses are yet growing in the
open border, but it will be as well to repot them
as soon as we can get a chance. They generally
do best in a wet season, but our stock cannot be
said to have much improved with all the rains we
have had. The fancy Polyanthuses do remarkably
well with us, and yet with all our care the laced
varieties gradually dwindle away until they die al-
together, or the character of the flowers is quite
changed for the worse. In the cooler, moister dis-
tricts of the north of England there seems to be
no difficulty with them. They are usually exhibited
in good form at the Newcastle-upon-Tyne flower
shows in April. In Lancashire they do equally
well, forming an attractive feature of the annual
spring flower show there. The late Mr. James, of
Farnham Royal, was fortunate in raising some
fine varieties of them from seeds, and one of the
last objects of interest he showed me was a box of
blooms of seedlings of these beautiful flowers.

The Pink. — If the plants of the fine laced
varieties are ready for planting out, the sooner
it is done the better will it be ; they will become
established before the winter, and the lacing
is most perfect upon well - established plants. An
open position in the flower garden and a bed of
friable, free-working soil well enriched with de-
cayed manure is best. If they are very strong they
may be planted a foot asunder, smaller pieces
about 'J inches.

The forcing Pinks are quite a different type.
As some of the plants may be forced early enough
to flower in April, cuttings of such can be propa-
gated at that time either in a frame or propagating
house. I generally place a dozen or so of the small
side cuttings in a 5-inch pot or pan, and when fairly
well rooted they are planted out in shallow boxes
of any kind about 3 inches or more between each
plant. Gradually inure them to the open air, and
about the end of May or early in June if they are
strong enough put them out in the open air on
beds of good soil. With fair treatment these plants
would be ready to pot up into (5-inch or 7-inch pots
for forcing about the middle of September, and
most useful they are for producing pretty sweet-
scented flowers during the months of April, May,
and June. We have had them in March, but forc-
ing them into bloom thus early is not judicious
treatment ; the ilowers obtained are not of the best

form or substance of petal. The forcing Pinks are
excellent subjects to plant in the flower borders,
but they should be annually propagated in the
same way as those for forcing. Some of the farmers
in this neighbourhood grow a very pretty white
variety with fringed petals to produce cut blooms
for market, and adopt the clumsy method
of tearing the old plants into several pieces when
they are ready to replant them. I need not say
that a good gardener would not think of adopting
this method of procedure. J. DOUGLAS.

THE HOME OF N. CYCLAMINEUS.
My friend Mr. Peter Barr observes in his this
year's Daffodil catalogue, as lie observed in his
last year's one, that Narcissus cyclamineus is a
"beautiful dwarf Daffodil to naturalise in
Grass." Now the older I grow, the more care-
ful I am to examine a statement closely before
I venture upon a contradiction. Let me confess
that last year I felt somewhat polysyllabically
inclined towards my friend, when I pulled up
at this observation in his catalogue. To me
gardeners are arranged in three divisions : those
I know, those I do not know, and myself. For
myself, my experience of the "beautiful dwarf
Daffodil " in question is this : I find it like the
showman's " antibilious animal, what won't live
on land and dies in the water. " It has always
abruptly declined my kindest invitations to
naturalise itself in my garden, so I naturalise it
annually in a pot, wherein it incontinently expires
after flowering. The gardeners whom I know
tell me the same distressing tale ; will those
whom I do not know kindly give me their ex-
perience 1 But I do not use naughty language
towards good Mr. Barr, though I seem to have
a dim recollection of certain enthusiastic old
ladies of the horticultural persuasion slightly
strengthening their vocabularies when they
touchetl upon the subject of their investments
in bulbs of this sweet and accommodating plant.
For notice, Mr. Barr does not say N. cycla-
mineus has been naturalised in Grass, or that it
ever will be ; he simply states that it is beauti-
ful to naturalise in Grass. He means that the
guilelessness and the perseverance are beautiful
of those who purchase and plant it in their
Grass, and that their success will be truly beau-
tiful when they succeed. A guide and preceptor
should always set us a standard which is above
our ordinary reach, and the true gardener re-
joices in struggling after the unattainable. I
recognise with gratitude that Mr. Barr and
others, who offer us these beautiful and tract-
able things for naturalisation, are leading us
away from the merely practicable and common-
place to the ideal. "When," he says, "you
have naturalised Pine-apples in your borders
and birds-of-paradise in your Apple trees, there
will yet remain N. cyclamineus to naturalise in
your Grass, and only 5s. Cd. a dozen ! " Ob-
serve, too, the delicate humour of the catalogue.
On its cover is depicted the " home of N. cycla-
mineus " — not on any vulgar turf, but in a river,
where it is comfortably exhibiting flowers (if
the drawing is to scale) about the size of Sea-
kale pots. But as life is short, and I have al-
ready spent several years in patient effort, will
some brother Narcissophil tell me what means
he is taking to naturalise this Portuguese
aquatic on his Grass plot '? I may mention that
last spring I saw a bed of it looking peculiarly
unhappy in Mr. Barr's own grounds. But that,
no doubt, was to demonstrate to visitors what
splendid difficulties remain to be surmounted at
a small outlay. G. H. Englehkart.

Arnebia Griffithl. — I have received from a
friend in Devonshire some very interesting flowers
of hardy plants, and amongst them is the above

named species. I had not seen this since 1861,
when it flowered in the Kew collection. I am
surprised at seeing this plant at this season. I
suppose it was from being sown late, and I would
advise my friend to save every seed possible, for
the plant is only of annual duration, and it is one
of the most richly coloured of the Prophet Flowers.
It was obtained from seeds sent from North-
western India. It is rather a weak grower,
but the flowers are produced in dense terminal
heads, and the colour is rich, deep yellow, having
the five black marks upon the limb so conspicuous
a feature in all the members of this genus. — W.

Cerinthe retorta is another plant sent me
from the same person. It is also an annual, and is
remarkable for the silvery white spots upon its
leaves. The plant attains a height of about
2 feet, and it and some other species should be
largely grown by bee-keepers, on account of the
large amount of honey to be obtained from the
flowers, from which fact the plant has obtained the
name of Honey-wort. The spikes are numerous
and bear recurved racemes of bloom enveloped
in large leafy bracts ; the flowers are pale yellow at
the base, and the top of the tube is rich purple. It
is a very singular and beautiful thing. C. major
and C. minor, two similar plants from the south of
Europe, are much used for feeding bees. — W.

Petunia Holbora Blue. — I do not think that
Messrs. Carter and Co. have fully explained why
they name their new blue Petunia, Clematis- Dowered.
Most naturally all who saw it so described at the
Westminster Drill Hall concluded that it was so
mentioned because of its habit and climbing cha-
racter. Admittedly that the flowers are of the
peculiar shade of blue found in Clematis Jack-
manni, they are all the same true Petunia flowers,
and not those of a Clematis at all. Now, if they
had termed the Petunia " Jackmanni," by rea-
son of the near resemblance of the colour in
the flowers to those of the popular Clematis, no
one could have found fault. We have Clematises
with flowers of all sorts of colours, and whilst
one (Jackmanni) has bluish flowers, twenty others
have very diverse hues. On the whole, I do not
think that the reasons put forward by the firm for
their peculiar descriptive title are satisfactory. —
A. D.

The Iceland Poppies. — In some soils the
Poppy is apt to disappear after flowering. In a
well-drained situation it may be flowered for
several years, but even then, unless we feel sure
of the position, or have young plants coming on
somewhere else, there will probably be some amount
of disappointment ; but the raising of young plants
from seeds is so easy, that there is less necessity
for caring much about what becomes of the old
ones. The old roots after flowering may be taken
up and divided, but young seedlings will go through
the winter better than rooted pieces of old plants.
The best time to sow seed is as soon as it is ripe.
I sowed some about a fortnight ago, and the
plants are now up, but there is yet time to sow.
It is best to sow thinly in rather poor soil and
let the plants winter in the seed bed, planting
them out in spring 1 foot apart each way. These
Poppies are beautiful ornaments in the garden
and among the best things for cutting. Every-
body should grow them. — E. H.

Brompton Stocks.— These biennials did so
badly last winter, although the season was not
severe, that having plenty of plants I have resolved
to test some by leaving them thinly where originally
sown, and some have been rather late planted
beneath a west wall and are now just recovering the
removal. I want to see them as hard-stemmed and
as woody as possible. It is really deplorable that,
given so beautiful a flower as is the Giant Brompton
Stock, we should find such difficulty in keeping it
through the winter. It does not do to say that
Bromptons may still be met with in cottage gar-
dens. It is not so, and the spectacle of a few fine
spikes in any cottage garden is indeed a rarity. If
we pot up plants for the winter, the root confine-
ment checks them so much that they never give
spikes worthy of the variety. The injury done to
the plants seems to be more the result of mois-

Sept. 13, 1890.]

THE GAKDEN.

259

ture than of dry frost. Oar winters seem to
have become more and more foggy and humid.
Thus it is that all around London, and probably
near to most large towns, Violets and Anemones
lose their leafage early in winter ; indeed a few fogs
settle the foliage effectually. Stocks, Snap-
dragons, and similar soft-wooded biennials do not
seem to suffer so much from the first attack. It is
repeated ones which settle them. I have often
thought the plants safe in March, but have found
them dead in April. The safest places outdoors
for Brompton Stocks are close beneath walls and
houses on the south and west sides, but where
there is no drip and the soil is always rather dry.
We have plenty of good summer Stocks, and
intermediates are very fine, but no Stock is
equal in effect to the Giant Brompton, and a grand
spike of double flowers 12 inches in length is
certainly one of the finest objects a garden can
produce in the spring. — A. D.

NOTES ON HARDY PLANTS.

Lathyrus latifolius albus. — I know of no
reason why Mr. Tallack (p. 1 74) should not have a
more favourable experience than myself and many
friends in getting this true from seeds. Of course
it is to be got from seed, but I have always found a
low percentage of white, and, what is more, I never
could find but a chance pod here and there on my
largest plants. There are other indications in Mr
Tallack's note that his treatment and local condi-
tions are favourable for these plants. I get such
sorts as the type, rotundifolius, Turneri, and
Armitageanus from seed to flower the first year,
but not so with this white kind. The hot summer
of 1887 killed my two large specimens.

Primula Rusbyi. — Whatever may be said
about this new and charming Primula as bein
difficult to establish from newly-imported roots, it
cannot be said of roots that have once been ac-
climatised, and imported roots I have found to be
in sound condition, and even making fibre, when
there have been no signs of foliage development.
Only recently I turned roots up that I thought
would surely be dead, but, on the contrary, I found
them slowly moving, and roots have been known to
remain dormant for a whole year, and then grow
freely. Once the plant has become established, it
is seen to make long roots and dense fibre. I
hardly know yet which is the best method of treat-
ing it. It certainly enjoys chopped Moss and rich
loam, but I have observed that three or four plants,
which, as I thought at the time, were set in wrong
stuff containing lumps of limestone, have done
best of all. I do not wish to say that limestone
should be employed, but I give the facts as point-
ing in the direction of a possible useful experi-
ment.

Spiraea palmata alba. — I fear this is a plant
that will not wear well, and that a good deal of
the esteem in which it is at present held is due to
its rarity. We know of many things that are
admired that would not be if they were more seen.
Under the best conditions this plant reminds me
too much of the common Meadow Sweet.

Campanula prirnulasfolia. — Do not be

tempted by the good and fairly descriptive name of
this plant to grow it, at least if your aim is beauty
in the border. It has wrinkled herbage somewhat
in the way of Primula veris, but the plant grows
tall and quite out of the Primrose habit, and as
for the flowers, the less said of them the better —
small, stiff, cup-shaped, and of a dingy mottled,
pale blue. Young plants have a promising appear-
ance, which only intensifies the disappointment
when the flowers come out.

Silphium laciniatum. — There is some confu-
sion about this as sent out by the trade. Often
two or more Rudbeckias do duty for it, and yet it
has characters so well marked that you could
scarcely mistake it after you had once seen and
known the true thing. Its propagation is not so
easy as that of most of the large composites of
allied genera. The enormous tap roots are of a
somewhat woody nature, and they do not make

many offsets. A dozen crowns may spring from
but one big tap root. I have, however, dealt with
such roots in spring in such a way as to make every
crown into a plant, and I have also just now a living
proof that with a little extra pains the lower pieces
of the crownless roots can be used to good purpose,
the time and rooting medium being the more im-
portant points. Few, I fear, would care to be at
the trouble with crownless roots, but with regard
to those with developed crowns, I cut off the lower
part of the tap root, leaving about G inches to the
crowns, then split it downwards, taking a crown to
each portion, and carefully preserving the rind to
the respective parts. These should be set in clean,
sharp sand, with a dash of charcoal dust about
them, exposed to full sunshine, and allowed to
make a year's growth under these conditions, when
they will be ready for planting out.

WooAoille, Kir/tstaU. J. Wood.

GERMINATION OF DAFFODIL SEED.
" A. D." need need not be anxious about his Daffo-
dil seed. I always sow mine when ripe, and be-
lieve the month of October is the earliest date at
which I have seen the young seedlings appear.
They usually keep corning up from that time until
spring ; sometimes the bulk does not show until
February or March. My plan of raising Narcissi
from seed is simple, and "A. D." is doing quite
right so far. But I like something rather deeper
than average seed-pans, and now use stout deal
boxes, G inches deep inside measurement, made of
three-quarter-inch wood, and put together with
long nails. They last a long while. The other di-
mensions do not matter, so long as they are handy
and of a uniform size, so as to pack together con-
veniently in a frame. They should have several
holes in the bottom for drainage, but one bit of
crock or slate over each hole will be found better
than more, since Narcissi like a little moisture at
the root. Fresh loam, not too fine, leaf-mould and
sand will be found a good soil in which the loam
should preponderate. The seed should be covered
about an inch deep, and room left in the box or
pan for a good top-dressing of the same compost
about February. I stand the boxes in a shady
place until October, and then bed them in ashes in
a cold frame with a south aspect. The lights
should be left entirely off except in sharp frost, or
rains heavy enough to wash away the soil. A sur-
facing of charcoal dust or silver sand helps to keep
away the mossy growth, but it is well to occasion-
ally stir the soil very lightly with a pointed stick.
Slugs will sometimes eat the young plants if not
watched for. I used to plant out the little bulbs
when one year old, but now find it much better to
keep them undisturbed in their boxes for two years,
after which time I prick them out in ranks G inches
apart in well-dug beds free from manure. While
they are in the boxes I like to keep the lights on
from June to September, as this ripens the little
bulbs. As to the subsequent treatment, my prac-
tice varies. Sometimes I do not disturb the beds
until the bulbs flower, but if they are of robust
kinds and crowd the beds quickly, I lift the bulbs
in July and replant. It is best to let seedlings of
the Corbularias and small and tender kinds flower
in the seed-pan, never disturbing the soil except to
annually remove the top inch and replace with
fresh soil. I do not recommend sowing seed in the
open ground ; it is more difficult to ward off slugs,
and difficult to make sure of finding all the little
bulbs when the time comes for transplanting. Also
the equable temperature of a frame produces larger
bulbs in two years.

It looks as if " A. D.'s " cross had taken effect,
but with me every flower of Emperor produces seed
without artificial fertilisation. This is an excellent
variety to work with, the bulbs reaching flowering
size in five or even four years. Narcissi vary much
in this respect, pallidus prsecox, for instance, taking
six or seven, and yielding no results worth the
labour. G. H. Engleheaet.

Ai>])lesliaiv, Andover.

relative to the Amaryllis is now flowering finely in
a cold house. I am growing it in full exposure to
the sun, the pot standing in a pan of water. In-
stead of roasting or drying it into bloom, as some
have recommended, I have gone to the other ex-
treme and given it an abundance of moisture. So
much indeed has the plant absorbed, that the swell-
ing of the roots has rent the pot asunder, and they
appear to find delight in the water in which the pot
stands. I yesterday cut a handful of its large
white Crocus-like blossoms, which are produced
successionally. The plant has a very vigorous Rush-
like growth, and as soon as it has gone out of bloom
I must repot it. It has been helped by a little fer-
tiliser applied on the surface, to its manifest advan-
tage.—R. D.

SEEDLING VERBENAS.
If the Verbena is to regain its lost popularity it
will probably be through the medium of good
strains of seedlings. Several new named kinds
have recently appeared, and one or more has been
certificated, this fact being alluded to as an augury
of returning popularity, but the same diseases and
the same causes that carried away the good Ver-
benas of days gone by will again appear, and have
a like effect. The difficulty lies not so much in
summer culture as in winter preservation, when
fungoid and insect pests ever have, and doubtless
will to a greater or lesser extent, infest them and
debilitate the stock, which thus becomes useless
either for propagation or subsequent planting out.
But aU this evU can be avoided by relying upon1
a fresh stock of plants raised each year from seed.
If those who are trying to popularise and improve
the Verbena would work with a view to securing
good strains in distinct self colours of kinds that
could be raised from seed, and be relied upon to
come fairly true, their labour would be better re-
warded. For the past two seasons we have had
excellent batches of Verbenas, as healthy and free-
blooming as the most fastidious could desire. The
plants were raised from seed, which is sold in se-
parate colours, but as yet only red, white, and
purple are obtainable in this way, and these from
the seed in question prove very true in colour and
habit of growth. No doubt the greater amount of
moisture during the past two seasons favoured them,
but at all times and in any season healthy seedling
plants have an immense advantage over those pro-
pagated by cuttings from a stock which has been
coddled, and is perhaps debilitated and diseased.
There is no reason why the Verbena, like Asters,
Stocks, and other things, might not be improved in
this way, and rigidly selected until we have dis-
tinct strains rich in all the variety of hues charac-
teristic of the flower producing seed, which saved
with care and in separate colours might be tho-
roughly relied upon. There is no need whatever
for naming different kinds, which, so far as this
flower is concerned, only tends to limit its culture ;
moreover, in the newer and finer forms of Phlox
Drummondi we obtain distinct strains in separate
colours, which in their way are equally as good as
Verbenas, yet we do not trouble to name them. It
is a practice too frequently adopted that could
easily be dispensed with in many families of
popular garden flowers. A. H.

White Zephyr flower (Zephyranthes Candida).
— This charming Chilian representative of a near

The Lady's-tresses (Spiranthes autumnalis).
— Of low growth and unassuming in appearance, the
pretty and curious Lady's- tresses escapes the notice
of the general plant collector and flower gatherer,
and for that reason it may be more plentiful than
is recorded in our floras and plant books. It is, how-
ever, an interesting and pretty little native Orchid,
and one that for several years I grew and flowered
beside its equally pretty, but far rarer S. Roman-
zoviana. Just now it is fairly plentiful in certain
of our chalky Kentish fields and copses, delighting
to grow where vegetation is not too rampant, and
where fully exposed to the breeze. There is another
Spiranthes growing in some of the midland Eng-
lish counties that flowers in summer, and of which
I would be glad of specimens. — A. D. Webster.

Calceolaria arnplexicaulis. — Although an
old kind of Calceolaria, this is a most useful and

260

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 13, 1890.

desirable one. It is strange that few people grow
it. I remember this kind being used in the flower
gardens at Rood Ash ton, Trowbridge, some twenty-
five years ago with good effect, and although only
a youth I have never forgotten the display it made.
This Calceolaria gives good results massed with
other plants. It is to be hoped now that the useless
carpet bedding has seen its day, and the larger
types of hardy and half-hardy plants are finding
their way into all gardens, that this Calceolaria will
meet with the attention it deserves. Some will say
it is of no use for small beds. This I admit, but
place it where it can be allowed to grow at will,
and with a few strong, wiry-growing plants such
as Verbena venosa to hold it up, and the effect is
most charming. Close by my cottage door I have
three old plants of it planted in a corner and grow-
ing up between the shoots of the white Jessamine.
—J. C , Forde Abbey.

Stove and Greenhouse.

TWO USEFUL CLIMBERS FOR THE
GREENHOUSE.
Whilst recently walking round the gardens of Mr
Nicholson at Heme Hill, S.E., I was particularly
struck with the beauty of two plants which were
growing and flowering most profusely. Solanum
jasminoides was trained upon the roof of a cool
greenhouse facing nearly west. Training is, how-
ever, scarcely the word, as the growth was merely
supported by a few wires, being in other respects
allowed freedom. Left in this manner, it was mak-
in" strong growths, with quantities of its Jasmine-
like trusses of bloom, which were of extra size.
Green-fly, which at times is so troublesome, was
apparently absent. This plant of itself was capable
of yielding a large quantity of bloom for cutting.
The other example was Habrothamnus (Cestrum)
aurantiacus, which was planted out in the conserva-
tory, being clothed with long panicles of its beau-
tiful pale yellow or citron-coloured flowers. This
plant was not growing so vigorously as I have seen
it ; this has no doubt something to do with its
more than usual freedom in flowering. It was be-
ing grown as a pillar plant, for which purpose all of
this family are more or less well suited. Mr. Foreman
(the gardener) may be congratulated on these two
examples of what such plants ought to be. It is
pleasant to note the disappearance of such formal
training, and the substitution in place thereof of a
more natural mode of cultivation. He informed me
that in the evening the flowers of the last-named
plant were very fragrant. Both of these climbers
may be more extensively planted. They are not
often met with in good condition, but under proper
cultivation they would prove most valuable. They
are both of free growth and when planted out will
soon establish themselves, but care should be taken
not to give too much soil in either instance, or the
growth will be more robust than desirable.

in The Garden some time ago that the Hibiscus
is a family undeservedly neglected, containing a
large number of splendid flowering plants. In my
day I have grown perhaps from thirty to forty
species, hardy, greenhouse and stove, and I do not
remember one amongst them that was sufficiently
unattractive to discard. Some were gorgeous. I
am always on the look out for new kinds. The
catalogues of thirty years ago teemed with them
now seeds or plants of about half a dozen sorts
only are offered.— J. M., Ckarmouth, Dorset.

\* A very beautiful and delicately coloured
flower. The Hibiscuses are certainly very poorly
represented in English gardens, like many other
good things. — Ed.

Griffinia hyacinthina. — This plant was illus-
trated by a coloured plate in The Garden, Oct. 26,
1889, when its cultural requirements and other
items of interest concerning it were fully dealt
with. It is now so finely in flower with us as to
merit a word or two in its favour, especially as
blossoms of that tint are by no means plentiful,
and as a succession of flowers is kept up, while
each one remains fresh for some little time, a few
well-flowered specimens are objects of great beauty
for weeks. They remain fresh longer in the green-
house than they do in a warmer structure, but
should not be exposed to the sun or draughts. One
of our best spikes was accidentally broken off just
as the earliest blooms were expanding and taken
indoors and placed in water ; the buds opened just
as well as if they were on the plant. — H. P

Hibiscus grandiflorus roseus.— I send a
flower of this handsome perennial autumn plant,
which seems too little grown according to its
merits. The flowers are of a very delicate rose
colour with crimson centre, and from 4 inches to 0
inches across. It is reputed quite hardy, and it
may be, but I question if it would flower satis-
factorily thus treated, unless in a very warm soil
and situation and an exceptionally sunny season.
The plants are here grown under glass, and well
repay the very little trouble they incur. They die
down to the ground on the approach of winter, and
throw up thick stout shoots in the spring. They
are then shaken out and repotted in rich sandy
soil. The following herbaceous species are also
grown here : H. californicus, H. flavescens, H.
speciosus or coccineus, H. moschatus. All these,
except the last, are more difficult to bloom well,
requiring abundance of sunshine" and warmth,
although, if we are to believe the. catalogues, they
are all hardy. It is certain none of them would
blossom in the open ground here unless in a
summer of unusual warmth. You rightly observed

Asclepias curassavica.— This Curassavian va-
riety of Asclepias is not often met with in private
gardens, although it is very easily grown, succeed-
ing in the greenhouse all the year round and bloom-
ing the greater part of the time also. The flowers
are produced at every point of growth in umbels,
which are erect, the colour orange-red and yellow.
They are not of much use for cutting. From seed
numerous plants can be quickly raised, and which
grow up with a single stem if not interfered with
by removing the point of growth at a few inches
high to induce a stocky habit. By pinching in
once and allowing them afterwards to make all the
growth possible, abundance of flowers will be pro-
duced into the autumn. Pots 6 inches in diameter
are large enough for the plants the first year. In
the following spring the shoots of the previous
year may be cut back to within a few inches of the
base, which induces numerous side shoots to push
out, and these will produce flowers at once and
continue unchecked until the autumn. Abundance
of water at the roots and a light position in the
greenhouse are all that is required to give a liberal
display of blossom. — E. M.

Lespedeza bicolor.— In various publications
the names of Lespedeza bicolor and Desmodium
penduliflorum are quoted as synonymous with each
other, but the plants known under the above
names in gardens and nurseries are at least hor-
ticulturally perfectly distinct, and both are well
worth a place, though the Desmodium is by far
the finer of the two. This last is a plant of a
half shrubby character, that after flowering dies
down nearly to the ground, and pushes up the
following season's shoots from a few large buds
near the base of the plants. These shoots are
long and slender, the tallest under favourable con-
ditions reaching a height of 6 feet. A very good
way to treat the plant is to support a few of the
principal shoots, as then the minor ones will dis-
pose themselves gracefully, and form an elegant
mass. The shoots are rather thinly clothed, espe-
cially towards the base, with trifoliate leaves, and
terminated by crowded racemes of rosy purple Pea-
shaped blossoms. The weight of the flowers causes
the upper part of the shoots to droop over, so that
the entire plant is graceful. The oblong-shaped
leaflets of this Desmodium are very pointed,
and its flowering season is usually from the middle
or end of September onwards ; indeed, two years
since, when there was a sharp frost on the 1st of
October, we had no flowers at all on our Desmo-
diums. Lespedeza bicolor, on the other hand, com-
mences to bloom by the middle of August, and is

all over before there is an expanded flower on the
Desmodium. It is also shorter, being as a rule not
more than 4 feet high, while the shoots are gene-
rally quite erect, so that it is wanting altogether in
the graceful character of the other. The leaflets,
too, of the Lespedeza are much less pointed, the
flowers are not nearly so crowded, while the indi-
vidual blooms being a great deal smaller than those
of the Desmodium it is at no time so ornamental
a plant, though, as above stated, a place can be
found for both in most gardens, especially as they
succeed fairly well even in dry sandy soils, for their
deep vigorous roots enable them to stand drought
better than many other shrubs. Like the Desmo-
dium, the Lespedeza dies down during the winter.
— T.

Scarlet Ipomseas.— There are several of these;
first, the small-flowered, but brilliant scarlet I.
coccinea, known as the Quamoclit. Then we have I .
nationis, which is similar in all respects to the last,
saving in its size ; it is, moreover, a perennial
plant, whilst coccinea is an annual, the tuberous
root dying down annually. It comes from Peru. I
flowered some years ago in the gardens at Kew a
large salmon-red kind of great beauty. It was a
tall climber, having a long wing upon its peduncle,
which gave rise to its name of the wing-footed Ipo-
msa (I. alatipes). The flowers, produced several
together, were each some 3 inches across and of a
very deep salmon colour. The plant is a native of
several parts of South America.— W. H. G.

iEschynanthus grandiflorus. — Included in
the genus iEschynanthus are several beautiful
autumn-flowering stove plants, of which the first
to unfold its blossoms is usually the above-named
species, iE. grandiflorus. This is more compact in
habit than the others, and forms a somewhat up-
right bush about 2 feet high or thereabouts, every
branch of which bears a large cluster of peculiarly
curved tubular blossoms, which are of a bright
orange and scarlet colour. Just now it is a most
conspicuous object in the stove, and with reason-
able care the blossoms remain in beauty a long
time. Another species is M. Lobbianus, which has
long slender branches regularly clothed with small
deep green foliage, while the flowers are bright red.
The best way is to grow the plant in a suspended
basket, for not only does it grow well so treated,
but the long flexible shoots have also plenty of
space for their full development, and the blossoms
are thus conspicuous. There are several other
species of iEschynanthus, but those mentioned are
not only two of the very best, but also two of the
most distinct. The various members of the genus
may be successfully grown in different ways, for
they are all suitable for hanging baskets. Most of
them too, will thrive if confined to pots and at-
tached to a dead Tree Fern stem, with a little peat
and Sphagnum, and placed in the moist atmosphere
of the stove. Under whatever conditions they are
grown the soil should consist principally of fibrous
peat, with the addition of some Sphagnum Moss,
sand and charcoal, while in pots ample drainage
must be ensured. They all strike readily from cut-
tings put in at almost any season of the year, but
the spring or early summer is the best.— H. P.

Hyacintbus candicans in pots.— This is a
useful bulb for pots for cool houses or for furnish-
ing large vases in rooms or corridors. As a vase
plant it is most telling when three or four bulbs m
a G-inch or 7-inch pot are used. We use them for
the cool conservatory for blooming at the end ol
July and through August, and they are very hand-
some for large houses. We usually pot the bulbs at
one potting, as they are easily brought on if wanted
at an earlier period. They are wintered in a cold
frame with a lot of similar plants, exposing them
in the early spring, and standing on a hard coal-
ash bottom in the open. They then grow sturdily
and come into bloom at the time stated. When the
pots are full of roots in the early spring plenty of
liquid manure should be given. It is a good plan to
leave a space when potting to allow of a mulching
of decayed manure as the top growth increases.
As the bulbs are gross feeders larger pots may a so
be used if room can be found for them. live bulbs
in an 8-inch pot will make a nice show of spikes.

Sept. 13, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

261

They will also winter in the open if well covered
with some protecting material and not allowed to
get too wet. They like a good compost of loam,
adding some peat if the loam is heavy, with leaf-
mould, coarse sand, and ample drainage. For pot
work the bulbs should be repotted every year. —
Geo. Wtthes, Syon House.

Societies and Exhibitions.

CRYSTAL PALACE FRUIT SHOW.
September 5 and 6.
The remarkably fine exhibition of hardy fruits seen
at the Crystal Palace on the above dates served to
attract an unusually large number of the gardening
fraternity, and the company certainly merit the
thanks of lovers of good fruit for instituting this
annual display, as without it we here in London
would otherwise have no opportunity to discern the
nature of the choice fruit products of the kingdom
in an exhibition. It may be taken for granted
that the average quality found in all classes of
fruits was not equal to what has been seen in some
previous years. The cold, wet, sunless season has
told adversely on fruits even produced in heat, and
although the Grapes, for instance, were in great
quantity, yet the remarkably fine bunches and ex-
ceeding finish found in some previous years were
wanting. Of Peaches and Nectarines there were
plenty and some fine samples, but there were
many dishes of moderate quality. Plums, usually
so stiiking a feature, were few and small. Still, it
was a grand show of fruit for the season all the
same, and merited warm commendation.

Collections. — One of the premier classes of the
show are the Urge collections. Of those for not
less than twenty dishes there were four, making a
total of some ninety dishes, a superb display of great
merit. The exhibitors were Mr. Mclndoe, Hutton
Hall, Guisborough; Mr. H. W. Ward, Longford
Castle, Salisbury ; Mr. Goodacre, Elvaston ; and
Mr. Dawes, Temple Newsam, who were awarded
the prizes in the order named. Mr. Mclndoe, who
is ever a strong competitor, had superb Gros Maroc
and Alnwick Seedling, black, and Buckland Sweet-
water and Trebbiano white Grapes ; Exquisite and
Princess of Wales Peaches ; Darwin and Humboldt
Nectarines ; Moorpark Apricots ; Queen Pine ;
Blenheim Orange and seedling Melons ; fine Oranges
and Lemons, white and red Plums, &c. In the
collection of twelve dishes, of which there were
five, Mr. Blair, of Trentham, was a strong first,
having good Muscat of Alexandria and Alicante
Grapes, Queen Pine, Melons, Pears, Figs, stone
fruits, &c, but the average quality was below that
in the preceding class. Mr. Miller, of Rood Ash-
ton, was second. There were four competing col-
lections of eight dishes, Mr. Ocock, Havering Park,
Romford, coming first.

Geapes.— These, as usual, formed the chief fea-
ture of the show, and were in great quantity. There
were four lots of twenty bunches in ten varieties.
The competitors again were Messrs. Goodacre,
Mclndoe, Warden, and Ward. The prizes were
awarded as thus placed. Mr. Goodacre had of
white varieties Foster's Seedling and Muscat of
Alexandria good, and fine Gros Maroc, Madresfield
Court, Black Hamburgh, Muscat Hambugh, Lady
Downe's, Alicante, Alnwick Seedling, and Black
Prince. It was noticeable that even the blackest
Grapes were discounted by the strong sunshine
which fell upon them during the day. In the class
for ten bunches in five kinds, Mr. Taylor, Bath, had
very fine samples, but still some way below what
this able exhibitor has shown.

Single vabiety classes.— Of these there were
seven, the average of entries being eight — not so
large as usual, but the samples were generally very
good. Muscat of Alexandria was the smallest
class, Mr. Taylor having the best in superb bunches,
the second best coming from Coombe Bank,
Kingston, whilst some bunches from Hayes Com-
mon had the long loose shoulders tied out so as
to resemble birds on the wing. Of any other white,
Foster's Seedling was the chief, the best coming

from Longford Castle. The same variety was
second, and Buckland Sweetwater third. Black
Hamburghs were none too well coloured. Mr.
Gibson, Draycot House, Chippenham, had the best
bunches, not large berried, but well finished. Gros
Maroc was the best class in the group. It is a fine-
berried, free-colouring variety, and is very popular.
The best, some superb clusters, came from Mr.
Hookings, West Moulsey, whilst the second best,
also very finely berried, came from Gunnersbury
Park. Madresfield Court found a somewhat limited
representation. The best had berries not large,
but finely coloured ; some other bunches lacked
colour. Black Alicante was in strong force, of
course, as it is one of the free-colouring varieties.
The best came from Ottershaw Park, really grand
samples, black as Sloes and well finished. Mr.
Griffin came very close on Mr. Osman, whilst Mr.
Howe was a capital third. In the class for another
black, Alnwick Seedling from Elvaston was first,
the same variety was second.

Basket Geapes were fairly good, the best black
being the favourite Gros Maroc, the lots from Mr.
Hookings and Mr. Mclndoe having grand berries.
The best white were four large bunches of Bowood
Muscat from Mr. Winter, Barrow-on-Humber, but
laying them out singly in a big wicker tray large
enough to hold a score of such bunches and
calling that a basket was an absurdity. Next we
shall see the bunches displayed in packing flats.
Evidently the compilers of the schedule mean
baskets as sent to market, and the j udges should
have disqualified it. Mr. Mclndoe had the second
best in fine Duke of Buccleuch.

Peaches were in strong force, Mr. Divers, of
Ketton Hall, who seems to be a sort of champion
grower of these stone fruits, taking first place in
the class for four dishes out of nine lots. In
the single dish class the best fruit again came from
Ketton Hall, a remarkably fine dish of Sea Eagle
coming first, the same variety from Dorking was
second, and superbly coloured Princess of Wales
was third. There were no less than twenty-one
dishes in this class. Turning to

Nectaeines, the competition being limited, Mr.
Divers was again first with capital Pine-apple, Dry-
den, Victoria, and Rivers' Orange. Lord Napier,
Elruge, Albert Victor, and Victoria were also well
shown. The best single dish of Nectarines was Pine-
apple, from Ketton Hall. The competition in the
somewhat useless class for six dishes of Peaches
and same of Nectarines was small. Mr. Divers
again had the best samples.

Melons showed no special merit, even in flavour,
the best white or green-fleshed being Sutton's
Monarch, hardly ripe ; Best of All and Hero of
Lockinge coming next. In the scarlet flesh class,
very small Scarlet Gem was first. Melons seem to
have sadly needed sunshine to promote flavour.

Plums were moderately shown, the best reds be-
ing Ponds' Seedling, La Delicieuse, Red Magnum
Bonum, and Sultan. The best whites were Jeffer-
son's, Magnum Bonum, Green Gage, and Bryanston
Gage. The best purples were Grand Duke, Prince
Englebert, Monarch and Kirke's. Mr. Ward had
the best Figs, in White Ischia and Brunswick.

Apples, as shown in competition, were, to have
matters even, restricted to orchard house grown,
the only competitors in the class for twelve dishes
being Messrs. Bunyard and Mclndoe. The Maid-
stone dozen were superbly coloured and finished,
as well as fine, and comprised Cox's Pomona, Bis-
marck, and Emperor Alexander, highly coloured ;
and of yellows, Ecklinville, wonderfully clean skin ;
Stone's Pippin, and Warner's King. Of dessert
fruits very beautiful were Lady Sudeley, Okera,
Worcester Pearmain, Washington, Belle Pontoise,
and Lady Henniker. Mr. Mclndoe's finest were
Grand Duke Constantine, Peasgood's Nonsuch,
Gascoyne's Seedling, and Greenup's Pippin. In the
class for three dishes for dessert, the same com-
petitors were placed as before. Washington, Cel-
lini Pippin (of dubious table quality), and Wor-
cester Pearmain were the best.

Peaes also were limited in the competitions to
orchard house fruits, Mr. Blick, Hayes Common,

coming first with some fine dishes in the class for
twelve varieties ; Mr. Mclndoe being again second.
Pears were only moderately shown in the trade collec-
tions, but Apples were very good for the time of year,
Mr. Bunyard, of Maidstone, having as usual the best
colour and size, his collection of forty-five dishes
attracting much attention ; Messrs. J. Peed and
Sons, Norwood, showed forty dishes ; Messrs. Cheal
and Sons, Crawley, had the same number ; and
Messrs. J. Laing and Sons, Forest Hill, had about
twenty-four lots, all very good samples. As Apples
will be seen in better form later, longer reference
may be deferred.

Ieish Apples. —A special exhibit, apparently for
the purpose of illustrating the discussion on Irish
fruit culture at the conference, was a show of Irish
grown Apples from Mr. J. F. Lambard, Dublin ;
Glenstal Castle, Murree ; Shane's Castle, Antrim ;
Mr. Bannatyne, Limerick ; and one from Crumlin.
No information was afforded as to what sort of trees
the fruits came from, but except for some fair excep-
tions much of it was very poor indeed. Still it would
doubtless compare favourably with much of what
may be found in our rural districts, which are, on
the whole, little ahead of Ireland in hardy fruit
culture.

Vegetables. — There were but two competitors
for baskets of six varieties of vegetables, the prizes
offered by Messrs. James Carter and Co., Holborn.
These were Messrs. Waite, Esher, and Becket,
Penn. Both had first-rate samples, the Esher ones,
however, being best. There were but two dishes in
competition for prizes for Carter's buff-coloured
Blenheim Orange Tomato, and for prizes for Glen-
hurst Favourite Tomato, offered by Mr. Deverill, of
Banbury, Mr. Waite had an easy first. The Hol-
born firm showed their pretty red Market Favourite
Tomato and other products.

A prize list is given in our advertising columns.

NATIONAL DAHLIA SHOW.

Septembee 5 AND 6.

Despite an indifferent season and sharp frosts,
there was a fine display of flowers at the Crystal
Palace on the above date, though there were here
and there signs of coarseness.

All the classes open to nurserymen admit of show
and fancy Dahlias being exhibited together. The
innovation was made a few years ago, and no one
appears to have reason to regret the change. To
the Dahlia exhibitor, the lines of difference which
mark off a fancy from a show Dahlia may be intel-
ligible enough, but to the general public they are
bewildering. Really for all practical purposes the
distinction should be abolished and all known as
show Dahlias.

The largest class at the Crystal Palace was for
seventy-two bloomsin notlessthan forty-eight varie-
ties, nor more than two blooms of any one sort. There
were four competitors, Messrs. Keynes, Williams
& Co., nurserymen, Salisbury, taking the first prize ;
Mr. M. V. Seale, nurseryman, Sevenoaks, the
second; and Mr. Charles Turner, Royal Nursery,
Slough, the third. Some very large and, on the
whole, finely finished flowers were staged in this
class. It was in that for forty-eight blooms distinct
that the finest flowers were seen, brilliant, as well
as soft and delicate in tint, symmetrical, fresh and
clean. Mr. Charles Turner was first with a superb
stand out of four competitors.

In the class for thirty-six blooms Mr. George
Humphries, Kington Langley, Chippenham, was
first. Here there were six competitors, as also in
the class for twenty-four varieties, in which Mr.
John Walker, nurseryman, Thame, was first with
very good blooms. Messrs. Saltmarsh and Son were
second. The best twelve were shown by Messrs.
J. Gilbert and Son, Ipswich.

One of the classes for amateurs was for show and
fancy Dahlias, mixed, namely, that for twenty-four
varieties, and here an old grower, Mr. Thomas
Hobbs, Lower Easton, Bristol, was first with an ex-
cellent lot of blooms. Mr. J. T. West, gardener to

262

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 13, 1890.

Mr. W. Keith, Cornwalls, Brentwood, a very success-
ful amateur cultivator, was second.
' Mr. S. Cooper, The Hamlet, Chippenham, had the
best twelve blooms of show Dahlias. There was
also a class for six blooms of show Dahlias, in which
there was a good competition.

Two of the amateur classes were set apart for
fancy Dahlias only, and here Mr. J. T. West was
first with some capital blooms. Mr. S. Cooper was
second.

Cactus and decorative Dahlias were largely and
finely shown. Unfortunately, the appearance of a
variety in the cut state gives no clue to the habit of
growth of the plant from which the blooms have
been cut, but in most of the newer varieties there
is a dwarf er habit of growth, and the flowers are
better displayed above the foliage.

In the nurserymen's class for eighteen varieties,
six blooms making a noble bunch, Mr. Charles
Turner was first with a superb lot, consisting of
Zulu, Professor Baldwin, Empress of India, Amphion,
Kmgof the Cactus.Mrs. Hawkins, Pictaformosissima,
rarely seen so perfect and fine as on this occasion ;
Henry Patrick, Panthea, William Darvill, William
Rayner, Honoria, Juarezi, Constance, Sir T.
Lawrence, Beauty of Brentwood, Cochineal, and
Asia, a very good selection of distinct varieties.
Messrs. J. Cheal and Son were second.

Mr. M. Seale had the best twelve bunches, having
varieties similar to the foregoing ; and Messrs.
Paul and Son were second. The best six bunches
of six blooms each in the amateurs' class came
from Mr. J. T. West. A class for six bunches, three
blooms only forming a bunch, appeared somewhat
mean against the larger ones, but it is put in for
the sake of those who have small gardens and
grow only a few plants ; here Mr. H. Glasscock was
first.

The pretty, handsome, and symmetrical pompon
Dahlias, so free and so useful and durable in a
cut state, were finely represented also in bunches
of ten blooms. There were four competitors in the
class for twenty-four varieties, and Messrs. Keynes
and Co. came in first with a superb lot, appa-
rently having the very cream of the collection.
For twelve bunches, Messrs. J. Burrell and Co.,
Howe House Nurseries, Cambridge, were first with
a very good selection, and Mr. George Humphries
was placed second. There were two classes in the
amateurs' division, one for six bunches, six blooms
in each ; and six bunches, three blooms in each, in
which varieties similar to those named were staged.
Messrs. Glasscock and West were first and second
in the former, and Messrs. Harris and R. West in
the latter class.

There was, as is usual, a fine display of single
varieties set up in bunches of ten blooms each.
Messrs. J. Cheal and Sons were again first with a
very striking collection of twenty-four bunches, in-
cluding several of their new varieties. Messrs.
J. Burrell and Co. were the only exhibitors
of twelve bunches. In the amateurs' division there
were two classes for single Dahlias, the same as in
the case of the pompon varieties, but there was but
one exhibitor in each. Mr. H. Glasscock took the
first prize in one class, and Mr. E. Mawley, Berk-
hamsted, in the other.

A very interesting series of classes were those
for show and fancy Dahlias in colours. One was
for six blooms of any dark Dahlia, one variety. Mr.
Thos. Hobbs was first with grand blooms of Willie
Garratt. The best six blooms of any light variety
were Mrs. Gladstone. It was shown by all the
competitors, Mr. J. Walker being placed first
with six superb flowers. The best six yellow
self Dahlias were J. B. Service and R. T. Rawlings,
from Mr. J. T. West ; Messrs. J. Gilbert and Son
were second with J. C. Quennell and R. T. Rawlings.
The best six blooms of any two-tipped Dahlias were
Peacock and Mrs. Saunders (fancies), from Messrs.
Keynes & Co. The best six striped Dahlias were
Pelican and Rev. J. B. M. Camni (fancies), from
Messrs. Keynes & Co.

Seedling Dahlias.— A fair number of these
were staged, but little of first-class merit. Certifi-
cates of merit were awarded to Messrs. Keynes and

Co. for fancy Dahlia Comedian, deep apricot,
shaded with crimson and edged with mauve ; to
Cactus Dahlia Duke of Clarence, from Messrs.
Cheal and Sons, maroon and crimson ; and to Mr.
T. S. Ware for single Dahlias Duchess of Fife (al-
ready described) and to Maude, white, with side
edgings of crimson-purple.

Miscellaneous collection of Dahlias. — A
very large and representative collection of cut
blooms of all the types of Dahlias came from Mr.
T. S. Ware, tastefully set up on a great length
of table ; and a somewhat similar collection was
furnished by Messrs. J. Cheal and Sons, who had
in addition cut sprays of flowering and foliage hardy
ornamental plants.

Chrysanthemums.— Only three groups of early-
blooming Chrysanthemums in pots were staged in
competition, the finest and gayest coming from
Messrs. J. Laing and Sons, who, however, had not
named a single variety. Mme. Desgrange and
G. Wermig were the most abundant. Messrs. Reid
and Bornemann, Sydenham, and Mr. N. Davis, of
Camberwell, had the other groups. Cockscombs
were the only other plants in competition, and
capital they were ; the two half dozens placed first
and second were first-rate, and had little to choose
between them, short, well grown, and carrying
splendid heads.

In the large class for cut spikes of Gladioli Mr. J.
Burrell, Huntingdon, was the only exhibitor,
having some ten dozen grand spikes, not a few
of which had 15 expanded flowers. A finer lot has
rarely been seen at a metropolitan show. In the
amateurs' class, Mr. Lindsell, Hitchin, and the Rev.
H. H. D'Ombrain, Ashford, were the only exhibitors,
both showing well. The best' twenty-four quilled
Asters came from Mr. Cooper, of Chippenham, and
the best twenty-four French Asters from Messrs.
Saltmarsh and Sons, who had incurved flowers, as
also did Mr. Walker, of Thame. A fine show of sixty
bunches of stove and greenhouse flowers came from
Mr. Prewett, Hammersmith, Orchids being in the
ascendant.

Miscellaneous. — Messrs. Laing & Sons had a
huge, square, and rather stiff group of Begonias,
but the colouring of the flowers was exceedingly gay
and vivid. Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons, Swanley,
had a large group of Cactus Dahlias, many new
and interesting ; a large number of plants of the
double white Begonia Octavie, with other varieties,
making a striking show. A truly beautiful bank
of flowers and foliage — indeed, one of the most
effective and pleasing we have seen for a long time —
was that staged by Messrs. Wm. Paul and Son,
Waltham Cross. This was chiefly set up in round
baskets and boxes, and included of Roses in large
clumps or bunches Boule de Neige, Mme. Watte-
ville, Souvenir de la Malmaison, Gloire de Dijon,
Mme. Lambard, Polyantha, Little Pet, very lovely;
Gloire des Polyanthes, Marie Van Houtte, &c. The
flowering shrubs included Hydrangea paniculata,
Spiraeas, &c, also many fine clumps of hardy foli-
age. Such a beautiful show is rarely seen at exhibi-
tions. A very large show of hardy flowers in exceeding
variety, but with which we have been made very fami-
liar at the Westminster Drill Hall, came from Messrs.
Paul and Son, Cheshunt, and Mr. E. F. Such,
Maidenhead. Mr. A. Lister and Mr. W Nines, Rothe-
say, N.B., showed fancy and show Pansies, African
and French striped Marigolds in variety.

A prize list is given in our advertising columns.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

September 0.

The ordinary bi-monthly meeting was held in Drill

Hall, James Street, Westminster, Gladioli and

Dahlias forming leading features.

A first-class certificate was awarded to each of
the following : —

CattleyaaureaStatteriAna.— Avery fineand
handsome form ; the sepals and petals pale citron,
the labellum massive and very striking, reticulated
with pure purple down the centre, with broad bands
of pure gold at the sides, and the margins reticu-
lated with bright purple. From Mr. R. Johnson,

gardener to Mr. T. Statter, Stand Hall, Whitefields,
Manchester.

Gladiolus Lemoinei Neue Bleue.— A remark-
ably distinct coloured variety, being of a pale pur-
plish-blue with a dark throat. The spikes were
not shown in good condition, and probably did not
represent the full beauty of this unique form. The
exhibitor was unable to give accurate information
as to its parentage, but it will no doubt become a
parent of a race of blue Gladioli. From M. "\ ictor
Lemoine, Nancy, France.

An award of merit was given to each of the fol-
lowing:—

L^LIA elegans Turneri (Stand varietv). —
Pale satiny lilac sepals and petals, the latter tinted
a little more deeply with purple ; the lip rich crim-
son. From Mr. T. Statter.

Gladiolus Leonard Kelway. — A remarkably
striking variety, having in it the blood of one of
M. Lemoine's hybrids. Several spikes of it were
shown. In colour it is a rich ruby-crimson, shaded
with orange ; the flowers of the finest form, stout,
with a velvety-like texture, and well set upon the
spike. From Messrs. Kelway and Son, Langport.

Gladiolus Lemoinei. — A rich bright orange-
scarlet variety, approaching in point of size and
quality some of the fine forms that come from
Langport. From M. Victor Lemoine.

Gladiolus Lemoinei E. V. Hallock. — Creamy
yellow ground, the yellow throat having a broad
blotch of rich crimson. From M. V. Lemoine.

Gladiolus Lemoinei Louis Thibaut. — Also a
very distinct type, purple-violet, spotted on the
throat with maroon-purple and yellow. Very dis-
tinct and novel in character, and likely to prove
extremely useful as a parent. From M. V. Lemoine.

Gladiolus Nancieanus Le Grand Carnot. —
A very showy type, with large and striking spikes
of bloom ; colour bright pale carmine, with pale
yellow throat. From M. V. Lemoine.

Dahlia (decorative) laciniata aurea.— A
handsome, full and symmetrical flower, very
novel in character ; colour bright pale yellow,
the petals deeply laciniated. From Messrs. H.
Cannell and Sons, Swanley.

Dahlia (Cactus) Dr. Peters.— A remarkably
distinct variety of the true Juarezi type, medium-
sized, very pleasing ; the centre bright orange-
brown, the petals tipped with deep gold. From
Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons.

Dahlia (Cactus) Cannell's Favourite.—
Golden buff, shaded with deep orange in the centre,
distinct and fine. From Messrs. H. Cannell and
Sons.

Dahlia (decorative) Maid of Kent. — A very
distinct and symmetrical flower, the petals slightly
laciniated ; colour rich deep crimson, tipped with
white, quite novel in character. From Messrs. H.
Cannell and Sons.

Dahlia (show) Lorina. — A finely formed, deep
bright buff self, shaded on the edges of the petals with
gold ; one of the most distinct of the new Dahlias
seen this season. From Mr. Charles Turner, Royal
Nursery, Slough.

Dahlia (pompon) Marion.— A charming va-
riety of the Liliputian type, small, beautifully
formed, and of a pale ruby-scarlet colour. This
is what a pompon Dahlia should be. Many of the
newer varieties are rather too large. From Mr.
Charles Turner.

Dahlia (pompon) Rubens.— Crimson ground,
deeply edged with white, the flowers very compact
and of fine shape. From Mr* C. Turner.

Dahlia (pompon) Crimson Beauty. — A little
large in size, but so bright in its glow of brilliant
crimson and so symmetrical in form as to well de-
serve the award. From Mr. T. S.Ware, Hale Farm
Nurseries, Tottenham.

Dahlia (Cactus) Black Prince. — A deep
shining maroon, almost black variety, of large size
and bold appearance, and a fine exhibition flower.
From Mr.'J. Green, Dereham, Norfolk.

DlANTHUS CABYOPHYLLUS MARGUERITE.— A

strain of dwarf and very free-flowering Carnations

Sept. 13, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

263

that come into bloom some three or four mouths
from the time of sowing. They form dwarf com-
pact plants that throw up great quantities of flower,
and they do not appear to burst the calyx so much
as the ordinary strains of Carnations. Varied in
colour. The award made to the strain. From
Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, King's Road, Chelsea.

MONTBEETIA CBOCOSMIiEFLOBA ATJBEA MACXJ-

LATA. — A large and striking form, each segment of
the bold orange-coloured flowers having a large
spot of dark brownish red. Said to be of fine
growth and very free. From Mr. James O'Brien,
Harrow-on- the-Hill.

Godetia (Whitney's) Duke op Fife. — A bold
and striking bright crimson variety. Grown at the
Chiswick Gardens, and stated to be quite fixed in
character. Sent out by Messrs. Daniels Bros.,
seedsmen, Norwich.

As is usual, trade collections greatly helped to
make the display, and a remarkably fine collection
of spikes of Gladioli from Messrs. Kelway and Son,
numbering in all 192, nearly filled one side
of the hall. Among them were several new varie-
ties, such as Gambetta, like Leonard Kelway,
having the blood of Lemoine's hybrids, colour dark
ruby, shaded with maroon and crimson ; Zulu,
crimson, flaked with dark ; Emperor of Ger-
many, bright carmine ; Rider Haggard, buff
yellow, flaked with rosy purple ; Cherosima, pale
pink, flaked with purplish crimson ; Jerome K.
Jerome, pale sulphur-yellow with purple lip ; Lady
Wimborne, delicate blush, almost white ; and
Czarina, rich pale bright scarlet. This fine col-
lection was awarded a silver-gilt Banksian medal.

New Cactus and decorative Dahlias were largely
shown by Messrs. Cannell and Sons, who also
had flowers of double and single Begonias.
Of the former they had Glory of Swanley,
bright pale scarlet ; Alex. Dean, ruby-crimson ;
Lewis Castle, bright pale purple, shaded with
maroon as the flowers age ; Golden Gem, pale
yellow, laciniated petals ; Pride of Swanley, pale
yellow and pinkish purple ; Mrs. L. Shuter, pale
yellow ; H. Cannell, crimson and purple, shaded
with maroon ; Sidney Hollings, fine dark maroon ;
Mrs. H. Carter, pale flesh ; Miss Annie Goddard,
sulphur-yellow centre ; and Cherry Ripe, rich
shaded crimson. Collection awarded a bronze
medal.

Messrs. Paul and Son, Old Nurseries, Cheshunt,
exhibited a large and interesting collection of
hardy flowering and foliage shrubs and trees, the
variegated and ornamental leaved plants of a very
valuable character, including Elders in variety,
Acers, Poplars, Cornus, Euonymus, Lilac hyacinthi-
flora fl.-pl., with its striking dark claret foliage, &c ,
also a collection of gathered fruit of Nuts. Awarded
a silver Banksian medal.

In addition to the varieties of hybrid Gladioli
certificated, Mons. Victor Lemoine had an inter-
esting collection. Awarded a silver Banksian
medal. Mr. W. H. Tillett, Sprowston, Norwich,
sent a pale orange Tritoma Uvaria, of no value
as shown. Mr. William Soper, Iowa, North Ame-
rica, sent some heads of Indian corn, sprays of
foliage of several trees and shrubs, and fruit of
the Osage Orange (Maclura aurantiaca), which is
a native of North America ; the fruits were about
the size of a cricket-ball, having a tuberculated
surface of golden green, becoming more yellow
when fully ripe, and when cut in two it exudes a
yellowish milky juice, with which the native In-
dians were wont to smear their faces when going
to war. Mr. T. S. Ware sent Papaver orientale
semiplena, with large bright scarlet flowers, having
two rows of petals.

Dr. Masters submitted a large branch of Acer
Volxemi, to show its great rapidity of growth, and
well adapted for avenue planting. It is much
more rapid in growth than the ordinary Sycamore.
Messrs. Stuart and Mein, nurserymen, Kelso, sent
cut specimens of three varieties of Pentstemons,
including James Douglas, a pale pink variety.
Messrs. Watkins and Simpson, seed merchants,
sent Lilium longiflorum japonicum giganteum,

which was thought to be simply L. longiflorum
with the defect of a green tube.

Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P., exhibited a
pan of Habenaria militaris with orange-coloured
flowers on spikes somewhat resembling those of
Impatiens Sultani, but much smaller in size. It
is a cool Orchid, doing well in a cool green-
house or frame. Awarded a silver Banksian me-
dal. The president also had Cypripedium glan-
duliferum, a small form as shown, and con-
sidered to be similar to C. prtestans. From Messrs.
F. Sander and Co., St. Albans, came a speci-
men of Miltonia Candida superba with eight spikes
of bloom (awarded a cultural commendation),
Cattleya gigas, C. Gaskelliana, Miltonia Clowesi
purpurea, Maxillaria venusta, and M. species. Mr.
T. Statter had a fine piece of Dendrobium album
with five stems bearing large blossoms. Awarded
a cultural commendation. From Mr. T. A. Gled-
stane, Manor House, Gunnersbury (Mr. D. Denison,
gardener), came a well-grown example of Dendro-
bium formosum with four flower-stems.

Fruit committee.— From Mr. J. Walker, Ham,
Surrey, came a collection of Apples (silver medal).
From the Rev. W. Wilks, Shirley Vicarage, came a
large Pear of the Duchesse d'Angouleme type
named Marguerite Marillat, which, not being ripe,
the committee desired to see again. From
Mr. R. Maher, The Gardens, Yattenden Court, New-
bury, came some seedling white and red Grapes,
which the committee desired to see again. From
Messrs. James Carter and Co. came a fruit of Hol-
born Favourite Melon, a large and handsome white
fleshed variety, which, not being fully ripe, the
committee wished to see again ; also fruit of Hol-
born Favourite Tomato, a medium-sized, deep-col-
oured variety of handsome shape.

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY.

SEPTEMBEE 10 AND 11.

Want of space prevents more than a brief notice
of this beautiful show of autumn flowers at the
Royal Aquarium, Westminster, on Wednesday and
Thursday last, but a full list of prizes is given in
our advertising columns. The exhibition com-
prised Dahlias, early Chrysanthemums, hardy
flowers, and Roses, while there were several mis-
cellaneous collections from leading firms. The
Roses were exceedingly fresh and well-coloured,
and throughout the competition was keen. The
show of early Chrysanthemums was larger than
last season, and the flowers were finer. Six splendid
blooms were shown of Edwin Molyneux, as fine as
we expect to see in November. We doubt if there
were six better flowers exhibited last November.
But they seem out of season now. We much prefer
the masses of Mme. Desgrange, excellently shown
by Mr. J. Blackburne, gardener to Mr. J. Scott,
Chislehurst ; the flowers were more like those of
Avalanche. Mr. Holmes must certainly be con-
gratulated for his successful series of exhibitions so
far this season.

FUCHSIAS AT TROWBRIDGE.

Some of the finest specimen Fuchsias seen at
horticultural exhibitions are those at Trowbridge,
Bath, Calne, Chippenham, and other places in this
west of England district, but more particularly at
the two fdrmer places, and it is worthy of note
that the finest specimen plants are grown by gar-
deners in small places with limited glass accommo-
dation who have to finish off their plants in the
open air. The specimens average G feet to 8 feet
in height ; they are of somewhat severe pyramid
shape, but this is necessary to economise space,
but they are superbly grown and abundantly
bloomed. At Trowbridge flower show, held on
August 20, prizes were offered for six specimens
and also for four specimens ; they were not quite
so fine, on the whole, as we have seen them in pre-
vious years, but then the weather has not been the
most favourable for bringing them on in the open.
The best six specimens were grown and staged by
Mr. Geo. Tucker, gardener to Mr. W. P. Clark,
Trowbridge, and consisted of three dark and three

light varieties ; the former were Doel's Favourite,
a locally raised sort, a very free grower and a pro-
fuse bloomer, Charming, and Bountiful ; the two
latter, raised by Mr. J. Lye, of Cliffe Hall Gardens,
both vigorous growers and wonderfully free ; the
light varieties were Arabella, Mrs. Marshall, and
marginata. In some parts of the country the two
former of these light varieties are regarded as
identical, but here as shown there appeared to be
enough difference between them to warrant their
being classed as distinct varieties. The second
prize went to Mr. James Lye, who has to grow on
his plants in the open from the end of May, and
whose sole protection is a breadth of canvas
stretched from the tops of some poles to ward off
rain and sun, though completely open at the
sides. Mr. Lye, who is a most successful raiser,
staged six of his own raising, but he had to
be content with only one white, his plants
having, owing to adverse weather, come on into
bloom very slowly. He staged Abundance and
Rival, two varieties especially profuse of bloom ;
Final, Elegance, and James Welch, all dark ; and
Favourite, a very fine light. It is, perhaps, only
Mr. Lye who could stage six exhibition specimens
of his own raising. Mr. Tucker had the best four
specimens also, and he had three dark varieties,
viz., Charming, a remarkably pleasing variety that
is well named ; the Hon. Mrs. Hay and Thomas
King, all raised by Lye ; and C. Rickman, light, a
local seedling. Mr. Thomas Edmonds, gardener to
Mr. J. D. Knight, Frome, was second ; he had Charm-
ing, Thomas Kingand Elegance (all Lye's raising), the
free-flowering hybrid Mrs. Rundle, which when well
grown makes an excellent exhibition plant. There
were thus thirty fine specimen Fuchsias staged
in two classes, and they made quite an exhibition
of themselves. Specimen Fuchsias are also shown
by working-men, not gardeners, living within two
miles of Trowbridge, some of whom have small
greenhouses, and the specimens they staged were
almost without exception the best I have seen at
any provincial show during the past three months.
In growth and freedom of bloom they come very
near to the plants shown by gardeners, but are
rather smaller in size.

The plants grown as specimens vary from two
and three to six and seven years of age. The usual
rule is to ripen off the growths in the open, cut the
plants back to a symmetrical frame, start them
into growth, and then repot them. Some repot in
the autumn and again in the spring. Mr. Lye
adopts the practice of autumn potting only. Train-
ing is all-important, and cleanliness and a healthy
free growth absolutely indispensable. Most of Mr
Lye's seedlings make admirable exhibition varieties.

Arissemaspeeiosa. — Where can this he obtained
as I cannot find it in any catalogue f— W. A. Gunnek

Anon. — Try Correvon's Jardin d'Acclimatation
Geneve. It is' deplorable that none of our own seeds
men can supply alpine seed.

R. J. G. Read.— So far as we can judge from speci
men sent, it is Digitalis parviflora. Bees not unusu
ally do this, especially with long tubular flowers. The
Orohanche is 0. minor, not usually found on Geranium,
hut we have seen it before. There is no explaining
how the seeds came there.

If ames of fruit.— Mrs. Stewart. — Williams' Bon
Chretien. Should be ready now. Your fruits will ripen
in a few days. We do not know where it can be ob-
tained if you have tried the leading nurserymen.

Old Subscriber.— Bedfordshire Foundling. C. P.

Wells. — l,Beurre d'Amanlis; 2, Catillac; 3, Williams'
Bon Chretien; 4, Fearn's Pippin; 5, King of the
Pippius ; 6, Cox's Orange Pippin.

Names of plants. — W. Over. — Oncidium incur-

vum. D. K. M. — 1, Aspera eerintha ; 2, Blitum ca-

pitatum. Yorks. — Teucrium botrys, natural order

Labiata?. Qogar. — Ceanothus azureus. J.

Evans. — 1, Helianthemum ocymoides ; 2, H. Tuber-
aria. — —J. Horsey. — 1, Adiantum formosum ; 2, Pteris
longifolia ; 3, Pteris cretica Mayi ; 4, Pteris scaberula ;

5, Doodia lunulata ; C>, Selaginella uliginosa. 67. W.

— Calliandra Tweedi. A. 1).— 1, Adiantum pubes-

cens ; 2, Asplenium maritimum ; 3, A. arissefolium ; 4,
Adiantum Victorise. Others nest week.

264

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 13, 1890.

WOODS AND FORESTS.

should be used for planting conspicuous places,
but, unlike any of the former, they require pro-
tection. J. B. Webster.

SEASONABLE WORK.

The cones of some of the recently introduced
Pines, Cypress, and Picea, or Silver Fir tribe of
trees, should now be looked after and collected
on a dry day as they become ripe. Birch and
Sycamore seed should also be gathered in fine
weather. When the latter is thoroughly dried
it may be kept in any dry place till spring, but
Birch seed had better be mixed with sand and
the mass turned two or three times a month till
sowing time in spring. Haws that have been
kept in sand pits for a season may now be sown
on clean, well-worked soil of a light or free tex-
ture. Those gathered from the trees at this
season and sown immediately generally vegetate
next spring, by which means much time and
trouble are saved. The pruning of all kinds of
forest trees should now be finished, as there is
no risk of injury from bleeding. Coppice stools
should be examined, and all superfluous shoots
cut off with a sharp knife. Finish the pruning
of hedges, and in all cases where blanks have
occurred, make provision for making them up
at the earliest convenience. If not already done,
trench and prepare the ground for Thorn and
Beech hedges, and in cases where the soil is
poor and thin a good dressing of well decom-
posed manure should be mixed with the staple
as the work proceeds. As soon as the plants
have matured their growth and the wood be-
comes firm, planting should be proceeded with at
once.

This is a proper time to transplant ever
green shrubs, likewise to form ornamental and
screen fences of Holly, Laurel, Privet, Yew, <fec,
and in dry weather a good watering will prove
beneficial. Put in cuttings of evergreen shrubs
usually propagated by that method, choosing a
piece of well-prepared sandy ground for the pur-
pose. This is the best season of the year for re-
moving young Hollies from the seed-bed and
planting them into nursery lines. The lines
should be about 12 inches asunder and the
plants about 4 inches apart in the rows. Damp
cloudy weather is most suitable, and care should
be taken not to expose the roots for any length
of time, or allow them to become dry during
the operation. Although the Holly is a tho-
roughly hardy plant, yet it requires great care
and to be several times transplanted during its
nursery career, in order to promote the forma-
tion of bushy roots to facilitate its safe removal
when planted out as a permanent subject.

In cases where it is desirable to form new
groups of evergreen shrubs for covert and orna-
ment in plantations, no time should now be
lost in making a commencement. The ground
should be well prepared by trenching 20 inches
deep and extracting all roots, by which means
air will be admitted and the soil converted into
a fertile state for the roots of the stuff to be
planted.

The following species are not apt to be eaten
by hares and rabbits, consequently they require
no protection in the way of fencing from these
animals, which is an advantage : Aucuba ja-
ponica, Laurel of sorts, tree Box, Rhododendrons
of sorts, Ivy and Periwinkle for banks and rocky
places, Whins and Broom, evergreen Berberis,
Spurge Laurel, Heath of sorts, Privet, Juniper,
Yew in places not accessible to cattle, Butcher's
Broom, mountain Pine (P. Puniilio). These are
all hardy and cheap, but in forming ornamental
groups that can be seen from walks and drives,
a few Kalmias of sorts might be introduced with
advantage. The many fine varieties of Holly

TRANSPLANTING.
To transplant trees and shrubs with some prospect
of success, especially those subjects which have
been introduced from more genial climates than
cur own, it is of the first importance that every
care be taken to disinter and preserve the roots ;
however favourable an appearance a tree may have
at the top, if the roots be mutilated by careless or
unskilful lifting, it is not even half a tree, and will
have a long struggle for bare life. To lift trees well
the characters of the roots of the various kinds
must be studied — their texture and mode of growth.
There is a proper way to prepare a site for a tree,
and a proper way to plant it ; also a proper way to
fasten and protect it when planted. Bad lifting is
at the bottom of three-fourths of the failures
after planting. It might be stated as an axiom in
the lifting of trees, that if the roots be well secured
the labour of moving an unwieldy ball of soil may
be entirely dispensed with. In practice it will be
found, except in comparatively few instances, that
to move a tree with a very large ball of soil is a
great mistake, as the unwieldy mass of earth at-
tached to the roots dislocates and distresses them.
But a small ball of soil, by way of ballasting the top
with the roots, will ensure a far greater probability
of success in the future growth of the tree after
transplantation ; in fact, a small covering of earth
round the roots of a tree, whilst being moved, is
undoubtedly preferable to no ball, and vastly supe-
rior to a large ball of soil that can only be moved
with great difficulty.

Among the many different trees and shrubs, the
possibility of lifting them with balls of soil, or even
securing their roots, varies much with different in-
dividual species, for out of the same description of
soil some species will move easily with good balls,
while it will be almost impracticable with others.
This arises simply from the mode of growth the
various roots assume ; some ramify in all directions,
like the Rhododendron or Holly ; others take a
horizontal course, as some Conifers. On lifting
with a particular aim in view to secure the
roots, there is one rule which applies to all
sorts, whether small or large, and that is to
begin by inserting the spade at a sufficiently wide
radius from the stem of the tree or shrub to work
round in a circle, and at once to go down suffi-
ciently deep to be below the roots before approach-
ing nearer to the tree. The first cost of lifting
should not be considered when it is a question of
life and death with the plants. To get well below
the roots in the first instance, and gradually ap-
proach the tree, is the simplest and easiest way of
securing the roots and reducing the bulk of soil, so
as to make a ball manageable.

The digging-fork is an indispensable tool in tree-
lifting, so is a long-handled, very light pick, with
long slightly-curving tines for undermining. An-
other exceedingly useful implement in transplant-
ing medium-sized plants is a flat hand-barrow with-
out feet, 24 inches square in the bed, with the four
handles rising up with a considerable swan-neck-
like crook, so that it can be lowered into a hole
and slipped underneath the plant when ready for
removal. In addition there should be a low truck
on two broad wheels not more than 18 inches high,
with one long and strong central handle sufficient
to bear the strain of a ton weight. A very common
practice in moving large shrubs and trees is to
make use of the tops as a lever to move the mass,
and to drag the plants about by the roots ; this is a
great mistake, and should be avoided. Some species
are particularly weak at the collar, the roots not
becoming strong at the junction with the stem for
many years ; for instance, all the varieties of Cn
pressus Lawsoniana have an abundance of cord
like tough roots, but not strong enough to buttress
the plant ; Cupressus nutkaensis, White and Red
Cedars, Picea Pinsapo and P. nobilis are, as a rule,
weak at the neck. With all such plants the lifting
should be by the ball alone, for which purpose I

use an iron implement, in shape something like a
gridiron with a long handle, which is easily slipped
underneath the mass to be lifted, and the whole
can be easily moved by its means on to the trunk or
the ground without materially distressing the plant.
Some trees and shrubs will, however, bear to be
handled with impunity by the stem, if the tops be
well buttressed by strong shoots. Taxodium dis-
tichum and Horse Chestnuts are of this descrip-
tion, also the majority of Hollies, Portugal Laurels,
Yews, Thujas, and some Conifers, as the genus
Pinus generally. Some, again, are possessed of
such an intimate unity of root and top that a very
small amount of care is only necessary to secure a
good bunch of roots ; of this description are all the
various sorts of Box, Lilacs, Spiraeas, notably the
Sweet Bay, American plants generally— as Kalmias,
Heaths, Rhododendrons, Gaultherias, Pernettyas,
Azaleas ; of these last it must be said that to secure
roots in abundance large balls are absolutely neces-
sary. An irreparable injury would accrue to the
plants if the soil were shaken away from their roots,
on account of their fineness, as they pervade the soil
like the mycelium of a fungus, so that if the soil
be removed, the roots must be removed with it.
Evergreen Oaks, double Furze, and Arbutus require
special care, and should be moved in very early au-
tumn or in summer. Indeed, in the case of all of
which it is advisable simply to move them in autumn,
even on to December it will not be too late, ■end
allow them to remain in position until transplanted
in March.

There are yet other plants which, by the nature
of their roots, require special care in the removal —
plants with soft fleshy roots, which are easily
broken, and do not hold the soil well together,
though of very rambling habit. The Catalpa is a
familiar instance, also the Tulip Tree, Aucuba,
Magnolias, Althjeas, Forsythias, but, fortunately be-
ing all very soft- wooded, they are not easily killed.
When a ball is secured, and a plant of this descrip-
tion has to be moved some distance, it will be ne-
cessary to wrap it round with a piece of matting
or cord to keep it from falling to pieces. A square
piece of strong sailcloth is a simple and very effi-
cient means of lifting and carrying about soft-
rooted shrubs ; the four corners of the cloth are
easily gathered up and fastened, and they also
present to the operators a means of getting a good
lifting grip ; in fact, in many instances it is pre-
ferred to the hand-barrow mentioned above. These
remarks apply to plants of all sizes, but more espe-
cially to subjects arrived at specimen sizes, where
the object is to maintain the plant intact without
any reduction or mutilation whatever. W.

The dwarf "Weymouth. Pine. — Under the
varietal names of pumila, compacta, umbraculifera,
and nana, there exists in some nurseries and gar-
dens a very compact, dwarf -growing form of Pinus
Strobus. It, of course, is simply a curiosity, and
except on rockeries or in small gardens, is hardly
likely to be of much use even as an ornament. All
who like Conifers, however, would probably find a
place for this strange little tree in company with
some of the dense cushion-like forms of the com-
mon Norway Spruce. Pinus Strobus var. nana has
short slender branches and leaves, shorter than
those of the species, densely clustered at the extre-
mities of the branchlets. There is a specimen
at Kew which is probably thirty years old or
more, and yet does not exceed 3 feet or there-
abouts in height.

"The Garden" Monthly Parts.— This journal is
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Is 6d. ; post free, 1«. 9cL Complete set of volumes of The
Garden from Us commencement to end of 1889, thirty-six vols.,
price, cloth, £27,- half morocco, £32 Ss.

"Hardy Flowers."— Giving descriptions of upwards of
thirteen hundred of the most ornamental, species, with directions
for their arrangement, culture, i(. Fourth and, Popular
Edition, Is. ; post free, Is. 3d.

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London : 37, Southampton Street, Strand, W.C.

THE GARDEN.

265

No. 983. SATURDAY, Sept. 20, 1890. Vol. XXXVIII.

" This is an Art
Which docs mend Nature : change it rather ; but
The Art itself is Natube." — Shakespeare.

Chrysanthemums.

CHRYSANTHEMUM MME. DESGRANGE.
In compliance with, your request for a few de-
tails as to my method of growing the above, I
gladly give my practice in the culture of this
splendid early variety and its sports. I have
found it, when grown on the large bloom sys-
tem, very effective for grouping, the deep green
foliage being well retained, and the dwarf na-
ture of the plant peculiarly adapted to this
purpose.

My method of culture is as follows : The cut-
tings are inserted the last week in November
or early in December, using the strongest pro-
curable (there is never much difficulty in get-
ting a stock, the variety being very free in the
matter of cuttings), half-a-dozen or so in a
5-inch pot, and placed in a hand-light in a cool
house. When sufficiently rooted they are
potted off into 3-inch pots, using the ordi-
nary compost of loam, leaf mould, and coarse
silver sand, and placing them on a shelf in a light,
airy position. There they remain till the
weather and advancing season permit their be-
ing placed in a frame outdoors, which, generally
speaking, is about the middle of February. I
may here say that though the plants require
airing freely to ensure a dwarf, sturdy growth,
care must be taken to avoid cutting winds, and
they must be carefully covered at night to pre-
vent frost reaching them. I know of no variety
more easily injured in this respect. The first
or second week in March they are potted
into 5-inch pots in the following compost :
two parts good maiden loam, one part leaf
mould, a quarter horse droppings prepared as
for Mushrooms, a little soot, and sufficient
coarse sand and lime rubbish to keep it free
and open. They are potted firmly, and do not
require another shift till the final potting about
the middle of May, when the same mixture as
above is used, with the addition of one part to
twenty of Thomson's Vine and plant manure,
the pots used being 8-inch ones. They are at
once staked and placed outdoors close together
for a time, and afterwards arranged in single
rows along the sides of the garden walks ; they
require no wires or supports other than their
own stalks. The lateral shoots are rubbed out
as they appear, but not too far up the stem, the
reason for which will be presently seen. About
the middle of June the plants make their
natural break and almost immediately show a
flower-bud on each shoot ; now if this bud is
allowed to expand, it will develop into a
bloom devoid of all purity. I therefore cut the
plant down 6 inches or so to a point where
three or four nice shoots can be seen coming
away; these shoots will make a foot or more of
growth before a bud appears ; this bud is taken
as soon as ready and all the other growths rubbed
out. From the time the plants have filled their
flowering pots with roots they have weak ma-
nure water three times a week (one part of fresh
cow manure and one from the fowl houses,
with a little soot, mixed together in a tank and
allowed to settle), applied at the rate of 1 quart
to a 3-gallon can of clear water. This with an
occasional sprinkling of artificial manure in
showery weather is all that is required till the
buds are taken. After this they are top-
dressed with the same mixture as for the final

potting with one part to twelve of artificial
manure. The strength of the liquid manure is
also now increased, and this increase is carried
on till the flower is half expanded, when it is
again reduced to the original dose. I never
employ forcing manures, such as sulphate
of ammonia (unless a plant is very late), as
I have reason to believe that they tend to de-
stroy the purity of the bloom, also its keeping
properties. When the plants are housed, about
the first week in August they are placed with
the buds close to the glass, abundance of air
day and night, and when the outer rows of
florets are expanded they are shaded from hot
sun with very light shading ; this preserves the
petals from curling at the edges and consequent
discoloration.

My plants this year being rather early many
of the flowers have not had any direct sun at all,
having been heavily shaded from early morning
till late in the afternoon.

J. Blackburne.

Elmdead Grange, Cliislehurst.

Rose Garden.

AUTUMNAL ROSES.
Autumn-blooming Roses are not planted in gar-
dens so extensively as they might be, and thus rich
masses of bloom at this season are exceptions, not
the rule. True, most of the Hybrid Perpetuals will
produce a few straggling blooms during the autumn
months, but to attain the best results they require
more than ordinary attention. Trees that are left
to themselves after the summer burst of bloom is
past will never yield other than one or two stray
blossoms in autumn, but if properly managed they
will produce an abundance of flower from now
until the end of October if favourable weather pre-
vails, and the flowers, if for nothing else, will
prove valuable for cutting. To secure results like
these, the long shoots made early in the season
should be cut back about the third week in July or
immediately the summer flowers are past their
best. Some growers simply remove the points
only, but it is better to cut the shoots back to at
least one-third their length. The second growths
are stronger when this is done, and thus the
autumn flowers are finer and of a better quality.
It pays, too, to give the bushes a good top-dressing
of decayed manure, and if dry weather prevails, a
thorough soaking with manure water. This, how-
ever, has hardly been necessary this summer, ex-
cept in very light and sandy soils. Although the
majority of Hybrid Perpetuals will bloom more or
less during the autumn months if treated as ad-
vised above, it cannot be denied but that some
varieties are much more useful in that respect than
others. Then, again, bush trees are better autumn
bloomers than standards, and those on their own
roots better than worked specimens. This, at
least, is my experience ; that of others may be dif-
ferent. As an autumn bloomer I have found none
among the Hybrid Perpetuals better than Mme. de
Cambaceres, a fine old Rose, and one that should
be more generally grown. The flowers are, even at
this late season, large, full, and of a beautiful rosy
crimson colour. It is also one of the best varieties
for growing in town gardens, and may now be
seen in beauty in several gardens.

Another useful variety for late flowering is Lord
Bacon. It is an exceptionally good grower, and
produces its deep crimson blooms in great abund-
ance until very late in the season. Mabel Morrison,
too, although not quite so vigorous, is a good late-
flowering variety. It is a sport from Baroness
Rothschild, I believe, and in summer the flowers
are almost white, though in autumn they are of a
decided pinkish tint. Another free autumnal
bloomer with bright red flowers is Ferdinand Chaf-
folte, while the same may be said of the Duke of
Albany, a magnificent Rose of a vivid crimson col-
our. The recently introduced and popular Mrs.
John Laing is a good late bloomer, besides being

one of the very first to expand its flowers in early
summer. This is a most beautiful Rose, and of
great value foT cutting at this time of the year, the
deliciously fragrant, soft pink flowers being much
used. Another point in favour of this variety is
its remarkable f reeness from mildew. This has been
a bad season for mildew, but nearly every bush I
have seen of this kind has been free from it, while
the majority of others growing hard by were badly
affected. As its name implies, Queen of Autumn is
a useful late-flowering sort, and so is Silver Queen,
the latter a fine light-coloured Rose. Charles Lamb
I have also found invaluable for this purpose, as it
is a vigorous grower and most profuse bloomer, pro-
ducing its lovely bright red flowers in great abund-
ance all through the summer and autumn months.
It is a wonder that this variety is not more grown.
Beauty of Waltham is another well-tried kind,
yet still one of the best. The briglt flowers are
very welcome on an autumn day, being deliciously
fragrant. Another kind worthy of being designated
an autumnal bloomer is A. K. Williams. This is
exceptionally free late in the season, and is de-
serving of extended culture, if only for that alone.
There are, of course, other Hybrid Perpetuals that
bloom in autumn if judiciously treated, but the fore-
going I have found do best.

Tea Roses.

As useful and as free as the above Hybrid Per-
petuals are, however, they are not to be compared
with some of the Tea-scented kinds, so far as
autumn blooming is concerned. When established
in groups in the flower garden these are invaluable,
for despite unfavourable weather they will continue
to bloom until long after the first frost of the sea-
son makes its appearance. Take the well-known
Gloire de Dijon as an example. This is undoubtedly
one of the best autumn-blooming Roses in cultiva-
tion, and is just now in many cases commencing to
produce quite as many blooms as it did in June. A
few beds of this kind on the lawn form a very con-
spicuous feature from now until November. In a
Yorkshire garden there are several large beds of
this Rose in what may be termed the flower garden
proper, and they annually produce a profusion of
bloom during the autumn months. The trees have
been planted many years, and they get no special
treatment beyond liberal top-dressings of decayed
manure. When pruned in spring the long shoots are
pegged down to the ground, a thicket of growth
and masses of blooms being thus obtained. As
soon as the first summer bloom is past, many of
the weakest shoots are thinned out and others
shortened a little. By this treatment a fine autumn
display is secured, as well as the remaining growths
allowed to ripen. The same treatment may be
given other strong growing Teas. Although most
of the Tea-scented Roses bloom with great freedom
during the autumn months when properly cared
for, I have found one or two particularly good in
that respect. Grace Darling is a good autumn
bloomer. On many occasions I have cut a bunch
of half-opened buds of this during October, and the
same can be said in regard to Homer. The latter
is a very hardy variety and very free, but appears
to do much better in some localties than in others.
Mme. Falcot, with its beautiful apricot-yellow
buds, is a useful variety for late blooming, as also
is Souvenir d'un Ami, the latter a charming Rose
in the bud.

Bourbon Roses may also be justly termed autumn
bloomers ; indeed several varieties of this section
are best seen during the cold, dull days of October.
As a type of this class we have Souvenir de la Mal-
maison, a most beautiful Rose when clean and
half-opened, but it is rarely seen to advantage dur-
ing the hot days of summer. Queen of the Bed-
ders produces its bright crimson flowers with much
more freedom after the turn of the summer than
during the early part of the season. This is a
grand Rose, and a bed or two of it should be found
in every garden. Other useful kindsare Armosaand
Mme. Desprez, both worthy of a place in this list.

Personally, however, I am in favour of the China
Roses for garden decoration at this time of the year
and until frost cuts short their career. No other
section can equal these for producing a bright dis-

266

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 20, 1890.

play in the garden during the dull days of autumn.
In beds on the lawn or in masses on the border or
margins of shrubberies they are very effective, and
make a pleasing contrast to other autumn flowers.
There are many varieties of them, but the old
crimson or sanguinea is as free as any, and should
be largely grown. Fabvier, too, with bright
crimson semi-double blooms, I have found exceed-
ingly useful, also Cramoisie-Supsrieure, another
beautiful Rose. Several of the light-coloured va-
rieties, such as Duchess of Kent, Mme. Bureau,
and Ducher, are very free-flowering, and form a
good contrast to the more brilliant kinds. Every
garden should have its beds of China Roses.

C. L.

MONTHLY ROSES.
It is a pity that of recent years so much attention
has been given to the culture of the two great
sections of Tea and Hybrid Perpetual Roses to the
almost entire neglect of the Monthly Roses. They
may be called ever-blooming, for from the time
that their leaves are first put forth till Decem-
ber flowers may be gathered. Early in the year
they are especially valuable, for it is then that we
obtain our first flowers. If their blooms lack the
form, character, and fulness of those of our finer
summer Roses, they do not lack sweetness. More-
over, their lack of substance is in truth an advan-
tage, since it enables the flowers to open in spite
of drenching autumn rain. No legitimate objec-
tion can be made against these Roses on the score
of fragrance or freedom or continuity of bloom,
whilst as to hardiness in all probability they are
the hardiest, and most easily raised and increased.
They were the Roses of the old gardens, and who
can say how many kinds have existed and how
many in all probability, if not entirely lost, live on
in some obscure garden that has kept to its old
traditions. Such are the places where we must
search for many of these old kinds. Our modern
Rose nurseries are without them, though a few may
be found in some of them, but at best only a meagre
assortment.

A search through some of the cottage gardens in
many of our lovely southern villages would pro-
bably reveal something of merit, as in these many
a good thing found a home after being turned out
of the greater gardens to make room for some new
fad or fancy. These Monthlies are not truly climb-
ing Roses, but I saw only a year or two ago an old
cottage in Sussex embowered in a mass of
Monthly R:>ses, the old pink kind and another of a
rich dark crimson shade, but not that which we
know as the old crimson. It must have taken many
years for these Roses to have made such growth.
Again, in other cottage gardens we see lovely
bushes untouched by the knife beyond what is done
in cutting some of the great clusters that at times
weigh them down. These huge bushes are always
beautiful, and diffuse a pleasant fragrance around
the cottage door. So should we grow them in our
larger gardens. There is no need to restrict or con-
line them, as they will not give and we do not want
exhibition blooms. But they will produce some
charming effects in the garden landscape if planted
in bold masses in the way that inferior and
much less ornamental shrubs are often seen.
Monthly Hoses might be placed in the front rank
of dwarf growing flowering shrubs. A delightful
feature might be created by planting some large
beds entirely with these, just as is done with
Azaleas and Rhododendrons, and leaving them to
themselves as far as pruning and training are con-
cerned. Of the kinds that are to be had at the
present day by far the most complete collection is
that of Mr. T. Smith, of Newry, who has made
these a spacialty, and his wanderings among Irish
gardens in search of old and forgotten kinds have
been well rewarded.

The common blush and the old crimson are the
two kinds with which we are most familiar, and
they are certainly two of the best., Cramoisie-
Superieure is a magnificent kind with a rather in-
elegant name. It is very vigorous and free-bloom-
ing, each shoot terminating in a great cluster of
crimson flowers. Hermosa is another lovely free-

growing and blooming kind with rose-coloured
flowers, and Fellenberg, cerise-red, is a good one.
I once saw large breadths of these three kinds
in the Sea View Nurseries at Havant, and the
colour effect was very striking, at once showing their
value for massing. I do not know if Gloire des
Rosomanes is a true Monthly, but it is a Rose of
which a mass should be seen in every garden. It
is only semi-double, but of a brilliant crimson col-
our, producing flowers in great clusters. In the
height of summer the flowers do not last long, but
all through the autumn they are valuable. The
buds open gradually, but last well when cut, and
are so powerfully fragrant that a few suffice to
scent a room. A mass of this Rose will furnish
flowers until Christmas, and quantities may be cut
in October and November. Abbe Miolan is a free
grower, distinct and double, producing great clus-
ters of globular flowers of a rich rosy-crimson col-
our. Fabvier, with rich crimson buds and bright
semi- double flowers, is pretty. Louis Philippe is
very attractive, dwarf in growth, and makes a
pretty compact bush, covered with globular, car-
mine-crimson flowers. Prince Eugene is somewhat
similar in form and colour, but distinct, free, and
very good. Eugene Beauharnais is another free
and good kind, with flowers of a light rosy-crimson
shade. Confucius, with full double pink flowers, is
distinct in its shade of colour ; and Hebe, a rosy-
pink kind, is very pretty. It is only a moderate
grower, but it produces its well-formed, full and
double, rosy-crimson flowers very freely. Lemesle
is one of the most interesting kinds of all. It has
large, glossy green leaves of great substance, and
flowers which when first opening are of a pink
shade with a crimson reverse to the petals, which
afterwards appears upon the edges of the petals
and runs down them and through the entire flower
till it becomes a warm rosy-crimson hue. This is
not the result of the sun alone, as it takes place in
autumn as well as summer. The flowers are large,
full, and double. Both in growth and flower, this
is a distinct and most desirable kind.

Archduke Charles is an uncommon kind with
dowers of a deep dark crimson shaded outside with
several hues, and becoming of a pale rose colour
inside. Mme. Breon, of a delicate pinkish-white
shade, is a charming kind, and another variety I
once saw bearing the odd name of Cels multiflora
was very pleasing with flowers of a flesh-white
colour both distinct and free. Belle de Florence at
the same place was also striking with its great
clusters of bright rose flowers, altogether a free and
lovely kind. Mrs. Bosanquet is better known than
some, but one rarely sees a mass of it such as
might be expected. It is dwarf, free, and its pretty
flesh-coloured flowers are of a delicate and charm-
ing colour. It used to be a popular kind, but it is
now greatly neglected.

Among the dark shades Nemesis is the best, the
flowers being of a deep rich colour, but it is hardly as
free as we would desire. St. Prix de Beuze, a
variety with crimson flowers, is very interesting, as
the growth is of a dark red colour, somewhat like
that of many of the Tea Roses, and such kinds are
pretty even when not in flower. There is still room
for a really profuse free-flowering white which we
can rely upon. One variety, for instance, as free and
good as the old pink would be a decided acquisition.
Ducher, hitherto regarded as the best white, is often
far from satisfactory. It has pure white flowers,
and they are fine in form when they open well,
which is more often the exception than the rule.
During the hot summer of 1887 it was very good,
but I have never seen it so good since. This year it
had a few fair flowers, but it was the least satisfac-
tory of all in a bed of many kinds. Jean Sisley
is said to be better than Ducher, but I have not
seen it, so perhaps those who have tried it will en-
lighten us.

A comparatively new addition to this section
from no less a raiser than J. B. Guillot must not be
omitted. It is Mme. Laurette Messimy, which ap-
peared in 1887. It has long buds and full double
flowers of a clear bright rose shade, suffused and
bordered with coppery-yellow, quite distinct from
any other kind in this class, but in every way a free

and desirable Rose. If this noted raiser has turned
his attention towards this class we may expect
further valuable additions, for no one has enriched
our Rose gardens to such an extent with kinds of
sterling merit.

Meanwhile there is ample room in gardens to
make the most of the kinds we have. A fair num-
ber have been enumerated, but probably not a tithe
of those that perhaps do still exist. There is no
reason why the Monthly Roses should not be re-
garded as of the same importance in the garden as the
Teas and Hybrid Perpetuals, and be as extensively
grown. Every possible effort should be made to
discover all the best kinds and popularise them.
The nurserymen are already doing their best in this
respect, and it only remains for gardeners to plant
them by the hundred or thousand in masses in beds
or borders, or in suitable spots. Then Roses in
gardens will be as plentiful in September as in
June and July. A. H.

UNPRUNED STANDARD ROSES.
I want to know the reason of so many standard
Roses dying within three or four years after they
are planted. We cannot do better than compare
the behaviour of plants that have been annually
hard pruned and those which have not. We shall
not find many opportunities of making comparisons,
but one may find a sufficient number of unpruned
standard trees to enable him to form an opinion.
I know of many unpruned trees in the most satis-
factory condition, although they have been planted
from eight to fifteen yeais or more. These are in
gardens where the trees pruned each year die out
in a very much shorter time. For the most part
the examples which I refer to as satisfactory are
used as climbing Roses, or the growth is trained in
some way. It should also be understood that I
refer to the Hybrid Perpetuals and Tea Roses, and
not to the ordinary climber. I can point to examples
of such old Roses as Dr. Andry, General Jacque-
minot, Baron Prevost, Jules Margottin, and Anna
Alexieff that have been planted many years and
had their growth trained to buildings and wire
trellises. These are still in a satisfactory con-
dition. But probably the best examples are some
that have their branches trained to a rather high
iron fence ; these are on Brier stems about 2^ feet
high, the growth covering the remaining part of
the fence above.

Under this treatment such Roses asPiinceCa.
mille de Rohan, Duke of Edinburgh, and Jules Mar-
gottin are thoroughly perpetual in character, pro-
ducing large numbers of flowers the greater part
of the summer and autumn. One cannot grow all
standard Roses in this way ; at the same time the
instances mentioned clearly indicate that the plants
will live longer and maintain their perpetual cha-
racter when allowed to make more growth. This
is not the case when severely pruned each year. It,
however, shows that more may be done with
standards than has yet been accomplished. When
walls or buildings have to be covered with climb-
ing Roses, I see no reason why flowers of brighter
colours and better quality should not be had, and
they can be by using some of the strong -growing
perpetuals as standards for covering the higher
portion of the space, while the lower part may be
filled with such choice Tea varieties as Marie Van
Houtte, Mme. Lambard, Perle de Lyon, and other
good sorts. There are plenty of the highly coloured
perpetuals that will make shoots from 4 feet to
6 feet long when well established on Brier stocks,
so that no one need hesitate to use them for choice
positions, as those planted to fill up the bottom
part of the wall will hide the naked stems of the
Brier in one or two years. J. C. C.

Tea Rose Climbing Niphetos. — When first
I saw this Rose I felt doubtful about its being quite
distinct from the old form. However, after grow-
ing it beside the old favourite, I am quite satisfied
that the two are quite distinct in habit of growth.
There is little difference in the flowers, but the free
vigorous growth is a great recommendation to the
new variety. We have plants which were worked

Sept. 20, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

267

early in the spring and that now have three or four
shoots each, some of them being fully 12 feet long.
Grown in the same way as Marechal Niel and
ripened off in the autumn, it should make a valuable
Rose for early forcing. — F.

EXPERIENCE.
What a world this would be if we could only
begin our work in it with the experience which
we gain in going through it ! We hand on our
experience to a certain extent to the coming
generation, so that a wonderful progress goes on
from year to year. But each man has to feel in
his own life, as it goes on, I wish I had only
known all this years ago; what a difference it
would have made to my life.

In nothing is experience more useful than in
gardening. Information may be picked up in
various ways, but it has to be picked up, and
probably at the expense of losing many a valuable
plant. Hence the very great advantage of gar-
dening periodicals, which not only give us the
experience of old hands, but also by their wide
circulation bring together the opinions and the
devices adopted by many different men under
varied circumstances.

Gardeners in large places have at their com-
mand resources which those who have limited
incomes know nothing of, and must be
content to forego. The gardener who per-
sonally superintends or works in his own
garden has to resort to many ways for pro-
viding accommodation for his pets, but the very
fact of doing this brings with it a certain
amount of pleasure and a great deal of profit.
Time was when Orchids were nursed and cod-
dled, as some foolish parents coddle their chil-
dren, wrapping them up in wool and steaming
them with hot-water baths. Orchids were stewed
in a stiflingly hot atmosphere not so long ago,
and it is only in quite recent years that we have
learned how to grow what are now called "cool
Orchids," which embrace some of the most beau-
tiful species of the whole family. I have long
had a great liking for them, but with my first
attempts there was not only the supposed diffi-
culty of management to contend with, but the
provoking fact that year after year, from care-
lessness, slugs got at the promising spikes of
Odontoglossum Alexandra?. I now take care to
isolate them by the simple expedient of placing
the plant on an inverted pot, which stands
in a saucer of water. Experience has taught
me that, and I now lose no more young
growths and long-expected spikes of bloom.
Moreover, as time goes on, Orchids seem
to grow more amenable to treatment, or,
in other words, one becomes more accus-
tomed to their "ways and their manners,"
and so they give little more trouble than a scar-
let Geranium.

In common, no doubt, with many others, I
have had a good laugh today at the witty ar-
ticle on Narcissus cyclamineus by G. H. Engle-
heart. Catalogues might be more useful than
they are. For instance, I saw it suggested in The
Garden that there should be just a word as
to the different requirements of the Lily tribe.
It would save a great deal in the time which it
takes to learn these things by experience.
Some Lilies will almost do anywhere ; others re-
quire very special treatment. Why not men-
tion the simple requirements as well as the
name ? For instance, both L. superbum and
L. pardalinum require a good deal of water
when growing. I lost a batch of Iris Kasmp-
fesi because I did not know till afterwards
that they liked a shady corner with plenty of
water in summer. There is no fun iu locking
he stable door when the horse is stolen.

Experience has taught me too that it is seldom
profitable to purchase plants by the dozen. Hepa-
ticas and sucli things are often offered by the
dozen. You think to yourself, "Here is an oppor-
tunity : that rockery is not half stocked with
Hepaticas as it ought to be. I will get a dozen
or two plants at once." But they prove by and
by when they come, to be so very small,
that it takes years to make good plants
out of them. One good clump is really worth
at least a dozen scrappy little pieces and will
give a better result.

Then it is only by actual experience that one
begins to find what plants will do and thrive in
any particular soil and climate. It is only re-
cently that I have found out that Palms (Ohamaj-
rops) will stand the severity of a Gloucestershire
winter. Had I known it sooner, I feel sure that
I could have had Palms by this time fruiting, or
at any rate in bloom, and 8 feet or 10 feet high.
A slight protection in snow time is all that is
required. Such Palms are never, of course,
equal in beauty to those which are grown in a
more congenial atmosphere in a house, but they
are striking on account of their great difference
from all other things of a shrubby nature, and
because of the tropical appearance which they
give to the outdoor garden.

A Glofcebtershire Parson.

SHORT NOTES.— FERNS.

Triehomaues paTvalum (K. Yolke). — This is
the mran of your little fan-leaved Fern from Japan. I
hare it from the same country through Oldham, who
was a plant collector there. It is one of the very
prettiest of its class. It may he established upon a
block of sandstone, and grown in the cool fernery, or
it may be cultivated in a Fern ease. — W.

Xiphopteris serrulata (X B. C.).— This is no
doubt the Fern you send. I have also received speci-
mens from the West African coast. It is a very pretty
small species, hut it is not of sufficient importance to
make much of financially. I do not know whom to recom-
mend you to try, hut Messrs. Veitch, Messrs. Williams,
and the Messrs! Birkenhead are amongst our foremost
Fern growers. — W. H. G.

Trichomanes brachypus (iSf. J.).— I know
this plant as a climber ; it was sent alive to the
Kew collection, and Mr. Prestoe, who sent it, told me
it was distinguishable from all the other species
that climbed in making no adventitious roots, but it
depended entirely upon those made at the base. It
is a very charming plant, and I should much like to
again see it in cultivation. I only know it from the
island of Trinidad, but other localities for it are re-
corded. The Messrs. Backhouse, of York, would be
the most likely ones to supply you.— W. H. G.

Acropteris pallens {Antony).— This is a native
of the Mauritius, and it was sent in a living state to
Kew for the first time by Mr. Duncan in 18G3. It
is the only species known to exist. The genus was
established for it by Mr. John Smith in 1811, and is
accepted by Hooker. It is associated with the
Adiantums by some authors, with which, however, it
does not appear to have much affinity. I see it is
in the catalogue of the Messrs. Birkenhead, of Sale,
but it is a plant which may easily slip out of culti-
vation. It should be potted in about equal parts of
loam and peat, the whole made sandy, and the pots
should be well drained. It seems to me to require
shade from the bright sun, but yet it likes light —
W. H. G.

Anchistea virginica (H. IF.).— This is the
name of your Fern, which I saw growing magni-
ficently in the garden of an amateur recently in the
east end of London. It is the Blechnum virginicum
of Lindley. The reason you do not find it in cata-
logues is from the custom of putting it with Wood-
wardias.from which genus, however, Presl separated
it in 1S19, and for reasons sufficiently good to induce
me to retain it. The plant I recently noticed had
large handsome fronds, but as the autumn is coming
on, it will soon begin to show signs of going to rest
for the winter, as it is deciduous. During the

winter months cover its crown with several inches
of ashes, which will in most cases preserve it from
any frosts we may have during the season of rest. — H.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Solanum jasminoides — This plant stands the
winter well here with no protection beyond what it re-
ceives from a slightly overhanging portion of the house.
It covers a large amount of wall, and its elegant
free growth and flowering properties are greatly ad-
mired.— A. K., Harrow Weald.

Dahlia Conference— The exhibition of Dahlias
in connection with the Dahlia Conference, to be held
in the Royal Horticultural Gardens on September 23,
promises to be a large and attractive one, most of the
leading growers and exhibitors having intimated their
intention to taVe part in it.

Lomaria chilensis is a beautiful Fern, and,
in spite of its being a native of Chili, perfectly hardy,
and quite worthy of a place even in select collections.
It is, moreover, a rapid grower, evergreen, and a use-
ful subject as a groundwork to plants with lanky or
bare stems. Like most of its allies, it does best in a
moist shady spot.

The white Antirrhinum is a charming gar-
den flower, and its frequent use in gardens shows its
popularity. One of the finest masses of it we have
seen was on a railway station in the north, where
the plants were put out in a long single row in front
of an ugly fence. It was a happy piece of railway gar-
dening.

Tritoma nobilis.— One of the best things in the
Oxford Botanic Gardens recently was a large clump of
this in full flower. T. nobilis is a variety of T.
Uvaria or Kniphotia aloides, and a noble plant for
creating a rich mass of colour in the garden. The
flower-stems rise to 6 feet and sometimes 7 feet high,
bearing heads of bloom over a foot in length, the colour
orange-red.

The Himalayan Larkspur (Delphinium ves-
titum), although in general appearance much re-
sembling D. elatum, proves useful, inasmuch as it
begins to flower when all the others are over— at any
rate such is the case with our variety. The flowers
are deep violet-purple, the leaves very large and of a
pale green, the upright stems making a bold attrac-
tive group.

Hypericum TSToserianum.— This is a very de-
sirable new shrub, said to be intermediate between
H. patulum and H. calycinum, though I fail to see
any trace of the latter parentage ; the habit is that
of patulum, but the branches are fewer flowered.
The blooms are as large as those of H. triflorum,
and so far it appears to be quite a hardy kind ; it
is of Continental origin. — T. S.

Diplaeus coccineus — This has flowered freely
with me this year from plants left in the ground last
year. Planted around some New Zealand Flax they
had the benefit of protection from Bracken placed to
protect the Flax, and although killed to the ground
thev started early into growth and are fine plants.
The colour of bo'th this and D. glutinosus is much
finer when the plants are grown out of doors all the
summer.— A. K., Harrow Weald.

Mazus Pumilio.— This little New Zealand
plant, from its pretty dwarf and free-flowering ha-
bit, is a general favourite with all lovers of alpine
plants. It is perfectly hardy, and we find it doing
well even on the driest and most exposed spots, as
well as on moist and partially shady ones. The
quaint flowers, barely raised above the numerous
leaves, are usually pale, sometimes bright violet,
with a white throat. It may be easily increased
by division. It flowers throughout the summer
months, and is a most useful alpine for covering
bare spots on rockeries, shady walls, &c.

Flowers in Aberdeenshire.— This is the sea-
son when Flora favours the gardens of our northern
clime and deigns to display her beautiful robes
more profusely than at any other period of the
year. In the clear and balmy autumnal air the
gorgeous colours of the Poppy and the Gladiolus
are seen from afar, whilst the showy Tror reolum
lightens the cottage wall with a wTeath of brilliant
crimson. The stately Sunflowers, expanding their
o-olden petals, tower above their fellows, and the
snowy Phlox luxuriating in the cool moisture of the
climate is borne down by a wealth of fragrant

268

THE GARDEN.

[Sipt. 20, 1890.

blossoms. Roses of various kinds and colours panding well, the substance in the petals making autumn-flowering bulbs, its variety in colouring
adorn the parterres with blooms ot exquisite beauty, them long-lasting either on the plant or when and bold appearance when well grown making it at

The deep blue Delphinium with its spire-like spikes
ha? been succeeded by the Monkshood, whose name
is associated with certain wells in the neighbour-
hood dedicated of old to St. John, St. Catherine,
and St. Peter. The Sweet Pea and Mignonette per-
fume the sunny border, and in the shady retreat
the Woodbine still wastes around its delicate odour.
The cooing of the cushat resounds through the
woods, and near our dwellings the redbreast cheers
the early morn.— Geobge Muirhead, Mains of
Maddo, Aberdeen.

Hypericum, patulum, a beautiful and free-
flowering shrubby species, makes a charming bed
when the plants meet, as they soon do after plant-
ing. It is, however, one of the most variable and
perplexing species of the whole genus, having been
split into H. oblongifolium, Moserianum, &c, all of
which are doubtless distinct to the practised eje,
although very puzzling to a beginner. They are all
beautiful and free, and either will do for a bed,
which is full of interest throughout the autumn.
We also find these plants useful for the rockery, as
they do not take up much room and may be trimmed
back as required.

Rose Pink Rover.— A bunch of flowers of
this from Messrs. William Paul and Son, Waltham
Cross, shows that it is an exceedingly pretty flower.
The buds are very full, not coarse, long, and of
delicate colour, reminding one of the old Maiden's
Blush for delicacy of tint, the outer petals being
flesh colour, but those inside rich pink. The
fragrance is strong and delightfully sweet. This
Rose is of strong habit, a good variety, we should
think, for pegging down and for climbing up pil-
lars or low walls. It was blooming freely re-
cently in the Waltham Cross nursery, and is,
therefore, a good autumnal as well as summer-
flowering Rose.

Anemone blanda. — The large importations
lately received of this charming winter Windflower
will, we hope, hasten its distribution amongst our
gardens. It is one of the loveliest of the genus,
deserving to be cultivated in every garden. In open
seasons it flowers about Christmas, and continues
until the Apennine Windflower appears in March.
The white variety of A. blanda, however, which
now seems pretty plentiful, surpasses any of the
dwarf white Anemones we have yet seen in culti-
vation, and as it flowers about the same time as the
type, it will doubtless prove a great acquisition to
our winter and early spring flowering plants. As a
rock garden plant it has few equals amongst all
the alpines we grow, its free and continuous flower-
ing rendering it a favourite with all.

Hydrangeas in North Wales.— We have
seldom saen H. hortensis and its several varieties
in finer flower than this season at Tan-y-bwlch Hall,
the residence of Mr. Oakeley. The plants there have
soread out into large massive bushes, clothed with
i ich green leafage to the base, and smothered with
finely coloured masses of flowers very beautiful in
colour, and in rich constrast to Rhododendrons
which here seed and grow with remarkable freedom
The Hydrangeas are the glory of this charming
Welsh garden in the autumn, and with the graceful
bushes of Fuchsia Riccartoni make a brilliant
picture, as fine in its way as the thousands of best
named Rhododendrons in the spring. We lose
much in English gardens by neglecting Hydrangeas
and the hardy Fuchsias, as Riccartoni, coccinea
globosa, and many others, which live out in many dis-
tricts, especially in the south of England. Here at
Tan-y-bwlch, in a garden sheltered from the east by
a dense wood of Fir and shrubs, and overlooking
the lovely vale of Festiniog, these two shrubs thrive
with unusual vigour,

Rose Sappho.— A bunch of flowers of this
Rose comes from Messrs. William Paul and Son
Waltham Cross. Its burls are full, graceful, and
of a distinct fawn colour, with a shade of rose
in them, but as they expind this gives way to a
decided yellow, deepening in the centre to quite
a [bright shade. The flowers are very sweetly
scented, exceedingly pretty in the bud, and ex-

cut. We saw a number of plants of it recently
in the Waltham Cross nursery, and in every in-
stance, no matter whether they were bush, stan-
dards, or half-standards, they were covered with
flowers such as we might expect in midsummer. It,
therefore, establishes itself as a thoroughly good
autumnal Rose, with abundant leafage and very
hardy.

The Ivy-leaved Cyclamen (C. neapolitanum)
does not seem to have been much affected by the
over-abundance of wet during the summer and
early autumn, as the plants are just now blooming
vigorously, the flowers being as large and fine as
we ever remember to have seen them. C. hedera?-
folium is the most popular name for this very de-
sirable Cyclamen, but it appears that two distinct
plants were included under this name, one flowering
in autumn, the other in spring. For the autumn-
flowering one the above name has been adopted,
and C. repandum, a lovely species, is the name given
to the other. The Ivy-leaved species is invaluable
for rockeries, and should be planted on all the
shady nooks, where it will brighten the waning days
of autumn, and prove very interesting all through
the winter with its handsome marbled foliage. It
is essentially a woodland plant, and where it can
be established in the shade it will give no trouble
whatever. If the long Grass be kept down, this
Cyclamen will soon make a colony from self-sown
seeds, which germinate freely.

A luscious fruit is that of Passiflora edulis
(the Brazilian Passion Flower), which is much
grown at Tan-y-bwlch Hall, North Wales. We
have never seen a finer mass of it than here, one
house being devoted to it, and plants also per-
mitted to cover the back wall of a large vinery
with their free growth and flower. This Passiflora,
apart from its value as an edible fruit, is very
pretty when in bloom, and also when bearing freely
its Plum-shaped fruits. It has been fruiting freely
since last June. The fruits are like very large Egg
Plums, deep maroon in colour, but varying in tone
according to their several degrees of ripeness, and
with a very tough and thick skin. The pulp inside
is yellowish and not very pleasant to the eye, but
the flavour is brisk, agreeably acid, something be-
tween a Melon and a Pear. It is used largely for
dessert here, and preferred before fruits regarded
generally as more luscious. Mr. Roberts, the gar-
dener, has little difficulty with it, fruiting it freely
on vinery walls, and yet the growth does not inter-
fere with the Vines planted in front.

Fruit in Spain. — The following note has been
sent us by Mr. Philip P. Ayres, now an engineer in
Spain, and son of the well-known gardener Mr. W. P.
Ayres : October is a good month to do Spain, but
for business and seeing the crops in cultivation the
spring would suit better. We are just getting the
Raisin crop now ; splendid quality. Raisins are
grown here by the thousands of tons, and exported
to England and America ; Oranges by the millions
of boxes ; Tomatoes by the hundreds of acres. The
English varieties are pushing out the native forms,
on account of inside flesh and sweetness. This crop
has been a partial failure this season, on account of
the lateness, the English markets having been sup-
plied from other parts, principally the Canary Is-
lands. The first month this season we shipped here
80,000 boxes, average value 25s. per box ; this should
have been trebled for the season, but the lateness
completely destroyed the business, occasioning a
loss to this district alone of £120,000, and all to
poor people. The wine crop, however, and Raisins
are making some little amends for this. A small
place, not far from here, of some 4000 inhabitants
exported last season 2,500,0001arge cases of Oranges
at a cost here of 7s. per case, or, in round figures,
£875,000. Melons and all kinds of fruit are grown
in great abundance. The Locust Bean, or Carob
Tree, thrives splendidly, and produces abundant
food for the cattle. It is very sweet and nutritious.
—Philip P. Ayres, Gandia, Valencia, Spain.

The Colchicums are already making a grand
show. C. byzantinum, autumnale, variegatum, and
the majestic speciosum, which we value above all

once attractive and pleasing, are now in bloom. We
have just seen a splendid white form from Mardin.
It is the most free-flowering form we have ever
seen, the blooms twice the size of those of the
ordinary C. autumnale. It will doubtless prove a
variety of this variable species, of which we have
various shades of colour and handsome double
forms, both white and purple. C. alpinum, so
plentiful in Swiss meadows, appears to be a rare
plant in cultivation— at any rate we have not seen
it in any garden for many years. When the second
crop of hay is cut these Colchicums appear by the
thousand ; their rosy purple flowers literally form a
sheet, and one feels sorry at being compelled to
tread them down. C. alpinum is nearly allied to C.
autumnale, flowering earlier, however, and having a
smaller bulb.

Eccremocarpus scatoer. — This is one of those
interesting climbing plants rarely met with except
in very old gardens or places where things of this
description meet with the attention they so richly
merit. In warm soils and sheltered spots the roots
live through the winter. Still, it may be flowered
the same year it is raised, and we have had plants
in bloom for some time that were raised from seed
sown in March. They are planted in a warm corner
at the foot of a wall, and will probably survive the
winter there. It is a rapid growing climber with
pinnate leaves terminating in a tendril by which it
climbs or clings to anything that can give support-,
producing as it grows many-flowered racemes_ of
orange-red blossoms of a distinct and pleasing
shade of colour. Early frosts do not affect it ; in
fact it is often at its best in the boisterous and wet
days of October. Rambling upon a hedge or bush
it has a graceful and pretty effect, as the best
plant I ever saw had taken possession of a Yew
hedge, upon which it hung in graceful wreaths. —
A. H.

The Lady's Tresses (Spiranthes autumnalis,
or Neottia spiralis), mentioned by A. D. Webster in
The Garden (p. 259), is one of our most interest-
ing wild flowers, and by no means uncommon in
short Grass near the sea in Cornwall. I found it
this autumn on a fine breezy headland. It has
sometimes for a companion another interesting
plant, the Field Gentian (Gentiana campestris),
which although not strikingly pretty, is attractive
on account of its alliance to the beautiful G. acau-
lis of our gardens, so well known to travellers in
early summer in Switzerland. I never thought of
growing the Spiranthes, but a collection of interest-
ing plants like this Orchid brought from various
places would certainly be a great addition for real
lovers of plant life to the pleasures of the garden.
—J. L. Stackhouse.

Field mice. — I quite agree with " W. A. S. H."
(p. 215) that traps are of little use for these pests,
and poison they will not touch. Whenever they
take to a thing, it is almost impossible to stop them.
This summer they have played havoc with my
Muscats. First of all, they got through the bottom
ventilators, and when these were closed they found
out the top ones and got in there ; and when these
also were closed, they burrowed down under the arch.
As a rule, when the house mice attack Grapes they
are easily trapped, and often assistants can go into
the vineries with dark lanterns and kill one on the
Vines, but not so with the above. " J. B. W." says
that owls will in a short time clear them, but it is
not so here. There are, to my knowledge, eight
owls within 100 yards, besides numerous others at
a small farm near by. Some years ago the mice
attacked the Raspberry canes, and I could not stop
them. During the past spring I was surprised to
see some Holly trees barked after so mild a winter.
On examination I found some of them peeled and
stripped to the height of 0 feet from the ground.
I afterwards discovered that these little voles run-
ning through the dry Grass runs were the real
offenders. Owls, of course, are their greatest ene-
mies,but to clear them our soft-padded feline friends
must be kept. — A. Evans, Li/the Hill.

Sept. 20, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

269

Flower Garden.

THE ALPINE PINK.

The accompanying cut does no more than bare

where one can hardly tread, it rarely reveals itself
unless to those who have become acquainted with
its peculiar habitat. From Cambridgeshire it
comes to me in fine form, the individual plants being
larger than I remember having seen them. To cul-
tivate it is no difficult task, for it grew, flowered and

justice to this, the most beautiful of all the , increased in my hardy Orchid bed for many years
alpine species in general cultivation, there , I do not think that Sphagnum and constant damp
being only one other (D. callizonus) surpassing ! are at all necessary for its growth, as I grew it well
it in size of flower, and that is as yet an ex- | in a little hollow amongst fine peat and pounded
tremely rare plant from Transylvania. The brlcks- Tbe tin7 bulbs make an autumnal trip to

the soil surface, but this is easily remedied by a slight
coating of sandy leaf-mould. It is considered
parasitical, but I have never proved it to be so. —
A. D. Webster.

WILD FLOWERS AROUND FELIXSTOWE.
Those who love our native flowers find much va-
riety and beauty in a ramble round Felixstowe and
the adjacent country. The floral feature of the
place is certainly the Sea Holly. It still exists, in
fact is very plentiful in the sand of the foreshore
quite close to the town, but the growing popularity
of the place, and the consequent influx of visitors,
together with various amusements upon the sandy
wastes, combine to keep it in check and prevent its

typical form cf D. alpinus, which we may take
the annexed cut to represent, may be recog-
nised at a glance from all its allies by the dark
shining green leaves, broad, with blunt or ob-
tuse points, and always growing in dense ro-
settes. Although fine specimens may be seen
in many gardens, this seems to be the exception
rather than the rule, the reason given in most
cases being wireworm rather than unsuitable
soil. Our experience with the alpine Pink,
which we have had more trouble with than all
the others put together, points to unsuitable
soil as the cause of failure. With us it strongly
objects to lime in any form, succeeding best in
a free peaty soil in a rather damp situation,

and in this it differs from all its so-
called varieties, of which there are

several in cultivation. A few years

ago all our specimens in pots were

affected with the wireworm, and after

trying all remedies in vain, we turned

them out of the pots and shook out

all the soil, which consisted of loam,

peat, and lime rubble, washing the

plants thoroughly at a tap. We re-
potted in pure peat and sand, and our

specimens are now pictures of health

and flowering freely; whereas in the

old mixture we rarely had a bloom at

all. Our plants in the open rockery

are all more vigorous in a moist, half-
shady spot than in a sunny one ; they

seem to be impatient of drought, and

should be watered during dry weather.

When doing well, the flowers, deep

rose, spotted with crimson, are pro-
duced in such quantity as to almost

entirely hide the foliage. The alpine

Pink is best increased by seeds. We

never like disturbing an established

clump. D. alpinus is often confounded

in gardens with the Glacier Pink (D. , . , _ , . _ „

glacialis), and the latter also with Alpine Pink (Dianthus alpinus) . Engraved for The Garde*.

D. neglectus. The Glacier Pink differs

from D. alpinus in its very much narrower

and longer leaves and its much smaller

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flowers. D. neglectus is usually a taller plant
with dense tufts of Grass-like leaves and two-
coloured flowers, the upper surface brilliant
rose, the under side many shades paler. The
plants referred to, and known in gardens as

flowering. An old fisherman told me that when a
boy he could remember the beauty of itsbroad masses.
To see the SeaHolly in wild luxuriance it is necessary
to stroll about two miles beyond the town. Along the
way the most noticeable feature is the broad
masses of that showy Willow Herb (Epilobium
hirsutum) which abounds in the moist spots where
the clay cliffs are less steep, but shelve down gradn

varieties of D. alpinus, are most useful for the ; aiiy to the sandy foreshore. The Tamarisk, which has
rock garden. It has been suggested that they | been freely planted in the foreground of several
are hybrids between alpinus and some other | residences, gives a welcome verdure. But where
dwarf species, and this is not unlikely ; the : the clay cliffs gradually die out into comparatively
narrower pointed leaves are certainly not those j level, yet gently undulating ground, and the sandy
of typical D. alpinus, and, moreover, these : foreshore is banked up by sand dunes that are
forms, so far as we know, never bear seeds, only kept in position by the matted roots of wiry

D. callizonus, the queen of alpine Pinks, should Grasses that c othe **■ here the fefea, Hoily ls- at
■u j , T/1 c I exilic i ""«>j onvuiu v,ome o-rowino- in great groups or patches, flowering

be procured at the first opportunity ; it is one n°™e »luw.'u= '„? ■„„s„„j1 m\„„ «,„ ' :- wl-rll %
„,,r „„• , . -j. i j \e , with amazing profusion ana niimg tne an witn a

of the easiest to grow, its large and magnificent : deUcate sweetness. One marvels at its luxuriance,
flowers being unsurpassed by those of any other growingi as it is, in nothing but sea sand. To the
species. D. alpestris, another dwarf species, is |epth of a yard or more I traced its roots by simply
also an exceedingly pretty plant. The flowers scratching away the sand, and such is its tenacity
are rose with a whitish throat, and delightfully 0f life that if the main shoot and root are broken
fragrant. K. off several more shoots will appear and find their

way to the surface. Our native Sea Holly is equally
as beautiful as those fine kinds we grow in gardens,
and it is well worth while establishing it in sandy
soil in the garden, for none are so sweetly and

stores of sweet food within its blossoms, for from
morn to night they are busy upon them.

Next to the Sea Holly comes the Horned Poppy
(Glaucium luteum), a plant that is always interest-
ing, whether in its native wilds or in the garden
border. It grows in the pure sea-sand, and is often
covered by high tides, but roots so deeply that mov-
ing waters shift it not. All the winter long it has
handsome tufts of deeply-cut, woolly,_ glaucous
leafage, and in its way is quite as effective as the
Centaurea candidissima, so well known and so valu-
able to us in our gardens. With the uprising of
the flower-stalk, the beauty of the tuft of leaves
disappears, but only to give place to something
more beautiful as the spike rises upwards, bearing
large yellow flowers of a fleeting character, it
is true. They fade to form another charm, as seen
in the seed-pods which succeed them, and which are
each from 0 inches to 9 inches long, projecting like
horns. The Horned Poppy grows quite as freely
in ordinary garden soil, and there are spots about
our gardens to which, if suitably placed, it would
add a feature of interest for a long period in the
different aspects of foliage, flower, and seed. Al-
though perennial, it seeds freely, as was shown by
the hundreds of seedlings springing up in the
sand. These seedlings can be easily pulled up, and
will succeed admirably if planted in the garden.

Another pretty flower plentiful enough here is
the Sea Bindweed (Convolvulus Soldanella). Both
the greater and less Bindweeds of our hedgerows
and fields are extremely pretty, although persistent
and obnoxious weeds in cultivated ground, and the
Sea Bindweed is not one whit behind them in this
respect, whilst it contributes an element of great
beauty to dreary sandy wastes, where it trails over
the sand among thin, wiry Grass, covering the
surface with a carpet of small leaves like those of
a Soldanella, and producing a flower as large as
that of the great white Bindweed with which we
are so familiar, but of a bright rose colour, with a
narrow and pale stripe down the centre of each
segment. This, again, is one of those choicer
native plants that is well worth introducing into
suitable spots about the garden, provided, of course,
due care is taken not to put it where it might
become a nuisance. Yet it is surprising how slow
some of us are to profit by these pretty examples
of natural gardening. Within a mile of where this
plant was growing, but in a private garden, vain
attempts were being made to clothe sandy banks
about the garden facing the shore with summer
bedding plants and annuals, that above all things
want rich soil. It were infinitely better to clothe
such banks with the native vegetation, where it is
of such a distinct and pretty type, for then at least
the garden, if not much unlike the country beyond
it, would at least have the merit of distinctness
when compared with other inland gardens. More-
over, it might be made most interesting by adding
to the typical native species others not natives, but
equally and perhaps more beautiful and that would
thrive under similar conditions. It was a relief to
pass from such a failure to where the common
Thrift spread out into tufts and carpets of rich
verdure. The value of this plant, although a native,
is well known in gardens. When not in flower it
gives us cushions of welcome greenery. The
cottage gardener puts it to good use for edgings.

The Sea Lavender (Statice Limonium) is
pretty and plentiful a little inland in saline marshes
which are often submerged. One mass thickly
covered nearly a quarter of an acre of ground, and
was then in the fullest perfection of blossom and
beauty. It has close tufts of narrow, glaucous
leaves and erect panicles of purple-blue flowers
which rise to a height of from 6 inches to 1 foot.
This is the largest-flowered and prettiest species of
the several Sea Lavenders found upon our coasts.

The two-leaved Liparis (L. Loeseli).
Amongst our native Orchids this plant is one of the

The Sea Wormwood (Artemisia maritima) is
charming and pretty as seen upon dry sandy banks,
which in places it entirely clothes. It grows about
1 foot high ; the stem is densely clothed with small
linear, woolly leaves, which are downy, whilst its
pleasant perfume, like that of other members of

most insignificant. Frequenting swampy marshes j powerfully fragrant. Evidently the bees find rich | this fragrant family, is one of its greatest charms

270

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 20, 1890.

When sweet-smelling plants are more used in garden
decoration, a place should be found for a breadth
of this upon a sunny bank. A. H.

THE WHITE LILY.

(LILIUM CANDIDUM.)

I hear of many failures with this beautiful Lily,
and, as the time for transplanting has now arrived,
it may not be out of place to remind those who are
in doubt how to proceed, as to the course I find
give the best results. There are doubtless many
who are anxious to grow them well, but have some
doubt as to whether they had better transplant or
leave them undisturbed, for the reason that many
cottage gardeners grow and flower them well with-
out any special care, while others who have tried
to do them extra well have failed most completely.
I am not going to pretend that my way of growing
them is any remedy for the disease. I merely give
the result of different ways of culture on the same
soil, to let those who are anxious to try again
choose for themselves which they will follow. In
the first place, I may state that the soil in this lo-
cality appears to suit this Lily remarkably well,
being light and well drained, as it rests on gravel,
so that there is never any fear of stagnant moisture
at the roots. When we get plenty of rain, as
we did this year in May and June, a luxuriant
growth is the result, for, no matter how dry
the soil may get in July and August, it rather
benefits the bulbs by thorough ripening than
otherwise. I have taken the bulbs up at the
end of this month in some seasons when there has
not been a particle of moisture in the soil for more
than a foot in depth. They have been replanted in
dust-dry soil, but, as they were quite dormant, no
harm ensued, for they grew away splendidly im-
mediately the autumn rain came to moisten the
soil. I grow a large quantity of this Lily for cut
spikes of bloom for market, and I find that the
finest spikes are cut from plants that have been
transplanted to fresh soil ; in fact after the third
or fourth year, if left undisturbed, they deteriorate
much, although they may be kept in fairly good
condition by means of top-dressings for several
years. Old - established clumps make up for size
of spike by increased numbers, and in the
aggregate make a fine display ; but for size of the
single spikes I should always expect to find them
on plants that had been recently transplanted.

Pot culture of this useful Lily ought to be more
generally adopted than it is. When one has a good
stock of bulbs in the open ground, all he has to
do is to pot up as many as he can find shelter for
under glass in spring, and without any artificial
heat he may have a full supply of these lovely
blooms several weeks before they can be got in the
open air. For wreath and other floral decorations
there are few flowers in greater request, or that
sell more readily. I find the best place out of
doors for white Lilies is between rows of fruit trees
that are planted at wide distances apart, so as to
give the necessary shelter from rough gales of
wind without unduly shading them. I may also
remark that, when cutting the spikes of bloom, at
least 2 feet of the lowest portion of the stem is
left so as to preserve the main leaves intact, for on
the perfect and natural ripening off of the bulb
depends to a great extent the measure of success
that will attend their growth next year. As soon,
however, as the foliage is quite dead on the stems,
and before young leaves are pushed up from the
bulbs, is the best time to replant. — J. G., Gosport,
in Field.

Lilium Leichtlini. — I was pleased to see a
note on this beautiful Lily on page 201, for it is a
great favourite of mine, and in addition to its other
merits, the individual blooms of L. Leichtlini re-
main in perfection much longer than those of most
Lilies, and keep fresh and brightly-coloured till
they are on the point of dropping, which cannot be
said of the red-banded form of Lilium auratum
noted on the same page, in which after a few days'
expansion the crimson stripe becomes of a dull
chocolate tint. L. Leichtlini is not one of the most
vigorous of Lilies, and it seems to succeed best in

a rather open soil of a somewhat sandy nature,
that is, though well drained, never being dried up
during the summer. It is also fairly amenable to
pot culture, and forms, when in bloom, a pretty ob-
ject in the greenhouse, but there is a peculiarity
observable in some specimens of this Lily, and also
of the Indian L. neilgherrense, and when present
the plants rarely do so well in pots. I allude to a
habit occasionally seen in both these Lilies, for the
flower-stem, instead of being pushed up directly
from the bulb, makes its way underground for some
little distance and appears, perhaps, 1 foot away
from where it was expected. In L. neilgherrense
this peculiarity is still more pronounced, but even
then it is seldom that more than a quarter of the bulbs
behave in this way, the cause of which is certainly
very doubtful. The bulb of L. Leichtlini is small
and globose, with the top very much flattened after
the manner of L. Batemanniie, and small bulbs of
this are often mistaken for those of L. Leichtlini.
This last starts into growth much earlier than the
other, while the stem is also very slender. L. Leicht-
lini is frequently sent to this country from Japan
during the winter months, but is one of the worst
travellers that we have, unless it is the uncom-
mon L. odorum. While the weak point of this
last is a kind of decay just at the base of the scales
which causes the bulb to fall to pieces, that of L.
Leichtlini is its early-growing habit, for the flower-
spike is often pushed forth during the voyage while
the bulbs are hermetically enclosed in balls of clay.
When unpacked and this last taken off, the flower-
stem is frequently either broken or severely bruised.
— H. P.

LILIUM SPECIOSDM.
Following closely on the heels of the different
Tiger Lilies we have the numerous forms of
Lilium speciosum, which with the warm, dry
weather we are now experiencing are flowering
beautifully in the open ; in fact better than
they usually do, for the heavy rains we some-
times get just at this season play havoc with
the expanded blossoms. Besides its beauty in
the open ground, it is one of the best of all
Lilies for the greenhouse or conservatory, as it
will always grow and flower well, and it comes
in at a time when many of the summer occu-
pants of these structures are past their best.
Apart from any other features, this Lily
lias one very great advantage over Lilium
auratum, and that is the blossoms of the
golden-rayed Lily are very strongly scented, so
much so indeed, that in a confined atmosphere
their fragrance is almost overpowering, while
the blooms of L. speciosum possess only a slight
perfume. When grown in pots for greenhouse
decoration these Lilies give very little trouble,
as during the summer they may be plunged out
of doors, and the principal attention they will
need during that time is to be kept supplied
with water. As the pots get full of roots occa-
sional waterings with liquid manure will be of
service, as it not only increases the size of the
blossoms, but also deepens their colour. Aphides
(which are such a trouble in the case of L. longi-
florum) seldom attack this Lily, and should a
few effect a lodgment thereon, they may soon
be removed by fumigation, by syringing with
tobacco water, or dusting with powder. The
plants should be removed under glass a little
time before the flowers open, as treated in this
way the blossoms are purer in tint than if al-
lowed to expand in the open ground.

There are numerous varieties of this Lily in
cultivation, the lover of white blossoms having
the choice of at least four distinct forms, viz. ,
Krietzeri, a very regularly reflexed pure white
flower, except for a greenish stripe, which ex-
tends about half way down the centre of each
petal. The leaves of this are narrower than in
the others, of a pale green colour, and thickly
arranged on the stem. Another somewhat in

the same way is album novum, whose flowers
are rather more massive than the preceding,
but the petals do not reflex so regularly as in
Knetzeri. The bright yellow-coloured anthers
are a feature that at once distinguishes album
novum from Knetzeri, whose anthers are dark
brown. These two kinds have yellowish bulbs,
which serve at once to distinguish them from
all the remaining varieties of Lilium specio-
sum, but not from each other. A third
white - flowered form is album, the bulbs of
which are of a very dark reddish - brown,
while the stems, leaf-stalks, and exterior of the
buds are tinged with chocolate. The interior
of the bloom is white, in fact, purer than in
Kraetzeri, as in album the greenish tinge is want-
ing. It, however, does not grow so satisfac-
torily as L. Krsetzeri. There is a form of album
called corymbiflorum, in which the flowers
are in some cases borne in quite a dense head,
while in others the arrangement is somewhat
looser, but in any case the flowers are more
crowded than in the ordinary album. A pretty
variety is punctatum, whose flowers are white
with yellow anthers, this and album novum be-
ing the only two in which they are of that tint.
The form in question (punctatum) is rather
more delicate than any of the others, and to in-
duce the blooms to open satisfactorily the
plants should be removed under glass a little
before the rest. The coloured kinds appear to
be much confused, for the names roseum and
rubrum are often used indiscriminately, while
we have also purpuratum, Schrymakersi,
rubrum superbum, and others, between which
there is really very little if any difference. By
far the best deep coloured forms of L. speciosum
are sent to this country from Japan during the
winter months, and most of them being grand
bulbs, perfectly ripened, they will with good
treatment flower magnificently the first season.
There is considerable variation in the flowers of
these imported bulbs, but the poorest of them
are much superior to the average roseum or
rubrum sent from Holland. Scattered through
these importations there is usually a number of
a very beautiful deep-coloured form. In this
variety the stems, buds, and leaf-stalks are much
darker than in those of any of the others, while
the foliage is also broader and more rounded.
This form is frequently met with in this country
under the name of Melpomene, but it can be
picked out from nearly every one of these
Japanese introductions. In this the flowers
are not only very deeply coloured, but the
petals are also narrowly edged with white, which
contrasts markedly with the rest of the flower.
Though these rich tinted forms as well as Kroct-
zeri have been grown in this country for some
years, they do not appear to be taken up by the
Butch growers to any great extent, but possibly
in time we shall receive them from that source
at a cheap rate as well as from Japan. One
variety 1 omitted to mention earlier is the
clustered form of rubrum known as rubrum
corymbiflorum or monstrosum. This, which is in
habit the counterpart of the white variety pre-
viously mentioned, has the flowers of rubrum.
It is curious and showy, but lacks the elegant
arrangement of a bold open spike. X.

Show Dahlias. — A few of the finest show
Dahlias at the Crystal Palace show were Richard
Dean, John Hickling, a new yellow self ; William
Keith, dark plum colour ; R. T. Rawlings, Hartie
King (fancy), orange, with crimson and scarlet
stripes ; William Rawlings, Joseph Green, clear
bright crimson ; Prince of Denmark, Nellie Tran-
ter, John Standish, Mrs. Gladstone, T. W. Girdle-
stone (fancy), lilac, flaked and splashed with dark
maroon ; Mrs. McKenzie, yellow, shaded and edged
with carmine ; Excellent, bright red ; Vice-Presi-

Sept. 20, 1890.]

THE GAEDEK

271

dent, an old, but very useful variety, bright orange
in colour ; Mrs. W. Slack, blush white, edged with
purple ; Willie Garratt, Alice Emily (new), delicate
buff-yellow ; Thomas Hobbs, purplish pink or ma-
genta ; Arthur Blick, Henry Walton, yellow ground,
edged with Vermillion ; and Mr. G. Harris, crimson-
scarlet.

PROPAGATING PINKS.
When at Cardiff a short time ago I called upon
Mr. James Thurstan, who is well known in the mid-
land counties as a cultivator and raiser of Pinks.
Mr. Thurstan has to content himself with a small
patch of garden in the rear of his house in the
Richmond Road, and it is remarkable what he grows
in it, there being a row of villa residences at the
back of the garden, and it is only from the sides
that air and sunlight fall upon it. In this small
space of ground he cultivates a fine collection of
Tulips, including some seedlings of his own raising
of great value, a collection of Pinks, mainly raised
by himself, choice seedling alpine Auriculas, and
gold-laced Polyanthus, early-flowering Chrysanthe-
mums, herbaceous Phloxes, Carnations, a choice
selection of hardy perennials, and other odds and
ends of floricultural interest. But it was his me-
thod of propagating Pink pipings which greatly in-
terested me. A dozen or so of pipings of a particular
variety are inserted in the form of a disc in the
open border under the friendly shade of some
Chrysanthemums, some light sandy soil being
placed there for the purpose ; the soil is pressed
firmly about the pipings, and then a glass jam jar is
inserted over them ; they are thus kept quite close,
air, but not light, being excluded. They soon make
root, and the cuttings grow into useful young plants.
Scarcely a failure could be noticed.

Most persons are familiar with the glass jam
jars in which jam is sold. One of these is cut
round a little way below the neck with a diamond,
and a red-hot poker being held just above the line
and kept just over it, passing it round slowly just
over the diamond cut, the parts separate, and a
suitable glass covering for the pipings is thus
obtained. Mr. Thurstan states that a large cham-
pagne bottle is best, because if cut as above
described across the middle both portions can be
used as a covering to the pipings if a cork be firmly
placed in the neck. If the pipings are damp when
inserted in the soil, the glass covering is tilted up a
little until the wet has passed away by evaporation.
The covering is pressed firmly into the soil, and
thus made air-tight.

Such coverings can be made useful in many ways
for cuttings. Those of Carnations, Pansies, Phloxes,
Pentstemons, and many other choice things can
be struck in this way, and offsets of Auriculas,
Polyanthuses be rooted. Indeed, a most valuable
propagating medium is produced at a small cost,
which with care will last for a long time.

R. D.

Cassia corymbosa. — This is a very old-
fashioned plant in gardens, having been grown in
this country for over a century, and one whose
merits as a flowering shrub are often passed over.
It is very beautiful in the greenhouse at present,
and will keep up a succession of bloom for a con-
siderable period. Plunged or planted in the open
ground it will flower well during the latter part of
the summer, but it is as a greenhouse shrub or as a
climber for roof or pillar that it is most valuable,
the rich golden blossoms being then borne in great
profusion. It strikes readily enough from cuttings
of the growing shoots in the spring, and the young
plants grow away freely in any kind of ordinary
potting compost. If required as bushes they should
be freely stopped during their earlier stages, but
where needed as climbers the vigorous shoots may
be allowed to grow. — H. P.

Ldlium 'Wallichianum. — In the publication
" Notes on Lilies," by Dr. Wallace, of Colchester,
an extract of a letter from Mr. J. C. Niven, then of
the Hull Botanic Gardens, is given, in which he
says that Lilium Wallichianum survived the winters
there for sixteen years planted out in the open
ground, and covered with about 6 inches of light

peaty soil. This should be a proof that it is
thoroughly hardy in most parts of England, but I
fancy there must have been some mistake, for I
have never found it to succeed in this manner, nor
ever heard of it doing so except in this one par-
ticular instance. Some bulbs planted here (in the
southern part of England) under different condi-
tions all perished, though a few survived three
winters with a little protection. Out of the dozen
bulbs most of them flowered the first year after
planting, then the second there was but one solitary
bloom, while the third year only a few weak shoots
pushed up. I may have been more than usually
unfortunate with this particular Lily, but, like
your correspondent " R. P." (p. 221), I hardly think
it will succeed in the open air in this country. —
H. P.

CHINA ASTERS.
China Asters may be found in all kinds of gar-
dens. They are undoubtedly the most useful
annuals in cultivation. Not only are they of great
value for providing cut flowers, but assist much in
rendering the flower garden bright and gay during
the late summer and autumn months, for in favour-
able seasons and on good soil they bloom pro-
fusely until checked by frost.

To see China Asters at their best they should be
planted in beds, or in large masses on borders. It
is useless to expect this, or any other similar plant,
to produce a good effect in the garden when planted
singly, or in twos or threes, as is frequently done.
Straight lines or rows of them are even worse, but,
unfortunately, very common in gardens. This kind
of planting cannot be too strongly condemned,
since it produces formality, which as has been fre-
quently said, should be rigidly excluded from the
garden. Besides planting them in masses from
1 yard to 2 yards or more in diameter on the mixed
border and margins of shrubberies, they may also
be grouped among Roses on beds or borders. This
method of planting China Asters should be more
common in gardens, for they do much towards
brightening the beds and borders at a time when
colour in them, so far as Rose blooms are con-
cerned, is at a discount. The best instance of
this kind ever brought under my notice was
at Medstead House, Alresford, some years ago. A
new Rose garden had been formed the previous
year, and the Roses planted in groups at good dis-
tances apart. The following spring the intervening
spaces were filled with Carnations, and Zinnias and
Asters in June. By this means a good display of
bloom and, the colours being judiciously mixed, a
very fine effect was kept up from the end of
May until almost the last week in October.
Whether the same practice is adopted there now I
cannot say, the time of which I write being ten
years ago. Still, the instance proves to what use
the China Asters and other similar flowers may be
put, and were such modes of planting more gene-
rally adopted, we should see less dull and uninte-
resting gardens in the autumn.

As regards the culture of the China Asters, that
is comparatively simple, but there are several
things that must be borne in mind if success is
desired. In the first place they require a rich deep
soil. It should be heavily manured and deeply dug
the autumn previous to planting, and then, if other-
wise judiciously managed, a very fine effect will be
produced. Grown on poor soil the plants generally
present a miserable starved appearance, looking
but little better than a mass of weeds. The best
Asters I ever saw were growing on a newly-made
Vine border, in which enormous quantities of bone-
meal and half-inch bones had been incorporated.
The plants were remarkably vigorous and the
flowers unusually fine, but, of course, the practice of
growing them on Vine borders is not to be recom-
mended. Another point that requires close attention
is the raising of the plants from seed. There is no
doubt the majority of growers sow the seed too soon,
the result being weakened plants and consequently
poor blooms. Seed sown in well pulverised soil on
a south border in April will give much better re-
sults than that sown in heat in March. If con-
sidered necessary, and it is a good plan to adopt in

late localities, the seed may be sown in fine soil
and covered with a hand-light, or in shallow boxes
and placed in unheated frames. In either case it
should be sown thinly, and thus the labour of
transplanting averted. Of course, to prolong the
season of flowering, it is advisable to make one or
two sowings, say from the end of March till the
last week in April. In this case a little heat is
beneficial for the first batch. When raised thus
under glass, however, the plants should have a
plentiful supply of air, so that they may be from
the first hardy and sturdy. In this practically lies
the secret of Aster cultivation. If ready, the plants
may be transferred to their flowering quarters any
time after the second week in May.

As to varieties, these are numerous and suffi-
ciently varied to suit the tastes of the most fasti-
dious. There are among the taller growing kinds
the Chrysanthemum-flowered, the Preony-flowered,
and the quilled Asters, all useful in their way, but
scarcely so good for garden decoration as some of
the dwarfer and more compact varieties. For
growing in beds none are better than the dwarf
Victoria and the smaller forms of the Chrysanthe-
mum-flowered. The dwarf German sorts, too, are
useful for small beds, and these, as a rule, are the
first to bloom. A bed of Sutton's Fire King, a com-
pact growing kind, is also very showy, and may
with advantage be more frequently seen. This va-
riety rarely exceeds 1 foot in height, and produces
large incurved blooms of a most brilliant hue.
Many of the pompon kinds are also effective when
seen in masses, though I like better the recently
introduced Comet. This is one of the finest Asters
in cultivation, and can scarcely be too extensively
planted. It is rather a tall grower, but the blooms
are charming, being of a white and light pink
shade, and closely resembling those of a Japanese
Chrysanthemum. It is invaluable for cutting as
well as for making a good display in the flower
garden. No matter, though, what varieties are
used, the practice of mixing the colours should be
discontinued. By this method the China Asters
will be seen at a disadvantage. Masses or groups
of one colour in each are much more effective in
borders than three or four plants and of as many
shades. The same applies to them when grown in
beds. No one ever thinks of mixing various colours
of Pelargoniums in one bed, and therefore why
should Asters be seen in mixed medley of colours ?
Planted in groups of one colour only, the China
Aster is one of the most showy flowers in the gar-
den at this time of the year. C. L.

The blue Hock Bindweed (Campanula
mauritanica).— This is an exceedingly pretty little
species for the border or rockwork where a trail-
ing plant is required. It is quite hardy in most
situations, but especially so upon light warm soils,
where it grows freely, trailing over the ground and
covering it with a carpet of silvery growth and
pretty blue flowers. It flowers all through the sum-
mer and autumn, and is easDy increased by cuttings,
which strike freely if put in at the present time and
given a little warmth. — H.

The Morning1 Glory. — Ipomsea purpurea or
Convolvulus major is a charming old annual
which might with advantage be more used in the
many suitable spots about the garden. It is appro-
priately called the Morning Glory, for it is in the
early morning that the plant is seen at its best, be-
ing a mass of trailing growth sheeted with large
blossoms of varied hues. The light and dark blues
and the rich velvety violet-purples are exquisitely
rich when seen in the cool grey light of a dewy
morning. — A. H.

Clematis Jackrnani alba. — About a year ago
much correspondence appeared in The Gaeden
upon the above plant. The general complaint was
that it would not flower, and we were advised by
those who had flowered it to try cutting it down to
the ground. This was tried with our plant and
successfully, for it is now in bloom, but it is not a
white Jackrnani, nor indeed a white Clematis at
all. The flower is different in form and has more
petals than those of Jackrnani, whilst its so-called
whiteness is a dirty shade with a faint mauve stripe

272

THE GAEDEN.

[Sept. 20, 1890.

down the centre of each petal which shows a de-
cided tendency to run through the flower. A true
■white Jackurani would be of the greatest value, but
we have yet to get it. — A. H.

NOTES ON HARDY PLANTS.

Golden Drop (Onosma tauricum). — This is
better if increased by cuttings or slips rooted
annually, as, according to my experience, the plants
are past their best in three years and dwindle and
die after that. Evidently this Onosma is short-
lived. Cuttings or slips should be long and
strong, and if taken with a heel of older wood all
the better. I also find it quicker work, and one
gets roots nearer the surface by cutting the bark
in several parts above the points.

Geranium Wallichianum. — With regard to
the Nemophila-blue variety with which I have
always associated Mr. Buxton's name, as I believe
that had it not been for his persistent care we
might not have known so much about the plant,
and possibly not have possessed it, I am induced
to make one or two further remarks. It seems
that in some gardens the plant is subject to wither-
ing before what would appear to be the normal
time, because after it has withered it has been
known to grow and try to flower again late in the
year. Under other conditions, too, it seems fitful
or short-lived. In one of his gardens Mr. Buxton
has grown it fully exposed and got the beautiful
Nemophila-blue colour such as I described. That
was in the moist climate of Bettws-y-coed. In his
Knutsford garden he could never grow the plant in
full sun. I hear of it failing also in the dry atmo-
sphere of Cheshire. As I am on the sandstone it
seems that I may grow the plant more exposed and
with less care every way, and yet get good results
and longer lived specimens. I consider these
facts point to something of importance to a gar-
dener, and I value this plant more than ever, be-
cause it has shown itself susceptible to climatic
variations. From what I have learnt of it I shall
look upon it as a sort of indicator of the climate
where it is grown. Mr. Buxton tells me that many
fail with the plant ; some do it well, and others
totally fail. In one garden he grew it well in full
sunshine, in another it only did well under shade.
With me it does well fully exposed, but after what
I have heard I have set a few plants in shady
places.

Narcissi bulbs. — Although I have not been a
large grower of Daffodils, I have cultivated the
commoner sorts, and had to do with bulbs out of
the ground more or less for thirty years, and on
one point I think I have almost satisfied myself —
that bulbs in their prime are not always the best
to plant for flowers, I make a distinction between
" for flowers " and " for increase." To put what I
mean another way, when we handle a perfect un-
split round bulb of full size, I believe that such
bulls has just been taken from the place where it has
flourished in its most perfect way rather than that
it will do so when growing again, and that its next
growth will develop a splitting up that will more
or less detract from the central growth and flowers.
I daresay that these qualities will vary according
to the habit of the sorts, but to take the old double
white poeticus as an example, I believe that these
conditions will obtain. I am aware of the fault
of this kind, that under ordinary cultivation the
flower-buds often come blind, but as this happens
to be the kind I have known and grown so long
without experiencing much of this fault, my
method of dealing with it may be taken for what
it is worth. If it is to be grown in half shade, set
the bulbs not more than 2 inches deep. Divide
regularly every two years, removing the offsets
however small, and never lifting the bulbs until
thoroughly matured, that condition being attained
later perhaps than with any other Narcissus. I
have fancied that failure has often been in conse-
quence of prematurely raised bulbs ; • the flowers
rarely come blind on good round bulbs, so thick
necked and long as to assume the Pear shape.
There is certainly something exceptional about this
kind from the simple fact that it cannot be forced,

and no doubt its late ripening period is in a mea-
sure accountable for this, the rule being that the
bulbs which naturally mature early are the best to
force.

Cyclamen courn.— Dry corms often die, both
under pot and open ground treatment during the
first year. I believe that this largely comes about
from the peculiar shape of the corm, which favours
a lodgment of moisture in the upper or depressed
part (or what is a depressed part when the corms
are dry) near the vital attachment of the dry leaf-
stem with the corm proper. If water lodges for
long before the corm plumps up and the roots get
into action, decay is pretty certain. The object of
this note is to give a simple method by which a
better start of growth may be had. If the flat
corms are examined, it may be clearly observed
that not only will the roots be in better position,
but the water will be thrown off the upper portion
if, instead of setting the corms level, they are
inclined a little to one side, so as to bring the edge
of the corm much higher than the centre. When
fixing them in pots, it is easily done by filling the
pot with soil more on one side than the other, and
placing the corm at the requisite depth on the
inclined surface. It may not be essential to plant
in this way when potting as for the open, unless
the pots have to be stood in the open, because the
light of a cold frame would keep the pots suffi-
ciently dry, but to place the pots in a frame with
the lights on in early autumn, the time when this
Cyclamen should be set, would be risking another
evil, that of confinement with too much sun heat
and drought, and I would always rather stand pots
in the open than under cover, at any rate until fogs
and frosts set in.

Bcenninghaussnia albiflora This exquisite

half-shrubby plant, I am happy to learn, has stood
out for four years under a south wall in a Cheshire
garden. I cannot imagine anything more beautiful
in the autumn ; the foliage is Rue-like, blue-green,
and does not take weather stains, as many glaucous
plants do. The panicles of bloom (flowers very
small and white) are in long lax compound panicles,
heavily topping the beautiful foliage. Whereas the
foliage alone forms a somewhat rigid tuft, the plant
in flower becomes graceful ; the biggest specimen
I have seen was not more than from 15 inches to
18 inches high. If, as we may reasonably believe,
the plant will live through our winters on the drier
parts of sunny rockeries, we have in this charming
species a plant distinct from anything else that I
know, and that can hardly fail to win the admira-
tion of everyone. It is at any rate a plant that one
cannot over-praise. J. Wood.

Woodril'.e, Kirkstall, Tor'

The Hemp (Cannabis sativa). — This is an annual
well known by name, because cultivated for its fibre.
But it is useful and very ornamental in the flower
garden, where vegetation of a striking or bold, yet
graceful aspect is required. It grows from 5 feet to
10 feet high according to soil or aspect. Isolated
plants have a striking effect, as they branch freely
and assume great proportions. When grown more
thickly they run up taller, but are none the less
ornamental. It is useful where more tender plants
will not thrive, as it grows freely in full exposure
where long-leaved subjects would have their foliage
torn to rags. If large plants are wanted early, it
might be advisable to raise some under glass in
April, but there is no necessity for it, as the seed
can be sown in the open ground. We have plants
from both methods, and there is now no difference
between them, for whilst those raised in pots and
planted out were recovering from the check, those
from seed in the open ground were growing away
healthy and unchecked.— A. H.

Clematis Davidiana. — This has been flowering
for some time past. It is one of those rare species
not often met with in gardens, but so pretty and
distinct as to merit more general cultivation. It is
of a shrubby habit, not exceeding 1 yard in height,
the shoots being of annual duration only. They
are clothed with an abundance of broad dark green
leaves, whilst the flowers are profusely borne in
thick clustering whorls in the axils of the leaves.

They are scarcely larger than and in shape resem-
ble those of the bell of a Hyacinth, whilst the
colour is a pretty pale blue, something like that in
Plumbago capensis. This species is a little tender,
but if planted at the foot of a wall or in some warm
corner, it will withstand our ordinary winters, and
in less favourable spots a sprinkling of Bracken
over its roots would suffice to bring it safely
through the winter. Such a distinct species as this
ought to be more frequently seen. — A.

THE BULB GARDEN.
Daffodils fok pots. — Any bulbs of these destined
to be forced early hereafter must be seen to with-
out delay, for as much depends upon their making
their roots at the right season as upon any particu-
lars in their after- management. Those who require
early flowers of these must in reason allow them a
proportionately longer season to perform their
proper functions prior to being subjected to foreign
conditions. Five years ago hardly anyone had
dreamt of forcing the common double Daffodil, but
since then it is forced by hundreds of thousands
annually. As in most other groups of bulbous
plants, or florists' flowers other than bulbous, many
Daffodils so closely resemble each other, that the
best effect will be secured by selecting only distinct
kinds, and a few distinct sorts of Daffodils for pot
work and forcing are the old double yellow N. Tela-
monius plenus, Tenby Daffodil (N. obvallaris), N.
bicolor Horsfieldi, N. princeps, N. Golden Spur, and N.
Henry Irving. All these adapt themselves to a fair
amount of artificial heat, i.e., 50° to 55°, and a
rather moisture-laden atmosphere. There is also
that indispensable variety N. poeticus ornatus, of
which variety alone hundreds of thousands are
forced annually ; its pure white fragrant flowers
always find admirers. We have very few that can
be so advantageously employed to such a great va-
riety of uses. By the introduction of successional
batches it is easy to obtain flowers of this variety
from early in February till the bulbs flower
naturally out of doors — a decided advantage, so
much so that it is frequently abused, for while
lending itself in a free and unmistakable manner
to judicious forcing, it not unfrequently happens
that the forcing is a little overdone; hence my rea-
son at the commencement of these notes to recom-
mend potting the bulbs up early, thereby ensuring
abundance of roots and a proportionate amount of
leaf growth long before they need be put in any
heated structure whatever.

In company with the foregoing should always be
found some of the Hoop-petticoat section, and in
particular the deep golden N. corbularia con-
spicua, a gem both from its free and profuse flower-
ing and rich golden flowers, as well as its generally
neat and elegant appearance. Indeed, a few pots
of its miniature Rush-like leaves and exquisite
flowers enhance the charms of any conservatory in
the early months of the year. These bulbs are
about equal to a Walnut in size, and capable of
producing an average of six or eight flowers each.
What a glorious acquisition in the same direction
would the lovely satiny-white form prove if only
possessed of the freedom and profuse flowering, not
to say easy culture of the yellow form I and what
a unique button-hole flower it makes, just one
flower and a pair of its tiny leaves. I gave several
away in January last to gentlemen attending
large public gatherings, and they attracted great
attention. But while speaking of kinds in general
which in a greater or less degree are fitted for
gentle forcing, it may be equally beneficial, to some
at least, to know that the double white Poet's Nar-
ciss will not grow in this manner, other cases in
point being our common Lent Lily (N. psuedo-Nar-
cissus), and the lovely, though varied forms of N.
pallidus prajcox are but little better. This last,
beautiful as it is in almost endless variety, is by no
means a valuable or even useful bulb to grow, as
it deteriorates witli great rapidity, disappearing
entirely in many English gardens, and for this
reason it is not to be recommended.

A fairly rich loamy soil will accommodate them
well, while the number for each pot will be best
regulated by the size of the bulbs themselves.

Sept. 20, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

273

When potted they may stand outside on a bed of
coal-ashes and be covered either with this or Cocoa-
nut fibre refuse. Here they will be safe for some
time to come without further attention. Depend-
ing on the state of the soil when potted and also
the weather, water may be given or withheld, but
as a rule I give none whatever at potting time,
and towards the middle of October find greater
need for protecting them from too much rain. This
is best done by placing a few spare lights over
them, beyond which they will be safe till required
for placing in artificial heat, which should be
gradual at first, and not at any time exceed what I
have above prescribed. E. J.

Stove and Greenhouse.

CRINODENDRON HOOKERI.

This is one of the prettiest of Chilian shrubs
and a most interesting plant. Few would
imagine that it belongs to the same natural
order as the Lime (Tilia) and is closely related
to Elfeocarpus and Aristotelia. It is described
as forming a large bush 10 feet or more high
in the low, moist valleys of Valdivia and Chiloe,
where only it is known in a wild state. In
England, however, it does not show any ten-
dency as yet to grow so large. The accompany-
ing woodcut shows the habit and character of a
pot-grown specimen. The leaves are somewhat
fleshy, dark green, wrinkled, the edges serrated,
and they are about 3 inches long. The flowers
are axillary on long drooping stalks and urceo-
late, or not unlike those of Clematis coccinea in
shape and substance, but a little larger ; their
colour is a rich rosy crimson, like that of a
good variety of Lapageria rosea. A well-grown
plant, such, for instance, as that here figured,
is, when in flower, strikingly ornamental. The
flowers last a long time. A peculiar character
of this plant is the remarkably long time the
flower-buds are in growing to full size. A plant
at Kew is now covered with buds as large as
peas, but it will not be in flower until about
April next.

Although grown in a greenhouse by most cul-
tivators, it is probable that in many parts of
England this plant would prove as hardy as
other Chilian plants, such as the Berberidopsis,
Desfontainea, and Philesia. In several gardens
on the south coast it has grown well out of
doors for the last two years. Messrs. Veitch,
who re-introduced it about ten years ago, say
that although it is found wild near such plants
as Araucaria imbricata and Fitzroya patagonica,
it has not yet proved certainly hardy in Eng-
land. Probably it has never yet had a fair trial.
At Kew it is being tried against a wall where
Mitraria and Berberidopsis thrive. Grown in
a cool frame or greenhouse and kept moist it
makes a handsome little shrub, and flowers
veiy freely every year. A rich soil, say a mix-
ture of peat and loam with plenty of sand, suits
the Crinodendron. It is easily propagated
from cuttings placed in a little warmth.
A coloured plate, prepared from a plant
flowered by Messrs. Veitch, was published in
The Gabden, Nov. 27, 3880. According to
botanists, the correct name for this plant is
Tricuspidaria hexapetala.

The following are notes of Mr. Moir, who
kindly sent the photograph from which the
accompanying engraving was made: —

My treatment of Crinodendron Hookeri (syn.,
Tricuspidaria hexapetala) is very simple. When I
got my plant seven or eight years ago it was only
2 inches or 3 inches high and in a 2J-inch pot. I
have potted it on into a size larger every year, using
good fibrous peat and sand for soil until it is now

in a 7-inch pot, and stands 2 feet or 3 feet high.
It has been grown entirely in a cool, unheated
greenhouse, but is generally placed out of doors all
summer after the season of growth and flower was
over. A peculiarity of the plant is tha.t the flower-
buds which spring from the axils of the leaves
of the new growth are developed the one year and
expand the next. Already my plants have all the
flower-buds formed, which are to bloom next year.
I rooted two cuttings last year under a hand frame
out of doors in peat and sand, potted them, and
kept them in a cold frame all winter. One of these
I gave to a friend in April or May this year. It
was 4 inches high. He repotted it in a mixture of
vegetable mould, loam, and sand without any peat,
and it now has a shoot 18 inches high, not spindly,
but strong and robust, so that it does not seem to be
particular as to soil. I fancy it might do out of
doors against a wall in a favoured locality. The

quickly to pick off the flower-buds as they appear
for a season, otherwise they will often continue to
bloom till the plant becomes quite exhausted.
Given an ordinary greenhouse during the summer,
and in winter a structure kept at a somewhat
higher temperature, one may obtain blooms of these
Rhododendrons nearly throughout the year. Both
Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Leopold are less
vigorous than some of the other varieties, and
they grow with greater freedom when grafted on to
another of that class.— H. P.

LIBONIAS FOR MARKET.
Libonia FLOEiBTJNDAisone of the brightest winter-
blooming plants we have, and is very attractive
when subjected to the high-class culture that pre-
vails in the market gardens round London. It is
indeed only when it gets really good culture that
it is in any way satisfactory, and it must be ad-
mitted that a great portion of the plants that one
sees in private gardens are but little calculated to
give a true idea of its worth. Too often the plants
are devoid of foliage at the base, and in this condi-
tion they can scarcely be considered as really orna-
mental. This, I repeat, is the normal condition of
the Libonia in private gardens ; it is a characteris-
tic defect of the plant, but one which good culture can
remedy. Very often growers are tempted to plant
out their Libonias for the summer, owing to the

Crinodendron Hookeri. Engraved for The Garden from a photograph sent by Mr. E. Moir, Newport-on-Tay

plant is rather rare, however, to risk experimenting
with in that way yet ; but if any of your readers
have it growing out of doors, perhaps they may
give their experience of it. The bright crimson
pendulous flowers are very attractive. W. W.

^Rhododendron Duchess of Edinburgh..—

For continuous flowering this Rhododendron
and variety Prince Leopold are unsurpassed, as
they are among the earliest varieties. Our
plants of both flowered beautifully during the
spring and early summer, then they com-
menced to grow freely, and now every shoot is
terminated either by a flower bud or by a head of
expanded blossoms. Both are very beautiful, but
the yellowish fawn tint of Prince Leopold does not
make it so conspicuous as the glowing orange-
crimson hue of Duchess of Edinburgh. So free-
flowering are these Rhododendrons, that I find it a
very good plan when it is desired to grow them on

less amount of labour their culture involves by this
plan and the greater dimensions the plants attain
to. The apparent advantages thereby gained are,
however, discounted by more sluggish root action
during the winter months, which causes the leaves
to droop and the flowers naturally are not so good
in quality. The more satisfactory way is to grow
them as market growers do, i.e., keep them in pots
all the season through, so that they get well root-
bound by the autumn. Although the Libonia is of
free growth, it is advisable to propagate as early in
the spring as possible, so that the plants get a long
season of growth. The plants that are to furnish
cuttings should be put in gentle warmth at the be-
ginning of the year, and as soon as shoots are about
an inch long they should be inserted in -l|-inch
pots, well drained, filled to within an inch of the
rim with light compost, finishing off level with the
rim with white sand.

In a temperature of about GO" they will soin

m

THE GARDEN.

[Skit. 20, 1890.

make roots, and should than be pat Into small pots
ni n rather light sandy oompost, ns the objeot Is to
enoourage the produotion i>f fibrous roots as muoh
as possible. Prom the time theyare started bitb
growth H Is Important to let them have as muoh
Light as possible, otherwise they will beoome weakly,
and oannol be made to assume the bushy habit
thai 1 1 natural to the Libonia, tt is also India-
pensable to admll air as freely as the weather per-
mits, but during the spring months only Prom the
top o£ the house, Eor the tender Eoliage will nol
b ii draughts o£ oool air.

As soon as the young plants begin to grow Ereely
the p lints of the shoots should be plnohed out, and
this must be oont tnued through the growing Beason
until July, after whloh time they must he allowed
in take their own way, Shin, on as required, keep
ing up a growing temperature and using a rum
posl of fibrous loam with a liberal share of rotten
m mure or some kind of arbiflolal Btlmulant mixed
with the soil, A. little shade from hot sun is bene-
flolal in the earlier stages of growth, as the objeot
is to promote a free growth at thai time, the
hardening prooess oomlng Latex on, By the
end of May If this treatment is Eollowed they
»ili be ready to go Into G-inoh puis. This time
they Bhould, Instead of leaf-soil, get a liberal share
of rotten manure in the oompost, or any of the
artlflolal manures oommonly used In this way will
'i" as » ii Pol them very firmly, and be sure to
allow suffloient spaoe for well soaking the soil,
Too of ten this is a matter not enough attended to
wiiii robust 'growing, tree-blooming plants, By
the time they have oompleted their growth the
mass of rool pushes up the soil ;i Little, so that
there is nol so much room for water us when they
were potted, whereas they really require rather more,
During thesummerand early autumn they should
oooupj a position where they are well exposed to
sun and air, not crowding them together overmuoh,
for ii is a most Important polnl thai the wood gets
well ripened by autumn. Strlot attention to
watering is most Important, for a little Inattention
in this respeol will be bum to oooosion the leaf
dropping already alluded to, and the foliage
generally will take on a yellow tinge Instead of the
noli hue thai murks plants that have had even
attention. Where anj quantity of Libonias ore
grown.il Isnoi a bad plan to plunge the pot in
ashes or ooooa ttbre, This muoh lessons the labour
of watering, and the equable state of moisture thai
the roots enjoy is better maintained, in market
gardens where thousands of plants are grown, plung-
ing the pots is frequently adopted EoxLibonias and
1 l-.nts f i similar fr: : rootlnj r.-itur. ,u tt
time of plunging, whloh should not be .Ion,, until
the roots are running round the aide of the pots
thej are stood "pot thiok," us it is termed by
morkei growers, thai is the pots touohing eaoh
other, To obtain the host results feeding must be
praotised, Plants put into their blooming pots
early In the summer exhaust in a good measure
Hi.' soil before they have oompleted their growth
Before this happens they should gel a top dressing
oi some Btlmulant, whloh is better than Liquid ma-
nure, as the plants then get the benefll of theextra
nourishment in wot weather, whloh of oourse they
do not when it has to oomo from the watering-pot.
Tins lorin oi feeding inusi not ho praotised after
august, as during September the wood 1ms only to
ripen, Bui something more than olear water is
needful, and oooasionai watering with weak sool
water willdo just what is required. The plants
;'h"llM '",| remain in the open later than the middle
of September, for there is n,. safety for anything
of a tender nature out of doors after that time,
"b9B they are housed ii is highly important to
'"'T them quite moist al the roots in sunny
weather, and on Rne .lavs thej ore benefited by a
good syringingal about three o'olook in the after-
noon; otherwise the dry atmosphere of a glass
house is too greal a ohange from the damp and
dev, pi the night Intheopen. On Bnedaysthey
should in- well watered at ton o'olook in the morn-

™S> ""! be looked to early in theaftern i again

1 feated in tins way thej moke fine, bushy well-
bloomed speoimens, thai ooinman.ia ready sale in
uarkets, ,i ' ( q

NOTES on 'I'll 10 MEXICAN WATER LILIES,

Natuiiii, lavish of her k>i''h in troploal ollmes, has

sown in l\lo\ii'an walorsa larger an, I m. no pleasing

variety of the Bower dedioated to the water
nymphs of anolent mythology than is Ei 1 In our

northern Lakes, Tho species, as far as known
to me, are four: Nynipha-n, mcxionnn (ZuOO.),

with yellow Bowers ; N. elegans (Hook.), blue
Bowexed; N, ampla (DO.); and N. graoills (Zuoo.),
with white flowers, The range of distribu-
tion Of all of these, with one exception, extends

within the present limiis ..f the United States v
ampla, N. elegans, and N. mexioana being known

lo ooour in Soul. hern Texas, and the latter, if, as is

strongly sus] ted, this speoies is identical with n.

Mara, In l.'lori.la also.

N. mexioana 1 have Iraee.l from I he lagoons of
I he lower Rio Grande Southward tO the lakes of the

valley of Mexioo, and westward to the slow streams

of the greal valley of I, or in the Stateof .luliseo.

lis leaves are 6 inohes or 7 Lnohes broad on their

upper BUrfaoe, which is dark green and shining,
Sparingly splashed with purple, exactly in the way
of the Florida plank; its Mowers, 2 inches or ';;
inches broad, are l.oruc on creel, slems 8 inches lo

12 inohes abovo the leaves lying on the surface of

I he water, or rising oul of the water when crowded ;
I heir sepals and petals .are .-mulish, the former

heing purple without, but inward blending with

yellow, and the petals, ns also the stamens, lemon-
ycllow. Its rhizome is scarcely more than an inch
in thickness and only a few inches in Length, A
striking peculiarly oi' I his species is Its multiplica-
tion liymcansol' runners, just in I he way of the
Strawberry, young plants arc thus freely sent out

from kbe rhizomes of plants Eormed in this way the

previous year, and from I he young plants themselves
very often being borne on white sponc.y cords hall'
an inch thick and I fool, or 2 feet long. These
young plants usually Mower after a few weeks
while yet attached lo the parent plants. Thus the
Mowering of the species is prolonged from Juno kill

Pleasant arc memories of fields of this plunk,

deep green enlivened by abundant yellow 1. looms,
scon by me in valleys lying Under serene golden
skies and rimmed by blue sierras.

N. elegans 1 lake to be a denizen of the warm

lowlands only, ranging from the Waco River, in
Texas, southward through the Mexican Gulf Slate

of Tamaulipas to thai of Vera Cruz, at least, per

haps muoh farther. In the shallower lagoons of
the lower RioGrande former channels of The river
now tortUOUS lakes, isolated throughout most, of
the year from the river's How it is BO abundant as
tO cover large expanses of water.

In the Bize Of its leaves and in the size and shape
Of its Mowers this species is similar In I he preced-
ing, but the flower-stem Is perhaps toller and more

slender. The outside of the sepals is green, marked

with fine broken lines ofpurpft; the petals arc of

various shades of blue, while the ccnlio of the

flower, the stamens and stigma, is pah- yellow.
Us rhizome is as small as that of M. mexioana,

and il is propagated only. 1 think, by means of
seed. I nl ike those of I lie species just, 'mentioned,
these arc very numerous and very small.

I well remember my delight when flrst t came

upon a lake covered with this plant , whose Mowers
were opening- in the sunshine of the morning and
seemed a relic-lion of the blue vault bending over
I hem.

The habitat of Nyinphiea ampla. as well as 1 can
judge, is more restricted. Certainly- I have only
mei with it on or near the table land of Northern
Mexico in springs here and I here, or in I he limpid
sl reams Mowing- from I hem. Tin- striking peOU
liarily of this species, among- those winch are

native to ameiioa, is indicated byltsspeoifloname,

ils leaves being a foot or more in breadth. These
are purple beneath with prominenl veins. The
Mexican name of such Lily pads is lampazos, and

they have given name lo a town on the line of the

Mexican National in Nucvo Leon, whose rat son

t/'i/iv upon desert mesas is a vast spring oooupied
by this species, and probably to a Texan town also.

The Mower of this specios is soaroely larger than
that of the preceding, its petals being white; the

rhizome is somewhat thicker and longer.

Nyinphau, gracilis I only know in tho region
drained by the Lcrina, yet this is a Wide region,

extending from Aguas Calientes and San Luis Po-

losi on I he noil h, lo near I he city of Mexico on tho

east and south, and to beyond Guadalajara on tho

WOSt. Ik is Ihc fertile 'and populous heart of
Mexico, the region of frequent large eilies and of
green garden lands.

As Ihc train of the National Railroad nears the
mountain rim of the green valley of Mexico you seo

this Water Lily whitening the surface of the foun

tain lake of the Lcrma, new born from I he snows

of the Voloano of Toluoa ; and it is to be found in

lakes, natural and artificial, and sluggish streams
tributary I o this great, river tar and near. Some-
times it yields place in these waters tO N. mexi-
eana, but it seems lo he the more common species
here. The tall and slender Mower stalk rising a
fool, above Ihc water, and the rather narrow and
acute pel a Is, give I his plank the slender appearance
indicated by ils specilic name. Of the several
species under consideration, this one alone, ns 1 bo-
Ifeve, possessi's any marked fragrance. Its root-
slock is a, I uber ralher khan a rhizome- -or such, at,
Least, ik appears in uuliiinn, aflcr all Ihc rest of the
plant has perished an ovoid body I inch to '.I
inches in Length, with thiok and hard outer shell,
covered with bosses quite like a Pine cone in ap-
pearance. In this stale the plant is prepared lo
hibernate and endure safely the droughts of the
earlier months of the year, when many of the shal-
low lakes which il, inhabits arc dried up, and kho
land, where Ihey lie tumbling about on tho surface,
is even growing a. crop of Wheat.

This Strange habit of the plank would seem to
favour the success of ils cultivation, for its season
of growth is but a few months, and when they aro
matured Ihc tubers can bo stored dry as well as
Potatoes.

Thus, as wo see, two while Water Lilies, a yel-
low one and a, bluo one, gladden tho oyes of tho
botaniool traveller in these interesting regions. —
o. G. PniNGLB, iii Qa/rdenand Forast,

IMPORTING PLANTS FROM MOW ZEALAND,

Hit. iOwitANK has evidently been exceptionally

unlucky with his Wnrdinii cases of plants from
New Zealand. In fairness to Mr. Mathews, of
I Mined in, who scut the cases lo Mr. lOwhnnk, In how,
and to several other cultivators interested ill Now
/..-aland plants, I should like lo be allowed lo ic-
cor.l the condition ill which the contents of the
Ixew cases arrived. Mr. Malhews professes in his
catalogue tO be an expert packer, and so far as
experience here enables one lo form an opinion ho

lakes every reasonable preoaution in packing plants

for a. long voyage. The only improvement I could
suggest is the use of a lighter material for plung-
ing I hi- pels in, and nol bury ing I he plants so deeply
in Ihc soil. However, as will be seen from what,
follows, Ihc condition of the plants on arrival at,
Ixew leaves one no room whatever for anything
except satisfaction, Mr. Mathews sent two cases
to Kew which arrived last week. They contained
seventy-four plants altogether, of which sixty-
throe arrived alive and eleven dead. Amongst, I ho
living arc such plants as C-linisin, ten kinds ;

Olearia, four kinds; Seneoio, six speoies; Ourisia,

two species; l.igusticuni lilt ifolium, Alalia l.yalli,
a most interesting- plant ;( 'vat bodes, I h acophyllum
longil'oliiini, Kugus JUcnzicsi and 1''. 1'iisca, (I loiche-
nla Ounninghanii, Uanunciilus insignis and 1\.

Buohanani, with many other Interesting and valu-
able phi ii Is. (if course, many of these were sickly,
but anyone who has much to do with Wardian
eases expects a good deal of this kind of thing.
Cases ol plants which have lo stand on the forc-

.h'ck of a steamer nearly two months, where they

arc necessarily exposed lo much rough treatment,
are scarcely likely lo look very happy a I the end
of the voyage. Many people lose uewly-impoi led

plants through improperly treating i hem Imme-
diately after taking il cm out of the Wardian core,

SErr. 20, 1890.]

TFTE GARDEN.

27 r>

One has onlyto oonaider the nature of the treat-
ment the plant has to undergo during Its Imprison-
men! ina cnso to peroeive how oarefully It musl
be handled, nursed and watohed tor the Brstfew
days after Its arrival If It is to be reoovered. I
have seen newly arrived plants thrown away n
worthless or dead which when resoued and oare-
fully treated have recovered and beoome esta-
blished. A Wardian case or olose hex "I' plants
often looks ;i Borry sighl when flrst opened, bul
every plant, although a wreck, may have suffloienl

life lefl i" enable ii i" n vor under proper oare,

The New Zealand plants above mentioned wen',
Boon after they arrived al Kew, taken out of the
oases, nil dead parts out away, Mi" roots examined,
most of them potted in a light Boil, and then
plaoed in an unheated framo, where they were kepi
olose and shaded torn Eow days, the lights being
removed and the plants exposed for hair an hour
In the morning and evening every day. H the soil
about the roots is anything likelntaot, It is much
bolter lo leave the p'lanls iinilisl.iirbeil at the rool
until after they have begun to grow again. Any-
thing approaohing excessive watering musl be
avoided unless when the plants are suon as require

much moisture, as, tor instance, Aroids, must

Palms, Nepenthes, &c.
Of course, it must be evident to anyone that

whilst some plants arc capable of withstanding the
rough usage incidental tor long sea voyage, others

arc almost certain l.n succumb unless the com I it inns

are exceptionally favourable. I oould name a con-
siderable list of plants which, though tried many a

time, have invariably perished in Wardian cases,
( lii the 01 her hand, many plants which one scarcely

c\ peeled to travel well in a case or box have proved

g I travellers. It is difficult to aooount for this

kind of thing.

From Kow WC send Wardian cases to all pails,
including Australia, and New Zealand, .Singapore,
Fiji, Mauritius, &c, to the number of about forty
annually, and we receive every year nearly as many.

Sometimes th(! condition ol' the plants when they
reach their destination is deplorably bad, and at
Others it is a surprising success. II' one could place
(he cases or boxes in the charge of a. careful gar-
dener, I believe most plains could be taken all
round the world without suffering much. Orchid
collectors know the importance of accompanying
their plants home, it is when everything is left
to the ship's servants that eases are apt to prove a
dismal failure. One day's exposure to a boiling

tropical sun, the breaking of a Bquare of glass so
as to allow sea-water to gel, into the case, the e:
elusion of light through being oovered with other

OargO, placing the cases or boxes in close proximity

to the ongine-room — these arc a few of I he dangers
to which plants arc exposed whilst on board Snip.
Some cases fall info careful hands and have a. run
of good luck, whilst others experience bad Luol

from i he first. Wo arc compelled to employ cat es

for the conveyance of plants which cannot be trans-
pi, ilcd by means of seeds, bulbs, or tubers.

At Kew we supply written insl ructions for I he
guidance of Iho.-e wishing to send plants long

journeys lo England. I E i hought of suffloienl inte-
rest I cu u Id send a copy of I hem for pu Plica I ion in

'Jut; Gabdbn. w. Watson.

Trachelium coaruleum.— This is an al trac-
tive plant either in pots oi- the open ground, but
not being thoroughly hardy if will perish during
winter, except in favoured spots. If belongs lo the
< a in pan ilia, family, but is quite unlike any of them,
It is of a shrubby habit, growing aboul li feel 1 1 i • ■ 1 1 .
each shoot terminal ing in a branched head of small

pale blue flowers. After the terminal heads have
ceased flowering, small lateral shoots continue t"
keep up a. succession of blooms. There arc variel ies

with lilac and white Bowers, but these are not so good
as the old pale blue form. II is easily raised from
feed and can he treated as a biennial, by which
means an abundant steel: can be had either tor

pots or pla nl ing oul. If make an extremely pretty

pol plant, and in the open ground it grows freely
and flowers for a prolonged period. Such a pretty

and distinct plant OUghl not, to be lost sight ol',
especially as its oulture is so easy. — A. II.

Kitchen Garden.

POPULAR EX HIB1TION VEGETABLES.

Pi;,,,, ii,,. beginning to the end of August, is a.
very busy time witli the exhibitor of vegetables,
more shows probably being held in that month

I ban late place during all flic rent of the year.
Judging from what happened in the western
counties of England, never before probably

were so many exceptionally well grown vege-
tables seen ill one season, if being' HO linCOm

moil occurrence to see single dishes and oolleo

tions " lefl I in ' cold " thai would have

won first prizes fivi or six years ago. [n some

few instances, notably at the Shrewsbury shows,

collections of twelve varieties were not more

than aboul four short of the possible seventy
two points, the winner of flic see I prize only

being I wo points behind the premier lot. To

such perfect ion, from an exhibitors point of
View, are those show vegetables now grown, that
if is scarcely possible In improve on fhein,

though how far thi so will bear the test of cook
ing and eating is quito another matter. ft wil]

have been discovered ere this by st unsuooess

I'ul competitors that none but the largei I es
amples stand any chance of winning prizes, the

neat well selected ye,;, tables that used lo find
lay. ,in with judges being simply nowhere now

a-days. When Btaged alongside so h largei .

and d must beadinitted well grown and equally

well .selected samples, the smaller vegetables

look really under-sized, and the judges must

perforce cither place them lirsf or give no prize

at all, and it is the latter alternative that is
adopted. There is uo help for if, regrettable as

this may appear, and the well-grown Brobdig-
nagians must continue to carry all before them,

Judges ami others who take particular no

lice of what is shown ea t fail lo have ob

served that very nearly the bi i varieties arc

exhibited in all the principal collections of vege

fables. The labels may be varied to suit I be
Conditions under which the, are shown, this

happening when the donors of special prizes
stipulate that some of their specialities shall be

i, .eluded ill a, collection, but there IS no mis-
taking them. Especially is this the case with
Tomatoes, Peas, ' 'auliflowers, I larrots, and Po
tatoes. Five dishes of the Perfection Tomato

have done duly a I, two or three show:; under
various names, and it is much I. lie same with
Hie other kinds of vegetables shown. This

might be termed doubtful morality, but it is

muoh on a par with what is often done in an even
more barefaced manner by many seedsmen in

this country, who put their own prefix to varie

ties which were n.,1 first in their possession.
So long as donors of special prizes continue to

stipulate that their varieties, or what they

Claim to I"', theirs, shall be included i lUeC

tions, BO Ion;; will what, I may term professional

exhibitors continue to manipulate the labels to
in,., i the es igences of the ease.

This season the superiority of certain varii
ties lor exhibition has been even more
marked than usual. Veitoh's Autumn Giant

Cauliflower we look for in almost every good

collection of vegetables, the plants producing
gueh comparatively early and extra line heads
be raisi d either in the autumn previous or

earlj ,,, the same year. This is not at all sur-
prising, but when we see I'ca Duke of Albany
in nearly all I be prize-winning collections, flic
thought OCCOTS what has become of the much
| vaunted novelties of moro recent introduction I

None of them seem likely I,. displace ihe Dultei

and luckily if is really a. thoroughly g I variety

in every way. It is equally satisfactory to note! hat,
the monstrous large podded runner Beans have

nearly n ivc.l I heir ipiicfus. The judges have

consistently passed them over in Favour of i he more

narrow, si ran, liter, and very long podded cm.'
ties, of which No I 'lus II lira' is agood type The

latter arc not objected to bycooks and they orop

.pule as heavily as the g I old .- non Scarlet

Runner. We'll selected dishes of Canadian

Wonder si ill gai at of I be prizes in I he elasN

for dwarf or kidney Leans. The New Inter-
mediate, or the same with I w ■ three different

prefixes, is quite a, boon to many exhibitors o£
( larrots, wh.. prior I., its introduction frequenl ly
experienced considerable difficulty in growing

really good samples, and it, is apparent ly a,

oeptable generally. This also is one of the best

lor ordinary purposes. In flic classes for

tump-rooted Carrots I am sorry to note that

Nantes Horn has, to give way before the thicker

Guerande, Model, Early Gem, or whatever it

may be leriucd, as I believe the older form lo
be 'flic best. The ohoice of exhibition Turnips

is very limited ; in fact e but good samples o£

Snowball aland any chance of winning the lirnl
prize or gaining most points in a, collection.

These, unlike I larrots, were to be seen g I

everywhere. Very few competitors staged other

than the Green Globe Artichokes, this rightly

being preferred to the Purple Globe, I [

never remember seeing bo many a I dishes of

the former in August, luck The Lyon has
completely superseded all other forms, and the
southern growers apparently can grow these
quite an finely as their more northern rival t.
Parsnips, again, are now largely shown at the
August fixtures, and this sea, on the samples of
The Student, a, general favourite, have been re
markably good. As before stated, the Perfec-
tion type ofT ato is most often in the prize

winning oolleetions, and I 'I tremember ever

previously seeing so many extra, line, well

selected dishes iii competition.

In the case of Potatoes, Onions, and a, few

other kinds of vegetables, rather i 'e variety

is to be met with. Of novelties of the former

few are to be met with in the prize collccfionH,

ami the greatest favourite this year is Sutton's
Seedling, full grown samples of winch variety
wen. f..' be seen in numerous collections of
vegetables. Satisfaction also was frequently

ghown in line condition, but wo missed the

Schoolmaster and Reading Russets of former

y, ,ars. Tic Lap:. I. one seel ion would appear to

be .pule extinct, as far as exhibitors are i

oerned, and no wonder, seeing that at .me im-
portant Dorsetshire show a, perfeot dish of
Lady Paget was completely ignored by the
judges they were dwarfed by their be, rivals.
Onions this si ai on have simply bi i c mon-
sfn.us. The Ailsa Craig, a. novi Ity obtained
probably by orossing I bant or Lemon Rocoa

with White Spanish, has carried all before il,

being exceptionally heavy will f losing in

Eorm. 'Ha so e ' is I Inions are of uo red

lervioe, and il, is a, pity they should beat per

p ,,| jamples of the While Spanish typi , bi t

they arc ei rlain lo do if whenever | hown in
..oo'il condition. The Wroxlon and Rout ham

Park were also muoh shown, but these probably

have had their day from an exhibit ion | I of

vj,.w. ii, of was tagi d in gri at. variety, the
majority, however, favouring Pragnell's Exhi-
bition, ami this, if not I.,., Is,". , pn II nts a,
dean, taking appearance. The prettiest dish I

raw anywhere was of the Cheltenham Gn en

Top, and Ibis is quite an exhibition Beet, not

b.iii" surpassed by Dobbie's Purple, 'bin white

V,,, i, ties of Celery were principally shown,

27G

THE GAEDEK

[Sept. 20, 1890.

Wright's Giant White being most often seen to
the front. Good samples of Veitch's Superb
White and Sutton's Gem were also exhibited
by several growers. It is really surprising how
few really good Cucumbers were shown, and,
as a rule, what the judges had to decide was
which were the least bad or ugly. On the
whole, Lockie's Perfection bore away the palm,
but not a single exhibitor staged them in a con-
dition at all equal to those which gained the
raiser a certificate at the Chiswick Vege-
table Conference. I attended six first-class
shows in August, and among the lot only saw
one good brace of that superior exhibition Cu-
cumber Tender and True, and not a single
good brace or dish of Telegraph. In the greater
number of cases Vegetable Marrows were shown
in exoellent condition, the numerous well-
matched and not too large pairs giving the
judges extra difficulty in deciding which ought
to be placed first. By far the most popular form
was to be found in the good old Long White,
but there were a few very pretty pairs of
Moore's Vegetable Cream. W. I.

due course, and the showery weather assisted its
growth. But to my astonishment just about one
half the plants grew 4 feet high, while the other
half grew 7 feet. They all flowered at the same
time, and were ready to pick at the same time. I
have more than once tasted them both cooked and
raw, and found them identical in flavour. The pods
are of exactly the same size, and the Peas in every
particular were exactly alike. They are large in
size, of a most excellent marrow flavour, and for
quantity surpass any Peas I ever grew before.
Before we began to gather them the plants were
hung from top to bottom with pods. I have on
many occasions pointed them out to friends, who
gave it as their opinion that I must have sown two
varieties, but I am perfectly sure that every Pea
eame out of the pint packet. I am saving seed,
and if spared shall sow them again.— R. Gilbert.

GLOBE ARTICHOKES IN AUTUMN.
This is a highly prized vegetable in most esta-
blishments, more especially by gentlemen who re-
side or travel on the Continent. In many places
the supply is of short duration, but in the au-
tumn this vegetable would be found most useful in
country establishments. This is the case here. To
keep up the supply, I determined to fall back on
an old custom I formerly adopted in another place
many years ago, namely, by planting some roots at
two different periods in spring, February and end
of April ; the former was by lifting some of the old-
established roots, planting them again in good pre-
pared soil, and not disturbing them by division. I
did this in a very sheltered spot where the stock
of this vegetable grows. Although these are not
divided, the lifting checks them to a great degree.

To hold them back as long as possible I decided
to divide some old-established roots that had some
strong crowns on them as late in April as possible.
This was done about the middle of that month.
They were planted in a rough piece of land used
for growing common vegetables, away from the
garden and exposed. Here things do not begin to
grow till late in the season. I planted three
good crowns in a triangle 18 inches apart and each
clump i feet apart. For a long time they made no
progress, the land being of a heavy nature, and we
had much rain and little sun. About midsummer
they began to improve. I am pleased to say that
most of them have thrown up a stem, and many of
them are giving several large head s which will do good
service till the frost stops the supply. The old roots
provide the first dishes. These were cut at the end
of May, and they carry us on till those that were
lifted first come in. These are succeeded by the
late divided lot. Should the weather continue good
we hope to carry on the supply into October, which
will be over four months.

I remember in one place that the method of sow-
ing a little seed every spring was adopted for a late
supply instead of dividing, but I cannot remember
how long these continued in autumn. I doubt their
being later than the late divided. Perhaps some
cultivators who have tried the two methods will
give us their opinion.

Some may say that this annual planting makes a
great deal of work. It may appear to at first sight,
but really it is not so. By this method you will
have nothing but good productive roots, lifting
and planting the good crowns every year, thereby
keeping up a good healthy stock.

Forde AVbey. John Ceook.

Spanish types present a very clean appearance,
the necks being small and the outer skins of a
bright straw colour, but, as a rule, they are some-
what flat and often rather hollow underneath, con-
sequently they do not weigh particularly well, and
lose ground in competition with the newer forms
of a different type with well rounded bases. Nor
do they keep over well. Properly harvested,
bunched, or roped up, and kept cool and dry, the
season may last to March, but rarely extends far be-
yond that month. As regards table quality, little
or no fault can be found with them, but it is the
comparatively small bulbs that experienced cooks
most prefer. W. IGGULDEN.

A singular row of Peas.— Last spring 1
speculated in a pint packet of a Pea called Vulcan.
It was sown across one of our quarters as thin as
possible to make the seed sow the row, rodded in

WHITE SPANISH ONIONS.

Under this heading may safely be included a
large number of forms, differing very slightly
if at all from each other, but all of good shape and
serviceable. The best known of these varieties
are Deptford, Nuneham Park, Improved Reading,
Banbury, Anglo-White Spanish, Veitch's Maincrop.
Giant Zittau, Rousham Park Hero, and Sandy
Prize, all of which I have grown at different times
without observing any very marked difference in
them. When first sent out the so-called novelties
do surpass the older forms, but in the course of
a few years the stock appears to deteriorate, this
confirming me in the theory that the superiority
rests more with the better grown seed and the
extra attention to cultured details than from any
inherent and fixed qualities they possess. In the
case of seed-saving from novelties, the bulbs are
all well selected and carefully ripened, while the
greatest care is bestowed upon them when produc-
ing seed, the consequence being that an extra good
stock is available for distribution. The commoner
forms receive veiy different treatment, the princi-
pal aim being to save as much seed as possible, the
lowness of prices forbidding any extra pains being
bestowed upon them. Personally, I always prefer
to pay a fairly good price for the best seed, being
well assured this will germinate more surely and
strongly, and the subsequent progress of the plants
be far more satisfactory than is the case with in-
ferior seed and what results from it. I may be
wrong in my deductions, but I have not met with
anything during the past six seasons or since the
introduction of several presumably new varieties
to surpass the stock of true White Spanish, as saved
and grown for many years past by a friend in
Dorsetshire. Had he so chosen he might have
exhibited it repeatedly, and then have sold it as
a distinct and new form, but it would have been a
good stock of the true White Spanish Onion all the
same.

A good bed of Onions is always an object of pride
with most gardeners, but, unfortunately, this season
there are fewer such than usual, mildew and ab-
sence of sunshine being largely responsible for this.
Exhibitors generally have adopted the plan of
raising a considerable number of plants in boxes,
the seed being sown early in February, transplant-
ing to the open taking place towards the end of
April. Although quite small when thus put out,
they are yet considerably ahead of any obtained by
sowing seed in the open ground, and this gain is sub-
sequently more than maintained. The plan of
sowing seed in the autumn with the Tripolis, sub-
sequent treatment also being identical, also results
in the formation of extra large and early bulbs, but
these usually become much too coarse and ugly ;
whereas those raised in the spring mature nearly
as early, and are far more taking in appearance.
A rich, yet solid root-run is necessary for the pro-
duction of firm, short-necked, long-keeping Onions,
this, whether the seed is sown where the plants are
to grow or transplanting is resorted to. If extra
large bulbs are required, surfacings of special ma-
nures and a mulching of leaf soil, short manure, or
even fine dry soil ought to be given.

Well grown, early matured bulbs of the White

Garden Flora.

PLATE 771.

CERASUS PSEUDO-CERASUS.*

There are assuredly few more beautiful orna-
mental trees in cultivation in this country
than the subject of the accompanying coloured
plate. Introduced into Britain a quarter of
a century ago (the exact date is 1861) by
Robert Fortune, under the name of Double
Japanese Gherry, and now to be found in
most tree nurseries, it only needs to be seen
in flower to he appreciated at its proper value.
Many of the trees mentioned by Loudon in
his "Arboretum Britannicuni," some of which
had only their rarity or peculiarity in habit
or leaf outline to recommend them, have dis-
appeared from general cultivation, and are
now not even to be purchased in the best
equipped tree nurseries. Possibly, nay prob-
ably, a search through parks and gardens —
where arboreta were established when it was
the fashion to plant collections of trees and
shrubs — would reveal the existence of many
deciduous trees which ardent arboriculturists
would not willingly lose. There seems to be
little fear of Cerasus pseudo-Cerasus sharing
so doubtful a fate as some of the missing
trees in Loudon, for it is perfectly hardy, and
seems not particularly partial to any special
soil.

As in numbers of the more showy of the
wild plants of Japan and China, native in-
genuity and skill have been expended in pro-
ducing and propagating varieties, and in "A
Catalogue of Plants in the Botanic Garden of
the Imperial University " at Tokio there are
enumerated no fewer than twelve double-
flowered forms of the species, a double form
of which is here figured.

The following are a few of the many names
which have been given at various times to
the subject of these notes : Cerasus Sieboldi,
C. Capronia flore rosco pleno (" Flore des
Serres," xxi., 2238), C. Watereri, Primus
pseudo-Cerasus hortensis. The single-flowered
wild type 'has been cultivated and figured
under the names of Primus paniculata
{Botanical Register, 800") and Cerasus Lannes-
iana (Berne Horticole, 1872, plate 198). C.
pseudo-Cerasus makes a charming tree, from
15 feet to 20 feet in height, and its flowers

* Drawn for The Garden by H. G. Moon in the
Royal Gardens, Kew, April 29, 1890. Lithographed
and printed by Guillaume Severeyns.

CERASUS PSEUDO -CERASUS

Sept. 20, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

277

appear with tho leaves towards the end of
March or beginning of April. N.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

GRAPES AFFECTED BY RUST.
Quite recently some very fine Muscat Grapes
badly affected by rust have been forwarded to
me for examination. The grower says that they
were grown in a span-roofed house, and that
the disease which appears annually, and worse
on the north side than on the south, gives them
the appearance of Green Gage Plums, which
completely spoils them for exhibition or table.
Now rust, as all competent Grape growers
know quite well, can hardly be called a disease,
as it is the outcome of maltreatment generally,
but not always, when the berries are young and
the cuticle tender. The exception to the rule
may be met with when sulphur is applied to
the hot pipes in vineries containing white
Grapes, notably the Frontignan, Doctor Hogg,
Duchess of Buccleuch, and some others. In
these cases the berries may be as clear as
amber to-day, but so tender is the cuticle, that
the painting with sulphur to-night may render
them as rusty as Green Gages to-morrow.

If red spider gains a footing, and is not
checked by some such means as sponging with
soapy water and good culture, this insect no
doubt will help the lame dog over the stile, but
the climax of disfigurement will not be reached
until the the pipes have been painted with sul-
phur. The roots of these Vines may be in per-
fect condition and the crop none too heavy,
but spider having fastened on the foliage, rust
is the result of bad detailed management.

Reverting from exceptional to general attacks
of rust not only amongst white, but black
Grapes, we must go back to the very early
stages, as I have detected signs of this disorder
when the berries were not larger than those of
the Elder. In this case the mischief, as a rule,
is the result of syringing the hot pipes, when
the steam arising therefrom produces an effect
which no after management can efface. The
berries, moreover, remain small, skin-bound,
liable to cracking, and rarely eolour properly,
or if they do, they present the appearance of
our friend's Green Gage Muscats.

Passing on from the incipient to the more
advanced stages, the arrival of the period when
the bunches require thinning, the clusters
most thickly and beautifully set are entrusted
to a person who indulges in Macassar oil, and,
forgetful or ignorant of the effect of greasy sub-
stances, may work serious mischief before his
carelessness is detected. Sweaty hands produce a
like effect ; hence the constant advice on the part
of calendar writers that early morning, when
the body is cool, be devoted to thinning, and
then a small piece of forked Birch should be
used for turning about the bunch and raising
the shoulders. Grapes, in fact, should never
be touched by the flesh, the hair or water from
the time they throw off the capsules, and
steaming the hot pipes, if possible, should be
avoided.

So far I have dealt with internal manage-
ment only, but there is yet another fertile
cause of rust which may be greatly intensified
by injudicious ventilation, especially in the
early spring, when the external air is cold and
the atmosphere within is charged with warm
vapour. At such times the sudden opening of
the top and front ventilators results in a rush of
cold air, which strikes the berries and chills the
cuticle, precisely as is the case when Lacly

Downe's scald later in the season. From these
remarks the tyro for whose special benefit they
are made will gather that rust is a preventible
disorder never met with in well - managed
vineries. If he has been unsuccessful, and has
to bewail the transition of fine berries into the
garb of Green Gage Plums, he must help him-
self by reading good works upon Grape culture ;
he must make himself thoroughly acquainted
with the best mode of ventilation ; he must al-
ways insist upon having an abundance of hot-
water pipes (which never require over-heating),
and he must see that his assistants never touch
the berries with hands or hair when they are
thinning. If later in the season he is obliged to
check red spider by the application of sulphur,
the expulsion of atmospheric moisture must
precede painting, a chink of top air must be put
on very early in the morning, when damping
the floors may be resumed, and the roof (the
day being bright) may be shaded.

W. Coleman.

NOTES ON FRUITFUL APPLES.
It may not be out of place, now that we know the
Apple crop of 1890 will be a light one, to give the
names of a few varieties that in a season like the
present are likely to furnish us with a good supply.
I may note at the outset that with few exceptions
these notes treat of standard trees. I do not at-
tempt to ignore the bush and pyramid Apples ; they
are responsible for a fan supply and are specially
valuable, not only for the quality of the fruit, but
for filling the shelves of the fruit room. For a boun-
tiful yield where the demand is great, standards
or old espaliers are best. Dessert varieties are best
represented this year by Irish Peach, Kerry Pippin,
King of Pippins, Ribston Pearmain, Cockle Pippin
and late Russet. These are all from standard trees,
except the two first-named varieties, which are
from large bushes. I do not know what may be
the experience of your readers as to the market
value of early Apples. Personally, I should never
plant them again for private consumption, haviDg
always found Apples, however good they may be,
of no service for dessert while there are plenty of
Peaches, Nectarines, Melons and Figs. King of
Pippins is quite early enough for nearly all private
places, coming in just when all the choice fruit is
over. I am aware exception is taken to this Apple
for its want of flavour, but until we get something
better, the King of the Pippins, beiDg a good all-
round Apple, we cannot afford to discard it. It
bears freely and well in a comparatively young
stage, is of vigorous constitution, not particular in
the matter of soil, and very seldom fails to furnish
an excellent crop. Ribston Pearmain succeeds it.
This is not so widely known as King of the Pippins,
but it does well here, is handsome, above average
size, and of good flavour. Cockle Pippin will
follow the Pearmain ; it is, like the King, useful,
furnishing good crops from young trees, and when
these have attained maturity, they never fail. Are
there two varieties of Cockle Pippin ? The young
trees we have here procured from good sources do
not seem quite like the Cockle Pippin I knew in the
big old Sussex orchard.

The old Russet is carrying a good crop of fine
fruit this year and will succeed Cockle Pippin. In
this summary of dessert varieties available this
year it will be noticed that Ribston Pippin, Cox's
Orange, and Cornish Gilliflower, probably the three
best for flavour in cultivation, are not included.
The Ribston is not a success here ; the soil is evi-
dently at fault, as at Pain's Hill, not more than
three'miles away, where the same variety is growing
in an old kitchen garden close to the River Mole in
a black rich-looking soil, splendid crops are, I be-
lieve, annually taken from old espaliers that might
from their appearance be centuries old. I fancy it
is of little use to plant this Apple on a sandy subsoil,
especially if the sand comes rather close to the sur-
face. Cox's Orange Pippin we have only as bushes
and pyramids, and it is not the best of croppers
with us, whilst Gilliflower, grand Apple as it is, is

too shy. The best and most consistent croppers of
the kitchen Apples on the Paradise stock are Eck-
linville, Cox's Pomona, Alfriston, and Wellington.
Good crops of fine fruit are invariably taken from
these varieties, and they are useful for any special
kitchen purpose. Lady Henniker is a good cropper,
but is apt to come mis-shapen and spotted. For
three thoroughly reliable kitchen Apples seldom
failing to crop and of exceptional cooking
qualities, our three best among the old standard
trees reckoned in the order of ripening are Keswick
Codlin, Blenheim Orange, and Hambledon Deux
Ans. The first-named is better here than Lord
Suffield, the growth of the latter being weak and
poor, whilst the trees seem peculiarly susceptible
to American blight. Among the newer kinds we
have good standards of Duchess of Oldenburg,
Warner's King, and Beauty of Kent ; indeed, if the
old Blenheim is included with the three last-named,
I think we have four cooking Apples that are hard
to beat. E. Buebell.

Claremont.

Blackened garden walls.— I saw the other
day a remarkably fine crop of Peaches on an open
wall in a County Dublin garden ; the soil and
general conditions did not appear to differ from
those common to many other gardens in the same
neighbourhood, but in which Peaches refuse to
bear. The only apparent reason for success in this
case was that the wall was blackened . It is well known
that black surfaces absorb heat rays and also that
they radiate slowly, and it would seem to be worth
considering the desirability of blackening all walls
upon which it was intended to plant all kinds of
heat-loving fruits. These trees were frequently
hosed and freely mulched, and seemed to have
been fairly cared for generally. I was told that
large quantities of young fruit had to be removed
annually, so freely did they set. There was not
the least sign of blister, but the conditions all
round were excellent. Some five or six sorts were
there, and all alike were clean and fruitful. — T.
Smith, Nerory.

Apple Duchess of Oldenburg. — If we are
to be guided by appearance and not by quality, then
this variety should certainly rank high amongst our
dessert Apples ; but, apart from looks, I fully agree
with Mr. Burrell in his recent remarks that for qua-
lity there is but little to recommend it as a dessert
fruit. I fail to see why it should be classed in
some catalogues with dessert kinds. We have an
old variety which goes under the name of Nonsuch
equally good for quality, and while not so beauti-
fully marked as a good specimen of the Duchess
of Oldenburg, several of the fruits bear a great re-
semblance to those of the latter. If the variety here
which I have just alluded to be correctly named the
Nonsuch, I would strongly recommend it as a very
heavy cropper, bearing heavily when most others
fail, and a useful early market Apple, but the fruits
do not keep for many weeks, and in consequence
should be disposed of early.— H. Mabkham, Mere-
roorth Castle.

*,* You might send samples. — Ed.

Some present bearing Apples.— Varieties
of Apples which will fruit fairly well when other
common bearing kinds are barren are not to be
despised. This year I took capital pickings from
Tower of Glamis and Hollandbury varieties, which
rarely fruit freely, but very often do carry some
fruit. Of enduring bearers my very best is a large
tree of Waltham Abbey Seedling. It has been a
large tree for twenty years, and never fails to pro-
duce a crop more or less in bulk. This year it has
about half a one, and next year I have no doubt it
will carry a good one. As a cottager's tree for stiff
soils I should say it is the best kitchen Apple for
the purpose. A better one could not be found, and
that too on soil where Ribston Pippin, Wellington,
Lord Suffield, and some others of good reputation
soon become useless. Another good Apple for stiff
soils is Norfolk Bearer, for it never fails to crop.
It is not a robust grower, but it never decays or fails
to ripen its wood. I notice particularly that Nelson
Codlin, the fruit of which is so like that of Lord
Suffield, but later and greener, and the tree is never

278

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 20, 1890.

a strong grower, has done remarkably well, setting
its buds profusely, whilst Lord Suffield close by —
both being on the Crab stock — is practically dying.
Lord Grosvenor should be planted in the place of
Lord Suffield. This is one of the fairly certain bearers
of the Codlin family, is early and of first-rate sauce
quality. A little tree on the Paradise stock only
three years old carried this season nine pounds
weight of fine fruits. — A. D.

FRUIT GROWING.
When failures, more or less complete, are written
in almost every fruit report one reads from various
parts of the kingdom, it does not strike one as
being a favourable time to advocate the claims of
hardy fruit culture as a very safe investment. To com-
plicate matters, we have some authorities on climate
(see Mr. Fletcher at page 218) who tell us that the
climate has been gradually getting worse for the
past half century. Well, if this is established for
a certain fact, and there is no hope of a return to
more favourable seasons, growers might well
hesitate before planting another tree. But as far
as I have been able to gather, this question of the
climate getting so much worse is not established
on any sound basis. We have still hope left that
more favourable seasons are in store if we only
continue to do our part. But supposing we leave
off, what will be the use of the finest spring or
summer that ever visited these islands if the trees
are not in a condition to bear a crop? In the
meantime there are many things that now press
heavily on the fruit grower that can be removed if
only they combine and make their grievances
heard. My own idea is that our antiquated land
laws, excessive railway and local rates and tithes
are far worse enemies to the fruit grower than the
climate, for these claim the last fraction you
possess, while Nature, if unkind to one crop, favours
another. For instance, the present year of 1890,
although so marked a failure with Pears and Plums,
has been exceedingly prolific in other fruits and
vegetables of all kinds, while plants that in ordinary
seasons flower for a month have continued to branch
out and bloom in succession for at least three
months. Although we have to deplore the loss of
a good many more Potatoes from disease than has
been the case for several seasons past, and the out-
door Tomatoes have been smitten with the disease,
yet I think that, taken collectively, growers who
have a good many strings to their bow have not
done so badly, or would be inclined to say that
1890 beat the record for failures.

For my own part, I rejoice in this glorious
autumnal weather that is ripening up what fruit
we have, and, more than that, turning the vigorous
growths of the current year's fruit tree wood as
brown as a berry, and filling up the fruit buds, so
that they already give promise of a wealth of
blossom next spring. What the result will be no one
can determine. I hear on all sides from my friends
and neighbours that they mean to try again, and
that if they cannot attain the full measure of
success, they will at least try to deserve it, so
that the growers of even more favoured climes
may not take entire possession of our markets with-
out a great attempt to compete with them. —
James Geoom, Gosport.

I was much struck by an observation made

by H. T. Fletcher in the Times and quoted in The
Garden for September 6. in which he says, " What
a fatal mistake if we induce cottagers and farmers
to cover their land with trees which may be utterly
unprofitable."

I must plead guilty to having made this fatal
mistake, so far as strongly recommending fruit
growing goes, and therefore I feel anxious to ascer-
tain the truth in this matter. Of course I can only
speak from observation, but I try to keep my eyes
and ears open, and sometimes "the looker-on sees
the most of the game." At any rate it is a practi-
cal question to me, as everything concerning the
welfare of the farmer and the cottager must be to
a parish priest in the country.

Given three things, viz., a sufficiently fertile soil,
a good market, and cheap mpirs of transit, and, it

seems to me, fruit growing must pay. Every sepa-
rate trade has its own chances, its own balance of
probabilities, and its own uncertainties, and the
fruit trade is no exception to the rule. Look at
farming. There was an era about 1870 when farm-
ing was splendidly successful ; in 1879 it reached
a period of disastrous failure. It is now slowly re-
covering. But setting aside epochs of depression
and success, the farmer is aware that he has to
contend year by year with an unknowable and
most uncertain element in the weather, and that
he has also to contend with a more certain and de-
finite opposition in foreign competition. So that
he may make scarcely anything one year, and the
next he may have an abundant harvest. Is fruit-
farming more uncertain ? or is it so uncertain as to
make it an unprofitable trade 1

Shortly after leaving Penzance in the cha/r-a-
bano for Gurnard's Head, it is usual for the guard,
who acts also as a sort of guide, to stand up and
announce in a loud voice : " You are now going
through the land celebrated for its fertility, which
lets at £20 per acre." You look round to see what
is grown in such land, and you find acres of Goose-
berries and large tracts of Raspberries. They are
growing in a perfect wilderness of weeds, and yet
no doubt they pay well, or such an enormous rent
could not be paid. Early Broccoli, of course, form
a chief source of profit in that mild climate.

Nearer home in this county, a small farmer has
an acre or two of Black Currants ; the fruit goes to
a jam factory in Bristol. It is undoubtedly a most
profitable crop. My own house stands upon a piece
of ground of about two acres in extent, rated at
£60. I have no doubt that if I wished to do so I
could without interference with lawn or kitchen
garden get £00 a year for fruit. This year I have
no Plums worth speaking of, but Apples are so
abundant and so fine, and there was such a quan-
tity of Raspberries and Cherries, that a fair balance
is struck in the general returns of fruit.

While speaking of Apples, how is it if they are
unprofitable that it pays men to act as dealers ?
Dealers in fruit are in this part of the country
fairly well-to-do people, who keep their horse and
cart and go about buying fruit from the farmers,
which they send by rail to the large towns in the
north. Why does the producer employ this middle-
man ? And if the produce is sufficient to pay the
producer's rent and give him a fair profit, and help
as well to maintain the middleman, can it be un-
profitable ? The farmer should, of course, be his
own dealer. Could not someone tell us the result
of Lord Sudeley's fruit farming ? He has tried it
on a large scale in this county. Has it been a
failure or not ?

On the banks of the Tamar, in East Cornwall,
about fifteen years ago there were beautiful
wooded valleys with large round hills, which in
summer were delightfully cool and shady. A
change has come over that neighbourhood now.
The farmers and others found out the profit of
fruit growing. The copses have been grubbed up,
trees cut down, the beauty of the scene has
departed, and it is now one huge garden of Straw-
berries, made to look the more desolate by the in-
describably ugly sheds which have been put up for
the convenience of the fruit trade. People are
naturally quiet about the money which is made
by such transformations, but if the whole truth
were known it would tell of immense profits. Alas!
the beauty of that land is gone. When last I
walked through it the fruit-picking was just over,
but there were enough Strawberries in those acres
and acres of plants to make me wish very much that
my choirboys were not so faraway, but that I might
turn them into that happy valley for a good feast
of fruit.

I once took the exceedingly pleasant excursion
by steamer from Rouen to Havre. We stopped at
every little sunny village on the way down to take
in boatloads of Cherries. I was very grateful to
the Cherries afterwards, for they delayed us so
long, that we had to come to anchor in a broad
part of the river and wait for the Bore. It was
one of the finest sights I have ever seen. The
little French captain danced with excitement as

the Bore came rushing on, because, as he said,
if the steamer should by any accident get broad-
side on, all his Cherries would have been swept
away. As it was, when the Bore came near the
paddles were set going, and we went bravely into
the huge wave, and the Cherries only got a slight
washing. But where were they all going ? Not to
Havre, but to England, and this fruit trade with
our country is evidently a great success in France.
Why can we not grow our own Cherries ? They
have been a very bad crop in the Cherry orchards
this year in the west, but the price is high enough
to compensate. I could go on giving more reasons
for my firm belief that fruit-growing pays the
grower under ordinary fair circumstances. It
seems to be a subject of great importance at the
present time. — A Glotjcestebshiee Pabson.

STRAWBERRIES IN POOR GROUND.

It may appear strange to write about failures in
Strawberry culture in such a season as the one
just past, where the crop in most cases was of the
most satisfactory character, but there were fail-
ures in some few instances that came under my
notice. A useful lesson may be learnt from them.
Where failures did occur last season it was where
the ground was too rich, or the plants too close
together. The growth was chiefly leaves and but
little fruit, while in places where the soil had not
been highly manured and the plants had plenty
of space the crop was abundant. These facts
clearly indicate that it is possible to have the
ground for Strawberries too rich as well as too
poor. The weather, we know, has much to do with
the growth of the plants, but that does not in all
cases account for some of the failures which have
occurred, as in the particular district to which I
refer the plants had none too much root mois-
ture up to the end of May. Neither was the
spring an early one. It is therefore evident that
the plants were forced into an abnormal growth
by an over-rich soil. In one instance a splendid
crop was taken from plants that had not had any
kind of manure for the past two years, but
they had ample room. The rainfall, however,
came just in time to help them; the plants had
set a full crop of fruit, and all they wanted was a
moist, cool time to swell it. This they had with
the result stated. From this and from other cases
that have come under my notice, I am quite sure
that an abundant supply of root moisture as soon
as the bulk of the fruit is set is of more conse-
quence than a rich soil. In these cases where the
crop was thin I noticed that but little bloom was
produced. What there was came from the crowns
round the outside of the plants, while the centre
crowns produced nothing but leaves. This shows
very plainly that they were too vigorous to
ripen them. With regard to over-crowding,
I do not know which is the greater evil,
that or a too rich soil. It is, however, very clear
that both should be avoided. In both these mat-
ters the cultivator must, to a certain extent, be
left to decide for himself ; 2 feet from plant to
plant and between the rows is the least space that
should be allowed in poor soils. It will not be
difficult for anyone to decide on a suitable distance
in stronger ground. In a strong deep soil I am
sure there is nothing lost by placing the plants 1\
feet apart each way. In gardens of limited extent
it is a good plan to set three plants in a circle 1
foot over, with the groups 3 feet apart from centre
to centre. In many cases a single line put
out in this way will be all the space that can
be afforded. If all other things are equal, it is
surprising what a quantity of fruit a single group
will produce. More fruit is exposed under this
arrangement than when the plants are set out in
the ordinary way. J. C. C.

Lifting' roots of Peaches.— I have sixteen
grand Peach and Nectarine trees under glass which
ripened 100 dozen good fruits this year. All the
trees have made very gross wood, the result of
neglect in root-pruning, and as the time for this
operation is at hand, will someone give me the best

Sept. 20, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

279

practical course to pursue 1 Most of the trees are
about fifteen years old. — F. R.

*»* The fact that 100 dozens of good Peaches
have been gathered from the trees this year shows
that no great harm has been done up to the present.
It is better, of course, to check the first tendency
to grossness, though if the border is well drained,
it is not often a sixteen-year-old tree requires root-
pruning in the ordinary sense of the word. But
it is always beneficial to open a trench along the
front of a Peach border deep enough to get under
the roots and work back into the border a third
or so of its width, saving all the roots possible ; the
mere fact of lifting them would, of course, shorten
or prune away the extremities, and this in most
instances would give sufficient check. If fresh
loam could be obtained, I should wheel away a part
at least of the old soil of the border, and work in
some old plaster or lime rubbish with the new soil.
The presence of lime in the border tends to check
exuberance and harden growth, and it has a special
influence upon stem formation. Peaches under
glass are very manageable in the matter of root-
lifting, and if the work is done at once and the
syringe used twice daily till the leaves fall, the
desired check would be given without any fear of
sacrificing a crop. — E. H.

NOTES ON STRAWBERRIES.
The following notes on Strawberries which
we are enabled to publish through the kindness
of our correspondents will doubtless prove in-
teresting to our readers. They have been sent
us from all parts of the United Kingdom. We
print the questions which we desired to have
answered : —

1. — Best hinds for forcing and bearing.

2. — Best hinds for flavour.

3. — What are your best early and late hinds for
oj>en-air culture ?

4 — Wliat is your opinion of the new varieties that
have been lately sent out?

5. — Mode of cultivation, whether as single stools
or in beds.

Strawberries were very much injured by the

long-continued wet and cloudy weather. The kinds

1 use for forcing and which I find do best are Pau-
line (Laxton's Noble this last season), La Grosse
Sucree, and Sir Harry for earliest ; President for
main crop ; and Sir J. Paxton for later forcing. The
two first were ripe by the end of February, and the
crop and flavour were very good ; but this season a
decided opinion can scarcely be formed of the fla-
vour of Strawberries in the open ground in this dis-
trict. In addition to the above kinds grown out-
side, Jubilee, Helena Gloede, and Waterloo are
grown for late fruiting, Jubilee having fine,
bright coloured fruit, and that of Waterloo being
large and dark in colour. I consider Pauline and
Laxton's Noble great acquisitions for early forcing,
and Jubilee and Waterloo very good and valuable
as late kinds, as we are now (July 31) picking
good fruit of them almost daily. All our Straw-
berries are grown either in single rows or in rows

2 feet to 2§ feet apart, and 16 inches to 18 inches
from plant to plant. — W. Whitakbb, Crewe Hall,
Cheshire.

I grow Vicomtesse H. de Thury for the

earliest crop outside, and it is my principal sort for
forcing, as it does well here and is preferred more
than other kinds I grow, as it has all the essential
points a Strawberry ought to have, lacking only
one thing— size. Following with them outside, I
have Sir Joseph Paxton, James Veitch, and Frog-
more Late Pine. I have tried some of the newer
sorts. King of the Earlies ripened much sooner
than I have had any before, and I think it will be
a very useful variety. Following closely was
Noble, which will be a good early market
fruit ; its large size and good colour will place it
foremost as an early variety. I intend forcing some
this coming season as second early. The two last-
named were ripe a fortnight before Vicomtesse H.
de Thury on same piece. Mode of cultivation is by

single stools.— H.Poetbe, Studley Castle, Warwich-
shire.

I find the following varieties do best for

forcing : Keen's Seedling, Sir Charles Napier, and
Sir Harry. The best kinds for flavour are Presi-
dent, Dr. Hogg, and Keen's Seedling. For open-air
culture (early kinds) Noble, Keen's Seedling, and
Sir Harry. Main crop, President, Dr. Hogg, Sir
Charles Napier, Garibaldi, and Oscar. Late kinds,
Myatt's Eleanor and Waterloo.— E. Gilman, In-
gestrie Gardens, Stafford.

■ Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury is the best for

early forcing, particularly in small pots, Keens
Seedling to follow with President for late crops,
but very few can beat Keen's Seedling for flavour.
The soil here being chalky and light, I only grow early
kinds outside. We have none better than Vicom-
tesse Hericart de Thury for quantity and quality.
I seldom try new kinds, but last season tried the
King of the Earlies, which proved a failure both
inside and out. We plant in 6-feet beds, 2 feet be-
tween the rows, li feet between the plants. Such
beds can be easily netted.— 0. Goldsmith, Poles-
den Lacy, JDorhing.

I do not force any Strawberries. King of

the Earlies, Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, Presi-
dent, and British Queen are the best for flavour.

1 find King of the Earlies the best early kind ; it is
better than Black Prince. Noble I have not had
long enough to prove ; the only late sort I grow is
MacMahon. I began picking it about July 21, and
it lasted until the middle of August ; it has large
bright-coloured fruit and very few small ones;
they stand up fairly well, even little plants crop
well and never miss. I have not grown many new
varieties. Captain I discarded ; it did not do well.
King of the Earlies Hike very much, as it is a good
cropper and of fair quality. I grow mine in rows
2|"feet apart and 18 inches from plant to plant,
except King of the Earlies, of which last year I cut
out every fourth row and let all the runners stand
between the other rows, and so made them into
beds. These rows were only 18 inches apart. I
found it answer very well, and shall let them stand
next year and then dig them up ; they were planted
twelve months ago.— G. Maynakd, Cole Orton,
Ash by-de- Xa-Zoucli.

I have never before known Strawberries

to decay in such large quantities ; this happened
more especially where the garden is surrounded by
high walls. In the open fields where they are
largely grown for market they did not suffer nearly
so much, because the air could circulate more
freely amongst the fruit and foliage. For forcing
we always rely upon Black Prince for our earliest
batch, and Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, Keen's
Seedling, and President follow in succession. These
afford a supply until the first-named is ready on a
warm outside border. Together with the foregoing
sorts for open-air culture we grow Sir Joseph Pax-
ton and Elton Pine. With regard to the system of
cultivation, we follow the practice of growing the
plants in single rows at a distance of 2 feet 6 inches
to 3 feet between the rows, according to sorts, and

2 feet between each plant. Market growers around
here follow the plan of growing the plants in 4-feet
beds with 1-foot alleys between the beds, on each of
which are planted three rows. The planting is
usually done in autumn, after the land is sown with
Onions for drawing in a green state the following
spring. As a rule, the runners are not cleared off
the centre of the bed, only those which run over
the sides of the beds being chopped off. In many
cases what appears to me the barbarous system of
mowing oS the foliage shortly after the fruit is
gathered is still followed. The sorts most favoured
by market growers are Bostock, a small variety of
poor quality for preserving; Myatt's Prolific, a
coarse kind, which seldom ripens to the point of
the fruit; and King Charles I., which is deficient
in flavour. We consider President, Vicomtesse
Hericart de Thury, and Sir Joseph Paxton the best
flavoured sorts with which we are acquainted, ex-
cept British Queen, which does not succeed satis-
factorily with us. None of them are this year up
to their usual standard of excellence in point of
flavour. Of the new varieties, the only one of

which we have had any experience is Noble, which
produces large fruit, but, unfortunately, is wanting
in flavour. — W. Nbild, Northenden, Cheshire.

For early work in these gardens I find the

Vicomtesse He'ricart de Thury the best this year.
I gathered beautiful fruits three times daily, com-
mencing March 1. These I followed with Keen's
Seedling, Sir Chas. Napier, Sir Joseph Paxton, and
James Veitch in the order named. I have tried
King of the Earlies three years, but it proves use-
less again this year against the other named varie-
ties for early forcing ; the foliage comes very thin,
and the fruit not large enough. With these five
kinds I am able to gather from the end of February
until June three times daily, and these fruits
travel well. I was sending for three weeks daily
to Scotland at the end of May and beginning of
June, and they at all times arrived in good condi-
tion. Of the varieties grown outside, Noble (Lax-
ton) was ripe a week earlier than any other. It is
a very fine fruit of moderate flavour. Jewel came
in second ; it is a good fruit of excellent flavour.
These were followed in the order named by Vi-
comtesse Hericart de Thury, very heavy crops ;
King of the Earlies, Auguste Nicaise, very large,
beautifully shaped fruit; Keen's Seedling in its
usual form, and Sir Chas. Napier, the best of all
midseason Strawberries, and I gathered excellent
fruit of it on July 23. Sir Joseph Paxton (good)
and James Veitch both came in together ; the
latter is a large showy fruit, but of poor quality.
These were followed by the grand Strawberry for
size and appearance Waterloo, but the flesh is
rather hard and the flavour only third-rate. Hav-
ing grown many kinds, those I have named I find
the best to give a continued supply from March 1
to the end of July. I commence taking my runners
as early in July as I can, using 3-inch pots, and
filling them firmly with sharp loamy soil. I always
select the outside rows, placing the pots closely
together. I place a stone to keep the runner in
its position, but these stones help to retain the
moisture, and in dry seasons placing them in this
way facilitates the watering. The runners I get
into fruiting pots so soon as they have filled the
3-inch pots with roots, using 4J-inch pots for
early work and 0-inch pots for succession. I make
a new outside plantation every year, never retain-
ing them outside more than two years. My mode
of culture is as follows : I bring from 400 to 500
into the Strawberry house at the end of November ;
these I keep in a temperature of from 45° to 50°,
according to the outside temperature, at all times
keeping air on the house. As soon as I can see
flower-spikes showing, I increase the temperature
5° until I have the spikes well above the foliage,
then gradually drop back to 50°. In this tempera-
ture I set the fruit ; then selecting the most forward,
I put them in a second Strawberry house until they
begin to colour, removing them at this stage back
to front shelves in the colder house, and so con-
tinue removing them in this way through the sea-
son every few days. I am thus able to gather fruit
three times daily, and have them of excellent
flavour. I also keep my plants free from red spider.
These first plants taken out of the houses I use for
planting out. In planting I shake the old soil
away, as it has a tendency to get dry, and if this is
allowed they never do well. I plant all strong-
growing kinds 2 feet 6 inches between the rows
and 2 feet from plant to plant, others being 2 feet
and 18 inches.— Charles Davies, Mote Parh
Gardens, Maidstone.

I have not grown many of the newer varie-
ties. Noble, La Grosse Sucree, Sir J. Paxton, Water-
loo, and Filbert Pine would be a very good selec-
tion for our soil, and give a long fruiting season.
The claims of the first-named to be included in first
class collections cannot be ignored. One may ob-
ject to its flavour or rather want of flavour, but its
size and earliness are strong points. Of the five
varieties enumerated above, La Grosse is alone best
treated as an annual. This sort seems very indiffe-
rent after the first year, but so far as the others are
concerned, I am confident that a heavier return,
say per square yard, of quite as good fruit is obtain-
able from the three years' system than by a yearly
renewal of the plants. Filbert Pine and President

280

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 20, 1890.

are specially noticeable in this matter. A few
Black Prince are still grown as a first early ; they
are renewed annually, strong runners being rooted
in turf and planted rather thickly on a south border.
In point of cropping qualities both indoor and out-
door (and a very useful Strawberry to plant for
kitchen purposes), there is no variety to equal Vi-
comtesse de Thury. It is grown on the three years'
system from old forced plants, and requires plenty
of room, 30 inches each way being none too much.
Elton Pine is our preserving variety ; Black Prince
is also a favourite for this purpose. — E. Bueeell,
Claremont.

I make a new plantation every year, and

after the fourth year destroy and plant again. I
consider 3 feet apart every way a great gain in the
way of getting the plants sturdy and well ripened,
also obtaining the finest fruit and with the best
flavour. In case of a wet season, as the one we
have just passed through, I get my Strawberries
soon dried, wind and sun being able to get to the
plants and fruit. In regard to sorts, I want nothing
more than La Grosse Sucree for my first and best
early, being a good cropper, early, and of the best
of flavour, and this applies both as a forcer and
outside ; for my mainstay in the open, Keen's Seed-
ling, Sir J. Paxton, President, and British Queen
are all I want. They are the best of Strawberries
in every way. The soil here is light and sandy, sub-
soil 2 feet below the surface being pure sand, but
to grow fine Strawberries mulch twice a year, not
only with straw litter, but with good stiff manure. I
would mention for mid season forced Strawberries
that James Veitch is the finest I have ever seen or
grown ; it is of fine flavour when forced, of a bright
colour, fine shape, and the heaviest cropper. As to
new sorts, none can beat the old ones whether for
flavour or cropping qualities. — W. C. LEACH, Al-
iury Park Gardens, Guildford.

I do not think we have made much progress

in the new kinds for forcing. We certainly have
new Strawberries in abundance, large, and of good
colour, but the flavour is not to be compared to
that of the Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury or British
Queen. Of course, if size, colour, and appearance
are the only considerations, then the new kinds will
become popular. For forcing I still keep to Vicom-
tesse for a first early, that is, to fruit in February
or early in March. It sets well early in the season
and is one of our best Strawberries, in my estima-
tion, for flavour. King of the Earlies is also good
for early forcing, but should be well thinned or the
fruit is too small. It is also of good flavour. For
a succession Strawberry I prefer Auguste Nicaise,
being a good Strawberry for forcing, bearing very
large crimson fruit. This is followed by Keen's
Seedling and President, and, last of all, Sir J. Pax-
ton. There is no fruit yet introduced that will beat
President ; it is of excellent flavour, good size, and
travels well. If only three kinds are grown, I should
say Vicomtesse, President, and Sir J. Paxton. Cres-
cent Seedling, a Strawberry lately brought before
the public, will, I think, prove a useful forcer, but
by its appearance it will require well thinning for
pot work. Noble is also a grand looking fruit when
forced slowly. I have seen some fine examples
grown in cold frames, but I do not grow it for early
forcing ; as an early outdoor fruit it will be valu-
able, on account of its fine appearance and earli-
ness. La Grosse Sucree is also a good early forcer,
but does not carry well when packed, and that is
what we require for forcing. I have found that
the best, taking flavour into consideration as well
as good forcing qualities, are Vicomtesse, British
Queen, Commander, President, Lucas, King of the
Earlies, and Keen's Seedling ; but when writing of
flavour, many kinds of Strawberries do well in one
district that are total failures in others ; therefore I
am writing from my own experience, and of those
that succeed best in our soil. The best early and
late kinds for open-air culture I find are, for first
early, Noble and King of the Earlies, followed by
Vicomtesse, Auguste Nicaise, and a variety, or seed-
ling I should say, of Vicomtesse called Harris A 1.
But this latter kind is not much known, but may be
described as a large Vicomtesse, followed by
Keen's Seedling, President, Sir J. Paxton, British
Queen, Eleanor, and Waterloo. Some may object

to Waterloo on account of its deep colour, but it is
a useful late Strawberry and a welcome addition to
our late varieties. Helena Gloede, Filbert Pine, and
Loxford Hall Seedling may be also added for late
work, but they do not succeed as well as some of
the kinds named. British Queen and most of the
Pine section require new beds yearly to do well,
planting out strong runners as early in July as
possible. I think for an all-round Strawberry for
culture in the open, President, Sir J. Paxton, and
British Queen will be difficult to beat. Of new va-
rieties, Noble is most useful as a first early in the
open, coming in a week before the older kinds.
This remark also applies to King of the Earlies,
and the last-named is a better flavoured fruit than
the Noble, but much smaller. Harris A 1, a variety
lately raised near Tunbridge Wells, is also good,
and, as I have observed, Waterloo is good for late
work, being of robust constitution, free-fruiting,
and a large firm fruit. These I have given more
attention than others, and am better able to give
an opinion as to their merits. I prefer single
stools for most of the varieties, but there are two
or three kinds that do much better in beds ; these
are the shy bearers and some of the alpine varie-
ties. I also prefer new plants at least every two
years, but, if possible, new plants yearly as soon as
the runners can be secured give the best fruit for
dessert. We plant yearly and destroy the old plants
after two seasons' fruiting. I also advise a change
of plants in some cases ; they often degenerate.
With us Keen's often fails to fruit if grown from
the old stock long, but gives a great lot o£ foliage,
and is worthless.— G. Wtthes, Syon House.

The best kinds for forcing are Vicomtesse

Hericart de Thury and President ; the former comes
very good with us, and besides being a free setter,
the fruit is of good size and colour and the flavour
excellent. Keen's SeedliDg is also a good second
early. The best kinds for flavour are Vicomtesse
HeMcart de Thury, Keen's Seedling, President,
British Queen, Dr. Hogg, Elton Pine, and Frogmore
Late Pine ; where this last succeeds it is the best
flavoured late Strawberry in cultivation. The best
early and late kinds for open-air culture are Vicom-
tesse Hericart de Thury, Keen's Seedling, Sir
Joseph Paxton, Noble, President, Dr. Hogg, Elton
Pine, James Veitch, and Frogmore Late Pine.
Amongst the new varieties Noble takes the lead,
but my opinion is that it is its size and noble ap-
pearance combined with earliness which make it
a favourite, as the flavour is only second-rate. If
it was a midseason variety it would be little
thought of. King of the Earlies is a weak grower,
but the flavour is excellent; it will not succeed in
all gardens, and is of no use for forcing. The
above are the only new varieties which I have had
experience with. We make a fresh plantation
every year, destroying the plants the second season
after bearing, as after then they cease to be profit-
able. The runners are layered into pots and planted
out early in August, the stronger growers 2 feet
apart and weaker 20 inches, both in the rows and
between the rows, and at every fourth row 3 feet,
which is to allow for convenience in gathering and
cultural attention. These plants will bear well the
first season, the fruit being earlier and finer than
with even two-year-old plants. The ground is
deeply dug and well manured, as in our case trench-
ing would not be necessary. After the fruit is
gathered all runners and old mulching are cleared
away and the surface hoed, afterwards mulching
with rotten manure. Previous to coming into
bloom the beds are littered down with long stable
litter ; this acts as a mulch, and is also a protection
to the fruit. I should have mentioned that all
runners are kept picked off after planting, and the
surface hoed occasionally, which besides keeping
down weeds promotes free growth. If dry after
planting, watering must be attended to until the
plants become established— A. Young, Aboerley
Hall, Worcester.

The best Strawberries for forcing are Vi-
comtesse Hericart de Thury, La Grosse Sucrife,
James Veitch, British Queen, Auguste Nicaise.
The best Strawberries for flavour arc Black Tiincc,
Keen's Seedling, Pauline, Auguste Nicaise, British
Queen. The best for open-air culture are Black

Prince, Laxton's Noble, Keen's Seedling, James
Veitch, President, Sir Joseph Paxton, British Queen,
Oxonian, Frogmore Late Pine. I believe the best
plan of growing good Strawberries is in open
quarters planted 3 feet by 2 feet 6 inches for quick
returns. Old forced plants produce good crops for
two years, then trench them under, particularly if
the soil is good.— T. H. Sutton, Westfields, Set-
ford.

— The varieties that succeed with me are
Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury ; this gives someearly
dishes, and then comes in one of the best for pre-
serving ; La Grosse Sucree as second early, then
Smith's President. This I consider the best of all
Strawberries ; it is a heavy cropper, and has fine
fruit of high colour that travels well, and highly
flavoured ; Sir Joseph Paxton, Sir Charles Napier,
and Sir Harry come next. For late supplies, I find
nothing to surpass Eleanor and Elton Pine. The
system I adopt varies according to varieties, from
IS inches to 2 feet, but if grown for exhibition I
should recommend the single row system. The
alpine variety Hautbois must not be overlooked;
this is thought very highly of here. I may note
that for several years I treated this sort precisely
the same as other varieties, but failed to get satis-
factory returns. At last I treated it as if growing
wild, not even trimming the old foliage off or
cutting a runner. Under this treatment they are
a sheet of white in bloom, and bear a quantity of
fine fruit. As to new varieties, those that have
come under my notice do not equal the older kinds
in the main point, viz., flavour. Noble (Laxton) is
large and a heavy cropper; Commander, A.F.Barron,
Laxton's Latest of All, and Waterloo are all fine use-
ful fruit, but will never displace older varieties
For forcing, I find Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury
one of the best early types ; the only objection I
have to it is that it does not throw up its spikes
clear of the foliage early in the season. President,
Sir Joseph Paxton, Eclipse, and Sir Charles Napier
for the latest.— A. Evans, Lytlie Hill, Haslemere.

King of the Earlies, Noble, Keen's Seedling,

Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, President, Sir
Charles Napier, and Alice Maud are best for forcing
and bearing. For flavour, British Queen, Dr. Hogg,
Keen's Seedling, Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury,
President, and King of the Earlies are the best.
King of the Earlies, Keen's Seedling and Vicom-
tesse Hericart de Thury are the best earlies. The
best late are Elton Pine and Waterloo. I regret
that I am not thoroughly acquainted with some of
the new varieties, but of Captain and Noble for
constitution, size, appearance, and productiveness,
I can safely testify to their genuine worth. Waterloo
is the best late kind I have yet met with. For out-
door culture I always use plants that have been
previously forced. These are firmly planted in
rows 30 inches by 24 inches apart in ground well
manured and thoroughly prepared for them the
previous winter. This season's plants are now well
established, and will give shortly give an autumn
supply. I must mention that the forced plants put
out of pots last year have this season produced far
more and better fruit than the older plantations. I
know many people repudiate the method, believing
that the plants by forcing became debilitated and
worthless. — Thomas Cowbubn, Dynevor Castle,
Llandilo.

My favourite kinds for forcing are Keen's

Seedling, La Grosse Sucre'e, President, Sir Joseph
Paxtonand British Queen. I force them in the
order named. Best kinds for flavour, President and
British Queen. In my opinion no Strawberry can
touch the latter for flavour. The best early and
late kinds here for outside cultivation are Gari-
baldi, La Grosse Sucree, President ; following these,
Sir Joseph Paxton and British Queen. I have care-
fully tried most of the new kinds as they have been
sent out, and I do not consider any advance has
been made on the best known old varieties. Noble
I have grown somewhat largely both inside and
out, and in appearance it is all that one could de-
sire, but the flavour is of the very worst. I grow
my Strawberries in narrow beds of three or four
rows, planting them a good distance apart. The
rainfall here during the past month has been ex-

Sept. 20, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

281

of July, and 1-60 inches fall in twelve hour
Edwin Beckett, AldenJiam House, Mstree.

cessive, viz., registering 360 inches up to the 28th leaved Birch. This is simply our own British

Birch with the drooping branchlets unusually
developed, and of which numerous examples are
to be found scattered throughout the country.
This form will come more or less true from seed,
but in many cases the pendulous character is not
particularly pronounced till the trees grow up. As
single trees on the lawn these two Birches are

Trees and Shrubs.

WEEPING BIRCHES.

By far the most graceful of all our native trees very beautiful, while in park scenery a group of
is the common White Birch (Betula alba), which half a dozen or so forms a most pleasing feature,
from its light and elegant character is often and again a well-balanced specimen could not be
called the " Queen of the Woods," and a great better placed than standing out from its asso-
favourite with many of our landscape painters, ciates at just sufficient distance to display its
who delight in reproducing its slender drooping full charms.

branches, beautiful alike when clothed with A couple of varieties of the Birch yet to mention
foliage or in the winter when leafless. Where | are decidedly far more pendulous than the two
Birches are grown in quantity great difference , preceding, as the whole of their branches are
will be seen in the individual specimens, as they weeping and not confined to the lesser ones,
often vary much from each other in the colour They are Young's Weeping Birch (Youngi) and
of the bark, in the arrangement of the branches, '■ pendula elegans, a form which originated in
and in the density and pendulous character of j France, and first had attention directed towards
the minor spray. While all trees of the White j it during the French Exhibition of 18G7. These

Cut-leaved Weeping Birch.

Birch are more or less weeping, numerous speci- 1 two varieties are much in the same way, but
mens may be met with in which that feature is though of more recent introduction, Young's
more pronounced than in others, and of these Weeping is now almost universally grown. In
two or three of the most distinct have been this unless grafted the long slender shoots creep
propagated from and distributed as Weeping ' along on the ground, but treated as a standard
Birches. A notable variety is the cut-leaved : on clean stems 6 feet to 8 feet high, the thong-
Weeping Birch (see illustration). It is certainly like shoots hang down parallel with the main
one of the finest varieties we have, though stem. Like the Kilmarnock Willow, this Birch
seldom met with. This Birch is known by the is one of those plants for which it is difficult to
name of Betula alba dalecarlica, from the , assign a suitable place in gardens, as its habit
Swedish province in which it was found, but J of growth, though very curious, is, to say the
it is more frequently met with in nurseries as least, artificial, and the plant is altogether want-
laciniata pendula and incisa pendula. On the ing in the lightness and grace of the other
other side of the Atlantic it is much admired weeping varieties previously mentioned,
and extensively planted as an ornamental tree. I There are several other well-marked forms of
Its claims in this respect have boen frequently [ the Birch differing from each other and from
advanced by Messrs. Ellwanger and Barry, the : the type both in foliage and in habit. One of
celebrated tree and shrub nurserymen of the these (fastigiata) presents a great contrast to
United States, who first received it from Ham- j those previously mentioned, the growth being
burg more than forty years ago. as upright as a Lombardy Poplar, and it is one

There is a form of the common Birch with of the best columnar-habited trees that we pos- l^lst parts'of thrcou^trVrnotabTSearia HaLt?
normal foliage (pendula) which, with the excep- sess. The foliage of this is of a dark green, and some of the Veronicas, Notospartium Carmichaelias
tion of the leaves, much resembles the cut- is retained later in the season than that of any (recently noted in The Garden), and the singular

other variety of the White Birch. This distinct
form, which first originated iD Alsace, is also
known by the varietal name of pyramidalis.
The purple-leaved Birch (foliis purpureis) is an-
other ornamental tree, being of more erect
habit and rigid outline than the average White
Birch, from the normal type of which it also
differs in the foliage being of a purple colour,
which, however, pales somewhat as the season
advances. Though several other varieties of
the Birch may be met with in different cata-
logues, the most distinct are included in those
mentioned above. Concerning the conditions
most favourable to the Birch, it may be said
that no spot is too bleak and exposed for it, as
it will grow on the bare mountain-sides where
none of our other native trees can hold their
own. It extends quite up into the Arctic
Circle, where, however, it is but a dwarf bush,
whose height may be reckoned in inches. Given
a fairly open soil that is not in any way water-
logged, and at the same time does not get dried
up during the summer, the Birch forms a quick
growing tree. On the sides of rivers or lakes,
where the roots have access to, but are not con-
tinually in the water, the different Birches
thrive well, and in masses by the side of a
stream or pond they are most beautiful, not
only in the summer, but also in winter, their
boles and principal branches then standing out
from their surroundings like burnished silver.

T.

Clethra acuminata.— Mr. Webster says (p.
246) that this differs but slightly, only in the form
of the leaf from C . alnif olia. Here at any rate it
is abundantly distinct both in habit and in the
length of the flower-spiies, which are from 6 inches
to 8 inches long. — T. S.

The Tree Mallow (Hibiscus syriacus, or Al-
thaea frutex).— The Tree Mallow is one of the
loveliest of autumn-flowering shrubs. We rarely
see it in gardens, although it is hardy, vigorous
and free, thriving especially well upon coob moist
soils. Many gardens would be enriched if breadths
of it replaced the too common masses of poorer
things, such as Box and Laurel. In suitable soils
it grows more than 6 feet high and nearly as much
through, the branches being laden with 'blossoms
which cluster among the leaves. There are single
and double forms embracing many shades from
pure white to crimson and purple. The Tree Mal-
low would also appear to be a good town plant
as healthy free-flowered bushes may be seen in
Battersea Park. — H.

Hymenanthera crassifolia.— This Hymenan-
thera, which is hardy in most parts of England
should have a place among the more uncommon'
yet distinct and ornamental evergreen shrubs. It
is a native of New Zealand, from whence it was in-
troduced about fifteen years ago, and though to be
found in many of the tree and shrub nurseries it
has never become generally known. The shrub 'in
question forms frequently an almost hemispherical
bush, usually 2 feet or 3 feet high, with numerous
stiff branches disposed more or less horizontally.
The small, neat-looking leaves are so thick as to'
merit the specific name of crassifolia. The flowers
which are borne in great numbers in early summer'
are small and by no means attractive, but they are
succeeded by pure white berries which ripen about
August. The ornamental value of the berries is
enhanced by the fact that they stand forth almost
alone among fruits of that tint, there being nothing
else in this way except the Snowberry. The Hy-
menanthera is not particular in its requirements
for it will thrive under anything like favourable
conditions, though of course it must be planted
where it is not called upon to compete with strong-
growing shrubs. Besides the Hymenanthera many
New Zealand plants may be regarded as hardy in

282

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 20, 1890.

spiny Aciphylla squarrosa, which appears to be
quite hardy everywhere. — T.

ORNAMENTAL WILLOWS.
Apaet altogether from the considerable profit at-
tending the growth of what may be termed Wil-
lows, their great value in a purely ornamental
sense should not be overlooked, many of them be-
ing of great beauty, and from their light and airy
appearance peculiarly well suited for mixing up
with the majority of our general woodland and park
trees.

That the Golden Willow (Salix aurea) is not half
appreciated as an ornamental tree, I have more than
once suggested, but all to no purpose, owners of
grounds, as a rule, entrusting the laying out of
their woods and shrubberies to those who have no
knowledge nor heart for the work, and who know
nothing of the many beautiful ornamental shrubs
that might be so successfully utilised in the work.
This is a great evil, and to it may mainly be attri-
buted the present scarcity of desirable shrubs in the
majority of our gardens and parks, and the mono-
tonous repetition of Laurels, Privet, and such like
Evergreens. I lately noted the value of the Golden
Willow in brightening up the margins of a long,
dreary, and almost perfectly straight road by the
judicious planting of it and two or three others of
the more ornamental kinds. They had wisely been
placed far back from the road margin, so as to al-
low of free and untrammelled growth, while nearer
and at intervals between the golden form were
great masses of the red and purple. As seen when
almost leafless on a bright autumn day, and with
the sunlight showing off to the fullest the golden,
red, and purple tints of the bark, I could not help
but consider what pretty effects can be produced
by effectually utilising the most simple and com-
mon of materials. This is especially the case with
trees and shrubs, for half their beauty is often lost
by haphazard planting and injudicious mixing. The
Golden Willow can also be effectively mixed with
coniferous trees along the margins of woodlands, a
single plant sometimes sufficing to light up a whole
country - side when conspicuously and cleverly
planted.

Salix kegalis. — In this we have a meet companion
for the golden variety, the silvery leaves and handsome
outline beiug well set forth in the majority of speci-
mens. This distinct Willow, rarely seen more than
30 feet high, has a decided and taking appearance, the
easy growth, outline, and clear silvery tint rendering
it a tree of the utmost value for ornamental planting.
The Caktek, ok eed-twigoed Willow (S. Carteri-
ana) is another desirable kind, and for depth of bark
colouring is surpassed by no other of its family. It is
of very free growth and nourishes well in almost any
situation. With its tall spiry head and deep red bark
it is, especially when divested of its foliage, one of
the most conspicuous and distinct of woodland trees,
and contrasts markedly with any of the smaller-grow-
ing and round-headed forms.

S. Basfordiana is another handsome kind, the bark
colouring— brilliant orange, tipped with red— being
pleasing in the extreme, and causing the tree to be
noticed for a long distance away. It is of very vigor-
ous growth, cuttings soon making goodly specimens,
which retain all the characteristics of the parent.

The Bedford Willow (S. Busselliana) can well
hold its own with any of its rivals, it being a most or-
namental kind and one that is of free and easy
growth.

For planting in dampish ground all the Willows
are of especial value, and as they grow quickly and
are not easily injured by neglect, they being sus-
ceptible to heavy pruning, few trees can compare
with them for planting in out-of-the-way places
where a bit of beauty is of first importance. Cut-
tings of all the kinds here mentioned root freely,
so that once a fairly-sized tree is obtained increase
is only a question of time. There are many other
equally beautiful Willows with those here noted,
some remarkable for the bark colouring and others
for the beauty of leafage, in colour, and to some ex-
tent in shape also. Few places could be picked
out in which some of the Willows would not be
suitable for planting, by lake and pond sides, plan-
tation margins, disused pits, along roadsides, and

even as standard park specimens, and they have
this value, that whether in or out of leaf they are
highly ornamental, often much more during the
autumn and winter than when in full leafage. It
may seem strange, but it is nevertheless a fact,
that unless with specialists the finest and more or-
namental Willows are hardly known, and this must
be patent to everyone who travels about the country.
This must not be attributed to scarcity, for nearly
all our leading nursery lists contain a full half
column of the finer and more ornamental kinds,
while as they are of so free growth and so very
ornamental, there should be no excuse for their
extended culture. A. D. Websteb.

SHORT NOTES.— TREES AND SHRUBS.

American White Alder.— Surely Mr. Web-
ster (The Garden, Sept. 13, p. 246) is mistaken in
calling this a rare shrub. It is offered by the hundred
by English nurserymen, and is common in any gar-
den which has the least pretence to having a collec-
tion of shrubs.— C.

Thujopsis dolabrata.— This distinct and or-
namental Conifer frequently affords a good illustra-
tion of the advantages to be derived from a judicious
pruning of Conifers, though many regard it with
disfavour. When several leading shoots are pushed
up, if they are not shortened back, the specimen
loses its symmetrical character and becomes quite
a bush. If attended to in this way, a strong, clean
leader is pushed up, and the plant then forms a
most beautiful object. When once the leading
shoot is thoroughly established it is seldom that
the secondary ones have any effect upon it, though
frequently the points of several of the lower
branches have an upward tendency. To be seen at its
best, this Thujopsis needs a fairly moist, loamy
soil, when the foliage acquires that beautiful rich
green tint upon which so much of the ornamental
character of the specimen depends. — T.

Orchids.

CATTLEYA GUTTATA.
Of this beautiful species a fine spike of about
thirty flowers was recently received from M.
Peeters, of Brussels, and when seen in such
magnificent condition it is certainly worthy of
all commendation. This variety had large flowers
with a richly coloured lip, as deep almost as in the
variety named Leopoldi, but the sepals and pe-
tals were not of that light cinnamon-brown, nor
were they spotted as in that variety, but it was
far superior to the ordinary form of guttata one
usually meets with. I once recollect receiving
a consignment of these plants from San Paulo
of immense size and in splendid leaf ; the masses
were quite 3 feet through, and we had to re-
duce them with a chopper and saw. In doing
so we found a quantity of very large centipedes
or some such animal. This system of splitting
up did not produce very favourable results, but
the front portions with leading shoots and eyes
grew strongly and flowered splendidly the fol-
lowing season. The back pieces did not break
freely, and the growths from these plants were
weak and did not bloom. One should remember,
therefore, that if the back portions are leafy
they are certainly as ornamental as the front
portion, and nothing is gained by their rem oval,
but when the bulbs are leafless they may be cut
away with advantage. The species came first
to this country upwards of sixty years ago, and
I believe first flowered in the Royal Horticul-
tural Society's garden at Chiswick, which is as-
sociated with to many pleasant memories of new
and rare plants seen at the gardens, as well as
at the splendid exhibitions of plants that used
to be held there. It is variable in regard to
colour and size of its flowers, and also in the
size of its raceme of blooms. This comes no
doubt from the large tract of country in Brazil

over which it is spread, and its reproductive
powers must be good, as we are told it exists in
some places in very large quantities. It is a
plant which I would recommend to the atten-
tion of Orchid growers for its flowering at this
particular season of the year. It maintains a
orand display along with the dark-flowered va-
rieties of Lielia elegana. It may be_ that its
habit goes somewhat against it, as it makes
slender, tall, stem-like bulbs which frequently
reach 3 feet in height. I have even seen them
attain to 4 feet, but this same habit is tolerated
with Lrelia elegans, and therefore should not be
objectionable in Cattleya guttata.

I think if collectors would only select good
forms of the plant to send home, making a se-
lection instead of a collection, their consign-
ments would realise much more money at first
hand, whilst the plants so sent would have far
greater charms for the majority of growers.
This occurs to me as being the way to bring the
beautiful plant again into repute. I am much
indebted to M. Peeters for the spike of bloom
which takes my memory back for nearly forty
years. W. H. Gower.

PleurothallisRaymondi.— This is another re-
markable plant from Messrs. Seeger & Tropp, Lord-
ship Lane, Dulwich, and one that I have not seen
for years. In the year 1862 I was travelling in
Germany for the authorities at Kew, and was lucky
enough to obtain a plant of this species from M.
Schiller for the Kew collection. It flowered
with me at Kew in the following season, much to
the delight of Sir William Hooker, then director of
the gardens, and was figured in the Botanical
Magazine, t. 5385. The flowers are greenish with-
out, purple within, the petals being narrow, white,
and spotted, terminating in a thick globose-shaped
point. It comes from the mountains of Caraccas,
and is one of Wagener's discoveries.— W. H. G.

Cypripedium purpuratum. — A very good
form of this plant comes from Messrs. Seeger and
Tropp, Lordship Lane, Dulwich ; the dorsal sepal is
large, pure white, marked with purple lines, but the
petals are fully a third longer than those of the type
we used to have in our gardens. This I know by
comparing it with original specimens dried by me
nearly thirty years ago, since which time the plant
became scarce, and it is only since Mr. Ford,
of Hong Kong, found it in the mountains of the
island and on the Chinese coast opposite that the
plant has become more plentiful in collections. I
believe that the home of C. Fairrieanum is enve-
loped in some such mystery as was that of C. pur-
puratum.— W. H. G.

Odontoglossum Vuylstekeanum.— This is a
beautiful and richly coloured flower. Judging from
a flower sent, we should have no hesitation in sup-
posing it to come from the luteo-purpureum set ;
the sender calls it a yellow crispum. The flowers
are not so large as those of an ordinary luteo-pur-
pureum, but in every other respect they appear to be
similar to those of that species. The sepals are deep
nankeen-yellow, tipped with plain yellow, the pe-
tals being broader and much toothed, ground colour
pale yellow, spotted and blotched with nankeen-
yellow ; lip undulated and toothed on the edge,
light yellow, or white spotted with pale yellow, the
crest deep yellow.

Phalsenopsis Sanderiana.— This is a very
variable variety, and a magnificent flower is just to
hand from John Uphill. We say a variety advisedly,
for one cannot help thinking that this is a natural
hybrid. The whole flower is of a delicate rosy-
mauve ; in any other respects the size and shape
remind one of P. amabilis. It is much to be regretted
that these lovely Moth Orchids do not create more
interest, but we are of opinion that it is only
through a vitiated atmosphere that the plants fail
to thrive, and this we hope soon to have rectified.

Cypripedium cenanthum superbum.— This
charming Veitchian hybrid is now flowering beau-
tifully in the nurseries of Messrs. Pitcher and

Sept. 20, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

283

Manda at Hextable, Stanley, Kent, where there is a
very fine collection of these plants. We have before
remarked that this cross is one of the liveliest in
colour, which should commend it to all growers of
these plants. The variety superbum is still rare in
collections.

ORCHIDS AT CHELTENHAM.
These plants just now, although somewhat re-
stricted in the number of species and varieties
flowering, are exceedingly well done, and Mr.
Cypher, so well known as a hard-wooded green-
house and stove plant grower, can equally hold his
own with Orchids. I will mention a few of the
flowering plants to be seen in great beauty in his
establishment, the Queen's Road Nursery. I first
mention Dendrobium formosum giganteum, with
large, many-flowered racemes of pure white flowers,
stained at the base with orange-yellow. These are
just opening, and will continue the display for some
time. As a rule, most growers bloom this the first
season only after importation, but besides these Mr.
Cypher has lots of plants well established, and could
we learn the secret how to accomplish this, D. for-
mosum giganteum would be one of the very finest
Orchids grown. D. Jamesianum is still flowering
in fair numbers, and has been in bloom
since the month of April, its pretty white flowers
being quite distinct from those of formosum,
although evidently of the same section, as its nigro-
hirsute stems show ; indeed one seldom sees these
two species so well done as here. I do not know if
there is any special virtue in the atmosphere of
Cheltenham which is so congenial to their health,
or whether it is the treatment. I saw nothing to
lead me to the latter conclusion. Cattleya Sander-
iana, just passing its best, was to be seen, but
enough was left to show the beauties of this
plant, and many of small size were floweiing, prov-
ing its free-flowering qualities. Vanda Sanderiana
is one of the very grandest Orchids yet discovered.
One plant had a spike bearing nine flowers, the
most I have yet seen upon a spike ; these were of
exquisite shape, good colour, and large size. Odonto-
glossum grande is another plant which Mr. Cypher,
like myself, would appear to have a great partiality
for, and many fine varieties are just now to be seen
in the grand batch now flowering, the yellow and
bright chestnut-brown flowers being exceedingly
rich. A plant which Mr. Cypher has named Poly-
cinis lepida is also blooming ; it is a large-flowered
form of Acropera Loddigesi, but it is very pretty
with its long, pendulous spikes. Cypripediums are
largely grown, but just at present not many kinds
are flowering, the chief being C. Sedeni and C. car-
dinale, and these appear to be perpetual bloomers.
Of C. concolor there is a very large-flowered and
richly-coloured form. Masdevallias also bloom well,
and when seen as here, one, viz , M. bella, with up-
wards of two dozen flowers, some idea may be
formed of their beauty. W. H. G.

SHORT NOTES.— ORCHIDS.

Phalsenopsis Harriettse .— "We are in receipt
of a letter from America, which says that the flowers
figured by Mr. Moon had been nine days out, aud that
the colours are not therefore so bright as when the
blooms have just expanded.

Laelia elegans. — Flowers of a very fine variety of
this plant come from Mr. White, of Arddarroch. It
is one of the plants from the Studley House collection
of Mr. Tautz. The shape of the flower aud the lip re-
mind one much of L. e. Bromeana, but the sepals aud
petals want the colour of that variety ; it is a large
bloom, measuring 7 inches across.

Vanda Sanderiana. — A flower of this species
comes from Mr. Seeger, Lordship Lane, Dulwich, to
show what a tine bright variety it is. The flower is
very bright in colour, hut is not so large as the one we
saw recently in Mr. Cypher's collection at Cheltenham.
It is a great pity the plant appears to be getting
scarcer. It requires a great deal of heat aud moisture.

"Vanda tricolor insignis. — This comes from
Mr. Seeger, of Dulwich, for a name, and I have no
hesitation iu saying it is the variety given above. The
ground colour of the sepals and petals is pale yellow, the
blotching and spotting crimson, while the lip is of a soft

mauve or lilac. This is the variety which so long
usurped the place of the t ue insiguis, named long ago
by Blume, and which was introduced by the Messrs.
Veitch some twenty years ago from some small island
iu the Iudian seas.

Cattleya Mendeli.— Although out of seasou,this
loses none of its beauty. Mr. Brown, gardener to Mr.
White, at Arddarroch, N.B., sends a raceme of bloom
of this species. He says that the flowers did not come
up at the right time, as the eye appeared ti have gone
bliud, but it eventually flowered, and thus Mr. White
has the advantage of having this beautiful sp2cies iu
bloom in September.

Stanhopea tigrina lutescena {J. B.).— This
is the name of the rich and rare flower seut me. It
is a charming plant, haviug, as the flower uow before
me indicates, very fragrant blooms. The ground col-
our is deep orange-yellow, transversely barred with
rich chocolate, and is very beautiful. Stanhopeas are
very little trouble, as they seldom require basketing, an
abundant supply of water being all that is necessary to
keep them in health, whilst heat they dislike. — W. H . G.

Dendrobium bigibbum superbum (/•
Knot).— From Manchester comes a very superior form
of D. bigibbum, which is the variety named superbum
by Professor Reicheubach. The flowers are much lar-
ger than those of the typical plant and the spur of the
lip is more prominent, hut the peculiar white papillose
crests are here. This is a marked feature in D . bigib-
bum, and the side lobes of the lip are of an intensely
deep purple. It is said by the sender to come from a
small island in Torres Straits, so that the plant
enjoys heat and moisture.

Pachystoma Thomsonianum. — This pretty
West African plant is now flowering in the collec-
tion at Messrs. Williams and Son, Upper Holloway.
Its white sepals and petals contrast admirably with
the peculiar lip, which has the narrow mid-lobe re-
curved and streaked with rich magenta ; the side
lobes are erect and of a greenish hue. It is al-
ways rare, and requires heat and moisture to
grow it, whilst it should be well shaded, yet not
deprived of light. It should be potted in fibrous
peat, Sphagnum Moss, and small nodules of char-
coal, with a little sharp sand added. This will tend
to make the whole firm.

THE WEEK'S WORK.

PLANT HOUSES.

Greenhouse. — Lilies. — As the late-blooming
plants of L. auratum die down, it is advisable to
pot the bulbs at once before they push new roots.
Either the bulbs of this fine Lily that are imported
at the present day have, through some unexplained
cause, less vitality in them, or the fact of their
being now so cheap renders growers less careful in
their treatment than when first it was introduced,
as it is evident that a much larger percentage do
not go on and increase in the way that the first im-
portations did. There can be no question as to the
superiority of the roots that gain size and strength
and increase in number over those that are newly
imported. And when once the former condition is
attained, it is worth while to leave nothing undone,
that will tend to their well-being. One important
thing is timely potting. Late-flowering examples
of L. speciosum when done blooming should be
stood out of the reach of the frosty nights that may
occur and be regularly attended to with water until
the leaves have died off naturally, after which the
best thing is to repot and put them away where
they are to remain for the winter.

L. Haeeisi. — When the imported bulbs of this
Lily come to hand they should be potted quickly.
Where two or three bulbs are grown together, pots
that will hold them without pressing them are
large enough for the first season. Where roots that
were forced last season have been encouraged to
make second growth, with a view to their blooming
again in the latter part of the present year, they
should very soon be taken indoors, as it does not
take much frost to injure them. Those that began
to push a second crop of leaves early will now be
throwing up their flower- stems. Weak manure
water applied in a clear, transparent state will
benefit them. It should be given right up to the

time when the flowers open, especially in the
case of any that are underpotted.

Teopjeoltjm tricolor and T. Jarratti. —
These slender-growing kinds of Tropajolum are
profuse bloomers and occupy little room. The
quantity of distinct-looking flowers which they
produce, combined with the pale green foliage,
give them a telling and striking appearance.
They are much less grown now than in times
past, having, like many other desirable plants,
given way to things of a coarser and less refined
character. The tops die down soon after flowering
in the spring, the tubers remaining dormant until
about this time, when the thin thread-like shoots
appear. As soon as these have extended 6 inches
or 8 inches, the plants should be potted. All the
old soil should be got rid of, replacing it with new,
either peat or loam ; they will thrive in either, pro-
vided it has a moderate amount of sand mixed with
it. The size the tubers have attained will deter-
mine the extent of pot room they will need ; for
roots as big as small hen's eggs, 10-inch or 11-inch
pots will not be too much, giving to smaller ex-
amples proportionately less room. Drain the pots
well, press the soil moderately firm, and leave the
crowns of the tubers well up above the soil. It is
best to keep the compost only slightly moist until
the tubers have begun to root freely, after which
more may be given, but all through the winter until
spring, when the young fibres will have filled the
soil, it must be kept somewhat drier than most
things require. Whatever is used in the way
of support, whether a wire trellis or sticks, the
shoots as they advance must be kept regularly
trained, encircling the lower portion of the
supports first, otherwise it will be difficult to
cover the bottom afterwards if the shoots are
let to run up to the top. From the persis-
tent way in which they cling to anything within
their reach, it is necessary to keep them constantly
trained.

Camellias. — In some private gardens the flowers
of these plants are still cut with a portion of the
wood. In the case of many flowering subjects that
make more annual growth than the nature of Ca-
mellias permits of, no harm is done ; but with Ca-
mellias, the annual growth of which is compara-
tively short, the case is quite different. Except in
the case of plants that have been recently turned
out in beds, and which often for a few years after-
wards make much more growth than takes place
when they have been planted out for a time, it is
an advantage in every way to leave the whole of
the wood entire, especially since it has been found
that when properly wired the flowers will last
long enough for most purposes. By gathering the
flowers without any portion of the shoots attached
the weakening effects of depriving the plants of a
considerable portion of their annual crop of leaves
is avoided, so that they are capable of maturing a
larger number of flowers, which needs to be taken
into account in thinning the buds. This operation
it will now be necessary to carry out with the main
portion of the stock that is intended to come in dur-
ing winter. From two to three buds may be left to
each shoot, according to the more or less vigorous
condition of the plants. Where very strong, four
buds may be allowed to a portion of the stoutest
shoots. All the stock should now be gone over and
have a thorough cleaning from scale ; this should
be done three or four times in the course of the year
where the white species of these troublesome in-
sects exists. At the same time the leaves should
be sponged, so as to free them from dirt. In the
suburbs of large towns this operation should be re-
peated frequently to keep the plants in health.

Amaryllis. — Plants of the deciduous kinds that
flowered in the spring at the time when the bulk of
the stock ordinarily comes in will now have ma-
tured their annual crop of leaves. Less water will
be required and no shading should be used. Let
them have all the light possible with plenty of air.
In the case of the deciduous as well as the ever-
green kinds the foliage should be kept quite free
from thrips or red spider, which, if allowed to infest
them, causes the leaves to die off sooner than they
otherwise would, which directly tends to weaken

284

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 20, 1890.

the plants. After the leaves of the deciduous
kinds have died down some growers allow the soil
to become quite dry, but it is as well to keep it in
a semi-moist condition. Take care never to keep
the material too wet in the resting season, or it
may cause the bulbs to decay. The evergreen va-
rieties should for a time yet be kept close to the
glass, giving them all the light possible. The foli-
age of this section after attaining its full size takes
longer to become hard than that of the thinner-
leaved deciduous sorts. Give sufficient water to
keep the soil fairly moist. This condition must be
maintained all through the winter, as if ever the
roots become too dry it causes the older leaves to
die off before their time.

VAIiLOTAS. — As these go out of flower they may
be stood in a less favourable position in the matter
of light than many things require, but they must
not be put where too dark.

KALOSANTHES. — Plants intended to flower next
year that have been stood out of doors should now
be housed. They should be put at once in the
sunniest position in a light house or pit. The
south end of a house near the glass, where they
will have the benefit of the light from the glazed
end as well as the roof, to which latter they should
be well elevated, is the best situation for them. Al-
though if the plants have been exposed in the open
air from the time they were advised to be turned
out, the growth may be supposed to be fairly ma-
tured, the comparative absence of sun we have had
through the summer cannot fail to have its effect
on things that require more than an ordinary
amount of sun to induce them to bloom well.

Stove. — Gesnekas, summee-plowering. — The
summer-blooming kinds of Gesnera that have solid
tubers, like G. Cooperi, will now shortly be going to
rest. As soon as the leaves and stems show signs
of dying down, little more water should be given.
When the foliage is entirely gone the roots may, if
room is any object, be put into paper bags filled with
dry sand, in which they will keep safe through the
winter in a temperature of about 50°.
■ Gesneras, winter-plowering. — The winter
bloomers, most of which have scaly tubers, some-
what in the way of Achimenes, will shortly com-
plete their growth. Let them have a light position
in the stove with a medium temperature. They
should require little or no shade after this time, as
the more light and sun they get, provided the
leaves are not injured, the better the growth is ma-
tured, and the more likelihood is there of the plants
blooming well. Syringe for a time yet overhead,
and see that the water reaches the undersides of
the leaves freely enough to keep them clear from
thrips or mealy bug, either of which will quickly
destroy the lustrous character of the leaves, the
beautiful veining of which adds so much to the
appearance of the plant when in bloom.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

Potatoes.— Large quantities of Potatoes were
lifted and stored during the first fortnight in Sep-
tember, but there are yet many more in the ground
than have been dug. It is an advantage to be able
to do this important work in fine weather, but that
is the only gain. In very many instances now that
it is too late to anticipate disease, it would have
been better to have left the Potatoes undug for
some time longer, or till it is seen which are dis-
eased and which are not. Where lifting was resorted
to soon after disease attacked the haulm, what
apparently was a sound crop has proved to be badly
diseased, this entailing much very unpleasant work
that might have been avoided if the crops had been
left in the ground till they could have been properly
sorted over. Early lifted Potatoes should be turned
occasionally and all diseased tubers thrown out
before they are too far gone to handle. The first
opportunity ought to be taken, if not already done,
of separating all intended for planting next season
from those required for use, or otherwise premature
sprouting may result. Seed Potatoes should have
all the light and air possible without actually expos-
ing them to frosts ; whereas the less those to be

cooked are exposed to the light the better will be
the quality.

Methods op stoking Potatoes. — Where only
a few bushels of Potatoes are grown, or say suffi-
cient to meet the wants of a small family, these
might well be stored in a cool airy cellar or out-
house and covered with mats or bags to exclude
light and to protect from frosts. Warm dry rooms
are the worst possible places for either seed or
cooking Potatoes, premature sprouting and conse-
quent shrivelling being most prejudicial in either
case. Very large heaps of the latter ought not to
be formed, and being kept cool and dry, this,
coupled with occasional turnings and the removal
of shoots before they are far advanced, will keep
all plump and nutritious. When, however, several
tons of Potatoes have to be stored annually, shed-
room is not easily found, and in this case it is better
to adopt the plan of pitting them. Select a dry open
site and form a heap on the surface of the ground
of any length and not more than 4 feet wide, the
Potatoes being built up in the form of a ridge as
high as they will hold together. Experts are of
opinion that it is unwise to place straw or litter of
any kind next to the Potatoes, and their advice to
first cover them with about 9 inches of poor dry
soil, dug from around the heap, further covering
this with a thick straw thatch is sound. Contact
with decaying straw or litter affects the quality of
the tubers, and these also keep all the better for
having the more absorbent soil about them. A
fairly dry time being chosen for lifting the crops,
there is no necessity for or wisdom in exposing the
tubers for several hours in order to dry them, as
this injuriously affects their quality, and there is
also the risk to be run of their taking disease.

Leeks. — These, in common with most other
vegetables, are growing strongly, and as they can-
not well be too big, everything should be done to
assist them. Any planted in shallow trenches or
on the surface of the ground will, should fine, dry
weather continue, be benefited by good soakings of
water or liquid manure, these being applied before
the moulding up is far advanced. To have them
quite clean and yet perfectly blanched, it is advis-
able to first enclose the stems in several folds of
brown paper, this effectually excluding the soil
banked upjiround them. There need be no great
hurry in moulding up, as Leeks are perfectly hardy,
and any not yet of good size might well be left
free for a few weeks longer. Those planted deeply
only require to be kept free of weeds, the soil
closing round the stems effectually blanching them.

Winter Spinach. — It is not often so many
good breadths of this are seen, and serviceable
crops may reasonably be anticipated. Leaving the
plants in a crowded state is a great mistake, and
the thinning out should early be commenced and
completed when the later thinnings are large
enough for use, finally leaving those reserved to
about fi inches apart. Surface hoeings, whether
there are weeds or not, are of the greatest benefit
to the crop, these largely tending to keep down
slugs and other pests, and to promote a healthy
growth of the plants. It is even advisable to stir
the ground between the plants, this being done
with pointed stakes. Where the Spinach is liable
to be much twisted about bystrongwinds mouldin
up should be practised, and if this is done before
the plants are far advanced in growth, they will
not be bruised in any way. The soil drawn up to
them will keep the plants steady, and also the
leaves from being splashed so much as they are
when resting flatly on the ground.

Vegetable Marrows. — These were somewhat
late in arriving at a full bearing state, but are now
exceptionally productive, the best, as usual, being
those plants grown in the open ground with only a
small quantity of manure under them. No large
fruit should be left to mature on any plants that
are required to remain in a productive state, as
these soon monopolise what little vigour there may
be left at this comparatively late date. Only a
moderately severe frost will cripple Vegetable Mar-
rows, and steps ought therefore to be taken early to
provide some rough kind of protection for at least
a portion of the plants. Some of them might be

enclosed in frames, and others protected when
necessary with mats supported by a temporary
framework well clear of the foliage. Such simple
precautions may prolong their usefulness for some
time longer. W. I.

NOTES FROM THE ISLE OF WIGHT.
Many choice plants are to be seen at Appley
Towers, Ryde, as indeed they are in other gardens
in the island as well, which are not often met with
very much further north. Although as much as
12° of frost are at times registered, yet the harm
done is but slight compared with what the result of
so much cold is upon the mainland and northwards
towards the metropolis. The sea breezes no doubt
temper, or in some way modify the ill effects that
would otherwise ensue. Although the growths made
are luxuriant, yet there is a hardy look imparted to
the plants that without doubt stands them in good
stead during the cold season of the year. In walk-
ing through these interesting gardens we were par-
ticularly struck with the many plants of Chamserops
Fortunei which were in the most robust health,
forming stout stems. Agroup of eight or nine has
been planted together and they produce a fine
effect, which will continue to increase as they gain
in size. Sufficient room has been allowed these
plants so as not to draw one another up weakly, the
growth made being quite equal to that from plants
under glass. In another part of the grounds is to be
seen a very fine arrangement of these Palms with
tall plants of Dracasna australis with dwarfer ones of
Aralia Sieboldi growing into dense bushes 6 feet or
more in diameter. Both the Dracaenas and Aralias
are perfectly at home here, retaining their foliage
remarkably well. Melianthus major in the same
bed forms quite a large bush, and is only cut down
by a severe frost. Its glaucous grey leaves stand
out in pleasing contrast to those of its surround-
ings. When this is touched by frost it breaks into
fresh growth from the soil. Dasylirion acrotri-
chum is planted out in the same group, having
thrown up a strong flower-spike. This arrange-
ment of sub-tropical growth forms a most imposing
effect. In another bed, not far removed from this,
and composed chiefly of flowering plants, many of
which in less favoured positions have to be culti-
vated under glass, is a large bush of Desfontaineaspi-
nosa. It has several of its coral-red flowers now open
and is in most vigorous health, better than we
have previously seen it. In another spot was to
be seen a large bush of Choisya ternata some
6 feet or more through, the dark colour of its
foliage and strong growth being sufficient evi-
dence of its being at home in its position. Mr.
Myles, the gardener, informed me that it annually
flowers most profusely, and the perfume is recog-
nised at a long distance. Lapageria rosea and L.
alba are both growing against open walls and doing
fairly well. Rhynchospermum jasminoides and its
variegated variety are both succeeding well as
climbers, looking even healthier than when in pots
under glass.

Rhododendrons of the more tender sorts are
planted together in a bed, the following three kinds
being in the best possible condition, viz., R. cilia-
turn, R. fragrantissimum, and R. Maddeni, each
having made good growths, which are now harden-
ing and forming their flower-buds. Many of the
greenhouse Azaleas are growing in the freest pos-
sible manner. These were planted with specimens
of A. mollis, which here, no doubt, escape the
spring frosts when in flower. Near by these is a
fine young specimen of the hardy Rhododendron
Mr. John Clutton, one of the best of the white
kinds in cultivation. Plants of Agapanthus umbel-
latus, which stand out without injury all the
winter, were flowering freely. Not being surrounded
with other plants in bloom, its appearance was all the
more welcome. Aloysia citriodora formed another
bed. This has to be annually pruned inratherhardto
keep it within bounds. Eurya latifolia variegata
was making a bushy compact plant, its shoots as-
suming a more roseate hue than under glass. The
Camphor Tree is growing into a large specimen,
and promises soon to be a tree in reality. Camellias
are of large dimensions, many sorts flowering well

Sept. 20, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

285

and escaping the spring frosts. The Blue Gum of
Australia suffered during a severe winter some few
years hack, but it has again pushed upwards in seve-
ral instances to close upon 50 feet in height. These
are some of the good things to be found in these
gardens ; others could, if space permitted, be taken
into account. I noted that Mr. Myles does not pull
off the old foliage of Dracaena australis, but allows
the leaves as they fade to droop down around the
stem, thus affording a most substantial protection
to the plants in cold weather. J. H.

Societies and Exhibitions.

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY.
The floral committee of the above society met at
the Royal Aquarium on the 10th inst. in connection
with the exhibition of early Chrysanthemums, and
made the following awards: To show Dahlia Lorina,
a finely shaped, golden-buff self, and to pompon
Dahlias Midget, pale ruby, and Othello, crimson,
all from Mr. C. Turner, Royal Nursery, Slough. To
pompon Chrysanthemum Golden Shah, yellow,
tipped with bronze, from Mr. H. J. Jones, nursery-
man, Lewisham. To Gladioli Vicar of West well,
rich bright soft carmine, and Ossia,n, carmine,
from Messrs. J. Burrell and Co, Howe House
Nurseries, Cambridge ; and to Gladiolus Purity,
from the Rev. H. H. D'Ombrain, white, only
faintly tinged here and there with pink, and
without any markings on the throat, as is usually
the case. To decorative Dahlias Maid of Kent,
Pride of Swanley, and Cannell's Favourite (already
described), from Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons,
nurserymen, Swanley. To double Ivy-leaved Pelar-
goniums Beauty of Castle Hill, very bright salmon,
shaded with magenta, and Edith Owen, purplish-
crimson, large, and of fine form ; and to Japanese
Chrysanthemum Mme. Leon Collin, deep yellow,
a charming variety with stout, thread - like
florets, and pompon Chrysanthemum Miss Lily
S tevens, a finely-formed pure white variety ; all from
Mr. Robert Owen, Floral Nursery, Castle Hill,
Maidenhead. To decorative Dahlia Harry Free-
man, large pure white ; Robert Maher, pale yellow,
one of the very best of this colour ; and Delicata,
sulphur, suffused with a charming tint of soft pink,
a true Cactus variety, very novel and distinct. To
pompon Dahlia Crimson Beauty, rich glowing crim-
son, of fine form ; and pompon Nellie, pure yellow,
tipped slightly with red, very pretty and symmetri-
cal ; and to single Dahlia Maud, white, with crim-
son-purple side edgings ; all from Mr. T. S. Ware,
Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham. To pompon
Dahlia Phcebe, yellow, suffused and tipped with
orange-red, from Messrs. Keynes, Williams and
Co., Salisbury. To decorative Dahlia Mrs. H. M.
Stanley, pale rosy-salmon, a very pretty true Cactus
type ; and pompon Dahlia Daisy, yellow, shaded in
the centre with buff, very novel, from Mr. J. T.
West, Cornwalls, Brentwood. To decorative Dahlia
Black Prince, rich, deep, shining maroon, dashed
with crimson, from Mr. Henry Glasscock, Bishop's
Stortford. This was also finely shown by Mr. T. S.
Ware. To show DahliaMrs.G. Humphries, abeautiful
pale variety in the way of Flag of Truce, and of
fine quality ; to Cactus Dahlia Kathleen Pictor,
rich, bright scarlet-crimson, quite of the Juarezi
type ; both from Mr. George Humphries, florist,
Chippenham ; and to a very fine strain of Orange
African Marigolds in three colours, shown by Mr.
R. Dean, Ranelagh Road, Ealing.

PLUMS FOR MARKET.*
In the few practical remarks that I am about to
make it is not at all necessary for me to decide
from what part of the globe we first obtained our
cultivated Plums, whether from America, Asia
Minor, or if they were found wild in Europe ; this
can be best determined by our botanical friends. I
consider the Plum next in importance to the Apple
from a commercial point of view. In years of plenty

* A paper by Mr. J. Smith, Mentmore Gardens, read
at the Crystal Palace Conference of the British Fruit
Growers' Association, September 5.

the fruits can be dried, in which state they will keep
good for years. They can also be made^ into jam,
which will keep good for a considerable time.

In growing for market one of the first questions
asked is : What varieties would you recommend ?
Now, this is a very important point, for when you
go into a nursery to purchase trees you will find, as
a rule, that all varieties are charged the same price,
except it be some new and untried kind. It is a
well-known fact to fruit growers that in certain lo-
calities and on certain soils one variety will flourish
and bear abundant crops year by year, while other
varieties will never grow enough fruit to pay for the
first outlay. I may just give one well-known in-
stance to impress on growers the importance of
this being well understood before recommending
certain vai ieties for any given district or soil. At
Sawbridgeworth Messrs. Rivers have, as a rule,
splendid crops of Rivers' Prolific Plum ; in fact,
that variety seems perfectly at home in the stony
clay of that district. Here, in a chalky clay which
suits many varieties admirably, Rivers' Prolific
grows freely, but seldom bears any fruit, although,
as a rule, the trees flower freely. The question of
selecting suitable varieties for any given district
can only be decided by practical experience and
observation. Growers of the Plum are aware that
the number of varieties of the cultivated Plum is
almost legion. I have just gone through one cata-
logue before me, and find no less than 237 varieties
described, with a supplemental list of some 180
more, or in all, say, about 400 varieties. Now this
would plant about 4 acres of ground of one plant or
tree of each variety. But would any grower who
had any idea of making a profit be foolish enough
to plant these, or even half this number ? It would
be a far more profitable investment to plant only
one variety on the 4 acres, but this I should by no
means recommend. My idea of Plums for market
is to find out five or six varieties that are known to
succeed in the district, and plant only these.

I have already remarked that certain varieties
favour certain districts. Here the soil is a strong
chalky clav, and the following varieties are grown
by hundreds, and in the case of the Damson by the
thousand : Green Gage, Jefferson's, Mitchelson's,
Gisborne's, Victorias, and Damsons. Victorias and
Damsons are most grown.

This might well be termed the " Home of the
Damson," for many acres are planted, and during
the fruit season from 25 tons to 30 tons per week
of these are sent away from our railway station.
The Damsons here sell for more money than any
other variety grown. In seasons of plenty they
have been sold as low as £3 per ton, and other
years they have made from £35 to £40 per ton.

The plan adopted is to plant on Grass land at a
distance of 22 feet apait each way. This will give
about 105 trees per acre. Nothing but standards
should be planted, and they should always have a
clear stem of 6 feet. Before deciding to plant a
field, the ground selected should be thoroughly
drained, as stagnant water about the roots would
soon prove fatal to the trees. In planting young
trees a small portion of rotten manure may be
mixed with the soil if the ground is poor, but I
never make a point of recommending much manure
to be placed in immediate contact with the roots
while the trees are young. I consider it
better to merely mulch them with rotten manure
after they become established. In planting, the
trees should be kept slightly above the ground
level, as they are sure to settle down, although the
ground is made firm. Immediately the trees are
planted they shouldbe securely staked and theheads
cut close back, only leaving two or three eyes on the
young growths. Established trees should be gone
over every year, and a certain portion of the small
shoots removed, so as to keep the centres clear
and open for the sun and air to reach every
part. In many districts where the Plum
flourishes I am aware that they are grown
much closer, and many growers prefer bush trees,
but of this style of growing I have had no practical
experience. In the orchards here sheep, calves, and
poultry are kept, to the mutual benefit of all.

It sometimes happens that some of the young
trees will in a few years become " stunted " and
hardly make any growth, more especially Damsons.
My plan with such trees is to cut them hard back,
almost to the stem ; by this means they often start
away and make vigorous growth. If the ground is
at all poor it is a good plan before cutting them
back to lightly break up the surface all round the
stems, say about 6 feet or 7 feet, and on this
ground spread three or four barrowfuls of good
manure. If this is done early in the autumn, so
that the rains can wash the properties of the ma-
nure to the roots, the trees will start away with
fresh vigour, and form fine healthy shoots the first
season. I consider the Damson the most profitable
for field cultivation. Next to it comes the Vic-
toria Plum. Many acres of Damsons are grown
here, and from experience I find the Farleigh, or
Cluster Damson, is the hardiest of all ; it will be
found fresh and good when other varieties of the
Damson are completely spoiled by frost. The
Prune Damson as grown here is very late and
hardy ; the tree is of a spreading habit of growth,
and the leaves are larger than those of any other
variety I know.

I shall conclude with a few remarks as to the
marketing of Plums ; next to growing them this is
of the most importance to the gardener. How to
make the best of them is the question. I have
known growers who have taken great pains to pack
as much straw as possible in the bottom of the
sieves, so that they may have more bulk for market ;
this, I can assure growers, is a mistake. It is also
a mistake to select the very best samples for the
top of the baskets. I have been sending Plums to
market by the ton for the last fifteen years, and
my plan is to pack with fruits of one uniform quality
throughout, and where this is done the buyers soon
get to know and purchase accordingly.

Circumventing the middleman.— A corre-
spondent states that a few days ago a farmer in Kent,
having some Apples to dispose of, forwarded a quantity
to London, and received an answer to the effect that
they were worth 4s. 6d. to 5s. per bushel. Not being
satisfied, he dressed himself as a costermonger, jour-
neyed to the City, and actually bought his own Apples
from the salesman at lis. per bushel. In an hour or
two he returned, undisguised, and on inquiring the
state of the market, was informed that good Apples
realised 4s. and 5s., veryprime as much as 6s.— Bristol
Times and Mirror, Sept. 12.

Cypripedium barbatum.— An old plant of
this Orchid, which I hare bloomed for years consecu-
tively, and one whose virtues have hitherto been purely
negative, has now thrown up twin flowers, proving
that C. barbatum bifiorum is no special variety, but an
accidental outburst of vigour. — B. D. K.

Plants for light soil— What is best to plant on
a light soil, some parts of it lb' inches and others
30 inches deep ? The subsoil is chalk in some places
to a great depth. Would Vines or early Strawberries
succeed? — J. E. S.

Names of plants. J. W. D.—l , Echeveria Pea-

cocki; 2, Cotyledon mammillaris ; 3, Crassula Bolusi ;
4, Sedum pulchellum, true ; 5, Cotyledon teretifolia.

_! Mrs. bayard. — Asplenium alatum.— — W. Clibran

t- g0?li — X, Heleuium autumuale ; this is a very vari-
able species, the forms, both iu height of plant, size
of flower, and time of flowering, beiug legion ; 2, Rud-
beckiapinnata; 3, Spiraea callosa aud var. alba correct.

G. R.—l, Lemon plant (Aloysia citriodora) ; 2,

double Camomile (Anthemis arveusis fl.-pl.) ; 3, Hele-
uium autumuale ; 4, Jacob's Ladder (Polemomum
cOBruleum) ; 5, Spiraea callosa ; 6, Veronica spicata ;

7, send flowers. Anon.— 1, Eryngium Ohverianurn ;

2 bad specimen ; 3, Biota orientalis ; 4, Achillea Cla-
vennae ; 5, shrubby Spirea, send in bloom; 0, Chrysan-
themum maximum. Anon.— 1 and 2, impossible

to name without either fruit or flowers ; 3, Rubus

phcenicolasius, a very pretty Bramble. B.—l, Ipo-

mja sp • 2, Ipomnea ynaunicht. Mrs. Blackwell.—

1 and 2, Hypericum oblongifolium ; 3, Hypericum per-
foratum. Reginald Kelly. — Crataegus cocernea

glaudulosa. Shiart King— Cotoneaster frigida.

Lt.-Col. Alexander. — Polygonum cuspidatum.

Palma— 1, Aster Cliapmanni; 2, send better speci-
men ; 3, send in flower ; 4, Helianthus laeti Bonis ; 5,
Aster Amellus ; 6, we do not name florists' flowers ; /,
send in flower.

286

THE GABDEK

[Sept. 20, 1890.

WOODS AND FORESTS.

TREE PLANTING FOR SHADE.
How enjoyable are tree-shaded spots during the
hot days of summer, and nothing would be
easier than to plan and plant summer groves and
groups of shade-giving trees in every new
garden, large or small, according to the space
at command. There is no necessity to have
recourse again to the cropped Tew hedges or
Yew arbours of our forefathers, or to any other
kind of topiarian work. The great fact to be
borne in mind about shade trees is that some
kinds are frequently planted which are useless
for this purpose. Shade trees are very important
in the heated streets of a city and in promen-
ades.

It is absurd to plant a tree to furnish shade
which frequently begins to lose its leaves before
the heats of summer have set in. Curiously
enough, it is from foreign trees that we get the
most perfect and refreshing shade. A good
shade tree should not only give a dense cool
shade, but its green should be fresh and plea-
sant to the eye in the heat of summer. Some
think there is no better tree for shade than the
Black Italian Poplar ; and it possesses these
essential qualifications even in London, where
the Lime fails so much sooner than it does in
the country. Acer platanoides and the common
Sycamore and its varieties are to be strongly
recommended, also the Horse Chestnut ; but
town planters will do well to bear in mind
that this loses its leaves in cities prema-
turely, and somewhat after the fashion of the
Lime. The Ashes have fine qualities as shade
trees, retaining their handsome leaves through-
out the summer. The Planes are very fine, but
somewhat open ; they also begin to show the
yellow leaf too soon, but never in a very objec-
tionable way. The Tulip Tree, when old and
spreading, is a good shade tree. Populus alba
and P. a. acerifolia are also valuable. Perhaps
the most charming green hues are afforded by
Robinia and its varieties, which, though some-
what late in coming into full leaf, retain their
exquisite verdure till late in the year.

_ Many trees may be named which, in open
situations, may be readily trained to form of
themselves isolated shady retreats, even on a
sunny lawn. The Weeping Ash, for instance,
in a good situation will very quickly form a
perfect tent of verdure, providing ample room
within its descending branches for garden seats,
and even a rustic table. The Weeping Moun-
tain Elm, again, forms a fine far-spreading
canopy of very dense foliage, which, though not
descending perpendicularly to the ground, and
so forming an absolute tent, like the Weeping
Ash, is perhaps more impervious to the sun-
rays, and casts a broad and deep shadow, in
which a certain amount of coolness may be con-
stantly enjoyed. Then there is the Weeping
Willow, never yet utilised in this way, which,
by careful management, might be made to form
garden apartments of very picturesque charac-
ter ; for instance, let four young trees, high
standards, be planted at the angles of a square,
about 9 feet in diameter, let a slight framework
be raised, over which the lateral branches are to
be trained ; and in three or four years an inter-
laced roof of summer greenery of considerable
expanse will be formed, and then the new
branches may be allowed to descend all round,
forming a screen or rather gracefully descend-
ing curtain, surrounding the entire space in-
tended to be so enclosed. The result being
achieved, the trees may bo allowed to pursue

their natural growth, and all appearance of for-
mality will rapidly disappear, leaving to the
pleasantly enclosed and shaded space the aspect
of being merely a graceful accident of Nature,
especially after the removal of the original
supports to the roof of interlaced verdure,
which may be done as soon as the branches
have permanently assumed their positions and
acquired sufficient strength to support them-
selves without extraneous aid. Many other
shade-producing devices of more or less pleasing
and appropriate character might be formed.

Early coning' of Conifers.— One of the chief
causes of young trees coning so prematurely is the
tying the stems upright which happen to be lean-
ing to one side, from wind or other causes. The
tying which some of these plants are often sub-
jected to, and the after neglect of taking off liga-
tures used, has a tendency to cut into the bark on
one side, and often weakens the top, which results
in early coning. Another cause is from transplant-
ing, and is particularly noticeable in plants of Picea
nobilis. Although transplanting is often done for
this express purpose, I have my doubts if the pro-
geny of such trees can be relied on for producing
permanent healthy plants. I am inclined to think
that all these premature methods of inducing cones
will produce a sickly progeny. It would be useful
if those who have had experience in seedlings thus
produced would kindly give the results of their ex-
perience ; it would confer a favour on many culti-
vators by saving the extensive planting of trees
that will not ultimately succeed. The sickly state
of many of our young Larch plantations, I much
fear, is owing to carelessness in seed-collecting.
— T.

Cutting Willows. — The proper season for cut-
ting the rods for basket Willows is the autumn, im-
mediately after the fall of the leaf. The advan-
tage of cutting at this season is that the buds which
are left to produce the shoots for the succeeding
crop immediately begin to swell, and grow in
strength during the winter, and, consequently, they
make much earlier and stronger shoots in the fol-
lowing spring. Immediately after the rods are cut
they are tied up in bundles, each generally about
3 feet 9 inches in girth, and if they are not in-
tended to be used green, that is, with the bark on,
they are set on their thick ends in standing water
to the depth of 3 inches or 4 inches. Here they
remain during winter and spring, till the shoots be-
gin to sprout, which generally happens in the
neighbourhood of London about the end of Febru-
ary, when they are ready to be peeled. Sometimes
it happens that Osiers are cut with the leaves on,
in which case they should never be tied up in bun-
dles, on account of the fermentation that would be
produced by binding them closely together in that
state, but the rods should be set up thinly and
loosely on end, their tops leaning against a rod
supported on two props.

Kaising earth round trees. — I have often
met with instances of the mischievous effect of
raising the soil round the trunks of living trees ;
and in some eases, where only a few inches had
been placed round the collar, the result was as
disastrous as where the trees had been buried to a
greater depth. In making alterations, sufficient
care is not always exercised in this matter ; and
as, perhaps, for a few years no perceptible diminu-
tion in the vigour of the tree is noticed, the wbole
thing is forgotten until the tree becomes sickly
and ultimately dies, when, perhaps, the result is
imputed to some other cause. A few years ago I
saw a fine old Walnut tree which exhibited symp-
toms— by its annually decreasing growth and early
leaf-fall — of declining health. On examination, it
was found that during some alterations some years
previous the earth had been raised about 8 inches
round the trunk, and the bark round the collar was
in some places decayed but owing to the sinuosities
of the trunk, the air perhaps, had not been so
effectually excluded as it would have been in the
case of a younger tree, and therefore the ill effects

had been longer delayed. The earth was at once
removed down to its original level, so that the tree
stood in a kind of basin, with sloping sides and a
diameter of about 10 feet or 12 feet. The tree
quickly improved, and ultimately recovered. I
have never met with any ill effects from raising the
soil over the roots of trees, provided the trunk was
not touched by the new soil ; but in some instances
increased vigour has been imparted to unhealthy
trees by having top dressings of good fresh soil.
Wherever it is necessary to raise the soil in the
neighbourhood of large handsome trees, if the sur-
face is sloped upwards from the tree for 3 feet or 4
feet round the trunk, no harm will follow, or the
earth may be supported by brick-work a foot or so
from the trunk, and fitted with wooden gratings
round the trunk at the top, for the purpose of
securing a due circulation of air ; only the gratings
will have to be inspected occasionally, to see that
the place is clean. — E.

WOODLAND LAKES.

Few spots are more attractive to lovers of Nature
in its quieter and more solitary aspects than wood-
land lakes. In ornamental pleasure grounds gene-
rally there is usually a certain amount of bustle, or
at least the signs of it, present, which to some
extent detracts from their enjoyment, and one longs
to escape at times from the artificial dressiness and
" keep " of the garden to some spot where the hand
of man is less apparent, and Nature wears a simpler
and more primaeval aspect. Such a retreat as this
the woodland lake ought to be— a deep, still, and
extensive sheet of water in the solitudes of the
forest, and surrounded by dense native vegetation
chiefly, for in such a spot gay exotics would be an
incongruity and inadmissible, though they might
be associated with the wild garden, perhaps, but
not too closely. A lake of this description, which
I have seen and remember well, may be worth
describing here. It was situated about half a mile
or more from the mansion, but had no connection
with the flower garden or ornamental grounds, from
which, however, it was reached by a half- concealed
Grass path that led the visitor to a secluded ravine
in the wood, where a sudden turn brought him in
full view of one of the sweeps of the lake, reposing
in the dense shade of the tall Pine trees with which
it was surrounded, and whose deep shadows on a
calm summer's day were mirrored in its bosom.
The margin of the lake was thickly fringed with
drooping Willows, Birches, &c, that dipped
their lower branches in the water, and the back-
ground on every side was a forest of Pines, except
where here and there a jutting knoll was covered
by Bilberry bushes and Ferns. A narrow, half-
concealed path wound round the edge of the lake,
and here and there, at the most attractive spots and
vantage grounds, a rustic seat was placed for the
convenience of visitors, and a skiff was also pro-
vided for those who wished to enjoy a sail, or to
fish for the trout which abounded in the lake.
Everything about the lake wore a perfectly natural
aspect, which was enhanced by the dense masses
of Bulrushes and Reeds which fringed its margins
in some parts, on which coots, water hens, and
wild ducks found a safe retreat. It was a warm,
bright, sunny day at the time of my visit, and a
more delightful retreat of the kind I thought I had
never seen. Far removed from noise and tumult,
everything was so still and quiet that the spectator
might have fancied himself in the midst of some
virgin forest. B.

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THE GARDEN.

287

No. 984. SATURDAY, Sept. 27, 1890. Vol. XXXVIII.

"This is an Art
Which does mend Nature : change it rather; hut
Tut: Akt itself is Nature." — Sfiahe&peare.

Kitchen Garden.

CELERY FAILURES.
There are probably more failures with Celery
than with any other vegetable. Either it runs
to seed prematurely, or it is hollow or pipy, or,
what is equally as bad, the best portion of the
hearts is completely spoilt by slugs. In large
gardens where there is plenty of skilled labour,
and an experienced gardener in charge, each
and all of these contingencies areusuallyavoided,
and jilenty of crisp, sweet, and wholesome Celery
is sent to the table. But the case is very
different with the owners of comparatively
small gardens. Some of these are very well
served by their gardeners and little or no fault
can be found with the Celery crops. Others
fare badly, though it is by no means certain the
owners themselves are not most to blame for
the failures that occur. Cheap seed of inferior
forms is far from being the cheapest in the end,
the quality of such generally being most un-
satisfactory. Nor is it wise to purchase plants
in the open market or from a distance, these
experiencing such a severe check that premature
bolting is almost sure to result. Much over-
worked men, again, cannot reasonably be ex-
pected to bestow nearly so much pains on their
crops as do those where good time is allowed
for everything, and on the whole more labour
has to be expended upon Celery than upon any
other crop in the kitchen garden.

The foregoing are given as probable causes of
failure, and for most of which there is no remedy
this season. Much of the moulding up necessary
to ensure perfect blanching of the stems and to
protect from frosts yet remains to be done, and
it is upon this portion of the subject I propose
to offer a few remarks. It should be remembered
that the nature of the surface and subsoils
materially differs in most gardens, and to a
certain extent so also must the treatment of the
Celery crops growing on them. The lighter
gravelly soils are the most easily managed, and
are seldom much infested by slugs ; consequently
less pains need be taken with the moulding-up
of the Celery. Even these have their draw-
backs, and it is my belief there are more failures
with Celery on light, freely-drained ground
than is the case with the more retentive heavy
soils. Celery being essentially a water-loving
plant requires plenty of moisture at the roots,
a deficiency at any time during the growing
season usually leading to bolting. Now although
August was a dull, wet month, the rainfall was
by no means heavy, while since September
set in nothing but exceptionally hot dry
weather has been experienced. Therefore unless
two or more good soakings of water have been
given to the rows of Celery prior to the first
and also the second moulding-up, the chances
are the plants are far too dry at the roots.
Even our rows on heavy or clayey ground have
required copious waterings, and on lighter soils
they would have required far more water. It
must be a very heavy rain that will re-moisten
very dry Celery trenches, and this is a matter
owners of small gardens who employ casual
labour should attend to at once. It is useless
to pour a little water down close to the stems,
as the bulk of the r jots are spread far out into
the surrounding soil, and the whole of the
trench should therefore be well soaked. Liquid

manure is never thrown away on Celery, but,
on the contrary, it will stand any amount of it,
and be greatly improved in quality thereby.

Having done all that is possible at this late
date to prevent early running to seed and to
promote strong growth, the next consideration
is how best to preserve the stems and hearts
from slugs and grubs of any kind, and which in
many cases is a rather difficult matter. As be-
fore stated, it is the heavy lumpy soils that
mostly harbour these pests, and where these
prevail extra pains must necessarily be taken in
moulding up Celery. Very few people pro-
bably are prepared to go to the length of en-
closing the stems in collars or bandages of
brown paper, yet these when duly enclosed by
soil last long enough to effectually exclude both
soil and slugs from the hearts, the cleanest
Celery being turned out with their aid. In
winding round slips of paper care should be
taken not to unduly confine the hearts, the
outer stalks being merely brought up close to-
gether and perfectly upright. When Celery is
grown on the level or on raised beds, no soil
being banked up around it, strips of canvas
are needed in addition to the paper wraps, and
a protection of dry litter in frosty weather.
The plan of enclosing the plants in ordinary
4-inch or rather larger drain pipes and mould-
ing around these by way of protection also
answers well, and is worthy of a trial by those
who have hitherto failed to produce clean,
Celery. In but few cases, however, are either
of these methods of cleanly blanching resorted
to, the majority of growers depending on other
simple protective measures. A free use of soot
and a little lime added, this being dusted
among the rows and mixed with the soil as it is
broken up and banked around the plants,
greatly checks the depredations of slugs. Those
who prepare the stalks for use rather object
to the soot, but it can usually be washed
from them without very much trouble, and
what the gardener is most concerned about
is prevented by its use. I would repeat, how-
ever, that it must be freely used to be effective,
mere dustings being of little avail. The soil
being very heavy and lumpy, it scarcely being
possible to fine it down sufficiently to closely
surround the stalks, even soot will be of little
use against slugs, and more than ordinary pains
must consequently be taken in the moulding-up.
Where there is abundance of fine burnt clay, or
a large heap of burnt soil, weeds, and other gar-
den rubbish available, this will be found excel-
lent material for surrounding and preserving
Celery from slugs and other pests. It is also
to be recommended for use in all cases where
Celery keeps badly from other causes, such, for
instance, as too much moisture during the win-
ter. Sand is a fairly good substitute for burnt
earth, but is somewhat retentive of moisture,
and I prefer ashes from coal fires, and duly se-
parated from the coarser cinders. Either mate-
rial in addition to keeping Celery clean is subse-
quently suitable for mixing with and improving
the texture of heavy soils.

In each and every case some trouble must be
taken in preparing the plants for moulding-up,
and this important work ought to be commenced
now, if not already done, in order that all may
be finally surrounded by soil before severe frosts
intervene.

The first proceeding should be to cleanly
remove all quite small leaves and suckers, and
after a watering has been given and the ground
become somewhat dry, the moulding-up should
follow. Novices require to be told that the
outer stalks, in order to effectually exclude the
soil from the hearts, should be brought up to-

gether, and either held by the hand while one
or more assistants is chopping down and shovel-
ling in the soil, or else be kept in position with
the aid of raffia ties. The stalks must not be
wedged together tightly over the hearts, nor a
heavy weight of soil be raised in advance of the
inner growth, or otherwise bulging and splitting
at the base will inevitably ensue. According as
the hearts advance more soil may be banked up
around, the moulding-up being completed in
about three times, and the same process of
holding the stalks or tying them together re-
peated each time. The ties ought always to be
made just above where the soil is to be placed,
and removed after each operation. When either
ballast, sand, or ashes are used, only enough of
each to just surround the stems is needed, and
it can best be applied with the aid of boards
placed on each side of the rows or across beds
or wide trenches with several rows of plants in
them. The fine material can be placed inside
of the boards, and the ordinary soil banked up
to them, the latter keeping the former in its
place after the boards have been withdrawn and
shifted further along. At the final moulding-
up only about half of the leaves should be left
uncovered, the ridge of soil thus formed being
smoothed over and rounded sufficiently to throw
off heavy rains and snow water. It is also
worth while to protect the exposed portion of
the leaves, this beiDg done either with boards
nailed together in the form of the letter V. or
else with dry litter or Bracken. Should these
leaves be badly crippled by frost, the subsequent
decay is rapid, and spreads downwards, thereby
greatly shortening the keeping qualities of the
Celery. L M. H.

PARSLEY DYING OFF.
Paesley is always useful when a good supply can
be secured all the year round, but in the best
regulated establishments it is impossible always to
furnish the required quantity. Especially is this
the case in old gardens in which the same crops
have been grown for years without the opportunity
of a rest. Often a failure occurs when least ex-
pected, and in soils that have not failed for years.
Parsley is often sown too thickly and not thinned
sufficiently, and in dry seasons it soon suffers and
turns yellow. Thinning is not the only thing neces-
sary in unsuitable soils; transplanting is of the
greatest importance, as it often' saves a crop
and the produce is much finer. I generally adopt
the plan of sowing the seeds in rows thinly, the
first sowing in March, and again at intervals of
two months, sowing the last time in August, always
choosing a piece of fresh ground, and previous to
sowing, well covering the soil with wood ashes and
soot, or drawing the drills and then spreading the
ashes and soot. I prefer the former plan, as the
wood ashes and soot become thoroughly mixed
with the soil when the drills are drawn. By using
wood ashes and soot I generally secure a good
crop, but if a failure should result on ground
infested with wireworm, as is sometimes the case,
then recourse must be had to gas-lime, which will
answer when the quicklime and soot and wood ashes
fail. I have used gas-lime for this purpose, and
when applied carefully it is surprising how soon it
clears the ground of this troublesome pest. When-
ever a piece of ground is vacant a slight covering
over of the gas-lime on the surface and allowing it
to remain a short time before digging it in will soon
clear the ground. If required for immediate use
the gas-lime must be sparingly applied. It is also
good for ground where Carrots, Onions, Parsnips,
and similar crops cannot be grown to perfection, as
is often the case. If the lime be spread on the
ground the previous autumn and dug in, the soil
will be in good condition the next season for sow-
ing the crops. In the case of what is termed
clubbing in the Brassica crops the use of gas-
lime as advised is very beneficial. Watering the
seedlings with soot water will often cause the

288

THE GAEDEN.

[Sept. 27, 1890-

plants to throw off any slight attack of wireworm.
I hare also used guano water to advantage in dull
weather. Transplanting also in the early part of
the year will often save a crop through the summer,
a^ain transplanting for the autumn and winter
supply on a sheltered border or under a south wall.
Parsley, being so easily raised, is often sown in un-
favourable positions and in dry, hot places, but for
the summer supply a cool and rather moist border
is the best place, giving a drier and warmer place
for the winter supply. If sown early or trans-
planted 6 inches apart, thinning to that distance
when sown, and allowing the young growths to get
thoroughly hardened, very little shelter is necessary
through the winter. Cold does not affect it so
much as cutting winds after frost and too much
damp. A little dry Bracken or hay will often
protect it when glass lights cannot be spared for
the purpose. Geo. Wythes.

Runner Beans. — A very odd query was put to
me the other day as to the position of white-seeded
runner Beans in relation to Scarlet Runners. A
gardener who acted as judge at a cottagers' show,
in dealing with a class for Scarlet Runners, placed
a fine dish first, which later proved to be white-
seeded. An effort was made, on the ground that
such samples were not Scarlet Runners, to induce
the judge to disqualify the first prize dish. That
course, however, he refused to take, on the ground
that the term Scarlet Runner meant the whole of
the rough-podded runner section of Beans, and was
not restricted to those of any particular colour in
flower or seed. He was also able to refer to the
fact that an eminent seed firm term white Runners
white-seeded Scarlet Runners. In the interpre-
tation put upon the reading I agree, as it is evident
that unless special inquiries be made it is not pos-
sible for a judge to discriminate in the samples be-
fore him as to which are from white seed and which
are from red seed. Of course, white seeded Run-
ners do not produce scarlet flowers. They really
produce albinos, but which, all the same, are just as
fertile, and produce Beans exactly like those
produced by scarlet-flowered plants. It is a fact,
also, as showing how intermingled white and red
seeded forms are, that each form will sport to the
other, scarlets especially breaking into white,
and equally so into both black-seeded and into the
Painted Lady form. This sportiveness shows that
all Scarlet Runners, so-called, are literally the
same, differing only in colour of seed and blooms.
Whilst classes for runner Beans and dwarf Beans
are very proper, it is very certain that classes for
white Runner Beans and for scarlet Runner Beans
would be ridiculous. The common sense of the
thing is that Scarlet Runner comprehends all the
rough runner section. — A. D.

Autumn-sewn Carrots. — The crop of Carrot:
is often a precarious one, and one that cannot be
done without. In many gardens this useful root
will not grow at all, but I believe in many cases this
difficulty is being surmounted by the aid of soot
and wood ashes, trenching the ground in the win-
ter, also by the use of gas-lime ; the latter is often
a remedy when others fail, and should be well
worked into the ground in the autumn before sowing
the next spring crop. Wood ashes and soot, also
sand on heavy land, or burnt soil are all useful and
will do much to secure a crop. It is also important
not to use the same ground that has borne crops
affected by the grub, such as Parsnips, Onions, and
others. I have also often secured crops by sowing
in the late summer and autumn when the spring
sown crop has totally failed. I would advise those
similarly affected to sow in August or late, the
Short Horn varieties, and by this means nice young
fresh Carrots may be had all through the winter
months. A good border or open piece of ground
manured for the previous crop answers well, but, if
possible, ground that has not had similar roots for
a time should be chosen. The drills need not be
more than 6 inches or 8 inches apart-f or the autumn
crop, and the thinning less than for the large rooted
kinds, as the young Carrots may be used early by
drawing from the thickest places. If sown late a
little protection in bad weather is necessary, and
litter or Bracken answers the purpose well. Very

often the grub, which is so troublesome in the
spring and summer months, will not harm the au-
tumn-sown roots. This is an advantage, as the
crop, though small, is valuable and often fills up
a void. I have adopted this plan for some time,
and found it answer well for the supply of young
sweet roots that are much liked in the kitchen, and
last till the early frame Carrots are plentiful. — G.
Wythes.

DISEASE-RESISTING POTATOES.
I quite agree with " A. D 's " remarks on the mis-
leading statement by an Irish correspondent of a
daily paper. The correspondent referred to surely
must have been quoting from some isolated case or
district when stating that the Champion Potato
was the only one relied upon by the peasantry for
their main crop. Here in an Ulster county adjoin-
ing Connaught the Magnurn Bonum Potato is
largely grown by the small farmers, and judging
from the general tone at the present time, the
Magnum will be the only Potato planted next sea-
son. Hereabouts the Potato crop is under the aver-
age, chiefly owing to the irreparable damage done
in June by frosts, especially on low-lying boggy
ground, acres of Potatoes having been cut down
so late as the second week in June. In this neigh-
bourhood Potatoes planted on stiff, wet soils have
suffered the most from the disease. From a report
in the Farmer's Gazette oE the 13th inst. I learn
that Potatoes are an average crop in the upper end
of this county, and also in many adjoining districts.
On the whole, the outlook is not nearly so bad as
some correspondents would have us believe. I
venture to assert that it is not experts we want
in Ireland to find better substitutes for the Po-
tatoes now in cultivation, but a great deal more
practical common sense in the method of cultiva-
tion than that which is in vogue by the poorer
class of agriculturists at the present time. The
quality and quantity of Potatoes grown in Ireland
are an Irishman's boast, but the only thing I see to
boast about is the manner in which the Potato
" does produce a crop " with the least possible la-
bour, and also the careless manner in which the seed
is selected. No doubt some of the readers of The
Gabdex will hardly credit the following facts : Hav-
ing occasion to plant a piece of ground last spring
with a strong- growing variety and being short of seed ,
I asked a land steward for several hundredweight.
He agreed to supply me with Magnum Bonum. On
receiving them I was surprised to find four diffe-
rent varieties all mixed together, and on asking
the reason, the answer I received was (using the
man's own words), " We do not trouble to keep the
sorts separate ; mixed Potatoes are quite good
enough for ordinary use." So long as such gross
carelessness is persisted in in the selection of seed
Potatoes failures must follow. Again, the average
Irish peasant is greatly prejudiced against the in-
troduction of new varieties. A case came under
my notice last spring when planting Sharpe's
Victor, Improved Ashleaf, Early Coldstream, and
Abundance. Not being above listening to an old
hand, I was told it was useless to offer those varie-
ties in the market so long as there were any Floun-
ders to be got. Needless to say, the Flounders
were three weeks behind the first-named varieties
above mentioned, a consideration when one has to
show a balance on the cash side. I cannot recom-
mend Potato Abundance as a disease-resister ; this
variety was the first attacked, both haulm and
tubers being badly affected. I planted it in two
different places, and each lot was equally diseased,
whilst the tubers of two seedling varieties from
the Magnum growing by the side of Abundance
were perfectly sound. — J. Leicestee.

It is a singular commentary on " A. D.'s "

assertion in TnE Gabden, Sept. 13 (p. 250), that in
England "we have long dispensed with Champion
as a coarse variety eminently subject to disease,"
that the foremost houses in the trade in London
still recommend it in their select lists, and that
Scotch farmers grow it in such large quantities, and
send it up for the English people to eat. I was sur-
prised to see such large fields of it quite lately in
the Lothians without a speck of disease when most
other sorts were badly affected. Very large quan-

tities go from Scotland to Ireland for seed, farmers
being the purchasers, and they prefer it before all
others for general crops. I was told this by a
Scotch seedsman who sends many tons every year
and takes a journey to Ireland annually, an excel-
lent judge of Potatoes, too, and who declares the
Magnum Bonum rubbish in comparison ; for one
reason, that Championis fit to eat as soon as got, and
Magnum Bonum unfittill long afterChristmas— the
longer the better according to my experience. I
could have sent " A. D." diseased Chancellors some
time ago from very dry ground, well limed and
manured last year, and where no Potatoes have
been for twenty-six years at least. I trenched
a piece of our forest tree nursery to give the soil
a change, and planted Chancellor and Magnum
mainly, and when I returned from Scotland the
other day I could not help noticing how unfavour-
ably the Magnum compared with the Champion in
Scotland in earlier districts than ours. The stems
of the Magnum Bonum are badly diseased in many
places, and the tubers have begun, and plenty of
diseased samples of the same sort are to be found
in this district. That the Champion is a variety
" eminently subject to disease," as put by " A. D.,"
no one will assert for a moment who has seen it
grown by those who do grow it extensively. It is
a sort that must have room to grow, and I fully
believe that if it was planted so wide apart that the
rows would not meet, crops would be both larger
and sounder. It may be accepted, I think, as an
established fact that disease is always worst under
thick planting, as the ground never has a chance of
getting dry.— J. S. W.

Books.

TOMATO CULTURE FOR AMATEURS*

This, the latest contribution to Tomato litera-
ture, if it contains nothing very fresh upon the
subject, is yet the work of an experienced grower
who knows how to present his knowledge in a read-
able and instructive form. Although ostensibly
written for amateurs, the heading really appears to
have been an afterthought, as by far the greater
portion of the chapters devoted to cultural details
seems to have special reference to growing Tomatoes
for market. The writer overlooks the fact that
very few amateurs, or even private gardeners are in
a position to devote a house or bouses solely to
Tomato culture, much as they might wish to do,
and more makeshift methods than those detailed
have often to be adopted.

Mr. Ravenscroft does well to minutely describe
the best methods of raising the plants, amateurs
requiring the fullest information upon the subject,
and the subsequent cultural details, if somewhat
scattered, are yet equally plain and in mostinstances
correct. But surely so many shifts are not required
by the plants before they get into their fruiting
quarters. According to my experience, a few days
spent by the seedling or cutting-raised plants in 3-
inch pots have the effect of giving a weakly start,
the whole of them doing much better when pricked
out into larger or 5-inch pots, and from these trans-
ferred direct to where they are to fruit. About
fifteen pages are devoted to propagation, but re-
marks upon the subsequent culture are curiously
enough included under the same heading, the best
method of saving and cleaning seed being also
fully discussed. The advice with regard to the
potting or growing on of young plants is sound and
good, as the following passage will prove : —

In all cases avoid starving the young plants into blos-
som in small pots, as some recommend. The practice
is a thoroughly bad one, and the fact is they cannot be
grown too strongly (in reason!, so long as the growth
made is properly solidified by full exposure to all the
light and sunshine available with a free, yet judicious
admission of air according to the weather outside, and
sufficient room to stand clear of each other. Plants
that are placed too closely together, or are grown at a
distance from the glass, or in a high temperature are

* "Tomato Culture for Amateurs." By B. C.
Ravenscroft. Published by L. Upcott Gill, I/O,
Strand, W.C.

Sept. 27, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

289

certain to become drawn aud weak, and will never
make the stout, short-jointed, and fruitful growth of
those that were well treated from the first.

Upwards of thirty pages are devoted to " Culti-
vation under glass," the chapter comprising much
useful information upon the best form of houses
and how to construct and heat them cheaply,
also what form of border should be made, and the
best methods of training to be adopted, more espe-
cially by the market grower. An illustration ac-
companying the remarks upon the " methods of
growing plants" shows how the plants should be
trained in narrow span-roofed houses, and later on
in the same chapter another woodcut showing how
to utilise a three-quaiter span-roof is also given.
The best composts, manures, liquid and otherwise,
when to water, and what to avoid are all treated of
at length, and the remarks upon training, disbud-
ding and stopping are very explicit and reliable.
" Points to be observed " are worthy of reproduction,
and are as follows : —

The most important points in the successful cultiva-
tion of the Tomato are : 1, abundance of light, with
all sunshine available in our none too sunny climate ;
2, a genial, hut moderate degree of warmth from first
to last, with a buoyant or constantly moving and
moderately dry atmosphere around the plants ; 3, free
ventilation at all times (this is most important, a stag-
nant atmosphere being fatal to success) ; 4, a firm
root-run in only moderately good soil, hut with plenty
of liquid manure and rich top-dressings after the
plants have commenced to fruit ; 5, to keep the plants
strictly to onej or in some cases two or three main
stems, all lateral growths being rigorously removed,
and the strength of the plants thus concentrated in
the trusses of fruit, and not wasted in superfluous
growth.

Another comparatively short chapter is devoted
to cultivation in the open air, and for some un-
accountable reason the writer nearly ignores the
value of walls and sheltered fences for training the
plants against. As a fact, the plants on the latter are
the only ones that are yielding good crops of fruit
this season, those quite in the open being complete
failures. Diseases and their treatment form the
heading of another chapter, and considering how
very prevalent and destructive some of these have
proved of late years, more space might safely have
been devoted to this portion of the subject. The
writer is evidently unable to give any effective
remedies for the Cladisporium, the most deadly of
all the Tomato's enemies, and is decidedly wide of
the mark when he suggests that it can be pre-
vented simply by ventilating more freely and j udi-
ciously. Nor is he much happier when he states: —

The only insects to the attacks of which the Tomato
may be said to be really subject are the aphis or green-
fly and black-fly.

Perhaps this may be correct enough as far as
market growers are concerned, but the case is very
different with private gardeners, most of whom
find the white fly (Aleyrodes vaporariarum) the
greatest pest imaginable. Drive this from To-
matoes for a time or deprive it of this its favourite
breeding ground and the fly will establish itself on
various other plants, only to return to the Tomatoes
when more of these are raised. Calvert's soft soap
is only a partial remedy for this troublesome insect,
sulphur on the hot-water pipes being far more
effective.

Fully one-third of the book, or about forty-three
pages, is devoted to comments on, and descriptions
of varieties, the writer, among other remarks, com-
mitting himself to the assertion previously ex-
pressed by " J. C. C." in the pages of The Garden,
that packets of seed for which a good price has
been paid frequently give half a dozen or more
varieties. According to my experience, however,
this is an occurrence extremely rare, no variety of
fruit-vegetable, such as we may term the Tomato,
being less liable to be crossed by either insect
agency or by wind distribution of the pollen grains.
I have had as many as forty varieties under trial in
one season, and with the exception of the large yellow,
all were perfectly true to name. On the whole
Mr. Ravenscroft's estimate of the different varieties
is correct enough, but he must err, and mislead
accordingly, when he states that the varieties of
a crimson colour, notably Acme and Dedham

Favourite, are now so much in favour with buyers
that they frequently realise from " Id. to 3d. per
lb. more than the others " (see p. 97). Undoubtedly
the quality of these forms is f ally equal, if not su-
perior to the popular Perfection type, but the
colour of the latter still finds most favour with
buyers, and most probably always will do. Ham
Green Favourite is said by the author to be a " good
deal after the style of the Large Red," but I find
it totally distinct, and very superior in all but pro-
ductiveness during the dull winter months. The
Chiswick grouping of Tomatoes would appear to
have been followed in some instances, the writer
perpetrating the same blunder of making out
Stamfordian to be synonymous with Perfection.
It is really nothing more nor less than Trophy.
Although fully 150 forms or synonymus are to
be found mentioned in the index, not one of
them apparently has reached the author's ideal,
the nearest approach to this being Perfec-
tion. Now the latter may be the best from
a market grower's point of view, but an amateur who
can appreciate the merits generally of a variety
must give the preference to Conference, this being
one of the few that can be relied upon to produce
good crops both under glass and in the open, the
fruit being of medium size and of the best quality.
According to Mr. Ravenscoft —

What the shopkeepers want, in London at any rate, is
smooth round fruit, moderate and even in size, weigh-
ing not less than 2 ozs. nor more than 4 ozs. apiece, of
a rich bright colour, and with firm solid flesh, few
seeds and agreeable flavour. Add to these points a
dwarf, sturdy habit, a good constitution, and a prolific
and early fruiting character, and we have the perfect
Tomato, or shall have when we get it.

M.'H.

MARKET GARDEN NOTES.
Favoured by splendid weather, outdoor work of
all kinds has been pushed on rapidly, and the lift-
ing, storing, and marketing of crops, and getting
the soil clear of weeds that had made exceptional
growth during the protracted spell of wet weather
have been occupying all hands. Autumn cropping
now demands immediate attention. The most
pressing work at present is —

Lifting Potatoes. — During the past month
very large quantities have been lifted, and either
sent into the local markets or to other places by
rail, as many of the large growers prefer selling
right off rather than have the labour of storing,
even though higher prices, owing to the more or
less partial failure of the crop in some of the
moister parts of the kingdom, might be had. Some
of the largest growers tell me that Potatoes that
realise over £2 per ton pay better than any other
crop they can grow. One thing is certain, that the
acreage under Potatoes increases every year. The
White Beauty of Hebron is one of the most popular
sorts grown.

Spring Cabbages. — As soon as the Potatoes are
cleared off, a good dressing of manure is put on
the land and ploughed in ready for the main crop
of spring Cabbages. Good sturdy plants from the
first sowings made in July are now fit for immediate
planting, as when put out early they get well rooted,
and in good rich soil they continue growing all
the winter unless very exceptional cold prevails.
Amongst green crops the earliest spring Cabbages
are most in favour, as they invariably sell well
either in the immediate locality, or when sent to
more inland towns where the crops are at least a
fortnight later in attaining a size that will make
them saleable. Many of the largest growers save
their own seed, but the stocks are very similar to
the Early London Market sort.

Autumn Giant Cauliflower is now coming
in very fine, but it is rather too early to realise high
prices yet, as the markets are still well supplied with
French and Runner Beans, Vegetable Marrows, &c,
that continue to bear very freely. The cold nights
that cut these tender crops off about September 1
did not injure them here, and the fine, warm
weather that has prevailed since has given them all
a fresh start.

Onions have been harvested in fine conditiop.

The crops of these, as a rule, are very heavy, but
they will not be sent to market for several weeks
yet, as all the south-coast towns are well supplied
with French and Channel Island Onions. The long-
keeping sorts are the ones that pay to grow and
store in airy lofts until after Christmas.

Tomatoes, where they have escaped the disease,
are paying the growers well, as the price for home-
grown ones keeps high, in spite of enormous quan-
tities of foreign ones, that do not appear to improve
in quality. The heavy downpours of rain in August
completely destroyed both plants and fruit where
fully exposed, but on east walls, or where sheltered
by glass copings and in cold houses, the fruits that
were left unaffected have ripened up well under the
warm September sunshine.

Fruit gathering and marketing have been
briskly pushed on lately. The main crop is Apples,
which, owing to the scarcity of Plums and Damsons,
realise good prices. Any good cooking kinds are
worth 8s. per bushel wholesale, and dessert sorts
much more. The largest supplies we get are from
sheltered spots in the New Forest, where such
kinds as Blenheim Orange, Hambledon Deux Ans,
and a few other good old sorts have grown into
very large trees. The owners having no conveni-
ence for storing, sell the whole crop direct to
dealers, who take them a good many miles to find
the best market. As a rule, the best crops this
year are where the shelter is provided by large
forest trees, cutting winds proving more destruc-
tive to the Apple crop than actual frost.

NUTS of various kinds, and especially Walnuts,
are a very heavy crop, the fine weather having
greatly helped them to mature, and harvesting will
soon be general.

Mulberries and Blackberries have been
more eagerly sought after this year than in any
season that I can remember, for in years when
other fruits are plentiful these do not pay for
gathering. This season, however, the trees and
bushes are being closely picked, and the fruit finds
a ready sale. There are few places in England
where there are such crops of Blackberries as there
are on the waste Crown and common lands in
Hampshire. It is one of the most convincing
proofs of the increasing demand for fresh fruit,
that anything that is useful for either cooking or
dessert finds a ready sale in our populous towns.

GosjjoH. James Groom.

Importing plants from New Zealand.—

I am glad that Mr. Watson has given to you his
experience about the transmission of plants from
New Zealand, but I do not look upon it as a ques-
tion of justice or injustice to Mr. Matthews at all.
I related a fact as I found it, for in no other way
that I could think of was it likely that my end
would be attained, which was to get information
about the best method of transit for plants and
.bulbs from a distance. The letter of " R. P." in
your impression of August 30 was the sort of thing
which I wanted, and I thank him for taking the
trouble of enlightening me about this matter. I
immediately sent out a copy of The Garden with
" R. P.'s" remarks in it to Dunedin, and I hope that
some good may come from it after all. I can
scarcely agree with Mr. Watson when he supposes
that I have been exceptionally unlucky in this
matter. It is rather the other way. Two-thirds of
the ventures I know anything about have come to
o-rief, and one-third— that of Kew— has succeeded.
A friend wrote to me the other day that he had
been sending a "plaintive howl " to New Zealand
about the consignment he had received. I imagine
that the letter of " R. P." may throw some light
upon the difficulties and dangers of Wardian cases.
What between being baked in the sun and washed
by the waves, they may have a bad time of it on
the passage which cannot be helped. If Mr.
Matthews made any mistake, it was perhaps in un-
derrating these troubles which should be guarded
against in every possible way. The Wardian case
to which I have alluded above and my own came
by one ship; that of Kew Gardens in which Mr.
Watson was interested came by another; hence, per.

290

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 27, 1890.

haps, the great difference in the results. But if I
have in the least seemed to press hardly on Mr.
Matthews, I am very willing to withdraw such an
expression altogether. I can see that it is a most
difficult business to send plants a long distance
with safety, and I daresay he did all in his power
to ensure for us success. He may even yet bless
the day when attention was called to this matter
if by hook or by crook he can lessen the risks which
seem to attend it, for the flora of New Zealand
seems to be interesting in the highest degree, and
a large number of New Zealand plants do well in
our gardens. Many, I think, would like to be able
to send an order to Dunedin, as one can to America,
without feeling that the chances are against them
of any good coming from it. I much hope Mr.
Watson will kindly print the instructions to which
he refers, for few can be better qualified than he is
to render assistance about a matter of this sort. —
HENRT EwbAnk, St. John's, Hyde.

NOTES OP THE WEEK.

Pentstemons.— Mr. J. Forbes, Buecleueh Nur-
series, Hawick, sends us a gathering of Pentstemons,
the flo a ers being large aud the colours rich. Such
varieties as these sent help to brighten the garden at a
time when flowers are getting scarce. They come
true from seed, and a good display may be had by sow-
ing every year.

Dendrobium formosum. — This was in excel-
lent flower a few days ago with Mr. Gledstane, Manor
House, Gunnersbury. The plant bore six spikes, and
bloomed equally well last season. As this Orchid is
said to go hack and not improve under cultivation, it
was a noteworthy specimen. Vanda Sanderiaua was
also finely in bloom.

Strawberries in September.— I send you
some Strawberries from plants that were forced, and
after being hardened off were planted out. I ought
to have sent them before, as the wasps, slugs, &c,
have attacked them since I looked at them on Wednes-
day. The varieties are Noble aud Augusts Nicaise. —
W. Iggulden.

*#* The flavour of Augusts Nicaise is "much better
than that of Noble. — Ed.

A double yellow Cornflower. — We herewith
send for your opinion some blooms of a new Chrysan-
themum _ coronarium. We have had this strain for
nearly eight years, but could not get it true. For
two years it has proved constant, but we were able
to save only a very small quantity of seed. This year
the crop seems to be better, and if so, we shall offer
it to the trade. It produces blooms up to November.
— C. Pr.Aiz and Son, Erfurt.

*#* It seems to us a good double form of the yellow
Cornflower (C.segetum). — Ed.

Japanese Rose preserve. — I send you a little
preserve made from the fruit of the Japanese Rose
(Ivisa rugosa). In 1S86 I suggested making hedges
of this Hose, having tried one (see Vol. XXX., p. 449).
The hedges have increased in beauty and efficiency
every year. I had lately to cut some sprays for a
harvest festival ; the thorns were most formidable. I
am told that cattle will not eat Sweet Brier. If this
be so, the Japanese Rose should be safe against them.
— Geokge F. Wilson.

*#* Looks and tastes as well as other preserves. — Ed
Carnation Margaritee.— We send you a plant
and some flowers of the new Carnation Margarita?.
This plant was lifted from the open ground this
morning. It flowers the first season from seed
which was sown early in March in a warm frame.
The seedlings were transplanted to a cold frame as
soon as large enough to be removed, and they were
planted outdoors early in June. — James Veitch
and Sons.

*** A pretty fringed flower, deep warm rose,
almost crimson. With this plant was also sent a
gathering of very prettily coloured Carnations,
indeed , mostly fringed, and well worth growing. — Ed'
Chrysanthemum Lucinda.— This early flower-
ing pompon variety is, I see, considered synonymous
with Illustration in the National Chrysanthemum So-
ciety's catalogue. Be that as it may, it is a capital
sort for early outdoor culture. I lately saw a bed
filled with this and another kind, its exact coun-
terpart, except in colour, which was a pale yellow.
The bed was 20 feet long, about 8 feet wide, and
was a mass of bloom during the month of August.

The yellow sort was unknown to me. The gardener
in charge told me he thought it was a sport from
the named variety, as it had been on the place
many years. For years I was told these two sorts
had flowered in the same manner in the same bed.
The mode of treatment was to cut down the flower-
stems at the end of September, take up the plants,
divide and replant them, first deeply digging over
the soil, to which was added some manure. Any-
one wishing for a similar display could not do
better thau procure cuttings or roots of this early
sort and do likewise. — E. M.

Hymenanthera crassifolia (p. 281). — I agree
with " J.'s " recommendation of this hardy shrub,
but he is mistaken in saying of the white berries
that " they stand forth almost alone among fruits
of that tint, there being nothing else in this way
except the Snowberry." The Margyricarpus setosus
is a hardier shrub with delicate foliage and abun-
dance of white pearl-like fruits, which stand well
above the foliage and not below it, as in the Hy-
menanthera. There is also a white-fruited variety of
the Spindle tree, and there is a lovely hardy green-
house shrub from India, Epigynum leucobotrys,
with trusses of white transparent berries. It is
grown in the temperate house at Kew. — Henby N.
Ellacombe, Bitton Vicarage.

Montbretia crocosmisBfloraT maculata.— I
observe with some interest that Mr. J. O'Brien re-
ceived an award at the last meeting of the R. H. S.
for a plant exhibited under the above name.
The description given of it as well as the third
appellation agree so closely with the characters
of a fine variety of Crocosmia (Tritonia) aurea
which I am growing this season, and which was sent
out last year by M. Max Leichtlin, that I am in-
duced to ask whether or not they are distinct. The
Crocosmia in question, received under the name of
aurea maculata, does not differ in habit from the
typical plant, but is more vigorous, taller, and its
flowers are notably larger, the three inner seg-
ments having a very conspicuous dark brown
blotch about the middle. It would be interesting
to learn the history of the plant certificated. Your
readers will, like myself, doubtless be gratified by
some further information respecting it. — W. T.,
Ipsmieh.

Potato Rural New Yorker. — About two years
ago I received a single tuber of this fine variety of
Potato from Messrs. Thorburn, of New York, and
having given it a good trial I can confidently state
that it deserves all that can be said in its favour.
The tubers are not only large and very even, but
they are of first-rate quality. I this year planted
the stock I had on a piece of light stony soil with-
out any manure, and the season proving very wet,
this was rather advantageous than otherwise, as I
find that the soundest crops this year are where
little if any fresh manure has been applied. I lifted
the crop in the middle of September. There were
scarcely any small tubers, but any number over 1 lb.
each, and many over 1 lb. 4 ozs.,and when freshly
dug they proved of better table quality than any
other sort I have tried, for, as a rule, the heavy rain-
fall has been against high quality. I do not know
if this variety has been widely distributed, but per-
haps some readers of The Gakden can state how
it has turned out with them. My own idea is that
it will prove a first-rate main crop sort. The very
largest tubers I had were by no means coarse or
ugly in shape, but just as even as the medium-sized
ones. Now that the Potato crop is occupying a
good deal of attention, it would be well to note
what varieties are resisting the disease and what
are falling victims to it. In this locality the Potato
crop is generally good, and although we have more
disease than usual, the crop of good sound tubers
is a very heavy one. — James Geoom, Gosport.

Helianthus giganteus merits its name. It
is a giant perennial Sunflower as regards height,
but exceedingly graceful, free, and bright— a de-
lightful plant in the garden at the present season.
The finest show of it we have seen was recently in
the nursery of Mr. Eric Such at Maidenhead, where
a long narrow walk which runs across a good part
of the nursery is bordered on either side with it.
The plants are over 8 feet in height, and give count-

less flowers of rich yellow on the tall slender stems.
It is quite a weed as regards growth, the great
difficulty being to keep it within proper bounds.
It is suitable for making a group or planting in
the rougher parts of the garden, where its graceful
bearing would be in proper keeping with the sur-
roundings.

Tuberous Begonias at Maidenhead.— The
tuberous Begonia is making a brave show of colour
in the nursery of Mr. Owen, Boyne Hill, where there
are several long beds in the open ground now
showing the splendid capabilities of this plant for
the garden. The colours are exceptionally rich in
the various shades, orange, scarlet, crimson, yellow,
and the more delicate tones, but the yellow and
white types do better under glass, as may be seen
from the display at Maidenhead. Under glass the
white flowers are untainted, which is impossible
when exposed to the influence of the weather. Not
only has Mr. Owen a rich range of colours in the
flowers, excellent form, breadth, and substance, but
the plants are of a dwarf, stubby habit, exactly
what we want both for pots and planting out. Four
outdoor beds near the house contained several ex-
cellent varieties, one an intense crimson, broad and
striking, but it is almost impossible to define the
colours when each plant displays a distinct shade.

Satyriums. — I believe somebody said some-
thing about these being useless and difficult to
manage. I think them otherwise, and capital hardy
flowers, and as such worth scores of the dull
coloured kinds of Orchids that many amateurs are
vainly struggling to grow under conditions quite
unsuited to them. No one, I think, can take more
pleasure and interest in the hardy Orchids than I
do, but I make a distinction between the decora-
tive and the interesting, and only a comparative
few can be classed under both heads. Among such,
to my mind, are decidedly the Satyriums, at least,
erectum and carneum when well grown, and they
can be grown as easily as young Cabbages. I know
I am making a strong statement, but one always
dares to step out boldly on facts and experience. I
send you a few spikes that you may verify my re-
marks. The spikes sent have been flowering since
July, and if frosts allowed, would have gone on
for weeks. They are as thick as an ordinary
walking-cane, and from 1 foot to 2 feet long. The
flowers in the case of carneum are white, a good
white, and brightly touched off with clear pink.
Those of erectum are a good yellow, that might be
well termed orange. Seeds are freely produced. I
have also literally been at the root of the matter,
and there I find a capital increase of tubers. The
culture may be exceptional, but it is simple in the
extreme. I grow them in hard burnt loam, roughly
crushed. S. cucullatum requires different treat-
ment, as, owing to the flat leaf habit, it scalds and
rots in the middle unless planted in the oblique
attitude. — J. Wood, Woodville, Kirhstall.

%* Very striking, especially the yellow one.— Ed.

Miss North's pictures.— I have just received
a copy of the notice in The Gaeden of Sept. 6 of
Miss North. You will, I am sure, be obliged to me
for pointing out that the word " bequeathed " gives
an erroneous impression of Miss North's generous
gift to the nation of her paintings, and also of the
gallery she built for them, which she completed in
1882, arranging the pictures, decorating the panels
and door-frames with various beautiful flowers, and
arranging the specimens of woods which form the
dado of the gallery, and which she also collected
from the various countries she visited. The nation
has now possessed this unique gallery for more than
eight years, and Miss North's own labour of nearly
twelve months, of arranging it before June, 1882,
when it was opened to the public, is an additional
claim to the grateful remembrance of the nation.
— MaryA.Ewakt, Coneyhurst, En-hurst, Guildford.

%* We are not ungrateful for Miss North's most
unselfish efforts, but it may be well to say here that
making a special gallery in a great public garden
for drawings of the quality of these is not wise.
We are living in a fool's paradise of very bad, i.e.,
false and deficient, art, and setting up as models
very imperfect drawings in a national establishment
is a loss, not a gain. — Ed.

Sei>t. 27, 1890.]

THE GAKDEN.

291

Trees and Shrubs.

THE GREAT SILVER FIR.
(abies grandis.)
From my note-book I find that in a given space
of time and under exactly similar conditions no
other member of the Silver Fir tribe will in this
country attain to the height and stem-bulk of
this giant of its tribe. Perhaps the largest
specimen in this country was one that was
felled at Penrhyn Castle, North Wales, about
six years ago. This tree was then 72 feet high
with a diameter of stem of 26 inches, and con-

between the drive and Ogwen River. In the
beautiful specimen at Castlewellan (here illus-
trated) the branch-spread almost equals the
tree's height — a by no means common occur-
rence, and which renders the tree hardly a fair
typical specimen — while the wealth of foliage
clearly points out that the conditions under
which it is growing are very favourable.
Usually the tree is of very rapid growth, one of
twenty years old being fully 40 feet high, and
with a branch-spread, if growing in the open,
of often 30 feet at the widest part. It seems a
pitj' that this most desirable of Conifers, and
one that never suffers from frost, should not be

The great Silver Fir (Abies grandis) in the gardens at Castlewellan. Engraved for The Garden.

tained 73 cubic feet of excellent timber. During
the memorable Tay Bridge gale a portion, about
10 feet, of the top of this fine tree was broken
off, so that the above recorded height is much
less than what the tree actually measured when
in the hey-day of its glory. To the Douglas
Fir, Abies grandis bears a striking resemblance
when viewed from a distance, and many a Coni-
fer lover when walking with me along the
carriage drive leading to Penrhyn Castle has
been wilfully deceived by the leaf-tint and
general contour of a fairly-sized specimen of
this great Silver Fir, which is shown off to per-
fection on the gently sloping alluvial ground

grown in larger numbers than it is at present,
it being so useful for filling up gaps that have
been caused by windfalls, the little shelter of
surrounding trees helping it greatly.

The soil best suited for this Fir is un-
doubtedly that of alluvial character, for the
longest growths and greatest production of tim-
ber that I have measured corroborate the state-
ment. At several places around London it does
well, and there are some neat and fresh-looking
specimens in a few of the Kentish gardens.
For ornamental planting it is particularly well
adapted, the soft rich green foliage, densely-
branched stem, and symmetrical habit being

recommendations that are not often combined
in one species.

Cones have been produced in great abundance
on a tree at Penrhyn Castle and at several
other places throughout England, and seedlings

A description of the tree is by no means
necessary here, that having been fully entered
into by me in Vol. XXYI1I. of Tub Gabde>t,
where figures of the cones from the Penrhyn
specimen were given. A. D. Webster.

LIGUSTRUM LUCIDUM.
As seen just now in Mr. Dresser's garden at Farn-
borough, this Privet is certainly the best of its tribe,
at least in an ornamental sense, for the showy pani-
cles of sweet-smelling white flowers, borne in rich
abundance, are of themselves sufficient to place
the shrub far up in the list of autumn-blooming
plants. Growing fully 10 feet high, spreading later-
ally to the same distance, and with every twig
surmounted with ivory white flowers, this uncommon
shrub attracts attention, and that, too, in a garden
where beautiful and little-known trees and shrubs
are far from uncommon. The monotonous repe-
tition of our common Privet (L. vulgare) is
quite unnecessary when our public nurseries are
stocked with a full half-dozen kinds that are quite
as ornamental and far better suited for imparting
a diversity of form and distinctness for which good
old-fashioned gardens should be remarkable. There
are, for instance, the Japanese and Chinese Privets
(L. japonicum and L. sinense), both prettily habited
plants, and that bloom with unwonted freedom even
under what well might be styled very unfavourable
conditions, and the leathery-leaved Privet (L. coria-
ceum). t

The Wax Tree, for such the subject of this note
has been styled, is one of the best of the tribe.
Privets are everywhere known as the most readily
propagated and most easily cultivated of hardy
shrubs, and this of itself should cause us to grow
largely for general purposes the present plant,
which, so far as hardiness and general capabilities
of doing well under ordinary circumstances are
concerned, is no exception to the other members
of the family. Cuttings root freely and offshoots
are usually abundant, so that to get up a stock is
neither difficult nor requires much time.

In the present plant the leaves are large, broad,
and of good substance, so that they stand cut-
ting winds with a good grace, and being plentifully
produced, the whole shrub has a well- clothed and
healthy appearance. In such soil as usually sur-
rounds a newly-built house, this Privet thrives to
perfection. Two well-marked and decidedly dis-
tinct forms of the Shining-leaved or Wax Privet
are in cultivation ; one with variegated foliage, a
fairly good plant, and another in which the flowers
are unusually large and plentifully produced named
floribundum, and which many consider as an im-
provement on the type. My object in drawiDg
notice to this particular Privet is that it is not very
commonly grown in our gardens, and being highly
ornamental a few plants might be introduced
where it does not already exist. I feel sure that
anyone introducing it will not wish for its extermi-
nation. W.

The Blue Gum Tree in North "Wales.—

The elegant Eucalyptus globulus lives out in few
places in the British Isles. It was introduced in
the year 1810, and many attempts have been made
to establish it in this country, but all efforts, with
very few exceptions, have failed. In the garden of
Mr. Oakeley, The Plas, Tan-y-bwlch, it ha s succeed ed
well, and there are several specimens of it each up-
wards of 60 feet in height. The leaves of the youDg
tree are cordate, silvery glaucous in colour, and very
pretty glistening in the sunlight, but on older trees
they lose this charming silvery character and
become quite lanceolate and green. The garden is
of course sheltered and warm. It is on the brow
of a hill overlooking the vale of Test iniog and facing

292

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 27, 1890.

ths quaint village of Maentwrog, screened by a
dense wood of Fir and undergrowth from the east,
so that the Eucalyptus has exceptional climatic
advantages. There are few more graceful trees
than the Eucalyptus, but the severe giles it often
receives during the winter spoil the beauty of the
trees. Those at Tan-y-bwlch are not much weather-
beaten, and in places where it succeeds it would be
advisable to have one or two specimens. Young
plants have a great charm, and were formerly
largely planted in the Chiswick gardens of the
Royal Horticultural Society amongst Conifers and
other shrubs, but invariably suffered severely in
winter. Every endeavour was made to tide them
over the season of frosts and snow in safety, but if
they did survive, they were objectionably battered.
Straw bands were wound round the stems, but
these were not of much avail. The only way was
to lift the plants in the autumn, pot them up, and
keep in the greenhouse through the winter. The
Eucalyptus is a good window plant, and might be
used more for this purpose, while its leaves when
bruised give off a rich, healthy, pleasant, and
aromatic scent.

VARIETIES OF OSMANTHUS.
All the varieties of Osmanthus now in our gardens
are but forms of one species, yet they differ greatly
from each other in many particulars. Osmanthus
Aquifolium, which is usually regarded as the type,
is a free-growing, numerous-branched shrub, greatly
resembling a Holly, but it is of much smaller di-
mensions. There are several other spiny-leaved
forms, one or two of which have green leaves, while
some are variegated. Curiously enough, there are
two sports (which have become fixed and may be
depended upon to retain their character) in which
the leaves are without spines, or at least bear them
only on the apex, and this applies to but one of
them, the other being absolutely spineless. The
best known as well as the most ornamental of these
two sports is myrtifolius, which was, I believe,
sent out by Messrs. Veitch about twelve years ago.
This is a dwarf and compact shrub with dense, deep
green foliage, the individual leaves being somewhat
smaller than those of the type and a good deal
like those of a Myrtle, except that they terminate
in a sharp point. The vigorous, yet dwarf growth
of this shrub, combined with its dark green leathery
leaves, which resist smoke well, render it a valuable
little Evergreen for the neighbourhood of towns.
The other (rotundifolius) is much in the same way,
but it is a less vigorous grower, and, as implied by
the name, the leaves are almost round. At a first
glance it suggests a Box bush, but a closer inspec-
tion reveals its affinity to the Osmanthus. These
are two very distinct forms of the ordinary green-
leaved Osmanthus, by far the most ornamental be-
ing free in growth, forming a well-proportioned
bush with dark, almost olive-green foliage deeply
cleft, and the bark of the young shoots nearly
black. The other is slower in growth, the leaves of
a paler tint, and the young bark wanting the dark
hue of the preceding. There are also forms in
which the leaves are variegated with white and
yellow respectively ; and another (latifolius mar-
ginatus), a stouter and bolder-growing bush than
the others. All these different kinds of Osmanthus
can be readily struck from cuttings put in a cold
frame, and these grow freely in any ordinary soil.
Other desirable qualities are that they are perfectly
hardy, and can, if required, be kept to a small size
and in a healthy condition for years by a judicious
use of the knife. Though so Holly-like in general
appearance, the Osmanthus has really no affinity
therewith, being nearlyrelated to the (Hives; indeed,
that old-fashioned, sweet-scented shrub usually
known as Olea fragrans is by some authorities
classed with the Osmanthus. Being so closely
allied to the Privet, all the different forms of
Osmanthus can be readily grafted thereon, but as
they strike root so easily, such means of propagating
them are not needed. " ' T.

welcomed will be the most suitable place for the
Cletlira, I have not yet determined." With reference to
this, I thought it might be useful to insert my experience
with Clethra alnifolia, viz., that here it flowers abun-
dantly and grows well in a thick plantation where the
rays of the sun are much impeded by other trees.
Sunny positions are not always to be had, and it is well
to know that it thrives in partial shade. — M. R. , Liphook.

Clethra alnifolia.— In The Garden. Sept. 13
(p. 246), Mr. Webster says, " Whether a sheltered site
and where the warm rays of sunshine are at all times

TREES IN CAMDEN PARK.
When the late Emperor Napoleon came to
reside in England, Camden Park, one of the
prettiest and most interesting seats at Chisle-
hurst, was generously placed at his disposal,
and here the latter years of his life were quietly
spent. If we may judge from the huge spread-
ing Lebanon Cedars, tall, gaunt Cluster Pines,
and innumerable Elms of large dimensions that
adorn the park, the soil must be peculiarly
suitable for their growth and perfect develop-
ment ; while that the climate is mild and
equable may be learnt from the fact of such
trees as the Indian Bean (Catalpa bignonoides),
the rarer Acacias, Judas tree (Cercis siliquas-
trum), and hosts of other curious and rare
trees and shrubs revelling in the soil and evi-
dently enjoying the air of that part of Kent.

The Weeping Willow must have been a
favourite tree of the unfortunate Emperor, for
that several in various parts of England and
the Continent perpetuate his memory is well
known to the lovers of our woodland trees. Op-
posite the fernery at Camden House will be
pointed out a fair-sized, but sadly neglected
specimen planted by the Emperor some short
time before his death. It is surrounded by an
iron railing, and had evidently at one time been
tended and respected ; but now the Grass in the
enclosure is tall and strong, the tying material
uniting tree and stake has rotted away, while a
great portion of the upper half of the stem is
much in want of careful pruning out, so as to
remove the dead wood which so sadly mars the
appearance of the tree.

Not farfrom the Willow and with its fiat, table-
like branches overhanging the house is a noble,
but peculiarly dark-visaged Cedar of Lebanon,
the unequally tapered trunk of which is fully
22 feet in circumference, and destitute of
branches for fully half its height. The Lebanon
and Mount Atlas Cedars are represented by not
a few goodly specimens ; indeed, all around the
Chislehurst district they would seem from their
great numbers to have been favourites with the
planter, but Conifers generally, as also uncom-
mon deciduous trees, are unusually plentiful in
almost every garden of any pretensions, so that
in driving along the roads one is confronted at
every turn by well-grown specimens of the so-
called rarer and more valuable trees. Catalpa
bignonoides (the Indian Bean) had a most pleas-
ing and unusual appearance as looked down
upon from the windows of the state apartments,
the ample Pea-green foliage and spikes of
curiously tinted flowers showing well up
amongst the Pines and Cedars with which it
seemed to be associated. This is the most per-
fect specimen of the Indian Bean that I have
yet seen, the branch-spread being wide, while
not a dead nor dying twig mars the appearance
of the well-rounded verdant head. A tall de-
ciduous Cypress (Taxodium distichum) with a
curiously twisted trunk rises some 60 feet
high. The stem is partially decayed, owing to
injury either from a branch having been split
off, or it may have been caused by lightning
mauy years ago. The Cluster Pine (Pinus Pin-
aster) is represented by a tall mop-headed tree
of some 70 feet in height, which stands alone in
a shady green plot outside the garden wall.
Characteristic enough are the rough buff bark

and clusters of spiny cones, which jut out
here and there from amongst the deep green
foliage.

Like the Lebanon Cedar, the Cluster Pines
always impart an aged appearance to the place
in which they are planted.

Conspicuous for some distance away are the
False Acacias (Robinia Pseudacacia) which stud
the lawn and woods, but they are sadly ne-
glected. On certain soils, too dry, I think, this
dying off of the top branches is a too common oc-
currence, and sadly mars the appearance of the
specimens if not pruned out and otherwise at-
tended to. A kind of Mulberry, peculiar in having
unusually large leaves and fruit, is growing just
outside the garden, and which when I saw it
was thickly covered with fruit and as perfect of
leafage as could well be desired. The trunk,
too, was much thicker than is generally the case
with the Mulberry.

Camden Park is, however, more remarkable
for its Elms than any other tree, these attain-
ing to majestic proportions, the great, well-
rounded, clean trunks looking like sentinels of
the forest, as seen from the roads and walks.

Generally speaking, trees both rare and com-
mon do well, but the warm soil and genial sur-
roundings must be conducive to rapid growth
and early development. A.

THE ARBORETUM OF DR. D1ECK AT
ZOESCHEN.
At the ancient Saxon city of Merseburg, built by
the Emperor Henry the Fowler, one is truly in the
heart of central Germany. Immense .plains, un-
folding themselves toward the distant hills which
to west and north border the horizon with a line of
blue, a rich alluvial soil traversed by the the Saale
and its tributaries, a whole province where spon-
taneous vegetation has, so to say, disappeared be-
neath an overlay of infinitely careful cultivation —
this is the aspect of the country through which we
pass on our way toward Zoeschen. Towns and
villages solidly built of hewn stone breathe of com-
fort and give themselves the air of a German
Goshen ; they swarm with a well-dressed popula-
tion and bear the seal of an ancient civilisation.

" Here is Zoeschen," says the driver, and we tra-
verse the village, which is more exactly a little
town, pretty and cleanly; and, at the end of a
short street, diversified by ruraMooking gardens,
we enter a verdurous avenue that, making a turn,
carries us along a bridge over a brook who.' e
troubled waters show the effect of this eminently
rainy summer. Another turn among great trees,
dominated by an enormous Canada Poplar, and
the carriage stops before the entrance of a fine
modern villa, where Dr. Dieck is standing to offer
us the hospitalities of his estate.

This oasis of arboriculture, in the midst of the
prose of endless fields of grain, is of recent origin.
It does not impress us by means of ancient trees or
of magnificent perspectives losing themselves in
great forests. All these there are, but in the distance.
What Dr. Dieck calls the " National German
Arboretum " exists as yet only in an embryonic
state, although conceived on a grand scale. It has
been laid out over an area of G hectares, at a half
hour's distance from the house and the park, on
low grounds rather too subject to the inundations
of the little river Lupa, a tributary of the Saale.
The trees and shrubs have been planted recently in
groups, at well-judged distances from each other
and with regard to the natural families to which
they belong. Several unfavourable seasons have
but too greatly retarded their development and left
wide gaps which must be refilled. Everything that
the catalogues offered in the way of old acquaint-
ances and of novelties beginning to be somewhat
known has been confided to the soil, and it is pro-
posed to add without delay the whole assortment
contained in the nurseries of Zoeschen, a truly
astonishing quantity. No difficulties daunt the

Sept. 27, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

293

proprietor. After three consecutive years of the
most discouraging sort, he has just enriched the
arboretum with 300 new species or forms which
are not mentioned in any catalogue, even his own.
An old tile factory, which adjoins the plantations,
is about to be renovated, and will serve as a
botanical and sylviculture! laboratory.

But, after all, the arboretum is not the greatest
glory of the Zoeschen establishment, for, however
grandly prepared, it is as yet a work of the future,
counting for little at the present moment. While
the arboretum at Muskau, founded with such fair
hopes by Petzhold, is sadly dying on its sandy hill,
that at Zoeschen is but just emerging from the
dampness of its alluvial soil. A future generation
will admire it, but what impresses us to-day is the
greatness of the idea conceived by its founder.

Present interest centres chiefly in the nurseries'
which surpass those of Angers, and already rival
those of Herr Spaeth, near Berlin, and which in-
clude a vast collection of species, forming an ex-
traordinary collection of novelties, some of which
are of almost fabulous rarity. Dr. Dieck has a rare
energy and an inborn passion for the works of Na-
ture. He travels widely and himself collects plants,
seeds, and insects ; where he cannot go in person
he sends his agents, and he perpetually animates
the pen and the industry of innumerable correspon-
dents in fulfilling his mission to disseminate the
vegetable species of the whole globe and enrich
the flora of his fatherland. The word impossible
does not exist for him when rare plants are to be
won from foreign countries. A mere private citizen,
he has established solely for his own use eight sta-
tions through Central Asia from the Caucasus to the
Japanese island of Yezo and into the depths of Si-
beria, with a branch towards the west embracing
Bulgaria, Asia Minor, and Mount Lebanon.

His nurseries now cover a space of 100 acres,
which will soon be increased to 125 acres, as large
an area as can be kept in good order. The great mass
of the plantations extend beyond the arboretum,
stretching toward a vast and magnificent forest of
Oaks, Lindens. Ashes and Maples, which is called
"The Great 'Wood," and which reaches nearly to
Leipsic, along the course of several little rivers.
Here are great plantations of forest and avenue
trees ; there Conifers brave a climate which is un-
favourable for them, often under the protection of
shutters and rushes. It is worthy of remark that
the German Fir (Abies pectinata), the natural area
of which extends as far as Lithuania, freezes here,
and that the Douglas Spruce does very poorly,
while certain species reputed tender seem, on the
contrary, entirely hardy.

The seedling beds of Zoeschen, which make the
most astonishing feature of the place, occupy an
immense space back of the park proper. A great
enclosure protects them, as is likewise the case with
the Conifers. Here one finds also the plant.es de la
terre de bruyere of the Rhododendron class, Azaleas,
Kalmias, Ilexes, and other broad-leaved evergreen
shrubs. It is not too much to say that this last
class contains marvels, as, for example, among
those most recently introduced, Rhododendron
Ungeri, from the Caucasus with brilliant foliage,
silvered beneath ; Phillyrea Vilmoriniana, from the
mountains of Pontus ; Bruckenthalia spiculiflora,
from the Bithynian Olympus ; Quercus alnifolia,
from Cyprus, which might better be called Q.
camellirefolia ; Eleutherococcus, from the Amour
River ; Magnolia hypoleuca and M. parviflora, the
Japanese Stuartia, and many more, including in-
numerable Vacciniums and other Ericaceae, which
are difficult to cultivate, and which have been
chiefly furnished by America.

The number of wild Roses, species or varieties'
is simply startling, and of especial importance in
this department are the Oil Roses. To Dr. Dieck
is due the credit of having wrested the monopoly
of their culture from Bulgaria. Here the queen of
flowers is brought down to the level of prosaic ve-
getables, and cultivated not in the privacy of gar-
dens, but side by side with Cabbages and Carrots.
This new branch of agriculture seems to have a
prosperous future. The product— that is, the odo
riferous petals— can be advantageously sold to se

vera! large manufactories of perfumes in Leipsic.
It is especially Herr Scheele, of Schadebach, near
Zoeschen, who has taken in hand this new enter-
prise, which demands a very fertile soil, or one
strongly enriched and deeply trenched. He has
planted vast fields, which look like vineyards, with
the oil-producing Roses of the Balkan, among which
Rosa trigintipetala seems to promise best, in spite
of the attacks of a certain fungus. These Rose
plantations are kept with wonderful neatness, and
one seeks in vain within them for the tiniest weed.
They yield annually a net return of £60 an acre,
surely no mean profit. Dr. Dieck proposes to study
thoroughly the Rose of Schiras, which will probably
prove to be R. rnoschata, and the attar of which,
he says, is the most precious of all, though as yet
unknown outside of Persia.

It is surprising to see the way in which certain
newly introduced American plants are growing at
Zoeschen. In this respect nothing surpasses the
development of Alnus rhombifolia and Betula occi-
dentalis, natives of British Columbia — 9 feet in two
years and five months from sowing !

The park at Zoeschen, although not old and for
the most part planted by Dr. Dieck himself, never-
theless possesses some very fine trees even, as
might be expected, among very rare species. The
Sophora and the Ailanthus prosper, and the Liquid-
ambar does very well. I also remarked on a lawn
near a bit of water a superb group of Glyptostrobus,
that curious Chinese representative of the Ameri-
can Bald Cypress. These specimens are grafted on
Taxodium, but this does not detract from their
appearance. Furthermore, one admires here a
Japanese Walnut (Juglans Sieboldiana) of the
finest expression, and differing much in its foliage
from J. mandschurica. A little-known Rhamnus,
of the Frangula group (R. sempervirens), here ex-
tends its large masses of foliage, which resist the
cold until Christmas. I noted Cornus alternifolia
in the form of a little tree, which spreads its
branches in the most striking way ; and here I saw
for the first time Aralia spinosa and Panax sessili-
folium in full fruit.

But, caring even more for great trees than for
rare ones, what charmed me most was a giant Ro-
binia Pseudacacia, that terminates and dominates
the large lawn facing the house.

Berlin. Gael Bolle.

Cotoneaster horizontalis. — This Cotoneaster
must be placed among the best dwarf-growing
shrubs of recent introduction, as it is perfectly dis-
tinct from any of the others, and possesses many
desirable qualities. It belongs to the same section
as C. microphylla and C. buxifolia, but it loses
more of its leaves during the winter than either of
those species. A very prominent feature in C.
horizontalis and the one from whence the specific
name is derived, is the arrangement of the
branches, which are flat, frond-like, and disposed
almost horizontally. The leaves are small and
dark green, and from the way they are arranged on
the shoots a branch of this Cotoneaster reminds
one greatly of the South American Azara micro-
phylla. The branches of C. horizontalis are un-
usually thick and sturdy, and the plant naturally
assumes the character of a low-spreading bush, that
advances with moderate quickness in a horizontal
fashion. There are several phases of beauty to be
seen during the different seasons, for in the spring
the young freshly expanded foliage is remarkably
bright and glossy, then before long the entire spe-
cimen is thickly studded with small pinkish white
blossoms, which are succeeded by berries that in
their turn furnish a prominent feature in the em-
bellishment of the plant. These berries, which are
about the size of those of the other smaller Coton-
easters, are brighter than any of them, being when
ripe and in an exposed and sunny position of a rich
vermilion tint. Sometimes a few leaves remain on
towards the points of the shoots during the winter,
but should the plant become totally deciduous,
these leaves are the last to drop. Before falling
the foliage changes to various shades of red, so
that this Cotoneaster is very showy during the au-
tumn months. The flat and somewhat stiff style of

growth is against its being employed as a wall
plant, for which C. microphylla is so well suited.
C. horizontalis was introduced from China by
the Abbe Armand David in 1885, and is certainly
destined to become a popular shrub, though st
present but very little known. No doubt some of
our tree and shrub nurserymen will busy them-
selves in working up a stock (if they are not already
doing so) of this Cotoneaster. — T.

THE BLADDER SENNA.

(COLTJTEA ABBOBESCENS.)

Foe the past four months an unusually large
specimen of this distinct plant has been
flowering with us, sufficient proof that even in
an ordinary season this is one of the most per-
sistent blooming of European shrubs. The Co-
luteas are amongst the most curious and dis-
tinct of outdoor shrubs, the present species having
large inflated pods that strike everyone with won-
der, while the curiously flattened branches and
leafless character of C. cruciatahave excited a good
deal of comment and attention. Generally speak-
ing, the flowers of the Bladder Senna are thickly
produced on the branchlets, and as they are of a
bright yellow and last for such a length of time,
theyrender the plant of particular interest. Ey the
beginning of September the large inflated seed-pods
are beginning to appear, but by the end of the month
they have attained to full perfection, and are then as
curious examples of fruit as could well be sug-
gested. For several weeks they hang on the trees
— clusters of large reddish bladder-like pods — un-
til the seeds become perfectly ripened, when the
pod bursts and the seeds are scattered abroad.
From 10 feet to sometimes, in very favoured situa-
tions, as much as 14 feet high the Bladder Senna
grows, and the. spread laterally is quite in pro-
portion to the upward growth. Growing against a
sunny wall the plant will no doubt attain to
greatest perfection, and flower and seed most
freely, but we have also good examples planted
out as standard specimens, and which the abun-
dant leafage and profusion of flowers and seeds but
too readily point out.

Soil is not a factor of any great importance, for,
like the Ivy and Privet, the Bladder Senna will
succeed well in that of very poor quality ; indeed
amongst lime rubbish and stones where earth was
scanty we have noted it doing remarkably well, and
seemingly enjoying the poorness of its surround-
ings. This is undoubtedly the hardiest of the
genus, for it can withstand the frosts that
bite hard and ultimately kill out the equally
beautiful and curious, but far less hardy C. om-
enta. The latter is a noble shrub of prepossessing
appearance, the orange-red blossoms and distinctly
glaucous leaves being part of its attractions.

The Coluteas are readily raised from home pro-
duced seed, by sowing it in early spring in light
soil under a handlight or frame. It soon germi-
nates and grows rapidly, producing plants of 8!
feet in height during the second season, when they
should be planted out separately in a piece of well
prepared ground, and allowed to remain there for
another year or two before being consigned to
their permanent quarters. Planting Coluteas in
masses is productive of good results, for by
placing three or five within 6 feet or so of each
other, the effect when in flower or fruit is quite
remarkable. Sometimes they become of straggling
growth, an evil that is easily remedied by a judi-
cious use of the pruning knife, and this does no
harm, for young shoots are sent out in abundance,
and a better habit of the plant brought about.
Hailing from the south of Europe, the Bladder
Senna may be relied on as quite hardy in almost
every part of the kingdom, so that choosing a warm
spot for it is not at all a necessity, in England at
least. That it is a shrub of unusual beauly and
curious in appearance and worthy of a bold attempt
to cultivate is acknowledged by everyone who has
seen a flourishing specimen, whether in flower or
fruit. A. D.Websteb.

Golden Eetinosporas colour wonderfully at
Bearwood ; indeed I have never seen richer golden
tints on Conifera; than these display just now. The

294

THE GAEDEN.

[Sept. 27, 1890.

soil suits all classes of Couiferce wonderfully well, and
these Retinosporas especially so. The specimens are
large, very handsome in form, and perfect in colour.

Magnolia Soulangeana. — At Bearwood, the
residence of Mr. John Walter, this fine Magnolia does
well. It is as remarkable for its leafage as for the
noble character of the flowers. A large tree which
had been transplanted some time since has nearly lost
the old stems and heads, but in place thereof have
sprung up strong growths which will soon make a
grand tree.

Flower Garden.

NARCISSUS CYCLAMINEUS.
My experience with Narcissus cyclauiineus is
that it likes a rather raised sandy border, and
one that is far away from any meandering
stream or grassy slope. When Mr. Barr's au-
tumn catalogue came into my hands, exactly
the same thing occurred to me which struck Mr.
Engleheart so forcibly, and the very amusing
and apposite remarks which he made on this
subject in your last impression occasioned no
surprise.

The jugis arpuc fans of Horace is still and ever
will be nothing more than a wish in my case,
and my plants and bulbs have very decidedly to
do without it as best they can. It made me,
therefore, open my eyes when I came across a
pictorial representation of the watery home of
Narcissus cyclamineus, and at first I could not
make it out at all, so different is it from any-
thing which might have been expected. But is
it not in reality only one more very striking in-
stance indeed of the way in which plants and
bulbs oftentimes seem to lose their own nature
when they are brought into cultivation ? There
is no reason at all, I submit, why the accuracy
of observation on the part of the collector
should be impugned. The mistake which he
lias made is in supposing that because he found
this little beauty growing in Spain amidst Grass,
that therefore in England it will do just the
same. It may be taken for certain — as Mr.
Engleheart says — that it will not do it, and to
infer from its habit when it is "at home" what
it will long for when it is abroad is to invite
great disappointment.

All this is nothing more than an application
of what we were lately taught by the director
of Kew Gardens in the pages of your con-
temporary. If Mr. Barr will carry with him his
reminiscences of purling streams and grassy
meadows, and then come and pay me a visit
either when Narcissus cyclamineus is in full
blossom in the spring, or when I am moving
the nice healthy little bulbs in the autumn, he
will never again draw conclusions as to what
his favourites require here from what he has
seen them with his own eyes taking to in their
own native habitats. — H. Ewbank.

It is quite possible at times to envy even

unfortunate people, especially when they happen
to have been more fortunate than yourself. I have
not seen a flower of this new comer, but two years
ago I had some bulbs. These, so far, however, have
made no sign of starting, and when I inquired of
the firm of whom I purchased them as to the length
of time that this variety usually rested, I was told
that they did not know. At the same time I was
asked when the bulbs did grow to let them hear,
as the information would be most interesting. So
it would. I think I shall now sow some Grass
seed over the grave and hope on. — T. Smith.

In answer to Mr. Engleheart's letter, I sup-
pose we may say with Artemus Ward, " This is
writ sarcastic." I find that N. cyclamineus always
dies out whether planted in the open or in pots.
When Mr. Tait, of Oporto, first found it, he kindly
sent me a few bulbs, also a packet of the seed.
The bulbs were planted in the open and bloomed
well, then, like the man who ate Potatoes with his

fish, they died. The seeds germinated freely, and
after four years the bulbs began to bloom. I dried
them thoroughly each season, but upon replanting
them a few days since I thought them looking very
weak, and very much question whether they will
do any good. I find the same results with Nar-
cissus triandrus ami others ; whether in the open or
in frames they persistently die. This season I notice
the beautiful varieties of Oporto yellows look very
sick, the foliage going off early, and the bulbs upon
taking them up with fungus on them. This season
I hear many complaints of sickly bulbs, especially
amongst the white trumpets, as also amongst the
white incomparabilis. As the disease is evidently
fungoid, the question arises whether a little slaked
lime might not be applied with advantage, either
dusted on the bulbs or on the newly planted beds.
— OCTAV1US COEDBE, Brundall, Norwich.

TORCH LILIES.

(TEITOMAS.)

In every good garden there ought to be some fine
beds or bold masses of the varied and handsome
Torch Lilies. They are of the highest value and
importance for the decoration of the garden during
the latter days of summer and throughout the au-
tumn. No flower surpasses these for brilliancy;
they are capable of producing bold and striking,
yet beautiful effects, such as we need in our gar-
dens, but shall never attain except by a free use of
fine, hardy things. Associated with choice shrubs
or other equally noble hardy plants in large beds
that permit of their extensive massing, that is the
true and only way to realise and enjoy their full
effect. The sight of several hundred spikes of
flowers uprising from a large group is truly grand,
and a striking feature in the garden landscape.

Although this is the season when these fine
flowers are at their best, yet with a judicious selec-
tion we may have them in greater or lesser quantity
from May till November. T. pracox is the early
blooming kind, which often flowers in May. The
commonest and best known variety of all is T.
U varia. It has been in this country more than 1 50
years ; we are familiar with it in many a roadside
cottage garden, but still even now it is quite indis-
pensable. Of this kind there are now many varie-
ties, which must be further seen and tried before
their true merit and value are known. Of one va-
riety, however, there is no question. It is the giant
of the family, and rightly named nobilis, for it is
truly noble. It grows from b' feet to 8 feet in
height, bearing a huge head of flowers upon its
stout stalk. Ours this year have grown nearly
G feet, although only planted in spring, and as the
plants become more established, they will in all
probability grow taller. T. Saundersi is another
noble kind, with a flower-spike 5 feet in height, the
flowering portion being quite a foot long, and the
flowers a pale orange-red shading to a brighter red.

There are two forms in commerce under the
above name. The one described is the true form ;
the other kind, although good, having shorter and
blunter heads of flowers, which are a little paler in
colour. T. sarmentosa is another valuable kind
with apparently no set season of blooming, as it
seems to be almost perpetual flowering. Esta-
blished tufts are hardly without flower-spikes all
through the summer and autumn. T. Rooperi is a
brilliant and vigorous kind with flower-spikes which
grow nearly a yard high. It is at its best during
August. Of T. maxima there are several forms,
but the best is that called globosa, which has glo-
bose or spherical heads of brilliant flowers, which
appear late in the season. T. Leichtlini is a dis-
tinct kind of comparatively recent origin. It has
brownish-red flowers, and the peculiarity of open-
ing from the apex of the spike down to the base,
quite in opposition to the other kinds, whose flowers
expand from base to apex. T. caulescens is a
handsome foliage species. It has a stem well
clothed with large, broad, glaucous leaves, but the
flowers are of a dull greenish shade, not in the
least pretty or interesting.

T. corallina is one of the dwarfs of (he family,
but an exceedingly pretty little species, dwarf and

free, with a spike of coral-red flowers about 3 feet
in height. T. Macowani is still dwarfer and very
pretty, a miniature and charming species, only
growing from 1 J feet to 2 feet high, and producing
freely its spikes of flowers, whose colour as near
as possible resembles that of the flesh of an Apricot.
T. grandis is the last to bloom. It is a vigorous
and distinct kind, with a 3-feet spike terminated
in a thick dense head of flowers, whose colour is
red and yellow. They do not usually open till No-
vember, and in consequence are liable to be cut by
sharp frosts, but when the weather is mild, this
kind is often very fine and looks particularly bright
during one of the dullest and darkest months of
the year.

Erom the kinds above enumerated it will be seen
that there is a great variety among the Torch Lilies,
and yet these kinds only represent a small selection.
The merits of other fine kinds will be found out as
they are tried, but for the garden decoration a
choice selection is of more importance than a com-
plete collection. Those who have not got them
should make a point of obtaining and planting in
bold groups some of these fine kinds when the
planting time comes round. A bed well prepared
at the outset, and planted with Torch Lilies and a
few other things in association, if need be, will give
no further trouble for several years, but annually
increase in interest and beauty. — Field.

DAFFODILS FROM SEED.
I may state that I have had no difficulty in raising
Narcissi from seeds in the following manner. I
do not think anything is gained by sowing before
September, which is about the time that Daffodils
generally begin to make new roots when they re-
main throughout the year in the open ground. Up
to that time the seeds should be kept quite cool,
for I fancy that the germinative power is somewhat
weakened if they remain in the sun after they are
ripe. I sow in G-inch pots, putting 2 inches of
crocks at the bottom with a little Moss on them,
and a liberal sprinkling of sand to keep out worms.
The pots are then filled to about two-thirds of their
depth with sifted Moss, with a little leaf soil and a
dash of white sand. The seeds being covered with
sifted Moss and a watering given, the pot is filled up
with Moss and plunged up to the rim in a cold
frame, very little water being needed until the
seeds come up. This takes place in a general way
in December. The young plants are better under
cover until April, letting them, of course, get plenty
of air. I may add that I have some in soil such as
is commonly used for this purpose, but never got
the same success as when I used a large propor-
tion of sifted Moss. For the first two years it is
better not to disturb them, as the bulbs are so
small, that it is hardly safe to plant them out until
they have had the second year's growth. The se-
cond season the pots should be filled to within half
an inch of the rim with well-rotted manure, kept
under cover through the winter, but put into the
open early in spriDg. The bulbs are planted out in
rich ground the following August, so that they may
remain undisturbed until they bloom. From five
to seven years appears to be the time required to
give the bulbs strength enough to flower.

Generous culture in the way of planting in deeply
stirred, well-enriched soil will probably hasten the
blooming time, but it tries the patience to wait so
long for the reward of one's labour, which may in-
deed be no reward at all, the probabilities being
that the seedlings will be no advance on kinds now
in favour. Still there is a chance of getting some-
thing good, and after all it is but sowing the seeds,
as when once up but little attention, and for the
last three or four years none at all is required, un-
til they bloom. The best way is to make a few
crosses every year, and then when the final lot
have come to the blooming stage there is annually
something to look for. About seven years ago I
crossed the old double with the Tenby, and the
seedlings have now all bloomed, and it was curious
to note the diversity in form that they exhibited
this last spring. One or two were monstrosities,
more double than any Daffodil I ever saw, but
quite wanting in form. Several were semi-double

Sept. 27, 1890.]

THE GAKDEK

295

and one was the very counterpart of the male
parent. One only is worth taking care of, and this
as it remains quite true I shall name, being quite
as distinct as many of the varieties considered
worthy of naming, and there is, moreover, not
too many double kinds. It is extremely double,
the petals being regularly arranged, much in the
same way as with poet icus, and the colour is of abright
uniform yellow. The flowers do not droop, but
look one full in the face just like those of the erect-
flowered forms of Begonias. It is not a variety
that would be very likely to gain an award at exhi-
bitions, but being the counterpart of the old double
as regards vigour, it is a Daffodil suitable for all
gardens, the meadow, the orchard, or any position
where it is desired to plant this flower. This is in-
deed the kind of Daffodil that we want. We have
an abundance of kinds, but how many of them will
live on and increase in the Grass like the old
double? Perhaps not half-a-dozen out of hun-
dreds now to be found in trade lists. " A. D." was
fortunate in selecting Emperor for his first trial.
This and the Tenby are the two surest seed-bearers
I know. j. c. B.

Doronicum Harpur Crewe This is certainly

a giant amongst Doronicums. A plant here,
which under the influence of the moist summer
has made very strong growth, has thrown up a
flower-stalk carrying very large blooms fully 3j
inches over at 4 feet in height. If it does this now,
what maybe expected of it in the spring? The
flowers of Doronicums rank amongst the prettiest
of what may be called yellow Marguerites. The
petals are long, narrow, and slightly reflexed. The
discs of the five blooms here were just an inch
broad, the petals being rather over 1J inches in
length ; thus the blooms are remarkably well-pro-
portioned. This particular variety is certainly a
grand hardy border plant, and should be found abun-
dant very shortly. — A. D.

Erinus alpixms.— This charming little plant,
illustrated in The Gaeden, Sept. 13 (p. 257), is a
great favourite with growers of alpines for sheltered
nooks on the rockery, where, unlike most allied
plants, it spreads itself by self-sown seed, until al-
most every bare space within reach is covered.
Crumbling brick walls and such places suit this Erinus
better than any other, for although it may thrive
for a few years on the flat border, it perishes in
most places during damp winters; whereas on old
walls or ruins of any kind where it may be allowed to
spread it becomes a fixture, and a very delightful one
too when covered with its brilliantly coloured flowers.
The best way to establish it on walls, &c, is to sow
the seeds there, on the mossy stones or in chinks,
and carefully water until the young plants begin to
show themselves, when they may be left alone.
The variety hirsutus, in which the foliage is covered
with long white hairs, is a desirable addition, as
well as the white form of E. alpinus. They may be
all grown together and allowed to seed, the contrast
of the violet-purple of the type and the white varie-
ties being very fine. — K.

Show Dahlias. — I noted a few of the
best flowers in the shows recently, and their
names may be of use to some. Agnes, a new
yellow self; William Bawlings, a superb rich
crimson-purple flower; Harry Keith, rosy-purple,
very handsome ; Maud Fellowes, a charming light
variety ; John Standish, a bright red self ; Perfec-
tion, orange-buff ; Boyal Queen, cream, edged with
purplish-crimson ; Clara, rosy-peach, very fine; Mrs.
Hodgson, yellow, heavily edged with crimson ; Ro-
bina, shaded deep rose ; Glowworm, bright orange-
scarlet ; Mrs. Langtry, cream, edged with crimson
— a flower of exquisite shape ; Harry Turner, dark
maroon ;Flagof Truce, white, faintly flaked withlilac
and often pure white ; Sunbeam, clear buff ; Kichard
Dean, the most perfect purple Dahlia in cultiva-
tion ; John B. Service, a very fine yellow self-
John Bennett, yellow, edged with scarlet ; Con-
stancy, yellow, edged with lake; Lustrous, deep
scarlet ; James Vick, purplish maroon, a flower of
exquisite shape; Mrs. Saunders (fancy), yellow,
edged with white, a lovely variety ; James Cocker'
purple; Prince Bismarck, puce, shot with purple':

R. T. Rawlings, a handsome clear yellow self ;
Diadem, deep crimson ; Goldfinder, yellow, tipped
with red ; Nellie Tranter, clear yellow ; Miss Can-
nell, white, heavily edged with purple ; Shirley
Hibberd, dark shaded crimson ; and last, but not
least, Mrs. Gladstone, represented by flowers of
great beauty. — B.

THE SPANISH IRIS.

The illustration that accompanies these remarks
shows the beauty of the Spanish Iris in the
garden when grown in large clumps and so
placed that their characteristic beauty is not
overshadowed by more vigorous neighbours.
The Spanish Iris is a fine old garden flower, a
native of Spain, where it inhabits districts
along the coast at elevations as high as 6000
feet above the sea. This and the so-called
English Irises are the most commonly cultivated
of the bulbous group, but we are pleased to see
that more appreciation is now shown those other
gems very different in character to the Spanish

loss of vital power. We advise that once a
clump has become established to leave it alone,
permitting it to spread out in its own way.
Large masses always give more pleasure than a
few single spikes, and if only those who plant
gardens would remember the wisdom of creat-
ing rich effects by bold masses, there would be
less inclination to tamper with thriving clumps.
Four years will suffice for the Spanish Iris to
make a good show, and when division is con-
sidered necessary it should be done at the time
of the v. ithering of the leaves. Those who care
to embark on the patient work of raising seed-
lings will be rewarded in the space of about
three or four years, sometimes less.

As in the English, so in the Spanish Iris, the
flowers show much diversity of colour, and in
the latter section a certain stiffness and for-
mality that the other class is happily free from,
but the colours are rich and varied, running
through many charming shades of bluish colour,
derived doubtless from the type, I. xiphiurn,
while the more pronounced purple,
violet, yellow, and bronzy tones are
the outcome of the Portuguese va-
riety. It would be impossible to
enumerate all the varying tones, but
their rich variety is an enduring
charm, and while the Dutch con-
tinue to indefatigably raise seed-
lings, so -will the range of colouring
extend. The flowers, by reason of
their bold shape and colours, are
very handsome when cut and placed
loosely in a large bowl.

Spanish Iris.

kinds, but of delightful beauty, and often send-
ing their lovely flowers through the snow in
the early spring months of the year. Unlike
the English Iris, the Spanish Flag grows earl}7,
and when a few inches above ground will
weather with impunity the severest of winter
frosts. But with the advent of warm spring
weather growth again commences, the narrow
leaves gradually unfolding themselves until in
the month of May or June a rich abundance
of strong flower-spikes is produced. The soil
that best suits the Spanish Iris is sandy loam,
not without an admixture of manure or leaf-
mould. Poor, starved land will not support its
rude growth, nor will a moist soil ensure suc-
cess. A happy medium between the two is
wanted, with exposure to the sun and freedom
from wet in the autumn, when the bulbs should
have every encouragement to successful ripening.
It is easily increased by offsets, which, either when
removed from the plants or bought in, should
be quickly and carefully planted to prevent the

Eryngium planum. — We were
in a fine old Sussex garden the other
day, and admired greatly a noble group
of this charming Sea Holly, which
stood out boldly from other things.
It comes from the Himalayas, and is
often called E. amethystinum ; but
there are marked differences between
the two. Unfortunately, E. amethys-
tinum is a name used for more than
one kind of Sea Holly, and much con-
fusion is the result. E. planum when
used in a large mass is very striking.
It is much taller than E. amethystinum
and quite hardy, evenin severe winters.
The flower-stems usuaUy rise about 3
feet in height, and produce a mass of
steel-blue flower-heads, each like a
little cone, and about as large as a
thimble, the colour very intense and
beautiful. By not having this Sea
Holly in the garden, one loses a dis-
tinct and picturesque plant. It is
very easily raised from seeds, and
gives no trouble at any stage of
growth. A mass of it on the rockery would look
well, but it is best seen in a large group, as then we
get the full richness of its multitude of intense blue
flowers and spiny involucre. — Field.

Carnations in the north. — I have been much
interested in readiDg the short note by Mr. Robert
Elliot, gardener at Harbottle Castle, nearRothbury,
in The Gabden (September 13, p. 244) upon the
hardiness of the Carnation. I should say there is
no bleaker, colder district in England than that
where the garden of which Mr. Elliot has charge is
located. I sent him about five years ago some Car-
nations and Picotees, including my own seedlings
of the varieties stated to be too delicate to live out
of doors in the south of England. They were planted
out in the garden at Harbottle Castle, and the
editor's remarks prove that no one need be afraid
of planting out these beautiful garden flowers in
any district of England. Other growers in widely
distributed districts of the counties of Durham and
Northumberland are equally successful with the
culture of Carnations and Picotees out of doors,
and they are able to showblcoms of the mostsupe-

296

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 27, 1890.

rior quality at the exhibitions in the north during
the months of August and September. The gar-
deners prepare the ground well, and, what surprises
me much, I am told that some of them do not plant
out until November. I would much prefer the date
mentioned in Mr. Elliot's letter, that is, the middle
or towards the end of September. Thalia and Har-
mony are both seedlings raised by me from the
flaked and bizarre types. The last-named is
doubtless from the old variety Sarah Payne, and
Thalia is from John Keet, crossed with some similar
varieties.— J. Douglas.

SEASONABLE NOTES ON HARDY FLORIST'

FLOWERS.
The Carnation and Picotbb. — In a week or two
we will be dealing with our Carnations and Picotees.
In wet cold weather they do not seem to form root
well with us ; it has, therefore, been very pleasing to
see a change in the weather from cold days with
much rain, to that we have enjoyed for the
last ten days. The nights are warm with heavy
dews, a condition of things very favourable to the
formation of roots and full development of the
layers.

The careful gardener, anxious to make sure o*
the healthy conditions of his Carnations and Pico-
tees, plants some of them in pots, and shelters them
in frames for the winter. They are thus safe from
the effects of our changeable winters, slugs, leather-
coated grubs, &c. A portion of the plants may
be put out in prepared beds, avoiding newly
broken up pasture land, which always contains
wireworms, the most deadly foes of the Carna-
tion. Decayed turf from pasture land is some-
times used to make up borders for these plants.
When this is done the turf must be carefully ex-
amined to remove from it any wireworms it may
contain, but even with the most minute inspec-
tion, small specimens escape and do much dam-
age. A very small one will destroy a pair of
plants or more, and the work of destruction goes
on unseen to the cultivator.

I would urge the importance of planting out
early, at latest by the first week in October, in order
that the layers may be well established before
the winter frosts check their growth. The soil
should be rich, deep and open, also well drained.
They may be put 18 inches asunder. Seedlings
out of doors in the open borders give the greatest
satisfaction as far as quantity of bloom is con-
cerned, and there is always great delight in
watching the development of the flowers on seed-
ling plants. The plants did not grow very freely
for a long time after they were planted out, but
they made immense strides when they did start,
and the promise for next season is as good as it
ever was. All the attention they have required
has been to keep the hoe at work, either to des-
troy the weeds or stir the surface encrusted by
the rains. Some good soil should be prepared for
potting up the plants, say three parts of good
loam, one of leaf-mould, one of decayed manure,
and one of coarse white sand. We use 3-
inch pots, and two plants of weak or moderate
growth or one strong plant are put into each,
they are potted arrange them closely together in
light airy frames, and I fancy they succeed better
when the pots are not plunged. The top of the
plants should be within 6 inches or 9 inches of the
glass.

Pansies and tufted Pansies.— Although these
are the most easily cultivated of garden plants, they
are not always so well grown as they ought to be,
and many amateurs are puzzled what to do with
them during the winter. Taking the general run
of the seasons, it is found that they do much better
out of doors all the year round, and the best results
are obtained from young stock. The old plants
may be left through the winter if the ground where
they are is not required. These give a plentiful
supply of cuttings in the spring if" such are
required. If cuttings have not yet been put in,
see to it at once. Ours are now well rooted where
they have been planted on a border shaded on the
south side by a wall. I think a good, if not the

best time to put in the cuttings is the last week
of July or early in August. As a rule they strike
freely at that time, but in hot dry seasons those
planted a month later have succeeded better. It
may sometimes be necessary to plant a few in
boxes, where they may be protected in cold frames,
say two plants of each variety, as blanks in the
beds may require to be filled up. I think it better
to plant out where they are to flower in the au-
tumn if the ground is ready, as they flower
better and earlier than those put out in the
spring. An important part of their culture is to
prepare the soil by manuring well and stirring it
up to a good depth. J. Douglas.

PLANTING DAFFODILS.
No month of the year is so crowded with necessary
work as the present one in those gardens where
Daffodils abound, and no time should now be lost in
getting such things into their permanent quarters,
though they take no appreciable harm provided
they are planted some time during September, and
also provided they have been stored away on
shelves or in open trays in some dry airy position.
As in all other groups of plants, different opinions
exist with regard to lifting, planting, manuring and
such-like, all alike based upon continued observa-
tions and practical culture of these popular flowers.
Before anyone can authoritatively lay down one
law f ortheguidance of every grower, soil and locality
must receive very careful consideration. Happily
among Narcissi there exists a host of varieties
which may readily be grown in almost any garden,
and indeed those that appear to need special soil
are very few. The soil best suited to the greatest
number of kinds is light loam overlying gravel,
and this, particularly that of a very sandy nature,
should be heavily manured at planting time, or
every second year at the most, well-rotted cow ma-
nure being the best for this purpose. In such a
soil and with such treatment, Emperor will send
up flower-stems 2 feet 4 inches high, and foliage
nearly 3 feet long, and nearly 1J inches wide.
Proportionately vigorous are such kinds as Hors-
fieldi, Empress, Golden Spur, General Gordon,
Henry Irving, Sulphur and Orange Phoenix, grandis,
recently named Grandee, Leda, and others. During
an almost unbroken period of well-nigh twenty
years among hardy plants and bulbs in various
parts of England in which I have grown a large
number of kinds, my experience goes to prove that
a light loamy soil well manured will grow a very
large proportion of our best Daffodils, and from
bulbs so grown I have had bulbs of Emperor
weighing nearly 1 lb. (and ounce for ounce is the
best test for solidity). This was done with heavily
manured soil, and without this I could not have
produced such results, and an average sample
which I sent to Mr. F. W. Burbidge was pronounced
by that gentleman to be the " finest Tenby Daffodil
he ever saw in his life." What is more, I have
continued manuring for this crop with excellent
results, and with satisfaction I record that to-day
(September 11) I have completed the planting of
about 120,000 in the best possible health, with
skins of a light nut-brown, ready the moment they
are in the soil to send forth the roots which can
clearly be distinguished encircling the base of the
bulbs ; and, finally , they are as hard as a flint. This very
kind, however, excellent in every respect for which
a cut flower is required, does not make itself at
home in the soil of every garden, and is quite a
failure with Mr. J. Walker at Ham, and some of the
Guernsey growers report similarly. If my memory
serves me right, the Rev. W. Wilks stated at the
Daffodil Conference last spring that it would not
do in his garden , and failures like these have caused
some growers to form the erroneous opinion that it
cannot be grown away from its native home ; but
this is a mistake, as it is grown by hundreds of
thousands in the Scilly Isles, in Devon, in Lincoln-
shire ; also here in Middlesex. Therefore, I imagine
the actual cause of failure to rest with the soil or
locality or the treatment accorded them. Dutch-
grown roots of this same kind are not quite
happy, either bearing traces of disease or a scabby
appearance.

But now with regard to manure and its mode of
application. In the first place, for such as the
white-flowered kinds, cernuus, albicans, and all
allied forms, with Mary Anderson, whose constitu-
tions appear generally weaker, manure may be dis-
pensed with, and some spurius kinds also should
be regarded as not over strong in constitution,
while the poeticus varieties delight in its abundant
use. I always endeavour to employ well decom-
posed manure, which is placed in a layer at a dis-
tance of 5 inches or G inches below the level on
which the bulbs are planted, a very important
matter, as manure of no kind should come in im-
mediate contact with the bulbs, but let it be so
placed that it will enrich the soil, and where the
roots will find it by and by. The following is the
plan I adopt, and I may add that our soil is noted
for being particularly poor. I plant in beds 4
feet wide and about 45 feet long, and commencing
a quarter, a deep trench is taken from the first bed
and wheeled to the other extreme of it. I
then prepare for the manure ; this is buried at
about 10 inches or 12 inches from what will even-
tually be the surface, well shaken out evenly over
the bed, afterwards being covered with 5 inches or
G inches of soil, and upon this the bulbs are placed.
By this method the soil is dug fully 15 inches, and
affords ample opportunity for the roots to dive into.
When the bed is filled with bulbs, the soil from the
next bed is used for covering the first, and in this
manner a perfect change of soil is a certainty, the
process being continued throughout.

Whether in light or heavy soils, I am a strong
believer in shallow planting, and would only re-
commend deep planting in those private gardens
that have permanent beds of Daffodils, and which
may be employed for bedding arrangements in
summer time when the bulbs are over. From an
economic or commercial point of view, shallow
planting entails a great saving of labour, while for
shallow soils deep planting is an obvious error, as
the deeper you dig the poorer the soil becomes ;
whereas, by shallow planting the roots have the
decided advantage of the increased depth of supe-
rior soil. Shallow planting, again, is a decided
gain in those instances where the soil is heavy or
clayey, and where the subsoil is either retentive or
badly drained. Shallow planted bulbs, too, are of
superior form, short-necked, plump and solid, while
deeply planted ones are inclined to elongate. My
usual depth for the majority is 4 inches, the result
being an early ripening and sound plump bulbs.

As to the use of sand about the bulbs, I certainly
cannot agree with what Mr. Wolley Dod has said
quite recently in The Garden, and for heavy or
badly drained soils, I consider any kind of sand or
sharp grit — sea-sand, of course, excepted — very ser-
viceable. In light loamy soils with a perfect drain-
age of gravel its use is not necessary, though I
have always found the bulbs lift much cleaner
where it is freely employed. Much has to do with
obtaining perfectly healthy bulbs, and having done
this, it is simply surprising how accommodating
these Daffodils really are. E. J.

Eczema caused by Primula obconica.—

Two cases of eczema having come under my notice
caused by a Primula, I desire to bring them before
the members of the association. " A. D," head gar-
dener to a resident in the neighbourhood, came to
me a year ago complaining of an eczematous con-
dition of his hands and forearms. He told me that
he was firmly persuaded that this was caused by
some plant with which he had been working, but
could not identify it. The appearance of the hands
and forearms was that of a moist eczema, papulous
and excoriated, with, over the joints of the fingers,
severe cracking, such as is seen in frosting or hack-
ing of the hands during winter. He complained of
great itching of the skin, and had tried various
household remedies without benefit. " D. H." suc-
ceeded the former case, in the same situation, and
called on me a few weeks ago, showing a condition
of the skin exactly akin to that mentioned in the
case of " A. D." He also believed that it was caused
by some plant, and told me that the condition was
always worse after working in a certain part of the

Sept. 27, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

297

garden. He, at my request, promised to investigate
the matter, and he being a very shrewd man I ex-
pected to hear more of it. A few days ago he
returned, and told me lhat he had found the offend-
ing plant to be ths F i-nU a obconica, and had been
testing it time after time in order to be quite sure.
These plants require some attention during the
months of July and August, and as sure as my
patient handled them, he" told me, his hands and
arms were worse at night, and the itching intoler-
able. The details of treatment are of no importance,
as both cases quickly recovered. — Allan C. Sym,
M.D.Edin., Edinburgh, in British Medical Journal.

NEW FRENCH VERBENAS FOR 1890.
Having again grown during the summer now
coming to a close the set of the above-named
ornamental and free - blooming bedding plants
sent out by M. G. Bruant, of Poitiers, I think
some brief notes of their respective merits and
beauties may not be unacceptable to the readers
of The Garden. I may, however, begin by
saying that, on the whole, though many of
them are very beautiful, I consider them in-
ferior in variety and brilliancy of colour to the
set sent out by the same raiser in 1889, which I
had the pleasure of describing in The Garden
for August 10 of last year.

Mlle. Carpentieb is a deep rose colour, with
a good white eye and a fine large truss of flower.

Male, de Sevigne has light rose-coloured
flowers, with a good eye and medium-sized truss.

Aerolith is a bright rose colour, with good eye
and medium truss.

Emma d'Erwin" is of a deep violet shade, with an
immense white eye and medium truss; a fine va-
riety.

Mme. de C'hAbreul. — Almost, if not quite the
same as the last.

Eleur de Lavande. — Deep lavender, with good
white eye and small truss.

Miss Bisland. — Very like first on list, but lighter
shade anl finer eye.

Triumphant. — Deep plum colour, large wh'te
eye and small truss.

Multicolore. — Light rose, striped and mottled
carmine and white, rather small flower, and no eye
worth mentioning.

Esclairmonde. — Identical with Miss Bisland.

Antigone. — Clear magenta, large white eye and
medium truss.

Mmb. de Selincourt. — Deep claret colour,
with immense white eye : a most distinct variety.

Miss Bly. — Upper petals deep rose, lower ones
of a lighter shade, rather indistinctly marked eye
and medium truss.

Greenawat. — Dull rose colour, with deeper
centre : a rather inferior variety.

Gabrielle d'Avoe. — A large flower with car-
mine centre, lighter outer half of petals, and white
eye ; very distinct.

Marie Mareshal. — A fine clear scarlet, with
good white eye. This I consider the most beauti-
ful of the set.

Galitzin. — Deep rosy purple, with fine white eye.

Tolla. — Bright rosy purple, with large white eye
and medium truss.

Diane. — A good sized light pink flower.

Uranie. — A very large flower of an uncommon
shade of violet-mauve, with immense white eye ; a
fine variety.

Coquette. — Blush-white with carmine eye, me-
dium truss.

Ophelie.— Rosy purple centre with lighter out-
side ; inferior.

Coppelia. — Dsep purple flower with large white
eye.

I also bloomed seven out of a set of eight
varieties sent out by Monsieur Delaux, of Tou-
louse, and though most of them were fine,
bright, showy flowers, they were far too much
alike, several of them only differing from one
another in depth of shade. They were named

Monsieur Jourdan. — Large flower of a deep
rose colour, with a large white eye.

Mme. Graverois. — Very like the last named
variety, b;it of a lather lighter shade of rose
colour.

Mlle. Lelande.— Light rose colour, with small
white eye.

Mlle. L. Dehault. — A clear light rose, with
large white eye.

Albert Delaux.— A light shade of violet, with
good white eye, but delicate, and of a poor, weak
constitution.

M. P. Fourgerat.— A large pure white flower,
sometimes unevenly flaked with carmine.

Monsieur Giat.— Identical with Madame Gra-
verois.

Mme. V. Gauvan failed to bloom.

W. E. Gumbleton.

HARDY GLADIOLI.
A gathering of flowers of hardy Gladioli from
M. Lemoine, Nancy, France, reminds us of the
usefulness of the many beautiful hybrids this
raiser has given us by his careful hybridising
over a number of years. The varieties sent were
of two distinct sections, Lemoinei and the recent
Xanceanus. The finest of the former group were
Leon Simon, deep purple, blotched on the
lower petals with yellow ; M. Leveque, rich blood-
crimson ; E. V. Hallock, yellow, but scarlet in
the centre of the compact bloom ; Crozy fils,
scarlet, lemon-yellow in the centre, very bright and
showy ; and Alice 'Wilson, white, with rich crimson
colouring in the centre, a compact and pretty
flower. Of the Nanceanus, the most worthy of
note were President Carnot, rose-carmine colour,
very handsome ; Harry Veitch, rich bloom-crimson,
with yellow in the centre, very handsome ; and Le
Grand Carnot, brilliant scarlet, pale yellow in the
centre, a showy and excellent flower. We are con-
fident that we have in this race of Gladioli a charm-
ing group of garden flowers. The most important
parent is G. purpureo-auratus, introduced by Mr.
Bull in 1870, and it was at once seen that this dis-
tinct species could be used with advantage in
hybridising, and the results have justified the con-
clusions then drawn. When in 1875 Lemoinei and
Marie Lemoine were produced, it was evident that
many more good things would follow, and in the
recent varieties named above there is a great
advance, suggesting that in a few years the spikes
will be as bold, the flowers as large, varied in their
colouring, and as showy as those of the gandavensis
hybrids familiar at exhibitions. One great point in
these types that will help to make them popular is
their hardiness. They are quite hardy, grow in al-
most any kind of soil if it is fairly good, are quickly
increased by corms, and bloom with great per-
sistency, whether the weather is cold and wet or
hot and dry. The Nanceanus section is one of
rich promise ; it is the result of crossing Saundersi
and Lemoinei, the flowers standing up well and
expanding before those of the gandavensis class.

In connection with your note (The Gar-
den, Sept. 13, p. 212) on Gladioli at the Drill
Hall, will you allow me to poiDt out that the
flowers brought over by M. Lemoine to illustrate
his lecture did not probably represent the full
beauty either of the Lemoinei or Nanceanus types.
I grow a good many of both, and my sister (Mrs.
Harrison) grows many more, especially of the first.
I had looked over her bed on the morning of the
meeting, the flowers in it being much finer than
those exhibited, and, of the Nanceanus type, Presi-
dent Carnot had much larger and finer blooms at
Wisley than those on the lecture table. I remarked
this to M. Lemoine. He said the spikes had been
injured in travelling; they certainly did not do
themselves justice. Their easy cultivation and great
beauty make them most valuable to hardy plant
growers. In your note (page 21 1) on " Geranium
Shirley Blue," for which the Rev. W. Wilks received
a first-elass certificate from the floral committee,
you say : " This very much resembles if not identi-
cal wirh the variety known as G. Wallichianum." I
was informed by a good authority af. the Drill Hall
last Tuesday that the plant exhibited was Geranium
Wallichianuui, well known in collections of hardy

plants. I was not at the Drill Hall on the day of
the exhibit, or would have pointed out the error. —
George F. Wilson.

African Marigolds.— As a grower of these fine
flowers largely, 1 invariably take stock of what
other growers"exhibit. We saw samples of flowers
from two Rothesay growers at the Crystal Palace on
the 5th inst., and'l have seen those of others at the
Drill Hall and elsewhere, but, oddly enough, their
strains are apparently limited absolutely to the
deep orange and the pale lemon. Now I have had
for some years, and they are blooming grandly this
season, plants which produce between the orange
and the lemon some four or five other shades, so
that, there is no dividing line in them. The variety
thus afforded greatly enhances the beauty of these
Marigolds : indeed, I think they stand in the very
front rank of effective border flowers for the au-
tumn.— A. D.

Orchids.

BATEMANNIA BURTI.
I have received from Mr. Bevis a flower of
this wonderful Orchid, for such I must call it,
and he says, " I have had five flowers upon the
plant, the one I send you being the last." This
plant appears to have been first found by En-
dres in Costa .Rica upwards of twenty years ago,
so that it is by no means a new Orchid. Owing
to some difficulties in their cultivation, Orchid
growers have never taken kindly to this family
and their near allies the Bolleas, Pescatoreas,
Huntleyas, and Warscewiezella3. I think, how-
ever, all the plants included in these genera are
highly deserving of special attention. A few
years ago they were well cared for by Mr.
Salter when he had charge of the late Mr.
Southgate's collection at Stivathain. They were
grown in a house with a temperature between
that of the Odontoglossum house and the Cat-
tleya house, and with a great deal more humidity
in the atmosphere at all s-asons, and very much
shaded. These plants being devoid of all
pseudo-bulbs and stems necessarily require sup-
port through the whiter months and heavy
shade in summer, in order to bring them up to
the English standard of Orchid specimens. I
think that Orchid growers look upon the spe-
cimen plants as the first necessity, and having
got these, they then grumble that the plants
are shy in flowering. Mr. Sanders, of St.
Albans, has a fine lot of Batemannias at the pre-
sent time, and they are doing well under similar
treatment to that adopted by Mr. Salter. The
plant in question forms a tuft of leaves arranged
in a two-ranked fashion ; these leaves are each
from 9 inches to 1 foot long, somewhat thin in
texture and light green, and from between the
lower ones appear a number of worm-like roots.
The scape rises from the axih of the leaves
and bears a solitary flower, which, as in the
specimen now before me, measures 3 inches
across ; the sepals and petals are broadly trian-
gular in shape and nearly equal in size, the
upper portion being of a rich chestnut-brown,
more or less dotted and spotted with yellowish
brown. The base of all the segments is orange-
yellow, chequered with light brown, and with a
rayed blotch of very dark brown at the base of
each petal. The lip is clawed, white, deep
brown at the base, and spotted with deeper
markings ; the flower is fleshy in texture, and
lasts in'full perfection for a long time.

Whilst alluding to B. Burti, I am reminded
of another very tine variety which I taw a few
years ago flowering in the collection of Sir
Trevor Lawrence at Burford Lodge— B. Wallisi
major, also a native of Costa Rica, a country
which appears to be rich in these plants and

298

THE GAEDEN.

[Sept. 27, 1890.

from whence we may expect to obtain some
more interesting and beautiful species. This B.
Wallisi major is an autumn bloomer, the flowers
being much larger than those of B. Burti. In
the plant B. Wallisi major the growth is simi-
lar to that of B. Burti. The scape rises to a
height of some 0 inches or 7 inches, bearing a
single flower, which measures a little less than
6 inches across in the broadest part. The se-
pals and petals are nearly equal in size, but they
are narrower than those of the previously-named
plant and rich deep brown in colour, except at
the base, where they are yellowish-white, the
petals in addition having a dark purplish spot,
with radiating lines of the same colour running
through the light ground at the base. The large
lip is heart-shaped in the front, and wholly of
a rich deep brown, clawed at the base, which is
white, and ornamented with a number of hair-
like crests. This kind flowers during the
month of September, and lasts a long time in
full beauty.

This and other plants of the same family are
frequently grown in the hottest end of the Cat-
tleya house, but I am of opinion that the me-
thod of culture I advise will be found the best
for keeping them in good condition for a number
of years. W. H. Gowee.

After flowering these plants should be kept cool
and quite dry. — W. H. G.

Laelia Arnoldiana.— Flowers of this variety
or species come from Mr. A. Manda, of the
United States nursery at Hextable. It is said to
be a natural hybrid between L. autumnalis and L.
Gouldiana, the latter itself a supposed natural hybrid.
Be this as it may, it is a very pretty flower and very
fragrant, being quite destitute of the bad odour
given off by L. autumnalis, whilst the shape of the
flower is really more like that of L. Gouldiana.

The golden Swan Orchis (Cycnoches aureum).
— The old plants come in from time to time, and it
is to be hoped they will not be allowed to slip through
our fingers again. Flowers of this plant come to
hand from "C. B. R." It has a short compact ra-
ceme of bloom which are closely set on the spike.
The flowers are clear lemon-yellow, or, as in those
sent me, with a few indistinct dots of reddish
crimson. The disc of the lip is curiously forked,
and the long column is bent back into the swan's
neck-like form, from which its name is derived. I
do not think I have seen a flower of this for thirty
years. It likes warmth and plenty of water to its
roots when growing, but during winter when at
rest it should be kept cool and dry.— W.

Odontoglossum excellens. — This superb
plant, a supposed natural hybrid, is now flowering
in great beauty in Mr. Sander's collection at St.
Albans. The plant was figured in The Gaeden,
April 1, 1882, and is supposed to be a natural
cross between 0. Pescatorei and 0. triumphans.
The sepals and petals have a ground colour of
bright yellow, becoming almost white in the centre,
and more or less dotted and spotted with chestnut ;
lip white, with several chestnut-brown spots, and
the crest deep yellow. It is a very charming plant,
and as raisers of seedling Orchids at home seem so
tardy in bringing out hybrid forms of Odontoglos.
sums, it is a great pity that more cannot be col
lected in their native countries. In the case of this
plant it would be highly desirable.

Catasetum atratum and C. cernuum.—
'_' C. J., Derby," sends flowers of these Orchids, ask-
ing if they really are two distinct species. This is
somewhat a difficult question to answer in a satis-
factory manner, for we are somewhat at sea with
these plants, not knowing what to call a species,
bscause such strange variations take place with
Catasetums, Cycnoches, and several other allied
genera. The two flowers now before me are
certainly of the two species named .above, and
the flower marked A is C. atratum. Both resemble
each other in growth, and the sepals and petals of
each are very similar, being nearly equal, of a dull,
heavy green, spotted and barred with purple. The
lip-, of the two plants, however, are very different.

SHORT NOTES.— ORCHIDS.

Cypripedium Spicerianum.— This is truly a
remarkable and beautiful Lady's Slipper, move especi-
ally when seen flowering in quantity, as in Mr. Bull's
establishment at Chelsea. We usually look for this
species from the beginning of November through the
winter months, but it is so charming that its flowers
are welcome at any time.

Catasetum Bungerothi. — This is one of the
grandest of Orchids, although it belongs ti the much
abused and neglected genus Catasetum. A very grand
variety is now flowering in the collection of Mr.
Howard, The Grove, Teddiugton. This was figured in
The Garden, April 28, 1888.

Huntleya albido-fulva (B. B.).~ I suppose the
flower sent me of this spec:es is one from an importa-
tion by Mr. Shuttleworth, of Clapham Park Road,
last year. The colour of the flowers is not so bright
as I expected to see it. The sepals and petals are
somewhat deformed in the flower sent, white at the
base, tipped with dull brown ; the triangular lip edged
in front with brown, white at the base. I shall be
glad to see this again. — G.

CEceoelades maoulata (Brazil).— This is the
name of the plant the leaf of which you send. As far
as we arc aware, it is the only species left in the genus,
all the others having been removed to Angra'cum and
Saccolabium. It is a native of Brazil, from whence we
suppose you have obtained it. It has pseudo-bulbs and
fleshy, spotted leaves, but the flowers are small and
insignificant. We have always found it to be a plant
rather difficult to keep in a presentable condition.

"Wailesia paludosa. — This is a new Orchid
now flowering for the first time, I believe, in England.
It is erect in habit, with light green distichous
leaves. The spike is axillary, and the flowers
creamy-white, dotted all over with purplish-magenta,
the lip having a brush-like appendage at the tip. It
has been named Dipodium paludosum, but this, I
think, is an error, for the genus Dipodium is said to
be terrestrial and leafless, with a terminal raceme of
blooms.— W. H. G.

The Dove Orchid (Peristeria elata).— In the
Orchid houses of Mr. Harvey at Shanklin, Isle of
Wight, are to be seen several fine plants of this useful
autumn-flowering Orchid. A few weeks ago they were
throwing up several strong spikes, hardly a plant fail-
ing to show a spike. The system pursued here, and by
which the stock has been so largely increased, is the
same as that accorded to Calanthe vestita. This stock
of Peristeria and their healthy condition show that
the treatment given to them by Mr. Winter (the gar-
dener) is the right one both for the good of the plants
and for their increase. — J. H.

over they must be kept well supplied with moisture.
We may mention that neat little bushes, suitable for
the above purpose, are obtainable at very low prices
at all our leading nurseries, and can be kept for
several years by planting out in summer in a par-
tially shaded portion of the reserve garden. The
biennials mentioned may be easily raised by anyone
having a square yard of soil to sow a few seeds in
during the summer or autumn.

Winter window boxes (Subscriber) At this

season, when the summer occupants of window boxes
are cleared off, questions are often asked as to
what they are to be filled with, and as we cannot
get a brilliant floral display during the dull period
of the year, we must make as cheerful an effect as
possible with bright, shining, healthy, dwarf shrubs,
and carpet the surface with plants hardy enough
to stand any weather. Amongst shrubs that are
serviceable for this purpose are some varieties
of Conifers, which are especially adapted for this
kind of decoration. The Arbor-vitaas, that change
colour with the changing year, Juniperus chinen-
sis, Cupressus Lawsoniana, Retinosporas in great
variety, and miniature Hollies, Portugal Laurels,
Euonymus, Berberis Aquifolium, all look well in
boxes. Small plants of Yucca recurva, seve-
ral varieties of Hellebores, and among dwarfer
plants Wallflowers, Santolina incana, Myosotis,
Pansies, Arabis, Aubrietias, and trailing plants of
variegated Ivies. After these are planted, bulbs let in
withadibblewill notfail to bloomin spring. They will
requirebutlittlewaterat this time of year, for gener-
ally they get more than enough to supply their wants
from the rainfall. But if they are so situated that the
rain is kept off they must have one good watering
with a rosed watering-pot to settle the soil and
wash the leaves clean ; after that they withstand
severe weather if rather dry better than when over-
saturated. But as scon as danger of severe frost is

Garden Flora,

PLATE 772.

SCARLET AVENS.
(with a coloueed plate of geum
miniattjm.*)
Although comparatively speaking a large and
very interesting genus, it contains but few
species of a really ornamental character, and
fewer still that in any way appeal to the florist of
to-day. The common Avens and the Marsh or
Water Avens are the only two species indigen-
ous to our own country, and neither of these is
of sufficient beauty to be recommended for cul-
ture outside a botanic garden, although lacking
neither beauty nor interest in their own native
haunts. A great many of the species belong to
the New World, and none perhaps is better
known than Sieversia, now Geum triflorum.
It is not by any means an ornamental plant,
though an extremely useful one for rockeries
and front rows of mixed borders. There are
several forms in gardens, varying in height,
vigour, size, and number of flowers. The
flower-stems are invariably erect, a foot or more
in height, and covered on the upper part as
well as the calyces with a long, soft pubescence.
The terminal leaflets of the basal leaves are of
the same size as the others ; the flowers reddish
purple outside, white, tinged with purple on
the inner surface, usually, though not always,
in threes. The long silky plumose fruits are
very ornamental in autumn. A native of
valleys in the Rocky Mountains, Canada, &c. ;
flowering May and June. G. radiatum, virgini-
anum, strictum, Pecki, and macropbyllum may
be found in cultivation. The last, a robust
yellow-flowered species, is most remarkable for
its ample foliage. G. montanum, the common
European species, is one of the best of the
dwarf yellow-flowered kinds for the rockery.
It is indeed essentially a rock plant, and very
beautiful when well established in early spring.
It has a compact habit, the leaves lying close
on the ground, the erect stems of solitary clear
yellow flowers being abundant. It likes plenty
of moisture. G. reptans is also a very fine rock
plant, differing from G. montanum in its finely
cut leaves, larger flowers, and in producing
stolons, which are absent in G. montanum.
There is a variety, however, of the latter which
is by far the most ornamental plant of the
European kinds. It is of a very vigorous habit,
with large, fine leaves, and bears freely deep
yellow flowers on each stem. This form was
cultivated in the Liverpool Botanic Garden over
twenty years, and is said to be of garden origin,
but a plant similar in every detail may be found
plentifully near chalets, where it revels in the
richer soil made by manure water continually
draining from the manure heaps close by. G.
pyrenaicum, tyrolense, intermedium, incliuatum,
the three latter hybrids are all natives of Europe.
Their cultivation is very easy, and with the ex-
ception of the dwarf species they may be grown
in the border if desired. They are easily pro-

* Drawn for The Garden in Messrs. Paul's Brox-
bourne nursery by H. G. Moon, June •'!, 1800. Litho-
graphed and printed by Guillaume Severcyns.

GEUM MINIATUM

Sept.

1890.1

THE GARDEN.

299

pagated by division or seeds, but if by the
latter mode very tantalising, as Geums hybridise
freely if grown together.

G. chiloense.— A double-flowered form of this
was figured in The Garden, December 21, 1878,
under the name of G. coocineum fl.-pl., an errone-
ous name, under which it is even yet known in
many gardens, although a totally distinct species,
both botanically and geographically. A very large-
flowered variety, under the name of G. chiloense
grandiflorum, was iigured in the Botanical Register,
vol. xvi., t. 134S. This I think is one of the best
single-flowered forms in the genus, and does not
seem to have altered much since the above men-
tioned plate was drawn. At t. 1088 of the same
work another plant is figured as G. coccineum, but
this does not at all agree with the original figure in
Sibthorp's " Flora Graeca," t. 485, and may be
taken to represent as nearly as possible the typical
G. chiloense. This type, unless in colour, has
nothing much to recommend it when compared
with either of the above mentioned varieties, and
although of much interest, as showing the wonder-
ful development that has taken place from the
florist's point of view, it can hardly be regarded as
a good garden plant. A native of Chiloe, intro-
duced to cultivation somewhere about 1S2G.

G. CHILOENSE VAB. GRANDIFLOEUM (syn., COCCi-
neum grandiflorum) is a magnificent border plant,
its large dazzling scarlet flowers and bold, upright
habit making it a general favourite with all who
love brilliant patches in their mixed borders. The
double-flowered form of this, however, seems to be
a more general favourite, the blooms lasting longer,
though I think they lack the elegance of those of the
simple form. They begin to expand soon after May
and are produced until October. Not unfrequently I
have had the flowers in their almost summer bright-
ness in the middle of November. Several forms of
this double variety, varying in the size and shade
of colour of their flowers, seem to exist.

G. chiloense vae. miniatum. — This valuable
plant, the subject of our coloured plate, is said to
have originated in the nursery of Robert Parker at
Tooting, and was named by him G. miniatum. An-
other plant known as the Altrincham variety, or G. hy-
bridum, was raised about the same time, but unless
in the flowers being clearer and brighter, I see no
difference, and can readily believe they originated
both in the same way, but whether simply a seed
sport or a hybrid, I am unable to determine in the
absence of more direct information. The Rev. C.
W. Dod, of Malpas, who has given much thought
to this subject of hybridity in the Geums, and who
once showed a series of very interesting interme-
diate forms between G. rnontanum, pyrenaicum,
&c, believes G. miniatum to be a seedling of G.
chiloense fertilised with the pollen of G. urbanum,
either accidentally or artificially ; at any rate, he
says plants have been raised at several places
nearly identical and with the same parentage as
given above. On the other hand, Mr. Parker be-
lieved his plant to have been raised between G.
chiloense var. grandiflorum and a plant he called
G. aufeum, and which is nothing more than a ro-
bust, many-flowered G. rnontanum. Be this as it
may, there can be no question as to the value of
this plant, its robust constitution standing it in
good stead in almost every kind of soil, and en-
abling it to be propagated with the greatest faci-
lity by simply cutting the tufts in pieces and re-
planting. The coloured plate will speak for itself,
and this Geum will grow none the less vigorously,
or be less appreciated in the absence of certain
information affecting its parentage. It flowers
from April until the end of July, and when doing
well often attains a height of from 2 feet to 3 feet.

G. coccineum is an entirely different habited
plant with leaves regularly crenate, lyrate pinnate,
and with the terminal lobe almost orbicular and
entire or not lobed. Flowers reddish purple. Native
of Mount Olympus, Bithynia, Sc. I have never
seen this plant in cultivation, nor have I ever heard
of its having been so. D. K.

Lapageria rosea varies much in the size of its
flowers, but the smallest are the prettiest, as they are

without a certain coarseness apparent in the big-
bloomed types. Several plants of L. rosea at Waltham
Cross show how the plants vary, not only in the f ize
of the flowers, but also in colour, some being almost
wholly crimson without any of the white spots that
freely mark some forms.

Stove and Greenhouse.

STROPHANTHUS CAPENSIS.
I AM in receipt of a letter from the Cape of
Good Hope, and in it is a dried specimen of a
plant in flower. The writer says it is very beau-
tiful, and wants to know if it is worth his while
to send plants or seeds home, for he is per-
suaded it is a new plant to commerce. The
specimen sent is Strophanthus capensis, a plant
which was introduced by the Messrs. Veitch,
and which flowered in their nursery in the
spring of the year 18C8. It belongs to the Dog-
bane family (Opocynea?), and is far too rarely
seen. The plant is useful for training up pillars
in a house and is very showy. The leaves are
closely set together, medium-sized, and the
cymes terminal. My friend describes the petals
as being bright yellow, having a deep, rich
orange-red spot at the base of each. At the
present moment I do not remember a single
place where I could find the species. There is
another kind, a native of the Congo and
various places on the west coast, and which I
have not seen in commerce. It is called Stro-
phanthus Ledieni, and if it were free flowering
it would be a decided acquisition to our stoves.
The flowers are produced in terminal cymes,
five and six together, and individually are
larger than those of S. capensis. They are of
about the same colour in the corolla, but have
the base and the throat stained with rosy
purple, and the petals lengthened out some
5 inches into long, strap-shaped appen-
dages. It will be found to require a warmer
temperature than S. capensis. These are two
plants of the genus Strophanthus which I should
like to see more widely cultivated, and they
may be easily grown into good specimens. There
are one or two other species, such as S. dicho-
tomus, S. divergens, and others, which used
to be found in collections, but they have
now dropped out of cultivation. These I have
found thrive in a mixture of loam and peat
made sandy, and I have no doubt so also would
the two species named here. G.

Carissa grandiflora. — Dried specimens of this
plant also come from my South African correspon-
dent. It is a pretty, compact-growing spiny plant
and an old acquaintance, which I raised from seeds
sent to Kew under the name of " Amatungula."
The fruit was said to be used as a conserve, and is
nice and palatable. The flowers are large, Jessa-
mine-like, produced singly or in pairs from the axils
of the leaves, and pure white. It forms a charming
flowering shrub. — G.

Griffmia hyacinthina. — This is a great beauty
for autumn and early winter flowering ; indeed,
just now there are quantities blooming in the nur-
sery of Mr. Bull at Chelsea, where its lovely violet-
blue tipped flowers are very conspicuous. G. hyf-
cinthina is an old plant in gardens, having been
introduced upwards of seventy years ago ; indeed
in my young gardening days it was quite an old
and neglected plant, and I am heartily glad to find
it so largely grown as it is at Chelsea. This plant,
which is not so much known amongst young gar-
deners as it deserves to be, is a native of some part
of South America, probably Brazil. The bulbs
should be potted in a mixture of loam, peat, leaf-
mould, and sand in about equal parts. It enjoys a
high temperature when growing with a good deal
of humidity in the atmosphere ; the leaves are large
and ovate, and the flowers are white, bordered and

flaked with violet-blue. When at rest the bulbs
should be kept cooler and nearly dry.— G.

DOUBLE WHITE PELARGONIUMS.
Double or semi-double-flowered Pelargoniums
of the zonal section are represented by col-
ours as varied as are to be found among those with
single blossoms. There are only a few semi-double
forms of the show or decorative classes, and the
blossoms of all are white or nearly so. One of
these varieties (album plenum) has been grown
for many years, but though of a neat dwarf habit
of growth it was always delicate in constitution,
and now appears to have almost dropped out of
cultivation. The next semi-double Pelargoniums
of that section that came under my notice were
distributed by M. Lemoine, of Nancy, and one was
in 1882 awarded a first-class certificate by the
Royal Horticultural Society. This year would ap-
pear to be unusually prolific in Pelargoniums, as no
less than 47 were awarded certificates (nearly all
of the first class) at the different meetings of the
societies during 1882. The variety in question,
Belle de Jour, has large open trusses of pure white
blossoms, notable from the fact that those on one
cluster do not all open at the same time, but
keep up a succession for a time. The individual
blooms are borne on rather long stalks, a distinc-
tive feature of this variety. Notwithstanding the
certificate and the high encomiums passed upon it by
many, this Pelargonium never seems to have made
much headway, no doubt owing to its bad habit of
growth, as it would run up tall and thin, and this
was not easily remedied even by continual stop-
ping. Two other varieties put into commerce, I
think, during the same year and from the same
source, were Jeanne dArc and Mme. Boucharlat,
both being of a much better habit than the last,
but the flowers were suffused with blush. Since
then, from the same raiser we have had Deniseand
Mme. Pape Carpentier; this last a blush flower, and
the other pure white. After this there was a lull
in the production of these double-flowered Pelar-
goniums, till the advent in several places and under
various names of different sports from either Mme.
Thibaut or Volonte Nationale, two of the most
popular market kinds. Duchess of Teck, which
was sent out in 1888, apparently originated from
Mme. Thibaut, as the foliage of the two is identical.
The blooms of Duchess of Teck are pure white, ex-
cept that some of the upper petals are slightly fea-
thered with purple. This is a bold, strong-growing
variety, very free-flowering, and valuable where cut
blooms are required. It occasionally produces col-
oured, or parti-coloured blossoms, which show the
sportive character of these Pelargoniums. While
Duchess of Teck originated, I believe, in the north
of England, another in the same way comes from
the south. This is Pearl, which has been several
times exhibited within the last two years. The
present' season we have had two of this semi-double
section put into commerce, viz , Princess Beatrice,
a blush white flower, while many of the petals have
a small wine-coloured blotch in the centre. This
is a stout vigorous form, after the style of Mme.
Thibaut, while the last to mention is not nearly so
strong a grower. This is a sport from Volonte Na-
tionale album (which has become so popular), and
has been distributed by Mr. Cannell under the name
of Cannell's Double. While semi-double Pelargo-
niums of this section are so few, those of the zonal
and Ivy-leaved classes are numerous. H. P.

Tecoma capensis.— Some years ago when at
Messrs. Low's I was more struck with this plant
than with anything else in the nursery, as I had
always been accustomed to look upon this Tecoma
as a beautiful, but shy-flowering climber, while
their plants were simply little bushes, every shoot
of which, or at all events the principal ones, were ter-
minated by a cluster of Honeysuckle-like blossoms
of a brilliant orange-scarlet colour. Since that
time I have often seen the plants grown in this
way. To flower them in this form they need much
the same treatment as a Bouvardia, that is, struck
in the spring and grown on during the summer,

300

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 27, 1890.

and in the case of the Tecoma especially the object
should be to ensure a few good well-ripened shoots
rather than an increased number of weaker ones,
as these last cannot be depended upon to flower.
Several of the Tecomas are very beautiful when in
flower, but some of them need much space to bloom
satisfactorily. — H. P.

WINTER-FLOWERING CARNATIONS.
Though these Carnations are not readily injured
by autumn frosts, still, when they have been grown
out in the open ground through the summer, it is a
mistake to defer lifting and potting them until the
autumn is far advanced. When the work is. done
early enough, before the temperature gets too low,
the roots at once begin to move, and get well hold
of the soil before winter. Nothing less than this
will enable the plants to flower well. Good fresh
loam, with a little finely sifted leaf-mould and
rotten manure and some sand, is the best soil for
them. In taking up the plants, avoid breaking their
roots. If the weather is dry the ground should be
well soaked with water the day before they are
lifted. If this is not done, especially if the land is
at all heavy, it is not possible to get enough of the
material away from them to admit of their going
into reasonable sized pots without breaking many
of their roots. Seven-inch pots will in most cases
be large enough for plants that were raised from
cuttings struck last year. Old specimens that flow-
ered during the winter and spring, and after having
their old bloom-stems cut away were turned out,
will most likely require pots an inch larger. But
as these, in common with other Carnations, do not
need so much room as many things, it is necessary
to avoid overpotting. Drain well and secure the
crocks, so that there will be no danger of the soil
getting washed down amongst them, as if the
water given cannot pass freely away, the plants
will do no good. After taking up, place the
stock in shallow pits or ordinary frames, giv-
ing a little air in the middle of the day when
the weather is bright, so as to prevent the tempera-
ture rising too high. By keeping the plants com-
paratively close in this way for two or three weeks
the rooting process will be encouraged. The por-
tion of the stock that is intended to flower at the
beginning of the year should now have their bloom
stems well advanced, with the buds prominent. If
the work of lifting and potting is carefully done,
even where the buds are so forward as to almost
show colour, they will be almost certain to succeed
well.

See that all the stock is free from aphides and
mildew. Either of these pests if present will quickly
injure the leaves if let to remain. As soon as the
earhest set have had time to get established in the
pots, they may be put in a house or pit with a
temperature of from 45° to 50°. Those that are
wanted to flower later may be kept cooler, but even
the latest portion required to bloom in spring should
not be kept so cool as to cause the growth to be-
come stagnant.

Winter-flowering Carnations that have
been grown in pots.— It will be better to get these
into their winter quarters, as if the weather happens
to come very wet their roots will probably suffer.
The best place for them is in a narrow house or pit
where they can be kept well up to the glass, espe-
cially in the case of those that are the most forward,
and which will shortly require to have a little arti-
ficial warmth. Fire-heat is the least likely to do
any harm when the plants are well up to the glass.
Young stock, struck from cuttings in the spring or
raised from seed, that have been grown in the open
ground should now be taken up and put in pots pro-
portionate to the size the plants have attained, or
they may be planted out in frames and there kept
through the winter. If potted they should be kept
out of the reach of severe frost ; if planted in
frames, frost, unless very severe, will do them no
harm- .T. Baines.

8-inch pots in the autumn. In these the plants bloom
profusely all the winter. The fine dark leafage con-
trasting admirably with the deep scarlet flowers.

Fuchsia Dominiana — I lately saw some plants
of tins. Cuttings are struck in heat early in tlio
spring, planted out into good soil, and lifted into

THE WEEK'S WORK.

PLANT HOUSES.
Greenhouse. — Even in the most favoured parts
of the country it is time that hard-wooded green-
house plants should be immediately placed in their
winter quarters, for however fine and warm the
days may be there is danger of frost at night,
which, though not severe, might be sufficient to in-
jure the points of the shoots of the kinds that con-
tinue to grow late. New Holland and Cape sub-
jects should be got in first, putting each in the
position best suited to it, so that they may remain
without further trouble in removal through the
winter. Such things as Eriostemons, Epacrises,
and Acacias will do with less light than any of the
species that keep on growing slowly through the
winter. These should be stood as near to the glass
as they can be got, and placed far enough apart to
allow the light to reach them freely on all sides.
In thoroughly light span-roofed houses with low
flat stages, if the large hard-wooded plants are
raised on inverted pots, there are numbers of
smaller things required for ordinary decoration
that would do very well underneath. In this way
the most can be made of the room, and the
general effect of the whole is better.

Heaths. — It is sometimes supposed that Heaths
cannot be well grown unless they have a house or
pit to themselves. Yet this is by no means the
case. Some of the most successful cultivators who
have grown the plants for exhibition have kept
them summer and winter in houses where various
other things, hard and soft-wooded, were located.
Heaths will bear a lower temperature, and require
more air than most of the New Holland and Cape
species ; consequently when they are all grown to-
gether it is best to put the Heaths at the coolest
end of the house, giving most of the air that is ad-
mitted opposite them. If the roof ventilators are
opened daily at the other end there will be suffi-
cient air. As the Heaths are taken in and also the
softer-leaved kinds of New Holland subjects, they
should be closely looked over to see that they are
free from mildew. On the least trace being dis-
covered, the affected plants' should be dusted with
sulphur.

Azaleas. — Where the common, yet mistaken
practice is followed of turning Azaleas that bloom
in spring out of doors to finish their growth, they
should at once be taken in ; for though they are
much hardier than the majority of other hard-
wooded stock, it does not take very much frost to
injure the points of the yet only partially-matured
wood. Where thrips have at all troubled them the
whole of the stock should be well washed with to-
bacco water or fumigated.

Roses. — Tea Roses in pots that have been placed
out of doors should now be housed and treated ac-
cording to the time they are wanted to flower.
Those that are required to bloom towards the close
of the year should be put where they can have a
little heat turned on at night, and later on when
the weather gets cooler in the day as well. The
portion of the stock that is intended to bloom later
in the winter and in the spring will do if out of the
reach of frost. All should be looked closely over
to see that they are free from aphides, red spider,
and mildew, for though the insects will not increase
so fast at this time of the year as in the spring and
summer, still if only a few exist they will soon in-
jure the plants and give trouble. For spider, wash-
ing with or dipping in a weak solution of Gishurst
is a most effectual way of getting rid of the in-
truders. Two moderate smokings with tobacco-
paper are usually enough to clear away aphides.
If mildew is found, dust with flowers of sulphur.

Roses planted out.— Where Roses are planted
out with their tops trained to the roof or the rafters
of a house they give much trouble, and require al-
most constant attention to keep them free from
insects, and still more to keep down mildew, which,

through the ventilators being opened more or less
close to the heads of the plants, is always trouble-
some.

Chrysanthemums. — As the buds of those plants
that bloom in the height of the Chrysanthemum
season require thinning, no time should be lost
in reducing their numbers so far as the indi-
vidual varieties are concerned. Where large flowers
are wanted, it is better to grow a portion of the
stock with this object, keeping the rest for a gene-
ral crop of bloom. Manure water should be con-
stantly given, and care should be taken that the
plants do not suffer even for an hour for want of
moisture, as now when tho pots are crowded with
roots, any deficiency in this matter would be highly
injurious in its effects. Continue to syringe overt end
freely every day. This not only benefits the plants
directly, but is the best means of keeping them free
from aphides. Provision should be made for either
protecting the stock with a temporary movable
covering that will shield them from frost, or the
requisite space under glass made ready, so that they
may be housed quickly when the weather becomes
threatening. The lessons that have been taught
by the injury that has been done more than once in
recent years by early frosts should not be for-
gotten.

Stove. — Bouvardias.— Where Bouvardias have
been planted out for the summer in heated pits
there is no better way to grow them to obtain a large
amount of bloom through the winter- that is pro-
vided they have been well managed and are strong ;
consequently there is no necessity for potting them,
unless it is with the view of having better control
over the time of their flowering. In common with
other plants that are turned out in beds in houses,
nothing can be done to retard or push on a portion
of the stock within each structure. Where the
plants have been grown this way in pits and where
there is a deficiency of heating power, they should
now be lifted and potted. Although much may
be done by the help of manure water, there mii't
still be sufficient soil to allow of the root-extension
that the plants will continue to make in heat
through the winter. If the stock has been at all
affected with mealy-bug, the whole should be given
a thorough cleaning, as when the heat is turned on
the insects will increase, and soon become so
numerous as to spoil the flowers and entail addi-
tional labour in their destruction. T. B.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.
Fbame Cucumbers. — These have held out well
this season, and, thanks to the warm weather dur-
ing the early part of September, new life seems to
have been imparted to the plants. Red spider is
one of the principal causes of failure with Cucum-
bers under glass generally, the comparative immu-
nity from this pest greatly favouring the growth
of the plants, and without healthy strong growth it
is useless to expect good crops. In most instances
the heat in the beds is quite exhausted, but if a
lining of well-prepared stable manure is formed
round the beds after as much as possible of the old
manure has been removed, this may have the effect
of sustaining the plants in a bearing state a few
weeks longer. All old or exhausted growths may
well be cut out, this admitting more daylight to the
reserved shoots and warmth to the soil. Much less
air and fewer overhead waterings should be given,
and then on bright days only. Every night the
frames ought to be well matted over, everything
being done to keep up as high a temperature as
possible. Very little can be done towards prolong-
ing the crops in cold pits, but if fire-heat is freely
turned on to the heated pits, the plants may continue
productive for some time to come.

Raising Cucumber plants. — It is not yet too
late to sow seeds in order to obtain plants to fruit
in December ami later, but the first week in Sep-
tember would have been a more suitable time. For
these winter crops many prefer the Telegraph to
any other variety, but the smaller fruiting and more
robust Cardiff Castle is nearly as productive and
less likely to fail. Sow seed sinyly in :i-incb pots
and plunge these in a brisk bottom-heat. Directly
the plants are well through the soil, raise them up

Sept. 27, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

301

to the light, but still keep in a rather strong heat,
the aim being to keep them sturdy. Support with
strong stakes, and shift into U-inch pots before
they become badly root-bound. A close look-out
ought to be kept for insect pests of all kinds, this
being especially necessary when the plants are
raised in houses where many stove plants are grow-
ing. Very much really depends upon making this
clean start, as it is scarcely possible to clear the
plants of larger size of such pests as thrips, black
aphis, mealy bug and red spider without greatly
damaging them by the process.

CUCUMBEES IN POTS AND PLANTED OUT.— If
strong plants are now ready for either the fruiting
pots or for ridges of soil the sooner they are at-
tended to the better. Once allow them to become
badly root-bound and stunted in growth, and no
amount of subsequent skilful treatment will quite
recover them. It is also of importance that an
early start be made in order that the plants may be
of large size before they are cropped, as it is certain
they will make very slow progress afterwards. Hot-
beds of decaying manure are scarcely to be recom-
mended for these winter crops, as they are apt to
quickly become a mass of humus, and altogether
uncongenial to the Cucumber roots. What these
latter most delight in is a coarse and light compost,
or little else but light fibrous loam in large lumps
and a little charred garden rubbish added. If the
loam is somewhat heavy and close in texture, char-
coal crocks and leaf soil may be added with advan-
tage, a porous compost being absolutely necessary.
They succeed well in large pots, but square, loose,
brick pits, formed, say on a slate staging over hot-
water pipes are less trouble, and the plants do well
in them. Whether pots or small brick pits are used,
or even an ordinary ridge of soil is formed, a great
mass of compost is not needed at the outset, fre-
quent small additions of lumps of turf better serv-
ing to keep the roots active near the surface. See
that the balls of soil and roots are in a moist state
and the fresh compost quite warm at planting time,
and although Cucumbers do not require large quan-
tities of water during the dull winter, they must
never be allowed to become very dry at the roots.
Train to a clear stem till the trellis is reached. The
night temperature should range from 00° to 70°,
the highest figure being reached when the outer
weather is comparatively warm, much the same
rule holding good with the 10° advance in the day-
time. Very little air is needed, and the syringings
should not be very heavy or frequent, especially in
dull cold weather.

Tomatoes. — Latterly a change for the worse has
taken place in the plants against the open walls,
disease having over-run much of the foliage and
spoilt some of the fruit. Those that have escaped
are completely sheltered by overhanging copings
and trees at the back of the wall, and these are
ripening off capital crops. To leave the fruit on
the plants any longer would in most cases be risk-
ing their loss from either disease or frost, and all
should therefore be cut. The more forward, or
those nearly or quite fully grown, will, if hung up
or placed in a warm house or kitchen, ripen fairly
well, and if not good enough to eat in a raw stats
will be very acceptable when cooked. The smaller
fruit, or any not much more than half grown, are
suitable for makiug into pies, pickles, and preserve.
There are a great variety of ways for utilising and
storing ripe Tomatoes, and not a sound fruit ought,
therefore, to be wasted. Healthy plants well fur-
nished with fruit in various stages of growth
can be lifted, this admitting of the fruit being
ripened in a more natural manner, its value in
consequence being considerably enhanced. Give
the soil about the plants a good soaking of water a
few hours prior to lifting, and having good-sized
pots and a loamy compost close at hand ready for
potting, lift carefully so as to preserve a fairly large
ball of soil and roots. Pot firmly, place stakes to
the plants, and set them in a warm and rather dry
house to ripen their crops.

Tomatoes undeb glass. — It is not always good
policy to destroy the old plants when the summer I
crops are all cleared off. On the contrary, if
they are fairly clean and trained up the roof it |

pays well to lay in young growths, and which they
are constantly pushing out all over the leading
stems. These soon develop bunches of flower, and
a good set may easily be effected, a continuous
supply being had throughout the winter and spring
months. Something, however, must be done at the
roots as well as at the top. If the border is at all dry,
it should receive after the surface has been lightly
loosened a thorough soaking of tepid water
followed by liquid manure. A surfacing of turfy
loam and old Mushroom-bed manure will attract
roots upwards, their activity being maintained by
other top-dressings later on. When the plants are
in pots give these a top-dressing of rich compost,
and, if possible, set them on or partially plunge them
in a bed of soil, such, for instance, as an old Cu-
cumber or Melon ridge. Into this they will soon
strike root, the additional food supply promoting a
fairly strong, yet fruitful growth. Any young
plants newly planted out ought not to have access
to an unlimited supply of rich soil, Tomatoes
growing more sturdily and producing the most fruit
when the root-run is comparatively poor and very
solid. The Large Red and Orangefield types are
the freest setters, and the best, as a rule, for the
winter crops. W. I.

Rose Garden.

ROSES IN AUTUMN.
The Rose season of 1890 will be remembered
for the comparative poorness of the summer
display, by reason of the wet and cold of
July and the wealth of flowers given
us in the autumn. The brilliant weather
of the past three weeks — dry, warm, and rain-
less, save for a passing thunder-shower — ex-
panded the Rose-buds in abundance, brought
out the full beauty of the best autumnal varie-
ties, and ripened up the wood for next season's
display. Many gardens now are in their pret-
tiest dress, the Tea Roses especially supplying
handfuls of flowers for the house at a time
when they are most welcome, not only for the
reason that most other things are shabby, but
country houses are filled with guests. We
have yet insufficient Roses that flower with
freedom in the autumn, and it maybe useful to
note a few of the finest that were in beauty re-
cently in the nurseries of Messrs. Wm. Paul
and Son, Waltham Cross.

All the varieties indicated, unless otherwise
specially mentioned, are on the Brier stock, and
this, it is pleasant to know, is rapidly becoming
the chief stock for Roses. It has well-known
qualities. The plants are lasting, and in time,
if the stock is planted of sufficient depth, be-
come on their own roots. Several of the lead-
ing nurserymen only now use the Brier stock,
which is the best to give autumn flowers. One
break of plants on Manetti was absolutely
bloomless, mildewed, and weedy, yet this stock
is still used largely. In one Surrey nursery all
the plants are on it, and one forest of growth,
tall, mildewed, and wild. A break of own-root
Roses at Waltham Cross was of great vigour,
but the plants did not seem to give such a good
autumn bloom as those on the Brier, but they
were strong sturdy specimens, of the kind that
one wishes were more planted in gardens. But
a good price must be paid for own-root Roses.
They take longer to grow, and are therefore more
expensive to produce. The Roses on the Brier,
however, keep growing until frosts occur, and
do not ripen oft' like those of other stocks.

The Tea Roses are very beautiful in the gar-
den at this time. One new variety named
Sappho was remarkably beautiful, every plant
of it giving a handful of charming flowers. A
note was made of it in The Garden, Sept. 20
(p. 268). Quite as free as this, though of a

different style of beauty, is Mine. Hoste, which
is one of the best of autumn Roses as seen here.
The plants are one mass or bloom, each shoot
bearing a rich cluster of flpwers, individually
full, large for a Tea Rose, and clear in colour,
the outer petals of a delicate shade of lemon,
deepening in the centre to soft yellow. It is a
variety that everyone should have, being very
hardy, free, and the delicately coloured, refined
flowers are beautiful either on the plant or when
cut and grouped with their own rich green abun-
dant foliage. We are indebted to Guillot for
this superb variety. Marie Van Houtte was in
full bloom. A group of several plants of it
was delightful, the floweM in full character,
lemon-yellow, with the bright rim of rose to the
large bold petals. In this condition it is as
peerless as any Rose in the garden, and the fact
that a basketful of characteristic flowers could
be easily cut in the middle of September says
much for its value as an autumn-flowering va-
riety. All the- Tea Boses were more or
less a picture of leaf and bloom, although Wal-
tham Cross, owing to its flat, somewhat cold
situation, is not an ideal spot for this class. The
true crimson Tea Princesse de Sagan made a
bright show ; it would increase the value of this
distinct and showy variety if its flowers were
fuller, but for colour they are unsurpassed.
Souvenir de Th&ise Levet has a much fuller
bloom and is a bright Rose in the garden, but
not so rich as the other, which was raised in
1887 by Dubreuil. It is doubtful if Princesse
de Sagan will become very popular ; but the
pendent nature of the flowers and rich colour
constitute a great charm. Climbing Nipheto3
as well as the type were in bloom,
and when associated together, the climbing
habit of the new variety is most pronounced,
but otherwise the two are identical in character
of leaf and flower. A kind named White Lady
is promising ; it is a sport from Lady Mary
Fitzwilliam, the flowers resembling those of the
type, but they are larger, the petals more ro-
bust, and the form more cupped. It is a dis-
tinctly handsome Hybrid Tea, and bears pre-
sentable blooms in the autumn. Mme. Lam-
bard was in full beauty, each plant bearing a
number of flowers which make a welcome show
of colour. They vary much, of course, but not
to the same extent as in the summer, the colour
at this season being far richer and more even.
Mme. Etienne Levet is a fine dark-coloured
Rose, very free in the autumn, and we may say
the same of Mario d'Orleans, a beautiful Tea
Rose not much grown, but possessing consider-
able merit. The foliage is very dark, the
flowers rosy salmon in colour, and with the
petals distinctly pointed. It is very free at this
season. Other Tea varieties blooming well
were Comtesse de Caserta, a coppery red flower,
only semi-double, however, but very free ;
Grace Darling, a Hybrid Tea that has now well
established itself ; it is one of the late Mr.
Bennett's acquisitions, blooms early, and gives a
bountiful supply of its full white and rose
shaded flowers until the end of autumn. Also
in flower were The Bride, the old Bouibon Sou-
venir de la Malmaison, Mme. Berard, Mme.
Charles, a delightful apricot-coloured flower,
very free and sweet ; Anna Olivier, Perle des
Jardins, a beautifu1 canary-coloured flower,
deeper in the centre; Mme. Perny, a very lovely
Rose in the bud, saflron-yellow in colour,
changing to a paler tint on expansion ;
Edith Gilford, Mme. de Watteville, Belle Lyon-
naise, one of the finest of the Tea varieties ;
Viscountess Folkestone, a beautiful Rose for
making a bold group ; the flowers are large,
loose, yet not flimsy, and delicately shaded
with salmon-pink on a paler ground ; Sombreuil,

302

THE GAEDEK

[Sept. 27, 1890.

which was bearing large clusters, flowers white,
tinted with rose, and very chaste— it is a good
hardy variety ; Conitesse de Frigneuse, a very
distinct canary-coloured Ro3e ; and Sun3et,
very free, yellow, deeper in the centre.

Ernest Metz is likely to make a good flower.
It has a full, handsome bud, large, expanding
well, and tinted with salmon-rose, the centre
deeper. Corinna is another variety of rich
promise. It is blooming well now (September 18)
in the nursery at Waltham Cross, the flowers
being medium-sized, exquisitely shaped, full,
yet not coarse, and in the centre delicate buff
or fawn colour, the outer petals, which fold
back gracefully, having a rich suffusion of rose,
that seems also to run through the flower. It
has a strong Tea fragrance and a fine dark
green, robust leafage. Pink Rover (noticed in
The Garden, September 20, p. 268) is an ex-
cellent Hybrid Tea-scented autumnal and a very
promising variety.

These are a few of the Tea Roses that were
flowering with unusual freedom, and we may
with advantage make a few notes on the best of
the Hybrid Perpetual varieties at the present
season. One of the conspicuous new kinds is
Marchioness of Lome, which was making an
excellent show of bloom. The flowers are not
of exhibition form, but very bright scarlet in
colour, exceedingly sweet and showy. It is a
useful garden Rose and a good autumnal. That
famous dark Rose Louis Van Houtte is still
good, as it has been all through the summer.
Its flowers are of wonderful richness in their
shades of velvety crimson. This Hybrid
Perpetual is, undoubtedly, one of the finest
dark Roses in commerce. Bessie Johnson,
Duchess of Bedford, Countess oE Rosebery,
and Star of Waltham were all good. The last
of the four, Star of Waltham is an excellent
Hybrid Perpetual, the flowers deep crimson,
full, and bold, the outcome of the robust petals.
It is a good autumnal, does well as a dwarf or
half-standard, and is vigorous both in leaf and
flower. One of the finest is Ella Gordon, which
produces a lovely bright cherry-coloured flower,
full, handsome, and well-shaped, the petals
smooth, of good substance, and making up a
striking bloom. Its freedom in the autumn is
exceptional. Almost every plant of it carries a
wealth of bloom— just what is required when
the flush of summer flowers is past. Mrs.
Harry Turner is a fine, rich, crimson-col-
oured autumnal, and other good kinds bloom-
ing gaily now are Alfred Dumesnil, Waltham
Climber No 1, a fine, rich crimson-flowered
climber, very robust, and with blossoms of
bold, full, and handsome form, and rich leaf-
age ; Captain Christy, Charles Lefebvre,
Duchess of Albany, a deep coloured La
France, and taking on more colour in au-
tumn than in summer ; Pride of Waltham,
Victor Hugo, Countess of Oxford, Henry Schul-
theis, and Mme. Bois, a very handsome, light col-
loured flower, after the style of Victor Verdier,
but larger. Dr. Andrv, Victor Verdier, Mme.
Eugene Verdier, Mrs. John Laing, Ulrich Brun-
ner, and Spenser are also worth noting. Mrs.
John Laing is a Rose of exceptional merit ; the
more one sees of it the more its usefulness be-
comes apparent. It is not only a splendid sum-
mer Rose, but gives many gatherings of its pink
flowers in the autumn. It is as great an acqui-
sition as Ulrich Brunner, which was blooming
freely at Waltham Cross the other day. This
is high praise, as there are few Roses of the
same all-round excellence as Ulrich Brunner.
Spenser is a new variety. It is a pink Merveille
de Lyon, the flowers very large and flat, the
outer petals almost white, and those in the
centre touched with brilliant pink.

The enumeration of the few foregoing varie-
ties shows that there is no excuse for an absence
of Roses in September, but there too often is in
gardens, especially where the energies of the
grower are concentrated on exhibition blooms
to take a place in competitive stands at summer
shows. We want a wealth of autumn as well
as summer flowers, and the Tea varieties will
give the abundant display, not forgetting also a
few of the finest Hybrid Perpetuals. The
flowers of the Tea Roses are delightful at the
present season, quite clear, and very subtle and
tender in colour, with the petals unbruised and
undimmed by the cold, wet, and hail-storms, as
in the past abnormally wintry July and August.

E. C.

A house of pot Roses in the Waltham Cross
Nursery is worth a note. The varieties grown are
for the most part Catherine Mermet, The Bride,
Niphetos, and The Queen, the white sport from
Souvenir d'un Ami, the whole of the plants being
full of charming buds in perfect condition for
cutting. A display will be continued until Novem-
ber ; and this is the result of nipping out the buds
during the summer at a time when there is a pro-
fusion of outdoor bloom, thus concentrating the
energies of the plants into an autumn display. We
have few prettier button-hole Roses than Catherine
Mermet, of which The Bride is a white sport. We
are promised now a crimson Catherine Mermet, a
flower which we shall look forward to with interest.
A trio of varieties very distinct in colour will be
then gained.

Rose Mrs. Paul. — This is a new seedling Rose
of exceptional promise, belonging to the Bourbons,
and shown this season on several occasions by
Messrs. G. Paul and Son, Cheshunt, in whose nur-
sery we saw it a few weeks ago. The plant is of
vigorous growth, making long robust shoots, and
bearing freely its large, massive, and strikingly
handsome flowers. We know nothing like it. The
flower is remarkably distinct, broad, massive, and
full ; the petals beautifully imbricated, and form-
ing a bloom of rich beauty and evenness. But it
is not formal, though the fine petals are evenly ar-
ranged, while they are of the most delicate pink or
flesh colour imaginable, the outer ones taking on a
rich rose tint, as if coloured with the sun. It varies
in its colouring, as most Roses do, but so far as we
can see at present, it is always attractive, and with-
out question one of the finest new Roses of recent
years.

Rose l'Ideal. — We have seen much of this
beautiful Noisette Rose, one of Nabonnand's ac-
quisitions of 1888, this season, and it never fails to
charm by reason of its brilliantly coloured flowers.
To describe their peculiar tone is not easy. There
is a strange mingling of yellow, orange, and warm
rose shades, these melting one into the other, or
rather the yellow deepens to orange, and is suf-
fused with rose, producing a Rose of exceptional
colour. It is one of the most delightful little
bud Roses in cultivation. It is as free as a com-
mon China, of moderately vigorous growth, and
in the summer, as we saw it in Messrs. Paul's
nursery at Cheshunt, one of the gayest Roses that
beautify the garden in late July. The buds are
long, sweet, and graceful, as useful for button-
hole bouquets as those of the popular \V. A. Rich-
ardson itself, but there is room for both, as the
colours of the two flowers, although equally in-
tense, are quite distinct. There is a greater
difference between l'Ideal and W. A. Richardson,
than the last-mentioned variety and Ma Capu-
cine. L'Ideal we shall doubtless see a leading
button-hole flower in London shops. It has been
shown well on several occasions this season by
Messrs. G. Paul and Son, and its brilliancy in
their nursery at Cheshunt was as conspicuous as in
the large bunches of it at the shows. Of course,
it is solely a button-hole Rose, the flowers losing
their charm when fully expanded.

Two of the best Polyantha Roses arc
Blanche Rebatel and Gloire des Polyantha, both of
which bloom freely in the autumn, keeping up a

succession from early summer. Blanche Reba-
tel bears large bunches of carmine flowers, loose
and flimsy individually, but delightful in the
cluster of sometimes forty or even more. Gloire
des Polyantha has flowers of a distinctly rose
colour, the centre white, and occasionally the
petals are flaked with red. It is just as free as the
other, and both make a welcome show of colour in
the garden at this season. We suppose there will
be a time when this charming section of Roses will
be regarded with more interest than at present.
Distinct groups of one kind or in association with
other things constitute an enduring and attractive
feature in the garden. We saw a large break of
them in the summer one mass of flower, with the
leaves hidden beneath the profusion of blossom.
They are easily grown, and if there is insufficient
room to make groups of them, they can be used i
with advantage as edgings to large beds.

AUTUMNAL ROSES.
I have not grown most of the H. P. Roses men-
tioned by your correspondent " C. L. ," so do
not know their merits, but when we have many
well known and first rate Roses which are satis-
factory, I hardly think we need search for au-
tumnals amongst old Roses of no great repute
at the present day. When I mention such Roses
as La France, Charles Lefebvre, Victor Hugo,
Grace Darling, and Viscountess Folkestone, I
think I give fair specimens of first rate H. P.
Roses which are constant bloomers and have
been giving good flowers all this season since
the summer began. Marie Baumann and A. K.
Williams have also both bloomed well and con-
tinuously. I do not think Mrs. John Laing by
any means a good autumnal, but its profuse
blooming in July must satisfy anyone who grows
this good Rose.

The real autumnal bloomers are the Tea
Roses ; therefore, anyone with a garden
capable of growing Roses (which in fact
means any garden except one placed in the
centre of a large town) should grow Tea Roses
as numerously as H. P. 's. They can be grown
just as easily, and they bloom much more pro-
fusely. I grow as many of one kind as the other,
and at this time of year I depend principally
on Teas for cut flowers.

The advantage of cutting back the young wood
of Rose trees so hard in July is one which I think
would be much questioned by many rosarians,
but I think that there is considerable advantage
in cutting out all old wood in the end of July,
and allowing the energy of the trees to be
thrown into the young wood, which thereby be-
comes strong and thoroughly ripened. A mulch-
ing of cow manure immediately after the July
blooming is over is undoubtedly beneficial. I
mulch my Roses in April, July, and Novem-
ber, and I believe that for anyone who grows
with the desire of having large flowers it is
absolutely necessary to give this help to the
ground. The subject of Rose growing is so
interesting, that I regret that there are not
more numerous letters on the subject from
amateurs in The Garden.

Croydon. Charles J. Grahahe.

Striking Tea Roses. — The best lot I ever
had was obtained by putting in the cuttings in
August. Six or eight cuttings were put into a 5-
inch pot, the pots being plunged in cocoa-nut
fibre refuse and covered with close hand-lights.
They were not shaded further than by being
placed on the north side of a low wall. In some-
thing like six weeks they were not only rooted (at
least most of them), but had also started to grow.
The young plants were potted off singly in 4-inch
pots, and being placed near the glass in a green-
house soon became established and produced
flowers in spring. A few of them were planted out,
some against walls, others in the open ground, and

Sept. 27, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

303

more of them in pots. Some o£ the wall plants
formed the finest specimens I ever saw of their
respective kinds. A plant of Safrano grew with
remarkable rigour, and supplied a large number of
buds during the season. All the Roses are easily
propagated by cuttings, and I have always found
August the most suitable month for striking them.
—J.

Ferns.

HARDY FERNERIES.
While flowers are indispensable for the orna-
mentation of a villa residence, a collection of
hardy Ferns forms an equally important addi-
tion, and when properly and tastefully arranged

rather than broad, it should be broken up here
and there so as to form miniature dells, recesses,
and projections ; but all should have as rustic
an appearance as possible. The plants in all
cases should be allowed sufficient space in which
to develop themselves. "Where outdoor Ferns
have failed to do well, the ferneries have gene-
rally been cramped for room. What is wanted
is breadth and length, height being of secondary
importance. If the fernery be so arranged that
it could be traversed by a narrow path from
which the plants could be examined, allthebetter.
The stones employed should be placed in as natu-
ral a manner as possible, and yet they should
possess a certain amount of artistic arrangement.
Anyone who has searched for Ferns in their
native haunts cannot have failed to observe
that they luxuriate in a light, sandy soil, and

of sorts that would retain their verdure through-
out the winter, such, for instance, as the Blech-
nums, Scolopendriums, Polystichums, and Poly-
podiums. In planting, an error of too
common occurrence must be avoided, viz.,
that of planting too deeply. Generally speak-
ing, the crowns must be kept well above
the soil, but the plants should be made firm,
and the stronger-growing sorts should be planted
first. Dwarf growing varieties with fine fronds
should have the most sheltered nooks assigned to
them. If water exist in the fernery, a place
must be afforded for the Royal Fern (Osmunda
regalis). A small fernery may be constructed
in any shady corner where flowering plants will
not succeed, and if arranged according to good
taste and judgment, it will always be a source
of enjoyment to the cultivator. W. P.

A hardy fernery.

they may be made to assume as natural an appear-
ance (see illustration) as they do in a wild state ;
the rustic appearance, too, of a hardy fernery
forms an agreeable contrast to the more dressy
portions of the grounds. It is difficult to lay
down definite rules for the construction of a
fernery, so much depending upon the position
which it is to occupy and the space at command.
In fixing on the site, the first thing to be aimed
at should be a shady, secluded nook — not one
that can be seen from the windows of the man-
sion or cottage, nor yet from the flower garden,
but a part that is unexpectedly come upon
■when walking through the grounds. The situa-
tion should also be one that is sheltered from
boisterous winds. Moisture, too, is essential to
the well-being of hardy Ferns, but this cannot
always be given in sufficient quantity to carry
them safely through hot summers. In forming
a fernery, anything like straight lines must be
avoided. If the space to be occupied be long

this must form, if possible, the main bulk of
the fernery. I have, however, frequently used
cocoa-nut fibre mixed with turfy loam, and it
has always appeared to answer admirably. For
very delicate sorts a compost may be formed of
peat, leaf-mould, and loam, with a sprinkling of
sand to keep all open and porous, but the
stronger sorts will succeed best in loam without
the addition of peat. When I use cocoa-nut
fibre I find that it retains a considerable amount
of moisture without becoming sodden. Fern
roots, being generally of a wiry nature, will
grow in almost any soil that is of ordinary tex-
ture, but it ought not to be heavy. Ferns dis-
like manure, both in solid and liquid form. In
arranging the plants I would not separate the
evergreen from the deciduous kinds, but so dis-
pose of them that when the foliage of the latter
dies down in the beginning of winter, there
would still remain plants enough to interest
the cultivator. 1 would therefore plant plenty

The cultivation of early fruit and vege-
tables at Mentone. — The British vice-consul at
Jlentone in his last report remarks that the country
round produces an excellent quality of Lemons in
abundance, which during the winter season are sold
at 12s. per 1000, and he suggests that English im-
porters might find this produce worthy of their at-
tention. The crop is easily capable of great exten-
sion, being one which the native understands and
to which he willingly betakes himself ; whereas he
neglects market gardening for early vegetables, for
which the winter climate is particularly favourable.
New Potatoes grown for exportation, commencing
in November and continuing throughout the winter,
could be produced with the greatest facility in
regularly succeeding relays, as individual experience
has repeatedly proved . Until JIarch , and even April ,
however, the supply in the local market is insuffi-
cient, intermittent, and costly. Some English seed-
lings, planted at intervals of three weeks in some
private grounds, produced, by means of irrigation
during dry months, magnificent crops from Novem-
ber till April. Were the land intelligently and

304

THE GAEDEK

[Sept. 27, 1890.

scientifically chosen and cultivated for the purpose,
Strawberries, which in certain sites ripen freely in
the open air at Christmas, without even bell-glasses,
could, together with winter Peas and Asparagus,
each unforced, be sent to the London and Paris mar-
kets at an unprecedentedly early period. At present
one gardener by profession, a Parisian, alone seems
alive to the precious possibilities contained in cer-
tain sunny and sheltered nooks, and he regularly
furnished the famous Hotel de Paris at Monte
Carlo with much of its consumption of winter deli-
cacies in the way of unusually early fruit and vege-
tables. For the most part, however, the local
market has to draw its supplies even of Cabbages
and Onions from Nice and elsewhere. A short cut
to competency is, however, found for the native
rural population of the whole district, as well as for
that of the surrounding country beyond the frontier,
in the yearly advent of the large foreign colony.
The old people generally remain on the land and
tend it as well as they are able, in the absence of
lusty sons and daughters, married and single, who
find service, employment, or trade in villas, hotels, and
shops during the winter months, and who, together
with crowds of Swiss and Italians, return to their
land at the end of the season.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

STRAWBERRY NOBLE.
The flavour of fruits is a fairly debateable
subject, but, fortunately, all palates are not
satisfied with one ideal flavour, as the eye is
rarely satisfied with one ideal form of beauty,
and with Strawberries not only have varied
tastes to be considered, but the particular sea-
sons, climate, and situation have to be taken
into account in assessing the quality of the
fruit. When I read so many fruit reports
from all parts of the country crediting Straw-
berries generally with insipidity and want of
flavour this season, on account of the excessive
wet at the ripening period, criticisms on the
flavour of any particular variety should hardly
be very dogmatic. I was, therefore, rather sur-
prised at the tone assumed by Mr. Engleheart
as regards Noble. When I first sent this fruit
out, I alleged it to be of good flavour and free
from the coarse treacly taste which attends
many of our large Strawberries, and I have
since had no reason to alter my opinion of it
when grown in an ordinary season and situa-
tion. As it comes in at a time when all
home fruits are scarce, I consider it a very plea-
sant and satisfying fruit, and in this view I am
supported by a large amount of evidence which
I possess, that many otheis appreciate it for its
flavour as well as for its other good qualities,
and that flavour has also materially helped to
spread it so widely.

Strawberries of the Noble and of the best
American types are more suited for hot weather
or a hot climate than even British Queen and those
of the highly flavoured Pine type, which in
very hot weather are often pasty and disagree-
able, if not absolutely nauseous, as I have tasted
such, especially after travelling. Plants, too, of
the Queen type are very liable to suffer from
drought and red spider, and often go off in the
autumn when those of a more vigorous race flourish
and retain their foliage in a healthy condition.
Blending of the races has therefore been con-
sidered advantageous in order to secure more
vigour of constitution and variety in texture
and flavour, and, amongst numerous other
crosses, I have not neglected British Queen,
having allied it with President, Noble, Paxton,
and all our best growing sorts, and if the variety
Commander, raised from British Queen crossed
with pollen of President, and introduced by me
three years ago, be tried, it will be found of
very high flavour, scarcely, if at all, distinguish-

able from the Queen, but coming in before it,
ripening well at the point, and possessing a
good constitution and plenty of vigour.

I maintain that in introducing the American
blood we shall get what we want in greater vi-
gour and fertility and the power of resisting
excessive heat, which these varieties certainly
possess, and by toning down the Pine flavour-
lose nothing in quality in an ordinary English
season. From the heat of the climate our Eng-
lish Strawberries — notably, British Queen — do
not succeed and attain but little flavour in
America and the hotter parts of this continent ;
even our neighbours over the Channel run upon
a variety Dr. Morere, which is there of good
quality, but here often considered washy. I
cannot concur with Mr. Engleheart in his
opinion of the flavour of the American Jewel,
which I have noted as good, although the va-
riety is d warfer and does not propagate so freely
as most of the American sorts I have tried.
Alluding to the criticisms on Noble by your
correspondent Mr. T. Smith, Newry, his
opinion as to its flavour might carry more
weight had he more carefully stated facts, for
he has widely and in a very positive manner
misrepresented respecting the prices, <fec. , of
Noble, which is being sold at about the price of
other and longer-known Strawberries. — T. Lax-
ton, Bedford.

Both for and against this variety much of

late has been said. Its drawback seemingly is
want of flavour ; the size, earliness, and colour
being passable. I grew it indoors and outside,
though not extensively, and found it not worth the
room indoors ; but outside it was passable. I
have planted on a very warm, cosy south border
nearly 200 of Noble and the same number of
Vicomtesse at 12 inches apart both ways. The
object I had in view was to get them as early as
possible, and if the coming season proves at all
favourable I have not the least doubt but that I
shall be able to gather ripe fruit a fortnight earlier
than from older plants. The Noble is the first to
ripen with me. Most gardeners will, I think, agree
with me that in addition to the enormous amount
of labour saved in watering which usually is the
case with pot plants in the end of May during
bright weather, that it is a poor flavoured fruit
grown outside if it is not equal to those in pots
which have probably been receiving water from the
can from four to six times daily. It may be that
Strawberry raisers will eventually succeed in
raising a grand early and fine-flavoured fruit. It
seems to me as if the season had much to do with
it. One thing to be observed in raising and fruiting
young plants annually is that the plants do not
carry much leaf, consequently the fruits are more
exposed to sun and air ; hence the earliness and
better flavour.— H. Maekham, Meren-orth Castle.

Apples in Northumberland. — I observed
that in most places where there were any fruit
trees that Ecklinville Seedling was bearing heavy
crops of fruit. Especially was this the case with
young trees, as they had heavy crops and had to
be given support. This is undoubtedly a useful
Apple, being of a large size and succeeding in all
forms. It is certainly one of the best in late dis-
tricts for a certain crop. Domino is also much
grown, but I should prefer the first-named for
quantity, though Domino is of a good size, free
cropper, and a good cooking Apple, but does not
bear so freely as the Ecklinville. It these Apples
were good keepers, what an acquisition they would
prove this season to northern gardeners, who have
no superabundance of good keeping cooking Apples.
Grenadier was also in fine condition, but there were
only a few trees of this useful new Apple. Duchess
of Oldenburg was bearing freely, but not so well
as the first-named. This is a useful Apple for
small gardens. It is one of our surest Apples in bad
years and very early. Cellini Pippin on the Para-
dise stock was showing a good crop of grand fruit.
Lane's Prince Albert was everywhere good and

bearing freely, but, unfortunately, I did not see
many trees of this useful late-keeping Apple. Des-
sert kinds are very scarce. A few choice varieties
where grown on walls were bearing good crops, but
there was no quantity of any one variety. The
large old trees had scarcely a fruit, no doubt ow-
ing to a severe frost destroying the pollen. A few
pyramids in sheltered corners had fruit. King of
the Pippins was one of the best dessert kinds. Mar-
gil was bearing very freely. Pearson's Plate is also
much liked, and always bears well in ordinary sea-
sons. Ribston Pippin on walls was good, also Blen-
heim, but in exposed places there was scarcely a
f ruit.— G. Wythes.

NOTES ON STRAWBERRIES.

The following notes on Strawberries which
we are enabled to publish through the kindness
of our correspondents will doubtless prove in-
teresting to our readers. They have been sent
us from all parts of the United Kingdom. We
print the questions which we desired to have
answered : —

1. — Best lands for forcing and hearing.

2. — Best kinds for flavour.

3. — What are your lest early and late hinds for
open-air culture ?

i — What is your opinion of the new varieties that
have been lately sent out ?

5. — Mode of cultivation, whether as single stools
or in beds.

The best Strawberries for early forcing are

Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury and Keen's Seedling;
subsequently, Sir J. Paxton, President, Sir Charles
Napier, and British Queen. The best for flavour
are Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, Sir J. Paxton,
President, and British Queen and Sir Charles Na-
pier. Of early kinds the best are King of the
Earlies and Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury. As re-
gards culture, it is best to plant in single rows 18
inches asunder and 1 yard apart. The plants are
retained about four years, and a certain number of
plants destroyed and planted annually.— Geo.
Thos. Miles, Wycombe Abbey Gardens, Buds.

Strawberries would have been an excellent

crop all through bad they had suitable weather, for
although they have ripened, still they have rot
been so well coloured nor so fine and fresh as they
would have been had the weather been dry and
sunny. I do not think I ever saw so much waste
by wet and snails together in one season. President
has suffered most in this respect of any variety
here ; it being a heavy cropper, the footstalks
were not able to keep erect with the fruit and the
wet together, and much of it was lost. President
is a grand dry season variety, for it yields a heavy
crop of fine-flavoured fruit on little space. Sir J.
Paxton has stood the wet better ; being a solid
fruit naturally, the wet did not affect it so much.
It is a heavy cropper on good land. Empress
Eugenie is a splendid dessert fruit of fine flavour,
much too big for preserving. James Veitch is an-
other excellent dessert fruit of fine flavour, too big
also for preserving. Vicomtesse Ht:ricartde Thury
yields a good crop of fair-sized fruit fit for table
or preserving, and is of good flavour. It is an
excellent Strawberry for whatever purpose it may
be turned to. These are a few standard kinds that
have long kept their place among many newer
kinds that have come out with high characters,
and even yet it is doubtful if they are not the finer
of the two lots. President and Sir J. Paxton I grew
in Midlothian over thirty years ago, just after they
came out ; these, Keen's Seedling and others, were
all grown together on heavy clayey land of a mois-
ture-holding nature, deeply cultivated, with the sub-
soil broken up and levelled, and a lot of garden re-
fuse or any such material laid on the top of it
that would help to nourish the roots and keep them
out of the cold clay. A compost of lime and earth
mixed with decayed manure was well worked into
the surface before planting, and the crops that fol-
lowed well repaid the care bestowed in preparing
the ground. The three first named I tried to grow
in Forfarshire on ground prepared exactly on the

Sept. 27, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

305

same lines as they grew in in Midlothian, but they
did not grow on the light, dry, free soil,
the leaves getting a rusty brown, and although
•well watered, all to no purpose, Myatt's Seed-
ling, Grove End Scarlet, and Elton Pine took then-
place, and produced line crops. Grove End is the
best of all Strawberries for preserving, being small
and acid. Here at Coolhurst, on a deep heavy-
clayey loam, the strong-growing varieties grow vi-
gorously and produce abundantly, clearly showing
that they like a rather co il, moisture-holding soil.
— A. Kemp, Cbolhurst, Horsham.

The varieties grown here last season were

Yicomtesse, ripe March 1, carrying crops of good
useful fruit, and which for several years I had
grown chiefly for forcing early, and found it give
satisfaction. I also grew 600 Laxton's Noble in
pots, trying them for second early, but with me
they did not prove at all a profitable crop. There
were some fine fruits, but the flavour was very in-
ferior until later in the season. Keen's Seedling
I also grew as second early, but with me it has
never been so satisfactory as Yicomtesse. Sir J.
Paxton I find the most useful of the later varieties
for May and early June. President I also find suit-
able for coming in about the same time. The varie-
ties planted out are taken in the order of ripening:
Laxton's Noble, heavily cropped and fair flavour
when planted out, Keen's Seedling and The Captain
ripening about two days later. The Captain has
done well with me, carrying a good crop of bright
coloured fruit of good size and flavour. Yicomtesse
is also grown with Sir J. Paxton and President and
Sir C. Napier. British Queen does not succeed
here very well. The two best late ones I find are
Loxford Hall and Waterloo, the latter carrying a
good crop of very fine dark fruit at the present
time. I have a number of Laxton's Jubilee, another
late variety, which ripened a good crop, but
the appearance and flavour are not equal to those
of the two previously named.— J. Howabd, Benliam
Park,Ne7Bbury.

Yicomtesse Hericart de Thury is our earliest

forcing sort, with President and Sir Joseph Paxton
for later crops. All of these are good forcing sorts
of good flavour, and travel well by post or rail.
Laxton's Noble is a good kind for forcing, bearing
large fruit of fine colour, but as a forced Strawberry
it has no flavour at all. Laxton's Noble is our
early sort ; on June 3 we gathered our first from
the open ground. From eighteen plants eleven
months old we gathered G lbs., eleven to thirteen
fruits to the pound, well coloured, and of fair
flavour. President and Sir Joseph Paxton are our
main crop kinds. These with 'Waterloo and Lox-
ford Hall (late) are the only varieties grown on
our clay land. Noble is a good cropper, with large
fruit of good colour. Waterloo is a good cropper,
the fruit very fine, large, and of very dark colour and
of good flavour ; it travels well. We cultivate on
single stools in rows 27 inches each way. The
runners are layered in 3-inch pots as soon as they
can be secured. They are planted out the second
week in August. They will return fine crops of
large fruits for three years.— J. Thosis, West Grin-
stead.

For forcing for first crop I intend to rely

on La Grosse Sucree. For size, colour, firmness,
and flavour when propsrly managed this I consider
has no equal during February and March. Noble
is a fine pot Strawberry for April or May, but even
then it is not so reliable as a good strain of Presi-
dent, and with Sir C. Napier and British Queen or
Dr. Hogg to follow, there need be no lack of fine
Strawberries until the outdoor crop is over. I have
not yet tried Auguste Nicaise, but am preparing a
few hundreds for next spring. Pauline ripened a
day or two in advance of Noble, and although it is
very uneven in form and size, if not allowed to be-
come too ripe it is of fine quality. Noble was
spoilt this season in the wet, sunless weather; its
cultivation here will be reduced to very narrow
limits. La Grosse Sucree produces abundance of
fine large fruits, highly coloured, and of good
flavour. Auguste Nicaise promises to be a leading
kind, fruit large, highly coloured, very solid, and of
good flavour ; four to six days after Noble. A se-

lected stock of President is the standard variety
here for main crop; British Queen does well for
two years. Three-year-old plants die off badly.
The same may also be said of Loxford Hall Seed-
ling, which follows the Queen in about a week.
Jubilee is a heavy cropper, but lacks colour and
firmness. Waterloo with us is a strong vigorous
plant, producing abundance of its large richly
coloured fruits ; this is a real acquisition. Oxonian

1 still consider the best late kind. Black Prince,
Early Prolific, King of the Earlies, and Yicomtesse
H-ricart de Thury I have discarded as being no
longer required.— J. Jaqces, Waddesdon.

I find the best for forcing are Yicomtesse

Hericart de Thury, Keen's Seedling, Dr. Hogg,
James Yeitch, President, and Sir J. Paxton and
Old Pine a good crop. These do very well here on
our light sandy soil. The plan I adopt is to plant
out after forcing, as I cannot get them to stand be-
yond the second year on well manured and trenched
ground. My opinion of the new varieties— those
which I have tested— is that they are coarse and
deficient in flavour.— G. Kitson, Bvsbridge Hall,
Godalming.

The best kinds for forcing I find are Gari-
baldi, Princess of Wales, a splendid variety, Presi-
dent, and British Queen to succeed. The best
kinds for flavour are British Queen, Rifleman, and
Dr. Hogg. The best early and late kinds are as
follows : The old Biack Prince is generally a few
days before any other. Garibaldi succeeding this
is an excellent fruit for preserving, retaining a
good colour, but not equal to the Old Grove End
Scarlet for this purpose. President does well here,
also Sir Charles Napier and British Queen and
Frogmore Late Pine are all the sorts grown.
These up to the present time are with me un-
equalled. The new kinds I have not grown, but
friends who have grown such as Noble, Waterloo,
and others tell me that the flavour is not so good
as that of the old kinds. If large fruit is required,
my mode of cultivation is this : As soon as runners
are procurable, they are placed in pots the same as
prepared for forcing. A piece of ground is made
ready for them by deep digging or trenching and
heavily manured. After being well trodden over
to make firm, the plants are planted in 4-feet lines

2 feet apart. This method applies to President,
Sir Charles Napier, and Queen. As soon as planted
I water, then mulch with short manure. In Feb-
ruary a second mulching is given, this time with
long litter from the stables. I find that with
four or five months' exposure the manure is washed
quite clean, so that the fruit has a clean bed to rest
upon. This also prevents dirt being washed np,
and so keeps the fruit clean; it also prevents exces-
sive evaporation, and the roots receive no check.
This year we have gathered twelve fruits of Pie -i-
dent, the total of which weighed 1 lb. from plants
planted in August last, the crop also being very
heavy. My rule is to make new plantations every
three years ; all planting done in the same way as
given above.— J. G. Dean, Titsey Parli, Godstane.

This fruit is largely grown in this neigh-
bourhood for thesupply of the London, Birmingham,
Manchester, and Glasgow markets by growers who
cultivate from a quarter of an acre to 10 acres of
land. But few varieties are grown ; as far as I can
gather in a general way, three constitute the
whole of the market men's number. But more
sorts are cultivated in private gardens. Of the
former list Noble leads the way for earliness, being
ready to gather by June 5. This variety is a
vigorous grower, crops freely, the fruit swells to a
large size. We gathered some weighing 1£ ozs. each.
The colour is good, flesh firm, but flavour very
deficient, the past season being a bad one to im-
part much flavour to the fruit, owing to the con-
tinual rain which fell during the time Strawberries
were ripening. For earliness in ripening, vigour of
growth, high colour, and fine appearance this
variety has much to recommend it, but in point of
quality it is decidedly second-rate, not only being
acid in taste, but the flesh is certainly woolly. For
early supply Alice Maud finds much favour on
account of its earliness and general good qualities,
but the most reliable kind of all is Sir Joseph

Paxton both in market and private gardens. For
hardiness and freedom of growth, heavy cropping,
firmness of flesh to withstand a long railway
journey and for a wet as well as a dry season, Sir-
Joseph Paxton is at the head of all other sorts.
The length of time which it lasts in bearing is a
great point in its favour, for when all other mid-
season varieties are practically past it continues to
supply fruit of capital flavour. Here in our garden
Noble is certainly the best early Strawberry, but it
has no flavour. King of the Earlies does not grow
freely, neither does it crop well. Here where the
soil is heavy it is a worthless sort to grow. The
Captain comes in directly after Noble ; it is a strong
grower, the fruit large, of a bright red colour, brisk,
slightly inclined to acid flavour. The fruit is firm
and stands the wet weather well. On account of
its robust growth the fruit-stalks are almost erect,
keeping the fruit from the ground, and thus pre-
serving them a good deal from rotting. The worst
fault of this variety is its shy setting properties,
which as compared to Sir J. Paxton, for instance,
only produces half a crop. This last fault renders
this variety worthy of cultivation only for the sake
of variety and as a catch crop in a wet season.
Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury is one of our
best outside kinds ; the growth is free, the fruit
borne in abundance, of excellent flavour, and dark
red in colour. This latter point renders it a great
favourite for preserving. Sir Joseph Paxton, as
previously stated, is the staple sort for outdoor
culture. Nothing can be said against it. If I were
restricted to one variety, it would be this. Presi-
dent is a free-bearing hardy sort, but lacks the
flavour of the former kind. Sir Charles Napier has
proved to be a good wet weather variety, having
less tendency to rot than some other sorts. There
is a brisk acidity about this variety that many per-
sons appreciate. On the whole, the Strawberry
crop has been one of the best known in this
neighbourhood, the fruit being exceptionally fine,
and only wanting more sun to make the fla-
vour first-rate. Best kinds for forcing are Vi-
comtesse Hericart de Thury, President, and
Sir J. Paxton. Best kinds for flavour are Yicom-
tesse Hericart de Thury, Sir J. Paxton, and Alice
Maud. The best early kinds are Noble and Yicom-
tesse Hericart de Thury. Sir J. Paxton is the best
late kind here. Except in appearance the new
varieties that have lately been sent out are not so
good as many of the older kinds. The single stool
method of cultivation is most generally practised
in this neighbourhood. Some plants have fruited
well each year for twelve years under that style of
growth. I know one grower for market who plants
two runners about 6 inches apart. These in about
two years cover a space of 2 feet or more in
diameter. In this case as much as 3 feet G inches
is allowed between the rows, and large crops have
been gathered during the season just past from
these plants. — E. Molynetjx, Sn-anmore Park
Gardens.

The best varieties for forcing with us are,

taking them in their all round qualities, Vicom-
tesse "Hericart de Thury. La Grcs>e Sucree, Presi-
dent, Sir Joseph Paxton, and Sir Charles Napier.
The most appreciated for flavour are King of
the Earlies. Yicomtesse Hericart de Thury, La
Grosse Sucree, President, Eleanor, Elton Pine,
Doctor Hogg, and Sir Charles Napier. For late
ones, those that do the best and crop freely in
the open air are King of Earlies, Vicomtesse
Hericart de Thury, La Grosse Sucree, Presi-
dent, Sir Joseph Paxton, Doctor Hogg, Sir Charles
Napier, Eleanor, and Elton Pine. I look upon
President as our sheet anchor for giving bulk of
fruit and good flavour, both for pots and outdoor
culture. I have no experience with the more re-
cently introduced kinds. King of Earlies is a
delicious and piquant little fruit, the earliest
with us, good for forcing, but the fruits want
severely thinning out to have them of any size ;
an excellent cropper out doors, and thought
much of for preserving. Noble is a good forcer,
the fruits attaining a large size, of handsome shape,
and very taking for market, but when compared
with those of President and others, it is very inferior
in flavour. It is a strong grower and free cropper,

30G

THE GARDEN.

[Sept 27, 1890.

and very early for outdoor cultivation. Captain
is a robust grower on our soil, free cropper, very
large round fruit, inclined to be somewhat conical
in shape, of deep colour where exposed, and very
much superior to Noble. It should prove a good
early open-air Strawberry. I prefer the single
stool system of cultivation, with the rows 2 feet
wide, and the stools 18 inches apart in the row ;
three plants to form a stool, and three years the
duration of a plantation. Some varieties, such as
Sir Charles, King of Earlies, and Vicomtesse, I
find give finer fruit, especially King of Earlies and
Sir Charles Napier if planted every year, or at the
most every two years. Our soil is a strong hazel
loam, resting on a deep subsoil of boulder clay. — J.
Kipling, Knebmorth Gardens, Berts.

Strawberries here and in the neighbourhood

have been good crops, but suffered badly from the
heavy rain and absence of sunshine ; one-half the
crop rotted. Our kinds for forcing are Keen's
Seedling, Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, President,
and British Queen. The best kinds for flavour and
for forcing are Keen's Seedling and British Queen.

fine showy fruit, but is hardly second-rate as re-
gards flavour. Countess is an excellent variety ;
and the following are indispensable : Keen's Seed-
ling, President, Sir J. Paxton, Auguste Nicaise.
This last I have grown and recommended for fifteen
years. I see that it has at last received a certifi-
cate of merit. We grow also British Queen, Frog-
more Late Pine, and Loxford Hall Seedling. I
have not tested the new kinds sufficiently, except
those named above. We plant as single stools 2
feet apart, but in a season like this 2 feet 6 inches
would be better. Rich deep clayey loam is best for
Strawberries. A good Rose soil is generally as well
adapted for Strawberries as it is for Roses. — Jas.
Douglas, Great Gearies Gardens, Ilford.

THE MUSCAT OF ALEXANDRIA GRAPE
VINE.

Though one of the oldest of cultivated Grapes,
the Muscat of Alexandria is still at the
head of the list of white Grapes both for flavour

Grap3 Muscat of Alexandria.

Our best kinds in the open are Keen's Seedling,
President, Sir Charles Napier, Sir Joseph Paxton,
and British Queen— the latter with me the best of
all Strawberries. I have grown it here for the last
twenty years, and always depend on it for my main
supplies. It is the best flavoured of all, and stands
a wet season better than any other. We never fail
with this sort except by severe frost. It is so good
here, it surpasses all other kinds. The only new va-
riety I can give any opinion of for forcing is Noble.
It turned out with me fairly well. It is a fine fruit
and not badly flavoured. I think it will become a
popular kind for forcing and in the open. My mode
of cultivation is in single stools in rows 2 feet to 3
feet apart. — James Tegg, Bearwood, Woltingliam.

The best kinds for forcing are Black Prince,

Keen's Seedling, and President. For early I have
tried King of the Earlies and Pauline, but they did
not answer. Best kinds for flavour are Keen's Seed-
ling. President and British Queen. As regards the
best for open air culture, Pauline has large handsome
fruit, and came in with Black Prince. Noble is a

and appearance. It requires a little more care
and skill to bring it up to the highest possible
condition as regards that beautiful amber tint
of colour and high finish found in the best ex-
amples than such varieties as the Hamburgh,
Alicante, and Sweetwater, but when the roots
are kept within touch and the Vines treated
generously, there is no special difficulty which
may not be easily overcome by those who
think out their position and carry out promptly
the lessons taught by the changeable conditions
under which gardeners have to work. By
generous treatment I do not mean that the
border should be lavishly manured. I believe
more Vines, Muscats and others, have been
hopelessly ruined by using strong farmyard
manure in the borders than by any other cause.
Keep the roots in a healthy medium, and the in-
terior management must be wretched indeed if
the Grapes are not fairly good. Judging from

my own experience, I should say Muscats re-
quire a firmer, heavier loam than Hamburghs
to bring out their best points. That the Muscat
of Alexandria has a vigorous constitution is
proved by the number of old Vines still doing
good work in many old gardens. A few weeks
ago I was looking through the vineries at
Brocklesby Park, where the Muscat Vines,though
planted, I believe, in the last century, are still
hale and vigorous, and are carrying bunches of
Grapes that for weight of bunch and size of
berries and general finish would hold their own
on any exhibition table, while the wood
and foliage indicate that as good results
may be obtained in the future for many years
to come. Some of this excellence is doubtless
due to skilful culture, but in the case of such
old Vines something must also be ascribed to
the unctuous loam judiciously helped in which
the Vines are growing. Some men achieve
greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon
them, and in the matter of Grape culture suc-
cess is often accentuated by the natural fit-
ness of the soil and situation. It is perfectly
true that good men achieve splendid results
even in difficult situations simply by anxiously
studying their position and working persever-
ingly onwards till the goal of their ambition
has been reached. Given a suitable root-run,
preferably partly inside and partly outside the
house, not too circumscribed in extent, nor yet
so large nor deep as to place the roots far away
from solar warmth in summer, the growth inside
to have room to strike out and not trained too
near the glass, especially if the house is of
modern construction — from 16 inches to 18
inches is a good distance — there should be no
difficulty in obtaining good Grapes. Close
stopping or pinching is not wise. There
must be a good breadth of foliage, but over-
crowding of young growth is ruinous. Where-
ever there is space to fill it will be better to
disregard the orthodox advice to pinch at the
first or second leaf beyond the bunch. Let the
Vines occupy all the space, but do not over-
crowd the leaves. In the matter of work, one
good substantial leaf is better than two or three
small thin ones. Again, in the application of
artificial heat, do not spoil the ship for the
sake of saving the proverbial "hap'orth of tar."
It is mistaken economy to stint the fire if it is
really needed, and during the time the bunches
are lengthening out and the blossoms expand-
ing there must be a generous warmth from 65°
to 70° at night to make sure of the blossoms
setting well. It is well also to assist the setting
when the pollen grains are ripe and active,
either by shaking the trellis or drawing a soft
hair brush lightly over each bunch, or by the
adoption of any other expedient which experi-
ence teaches is best calculated to secure a good
set. The annexed illustration represents a good
example of a bunch of Muscat of Alexandria
Grape. As regards stimulants, most cultivators
use something, either in the shape of top-dress-
ings or in a liquid form, aDd if the borders are
well made and properly drained, it pays to be
liberal and generous in the matter of sustenance
when the Grapes are swelling. E. H.

Stirling Castle Apple.— It would he difficult
to say anything new respecting this capital kitchen
Apple, but it has generally done very well this season,
although it invariably does well. Stirling Castl* is
now in gardens what the old Hawthornden was fifty
years ago ; the fruits resemble those of the Hawthorn-
den and the tree is not essentially robust, butitendurcs
well, fruits with wonderful freedom, and, on the whole,
is perhaps about the best of its section.

Duchess of Oldenburg Apple. — The present
has been peculiarly a season for this variety. It is
perhaps, ou the whole, the most popular and certainly
the best cropper of all the Russian introductions.

Sept. 27, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

307

Even in the market orchards on old trees, as well as
iu nurseries, it has fruited well. Its handsome striped
fruits convniaud a ready sale.

Societies and Exhibitions.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The past week has been full of business for the
Royal Horticultural Society. On Tuesday after-
noon a conference on Dahlias was held in the con-
servatory, and on Wednesday a similar gathering
on Grapes, at both meetings several instructive and
useful papers being read. The attendances were
good, and the various papers concise and fewer in
number than usual, so that those who wanted in-
formation on various points could obtain it, while
time permitted a discussion on each. We should
have been pleased to see more Grapes, but the
display of Dahlias was excellent, and evidence
of the power the society has of drawing together a
good exhibition without offering monetary re-
wards.

The Dahlia Show
was held in a large tent erected on the lawn, and
comprised every section into which this flower is
split up. The finest display was made by the
Cactus and mis-named decorative varieties, but
the other types were not wanting in variety, fresh-
ness, or beauty. It is surprising that an attempt
is not made to give a pleasanter, more natural
effect to such an exhibition. One exhibitor placed
his blooms separately in glass and blacking bottles,
not the best way to show off the beauty of the
flowers, even worse than putting the big show
blooms regularly on boards, like the Carnations
and Picotees. There was an utter absence of taste
in the arrangements, save in a few instances ; the
pompons, singles, and Cactus flowers were the best
placed, though bunched too formally to please, the
blooms looking one way with prim regularity. It
is almost impossible to mention any as the best
when all were so good. Mr. Charles Turner, Slough,
had a charming display of pompon, show, and
Cactus or decorative varieties, but no single types.
As regards the so-called decorative Dahlias, it
would be better to group the true Cactus kinds to-
gether, as Professor Baldwin and Panthea, than to
mix them up indiscriminately. One could then
clearly discern the distinctness and striking beauty
of these forms against those which remind us of
the beginning of the show Dahlia. The Slough
collection comprised eight boxes of show and two
each of pompon and Cactus varieties. The pompon
flowers were exceedingly fresh and bright, especially
Isabel, rich scarlet ; Lady Blanche, very pure
white, tinted with lemon in the centre ; Golden
Gem, rich yellow ; Fairy Tales, very soft yellow,
deeper in the centre ; Adonis, brilliant crimson-
scarlet ; and Leila, white, edge of the petals rich
orange-scarlet, other portion white. Besides such
beautiful show flowers as Mrs. Gladstone, the
coloured fancy Gaiety, and Cactus or decorative
types, as the old Juarezi, still unsurpassed for
effectiveness and distinctness by reason of its colour
and pointed petals ; Constance, Panthea, a true
Cactus flower, brilliant shining salmon-scarlet in
colour ; Mrs. Darvill, Mrs. Hawkins, and Mrs.
Rayner, brilliant light red, the petals tipped with
rich yellow (silver-gilt medal). A collection of
great beauty, and given the same award, was that
from Messrs. G. Paul and Son, Cheshunt, who had
an excellent collection of flowers, especially fancy
types, as Gaiety, one of the best of all. Many of
them, however, are very much alike, Matthew
Campbell, Rev. J. B. M. Camm, and Grand Sultan
differing in degree only and mere shade of colour ;
Roland, brilliant terra-cotta ; Mrs. Henshaw, pure
white, lemon in the centre, and Lady G. Herbert,
soft pink, the florets, tipped with rich lilac, were
conspicuous in the show class. The singles were
represented by large bunches of the leadingvarieties,
as the deep maroon Amos Perry, Winifred, brilliant
scarlet ; Mrs. Ramsbottom, rich rose ; and Mrs.
Linnaker, crimson, shaded with magenta ; while
there were several of the semi-double race, the
best of the Cactus or decorative class, and a beau-

tiful variety of pompons. We are, however, fast
destroying the beauty of the pompon Dahlia by in-
creasing its size until it is becoming like a small
show flower ; it should be quite small, a perfect
little rosette, not big and loose.

An interesting collection of flowers of the various
sections came from Messrs. Keynes, Williams and
Co., Salisbury, who had ten boxes of blooms in all.
The Cactus class was splendidly represented, also
the show blooms, admirable for finish, freshness
and colour. The leading varieties were exhibited
in each, and allusion to any particular kind is un-
necessary when all were of equal merit (silver-gilt
medal). A very fine collection was that from
Messrs. J. Laing and Sons, which received the same
award. The groups of show pompons, single and
Cactus Dahlias were large and the flowers excel-
lent. Duchess of Albany, buff, single, was shown,
but it seems to vary too much becoming more
or less flaked ; Chilwell Beauty is a striking
kind, the flowers orange, margined with brilliant
scarlet ; while grouped with the Cactus class were
flowers of Germania nova, a very close, handsome
bloom, rich rose of various shades, with the petals
distinctly serrated ; Mrs. Hawkins and Panthea
were worth a note, and of the pompons, selected
for the smallness of the blooms exhibited,
Janet, brilliant orange-scarlet of several shades ;
Little Bob, Don Juan, almost black in its depth of
maroon, and E. F. Jungker, salmon, shaded with
yellow.

The finest single flowers were those from Messrs.
J. Cheal and Sons, Crawley, who have given spe-
cial attention to this class. The flowers were staged
to show off their rich colours, and we noted as un-
usually fine Queen of the Singles, rich rose ; Marion
Hood, rose, base of the petals white ; Amos Perry,
Gertrude, rose, white centre ; Christine, almost the
colour, but not so rich, of Bougainvillea glabra ;
Gulielma, white, yellow-buff edge ; Victoria, white,
margined with crimson ; Duchess of Fife, yellow-
buff ; Albert Victor, maroon ; Eclipse, rose, and
Mrs. Jongkindt Coninck, rose and white, very deli-
cate. The decorative class was well shown — Mar-
chioness of Bute, rose, paler in the centre, and
Duke of Clarence, rich crimson-maroon, meriting
attention (silver-gilt medal).

Arepresentativecollection, comprisiDgno less than
420 varieties, came from Messrs. H. Cannell and
Sons, but the effect was entirely spoilt by putting
the show, single, and pompon flowers in glass and
blacking bottles, a reminder of the time when the
Daffodils were displayed in this way. The Cactus
and decorative flowers were, however, well staged
in large bunches on a base of Fern. The varieties
were numerous, and more particularly worthy of
note were Mrs. J. Reid, the yellow A. L. Tait, and
Miss Jekyll, orange-scarlet, a very effective flower,
and Charming Bride (silver medal). Mr. A. Raw-
lings, Romford, had several boxes of show varie-
ties, all sent out by this firm, and arranged in dis-
tinct blocks of colour. Several well-known Dahlias
occur, as J. T. West, Shirley Hibberd. G. Rawlings,
Clara, a lovely flower, shining rose, John Henshaw,
R. T. Rawlings, Mr. Glasscock, Queen of the Bel-
gians, of which there were several faultless blooms,
G. Harris, Harry Turner, and several others (silver
medal). Mr. T. S. Ware, Tottenham, received the
same award for a collection of 338 varieties of
his various types. We picked out a few pompons
of the more correct size, viz., Iolanthe, Minnie,
Little Arthur, Pure Love, a lovely lilac-coloured
flower, Fair Ellen, White Button, Hubert, rich
crimson, tipped with white ; Catherine, Juliette,
and Grace, brilliant terra-cotta colour. Black
Prince, the large maroon-coloured decorative va-
riety, was noticeable, also picta formosissima ; and
amongst the singles, Chilwell Beauty, Cetewayo,
very dark maroon, Nellie Ware, dark crimson, the
old Paragon, and Victory. As in the case of the
pompons, there is a desire to reduce the size of the
single flowers, as we suppose the big blooms have,
as one might expect, grown utterly distasteful.
The new kinds have smaller blooms produced on stiff
stems, which hold them well up on the plant (silver
medal). Mr. J. T. West, Brentwood, had a large
collection of show flowers, all of excellent finish

and colour (silver medal). It is impossible to indi-
vidualise, but all the best kinds were there in splen-
did character. Mr. G. Phippen, Reading, staged a
large group of decorative Dahlias, the blooms be-
ing arranged on stands, covered over with Moss and
kept in position by wires and tubes inserted in the
Moss. The group was finished off with Ferns and
Palms. It was showy, but nevertheless formal (silver
medal). Messrs. Saltmarsh and Sons, Chelmsford,
were strong in pompon show and decorative varie-
ties. A pretty pompon flower is Daisy, rich yellow,
shaded in the centre with orange, but yet too large
for its class. Their stand was one of the best in
the exhibition, and received the award of a silver
medal, as also the large collection comprising
seventy-two show varieties from Messrs. Heath and
Son, Cheltenham. Messrs. Dobbie and Co., Rothe-
say, had a good group of the various types of Dah-
lia, but unfortunately, they were, especially the
bulky show flowers, much damaged in transit (silver
medal). Mr. G. Humphries, Chippenham, had
splendid fancy varieties, as Gaiety and Mrs.
Saunders, while of the other classes there were ex-
cellent blooms of the principal kinds (silver medal).
Mr. Tranter, Henley-on-Thames, also had a collec-
tion of good flowers (bronze medal).

The best were undoubtedly those certificated.
There was much sameness in the various new sorts,
but we may note what is called an improvement on
the old Juarezi, i.e., more free-blooming, and
throwing its flowers well above the leaves. If so, it is
a good garden Dahlia, as Juarezi is still the finest of
the Cactus kinds. Mr. Saner, jun., Kensington, had
flowers of Janet, Isabel, Isult, and Little Bobby of
the correct size for pompons ; but these seem to have
been especially selected to show what a pompon
ought to be, as much larger blooms were shown in
other stands. In Messrs. H. Cannell's exhibit we
noticed flowers of Lewis Castle, a variety of the
decorative class, the petals smooth and the flowers
bold ; in colour rich purple, shaded magenta in the
centre. Another noteworthy variety was Alex. Dean,
crimson, shaded with light magenta, but of the true
Cactus form, which should be encouraged.

A large collection of books relating to the Dahlia,
a most interesting and valuable collection, came
from Mr. Harman Payne, besides coloured drawings
showing many types of the flower.

The Grape Show.

This was a partial failure, and the reason is that
a conference on Grapes was not wanted. The time
had fully come for correcting the nomenclature of
Apples and ascertaining the sorts that do best in
various localities ; hence the useful results that
followed. But it is otherwise with Grapes. The
best kinds are well known, and to attempt to bring
together a large exhibition by merely offering one
silver cup was not likely to prove a success.

The most interesting class was for examples of
packing Grapes for market and also for private
use. These had to be sent through the post or by
rail. The advantage of sending by rail was mani-
fest. Only two boxes, we believe, were sent by
parcels post, and these, through the bunches being
packed in the same way as for the railway, were
hopelessly spoilt in transit. To pack for post it is
essential to use plenty of packing material, as wood
wool, but not to touch the fruit, and fill the box
tightly to prevent the bunches shaking on the
journey. The practice in the society's own gardens
is to well pack the box with wood wool, then cover
with soft paper, and pack in the clusters tightly.
These always come to hand in excellent condition
even after long journeys. The finest exhibit was
made by Mr. Monro, of Covent Garden Market,
who sent fourteen flats, weighing from 12 lbs. to
14 lbs. each ; ten handle baskets, average about
10 lbs. in weight ; and a number of handle baskets
filled with Jersey fruit. The Grapes in the flats
were from such well-known growers as Mr. J.
Sweet and Mr. P. Kay, of Finchley. Those from
Mr. Kay were admirably packed and very fine in col-
our, finish, and size of berry. Such varieties as
Cannon Hall Muscat, Muscat of Alexandria, Ali-
cante, and Gros Colman were well represented. Ex-
cellent clusters grown by Messrs. Parrott Bros., Nor-

308

THE GARDEN.

[Sept. 27, 1890.

mandy Park, near Guildford, were packed in two-
handle baskets, but it is curious that the Jersey
growers use smaller baskets, which are firmly and
fully packed, containing even more than the
bigger baskets of the English growers. The Jersey
Grapes were received from Messrs. St. Claire, C.
Bichard, J. Poat, and J. N. Mansell, comprising in
all eighteen lots, but though excellently packed,
the bunches scarcely showed to advantage against
the superb exhibits from English growers. Messrs.
A. Quertier and Co. had well-packed Gros Colman,
and both Mr. Dawes and Mr. J. Clarke contri-
buted. Messrs. Webber and Co., Covent Garden, also
sent several baskets packed for market. There
were several competitors in the class for examples
of packing Grapes, 4 lbs. to 6 lbs., for private use,
to be sent by post or rail, and a silver-gilt cup
was offered by Mr. Morris, treasurer to the society,
for the best exhibit. This was won by Mr. Dawes,
The Gardens, Temple Newsam, Leeds, who packed
the bunches firmly in a small square box, and then
sent them by rail. They arrived in excellent con-
dition, unlike those sent by parcels post. The
bunches from Mr. C. J. Waite, Esher, were
packed in much the same way as exhibits
sent for exhibition. A certificate of merit was
granted ; as also to Mr. Hudson, Gunners-
bury House Gardens, and to Mr. Stephen Castle,
manager to Messrs. A. Quertier and Co., Salisbury.
Mr. J. Wallis, Keele Hall Gardens, Newcastle, Staf-
fordshire ; Mr. J. Clarke, Albion Nursery, Farnham :
Mr. G. Wythes, Syon House, Isleworth ; Mr. D.
Thomson. Drumlanrig, N.B. ; Mr. E. Chadwick,
Hanger Hill House Gardens, Ealing, who follows
the same way of packing as practised in the Royal
Horticultural Society's Gardens, and Mr. Hookings
also sent. The bunches, on the whole, came in good
condition, fresh, and little rubbed.

A large collection of Grapes was shown from
the Chiswick Gardens, where every good kind
has a place, the varieties exhibited number-
ing twenty-one. Amongst them were good clusters
of that very late-keeping, handsome white Grape
Raisin de Calabre. It is rather sharp in flavour,
the berries large, and bunches tapering, a va-
riety not to be despised by reason of its lateness.
Other sorts were Black Monukka, West's St. Peter's,
Gros Maroc, Muscat Hamburgh and Royal Ascot.
Eighteen varieties were shown by Messrs. Rivers, in-
cluding the Esperione, a Grape not unlike Black
Hamburgh, and deep in colour ; Black Hamburgh,
and Royal Muscadine from a cold house, all credit-
able bunches (silver medal). A most interest-
ing display of twenty-seven varieties was made
by Mr. Roupell, Roupell Park, all the bunches cut
from Vines grown in pots. The Frontignans were
in full force, as it is this class that Mr. Roupell
gives special attention to, amongst the finest varie-
ties for flavour being Primavis Frontignan, Purple
Constantine, Grizzly Frontignan, very good ; Tro-
veren Frontignan, a free bearer, of delicate Fron-
tignan flavour, and a little known Grape ; Dr. Hogg,
and such curiosities as the Strawberry and Rasp-
berry Grapes, besides good clusters of Cannon Hall.
The little Muscadine was shown, also a Grape much
like Buckland Sweetwater named General Delia
Marmora, Chasselas Vibert, and Diamant Traube.
The last-mentioned is a white variety we think
should be grown more. It is free, has fair-sized
bunches which will have better finish doubtless
when the Grape receives more general trial, large
berries, clear in colour, and pleasant to the
taste (silver-gilt medal). Mr. J. Louden, The
Quinta Gardens, Chirk, contributed well-finished
bunches of Black Prince, Muscat of Alexandria, Ali-
cante, Black Hamburgh, and the finest examples of
Muscat Champion we have seen,whilethose from Mr.
J. Clarke showed what excellent bunches can be ob-
tained without artificial heat. The average crop
consisted of forty-five to fifty bunches on each Vine,
and twenty-seven Vines are planted in one house.
The best clusters were those of Madresfield Court,
rich in colour, well finished and. even, but Lady
Downe's, Alnwick Seedling especially, Black Prince,
Gros Maroc (berries very, small), and Muscat of
Alexandria were also well represented. Mr. John
Peed, Norwood Road, S.E., showed good bunches
of White Syrian, Gros Maroc, and Alicante. Mr. J.

Wallis sent excellent clusters of eighteen varieties,
amongst them the rich black Alnwick Seedling,
Barbarossa, West's St. Peter's, and Black Prince.
Mr. Wythes showed good bunches of Muscat of
Alexandria, fine in colour, and Mr. J. Willard, The
Gardens, Holly Lodge, Highgate, West's St. Peter's
and Stillward's Sweetwater which reminds one of
the Dutch Sweetwater, and is very prolific, ripen-
ing also well against an open wall.

The Grapes from Mr. A. G. Hookings, gar-
dener to Mr. S. W. Graystone, Hurstside,
West Molesey, were amongst the finest. The
four bunches of Gros Colman and Gros
Maroc were unusually good, especially the last
mentioned. Foster's Seedling, Alicante, and Mrs.
Pearson were worth a note, but the last of the
three colours badly. Mr. Clarke exhibited two
Grapes of very high flavour, as a class was set
apart for these. But we should regard some of the
Frontignans richer in this essential quality than
even Muscat of Alexandria and Madresfield Court,
though these are more useful.

Very few uncommon Grapes were shown. Mr. T.
Myles, gardener to Lady Hunt, Appley Towers,
sent clusters of Appley Towers Grape certificated
last October by the committee of the Royal Horti-
cultural Society. It has been several times noted,
and is fully described in The Garden, Jan. 25, 1800
(p. 87), under the heading " New Hybrid Grapes."
Mr. T. Bradshaw, gardener to Lord Downshire,
Hillsboro' Castle, Co. Down, Ireland, showed clus-
ters of a white variety named Lady Downshire with
the white Gros Colman for one parent. One cannot
tell from mere appearances, but it is not striking.
Two bunches of a variety labelled John Downie
were sent by Mr. Dunn, of Dalkeith Gardens ; the
bunches were heavy, rich black in colour, and showy.

The class for examples of the enemies of the
Grape Vine contained a few entries.

The conference. — This was held on Wednesday
afternoon in the same place as the meeting on the
Dahlia the previous afternoon. It will be referred
to next week.

Floral Committee.

There were a few interesting plants before this
committee, but principally Dahlias, as the follow-
ing list will show.

An award of merit went to each of the follow-
ing :—

Chrysanthemum Miss Lilt Stevens. — This
is an early-blooming pompon variety, with flowers
certainly not larger than a crown-piece, and with
their numerous pointed petals reminding one of
those of a double Daisy. It is very free and ex-
ceptionally useful, we should think, for cutting.
Exhibited by Messrs. Reid and Bornemann, The
Nursery, Sydenham.

L.ELIA Eyermanni. — This is a Mexican Orchid
of delicate beauty. The plant shown by Messrs.
Pitcher and Manda, Swanley, Kent, was bearing a
slender, upright raceme of five flowers, tender rose,
except the lip, which has a deeper coloured central
stripe, a contrast to the yellow crest, side lobes
waxy white, tinted with the same colour, and a rich
rose-tipped column. It is a most desirable and
beautiful type.

Dahlia Centennial. — One of the so-called de-
corative varieties and a showy garden Dahlia. The
colour is rich crimson-purple, shaded with a ma-
genta hue. From Messrs. J. Cheal and Sons.

The Mikado. — A very pretty pompon variety of
true character, not unduly large, and distinctly
coloured, being white, edged with crimson. The
endeavour should surely be to raise small-flowered
pompons, i.e., the true type, not a moderate-
sized show variety. From Mr. Charles Turner,
Slough.

Comedian. —A show flower of moderate dimen-
sions and a very acceptable addition. The flowers
are distinctly coloured, rich bronzy-orange, the pe-
tals tipped with rose and flaked with deep crim-
son. From Messrs. Keynes, Williams and Co.,
Salisbury.

Beauty of Arundel. — An excellent flower,
more of the true Cactus type than many varieties

that are comprised in this nondescript class. The
flowers are brilliant crimson, shaded at the point
of the petals with magenta— a telling mixture of
colours.

Yellow A. W. Tail— This as seen bunched in
the exhibition is a delightful flower, very bright
and clear yellow, but showing various degrees of
tone, melting one into the other, while the petals
are deeply and distinctly serrated. Its charming
colour should make it a favourite. From Messrs.
H. Cannell and Sons, Swanley.

Dahlia Eldorado. — A very handsome show
flower, deep port-wine colour, distinct and not
unduly large. It is somewhat of the same shade
as Henry Glassock, but deeper and showier. From
Mr. Charles Turner.

D. Othello.— A rich crimson. From Mr. Turner-

D. Melita. — This is a curiously shaped, but at-
tractively coloured flower, suggesting quite a new
departure. The flowers are about the size of those
of a true pompon, the florets pointed, somewhat
fluted, reflexed, and shaded with magenta in the
centre, the others rich crimson, relieved with white
in the upper half. From Mr. T. S. Ware.

A group of miscellaneous plants came from
Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, amongst them a box of
cut flowers of Javanese Rhododendrons and several
flowering shrubs, as the Chinese Abelia rupestris, a
graceful plant, with delicate pink flowers. It must
be planted in a light soil to help it safely through
the winter. Escallonia montevidensis, the same as
E. floribunda, bearing large clusters of white
flowers ; Arbutus Unedo rubra, the flowers rose-
coloured ; and Desmodium penduliflorum, some-
times labelled in gardens Lespedeza bicolor, a
graceful shrub, bearing Pea-shaped blossoms pur-
ple-carmine in colour, were also represented.
Messrs. Veitch also sent Gynerium argenteum
variegatum with silvery variegation, G. a. aureo-
variegatum, the hardier of the two, which has its
narrow graceful foliage yellow instead of white,
and the Exeter Magnolia, very fragrant, the
flowers large, and ivory-white.

Oxalis imbricata fl.-pl. was shown Mr. J. O'Brien,
Harrow-on-the-Hill. It is a quite double flower,
exceedingly pretty, and rich rose in colour, deepen-
ing to a more intense shade in the centre. It is a
native of Africa, and has a curious history. It
came from a batch of double varieties growing on
a spot at one time covered with plants bearing
single flowers. The double forms appeared and be-
came as common as the singles had been before.
The result is the colony of Oxalis has almost died
out, the double flowers having no power of repro-
duction. Apart from this history, it is an interest-
ing plant, very useful in the greenhouse. Only two
or three blooms were exhibited, not enough to show
its real merits. The Oxalises make delightful cool
house plants. Mr. C.B. Powell, Southboro',Tunbridge
Wells, exhibited the scarce white form of Crinum
Powelli, named album, a chaste and lovely flower,
but, unfortunately, very slow to increase, so much
so that the plant is as rare as it ever was, though
one of the finest hardy bulbs in the garden. In
three years there has been no trace of offsets. The
spike carried one expanded flower, but the buds,
though not far advanced, will open well in water,
and the spike maintain a succession for several
weeks ; in truth the flowers when cut in the bud
and opened in water are purer than those cut when
bad weather has had a chance of tainting them.
Mr. Powell also showed several spikes of varieties
of Gladioli (Lemoinei section), which had been
produced in five months from seed. They illustrated
the quickness of blooming of this class from seed.
Mr. G. W. Cummins, gardener to Mr. Smee, The
Grange, Wallington, showed the old, but not un-
attractive Eucomis punctata, and Messrs. J. Carter
and Co., High Holborn, a plant labelled Rudbeckia
grandifolia, but which seemed simply R. New-
mani. Two plants of Chrysanthemum Mrs. Alpheus
Hardy came from Messrs. J. Laing and Co., Forest
Hill ; the peculiar character of this variety is now
well known. Mr. J. Dadds, gardener to Mrs.
Sherard Clay, Comyns Hill, Ilfracombe, had a very
fine specimen of Adiantum Daddsi, a Fern not of

Sept. 27, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

309

great distinctness, and A. variegatum, a seedling
from A. cuneatum, but we failed to discover any-
thing that might be called variegation. It seemed
simply the old cuneatum. Messrs. Reid and
Bornemann showed an excellent group of early-
flowering Chrysanthemums, comprising a number
of varieties, but the finest were Mme. Desgrange,
Pynaert van Geert, petals very rich yellow in col-
our ; Mile. Leoni Lassalle, Flora, a bright yellow
variety, the colour deepening in the centre ; and
Blushing Bride. The blooms of Wm. Holmes were
poor in both form and colour. Why strive to get
them before their season > (silver medal). Mr. Davis,
C'amberwell, showed the pompon variety Mrs. Cul-
lingford and Miss Davis, a sport from Mrs. Culling-
ford, the flowers pale rose. Messrs. C. Lee & Son,
Hammersmith, had a group of Cornus mas aurea
elegantissima, the leaves richly and distinctly varie-
gated. Several splendid groups of tuberous Bego-
nias were staged, all coming from the nurseries of
Messrs. J. Laing and Sons and Messrs. H. Cannell
and Sons. Those from Forest Hill were delightful,
the plants dwarf, excellently arranged, and rich in
colour. The flowers always look better under
canvas ; the colours are toned down and softened
by the subdued light (silver-gilt medal). Messrs
Cannell had a beautiful group of double varieties
of excellent dwarf habit and of the finest type of
this flower lifted from the open, besides single
kinds and a mass of the useful Octavie (silver me-
dal). The hardy flowers from Messrs. Harkness &
Sons, Bedale, Yorks, were superb for the season,
and as gay as the Dahlias hard by. This was due
to good bold masses of each being shown, including
the various late-blooming Lilies, Pyrethrum Mont
Blanc, the double Tiger Lily (Lilium tigrinum
fi.-pl.), and the variety of splendens, Doronicum
plantagineum excelsum, Helianthus multiflorus
major, flowers large and very rich yellow in colour;
Tigridia pavonina grandiflora alba, a bold hand-
some flower, creamy-white, centre richly blotched
with crimson, and the blue Scabiosa caucasica
(silver medal). Messrs. J. Peed and Son, Streat-
ham, exhibited hardy flowers and Dahlias ; but one
wants to see such things grouped in bold bunches
to realise their true beauty (bronze medal).

A vote of condolence was passed to Mrs. Holmes
by the floral committee, sympathising with her on
the lamented death of Mr. Holmes, whose services
on the committee were of high value, especially in
regard to questions affecting the Chrysanthemum.

Fruit committee.— The finest collection of
Apples was from the society's own gardens, com-
prising fruits from under glass and the open ground.
Those from under glass were, of course.the freshest,
and included exceptionally fine fruits of Kerry
Pippin, Cellini, Ribston Pippin, Lane's Prince Albert
and Cox's Orange Pippin : while amongst those
grown outdoors were again fine samples of Cox's
Orange and Ribston Pippins and Baumann's Red
Winter Reinette. Mr. Miller, gardener to Lord Foley,
Ruxley, Esher, exhibited finely-coloured fruits of
Barrington Peach from an east aspect ; and Mr. W.
Palmer, Thames Ditton House, fruits of Hero of
Lockinge Melon grown in a pot. There were several
seedling Melons, but it is impossible to form
an opinion from mere appearance ; it is the
flavour that has to be considered. There
were also large collections of Aubergines and
Capsicums from the society's gardens, and a
selection of eighteen varieties of Tomatoes.
These were unusually fine, comprising such va-
rieties as Tennis-ball, which bears as many as
twelve of its medium-sized fruits to a cluster. Ad-
vancer, the little Pear-shaped kind, President
Cleveland, Chemin, an excellent Tomato, not too
large, of good colour, smooth, even, and of moderate
size ; Ham Green Favourite, and dishes of the lead-
ing yellow types— Prince of Orange, Golden Queen,
Greengage, and Blenheim Orange — were also shown.

Dahlia Conference.
Origin of the Dahlia.
Such was the title of the lecture delivered by Mr.
Hibberd at Chiswick last Tuesday at the confer-
ence held on this favourite flower. No flower, said
the lecturer, produces such a range of character as

does the Dahlia, and in the face of such a display as
was laid on the tables, few, we imagine, will venture
to dispute it, and these forms even with all then-
diverse characters are so nearly related that with
care and plenty of patience the one may be readily
grown into the other. Mr. Cannell, of Swanley,
has in our own time raised no less than fifty or
sixty varieties from one single form called Gerarde,
and cases of even more variation may be readily
imagined. The Dahlia is said to have been culti-
vated in Mexico long before it was discovered by
Europeans. The Spaniards eventually set up a
botanic garden in the city of Mexico, and here the
then director first became acquainted with the
Dahlia under the Mexican name Acocotli (Hernan-
dez' '• History of Mexico, 1651," and where two
species are figured). M. Thiery Menonville in his
interesting journey to Guaxaca in 1787 gives us the
next account. It is pretty well known that this
botanist was employed by the French Minister to
get from the Spaniards the cochineal insect by fair
means if possible, at any rate to get it and bring it
home, and having entered a garden in the suburbs
of Guaxaca, adjoining a plantation of Nopals on
which these insects feed, he was much struck with
the beauty d'ttne Astere riolefte et double, aussi
grande que celles de France, mais produite par un
arbuste tres semblable pour les feuilles pinnies a
notre sureau. From the violet-coloured flowers we
are inclined to think this must have been what we
know to-day as D. variabilis. A traveller named
Survante sent seeds from Mexico to the Abbe
Cavanilles, from which he raised a semi-do'ible
variety, and which flowered at Madrid, October,
1790, and in the following January the name Dah-
lia in honour of a Swedish botanist named Dahl,
was published in the first volume of his " Icones "
under the specific name of D. pinnata. In the third
volume he published his D. rosea, which is variabilis,
and D. coccinea, kept up as a distinct species. Cava-
nilles with a liberal hand distributed his Dahlias, the
first consignment having been sent to Paris in 1802.
Two years after seeds were sent to this country by
Lady Holland, and these produced several distinct
varieties of D. variabilis. Next in the list of
authors comes Willdenow, who changed the name
to Georgina on the plea that another Dahlia was
established in the Linnean class Diceeia. This, how-
ever, was not correct, Prof. Thunberg's manu-
script not having been published until some time
after Cavanilles' had appeared. It is very amusing
to watch the care these first cultivators took of
their Dahlias, and the real or imaginary difficulties
they had to surmount. D. coccinea was also intro-
duced about 1804 by Lady Holland, and it appears
that all were variable, and gave rise to many dis-
tinct varieties in the first years of their history.
Just then Dahlia culture was becoming a kind of
mania, and a double form was eagerly looked for.
In 1812 the double Dahlia was figured in Botanical
Magazine, tab. 1885, and during the next two years
double varieties were largely increased. On account
of its extreme variability and the successive
changes continually taking place, everyone was
growing Dahlias, the prices ranging from 20s. to
30s. apiece, the single-flowered forms advancing
simultaneously with the double one. The years
1820 to 1810 were the heyday of the Dahlia as a
florist's flower, and at that time there were no less
than 3000 distinct varieties in existence. Towards
1850 the Dahlia began to decline, and about that
time it was very rare to find a Dahlia exhibition
anywhere in the country. About this time, too,
what is known as the Cactus Dahlia first appeared.
It was known as Brown's Glowworm. Of course,
there is no comparison between Glowworm of
1850 and the Juarezi of to-day, which is every
bit as creditable to florists as the finest show Dah-
lias in existence. Mr. Hibberd's idea of species of
Dahlia is a rather broad one ; out of eight or nine
species admitted by botanists, including coccinea,
excelsa, gracilis, Maximiliana, imperialis, Mercki,
scapigera, and variabilis, he admitted only, two
variabilis and imperialis, arguing that as variabilis
is capable of producing viridiflora, or Crimson King,
it was possible for it to produce Mercki, coccinea,
&c, and even doubted if D. imperialis may not be
variabilis under altered conditions.

Obituary.

DEATH OF MR. WILLIAM HOLMES.

The death of Mr. William Holmes, which occurred
somewhat suddenly on Thursday morning, Septem-
ber 18, has removed from our midst a man whose
work for the National Chrysanthemum Society
has made his name famous wherever the Chry-
santhemum is grown. His death will be re-
ceived with many expressions of sincere regret,
but scarcely with surprise, as for the past eighteen
months he has suffered severely from diabetes, to
which complaint he succumbed at the early age of
thirty-seven. We saw some hopes of recovery, and
a few days only before his death congratulated him
on partial restoration to the splendid health he
once enjoyed, but it was the mere flicker before the
end. Mr. Holmes at an early age gave signs of that
remarkable activity and business tact which were
afterwards put to such signal advantage in the
cause of horticulture, and in 1877, when the secre-
taryship of the Borough of Hackney Chrysanthe-
mum Society fell vacant, he was nominated to the
post. What the outcome of this wise choice has
been everyone knows. The society at once felt
the influence of Mr. Holmes ; its members increased
rapidly, and in 1883 the Borough of Hackney So-
ciety became the " National " Society of a flower
whose popularity we can trace to the energy in a
large measure of this enthusiastic body. Ithas shown
itself worthy of the name of "national," and in
1886 it was felt that something more than mere
thanks should be accorded the hon. secretary for
his work. On the evening of December 13. a large
muster of members and friends met in the Four
Swans to celebrate the annual dinner, and in the
course of the evening Mr. Holmes was presented,
as some token of the esteem in which he was held,
with three silver epergnes and an illuminated ad-
dress. Since 188G few need to be told that the so-
ciety has made rapid progress, until, as shown by
last year's report, the income was about £850 and
the number of members over 700. This is evidence
of itself, and we must give our friend, whose early
death we deeply lament, much of the credit of this
almost abnormal growth.

We indeed lose a man who will be really missed.
It will not be easy to find a successor of the
same energy, tact, and marked ability. A halo of
sadness surrounds his decease. It was, we believe,
his intention to retire after the celebration of the
hundredth anniversary of the introduction of the
Chrysanthemum into England, which will take
place at the Royal Aquarium in November next,
and to his many friends he often expressed the wish
that this celebration might be made one worthy of
the event. But he passed away at the threshold of
another Chrysanthemum season, and thus we shall
miss a familiar face and worthy adviser at the great
shows of the flower in the coming autumn months.
Mr. Holmes was also a member of the floral
committee of the Royal Horticultural Society,
and a frequent judge at London and provin-
cial shows. He leaves a widow and six children, to
whom we tender our deepest sympathy in their
sudden bereavement.

The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon
last at the Abney Park Cemetery, when a large con-
course of friends was present to pay their last re-
spects. The National Chrysanthemum Society was
well represented, and the large number present
from Hackney was evidence of the esteem in which
Mr. Holmes was locally held.

Names of plants. IT. — Miltonia grandiflora.

— J. Home. — 1, Cyrtomimn falcatum; 2, C. earyo-
tidium; 3, Goniophlebium inequale : 4, Asplenium
naecidum ; 5, A. hulbiferum ; 6, Nephrolepis exaltata.

/. S. C. — 1, Acropera Loddigesi ; 2, Oncidium in-

curvum ; 3, O. tigrinum, extra fine variety; 4, La?lia

crispa purpurea Emma. — 1, Columnea Schiediana ;

Gardenia citriodora ; 3, Gloriosa superba ; 4,

Meyenia Vogeliana. J. B. TT. — 1, Pavonia Wioti;

2, Bignonia venusta ; 3, Blandfordia, too nineh withered .

21. D. — 1, Ureeolina aurea ; 2, Dalechampia Roezli

and rosea. T. M. — 1, Trichomanes pyxidiferuui ; 2,

Hymenophyllum hirtellum ; 3, Trichomanes Bancrofti.

310

THE GABDEN.

[Sept. 27, 1890.

WOODS AND FORESTS.

PLANTS FOR RAILWAY HEDGES.
In many districts of England railway hedges
seem to receive much greater attention than
many of those planted for the intersectional
fencing of land. The plant generally employed
for railway fences is the White Thorn,- and a
useful plant it is for such purposes, and now

either as growing plants or cuttings — the latter
■would be preferable, provided the strip of
ground had been properly prepared for them.
They should be placed 12 inche3 apart, and
during the first thinning the strongest shoots
should be left for plaiting. After the plaiting
has been successfully done all the after-shoots
could be removed for basket-making. M.

Tar and trees {Henry Timelier). — Stockholm

contracted for as regularly as the rails them- tar ™7 ™th Pf [ect safety be aPPlied to. wo™ds

on the stems of trees, or as a covering for those

selves. On some of the newly formed lines
the varieties of green Hollies ought to be tried,
particularly on those portions of a line running
through extensive and well - kept estates
in sight of the mansion. In some cases the
proprietors may be induced to pay the extra
price of the plants, while the after-keeping
■will be much the same as that required for the
Thorn hedge. In all peaty districts the Spruce
Fir ■will make a fine evergreen fence. It
■will cover more ground than the Holly ; but in
mossy situations this extra land will be found
of less value. In sandy places, and particularly
those near the seashore, the Sea Buckthorn
(Hippophae rhamnoides) will be found an ad-
mirable substitute for Thorns to form hedges.
If it should ever be required to make at once an
impenetrable live fence, the Hornbeam (Car-
piuus Betulus) will be found the most suitable,
and for this purpose clean-grown sapling plants,
6 feet or 7 feet in length, ought to be procured.
After the ground has been properly trenched
and prepared, the plants should be put in, two
together, at every 10 inches or 12 inches, ac-
cording to the thickness or length of the sap-
lings employed, giving one an inclination to the
right and the other to the left. After being
trod in firmly, commence to plait all together,
tiking one set of the plants the one way, and
the other set contrary, interlacing them at an
angle of 45'. It will be necessary to tie them
at top with a piece of wire or rope yarn, and
also at several points near the bottom, to keep
them in position till they adhere to each other.
To facilitate the union, although not absolutely
necessary, it will be desirable to take a thin
cutting off the bark of several, particularly
where they approximate. Shortly afterwards
they will grow together, and form an impene-
trable net-looking fence. From the pressure
caused by the plaiting, they will throw out
along the stems numerous shoots, which will
continue to work in and fill up the interstices.
In time the whole length will become an im-
penetrable mass, all engrafted together, and
will bear cutting-in like any other hedge.

Numerous other plants, such as the Hazel,
Elm, Ash, Beech, Laburnum, and others,
will be found suitable for such purposes.
Such hedges can be made of any height, de-
pending entirely on the length of the saplings
employed. When not in leaf, they will be
found extremely ornamental and agreeable to
look on, and therefore worthy of encourage-
ment, particularly when standing on a level
with the rails. If it should ever be wanted to
plant such hedges so as to render them useful
as well as ornamental, particularly on lands
slightly elevated above a damp surface, in such
places Willows could be profitably employed,
and the annual cuttings taken from them would
yield a considerable revenue. Besides, when
such plaited hedges are cut for profit, they are
more likely to be kept in order, than Thorn
hedges, particularly when they run through
lands which would be profitably employed for
the growth of Willows. When planting Wil-
lows for such purposes, they could be inserted

parts where branches have been amputated. It
serves the double purpose of keeping out damp and
rendering wounds less conspicuous. Before apply-
ing the tar it is well to dress off all rotten and de-
tached bark, and to neatly round off the fiat sur-
faces left by the saw in pruning. Choose a dry
day for applying the tar lightly with a brush, and
never, under any pretence, use either coal-tar or
tar-varnish. — A. D. W.

The Beech. — The trunk of this is generally the
most picturesque part, as it is often deeply fluted,
while its smooth bark is generally variegated with
irregular patches of Lichens. The beauty of its
head is often marred by branches which shoot out
in straight lines. A young Beech is, however,
generally a free growing and elegant tree. In its
autumnal dress of sober brown and glowing orange,
which often only partly hides an inward wealth of
lingering verdure, it presents a contrast to the Horse
Chestnut, upon which the outermost leaves are
the last to turn yellow and drop off.

Transplanting- Evergreens. — Tree planters
differ greatly in their opinions as to the best time
for transplanting Evergreens, some advocating
spring, some summer, and others autumn as the
best time for moving them ; while their combined
experience goes to show that Evergreens may be
transplanted at nearly all seasons of the year, the
winter months perhaps excepted. Nevertheless,
there must be a general best time for the trans-
planting of Evergreens — a time when the life of
the plant can be ensured, and when it can be
moved without impairing or at most but slightly
impairing its vigour. That time cannot be in the
spring when the sap has already begun to move,
because, even should the plant live, the check
given to it by the cutting of its roots would impair
its vigour, at least for the current year ; and the
same consequence in a general way must, of neces-
sity, pertain to summer transplanted trees, to say
nothing of the danger accruing to the moving of
some species of Conifers, the leaders of which are
of so much importance. Autumn, therefore, is the
best time for transplanting Evergreens, say from
the middle of September to the end of October, or
more definitely still, as soon (the weather bein^
favourable) as the plants have made their terminal
buds. Why ? Simply because the sap of the plants
has not then become inactive, and the soil is suffi-
ciently warm to induce the formation of new roots,
which serve to re-establish the plants in their new
situations, thereby enabling them to push vigour-
ously the following season. — P.

Raspberries in game coverts. — Among the
plants used to make underwood in game coverts,
in which it is intended to rear a number of phea-
sants, especially if the soil be of a moorish charac-
ter, there are few more likely to be serviceable than
are the hardier sub-varieties of the common Rasp-
berry. The Raspberry will thrive in spite of
a deal of overshading, and is not so destructive to
the comfort of the shooters as would be the cog-
nate Blackberry (which, besides, requires far more
sun than contents its relative). It produces a quan-
tity of fruit which the birds love very well, and it
brings a number of flies and other insects to feed
upon it which pheasants like even more than they
do the fruit. And some varieties of Raspberry seize
upon the ground as Thistles do ; it is hardly possi-
ble to extirpate them. In an orchard here, a self-
sown seedling Raspberry has established itself, so
that it has occupied the space under the Apple

trees till it looks like a bed of Osiers. The indi-
vidual fruits are small, but the period of bearing is
rather longer than in the common form. If gangways
were to be cut in spring when the young canes are
about a foot high, it is believed that the second
growth would probably bear quite into the autumn,
and that it would help to keep the birds " at home."
Although no attempt has been made here to pre-
serve pheasants, there is a nide in or near this or-
chard year after year, and the birds run back to
it from the stubbles, and it is rare that one walks
through it with a dog without putting up a phea-
sant.— G. G., in Field.

The Lebanon Cedar. — In some parts of Asia,
especially in the Levant, Cedar trees are invested
with a sacred interest from the fact that they were
living in Old Testament times, hundreds of years
before the birth of Christ. The grove on Mount
Lebanon, so often aUuded to in holy writ, was first
described in modern times by Belon, who visited it
about the year 1550. The Cedars of this grove were
then, as now, highly venerated by the Maronite
Christians, who firmly believed them to be coeval
with Solomon, if not planted by his hand ; and they
made an annual pilgrimage to the spot at the festi-
val of the Transfiguration, the patriarch celebrating
high mass under the shade of one of the oldest
trees, and anathematising all who should presume
to injure these sacred relics. The larger trees of
the grove were measured and described by Rauwolf,
an early German traveller, in 1571 ; by Thevenot, in
1655 ; more particularly by Maundrell in 1G9G ; by
La Roque, in 1722 ; by Dr. Pococke, in 1744 ; by
Labillardiere, in 1787 ; and by M. Laure, an officer
of the French marine, who visited them with the
Prince de Joinville, in 1S3B. Formerly, from twenty
to thirty of the trees were standing; more recently
there were seventeen ; still more recently, only
twelve.

Planting Willows. — In no case should a
plantation of Willows for basket rods be attempted
but in prepared ground, except, perhaps, where a
few rows may be introduced upon the very brink
of a river, or on the top of the banks of ditches,
which form, in many instances, the barrier of the
waters, where the soil can scarcely be dug or other-
wise ameliorated. Nothing can be further from
being good management than planting the trun-
cheons in Grass land, and allowing the sward to
remain green under or among the crop. Having
fixed upon the spot, and having also carefully pre-
pared the ground, the next step is to procure plants.
These should be of the last year's wood, or of
growths of one year old, taken from the under end
of well-ripened shoots of good size, and cut in a
slanting direction with a sharp knife ; and they
should be in lengths of 1 foot or 1 foot 4 inches.
Every vigorous shoot will afford two or three plants.
The upper end, as far as it appears soft, being un-
ripe should be discarded, because such wood will
only produce weak plants, and wiD not make such
good roots the first season as the firmer parts of
the shoots will do. Pieces of two-year-old shoots of
the same length, and cut in the same manner, may
also be used ; but these are more expensive, and
not so useful for the purpose as the former. The
distances at which Osiers for baskets or wickerwork
ought to be planted are 18 inches between the rows,
and 12 inches apart in the rows. This distance
will not be too thick for at least five or six years, but
after that period every alternate plant should be
stubbed up, which will leave those remaining at 2
feet apart in the rows.

" The Garden " Monthly Parts.— This journal it
published in neatly bound Monthly Parts. In this form the
coloured plates are best preserved, and it is most suitable for
reference previous to the issue of the half-yearly volumes. Price
Is. 6d. ; post free, Is. 9d. Complete set of volumes of The
Gakden from its commencement to end of 1889, thirty-six vols.,
price, cloth, £27,- half morocco, £32 8s.

"Hardy Flowers." — Giving descriptions of uptcards of
thirteen hundred of the most ornamental species, with directions
for their arrangement, culture, etc. Fourth and Popular
Edition, Is. .- post free, Is. 3d.

" Farm and Home " Monthly Parts. — This
journal is published in neatly bound Monthly Parts, in which
form it is most suitable for reference previous to the issue of the
yearly volumes. Price bd. ; post free, Sd.

London : 37, Southampton Street, Strand, W.C.

THE GAEDEK

311

No. 985. SATURDAY, Oct. 4,1880. Vol. XXXVIII.

"This is an Art
Which does mend Nature : change it rather; but
The Art itself is Natube." — Sftafenpom.

Rose Garden.

ROSES AT LYONS.
At the annual autumnal show of the Lyons
Horticultural Association held in that city on
September 11 and following days, Roses were,
as usual, a conspicuous feature, and a few re-
marks upon some of the newer varieties exhi-
bited there and seen afterwards at home in the
nurseries of the various raisers may be interest-
ing to English readers.

The gold medal of the association for a
seedling Rose was awarded to M. A. Bernaix
for a prettily tinted Tea of the Ma Capucine
class named Adelina Yiviand-Morel ; the flowers
are not large, but their colour is effective, being
a combination of buff, orange and yellow, tipped
and shaded with pink, and especially beautiful
in the buds. M. Bernaix was also awarded a
gold medal for his general collection of Roses,
which was a remarkably line stand, and in-
cluded some good blooms of H. P. Comtesse de
Paris (Leveque), the climbing Teas Mnie.
Chauvry, fine coppery-yellow, and Emilie Du-
puy, buff, and the beautifully tinted Teas Dr.
Grill and Souvenir du Rosieriste Rambaux, the
rose and yellow shades in the latter being very
attractive. A subsequent visit to M. Bernaix's
nursery revealed a large and well-ordered esta-
blishment, containing many novelties and seed-
lings of interest. Mnie. Philippe Kuntz (Ber-
naix), a new Tea of last year, with rosy-cerise
flowers, was here very good ; also Madeleine
d'Aoust, Tea (Bernaix), rosy-flesh, nankeen
centre ; Camille de Rochetaillee, Polyantha
(Bernaix), white, striped and spotted with car-
mine ; Gloire de Libourne, Tea (Beauvilain),
yellow ; and EJronprinzessin Victoria, a pale
yellow variety of the Bourbon Souvenir de la Mal-
maison, of German origin. I also noticed Gloire
des Polyantha in great perfection, and the
richly coloured Polyantha Blanche Rebatel, al-
though the latter did not appear to be so good a
grower as its neighbours.

A gold medal for a general collection of Roses
was also awarded to M. Pernet fils-Ducher, who
had a large number of fine blooms, and the
silver medal of the association was awarded to
him for a new hybrid Tea Rose named Gustave
Regis, of semi-climbing habit ; flowers coppery-
yellow, changing to white as they open, very
pretty in bud, but rather thin. The same firm
also exhibited a pretty pink hybrid Tea named
Mme. Caroline Testout ; the plants as seen in
the nursery were exceedingly free-flowering, but
the lateness of the season had doubtless
affected the quality of the flowers.

The well-known firm of Levet exhibited a
promising buff Noisette variety in the way of
Reve d'Or named Josephine Viotlet, and Mr.
Lambert received a bronze medal for a seed-
ling Tea Rose (Madame Elie Lambert), white,
shaded with rose. M. Dubreuil exhibited
a pretty seedling Tea Rose, white, edged
with rose, and of semi-climbing habit. I
was much indebted to this gentleman for
courteous treatment and information, and found
in his nursery some very interesting and pro-
mising seedlings. I noted the following novel-
ties which were blooming well there : Carmen,
Tea (Dubreuil), of climbing habit, large flesh-
coloured flowers ; Prince Charles d'Aremberg,

H. P. (Soupert and Notting), satin-rose ; Con-
seiller Stockert, H. P. (Soupert and Notting),
rose ; also a little known Bourbon of older date,
Gloire d'Olivet (Vigneron), producing beautiful
rosy flowers of the form and finish peculiar to
the Bourbon section.

Other seedling Roses were exhibited by M.
Liabaud and M. Perrier. At the nursery of
the latter I found a very fine collection ; the
red varieties of Souvenir de la Malmaison and
Safrano were particularly beautiful. I did not
see anything from the firm of Guillot at the
exhibition.

M. Joseph Bonnaire is sending out this sea-
son two new Tea Roses which, judging fr°m tne
blooms I saw, will prove acquisitions. They
are Souvenir de Mme. Sableyrolles. rosy-apricot,
shaded with yellow ; and Elise Fugier, white,
slightly tinted with yellow in the way of Niphe-
tos, but stronger in growth and habit than that
variety. I also saw here in bloom the new
American variety Souvenir de Wootton, of
which M. Bonnaire speaks highly as a free-
blooming Hybrid Tea ; the flowers are rosy-red.

At the nursery of M. Pernet pere I found a
very fine Hybrid Tea Rose to be sent out this
autumn named Triomphe de Pernet pere ; the
flowers are carmine in colour and very hand-
some. Its name would seem to indicate that
the raiser has a high opinion of its merits, and
from the blooms seen I think he has good reason
to anticipate in this variety a fine addition to
his series. I was sorry to observe that the rers
blancs (larva; of the cockchafer or May bug) had
caused great damage to the Roses on this side
of Lyons.

One thing that struck me during this visit to
Lyons was the increasing popularity of the Eng-
lish Roses ; whereas on former occasions I have
noticed but few of them, this time I saw them
in abundance everywhere. Many of the late
lamented Mr. Bennett's introductions are in
high favour, and amongst the newer kinds of
other raisers, Caroline d'Arden, Duchess of
Albany, Lady Castlereagh, and Sappho were ob-
served in great perfection. I saw in two places
plants of "Marechal Niel bearing large pods of
fine plump seed almost ripe at the time of my
visit, and in one garden I saw a number of seed-
lings raised from "this variety, but they were of
this year's sowing, and consequently had not yet
bloomed.

It is almost superfluous to allude to the polite-
ness and cordiality of the reception accorded to
foreign visitors by all connected with the ex-
hibition and by the horticulturists of the dis-
trict, so much has this become a matter of course.
The banquet given to the members of the jury
and the representatives of the press on the even-
ing of the opening day was largely attended,
and in every wav a"great success. The president
of the association, M. Dutailly, took the chair,
and the horticulture of many nations was repre-
sented in the persons of several of its leading
votaries. M. Drevet (a name familiar to
rosarians from the beautiful Tea Rose Souvenir
de Gabrielle Drevet), a prominent member of
the commission for carrying out the arrange-
ments of the show, informed me that the recent
exhibition was considered to be the most suc-
cessful the association has held.

WaUham Cross. Akthtk W. Paul.

Rose Souvenir de la Malmaison.— This Rose
cannot be too widely planted for autumn blooming.
It is doubtful if there is another Rose that flowers
so satisfactorilv in autumn. Many of the blooms
are faultless, and the lovely flesh colour internally
and white outside claim attention. In such autumn
weather as the present when growing in a mass it is

very beautiful. In the gardens of Abbotsbury
Castle, Dorchester, there is a large bed devoted to
this. At the time of my visit (middle of Septem-
ber) the plants were a mass of flower, and there
were still many buds to open. When planted
against a wall, it continues to give blooms often to
Christmas. In such a situation, everyone who can
find space should plant this Rose, as often dur-
ing a wet season when the blooms are destroyed
in the open beds, good flowers can be had from the
shelter of a wall. Damp is its greatest evil in
autumn. We have here a plant growing in a cold
Peach house. It has grown from 10 feet to 15 feet
high, and it is simply astonishing the amount of
blooms we obtain during the season, and especially
in autumn. It is doubtful if we do not often over-
look the value of many an old Rose by our desire
to grow something new, which often is not nearly
so good. — J. C. F.

AMONG THE ROSES IX SEPTEMBER.
FlBST and foremost among these alike in quality
and quantity I must once more place

HoMEBE. — Of this Rose it may be emphatically
said the longer it stands, that is, the later in the
season, the more beautiful it grows, and yet in one
of the richest combinations of the bold and mas-
sive groupings of Tea Roses seen this season,
Homere was not included.

Mabie Van" Houtte. — Perhaps this is one of
the most beautiful and useful of all the fine varie-
ties raised by Ducher. Ever and at all seasons
beautiful, this* Rose also puts on its richest colour-
ing of deep canary, fringed or suffused with bright
rose in the late autumntide. It may also be truly
described as a continuous rather than a mere suc-
cessional bloomer, for with a fair stock of plants
on walls, as standards and dwarfs, one may gene-
rally cut Marie A'an Houtte from June to No-
vember.

Ixxoceste Pibola. — One of Ducher's soft
cream-coloured Teas, lightly tinted with pink.

Anna Olivieb. — A charming blend of buff and
flesh, alike welcome in bud and full-sized bloom.

Anna Olivtee. — This is generally charming
either in bud or expanded bloom, but specially so
in the autumn.

Mme. Lambaed. — Almost welcome in any of its
many shades of bright or pale rose.

Rubens. — A most welcome Rose, almost white,
tinted with rose, exquisite in bud and bloom.

Niphetos. — Perhaps the purest of all white Roses
outside or under glass, sometimes, however, with
a decided lemon cast, a few or several of the out-
side petals suffused with delicate or deeper pink ;
specially striking as a standard with the buds and
blooms suspended as silver pendants.

Princess or Wales. — Yery striking with its
long elegant buds and half-opened blooms ; a rich
mixture of two or more shades of yellow and a
dash of rose ; a great favourite in autumntide or
any season.

BorGEBE. — One of the finest, hardiest, and
oldest of the autumn-blooming flesh-coloured Teas.

La. Bottle d'Ob. — Fine in warm situations.

Mme. Willebmoz.— Free and perfect.

SouvExrB T>'xrs Ami. — Beautiful alike in foliage
and bloom, the colour being one of the richest
blends of salmon and rose, colours that enrich each
other.

Mme. Bbavt.— One of the finest dwarf white
Roses either in summer or autumn.

Comtesse Riza Br Pabc. — Striking in colour
and form and free this autumn.

Glolbe de Dijox. — The freest and best of all
the coloured Roses, and generally of finest quality
as the season sinks to rest in the late autumn.

Among Hybrid Teas our freest flowering this
autumn have been Cheshunt Hybrid and Reine
Marie Henriette, the last of a deep bright cherry
colour, most welcome in the autumn.

One of our freest bloomers this autumn has been
Prince Napoleon, a very old variety seldom found in

312

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 4, 1890.

the list, and evidently of China or Bourbon breed. It
is of a beautiful pink colour, and has been smothered
in bloom. Unfortunately, from the thinness of the
bark, and the slowness of the buds to develop into
anything like growing consistency, it is a most diffi-
cult variety to propagate. The two old Bourbons,
Baron Gonella and Souvenir de la Malmaison, espe-
cially the latter, have been at their best this
autumn.

Lamarque, Cfline Forestier, Triomphe de Rennes,
and "William Allen Richardson have well sustained
the reputation of Noisette Roses for autumn bloom-
ing this autumn. Among Perpetuals the following
have proved the most useful: La France, Boule
de Neige, Mme. "Victor Verdier, Marchioness of
Exeter, Baroness Rothschild and its white hybrids
or sports, Marguerite de St. Amand, Prince Arthur,
Peter Lawson, Heinrich Schultheis, Jules Mar-
gottin, Mme. Cambaceres, Grandeur of Cheshunt,
Ic. D. T. F.

SHORT NOTES.— ROSES.

Rose Felleaberg is a delightful Noisette variety.
The flowers are only semi-double, it is true, butaof good
size, very bright crimson in colour, and borne with a
freedom that fully makes up for a want of fulness and
substance. A group of plants near the greenhouse at
Kew is one of the brightest spots in the Royal Gar-
dens.

Hose Mme. "Willermoz.— This fine old Rose is
used as a pillar plant in the temperate house at Kew.
It has been giving an abundance of its flowers since
March and is gay even now. They are large, full,
and very delicate salmon in colour. It was raised by
Lacharme in 1845, and is deserving of cultivation either
as a garden or an indoor Rose.

Chrysanthemums.

HOUSING THE PLANTS.

The time is now upon us when the plants will
need housing. Much depends upon the season
when the plants are placed under cover as to the
flowers being at their best on a certain date,
some sorts requiring much more time to develop
their blooms than others. Take, for instance,
plants of Boule d'Or and Queen of England,
both having buds at the present time of the
same size. The former will require quite a
fortnight longer than the latter to fully develop
its florets. This single instance will prove the
necessity of obtaining some knowledge of the
requirements of individual kinds. Daring the
last two or three years early frosts have been
common, and grower's are rather chary of allow-
ing their plants to remain out of doors as long
as formerly, knowing well that 6° of frost will
make sad havoc with many buds if exposed to
it. Much depends, of course, upon the situa-
tion of each cultivator. In low, damp districts
the plants should be taken inside a week earlier
than where the position is high and conse-
quently drier. Here we are situated upon a
hill 395 feet above sea level ; whereas 1J miles
distant there is a considerable reduction in the
altitude, so much so that a sharp frost which
occurred during August of the present year cut
down the Vegetable Marrows in gardens in that
part, while here the same vegetable was not
touched ; in fact the thermometer did not
descend to near freezing point. Growers who
have lived some time in a district know when
to expect these early frosts, and there is seldom
much variation in the time at which they are
experienced. With the exception of preventing
the loss of the flowers by early frosts, it is not
necessary for those growers who intend to have
a good home show of bloom to study the time
wheu the plants should be housed s'o closely as
in the case of the intending exhibitor, as the
object is more to prolong the display than to
have all in at one time, as is necessary with the
exhibitor who has to time his blooms to a

nicety. Many exhibitors of cut blooms of Chry-
santhemums are unsuccessful through their
flowers being either too early or too late. In
the south of England early blooms are
the most troublesome. Growers are anxious
to obtain the largest flowers, which are the
result of taking crown buds, but in many cases
they develop about a week or ten days before
they are wanted. In the midland and northern
counties cultivators are much better situated in
this respect, and they can with less risk depend
upon crown buds for their finest flowers. When
once the colour of the flower can be seen, no-
thing is gained by allowing the plants to remain
outside, because they will at that stage unfold
their blooms nearly as fast out of doors as they
will inside. The longer the plants are left out-
side after that stage without protection, so
much more likely are the blooms to damp later
on. The latest buds are more affected by early
frosts than those which are swelling freely, if
these latter have not burst their calyx. No
plants are considered safe out of doors after the
8th of October without protection. If it is de-
sirable to keep them out longer than this date,
they should be so placed that temporary protec-
tion, such as light canvas or tiffany, spread over
the plants will protect them from several de-
grees of frost. The plants and sorts that re-
quire the most time to develop their blooms
are those which did not set their buds as
early as was wished ; for instance, plants of the
Queen section of incurved varieties, which have
only just formed their buds, should be removed
inside at once, so as to give them more time to
develop properly, which is much better than
having to force them into flower later on. The
last week in September is a suitable time to
house such naturally late flowering sorts as
grandiflorum, Boule d'Or, and Meg Merrilies
for instance, while a week later will suffice for
such as Prince Alfred, the Queens, and others.

Much depends upon the kind of structure
the plants have to occupy whether they will
turn out successfully or not after nine or ten
months' attention. It is all very well to sug-
gest what is the best kind of house for the pur-
pose, but very often growers are put to sore
straits to house their plants in the best manner.
Houses that are very lofty and dark are the
worst to contend with, the plants being so far
from the glass. A gradual drawing up of the
branches after growth is practically complete
must be a source of weakness to the plants and a
loss of energy to the swelling of the flower-buds.
A span-roofed structure running north and
south is perhaps the best in which to flower the
plants. Vineries or Peach houses after the
fruit is all cut and gathered are generally em-
ployed for Chrysanthemums. Where sufficient
plants are cultivated to fill several such houses,
they should be arranged in two ways. All those
which show a tendency to flower early should
be put into one house by themselves, which
should be kept quite cool. We always arrange
the earliest kinds in such a way that the slope
of the plants falls to the north, the tallest be-
ing at the southern side of the house, and shad-
ing the remainder from bright sun. What I
will term the ordinary plants — those that flower
about the time required without any special
forcing or retarding — are arranged in another
house, the latest varieties also occupying one by
themselves, so that the house can be kept
warmer if necessary to hasten on the plants
without interfering with any others. Where
convenience does not admit of the arrangements
being carried out in this manner, the earliest
plants must occupy the coolest part of the
house and the later vice versa. Whatever
the house is, it should be thoroughly fumigated

if there are any other plants which have to be
placed with the Chrysanthemums that are at all
likely to be infested with green-fly. Even if no
fly can be seen at housing time upon the Chry-
santhemums, it is a good plan to thoroughly
fumigate the house after the plants are housed
on two successive nights.

Before the Chrysanthemums are housed they
should be thoroughly overhauled, removing all su-
perfluous growth, deadleaves, and weeds from the
soil. Any traces of mildew upon the leaves should
be thoroughly stamped out before the plants go
inside, as they are so much more easily attended
to out of doors than when huddled close to-
gether, as they generally are in the house. Some
varieties, in particular Boule d'Or, grandiflorum,
and what is known as the Teck family are de-
cidedly subject to mildew.

I would impress uponbeginners in Chrysanthe-
mum culture the advantage to the plants as
well as appearance in getting rid of all traces
of mildew before they are housed. I have
found nothing so effective as a mixture of lime
and sulphur. Place 2 lbs. of sulphur and 2 lbs.
of lime which has not been previously slaked in
ten quarts of soft water, and boil for twenty
minutes, or half the quantity will, of course,
suffice for a smaller number of plants, boiling
it the same time. To four gallons of clear, cold
water add two wineglassfuls of the mixture ;
with this thoroughly syringe all over, lay-
ing them on their sides to get at the under
side of the leaves. A slight discoloration of the
leaves may result from the syringing by leaving
a sediment, which will quickly wash ofl' and will
do no harm to the leaves whatever. With an
exhibitor the development of the blooms is the
chief aim. In this case it is wise to place the
Japanese varieties in a house by themselves, so
that more fire-heat can be given to them during
the time the blooms are developing.

This section will stand more fire-heat than the
incurved sorts, as too much heat is liable to
make the florets of the latter section soft and
flabby, inducing them to reflex rather than in-
curve. A little fire-heat accompanied with a free
circulation of air assists the developing of the
flowers of the Japanese section. In all cases
place the plants as near to the glass as possible.
F E. M.

PLANTS ON WALLS.
These are making a rapid and successful growth
this season, aided by the brilliant weather of the last
fortnight, which has ripened the wood. Should
the autumn continue dry and favourable to the de-
velopment of the blooms, a fine display of flowers
may be expected during the month of November
and the early part of December. Our plants have
had several soakings of water given to their roots
during the last fortnight. A thick mulching of
partly decayed stable manure was first laid on the
surface ; on this the water was poured, the juices
from the manure soaking down to the roots. This
has helped to swell the flower-buds, which are now
nearly all formed. A few of the earliest on each
plant have been thinned to one on a shoot, the rest
being left to develop all their blooms at will. By
this method we get a fine show of flowers upon each
plant. The season is prolonged too, those buds
that are early formed and freely thinned opening
first, and those not disbudded later ; thus a good
and lasting display is provided. The plants having
just set, or about doing so, their latest crop of
flower buds should have their final fastening to the
wall. All leading points should be nailed close in,
any branches growing from the front of the plants
for which there is no room being loosely tied to
those branches which are already fastened to the
wall in such a way as not to be overcrowded. These
breast shoots relieve the flatness caused by closely
securing the main shoots to the wall, in addition

Oct. 4, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

313

to adding to the quantity of flowers upon each
plant.

Where wall Chrysanthemums are made a special
feature— and they are certainly worth any extra
trouble or expense — provision should be made
shortly for affording temporary protection in the
case of sudden sharp frosts. A thin curtain of
canvas or tiffany should be hung from the top of
the wall by means of rings on the canvas and
hooks in the wall just under the coping. Such cur-
tains can be hung up in a few minutes and the
blooms protected. What would afford better pro-
tection still would be temporary coping boards
fixed on the top of the wall, fully 6 inches wide, or
still wider if possible. They could easily be fixed
under the regular coping, and such boards would
shield the flowers from drip. The flowers protected
in this way would be safe from even 10° of frost.
Daring the coming season a note should be taken
of any new kind likely to be of service for this mode
of culture, for much depends upon the varieties
used. The reflexed type of flower is most suitable
in addition to the numerous pompons, Anemone
pompons, and single varieties, which are so much
superior to the incurved and large Anemone sec-
tions ; these by the formation of their florets hold,
rather than turn off the rains.

Those who prefer a quantity of blooms rather than
quality would do well to plant largely the single and
pompon varieties. These two sections are most pro-
fuse in flowering, and being thin in the petals are
also not so liable to inj ury. M.

Ferns.

ACTINIOPTERIS RADIATA.
This handsome, fan-leaved Fern really belongs
to the Asplenias, and I think the first time it
was imported in a living state was when some
plants were received from Mr. Thwaites in
Ceylon in 1863, at which time the Fern collec-
tion at Kew was under my charge ; the plants
were still living in 1806 when I left the gardens.
It appears to be widely distributed in many
parts of Abyssinia and India, in Ceylon, Egypt,
and Eastern Africa. This Fern resembles ex-
actly a miniature fan-leaved Palm, and I have
never noted a circinate development in its
growth ; the stem is decumbent, and the fronds
seldom exceed 6 inches in height. It has, I
think, been much misunderstood by most Fern
growers ; the plant evidently is nearly allied to
Asplenium septentrionale and that class. Those
who h»ve recognised this alliance appear to
have thought it requires the same kind of dry
treatment, but this is a mistake. The plants
should be placed in somewhat small pots, these
being well drained, potting in light turfy loam,
peat, and sand. If treated in this way, they
may be syringed daily and plenty of water given
to the roots ; indeed neither the plants nor the
atmosphere should be allowed to become dry,
as may be inferred from its native countries, it
enjoys a high temperature, and in the winter
season it should never fall lower than 65°,
whilst in summer the temperature may be al-
lowed to run to 85° and 90° by sun heat, but
upon no occasion should the atmosphere or the
plant allowed to become dry, if the beauty
of this little gem is to be preserved. I do not
think there is much of the true form of this
Fern at present in the country, but I recently
saw the variety called australis in some quan-
tity in Messrs. Williams' nursery at Holloway ;
this has the fronds less fan-shaped than usual,
but the segments are longer and more pointed.
The two kinds are doubtless but extreme forms
of the one species. The variet)' I have found

well shaded, and by no means should it be sub-
jected to strong sunshine.

W. H. Gowek.

Trichomanes elongaturn {J. Taylor).— This

without doubt is the name of the Fern which you
say you collected in New Zealand, the extreme
length of the exserted vein or receptacle being
quite exceptional, without which the fronds would
much resemble another and widely-spread species,
T. rigidum. The plant is to be found, I believe,
in a living state in the collection of Messrs. Back-
house, of York. It used formerly to exist at Kew,
and I daresay it is included in the Cooper-Foster
collection of Filmy Ferns in the national collection.
— W. H. G.

Hemionitis Mulleri.— I am in receipt of some
specimens of this Fern from " M. G. P.," asking for
a name, and simply giving the country as Australia,
which is a district wide enough; but in 1864 or
1865, specimens of this same plant came to me
through Mr. Walter Hill, then director of the
Government Garden in Brisbane. He had collected
them during a journey about the Gulf of Carpen-
taria, so that the north of Queensland is the native
country of this species. It is made a Gymno-
gramma by Hooker, and in which he is followed by
Baker, but Smith makes this a Hemionitis, plac-
ing it in the section Sericonitis. With this genus
it bears the closest affinity, and so I have here adopted
it. My friend " M. G. P." is, however, too late with
this Fern, and is certainly wrong in calling it new,
as it has existed as a living plant in the Kew col-
lection for some years, but I do not think it has
yet come into the trade catalogues. This, no doubt,
is through the apathy of the public in looking up
new and beautiful Ferns. It has fronds from 6
inches to 1 foot long ; these are simply pinnate,
the pinna? being coriaceous in texture, green above,
and thickly clothed beneath with ferrugineous
scales, which in the young state are almost white.
It is an elegant Fern, well deserving the attention
of all Fern growers.— W. H. Gowee.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Carnation Margaritas. — Flowers of this variety
have been sent us by Mr. Lambert, Green Lanes, N.,
and they again remind us of this prettily-coloured
Carnation, which also has the merit of late blooming.

Sweet Pea Carmen Sylva. — I send you flowers
of my new Sweet Pea Carmen Sylva, which I trust
will please you.— Thos. Laxton, Bedford.

*#* Very pretty. The flowers are bold, richly
scented, and in the standards rose, deeper in the centre,
the other portion of quite a bluish tint.

Lapageria rosea from St. Albans.— We
send you flowers of a variety of this, the finest we
have seen both as regards colour and form.— F. San-
der and Co.

*#* A very fine flower, large, intense crimson in
colour, and of great substance ; the mouth widely ex-
panded.— Ed.

Autumn Roses.— I send you a small gathering
of outdoor Roses which have been neither shaded nor
sheltered in any way. — Wm. Rumsey, Waltham Gross.

*s* The garden in autumn may now he always full
of lovely Roses, and when people plant the Tea Roses
more they will find a perpetual garden of Roses from
June to November. Mr. Rumsey's Roses were very
fine. — Ed.

New seedling Dahlias. — I send you a couple
of my seedling Dahlias, viz., Black Prince and Blush-
ing Bride. — John Gkeen, Dereham, Norfolk.

*#* Two very fine flowers. The variety Black
Prince is the deepest in colour of any so-called decora-
tive Dahlia we have seen, being rich maroon, almost
black ; it is very handsome. BlushiDg Bride is rich
rose, 'the centre white, very delicate and pretty in
colour. — Ed.

The Japanese Anemones (A. japonica and its
varieties) are very beautiful in the garden now, espe-
riallv at Kew, where there are large beds devoted to
one distinct kind alone. This is the only true way to

much easier to grow, but of the two, the true -- ^ bea , of tHs fine autumn-flowering pe-

species is the handsomer, its flabellate leaves rennia]i too often" planted in solitary bits. We are
being dichotomously divided and toothed at the pleased to see that things are massed together more at
tips; the colour is bright green if the plant is ' Kew. It would be no misfortune to find the "bedding''

in the front of the Palm house swept away, and the
wretched pattern " carpet" arrangement on the raised
bed facing the round pond.

The Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is
very beautiful by the margin of the round pond facing
the Palm house at Kew. The bushes are spreading
out on every side and promise to make a dense colony.
The wavy masses of glaucous Willow-like leafage and
rich profusion of orange-red berries clustering thickly
on the slender branches make a charming October
picture in the garden. Those who visit Kew in
autumn and winter should not miss this luxuriant
colony of the Sea Buckthorn.

A remarkable plant at Kew now is Musa En-
sete, which is flowering in the temperate house. It
has risen several feet high, and hears a flower like the
head of a Globe Artichoke, but about five times the
size. The bracts are rich green, the flowers appearing
right down in the sheaths, and therefore invisible to
the eve ; it is purple or yellowish green on opening,
and the stalk is as thick as a man's thigh. The plant
dies after flowering. It was found by the traveller
Bruce in Abyssinia.

Agapanthus umbellatus maximus.— I left
a fasciated stem of this on which my gardener counted
331 flowers and buds. Lily stems are not unf requently
fasciated, but whatever number of flowers they have,
and this is often a great number, there is always some-
thing unsatisfactory about them. I think that you will
agree with me that this is not the case with the African
Lily.— George F. Wilson.

*#* Certainly the finest head of bloom of this we
have ever seen. — Ed.

Anomatheca grandiflora is a plant of which
we shall hear much as it becomes better known.
It is new yet, but a large bed of it near the Victoria
Regia house at Kew shows that it possesses much
beauty and value. It makes a tufted growth about
8 inches high and spreads rapidly, but it remains
to be seen whether it will stand the trials of win-
ter. The flowers are several times larger than those
of A. cruenta, very rich crimson, the lower portion
deep velvety maroon. A bed of it in full beauty
would give intense colour. There are few flowers
of a richer depth of crimson.

Belladonna Lily (Amaryllis Belladonna) at
Kew.— This beautiful Cape bulb is magnificent at
Kew this season. A warm sunny border runs along
the side of the Victoria Regia and Orchid houses,
and there this Lily thrives with great vigour, send-
ing up each autumn a forest of sturdy spikes. The
flowers are very pretty in their several shades of
rose, in fine contrast to the deep chocolate stems.
Near this border of Belladonna Lily is a colony of
the winter Gladiolus (Schizostylis coccinea), but it
requires a warmer summer than we had this season
to ensure a fine flower display.

Dissotis incana.— This is one of the prettiest
and most useful of the cooler Melastomaceous
plants, and coming into flower just at this time is
all the more acceptable. It is a South African
species, requiring the protection of a greenhouse
from the present time up to June. The remainder
of the year it is better out of doors. The flowers
are in large panicles terminating the season's
growth, and individually measure nearly 2 inches
across. The segments are broad and full, in colour
the richest rosy-purple, against which the yellow
anthers show up quite brightly. In spring, the old
shoots that have flowered should be cut down nearly
to the ground, and the plants given slightly warmer
treatment, watering sparingly at that time. After
the growths are a few inches high repotting may
be done if necessary, and ordinary greenhouse con-
ditions then suffice. The shoots should never be
pinched, the plants if stood in the open during
summer not growing more than 2 feet in height
before flowering. A soil consisting of two paits
loam to one of peat with silver sand added may be
used and after the pots are full of roots weak ma-
nure water is beneficial. In the temperate house
at Kew a large plant is now pushing into flower.

Drooping "Urn Flower (Urceolina pendula).—
A group of this distinct plant in the stove at Kew
merits a note. It is rarely seen outside a botanic
garden, but it should be in every garden, by reason
of its bold striking beauty. A coloured plate of it
appeared in The Gaeden, May 12, 188?, and a
history of the plant is there given, with remarks ou

314

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 4, 1890.

its culture by Mr. Hudson, of Gunnersbury House,
who knows well how to treat it. The flowers droop
gracefully on slender stalks, and appear several
together in large umbels, as many as thirty and
forty together in its native country, according to
the notes of its discoverer, Mr. Pearce, who found
it in Muna, a Peruvian province, at from 3000 feet
to 4000 feet elevation. It can be increased both by
seed and offsets, and its graceful spikes of flowers
can be used with happy effect in cut flower decora-
tions. Those who have not got Urceolina pendula
should mark it as one of the things to be secured
as quickly as possible.'

Lathyrus magellanicus. — Mr. Burbidge and
the Rev. C. W. Dod, of Malpas (see p. 71, Gaeden
for July 26), will doubtless be glad to learn that
the true " Lord Anson's Pea " has at last found its
way into cultivation. Going through the pits at
Kew the other day we espied a batch of plants
with the above label, and on inquiry was told there
was no doubt whatever about its being correct. L.
sativus is the plant generally sold and grown for
this species, a totally different thing, and one of the
most beautiful of the Pea family. We hope soon
to see this charming Pea in the trade.

Geranium Wallichianum. — In his note of
20th ult., Mr. Wood should rather have spoken of
the dry sandy soil round Knutsford than the dry
atmosphere of Cheshire. I remember Mr. Wolley
Dod telling me that various Himalayan plants are
liable to die down without apparent cause, just as
this Geranium does occasionally. Mr. Jackson, of
Llandegai, near Bangor, in whose garden almost
anything will thrive, is quite unable to make theabove
Geranium even live, though I have sent him healthy
plants for the last two years, both divisions and
seedlings. He says, "They just die away and I can-
notsave them." Inagarden at Llanfairfechan.afew
miles from Llandegai, this Geranium will grow vi-
gorously anywhere — in full sunshine or in shade,
among sandstone rocks, or the hard natural stone
of the country. It does the same here, but in sun-
shine the colour is much paler than when shaded
from the mid-day sun. I notice that the Harebells
in this district are a very pale shade of blue. —
E. C. Buxton, Coed Derwen, Eettws-y- Coed.

Figs in the open air in Yorkshire. — I
long ago and more than once have pointed out in
The Gabden the advantages of heated walls, and
regretted their disuse, as if used not to push trees
early into flower, but only to protect them after
they come into flower, they increase the summer tem-
perature and ripen the wood. I am not sure but
they are better than unheated glass houses. I
send you some proof of this from one of my old
foremen, now gardener to Mr. John Kaye, at
Clayton, West Huddersfield, where among other
things worthy of note is an old and large Fig tree
growing against a warm factory wall outside the
garden, and quite exposed (in a cold district), which
bears with unfailing regularity such a crop as many
a duke's gardener would be glad to have under
glass. I send you samples of the fruit which Mr.
Atkins, the gardener, has been gathering at the
rate of ten to twelve dozen per week during
September, and the supply will continue on well
into October. I understand that the long shoots are
laid in on the extension plan and the fruit is borne
at the ends of the shoots, ripening in succession.
Years ago when I saw it it was going on just the
same. — J. S. W.

*„* Very fine richly flavoured samples of this
delicious fruit. — Ed.

Chironia ixifera. — There is no group of green-
house plants more undeservedly neglected than the
Chironias. Easily grown and propagated, of good
habit and extremely pretty when in flower, they
might well be seen to advantage in many a green
house during the autumn. Some four or five species
are in cultivation, the best of which are C. pedun-
culata, C. palustris, and C. ixifera. The last is
readily distinguished from the others by its slender,
wiry stems and smaller flowers. What the flowers
lack in size, however, they amply compensate for
in numbers. They are each about three quarters
of an inch in diameter, the five ovate, pointed petals
being of a delicate pinkish-purple colour. The tiny

leaves are narrowly oblong and about half an inch
long. Naturally the species is of prostrate habit,
but when grown in a pot may be brought with the
aid of a small stake into an upright bushy shape.
A plant in a 5-inch pot will have as many as thirty
flowers open at one time, and few things are then
more charming. The species thrives in sandy loam,
and is easily increased by means of cuttings. The
Chironias are included in the Gentian family, all
being natives of South Africa. C. ixifera, as well
as the two species mentioned above, may be seen in
flower at Kew.

The autumn Crocuses opened as usual with
C. Sharojani, but so far as we can judge, though an
extremely desirable and handsome species, it will
never be a favourite in cultivation. An orange-
flowered autumn Crocus would be an acquisition
indeed, but C. Sharojani requires too much care
and coaxing. C. vallicola is a splendid species, but
C. zonatus is the general favourite amongst the
autumnal kinds at any rate. It is certainly the
finest of all the lilac-coloured species, never failing
to produce abundance of flowers, doing well almost
anywhere, and increasing at a prodigious rate.
The old C. speciosus and C. nudiflorus are also in
full flower, the latter especially amongst tall
Grass, where it does admirably, looking very
pleasing and effective. These autumn Crocuses do
not seem to be known as they ought to be. There
are many situations requiring their pleasing tints
in autumn as well as in spring, and now that many
of the species have become plentiful, they might
be planted out in] the same way [as we treat the
spring varieties.

A few good hardy flowers. — The following
are in bloom at Broxbourne: Colchicum autumnale
album plenum, a fine variety, C. speciosum, and
Zauschneria calif ornica, the late sunny , dry weather
having suited its requirements. Senecio pulcher
will be in flower apparently for another two months,
as many spikes are now rising. Autumn-flowering
hardy Cyclamens are masses of colour, and relieved
by their finely marked foliage. Oxalis lobata is
also in bloom ; it is seldom one hears of this little
gem. It is 2| inches high, with light green foliage
and strikingly brilliant yellow flowers, each about
the size of sixpence, lasting well till the end of Oc-
tober generally. Helianthus multiflorus simplex is
our best perennial Sunflower. Aster W. Bowman is
just beginning to expand. Michaelmas Daisies are
very fine and early this year. Rudbeckias still
continue good, R. purpurea having a profusion of
flowers, also R. subtomentosa, which has its leaves
deliciously hay scented even when withered. The
Prophet Flower (Arnebia echioides) has flowered
well since May, and some fine blossoms now re-
main. There are also some splendid flowers of
Doronicum plantagineum excelsum, Trollius euro-
pams, and single Pyrethrum. Tigridias are healthy
and promise to continue in bloom some time ; these
are supplemented with a few of the summer flower
ing plants, which still continue gay.

The Water Lily house at Kew.— We have
made more than one note regarding the Water Lilies
at Kew this season, and even now they are gay
with bloom, thanks to the brilliant weather of
the past few weeks. There is a rich selection of
the finest types here, and the most striking of all at
this season (and it has been through the whole sum-
mer) is Ny mphfea stellata zanzibarensis.with flowers
of a splendid purple colour, and measuring each 1
foot across. We have a charming diversity of col-
ouring in the tropical Water Lilies. N. s. albiflora
gives us white blossoms, s. purpurea rich purple-
rose, and s. Berlin variety delightful blue, as clear
as the blue of a summer sky. Then in the Lotus
section we have such gems as Devoniensis, with its
dark-coloured leaves and rich rose flowers; L. ruber,
lovely rose colour ; L. Origiesianus, similar shade,
very pure and bright ; and L. dentatus, one of the
finest of all, the flowers very large and creamy-
white, with the bracts of the florets deep green. N.
gigantea is also in flower, but this is a mis-
nomer when we have such giants as zanzibarensis.
Besides the Water Lilies, the graceful Solanum
Seaforthianum drapes one of the rafters, also Passi-
fiora Kewensis and Allamanda Hendersoni ; while

large plants of Hedychium coronarium in full bloom
fill the air with strong fragrance.

Romneya Coulteri. — I send you a bloom and
a branch of Romneya Coulteri. The fine weather
we have lately experienced has been favourable to
the development of flowers and foliage. The seed
of the Romneya sent was sown in the open ground
in August, 1889, and, judging from the general ap-
pearance of the plants, they will continue to flower
for some time to come. — R. H. VeEtegans, Chad
Valley Nurseries, Edgbaston, Birmingham.

%*' Beautiful flowers of this fine plant, a col-
oured plate of which was given in The Gaeden,
November 8, 1884.— Ed.

A fine Anthurium "Veitchi.— I have by same
post sent you photograph of an Anthurium Veitchi.
The plant was bought four years ago, and at that
time it had four leaves, each from 12 inches to 14
inches long. It now has about two dozen leaves,
each from 4 feet to 5 feet long. It has been grown
in rough fibrous peat, charcoal, and Sphagnum
Moss, and during the summer plenty of manure
water has been given every day. That this
treatment suits it is evident from the rapid progress
the plant has made during four years. As much of
the old soil as possible is washed away annually.
Early in spring after the plant has matured a batch
of leaves is the best time for repotting, as if done
when the plant is making fresh leaves they are al-
most certain to get injured. — W. Jupp, Torfield
Gardens, Eastbourne.

Prickly Poppy (Argemone hispida) makes a
charming clump in the herbaceous ground at Kew,
where it may be seen in full bloom. It likes a
warm, dry spot, and grows about 2 feet in height,
its vigour, rich appearance, and freedom suggesting
many uses for it. Such a plant might be made the
groundwork of a bed of taller and more slender
things, as the tufted Pansy is used now. It would
give variety, a thing that is wanted in most places
to avoid constant repetition of the same plant.
This plant is well named Prickly Poppy. It has
glaucous, finely veined Thistle-like leafage and
bold, pure white fragile flowers, like those of Rom-
neya Coulteri somewhat, and with a bunch of rich
yellow stamens in the centre, the base deep crim-
son. Seed sown in a warm frame will readily ger-
minate. A. mexicanaand A.grandifloraare like it,
and all are natives of California and Mexico.

Clianthus Dampieri marginatus is flower-
ing on a sunny, sheltered wall at Kew. It is a
beautiful flower, as represented by a coloured
plate in The Gaeden, March 29, 1890. It differs
from the well-known C. Dampieri in having the
keel of the flower white, edged with scarlet— hence
the name marginatus— instead of rich crimson. This
variety of colour is distinctly pleasing, and not
blotchy. It was distributed by Messrs. Hender-
son in 1865, then disappeared until 1875, when a
German, who said he had raised it, named
it Deutsche Flagg. It is as hardy as the Gera-
nium, but wants protection in winter. We advise
the use of its name "marginatus" only. German
Flag savours too much of Iris. The clusters of
white and scarlet flowers and glaucous leafage
made a pretty picture on a warm wall sheltered
from cold winds.

The Meadow Saffrons, of which there are a
goodly number now in cultivation, do not seem to
have flowered with their usual abundance this year,
doubtless owing to the cold and unusually wet
summer. Colchicum speciosum has been almost a
failure with us, while byzantinum, autumnale and
variegatum have suffered but little. We noticed
a splendid new species at Kew the other day under
the name of C. Sibthorpi, by far the finest tesse-
lated species we have ever seen. The flowers, which
are cup-shaped, are quite as large as those of C.
speciosum, rich purple - lilac, and handsomely
chequered with darker tints. Flowering as it does
now after most of the others have passed their best,
producing flowers in such abundance and being so
charmingly effective, this is sure to become a gene-
ral favourite, and will, we hope, help to pave the
way for a more liberal use of autumn flowers in the
garden.

Oct. 4, 1890.

THE GARDEN".

315

THE GAEDENS AT BRISTOL HOUSE,
ROEHAMPTON.

To anyone who has thought much of garden
design the scarcity of good examples of the art
must be too clear. Ability to cut beautiful
ground into any number of false lines and need
less banks is, unhappily, not rare among our
"landscape" gardeners — or, better still, per-
haps, let us use the words "landscape archi-
tect," adopted by some gardeners in America
and also here. A silly term, but clearly ex-
pressive of the aims of some foolish men in
dealing with their mother earth. What it
means may well be studied at Versailles, and
also at poor Paxton's attempt to rival it, the
Crystal Palace ; also in the false lines and I

gather happy around it. The house is not
cut off from the lawn by an elaborate arrange-
ment of beds, walks, and gravel, but the wel-
come airy turf is near us, and free for
walk or run or play at all times, and there is
plenty of room for the flowers a little way off.
One may go far in quest of that rare thing,
the garden beautiful, without seeing better
examples of this sort than in the suburbs of
London, where in past days this sort of lawn-
hearted garden was often made. William
Cobbett and the " wen " ! — what would his
sharp tongue say now to the railroad cancer
which has eaten up so many old London gar-
dens ? It must be, perhaps; but where is the
destruction to end 1 If it goes on, then, in our

here some fine trees remain. But the taste
for planting the Cedar of Lebanon which at
one time prevailed has partly died ; so while
we see people often troubled about their old
trees, the best remedy (to plant young ones)
is not often sought !

The idea that only old and great trees are
beautiful and worth taking best care of is too
common. Given the young trees placed
rightly, time will soon garland them with
years. The true tree gardener might be proud
of his old trees, but busy always about his
young one?, and happy in their beauty, too,
for young trees are very beautiful, and those
happy in the possession of old trees should
plant a little every year. This annual plant-

The lawn at Bristol House, Roehampton. Eugraved for The Garden".

curves so often seen in laying out gardens,
where the designers do not even see the
brutal things they do, and do not attempt to
soften the ugly banks and false linen of their
walks.

If ever we have landscape gardeners worthy
of the name, their pleasure will be to make
the earth beautiful as it is, and not by tor-
turing it into something else. Engineers,
architects, road-makers, and others have to do
this to carry out their work, and all see the need
and the lightness of it. Therefore we like to
see any place where the beauty grows out of
the natural lines of the earth, so to say,
where the velvet lawn of the level valley
land is gratefully accepted as the best pos-
sible foreground, and where stately trees

small country ,bef ore long going to other spheres,
it will be a joyful, not a sorrowful, event. The
open space and vast area of park and com-
mon which fringe London, however, still
leave us many a quiet old garden, and a
very good example is Bristol House, Roe-
hampton.

Near the house a strip of Grass, then a
simple straight walk in front of the house,
and then without impediment the open
airy lawn, fresh and delightful ! On its
fringes stately big-leaved trees in sum-
mer— Planes as happy and more free than
by the rich river banks in America. The
Cedar of Lebanon I have never seen on any
of its many mountains, but it' has always
taken kindly to gardens round London, and

ing is a refreshment to the London garden,
where so often the Evergreens planted by past
generations, often too thickly, get crowded and
bare-legged, and give a dismal air to parts of
many gardens.

These open lawn gardens, with the deep
fringes of noble trees, are delightful in hot
days, as the shade is so near the sunny lawn,
and there is shade enough for a Neapolitan.
Alas ! our summers make us cry almost for sun.
Ferns of the bolder sort are happy by these
shady walks: hardy Ferns the most easily
grown and enduring of plants if allowed a
chance. But even the heart of London is kindly
to Ferns, which flourish deep in dusty areas.
But to feed these London gardens anddusty areas
the whole lovely country for many miles round

316

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 4, 1890

London has been robbed of its Ferns, from
the Royal Fern down to tbe smallest. At
one time the Royal Fern was common in
parts of Sussex ; now not a plant is to be seen
there. These Ferns should be grown by the
trade for the market, and hawkers should not
be allowed to sell any wild Ferns at all.
Hoses are here near the lawn, too, the smoke-
dreading Rose, which perishes in town sooner
than almost any flower. But Roehampton is
fairly out of the smoke yet, and so the
pretty Eoses live. And in further recesses
there are many fruits, and the more essentia]
green things that one gets crops of always,
unlike the fruits, and houses with many
flowers ; and so we have a garden with most
of the charms of country, but without the
cares and labours of the large country estate — ■
which, as many know, does not always form
a bed of Roses !

The gardens at Bristol House are about 11
acres in extent. The hardy flowers are chiefly con-
fined to a border on either side and on the outskirts
of the broad sweep of turf which faces the house.
On the left side, not far from the conservatory, is a
large bed of one distinct kind of Clove Carnation,
and close by several standard Roses, not the scare-
crow specimens that disfigure many gardens, but
possessed of large, healthy, and luxuriant heads.
We care little for standard Roses, but they are
most tolerable when in the condition of those at
Roehampton. One fine old plant of the Noisette
Aimee Vibert is a pretty picture when in full
flower, and a large rambling specimen of the
Maiden's Blush, or some allied kind, had reached
fully 12 feet or 13 feet high, one mass of leafage,
and in the season smothered with flowers. The
bed is rather spoilt by the tender plants at the
base, which dwarf the Rose bush. It would
have been better to let the plant rise gracefully
from the turf and spread about in its own way.
Here also is a beautiful bed of the white and rose
Japanese Wind Sower, one of the finest of autumn
hardy plants, and very showy in a dense spreading
mass — the only true way to see the charm of this
and many other hardy things. Small bits stuck
here and there give no idea of the richness of bold
groups, hidden almost beneath the rich profusion
of flowers. The borders are filled with well-known
perennials, as the autumn-flowering Sunflower,
Phloxes, Michaelmas Daisies of a few good kinds,
Chrysanthemum Mme. Desgrange, and Japanese
Lilies, especially L. auratum. One great feature of
the gardens is the rich masses several feet
high of dark green-leaved Hollies, which show up
the colours of the flowers, and the effect is not
spoilt, as in some places, by a free use of variegated
kinds. A fine specimen of a golden-leaved variety
stands on the lawn, and is richer and more striking
from its association with masses of deep green
leafage. . .

A narrow walk runs round the outskirts of
the ground through dense shrubberies, and a ter-
race walk also faces the breezy open space of
Putney Heath. From this raised spot beautiful
views are obtained of Richmond . Park, and the
terrace wall is made gay with vases of flowers filled
largely with the exceptionally free and bright Mme.
Crousse Ivy-leaved Pelargonium. A narrow walk
through a dense shrubbery leads into a path which
is continued right round to the other side of the
garden, and under the trees here are planted Prim-
roses, Daffodils, Snowdrops, and other spring flowers
to give beauty to the dull earth in the early months
of the year. On the right side roots have been used
freely, and though now in part hidden by the rich
growth of Ferns and the trailing shoots of green
and variegated-leaved Ivies, the effect' is not good.
To use roots much is a mistake ; they always natur-
ally decay, crumble, fill the ground with fungus,
and the air with a musty evil smell. The effect is
worse under the trees, where there is constant drip,

little sun to dry up the moisture, and no wind to
take off the smell of fungoid growths. In one spot
there stood a large mass of Hollies and Laurels,
but removed to open up the walk. The result is
good, and a view of the house is also obtained
through a few trees on the outskirts of the broad
stretch of green turf — the most beautiful feature of
the place.

The walk is broken by what was formerly
an Italian bedded- out garden ; the original design
has been retained, but Roses are now planted in
the beds. This is the weakest spot in the garden.
The fountain in the centre and the arrangement
of pattern beds planted with standard Roses are
not worthy of the place, made worse by four
trees of variegated Maple. This tree should be used
with the utmost caution by reason of its light and
decided variegation. It spoils many an otherwise
pretty spot, but when used with discretion gives
life to the garden scenery. The path again narrows,
leading through breaks of Ferns into a straight
walk, bordered on one side with a hedge of Yew
and on the other a wall, hidden with climbing scar-
let Nasturtiums and bordered at the foot with seed-
ling tufted and florists' Pansies. At the extreme
end the Canary Creeper tumbles over the summit
in rich masses of light green leaves and yellow
flowers. A border here is filled with a selection
of seedling Dahlias, these hiding a wall on which
the Loquat, Indigofera floribunda, and Ceanothus
Gloire de Versailles are flourishing. When these have
grown more it would be better to leave them fully
exposed, as all three are beautiful shrubs either in
leaf or flower. The seedling Dahlias show that an
excellent selection of colours can be had by sowing
seeds. One yellow kind was exceptionally useful,
the plant dwarf, very free, and the flowers of a
clear rich yellow colour. Scarlet, crimson, and
more delicate shades could be picked out, and the
flowers are all of good size and shape, quite as beau-
tiful, if not more so, than many of the varie-
ties that gain certificates at exhibitions. Beneath
the shade of a clump of trees the little Viola tri-
color has established itself, flowering in profusion
and promising to carpet the whole of the surface
soil. St. Dabeoc's Heath (Menziesia polifolia) and
the white form made fair clumps, but the shade is
almost too dense for this charming Heath. On a
rising knoll jutting out from Grass, the St.
Dabeoc's Heath and the common Heather also
make a pretty picture, too rare in even good
gardens.

The house is approached by a broad gravel walk,
bordered on either side by shrubs grouped in bold
masses, and jutting out irregularly into the narrow
edging of turf. Immediately in front of the en-
trance is a rich border of Tagetes, one of the
showiest of annuals, the flowers of the richest yel-
low, and produced in such freedom as to hide the
leafage. Another very narrow border near one of
the vineries was filled with Portulaca, an annual
very rarely seen, but with flowers as brilliant in
colour as those of the Mesembryanthemum, and
not unlike them in shape. The plants are tender,
but there are many warm, light sunny borders
where they would grow well and give rich colour.
The scarlet and carmine are almost painful in
their intensity, and the double crimson is like the
little Monthly Rose for colour and appearance.

There are several plant houses besides pits
and the large conservatory near the house.
The stove is filled with the usual selection of
fine-leaved plants, and clothing one corner is a
specimen in rich health of the double Hibiscus
sinensis, the flowers very large, quite double, and
intense crimson in colour. We also noticed
amongst the Orchids Cattleya crispa in flower,
one of the most delicately tinted of the genus, and
in another house a good selection of double and
single-flowered Begonias, not the kinds that bear
simply formless masses of petals, ugly and top-
heavy, but the smaller-bloomed varieties which we
are pleased to find are more sought for than for-
merly. The mere desire to have big flowers has
robbed the Begonia of what grace it naturally pos-
sesses. A plant used freely in baskets is the white
Campanula isophylla alba, a charming thing for the

purpose, being free in growth and bloom. It is
strange more use is not made of it in gardens.
Its culture is simple, and the bold, pure white
flowers last over a long season. The same may be
said of Francoa ramosa and F. sonchifolia, both
beautiful plants, yet seldom grown. Those at
Bristol House are seedlings, and bear tall grace-
ful spikes of flowers, which are pretty either on
the plant or when cut. Those of ramosa are pure
white, and it is this kind that is usually
grown, while those of the other have a tinge of
pink.

One large house is being rapidly filled now with
Chrysanthemums, which are grown largely in all the
leading varieties. The back of this house is clothed
entirely with Heliotrope, which provides baskets of
flowers until Christmas. This is a capital way to
grow the Heliotrope. It is seldom the bare walls of
glass-houses are clothed in this way, but the
amount of bloom obtained is very large and most
acceptable. The front of the house is now taken
up with Tomatoes, which later on will give way to
Niphetos Roses. There are, of course, few Chry-
santhemums in bloom at present, the principal
variety being Lady Selborne, but the condition of
the plants and plumpness of the buds give promise
of a great display in November. Pot Roses are
also a feature, but now, of course, at rest. Mons.
Furtado, President, flowers fine crimson colour,
Isabella Sprunt and Safrano are the leading kinds ;
of the last two there are two specimens which
when spread out cover a wall space of 55 feet in
diameter, and give baskets of cut flowers in the
spring. There are several vineries — early, mid-
season, and late. One house of late Vines is in
full fruit, the varieties comprising Lady Downe's,
Mrs. Pince, Gros Colman, and Alicante, while
an old structure is confined to the luscious Black
Hamburgh. The Peach houses contain trees in
excellent health. Barrington is one of the best
kinds, the fruits of medium size, brilliantly coloured
and good in flavour. One very fine tree, spreading
over a large space, is that of the Dryden Necta-
rine, one of the best in flavour and colour
and not unlike Elruge. A very fine gathering of fruit
has been made this season from a south-west wall
of young Peach trees, the varieties principally
Violette Hative, Royal George, Barrington, and
Noblesse. This shows that the Peach properly
placed can be grown well in England, even in the
suburbs of London, as excellent crops are gathered
at Bristol House, the fruits individually of good
quality.

The fruit garden contains some good trees, but
this year, as in most other places, the crop is poor.
Ecklinville amongst the Apples has borne fairly
well, also the Ribston, which thrives vigorously
here and is very free from canker.

Not the least attractive spot is the house of the
head gardener, Mr. Stanbury. It is draped with the
Canary Creeper (Tropfeolum canariense), amongst
which has grown Clematis Jackmanni now in full
bloom. The effect is pretty and worth re-
petition.

Pod-bursting Carnations. — Mr. W. W. Pal-
mer has sent me through the editor of The Gab-
den a sample of small india-rubber bands, which
he finds " most effective if used in time to prevent
the bursting of the calyx." I can assure Mr. Pal-
mer this is an old and well-known expedient ; un-
happily it does not operate to cure the variety of
this objectionable habit. The advice of the editor
of The Gaeden is excellent — " better not to grow
the bursters." One can perceive the great advan-
tage of the comparatively modern practice of ex-
hibiting Carnations on cards. Persons who attend
the exhibitions take the names of fine looking and
handsome flowers and order plants of them, only
to find when they bloom them what wretched pod-
bursters many of them are. I hope that when the
conditions under which Mr. Martin Smith's special
prizes are to be awarded are published it will be
found that no mercy is to be shown to pod-bursters

Oct. 4, 1890.]

THE GABDEK

317

or expedients for hiding this defect. But very
much will depend upon who frames the conditions.
— R. D.

Orchard and Fruit Garden,

EARLY LIFTING OF FRUIT TREES.
This is often necessary either for young trees
growing too much to wood, or older trees re-
quiring to be removed to make room for others.
In penning these lines I give my own experience
on a light soil ; therefore do not say that the date
equally applies to every locality, though I main-
tain that in the case of large trees, whether it
be Plums, Cherries, Peaches or Nectarines,
early lifting is the best and safest course, espe-
cially on light soils that require a lot of mois-
ture the following season to keep the trees alive.
Early last autumn I determined to remove
from an east wall to a west a lot of old Cherries
that always bore well. Among them was a
number of Apricot? which scarcely ever bore
a fruit. I lifted the trees the first week in
October, just as the leaves began to change col-
our, having the previous winter trenched round
3 feet from the stem and removed the thick,
large roots. The trees were lifted with a nice lot
of small fibrous roots, although they were very
old, and as many would say not worth removal.
My object was to cover a large bare wall. This
1 did, also saving the crops of Cherries,
and getting Apricots off trees that had not
fruited for years ; in fact, my only fruits this
year came from trees so lifted. The Cherries
never suffered, as the trees were mulched
heavily at planting time, and again in April,
and frequently syringed. I also removed a
large number of Morello Cherries some 10 feet
to 15 feet high to a north wall, and secured
a fair crop of fruit. All the trees are at
this date in a healthy promising condition.
I think where the removal of large trees of this
kind is necessary the lifting should always be
done as soon as the leaves begin to turn, and in
all cases it should be performed by men inte-
rested in the work, as if trenched out care-
lessly by incompetent men the trees take years
to recover, and in the meantime often lose a
portion of their branches and are disfigured for
ever. The cutting back of the thick old roots
the previous year is also a point in aged trees
that should not be overlooked, as it is of the
greatest importance. With young trees it is of
no consequence, but in others it is a point at
times overlooked, as often a good tree is obliged
to be taken up at short notice and does not cet
the necessary attention. I should certainly, if
time and strength allowed, follow the root-
pruning process either for permanent trees or
for those to be removed every three or four
years, as it is of great benefit to the trees and
greatly assists in the formation of fruit-buds.
I have heard root-pruning condemned by able
men, and thought by them to be of no use
but in the case of wall trees, pyramids, and
cordons kept cut back and in shape, it is well-
nigh impossible to get fruiting wood on these
if the root action is allowed to go un-
checked in any way. With standard trees and
others allowed plenty of space it is a different
matter, but often in those cases fruitfulness is
brought about if the roots are shortened back.
I have noticed in cordon Pears and Apples that
unless the trees are lifted at least every three
or four years they only make a lot of useless
wood and no fruit-buds ; therefore this should
take place at this time of year before the earth
gets thoroughly cold, as the trees, if removed
as soon as practicable, will make a lot of fresh
fibres and so assist in building up a store of roots

for next summer's work. If at all dry at lifting,
thoroughly saturating with moisture previous
to removal, afterwards paying prompt atten-
tion to the trees by frequently clamping over in
fine weather early in the clay, and so preventing
any shrivelling or loss of leaves, and planting as
soon as possible after lifting are necessary. Peach
and Nectarine trees growing all to wood that will
not set a fruit, but cast it off at the least excite-
ment, should get timelyattention in this way. The
hard pruning back is useless ; lifting is the only
remedy; and I think if these trees were re-
moved oftener, it would check to a great extent
the dropping of buds that often takes place. I
well know the difficulty in old trees, but in
young trees that suffer I have tried it, and found
it prevents this in some cases, as often the roots
before lifting have got down too low and into
unsuitable soils. In the case of Vines that are
deficient of roots, or got too deep in the border,
or the border exhausted, the early autumn be-
fore the leaves change colour is the best time for
lifting. I think much of this work left to the
spring could with advantage be undertaken early
in the autumn, when there is more time and the
materials for the work are in better condition,
as often after a hard winter the soil is in such a
cold wet state, that when placed together in quan-
tity it becomes a solid sour mass, in which the
tender roots often die, being unable to make
any progress in it. Geo. Wythes.

PREPARING FOR THE WINTER MOTH.
As the season of the year is approaching when the
winter moth will be making its appearance, a few
hints by way of reminder to fruit growers may not
be out of place.

The wingless female moth will be soon making
its ascent of the tree to deposit its eggs for the
future brood of caterpillars.

The best proved method of intercepting the moth
is to band the trees with cart grease. Buy none
unless guaranteed as free from from tar. Numbers
of young trees have been killed by injurious com-
pounds sold as grease.

Do not use oil in the grease to make it thin. If
the daub is stiff it will last the longer. It is im-
portant to have it sticky, and look after it and keep
it so, otherwise the moth will creep over it.

If trees are young and the bark is smooth and
tender, some grease-proof paper should be tied
next to the bark and the daub placed on the paper.
If trees are matured and the bark is rough, good
grease will not injure the tree.

Trees where grease-proof paper is used will not
require so much grease, as the paper prevents the
bark from absorbing it. If all the trees were banded
with paper it is probable that the saving of the cost
of grease would be an equivalent for the cost of
paper banding.

Grease may be applied with the hand, or a thin
flat piece of wood, or a small brush ; in either case
put on a thick layer of the grease.

Grease-banding should not be delayed after the
second week in October, and will require attention
until the end of November.

The appearance of the moth may be known by
taking out a light in the dusk of the evening when
the male moths, if any are present, may be seen. If
no male moths are seen, you need not trouble to
grease-band the trees.

Do not be discouraged if, after all your pains,
some caterpillars are found ; when numerous they
are not to be exterminated in one season.— J.
Masters, in Evesham Standard.

Pears.— On some large pyramid trees in the
kitchen garden at Bearwood are good crops
of Pears for the season. Beurrc! de Capiau-
mont has a wonderful crop, the fruits large, and
hanging very thickly on the tree, Hacon's In-
comparable also is very good, and so is Marie

Louise. Beurre Clairgeau, Duchesse d'Angouleme,
very fine sample, Glou Morceau, Jersey Gratioli,
and Louise Bonne are also excellent. Generally
there are as fine, perhaps better crops of Pears
out in the open than on the walls. The east outer
garden wall is finely furnished with horizontal
trained trees, and these usually crop well. This
year, however, they are thinly furnished with fruit.

NOTES ON PLUMS.
The Green Gage is still the best dessert Plum, and
in most situations deserves a wall. The trees should
have their roots lifted after being planted two or
three years to throw them into bearing. Except in
certain favoured spots it is an uncertain cropper
as a standard. It succeeds well in pots in a cool
house. The Transparent Gage also bears freely, and
the fruits attain a large size in pots under glass,
though it does not make a handsome tree. When
I grew Plums in pots largely this was one of the
surest bearers. Coe's Golden Drop is, in my opinion,
next to the Green Gage as a dessert Plum, and
it is in season when Plums are scarce. This also
deserves a wall, and rarely fails to bear freely. I
have often had good crops on pyramids and stan-
dards, but it seems to require the warmth of a wall
to bring the fruit to the highest state of perfection.
This does well in a pot, but the fruits must be
thinned and the trees somewhat stinted in pot
room, as when heavily laden it is an easy matter to
nourish and support the tree with liquid manure
and top-dressings. The Jefferson makes a hand-
some dish from a wall, and as a dessert Plum no
one could do wrong in planting it. It also succeeds
as a bush or pyramid tree in a pot. Early Plums
are always in demand. The best of these is cer-
tainly Rivers' Prolific, and one tree at least should
have a place on a wall, though this is not otherwise
necessary except to obtain a few dishes of early
fruit. It succeeds in a pot in the orchard house,
and when the fruits are of a good size the pots may
be plunged out to ripen them if the space in the
house is required. Kirke's is perhaps the best fla-
voured blue Plum, but to induce it to bear freely
the roots must be lifted every three years or so.

Among cooking Plums, the Victoria still holds a
distinct lead. Its great fault is overbearing itself
in a good season. To thin the fruit on large or
even moderately sized trees is in many places im-
possible, but support might be given in the shape of
top-dressings and liquid manure when the trees are
heavily cropped. The fruit of this tree may, if se-
lected from the finest and best ripened, be useful as
dessert. Diamond is another handsome, free-bear-
ing Plum, too free, in fact, in a good season, and,
like the Victoria, should have some help given to
it, but it is of no use except for cooking. White
Magnum Bonum, or Egg Plum, as it is often called,
is a valuable Plum for preserving, and generally
bears well as a standard. Even old trees, as long
as life remains, bear very freely. Gisborne's is not
much to look at, but for cooking and cropping there
are few to surpass it. Pond's Seedling will pro-
bably be more freely planted in the future. It suc-
ceeds in pretty well every position, does well as
a standard, is extra fine on a wall, and may be
planted on the north side with a certainty of suc-
cess. The Czar is at present not much grown, but
its good qualities will bring it to the front ere long.
The Early Orleans is too well known to require any
mention here. Its right place is as a standard in
the orchard. I have tried this on a wall, thinking
the early fruit would pay for the space, but the tree
would not submit to training, and was removed. It
would be unwise, I was going to write impossible,
to plant even a small collection of Plums without
including Damsons, the Farleigh Prolific being the
bast for general planting. This makes a good shelter
tree for planting in double rows on the windward,
side of Apple, Pear, or Cherry plantations. If bought
in quantity the trees can be had very cheaply, and,
besides affording much needed shelter, heavy crops '
of fruit will be gathered. E. H.

Successful Peach culture. — Although lam in
the habit of moving about in private gardens
somewhat freely, I have never seen such grand re-

SL8

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 4, 1890.

suits as I saw a short time ago when visiting the
gardens at Bridehead House, Dorset. In this place
there is a lean-to Peach house, 90 feet long, in
two divisions, with a front and back trellis. In
each house Mr. Birkenshaw, the gardener, has
allowed six trees to remain, three on each trellis.
They are from seven to nine years old, and
have been selected to give a continuous supply,
from the new American kind, Amsden June, to
the late Barrington. Nothing later than Barring-
ton is grown. At the time of my visit Sea Eagle,
so highly spoken of recently by Mr. Iggulden and
others in The Gaf.de m, was in use, as also that
valuable kind Walburton Admirable. So highly is
Sea Eagle valued, that other trees had to give way
to it. From this tree, I was told by Mr. Birkenshaw,
he had gathered fruit 10 ozs. each. I saw some
gathered when there close on 9 ozs. each, and I
must confess the flavour was grand. Every tree
was bearing a good crop. Walburton Admirable
was growing on the back wall, and although not
quite as large a tree, the results were equally good.
Fruit from this tree was of large size and of fine
quality. Barrington was not quite ripe at the time
of my visit. I asked if this kind dropped its fruit
at the stoning period, a fault many find in this
Peach, and was told that such was not the case. There
remained a few fruits of Pine-apple Nectarine.
The colour was magnificent and the flavour equally
good. Mr. Birkenshaw is a great advocate of lift-
ing young trees when strong, and the results justify
the practice. The lifting is done while the trees
have leaves on them, so that they make a fresh start
the same autumn. — J. C, Forde Abbey.

Apple crop in America. — This week's New
Enr/land Homestead says : Apples will be scarcer
and more costly this season than for many years
There is but half a crop of winter fruit in the
famous Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, and a still
greater reduction in the Apple belt of Southern and
Western Ontario and Michigan along the lakes. In
Maine and limited sections of Vermont and New
Hampshire there is a fair yield of Apples, being
best in Maine. Throughout Southern New England
New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and the
interior States generally the promise of winter fruit
is worse than ever before known. The Apple belt
of Western New York, along Lakes Ontario and
Erie, which in good seasons ships much more than
1,000,000 barrels to New York or foreign markets,
has almost no crop whatever this year. Curiously
enough, there is one considerable area in Missouri
and Kansas, within a radius oE 100 miles of
Kansas City, in which there is a phenomenal crop
of winter Apples of fine quality. Eastern buyers
are already purchasing at good prices. Summer
and autumn Apples are also short and command
good prices. The Homestead thinks choice western
fruit, like prime Baldwins, will rule at lGs. to £1
per barrel in Boston and New York within three
months, and the export of Apples from the United
States a,nd Canada of 1890 crop will not be much
over 500,000 barrels, against 700,000 barrels last
year, and 1,000,000 barrels in 1888. Peaches
are a practical failure in Southern Ontario and
Michigan as well as in the Southern States and
Connecticut. Pears and Plums yield unevenly, but
are far below an average yield. Grapes, however,
are an immense crop, save in sections of New
Jersey and the South, where the black rot is play-
ing havoc with the fruit. A scarcity of other fruits
will sustain the market for Grapes. The scarcity
of large fruit is due to the injury of fruit buds by
cold snaps following warm spells last winter, and
to a cold wave and rain that blasted the blossoms,
while drought in July caused much fruit to drop.
The Homestead's preliminary report of the Potato
crop indicates a disastrous scarcity in the south
and west, a curtailed product in New York and a
fair yield in New England if spared by the rot,
which is now making its appearance.

Ascot Citronelle Grape. — In one of the vineries
at Bearwood there is hanging just ofte bunch, all
that is left for the season of that fine, but somewhat
scarce white Grape Ascot Citronelle. The bunches
are of Muscat of Alexandria form, the berries
round, and of a rich amber hue and of a delicious
flavour. It is strange that this fine white Grape is I

not more commonly found exhibited in the class
for any other white variety than are the less highly
flavoured Foster's Seedling and Buckland Sweet-
water. The Citronelle does well at Bearwood.

FRUIT AT MAIDSTONE.

Kent is one of the finest English fruit counties,
and in the centre of it, a mile and a half from
Maidstone, is the Allington Nursery of Messrs.
Geo. Bunyard and Co., adjoining Banning sta-
tion, on the London and Chatham line. It
is in this breezy spot, commanding extensive
views over the surrounding district and exposed
to every wind that blows, that the many fine
fruits shown by this firm at the London and
country fruit exhibitions are produced. The
situation is picturesque and thoroughly exposed,
but the secret of success is in the soil. It would
not be easy to find a nursery placed in such a
happy spot. The soil is rich sandy loam, the
finest land in England for fruit growing, and to
this exceptional advantage and the highest cul-
ture we may seek the reason of the rich health
of the various kinds of fruit trees. Throughout
the large breadths of Apples, Pears, Plums,
Cherries, Peaches, and other trees there are the
same remarkable health, vigour, and complete
freedom from disease. There is not a trace of
the wretched disfiguring mealy bug pest in the
whole 100 acres, and the various stocks, trees
of different ages, and examples of own-root pro-
pagation afford a complete, instructive, and
interesting lesson in fruit culture as practised
in England at the present time.

Near the station of Banning, Mr. Bunyard
added 30 acres five years ago, and in the rich
loamy soil one can see the clean, stout, and
rapid growth made by the trees. This is de-
voted largely to orchard standards grafted on
Crab stock, and here ai*e such useful varieties as
Lane's Prince Albert, Cox's Pomona, Q uarrenden ,
Duchess of Oldenburg, Peasgood's Nonsuch, Rib-
ston Pippin, Wellington, Lord Derby, Blenheim
Orange, and Bramley's. Of the fine old Blenheim,
king of Apples, there is a splendid piece, not
far from a plantation of Kentish Gofl' Apple,
used as a stock for its unusual hardiness. The
effect of the abnormal coldness and keen winds
on a few of the varieties was most marked, and
none seems to suffer more in this way than
Lord Suffield, an Apple that is now giving way
to a hardier variety, just as prolific, and un-
harmed by cold, named Lord Grosvenor, a Cod-
lin, very free bearing, early, and with large
fruits. It is not tender, and its deep green
foliage is a picture of rude health.

This is, of course, an exceptionally bad sea-
son for Apples, Pears, and Plums, but the crop
of Apples at Banning is excellent — a welcome
surprise after reading reports that tell the same
tale of absolute barrenness and travelling
through fruitless orchards. The greatest crops
are gathered from the young trees on the Para-
dise stock, which number about 120,000. These
have filled the fruit baskets to overflowing
with fruits of exceptional quality, the little
trees bending beneath the weight of their
precious burden. Golden Spire, a tapering,
conical fruit, was conspicuous for its free-bear-
ing ; it is a cooking Apple in use in winter.
Another variety of the same class that has the
same exceptional merit of freedom is Gospatric,
which makes a splendid espalier. This was first
seen at the Fruit Congress, and has medium-
sized fruits, yellowish green in colour, but with
rather soft flesh. Cox's Orange Pippin, one of
the most delicious eating Apples in cultivation,
with Ribston, was bearing freely in this way,
the fruits large and brightly coloured. These
little trees, not more than two years old, were

marvels of fruit production, and the small space
they occupy suggests that those with limited
gardens should make careful note of them. Bram-
ley's, one of the best late A poles we h ave, makes an
unusually fine growth, the trees showing great
vigour and producing fruits of excellent quality.
It is a fine large fruit, excellent for orchards, a
late keejjer, and of brisk, acid flavour, an Apple,
we are pleased to know, now grown largely.
The Ross Nonpareil was, like many more, very
prolific on the Paradise stock, and it is an ex-
cellent Russet Apple, the fruits small, richly
flavoured, and borne freely — one of the
varieties noted for fertility. This is the
season to mark those kinds that are bear-
ing abundantly in a time of general scarcity.
Pott's Seedling, Egremont Russet, which makes
a fine cordon, and especially Bismarck were
amongst the most conspicuous. The fer-
tility of this Apple is very great. Whatever
the form of the tree or the stock on which it is
grafted, abundance of fruit is always the result,
the most prolific return coming from the young
trees on the Paradise, fruits appearing on
maidens at the base near the bud. It is an Aus-
tralian variety, the fruits very large, handsome,
heavy, and distinct, the colour rich reddisli
bronze on the sunny side. It is a cooking
kind and a rich acquisition. Grenadier is
another Apple that must not be overlooked.
It often goes under the name of Lord Derby,
but it is distinct, the tree vigorous and bearing
regularly and freely large yellow fruits, excellent
for cooking. The batches of it at Maidstone
show its vigour and fertility. Tyler's Kernel
is a fine fruit of the Blenheim Orange class,
heavy, rather conical, and of excellent flavour,
the tree vigorous and prolific. The collection
of Apples is of very large extent. Almost every
known variety is grown, not that they are
all worth it, but because asked for. It
would be a signal advantage to growers and
nurserymen if we could reduce the lists to a
few of the best kinds only which have flavour,
fertility, vigour, and hardihood to recommend
them than to grow a mere collection, more than
half utterly useless. A few other varieties
worth a note at Maidstone consist of Colonel
Vaughan, the richly coloured Wealthy, an
American variety of great promise ; Domino, a
large early Codlin Apple ; Gold Medal, resem-
bling Grenadier ; The Queen, Mr. Gladstone,
or Jackson's Seedling, a very prolific variety, one
of the earliest of all the dessert fruits, richly col-
oured and of good quality ; Baumann's Red Win-
ter Reinette, Tower of Glamis, very free, good
winter cooking Apple ; Gascoigne's Scarlet Seed-
ling, a beautifully coloured Kentish Apple,
covered with bloom like the Plum, prolific on
the Paradise, as shown by trees in this nur-
sery, and good in flavour ; Stone's, Peas-
good's Nonsuch, and Stirling Castle, a pic-
ture of free bearing on the Paradise. Trees two
years old were breaking down with the large,
rich yellow, handsome fruit. One Apple de-
serves a note as a promising dessert fruit. It
is named Okera, a Swedish kind, good bearer,
of medium size, conical, peculiar copper-red in
colour, pleasantly acid in flavour, far better
than many of the mealy fruits sent into the
market.

A few Apples are grown under glass, but this
is not the way to grow a fruit essentially Eng-
lish. The rich acres of trees outside the glass
houses, exposed to all weathers, tell of the value
of the Apple as a fruit, for England. Here one
can see splendid four-year-old trees of the Rib-
ston Pippin in perfect health. Standard, espa-
lier, cordon, and every conceivable form of
training can be found here admirably
trained and balanced, the most noticeable

Oct. 4, 1890 ]

THE GARDEN.

319

this year being upright cordons bristling
with fruit from top to bottom. These amateurs'
standards on the Paradise stock are of value to
those who have small gardens. Little space is
wanted, but the returns are heavy in the shape
of fine fruits. A good head is also obtained,
and a crop almost directly after planting. Very
important is the raising of own-root trees by
Mr. Bunyard, who is giving a good trial to this
way of propagation with marked success. The
branches are layered, and have each made
healthy trees, now bearing freely excellent fruit,
especially the varieties Lord Derby, Margil,
Pomona, (fee. They were layered two years
ago, and are now 2 feet to 3 feet in height —
a rebuke to those who decried own-root

Paradise stocks— Nonsuch, English, and Broad-
leaved— is a splendid breadth of the Czar, an
early variety available for either cooking or
dessert, the flavour sweet and agreeable when
the fruits are quite ripe. Monarch promises to
make a Plum of great merit. It is used either
for dessert or kitchen, bears freely, several trees
having good crops, and is showy in colour.
Its fertility will ensure it a good place amongst
the best kinds, and market growers will
do well to note it. All the other well-known
Plums are grown.

The Cherry is the great Kentish fruit ; the
vigour of the trees shows that good soil with
skilful cultivation can produce rich results in
the way of growth and fruit. One very large

trained and in full bearing condition, while a
house is also given up to Figs of the best kinds.
Grapes are grown at Maidstone, thus showing
the thorough assortment grown in these nur-
series. It was interesting to know that the
Medlar and Quince are in good demand.
There are many fine old trees scattered
through the country, and they have a beauty
at once picturesque and rugged. Medlars
make excellent preserve, brisk and agreeably
flavoured, different to the sweet suspicious mix-
tures that go by the name of " jam.''

Since these notes were wiitten the brilliant
autumn weather has ripened up the fruit and
wood of the acres of trees at Barming. The ex-
posed situation of the nursery puts brilliant col-

IISI

Cedars and Planes on margin of lawn at Bristol House, Eoeliampton. (See p. 313

trees before they have had a chance to show
their value.

All other kinds of fruit trees are grown, al-
though we have given special attention to
Apples for the reason that this season the trees
are bearing more freely than Pears, Plums, or
other fruits. The Pears on Quince show the
same luxuriant health, and also the Plums and
Cherries, which receive great attention at
Maidstone. The Plum is grown on all the
various stocks, and trees only two years
old are in splendid growth, also the older
orchard standards. The year 1890 will be re-
membered for the scarcity of Plums. Large
orchards are destitute. All the best kinds are
well cultivated. Near a plantation of the three

piece is devoted to it, and here are grown
all the known varieties, at least everything that
has any value, but more particularly such ster-
ling kinds as the Kentish Red, a famous
Kentish Cherry, sometimes called Pie Cherry,
Elton, Early Rivers, a fine shining black fruit
of rich flavour, Bigarreau Kentish, or Amber
Heart, Black Eagle, and Bigarreau Napoleon.
Of course, the Morello is there, an excellent
breadth on the free stock and on the Mahaleb.
The fruit of Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots
had been gathered, but the luxuriant growth,
fully ripened by the September summer and
the many modes of training adopted, afforded
an interesting picture. A house is devoted to
the Peach, the trees being standards and fan-

our on those kinds that brighten under the sun-
light—hence one reason of the richly tinted
samples that are shown by Messrs. Bunyard at
the exhibitions. Such big-fruited types as Peas-
good's Nonsuch have increased in bulk rapidly
under the influence of warmth and sun, one
specunen weighing upwards of 1 lb. 10 ozs. This
is not written to recommend such monsters, but
is evidence of the soil, climate, and culture.

Besides the Allington Nurseries, Mr. Bunyard
has several acres of the best kinds of Straw-
berries, plantations of hardy ornamental trees,
Pines, hardy flowers, greenhouse and stove
plants, and Roses, especially Tea varieties,
which early in September were covered with
delicate bloom. It is a nursery of many things,

320

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 4, 1890.

but in autumn its great charm is the acres of
fruit trees, rich in health and freedom of bearing,
even in such a sunless year as 1890. E. C.

AUTUMN-FRUITING STRAWBERRIES.
Most of the earliest Strawberries, when duly
hardened off and planted out after having been
forced, will produce a second crop in the same
season, but there are a few varieties more reliable
in this respect than others. Vicomtesse Hericart
de Thury has long been known as an excellent
autumn-fruiting variety, and though others could
be mentioned that produce finer fruit with equal
freedom, there are none so good in point of quality.
Plants now in full bearing, but the fruit of which
is not nearly ripe, if potted up from the open
ground, placed in a moderately warm house, or even
on the shelves in a Peach house or vinery now being
freely ventilated, will yield quite a long suc-
cession of very acceptable fruit. They succeed
even better when not turned out of the pots they
were first fruited in, being, however, plunged rather
deeply in a convenient border and kept well supplied
with water. When lifted, this being done late in
September or during the early part of October,
many of the roots that have found their way out
into the surrounding soil being preserved, they are
set in saucers on shelves in Peach houses, and if
kept well supplied with water only a slight check
is given. They are often used for table decoration
during the shooting season, and in this case the
best fruited plants are selected and lightly staked
up for the purpose. After serving as table orna-
ments during the early part of a meal the fruit can
be gathered for eating by the guests at the table.
A succession is obtained by saving a portion of the
plants from each batch as they are turned out
after being forced. Although Vicomtesse thus
treated is very prolific in the late summer and
autumn months, Laxton's Noble is even more so.
Our batch of early-forced plants was taken good
care of and duly planted out on a south-west
border. Long before the open-air Strawberries
were over, these forced plants were attempting to
fruit, but we wanted fruit in the autumn, and not
early in August. The later-formed trusses were
allowed to develop, and by the third week in
August there were many very fine fruits fit to gather,
so rapidly did they swell and ripen. Several
small dishes have been gathered, and there are
more fruits still to ripen, the plants yielding
serviceable produce for upwards of a month. The
quality is not first-rate, but when fruit is had
either so very early or extra late from plants
in the open air, those who eat them are not
disposed to be extra critical in the matter.
Noble always looks well when either growing
or dished up, and if not grown too rankly, the
quality is not so bad as some of the correspondents
who have recently written in the pages of The
Gabden would have us believe. Another variety
now being extensively prepared for forcing by most
gardeners who have been able to procure a stock of
plants, viz., Auguste Nicaise, is also one of the best
for autumn fruiting. Our batch of plants being
somewhat limited in number was planted out early
for the purpose of affording a supply of runners.
This they to a certain extent failed to do, but in-
stead of producing runners freely the old plants
pushed up numerous strong bunches of bloom, and
these not having been interfered with we are now
having a good supply of fine fruit, a long succes-
sion being promised. One of the principal recom-
mendations of this variety is the great size of its
fruits, and those ripening now.Jthough but little
trouble beyond mulching first with short manure
and then with clean litter, has been taken, are
nearly as fine as any I have gathered from pot
plants. _ They are of Cockscomb shape, firm, fairly
attractive in appearance, and keep well, but the
quality is only second rate. Next season it will
most probably be much more extensively planted
for autumn fruiting, and it will pay well for any
trouble taken with it in the shape of good ground,
frequent waterings in dry weather, mulchings,
staking up the fruit, and netting over to keep off

W. IGGULDBN.

the birds.

Peaches and Nectarines. — Two of the houses
in the fine range of glass at Bearwood, each being
20 feet long, are perfectly furnished with one tree
each ; in the one case a Royal George Peach, a
variety of which Mr. Tegg is specially fond, and
which produces great crops of fruit yearly. The
other tree is an Elruge Nectarine, which also is in
fine condition and bears very freely. In another
house is a Violette or Bordeaux Fig, which is both
early and remarkably good. The tree entirely fills
the house.

NOTES ON STRAWBERRIES.
The following notes on Strawberries which
we are enabled to publish through the kindness
of our correspondents will doubtless prove in-
teresting to our readers. They have been sent
us from all parts of the United Kingdom. We
print the questions which we desired to have
answered : —

1. — Best kinds for forcing and bearing.
2. — Best lands for flavour.

3. — What are your lest early and late lands for
open-air culture ?

4 — Wliat is your opinion of the new varieties that
have been lately sent out?

5. — Mode of cultivation, whether as single stools
or in beds.

■ La Grosse Sucree is a very fine sort for

early forcing and of fine quality. Laxton's Noble,
for anyone who is fond of size and not particular as
to quality, is a grand fruit ; for flavour British
Queen still holds its own. Dr. Hogg with me is
also very good, and what few fruits of Latest of All
I have had have been of very fine quality. Best
earlies for open air with me are Black Prince for
very early, La Grosse Sucree to succeed it, and
Noble deserves its name only for its great size. Later
ones, British Queen, Dr. Hogg, Waterloo, very good.
Of newer varieties, King of the Earlies is a poor
fruit with me ; it seems to have no constitution.
Noble has size, but nothing more. Waterloo is a
grand fruit with me in every way ; it is too early
to talk of Latest of All yet, but it is a very pro-
mising variety. I plant 2£ feet between the rows,
and for the stronger varieties 2 feet in the row, and
find it none too much room. Our soil is very heavy.
— J. Louden, Chirk Castle.

■ We commenced picking out of doors on

June 17 with Noble, King of the Earlies and Vi-
comtesse Hericart de Thury following closely.
Keen's Seedling, President, and Sir Joseph Paxton
are grown here, and generally give satisfaction, hav-
ing kept up a supply this season till the end of
July. Noble is a grand addition to the early varie-
ties for outdoors. I tried it for forcing, but cannot
recommend it. King of the Earlies is a much im-
proved Black Prince, and when better known will
probably supersede that old useful variety. I shall
try it for forcing another season. Hitherto I have
depended on two varieties, viz., Vicomtesse Heri-
cart de Thury and Sir Joseph Paxton, which have
generally given satisfaction ; the only fault of the
latter is its liability to mildew. — H. Haeeis, Denne
Park, Horsham.

Strawberries are not grown to any extent

in this county, nearly all the supplies for the local
markets coming from Kent. Both climate and soil
appear to be unsuitable to a certain extent, as I
find that some kinds will not succeed at all. The
best sorts I find for forcing are Keen's Seedling
and La Grosse Sucree. The best for flavour of the
varieties that succeed out of doors here is Presi-
dent. The best sorts for the open ground here are
Keen's Seedling (the most useful) and Vicom-
tesse Hericart de Thury for early, and President
for later. I have tried scores of varieties, but
have found none to succeed so well as the three
named, many of them being total failures. Sir
Charles Napier, for instance, I could never man-
age to fruit at all, although I have seen mag-
nificent crops of it in Glamorganshire. The same
with James Veitch. The new varieties appear to
me to be very fastidious as to soil or climate. I
also find that in a great many seasons in this dis-

trict, owing to the damp climate, very large fruits
do not come to perfection ; they^decay on one side
before the other ripens, consequently there is a great
deal of waste. All the Strawberries I have seen in
this district are grown in beds. — G. Gkiffin, Sle-
beck Park, Haverfordwest, Pembroke.

Next to British Queen the best flavoured

variety is Doctor Hogg, and President follows
closely. The finest new variety with us is
Noble, but it is wanting in one, the chief
quality, flavour. Could this be given, it would be
the very best Strawberry in cultivation. Waterloo
is a late kind, of handsome, dark appearance, firm
and of good flavour, but not too free in producing
fruit. All Round, sent out a few years ago as a
cross between President and Doctor Hogg, is a
strong-growing variety. In other respects it is not
an improvement upon its parents. Mode of culture
favoured is to plant 2 feet apart each way, and not
allow beds to remain over four years. — H. Shoe-
smith, Shirley Cottage, Croydon.

I have grown the six following kinds and

gathered fruits in the order named : Captain, Vi-
comtesse Hericart de Thury, Sir Joseph Paxton,
James Veitch, Dr. Hogg, Frogmore Late Pine. I
have tried King of the Earlies, but shall not give
up growing The Captain for King of the Earlies,
as The Captain is most prolific for an early Straw-
berry. I gathered the first dish of it on June
15 from a border, and continued to pick from
the six sorts till July 28, having an excellent
crop of all. I have not been troubled at all
with caterpillar on my plants, and have not heard
of any in the neighbourhood. The best flavoured
out of these are Dr. Hogg and Sir Joseph Paxton
on our light soil, and if I was confined to one sort
I should prefer Sir Joseph Paxton. I find the best
way to plant Strawberries is 2 feet by 2 feet. —
William Thatchee, Mortimer Hill, Mortimer.

Those of our local growers who force still pre f er

Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury and La Grosse Sucree
for earliest, and follow on with President and Sir
Charles Napier for comparatively cool house cul-
ture. For flavour the best are British Queen, Pre-
sident, and Eleanor, but for main crop purposes
Sir Joseph Paxton is the chief favourite, because
of its size and fine colour. President and Paxton
are the chief early kinds outdoors, and Eleanor
and Elton Pine the latest. As to the newer varie-
ties, these are little grown in this district, but so
far opinions seem to favour Noble for early work,
though admittedly soft and of poor flavour, whilst
the black-red Waterloo will not do at any price.
There is not much desire on the part of market
growers to hastily take up new varieties. The ge-
neral method of cultivation is to plant runners out
in the autumn in rows 2 feet apart, and, of course,
singly, to plant out single rows of Lettuces between
these the next summer, then give them plenty of
room and dressing, and fruit them for two years,
then the breadths are destroyed. Some growers
report very favourably as to the profits derived
from Strawberry culture for market, but very much
depends upon soil and affinity to the market, as
fruit gathered early in the morning and run into
the market at once invariably commands the best
prices.— A. Dean, Bed-font.

The best variety for early forcing in my

opinion is La Grosse Sucree. It is a sure and heavy
cropper, setting freely, while its fruits are of
good flavour. We always grow a few Vicomtesse
Hericart de Thury. Its flavour is excellent and the
colour fine ; for tarts and preserves it is unsurpassed.
The other sorts I grow in pots in quantity
are President, Sir Charles Napier, and Dr. Hogg.
Sir Charles Napier is one of the handsomest
of Strawberries, and from its somewhat acid flavour
is preferred by many to any other. Noble has
not succeeded well with me in pots. Dr. Hogg
is a heavy cropping variety, and partakes very much
of the flavour of British Queen. Our outdoor
Strawberries are cultivated in single stools in rows,
and I am satisfied that by this method heavier crops
of superior fruit can be obtained than by planting
them in beds. The best varieties for outdoor cul-
tivation in this district are Noble, La Grosse Sucree,
Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury for preserving on ac-

Oct. 4, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

321

count of its flavour and colour, Sir J. Paxton, Presi-
dent, British Queen, and Oxonian. Noble is a
grand variety for outdoor culture, a splendid crop-
per, and with me it is earlier than King of the
Earlies. The last has been discarded here. — Owen
Thomas, Chatsn-orth.

We have not grown any of the new varie-
ties of Strawberries, and grow only a few of the
older sorts. We rely largely on Garibaldi (Vicom-
tesse), as we find this a sure cropper and good in
flavour. The other sorts grown are Eleanor, Presi-
dent, British Queen, and Sir Charles Napier, but I
have had scarcely a fruit off these kinds this sea-
son, as they have rotted wholesale, while Garibaldi
has stood the wet remarkably well. I cultivate
on the single stool system, and the plants are re-
tained for two seasons only. The season of Gari-
baldi is prolonged by having young plants on a
south border which give some early fruit; otheryoung
plants in the open quarters succeed these,and in turn
these are followed by two-year-old plants. We use
nothing but Garibaldi for forcing.— Ed. Butts,
Leitjliam Court, Streatliam Sill, S.W.

Here we layer our Strawberries for new

plantations in the same way and at the same time
as we do for forcing, and plant them out as early
as possible in August. From these plants we are
able to pick fruit a week or ten days earlier than
we can from two-year-old plants. Except Elton
Pine, which we leave three or four years, we never
by any chance allow any of the other kinds to re-
main longer than the second year. We plant 3 feet
from row to row and 2 feet in the row, and this dis-
tance we find quite close enough the second year. The
kinds we grow are Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury
(this kind exclusively for forcing), President, Sir J.
Paxton, British Queen, and Elton Pine. The last-
named is grown for preserving. We have this season
given Noble, The Captain, King of the Earlies, La
Grosse Sucree and James Veitch a fair trial, but
have found all of them much inferior to the kinds
named above, and hence have discarded them. — T.
Turton, Maiden Erleigh, Reading.

Our best kinds for flavour are British

Queen, Dr. Hogg, Keen's Seedling, and Vicomtesse
Hericart de Thury. For early work we grow the
following : Alice Maud, Vicomtesse Hericart de
Thury, Keen's Seedling, Sir Joseph Paxton, British
Queen, Dr. Hogg, Loxford Hall Seedling, Pioneer,
and President ; and for late work we grow on a
north border Eleanor and Elton Pine. I have not
tried any of the new varieties that have been lately
sent out. We grow all our Strawberries here in
beds, and when making a new plantation, which we
do every year, we put the plants out 2 feet each
way. My mode of raising young plants is to layer
the strongest runners into 3-inch pots previously
filled with good fibrous loam during the month of
June, and when well rooted I separate them from
the parent plants and stand them on a bed of
ashes as thickly as I can put them, where they are
kept well watered till August. They are then
planted out into beds which have been prepared
two months beforehand.— W. Shepherd, Grene-
hurst Gardens, Dorking.

Our best kinds for forcing are, for first pick-
ing, La Grosse Sucree, then Hericart de Thury and
Keen's Seedling, with some President and Ne Plus
Ultra (syn., Sir Joseph Paxton) for the late pick-
ings. Three-fourths of our lot of 1200 are of the
three former kinds, though I have forced Keen's
Seedling every year for the last twenty-four years
to the extent of several hundreds, and have never
failed with it yet. Soils and situation have, as is
well known, much to do with the success or failure
of this Strawberry, as with most fruits. For instance
my old friend the late Mr. Wildsmith, who was a
well-known successful Strawberry forcer, could
never grow this good old Strawberry to his satis-
faction. I more than once sent him plants from
here for trial. Our best flavoured kinds are Dr.
Hogg, Keen's Seedling, Hericart de Thury, and Sir
Joseph Paxton. Of the newer kinds we find Laxton's
Noble to be a most useful early variety, in fact the
earliest we have, though there are not many days
between it and La Grosse Sucree. I cannot say
very much for the flavour of Noble, though it is

quite passable in this respect, and fully equal to
many other kinds generally grown, but for abund-
ance of crop, size, and colour it has no equal in its
season. La Grosse Sucre'e, though a much better
kind for dessert has the great drawback with us of
not being a very free cropper, nor yet a free grower.
I have no doubt, as a forcing Strawberry, excessive
freedom of crop is not always a great merit, as is
well known, not many fruits being required in each
pot to form a good crop. A kind called Jubilee, sent
out with Noble, is a fairly useful, free-cropping,
late kind ; it is neither very good in colour nor
flavour, but for late growth we cannot expect the
same perfection as in the early and mid-season varie-
ties. Jubilee is the latest kind we have. Nothing
in the hardy fruit garden appears to create more
interest than Strawberry culture, so far as my ex-
perience goes, both amongst gardeners and owners
of gardens. — H. J. Clayton, Grimston Park, Tad-
easter,

We find the best for forcing to be Keen's

Seedling, Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, Sir Joseph
Paxton, Sir Charles Napier. For flavour, Presi-
dent, Keen's Seedling, Dr. Hogg, Sir Joseph Paxton,
Frogmore Late Pine ; for succession, Pauline, Keen's
Seedling, Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, Sir Joseph
Paxton, Frogmore Late Pine. British Queen does
not succeed here. Our soil is poor and stony, rest-
ing on chalk or gravel, and very thin. I prepare
the ground by adding loam, road scrapings, burnt
earth, heavily manuring it and trenching as deeply as
possible. I plant 2 feet 6 inches between the rows
and 2 feet from plant to plant, making a new plan-
tation every alternate year. Vicomtesse Hericart
de Thury is one of the best to stand a long time on
the same ground, and is a very heavy cropper. Sir
Joseph Paxton is one of the very best, being fairly
early, the fruit large, of good flavour, great cropper,
exceptionally hardy, and the fruit travels well.
King of the Earlies I have tried and find it early,
sweet, and small. The Captain is not so good
as Sir Joseph Paxton ; the same may be said of
Noble. — Robert Sawford, Banesbury Gardens,
Welwyn, Herts.

Among the newer and older sorts I find the

following really worth having : Waterloo, a really
good late, splendid colour ; Myatt's Eleanor, late ;
Auguste Nicaise, early, large, good for forcing ;
Commander, good flavour; Kitley's Goliath, excellent
variety ; La Grosse Sucree succeeds well with us
both for forcing and garden culture, and is quite as
early as Noble and better flavoured ; as it makes
but few leaves it can be planted closely together.
For a general crop for dessert I always depend
upon Sir Charles Napier, and for preserving, Vi-
comtesse Hericart de Thury. As regards plants, I
get the best results from forced ones, always
getting a good crop the first year after planting.
We plant 18 inches apart each way the first year,
and after the first crop is gathered take every other
row and plant out, so that the remainder are 3 feet
apart all round for the second year. Where forced
plants are not to be had, I would advise dibbling
runners in 15 inches apart, or even thicker, and
these, with a little attention to watering and a few
Laurel branches stuck about them for shade, will
give very satisfactory results the first year. Best
kinds for forcing are La Grosse Sucre'e, Noble, Au-
guste Nicaise. The best for flavour are La Grosse
Sucre'e (early), President, British Queen ; and for
open-air culture, La Grosse Sucre'e, Noble, Auguste
Nicaise amongst the early sorts, and of late kinds
Waterloo and Myatt's Eleanor. — G. Woodward,
Barham Court, Maidstone.

sometimes confused with Eleanor, even by good,
authorities, but it is quite distinct from it in every
way, except that both are late sorts. Among new
varieties, Noble proves a heavy cropper, both in-
doors and out, and has a good constitution. I have
not yet heard of its failing in any place, but its
flavour is bad. That will not prevent it being gene-
rally grown as a market variety. Private growers
have to be more careful. Auguste Nicaise is
one of the best we have for a late crop under
glass, giving fine large fruits of good flavour
under careful cultivation, and also of good colour.
It has a good constitution ; in fact, it is the most
vigorous grower in pots that I have seen. It is of
no use outside here. Commander (Laxton) is of
good flavour, similar to British Queen, but a much
better cropper, throwing its trusses well up above
the foliage in a remarkably sturdy manner, and
will probably do well for field culture. Waterloo
is one of the best Strawberries in appearance, and
also very good in flavour, but it is a very poor cropper
in this district. — W. H. Divers, Eetton Hall.

THE WEEK'S WOEK.

We grow single stools planted in beds, the

rows being 2 feet to 3 feet apart, according to the
growth of the variety. Manure is given abundantly
before planting, and very little is given afterwards.
Three crops are taken, and the plants immediately
cleared off, the ground coming in well for late
Broccoli without any digging. The best kinds for
forcing are Viconit esse Hericart de Thury, La Grosse
Sucree, Sir C. Napier, Noble, Auguste Nicaise. Best
for flavour, Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, British
Queen, Commander, Waterloo. Best early kind
outside, King of the Earlies, taking all points into
consideration. The best late kind is Oxonian,

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.
Endive. — The Lettuce-leaved Batavian is the least
hardy of all the varieties of Endive, but it is of such
excellence when well grown that it well repays for
any extra trouble taken in protecting from frost
and heavy rains. As it happens, the time has
arrived for storing the bulk of nearly or quite fully
grown Endive, as severe frosts may have been expe-
rienced before these notes appear even. Much may
be done by covering over breadths of plants with
frames and lights, or, failing these, benders, or a
framework of some kind and mats. Endive keeps
much longer and with less trouble if stored in drier
positions, such as pits, raised frames, the fronts of
fruit houses, and any other position where light can
be admitted and frosts, heavy rains, and dews ex-
cluded. Large quantities might be kept on the
floors or borders of vineries and fruit houses gener-
ally, in most of which light is now admitted pretty
freely. They ought not to be planted in the borders,
the better plan being to bring in fresh soil, and to
plant in this on the surface of the borders. In each
and every case it is advisable to select a dry day
for the operation of lifting and to take great pains
with the work. All the plants should be carefully
tied up with a strip of matting, and they can then
be lifted cleanly with a good ball of soil about the
roots, and transported on hand-barrows to where
they are to be stored. They must not be bedded in
very thickly, as should the plants be wedged up
together all will blanch simultaneously, and in this
state will not keep long. If the fresh soil is at all
dry give a good watering, and then untie or let
down the greater portion of the plants. For pre-
sent use enough may be left in the open, these be-
ing either tied up or covered with boards, slates,
or hay to blanch. They will require protection
from severe frosts, inverted flower-pots with their
holes stopped answering well for those plants tied
up. The broad-leaved Batavian is the best keeper,
and this, therefore, should be reserved for late use.
Plants of this and also the green-curled forms only
recently planted out will withstand moderately
severe frosts, and may prove very useful for a late
winter or an early spring supply, these for the pre-
sent being left where they are.

Lettuce. — The Brown Cos forms are the best for
autumn use, these hearting in and keeping better
than most other varieties of Lettuce. In a small
state they are very hardy, but when nearly or quite
fully grown, a slight frost will spoil most of them.
During the late autumn and early winter months
these Lettuces do not present a very tempting ap-
pearance in the salad bowl, but mixed with well-
blanched Endive, one greatly improves the other.
Therefore take good care of all that are well ad-
vanced in growth. Lightly tied up together, the
individual plants take up much less rccm than En-
dive, it being possible to store large numbers in one
or two garden frames. They ought to be lifted
much as advised in the case of Endive, and subse-

322

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 4, 1890.

quently should not be coddled in any way — blanch-
ing to be effected by tying them up, so as to effec-
tually enclose the hearts by the outer leaves. Some
of the other Cos varieties and the smaller Cabbage
Lettuces are sometimes met with in good condition
at this comparatively late date, and these also
ought to be taken good care of. If glazed lights
are not available for covering large quantities of
these winter saladings, wooden shutters and turf
pits would answer nearly as well.

Mustard and Cees3.— Unless this small salad-
ing is quickly and cleanly grown it is of little
value. Nor will it long remain in a tender eatable
state ; consequently seed should be sown frequently,
or not less often than once a week, and the boxes
be placed in gentle heat till such time as the salad-
ing is fit for use, when it will keep better in rather
cooler quarters. A good length of well-blanched
stem is a great improvement to either Mustard or
Cress, this adding both to its appearance and eat-
ing qualities. Shallow boxes, such as are used for
growing bedding plants in, are very handy for the
purpose of growing this salading, these being filled
with old Mushroom-bed manure or rich compost
and faced over with fine soil. Moisten this, sow
the seed thickly, preferably in separate boxes, and
merely press it in with a small square of smooth
wood. Keep the boxes well away from the hot-
water pipes, and shade heavily either with brown
paper or mats. Moisten very carefully whenever
necessary, and do not remove the shading before
the stems are nearly 2 inches long, or otherwise
they will be short and green. Fresh soil should be
used every time, or otherwise the sowings will be a
partial or complete failure.

Cauliflowers. —The young plants are growing
far too strongly, and unless given a check will
winter badly, premature bolting also often resulting
when the plants attain a great size before the
winter. Transplanting is the only thing that can
be done, and this is necessary in many cases,
whether the plants are to be left in the open or
given the benefit of glass coverings. Any pricked
out rather thickly in frames or placed singly in 3-
inch or rather larger pots should not be coddled in
any way. In mild weather abundance of air must
be given, the lights being put on the frames, and
those in pots placed under cover if need be when
only severe frosts are anticipated. Now is also a
good time to fill hand-lights, these being located
where many of the plants are to produce hearts.
For these the ground ought to be well prepared,
Cauliflowers delighting in rather fresh soil to which
good solid manure has been freely added. It should
also be well pulverised, and if at all lumpy some
fine soil might well be mixed with it. The plants
should be well fixed in their fresh quarters, or
otherwise they will refuse to root afresh, and in-
stead of being healthy green in colour change to a
sick]y blue shade. More ought to be pricked out
in each hand-light than it is intended to eventually
leave in them, the surplus being available for trans-
planting in the spring. Arrange each hand-light
its own width apart each way, and form a tem-
porary path of ashes between them. If the ground
is at all dry water the plants when first put out ;
subsequently they will require very little attention
beyond being preserved from slugs. W. I.

PLANT HOUSES.
Greenhouse.— Double Petunias.— If a suffi-
cient quantity of cuttings of the double varieties
of Petunia are not already struck, no time should
be lost in getting them, to give the young plants
time to become established before winter. In se-
lecting the shoots avoid those that have produced
flowers, as the wood of these is too hard to strike in
a reasonable time. It will be best now to put the
cuttings singly into small pots, which should be
drained and half filled with a mixture of sifted loam,
leaf mould and sand, using sand alone on the top.
Put them under propagating glasses in intermediate
warmth and shade. When well rooted a shelf near
the glass in a warm greenhouse temperature is the
best place to keep them during the winter.

Double Petunias, old plants.— The double
varieties are comparatively slow growers, and when

large specimens are wanted, plants that have
flowered during the present summer should be re-
tained for another year. Cut the shoots close in
and encourage new growth before winter. By keep-
ing them a little warmer than the ordinary green-
house stock, and giving a shift early in spring,
these cut-back plants will begin to bloom earlier
than the younger ones, and continue to flower all
the summer.

Fuchsias. — When the plants have been kept free
from insects and the leaves are still healthy, Fuch-
sias will continue to flower for some time longer.
But when the foliage is thin and the plants are
much exhausted, it is better to put them away for
the winter. Allow the soil to get dry, and then cut
the branches close in and shorten theleading stems
proportionately. If a corner can be given them in
a house or pit out of the reach of frost, where a
little light can reach them the pots may be stored
as close as they will stand. If, when growth has
again started, the soil is kept in a half moist state
through the winter, the plants will be in a condition
for repotting early, and will flower before the young
stock comes in.

Pelargoniums. — Any plants of thelarge-flowered
or fancy varieties that were kept on for late flower-
ing, and consequently were not cut in until after
the usual time, should now be repotted. It is well
not to reduce the old roots so much as advisable
with those that were shaken out earlier, as there is
less time for the formation of young fibres to carry
them through the winter. It will be an advantage
to give the plants a little more warmth than for
ordinary greenhouse plants, but wherever fire-heat
is used they must be kept close to the glass. The
earlier potted plants in cold frames or pits should
be moved to their winter quarters. Place them
close to the glass and avoid overcrowding, or the
leaves that are made during winter will be too weak
to last until the plants have again flowered.

Herbaceous Calceolarias.— Those raised from
seed sown in summer will now be ready for potting.
The secret in their cultivation consists in their
never having a check from the time the seed vege-
tates up to the flowering. Quick-growing, soft-
wooded subjects of this description like soil that
contains a large amount of vegetable matter. The
loam used should, in addition to the turfy material
which it contains, have some well decomposed leaf-
mould mixed with it ; this, as well as the manure
used, should be passed through a fine sieve. Use
sand in proportion to the amount which the loam
naturally contains. Pot the plants so that their
lower leaves will rest on the soil. A light pit with
enough piping in it to keep up a genial greenhouse
temperature is the best place to winter the stock in.
The inside should be raised with coal ashes, so as to
elevate the plants close to the glass, and the surface
should be kept slightly moist, so that the leaves
hang with pearly drops of water in the morning. This
will encourage growth and tend to keep them free
from aphides, as the insects do not like moisture-
laden foliage. Give less air for a week or two after
the plants are potted off than they will want sub-
sequently.

Shrubby Calceolarias.— Plants of the shrubby
varieties that have been raised from seed should
now be potted. They require to be treated similarly
to the herbaceous sorts in every way, except that
later on in winter when a little growth has been
made the points should be pinched out with the
intention of causing them to make shoots ; this they
are slow in doing unless the leading stems are
stopped.

Shrubby Calceolaeias, old plants.— Large
specimens, such as can be had by cutting in at
the present time the plants that have flowered
during the summer and growing them on for one or
more years, are amongst the most useful of all soft-
wooded subjects, as they will keep on blooming all
the spring and summer. The yellow varieties are
especially adapted for this kind of treatment. The
plants should now be cut in, shortening the shoots
so as to remove most of the green sappy wood, but
not the whole, as that which has become hard,
brown, and denuded of leaves will not strike freely.
After cutting in, stand the plants in a greenhouse

or pit where they can be kept free from frost dur-
ing the winter. Give enough water to keep the
soil fairly moist, but not too wet, particularly for a
time after the tops are removed. See that the plants
are quite free from aphides ; if means are taken to
get rid of this pest now, there is a chance of its not
giving more trouble for the winter. Repotting
should not be attempted until towards the end of
February, at which time a considerable portion of
the old soil should be shaken away and larger pots
be given.

Stove. — Caladiums.— Plants thatwere started
into growth late in spring should now have the
water supply reduced to assist the maturing of the
foliage, which will now naturally take place. Do
not allow the soil to become dry all at once, and
after the leaves are dead the roots may be put into
paper bags filled with dry sand. During the winter
an intermediate temperature is much safer for the
tubers than the cooler quarters which are some-
times advised for these plants.

C. ARGYHITES. — In an ordinary stove tempera-
ture the foliage of this Caladium will retain its
vitality for the greater part of the year. At no
season of the year is it more useful than in winter.
The plants should now be carefully treated to en-
able the foliage to keep in condition. Let the
plants have a light position at the coolest end of
the stove, with enough water to keep the soil fairly
moist. If too much is given the feeding roots will
perish, after which the foliage will not keep fresh
enough for use. T. B.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 773.

AFRICAN GARDENIAS.

(with a coloured plate of G. STANLEYANA.*)
Gardenia Stanleyana is one of some half
dozen species remarkable for the length of the
flower-tube and the size of the limb. They are
all natives of the western side of tropical Africa
in and about Upper Guinea. Four of them
have been in cultivation in England, but only
two, so far as I know, viz., G. Stanleyana
and G. macrantha, are represented in gardens
now. In the early part of the present century,
that part of Africa where these Gardenias are
wild attracted much attention both from bo-
tanists and horticulturists. Collectors were
sent from Kew and by the Earl of Derby in
search of plants, and these Gardenias along with
many other plants of greater or less horticul-
tural interest were at that time successfully
introduced into English gardens. It is difficult
to understand how such a plant as, for instance,
the Gardenia here figured ever lost favour with
horticulturists generally. One is well within
the mark in stating that probably not in one
out of every ten of the best gardens in England
is this plant grown now. Its beauty has been
well caught by Mr. Moon, and anyone who saw
the plant when at its best last April in one of
the stoves at Kew could not fail to be impressed
by its striking and uncommon appearance. This
plant was only 18 inches high, yet it had no less
than ten flowers open at one time, and bore
altogether seventeen. Larger plants do not
flower quite so freely as this, although when
liberally treated they rarely fail to make a good
show. G. Stanleyana was discovered in Sierra
Leone by Mr. Whitfield, and sent to his em-
ployer, the Earl of Derby, about 1844. A plant
presented to Kew flowered very freely the follow-
ing year, when it was named in honour of the
Derby family. Cultivated plants rarely exceed 6
feet in height, although wild ones attain at least
twice that height. The branches are horizontal,

* Drawn for The Garden by H. G. Moon in the
Royal Gardens, Kew, May 1, 1SS0. Lithographed
and printed by Guilkrame Severeyns.

GARDENIA STANLEYAN.

Oct. 4, 1890.]

THE GABDEST.

323

dichotomous ; the leaves are oblong, from 2 inches
to 5 inches long, leathery, smooth, dull green ; the
flowers spring singly from the axils of the leaves
and branchlets, and when in bud they are erect.
Ultimately they become about 9 inches long, the
tube slender, except near the top, and the limb
spreading to a width of 3 inches. The exact form
and colour of the flowers are well shown in the
plate. There is considerable variety in the size
of the flowers and in their markings, some hav-
ing the segments almost entirely covered with
oblong dots arranged closely in hues. That
here figured is the prettiest I have seen. The
texture of the flowers is thick and fleshy, and
they are powerfully fragrant. Each flower rarely
lasts more than three days. Other names for
this plant are Rothmannia longiflora, Randia
Stanleyana, and R. maculata.

G. macrantha. — This species is in cultivation at
Kew and Glasnevin. It flowers every year, usually
about November. In habit it resembles G. Stanley-
ana, but the leaves are not so smooth and leathery,
and they are, as a rule, larger. The flowers are as
long as and similar in shape to those of G. Stanley-
ana, but they are wholly white when they first open,
changing to creamy-yellow when a day or two old.
They are very fragrant. When writing of this spe-
cies in Botanical Register, 1S46, t. 63, Dr. Lindley,
supposing it to be new, said of it: —

This elorious plant is a native of Sierra Leonei
whence living specimens were imported by Mr. Whit-
field. It is, perhaps, the finest of its noh'e race, and
is, we trust, worthy of the name which we have ven-
tured to confer upon it (G. Devoniana). Handsome as
L ~rd Derby's Gardenia certainly is, itis as far removed
from this as an earldom from a dukedom.

No one who has seen the two plants together will
agree with this view of their respective merits. G.
macrantha had, however, been in cultivation at
Kew since 1810. It has also been called G. longi
flora, Randia Bowieana, and R. macrantha.

G. mallbifeea was introduced along with the
two already described and flowered at Kew and
elsewhere. It was figured in the Botanical Mar/a
zine, t. 4307 (1S47), and described as a shrub 4 feet
to 6 feet high, with lance-shaped leaves 6 inches to
9 inches long, and fragrant flowers G inches long,
shaped as in G. Stanleyana, but having a strangely
formed stigma of extraordinary size ; they are pure
white at first, afterwards straw-coloured. In 1815
Lindley named this plant G. Whitfieldi.

G. octomeeia was discovered in Fernando Po
by Gustav Mann, who sent seeds of it to Kew,
where it flowered freely in 1863. The tube is only
about 6 inches long, greenish, and the white limb
is formed of eight lobes ; hence the name.

Another species of considerable interest, but
as yet unknown in gardens, is G. macrocarpa,
the flowers of -which are drooping, each 9 inches
long, very fleshy, and covered with a dense
tomentum on the outside. They are larger
than the flowers of any other known African
Gardenia. It is a native of Upper Guinea,
where it was found by G. Mann.

Culture. — The Gardenias here described are
all natives of one of the hottest and moistest
parts of the world. They therefore thrive only
when treated as stove plants. They like a rich
soil, plenty of water, except for a few weeks
after they have made their growth, and exposure
to as much sunshine as possible all the year
round. They are easily propagated by means
of cuttings, which strike root freely at any sea-
son. W. W.

' Importing or exporting' plants. — On p. 274
Mr. Watson so clearly points out the trials to which
plants packed in Wardian cases are subjected dur-
ing along journey, and the chances upon which the
success or otherwise of the venture depends, that
nothing more can be said on the matter, except to
call attention to the fact that the condition of the
plants when packed is also of the utmost import-
ance, more especially in the case of soft succulent

things. The practice we adopt in sending plants of
this nature to the Antipodes, or indeed on any long
journey, is to prepare them beforehand for their long
confinement, by exposing them as far as possible
sor_ie time before they are packed. Thus Pelargo-
niums of all kinds, Fuchsias, Chrysanthemums, Pe-
tunias, and Heliotropes are kept in small pots, and
stood out of doors fully exposed to the sun's rays.
In this way their rate of growth is slow, but hard
and sturdy, and if it is intended to pack them to-
wards the end of the summer, they will, after being
exposed for the month or two previous, present at
best a starved look, but the pots will be full of roots
and the wood thoroughly ripened. There is then
no danger of a mass of superabundant foliage, which
would be the case with plants grown under shelter,
and which is very likely to decay in the close
atmosphere of the Wardian case. To assist the
ripening process, the water supply is somewhat
diminished towards the latter part of the time, and
a week or two before being packed the plants are
removed under glass to better regulate the water-
ing. When they are packed the soil in the pots is
but slightly moist and the foliage must be perfectly
dry. The pots are then plunged in some moderately
dry soil, securely placed in position, and the case
fastened down quite air-tight. In this way they
may be sent to the Antipodes with scarcely any loss,
though occasionally, probably owing to some of the
accidents to which Mr. Watson refers, the results
are not so satisfactory- A class of plants that bears
confinement very badly is that known as hard-
wooded, and includes among the number the
Heaths, Epacrises, Azaleas, and similar subjects. As
the delicate, hair-like roots are so tender these must
not on any account be subjected to the ripening
process, and the soil when they are packed will
need to be moister than in the case of the others.
In the close atmosphere of the case, too, a form of
mildew is very apt to attack the foliage, and in
this way I have seen a whole case of plants perish,
though the roots were in perfect condition. — H. P.

Trees and Shrubs.

THE WEEPING NORWAY SPRUCE.

(ABIES KXCELSA INVEBTA.)

Of the many so-called weeping forms of the
common Spruce the one forming the subject of
this note is by far the best. There is the variety
pendula, but it is not comparable in point of beauty
with that which is sold by a very few nurserymen
under the name of inverta, the latter being pen-
dulous as a Kilmarnock Willow, while the former
is at best but a mixture of upright and semi-droop-
ing branchlets. No tree can be more impres-
sive than either a clump or well-grown single
specimen of the true Weeping Spruce, and par-
ticularly so when the grounds around it are kept
free from tall-growing herbage, so that the full
beauty of the long, drooping spray, which fre-
quently reaches to the ground, may neither be hid-
den nor cramped.

On Sir James Ramsay's Perthshire estate (Banff),
and just within the entrance gate, is a noble and
peculiarly handsome Weeping Spruce, and that
some time ago was the picture of health, the
stately head and long, drooping side branches
suggesting to one that it was of good strain and
well worthy of being increased. One of the best
weeping forms of the common Spruce, and which is
now being largely circulated, was found in a plan-
tation in Shropshire, and brought to light by one of
the members of the famous nursery firm of Smith
of Worcester. From this tree many beautiful
young specimens have been obtained, and taking
everything into consideration, it is about the best
and most distinct of the many weeping forms in
circulation at the present time. It will be notice-
able to everyone who grows the common Spruce in
quantity what differences exist between various
trees in a single nursery line, some being stiff
and hard of foliage, others vigorous in the ex-
treme, some light and some dark green, while
strict and loose habited forms will also be present.
Extremes met, and there is pigmy form of the

common Spruce which in a dozen years will
not have increased half as many inches. For rock-
work it is a valuable little Conifer, being compact
of growth, and with a nice healthy look about it
rather the reverse of what one might have expected.
There are several dwarf forms generally grown,
but that sold as pygmasa is the most desirable.

All the Spruces are easily managed, and will for
a time at least succeed well in almost any class of
soil, but evidently prefer that of a rich and dampish
nature, chalk or gravel being productive of disease
in nine cases out of ten. They are readily in-
creased from seed, so that where cones are abun-
dant a good supply may soon be got up.

Weeping Conifers are by no means scarce, for
each species has, as a rule, its drooping form or
forms, and whilst some of these are really valuable
ornamental plants, the greater number are un-
worthy of attention and should be withdrawn from
circulation. The subject of this note does not be-
long to the latter class, as everyone who has seen
any of the specimens referred to must candidly
admit, so that its extension for lawn and garden
planting is to be recommended.

A. D. Webstee.

Prunus Pissardi. — The wet and sunless wea-
ther of the early summer was very much against
this shrub, or rather I should say it was favourable
to growth, but the leaves did not acquire their
usual rich colouring. The clear skies and heat
of the last month have, however, produced a marked
change, the leaves being now very richly tinted,
and consequently remarkably effective. In planting
this Prunus great care should be taken that it is
not overdone, as, like all plants of a very decided
character, it must be used sparingly. A spot fully
exposed to the sun's rays should be chosen, as the
colour of the foliage is then richer than on trees in
the shade. By some, great things have been ex-
pected of the fruit of this Prunus, but it is simply
like that of the old Myrobalan, or Cherry Plum, of
which P. Pissardi is simply a variety. — T.

White-flowered Heathers.— There are seve-
ral distinct forms of the Heather with white flowers,
all oE which are among the most beautiful of hardy
Heaths. In the first place, there is one a counter-
part of the ordinary Heather, except that the
flowers are pure white, while a bold, free-growing
form is Searlei, remarkable besides the beauty of
its dense spikes of blossoms from the fact of
its flowers being borne later in the season than
those of any of the others, except the red-flowered
Alporti ; indeed these two will sometimes bloom
till frost sets in. A remarkably distinct and
pleasing variety is that known as rigida alba, which
in the arrangement of the branches is quite distinct
from the rest. This forms a dense roundish mass,
the branches being arranged one above the other
almcst horizontally, the spikes of flowers thus ap-
pearing to be in distinct tiers. The blossoms are of
the purest white, and altogether it is a very beauti-
ful variety. Others are alba minor, a low, dense,
but somewhat upright-habited and quite distinct
form, and pubescens alba, which can be distin-
guished from all the others by its downy foliage. —
H. P.

Rubus odoratus. — The different species of
Rubus may be divided into three distinct groups ;
first, the prostrate rambling forms, such as the
common Bramble of the hedgerows ; next the true
shrubs, of which the Rocky Mountain R. deliciosus
may be taken as an example ; and thirdly, the
Raspberry and its allies, that increase in size by
pushing up strong shoots from the base of the
plant. R. odoratus belongs to this last group, and
forms a bush 4 feet to 5 feet high, clothed with
handsome five-lobed leaves, each often a foot in
diameter. The flowers are large and of a purplish
crimson colour. As a rule, the plant commences to
bloom about midsummer, and a succession is often
kept up throughout July and August, while this
year the season of blooming seems to he extended
longer than usual. The name of odoratus is de-
rived from its foliage emitting a certain amount of
fragrance when handled. The Nootka Sound
Bramble (R. nutkanus) is somewhat in the same

324

THE GAEDEK

[Oct. 4, 1890.

way, but it does not attain the dimensions of the
preceding, and besides this, it differs in several
other important particulars. R. nutkanus pushes
up stout erect stems clothed with Vine-like leaves,
and in the early part of the summer the large pure
white flowers are freely borne. After the first flush
of bloom is over a more or less constant succession
is kept up for some little time, but it does not con-
tinue to flower so late as R. odoratus. Both are old
plants in gardens, R. odoratus having been intro-
duced in 1700 and R. nutkanus in 1826.— T.

SHORT NOTES.— TREES AND SHRUES.

The Umbrella Pine. — A fruiting branch of this
comes to us from the Coornbe Wood nurseries. The
cones are borne somewhat thickly. We hope to print
an engraving of it soon.

Grafted v. own-root shrubs.— In the garden
at Dromolane House near this town there is a fine
specimen of Magnolia Lenne, a grafted plant; it grows
vigorously, and flowers profusely every year. At
Glasnevin there is a very ancient specimen of the same
shrub, evidently on its own roots. It grows slowly, and
has a stunted and unhappy look ; it has never borne a
flower. Why are these things thus? — T. Smith,
Neivry.

American Oaks. — These are just now becoming
very conspicuous objects. The leafage is very varied
in size and form, hut all alike are just beginning to
colour finely, and the trees will glow in rich red tints
presently. Amidst such a wealth of greenery as exists
at Bearwood, some such colouring is in the autumn
most acceptable. Many of the Oaks, as did their
British allies, suffered severely iu the winter of 1888-9,
and have not fully recovered from the harm then done.

Flower Garden.

A NOBLE LILY.
" Well, that is the most beautiful Lily I ever saw,'
was the exclamation of a friend who was no great
admirer of pretty things, but a genuine horticulturist
who delights in herbaceous plants and bulbs, but to
whom, happily for me, it was unknown, as he stood
before a stately plant of Lilium Wallichianum su-
perbum in my small greenhouse, and I am not sure
that his judgment was not correct. It has not the
gorgeous colouring of Lilium auratum nor the ma-
jestic growth of L. giganteum. Some might prefer
the bright colouring of some of the Turk"s-cap or
Martagon section, but although I have a great re-
gard for the speciosum section, yet I cannot but
give the palm to this most beautiful of all the
trumpet Lilies, so far at least as I am acquainted
with them.

A correspondent has lately detailed in The Gar-
den his experiences, which seem to have been very
successful, although there seemed to me to have
been a good deal of trouble taken which might
have seemed necessary, but which certainly I did
not take with mine. I procured my bulbs much
nearer home, and although, perhaps, I had to pay
more, I ran no risk of loss by the voyage from India.
The plant bore last year a single bloom, and on my
writing to Messrs. Low about its treatment, they in-
formed me that as it was a hill plant, most probably
there would be some difficulty in its cultivation.
This determined me not to venture to try it out of
doors, but to be contented with pot cultivation. I
accordingly left it until the stem had died away, or
nearly so, and when in the late autumn I potted up
my roots of the speciosum section, I potted it up.
The compost that I used was simply peat, loam, and
sand, but there are two things I observe in Lily
culture. First, never to over-pot ; and, second,
never to ruthlessly shake out the roots, as it is
called. In fact, long experience has led me very
much to question the advisability of repotting so
often many things. I think Azaleas and other
plants will do just as well with an annual top-dress-
ing and renewing of the outside soil, and to repot
every three or four years. After being potted, the
Lilies were all placed out of doors, the pots plunged
in cocoa-nut fibre, but protected by a glass roof,
which keeps the heavy rains and sun from them.
In the spring when some have made shoots, they

are removed from the cocoa-nut fibre and placed
under a somewhat similar place, still protected.
Here they grew, and the result was a beautiful
plant about 5 feet high with three lovely blooms ;
the colour is of the purest white, the tube about 10
inches long, and the interior at the base of a most
lovely shade of primrose-yellow — the delight of my-
self and of all who have seen it. There is another
remarkable Lily, although not so beautiful, Lilium
nepalense, but I must wait for another year.

I have grown Lilium Harrisi for some years, but
I never until now obtained that second bloom. A
bulb which threw up a good stem with six flowers
has sent up from the base another, now in flower,
bearing seven flowers, and yet I am fully persuaded
that it reverts to the old single-flowered longiflorum
type, and I have this year planted out in the border
those which I have this year bloomed in the house,
treating it as one does Hyacinths, Ixias, and other
bulbs which only seem to flower at the height of
beauty for one season. It is a very remarkable in-
stance of the effect of change of climate on a bulb.
It was a fortunate discovery, and has made the
fortune of some of the islanders where it is grown
in the open field. Delta.

QUICK GERMINATION OF AURICULA SEED
I observe that Mr. Douglas mentions in a recent
number of The Garden that he sowed some
Auricula seeds about the middle of August, but
does not expect to see the greater portion of the
young plants before spring. It appears to me that
the seeds of Auriculas are very eccentric as regards
their germination. At times they come up as freely
as weeds, at others they obstinately refuse to show
signs of life until they have been in the soil for a
lengthened period. This season I harvested my seed
during July. It was laid out in the capsules in a shal-
low box in a glasshouse in the sun, and remained there
until the last week in August. It was not inten-
tionally left so long before sowing, but just because
I had not time to do so when ripe. At the end of
August I sowed it broadcast in a frame with a
south aspect, merely lightly covering with silver
sand. I certainly did not expect to see any young
plants before the end of the autumn, and should
have been well content to have got them all up by
spring. To my great surprise quite ninety-five per
cent, of the seeds germinated in about a fortnight
from sowing, so that the soil is quite green with
them.

I have sown Auriculas at various seasons of the
year, but never knew the seeds to come up in such
a short time. Has any reader of The Garden had
a similar experience ? It stands to. reason that
there is a great gain in getting the plants up at this
early period of the autumn. There is yet a good
month of growing weather before them, and,
sheltered from the inclemencies of the winter, they
will make steady if slow progress through the dull
months, and will therefore be large enough to plant
out early in April, when they can remain until they
bloom. If they do not come up till spring, it is hardly
safe to plant them out ; they must be pricked out
in boxes for the season.

In contrast to this quick germination some seeds
that I sowed last autumn did not come up until this
summer with the exception of here and there a
plant. In the spring, thinking that the seeds were
not good and requiring the room, I turned the pans
on to a north border. I took no care to keep the
soil moist, only watering occasionally, and was cer-
tainly surprised to see young plants come up quite
plentifully in the hottest month of the year.
It was rather curious that the seed should
have germinated at a time of the year that
cannot be natural to the Auricula. This shows
how capricious the seeds of this favourite
are as regards germination, and in the case of
choice seed, I should advise that the frame be kept
for twelve months after sowing. With respect to
the seed that came up so quickly, I have thought
that the free and rapid germination might be due
to the perfect ripening of the seeds by keeping
them in a very warm place for several weeks after
gathering. I take it for granted that in a natural

state the seeds of this plant when they drop lie
several months fully exposed to sun and air. It is
not the nature of the Auricula to grow amongst a
sheltering vegetation like the Primrose for instance,
the seeds of which fall into a cool, sheltered place
and soon germinate ; whereas Auricula seeds do
not come up until the snow melts away from them
at the close of the winter. Whether a period of
exposure to sun after gathering increases their
germinating powers or not could only be as-
certained by sowing some as soon as gathered,
and the remainder several weeks later, laying them
out in a sunny house. It would be interesting to
know which is the best way, as it is important to
get the young plants up as early as possible. The
above remarks apply only to the alpine section.
J. C. B.

NOTES ON HARDY PLANTS.
Umbilicus chrysanthus.— Not only is this
quaint plant one of the most characteristic that
can be employed for the wall garden, but it is
essentially useful for such dry positions. It loves
the breeze and sunshine, and only requires a little
poor stony soil. The plant is hardy enough, but
the densely pubescent character of its foliage
renders it susceptible to wet. The drier surround-
ings and position of the wall garden tend to pre-
vent this, and for many years I have grown a speci-
men under such conditions.

Sedum sempervivioides This is another

distinct and neat-rosetted species, certainly hardy,
but requiring a similar position for dryness and
sunshine to the Umbilicus. It has no equal for
form or brilliancy of colour of its flowers in its own
large genus. Not only do the blooms form a bold
panicle of crimson, but the stems too develop the
same colour ; it certainly ought to be grown in
all collections where hardy dwarf plants and
alpines are appreciated. It is easily raised from
seed, the seedlings springing up naturally around
the plant if a little space of good soil is kept clear
of other things. Such self-grown groups have the
most charming effect, for then the bright spikes
are all the more effective from the scattered glau-
cous rosettes surrounding them in their various
stages of development.

Dianthus neglectus. — No wonder that some
of our flower friends get into discussions as to the
type and forms of this species, for if, as in gardens,
it varies in its wild state, as we may reasonably
suppose it will, a batch of seed from one parent
yielding such great variety as I know it does, the
typical form may sometimes require to be further
sought for than many of us might imagine. I have
sown seed during the last two years produced on
plants in my own garden, the latter being from
two sources and collected. One very closely re-
sembles the coloured plate in The Garden, and
the other had rather taller flower-stalks and smaller
and paler flowers. From both those plants
I have a nice batch of seedlings ; only three or four
have bloomed, the flowers differing, but it is clear
enough that the seed has produced considerable
variety. I am well aware of the leaf variations
that may come about in seedlings differently
treated and in different soils, and especially if
grown in pots. I make allowance for all this and
still I have wide variety, and look forward with
interest to their flowering period.

Rodgersia podophylla. — This is easily grown,
and yet not easy to do really well. You can
scarcely kill the plant, but in most gardens it will
require some care to have it in good form. It may
be grown in any sweet soil, but to fully develop its
enormous leaves it should have an elastic soil, a
mixture of peat, turfy loam, and sand, and should
be placed where it can receive plenty of moisture.
At this season where well grown it is most attrac-
tive, the Chestnut leaf-like foliage becoming beauti-
fully bronzed, and remaining until late in the year.
Once well established it increases quickly.

Anthyllis montana. — This lovely, silvery
dwarf shrub is not difficult to propagate. Cuttings
take a long time to root — the whole of the summer,
then they are very liable to die in the winter. It

Oct. 4, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

325

is of a thoroughly alpine character and pretty in
foliage when not in flower.

Campanula Zoysi. — When once this rare
Harebell has become established, it is best to let it
alone, for I know nothing more fickle if its roots
are disturbed, as they are slender and brittle. It
will be wise, therefore, to be content with one esta-
blished plant of this rare gem, and to concentrate
all the care you can bestow upon it in removing
the minute spoon-shaped leaves when they are seen
to be bored by the leaf grub, also to keep slugs at a
safe distance from it. The slug is its chief enemy
in the British climate; I have seen many plants
disappear in one night.

Gentiana lutea requires to be very strong to
flower, and when it has done so, if the crowns in-
crease in numbers of less size there may be no
spikes for a season or more following. My flowering
plants have root-stocks as thick as a man's arm,
and the radical leaves are each 15 inches long. I
should say that if the plant grows well, it is surely
approaching maturity for flowers. As to its worth
as a decorative or garden flower, all depends on
taste ; " beauty is in the eye of the beholder." The
flowers, of a greenish yellow colour, not large com-
pared with the other parts of the plant, are pro-
duced in whorls on stout erect stems, that with me
reach a height of 5 feet to 6 feet. I consider the
plant stately and beautiful, but the individual
flowers not attractive. It likes deep rich loam,
moist, but free from sourness. Though my plants
werestrong whenset out, they were four orfive years
before they flowered. I have not had a bloom this
year.

tufted habit of growth ; a plant will fill a consider-
able space of ground. It is a much closer habited
plant than the ordinary Sweet Alyssum, white-
flowered, very free, the blossoms being in the form of
long spikes, which are very persistent, and remain
open for a long time. To make this plant effec-
tive the seed should be sown and the plants put
out, so that they may have ample space in which
to develop. Some tufts of it at the Royal Nur-
sery, Slough, are admirable just now. It is so dis-
tinct from the other Alyssums as to at once attract
attention. — R. D.

be increased in the usual way by division. It is
most desirable to increase the variety and extend
the culture of so fine a plant, and probably in
many gardens it would prove much hardier than
is generally supposed. In any case it gives but
little trouble, whether the stock be lifted and kept
through the winter, or a fresh batch be raised each
year from seed. A. H.

Clematis Davidiana.— This plant resembles
a dwarf Dahlia in habit and leaf form, but the
leafage is somewhat rougher. The flowers are pro-
duced from the axils of the leaves of the upper
parts of the plant in short-stalked clusters. They
are poor and disappointing, and each resembles a
badly-coloured pip of the common Bluebell. Stature,
2 feet. This plant may dwell in our gardens for
a little while on its reputation as a rare species,
but it will not, I believe, otherwise long hold its'
place.

Anemone planting.— No doubt it is better to
place the tubers the right or crown side upwards,
but it is hard sometimes to make out which is the
upward point, especially of such as fulgens, blanda,
apennina, stellata, and coronaria when in the dry
state. The difficulty in some cases is increased from
the fact that the late growths have been made with
the tubers the wrong side up, when there seems
to be crowns pointing all ways. The bent and
lengthened root-stocks are at once evidence that
the roots will grow when the wrong way upwards
but the weaker crowns show that they have been
the worse for it ; with a struggle they have faced
about the right way, and though the later are the
weaker crowns, I would keep them uppermost in
planting.

Aster japonicus.— Let all lovers of Michael-
mas Daisies make a note of this. When properly
grown it flowers in middle of September in York-
shire, and the flowers or heads are the size of a half-
crown piece, white, suffused with pink. Stature 2k
feet. The leafage is quite distinct from that of all
other Asters I know. The above hint about bein°-
properly grown may as well be further explained3.
To get good Michaelmas Daisies you have got to do
rather more than procure the best sorts, though
that is quite essential too. All are improved
vastly improved, by division of the roots at least
once in two years and planting in new soil. I am
not sure whether at the end of five years a poor
sort with this liberal treatment would not come
out the showier specimen compared with a well-
known good variety planted and left alone for a
similar length of time. There may be some con-
jecture in this statement, but it surely points to a
practical fact. In other words, you have to make
bright Michaelmas Daisies by liberal culture.
Woodville, Kirltstall. J. Wood.

Alyssum Benthami.— This is a charming va-
riety of the Sweet Alyssum, and that form of it
known as compactum is of a dense, compact, dwarf,

THE CARDINAL FLOWER.

(LOBELIA CABDINALIS.)

The Cardinal Flower, both the typical form and
the improved varieties of it, are beautiful things to
adorn and brighten the garden through the latter
days of summer and autumn. The variety FireOy
is with us, as Mr. T. Smith describes it with him
(The Gaeden, September 6, p. 238), " the most
brilliant flower in the garden." Certainly it is by
far the best variety of this Lobelia that I have
seen. We have a group of nine plants in a large
bed associated with the white Japan Anemone,
Gladiolus, and tall-growing Roses. Beside the
group of Firefly is a larger group of the variety
Queen Victoria, which hitherto has been the best.
The distinction between Firefly and Queen Victoria
is, that Firefly has not the dark red foliage, but the
colour of its flowers is a darker shade of crimson-
scarlet, intensely rich and effective. A greater
merit is the freedom with which it produces late-
rals, each terminating in a smaller spike of flowers,
and maintaining a succession as the blooms upon
the leading stems are fading. Undoubtedly Firefly
is an acquisition. It cannot be too highly praised,
and its value in the flower garden will be great.

But that good kind, Queen Victoria, need not be
discarded in consequence of this new-comer. Beau-
tiful in foliage as well as in flower, it is fit to adorn
the most prominent positions in the garden. Yet
we rarely see it in gardens. It, like the rest of this
section, is a moisture-loving plant, but with a good
depth of soil beneath it our summers are not too
dry for its successful culture, and in case of excep-
tional drought recourse can be had to watering and
mulching. But, perhaps, another thing deters its
general cultivation. It is not quite hardy, and
when the stock is lifted for the winter and dor-
mant, a disease like rust eats into the roots, and
destroys the plants. When stock is thus af-
fected they can be saved from destruction by cut-
ting away the diseased portions of the root, and
placing the plants in a little warmth to encourage
fresh growth. Once fresh root action commences
there is no further danger, and when growing well
they can be removed to cooler quarters till it is
time to put them out.

But there is yet another method of obtaining a
large and healthy stock of this fine Lobelia, and
that is from seed. Our large group was raised from
seed sown last July, and by this means healthy,
strong pieces may be had for putting out the fol-
lowing season. I have another batch from seed
sown last July ; there are more than 100 plants, and
already the colour of the foliage denotes that each
one is the true Queen Victoria. The seed is very
small, but germinates readily if sown upon the sur-
face of a pan of fine soil, carefully watered, and
placed in any cool structure, shading the pan till
the plants appear.

I also raised last year a large batch of the old
form L. cardinalis. It is showy and by no means
to be despised, whilst probably, had we not these
other fine forms, we should value it highly. It is
dwarfer in stature and the flowers are smaller, but
brilliant in colour, and so thickly set upon the spike
that they have a telling effect, whilst they last a
long time in beauty. Among this batch appeared
one quite distinct in growth, with broad leaves of a
distinct dark shade, whilst the flowers are as large
as those of the Queen Victoria kind, but of a deeper
and darker crimson.
A greater variety might be obtained from rais

THE HOME OF NARCISSUS CYCLAMINEUS.
A cobeespondent from Largs, N.B., sends me his
experience of the above Narcissus : —

I seea letter in The Garden in which the writer
complains that he cannot keep alive N. cyclamineus.
It is not so here. The bulbs of it which I got two
years ago have flowered twice, and this last spring were
more perfect than in 1889. Some of them were planted
iu a deep crack in the rockery, others in a very damp
bottom at the back of a north-west wall, others in the
frame in pots ; they all did well. Those in the rockery
have given a large crop of seed, which I have sowed in
pots of pure loam.

In Spain and in Portugal, where I met with N.
cyclamineus, it was growing on the margins of
mountain streams or in the flooded meadows ad-
joining, and nowhere else ; and the wetter the situa-
tion the finer the flowers and the larger the balbs.
In one instance I found a colony on a little islet in
mid-stream. I also found it growing on little eleva-
tions near to the stream, and in such places the
plants were weak and the bulbs small. Often I met
with the bulbs on low banks where they had been
washed down. I lave gathered it in the water of
the stream, being attracted by the greater size of
flower. The illustration referred to by "G.H. E." (p.
259 of The Gaeden) was made by Mr. Moon from
a description verbally furnished , and those who know
the spot well consider the sketch as good as if it
had been made on the spot. The miserable speci-
mens referred to as seen at my nursery were grow-
ing in too dry a situation. A bed in a damper part
of the nursery was a picture for at least two months.
N. cyclamineus and the Hoop-petticoat Narcissus
have a preference for wet places. Often have I
waded ankle-deep for them, and then washed my
boots and stockings in the mountain stream to rid
them of the sand and mud. Petee Babe.

Long Ditton, Surrey.

Ageratum Perle Bleu.— Such is the Dutch
appellation of without exception the prettiest
dwarf blue Ageratum I have yet seen anywhere.
Its natural height is about i inches, has a capital
spreading habit, and blooms so profusely, that it
seems impossible to obtain cuttings in the autumn.
The best method of propagating it is by lifting
old plants, cutting them back somewhat, and potting
them up early in the autumn, and after wintering
in a gentle warmth, propagating from young tops
in the spring. I saw this Ageratum used with ad-
mirable effect at Maiden Erleigh, Reading, recently.
Mr. Turton is especially pleased with it, because it
not only blooms so profusely and is so dwarf, but
it is reliable, never varying in habit. The heads of
blooms are also of medium size and always even in
character. It is singularly effective used with
dwarf Tropasolums, white Violas, or similar close-
growing bedding plants. — A. D.

Primula obconica.— I am glad to see (p. 223)
that this reputed, according to my experience, poi-
sonous plant is receiving attention in a way that is
likely to be more useful and less dangerous, that is,
as a bedding plant. I suggested this use for it a
year, or perhaps two years ago in The Gaeden,
when I had proved it a beautiful subject for moist
nooks or depressions on rockwork, or about the
base of stones, planted in broad patches as one
would plant for bedding. As this Primula is practi-
cally a biennial, one may take all the use out of it
in the open air by bringing young plants on in the
winter and spring and planting out about May.
The leaves are poisonous to myself, especially about
the hands and wrists, and the merest touch is
sufficient. I have an opinion that other plants
are poisonous in a similar way. The reason for
my opinion is the suffering I undergo about the

hands and wrists when I handle such plants as Pop-
ing plants from seed, and the best forms would [ pies and others that have stiff hairs. The Symphy-

3 26

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 4, 18S0.

turns and Anohusas act similarly, but in a less
virulent degree. The pollen of Poppies causes
sickness when one is compelled to be near them. I
pretend in no way to be able to explain liy what
process these results come about. I can only say
that I have watched and noted closely the above
facts. I have learnt to abhor the Stinging eff eots of
Uorago laxillora.— J. Wood.

WHITE EVERLASTING PEA.

It is well known that soil and climate exercise a
great influence on hardy flowers, and it almost
seems that this must be the case with the white
Everlasting Pea as regards its reproduction from
seeds. From what has been written at various
times in The Garden it would appear that in
some instances it comes almost or quite true from
seeds, whilst in others the majority of the young
plants revert to the typical form. In my experi-
ence about one in four come true, and although I
have been raising this Pea for some years I have
never yet exceeded this percentage of white-
flowered plants. I have had this season a row of
about 700 seedlings, and out of this quantity I have
not been able to mark more than about 150 white
ones. There will, however, in all probability be
more next year, but I find that the white variety
does not grow so vigorously as the pink, and there-
fore takes longer to come into flower. In a general
way I think it will be found that four years are re-
quired to bring the whole of the seedlings into
bloom, but with me the majority show a few flowers
the second season after sowing. What seems
curious is that out of the quantity of plants raised
there should be so little variety of colour. The
white forms are very pure, and there is no inter-
mediate tint between that and the common kind.
One would naturally suppose that some portion of
the plants would bear blooms intermediate in
colour between pure white and decided pink, but
in the thousands I have raised I have seen nothing
of the kind, and although in some instances the
pink colour is somewhat pale, there is not enough
difference to make such trifling variations worth
preserving.

There is one point in connection with this subject
that is worthy of consideration. It is well known
that it takes some years to fix any kind of flower so
that it may bo depended on to come true from
seed. Successive generations of young plants have
to be raised until the tendency to variation is almost
or quite suppressed. It may be that the varied ex-
perience of those who have sown white Everlasting
Pea seed is in a great measure due to this fact.
Out of the number of old stools in cultivation,
doubtless many, perhaps the majority, come from
the original plant by means of division, and there
would possibly be a greater inclination in seedlings
raised from them to revert to their normal form
than in such as are obtained from plants that are
themselves seedlings, It may be that some possess
plants that are a couple of generations or so re-
moved from the original stool, and this would, in a
great measure, account for their greater success.
This is a matter that is worthy of experiment, for,
as compared with the pink form, the white is
scarce, and likely to remain so, by reason of the
higher price.

All the seed I have hitherto sown came from a
grand old stool that has been growing in a neigh-
bour's garden for at least thirty years, and which
probably was originally a small' bit taken from
another plant. I have now several large clumps of
my own raising, but since they have come to bloom-
ing size the seasons have been too cold to get seeds
from them, but I hope yet to test the correctness of
my theory. The white Everlasting Pea is such a
gem as to be indispensable wherever hardy blooms
are grown, and it is really grand for supplying cut
flowers in its season. We have this summer found
them of great use for wreaths ami crosses, and
there is scarcely any kind of floral decoration Eor
which they arc not suitable. Hardy flowers of this
sort, so chaste and effective, ought to be cherished
for, unlike the majority of plants in cultivation,
there is really no cultural care required. Give the

roots a good start in deeply stirred, well-manured
ground, and you may be sure that they will be there
in ever increasing luxuriance and beauty as the
season comes round. J. Cobmiill.

STOCKS.
TnE garden without Stocks lacks one of the
sweetest and loveliest of flowers, one that is useful
and effective in the garden and sweet and bright
for adorning the house. The different kinds of
the German Ten-week are what we generally meet
with in gardens, but those who confine themselves
to this section have but a short season of enjoy-
ment of this fine flower. It is quite rare in gardens
to see the whole family of Stocks receiving the
attention it so fully deserves, yet, by growing some
of each of the different sections, it is possible to
have them for nearly or quite nine months of the
year. Some of the finest Stocks, such as the Inter-
mediate, East Lothian, Erompton, and Queen sec-
tions, need to be treated as biennials. These, if
raised from seed sown in July or August, and kept
through the winter, flower in the spring and early
summer. The difficulty of wintering some of these
sections tends to deter their general cultivation, as
even in mild winters hosts of them will go off if
planted in the open ground. The most successful
plan is to place several around the sides of a pot,
and keep them in a cold frame, planting them out
as early in the year as the weather permits. With
the Ten-week section, however, there is no cultural
difficulty or liability of loss. The seed may be
sown where the plants are required, if that is con-
venient, but in most cases it is not so ; the plants
can be raised in boxes or frames, and afterwards
pricked out into their flowering positions. In
either case the results are good, and, given a fairly
rich soil, success is assured. The variety of colour
in this section is exceedingly great. The
German strains are very distinct and comprehen-
sive, but some are more curious than pretty. There
are, however, ample good kinds in distinct colours,
without the curious, which can be disregarded.
The old type of Ten-week Stocks did not last long
in beauty, as the strength of the plants was con-
centrated in and expended upon the production of
one main spike. Now we have pyramidal, taller-
growing, free-branching strains, which flower more
freely and much more continuously. The value of
some of these either for garden decoration or for
cutting cannot be over-estimated.

I tried this year a kind called Princess Alice, which
was described as " a new perpetual free-flowering
Ten-week Stock." It is not perpetual in the true
sense of the word ; but nevertheless it is a valuable
kind — a good grower and a free bloomer, growing
nearly 2 feet high, and producing from the axil of
every leaf a spike of finely formed, very double white
flowers, extremely useful for cutting and most or-
namental in the garden. The selection and increase
of such fine types as this are very desirable ; but,
with the waning summer, the Ten-week Stocks fade
in beauty, and then they should be succeeded by
some of the others, which, though called biennials,
can be treated as annuals. Of these the interme-
mediate and the East Lothian section of the inter-
mediate come in most useful. They should be
raised in March, and will then be nice plants for
putting out in May. The common intermediate
comes in in admirable succession to the Ten-week
and is a valuable Stock, taller and freer branching,
producing many line spikes of sweet double llowers.
The East Lothian comes later still, and keeps up a
supply of flowers even till November if the frosts
are not too severe. This section is of a dense
bushy habit of growth. Seed can be obtained in
distinct colours, not embracing so many shades as
are to be found in the Ten-week section, but several
clear and bright primary colours, such as red,
purple, and white. It will thus be seen that Stocks
may play an important part in garden decoration.

Certainly they are of re importance and deserve

more attention than they generally obtain. — Ihe
Fir/,/.

The white Antirrhinum a failure.— This
lovely Antirrhinum is evidently capricious, judging
from its behaviour here during this and last sea-

son. Last summer it was simply perfect as a bed-
ding plant. This year it has entirely failed, al-
though planted in the same bed and treated in
every way the same. A large bed was filled
with it, and every plant had to be destroyed and
the bed refilled with autumn-blooming white Chry-
santhemums. I am at a loss to know the cause.
Can it be from having been planted two years in
succession in the same soil, or can it be that the
season has been too wet for it ? This latter I
can hardly think is the cause from the splendid
beds I saw recently in various private gardens, and
equally as wet as ours. If other cultivators will
relate their experience with this plant I shall bo
glad, as it is desirable so good and showy a flower
should be widely cultivated.— John CltooK, Forie
Abbey, Chard.

NEW HARDY HYBRID FRENCH
GLADIOLI FOR 1800.
Having again during the summer now about to
close bloomed to the greatest perfection possible,
owing to careful culture and most favourable
weather, the two sets of beautiful hybrids raised
by M. V. Lemoine, of Nancy, and distributed
towards the end of last year, I hope that some
short descriptive notes as to their respective
merits may not prove unacceptable to the
readers of The Garden who are admirers of
these handsome flowers. Each set consisted of
nine varieties, but of that known under the
distinctive title of Nanceauus or hybrids of G.
Saundersi superbus I shall only now have to
describe eight, as the first of this race, the lovely
President Carnofc, was senttomeayearinadvance
of its distribution to the public, and was fully
described in The Garden, August 24, 188!),
with the new hybrids of the other or Lemoiuei
section. The remaining eight varieties are
named —

De Candolle began to bloom on July 10. It
is a tall, slender growing variety with the flowers
irregularly distributed round the spike. The
flowers are large and well opened, but of thin
substance and but imperfectly formed. They are
of a light shade of red, flaked all over with a deeper
shade of orange-red with a rosy purple blotch,
faintly edged with white on the lower petals.
Compared with its brethren, this variety has but
small merit to recommend it.

Comtb Horace de Ciioiseul began to bloom
on July 22. This is a tall and slender-growing
variety of great beauty with large, handsome, well-
opened flowers of perfect shape, and of a brilliant
shade of light scarlet flamed with carmine, and
with most distinctly marked blotches of a deep
shade of crimson, tipped with creamy yellow on the
lower petals. A most distinct and beautiful variety.

Mons. Hardy began to bloom on July 21.
This is a fine, vigorous grower with large well-
opened flowers of a vinous shade of purple, flamed
with carmine, and distinctly spotted with crimson
on a creamy yellow ground on the two lower petals.

P. Ducharte began to bloom also on July 24.
This is a variety of medium height and slender
habit of growth with a branching flower-spike.
The flowers are of large size and well expanded,
but of not quite perfect form owing to a partial
depression of the top centre petal, a distinguishing
characteristic (but in a much more strongly-marked
degree) of G. Saundcrsi, one of the parents of this
race. The colour is a rich shade of vinous scarlet,
flamed with carmine, and marbled with creamy
white spots on the lower petals.

Mons. Leeervre began to bloom on July 29.
This is a rather slender grower with unbranched
flower-spike. The flowers are of large size and
excellent form with, however, a slight tendency to
depression in the upper centre petal. The colour
is light scarlet, distinctly veined with carmine with
most clearly marked blotches of creamy yellow,
spotted with carmine towards the throat of flower
on the two lower petals.

Mons. Latorcade began to bloom on July ,'SO.

Oct. 4, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

327

This is a tall and vigorous growing variety, with
branching Bower-spike and large, well-opened
flowers of a pleasing shade of light scarlet, with
large and distinct creamy yellow blotches pro-
fusely spotted with carmine on the two lower
petals. Were it not for the unfortunate depression
of the upper centre p3tal, previously referred to,
this would be a most beautiful flower.

Maurice de Vilmoiun began to bloom on
Augast i. This is a vigorous grower with branch-
ing spike and large well-expanded flowers of per-
fect form, and of a most curious shade of rather
dull violet, shaded with white. The two lower
petals are clearly sprite 1 with carmine, with a
broad pure white streak down the centre of each
of them. This variety, though not very beautiful
in itself, may prove to ba the parent of much better
things of a clearer and purer shade of violet.

Tlio nine naw varieties of Lamoiuoi hybrids
were : —

FeEDINAND Berciman began to bloom on July
13. This is a large well-expanded flower of excellent
and perfect form, of a most pleasing shade of light
red, faintly streaked with orange-red, and with two
distinctly marked rosy purple blotches on the
lower petals. A fine variety of not over vigorous
habit of growth.

EIFFEL began to bloom on July 17. This is a
tall growing variety, with branching flower-spike,
but the flower is disappointing, of irregular shape,
and imperfectly opened. It is of a pale canary-
yellow, faintly flushed and streaked with carmine,
and with deep maroon blotches on a brighter yel-
low ground on lower petals.

John Laing began to bloom on July 21. This

Lemoiue's hybrid Gladioli.

Charles Baltet began to bloom on August 21.
This is a very tall and vigorous growing variety,
with very branching flower-spike, forming very
large bulbs, and producing large flowers of a
curious shade of rosy violet, with a clear white
throat bordered with a band of clear rose colour.
This variety closely resembles Maurice de Vilmorin,
but has larger and better shaped flowers of a de-
cidedly brighter and more pleasing shade of colour,
and in every way an improvement on it. From the
above descriptive notes it will be seen that this set
of varieties of this new race of hybrids contains a
large majority of most beautiful flowers, only one
amongst them being distinctly inferior, and one
other, though in itself novel and curious, eclipsed
and surpassed by the superior size and beauty of
another of the same shade.

is a fine vigorous grower, with branching spike and
very large well-formed flowers of a fine clear shade
of light scarlet, with an almost black throat, and
most of the lower petals flamed with deep carmine.
An exceedingly handsome vaiiety, rivalling in size
and beauty the best of the gandavensis hybrids.

M. ToRcr-VANXlEK began to bloom on July 25.
A variety of medium height and much-branching
flower- sjfike, with well-opened flowers of medium
size, but irregularly placed upon the spike, and
many of them imperfectly marked. The colour is
a brilliant shade of light orange-red with distinct
carmine blotch on a pure white ground on each of
the two lower petals. An exceedingly pretty variety
when the flowers are perfect.

BEAUREPAntE began to bloom on July 20.
A rather low grower, with large, well-formed,

but not over fully expanded flowers of a beau-
tiful shade of clear, light rose colour, not be-
fore met with in this race of hybrids save in M.
J. B. A. Deleuil's Zelie, which this new variety
closely resembles, but the flowers are nearly twice
as large, and the pure white ground of the carmine
blotch on lower petals is much more distinctly
marked and broader in the older and smaller
variety.

Marceau began to bloom on August 1. This is
a vigorous grower, with branching flower-spike
and large, well-expanded flowers of perfect shape
and of a most pleasing shade of light rose colour.
The marking of the lower petals (which is always
so important a feature in this race of hybrids),
while most distinct and beautiful, is, unfortunately,
most irregularly distributed, the blotches of the
brightest shade of carmine ona clear yellow ground,
with broad, well-defined margin and a rosy rim.
If evenly and regularly marked this would be a
most beautiful variety.

Baudin began to bloom on August G ; it is rather
a slender grower, with unbranching spike and
large flowers of a most brilliant shade of scarlet,
lightly flaked with carmine on the outer edges of
the petals, and with a small crimson blotch on a
canary-yellow ground occupying the greater part
of the two lower petals. An exceedingly beautiful
variety.

Edison began to bloom August 8. This is a va-
riety of medium stature with a slightly branching
flower-spike. The flowers are of fair size, well ex-
panded, and of good shape. Their colour is a light
shade of scarlet, evenly flaked with carmine, and
with deep crimson velvety blotches, with a white
pointed tip on the two lower petals.

Liberte began to bloom on August 13 ; it is a
vigorous growing variety with branching flower-
spike and small tubular flowers of a dull brownish-
red colour with broad yellow margins, and deep
carmine blotches on the lower petals. The flowers
open well together on the spike and all look one
way, but the variety has little or no other merit,
save as a sort of foil to its more beauteous com-
panions, and should not, I think, have been sent out.

From above remarks it will be seen this set
contains some most beautiful flowers of most
varied and brilliant shades of colour, and also
ono distinctly inferior in every way to the
others. The irregularities in the marking of
some of the flowers formed a most curious fea-
ture. W. E. GUMBLETON.

SHORT NOTES.— FLOWER.

Gaillardias.— We riotioed a good bed of seedling
varieties in flower recently with Mr. Owen at Maiden-
head ; there wore several of the kinds ono sees named at
shows. There is no need to tuck a name on Gaillardias ;
they are much alike in shape and colours.

Helianthus Ise-tiflorus.— This is a boautiful va-
riety, at least a, form labelled thus in Mr. Owen's nur-
sery at. Maidenhead. The plants woro al I ',', feet in

height, and bore a mass of large, intense yellow flowers,
remarkably showy and effeotive. It is very easily
grown and useful in the garden in late September.

Dahlias in North Wales.— Early in Septem-
ber the Dahlias in several Welsh gardens were in lino
flower. At The Plas, Tan-y-bwlch, the plants live
through the winter, some having been out four and
five years. They now make solendid masses of leaf
and flower, especially those of Juarezi, Constance, and
a single variety, the flowers creamy-white, streaked
with pink. It is named D. Cymro, and is one
raised by Mr. Roberts, the head gardener. Large
specimens as these are far richer in effect than those
put out every year.

The Carnation in Northumberland.— The
soil and situation of our garden are very favourable
indeed for the successful cultivation of these
charming flowers. The soil being vegetable mould,
to which has been added a quantity of clay, the
Carnation thrives admirably. The situation, at an
elevation of 500 feet above sea level, is open to the
south and west, and sheltered from the north and
east by a plantation. At times a north-west wind
sweeps down on us rather severely. During the

328

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 4, 1890.

winter we are subject to very severe frosts and
heavy- snowstorms. We have been cut off
from the outer world for days at a stretch,
and without postal communication for a week at a
time, and still the Carnation lives through it all.
I have mentioned these facts to prove the hardiness
of the plants. For producing blooms for exhibi-
tion I dig into the ground a liberal dressing of
loam, leaf-mould, and burnt refuse, with a quan-
tity of BOOt added. Planting is done towards the
latter end of September, or not later than the first
week in October. This early planting is essential
in our case, as we are subject to very early frosts.
All surplus stock is left attached to the parent
plants throughout the winter, and should these not
be required to till up any vacancies in the spring,
they make a splendid display the second year, pro-
ducing blooms of first-rate quality. — ROBEBT
Elliott, Sa/rbottU Castle, UotTibwry.

Orchids.

ANGULOAS.
(!i:i:at interest is now being taken in Anguloas.
They are natives of Colombia and require cool
treatment. Anguloas were amongst the first
Orchids subjected by me to cool treatment in
the year 1855, and well I remember Mr. Donald
Beaton and a few others coming to look at
them two years afterwards and remarking that
the home-made bulbs were considerably larger
than the imported ones. The plants that sea-
son bloomed profusely. I believe these Orchids
like shade, for I have always had the. most suc-
cess with them when on the north side of the
house, the temperature of which was never in
the winter lower than about 45°. At this
time the plants were dormant, as a matter of
course ; indeed, one would suppose that this
was a temperature which would keep any Orchid
dormant, but since then I have frequently had
frost in the cool end of the Odontoglossum
house. I do not like so low a temperature, and
45" I look upon as the minimum for good Orchid
culture. During this season of rest it must be
observed that the plants are by no means kept
in a dry state, although not nearly so moist as
in the summer months, at which time they en-
joy an abundance of moisture both at the roots
and in the atmosphere. If this is not sup
plied they are very liable to become in
rested with black thrips, which will soon
destroy their appearance. In the autumn the
plants will show signs of ripening by their
leaves turning brown and falling off. When
in this condition they should become com-
paratively dry. In the spring months the -y com-
mence to grow, and the flowers soon afterwards
make their appearance. The pseudo-bulbs arc
very stout, some (i inches or more bigh, and of
arj intense deep green ; the leaves are very
ample, thin in texture, and strongly ribbed or
plaited. The scape is longer than the bulbs
and usually bears a single large and fleshy
flower, which is erect. The flowers last a very
long time in full beauty and are very showy,
but their fragrance is not generally appreciated.
They are pot plants, being naturally terres-
trial, or, at any rate, growing upon the ground.
The drainage must be exceptionally good, and
the soil good fibrous peat, mixed with a little

Sphagn Moss and some sharp sand, lle-

potting or surfacing should bo done towards the
end of February before the young growths
begin to push out. The flowers appeal- during
the months of May and June. All the plants
in their habit of growth much resemble each
other, but the Howors are very different.

A. Clow uh i is perhaps the most common species;
It has large Tulip-shaped flowers of a rich bright
golden yellow. In the variety called macrantha,

the flowers, besides being of great size, are freckled
with small blood-coloured dots.

A. liiubnea is a very rare plant, the only one I
know of this being in the collection of Sir Trevor
Lawrence at Burford Lodge. I do think that at
Burford Lodge a mistake is made in keeping it in
too high a temperature ; the flowers are large,
fleshy, and of the purest ivory-white.

A. intermedia.— A very pretty plant intro-
duced by Mr. Sander. The same form is said to
have been raised in our own gardens. The flowers,
of about the same size as those of A. Clowesi, re-
semble those of that kind in the colour on the out-
side. Within they are purplish, having in addi-
tion numerous streaks and spots of orange-yellow.

A. RuCKEBI.— This until quite recently has been
a scarce plant in cultivation. The large Tulip-
shaped flowers are greenish-yellow on the outside,
freely spotted witb crimson on the inside, the
lip deep crimson. It is a very elegant flower.

A. Ruckeri alba. — I have never seen this but
once, and in that case the flower came to me from
the collection of Mr. Dorman, of Sydenham. The
flower is of great size and pure ivory-white, but I
do not remember if it has any coloured markings
on the inside.

A. If.rcKEBlSANCiUlNEA. — This, the true variety,
is very fine ; the outside of the flower is of a more
bronzy-green than in the typical plant, the whole
interior of the flower of a deep rich blood-red, the
lip transversely barred with white, and the column
white, freckled with crimson. The true variety is
figured in the Botanical Magazine, t. 5384, and it
is a very true and faithful representation of the
plant flowered by myself in 1863. Either this
or another similar plant is also found in collections
under the name of A. purpurea.

A. uniflora. — In this variety the flowers are
smaller. Sometimes two are borne upon a single
scape. They are ivory-white and produced in great
profusion.

A. Tuuneki. — This I look upon as a form of the
preceding. Its flowers are white, flushed with pink
on the outside, freely spotted within with rosy-red.
A. VIBGINALIS is another form of uniflora, the
flowers being pure ivory-white on the outside,
freckled with brown within.

Wm. Hugh Goweb.

who found this species, but it is by no means the
same form as that figured in Williams' "Orchid Al-
bum," pi. 187. This plant is, I believe, now in the
possession of Baron Schreeder, The Dell, Egham,
and it is by far the most superb variety which I
have yet seen, but all forms of it are beautifully
rich in colour and firm in substance. The plant re-
sembles the better known D. bigibbum in growth
and mode of flowering, but it is without the white
crest on the disc of the lip, so conspicuous a feature
in all forms of that species. It requires to be grown
in the warmest house and to be fully exposed to
the sun.— W. H. G.

Vanda Sanderiana. — A very fine importation
of this fine species was recently sold by Messrs.
I'rotheroe and Morris, the finest specimen in the
lot, and undoubtedly the finest plant in Europe, be-
ing bought by Sir Trevor Lawrence for ninety
guineas. I sincerely hope his gardener, Mr. White,
will be fortunate in establishing it. Mr. Sander
should be particular in giving him exactly the con-
ditions in which it grows naturally, and as its col-
lector is now at home he can easily do this.—
W. H. G.

Dendrobium Schneiderianum.— This is a
cross between D. Findlayanum and D. aureum, the
latter plant having been the parent of the majority
of the artificial hybrids. It resembles the first-
named in its habit of growth to a great extent, the
flowers in shape being more like those of the latter,
the colour being in the sepals and petals creamy-
white, tipped with rosy-purple, the lip of the same
shade, but having a large blotch of orange-yellow
at the base, streaked with lines of purple. It is a
very distinct and handsome Orchid, but at present
a somewhat rare plant. The parent was fertilised
when in the possession of M. Oscar Schneider, but
I he seedlings were raised by Mr. Holmes, gardener
to Mr. C. Moseley, of Kusholme, Manchester.

Dendrobium Phalsenopsis. — From Mr.
Cypher, of Cheltenham, come Mowers of this plant,
which is now blooming freely in his nursery. 1
think on a, previous occasion I had mentioned this
plant under the name of D. Statteriunum in Mr.
Sander's collection at St. Albans. The flowers sent
me exactly resemble those of the original figure,
now in the possession of Mr. Bull, of ( Ihelsea, of the
D. Phalsenopsis discovered by Captain Broomfield,

THE HOME OF DENDROBIUM ALBUM.
Undee the heading " Short Notes, Orchids " (page
230 of The Garden, September 6), mention is
made of Dendrobium album. The plant, I should
imagine, is not much grown in England for some
reason or other, and the name I have only found in
a very few Orchid catalogues. Nevertheless I con-
sider it a very fine plant indeed, and one well
worthy of cultivation. I am therefore induced to
offer a few remarks on the conditions under which
it is found in a wild state in Southern India in the
hope that they may be of some use to the cultiva-
tors of the plant in this country.

On the mountain slopes of Malabar and C'oimba-
tore it is found in abundance, growing between
the elevations of 3000 feet and 4500 feet above sea
level on deciduous trees, such as Butea frondosa,
I'terocarpus Marsupium, Dalbergia latifolia, and
others. I have only found it on the western slopes
of the mountains, or within the influence of the
south-west monsoons. The plant is deciduous, the
young growths beginning to appear in April and
May, or soon after the first showers fall. The
monsoon begins at the middle of June and
lasts till the middle of September, so that
this Dendrobium is exposed to drenching rain
for three months of the year, with very rare inter-
vals of sunshine. It flowers in October, and on
some trees the plants are so numerous and the
flowers so abundant, that the air seems charged
with their sweet scent. From October till March,
and sometimes April, little or no rain falls, so that
for five or six months of the year they are
exposed to a tropical sun without any protection
whatever, as the trees on which they grow soon
lose their leaves after the winding up of the south-
west monsoon, and for at least four months out of
the six a strong dry east wind blows from the hot,
sandy plains of Mysore during the day, shrivelling
up the pseudo-bulbs of this Dendrobium to such
an extent that they look quite dead. The quick
and complete transformation from this to the
plump and growing stage of the plant after a few
showers have fallen is not one of the least of the
marvels of Nature. One of the most favoured
haunts of the Dendrobium I found to be the
western slopes of the Bramagherry Hills, a range
dividing the province of Malabar from that of
Coorg. These slopes produce only Grass, wild Date
Palms, and isolated trees on which this Orchid
grows, and nearly every tree contains plants
of various sizes, some immense clumps, which
when in bloom have a splendid appear-
ance. The flowers are pure white, as described
in the note above alluded to, with a touch of yel-
low on the lip. In its native habitat it is a free
and abundant bloomer, the flowers being generally
lavishly disposed on the pseudo-bulbs, but it does
not follow that the plant will behave in alike man-
ner when cultivated in this country. For instance,
Ccelogyne corrugata, a very pretty little Orchid
from the Neilgherry Hills, blossoms with the greatest
freedom in its native country. It grows in very large
patches on the rocks, and I have frequently seen
these patches one mass of flower, and yet in this
country the complaint is that it is one of the shyest
of Orchids to bloom. Some time ago on a visit to
the Royal Gardens, Kew, I asked to be shown a
specimen of Coelogyne corrugata, when a plant
was pointed out to me in a large pot bearing
healthy leaves, but of three times t lie length of any
I have ever seen it have in a wild state. I asked if
it had ever bloomed. I was told it had not for at

Oct. 4, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

329

least four years. I anticipated the answer, as I
saw at a glance that the plant had not been treated
in accordance with the conditions under which it is
found growing in Nature. In my opinion it
had been submitted to too much heat, and thus it
may possibly be with the Dendrobium album and
other so called shy-blooming Orchids ; a more rigid
adherence in growing them to the conditions under
which they are found in Nature might result in
greater success in flowering them here. This, of
course, does not apply to all Orchids, as it is well
known that the adaptability of many individuals of
this tribe of plants to varied treatment is little
short of wonderful. Yet I think it does not follow
that all can be subjected to diverse treatment with
impunity, but rather that there are some that re-
fuse to be cultivated with any degree of success
unless the conditions under which they are found
growing in a state of nature are closely imitated.
I have only to add that could Dendrobium
album be induced to yield its blossoms in anything
like the profusion they are produced by the
plants naturally, there is little doubt that it
would soon become a favourite, not only for the
decoration of the Orchid house, but as a product
for market. J. L-

830 RT NOTES.— ORCHIDS.

Mesospinidium vulcanicum (Dr. Paterson's
variety). — This is remarkably fine, two spikes recently
sent from Messrs. Seeger aud Tropp far exceeding ex-
pectations. The flowers are large, richly coloured,
and produced as many as twenty aud twenty-two at a
time on a raceme, all except four or five being open
together. It reminds one of Odontoglossum roseum,
but is quite distinct. The present variety is charming,
and from the ease with which it may be grown, should
be iu everyone's possession.

Vanda teres Candida. — This is a pure and deli-
cate form of the type, somewhat more slender in its
growth, and having pure white sepals and petals, the
anterior lobe of the lip being slightly flushed with rose ;
the side lobes are tinged with yellow on the inside.
Mr. Wliillans appears to have been very successful
with thesj terete-leaved Vandas this season, having
flowered not only V. teres most profusely, but also the
lovely and charming V. Hookeriana.

Odontoglossum grande. — From Mr. Brown,
gardener to Mr. White, of Arddarroch, comes a flower
of this species, extremely rich in colour and measuriug
upwards of 7 inches across ; also an excellent
photograph of the plant. The specimen is bearing
thirty-six flowers, and it is pleasant to find the large
growers setting the example of increasing their quan-
tities of this beautiful Orchid.

Kitchen Garden.

A VALUABLE CROP OF TOMATOES.
It is not merely in warm weather that Toma-
toes are in demand, but they are nearly, or
quite, as much appreciated during the coldest
and dullest part of the year. They have be-
come a necessity in fact, and many cooks are
not contented if they cannot have a continuous,
if light supply of them. If the forcing houses
are few in number, or the demand for plants
and cut flowers necessitates the utilisation of all
these, then few or no Tomatoes ought to be ex-
pected during the winter, mixed plant houses,
more especially since disease has become so
prevalent, not suiting them. At the same time,
much can be done by a persevering gardener, ox-
one who is capable of turning every corner to a
good purpose. In order to be successful in
growing and ripening a heavy crop of fruit
during the winter, an early start must be made,
and those who are at all experienced in the
matter will have strong plants already in their
fruiting quarters, or quite ready for their final
shift. I may here remark that very much de-
pends upon the selection of a variety or varie-
ties. The handsome smooth ronnd-fruited
forms can rarely be made to set so well as the

ribbed sections, notably Large Red and Orange-
Held. The first named are certainly preferred
in the kitchen for purposes where large whole
fruit are required, but that they are superior in
other respects I much question. There are
some selections of Large Red superior to others,
but even the worst of them under good cultiva-
tion can be had of good form, colour, and quality,
while the heavy cropping and rather small-
fruited Orangefield, ripened in heat, is particu-
larly good for salad, the quality, size, and
colour being just what a connoisseur appre-
ciates. If a small, round-fruited variety is de-
sired, then ought Conference to be grown, this
novelty setting very freely, the plants gradually
becoming evenly furnished with long racemes of
Tomatoes, which are of excellent colour and
flavour.

Whether the plants be grown and fruited in
pots, boxes, small pits of soil, or raised beds
enclosed by loose bricks, or on beds of soil,
should depend upon circumstances. It is fre-
quently most convenient to keep them in 12-
inch or rather larger pots, as these can be moved
about at any time if need be. Moreover, very
heavy crops can be taken from pot plants, al-
ways provided they are well attended to. I,
however, find it answers better to either set the
pots on old Melon or Cucumber beds, and allow
the roots to ramble out into these, or else to
plant out direct into raised beds of loamy com-
post enclosed by a loose brick wall, this afford-
ing the plants a fairly good root-run, the neces-
sity for very frequent waterings being thereby
obviated. By keeping the plants in pots a gross
habit is prevented, a sturdy, fruitful, and fairly
disease-resisting growth being engendered. If
the plants are turned out into a mound or ridge
of soil, the latter should be rammed as hard as
possible, or much the same as if prepared for
Melons, this being another method of causing
the requisite short-jointed fruitful top growth.
Neglect these precautions, and the chances are
a failure will result.

It is useless to attempt the culture of To-
matoes for affording a winter supply of fruit
unless roof space can be afforded the plants.
All the while they receive plenty of light and
air plants grown at a considerable distance from
the glass will set and ripen good crops of fruit,
but the case is very different during the dull
winter months, and unless they are trained near
the glass, or say over wires previously used for
Melons or Cucumbers, a good set will not be
effected. If the house or houses are also to be
utilised for other purposes, the Tomatoes
ought to be trained thinly, or say from
2 feet to 3 feet apart, this being a case
where pot culture comes in well, plants under-
neath not being very badly shaded by them.
Where, however, Tomatoes are the prin-
cipal consideration, and they pay well for hav-
ing houses mostly given up to them, either
single plants or leading shoots may well be
trained 12 inches or less apart, or according to
the known habit and vigour of the variety. I
have tried furnishing the roofs of houses with a
closely arranged row of plants along each front,
these being kept closely confined to a single
stem, and also the method of putting out a few
plants, and allowing these to extend wherever
there is space for them. The latter plan best
suits our houses. Single plants are put out
about 18 inches apart along the beds immedi-
ately under the centre of each roof, and con-
ducted up stakes till the wires are reached.
They are not stopped in any way, but are either
trained up or down the roof and other well
placed growths laid in as required, the roof from
front to top being eventually well covered with
fruiting growths. This method of training acts

as a preventive of exuberant growth at the
outset, and a good set of fruit eventually fur-
ther acts in a similar manner.

Whatever method of training is adopted it is
equally imperative that all superfluous growth
be kept down, side shoots not wanted for fur-
nishing blank space being closely removed. As
before hinted, a strong or rapid growth should
not be aimed at, or abundance of foliage and not
much fruit will result. High temperature
with or without much atmospheric moisture
is altogethera mistake, and especially so if there
is any disease about. The night temperature
rarely exceeds 55°, and if the weather outdoors is
at all mild a chink of top air is given, apparently
with the best of results. An increase of from
5° to 10° in the daytime is ample, a little top air
being given during the warmest part of sunny or
mild days. As a rule, Tomatoes thus treated
maybe treated much as other plants are as regards
watering, that is to say, water may be given
freely whenever the soil approaches dryness,
and liquid manure applied as well, directly it
is to be seen a heavy crop is setting. The ex-
ceptions to this rule are when the growth is far
too vigorous to be productive, this unfruitful
habit being checked and corrected, probably, by
withholding water for several days in succession,
or till the plants flag in the sunshine. Thus
treated, the growth soon becomes much harder
and the leaves of a more glaucous hue, bunches
or racemes of flower forming freely, these open-
ing far better than was previously the case.
Plants in pots seldom require checking in this
manner ; in fact, it is very easy to err in not
feeding them sufficiently. Not only ought they
to have plenty of water and liquid manure after
they are well rooted, but occasional top-dress-
ings of turfy loam and flaky manure, enclosed,
if need be, by a false rim of zinc added to the
top or by a ring of turf, should be applied.
Every morning towards midday the bunches of
bloom should be gone over and smartly tapped
with a light Hazel or Birch twig, this distribut-
ing the pollen and effecting a good set. Dur-
ing cold wintry weather disease of any kind is
not very rampant, the extra amount of dry heat
given off by the hot- water pipes greatly checking
the spread of these mildew-like visitations. Sul-
phur on the pipes is also more effective during
cold weather, the fumes being given off in
greater volumes. To make sulphur stick to the
pipes it must be mixed up into a paint with the
aid of either milk or linseed-oil, and more
should be added whenever no fumes are given
off by the heated pipes. These sulphur fumes
do not appear to injure the flowers in any way,
the plants setting heavy crops in a sulphur-
laden atmosphere. It may well, therefore, be
applied as a preventive even whore no disease
has previously shown itself. I. M. H.

Disease-resisting Potatoes. — I will not con
test the assertions made by a far too silent correspon-
dent, " J.S.W.," with respect to Champion Potato in
the north. I may say in support of my assertion
that it is not now grown around London as formerly,
and is not at present quoted in the London market
reports. Whatever may be the traits of the Cham-
pion in the far north, for " J. S. W." does not say
that it is grown in Yorkshire, certainly it proved
to be very subject to disease in the south ; hence its
withdrawal from commerce and the wider growth
of Magnum Bonum, Imperator, &c. As to what a
certain London seed house may say about the Cham-
pion, that is not of the slightest consequence. The
great value of the Magnum Bonum, as compared
with Champion and other coarse varieties, is
well evidenced in the letter from Mr. Leicester, who
shows how admirably it has done in Ireland. I was
pleased to observe that in referring to the negli-
gence shown in that country in relation to Potato

330

THE GARDEN.

{Oct. 4; 1890.

sorting and culture, Mr. Leicester did not attack j earliness,but in warm sheltered corners no doubt
the po°or peasantry, but rather a land steward, who i Duke of Albany will do well and give a large
presumably is an educated man and able to use his I return. I should advise topping the haulm, as
own discretion. The mixing of the seed may not j thus early setting will be encouraged.

materially affect the diseasing of the breadths, but
cultivation may have much to do with it. I am
not surprised to learn that the coarse Flounder is
still the favoured Potato in Ireland. I agree with
Mr. Leicester that the sooner Magnum is substituted
for it the better. Still it is most certain, having re-
gard to the fierce attacks of the Potato disease
experienced in some parts of this country, with
good sorts and good cultivation, that were our cli-
mate as moist as is that of Ireland, we should be in
as bad a case with Potatoes as are the cultivators of
that country.— A. D.

TOMATOES DISEASED,
I send you a plant of Tomato which is one of a
number grown in an unheated house. The house
is lofty, well ventilated, and, as far as I can discover,
there is nothing the matter with the roots, and the
soil is quite sweet, neither wet nor dry, yet the To-
matoes flag, the leaves hang and are quite limp,
while the fruit looks good and healthy. Can you
help me in any way, as neither my gardener nor I
can understand it, and I am generally very success-
ful with Tomatoes ? The kind is Vick's Criterion.
The plants are grown on the single stem, and are
planted in rows 2 feet apart, and 2 feet 6 inches to
3 feet between the plants. The soil has been ma-
nured with peat litter manure, which has been used
as a hotbed. I never use any artificial manures. —
M. B.

%* In all probability the plants are suffering
from more than one form of disease, the leaves
evidently being badly over-run by a cladisporium,
the fruit also being affected by the same, while the
stems present the appearance of having the Potato
disease or Peronospora infestans. It may be it is
the first-named only that is doing the mischief,
but if so it is a very bad case of that much-to-be-
dreaded disease. No certain cure has yet been
found for either form of fungoid disease, but much
may be done towards arresting its spread by
maintaining a dry atmosphere, top air being
given freely in all but the coldest weather.
The plan of laying in young shoots thinly all over
the stems is also a good one, foliage being there-
by provided to take the place of that lost by dis-
ease. When, however, the plants flag badly from
other than dryness at the roots, there is little like-
lihood of their long surviving. The best thing to
do in this case is to cut all the fruit in bunches,
the more forward of these being suspended in a dry
heat to ripen, while the smaller fruit which would
not ripen or colour sufficiently to be of any value
might well be turned into preserve or be pickled.
More instances of Tomatoes being diseased badly
have been met with this season than ever before,
and, as a rule, the first to succumb are the less
robust growers, including Vick's Criterion— Perfec-
tion holding out longer than most varieties. — W. I.

I have
hitherto grown Stratagem to come in as second,
but if the Duke will do as well when grown in
pots, or any other way, and planted out, the re-
turns will be much larger and the Peas much
more valuable for early dishes. For small gardens,
or those with limited means at their command,
the sowing in pots or planting-out system does not
commend itself, as it entails extra work, and the early
dwarf varieties are best, giving little trouble and
taking up only a limited space. — Geo. Wythes.

CELERY CLAYWORTH PARK PINK.

Much as we may admire the extra fine Celery
to be seen at many horticultural meetings, those
at all experienced in the matter are well aware
that these specimens of the gardener's skill are

Pea Duke of Albany This Pea has cer-
tainly maintained a foremost position this year at
all the leading exhibitions. I never remember a
season when it has done so well. No doubt the
wet summer to a certain extent has suited it, as
most Peas have been good, but the Duke has been
the most popular Pea in this district this season
and the most successful exhibition variety. I saw it
in good condition as early as the middle of June
from seed sown in pots early in January, and the
plants put out on a south border in March, and
sheltered from the east. If these large-growing
Peas can be produced in quantity by midsummer,
the question arises whether it is necessary to sow
the early round white Peas for the first early lot
when others of a much larger yield can be used for
the same purpose. Nearly everyone knows that the
Duke of Albany is a thoroughly good variety, and
less subject to mildew perhaps than a few of our
really best Peas, but for early work I have not yet
given it a trial. In exposed positions I do not
think Chelsea Gem and the better known Ameri-
can Wonder can be beaten for productiveness or

ever, more nearly approaching the model sam-
ples shown in the illustration. If this is done,
everybody will be pleased. It does not follow
that because extra large produce is wasteful
that samples very much smaller must always be
considered superior, as it is quite possible to err
in not devoting sufficient attention to the growth
of any one kind of vegetable. Especially is this
the case with Celery, undergrown, badly-
blanched stuff being hard, poor in flavour, and
indigestible. The examples of Clayworth Park
Pink represented cannot be considered under-
grown in any way, and, in fact, are an excellent
type of Celery — well grown, with sufficient
strong, clean, and straight outer stalks to enclose
and protect the heart, the latter well developed,
perfectly blanched, solid, crisp and nutty in
flavour, presenting all the good qualities one
expects to find in Celery without much waste.
This season may be said to have been highly
favourable to the production of solid crisp
Celery, and lovers of this vegetable — a very
large class, let me add — ought to have little
cause to complain of its quality.

W. IgGTJLDEN.

Celery Clayworth Park Pink.

not to be commended for ordinary purposes. No-
body knows but those who have grown exhibi-
tion Celery how much labour and skill have
to be expended on it during the season, and
probably even fewer have paused to think how
much of the extra size thus gained is ruthlessly
reduced when the Celery is required for use.
The waste connected with the extra large
produce— not merely Celery, but various
other vegetables — is almost incredible, and
those who object to this have no remedy
other than supplying the kitchen with samples
more nearly approaching in size what is really
wanted. To employers I would say by all
means let the gardener have an opportunity of
displaying his skill in the vegetable growing
line, and the gardener I would strongly advise
not to abuse this privilege. If this advice is
taken, a few dozen extra fine stalks or sticks of
Celery will be grown, the bulk of the crop, how-

POTATOES.
The Potato crop has been very good, the yield-
large, individual tubers large and shapely, and
comparatively no disease. I was afraid a very
different state of things would have to be chroni-
cled, but the spell of splendid weather experienced
since the latter end of August seems to have com-
pletely arrested the progress of disease and proved
highly beneficial to second early and late varieties.
I came to the conclusion last autumn to dispense
with the greater number of sorts grown and rely
simply on three varieties, viz., Early Puritan, Sut-
ton's Seedling, and The Bruce. I see no reason to
change them, unless something extra good comes
to the fore. The yield of Puritan and The Bruce
averaged 10J tons per acre, and the seedling close
on 10 tons. This last is undoubtedly one of the very
best varieties in cultivation oh this soil, and as the
" one Apple " man sticks to his Cox's Orange, so to
a " one Potato " man in this neighbourhood I
would suggest Sutton's Seedling. I say on this soil
advisedly, having no wish to pose as the champion
of any individual variety for all manner of soils
and situations, being aware to what an extent these
latter conditions are answerable for flavour and
cropping qualities. _ If the connoisseur in Potatoes
were limited to two dishes of Magnums taken re-
spectively from light sandy and stiff heavy soils, it
would puzzle him to decide that they were samples
of the same Potato. The Bruce is a capital form of
the Magnum, being, as well as a heavy cropper, a very
even handsome Potato of high quality, nor would it
be likely to come coarse and mis-shapen even from
heavy land. Probably this latter failing would be
characteristic of the first namedofthethree varieties,
Early Puritan, and for this reason it is not every-
body's Potato. May this not be answerable for the
difference in opinion as to the merits of Interna-
tional Kidney. One or two correspondents seem to
have broken a lance with " A. D." in the matter of
this variety as readily did the latter over an opi-
nion of mine expressed respecting Red-skin Flour-
ball. The latter has been discarded for The Bruce
simply because the white Potato has proved rather
the heavier cropper and of more presentable ap-
pearance, the crop taken as a whole being of a
more level, even character. I have annually tried
three or four varieties with the view of superseding
any one of those grown in bulk. The sorts thus
tried this season are Snowdrop, Imperator, and
King of Russets; they are very good, but not,
taking them as an all-round sample, so good as the
three named at the commencement of these notes.
The only sort likely to be extensively tried in 18i)l in
addition to these is one selected two seasons back,
a first early, white, of compact habit, and a very
heavy cropper. I fancy it will with us take the
place of Puritan, as the latter has superseded

Ocr. 4, 1890.]

THE GAUDEK

331

Beauty of Hebron, which is still the market Potato
of the neighbourhood. E. I.

SHORT NOTES.— KITCHEN.

Ham Graen Tomato.— From Mr. Gilbert comes
this excellent Tomato — goofl in shape, ribless, and much
larger than usual.

Hill's Prolific Runner Bean.— Suchis the name
of a very tine long-podded Scarlet Runner Bean which
is growing largely in Mr. Bunyard's Allington Nursery,
Maidstone. The variety was raised some years ago by
a gardener in Kent named Hill, and by him kept in
sole possession until recently, when he disposed of the
stock to Mr. Buuyard. The pods are long, handsome,
and very tender, and are borne in great pi-ofusion on
the vine.

Latest of All Pea.— I tasted this Pea a few days
ago, and a more delicious variety it would be difficult
to find at this late season of the year. The variety is
about 4 feet in height, and produces very green pods
in great profusion. It was raised by Mr. Maher, of
Stoke Court, Slough, and passed into the hands of
Messrs. Sutton & Sons, who put it into commerce. It
is strange that so fine a late variety should have come
as it were accidentally in this way, whilst Pea raisers
who have produced almost hundreds of varieties have
succeeded in producing so few of first-class quality.

Conference Tomato. — I have been much
pleased to find that as the plants of this remark-
ably prolific Tomato get older they produce much
finer fruits than at first. I have some now which
are quite as large and as handsome as any I ever
had from Perfection, whilst the variety crops fully
twice as heavily. I do not think Conference is yet
in commerce, as it was distributed by the Royal
Horticultural Society. That it will be in commerce
this winter there can be no doubt, and I advise all
who grow Tomatoes to give it a trial. I trust only
the real variety will be sold, but so-called prolific
varieties of the Tomato are legion. — A. D.

NOTES ON MARKET PLANTS.
Cape Heaths.— The fact that about 25,000 of
these are annually grown in a Kentish market gar-
den shows that however much they may have gone
out of cultivation in private establishments, there
still exists a great demand for certain kinds that
bloom in winter and early spring. In the above-men-
tioned garden they are remarkably well grown,
being brought to flowering size in two years from
the cutting. This rapid development appears to
be in a great measure due to the liberal use of soot
water and to a limited extent of sulphate of am-
monia, a manure that I should certainly never have
thought of applying to any kind of Cape Heath.
It is, however, only two or three kinds, of which
gracilis is one, that get the sulphate, the others
having soot water. I am told that this is used
very much stronger than one would consider safe
for such delicate-rooted things. I have had con-
siderable experience in the culture of Cape Heaths,
and I feel sure that without the aid of some stimu-
lant plants could not be grown to selling size in the
short space of two years. It is pleasing to find
there is a considerable demand for those two fine
kinds Cavendishiana and ventricosa coccinea minor
both of which are grown in quantity and subjected
to the same treatment.

Pakis Daisies. — As is well known, these are of
remarkably easy culture, and can be had in good
marketable condition quite early in spring. But,
as is well known, these plants have a formidable
enemy in the Celery fly, that frequently quite
neutralises the best culture and will in a short
time completely ruin a fine lot of plants. A
friend who grows them largely for market claims
to have discovered a way of ensuring them against
the ravages of this pest. This consists in con-
stantly watering them with soot water from the
time that they begin to grow freely, and which
he considers imparts a bitter taste to the foliage
and deters the fly from depositing its eggs in it.
My friend now claims to enjoy almost complete
exemption from the ravages of this scourge, and
I would advise all who may be troubled with it to
give his system a trial, for if the soot does nothing

else, it will promote a free growth and impart a
deep colour to the foliage. Probably no other
plant grown for market requires such strict atten-
tion to watering as the Paris Daisy. It makes an
abundance of roots, and the pots are filled with
them some time before they come into bloom. It
being also absolutely necessary that they be grown
in the full sun with abundance of air, it stands to
reason that amount of foliage so large in propor-
tion to the size of the pot takes up under such cir-
cumstance a lot of moisture, and if this is afall
deficient the blooms will not come sufficiently
large to ensure a ready sale for the plants.

Fuchsias. — I have often heard very good -plant
growers express surprise that they should fail to
obtain Fuchsias in small pots similar to those
brought into Covent Garden. High feeding, strict
attention to watering, and a suitable temperature
are one and all important matters, are, of course,
indispensable cultural details, but they are not
enough to promote a rapid growth. Without shade
from hot sun it is impossible to obtain the best re-
sults. The foliage of the Fuchsia is tender, and
dislikes dry heat. Exposed to the full sun in
spring and summer the leaves harden, and the free
flow of sap that induces free growth is checked and
can never again be restored. Therefore to keep
the plants constantly moving, they must be shaded
from the time the sun gets power in spring. With-
out this it would be impossible to obtain bushy,
well-flowered specimens during the hot summer
months. If anyone will try two lots of plants, one
grown with and the other without shade, he will
see the value of this cultural detail. The object of
all market growers is to get the plants into market-
able condition as soon as possible. It makes a
great deal of difference whether it takes three or
four months to finish a lot of plants off, for the
grower for market keeps his glass space continu-
ally filled, and the more quickly he can get a lot of
plants ready for sale the sooner can the space be
occupied with something else. It is only by a
rapid system of culture under glass that growing
plants in pots can be made to pay. J. C. B.

Stove and Greenhouse.

A NOTE ON IVY-LEAVED PELAR-
GONIUMS.
An interesting collection of Ivy-leaved Pelar-
goniums is grown in the Castlehill Nursery,
Maidenhead, by Mr. Owen, to whom we are in-
debted for much of the present perfection of
the flower. It is not known generally that
it is Mr. Owen we have to thank for the
beautiful variety Souvenir de Charles Turner,
one of the finest in cultivation, and which we
have seen flowering with remarkable profusion
this season in several gardens and nurseries.
It bloomed first in May, 1885, at the time of Mr.
Turner's death, and the name given it was sug-
gested by the occurrence. It is the result of cross-
ing Masterpiece with Oomtesse de Choiseul, an-
other flower of rich beauty. Souvenir de Charles
Turner is unquestionably the gem of the Ivy-
leaved varieties ; it bears very large trusses of
deep pink flowers, quite double, yet exceedingly
free and elegant, without a trace of stiffness, as

the zonal types. Its freedom, vigour of
growth, and excellence in the open ground are
well recognised. If Mr. Owen had raised no
other he would have accomplished much, but
Beauty of Castlehill is a fine variety, rich rose,
delicately shaded with salmon, a very bright
and charming shade of colour. It has the same
vigour and freedom as Souvenir de Charles
Turner, though not quite so rapid in its growth,
but it bears trusses of equal size and richness.
It is a seedling from it. Other good kinds we
noted were Miss Rider, a showy flower, rich
scarlet shaded with orange, and very free ;
Liberty, brilliant cerise ; Jeanne d'Arc, white,
tinted with lavender ; Robert Owen, rose, very

fine flower ; and Edith Owen, shining magenta.
These are merely the names of a few of the
more striking noted in Mr. Owen's nursery.
We believe he is again raising seedlings, and if
so, we may in due time expect rich treasures,
if those already given us are to be taken as
types. We regard the Ivy-leaved section as
the most graceful of all Pelargoniums. The
plants can be used in a variety of ways, in
baskets suspended in the greenhouse, in pots
trained loosely to sticks, in vases in the open
ground, and lastly, planted in the beds, to trail
over and form a gracef ul fringe. There is still
need for a richer range of colours, which are
principally confined to scarlet, carmine, salmon,
and rose in various degrees. A good white
would be welcomed, having the same free
growth, vigour, and large full flower as, for in-
stance, Souvenir de Charles Turner. Such a
novelty would be prized as a plant and equally
so as a cut flower. We hope Mr. Owen will
continue to raise seedlings as be has in the past,
as there is always a demand for such splendid
things of the character of those mentioned in
this note, but not for those flowers shaded with
magenta and nondescript tones of which we
have too much by far in our florists' flowers.

Aristolochia elegans. — This Aristolochia'
which was introduced in 1885, and represented by
a coloured plate in The Gaeden, June 19, 1886, is
not only one of the most beautiful of the genus to
which it belongs, but also one of the very finest
climbers we possess for a small structure, kept at a
stove or intermediate house temperature. It has
been in bloom with us for the last three or four
months, and very frequently there have been dozens
of its beautiful quaintly marked shell-like blos-
soms hanging at one time. It is one of those
climbers that are far better fitted for a low struc-
ture where the plants on the roof are near the eye
than it is for a more lofty house, as in such the de-
licate markings of the flower are partially lost. We
have had plants in 6-inch pots trained round a few
sticks produce a great number of blossoms, so that
it can be grown even where there is no roof space
available. The peculiar glaucous green tint of the
foliage is very different from that of the other Aris-
tolochias, while a still more noticeable difference is
that the flowers are without any unpleasant smell,
which is common to most members of the genus.
It can be easily increased during the spring and
summer months by cuttings of the young growing
shoots, and will thrive in any ordinary potting com-
post, while when the required dimensions are ob-
tained, this Aristolochia may be kept in the same
pot for years in perfect health.— H. P.

Chrysanthemum frutescens. — Where these
plants have been turned out in the open ground for
the summer, no time should be lost in lifting and
potting them, as if they get injured by frost it will
interfere with their blooming. The white forms
are exceptionally free rooters, and though they are
able to make good any loss of their feeding fibres
quicker than most things, still if the balls are much
reduced, it will for a time retard the flowering.
This being the case, pots proportionate to the size
of the plants should be used. Give them good
fresh loam that is well enriched with rotten manure,
and some leaf-mould with sand. In this new roots
will quickly be made, so that the buds already
formed will scarcely receive any check. Keep them
a little closer than ordinary for two or three weeks
after potting. If through the winter these Chry-
santhemums can have a temperature about 5° or 6°
above that usually given to greenhouse plants, they
will produce a much larger quantity of flowers.
When the roots have had time to take free hold of
the soil, manure-water may be given at short inter-
vals. The yellow varieties are not so free in growth
as the white ones, and correspondingly shy
bloomers, requiring much less pot-room. To get
them to flower in winter the plants should be kept
warmer. Where this is done they ought to be
stood close to the glass, otherwise the extra heat

332

THE GAEDEN.

[Oct. 4, 1890.

will have the effect of inducing weak spindly
growth with little disposition to flower. — T. B.

SHORT NOTES.— STOVE AND GREENHOUSE.

Abutilon Golden Fleece is a showy variety,
very useful for pots iu the greenhouse at this season.
The flowers are large, rich yellow in colour, and home
freely. It is with several other varieties in full hloora
in the Kew greenhouse.

Lantana hybrida makes a pleasing pot plant. It
is used with advantage in the greenhouse at this season.
We saw a group of it in a plant house the other day,
and the effect of the profusion of very dark crimson
flowers was distinctly happy. It is not difficult to
grow or strike from cuttings.

Pleroma maerantlia deserves a note. In the
greenhouse at Kew are several one-year-old plants,
each hearing a large head of several rich purple-hlue
flowers. Used as a pot plant thus, it is fine and very
handsome, far better than when kept stewing in a high
stove temperature. It does far better in a greenhouse.

Plants in corridor. — I have a span-roofed corri-
dor 20 feet long by 8 feet wide, glazed with Hartley's
rolled glass and heated. It has both top and bottom
ventilators, and, strange to say, I cannot get a flowering
plant to do. I have tried Chrysanthemums, Cannas,
zonal Pelargoniums, and various other greenhouse
plants, but the flowers drop and the leaves turn yellow.
The plants are well attended to with water and get the
morning sun up to one o'clock. There is no gas. The
Ferns keep green, but do not make any growth. —
Torquay.

Societies and Exhibitions.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Dahlia Conference.

We referred to Mr. Hibberd's paper on the Dahlia
in The Gaeden, Sept. 27 (p. 309), and now give a
few remarks on the others. A practical paper was
read by Mr. Girdlestone, who dealt with Cactus
and decorative varieties, and first alluded to Mr.
Hibberd's reason of the decline of the Dahlia,
mentioning that it was possibly due to the great
size the flowers had attained, which made them
top-heavy, broke the stem on which they were pro-
duced, and they could not be seen in the garden.
Then people began to grow again the single varie-
ties, which held their flowers well up, being light,
and this popularity of single flowers promoted the
smaller double kinds. Then Mr. Cannell intro-
duced the Cactus Dahlia, which probably shocked
the florists with its pointed petals and informal
outline. The three forms of decorative Dahlias are
the single, pompon, and Cactus. The single Dahlias
are very easily raised from seed. It cannot be too
strongly impressed upon people that an immense
number of seedlings must be raised to produce a
few good varieties. Do not trouble to raise your
own seedlings unless it is desired to do so, but get
good named kinds. A great mistake is made by
amateurs that because things are not grown for ex-
hibition, they can be put in the ground or left to
take care of themselves, but unless they are cul-
tivated and well looked after, no Dahlias will make
a display in the garden. Some of the Cactus
Dahlias are not decorative. As soon as the bud is
formed, side shoots begin to grow, and taller than
the flower overshadowing it. The way to make
the Cactus Dahlia decorative is to disbud very
freely early in the season, pinching out the
side-shoots, which will in time hide the flower,
but pompons and singles have no need of this.
Decorative Dahlias should produce flowers of a dis-
tinct colour ; if variegated, the variegation should
be constant; the foliage should not be too gross.
The average height of the Dahlia has been reduced
of late years. Mr. Girdlestone then mentioned that
the flowers of single Dahlias should be cut before
they shed their pollen, and it cannot be too strongly
urged upon raisers of decorative Dahlias to keep
to the Cactus type, and that if plants are shown
for certificates, the exhibitor should show flowers
not wired to tell whether they have good stiff stems.
Mr. Girdlestone then gave the names of a few of
the best varieties. Amongst the singles were
mentioned Eclipse, Victoria, Northern Star,

Cetewayo, Excelsior, James Scobie. White. —
Duchess of Westminster, White Queen. Pompons.
— Fashion, a very brilliant variety of dwarf habit ;
White Aster, Phcebe, excellent habit ; Duchess,
Fairy Tales, Gem, Isabel. Cactus. — Panthea, a
true Cactus variety ; Juarezi, Baldwin, Delicata,
Honoria, the best yellow ; Asia, Duke of Clarence,
Mrs. Hawkins. Decorative. — Empress of India,
Constance, a very pure white ; Charming Bride,
William Rayner, Cochineal, Mrs. Douglas, Lady
Marsham, Black Prince. Glare of the Garden was
referred to as an excellent variety, covering itself
with flower.

Grape Conference.
The meeting over which Dr. Hogg presided was
a remarkably good one, every seat being occupied.
The chairman in the course of a brief opening
address referred to the prevailing taste in favour
of large Grapes, leaving the choicer forms ne-
glected. That he deprecated, as ignoring the
richest flavour in favour of mere size. Mr. T. F.
Rivers read the first paper on Frontignan Grapes.
The purport of the paper, which was descriptive
of the Frontignan family, was in favour of wider
cultivation of varieties so well known for high
flavour and perfume. Not a few of the varieties
ripened well in a cool house, some would even
ripen on a south wall in specially favourable
seasons, whilst the grizzly forms needed heat.
The paper was illustrated by handing round
for the audience to taste samples of Mr.
Roupell's Frontignans, that gentleman very courte-
ously assisting in the distribution. The paper of
the afternoon was undoubtedly that read by Mr.
R. D. Blackmore, of Teddington, whose theme was
the enemies of the Vine. Mr. Blackmore practi-
cally detailed his own sufferings from Vine plagues
and pests. These he described as vegetable, fun-
goid, including mildew, and a new form of disease
which kills the points of the young shoots back to
the old wood, and even the old wood itself, a dis-
ease without a name, and the only remedy for
which so far has been found in dipping the shoots
into a strong solution of ammonia, a really liquid
manure. Other Vine pests were found in live ene-
mies, such as Phylloxera, of which he had fortu-
nately no experience, red spider, mealy bug,
scale, thrips, also some of a miscellaneous kind,
such as shanking, rust, spot, scald, &c. Mr. W.
Thomson, of Clovenfords, took for his subject soils
and manures, giving at once a most exemplary short
and practical paper, which was listened to with
exceeding interest. It need hardly be said that
each reader met with an almost enthusiastic recep-
tion from the large audience. Dr. Masters warmly
eulogised the papers, and the Rev. Mr. Wilks pro-
posed both to the readers and to the exhibitors of
Grapes a hearty vote of thanks, which was cordi-
ally awarded.

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY.

As might be expected, the meeting of the general
committee of this society held on Monday last was,
in consequence of its sad surroundings, very largely
attended, not only by ordinary members, but also
by representatives of affiliated societies.

Mr. R. Ballantine, who occupied the chair, having
alluded to the necessity for the meeting, referred to
the late Mr. Holmes' work as secretary of the Na-
tional Chrysanthemum Society in a very touching
manner, and called upon Mr. R. Dean to read the
minutes of the former meeting. Mr. Ballantine
then proposed a vote of condolence to the family
of the late Mr. Holmes, which was seconded by Mr.
E. C. Jukes, in the course of a speech sympathising
with the widow and family of his deceased friend
and fellow worker in the society, who, he said,
could never be replaced, no matter how good a
secretary they might elect to fill his place.

Mr. H. Cannell, too, paid a tribute of regard to
Mr. Holmes' memory, and related how in the days
of the old Stoke Newington Society he had been
personally acquainted with Mr. Holmes as a boy,
and his father. He could but sympathise with the
family in their distress, and thought that the

society would have to work in great harmony to
thoroughly carry on its work for efficiently bringing
the centenary festival to a successful issue.

It was then announced that a letter had been
prepared for signature by the members present,
which it was proposed should be framed and for-
warded to Mrs. W. Holmes. The wording was as
below : —

Anderton's Hotel, Fleet Street,

Sept. 29, 1S90.
Mrs. W. Holmes.

Dear Madam, — On behalf of the General Committee
of the National Chrysanthemum Society we desire t)
assure you and the family of the late Mr. William
Holmes that we sympathise with you most profoundly
iu the terrible trial which has befallen you. To you the
loss must be irreparable! We, as ind.viduals, mourn
over the early death of one who had endeared himself
to us by his many high personal qualities, and as mem-
bers of the above committee desire to place on record
our sense of the sore loss sustained by the society
through his removal. Mr. Holmes has ever been its
life and soul, and its success is mainly due to his
earnest, able, and self-sacrificing labours on its be-
half.

As long as the National Chrysanthemum Society en-
dures, the name of William Holmes will be held in
living and honoured remembrance.

We are, dear Madam,

Yours very truly,
R. Ballantinf, Chairman of Committees,
E. C. Jukes, Vice-Chairman of Committees,
J. R. Stakeing, Treasurer,
C. Harman Payne, Foreign Corresponding Sec,
and about forty of the members present.

By way of temporarily replacing Mr. Holmes
until the end of the financial year, Mr. R. Ballantine
intimated that Mr. R. Dean, who was a friend of
the late secretary's family, would be in every way
qualified to assume the post in conjunction with
Miss Holmes, who had much of the business of the
society in hand. Mr. R. Dean was therefore elected
to perform the secretarial duties and carry on all
exhibition arrangements till the next annual meet-
ing. At this juncture it was intimated that in
future a paid secretary would be required on ac-
count of the great tax upon any one individual,
but this subject was deferred for later considera-
tion, as also the remuneration to be allowed to Mr.
Dean for clerical assistance required.

Mr. Dean replied that he was very grateful for
being unanimously elected to the important posi-
tion of secretary pro tern. He felt altogether in-
adequate to stand in the steps of his dear friend
Mr. Holmes, and assured the meeting he would do
his best to carry on the work.

The appointment of Mr. Dean having caused a
vacancy as judge of the incurved blooms at the
next show, it was resolved that the reserves be
communicated with to fill his place. Mr. Swift
sent a letter resigning his place on the floral and
general committees. Mr. Shoesmith was elected
on the former and Mr. Moore on the latter in sub-
stitution.

The funds of the society not having begun to
come in to any great extent at present, it was re-
solved, in order to effect a speedy settlement of the
prizes awarded at the September show, to realise
the reserve fund, and open a banking account in
the names of Mr. Ballantine and Mr. Starling. Mr.
Wynne, as seconder of the proposition, hoped the
transfer would be temporary. The late secretary at
this season of the year frequently found himself
obliged to advance money to the society and repay
himself later towards the close of the year. Mem-
bers would greatly facilitate the business-like
working of the society just now by remitting their
subscriptions to Mr. R. Dean at Frampton Park
Nurseries, Hackney, E.

The Exmouth Gardeners' Mutual Improvement
Society and the Wellington Horticultural Society,
New Zealand, were admitted in affiliation, and ten
new members and Fellows elected.

Mr. Harman Payne was called upon to report as
to the progress of the new edition of the society's
catalogue. He said every effort would be made to
publish it before the November shows began, and
that there was reason to hope that the labours of
the Catalogue Committee would be placed before

Oct. 4, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

333

them in a more extended and interesting form
than before, as some additional matters of import-
ance had been incorporated in the new edition.

Inquiry having been made as to designs for a
new certificate for the society, the chairman ex-
plained that the matter had been left in the hands
of Mr. Lewis Castle, who was not present, and
had, so far as he knew, done nothing in connec-
tion therewith. It was thereupon resolved that as
time was now too short to admit of further delay,
the question of a new certificate must be aban-
doned.

Many letters were read from affiliated societies
sympathising with the National Chrysanthemum
Society in the loss of their late secretary, and the
desirability of that society co-operating with some
friends at Hackney to erect a memorial to Mr.
Holmes was discussed. It was, however, felt by
most of those present that whatever was done lo-
cally, the National Chrysanthemum Society's me-
morial should be of a purely horticultural character.
A meeting will be held at the Royal Aquarium Oc-
tober show to discuss the best method of procedure.
Mr. Dean was empowered to convene a meeting of
the society and friends for the purpose.

The Guildhall Fruit Show.— This show of
fruit, which is being carried out by the Fruiterers'
Company, assisted by some of the leading authori-
ties on fruit culture of the present day, promises to
be very extensive, and in addition to the whole
space of the Guildhall being required for the ex-
hibition, the old council chamber and several of
the adjacent lobbies will also be utilised. In the
classes for competition the counties have been
grouped into three zones, the northern, south-
western, and south-eastern, and so Apples from
the north will not compete with those from the
South. A large number of entries have already
been received, and the contributions from cottagers
and tenant farmers from the different zones will be
anticipated with much interest. As no charge can
be made for admission, invitation tickets will be
issued, which can be had of the clerk of the com-
pany, Mr. O. C. T. Eagleton, 4G, Chancery Lane.
The Lord Mayor and sheriffs will open the exhibi-
tion on Monday next, the 6th instant, at 3 p.m. after
the work of judging is completed.

Crocosma aurea var. maculata (Baker). —
In reply to " W. T." (p. 290), the spray I exhi-
bited at the Royal Horticultural Society was
shown under the above, its proper name ; if other-
wise reported, it was in error. The history of this
beautiful plant is singular. Some years ago a
friend in S. Africa reported that it had appeared
in his garden, and whence it came he did not know.
Probably it was unwittingly brought with other
bulbs collected wild in some distant part. About
188G I obtained all the corms he could spare, and
grew them on. On flowering, its beauty far exceeded
my expectations, and I exhibited it at the Royal
Horticultural Society (in 1888, I think), and re-
ceived a first-class certificate for it. On Nov. 17,
1888, it was illustrated in the Gardeners' Chronicle,
and soon after Herr Max Leichtlin asked for and
obtained all I could part with. Subsequently, how-
ever, I got a few more roots over and again exhi-
bited a small spray this year, sending only a
branchlet of the 4-feet spike, as the committee had
seen it before. The variation in this plant is un-
accountable, but it constitutes it the first marked
departure from the originally figured type, the
nearest approach to which is that now called
imperialis, which may, indeed, be a slight improve-
ment ; but the roots gathered wild and sent to this
country many times since the original appeared
are very bad forms, although they have to represent
the plant in most gardens. — Jambs O'Brien, Har-
row-on-the-Hill.

■ In reply to the question of " W. T." on p.

290, I beg to draw his attention to the article in
the Gardeners' Chronicle of November 17, 1888 (p.
565). No further comment will be wanted. — Max
Leichtlin, Baden-Baden.

The new fruit and vegetable market. —
Considerable progress is being made with the new fruit

and vegetable market in the Farringdon Road. The
" first stone " will be laid by the Lord Mayor in about
a month from the present date.

THE PAST SEASON.

The season we have just passed through, has been
so unusual in its character that it can scarcely
fail to be interesting to note some of its effects
on our gardens and vegetation generally. We
began in spring with an extraordinary drought,
which, connected with an unusually dry winter,
had a very serious effect on shrubs and trees.
The drought was accompanied by such heat in
April as we expect to have in July, but as it
turned out this year the heat of that early
month far exceeded the warmth of the later one.
In July the average weather was damp, cold,
and most unlike summer. The consequence of
the sudden blaze of heat in April and the
drought was most seriously felt here by the
Peach trees. They were blighted to such an
extent, that scarcely any foliage was left upon
them. The blight rapidly extended to all vege-
tation ; Potatoes, Cauliflowers, and Tomatoes
all suffered from the fly, which was first deve-
loped on the Peach trees.

The trees on a west wall were not so much
affected ; it was chiefly two or three fine trees
in a south-east corner which have hitherto
borne fine fruit. With the rains of June and
July there was a grad ual improvement, but not
to any great extent. The same causes (heat and
drought at an unusual time) had a very bad
effect upon Roses ; the only one strong enough
to resist the trying weather was La France.
Coniferous trees on the lawn were much injured,
and I am afraid I shall lose a large Acacia
tree. But the heavy rains of midsummer have
been most beneficial in many respects, because
they were preceded and followed by such un-
usual heat. The crop of Peas has been immense,
and they have been unusually large and juicy
through the month of September. Chrysan-
themums, which are always stood in large pots
on the kitchen garden walks, are looking finer
than I have ever seen them. It may be said
that proper attention to artificial watering
in an ordinary summer would have the
same effect. 1 do not think so. The damp
atmosphere caused by continued rain coming
after great heat, and prolonged for some time,
was more useful than any amount of artificial
watering would have been to such water-loving
plants as Chrysanthemums. Not a leaf is miss-
ing on most of the plants.

Thelarge-growing sub-tropical plants, Bicinus,
Canna, &c, have developed their beautiful foli-
age much more luxuriantly than usual. They
are thirsty things and seem to spread out their
great leaves in gratitude to the heavy rains,
which spoiled the enjoyment of midsummer for
human beings. Apples, which looked rather in-
clined to shrivel up, and to be blighted into no-
thingness, suddenly began to swell with the
rains, and have finally developed in our tropical
September into fat, greasy-looking fruit, as
large arjd fine as Apples can be. This is spe-
cially true of Lord Suftield and Cellini, and also
of the large sorts of Pears, such as Beurre Clair-
geau. I believe Apples in this county, if not very
abundant, will be unusually fine this year. It
is quite possible their keeping qualities may
not be so good.

Cyclamen hederrefolium, which at this time
of the year is a special favourite, and always
attracts a great deal of attention, is remarkably
fine, and that, not as a paragraph in The Gar-
den (p. 268) would seem to infer, in spite of the
rains, but because of them. I have long observed

that this beautiful plant delights in a great
deal of water in summer. I grow it between
the roots of some Plane trees at the base of
their trunks. It likes the shade, but it must be
well watered. I think it is solely on this
account that the Ivy-leaved Cyclamen is sup-
posed to do better in the western counties. It
does not mind any amount of cold, snow, or
frost, but it will not stand summer drought.

The summer rains and subsequent heat have
proved most beneficial to our large wall climbers.
Magnolia grandiflora has given us dozens of its
lovely flowers, and Bignonia radicans, which I
consider one of our most beautiful hardy
climbers, is covered with its long, tube-shaped
blossoms.

In our fields and hedges Blackberries are so
very abundant, that even the little school
children cannot keep down their numbers, and
berries of all sorts are equally abundant. And
to return for a moment to the kitchen garden,
the heads on Veitch's Autumn Cauliflowers are
so enormous, that they have to be divided at
least once before any pot can be found large
enough in which to cook them.

A Gloucestershire Parson.

A bunched Walnut. — Mr. Gilbert sends us
some very striking branches of this Walnut. The fruits
are borne in great long clusters at the end of each
branch, and are of good size. It is, we suppose, a dis-
tinct variety.

Pear "Winter !N"elis. — In our garden we have a
Winter Nelis Pear in full bloom, and some of the
bloom looks like setting for fruit. Can any reader of
The Garden tell me the cause of this ? The tree is
on a west wall, a good bloomer, but a very shy bearer.
There is one Pear only on now. — James Culver.

Blackberry Wilson Jun. — This is the first
year we have fruited the Wilson Jun. Blackberry. It
is a very strong grower, and the fruit is so large that
it is worth taking pains with. I hope next year to be
able to send you yet finer specimens. It was named,
I believe, after some American grower. — George F.
Wilson.

%* The finest fruits of this we have ever seen. — Ed.

October flowers. — Herewith I send you a few
October flowers consisting of Michaelmas Daisies,
Pyrethrum uliginosuro, Chrysanthemum Leucanthe-
mum, Phloxes, perennial Sunflowers, Chrysanthemum
Mme. Desgrange, Lobelia Queen Victoria, Pentste-
mons, &c. These are from a long border devoted to
hardy perennials, bulbs, and annuals. All are grown
in large masses, many of which are from 3 feet to 6
feet across. — J. Crook, Forde Abbey.

A scarlet Japanese Anemone. — I hear that
a scarlet variety of this fine plant has appeared. Has
anyone seen it ? — T. C.

Uames of plants. — I. , Norfolk. — Mina lobata.

J. S. T. — 1 , Erica Parmenteriana rosea ; 2, E .

princeps carnea ; 3, E. vestita coccinea. M. W. H.

— Cannot name varieties of Abutilons nor Achimenes.

G. P. — 1, Molinia coerulea ; 2, Avena flavescens ;

3, Alopecurus geniculates ; 4, Triticum littorale ; 5,
Bromus erectus. J. Duncan. — 1, Parietaria offici-
nalis ; 2, Euphorbia Esula; 3, E. Helioscopica ; 4,

Rhinanthus crista-galli. G. Harverson— 1, Sitold-

bium adiantoides; 2, Gymnopteris nicotianarfolia ; 3,
Woodsia mollis ; 4, Selaginella Wallichi ; 5, S. deliea-

tissima. J. Smith. — Your letter is to hand, but

nothing else. K. Upcher. — Spiranthes autumnalis.

X. L. — 1, Sedum spectabile; 2, Kerria japonica

variegata ; 3, Elosagnus glabra; 4, send in flower; 5,

next week ; 0, Laalia autumnalis. Plowman. — 1,

Lythrum Salicaria ; 2, Lavatera syriaca ; 3, Solidago
ulmifolia ; 4, Campanula isophylla ; 5, Veronica spi-

cata alba. F. Compton.—l, Haworthia margari-

tacea ; 2, Aloe brevifolia. X. L.—l, Muhlenbeclria

complexa; 2, Nierembergia rivularis. H. G. P,. —

Lilium tigrinuni splcndens. E. A. Bigrje— Gloxinia

tubiflora. Francis Foote. — Hydrangea Otaksa;

others next week. W. Button.— Brassavola Perrini.

Anon. — No. 7, Aerides sp. C. E. A. — Urceolina

pendula. Greatorex— Clerodendron foetidum.

Karnes of fruit. — Francis Foote. — Duchess of
Oldenburg.— —M. N.— Peach Salway.

334

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 4, 1890.

WOODS AND FORESTS.

EARLY CONING- OF CONIFERS.
There seems to be a great deal of misappre-
hension on this subject, as several writers have
expressed their doubts as to the health of the
progeny raised from the seeds of young trees.
In The Garden, September 20 (p. 285), "T."
says : —

One of the chief causes of young trees coning so
prematurely is tying the stems upright which hap-
pen to be leaning to one side Another

cause is from transplanting, and is particularly
noticeable in Picea nobilis. Although transplant-
ing is often done for this express purpose, I have
my doubts if the progeny of such trees can be relied

on for producing permanent healthy plants

It would be useful if those who have had experi-
ence in seedlings thus produced would give the
results, &c.

I caD show "T." and others that their doubts
are ill-founded and cannot be supported by
practical experience and observation. In the
year 1861 I had a fine young tree of Picea no-
bilis under my charge. This began to produce
cones, but very few male flowers, and as the
tree was very valuable I was anxious to have it
propagated, and in order to economise the
pollen I collected it when ripe and fertilised
the cones. As this answered the end in view, I
continued the operation for a series of years,
and until the tree produced cones and catkins in
more uniform numbers which rendered artificial
fertilisation unnecessary. Some of these cones
I sold at one guinea each, and I also raised
many fine young plants, which I am glad to say
are now fine healthy trees, none of which has
ever exhibited the least sign of distress or
constitutional weakness. None of these trees
required staking and tying, and to the best of
my recollection they were only transplanted
twice during their nursery career. As a general
rule, they began to produce cones when they
were some 10 feet or 12 feet high, so that
" T.'s " doubts are not verified by the testimony
of the trees themselves. Some species of Coni-
fers naturally produce cones at an earlier stage
of their growth than others, independent of
being often transplanted or any other means
which may be tried to induce fruitf illness. For
example, P. cephalonica and P. pectinata are
both liable to be injured by late spring frosts ;
consequently I had them often transplanted in
the early stages of their growth in order to pro-
mote the formation of fibrous roots and render
the wood in their stems of a hard, firm texture
to withstand the frost. This was all to no pur-
pose, as I found the trees to be cut down year
after year, while P. nobilis growing on the same
ground stood unscathed. Now, according to
the theory that transplanting and anything that
retards the growth of the trees tend to make
them produce cones at an early stage of their
growth, the P. cephalonica and P. pectinata
should have produced cones first ; but such was
not the case, for neither of these trees produced
cones until they had attained a large size, while
P. nobilis, as I have already said, began to pro-
duce cones when the trees had attained a height
of some 10 feet or 12 feet. As the trees raised
from such cones have proved to be quite healthy
and vigorous, the theory advanced by many
that the progeny of young trees is deficient in
stamina falls to the ground.

J. B. Webster.

Staining- Pitch Pine.— Pitch Pine has a
strong tendency to quickly get darker in colour.
This arises chiefly from the effect of the air
upon the turpentine and resin contained in the

wood (just as varnish gets dark by exposure), and
therefore, unless the work is required of a dark
colour to begin with, it is advisable that no stains
be used on the mass of the work, and that the var-
nish used be as light-coloured as it is possible to
be got, for if we varnish with a common dark-
coloured varnish the wood will all the sooner be-
come discoloured.

SHRUBS IN PLEASURE GROUNDS.
Between underwood and shrubberies proper a
clear distinction should be drawn. Wherever
groups of tall trees are planted or exist in grounds,
although it may be advisable to fill the space up
under them with bushes of dwarfer growth, such
plantings can never become healthy shrubberies,
whether they be evergreen or deciduous bushes,
because none of the ornamental shrubs used in
gardens will succeed satisfactorily under the shade
of trees. They will grow for a time, and Hollies,
Yews, and Rhododendrons will do better than most
other subjects ; but when the shrubs are intended
to flower and make handsome specimens, they must
have full exposure. The common Portugal Laurel
makes a handsome, compact, glossy-foliaged bush
in the open, and in the south of England even
young bushes flower with remarkable freedom ;
while under the shade of trees it becomes a strag-
gling and poor shrub, frequently requiring to be
cut down to keep it green and dense, and it never
flowers. It is the same with all shrubs, but in
planting grounds the fact is often lost sight of, and
shrubs are planted merely to fill up between de-
ciduous trees which present a bare aspect in winter.
The proper places for Evergreens and dwarf de-
ciduous shrubs are the open spaces on the margins
of groups of tall trees and on the backgrounds of
lawns, but always where they are not shaded.
Under such circumstances the growth is healthy,
and Evergreens look bright and clean in winter
when they are seen most, and all flowering species
flower in due season, because their growth is
properly matured.

In ordinary soil most kinds of shrubs will grow
if they have head room. In the course of a few
years rich mould from the annually shed leaves
soon accumulates on the surface, and is as good or
better than any manure that can be applied. In
cutting some very oldRhododendron bushes not long
since, a rich leaf-mould 6 inches deep was found
under the branches, which had rooted into it as
natural layers, and the roots extended in all direc-
tions on the surface, satisfactorily accounting for
the luxuriance of many of our Rhododendrons here,
which were originally planted in the natural soil —
a poor, thin loam. Indeed, the practice of clearing
the leaves out from beneath shrubs cannot be
too severely condemned, because they are the natu-
ral and only provision for the roots, alike protecting
them from cold and providing them in time with
the very kind of food which they require.

All Evergreens shed their leaves annually like
other trees, and as their leaves are very abundant
they soon form a deep layer on the ground. But,
as has been hinted, the greatest disappointment
results from planting them under trees. In winter
the nakedness of deciduous plantations is an eye-
sore, inducing proprietors to plant, and they act on
the impulse of the moment without due reflection.
By far the best way to produce cover in deciduous
woods is to mix the deciduous with the tall-grow-
ing Evergreens, like Hollies, Yews, Deodars, and
Spruces, planting these not under the other trees,
but in spots amongst them where they will have
light above all the year through. In this way the
two, deciduous and evergreen, gTow up together
without injuring one another, and the result in the
end is far more satisfactory than attempting to
grow one kind of tree under the other. As
a rule, however well things may have been
managed at first, a few years give the most
rampant growers the advantage, and before the
opportunity occurs of making the necessary thin-
ning, many things are smothered and others get
drawn up weakly.

In numbers of pleasure grounds I know condi-

tions have altered since the grounds were first
laid out and planted. Trees have grown up and
become crowded, and shrubs of a strong growing
character have usurped far more than the space
allotted originally to them. By this time, however,
objections to removing the larger trees are raised,
the thinning out is not well done, and little im-
provement is effected. It cannot be too clearly
impressed upon proprietors not practically ac-
quainted with such matters that the only difficulty
they have to surmount in such cases is to make up
their minds where they will have good, lofty, and
luxuriant Evergreens and flowering shrubs, and
where they will have tall trees, for they cannot
have both on the same spot. The furnished appear-
ance of pleasure grounds in winter depends almost
entirely upon the arrangement of the evergreen
plantations, and one requires to see a garden well
stocked with these to understand what a blank
they fill in the landscape, however limited the view
may be. A garden has always two aspects. It
looks best in summer, when both deciduous and
evergreen trees are in their prime ; but if too many
deciduous subjects are used to the exclusion of
Evergreens, a naked appearance will be presented
in winter. One can see far through the leafless
branches of deciduous trees, unless the back-
grounds are well packed with Evergreens, which
should be disposed so as to block the view in all
objectionable directions after the leaves fall off de-
ciduous trees in autumn.

SHOUT NOTES.— MOODS ANT) FORESTS.

Varieties of Hemlock Spruce.— The variety
of Abies canadensis, named microphylla, has very small
foliage, while that called macrophjllaruusto the oppo-
site extreme. There are one or two very dwarf forms,
but the most beautiful of all is the Weeping Hemlock
(pendula). This variety has its branches positively
pendulous, even the leading shoot bending over upon
itself. This has been grafted upon tall stocks ; but so
treated it is not satisfactory, the trees being far infe-
rior in beauty to those in which the branches start from
the base. — V.

Ash. saplings.— In some parts of England, Ash
saplings, 3 feet long and the size of a man's finger,
are used as " brods " or pegs for thatching stacks,
and are sold in bundles at 8d. a hundred. When
a little thicker they are used as rods for Scarlet
Runners, which are grown in large quantities for
market. A little thicker still they do for hedge
stakes, used mostly in laying hedges ; the price
for these is 4s. per hundred ; and young Ash sap-
lings, G feet long and the thickness of a man's wrist
in the middle, are used for net stakes and sell at
Id. each.

Oak trees in chemical manufacturing dis-
tricts.— The Oak is possessed of more vitality than
most people are aware of. Living in the heart of
the chemical manufacturing district of Lancashire,
I have had an opportunity of observing the beha-
viour of this tree under difficulties. It is quite true
that it is the first to show signs of decay, and that
it yields to the influence of noxious gases before
any other British tree ; but, after it has apparently
withered, and to all outward appearance is dead, it
continually, year after year, sends out again a few
green shoots, thus showing that the roots are living
and to some extent vigorous. Other trees in this
district which are susceptible to the gases seldom
send out any new shoots. Another thing worthy of
notice is that tall trees suffer before shrubs or small
trees. — B.

The Garden " Monthly Parts.— This journal it
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coloured plates are best preserved, and it is most suitable for
reference previous to the issue of the half yearly volumes. Price
Is 6rf. ; post free, Is. 9d. Complete set of volumes of The
Garden from its commencement to end of 1889, thirty-six vols.,
price, cloth, £27/ half morocco, £32 8s.

" Hardy Flowers." — Giving descriptions of upicards of
thirteen hundred of the most ornamental species, with directions
for their ari-angement, culture, t&c. Fourth and Popular
Edition, Is. ; post free, Is. Srf.

"Farm and Home" Monthly Parts. — This
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londan: 87, Southampton Street, Strand, W.C.

THE GARDEN.

No. 986. SATURDAY, Oct. 11, 1890. Vol. XXXVIII.

"This is an Art
Which does mend .Nature : change it rather; but
Tat Akt itsllf is Nature."— Stokapeare,

Chrysanthemums.

EARLY FLOWERING CHRYSAN-
THEMUMS.
The Chrysanthemum season is upon us, and in
the month of November we look for a good
show of a flower that is essentially the
pride of that month. No plant receives the
wide-spread attention accorded the Chrysanthe-
mum, and the efforts of cultivators and hy-
bridists have been concentrated not only on
producing new colours, shapes, and types, but
also in lengthening what at one time was a brief
season of gaiety for the great Japanese flower.
Great advances within the past few years have
been made in spreading the season over all
the autumn and winter months, and so long
as growers are content to limit the plant to these
seasons, not encouraging it in summer or early
autumn when one scarcely wants it, our gar-
dens will benefit by the desire to give Chrysan-
themum flowers to brighten the latter months
of the year. To have the plant in bloom from
January to December seems one object that a
few cultivators are striving to achieve, but they
are destroying their own chances of success. No
flower is wanted the whole year. A season of
rest gives increased freshness and beauty to it
when it again appears. We may look now for
Chrysanthemums in October, and there is a
greater wish to fill the month with beautiful
flowers, not like the big blooms seen on the ex-
hibition stand in November, but useful, free,
and bright garden varieties. Such flowers as
these may be used to create bold masses of
colour in the garden, and add to the border
beauty of the same richness as is now imparted by
the Michaelmas Daisies. The mistake too often
made is in growing for the open garden those
varieties whose proper season of flowering is
November. One often finds plants in full bud in
October, and if the weatherkeeps warm'and frosts
hold aloof, these buds will expand into acceptable
blooms. But too often a frost-bite in October
destroys the hopes of a display, the ill-ripened
wood soon receiving a severe check. The varie-
ties that flower naturally in October will wea-
ther frosts of ordinary severity, and rise again,
like the Michaelmas Daisies, fresh and bright
with the warmth of the mid-day sun. In one
suburban garden three varieties were recently
in full flower, the plants smothered with buds
and promising to give a long season of bloom.
These were La Vierge, Mrs. Cullingford, and
Piercey's Seedling. The first of the three is of
remarkable freedom, the plant very dwarf, not
more than 15 inches high, bushy, and the leaf-
age almost hidden beneath the white flowers,
which come tinted with pink, but under glass
open quite pure. This is the kind of flower
that is wanted to follow the glorious masses of
Mme. Desgrange, the finest of all early Chry-
santhemums, and of which there are several
seedlings of rich promise. Piercey's Seedling
is also very bushy, dwarf, and has small, but
pretty flowers of a rich bronzy yellow colour — a
shade very useful for the open garden, as less
apt to suffer than the white and lighter hues.
Mrs. Cullingford is, of course, well known.
These three are only given as examples of the
value of the Chrysanthemum in the garden in
October, as most of those mentioned will do
well with ordinary attention. It is best to

make good masses of them, contrasting the
colours with those of the Michaelmas Daisies.
The bushy, densely flowered Aster acris makes
a happy group edged with some of the October
blooming Chrysanthemums. All who wish to
make English gardens more beautiful in autumn
should seek for good hardy kinds, strong in
constitution, free-flowering, and of decided
colours, to last through October, and if possible
into November, even though the greenhouse
may be filled with bloom. The old cottage
Pink, or Emperor of China, is of this class, a
delightful variety, giving far into autumn hand-
fuls of flowers, which are not spoilt by the first
heavy rain. The rich rose-purple Lyon and
Alice Butcher, a sport from it, the flowers red,
shaded with orange, will keep bright through
this month ; also Martinmas, which has silvery
pink flowers of excellent form. It is not, how-
ever, blooms that only please the critical florist
that are desired, and thus there is no occasion
to stop the shoots, as for exhibition flowers.

The increased interest in October Chrysan-
themums should not be alone confined to flowers
for under glass, but attention given to the
varieties that will render our borders gay with
bloom when the flush of autumn things is over.
Such kinds as Alexandre Dufour and those
mentioned should be taken as a standard of ex-
cellence so far attained. Deep colours are best,
as maroon, purple, bronze, yellow, rich brown
and allied shades, these keeping bright in a
season of wet, which quickly sullies the lighter
colours, as white and pink.

One of the finest October varieties for the
greenhouse is unquestionably W. Holmes, which
is in every garden that has a right to the name.
This is what is called an incurved Japanese, and
nothing can excel the rich harmony of crimson
and gold. Plants bearing from nine to twelve
bold flowers, each on a sturdy, leafy, and fairly
dwarf stem, are of the greatest value at this
season of the year. To get such specimens very
little stopping is required, and the results are
far more satisfactory than when two or three big
flowers are seen perched on a leggy stem. Lady
Selborne is, of course, one of the most popular
of all, and another that deserves a note
Mme. La Comtesse Foucher de Cariel. This
has an unfortunate name, likely to send it into
oblivion, but the dwarf plants when covered
with decided terra-cotta-coloured flowers are very
rich and distinct. It is confidently hoped that
French raisers will remember that one way to
destroy the chance of a pretty flower becoming
popular is to burden it with a name like the va-
riety just cited. Fiberta carries a profusion of
small yellow flowers, and those of Isidore Feral,
another good October kind, are rose-lilac. One
of the most pleasing of all, and a variety that
we should think would become largely grown,
is the pink Mme. Lacroix, known as Annie
Clibran ; the flowers are large, very soft pink
in colour, freely produced on the plant, and
most useful when arranged loosely with
white flowers in a vase. Elise Dordan is quite
distinct. It is a lovely flower, like a very small
pompon Dahlia, compact, well shaped, and rose
in colour. Its freedom of flowering and beauty
should make it a favourite. Henderson <fe Son,
rich yellow, silvery reverse, the florets fluted ;
O. J. Quintas, soft pink, a delightful and very
free October flowering kind of the Japanese
type ; Wm. Cobbett, also a Japanese variety,
the flowers large and salmon-rose ; Rose Laing,
ivory-white, rose reverse ; M. E. Pynaert Van
Geert, the narrow florets rich orange, shaded
with reddish-bronze and crimson ; Precocitu,
rather later than the parent, and salmon-scarlet
in colour, are a few more of the still limited

race of October blooming Chrysanthemums that
deserve praise.

As each season more attention is given to
early-flowering Chrysanthemums, the varieties
will increase, and our gardens will benefit by a
class of plants that have a strong constitution,
freedom, hardiness, and flowers of strong col-
ours in their favour. It has been remarked that
to ask for "hardy" Chrysanthemums betrays a
want of knowledge of the finest of autumn
plants. The Chrysanthemum is not hardy, as
those who lost half their stock by an unexpected
frost two years ago know. Rich feeding and arti-
ficial treatment have weakened the plant's con-
stitution, unlike those that are never grown
under cover, as the old Emperor of China,
which holds its own in all weathers. There is
yet much to be done in the way of good outdoor
Chrysanthemums, and there is a desire to pro-
vide what has loner been wanted.

A new Chrysanthemum. — I send you two
sprays of one of my seedling Chrysanthemums, a
single variety named Silver Star. The plant is very
dwarf, only 18 inches high, and very free-flowering.
It began to expand its blooms early in September,
and it is now past its best. I am certain it will
make a splendid garden flower owing to its earli.
ness, freedom and dwarf habit, and as a cut flower
will be in demand. — R. 0., Castle Hill Nursery,
Maidenhead.

*»* A very pretty and graceful flower, quite
single, and pure white. Excellent for cutting. —
Ed.

Chrysanthemum Edwin Molyneux. — At

the September meeting of the National Chrysanthe-
mum Society, few exhibits attracted so much atten-
tion among gardeners as a stand of six grand
blooms of this Chrysanthemum, which were finer
than many of the specimens shown at the later
meetings. The rich crimson upper surface of the
petals was very pronounced. There were several
complaints last season that the flowers of this va-
riety showed in many cases a tendency to become
partially single, but there was nothing of this to
be seen in the specimens shown, which came from
Hereford. If by culture this Chrysanthemum could
be induced to flower thus early, it would be a valu-
able acquisition to the varieties of this class, as
rich bright flowers are greatly valued, and up to the
present the reflexed variety William Holmes is the
brightest of the early flowering varieties. — H. P.

A green Chrysanthemum. — Most of the
readers of The Gabdex are familiar to some ex-
tent with the blue Chrysanthemum theory, but as
yet little has been said about a green-flowered
variety. Towards the close of last year in the
journal of the Japanese Horticultural Society, a
figure was given of this curious flower, one which,
by the way, it may be remarked, appears with quite
as much frequency on Japanese pottery as its blue
companion. Last month one of the French horti-
cultural papers gave a coloured reproduction of the
green-coloured Chrysanthemum, and as figured I
was much struck with the very close resemblance
it bears to a form with which I have long been
familiar as a Ceramic decoration. Briefly the
account of this novelty is as follows : The plant
grows about 3 feet in height, and the blooms, which
are quite dark green, measure from 8 inches to 10
inches in circumference. It was first noticed about
twenty years ago in the collection of an amateur
in the province of Sinano, where it was known by
the name of Hekuindai. A short time after when
the flower was mentioned to Mr. Midsumoto, who
I may parenthetically observe is a well-known
authority on the Chrysanthemum in Japan, he
doubted its existence, and his informant, after mak-
ing inquiries, found that the owner of the variety
had been dead for some time and the plant had
disappeared. Search was instituted, and in 1889
a grower in the same province was discovered to be
in possession of the plant, and this he exhibited at
the society, which had it figured in their transac-
tions as a matter of curiosity. Let us hope that

336

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 11, 1890.

the time is not far distant when some enthusias-
tic Japanese Chrysanthemum lover will hunt up
the blue variety from its supposed hiding place, and
astonish the world with its wonderful form and
colour. — P.

CULTURAL NOTES.
The present is a busy time amongst growers of
Chrysanthemums. Those plants intended for pro-
ducing large blooms need special attention in the
matter of supports to prevent the buds being broken
off by strong winds, which injure the points of the
tall soft shoots. These are very easily snapped off
3 inches or I inches from the point if not firmly se-
cured, and this may easily be done by the use of
small stakes from 6 inches to 9 inches long, secured
to the stem by a piece of bast just below where the
flower-bud starts from. The stakes should be long
enough to secure the peduncle just underneath the
flower-bud. In some varieties, Prince Alfred, for
instance, the peduncle is very slender and ex-
tremely apt to break if not secured. Lady Hardinge
is a notable kind in this respect ; therefore any extra
attention paid to the plants in this way is not lost.
Lateral growths are now being freely made upon
both incurved and Japanese varieties. As these rob
the buds which are to produce flowers, they should
be removed as soon as large enough to handle ; be-
sides, the work is much easier and more quickly
done now than later on, when the shoots are woody
in texture. All varieties will by this time have
formed their terminal buds, clustering around which
will be found many others. Directly they are
large enough to have a separate existence all but
the centre one should be removed, a small penknife
being the best for this purpose. The shoot is so
succulent that it is easily broken by the removal of
the buds in any other way. Any plants which were
late in setting their buds, and appear likely to be
later in flowering than is required when a certain
date has to be arranged for, should be pushed on
by giving them an extra dose of a strong and quick-
acting stimulant, which can safely be applied if the
plants are in good health. Otherwise, they are not
in a fit state to receive such forcing treatment.

Nitrate of soda and superphosphate, two
parts of the latter to one of the former, make
a splendid quick-acting stimulant. Mix the two
thoroughly well together, first crushing the soda
into powder, which has the effect of rendering
it easily dissolved. On the surface of each pot
sprinkle half-a-teaspoonful, watering it in with
clear water. Sulphate of ammonia is a capital
stimulant, and assists in swelling the buds rapidly ;
it is best applied in a liquid form, half-an-ounce to
one gallon of weak ^liquid manure, or clear water
failing the former. If applied to the surface of the
soil in the same manner as the nitrate of soda there
is great danger of the surface roots being burnt.
Surface roots assist the plants to swell off the buds
to their fullest size ; therefore they should not be
crippled in any way, but rather encouraged to in-
crease in numbers.

The continuous watering of the plants has the
effect of washing the roots bare on the surface, no
matter how carefully it is done. A thin sprinkling
of loam and bone-meal, or dissolved bones in equal
parts, will not only encourage root action on the
surface, but the bones will have the effect of stimu-
lating the growth of the plants. During showery
weather much care will be needed in watering the
plants. At this time of year some plants will sud-
denly lose their foliage for quite 2 feet up the stem.
A small black speck will then make its appearance
on the leaf, gradually spreading until the leaves be-
come quite black, and eventually dying off, not
only disfiguring the specimens, but checking their
growth. This is caused through the plants so af-
fected receiving too much water at the roots, which
stagnates the growth, especially if the drainage is
at all defective. The remedy is to keep the soil
rather dry than otherwise at the roots, for a time
until the disease is arrested. Suckers, which are
now being freely produced from the base of the
plants, should be removed for the last time. Those
that come afterwards will be wanted for propagat
ng for another season, but if allowed to grow frori

now onward they would be drawn up too weakly to
make suitable cuttings. The shoots on any new or
scarce kinds that it is intended to increase con-
siderably for another season may be retained, plac-
ing if possible the plants at housing time in such a
position that they will receive a fair amount of
light to keep the cuttings stocky. Shoots should
be taken off now from those plants of which there
is likely to be difficulty to get cuttings from later
on and rooted in small pots in a cold frame. The
tops of these in November and December will make
capital cuttings, and a good stock can thus be ob-
tained.

Many varieties of which pearly buds were taken
are now unfolding their petals ; in fact, some blooms
are quite half expanded. It is useless to allow these
to remain out of doors longer in the hope of retard-
ing them, or the flowers will be likely to be entirely
spoilt by heavy dews and rain, which make the
florets damp. It is far better to remove such plants
inside and have the benefit of the blooms which
will open perfectly and be useful either on the
plants or when in a cut state. Buds which are now
splitting their calyces and showing colour may be
retarded and protected some time if taken in hand
at once. The buds must have a covering to shield
them from rain and heavy dews. Strips of stiff
brown paper two folds thick, cut into lengths 10
inches long and 2 inches wide, bent over the bud
arch-like, and secured to the peduncle support with
a single tie with bast, will render the buds secure
for some time and also prevent the sun shining on
them. There is not the slightest doubt that many
blooms which damp off during November do so
because the buds were thoroughly saturated by be-
ing left out of doors after the colour of the flower
was seen. Plants which are developing their blooms
too early for special purposes should not be highly
fed. M.

HARVEST FESTIVALS.
These at this time are general, and in towns,
cities and villages are most appropriate, being
heartily taken up by the church authorities and
congregations. The vegetables, fruit and flowers
are appreciated after the services by the
sick, and in cottage and other hospitals.

Many a laborious effort is wasted by the
workers using subjects that will not retain their
freshness, or by incongruous grouping, and too
often by a want of unity in design, the various
parts of a church being undertaken by ladies,
who, regardless of general effect, each put their
own ideas into execution, and one composi-
tion may, to speak artistically, kill another by
want of harmony between the workers. In a
large church this is not so apparent, but in
smaller edifices the groups are nearer and the
contrast stronger.

As I have had a little experience in these
matters, I venture to give a few imper-
fect hints, which I hope may lead to a
higher class of harmonious grouping than one
often sees, and if others will criticise and give
their opinions it must do good, for we de-
sire to see the house of God dressed with the
best subjects, to produce the finest effect, and if
one may judge from the elegant arrangements
they meet with in private houses, there is no
lack of talent, but it requires direction.

To that end, the vicar, his curate, or some
competent person should take the general ar-
rangement into his or her hands, and direct each
worker what to do, and select materials for the
purpose, and by a hint here and a little ex-
ample there, combined with tact and urbanity,
see that general effect is gained. How fre-
quently when all is done, quantities of lovely
subjects are not used, the church is cleared
up, and many parts, decorated with great
care, but without a particle of skill or taste
—for this is a gift, and not many possess it
— these blots, so to speak, have to be left un-

finished because the squire's family, or some
earnest young worker cannot be spoken to
for fear of offence, when materials have been
wasted that with judicious skill might have
made these blots pleasing and elegant.

In making wreaths, devices, scrolls, or letter-
ing it should always be recollected that they
will be looked at chiefly from a distance, and
therefore laborious and perfectly finished fine
work is lost. Boldness and vigour should be
aimed at, not too blazing, but as the inside walls
of most sacred edifices are principally white or
stone colour, large bright masses are con-
spicuous and admissible, and care should be
taken to exclude those flowers which do not
show up by gaslight, e.g., mulberry-coloured
Dahlias and dark blossoms.

For harvest thanksgiving services, Wheat,
Barley, and Oats are indispensable, and where
possible Maize, Millet, or Bearded Wheat are
effective. Feathery subjects such as Pampas
Grass, Reeds, and Teazles ; very telling also are
the large and small Bulrushes, and long pieces of
Eulalia zebrina, heads of Cyperus, long stems of
Arundo donax and its variegated variety and
also the Bamboos (Metake, Siinoni, and vio-
lascens), formed into bold groups at the bases of
windows (on each side) in Sedilia, by the read-
ing desk, or organ are very beautiful, and large
vases filled with such subjects with Gladioli of
full length may often be used where nails or
supports cannot be fixed. I have in my mind
two china bowls of an orange -brown which
always look well thus filled.

Where wreathing is made, the groundwork
shouldbeof Box or some small Evergreen, which
looks well picked out with the various kinds of
corn interspersed with deep bronzy leaves (or
better red ones) of Mahonia aquifolia — while for
woodwork, the handsome single leaves of Ber-
beris Bealli are grand used as shields or as a base
for trailing Ivy to start from. Ivy, by the
way, is much more effective when it starts from
the base of a window and creeps upward. It is
barbarous to make it depend from the crown of
a column, springing from nowhere. Other
subjects for wreaths at this time are
BryoDy berries (the leaves must be picked, as
they soon wither) and the fluffy festoons of
the wild Clematis Vitalba— in these the foliage
mayalso beremoved — branchesof theHopcanbe
introduced, and for colour, bunches of Pyracan-
tha berries with those of the wild Guelder Rose
(Viburnum Opulus), and the Cotton tree (Vi-
burnum Lantana), Mountain Ash, common
Barbery (B. vulgaris), and long stems of Win-
ter Cherry (Physalis). These should be massed,
and not introduced singly, at regular inter-
vals, as the effect is thus neutralised. Here and
there, clusters of the beautiful Dartmouth,
Fairy or Siberian Crabs may be fixed, and some
of the smaller-fruited Tomatoes ; these can be
wired in bunches and fixed after the wreath, or
door, or window piece is fixed ; three or five
Pears or Apples wired, and Damsons in
clusters also add effect. Any Grasses of
light and feathery appearance can be introduced,
such as the hedgehog-like Hordeum jubatum,
lovely when tinged with rose ; Bromus brizoe-
formis, B. giganteus, or other pretty kinds im-
ported from Germany by the florists, not
forgetting the long sprays of the Phoenix
and other Palms. Where crosses are formed
they should be of two distinct grains, as
Wheat and Oats, or Wheat and Barley,
and be rather massive, and if Grapes are
introduced they should be placed in the centre,
say three bunches, the central one being above
the others, or if two only, one should hang be-
low the other, and well ripened and coloured

Oct. 11, 1890.]

THE GABDEN.

337

foliage of the Vine should be introduced if pos-
sible in a small phial to be hidden by the corn.
This will prevent flagging, and consequent loss
of appearance. Where the heads of the pews
are dressed, the inverted straw covers of cham-
pagne bottles come in nicely, the outside be-
ing covered with corn ; a small bottle or
vase to hold water fits in securely, and in this
arrangements of Dahlias, white and pink Ane-
mones, Asters with fronds of hardy Fern, turn-
ing down a few Blechnum leaves over the edge,
produce a fresh and pleasing effect, and they
can be also used at the base of the supports of
the altar rails judiciously.

The use of flowers is most disappointing, as
also is cut Maiden-hair Fern, single Dahlias,
and Michaelmas Daisies, as they cannot exist
without water, and many a lovely group is gone
by the Sunday morning. I have found it a
great help to cut the flowers overnight and put
them into water ; they then keep fresh longer
and the worker can depend on their keeping
any position assigned to them.

To my mind, nothing exceeds the beauty and
usefulness of the Cactus Dahlias. An octagon
pulpit lately had a very effective and elegant
design of them ; small flat baskets, like a watch
pocket, were suspended from the upper rim of
the pulpit by fine wire, and the basket-work
covered with Moss, which was again covered
with the lovely wild Clematis seed-vessels, and
in each a set of 3, 2, and 1 Cactus Dahlias ar-
ranged in a triangle was placed, backed with
Asparagus foliage, in some cases yellow, in others
green. This was much admired, and the base
of the pulpit was made of Moss with Asparagus
in each corner of the panels, picked out with
the same Dahlias, the upper rim of the pulpit
being enwreathed with Clematis and wild Rose
heps. These Cactus Dahlias do not fade, and
their brightness and unconventional form leave
nothing to be desired. There are now so many
colours of the3e that the worker has choice.
Asia, Juarezi, Mrs. Hawkins, A. W. Tait, Am-
phion are perhaps the best. Next come the
pompon Dahlias, which stand well, and are neat
and pretty for small work. For the font I pre-
fer at the base among the columns an arrange-
ment of pot plants (if large and open), bold foli-
age, such as Figs, Aralia Sieboldi, Ficus elastica,
combined with the feathery Asparagus tenuissi-
mus, Eulalia japonica variegata, Cyperusnatalen-
sis, or Panicum plicatum, edged with small pots of
Isolepis, the new Carex (species), or Panicum
variegatum. In fonts where the base is close
smaller subjects come in, such as Palms, Dra-
caena congesta and D. gracilis. It is a good
plan to have zinc troughs made to fit the top of
the font, and these can be filled with any light
white flowers, such as Bouvardia, small Chry-
santhemums, white Asters, Anemone japonica
alba, Pyrethrum uliginosum (grand at this sea-
son), using freely such aids as Agrostis nebu-
losa, Gypsophila elegans, and I consider a few
double scarlet Geranium flowers an addition,
more especially where a white cross is placed in
the centre. A few Hymenocallis or Pancratium
fragrans and Orchids are very striking. Lovely
pendent foliage can be found in the small
shoots of Ampelopsis Veitchi or 2-inch pots of
Panicum or Selaginellas. For the centre
I prefer a graceful Palm, such as Cocos
Weddelliana or Areca lutescens. A similar
arrangement of Palms looks in character at the
base of the lectern or reading-desk, and acts as
a foil for the Cornflowers and foliage used in
the decoration of the upper part.

The gas standards should be wreathed with
Hops, Oats, Clematis, and coloured leaves of
any hardy plant that will keep. This should be

fixed at the base, concealing the tie with a circle
of Clematis or corn, and working upwards. No
work should face downwards, as being against
Nature it cannot look well or be pleasing.
Berries of the Hawthorn and Sweet Brier or
Rugosa rugosa can be used here, but keep it
light and elegant. The gasaliers look best
matched in pairs, or each one may be distinct.
Care should be taken to keep the flowers free
from the gas-burners with fine wire.

In the communion rails large Palms, pots of
Lilium auratum and lancifolium, and subjects
with bold foliage are useful, being disposed to
suit the reredos or their surroundings, and all
pots should be hidden by an outer ring of
Maiden-hair Fern, enlivened by the addition of
variegated foliage, such as Phalangium, Copros-
ma, or Ophiopogon, finishing with bright green
Moss, or Selaginella grown in low narrow tins.

In panel -work, such as the sloping bases
of windows, cover them with Moss first, and
then introduce a border of flowers, and add
fruit or corn sheaves to taste. Much beauty
is lost by placing the relieving flowers at
regular intervals, when three or five of the same
colour would be better massed, and with fruit
it should be in one lower corner right or left, and
behind it a fan of corn can be introduced as a
background. A sickle covered with gold paper is
appropriate and most effective. Apples and Pears
should be well coloured, and black and white
Grapes should have a contrasting background,
and in all arrangements of flowers masses should
be used. Of Sunflowers and such-bike, accord-
ing to their size, the perennial H. multiflorus
major and the double forms, among which mul-
tipetalus plenus is an acquisition. Wherever
possible place flowers in water. The following
are effective : Sweet Peas, shrubby Spiraeas,
such as Nobleana, Billardi, and callosa ; the
Asters (Shorti, turbinellus, bessarabicus), Gla-
dioli in all colours — avoiding the light kinds
for pale stone background — Chrysanthe-
mums of the autumnal and annual kinds ; and
for large vases Rudbeckia nitida, Pyrethrum
uliginosum, Kniphofias, Hydrangea paniculata
are recommended ; while if in water, shoots of
Prunus Pissardi, Golden Elder, Golden Poplar,
Purple Birch, and the Silver Birch are grand.
If autumn-tinted, add the American Oaks, Rhus
glaber, and any berries that can be had, those
of theBerberis,Euonymuseuropo3us,Pernettyas,
&c, while those of the white Snowberry are
lovely.

If the pillars are usually dressed, it is a great
saving of time and labour to have a galvanised
wire or copper band made to fit them, as in this
case many who are not strong enough to assist in
the church can work at their own homes.
Wooden frames to fit the window bases can also
be used, and strong wire arches to fit special
places.

In fixing light sprays on wood, pins are the
best, fixed with a small tack-hammer, and where
fruit has to be introduced some drive in a large
needle and impale the fruit in position.

As a rule, these decorations are done in a
hurry. A superintendent, such as I suggest,
should arrange months before what is required,
and get the corn fresh from the fields and wrap
it in newspaper and hang it head downwards.
Any of the gardeners in the district should be
encouraged to save special objects, and to grow
the most useful flowers and ornamental creepers,
<fec, for the purpose, and a note should be
made where suitable berries can be had. The
Asparagus, for instance, is lovely in berry and
Capsicums are bright. Many suitable plants
and Ferns could be grown in shallow pots or
pans, and be used at any festivals when the

church is decorated. Each one and all should
do something as a humble return for " God's
good gifts around us," and in the work itself
there should be no distinctions of gentry,
tradespeople, or working classes, but those who
have the best taste should be asked to do the
best work. Geokge Bunyard.

Maidstone.

P.S. — Having alluded to vegetables, I like
to see a good display from the cottage gardens
and allotments, which can be disposed prettily
in the open spaces or in the deep windows or
porches. Those kinds which have a strong
smell should not be admitted. The various
Marrows and Gourds are excellent.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Cattleya aurea. — A flower of this comes from
Mr. E. G. AVrigley, Howick House, Preston, and is
one of the best varieties we have seen. The lip is
splendid, large, and beautifully veined with old gold
colour on a deep purple ground, a rich contrast to the
yellow or rather buff-yellow sepals and petals.

Cattleya bicolor.— Several flowers of this fine
Orchid have been sent us by Mr. G. Beddoes, gardener
to Mr. E. G. Wrigley, Howick House, Preston, and
comprise several richly coloured forms. The gathering
of blooms shows the variety of shade in a selection of
this Cattleya, some having lips wholly a rich purple,
others margined with yellow or cream colour. The
self-coloured lips make the showiest flowers.

Begonia John Heal. — I send you a flowering
branch of this Begonia to show how useful it is at this
time of the year. One great advantage is that the
flowers remain on the plant for such a long time, and
are also very valuable for cutting. — J.

*#* This beautiful Begonia, the result of a cross be-
tween a tuberous variety named Countess of Doneraile
and B. socotrana, was raised by Mr. John Heal in
Messrs. Veitch's nursery in 18S5. One very peculiar
character with regard to it is that no female flowers
have as yet been produced, so that the stock now in
the country has all been raised from cuttings. It was
figured in The Garden, March 9, 1889. — Ed.

Kniphofia (Tritoma) corallina. — A mass of
this bright flower in the Knaphill Nursery of Mr.
Anthony Waterer makes a brilliant picture in Oc-
tober, and shows the value of good hardy plants
when planted in bold clumps. In this case we get
the full richness of the spikes of orange-scarlet
flowers, creating a warm glow of colour, impossible
when small bits are stuck about here and there in
the border. A bed of it on the outskirts of the
garden, or, if there is a large rockery, bold masses
on the higher parts, would always give pleasure.
The plants want a warm, not too heavy soil and a
fairly sheltered situation— at least in all northern
gardens. Gardeners have yet much to learn as to
the usefulness of the best hardy plants. We sel-
dom see splendid groups like that of this Tritoma
at Knaphill. It is a hybrid, raised by Deleuil at
Marseilles, between K. Macowani and aloides
(Uvaria).

Begonias outdoors. — I sent you a box of Be-
gonia flowers last night, but had not time to write
as well. The flowers sent were all picked from beds
in the open, and I sent them to support my opinion,
that for colour they make the very best autumn
beds I know. I had a splendid show of Tritoma in
a large bed (Uvaria and nobilis) ; these made the
centre. There were 126 spikes open at one time.
Round the Tritoma and clambering over them in
some places were plants of Clematis Jackmanni, and
outside of all plants of Ivy. This bed is a perma-
nent one in the loop of a gravel drive, but its glory
is over, and has been for some weeks, while the Be-
gonias still flourish amazingly. I think September
their best month, and suggest that they can be
used after Poppies, Canterbury Bells, Foxgloves,
and other June and July flowering things which
leave a blank when their season is over. For this
purpose seedlings do well, or older plants, as they
all transplant so well. I also sent a few flowers of
a hybrid between natalensis and the ordinary hy-
brids. I have several more which are just coming
into flower. I am afraid the blooms sent weie

338

THE GAEDEN.

[Oct. 11, 1890.

rather damaged by my haste in packing. I doubt
whether there will be any pollen, and I fancy the
female flowers are not perfect. The plants are all
very bushy, and I think will make nice table
subjects. Natalensis itself makes a capital edging
for other Begonias out of doors, for though the
flowers are insignificant the leaves are pretty, and
the habit excellent for the purpose. I hope to
send you some double Begonia flowers shortly, as I
think I have some pretty seedlings this year. — W.
Shieley, Southwick Parsonage, Fareham.

%* Flowers large, but not coarse, and the colours
very rich.— Ed.

Tecoma capensis. — The note at p. 299 de-
scribes an admirable method of inducing this beau-
tiful, but somewhat provoking climber to flower.
Several plants at Kew struck from cuttings last
April and grown on in a warm greenhouse till the
end of June and then turned out of doors for ten
or twelve weeks are now flowering from the tops of
the shoots, and the clusters of bright red flowers
are very charming. Grown as a climber indoors
this plant is rarely satisfactory. Treated as a pot
plant it usually appears starved, and when planted
out it grows so luxuriantly and so late in the season
that it scarcely ever, except in unusually hot sum-
mers, gets sufficiently ripened to flower. In the
sunny gardens on the French and Italian Riviera
this is one of the brightest objects during October
and November.

Storing fruit.— Many show intelligence in the
selection of their trees and spare no pains upon
their cultivation, but manage the rest of the busi-
ness in a manner that can only be described as
slovenly. The picking of fine specimens of Apples
and Pears should be done carefully. In the fruit
room Apples and Pears should be kept separate,
and should further be sub-divided into dessert and
kitchen varieties. These sub-divisions should be
classified according to the order of their attaining
perfection, November varieties following October,
and so on till late in spring. No individual fruit
should be allowed to touch another, and each
parcel of fruit should bear its own name legibly
inscribed. A well-arranged and well-stocked fruit
room is a most interesting adjunct to a country
garden, and every head man should take a pride in
showing it in perfect neatness and order. — H.

Oestrum (Habrothamnus) fasciculatum.—
Nearly fifty years have passed since this plant was
first introduced from Mexico to this country, and
so well are its merits known that little need be
said at this day in its recommendation. If given
liberal treatment, which is the only point in its
cultivation that requires emphasising, it makes a
very elegant shrub or climber, and flowers more or
less all the year round. It may not be generally
known, however, that, like many other solanaceous
plants, its fruits are little, if at all inferior in
beauty to the flowers. In the temperate house at
Kew, probably through the agency of bees, there
are now one or two plants bearing several bunches
of fruits. These are in dense heads, each fruit
quite spherical and about an inch in circumference.
They vary in colour according to age, some being
quite a deep red, whilst others are more claret-
coloured. It is certainly worth while to artificially
fertilise the flowers, as nothing could be more suit-
able than a well-berried plant for winter decoration
of conservatories.

Stenoglottis fimbriata A very fine variety

of this Orchid is now flowering at Kew, and proves
that, although so little known at present,
it is well worthy of wide cultivation. The
typical form, which is figured in the Botanical
Magazine, t. 5872, is a small plant with undulated
spotted leaves spreading near the surface of the
soil, and forming a pretty rosette 0 inches in dia-
meter. The flower-spike is erect, 0 inches to 1
foot in height, bearing numerous purple flowers on
the upper part. The variety here alluded to differs
in its larger proportions and in the absence of the
black-purple spots on the foliage. Some of the
spikes are 18 inches high, and the flowers quite
three times the ordinary size. The leaves are also
proportionately larger. Altogether it is a really
charming plant, differing in many particulars from

any Orchid in general cultivation. The genus is
monotypic, its nearest ally being Habenaria. The
Stenoglottis is a native of South Africa, and grows
chiefly on rocks where a slight covering of decayed
leaves has become deposited. It should be potted
in a mixture of light loam, leaf-soil, and silver sand.
At Kew, it is grown in a cool house, and kept moist
throughout the year.

Carnation Mrs. Reynolds Hole. — I send
you a few flowers of this Carnation cut from a
batch of 430 plants that we layered in August, 1889,
potted early in November, kept in cold frames all
winter, and planted out in the middle of last
March. They have flowered very freely from the
middle of July, and we have cut upwards of 20,000
fresh and fading flowers. They still promise to give
nice blooms for three or four weeks, provided the
weather keeps favourable. They have also grown
very freely, and we have layered 2500 for next sea-
son. This variety is a great favourite here. —
Alfbbd Lodge, Brougham Hall, Penrith.

*,* Very highly coloured flowers. This was fig-
ured in The Gaeden, March 17, 1888, under the
name of Apricot. — Ed.

Hardy Cyclamens are the sweetest hardy
flowers in the garden now. They remind us of
winter, but we welcome the groups of rich colour
which well established clumps produce from Sep-
tember until December. One of the prettiest bits
of planting at Kew is a colony of C. neapolitanum,
or hederfefolium, as it is more usually called, at the
base of the mound near the Cumberland Gate,
where Snowdrops and Primroses appear in early
spring. There are several shades of rose and a pure
white variety, all in full beauty in the late days
of autumn, when we want the hardy garden to have
colour. At Livermere Park, Suffolk, large clumps
of hardy Cyclamens are planted under trees, and
have a delightful effect when in flower. Shade
does not hurt them, and if the Grass is not kept too
long the plants will spread freely by self-sown seed.
Those who have no woodland should plant bold
clumps on the rockery in nooks where the
flowers will be sheltered from storms of wind and
rain ; indeed there are many spots that could be
brightened with the charmingly coloured flowers
of C. neapolitanum.

"Winter moth on fruit trees. — On the 15th of
January, 1889, I showed before the R.H.S. scientific
committee a bandage of green scrim smeared with
cartgrease in which were imbedded numbers of
wingless females and some males of the winter
moth, caught during the autumn before while
crawling up our fruit trees. This season our band,
instead of being of green scrim, which has the de-
fect that even when used three-fold some grease gets
through to the tree, is a sort of brown canvas made
by the Willesden Paper Company, not expensive, as
the price is Is. 6d. a yard of 35 inches wide, and it
ought to last for several seasons. In our bill it is
called " D. D., extra brown." One thickness of this
seems to answer every purpose and to hold the
cartgrease well. A few of our trees which last
year escaped treatment showed in the most marked
way the advantage of the protecting bands. We
use bands 4 inches wide, and tie them on with
thin tarred twine. The trees should be protected
before the end of the month.— George F. Wilson.

Herbaceous Lobelias. — This has been a very
favourable year for the tall Lobelias. The old L.
hybrida or Milleri is a great favourite, its intense
violet flowers and free habit fitting it for the bed
as well as the border. It is the only one we are
not afraid to leave out in winter. It rarely gets
injured, although occasionally it requires replant-
ing. We have another so-called hybrid in C. ful-
gens rosea, a most charming kind, with pretty
soft rose-coloured flowers, very effective in groups,
and quite a novelty amongst herbaceous Lobelias.
Its parents are said to be fulgens and syphilitica,
but of this we know nothing definite. L. sessilifolia
is a very distinct species, but not so showy nor of
such a good habit as the others. To do these
plants well they of course require a stiffish soil and
an abundant supply of moisture all through the
summer. The miserable, half-starved-looking speci-

mens one often sees in the mixed flower border
are a standing proof of this. In their native homes
they are mostly found in damp spots, woods, &c.

The Creeping Vervain (Lippia nodiflora) has
been recommended as a substitute for Grass in the
formation of turf in tropical countries, and a
very charming sward it would make if a fair trial
could be made and a sufficient stock got together.
As a rock plant it has few equals during the late
autumn months, forming compact quickly spread-
ing patches, the ends of every branch being thickly
studded with pretty purplish flowers. It is a native
of Asia and America, perfectly hardy, but affecting
dry and sheltered rather than exposed positions.
It is easily propagated by division or cuttings.

Zauschneria califomica. — Our present season
has been too much for this, and although Septem-
ber was almost unprecedented in weather annals,
our plants have been weakly, flowering very shyly,
and lacking the bright vermUlion flowers so charac-
teristic of this species. It is a good perennial,
rarely getting hurt with us in winter, although a
native of California ; but to make the most of it, a
warm sheltered border should be chosen, where it
can get a maximum of sun-heat, sheltered from
biting winds and protected from heavy autumn
rains. There are several forms, all beautiful and
desirable, with their gracefully drooping branches
of torch-like flowers and pretty glaucous foliage.
It may be propagated easily from cuttings in au-
tumn or by division in spring.

Leelia preestans alba. — With the exception
perhaps of Vanda ccorulea, this little plant is capa-
ble of doing as much as any other Orchid to
brighten up the cooler houses at this season. In
Mr. W. Bull's nursery at Chelsea a singularly beau-
tiful variety is now in bloom. Excepting the front
lobe of the lip, which is rich purple, the whole flower
is of the purest white, the ordinary form, of course,
having rosy-purple sepals and petals. It is rarely
that one sees a contrast at once so striking and
yet so beautiful as this variety displays. The
flowers are each about 3J inches in diameter.
Lselia prastans as well as L. Dayana are now re-
duced by Messrs. Veitch to varieties of L. pumila.
They are all natives of Brazil.

Oxalis Bowieana. — This is delightful in the
Cactus house at Kew now, where it is planted as a
fringe to the side stage, over which it hangs in the
most charming way. We gave a coloured plate of
it May 31, 1890, but such a gem is as well worth a
note in autumn as in spring. The flowers are each
about the size of a halfpenny, rich lustrous rose,
and produced in such profusion that when the sun
shines fully upon them they present a rich blaze of
colour. This is the kind of flower one wants for a
cool house to hide the ugly edge of wood and stone
stages. The tubers are simply planted in the soil,
and a quick and fine growth results. O. Bowieana
is one of the most vigorous of all. It was
introduced from the Cape in 1824, and is some-
times used as a bedding plant, but only in the
warmest spots can it be grown entirely in the open.
Eryngium glaciale.— So few of the Eryngos
can be used on small rockeries with any degree of
satisfaction, that it is pleasing to see E. glaciale at
last well established in many of our gardens. As
yet it is, I believe, somewhat scarce, but such a
dwarf and withal so ornamental a rock plant is
sure to become popular. It is dwarfer, more com-
pact and striking, and apparently more easily
managed than our own native species. Even when
in robust health it rarely exceeds 3 inches in height,
the foliage small, of a greyish blue tint, and well
armed with numerous sharp spines. The heads,
produced in abundance, are small, but attractive
on so diminutive a specimen. It has been intro-
duced chiefly through a German seed firm, and is
well worth procuring as an interesting and pretty
alpine. E. maritimum we find rather miffy than
otherwise, and although our plants have become
established and attained a fair size, they suddenly
disappeared, mostly during the latter part of
winter. E. amethystinum, not E. Oliverianum,
which is the plant generally sold under this name,
is amongst the most brilliant and striking of this
genus,

Oct. II, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

339

Flower Garden.

HARDY PLANTS IN A TOWN GARDEN.
For years I have striven to dispel the delusion
that floriculture is not to be enjoyed within
the region of smoke and brick walls. Only
grow those plants that will accept the hospi-
tality you can offer them. There are very
many of them. Be content to enjoy else-
where the delicate ones that do not under-
stand your rough town manners — and they are
not so numerous — and the envy you have
entertained for your country cousin will soon
be changed into a boastful comparison be-
tween your efforts and his, with a resulting
balance in your favour, which every keen
gardener has a right to indulge in. To my mind,
speaking generally, the town gardener is
even more old-fashioned than some of our very

worms. It looks country-like to see one enjoy
the other close to your busy, bustling streets.
I have never seen yet a successful " lay out "
in an essential town garden. Of course, the
borders will carry some colour, but it should
be from shrubs and shrubby things. Go to the
open space of your kitchen garden if you want
a galaxy and a blaze of colour. And that
was myidea when I came from the country and
from a happy home of flowers to the town. I
can show but a poor " front," and I admitted
the right of an old Acacia to that portion of
the domain, and so retired to the back. I
thought the Potato plant a monotonous thing
to the eye, and a sticky arrangement as I
grew it, and I gave it notice to quit. I
then commenced to beg. I knew where the
Delphinium, queen of the early summer, flour-
ished, and I was soon possessed of Belladonna,

and I soon learnt which would accept my town
life and which declined it. I have learnt
my lesson, and I am boastful enough to think
now that my town border — not a thin line, but
anirregular broadbelt — will compete with your
country border in the first weeks of June,
with a very encouraging prospect of catching
the judge's eye.

Let me say what this one border produces,
and it is never without its full clothing of
flowers from the 1st of June to the middle
of October. I cannot make an earlier start
than June, for that most insolent of all
creatures, the town sparrow, picks off every
early spring bloom ; the Polyanthus is his
pet study, and so I wait for the Auriculas,
wild Tulips, and Narcissus to open the season,
and content myself with watching the result
of a winter's top-dressing of spent Hops

Hardy flowers at Osmondthorpe House, Newark. Engraved for The Gakden.

old-fashioned country friends. The crescent-
shaped bed in front of the drawing-room
window never varies ; there is a perky rim
of Lobelia which appears annually ; the two
and twenty Aconites play their solemn little
game every spring under the Beech tree ; and
a dreadful stone flower-bowl tells you that it
has been in one Ivy-leaved Geranium's family
for centuries. In the kitchen garden modern
manners have made some mark, and between
each Pear tree — so trimmed that fruit would
spoil its regularity — a Cactus Dahlia now
solemnly reigns, with intermittent arrange-
ments of Marigolds and Mignonette, and if you
wander far enough around you may find little
beds, trying to look like Asparagus homes, of
pretty herbaceous things that literally beg of
you to introduce them one to another, and let
them mix up a bit. My notion of a " front "
town garden is Grass and trees, birds and

azureum, and one or two more (from which I
have since grown from seed some eighty dis-
tinct varieties). The white Foxglove was a
most natural companion (and no herbaceous
border can exist without it), and a visit to
Nottingham market — and what prettier on a
Saturday morning — and soon a little group of
starters helped to make my first summer's
show. Pyrethrums (though not always to be
relied on as hardy), Geums, Gentians, Spiraea,
Campanula, and what a tribe ! — pyra-
midalis, the king, to the pretty little muralis —
all profuse bloomers. You may see grandi-
flora very conspicuous in the above illustra-
tion ; Veronica, Rockets, red and white,
with Lilium croceum really enjoying itself,
and I might go on and on. It is all simple
enough, but it was a stait, and I had to accept
many disappointments. Delicate little alpine
plants would have none of my vulgar manners,

which I have had carefully forked in in
May. I stir up then a good tub of liquid
manure, and so assist Nature. Poppy (Pa-
paver orientale) will burst first; the Aquilegia
(the white one is my study) is clambering up
about them ; Campanulas are bestirring them-
selves, fighting their way up, for I pack my
plants very closely together; the Delphi-
niums are just showing colour; the Foxgloves
are hesitating between pink and white ; the
Flag tribe are bursting (you cannot have too
many) ; the Spirseas are beginning to flower.
In odd corners the Iceland Poppies, Cam-
panula albida and turbinata, with Musk all
in a tumble, and soon I find myself a dazzling
blaze, delightful to myself and astonishing to
many of my friends in the town, especially
amongst the working class, who pay my gar-
den an annual visit at that time and on
through the summer. I cut down the Del-

340

THE GAEDEK

[Oct. 11, 1890.

phiniums and so get an autumn bloom. The
Foxgloves throw out their side sprays. I
clear ofi the dead flowers of the Campanula
to make a clean second bloom. The Gaillar-
dias, Pentstemons, white Mallows, Geums,
Phloxes, Inulas, Carnations (the old Clove
and Mrs. Sinkins satisfy my wants), Eryn-
giums in their steel facings, and you cannot
neglect the Shirley Poppies in clumps, and that
pretty much fills up the vacancies and on to
autumn. Gladioli, summer Chrysanthe-
mums, Begonias, but for general effect a pro-
fusion of Anemone japonica alba (the ordi-
nary Anemone does not love a town garden),
Tritomas and Hyacinthus candicans, with a
few good red Dahlias well placed in and
about.

I know this is all a familiar enough routine
to many a gardener, but it is one specially
adaptable to a town kitchen garden, and you
obtaina result the most satisfactory. Our mana-
gers of recreation grounds shouldadopt it. Here
we have a grand old castle ruin with a pretty
garden. What style so suitable ? I had little
idea that my humble town efforts would figure
in your columns, but if I can help a fellow
town lover of flowers to derive the full
pleasure that my herbaceous border has given
to me I shall be satisfied.

S. Kercheval Marsland.

Osmondthorpe House, Newark-on-Trent.

with the Verbena venosa planted among Man-
gles' or other variegated Geraniums, yet some-
how the Tagetes crowned with the horned Salvia
recalled that charming combination at its best. It
should also be added that Mr. Cocksedge grows
Verbena venosa exceedingly well, and had a mixed
bed of red, white, and purple Verbenas of the old
strains from seed equal in vigour and beauty to
those of twenty or more years ago.— D. T. F.

The best white Lobelia.— Daring the pre-
sent summer I have grown for trial and comparison
four varieties of white dwarf-growing Lobelia, two
of which were sent me by Mr. Poynter, of Taunton,
under the names of Parity and Compact White, one
sent out by Messrs. Cocker, of Aberdeen, under the
name of Granite City, and one under the name of
Reine Blanche, sent out by Mr. J. Witney, of Turvey,
Beds, which was awarded a first-class certificate of
merit by the Royal Horticultural Society of Eng-
land at its fortnightly meeting on June 10, 1890, a
distinction which in my opinion it well deserves, as
it is undoubtedly by far the best and most continu-
ous bloomer of all the four. Poynter's Compact
White comes next in merit, but it is decidedly infe-
rior to Reine Blanche and looks quite dull beside it.
The other two varieties, though both producing
pure white flowers, are of poor and weak constitution,
and have long ago gone quite out of flower, and
died away ; whereas my plants of Reine Blanche are
still compact masses of large pure white flowers.—

W. E. GUMBLETON.

A striking1 flower bed.— I found one such in
the well-furnished picturesque garden of Mr. E. L.
Cocksedge, of Beyton Grange, Bury St. Edmunds.
Tne whole garden has been referred to in The
Garden, July 27, 1889 (p. 71), as an excellent
illustration of the more natural style of furnishing.
This particular bed was furnished with two plants
only, raised naturally from seeds— the common
Tagetes as a groundwork, pincushioned or dotted
a*, regular intervals with the horned Salvia, that is,
one of the three forms of Salvia Horrainum. This,
though a native of the south of Europe, ripens
seeds freely in this garden, which are sown in
the autumn or spring, and planted out among the
Tagetes. The flower-stems, so peculiar in charac-
ter" and their rich purple colour, rise boldly above
fc'ie Tagetes, and contrast admirably with it alike
i i colour and form, the effect being fresh and strik-
ing in the extreme. At a distance the effect is
something like triangular rosettes of Violets
mounted one above another from five to ten deep
on vertical spikes, the foliage hardly being visible
above the Tagetes. I have never seen a more
striking bed either in the metropolis or the pro-
vinces "this season. Though so widely and alto-
gether different from the shot-silk beds formed

GLADIOLI IN MASSES.
Despite cold winds, continuous rains, and un-
favourable weather generally, Gladioli have flowered
remarkably well this year, and where used in
quantity gave beauty to the flower garden. Un-
fortunately, however, Gladioli are not put to the
best use. The corms are usually planted singly, or
in threes, on the mixed border, and there let to
struggle for themselves. Under this system of
culture, and provided the soil is fairly good, they
may flower, but, as a rule, the spikes are poor and
insignificant compared with those grown under a
more liberal and j udicious treatment. Then, again,
their real charms are hidden from view when only
one or two spikes are seen amidst a forest of other
flowers and greenery, and thus it is that so few
appreciate the true beauty of the Gladioli.

There are many positions in which Gladioli may
be planted, but in every case they should be esta-
blished in bold masses. The best show of Gladioli
I have seen in a garden was in one of the mid-
land counties two years ago. By mere chance I
happened to visit a beautiful old-fashioned garden
during the last week in September, and there,
amidst hundreds of other lovely autumn flowers, I
saw a mass of Gladioli. They were planted in beds
on the lawn, in huge masses on the mixed border,
and in clumps amidst Roses. On the margins of
shrubberies, too, and by the side of the carriage-
drive they were associated with Dahlias and
Michaelmas Daisies ; in fact, Gladioli seemed
everywhere. They were not the expensive named
sorts either, except in a few cases, but the typical G.
brenchleyensis.

It would be well if this species were more used
in the embellishment of the flower garden during
the autumn months, for by judicious planting of
the bulbs a grand display of bloom may be had un-
til long after many other flowers are spoiled by
heavy rains and frost. It will be thus seen how
essential it is to plant in bold masses if a good
effect is desired. Rose beds and borders, as a rule,
are by no means the most showy parts of the gar-
den during the late summer and autumn months,
but by planting bold masses of Gladioli between
the trees a fine effect will be produced until late in
the season. The rich soil and mulchings of manure
generally given to Roses just suit the Gladioli,
and in such places the latter usually make luxu-
riant growth and produce magnificent spikes. The
bulbs should be planted in groups of not less than
half-a-dozen in each, and if space permits, a dozen
or more, for the larger the group the better will be
the effect in the autumn.

Associated with masses of Pyrethrum uliginosum,
Gladioli are singularly effective, and the wonder is
that this association is not more frequently seen in
English gardens. Once only have I seen it, and
that in a clergyman's garden in Hampshire. In
this instance a large oval-shaped bed, occupying a
good position on the lawn, was planted with P. uli-
ginosum and G. brenchleyensis. Both were in bold
masses, and the rich scarlet spikes of the latter
showed up well against the clusters of pure white
flowers of the former. As a substitute for the Pyre-
thrum, white single Dahlias maybe used if desired,
for these planted in groups contrast beautifully
with scarlet Gladioli, and produce a grand effect
during the last days of summer. Then, again, if
taste inclines that way, Gladioli may be planted in
beds by themselves with advantage, for by so do-
ing a rich mass of colour will be the result. In this
case the bulbs should be at least 15 inches apart,
and this will allow the spikes room to develop. In
a small villa garden near Southampton, some
years ago, I saw a fine bed of scarlet Gladioli, and

this had been undisturbed for years. No attention
whatever was given the plants, other than the usual
staking and a good mulching of decayed manure in
early summer. After the stalks were dead and cut
down in November a thick layer of leaves and
Bracken was placed over the bed, but beyond this
no protection was given, neither were the bulbs
lilted. Others who reside in favourable localities
and have a dry soil may try this method of culture,
for when once established the bulbs will go on
flowering annually for a considerable period.

As regards soil, Gladioli thrive much better in some
districts than in others. Whether this be from the
soil in which they are grown or the treatment given
them I do not know, though in all probability the
latter. According to one authority, Gladioli grow
and flower much better in the eastern counties than
in the western, because there the corms ripen
better. This, however, does not concur with my
experience, for I have visited many gardens in all
parts of the kingdom, from north to south and east
to west, and found that where properly treated
Gladioli will thrive in most districts, provided the
soil is fairly good. • I have seen good results pro-
duced in southern gardens and, as has been said,
in the midlands also ; but for fine spikes and
brilliancy of colour I must certainly award
the palm to Scotland. The most brilliant display
of Gladioli spikes I saw was in Aberdeenshire, in
1887, on a warm dry summer's day. Messrs. Kel-
way, too, appear to grow them unusually well at
Langport, as their many acres of bloom prove, and
thus we are bound to admit that locality is a matter
of indifference in the culture of Gladioli. At the
same time the bulbs pay for liberal treatment. They
should be planted in good ground well enriched
with decayed manure, and in addition to this libe-
ral supplies of liquid manure should be given them
just as the s-pikes are bursting into bloom. When
growing on light sandy soil, the surface of the
latter may also be mulched with decayed manure
during the early days of summer, and this will
assist the plants greatly. When sufficiently de-
veloped the spikes should be neatly staked to pre-
vent their being broken by winds, but in no case
should the stakes be made obtrusive.

For ordinary purposes, that is, for flowering in
August and September, the bulbs of the late-bloom-
ing kinds should be planted in March or April, but
to ensure a succession of bloom later plantings must
be made. Nothing is gained by keeping the bulbs
out of the ground too long, and they should there-
fore be planted before the second week in May at
the latest. This applies to the gandavensis and
brenchleyensis groups, and not to the early-flower-
ing species, such as Colvillei, which should be
planted in the autumn. The varieties of brench-
leyensis I have found do best when left undis-
turbed, but being less hardy, the gandavensis section
should be lifted in the autumn except when grow-
ing in light dry soils and in favourable localities.

C. L.

Imported bulbs of Daffodils.— One word by
way of caution anent imported bulbs of Daffodils,
particularly the Dutch roots. In some stocks the
maggot abounds, especially in the double forms of
N. incomparabilis, and before planting them they
should be carefully examined. Their presence
may generally be detected by feeling the neck of
the bulb ; if this is soft and the tapering portion
likewise, a maggot inside is almost a certainty. To
prove this, cut off half an inch from the upper part
of the neck of the bulb ; if the flesh be white, all is
well, but if dark brown, moist, and decayed, then
all is wrong, and the intruder can only be dispensed
with, as a rule, at the sacrifice of the bulb, a cheap
way really of clearing out a most destructive
enemy. English grown bulbs fortunately are free
from its attacks, at least such is my experience.—
E.J.

Plumbago capensis in Hyde Park.— Plants
of this in flower are at once novel in colour and
form, and consequently form a welcome addi-
tion and a pleasing change in the already well fur-
nished space, flanked on one side by Park Lane and
on the other by the main carriage road and walk

Oct. 11, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

341

stretching from the Marble Arch to Hyde Park
Corner. Here under similar conditions to the
pyramidal, dwarf or standard Fuchsias, this strik-
ing old Lead wort finds the shelter and other physical
environments that seem to suit it well. The plants
range from 2J feet to 3 feet in height, and are
planted singly or in groups of three, five, or more,
at such distances as to show the whole plant. They
looked healthy and quite at home planted or plunged
out in the turf, and were flowering freely. The
plants looked several years old, and had evidently
been spurred in something in the same way as the
Fuchsias. The older and more woody such plants
become, the more profusely they will bloom, and
there can be little difficulty in potting up in the
autumn, and less still in lifting the pots bodily if
plunged out, which is the better treatment for this
Plumbago, which flowers most profusely under a
semi-starving treatment at the roots whether out of
doors or under glass. — D. T. F.

NARCISSUS CYCLAMINEUS.
In this we have but another instance of how in the
cultivation of hardy plants generally we have
simply to adapt ourselves to circumstances. Know-
ing the native habitat of a plant and the soil in
which it may be found is all very well, but if we
regard these as essentials to success there is little
but disappointment as a result. There appears a
natural shyness about some of these lovely bulbous
plants, for they are by no means easy to establish,
at least the earlier importations of them. I once
had bulbs of the white Hoop-petticoat Narcissus
lie dormant for nearly a couple of seasons without
sending forth a root or deteriorating in the least,
the tiny bulbs remaining as hard as a nut all the
time. It may possibly be so with Mr. Smith's N.
cyclamineus, provided the bulbs still exist. Mr.
Octavius Corder again has an experience quite dis-
tinct, though I am inclined to regard his an extreme
case, as he has failures with other kinds, which
generally do fairly well. N. triandrus, for instance,
cannot be coaxed into growth at all. In such a
case I would suggest that some local influence is
the opposing force, for though it has not been
one of the best seasons for lifting the bulbs, they
have on the whole done very well. I speak
with some experience, having lifted upwards of
half a million of bulbs in many varieties. I
I cannot advise Mr. Corder about dusting with
lime, never having tried it, but sulphur in many
things is excellent for checking the spread of fun-
gus either about the bulbs or on the foliage. Lime
or anything else on the surface soil could do but
little good, as I think the disease has to do with
the bulbs themselves or their immediate vicinity.
Unsuitable soil, i.e., badly drained or very reten-
tive, with wet seasons conduces to sickness in the
white trumpets. High and dry is my advice for all
these, and indeed for all the more delicate kinds,
while in wet or cold soils I have found the addition
of peat of great service to them. I do not add ma-
nure to such as these, but use sand freely at plant-
ing time. Have the cases of sickness to which Mr.
Corder refers occurred with freshly planted or es-
tablished clumps ? If the former, especially if im-
ported bulbs, they may have been sweated during
transit, and for this when badly affected there is no
cure ; but should they prove to be e rablished
clumps, then soil or overcrowding of the bulbs
or both may be at the root of the evil. — J.

Mr. Barr's note (p. 325) concerning N.

cyclamineus is interesting, but regardless of the
particular point on which I wrote. No doubt was
suggested as to the accuracy of Mr. Barr's descrip-
tion and illustration of its aquatic propensities in
Spain. I merely expressed mild surprise that he
should on the outside of his catalogue depict a
plant flourishing in a river, and in the inside con-
fidently recommend us to naturalise it in Grass.
Mr. Barr's wet boots and stockings constitute a
picturesque incident in our knowledge of this
agreeable plant, and might perhaps be included in
Mr. Moon's next sketch of its habitat ; but I submit
that they are subordinate to my immediate require-
ment, namely, a corroboration of their owner's
repeated assertion that N. cyclamineus is beautifu

to naturalise in Grass. I fear I ask too much when
I say that, in purchasing an out-of-the-way plant
recommended for naturalising in Grass, I should
like to have grounds for believing it to have actu-
ally been naturalised in Grass somewhere, somehow,
and by somebody. — G. H. Engleheabt.

SEASONABLE NOTES ON FLORISTS'
FLOWERS.
The Pentstemox. — We are now in October, and
as the days rapidly become shorter with cold nights
and occasional sharp frosts, few flowers are hardy
enough to withstand the wet and the cold, except
perhaps the Michaelmas Daisies or the early-flower-
ing Chrysanthemums. The Pentstemons may well
be classed with them as the most useful of garden
plants to flower at the present time. I allude, of
course, to the varieties of P. gentianoides, which
are now very numerous and of great variety in
form and colour of the flowers. We have some of
a very pale rose, almost white, others of a much
deeper rose, crimson, or deep red-crimson, pale pur-
ple, and deep rich reddish-purple, the inside of the
corolla being white or whitish, sometimes beauti-
fully veined with rose, crimsoD, or purple of various
tints. In addition to these rich and varied colours,
there are the flowers of greatly improved forms
thickly placed on tall spikes, forming a rich mass of
colour. The plants ripen large quantities of seed,
but if they are allowed to do this, they suffer and
soon flower themselves out. A very few seed-pods
on a plant would be enough, as each contains a
large number of seeds ; therefore, to have a con-
tinued display of flowers the seed-pods must be
removed. Each plant should be supported with
one central stake, and the side growths be allowed
to hang rather loosely therefrom. Much of the
natural freedom of this class of plants is destroyed
by careless staking and tying ; the side growths
begin to bloom before the long central growth is
over, and quite a pyramid of bloom is formed.
Now is the time to take the cuttings ; they are to be
found in plenty upon all good-sized flowering plants.
The points of the young growths are best, and they
should be cut about 3 inches in length. They may
either be planted in boxes, which can be placed in
frames and the lights kept close over them, or they
may be planted in hand-lights wbichhavebeen placed
over a bed of fine sandy soil. Sometimes the plants
will pass through the winter in the open borders
without any protection, but as a rule they are not
quite safe out of doors, and must be wintered either
in hand-lights or frames.

The Gladiolus.— The period for harvesting the
bulbs is almost upon us, but it is very desirable
that they should be well ripened first. As a rule,
water has been applied pretty freely during the
summer, and this, with the unavoidable treading
upon the ground to get amongst the flowers, causes
it to be so close and impervious to the air, that it is
necessary to either fork up the surface or to stir it
with a hoe. I have usually lightly forked the
ground over, and in a way that it is rather higher
where the plants are and lower between the rows ;
there is no danger of the ground becoming over-dry
in October. It will be necessary to dig up the
bulbs towards the end of the month ; some of them
will be well ripened, others will have the stems and
leaves quite green, but nothing is gained by leaving
them out longer. Those with quite green leaves I
have dug up with a good deal of soil clinging about
the roots, and plauted them under glass in Cocoa-
nut fibre refuse for a few weeks, thinking that the
bulbs would have a chance to ripen gradually, but
I found that those treated in this way did not do
quite so well as the portion of them which were cut
over as soon as they were out of the ground. When
a few bulbs only are grown of each sort, they may
be put together into a 6-inch or 7-inch flower-pot,
with the roots and small bulbs that cluster round
the base of the parent bulbs ; place them in a dry,
airy room or a vinery where the Grapes are either
ripe or have been cut, as dryness is essential.
When they are quite dry remove the spawn or
bulblets ; these can be placed in dry sand and be
wrapped up in paper. The large flowering bulbs
may be kept in paper bags without anything bein:

placed with them, but they should be well dried
first to prevent mould injuring them. Choose a
fine dry day for lifting the bulbs.

The Tulip.— The time for planting out the bulbs
is about the last week of the present month, or
early in November. The ground, of course, should
be well prepared some time previous to planting.
They cannot succeed well unless the ground is in
a free open state, and to be sure that it is in this
condition it must be dug or trenched in the summer
or early in the autumn. The depth at which the
bulbs are planted may not seem of much import-
ance to some, but I think it is. When visiting the
bulb farms in Holland I noticed that both Hya-
cinth and Tulip bulbs were planted much more
deeply than I had been accustomed to put them.
This deep planting, however, might be more neces-
sary in the light very sandy soil of Holland ; never-
theless, I planted our bulbs last year and the year
previously quite i inches deep or more, and they
did much better than when they were planted about
1 inch or more nearer the surface. In planting it
is well to place some clean river sand under and
over each of the bulbs. J. Douglas.

Verbena venosa. — Those who have a great
amount of space to cover should grow this in quan-
tity. At the present time there is nothing among
summer bedding plants to compare with it for
quantity of bloom and general effectiveness. It is
probably prettiest in contrast with something, such
as Mangles' variegated Pelargonium, or Flower of
Spring, which we have used with it this year. It is
easily raised from seed, but in many soils its long,
fleshy roots survive the winter, or they may be
taken up and stored in boxes, which if more stock
is required should be placed in heat in spring, when
young shoots will soon appear, and these strike
readily. If we could get Verbenas of this type
with varied colours it would be a great gain. Has
the possibility of obtaining such ever been tried ? —
A. H.

Fungus in Narcissus bulbs.— It is difficult
to advise what to do with bulbs of fungus-stricken
Daffodils without knowing particulars. I believe
we import with new species or varieties an equal
number of diseases, and these are more or less for-
midable according to the vigour or frailty of the
species or variety which it attacks. Many such, no
doubt, are but the outcome of improperly ventilated
packing cases, and the bulbs, whose evaporating
chances are held in check meanwhile, are hope-
lessly ruined before they reach their destination.
Especially is this likely to ensue when the bulbs
are packed in brown paper bags, for such things
are nearly, if not quite air-tight, sufficiently so, in
fact, to stay evaporation and to cause sweating,
and the result of this latter is inevitable. For short
journeys, however, and when delivered without un-
due delay they do little harm, but for long journeys
by sea and land, and where the sorts are numerous,
rough hempen bags would be much safer. When
large quantities are sent of any one kind, either
open wicker baskets, or packed loose in cases in
sawdust or buckwheat chaff, suit very well. Were
I troubled with Daffodils attacked by fungus dur-
ing transit, I should at once dust them with sul-
phur, and give them full exposure to the sun ; these
will not, perhaps, entirely banish fungus pests, hut
they keep it at bay and prevent its spread ; after
this I would clean off the diseased parts, give them
another term of exposure, and when quite dry
plant the bulbs. Many diseases again are due to
improper store rooms, and were I short of what I
regarded as the right thing, I would much prefer
laying the bulbs on a dry gravel walk, or any hard
dry bottom, and just covering with a spare light
resting on flower-pots. Diseases, however, which
are the outcome of either of the above causes, if
not too deeply imbedded, cease their activity when
the bulbs are planted, though it does not follow
that the germs have departed. Bulbs thus affected
are best lifted annually, and while still moist may
readily be divested of all diseased parts, and even
washed, afterwards drying thoroughly in the sun
for a week or two. In the case of diseased Daffodils
the worst possible thing to do is to plant them in

342

THE GAKDEK

[Oct. 11, 1890.

their fungus-stricken tunics, for this simple reason,
that all new skins readily inherit the evil, with the
result that the constitution af the bulb is gradually
weakened, and in some of the weaker kinds eventu-
ally becomes exhausted.

CARNATIONS IN VASES.
1 CAN hardly agree with " D. T. F." (The Gabden,
p. 212) that Carnations in vases are inartistic, but
incline to the belief that Tea Rose3 would be much
more so, if not altogether unsuited for the purpose.
Many of those costly marble and other vases that
surmount terrace walls and balustrades were cer-
tainly not made for use, as they hold only a very
small quantity of soil, not nearly sufficient to
nourish a Rose which revels in depth and compara-
tive richness. Moreover, as " D. T. F." must know,
It is not wise nor safe to leave such vases filled with
soil and plants throughout the winter to run the
costly risk of their being burst by frost. But
granted we have vases that we are prepared to risk
in this way, the Rose that would drape vases ac-
cording to " D. T. F.'s " imagination is not forth-
coming, for oven those with drooping flowers are
erect bushes to a certain extent. By planting
Roses in a border below and training them up and
around the vases, they might be draped in beautiful
foliage and flower, but when it comes to the ques-
tion of planting in the vases a Carnation that
throws 3-feet flower-spikes in abundance, which
are allowed to fall down and disport themselves
gracefully around the edges of the vase can hardly
be called inartistic, and certainly not unnatural.
Those that " D. T. F." saw were strong plants that
were potted up in autumn; the layers were
large enough to require 4J - inch potB, and
they were put into the vases early in April,
each vase being large enough to tako three
plants. Some of these plants were so strong
that every shoot flowered. A dwarf flowering
Carnation would bo useful for the purpose,
but with suitable kinds we may fill our vases
or window boxes in a novel and beautiful way. In
July I was passing along the Fulham Palace Road
on the top of an omnibus, when a short distance
ahead I saw a rich mass of colour upon the window
ledges of four windows comprising the second and
third stories of a house. When passing the house
I saw it was four boxes filled with some free and
good Carnation of the same colour as the old Clove.
What the Carnation was I do not know, but the
profusion of flowers almost hid the boxes, and
prettier window boxes I never saw. The orthodox
boxes so common about Kensington filled with
Pelargoniums, Marguerites, &c, were not to be com-
pared with these four. Mr. E. H. Woodall, of
Scarborough, told me several years ago that Car-
nations in window boxes were commonly grown by
the Swiss and others, and that in the moist moun-
tain districts this was found to be the best method
of growing them, as the pendent flowers threw off
the falling rain instead of holding it, and rotting
in consequence, which would be the case when
grown and tied up in the ordinary way.
It was this hint from Mr. Woodall that sug-
gested the idea of trying them in vases, and al-
though ours in vases have been admired during the
past season, yet they were quite eclipsed by the
profusion and beauty of the Fulham window boxes.
If we had vases of sufficient soil-holding capacity
to grow good Roses, an artistic arrangement
would be a combination of the two, the Roses fill-
ing up the centre and giving height and density,
the Carnations around the edges in drooping clusters
of rich sweet flowers. A. H.

Tall Cup Flower (Nieremborgia frutescens). —
This is a fine old plant not often met with either
in pots or planted out. Some masses of it in the
flower garden have boon very effective all the
season. Its freedom of bloom is its best quality,
whilst the flowers are cup-shaped and white,
stained with purple. Whether in pots or planted
out they are a sheet of bloom, and so freely have
they flowerod this season that no shoots can be
had for cuttings, the only alternative being to take
up and cut back some old plants, which placed

in warmth will break freely, and the young
growths will strike readily in spring. In the rock
garden, creeping down stony ledges, trailing over
stone margins, or drooping over the edges of
pots, vases, boxes, or baskets, this Nierembergia has
a pretty effect, but it is not now often used for the
purpose. I have used it so this season, and it has
been frequently admired. — A.

DOUBLE WHITE POET'S NARCISSUS.
Theee is no other variety of Narcissus so useful
and valuable as the above could its flowering be
depended upon. Seeing that Mr. Wood (page 272)
has so extensive an experience with this particular
kind, he may be able to enlighten us here in the
south a little upon the subject. If I read his notes
aright, Mr. Wood infers that only perfectly unsplit
round bulbs are to be depended upon for flowering,
but if that be so I ought to have had during the
past years thousands of flowers, which have
merely grown to a certain stage and then turned
blind. Whether in the case of this variety the split-
ting up of the bulbs does detract from the central
flower or not I cannot say, for the chief difficulty
in some soils is to induce a good round bulb which
does contain a perfectly formed flower within it
to perfect that one flower ; therefore, some condi-
tion or other does prevent even that one flower com-
ing to perfection. Neither annual, biennial, nor tri-
ennial lifting seems of any use in remedying the
evil. With many other kinds Mr. Wood's idea would
be quite erroneous. For test purposes I have been
growing some of the leading trumpet and bicolor
forms for the past year of two, which were origin-
ally planted six of each kind. Some of the sixes
two years planted produced last spring fourteen
flowers, and finer flowers I have not seen staged
this year. I have also had the old double yellow
Daffodil produce as many as five very fine flowers,
and thousands have produced four each from split-
ting or breeder bulbs quite equal to flowers from
single, that is, one-flowered bulbs. Mr. Wood says,
" If it is to be grown in half shade, set the bulbs not
more than 2 inches deep."

Does Mr. Wood consider shade or " half shade "
essential 1 if so, he does not say so. Again, the
depth of planting, 2 inches, is very shallow indeed
for such very long-necked bulbs as these. Where
does Mr. Wood measure from in planting ? Most
growers of Daffodils in quantity take from the base
of the bulbs, as any other part is so variable and
uncertain, so possibly Mr. Wood will explain this a
little more clearly. " Never lift the bulbs till tho-
roughly matured " is good advice, and growers may
conclude that maturation is complete as soon as
the foliage dies down. That " the flowers rarely
come blind on good round bulbs " is far from the
fact ; indeed, looking back on a close association
with hardy flowers for nearly a score of years, I
can recall many thousands of blind flowers, not of
my own growing entirely, though I have had my
share, but of others besides. Two years ago, or
thereabouts, I made an experiment with 500 of the
finest bulbs, all handsome round single bulbs ;
these I tried in various ways, in cold frames and in
heated structures also, but the result was anything
but satisfactory. I was tempted to do this owing
to the opinion that was freely expressed at the
time, that this blindness was due to atmospheric
conditions about the period of their flowering. Mr.
Wolley Dod was also of a like opinion this spring,
and suggested pinching out the tips of the flower-
ing scape as a remedy ; this I did in a great
many instances, probably several hundred, and
at this time the petals within the scape were
quite green and apparently vigorous, the flower-
ing stem being about half grown. As usual, they
attained to their full height, but the blindness en-
sued with many, and was if anything worse in the
case of those that had been pinched. Does not
this appear to show that nourishment of some kind,
probably moisture, is lacking just at the moment it
is required for their full development ? That there
is a partial cessation in the food supplies would
appear feasible simply because the flower-stems
attain to their usual height in apparent health be-
fore the flowers become blind, though I have found

the stems of blind flowers to be equally charged in-
ternally with the gummiferous fluid as are those
which develop good flowers. Probably a micro-
scopic examination of the stems internally at the
time of going blind may reveal something. Ee
this as it may, it is extremely perplexing that a
flower which may be detected in the bulb when
lifted in the middle of July, and that continues to
develop within the bulb before being replanted,
and further continues to develop, should at the
moment of expansion be found blind, and because
such flower is traceable nine months in advance, so
to speak, it leaves not a shadow of doubt about
the bulbs being thoroughly mature when lifted. In
conclusion, my firm conviction as to its cultural
requirements is that it requires a stiff, heavy soil,
abundant moisture at all seasons, and partial shade.
Given these, with biennial or triennial lifting, I feel
sure better flowers would result, and that blindness
would be reduced to a minimum. Have any readers
of The Garden ever tried this variety as a sub-
aquatic ? if so, with what results 1 Also what is
the verdict of those who grow it on heavy, mois-
ture-holding soils ? For your inspection I send you
half-a-dozen bulbs, and though each is only 4 inches
in circumference, I believe you will find a flower in
each if you cut them open ; notwithstanding, bulbs
of a circumference of 5J inches containing much
larger flower-buds fail to perfect their blooms in
many instances. E. Jenkins.

Hampton, Middlesex.

%* We cut the bulbs open, and in each there
was, as our correspondent says, a flower. — Ed.

SHORT NOTES.— FLOWER.

Salpiglossia. — These plants are wonderfully
showy, and they appear to he great favourites with Mr.
Bain, gardouer to Sir Trevor Lawrence, ho having a
large stretch of them flowering out of doors. TUobo
plants are very useful in the greenhouse, as if sown in
spring they will bloom admirably in autumn, and sown
in the autumn they bloom in early spring and summer.

A fine bed. — Two small, hut pretty beds have been
filled with Mrs. Marshall Fuchsia and a dwarf light
blue Ageratum, The spot was somewhat shaded, hut all
through the season and even now these beds have
looked well. Latterly, however, the Ageratum has
become more irregular, as the plants aro seedlings,
and naturally vary somewhat in stature. — A.

Sampervivnm arachnoideum. — " Alpen "
sends some pieces of this plant, asking what it is.
It is commonly called the Cobweb Sedum, which is,
however, a misnomer, as it is no Sedum at all, and it
would be better to call it the Cobweb Houseleek.
"Alpen" says he brought it from Switzerland, and I
suppose it will he valued for its associations, otherwise
it is plentiful in this country, but not as a native plant.
It thrives host when planted on a wall or rockwork in
places fully exposed to the sun. — W. H. G.

The blue Daisy (Agathoca coelestie). — This ia
often grown in the greenhouso, but when planted
out iu fairly good soil it grows quickly, spreading into
a denso compact mass, and Bowering with the greatest
profusion. The flowers if small individually have a
pretty effect in a mass, and moreover they can he freely
gathered. I used this plant extensively this year,
and even now, October 4, the quantity of bloom is as
profuse as it was in August. Cuttings put into boxes
and placed in a cold framo a few weeks ago have all
rooted freely. — A.

Gazania splendens. — This old bedding plant
Is not so commonly seen as formerly. It is certainly
pretty and strikingly effective with its spreading
cushions of black-banded rich orange flowers. It
makes a pretty and dense undergrowth to plants
of a taller character, as it effectually covers and
conceals all bare ground. During the late days of
summer and autumn it is most effective, and it is
curious to note how in the earlier days of summer
the flowers will not open early in the morning, nor
at all if the day is dull or wet. But when autumn
comes and the sun loses power, the flowers open
freely on dull or damp days, as if to brighten up
the garden as the season wanes. — A.

Pyrethrum uliginosum. — How finely this
hardy perennial is blooming with me tins season.
The finest flowers come from plants made from cut-
tings the previous year, and now blooming at about

Oct. 11, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

34;

3 feet high. It would be well if those who have
stock of this Pyrethruru would propagate it in that
way every year, so as to keep its height within
bounds. Certainly where growing at the back of
low shrubs the effect of the fine heads of bloom
towering up above them is excellent. For cutting
at this season of the year, no single flower
can excel those of the Pyrethrurn for lightness and
charm. Every bloom has its long stiff stem, and
seems to be by Nature specially fitted for cutting.
Those who have to furnish cut bloom, especially
such as is pleasing for room and vase decoration,
should have a large quantity of this hardy plant,
especially that just now really hardy flowers are
getting scarce. — A. D.

thrive in dry sandy soils ; in fact so' situated
it will flower with far more freedom than where
the conditions are favourable to rapid growth. It
is a native of Central and Southern Europe, and
has been known in this country for nearly three
centuries, but is now quite an uncommon plant. — T.

Rose Garden.

EOSE TRIOMPHE DE RENNES.

This Rose, though generally classed with the
Teas, is, strictly speaking, a Noisette. It is

- -

Eose Triomphe de Eennes.

Coronilla Emeras. — While this Coronilla
flowered profusely during the early part of the
summer some specimens of it are now again quite I
laden with bloom, and in this condition it is cer-
tainly a very desirable autumn-flowering shrub.
It forms a somewhat loose-growing bush that reaches
a height of 5 feet or 6 feet, and is clothed with
small pinnate foliage, which in mild winters is
retained for a considerable time. The flowers are
yellow, not unlike those of the old-fashioned green-
house plant, Coronilla glauca C. Emerus will

a variety of great merit, and highly esteemed
in the north of Scotland, where it grows and
flowers freely. The flowers, excellent in form,
are of a warm white, deepening to a rich
lemon colour, and the foliage, deeply toothed
and of a dark green, with a characteristic
waving or twisting, at once identifies the
variety even when out of flower. It is valu-

able for cutting when arranged loosely in a
glass, as in the engraving.

AMONG THE ROSES.

Teak after year we recognise more fully the
value of the Rose as an autumn flower. In the
great Eose nurseries we may see huge breadths
of fine kinds that in September are flowering
almost as freely as in June. The quality of the
flowers may not be so high, yet there are Roses
in greatest profusion, sweet and beautiful
flowers, such as we want to adorn the house
or beautify the beds and borders. To provide
flowers in quantity at this season of the year
we may rely solely upon the Teas, and they will
not disappoint us. If only for this reason — the
freedom with which they bloom in autumn — the
Teas ought to be more extensively planted.
Even in cold gardens, where they are liable to
be cut down to the ground during winter, they
might be planted because if the growth they
made was late a profusion of flowers would still
appear, and in such a case they would be more
plentiful in autumn than in early summer. An-
nually we see more clearly than a great deal of
the supposed tenderness of this race is at the
best but fanciful and non-existent, and given
good strong plants upon the proper (the Brier)
stock, they will endure the rigours of our aver-
age winters. Many are slow to believe or grasp
this fact, and are in consequence depriving
themselves and their gardens of a charm, as
seen and enjoyed in those glorious masses of
Tea Roses in autumn. After several years of
extensive culture of Tea Roses, one anticipates
and looks forward to the autumn season of
blooming almost or quite as much as the proverbial
Rose season, the months of June and July. In
The Gakden of September 27 (p. 301), "E. 0."
tells us of the glorious masses of bloom seen on
a beautiful autumn day in the great Rose nur-
series at Waltham Cross. Special mention is
made of the Teas, and rightly so, because from
them we may now gather one hundred blooms
where we gather but one from the so-called
Hybrid Perpetuals, many of which are partially
or quite defoliated or smothered iu mildew and
red rust. Now although mildew appears and
has to be checked, a worse foe, red rust, is un-
known among the Tea Roses, as it never attacks
them, and in autumn the wealth of glossy foli-
age upon the bushes is nearly or quite as effec-
tive as the flowers, and in every way a charming
foil to their soft and lovely colours.

As they are at Waltham Cross, so with us the
Teas during these latter fine days have been
and still are glorious. Fine flowers may be cut
in quantity upon some kinds, notably Mine.
Charles, which is truly what it was described as
an improved Mme. Falcot. It was one of the
first Roses to flower, and we praised it for its
earliness, and now after a continued spell of
blooming we may commend it for its lateness,
as some of the secondary shoots are terminated
with clusters of a dozen or more of buds and
flowers. Sunset, too, is always a grand Rose
in the autumn, and upon our bushes there are
shoots with from two to three dozen buds upon
them, which will continue to open for several
weeks to come should the weather keep mild
and seasonable. It is remarkable what beauti-
ful and symmetrical blooms, perfect in form and
colour and of great size and substance, this
kind produces throughout the autumn. The
freedom of Marie Van Houtte during autumn is
proverbial, and ours are no exception to the
rule. Dr. Grill has even exceeded expectations.
It was predicted early in the season that this

344

THE GARDEN".

[Oct. 11, 1890.

new Tea would probably soon take its place
among the very best of its class, and with us it
has amply fulfilled the prediction. From June
down to the present moment the plants have
never been without flowers. All through the
month of August, a trying month generally for
Teas and a time when they are scarce, the
plants taking as it were a short rest after the
exhaustion of the first summer bloom, and
gtthering together strength for the renewed
outburst in autumn, even then Dr. Grill con-
tinued to bloom. Now upon shoots 1 yard in
height and as thick as one's little finger are
clusters of buds and blooms rich in a variety of
tints. Had not the name Sunset been already
given to another Rose it would be a most fitting
name for this, as it would aptly describe the
commingling of rich and beautiful tints found in
the flowers of this kind. The flowers are not
large nor very double, but withal so lovely and
free that fiose who have not this Rose should
plant it during the com'ng season. Souvenir
de Victor Hugo for freedom of flowering cannot
be surpassed, and among kinds of recent origin
it stands out conspicuously as one of sterling
merit. The habit is dense and dwarf, but the
bushes are literally smothered in the wealth of
buds and blooms, which are of the most lovely
peach-pink _ or bright rose tint. Mme. de
Watteville is probably now known to everyone,
but it is worthy of mention that the bushes are
now almost as full of buds as in July, and these
expand into blooms of great delicacy and charm-
ing colouring. Anna Olivier is full of buds,
and these, if cut and placed in water in the
house, continue daily opening till they reach
perfection of form and beauty. Hardly less
interesting and lovely is Mine. Hoste, some-
what similar in form, but of the palest
yellow hue. The canary-yellow Comtesse de
Frigneuse is better now than it was in summer,
fine flowers being frequently produced. The
greatest charm of this kind is its powerful, but
delicate sweet scent. Amazone still has fine
buds and blooms, whilst among the white Teas,
Innocente Pirola, Mme. Hippolyte Jamain,
aud Edith Gifford are a trio not to be surpassed
for freedom and beauty in summer or autumn.
Niphetos, too, is always lovely at this time,
producing great flowers of perfect form and
spotless purity upon the slenderest twigs and
in great abundance.

These are only some of the best of the many
kinds we have, and from all of those mentioned
perfect flowers have been cut during the past
few days, whilst some of the groups, such as
Dr. Grill, Sunset, and Mme. Charles are highly
effective in the garden landscape, owiDg to the
profusion of flowers upon them. But upon
leaving the garden of Tea Roses and going to
the border of the best Hybrid Perpetuals the
contrast is very marked. Here there are a few
good blooms, but the plants are half defoliated,
and what is the autumnal blooming character of
these Roses in comparison with that of the best
Teas ? With the Hybrid Perpetuals a few flowers
are borne upon the tips of the long shoots, but
only there ; whereas with the Tea these shoots
branch and bear flowers by the score. I point
this out not to decry the recognised merits of
the fine Hybrid Perpetuals, but to show that
the Teas are the true Perpetuals, and the most
profuse autumn bloomers. The practice advo-
cated by "C. L." of shortening in summer the
long shoots upon vigorous Hybrid Perpetuals
in order to make them break and bloom in au-
tumn is of doubtful value, and I should not
think of adopting it. In some gardens the
knife is too freely used even once a year, and
ultimately disaster may follow a further exten-
sion of its use. I speak not from an exhibitor's

standpoint, but am regarding the Rose as to its
ability to furnish flowers in abundance for cut-
ting or otherwise. The long shoots <lC. L."
would shorten I would if possible lengthen, and
pegging them down the following spring instead
of shortening them back, would carpet the
ground with Roses, having double and treble
the quantity that his methods would give. Dur-
ing the season long shoots would again shoot up
to be similarly treated the next year, but mean-
while they might in autumn produce a cluster
of blooms terminating the shoot. Such we now
have upon fine kinds like Ulrich Brunner,
Charles Lefebvre, General Jacqueminot, Mme.
Gabriel Luizet, and others. Nor, as Mr. C. J.
Grahame pointed out, will our interests be
served and quantity of autumn bloom be in-
creased by searching out, as " C. L." has done,
old kinds of past years and of secondary merit
and importance that modern excellent kinds
have practically superseded.

Moreover, to enumerate so many kinds is
confusing, as it renders selection difficult to
those unacquainted with the subject. A small
garden needs few kinds, and these only the
best and grown in quantity. Then cut blooms
can be had in abundance at all seasons. It is
clearly established that we may rely solely
upon the Teas for our autumnal bloom and the
Monthlies come next in value, but they have
been so recently and exhaustively noticed in
the pages of The Garden that further mention
is not necessary. The Rose season of old was
the summer, but now it is otherwise, and we
mourn not over the "last Rose of summer,"
since what with Roses upon the walls and in
beds and borders we have them from May until
nearly the end of the year. For late as well as
early blooms the Roses on the walls become im-
portant, and here, again, we may have a
glorious autumnal bloom. At the present
time such kinds as Gloire de Dijon, Mme.
Berard, Bouquet d'Or, Emilie Dupuy, and
W. A. Richardson upon the walls have many
fine flowers and quantities of buds, which,
sheltered somewhat from drenching rains later
on and profiting by every ray of sunshine that
will fall upon them, will give a few fine flowers
during the last months of the year. A. H.

Orchids.

PHAL^ENOPSIDS.
I was very much pleased on paying a visit to
Mr. Jacomb, at Cheam Park, recently to see the
fine condition of the plants in his collection,
several plants of P. amabilis having twenty
fully expanded flowers on a spike ; P. Schilleri-
ana with enormous spikes coming up, and many
others in the same condition, so that in a short
time this collection will be a blaze of beauty.
Mr. May, the gardener, grows his Phaiamopsids
in a stove, together with a collection of Co-
leuses, Ferns, and Palms. Their leaves are
hard and fleshy, they root profusely and flower
abundantly, and there is no more difficulty with
them than with an ordinary stove plant. P.
Sanderiana, which flowered very freely last sea-
son, had its spikes left on for a very long time ;
indeed, I think it pushed up three spikes in
succession, and somewhat crippled the plant. It
has, however, recovered, and is now in very fine
health. P. Stuartiana is also growing very
freely. There is also the rare P. Lowi in the
collection and flowering. Strong plants of P.
Luddemanniana, P. grandiflova, and many others
all prove that the system suits the plants. They
are grown in teak-wood baskets, well filled with

potsherds and charcoal, upon which the plants sit,
the surface being lightly covered with Sphagnum
Moss, in this respect copying the treatment
accorded the plants grown by Mr. Searing in the
famous Partington collection at Cheshunt. In
the winter these plants are removed from the
large stove which they occupy now to a small
house, a lean-to, and with the same aspect, i.e.,
south. This house has Cypripediums, Vandas,
and a few different Orchids in it, and the tem-
perature in winter falls to G0° or sometimes
below that. Great heat is not a necessity with
Phalfenopsids, and therefore for this reason
they need not be shunted in the way they are
by the majority of Orchid growers. One thing
I would caution Mr. Jacomb against, and that
is allowing the spikes to remain on the plants
too long to injure their health. I believe it
was a great feature in the collection of Mr.
Partington that this was never done, the spikes
being cut right away when the flowers had
opened, to the great relief of the plants. I be-
lieve Phakenopsids when doing well if allowed
to flower as they will do will soon bloom them-
selves to death. I look upon the Cheam Park
collection as one of the most promising. Mr.
Sander, at St. Albans, is also growing these
plants well, and those in Sir Trevor Lawrence's
collection at Dorking are also doing well.

Wm. Hugh Gower.

Vanda Kimballiana. — This pretty plant is
now very fine both in Sir Trevor Lawrence's collec-
tion and at Cheam Park ; its beautiful rich coloured
lip is in striking contrast to the pure white sepals
and petals. At Cheam Park this plant appears to
grow better than I have hitherto seen it, and it
does not require much heat. This will be an ad-
vantage, especially to those who are so much in
favour of cool Orchids, the temperature of the Cat-
tleya house being ample for it.— W. H. G.

Aganisia ecerulea. — This plant with beautiful
blue flowers is blooming in the collection of Sir
Trevor Lawrence. It is one of D. Spruce's dis-
coveries on the Rio Negro, and is far too little
grown and cared for. It is a small growing plant,
producing a somewhat full spike of blooms, which
are of a soft blue in the sepals and petals ; the lip
is light brown. It requires the temperature of the
East India house, and a good moist atmosphere is
necessary to the well-being of this plant. — G.

Cattleya chxysotoxa.— A flower of this comes
from Mr. Sander, who received it from Mr. Young,
of Sefton Park, Liverpool. It is very much like a
C. aurea, but of a far richer yellow in the
sepals and petals, and with a deeper coloured lip
than aurea. The flowers, however, were nearly
past when I got them, so that their beauties were
marred. I have before noted that none of these
yellow Cattleyas appear to travel well ; they want,
I think, greater care in packing than many other
flowers to ensure their safe delivery.— G.

Vanda ecerulea. — I am in receipt of two
flowers from Mr. George Cypher, gardener to Mrs.
Studd, the Royal Crescent, Bath. They are grand
varieties, each fully 1 inches across, the sepals and
petals being very large and an inch and a half
across, making quite a round flower, of a beautiful
lavender-blue, the lip bright azure-blue. One
flower is a little inferior to the other in size, but
both are magnificent varieties. These, Mr. Cypher
says, are some of Messrs. Low's introductions last
season, and that firm deserves the highest praise
for introducing to tins country such magnificent
forms of this beautiful Orchid. — G.

Rodriguezia secunda (Donald JfcAfpine'). —
The above is the name of the plant sent, and it
comes from Tropical America and some of the
West Indian Islands. It thrives best in a shallow
earthenware pan, hung up close to the light in the
temperature of the Cattleya house. Good drainage,
with a little peat fibre about its roots, is all that is
necessary, saving a goodly supply of water during

Oct. 11, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

345

the summer season. At no season should it be al-
lowed to become quite dry, or it will suffer in
health. It does not like to be disturbed. It is
pleasing to see this very pretty old Orchid now be-
ginning to receive attention again ; it is about
seventy years ago since it was first introduced. —
W.H.G."

Oncidium Jonesianurn flavens (Paris). —
This is the name of this, and a very pretty variety
it is. Although a very variable plant, this is a good
and permanent variety; the sepals and petals have
a ground colour of a pale yellow, spotted with a
deeper yellow, and a pure white lip. This plant
requires to be grown on a bare block of wood
head downwards, and to be frequently syringed :
it likes the very warmest corner one has to
give it, and I believe the want of this has
been the cause of failure with it. It lasts a long
time in flower, and the flowers being large and
showy render it very useful at this season of the
year. — H.

Mesospinidium vulcanicum. — I am happy
to find this plant is being much more grown, as
from three persons this week I have received blooms,
those from two, however, being ordinary forms,
with nothing about them to note. The flowers sent
by " J. C, "however, are of a soft rosy hue, not nearly
so dark in colour. I think I saw a plant of this variety
in Sir Trevor Lawrence's garden last week, and it
struck me as being very pretty. I had not the op-
portunity of closely inspecting it until the next day
when the flowers came to hand from "J. C." It is
a superb plant which thrives well with the cool
Orchids. It was introduced some twenty years ago,
I think, by the Messrs. Backhouse, of York.—
W. H. G.

Laelia Dayana. — I am asked by Mr. Elliott, of
the Gardens, Summerville, Limerick, if this plant is
usually two-flowered on one scape. A two-flowered
scape accompanied the note, and he said that
the plant from which it was cut produced similar
results last year. This species is usually considered
to be single-flowering. I have frequently seen
it producing two blooms, but always considered it
to be a freak, and never noticed it continuous.
With respect to its being a bad grower, I have never
•found it so if treated properly, and the best system
of growing it is to plant it in a shallow basket in
peat fibre, draining the basket well with crocks and
charcoal, and hanging it up near the glass in the
Odontoglossum house. The plant must be well
supplied with water during the growing season, and
just moist when at rest. When growing it should
be well exposed to the sun and light, and only
shaded from the full power of the sun during the
middle of the dav. — G.

SHORT NOTES.— ORCSIBS.

Cattleya aurea Youngiana.— This comes
through Mr. Sander, of St. Albans, from Mr. Younf
Liverpool. It is a very fine variety and sweet scented ,
the sepals and petals being soft creamy yellow, the lip
rich deep velvety maroon, netted with gold. — W.

Cypripedium grande.— Avery fine form of this
hybrid comes from the United States nurseries at Hex-
table, Swanley. Kent, the petals being apparently longer
than usual, and of a brighter pink than ordinary. It
is a bold-growing variety, across between C. Roezli
and C. caudatum, so that, .judging from its parentage,
it is a plant that only requires moderate heat. — G.

Cypripedium vexillarium.— This is a very
pretty hybrid, being a cross between C. barbatum and
C. Fairrieanum, raised by Mr. Dominy at Messrs.
Teitch's establishment. It is now very beautiful in
the Burf ord Lodge collection amongst many others. I,
however, do not think it nearly so beautiful as Fairrie-
anum, one of its parents. — W. H. G.

Vanda Cathcarti. — This plant is well grown
by Mr. Simon in the collection of Mr. Roberts, of
Greenhithe. A pretty little plant, nearly 2 feet in
height, was recently bearing a spike of bloom, and
Mr. Simon said that the plant had been given
much shade and water. This is exactly the condi-
tions under which my collector assured me he
found the plant some years ago in Assam, so that

we ought to have it in much finer condition than at
present. — W. H. G.

Kitchen Garden.

A FRAME OF LETTUCES.
Where an attempt is made to keep up a good
supply of salad materials it is not often there is
a scarcity of these before midwinter, but during
the next three months a pinch is very fre-
quently felt. Fully gro.wn Lettuce never keeps
particularly well, and in some districts Endive
also keeps badly, the plants rotting off wholesale.
Such is the case in this district, and I can only
account for this unfortunate occurrence by
blaming the moist atmosphere, this being in-
variably most pronounced -where the subsoil
is of a clayey nature. In order, therefore, to
be prepared for emergencies, some other plan
of providing the requisite constant supply of
salading has to be adopted, and this is not such
a difficult matter as it used to be. I have fre-
quently pointed out what an excellent variety
the Early Paris Market Cabbage Lettuce proves
for forcing early in the year, and can now
strongly recommend it for present sowing. For
growing in frames it positively has no equal,
and were it necessary 1 could easily keep up
a regular supply of tender, well blanched hearts
of this invaluable variety all the year round. It
will even survive an ordinary severe winter in
the open, always provided the plants are small,
but it is for frame culture I most value it, and
I cannot do better than detail my practice.

At the present time 1 have a number of
small plants on an open border ready for re-
moval to frames, and to succeed these more
will be raised in pans or boxes, the seed being
sown now and placed under glass, but not in a
strong heat. Being sown somewhat thiuly, the
plants do not draw up badly, and when large
enough to handle they are ready for and ought
always to be pricked out in the frames. A
strong heat is injurious to Lettuces at all times,
but the variety under notice must have gentle
heat, or otherwise the progress it makes will be
very slow. A hotbed is formed of a mixture
of old and nearly fresh heating material, this
giving off a sweet heat without at any time
being too hot. It is also of great importance
that the Lettuce be grown near the glass, so as
to have all the sunshine and light possible.
After the frame, therefore, is set on the bed it is
partially filled with some of the shortest heating
material made somewhat firm, on this being dis-
posed first a layer of fairly rich loamy soil, finish-
ing off with more of the same, only somewhat
finer, a depth of 6 inches altogether being ample.
Plants being abundant, I usually prick them
out rather thickly, or say from 4 in. to 5 in.
apart each way. As may be concluded, this is
not allowing nearly enough room for them to
develop, but quite small yet tender plants are
often acceptable for salad in times of scarcity,
and the thinning process is extended to the
length of early removing every other row and
every second plant in the reserved rows. Those
left, continue to increase in size, and by the
time well-blanched Endive is becoming scarce,
good hearts of Lettuce are available. It is
really surprising what a great number of good
Lettuces can be had from a two-light or three-
light garden frame, bolting or premature decay
being unknown.

A very great amount of attention is not
needed by Lettuces in frames, but it is almost
needless to add they must not be neglected. At
the outset they ought to be watered in and
kept close till well established in their fresh

quarters. Very much air should not be given,
abundance of light rather than that being best
calculated to prevent weakly growth. Water
whenever the soil approaches dryness, soft,
tepid water being given, and if the soil used is
at all poor, a surfacing of soot or some kind of
special manure might with advantage be
washed in occasionally. Whenever the nights
are cold cover with mats, and protect heavily
during very frosty weather. A lining of well-
prepared heating material would put a little
warmth into a bed requiring it, and hasten the
growth of the Lettuces, but care should be
taken not to overdo it. More seed should be
sown early in January in gentle heat, this pro-
viding the requisite number of plants for
another frame or frames ; the surplus being
planted on a warm border will, with a very
little protection at the outset, heart in before
autumn-raised plants of any other variety tried
against it. At least such is my experience with
the Early Paris Market, and I have grown it
extensively during the past twelve or thirteen
years. W. Igguldek.

TOMATO NOTES.
Axotheb most unfavourable season for this warmth
and sun-loring subject has disheartened growers
considerably, and combined with the numerous and
virulent attacks of disease one meets wi'.h and
hears of on all sides, has largely reduced the avail-
able supply of home-grown fruit and increased the
prices proportionately. This is the third bad To-
mato season we have had in succession, and worse
weather for this now important crop could hardly
be imagined. Out of doors the continued heavy
rains, absence of sunshine, and low temperatun s
have not only caused at times a state of complete
stagnation as regards the growth of the plants, ard
the flowers to drop wholesale instead of setting,
but have also induced severe and almost universal
attacks of the disease known as Peronospora, while
under glass though the general progress has been
with care and judicious treatment more satisfac-
tory on the whole, yet the ravages of the Cladis-
porium and other diseases of a kindred nature have
been well-nigh general and unprecedentedly great.
On the whole, the prospects for this new and at one
timepromisingindustry are decidedlygloomy.and the
majority of growers are finding that the cultivation
of the Tomato is by no means as profitable an occu-
pation as it appears to be on paper, and excellent
as is the demand for fruit of high quality, still
many are relinquishing it altogether. It would be
interesting to learn if any of the diseases from
which our crops are suffering so severely are
known in the United States, where the Tomato is
cultivated so largely in the open air, and yields
such abundant crops, and if so, what remedies, if
any, are employed.

As far as my own experience goes, I certainly
never remember a worse state of things, if as bad,
among plants in the open air as that existing at
the present time. My own plants, though for the
most part occupying delightfully warm and shel-
tered positions against sunny walls and fences, are
with very few exceptions completely ruined by the
Potato disease. Many of the plants are indeed so
badly affected by this scourge as to be quite black
and rotten, stem, leaves, and fruit, and, curiously
enough, those that are carrying the most fruit seem
to be the worst affected. Perfection has failed to
set its fruit almost entirely, and Ham Green Fa-
ourite is but little better, the only one that is
carrying a fair sprinkling of fruit being Prelude, but
this is for the most part so badly diseased as to be
useless. The plants were unfortunately not put
out until rather late, and consequently lost the bene-
fit of the fine warm weather we had early in the
summer, but it is almost entirely within the last
month that the disease has appeared and made such
progress .A remarkable circumstance is, that a few
plants in the open ground, away from shelter of any
kind, are perfectly free from disease. I have had
to deal with this affection before among planti

346

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 11, 1890.

both in the open and under glass, but have never
known it nearly so virulent before, and no remedies
appear to be of the slightest avail. The outdoor
crop is indeed a complete failure with me. Never-
theless, it is quite possible to obtain good, if not
heavy crops of sound and healthy Tomatoes under
the shelter of a glass roof, even in such a season as
the one now passing away, though it can scarcely
be denied that the flavour of the fruit is not nearly
equal to what it would have been had sunshine
been more abundant. I was very much pleased to
read Mr. Iggulden's account on p. 155 of
The Garden for August 16 of the admir-
able results obtained at Ryecroft Nursery,
Lewisham. I have the pleasure of knowing
Mr. Jones as an excellent cultivator and an ardent
florist, and have watched the progress of his crop
of Tomatoes this season from ;time to time with
the greatest interest. He treats this apparently
difficult subject as it ought to be in a sensible, ra-
tional manner, with the result so ably described by
Mr. Iggulden, that I need do no more than refer to
it in passing. Mr. Jones informed me recently that
his return from each plant amounts on the average
to no less than twenty- five pounds of ripe fruit, and
from the appearance of the plants I should say that
this estimate was by no means beyond the mark.
This, which means considerably more than two
tons of fruit from each house of 100 feet in length,
with a single row of plants on each side, is pretty
good work in a 'season like this. Of the different
varieties grown Perfection has proved at once the
heaviest cropper and the most readily saleable
kind, though Ham Green Favourite is a good
second. Prelude is very heavily laden with fruit,
but this is rather too small to suit the requirements
of wholesale customers, and though there is an im-
provement in this respect in the case of Conference,
this fault still exists to a certain extent.

The method of cultivation adopted in the above in-
stance is precisely the same asthat I have frequently
recommended of late in these pages and elsewhere
with hardly a point of divergence. Mr. Jones does
not hold with the advantages of reducing the foli-
age to quite the same extent as I do, but in the
present instance he has been compelled, owing to
the limited space at command, to adopt the prac-
tice, so that it amounts to the same thing. The
outdoor crop at Ryecroft Nursery is also much the
best I have seen or heard of anywhere this season.
About 2000 plants were put out, all of which are
carrying fruit more or less, and as far as I could
see there is not a diseased one among them. Per-
fection, Acme, and others of that class are not
doing much good, but Prelude is very heavily laden
indeed, and will pay well, while a batch of Ham
Green Favourite against an east wall bears a fair
crop of very fine fruit. The situation of the nur-
sery is on the top of the hill, and therefore both
high and dry as well as open, which probably ac-
counts for the immunity from disease to a great
extent.

I had written thus far when I noticed the criti
cismof "M.H."on "Tomato Culture for Amateurs.1
In it "M. H." says that "the writer is evidently wide
of the mark when he suggests that it (the Cladis-
porium) can be prevented simply by ventilating
more freely and judiciously." I have grown To-
matoes more or less extensively for many years
past in all sorts of houses, in all sorts of ways, in
London and in the country, and have never yet
found this system, which I think I may justly call
my own, to fail ; in fact I have never yet had any
disease to speak of, simply because I have followed
it (the system) out regularly and systematically.
I have tested it this year more severely than ever,
and, under the worst possible circumstances, with
disease rampant all round me, it has again proved
correct. B c R

indifferent a variety is very widely grown, except
to furnish bulbs for flavouring soup if needed.
Practically our garden Turnips of real quality be-
gin and end with Snowball, except in the case of
the yellow duplicate of it, Orange Jelly, so-called,
a very delicious handsome Turnip, but not in fa-
vour in the south, because of its objectionable col-
our. Snowball sown twice during August will
furnish a capital pulling all through the winter.
The variety does not need hard thinning, and if
seed be sown fairly thin, one moderate thinning
will suffice. — A. D.

Snowball Turnip.— Probably with all the selec-
tion possible for the next century we shall hardly
succeed in raising a handsomer, more precocious, or
generally better garden Turnip than is this variety.
We have no great choice in Turnips, and although
much has been written respecting the remarkable
earhness of the Munich, it is doubtful whether so

OUR WINTER GREEN CROPS.
The long, dry, warm weather of September, whilst
it has done much good in hardening the green
crops, which had, prior to September, become too
gross in character, has also promoted some amount
of fly and caterpillar. The rains which are sure to
come soon will no doubt cleanse the breadths
effectually presently, whilst they will be too late
to give coarse growth later. The Turnip crop has
been somewhat checked where sowings were late,
but there has been little complaint this year of the
Turnip beetle, indeed, that pest has been rather
scarce during the past two or three years in this
locality, a hopeful sign that insect pests have their
day, but are not permanent residents in our midst.
In the same way, whilst aphis was during the
spring and summer productive of unusually great
harm to our fruit trees, we cannot believe that the
visitation was not more an incident of the season
than evidence of a plague of blight henceforth.
There is less complaint of caterpillar this season
than is usually the case. That is perhaps due to
the low temperature of the summer and the pre-
valence of moisture. Still we have had a remark-
ably dry and even warm autumnso far, which itmight
have been expected would have assisted to create
caterpillar. One feature of the season in relation
to winter greens has been the extraordinary facility
the frequent rains gave to the getting out of large
breadths of plants of all kinds, and second, arising
from the ample moisture in the soil in the autumn,
the facility shown by very late planted breadths in
getting rapid hold of the soil, and forming valuable
succession crops. Then in spite of the fact that
the summer wet helped weeds to make extraordi-
nary free growth, so that weeds were never
at any time so abundant and gross as during
the past summer, yet the fine warm September did
wonders in enabling the ground to be cleared, and
the winter crops generally now are free from all
such encumbrance. In many cases the very free
growth made in the summer has conduced to un-
wonted early maturing of plants, especially in the
case of Autumn Giant Cauliflowers and Coleworts.
The former began turning in so soon that they pre-
ceded the usual demand for them, which grows
stronger with cooler weather. A natural fear of
caterpillar keeps down the demand for Cauliflowers
whilst the weather is so warm as it was in Septem-
ber, but now that the temperature is lower with
near nips of frost at night Cauliflowers will be more
in request. They are fine and very clean, and may
be eaten with entire confidence. These " white
heads," as the growers prefer to call them, have
had to contend with an abundance of Runner Beans,
but the days of these excellent vegetables are fast
closing for this year, as a white frost may settle
them at any moment. We may well wish that this
certain visitation may be deferred till the end of
the month. Marrows have not been a great success
this year, the plants having suffered from cold
temperature and excessive rainfall. A warm sea-
son not only suits the plants best, but seems to
create a larger demand for the fruits, as when pro-
perly cooked they serve up cool and pleasant in hot
weather. The chief failures of the year have, of
course, been found in the tender vegetables, such
as Marrows, ridge Cucumbers, and Tomatoes,
whilst Potatoes also must be mentioned, although
in spite of the disease attacks, it is remarkable
what a lot of tubers is being lifted in many direc-
tions, especially on fairly dry well-drained soils.
Coleworts have been far too precocious where
planted out too early. Some growers put out

big breadths thus soon, fearing that dry wea-
ther might set in later and check planting. The
early planting this year has proved rather disas-
trous, because Coleworts are not required in the
market until the winter has set in. For bunching,
because making a finer head show, the Rosette is
the most favoured, stocks of this variety usually be-
ing of the very best. For own eating I prefer the
soft and succulent Hardy Green, or Sugarloaf type,
as a delicious winter vegetable, and whilst to be
had clean and fresh, preferable to any of the Cab-
bage tribe. Brussels Sprouts should give a heavy
crop this season. The breadths look wonderfully
well, forming a dense mass of greenery, some 2^
feet to 3 feet in height, on strong soil, and here the
heavy dressings of manure laid on make the soil
strong for so gross growing a crop when there
has been ample moisture. Where, as is customary,
the Brussels plants are put out between rows of
Runner Beans, at from 4 feet to 5 feet apart, the
Beans have come off second best. Considering
how wonderfully hard the stiff clay soil of this
district becomes after heavy rains and the treading
consequent upon the Bean gathering, it is surpris-
ing that Brussels plants should make such growth.
It seems pretty conclusive that once the strong-
growing members of the Brassica family have root-
hold they do not care much for the hardness of the
soil, indeed rather prefer it solid. No doubt this
hardness conduces to a stout woody growth in the
stems, and enables the plants to resist frost much
better than is the case with garden grown green
stuff. Whilst there is everywhere such a wealth of
Brassicse, the breadths of winter Onions and
Spinach look remarkably well. It is very probable
that a good breadth of winter Spinach, although
a good deal of female labour is needed to gather
it, yet pays much better than do coarse Cabbages.
A few years ago the Spinach crop was almost
decimated by a fungus ; the pest seems now to
have died out. A. D.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 774.

THE PINK.

(WITH A COLOURED PLATE OE PINK HER MAJESTY.*)

Whether the fragrant garden Pink of our day
has sprung from Dianthus plumarius, as is held
by some, or that it is but a sub-variety of Dian-
thus caryophyllus, as others suppose ; or that it is
but the progeny of some alpine species, is one of
those debated matters among florists that will
probably never be satisfactorily settled. Calling
some time since upon a raiser of Pinks from
seed, who holds the opinion that it is but a sub-
variety of the Carnation, he pointed to one of
his beds of seedlings in which were plants with
leaves as long, broad, and strong as those of the
Carnation, and pointed them out as triumphant
evidence of the correctness of his contention.
But it must not be forgotten that seedlings are
often very vigorous in growth and robust in habit,
and when a variety is deemed good enough to be
propagated in the usual manner, some reduction
of vigour is frequently observed, though the
plants produce large, full, and finely fragrant
flowers.

The Auricula, Carnation, and Tulip were
florists' flowers, that is to say, they were grown
and exhibited by florists before the Pink was
much thought of by them. Philip Miller, in his
second edition of the " Gardeners' Dictionary,"
says but little about the Pink, while other
florists' flowers are more elaborately noticed. So
we may assume that the Pink was only com-
mencing to find its way into public favour at
that period. The varieties spoken of are the
Damask Pink, the white Shock, scarlet Phea-

* Drawn for The Garden by H. G. Moon from
flowers sent by Mr. H. Hooper, Bath, June
1, 1890. Lithographed and printed by Guillaume

^
M

:

Oct. 11, 1890.]

THE GAKDEN.

347

sant's-eye (of the latter there are several varie-
ties), the Old Man's Head and the Painted Lady.
The white Shock and Pheasant's-eye may be
occasionally met with in country cottage gar-
dens. Old florists who remember the variety
known as the Old Man's Head say they have
not met with it for years. It was of low growth,
the petals somewhat numerous, of a dark col-
oured ground, finely edged with white, and re-
flexing very much, which gave it somewhat the
appearance of a head of hair : probably from
this circumstance it obtained its name.

Maddock in his "Treatise on the Culture of
Flowers," bearing date 1792, names a Pink as
the first of the class called Laced Pinks, viz. ,
Lady Stoverdale, and about this time there was
a Duchess of Lancaster, a laced Pink raised in
Kent, and Green's Queen, another laced variety.
It was no doubt owing to the first appearance
of the lacing of dark colour on the petal edge,
which in the opinion of the florist adds so much
beauty to this pretty and fragrant flower, that a
great impulse was given to its cultivation. A Mr.
Thomas Davey, florist, of the King's Road, Chel-
sea, was among the earliest to take up the Pink
with a view to its improvement, and then fine
varieties came to the front, known in that day
as rose-leaved Pinks, such as Queen, Duchess of
Devonshire, Eclipse, &c, while Sarah Dakin,
and others were also conspicuous among
raisers. From that time until the present there
have been raisers of laced Pinks ; perhaps latest
in point of time is Mr. James Thurstan, of
Cardiff, who has produced James Thurstan,
one of the most refined laced Pinks of the
present day, Mrs. Thurstan, George Hodgkin-
son, John DoringtoD, and a few others. But
the old black and white type, a very attractive
flower having a rich dark centre, with the re-
mainder of the petals pure white, seems un-
fortunately to have become almost lost to cul-
tivation. Perhaps as one result of the new
interest clustering about the florist's Pink, it
may reappear at no distant date. It is a beau-
tiful form well worthy of being cultivated.

The florist grows his Pinks in the open
ground ; in this respect his treatment of it
differs from that of the Carnation. The Pink
will do well in any good garden soil ; at the
same time it is a plant that responds to generous
cultivation. Therefore, in order to have fine
blooms, a bed should be prepared, the soil
deeply trenched in August, and a good dressing
of well decomposed manure worked in, with
the addition, if procurable, of some coarse river
sand. A fairly dry soil is best, for the plants
come through the winter with greater safety,
and as the Pink is increased by means of cut-
tings or pipings struck early in the summer and
when rooted planted out in nursery beds, there
is no reason why the bed should not be planted
by the second week in October at the latest ;
better still by the third week in September, as the
plants then become well established in the soil
by the beginning of winter. The Pink grower
makes a point of having the centre of his bed
8 inches or so above the path and sloping a
little towards the sides, for the purpose of
throwing off a good deal of the water from the
rains of winter. The old style of planting a
Pink bed used to be to put three plants of one
variety together in the form of a triangle, and
three of these triangles, having nine plants in
all, formed a line across the bed. Should
any of the plants have made shoots of 5 inches
or 6 inches in length, it is wise to secure these
from damage through being blown about by the
wind, which is likely to cause them to be
snapped off if unsecured.

The importance of early planting cannot be

too strongly insisted upon. Late planted Pinks
— plants put out in January and February —
do not, as a rule, lace their flowers so well, and
it is better to winter them in pots in a cold
frame, and turn them out in the open as early
as possible in the year, taking care to disturb
the roots as little as necessary in the act of plant-
ing.

The Pink in beds needs no protection during
winter, but it is a fact abundantly supported by
experience that the plants do far better during
the winter when planted on a raised bed.
Losses are reduced to a minimum when the bed
is formed in this way. During the winter the
plants are liable to become looseued in the soil
through alternate frosts and thaws, and there-
fore it is necessary to go over the beds during
a thaw and press the plants firmly into the
soil. The surface of the bed should be kept
clear of weeds, and the soil stirred when it is
dry enough to admit of its being done.

In March the Pink bed is top-dressed with
some rich compost, it being the opinion of the
Pink fanciers that the plants derive great bene-
fit from the process. Previous to adding the
top-dressing it is the usual practice to tread the
soil down firmly about the plants, as the Pink,
like the Carnation, prefers firmness about the
roots. So rich is the dressing employed by those
who grow Pinks for exhibition, that they add to
one barrowload of good loam three of tho-
roughly decayed manure, laying the compost on
the bed to the depth of an inch or there-
abouts.

Perfect laced flowers can only be procured by
shading. This is generally done by means of
a movable flat board attached to a stake, but
which can be moved up and down as required.
This board is employed to ward off the sun's
rays and secure a subdued light. By this means
a regular and dense lacing is secured. Several
of the weak buds are thinned out so that the
strength of the plant may go to the production
of large full blossoms.

Pink culture in pots has often been tried and
frequently recommended. Much, of course,
depends upon the treatment the plants receive.
Some years ago the Royal Horticultural Society
offered prizes for Pinks in pots, and yet though
the date was generally too early for the plants
to be well in bloom, an encouraging response
resulted. It was found that the flowers laced
generally very well ; they appeared to have
greater smoothness on the petal edges, the
flowers were clean and mostly pure white in
the ground. Strong plants of Pinks would do
well in pots 8 inches in diameter ; the size of the
pot can be reduced to meet the dimensions of
the plants. I have grown them through the
winter in 4-inch pots, giving them a shift into
larger pots in March, and had good heads of
bloom.

The Pink is propagated by means of pipings
or cuttings taken about the end of June, or as
soon as the grass is firm enough. They strike
readily in light sandy soil under bell-glasses on
an old hotbed, and if put into the open border
on a shady cool spot and covered with a bell-
glass, they also root freely. They can also be
layered in the same way as Carnations, but the
cut has to be made with some care, owing to the
smallness of the stem. I have this season a few
strong plants raised from layers. As soon as
the Pink pipings are sufficiently rooted they
should be planted out in beds, where they can
grow on into size ready for planting out to
flower in the autumn. Increase of old plants
can be had by dividing them.

A few of the finest laced Pinks will be found

in Bertram (Turner), Boiard (Turner), Empress
of India, George White (Paul), Harry Hooper
(Hooper), John Drake, Modesty (Paul), Prin-
cess Frederick William (Hooper), and Victory
(Hooper). The best border varieties are Ascot,
Derby Day, Mrs. Sinkins, Newmarket, Lord
Lyon, Fimbriata, Paddington, and Rubens.
Her Majesty, the subject of the illustration, is
a fine white variety, raised by Mr. Hooper at
Bath. It has received several first-class certifi-
cates of merit. R. D.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

SEASONABLE WORK AMONG FRUIT
TREES.

Now that it is become generally well known
how much good may be done by partially lift-
ing some fruit trees and completely moving
others, there is far less need to direct attention
to the matter. At least such is the case as far
as the advantages attending the operations if
properly carried out are concerned, but newly
awakened zeal is frequently excessive, and
it is quite possible for novices to do more
harm than good in the way of lifting, root-
pruning, and transplanting. It is a well
known fact that root action in the case of
most fruit trees is most active in the autumn or
after the crops, wood and buds are matured and
while yet the foliage is green. It is considered,
and rightly so, that if the lifting and in
some cases transplanting be done before the
leaves have ceased to perform their natural
functions a considerable number of root fibres
will be formed before the foliage falls, and the
trees, therefore, be in a better condition for
perfecting a crop of fruit in the following season
than would have been the case if the lifting had
been deferred till much later in the autumn.
According to my experience, however, it is
better to be a little late in tree moving or in
very severely root-pruning large trees than to
risk being too early. This season the wood is
naturally late in maturing, the foliage also
being in many cases quite green. The chances
are, therefore, that if any trees have been
transplanted before October the leaves will flag
badly and the wood shrivel to an alarming ex-
tent. Even Peach and Nectarine trees grown
in heated houses are transplanting badly this
season, and we have found it necessary to
heavily shade and to be very frequently syring-
ing the foliage in order to keep it fresh and
the wood plump. If this is the case under glass
and in our comparatively early district, what
state must the trees be in in less favoured lo-
calities both under glass and in the open?
When the young wood shrivels badly it very
rarely indeed recovers properly, and in this
case the prospect of its bearing fruit in the fol-
lowing season is a poor one. Nor is this the
only risk to be run by prematurely moving
trees, as instances have come under my notice
of the moving of badly ripened trees having
ended in their complete collapse. Only last
season we moved a seedling Nectarine tree from
a rather cool wall and before the wood was well
ripened. This tree refused to start afresh this
spring. If, therefore, there is any uncertainty
about the wood being properly ripened, wait till
the foliage has fallen, and then set about the
work at once. Especially is this short delay
necessary in the case of all trees procured from
a distance, it being next to impossible to long
preserve much soil about the roots of newly
lifted fruit trees. Moving fruit trees in the
spring is sometimes recommended in preference
to any other time, and it is certainly preferable
to carrying out this important work during

348

THE GABDEN.

[Oct. 11, 1890.

either of the winter months proper. When,
however, it is done early in the autumn or
directly after the leaves have fallen, the roots
heal quickly from the wounds unavoidably ad-
ministered to them, and if fresh fibres are not
actually formed, what might be termed root-
buds are.

Much of the foregoing is also applicable to
the work of renovating old fruit trees, notably
those located against walls. If these are very
seriously root-pruned, all the large deep-run-
ning roots being searched out and cut cleanly
through, a very severe check is given, and if
there is much foliage on the tree it will flag
badly, the wood also shrivelling somewhat.
That very many old Pear trees, for instance,
with deep running roots are of little real value
I readily admit, but when we read, as was the
case last autumn in a contemporary, of such
trees being renovated in one season my own ex-
perience under somewhat similar circumstances
rather discounts the wonderful and rapid cure
effected. If the whole of the far -spreading and
deep-running roots of large trees are searched
out and cut through, say to within 4 feet of the
stem,it cannot reasonably be expected that such
violent remedies for either unfruitfulness or the
production of fruit very inferior in quality will
be immediately attended with quite opposite
results, but, on the contrary, such a severe check
is given that it takes several years, three at
laast, for the trees to recover from it. It ought
to be borne in mind that large old specimens
are very different to young trees, the latter us-
ually having plenty of fibrous roots not far from
the stems ; whereas the old trees have few or
none. Completely undermining and root-prun-
iiig young trees with the idea of checking the
formation of too much wood growth and pro-
moting fruitfulness may therefore be done with
impunity in one season, but with old trees the
process ought to be more gradual. Be content
to do one half of the roots at a time, deferring
the second operation till the following autumn,
or, if the check has been very great, till the
second autumn after. The start should be made
fully 9 feet from the stem of a large tree, a
wide deep trench being opened, and gradually
extended inwardly to within striking distance,
so to speak, of the deep running roots immedi-
ately below that side of the stem worked up to.
Digging forks ought principally to be used for
this kind of work, the aim being to preserve as
many small roots as possible. The very stiff,
downright roots should be sawn through a foot
below the surface, all those of a pliable nature
being lightly pruned and the bruised portions
removed, clean cuts healing more quickly
than damaged ends. All should be relaid thinly
and evenly in fresh soil as much as possible, and
this done a great advance has been made in the
work of renovating a tree.

In some instances, or where the subsoil is of
a nature to be congenial to the roots of trees, or
say of a gravelly character, the trees may fail
to do well more from poverty at the roots than
from any other cause, manure and fresh soil
rather than the severer measures just detailed
being necessary to restore them to a profitable
state. If the surface soil is forked away from
the roots of strong apparently exhausted trees,
a good dressing of solid manure given and the
soil again restored to its original position, this
will have a most beneficial effect upon the trees,
the quality of the fruit being greatly improved
during the following season. This is really a
good preliminary towards partial lifting, the ma-
nure promoting the formation of a mass of fibry
roots, thereby rendering the trees less depen-
dent upon longer naked roots, and which have

to be severely shortened when found. Some of
the best crops of Pears I have yet seen are be-
ing taken this season from old trees that have
had a change of soil given them, and the effect
of a fresh supply of turfy loam on fruit trees
generally is most marked. To be successful
with Peach and Nectarine trees against open
walls partial lifting must occasionally be re-
sorted to, and the soil in the older borders
especially requires renewing not less often than
once in four years. Very few gardeners, un-
fortunately, have an unlimited supply of turfy
loam, but those who can have what they want
of it should certainly give their hardy fruit trees
the benefit of some of it frequently. Whether
it shall be placed near the surface or in
contact with the topmost roots may depend
upon the state of the soil, but if the border has
long been occupied by fruit trees, the fresh soil
will do most good if disposed in a circular trench
at a good distance from the stems, or where
most feeding roots are found. Half-inch bones
used freely, and plenty of "burn-bake" or the
contents of a garden smother, also suit fruit
tree3 well, the roots being especially at home in
the latter. W. Iggulden.

Cordon Pears. — As I have just finished pick-
ing the fruit from my cordon Pear trees, I think,
perhaps, it may be of interest to readers of The
Garden if I name the sorts that have borne fruit this
year, when Pears are such a failure in most places.
I have three trees of each variety. The following is
the number of fruits of each kind : Williams' Bon
Chretien, 81; Souvenir du Congres, 13; Beurre
Superfin, 12 ; Louise Bonne of Jersey, 44 ; Beurre
Hardy, IS ; Brockworth Park, 59 ; Doyenne du Co-
mice, 20 ; General Todtleben, 12 ; Duchesse d'An-
gouleme, 10; Beurre Diel, 50; Passe Colmar, 50;
Josephine de Malines, 13 ; Alexander Lambre, 08 ;
Vicar of Winkfield, 38 ; Chaumontel, 22. They are
all good fruits, those of some of the sorts being
very fine. One advantage of cordon trees is that a
good many varieties can be grown in a small space.
They bear in a young state, and I believe with a
fair amount of attention some fruit can be had
every year — at least, such is my experience during
the last eight years. The trees are looking wonder-
fully well ; the splendid weather of the last month
is ripening the wood and plumping up the buds.
Some sorts of cordon Plums, namely, Rivers' Prolific,

this season, and the fruits have realised a high
price. Generally it seems to be a fair-bearing
variety, and is not in consequence a coarse grower.
When Beauty of Bath and Lady Sudeley become
plentiful both those varieties will doubtless be in
considerable request for orchard planting. At
present Mr. Gladstone for first early and the beau-
tiful Worcester Pearmain are amongst the most
highly favoured. Those who plant for this parti-
cular form of marketing should not have more
than half-a-dozen of the best varieties. — A. D.

Jefferson's, Pond's Seedling, and Belle de Louvain,

have borne good crops. All the other sorts we grow Reims'

have failed, with the exception of a fan-trained tree refused during" the" past week G°s. per bushel. These

APPLES IN THE WEST OF ENGLAND.
There are more Apples in the neighbourhood of
Taunton than was at one time expected. That the
fruit is larger than is sometimes the case is only
what might be expected, seeing that it is thinner
on the trees. The experience of the present season
confirms that of previous years, that the best crops
and finest fruit are found in gardens or on culti-
vated ground. This should be a strong argument
in favour of more extended cultivation of the Apple.
So far as I have followed the arguments anent the
question, Will fruit-growing pay ? those who say
it will not, appear to lose sight of the fact that a
thin crop means a proportionate increase in the
price obtained. This is very remarkable at the
present time, as Apples have not fetched so much
money for many years. In more than one instance
that has come under my notice the owners of Apples
are better off this season with a poor crop than they
have been when the fruits have been more abundant,
simply because what few they have realise a higher
price. It should also be remembered that a total
failure in the Apple crop is a thing unknown in the
west. These are facts that should not be ignored
by those who are not very sanguine as to the policy
of extending the cultivation of Apples. Another
point very clear with regard to the future
is that at the present rate of planting it will be
many years before the country gets over-stocked if
proper means are provided to distribute the pro-
duce over the great centres of industry.

There is more fruit this year on the Blenheim
Orange than on any other sort grown. This may
appear a startling statement to those who only
know this sort as a shy and indifferent bearer, but
in the district from which I write it is as good, and
in some cases better than some other kinds that are
more generally grown. At the present time I can
point to some trees in a market garden that have
borne from 8 to 12 bushels of fruit each for
the past four years. In another instance, a friend
of mine has this year nearly 100 bushels of Blen-
less than an acre of ground, for which he

of Victoria, which bore a splendid crop of fine fruit
— Geo. Jupp, Brantridye Parlt,, Balcombe, Sussex.
Colour in Apples. — A London fruit dealer in
a large retail way of business remarked to me the
other day that he could make in selling out in
small quantities double the price from a bushel of
any early high-coloured small Apple than he could
get for the finest of kitchen Apples. The fact may
not be a pleasing one, but it seems to be true ;
and having purchased ground in the neigh-
bourhood, which he purposes planting with Mr.
Gladstone, Duchess, and Worcester Pearmain
Apples, shows pretty conclusively in what di-
rection he looks for profit. Any variety of Apple
which fruits early and presents a striking appear-
ance in the shop windows sells rapidly, and enables
the best possible pi ice to be paid for it. The
fact is one well worthy the attention of intend-
ing planters of orchards for the production of
market Apples ; in fact to secure anything like a
fair share of success, it is absolutely important
they should know how the public demand runs.
To orchardists early ripening kinds, especially
those of the Duchess type, have the great ad-
vantage that being relieved of their crops in Au-
gust and September, the trees have all the rest
of the autumn before them which they can
utilise for the reproduction of fruit-buds. For
that reason we find all early ripening Apples to
be the most productive. Duchess of Oldenburg, Grape Appley Towers Seedling. — This new
which is not to be confounded with the popular Grape, which was shown on the 22nd October of
Duchess's Favourite Apple, has generally done well I last year, and awarded a certificate by the fruit

facts, I think, plainly show that no one need hesi-
tate to plant this sort where the soil and climate
are suitable. I am well acquainted with many
trees oE Blenheim growing in a variety of condi-
tions, but the most healthy and fruitful specimens
are to be found where the ground is more or less
cultivated over the roots. I saw only a few days
ago a plantation of low standards, which have on
several occasions been recommended for orchard
planting. The trees referred to are on stems about
3 feet high, and consist of sorts that are remark-
able for the large size of the fruits. I learnt from
the owner that he intended to devote a portion of
his orchard to these particular trees, as he found
when the same sorts were grown on tall stems in
the ordinary standard form that most of the finest
fruit was blown down by the wind before it was
ready for storing. With these low-growing speci-
mens, however, and only pasturing the orchard
with sheep or pigs he hopes to save his fruit from
falling. I planted last autumn three trees each of
Lord Grosvenor and Ecklinville Seedling Apples ;
four trees out of the number have produced fruit
enough this season to pay for the trees. This may
be an exceptionalcase, but it clearly shows that when
the right sorts are selected one does not have to
wait so very long for returns from the outlay.

J. C. C.

Oct. 11, 1890.]

THE GAEPEN.

349

committee of the Royal Horticultural Society, was
again sent to Chiswick to the conference in splendid
condition by Mr. Myles, and thoroughly maintained
its character. The berries are of medium size, of aline
black colour, and with a Muscat flavour, the flesh be-
ing firm and juicy. It is a cross between Black Ali-
cante and Gros Colman, and the bunch somewhat
resembles in shape that of Madresfield Court. It
is certainly a distinct gain, and one likely to be
largely grown when sent out. It is an improved
Alicante in flavour, and if it possesses the late-
keeping qualities, as stated, it will prove a valuable
addition to our collections of Grapes. One of the
members of the committee having seen this new
Grape growing recently, spoke very highly of it as
a heavy cropper and free-growing, and doing well
in a mixed house of Hamburghs and other Vines.
There were also other varieties from the same source,
but these were not so good in flavour as the Appley
Towers Seedling, and had more of the Gros Colman in
the berry both in flavour and in shape of fruit ; there-
fore, were not so good in many respects. No doubt
they were useful market Grapes, but not sufficiently
distinct from the parent to justify special merit.
— G. Wythbs.

Pear Nouveau Poiteau. — Although this Pear
is, in common with all other varieties, fruiting very
sparsely with me this season, yet it is carrying some,
and fine samples too, whilst the tree itself is a hand-
some one for a natural pyramid on the Pear stock,
and as healthy and clean as it is possible for a
Pear to be. As so many comparatively good Pears
do so badly on free stocks, producing fruits that are
in many cases worthless, it is worth being known
that this excellent and far too little grown Pear
does wonderfully well. The fruits naturally are
large, pyriform in shape, bulging a little on one
side, flesh soft, delicate, and admirably flavoured.
I find it the very best Pear which our strong clay
soil will produce on the Pear stock. Nothing could be
healthier and just now more full of promise of fruit
buds for the coming year. The side branches have
a semi-erect habit which, whilst presenting a most
desirable feature, yet is somewhat affected when
these same branches are heavily laden with fruit.
When this is the case there is but one of two
courses to be taken, either tie the branches into
their natural erect position by means of stout cord
supports, or allow the heavily laden branches to
bend downwards, and to keep them in place by ties
also. The result, and it is perhaps one of the best
things which can happen to any strong growing
tree, is that the branches become pendent or droop-
ing, and fruitfulness is thereby encouraged. I have
of ten had long erect branches of Alexandre Lambre,
which fruit very heavily on the Pear stock, brought
down into a drooping form in this way, and they
never again become erect. — A. D.

Prizes for packing Grapes at Chiswick. —

With all due deference to the decision of the com-
mittee at the above exhibition in favour of the an-
tiquated box for Grapes to be sent by rail or post
for private use, I am fully persuaded that it will
he superseded by the basket in one or more of the
convenient forms, as shown on that occasion. I
admit that the Grapes in the prize box travelled
well, but the box was not sent by rail according
to the specified conditions, at least not in the
opinion of a good many. It was one of two boxes
which were sent tied together, the smaller one, the
prize box, being tied upon the top of a larger one.
This in itself was an additional safeguard to the
top box, for with a larger one under it there was
far less danger of its being turned on its side or
otherwise knocked about in transit. Those who sup-
ported the box system would also have gained
more useful information if they had compared the
Grapes in the bottom box with those in the top
one ; the former (apparently Black Hamburgh) were
packed in a similar way, but the system was not
in that case seen to nearly so much advantage,
clearly affording additional proof that the plan is
not the best after all. The Grapes in the prize box
were Gros Colman ; no other Grape could have
been chosen that would have borne such tight pack-
ing so well. Grapes when sent for private use
should be ripe and fit for eating immediately they

are received, those in season being selected as
preferable. I was told by one of our largest
private growers that he was so fully convinced
that the basket system was the best, that he in-
tended to adopt it at once. In another instance
the person whose duty it is in that particular case
to open the boxes sent by the gardener to the family
said his opinion was strongly in favour of baskets,
adding that those sent in boxes were often
shaken about, urging also that the box-lids when
nailed down often got split and had to be renewed ;
whereas with the basket the lid would continue
good as long as the other parts. In my opinion (so
thought several of the practical members of the
committee) there is far less danger of the basket
with a handle being upturned or tossed about. The
mere fact of having a handle gives greater facility
to the porters for rapid removal. For this reason
no doubt more than any other the large Jersey and
other growers adopt that plan. If this answers so
well in their case, surely no better criterion can be
required of what is the best system in practical
working even when small quantities have to be sent
for private use. — F. C. B.

NOTES ON STRAWBERRIES.
The following notes on Strawberries which
we are enabled to publish through. the kindness
of our correspondents will doubtless prove in-
teresting to our readers. They have been sent
us from all parts of the United Kingdom. We
print the questions which we desired to have
answered : —

1. — Best kinds for forcing and hearing.

2. — Best lands for flavour.

3. — ~\\liat are your best early and late kinds for
ojien-air culture?

4 — Wliat is your opinion of the new varieties that
have been lately sent out ?

5. — Mode of cultivation, whether as single stools
or in beds.

The kinds of Strawberries I grow are Sir

Joseph Paxton, Sir Charles Napier, Keen's Seedling,
King of the Earlies, and Frogmore Pine. I find
none to beat Sir Joseph Paxton, Sir Charles Napier,
and Keen's Seedling for forcing. I have tried many
other kinds, but am obliged to fall back upon the
old varieties. I consider British Queen by far the
best Strawberry for flavour — always there when vou
want it. I stick to the above kinds for outdoor
work. I grow single plants in rows. — H. Downing,
Norbury Park, Surrey.

- For forcing I confine myself to Vicomtesse

Hericart de Thury for the earliest batches, and
President for succession. The former, though
somewhat small, is a very free bearer and of good
flavour; this latter quality alone more than out-
weighing the want of size. I find that for the
Vicomtesse lighter soil is needed than that in which
most other kinds succeed. President suits us well
for the later batches, and bridges the season until
we have Vicomtesse ripe on the warm borders out-
side, so we have no need to grow any later kind in
pots. Our fruit being required for travelling, I do
not grow any of the soft kinds, such as the
old Keen's Seedling, but if grown for use on the
place I should certainly have a batch or two of
this old favourite. As to flavour alone, I suppose
no other variety can equal British Queen where
it does well, but, unfortunately, that has not proved
the case here, for our two-year-old plants have not
given us half a crop, and what fruit there was,
failed to ripen at the tips under the dull leaden sky
and heavy rains which prevailed throughout the
Strawberry season. The plants, too, look sere and
poor in contrast to our other varieties. This batch
will be destroyed, but another chance will be given
to young plants put out a year ago. Other good
flavoured kinds are the two mentioned at the begin-
ning of this note, with the addition of Princess Alice
Maud, a free-bearing good kind out of doors, though
it bears forcing badly, and is very subject to mildew
under pot culture. As the two kinds are very much
alike in habit, it should be kept apart from Keen's

Seedling where the latter is forced, or they are
liable to get mixed and the batches of pot plants
spoilt. Our best early kind out of doors is the
Vicomtesse, though we also grow Grove End Scar-
let, and the best late we have is Sir Charles Napier.
With regard to the newer varieties I can say no-
thing definite, as I have not yet given them a fair
trial. I hope to be able to judge them better next
year, as I am growing Noble (for forcing and for
outdoors), Captain, Jubilee, and Waterloo. As far
as I can judge now, I think they will not equal our
old standard sorts for flavour, but the last-named
may rival if not surpass the old Oxonian or Eleanor
for late work. The bulk of our fruit is taken from
Vicomtesse, President, Sir Joseph Paxton, and Sir
Charles Napier. We could not afford to do without
Sir J. Paxton, as the fruit is large, handsome, wet-
resisting, and of fair quality, but the two former of
the quartette are my favourite Strawberries.— J. C.
Tallack, Livermere Park, Bury St. Edmunds.

The varieties of Strawberries I use for

forcing are Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury and Sir
Joseph Paxton. I am not sufficiently acquainted
with the new varieties to give an opinion. The
only varieties grown in the open air are the above
mentioned. Being limited for space, we grow very
few Strawberries in the kitchen garden. They are
grown in the fruit plantations where there are a
great many acres under cultivation, the principal
variety being Stirling Castle, in all respects re-
sembling Sir Joseph Paxton, if not identical with
it. I am in favour of the plan of planting annually,
runners layered into 4-inch pots, and when rooted
planted out in well prepared soil 1 foot apart each
way. Large fruits can be obtained in this way, and
there are very few small ones, and if lights are
available in spring a portion of the bed may be
covered, and Strawberries gathered three weeks
earlier than in the open.— J. Clbabb, Toddington.

Strawberries have proved an abundant crop

here, and throughout the neighbourhood. The va-
riety I grow for preserving is Vicomtesse Hericart
de Thury, and no better cropper could possibly be
found, whilst the colour and flavour of the fruit are
all that could be desired. Laxton's Noble is a fine
looking fruit, and ripens one or two days in ad-
vance of the preceding, but cannot equal it in
point of flavour, and is not so prolific. La Grosse
Sucree comes next in succession. From this I
gather excellent crops of handsome richly-coloured
fruits, but lacking in flavour. President ripens
about the same time as the last-named, and some-
times very fine fruits are gathered from this
variety, but the qualities so desirable in a good
Strawberry are deficient. Doubtless the soil here
is much too cold and heavy to bring out the quali-
ties of this variety, judging from the fact that some
of my neighbours are accustomed to gather very
fine crops of satisfactory quality, the soil in their
case being of a lighter and warmer nature than
here. Browsho's Seedling, a local variety fruiting
about the same time supplies us with very fine
conical shaped fruits, and during a dry season the
flavour is pretty good, but it is a somewhat shy
bearer. British Queen I always depend upon for a
supply of late fruit, and although I do not usually
get them well coloured, my employer considers it
has no equal in point of flavour. I grow all Straw-
berries upon the single stool system and plant
them in rows 30 inches apart all ways, and in
future it is intended to give the stronger grow-
ing varieties more room and to plant them 3 feet
apart all ways. To thoroughly mature the crowns
a free circulation of air about the plants is ad-
visable, and the same may be said when the fruit
is ripening, as a free admittance of air and light
about the fruit soon dries up the moisture caused
by rain and heavy dews, and in consequence re-
duces the rotting of ripe fruits to a minimum, as
well as allows more space for layering the young
plants for forcing. The only attention the plants
receive after planting is an annual mulching of
from 2 inches to 3 inches of partially rotted ma-
nure, which is given in March, and after the spring
showers have washed in the nutritions portion, the
straw which is left answers well in keeping the
ripe fruit clean. After fruiting the runners are

350

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 11, 1890.

cut away and the ground between the plants
hoed and cleaned. This allows a free circulation
of air about the stools, and in that condition
they remain until the following spring. Laxton's
King of the Earlies, Waterloo, and Helena Gloede
are varieties new to me, and with only one year's
experience any remarks upon their respective
qualifications must be held over for another sea-
son. Forced Strawberries are in great demand
here, and are usually supplied from about the
20th of March until ripe fruit is obtainable out
of doors. Vicomtesse H. de Thury, from which
the earliest supply is obtained, is always satis-
factory in both crop and quality. Laxton's Noble,
a few of which are introduced with the second
batch, generally furnishes a few very fine-looking
fruits, but lacking in quality. La Grosse Sucree
follows, and very fine crops of fruit are gathered
from this variety, but the quality is not equal to that
of the first named. To bring up the rear British
Queen is used, and although I am not always
successful in getting satisfactory crops, I am
obliged to continue forcing it for its flavour. —
J. P. Lbadbbttbe, The Gardens, Tranby Croft,
Hull, East Yorkshire.

The varieties which I succeed best with

for principal supply are Vicomtesse Hericart de
Thury, President, Sir Charles Napier, and Sir
Joseph Paxton, and if I were restricted to one
variety it would be President. The varieties I find
best for forcing are Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury,
President, Sir C. Napier, and British Queen, and
for flavour those preferred here are Sir C. Napier
and British Queen. Our earliest to ripen outside
was Noble, a large handsome fruit, but deficient in
flavour, followed by Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury,
which is very prolific and of good flavour. — W.
Mease, Downside, Leatherhead, Surrey.

We are still (August 2) able to gather goo0^

Waterloo Strawberries. After my first trial of this
variety, I discarded Oxonian (formerly my latest)
as being no longer wanted, Waterloo being so much
better in flavour and even a little later. Commenced
outside gathering the third week in June (early for
this part) from La Grosse Sucree. It is as early as
Noble and has good flavour. It also forces well
and will give a late summer crop if planted out
after being forced. This variety will take rank
with Vicomtesse H. de Thury as a good all-round
variety. I prefer a Strawberry for forcing that re
quires no stakes to support the fruit, therefore
grow principally Vicomtesse ; President discarded
on account of its long foot-stalks, that will not
ripen the fruit without the aid of stakes. I still rely
for main second crop of Strawberries on President,
Sir J. Paxton, James Veitch, and the Countess. For
flavour I turn to British Queen, Dr. Hogg, Auguste
Boisselot, and Loxford Hall ; for the latest varieties
I grow Unser Fritz, Amateur, Elton Pine, and
Waterloo, the last a rare addition to the late varie-
ties. The method of cultivation is to plant every
year (before August 7) a new plantation from young
plants in pots, layered as soon as obtainable ; these
are put out 30 inches apart and only allowed to
stand two years. Plantations with forced plants
are made for a late summer crop, and a portion of
this plantation is left till the following season to
give an abundance of fruit for preserving. I find it
quite worth the trouble to plant out the most of
the forced plants of La Grosse Sucree and Vicom-
tesse H. de Thury to give a late summer crop,
clearing them off the ground as soon as gathered.
— Wm. Allan, Ghmton Parh, Norwich.

• After giving most of the popular forcing

varieties a fair trial, I rely chiefly upon Vicomtesse
Hericart de Thury and President for this mode of
culture. They invariably give perfect satisfaction,
although of late years we have had a percentage of
plants of the former kind barren. This defect we
are now trying to remedy by changing stock.
Other tested old varieties that do well when sub-
jected to heat at their respective suitable times are
Keen's Seedling, La Grosse Sucree, tSir Charles
Napier, Sir Joseph Paxton, and British Queen ; the
last requires good cultivation to ripen it perfectly,
while Sir Charles Napier is too acid in flavour to
be agreeable to some tastes. Of new kinds I have

forced in small numbers Noble for early use and
Waterloo for late use ; the former proved satisfactory
in every respect, except that it lacked the most
important quality — good flavour, and on that account
I shall not force it again. Waterloo likewise
fruits satisfactorily, and it is very large and re-
markably handsome, and although its flavour can-
not be considered first rate, so well are we pleased
with it that we are preparing a good number of
plants for pot culture. For open-air cultivation,
Noble, notwithstanding its deficiency of flavour, is
invaluable on account of its appearance, free
cropping, and early ripening qualities. Vicomtesse
Hericart de Thury, President, Sir Joseph Paxton,
British Queen, Waterloo, Oxonian, and Loxford
Hall Seedling are amongst the most generally use-
ful I have cultivated for dessert and preserving.
In point of flavour British Queen and Carolina
superba are the best I have grown. I usually plant
Strawberries as a successional crop to early Peas ;
the ground having been deeply trenched and heavily
manured for Peas, affords Strawberries a good
situation. The plants are kept to single stools and
allowed free space to grow in. — Thomas Coombeb,
The Sendre Gardens, Monmouth.

After trying several kinds of Strawberries

for forcing, including Black Prince, President, and
James Veitch, Garibaldi and Sir Joseph Paxton
have proved to be our two very best ; consequently
we have only prepared the two latter kinds for
forcing next season. I shall introduce Garibaldi
one batch after another until they are finished,
and use Sir Joseph Paxton for the latest supply.
Garibaldi is a first-rate sort for forcing, as it sets
well and swells its fruit regularly, and if well
thinned it grows to a fair size with good colour and
flavour. I layer the Strawberries in 3-inch and 4-
inch pots, and shift into 5, 6, and 7-inch pots, the
smaller size for the earliest supply and the largest
size for the latest. The best way to get good strong
creditable plants for forcing is to plant a row or
two the previous August or September, and in
spring remove all the flower trusses; by this means
good strong runners are procurable, far superior to
those obtained from fruiting beds after the crop
has been gathered. Our best kinds for flavour are
Black Prince, Garibaldi, Sir Joseph Paxton, Presi-
dent, and Dr. Hogg, and the best early and late
kinds for open-air culture are Black Prince, Gari-
baldi, President, Sir Joseph Paxton, James Veitch,
Dr. Hogg, Sir Charles Napier, and Elton Pine. We
like Black Prince very much for first, as it is of
good flavour, early, and by planting every year or
every other year good-sized fruit is obtained. I
grow the Strawberries in rows 30 inches between
the rows and 24 inches from plant to plant in the
rows, and as our soil is rather heavy and the plants
individually grow to a good size, I find these dis-
tances quite little enough ; in fact such sorts as
President and Sir Joseph Paxton, that make a deal
of top, 36 inches by 30 inches would be none too
much. The best way to get a full crop of fruit the
first season after planting is to layer runners in
small pots as for forcing, and plant out in well-pre-
pared ground as early in August as possible, keep-
ing all runners pinched back, mulching in the
spring with long fresh stable litter. This answers
three purposes ; it conserves the moisture already
in the ground, the rains afterwards wash the am-
monia out of the straw down to the roots and are as
good as a watering with liquid manure, and by the
time the fruit is ripe the surface of the straw has
been 'well washed and bleached, making a nice
clean bed for the fruit to rest on, protecting it
from all dirt. We make a plantation every year
and destroy all old ones after taking three crops ;
by this mode we get large fine fruit and good crops.
I have not had any experience with the newer
kinds of Strawberries ; consequently cannot give
an opinion of them. —William Connelly, Rhode
Hill Gardens, Lyme Regis.

Old Vine borders. — A curious instance of
oversight in the formation of a Vine border and of
the long-suffering qualities of the Vine itself came
under my notice to-day as the men were engaged
making a new border. The Vines under treatment

had been in their quarters some fifty or sixty years,
and finding the fruit was degenerating year by
year I determined to root them out, re-make the
border, and replant with young canes. Two stand-
pipes came down from the spouting in front of the
vinery, and I had wondered where the water went,
inferring that those responsible for the first making
of the border had formed a proper drain from the
base of the stand-pipes to the front of the border
and thence to the nearest large drain. This, how-
ever, had not been done, but instead a small brick
drain had been constructed to the middle of the
border some 5 feet from the front lights, terminat-
ing in a small square well or cesspool. A very little
rain had apparently caused an influx of water suffi-
cient to overflow this well, and as a consequence I
found all the soil within a considerable area com-
pletely saturated with water. A few roots had en-
deavoured to make their way through this quag-
mire, but had not penetrated far, and these few
were dead and rotten. There are many old bor-
ders scattered here and there about the country,
and I merely mention the discovery under the im-
pression that some readers of The Gaeden may
t>e in a similar fix, and also unknowingly the
victims of such an eccentric ending to spouting
and stand-pipe. — E. Buebell.

Fruit keeping 'badly. — To all appearances
Apples and Pears will keep badly this season, there
not having been sufficient heat to bring about the
desirable chemical changes in the constitution of
the fruit. Evidently there are far too much water
and insufficiency of sugar in the fruits, these militat-
ing seriously against their long-keeping qualities.
It may be the later varieties will have been much
benefited by the long spell of summer-like weather
with which we have been favoured during Sep-
tember, and if so, there may be less reason to com-
plain than is the case with earlier Apples and
Pears. We had a good crop of the showy Duchess
of Oldenburg Apple, but those not used by the
third week in September were spotted throughout
their flesh and quite useless. Nor are the fruits of
Keswick Codlin, Lord Suffield, and Ecklinville be-
having much better, none of these yet gathered
promising to keep well. Williams' Bon Chretien
Pear collapsed almost without warning, and Beurr^
d'Amanlis has to be used directly it is fit. Doyenn6
Boussoch is ripening early, and this will not keep
in good condition more than about three days. A
close look-out will have to be kept with both
Apples and Pears generally, or many will be spoilt
before it is known they are really fit for use. On
all sides complaints are heard of jam keeping badly,
this being another case of too much water and too
little sunshine to evaporate it. The only remedy
is to once more boil the preserve for about ten
minutes or a quarter of an hour, and this may
lead to its keeping far better.— W. Iggtjlden.

Outdoor Peaches. — In the few short notes on
the above in The Gaeden of September 20, I said
that Humboldt was an unsatisfactory outdoor
Nectarine, the crop never reaching the perfect
ripening stage. This was quite correct of at any rate
nine-tenths of the crop, but, singular to say, the
statement has to be qualified in the present season,
and I picked on September 25 some excel-
lent fruit of large size, free from cracks and
wonderfully sweet. It is rather difficult to account
for this. I can only infer that the fruit attained
its size quickly under the influence of the damp
growing summer, and that the ripening process
was also a rapid one with the advent of bright
weather. I should like to add a good word for
Princess of Wales as a late variety (about a week
after the Admirables and therefore very useful). It
has the merit of producing heavy crops of fruit on
quite young trees and is a hardy sort with robust
cleanly growth. One of our Peach borders where
the soil is naturally light has derived great benefit
from a mulching of heavy road sidings with which
a load or two of cow manure had been incorporated.
Lying up some 18 inches above the surrounding
ground in a hot corner of the garden I found the
roots had a tendency to keep well up to the sur-
face, and in hot, dry summers I secured very little
growth and was compelled to water heavily to

Oct. 11, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

351

perfect the fruit. The change brought about by
the above mentioned mulching has been most
marked, both as to saving o£ labour in watering
and in the improved health and vigour of the trees.
A little surface dressing of long manure is now all
that is required. — E. Buekell.

Outdoor Grapes.— I think it was Mr. Black-
more who, in the course of his paper on Vine dis-
eases at the recent Chiswick Conference, said
that he believed the non-production of outdoor
Grapes was due to the mildew. I am disposed
to think that this gentleman considerably over-
rated the effect of the oidium on outdoor Vines,
as, on the whole, I believe these have from the first
appearance in our midst of this pest suffered less
than have house Vines. So far as I have noticed of
late, the mildew has been altogether absent on out-
door Vines. That is all the more remarkable be-
cause of the comparatively dull, cold nature of the
season, but it is probable mildew is as much the
product of drought at the roots as from any other
cause, although it is usually attributed chiefly to
oold currents of air. Perhaps it may be outdoors
more prevalent in hot seasons, because of the not
unfrequent changes from high to low tem-
peratures found in some of our summers.
But those who treat of outdoor Grapes are
too apt to disregard the fact that it is
our long cold springs checking early breaking in
outdoor Vines which are the chief cause of the ab-
sence of outdoor Grapes. It is utterly impossible
in the short space of time left between the end of
June and the autumn to bloom Vines and obtain
ripe finished bunches of fruit. If we had bunches
this season of any fair dimensions of berry, the re-
markable warmth of the past month should have
helped to finish them, but the Grapes, such as there
are, are too late thus to be benefited, except in ex-
ceptional circumstances. — A. D.

Pear Keele Beurre.— This, though seldom
seen, is deserving of a place in all choice
collections of dessert Pears. I do not think
it is widely known, but those who have seen
it growing in those well kept gardens at Keele
Hall where it was raised will never forget it. I
grew it in quantity in Staffordshire, it being a great
favourite and a certain bearer. I saw it recently
in the north in fine condition on a west wall, and
producing a fine crop of large fruits. I have not
grown it except on walls, as being a heavy fruit
and also an early one, a wall would be best for it.
The fruit is of large size, and on the sunny side a
bright red, and yellow on the opposite side. It
comes into use early in October or late in Septem-
ber in the southern districts. It is very melting and
juicy, and requires special care ingathering, as it is
easily bruised and decays if roughly handled. It
is also a special mark for all the birds in the gar-
den, as its bright colour is very tempting, and they
soon make sad havoc if it is not netted. It will be
found a capital kind to graft on others of little
value. I should say as a market Pear it would
prove invaluable to succeed Williams' Bon Chre-
tien. I have seen a few in the market, and
learned that they found a ready sale at a high price.
It is also grown under the name of Styrian, but this
is, I believe, only a local name in Worcestershire.
— G. WYTHE3.

SHORT NOTES.— FRUIT.

Gospatrie Apple. — This is a medium-sized,
smooth, semi-conical variety, something of the charac-
ter of the Hanks Codliu Apple, hut handsomer and a
wonderful cropper. Mr. Bunyard has small trees
which seemed to he borne down by the weight of fruit
produced. It is a fine midseason variety.

Wall Peaches. — Mr. P. Gilbert sends us Bome
excellent wall Peaches, showing how well they may be
grown on walls, even in the less favourable districts.
The Late and the Walburton Admirable Peaches are
much finer in flavour than the Princess of Wales, which
has indeed a less pleasant flavour than a good Turnip.

Eismareji Apple. — So precocious a fruiter is
this fine new Apple at Maidstone, that it may be seen
bearing one and two fine fruits close to the ground on
maidens on the Paradise stock. Whilst a fine late
keeper and a valuable addition to our larger Apples,

Bismarck gives us the richest hue of colour to be found
in large fruits.

Grenadier Apple. — This is one of the Warner's
King type, broad, somewhat flattened, and slightly
ribbed. It is a grand bearer, especially on small trees.
At Mr. G. Bunyard's nursery, Maidstone, we noted this
fine variety the other day in abundant fruit everywhere.
Of all the large-fruited kinds, and these are legion, this
seemed to be — for the season— the best. It is a _ re-
markably fine variety, and merits universal cultiva-
tion.

Ferns.

PHLEBODIUMS.

This is one of the several groups into wliich. the
extensive genus Polypodium lias been sub-

are associated in the warm fernery. When
planted out their naturally wild-growing rhi-
zomes grow apace and produce fronds in abund-
ance. These rhizomes, which are each fully as
thick as a man's thumb, though seen on the sur-
face, are also of subterranean habit and extend
underground to very long distances. Phlebo-
diums may also be used with advantage for
large hanging baskets, either by themselves or
intermixed with other Ferns with finer foliage,
and also for covering dead Tree Fern stems.
Thus grown, their thick, chaffy rhizomes, equal
in size to those of the Hare's-foot Fern, show
themselves off to perfection, the whiteness of
the chaffy scales with wliich their extremities
are densely clothed being apparent. The value

The golden Polypody (Phlehodium aureutn).

divided. Although in general aspect the Phle-
bodiums resemble the Polypodiums, yet the few
species in cultivation belonging to this section
are easily distinguished by their veins, which,
instead of being free, are reticulated, and also
by their sori, which, instead of being in single
rows upon the end of the short veins, are dis-
posed in several rows upon the pinnse. Phle-
bodiums are also extremely useful for decora-
tion, their noble fronds, which in most of the
species are glaucous, producing a striking con-
trast with those of other Ferns with which they

of Phlebodiums for decoration is clear from the
numbers that find their way to Covent Garden
Market every year ; some growers, indeed,
make quite a speciality of them — as much on
account of their rapid growth as because of their
distinct habit. As may be seen by the accom-
panying illustration of P. aureum, though their
fronds are of variable dimensions, they have a
natural tendency to grow on a single rhizome,
and would in that way be of little use as pot
plants. To obviate this mode of growth the
extremity of the rhizome is cut off entirely when

352

THE GAEDEK

[Oct. 11, 1890.

only 2 inches long, the result being the produc-
tion of several lateral rhizomes growing out of
the mutilated one in all directions, thus making
a bushy and compact plant. Being evergreen
and strong growers, all the Phlebodiums require
substantial food ; a mixture consisting of about
equal proportions of fibrou3 peat, loam, and
silver sand suits them best. They must also
receive a liberal supply of -water at the roots
■while growing, and during that time they will
also derive great benefit from occasional water-
ings with weak liquid manure.

P. aureum.— This may be fairly regarded as the
typical species of the group, and the one to which
the others appear to be more or less closely re-
lated. It is common in the West Indies and in
South America as far as Brazil. It is a strong
grower, strikingly bold in habit, and, owing to its
glaucous foliage, conspicuous. The popular appel-
lation of Golden Polypodium, under which this
handsome plant is commonly known, may have
been derived from the glossy bright brown colour
of the scales that cover the older portions of its
rhizomes, but it may also be due to the intense
golden colour of the underside of its fertile fronds,
produced by the enormous quantity of spore cases
by which it is covered, and from which when ripe
a most profuse bright yellow fine powder escapes
and covers the upper surface of the barren fronds
beneath.

P. pulvinatum. — This, which is probably only a
variety of P. aureum, is a native of Brazil. Its fronds,
which are deeply pinnati&d, are of a stouter tex-
ture than those of P. aureum, and attain also a
much larger size. The segments are less wavy
and the plant lacks the beautiful colour of the
species just named. It is, however, a distinct and
very pretty plant, the most attractive part of it
being undoubtedly the under surface, copiously
furnished as it is with bright yellow son.

P. sporadocabpum. — This, also a native of
South America, is found most plentifully in Mexico.
If only the lovely colour of its foliage be taken
into consideration, it is certainly the hand-
somest of the group to which it belongs, being of
a bluish tint, not even approached by any of the
others. Its habit is not, however, very elegant,
the fronds being borne on longer stalks and more
upright in growth ; the segments, too, of these
deeply pinnatifid fronds are narrower and bordered
all round on the upper surface with small white
dots, closely set, and forming a singular and
pretty contrast with the bluish ground colour.
The fronds are also produced in greater abund-
ance from rhizomes branching more freely than in
any other kind. Of the different Phlebodiums, it
is the one that stands the coolest treatment, suc-
ceeding well in an intermediate house. P.

THE WEEK'S WOEK.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

Mushrooms. — Beds in cool sheds have been in good
bearing order for many weeks past, the summer
not having been too hot and dry to spoil either the
beds or the produce. If the manure is steadily de-
caying and not in a cold, wet state, such beds will
remain productive for some time longer, especially
if heavily covered with soft dry litter. Should the
beds be dry underneath they will soon fail, and the
attempt should therefore be made to thoroughly
moisten them. Use soft water with the chill off
and slightly impregnated with salt, apply gently
and avoid saturating the manure. No water ought
to be given to those beds in a fairly moist state, or
much more harm than good will result. Slugs
have a great partiality to Mushrooms, and so also
have mice and woorilice. Trap the former on heaps
of brewers' grains or bread soaked in beer. This
will readily attract them from the Mushrooms, and
they can be destroyed at leisure. Phosphorus paste
is the best remedy for mice, but ought not to be
used if there are cats about, as these will most pro-
bably also be poisoned by the dead mice, Wood-
lice to be trapped in flower-pots, each with a slice

of Potato in it, and filled up with dry Moss.
Empty the woodlice collected in these every morn-
ing into hot water. Nothing kills them more
quickly than hot water, and this should be poured
over their haunts occasionally. Old sheds much
infested by woodlice ought to be thoroughly cleared
of all rubbish two or three times at least during a
year, this greatly interfering with their breeding.

Sue cession al Musheoom beds.— More than
ordinary care has had to be taken this season in
preparing the droppings, forming and spawning
the beds, the comparatively hot weather in Septem-
ber causing the manure to heat strongly and to re-
main dangerously hot longer than is often the case.
To spawn the beds while yet very hot, the manure
being hotter than the hand can bear when thrust
into it, is only to invite failure, and it js therefore
another instance of " more haste less speed." Wait
till the heat has declined considerably, or say to
80° or rather lower, and then spawn, watching
closely for any sudden rise after the spawn is in-
serted. Should the heat be nearer 70°, the trial
sticks in this case being borne very comfortably
indeed in the hand, soil over the bed at once, this
conserving the heat considerably, but if there is
any risk of its doing this to a dangerous extent,
then delay soiling till it can be done safely, or say
in the course of about nine days. It is doubtful
economy to use stale spawn, as it keeps badly in
many positions, and the wiser plan is to purchase
or order small quantities and often. The seedsmen
who follow much the same tactics usually supply
the best spawn. No fire heat ought yet to be
necessary in a Mushroom house, the heat from the
beds alone keeping the temperature up quite high
enough for anything. Directly the heat of the
beds newly spawned and soiled is on the decline
cover with a thickness of about C inches of soft
strawy litter, not hay, as this soon gets musty, and
in this state is prejudicial to the beds.

Forcing vegetables. — It is quite possible to
have Asparagus and Seakale fit for use by the
middle of November, and Rhubarb soon after, but
it scarcely pays for the trouble of forcing, there
being little or no real demand for either the kinds
named much before Christmas. When forced
before the roots have had any rest the produce is
bound to be weakly ; but by midwinter, forcing
commencing late in November, the case is very
different, and good samples of each are greatly
valued. All that can be done now is to clear off
all old foliage and rubbish generally from the
Asparagus and Seakale roots that are to be forced
early, but do not lift any yet. Rhubarb, however,
is found to force more readily after an enforced
rest, the plan adopted being to lift the requisite
number of strong clumps, leaving a moderate quan-
tity of soil about the roots, and placing them in
cool exposed quarters. After they have been
frozen somewhat they force surprisingly well
Darkened, warm corners in well-heated plant
houses are the best positions for forcing Seakale
and Rhubarb extra early, but Asparagus does
better in heated pits or frames, the roots having
the benefit of a little gentle bottom-heat, such as a
well-prepared hotbed of leaves and stable manure
would generate. An unbroken supply of Kidney
Beans is most desirable, and these, therefore, should
be kept growing in a brisk heat. Rather large
successional batches and well ripened new seed
should be sown direct into the pots in which the
plants are to produce their orops. The former is
necessary on account of the Beans not cropping
heavily during the dull winter months, while the
strongest plants are always obtained from new
seed.

Vacant ground. — When the kitchen garden is
kept closely cropped there are but few vacant plots
much before the latter part of September, but ac-
cording as late Peas, Potatoes, and Cauliflowers are
cleared off, the ground these crops have occupied
must, perforce, have a rest. In some cases it is
advisable to lay vacant ground up roughly to the
pulverising influences of frosts, winds, and rains ; in
others it is wiser to leave them very much as they
are till near the time for recropping. Some kinds
of clayey soils run together badly if long exposed

to all weathers, and these can be improved not by
digging early so much as by the addition of a
variety of substances that serve to keep it in a
fairly divided state. Some moderately heavy soils
may be manured and dug now with advantage, and
if lightly forked soon after midwinter, the pul-
verisation will be perfect by the time the ground
has to be sown or planted. By this it will be seen
no hard and fast lines can be laid down, and pre-
vious experience ought to be the best guide in
every case. It may, however, be safely asserted
that it is a wasteful practice to manure soils of a
gravelly or non-retentive character at this time of
the year, and in many instances more harm than
good is done by thus early digging soils of a light
freely dividing nature. But if they are not dug,
that is no reason why weeds and rubbish should
encumber the surface, and these, therefore, should
be early cleared off and a tidy appearance kept.

W. I.

PLANT HOUSES.
Stove. — Nepenthes. — After these plants have
grown to a considerable height the pitchers come
abnormal in shape, generally without the wing-like
appendages, and attain a much greater length
than those that are produced lower down, whilst
the stems are shorter. The pitchers thus attenuated
are not so effective or interesting as those that
are furnished with wings, and in the case of most
of the species have the flask-like form at the bot-
tom of the pitchers. When the plants are in this
condition the only remedy is heading down. The
time for this operation to some extent will be de-
termined by the amount of heat that is to be kept
up during the winter in the house in which they
are grown. If a high stove temperature is main-
tained it is well to remove the tops now, as then
the plants will break and make some progress be-
fore spring, and be in a condition to grow away
freely on the return of warm weather. The
stems must not be cut too low, or the growth will
come weak and puny ; neither must the opposite
extreme be followed of leaving too great a length
of the old stems, otherwise the bottoms of the spe-
cimens will not in future be sufficiently furnished
with young leaves, and the new stems will too soon
begin to produce defective pitchers. From 6 inches
to 8 inches of the old stems should be left with the
leaves intact. After heading back and onwards
through the winter, the roots must be kept quite
moist, as if water was withheld in the way that is
usual with the majority of plants when headed
down, much injury would be done, as at no time
will Nepenthes bear the soil getting dry.

Nepenthes, cutting-striking. — Cuttings of
Nepenthes are almost sure to strike when placed in
a moderately strong heat, but they take longer to
form roots than most things. Neither do they root
so well if put in sand or other close material alone
in the way that answers for other plants. In
pounded charcoal, or crocks broken quite small,
and some sand, the cuttings will strike. Some
growers reduce the cuttings to single eyes and a
piece of the wood about them, but I prefer cut-
tings with two joints, as I have found them grow
away more freely after they have rooted. Cover
them with a propagating glass, and keep the ma-
terial quite moist. If bottom-heat can be given it
will be an advantage. In preparing the cuttings,
all, or at least a portion of the leaf attached to the
topmost eye should be retained, as with it the pro-
cess of rooting is quicker and more certain.

Nepenthes, general stock. — Nepenthes re-
quire shading earlier in spring than most plants
that cannot bear direct exposure to the sun, and
they also require it later in the autumn, but after
the end of the present month nothing in this way
will be necessary. Continue during the winter to
syringe overhead once a day, as should there be
any of the small yellow or the black species of
thrips in the house, they will attack the leaves if
syringing is omitted. Give water often enough to
keep the material in which they are grown well
moistened, as at no time will Nepenthes bear to be
so dry as ordinary stove plants, and now when the
atmosphere of the house is drier than in the height

Oct. 11, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

353

of the growing season syringing will tend to keep
the foliage plump.

Gbeenhouse. — Cyclamens. — Small plants that
have been raised from seeds sown in the spring
and the seedlings subsequently pricked off in pans
should now be large enough for potting. It is
better to confine the plants somewhat at the roots
than to give them too much room, as during the next
four months they will not make much progress.
Add sufficient sand to the soil to ensure its being
porous, anything approaching a condition that is
retentive of water being fatal to the roots of Cy-
clamens Old cow manure, if it can be had, is
preferable to stable manure on account of its being
of a cooler nature. After potting keep the plants
rather closer than usual for a few weeks. Let
them have plenty of light, with a temperature of
about 50", so as to keep up gentle growth. It is
necessary to keep young stock in their various
stages continually growing until the time of the
plants first blooming. If allowed to rest in the
winter in the way that used to be practised in their
cultivation, it entails loss of time and the plants
appear to receive a check which seems to interfere
with their future progress.

Cyclamens, oldee stock.— Older plants that
are intended to bloom the first time during the
coming winter should be treated similarly to the
small ones, as they must have enough warmth to
keep them moving. If the pots are full of roots a
little clear weak manure water should be given at
short intervals. This will help the formation of the
flowers. Plants that after blooming had a rest in
the summer and were afterwards potted should
now have made considerable progress in both top
and root growth. Weak manure water will help
them. All the stock should be stood close to the
glass, especially where the temperature is kept up
to the point advised. Without abundance of light
the leaves will come thin and weak, with the stalks
unduly lengthened. No more shading will be re-
quisite until the sun has gained a considerable
amount of power in spring. If the plants have
been at all troubled with red spider or thrips in the
summer it will be better to continue syringing
once a day, being careful that the water reaches
the under side of the leaves. Attention in this
way saves much trouble and annoyance, for if the
foliage suffers it not only disfigures the plants, but
also interferes with their blooming.

Mignonette. — A little more seed should now
be sown from which to raise plants that will flower
after the earliest get shabby. At this sowing enough
seed should be put into each little pot to secure
three plants to each. A cold frame or pit kept mode-
rately close will answer for the seed to vegetate in,
provided enough covering is used in the nights
when there is danger of frost. After the plants
appear it will be better to place them in a structure
where a little heat can be turned on when there is
likelihood of the temperature falling below the
freezing point. The earliest batch should now be
moved to their winter quarters. As before advised,
the best place for them is a shelf near the roof
where they will be close to the glass in a tempera-
ture of about 15° in the night.

Cheysanthemums. — Continue to thin the buds
of the later-flowering varieties as they get large
enough to admit of this. Water will not now be
required so frequently, but the whole stock should
be gone over every day. It will soon be time for
housing, even where temporary protection in the
event of cold nights could be given. Where plant
room is limited, it is better to sacrifice a portion
of the stock than attempt to retain more than can
have the necessary amount of space, and thus
necessitate crowding. There must be no falling
off in the regular supply of stimulants to the plants.
They are to a great extent dependent on what is
given them. Where Chrysanthemums are placed
in houses adjacent to dwellings, the smell from
manure- water made from stable droppings or other
material of a like nature is most objectionable. In
such cases other things should be used that are less
offensive.

Roman Hyacinths. — Where a regular supply of
these flowers is required until the time when the

larger bloomed varieties come in more bulbs should
be potted or put in pans or boxes according to the
particular purpose the flowers are wanted for. When
to be used in a cut state shallow boxes about 12
inches or 15 inches in diameter will take up less
room, and, provided the plants are kept near the
glass from the time the tops begin to make much
progress, the flowers will not be drawn.

Fbeesias.— Roots that are not yet potted should
now be put in. It is well to keep the different
sizes separate, putting the strongest together, and
the second sized ones by themselves. There is no
necessity to give the roots so much pot room as is
sometimes done, particularly where they are dried
off and repotted every year. After potting, a cold
frame with the pots plunged in ashes will answer
until the requisite top growth has been made. Dur-
ing the time give enough water to keep the young
roots moving freely, but not so much as will satu-
rate the soil. Where this mistake is committed the
young fibres perish, after which it is useless to look
for flowers of much account. In the case of those
that are wanted to bloom first it will be better to
give a shift to any that require more room. Loam
of good quality with a little rotten manure, and
leaf mould with some sand, forms a compost that
answers well.

Tulips. — Where the small single Van Thol varie-
ties are wanted to bloom early, no time should be
lost in putting in the bulbs, for, like all other things
of a similar nature, it is essential that there should
be plenty of active roots at work before the plants
are placed in heat. It is much better to grow these
Tulips in small boxes than in pots, which at the
best give more trouble and occupy more room.
Even if the plants are required for decoration, it is
better to force them in boxes, and then when the
flowers are about to open to pot them. By this me-
thod plants of equal size and height can be put to-
gether in the pots, which look better than when
they come of various heights, with the flowers not
all opening together in the way that often occurs
when the bulbs are at first put into pots.

Shading. — Where movable blinds are used, they
should now be taken off and put away dry for the
winter where they will not suffer from damp. Where
the makeshift practice of smearing the glass is
followed, the paste, whitening, or whatever is used,
should be at once scrubbed off, so as to have the
glass clean. T. B.

NOTES FROM THE ISLE OF WIGHT.
Isle of Wight College, Ryde.
In these well-kept grounds are to be seen many
remarkably fine specimens of shrubs and plants
which to many lovers of their gardens are only seen
and successfully cultivated for a portion of the
year, at least, under glass. Acacia dealbata, of
which several plants are grouped together, is grow-
ing most vigorously, presenting a beautiful appear-
ance even now, but far more so when in flower in
the spring. A most effective bed is formed of
Arundo donax growing very strongly and evidently
quite at home. With this are included Eucalyptus
globulus, the Pampas Grass, and Bambusa gracilis,
and an edging of Hydrangea hortensis, which was
in profuse bloom, the trusses being of a brighter
pink than usual. This bed had quite a tropical
appearance, with no semblance of formality in
any way. Huge bushes of the common Myrtle are
also to be seen, soon to be studded in profusion
with their blossoms. Of Palms there are two very
fine plants of Charnrerops humilis, whilst the New
Zealand Flax is growing very strongly with broad
foliage. Dracsena australis is also to be met with
in good health, and when thus seen is always a
valuable addition to the garden. Of Yucca gloriosa
there is a fine group, issuing apparently from one
stem, and bearing evidence of great age. In several
parts of the grounds more large bushes of Hydran-
geas are to be seen, showing how valuable this
plant is where it thrives well. The Sweet Bay has
here grown into a tree, being as near as I could
calculate at least 10 feet in height. Of the Cork
Tree there is a very fine specimen which girths
nearly 6 feet at 3 feet from the ground. All the
ordinary shrubs usually seen in gardens grow here

in the greatest luxuriance with a remarkable lustre
upon their leaves. The sea breezes evidently have
no ill effect upon them, although the garden almost
borders upon the sea-shore. Upon the residence of
Mr. Smith, the gardener, are some finely coloured
examples of the golden variegated Euonymus and
other kinds ; these show the value of this shrub as
a wall plant where it is safe to plant it. What
was formerly the kitchen garden has been turned
into a recreation ground, so this department is not
represented in any force. The pleasure grounds,
however, bear evidence of careful keeping with due
regard to the well-being of the many fine speci-
mens therein.

Steep Hill Castle, Ventnob.
This residence and grounds are situated upon a
portion of the Undercliff on the western side of the
town, and comprise an area of considerable extent.
No better position could be chosen for a garden,
the natural surroundings being so romantic, whilst
the trees afford protection to any plants that are at
all tender. There is a fine scope here for trying
comparatively delicate plants of tropical growth. I
noticed a very thriving example of Bambusa gra-
cilis that bids fair to become a fine specimen. Rhus
Cotinus (the Venetian Sumach) was producing
numbers of its showy pedicels. The New Zealand
Flax was in good condition, being here seen to the
best advantage. A very fine old plant of Yucca
gloriosa had apparently toppled over many years
ago, young shoots, now of considerable size, issuing
from the stem. This shows what may be accom-
plished when Yuccas of large size meet with an ac-
cident, which this plant must have had some years
ago. The natural undulations of the ground here
are taken advantage of, so also is the abundance
of natural rock. Conifers are grown to a large
size, some having been planted a considerable time.
The pleasure grounds here taken as a whole are as
informal as it would be possible to have them.

The Cliff, Shanklin.
In these gardens are to be seen some excellent ar-
rangements of glass houses for the cultivation of
various kinds of plants. The whole block forms a
promenade from end to end. When first erected
the houses had spaces left between them in several
instances. These have now been covered with glass,
thus forming narrow corridors, with what was the
glass lights in some casesremoved.and thereby adding
to the effect. In one house Camellias were grow-
ing remarkably well, flowering profusely in their
season. In another were some good specimens of
fine-foliaged plants which require a stove tempera-
ture. Anthurium Warocqueanum was quite at
home here with grandly-developed leaves. Other
houses were devoted to greenhouse flowering plants
and tuberous Begonias, making a good display. In
one of the narrow passages the presence of a high
wall on one side had been taken advantage of to grow
fine-foliaged Begonias and Nephrolepis exaltata,
these covering it to perfection. Theentrancesto these
houses had the door-posts covered with plants,
Adiantums chiefly being used, pockets having been
provided for their reception. The supports to the
roof in several instances were turned to account in
like manner. A large stove was devoted to speci-
men plants, chiefly Palms with an excellent assort-
ment of young Crotons and other foliage and flower-
ing plants in front of them, that part next the path
being finished off with an edging of dwarf-growing
plants, such as Fittonia argyroneura and other suit-
able subjects. The front of this bank of plants was
not more than a foot or so in height, everything being
in this manner viewed with ease, and seen also to
the best advantage. Upon the roof was a fine ex-
ample of Allamanda Hendersoni in full flower.
Intermingled with the growth and blossoms of the
Allamanda were plants of Hibiscus sinensis, also
in flower, one forming a fine contrast to the other.
The conservatory adjoined this block of houses.
Having been built upon a sloping piece of ground,
various levels and steps were introduced with ex-
cellent effect, the central path having a wide
border on each side. Large Palms and Tree Ferns
with fine specimens of Camellias are prominent and
permanent subjects here ; amongst these are mixed
flowering plants, but not overcrowded. The roof

354

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 11, 1890.

is used for climbers, Solanum jasminoides succeed-
ing well amongst others. Viewed from the higher
plateau, this house presents a beautiful effect, which
later on will be greatly enhanced when the Chrysan-
themums are in bloom. The houses which keep up
the supply are at a considerable distance from this
property and nearer Sandown. Houses are there
devoted to Orchids in quantity, also for young stock
of stove plants and others for the conservatory as
well as for supplying cut bloom. Fruit is largely
grown there, houses being devoted to Melons, To-
matoes, Vines, Figs, and Peaches with a stock of
more than 1000 plants of Chrysanthemums. Late
Melons were looking well, whilst the keeping kinds
of Grapes were carrying very heavy crops. Finely
coloured young plants of the best sorts of Crotons
were being worked on in a pit near the glass. In
this manner a hardy growth is obtained, which will
stand good for a considerable time when the plants
are removed to other quarters not so congenial to
their well-being. J. H.

Stove and Greenhouse.

THE SLENDER LOBELIA.
(lobelia gracilis.)
Unlike most of the blue varieties of this family
now grown in our gardens, this is an introduced
species from New South. Wales, whence it came
early in the present century. It is not met
with in cultivation nearly so much as it deserves
to be, having had, no doubt, to give place to
those kinds of more compact growth. As an
edging plant or for marginal lines in the flower
garden it is not adapted, but when used as a
carpeting to and amongst plants of taller growth
it is most useful and very appropriate. Its
chief utility, however, lies in its valuable pro-
perties as a basket plant (as seen in the accom-
panying illustration) or for vases in the flower
garden. As a basket plant for the greenhouse
or conservatory during the summer months it
is extremely useful, being easily grown, of
quick growth, and flowering profusely ; it can
be also utilised as a pot plant for the margins
of stages and in rustic basket arrangements.
When using it thus my practice is to intermix
it with either the common, or Harrison's Musk,
one being a pleasing contrast to the other.
For vases in the flower garden it is valuable,
associating well with the pink or white-flowered
Ivy-leaved Geraniums, and drooping over
the sides in an elegant manner. Thus grown
it commences to flower early, and continues un-
til stopped by the frost. I have it now thus
growing with shoots quite 2 feet in length and
in profuse bloom. In fact the vases in which
several plants of this Lobelia with pink Ivy
Geraniums are now flowering so profusely are
well worth removing under glass to prolong
their beauty. For planting promiscuously upon
rockwork it is also valuable, as it does not re-
quire any great amount of soil in which to grow.
When used in the foregoing ways, the compact
growing varieties bear no comparison to it at all.
The type has blue flowers, but there are also
those with white and rosy coloured blossoms,
one packet of seed generally supplying each
shade of colour. It is not advisable to try to
keep it through the winter by means of cuttings
for another season, but make a practice of rais-
ing it in sufficient quantity from seed every
spring. By sowing in gentle heat in February
strong plants can be had fit for either of the
purposes alluded to by the end of May. As soon
as the seedlings are fit to handle they should be
pricked off into sandy soil ; this cannot be done
much too soon, as when the seed germinates
freely the young plants are disposed to damp off.
When established in pans or boxes the plants
should receive plenty of light and air ; after-

wards, as soon as it is safe to trust them in a
cold frame, some soil should be prepared into
which they can again be transplanted. When
growing freely one pinching will tend to keep
them bushy ; no other attention except watering
and hardening off will be needed. I find them
transplant very well with but little soil.

J. H.

Primula obconica It is to be hoped that the

remarks made about this plant will not induce
those who grow it to stop its cultivation. There
are few more useful Primulas, not only by reason of
its long continued season of blooming, it is in fact
perpetual, but the flowers are very delicate in tint,
varying of course more or less as to the varieties.
P. obconica differs greatly. It is very easily raised
from seed, and in one garden at Chiswick, that of
Mr. Donaldson, Tower House, the head gardener,
Mr. Bones, has been raising seedlings with the hope
of getting a strain with larger, fuller, and better

Seedling Lobelia gracilis in a hanging basket.

shaped flowers than the poor things one sees in
many gardens. He is certainly working in the
right direction, and has flowers larger than those
commonly grown. Of course time is wanted to get
a better strain of finer, bolder, and richer coloured
blooms, but patience will doubtless reward the
hybridist.

Lilium nepalense. — There is a certain amount
of individual difference to be found in this Indian
species, for in some forms the deep purplish-choco-
late of the centre of the flower extends much
farther down the petals than in others. There is a
very fine form of it in flower in the temperate
house at Kew, the blossoms being larger than any I
have previously seen, and it also differs from that
figured in The Garden, January 19, 1889, in the
petals being more recurved, and the dark centre

extending further over the flower. In this particular

specimen only the canary-yellow of the reverse side ' winter. On the return of spring the young shoots

of the tips of the petals is seen, and that is very
conspicuous by reason of the deep tint of the rest
of the flower. This Lily has already proved itself
of not very easy culture; therefore I was very
pleased to see it so fine at Kew, and that not from
a freshly imported bulb. It is essentially a green-
house Lily and most distinct. — H.

Gladiolus-flowered Carinas.— This beautiful
section of Cannas, some varieties of which were
illustrated by a coloured plate in The Garden,
March 2, 1889, are very valuable for the em-
bellishment of the greenhouse or conservatory dur-
ing the latter half of the summer and well on into
the autumn, their bright and distinct colours be-
ing very different from those of any other occupants
of the same structure. They are of very easy cul-
ture, as they rest during the winter, and after start-
ing into growth in the spring should be grown on
freely. One great thing to bear in mind is that
these Cannas are liberal feeders, and consequently
a soil composed chiefly of loam and well-decayed
manure will just suit them. M.
Crozy, of Lyons, to whom we are
indebted for the great strides ef-
fected within the last few yeara
in this class of plants, sends out
a few new varieties each season,
the result of seedlings raised at
his establishment. They can be
easily increased by division, car-
ried out in the spring just before
the plants start into growth, or,
if fertilised, many of them will
seed freely. Numerous com-
plaints are made that Canna
seeds frequently refuse to ger-
minate well, but they come up in
a short time if sown and placed
in heat directly they are ripe,
which is the better method for
this class of Cannas. — T.

Stapelia bufonia. — Is this
plant now becoming a favourite
again ? I have within these
three weeks received from seve-
ral friends flowers of this for a
name ; now it comes from Mr.
Manda, of the Hextable Nur-
series, Swanley. I should much
like to see Stapelias again favour-
ites with plant growers. I ques-
tion if any could be found saving
those existing in the national
collection at Kew. One objection
to these plants lies in the very
offensive odour given off by their
flowers. They are all natives of
the Cape of Good Hope, and be-
long to the same family as the
beautiful Wax Flowers (Hoya),
and thrive well in a warm green-
house, potted in loam and old
mortar rubbish made sandy, and
drained well. — W.

Lotus Jacobssus. — The vari-
ous members of this genus Bhow
a great diversity from each other,
as among them we have our own British Bird's-foot
Trefoil, a little creeping yellow-flowered plant ;
then the Pigeon's-beak Lotus (L. peliorrhynchus), a
native of Teneriffe, whose long branches will, if
the plant is grown in a suspended basket, hang
down for a considerable distance. They are clothed
with narrow, silvery-grey leaves. It is a very dis-
tinct plant for hanging in the greenhouse, while
the brilliant orange-scarlet, lobster-claw-like blos-
soms render it additionally attractive for some
weeks during the summer. The species under no-
tice (L. Jacobseus) has been flowering from May
to the present time, and is a very pretty object in
the greenhouse, besides which it will also bloom
well if planted out during the summer. It forms a
much-branched, but slender growing plant, with
hoary foliage and a profusion of Pea-shaped blos-
soms of a very deep purple, almost black, colour.
It must be kept in a dry greenhouse during the

Oct. 11, 1890.]

THE GAKDEN.

355

which are then produced strike root readily enough,
and grown on in ordinary potting compost, they
soon attain flowering size. Seeds are also avail-
able for increasing this Lotus, but the progeny
often exhibits a certain amount of variation, some
of the flowers being deeper in colour than others.
L. Jacobasus is quite an old-fashioned plant, and
was at one time more common in gardens than at
present. It is a native of the Cape de Verd Is-
lands.—H. P.

Eranthemum Andersoni. — The flowers of this
Eranthemum are so beautiful and chastely marked,
while the plant is of very easy culture, that its
general neglect is a matter of some surprise. Like
many other members of the genus, it is half shrubby
and forms an erect-growing plant, furnished some-
what sparingly with large oblong leaves. The
flowers, which are arranged in dense spikes on the
points of the shoots, are each about an inch in dia-
meter and pure white, except the lower lobe,
which is heavily spotted with a beautiful rich
purple colour. This plant should be so situated
that the blooms can be closely examined, as the
delicate markings of the flower, upon which so
much of the beauty of the plant depends, can only
be discerned when brought near the eye. As this
Eranthemum is rather apt to become thin, a good
way is to arrange it among dwarfer-growing sub-
jects, as the spikes of beautiful blossoms are seen
to great advantage when just overtopping their
neighbours.— H. P.

Acrotrema "Walkeri (/. Simpson). — This is
the name of the small yellow-flowered plant with
plaited, serrate leaves, said to have been gathered
in the centre of Ceylon, where it grows upon
the mountains at some 4000 feet elevation. It
was first introduced in the year 1861 to Kew,
having been sent by Mr. Thwaites. The plant
came into my hands, and grew and flowered in the
following year. It has been credited with growing
in a greenhouse, but I do not think 4000 feet ele-
vation in Ceylon would bring the plant into green-
house temperature. It is pretty and interesting. — H.

The Lion's-tail (Leonotis Leonurus). — This
very showy plant Mr. Cannell, of Swanley, has the
credit of bringing into public notice, but this can
only be a reintroduction, as under the generic name
of Phlomis, it is figured in the Botanical Maijazine,
vol. xiv., t. 478, where it is said it was cultivated in
the Chelsea Botanic Garden in 1712. I recently saw
this plant flowering in a greenhouse in Sir Trevor
Lawrence's garden, where its singular beauty is
very conspicuous ; it is a tall-growing plant, the
flowers being very long, orange-scarlet in colour.
It should be struck from cuttings annually. It is a
native of the Cape of Good Hope. — G.

SHORT NOTES—PUBLIC GARDENS.

Purchase of Hicham Park. — A petition of
verderers of Epping Forest and surrounding inhabi-
tants was presented recently to the court to contribute
£3001), the inhabitants agreeing to supply the same
amount to acquire the 2/ £ acres of charmingly wooded
laud and water. This land will then be thrown into
the forest.

London County Council.— The agenda of this
body contains a long list of proposed motions, one of
which is, " That it be au instruction to the Parks
Committee to report whether, in their opinion, any
steps can be usefully taken by the Council to secure
the opening of the Roval Botanic Gardens, Regent's
Park, and of Lincoln's Inn Fields Garden, to the public.

A new recreation ground in the City.—
The necessary faculty having been obtained, the
churchyard adjoining St. Hary-the-Virgin, Alderman-
bury, has been laid out as a recreation ground, and
has been opened to the public. Seats have been fur-
nished by the Metropolitan Public Grounds Associa-
tion, and Mr. Deputy Kogers (Cripplegate) is about to
provide the new open space with a drinking fountain.

Hackney Marshes.— The Board of Agriculture
has prepared a draft scheme under the Metropolitan
Commons Act, 1866, for placing Hackney Marsh, an
area of 328.J acres on the banks of the river Lea, under
the control of the Council. The scheme provided for
the purchase by the Council of the rights of persons
having a beneficial interest in the marsh so soon as it
might appear to the Council that the continuance of

such rights interfered with its control of the marsh,
but not before.

Ifew recreation ground. — The Parks and
Open Spaces Committee recently reported that Sir
Spencer Maryon Wilson had presented 12 acres of free-
hold land in Charlton parish, but near the populous
part of Woolwich, as a recreation ground to be used by
the public without restraint in perpetuity under the
control of the Council. It is a valuable acquisition.

Chrysanthemum shows in the parks.—
The tenth annual display of Chrysanthemums in Fins-
bury Park will he open to the public daily at ten
o'clock on and after Saturday next, the 11th inst., and
will be at its best in two or three weeks' time from
then. The Chrysanthemum show in Battersea Park
will be open to the public in the frame ground on
October 16.

Distribution of plants. — We are asked to
announce that the Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Works and Public Buildings intend to distribute
this autumn among the working classes and the
poor inhabitants of London the surplus bedding-
out plants in Hyde and the Regent's Parks, and in
the Royal Gardens, Kew, and the Pleasure Gardens,
Hampton Court. If the clergy, school committees,
and others interested will make application to the
superintendent of the park nearest to their respec-
tive parishes, or to the director of the Royal Gar-
dens, Kew, or to the superintendent of Hampton
Court Gardens, in the cases of persons residing in
those neighbourhoods, they will receive early in-
timation of the number of plants that can be
allotted to each applicant, and of the time and
manner of their distribution.

Societies and Exhibitions.

FRUIT SHOW AT THE GUILDHALL.
The fruit show held on Monday, Tuesday, and
Wednesday last, under the auspices of the Fruit-
erers' Company, was a practical and instructive
illustration of the capabilities of the British Isles
for producing first-class fruit. This is a bad season
for Apples and Pears, especially Pears, and this
may account for the predominance of Apples ; in
truth, it could be called an Apple show. There
were twenty-nine classes in the schedule, which
was thoroughly comprehensive, comprising all the
hardy fruits in season now, preserves and jams, and
the prizes were offered so that all who had fruit of
sufficient merit to compete could enter into com-
petition. One section was set apart only for
cottagers, another for tenant farmers, and amateurs,
while gardeners, nurserymen, and the manu-
facturers of jams and preserves were each in their
turn provided for by this liberal schedule. The
majority of the prizes were in the form of money,
but several medals were offered, the gold medal
being in the amateurs' class and given for the best
collection of fifty varieties. The prizes were good,
and in this lies the secret of the excellence of the
exhibition. There was the prospect of something
in return for labour and time ; hence the well filled
hall, rooms, and even passages. The object of the
exhibition was to promote the extended and im-
proved culture of useful fruit in the homesteads
and cottage gardens in the United Kingdom, and
we were pleased to see that both tenant farmers
and cottagers did not fail to make a creditable
show.

The show was opened at three p.m. by the
Right Hon. the Lord Mayor of London, and at that
hour a dense crowd filled the great hall and ad-
joining rooms — too great a crush to permit of a com-
fortable inspection of the rows of Apples and Pears.

The competition throughout, except in one or
two instances, was very keen. About 5000 dishes
were put up. The great hall was set apart chiefly
for two classes, the nurserymen's division and the
exhibits in the amateurs' class, in competition for
the gold, silver-gilt, and silver medals of the com-
pany. These were offered for thirty kinds of
Apples and twenty of Pears. There were about
fourteen competitors, and the exhibits were of
fairly average merit. But there was no question as
to who was first in this long list of exhibits, filling

almost entirely one-half of the main hall. The
fruits of Mr. G. Woodward, gardener to Mr. R. Leigh,
Barham Court, Maidstone, were superb ; they were
unusually large, clean, well coloured and very even,
this applying to both classes. Some seemed as if
grown under glass, and throughout the exhibition
there were fruits, evidently produced under glass,
mixed amongst those from trees in the open air.
This is obviously unfair to those who cannot or will
not cultivate trees under glass cover. It should
have been expressly stated that the fruits were to
be from the open ground ; then all would have been
judged equally. Visitors could, however, see what
kinds do best in certain counties, as the various
sections were split up into zones. The northern zone
comprised the northern counties and North
Wales ; the south-western zone embraced South
Wales and the south of England ; and the
south-eastern zone was spread over the Isle of
Wight, Hampshire, Sussex, Surrey, Kent, &c. Kent,
of course, was conspicuous for the splendour of its
fruit. The gold medallist was from Maidstone,
and although it is impossible to give many names,
mention must be made of the varieties Emperor
Alexander, Golden Spur, New Hawthornden, Gas-
coigne's Scarlet Seedling, the loveliest of Apples ;
Minchal Crab, Cox's Orange Pippin, and Tower of
Glamis. The silver-gilt medal was also won by a
Maidstone grower. The successful competitor was Mr.
Charles Davies, The Mote Gardens, whose fruits were
of exceptionally fine colour, thanks to the brilliant
weather of September and early October, which not
only ripened the wood and plumped up the buds,
but put colour on the fruits. Gascoigne's Scarlet
Seedling was conspicuous, also Peasgood's Nonsuch,
Fearn's, Lord Derby, shown well in several divisions,
Lord Suffield, and Cox's Orange Pippin ; while of
the Pears, Pitmaston Duchess, Beurre' Hardy, and
Durondeau were unusually fine. The silver medal was
won by a Derby grower, Mr. J. H. Goodacre, Elvaston
Castle Gardens, who not only had good fruits, but
set them up in a pleasing way. The Apples in several
cases were brilliantly coloured, especially the oft re-
curring Peasgood's Nonsuch, which we have seldom
seen of better hue ; Blenheim Orange, King of the
Pippins, Mere de Menage and Cellini. The same
praise can be given the Pears. An extra prize
went to Mr. Samuel Barlow, Stakehill House,
Manchester, who staged a fine collection of
well-grown Apples and Pears, and deserved the
award. The exhibit of Peasgood's Nonsuch was
extraordinary, the fine fruits each weighing
22 ozs., but judging from the clearness of the
skin, the result of glass culture, or exceptional
climatic advantages.

The greatest class, at least that which brought
together the largest number of exhibitors, was for
a collection of hardy fruit of all kinds, open only
to nurserymen. No money prizes were offered,
but special certificates were given to the best col-
lections. These were as follows : Kent was re-
presented by Messrs. G. Bunyard and Co., Maid-
stone, whose fruits were of fine colour, clean,
fresh, and large in size, an admirable display, com-
prising Cornish Aromatic, Lady Henniker, The
Queen, Peasgood's Nonsuch, Ecklinville, Bismarck,
Grenadier, Mr. Gladstone, and Washington Apples.
Farleigh Damson, Monarch Plum, and several
late Peaches were also shown. The fruits of Mr. A. J.
Thomas, Sittingbourne, were of great merit, but
many were evidently from under glass. The Pears,
as is always the case, from this grower were of re-
markable size, also the Apples. We would re-
mind Mr. Thomas that in staging handsome fruit
like this it is not an advantage to try and hide it
by absurdly large and ugly labels. They should
be read easily, but neat, and not unsightly. Of
the Apples conspicuous were Lane's Prince Albert,
Peasgood's Nonsuch, King of the Pippins, Blan-
chard's Seedling, Warner's King, Glory of Eng-
land, a rich scarlet fruit, very bright and telling,
and Wiltshire Defiance, a big fruit. Such varie-
ties of Pears as Doyenne Boussoch, Beurre' de
l'Assomption, Pitmaston Duchess were exceedingly
large. Those from the English Fruit Growing
Company (Cranston's), Hereford, were fine in colour,
clean, and handsome, including a basket of Stirling
Castle, Egremont Russet, a finely flavoured kind ;

35G

THE GABDEK

[Oct. 11, 1890.

and the Green Costard, a famous Herefordshire
Apple, were also shovm, besides all the leading
types in cultivation, of which want of space pre-
vents mention. Messrs. J. Yeitch & Sons, Chelsea,
had an excellent collection, very even, and the
fruits of fine colour and finish. Amongst the kinds
were Pott's Seedling, Hoary Morning, Bismarck, an
Apple that has great promise, Jolly Beggar, Hol-
landbury, Winter Hawthornden, Withington Fill-
basket, and Hanwell Souring. The fruit from
Messrs. T. Rivers and Son, Sawbridgeworth, was
exceedingly fine both of Apples and Pears, and
of the latter were several seedlings of good ap-
pearance, but this does not, of course, count for
everything. The bigger types of Pears, as Marie
Benoit and Doyenne du Cornice, were superb, and
of Apples, King of Tompkins County, Cox's Orange
Pippin, Golden Spire, and The Queen were worth a
note.

A collection of great interest was that from
Messrs. Cheal and Sons, Crawley, who had a fine
display of Pears, as Louise Bonne of Jersey, the
fruits being arranged in tall stands— a relief" from
the flat rows of single dishes. This leads us to re-
mark that there was little attempt to make tasteful
displays by arranging the exhibits with an eye to
effect. In some instances the fruits were placed
on crimson-coloured Virginian Creeper or Vine
leaves and with excellent results. Messrs. Cheal's
group was better for the raised baskets, and we
noticed Beauty of Hants, Wellington, Loddington,
Barchard's Seedling, and Blenheim Orange. Messrs.
J. Peed & Sons, Streatham, sent an excellent col-
lection, the Cornish Aromatic again occurring. From
what we can ascertain this variety is very produc-
tive this season. The little Yellow Ingestrie, Lord
Suffield, Cellini, Gloria Mundi, Blenheim Orange,
and New Hawthornden were also exhibited.

One of the prettiest arrangements was that of
Mr. Watkins, Pomona Farm, TVitbington, who
had some kinds, notably Queen Caroline, in baskets,
whilst Warner's King was splendid in colour. We
have never seen it richer in crimson tint than
here; the same remark also applies to Cox's Orange
Pippin. It shows the effect of a few weeks' bril-
liant sunshine. Tom Putt, Alfriston, and Blen-
heim Orange Apples were also shown remarkably
well. Messrs. J. Laing and Sons, Forest Hill, had i
very fine fruits of the leading varieties, notably the
Blenheim Orange, Lord Derby, shown well in most
collections, Cat's-head, Bismarck, Loddington, Eck-
linville, and Keswick Codlin. The Royal Horticul-
tural Society sent from their Chiswick Gardens an
admirable collection, the fruits clean, well coloured,
and thoroughly typical of the kinds represented',
especially Cellini, Cox's Orange Pippin, Braddick's
Nonpareil, Smart's Prince Arthur, Ecklinville Seed-
ling, and Golden Noble. Pears were also included,
and Aubergines. It is singular that more use is
not made of Aubergines. They are used on the
Continent in many ways and considered a delicacy.
Messrs. Wm. Paul and" Son, Waltham Cross, had a
good collection of fruit, such Apples as Washington,
Pott's Seedling, Yorkshire Beauty, Cox's Pomona,
Manks Codlin, Peasgood's Nonsuch, and Golden
Spire meriting a note. Messrs. G. Paul and Son
had also a good display, Cox's Pomona, Mabbett's
Pearmain, Betty Geeson, and Golden Noble being
in true character. It is, however, scarcely fair to
compare what are open-air -grown fruits with collec-
tions in which samples from trees under glass are
shown. The condition of a few big delicate-skinned
Apples in a display makes a great difference in the
effect it produces. Mr. Charles Turner brought from
Slough some remarkably good fruit, especially that
of Blenheim Orange, Jefferson's, Warner's King.
Cox's Orange Pippin, and Tom Putt. Other nursery-
men and trade growers who showed well were
Messrs. H. Balchiu and Son, Sussex ; Mr. Henry
Berwick, Sidmouth. Devon, samples rich in colour ;
Messrs. Jarman & Co., Chard, Somerset ; Mr. W.
Forbes Gibbon, Pershore : Mr. A. Wyatt, Hatton
Middlesex ; Mr. W. Taylor, Hampton ; Mr. G.
Merritt, Stoker's Lane, Harpenden, who sent a num-
ber of ornamental Crabs : Mr. A. Rawlings, Rom-
fo rd, Essex ; Mr. T. W. Startup, West Farleigh ; and
Mr. J. Clarke, Albion Nursery, Farnham.

About twenty-two growers sent collections of

fruit, to represent the British Fruit Growers'
Association. The fruits came from all parts.
It is only possible to note a few of the best.
Mr. Goariog, gardener to Mr. C. J. H. Tower,
Weald Hall, Brentwood, Essex, sent a very good
collection, also Mr. Roupell, Roupell Park, S.E.,
whose fruits showed what excellent produce can
be had from trees well cultivated in suburban gar-
dens. Very fine fruits of Bismarck Apple were
those from Mr. P. Crowley, Waddon House, Croy-
don ; those from under glass were larger than those
from the open, but we prefer the latter, as more
natural. Mr. C. Goldsmith, gardener to Mr. W. B.
Waterlow, High Trees, Redhill, Surrey, also contri-
buted fine fruits of Prince Albert, Gloria Mundi,
and other leading kinds, besides Pears. Those
from the English Fruit and Rose Co., Hereford,
were of rich colour, especially such kinds as Blen-
heim Orange andDuchess of Oldenburg. A finely col-
oured collection came from Mr. G. Cole, Evesham,
comprising leading varieties; also from Messrs. Jef-
feries and Sons, Cirencester, and Mr. Harris, Alnwick
Castle Gardens, Northumberland. The fruits from
this northern garden were excellent, and comprised
Keele Beurre' Pear, of which a note appears on
p. 351. Messrs. Dicksons, of Chester, also exhibited.
Thus there was a good representation of English
counties.

The fifth section was one of the most interest-
ing in the exhibition, open only to gardeners, and
confined to Grapes and Tomatoes. There should
have been more competition, as fairly good prizes
were offered, the first for six bunches of black
Grapes, distinct varieties, being £3 and the silver
medal of the Fruiterers' Company. This was won
by Mr. William Allan, gardener to Lord Suffield,
Gunton Park, whose clusters of Black Hamburgh,
Gros Maroc, Alnwick Seedling, Alicante, Black
Morocco, and Lady Downe's were faultless, espe-
cially the Alnwick Seedling. Mr. G. Reynolds,
Gunnersbury Park Gardens, was second. He had
excellent Alicantes. Mr. Iggulden, Marston Gar-
dens, with beautifully coloured bunches, was third.
The Grapes from Mr. Goodacre, Elvaston, were
magnificent, but he had evidently read the schedule
wrongly, showing only six bunches of two varieties;
he was thus disqualified. The bunches of Gros
Colman were the finest we have seen, but requiring
a month to gain colour, and those of Barbarossa
were of great weight. Mr. Goodacre made the
same mistake in the class for white Grapes, and
was, of course, again disqualified; but we must make
mention of his superb clusters of Muscat of Alex-
andria. The first prize, of the same value as the
other, and with the silver medal, was won by Mr. John
Crawford, gardener to Col. Thorpe, Coddington Hall,
Newark, buttheywere evidently over-ripe. Therewas
not much difference between the first and second,
those from Mr. Iggulden being of almost equal
merit. Prizes were also offered for dishes of To-
matoes.

One of the most 'important divisions~"was for
amateurs and gardeners only, separated into
northern, south-western, and south-eastern zones.
The competition was very keen. Mr. Iggulden
was the chief prize-winner in the south-western
zone, winning the first prize in class for six dishes
of five dessert Pears. His fruits were good, and
comprised such varieties as Gansel's Bergamot
Marie Louise, Van Mons Leon Leclerc, Doyennt
Boussoch, Doyenne du Cornice, and Pitmaston
Duchess. Mr. T. Parker, gardener to Mrs. Evans,
Moreton Court, Hereford, was second. The idea of
splitting them up into zones or counties was excel-
lent, as those who cared to would have been able
to note those kinds that do best in particular lo-
calities. Mr. Iggulden was again first for twelve
dishes of five Pears, distinct varieties, showing ex-
cellent fruits of Beurre Hardy, Gansel's Bergamot,
Pitmaston Duchess, and Marie Louise. Mr. Wright
showed an Apple in the class for three dishes of
cooking and three of dessert varieties, in which he
was placed first, that will doubtless become well
known — Tyler's Kernel. It is a handsome variety
of excellent flavour, and really an improved Blen-
heim, having many of its characteristics. Mr.
Parker had the finest cooking Apples, showing
Blenheim Orange, Tyler's Kernel, and Pott's

Seedling, which was one of the most conspicuous
Apples in the show. The finest twelve dishes of
dessert kinds came from Mr. S. T. Wright. Mr. T.
Parker was second, so that one can see that the prizes,
although the competition was keen, were gained by
certain exhibitors.

The northern zone was fairly well represented,
and some excellent fruit was shown. Mr. John
Crawford gained the first prize for twelve dishes
of dessert Apples, he showing the fruit on
coloured leaves, a very tasteful way of bring-
ing out the colours and finish, while the best
cooking varieties were sent by Mr. William Ingram,
Belvoir Castle Gardens, Grantham, who showed
Frogmore Prolific, Peasgood's Nonsuch, Warner's
King, and Golden Noble in excellent character.
Very fine fruit was staged by Mr. Hilton, gardener
to Mr. S. Barlow, Manchester, in the class for three
dishes of cooking and three of dessert Apples.
Mr. James Hunter, Lambton Castle Gardens, had
the finest twelve dishes of Pears, showing excellent
fruits of Marie Louise, Glou Morceau, Pitmaston
Duchess, and Doyenne du Cornice. For six dishes
of dessert Pears, Mr. James Hunter was again first.
It is impossible to name the best varieties. Space
does not admit of it, but a full prize list is given in
our advertising columns.

The south-eastern zone was most fully repre-
sented. The competition was tremendous, very
easily seen when it is mentioned that for three
dishes of five distinct kinds of cooking Apples and
three of dessert there were no less than forty-four
competitors, which filled the smaller rooms leading
to the central hall. The first prize in this large array
was won by Mr. F. Bridger, Penshurst Place, Kent,
whose fruits were magnificent. They comprised
finely coloured samples of Peasgood's Nonsuch,
Bismarck, Warner's King, Queen Caroline, Wealthy,
a highly coloured American Apple, and said to be
of good flavour, and King of Tompkins County.
The second prize was won by Mr. T. Turton, gar-
dener to Mr. J. Hargreaves, Maiden Erleigh, Read-
ing, who had splendid fruits of King of the Pippins,
Cox's Orange Pippin, Adams' Pearmain, Warner's
King, Mere de Menage, and Waltham Abbey Seed-
ling, one of the best dishes of fruit in the show of
a kind not often exhibited. There were thirty-four
exhibitors in the class for twelve dishes of five
cooking Apples, Mr. G. Woodward, Barham Court
Gardens, Maidstone, having the finest produce, and
to this grower hearty praise is due for the finish,
colour, and size of his fruits. Such varieties as
Annie Elizabeth, Cox's Pomona, Gascoigne's Scarlet
Seedling, Brabant Bellefleur, Peasgood's Nonsuch,
Golden Spire, Stone's Apple, Warner's King, and
Emperor Alexander. Mr. W. S. Skinner was second,
and he exhibited fruits that in an ordinary exhibi-
tion would certainly have stood first. Stone's,
Tower of Glamis, and Blenheim Orange were the
finest. The number of exhibitors for twelve dishes
of dessert Apples was twenty-six, the first prize-
winner again being Mr. G. Woodward, whose fruits
were admirable for colour, especially such kinds as
the old Ribston Pippin, here shown finer than we
have seen it for a long time, Calville Rouge, King
of the Pippins, Washington, Braddick's Nonpareil,
and Cox's Orange Pippin. Mr. J. Turner, gardener
to Mr. R. H. Combe, Pierrepont, Farnham, also had
excellent fruits of the leading kinds. The des-
sert Pears, too, of Mr. G. Woodward were beyond
praise. We have seldom seen better samples of
Brockworth Park, formerly known as Bonne d'Ezee,
Hacon's Incomparable, Pitmaston Duchess, BeurrS
Hardy, and Beurre Superfin. He was placed first,
and Mr. Blick, gardener to Mr. Martin Smith,
Kent, second. He had excellent dishes of Marie
Louise d'L'ccle, Magnate, a large Pear, one of
Rivers' seedlings, but of which we know nothing as
regards flavour, Marie Louise, Josephine de Malines,
Glou Morceau, and Doyenne1 du Cornice. Those
from Mr. F. Dunn, gardener to Sir F. W. Truscott,
Oakleigh, East Grinstead, were also very fine, being
bright in colour, especially Louise Bonne of Jersey
and Doyenne Boussoch.

An interesting class, but one, of course, in which
it was impossible to expect much competition, was
for six dishes of hardy fruits, distinct. Mr. J.

Oct. 11, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

357

Sheppard, The Gardens, Woolverstone Park, Ipswich
was first, having good fruits of Keine Claude de
Bavay Plum. In one exhibitor's stand we noticed
very good fruits of Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury
Strawberry.

Some of the finest dessert Pears in the exhibition
were those from Mr. Allan. Gunton Park Gardens,
who was first for six dishes, ;-howing Marie Louise
d'Cccle, Glou Morceau. Marie Louise. The compe-
tition was very severe, so we give the second prize-
winner, who was Mr. R. Smith, gardener to Mr. A.
Cox, Ware, Herts, who had amongst other kinds the
finely-flavoured Emile d'Heyst and Princess, a
Pear which is well spoken of.

One section was open only to those who live
within a radius of seven miles from the Royal Ex-
change, the class being one for twelve dishes of
hardy fruit. Mr. Roupell, Roupell Park, Streat-
ham, won the prize, and rightly, too. The fruits
were excellent, especially of Cox's Orange Pippin,
Emperor Alexander, Lord Grosvenor, Peasgood's
Nonsuch, Lady Henniker, Cox's Pomona, The
Queen, Cellini, and Grenadier.

The exhibition embraced also cottagers and ten-
ant farmers. The greatest competition amongst the
cottagers seemed to beinthe south-western zone.and
varieties exhibited best were Scarlet Compton, a
brilliantly coloured Apple ; of course, King of the
Pippins ; the richly coloured Worcester Pearmain,
Coker Seedling, a strikingly handsome Apple, very
rich in colour, smooth, even, and large ; Cox's Po-
mona, Blenheim Orange. The fruits of Coker Seed-
ling, from Yeovil, were very fine. Ecklinville Seed-
ling, Warner's King, and Lord Suffield were three
conspicuous fruits from cottagers in the northern
zone. Neither the tenant farmers nor the cottagers
were as well represented as we should liked to
have seen. The finest fruit in this section was
undoubtedly that from Mr. Richard Webb, Read-
ing, who had varieties that have been pre-
viously mentioned in excellent character. But
some of the produce was very poor, and the
same may be said of the cottagers' productions,
save those who won prizes. It is to be hoped that
the rows of splendidly grown produce exhibited
by gardeners will help to influence smaller growers.
It is not, of course, possible to get fruit so fine
without trouble, but with proper attention and good
culture great results may be obtained.

There were a few miscellaneous exhibits. Messrs.
Carter & Co., High Holborn, showed a collection of
Tomatoes of both old and new varieties, including
Conference Tomato. A very fine collection of
Grapes (grown without artificial heat) came from
Mr. J. Clarke, Albion Nursery, Farnham. The
bunches were admirable for colour, especially those
of Gros Colman, Muscat of Alexandria, Royal Ascot,
Alnwick Seedling, and Madresfield Court. Nor must
we omit mention of the superb show of twenty- four
Melons, all showing good culture, sent by Mr. Rey-
nolds, gardener to Messrs. Rothschild, Gunnersbury
Park.

There were no new varieties, as far as we could
ascertain. Sir James Whitehead, Highfield House,
Catford, showed fruits of Epine Dumas, a pretty-
looking Pear, and if of good flavour and prolific,
worthy of note.

Besides fruits there was a section devoted to jams
and preserves, and this produce filled the greater
part of one of the smaller rooms.

We hope that this exhibition is the forerunner
of many others at the Guildhall. The position is
central, in the heart of the City, and within easy
access of the busiest streets. This was one reason
of the crowds of visitors which thronged the rooms
on the three days: another was, perhaps, due to
the tickets being free. We hope, at least, that
good will result in promoting fruit culture in
England. One thing should be borne in mind
another year if such an exhibition is held — to keep
those fruits grown under glass distinct from those
in the open, and to single out a few of the finest in
the several classes, so fiat visitors or those who
want to know the best kinds can choose them with-

out having to try a hundred worthless, though
showy kinds to seek them.

A full prize-list is given in our advertising
columns.

THE SHOW AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE.
The annual hardy fruit show, which opened on
Thursday last and" closes to-day (Saturday), is an
excellent exhibition for the season, except Pears,
which are exceptionally poor ; so much so, that in
the class for a collection in which in good
seasons there is usually a keen competition, no first
prize was awarded. It is otherwise with Apples,
and it is not often one sees a finer exhibit than that
of Messrs. Bunyard and Co., of Maidstone, in a
class for a collection not exceeding 100 varieties.
The varieties are very numerous, the fruits
large, well coloured, and clean, especially such kinds
as Bismarck, Wealthy, and Grenadier, but want of
space prevents further mention of this exhibit. The
second prize lot is also exceedingly good, not sur-
prising when it is mentioned that several well
known growers failed to win a place. Pears are
disappointing, but, of course, the season must be
blamed for this. There are, we believe, only two
collections, and the one from Mr. G. Woodward,
gardener to Mr. R. Leigh, Barham Court, Maid-
stone, was placed second. We miss this year the
brilliantly coloured samples that make exhibitions
of this class bright in some seasons. There is a
finer display in the smaller classes, and these help
to make the show a success. Mr. G. Woodward
has the finest twenty- four dishes of Apples, and Mr.
A. T. Killick, Weavering, Maidstone, the best twelve,
both creditable displays. In both there is good
competition. The Pears in the smaDer classes are
much finerthan in the big division, and in a good sea-
son for this fruit the twelve dishes of Pears from Mr.
W. Chisholm, gardener to Capt. Harcouit Rose,
Tonbridge, would have secured a high place.

One word of praise must be given to the collec-
tion of vegetables from Mr. T. A. Beckett, Cole
Hatch Farm, Penn, Amersham, one of the finest
exhibits of its kind we have seen this season. In
the other classes, all of which contained excellent
produce, Mr. Richard Lye, Mr. W. Pope, and Mr.
C. J. Waite are conspicuous amongst the prize-
winners.

Of course, there are the usual three classes for
Gourds and Pumpkins. It would not be a Crystal
Palace show wit hout these, and they perhaps serve
their purpose in exciting some curiosity and inte-
rest by reason of their size and grotesque shapes.
As to the benefit to gardens from collections of
these, the less said the better.

There are several miscellaneous collections of
fruit. A large display is made by gardeners re-
presenting the British Fruit Growers' Association,
and also by Mr. Roupell, Roupell Park, Streatbam,
who illustrates by his excellent fruits the results
that can be had from bush trees in London suburbs.
Collections of fruit are contributed by Messrs.
John Laing and Sons, Forest Hill ; Norfolk cider
fruit by Messrs. Gaymer and Sons. Attleborough ;
Mr. W. Taylor, Hampton ; Jarman and Co.,
Chard, Somerset, who besides eating fruit also
sent thirty dishes of cider Apples ; Messrs. John
Peed and Co., Streatham ; Cheal and Sons, Craw-
ley; Bunyard and Co., who also had late Peaches
and Grapes ; and Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, of
Chelsea, who exhibited six varieties of late Rasp-
berries, which' deserve further note. Tomatoes were
shown by Messrs. Collins and Gabriel, Waterloo
Road, and Messrs. Carter and Co , High Holborn.

Flowers comprise chiefly tuberous Begonias
and Dahlias. The former are sent in delightful
variety by Messrs. J. Laing and Sons and Messrs.
H. Cannell and Sons, Swanley, who also have a
large display of Cactus Dahlias, a few of the newer
acquisitions having what is wanted, a truer Cactus
shape. Chrysanthemums come from Messrs. Reid
and Bornemann, Sydenham.

A full prize list is given in our advertising
columns.

B. S. 'Williams memorial. — We are in-
formed that although a considerable list of pro-

mises of contributions has been secured, the total
amount promised is still insufficient to carry out the
resolution that is the basis of operations. It is
hoped the friends of the movement will renew their
efforts to augment the list, the more especially as
the fund will be wholly devoted to the sustenance
of orphans of gardeners and the encouragement of
excellence in the cultivation of plants. Those who
have promised and not paid are requested to for-
ward their several amounts as early as may be con-
venient, as the treasurer desires to advertise all
contributions in the order in which they are
received. The chairman of committee is Mr.
Shirley Hibberd, Kew ; treasurer, Mr. H. J. Veitch,
541, King's Road, Chelsea, S.W.

Obituary.

Death of Mr. Harvey. — Death has removed
another horticulturist from our midst — Mr. Enoch
Harvey, of Riversdale, Aigburth, the eminent
Liverpool solicitor, who was killed at the Mersey
Road Station, on the 1 st inst ., by the Manchester
express in an attempt to cross the line. The sad
occurrence was a severe shock to his many friends
in Liverpool, and to those numerous acquaintances
that he had formed by his ardent love for flowers,
more particularly Orchids, of which he was a suc-
cessful grower. The facts of the case are increased
in sadness by the circumstance that his wife and a
daughter were in the same train that dashed Mr.
Harvey to pieces. He was the senior member of
the firm of Messrs. Harvey, Alsop, Stevens and
Harvey, solicitors, of Castle Street, and had been in
business for upwards of forty years, entering when
quite a youth. His great ability and high cha-
racter won him a host of friends, and he was at one
time director of the Liverpool Horti cultural Com-
pany (J. Cowan). To gardeners, of course, he will
be best remembered for his interest in Orchids, and
Dendrobium Harveyanum, a singular Burmese spe-
cies, in the way of the curious, but remarkable D.
Brymerianum, will keep him in memory. It was
introduced by the Liverpool Horticultural Com-
pany, and named after him by Reichenbach, as it
first flowered in his collection. Horticulture was
his favourite recreation. Lancashire horticulturists
will not soon forget him, and that he knew some-
thing besides Orchids is proved by the notes which
he contributed to The Gaedex, June 4, 1881, and
also in August 5, 1SS2. These show that he had a
good knowledge of and real love for the best hardy
flowers, and also convey interesting information
as to his experience in forming a garden at Aig-
burth, and the behaviour of hardy plants there.
His age was 64.

Mr. Frank Atkins. — You will be sorry to know
that Mr. Frank Atkins (gardener at Clayton West),
from whom I seut you the fine open-air Figs recently,
did not live to read" the note in The Gard* >" last week.
He was tasen ill on Monday, and was buried on Satur-
day— a good gardener and much respected man, about
35 "years of age.— J. Simpson.

Names of plants. — 5. — 1. Bignonia radieans ;

2. Rosa hieida. J. Crook. — 1 . Aster polyphyllus ; 2,

A. ptarmicoides ; 3. A. Novi-Belgii var. ; 6, A. Nova?-
Anglise ; 7. A. Novi-Belgii; S, A. trinervis; 9, A. versi-
color; 10. A. nemoralis. Puxtonian. — 1, Clitoria

arboreseens ; 2, Coronilla Ernerus. Greenwood Pirn.

1, Ruellia colorata ; 2, Adianturu decorum. H. B.

— Crataegus orientalis (cut leal) ; 2, C. punctata.

John W. Leigh. — 1, Ulnius niontana ; 2, L. eampes-

tris. W. Chapmann. — Rubus nntkanus. Anon.

— 1, Polystiehum angulare prohferum : 2, Bavallia
Mooreana ; 3, Adianturu euneatum ; 4, Sedum Ewersi ;

5, next week; 6, Hedychinni Gardneriannni. Anon.

— Cattleya bicolor. 11". F. — 1, Oneidium crispum ,

2, Cypripedium Schlimi.

Names of fruits. — T. C. — 1. not recognised;
2. Fondante d'Automne ; 3, Louise Bonne ; 4. Beurre

Superfin. -1. A. — Larger Apple, Hollandbury ;

smaller, Fearn's Pippin. W. J. M. — 1. Beurre Su-
perfin ; 2. Louise Bonne of Jersey ; 3. Jersey Gratioli ;

5. Beurre d'Amanlis : 6, Lord Sufneld. Peter

McAndrew.—l, Bellissime d'hiver; 2. White Doyenne.

M. R. — Large Apple, Hollandbury; other, Cellini.

S. Heasman. — Kindly send again, and affix num-
bers to the specimens.

358

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 11, 1890.

WOODS AND FORESTS.

THE SILVER FIR.
(abies pectinata. )
Perhaps nowhere in the British Isles does the
common Silver Fir attain to so great a height as
at Knole Park, Lord Saekville's famous Kentish
residence. On May 10, 1829, a large, but not
the largest, specimen was blown over, and the
following dimensions were carefully taken :
Height, IOC! feet; circumference of stem, 15
feet 3. inches ; and cubic contents, 408 feet.
There is a beautifully tinted drawing of the
tree preserved in Knole House, and, judging
from this, I should say that as regards regu-
larity of contour and a plentiful supply of
branches this Silver Fir must have been almost
an exceptional specimen, for everyone knows
that in nine cases out of ten old Silver Firs,
though of venerable appearance, are not just
what one could truthfully describe as hand-
some. A look through "the wilderness" at
Knole is very interesting, so far, at least, as
the Silver Fir is concerned, for waving its head
defiantly 100 feet above the garden wall may be
seen another specimen of this sadly misused
forest tree. Then I have it on the authority of
an old carpenter who hewed down many a big
tree at Knole that the largest Silver Fir, which
fell some years ago, measured 126 feet in height,
about the largest upward growth of a tree that
has been recorded in Great Britain. About
200 years is the supposed age of the first men-
tioned Silver Fir, and chronology is pretty
reliable at Knole.

When allowed plenty of room for the perfect
development of its far-reaching branches the
Silver Fir makes a good and truly noble speci-
men for the lawn or for standing singly in a
field or paddock where rude winds are not
allowed all their own way. Whipped and
meagre the same tree appears along the bleak
and windward side of any woodland. Curiously
enough, the Silver Fir in a young state is not so
hardy by a long way as Nordman's tree (A.
Nordmanniana), for I have had the Silver Fir
nearly killed outright by the frost, while Nord-
manniana, growing only a few feet away and
under exactly similar conditions, remained un-
harmed.

The timber of the Silver Fir I value highly, it
being excellent for covering temporary sheds,
or, in fact, for using wherever it is exposed
to wet and dry alternately— conditions that try
the lasting powers of any timber. The tree does
not do well on too light soils, soon dying out ;
but 1 am just now having excellent planking
cut up from a big tree of this kind that grew on
almost pure gravel, but was showing signs of
distress. Where the soil is rich and not too dry,
there the Silver Fir is most at home, rising to
the greatest height, and producing the utmost
quantity of timber. Around the lake at Penicuick
House in Midlothian (Sir George Clarke's es-
tate) are innumerable fine specimens of the tree,
the great stems of which tower upwards for
from 80 feet to fully 100 feet, and girth in
many instances 13 feet. The soil here is rich
and loamy, not apt to get dry in summer nor re-
tain too much moisture in winter. On an island
in the lake, and where the roots must constantly
come in contact with the water, there are many
noble specimens, which, owing to having been
deprived of their lower branches some years ago,
have a telling effect from the waterside, and
more resemble artificial columns than stems of
trees. At many other places in Scotland, such
as Roseneath, where there are not a few trees of
more than usual proportions, the Silver Fir is of

great height, and with stems of giant propor-
tions. To the north of the New Forest, inPaulton's
Park, is a veritable giant 130 feet in height and
measuring 14 feet in circumference. In Grove
Place Copse, Nursling, is another tree 110 feet
in height and 11.1 ft. in stem girth. At Cranberry
Park two specimens were measured in 1879 and
both were 130 feet high, the largest being ll£
feet in girth. Doubtless there are other quite
as fine specimens of which I know nothing, but
sufficient measurements have been given to
show that, if not in the thickness of the
stem, certainly so far as height is concerned,
the Silver Fir is the king of British trees.

There are few trees better adapted for filling
up gaps in old woods than the Silver Fir, while
as it succeeds well beneath the shade of other
trees, it is invaluable for affording protection to
game in old forest land .where the individual
trees are of large size. A. D. Webster.

A beautiful hedge. — For an ornamental de-
ciduous hedge almost anywhere there is nothing to
surpass, if to equal, the Japan Quince (Cydonia
japonica). There are a number of deciduous plants
that make pretty hedges, but the most of them are
difficult to form and troublesome to keep in good
shape and order. The Cydonia is almost entirely
free from these objections, provided only that
young plants be used to start with. What a lovely
sight it is when in bloom, and how picturesque at
all other times ! Those who have a fancy for more
than one colour can use the rose and white-coloured
to mix with the crimson. There is this farther to
be said in favour of the Japan Quince, that scarcely
any manner of neglect can spoil its beauty. It
can be easily and quickly brought into shape again.
It will always retain its beauty, though it may lose
its primness by neglect to be sheared. No amount
of shearing, however, can give it that hard, solid
surface so common to evergreen hedges. — G.

Canadian Poplars. — While we see so many
trees almost defoliated at this season (beginning of
October) we are led to think that planting is not
done with the view of obtaining the best results. I
quite agree with the remarks in a recent issue of
The Garden, advocating the planting of Oriental
Planes for the decoration of town gardens. I have
seen the best results from these in London street
gardens and elsewhere, and would suggest that
a good companion to that valuable tree would be
found in the Canadian Poplar, which seems to thrive
in almost any position or soil. I have planted many
during the last few years in open districts, as well
as in close proximity to densely populated locali-
ties, and where the smoke from foundries and fac-
tories of great variety and extent tests them in the
most severe form. I notice to-day (October 4) the
Poplar referred to looking as dressy and distinct
among other trees as could be desired, the foliage
being glossy and of a pale green colour. The tree
also grows more quickly than many others. — M. T.

Thorns. — When additions are made to parks
by taking in arable or pasture fields some of the
Thorns in the hedgerows are, as a rule, retained,
and if carefully set out in groups they soon produce
a picturesque effect. The straight lines are easily
broken up ; and even if young trees are planted it
does not take many years to get them up to a good
size. In planting, take out large holes in the au-
tumn, and then fill with good soil ; either three,
five, or seven trees make a pretty group, planted
from 20 feet to 30 feet apart. Half-standards or
bushes are best, and must be carefully staked, and
the stems protected from cattle or game. I like to
see the colours kept separate, rather than mixed up
in an indiscriminate way, and the white variety,
that is so very lovely, should predominate. Groups
or single specimens of pink, scarlet, and crimson, if
judiciously placed, are very effective. — J.

Larch on red sandstone. — It has been
proved that the Larch dies very soon when planted
above a substratum of red sandstone. For ex-
ample, in the vale of Annan wherever the sloping

banks have a substratum of the rock or one com-
posed of a sort of red sandstone, shingle, or gravel,
the outward decay of the tree is visible at from
fifteen to twenty-five years of age. The internal
decay commences sooner, according to the depth
of the upper soil, in the centre of the trunk, at the
root, in the wood being of a darker colour, extend-
ing by degrees in circumference and up the stem
until the lower part of it assumes a tough and
corky appearance. This extends to the whole plant.
On the same soil the Oak grows and thrives well.

TREES IN WINTER.

I have often thought that this subject ought to
receive from planters more attention than it does
at present. The individuality of different orna-
mental trees is much more apparent in winter than
in summer. When clothed with foliage we lose
all the character and variety noticeable in the ar-
rangement of their branches and twigs, which is
very distinct in different species. One of the most
obvious features in connection with the wintry as-
pect of trees is their tone or colour. The common
Elm, for example, stands out nearly black when
seen against a clear grey sky or when snow is lying
on the ground, and the same may be said of the
common Hawthorn. Oaks are a little more cheer-
ful in tone, and Poplars still more so, as their
growth is more pliant. A Poplar when swayed to
and fro on a bright winter's day is one of the most
beautiful of all trees, because then the different
shades of soft silvery grey and brown are reflected
from the branches in a very pleasing manner. Pop-
lars are always in motion, too, whenever there is
the slightest breeze, and this gives variety and in-
terest to the groups of other trees in which
they are planted. They are very attractive when
budding out in the spring, which some of them do
very early, and their green shades, being very deli-
cate, harmonise thoroughly with the soft browns of
the stems and branches.

One of the lightest and brightest of all trees in
the winter, however, is undoubtedly the common
Birch, which should always find a place on the
lawn, and especially in the vicinity of ornamental
water. Seen on a bright sunny day in December,
the Silvery Birch is one of the most beautiful of
all ornamental trees, and when covered with white
hoar-frost, it is difficult to imagine a more attrac-
tive object. The Wych Elm and Larch are also
beautiful under the circumstances just named.
The Larch, when planted as an isolated specimen
on the lawn, is most effective, and very different
from the same tree when drawn up in a mixed
plantation. As a solitary specimen it varies in
height from 50 feet to 100 feet, and its light droop-
ing branches feather down to the turf in the most
graceful manner. No ornamental tree is more
beautiful in the early spring months, when its
young foliage shows the freshest and most delicate
shades of green imaginable. The common Ash is
a bright-looking tree in winter, the bark being of
a silvery grey or light brown tint. This tree ought
to be more generally planted in the suburbs than
it is, for as a town tree it is immeasurably superior
to either the Elm, Lime, or Chestnut, all of which
suffer from drought and red spider during hot sum-
mers, and lose their leaves or become rusty towards
the end of July. The Ash is rather late in leafing,
but, like the Planes, its foliage keeps fresh and
green until the sharp frosts of autumn cause it to
fall, and on this account it deserves a place in town
squares and gardens. O.

The Garden " Monthly Parts.— This journal is
published in neatly bound Monthly Parts. In this form the
coloured plates are best preserved, and it is most suitable for
reference previous to the issue of the half yearly volumes. Price
Is. 6d. ; post free, Is. 9d. Complete set of volumes of Thk
Garden from its coh/meneai'vnL lo end of 1889, thirty-sue vols.,
price, cloth, £27,- half morocco, £32 8s.

"Hardy Flowers."— Giving descriptions of upwards of
thirteen hundred of the most ornamental species, with directions
for their arrangement, culture, <tc. Fourth and Popular
Edition, Is. / post free, Is. M.

'Farm and Home" Monthly Parts. — This
journal is published in neatly bound Monthly Parts, in which
form it is most suitable for reference previous to the issue of the
yearly volumes. Price 5d. ; post free, 8d.

London: 87, Southampton Street, Strand, W.O.

THE GAKDEN.

359

No. 987. SATURDAY, Oct. 18, 1890. Vol. XXXVIII.

" This is an Art
Which does mend Nature : change it rather ; but
The Art itself is Nature."— Shakespeare.

Chrysanthemums.

TREATMENT AFTEK HOUSING.

It must not be supposed that, after the plants
are placed under cover, less attention is needed
to develop blooms of the finest quality. The
bright weather now experienced is especially
favourable for a completion of the labours ex-
pended during the season of growth. Those
plants which have not begun to open their
blooms should be thoroughly well syringed
overhead once a day with clear water, as the
change from the night dews obtained when out
of doors to a comparatively dry atmosphere in-
side the house is too great to be good for the
future welfare of the plants. Abundance of
air should be admitted to the house both by night
and day, and as much space between the plants
as convenience will admit should be given. The
pots are generally stood as close together as the
width of the plants will allow without jamming
them too closely together. In the ordinary
way this is all that can be done towards giving
each plant its share of space, but by following a
simple plan which I have found most useful,
more space can be obtained for each plant
throughout the house. As a rule, Chrysanthe-
mums are arranged in a block in the houses,
generally with a slope to the front. Our ear-
liest plants are arranged so that they face the
north, thus forming a shade in themselves from
bright sun. The latest batch of plants has a
slope to the south, where they obtain all avail-
able light and sun, thus doing away with the
necessity of having to resort to fire-heat to have
them in bloom by a certain date.

By following the plan which I call " pegging
out " the stems, more space is obtained. Ordi-
nary Hazel or other stakes about the thickness
of the forefinger are cut into suitable lengths.
One piece is fixed in a horizontal manner on
the surface soil of the plant from the inside of
the pot to the base of the stem, and by
pressing this sufficiently tight to give the
plant a leaning outwards over the path, it is
surprising what a lot of extra space is obtained.
The appearance of the plants is also improved
as more width of surface is given, and by spread-
ing out individual stems clear of their neigh-
bours, securing them to each other by pieces of
bast, every bloom can be more clearly seen, and
there is not that risk of the flowers damping as
when the petals of one interlace with those
nearest to it. Now is the time to assist the
plants in their development of the blossoms by
the use of stimulants. Where the roots are in
proper condition manure cannot be given too
often, provide it is not in too strong a form.
Liquid made from animal manures, such as that
from cattle, sheep, and deer, is good and safe.
Soot is still one of the best stimulants for plants
at the opening stage of the flowers.

Already I hear of cases of damping of the
blooms being troublesome, and in places where
extra high feeding is not practised. I am
■ positive that much of the so-called damping of
the blooms could be traced to the effects of the
sun in the daytime were those cultivators to
keep a sharp look out. In some instances
where the blooms are now unfolding their petals,
the ventilators areleft wide open by day and night,
in the expectation of retarding such blooms.

The nights are naturally now loaded with
moisture, which finds its way through the open
ventilators and settles on the surface of the
florets as well as other parts of the plants ; the
inside of the house is cold also, which renders
the blooms soft during the day. The sun is
allowed to shine full upon the blooms, proving
too much for the succulent petals, which are
rendered more so by the coating of moisture ;
the damage is then committed, but does not
show that day, but by the next morning, through
a repetition of and a condensing of moisture on
the petals the tissues decay, which gives them
the appearance of having damped during the
night just past. The present method of cul-
tivation of the Chrysanthemum mainly to
produce extremely large blooms brings the
plant under conditions that are not natural to
it ; therefore such plants fail to withstand what
a much less gorged specimen would do with
ease. Shading, then, must be resorted to when
the blooms are developing, and a slight fire heat
should be applied to warm the hot-water pipes
at night and prevent the atmosphere of the house
becoming cold and stagnant ; what is wanted is
a buoyant air. When the plants are housed
and arranged, they should be fumigated as a
preventive against the attacks of green-fly,
which are almost certain to prove troublesome
when the blooms are expanding. It is next to
impossible to eradicate this fly from a bloom
when it is fully developed, but by fumigating
the house now on two successive nights any
stray fly is easily disposed of. Flowers which
are badly infested with green-fly do not keep
well ; in fact many fade before they are fully
developed. Those plants upon which the buds
have not begun to open at the time of fumigating
should be thoroughly syringed on the morning
following the smoking of the house. Some flower-
buds have black-fly clustered under the outside of
the calyx adjoining the peduncle ; if these are not
got rid of before the calyx splits on the top of
the bud they are extremely difficult to clear
afterwards, and are much more injurious to the
blooms than even green-fly. All the plants
should be examined after the fumigating of the
house, and the parts affected still with black-
fly should be dusted with tobacco powder,
which will have the effect of clearing the plants.
A sharp look out for mildew should be kept,
and upon the first appearance the usual reme
dies should be applied. E

favourable seasons, are not for them, and they must
be content to have the autumn bloomers, which will
certainly flower profusely whilst frosts are yet a
distant enemy. We are not without many very
charming varieties now to make gardens very gay
in the autumn, with most of which readers of Thb
Gaeden have been made familiar. Some have done
better than others, but the best generally are of the
Desgrange family. Still many of the little pompon
or button-flowered forms are very beautiful, and a
very fine crimson, Roi des Precoces, makes a wel-
come addition to the darker hued varieties.— A. D.

M.

Autumn-flowering Chrysanthemums .—"I

have been watching so anxiously for my Chrysan-
themums to bloom," said a lady gardener the other
day, " but I am afraid the frosts will come and
destroy them." The danger, of course, is there, but
it may not be that her plants will suffer much, as
the wood and buds have been so well ripened dur-
ing the past fine weather, and the early frosts will
do much less harm than is seen when the wood
is green and the buds immature. Still there is good
reason in her desire as further expressed that she
had autumn bloomers instead of winter bloomers.
Even with the best of seasons the winter bloom out-
doors is short, whilst always subject to early col-
lapse from snow, frost, or fogs. Autumn bloomers
do give us a very loDg season, especially where the
plants are somewhat successional. By having two
diverse struck lots of cuttings for outdoor growth,
when we can have an abundant supply of autumn-
produced Chrysanthemum flowers from August to
November, the product is far more satisfactory than
any outdoor winter plant can give. I ventured to
suggest to the lady that she should lift the best of
her plants with balls of soil, and put them into
pots in the greenhouse, but she had to reply in tones
of lamentation, " I have no greenhouse ; " and
myriads of the ladies who presumably admire
flowers are in the same forlorn condition. Early
winter-blooming Chrysanthemums, except in very

A CHRYSANTHEMUM CURIOSITY.
Among the many correspondents who send me odds
and ends from all parts of the globe having refer-
ence to the Chrysanthemum is a gentleman hold-
ing an official position in the University of Tokio,
Japan. A few mornings ago a letter came to hand
from him enclosing a curious looking piece of white
cardboard of considerable thickness, which he ex-
plained was an invitation to the Chrysanthemum
fete annually held in the gardens of the Emperor
of Japan. It so happens that it was for last year's
fete, a matter of little moment, for the tickets are,
no doubt, usually alike, and the one received corre-
sponds with the description given by Pierre Loti in
his work "Japoneries dAutomne," when he was
honoured with a similar piece of cardboard. His
account of the fete is probably the best to be found
in western literature, but of the magnificence of
the fete and the splendour of the blooms there shown
it is not needful now to relate.

The ticket of invitation is about 8 inches wide by
6J inches in depth, with a border, printed in gold,
representing two types of Japanese Chrysanthe-
mums, one a reflexed and the other an incurved
flower, interspersed with foliage also in gold. At
the top of the card is a heraldic Chrysanthemum,
or Kiku crest, richly embossed in gold, but for the
presence of which the uncultured western eye
would probably be unable to distinguish which was
the right way up. Within the border is printed in
black ink in vertical columns those curious Japan-
ese characters, which, contrary to our ideas of what
is right and proper, must be read from top to
bottom and from right to left. What it all means
is more than most of us could tell, but by way of
explanation my obliging correspondent informs me
that some small writing at the left-hand corner is
to warn the bearer to wear a " furotsuku koto,"
which is the nearest possible Japanese rendering of
frock coat. The national costume has, it may be
observed, not been considered the proper thing to
wear since 1887. It is, of course, only natural that
the Imperial invitation, which is much valued and
only bestowed upon certain high officials, should
be gilt edged.

Pierre Loti does, however, what my correspondent
does not ; he supplies his readers with a translation
of the invitation. It runs to the following ef-
fect : —

By order of their Majesties the Emperor and Em-
press I have the honour to invite you to the garden of
the Akasaha Palaceto see th- Chrysanthemum Bowers.
(Signed) Hit • Hirobouni, Minister of the palace The
4th day of the 11th month of the 18th year Mesgi
(9th November).
The French writer adds : —

And a second card, smaller 1han the first, bears the
useful information— Carriages are to enter by the Im-
perial gate. If it rains on the 9th the fete will be
on the 10th. If it rains on the 10th it will not be held
at all. pup

Chrysanthemums at Maidenhead.— One of

the principal features at Mr. Owen's Castlehill
Nursery, Maidenhead, is the Chrysanthemum, and
a few days ago the early varieties were in full
beauty,' such as the rich yellow Flora, as free in
bloom as any variety grown, and much planted now
in gardens ; Precocite, the next best yellow ;
Blushing Bride, rose ; Fred Marronet, reddish-
bronze, very free; Mrs. Cullingford, Mme. Des-
grange, and Mrs. Hawkins. But besides the rows
of early varieties, Mr. Owen is raising kinds to

360

THE GAEDEN.

[Oct. 18, 1890.

bloom in the middle of October to fill up the gap
between the September section and those that come
in November. Flowers of the Mr. Holmes type are
sought for, and we can scarcely have too much of
this charming thing, of anything that has a colour
as rich, decided, and effective, with freedom also.
There are thousands of seedlings opening, or ready
to open, and amongst them should be many rich
treasures to add to our collections. We counted
several otherseedlings from E. Molyneux, and though
there was much difference in the foliage of the
various plants, the bold character of this famous
Chrysanthemum was evident. Then there are seed-
lings from Mme. Desgrange, so that we may expect
in time valuable acquisitions. Mr. Owen also has
all the new kinds which have been sent out of re-
cent years, comprising 'every section, and a few of
the earliest were expanding their flowers when we
were at the nursery. The rows of named and seed-
ling plants there do not show that the Chrysan-
themum is declining in favour ; rather the reverse.
Mr. Owen is by raising seedlings so largely, looking
well forward, and to fill up the month of October
with good and finely coloured flowers is a step which
should prove not only profitable, but to the benefit
of our gardens both large and small.

Chrysanthemum Comtesse F. de Cariel.

— This Chrysanthemum, which was, I believe, put into
commerce last year, is a valuable October-flowering va-
riety, and useful for the decoration of the greenhouse
or conservatory at this season. It is of a good, sturdy
habit of growth, branches very freely, and bears a great
profusion of bright reddish orange-coloured blossoms.
By some it is classed as a Japanese, but perhaps re-
flexed will better explain its form. This, the crimson
Mr. William Holmes, the various forms of Mme. C.
Desgrange, the magenta-purple Alexandre Dufour,
with the pure white Grace AttioV, form a very useful
group, exclusive of pompons, for flowering at this
season.— H. P.

the drying winds, keeping the tops syringed two or
three times a day during bright weather. The
roots will soon start growing, and after say five or
six weeks place them in a cool house and bring on
gradually. They will flower fairly well the first
spring and make some nice wood early in the sum-
mer. During July and August ripen the plants by
standing them out in the open and keeping them
rather dry. When the wood is ripened they can be
very slightly pruned, and at any time after the first
frosts they can be brought in and re-started, when
they will flower well by Christmas or a little later.
Where one does not need cut Roses until early in
the year, no flower is so easily grown. One great
thing is to keep the plants well syringed on all fine
mornings, and if the house is in a dry position a
slight damping down early in the afternoon is very
beneficial. Always have a little soft soap in the
water, which must be soft and warm (70°). This
plan arrests mildew and fly, and if used with a
little judgment no stain nor unsightly spots will be
left, even on the most delicately coloured Teas.
After the Roses are well established they should
have liquid manure during full growth. Established
plants should be repotted every second season when
the wood has been well ripened, shaking as much of
the old soil away from the roots as possible, and
letting them stand outside for a month before re-
starting them. Tea Roses planted out under glass
do not appear to ripen so well as those grown in
the open ground, but the growth is far sounder,
particularly if kept rather dry. By all means
avoid letting them be short of water when in full
growth, as this and sudden changes in tempera-
ture are the sole causes of blindness and mildew.
I have noticed this fact over and over again, and
would call particular attention to it. A. P.

Rose Garden.

ROSES IN POTS.
A shoet time ago I noticed an article on the above
subject. The writer recommended Hybrid Per-
petual Roses for cultivation in pots, giving as his
reason that they were more free-flowering and
certain than the Tea-scented varieties, especially
when forced. This is very different to my experi
ence. If one would only grow the right varieties
Roses would be even greater favourites than at
present, especially in the greenhouse. I have a
span- roof ed house 110 feet long by 24 feet wide
and from 5 feet to 10 feet high entirely devoted to
Tea Roses for cutting ; on the side walls I grow
Rubens, Mme. Lambard, and Marie Van Houtte
planted out, the side borders being used for those
in pots ; in the middle of the centre border are
planted C. Mermet, Mme. Falcot, Niphetos, W. A.
Richardson, &c. These plants are from 5 feet to
9 feet high, and produce an immense number of
blooms. After over twenty years' experience I
have decided that the following eighteen varieties
are far in advance of all others for forcing. I
place them in order of merit, and am convinced that
if growers would use these varieties they would
get satisfactory results : Niphetos, Rubens, Marie
Van Houtte, Anna Ollivier, Mme. Falcot, Francisca
Kruger, Mme. Lambard, The Bride, Catherine Mer-
met, Souvenir d'un Ami, Mme. de Watteville, Wm.
Allen Richardson, Jean Ducher, General Jacque-
minot (H. P.), Comtesse Riza du Pare, Fisher
Holmes (H. P.), Hon. Edith Gifford, Gloire de Mar-
gottin (H. P.). Luciole, l'ldeale, Mme. A. Etienne,
and Ethel Brownlow are four new Teas that I
feel certain will have to be added to the list.

Procure nice well-ripened little plants from the
open ground in October. Those growing strongly
are not nearly so good for potting, so much of the
wood being immature ; whereas almost all of that
on the smaller plants remains sound. Teas should
be mostly on the seedling Brier stock, and require
potting in good and fairly stiff soil, having a little
crushed bone manure with it ; let the pots be tho-
roughly drained and be careful to pot firmly.
'Place the plants somewhere quite sheltered from

ROSES ON THEIR OWN ROOTS.
Despite the fact that English nurserymen, as a
class, discourage the method of growing Roses
upon their own roots, there are many private
growers that adopt the system, and can speak well
in its favour. Were I called upon to plant a border
of Hybrid Perpetuals, Tea-scented, China, or for
that matter any kind of Roses, I should unhesi-
tatingly select trees upon their own roots. Own-
root Roses may not bloom quite so freely the first
season or two as the worked ones, but when once
established and properly treated they are far the
best, so far as producing abundance of bloom is
concerned. Then, again, they certainly give less
trouble in after years and last for a much longer
period than either the budded or grafted trees.
There is no fear of the stock outgrowing the scion,
such as can be frequently seen among worked
Roses, neither is there any troublesome work in
removing suckers. When once established in beds
or borders, own-root Roses as a rule grow freely,
and will last a lifetime, and produce annually
enormous quantities of flowers. Writing to the
Garden and Forest for July 16, a correspondent
says : " Our largest Rose growers here (America),
who produce 800,000 plants a year of Teas and
Hybrid Perpetuals, grow them from cuttings only,
and we cannot understand why English nursery-
men bud Roses at all, unless it is some sort like
the Persian Yellow, which does not strike readily
from cuttings." Neither can I understand why so
many bud Roses, when they can be grown equally
as well, and even better, for garden decoration on
their own roots.

It is a very easy matter to work up a stock of
own-root Roses, and the present is an excellent
time to commence operations. There is in most
gardens just now an abundance of superfluous
growth on Roses which will be better for removal,
and which at the same time will produce a plentiful
supply of cuttings. Under proper management, too,
these cuttings will make fair-sized plants suitable
for putting into permanent beds and borders by next
autumn, and then the advantages of growing Roses
on their own roots will be readily seen. Although
with few exceptions most Roses can be propagated
from cuttings, there are, of course, some varieties
that lend themselves more readily to this mode of
propagation than others. The strongest-growing

sorts, for example, are the most easily propagated
by cuttings and for growing on their own roots. A
few years ago I had charge of a goodly number of
Roses and was instructed to propagate as many of
them as possible from cuttings, and had, therefore,
exceptional opportunities for observing which kinds
rooted best, all being treated alike. Of such good
old sorts as Magna Charta, General Jacqueminot,
Charles Lawson, Dr. Andry, Dupuy Jamain, Alfred
Colomb, Abel Grand, Fisher Holmes, and others, I
found that fully 80 per cent, rooted, and in twelve
months from insertion had formed bushes 2 feet
in height. The beautiful Mme. Gabriel Luizet,
too, strikes very easily, as also do La France
and Merveille de Lyon, both capital Roses for
growing on their own roots. A few sorts were not
quite so free in rooting, and among these were the
Ayrshire Roses, Prince C. de Rohan, Cheshunt
Hybrid, and one or two others. All the China
Roses I had under my charge at that time rooted
freely, but cuttings of these were inserted early in
autumn under handlights and in cold frames. The
majority of the Tea-scented kinds were treated in
a similar manner, and by so doing a good per-
centage of them rooted. This, be it understood,
was my experience in one season only, and it differs
somewhat to that I have seen done elsewhere. I
have known instances where China and Tea-scented
Roses have rooted as freely in the open air as
the Hybrid Perpetuals, but to secure satisfactory
results the cuttings must be made from properly
selected shoots, and inserted in sandy soil not later
than the second week in October.

The cuttings of either Hybrid Perpetual, Tea-
scented, China, or any kind of Roses must be of
firm well-ripened wood if the best results are desired.
It is practically useless to insert cuttings other than
these, for they will not root, and even if they did they
would not make good plants. There should be no
difficulty in obtaining plenty of well ripened shoots
this year, especially after experiencing such bril-
liant weather in September, which did much to-
wards hardening the growth of Roses. The shoots
should have the soft points removed, and then be
cut into pieces about 9 inches or so in length. If
inserted firmly in good ground in the open air there
need be no fear but that a good percentage of them
will root. By some a narrow border beneath a north
or west wall or fence is considered the best posi-
tion for Rose cuttings, but I have found them to
root quite as well if inserted in the open quarters.
There is no doubt shelter from cutting winds is of
some importance, and where possible it should be
afforded. C. L.

Kitchen Garden.

QUALITY IN TOMATOES.

Opinions vary considerably as to what consti-
tutes a good Tomato, but with most authorities,
including the compilers of the reports on the
trials of vegetables at Chiswick, solidity would
appear to be one of the greatest recommenda-
tions that can be given a variety. Now for
packing or travelling, a firm or solid fruit is un-
doubtedly the best, and those who retail Tomatoes
naturally prefer such as being the best keepers,
but surely no one with any pretence to be a
judge of what is the best for eating, in a raw
state especially, would give the preference to
solid fruit. A fruit that is solid and which also
contains very few seeds in reality consists
largely of core, and this compared with the
pulpy matter that is usually to be found in all
fruit well furnished with seeds is, to say the
least, flavourless. It does not follow that the
watery, much-squashed, badly ripened im-
ported Tomatoes are superior to firm home-
grown produce, but, on the contrary, I would
dismiss these altogether from our calculations,
merely adding that as time goes on there will
be far less demand for these, and a great and
ever-increasing consumption of superior British
grown fruit.

Oot. IS, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

361

After repeated trials I have gradually arrived
at the conclusion that, in spite of all that may
have been stated previously, there is no great
difference in the quality of the majority of the
best known Tomatoes, more depending upon
the cultivation than anything else. Many years
ago a friend who had to supply a large private
establishment with Tomatoes all the year round
relied exclusively upon the old dwarf Orange-
field, of which he flattered himself he had a
superior stock. Being grown and well ripened
in heat, and the plants in most instances kept
constantly fruiting for two or three years, no
coarse, ugly, or thin water}' fruits were pro-
duced, but all were really attractive in appear-
ance, and though small, decidedly good in
quality. Having obtained seed of this presum-
ably superior stock, I grew plants both under
glass and in the open, and soon discovered it
was not one whit superior to the ordinary form
of Orangefield, or Vilmorin's Dwarf Early,
as it is also called. In the open it was
rough, ugly, and of moderately good quality
only, while under glass the young plants
first produced heavy clusters of rather heavy
fruit and eventually lighter crops superior
both in appearance and quality. Another old
favourite, the Large Red, behaves very similarly,
and cultivated under glass can be had as near
perfection, as it is possible for a Tomato to be.
Smooth, round, highly coloured fruit of Ham
Green, Chemin, Hathaway's Excelsior, and Con-
ference are certainly rather more attractive in
appearance, but there their superiority ends.
Perfection, after the first few extra large samples
are cleared from the plants, also produces fruit
both attractive in appearance and of excellent
quality, this being notably the case when pains
are taken in fertilising the flowers. It is the
neglect of this precaution that frequently spoils
the quality of the smooth round or compara-
tively shy setting varieties, many of the fruits
swelling to a good size, though they contain but
few seeds. Such are solid enough for anything,
but consisting as they do largely of core are not
of first-class quality.

What all want to bring out their true flavour
is a moderate amount of heat, and that is the
reason why those grown under glass are usually
of superior quality and greater market value than
those ripened in the open air. This season we
have been fairly successful with the open-air
Tomatoes, but only in the case of the two forms
of Mikado, Dedham Favourite, and Conference
have the fruit approached in point of quality
that ripened under glass. These four sorts have
also given us the heaviest crops, and are among
the best that can be selected for open-air cul-
ture. In each and every case not a little de-
pends upon the age of the fruits when eaten,
there being a certain period when the flavour is
at its best, and the longer they are kept after-
wards the more watery and insipid they will
become. For eating in a raw state Tomatoes
should be only just ripe, being then fully col-
oured, firm, and having their full flavour. If
kept till they are soft they are only fit for
cooking in some way. Fully ripened fruits
gathered direct from the plant are immeasurably
superior to any that have been off the plants
for several days. This is a good reason why
those who are in a position to do so should
make the attempt to grow their own Tomatoes.

W. I.

the most largely grown of any kind, at least for early
and mid-season crops. The crops of this this year have
been fine and also very free from disease, and in all
probability this variety will be very largely grown
next year. In this locality early or midseason varie-
ties are much more largely grown than late-keep-
ing kinds, for the simple reason that the soil and
situation favour early development. The object with
most growers is to get them into market as soon as
possible. Such kinds as the White Beauty are much
more in request than Magnum Bonum, Champion,
&c, that are brought here in quantity from Scot-
land in the spring. We have lately been favoured
with splendid weather for lifting Potatoes, and cer-
tainly there is not much to complain of as regards
the quantity of sound tubers, for the dry weather
set in when the prospects of a very badly diseased
crop looked certain. — J. G., Gosjmrt.

EXTENSION OF TOMATO CULTURE.
Less than twenty-five years ago the Tomato was
cultivated in England simply for the purposes of
sauce, but time works strange changes in the tastes
of the people, and during the last few years, as was
shown at the conference of British fruit growers
held at Brighton some time ago, the demand for
Tomatoes has grown to such a marvellous extent
that its culture has received the careful attention
of fruit growers in all parts of the country. Large
quantities of Tomatoes are imported from the
Channel Islands. In England the most favoured
district for the cultivation of the fruit appears to be
Worthing, which alone produced last year 350 tons.
Here individual growers have produced as much as 5
tons or 6 tons in a season, the prices ranging from
3s. 6d. to 4d. and 5d. per lb. Large quantities of
the fruit go to Brighton, although a great portion
finds its way to the London markets. It is not
everywhere in England that the Tomato can be
grown in the open, and this year the wet summer
has caused the plants, both in the open and under
glass, to be attacked with what is known as the
"black spot," destroying whole crops of them.
Many growers who have this year embarked in the
enterprise will, therefore, suffer considerable loss.
The use of glass has grown everywhere to an enor-
mous extent, particularly in the midlands and the
north, where, however, the cheapness of fuel gives
the grower an almost equal advantage with his
southern competitor. It is a curious fact that the
majority of those who have embarked largely in
Tomato growing have had little, if any, previous ex-
perience. Cheap structures of ordinary red deal,
with light rafters to act as sash bars, are the rule,
the great requirements in Tomato culture being
light and air. The houses are usually about GO feet
long, 11 feet high, and 25 feet wide. The plants
are often grown in pots, but large quantities are grown
by planting them all over the body of the house and
training them up stakes. Whether the winter cul-
ture of Tomatoes, which is now engaging the atten-
tion of growers, will ever be as profitable as the
summer culture, is an open question. The taste for
the Tomato, which is certainly acquired, is shown
by the yearly increase in the consumption to be ra-
pidly extending amongst all classes— rich and poor
alike ; but whether it will ever become, as some
imagine, an article of dessert like Apples and Pears
is indeed extremely doubtful. As an article of food
the Tomato is now admitted to be a very valuable
one, as it possesses properties which render it a
good digestive agent. The ensuing autumn and
winter will see many more acres covered with glass
in different parts of the country, but it is very
doubtful if the prices which have so stimulated en-
terprise in this direction will be long maintained if
the culture is very much more extended. — Eastern
Gazette.

SHORT NOTES.— KITCHEN.

Pea Latest of AIL— I find this one of the best
late Peas I hive grown._ Sown on May 22, I began to

high. I consider it a first-class variety, anl intend
growing more another season. — A. Henderson-,
Thoresby, Ollerton.

Potato Red Kidney.— I presume this is a
very old kind of Potato. Be this as it may, it is
one of the very best flavoured kinds I have ever
met with. I do not remember to have seen it previous
to coming to the west, although it appears to be
grown in many gardens in this locality. Bed
Kidney Potato cannot claim to be a large exhibi-
tion kind. It is in the way of the old Lapstore, very
even in outline, and with very few eyes. The flesh
is yellow. It keeps well into the spring. Although
I grow from twenty to thirty kinds, I have nothing
to surpass this kind for flavour. — J. C, Furde Alley.

Potato White Beauty of Hebron. — This
excellent variety may now be fairly called the first
favourite with market growers, at least in this lo

cality, for, being the exact counterpart of the older I ^her^eptember 3. Could have done so ten days
Pink Beauty of Hebron that had such a wide-spread g00ueri t>ut the Peas were not required. Ever since I
reputation, except that the skin of the newer have been getting nice dishes, and now (October 10)
Beauty is a pure white, i" seems likely to become | plenty. The flavour is good, and it grows about 4 feet

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Carnations in Vienna. — Carnations are becom-
ing great favourites in Vienna. Florists take to their
cultivation, as they are in great demand during winter.
Violets, Roses, and Carnations are always in demand,
and Cyclamens are seen everywhere during the early
part of winter. — L. Kropatsch.

"West Indian Oranges— Mr. T. R. Rollisson
brings us specimens of a very delicately and well-fla-
voured Orange from the West Indies, which is now be-
ing introduced to Covent Garden Market. It seems to us
like a cross with the Pommeloe. In any case it is a
fruit of very refreshing flavour.

Irises at Reading— On October 30, 1889, the
first Iris stylosa opened with me. I have still in bloom
a plant of Iris Ka?rupferi, which wdl continue in flower
for some time, so that there has never been a day I
suppose in the year in which there has.not been an Iris
out.— A. C. Bartholomew, Park Mouse, Reading.

The GranadiUa (Passiflora macrocarpa).— I en-
close a few fruits of the Granadilla_ (Passiflora macro-
carpa. They have been grown in a large house
among Bananas, Gourds and Monsteras, Custard Apples
and Mangoes, and they have been very much larger.
There has been a wonderful crop of them.— Thos.
Wilkins, The Gardens, Inwood House, Henstridge,
near Blandford.

Royal Horticultural Society.— We learn
that Mr. Morris, hon. treasurer of the Royal Horticul-
tural Society, has resigned. He is about to sail to the
West Indies on a Government mission, and under these
circumstances he felt he could not properly attend to the
duties of treasurer. The couneU accepted his resigna-
tion with great regret.

Gerbera Jamesoni. — I send you a flower-head
of this new composite. The flower was produced by a
plant which had been put out in the open ground last
spring. — R. I. Ltnch, Botanic Gardens, Cambridge.

*** A brilliant and most distinct flower for the sight
of which we are grateful to Mr. Lynch. A coloured
plate of this was given in The Garden, Oct. 12, 188'J,
but the flowers there represented are of a much pa'er
colour than those sent. — Ed.

Dendrobium bigibbum. — A spray of this
species has been sent us by Mr. G. Cragg, gardener to
Mr. W. C. Walker, Percy Lodge, Winchmore Hill. It
represents an excellent type, the flowers larger than
usual, and very rich in colour. It is mentioned that
the plant has borne four spikes, carrying altogether
thirty-five blooms, and two more spikes are now push-
ing up. It is a beautiful and useful Orchid

Lapageria rosea. — I send you a few b'ooms of
Lapageria. The flowers, as you will see from the truss
sent, are freely produced as well as being of good size
and substance. We have trusses bearing more flowers.
The plant is growing in an intermediate house. — T. W.
Shuttlewokth, Riverside Gardens, Morpeth.

*** Five flowers of fine substance and colour were
borne on a shoot measuring li inches long. We like
the flowers of medium size better than those that are
very large. — Ed.

Cosmos bipinnatus. — This Mexican annual is
hardly ever seen in gardens, and yet it is very pre; ty,
with its ample, finely cut foliage and large, purplish,
Daisy-like flowers. A kind with pure white flowers
now flowering in Mr. Thompson's garden at Ipswich is
well worthy of culture. The plants should be grown
in pets, as they flower so late in the season that they
would be cut down by frosts if in the open. At Bettes-
hanger Rectory the Cosmos is well grown by being
planted out during the summer and afterwards lifted
and potted up before cold weather comes. So treated
it furms a great bushy plant, near'y a yard high, and

362

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 18, 1890.

this if carefully potted up and placed in a little warmth
continues flowering all through the late autumn and
early winter months.

Flowers from Scarborough.— I send you a
few flowers which may possibly be of some interest,
Oncidium crispum, a side spray from a big spike ;
Francoa appendiculata, a very useful and pretty autumn
flowerer, hardier than the pure white F. ramosa ; Saxi-
fraga Fortunei, now in beauty outside ; Bouvardia
Humboldti, which should be grown in every garden
where scarlet Lobelia thrives ; and Caryopteris masta-
canthus, a neat-flowering hardy shrub with blue flowers,
quite as effective in a dwarf way as any Ceanothus. —
E. H. W.

A new Mignonette.— I send you a few spikes of
my new red-flowered Mignonette. They were ga-
thered from plants grown in the open field without any
special care, manure, or watering. The first plant was
raised accidentally in my grounds in 18S1, since then
I have been selecting the stock so as to have it
quite pure. — D. Gdiheneuf, 4, Place Royale,
Nantes.

*** A very distinct variety, the flowers much redder
in colour than any we have seen, and strongly fra-
grant. We think it a really good kind, the spikes
dense and showy. — Ed.

Mina lobata. — I send specimens of Mina lobata,
a, plant that should now be fairly well known. I am
induced to send them, however, on account of the
number of people who are attracted by the plant, and
turn aside to see what it is. It flourishes here on the
open herbaceous ground, and on a fence where sun can
reach it for a short time only in the morning. The
seeds were sown about the end of March in a hotbed,
the seedlings in due course being hardened off and
planted out about the end of May. — E. I. Lynch,
Botanic Gardens, Cambridge

The beautiful Worm Grass (Spigelia mari-
landioa) has for the last fortnight been one of the
most attractive and interesting subjects in the bog
garden. Although classed amongst bog plants, the
Spigelia resents too much moisture, just as it does
drought, and it succeeds best in a sheltered spot,
in a rich deep vegetable mould, with just a sus-
picion of moisture. The long tubular flowers, bright
red on the outside, and deep yellow on the inside,
are very effective, the blooming season lasting from
first to last for over a month. It is a native of
America, where it is said to affect sheltered situa-
tions in deep rich vegetable soil.

Lathyrus latifolius albus.— Since my note
(p. 174) on this appeared, our plants have gone on
growing and flowering so well that I forward with
this a growth from one of the plants raised in 1888
so that you may see what they are, and what they
have been. The growth Fsend is 12 feet long and has
borne apparently thirty- six well developed trusses
of bloom, without reckoning those on lateral shoots.
There are also several pods of seed. Probably, as
Mr. Wood (p. 259) says, our local conditions may
be favourable for growing this plant. Seed is ripen-
ing plentifully this year, thanks to the glorious
weather we have been getting. With regard to the
time required from seed time to flowering, it would
seem from my experience that this is one of the
few hardy plants which derive great benefit from
having the seed sown early and in heat, for the
early start they get enables the plants to get strong
before winter checks the top-growth. Very little
room is required to start them, as a 6-inch pot will
accommodate at least fifty seeds comfortably, the
early growth being thin and spindly.— J. C. Tal-
LACK, Livermere Park.

Coreopsis grandiflora.— This is still flowering
finely and profusely in Mr. Thompson's garden at
Ipswich. It is a new species, and one that doubt-
less will become popular and be extensively grown
as it is finer in every way than C.lanceolata, which
we have hitherto regarded as the best of the
family. The flowers are of the same rich yellow
hue as those of the other kinds, but much larger
and borne upon stalks of from 12 inches to 15
inches in length, this rendering them highly valu-
a^e for cutting. This is the Coreopsis grandiflora
ot Nuttall. I specially mention this because Mr
Ihompson informed me that intending purchasers
of this line species would need to Be wary, inas-
much as some American firms are offering seed
purporting to be of this fine Coreopsis, but really

it is only seed of the older and well-known C.
auriculata. C. lanceolata is easily known by its
entire or lanceolate leaves. C. grandiflora has
deeply cut, pinnate leaves, but the leaflets are very
narrow and the foliage is not profuse, whilst what
there is is almost hidden by the great profusion of
long-stalked flowers. C. auriculata, too, has pinnate
leaves, but they are larger and wider, and very
plentiful, the plant having a very leafy appearance,
whilst the flowers, which are yellow, are borne
upon short stalks, and in size they are smaller than
those of C. lanceolata. The points of distinction
are so marked that the true C. grandiflora will soon
be recognised. It seeds with much greater free-
dom than other members of this family, so that it
can be easily and rapidly increased. — A.

Stapelia gigantea.— This was in flower re-
cently with Mr. Ross, gardener to Sir G. Macleay,
Pendell Court, Bletchingley, and shown also by him
at the Royal Aquarium exhibition. It is the finest
of the genus, the flowers not unlike a great star-
fish, with pointed segments, the whole bloom mea-
suring about a foot in width, and covered with
crimson marks on a green ground, the centre crim-
son. This Stapelia was found in Zululand by the
collector Plant, and first came into the hands of
Mr. Wilson Saunders at RedhiD, but passed into the
collection of Sir George Macleay, with whom, we
believe, it first flowered about two years ago.

Pear Louise Bonne of Jersey.— In com-
mon with several cultivators of the above named
Pear, I have been somewhat surprised that it did
not find a place in your select list of Pears for
Britain. Here it is considered one of the very best,
and, with the exception of Marie Louise, is pre-
ferred at table to any other that we grow. I en-
close a few fruits which are fair average speci-
mens from a well laden tree, growing against a
south wall, and would like your opinion upon their
quality.— James Day, Galloway Bouse, Wigton-
shire.

%* Excellent specimens. A Pear which we very
rarely taste with such a good flavour as those you
send. —Ed.

Trichosma suavis. — Introduced from the
Khasya Mountains about fifty years ago, this Or-
chid has during that time figured under a variety
of names. At first an Eria and then a Ccelogyne,
it now constitutes the monotypic genus Trichosma.
Even at the present day it is not well known, as
appears by the fact that it is described in several
works as flowering in the spring. I have had to do
with numerous plants during the last six years,
but never saw one flower at any other time than
between October and December. This is a point
in its favour, as Orchid flowers are much more
plentiful in spring than they are now. It is a
plant of elegant habit, forming a tuft of erect,
tapering stems about 8 inches high, surmounted by
two bright green leaves. From the apex the four
to eight-flowered raceme is produced. The sepals
and petals are white, the lip being three-lobed, the
side lobes striped with brownish crimson, and the
yellow central one edged with the same colour.
The flowers, each Ik inches in diameter, are sweet
scented. This Orchid likes a cool, moist atmo-
sphere, and should be potted in a compost of peat,
Sphagnum, and charcoal.

Tacsonia mollissima.— For clothing the roofs
of greenhouses and conservatories, especially those
of more than ordinary height, no class of climbing
plants is more suitable than the Tacsonias. The
popularity of T. exoniensis and T. Van Volxemi for
this purpose is well deserved ; both in elegance of
habit and beauty of flower they are unsurpassed
amongst the greenhouse kinds. It cannot be said
that T. mollissima is worthy to supplant either of
them, but where space is available and the others
are already in use, it maybe introduced with advan-
tage. Its flowers are very handsome and quite dis-
tinct, whilst in vigour of growth it equals, if it does
not surpass the previous kinds. The foliage bears
a near resemblance in shape to that of T. exoni-
ensis, the leaves being deeply tri-lobed and covered
with a soft pubescence. The flowers are pink,
some 3 inches or 4 inches in diameter, the seg-

ments being broad and rounded ; the flower is also
remarkable in having a huge cylindrical tube
4 inches to 5 inches long. Both in colour and shape it
is very different from the two commoner kinds. The
species is a native of Quito. During the late sum-
mer and autumn several specimens have been
flowering in the large temperate house at Kew.

Schizostylis coccinea in Ireland.— I send
you a few sprays of Schizostylis coccinea to show
you how it does in this climate. My friend, the
Rev. F. Tymons, remarked it here as being better
worthy of culture than he had supposed. I notice
in a recent issue (Oct. 4, p. 313) that you consider
its failure at Kew this season to be due to want of
heat in summer. My experience of the plant is
that it likes shade better than heat, but that its real
requirement is moisture, both in the air and in the soil.
These demands were amply satisfied this season, and
in consequence it is very good. I use it for plant-
ing by ponds, in company with Iris Kaeropferi, Lo-
belia cardinalis, Ourisia coccinea, &c, where it
thrives in pure peat or any of my soils.— Henby
Chichester Hast, Donegal.

*** The flowers and shoots which accompanied
this note showed how well it does. — Ed.

Flowers from Birmingham.— By yesterday's
post I sent you some fruits of my new Bramble,
Rose Queen. It is a variety I imported from Japan
some three years since. It grows from 12 inches
to 18 inches high, producing rose-coloured flowers
in abundance, which are succeeded by bright crim-
son berries. It is well suited for rockeries and the
fruit is admirably adapted for cooking, and may
also be used with advantage for decoration. The
Anemones and Ranunculi are the produce of roots
planted in July. The bed from which flowers of the
Anemone japonica were gathered is at the present
time a very pleasing sight, and many who have seen
it have pronounced it the finest of its class this
season.— R. H. Veetegaks, Birmingham.

Clematis Stanleyi. — A note appeared on this
new Clematis in The Gaedbn some time ago, and
it was there mentioned that it seemed an introduc-
tion of little value, but the behaviour of the plant
since alters this opinion. It has been known for at
least fifty years, and is named after the collector
who found it, not the African explorer. Seeds of
it were received from the Transvaal last year at
Kew, and it bloomed in a house in the frame
ground, where a large batch has been flowering
through the summer, whilst a group in a warm
border showed that as an outdoor plant it has pos-
sibly great advantages. Its height is about 3 feet,
the growth shrubby and compact,' and the leaves
abundant, also much divided. The flowers are not
unlike those of the Japanese Anemone, about the
same size, and vary greatly in colour from a washy
pink to purple. The richly coloured blooms are
handsome and striking, especially when seen in a
mass, and this Clematis has the merit of being free-
blooming. We hope to publish a coloured plate
of it.

Erythroleena conspicua.— Flowers of this
pretty Thistle introduced from Mexico in 1825, have
been sent us by Messrs. Haage and Schmidt, who

The plants form densely leaved bushes, and when in
full flower attain a height of about 4 feet to 6 feet ;
the flower-stems are blackish brown, erect and many
branched, the leaves dark green with brownish red
ribs, pinnatifid, lanceolate-lobed, toothed, 2k feet to
3 feet m length by 15 inches to 18 inches in'breadth.
Flower heads conical, three and four appearing at
the top of each branch, aud resembling in form and in
their lovely bright orange-carmine colour the buds of a
Phyllocactus. The flowers, which do not spread like
most of other Thistles, are also conical and present,
with their stamens of a beautiful pink tipped carmine,
a splendid aspect, showing three distinct bright col-
ours. A really fine ornamental foliaged, as well as an
ornamental flowering plant, which will prove of great
service either for large groups or as single specimens.
As cut flowers they retain their unique colour for a
long time. Being a biennial, it must he cultivated in
pots the first season and may be treated like Chama;-
peuce, &c. ; planted out in the open ground the next
spring, it will attain great dimensions.

Oct. 13, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

363

Trees and Shrubs.

THE MONTEREY CYPRESS.

(crpRESsrs macrocarpa.)
A short time ago a correspondent in The Gar-
den drew attention to tlie numerous large
specimens of the above Cypress that are grow-
ing in one or two out-of-the-way places in
Surrey, and at the same time pointed out that
the average annual growth for a number of

for the growth of this handsome tree, and that
they are so must be admitted, but at the same
time both Scotland and Ireland can boast of no
mean specimens of this Conifer, for even so far
north as Wigtonshire there is a noble avenue
formed entirely of the large-fruited Cypress.
Then in Ireland it is quite at home, as I know
well, for not many specimens are larger or
brighter than that in the pleasure ground at
Churchill, an estate lying thirty miles inland

The Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) in the garden at Castlewellan, Co. Down.
Engraved for The Garden.

years was about 2 feet 3 inches, or at least I
something near these figures. When at Chisle-
hurst a few weeks ago I was quite surprised to
see how well this Cypress thrives, and not in
one garden or on one estate, but wherever
one liked to turn, there bushy specimens
ranging from 30 feet to 40 feet high, and with
foliage of the healthiest description, might be
seen. The Southern English counties might,
therefore, be considered as peculiarly suitable

from Belfast, and on the shores of Lough
Neagh. Extremes meet, and it is a well-known
fact that, speaking broadly, peat plants are ill
at home on chalk or limestone. Not so Cu-
pressus macrocarpa, for on the chalky downs of
Kent and Surrey it is quite as much at home as
on the deep peat bogs (reclaimed) of the pro-
vince of Ulster, and further no soil suits the
tree so well as either of the two just named.
The whole outline of Cupressus macrocarpa

is excellently portrayed in the Castlewellan
specimen here illustrated— the graceful spread-
ing habit, plentiful supply of branches, and
erect and stately form of growth. Occasionally
one meets with trees of a pyramidal outline,
but the handsomest undoubtedly is the broadly
conical form. For the lawn or park I know of
no other Conifer that is so distinct and desirable,
while for the sea-coast, even down to high-water
mark, it is equally suitable.

Hedges for screens are often formed of this
Cypress, and in Australia we are told that it is
now largely employed for a similar purpose. It
has the good quality of retaining its lower
branches in health and vigour, that is, of course,
where room for their development has been
allowed. Of rapid growth, easily suited with
soil, and able to stand a rough and prolonged
breeze, this extremely handsome Conifer well
merits a far larger share of attention at the
hands of planters and others than it has yet
received. A. D. Webster.

Desmodium tillaefolium.— This is a far less
showy shrub than the beautiful D. penduliflorum,
yet as it flowers in September it must not be alto-
gether passed over. Like the other species above
mentioned, D. tiltefolium is of a half-shrubby
character, and reaches a height of 3 feet to 4 feet,
the stems being thinly clothed with rather large
trifoliate leaves, while the flowers are borne in
dense clusters on the points of the shoots. In
colour they are a kind of pale lilac. D. penduli-
florum has this season been very showy, as owing
to the absence of frosts during September the
flowers opened without any check whatever, and
the whole plant was quite a mass of its beautiful
rosy-purple, gracefully disposed spikes of bloom.— T.

The Indian Hemlock Spruce (Tsuga Bruno-
niana).— Branded with the title of "half-hardy,"
this handsome Sikkim conifer has not made that
headway that from its distinct appearance one
could wish. Certainly everywhere, even in Southern
England, does not suit it, but that a good deal may
be done when its requirements are fully understood
in the way of choice of site and soil is already
pretty evident from an examination of the few
healthy specimens that are already to be met with.
What must be carefully guarded against in the cul-
ture of this particular Spruce is that an early start
into growth be averted, else the young and unusually
tender shoots get sadly seared by the late spring
frosts. Actual winter cold does not seem to tell
half so severely on well ripened growths as do those
treacherous and untimely frosts of April and May,
when the young shoots are pithy and tender. To
guard against this the Indian Hemlock Spruce, like
two or three more of the Indian conifers, should be
planted where vegetation, as a rule, is late in mak-
ing a start. There is, or was shortly since, a
healthy, fast-growing specimen of this particular
Spruce not many miles distant from London, and
which was fully 20 feet high, and in everyway pro-
portionate, while my records of the tree' in nearly
half-a-dozen scattered situations, all in England,
are highly promising. The foliage above is silvery
tinted, while beneath it is milk white, and as the
branches are somewhat lithe and pendulous, the
easy grace for which the tree is remarkable is
usually well set forth. It is a native of the high
Sikkim mountains, and is at least worthy of a trial
by every lover of hardy conifers. — A.

The Umbrella Pine (Sciadopitys verticillata).
—A note in The Garden (Oct. 4, p. 324) about
this distinct Conifer reminds one how seldom a
good healthy specimen is seen, yet when in good
condition it is one of the most beautiful of the
Conifers. The Umbrella Pine seems to be more
particular in its requirements than many of its
allies, and it appears useless to expect it to thrive
in heavy stagnant soils or in exposed positions. At
the same time, in dry gravelly spots it is not happy.
The conditions most favourable to it seem to be
soil of an open nature, in a fairly moist, yet tho-
roughly drained spot, and where the specimen is

364

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 18, 189)

sheltered from cold cutting winds. Very good re-
sults are obtained by a lioeral admixture of peat
with the soil in which it is planted, or well-decayed
leaf-mould in place of the peat. Where this last is
used, it should not be the thick boggy peat which
quickly turns sour, but that taken from the uplands
where the Heather flourishes. In this way the
foliage of the Umbrella Pine acquires a rich colour.
— T.

THE SILVER LIME.

(TILIA ARSENTEA.)

Here and there around London, thanks either to
chance or superior tree knowledge of the owners,
one may sea a fine fence, or mayhap a striking
standard specimen, of this prettiest and most un-
common of the Lindens.

How distinct it is from the commonly cultivated
species may any day be seen by the traveller from
Bromley to Chislehurst, or from the former place to
Keston, where there are at least two fine masses of
the tree, and so different are they from the com-
mon Lime, that at a distance away their appear-
ance is strikingly conspicuous, and causes one to
halt for an examination. Of great vigour of growth
and with an abundance of large leaves, the Silver
Lime stands out as distinct from the common
species as could well be desired in the members of
one family. What is most conspicuous, perhaps, is
the silvery tinted leaves, which when stirred by
the wind are so distinct from those of the common
form, that one cannot help noting the difference.
Being perfectly hardy, the Silver Lime should be
planted more commonly than it is at present,
whether as a standard specimen in clumps of three
or five, or along the margins of woods that are
visible from frequented roads or drives, in any or
all of which places it never fails to attract atten-
tion, and be productive of the most pleasing effect.
I have seen it used for some of those great mean-
ingless front garden barriers that are so pleasant
to suburban London residents, but in such a place
it is ill at home, the hewing and hacking necessary
to keep it in bounds being resented by the noblest
of our forest trees. Clipping and cutting back
into knotty elbows may do with some dwarf
denizens of the forest, but to practise such on the
Lime is little short of vandalism. Plenty of room
is required to show off the beauty of either the
common or Silver Lime, as is well exemplified by a
trio of specimens each 80 feet high on the lawn near
where William Pitt's house once stood.

Unfortunately, grafting is too often resorted to in
getting up a stock of the Silver Lime, but if some
of our nurserymen could see the ugly, irregular
stems of grafted Limes that I could point out they
would never graft this tree, but rely on the surer
though perhaps slower method of getting young
plants by layering or from seed.

What is ugliest in the stem, which when left to
Nature is a model of symmetry, is at the point of
junction of the stock and scion, the latter growing
at twice the rate of the former, and in a very few
years the upper half of the trunk is twice as thick
as the lower part. Layering is readily enough
performed, and by attention it is a quick method,
too, of increasing the stock of Limes at any rate, so
by all means let us abandon the grafting for the
more natural and certainly far more preferable way
of either raising from seed or layering.

A. D. Webster.

Berberis Thunbergi.-One of the brightest
tinted shrubs in autumn is this Barberry, as the
leaves are of a rich crimson colour, and vie with
the berries for deep colour. It is the neatest and
best of the deciduous members of the genus, and
quite distinct from those of the vulgaris section.
This Barberry forms a dense bush with gracefully
arching branches, so that at no time is it at all
formal in character. The leaves are small, round-
ish, and in the spring when partially expanded they
form little tufts of the mo-t delicate green all along
the shoots. Before the foliage is fully expanded
the (lowers make their appearance, and hang down
from the undersides of the twigs. In colour they

are a sulphur-yellow inside, and a kind of brownish
crimson on the outside. The small oblong-shaped
berries are of a bright sealing-wax-like colour, and
as they remain on for a very long time (sometimes
throughout the winter), a bush of it at that season
is very telling. In this country, however, the
berries are, as a rule, not particularly numerous,
but in America (where it is greatly valued), they
are usually borne in the greatest profusion. This
Barberry will flourish even in poor soils, and is
proof against our most severe winters. Besides the
specific name of Thunbergi, it is also known under
that of sinensis.— H. P.

Caryopteris mastacanthus. — Though the
order Labiataj is a very extensive one, there are
few that can be classed as shrubs, but this Caryo-
pteris may have a place assigned it; and it is also
well worthy of mention from the fact that it flowers
during the autumn months. It is not thoroughly
hardy in this country, but it does well with the pro-
tection of a wall, and in this position the slight
autumn frosts do not hurt the blossoms. It forms
a free-growing much-branched shrub, whose laven-
der-blue flowers are borne on the upper parts of the
shoots, and arranged in closely packed axillary
cymes. Of these a succession is kept up for some
time. The hoary character of the foliage is also
another feature. It is a native of China, from
whence it was introduced in 1844, but it is only
within the last few years that Messrs. Veitch have
directed attention to its merits. This Caryopteris
is not difficult to increase by cuttings of the young
growing shoots. — T.

Clethra alnifolia. — There need be no doubt
as to this shrub succeeding in shaded situations,
for I never saw it growing and flowering more
freely than in the great wood garden at Leonards-
lee, near Horsham. In this wood scorces of inte-
resting trees and shrubs are naturalised in a most
beautiful way, and when I was there, one fine
autumn day, Clethra alnifolia was a striking and
pretty feature. In rather open, but shaded spots
there were great bushes several feet high and
through, and almost every twig was terminated
with a long spike of its sweet flowers. In this
wood Rhododendrons grow into trees, and a soil
that suits them suits this Clethra also. Evidently
it is a most delightful shrub to plant in broad
masses by shaded woodland walks, or upon the
margins of streams. It also grows and flowers
freely in pots, judging from a large batch I saw in
flower in July at Messrs. Veitch's Chelsea nursery.
No idea of its grace and beauty, however, can be
gathered from pot culture. It has an additional
merit in that it blooms at a season when flowering
subjects are scarce even in the best arranged shrub-
beries.— A. H.

Evergreen Cotone asters. — The bright, hot
sun that we experienced throughout the month of
September has coloured the berries of these Cotone-
asters more richly than usual, and as they are
everywhere borne in the greatest profusion the
plants are at this season of the year among the
most ornamental shrubs that we possess. The
nomenclature of this section of Cotoneasters is
very confusing, as when raised from seed the
progeny often varies considerably from each other
and from the parent plant. C. buxifolia, with Box-
like leaves, usually grows about 4 feet high, and
forms a wide, spreading bush, every shoot of which
is now thickly studded with bright red berries.
Where a group of the various members of this
genus is planted this Cotoneaster is well suited for
placing in the foreground, to form, as it were, an
edging to the larger species, and it is also seen to
great advantage as an isolated specimen or group of
plants on the Grass, as in this way the spreading
shoots are disposed in a very pleasing manner ; the
whole forms a very ornamental object on the
lawn. The still smaller C. microphylla can also be
planted as above recommended, and, besides that,
it is a first-rate wall plant, clothing the space
thickly with slender shoots and dark green foliage,
which in the autumn serves as a suitable setting to
the myriads of berries. For covering sloping banks
it is well suited, and in the larger arrangements of
rockwork it is at home, as is also a third and yet a

smaller species than the preceding, C. thymifolia
quite a trailing little Evergreen, which is seen at its
best draping a boulder on the rockwork. A variety
of this, congesta, is even of a more procumbent
habit than the type. In the case of all of these
the berries just now form a very important feature
— T.

PRUNING SHRUBS.
The short interval between the end of mowing
until the bulk of the leaves has fallen is generally
devoted to the above-named work, so much of it at
any rate as we are unable to accomplish in early
spring. Such woik may appear comparatively un-
important and easily accomplished by any average
labourer, but as a matter of fact it is not so, and it
is very difficult to make some men cut with dis-
crimination. Take, for instance, a break of the
common Rhododendron facing a large sweep of
lawn ; growth here is so strong, that we are com-
pelled to cut a little every season both to keep it
within bounds and to secure an annual display of
flower. I have before now entirely lost the latter
through the action of a thoughtless knifeman, who,
instead of simply running along and removing out-
standing and long weakly shoots, took out the
points of everything, as though he were pinching
in a plant, to make it, he said, " look uniform." I
have been sorry to notice in the public grounds of
some of our towns the practice still in force of go-
ing over evergreen shrubs once and sometimes twice
in the year with the shears, and clipping them in
until they resemble an umbrella. Surely the study
of the natural growth of individual plants ought to
be as great a feature as the filling up a given space
with the plants, and such an end cannot be gained
if the subjects are cut and trimmed almost beyond
recognition. The cutting extends sometimes to
the hardy Azaleas, but should be performed
with the greatest care, and is really only neces-
sary where plants have been long neglected
and are encroaching on other choice shrubs.
Even in this case the desired end can gene-
rally be gained by driving in a stout stake well
out of sight and tying in the straggling shoots. It
sometimes happens in the first formation of a shrub-
bery, in order to furnish the ground at once, that
common shrubs are planted with great freedom
among choicer things. Here (if the commoner
plants are not worth removal) the free use of the
knife is not only advisable, but necessary. I do not
think that, as a rule, we pay sufficient attention to our
choicer shrubs in this matter ; we forget or ignore
the fact that want of light and air in the early
stage of growth is answerable for weakly and badly
furnished plants. The above remarks are intended
for all those shrubs which can be operated on in
autumn or early winter, and may embrace with the
fall of the leaf the majority of deciduous plants.
There can be no hard and fast rule as to any spe-
cial time for the work ; the operator will naturally
be guided in this by the flowering season of indi-
vidual subjects. E. B.
Clarcmont.

Ligustrum Quihoui. — This Chinese species
of Privet is the latest flowering of the genus, and
as the blossoms are borne in great profusion it
is in this respect a desirable shrub, but like the
other Privets the odour of the blossoms is heavy
and disagreeable— too much so to be near the
house. L. Quihoui forms a much-branched spread-
ing bush, about 5 feet or 6 feet high, clothed
with small deep green oblong-shaped leaves, and
a great profusion of large loose terminal panicles
of pure white flowers. As an ornamental shrub
it certainly cannot compare with another Chinese
species, Ligustrum sinense, which blooms in August,
while Ligustrum Quihoui flowers in September.
Both will grow in almost any soil, and even where
it is dry and sandy they will hold their own and
flower well. — T.

Root-pruning shrubs.— The good effect of
root- pruning evergreen and deciduous shrubs I
have often tested just in the same manner as ju-
dicious nurserymen lift and often replant their
shrubs previous to their being offered for sale. The

Oct. 18, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

365

root-pruning (which can be done where replanting
often cannot have attention) checks gross, watery-
growth, renders the trees better able to stand
severe weather, more free-flowering, and pre-
vents the unnaturalness which pruned trees too
often represent. When the shrubs are to be kept
to a given height and width, as is so general in pri-
vate gardens, by treating them on the same lines
as one would fruit trees, their beauty and useful-
ness are greatly enhanced. — M. T.

Double-flowered Spanish Broom. — This
seems to be later in blooming than the single form,
which is towards the end of the summer one of
the most beautiful flowering shrubs we possess,
but the blossoms on our plants are now all over,
the bushes themselves being thickly studded with
seed-pods. The double-flowered variety, on the
other hand, though it has been blooming for a
long time, has still a great many buds in various
stages of development, of which it is probable
several of the more backward will be cut off by
the frost before they have time to expand. The
single form is as a flowering shrub far superior
to the double kind, which is more of a curiosity,
as so many of the blossoms fail to expand satisfac-
torily.—T.

The Golden Elder. — In my opinion this is the
best of the golden-leaved hardy deciduous shrubs
in cultivation, and maintains its fine glowing tint
undiminished from the beginning to the end of the
season. Nor is it liable to be burned by excessive
sunshine— it rather improves in brightness under
it, while a succession of wet or dull days leaves it
as effective as ever. There are several other hardy
golden-leaved trees that, though bright and glow-
ing while the first flush of growth is on them in
spring, are apt to be scorched under a bright
midsummer sun, or to have the colour washed out
of them by long-continued wet weather in summer
or autumn. Of course, the Golden Elder is of
limited growth, considered as a tree ; but its value
notwithstanding is greater in an ornamental sense.
In ornamental plantations it may with judicious
taste be made to play an important and very effec-
tive part. It is quite possible, in conjunction with
the Purple Birch and Beech, and other dark-
coloured trees, such as are to be found among the
different Acers, and with such silvery-leaved sorts
as Acer Negunclo variegatum, &c, to produce colour
effects of the most pleasing kind. — G.

Pruning Magnolia grandiflora {Constant
Header). — Unless in exceptional cases this Mag-
nolia does not require any pruning, and all that is
necessary at any time is to simply shorten back a
branch or two that if allowed to grow on unchecked
might destroy the symmetrical character of the
specimen, but this seldom happens, for the Mag-
nolia, as a rule, grows very regularly. Even this
pruning by no means increases the crop of flowers,
but rather the reverse, for Magnolia grandiflora, as
a rule, flowers best when allowed to grow un-
touched. Plants that have been propagated from
layers (which is the method usually employed) will
flower in a smaller state than seedlings. There is
a variety, exoniensis or lanceolata, that is of
smaller dimensions and more free-blooming than
the type. Should M. grandiflora be trained to a
wall it may perhaps be necessary to prune it to a
certain extent, but as little as possible should be
cut out. The weak shoots should be removed in
preference to the stouter ones.— T.

Spiraea vac einifolia.— This SpirEeais one of the
latest in bloom of the entire genus, flowering about
the same time as the plume-like S. Lindleyana, but
in their behaviour afterwards these two Spiraeas
differ widely, as Lindley's type produces its blooms
simultaneously, or nearly so, while in S. vaccinifolia,
after the first flush, a scattered succession is often
kept up for a considerable time. S. vaccinifolia
forms a bush 6 feet or 8 feet high, whose principal
shoots are almost upright, but the minor branchlets
have a somewhat drooping tendency. The leaves
are small and ovate in shape, while the large, open
panicles of blossom are pure white. Both the
species above mentioned are natives of the Hima-
layan region. With this Spiraea and some forms of
S. callosa flowering thus late in the year, the bloom-

ing season of the various members of the genus is
spread over a considerable period, commencing as
it does with the pretty double-flowered S. pruni-
folia fl-pl., remarkable as being, with the exception
of S. Reevesiana fl.-pl., the only shrubby Spirasa
we possess with double blossoms.— H. P.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

GATHERING AND RIPENING LATE
PEARS.

Good Pears are often spoiled by being gathered
too soon and neglecting to help them with a
little heat to bring up their flavour later on
when their season for use draws near. This
more especially refers to late Pears, which are
supposed to be in season from Christmas on-
wards. During October and November there
are generally in most gardens where Pears are
grown more than can be consumed, but when
the Christmas festivities are over there is not
unfrequently a scarcity of really good fruit.
Late Pears should be left on the trees to the
last hour they are capable of holding on. Early
gathering means early ripening, if the fruits
do not shrivel ; in the latter case of course they
are useless. Easter Beurre especially must be
left on the tree as long as possible, as it has a
habit of ripening before its proper season, though
soil and situation have something to do with
this. All late Pears should be kept in a dry,
cool, dark room till about a fortnight before
they are required for use, and should then be
placed in a temperature of CO0 to ripen as re-
quired. If not the best Christmas Pear, Glou
Morceau is certainly one of the best, and it
rarely fails to bear on a wall. This should
make a profitable sort to plant against the
gable end of a lofty building in a good aspect,
with the roots kept out of the cold subsoil,
especially where this is clay, though I have
found a subsoil of sand as injurious to Pear
trees when the roots penetrate it as clay. An
excellent old winter Pear will be found in
Winter Nelis, valuable not only for its excel-
lent flavour, but also for its long time in
season. If kept in the dark and taken into
a temperature of G0J a few at a time as re-
quired, its season will last for pretty well three
months. Knight's Monarch is another old
Pear that is excellent in point of flavour, and
will keep in condition for several months. This
is not much grown now, at least I have not
often met with it of late years, though I have
pleasant reminiscences of an old tree I knew
many years ago in Worcestershire. It never
carries a very heavy crop, i.e., it never injures
itself by overbearing, as when heavily laden
it will generally cast some of its fruit.
I have often seen the ground beneath the old
tree above referred to strewn with immature
fruit. Doubtless a mulch of manure would
check this habit of parting with its load.
Olivier des Serres is an excellent late Pear,
and deserves a place in every garden, its
season being from February to March. Ne
Plus Meuris generally bears freely, both on
espaliers and also on walls. The finest and
best samples come from a good aspect on the
wall, preferably south or south-east. Perhaps
one of the most uncertain late Pears is Beurr6
Ranee. I have had it delicious, and I have had
it hardly so good as a Turnip. It requires a
sunny, freely ventilated position. I have had
this Pear good from espaliers occasionally, but
the best samples I ever saw were grown on
the gable end of a large thatched barn, the
thatch projecting sufficiently to protect the
blossoms in spring. Bergamotte d'Esperen
sometimes bears freely, especially on the Quince,

but though an excellent flavoured Pear, it has
not yet established its reputation as a free-bear-
ing kind. Doyenne du Cornice with me comes
in before Christmas, and can therefore hardly
be called a late Pear, but it is without excep-
tion one of the best midseason sorts, and will
probably be more planted than it has hitherto
been, as it grows freely in all aspects and situa-
tions, and succeeds well on the Quince. Jose-
phine de Malines has received a high character
in the past, but it does not do well everywhere.
Some years ago I tried it on the Quince, but it
was not a complete success. The tree did not
grow well and the Pears were gritty. This
might have been due to the soil of the locality,
as certain Pears are gritty on particular soils.
My impression is, now that building materials
are reasonable in price, it would pay to put up
roomy houses for the best late Pears, such as
some of those I have named above and others
not so well known. I have never tasted an early
Pear grown under glass worth eating, but most
of the late Pears are improved in every respect
by being grown under a glass roof. There
would be no occasion to use artificial heat in a
large house, as if well ventilated during winter,
the trees would not be much earlier in blossom
under glass than against a wall. Strawberries
in pots might be worked in the intervals be-
tween the Pear trees. I have grown Pears in
pots, but in a good-sized house (and I should
not care for a house for this work less than 30
feet wide) I would rather plant the trees out
in the border and train them to trellises running
along the house. This arrangement would, I
think, provide the largest amount of training
space. Some day I have no doubt the cultiva-
tion of late Pears under glass will receive atten-
tion. I believe they will pay to grow when the
Tomato fever has cooled down and Grapes have
become a drug in the market. E. H.

Strawberry Sharpless Seedling.— As none
of your numerous correspondents in their notes on
Strawberries have even mentioned the above, an
American introduction, I presume it is not much
known or extensively grown. Here it is the fa-
vourite for forcing, being a free setter, carrying
good bunches of fair-sized fruit of a most pleasing
colour, and nice agreeable flavour. For open air
culture also we grow it largely, being very early
(earlier than Pauline and much finer in berry). Its
only fault is that some of the plants die off suddenly.
It is also shy in producing runners, which is a fail-
ing only when increasing stock. Beside the above
we grow Pauline, La Grosse Sucree, Sir Charles
Napier, Eleanor and LoxfordHall Seedling in large
quantities, the last especially beiDg most excellent
here for late work. Smaller quantities are grown
of Helena Gloede, Marie Nicaise, Unser Fritz,
Samuel Bradley, &c, but President and Keen's Seed-
ling have been discarded, not being satisfactory. All
are grown in rows 2y feet apart and about \\ feet
between the plants in the rows, and occupy the
ground but three fruiting seasons, a break being
planted annually and another destroyed. Our soil
(if we may call it such) is very shallow, being com-
posed of loose shaly stone of various sizes. This
year's crop has been the lightest for the past twelve
years, owing to drought when the plants were in
bloom, and subsequently much of the fruit perished,
owing to the wet season. — John Roberts, Tan-y-
urvlch, N. Vales.

Late Peaches. — I have never known late Peaches
ripen or colour so admirably as this year. We have
for a mouth past been gathering from eight to twelve
dozen a week, and the surplus have fetched remarkable
prices. The varieties we grow for late work are Wal-
burton Admirable, Sea Eagle, Late Admirable, and
Princess of Wales. The flavour of all may be called
passable, but Walburton Admirable, true to its pa-
rentage, is of a very excellent flavour. This Peach is
a favourite of mine. It was raised by Mr. Morton,
gardener to Mr. R. Prime, Warburton, and well do I

36G

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 18, 1890.

remember, when visiting him, the pride with which he
used to pluck one from the tree and invite me to taste.
This was in the sunny south, and mine are grown in
Northamptonshire, which makes all the difference as
regards flavour. — K. Gilbest.

STORING FRUIT.
Is many gardens the want of a suitable place for
the storing oE hardy fruits is often overlooked, and
the gardener is obliged to put up with many make-
shifts and use places very unsuitable. Of late years
much has been done to remedy this want, but in
small gardens the point is often overlooked and the
gardener expected to keep his fruit as long as his
neighbour with every convenience. A costly fruit
room is not a necessity ; of course, a well-fitted
room with perfect ventilation is always a pleasing
addition to a well-kept garden, but not a necessity.
Those who object on the score of expense should
certainly get a plan of the Pear and Apple room
in the celebrated Maidstone nursery, as it is
easily and readily constructed, very cheap and last-
ing, and perfect as regards keeping the fruit, as
is well known by the samples exhibited in
the months of April and May in splendid condition.
These rooms are constructed of match-board and
thickly thatched, and the cool, even temperature
maintained by the heavy thatch just suits the fruit,
the ventilation being ample and the rooms look
charming, so that it well repays those who have
fruit in quantity, especially this season, to get it
stored in a suitable place to preserve it. I have
when short of room used a disused dry ice house
for many of the late keeping Apples, and they keep
much better than when in a fluctuating tempera-
ture, and the fruit has often been in large heaps
and very little lost. A cool temperature and per-
fectly sweet and dry, without damp straw or litter
of any kind goes a long way to preserve the fruit.
Careful handling when gathering is also very
necessary, and gathering into small flat baskets or
trays with some dry Moss at the bottom, as much
damage is often caused by piling up the fruit
in the basket, thus bruising it in its early stages
and causing premature decay. When possible the
late fruit should be stored at the north or coolest
end of the room, placing the early kinds as they
mature for use, and removing the decayed fruit at
the earliest moment if the slightest part is decayed,
as one fruit soon affects all its neighbours. Great
care is also required in the harvesting of the diffe-
rent varieties, as if gathered too soon the fruit
shrivels and loses much of its flavour, and if too
late, frost often cracks the outside skin and thus
causes mould. Many early Pears and Apples do
not require storing at all, but may be used off the
trees, as if stored they soon decay and lose flavour.
A few fruits gathered daily and placed on a shelf
in a cool vinery soon have the desired quality, as it
is useless to leave all on the early trees to come in
at one date, as they soon decay when fully ripe.
If practicable, Apples should be stored separately
from Pears, and late keepers as far apart as pos-
sible from the early fruit, and storing on clean dry
shelves well ventilated and in single layers for
those required to be kept a long time. All spotted
or doubtful samples should be placed away from the
perfect and thoroughly sound fruit. When first
placed in the room the fruit should be examined
every few days, as much of it often decays imme-
diately after gathering. By attention to small details
much fruit can be saved and the season prolonged.
G. Wythes.

Manuring Vine borders.—" When doctors
differ, who shall decide ? " Here we find Mr. Thom-
son, of ClovenFords, one of the most famous and
successful of Grape growers, most vigorously de-
nouncing raw animal manure for Vine borders, stat-
ing that there was but about three per cent, of
plant food in farmyard manures, a statement which
will doubtless be strongly contested j whilst Mr.
Roberts, late of Gunnersbury, who is also a capital
Grape grower, as strongly favours animal manure
in preference to artificial manures. It seems pro-
bable that any superficial analysis of animal manure
would deal with the ammonia and phosphates found

in the material in an active form just at the mo-
ment, neglecting the undoubted food found in the
straw fibre as it gradually decomposes. On the
other hand, Mr. Thomson said at Chiswick in the
course of his admirable paper on " Soils and Manures
for Grapes," that animal manures were too soon
exhausted, whilst phosphates, especially those ob-
tained from dissolved bones, endured for a long
period, and kept the Vines in fruitfulness for
many years. Very stoutly did Mr. Thomson de-
nounce the common practice of covering up out-
side Vine borders with a heavy mass of manure,
favouring leaves for that purpose, these being
slightly thatched over to keep the leaves in place.
It seems late in the day after so much has been
written from time to time about Vine borders
and manures to find doctors still disagreeing.
What is so remarkable, however, is that really
fine Grapes seem to be produced equally well
under almost any sort of manuring and in almost
any soil. That fact shows conclusively that the
Vine is one of the most accommodating of plants
and strives to do its best under all forms of treat-
ment.—A. D.

BLACK CURRANTS.
Judgino from what I see in many gardens where
this useful fruit is grown, the newer and really
better kinds of Black Currant do not appear to be
so well known as they should be. I have a few
bushes of the Black Naples, and have been struck
by the fact that few seem to know it, and I am
sure that in the course of three or four years I have
given away hundreds of cuttings from these plants.
It is probably due to the enduring nature of this
fruit that the improved kinds have not forced
their way to the front so quickly as one would
naturally suppose would be the case. In the case
of fruits that are liable to die out or in a great
measure lose their fertility, the grower in re-
placing them seldom neglects to do so with newer
and better varieties, if such are to be had, but the
Black Currant so rarely gives out, that it is not un-
common to see bushes upwards of twenty years
old bearing with regulaiity and freedom. There
is, however, a vast difference between the fruit
that such patriarchal bushes yield and the produce
of young trees growing under the best conditions.
I was never more impressed with the effect of good
culture on this fruit than when looking several
years ago through a Surrey market garden. The
bushes were thrifty specimens about four years old,
and loaded with fruit that was phenomenally large,
more resembling Damsons in this respect than
Currants. The Covent Garden salesman to whom
they were consigned said that he had never before
seen such a sample. The ground, it is true, was of
a very favourable character, being a rich, rather
heavy loam, but it had been deeply stirred and
well manured. Naturally fruit of this description
made a higher price than such that commonly goes
to market. A point to note in connection with
this fruit is that, contrary to what is the case with
fruits generally, the improvement in size is accom-
panied by a corresponding increase in flavour.
The kinds that give the largest berries are the most
luscious, so that in their case quality and quantity
go together. Such kinds as the Black Naples and
Lee's Prolific are so immeasurably superior to the
old one, that the latter will not be cultivated in any
but cottage gardens. Black Champion is the
largest of all the Black Currants, but I cannot
speak as to its bearing capacities. Perhaps the
best of all for those who are thinking of profitable
returns is Lee's Prolific, already mentioned. This
is a heavy bearer, and is grown extensively
for the London markets and for supplying the
jam factories. Those in want of a really first-
class kind cannot do better than plant this one.
The Black Currant is a gross feeder, and soon ex-
hausts the soil in which it is planted, so that to
have abundant crops of good fruit, established
bushes ought to get a good supply of manure at the
commencement of every winter, for unless they get
this attention the fruit becomes so small and want-
ing in flavour as to be of little value for the purpose
for which it is so particularly prized, i.e., jam-mak-

ing. Black Currant jam or jelly is in many house-
holds considered in the light of a necessity, being
of great service on account of its cooling properties
in time of illness, but unless the berries are juicy
and well ripened, the jam will not be good in
flavour and will not keep well. The Black Currant
more than other hardy fruits loves moisture at the
roots; consequently the dampest part of the garden
should be chosen for it. The ground should be
trenched from 2 feet to 3 feet deep according to its
character, for in many gardens it is impossible to
find a moisture-holding spot, and only deep culture
will neutralise the parching influence of light soils.
Instead of allowing old bushes to remain long after
they are past their prime, young plants should be
brought on to take their place as soon as the fruit
shows any signs of falling off in quality. Another
important point to bear in mind is, that the berries
cannot come sweet and large unless the pruning-
knife is freely used to let in light and air to the
branches. J. C. B.

PROFITABLE PEARS.
Those competent to form an opinion on the
matter are well aware that Apples have, during
the past six years, been so extensively planted
in various parts of the country, that the time
will soon come when in favourable seasons there
will be far more fruit available than there will
be a demand for. Even duriDg the present sea-
son Apples are not nearly so scarce as many
imagine, and prices for good samples of the
best varieties are by no means high. For in-
stance, the popular Blenheim Pippin, carefully
gathered and fairly well selected, only realises

Pear Beurre Bachelier.

18s. per sack of three bushels, and this is the
best price of the season, no other orchard-grown
Apples realising more than 12s. per sack. That
Apples are both plentiful, in pritate gar-
dens at any rate, and good is quality in very
evident from what was exhibited at the late
Guildhall fruit show. With Pears, however, the
case is altogether different. A fine lot of these
were also to be seen at the city show, but, com-
pared with Apples, the numbers of dishes
shown were few. A subsequent visit to Covent
Garden Market further disclosed the fact that
good Pears are both scarce and dear, very ordi-
nary samples of Duchesse d'Angouleme, Louise
Bonne of Jersey, Doyenne Boussoch, and Pit-
maston Duchess being told at the rate of 3s. per
dozen, while superior fruit were 6s. and upwards
per dozen. Provincial towns are even worse
supplied with Pears, it being a difficult matter
to procure other than mixed, bruised, and most
inferior fruit. Quite recently I saw a large box
of Pears unpacked that had been ordered for a
series of dinner parties, and out of about six
dozen fruits fully one-third were only fit for

Oct. IS, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

367

stewing, while the rest were scarcely present-
able. The time doubtless will come when very-
many Pears will be grown and sold in this
country, but as these will principally be gath-
ered from trees grown in orchards the quality,
as a rule, will be second rate. That heavy crops
of good fruit are to be met with on standard,
pyramid, and bush trees I readily admit, but
these are few and far between, and by far the
cleanest and most valuable Pears are to be had
from wall trees. Here, for instance, we have a lot

Pear Ne Plus Meuris.

of pyramid and bush trees many of which bear
well, and as far as the flavour of the fruit is
concerned, this also is satisfactory, but the
rusty, scratched, and scarred appearance of the
greater portion militates seriously against its
sale unless offered by the bushel. Given shelter
and warmth, no matter what the aspect may be,
better or saleable fruit is invariably produced.
In years of plenty the best Pears always sell
readily and at good prices, and there is no like-
lihood of a glut ever occurring. The extensive
planting of Pear trees may therefore be safely
advised with a view to future profits.

At first sight it may appear somewhat useless
to recommend planting Pears extensively, espe-
cially where the walls are already partially fur-
nished with fruit trees of various kinds, but I
am of opinion that at least one-third of the wall
space, including ends of stables, outhouses, and
many dwelling houses, is far from being profit-
ably utilised, and that in very many private
gardens room could be found for numerous
young trees. For instance, dessert and cooking

Pear Marie Louise.

Cherries other than Morellos rarely, if ever pay
for cultivation against walls, it being possible to
buy more fruit with the money saved in netting
in one season than can be grown in three years.
It would be much better to cut out gradually or
otherwise many of the Cherries and replace
with Pears. It is also unwise to grow many
common Plums againstwallsthat could be turned
to a much better account with Pears. That
Plums are needed in most establishments there
is no denying, but as a rule they do well in the
open, and are of a far too perishable a nature

to be given much wall space. I also fail to see
why Pears are not quite as ornamental as Wis-
tarias and other strong climbers to be seen
against numerous house fronts, and they cer-
tainly present a far more tidy appearance than
do half-starved Roses, Loniceras, and such like.
Ivy and Virginian Creepers, beautiful as the
latter may be at the present time, monopolise
far too much wall space, and Pears would grow
and cover the walls if not so quickly, yet cer-
tainly quite as effectively.

Having tried to make out a strong case in
favour of Pears, it will not be out of place to
further discuss what varieties might be planted
advantageously. Supposing the bulk of the
fruit is, when ripe, to be sold, extra regard
must be paid to size, colour, and appearance
generally, flavour being of secondary import-
ance. In some few instances, however, it is
possible to combine a variety of good qualities,
and varieties possessing these are to be most
commended. Such early sorts as Doyenne d'Ete
and Citron des Carmes are not worthy of wall
space, but if there is a high wall to be covered,
Jargonelle may be planted. This season Wil-
liams' Bon Chretien against walls proved very
profitable, the standards and bush trees failing
to bear any fruit. Space might therefore be

Pear Beurre Clairgeau.

found for two or three trees of this old favourite.
Beurre d'Amanlis very frequently succeeds ad-
mirably as a pyramid or standard, but produces
finer fruit on wall trees, and the same may be
said of Beurre Superfin. Pitmaston Duchess
also bears well as a pyramid or standard, but
the fruit nearly always presents a scratched ap-
pearance when ripe, and is not nearly so fine as
that obtained from wall trees. This extra large
variety is very profitable, and the quality is not
to be despised. Doyenne Boussoch is a sure
bearer, and the fruits are extra large and of
fine appearance, but like those of nearly all the
preceding they keep badly. Nouveau Poiteau
with us rarely fails, and it is a useful variety,
keeping fairly well after it is ripe. Comte de
Lamy, though not large, is really a very profit-
able Pear. It is a heavy cropper, keeps fairly
well, and is both attractive in appearance and
good in quality. Beurre Clairgeau, as far as
its quality is concerned, is quite second rate, but
those who grow for the markets ought to plant
it, as it is a sure bearer, and the fruits are
large, brightly coloured, and ripen early in
November. Louise Bonne of Jersey is one of
the best for the market, good samples being
readily bought up. It is a most reliable va-
riety under any form of training, but the wall
trees produce by far the best fruit. Duchesse
d'Angouleme I would also find room for, this
being a sure bearer and the fruit large, keeping
fairly well. Marie Louise is simply indispens-
able, and this is one of the most valuable of all

Pears. Room ought to be found for several
trees of both this and Doyenne du Cornice,
both being reliable bearers, while good samples
of the latter fetch the highest prices in the
markets. Beurre Bachelier is a fine serviceable
variety, and Huyshe's Prince Consort rarely

Pear Doyenne Boussoch.

fails to do well. Beurre Diel proves excep-
tionally profitable, large old trees seldom fail-
ing to bear heavy crops of good-sized fruit, and
which, keeping till late in November, are
worth 3s. per dozen and upwards. It is the
late varieties that really pay best, even the
Vicar of Winkfield proving more profitable than
choice early sorts. Josephine de Malines,
Winter Nelis, and Beurre d'Aremberg are some-
what small for market, but they are well worthy
of a trial. The latter remark applies to Glou
Morceau (which spots badly), Olivier de Serres,
Beurre Ranee, Bergamotte d'Esperen, and Ne
Plus Meuris. W. Iggulden.

Morello Cherries for dessert. — In a season
like the present, when hardy fruits are scarce, a
few dishes of Morello Cherries kept late come in
very useful. This season I decided to hold over a
few dishes for dessert, and most useful they have
been. The Cherries I allowed to hang on the trees,
covering them with several thicknesses of fish
netting to help to keep them dry. They have kept
splendidly in this way, and I sent the last dish to
table on the last day in September. When allowed
to hang a long time Morello Cherries lose the
greater portion of their acidity and are really very
good for dessert. — Doeset.

Grape Lady Downshire I think this new

Grape, shown at the recent conference of the Eoyal
Horticultural Society, will prove a valuable late
white variety. A late white Grape with large
berries that will keep till the spring will un-
doubtedly be a great acquisition. Unfortunately,
the Grapes sent to Chiswick arrived too late for
the fruit committee, and the bunches shown were
not a fair test, as one had been grown in a small
pot for the purpose of testing it on its own roots,
and the other had been grown in a mixed house of
Haniburghs and other Grapes, and had either been
scalded or had suffered from the fumes of sulphur.
I hope next year this raiser will send bunches of
this Grape to test its merits, as I think it will un-
doubtedly prove a good late-keeping variety. We
do not expect the flavour of a Muscat of Alexandria
in a late-keeping Grape, and the raiser states it can
te kept without shrivelling till the May of the
following year. Being a thick-skinned kind, I do
not doubt it, as it is very firm, and possesses the
late-keeping qualities of its parents, the white Gros
Colman and Madresfield Court. Several who have
seen this Grape growing speak highly of it as a
late-keeping variety and for its free-bearing
qualities. Another point sometimes overlooked is
the way in which a Grape travels. As is well
known," some of the best kinds are the worst in this
respect, but in this case, after several changes both
in Ireland and on this side the water, the bunches
came without a blemish, therefore proving it gocd
for this purpose. The flavour also, a strong point
in a new Grape, should be good, but in this case a

368

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 18, 1890.

better comparison could be made if sent three or
four months later, and it could then be fairly
tested. It is surprising the large number of Gros
Colman grown for the market and the large number
sent packed to Chiswick (flavour certainly in these
cases does not count) ; therefore I think Lady
Downshire will take a leading position as a market
Grape. If to some tastes the ftarour is not first
rate, it is far ahead of that of some of our late-
keeping black Grapes.— G. Wythes.

ROOT-PRUNING AND TRANSPLANTING
FRUIT TREES.
At the present time I am busily engaged in these
operations. Although practical gardeners know
very well that the judicious pruning of the roots
of fruit trees is quite as essential as the pruning of
the branches, there are, nevertheless, many owners
of gardens and orchards who have no* idea of
the good results which follow this operation when
properly performed at intervals of about three years.
Really fruitful trees are produced and maintained as
much by root-pruning as by the annual summer
and winter pruning of the shoots. The slight check
which these timely prunings give to the trees is
conducive totheproduction of short-jointed growth
and the formation and consolidation of strong
healthy fruit-buds.

The operation of root-pruning should be per-
formed as soon after the crops have been gathered
as possible. A trench about 18 inches wide should
be opened at from 2 feet to 3 feet from the stem
of the individual trees, giving more or less accord-
ing to the size and life of the latter, and about the
same depth, working the soil out pretty weU from
underneath the roots with a view to severing any
tap or perpendicular ones that may be there, and
, cutting all those in the prescribed space clean away
in the operation. If the trees are vigorous and
the natural soil in which they are growing be good,
it may be returned to the trenches without addi-
tions of any kind being made. But, on the other
hand, should both trees and soil show signs of
debility the trenches should be filled in with good
mould, such as turfy loam, road parings, and road
scrapings, well mixed, and the results the following
and succeeding years will amply repay for the
trouble and labour taken. Old or stunted trees
should be grabbed up, and be replaced with healthy
ones, planting them in properly prepared holes and
good soil in the manner described below.

Tkaxsplaxtixg.— The first step to be taken in
this important, though simple operation is to open
the necessary number of holes for the reception of
the trees. These should have a clear space of a
foot or 15 inches all round after the trees are
placed in them. In preparing the pits all bad soil
— the bottom spit or two— should be thrown on
one side for subsequent removal, and the good on
the other for putting over the prepared soil. A
depth of 3 feet, including 9 inches of drainage,
will be ample. But if the situation should happen
to be a low one the depth of drainage should be
increased, so as to be above the water line. Plant-
ing the trees on mounds, clinkers, old bricks, or
stones broken fine ensures a very good drainage. If
stones are used, a barrowful of coarse gravel "should
be put on the top to fill in the chinks, following
this with a layer of turf Grass side down, or a few
inches thick of litter to prevent the drainage being
choked by the soil getting in amongst it. Then
put a few barrowfuls of the best loam obtain-
able into each hole in readiness for the trees being
placed thereon. This done, the young trees,
which, as in our own case, had been planted tem-
porarily between those occupying permanent posi-
tions against walls and elsewhere a year or two
ago with a view to their being lifted" to replace
trees showing signs of decay or exhaustion in other
parts of the garden as soon as the extended growth
of the permanent trees render their removal neces-
sary, should be carefully taken up by opening a
trench at from 2 feet to 3 feet from the stem of
the individual trees. Work the soil out all round
and from underneath the roots with a four-tined
fork, so as to enable three or four men to lift the

tree bodily with a good ball on to a strong mat or
hand-barrow for conveyance to its final posi-
tion. In planting make allowance for the
trees settling down a couple of inches with
the soil in the course of a few weeks from
time of planting. Cut clean away with a sharp
knife any portion of roots that may have got in-
jured in the process of lifting, then spread them
out over the surface of the bed with a slight in-
clination downwards, working the soil in well
among the roots in planting. This done, give
a good watering to settle the soil and lay
on a few inches thick of short manure as a mulch-
ing. The trees should be temporarily secured to
the wall, and those planted against a south wall
should be shaded for a week or so, and in the
absence of rain syringe two or three times a day
to retain the leaves on the trees as long as possible.
Trees thus planted produce better results the follow-
ing year than would be secured had the transplant-
ing been deferred till they had shed their leaves. Of
course, trees had from a distance must necessarily
be lifted and transplanted after they have shed
their leaves. H. W Wabd

Orchard trees. — It is often asserted that or-
chard fruit trees are injured byjpruning and ren-
dered unfruitful from that cause. This is too often
correct, but where the trees are judiciously manipu-
lated at the roots instead of the branches only,
good results must always accrue. We hear a good
deal at this season of great injury to trees and much
loss of fruit from the high winds, which often pre-
vail when Apples and Pears are about at their best.
The present season has (in our northern district)
during the first week of October been more stormy
than usual. It is very noticeable that where trees
are kept sturdy with branches stiff like stags' horns
no injury from wind has been sustained. Our trees
are very heavily laden with Apples, and the wind-
falls have been almost nil. It is also worthy of
note that the root-pruned trees, whose roots are well
up to the surface, which is enriched with manure
(artificial), are producing the best fruits, the size
and colour are vastly superior, and the foliage of
the trees is dark green. The wood is short and
stiff, well studded with fruit-buds for next season.
It is a good system to keep the roots upward by
forming an impenetrable barrier with brick and
mortar, &c, when planting is done. — M. T., Stir-
lingslure.

Hints to fruit growers. — Now that harvest
work and hop-picking are over, will you aUow me
to call the attention of fruit-growers to a few facts,
and to follow them up with hints for the producers'
benefit next season. Orchard fruit, generally, has
been a short crop this season : but the care given
by growers to greasing and washing has very sen-
sibly diminished the plague of caterpillars and
aphides. The trees look far more healthy than for
many years, while the heavy rains of the past sum-
mer have kept them growing freely, and much wood
has been buut up. Added to this, the trees carry
next to no crop (except in a few favoured spots) :
they are consequently in better health and condi-
tion than for many years, and this vigour has been
ripened by the glorious sunshine of the past three
weeks. Therefore, subject to the usual " if's " inci-
dental to fruit culture, and, without prophesying.
we may infer that 1891 will be a fruitful year — fo-
liage is good, buds are plump, wood is ripened, and
the roots are in good order — four necessary condi-
tions. In case of a heavy crop, only the finest
samples can sell freely at a good price, and I ven-
ture to suggest to growers that they should at once
(September and October) have their old orchards
examined ; all crossing boughs should be removed
and the heads of the trees be opened so that a man
can readily get his head and shoulders between the
branches, all dead wood should be cut out, as it can
be detected easily now that the leaves are on it.
Cherries should have all ''started "boughs (i e., those
split in gathering) cut clean away, as they gum
much less when pruned now, and the same remarks
apply to Plums. Boughs over 1 inch across should
be smoothed over with a sharp knife, and these cuts
will partially heal before Christmas. Should old

trees be over full of fruiting spurs they can be
thinned from the under boughs, and all prunings
should be gathered in a heap and burnt at once to
kill eggs of moths, &c., which generally choose loose
bark and cankered spots in which to lay their eggs.
By these means trees will still further perfect their
growth and the crop will become larger in size,
more clear in the skin than where these precautions
are not taken, and growers will secure a better
price — while the strain being less on the pruned
tree than on one that is not pruned, and consequently
full of useless wood and foliage, the chance of a
crop in 1892 is greater. Young orchards should
have the central spray (fine shoots) of the standard
trees cut away to ripen the necessary shoots, to
form a base for the future tree. These base shoots
should be left at full length and may be shortened
in February or March next. — Geobge Buxyabd,
Ma id stone.

NOTES ON STRAWBERRIES.

The following notes on Strawberries which
we are enabled to publish through the kindness
of our correspondents will doubtless prove in-
teresting to our readers. They have been sent
us from all parts of the United Kingdom. We
print the questions which we desired to have
answered : —

1. — Best lands for forcing and hearing.

2. — Best kinds for flavour.

3. — Vliat are your best early and late binds for
open-air culture ?

i — Wliat is your opinion of the new varieties that
have been lately sent out?

5. — Mode of cultivation, whether as single stools
or in beds.

We have no new varieties here. We grow

Pauline, Sir Joseph Paxton, President, Sir Charles
Napier, and Due de Malakoff. We had Vicomtesse
Herieart de Thury for a time, but it had a very bad
fault of dying off during the summer. Sometimes
we may find three or four in one row go off in a day,
or else I very much like it. La Grosse Sucre'e has
borne the best crops this year. The above are the
only sorts grown here. Pauline I force first, and
find it do remarkably well. I cannot call it hand-
some, but it is an excellent Strawberry for pot cul-
ture, having a very long fruit-stalk, which carries the
large fruit well away from the pot, and keeps it
free from the manure water. Due de Malakoff
comes next for forcing. It is an excellent Straw-
berry, of good colour and flavour, and firm for pack-
ing and travelling well. Not so large as Pauline,
but of better shape. Sir Joseph Paxton comes next,
and this I cannot speak too highly of for pot
culture and open air. I force Sir Charles Napier,
which is also an excellent Strawberry both in and
out of doors. Pauline does weU out of doors. —
Jajies Coombes, Eiiyleneld.

The best kinds for forcing are Princess

Frederick William and Auguste Nicaise : with these
two kinds a continuous supply can be easily main-
tained from the beginning of March till June. The
former is very early, medium in size, and of fair
flavour, while the latter possesses every good quality
as a mid-season and late forcing kind, and is not
surpassed, if equalled, by any other variety. For
open-air cultivation I grow but few Varieties, as I
have found from frequent trials that some kinds
will not succeed on our flinty, dry soil. The best
areNoble, Sir Joseph Paxton, Auguste Nicaise, James
Veitch. and Elton Pine ; and for preserving, I still
grow the Grove End Scarlet, which, although small,
is a prodigious bearer, very constant, and superior
to any other variety in colour and flavour. I have
tried but few of the new varieties. My mode of
cultivation is by planting every second or third
year either in beds or single stools 3 feet by 1 foot
G inches apart. I prefer the latter, as they are more
easily cleaned. I do not believe in heavily manur-
ing the ground when being prepared, as I find in
our damp valleys it tends to growth and not to
fruit. I find it more advantageous to change
the position frequently ; the ground receives a

light dressing of burnt earth, and is then trodden

Oct. 18, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

369

as firmly as possible before the plants are put out,
after which it is simply kept clean by frequent hoe-
ings. When growth commences in spring, a mulch-
ing of clean straw is placed between the rows, and
after the fruit is set two heavy drenchings of liquid
minure are given, and this is all the manuring the
plants receive. — T. C'hallis, Wilton House, Wilts.

The sorts we force are Noble, Keen's Seed-
ling, Sir Charles Napier, and Sir Joseph Paxton.
They are brought on in the order named above.
I tried Noble this year for the first time ; it gave a
fine crop of large fruit, but it is wanting in flavour.
Keen's and Sir Joseph I regard as the best
flavoured. The same sorts are grown out of doors,
with Black Prince as one of the earliest, but Noble
is probably quite as early from one-year runners ;
two-year-old plants ripen their fruit later. The
flavour is improved if grown on a south border with
slate under the bunches of fruit. The latest sort is
Frogmore Late Pine. We grow in rows 2 feet each
way from plant to plant.— J. GARLAND, Killerton,
Exeter.

The kinds of Strawberries grown here are

Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, Keen's Seedling,
President, Sir Charles Napier, and Dr. Hogg. Last
season I added a few of Laxton's Noble. I am so
pleased with its earliness and fine appearance, that I
shall plant a good batch of it in a warm position,
and shall be able to extend the outdoor Strawberry
season several days lonjer. I force Vicomtesse
Hericart de Thury for early work, finding this kind
sets best in an early vinery ; the other varieties fol-
low. The plants as hardened off are planted in a
new bed that has been deeply dug and manured
previously, in rows 2 feet G inches apart and 2 feet
from plant to plant. An old bed is broken up
every year after its third season of fruiting. The
others are cleared of runners and long mulchings
and pricked over, not dug deeply, as soon as conve
nient after all the fruit is picked, and a mulching
of short manure applied the first opportunity after.
I consider Dr. Hogg the best flavoured of the
above varieties, although all are good. It requires
a very sunny position here, and to have good fruit

it should be kept by some means off the ground.

Chas. Gibson, Harden. Park.

The varieties of Strawberries we prefer

for forcing are Keen's Seedling, President, Sir
Joseph Paxton, and Lucas, brought on in the order
named. We grow about fifteen varieties in the
open air. and consider King of the Earlies and
Keen's Seedling the best early kinds ; for late use
I would select Countess, Jubilee, and Waterloo. AVe
have now (August 2) Trollope's Victoria good. Al-
though rather a soft fruit, it was the best flavoured
of any we had during the wet weather ; but I con-
sider its lateness due more to being partly shaded.
We grow Grove End Scarlet for preserving, but as
the plants have a tendency to go off, I think this
sort will be superseded by King of the Earlies
which I find both good and abundant for that pur-
pose. It came in about the same time as Noble and
seems to do well on our heavy soil. As you invite
selection from the new varieties. I think Kino- 0f
the Earlies the most valuable; you can obtain some
fair-sized early fruit of good flavour for dessert, and
have an abundant cop left of smaller fruit for' pre-
serving. Jubilee I think will make a good late kind,
as it has the merit of continuing a longtime in bear-
ing. Lucas, Countess, and Waterloo are useful
additions, but Noble with us this season had
scarcely the flavour of a Strawberry. Our plan of
cultivation is in rows 3 feet apart and 18 inches be-
tween the plants in the rows, mostly on the three
years' system.— J. Willaed, Solly Lodge Gardens
Bighgccte, N.

I prefer Sir J. Paxton for forcing to any

that I have tried. I have grown Princess Royal for
forcing, and had fruits sixteen to the pound, but as a
rule I find none to beat Sir J. Paxton. ' A few
years ago I had fifteen varieties : I have now only
four for open-air culture — Sir J. Paxton, one of
the Presidents, Nimrod, and one nameless. I have
tried Garibaldi, but it was only a mass of foliage
with fruit like small marbles, "it was the last one
I threw away, although it was I think the best fla-
voured. I prefer to grow them in rows 3 feet apart

and 15 inches in the rows, single plants. I do not
dig between them, but in the winter I mulch them
with the coverings from the Vine borders, which
also serve to keep the fruit clean. I never keep
the plants over four years.— J. Cameeon, Saumarez
Lodge, Guernsey.

Among Strawberries, Vicomtesse Hericart

de Thury still beats all the new sorts as a perma-
nent cropper and heavy bearer. Noble has a good
appearance, but has no reputation for flavour. My
mode of Strawberry culture is to plant good runners
in August, three in a group and wide enough apart
to let the sun and air in all round each stool, which
prevents rotting in wet seasons and promotes fer-
tility. Crowded beds, so far as I have seen, never
bear so well. The season has been unusually cold
and unfavourable, with prevailing northerly winds,
and everything is late. — J. SIMPSON, Worthy Hall,
Sheffield.

Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury is much

grown for early work, and is a certain bearer. Noble
is earlier and larger, but the flavour is poor. John
Ruskin was the earliest of all this season, but only
a few plants were on trial. Keen's Seedling is still
one of the best flavoured. President has been the
heaviest cropper this season. Sir J. Paxton is one
of the best market varieties, being firm and bright
in appearance. Monstrosity is taking the place of
McMahon ; it bears a much heavier crop. Elton
Pine is largely grown for the latest. Helena Gloede
is large and coarse, and one of the latest ; for market
the runners are usually planted in the autumn ; in
some cases the spring is preferred. If the Straw-
berries are grown in beds they are planted 3 feet
by 18 inches apart, but if in rows 27 inches be-
tween the rows is considered sufficient. Straw-
berries are largely grown in this neighbourhood for
the Newcastle and other markets. — Geoege
Haeeis, Alnwick Castle, yorthumberland.

The newer varieties of Strawberries have

not been grown here, excepting a few plants of
Noble, and these were young and have not been
allowed to bear. For forcing we succeed best with
Keen's Seedling for first, followed by Vicomtesse
Hericart de Thury, La Grosse Sucree, Sir Joseph
Paxton, and President in the order named. It is,
however, necessary to have good early plants of
Keen's and to have them well ripened. We layer
on the fruiting pots. Vicomtesse and La Grosse
Sucree have been tried for first, but the former
has such short stalks when thus treated, and the
other produces a quantity of the largest flowers
with only a few anthers, and the fruits do not set
well in consequence. Later in spring they both
come better. Keen's is of excellent flavour if it
has sun and air when colouring, or at least for two
or three days before being gathered. President
comes very good in flavour just in advance of the
outdoor varieties, and the other three above named
are also liked. The same varieties are grown
outside with British Queen, but this is some-
what uncertain, some plants growing and fruiting
much better than others, although under the same
conditions. Keen's Seedling comes earliest and
fruits splendidly on plants not more than two or
three years old. Vicomtesse bears very heavy
crops, but comes rather small. It is brightly coloured,
and is not so quickly injured by rain as Keen's. It
is used extensively for preserving. La Grosse
Sucree bears heavy crops of large fruits outside,
but the plants grow somewhat irregular. Sir Joseph
Paxton and President succeed well, both producing
large fruits of fine flavour, especially the latter.
Sir Joseph Paxton has a rather large cone,
which is a little objectionable, but we cannot dis-
pense with this fine variety. These are all the
kinds fruiting, a few others being only on trial.
The plants are principally in a large open quarter :
one or two borders are also utilised. — J. Gaeeett,
Batsford Pari-. Gloucestershire.

I have found none so early as Noble ; the

fruit is very fine and plentiful, but the flavour is
very poor. Captain does not crop heavily here, and
the' flavour is inferior ; I shall not grow it. Keen's
Seedling is much better and earlier. Pauline is a
good early Strawberry, but it has no constitution
and will not pay to grow. Sabreur is a good useful

sort, very distinct both in foliage and fruit from
any other I am acquainted with ; it has a good con-
stitution, bears freely, and throws its fruit well
above the foliage. The best all-round sort I have
found is President : it always grows and bears
well, and the flavour is good. Sorts with British
Queen blood in them do no good on this soil. I do
not grow any very late kinds. Waterloo loses its
leaves very much in winter, and has not done much
here yet. I grow the plants in rows 3 feet apart
with 1 foot between each plant in the row. This
gives plenty of room for gathering. — R. Llotd,
Broohrood Asylum, Broohicood, Surrey.

Strawberries were a heavy crop and larger

in size than usual. President has been our stan-
dard sort here both for forcingand outdoors, but this
year Sir Joseph Paxton has proved the best in both
cases, being better coloured, as large, and as good
a cropper, at least indoors. Out of doors President
was a heavier crop, but very deficient in colour,
and did not stand the wet so well. These two
sorts with Keen's Seenling are our best forcing va-
rieties. This year I am goiDg to try King of the
Earlies. These with Dr. Hogg, James Veitch,
Duke of Athol. Noble, Latest of All, Loxford Hall
Seedling, and Eleanor are the sorts we grow. Duke
of Athol is a very large fruit, with more flavour than
Noble. Noble looks its name, hut it has no flavour
here. Latest of All is a very fine Strawberry, but it
has not proved itself a heavy cropper. Loxford
Hall is later in ripening, but it grows too rampant in
our soil. Eleanor is our best late variety. Keen's,
Dr. Hogg. President, Sir Joseph Paxton are the
best flavoured. I prefer the single stool system,
trimming the plants well in, and mulching between
them with short rotten manure, never digging. In
this way they yield heavy crops four and five years
in succession without being renewed. — Wm. Alex-
ander, Poles, Ware.

Orchids.

MILTONIAS.
I am in receipt of a remarkable gathering of
blooms of these plants from Sir. Shuttleworth, of
the firm of Messrs. Charlesworth and Shuttle-
worth, of Bradford and Clapham Park, amoDgst
them being some very fine forms of M. speeta-
bilis and M. Regnelli, although T do not see the
grand form known as Ruekers variely, or Reg-
nelli purpurea, which has an intense deep
purple lip.

The most remarkable of all these flowers
is the fine variety of M. Moreliana, figured in
The Garden, April 23, 1SS7, but all the forms
now before me, 1 believe, are darker than the va-
riety there shown. One variety in particular is re-
markable for its intense colour, the sepals and
petals being broad, of a deep shade of blackish,
purple, shaded with rich violet, and the lip
large and very dark, by far the richest coloured
variety which it has been my fortune to see.
Why are these plants so seldom seen now in
good condition 1 They last long in full beauty,
flower at a season when their colours are most
welcome, and the plants are dwarf and easily
grown into good specimens. They require a con-
siderable amount of heat to do them well, and
also good exposure to the sunlight, but yet it is this
exposure to the sun which, I think, has brought
them into disrepute, most growers having been
satisfied to expose them to full sun. This ex-
posure causes the leaves and bulbs to become a
bright orange-yellow. When so treated they
flower well, it is true, but the yellow appear-
ance of the plants is not an advantage. They
may, however, with very little trouble be grown
with fairly green foliage if a little care is given
them in the way of shading, and at the same
time giving them all the light possible, only
shading them from the fiercest of the sun:s rays.
These plants, too, like plenty of heat. I have

370

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 18, 1890.

never found the Cattleya house too warm for
them when growing, and have even cultivated
them in the East India house, giving them
plenty of moisture both to the roots and in the
atmosphere. Wsi. Hugh Gowbr.

Odontoglossum Krameri. — This was flower-
ing a short time since in the Cattleya house and
doing well, differing from the majority of the genus
in liking heat. It is a native of Costa Rica, being
found on the mountain slopes on the Pacific side,
but it is becoming exterminated, through the cut-
ting down of the forests where it grows. It is a very
pretty plant, which has been badly treated by
growers, through keeping it too cold in winter. We
have seen it thriving in a temperature of about 60°
in the winter months, whilst in the summer 10°
more will be acceptable. It must be kept somewhat
dryduringthe winter, but not sufficiently so to shrivel
the bulbs or leaves.

Oncidium heematochilum. — This rare species
is flowering now in the collection of Sir Trevor
Lawrence at Burford Lodge ; it has somewhat the
habit and appearance of O. Lanceanum, the large
leaves being thick.fleshy , and deep green spotted with
brown, but the flowers differ considerably, chiefly
in size, those of hreniatochilum being smaller.
The sepals and petals are greenish, tinged with
yellow, and the lip is deep blood colour, bordered
with yellow, through which are scattered numerous
spots of deep crimson. It is said to produce enor-
mous spikes of bloom when strong, and it likes
warmth, and therefore should be grown in the Cat-
tleya house and treated almost as a Cattleya.

Lselia "Wolstenholmiae (H. J. H). — I have
not seen a more beautiful variety of this for a long
time, and I cannot think why it is called a variety
of Lselia elegans. Thelip is of quite a different shape,
certainly having nothing in common with that
plant. It was first flowered by Mr. John Day
about twenty-five years ago, and named in compli-
ment to his sister. The sepals and petals are
white, having a marginal border of rosy purple,
the lip being scoop-shaped, spreading a little in
front, having no shapely defined side lobes as in
L. elegans ; the throat is white, with a deep purple
blotch at the base with a marginal and paler band,
the deep purple being carried up the throat through
the base in a narrow streak. It thrives well with
L. elegans and those kinds that like the heated end
of the Brazilian house.— G.

Dendrobium formosum giganteum. — T.
Ashby sends flowers of this plant, asking if they
are the same, some having a stain of lemon-yellow
in the throat, whilst others have a deep orange-
yellow blotch. He may rest assured they are the
same. It is a plant that appears to be blooming
very freely this season, and it is a great pity we
have not learned the secret of succeeding with
it year after year. Most of the Orchid growers
satisfy themselves with buying in spring newly
imported pieces which flower about once, and then
require renewing in a similar manner. Its lovely,
pure white blossoms are worth that trouble, but
will not this practice soon annihilate the species ?
It is abundant in Burmah and also in the Anda-
man Islands, but never grows at any elevation. In
the islands just mentioned it is said to grow in the
Mangrove swamps which line the coast. There are
some variations amongst it, but I consider a good
broad-petalled flower is superb. All are white, but
they vary in the colour of the blotch of yellow at
the base of the lip from very pale to dark yellow.
I have not been able to say if the different colours
came from different localities. I do not remember
to have seen this season many with the pale throats
with the exception of these sent me by T. Ashby.
— H. G.

Cattleya chrysotoxa Mr. Howard, of The

Grove, Teddington, sends me a very fine flower of
this, large in size, the sepals and petals rich yel-
low, the lip large, broadly margined in front with
deep velvety maroon, the back poHion freely
netted with gold. I consider it only an extra good
C. Dowiana. The box contains many other rich
and rare gems, amongst them being a grand flower

of Cattleya maxima. It is a very bright and well-
marked flower, evidently the variety known as
Backhouse's. It is a great pity more attention is
not paid to this plant, for although its name of
maxima stands for nothing, its season of blooming
and the bright rose-coloured flowers, veined with
purple and crimson, render it very useful. I know
it is often said to be difficult to manage, but that
could be overcome. Vanda tricolor superba from a
plant bearing three spikes, each bearing a dozen
flowers, was also sent. Then I have quantities of
Odontoglossum grande, andVanda ccerulea. There is
also an excellent form of Odontoglossum tripudians,
a species first found about forty years ago. It is
said to grow at various elevations, above 6000 feet
up to 9000 feet, and to flower more or less all the
year round. In this country, however, it has never
gained much favour. But such a variety as the one
now before me should endear it to all. — W. H. G.

Masdevallia Veitchiana grandiflora. — " A
Lover of these Gay Flowers " sends me a grand
bloom of the true form of this variety. Many
imagine that if they have an extra good form of
the plant they can call it grandiflora, but of the
true kind the Messrs. Veitch say : " It may be re-
cognised by the following characters : Upper sepal
densely and almost uniformly covered with crimson
papillae, whilst in the lateral two these are confined
entirely to the outer half, the inner half being of
the purest orange-scarlet, destitute of papilla?." The
flower now before me, besides being very large
and fleshy, corresponds with this description. It is
somewhat surprising that the flowers last such a
long time upon the plant, yet they do not appear
to stand any length of time when cut and placed
in water. This was one of the lucky finds of Pearce
in Peru, at upwards of 11,000 feet altitude, above
the timber line, and subjected to a considerable
range of temperature. The largest flowers were
produced by plants which were shaded. — W. H. G.

SHORT NOTES.— ORCHIDS.

Vanda Stella (Jf. £.). — I have a bloom under
this name, hut I really think it is the same as that of a
plant which I remember years ago as V. furva, the
flowers being of a uniform cinuamon-hrown. I have
never seen it called T. stella before. — W. H. G.

Miltonia (Odontoglossum) vexillaria. — A re-
markable flower of this species comes from Mr. Brown,
who has charge of Mr. White's collection at Arddar-
roch, near Helensburgh, N.B. It is of a very fine col-
our and of immeuse size. It is a very desirable plant,
especially for late flowering.

Leelia1 elegans. — A flower of this is sent by
Messrs. Seeger and Tropp, Dulwieh. It is an ex-
quisitely coloured form, the only fault being that it
is too small. The sepals aud petals are uarrow, but
the lip is broad, of a good size, and of rich, bright
velvety maroon, as also are the recurved tips of the
side lobes of the lip. — W. H. G.

Saccolataium Hendersonianum.— " M. L."
sends a very bright coloured variety of this exquisite
little gem. It has an erect spike, densely furnished
with flowers, the sepals and petals of which are of a
uniform rosy red, the small lip and spur being white.
The plant was first flowered, I believe, by Mr. O'Brien
when in charge of the Messrs. Henderson's collection
about the year^l874. It is a native of Borneo.

Zygopetalum ro stratum .—This is not so much
grown as formerly. It flowers [twice and sometimes
thrice in a season. The rhizome is creeping and the
plant dwarf, whilst the flowers are very large, the lip
being ovate and recurved at the tip, white, more or less
streaked with lines of bluish lilac. It likes consider-
able heat, and was recently flowering in Sir Trevor
Lawrence's collection.

D-ndrobium Macarthias — This is one of the
most beautiful Dendrobiums known, aud will probably
become exterminated before we have learned how to
grow it, as it does not appear to thrive uuder cultiva-
tion. It is flowering now in Sir Trevor Lawrence's
garden, but it would be best if it did not flower at this
season. It cannot form a growth in time to flower at
the next rainy season, as the month of May is called
in Ceylon, where it obtains the name of the Rainy
Month flower.

Odontoglossum bictonense (B. M. T.).—
Flowers of two varieties of this plant come for a name,
and one is the variety knowii as snlphureum, having the

sepals and petals pale yellow with a white lip, and the
other is album, the sepals and petals being dark brown
with a white lip. This plant, although not very showy,
is interesting, as being the first member of the genus
ever introduced to this country, about fifty years since.
Its name is derived from the seat of the Hon. Mark
Rolle at Bieton, where it first flowered. Itisusuallyan
autumn bloomer. — W. H. G.

Aerides LawreneiaB. — A fairly good spike, hav-
ing about a dozen flowers of a very large size and exqui-
site colour, comes from "C.B., Sheffield." Itisanoble
plant, varies considerably in colour, and was illustrated
by acoloured plate in The Garden, May 25, 1889. The
flowers now before me, compared with those of the
plate, are much larger and richer in colour. I
should say that it will develop into a magnificent
form. — G.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 775.

SINGLE WHITE MOUTAN P^ONY.

(with coloured plate.*)
The Tree Pfeony, which to my mind is one of
the noblest and most beautiful productions of
the florist, has so far met with comparatively
little attention in this country. There is no
denying that Tree Pseonies can be grown well in
many parts of England, and in proof of this,
Mrs. Abbott, Abbottsleigh, near Bristol, says
in The Garden : " The white Moutan Pfeony
of which I send you a photograph is 8 feet in
height and 12 yards in circumference, and dur-
ing a period of twenty-five years it has never
failed to produce annually several hundred
blooms." Moutan Paaonies are not fast-grow-
ing subjects, and the remark that they grow 1
foot and die back 2 feet every year is peculiarly
applicable in certain districts in England, al-
though I fancy that many of the failures expe-
rienced in growing this flower successfully
may be in a large measure attributed to the
altogether bad system of propagation. I refer
to the method of increasing Tree Paeonies by
grafting them on to the roots of the herbaceous
species, chiefly P. albiflora. This plan of pro-
pagating Tree Pjeonies was first suggested by
Mr. Knight in the first volume of the "Royal
Horticultural Society's Transactions," and al-
though it is said to have succeeded somewhat,
it was not sufficient to encourage the practice
generally. It seems on the face of it a very un-
practicable proceeding to graft what is really a
deciduous tree on to a jjlant with only annual
stems. It is doubtless a quick way of produc-
ing stock, but apart from the continual annoy-
ance of removing these herbaceous suckers, any
plants I have seen so manipulated have been
extremely unsatisfactory. 1 believe this prac-
tice is occasionally adopted even yet, and may
be one reason of the absence of large bushes one
remembers in bygone days. In many gardens
where varieties of the Tree Preony are grown
a system of covering with canvas all through
the spring is an easy way of securing the
first and best flowers, but it seems that Lif
the position most suitable to the plant be
chosen at the outset, much labour will be saved,
and success will not depend on the covering
being forgotten for one night. The finest
plants I have ever seen were grown behind a
cold north wall, well sheltered from east winds,
and where the foremost buds rarely made a
move until all danger of severe frosts was
past. Failure is often courted by covering up
the plants too soon, thereby exciting growth
when the nights are still cold and uncertain,
and increasing the risk of their being damaged.
Those of the Tree section, like the herbaceous

* Drawn for The Gabden by H. G. Moon from
flowers sent by Messrs. Kelway and Sons, Langport.
Lithographed and printed by Guillaume Severeyns.

IT '

rE MOUTAN P^EONY

Oct. 18, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

371

species, are gross feeders ; the soil in which they
are to be planted should be on the stiff side,
rich, deep, and well drained, so that copious
waterings may be given after growth has fairly
commenced. In 1820 no less than nine good
and distinct varieties of the Moutan Pasony
were known to florists, and to-day the varieties,
both single and double, may be counted by the
hundred. L. Paillet, of Paris, has been a
leader in the production of new Tree Pseonies
for many years, his stock consisting of all the
best known varieties, most of which have been
raised on the Continent. Many very beautiful
named forms have received first-class certificates
from the Horticultural .Society, amongst the
best of which are Carolina, Lord Macartney,
Louise Mouchelet, Madame Laflay, M. de Vatry,
odorata, Maria, Reine Elizabeth, a wonderful
flower of great beauty and substance ; Rinzi,
Triomphe de Milan, Urania, Zenobia, Reine des
Pays-Bas, La Ville de St. Denis, President
Mac'Mahon, and many others ; indeed one could
almost fill a page with names and still leave
some worth growing. As a pot plant for early

Messrs. Kelway & Sons, who sent the

specimen from which the plate was prepared,
send us the following notes : —

The plate represents one of the numerous seed-
lings raised in the nurseries at Langport. These
grand Preonies are a valuable addition to the in-
creasing class of hardy plants. All the varieties
are of a vigorous habit and well adapted for group-
ing or growing singly in borders. Although the
Tree Paaony has been introduced into this country
for upwards of 10U years, except in a few botanic
gardens or in the collection of some lover of hardy
plants, it was rarely seen until within the last 20
years. About this time we collected nearly all the
varieties then in commerce, and commenced sav-
ing seed and raising seedlings. The seed ripens
in September, and as the capsules burst it is
gathered and immediately sown in frames without
artificial heat. Some of the seed will vegetate the
following year. These seedlings are allowed to re-
main in the seed bed for two years. In the month
of October they are carefully planted out in well
enriched soil in drills 2 feet apart and 6 inches be-
tween each plant in the drills. They remain in
these beds for another two years, and are then

Tree P^ony in flower.

greenhouse work the Tree Poeony is excep-
tionally suitable ; it is, however, advisable to be
sparing with heat, as vigorous forcing weakens
the plants so much as to leave little hope of
their flowering the succeeding year. With gentle
forcing, taking care to well ripen the growth in
autumn, they do uncommonly well in pots, and
can be used year after year. They might, with
advantage, be planted out in conservatories,
but always as near the glass as possible. A
variety known to botanists as P. Moutan papa-
veracea was first imported to this country by
Captain James Pendergras in the Hope East
Indiaman for Sir Abraham Hume in 1802, and
first flowered in England in 1806. Sir Abra-
ham's plant seems to have attained large dimen-
sions, as about 1824 it is reported to have
formed a bush 7 feet high and something like
40 feet in circumference, and in the spring of
1824-25 produced 660 healthy flower-buds,
many of which were taken off to ensure greater
size in the remainder. Usually single-flowered,
it sometimes in certain seasons produces a
greater proportion of semi-double flowers, but
always in abundance. — D. K.

finally planted out 3 feet apart each way to bloom.
Those possessing superior merit are selected for
stock and propagated by grafting in the following
manner : First procure a sufficient quantity of tubers
of P. sinensis, cut these into lengths of about 6
inches, then take grafts from the sorts you wish to
increase, and insert these into the upper end of the
tuber in thej ordinary way of cleft-grafting, tie se-
curely, and cover the junction with grafting wax
so as to exclude the air. These should now be
potted into 5-inch pots, using a gpod rich compost ;
the pots should be plunged into frames unheated,
give a good watering and cover the frames with a
thin mat to partially exclude light. In the winter
they should have an extra mat to protect them from
severe frost. The best time to perform this opera-
tion is in the months of August and September.

Weeds. — The fine weather of the past few
weeks has enabled the terribly dense weed crop of
the summer to be combatted somewhat, and in pul-
ling, hoeing, forking, digging, and turning, a large
amount of labour has been utilised. The visitation
seems to have been due to the excessive rainfall of
the season, which, whilst promoting weed growth,
also prevented weed destruction. Thistles of all
kinds, especially of the annual form, have been

marvellously plentiful. I have never seen such a
crop of them as this year ; other crops which should
have been profitable have been literally smothered
by Thistles. Even when the plants are cut down
the seed will be left in the soil in great abundance,
and a legacy of trouble for future years has been
laid. It is in that respect the weed crop of the
present year bids fair to be remembered. We may
presently forget in better seasons what has been
the misfortunes of a past one, but the weed seeds
left in the soil in 1890 will give trouble for the
next ten years. Over large areas it has been found
needful to mow or reap the weeds, the crop having
been almost destroyed, and then scarify or plough in
the dwarf weeds. In smaller areas deep digging
seems to be the best method of destruction. A
great evil is found where land kept clean at
great cost of labour is close to other land which is
foul, for the seed crop of the latter is carried on to
the former, working serious mischief, and the
aggrieved cultivator has no relief. One exceeding
difficulty in getting up autumn crops from seeds
has been the abundance of weeds which have
sprung up at the same time, rendering cleaning at
once costly and troublesome. No doubt all these
I troubles will be surmounted in time, but the fact
shows that the mischief done to land cultivation by
a wet season does not end with that season's close.
—A. D.

INSECTS AND OTHER COLLECTIONS.
I AM convinced that the mere act of killing, when
very frequently repeated, produces in children a
habit of mind which is most undesirable. A kind
of hunting instinct is awakened, and repugnance
gives place to an evident satisfaction in pinning,
poisoning, or otherwise killing beetles, moths, or
flies. Anything done in the pursuit of science is
supposed to be justified ; and I fear that some very
questionable dealings with birds and insects are
tolerated by parents and teachers, because they are
passed off under the name of natural history. But
is it not manifest that in very much of the moth-
hunting, bird-catching, and other forms of " collect-
ing " which go on in schools the underlying motive
is far more the love of chasing something, or the
sporting and trapping instinct, than a genuine taste
for natural history ? I cherish a hope that insects,
at all events, do not suffer so much as we might
think when pinned or mutilated ; it is not, there-
fore, so much for the good of the victims that I
am now pleading as for the good of their tormen-
tors. Eepeated acts of killing, even of legitimate
killing in a legitimate manner, must produce an un-
desirable familiarity with the deed, from which
children should be protected as long as possi-
ble. When wasps abound, even to the extent
of being a plague, I always exhort people not
to let their children get into a way of perpetual
wasp-hunting. The nest should be found and de-
stroyed ; the one act of destroying a whole nest
at once is less hardening even to grown-up men
than the several hundred acts of killing which are
necessary if every individual wasp is to be
crushed on a window pane. Collections of eggs,
birds, insects, and such things are very great
aids to their proper study ; and when these
collections are properly made and securely stored, I
have not much to say against them. But my chief
charge against " collections" is that they often fail
in their primary aim, which is to teach natural his-
tory. When the objects are caught, killed, cabi-
neted, and catalogued, little more is thought about
them. They are not studied, and after a while they
are neglected and eventually spoiled. Of all the
good collections that I have known in my life,
made at the cost of much killing and pain, there is
scarcely one that now survives. Either the cam-
phor is not renewed or a moth lays eggs in the case,
which in due course hatch, and spoil the whole
collection ; and then the result of so many deaths
is utterly gone. Now, the point which I wish to
press home is this : although one good central col-
lection may be a great acquisition for every school
or town, yet there is a far better way of studying
natural objects than for every student to kill a
complete set for himself, and make his own private
collection. Let students be encouraged to describe

372

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 18, 1890.

and examine the ways and peculiarities of the liv-
ingcreatures themselves without hurting or frighten-
ing them. Birds and insects may be caught unhurt,
and after being carefully examined, and their
points described in the note-book, they should
be let go free. If birds be habitually fed on a
balcony or window-sill, their funny ways when un-
restrained may be watched by the hour through a
hole in the window-blind, so as to know far more
of their real dispositions than could be learnt from
the same birds if stuffed and kept in a glass case.
Again, a caterpillar — say that of the common Cab-
bage butterfly — may be fed and watched ; its
colour, surface, number of segments, length, its
horn and hairs (provided that it has any), its chry-
salis, colour, length, and shape, must be noted in
a book ; and finally, when the perfect insect ap-
pears, its shape and colour, its four spots, and an
attempt at a sketched outline, must be carefully
recorded, and then the insect must be set free.
The life of that butterfly is sacred at all events,
even though it does spoil a Cabbage, for it has
taught more real entomology than is usually learnt
from a whole cabinet of shrivelled and dusty insect
corpses. If a boy would make it a point of honour
to catch and not kill, to observe and not injure, to
handle and not hurt, all the living things around
him, and, having written their descriptions in his
note-book, then let them go free, he would soon be
a true naturalist, which the mere collector rarely
is ; Ills pleasure will be unstained with other's' pain ;
he will know how to use a " collection " when he
comes across one ; and he will be the man who
may live a long life and not find one hour of it hang
heavy. — Farm and Some.

Stove and Greenhouse.

CAPE PRIMROSES.
Stkeptocarpuses are well grown at Kew Gardens,
where they have been cultivated for some years,
and several good hybrids raised. Further improve-
ments in this most interesting family of plants
have been made by Messrs. Veitch and Sons, who
have had a splendid display during this summer
and autumn. The hybrids raised at the Chelsea
Nursery partake more of the character of S. biftorus
polyanthus in the habit of growth and foliage than
of any other kind with which I am acquainted.
This for general cultivation is a most important
improvement, for the very large leaves produced
quite close upon the pot are very apt to be injured.
The Chelsea hybrids are of a very neat, compact
growth with deep green and somewhat narrow
leaves ; the flower-spikes are produced very freely,
as many as fifteen to twenty-five upon a plant, each
spike the first season having from two to five blooms
upon a stem. The flower-spikes are thrown well
above the foliage, yet not high enough to require
support. The individual flowers are of good sub-
stance and last well, being also very graceful in
form, trumpet-shaped, widely open, and slightly
recurved at the mouth. In the varied colours of the
seedling plants there is an immense variety rang-
ing from pure white, through pale lavender, laven-
der blue, lilac-blue, light mauve, purple, violet,
bright rose, and red, to rich rosy-purple. The lower
segments are more or less marked or splashed with
long blotches or spots of various shades of purple,
generally shaded and relieved with white. These new
hybrids may be had in flower from June (or even
earlier upon older plants) until October without
difficulty. When not requiring seed my practice
has been to remove the flower-spikes as soon as
the flowers fade to prevent the plants being un-
duly weakened. During the growing season they
should be carefully watered, and when the pots
are well filled with roots, occasional applications
of liquid manure will be of use. As they cease to
flower in the autumn, water should be gradually
withheld, but do not make the mistake of drying
them off entirely or the plants will be considerably
weakened. The second season of growth will com-
mence about February, when the plants should be
repotted into pots one size larger if plants of extra
size are required, otherwise, by reducing the soil,
they may be still kept in a smaller size. Seedling

plants, if well grown, will fill a 1-inch pot the first
season, and make fine plants the second year in
larger pots. In raising from seed it is best to sow
in heat in January to gain as long a season as
possible. Prick off into pans as soon as fit to handle,
and thence onwards treat them as in the case of
seedling Gloxinias, only with less heat. When there
are a good number of young plants, four or five may
be grown in one pot, only of larger size, but the
chief portion will be found most useful when put
singly into small pots. Their position will be in the
front row of an arrangement of plants ; hence the
desirability of small pots. They should be kept
near the glass, but not too much exposed to direct
sunshine, or the foliage may be scorched. Seed-
ling plants when coming into flower will do well
in a greenhouse that is kept close at night ; later on
this will not, however, be necessary. Older plants
when fresh potted should be kept rather warm
until in fair growth, thence onwards the green-
house will suit them, but do not expose at any time
to excessive draughts of air. The soil the first
season should be rather lighter than in after years.
Give leaf-soil and peat, with some loam and plenty
of sand the first year, afterwards nearly all loam
and sand. I have tried to grow them from division,
but do not advise this plan to be adopted when
seedlings can be raised to any extent. In a cut
state I have found them useful for small vases by
themselves or for mixing with a few Gloxinia
blooms ; being of the same character, they associate
well together. For the conservatory and green-
house during the summer these improved forms of
the Cape Primrose will prove most valuable, being
not only of easy cultivation, but also distinct from
any of the Gesneraceous plants now grown in our
gardens. J. Hudson.

Thibaudia acuminata. — Tofurnishabackwall
in a greenhouse where there is not too much light
this South American evergreen shrub is of great
use, as it grows freely, has very neat ornamental
foliage, and plenty of it, while it will flower more
or less throughout the year. It belongs to the
Ericaceae, and does best in a soil principally com-
posed of fibrous peat, while ample drainage must
be given it if planted out, as it needs plenty of
water when growing. The leaves are about 2 inches
or 3 inches long, ovate, and of a dark green leathery
texture when mature, but when first expanded they
are prettily suffused with pink. The flowers are
borne principally on the ends of the shoots in short
racemes, and when in bud are covered by large
bright coloured bracts. The individual blooms are
tubular in shape and of a thick wax-like texture.
They are bright red, tipped with greenish white,
and have a peculiarly varnished appearance.
Cuttings of the young growing shoots strike
very easily if put in during the spring or
early summer and kept close till rooted. Planted
out in a well drained bed of peat under much the
same conditions as will suit the Lapageria, this Thi-
baudia grows very fast, and will soon cover a con-
siderable space. — T.

Planting' out seedling Gloxinias. — Having
a good stock of seedling Gloxinias last sprin
and no convenient place in which to grow them in
the houses for the first season, I resolved to see
how they would thrive if planted out in a cold pit
After the Allernantheras had been removed from
the pit, which had been prepared with some heat
six weeks previously, I put the Gloxinias into it
I am pleased to say that they have succeeded re-
markably well, better indeed than it would have
been possible to grow them in pots ; stronger bulbs
have been thus obtained than under pot cultivation.
These should prove good material for starting early
next year to provide a supply of cut flowers, for
which purpose they are mostly required. The growth
made in the pit this summer has been very dwarf
and robust, the plants looking fully a year older
than they are. The individual leaves are of un-
usual size, and quantities of flowers have been pro-
duced for quite three months ; just recently the
buds which were advancing have been picked off
to strengthen the bulbs, otherwise they would have
been in flower at the present time. No particular

pains were taken with the soil previous to planting
nor since, beyond throwing over the glass during
bright sunshine a light scrim shading. The pit
was freely ventilated during the daytime and only
closed at night. This plan of growing seedlings
for the first year is worthy of careful considera-
tion, and those who may have a suitable pit at
liberty should give the plan a trial another season.
In some places and under disadvantageous condi-
tions Gloxinias are often attacked by thiips and
other diseases. Where any difficulty is thus ex-
perienced, with young stock in particular, planting
out, I feel fully persuaded, will be beneficial ; it is
a saving of labour in watering also, and that, too,
is a consideration. There is no danger of the plants
being at any time extremely dry at the roots with
possible premature ripening of the bulbs. — J. H.

UNCOMMON FUCHSIAS.
Year after year so-called new varieties of Fuchsias
appear, many of which differ little, if at all, except
in name, from others already in cultivation, while
the true species, or some of the earlier hybrids, are
very beautiful, and quite distinct from anything
else we have in our gardens. A few of them may
be induced to flower well on into the winter or in
early spring. One of the most valuable in this
respect is Dominiana, a cross between the two
South American species, F. serratifolia and F.
spectabilis. This variety, one of Mr. Dominy's
earlier hybrids, was raised at Messrs. Veitch's nur-
sery at Exeter in 1852, and for some years was
very popular, but it has now almost dropped out of
cultivation. It is a free, somewhat upright grow-
ing kind, with deep green foliage and long-tubed
red blossoms. This variety seldom flowers freely
when small, but is very beautiful when grown to a
good size. As a pillar plant in a warm green-
house it will, under favourable conditions, flower
more or less throughout the year. The Mexican
F. splendens is just now coming into bloom. The
flowers are bright scarlet, tipped with green, and
like those of some of the Correas in shape. They
are remarkable by reason of their peculiar colour-
ing. The summer-flowering F. corymbiflora, with
its massive clusters of long pendulous blossoms, is
a grand plant for a large conservatory, where it
will bloom for months together. Fuchsia fulgens,
with vermilion-red blossoms, which was introduced
from Mexico sixty years ago, is very ornamental,
and one of the parents of the garden variety Earl
of Beaconsfield, that is now so popular as a market
plant. This last was the result of crossing F. ful-
gens with one of the florists' Fuchsias. There are
three species with tiny leaves and equally minia-
ture blossoms, which are, however, borne in such
profusion that the entire specimen is quite a mass
of bloom. These species are F. microphylla, bacil-
laris, and thymifolia, all of which are well worth
growing, especially in small glass structures. F.
thymifolia is the most vigorous grower of the
three, but the blossoms are as small as those of the
others. Bushes of F. microphylla not more than a
foot high will flower with great freedom. F. bacil-
laris is remarkable for the unusual width of its
petals. The old, lost, and re-introduced F. tri-
phylla should find a place in every garden where
flowering plants are required. It forms a neat
little bush clothed with dark coloured foliage, and
bears its bright orange-scarlet-coloured flowers in
clusters on the upper parts of the shoots. This
has been flowering for the last three months, and
is still in bloom. F. dependens is one of the finest
roof plants we possess, and where trained in this
manner it will flower throughout the summer. The
most distinct of all the species of Fuchsia is un-
doubtedly F. procumbens, which should be grown
in a suspended basket. The flowers are curious,
but not showy, and the fruits form the more orna-
mental feature. They are large, oblong in shape,
and of a magenta-crimson colour. This peculiar
Fuchsia is a native of New Zealand, nearly all the
other species being American.

There are several hardy varieties, which in
favoured districts of England grow to a large size,
but even where they are cut to the ground every
year Fuchsias of this class are very ornamental

Oct. 18, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

373

during the latter part of the summer. One of the
best of this section is Riccartoni. There is a dwarf
form of this which is little known, yet it is a beauti-
ful, free-flowering Fuchsia. The old corallina, or
exoniensis, is another desirable member of this
class, and so are F. gracilis and F. globosa.

H. P.

SHORT NOTES.— STOVE AND GREENHOUSE.

Fieldia australis. — This is a Gesneraceous
plant and a climber. It has solitary flowers, which
are tubular, of a pale greenish yellow colour, and
not remarkable for beauty. I used to have the plant
under my charge in the collection at Kew in 1862, hut
1 am not aware that it is now to be found. — W.

Croton Memphis.— This is a bold, free-growing
variety with lanceolate leaves, each about lh inches in
width. When young, the colouring of the leaves is pale
green, blotched irregularly with yellow, hut as they ma-
ture the green becomes of a deep olive, the yellow
changes to rich orange marked with crimson, which
colour at last heavily suffuses the whole leaf. — H. P.

Tapeinotes Carolinae.— This was, I think, in-
troduced by Mr. Bull, of Chelsea, early in the years
1862-3 ; the leaves are very dark green above and red-
dish purple beneath, the flowers being borne singly,
the tube white and somewhat twisted, and hairy be-
neath. It is a dwarf-growing plant and, like all the
known members of the genus, a native of Brazil, but
from what part of that country I am unable to say.
It enjovs heat and moisture and requires a well-drained
soil.— W. H. G.

THE WEEK'S "WORK.

PLANT HOUSES.

Bulbs. — Hyacinths. — One great point in forcing
bulbs is to have them potted early enough. If the
bulbs are kept out of the soil after they should be
growing naturally, it interferes with their flowering.
In the forcing of Hyacinths when the spike is ma-
tured, a small bit at the extremity which has
turned brown may often be seen. This, if closely
examined, will be found to consist of several pips
that have failed to come on with the others that
compose the spikes. When this happens it is a
proof that the plants have experienced some check.
In the cultivation of bulbs in pots, especially Hya-
cinths, it is a mistake to suppose that the amount
of bloom that will be produced is almost wholly
dependent on the strength of the bulbs and the
thorough completion of the ripening process they
have undergone in the season previous to their im-
portation, and that the character of the soil that is
used for potting them in is of little consequence.
But the better the material in which the plants are
grown the better will be the spikes and the finer
the individual flowers. Experience has taught me
that the quality of the soil has more to do with
the production of fine spikes than the quantity ;
hence there is no need for such large pots as are
often used. Five-inch or 6-inch pots are big enough
for the largest and best ripened bulbs. The best
brown loam, that contains plenty of vegetable mat-
ter, with a liberal addition of rotten manure passed
through a fine sieve, so that it can be evenly mixed
with the loam, adding sand in proportion to the
light or heavy nature of the loam, is the material
required. The drainage must be sufficient, but
it is not needful to use so many crocks as required
by plants of a permanent character. Press the soil
so as to make it moderately solid in the pots. In
the case of Hyacinths that are wanted in bloom at
the beginning of thenewyear, no time shouldbe lost
in getting them potted. Those that are intended
to come in during the spring may be potted about
the beginning of the ensuing month. Whatever is
used for plunging in, enough should be put under
the pots to prevent worms getting in through the
bottoms, or they will give trouble. Four inches of
the material should be laid over the pots. An open
place out of doors away from trees is preferable to
standing the bulbs in frames or open sheds. For
the first batch none but the earliest varieties should
be used. Through the indiscriminate use of early

and of later sorts it often happens that disappoint-
ment ensues.

Narcissus, Paper- white. — This is still the
favourite variety for early work. Soil such as re-
commended for the Hyacinths is requisite. As
many may be put in each pot as can be got in
without crowding. A few of the larger varieties
of the bunch-flowered section may also now be
potted ; they will come on in succession after the
smaller sort is over.

Narcissus poeticus ornatus. — This variety
produces its beautiful flowers earlier than the
others of the section. A sufficient quantity should
be potted to give a plentiful supply of bloom. The
bulbs are cheap, and the character of the flowers
is such that they can be used freely in most ar-
rangements of cut bloom. When required for this
purpose alone, small boxes about 7 inches or 8
inches deep may be used in place of pots, to which
they are preferable, as a larger number of flowers
can be grown in a given space. The boxes must
have enough holes in the bottom to admit of the
water passing freely off, and the drainage requires
to be sufficient. About an inch or a little more
should be allowed between each bulb and its neigh-
bour. Where the forcing is carried out in light
houses, with the tops of the plants near the glass,
this is enough. In private gardens where the
structures are often less calculated to afford the
light requisite, the bulbs should have more room,
otherwise the foliage and the flower-stems will
come drawn and weak, a condition that is not con-
ducive to endurance in the flowers.

Scillas And Snowdrops. — The natural disposi-
tion in these bulbs to bloom early should gain
them more attention. The bulbs do well mixed in
the pots ; in this way the white and the blue
flowers have a nice effect. For occupying a place
in the front of larger things in a conservatory or a
greenhouse or for room decoration these are also
suitable. In C-inch pots two or three of the bulbs
of the Scillas and a row of the Snowdrops round
them make a pretty combination. They are better
for not being too much hurried in a high tempera-
ture. When pushed on too quickly the leaves of
the flowers are drawn. After potting, treat as ad-
vised for the Hyacinths. The principal thing to
aim at in the forcing of these, as of all other bulbs,
is to secure plenty of roots before the forcing is
attempted.

Begonias, tuberous-rooted.— One of the most
accommodating properties which this section of
Begonias presents is the long succession of flowers
that can be had by starting the roots at different
times. The plants that began to bloom early in
spring and that were helped to rest by a reduction
of water in the first instance, and by discontinuing
it altogether later on, will now have lost their tops
and be in a condition for storing away for the
winter. It is not necessary to be so particular
about their winter quarters as was generally sup-
posed when the tuberous sorts first became known
A moderately dry place where the frost can be kept
out, such as a cellar with enough dry straw or
other material over them, is all they require. Plants
that were started later with a view to have them
in bloom during the autumn and up to the end of
the year should have a light position in a house or
pit where a temperature warmer than that of an
ordinary greenhouse is kept up, for on the amount
of growth that continues to be made depends the
quantity of bloom they will produce.

Cannas. — The varieties of these plants that have
appeared' in recent years are great improvements
on those of older date, not only in the dwarfer,
more manageable habit of the plants, but equally so
in the character of their flowers. For conservatory
decoration associated with the more common
bushy-headed subjects they are invaluable. The
fact of their occupying little room in winter is a
consideration worth taking into account. As the
stems and leaves show signs of going to rest, re-
duce the water supply until the tops are gone, after
which the soil should be kept in a half dry state
until the time for again starting into growth comes
round.
Stove.— Eucharis amazonica. — Where the

plants have made satisfactory growth since the
time when they last flowered, they should have a
rest to prepare them for again blooming. The
usual means by which a condition to flower is
brought about is by somewhat cooler treatment, ac-
companied by a drier state of the roots. In effect-
ing this at a time when the weather is daily getting
cooler, it is necessary not to allow the plants to
remain long in a temperature that is lower than
they can bear, as if this happens the roots are in
danger of suffering. When damage occurs in this
way, not only will it destroy all chance of their
flowering at the time they are wanted to come in,
but it will be necessary for them to again go
through a period of growth in order to repair the
damage. A word of caution to those who are for-
tunate enough to possess a stock of strong, healthy
plants may not be out of place. That is, not to
work them too hard by attempting to flower them
oftener than they can bear. Not a few fine stocks
of this Eucharis have been much impoverished
by subjecting them to what at best is an un-
natural process. If, in addition to moderate reduc-
tion in the temperature with a drier condition of
the roots, the plants can be kept for the next two
months in a drier atmosphere, without letting in
more cold air than is desirable, this will do much
to further a disposition to flower.

Begonias, fibrous-rooted, winter-flower-
ing.— Plants that have been kept in greenhouses
and pits during the summer should now be moved
to warmer quarters, for though this is not neces-
sary to preserve their health, still an intermediate
heat is requisite to enable them to produce the full
amount of flower they are capable of. If the
plants have filled their pots with roots, manure
water should be given regularly through the winter.
When kept in a temperature that induces the
plants to grow freely stand them as near the glass
as they can be got. Without this the shoots
become weak, and the flowers are of little service
for cutting, which is the chief purpose they are
useful for in the winter. T. B.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.
Asparagus Chicory. — This will have been grown
in many gardens this season for the first time, and
in all probability is not an unqualified success. Our
seed was sown early in May, or at the same time as
the ordinary Chicory, but evidently this was far too
early, as the plants commenced pushing up strong
flower-stems by midsummer. At this early date,
other vegetables being plentiful, there was no de-
mand for the Asparagus Chicory, and to all appear-
ances this new vegetable was a failure. Some were
allowed to flower, and others were cut hard back to
induce them to push up late shoots. As it happens,
it is those not interfered with that are now pushing
up young shoots the most freely, and on the whole
they are fairly well appreciated. To have them at
their best these shoots should be cut before they
are far advanced in growth, those about 6 inches in
length being fairly solid and succulent. Later on
the shoots if uncut become harder and hollow, in
which state they are of no value. Those plants
given the most room are pushing up shoots freely,
and the probability is if these are cut frequently
other successional crops will follow. Next year the
seed will not be sown before June, a successional
sowing being made in July.

Common Chicory or Witloof. — This, unlike
the foregoing, does not so quickly push up flower-
stems, and is required later on for furnishing
blanched tops for mixing in salads. The present
top growth, and which is much stronger than usual,
is of no value, but it ought not to be too quickly
destroyed. It is not advisable to interfere with the
strong Parsnip-like roots till frost has crippled the
top growth, and there is no real necessity to lift and
store the roots at any time, unless it be for the pur-
pose of getting the ground cleared and prepared for
other crops. The usual plan is to lift late in Oc-
tober, and after the tops are twisted off to store the
roots in a cool shed or in any convenient position
where they can be had as wanted for introducing
into heat. Either a heated Mushroom house or a
warm dark cellar is about the best place for fore-

374

THE GAKDEN.

[Oct. 18, 1890.

ing Chicory, the roots in such positions pushing up
abundance of well blanched and somewhat bitter
leaves. Chicory may also be blanched where
grown, the crowns being covered with flower-pots
and these mounded over with soil.

Beet. — This is both abundant and good in
quality, and will well repay for being taken care of.
The roots are far from being hardy, as should they
be exposed to a severe frost this will both impair
their keeping qualities and spoil their flavour. If
left where they are grown some kind of protec-
tion must be afforded, or a severe frost will spoil
the crop. Much may be done towards preserving
the roots by banking these well over with fresh
leaves, and it is found that roots thus preserved are
more tender and richer in colour than those lifted
and stored in the ordinary manner. From the
present time to the end of October is the best for
lifting and storing Beet, and the work cannot well
be done too carefully. If any of the larger roots
are broken, bleeding follows, and the colour is spoilt
accordingly. Fork them out of the ground, and
trim off the foliage well clear of the roots. Stored
in a dry place, the roots are liable to shrivel badly.
They keep well when packed in sand or fine soil in
either a cool cellar or outhouse, and still better
when stored in a heap in a dry place under trees or
otherwise. In the latter case the crowns should be
arranged outwardly, a conical heap being formed,
this being covered with straw and then heavily
soiled over.

Caebots— The time for lifting and storing the
main crop of Carrots is now at hand. All ought to
be forked out of the ground, the tap roots being
broken as little as possible, this being especially
necessary where Carrots are found to keep badly.
The coarsest and badly cracked roots may well
be sent to the stables, cooks rarely caring to use
these, and the rest should have their tops trimmed
off just clear of the crown. Unless either packed
in sand or fine soil, the roots shrivel and keep
badly, a cool, dry shed being perhaps the best place
io which to form the heaps. Carrots will also keep
well when stored in heaps in a dry open place,
being covered in this case with a good thickness
of soil. Late-sown Carrrots ought not to be pulled
before they are required for use. Left undisturbed
they continue to increase in size, and the roots are
always the most tender and sweet when drawn just
prior to use. If a portion of the bed is covered
with litter prior to severe frosts, the roots can be
drawn during a spell of severe weather.

Tuenips.— There ought to be no scarcity of Tur-
nips this season, the later sowings having had very
favourable weather to bring them well forward.
Most of the varieties are fairly hardy, and storing
is generally resorted to more with a view to the
prevention of the roots pushing up flowering stems
than as a safeguard against frosts. The end of
October is quite soon enough to store Turnips. Any
crowded at the present time ought to be thinned
out, or otherwise the roots will be small. Early
Milan, Early Munich, and Snowball are the worst
keepers, and these, therefore, should be the first used,
reserving Veitch's Red Globe, Orange Jelly, White
Stone, and Chirk Castle Black Stone for winter and
spring consumption. The last-named is the best of
all as regards quality, and this ought to be more
often sent to the dining- table as a vegetable, the
other varieties being mostly used for flavouring
soups.

Othee boot ceops.— Jerusalem Artichokes and
Parsnips keep best where they are, the roots being
lifted as they are required for use. In order to be
certain of being able to dig them up whenever
•wanted, a portion of the beds must be covered with
a good thickness of litter in anticipation of a severe
frost, but no protection is needed as far as the
roots are concerned. Salsafy and Scorzonera also
keep much better when left undisturbed in
the ground, some straw being thrown over a
portion of them for the reason given in the
case of Parsnips. Should it be desirable to clear
the ground early of either of these crops, the roots
ought to be carefully forked out, the tops lightly
trimmed off, and all be bedded into sand or soil in
■a cool place. Cover with litter whenever severe

frosts are imminent. Potatoes that have been
heavily moulded over will keep quite as well, and
sometimes even better, than those lifted and stored.
A severe frost would doubtless reach many of the
tubers, but these would thaw gradually and the
quality be uninjured. Any that are lifted must be
kept perfectly dark, or otherwise the flavour will
soon become far too strong to be agreeable.

W. I.

Flower Garden.

MICHAELMAS DAISIES FROM SEED.
If I were asked how growers of hardy plants
might best turn to account the unusual sun-
shine of this autumn, I might perhaps say by
saving seed of plants which seldom ripen seed
in England, particularly of Michaelmas Daisies.
These flowers are only beginning to be properly
estimated by gardeners. There are many orna-
mental kinds, some belonging to species, some
nondescript, but as a class they are capable of
improvement, and are worth improving. Some
of our best have originated in English gardens,
perhaps by accident, as their history is not
known. Whether they are garden develop-
ments of particular species having a natural
power of variableness and improvement in cul-
tivation, or arise from a mixture of closely
allied kinds, is a question which Asa Gray him-
self could not answer when he saw them in
flower during his last visit to England. How-
ever this may be, it is worth while to attempt
progress by raising and selecting seedlings from
the best flowers we have. Nearly all of them
will ripen seed in such a season as this, when
bees find more attraction in October than they
found in July, and when several plants which
were unable to set their first crop of seed have
flowered again with a better result. The first
good sign is to see a good crop of down spread-
ing on the fertilised flower-heads ; seed is then fit
to gather, and though on examination it may be
difficult to find a plump akene, there will often
be some which escape notice, and if the seed
is sown thickly, at least a few seedlings may be
expected. Every gardener has his favourite
Michaelmas Daisies, which he should wish to
improve, and if fifty of us would each sow a few
square yards of spare soil with them, we might
expect perhaps half a dozen worth perpetuating
out of all the fifty lots. The best results would
be likely to be found where selected kinds are
grown near together in the same border, as I
have more than once seen decided evidence of a
cross between two adjacent plants. We want
such forms as a pure white A. Amellus, a sky-
blue Novi-Belgii, a pink Nov;e-Anglite not more
than a foot high , which can hold itself up with-
out a support. We already have in one species (A.
versicolor) different forms from over C feet high
to less than G inches, and these include the best
white Michaelmas Daisies we have, but nearly
all go off into a tinge of purple, which rather
spoils their looks. I have raised several excel-
lent seedlings in this class, the parent being a
variety about 2 feet high, sold in nurseries as dis-
color major. My collection of Michaelmas Daisies
is now reduced by elimination from over 100 to
about 40 varieties, but all are good, and I
seldom meet with an improvement on any. I
wish I knew where to look for it.

Edge Hall. C. Woliey Dod.

The Belladonna Iiily.— As stated in The
Gaeden, October 4 (p. 313), this Cape bulb has
been magnificent at Kew this season. A plant of
such easy culture as this, one would expect to find
in almost every garden, but it is not so. The best
place for the Belladonna is a narrow border along
the south gide pf a warrn house, such as tha,t fit

Kew. It is necessary that the border be well
drained, as then the bulbs will be thoroughly
ripened — the one thing essential to ensure a good
display of flower. The best soil is a rather sandy
loam, which at planting may be enriched by some
well decayed manure. In cold heavy soils it will
be necessary to prepare the compost in which to
plant the bulbs, and whether any of the natural
soil is used will depend upon its nature. If neces-
sary, a good layer of brick rubble may be placed in
the bottom of the border to ensure drainage. I
prefer July to transplant the Belladonna, as the
bulbs are then at rest. Transplanting, however,
should be avoided wherever possible, unless it is to
form a new border, as the longer the bulbs remain
undisturbed the greater will be the wealth of
blossoms. The flowers if cut just as they are about
to expand will open well in water. — H. P.

HARDINESS OF PLANTS.

What constitutes hardiness ? and who is to deter-
mine whether a plant or bulb is hardy or not ?
There must be, of course, even in the limited space
of our tight little island many a plant which will
grow vigorously with Mr. Ewbank at Ryde and
fail miserably with Mr. Woliey Dod in Cheshire.
This may not be for want of ability to with-
stand frost, but because in the one case soil and
climate are favourable, in the other just the reverse,
and therefore it is not with hardiness in this sense
I have to write now, but in the power of resisting
frost. Here again, Mr. Ewbank will write down as
hardy many a plant or bulb that in the north of
England it would be absurd to class as such, but
that is simply because the frosts are not so severe
there, and the question is really, how many degrees
of frost must a plant be able to resist in order to
deserve the title of hardy ?

The occasion for writing this is as follows : I
took to the floral committee of the Royal Horticul-
tural Society some blooms of Lemoine's and
Souchet's seedlings of what is called the purpureo-
auratus strain, which Lemoine styles Gladiolus
hybridus Lemoinei, or Glaieuls hybrides, rmtiques
a grand macules, and Souchet simply Glaieuls ii
grandes macules. It was a matter of the most
supreme indifference to me whether they were
noticed or not, but I was anxious to let others
know that there was a race of hardy Gladioli which
were approaching in beauty to the splendid ganda-
vensis strain of Souchet in France, arid Kelway in
our own country. I am not in the trade, and so I
was not the raiser, so could gain no merit by any
award or any benefit thereby. I believe the
committee thought them very pretty, but not equal
to the gandavensis section (this, of course, I know),
but decided that they were not hardy, and to this
I take exception.

M. Lemoine thus speaks: " One knows how to ap-
preciate now these two fundamental qualities — en
one side, the richness of the spots and the variety
of their colours, and on the other hand, a vigour
and hardiness which permit them to be cultivated
in soils where the varieties of gandavensis do not
always give good results, and to keep them in the
open ground under a light covering in the most
severe winters." It may be said this is such of
France ; true, and in the north-east of France,
at any rate, the frosts are much more severe
than in England. Some years ago I visited
Fontainebleau,and thewhole forest looked as if the
German armies had been trying artillery practice at
thetrees; they were split and charred in all directions,
and it was stated that the destruction was of a most
wholesale character. This arose from the severe ficst
or " verglas " of the preceding winter, and never
have I seen in England anything like it, and I cr.n
quite understand how difficult it must be to grow
anything without some kind of protection, and so
I have found that while they require to cover their
bulbs of the hardy hybrid Amaryllis seedlings frcm
vittata with a thick covering of leaves, I can grow
them here in Kent, which is by no means a mild
county, without any such protection.

Since I wrote these lines M. Lemoine fils has
favoured me with his views upon the subject of his

Oct. IS, 1890.]

THE GAUDEN.

375

Lemoinei and Nanceanus types, and has fully corro-
borated my statements that the north-east portion of
France is much colder than the southern half of
our kingdom, and probably than any portion of
it. It is well known that so far north as Wig-
tonshire, in the south-western corner of Scot-
land, there is a mildness which we in vain
look for in the eastern or south-eastern portions of
England. It has been said, " Yes, these and other
things are hardy until you get a severe winter,
when they all perish." Yes, and in such winters
Apple and Plum tress have been split by the frost
and perished.

What then, I would ask in no querulous spirit,
but with a desire for information, is the amount of
resistance which entitles a plant to be called
hardy ? Delta.

Viola Muubyaua.— This is an Algerian spe-
cies, and although not common a very pretty Viola.
It is one of the earliest to flower, as it is often in
bloom in February, and from March to June it con-
tinues to bloom with great profusion. A group in
the flower garden has been in bloom more or less
throughout the summer, owing probably to its com-
parative coolness and abundance of rain. It is an
exceedingly free grower, making wide-spreading
tufts which can be divided into numerous pieces.
The flowers are rather larger than those of V. cor-
nuta, and of a deep purple and blue colour. — H.

The double Poet's Narcissus. —The withering
in the spathe, always I think at the same stage of de-
velopment of the buds, of the double Poet's Narcissus
has been written about by many gardeners. On this
strong clay subsoil it so rarely happens, that I have
had little opportunity of investigating the cause.
My theory that it is due to the heating of vapour
enclosed in the air-tight spathe has been suffi-
ciently refuted by the failure in many cases where
it has been tried of the remedy I have suggested.
I am quite sure that cold is not the cause, or my
garden would suffer more than others, being very
liable to severe frosts in spring. Mr. Jenkins is
probably right when he suggests that failure of
sufficient moisture at the root at the critical time
of flower development is the cause. When first I
came into Cheshire the flower borders here con-
sisted of the natural soil, very little modified and
entirely undrained. The soil is stiff brick-clay, miry
in winter, and cracking wide in a dry summer. Few
plants would live in it, but this Narcissus flourished
everywhere ; clumps went on spreading and the
bulbs multiplying for many years without division
and flowering freely, the bulbs being many of them
as large as hen's eggs. A blind bud I never recollect
seeing at all in those days. Since I have drained
the borders and lightened the soil, though the
bulbs still do well and flower freely, I have never
had them so fine as before. I believe soil cannot be
too strong for them. When I lived at Eton, in the
gravelly Thames valley, the buds used to go blind
often on a border drawn by the roots of Elm trees,
with a western aspect and rather shady, but hardly
ever on a border facing east, free from shade and
roots, and in better soil. — C. Wolley Dod, Edge
Hall, Mcdpas.

Dahlias at Maidenhead..— One of the leading
flowers in the nursery of Mr. Such at Maidenhead
is the Dahlia. Upwards of three acres are covered
with it, and all sections are grown — show, fancy,
Cactus, pompon, and single, but only the best in
each division. Immense quantities of bloom are
cut for Covent Garden Market, and on the morn-
ing of the day we were there no less than 21,000
flowers had been gathered, although the season of
the Dahlia was fast drawing to a close. In such a
breadth as this it is not difficult to pick out a few
kinds that are good garden flowers, and we must
seek more closely for these amongst the pompon
and Cactus varieties. The show flowers are striking,
but the blooms seem too heavy for the stems ;
hence they hang their heads and lose in effective-
ness, unlike the single and pompon flowers, which
stand boldly on sturdy erect stems. Such a dis-
play as this also shows the folly of making the
flowers "big" for no other reason than to create an
impression at the exhibitions. The Cactus varie-

ties represent the best in cultivation, and we were
struck with the effectiveness of Annie Harvey,
which bears a rich crimson, but too bulky flower.
For the best representatives of the Cactus type we
must look for such kinds as Panthea, which has
pointed petals, like the old Juarezi. Notwithstand-
ing the many fine additions recently, there is not
a showier flower than this Mexican Dahlia, which
has always kept its place. Picta formosissima,
orange, petals shaded with scarlet, is a useful kind
for the garden ; also Glare of the Garden, brilliant
scarlet, very free. It should be made careful note
of by those who have not got it. A very fine show
bloom is Princess, the flowers quite white, large,
and very striking on the plant, and Mrs. Gladstone
was, of course, conspicuous. But there is a show
flower even finer than Princess. It is named Gloire
de Lyon, and at Maidenhead was of remarkable
beauty. The flowers are large, pure white, and
show up well in the garden. It makes a handsome
and effective plant. We have few lovelier show
flowers than this variety. Amongst the pompons
Burning Coal is a variety of note ; it is dwarf, and
has rich red flowers shaded with yellow. White
Bedder is another excellent kind, very good for
bedding. Sensation is a pretty pompon kind, the
flowers soft primrose ; it is not often seen. It is
scarcely necessary to mention Guiding Star or
White Aster, two of the best of the pompons, and
of which there are thousands of plants in Mr.
Such's nursery, nor would it be of service to give a
mere list of the best kinds, as they have been fre-
quently noted recently in The Garden, but a
complete collection is grown at Maidenhead, from
the green-flowered viridiflora to the large show
kinds.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.
The annual autumnal summing-up of the year's
show in the flower garden has brought the Car-
nation very prominently to the front. I think if
we take it in its all-round usefulness it must be
classed next the Rose, and it is a question if it does
not run the queen of flowers very close. The
dripping summer, not altogether suitable for many
things, has been extremely favourable to the Car-
nation, and one can chronicle abundance of flowers,
plenty of good grass, and a long season. Readers
of The Gardex who have gone in for named
varieties for border cultivation might kindly give
us their experience as to the best for this purpose,
not so much for actual perfection in the flower as
for freedom of blooming and hardy constitution.
Besides the old Clove, I have grown seedlings, a
packet of seed being sown each year, the best
selected and perpetuated, and inferior sorts
gradually weeded out. I should like to call atten-
tion to the merits of the early-flowering Aster
Amellus bessarabicus ; this is a capital subject for
all who are seeking additions to the flower garden
in the way of hardy plants. It makes a bold bed
alone, but is perhaps seen at its best associated with
alternate clumps of the early flowering Mme. Des-
grange Chrysanthemum or one of the white pom-
pon Dahlias. Formosissimus is another lovely Aster,
not so early as Amellus, but valuable for its dis-
tinct colour. Reverting to the pompon Dahlias
above mentioned, these are very good this year,
and will give a plentiful supply of flowers for some
time, weather permitting. Guiding Star, or white
Aster, and CamelliEeflora, Fashion, Model, Don
Juan, and Conquest are half a dozen useful sorts.
The growth of all members of the Cactus family of
Dahlias has been very strong ; the old Juarezi is
quite 8 feet high, and is still growing ; the best of
these this season are Charming Bride, Constance,
Empress of India, Mr. Tait, and Mrs. Hawkins.
Verbenas have done well this year, and are still
gay. Whilst admitting the value of annual sowing
to secure plants for mixed beds of this flower, I
should be inclined to secure seedlings of pronounced
colours and of hardy constitution, to hold fast by
these and propagate them, as seedlings vary in
habit and freedom quite as much as in colour and
hardiness of constitution is rare, especially among
the purples. In the lighter shades of this colour
we have had nothing this season to beat the Agera-
tums ; they have done remarkably well, and are

now quite at their best. A large bed of these
associated with Lady Plymouth Geranium is one of
the softest bits of colour in the garden. Begonias
have not done quite so well with me this year ; this,
however, may be an exception. There is still an in-
clination to plant these lovely flowers too thickly;
they look much better on a carpet of some dwarfer
subject, such as Mesembryanthemum or Veronica
incana for the dark pinks and scarlets, and such
greens as Herniaria, Mentha, or Veronica repens
for the lighter shades of colour. There is, and will
be with favourable weather, a splendid display of
all autumn-flowering herbaceous plants. I never
saw the Michaelmas Daisies so good. The splendid
habit and foliage of these make them admirably
adapted for the shrubbery border, and in all such
arrangements they should be extensively used.
There is in most places a special call for flowers
about this time and Michaelmas Daisies are very
useful. For large vases a very pleasing effect can
be secured by associating some of the deeper
coloured varieties with long pieces of Chrysanthe-
mum uliginosum, a glorious autumn flower, de-
cidedly better than maximum, as it is not so stiff
and formal. E. BuEBELL.

Claremont.

DECORATIVE DAHLIAS.
The term as above employed seems at the outset
an absurd one, but we have adopted in gardening
phraseology much that is foolish, for the reason
probably that we are not very brilliant in finding
fitting epithets to convey ideas with respect to sec-
tions of flowers. If all Dahlias are not decorative
florally, they are not worth growing. Curiously
enough, the term decorative has got to be applied
to the section which in gardens, because of undoubted
defects of habit, are the least effective — the so-
called Cactus forms, which, as everyone now knows,
are very tall and leggy, and show the disadvantage
that the young growths come up and largely hide
from view the expanded blooms. If, as Mr. Cannell
states, some of his seedlings have reformed cha-
racter and dwarfer habit, it is about time such re-
formation began. But my use of the term decora-
tive is a wider one. I employ the phrase to desig-
nate all the varieties or sections grown ordinarily
for garden purposes, with the exception of the old
large-flowered varieties known as the show flowers.
It must not be assumed, however, that even these
are without effect. As seen at shows we find the
products of the highest cultivation. All the same,
these large-flowered Dahlias, as grown without ex-
cessive care in garden borders merely for the pro-
duction of flowers, have many striking features,
especially to those who are fond of bright, rounded
double blooms. The whole section of show Dahlias
has now become comparatively dwarf in habit, and
many of the finest varieties will in good soil bloom
abundantly under 4 feet in height. But if I in-
clude in the wide phrase decorative, pompon, Cactus,
and single, no one can complain, because the pri-
mary uses of these are for giving an abundant
supply of showy flowers. Whilst the big exhibition
blooms may not be intolerable in a garden, they
are not endurable in vases in a cut state, and
therefore are not really in the domestic sense
decorative. The pompon Dahlia is really a show
or exhibition Dahlia in miniature. It cannot be
said that in form, or outline, or in density of petals
the defects of the flowers are less marked than in
the case of the " shows." The little pom-
pon Dahlia is perhaps the most free blooming of
its family. It flowers almost marvellously, and for
that reason proves to be a veritable aid to all who
have to furnish cut flowers in abundance. The
miniature aspect of the blooms largely condones
the exceeding rotundity and formality found in
them, and therefore the section finds almost
universal acceptance. But it is a fact strongly to
be protested against that the pompons are fast
losing their chief charm by being made unduly
large through high cultivation and selecting large-
flowered forms for naming. It may be impossible
to set up a standard as to dimensions of flowers,
but it would be well could such be the case, and
that being so, all blooms which were outside the

376

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 18, 1890.

recognised dimensions should be discarded. The
pompon being a show Dahlia in miniature should be
emphatically such, literally a doll flower. But
already we see them half the size almost of ordinary
show flowers, and with the present method of pre-
senting them at shows, the larger the blooms
evidently the more the prospect of winning prizes.
At the recent Dahlia show in the Royal Aquarium
the largest blooms in the class for twenty-four
bunches took first place, although the award was
much against the grain in the mind of one of our
most capable Dahlia amateurs, who, like myself,
has a strong liking for the smaller if equally
excellent tiowers. It was perhaps a reflection on
the judgment in this case that the floral committee
of the Chrysanthemum Society should have
awarded a certificate of merit to the smallest
seedling pompon shown by Mr. Turner (Midget),
an absolutely perfect flower, rosy lake in colour.
This variety seems to me to present the very ideal
of a pompon Dahlia, and should be regarded by
judges as being the standard of excellence in mak-
ing awards. Amongst fairly irreproachable flowers
in the pompon section at the Aquarium were in
Mr. Turner's collection Little Duchess, rosy red
tipped ; Whisper, primrose ; Favourite, crimson ;
and Liclia, white, edged red. In Messrs. Keynes,
Williams and Co.'s stand, the flowers throughout
being rather smaller, were Phoebe, a seedling of a
rich reddish apricot hue, and very lovely ; Dark-
ness, maroon ; Achillea, seedling, pleasing salmon ;
and Vivid, scarlet, were of good medium size.
Messrs. Paul and Son had Anna Jackman, pure
white, and H. Miles, reddish puce, of neat
form and size. In Messrs. Burrell's stand, Isabel,
deep scarlet, and White Aster were admirable for
size and form. In the second prize twelve bunches
the blooms were exceptionally large, whilst in the
first prize stand of six bunches five of the lots were
irreproachable, but a big white variety spoiled the
harmony of the collection. In Mr. T. S.Ware's huge
group the pompon Fashion, rich apricot, was a
lovely variety both in size and colour, whilst in Mr.
Cannell's remarkable group, Gem, scarlet ; Dove,
white, with purplish centre ; Lady Jane, pale lilac ;
and E. Whillard, a small white Aster, delicately
flesh tinged, were most pleasing. Generally Mr.
Cannell's pompons were of fair size, but he does not
grow flowers to win prizes.

The Cactus section of Dahlias is rapidly being
demoralised. Literally we have perhaps, with one
exception, no truer Cactus variety than is the old
original Juarezi. Out of all the sorts shown,
whether for prizes or for display, at the Aquarium,
there were none more quaintly pleasing, more true
to character, or more beautiful than Juarezi. The
one exception was a singularly beautiful long, nar-
row-pointed petalled form named Delicata. which
as well merited the certificate granted as some
other huge ugly lumpy shaped flowers presumably
of the same section close by were unworthy. This
novelty, which will soon be grown by all lovers of
these Cactus Dahlias, was shown by Mr. T. S. Ware,
and is of a soft rosy salmon hue, and was most fitly
named. Very good Cactus forms also are Panthea.
rich carmine ; Professor Baldwin, reddish carmine
and Beauty of Brentwood, red, shaded violet. Mr
Cannell, who showed a huge collection of the
section, chiefly seedlings, had a few which were of
the true form, but generally the bulk of the so-
called Cactus section now have broad flat petals,
and have no more of the true quaint Cactus form
about them than a PaDony has. If we take some of
the larger varieties, such as Harry Freeman, E
press of India, Centennial, Annie Harvey, Zulu, &c,
we will find coarse doubles, just about what the show
Dahlia was fifty years ago. It is deplorable that
because these flowers are big, and only big, they
should receive certificates. What on earth is the
National Dahlia Society doing, that it does not set
up proper standards as to what are true Cactus
Dahlias 1 What is the good of a society which
seems to do nothing but hold a show once a
year and then go to sleep ? It is in relation to
the once Cactus section that the term decorative
has grown up. Ashamed of presenting the ugly
things now seen in the section, the growers have
striven to whitewash their consciences by calling

them decorative. Well, they are foolish in using
o absurd a term, and yet wise in striving to hide
in this way the absurdity of calling flowers Cactus
forms which admirably resemble floral Cabbages.
As I overheard an exhibitor remark concerning
Harry Freeman, " that is a fine flower." " Yes,"
replied a friend sarcastically, " it certainly has
plenty of stuff in it," and that was about all. With
single Dahlias we find again ample room for ad-
verse criticism. The beauty of the single Dahlia
as originally presented in flowers of excellent form,
moderate size, and well-defined colour is being
rapidly destroyed by the fancy which has set in
for bizarre, flaked or striped blooms of the most
extraordinary combinations, flowers which fail to
create in gardens that fine effect good selfs produce.
The clearly defined edged flowers, such as Maud,
white, edged purple ; Victoria, white, edged red ;
and Duchess of Albany, lilac, edged fawn, are
pretty, but, like pretty things, too often very incon-
stant. For one clearly marked flower, two or three
are out of character. Whites, yellows, scarlets,
roses, purples, lilacs, crimsons, &c, all make a fine
show, but oddly enough these colours are less
seldom seen than are flaked or spotted, edged and
shaded flowers. These latter are yet a long way
off being meritorious, as they have a ring of dark
colour round the eye, which is ill defined and ab-
ruptly terminates rather than dies away gradually
into the ground margin of the flower. If these
fancy varieties are to be perpetuated, let them have
a separate class, and do not use them to shut out
the striking and more beautiful selfs. I venture
to hope that so able a Dahlia enthusiast as Mr.
Girdlestone will have a short say about his favourite
flower later on. A. D.

HERBACEOUS PyEONIES.
One of the primary conditions essential to the fu-
ture success of this noble group of plants is that
of planting them at the right time, and of all sea-
sons the early autumn is by far the best, and the
earlier it is done the better. I am no believer in
laying down hard and fast rules for the performing
of any work in the garden without having first
thoroughly considered the matter, and likewise
brought some years' experience to bear on the sub-
ject at issue. My reasons for fixing the early au-
tumn for planting or transplanting the herbaceous
PEeonies are simply these : When flowering is over,
at the end of June or thereabouts, the formation of
the tubers below rapidly ensues, and when this is
complete, the crown buds for the next year's growth
and flower in turn attain maturity. It is, however,
at this season, i.e., with the decay of the leaves and
stems, that another very important stage is begun,
namely, the sending forth of the new white roots,
both from the crown buds and also the old and
newly formed tubers, at the same time, and the im-
portance of getting these Pseonies safely planted
before these new roots are emitted is clear. The
months of September and October are decidedly
the best for the operation, for then planting can be
done with little or no sacrifice. Not so, however,
when planting is deferred until the spring months
when a large proportion of the newly made roots is
sacrificed and imperfect growth results. Preonies
thus treated are, in point of fact, thrown for the
time into a state of debility from which they re-
cover very slowly. The loss which the plants sus-
tain by being denuded of their annual complement
of autumn roots materially affects the maturing
and developing of the tubers in the ensuing
summer, and thus a whole year is virtually lost to
the plants.

It is surprising over what a lengthened period
nurserymen receive orders for such things from
those whose experience is not great. Of course,
one can hardly blame the nurseryman for supply-
ing the plants ; still it is worth noting whether
such plants do not reflect unfavourably upon the
nurseryman who supplied them. It may be worth
while for nurserymen who make these plants a
leading feature to give the matter of planting
greater prominence in their catalogues than they now
appear to do. Crown buds of PEeonies which con-
tain a flower-bud will, if planted at the right

time, invariably produce a flower, which will, how-
ever, be small, as a result of the planting. Last
year I had two large beds of about 100 fine plants
each of the old double crimson form so common
in gardens. In the early part of February of
the present year I was compelled to move one
portion. These only attained to half the height,
flowered a week later, and the blooms were barely
one half the size. The great difference which
even this momentary check caused surprised me
not a little, as hitherto the vigour of both lots
had been about equal. When planting Pasonies it
should be remembered that it is impossible to
have soil either too deep or too rich, and pro-
vision in this direction should be made, so that
the plants will retain their vigour for an almost
indefinite period. I know of some plants of
Triomphe de Paris, about 7 feet across and loaded
with flowers annually, that have occupied the
same spot for nearly twenty.five years. Three
years ago I attempted to take up one of these
monsters, and found it had sent roots down to
over 3 feet deep in hard clay ; the plants, how-
ever, had received an annual top-dressing of ma-
nure from the fowl-yard, which evidently suited
them well. Abundance of liquid manure in winter
and spring is also of great service to all these
plants when established. E. J.

Kniphofia Macowani. — This is one of the
best and most beautiful of the smaller Kniphofias
or Tritomas, the flowers being bright orange in
colour. It comes from a part of Cape Colony, which
corresponds with the climateof Algeria andMorocco,
or, say, the south of France, which will be tolerably
warm, so that although it might be as hardy as the
other kinds, unless I had more than one or two
plants I should hesitate before putting my stock in
the open air, but if there are several plants, one
may be planted outdoors in the spring. — W. H. G.

Perpetual Pink (Dianthus plumarius semper-
florens). — I was induced to try a packet of seed of
the above, as the season of the Pink is all too short,
and a kind or kinds with a perpetual or successional
flowering quality would have great value and en-
hance the interest and extend the culture of this
flower. The produce of the packet, however, is
not of much value, for although the plants have
been flowering since July, and are still in bloom,
every one has produced single flowers of a rosy tint,
with a large and conspicuous eye of a darker
colour. They are much inferior to the annual
Dianthuses, such as Heddewigi, and will go to the
rubbish heap. — H.

Dwarf Nasturtiums. — Big heads of these of
the compactum type are blooming profusely here,
and serve beyond all other tender flowers to give
bright colours. Pelargoniums cannot for one mo-
ment this season compare with the orange-scarlet
Bedfont Rival or the crimson-scnrlet Lustrous in
the rich glow of colour presented by the wealth of
flowers thrown up and holding on till cut down by
frost. I have found that all the Tom Thumb type
of Nasturtium have been more productive of leaves
than of blooms this year. Rather poor soil suits
all the kinds best, but we have had too much
moisture for the Tom Thumb section, and as
a result the bloom was lost in excessive leafage.
In the case of the compactum tribe, the longer the
autumn endures the more free-blooming do the plants
become. The leaves fall close to the ground, and
the flowers rise up some 2 inches or 3 inches above
them, and produce the richest effects. The yellow
variety, aureum compactum, is in profuse bloom
also. The best results are invariably got from
transplanted plants. I raise seed under glass in
spring, dibble the plants up in frames until all
danger from late frosts is over, then transplant into
the open ground, putting out at about V2 inches
apart each way, usually meiely dibbling the
plants in. They soon make root and push growth,
and once flowers are thrown up there is no cessa-
tion until frost settles all tender things in the
autumn. We come occasionally very near to white
frosts, but so far no harm has been done, and I am
hoping that we may be spared from ill until the
end of the month. When Dahlias, Marigolds, dwarf

Oct. 18, 1890.]

THE GABDEN.

377

Nasturtiums, Dianthuses, &c, vie with early bloom-
ing Chrysanthemums in helping to make a garden
bright and gay with flowers in October, there is
little room for complaint. Some of the best
of the Nasturtiums may be easily increased from
cuttings put in now where it is desired to keep any
variety specially correct. — A. D.

LILY CULTURE.
" Delta " at p. 324 has fairly well hit the right
treatment for Liliums in pots ; they are as easily
cultivated as any other plants known to me, and
yet there are perhaps more questions asked about
the culture of Liliums in pots than about any other
plant, especially that popular Lily, the Golden
Rayed Lily of Japan, L. auratum. The thing is to
keep them in good condition, for if the bulbs once
get into bad health, farewell to any prospect of
getting beautiful blooms from them. Lily roots are
now being sold, and for the information of ama-
teurs a few words on their culture may be useful.
L. auratum is still and ever will be perhaps the
most popular of Lilies ; it is a grand showy species
certainly, but it is not the most elegant by any
means. " Delta's" friend thought L.Wallichianum the
most beautiful of Lilies, and it is certainly a very
desirable species to cultivate ; but, for my part, I
would rather have L. Harrisi when well grown. L.
Wallichianuni belongs to a valuable group of trum-
pet-shaped Lilies, some of them too nearly allied
to each other to claim specific rank. L. Wallichi-
anum (Dr. Wallich's Nepaul Lily), for instance, does
not seem to be specifically distinct from L. neilgher-
rense, and they are both allied to L. longiflorum of
Thunberg. Indeed, the first named species was
published under the name of L. longiflorum by Mr.
Robert Blinkworth, who was unaware at the time
of the existence of Thunberg's plant. Mr. Blinkworth
found it near Sirrinugger, and it was also discovered
by Dr. Wallich at Sheopore, after whom it was re-
named, as it could not be confounded with L. longi-
florum. L. neilgherrense was more recently found
by Mr. Thomas Lobb, when collecting for Messrs.
Areitch, in the mountains of Southern India 8000
feet above sea level. L. Philippine nse is another of
Messrs. Yeitch's introductions, and was sent to them
by their collector, Mr. Wallis, from the mountainous
districts of the Philippines. The flowers are as
much as 10 inches long, and show the extreme de-
velopment of L. longiflorum. Also belonging to
this group are L. japonicum and L. Browni, of
China and Japan. There are several varieties of L.
longiflorum, and altogether they form the most
beautiful group of the Lily family. Good fibrous
peat is excellent for mixing with the soil for pot
culture of Lilies, although they succeed very well
without it. I use about equal portions of peat and
loam, and add a fourth or fifth part of decayed ma-
nure, with coarse sand. " Delta " suggests that it
may be as well if the Lilies are not annually re-
potted. I fancy they ought to be ; but it is very
necessary that all the useful roots should be
spared when turning the plants out to repot them.
Lilies have two sets of roots — those which issue
from the base of the bulbs, and others which are
produced quite freely from the base of the stems.
The stem roots we always destroy, as they are re-
moved with the stems, which ought to be neatly
wrenched out without leaving any part of them in
the bulbs. It may be necessary to remove a por-
tion of the soil where the useful roots are, but this
should be done without injuring them much, and
only for the purpose of removing exhausted soil.
It is an error to over-pot them, and the pots should
be well drained. In repotting press the soil in
firmly, and the crowns of the bulbs should be about
an inch or a little more under the surface. It is
also desirable not to fill the pots too full. If a 1J-
inch space is left it can be filled up with fresh
compost when the stem roots appear in the summer.
As soon as the bulbs have all been planted they
may be plunged in cocoa fibre refuse over the rims
of the pots, and glass lights or shutters should be
provided to throw off the rains. We grow enough to
fill a two-light frame, 8 feet by 6 feet, and leave the
plants there until the shoots touch the glass, when
they are removed to the greenhouse. They will do

in a sheltered place out of doors until they come
into flower, but they certainly do best under glass,
with plenty of light and air.

Lilies require rather careful attention as regards
watering. If too much is applied to the roots
they suffer, especially when they have reached the
flowering stage. L. auratum suffers more in this
respect than the L. longiflorum or L. speciosum
group ; the fibrous roots are killed before the bulbs
ripen, and they seldom do any good afterwards.
Lilies are also noble garden flowers, but to obtain
anything like good results they require good culti-
vation, rich deep soil, and the careful hand of the
gardener. Few persons, either amateurs or profes-
sional gardeners, will take the pains to prepare beds
for their Lilies like Mr. G. F. Wilson, of Weybridge,
who digs out the soil to a great depth and fills up
with prepared material with as much care as if it
was a Vine border, and the result is magnificent
spikes of L. auratum 11 feet high. AH the Lilies
that are hardy succeed with Mr. Wilson. I never
heard of a Lily that he could not manage. The
reason of this is that all their special requirements
are carefully considered. Many of the hardy spe-
cies will grow fairly well in ordinary herbaceous
borders, but, like all other plants, they do best when
grown in deep, open, well-drained soils.

J. Douglas.

FLOWERS IN MARKET GARDENS.
The long period of fine weather with almost com-
plete absence of frost has had the effect of con-
siderably hastening the blooming time of many
hardy flowers largely cultivated for supplying the
London markets with cut bloom. Looking over
a large market garden or what might be more
accurately termed a flower farm, one could not fail
to be impressed with the remarkably free way in
which Violets are blooming at this early period of
the season. Large fields of them are yielding an
amount of flowers that would be satisfactory in
spring, and they fill the air with their fragrance.
Many hands are at work gathering and bunching
up the blooms, and thefactthat they find purchasers
at a time when there is an abundance of flower in
the market well illustrates the esteem in which the
Violet is held. Big beds of white and yellow Chry-
santhemums show up finely in the bright sunshine.
It has indeed been a fine time for them, no heavy
rains, damp, nor frosty nights to dim or destroy the
beauty of the blooms. They have this year gone
to market in all their natural purity and bright-
ness. Mme. Desgrange and its sport are, of course,
the kinds principally grown. They are not, how-
ever, entirely exposed to the vicissitudes of our
autumn climate. They are planted in long beds
over which a framework is erected to admit of con-
veniently covering with canvas sufficiently thick to
keep off some degrees of frost, and which breaks
the force of battering rains, which are sure, espe-
cially when frequently repeated, to lessen the mar-
ket value of the blooms. This canvas is nailed on
to one side of the framework, so that when the
beds are uncovered it hangs free of the ground
and does not therefore get overwet and dirty.
The same method is pursued with Dahlias, which
seem to be in greater favour now than some
years ago. There is no doubt that Dahlias pay well
grown for cut bloom if the season is long enough,
but sometimes their blooming period is consider-
ably shortened, the plants being crippled by frost
just as they are in the best condition for supplying
quantities of flowers. The expense and labour in-
volved in warding off early frost are more than re-
paid in the long run. It frequently happens that but
one or two frosts occur in September, and if these
can be guarded against, good blooms will be cut in
quantity up to the middle of October.

Pyrethrum uliginosum is largely grown, the big
pure white blooms being as much in demand as those
of the Paris Daisy earlier in the season. The single
forms of perennial Sunflower are also much in re-
quest, the more especially that yellow flowers ap-
pear to be more fashionable just now than has been
the case for some years. Even more than Violets
Wallflowers have felt the influence of this fine au-
tumn. It certainly does appear strange to see a

flower that one associates with spring blooming
being cut for market in September. This would
not have been possible a few years ago, and has
been brought about by constantly selecting as seed
bearers plants that show an inclination to bloom
early. Constantly practised over a period of years,
this process of selection has given us a race of
Wallflowers that are a great gain to market growers
by reason of the much longer season they have for
marketing the blooms. It powerfully illustrates
the hold that the Corn Marigold has taken on the
popular fancy, that in a district where it is a
troublesome weed it is found to be worthy of
special culture. In our light Surrey soils the
Corn Marigold is a curse to the farmer. It is
especially so among the Pea crops, coming up
through the haulm when hoeing can no longer be
practised, so that in many places by the time the
Peas are podded up the Marigold is in full bloom.
The enormous amount of Corn Marigolds that
have been carried off from the district during the
past summer would scarcely be credited ; one would
think the demand for them would be fully supplied
in this way. But this does not appear to be the
case, or a market grower would not occupy ground
with them. One large grower of hardy flowers will
not even allow plants that come up among other
things to be destroyed. In his eyes every Corn
Marigold evidently represents money.

The various forms of annual Chrysanthemums
are great favourites. They soon come into flower,
they continue to bloom till there are scarcely any
outdoor flowers, and do not require rich ground.
Even at a low price they are profitable things to
grow. J. C. B.

SHORT NOTES.— FLOWER,

Aster linearifolius. — This Michaelmas Daisy
was very beautiful a few clays ago in Mr. Sueh's nur-
sery at Maidenhead. It is one of the finest of its class,
and grows about ah feet high, bearing a mass of light
lilac flowers which completely hide the foliage. A.
Arnellus was also in full bloom.

Eomneya Coulceri.— Will Mr. Vertegans, who
writes on p. 314 concerning this beautiful Californian
Poppy, kindly say if it was imported seed that yielded
such good results, as I have failed to induce it to ger-
minate ? From what I have heard, doubtless other
correspondents of The Garden have experienced the
same difficulty with it. — H. P.

Yucca orehioid.es major. — This plant is very
handsome, and produces flowers campanulate in shape
and of the purest white, the leaves being green and
slightly iilamentose. It should be planted largely, and
appears to be perfectly hardy. I have usually seen it
blooming in the month of August, but it i* very late
in flower this season. It comes from the southern part
of Noith America. — W. H. G.

Carpet bedding.— The Princes Street Gardens
in Edinburgh are kept in much better order than many
of the same class, and it is refreshing to notice that
Mr. McLeod, the able superintendent of the City Gar-
dens, has not been tempted to mutilate the beautiful
sward to a great extent for the sake of " tattoo ng"
the surface by what is vulgarly called "carpeting."
Such seems, happily, to he on the wane in some of
those popular resorts where an immense waste of labour
and talent have so long been offensive to good taste.
In many eases the giants of the forest have not been
spared— the encircling their trunks by "carpets." —
M. T.

An autumn flower bed for the million. —
In front of my cottage there are four small beds. In
the early spring they were ablaze with Daffodils, and
very pretty they looked. In the latter part of May,
when the Daffodils had died down, I cleared the beds,
leaving the Daffodils intact, and dressed them with a
little Mushroom manure, breaking the surface well up
with a cultivator. I then mixed varieties of Phlox
Drummondi, and sowed them broadcast over the bed.
The seedlings came up well and grew strongly, and at
this date (October (i) they are, and have been for six
weeks back, very showy. The colours range from the
deepest scarlet to the clearest white, intermixed with
striped, edged, and almost every shade you can name.
— R. Gilbert.

Imported Lilium auratum. The first auc-
tion sale of imported bulbs of the golden-rayed Lily
took place on October 7, very much earlier than we

378

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. IS, 1890.

were accustomed to receive them a few years since.
The majority of the bulbs sold appeared to be plump
and sound, and in a condition to push forth roots
directly they were potted. This Lily must complete
its growth much earlier in the year with the Ja-
panese than with us to allow of the bulbs reaching
here in early October. From the increased num-
bers that reach this country, the cultivation of
Lilies must be making great progress in Japan, and
in the case of L. auratum they will probably main-
tain the monopoly, as neither here nor in Holland
does it appear likely to be ever a profitable crop.
As an instance of increased supervision overthe bulbs
sent from Japan may be mentioned that, whereas
a few years since several distinct forms occasionally
appeared amongst them, including the red-banded
rubro-vittatum or cruentum, this never happens
now, as these varieties are kept distinct, offered as
such, and of course realise a higher price.— H. P.

SHOULD GARDENERS COMBINE 1
Of all the industrial professions that of the
gardener is perhaps the one most isolated and
the least defined. A gardener may be anything
from the friend of princes to the odd man about
a country house. The glorious days of the Le
Notres, the Paxtons — princes in our profession

. Seem to have gone for aye, and yet gardeners

of the best are more in demand and more diffi-
cult to find than ever. The gardening problem
of to-day is to make sure of the best men for
the best places. Formerly the garden was
essentially the province of the lady of the
house, and all who have read or will peep into
Gervase Markham's "Country Housewife's
Garden," will see how well it contributed to
the kitchen and still room of the seventeenth
century, and even to those of an earlier date.
By degrees, however, the ladies let this pleasing
province slip from their grasp, and the garden
and the gardener have alike prospered together
throughout the last two centuries or so. Now
again°the pendulum seems on the swing, and
some at least of the ladies desire to resume that
sway over the garden which they had and lost
years and years ago, and if it be true, as the
Arabs say, that " Allah ordains what women
desire," well then will they become competitors
with mankind in the gardens of the future.
But no man who is worth his salt is for a
moment afraid of competing with female labour,
and most of us are in favour of free trade in
this as in other questions of economic import-
ance ; still it is a sign of the times which should
not be allowed to pass unregarded. So far the
lady gardeners have not gone far in the way of
regaining their lost province, but there are
signs of their preparing to do so under the best
of auspices here and there. This, however,
only by the way, what I really wish to ask is
the question at the head of this paper. Is it
right and best for gardeners generally to be
isolated and unconnected, as they are to a great
extent to-day ? In a word, should gardeners
combine or should they not 1 I present it here
as an open question, and I neither affirm nor
deny one way or the other. All I wish to em-
phasise is that any union of an aggressive cha-
racter, similar to the present trades unions for
example, are to be deprecated.

But we have only to look around us to see
how valuable a broad and common bond of
fellowship would prove to our craft if it could
be secured. At one time we had hoped the
authorities of the Royal Horticultural Society
would have grasped the situation, and made
some attempts to elevate the practical horti-
cultural fraternity, but it is evident that gar-
deners instead of trusting to outer aid must
help themselves. The Royal Gardens at Kew
and elsewhere, and the best of public and
private gardens throughout England, Ireland,

Scotland, and Wales are really the schools or
universities wherein gardeners graduate, and a
gardener's status to-day is to a great extent
decided by the gardens in which he has obtained
his technical and scientific training. One of the
first of questions after a gardener has secured
an appointment is the one " Where did he come
from 1 " and the reply is often, if not generally,
some distinguished public or private garden,
just as in the case of our more prominent public
men, it is some distinguished university or
school. Of course, all really good gardeners,
like the poets, are born, rather than made.
Still, supposing all other things equal, the best
of gardeners will always proceed from the best
of gardens, just as the highest of intellects, as a
general rule, proceed from the best universities
and public schools.

But the point I wish to present and to
emphasise is the utter lack of organisation and
co-operation that now exists among gardeners
as a class. If we look around us we see that
doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and engineers
all enjoy a status, and are united by in-
stitutions that are powerful to protect and
secure to their members certain social and pre-
scriptive rights that we as gardeners do not
enjoy. If all the head gardeners of England
were united in one common bond of brother-
hood and professional union they could wield a
power both social and political of immense
moment, whereas as disunited they merely
occupy a position as individuals amongst the
crowd of artisans and domestic servants. My
own impression is, that as a class gardeners
deserve a better fate than to be lost sight of in
a crowd. By education, ability, and position
they are deserving of an organisation that would
strengthen and uphold them as a body of
earnest, and thoughtful, and deserving men.
Gardeners have far too long and too com-
placently looked for aid and patronage outside
of their own ranks and body, but it seems to
me in face of modern changes and of foreign
competition, as if the time was rapidly approach-
ing when they should help themselves. Self-help
means union or co-operation, and again I most
respectfully put the leading question, Should
gardeners combine ? F. W. Burbidge.

EMPLOYES IN MARKET GARDENS.
At the conference under the auspices of the British
Fruit Growers' Association, held at Brighton on the
11th ult.,a very interesting and somewhat startling
statement was made by Mr. A. Cheal, of Crawley,
in the course of the discussion following the read-
ing of Mr. Iggulden's paper on "Tomatoes for
Market." Mr. Cheal, referring to the rise of To-
mato and fruit growing at Worthing, said it had
now become a great industry in the district, and
that during three of the summer months it was
estimated that an average of thirty tons of fruit
was sent from Worthing by rail each week, and an
average of five tons for the other nine months.
From Lancing it was estimated that three tons a
week were sent for three months, and one ton a
week for the other nine months. This made 585
tons of fruit from Worthing and seventy-eight
from Lancing for the year. In addition it was
estimated that over twenty - five per cent, was
sent to Brighton and other places by road
from Worthing as well as a considerable quan-
tity from Lancing. About 350 tons of To-
matoes were produced in the district. The esti-
mated value of the Tomato crop was £20,000 and
of the other fruit £14,000, making a total of
£34,000.

The above statement is of a somewhat startling
nature, and will doubtless take many horticulturists
by surprise. Mr. Cheal might well have declared
that the fruit-growing industry in this part of
Sussex is a great one ; he might also have stated

with equal truth that it is an ever-increasing one,
which is plainly visible in the steady and continual
extension of glass structures in the two districts of
Worthing and Lancing.

Enough, perhaps, has been said and written on
the cultivation of the trees and plants of various
kinds that produce such large monetary results,
but there is another phase of this important in-
dustry which is rarely, if ever, touched upon by the
essayist or the contributor to the horticultural
press, and which, to my mind, sadly requires venti-
lation, namely, the condition and future prospects
of the gardeners and labourers employed by the
growers for market in West Sussex, without the
assistance of whom no such grand results as Mr.
Cheal describes could be realised.

It will, I think, hardly be denied that the claims
of the men employed in all kinds of horticultural
pursuits in England are all but totally ignored, or
at least lost sight of, by our legislators and philan-
thropists. Whilst at the same time, money, energy,
and talent are freely spent in studying the claims
and ameliorating the condition of the working man
in almost all other departments of labour, the
idea would seem to be everywhere prevalent that
gardeners require no extraneous assistance or sym-
pathy from their fellow creatures, but are to be
envied rather than otherwise for having been taught
the horticultural and floricultural arts— arts the
pursuit of which is at once both healthful, in-
vigorating alike to mind and body, so conducive
to the development of intellectual powers, so re-
fining to the tastes and manners, and otherwise so
exceedingly delightful. At the tables of the
wealthy, in presence of the varied and splendid
dessert and tastefully arranged blossoms and foli-
age, should the thoughts of the diners ever tend
towards the man who has been the means of pro-
ducing such a gratifying result at the cost of such
unremitting care, study, and anxiety, they are
never in the direction of his position in life, his
trials and difficulties, his long hours of labour, and
the pittance he receives in the shape of wages, but
may rather be summed up by the remark, " What a
deeply interesting occupation gardening must be
to be sure," or " How delightful to be employed all
day tending the trees and plants, and watching the
development of the lovely blossoms."

That gardening has a refining influence upon
those who pursue it, and that the joys produced
are both deep and satisfying no one will deny.
But to produce these, the mind must to a certain
extent at least be free from anxious and harrassing
cares, and the body be given its due portion of rest
and relaxation daily. This, I contend, is exactly
what the minds and bodies of the majority of
British gardeners do not enjoy, or enjoy only in a
greatly mitigated form, and what the minds and
bodies of the employe's in the West Sussex market
gardens never enjoy at all. Here a maximum of
work is demanded for a minimum of pay, Kis. per
week being the average wage granted to the out-
door hands, and only in some cases a shilling or
two more to those who work under glass, and, of
course, in numerous instances a wife and family
have to be supported. The hours of labour to
secure this miserable wage amount to sixty-two
per week in summer, and in winter the hours of
daylight labour are augmented by the use of lamps
in the evenings in sheds in some instances.

During the summer months a good deal is done
both by the indoor and outdoor workman in the
way of overtime at a remuneration of 4d. per hour,
which is 2d. less than is received by the bricklayers'
labourers of London. This work is peculiarly hateful
to every man I have questioned regarding it, and I
have spoken to not a few. An hour in the morning
and two hours in the evening of this kind of work,
for say five days in the week, gives a man but little
time at home to do aught save eat and sleep, and
produces a weariness which he is frequently in-
duced to relieve by means which are neither con-
ducive to health nor to the retention of the money
he has so dearly earned. In too many instances,
it is to be feared, employers give their men the
opportunity of working overtime, when they know
very well that all the time they are obtaining some-

Oct. 18, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

379

thing like seventy-two hours labour for an amount
of money for which they should only in justice be
getting fifty-eight or at most sixty hours.

Great injustice is also done, I do not hesitate to
say, to the indoor hands, who are obliged to take
their turn of Sunday duty without receiving a
penny of compensation in the shape of wages for
it. A few employers are honest and generous
enough to pay for work performed on the first day
of the week, but they are in a sad minority. In
the majority of cases the men have to give their
Sunday services gratis, which consists in turn of
being on the spot from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m , attending
to watering, ventilation, and firing, which, espe-
cially in large places, is work of an exceedingly
laborious kind, and even with these twelve hours
of duty, or rather hard work, the day's labours do
not end, the unfortunate man having to return,
sometimes from a considerable distance, at 7 p.m.
and again at 10 p.m. to see to his fires. Under
such circumstances, it can hardly be wondered at
should he retire to rest with his mind entirely freed
from the idea that gardening is a " delightful occu-
pation."

The person who is called foreman — slave would
be a much more correct term— is even worse off
than the men he is supposed to command. In
numerous cases his duties are so exacting that he
may in truth be said to have no time he can call
his own, save that which he spends in sleep. His
anxiety to produce good crops of fruit and other
things is great, and he stands alone in the matter of
responsibility,which,of course, intensifies his anxiety.
Time to improve himself by social intercourse, by the
study of books or current literature he has none ; his
time is his employer's, and his compensation what ?
peradventure 22s. per week, and it is greatly to be
feared in many instances less. In addition to this
handsome equivalent for the services of all the
hours he is awake he may perchance get a bonus
of Is. per ton on every ton of Tomatoes he can pro-
duce, and say Is. for every hundred dozen of
Cucumbers !

Judging from experience, there would appear to
be a great want of touch between employer and
employed, little or none of that friendly and kindly
relationship so conducive to good feeling and
contentment on the part of the employ^ and benefit
undoubted to the employer. I have frequently
heard the remark hazarded to a master, " We had a
fine lot of fruit to send off this morning, sir," pro-
duce no other response than "We wants 'em,"
given in the broadest Sussex accent. And so it is
in the generality of cases, the primary aim of the
master being to secure as quickly as possible the
largest amount of gain at the smallest amount of
expenditure, quite regardless of his duty towards
those whom he employs. This in a great measure,
I am inclined to think, may be traced to the fact
that the majority of employers engaged in horti-
cultural pursuits in the districts I am writing of
are men who have not received any early training
in the art, and although, perhaps, not wilfully hard
taskmasters, are, nevertheless, in virtue of their
ignorance, exacting to a degree. There are, I am
quite aware, honourable exceptions in the ranks of
employers, but these, as in other matters, only
prove the rule. The practice of supplying ale to
the workpeople, which is adopted by some, although
prompted by kindness, is of extremely doubtful
benefit. If hard work be demanded, let the equi-
valent be in hard cash, and let it be in some pro-
portion to the amount of work executed.

I may, in conclusion, be allowed to say that in
approaching this subject I do so with a mind void
of offence. I think, rightly or wrongly, that the
majority of the employes in Sussex working for
growers for market are very inadequately paid for
the hours of labour demanded, and in bringing
their claims to the notice of the men who have for
the most part been very prosperous in their horti-
cultural undertakings of recent years, I can only
hope that they will take these claims into their
consideration, with the result that they will be
induced to grant the men whom they employ, and
who are the principal factors in building up their
fortunes, such remuneration as will produce con-

tentment in the future and a forgetfulness of the
hard struggles of the past. J- L-

GRAPE CULTURE FOR MARKET*
Those who are old enough to carry their memories
back thirty, or even twenty years, will be able to
recognise how greatly this fruit has risen in com-
mercial value. At the date I mention you could
have counted all the large establishments devoted
to the culture of Grapes for market on the fingers
of both hands. The prices at which Grapes were
then sold retail were quite prohibitive except to
the wealthiest classes. It is only reasonable to
suppose that large profits resulted to the growers,
but when we take into consideration the small
structures erected, and the consequent small
amount of produce out of them, I expect the net
results were not much better than they are at the
present day.

In my younger days I often had the pleasure and
privilege of looking over the famous Garston Vine-
yard, when Mr. Meredith was at the height of his
fame as a Grape grower. It was curious to note
how Mr. Meredith gradually developed his houses
from small lean-to structures with borders bricked
in and raised entirely about 3 feet above the ground
level to span-roofs covering probably a quarter of
an acre of ground. This idea has been still further
developed during recent years, until at the present
we see houses on the ridge-and-furrow principle
covering large areas of ground, and capable of pro-
ducing tons of first-rate Grapes.

Now the question is, Can we improve on this
ridge-and-furrow principle in erecting houses for
market Grape growing ? In a house of this kind
your training space is confined entirely to the roof
of the house. In erecting a house for Grape grow-
ing our object should be to obtain the maximum
amount of training space, and where every leaf will
be under the influence of direct light. The kind of
house I advocate for free- growing kinds, such as
Alicante and Hamburghs, is a span-roof — as large
as you like— but not less than 100 feet long by 40
feet or 50 feet wide. The sides must be carried up
in glass not less than 8 feet, nor more than 10 feet
high. On these sides I would put a roof at an
angle of about 35°. I should then wire the house
at each end about 16 inches from the glass, and at
distances of 5 feet I would carry wires vertically
from the roof to within 3 feet of the ground right
through the body of the house from one end to the
other. Space must, of course, be left for a path-
way up the centre of house, allowing head room 6
feet high. You can make a house of this description
as large as you please, and you can also build it on
the ridge-and-furrow principle, but it will be use-
less for the method of training I am advocating
unless the sides are of the height I mentioned — 8
feet or 10 feet.

The amount of training space gained in a house
wired on this principle is nearly threefold over
the roof alone, and consequently a treble amount
of Grapes. I should only advocate this method
of culture for free-growing black kinds, as it is
not adapted for giving the best results in the
culture of Muscats or any choice white kind.
Someone may say there would be a deficiency of
light under this system of erecting and furnish-
ing a vinery, but you must remember the roof
must be kept clear of foliage. All that is wanted
to produce good foliage is perpendicular light, and
Vine foliage produced 10 feet from the glass is
often better and holds its vitality longer than
when grown within 2 feet of the glass. With a
clear pathway through the centre of the house
you will be able to step into each avenue of foliage,
and much of the details of culture will be easily
attended to without the aid of steps and other
hindrances. It will require a large number of Vines
to plant a house of this description, and as I have
commenced with the structure first, I will go on
and describe the planting before I refer to soils and
other matters necessary to secure success. In my

* A paper read by Mr. J. Roberts at the meeting of
the British Fruit Growers' Association, Brighton,
Sept. 11, 1890.

own practice I have always planted a double set of
Vines, every alternate plant being a supernumerary,
to be cut out or regrown after it has served the pur-
pose for which it was planted. I plant at 2 feet,
which allows the permanent Vine 4 feet of space.
For planting purposes I like a well ripened year-
ling cane that has never been checked in its growth
beyond the stopping necessary to keep it short-
jointed. I have an objection to planting Vines in a
green state owing to the difficulty of getting them
ripened at the base or near the border.

In most things a good start is half the battle,
but in Vine growing it is everything, as a young
Vine that does not get well away the first season
of planting may as well be cast away at once, as
it rarely ever makes vigorous growth afterwards.
The way I deal with the supernumerary Vines is to
allow them to have a 10 feet or 12 feet lead over
the permanent Vines. After they have made a
growth of from 12 feet to 16 feet I stop them, and
when once stopped I make them burst the end, or
what would be the dormant winter bud. This
strengthens and solidifies them considerably, and
at the same time keeps them short-jointed, and
brings them into an early ripened condition for
fruiting. After the first stopping the process is
repeated, when an additional 10 feet or 12 feet of
growth has been made. This stopping may be
necessary several times during the season of growth,
according to the strength and vigour of the Vines.
The permanent Vines are treated in exactly the
same manner, except that they get their first stop-
ping when 6 feet or 8 feet of growth has been
made. The object with the latter should be to get
a well-ripened cane down to the ground. The
second season of growth the supernumerary rods
would be cut back to the first stopping in the
previous year, which would allow from 12 feet to
15 feet of young rod for fruiting. The permanent
rods are pruned to 3 feet or 4 feet, according to
their strength. All the growths on the super-
numeraries are rubbed off up to the point where
the permanent Vines catch them in height,
which would be about 4 feet from the base.
This allows the side growths on the perma-
nent rods to have free development. The
same system is pursued each succeeding year —
that is, the permanent rods are following the
supernumeraries until such time as the latter can
be dispensed with altogether ; or the process can
be repeated by cutting down the supernumeraries
and giving them a year's growth, and then allow
them to fruit again, cutting away a portion of the
lower growths of the permanent Vines to give room
for the renewed vigour of the old supernumeraries.
By adopting this double method of planting a large
house is quickly furnished with bearing wood, and
the Vines can be kept in healthy and fruitful con-
dition for many years.

Soils.

A free and healthy root-run is an absolute neces-
sity in the production of decent Grapes. Formerly
heavy expenditure was often incurred in forming
Vine borders, but where a man has to get a quick
profit on the capital invested in his structures and
heating ; in fact, the scale on which Grapes are
produced at the present day forbids a man from
taking out half an acre of earth 3 feet or 4 feet
deep to fill it up again at a very heavy cost with
turfy loam, which in a few years will get into a
condition as unfavourable to free root action as the
original bed of soil it replaced.

We have no freer rooting plant than the Vine,
but like most other plants it has a partiality for
some soils over others, and my experience is that
the limestone formation is the most natural soil
for the Vine. I have for years past noted the
Grapes that have been exhibited at our largest
shows, and have found that the man who holds his
own best and longest is situated on the limestone ;
in fact, a man who could not produce the finest
samples of Grapes on such soils ought to make way
for a better man. Very well. If a man is about to
embark on a large scale in Grape growing he can-
not do better than fix himself on the limestone, and
if there is a colliery and railway station near, then
he has the principal conditions necessary to ensure

380

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 18, 1890.

success. This limestone soil is not an absolute
necessity, as we see Vines growing and thriving in
the most diverse soils. The question is, how to im-
prove and render what appear unsuitable into suit-
able soils. Wherever there is found 2 feet or so of
decent soil, not too heavy nor too light, we may
hope, by bringing our knowledge of the laws that
govern free root action, to bring it from a sterile
condition into one abounding in fertility. Many
years ago I remember the question asked in
a contemporary, What makes roots grow ?
and the answer was air. Shortly afterwards a
gentleman asked how that could be possible when
he had a Vine growing in a solid MacAdam road,
and this Vine he described as being in the most
robust health. It did not strike him that in such
a mixture as MacAdam there could not possibly be
any great cohesion, and it was just such a mass as
the air would pass through freely, and every stone
would be a pasture ground for every flbry root. I
have as a cultivator tried to get at the bottom of
things, and if I hold one principle more strongly
than any other it is that aeration is an absolute
necessity to healthy underground growth or root
action. It generally takes a few years to get tho-
roughly exhausted land into a state of fertility, but
in the case of a piece of ground intended to be
covered with a vinery, we must try to do the thing
thoroughly at one dressing. First, if I could borrow
a dozen or two sheep I would willingly keep them
free of cost to have the privilege of folding them
for two or three weeks on the piece of ground in-
tended for the Vines. I should then have in readi-
ness sufficient horse manure, fresh and full of vi-
tality— not your spent hotbed manure, which is of
no value for this purpose — to make a covering over
the whole border 18 inches deep. The next process
is to trench the whole ground, breaking it up tho-
roughly, and as the work proceeds I should procure
a supply of soot, and also shoddy or rag manure,
the latter to be soaked in strong liquid manure, to
which has been added some sulphate of ammonia.
This shoddy is the finest substitute for turf I know,
and is really more lasting. After the whole has
been trenched, I should make the surface somewhat
fine, as the object now is to get the ground to ab-
sorb the ammonia and other fertilisers introduced.
Where expense is not feared, I would add with the
above some horn shavings, but I really cannot re-
commend artificial manures at £20 a ton, when
good horse manure can be had at 4s. After the
trenching is finished, the whole should be allowed
to gradually subside before planting.
Starting the Vines.
I have already described the structure I approve
for growing Grapes for the million, and also the
planting. I will now give a few ideas on points I
think essential to success. We must start with
correct notions on the nature of the Vine. In my
practice I have always treated it as a temperate
rather than a tropical plant. Heat, light, and
moisture are synonymous with motion in the vege-
table kingdom, and these are the points to regulate
to get a good start. If we apply too great heat we
shall get too rapid motion, and if we apply too
much moisture we shall get growth without tissue.
The temperature I like for starting Vines is 50°
night and day. As soon as growth appears 55° is
sufficient during the day, and at night 50°. The
houses should be freely ventilated from the expan-
sion of the Vine's first leaf, as much of our success
depends on the quality and texture of the main
leaves. If these are made in an atmosphere over-
loaded with moisture, we need not be surprised if
the first scorching day curls them up and red
spider finishes them. In the early stages of growth
my whole object is devoted to getting all the main
leaves up to three or so beyond the bunch of the
finest possible substance, and capable of standing
sunshine, or volumes of fresh air without injury.
This can only be accomplished by very steady forc-
ing, and I am never satisfied if the root action of
the Vines have not commenced when they have
made about 4 inches of young growth. Up to this
stage the stored up food in the rods is •sufficient to
supply the wants of the young growths, but if quick
root action does not take place you may expect
shanking and other evils tc follow. When the

bunches are visible I remove all secondary growths
below the bunch, and this has , a great effect in
giving additional substance to the permanent
leaves, prevents overcrowding of useless growth,
and saves much labour in stopping during the
growing season. Good colour and every other
point, including flavour, depend on the sturdy for-
mation of the earliest leaves and their preservation
intact until the crop is removed from the Vines.

Many people treat Vines as though they were
stove plants — never satisfied except they are dosing
them with pent-up moisture. The very nature of
the tendrils of the Vine tells you that Nature has
endowed it with the power to stand storms and tem-
pests of wind with impunity. Many growers are
very fond of producing what they call an ammo-
niacal atmosphere in the vinery. In the early
stages of growth I have no objection to this, but
the moment the fruit has set it should never be
afterwards applied, otherwise you are sure to lose
the bloom on your Grapes. Nothing equals the
free air of heaven in keeping up the vigour of vege-
tation, whether it is in the open or under glass. We
can assist Nature indoors by adding additional
moisture, but I always leave out the ammonia, unless
the ventilators are wide open. I have seen many
exhibits of good Grapes that were knocked clean
out through the polished surface of the berries,
telling plainly that too much ammonia had been
applied to the atmosphere directly after the setting
period.

In training the young growths they should, as
far as possible, be brought in a direct horizontal
position from the main stem ; by doing so you se-
cure a much greater surface of foliage exposed to
the light than when they are carried in an oblique
direction.

Setting.

This is the critical stage in the culture of Muscat
of Alexandria, and though the flowers of the Vine
are insignificant in appearance, there is every rea-
son to suppose that the mass of pollen produced
during the flowering period is exhausting to the
Vine. All the kinds I have recommended for
market culture are very prolific in showing bunches,
and the Muscat especially so, often showing as
many as five bunches on a single lateral. The first
operation is to remove all small and ill-shaped
bunches, leaving but one, and that the most shapely,
on each lateral. This should be done a week or so
before the flowers commence to open, so that the
bunches left may get the full benefit of the extra
strength that will be thrown into them through the
removal of unnecessary branches. With Muscats
a night temperature of 70° is necessary, and during
the day the temperature should be from 75° to 80°.
In the case of Hamburghs and Alicante a night
temperature of (i5° will suffice, and the day tem-
perature may rise 10° higher. I ventilate freely
early in the morning to get the pollen dry and ripe,
and about half-past ten or eleven o'clock, before
the stigmas have had time to dry up from the heat
of the day, I go carefully over the whole house, and
give each bunch a gentle tap to set free the pollen.
This operation is repeated every morning for about
eight or ten days, and I have never failed to secure
a satisfactory " set " by this means. After this
operation the house may be damped without injury
to the settiDg process, but all superfluous moisture
should be expelled before nightfall.

Thinning.
Thinning is an operation that requires doing
with a bold hand. I do not believe in doing a job
twice, so I thin the first time to stand the season.
It is necessary to have an idea what your Vines
are capable of doing, but if you are sure they are
in good root action then thin them freely, as the
reward will be extra fine berries and much less
exhaustion of the Vines than if you allowed them
to get near the stoning period before the second
thinning took place. There is one point in thin-
ning Grapes intended for market, and that is leave
the shoulders of the bunches pretty full, fo as to
hide the footstalks as much as possible. The ad-
vantage of this will be found when you come to
send them to market, as a fine even surface of
berries will be the result. My favourite liquid

manure is composed of blood manure and soot,
with a change occasionally out of the farmyard
tank. The blood manure is very quick in its action,
and will swell up the berries to a great size. A
couple of waterings of weak doses of sulphate of
ammonia may be applied during the growing season,
but the house must on no account be closed for
several hours after the watering, otherwise not
only the bloom on your berries, but the foliage may
get damaged.

Peuning.

This is a simple operation, and if your Vines are
young and in good condition they may safely be
cut in to one eye from the stem ; but if Arines are
old and enfeebled with many years' croppirjg, then
it will be advisable to leave an extra eye to ensure
a good show of fruit. Before the final pruning a
partial pruning should take place a month or two
after the fruit has been cut from the Vines. This
partial pruning is of much value in concentrating
the forces into and filling up the eyes required for
the next year's crop. When I was an exhibitor of
Grapes I was often struck from year to year how I
invariably went to some particular lateral for my
exhibit. These laterals had been cut off early in
the previous season, and the long time the few eyes
left after removing the shoot and bunch had to fill
and plump showed plainly that a rather severe
shortening back was highly desirable, and resulted
in larger and more shapely bunches the following
season.

Shanking.

There are so many causes for this that I cannot
in the limits of this paper enter into them. But
there is one cause, and I think it is responsible for
more shanking than any other. It is too rapid
forcing in the earliest stage of development. As I
said before, the man will be freest from shanking
who can, when his Vines have made from 3 inches
to 4 inches of growth, feel comfortable from the
knowledge that he has got root-action on the move,
and here the great advantages possessed by an
aerated border come in, as you can with much less
time and patience get a start in root growth in an
open border than in a border too close and adhesive.
I am conscious of many interesting points in Grape
growing unnoticed in this paper, but as I wished to
direct attention to what I consider the most essen-
tial points I hope I shall at least have set you think-
ing, and also criticising my remarks if they differ
from your own ideas and experiences.

A'Aeieties foe Maeket.

Muscat of Alexandria must be placed first as a
market Grape. The prices realised for well-grown
samples of this Grape rule high at all seasons of
the year. Some of the best growers of this Grape
send them to market on boards, and with the same
care as if they were intended for exhibition at a
horticultural show. Young beginners at market
Grape growing should, if inexperienced, not start
in their first efforts with this variety. It requires a
high temperature compared with most varieties
and much care during the setting period.

The next most popular market Grape is Black
Hamburgh. It is so free under all conditions, and
so accommodating in submitting to forcing at all
seasons, that it is the Grape for giving a supply of
fruit from March to November. The enormous
quantities of this Grape that come into Covent Gar-
den show many varying qualities. Good, well
swelled, and coloured examples carefully packed
always fetch fair prices.

Next to the Black Hamburgh I place Alicante as
a market Grape— in fact, it has some advantages
over the Hamburgh, especially to the retailer of
fruit, as it keeps in presentable condition after
being cut much longer than the Hamburgh. The
great fault of the Hamburgh for retail work is the
rapidity with which the stem and shoulder stalks
of the bunches dry up. Alicante is coming back to
be as popular as ever with growers, and I predict
that it will yet drive Gros Colman clean out of the
London shops and markets. You need not trouble
about any other Grapes beyond the three I have
mentioned, as you may with these three kinds have
Grapes every day in the year. I may just mention
that Gros Maroc has this season been sent into the

Oct. IS, 1890.]

THE GAJtDEN.

381

market in good condition, and where this is the
oase satisfactory prices have been had for it. It
remains to be seen whether it will hold its own
with the Hamburgh and Alicante.

Marketing.
Packing for market is a point of much import-
ance to the grower. Every basket should be firmly
and fully packed, with as little show of footstalks
as possible. The surface of the basket should show
a solid surface of well-coloured berries. If a sales-
man has to keep your basket unsold for several
days (which is often the case), and you have packed
your basket so as to exhibit too much of the stalks
of the berries, buyers are quick to note this, and
know that when unpacked and exposed for sale in
shop windows they rapidly shrink. So cover up the
footstalks as much as possible, and you will be do-
ing yourself, and and all through whose hands the
fruit will have to pass, a favour.

Societies and Exhibitions.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

OCTOBBE 14.

There was a good display of flowers for October
in the Drill Hall on Tuesday last. We refer, of
course, to the ordinary meeting, but besides, a
national show of jams and preserved fruits was
made, with, however, poor results. Certainly the
exhibition of such productions, which lasted three
days, could not be called " national."

A first-class certificate went to each of the fol-
lowing:—

- Cattleya Warocqueana amethystina. —
This was one of several forms of Cattleya named
Warocqueana shown by M. Linden, Pare Leopold,
Brussels. The flower is of great width, not unlike
that of C. gigas in expression, and very rich in
colour ; the sepals warm rose, and the broad,
massive petals of the same intense colour, the lip
deepening to a still darker shade, relieved by a few
golden lines running into the throat. A few plants
in the Orchid house now would brighten it con-
siderably.

C. Warocqueana flammea. — The varietal
name of this is not very descriptive. It is a hand-
some Cattleya, with a flower almost as large as that
of the other, but scarcely so massive, and exceed-
ingly free, one strong spike bearing five blooms.
These are of a warm rose colour of a distinct and
attractive shade. The frilled lip, which is rich
yellow in the throat and front, is coloured with a
central suffusion and streaks of purple on a pale
rose ground. From M. Linden.

C. Imschottiana — One of the most delightful
gems in the Orchid way t hat has appeared recently.
It is a white-petalled form of C. aurea or Dowiana,
and the plant from Mr. Ballantine, gardener to
Baron Schrceder, The Dell, Egham, bore two ex-
quisitely neat flowers, in which the sepals and
petals are white with a greenish shade in them.
The petals are frilled, broad, and more of an ivory
tone ; the lip is the seat of colour. It is quite 2J
inches across, beautifully shaped, not ungainly, as
in many forms of aurea, and intensely deep in
colour, about a quarter of an inch of the front
margin being rich purple, then the same colour as
a groundwork, overlaid with a network of golden
veins, which show through on the outer surface of
the side lobes. We can scarcely have too many

-good things like this form of C. aurea.

• An award of merit went to each of the follow-
ing:—

Cattleya Buyssoniaxa.— This may be de-
scribed as C. Schofieldiana without its markings.
In this species the flowers are tawny yellow, spotted
irregularly with purplish crimson, but in the variety
from 11. Linden the sepals and petals are wholly of
a pale yellow colour, absolutely free from markings ;
the lip rich purple-rose. A plant with a spike of
several blooms showed its neatness and value.
. Cattleya Aueea Lindeni. — A larger and richer
coloured variety of the type. The flowers were
somewhat damaged in transit, but it is unquestion. I

ably an excellent and telling form. From M.
Linden.

Catasetum Bungerothi Randi. — A small
plant of this was shown bearing a spike of two
flowers. One can scarcely judge of its merits from
this, but the flowers are, though smaller than in
the type, very rich in colour, which is for the most
part deep orange. We should like to see a good
spike. From M. Linden.

Chrysanthemum Annie Clibban. — This is
sometimes called the Pink Lacroix, and is a sport
from that variety, appearing in 1880. The flowers
are full, not unduly big and light pink, the centre
yellow. It is a useful early-flowering kind, espe-
cially we should think for cutting. From Mr. H. J.
Jones, Ryecroft Nursery, Lewisham, and Mr. T. S.
Ware, Tottenham.

Cunila mabiana. — This was shown by Messrs.
Pitcher and Manda, Swanley, and the cymes of
small lilac flowers remind one of those of some of
the Statices. It is known as the common Dittany,
and the only one in the genus of about twelve
species from North America that we believe is in
cultivation. The plant is tufted and branching in
habit, and grows about a foot in height.

RlCHAEDIA iETHIOPICA LITTLE GEM.— This is
a pretty little Arum Lily, the flowers quite white
and small, but sufficiently large to make a show
when several appear together as in the plant exhi-
bited. Many uses could be found for it, especially
as regards indoor decoration. From Mr. H. Elliott,
Jersey.

Caeex sp. — A graceful, narrow, deep green-
leaved Sedge from Mr. John Robson, Altrincham.
Its delightful grace will make it a favourite with
those who want good table plants for decoration.

Bouvaedia Purity.— This might be described
as a cross between Humboldti and jasminiflora, but
the tube is much shorter. The result is a useful plant,
the flowers carried in dense heads, pure white, and
showy in a mass ; the habit is compact and the
growth vigorous. From Mr. H. B. May, Edmonton.

Orchids were the most interesting plants exhi-
bited, and the series of varieties of C. Warocqueana
from M. Linden showed great variation. The type
was there, but bore only one half-opened bloom,
reminding one of C. chocoensis, the supposed
variations having rich and varied colours, as in
those certificated. Besides the kinds thus honoured
were C. Warocqueana regalis, a fine variety, the
flowers rich rose in colour, and the finely frilled
lip deep purple in front. C. W. delicata suggested
speciosissima, and is exceptionally free ; the colour
pale rose, except the lip, which is white in the
upper part, yellow at the entrance to the throat,
and deep crimson relieved with white lines in the
extreme base ; the front is deep purple, except the
margin, which is rose and freely frilled. Mormodes
maculata, a singular Orchid, richly and freely
spotted with almost black on a dark brown ground ;
Lfelia grandis vera, narrow sepals and petals of
a rich brown colour, the tubular lip rich crimson,
except the paler tinted expanded front ; and
Aganisia cjerulea came also from the same exhi-
bitor. Baron Schrteder contributed several rare
kinds besides three well-grown plants finely in
flower of the charming Dendrobium Phalajnopsis,
the blooms very broad, and rich rose of varying
shades of colour. One spike carried five flowers.
Cattleya Fansta was in full bloom, the spike carry-
ing four flowers, sepals and petals rose, the lip deep
purple, white at the base and yellow in the throat.
We were pleased to see a specimen of the delight-
ful CypripediumFairrieanum, which is very rare in
collections, although first brought under notice in
ISjT ; it bore six of the beautifully shaped flowers
with the characteristic curved petals like the
horns of a cow. A plant in excellent bloom was
also shown of the rare Laslia porphyrites, a
supposed natural hybrid and bearing the cha-
racter of C. intermedia, but it is quite dis-
tinct ; the sepals and petals are of a kind of
rose colour, shaded with bronze and a salmon tint,
the lip rich crimson-purple. Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Dorking, sent Bulbophyllum amplum, the
flower greenish yellow spotted with crimson, the

lip deep chocolate (botanical certificate), and Epi-
dendrum radiatum fucatum, the flowers larger than
in the type, creamy white, the bowl-shaped lip
striped regularly with crimson. Capt. Hincks, Thirsk,
sent a Masdevallia, a cross between M. Harryana
and M. Estrada;, the flowers pink and like those of
the latter, the growth resembling that of the first
named. A plant of Laslia Arnoldiana came from
Messrs. Pitcher and Manda ; this is said to be a
natural hybrid between L. autumnalis and L.
Gouldiana. It is a very pleasing hybrid, the
flowers not unlike those of Gouldiana m shape and
rich rose, deepening at the edge to a more intense
shade. Mr. Vanner, Chislehurst, sent a plant in
full flower of Angrascum Kimballianum, one of the
smaller-flowered species, white with narrow curled
sepals and petals, an interesting Orchid (botanical
certificate). A very fine plant of a good variety of
Odontoglossum grande was exhibited by Mr. A.
Sanders, Camden Road, S. W., and it is pleasing to
know that this splendid species is being again well
and largely grown ; the plant sent was a mass of
bloom. A large mass of an excellent variety of Laelia
Perrini smothered in bloom came from Mr. J.
Crispin, of Bristol, and also a well-grown specimen
of Odontoglossum Londesboroughianum, an Orchid
not often seen in better health, the branching spike
very handsome with its rich yellow lipped flowers.

There were several miscellaneous contributions.
A charming arrangement of cut flowers came from
Mr. E. Mawley, Berkhampstead, who showed a va-
riety of things, none prettier than a large bowl of
Tea Roses amongst which Marie Van Houtte was
delightful. Baskets of tuberous Begonia blooms
and Chrysanthemums made up a pleasing group
(silver medal). An excellent group of early Chry-
santhemums came from Mr. H. J. Jones, Pyecroft
Nursery, Lewisham, the plants exceedingly well
grown, hidden with flower, and very effectively
massed together, The variety W. Holmes, the
finest of the early blooming kinds, was conspicuous
(silver medal). A large group of Crotons and
Ferns came from Mr. H. B. May (silver-gilt medal).

One of the best contributions to the meeting was
the display of Roses from the open by Messrs. Wm.
Paul and Son, Waltham Cross. Six boxes were ex-
hibited, containing excellent flowers of Mme. de
Watteville, Mme. Hoste, Marie Van Houtte, Mme.
Falcot, the new variety Corinna, W. A. Richardson,
The Bride, and Viscountess Folkestone, also such
H. P.'s as Marchioness of Lome, Mrs. J. Laing, and
Ella Gordon (silver medal).

Cut flowers. — Javanese Rhododendrons came
from Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, and seedling Dah-
lias from Mr. T. S. Ware. An excellent collection
of show flowers for the season was sent by Mr.
Charles Turner, Slough, the blooms fresh and in ex-
cellent character (bronze medal). There were a
few Chrysanthemums, as might be expected. The
variety Mrs. Alpheus Hardy of course appeared ; it
was shown by Mr. R. Mitchell, Orleans House,
Twickenham. Mr. Salter, Woodhatch Lodge Gar-
dens, exhibited Memoir, a sport from H. Wellam.
The flower has the same markings as in the parent,
and is rose, the centre rich yellow. Messrs. Pitcher
and Manda sent three new and decidedly promising
flowers. Edith Sheppard is a telling yellow Japanese
variety, and Clarence Bryant, also yellow, in the
way of President Hyde ; Mohawk is rich crimson
with a silvery reverse, the flower large and full. Mr.
George Fry, Lewisham, had a seedling Fuchsia, a
cross between triphylla and Countess of Aberdeen.
The flowers much resemble those of triphylla, but
were soft salmon- pink in colour. A large plant of
it would be pretty. An excellent kind named Day
Dawn was also shown ; this has scarlet flowers with
a light blue corolla.

Fruit Committee. — There were several exhi-
bits. A fine collection of Apples, two late Raspberries,
October Red and October Yellow, came from Mef sis.
Wm. Paul and Son, Waltham Cross (silver medal).
Messrs. Jarmanand Co., Chard, Somerset, sent several
seedling Apples, one named Improved Pound, in the
style of Annie Elizabeth, being promising, but so
much depends upon the quality. Several other
seedling varieties were also shown. An excellent
basket of Golden Noble Apples, gathered from

382

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 18, 1890.

standard trees planted in 188G, came from Mr.
Hudson, Gunnersbury House Gardens, Aeton ; the
fruits were excellent. Mr. R. Fenn, Sulhampton,
Reading, exhibited an excellent collection of Apples,
late Plums, &c.

The well named tropical Monstera deliciosa
was shown by Mr. G. Wythes, Syon House
Gardens, Isleworth, and also splendid samples of
a Musa, the fruits very large and of fine flavour ; they
were especially commended. Cucumber Success
was shown by Mr. J. Trilett, Dartford.

A first-class certificate went to each of the fol-
lowing : —

Apple Beauty of Stoke. — We know nothing
as regards the quality of this. It is apparently
a cooking variety, very deep green in colour, and
resembling Alfriston and Northern Greening, but
quite distinct from either. From Mr. Doe, Rufford
Abbey Gardens, Notts.

Melon Westley Hall.— A large scarlet-fleshed
variety, rich in flavour, and an acceptable addition.
From Mr. A. Bishop, Westley Hall Gardens, Bury
St. Edmunds.

Exhibition op Preserved Fruits and Jams.

This helped to fill up the hall, but it was a poor
display as regards quantity. Mr. Beach, Brentford,
had the silver medal for an excellent stand of pre-
served fruits in bottles, and Messrs. Chiver and
Sons, Histon, Cambridge, for a similar display. We
prefer the straighter necked bottles of this firm
to those of the other. It is less difficult to get
out the fruit. Messrs. Harrod, Brompton Road,
S.W., also had a large stand. An interesting col-
lection of preserved fruits, Pistacio nuts, syrups,
and candies came from Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons,
Chelsea. The candied fruits were of the kind
offered as common articles of food in the streets of
Turkey. Mr. Roupell, Streatham, had a large ex-
hibit of jams, one certificated being from the thin-
nings of half ripe Muscat of Alexandria Grapes,
and a very tasty condiment. Cider Apples and
cider were shown by Messrs. Gaymer and Sons,
Norfolk. Mr. A. Dean, Bedfont, exhibited preserved
fruits ; also Messrs. Margetts and Co., Kingsland
Road ; D. Macgregor, Edinburgh ; J. E. Austin,
Kingston-on-Thames ; the Mid-Kent Fruit Factory,
Tonbridge ; and Sir Charles Strickland, who had
jam made from the wild Strawberry.

C. erubescens, like abundant moisture at the roots
all the year round. On the other hand, those kinds
which cast their leaves annually should be kept
dry until the return of the growing season, when
they should be saturated and kept moist until the
leaves fade again. The most refractory species
under cultivation belong to this deciduous section.
None of the species like frequent disturbance at the
root, but they all, without exception, enjoy manure
water when growing, and plenty of it.

So far as is known the only hybrid Crinums in
cultivation now are C. Powelli and one mentioned
by Sir C. Strickland as having been raised by him
from C. Moorei and C. campanulatum. But in
Dean Herbert's time there were over thirty hybrid
Crinums known in gardens, and some of these,
judging from the Dean's descriptions, must have
been very beautiful. It is clear from this that hy-
brids may be easily obtained, and the value of C.
Powelli as a garden plant makes one wish for more.
A list of a dozen of the best Crinums now in culti-
vation would be something like as follows : C. ama-
bile, C. angustum, C. americanum, C. capense (lon-
gifolium), C. erubescens, C. giganteum, C. Hilde-
branti, C. Kirki, C. latifolium, C. Moorei, C.
Powelli, C. zeylanicum. These are all easy to cul-
tivate, they bloom regularly several times in the
year, and their flowers are large, ornamental, and
as a rule very fragrant.

Sir Charles Strickland on Crinums.
In his garden at Hildenley, near Malton, in York-
shire, Sir Charles Strickland has got together a
considerable number of species and varieties of
Crinum, as well as other Amaryllidaceous plants,
which he cultivates with exceptional success. He
has had Crinums under special observation for
more than twenty years. Anyone who knows any-
thing of Crinums cannot talk to him about these
plants long without getting to know much that is
interesting concerning them and their culture. The
drawings exhibited at the lecture on Tuesday of
some of the most interesting kinds were good, as
they included several species which only Sir Charles
possesses, and which have never been drawn be-
fore. If some clever cultivator and breeder would
take Crinums in hand, the probability is that in a
short time they would become almost, if not quite,
as useful as their allies, the Hippeastrums and Ne-
rines. There are about seventy species of Crinum
known. They are scattered all over the warmer
parts of the world, being most abundant in Africa.
They vary in stature from small, narrow-leaved
plants a foot in height to huge, broad-leaved kinds,
such as C. asiaticum, C. angustum, &c. At least
two may be grown out of doors in the warmer
parts of England, viz., C. capense and C. Moorc-
anum, and a hybrid from these two raised some fif-
teen years ago, and named C. Powelli,after its raiser,
ranks amongst the most ornamental of hardy
bulbous plants. Many of the species may be suc-
cessfully cultivated in an ordinary greenhouse.
The stove kinds vary in regard to the amount of
moisture they require. It maybe taken as applic-
able to Crinums generally that all those species
which are evergreen, such as C. giganteum, C. pur-
purascens, C. amabilo, C. angustum, C. americanum,

ROYAL AQUARIUM.
The sixth show of this series was held on Wednes-
day, Thursday, and Friday last at the Royal
Aquarium, and comprised fruit, vegetables, and
Chrysanthemums. Again there was an excellent
display, keen competition in the several classes,
especially Chrysanthemums, which show that the
season for these is gradually lengthening.

Chrysanthemums.

Eight classes were set apart for these, and in the
large class for twenty-four blooms, not less than
twelve varieties, there was excellent competition
and splendid flowers, more like one expects at the
big show in November. The winner of the first
prize was Mr. Charles Gibson, gardener to Mr.
Wormald, Marden Park, Surrey, and we have never
seen a finer collection in the month of October,
especially such flowers as Stanstead White, Sun-
flower, and Mrs. J. Wright. The blooms from Mr.
John Doughty, gardener to Mrs. Tomlin, Angley
Park, Cranbrook, were very fine, and deserved the
second prize. The best flowers of Japanese varie-
ties were from Mr. C. Blick, gardener to Mr. Martin
R. Smith, Hayes Common, Kent. There was the
same rich quality in the flowers as in those in
the other prize stand. Mr. C. E. Shea, The Elms,
Foot's Cray, was a good second. The prettiest fea-
ture is always made by the classes for one distinct
variety, and nothing could excel the beauty of the
six blooms of Avalanche from Mr. J. Trotter,
Brickenden Grange, Hertford. They were as pure
as the driven snow. The first stand of yellow
blooms came from Mr. Wells, Redhill, who ex-
hibited La Christine, a rich yellow flower, some-
thing in the way of M. Garnar. We do not know it
under this name. The first prize variety shown in
the class for any coloured flower, except yellow
and white, was Stanstead Surprise from Mr. J.
McKenzie, gardener to Mr. Cornwallis, M.P., Luton
Park ; Mr. G. Stevens, who was second, showing
Edwin Molyneux in excellent character. Very
creditable flowers were shown by Mr. R. C. Notcutt,
Ipswich, and Mr. D. R. Crane, Highgate, in the
amateurs' classes, the latter having some excellent
pompons ; also Mr. H. Heary, gardener to the Rev.
R. W. Powell, Hornsey.

A large group came from Messrs. J. Laing and
Sons, Forest Hill, comprising the finest of the early-
flowering varieties, also Etoile de Lyon, Jules
Toussaint, a Japanese flower, rose with silvery re-
verse ; Grace Attick, which has narrow, lemon-
coloured florets, a pretty pot plant ; Ed. Audiguier,
and Comtesse F. de Cariel, a very distinct kind,
quite a terra-cotta colour, and very bright and free.
A very fine bank of flowers was also put up by Mr.
H. J. Jones, Ryecroft Nursery, Lewisham, who had

Grace Attick, excellent plants of W. Holmes, and
several of the newer introductions, besides the lead-
ing October-flowering kinds. Mr. Robert Owen,
Maidenhead, had several seedling Chrysanthemums
of promise, the pink-flowered Mme. Lacroix, or
Annie Clibran, and one kind named Mrs. Owen, a
pretty softly coloured flower, the centre rich yellow,
and the other portion of a much paler tint. Mr.
R. Davis also had several promising kinds. We
refer to the report of the floral committee of the
National Chrysanthemum Society for the new certi-
ficated kinds, and the prizes here were offered by
the N. C. S.

Fruit.

The best part of the Aquarium was occupied with
fruit and vegetables. An interesting display was
made in the class for a collection of not less than
twelve dishes, Mr. A. Miller, gardener to Mr. W. H.
Long. M.P., Rood Ashton Park, Trowbridge, win-
ning the first place with excellent produce in great
variety, Red Dutch Currant, Apples, Melons, and
late Plums. Mr. Goodacre, Elvaston Park Gardens,
Derby, was second. There was the same keen com-
petition in the big class for a collection of Apples,
both dessert and cooking, the finest— an admirable
display — coming from Messrs. G. Bunyard & Co.,
Maidstone, who were first. The second place was
taken by Mr. John Watkins, Pomona Farm Nur-
series, Hereford, and we have never seen richer
coloured fruit. New Hawthornden was as brilliantly
tinted as Gascoigne's Scarlet Seedling, one of the
showiest of all Apples. The finest Pears were from
Messrs. Cheal and Sons, Crawley, the fruits large
and representing a long list of the varieties, both
common and uncommon. Very fine fruit was staged
in the class for eighteen dishes, Mr. T. Parker,
Moreton Court, being placed first. In the corre-
sponding class for Pears Mr. W. A. Cook, Calne,
Wilts, was first, showing splendid fruits of Doyenne1
du Cornice, Marie Louise, and Winter Nelis. There
were several excellent clusters of Grapes. Mr.
Goodacre was first for a collection, showing very
fine bunches of Gros Colman and Alnwick Seed-
ling. There were four other classes for Grapes, com-
prising Black Hamburgh, Muscat of Alexandria,
and any other white or black kinds. Mr. Goodacre
had the best bunches of Muscat of Alexandria, and
Mr. J. Batten, gardener to Mr. A. Venables, Holly-
wood, Wimbledon Park, the finest Black Ham-
burghs, with unusually large and well-coloured
berries. Very fine clusters of Gros Maroc were
shown by Mr. J. Batten, and of Mrs. Pearson by
Mr. T. Osman, gardener to Mr. L. J. Baker, Otter-
shaw Park, Chertsey.

The amateurs and gardeners were well repre-
sented. The finest six dishes of dessert Apples
were those from Mr. C. Ritchings, gardener to Mr.
W. Lindsay, Beddington, who had splendid fruits
of Ribston Pippin, some of the finest we have seen
this season ; Blenheim Orange, and Cox's Orange
Pippin. In the corresponding class for cooking
Apples, the first prize went to Mr.F. Bridger, Pens-
hurst Place Gardens, Kent. Very fine Pears were
shown in the class for six also, and prizes were
offered for Tomatoes.

The vegetables occupied much space, and the
prize winners are familiar, Mr. Wm. Pope, High-
clerc Castle Gardens, Newbury, winning the first
prize for a collection. There were several second
prizes.

Miscellaneous groups were numerous. A large
display was made by Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons,
Swanley, who showed ornamental Gourds, three
plants of Begonia Octavia smothered with the white
Gardenia-like flowers ; a large mass of double tuber-
ous varieties of brilliant colour, surprising consider-
ing they were lifted from the open ground ; and
early Chrysanthemums, Cactus Dahlias in variety,
and blooms of Pelargonium Souvenir de Mirande,
one of the best of the red-flowered varieties. A
large display of single-flowered tuberous Begonias
was made by Messrs. J. Laing and Sons, Forest Hill,
the flowers placed on a base of greenery to show off
their brilliant and varied colours. Mr. Ware, of
Tottenham, had Cactus Dahlias and several Carna-
tions of exceptional merit and free-blooming, espe-
cially Duke of Clarence, rich crimson ; La Neige,
white ; and Duke of Fife, brilliant scarlet, very free

Oct. 18, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

383

and showy. Flowers of Black Prince Dahlia came
from Mr. John Green, Dereham.

Others miscellaneous exhibits comprised a large
collection of Apples from Messrs. J. Veitch and
Sons, Chelsea, also late Raspberries, as Belle de
Fontenay and others. Mr. C. Osman, of the
Metropolitan District Schools, Sutton, showed
ornamental Gourds ; and Messrs. J. Peed and
Son, Norwood ; Jarman and Co., Chard, Somer-
set ; J. Laing and Sons ; and Mr. G. W: Cummins,
gardener to Mr. A. H. Smee, Apples. Messrs. Car-
ter and Co. had a collection of Tomatoes.

A full prize list is given in our advertising
columns.

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY.
Floral Committee. — This was held on Wed-
nesday afternoon last at the Royal Aquarium, and
the following varieties each given a first-class
certificate : —

Annie Hartshobne. —Plants of this exhibited
prove that it is an exceptionally free and useful
variety for decoration, the flowers also of fine size
and purity. It belongs to the Japanese class, the
blooms bold, handsome, full, and waxy white,
opening with a greenish yellow colour in the centre.
Grown on the usual plan it would, we think, make
a good show flower. From Mr. N. Davis, Camber-
well.

Annie Clibbax. — This was shown by several
exhibitors as Pink Lacroix, but it was resolved to
certificate it under the name by which it was sent
out, " Annie Clibran." The blooms from Mr. N.
Davis, of Camberwell, were given a first-class cer-
tificate. It is described in the report of the Royal
Horticultural Society.

M. Jules Hc.mbebt. — A Japanese flower from
Mr. H. J. Jones, Ryecroft Nursery, Lewisham: the
form excellent, and the colour rich purple-lake,
with a silvery reverse to the petals. Valuable for
its intense colour.

PtTBlTAN.— One of the finest varieties sent out of
recent, years. The flowers are of the exhibition
character, not coarse, nor too large, but full, hand-
some, and of a silky waxy white colour, tinted
with yellow in the centre, which disappears, how-
ever, with age. The blooms are compact, the
florets curling up somewhat, making a dense mass.
From Mr. Molyneux, gardener to Mr. W. H. Myers,
Swanmore Park, Bishop's Waltham.

Mrs. Falconer Jameson. — This is already
known, and should have had a first-class certificate
before. The flower is remarkably beautiful, very
distinct in colour, and of the Japanese character.
It is of great width, the spreading florets orange,
shaded with cinnamon-brown. From Mr. Molvneux.

W. H. Lincoln.— This has a naturally dwarf
habit, the plant not growing more than 3 feet high,
and bearing very showy rich yellow flowers. It is
a Japanese variety. From Mr. E. Beckett, Alden-
ham House, Elstree.

Souvenir de M. Menieb.— A reflexed Japanese
variety, very rich maroon in colour, a full, hand-
some flower, and valuable for its deep colour. It is
said to be a seedling from W. Holmes, and the
flowers have much the character of those of that
variety in build and appearance. From Messrs. Laing.

United Horticultural Benefit and Provi-
dent Society. — The quarterly meeting of this so-
ciety was held at the Caledonian Hotel on Monday
last. The committee are pleased to report that
the society continues to make steady progress both
financially and numerically. No death has oc-
curred during the quarter amongst the members
and there is but one sick member on the funds'.
All members are invited to contribute to the con-
valescent fund, which was opened in July last.
The fund is voluntary, and entitles members to a sum
not exceeding 30s. for change of air after illness.

Catalogue illustrations.— These are already
upon us ; and we ask what is the reason of their
uniform badness ? Everything drawn as it is not ; all
natural grace gone in the attempt to get at some
silly ideal of the man who fancies he knows the

way flowers ought to grow. Colour to make one
seek for a raw beefsteak to rest the eye ; form
such as lives nowhere out of the florist's head.
Pity it should ever get out of his head on to the
paper. It is silly and a discredit to the trade,
while of no use in the end to make people buy.
People always buy best when they feel they
can trust, and this plant-distortion takes them
in. And so it comes to pass that the vast sums
spent in catalogues, which might be a power-
ful aid in making people know and like plants, are
almost lost because the catalogue-maker insists on
things being drawn not as they are, but as he
thinks they ought to be.— Field.

Public Gardens.

The Apothecaries' Garden at Chelsea will
not be done away with, but still maintained as a
botanic garden.

The surplus bedding plants at Battersea,
Victoria, Finsbury, KenniDgton, Southwark Parks,
Victoria Embankment Gardens, and Myatt's Fields
are now ready for distribution as usual. Early appli-
cations should be made for the same to the superin-
tendent at each place.

Plane trees for London thoroughfares.
— At a meeting of the Islington Vestry recently a
letter was read from the Metropolitan Public Gar-
dens Association, asking whether the Vestry would
be agreeable to expend £100, which the association
were prepared to hand over to them for the pur-
pose of planting Plane trees, which were found by
experience to be the best suited to London require-
ments, in the public thoroughfares of the parish,
the Vestry undertaking to provide the requisite
tree guards and replace the trees where necessary.
Failing the Vestry undertaking the initiatory work,
the association was willing to plant the trees
themselves. The letter indicated that similar offers
would be made to other local authorities in the
metropolis.

London County Council. — The Parks and
Open Spaces Committee presented a report in which
they stated that they had had their attention
drawn to an opportunity which had arisen for pur-
chasing Bostall Woods, a Pine forest of about 74
acres, adjoining Bostall Heath, which was an open
space of about 55 acres under its control. It was
true that Bostall Heath was at the extreme verge
of the county, and that the adjacent land was un-
built upon to a great extent. Owing, however, to
the development of the tramway system and other
causes, houses were rapidly being built, and it was
a mere matter of time for the last portion of vacant
land in this part of the county to be disposed of.
In these circumstances, the acquirement of the
freehold of Bostall Woods at the moderate sum of
£200 per acre, only half of which the Council would
be required to pay, the District Board providing
the remainder, was an opportunity not to be lost.
The committee had visited the woods, and found
that practically no expenditure upon them was
necessary, and that they could be protected by one
assistant keeper. They had had before them a
deputation from the Plumstead District Board, urg-
ing the acquirement of the woods, and understood
that the District Board would be prepared to pay
half the cost. They therefore recommended : " That,
subject to the Plumstead District Board agreeing
to contribute £100 an acre towards the purchase of
Bostall Woods, and to pay such amount to the
Council when called upon, and also subject toan esti-
mate of £7400 being submitted to it by the Finance
Committee, as required by the statute, the Council
do agree to purchase from Sir Julian Goldsmid an
area not exceeding 74 acres, under the powers
given to it by the Open Spaces Acts, 1877 to 1890."
The consideration of this matter was postponed.

Open spaces. — At the monthly meeting of the
Metropolitan Public Gardens Association, 83, Lan-
caster Gate, W., it was stated that the donations
had very much fallen off, and that at the present
time nearly £5000 was required for the laying out
of grounds, to which the association was more or
less pledged. It was agreed that the Earl of
Meath, as the chairman, should make a special ap-

peal for the sum named, and that efforts should be
made to obtain it without delay. It was also de-
cided to give seats for recreation grounds in the
Borough, Canning Town, and Southall ; to plant
trees in a space in Cleveland Street, W., Barking
Road, ',E., and a small chapel yard in Walworth,
S.E.; to commence laying out St. James's disused
burial ground, Ratcliff, E. ; and, as soon as funds
permitted and their future maintenance was pro-
vided for, to lay out Bedford and Sidney Squares,
E., Bartholomew Square, E.C., and Victoria _Park
Cemetery, E., and to contribute towards the laying
out of the ground in Great Church Lane, Hammer-
smith, W. It was resolved to secure a properly
qualified instructor to form classes for boys and
girls in certain playgrounds on Saturdays for teach-
ing physical exercises and the proper use of the
gymnastic apparatus erected in the grounds. It
was announced that the Open Spaces Act had be-
come law, and that a clause protecting open spaces
from being taken had been inserted at the instance
of the association in the Public Libraries' Amend-
ment Act, 1890 ; that the Ecclesiastical Commis-
sioners were willing to sell at a very low rate nine
acres of land in Fulham Palace Road, S.W., for a
recreation ground ; that the Board of Agriculture
had issued a draft scheme for the regulation of the
Hackney Marshes, E., in the interests of the public ;
that the laying out of Seward Street disused burial
ground, E.C., was approaching completion, and
that the association had placed seats in Vauxhall
Park, S.E., and in the churchyard of St. Mary,
Aldermanbury, E.C., and St. Mary Magdalene, Ber-
mondsey, S.E.; steps were also being taken to pro-
mote the opening the Physic Garden, Chelsea, the
Tower Promenade, and the Bethnal Green Poor's
Land.

Keeping Walnuts. — What is the best way of
keeping Walnuts so as to extend them over as long a
period as possible ? — W. F.

Planting vinery. — I am going to plant a lean-to
vinery 110 feet long in two parts with early and late
Grapes. Will some of your correspondents kiudly ad-
vise me what sorts to use ? — Denmark.

*#* Black Hamburgh, Foster's Seedling, Gros
Maroc, Muscat of Alexandria, Alicante, Gros Colman,
and Lady Downe's will answer your purpose. — Ed.

Heating a small greenhouse. — I have a green-
house 24 feet by 12 feet by about 8 feet high on an
average. It contains precious things, which just re-
quire to have frost kept from them iu the winter, or
which flowering in the winter and beiug apt to have
their blooms spoiled by frost require protection. I
should be very grateful if anyone could recommend to
me a perfectly satisfactory lamp which would never
emit fumes or smells deleterious to the flowers. I
could without much difficulty introduce gas, but have
an idea that it is not a safe medium to use for securing
heat where flowers are concerned. — B.

Death of Mr. Brighton. — We are sorryto hear
of the death of Mr. Brighton, at the age of 68. He
was for many years gardener to the Earl of Mt. Edge-
cumbe, Mt. Edgecumbe, near Plymouth.

Names of plants. T. Johnstone. — Please

send flowers. — — Jr. R. H. — 1, Aster Novse-Anglia; ro-
seus ; 2, A. elegans ; 3, A. ericoides ; 4, A. bessarabi-
cus ; 5, A. turbinellus ; 6, A. Townshendi ; 7, A.

loevis. E. Overton.— Cineraria petasites. M. A.

Ricardo. — Rose Souvenir de Therese Levet. Anti-
podean.— Fieldia australis. T. Foden. — Tapeinotes

Carolines. F. L. W. — Yucca orchioides major.

J. Slocum. — Kniphofia JIaeowani. R. O. — Henbane

(Hyoscyamus major). W. R. O. 0. — Impossible to

name from such material. A. M. Knight. — 1, Clio-
lone harbata ; 2, Chrysanthemum lacustre ; 3, Eriopsis
lffivis ; 5, Silphium ; 6, Astrantia major ; 7, Solidago ;
8, Lysimachia clethroides; 9, Bocconia cordata ; 10,
Achillea millefolia; 11, Erigeron mucronatus; 12,

Helianthus giganteus. J. Berry. — Monstera deli-

eiosa. O. (jover. — Passiflora kermesina. J. 8. —

Rose not recognised. R. H- H. — Solanum nigrum.

A. B. — l,Cotoneaster Simonsi; 2,Juniperussp. j 3,

Cupressus Lawsoniana viridis ; 4, Berheris dulcis ; 5,

send in fruit. J. T. Richardson. — Achmasa. sp.

Anon. — Helianthus larfiflorus. Others next week.

Names of fruit. — H. Dowding. — 1, Fondante
d'Autonme ; 2, Gansel's Bergamot ; 3, Chaumontel.
E. Overton. — Fruit not recognised, not fully de-
veloped. Others next week.

384

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 18, 1890.

WOODS AND FORESTS.

THE PRESERVATION OP WOOD.

The durability of wood varies greatly, and de-
pends as much upon the particular kind and the
influences to which it is exposed as upon its
origin, its age at the time of felling, and other
conditions. Beech and Oak wood placed per-
manently under water may last for centuries.
Alder wood lasts only a short time when in a
dry situation ; but when kept under water, it
is everlasting and substantial. Taking into
consideration the various kinds and varying
properties of timber, and the different uses to
which it is applied, the following particulars as
to its durability have to be considered. 1.
Whether it is more liable to decay by exposure
to the open air or when placed in damp situa-
tions. 2. Whether it is, when left dry, more
or less attacked by the ravages of insects,
which, while in a state of larvee, live in and on
wood. Pure woody fibre by itself is only very
slightly affected by the destructive influences of
wind and weather. When we observe that
timber decays, that decay arises from the pre-
sence of substances in it which are foreign to
the woody fibre, but are present in the juices of
the wood while growing, and consist chiefly of
albuminous matter which, when beginning to
decay, also causes the destruction of the other
constituents of the wood. These changes occur
in various kinds of wood only after a snorter or
longer lapse of time ; indeed, wood may in some
instances last for centuries and remain tho-
roughly sound. Since resinous timber resists the
action of damp and moisture for a long time,
it generally lasts a considerable time ; next
in respect of durability follow such kinds
of wood as are very hard and compact, and con-
tain at the same time some substance which —
like tannic acid — to some extent counteracts
decay. The behaviour of timber under water
differs greatly. Some is after a time converted
into a pulpy mass, while other kinds again, as
Oak, Alder, and Pir, undergo no change at all
while under water. Insects chiefly attack dry
wood only. Splint wood is more liable to such
attack than hard wood. Elm, Aspen, and all
resinous timber is very seldom attacked by in-
sects. Young wood, which is full of sap and
left with the bark on, soon becomes quite worm-
eaten, especially so that of the Alder, Birch,
Willow, and Beech. The longer or shorter
duration of timber depends more or less upon
the following : a. The conditions of growth.
Wood from cold climates is generally more dur-
able than that grown in warm climates. A
poor soil produces as a rule more durable and
more compact timber than does a soil rich in
humus, and therefore containing also much
moisture, h. The conditions in which the
wood is placed greatly influence its duration.
The warmer and moister the climate the more
rapidly decomposition sets in; while a dry,
cold climate materially aids the preservation of
wood. c. The time of felling is of importance ;
timber cut down in winter is considered more
durable than that felled in summer. In many
countries the forest laws enjoin the felling of
trees only between November 15 and Feb
ruary 15. Wood employed for building,
and not exposed to heat or moisture, is
only likely to suffer from the ravages of insects ;
but if it is placed so that no draught of fresh
air can reach it decay soon sets in, and the de-
caying albuminous substances acting upon the
fibre cause it to lose its tenacity and become a
friable mass. Under the influence of moisture
fungi are developed upon the surface of the
wood. These fungi are severally known as the

" house fungi " (Thelephora domestica and
Boletus destructor) and the clinging fungus
(Merulius vastator). They spread over the
wood in a manner very similar to the growth
of common fungi on soil. Their growth is
greatly aided by moisture, and by exclusion of
light and fresh air. A chemical means of pre-
venting such growths is found in the application
to the wood of acetate of oxide of iron. Wood
is often more injuriously affected when exposed
to sea water, when it is attacked by a peculiar
kind of insect known as the bore worm (Teredo
navalis). This insect is armed with a horned
beak capable of piercing the hardest wood to a
depth of 30 centimetres.

PINES AS MEDICINAL AGENTS.
Although some forests are regarded as sources of
malaria, and Oak trees and Hazel bushes have been
counted insalubrious in Europe, like the Tamarind
tree in the East, yet the air of Pine forests appears
always grateful to the lungs, and has been con-
sidered wholesome, although of its absolute cura-
tive influence there is little evidence, and, indeed,
it must be difficult to procure such. The idea of
Pine forests exercising a balmy influence on the
lungs is a very ancient one. Pliny considered that
the air of Pine forests was more useful in phthisis
and in convalescence from acute diseases than the
voyage to Egypt recommended in such cases in
those days. Both Bournemouth and Arcachon at
the present day owe a good deal of their reputation
to their Pine woods. The air of the latter is said
to be distinctly sedative. On the whole, then, the
air of the Pine woods of the Black Forest may be
regarded as an element entering into the considera-
tion of the value of its baths. But besides merely
inhaling the air of its forests, people have of late
years made much use of the products of Pine in
baths, vapour baths, and inhalations. Even this is
not entirely modern, for the ancients recommended
chiefly the internal use of decoctions of Strobili
and of Pine tops, and thought Pine nuts very useful
in diseases of the chest ; and at a more modern
time, besides the internal use of drinks made from
the Spruce and the tar water so long in vogue, we
had inhalations of tar and of various resins. The
ancients did, indeed, recommend in gout, baths of
water in which Cedar wood had been boiled, but
the use of the Pine extract bath is quite modern.
It has spread rapidly, and is in use at Gleisweiler,
Eehburg, Liebenstein, Ruhla, and Eisenach. These
aromatic extracts are procured from various Pines
— as from the Abies excelsa or Norway Spruce,
Silver Fir, Pinus sylvestris or Scotch Fir, Pinus
maritima or Bordeaux Pine, the Weymouth Pine,
also from the common Larch, and the most fra-
grant of all, from P. Pumilio, the Mountain Pine.
The baths vary considerably in strength and in
odour, according to the way in which they are pre-
pared. The commonest way of making the bath is
by adding to common water a certain quantity of
the decoction got by passing steam through the
young Pine tops.

Trie Beech, appears to have been a great fa-
vourite with planters eighty to a hundred years ago,
judging by the numbers of trees about that age.
It is a quick-growing tree, and thrives well on sandy
or light soils ; and even on clay soils, if resting on
sand, it grows freely. Twenty- four feet apart is
close enough to plant it, and it is better in a mixed
plantation than in masses by itself, especially if
any underwood or shrubs are desirable in the plan-
tation, as, owing to the fibrous roots running close
to the surface, it extracts all the moisture from the
soil, and makes the ground below its shade too dry
for any vegetation.

The Scotch or Wych Elm is more valuable
than the English Elm as regards its timber. This
is useful for cart-naves, and also for various purposes
as a substitute for Ash. The tree often grows with
a straggling head, and breaks off into two or three
limbs, and is the better for being a little confined.
If grown by itself it may be planted at 12 feet

apart, but can be advantageously mixed with other
hard- wooded trees. The great drawback to its be-
ing extensively planted is its liability to dry rot in
the centre — pump-rot it is often called. This, I be-
lieve, it is most liable to when planted on sand or
very dry soil, although it is often found affected on
good soil. The English Elm is a quick-growing
timber tree of compact habit. The timber is of
little value till over fifty years old. It thrives well
on a sandy soil or light loam ; on the magnesian
limestone formation it also grows well.

An electrical tree-feller. — In the forests of
Galicia an electrical tree-feller has been introduced
with success. The saw is actuated by an electric
motor, to which the current is conveyed by con-
ducting wires from the nearest generating station.
The whole apparatus is mounted on a chariot or
cart, which is brought to the foot of the tree and
placed in position. When a trunk is cut through
far enough on one side, the cut is kept open by
wedges, and the saw removed to the other side.

Forests in Europe. — The following statistics
about the extent of forest land in Europe have re-
cently been compiled. Forests occupy 39-7 per
cent, of the total area of Sweden, 36-9 of Russia,
325 of Austria, 28-4 of Hungary, 252 of Germany,
245 of Norway, 199 of Servia, 19-6 of Belgium,
189 of Switzerland, 17-7 of France, 17 of Spain,
15-2 of Roumania, 131 of Greece, 12-3 of Italy, 7 of
Holland, 5'3 of Portugal, 4-8 of Denmark, and 4 of
Great Britain and Ireland. As to the United States,
the figure is 19 per cent, of the total area, and the
actual extent of forest land is equal to 15 times the
area of Pennsylvania.

Benefits arising from thorough drainage.
— By removing superfluous water from the soil a
way is made for the air to aid in decomposing the
organic substances, which become the food of the
plants, and ingredients which are hurtful to plant
growth, and which cannot otherwise be removed,
are carried off by rain. Not only does the removal
of extra moisture make the land drier, but it allows
the soil to have the full benefit of the sun's heat,
rendering it warm and congenial to plant growth,
and ready to benefit by the least shower of rain, at
the same time raising the temperature of the sur-
rounding atmosphere. Draining also makes soil of
a stiff or tenacious nature more friable, and better
prepared to receive the fibrous rootlets of plants,
and by the action of the atmosphnre hard pans
or crusts are broken and pulverised, so that the
roots may enter them, a result which could not
otherwise be obtained without subsoiling or
trenching.

SHORT NOTES.— WOODS AND FORESTS.

The Swamp Oak (Quercus palustris). — This
Oak, as its name implies, grows more abundantly in
swamps and low ground than elsewhere, but it will
thrive in any good rich soil, aud its general form when
given plenty of room is all that can be desired. It
also possesses the additional merit of being valuable
for its wood, either for fuel or timber.

Tree planting for shade. — In The Gahoen
(p. 286) is an article on "Tree Planting for Shade."
Oue very charming aud efficient tree has, I think, not-
been included iu the list here given, i.e., the Lime
(Tilia petiolaris, or alba pendula). I have found from
planting it in three different counties that it gives
shade for sitting \mder more quickly and certainly
than any other tree. The Camperdown Elm does
not always "take" well for a few years, hut from
the first the Lime seems to go steadily on getting
denser. — M. R., Liphook.

" The Garden " Monthly Parts.— This journal U
published in neatly bound Monthly Parts. In this form the
coloured plates are' best preserved, and it is most suitable for
reference previous to the issue of the half-yearly volumes. Price
Is. 6d. ; post free, Is. 9d. Complete set of volumes of The
Garden from Us co.mneitccment to end of 1889, thirty-sue vols.,
price, cloth, £27,- half morocco, £32 8s.

"Hardy Flowers." — Giving descriptions of upwards of
thirteen hundred of the most oi-namental species, with directions
for their airangement, culture, <kc. Fourth and Popular
Edition, Is. ; post free, Is. 3d.

" Farm and Home " Monthly Parte. — This
journal is published in neatly bound Monthly Parts, in which
form it is most suitable for reference previous to the issue of the
yearly volumes. Price od. ; post free, 8d.

London : 37, Southampton Street, Strand, W.C.

THE GARDEN,

385

No. 988. SATURDAY, Oct. 2§, 1890. Vol. XXXV I II.

"This is an Art
Which does mend Nature : change it rather ; but
THE Abi itself is Natube."— Shakespeare.

Kitchen Garden.

RETARDING BROCCOLI.
Very rarely have the breadths of Broccoli and
various other winter green crops grown so
strongly as they have done this season. The
showery weather in August was most favourable
to a good start being made, and the glorious
summer-like weather experienced in September
and well into October has had the effect of sus-
taining the growth, beds of stunted plants being
few and far between. This state of affairs will
have set others thinking besides "H. A. M.,"
and his query is, therefore, opportune, while
the importance of the subject warrants me in
treating it at length. In this, as in numerous
other cases, no general rule can be laid down,
so much depending upon circumstances. Broc-
coli cannot be olassed as a perfectly hardy vege-
table, however well the plants may be prepared
for any contingency, but they more often escape
injury by frosts in some districts than in others.
Where they suffer most is in low-lying positions
and on cold clayey sub-soils, the fewest losses
occurring in open positions and on high ground.
It will thus be seen that previous experience is
the best guide in the matter, and I can, there-
fore, only advise generally. In each and every
case, however, it will always be found that the
sturdiest grown plants, or those with short
stems, are the least likely to be destroyed by
frosts, the stems in reality being the most vital
part of the plants. Put out early and some-
what thickly, or much less than 3 feet apart
each way on heavily manured, deeply dug,
loose ground, the plants will usually grow much
too strong, the stems being tall, soft, and ten-
der. With such something must be done be-
fore very long, or the chances are the greater
portion will be destroyed during the winter.
Completely lifting and replanting is a rather
severe proceeding, this having the effect of
greatly reducing the size of the hearts. At the
same time it may be advisable in very cold dis-
tricts, as it admits of the plants being got to-
gether in beds conveniently near where they
can be quickly protected with strawy litter,
Bracken, or mats. From the middle to the end
of November is quite soon enough to lift and
replant Broccoli. Every plant should be care-
fully moved with a good ball of soil about the
roots, and laid in fresh ground, or the latter be
surrounded by manure, the heads facing the
north, and not unduly crowded together. The
whole of the stems need not be buried, as these
will be protected considerably by the next row
of plants. Fix the soil firmly about the roots,
water if the weather is dry, or the plants flag
badly, and afford additional protection when
necessary.

Where the plants are put out on solid,
though not necessarily or advisedly poor
ground, and given good room, the growth is
invariably of a sturdier character. The heads
being strong and the stems not more than 6
inches above the ground, nothing but very
severe cold will greatly injure them. On high
ground it is scarcely advisable to interfere with
such well-prepared plants, but those who have
previously lost many comparatively sturdy
plants owing to not having taken some further
precautions should not again run risks. In

this instance heeling over ought to be sufficient,
and if this is properly carried out some time
during the early part of November all may be
saved and the size of the hearts not greatly
lessened. Rapid thaws are most injurious, but
if the heads are given a good slope to the north
this will to a certain extent obviate the diffi-
culty. Commence operations by opening a
sloping trench on the north side or end of a
breadth of plants, the soil being wheeled back
to the opposite side. Next insert a spade well
behind each plant in the row in succession and
carefully heel them over to a slanting position,
and after firmly disposing more of the soil be-
tween the rows over the roots and the lower
part of the stems, treat the next rows in a simi-
lar manner, and so on till the whole of the
plants are heeled over, finishing off with the
soil wheeled back. If any flag badly these
ought to be watered, but, as a rule, this will be
"unnecessary, the plants soon recovering their
freshness, and, to a certain extent, erect posi-
tion of leaves. The check given serves to
correct the sappy growth, and the additional
protection afforded the stems is a further safe-
guard against frosts.

It should also be understood that some sorts
are much hardier than others. The White and
Purple Cape and Walcheren are quite as tender
as Cauliflowers, and nothing short of either
covering with rough frames or completely lift-
ing and storing in pits or frames will save them.
Neither of these forms is much grown now,
their place being taken, and rightly so,
by Veitch's Autumn Protecting, Michaelmas
White, and other superior earlier and some-
what hardier varieties. Veitch's Protecting is
almost equal to the popular Autumn Giant
Cauliflower, forming a good and close succession
to it, but this also suffers badly in severe
weather, and those who have a good breadth
of strong plants ought to lift and place as many
as they can find room for in rough wooden
frames or brick pits, vineries not being forced,
and even open sheds. Failing any of these
conveniences, the plants might be lifted with a
good ball of soil about the roots and bedded
somewhat thickly where they can be covered
with mats or other protecting material when-
ever severe frosts are imminent. Batches of
these early Broccoli may be lifted and stored at
any time during November, and if firmly re-
fixed in rich soil and kept well supplied with
water, a supply of very clean medium-sized
hearts will be available during December and
January. In these cases it is unwise to delay
lifting till the hearts are formed or are being
formed, as it frequently happens that hundreds
are spoiled by frosts when the hearts are quite
small. Snow's Winter White is rarely avail-
able before February, and being a fairly hardy
form may, as a rule, be left in the open till the
hearts are nearly fit to cut, the precaution, how-
ever, being taken of well covering these early
with some of their own leaves. Early Penzance
is extremely tender, and unless protected in
some way is not often of much service out of
Cornwall. Broccoli generally can be kept for
some time in cellars, sheds, and outhouses, but
in this case the hearts must be of good size
before the plants are lifted, as they will not in-
crease in size subsequently.

W. Igguxden.

Pea Duke of Albany. — In your issue of Oct.
4 I notice Mr. Wythes praises the Duke of Albany
Pea. I have not a word to say against that Pea,
which, like others, is a selection from Culverwell's
Telegraph. For the sake of comparison I grew
Telegraph and Duke of Albany. The result was
that it was impossible to discern where one sort
ended and the other began. They were grown as

Peas should be grown, in plenty of farmyard ma-
nure ; consequently they were robust and as much
alike as they could be. Culverwell's Telegraph has
sported several varieties, if varieties they can be
called. Stratagem is most distinct in habit. In the
same issue, Latest of All Pea was said to have
been raised by Mr. Maher, and almost in the next
sentence it was said to have come accidentally.
This I can quite believe. Pea raising by hand fertili-
sation is not such an easy matter. I cannot bring
myself to believe that any of our Sweet Peas have
been fertilised by hand. That they have been care-
fully selected I quite believe, and the colours kept
distinct. I have grown every sort I could get, and
find the flowers no better, if well grown, than they
were twenty years since. — C. E. M.

TOMATOES.
I have read a good deal in The Gaeden and else-
where about the failure of Tomatoes out of doors
this year. My own crop has been exceedingly
good, almost as good as last season. But the
plants are grown against a south wall between
Peach trees. I make a great point of getting
the plants well on before they are put out. They
are generally in flower. The seeds are sown in
January, and I pot off two plants in a 6-inch
pot, so that the roots are a good deal confined
when the time for putting out has arrived. They
are not, of course, put out till all fear of frost has
passed away. As a rule they start quickly into
growth against the wall, and I have never found
it necessary to keep them to one stem, as I do
plants in pots. They are allowed a good deal of
freedom, although as the summer goes on luxuri-
ant side shoots are from time to time removed.
Nothing can be more successful than this simple
mode of treatment, which has given us an im-
mense quantity of fruit year after year. I should
say there are three points to be specially attended
to in growing outdoor Tomatoes : 1. Sow early, in
January if possible. 2. Harden off the plants tho-
roughly before putting out. 3. Be careful to have
a good hardy sort.

The demand for Tomatoes is large here, but it
has been well supplied, almost entirely from the
outdoor plants since the beginning of August.
Besides the large number consumed daily, we
bottled last year a considerable quantity, and the
flavour of the bottled fruit was excellent ; there
was no sign of mould or want of keeping in any
way. The plants are well exposed to sunshine and
air on the top of a greenhouse stage for some time
before they are finally hardened out of doors. To-
matoes in winter are apt to be somewhat miffy in
the earlier stages of growth. I failed altogether
the first year I tried winter work with them, be-
cause I did not sow them early enough in autumn,
and the cold of approaching winter caught them
before I was aware of their danger. I sow now in
July, and for the last two seasons I have had fine
fruit in March and April. I have some strong
young plants of Tomato Conference in a cold house
at the present time almost ready to bloom. They
will not have much heat till January, as I have no
place in which to put them ; when the heat goes
on in the early vinery they will be put into large
pots, and will probably do well. I tried the Large
Red last year, but it did not do any better with me
than Perfection of the previous year. This year I
am trying a small sort, but Conference is strongly
recommended.

Tomatoes are rapidly becoming a favourite
vegetable with the poor in this neighbourhood, but
this year has, generally speaking, been a bad one
for them. They have not much wall space, and
usually they grow their Tomatoes tied to stakes,
or else fastened to some rough fencing. In such
positions there was not sufficient sun this year to
bring on the plants. Another difficulty which
cottagers have to contend with is want of heat in
spring to get on early plants, and really fine plants
are not easily purchased.

It is well known that Tomatoes are gross feeders.
I have found peat Moss litter from the stable most
suitable for them. When the plants are potted

380

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 25, 1890.

the earth is Dot filled in within 3 inches of the top-
When the fruit, begins to set this is filled with peat
Mobs manure well rotted. It is surprising how
rapidly the roots will run in it and what progress
the plants will make. I am always on the look
Out for any fresh intelligence about Tomato grow-
in;;, tor they are undoubtedly one of the best and
most wholesome vegetables the garden produces.
And they have so many advantages, for they may
be cooked in such a v.ariety of ways, and eaten raw
moke one of the best of salads, and they may be
hid for so many months in the year.

A (Ji.oirc!KSTnitsinnH Pahhon.

TOMATOES AT EXHIBITIONS.
At fho Guildhall show, the best collection of
Tomatoos was disqualified because in the opinion
of the judges two dishes were the same. At
the Royal Aquarium show last week, where Toma-
toos were largely exhibited, I counted in one col-
lection of twelve dishes not loss than eight under
divorso names absolutely similar in appearance
and I ii others from five to seven dishes also appa-
rently identical. The fact that these were shown
under divorse names proves that they are held by
the growers presumably to be distinct, but it is the
misfortune of Tomatoes that with so many so-called

varieties it is impossible to distinguish them off the
plant one from another, and hardly loss difficult
when seen growing. At this time of the year, when
Tomatoes run of medium size, one might pick a
dozen dishes from off the same variety, call them
Perfection, Hackwood Park, Conference, Ham
Green Favourito, and so on, and not a single
grower other than the exhibitor could tell how far
the naming was or was not true. Now.in all ordinary
fruits there are found some features which toll
plainly enough what the varieties are. With our
800 sorts of Apples, many so very much alike, some-
how all have some diverse features or points of
character which prevent deception. The same may
almost be said of Petal oos, indeed of almost every-
thing else except Tomatoes. The obvious inference
is that it is unwise to invito collections of thingH
as diverse sorts which havo on the show tabic no
diversities, however remote, and cannot be distin-
guished one from tho other by the most capable
oT judges. Tomatoes give rich colouring, and in
thai respeot arc very helpful at autumn shows, but
they do at the best mako up very deceitful classes
when shown in quantities. Classes which called
[or dishes of tho smooth round scarlet, the
red or Acme typo, the yellow or golden
forms, tho scarlet sutured varieties and the
oval or other smaller fruited forms in clusters
would he more sensible, as in that oase di-
versity would bo ensured, A capital class would
bo found in tho host six elusions of any variety ; as
shown now in single fruits no indication is given
as to prolificacy or avorago sizo of fruits produced.
Oldsters would show both those oloments fully, and
give Car more of Interest to spectators, who find a
large number of dishes of Tomatoes as shown very
monotonous sight-seeing. With all due respect to
Compilers' of schedules, I think far too little con-
sideration is shown to tho public, who in visiting
shows 01 Subscribing to their funds want to SCO
Something effective and interesting for their money.
In some oases the schodule is compiled on the lines
of old ones to savo trouble, in others to meet the
capacities of certain persons to win prizes; the
farthest from thought is the public, who furnish
the funds from which prizes are paid. Tomatoes
might be made to present a, very pretty class if so
many dishes or baskets were asked for, distinctness
allied to quality being important foaturos in the
judging. Sot up with tho taste now shown in set-
ting up collections of vegetables, a very charming
feature might bo introduced into exhibitions. In
these days when acres of Tomatoes are grown

under glass It should not i,e diffloult to*put up col-
lections as indicated, the greatest oare being shown
todisplay fertility as well as other qualifies. It is

a great pity thai, in our exhibitions we encourage
the production of such large fruits. But for win-
ning; prizes they would never bo produced. Nico

medium-sized samples are always in most favour
for common use, and such samples should receive
due encouragement. A. D.

Public Gardens.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS IN THE PARKS.

Tiik Chrysanthemum is a famous park flower.
The interest in tho exhibitions that have been
held for many years at Finsbury Park and the
Temple Gardens has spread to other parks, and
now we have an annual show at Battersea and
one in the grimy quarter of Southwark. Each
of these exhibitions is visited by thousands,
and thus many who would never have an oppor-
tunity of seeing a largo collection of Chrysan-
themums are enabled to enjoy a display that is
as representative almost as the finest exhibition
in which gardeners from many counties enter
into competition. There is naturally very littlo
scope to make artistic groups. Tho space is al-
ways limited and the plants crowded together
in one largo block, as tho necessities of the case
demand that every inch shall bo utilised. If we
do not get beautiful groups, there is a rich feast
of colour provided for tho enjoyment of visitors
and an opportunity is given of showing the
splendour and perfection of a comparatively
modern flower. Tho displays this year are of
exceptional excollenec, but of necessity some-
what uneven. One cannot compare Finsbury
Park with Southwark Park. The two places
aro situated in vastly different localities. Tho
ono is on a breezy hill, the plants freshened
and strengthened by every wind that blows ;
tho other exposed to the filthy atmosphere of
tho most populous centre, perhaps, in London,
low-lying, and under tho full influence of poi-
sonous chemical works, which render plant
growing a mattor of extreme difficulty. We
hopo that the indoor Chrysanthemum will not
bo preferred entirely to tho outdoor display.
There is yet room for more groups of tho va-
riety Mmo. Desgrange and its yellow sport (G.
Wormig), whilo there are many other pretty
kinds still unused. Of course, the colours must
bo decided and showy. Washy pinks should
be carefully avoided, or any palo shades that
require glass to bring out their delicacy of tone.
Yellow, crimson, red, orange, brown, and allied
colours are tho best for this soason of tho year,
when London and its suburbs aro often enveloped
in a dirty fog, which sullies white and softly
tintod flowors.

Finsbury Park.
Tho tenth annual show here was opened about a
fortnight ago, and there will bo plenty to see for
the next three weeks. It is the finest exhibition
that has been held as yet, and this is high praise
when every previous effort has been crowned with
success. Tho park, as mentioned before, has great
climatic advantages, and there is, for such a place,
a good house to show them in. It is 100 feet long,
and the collection comprises about 2000 plants in
all fho leading and recent varieties. It is, of course,
tho earlier (lowering kinds that are in great beauty
now, but tho largo central lino of plants is rich in
colour, as much so almost as in the second week in
Novembor. A walk runs along each side of tho
house to onsure comfortable inspection. Tho show
kinds are massed together in the centro, the margin
lined with tho pompon and smaller-floworod varie-
ties which make a neat setting to the arrangement.
One of the best types in bloom now is Mons. Tarin.
We havo seldom seen it finer than here, tho flowers
very large, borne several together on a plant, and
very charming with their characteristic ruggedness
and soft pink colour. Of course, such kinds as
Win. Holmes, Elaine, Avalanche, Mile. Lacroix,
Edwin Molyneux, Margot, Lady Selborne, and O. J.
Qulntus are in full beauty, besides a few that are
less known. One of these is Puritan, an American

variety of the Japanese type, and certificated re-
cently by the floral committee of the National
Chrysanthemum Society. It is a distinct addition,
and will no doubt become largely grown. The
flowers are large, but not coarse, the petals thick,
ivory white in the case of those shown at the meet-
ing, but at Finsbury Park they are coloured with
rose, which may, however, disappear with age.
Etoile de Lyon, the biggest Chrysanthemum we
think in cultivation, is here of its proper colour-
rich rose ; but what is its right tint 1 At Battersea
Park the flower comes almost pure white, while at
Southwark it is rose, but not so pronounced in
shade as we sometimes see it. This variability in
the colouring is much against the flower, and it will
be interesting to know if other growers experi-
ence the same thing with Etoile de Lyon. Mrs.
John Laing, a rose-coloured vaiiety, and Gorgeous,
deep yellow, very striking, are two good early kinds,
very effective at Finsbury Park, and we must not
omit mention of the pretty little rose-coloured
pompon Elise Dordan. The incurved flowers are
very fine, especially those of Golden George Glenny
and Eefulgens. But as all the best kinds are grown
it is impossible to mention even the most splendid
now in beauty. Comte de Germiny was in full
flower the first week in September. We are not
recommending that Chrysanthemums should be
driven into early autumn, but record the fact as of
possible interest to many growers. The blooms
were quite 8 inches across, and the petals of great
width.

Battersea Park.

This is the second exhibition here, and we are
pleased to see that Mr. Coppin has a show of great
excellence this season, the plants thoroughly well
grown, and not like the leggy specimens that some
affect to admire. They are arranged, as last season,
in a large house split into two compartments, and
provide a rich mass of colour. Some of the plants
have evidently been cut down, an excellent
way to get a stocky growth, plenty of strong deep
green leafage, and free display of flowers, which
are none the less beautiful for being smaller than
the show blooms seen at competitive exhibitions.
One of the prettiest at present is Ralph Brookle-
bank, the clear yellow-coloured sport from Meg
Merrilies, and a charming variety. Avalanche,
Duke of Berwick, a fine early-flowering kind ;
Phccbus, rich yellow; Mile. Lacroix ; and Edwin
Mulyneux, besides the other leading kinds in
bloom now, were also in perfection. A special note
must be made of the incurved varieties, which are
very fine, especially Jeanne d'Arc. Etoile de Lyon
is also conspicuous for size and its ivory-white col-
our, but we much prefer those flowers of a rich rose
shade, as we sometimes see them, especially later in
the season. A Japanese variety that should be
much grown is Alice Bird ; and a plant at Battersea
shows its worth. It is the same as Buttercup, and
what is called a decorative variety, the flowers very
freely produced, medium in size, and rich yellow.
Soutbwark Park.

In one corner of this park, Mr. Bush, the super-
intendent, has arranged a charming show of tho
great autumn flower, and under circumstances
which make it more creditable. It occasion-
ally happens that tho flowers are suddenly
spoilt by the fumes from chemical works in the
vicinity, and the atmosphere is usually thick,
heavy, and hurtful to plant life. But an earnest
endeavour is made to provide for the inhabitants
of this poor district a display that will give some
enjoyment when summer has gone. This is the
third exhibition, and we must account it the best.
Tho incurved varieties arc admirable, especially
ono group of the deep yellow Mr. Bunn, which
faces the entrance. All the leading varieties are
grown, and the rich health of tho plants shows that
their culture is well understood.

Temple Gardens.

The show in these gardens is again very good, as far
as one can judge at present, but it will be better in a
fortnight's time when the opening Mowers and buds
have expanded into full beauty. Avalanche was
extremely beautiful, several excellent blooms being
fully open, and the same may be said of Mrs. J.

Oot. 25, 1890.]

THE GAKDEN.

387

Wright, a lovely white Japanese variety, the broad-
petalled Condor, Sunflower, the most useful of the
yellow-flowered Japanese kinds, very rich in colour,
and J, Thorpe, Jun., another gem. It belongs to
the large Anemone class, and was raised in 1S8G ;
the flowers are rich golden yellow, and very showy
at this season. The Japanese kind Stanstead Sur-
prise, cherry-rose in colour, the reverse of the
petals silvery white, was remarkable for its size ;
it is showy in a group, but not more so than l'lle
des Flaisirs, raised in 1883. A plant was in full
bloom, the flowers medium in size, but very rich
crimson in colour, the petals gold at the points.
We care little for such varieties as Macaulay,
which has flowers one mass of petals, serrated, and
much like Endive. There is no beauty in such pro-
ductions.

Brockwell Park.— The Parks and Open Spaces
Committee presented a report in reference to the
purchase of Brockwell Park. They stated that, if
the purchase was to be carried out, the notices must
be given to the owners before the end of this month,
and the purchase would have to be completed, and
the money (£117,000) paid over by the 25th of De-
cember next. The amounts promised were : Lon-
don County Council, £61,000; Charity Commis-
sioners, £25,000 ; Lambeth A'estry, £20,000 ; Cam-
berwell Vestry, £G000 ; Newington Vestry, £5000 ;
vendor's contribution, £2000 ; Ecclesiastical Com-
missioners, £500— total, £119,500. It was provided
in the agreement with the vendor that the pur-
chasers should, after the park passes into their
hands, erect a fence and form a plantation next
adjoining properties, a work which the architect
estimates to cost £1800. A sum of £5000 for Brock-
well Park was included in the Council's capital
account estimates, and was provided for in the
Money Act of last session, and this sum would
more than defray the cost of this work. They re-
commended the Council to pass the following reso-
lution : " That provided the purchase-money for
Brockwell Park, as defined in the London Council
(General Powers) Act, 1800, do not, when the acre-
age has been definitely ascertained, exceed the sum
of £117,000, and provided the Vestries of Lambeth,
Camberwell, and Newington enter into proper
agreements, to be prepared by the Council's soli-
citor, for payment of their several contributions of
£20,000, £6000, and £5000, and provided the Vestry
of Lambeth abandon the Raleigh Park (Brixton)
Act, 1888, and release the Council to the satisfac-
tion of its solicitor from all obligation to contribute,
under Section 8 of that Act, the Council do proceed
to carry out the purchase of Brockwell Park under
the terms of the agreement of the 21st of December,
1889." The report was agreed to.

SHORT NOTES.— PUBLIC GARDENS.

Kemiington Park.— At tho usual weekly meot-
ing of the London County Council a recommendation
was agreed to that a tender for £195 for laying out tho
outlying portion of Kenningtou Park at the corner of
Brixton Road and Camberwell New Road be ac-
cepted.

New recreation ground for Charlton.—
Arrangements have been made for the London County
Council to take over on tho 25th inst. the recreation
ground given to the parish of Charlton by Sir Sponcer
Maryon-Wilson, Bart. In recognition of the baronet's
generosity on this and other occasions, tho inhabitants
of Charlton intend to celebrate the opening in a suit-
able manner.

Southport. — The corporation having been em-
powered to construct a marine park and lake, on which
they expended £12,000, now proposo to construct
another park and lake at a cost of £25,000. Tho usual
Local Government Board inquiry was recently held by
Colonel Ducat, R.E., in tho Town Hall, and a further
sum of £18,000 is to be expended for other public im-
provements, making a total of £56,000,

The Metropolitan Public Gardens Asso-
ciation is doing useful work. It has been decided
to give seats to several places, and lay out the dis-
used burial ground of St. James', Ratcliff, E., also
when funds permit, and the question of their future
maintenance is provided for, to lay out Bedford
and Sidney Squares, E., Bartholomew Square, E.C.,

and Victoria Park Cemetery, E., and to contribute
towards the laying out of the ground in Great
Church Land, Hammersmith. It was resolved to
secure a properly qualified instructor, and to form
classes for boys and girls in certain playgrounds on
Saturdays for teaching physical exercises and the
proper use of the gymnastic apparatus erected in
the grounds. The association is about to appeal
to the public for more funds to carry out their
useful work.

OPEN SPACES IN THE METROPOLIS.
It is in a great measure owing to your kind-
ness in past years that the Metropolian Public
Gardens Association, of which I have the honour
to be chairman, has been enabled, through the ge-
nerosity of the public, to add, since 1883, forty-two
public gardens and eight playgrounds to the open
spaces of the metropolis. May I venture to hope
that you will again assist me to bring the needs of
the association to the knowledge of your readers.

When the association started, many friends came
forward with both large and small donations, but
lately, owing in a great measure to the death of
some of our most munificent supporters, these
welcome contributions have almost ceased, and
we have had to depend upon the income derived
from regular subscriptions. These are only mo-
derate in amount, and are needed for the ex-
penses of maintenance, for grants to gymnasia, for
trees and seats in thoroughfares, for carrying on
most necessary opposition to encroachments on
open spaces, for office expenses, and for other
branches of the work.

The season is now at hand in which to lay out
new grounds for use next summer, and there are
many small plots of land now lying useless which
the association sees its way to secure, and to con-
vert into smiling gardens, open-air gymnasia, and
playgrounds, if only funds were forthcoming.
Nearly £5000 is now required, and could be use-
fully spent during the coming winter and spring
on the laying out of the following inclosures,
which by no means exhaust our list of sites await-
ing conversion into public gardens. In each case
arrangements have already been made, or would be
made, for the permanent maintenance of the
grounds to be laid out before we commenced
work : —

Name.

Victoria Park Cemetery, E.

St. James's Disused Burial
grouud, Ratcliff, E

St. Botolph's Disused Burial -
ground, Aldgate, E

Bartholomew Square, St. Luke's,
E.C

Sidney and Bedford Squares,
Commercial Road, E. ...

Groat Church Lane Ground,
Hammersmith, W. ... ...

Seward Street Disused Burial-
ground, Goswell Road, E.C.

Acreage

Approxi-
mate cost.

11

£3000

1

150

i

120

i

150

1

300

U

800

i

850

We want to lay out many more gardens and
playgrounds, and to provide instructors in physical
exercises and gymnastics. We want to plant many
more trees and flowers in the most dreary parts of
London, and to cheer those lives of toil which at
present possess so little to elevate or refresh. Will
not some new friends, as well as our old ones,
come to our assistance ? Subscriptions and dona-
tions will be thankfully received by myself or by
the secretary, at 83, Lancaster Gate, W. I com-
mend the work of the association to all who from
time to time can afford to escape from the crowded
town to the country-side, to the hills and moors
or to lands beyond the sea. — Meath, in the Times'

Michaelmas Daisies in the parks. — It is

satisfactory to note that the Michaelmas Daisies
are not forgotten in the London parks. One large
bed facing the entrance nearest the railway station
in Battersea Park is filled largely with Michaelmas

Daisies and Lobelia eardinalis. The effect is goo3,
the Asters comprising such varieties as Amelias,
hcvis, and Novse-Anglita, all good kinds that wo
can scarcely have too much of at this season. The
scarlet Lobelia is very rich in colour, the crimson
flowers and deep chocolate leaves giving a splendid
contrast, but we see too little of it. Why not have a
good bed of it to show the value of the plant for
creating warm masses of colour? The same may
be said of the Asters, which if planted a few to-
gether in front of shrubs would have a distinct and
rich effect when the Dahlias were blackened by
frost. A good start has been made at Battersea,
and we hope that in other parks the Michaelmas
Daisy and the scarlet Lobelia will have a place
fitting their great worth.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

A fine Lilium auratunv— In The Garden,

Oct. 12, 1SS9 (p. 333), reference is made to a Lilium
auratum growing among Rhododendrons hero being
very fine. This your the same bulb lias a stem 8 foot
(I inches high, and is hearing 58 blooms.— T. M'Clure,
Hartley Grange Gardens, Winchficld.

Malformed Cypripediuin flower. — A curi-
ously malformed flower of Cypripediuin Spioeria-
num has been sent to us. The petals are each
turned into a dorsal sepal of the same shape and
colour, one petal only appearing, and this has taken
tho place of tho dorsal sepal tho lip is normal.

Chrysanthemum Lady Selborne.— I scud
you a few sprays of this variety to show what a lovely
thing it is when cultivated to produce flowers in abun-
dance. Such sprays are useful for tilling vases. — K. M.

*#* Very lovely. The shoots wore smothered^ in
flowers, not largo, hut very freo and graceful. It is a
priceless treasure at this season for cutting.— Ed.

Two good Torch Lilies. — Tritoma maxima
globosa is now a bright and striking feature with its
huge spherical heads of bright red flowers. It is a
most valuable lato-floworiiig kind, and tho same may
bo said of T. Rooperi, which is now bright and beauti-
ful, with spikes of flower nearly 3 foot high, bright
red, tipped with yellow. Tho spikes last much longer
now than they did in the hot days wo had in Septem-
ber, and make the garden choerful.

A white Antirrhinum.— I send you a few
blooms of a white Antirrhinum which wo have used
hero rather largely this season for bedding. It has
been in bloom continuously since tho beginning of
May, and looks likely to last somo time yet. The habit
is dwarf and very compact. For borders it is un-
equalled where white flowers aro required. — E. Moi.Y-
nf.iix, Su-aitiiiorc Park, Bishop's Waltham.

*»* A very charming flower, hold, and of the purest
white, except a suffusion of yellow at tho mouth of tho
lip— Ed.

Anemonopsis macrophylla.— This Japanese
plant has elegant flowers, between those of a
Columbine and a Japanese Anemone, and the
habit may be said to be intermediate. But I have
not learnt its likes and dislikes in three or four
years' acquaintance with it. I have several plants,
and none have done really well in any situation I
have tried. In shade the leaves seem to damp off
in wet weather, and in sun the plant seems liablo
to wither prematurely. It is quite hardy against
frost, and flowers in late summer, producing seed-
pods rather like those of a Columbine well filled
with seed, from which I have never yet raised
plants. It is still scarce in gardens. The authors
of " Genera Plantarum," the first volume of which
was published in 1807, had never seen a specimen.
Continental catalogues offer it now at a reasonable
pridfe, and perhaps some correspondent of The
Garden may have been more successful with it
than I have been, and will tell us how to make tho
best of it.— C. Wolley Don, Edge Hall

The Phytolaccas.of which there arenowsever.il
species in cultivation, are atpresentof muchintcrest
and considerable beauty ; the rich'colouring of the
fruit of some of the species, which hangs in long,
close-set bunches, is very effective, and, together
with the pretty bronzed foliage, makes lovely au-
tumn groups in the garden. P. decandra, an Ame-
rican species, said to have been introduced with
the Tobacco plant, has bo well adapted itself to tho
altered conditions as to become quite a weed near

388

THE GARDEN

[Oct. 25, 1890.

old gardens, &c, and we believe from an escape it
has established itself all along the Bosphorus. P.
ioosandra, acinosa, &c, are also worth growing for
autumn effect.

Poison tree of New Zealand is one of the
curiosities in the stove at Kew. It is named La-
portea moraoides, and derives its name of Poison
tree from the hurtfulness of the hairs which studd
it, these when touched inflicting considerable pain
felt for many weeks after. It is not showy, but
it is worth a note just now, as the plant at Kew is in
full fruit, long racemes of Raspberry-like, claret-
coloured berries springing from the main stem.
Several fruits are borne close together, and we get
a rich piece of colouring. The Laportea genus is
not large nor important. There are about twenty-
five species, including both shrubs and trees,
and chiefly found in the warmer parts of the Old
World.

A new sweet-scented Begonia, B. Bau-

manni.— This new species, which is indigenous to
the moist valleys of the northern Cordillera range,
is now being sent out for the first time by M. V.
Lemoine, of Nancy, who has acquired the entire
stock from its raiser, Herr Baumann, of Bolwiller,
to whom seed was sent in 1886 by its discoverer,
Dr. Sacc, from Cochabamba, in Bolivia. The flower-
stems are produced in great profusion, as many as
twenty-five at once from a single plant ; they each
bear from three to six bright rose- coloured flowers,
which exhale a most agreeable perfume, closely
resembling that of a Primrose. The male flowers,
which are the larger and handsomer of the two, are
twice as numerous as the female ones; whereas
generally the proportion is the exact contrary —
two female flowers to each male. The plant is of
easy culture, requiring only a good light soil, plenty
of water, and partial shade, as exposure to the full
sun causes the flowers to fall. The period of bloom-
ing extends to nine months out of the twelve, the
plant only requiring rest during the three winter
months ; it is also well suited for room and window-
sill culture, and should be a decided acquisition to
our gardens. — W. E. G.

Chrysanthemums at Kew.— Last season we
mentioned that in the greenhouse and temperate
house at Kew the Chrysanthemum was grown as
it should be to provide a free display of flowers.
There is an excellent collection of the earlier kinds
in the greenhouse at present, the two most beauti-
ful varieties being James Salter and Lady Selborne.
Neither needs description, but we may remark that
we have seldom seen finer specimens, one spread-
ing out several feet, and covered with flowers of
sufficient size to interest even an ardent exhibitor.
Such masses of bloom especially, snow white and
delicate pink, make a charming feature at this
season, and show the true beauty of a plant that is
often distorted in the endeavour to get big blooms
or set shapes. A plant of W. Holmes was carrying
thirty flowers of good size and rich colour, and
others worthy of note were M. Weick fils, rich crim-
son ; Chamoit, purple and white ; and Source d'Or.
All were flowering in the greatest profusion, and
most welcome in October when the conservatory
and greenhouse begin to look shabby. We may
mention that the centre division in the greenhouse
at Kew has been rebuilt and lengthened. This
gives scope for fine groups of plants.

Double tuberous Begonia flowers. — I send
you a box of double Begonia flowers (seedlings
of this year), which I hope you will admire. They
are small compared with some, but are all ttorne
erect or nearly so, and being from very small plants
(raised at the end of January and planted out in
July), they will be larger next year. The double
yellow is decided in colour and very good in habit,
but it is not so good as one I bought from Lemoine
this year, Colonel Saussedat, which I think should
be added to Mr. Gumbleton's list of good double
yellows, though, I must add, that the flowers are
not of the shape I admire, being too high in the
centre and confused in the petals. It is, however,
a beautiful colour, and the plants are covered with
erect flowers, three or four on a stem, and very bushy
in habit. I also send you a few more flowers of the
hybrid natalensis and leaves with them, and one

flower of B. octopetala Lemoinei, a seedling from
Ville de Nancy of that strain. I have more ;
some, I think, will have yellow flowers. The other
little bunch has not much beauty, but is of interest
as being a cross between an Andean hybrid and B.
geranioides, the former being the female parent.
You will see the hybrid sent has the truss of flowers
like geranioides and the leaf of the Andean hybrid
in texture, but rounded like geranioides. It is only
just beginning to flower. I am trying the cross
again this year with a highly-coloured Begonia, and
shall also try what can be done with the one sent.
I have not heard of the cross having been made
before, although very probably it has been done. —
W. Shirley, Soutlmicli Parsonage, Fareliam.

*»* Excellent flowers, and we are pleased to
know you have had such success in hybridising.
The double yellow is a fine colour, and the other
crosses are interesting. We agree with you that
the high centred types are not pretty ; they are
lumps of petals, confused, ill shaped and ugly. — Ed.

Kniphofia (Tritoma) Macowani. —Lest any
should be induced by the note upon page 376 in
The Gaeden of October 18 to regard this pretty
little Torch Lily as tender, it may be well to state
that only upon low-lying or heavy soils is it likely
to suffer, and not in these if the crowns are afforded
a slight protection. Our plants withstood 22° of
frost last winter, and they had been moved the
previous autumn, so had not the advantage of
being well established. This Torch Lily in com-
pany with T. corallina, recently noted, is one of
those specially valuable kinds, because of its
dwarfness and earliness, freedom, and long-lasting
season of bloom. It is a hardy plant of the highest
value, easily increased by division and also by seed,
as it flowers early enough to perfect and ripen
seed-pods in warm districts. The seedlings, though
mainly representing the parent, vary in stature, but
all are pretty and interesting. The dwarf Torch
Lilies can be grown in many places, and in numer-
ous gardens where the taller forms are not suit-
able, and for this reason the kind under notice can
be boldly and extensively grown with a view to
creating a striking effect in beds or borders during
summer and early autumn.

Royal Horticultural Society. — We are

asked to state that next Tuesday, the 28th inst.,
Dr. Masters, F.R.S., will deliver a lecture on " Trees
and Shrubs for Large Towns " at the Drill Hall,
and the council would be glad if intending exhi-
bitors would, if possible, apart from the ordinary
exhibits of flowers, fruit, and vegetables, show
ornamental and useful specimens, by way of
illustrating the lecture. The council of the
Royal Horticultural Society intend to hold the
following conferences at Chiswick Gardens dur-
ing the year 1891, viz.: July 7, "Hardy Mid-
summer Flowers " ; July 8, " Strawberries and
Raspberries, Currants, and [other Small Fruits " ;
Oct. 6, " Hardy Autumn Flowers, especially Michael-
mas Daisies, Perennial Sunflowers, Autumn Cro-
cuses, &c"; Oct. 8, " Conifers as Ornamental Trees
and for Timber." The council would be greatly
obliged to those possessing good varieties of
Michaelmas Daisies or perennial Sunflowers if they
would be kind enough to forward plants of them
without delay to Mr. Barron, Superintendent,
Royal Horticultural Society's Gardens, Chiswick,
London, W., as they are very anxious to obtain a
thoroughly representative collection of these charm-
ing flowers, with a view both to the selection of the
best varieties and the correction of their nomencla-
ture, which seems to be at present somewhat con-
fused.

The Tobacco as an ornamental plant,

either for grouping or as a single specimen, should
be recommended with caution in certain districts,
inasmuch as the plants are so liable to be injured
by even ordinary storms. In sheltered districts To-
baccos, such as N. repanda, N. Tabacum, N. alata,
N. affinis, and others, are very ornamental plants.
They are very effective in groups, and are as easily
managed as most tender annuals. N. affinis is
especially to be recommended for outdoors for
summer and autumn flowering, and if carefully

lifted, the more backward of the plants would con-
tinue to produce bloom in the greenhouse for many
weeks to come. N. glauca is a species one rarely
sees now-a-days, though a very good cool house
plant, flowering well in a small state. These various
Tobaccos are in full flower in the open air now in
the neighbourhood of London, a very unusual thing
at the end of October.

A new fruit and vegetable market. — The
Lord Mayor yesterday laid the foundation-stone of
a new fruit and vegetable market in the Farringdon
Road. The area amounts to 54,000 feet, and the
building about to be erected will occupy a space of
30,000 feet, so that there will be room for exten-
sion. A very important consideration is the base-
ment work. The rails of the Great Northern Rail-
way Company will traverse the entire length of the
building, and lifts will be provided for raising the
produce to the market above.

Crimson-foliaged trees at Knaphill. — Mr.

Anthony Waterer has sent leaves of Rhus Osbecki,
the Knaphill Oak, and shoots of Berberis Thunbergi
to show the richness of the crimson colouring. All
three are of the deepest hue, very bright off the
tree, but splendid in the landscape. It is such
richly coloured things as these that charm us at
this season ; and those who require fine associa-
tions of colour should study the autumn appear-
ance of the trees. The leaf of the Knaphill Oak is
broad, dark crimson, and the tree is very handsome
at all seasons, but especially in autumn.

The Loasa family, as it is known to us in
gardens, could very well be largely increased if
one may judge by those already in cultivation.
But besides being beautiful, Loasas are extremely
curious and interesting, flowers as well as fruit, and
the leaves are even more formidable than the worst
of the Stinging Nettles. In gardens where visitors
are troublesome in handling plants, a few Loasas in
prominent and easily accessible spots would soon
effect a cure if we may judge from the remark of a
gentleman a few days ago, who declared, after be-
ing badly bitten, that it would be a long time be-
fore he touched plants that he did not know again.
L. lateritia and Lindleyi are perennials, and though
perhaps not quite hardy in severe winters, they
may always be pulled through with care, and are
very useful for trellises or screens. L. vulcanica,
hispida, acanthifolia, and others are most useful for
mixed borders.

The dwarf Oenotheras, comprising such
species as OB. taraxacifolia and acaulis, though
natives of Chili, prove perfectly hardy with us, even
in the most severe winters, and as they begin early
in summer to bloom, and are even now amongst the
gayest flowers of the garden, their value as rock
plants or in suitable positions on warm borders is
apparent. In CE. acaulis no stem worth mention-
ing is formed ; the leaves are whitish on both sides,
divided, and from 3 inches to 6 inches long, the
flowers pure white, opening early in the afternoon,
and continuing open until late the next morning.
The flowers of (E. taraxacifolia, also a most useful
and free-blooming plant, are more or less pink.
CE. triphylla is a fine yellow species from North
America, quite hardy, and a lovely rock plant. The
same may be said of (E. tanacetifolia, with divided
leaves and pretty yellow flowers.

Tea Roses at Crawley.— The autumn of 18fl0
will be remembered for its wealth of Tea Roses,
the result of a long continuance of warm sunny
weather. Several varieties were in flower recently
in the nurseries of Messrs. Cheal and Sons at
Crawley, and amongst the gayest things in the
place, as the Dahlias were already blackened by a
sharp frost. One kind especially was as full of
bloom as in July. This was Ethel Brownlow. Its
flowers are salmon-rose, shaded with yellow, a
brilliant mixture of varied tints ; but several other
kinds were noteworthy, as Marie Van Houtte, Anna
Olivier, &c. In every garden Tea Roses should be
present, and a wealth of bloom and strong growth
may be expected if the plants are on the seedling
Brier stock. The soil at Crawley is a stiff loam,
which wants well working, and the situation flat
and low-lying, yet they succeed well.

Oct. 25, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

389

Stove and Greenhouse.

WINTER FLOWERING BEGONIAS.

The winter-flowering section of Begonias should
not be overlooked through the anxiety there is
just at present to possess and cultivate the sum-
mer-flowering, tuberous-rooted kinds which un-
doubtedly far outshine their more modest rivals
in brilliancy. But the winter (including late
autumn and early spring) varieties, grown for
the sake of their flowers, are equally valuable,
coming into bloom at a season of the year when
such flowers are very valuable. Most of the
winter-flowering Begonias thrive best and bloom

a moderately cool stove, kept as near the glass
as possible, and fresh air admitted on all favour-
able occasions with only a medium amount of
atmospheric moisture, this failing can to a great
extent be obviated. For use in a cut state two
or three distinct kinds arranged along with their
own handsome foliage (varying, as it does, from
pale green to darker shades of the same colour
on to that possessing a metallic lustre and even
bronzy crimson) make most pleasing and effec-
tive decorations.

When using Begonias for filling vases, Fern
fronds are quite superfluous. This is one
point in their favour as a set-off against their
lack of durability. Take, for instance, a few

Begonia seniperflorens Sieberiana.

most freely under a temperate course of treat-
ment, and thus grown will be found to be more
durable when used in a cut state than if grown
in warmer quarters. Moreover, when any of the
plants are used for vases or for grouping indoors,
ill effects will not be so soon apparent as would
be the case if grown in a stove where the tempera-
ture is maintained to suit plants from tropical
climes. The moisture accorded to a collection
of stove plants composed chiefly of the fine-
foliaged section is far in excess of that needed
by Begonias. This may have given rise to the
complaint so often made against them, that their
flowers do not last when cut. True, they are
not the best in this respect, but when grown in

leaves only of B. metallica and B. socotrana,
or even a growth or two of the former in ad-
dition, and with these associate the flower-
spikes of their respective kinds, and you will
have an arrangement fit for any table. We
have used some varieties at times in specimen
glasses for the dinner table. Spikes of that
beautiful variety, B. nitida odorata, used with
B. Saundersi or the old B. fuchsioides, in this
way produce a pleasing effect under artificial
light ; or take, again, a growth or two of B.
seniperflorens, with foliage and flower-spikes at-
tached, and some two or three leaves of B. in-
carnata purpurascens, with one or two of its
beautiful spikes of a pale flesh colour, and a very

uncommon effect will be produced. Pieces of a
spike of B. nitida odorata, when carefully wired,
are excellent in a bridal bouquet ; they are bet-
ter suited for this purpose, I think, than spikes
of B. seniperflorens.

Amongst kinds best adapted for furnishing
vases with pot plants, the Chiswick variety of B.
insignis is one of the best, being very compact
and sturdy in growth. B. socotrana is another
good kind, with handsome flowers and foliage
combined. For early winter use B. Knowes-
leyana is one of the best, and during the spring
we have B. manicata and B. hydrocotylifolia.
The former of these will bear a cool tempera-
ture for a long time when in flower. We have
used it for weeks together in the conservatory
without the least injury in any way resulting
therefrom. B. nitida odorata is excellent for
grouping ; so also is B. Moonlight, a very free-
flowering kind raised by Col. Clarke, and which
used to be grown largely in the Royal Horticul-
tural Society's gardens at Chiswick. B. insignis
(of gardens), though somewhat straggling in
habit, is an excellent all-round Begonia at this
season of the year. Strong plants of this pro-
duce an abundance of bloom, small lateral
growths of which are excellent for use in a cut
state. Single spikes are scarcely long enough to
use ; we therefore cut shoots of this variety bear-
ing both foliage and flowers, and very pretty
they look with open blossoms and buds in
various stages of development. The latest addi-
tion to the class of winter-flowering Begonias is
B. John Heal, referred to in The Garden
lately. Another variety named Autumn Beauty,
a hybrid between B. insignis and B. socotrana,
bids fair to be a most useful variety, possessing,
as it does, compact growth and stout flower-
spikes after the manner of B. socotrana. Plants
of B. ascotensis, which have done good service
in the flower garden, for which they are most
useful, if carefully lifted, potted up, and kept
in a warm house, will yield a number of spikes
during the winter. In addition to those described,
the following are likewise useful, and should be
grown wherever there is sufficient room at dis-
posal, viz., B. digswellensis, a kind with light
pink flowers ; B. hybrida floribunda, of Conti-
nental origin, with blossoms of a bright rose ;
B. nitida rosea, a variety of B. nitida, with
flowers of a deeper shade, and of stronger habit ;
B. Carrieri, with white flowers ; and B. "Welto-
nientis, which bears masses of rich pink flowers.

Young vigorous plants will yield the best
return, and when a sufficient stock has been ob-
tained the majority of the old plants can be
thrown away. Mons. V. Lemoine, whom we
have to thank for the photograph from which
the illustration was prepared, has kindly sent us
the following notes as to the parentage of this new
seedling Begonia : —

Begonia seniperflorens Sieberiana was obtained
by our foreman, M. Francois Sieber, from seed of
the Begonia seniperflorens gigantea rosea. It
should be noted that the latter plant is a shy seeder,
because the fertile ovaries fall before they become
ripe and dry. The pollen-bearing plant must have
been a species or variety flowering in summer, inas-
much as Begonia Sieberiana resembles both parents
and flowers all the winter like its mother, and all
the summer like the father, so that plants may be
employed to form masses in the open air during the
warm weather, repotted in the autumn and put in
a moderately warm greenhouse where they will
continue to flower abundantly. Inhabit of growth the
plant resembles B. seniperflorens gigantea obtained
by us some years ago with this difference, that the
smallest slips of this novelty are already covered with
buds and flowers. Thebloomsarearrangedin dichoto-
mous cymes with solid peduncles ; the male flowers
have two, sometimes four large petals of a delicate
rose colour ; the female ones, which appear after

390

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 25, 1890.

the male flowers, have five petals ; the buds are
rose-carmine. It seems to us that this plant will be
a fine addition to the number of hybrid Begonias
derived from B. semperflorens, among which there
are so many good plants for the formation of
groups, such as our B. semperflorens elegans, B.
Bruanti elegans, and many others.

NEW DOUBLE TUBEROUS BEGONIAS OF 1890.

As I have already recently described in The
Garden, the three best double yellow varieties of
these most beautiful and free-blooming flowers, I
hope that some further descriptive notes of the dis-
tinctive merits and beauties of some of the best of
the forty new varieties which have flowered this
autumn in my garden, and of other colours than
yellow may not be unacceptable to the readers of
The Garden, though I cannot but feel that no
words of mine can give anything but a faint and
feeble idea of their most varied and exquisite love-
liness. As I think that the varieties received from
a lady raiser are in courtesy entitled to be first
mentioned, I shall commence with five varieties
received from Mile. Marie Perrin, of Ecouche Orne,
Erance, the first of which bears her own name, and
is a fine vigorous grower with large and very double
creamy white flowers of great substance, and re-
sembling those of the fine older variety Blanche
D uval, but larger and finer. The second is named Nor-
mandie, and is, I think, the most beautiful variety
I have yet seen. Its flowers are of the largest size
and most perfect form, and of the most lovely
shade of clear deep rose colour, reminding one of
those of the fine older variety Mme. Arnoult, but
of a deeper shade of rose, and much larger size.
The habit of growth is compact and relatively
dwarf, and the flower-stems are stout and short, but
barely able adequately to support the immense and
very weighty blossoms which require the assistance
of a small forked stick driven into the ground un-
derneath them to show them off to full advantage.
The third is named Caprice, and is a rapid and
vigorous grower, but for the first half of the sea-
son, its flowers were thin and only semi-double,
and so though of a most delicate shade of
blush white shading to rose at the edges of
the petals were somewhat disappointing, but to-
wards the end of the season they improved
greatly both in size and doubleness, and became
quite satisfactory and most beautiful. The fourth
variety is named La France, and must by no means
be confounded with the beautiful variety sent out
by M. Crousse under same name, as it in nowise
resembles it. It is a vigorous and strong grower,
bearing very double flowers of immense size, great
substance, and with most beautifully undulated
edges to the petals ; the centre of the flower pro-
trudes in the form of a bomb, and the colour is the
most delicate creamy shade of blush, altogether an
exceedingly fine variety. The fifth variety is
named Mme. Lelandais, and is of erect habit of
growth, with the flowers borne on somewhat pen-
dulous footstalks. The form of the flowers is
somewhat like that of Crousse's older variety,
Mme. de Sarjas, but larger and more fully double,
and of a lovely deep rose colour, shading to pink,
and most difficult quite accurately to describe, but
a really charming and beautiful variety.

An English raiser comes next, Mr. Cannell, of
Swanley, who also sent me five varieties, one of
which, the splendid double yellow, Mrs. Jenkins,
has been already described among the three best
yellows. His other varieties were Beauty of Bel-
grove, which he asked me to give a name to when
I first saw it as a young seedling plant, bearing its
first flowers in a pot at the Home for Flowers at
Swanley in 1888. This is, indeed, a most truly
beautiful variety, and unlike any other that I know,
being, in fact, more like a Rose than a Begonia.
Its flowers are of the largest size and finest sub-
stance, and of a deep shade of rose ^colour, with a
paler under petal much resembling the lovely shad-
ing of the well-known Rose La France. Fine as I
thought this truly exquisite variety when I gave it
its name in its childhood, in the autumn of 1888, it
infinitely surpassed itself in size and beauty when

grown intheopenair. The next is named Mrs. Lynch,
a lovely variety of dwarf and tufted habit of
growth, producing large flowers with exquisitely
crimped edges to the petals, and of a delicate
shade of salmony pink ; this variety was greatly
admired by all visitors to my garden. The next
variety was W. B. Miller, a stout, erect grower,
producing medium-sized, fully double flowers of
a pleasing creamy shade of colour. The fifth
variety was named Her Majesty, and is of up-
right growing habit, with most lovely, fully double,
exquisitely formed flowers of a delicate shade of
pale rosy blush, and the petals arranged like
shells. Had this variety stouter footstalks to
support its flowers it would be of first-class merit.

Three varieties were sent to me by Messrs. Laing
of Stanstead Park Nursery, Forest Hill, named Lady
Goldsmid, a most beautiful and perfectly formed
flower, of great substance and most fully double,
and of an uncommon shade of deep rose. Camellia,
an upright growing variety with large, fully double,
deep scarlet flowers, borne, unfortunately, on weak
pendulous footstalks, which necessitated the flowers
being raised with the hand to see their beauty, when
they closely resembled a fine variety of the
handsome flower after which the variety is named.
Duchess of Teck, a pale creamy-yellow of great
substance, but which requires to be grown under
glass, as in the open air it did not mature a single
flower, while as shown at the show of the Royal
Horticultural Society this summer in the Temple
Gardens by its raisers it proved itself to be a most
beautiful variety.

From M. Felix Crousse, of Nancy, I received the
large number of nineteen varieties, all sent out by
him for the first time this spring. Two of these
have already been described amongst the best
three double yellows. Of the remainder I shall
only be able to describe some five or six, as many
of the others, though they grew into fine big
vigorous plants, either dropped the buds of their
male blossoms in a semi-expanded state in a most
provoking manner, or only produced malformed or
semi-double flowers, so that I have been able to
form ho opinion as to what their merits or beauties
may be when seen at their best, and can only hope
that they may bloom more satisfactorily next sum-
mer, when I shall try them again.

The most beautiful of the set was B. R. Davis,
which unfortunately seems to be by no means of a
vigorous or free habit of growth, but whose four
or five flowers were truly magnificent and the
admiration of everyone who saw them. They were
of the largest size and finest substance, and of a
most beautifully delicate tint of creamy-sal-
mon. This is certainly one of the finest varie-
ties yet seen. Camille Flamariou is also an ex-
ceedingly fine variety with immense flowers
of a most uncommon shade of apricot-salmon,
borne on fine stout upright footstalks ; this is one of
those varieties that hardly make any stem, the
flower-stems rising direct from the crown of the
plant and well above the foliage. Hamlet is also a
most beautiful variety with large pale creamy-white
flowers, beautifully undulated at the edges of the
petals, much resembling the variety Melanie Sou-
pert of 1888, but a great improvement upon it in
every way. Aline Adam is also a fine variety, with
good-sized creamy-white flowers borne on fine stout
upright footstalks and showing themselves off tho-
roughly well. Augusta Holmes is a fine large-
flowered, if somewhat coarse, variety, also of stem-
less habit of growth and exceedingly free-flower-
ing. The flowers are very large, not quite fully
double, and of a most pleasing shade of bright rose
colour. La France did not show its beauty till
quite the end of the season, but after being lifted
into a pot for the greenhouse for fear of frost, pro-
duced a number of most beautiful and fully double
flowers of the most exquisitely delicate shade of
pale rose colour, really more resembling a Rose
than a Begonia.

From Mr. B. R. Davis, of Yeovil, came one
small- flowered, but very beautiful variety named
Picotee, with not over double flowers of the palest
shade of canary yellow, with the rim of each petal

distinctly margined with pale rose colour— quite a
break in a new direction.

W. E. GUMBLETON.

IOCHROMAS.

Between forty and fifty years ago, when many
of the floral treasures of the Andes were
beginning to unfold their beauties in English
gardens lor the first time, some three or four
species of Iochroma made their appearance.
Most of these as they flowered were figured in
the periodicals of that time, and it seerntd
likely that their beauty would secure them a
permanent footing amongst cultivated plants.
Such, however, has not proved to be the case.
Like many other beautiful plants introduced
about that time, they are now scarcely ever
seen, except in a few old gardens. Over a
dozen species are now known, all of which are
natives of tropical South America. About a
year ago, when paying a visit to the famous
garden of Mr. Banbury, near Mentone, 1 was
delighted with several species planted in the
open and beautifully in flower.

Iochromas are included under Solanacea;, and
are very nearly allied to Cestrum. As in that
genus, the flowers are tubular. In several
species also they are of a brilliant violet or blue,
colours never found, so far as I am aware, in
Cestrum. Their cultivation is easy, but a little
management is needed to get them to flower as
freely as they are capable of doing. They are
propagated readily by cuttings, or by seeds
when obtainable, but in this country they do
not ripen so well as in sunnier climates. It is
advisable to grow the young plants on until, by
occasionally stopping, bushy specimens 2 feet
high are obtained. After that, in order to
make them bloom, the plants should be kept
somewhat pot-bound, rather feeding them with
manure than by increased root room. In
summer they should be placed out of doors in a
position where they get the largest possible
amount of sunshine. This is important. Their
success in the gardens bordering the Mediter-
ranean is no doubt due to the continuous and
brilliant sunlight which they there enjoy. They
have also been successfully grown when planted
out for the summer and taken up and potted
in September. During the winter any light
structure where a temperature between 40° and
50° is kept will suit them. Except when in
flower, they should be rested by giving as little
water as is possible without allowing them to
suffer. They are not particular as to soil, but
I prefer to use a rich loam, with which is mixed
a little sand and leaf soil.

I. ttjbtjlosum. — This species, which was found
by Hartweg in 1843 growing as a shrub on the
mountains near Loxa, flowered for the first time
during the following year in the Royal Horti-
cultural Society's Garden. The flowers are pro-
duced at various seasons, but generally between
late summer and the present time. They are
both striking and beautiful. The corolla is
narrow and tubular, and about ]J inches long
with five short teeth at the opening. The
colour is of a bright cyaneous blue, the curious
glazed surface giving them the appearance of
porcelain. The ovate leaves are from 3 inches
to C inches in length, and covered with short
hairs.

I. GEANDiFLORUM. — The same collector —
Hartweg — was the first to discover this species,
which lie did in Ecuador ; it was afterwards
found also in Peru. The flowers are large and
conspicuous on account of the wide mouth of
the corolla, which is H inches across, the tube
itself being 2 inches long. The flowers occur
on terminal, pendulous cymes, and are rich

Oct. 25, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

391

violet-purple in colour. They differ from those
of the preceding species in being pubescent ;
the lobes also of the corolla are large and tri-
angular. This is the showiest of the species I
have seen in cultivation. There appears to be
no difference between it and one grown as I.
longiflorum.

I. coccineum. — Distinct both in colour and
shape of flower from either of the preceding,
this species is specially deserving of mention.
The corolla is bright red and spreading at the
mouth, the tubular part being nearly 3 inches
in length. The foliage is comparatively smooth.
This species was very fine last autumn in Mr.
Hanbury's garden. B.

Ivy-leaved Pelargonium De Quartre-
fages. — This is a very distinct variety, and supplies
a colour that is almost wanting among Ivy-leaved
Pelargoniums. It is of free growth, with neat, but
ample foliage, while the flowers are large, well
opened, as double as most of those of this section,
and of a violet-purple colour. They are also borne
in great profusion, even on small plants. It was
put into commerce by M. Lemoine, of Nancy, and
is somewhat in the way of, but superior to another
kind, Cuvier, sent out two or three years previously.
The habit of these two is, however, very different
from each other, that of Cuvier being more slender
and better adapted for suspended baskets, while De
Quatrefages is compact and branches freely. It
is far better as a pot plant, added to which the col-
our of the flower is more distinct than in the other
case. — H. P.

Freesias. — I planted about three weeks ago a
number of Freesia bulbs, five in a pot in compost
as for Hyacinths, and placed them in a dark cellar.
All have struggled up into long straw-like stems
about 6 inches or 8 inches long. They are evidently
now of no use. What is the reason 1 — H. A M.

*»* When potted, these bulbs should have been
placed in a cold frame with a light covering of
cocoa fibre, not more than 1 inch in thickness.
The object of such a covering is not so much, as in
the case of Hyacinths, to secure a good start of the
roots, but merely to keep the soil in a genial con-
dition of moisture, without any necessity for water-
ing until the growth has fairly commenced. When
the young shoots appear through such a light and
thin covering they should be carefully looked after,
the cocoa fibre being removed and attention given
to watering as may be needful. Very little water
is needed at first until the plants become well ad-
vanced in growth. Although a bulbous plant, my
experience of the Freesia is that it is frequently
over-watered ; the roots being somewhat delicate,
any excess is injurious through not being readily
absorbed. After growth has commenced, all the
light possible should be given in order to keep
the shoots as dwarf as can be ; plenty of air should
also be the rule, but not undue exposure to cold
draughts. In this way the growth will be sturdy
and compact, and the plants look much better when
in flower. The bulbs in question no doubt started
into growth more quickly than was expected of them ;
in this respect other growers have also been deceived
when first attempting their cultivation. They
should be gradually inured to light and air in a cold
frame or house from which the frost is excluded.
There will then still be hopes of a return in flowers,
but not so satisfactory, of course. The shoots if
unable to support themselves should have some
assistance given them by means of light sprays or
slender sticks in this case. It is by no means too
late yet to start with another lot of bulbs if deemed
expedient, treating them as advised. The soil
should be rather lighter than for Hyacinths, made
so either by adding enough well decomposed leaf-
mould or some peat with a free admixture of sand.
In potting, pot firmly, covering the bulbs about 1
inch with soil ; five bulbs in a 4J-inch pot will
make a good display when in bloom. — J. H.

Combretum purpureum. — During the early
years of the century this most beautiful climber
was introduced from Madagascar, and after a

time it became very popular, but of late years
has become rare. Not being what may be called a
strong-growing climber, it is better suited for plant-
ing where the space is limited, and a good healthy
specimen will keep up a succession of its beautiful
richly-coloured blossoms for a considerable time.
The Combretum by no means roots strongly ; there-
fore care should be taken not to over-pot it, and
should it be planted out, the space for the roots
must be thoroughly well drained. After flowering,
it must, during the remainder of the winter, be kept
fairly dry, as upon this, to a certain extent, depends
the future display of bloom. Probably no plant has
within recent years aroused so much controversy
concerning the propagation thereof as this Combre-
tum, which Mr. Lynch, of Cambridge, has shown us
can be struck from cuttings. It is also known
under the name of Poivrea coccinea. — H. P.

Tuberoses.— When should Tuberose bulbs be
planted, and how? Should they be kept in the
dark like Hyacinths for spring flowering?— H. A. M.

*,* Tuberose bulbs may be planted as necessary
at various intervals, from now onwards until the
spring, when the natural time of commencing
growth takes place. If required in flower in the
spring, they should be planted at once and placed
in a gentle warmth of 55° to 60°, with a fair amount
of moisture. The bulbs maybe covered to the level
of the pots with cocoa-nut fibre ; this will keep
them nicely moist without unnecessary watering.
As growth advances this can be shaken off, then
the plants should be kept in as light a position as
possible, not that it is right to ever keep them in a
dark place ; far from it. The light covering will
answer all the needful requirements in this respect.
As the leaves develop and attain their full length,
be careful to preserve them from injury, both for
the performance of their proper functions as well
as for appearance sake. When the flower-spikes
appear, they may be pushed forward more quickly
and in safety by placing the plants in a warmer
house with a temperature of about 65° as an aver-
age at night, with 10° or 15° rise by day. Plenty of
roots will by that time have been made, if grown
under favourable conditions, and the plants will
take a liberal amount of water at the root also,
with occasional assistance in the way of liquid
artificial manure in a moderate quantity. In the
latter period of their growth the Tuberoses are
subject to attacks of red spider ; this may be pre-
vented or kept in check by frequently syringing,
sponging the foliage only being resorted to in bad
cases. When the bulbs are purchased, if they ap-
pear to be extra dry with a tendency to shrivel, it
is a good plan to immerse them for an hour or two
in tepid water. In potting, place only one bulb in
a pot if they are strong ones, three if they are of
medium size, using pots G inches in diameter for
one bulb, and a size larger for three. Soil as for
Hyacinths will suit them very well with a dash of
sand at the base of the bulb, and also upon the sur-
face when finished off. About two-thirds of the
bulb should be covered, the soil around it being
pressed down firmly. Tuberose bulbs after flower-
ing do not pay for keeping, neither do those which
perchance may not throw up spikes. These latter
do not all appear at once ; it must not, therefore,
be inferred that those that are backward in show-
ing will not push up at all. — J. H.

Kerosene emulsion for mealy bug. — Will
kerosene emulsion destroy mealy bug and other in-
sects injurious to plants ? I have some very large
plants of Eucharis under my charge, and I find it
very difficult to keep them free from bug. I should
like to make something myself for the destruction
of these pests. — Kekosene.

%* Kerosene, I believe, to be the American
term for crude or unrefined petroleum, the latter
being more generally, though erroneously, called
paraffin in this country. Various attempts have
been made to prepare a cheap and safe form of
emulsion or insecticide principally from petroleum
but the greatest difficulty has been experienced in
keeping the latter properly mixed with the other
ingredients, notably soft soap. Being of an oily
nature, it naturally collects and floats on the sur-
face of water, in which state it may easily do very

much more harm than good. A very simple and
effective form of insecticide may be made as fol-
lows : To every gallon of soft water heated to
about 120° add 2 ozs. or one wineglassful of petro-
leum and a lump of soft soap about the size of a
hen's egg. Stir up till the soap is dissolved and
use while hot, the latter being a very important
condition. It is not safe to dip the plants in this
mixture, but the plants may be well syringed with
it. The greatest care should be taken to keep
the oil from floating on the surface, and this can
best be done either by having two syringes at
work, one constantly returning the mixture into
the receptacle and the other forcibly discharging
its contents over the plants laid on their side, or
on the roof of a house, as the case may be. Fail-
ing a second syringe, every second discharge should
be made into the can containing the mixture.
This petroleum mixture may safely be applied
to Crotons, Dracaenas, Stephanotis, and various
other stove and greenhouse plants having hard
wood and smooth foliage, and is a good remedy for
mealy bug, scale, thrips, and green and black fly.
It ought not to be used on bright sunny days, or if
it is, shade must be afforded the plants syringed
with it. Some gardeners syringe it off the plants
in the course of an hour, using clear and rather hot
water for the purpose, but if kept properly stirred
as it is used, this precaution is unnecessary. " Kero-
sene " is particularly anxious to know if he may use
a petroleum emulsion for the purpose of cleaning
large plants of Eucharis, and if he will take my ad-
vice, nothing of the sort will be attempted. In all
probability more plants of Eucharis and Pancra-
tiums have been ruined by mealy bug and the vio-
lent remedies for getting rid of the same, than from
any other cause, not even excepting the Eucharis
mite. The foliage being of a thick, fleshy, and por-
ous nature is very quickly affected by any strong
insecticide, and by nothing more so than petroleum.
If the latter or any other insecticide is used strong
enough to destroy mealy bug either by dipping or
syringing, it is equally certain to greatly injure the
foliage. Once lose the leaves, and the roots follow,
the much weakened bulbs then falling an easy prey
to the mite. Keep the foliage healthy and the pots full
of roots, and the mite may be defied. Instead of dip-
ping or syringing the plants in any kind of solution
or emulsion, or even using any of the same for
sponging, the wiser plan is to carefully, and till
they are perfectly clean, frequently sponge the
leaves with warm soapy water. This may prove a
rather laborious remedy, but it is the only safe one
that can be recommended, and I have had far too
much experience in the matter to offer any hap-
hazard advice on the subject. — W. I.

THE WEEK'S WORK.

PLANT HOUSES.
Stove. — Where all the heat-requiring plants have
to be grown in one house, it is necessary to have a
temperature that will suit the warm section, such
as Ixoras, Dipladenias, and Allamandas, and the
cooler kinds that do best with a little more than
an intermediate temperature through the winter.
In determining whether a higher or a lower tem-
perature is to be kept up, one must be guided by
which section predominates. Where kinds like
those named, and others of a similar nature that,
like much warmth, are kept for a long period
during the winter months in a stagnant condition,
they rarely yield more than half the quantity of
bloom in the summer months they otherwise would,
as even when more heat is given them in spring, it
takes a considerable time to induce them to move
freely. Where it becomes necessary to resort to
treatment so cool as to stop the shoot-growth, it
has a similar effect on the roots. All evergreen
species when thus kept cooler than they like
require to be carefully watered, as if the soil con-
tains too much moisture the roots are sure to suffer.
All the warmest kinds should be put at the
end of the house nearest the boiler, where a few
degrees more heat are usually given off by the
pipes.

Bougainvilleas. — B. glabra is much more

392

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 25, 1890.

generally grown than the other kinds. The reason
for this is obvious. It is one of the most manage-
able plants with which gardeners have to deal, as
it will do with little more heat in the winter than
that of a warm greenhouse, yet can be kept through
the dormant season with things that need the most
heat. In the latter case all that is necessary is to
allow the soil to get completely dry, so as to
stop all growth. Pot specimens, either large or
small, that after blooming have been encouraged to
make vigorous growth should now have water with-
held, so as to cause the leaves to droop slightly.
These should then be carefully watered, but the
soil should not be soaked. When the leaves again
show signs of flagging repeat the watering. By
doing this three or four times a portion of the
leaves will ripen and fall off in their natural yellow
colour, whilst the strongest stools will retain a few
right through the winter, even when the soil is as
dry as dust. The operation does not do the least
injury, and by following this course where the
plants can be started with enough heat by the
middle of February, two or three crops of flowers
may be had between then and the time in the en-
suing autumn when they again require being
forced to rest. Where this species is grown in
cooler quarters, such as when used as a roof climber
in a conservatory where little more heat is kept up
through the winter than that of a greenhouse, it is
much the best planted out. So treated it produces
an amount of bloom that it is not possible to obtain
from pot-grown examples. One drawback is, that
in this way its season of blooming cannot be con-
trolled in the manner that is easily done with pot
specimens. Neither can successional crops of
bloom be had in the way that is obtainable from
pot plants grown in a high tempetature. The bed
in which the roots are turned out should for the
next four months have no more water than will pre-
vent the leaves flagging. This combined with the
decrease of heat will bring about the necessary
cessation of growth. When grown as a roof climber
in the manner under notice, the dense mass of
shoots produced has a most injurious effect on the
plants that are grown in the body of the house
underneath. To reduce the mischief as much as
possible, all the thin weak wood which is not likely
to make growth next year strong enough to
bloom should be cut away. By doing this more
light will reach the things beneath.

B. speciosa and B. spectAbilis.— These kinds
have not yet been nearly so much grown as they
deserve. This is no doubt through the mistaken
idea that they can only be got to flower when
grown in a high temperature and subjected to the
dry root- roasting process during the winter months
under which they were first induced to bloom.
Wherever there happens to be a lofty, roomy con-
servatory, with a side or air end fully exposed to
the south, and where an intermediate temperature
is kept up, the sorts mentioned, especially B. spec-
tabilis, are amongst the finest plants that can be
used. With their branches trained thinly against
the glass under the full influence of the sun the
wood is well hardened. The plants are strong
growers, and require enough root room to admit of
their making large heads that will cover a consider-
able space. But in keeping this in view, the bed
or border must not be so large as to cause them to
make rank, over-luxuriant growth, as if this occurs
there is not only a difficulty in getting it matured,
but the plants are in danger of smothering every-
thing near them. No more water should be given
from this time until the beginning of spring, when
the plants naturally commence to move. The first
effort then will be the production of bloom, which,
contrary to the nature of B. glabra, is borne on
the hard ripened wood formed the preceding sum-
mer. Not only the stronger growths, but the weak
shoots also will produce flowers. With these two
species all pruning must be carried out in the
spring after the blooming is over. •

Allamandas.— These are mostly treated as if
they were deciduous by keeping them so dry at
the roots during the winter as to cause much of
the foliage to drop. This course acts very
well for pot specimens, but it is not absolutely

necessary, for if the soil is kept moderately
moist through the winter they may be pruned back
in spring before starting them. All that is requi-
site then is to cut them back right into the hard
matured wood. Where flowers are wanted as long
as they can be had with enough heat the plants
will keep on blooming up to the end of the year or
longer. In fact if the heat is sufficient and the
sustenance to the roots is such as to give the requi-
site support, the flowering is almost continuous,
though, as a matter of course, in winter the flowers
are fewer in number and come on more slowly.
Where several pot specimens are grown, one or two
kept on in this way will be found very useful,
whilst others that are to be started into growth,
the earliest may be kept quite dry from now up to
the end of the year. They should then be cut back
and repotted. If already in pots as large as it is
necessary to give them, they should be partially
shaken out, have all the long straggling roots re-
moved, and be put in new soil. Plants that are
turned out in a border, if located in a house that is
warm enough, say with a temperature of from 65°
to G8°, will flower freely up to the end of the year,
after which allow the roots to get dry previous to
cutting in the tops.

Dipladenias.— The large-flowered species and
varieties of Dipladenia are amongst the freest and
most persistent bloomers of any plants in cultiva-
tion, provided they have enough heat in summer
and winter. When subjected to a long period of
rest, only a small percentage of the bloom which
they are capable of producing is forthcoming, for
when so long in a half-dormant state they do not
begin to flower much before midsummer. The short
season of rest, which I have found sufficient, is best
given towards the end of summer; six or eight
weeks, with the soil kept all but dry, is enough ;
after which, where a warm stove temperature is
kept up, the plants may be cut in and repotted im-
mediately the tops are removed, without allowing
them to break, as usual with most things. If time
is allowed between the cutting in and potting to
admit of much young growth being formed, the dis-
turbance of the roots causes many of the young
shoots to stop altogether. Full-sized specimens that
consist of from six to ten shoots — that have been
produced near the collar by timely stopping — may
be shortened back to leave them about 7 feet or 8
feet in length, or to within two or three eyes of
where they were cut in to last year. The roots of
Dipladenias are more impatient of a close adhesive
soil than almost anything else I have ever grown.
It is through this not being fully realised that so
many fail in their cultivation. It is on this account
necessary to renew the soil every year. Any long
straggling roots that have got down into the drain-
age may be cut away ; all others should be retained.
In both the shaking out and repotting do not injure
the fleshy tuberous portions of the roots ; if these
are bruised or in any way wrenched from the collar
they will decay. They should be potted in the best
brown fibrous peat, and if it contains much decom-
posed matter, most of this should be removed ; add
more sand than needful for most plants. In potting,
keep the collars of the plants well up near the sur-
face. Press the material moderately firm in the
pots, and give no water for two or three weeks after-
wards. It is only where a high stove temperature
is maintained that it is advisable to cut back and
repot Dipladenias in the way recommended at this
season. When grown in a cool stove, it will be
better not to carry out these operations until more
heat is present in spring.

Dipladenia boliviensis. — Where the most is
to be made of this species it requires to be treated
differently to the large-flowered kinds. It will do
with less heat, and is less liable to go off at the
roots than the others. With fair treatment it will
cover a large space almost equal to that of a well-
grown, full-sized Stephanotis, and it is best trained
on the roof in the way usual with Stephanotis. So
grown, the amount of bloom it will yield in the
course of the year would scarcely be credited by
those who have not seen it well done. Specimens
of this kind that are wanted to commence flowering
about the end of winter should now be kept a

little drier at the roots, and if at all affected with
scale or mealy bug, they ought to be thoroughly
cleaned, so as to get rid of the insects if possible
during the time they breed the least. T. B.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

Asparagus. — The tops of Asparagus are now quite
ripe, and the beds ought, therefore, to be put into
good order for the winter. In most instances good
growth has been made, and strong crowns should
be the result. If not already done, a stake ought
to be placed wherever there are any vacancies re-
quiring to be made good next spring, after which
the tops may be cut down to within 6 inches of the
ground, and a general clearance of this and weeds
be made. The latter have been very troublesome
this year, as to use enough salt to kill them would
in many cases, or where the soil is of a cold or
clayey nature, have done much harm to the Aspara-
gus. Hand-weeding is perhaps the best if most la-
borious method of getting rid of weeds, hoeing them
up meaning also the almost unavoidable removal
of much good surface soil. If it is decided to save
any Asparagus seed, cut off the requisite number of
growths well furnished with seed-pods, and hang
these up in a dry shed. Next spring it will be a
simple matter to rub out the seed in the hand, and
well harvested new seed germinates quickly and
strongly.

AsPAEAGtrs on light soils.— When the site is
well drained and the soil of a light, sandy or finely
divided character, there is little or no risk to be
run in well mulching the beds with good manure at
the present time. Not unfrequently the beds are
heavily dressed with manure, and on this is dis-
posed a layer of soil obtained by paring down the
sides of the bed, and from the alleys. This, how-
ever, cannot be done without destroying many roots
and exposing others to all weathers, and rather
than do this I would prefer to leave the beds alone.
The better plan is to carefully fork or rake away
the surface soil till the roots are reached, a mode-
rate dressing of partially decayed manure being
then given, and this covered with the soil previously
removed from the beds, or with added light soil.
In this manner no roots would be destroyed, and
the alleys not being disturbed would also be full of
active roots. Where the plantations are on the
level, the manuring or mulching can be accom-
plished in a very similar manner, and all will be
made snug and trim for the winter.

Asparagus on heav? land. — Excessive cold
accompanied by too much moisture is responsible
for most failures with Asparagus. On light, well-
drained land it is hardly enough, and, as just
pointed out, will be benefited rather than injured
by being given an autumn mulching of manure.
The case is very different where the land is natu-
rally cold and retentive of moisture, as to heavily
dress with manure serves to greatly aggra-
vate the evil. As a matter of fact a well-made
Asparagus bed will last in a profitable state for
many years without a particle of solid manure
being added to it, the produce being better in every
way if special manures instead are used. Manure
from a cow yard and also salt are especially in-
jurious to heavy soils, and ought on no account to
be placed on Asparagus beds in which the soil is
already of a too retentive character. Instead, there-
fore, of heavily dressing the beds with manure,
thereby rendering them wetter, colder, and uncon-
genial to the Asparagus roots, many of which
would perish before the spring, the wiser course is
to merely clear off all rubbish, and then leave the
beds alone till the spring. The less the surface is
loosened the better, a comparatively smooth sur-
face being far less absorbent of moisture than it
would be if loosened in any way. That unmulched
heavy soils are warmer and drier than those
mulched is evidenced by the fact of Asparagus
being earlier and better in every way since we have
discontinued autumn coverings of manure.

Winter Tomatoes.— A comparatively warm
and dry time has been most favourable to Tomatoes
under glass, the plants flowering and setting freely,
while the admittance of plenty of air has greatly

Oct. 25, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

393

checked the spread of disease. Scarcely a week
passes without information reaching us of fresh
outbreaks or a return visitation of disease in various
parts of the country, and, unfortunately, no certain
remedies or perfectly reliable preventive measures
can be named. It is, or ought to be, a well-known
fact that a dry atmosphere with a moderate amount
of fire heat and a good circulation of warm air are
among the best preventive measures that can be
taken, plants kept in a strong heat and moisture-
laden atmosphere soon being over-run and ruined
by disease. Sulphur on the hot-water pipes is far
more effective during the winter than in warmer
weather, the heat often being sufficiently strong
to well impregnate the atmosphere with the
sulphur fumes. In order that sulphur should stick
to the pipes, it is necessary to mix it into the con-
sistency of paint either with milk or linseed oil.
The dressing should be renewed every fortnight.
If it fails to prevent the spread of fungoid diseases,
it will at any rate clear the houses of the trouble-
some white fly.

New method op stopping Tomatoes. — Those
who have had any experience with the disease
known as Cladisporium are well aware that it is the
lower leaves that are first overrun by it, those
higher up the stem gradually succumbing in the
same manner. The loss of leaves means the loss
of nearly, or quite the whole of the crop, and un-
less steps are taken to keep up a supply of foliage,
the plants are not worth house-room. The usual
plan is to remove all side shoots as fast as they
form, but this we have discontinued. Instead of
pinching them clean out they are stopped at either
the first or second joint, and the leaves thus pre-
served take the place of those lost by disease.
These young leaves may not do the work of swel-
ling the stems and maturing the fruit so well as
healthy old ones would, but they serve to keep the
roots active and the sap in motion, the fruit swel-
ling to a good size, and ripening well accordingly.
Where this advice comes too late, much may be
done by laying in young shoots from near the soil,
and at intervals up the main stems, and these will
keep the plants alive and fairly profitable. From
numerous young shoots we laid in last autumn
quite heavy crops of fruit were gathered early in
the spring, so that the plan would always answer
well, even if diseases were absent. Crowding must
be avoided, or otherwise few or no fruit will set.
Let the bunches of flowers have plenty of daylight,
and to ensure a good set tap these smartly every
morning when dry, W. I.

Flower Garden.

THE OLD WHITE TURK'S-CAP LILY.

(lilium martagon album.)
With a few notable exceptions it does not seem
that we have advanced much, in the cultivation
of Lilies on the let-alone system of the typical
old English garden. We are told of these old
gardens in which huge clumps of the Lilies then in
cultivation flowered undisturbed year after year
with undiminished vigour, and slowly, but
surely increased in size. The craze for what is
known as good cultivation has proved certain
death to many Lilies, just as with many other
plants, though, on the other hand, some of the
species require cultivating, and will certainly
be all the better for it. Some Lilies do well in
certain districts and under certain conditions,
while others will barely live, or at least flower
so sparingly as to be almost useless. No
amount of soil or care will materially alter this
for the better. One of the chief requirements
of the majority of Lilies is a cool bottom, and
the best way to obtain this is to grow the species
in beds of thinly planted shrubs either decidu-
ous or evergreen, the less strong rooting the
better, although I do not think this will matter
much in the majority of cases. Some growers
recommend barrels sunk in the ground as a

protection from roots, but unless in the case of
large trees, such as Limes and Elms, I do not
consider it necessary. The section to which the
Lily represented in the engraving belongs is
one of the best for naturalising in woods, &c.
Clumps of the type, with the white and dark
purple of dalmaticum as a contrast, could not
fail to give much beauty and interest to the
woodland walk. It is the commonest of the

and if this appears likely to be the case it can be
to a certain extent remedied by inverting an empty
pot over the other for a few days, which will have
a tendency to lengthen the flower-stems. — H. P.

NOTES ON LILIES.
Lilium candidum.— In the spring of the present
year I had what some of my gardening friends con-
sidered a " grand lot," and to all appearances they
South European species, extending far into ] were. Each bulb possessed a fine cluster of
Siberia, and replaced in China and Japan by ; glossy radical leaves, and from the centre of these

the nearly allied L. maculatum. It was in cul-
tivation in Gerard's time (1596), and although
as a border flower it has had to give way to the
larger-flowered and brighter-coloured species of
later introduction, I still think it deserving of
a place in the wild garden where it not only
does best, but where its appearance is much
enhanced by the carpet of herbage to be found
there. A good loamy soil, rather dry than
otherwise, and the least possible shade are the
conditions under which I have managed it so
far. In many parts of Switzerland where I
had the pleasure of seeing it wild, it was always

The White Martagon Lily. Engraved for The Garden
from a photograph sent by Miss H. M. White.

in fine loamy soil on the dry sloping sides of
valleys, and though less robust and fewer
flowered than usually seen under cultiva-
tion, the plants were in perfect health and very
sturdy. The varieties of which we have now a
number, thanks to Herr Max Leichtlin, may
be used with much effect in the same way as
recommended for the type. Amongst them are
album, Cattaneoe, dalmaticum flore-pleno, hir-
sutum, a robust growing form ; punctatum,
maculatum splendens, superbum, luteum, &c.

K.

issued a noble spike that one might easily imagine
would attain 4 feet or 5 feet high. There were
several beds of them containing several hundred
bulbs, and so far as could be seen they were full
of health and vigour. For a time all went well,
and the plants had nearly attained their full height
when suddenly the radical leaves became infested
with disease, which soon spread through the whole
lot, and in less than a week not a green leaf could
be seen.

Disease in Lilies is nothing new to me, but
such a complete destruction as this I had never
dreamt of, as before one could realise that any-
thing was wrong the damage was complete, and
what is most perplexing in such extreme
cases is that there is no warning of its
approach. Even were it otherwise, there
appears no remedy whatever, as scientists
only recommend "cutting down and burning"
for very many of the worst foes a gardener
has to fight against. The " cutting down and
burning" in the case of growing Lilies is
about as reckless a proceeding as could be
suggested, for then Lily growers of any note
know what ensues to the crop. I did not
look for the best results at lifting time, but
in this I was agreeably surprised, for the bulbs
could not have been heavier or more solid
had they flowered without having ever en-
countered disease at all. Notwithstanding
this I adopted a precautionary measure
which, to my mind, is not employed nearly so
extensively as it might be in such cases, viz.,
that of spreading the bulbs in the sun for a
few weeks to dry. The orthodox law with
Lilies is never to dry them at all, but after
all one has to adapt himself to circumstances,
and I believe such a step with diseased Lilies
to be highly beneficial to their future well-
being. As regards this particular disease,
for there are many, and some quite as fatal
to the bulbs as others are to leaves and stems,
how and whence does it come? The only
thing suggested to my mind at present is
that the germs of this disease are wafted
hither and thither and find a lodgment
either on the surface soil or radical leaves
or both, and there remain till certain at-
mospheric conditions are congenial to their activity,
when the work of destruction commences and
speedily terminates in the wreck of the whole.
The other kinds attacked by this particular fungus,
if fungus it be, are L. testaceum and sometimes L.
chalcedonicum ; these suffer worst of all. But
whatever it is, it undoubtedly starts on the surface
of the soil, and for this reason I am experimenting
with a view if possible, if not absolutely to annihi-
late it, to attempt to reduce the powers of so
formidable a foe. When the bulbs have put forth
their radical leaves, I intend to cover a bed 2 inches
deep with coal ashes finely sifted, another with
half this depth, and to sprinkle a third freely with
sulphur, while a fourth will be dressed with soot
and lime in mixture, and note the results. Fre-
quently I notice old-established clumps in cottage
gardens perfectly healthy and vigorous, and in
some such gardens coal ashes abound in plenty.
As proof that the bulbs, the flowering stems of

Scillas in pots. — Though the bulbous plants
that are forced prematurely into bloom are nume-
rous, the common Scilla sibirica is seldom used for
that purpose. The beautiful blue flowers are in
colour quite unlike those of any other bulbous
plant then in bloom. To have them in flower soon ^ich were raineiTlast "spring," have not "suffered in

after Christmas, they need much the same treat-
ment as a Due Van Thol Tulip, that is to say,
potted (several bulbs in a pot) as soon as received
and plunged out of doors till there are plenty of
roots. The pots must be gradually introduced into
a gentle heat, as hard forcing is injurious. The
very earliest flowers are often borne on such short
stalks that they are not seen to the best advantage,

any way, I may mention that, apart from being very
firm and solid, they are now bristling with new
basal roots and will be planted before these notes
appear ; other beds unaffected by the disease last
spring have in spite of the dry weather made
nearly all their radical leaves, and roots, of course,
in proportion. Wiien this Lily is employed for

394

THE GAUDEN.

[Oct. 25, 18S0.

early forcing, permanent pot culture is the best,
and, provided the plants keep in good health, it will
be found the best plan to shift into larger pots
when this is necessary rather than shake them out
to divide into smaller pots. If sickness or disease
appears, shake them or wash them clean out of the
old soil and spread in the sun for a week or two,
afterwards giving them a new start in fresh
sweet soil and clean pots. Use good sound loam
with but little or no manure, also some sharp sand.
A soil over rich in humus only conduces to disease,
and indeed for many Lilies is not needful at all.
The batch I have above alluded to, which suffered
so much, was grown in very stony and poor ground.

LlLIUM CHALCEDONICUM ABD L. MAETAGON.

— While speaking of soil I am reminded of the
exceptionally handsome clumps of both these
Lilies recently seen in Gloucestershire ; one cottage
garden had a couple of clumps of the first-named,
each in perfect health, while the two dozen and
twenty spikes that these clumps carried respec-
tively will tell their own tale. It is nearly thirty
years since that I remember this Lily growing in
the same garden, and its owner, himself a jobbing
gardener, might ere now have become famous for
Lilies but for the periodical sale or exchange that
has kept his stock to its present limits. In the case
of the L. Martagon no professional skill prevails ;
still they flourish and have formed patches a yard
across, with three dozen spikes or more in each ; one
nearest the fence I counted with forty spikes.
These Lilies appeared to be having it all their
own way, for nothing else was near but a dwarf
hedge of the Butcher's Broom (Euscus aculeatus)
and Fuchsia Riccartoni. The soil in which these
Lilies were growing was a heavy, adhesive clay, and
in summer became quite baked. Strangely enough,
L. candidum is rarely seen good in the same dis-
trict, while the forms of speciosum and longi-
florum quickly degenerate in a garden hardly re-
moved by a hundred yards from the others ;
Gentiana acaulis hardly flowers at all, though
it grows freely ; Dodecatheon Jeffrayanum becomes
a giant ; the Fan- Maids of France could not be
more at home in their native land ; the Lilies of
the Valley threaten to overrun everything, and
herbaceous Pssonies could hardly be surpassed.
Soil, it may be true, plays a very important part
with regard to the growth of plants, but altitude
and atmospheric conditions generally are equally
as important in the success or failure of any given
species or variety.

Lilium Hakeisi.— The first opportunity should
be seized by those desirous of forcing this noble
and useful Lily to obtain supplies. Imported bulbs
are decidedly the best for this purpose, and as soon
as received they should be potted into 5-inch or 6-
inch pots, according to their size. Too much root-
room is not required. A good ordinary loamy
soil suits them well, and they may be covered with
coal ashes or fibre after they have been potted. In
a few days they will have rooted freely, and in a
comparatively short time stout stems also will be
making their way through the soil. It is not advis-
able to keep them too long in the ashes, as stem
roots quickly form immediately above the bulbs,
and these are not benefited by exposure afterwards.
Cool frame culture I always find the best from the
present time till the end of the year, for the reason
that growth is invariably rapid in this Lily natur-
ally, and any artificial heat at this stage would be
a mistake, besides materially assisting the rapid in-
crease of green-fly. Under ordinary conditions
green-fly increases with great rapidity, and if
allowed to get a start can hardly be mastered after-
wards, so much so, that a grower once declared that
it cost more for fumigating material than the crop
of flowers realised when produced. At any rate,
green-fly is a most troublesome pest, the difficulty
with tobacco smoke being that they find a refuge
in the closely placed leaves at the summit of the
plant deep down in the young heart leaves. What
I find to be a far more effectual, economical, and cer-
tainly pleasanter method is dipping the heads of the
plants in a solution of Quassia and soft soap. I forced
about 1000 of this last spring, and when the plants
had finished flowering they were knocked out of the
pots and put out; a very large proportion of

these are now (September 20) showing an average
of three flowers each, which will no doubt prove
very serviceable by and by. These are about 20
inches high, a marked contrast to the 4-feet and
5-feet stems of last spring, and a decided illustra-
tion affected by the changes of climate. E. J.

Tricyrtis hirta is flowering freely with Mr.
Thompson, both in pots and in the open ground. It
is a Japanese plant, quite hardy, but flowering so
late, that, as a rule, its beauty is marred in the open
air. It is rather quaint, and perhaps more curious
than beautiful, with its erect, whitish-purple, spotted
flowers. The flowers are freely borne in the axils
of the leaves. In the open ground it grows about
2 feet high.— A. H.

Variegated-leaved Lilies. — The variegated-
leaved variety of the common Lilium candidum is
very conspicuous now by reason of the clear mark-
ings of the young leaves. A clump of about a
dozen bulbs shows this variety at its best, but sharp
frosts later on will no doubt quickly mar its beauty.
The only other Lily possessing a variegated form
that I am acquainted with is Lilium longiflorum, of
which there are two varieties with variegated foliage.
By far the best is variegatum. The second variety,
roseo-marginatum,whenfirstitappears has eachleaf
narrowly margined with rose, but as the season ad-
vances, this, to a great extent, disappears. — H. P.

Iiilium neilgherrense Every autumn we

have various notes on this beautiful Himalayan Lily,
which is the last to bloom of the whole genus ; still,
in spite of the repeated attention directed to it, the
secret of its successful culture does not seem to be
thoroughly mastered. I do not mean that it is dif-
ficult to bloom the first season after the bulbs have
been imported, as given ordinary greenhouse treat-
ment, all that are strong enough may be depended
upon to flower well, and several will bloom again
the next season, but after that many of them fail to
produce a single flower. They do not, like many of
the imported bulbs of Lilium auratum," decay and
drop to pieces after flowering, but the bulbs of L.
neilgherrense gradually dwindle till they become
too weak to bloom, and finally die. It is really a
beautiful Lily, and the long-tubed, creamy-white
flowers remain in beauty a considerable time ; longer,
in fact, than any others of the same section.
This is no doubt accounted for by the period at
which it flowers, the sun now having lost much of
its power ; still, the blooms are more wax-like and
massive than those of its immediate allies, and they
have also a powerful fragrance, quite different from
that possessed by the others. It is a peculiarly
warm, aromatic scent very pleasing to some people.
Ten years ago this Lily was very scarce, but latterly
there have been large importations every season, so
that freshly imported bulbs may now be obtained
during the winter months. It is so late in bloom-
ing that the bulbs seldom reach this countiy till
the new year, as to obtain them earlier would ne-
cessitate lifting before they were properly ripened.
— H. P.

Sowing seeds in the open air.— Provided
the situation is favourable and the soil a suitable
one, it is often better to sow seeds of even the
choicest hardy plants in the open air. When deli-
cate seedlings are in pots or pans a neglect of
some trifling detail may result in great or entire
loss, but with seedlings in the open ground it is
very different, as their roots strike down deeply
and the unchecked growth results in finer plants.
In Mr. Thompson's garden there is a batch of Kom-
neya Coulteri, raised in February under glass and
since grown on in pots. They are sturdy and
healthy little plants, but a seed that was dropped
upon the surface of a bulb bed in the open ground
and germinated in spring has been permitted to
grow undisturbed, and now it is a dwarf, but large
bushy plant, ten times the size of any one of those
in pots. In conversing upon this matter, Mr.
Thompson said that from his point of view it was
necessary to sow under glass and grow on in pots,
as he wanted his plants under entire control and
ready to be sent away at any time and season, but
he readily granted that for gardeners and ama-
teurs who buy a packet of seed of any choice hardy

plant and only need a limited stock, it was much
better to sow the seed in the open ground, and the
seedlings would then make a vigorous and un-
checked growth the first season and give a stock of
plants stronger and in every way superior to those
raised by cramping and coddling in pots and pans
under glass. Many of our finest perennials are as
easily raised from seed as the common annuals we
yearly sow, and they flower the following season.
I have raised numerous hardy plants in this way
upon an open sunDy border of light soil, including
some of the finest seeded Campanulas, such as C.
pyramidalis and others, whose seeds are so fine
that they need scarcely any covering with soil.
Although the percentage of germinating seeds may
not be as great, the after progress of the plants
makes up for any slight loss in this respect, and
obviously it is better to have a few strong plants
hardily raised than a quantity of puny, weak ones
unfit to be placed in the open air. — A. H.

NEW AGERATUMS OF 1590.
I have this year had on trial in my garden six new
varieties of these useful, free-blooming, late sum-
mer and autumn bedding plants, which are all
still in full bloom, and will continue till the
frost cuts them down ; indeed, the beds in which
they are growing are now (October 11) the gayest in
the garden. Of these six varieties, four came from
M. Delaux, of Toulouse, with the elaborate and in-
flated descriptions for which, it seems, he is famous,
and on which I have on a previous occasion been
obliged to comment when speaking of his new zonal
Gerania. Only one of these four is worth mention-
ing by name, which is Simon Delaux, and the chief
and almost only merit of this variety is its ex-
tremely dwarf and cushion habit of growth, which
should make it very useful for edgings or pattern
bedding. The other three varieties possess no cha-
racteristic merit whatever, some of them being even
inferior to older varieties. The fifth variety is Tapis
Blanc, from M. G. Bruant, of Poitiers, and of this I
am glad to be able to speak most favourably, as it
is certainly the best pure white Ageratum I have
yet seen, being much dwarfer and more compact
in habit than White Cap, while its flowers are of
quite as pure a white and are produced in great
abundance. The sixth variety is of English origin,
having been raised in the garden of the Zoological
Society of London, and named The Zoo. It was
sent to me by Messrs. Ireland and Thompson, of
Edinburgh, who bought the entire stock of the
raiser and sent it out. I am also happy to be able
to speak very favourably of the merits and beauty
of this variety, which is indeed the best and
brightest of the whole lot. Its habit of growth is
compact and sufficiently dwarf, and its flowers are
of the brightest and most pleasing shade of blue I
have yet seen in this family. I may add that an-
other English raised variety named Ada Bowman,
which I had the pleasure of describing in The
Gaeden in the autumn of 1888, still remains by
far the best light-coloured variety I possess. The
three best Ageratums in cultivation are The Zoo,
Tapis Blanc, and Ada Bowman.

W. E. GUMBLETON.

Layered'Carnations. — The long and very uni-
versal spell of dry weather has checked rooting
appreciably with layers, except where the limited
range of plants and ample labour enabled watering
to be done. Some recent rains indicative of the
break up of autumn have, however, proved helpful
in stimulating root action, and by the middle of
November plants should remove remarkably well.
Where it is the rule to pot everything layered the
matter of roots is of less consequence, because once
housed under glass roots come pretty fast. It is in
the case of plants to be replanted out of doors that
an abundance of stout roots is of consequence,
and it would be a mistake to recommit to
the soil any which have not the sustaining
power of a good cluster of roots to each layer. The
production of roots is helped or checked largely by
the nature of the soil in which the Carnations are
layered. Even with the addition of gritty material it
seems to be impossible here to secure that freedom

Oct. 25, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

395

of rooting early found in light free soils because of
the tough clayey texture of the ground. Baking
hard as a road in drought, or becoming like a bed
of worked clay in wet, it is only when intermediate
seasons prevail that it is workable for flowers at
all, hence good Carnations are induced to thrive
only with some difficulty. And yet once plants get
established it is almost astonishing to see how
strong a grip they get of the ground, and to what
dimensions they will attain. In rich soil there
can be no doubt but that it is unwise to plant out
early in the winter other than well rooted layers
and only fairly robust varieties, whilst weaker, or
indifferently rooted plants are best off in pots or in
a frame. It is not unfrequently the case that the
light porous soils which best suit many plants in
the winter fail to retain sufficient moisture to do
them well in the summer, so that mere porousness
is not all gain. — A. D.

WHITE CLOVE GLOIRE DE NANCY.
This is undoubtedly the finest white Clove in cul-
tivation. It is robust, very free-flowering, the
flowers are large, and, as far as my experience
goes, it is one of the hardiest Carnations we have.
Where white sweet-scented flowers are in request
this Clove should be grown. This year I grew
about fifty plants, and they yielded many hundreds
of fine blooms that were of great service in the
formation of wreaths, crosses, and other purposes.
I think few Carnations would be found to furnish
such a large amount of fine flowers ; not even the
old crimson Clove is more free-blooming. In locali-
ties where soil and climate are favourable to Car-
nations I would advise that the layers be put into
their permanent positions as soon as they can be
taken off with a fair amount of roots, so that they
get good hold of the ground by the end of the
autumn. Small plants put out late in the autumn
or in early spring may be satisfactory so far as the
production of a few good blooms are concerned,
but in order to fill the flower basket, and especially
where it is a question of profit, the plants must be
strong and well provided with roots long ere they
begin to throw up their flower-stems. Indifferently
rooted plants not only yield blooms inferior in
quality, but their blooming time is short as com-
pared with such as have become well established
in the soil. This is an important matter with those
who desire to get as large a return from their
plants as possible. A plant that gives a great glut
of bloom for a week or two only is not so valuable
to the florist and market grower, nor indeed to the
amateur who almost daily requires some flowers for
the dwelling, as one that has a somewhat length-
ened blooming season. From my white Cloves I
could this year cut blooms during a period of
little less than six weeks.

My plants were not set out until March, for with
me the Carnation is the reverse of hardy, even the
hardiest varieties either dying or becoming so
crippled in winter that they are of but little use at
blooming time. They were, however, layered as
soon as the shoots were ready, and before all the
flowers were expanded, so the layers were well
rooted by September. In November they were
simply laid in in frames and not protected in frosty
weather, but only in a time of heavy rains and fog,
of which we get a large share, and snow. In this
way they were kept quite hardy, and came out in
spring free from disease and with roots in an active
state. The ground was well prepared for them by
laying it up rough for a month previous to planting,
and well stirring in dry weather. They were
watered several times during April and May, and
the crop of flowers well rewarded the pains taken
with them. I have frequently tried to grow this
Clove by leaving it in the open ground all the win-
ter, but although I have employed well-rooted
plants and put them out in good time in the au-
tumn, I have never succeeded in getting an abund-
ance of good blooms until I adopted the above de-
scribed method, and which I strongly recommend
to those who may have had but partial success with
this very chaste and useful flower. Not only in
the open ground, but under glass is this white
Clove serviceable. It has supplied a want among

florists and market growers, and bushels of its
fragrant flowers are every spring brought into the
London market. It almost seems impossible to
overdo the supply, so great a favourite is it at the
present time. Naturally the earliest blooms make
the most money, and if they can be got in March
and April the prices obtained are very remunera-
tive. I know of one market grower who every
year has many thousands of it in pots, and he tells
me that he never has any difficulty in getting rid
of the blooms at good prices.

For the production of early blooms it is im-
portant to get the plants potted as early as possible.
After the first year there is no difficulty in doing
this, as owing to the plants being brought early
into bloom the growth is complete and the shoots
in a fit condition for layering. The simplest
way is to put a couple of layers when well rooted
into a 5- inch pot. Having "a long season before
them they will get fairly root-bound by the
autumn. Unless they have the soil filled with
active fibres there is but little chance of the
flower stems coming up strong when subjected to
artificial warmth. J. C. B.

Zauschneria californica. — This is a curiously
perverse plant. I observe on page 338 a note say-
ing that it has failed this season. I have had it
in various places for cen years, and this is the first
season in which it has flowered to perfection. To-
day (Oct. 11) it is beautiful, without a withered
leaf. The branches in most seasons nearly all
wither prematurely in July or August, and I attri-
buted its success to the dry spring and wet summer ;
at least, such are the conditions under which it has
succeeded. I have always grown it in a well-drained
piece of stone heap in full sun. — C. Wolley Dod,
Edge Hall.

Tritoma eorallina. — This merits all the praise
given it in The Garden, October 11 (p. 337). Mr.
Thompson considers it one of the finest plants in his
garden, and it promises to do well upon his light,
warm soil. He has been at some pains to secure a
true stock by obtaining it direct from the raiser, and
the stock will be kept true by propagating only by
division. As pointed out iu the note above referred to,
it is a hybrid between T. Macowani and T. TTvaria. Un-
fortunately, however, there have been sold as T. eoral-
lina mere seedling forms of T. Macowani, which seeds
freely, grows easily, and varies somewhat in shades of
colour and stature of the plant. All show their affinity
to, but noue prove to be, the true T. eorallina. It is
well, therefore, to set aside all doubts concerning what
is and what is not the true T. eorallina by pointing
out this fact. Both this kind and T. Macowani are
especially valuable, by reason of their dwarfness and
the profusion with which they bloom for a prolonged
season. — A.

Double white Poet's Narcissus.— Since my
notes concerning these flowers appeared in your
issue of October 11 (p. 312), I have received the
following particulars from Mr. E. C. Appleton,
F L.S., The Bar House, Beverley, East Yorks, who
writes as follows : —

For years I had them blind in my town garden
at the base of a rcckery till I shifted them to my
country house. They are planted iu a heavy soil
lightened with freestone chips at the north side of i
Raspberry quarter; the latter fruit well. Since re-
moval there have been no failures ; must lift every two
years. The couditions most suitable tothe above fruit
are good for this flower. My experience confirms,
therefore, exactly your suggestion. I always plant (i
inches deep.

Mr. Wolley Dod's remarks in your last issue (p.
375) also afford additional confirmation of the re-
quirements of this useful Narciss ; therefore, I re-
gard it as worth while for those holding large
stocks in light soils and who suffer from blindness
to provide this Narcissus with what it seems to re-
quire— a heavy moisture-holding soil. — E. Jenkins.

Field mice. — Your correspondents who are
troubled with the above will find that the figure 4
trap, so well known to gardeners, will catch either
the long-tailed or short-tailed field mice. Last
winter the Hollies here were stripped of their bark,
as described by Mr. Evans (p. 268), and during the

summer the mice have been busy digging out and
eating the corms of the common yellow Crocus.
Strange to say, though this Crocus is planted in
rows alternately with the white kind, and though
there are several other kinds growing near them,
yet the mice never touch any but the yellow one,
and this we are in great danger of losing,' for
though we have caught hundreds of the mice during
the summer, the cry is "still they come." Our sur-
roundings are such that there is unlimited cover
for the little animals, so that extermination seems
an impossibility. Owls are plentiful, and the gar-
den Vat is always busy, but their aid only seems
like a drop in the ocean. — J. C. TALLACK.

Orchids.

AERIDES LAWRENCI^.
Of this superb plant I am in receipt of a grand
spike of bloom from Mr. Cypher, of Chelten-
ham ; it measures some 2J feet in length, the
raceme being upwards of 12 inches long, and
bears about forty-five flowers, which are of great
size and very sweet scented. It is an importa-
tion of Mr. Sander, of St. Albans, and the
plant was named in honour of Lady Lawrence,
the wife of the President of the Horticultural
Society, who I believe has a great liking for
these distichous leaved Orchids. Without ques-
tion, it may be called the very largest flowered
species of the genus hitherto found, and it is
really curious to see bow small the flowers of
other species which accompany it appear. I see
another importation of this has just been re-
ceived by Mr. Sander, so that the price of this
plant will doubtless be lower than it has hitherto
been. The first time the plant was seen in flower
was in 1883, about a year after its introduction,
and the specimen was bought by Sir Trevor
Lawrence at public auction for the large sum
of 235 guineas, so that some idea may be formed
of its beauty and its distinctness. From time
to time various plants have come to our notice,
all varying somewhat in their markings, but
the specimen now before me from Mr. Cypher
resembles the original plant as much as possible.
Other varieties which I have noted from time to
time are the variety Southgatei, which has
far more colour, and bears as large a flower.
The next best variety which I have seen was in
the possession of M. le Comte de Germiny,
near Rouen, in Normandy ; this produced a
very dense spike, and the flowers were very
highly coloured, but this, I believe, has not
received any varietal name. The figure in
The Garden, May 25, 1889, represents a good
ordinary form of the plant, but the flowers on
Mr. Cypher's plant are tipped with purplish
magenta on the sepals and petals, and the
middle fringe of the lip is deep purplish
magenta, the incurved spur being green at the
point. Of the home of this plant Mr. Sander
has not enlightened us more than by saying it
has been obtained from tropical Asia, which of
course means anything, and the exigencies of
trade may compel a kind of secrecy, and neces-
sitate the withholding the exact locality for a
time ; this alone may mean hundreds of pounds
to a person engaged in trade, and therefore we
must excuse him for not divulging the secret
of the home of A. Lawrencise. The plant
thrives well in company with Vandas and other
Aerides, either in pots or baskets, which should
be exceptionally well drained ; it does not
require much about its roots, and what it has
should be clean and sweet growing Sphagnum
Moss, and not what the late Mr. Schrceder
used to pot with, viz., boiled Sphagnum. The
object in boiling the Sphagnum was to destroy
all living depredators, but it quite spoiled the
Moss. It likes a good share of heat and atmo-

396

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 25, 1890.

spheric moisture when growing, and it should
by no means be allowed to become dry through
the winter. A temperature running down to
CO" at night in winter suits it, but at night in
such a temperature the plants should not be
wet. William Hugh Gower.

Luisia Psyche (Mancli ester). — I am in receipt
of some flowers for a name, the sender saying,
" When I thought my Vanda teres was about to bloom
these flowers showed themselves. What is it ? Is
it anything analogous to the Catasetum f amily ? "
It is not ; for beyond having terete leaves like the
V. teres, there is nothing in common, although
their affinity is with Vanda. The plant has terete
green leaves, and a short spike bearing two or
three small flowers, which have pale yellowish green
sepals and petals ; the lip is fleshy, and somewhat
resembles that of the Bee Orchis found in our
meadows. It is a small family, containing about a
dozen species, but none of them can be said to be
of any use to the Orchid grower. — W. H. G.

Epidendrum cordigerum. — Under this name,
Mr. Sander, of St Albans, has imported a plant
from Venezuela, and I recently had the pleasure of
seeing two magnificent specimens in flower in Mr.
Measures' garden at Streatham. In the one the
sepals and petals are of a dark brown or bronzy
hue, and the large lip is rose, coloured with a
brighter wedge-shaped blotch at the base of the lip.
In the other the flower is precisely the same, but
the ground colour of the lip is pure white. It has
much in common with the E. macrochilum, but I
never saw the last-named plant so fine as are the
two plants mentioned. If it is a form of macrochi-
lum, then this form from Arenezuela is by far the
very best that I have seen. — W. H. G.

Aerides Rohanianum. — I do not know this
plant save from dried flowers, and now I have a
fine spike of it from Mr. Cypher, of Cheltenham, the
raceme of flower measuring a foot in length, bear-
ing fifty flowers. I am somewhat constrained to
call them small, as I have nothing but the famous
A. Lawrenciie to compare it with; but upon com-
paring my dried flowers with A. odoratum majus
(also dried), they are considerably smaller than
those of that variety, but they are set upon
long pedicels, and so the spike looks dense and
full. At first the plant would seem to belong to
the suavissimum group, and perhaps it does, but
the flowers seem to have a distinct character in the
spur of the lip being very much incurved. The
sepals and petals are flesh colour, tipped with rose,
the side lobes of the lip being yellow, freckled with
crimson, the incurved spur being also freckled with
smaller dots of the same colour, which being upon
a greenish ground do not show up so brightly.
The flowers are very sweet scented. — W. H. G.

Renanthera coccinea at Kew. — Those who
visited the great Orchid conference at South Ken
sington in 1885 will probably remember a splendid
example of this Orchid as part of the exhibit from
Chatsworth. It was not in bloom and did not ap-
pear to have flowered for some time previously,
although the remains of numerous spikes towards
the base showed that it must have once flowered
very freely. As a rule, however, although a rapid
and robust grower, it is shy blooming, a character
which has caused its disappearance from most
collections. It is interesting, therefore, to see it
flowering in the large Palm house at Kew, a struc-
ture very far removed from the ideal type of most
Orchid growers. Here, however, several plants,
clinging to a piece of Fern stem, are in perfect
health ; they have been in this house for over six
years, and some of them during the past season
have grown upwards of 2 feet in length. They
prove the species to be well worth cultivation in
such a house as this, if for no more than the
striking habit of the plant and the type of vegeta-
tion it represents. The strongest of .these pieces
is now about 8 feet high. The leaves are in two
rigid opposite rows, each leaf being oblong, about
5 inches long, and notched at the apex. The ra-
ceme is compound, somewhat triangular in outline

and measuring over 2 feet through at the base.
The flowers are rather sparsely arranged, and the
appearance of the whole plant is not so striking
as its dimensions given on paper suggest. This is
especially the case in such a huge building as the
Palm house at Kew, where the flowers are almost
lost amongst the enormous leaves of the Palms and
other tropical plants around it. The blooms of the
Renanthera are somewhat over 3 inches across, the
segments (of which the two lower sepals are much
the largest) being of a deep lurid red, blotched
with orange. The small lip is deep crimson, except
in the throat, which is white. The species was
originally imported from Cochin China in 181G, but
no record of its flowering is made until eleven years
after. — B.

Vanda casrulea. — We have received a splendid
spike of this fine Burmese Orchid from Mr. G.
Nevill Wyatt, Lake House, Cheltenham, who men-
tions that another spike equally as fine as the one
sent was cut from the same plant two weeks ago,
after being exhibited at the Cheltenham flower
show. There are many poor forms of this Orchid in
cultivation, and very few, we should think, of the
character of the one sent. The flowers measured
quite 4 inches across, and were of a rich blue
colour, or rather netted with the purest blue shade
on a whitish ground. Both in size of flower and
also for colour this is a unique and valuable variety.
When Vanda Cferulea is seen in this form it is one
of the noblest of Orchids. When contrasted with
such excellent types as the one from Cheltenham,
the small size and weak colouring of many of the
varieties are the more conspicuous. We should
much like to have figured this variety, but a coloured
plate of V. c;erulea has already appeared in The
Gakden, April 15, 1882.

Ccelogyne ocellata. — Everyone possessing a
cool or intermediate house should grow this pretty
and elegant little Ccelogyne. It is one of the easiest
of Orchids to cultivate, and may be grown year
after year without decreasing in size or vitality,
and when fairly established it never fails to bloom '.
At Kew, just now, a tuft growing on a hanging raft
of teak is extremely pretty. Its beauty is much
better displayed when the plant is suspended, but
as it grows and roots freely, a thick layer of peat
and Sphagnum should be laid on the wood before
fastening on the plants. The flowers are produced
in twos or threes on slender scapes, and each is a
little over 2 inches in diameter with pure white
sepals and petals. The lip is streaked with
brownish yellow at the base, and two bright yellow
eye-like spots occur on the, side lobes, thereby sug-
gesting the specific name. ' The species is a native
of Sikkim, where it grows at an elevation of
7000 feet. Although comparatively little culti-
vated now, it has been known in gardens nearly
seventy years. It requires a plentiful supply of
water from the time it starts into growth until
after the flowering season ; afterwards less may be
given, but it is not advisable to allow the roots to
remain dry for any length of time. If grown in a
cool house it should have the warmest part.

SHORT NOTES.— ORCHIDS.

Cypripedium insigne Measuresse.— This is

a very chaste and beautiful kind now flowering at The
Woodlands, Streatham. It is quite destitute of any
spots on the dorsal sepal, yellowish-green in the centre,
with a very broad border of snowy-white extending all
round it ; the petals also are long and the pouch small.
— W. II. G.

Phalsenopsis amabilis.— I have a small plant
of the above Orchid which has flowered twice this sea-
son. In March last it had a fine spike of its lovely
pure wlute flowers, and it has again a fine spike of fully
expanded flowers. I should like to know if it is an un-
usual thing for Phatenopsis amabilis to flower twice
in one season. — J. M.

Angraecum caudatum.— This plant has con-
tinued rare ever since its introduction from Sierra
Leone in 1834. It does not appear to have been
found at any time other than in comparatively
small quantities, and another reason of its scarcity
is that its cultivation is not so easy as that of

the majority of Angrsecums. A healthy specimen
is in bloom with Mr. Wigan at East Sheen. The
leaves are bright green, slightly coriaceous, and
deeply cleft at the tips. Each flower is about 4
inches in diameter, the two lateral sepals standing
out horizontally. They and the petals are narrow,
pointed, and of a brownish-green colour, the lip
being large and pure white, with a prominent mu-
cronate apex. The spur is of the same colour as
the sepals, and being 8 inches to 9 inches long,
comes next in size to that of A. sesquipedale. The
column is of remarkable shape, the anther case end-
ing in a long beak. This species thrives best in a
warm, moist house, and should never be subjected
to drought either at the root or in the atmosphere.
— B.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 776.

CALIFORNIAN LILIES.

(WITH A COLOURED PLATE OF 1, L. BOLANDERI J
2, L. MARITIMUM ; 3, L. PARDALINUM LUTEUM.*)

There are several Lilies natives of tho western
portion of North America, some of which are
well known in this country, and while a few of
them try tho skill of the cultivator to its
greatest extent, others succeed remarkably well.
The largest flower on the accompanying plate
represents a form of the Panther Lily (LUium
pardalinum), which is the most easily grown of
all the Californian Lilies. The Panther Lily is
a very variable one, and it has already been
the subject of two previous plates in The Gab-
den. Thus in Vol. XX. a group of varieties is
shown in which, however, there are no very
strongly marked features. Then in Vol. XXIX. ,
June 5, 1886, a coloured plate of the variety
Warei was given, and this must still be re-
garded as one of the most beautiful and dis-
tinct forms of the Panther Lily that we possess.
This, which is comparatively dwarf -growing, has
blossoms of a uniform apricot tint, and is totally
without spots, so that the name of Panther
Lily, as applied to this particular variety, ap-
pears to be somewhat of a misnomer. That
now figured (L. pardalinum luteum) was shown
by Mr. T. S. Ware, of Tottenham, last year at
the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society
held on July 9, 1889, and was then awarded
a first-class certificate, while during the present
season it was very conspicuous at the Lily
meeting held in the Drill Hall on July 8. As
will be seen, instead of the segments being
tipped to a greater or less extent with scar-
let, tho flowers of this are altogether of a deep
rich yellow colour, spotted with chocolate. It
is certainly a beautiful Lily, and one whose
merits are enhanced by the fact that the whole
of the pardalinum group succeed well where
at all favourably situated. A good sandy loam,
at all times fairly moist, yet never waterlogged,
just meets their requirements, and they are
also benefited by a judicious use of well- de-
cayed manure. Sandy soil is, however, by no
means necessary to their well-doing, for I have
seen the peculiar rhizome-like bulbs at home in
a stiff heavy loam, where the plants flowered
equally as well as the others. The curious creep-
ing bulbs of L. pardalinum are somewhat in
the way of those of L. superbum and L. cana-
dense, from the eastern side of North America.
L. maritinium, which is the topmost figure
on the plate, can scarcely be classed as new,
though it is so little known that even its name
is seldom met with in any list of Lilies. The
bulbs of this species are very impatient of re-
moval, and this fact combined with the im-

* Drawn for The Garden in Mr. Ware's nursery
by H. G. Moon, July 1, 1890. Lithographed and
printed by Guillaume Severeyns.

ICT 35 IB90

T HREE NEW LILIE S
l.LILIUM BOLANDERI. 2. L.MARITINUM. ; ,.PA1 DALINUM LUTEUM

Oct. 25, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

397

possibility of reproducing its Californian sur-
roundings generally result in failure when its
cultivation is attempted here.

According to an Ainei"ican contemporary —

It grows in and around peat bogs on the coast of
Mendocino County — rarely further north or south.
It is seldom seen further than two miles from the
ocean. The surface of these bogs is dotted with
clumps of Ferns and Azaleas. Around the bogs is
a waste of grey ashy-looking sand, densely covered
with Heath, Cypress, and Pines. On the edges of
the bogs this Lily is dwarf, often blooming at 3
inches or 4 inches. In the bogs it roots itself in
the tufts and becomes a lovely plant 5 feet high,
with ten or fifteen fine blossoms. The leaves are
dark glossy green and the flowers crimson.

Mr. Elwes in his monograph, in which this
Lily is figured from a dried specimen, agrees
with a previously expressed opinion of Mr.
Baker's, that as far as could be then judged
this Lily possesses no good character to distin-
guish it from L. columbianum. The flowers of
this last are of a deep orange colour, thickly
dotted in the interior with chocolate, so that,
as may be seen by the plate, the two are as garden
plants totally distinct. Taking all its features
(bulb included) into consideration, L. mariti-
mum certainly seems to be more nearly related
to L. parvum than to L. columbianum.

L. Bolanderi, the smallest of the three
figured, is an extremely pretty little Lily.
The general appearance of the elegantly
reflexed blooms is so happily caught in
the plate, that no further description is neces-
sary. A few of the leaves just towards the
base of the stem are scattered, but the upper
ones are in whorls of a dozen or more. They
are of a dark metallic green and slightly glau-
cous, especially on the under sides. This Lily
is so little known that a description by Mr.
Sereno Watson in the proceedings of the
American Academy of Arts and Sciences may
be of interest. He says : — ■

The plant in a wild state has stems 1 foot to 3
feet high, each having one or two flowers, the
leaves verticillate and slightly glaucous, and is re-
lated to both Lilium parvum and L. maritimum.
The flowers have a nodding tendency, and are of a
dull purplish hue or brownish red, becoming paler,
and having numerous dark spots on the segments,
the colouring and markings imparting a peculiar
rather than a beautiful appearance. It is said to
have been found on the Red Hills, Humboldt
County, California, and in Humboldt Bay.

The above description scarcely applies in all
particulars to Mr. Ware's Lily, which is really
very pretty. With regard to its culture, it is
probable that the best place for it is in the peat
of a Rhododendron bed, where the soil is never
parched up, and the Lily would be partially
shaded. The same conditions, too, could
scarcely be improved upon for the culture of L.
maritimum.

The Californian Lilies have had several of
their number previously illustrated by coloured
plates in The Garden, for besides the two
plates previously mentioned of the different
forms of the Panther Lily (L. pardalinum), the
pretty yellow-flowered [L. Parryi was figured in
vol. xviii., Humboldt's Lily in vol. xx., and L.
Washingtonianum and L. rubescens on one
plate in the same volume. The orange-coloured
blossoms of L. Humboldti with their varied
arrangement of spots and blotches are very
beautiful, but it must be classed among the
Lilies that are difficult to grow in a satisfactory
manner. A Lily frequently known as L.
Bloomeriauuni ocellatum is but a form of Hum-
boldti, from winch it differs in the bulb being
very much smaller and the plant dwarfer, but

the individual blooms are as large as those of
the others. L. Washingtonianum, stately though
it be in its native country, must be classed
among the (generally speaking) unsatisfactory
Lilies, and so must L. rubescens, frequently
known as L. Washingtonianum purpureum.
The remaining Californian Lilies that have not
yet been figured are L. columbianum, a pretty
species, a good deal like a minature form of L.
Humboldti. An open soil with a liberal amount
of sand and a partially shaded position seems
to suit this Lily fairly well.

The last to mention is L. parvum, with a
creeping bulb, less pronounced than in L.
pardalinum, but more like that of L. Parryi.
This Lily will, under favourable conditions,
reach a height of 5 feet, and then bear great
numbers of its pretty orange or reddish orange
blossoms. As a rule, however, it is much less,
but at any time when flourishing it is an ex-
tremely pretty and graceful Lily. H. P.

[In the coloured plate the name L. maritinum
should be L. maritimum. — Ed.]

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

THE BLACKBERRY AS A MARKET FRUIT.
Owing to the more or less partial failure of the
crop of autumnal garden fruits the Blackberry has
come very much more into request than I ever re-
member, for in towns the general remark amongst
fruiterers has been that there has been nothing
they could sell at a price within reach of the toil-
ing masses of the people. That there is every year
a greater demand for fruit amongst the working
classes cannot be doubted. This season our home-
grown supplies have been, on the whole, very much
under the average, and the imports from abroad,
as far as I have seen, are neither equal in quantity
nor quality to those of former years. In seasons
of scarcity any fruit that will at all pass muster
sells freely at prices which in more plentiful sea-
sons would not be obtainable for the very best
samples. It is owing to this scarcity of fruit that
the humble Blackberry has been so eagerly sought
after, and, fortunately, the crop has been veiy
abundant and has given work to hundreds of hands
in this county alone for several weeks past. The
wet summer that spoilt the Strawberries was all in
favour of swelling up a fine crop on the Bramble
bushes, and now we have had about the finest Sep-
tember for ripening the crop that could possibly be.
the result being that an unprecedented quantity of
Blackberries has found its way into the market and
realised good prices. Not only have the Black-
berries been used for cooking, but very large quan-
tities have been converted into jam, for the simple
reason that the price of Plums put them beyond
the reach of many for that purpose. I venture
to say that those who have made the change will
not regret it, for a more excellent fruit for pre-
serving than the Blackberry is not to be found in
the whole list of cultivated fruits. Speaking of
prices obtainable, I may say that the price of
Blackberries grown without any expenses of rent,
cultivation, &c, has been fully equal to that which
is considered about the average for Gooseberries,
and the question naturally arises, Would it not pay
to cultivate Blackberries for market, at least in
counties where natural Blackberry lands are not so
plentiful as they are in Hampshire? I daresay
many will point to the comparative failure of the
American varieties to become popular as garden
fruits, for although some have succeeded, others
have failed most completely with them. Setting
aside the merits or demerits of these, I think we
have the certainty of good results if we took our
own native sorts in hand and treated them well,
for although our hedgerow Brambles do yield fine
crops when their roots are competing with bushes
of all sorts, there cannot be much doubt but that
they would yield far finer crops if the soil was
devoted solely to their use. Now that so much
land is going begging, as it were, for tenants, it

requires no great stretch of imagination to suppose
that the Blackberry might, if systematically cul-
tivated, after the manner of Raspberries be made
to yield very profitable crops. Fortunately, it
comes in after nearly all the soft perishable fruits
are over ; therefore it would find few other com-
petitors in the shape of cheap fruit in the market.
Gosport. James Geoom.

PRIZES FOR PACKING GRAPES AT
CHISWICK.

1 bead with interest " F. C. E.'s " notes in The
Gaeden (p. 349) on the above, and in many of his
remarks I thoroughly agree, as all, or nearly all, of
the splendid Grapes sent from Covent Garden and
the large growers were in baskets. In my opinion
the growers who send such quantities would cer-
tainly adopt the best method of packing. I have
packed Grapes for long distances in a variety of
ways, but for any quantity to be sent at one time
should prefer those awarded the certificate, as in
the case of the cup lot they should have come
separately, and not have been tied on to a large
box protected by another larger box. No doubt
the committee did not take that into consideration,
but it should have been. Another question arises
whether these firmly wedged in Grapes would have
been in as good condition when removed, as it
would be impossible to prevent rubbing the bloom
off in packing, as those secured to the side of a
basket. It also must have required nice judgment
to gauge the size of the bunches so as to get them to
fit a square box to a nicety. This cannot always be
done, as Grapes have often to be sent at short
notice and large bunches packed with small, and
then I maintain the basket has the advantage. I
think had the question been left to a few experts in
packing, or say two growers and two salesmen, the
result would have been different, and the box that
was awarded the cup by the narrow majority of
two votes would have been left out.— Geape
Gboweb.

Practical as are the criticisms of " F. C. E."

on the fruit-packing awards at the Chiswick Grape
Conference, I fear he has not fully realised the ex-
ceeding importance of having fruit so packed that
it shall travel with entire safely per parcels post.
Whatsoever may be the adaptability of baskets for
ordinary railway transit as parcels, where very di-
verse treatment is meted out, it should be obvious
that the parcels post affords no safeguards against
rough treatment whatever ; hence it is of the first
importance in considering what constitutes the
best and safest forms of packing for these respec-
tive modes of carriage, that the worst and roughest
should be guarded against. The schedule of the
class in which the competition took place asked
for examples sent " per rail or parcels post," but
some of the critics of the awards seem to have
overlooked the latter requirement. Now there were
one or two doubtless carefully packed baskets sent
per parcels post, and a wretchedly spoiled appear-
■ance the fruits presented when open, the berries
being little better than a mass of pulp. Generally,
as " F. C. E." asserts, baskets sent per rail as ordi-
nary parcels are kept handle upwards, and of course
they travel safely enough. In the parcels post,
however, all small articles — and, of course, none so
sent can be very large — are packed closely into huge
hampers. These big hampers are in the course of
transit literally turned over and over several times,
everything soft or tender, or imperfectly packed
coming to grief. It is so very evident, therefore, that
Grapes so forwarded must be securely, in fact
tightly packed in stout wooden boxes which,
whilst not more than one-fourth the price of
baskets, may bear a dozen such journeys. The
basket woulct add, if not returned, fully 10 per cent,
to the cost of a few pounds of Grapes, a box about

2 per cent. As it was on my proposition as a mem-
ber of the Grape Conference Committee that the
award of the proffered cup was made to the box of
Grapes from Leeds which is taken exception to, I
am really bound to defend it. That the Grapes had
travelled by rail somehow 200 miles and reached
Chiswick in perfectly sound condition was pretty
conclusive evidence as to the value of the method

398

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 25, 1890.

of packing adopted. The basket of Grapes pitted
against the box by an amendment was from
Gunnersbury, close by Chiswick, and had, to meet
the requirements of the schedule, been sent to
Waterloo Station and from thence back to Chiswick
per rail. In both cases the fruits were admirable,
and if they were to be sent only per rail or to be
delivered by any parcels agency other than the
post, the basket to be returned when empty, I
should prefer the basket to the bos. As it was, the
condition " parcels post " made the exacting of fit-
ness in the case employed imperative. As to the
fastening on of box-lids by means of nails, that is not
absolutely necessary. About four inch tacks suffice,
if, as is a good plan, the box be done up in paper
and securely tied with stout string. I should yet
like to see a really good packing in re parcels post
delivery competition for Grapes instituted. The
conditions should be clear and exact, the weight
of Grapes about five pounds, every consideration
being given to cheapness of box or basket in mak-
ing the awards. — A. Dean.

SUCCESSFUL PEACH CULTURE.
My attention was called to a paragraph in last
week's issue of The Garden under the above
heading. A case of a similar nature came under
my observation a short time ago, which I think
cannot fail to interest many of your readers, as
it seems to me almost unparalleled. Having occa-
sion to visit the gardens at Paulton's Park, I acci-
dentally noticed what appeared to me some un-
usually large fruit on an outside wall with a
southerly exposure. On closer examination the
fruit proved to be Peaches and Nectarines of such
uncommon size and beauty, so perfectly developed,
and so richly and evenly coloured, that my curio-
sity prompted me to ask Mr. Sanders, the gar-
dener, some particulars respecting them. The
trees, which number eight or ten, comprise the fol-
lowing varieties : Sea Eagle, Barrington, Hale's
Early, Goshawk, Humboldt, and Walburton Ad-
mirable. They were planted four years ago. The
-number per tree averaged three dozen, and know-
ing that the fruit would ultimately find its way to
Covent Garden, I asked Mr. Sanders if he would
mind furnishing me with the results.

In due time the result came, and this, I must
confess, astonished me as much as the unique ap-
pearance of the fruit. Many of the largest Peaches
weighed 17J ozs., and not one of the lot I saw
weighed less than 13 ozs. They realised from lOd.
to Is. 3d. each.

In early August I had an opportunity of seeing
those grown under glass. The trees are older, of a
different sort, and bear more abundantly, but the
fruit seemed equally good, if not superior. One
tree, a Royal George, had no less than 235 Peaches
on it.

At any rate, there is one inference which seems
to me pretty plain, and that is that to attain sue
cess in Peach growing there is yet a good deal to
learn, and although those who know best how.
to do it may not be the most communicative in de
tail, a comparison of notes could not fail to elicit
many useful and instructive hints to the ordinary
Peach grower. When Peaches realise Is. 3d. first
hand, what will they cost by the time they reach
the table of the wealthy city merchant ?

Ramsey, Hants. Hoetus.

The hardy fruit garden. — I like to commence
work in this department with the fall of the leaf,
our mode of procedure being to let the men have a
turn at digging or ridging in the early morning if
this happens to be cold, changing to the work of
pruning, tying, staking, &c, as the day advances.
There will be nothing more to do on the Strawberry
quarter except the removal of a few odd runners ;
the bulk of these were taken off soon after the
fruit was over and the ground immediately received
a good coating of half-decayed manure. Rasp-
berries were treated in a similar manner, and these
are only waiting the annual tying in. Gooseberries
on wall and trellis we shall look over as soon as
possible, but there is not much to do in the way of

cutting ; we had a heavy crop of fruit, and this is
always a check to the development of wood. I
have always gone over these trellis Gooseberries to
shorten back the summer growth about the begin-
ning of July, and the practice answers well with
all the strong growing varieties, but in the case of
several of the very large-fruited sorts exception
must be taken to the operation, as such removal
exposes the fruit to the direct rays of a powerful
sun and scalding ensues. The practice of early
mulching with good manure referred to in the case
of Strawberries and Raspberries extends to the
Currants and Gooseberries on wall and trellis, for
there is no doubt that grown under these condi-
tions the roots would naturally suffer from a con-
tinued spell of dry weather, especially on light
sandy soil. Whilst on the subject of hardy fruits
I may mention that the Blackberry harvest has
been abundant and (in all cases where the
Brambles are growing in a stiff soil) the fruit ex-
ceptionally fine. Perhaps some readers may give
us their experience of the new named varieties of
this fruit ; so far as the ordinary cut-leaved Ameri-
can is concerned I do not see that it is any im-
provement on its English relative either in produc-
tiveness or quality. — E.B., Claremont.

THE CHISWICK GRAPE CONFERENCE.
Whilst there can be no doubt whatever but that
the Dahlias largely attracted the gentler sex to
Chiswick, certain it is that the Grape exhibition,
imperfect as it was, and the reading of papers con-
nected with Grape culture did attract a very large
attendance of gardeners, and that distinguished
Scotch Grape grower, Mr. W. Thomson, had to look
down upon a full gathering of hard-headed mem-
bers of the craft who had come largely to do honour
to one so eminent in horticulture. It is exceedingly
pleasant to find that in the matter of attendance
this joint conference was so successful. The con-
trast to what is usually seen at the dull lugubrious
Drill Hall was remarkable, and perhaps the specta-
cle of Chiswick, as it were, in a state of revived
popularity was hardly pleasing to some who seem
to feel that the popularity of the old gardens would
form an obstacle to the mad scheme now in publi-
city for the establishment of a costly home for the
society on the Thames Embankment. However, so
far, all has been well, although much disappoint-
ment was expressed at the, after all, comparatively
moderate extent of the Grape show. Still it must
have been obvious that if trade growers of Grapes did
not exhibit, private gardeners could not largely do
so, especially that no prizes were offered to repay
expenses. Still further, of what samples were sent
by gardeners, it was hardly possible that the best
would be furnished, only representative samples
being forwarded. Such being the case, the com-
mittee which undertook to make awards of merit
to excellent samples found their labours trifling be-
cause so many of the bunches sent did not call for cul-
tural commendation. Mr.W. Roupell's very meritori-
ous collection was full of interest, especially to those
who hunger after small-berried Grapes of high fla-
vour. All the same, it must have been very evident
to all present that in the competition between mere
flavour and fine berries and superb finish, as seen
in the larger forms, flavour alone would not find
so very many supporters. Still, so long as we have
Muscat of Alexandria, Madresfield Court, Black
Hamburgh, and other large-berried Grapes of fine
flavour, we do not throw away everything for mere
size, judging by the new Appley Towers and some
other excellent new Grapes, we shall in time find
in large-berried showy Grapes flavour as good as
can be desired. The collection of Grapes from the
society's gardens was remarkably good and evoked
high praise. The samples of Muscat Hamburgh
were of the very finest. Mr. Clarke's collection of
Grapes from Farnham, grown without heat, was a
capital exhibit, and shows what can be done even
in such a season as the present in rearing and in
turning out fine samples in cool houses. Wo should
like to learn, however, how Mr. Clarke checks the
development of mildew without heat, unless he is
never visited by that pest. The display of Grapes
packed for transit by rail or post in the one case

and for market sale in the other was most interest-
ing. It was largely added to the second day by a
superb collection from the Channel Island growers,
also from Messrs. Parrott Bros., Normandy Park,
and from Messrs. Sweet & Kay, of Finchley. These
two latter growers, whose samples in large square
baskets were superb, had sent their produce to Mr.
Munro, of Covent Garden, by road, who forwarded
all these samples by van to Chiswick. Those from
the Channel Islands and from Messrs. Parrott were
in the regulation cross handle baskets and were
bond fide rail sent. Those from the Channel Is-
lands somewhat lacked colour and were rather
rubbed, but those from Messrs. Parrott were superb,
especially the Madresfield, altogether some ten
baskets, eliciting the highest admiration. A few
baskets from private growers sent direct to the
gardens were very good, especially one from Ford-
ingbridge. In the case of the class for smaller
parcels sent by rail or post suitable for private
consumers, the committee, having a cup to award
to the best example, were somewhat exacting in
requirements, and finally gave the award to a small
square deal box from Temple Newsam, which had
come a long journey by rail, and had shown that
packed simply in that way with a wall of Moss and
tissue paper round the sides, the bunches might
have been sent to a long distance without in-
jury. Opinions varied in favour of a basket of
capital Grapes, but the majority were in favour of
the solid, compact box.

SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ROOTS.
The above sentence covers considerable ground
and conveys a good deal of meaning to the practi-
cal gardener, for those who have bad any experi-
ence know that when anything is wrong with the
roots there is no hope for success till the wrong is
made right. But there are cases where roots have
got into a bad subsoil where much labour will be
required before matters are put right again. I
suppose no one would select a site for a fruit garden
where the clay cropped up near the surface if he
could do any better. Still, in the past, if not now,
there has been some carelessness in the selection of
sites for fruit gardens, for I know of more than one
instance where an inferior site has been selected
when a better one was available within a short
distance. But, then, in the past fruit growing was
not the important business it has now become, and
with the annual increase of population either the
home grower or the foreigner or both will have
some leeway to make up before the demand
that is likely to arise is supplied. One thing is
certain, that to plant fruit trees in very shallow
soil, whether the subsoil is clay or sand, will lead
before many years are past to something being
wrong at the roots. I could point to a goodly
number of gardens and orchards which in the past
produced good fruit, and which now, although the
trees are not worn out with age, yet rarely produce
a good crop of usable fruit such as was gathered
from the trees before the roots reached the subsoil.
Some time ago I was asked to look at a number of
fruit trees — Pears, Apples, and Plums— growing in
a villa garden that had formerly done well, but
which now, except in the case of a few cooking
Apples, scarcely produced an eatable fruit. The
Pears especially were very inferior, the fruits
being small, cracked, and in many instances
blackened with mildew. The trees were well de-
veloped, and for the most part were hand-
some pyramids, but I could see at once there
was something wrong with the roots, and I found
on opening a trench the roots were working into
the clay. Root-pruning and lifting will save them
for a time, but they will always be a source of anxiety
in the future to the owner of the garden. What
then, it may be asked, is to be done on a clayey soil
where the workable surface may not be more than
a foot deep ? There are at least two courses open,
and there may be a third, any of which is better
than letting the roots run riot in the clay that is
sure in the near future to bring them to ruin. In
the days gone by in the best gardens in dealing
with a bad subsoil, it was customary to place a
layer of concrete under any trees whose roots were

Oct. 25, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

399

likely to get dangerously near the clay. Of course,
I may be told this sort of thing would not do for
the market grower ; it is too expensive. I do not
say that it would, though the expense of a chaldron
or two of lime is not a ruinous affair, and stones
can generally be obtained off the land near in suffi-
cient quantity to do a little job of this kind. But
I was not thinking of market growers ; they have
or will have the country to pick and choose from,
and if they settle upon a soil with the clay near the
surface they will do so with their eyes open. I was
thinking more especially of the amateur grower,
who probably had nothing to do with the selection
of the site of his garden or dwelling, but having
got it, he wants to make the best of it, and the
matter of a few shillings for whatever is necessary
to make the trees profitable should not be grudged.
Concrete is easily made by any handy labourer, and
for the few trees that are planted in a moderate sized
private garden should not involve much outlay. The
large gardens are managed by skilled men, and
whatever is necessary to keep the trees in condition
for a life of average duration is generally done.
But there is another way of dealing with shallow
soils, and this is do not make holes in the ground at
all ; plant on the surface and cover the roots with
the best soil obtainable. A cartload of soil to
each tree will be enough for the present, and in the
future the roots can be kept near the surface by a
liberal use of top-dressing. This appears to me to
be the best way of dealing with a clay soil, but it
would not answer quite so well where the subsoil is
a poor hungry sand. In the latter case I should re-
commend a bottom of concrete. It need not be
more than a yard square, or 4 feet at the outside,
and outside the base the roots can easily be lifted
without giving the tree too severe a check. I have
only touched upon one case where something is
wrong with the roots, and that, too, in a cursory
sort of way, but mischief arises in all kinds of fruit
growing from sluggish action of the roots.

E. H.

Mulching Strawberries. — Opinions vary as
to the best time to mulch Strawberry plants,
some growers recommending its being done during
the autumn months. I do the work at both seasons,
and have adopted the practice for many years of
mulching with good manure during the autumn
months, and in spring, when the plants begin to
make their new growth, the juices of the manure
are well washed down to the roots, the rougher
portion of the material remains on the surface
cleansed, and goes far towards keeping the froit
when it sets free from grit. The protection such
material gives during the winter months to the
plants is patent to the most casual observer. By
far the finest Strawberries I have ever seen in
England or Scotland during the past season were
where the rich mulching was applied during
autumn immediately after the crop was gathered
and the runners separated from the plants. — M. T.

Pear Hacon's Incomparable.— The exceed-
ing variability of Pears in different soils and locali-
ties is most marked. Many Pears that are good in
a strong soil are comparatively worthless in another.
The kind under notice is an illustration of this. In
a Hampshire garden it was worthless as a dessert
kind, although grown as a bush ; while in the
gardens at Didlington Hall, Norfolk, it was fairly
good. I lately tasted some fruits from a tree grow-
ing on a high stone wall. The Grass is growing
over the roots, and the tree never gets any manure.
It produces a good crop every year, I am told.
When it will succeed, as it does here, it is a most
desirable kind. Undoubtedly the nature of the
soil more than the aspect influences the flavour
of Pears in a marked degree. — J. Cbook, Forde
AVbey, Somerset.

Beurre Baltet Pear. — This new variety is cer-
tainly worth a place in every collection of Pears,
and will be found a free grower. I do not know
if it has been grown on the Continent for any
length of time, but it has only recently been grown
in any quantity in this country. It is a large hand-
some fruit of a rich melting flavour, and finely col-
oured. It bears heavily on the Quince, and does
well either as a cordon or pyramid and is a medium

grower; therefore may be planted where large robust
trees would take up too much space. As a cordon
we have it in fine condition, and it is bearing well
even this year when many other varieties totally
failed. I think it will prove a valuable midseason
Pear. It does well in a light soil in which many of
the better kinds do not succeed. It is distinct in
shape from many others, being turbinate, and looks
well on the table. Being such a heavy bearer it
will require thinning, as it sets a great quantity of
fruit.— G. W.

PEAR TREES UNFRUITFUL.
I note recently in The Garden that a question
is asked about Pears blooming at this date ; it is
also mentioned that there is only one fruit on the
tree. This shows that the tree is in bad condition,
and the roots should be examined at once and
pruned. I venture to say that it will in future
bear a good crop, which will check the autumn
blooming of the tree and ripen the wood for suc-
cessive crops. Pear and other fruit trees in un-
favourable seasons will often show bloom after a
wet sunless summer, and if the roots are healthy,
means should be taken to thin out the shoots, so as
to allow the sun to thoroughly mature the new
wood. Soft sappy growths are those that produce
the autumn bloom, and this should be prevented by
j udicious thinning. The cause of premature growth
and bloom is that the roots are wrong and need
pruning. Winter Nelis Pear, the variety spoken
of, is not such a robust grower as some varieties,
but it is one of our best flavoured kinds on the Quince
stock, and to do it justice it should have a wall in the
northern districts. In the south it makes a good
pyramid, and does remarkably well as a cordon,
but in cold wet ground it does not thrive ; therefore,
a well-drained position suits it best and a heavy
mulch of good manure. The roots being near the
surface, they should be encouraged to grow near
the top, as those going down into the subsoil
cause the mischief; therefore they require more
frequent mulching or manuring, which tends to
preserve the moisture as well as afford nutri-
ment to the tree. Deep planting is also another
great evil, and often causes the young tree
to go wrong, this being especially the case on
clayey or badly drained land. Although Pears
prefer a strong loamy soil, the trees soon die in
wet clay if not previously prepared by draining and
trenching, incorporating other suitable materials,
such as mortar rubble and burnt clay. I have often
observed this Pear fail to produce a crop when
grafted on the Pear stock, and possibly the tree
named is on this stock. If the roots have penetrated
into the cold subsoil it will fail to bear freely unless
lifted and the roots shortened. It also has a ten-
dency in rich soils to grow luxuriantly on the Pear
stock, thus causing unfruitfulness. The fruits
shown at most of the large exhibitions were chiefly
from trees on the Quince stock, and in small gar-
dens or for cordons or pyramids are much pre-
ferred, as a heavy crop can be secured by abundant
feeding and mulching twice a year, autumn and
spring. The late spring mulching greatly assists
the roots and keeps them moist. The Quince stock
also makes shorter roots, more fibry, and on the sur-
face ; therefore, the value of a good mulch is seen.
The Pear stock, on the other hand, pushes rapidly
down, and forms a few large roots that produce large,
gross, unfruitful wood which does not ripen, conse-
quently does not set its fruit. The Quince stock
in some varieties requires double grafting, and any
of our noted fruit tree growers will always advise
this to be done when purchasing young trees. A
few varieties will not succeed on the Quince, but
require different stocks, and in this case the stock
used is one that has been grown specially for the
purpose and can be recommended. The Pear on the
Quince often produces a heavy crop in some of the
varieties ; therefore thinning should always be re-
sorted to at an early date so as not to rob the
trees of their vigour for the following season, as
would be the case if all the fruit remained on the
trees. G- w-

A boom in fruit trees. — I am told by market
men that there will be a big run on hardy fruit

trees for the market gardens this season, very ex-
tensive breadths being about to be put down. If
that be true, it should be good news for the nursery
trade, assuming that they have laid themselves out
to supply this particular demand. Bush fruits are
particularly in request, and many thousands of
Gooseberries and Currants will shortly be planted.
About London there is always a considerable dis-
placement of old gardens and orchards proceeding,
and these must be replaced farther out. But the
railway has placed the rural and provincial fruit
growers on such even terms with the metropolitan
grower, that with much less rental, cheaper labour,
lower rates, and perhaps better soil and situation,
fruit culture becomes profitable, where in metro-
politan districts it hardly pays its way. Still it is
not so much in the direction of hardy fruit culture
for market that our extension of tree planting is
needed. The market grower cares only, perhaps,
for a few popular varieties. The home grower of
smaller quantities much more likely prefers many
varieties, because he grows as much for his own
pleasure as for profit. There is a great deal of
pleasure to be derived from hardy fruit culture, and
although that pleasure is hardly a marketable com-
modity, yet it is valuable. An extension of such
fruit culture would be of more use in the country
than is the mere planting of broad acres for market.
It would be much better if people would as
far as possible grow their own fruit, and home fruit
culture tends to that end. The planter of twenty
or fifty young trees at home is perhaps doing as
much for the interests of fruit culture as is the
large planter of many thousands of trees.— A. D.

APPLES, OPEN-AIR Y. UNDER GLASS.
The splendid collection of Apples brought together
at the Guildhall ought to settle the question as to
whether our climate is suited to Apple culture on
a large scale or not. But when such splendid ex-
hibits of Una fide open-air-grown fruit are sent up
to the metropolis from all parts of the kingdom, it
is surely a mistake to mix them up with fruits
grown under glass, for the instructive part of the
show is thereby greatly reduced, as ordinary people
who go to get information are misled, and unless
some distinctive mark is put on the glass-grown
specimens they are more likely to select them as
fit for open-air culture than others that are really
well suited to the purpose.

I do not think that glass is needed for Apple
culture but there is no reason why those who wish
to turn one of our hardiest fruits into a hothouse
subject should not do so, either for private use or
for market. Happily, there is no lack of interest in
the subject, for I find numbers of well-to-do ama-
teurs turning their attention to hardy fruits, and
converting their gardens into miniature trial
grounds for the various sorts that are recommended
in catalogues, or that they find taking a foremost
place at exhibitions.

I trust that before another large exhibition is
held very stringent rules will be laid down for dis-
qualifying any collections found to contain other
than open-air-grown fruit, as many are now de-
terred from exhibiting, not from any fear of com-
peting with their neighbours who grow Apples m
the open, but simply because they have no orchard
house to cultivate what are called the best sorts
but which are quite useless, even in the favoured
south, for open-air culture. As the primary object
is to supply our markets more fully with home-
grown fruits, the open-air cultivation of the Apple
should be encouraged.- J. Gboom, GosjjoH.

At the recent show of the Fruiterers

Company I observed many persons who only
had a slight knowledge of fruit culture amazed
at the splendid fruit exhibited, and rn one
or two instances the remarks made were not
at all complimentary to their gardeners, as they
could not produce such fruit. It was no doubt
thought owing to want of skill. I pitied the poor
gardener when the next interview took place it he
did not see the specimens in question, as he would
appear at a great disadvantage, and perhaps not
think of the Apples having been grown or finished

400

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 25, 1890.

under glass. Of late a greater quantity of fruit is
grown for exhibition in this way, and I do not
complain on that score, as it shows to what perfec-
tion this useful fruit can be got to. I think it
would in large exhibitions be a good plan to make
exhibitors put " grown under glass " on the name
cards, as it would in many cases be more satisfac-
tory to amateurs and others when taking down the
names of fruit for the purpose of growing them
and prevent future misunderstanding both with the
seller and the buyer. Why not have a good sub-
stantial prize or cup for an indoor grown fruit col-
lection, so as to recognise it separately ; or offer
cultural certificates for the best dishes so as to
thoroughly define it, as it is impossible in the ma-
jority of places for gardeners to find room for
Apples under glass when so many other necessary
fruits and flowers are required. Those with plenty
of room and means can do so, but they are few
in number who grow Apples in this way for the
sake of fine fruit. — G. Wythes.

NOTES ON STRAWBERRIES.
The following notes on Strawberries which
we are enabled to publish through the kindness
of our correspondents will doubtless prove in-
teresting to our readers. They have been sent
us from all parts of the United Kingdom. We
print the questions which we desired to have
answered : —

1 . — Best lands for forcing and hearing.

2. — Best lands for flavour.

3. — mat are your lest early and late kinds for
open-air culture ?

4 — What is your opinion of the new varieties that
have oeen lately sent out ?

5. — Mode of cultivation, whether as single stools
or in beds.

For packing to send by rail or parcels post

Sir Joseph Paxton is my favourite for forcing, as
the fruit is firm and travels well, and comes out
with a good appearance. Noble is a grand variety
for forcing and travels fairly well, but cannot be
classed as really good in flavour. La Grosse Sucre'e
and Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury have both
proved themselves satisfactory for the purpose.
Other kinds, such as President, Keen's Seedling, &c,
force well, but I have had the best results from the
four varieties first named. For open-air culture
Noble and Pauline proved the best early kinds, the
latter being only four days later than Noble, and
much superior in flavour to that variety. Waterloo
is by far the best late variety we have, producing
good crops of dark, handsome, fairly flavoured
fruit, and we shall increase our plantations of this
useful kind. So far as my experience goes, it is the
best and most useful sort of recent introduction.
Our mode of cultivation is as single stools, as I
think the best crops and finest fruit are thus pro-
duced.— S. T. Weight, Glewston Court, Hereford.

Our best kinds for open-air culture are King

of the Earlies, which leads the way, its first fruits
being of fair size and quality. This is followed
closely by Noble, which does well here, and is much
appreciated on account of its handsome appear-
ance, but it lacks flavour. Vicomtesse Hericart de
Thury, Keen's Seedling, and Sir Joseph Paxton are
also grown in quantity, and are satisfactory in all
respects. James Veitch is grown for size. The
flesh of this kind being soft, it has suffered more
than any other from the effects of wet. For late
crops we rely upon Oxonian (Eleanor). This is a
good successional bearer, and the flesh being firm
withstands the wet and travels well. When well
ripened it is of good flavour, and I think one of
the best kinds. The mode of culture practised
here is to plant single runners 2 feet 6 inches apart
each way in open quarters, a small plantation be-
ing made annually as the old plants die out. After
the crop is cleared and all runners taken, the
plants are trimmed over and the ground cleaned.
In autumn a good top-dressing of rich manure from
the farmyard is applied, but the surface is not dis-
turbed. Early in spring before the plants begin to

grow, a thin layer of light stable manure which has
been lying in a heap for some time to ferment is put
on to keep the fruit clean. Our best kinds for forcing
are Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, Keen's Seedling,
and President. We layer in the fruiting pots to
save labour. The two best flavoured kinds in my
opinion are British Queen and Sir Charles Napier,
neither of which succeeds in this garden, which lies
very low and damp, being little above the level of
the river Shannon. I am trying a few of the new
kinds, but the season being unfavourable I am un-
able to give an opinion. — J. Ellicott, Somerville,
Cavan.

Keen's Seedling and Garibaldi are our

favourites both for inside and out. Neither Sir
Joseph Paxton nor President is so good. jWe grow
also Duke of Edinburgh, Victoria, and Elton Pine.
To take your questions seriatim, as I have said, we
like Keen's Seedling and Garibaldi, preferably the
latter ; the more freer fruiting the sort is the
better it is for forcing. The fruit of Garibaldi is
somewhat small, but if it be thinned sufficiently
very good produce may be had, and it bears packing
and travelling the best of any. Keen's Seedling is
three or four days earlier, and also useful for
forcing. President travels badly. Keen's Seedling
and Sir Joseph Paxton are our earliest, Elton Pine
latest ; the latter is not a very free sort. Sir Joseph
Paxton bears a long time. We always grow our
Strawberries in rows 2 J feet apart, and single stools,
and work them on the three or four years system.
After that the fruit deteriorates in size. Could I
manage it, I should only fruit them twice. — S.
Kevan, Castle Upton, Antrim.

■ The best for forcing are Noble, Vicom-
tesse Hericart de Thury, Auguste Nicaise, and Sir
Joseph Paxton. Best for flavour, Lucas, The
Countess, and British Queen. The best early and
late varieties for open air culture (early) Pauline,
Noble; (late) Elton Pine, Loxford Hall, Filbert
Pine, and Oxonian. The best new varieties are
Auguste Nicaise, Noble, and A. F. Barron. We
grow the larger portion of this crop in rows 2 feet
G inches apart, and 18 inches in the rows. We
make fresh plantations yearly, on deeply trenched,
well manured ground, made very firm before plant-
ing. This I consider the secret of success. — J.
Smith, Mentmore, Bucks.

Strawberries have been very plentiful, but

much spoiled by damp, cloudy weather. Helena
Gloede has succeeded well, especially plants put
out in August last. The fruit was well exposed to
the light, and therefore well coloured and fine in
flavour. Two-year-old plants smothered up with
foliage did not bear fruits so fine in colour nor
flavour. Latest of all is a good, useful Strawberry
for late work. Noble was poor in flavour with us ;
its earliness and noble appearance will gain it a
place in most gardens, independent of the flavour.
William Culveewell, Thorpe Perrom, Torlts.

The best Strawberries for forcing with us

are Keen's Seedling, Sir Joseph Paxton, and
President. Keen's Seedling is at the top of the
list here for flavour, being appreciated by my
employers more than any other sort grown here,
Sir Joseph Paxton coming next, with President,
James Veitch, Frogmore Late Pine, Helena
Gloede, and La Grosse Sucree. Keen's Seedling is
the first to ripen, followed by President, Sir Joseph
Paxton, La Grosse Sucrfe, James Veitch, Helena
Gloede, Unser Fritz, Waterloo, and Frogmore
Late Pine. King of the Earlies I have given a fan-
trial for two years, but have discarded it this year.
In the first place it has proved anything but a good
early forcing sort, not throwing the flower-spikes far
enough above the pots to my satisfaction. Fruits
small and very inferior in flavour. Noble I have
not tried, but from the good reports I shall do so
next season. Waterloo I consider a noble looking
fruit, but only second rate in flavour. Our mode
of cultivation is in rows 2 feet apart and 18 inches
from plant to plant. Our soil being of such a
chalky nature, Strawberries with us will only last
two years on the same ground, so we make fresh
plantations every year. I have tried several times
to get that good old sort British Queen to grow, but
without any success. Neither can I grow Loxford

Hall Seedling nor Amateur.— J. Rose, Zockinge
Parle, Wantage.

I depend on three sorts chiefly for outside

and inside work,rviz., Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury,
President, and Sir Joseph Paxton. I have tried La
Grosse[Sucree, Dr. Hogg, and James Veitch with un-
satisfactory results. Noble I have grown outside,
and gathered ripe fruit from it ten days before Vi-
comtesse Hericart de Thury was ready. The flavour
is not so good as one would like it, but being so
much earlier it will no doubt find a place in every
garden. — W. Boweeman, Hachvood Parle, Basing-
stoke.

For early forcing to have fruit ripe by the

end of March the best I have grown is Vicomtesse
Hericart de Thury. It is also a most useful variety
grown in pots in a cool house. For later crops in
pots the best I find is British Queen and James
Veitch. For outdoor culture we grow Vicomtesse
Hericart de Thury, Keen's Seedling, British Queen,
James Veitch, and President. I plant the Straw-
berries in rows 2 feet each way in an open quarter,
preferring this to growing them in beds, as they
are more easily kept clean and can be better attended
to in every way. — G. Mobbison, Newourgh Priory,
Easingwold.

Our best kinds for forcing are Vicomtesse

Hericart de Thury, Laxton's Noble, President. The
best kinds for flavour are Black Prince, British.
Queen and President. For outdoor culture here I
find Black Prince the earliest and best for preserv-
ing. Noble is earlier than other large kinds, but
it is very deficient in flavour. President is the most
prolific, and the flavour is good on our ground.
James Veitch is also a good cropper and fruit large.
Sir Joseph Paxton is shy, in fact it will scarcely bear
at all on our light soil. Oxonian and Wizard of the
North are our best late kinds ; all are cultivated as
single stools. I have not tried any of the new kinds
except Noble, which has fine fruit, but lacks
flavour. — James Hathaway, Latlwm House,
Ormsldrlt.

■ ■ For forcing I still find Keen's Seedling and

President to be all that I require, as I am never
disappointed in getting a crop. For flavour Keen's
Seedling still I think heads the list. Alice Maud
with me is very good ; Sir Joseph Paxton is an ex-
cellent bearer and capital for travelling, but the
flavour is very poor. Dr. Hogg is of good flavour ;
I would like to grow it, but it will not do in our
cold heavy soil. Elton Pine and Princess Helena

1 find very good for late sorts. I have tried a
good many of the new varieties, but I found none
of them worth a place. Single stools 2 feet by

2 feet I find the best. I never stir between them,
nor do I give any manure to the surface, as I found
to my cost it created a lot of grubs during the
winter. The fruit is all that can be desired in size
and flavour. I grow Alice Maud in close 3-feet
beds that give an abundance of medium-sized fruit
for preserving. — John Raffebty, Castle Faroes,
Newtownforoes, Ireland.

Strawberries have been most abundant, but

many of the fruit were spoiled by the wet, espe-
cially on heavy soils. Of varieties both early and
late their name is now indeed legion. For forcing,
however, taken at all points, I question much if
there is yet a better or more reliable sort than the
old Keen's Seedling. It can be had in good form
at the end of February and early in March, is a
certain setter and cropper, and is, moreover, large,
handsome, and of good flavour. Vicomtesse Heri-
cart de Thury is also most reliable. La Grosse
Sucree is a noble fruit of good quality, but with me
does not set freely in pots. In point of flavour, so
much depends upon soil, situation, and general sur-
roundings that it is difficult to lay down a bard
and fast line upon this matter ; for instance, in our
own garden James Veitch, which, as a rule, is only
third-rate in flavour, is very good indeed , our warm
sandy soil seeming to suit it well. No one will, I
think, dispute that the Strawberry of all others for
flavour is British Queen, but it is so capricious in
its growth that it cannot be generally cultivated,
and I should say a well-ripened President stands
next on the list. Our best early kinds are Keen's
Seedling, followed by President and Premier ; the

Oct. 25, 1890.]

THE GAEDEF.

401

latter is a splendid fruit of the Paxton type, but
with me it is a more certain bearer, and travels well.
In late kinds our best are Loxford Hall and Water-
loo. Concerning the new varieties I can only
speak of the above-named Waterloo ; this is a
grand acquisition, being large, deeply coloured,
and of good flavour. It will, moreover, grow and
crop well under a north wall, coming in in August,
and proving most useful. Noble I have not yet
grown, but shall try it during the coming season.
The mode of culture I recommend is to form plan-
tations yearly from runners previously layered in
small pots and planted out during the latter part
of August, leaving from 2 feet to 2h feet between
the plants. — J. Ceawford, Coddlmjton Sail,
Newark-on- Trent.

Our favourite Strawberry, both for outdoors

and forcing, is the old British Queen, which does
remarkably well with us, but we never keep the
same beds more than two years, and we plant out
the forced plants in rows at from 3 feet to 4 feet
apart, and 18 inches or 20 inches from plant to
plant, which allows plenty of room between and
full light and air to colour and flavour the fruit.
To come in before the Queen we force a few
hundred Keen's Seedling and Vicomtesse Hericart
de Thury, and last spring we tried Noble, which
is very early, fine looking, and prolific, but lacks
flavour. Outdoors on a warm border it is better in
quality and well worth growing for first supply, as
it is in at least a fortnight before Keen's or
Vicomtesse, both of which are always good with us,
the Vicomtesse being specially fine this year, as
we had plenty that weighed an ounce, and they
were highly coloured and of excellent flavour.
The sort that is grown chiefly by the market men
around us is John Powell, which is really Witley's
Goliath, and ought not to have the former name, as it
is an old variety rechristened, and a good one it is,
for it bears abundantly very large fruit that is firm
and of fair flavour, and stands carriage well. — J.
Sheppaed, Woolverstone Park, Suffolk.

We grow here Vicomtesse Hericart de

Thury for our first lot. On February 25 last we
gathered 1 lb., which in the open market brought
2s. 6d. per ounce, thus showing it is a favourite
with the market men. La Grosse Sucree we can-
not set early, so that it forms the second batch, or
April Strawberries. The fruits of this are of a fine
colour, of great size, and attract buyers more than
most Strawberries. For May Sir Charles Napier
and Sir Joseph Paxton head the list. Their fine
appearance and the firmness of the fruit render
them the true type of Strawberries for late forcing
and packing. For the latest of all we grow British
Queen, a favourite with everybody. I have given
Noble a fair and impartial trial. The crop is good,
but the less said about the flavour the better. We
are this year trying John Ruskin for the first time.
Auguste Nicaise we tried last season, and found the
fruits very large in size and the flavour fairly good.
Earliest of All will not force at all. For outside
growth we have about twenty varieties, but the
pick of the basket are Burghley President, British
Queen, Sir C. Napier, Sir Joseph Paxton, and Water-
loo. These are mid-season varieties. For late
work there is no Strawberry to equal Oxonian,
unless Latest of All comes to the front. We also
grow for preserving old Elton Pine and that grand
Strawberry Eleanor. — R. Gilbert, Burghley House,
Stamford, Lincoln.

The best kinds for forcing are Black Prince

for the earliest batch, followed by Hericart de Thury.
We grow President for supplying fruit during May
and the early part of June. Having grown out-
doors Sir Joseph Paxton, British Queen, Hericart
de Thury, King of the Earlies, Black Prince, James
Veitch and President, the three last have been the
best. Noble is the only variety of recent introduc-
tion that has come under my notice worth growing ;
it promises to be good. Our soil being of a strong
holding character, Strawberries do well if the con-
stant renewal system is carried out. The plan I
adopt in culture is to make a new plantation every
year, and after three crops have been gathered the
plants are destroyed. I select a piece of ground,
trench and manure it during winter, adding a

sprinkling of fresh lime ; an early crop of vegetables
is taken from this ground— Potatoes as a rule. I
have used pots, turves, and also seen them layered
direct into their fruiting pots, but none of these su-
persede the ridge system for producing strong
plants in a short time ; in a month they are ready
for potting or planting. I am always able to lift
and pot for forcing by the end of July. In the
middle of August the young plants are put out in
rows, allowing 2 feet 6 inches between the rows
and 2 feet from plant to plant for President,
18 inches being given for smaller growing varie-
ties.— F. A. King, Clayton West, LTuddersfteld.

Our first early is Vicomtesse Hericart de

Thury, followed by Sir Joseph and President ; our
latest is Sir Charles Napier. Keen's and President

Plantation? from old plants are only allowed to re-
main two years and from young plants three years,
after which they deteriorate. After the fruit is all
gathered we trim off all the runners, remove the
straw bedding, and give them a general clean.
During the winter they are watered once or twice
with drainings from the manure h?ap after wet
weather.— Wm. M. Baillie, L'ltjn Hjo Park
Luton, Beds.

Rose Ainiee Vibert ou a pillar.

are the best flavoured. Vicomtesse, Sir Joseph,
President, Keen's and Elton Pine are our best kinds
for open-air culture. Noble has little, if any flavour.
King of the Earlies is small and of poor flavour.
Captain is a later variety, and the flavour is very
fair. Laxton's Latest of All I consider the best of
the set, but, of course, I am only expressing my
opinion respecting their culture on our cold, heavy
soil. Where few varieties will succeed under more
favourable conditions my experience may be en-
tirely upset. Our mode of culture is to plant out
the forced plants after they have been hardened
off 3 feet 6 inches between the rows and 2 feet be-
tween the plants ; they are grown as single stools.
Where young plantations are made we root the
runners into small pots and plant out in autumn.

Rose Garden.

CLIMBING R03ES.
For poles, pillars, arches, arbours, walls, sides
of houses, and high buildings, etc., only those
Roses are suitable which have more or less of
what is called a climbing habit of growth. I
say what is called a climbing habit of growth,
because, strictly speaking, there is no such thing
as a climbing Rose. Roses do not climb or
cling to anything in the way that such strictly
climbing plants as the Vine, the Honeysuckle,
and the Ivy do. Roses which make long
rambling growths, whose shoots are unable to
stand up without support of some kind, are the
kinds which do duty as climbers. Before
determining on the kind of Roses to plant,
however, the height the plants are required to
attain must be considered. Most of the
vigorous Hybrid Perpetuals and Teas may be
relied on from 8 feet to 15 feet if the soil be
good, and 'on warm sheltered walls 4 feet or
5 feet higher. The extra strong growers of the
same classes, with the Noisettes and Hybrid
Noisettes, will reach a height of from 15 feet to
20 feet. The Banksian Roses are excellent as
climbers, but should only be planted against
walls in rather sheltered positions ; they are
only summer bloomers. The white and yellow
may be both relied on up to 30 feet in good
soil, but the large white or Fortuniana will
run much higher. This kind is evergreen,
except in very sharp winters, which is a great
recommendation, but it does not flower so
profusely as the two first named varieties.
The old Blush and Crimson China Roses
will also run up the face of a wall freely
to a height of 30 feet, and, as before stated,
for continuous blooming qualities they are un-
surpassed by the varieties of any other family
of Roses; indeed, they are frequently at their
best when frost interposes and checks them ;
in spite of this, however, it is not unusual to
find a few buds still unfolding at Christmas
time. The old-fashioned summer - blooming
Roses before alluded to are capable of almost
anything in the way of height ; probably in
good and deep soils they would climb in a very
few seasons, if well tended, any ordinary church
steeple. They completely cover themselves
with blooms during the blooming period if
rightly treated, and all the treatment they re-
quire, if in good soil, consists in tying them to
their supports, pruning out weak and exhausted
wood, and encouraging to the utmost such
vigorous young shoots as may be required.
No growths need be shortened except to keep
them within the bounds allotted to the plant
and to take off unripened ends. Climbing
Roses away from walls should not be planted in
very exposed positions, or, as a rule, they will
fail to gratify the cultivator. The engraving
herewith given shows the value of the Noisette
Aim6e Vibert for training on a pillar. T.

Roses in Inverness-shire. — The Persian and
Harrisoni Roses here have during the last fortnight
broken into a second blooming. They often show
a few isolated autumn flowers, but this October
they really make a summer show, alas I only to be

402

THE GAKDEN.

[Oct. 25, 1890.

blown away by the gales and heavy rain, 18| inches
having fallen in the last twenty-two days. Their
flowering now is certainly not caused by wet after
drought, as a wetter summer I never knew on the
west coast. In June we had 953 ; July, 9'33 ;
August, 8-47; September, 8'38 inches. — Robert
Biekbeck, Loch Mourn Mead, Inverness-shire.

Trees and Shrubs.

THE STRAWBERRY TREE IN FLOWER.
Among tlie flowers of the week, a prominent
place must be given the different forms of the
Strawberry tree (Arbutus Unedo), for they are
in many cases profusely laden with their droop-
ing clusters of beautiful wax-like blossoms.
The common Strawberry tree is too well known
to need description ; still in most gardens a place
may be found for at least a specimen or two, as
its dense, glossy foliage is beautiful at all
seasons, while in the autumn and early winter
months besides flowers it will be, under favour-
able conditions, studded with its bright red
Strawberry-like fruits. In the more favoured
districts this A rbutus is of quite a tree-like habit,
and it also does well along the coast where not
too much exposed. It seems to thrive best in a
deep, somewhat light soil, and in a position
fully exposed to the sun, as it is in no sense a
shade-loving plant. There are several very
distinct varieties of the Strawberry tree, some
of which are more curious than beautiful, while
on the other hand there are one or two varie-
ties far more ornamental than the typical species.
The finest of all the forms is undoubtedly
Croornei, whose leaves are longer and broader
than those of the common kind, while the
flowers are larger and deeply tinged with pink.
The dull red of the bark of the young shoots is
also another distinctive feature. A very deep
coloured variety is rubra, and contrasted with
the paler tinted forms is very telling. Foliage
distinctions are the features of some of the
varieties, for we have the Oak-leaved (querci-
folia), the Myrtle-leaved (myrtifolia), the
narrow-leaved (salicifolia), and the crimped-
leaved (crispa), this last being a dwarf-
growing plant. There is also a semi-double
variety, but it appears to be very scarce.
Several of these forms have been known for
many years, some being mentioned by Loudon.
Another species of Arbutus is A. Andrachne, a
native of the Levant, which forms a taller and
more tree-like specimen than the preceding.
One feature of this Arbutus is the bark, which
peels ofl' every season, and the new, which
makes its appearance underneath, is at first
green, but by winter it changes to a bright
mahogany colour. Sometimes portions of the
old bark hang loose for a considerable time, and
when this is the case the plants have a rather
wild and rustic appearance. The leaves are
large, of a deep shining green, and but slightly,
if at all, serrated. A. Andrachne flowers during
the spring, and it is frequently almost as free-
blooming in the autumn. The North American
A. procera is another Arbutus, much in the
way of A. Andrachne, but is somewhat more
tender than the Old World species, and it also
differs in the plant being less dense, the leaves
rounder, and far more glaucous on the under-
sides, while the trunk and principal branches,
off which the bark peels, as in the other, are of
a whitish rather than a mahogany colour. The
urn-shaped flowers are borne, in common with
the rest, in drooping clusters, their colour being
greenish white. This tree was introduced by
the traveller Douglas from North-west America,
where it is said to sometimes reach a height of
50 feet, and to be one of the most ornamental
trees of that region. Besides the specific name

of procera, it is also known under that of Men-
ziesi. T.

Leycesteria formosa. — This Leycesteria is
very attractive during the autumn. It may occa-
sionally be met with planted in considerable num-
bers ; indeed, it has been recommended for plant-
ing for game coverts, but never seems to have been
much used in this way. The long wand-like shoots
clothed with bright green bark form at all times
a prominent feature. Just now the drooping
clusters of blossoms are very conspicuous, for
though the flowers are white, and not particularly
attractive, they are subtended by large bracts of a
reddish purple colour. The berries, too, which ripen
later on are of much the same tint. This shrub is
a native of the mountainous districts of Northern
India, where it occurs at considerable elevations,
so that it may be considered hardy in this country,
as it is only injured during exceptionable winters.
When this occurs the plant quickly recovers, young
shoots being pushed up in considerable numbers
the following spring. This Leycesteria is not par-
ticular in its requirements, but it dislikes a cold
damp spot. It will grow fairly well in shady places
where the overhanging trees are not too dense. It
will strike easily from cuttings, and may often be di-
vided up after the manner of a herbaceous plant,
added to which seeds may be frequently obtained
and they germinate quickly. — T.

Pomegranate in flower. — For a warm south
wall, or for the front of a house with a south as-
pect, there are few finer shrubs than the Pomegra-
nate, as it is of neat growth, the foliage from its ex-
pansion in the spring till it drops is always bright
and cheerful, while in the autumn nearly every
little shoot is terminated by the glowing orange-
scarlet coloured blossoms. I have had it bloom
throughout the months of September and October,
and in the early part of November when trained to
a wall. The flowers, especially of the double varie-
ties, are very beautiful, but even before they open,
the bright coloured buds, like large drops of seal-
ing-wax, are very brilliant in the sunshine of a
clear autumn day. In training the Pomegranate
to a wall only the principal branches should be
secured in position, as the minor shoots will then
dispose themselves informally. The border in
which it is planted should be well drained, and at
the same time the roots must not suffer from want
of water. There are several forms of Pomegranate,
as besides the typical kind there is the double red,
double white, and double buff, as well as some
others. The Pomegranate can be propagated by
various means, as in the first place the ordinary
form may be increased by seeds, and the varieties
can either be grafted on to seedling stocks or struck
from cuttings. They are by no means difficult to
strike if taken during the summer months and kept
close and shaded till rooted. In the more favoured
districts of England it will succeed as a shrub in
the open ground, but generally the protection of a
wall is necessary. So situated, it is in the neigh-
bourhood of London very seldom injured, even
during the most severe winters.— H. P.

FOGS.
The sudden and somewhat early advent of foggy
weather brings before us the exceedingly unplea-
sant character of the phenomenon familiar to all,
but especially to those who live in large and smoky
cities, where the incessant gloom and darkness in-
terfere so seriously with the ordinary business of
everyday life, and the irritation produced by the
fog itself to the eyes, nose, and throat is the fruit-
ful cause of disease.

General fogs, such as those with which we have
most to do, appear to result from two main causes,
and are developed chiefly when the distribution of
the atmospheric pressure is of the type termed
" anti-cyclonic." These causes are (1) The rapid
radiation of heat from the earth into space during
cold, cloudless, quiet weather, and (2) the gentle
mingling of two air currents having such tempera-
ture and humidity that the mixture is too cold to
maintain in the form of pure vapour the moisture
which it contains. With the formation of the first

of these classes exceedingly heavy dew is deposited,
the fog is formed first during the night time, is
usually low, is at first confined to the lower-lying
ground, and as it drifts slowly or hangs about dur-
ing the daytime in the form of " fog banks " has
not the wetting effect on the objects it envelops
such as is exhibited by class 2. In it, however,
the irritating properties referred to above are more
strongly developed than in the damper fogs. Above
this kind of fog the sky is brilliantly clear, and it
often happens that, when the foggy weatherisyoung,
not only the sun and moon, but even the upper parts
of lofty edifices may be seen with tolerable
distinctness when objects only a few feet distant
horizontally are quite invisible. It will be evident
to all who have paid any attention to the matter
that the fog we have recently experienced was at
first of this character. In the second class the fog
is often of great depth, the air is very much milder
and damper than with that just described, and in
any brief interval which may occur during their
prevalence it is frequently seen that the sky is
cloudy or densely overcast. The water particles,
too, of which they are composed are often large
when compared with those of the first class, and
are sometimes felt on the face and hands like very
minute drops of rain. During their prevalence
water will often pour down from the branches even
of tall trees as though a sharp shower of rain were
in progress.

There are other minor causes of fog over land
which either produce local fogs or increase the in-
tensity of the more general phenomenon when it is
prevalent— as, for instance, the sudden advent of
cold air over a relatively warm stream, when the
water parts with a large quantity of vapour, and
this is instantly condensed into fog, which marks the
course of the stream for miles. This was actually
the case a day or two ago, when the surface of the
Thames was seen thickly coated with fog before
that over the land had begun to be developed for
the night.

The position of the densest portion of the fog over
large cities situated, like London, in the valley of a
large river, depends on the direction from which the
faint airs felt occasionally are blowing. Thus a
very gentle southerly air is often found sufficient to
keep the southern suburbs clear, while the northern
are in darkness and gloom, while northerly airs act
in precisely the opposite direction by clearing the
northern and smothering the southern suburbs.
The effect of this alteration in the locality of the
fog is often extraordinary in producing differences
of temperature, in various parts of the same town,
largely in excess of what might be supposed. For
fog, when once formed, retards the radiation of
heat immensely, whether from the sun to the earth,
or from the earth into space, the former effect
being noticed most during the daytime, the latter
at night. A well marked instance of this occurred
lately, when the fog reappeared more quickly over
the London portion of the Thames valley than it
did over the higher part of the southern suburbs.
The consequence was that although in both
positions the shade temperature had been as high
as 67° during the afternoon, yet at G p.m. it had,
under the influence of a clear sky, gone down to
50° in Brixton, while it was 61° in town ; at 9 p.m.
it was as low as 43° at the higher station, while at
the Times office it stood at 55° ; and later on it fell
to 32° in the shade at the higher station, but did
not go below 42° in the City.

But it is not only the radiation of heat which is
retarded. The escape of smoke, sulphurous acid, car-
bonic acid, and ammoniacal gases is also arrested,
and it is owing to this that a fog which has lasted
for any length of time over London becomes satu-
rated with these gases and is such a powerful irri-
tant. All its particles seem to be coated with the
soot, sulphur, and other deleterious matters which
are being constantly poured into the air by the
thousands of chimneys and factories in our neigh-
bourhood. The soot is easily traced by the blacken-
ing of the face, hands, and whatever else is exposed
to the weather, and we all know how the eyes, nos-
trils, and throat suffer when the fog is an old and
cold one, to say nothing of the tale which is told

Oct. 25, 1890.]

THE G&EDEjNT.

403

by the Registrar-General's return of the increase
in the number of deaths from lung diseases. Both
these evils are intensified when the weather is in-
tensely cold as well as foggy, for then every room
has its fire lighted for warmth. Gas is used for
light, and the air so vitiated finds it way into every
nook and cranny, no matter what steps are taken
to keep it out. Theatres and large public meeting
rooms become full of it, and the people at one end
of the hall are scarcely able even to see those at the
other. — The Times.

PROTECTION FOR THE ORIGINATORS OF
NEW PLANTS.
How the originators or introducers of new varieties
of plants can be protected in what seems to be
clearly their right to some special proprietorship of
their production is a subject that has often been
discussed. At the late American convention of
nurserymen the fact was emphasised that very few
persons in this country who had originated valu-
able varieties of fruit had received any direct bene-
fit from it. As an illustration it was stated that
Mr. Worden, who brought out the Grape named
after him, and which many people esteem, all things
considered, as the best black Grape grown in
America, is now a poor man, and never made £100
from this valuable introduction. If inventors are
protected by law against the piracy of ideas which
have cost them labour and study, it would seem j ust
that a man should be able to reap some reward for
having brought out after much thought and experi-
ment a new fruit which may add to the wealth and
comfort of millions.

Different plans for patenting plants have been
often advocated, but the essential objection to them
all was well stated by Professor Bailey more than a
year ago as follows : " It is exceedingly doubtful if
a patent could be secured for varieties which spring
up from a chance seedling, and most of our varie-
ties come in this way ; but if the patents were
granted there are innumerable cases in which no
jury of experts could agree concerning the distinct-
ness of varieties." Few cautious persons would be
willing to swear to the identity of a Strawberry or
Rose, and it would be difficult to prove in any given
instance that the flower or fruit in question was not
a new one, closely resembling an older variety.

Mr. A. L. Bancroft, of California, has also sug-
gested a horticultural register, wherein separate
plants like Roses, Chrysanthemums, Ferns, Apples,
and Grapes could be kept and numbered on a sys-
tem similar to that adopted in the various herd
books where choice live stock is registered ; but we
then pointed out that a herd book was devised for
a purpose quite distinct from those which it is pro-
posed to secure by a system of plant registration.
Individual animals are registered so that they may
be identified, that their pedigree may be established,
and that purity of blood may be maintained in a
given breed or strain of live stock. In the case
of plants, where the registration of one individual
must stand for an entire class, and where the
parentage is often unknown and always of second-
ary importance, it is difficult to see how such a list
would prevent a duplication of names for the same
plant or the seUing of different plants under the
same name. Mr. Bancroft's scheme has been care-
fully elaborated since then, and a plan of registra-
tion has been adopted by the California State Hor-
ticultural Society. We have no space here to go
into details of the plan, but as it was discussed, it
seemed to the nurserymen in their convention that
it was too cumbersome to be practical and effec-
tive.

There is, however, considerable protection already
given to the originator of a new fruit in the copy-
right law. Mr. Hoyt, of New Canaan, Connec-
ticut, stated that he had taken out such a right on
his label of the Green Mountain Grape, and had
been instructed by eminent legal authority that
no man could use this title on a label to a Grape
Vine and sell it without his consent. It is true
that if anyone should buy a plant of Mr. Hoyt,
he could propagate it as largely as he chose for
his own use, or could sell the Vines under another

name, but there would be little temptation to
a grower to sell a very valuable variety under
a name which would conceal its identity. The
name is the very thing the plant pirate wants
most, and he often sells nothing else but the name
of a good variety, attaching it to an entirely dif-
ferent plant from the one it really belongs to.
This registered trade mark has proved of value
in preventing the sale of spurious plants under
the label so registered, so that copyrighting assists
in preventing the sale by unauthorised persons
both of genuine plants and their counterfeits.

It is hard to see how much greater protection
than this can be secured by a horticultural register.
The plan of registering new plants has, however,
many merits in other directions. It would be of
interest to have an accurate description of any new
plant filed in some public office, with its portrait
and parentage so far as known. We should like to
compare a plant and berry of Hovey's Seedling
Strawberry as grown to-day with a preserved
specimen of the original plant and its berry, or
accurate portraits and descriptions of them, to see
if any variation from the type had taken place. In
questions of identity the register might give some
assistance, but the inherent difficulties of accurate
varietal description would remain. An organised
effort to secure registration would be of value, too,
in enlisting the co-operation of all horticulturists
to secure to originators their rights, for although
no system yet devised can add much to the protec-
tion now given by the trade mark laws, this protec-
tion would be much more effective if it had an
active and united public sentiment behind it.

Of course, this protection to the introducers of
new plants would make such plants more expen-
sive for a time, just as patented machinery and
copyrighted literature are more expensive. But al-
though this increased price might be considered a
burden upon horticulture, the advantages gained
would be positive and important. Chief among
these would be the encouragement offered to care-
ful experiments in hybridising. When growers can
feel sure that they will reap some reward from dis-
coveries in this field we may entertain a reason-
able hope that the breeding of plants may be re-
duced to something like a system or a science. —
Garden and Forest.

Chrysanthemums.

PROSPECTS OF THE SEASON.
By the time these lines are in print, Chrysanthemum
cultivators will be able to form an opinion regard-
ing the flowering of their plants. The season so
far promises to be an early one. Many of the
blooms are opening fast, especially in the Queen
family, too fast perhaps to please many intending
exhibitors, who will no doubt lose many of then-
best flowers before the dates of the principal shows
come round. On the whole, the present season
promises to be a good one with the exception per-
haps of its being rather early. The chief reason of
the earliness of many of the varieties this year, is
attributable to the very hot weather experienced
during the month of May, which forced the plants
so rapidly into growth, that the natural breaks of
the plants into additional growths were somewhat
premature. The recent very hot and dry weather
has done much to assist the maturation of the wood,
which in many cases showed decided symptoms of
sappiness, consequent upon so much showery
weather during July and the early part of August.
The growth of the plants has been variable. In
some damp localities they have run up exception-
ally tall, while in others the growth made is short.
I have been experimenting upon many varieties
here this year, notably those of the Queen family,
with a view to induce dwarf plants to produce
blooms equal in quality to those procurable on
sorts which grow excessively tall. What the re-
sult will be remains to be seen. Certainly the
plants are not nearly so tall, and many have promising
bloom-buds at i feet high. The cutting-down system
has not been adopted. There is a general disposi-
tion on the part of the plants to lose more of the lower

leaves than common, attributable no doubt to the
showery cold weather experienced in July. The
flower-buds do not give promise of serious de-
formity. Where a number of plants of any one
variety are cultivated, there are sure to be a
few which do not develop properly, but on the
whole, there is a disposition to " kindness " in
the opening of the flowers. No doubt the late and
at present continued fine weather has much to do
with the present appearances of the bud develop-
ment. It is useless to expect perfect blooms, par-
ticularly of the incurved varieties, from plants
which were drawn up weakly from the start and
have now soft sappy stems consequent upon their
being thickly huddled together during the growing
season. Those cultivators who have paid the most-
attention to tying the shoots of their plants out
thinly, so that they receive the full benefit of the
sun and air, will stand the best chance of success.
Exhibitors are now aware that something more than
mere size of bloom is necessary to win prizes at the
leading shows. Experienced adjudicators attach
more importance to colour, form, and solidity than
to mere size, and it is only by attention to the most
minute details of culture that these points of excel-
lence can be secured.

Generally speaking, the plants have escaped the
early frosts which in the last two years caused such
havoc amongst the collections of some growers
early in the present month, and even at the
end of the last month. As yet (October 14)
the thermometer has not descended below 35°
which is an exceptional occurrence ; but then we
are situated on a hill 395 feet above sea level. I
never remember having experienced so few south-
westerly gales as during the present autumn ; from
September 9 onwards for a fortnight they have been
extremely troublesome in other years, while, so far
we have escaped, a point in favour of the plants
for strong winds blowing from that quarter, if they
do not actually break the points of the shoots, whip
them about so severely as to cause nearly as much
damage.

Never before in the history of Chrysanthemums
have such tempting offers to exhibitors been given
in the shape of prizes, challenge cups in many
instances being accompanied with cash prizes.
This form of prize offering has done much to popu-
larise some societies, creating considerable in-
terest both amongst cultivators and the public
alike. To the National Chrysanthemum Society
belongs the honour of offering the greatest amount
in cash that has ever been heard of in one single
class. In celebrating their centenary of the intro-
duction of the flower into this country, as much as
£75 is set apart in the class for forty-eight blooms,
half Japanese and half incurved, this amount be-
ing divided into five prizes of proportionate value
and not, as in some cases, a very handsome sum go-
ing to one collection as first prize, and the second
prize lot of blooms, which are but very little behind
the first prize lot, getting but a small compensation
for their relative merit. Surely so valuable prizes
will tempt many competitors to produce such a
show of cut blooms of Chrysanthemums as has
never before been seen. Altogether the Chrysan-
themum season of 1890 bids fair to be as interest-
ing and as popular with a flower-loving public as
any of its predecessors.

It is impossible to choose the dates to avoid their
clashing, but with few exceptions the fixture list
has been very well managed. Several of the mid-
land and northern societies have advanced their
dates a few days earlier— in some instances a week

to their advantage, I have no doubt, as many

growers in those parts find it a difficult matter to
keep their blooms in a fresh condition until, say,
the 20 th of November, a date often chosen by
northern societies.

One commendable feature about the issuing of
the schedules of the leading societies this year is
the earliness which was adopted in doing this.
This is of great value, as it gives ample time for
growers to prepare for anything special that may
be required in the way of kinds not commonly
employed in making up a schedule of prizes. But
where societies are negligent of this necessity and

404

THE GARDEN".

[Oct. 25, 1890.

do not issue their prize lists until, say six weeks
before the time of the show, they cannot blame the
competitors for any shortcomings in certain classes.

Throughout the list of schedules to hand there
exists a paucity of classes, independent of the
orthodox plan of offering prizes for so many cut
blooms in their several sections, and so many speci-
mens, &c. The Chrysanthemum is such an ac-
commodating plant, that one might have expected
more classes provided for such examples as say
twelve plants in 6-inch pots, which would further
show the decorative value of the Chrysanthemum
as seen abroad. Few societies, indeed, offer prizes
for untrained or naturally grown specimens ; what
I mean is for plants with abundance of bloom
upon them, irrespective of the quality of the indi-
vidual flowers. Many persons prefer such plants
to those which are cultivated, with a view of pro-
ducing the orthodox three blooms. How few
societies offer prizes for Chrysanthemum plants
mixed with foliage and other flowering plants, it is
in this manner that the Chrysanthemum shows its
value for decoration. What could be more charm-
ing than a group of Palms, &c, interspersed with
various coloured Japanese Chrysanthemums ? Cer-
tainly at the late Hull show these groups were
a prominent feature. Another very good class
to encourage would be that for so many plants
in a given space, which would prove whether
Chrysanthemums can be so cultivated as to bring
them into universal favour as decorative subjects at
exhibitions. At the present time there are only
about four methods of growth under which they are
tolerated— specimens formally trained, pyramids,
and standards, and the usual cutting-down plan to
form groups with a solid bank of blooms, irrespec-
tive of their decorative value individually as plants.

Again, collections of cut blooms might be de-
manded staged in other ways than those now
generally adopted. If ideas similar to what I have
suggested were carried out for two or three years,
our autumn exhibitions would present more features
and allow less scope for grumbling than at present
is available by those who will complain at the un-
suitability of subjects and the manner of display-
ing them. •"■•

NEW VARIETIES.
Anything new in the way of colour, form, or use-
fulness is always valuable to lovers of Chrysanthe-
mums, especially if advances are made upon older
kinds in any section. New kinds always command
attention. Last year was a productive one in this
respect. The flowering this year of those raised or
sent out last season is always watched with inte-
rest. Having a goodly number of new or so-called
new kinds on trial, I will give a few particulars of
those I consider worthy of perpetuation from time
to time as they unfold their petals. One good point
I notice in the bulk of new varieties now growing
is that there is a decided tendency to be of dwarf er
habit, which is a point of considerable importance.
The value of varieties that will produce blooms at
4 feet or 5 feet high, as good in all respects as
those which run up 12 feet high, cannot be over-
estimated. Many of those direct from Japan, Ame-
rica, and some from France, are inclined to be dwarf.
Bouquet de Dame was sent to me by M. Phatzer,
Roubaix, who is the largest cultivator of exhibition
blooms in Prance, and, judging from what I saw when
on a visit there last year, English cultivators must
look to their laurels to sustain their reputation. The
variety here named belongs to what is known as the
reflexed Japanese class. It has the peculiarity in show-
ing two distinct colours. For instance when the
blooms are developed from crown buds they are pure
white, when from terminals the outer part of the petals
is blush white, a most pleasing shade of colour. The
flower when fully expanded is rather above medium
size, extra deep, the florets broad, flat, not nearly so
much pointed as those of many kinds. Altogether it
is a full solid flower, and deserving of extended culti-
vation. From crown buds the centre of the flower is
cream-coloured, which with age passes to white. As
stated, later developed blooms are tipped at the points
in the same manner as those of Jeanne d' Arc, rendering
them attractive, but somewhat confusing, of course, to
those who have not cultivated it in both the ways de-
scribed. I find it was sent out by Lacroix in 1887,

and described as pure white with the reverse rose ;
height about 5 feet.

Oriental is a Japanese of the old parasol type, but
a great improvement on that kind in every respect.
The florets are narrow, pointed, split and forked at the
end of each, the colour a warm brick-red ; a very pleas-
ing and promising sort of medium growth.

Neptune is a Japanese variety of the reflexed type
of flower, the florets narrow and pointed, the colour
magenta, mottled and splashed white. It grows about
3 feet high. The last two varieties were sent out by
Mr. Davis, of Camberwell.

Miie. Say is another French variety which belongs
to the Japanese reflexed class ; magenta, shading to
purple. S. P.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS OUTDOORS.
Although Chrysanthemums are imported in
immense numbers annually from the Continent

An outdoor Chrysanthemum.

and America, in addition to the hundreds of
home-raised seedlings yearly grown, with a
view to the discovery of new and improved
kinds, we do not make much, if indeed any,
headway iu raising for the outdoor garden
varieties which may be called really hardy sorts,
such as will live through the winter for some
years, and make their growth and develop a
crop of blooms without any protection what-
ever. If we had such varieties as would meet
the requirements named above, many other-
wise dull gardens would be made bright during
the winter months, but we must fall back on
the old-established kinds. The accompanying
engraving represents a good type.

At the present time a good selection of varie-
ties can be had which in reasonable seasons
produce a good crop of blooms, although, of
course, much depends upon the weather ex-
perienced at the time they are in beauty.
Where blossoms are required for cutting, some
of the best kinds might be planted in batches in
the kitchen garden, choosing a warm border. I
lately saw a fine batch of that old variety Julia
Lagravfere in the garden at Orton Hall, near
Peterborough. Mr. Harding, the head gar-
dener, informed me that he was generally able
to cut a capital crop of blossom of this old
favourite, the colour of which is so rich as
hardly to be equalled, in spite of the numerous
kinds now grown. In cottage gardens one
often sees plants fully in flower of sorts that
are hardly met with now-a-days out of
such gardens, as the old Emperor of
China or Cottage Pink. Many are pom-
pons, a section well adapted for out of
door culture. The petals being reflexed
and generally imbricated do not hold the
water from heavy dews and rain, as in
the case of incurved sorts, for instance,
which are really quite useless for outdoor
growth.

Plants which have been growing in the
same place for several years get worn
out and exhausted. They should be dug
lip and divided, discarding the centre of
the roots if plenty of stock is obtainable
from the outer parts of the clump, where
sucker-like growths will be found much
more vigorous than those in the centre.
Pieces of roots 3 inches square make nice
bushes the first year if a little fresh soil is
placed about them, just digging over the
ground deeply, at . the same time adding
some half rotten manure. If the plants
are put out on a new piece of the garden
it will not be necessary to add new soil,
but where they are simply dug up and
replanted again, it will be essential to
give fresh soil to promote a free growth,
without which a full crop of blossoms
cannot be had. Care must be taken that
the soil is not made too rich, or the
growth will be immature. In that con-
dition the plants will suffer much more
from frost during the winter, very likely
to the extent of losing the whole crop
of flowers. The soil about the roots
should be made firm to induce a stocky
growth, which produces the best blooms
and withstands cold weather. The fore-
going note on the culture of hardy Chry-
santhemums applies to established plants
only. Directly the blooming season is
past is a suitable time to replant any that
require it. When growth starts in the
spring, if the shoots promise to crowd
each other they should be thinned, which
induces sturdiness — a desirable point in
the after success.

Those who now contemplate grow-
ing hardy Chrysanthemums for the first time
should make a proper selection of kinds and
choose a suitable site, which is very important.
Avoid an aspect which faces either north or west
and is overshadowed by tall trees, the growth of
the plants in such a position as either of those
named being immature. The best position that
can be obtained is a border facing south, backed
upat the north and east sideswithshrubsorother
protection. If the plants are carefully cultivated
during the summer season, it will not be time ill
spent to provide some means of protection from
early or sudden frosts. E. Molynetjx.

Alexandre Dufour. — The merits of this Jauan-
ese variety do not appear to he known so widely as

Oct. 25, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

405

they deserve to be. Of the Chrysanthemums flower-
ing in early October, it is certainly one of the brightest.
We have now upwards of a dozen varieties in bloom,
but this is quite distinct in colour and habit from any.
For growing as a bush it is especially useful, being of
dwarf habit and keeping its foliage well. The flowers
are of a brilliant violet-mauve, the under surface of the
petals being of a deeper shade. To obtain stout bushy
specimens of this variety the plants are stopped about
twice in the early stages of growth, thus producing
some eight or ten main branches, and at the autumn
break three or four shoots are allowed to remain on
each of these. Treated in this manner the plants will
not be more than 2 feet high at the flowering season.
If the terminal buds only are allowed to develop, thirty
to forty well-formed flowers, each varying from 4
inches to 5 inches in diameter, may be obtained. — B.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS AT LEWTSHAM.
One of the most successful growers of Chrysanthe-
mums in the suburbs of London is Mr. H. J. Jones,
who is giving much attention to the plant in his
nursery at Hither Green, Lewisham. A house
newly erected and filled with all the leading varieties
is 103 feet long by 25 feet broad, in which one can
get a splendid effect of colour when the extensive
collection is in bloom, which will be in one or two
weeks' time. When we were there a few days ago
it was the early or October flowering kinds that
were most conspicuous, and it is this class we are
pleased to know that Mr. Jones is growing largely
and well. Chrysanthemum flowers in October are
welcome if of such sterling usefulness as the variety
W. Holmes, and the list of kinds certificated re-
cently by the floral committee of the National
Chrysanthemum Society show that the zeal to
lengthen the roll has not been fruitless in good re-
sults. One of the most recent additions is Pink
Lacroix, which was represented by several speci-
mens at Lewisham. This is also known as Annie
Clibran, and it is this name that will be established
in preference to the other. The plants were dwarf,
carrying a number of flowers, strictly Japanese in
character, and of a pretty pink colour. It is likely
to make a useful October variety, especially when
grown almost naturally, as with Mr. Jones. We are
pleased to know also that the plants are not grown
on the long-legged principle. As far as we could
see, very little disbudding is indulged in, and the re-
sult is plants full of flower, dwarf, sturdy, and a
pleasure to inspect, very different to the big mop-
headed specimens that disfigure many an other-
wise beautiful exhibition. This is a great step ; and
a houseful of plants thus grown shows the value of
the Chrysanthemum for supplying cut flowers. On
some of the plants the blooms were very little below
exhibition size, especially on plants of Wm. Holmes,
which were a picture of rich colour and vigorous
health. A few of the varieties we noted as in excel-
lent flower were Wm. Holmes, unrivalled for its
depth of crimson colour ; Lyon, Martinmas, Mrs.
Cullingford, Alex. Dufour, Alice Butcher, and Com-
tesse de Cariel. Of the last-mentioned variety we
saw several plants, some not disbudded at all, and
a mass of flowers, these of a terra-cotta col-
our, rich and decided. For the decoration of
the conservatory or greenhouse at this season
there are few more useful kinds. Fiberta is very
showy with its mass of small rich yellow flowers.
It is very free and bright. Isidore Feral is
well known, and the pretty little pompon Elise
Dordan is becoming familiar. It is a gem in its
class, the flowers freely produced, and each like a
little ball of exquisite pink colour. For cutting we
should think there are few better varieties in
October. Quite different is Henderson and Son
which has rich yellow flowers, reddish reverse, the
florets fluted. 0. J. Quintus, of a soft pink colour ;
William Cobbett, salmon-rose ; Rose Laing, ivory-
white, silvery-rose reverse, a promising early-
flowering variety ; Mandarin, Pynaert Van Geert,
La Vierge, which is a delightful little plant,
not more than 15 inches in height, and smothered
with small pure white flowers ; Clara, crimson ; Pre-
cocity, salmon-scarlet, very free and distinct ; and
Mme. Leon Collier, rich reddish-orange, were also
in flower. The last-mentioned remains long in
bloom, and is exceptionally free. These are only
a few of the best early-flowering varieties. All

worth having are cultivated, also the finest No-
vember varieties and late kinds.

Several plants in the open ground indicate the
value of the Chrysanthemum for flowering in the
garden in October. We have concentrated our
attention too much on the indoor plants and
neglected the garden, which should be and can be
kept bright with bloom long after the Dahlias are
destroyed by frost. Such varieties as La Vierge
were covered with bloom, dwarf tufted plants
of immense value for giving colour to bed and
border at this season of the year. The great point
is to have varieties that naturally flower now, not
those that are in bud when we want a full display
of bloom. Of course, as the year closes the risks
from frosts and bad weather become greater, but
with the help of the autumn-flowering Sunflowers,
Michaelmas Daisies, and Chrysanthemums, a gay
garden even at the end of October may be enjoyed.
If good weather comes in November the display is
continued, and thus we have bright colour from
the Chrysanthemums both under glass and in the
open.

Ferns.

SCHIZ^AS.
The West Indian Islands seem to be all the
rage just now either for winter health resorts or
pleasure trips, and W. Kinnard says he intends
to spend the winter in Trinidad, and asks what
he is likely to find there in the Fern way that
will be interesting and. worth his while to bring
home. There is a host of plants and choice
kinds, too, well deserving the care of Fern
growers at home, but one family I should like
to see above all others brought home and esta-
blished in our collections is Schizasas, and S.
elegans is abundant in Trinidad. I should ad-
vise W. Kinnard to find the plant out as soon
as he gets there, have a quantity planted in a
Wardian case with the top open; here let them
grow and establish themselves, and just before
returning home pick out all decaying leaves and
screw them down. I have had much success
with Wardian cases, and have been compli-
mented by gentlemen in Brazil, the Mauritius,
and the West Indies and Ceylon upon the ex-
cellent condition the plants arrived, and this is
one of the points I insisted upon as being essen-
tial to success, choosing good strong old plants,
and planting and establishing them well before
packing down. The Schizseas in Trinidad seem
to grow in deep ravines, and the soil is a yellow
clayey loam, but they will not grow with us at
home in this soil. This I found out with the
plants I had in a living state, but I never in
any soil could keep them alive two years ; they
also require to be kept in a Wardian case the
same as Trichomanes and Hymenophyllums,
which are again in great abundance in the
island, and all are worthy of close attention at
the hands of a Fern lover at home. To grow
these plants, as I before said, a Wardian case
must be taken to enclose them, as the atmo-
sphere of our plant houses or even a house de-
voted entirely to Ferns is not sufficiently humid
for them ; the drainage should be looked
to, as this is essential to their well-being,
and the soil must be half loam and half peat
made sandy. After the plants are potted they
should be well watered and the case put over
them, and afterwards an occasional sprinkling
once or twice each day with the syringe ; they
require a tolerably warm corner and to be con-
stantly in the shade.

Schizseas have been divided into about a
dozen and a half species by some authors, and
they are widely distributed throughout the
Tropics, some few species being small with
narrow simple linear fronds, but the kind S.
elegans and the more doubtful species S. flabel-

lum are the two kinds which so commonly come
from Trinidad, and it is to those only which I
confine my remarks in this place.

S. elegans is very distinct as a Fern ; it makes
fronds each about 1 foot or 1J feet high, and shaped
like the letter V ; this portion is about 6 inches
each way and light shining green in colour. S.
flabellum has the fronds undivided. It is very
handsome ; indeed the two plants are totally
distinct, and not at all like Ferns. S. dicho-
toma is another handsome kind, but I do not think
it is found in the West Indies. I have never re-
ceived specimens from the Fiji Islands.

W. H. Gower.

The Bear's-paw Fern (Aglaomorpha Meyem-
ana). — This very handsome Fern is now worth a note
in the collection of Sir Trevor Lawrence at Dorking.
The brown shaggy rhizome and the elegant, deeply cut
pinnatifid fronds, which have the upper portion very
much reduced, this narrow part being fertile, render it
very handsome and distinct ; indeed I know of no
other species like it. It comes from the Philippine
Islands, and enjoys an abundance of heat and mois-
ture.— G.

Gymnogrammagloriosa. — I have before noted
the plants of this as being very fine with Sir Trevor
Lawrence, but the larger they grow the more charm-
ing do they become, their vasiform habit and the long,
finely cut, and gracefully drooping fronds being pic-
tures of beauty. It is very different from the typical
G. schizophylla, which is a very bad grower ; in fact I
have never seen a good plant of it. G. glonosa likes
plenty of warmth, and may be planted with advantage
in a hanging basket. It is, I believe, a garden seed-
ling—G.

Holmes Memorial A meeting was recently

held at the Royal Aquarium, Westminster, to consider
what steps should be taken to raise a memorial to the
late Mr. Holmes, the hon. secretary of the National
Chrysanthemum Society since its formation. There
was a large attendance. Mr. R. Ballantine presided,
and after several propositions had been put forward
it was eventually decided to institute a memorial
fund. A committee was appointed with Mr. L.
Castle as secretary, and another meeting will be
held to decide what form the memorial shall assume

Conference on Apples.— On the first day of
the recent fruit show at the Royal Aquarium a con-
ference was held under the auspices of the British
Fruit Growers' Association, when a paper was read
by Mr. G. Hammond on " The Cultivation of Apples
for Market." There was a good attendance and an
excellent discussion.

Privet.— Will you kindly tell me to what height
the evergreen Privet will grow ? Is there any reason
why it should not grow 30 feet or 40 feet where it does
well?— C. T. P.

Names of plants.— T. ZfcP— La;lia grandis,

ordinary form. A. Woods.— Boussingaultia basel-

loides E A. L. — Send a cone-bearing branch.

Anxious.— Calceolaria pinnata. T. D.—l, Berberi-

dopsis corallina; 2, Viburnum macrocephalum ; 6,

Leycesteria formosa ; 4, Arbutus TJnedo. Mrs. (j.

C. Gh-eenwell.—l, Aster bevis; 2, Aster Novre-Anglia; ;
3, Helianthus decapetalus. Thos._ H. Quin— Im-
possible to name from such a poor specimen. Omega.

— 1, Adiantum gracillimum; 2, Adiantum cuneatum;
3, Adiantum concinnum ; 4, send better specimen ; 5,
Adiantum pubeseens ; 6, Adiantum cuneatum; /,
Polystichum capense; 8, Blechnum occidentale ; l>,
Cyrtomiuni falcatum.

Karnes of fruits— J. Ward, Ballywater.—l,
Doyenne Boussoch ; 2, King of the Pippins ; 3, Sum-
mer Strawberry ; 4, Summer Thorle ; 5, Royal Somer-
set ; 7, Manks Codlin ; 8, Rynier ; 9, Dutch Mignonne ;
11, Norfolk Beaufin ; 12, King of the Pippins ; 14, The

Queen; 15, Brown Beurre ; 16, Passe Colmar. J.

O'Brien— \ and 2, Cox's Pomona ; 3, Emperor

Alexander. Wm. Poole.— Apple not recognised

J. H. O'Brien. — Apple Yorkshire Beauty. Richard

Loclhart.—l, Pitmaston Duchess ; 2, Duchesse d'An-
gouleme ; 3, Chaumontel ; 4, Glou Morceau ; 5,

Alexandre" Lambre ; 6, Verulam. JS. Faddow. — 1,

Urbaniste"; 2, Bowood ; 3, Hacon's Incomparable ; 4,

Conseiller de la Cour. Anon— 6, Louise Bonne.

S. Heasman. — Apple apparently Duchess of Olden-
burg. J. E. Sutton. — 1, Yorkshire Beauty; 2,

Warner's King ; 3, Lemon Pippin ; 5, Sturmer Pip-
pin ; 6, Braddick's Nonpareil.

406

THE GARDEN.

[Oct. 25, 1890.

WOODS ANID FORESTS.

NATURALISATION OF AMERICAN
CONIFERS IN BELGIUM.
The experiments which have been made in
Belgium in the cultivation of North Ameri-
can Conifers have been most successful. Un-
fortunately, such experiments have been un-
necessarily expensive through the difficulty of
obtaining good seeds, and I should be glad to
establish friendly relations with reliable bo-
tanists and lovers of trees in the United States
for the purpose of obtaining supplies of conifer-
ous trees and seeds. We find in Belgium that
the Douglas Fir grows most thriftily when it is
planted in deep sandy soil in positions where it
can be sheltered from severe winds during its
early years in order that the shoots which some-
times grow late in the season may not suffer
from exceptionally cold winters. Many Belgian
landowners have planted this tree in large
masses, and the way in which the most vigorous
specimens here have flourished is exceedingly
encouraging. Unfortunately, the young plants
found in our nurseries have, in many cases,
proved disappointing, and we need to be brought
into direct communication with American seeds-
men able to supply good seeds at reasonable prices.
If this is done, there is hope of making this
tree generally known in Belgium. Abies bal-
samea is a pyramidal tree here, resembling
somewhat the European Silver Fir (A. pectinata).
It does not, however, attain the same size or
live so long. In Belgium it reaches a mean
height of 48 feet, and is relatively some-
what stunted in comparison with the other spe-
cies of the genus ; nevertheless, on account of its
rapid growth in land overlying moist gravel,
this species is not without value. I know of a
plantation at Hastiere, near Dinant, which is
growing vigorously, and although the specimens
are planted too far apart, the terminal shoots
are nearly 3 feet long, and sometimes more. I
havt! no knowledge of the timber of this spe-
cies. The straight, slender poles which it fur-
nishes have, however, a considerable value. A.
grandis is a handsome and vigorous tree here,
attaining in its native country a height of more
than 250 feet, and a trunk diameter of 4 feet or
5 feet. It grows on flat lands with a humid
subsoil, and does not flourish in the mountains.
The few strong, well-grown specimens which I
have seen in this country inspire hope of its
successful naturalisation in our plantations ;
indeed, the growth of this tree is very vigorous
here, the terminal shoots attaining a length of
nearly 40 inches. Unfortunately, young plants
of this species, as in the case of those of the
Douglas Fir, are still quoted at such high rates,
that many planters are deterred from experi-
menting with them.

The California Mountain Hemlock (Tsuga
Pattoniana), which attains in its native country
a large size, grows at first very slowly in Bel-
gium. When it is ten or fifteen years old,
however, the plmts begin to grow rapidly, and
from that time forward they are very luxuriant,
with terminal shoots more than a foot long.
This species we find does best on hill-sides
where the soil is light and deep. It stands our
most severe winters, and were it not for the
scarcity and the high price of the young plants,
it would be particularly useful for planting in
groups in the sandy hill parts of Belgium.

The White Pine (Pinus Strobua) was intro-
duced into France in 1705, and its value as a
forest tree here is now well known ; indeed
this species, with its luxuriant growth and tall
trunk terminated by a majestic crown of foli-
age, has gained a notable position in our forests.

It has the great merit of being able to grow in
damp soil. I have seen specimens cut which
were nearly eighty years old with a trunk dia-
meter of 3 feet at the ground. Such trees have
found buyers at an average price of £5. In
those parts of Belgium where the soil is heavy
and retains moisture the behaviour of this Pine
is also satisfactory, equalling that of Pinus
sylvestris. We do not, however, know of any
large plantations, the White Pine being always
associated with other Conifers, such as Pinus
sylvestris, Pinus austriaca, and Larix europsea.
It is often planted as an ornamental tree, and
when fully exposed to the air and light it
grows very rapidly. The wood is highly valued.
Pinus Sabiniana is with us still only an orna-
mental species ; it grows well, but is still diffi-
cult to obtain from our nurserymen, and is
always high-priced ; nevertheless, the few speci-
mens that I know of are doing well. This Cali-
fornian species should be more generally intro-
duced into our forests. Thuja gigantea and
Libocedrus decurrens, both of which produce
wood valuable for the cabinet-maker, would find
ready buyers at remunerative prices. Unfortu-
nately, they both grow slowly ; at least such is the
case with trees twenty-five years planted that I
know here. They are not, perhaps, in proper
soil or sufficiently sheltered. Their height is
not more than 25 feet or 30 feet, with a dia-
meter of trunk very large at the base in propor-
tion to the height of the trees. I believe that
they are both valuable trees where time is not
an important element, and certainly slowness
of growth in a tree should not dissuade wealthy
men, who can afford to wait, from experiment-
ing with them. It is true of these Californian
trees, as it is with Oak, the planter must know
how to wait. — Alfred Wesmael, Nimy, Bel-
gium, in Garden and Forest.

The Ash (Fraxinus), whether as regards its
form or the freshness of its emerald-green, is a
noble and beautiful tree. Its massive fluted or
cylindrical trunk, its swelling majestic arms and
pendent branches, together with its broad expan-
sive top, render it a first-class tree ; while its
long soft grass-like foliage pre-eminently qualifies
it for select spots in the landscape, such as the
central part of a large group of dark-foliaged
trees where the surface of the ground forms a
concavity, or the lower part of a wide glen ; in
either situation it is an appropriate and lovely
object, imparting during summer a beauty to the
sylvan scene such as no other tree can, except the
Walnut.

A forest plague in Bavaria. — The current
Kem Bulletin contains several documents describ-
ing a terrible pest which has attacked the Bava-
rian Pine forests. It is known as the Nonnen, and
is caused by the caterpillar of the moth (Liparis
Monacha), which has regularly attacked forests on
the Continent for the last 200 years or more. The
pest appears at long intervals, but each appearance
has been calamitous. In Bavaria alone the loss in
State forest revenue next year is estimated at
£40,000. According to the report of Mr. Victor
Drummond, the Minister at Munich, thewinter frosts
alone can now rid the forests of the caterpillars
and then it is feared that the bark beetle will fol-
low and attack the diseased wood. Cuckoos, swal-
lows, and other birds, as well as wasps and other
insects, have helped to get rid of the "nuns;"
torches and bonfires have also been used with suc-
cess, and the electric light, with a specially con-
structed exhauster, has been used with some suc-
cess. Munich has been invaded by the "nuns" in
immense numbers, and in some places the people
were obliged to retreat before them. The Bavarian
Forest Administration fears that no measures of
destruction are of any avail. " We stand powerless
before the immensity of the pest." It attacks by
preference trees of the Pihe tribe, and, failing these, it
does not despise the Beech, Oak, and other forest

trees ; but it never attacks corn or wheat, and will
never touch the Horse Chestnut. The only efficient
general measure seems to be to cut down the whole
forest infected, which makes the remedy worse than
the disease. The electric light already referred to
works by attracting the insects in swarms to the
mouth of a large funnel, through which a rapid ex-
haust current of air is forced, sucking the insects
into a hole under the ground, where they are buried.
From a list of the various appearances of the pest,
it seems that the first was in 1449. In 1853 an at-
tack was made on East Prussia, but a storm drove
the moths into the sea, whence they were thrown up
by the waves in a huge bank, thirty German miles
long, 7 feet wide, and 6 inches thick.

Mould in timber. — In cutting up trees in
damp warm weather, small black inky spots make
their appearance here and there on the deals after
a shower of rain or even a close heavy mist, and as
these spots increase in size with great rapidity, if
means are not taken to dry the wood and expel the
sap, the timber will soon become unfit for purposes
where strength, durability and efficiency are re-
quired. This shows the necessity of felling timber
during winter, and Pine timber that is not cut up at
once should have the bark removed in order to
lessen the risk of insects and fungi finding a lodg-
ment in it. In order to season timber properly after
being cut up it should be kept dry, so that it is
necessary to have a shed for that purpose in con-
nection with the sawmill. Such a shed should be
open at the sides to admit a free current of air to
dry the wood, and be roofed over the top to keep it
dry from above. By this means the drying
will not only be facilitated, but the wood will
have a better colour, and be free of spot or blemish
of any kind ; consequently it will be increased-in
value. This is a point in forestry and wood manage-
ment which, I think, has been by far too much ne-
glected or overlooked. As a general rule, timber
when cut up is placed outside to dry and season
without any covering whatever, and being occa-
sionally wet and dry alternately, it is thus a suit-
able place for fungoid spores to lodge and lay the
foundation for decay.

SHORT NOTES.— WOODS AND FORESTS.

Alburnum or sap wood and white wood are the
same thing. When the colour varies much from the
heart to the circumference, and, above all, when it be-
comes of a lighter colour suddenly or too rapidly to-
wards the limit of the alburnum, we may he assured
that the tree is affected by some disease. The greatest
strength is found between the centre of the tree and
the sap wood, and the heaviest wood is the strongest-

Kemoval of tree stumps.— I have often heard
of the following plan, hut have not seen it tried : In the
autumn or winter bore holes, 1 inch in diameter and about
6 inches from each other, in the stumps, and fill with
saltpetre. On a dry day in the following summer set
fire to them. I presume the moisture dissolves the
saltpetre, which, impregnating the wood, causes it to
smoulder. — J.

The Hornbeam and the Elm are sometimes
used for fences, hut neither of these, I consider, has
anything to recommend it in preference to the Beech.
Indeed, the Hornbeam is, in many respects, so like
the Beech, that at a distance it is often mistaken for
it. One consideration in favour of the Beech over
both these trees is that nurserymen sell the plants at a
few shillings less per thousand than they charge for
Hornbeam, and at a considerably less price than what
is demanded for Elm.

"The G-arden" Monthly Parte. — This journal it
published in neatly bound Monthly Parts. In this form the
coloured plates are best preserved, and it is most suitable for
reference previous to the issue of the half yearly volumes. Price
Is id. ; post free, Is. 9d. Complete set of volumes of Thb
Garden from its commencement to end of 1889, thirty-six vols.,
price, cloth, £27; half morocco, £32 8s.

"Hardy Flowers." — Giving descriptions of upwards oj
thirteen hundred of the most ornamental species, with directions
for their arrangement, culture, <fcc. Fourth and Popular
Edition, Is. ; post free, Is. 3d.

" Farm and Home " Monthly Farts. — This
journal is published in neatly bound Monthly Parts, in which
form it is most suitable for reference previous to the issue of the
yearly volumes. Price 5d. ; post free, 8d.

London: 37, Southampton Street, Strand, W.C.

THE GARDEN.

407

No. 989, SATURDAY, Nov. 1,1890. Vol. XXXVIII.

"This is an Art
Which docs mend Nature : change it rather ; but
The Art itself is Nature." — Shakespeare.

Chrysanthemums.

VARIATION IN COLOUR AND FORM OF

BLOOMS.
The remarks in The Garden, Oct. 18 (p. 386),
anent Puritan showing such a diversity of
colour as seen at Finsbury Park, and Etoile de
Lyon exhibiting so much inconsistency in colour,
prompt me to pen a few lines on this subject.
Experienced cultivators know quite well the
cause not only of so much variation in the
colour of some varieties, but also what brings
about so much variability in the form of the
flowers of many kinds in other sections beside
Japanese. The variety of colours which one
sort develops in different hands is not to be
found upon plants which are cultivated for the
production of masses of flowers. In this case
the plants flower somewhat more in a natural
manner and at a much later stage as a rule.
The colour of one variety then is so much more
uniform throughout, that those who seldom see
the large blooms developing these vagaries are
surprised when they do see them at the diffe-
rence of colouring displayed.

The whole cause of the variation lies in the
date the buds are formed. Etoile de Lyon
does not stand alone in this respect, but it ap-
pears to be more affected by bud-formation
than any other sort I know. Early buds are
certain to produce pale-coloured blooms, and
this is why so many flowers of that colour of
this variety are seen early in the season.
Growers with little experience of this enormous
flowered variety do not like to remove the
flower- buds when they form the first week in
August, as they at that time promise such large
blooms; the flower-stems are so very strong and
robust looking that to them it seems a pity to
discard such promising flower-buds. Not only
does this early bud-formation affect the colour
of the flowers, but it likewise alters very de-
cidedly the formation of the florets. Instead
of the bulk of them being flat or strap-shaped,
as they should be, with a few quilled ones
around the base, quite three parts of the florets
are of this latter formation. When seen in its
proper character, form, and colour Etoile de
Lyon is a charming variety, but seen as it is in-
variably early in the season the result of early
bud selection, it is decidedly a huge monstrosity,
and one which is calculated to bring large
blooms into bad repute by those who do not
understand the reasons for so much variability.
The colour of Etoile de Lyon in its best charac-
ter is a deep rosy lilac. The blooms range
from 7 inches to 9 inches in diameter and about
5 inches deep, the florets flat and piled one
above the other in an imbricated manner right
to the centre of the flower. Buds of this sort
which set before the middle of August are cer-
tain to produce blooms the reverse of the de-
scriptions here given. Mme. C. Audiguier
sometimes displays irregularity both in colour-
ing and formation of its florets. I have known
persons declare that they possessed a new va-
riety— a sport from this sort, so deceived were
they in the manner of development, which
would be that the florets instead of coiling
around each other in layers, as is customary
with this sort, and of a deep mauve colour,

were a light pink or deep blush and quite erect.
It is the same with Puritan ; early formed buds
give blooms characteristic of its name, which,
no doubt, was the cause of its being so named.
Later buds give the deep lilac colour sometimes
seen and noted by you. Some persons may
feel inclined to say, How is it then that both
colours are to be found thus early in the sea-
son t The reason for this is that the variety is
naturally an early flowering sort, and although
both kinds of bloom can be had at the same
time and from buds of different dates, those
earliest formed require longer to develop from
the bud stage. I have had blooms of this va-
riety of both colours on the same plant simply
owing to the system of selecting the buds at
various times. Many more varieties amongst
the Japanese could be quoted to show the con-
siderable variation there is owing entirely to
the reasons stated — bud-formation. Anyone
can prove the truth of this by experimenting
upon those named or others.

Variation of colour is not confined to the Japa-
nese section only, but can be seen in all other
families, and in some instances with serious
consequences to those immediately concerned in
the welfare of a collection of plants grown
expressly for exhibition. It is the incurved
varieties which suffer so much more than even
do the Japanese, not only in colour, but in the
formation of the blooms. This in the Japanese
section is not of nearly so much consequence,
but in the case of incurved blooms, which are
expected to preserve a rounded or globular
form, irregularities caused wholly by too early
bud-formation become serious matters to the
cultivator, who, perhaps, has no more plants to
depend upon. No amount of manipulation of
the petals will alter the form displayed by them,
which is entirely owing to the cause named. A
too early formation of the buds will render the
flowers of Queen of England quite white, and
those of Princess of Wales nearly so. Many of
the arguments over this latter sort and its dis-
tinctness from Mrs. Heal and disqualification
might often be traced to the cause here assigned
for all the irregularities displayed in colour and
form. When the buds of Princess of Wales are
selected at the proper date the flowers resulting
are blush-rose, with a deeper stripe down each
petal, but whtn the buds were formed at an un-
suitable period the blooms come white, or nearly
so, and are then taken for those of Mrs. Heal
by those who are not conversant with the varia-
tions and the causes of such. Lord Alcester is
a variety much influenced by this cause, not so
much in colour, perhaps, as in the form of the
flowers. In the hands of some cultivators
blooms of this sort will develop several centres,
or a confusion of the one, "what are termed
cross-eyed, viz., the petals pointing in two or
three directions instead of all of them pointing
towards the centre of the bloom. Such flowers
cannot, under any conditions, be made perfect
in form. I will quote one more instance of a
too early formation and its consequences in this
selection of the buds. Alfred Salter reflexes its
petals instead of incurving them, owing to the
reason stated more than any other sort I know.
I have seen plenty of flowers of this sort which
could not be objected to in a reftexed class ;
every petal was perfectly imbricated, and the
colour a washy lilac instead of being a deep
pink-lilac. Anemone varieties are affected in
the same manner. Jeanne Marty will in some
cases be almost white, and in others a rosy
lilac. Fabian de Mediana will have little or no
disc or centre compared to what it should
possess. Dr. Sharpe in the reflexed section,
usually so very brilliant in colour, will develop
flowers the petals of which are three parts of

their length quilled, while the colour is quite a
washed-out one. Only experience and a close at-
tention to the vagaries of varieties will enable
cultivators to correct and limit the variations of
colour and formation now so troublesome to the
inexperienced and admirers of this flower. —
E. Molyneux.

In your notes in last week's issue on the

" Chrysanthemums in the Parks " you direct atten-
tion to the apparent variability of the colouring of
Etoile de Lyon, and you refer also to the same
characteristic of the newer variety Puritan. You
ask whether other growers experience the same
thing. So far as my experience goes, the colour of
the bloom in both cases is mainly dependent on the
character of the bud selected and the date when it
is taken. As a rule, in both cases an early crown
bud will produce a flower which will come white,
any faint tinge of colour quickly disappearing with
the maturing of the blossom. " The later the bud,
the higher the colour," appears to be a general rule ;
but, like most other problems which arise in the
cultivation of special varieties, this one will be
found to yield to particular treatment, and it is
possible of Etoile de Lyon (I will not speak with
absolute certainty with regard to Puritan, which I
have grown this season for the first time, but I be-
lieve that the same rule will be found to hold good)
that a comparatively early flower with a high col-
our can be obtained. How to do this is one of the
secrets of cultivation— if, indeed, that can be called
a secret which is probably known to most other
cultivators of our autumn queen besides myself. I
hope to show blooms in both conditions of colour-
ing at the Kent county show next week. Whether
the white or the coloured aspect of both Etoile de
Lyon and Puritan is to be preferred, must neces-
sarily be a matter of taste. Personally, I prefer
the former, certainly in the case of Puritan, which
as a white is a gem of the first water. The fore-
going remarks apply equally to Condor and
George Daniels.— C. E. Shea, Mot's Cray, Kent.

NOTES ON THE LATE AQUARIUM SHOW.
Those who saw the show in question on the 15th
of the past month could not but be struck with
the quality of the blooms. They proved that a suc-
cessful exhibition of Japanese and pompon varieties
can be had as early in the season as the date named.
It is questionable if better blooms of some sorts
will be seen at any time in November than those
staged on the present occasion. This is no doubt
owing to the exceedingly bright and hot weather
lately experienced, and also to the introduction of
late years of sorts that are naturally of an early-
blooming disposition. Chrysanthemums of first-
rate quality are appreciated nearly as much at that
period— when outside gaiety has vanished, owing
largely to an early autumn frost — as they are dur-
ing this month. The early flowers are pretty
correct forerunners of what is to follow in point of
quality, which, as previously stated, were of excel-
lent proportions. Therefore, taking the blooms
staged on the 15th ult. as being representative, we
may expect the season on which we are now enter-
ing to be a successful one. The idea of holding
an early autumn display is a good one, and the
number of classes might be increased. Forinstance,
a class or classes should be made for plants. I do
not mean trained and formal specimens, but freely
flowered bushes, such as Lady Selborne produces
now, forinstance. Just now this variety is one
mass of snowy-white flower-heads, so useful for
cutting to fill large vases or for decoration. Most
of the flowers shown on the occasion referred to
were the produce of crown buds, which goes far
to prove the desirability of cultivating on the tall
o-rowth system. I append a list of sorts which
generally may be looked upon as early-blooming
varieties. Many charming kinds are, under the pre-
sent method of cultivating them, over before the
November shows are held ; for instance, William
Holmes and Mme. de Sevin, the former a rich
brownish-crimson, and the latter rosy-amaranth,
shaded lilac. Both are of capital habit and free-
blooming. A fine batch of the variety W. Holmes

408

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 1, 1890.

was staged by Mr. Jones, Ryecroft Nursery, Lewis-
ham, the plants not more than 4 feet high, and
carrying eight to ten blooms upon each, which
made a grand show when judiciously mixed with
light colours. One advantage, therefore, of hold-
ing an October show is that many sorts otherwise
lost to public view on account of their earliness are
thus seen. Take, for instance, again, the lovely
Elaine. Seldom is it seen at an ordinary Novem-
ber show, but on the occasion referred to it was
present in abundance, and still proved to be one of
the best white varieties for its purity of colour and
the solidity of its blooms. As showing the popu-
larity of an October show amongst exhibitors, I
may mention that as many as twelve competed in
the class for twenty-four blooms in not less than
twelve varieties, and in the smaller classes the
competition was keen, especially in that for six
blooms of any white variety, which in itself made
a charming show. The first and second prize
stands, which contained blooms of Avalanche,
proved beyond a doubt that this now well-known
sort is by far the finest white variety in existence.

In addition to those named, other good white
kinds were Mile. Lacroix, Stanstead White, Mrs. J.
Wright, Florence Piercy, M. Astorg, and Mile.
Louise Leroy. Yellow flowers were represented by
Sunflower, Golden Dragon, Boule d'Or, F. Marrouch,
Peter the Great, and Thunberg. Varieties of a
bronze character were in strong force, notably
Comte de Germiny, Val d'Andorre, Mrs. Falconer
Jameson, Carew Underwood, Marguerite Marrouch,
and Mr. C. Orchard. Lilac sorts were Dr. Macary,
Margot, Baronne de Prailly, Belle Paule, Miss Gor-
ton, Etoile de Lyon, George Daniels, Annie Cli-
bran, M. Tarin, and M. Freeman. Bright colours,
such as Edwin Molyneux, Jeanne Delaux, William
Holmes, Mme. de Sevin, Stanstead Surprise, and
Charlie Sharman, did much to improve the general
appearance of the stands.

Taken altogether, the National Chrysanthemum
Society is to be congratulated upon the excellent
display made upon its first venture of an October
exhibition of Chrysanthemums. M.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Gardeners' Orphan Fund.— A very successful
concert was given at the Vestry Hah, Chiswick, on
Wednesday evening last, in aid of the Gardeners'
Orphan Fund. It is hoped that a substantial sum will
he handed over to the iustitution as the result of the
efforts of the committee.

Cattleya Warocqueana. — A flower of this
comes from Mr. W. C. Atkinson, Aigburth, Liverpool,
and is an instance of the variability of this supposed
species. It is very much like one of the many forms
of C. Gaakelliana, the flower of medium size, warm
rose in the sepals and petals, and rich purple in the lip.

Cattleya Bowringiana.— An excellent spike of
this has been sent by Mr. Broome, Sunny Hill, Llan-
dudno, and it represents a richly coloured variety, one
of the best we have seen. The sepals and petals are of
the deepest rose-purple, the lip of a still darker shade,
with a broad ring of velvety maroon at the entrance to
the yellow-tinted throat.

Abutilon insigne.— Flowers of this fine old
plant have been received from Mr. J. Nicholson
Sowardstone Lodge, Essex, gathered from a specimen
planted out in the conservatory. The leaves are very
largo and warm green, as glossy as if polished, in rich
contrast to the deep crimson veined flowers. It is a
beautiful conservatory plant when it does well, and
was introduced from New Grenada in 1851. In some
collections it is known as Abutilon igneum.

Lilium Bolanderi.— Although, as far as the
shape ot the flower is concerned, it resembles L. mari-
tiiiium or L. parvuin, anyone who watches it from
the early spring, when first the young shoots break
through I lie ground, up to the time when it commences
flowering would never detect any likeness to L par-
yuni or L. maritmium. The plimt in the non-flower-
nig state resembles Lilium eolumbianum. " The bulbs
i2 "ot V- r fro,n thoso "f tllat variety. The plate No
/ / 6 is slightly in error. No. 1 is L. maritimum ; No'
2 is L. Bolanderi on which, unfortunately, on account
ot the length of the stem, the lower double whorls
which form a distinct feature of this species, are not

given. L. Bolanderi should be treated like L. eolumbi-
anum or L. Humboldti. — G. Renthe.

National Chrysanthemum Society's cata-
logue.—We have received a copy of this, which this
year has been carefully revised and many additions
made. It also contains a history of the Chrysan-
themum and a list of works concerning it by C. H.
Payne, secretary of the Revision Sub. Committee.
The select lists contain all the newest varieties ;
while the general list has been considerably in-
creased, all the American varieties being now in-
cluded in it. To help growers, all the Chrysanthe-
mums that have been certificated by the National
Chrysanthemum Society are indicated by the let-
ters F. C. C. At the end of the work a list of new
varieties sent out in 1890 has been added, and will
prove valuable. By the Chrysanthemum lover,
this catalogue as a work of reference should be
appreciated.

Schizopetalum "Walkeri. — Amongst the
dwarf er cruciferous plants, few, if any, surpass this
pretty little plant for persistency in blooming. Al-
though the flowers individually are somewhat fugi-
tive, a succession is kept up for a long time. It
also sows itself freely, and young vigorous plants
from seed are flowering now in great abundance.
The flowers, large for the size of the plants, are
white, the petals curiously fringed or cut like those
of many of the Pinks, each flower lasting some few
hours. As a dwarf hardy annual it has few equals.
It was named, we believe, in honour of a vice-presi-
dent of the Horticultural Society. Sown in the
open air with the other annuals in early spring, it
soon fills the allotted space, and will keep up a
succession until now if the weather be fine enough
to ripen the earliest seeds.

Bouvardia President Cleveland.— The fine,
sunny weather that has prevailed during the last
two months has been very favourable for the de-
velopment of the first blooms of the Bouvardias.
Those that have been planted in an open frame
during the summer and carefully lifted and potted
about the middle of September should now be well
established and flowering freely. The scarlet-
flowered President Cleveland is certainly one of the
finest of all ; both in the size of the trusses and in
richness and depth of colour it is unsurpassed. It
has the advantage also of being a single-flowered
kind. In my opinion the labours of the florist were
never more misdirected than in the production of
double-flowered Bouvardias. — W. B.

Solanumjasminoidesout of doors in Essex.

— You were good enough to insert in The Garden
a note from me (December 7, 1889) mentioning the
comparative hardiness of Solanum jasminoides
here. I now send you a photograph to show how
the same plant has been, and still is, flowering
profusely. It was planted in its present position in
the spring of last year, stood the winter with
scarcely any loss of foliage till the very sharp frost
(22° here) of last March. Then the young shoots
were pinched back hard, but by the end of July it
had reached the top of the house, and from the
middle of August has been giving us an abundance
of bloom and been the admiration of all passers-by.
Over it is rambling and flowering a young plant
of Exogonum purga, though this will be better, I
hope, another year when well established. In a
warm dry border it seems to grow like a weed. —
H. B. Rowan, Bmismiclt, Colchester.

Cyperorchis elegans. — The distinct, and
amongst Orchids unusual, style of inflorescence
which this species displays, together with the grace
and beauty of its flowers, renders it of great value
at this season. It was originally described by Lind-
ley and placed under Cymbidium, but well-marked
differences justified its removal to the present
genus. The flowers always remain more than half
closed, and thereby assume a somewhat tubular
shape, quite distinct from what is typical of this
class of plants. They measure from 1J inches to
2 inches in length, and the colour is a pleasing
shade of yellow. The spike is erect to the height
of 1 foot, the apical portion on which the thirty or
more drooping flowers are borne bending grace-
fully over. The whole bears some resemblance

to the inflorescence of Clivia nobilis, except that
it is much larger and more striking. The foliage is
an admirable accompaniment to the blooms, the
tufts of long, narrow, recurving leaves being of a
deep glossy green. As a growth retains its foliage
for over a year, the plant is rendered permanently
attractive. The species is a native of Nepaul,
where it is found at considerable elevations. At
present it is uncommon in gardens, but it is certain
that it only requires to be known to be sought after.
It grows well in the intermediate house, and should
be potted in a compost of peat and Sphagnum Moss,
treating it liberally with water during the growing
season. A fine example now bearing several
racemes may be seen at Kew.

Brassavola fragrans. — Neither this species
nor its handsomest allies are very frequently culti-
vated, yet it possesses qualities that ought to secure
it a place in all but the smallest collections. The
same may be said of B. Digbyana and B. lineata,
the former having a flower whose shape is unique
amongst Orchids, and the latter, one that is excep-
tionally large and handsome. First amongst the re-
commendations of B. fragrans is the length of time
it remains in bloom. At Kew, some plants still
flowering were at their best two months ago. The
scape is produced from the base of the long, semi-
terete leaf, and bears from two to four flowers. The
sepals are narrow and pointed, and about 1J inches
long, the petals being about half the size ; both are
white with a faint creamy tinge. The lip is large,
somewhat heart-shaped, and pure white with the
exception of a patch of yellow in the throat. This
plant is a native of Brazil, and requires to be grown
in an intermediate temperature.

Dwarf bedding Dahlias.— We have received
a photograph from Messrs. J. Cheal and Sons, of
Crawley, of a border of dwarf Dahlias, which con-
stitute a new race of remarkable usefulness, we
should think, for bedding. The plants are not more
than 1 foot in height, bushy, spreading, and com-
pact ; the flowers, of good size and of twelve diffe-
rent colours, are decided, so as to make effective
groups or beds. The race as yet is in its infancy,
and in time we may expect various other shades,
as we have now in other sections of Dahlias. To Mr.
T. W. Girdlestone belongs the credit of raising this
Liliputian race, the result of careful selection, both
as regards habit of growth and colour. Of course, it
is their dwarfness that gives them peculiar value,
and many uses can be made of such a group for
edging, planting in distinct blocks, or substituting
for Pelargoniums and tuberous Begonias. We shall
then have still greater variety in gardens, and the
Dahlia will not have the same formality that stamps
many of the bedding plants used in gardens. Dwarf
Dahlias, scarcely 1 foot high, we should think
would be welcomed in parks and gardens where
there are large beds to edge with bright flowers.

Pleione "Wallichi. — Following close upon
P. lagenaria and rivalling it in abundance and
beauty of bloom, this delightful little species is
valuable in the cool Orchid house during autumn
and early winter. Compared with P. lagenaria, the
flowers are of a deeper shade of rosy-lilac and
slightly larger, measuring 5 inches across the
sepals ; the lip is also more conspicuously fringed,
and is devoid of the blotches on each side. The
general appearance, however, is very much the
same. Although anyone handling the pseudo-bulbs
of both species can distinguish one from the other,
the differences are very slight. There are several
panfuls in the cool Orchid house at Kew now
crowded with flowers. P. humilis, which is just
commencing to bloom, although scarcely coming
up to the standard of the other two, well repays
cultivation, especially as it is quite distinct from
either. The flowers are each 3 inches across, the
sepals and petals being pure glistening white or
sometimes flushed with rose. The lip is beautifully
marked, the ground of pale lilac being traversed by
several ciliated ridges, and striped and blotched
with brownish-crimson. In parts it is also suffused
with yellow. P. humilis grows at a lower elevation
than either P. lagenaria or P. Wallichi, and there-
fore needs a little more warmth during the season
of most active growth.

Nov. 1, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

409

CORDYLINE AUSTRALIS.
This useful plant needs no recommendation ; it
is as well known as the common Fan Palm that
gives a tropical aspect to the scenery of many
parks and gardens in the summer months. It
is, of course, best known as a greenhouse plant,
but it will live out in many places, though its
hardiness does not appear to be understood.
In the Scilly Isles, Ireland, and the south of
England there are specimens that have stood
out of doors without protection for many years.
In such happy spots the Cordyline may be
made good use of in ornamenting sides of walks
and giving beauty to the outskirts of lawns.
The photograph is taken from a plant in Major
Gaisford's garden at Worthing, a garden rich

plants being broad and erect, in others narrow
and drooping. C. indivisa is of a darker green
than the other, and the leaf midrib is deep
I brown. The thick fleshy roots of C. australis
are eaten by the natives of New Zealand, where
this plant forms a prominent feature in the
landscape. We have kept to the name by
which it is now generally known, not its old
designation of Dracaena.

Stove and Greenhouse.

THE CAMELLIA.

Tiie stamp of autumn is already upon vegeta-
tion, and decaying leaves are beginning to lie

Cordyline australis in open border in Sussex. Engraved for The Garden from a photograph sent by
Miss Gaisford, Ofongton, "Worthing.

in rare and uncommon plants, especially trees
and shrubs. Close to a colony of Pittosporums,
one bush of P. Mayi standing quite 12 feet
high, is a specimen of this Cordyline quite 10
feet high, with one of C. indivisa 2 feet higher. If
it will succeed in this charming Sussex garden it
will thrive also in other spots which are just as
sheltered and warm, but yet unadorned by the
noble and graceful character of the best and
hardiest of the Dracaenas. In very severe
weather it is very easy to give protection to
prevent serious damage. It grows very freely,
loves a rich, open, and thoroughly well-drained
soil, while propagation can be done by seeds,
cuttings of the root, or taking off the head and
striking it in heat. The leafage varies, in some

ankle deep in woodland ways. In another
month floral life in the open air will have come
to an end, and the interest of the gardener will
be concentrated upon his Chrysanthemums,
Chinese Primroses, Cyclamens, Cinerarias,
various flowering bulbs, Camellias, &c. , under
glass. I have placed the Camellia last, but it
is by no means the least in importance in the
catalogue j ust given. There are a singular beauty
and even nobility, and a sense of power in a
bloom of a Camellia full of waxy, shell-like
petals. A good variety of a Camellia in a vigor-
ous state of health will, when in condition, pro-
duce a large number of blossoms, and the plants
will bear a great amount of cutting without ap-
pearing to suffer. Time was when growers of

the Camellia grudged the sacrifice of so much
wood and foliage when flowers were cut in those
days, mainly because it was held that the point
from which the shoot was cut would not produce
wood that would flower for two years or so.
This was a serious drawback, but now the
modern method of wiring flowers that have a
good calyx, and making them useful for floral
decoration, prevents any mutilation of bud and
shoot.

The Camellia is a plant of vigorous growth,
often forming a large head on a comparatively
small-sized stem, but it is by no means a plant
putting forth such gross roots as one might
suppose. It is a bad practice to overpot Camel-
lias, and that is why it appears strange such
large plants occupy apparently small pots. It
is well known that collections of Camellias
seldom potted, but grown in good compost, with
efficient drainage, are frequently the most
luxuriant and the most productive of flower-
buds. It is quite true that small-sized plants
are best potted every second year, but largo
plants in pots and tubs require attention of this
kind once in five or six years, according to size,
and some have been known to grow and produce
fine blooms that were not repotted for a much
longer period. One can reasonably suppose the
constitution of the plant demands a compara-
tively low diet, for it is found by experience that
if grown in too rich a soil the roots refuse to
elongate or subdivide themselves. On the con-
trary, if grown in a compost in good condition,
that is, having proper drainage, a layer of some
such thing as Moss of some kind to prevent the
soil from being carried with the water down
into the potsherds used for drainage, and in
tough fibry loam and peat in nearly equal parts,
with a sprinkling of sand to render the whole
fairly porous, both roots and branches, if the
temperature be right, will be all one could wish
for. Those who have had experience of im-
ported plants from the Continent know they
are potted chiefly in peaty soil and sand alone,
and are thoroughly vigorous, shrubby in growth,
and with deeply coloured leaves. But it is1 doubt-
ful if established plants grown on this principle
produce such large, full flowers as would be
found in plants growing in such a compost as
that named above.

It is only during the season of growth that a
high temperature andplenty of moisture areneces-
sary. During the season of rest the plants may
be kept only two or three degrees above freezing
point, and they are better in such a temperature
than in a house kept at a temperature exceeding
45°. They will even resist frost with im-
punity, and not be half so subject to bud-drop-
ping as when kept in a high and dry heat.
Numbers of plants growing in the open air in
many parts of the country prove this. In
the case of plants grown under glass, no tem-
perature beyond 45° is necessary until the
plants have done blooming and the young
growth commences. Then a gradual rise may
take place, and a proportionate degree of mois-
ture at the roots and in the atmosphere be main-
tained until the buds are swelling up to the size
of small leaves. If this has been accomplished
early in the season, so much the better will the
buds be likely to remain on the plants and ex-
pand into bloom. When the plants have arrived
at this stage with their buds so far advanced,
they may be placed either out of doors in a situa-
tion sheltered from sun and wind, or in a house
without fire-heat and where plenty of air can be
given. Some of the sorts will expand into
bloom as early as November, and if the collec-
tion be fairly large and well managed, there
should be no scarcity of flowers from that time
on to the middle and end of April.

410

THE GABDEN.

[Nov. 1, 1890.

The three main elements of success in Ca-
mellia culture during the growing season are
heat, shade, and moisture. Shading is very-
necessary, especially during the growing season ;
the young leaves are not only impatient of sun,
but the old ones become scorched quicker almost
than those of any other hard- wooded plant. Some
have stated that Camellias need pleoty of light,
but there are, nevertheless, not a few instances
of Camellias being most successfully grown in
dark houses, such as some of the conservatories
built a half-century ago, sombre-looking, lofty
structures with scarcely so much light at com-
mand as a picture gallery. But overshading
should be avoided.

Plants in or about to bloom should have a
rather warmer atmosphere than those less
forward. A little fire heat every day, with the
ventilators open at the top in favourable
■weather and occasionally at bottom, is desir-
able. Such sorts as the old double white and
all light varieties do best when a circulation of
moisture and air takes place, as it is a good
preventive to the iron mould-like spots that
often follow upon a close moist atmosphere.
The plants should never be allowed to become:
too dry at the roots, or else bud-dropping will
sooner or later ensue, but it is quite as bad to
have the roots saturated with moisture and
equally destructive to the buds. A good medium
is what should be aimed at. It is very bad
practice indeed that causes the buds of sorts
that have been early matured to fall off, but
under the very best management during the
flowering season the buds of those not put
into heat soon enough or subjected to a
uniform low temperature drop off. Liquid
manure or guano water should be applied
very sparingly, and never during the short
days when the system of the plant is least
excited. No fresh potted subject requires
any artificial liquid, but such plants as have
been growing for two or tbree years in the same
pot and the roots so compact that they could
not be disturbed with the point of a stick will be
much benefited by a judicious application.

There is now a large number of varieties of
the Camellia, many of these very fine indeed,
and it is not difficult to make a selection of
some of the best. Of white varieties we have
nothing better than the old double white, alba
plena ; La Vestale, a new late variety of the
finest quality ; and Unifa Egeria, pure white,
much reflexed. Of blush varieties I can name
Cup of Beauty and Romarensis, which some-
times has the slightest flakes of pink. Of pink
varieties, Countess of Derby, soft pink, of ex-
cellent shape and very pleasing ; Mrs. C. A.
Hovey, delicate blush pink, small in size, but
very pretty ; Madame Ambrose Verschaffelt,
delicate pink, with a distinct white margin to
the petals ; and Comtesse de Hainault, very de-
licate pink shading to white on the petal edge.
Of rose-coloured varieties, II Commandatore
Betti, pale bright rose, large and full ; LAve-
nir, pale rose-pink, much reflexed, very good ;
■ and Bella dArdiglioni, rose, with slight maroon
shading, very fine. Of crimson and scarlet
shades, Mathottiana, maroon-crimson, large
and full ; C. M. Hovey, bright crimson of the
finest shape ; Marchioness of Exeter, rosy scar-
let, very fine petal and shape ; and Archiduchesse
Isabella de Toscana, deep red and rose, fine
petal, and somewhat cupped ; and of striped
kinds, Archiduc Carl, deep reddish rose, and
flaked with white ; Princess Clothilde, white,
with rosy flakes ; and Jenny Lind, white striped
with rose. p„. D.

iEsehynanthus grandiflorus.— We are re-
minded of the beauty of this fine stove plant by

flowers from Mr. J. Nicholson, Sewardstone Lodge,
Essex, who remarks with truth that it was at one time
much sought after, but the craze for Orchids has led
to the neglect of this and many other good stove plants.
A good way to grow this iEsehynanthus is in baskets
suspended from the roof of the house.

Saxifraga Fortunei. — We have never seen
this finer than at the present time in the green-
house at Kew, where there are several groups on
the side stages. On one specimen we counted no
less than twelve of the branching spikes of white
flowers crowded together in a mass, hence their
showiness. It often does well in the open air, but
occasionally suffers from early autumn frosts. A
display may be ensured, however, by keeping the
plants in a cold frame and transferring to the
greenhouse when in bloom. It requires no par-
ticular care, which makes it still more valuable.

Leea amabilis splendens. — This magnificent
plant, which I recently saw very fine in Mr.
Williams' nursery at Upper Holloway, was, I be-
lieve, collected by a Belgian collector for the
Messrs. Linden, of Brussels, in the central part of
Borneo. Leea is an old genus named in honour of
the first Mr. James Lee of the Hammersmith nur-
sery, and the old accounts do not speak very highly
of its beauty. It belongs to the Vitacese, and is
a dwarf branching shrub, without any tendency to
climb as far as I have seen; the colour of its leaves
is superb, the upper surface being of a deep heavy
green with a line of carmine along the centre, the
under side of the leaf having a uniform tinge of
bright rosy carmine. It is a very remarkable and
striking plant. Its culture appears to be some-
what difficult— at least, in the open air of the
stoves, and it seems to thrive better when placed
in a frame or in a hand-light. — G.

Hydrangea stellata. — Under this name there
is a most beautiful autumn- flowering species in the
collection of Hydrangeas at Kew. It is very
bright and effective, and what is also of especial
interest is the fact that it continues to bloom even
after H. paniculata grandiflora is over, and the
beautiful autumn weather we have this year expe-
rienced has been altogether in its favour. The
flowers are, as in many of the Hydrangeas, borne
in large flattened cymes, which consist principally
of the smaller fertile blossoms, the large sterile
ones (which form the conspicuous part of the in-
florescence) being limited to a scattered few around
the outside of the head of bloom. These sterile
flowers are, when first expanded, almost white, then
become flushed with red, till finally they are en-
tirely of a rich glowing crimson, just slightly
marbled with white, and remain in this stage for a
considerable time. This Hydrangea certainly
merits good cultivation, as it is the brightest feature
among flowering shrubs at this season, but in all
probability the flowers would in most years be in-
jured by frosts before this time. The peculiar
double flowers of that Hydrangea known as H. stel-
lata prolifera are both curious and beautiful, but
this form blooms during the summer months. — H. P.

Ruellia colorata. — I send you some'sprays of
this very pretty cool stove plant, which has bloomed
with me far better this season than it has ever done
before, and as it does not seem very common, I
would like to direct attention to it. It is, moreover,
very easily grown, and strikes freely from cuttings.
It-is a semi- soft- wooded subject, inclined to be
somewhat straggling in growth, with velvety, dark
olive-green leaves, the midrib and principal veins
being boldly marked with very pale green, almost
white in fact. The under-surface is rich maroon,
so that, even without flowers, the foliage is attrac-
tive, like that of other members of its genus. The
blossoms are tubular, widening considerably at the
mouth, somewhat lipped, and of a bright purplish
pink. This year they have been produced in great
numbers at every axil, and being nearly 2 inches
long by three-quarters of an inch wide at the mouth,
a cluster is very showy. My plants are in a small
intermediate house, in which there is generally a
little artificial heat, but in warm weather the fire is
often out for many days at a time. Some are in 4-inch
pots, and some in a little edging along the benches
with Panicum variegatum, Isolepis gracilis, &c, and

they seem to bloom equally well in all places, even
in deep shade. Why they have blooms better this
year than before I am unable to say, as the summer
has been a particularly sunless one, which seems,
however, to have suited the Ferns, which occupy
part of the same house, uncommonly well, many of
which have done specially well this season, e.g.,
Adiantum farleyense, with fronds over 2 feet long ;
A. concinnum and A. c. latum, the latter fully 30
inches long in the frond ; A. amabile, Gymnogram-
mas, &c. A small plant of Bougainvillea glabra has
yielded quantities of bloom for four consecutive
months. These will give an idea of the nature of
the house the Ruellia is growing in. — Greenwood
Pim, Monlistown, Dublin.

Amasonia punicea. — This is a herbaceous
plant of great . beauty, introduced . from South
America by Mr. Burke whilst collecting for the
Messrs. Veitch ; it had been known to exist there
for a very long time, and most collectors for the
past 100 years had come upon the plant and noted
it. I recently saw it in good condition with Mr.
Bain, gardener to Sir Trevor Lawrence. It is a
shrubby plant, and produces a very brilliant spike,
which is a rich vermilion-scarlet in colour, fur-
nished with bracts of the same hue, the flowers
being white or soft lemon-yellow. It should be
grown by everyone having a stove for the sake of
its rich colours through the autumn months. It
was figured in The Garden, February 14, 1885. — W.

Passiflora cinnabarina (S. S.~). — This is the
name of the Passion Flower sent. I had not
seen the plant for a long time, and although some-
what small in size, its colour should induce the
hybridiser to take it up. The plant is a native of
Australia, and would seem to have long been known
to that prince among botanists of the Antipodes,
Baron Von Mu'ller. It is a plant of somewhat
slender habit, and produces smooth three-lobed
leaves ; the flowers are each nearly 3 inches across,
of a deep cinnabar-red colour. It thrives under
greenhouse temperature, and here, again, is an-
other reason why its rich colours should be more
frequently seen in our gardens. — W. H. G.

Gloxinias planted out. — The late M. Valle-
rand, with whom the spotted Gloxinias originated,
treated his seedlings exactly in the way recom-
mended by " J. H." The seed was sown early, and
the young plants were put out in suitable soil in
cold frames as soon as the natural warmth was
sufficient to guarantee them against a check to
their progress. In this way they came into bloom
soon enough to admit of marking the bulbs that
were worth saving, and it was possible to try a
much greater number of seedlings than would have
been practicable by the more troublesome method
of pot culture. The bulbs, moreover, are much
larger at the end of the season. — C. B.

Fuchsia Dominiana. — It has been stated that
this useful winter-blooming Fuchsia does not bloom
freely in the form of small specimens, but I have
found it to flower very well in G-inch pots treated
in the following manner. I find that plants grown
on from cuttings put in in spring are apt to be shy
in blooming ; whereas in their second year the
reverse is the case. If cuttings are struck in April
they will get well established in 4i-inch pots by
the autumn. If grown all the summer in the open
the wood gets thoroughly matured. The following
spring they should be cut back hard, and as soon
as they break be shifted into G-inch pots, using'a
rich compost and potting very firmly. As soon as
the season is far enough advanced the plants
should go into the open, exposing them freely to
the sun, giving abundance of water, with occasional
doses of liquid manure, as the pots soon get filled
with roots. Plants managed in this way make
compact specimens, and owing to their root-bound
condition growth ceases rather earlier in the season
and the wood gets thoroughly hardened, an im-
portant point in the case of a plant that is natur-
ally of gross habit. I find plants thus grown
bloom very well, and nicely flowered specimens
have a very attractive appearance. — J. C. B.

Stenogastra concinna. — This is a veritable
little gem among Gesneraceous plants, as it is a
perfect miniature of some of the larger kinds of

Nov. 1, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

411

the same order. It forms a neat little tuft of
roundish leaves, which lie flat on the soil, and
from them springs a profusion of tubular blossoms,
about an inch long, the two upper lobes being
purple and the three lower ones white, margined
with purple, while the throat is spotted with the
same colour. Each bloom is borne on a slender,
hair-like stem, the entire plant being then about 2
inches high. The purple of the two upper lobes
extends throughout the entire length of the tube,
which, with this exception, is white ; therefore the
outside of each tube has a purple stripe along the
top of each. It is a very uncommon plant, no
doubt to some extent owing to its diminutive size,
and outside of a few botanic gardens it is rarely
met with. It is seen to the best advantage when
grown in a pan, as a number of plants together
thus form an effective group, and in this way a
display of bloom will be kept up for months. By
some this Stenogastra is included in the genus
Sinningia, and, like many other Gesneraceous
plants, it succeeds best in the coolest part of the
stove.— H. P.

Azalea mollis. — These Azaleas now hold a
leading place amongst hardy shrubs for forcing ;
in fact they are better adapted for flowering in pots
than out of doors, for though quite hardy their
natural disposition is to bloom in the spring before
the frosty nights are done with. Consequently,
except in the more favoured parts of the country,
the flowers are often injured. Those who rely upon
Continental grown plants will do well to secure
what they require in good time, as the earliest im-
portations usually do the best. There is no need
to use foreign grown stock of this Azalea, as with
a small bit of reserve ground in a sunny open posi-
tion, prepared by the introduction of peat and sand,
the plants will grow and set their buds freely in
most parts of the country. A sufficient number
should now be potted. In lifting them they should
be taken up with their roots intact ; the balls
should not be much reduced, as sometimes done,
with the object of getting them into very small
pots. When potted they may be stood anywhere,
such as on the floor of a vinery or Peach house.
If put in cold pits or frames means should be taken
to keep them from being frozen. Plants that after
flowering last winter have been grown on in the
pots under glass until they had set their bloom-
buds will, if they are sufficiently advanced, be the
best for flowering the first in the coming winter,
but it is not well to start them in heat for some
time yet.— T. B.

THE WEEK'S WORK.

PLANT HOUSES.
Roses. — Where a supply of flowers is required re-
gularly through the winter and spring, it is neces-
sary to exercise forethought. Unless there happens
to be more than a single house devoted to the forc-
ing of Roses with a large stock of plants to work
from, the chances are that sometimes there will be
more flowers than wanted, whilst at others there
will be a deficiency. With good management the
plants even when forced in the depth of winter will
keep on increasing in size and strength for a num-
ber of years, and the stronger and bigger the speci-
mens are, the more bloom they will produce. When
they possess sufficient vigour, the shoot growth
that is made whilst the first crop of flowers is in
course of development comes strong enough to
bloom well ; whereas, young comparatively weak
plants cannot be depended upon when forced in
midwinter to make a second growth sufficiently
strong to flower to an extent worth taking into
account. The warm weather of September and
October has helped the Tea varieties potted in
August to make good progress. In the forcing of
Roses it is best to use that portion of the stock for
the earliest that was forced first last year, as the
plants get so far inured to the process that they
come on with less excitement. Those that were
housed five or six weeks ago, and have had a little
warmth turned on when the nights were cold to
assist the growth of the buds formed out of doors,
should now be making young growth freely. To

bring this up to the requisite strength manure
water should be regularly given, or surface dressings
of some artificial manure should be applied at short
intervals. The plants should be syringed freely
once a day, being careful to reach them on all sides
and seeing that the water gets to the under part of
the foliage. It is almost impossible to keep down
red spider without it. About the middle of the
present month a sufficient number of additional
plants should be brought in to keep up the supply.
As a matter of course these ought to be placed at
the coolest end of the house when first introduced.
Houses fob the winter foecing of Roses.
— Roses are essentially light-loving plants. The
old-fashioned dark structures used for other plants
are not unfrequently turned to the forcing of Roses.
They are so unsuitable for winter forcing, that it
is impossible to get satisfactory results from them,
especially when in addition to the roof being mas-
sive and heavy, the house happens to be a lean-to,
or hip-roof, and so high as to place the plants
too far from it. It is essential that Roses should
have all the light it is possible to give them, with
as great a proportion of the limited amount of the
direct rays of the sun as can be had through the
winter. With this object some of the most suc-
cessful of those who force Roses for sale use low
span-roofed houses standing with their ends east
and west. In this position the bars and rafters in
the roof admit the sun with less obstruction than
when the houses are in an opposite position. To
get the heads of the plants near the glass the
centre beds on which the pots stand are generally
raised higher than the side stages, with the paths
sunk. This arrangement facilitates the water in
syringing being got to the under side of the leaves.
Avoid crowding the plants too closely together. Ad-
mit no side air and little, if any, at the roof, further
than opening the ventilators an inch or two for a
short time when an unusually bright day, combined
with some heat in the pipes, may raise the tempe-
rature too high. It is much better for even this to
occur than to admit air to cause motion in the
leaves, as with this the young tender foliage is sure
to be attacked by mildew.

Roses foe latee foecing.— The Teas which
are to be put in heat for blooming later on in
winter and in the spring until outdoor Roses come
in should, if in cold pits, have their pots plunged in
ashes, so as to keep their roots safe from frost. It
is better to keep the tops secure as well ; conse-
quently, should the weather come severe, it is ad-
visable to cover the glass with mats.

Htbeid Pebpetuaxs. — Plants that have been
grown in the open ground with a view to their be-
ing potted should now be taken up and put in the
pots. In the case of any that have stood for more
than a year, the roots will have made considerable
headway, and have extended a good distance. In
the course of ordinary lifting these longest roots
are usually broken, and the best portion of them
left in the ground. This is not of so much conse-
quence in taking them up for replanting out-of-
doors, but when they are intended for pots and to
flower in the spring, these long roots should be fol-
lowed so as to secure them as nearly whole as
possible. The less loss of fibre there is, the better
the plants will bloom.

Violets. — Where a regular supply is wanted, a
sufficient stock of plants that have been prepared
through the season should be got into frames or
low pits before hard weather comes on. In all
cases the beds should be raised so as to elevate
the plants near the glass, as this is one of the first
essentials to success. The fine autumn weather
has produced plenty of flowers out of doors, and
excited movement in the buds to an extent that
does not often occur. But the outdoor supply may
be cut off now at any time, and if the buds that
are on the move are caught by frost sharp enough
to injure them, it will interfere with the supply
later on. For this reason the portion of the stock
likely to be required, and for which there is not
now sufficient room in frames, should be protected
in the event of hard weather. A slight bed of
leaves that will give a little warmth to assist the
roots will help the bloom that is wanted towards

the end of the year. Give as much, but no more
water than necessary to keep the soil moderately
moist, and admit air freely in the daytime when
the weather is fine.

Azalea indica. — Where these plants are wanted
to come into bloom at the beginning of the year
they should be at once put into heat. Where a por-
tion of the stock has been annually forced to come
in at the time named, and the plants after flowering
last season were well treated and kept in warm
quarters until their growth was completed and the
buds sufficiently advanced, they will come on
quickly in a temperature of about 60°. It is not
well to hurry them, as if this is done the flowers
will not last more than half the time they should.
Neither should the syringe be heavily used. Keep
the plants well up to the glass. When brought on
with insufficient light during the dull sunless days
that may now be looked for, the flowers cannot be
expected to last.

Stove. — Gabdenias.— Where the plants have
been prepared for forcing in the way advised dur-
ing the summer, in the shape of either large or
medium-sized specimens, they will now be furnished
with plenty of big buds that look almost ready to
burst. But even with the aid of a high temperature
of something like 70° in the night and a rise in
the daytime they come on slowly without sun, and
are often disposed to throw off more or less of the
forwardest buds, unless the heads of the plants are
kept close to the roof of the forcing house. The
light that reaches the plants in this way is the only
means I have ever found to prevent the loss of buds.
Confine the syringing to once a day, and let it be
done early enough, so that the foliage may get dry
before nightfall. Where water hangs about the
buds too long, it causes them to fall off. See that
the soil is kept moderately moist, but not too wet.
If any injury comes to the roots which now should
crowd the pots, either through their being too dry
or saturated, the best of the feeding fibres will
perish. When this happens, it is of no use to expect
flowers in the depth of winter. Where small plants
are used, such as advised to be struck from cuttings
earlier on with the flower-buds then already formed,
these should be stood on a shelf so that their tops
will nearly touch the glass, or each plant can be
hung up by a wire. Where a shelf is available the
pots may have an inch of sand or damp Moss under
them, the presence of which will prevents the roots
getting dry. Stock of this description in small
pots should be gone over with the water-pot every
day. If any trace of mealy bug exists, the plants
should be frequently looked to with a view to keep-
ing down the pest. T. B.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

Brussels Spbouts.— Now that the Peas and runner
Beans are destroyed by frost in most gardens, there
will be a greater demand for other hardier vege-
tables. These, including the Brassica type gene-
rally, are both plentiful and good this autumn, the
Brussels Sprouts being more tender and mild in
flavour than is often the case so early in the sea-
son. Brussels Sprouts, being nearly or quite hardy
in most localities, require but little attention, but
they will be all the better for being cleared of all
decaying or dead leaves, this admitting more light
and air to the Sprouts, and in addition, unless re-
moved, they are apt to smell offensively. It is unwise
to recklessly strip off the Sprouts as required, as
when this is done, a portion of the bark goes with
them, and no successional Sprouts or greens can be
formed. They ought to be either snapped off short
or cut with a knife, and thus treated a second crop
of late, small, and serviceable Sprouts will usually
follow. Few now-a-days repeat the old blunder of
early cutting out the head or heart each plant will
form, as these if left to the very last will, as a rule,
survive the winter, and in addition to being most
acceptable in the spring, will also nurse up a good
gathering of late Sprouts.

Chou de Bubghley. — The plants of this Cab-
bage Broccoli, if raised and planted early, are apt
to attain a great size, the hearts being proportion-
ately coarse and also much too early. Even those

412

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 1, 1890.

plants raised in May and duly planted on mode-
rately rich ground are hearting in sooner than they
are wanted, but to retard them by partial lifting
might end in no hearts at all being formed. It is
in February and March when we value them most.
Fortunately, the hearts will keep for many weeks,
nothing but exceptionally severe frosts greatly injur-
ing them. This being so, there is no wisdom in
using them now or when Cauliflowers and early
Broccoli, Coleworts, and Savoys are so plentiful.
Let them remain as they are till near mid-winter,
when, if severe frosts are imminent, lift and store
closely together either in rough pits or in a border
where they can be protected in some way. If kept
till the spring they will form Broccoli-like hearts
in the centre of the conical Cabbage head, but they
are of more value as Cabbage.

Spring Cabbage. — The early breadths of plants
intended for hearting in next spring have grown
far more strongly than is desirable. If unchecked
many of them will form small hearts this autumn,
while the rest will not be so hardy as could be
wished. Frosts do not seem to have much checked
their growth, but if the plants are half lifted with
either a spade or fork and firmly pressed back into
the ground again, this ought to have the desired
effect. All blanks may yet be made good with
plants obtained from the seed beds, and a few
more rows might in many instances be added, it
being hardly possible to over-estimate the value of
a good and continuous supply of tender young
hearts in the spring. Weeds are very numerous
this autumn, but if the flat hoe is frequently used
to stir the surface of the ground not many will
survive, while slugs and grubs will also be kept in
check.

Salading undee glass. — When strong plants
of Lettuce or Endive are transplanted from the
open to pits, frames, or the borders of fruit houses,
a severe check is naturally and unavoidably given
to their growth, but it is a great mistake to think
they will keep better if no further progress is made.
Too often they are kept in a very dry state at the
roots, and thus treated become tough and bitter in
flavour, also running to seed far more quickly than
would have been the case if differently treated. It
is therefore bad practice to let them get very dry
at the roots, and there is no necessity, unless severe
frosts are imminent, to keep the tops also very dry.
All ought to have a good soaking of water when
first moved, and should be watered whenever the
soil about them is found to be approaching dryness.
The lights may well be kept off when warm showers
are falling and during mild weather generally,
these being returned, however, and additional pro-
tection given if need be whenever frosts are antici-
pated. Tie up or blanch a few dozen plants at a
time, as they will not keep long after they are
ready for use. Radishes do not require much air,
but rather gentle heat and all the light possible.
They must be freely thinned out, crowding being
fatal to bulbing.

Seed Potatoes. — During the prevalence of a
long spell of dry weather it is not often that much
work of any kind is done under cover, yet unless the
seed Potatoes or planting tubers of the early varie-
ties especially are properly attended to, many of
them will be practically spoilt long before mid-
winter. Already there is a tendency towards
sprouting, even in the case of many properly set
up on shallow trays, and any left in heaps or kept
too warm and close are certain to sprout quickly.
Setting all on their blind ends in single layers
either in shallow trays or baskets, and admitting
all the light and air possible, will check this early
sprouting, and when the sprouts are formed they
will be sturdy and seasonable. They must be well
protected from severe frosts. The loss of the first
or primary sprout greatly lessens the value of the
tubers for planting, and if there is any sorting
yet to be done it ought to be attended to at once,
whether the weather be wet or dry.

Roping Onions. — This is quite a wett-weather
job, but this also may be delayed too long. Stored in
heaps under cover of some kind, the Onions are
liable some to decay rapidly and others to start
growing afresh, the latter keeping badly in con-

sequence ; whereas if all the best bulbs are bound
either to sticks or lengths of stout string or cord in
one single thickness, and then hung up in cool, dry,
and airy sheds, they will keep well. It is advisable
to protect them from very severe frosts, though it
is not often that Onions in sheds or outhouses of
any kind are injured by them. The Tripoli varie-
ties keep badly, and it scarcely pays to bunch up
these. Send all such to the kitchen now, following
with the White Spanish types, and keep the Brown
Globe, James's Keeping, and The Wroxton till the
last. W. I.

Trees and Shrubs.

ORNAMENTAL DECIDUOUS TREES FOR

SMALL GARDENS.
As the planting season is again close at hand, it
may not be out of place to call attention to the
above subject, especially as many of the choicer
deciduous trees seem as yet comparatively little
known. They are more adapted, however, to
the requirements of small places than our large
native trees, and it is matter for regret that
this fact is not more recognised in the laying
out of such gardens, for, excellent as they are
in their proper place, it is neither right from a
landscape point of view nor in any way con-
venient to have pleasant little nooks dwarfed
and smothered by huge Oaks, Elms, or Beeches.
Magnolia tripetala is a capital subject as a back-
ground for a small lawn ; it will attain in a fairly
sheltered situation a height of from 20 feet to
30 feet. The flower is larger than that of
grandiflora, but looser and the petals less firm
and solid. With the exception of M. maero-
phylla, I suppose tripetala is quite unique in
foliage, the individual leaves often attaining a
length of 16 inches. The Virginian Bay (Laurus
Sassafras) is grand as an isolated specimen ; it is
about 30 feet high, and forms quite a regular
pyramid with very dense, handsome foliage that
is slightly scented. The Maiden hair tree is
perhaps better known than either of the
foregoing, but is not planted so much as it
deserves to be, for it must be borne in mind
that, like the large-leaved Magnolias, its foli-
age is, so far as tree life is concerned,
practically unique. I think the Siberian
Crab (Pyrus prunifolia) a very handsome tree,
and as it almost invariably grows into a shapely
specimen, it can, like the Virginian Bay, be
highly recommended ; so also can the Apple-
shaped Service and the Paulownia. Descend-
ing a little in the scale so far as height is con-
cerned, we come to a number of interesting sub-
jects that might with advantage be used in lieu
of the countless Laburnums, Almonds, Thorns,
tfec, that meet one at every turn. I fancy Ben-
thamia fragifera might be relied on to form a
handsome tree on a small scale. From occa-
sional notes from the south-west of England it
would appear to attain there considerable dimen-
sions, and the few plants we have are very fair
specimens, notwithstanding the fact that they
have been seriously handicapped by poor hun-
gry soil and the close proximity of common
things of vigorous habit. The wood of this tree
is excessively hard. I had occasion to remove
a few branches last winter, and found, to use a
common expression, it was like cutting at stone.
Magnolia glauca is a handsome little tree or
large shrub, and the flower is pleasing with its
faint Tea Rose-like perfume. Asimina triloba is
not often met with, but deserves a place in all
collections, if it were only for its very singular
flowers. The Fringe tree (Chionanthus virgini-
cus) is quite a little tree with us, and attracts
general attention when covered with its delicate
aprays of bloom. Two handsome trees that

may be associated with the above named to give
variety of foliage are Corylus purpurea (the pur-
ple-leaved Nut) and Prunus Pissardi. Among
the trees of larger growth mentioned at the
commencement of these notes I might have in-
cluded the Cornus brachypoda. This is com-
paratively new, but ought to prove a valuable
addition to our small ornamental trees. I do
not claim for the above short list of some eigh-
teen or twenty varieties that they are greatly
superior to many others ; they are simply a
few that have come under my personal notice,
and can be relied on to give satisfaction in the
planting of small pleasure grounds.

Claremont. E. Burrell.

TREES AND SHRUBS AT HILDON PARK,
STOCKBRIDGE.
What is of particular interest to the lover of
hardy trees and shrubs in this pleasantly situated
park, the residence of Lady Webster, of Battle
Abbey, is the long list of such that seem to revel
in a soil that may truly be said to contain three-
fourths at least of its own bulk of chalk. Wher-
ever one wanders in the garden, shrubberies, park,
or farm, he cannot but notice the grey colour of
the newly upturned earth, this being due to the
amount of broken up chalk rock with which it is
largely incorporated. Lambert's Cypress (Cupres-
sus Lambertiana or macrocarpa) has evidently no
equal for growing on chalk, for never before have
I seen healthier specimens than those on the lawn
and around the garden at Hildon. The distinct
pea-green of the leaves and pretty buff colour of
the twigs and branches render this tree one of the
most distinct and desirable of hardy chalk-loving
Conifers, and not only so, but when once esta-
blished the growth from year to year is extremely
rapid, as not a few specimens just outside the gar-
den wall forced one to candidly admit. Pinus in-
signis, too, does well here. It is growing where
only a few inches of loam overlie the chalk,
but at the time of planting the soil was well
broken up and a quantity of good sound loam
added. This method has been rigidly practised by
the owner of the estate, and rightly too, for once a
start to growth and strong constitution are ob-
tained, trees can do well where otherwise they
might starve.

Timely mixing of a little good soil with that of
an inferior and unkindly nature has saved many a
good tree from destruction, and caused it to tide
over the years until greater strength and robust-
ness are attained, and when it is able to do battle
in a fairly successful way with its, may be, un-
favourable surroundings. The giant Arbor-vitas
seems to be a good all-round tree, for whether on
peat or loam, chalk or shaly rock it seems quite
at home, springing upwards for about 3 feet a year
and increasing duly in proportion of stem. Then it
is also one of the prettiest forest trees we have,
and when placed on an exposed lawn few trees
are better able to do battle with the wind and
storm.

Amongst all the Conifers, none, however, is better
suited for chalky soils than Abies Pinsapo, as the
beautifully symmetrical specimens on the Hil-
don lawn testify. They grow with the utmost
freedom, wear the richest and healthiest look,
while when the russety cones are borne in profu-
sion, as in the specimens referred to, quite a
contrast is produced between foliage and cones.
By those about to plant on a chalky lawn both
this species and the newly-allied P. cephalonica
should be largely used, for both are peculiarly suit-
able for such a class of soil. The Atlantic Cedar
(Cedrus atlantica), judging from the healthy young
trees that I noticed, would seem to be another tree
of value for this peculiar character of soil, for here
it grows freely enough and looks the picture of
health. Pinus austriaca is perhaps too well known
as a chalk lover for me to speak of its merits,
but taking everything into consideration it is a
most valuable tree, succeeding as it does in the very
teeth of our worst winds and where the soil can be

Nov. 1, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

413

described as anything but good. True, there is
something heavy and may be gloomy about this tree,
but when used in moderation and in a carefully
selected position its charms are of no mean type.
A trio of giant Maples on the lawn are as healthy
as I have ever seen the tree on what is considered
its native soil. Hard-wooded or deciduous trees
associate admirably with Conifers, and the speci-
mens just referred to are no exception to the rule,
for against Cedars and Pines they have a telling
effect. Never before have I seen Prunus Pissardi
doing so well as in the shrubberies at Hildon, and just
now in their waving foliage the contrast between
them and the other more sober-tinted shrubs is
strikingly noticeable and agreeable. Here they are
growing in soil that is mostly composed of broken
up chalk, and finer and more healthy specimens I
have not before seen. Some of the American
Thorns are lovely with their big, rosy-cheeked fruit
and distinct foliage, and they should find a con-
spicuous spot in every collection.

The Bladder Senna (Colutea arborescens) revels
in the soil at Hildon, and at present the appearance
of some of the bushes with the big inflated pods is
as interesting as it is novel and of not every- day
occurrence. I was pleased to find that a shrub
which I had always considered as most suitable
for a light, sandy loam, putting on its best form in I

over the garden, hut they never show any hereditary
tendency to " weep." — G. Henslow, Drayton House,
Baling.

MOCK ORANGES.

(PHILADELPHTJS. )

The Mock Oranges, one of the best of which is
here illustrated (P. grandiflorus), are a familiar
class of shrubs, at least the Syringa (P. coro-
narius) is found in most shrubberies, crowded
to death amidst a mass of common things,
which neither permit it light and air, nor
freedom to spread about its flower -laden
branches. The shrubbery of many an old-
fashioned garden is a dreadful medley of rare
and common kinds, and we have frequently
scented the Mock Orange by its flowers, but
not seen the shrub, through its hidden posi-
tion. Things~are changing much in this re-
spect, and now is the time to correct the
glaring faults that exist, as at this season
plants that are encroaching on rarer and more
beautiful shrubs may be transplanted, space
given ,to those that remain, to develop the
characteristic growth that distinguishes them,
and shrubs hitherto neglected given a rightful

The large-flowered Mock Orange (Philadelplius grandiflorus). Engraved for The Garhen from a
photograph sent by W. Birnie, Excelsior House, Sunningliill, Ascot.

almost pure chalk. The curious and pretty Ley-
cesteria formosa must also be made a note of by
planters on the class of soil now under considera-
tion, as the fine bushes everywhere about this place
clearly pointed out that it was in its element.
Many of the Spirseas do well, as also the Barberries
and Deutzias, while the pretty and rather uncom-
mon Shepherdia argentea grows freely and strongly.
Cotoneaster Simonsi is another chalk plant of great
beauty, and one that adds quite a charm to any
winter landscape. Hosts of other shrubs do re-
markably well at Hildon, but they are too many to
enumerate at present, but Azaleas and Rhododen-
drons die out wholesale, and are, therefore, never
planted. There are some noble Oaks and Beeches
scattered about through the grounds, the latter, as
everyone knows, being excellent for chalk or lime-
stone. A. D. Websteb.

A specimen "Weeping Ash. — A large Weep-
ing Ash of unknown, but great age forms a conspi-
cuous object on the lawn of the garden at Drayton
House, Ealing. The stem was hollow as well as the
large branches. To prevent further decay, a few years
ago I scooped out all the decayed wood from the in-
terior and filled up the holes with brickbats and Port-
land cement. The new wood is fast closing over the
hardened surfaces. It has exhibited a very vigorous
growth this year. Thousands of seedlings come up all

position. We like the common Mock Orange.
It is picturesque, and the sprays of white
flowers load the air with a pleasant perfume
in the summer months when we expect every-
thing in Nature to be bright and beautiful.
But we may go further, and without neglecting
the old favourite, make choice of a few other
kinds quite as worthy of a good place in gar-
dens. There are so many Mock Oranges and
the family likeness between them is so pro-
nounced, that the utmost caution is requisite
to make a wise selection. Only a few are
wanted, and if simply one kind, then the in-
tending planter cannot do better than select
P. grandiflorus, the large-flowered Mock
Orange, a North American species, and intro-
duced about the beginning of this century.
It is a hardy shrub of free growth, growing
about 15 feet in height, and loving best a dry,
well-drained soil. The flowers are pure white,
about 2 inches across, and almost scentless,
which does not add to their value. Its variety
laxus, also worth a note, is altogether freer
in character, the flower clusters being also
less dense. Both may be classed amongst the
! most ornamental shrubs of the garden. Those

who object to the powerful fragrance of the
common kind will find the scentless varieties to
their taste, and a bush of P. grandiflorus would
give delight to many who have not yet got it in
their gardens.

There are other North American species thxt
should not be passed over without comment, but
all resemble one another closely in general ap-
pearance ; thus it is unwise to plant two of th.3
same kind together. Better is it to have one
of each of those named to prolong the season of
bloom, as they flower in succession. P.
inodorus is a good kind, scentless, as
evidenced by the name. Then we have
P. Gordonianus, which was found growing
freely in the vicinity of the Columbia River.
It was sent over here about 1823, and, like the
others, will do well in almost any soil, with-
standing also the severest frosts without injury.
Its large white flowers almost hide the warm
green-coloured leafage, and make a mound of
white in the month of July. The habit of the
shrub is bushy, and the slender branches droop
somewhat, giving to a well-grown specimen a
graceful appearance. Another good species is
P. hirsutus, while we have from the land of
flowers (Japan) P. Satsumi, a desirable Mock
Orange, and we must not forget the North
American P. verrucosus, which expands its
white flowers in May or June, nor varieties of
P. coronarius. P. speciosus, another North
American species, is very hardy and free, grow-
ing about 15 feet in height, and bearing a pro-
fusion of flowers in early June. It likes plenty
of space and sun. The genus, it must be remem-
bered, is confused, so that we cannot be certain
of getting a kind true to name, unless it is the
common coronarius or grandiflorus, of which an
illustration is given. We dislike variegated-
leaved things as a rule ; but a variety of corona-
rius named foliis aureis is neither spotty nor
weak ; its leafage is of a rich yellow colour, espe-
cially in the early summer, when if contrasted
with that of a good form of Prunus Pissardi
or the common purple Hazel, it brings out its
brightness of tint, which keeps constant if not
exposed to the full sun.

A little gem amongst Mock Oranges is P.
microphyllus, which was brought more to the
front this year, as it has been exhibited at
several of the London shows. It is a compara-
tively recent introduction from New Mexico,
and a delightful little bush, quite the pigmy of
the genus, the leaves not larger than those of a
Myrtle, the stems slender and smothered with
white flowers, increased in beauty by the grace-
ful bend of the shoot. It is said not to be very
hardy, but will live out of doors in all mild cli-
mates, and possibly even in northern counties
when its hardiness is thoroughly tested. There
should be no difficulty in properly placing this
shrub in English gardens. A bed of it or
amongst dwarf things would look well, and Eng-
lish gardens even now are not over-rich in beau-
tiful hardy flowering trees and shrubs.

SHORT NOTES.— TREES AND SHRUBS.

Bracken Fern in Rhododendrons. — A

pleasing combination has been unintentionally pro-
duced by the peat in which the Rhododendrons were
originally planted, having pieces of rhizome mixed
with it. Every year after flowering the tall stems of
the Pteris come up through the branches, and then
spread out enormous fronds ; the stems are 8 feet to
10 feet high and the fronds in proportion.— G. Hens-
low, Drayton House, Ealing.

Erica stricta. — Some good patches of this which
I recently saw at Shadwell Court, Thetford, show
what a valuable thing it is for planting where a dwarf
shrub with a long flowering season is required. These

414

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 1, 1890.

patches are growing on the banks which form the
sides to a path that winds its way dcwn a dell, and are
in consequence somewhat sheltered. Soil and situa-
tion must suit them, for they are very bushy and
healthy-looking, and from 4 feet to 5 feet high.
—J. T.

Eseallonia macrantba at Shadwell Court.
—I was surprised to find at Shadwell Court, Thetford,
Eseallonia macrantha growing and flowering well.
Where it can be depended on to go through the win-
ter safely no better flowering shrub can be grown, for
it is good at all points— foliage, flowers, and habit. Its
proper home, however, is in fairly sheltered spots near
the sea or in the milder parts of the country. — T.

A "Weeping Taxus.— There is at Shadwell
Court, Thetford, a curiosity in the shape of a Weeping
Taxus, which, though only about 0 feet high, has a,
diameter of over 30 feet. A Weeping Thuja, too, is
very handsome; the pendent branchlets are over 3 feet
long. Mr. Clarke, the gardener, who has been here
over fifty years, considers it a unique specimen, as he
has never met with anyone who knows what it is, or
who has seen it elsewhere. Many specimens of the
topiary art in these gardens are evidences of great care
and ingenuity in their manipulation, but, happily, the
taste for thes9 things is passing away and giving place
to a more natural development of our trees and shrubs.
—J. C. T.

Berberis concinna. — This pretty little _ late-
flowering Himalayan Barberry is very bright in au-
tumn, as many of the older leaves are of a light scarlet
colour. A rather singular effect is produced by the
younger leaves at the points of the shoots still remain-
ing fresh and green. This Barberry is uncommon, but
it possesses several desirable features, for the habit is
very neat and compact, the foliage pleasing, and it
does not bloom till all the other Barberries, except
the Himalayan B. aristata, are over. Like the rest,
B. concinna varies from seed, and this is very notice-
able now, for out of half a dozen plants so raised and
planted in a group one single plant has not yet changed
in colour, while all the others are very bright. — T.

Kitchen Garden.

COMPARATIVE MERITS OF CELERY.
As far as the ordinary Celery is concerned
English raisers of novelties more than hold
their own with either their Continental or
Transatlantic rivals. None of the importations
I have yet tried can be said to compare favour-
ably with those new and old varieties raised in
this country, and this probably will be the ex-
perience of others. Few need to be told what
wretched failures the White Plume and the
golden form of the same have proved, and yet both
were sent over from America as being valuable
novelties. Novel they were, but serviceable
certainly not. Because they had what may be
termed variegated stems or stalks and foliage,
it was presumed the blanching process could be
dispensed with, all that was necessary being to
grow them on rich ground and use when fully
grown. As might reasonably be expected, the
quality of the " self -blanching " Celeries was
simply execrable, and even if moulding up or
otherwise well enclosing the stalks and a por-
tion of the leaves had been unnecessary to re-
duce them to an eatable state, it was yet abso-
lutely indispensable to save them from frosts.
The French varieties that have been grown
here are much superior to the American intro-
ductions, but even these have failed to give
complete satisfaction. White Pascal, received
from the well-known Parisian firm of Vilmorin
and Co., is perhaps the most solid Celery in
cultivation, but nothing apparently will prevent
it from running prematurely to seed. With
me fully half the plants bolted long before the
rows were finally moulded up, but the rest are
very sturdy, the outer stalks are exceptionally
thick, and the hearts well blanched and crisp.
White varieties would appear to be principally
grown in France ; whereas English gardeners
rely, and rightly so, principally upon the red or

pink - stemmed varieties, the latter being
much the hardiest, and, as a rule, the best in
point of quality. A white variety, also received
from Messrs. Vilmorin and simply labelled
Dwarf Large-ribbed, did not run to seed to any
appreciable extent, and is a sturdy and in other
respects good sort, though it does not equal
Veitch's Superb White growing alongside. The
latter is, in my estimation, the most service-
able white Celery yet introduced, and should
prove valuable to the market as well as
private grower. Sown and treated exactly
the same as the French forms, not a plant
has bolted, and under ordinarily good treat-
ment nearly equals the best red Celery grown.
White Gem is also a good early form, and
with me has always proved superior to
either Incomparable Dwarf White, Dwarf Sand-
ringham, or Cole's Crystal White. The fact
of its being synonymous with a good dwarf
white variety received several years ago from
Mr. D. Thomson, Drumlanrig, does not detract
from its merits, but is rather a great point in
its favour. Wright's Grove or Giant White
suits growers for exhibition, but is far from
being the best for ordinary purposes.

To Messrs. Veitch also belongs the credit of
introducing a very superior early coloured
variety, this being found in their new Early
Rose. This was described as much resembling
the popular Major Clarke's Solid Red, only
that it is earlier and lighter in colour, and for
the second time it has not belied its description.
This, again, ought to be largely grown for the
markets. Major Clarke's Solid Red we still
grow extensively, but principally for affording
mid-season and late supplies, and a fine yet
sturdy, solid, and crisp variety it is. Leicester
Red is usually considered synonymous with the
last-named, but there is a slight difference
observable in the foliage, the Leicester form
having more finely cut leaves. Both Williams'
Matchless Red and Carter's Incomparable
Crimson have at different times done excellent
service as late keeping varieties, these surviving
the sturdier forms, being also good in point of
quality. Standard-bearer is even better than
either of them for the latest crops, and it may
be described as an exceptionally hardy sort
and one which gives every satisfaction at the
table.

When we come to take stock of the Turnip-
rooted Celery, or Celeriac, our superiority as re-
gards varieties at once comes to an end. Eng-
lish raisers do net appear to have taken it in
hand, and, as a rule, seedsmen offer nothing
but the common form, or that which our fore-
fathers cultivated. Even this varies consider-
ably, some of the forms requiring more room
than others, while all have strong foliage and
very coarse Turnip-shaped roots. The sooner
the French or other Continental novelties are
included in the English catalogues the better,
as it is very certain they would be largely or-
dered and grown, and with their advent would
also follow a great increase in the numbers of
lovers of this vegetable. It is quite a mistake
to class Celeriac, or to describe it in seed cata-
logues, as fit for flavouring soups only, as when
properly cooked in good stock, or in soup, and
properly served at the table, it is really a very
welcome addition to the list of winter vege-
tables. We grow four rows, 25 yards long, of
Turnip-rooted Celery, and not a single root is
wasted. No room is found for the common
form, our stock consisting of about equal num-
bers of Large Early Prague and the Apple-
rooted. Last season we also had the Early
Paris and Large Early Erfurt, but the Prague
and Apple-rooted forms are probably the best
of the lot. The last-named is of very compact

growth, the foliage being perfectly flat, and
ours, put out on fairly good ground 15 inches
apart each way, have formed grand bulbs,
many of them fully 15 inches in circumference.
Though scarcely so regular in outline or so
smooth as an Apple, the roots are yet far
ahead of any other sort in this respect, and
the quality is good. The Large Early Prague
also forms fine early bulbs, which are not nearly
so rough as those of the common form.

I. M. H.

TOMATOES FOR PROFIT*
It is doubtful if any industry can be said to have
progressed more rapidly than Tomato growing
for profit. During the past six years or there-
abouts, the increase in the number of houses
erected specially for the pupose has been some-
thing stupendous, and as far as my experience
goes there are few or no signs of any cessation in
building. What is even more satisfactory is the
fact that it is not a few extra speculative growers
that are responsible for this great attempt to
meet the demands of an ever increasing Tomato-
loving public, but it has been the means of
giving hundreds of deserving men in various
parts of the country a good opening for gaining
a livelihood, and, let us hope, eventually an
honourable independence. The question is
often asked, " Will the supply soon exceed the
demand, and prices drop below a remunerative
price accordingly?" This a reasonable query,
though as it happens it is not growers who put
it, but rather men who are contemplating mak-
ing a beginning. I have never met with one of
the former who complained of having more fruit
than could be sold at a fairly profitable rate,
and it is my firm belief that the time when the
supply of home-grown Tomatoes will exceed the
demand is far distant. I could prove, if time
would permit, that not only is the Tomato be-
coming a necessary article in the diet of many
men of business, but that also the industrial
classes are becoming equally alive to their good
qualities. They supply a need long felt, viz.,
something to tempt the appetite, and which also
is wholesome and fairly nutritious. Particu-
larly popular are Tomatoes among supper-eat-
ing folk— a rather numerous body we may rea-
sonably presume — and who shall say how much
good they do towards allaying thirst, and
thereby prevent an undue use of injurious alco-
holic drinks ']

Successful Tomato Growers.
It may not be generally known, but it is an
indisputable fact nevertheless, that the majo-
rity of the most successful growers of Tomatoes
for sale are men who began with little or no
experience in the matter, or indeed of horticul-
ture generally ; nor is the reason far to seek.
Private gardeners, many of whom have lately
taken to Tomato growing on their own account,
and who formerly perhaps marketed the surplus
fruit grown by them for previous employers,
have been accustomed to quite a different class
of houses to what the shrewd market grower
thinks proper to erect, and in addition may
have imbibed notions very difficult to eradi-
cate. Those who know next to nothing as a
rule make various inquiries among those who
do, and the wiser of them make a point of visit-
ing some place where the best and cheapest
houses are to be seen, and then go to work ac-
cordingly. The market grower cannot afford
to build houses that are to last a century, but,
on the contrary, he ought to have got all he
wants out of them in one-quarter of that time.

* A paper by Mr. W. Iggulden, Marston Gardens,
Frome, read at the meeting of the British Fruit
Growers' Association, Brighton, September 11, 1800.

Nov. 1, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

415

Instead, therefore, of erecting an expensive
house or houses he prefers to put up double
that number of cheap structures, his returns
from the first being doubled accordingly. Nor
are "kid-glove gentlemen" likely to realise
such quick returns as are those who both know
how and are not afraid to work. From the
Channel Islands the greatest number of To-
matoes are sent to the markets on the main-
land, and these are grown by men who do the
principal part of their own building, and also
much of the subsequent work. Not a few of
these hard working, enterprising, and most de-
serving men previously followed some kind of
employment totally different to what they are
now doing, one much-respected friend of mine
who has got on well in Tomato and Grape cul-
ture having for many years been a sailor.
Many a private gardener also fancies he knows
all about Tomato culture, but an " eye-opener"
in the shape of such crops as he has never seen
before, and which by his methods he cannot ob-
tain, awaits him who is not so well experienced
in Tomato culture as he imagines himself to be.
Perseverance is a quality needed above all
things by the would-be successful grower, and
the more practical the man the greater the
likelihood of his succeeding, faddists being
simply nowhere in the race for supremacy.

Paying Crops and Houses for their
Production.
There is really a good demand for Tomatoes
all the year round, but naturally the prices vary
considerably. With so much foreign fruit in
the markets at nearly all times fancy prices
will never be had, but home-grown produce
being so much superior in every respect it will
always sell the most readily. It must not be
imagined I am thinking only of the London
markets, although these certainly absorb a con-
siderable proportion of the Tomatoes either im-
ported or grown in this country. As a matter
of fact there is a good demand for this fruit in
every town in the country, and it is a mistake
for anyone to imagine that the vicinity of Lon-
don is the only neighbourhood where Tomatoes
can be grown with a good prospect of the best
returns being had. Even the far north, or such
an inclement county as Durham, has been found
to answer well for Tomato culture, cheapness of
fuel and slack competition more than compensat-
ing for climatal disadvantages.

As a rule, the majority of growers aim to have
their crops ripening from May to November
inclusive, the start being made as early in the
year as possible. In these cases the prices vary
from about Is. 6d. per lb. in May to 4d. per lb.
in August and September, though since the
widespread prevalence of disease, and whenever
outdoor crops fail, 6d. is the lowest figure
reached for the best fruit . What are wanted to
produce heavy crops during the months named
are fairly roomy, light, airy, and well heated
structures, as no dependence whatever can be
placed on any houses that do not admit plenty
of light and are not well heated. Span-roofed
houses will be found the cheapest and best in
the long run, and these may be of any dimen-
sions, though experience has taught us that
there is greater likelihood of combating disease
if the structures are of medium size rather than
extra large. A good length would be about 60
feet, and suitable heights and widths are 14
feet and 25 feet respectively. Above all would
I advise that the sides be of a good height, or
fully 6 feet above the level of door-sill, and
the less brickwork there is the better. The
plants being grown all over the body of the
house, and trained up either stakes or strings,
it follows they must have good head -room, and

unless abundance of light is admitted the
growth may be soft and unfruitful. All the
wood, preferably red deal, required can be
bought at wholesale rates, nearly or quite ready
for putting together, this including the light
rafters — which also must act as sash bars — and
what fittings may be necessary. Very little
skill is needed in putting these together, and
seeing that glass can also be bought very cheaply
and of any size, the glazing is another simple
matter. Any attempt to adopt the plan of
sliding the glass in grooves, or to butt the
squares together in any way, usually proves
disappointing in the end, and the plan most
generally adopted is rabetting the rafters,
bedding the glass in putty, and finishing off
neatly, no top putty being used, but only a
good coating of paint. Top putty in time gets
loose and admits moisture to the underside,
whereas a smooth, paint-covered surface holds
good for many years. Ample front and top
ventilation ought to be provided.

It is my firm belief that winter crops would
pay well, the start being made with young
plants in August or early in September, and the
crops set early in the autumn. A long succes-
sion of fruit would ripen during the winter, and
an equally good crop could be set and ripened
in February, March, and April, or long before
the majority of growers have any ready for the
market. Well ripened fruit, available during
the winter and early spring months, ought to
fetch on an average 2s. per lb., and would pay
well even if sold rather cheaper. Unfortunately,
the large high structures previously alluded to
will not answer for these midwinter crops, as
the plants fail to set fruit freely unless grown
near the glass, or, say, trained up the roof
about 10 inches from the glass. We have had
the roof of a house covered with leading growths
about 9 inches apart, furnished with clusters of
fruit at every second joint, and that, too, in
December. It is the low span-roof houses, of
the style usually erected for Cucumber and
Melon culture, that answer well for winter crops
of Tomatoes, and during the summer these
might with advantage be devoted to the growth
of either Melons or Cucumbers, for both of
which there is usually a good demand. With
regard to heating Tomato houses, I can only
briefly point out that it is possible to purchase
really good boilers that require no deep stoke-
hole, and but little setting, and that the expan-
sion joints for the hot- water pipes afe both the
best and the most simply connected by an ordi-
nary labourer.

The Most Profitable Varieties.
Not a little depends upon the choice of suit-
able varieties for any particular crop. Some
growers swear by the ribbed section, the most
popular of which is Large Red, while others pin
their faith on the Perfection type, or those with
smooth, rich, red round fruit. The former are
much the most free-setting, but are not so at-
tractive in appearance or heavy weighing as the
more solid Perfection, Hackwood Park Prolific,
Ham Green Favourite and Chemin Red. I
would, however, strongly recommend the be-
ginner to rely principally upon a good stock of
Large Red, and which he could easily get by
purchasing a few fruit at a market stand or of
a fruiterer. Most undoubtedly the Large Red
is by far the best for the winter crops, and on
the whole it is perhaps the most profitable for
all seasons of the year. What it lacks in weight
and loses in competition with more showy sorts
it more than compensates for in bulk, the
smooth, round-fruited forms very rarely setting
so freely even under the most favourable circum-
stances. The time is not far distant when the

Tomato will figure as a dessert fruit. I have
met numerous lovers of this " fruit- vegetable "
who eat them in their raw state with even
greater avidity than they would either an Apple
or Pear, and if tempting fruit were placed be-
fore them in the way of dessert they would be
fully appreciated. It should be the market
grower's aim to foster this love for Tomatoes,
and this can best be done by growing varieties
both tempting in appearance and good in quality.
Extra large samples are not to be recommended at
any time, and are certainly not the most calcu-
lated to tempt anyone to eat Tomatoes much as
he would an Apple. What should be grown aie
the comparatively small, smooth, round-fruited
varieties, such as Horsford's Prelude, and the
improvement on this, The Conference, either
of which presents a very tempting appearance
in small punnets and is really good to eat. The
Peach, another comparatively new variety, is
veiy distinct in every way, and is one of the
best that can be grown for selling in punnets.
The fruit is produced in long clusters, some-
what small, ruby red in colour, prettily veined,
carrying a bloom like the Peach, and is of a
pleasing flavour. Nor oughc the yellow-fruited
forms to be lost sight of. These, though attrac-
tive in appearance, are unfortunately some-
what wanting in acidity, the principal excep-
tion being the Blenheim Orange. If the latter
is eaten before it is "dead ripe" the flavour is
decidedly distinct and pleasing, and it may yet
become a favourite. Golden Sunrise may be
briefly described as being a yellow form
of Perfection, and it is of very attractive
appearance. Those growers especially who
get rid of their Tomatoes in their own
vicinity ought to make a point of supply-
ing fruit well-ripened and of the best quality,
and in time they will earn a reputation for the
same, and obtain better prices accordingly.
Fruit that has to be sent a considerable dis-
tance ought not to be very ripe when packed,
but at the same time it should be well coloured,
or it will fetch no better prices than foreign
Tomatoes.

Cultural Hints.
Without going into minute details, I shall
yet venture to offer a few hints that may prove
acceptable to some of my hearers. Where so
many have erred is in forming a too rich border
for Tomatoes, looseness also being a condition
of soil that ought to be avoided. What is
wanted is a moderately rich root-run, and this
ought to be rammed, rolled, or trampled as
hard as a road. A loose, rich root-run pro-
motes a rank, unfruitful growth, firmness
having the effect of causing a hard short-jointed
and fruitful habit, or just what is wanted. If
a depth of about 18 inches of fresh loamy soil
— if turfy so much the better — can be provided,
that is all that is needed for the first season,
and this can be renewed by the addition
of fresh loam and bone-meal or some kind of
special manure for the next year or two. A
free use of animal or solid manure ought to be
avoided. When a good crop is set, or if the
plants present a very starved appearance, liquid
manure or a surfacing of some kind of phospha-
tic manure may be given with advantage occa-
sionally. If these conditions are observed the
plants are less likely to suffer from over-crowd-
ing. Some growers arrange their plants 2 feet
apart each way all over the house, others dis-
pose them nearer 12 inches apart in rows 2 feet
apart, in every instance training or confining
each to a single stem, and if the border is very
firm the latter distances answer very well, the
crops in the aggregate being the heaviest. In-
stances have come under my notice of 8 lbs. of
fruit being taken on an average from each plant

416

THE GAEDEN.

[Nov. 1, 1890.

in a high span-roofed house, but the greater
distance mentioned was given, and of course
disease was absent.

The cheapest way of training these plants is
to place a string to each, fastening this from a
peg in the ground to the roof, coiling the stems
round them as they advance. The more com-
mon practice, as before stated, is to give each a
tall stake, none of the plants in either case be-
ing topped before the roof is reached. Many
succeed in growing strong healthy plants, but
fail badly in effecting a good set. Much may
be done towards correcting this unfruitful habit
by withholding water from the roots for several
days together, plants that flag badly in the sun-
shine owing to dryness at the roots not unfre-
quently setting much the best crops. A plan
adopted by friends at Lewishain, in Kent, and
at Bath is well worthy of a trial. This consists
merely of going over all the plants in flower to-
wards midday, or as soon as the pollen has been
dried either by means of fire-heat and air, or
sunshine and air, and smartly tapping each
bunch of bloom with a Hazel twig. This dis-
lodges the pollen grains in a cloud, sufficient of
this becoming attached to the moist pistils to
effect a good set. I have seen plants thus
treated furnished with large clusters of fruit
from the ground up to the roof, there being no
failures in the house. I would here add that
open-air crops are far from being generally satis-
factory this season, but those who have a quan-
tity of small green fruit on their plants, and
which will not ripen, ought to convert these
into a good hot pickle and market it. Such
pickles, if well made, would soon become popu-
lar, and I venture to say that the day is not
far distant when there will be a good demand
for small green Tomatoes.

Drawbacks in Tomato Culture.
There would appear to be no pleasures or pro-
fitable occupation without drawbacks of some
kind, and unfortunately the Tomato grower has
rather more than his share of them to contend
with. As far as open-air culture is concerned,
this has always partaken somewhat of the charac-
ter of a lottery, but it is only of comparatively
recent date that bad forms of disease have
worked so much havoc among \ery many plants
under glass. To make matters worse, there
would appear to be no perfect remedy for the
Cladisporium, or whatever this new fungoid
enemy may be termed, and already it has had the
effect of stopping several growers on a rather
large scale from running any risks in the mat-
ter. That it is to be combated with I have
good reasons to assert, but, as I shall show, it
is by no ordinary means that it can be stopped,
while the consequence of any such extreme pre-
ventive measures is an inevitable loss of weight
in the crop of fruit grown. Better, however, be
satisfied with two-thirds of a full crop than risk
losing the lot from disease, especially seeing that
it is owing to the depredations of this disease
that prices keep up to the figure they now do.
In relation to this part of my subject I think I
cannot do better than to quote from a letter I re-
ceived from Mr. F. Williams of Devizes,
Tomato grower for profit, who has made such
progress in a short time as to be able to cut from
5 tons to 6 tons of fruit in a single season. In
this communication, dated July 30th, 1890, he
states that last year disease appeared on his
plants, "some turning black in the> stems and
fruit, some had woolly growth upon them, the
foliage of others turned off to a very queer
blotchy appearance, yellow shiny spots also
being noticed on the plants being prepared in
the open for winter work, and these after being
housed became so badly overrun with disease

that all had to be turned out and burnt."
These symptoms made it only too evident that
the dreaded disease had at last effected a lodg-
ment in his houses. He continues : "My treat-
ment last year consisted in several good syring-
ings of sulphide of potassium as strong as the
plants would bear, with a little carbolic soft-
soap mixed with it to make the sulphide stick
on. Plants were, moreover, given more air and
much less water than hitherto."

When starting operations for the present sea-
son I determined to try what could be done in
the way of anticipating the disease. I bought
twelve sorts from different firms, but pickled all
the seeds for 24 hours in a strong solution of sul-
phate of copper before sowing. The soil in the
house was moved out to a depth of 1 foot and
fresh brought in. The plants, when ready to
put out, had a thorough dipping once or twice
in the sulphate of potassium solution. In addi-
tion, the hot-water pipes were dressed once every
week with linseed oil and sulphur, and the stink
thereof was almost diabolical. We used to
dress the pipes just after watering. Mr.
Williams1 aim throughout was to eradicate any
germs which might have lodged on the seed,
or which might be hanging about the premises,
and also to make the atmosphere as disagreeable
and unhealthy as possible for the said germs if
any put in an appearance later on. In this he
appears to have succeeded well, as he only had
seven plants die off, and two touched with dis-
ease, the germs finding things generally in such
a dry sulphurous condition that they have ap-
parently left him in disgust for more promising
scenes of action. A dry atmosphere and a good
circulation of air, this being maintained more
with the aid of fire-heat and top air rather than
strong currents of cold air, coupled with a very
firm root run, acts to a certain extent as a pre-
ventive of disease but is no cure.

The early removal of the principal leaves,
which some growers advocate, does more harm
than good, its only effect being to weaken the
plants. At the same time disease is not long
before it overruns all the lower leaves, and un-
less more are laid in to take their place the fruit
will soon cease swelling. We had the disease
in our plants badly last season, but kept them
in good bearing order throughout the winter in
spite of it by simply keeping a dry atmosphere
and constantly laying in young shoots in order
to have leaves to take the place of those
destroyed by disease. We are doing the same
thing this season, and our crops are most satis-
factory. We have also tried sulphuring the
pipes, and if this does not much check the
Cladisporium, it has the effect of exterminating
that other troublesome pest, a small white fly
known as Aleyrodes vaporiarum.

the productive powers of the plant were strongly
affected, being sacrificed to mere foliage and
rapidity of increase in general size.

Electric light and plant growth.. — The

question of what effect artificial or other than sun-
light has on the growth or actions of plants
has, says the Prairie Farmer, long been mooted.
The experiments in the cultivation of plants
under the electric light, recently made by
the botanical department of the Cornell Uni-
versity, have given some curious and interesting
results, which are in some respects confirma-
tory of somewhat similar experiments not long
ago reported from Russia. The first and most no-
ticeable effect of the treatment is an enormously
increased rate of growth. The plants which are
lighted seem to work day and night and to " run
very much to leaf." Vegetables shoot up very
quickly, and Peas in a few weeks are two or three
times as tall as those planted at the same time in
daylight. In the case of seeds and fruits of any
kind, however, the results are entirely different, and
the plants which had grown slowly and by daylight
were ahead. It was observed that in every instance

Garden Flora.

PLATE 777.
BENTHAMIA FRAGIFERA.
(with coloured plate.*)
The beauty of this Benthamia can only be
realised when growing in the more favoured
districts, such as the south and west of England
(especially Cornwall) and in many parts of Ire-
land, for even in the neighbourhood of London
it is frequently injured during severe winters,
and though it quickly recovers and grows
rapidly afterwards, before it is large enough to
flower it again suffers. The Benthamia is very
nearly allied to the Cornus. The flowers proper
are really inconspicuous, the prominent feature
being the surrounding involucre of four bracts,
which present the appearance of a large corolla,
as may be seen in the accompanying plate. B.
fragifera is a native of Nepaul, from whence it
was introduced in 1825, and some of the fine
specimens in existence must have been planted
soon after that time. Loudon speaks of it as a
large sub-evergreen shrub or low tree, reaching
a height of 10 feet to 15 feet, which dimensions
are now very considerably exceeded. For
instance, a magnificent specimen at Fota Island,
Cork, was illustrated in The Garden in 1884,
the said specimen then being 27 feet high, with
a spread of branches at the base of 120 feet.
Some trees 45 feet high are recorded from
Heligan, St. Austell, Cornwall. Where it is
not thoroughly hardy the Benthamia is fre-
quently trained to a wall, but in this position it
is of course so cramped, that its natural habit is
not shown. Where it will survive the winter
without injury, and occupies an isolated position
so as to allow of its full development, this
native of Nepaul forms quite a tree, but with
the character of a large shrub, the branches
being numerous and wide-spreading, while
they are plentifully clothed with oblong-
shaped leaves of a rather distinct lightish
green tint. In some winters the foliage is
almost evergreen, while in the case of an un-
usually severe one the greater part of it quickly
drops. The flowers, which in an established
specimen are usually borne in great profusion,
are, as a rule, at their best during July and
August. The reddish tinge which suffuses the
major portion of the inflorescence is not nearly
so pronounced when the flowers are first ex-
panded as it is after they have been open a
few days. The blossoms, however, are but one
part of its beauty, as the fruits of the Bentha-
mia are wonderfully showy when ripe. They
grow as large as a good sized Strawberry, which
they greatly resemble. When ripe these berries
are of a reddish hue, and though they usually
ripen about October, they frequently remain on
the trees throughout the winter. The Ben-
thamia is not particular as to soil, though it
prefers a good well-drained loam that is not
parched up at any season. So situated, it is a
free-rooting subject, and one that will make
itself secure even where exposed to heavy
gales. The generic name of Benthamia is in
honour of Mr. George Bentham, at one time
secretary to the Royal Horticultural Society
and so celebrated as a botanist.

Propagation is usually effected by means of
seeds, which germinate freely if sown when
ripe. They are best cleared from the pulp

* Drawn for The Gakden by H. G. Moon, from
flowers sent from Fota, July 13, 1890. Lithographed
and printed by Guillaume Severeyns.

4QV i 1890

ft/

fy

FTHAMI

Nov. 1, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

417

which surrounds them, and then sown in boxes
or pans of sandy loam placed either in a frame
or cool house. Where favourably situated the
young plants grow freely, and soon attain an
effective size. Layering may also be resorted
to, but as seed is usually so readily obtained,
this mode of propagation is rarely necessary.

Beside this Nepaulese Benthamia there is a
second species, B. japonica. This species with
yellowish red flowers was figured by Siebold,
and was said to have been introduced in 1847,
but it is doubtful if it is now in cultivation in
this country.

The following notes on this Benthamia have
been sent us by Mr. W. Osborne, Fota Island,
Cork, whom we have to thank for the fine spe-
cimen from which the drawing was made : —

This shrub has been introduced to British gar-
dens about sixty-five years, and although it has
been so long in cultivation it is but little known
and grown except in the south of Ireland, where
from the great rainfall and very humid atmosphere
it perhaps does better than in any part of the
British Isles. It grows very well in South Devon
and Cornwall, but in neither of these places does it
assume such a healthy appearance as here ; doubt-
less there are many other places where favourable
nooks in our gardens could, be found for this beau-
tiful shrub.

It belongs to the order Cornacese, and is a
native of Nepaul. The flowers, large, 2 inches
to 3 inches across, are of a creamy-white colour,
changing to rose at the margin of the petals, which
are four and sometimes five in number. It begins
to bloom about the end of May, and continues in
flower for two months : the fruits then begin to
swell, and in favourable seasons, when ripe, are
each over an inch in diameter, of a fine red colour,
and from their number and weight cause the
branches to bend. The tree thus laden with its
bright- coloured fruit, which hangs upon the tree
for several months and affords food to the
feathered tribe after all other more palatable fruits
are eaten, is very beautiful. The leaves are about
4 inches long, lanceolate, opposite, evergreen,
colour light green on upper side, and much
lighter on under side, forming a pleasing fea-
ture amongst dark-leaved Conifers and shrubs. It
is readily propagated by seeds, which here come up
spontaneously. It roots also from layers. Branches
which sweep the ground and are partly covered by
fallen leaves root readily without any further
trouble.

The habit of the shrub is bush shaped, spreading
its branches on the ground equal to the height,
which in an open suitable position will reach about
30 feet, but when less room is afforded by planting
other shrubs around it, it will grow much higher.
It will do well in any good garden soil in a suitable
locality. By its numerous small roots it is evident
it can take up a large quantity of moisture, which
is necessary for its well-doing.

version of the pulp into what has proved to be a
very pleasant and enjoyable preserve, soft, firm,
and by the aid of a little ginger and essence of
lemon admirably flavoured. Vegetable Marrow
preserve is now found in myriads of households,
but not in shops, except, perhaps, as in scarce
years like the present to give body to the scarcer
varieties of fruit. Then, of all things, Beetroot is
found to make a pleasant preserve. I have had the
Cheltenham Green-top Black so employed, and
very nice it is, the flesh soft and of the finest
texture. This is flavoured with various elements,
Cinnamon, Ginger, Lemon, &c. Another unusual
material, and always cheap enough, is Carrot ; good
clean, fleshy roots properly prepared, well boiled,
and flavoured give both charming colour and a soft,
sweet and pleasing preserve. — A. D.

Common preserves. — The utilisation of pro-
ducts other than of garden fruit for the makirig of
preserves is a matter which may well interest all
who are concerned in foods. Mr. G.F.Wilson recently
demonstrated the use of the heps of Kosa rugosa
for the making of jelly, but the heps of the common
Brier have long been utilised in a similar way in
some parts of the country, especially when garden
fruits are scarce. This year, for instance, with
gardens rather thin in fruit there has been quite
a remarkable crop of all kinds of wild fruits, and
especially of Rose heps, so that any quantity might
have been had for the gathering. Blackberries,
too, have been largely used for the making of pre-
serves, but these have the defects of rather flat
flavour and a too plentiful supply of seed, which
militate against the use of the produce with satis-
faction. I have induced my wife to try her hand
with Tomatoes, with some success, having always a
considerable quantity of fruits producing seed,
which in the process of seed extracting and clean-
ing would be left to half decay but for the con-

Orchard and Fruit Garden

STORING POT STRAWBERRIES.
Many and various are the contrivances for
storing and protecting Strawberries in pots dur-
ing winter, each cultivator, as a rule, adopting
that which best suits the conveniences of the
place. Probably, however, if a little thought
was exercised in the matter, more regard being
paid to the requirements of the plants than to
the means at hand for storing them, fewer sub-
sequent failures, partial or complete, would
occur. The only thing about the plants not
really frost-proof is the pots, yet this fact evi-
dently is frequently overlooked, the plants be-
ing unduly coddled and, as a consequence,
never enjoy that complete rest so necessary in
order to ensure a strong and, it may be, early
blooming period when the time comes to start
them. Who has not seen hundreds of plants
stored in frames and pits, and as carefully pro-
tected from frost as Pelargoniums and other
bedding plants, and still more instances of the
few dozens grown on a place being housed be-
fore severe frosts set in. Too often those
stored in frames or under glass in any way
frequently become far too dry at the roots to
make good progress when called upon to do so,
the loss of numerous root-fibres having a most
pre j udicial effect upon them. With Strawberries,
as with various other subjects, an enforced
rest, such as exposure to cold frosty weather
promotes, is of the greatest benefit, a subsequent
change to a higher temperature being quickly
followed by a healthy growth of foliage and
plenty of strong bunches of flower. Those un-
duly coddled rarely respond satisfactorily to an
increase in temperature, the foliage being
weakly and probably insect-infested, while the
flower-stems are feeble and not unfrequently re-
fuse to push up clear of the foliage. Blindness
is also to be attributed to storing in dry frames,
pits and houses, this being evidenced by the
fact that plants of similar age in the open
ground rarely if ever fail to bloom well.

All that is really necessary or advisable in
the case of pot Strawberries generally is to
adopt some method of protecting the pots only,
the plants being exposed to all weathers till re-
quired for forcing. Where the plants can be
numbered by many hundreds or by the thou-
sand, a good open, level position with an ash
bottom is usually available for standing them on
while they are growing and maturing the crowns.
Such quarters are equally suitable for storing
them during the winter. All that is wanted is
a few stout boards 12 inches or less in depth,
and a few strong stakes for driving into the
ground. With these the requisite number of
temporary frames can be formed of sufficient
strength to hold either ashes, spent tan, fresh
leaves, or whatever plunging material may be
used. In the latter the pots should be plunged

so as to almost bury the rims, and they may be
placed more closely together than they have
been standing previously. If leaves are used
these ought to be well rammed about the pots,
and any other plunging material should be made
firm, or otherwise the pots may in time become
exposed. These precautions may not pre-
vent the loss of a few pots, the ex-
pansion of the soil during the prevalence of a
very severe frost causing them to crack, but
these losses are trifling compared with what
would happen if they were not plunged, and
taking into consideration the benefit the plants
derive from being kept under more natural
conditions, the balance is all in favour of the
plan recommended. When only a few hun-
dred plants are prepared for forcing, these might
well be stored in spare frames, brick or rough
pits, the pots being plunged as previously ad-
vised, and no lights put over them. If not so
plunged and the lights are used, then ought
these to be drawn off as much as possible, and
water should be given whenever the plants are
seen to be in a somewhat dry state at the roots.
Some growers still adopt the old-fashioned plan
of storing pot Strawberries either in cones or
in sloping banks against walls. In this instance
either ashes, Cocoa-nut fibre, or leaves are
used, the pots being firmly surrounded with
this material as they are packed one above an-
other, and facing outwards. When the work
is well done, the banks or cones of plants rarely
collapse, but it often happens that the plants
become far too dry at the roots, and, on the
whole, this method of storing Strawberries has
little to commend it. Either of the other
alternatives of storing in the open are prefer-
able, and the one or other of them is surely
within the reach of all. Worms apparently are
soon attracted to Strawberries in pots, and as
they clog the drainage, they should be kept
out as much as possible. Hence the necessity
of storing above the level of the ground and
for a thick layer of ashes underneath.

W. Iggulden.

BLACKBERRIES.
Nevee has there been a finer time than we have
experienced this year for the ripening of Black-
berries, and never have they been in greater de-
mand. Jam appears to have become so much of a
necessity that it must be made from something,
and Damsons and Plums being so scarce, there has
been such a demand for Blackberries that they
have been making as much as 12s. per bushel. In
this neighbourhood, where they are plentiful, the
hedgerows have been gone over again and again,
not only by residents anxious to fill up the gap in
the jam cupboard, but also by men who have taken
away large quantities to popular districts, where
apparently they have found a ready sale. ^The
question of Blackberry culture for profit has fre-
quently been discussed in gardening papers, and
there is no doubt that if the fruit in a general way
was only one-third as valuable as this year, Black-
berry growing would be as profitable as any other
branch of hardy fruit culture. It may be said why
cultivate a fruit that is produced abundantly in a
wild state when there are others more valuable to
occupy the land with ? but one thing in favour of
the Blackberry is that it never fails to fruit ; whereas
other hardy fruits cannot be depended on to do so.
Blackberries bloom so late that the flowers are
never injured by frost, and the plant is not liable
to disease of any kind. Whether the same can be
said of the American varieties I do not know, but
they do not seem to have met with much apprecia-
tion from English fruit growers, although in some
places they grow and fruit very well. If we could
get a Blackberry as hardy and fruitful as our own
native kinds, and that would be as indifferent to
soil and situation, there would naturally be a
greater inducement to cultivate this fruit for jam-

418

THE GAEDEK

[Nov. 1, 1890.

making and other purposes. I should never ad-
vise giving up to Blackberries land naturally well
adapted to fruits or other things of a more valu-
able nature, but there are thousands of acres at
the present time that do not return a shilling an
acre annually to the owners. It seems a pity
that so much land that would produce fruit of
some kind should remain in a more or less barren
condition. In some years Blackberries might be
scarcely worth gathering, but this is the case
occasionally with some of our cultivated fruits,
and when, as not infrequently happens, Plums and
Damsons fail, a few acres of Blackberries would
be worth money. My impression is that there
will be an increasing demand for this fruit.

J. C. B.

LIFTING FRUIT TREES.
There is sound practical teaching in the articles
that have appeared recently in The Garden on
this subject, and, as the writers observe, it is doubt-
less advisable to practise the plan in many cases.
I should, however, like to draw attention to the
fact that the operation must not be commenced
without due regard to the peculiar circumstances
of the case, both with regard to climatic influences
and nature of root action. I remember asking a
friend who spent some time in South-west Devon, on
a damp heavy soil in an atmosphere often charged
with a fine misty rain, how he was off for Apricots,
Peaches, and Nectarines. The first he told me
were a failure ; the others, he added, " do well, but
we are obliged to lift the trees every other year."
Now as a marked contrast to this the Peaches and
Nectarines here are never lifted ; the older trees that
have seen probably nearly fifty summers have cer-
tainly not been lifted for the past twenty-five years,
neither has there been occasion to perform the
operation on any of the younger plants some ten
and twelve years old, and yet we get annually heavy
crops of fruit. There is no doubt that the annual
rainfall is much less here than in Devon and the
atmosphere less humid, and that this is accountable
in a measure for a shorter and more stocky growth
and more quickly ripened wood, but the latter
characteristics are doubtless mainly attributable
to a drier soil and subsoil, and consequently a less
luxuriant growth. Where the subsoil is sand
or gravel, and this rather close to the surface,
I do not think if the border for Peaches and Necta-
rines is well made at the outset there will be any
occasion to lift the trees until they are thoroughly
worn out, and this, as mentioned at the commence-
ment of these notes, is most emphatically a ques-
tion of time. A good planting compost in such
natural surroundings consists of two parts road
sidings (the stiffest and most binding obtainable
in the neighbourhood), one part sandy loam, and
one part well decomposed cow manure. The ad-
mixture of the last-named has a tendency to bind
the soil when it becomes wet, or it would other-
wise become very light and porous with the gradual
decay of the more fibrous portions of the road
sidings. Firmly planted in such a compost the
trees require no further attention unless the sum-
mer prove hot and dry, when they get early in the
season a good mulching of half decayed stable
manure, which acts as a check to the probable drying
and consequent loss of surface fibres under the in-
fluence of a powerful sun. Without, therefore,
wishing in any way to disparage the useful advice
given on the subject of root-pruning and tree-lift-
ing, I would caution the young gardener to use a
wholesome discretion in the matter and to avoid
any eager haste in the lifting of fruit trees. If
fruit is not obtainable without the aid of such
operation, by all means perform it, but if sturdy
wood and good fruit are the rule, I say leave well
alone. As a matter of fact the removal and re-
planting of fruit trees on light soils where the sub-
soil is sand or gravel entail a lot of extra labour
the following summer, especially if the weather
prove hot and dry. E. B.

Claremont.

New Apples. — At this season, when the cata-
logues are coming out, a word as to the danger of
purchasing new Apples may not be amiss. Some of

the new early Apples that are being sent out have
very little value for flavour, being poor, mawkish
things. It takes so long to grow a fruit tree, that
there is no greater waste in rural work than giving
space to kinds that are inferior or unknown. We
do not shut the door against all change, but it is a
good rule in Apple growing to plant only what we
know to be good. There are also too many early
kinds already, and they are being planted so much,
that there will in a few years be a glut of them in
the markets. It would be well for our fruit-grow-
ing of the future if some nurserymen would grow
only good stocks of the kinds they know to be best
for their various districts, and these should be as
well grown as they could be on the best stocks,
perfectly clean from scale or American blight, not
hide-bound, strong and clean in growth, and with
good roots. — Field.

THE FACTS ABOUT VINE BORDERS.

I am induced, by "A. D.'s" remarks lately
on. the denunciations indulged in at the Grape
Conference on ' ' the common practice of cover-
ing up outside Vine borders with a heavy mass
of manure," to say how regrettable it is that
such wholesale assumptions should be allowed
to pass and be taken for granted. There never
has been any such ' ' common practice " as the
one given in inverted commas above. Early and
second early Vine borders when outside are
often covered by a lining of stable litter
and leaves of sufficient depth to generate a
gentle heat to the roots, and so equalise the
root and top temperature in some degree, and
so beneficial were these coverings acknowledged
to be and their good effects so apparent, that
modern growers recommended the same end to
be accomplished by bringing the borders inside
and putting hot- water pipes below them with-
out any division between the roots and the pipes,
a practice which, judged by results and the
extent to which the plan has been adopted, has
been a complete failure, while the hot linings not
only outside, but even inside are going on yet.
Mr. Douglas, of Loxford, was a staunch advo-
cate of both practices, and a successful Grape
grower while he stuck to them, and Mr.
Henderson, of Cole Orton, never deviated
from the practice for forty years, and dur-
ing his time was feared as a competitor
wherever he went. I like to see facts and
logical deductions in gardening as well as in
other sciences, but they seem to be shunned,
and plausible and sounding phrases that have
no foundation substituted instead. The "heavy
masses of manure " referred to were not what
these words imply, were not put on as
manure, but were put on for protection and
heat after manures proper had been applied
underneath , and they were taken off again as
soon as the cold weather was past. When it
could be afforded the linings were covered by a
tarpaulin or shutters to keep out moisture.

I admit that the right way to feed a Vine or
any other plant is to supply the roots in the
most ready and convenient form with the sub-
stances actually wanted to build up the plant,
but the artificial fertilisers have not succeeded
in doing that yet, and there is much dispute
among experts as to the permanent action and
effects of artificials while £20 a ton price when
horse droppings are at 4s., as Mr. Roberts aptly
puts it, constitute a factor that gardeners can-
not disregard. Let us discuss Grape growing
or any other kind of fruit culture by all means,
but let us proceed on sure grounds and on sub-
stantial data conscientiously applied. I have
special books on fruit culture before me now so
dogmatic and empirical and so inconsistent one
chapter with another, although written with an
air of wisdom and authority, that if they were

about any other subject in which truth and
accuracy was likely to be brought to the test
before a competent tribunal they would be cast
into the fire. J. S. W.

HARDY FRUIT AT THE GUILDHALL.
There is too much reason to fear that the general
public may have drawn from the truly remark-
able display of hardy fruit seen at the Guildhall last
week three several deductions ;- first, that in spite
of reports to the contrary, there was really an
abundance of fruit in the country ; second, that
the samples seen at the show represented the aver-
age Apple and Pear productions of the country ;
and, third, as a consequence we ought to be able
to compete easily enough with the American fruit
growers in our own markets. Where pleasant
illusions exist it is not at all easy to undertake
to dispel them ; at the same time it would be a mis-
fortune were the public to be allowed to remain in
complete ignorance of facts in relation to the fruits
as presented at the Guildhall. The show was
promoted ostensibly to promote hardy fruit culture
in the country by inviting exhibits of fruit from
all classes of growers, including cottagers and ten-
ant farmers. Such display as was made by these
classes represented the proportion of about one in
the hundred, the bulk being obtained from nursery
gardens covering hundreds of acres, and the pro-
duce literally of thousands of trees, or else of gen-
tlemen's kitchen gardens, and plantations of dwarf,
bush or trained trees, and in all cases representing
cost of production far in excess of what it would
be possible to grow fruit for ordinary market pur-
poses. The Apples and Pears from nurseries and
gardens were indeed wonderful samples. Taken
altogether, finer, perhaps, never have been seen, a
tribute at once to the general thinness of the
crop, the abundant rains of the past summer,
and the beautiful maturing weather experienced
during September. Looked at from a purely
profitable aspect, it is very doubtful whether
the huge fruits seen at the show present
the most remunerative form of fruit production.
Fairly good- sized, firm, handsome fruits produced
in great abundance on older trees, sized and packed
with at least ordinary care will be found far more
profitable than huge specimens which astonish
visitors at shows, but alarm market men, because
of the tendency in such case to softness and early
decay. However valuable fruits of this sort may be
as nursery advertisements, and doubtless they are
such effectually, it must be readily admitted that the
nursery method of large fruit production will never
solve the problem of foreign competition. That
our nurserymen do produce the best trees in the
world of all the finest kinds of fruit, and, on the
whole, cheaply and in enormous quantities, there
can be no doubt, and more can hardly be expected
of them. Then comes the question, In what form
of later culture shall we look for profitable fruit
production 1 The present season has seen a gene-
ral failure on the part of old and ordinary grown
standard and bush trees ; we have practically the
smallest Apple crop of the decade, although the
fact remains that there are a good many Apples
in the country. What fruits have been found
have come chiefly from the dwarf bush and
trained trees on the Paradise stock, and it is this
stock which has so largely helped to create size in
the fruit, because the roots run so near the surface
of the ground. The heavy rains of the summer
combined with the fine autumn weather have, how-
ever, conduced to the production at once of abun-
dant growth on all old trees, standard or other-
wise, and the buds from which fruit will come
next year are of the finest and most plentiful,
so that the lesson of the present year, which
directly favours dwarf trees, will next year
be read in favour of old-established trees, as or-
chards universally will be loaded with produce.
Nothing can be more misleading in relation to
hardy fruit culture, Apples especially, than that we
should be guided in future planting solely by the
lessons derivable from one season only. An ave-
rage of fruit years would afford lessons of the
greatest value, and it is only when accurate obser-

Nov. 1, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

419

vations are kept of each year's production and its
general character that any fair, reliable estimate
of the best methods of hardy fruit culture for profit
can be obtained. Just as at the Guildhall the
great bulk of the exhibits were Apples, so in our
discussions on hardy fruit, all argument seems
to finally resolve itself into considerations of Apple
culture. That such very poor results flowed from
the classes set apart for cottagers and farmers
was doubtless due to some extent to the imper-
fect knowledge of the show. To some extent
also was it due that Apples generally are scarce. It
was worthy of note that in the chief competition
for cottagers, that of the southern counties, the
principal prizes fell to a grower who can hardly be
classed as a cottager in the ordinary acceptation
of the term, and should have shown as an amateur.
Still there were some very good fruits in the sec-
tion, and it would have been most instructive
could we have learnt on what form of trees and
generally how produced. The most successful
out of the half-dozen exhibitor farmers in the
same section was from Berkshire, his trees
being dwarfs on the Paradise stock and grown in
an ordinary kitchen garden. So far that is good,
because products of that sort help to encourage
farmers, but it is very doubtful whether the pro-
ducts are, from a market point of view, profit-
able. Should these classes be formed in any future
show promoted by the Fruiterers' Company, it
would greatly help to favour both methods of
Apple culture were samples invited from dwarf
trees in farm gardens, and from orchard trees on
the Crab stock. That the two forms of produce
should be in the same competition is of course
wrong. One great fact taught by the show was
that the finest and best coloured Apples come from
the home and southern counties. All the best
prizes in the south-eastern zone section went to
Kent, largely because of the rich colour the
abundant sunshine and chalky subsoil produce.
Could the show have been laid out in so spacious an
area as the Crystal Palace, the respective exhibits
being placed in geographical order, the exceeding
preponderance of the south-eastern section over
the other zones would have been much more easily
and forcibly demonstrated.

In embarking upon hardy fruit culture, it is very
important we should learn which parts of the king-
dom give first the best general crops, and second
the best average size and colour. For reasons
already given, it would not be fair to draw con-
clusions solely from the recent show. After we
have had a series of shows based on geographical
areas, it would then be very possible for the
Fruiterers' Company to issue a map of the best
Apple, Pear, Plum, and Cherry districts, being
specifically coloured, and no better guide to the
intending fruit grower could well be found.
He would only have to consult the map and
study its lessons to be enabled to see in which
part of the kingdom was the best fruit loca-
tion. A calendar carefully compiled, showing
the average nature of the crops of hardy fruits
in each county from year to year, would also
be of great service. We have our annual fruit re-
ports, but no one seems to take them in hand and
compile them for general benefit ; and yet it would
be of great advantage to be able to ascertain in
some condensed form how the fruit crops had
varied in the preceding ten or twenty years. In rela-
tion to fruit we seem to ignore statistics, except it
be that now and then there is flashed before our
eyes like a red rag to a bull, for the purpose of
exciting alarm, figures which show the enormous
nature of fruit importations from outside the king-
dom. Referring to the Guildhall show generally,
it cannot be said that the buildings permitted of a
striking display being produced. With a broader
expanse of tabling and much less circuitous connec-
tion, the show might have proved very effective.
The extraordinary nature of the competitions, espe-
cially in the south-eastern section, snowed that ex-
ceeding interest had been taken in the exhibition,
and many collections were worthy of much better
fortune than being left out in the cold. In one class
alone — that for three dishes of kitchen and three
of dessert Apples— there were no less than thirty-

five collections. It seems obvious that to equalise the
competitions somewhat, all exhibitors in the larger
classes should be excluded from the smaller ones,
whilst fruits on Paradise and Quince stocks should
not compete with fruit from Crab and Pear stocks.
As it was, the other day orchard tree fruits stood
not the least chance of recognition. If the failure
of so many to secure prizes should deter them from
showing again, no harm will result, as many fresh
exhibitors will rush in next year. As it was, the
capacity of the Guildhall and its annexes was
tested to the utmost, and if a larger show should
be held next year, a more capacious building will
have to be found. A. D.

FRUIT AT CRAWLEY.

Crawxey is famous for its fruit, and this repu-
tation has been gained from the nurseries of
Messrs. Cheal and Sons, who for the past
twenty years have paid great attention to the
growth of Apples, Pears, Plums, Cherries,
Peaches and Nectarines. The Lowfield Nur-
series are about eighty acres in extent, but the
acreage is constantly extending through the ac-
quirement of surrounding fields. The situation
is flat and low-lying, at one time a swamp, but
now converted into a fruit garden by thorough
draining and working of the soil. Great diffi-
culties have had to be fought against to gain the
results that are so plainly reflected in the excel-
lent collections of Apples and Pears that are ex-
hibited at the leading London shows. The re-
sults are surprising when it is recollected that
the ground is artificially drained, and consists
of a heavy loam, quite unlike the silky soil
that produces the marvellous growth and fruit
in the adjoining county of Kent. Apples may
be seen at Crawley grown in various ways, some
to suit the market grower, others for the ama-
teur who wishes to have a few trees, but has
little space to grow them in. One interesting
feature is what may be called a wired fruit gar-
den adapted for the amateur, and giving a good
return for labour expended. The trees are
upright cordons, planted closely together in
double rows with a space of 3 feet between each,
and covered with w ire. When the fruit is gathered
the wire is removed, and again put on in early
spring before the time of flowering. Apples only
are treated here thus, but such an arrangement
is adapted for other things, and amateurs, or
those who wish to grow only a few choice fruits,
may make note of it with profit. Such a garden,
of course, is fanciful in a degree, but fine produce
may be obtained unpecked by birds, and by
throwing over a net when frosts are expected a
o-ood crop is practically assured. Such kinds as
Cox's Orange Pippin, Loddington Seedling, and
the Yellow Ingestrie were in full bearing, the
fruits large and well coloured.

Many of the trees were carrying excellent
crops of Apples, but none more so than the
great Sussex Apple The Forge, a highly-col-
oured, conical kind, beautiful in appearance,
and excellent eating about Christmas. Its
branches bend with the weight of fruit, even in
such a season as this, when in many orchards it
is difficult to gather a bushel. In many parts
of Sussex it is grown commonly in cottage gar-
dens, and the same freedom characterises it
whether the season is bad or good for other
kinds. It makes a handsome spreading standard,
it which form it is much grown at Crawley.
Winter Queening and the deep green Alfriston
are two other famous Sussex Apples of known
excellence. There are, of course, trained trees
of all kinds — oblique and upright cordons, bush
trees, ifce. , but some of the best fruits were from
the trees on the Paradise stock. Ribston Pip-
pin was fruiting well. Colonel Vaughan was
bearing with exceptional freedom. It is a bright

pretty Apple of the Forge type, crisp, slightly
acid in flavour a little later on, unlike the
mealy things that are too often catalogued with
a string of virtues to their name. Lord Gros-
venor, Scarlet Nonpareil, Lane's Prince Albert,
Reinette du Canada, Dutch Mignonne, Hor-
mead's Pearmain, Egremont Russet, Ecklin-
ville, and Golden Spire were bearing well. This
fact is mentioned as of some importance in a
season of general scarcity. Two Apples of dis-
tinct promise — in truth they have already be-
come largely cultivated — are Schoolmaster and
Bismarck, both of fine appearance, suitable for
cooking, free-bearing, and large. Several splen-
did dishes of them have been shown at the ex-
hibitions this season. Of course, this must
necessarily be a brief review of the Apples at
Crawley, but all varieties worth anything are
grown, and the large batches of trees of one va-
riety, also rows of the more excellent kinds
side by side, show that the fruit is cultivated
with a careful and liberal hand.

But the Pear receives as much attention as the
Apple, and the rich health of the trees in the
various shapes and on the different stocks indi-
cates that great attention is given to it, which is
essential to produce the fine fruits shown by
Messrs. Cheal at the recent Royal Aquarium
show. There is also a house of Pears with
cordon trees trained up the roof, and this
shelter gives protection from frosts, unfavour-
able summers, and makes a good crop certain.
There is no artificial heat, the house costs little,
and requires less to maintain. A few varieties
we noticed as of merit. One was called Bon
Vicar, a French Pear, which if it tastes as good
as it looks is an excellent variety. Everything
depends upon flavour ; we must have good
quality. Princess (Rivers) is another Pear that
has been shown well this season. It is a big,
showy kind, but we know nothing as to its
quality. Very fine fruits of Emilie d'Heyst
were also in this house of Pears. We object to
growing, however, any hardy fruit under glass.

Apples and Pears have received longer notice
for the reason that they are now in fruit, but
the large breadths of Plums all in rich health,
especially such fine market kinds as The Czar
and Monarch ; Nectarines, Peaches, and Cher-
ries, including, of course, the Morello, show
that they are in demand.

Fruit is not the only thing thought of. The
interesting collections of Dahlias, flowering trees
and shrubs, Roses, and hardy perennials fill
several broad acres, and thrive well, especially
Roses, which on the stiff, somewhat cold soil
one would expect to make slow progress.

American Blackberries.— I note that Mr.
Wilson has fruited the Wilson Jun. Blackberry
successfully this year, and that he hopes to have it
finer next season. He must certainly have got it
in the right soil or aspect. I paid much attention
to this variety some four or five years ago
when it came out with a great name, and I
treated it in much the same way as Raspberries,
giving it an open sunny position, thinning freely,
and training to a stranded wire. The result
was disappointing in the extreme— in fact the
fruits were inferior to those of our hedge Bramble,
and the wood was coarse and scarcely showed a
dozen fruits on a shoot. I am under the impres-
sion that some inferior varieties must have been
sent over, as I tried our plants three seasons and
they completely failed. If they had been under
trees or in an unfavourable position I could
have understood it, but they had every encourage-
ment. I also found this the case in other gardens.
I succeeded much better by growing the common
variety, as with good cultivation it is not to be de-
spised, and is valuable for many purposes. The

420

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 1, 1890.

fruit comes of a fair size when the shoots are kept
well thinned and the plants given an open sunny
place.— G. Wythes.

PREPARING A SITE FOR FIG TREES.

When a Fig tree fails to bear a fair crop of
fruit annually, the cause must be sought for
at the roots. In the ease of many trees the
branches may be too crowded for the wood to
get perfectly ripened. Still, if the roots are
in a suitable medium near the surface, so as
to be under the influence of solar warmth,
there will be some fruit. In damp situations,
or where the subsoil is of a heavy nature, it
will be better to keep whatever preparation is
made for the roots well up from the damp
subsoil. In such case I should prefer to lay
down a base 6 feet square of concrete 0 inches
deep. Cart a couple of loads of soil from an
old pasture, if obtainable, and mix with it
half a load of builder's rubbish from the debris
of old buildings, containing a large proportion
of old plaster. Plant the Fig tree on the top,
with its roots from 6 inches to 9 inches from
the surface. The roots, of course, would dur-
ing the first dry summer make an effort to
push down strong feeders over the edge of the
base of concrete, but it would be an easy
matter to deal with these either in the au-
tumn or spring. I have lifted the roots of
Fig trees at both seasons with about equal
results, and with an impenetrable base 6 feet
square beneath them, the roots, passing over
the edge of the concrete, would be none the
worse for an annual lift up. When the roots
are kept near the surface, and the young
wood properly thinned in summer, so that
it may become hard and firm, there is not
much danger to be apprehended from
the frosts of an average winter. Still, unlike
most other fruit trees, the Fig is not injured
by being thinly covered in winter, and, to make
sure, it is generally advisable to cover the
branches towards Christmas, as there is never
any frost severe enough to injure the wood of
Fig trees before the middle of December. There
are various ways of affording protection ; per-
haps the simplest is to unnail the branches,
draw them together, and cover with Spruce or
Yew branches. Dry Bracken will do as well,
so will straw, or mats may be nailed over them.
No great thickness of anything is required, and,
as I have already said, in ordinary seasons no
covering will be wanted ; it is only to meet the
severe winters which visit us at more or less
lengthy intervals that I should cover at all.
The site for the Fig trees must be a sunny one.
The best all-round kind for the open air with
which I am acquainted is the Brown Turkey.
I am told there are many varieties of Figs grown
in Italy and in other Fig-growing countries that
would be worth a trial here, and there is the
possibility of something being done by raising
seedlings, but Figs are queer things to hy-
bridise. Still, there is hope for the raiser of seed-
ling Figs, as we are not yet overburdened with
really good Figs suitable for open-air culture.
Under fairly good management there never
need be a failure ot the Fig crop, as the young
fruits do not start into growth till the weather is
settled, and the blossoming period comes a good
deal later. E. H.

as a standard, so cannot give any opinion as to its be-
haviour in this way. It is very hardy, and for small
gardens or where room is limited it will he found
useful. — G. Wythes, Syon House.

The Phylloxera. — It is remarkable that while
the best known wine-growing districts of Hungary
have been devastated by the ravages of the Phylloxera,
the insect has scarcely appeared in Transylvania. The
Transylvanian wines which, with the exception of the
Celna wine, which is always in high repute, have had
but little sale hitherto, are now in great demand and
fetch high prices.

Packing Grapes. — It would he of much benefit
to amateurs should Mr. A. Dean allow us to know
how and by what means the Grapes from Leeds were
packed to travel 200 miles, and arrive at Chiswick in
perfect condition ; also the Gannersbury method of
packing into the box or basket. Baskets with one
handle are the best for transit; corded boxes are
carried and put dowu any side uppermost ; thus con-
tents are liable to get damaged. — R. H. B.

Keeping Walnuts. — In answer to "W. F."
(Garden, Oct. 18, p. 3S3), the best way to keep Wal-
nuts in good condition for some months is to pack them
in cases in layers with sawdust, always having a good
quantity of sawdust both at the bottom and top of the
cases. Nail on the lids as air-tight as possible, and keep
them in a moist cellar. I have tasted Walnuts in Feb-
ruary very good kept in this way. — Thomas B. Rol-
lisson.

I find the best thing to do is, as soon as

gathered, to spread them out in the sun until they
easily come out of the green covering. Clean this off
and dry them, and put them in tins or boxes. Mix a
little sand with them, and put them in a cool cellar. —
M. Lovett.

SHORT NOTES.— FRUIT.

Apple Lane's Prince Albert.— This, I think,
is one of the best Apples for cooking we have. In
the most adverse seasons it crops well and also keeps
well. I saw this Apple exhibited late last spring in
splendid condition, and on our light soil, with a good
mulcb, pyramids do remarkably well, and when grown
as an espalier it is a suro cropper. I have not tried it

NOTES ON STRAWBERRIES.
The following notes on Strawberries which
we are enabled to publish through the kindness
of our correspondents will doubtless prove in-
teresting to our readers. They have been sent
us from all parts of the United Kingdom. We
print the questions which we desired to have
answered : —

1. — Best Itinds for forcing and hearing.
2. — Best lands for flavour.

3. — What are your lest early and late kinds for
open-air culture ?

£ — Wliat is your opinion of the new varieties that
have been lately sent out?

5.' — Mode of cultivation, whether as single stools
or in beds.

With regard to varieties, Noble stands at

the head of the list both for earliness and size, but
not for flavour. We find young plants produce
fruit much earlier than old. ones. We still rely
upon some of the old varieties for the main crop,
Sir Joseph Paxton and Loxford HaU Seedling being
best. The Captain has done well the last two sea-
sons, and is a good, handsome Strawberry. Mar-
guerite is a fine cropper and of good flavour, but
very soft, and will not bear much handling. The
old Grove End Scarlet still remains in favour for
preserving, and cultivated on the " grow-up-as-you
please" system, seldom fails to produce a good crop.
For dessert fruit we trench deep, with plenty of
manure, keep the ground as free from weeds as
possible, never dig between the rows. We mulch with
long litter in spring, and destroy the beds after
the third season, planting a new one every year to
keep up the supply.— W. Holah, Redleaf, Pens-
hurst.

The best kinds for forcing are Vicom-

tesse Hencart de Thury, La Grosse Sucree,
Keen's Seedling, President, James Veitch, British
Queen, Sir Charles Napier. The best kinds
for flavour are Keen's Seedling, British Queen,
President, Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, Lox-
ford Hall Seedling, Sir Charles Napier. The
best early and late kinds for open-air culture are
Keen's Seedling, Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, La
Grosse Sucree, President, early kinds ; Frogmore
Late Pine, Loxford Hall Seedling, late kinds. Our
mode of cultivation is as follows : A new plantation
is made every year, this being a very late locality.
We never put strong farmyard manure on Straw-

berry ground, neither do we crop the same season,
as when planted the more the ground is sweetened
and mellowed the better for the plants. About
May, when the final forking of the bed is done, we
give it a coating of old Mushroom manure. The
runners are layered into 3-inch pots. We give the
beds a dressing in autumn of loam, a little old
potting soil being added ; on that a coat from old
Mushroom beds. In filling the fruiting pots we
never use manure of any kind, good, strong, fibrous
yellow loam, a liberal supply of old lime rubble, and
the burnt earth of the refuse fire being the compost
we pot with. The Strawberries that do best in this
locality are Keen's Seedling, Vicomtesse Hencart
de Thury, President, La Grosse Sucree, Sir Charles
Napier, James Veitch, Frogmore Late Pine. This
season on the 31st of May we had 7° of frost, that
turned black and killed all expanded blossoms. —
John Rainbow, Broughton Hall, Sldpton.

I only grow a few good old sorts of Straw-
berries, such as Keen's Seedling, President, British
Queen, and Eleanor. As our garden lies low and
the soil rather wet, I find that all sorts that throw
their blossoms well above the foliage, as many of
the larger and newer sorts do, are almost invariably
injured by the late frosts in spring, causing the
fruits, where not entirely destroyed, to become mis-
shapen and the plants unproductive. — Robert
Squibb, Iclimorth, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk.

The kinds we grow are Keen's Seedling,

Hencart de Thury, Noble (the fruit of which is
early and fine, but deficient in flavour), President,
and Empress Eugenie, an old variety, but still one
of the best for cropping and flavour. I have also
tried Sir J. Paxton and Sir C. Napier, but on our
light soils in dry seasons they are subject to mil-
dew. The plants are grown as single stools, and
never allowed to stand more than two years. The
best I consider for forcing are Vicomtesse Hericart
de Thury and President. — F. Dodds, Herringswell
House, Mildenhall.

The best early varieties outdoors here and

in this neighbourhood are Pauline, Vicomtesse
Hericart de Thury, and Keen's Seedling ; and for
midseason, President, Sir J. Paxton, and James
Veitch. The best late varieties are Waterloo and
Nimrod. This last variety is well worthy the atten-
tion of both market and private growers. The sys-
tem generally followed to give tbe best results are
plantations having the rows 2 feet apart and the
plants 1 foot asunder in the rows, and kept to single
stools. Many ways have been tried, but this is the
best where quantity and quality are required. The
Captain is a good cropper, and of very good brisk
flavour here. Jubilee has cropped weU ; not of first-
rate flavour. Noble, fine cropper, but poor flavour.
The season has been against anyone forming a cor-
rect opinion of flavour in Strawberries this season.
— J. T. Ebbtjtt, Winslade Gardens.

Strawberries, with the single exception of

Raspberries, were the crops of the season this year.
In the eastern counties especially, and throughout
the greater portion of England, it is hardly ever too
wet for the latter, and the cool, moist June and wet
early half of July produced extraordinarily fine crops
of Raspberries of abnormaUy fine quality. Even
Strawberries suffered less from the wet and cold
than might have been anticipated. The earlier
part of June was dry as well as cool, and the rain
when it came and while it lasted developed and
retarded, rather than injured the crops. We grow
but few varieties in quantity — simply Keen's Seed-
ling, Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, and President.
We used to grow Frogmore Late Pine, Elton Pine,
and Black Prince. We grow our crops in rows
from 2 feet to 2i feet apart, and 14 feet to 2 feet
in the rows. We have also grown a few in beds,
and a sort of row and hybrid style of allowing the
late runners to fruit with or after the permanent
plants, and also as maiden plants on specially fa-
voured or warm places, also what may be called
biennial culture — that is, planting out forced
plants, taking one enormous maiden crop off them
in the open, and forthwith destroying them and
using their tops as a manure for a succeeding crop
of Broccoli. I still consider our three main sorts
the best for forcing and general use in gardens

Nov. 1, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

421

such as ours, where the British Queen refuses to
grow. As to new early and late sorts, I consider
Noble and Latest of All really valuable and distinct
acquisitions, the latter continuing to bear in suc-
cession longer than any Strawberry I hare hitherto
grown. — D. T. Fish, Hardn-ick House, Bury St.
Ed in unds.

Flower Garden.

MICHAELMAS DAISIES.
The illustration that accompanies these remarks
is seasonable in its appearance. We are now in
full enjoyment of the great autumn flower —
the Michaelmas Daisy, which, it is to be hoped,
has at last caught the fancy of those who wish

race, a rich selection of splendid kinds, afford-
ing a fine range of colours from the deepest
purple to the softest rose, with either a plant
of sturdy erect habit, or graceful and free, a pic-
ture of elegance and a delight to the true artist.
All this beauty is at the command of the gar-
dener, and it cannot be too widely spread
abroad that the perennial Aster, when the best
varieties are obtained, is the finest flower of
the autumn months, easy to grow, graceful, and
affording waving masses of varied colours. It
is not difficult to choose poor kinds when there
are about two hundred so-called species, three-
fourths of which we can leave to beautify
their native wilds. In old borders this type
of Aster was very common, and gained for

A bouquet of Michaelmas Daisies

for beautiful autumn gardens. Mr. Wolley Dod,
in The Garden of Oct. 18 (p. 374), mentions
the fact that " these flowers are only beginning
to be properly understood by gardeners," and
this slow appreciation of a charming class is not
to their credit, nor of those who profess to have
a keen admiration for hardy perennials. But
it is a comforting assurance to know that at last
the awakening has come. Perhaps one reason of
the banishment of Asters from even good gardens
was ignorance of the best kinds, and the use
only of the wild weedy things that had of neces-
sity to be tied up like sheafs of Corn. Of
course, to tie up a Michaelmas Daisy into a
formal bundle is utter folly, and it is foolish to
grow the tall, weedy, rampant varieties when
we have, thanks to a better knowledge of the

the plant the evil name which still clings
to it. There is no excuse now, and in a few
years we shall have a still greater selection
as the interest in the Aster deepens and seed-
lings are multiplied. The nomenclature is con-
fused, almost hopelessly so it seems, and the
great variability of the seedlings increases the
disorder that has become thoroughly perplex-
ing. In time things may right themselves, but
in the course of this article it may be mentioned
that the varieties described are to be had Gene-
rally true to name, and if sent out wrongly be-
tray carelessness on the part of the nursery-
men. In every garden we have visited this au-
tumn these have always been under the same
name. Mr. Wolley Dod (p. 374) gives some
very useful information on raising from seed,

and it should be carefully read by all interested
in the plants. There are, as he truly points
out, many ornamental kinds, and their names
are given here ; it is also true that some
are nondescript, and he further points out that
there is room for improvement. The Aster, as
a garden flower, is in its infancy. There are
many colours absent yet, but which by raising
seedlings may be reasonably expected, as a few
of the finest garden varieties are seedlings that
point the way to the great variety and improved
kinds that may be had by careful raising and
culture. The flowers as yet are small. Aster
Amellus bessarabicus bears the finest, and a
white counterpart to the deep lustrous blue
would be a revelation in the world of Asters —
beautiful in the garden and acceptable in the
house for filling vases. Mr. Dod gives his
own experience in raising seedlings, and has al-
ready met with success, but we believe others
have not been idle, Mr. G. F. Wilson
having also raised several good kinds not yet
named nor sent out. A certain number of
Asters are well known, and we may make spe-
cial reference to them, as there is' no difficulty,
or should not be, in procuring them true to
name. One of these is A. acris. This belongs
to the dwarf section, best represented by A.
Amellus. It is a very old plant, scarcely more
than a foot high, and in August and September
one mass of blue flowers, so thickly crowded
together as to hide the abundant leafage. Such
a flower may be made very bad use of in group-
ing it lumpily with early Chrysanthemums, but
for grouping by itself, or planting it in front of
dark green-leaved shrubs, or for a margin to a big
bed, no summer bedder can eclipse its splendid
richness of colour, free from garishness or
coarseness. Imagine a picture of Aster acris,
the Torch Lilies, Cardinal Flowers, and Japanese
Windflowers, a combination that would defy
the efforts of the man who thinks hardy flowers
were only intended for July and August to re-
produce with summer bedders. September and
October may be as rich in splendid colour as any
months of the year, and the Aster used largely
in the creation of brilliant colour effects. It is a
pleasure to find that in such public places as
the Royal Gardens, Kew, and at Battersea Park,
autumn is not a dead season. The rich breaks
of colour made by such varieties as acris at
Kew should lead many to use them in a similar
way ; and now that Battersea Park boasts of its
Asters, it may be expected that other parks will
also recognise their great merit.

There is yet much left undone in public gar-
dens in the way of planting bold masses of the
best hardy perennials. The big shrubberies,
groups of shrubs, and odd corners are the places
to show off to the full the rich beauty of the
Michaelmas Daisy, but nothing apparently has
been done at present to give beauty to dreary
colourless spots. Groups in front of these
shrubberies would give delight in the autumn
and we should hear less perhaps of the indoor
Chrysanthemum if there were something out-
side to share attention.

In an old garden of my acquaintance the
Michaelmas Daisy is its chief glory in the
autumn months. It provides a picture of simple
beauty full of variety, subtle colours and light
and shade which an artist would dwell upon with
infinite pleasure. Here one can see the advan-
tages of grouping in distinct masses, the plants
being placed amongst the Rhododendrons, over
which they throw their countless shoots of
variously coloured flowers. Cold does not hurt
them. This picture of hardy flowers is not
blurred by the first frost, but with the warmth
of the sun the branches rise fresh and fair as if
untouched by the withering frost that quickly

422

THE GARDEN".

[Nov. 1, 1890.

turns the Dahlias into a mass of corruption,
filling the air with an evil smell. There are
many gardens rich in Rhododendrons and other
shrubs that may be made beautiful in the
autumn months by planting amongst them the
Asters, as the soft lilac-blue Novi-Belgii, ele-
gans, &c. , free branching kinds whose shoots
toss about in the October winds with charming
grace. I never knew the true character of the
Michaelmas Daisy until I saw this garden of the
flower, planted in places and associated with
things that the man who thinks he has done
wonders by making a scroll bed would never
dream of. From the window of the Elizabethan
mansion, its stone walls covered with mossy
growth, one can view the waving masses of
Daisies tossing about in the wind, the rich blue
of the Agapanthuses and other hardy autumn
flowers, the broad expanse of meadow, and
the woods beyond. How unlike the garden
get out in long borders packed with Starworts
of the worst types in mathematical order.

Other dwarf varieties of worth are linari-
folius, illustrated by a coloured plate in The
Garden of February 23, 1889 ; the petals narrow
and pale blue, and the plant rather taller in
growth. Longifolius, rosy lilac, may be men-
tioned, also its variety formosus, the best of
this set.

The beauty of the taller group is of a diffe-
rent kind. We get here a gracefulness denied
the bushy forms, the dark blue Novas-Anglire
rising over 6 feet in height, and associating with
its charming rose-coloured variety called roseus.
Then we have the pale mauve turbinellus, the
varied coloured versicolor, exquisite in its di-
versity of shades ; ericoides, like a mass of white
stars ; and elegans, all from 3 feet to 4 feet in
height. After these in order of flowering comes
grandiflorus, the Christmas Starwort, which de-
serves a sheltered spot, as it blooms at a season
of storms of wind and rain. It often blossoms
in December, and may be grouped with the
Hellebore in a December bouquet. The flowers
are purple-blue, and the growth tall, but leafy
and robust. Those who read these notes might
be fortunate in having a longer list ; if so, it
would be interesting if through the pages of
The Garden they would give information con-
cerning an intensely interesting class. The very
dwarf kinds, as Stracheyi, are best for the rock-
ery, or in situations suited to their characteristic
dwarfness of stature.

As regards the culture of the Michaelmas
Daisy there is very little to say. It is one
of the kindliest plants in the world to have any-
thing to do with, spreading freely in almost
any soil, but doing best, of course, in well
prepared ground that can support the vigorous
growth the majority of the kinds make in the
course of a year. A good garden soil will grow
it well, and the best time to increase the
stock is in the winter or early spring, when
growth again commences. The spring is the
best, as then one can easily see the tufts, which if
required for making bold masses should not be
small. Another great point is to divide about
every two years, as is done with many other
hardy perennials. It is not good culture to
permit the Aster to form a thick mat of growth.
The shoots are thinner, the flower-display less
profuse, and the individual blossoms smaller,
each season after the two years betraying a
visible decline. If replanted every two years
the tufts start again with fresh vigour, and the
beauty of the flower is maintained from year to
year.

In a season like this there ought to be
abundance of seed, which should ripen
well. Carefully save it, as one never knows

the treasures contained in a packet of seed
from plants that have never been until latterly
well cared for, but which are known to give
many lovely variations. E. C.

DWARF RICCARTONI FUCHSIA.
In The Garden of October 18 I observe an inte-
resting article by " H. P." on uncommon Fuchsias,
in which reference is made among others to "a
dwarf form of Riccartoni, which is little known,
yet is a beautiful free-flowering Fuchsia." This
description exactly answers a dwarf free-flowering
seedling from F. Riccartoni which I raised here
some twelve years ago, and which I have grown by
the thousand for the last half-dozen years.

I crossed Riccartoni with free-flowering green-
house sorts, with a view of getting a tolerably
hardy Fuchsia, which should have the hardy con-
stitution of Riccartoni with more showy flowers. I
flowered a batch of about 100 seedlings in pots ;
more than half showed pale lilac-coloured flowers,
neither good white nor good red ; these were de-
stroyed. The remainder were planted out the
following spring, and flowered more or less freely.
With a view to test their hardiness, I allowed the
whole to remain out of doors all winter. Three or
four survived the winter, among them being a dwarf
form, which showed an unexpected hardy, dwarf
and free-flowering character. Destroying the others,

I propagated from the dwarf variety, and planted a
few dozen out for further trial ; some of these
plants still remain, and flower freely, having been
outside without protection for seven or eight
winters. It grows to a height of 10 inches to

II inches, is slightly lighter in colour than its
parent Riccartoni, flowers much more profusely,
and the leaves are rather broader and slightly
glaucous in appearance. I find it stands 18° to 20°
of frost, and is quite as hardy as Riccartoni, both,
however, being killed to the ground in hard winters,
but sending up shoots from the crown in spring.

It does best, however, treated like most other
bedding plants, propagated by cuttings in autumn,
and planted out thickly in spring, rather earlier than
the usual bedding plants, if well hardened off. If
required to bloom early, the old plants should be
lifted, and laid in thickly in rows in cold frames,
and protected from frost during winter. This en-
sures all the youDg wood being alive and ready to
commence blooming soon after planting out in
summer quarters. We have quantities of it which
we leave rout all winter, and which flower very
satisfactorily every year, but we prefer to lift them
and winter in cold frames, which ensures an earlier
bloom, and better preparation of the ground for their
reception at planting time. At the present date,
October 20, this Fuchsia is full of flower, and has
been so since July, a long line of it in front of Bijou
Geranium being particularly effective this season.
I enclose a few flowering shoots of F. Riccartoni
and a few sprays of the dwarf sort for comparison.
D. Melville.

Dunrolin Castle Gardens, Sutherland.

■%.* A very beautiful free-flowering and valuable
Fuchsia for edgings to beds. It received an award
of merit at the meeting of the Royal Horticultural
Society at Chiswick on July 22 of this year. It
has been named Dunrobin Bedder. — Ed.

Clematises appear to have devoted far too much
attention to the lanuginosa and patens sections of
the family, which demand good cultivation to ren-
der them satisfactory. Such kinds as lanuginosa
Candida, Lady Caroline Neville, and Otto Froebel
are very fine, but they have the value of such very
hardy kinds as Jackmanni, rubella, and Viticella
rubra. — J. C. B.

Clematis Jackmanni alba. — Last year I had
occasion to complain that this Clematis did not
flower freely. The plants grew strongly enough,
but the yield of bloom was poor and did not come
till very late in the season. It was stated in The
Garden that this Clematis required three years to
bring it into a satisfactory blooming condition,
and I am now convinced that several years' gener-
ous culture is necessary before the flowers are
sufficiently numerous and good in quality to render
it of much decorative value. I much doubt, how-
ever, if it will prove to be as hardy and enduring
as Jackmanni. I am still of opinion that a white
lanuginosa variety is one of its parents, and it will
be, therefore, lacking in the hardiness and vigour
that render the various varieties of the Jackmanni
section so valuable' in the outdoor garden. Raisers of

HERBACEOUS PLANTS IN A COLD HILLY

DISTRICT.
I last week had the privilege of walking round
the nurseries of Mr. John Cooper, Chipping Norton,
a man who in his district has done a great deal
both formerly as an amateur and later as a nur-
seryman in promoting a love for hardy plants.
Many people scarcely know that to Chipping Norton
we are indebted for one of the loveliest kinds
of Aster, Betteridge's Quilled, raised and grown
here to such perfection by the late Mr. James
Betteridge, and now known throughout the civDised
world. On a bleak hillside, an offshoot of the Cots-
wold Hills, 700 feet above the sea level, the little
town lies, and probably in the cottage gardens here
a larger variety of the old herbaceous plants are
grown than in any other district, thus testifying to
their hardiness and adaptability for colder cli-
mates.

It was on hearing that Mr. Cooper had shipped
many thousands of hardy perennials to America
that I called upon him and asked him to show
me round. He most courteously consented, and
I was much struck with my visit. His three gar-
dens are small, but make a fine display. Upon
entering the Leys Nursery the splendid masses of
Asters (Michaelmas Daisies) particularly struck me.
A. Amellus, a lovely bluish mauve, about 2 feet
high, is grown to great perfection ; side by side was
a bed of A. pulcherrimus quite 7 feet high, of a
pale mauve, and A. azureus, a fine kind of a rich
lavender colour, arranged as though for contrast ;
next to these was the Tropreolum tuberosum, grown
like hops against tall poles, presenting a splendid
appearance. Other Asters all in masses were A.
Novfe-Angli;e, A. Tradescanti, a lovely plant of
dwarf compact habit, with abundance of small
white flowers, with a pink centre, and a very pleas-
ing variety ; A. discolor major, about 1 foot high,
a mass of bloom, white tinged with purple ; next to
this A. corymbosus, a pure white variety about 2
feet high, and A. diffusus, bearing large clusters of
white starry flowers borne on long spikes, most
suitable for wreaths and decorations. A. coccineus,
bright red, is a noble variety, and there were many
others, the soil appearing to suit all these
beautiful " star " flowers admirably. In excellent
contrast to the masses of the above were the
yellow flowers of the Heleniums, the varieties au-
tumnale, Bolanderi and pumilum being exceedingly
well grown. Helianthuses, both single and double
kinds, made a fine display, as also did Rudbeckia
Newmanni and R. subtomentosa, and I was much
pleased with a bed of Senecio pulcher, a very showy
kind of a fine magenta colour, about 2 feet or
so in height. This is a grand flower when well
grown. Delphiniums, Potentillas, Phloxes, and
Pyrethrums are cultivated very largely ; there was
a very considerable amount of bloom on the two
latter for so late in the season. Two magnificent
beds of the Japanese Windflower (A. japonica alba
and rosea) attracted notice, and nothing can be
more lovely than masses of them well grown, each
carrying thousands of blooms.

The early-flowering Chrysanthemums appear to
be largely grown, and amongst others I noticed
some especially fine examples of Mme. C. Desgrange,
both the parent and its golden sport ; they were
one mass of bloom, and contrasted with the rich
crimson and gold of William Holmes, produced a
fine effect. Mons. E. P. Van Geert, a fine variety,
curiously striped ; Mrs. Burrell, primrose-yellow,
very good; Mrs. Cullingford, La Petite Marie,
Blushing Bride, La Vierge (white), all useful
sorts ; LAmi Courdercet, yellow, excellent dwarf
habit ; and many others. Returning to another part
of the garden, the Cactus Dahlias (at present un-
touched by frost) made a grand display, the scarlet-

Nov. 1, 1890.]

THE GAUDEN.

423

orange General Gordon being conspicuous. Amongst
other hardy plants, Pyrethrum uliginosum stood
out boldly ; its large white Marguerite blooms looked
like snow, so many thousands of flowers being
carried on the plants. Next to these a fine bed of
Gaillardia grandiflora, which, though it had bloomed
all the summer, was still a mass of fiery yellow and
crimson flowers. It would occupy too much of your
space to describe the many other good hardy
plants grown here, but in passing I noticed Mont-
bretias in variety, the beautiful M. crocosmiefolia
sending up its lovely orange-coloured blooms in
much profusion. Coreopsis lanceolata also was
very showy. To the lover of herbaceous plants such
a walk as this was a treat, the plants being well
grown and thriving luxuriantly, testifying how
suitable these plants are for colder climates, and
giving anyone like myself a further inducement
to attempt to emulate the success of my worthy
guide. H. 0. F.

LILIES.
I differ from Mr. Douglas on p. 377 (Oct. 18)
where he says : " Lilium Wallichianum (Dr. Wal-
lich's Nepaul Lily), for instance, does not seem to
■be specifically distinct from L. neilgherrense, and
they are both allied to L. longiflorum of Thunberg."
In taking the latter part of the sentence first one
might say, true, and they are also allied just as
closely to the whole of the Eulirion or tube-flowered
group of Lilies. It is certainly the first time I have
heard the right of L. Wallichianum and L. neil-
gherrense to be regarded as two distinct species in
any way disputed, as they differ from each other in
many well-marked features, and never by any
chance do we meet with any intermediate forms as
sometimes happens in the case of other Lilies In
commencing first with the bulbs, those of L.
neilgherrense are usually globose in shape, and
composed of large reddish scales, in most cases
rather loosely put together. The bulb of L. Wal-
lichianum, on the other hand, has longer and more
pointed scales closely adpressed together, so as to
form a firm, solid, and somewhat pointed, generally
whitish bulb. The leaves of L. neilgherrense are
from half an inch to one inch wide, and 3 inches or
4 inches long, and of a dark shining green, while
in L. Wallichianum they are narrower, much longer,
and of a paler tint. The flowers, too, are very
different, those of L, neilgherrense being somewhat
like those of L. Harrisi in shape, but more massive
than in that now popular kind, while they have
always more or less a yellow tint. L. Wallichi-
anum, on the other hand, bears pure white blos-
soms, the tube of which is long and narrow, while
the segments reflex very markedly. L. Wallichi-
anum also flowers much earlier than the other.
Mr. Ware exhibited it in good condition two years
ago at the Royal Horticultural Society as late as
September 25, but I had it in flower quite a month
previous to that date. L. neilgherrense, on the
other hand, is essentially a late autumn and winter-
flowering species, which will prolong the Lily sea-
son till nearly Christmas. Concerning the perfume
of the flowers, that of L. Wallichianum is very like
the scent of L. longiflorum, while L. neilgherrense
possesses a more pungent aromatic fragrance. The
above notes will, I trust, convince Mr. Douglas that
the two are specifically distinct, for if Lilies possess-
ing such well marked and diverse features are to
be regarded as belonging to the same species, the
entire genus might be reduced to a very few.

H. P.

The Californian Poppy (Romneya Coulteri)'

I have succeeded in raising plants from seeds I

imported direct from their native country, and as
many have experienced some difficulty with this
plant, I may state for the information of " H. P.''
and others that imported seed takes a long time to
' germinate. If sown when gathered fresh from
home-grown plants it germinates more freely, and
as there is risk in transplanting it is advisable to
sow in August or September where intended to
grow. The young plants will make their appear-
ance in March or April, and if well attended to will
bloom in August, and continue flowering through-
out the season. At the present time without the

least protection my stock looks remarkably healthy
and vigorous, and promises to continue blooming
for some time. The seed may also be sown in pots
or pans and wintered in a cold frame. Great care
must be observed in transplanting. — K. H. Veete-
gans, Chad Valley, Birmingham.

THE GARDEN IN OCTOBER.
With the shortening days and lengthening
evenings of mid-October settling around us, it
is only natural for the lover of flowers to com-
mence the counting up of the late treasures of
the garden which seem still to linger, as though
loth to leave, and which are as a present from
the summer that is gone to make gay the first
days of autumn. With days such as we have
had of late there are few pleasanter periods of
the year than early autumn, and this, perhaps,
because the rich profusion of summer being
over we value all the more the beauties of the
garden which are left. A month ago only and
we took them as a matter of course, and now as
we stroll round the gravelled walks we amuse
ourselves by counting up the flowers that
remain, which, strange to say, seem even to
have a brightness and a beauty we had failed to
see before. The 20th of October ! and here
are the flowers which are in full bloom in a
garden not twelve miles from London, a collec-
tion of which, as per list below, I send you : —

Tritonia aurea
Matthiola bicornis
Canna iudica
Eccreniocarpus scabsr
Tropieolum canariense

varieties
Gaillardia picta

Lorenziana
Coreopsis Drutnmondi

atro-sanguinea
Nicotiana affims
St:cks, double and single
Salpiglossis variabilis
Papuver umbrosum

Violas
j Cyanus minor
Lupins

Dahlias, varieties
Sweet Peas
Leycesteria formosa
Hollyhock
Strawberries, flower and

fruit
Mignonette
Linaria reticulata aurea

violacea
Cuphea platycentra
Bignonia radieans (bud)
Michaelmas Daisies of sorts Veronica rupestris
Roses, various , Scrophularia nodosa varie-

Clematis flamnnua gata

varieties Sedum rhodiola

Ceanothus Gloire de Ver- Hypericum patul

saille;
Magnolia grandiflora
Anemone japonica
Nigella damascena
Fuchsias, various
Phlox decussafa_

Drummondi
Marigolds
Pentstemon var.

cordifolium
Scabious

Diplacus glutinosus
Heliotrope La Negro
Salvia argeutea

patens
Lantana

Montbretia crocosmia}9ora
Lobelia cardinalis

blue
Convolvulus, sorts
Ageratuni
Abutilons, various
Zinnias
Calceolarias
Oenothera macrocarpa
Delphinium formosum
Godetia The Bride
Campanula, sorts
Dianthus Heddewigi
Trachelium coeruleum
Polyanthus
Primroses
Sweet William
Antirrhinum
Physalis Alkekengi

No doubt the last few weeks have been almost
phenomenal in character, and seemed to wish
to make up for the summer, which we grew so

Verbascum Blattaria

olympicum
Candytuft, white spiral
Pyrus japonic*
Erigeron speciosissimus

variety
Laurustinus
Lychnis Flos-Jovis

Sieboldi

chaleedonica
Celsia cretica
Geum sanguineum
Arbutus Unedo
Honeysuckle, Red Dutch
Berberidopsis corallina
Petunias
Sweet Rockets
Escallonia macrautha
Anagallis grandiflora

Phillipsi
Rudbeckia Newmanni
Sunflower, giant

miniature
Helianthus multiflorus

m. plenus
Wallflower
Valerian
Linum perenne
Mimulus duplex
Borago officinalis
Brugmansia Knighti
Solanum jasminoides
Thunbergia alata
Silene Sehafto3

Armeria

weary of looking for. The foliage of the trees
is only just commencing to change from green
to gold, and here and there a misguided Straw-
berry plant appears to have lost its reckoning,
and to have thought that the time of flower and
fruit was not yet past. Pity, we say that these
days of early autumn are so fleeting. And
looking ahead, we think of the lines of an
American poet : —

The melancholy days are come,

The saddest of the year,
Of wailing winds and woodlands brown

And meadows wild and sere.
Where are the flowers, the fair youug flowers,

That late in beauty stood
'Neath softer light and warmer airs,
A beauteous sisterhood ?
Still, to the lover of Nature, early autumn,
though lacking the freshness and brightness of
early spring, has beauties all its own, and never
was this more the case than in these autumn
days of 1890, when the flowers — not the hot-
house specimens, which, like the poor, we have
always with us, but the hardy favourites of
the garden — seem to ringer on, reluctant to part
with the few hours of genial warmth and sun-
shine still left them by a bright October day.
Marrow Weald. E. G.

*£* Eine example of what is possible in a
garden in the northern suburbs of London so
late in the year. — Ed.

Yellow Paris Daisy. — Hitherto I have not
had a good opinion of Paris Daisy Etoile d'Or for
planting in the open air, but this season it has been
one of the prettiest tender flowers I have seen.
During September the plants were loaded with
flowers, their soft peculiar shade of colour having
a very pleasing effect. I believe that this Paris
Daisy requires more warmth for its best develop-
ment than the white kinds, and the long period of
fine dry weather this autumn has just suited it.
The plants here alluded to are two years old, and
this may be one reason why they have bloomed
with such freedom. Plants from cuttings raised
in spring or in the previous autumn grow very
freely, but they certainly do not produce the
amount of bloom in proportion to their size that
older ones do. The same may be said of plants in
pots grown for winter and spring blooming, for
which this Paris Daisy is well fitted, as it opens its
flowers during the dull months in a lower tempera-
ture than many winter-blooming plants do. If
well supplied with liquid manure as soon as the
days lengthen the same plants will yield an abund-
ance of bloom all through the spring. The best
blooms I have found to be produced by plants that
have become matted with roots in the autumn.
They do not run so much to leaf, but throw up
flowers in quick succession. — J. C. B.

Native climbers, &c., in gardens. — While
we are in the habit of introducing various climbers
into our gardens for the sake of the beauty of their
flowers, such as large-flowered Clematises, Passion
Flowers, &c., many of our natives are not to be de-
spised for their elegance. I have several plants of
the wild Bryony which are allowed to clamber
over trees and shrubs. One, a male plant, has as-
cended a Wellingtonia to a height of 30 feet, and
formed a large sheet of foliage between the boughs.
When it was in full blossom, with hundreds Of
bees buzzing over it, it formed an object of no
mean beauty. A female of nearly the same dimen-
sions grew over a Thuja. They do no damage to
the trees, and are pulled down as soon as the leaves
begin to wither. I have also a Clematis Vitalba,
probably contemporary with an aged Weeping Ash,
for it has a stem about 9 inches in circumference.
From this proceed several thick branches ; half of
the plant then spreads over a thick Holly hedge
about 5 feet to 8 feet in height. The Clematis
extends to about 30 feet each way, completely
covering it with foliage and dense masses of blos-
som. One branch crosses an arched trellis and
climbs to the roof of the house, whence, interming-

424

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 1, 1890.

ling with a Virginian Creeper, it hangs in long fes-
toons to the ground. The superficial area covered
by the part on the hedge is about 150 square yards.
The Black Bryony is another climber which con-
trasts well with other foliage by its glossy, heart-
shaped leaves and scarlet berries. Hops I employ
to cover the nakedness of the stems of Fir trees,
their growth being aided by a few strings from
the lowermost branches. — G. Henslow, Drayton
Souse, Ealing.

Autumn in West Yorkshire. — After an un-
usually wet summer, June, July, and August being
chilly and with almost constant rain, our atmo-
spheric troubles culminated on August 27 and 28
in slight frosts, which checked the already weakly
and stunted growth of plants like Dahlias. During
the whole wet season Koses resisted the constant
rain better than any other flower. The alpines
seemed to revel in the rain, and, with the Phloxes,
were never so luxuriant. The white, pink, and
yellow Centaureas (Sweet Sultans) were much in-
jured by the damp, the yellow one indeed killed
outright ; but Shirley Poppies, Coreopsis, and Heli-
anthus cucumerif olius stood it bravely and flowered
without cessation. Phlox Drummondi, too, was
not at all hurt. September was as fine as August
had been the reverse ; the Dahlias grew apace, and
have for two months been finer than I have known
them for years past, and even now at the end of
October they are still blooming beautifully. In-
deed it is rarely at this season the gardens are so
full of colour. The various Helianthuses and Asters,
Lobelia cardinalis, the white and pink Anemone
japonica, Fuchsias, Tritomas, &c, make the flower
garden radiant with colour. Heliotropes and
Tropjeolums are untouched by cold, and that lovely
(and surely much neglected) plant Salvia patens
gives, as it has given since June, abundance of its
exquisite velvety and intense blue flowers. Saxi-
fraga Fortunei, Seduni Sieboldi, and Lithospermum
fruticosum are pretty in the rock garden. The
loveliest plant of the year has been Meconopsis
Wallichi, whose pale turquoise-blue petals and
their golden anthers have been the admiration of
all who have seen them. — K. Milne-Redhead,
Uolden dough, Clitheroe.

SHORT NOTES.— FLOWER.

Polygonum vaceimfolium.— I am not aware
whether Polygonum vaceinifolium is known to he a
good plant for bees. In our cottage garden near here we
have a large bed of it. The long spell of sunny weather
this autumn has covered it with fine flowers. On pass-
ing it about a week ago, I found it swarming with honey
bees. At this time of year, when flowers are becoming
less plentiful, tliis may be worth noting. — George F.
Wilson.

Tropseolum speeiosum at Shad well Court.
— Among other things doing well at Shad well Court I
found Tropasolum speeiosum and T. pentaphyllum,
both flowering freely; Clematis eoccinea, brighter than
I ever remember to have seen it previously ; Maurandya
Barclayana, a neat and good purple-flowered climber ;
the Ostrich Fern (Struthiopteris germanica) ; Wood-
wardia radicans, and, under a heavily shaded glass
case, the finest lot of Davaliia Novse-Zelandiae (syn.,
Acrophorus hispidus) I have ever seen. It was in the
rudest health, and it is found most useful for cutting.
Annual flowering plants were in great profusion, and,
except in one or two cases, the strains were all that
could be desired. — J. T.

Single Dahlias at Crawley.— The frost has
spoilt the Dahlias at Crawley for this year, but
those who were fortunate enough to see the large
breadths of single varieties in full beauty enjoyed
a rich feast of colour. We doubt if there is a finer
collection of single kinds than here, as many may
guess who see the excellent stands of bloom exhi-
bited by this firm throughout the summer. A few
of the more distinct are the following, but, of
course, it is no guide as to the extent of the collec-
tion. Victoria is very bright, its flowers white,
with a bold edge of crimson ; Gulielma, shaded
with pale brown ; Eclipse, deep salmon-rose ; Mr.
Kennett, yellow, blotched with rose on a yellow
ground ; Formosa, brilliant scarlet ; Duchess of
Fife, bright yellow, darker shaded edge ; and Ma-

rion Hood, rose and white, very delicate, were also
noteworthy. We are pleased to see that at last the
big, flabby flowers that were held up to our admira-
tion for their beauty are things of the past. There
is a growing desire for smaller blooms, strong,
decided in colour, and carried freely on sturdy
stems.

Orchids.

DENDROBIUM HOOKERIANUM.
This is a noble species, and I am reminded of
this by a beautiful raceme, which arrived the
other day from " C. B." It had seven blooms,
each measuring nearly 4 inches across, and of a
bright golden yellow, and heavily fringed round
the lip. The species was discovered by the
present Sir Joseph Hooker (then Dr. Hooker)
in the hot valleys of Sikkim in 1848, as he
says, from 1000 feet to 5000 feet above the
level of the sea. It was not till twenty years
after its discovery that it was to be found in
English gardens, when Mr. Day introduced it
from Assam. In the year 1870 the plant first
flowered and caused a great sensation. This
was in the nursery of Messrs. Brooks, of Man-
chester, under the care of an old friend, Mr.
Burbidge, from plants received from Mr. Day.
In 1871 I also imported a quantity of this
Orchid from Assam, with stems some 6 feet
high, so that the species seems to be tolerably
plentiful in its native habitats. Nevertheless,
it does not seem to have gained that amount of
favour which it deserves, and at the present
time it is a somewhat rare plant in cultivation.
It is an erect-growing Orchid, having a close
affinity to D. fimbriatum oculatum, but from
this plant it differs in flowering upon the stems
formed the same year, so that the leaves are
produced at the same time as the flowers.
Although found at the altitude before men-
tioned, it seems to enjoy a fair amount of heat
and moisture during the growing season. It
grows well in company with its near relatives,
D. fimbriatum and fimbriatum oculatum. It is
said to be found growing on trees in a state of
nature, but its size quite precludes growers
in this country from treating it as a basket
plant, and it is invariably grown in pots, which
should be well drained. The plants should be
potted in a mixture of peat fibre and Sphagnum
Moss. As before remarked, it enjoys a good
deal of heat and moisture. Under these con-
ditions I grew it well for several years, and
during the winter or resting season it may be
allowed to be dried and kept cool.

William Hugh Gowee.

Dendrobium senile ( W. T. M.).— This is the
name of the little white hairy-stemmed Dendrobium
you send. I have known it for about twenty-five
years. It was at one time very rare ; its flowers,
mostly produced in pairs, are of medium size and
rich bright yellow in colour, the side lobes of the
lip on the inside being tinged with green. I
believe this plant was sent to the Messrs. Low, of
Clapton, by the Eev. Mr. Parish, who found so
many new Dendrobes and other Orchids in Burmah.
The plant has been imported in some quantity upon
several occasions recently, so that it is now more
plentiful. It does best upon a block of wood or in
a shallow basket, which should be well drained. It
requires very little soil about its roots.— G.

Cattleya Bowringiana. — In Mr. Sander's
nursery at St. Albans over £000 flowers of this
Cattleya are open at the present time, of all sorts
and shades of colour, but principally of a deep
rosy-purple, the lip having a deep purplish maroon
blotch at the base, beyond which is the white throat.
This plant has only been known about six years,
having been found in warm parts of British Hon-
duras, and there always in the neighbourhood of

water, when even in the dry period the air is al-
ways humid during the resting season, so that the
plants should never be allowed to get very dry at
this time. In the summer months this Cattleya
requires a deal of moisture, and, therefore,
should be well potted and well drained ; indeed,
where this has not been accorded the plants, I have
seen them badly affected with thrips. — W. H. G.

Odontoglossum tripudians. — This species,
although discovered about forty years ago by Wars-
cewicz, has never become popular. I do not
know if this arises from the plant being rare in its
native wilds, but certainly the variety sent by Mr.
Carrol would not tend to make anyone fond of it.
A good variety has the sepals and petals of a bright
chestnut-brown with yellow tips, the lip usually of
a bright yellow or white, more or less spotted and
blotched with crimson or rose colour, which this
flower is not. It requires the coolest of treatment.
— W. H. G.

Miltonia Regnelli purpurea.— From Mr.
Shuttleworth, of Clapham Eoad Nursery, come
flowers of this variety. This plant was known in
years gone by as Mr. Bucker's variety ; it makes a
long spike, like the typical one, but . the indivi-
dual flowers' are larger and more highly coloured ;
the sepals and petals are spreading, soft rosy pink,
becoming white at the edges ; lip flat and of a
rich deep crimson with a white disc. This is a free
growing plant, requiring plenty of heat during the
growing season and an abundance of water. As a
variety I believe it is still rare, but its superior
colour renders it worthy of a place wherever Orchids
are grown. — W. H. G.

Cattleya Hardyana. — I have seen many flowers
of the plant which bears this name, and beautiful
they are, but I have now before me one from the
original plant from Mr. Holmes, gardener to Mr. G.
Hardy, of Pickering Lodge, Timperley. The flower
sent is really wonderful and superb, and the figure
given in the "Orchid Album" is a correct like-
ness. One fault only is apparent — the figure does
not show the heavy frilling of the lip. In the
flower now before me the lip is very large, being
upwards of 4 inches long and 3 inches across ; half
of it is rich golden yellow, on a ground of deep
crimson-magenta, and the front portion for an inch
and a half deep is wholly of a very deep velvety
crimson-magenta, the margin heavily frilled and
lobed. All the varieties which I have seen are poor
in comparison with this. I am much obliged to
Mr. Holmes for letting me have the pleasure of see-
ing this flower. — W. H. G.

Odontoglossum TTro-Skinneri. — This, I be-
lieve, was first brought alive or sent in a living
state to the Messrs. Veitch's nursery about the year
1854,and before the cool system of growing Orchids,
introduced by myself, had taken the fancy of Mr.
James Veitch. This was afterwards adopted, and
this species soon showed its appreciation of the
change and flowered. The spike now to hand from
" W. B." is very late, and yet I have seen this spe-
cies flowering at all seasons in the late collection
of Mr. Buchan, Wilton House, Southampton. I hear
from all quarters that this beautiful plant has be-
come scarce in the country, but the fact of having
so few importations of late years has allowed
the plant to spread in its native wilds, and I should
think a consignment of such a fine variety as the
one now before me would be valuable. The flowers
are large, of a deep brown, slightly marked with
green, the lip being heart-shaped, of a bright rosy-
purple, with but a few of the usual white markings
upon it. It grows to a great size, and it will thrhe
well with the other cool species. — W. H. G.

Oncidium sessile. — This is a very beautiful
plant and comes from Caraccas. Years ago I had
a fine specimen of it under my charpe in the
Kew collection which flowered every yc ar profusely,
making branched panicles of flower ot a might
canary-yellow. The next finest plant wns in lie
collection of Dr. Ward, of Southampton ; indeed
this town seemed to suit the plant, for in the
collection at Wilton Houre was another mag-
nificent specimen, and ;lso anolher in the
collection of the Misses Pearce. The first and last

Nov. 1, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

425

of these passed into my hands and were divided,
and helped to make the plant better known amongst
Orchid growers. It requires to be grown in the
Cattleya house, and the treatment accorded the
Cattleyas will be found to suit it admirably. —
W. H. G.

Vanda Stella. — I had for a long time in my
collection a large specimen of Yanda, labelled V.
Stella. The plant was 5 feet high, with several
branches, showing a somewhat scrambling habit ;
the leaves were numerous, of a light green colour,
recurved and obliquely tridentate at the end ; the
stem provided with many thin, elongated, straggling,
aerial roots. I never had seen the plant anywhere
and could not identify the name. When it flowered
I had a coloured drawing made of it. This appeared
in Godefroy's " Orchidophile," 1887 (p. 141), under
the name of V. concolor, stella, &c. The flowers,
rather distant on the raceme, were of a uniform
cinnamon-brown colour, and the very same as those
figured in the Botanical Magazine, 1835, t. 3416.
The plant is a strong grower, judging by the small
specimens I grow still. — J. Salliee, Sceaiix, Seine.

Dendrobium chrysoerepis (W. T. M.). —
This is the name of the dried flowers sent. You do
not say if your plants are living. I hope they are, and
that you will send me a living flower of it. This spe-
cies I have not seen in a fresh state. The flowers are
yellow, with a pouched Up, somewhat in the way of a
Cypripedium. It is of Burmese origin. — W. H. G.

Societies and Exhibitions.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

OCTOBEE 28.

The severe cold and prospect of a few hours in the
badly warmed Drill Hall accounted doubtless for
the scanty attendance at the second October meet-
ing. Several interesting exhibits, chiefly of a
character that would withstand cold, were to be
seen.

A first-class certifitcate was given to

Beebeeis Thunbeegi. — Few shrubs are better
worth a certificate than this fine Berberis, also
known as B. sinensis, but such a shrub is too well
known to receive it now. It was introduced from
China in 1815 ; and by exhibiting it, perhaps more
will be induced to grow one of the finest autumn
shrubs for colour in English gardens. It is dwarf
in growth, but the small oblong leaves assume an
intense crimson colour in early October, so rich that
at a distance it glows like a fire. The large mass
of it from Messrs. Wm. Paul and Son, Waltham
Cross, should convince everyone of its great value
for forming a group, or planting on the outskirts of
a lawn for an effect in autumn.

Chrysanthemums, with one exception, were the
only other plants given special distinction, and
an award of merit went to each of the following : —

Duchess op Westminstee. — A very distinct and
welcome addition to a class none too strong — the
Japanese Anemone. It was shown by Mr. Owen,
Castle Hill Nursery, Maidenhead, and has an excel-
lent centre, the colour crimson and yellow, the guard
florets white, tinted with rose, and each about an inch
in length. It is a good exhibition flower, bold and
graceful.

C. Anna Haetzshoene. — This is a flower
oE great promise. It was given a first class certifi-
cate on Wednesday, October 15, at the Royal
Aquarium, and is described in the report. From
Mr. Owen.

C. Eugene Gait. — This is one Delaux's seedlings
of 1889, and a Japanese variety ; the flowers are rich
crimson in colour with a silvery reverse to the
petals. It would make, we should think, an excel-
lent variety for decoration. From Messrs. H.
Cannell and Sons.

C. W. Teickee. — This is a distinctly handsome
flower, and named after one of the most successful
American growers. The bloom is large, but with-
out the least trace of coarseness, petals broad and
of a self rich rose colour, peculiarly beautiful and
attractive against the almost white reverse. Likely

to prove one of the best midseason varieties. From
Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons.

C. Miss Violet Tomlin, or Violet Tomlin sim-
ply, as we find it sometimes catalogued. —This
splendid midseason incurved variety is now well
known, as it is in all good collections. It was raised
by Mr. Doughty in 18S8 and certificated by the
National Chrysanthemum Society, so that its ap-
pearance at the Drill Hall is late. It is a sport
from Princess of Wales, and has much the charac-
ter of that variety in size, form, and shape of petal,
but the colour is warm violet-purple, very decided
and distinct. From Messrs. J. Laing and Sons,
Forest Hill.

C. Miss M. A. Haggas. — This also belongs to the
Princess of Wales family, but is a sport from Mrs.
Heal, possessing much the form and character of
petals of that variety. The colour is rich yellow.
It was certificated by the National Chrysanthemum
Society. From Messrs. J. Laing and Sons.

C. Viviand Moeel is a promising flower, and
has the build and character of a good Japanese
variety, the bloom large, bold, not coarse, and rich
rose in colour, shaded with white. From Messrs.
J. Laing and Sons.

C. Mlle. Maeie Hoste. — Another Japanese va-
riety of great promise. The flowers are yellow,
tinted with blush, broad, and crowded with petals.
From Messrs. J. Laing and Sons.

Pentstemons. — Several spikes of Pentstemons
of great merit, the colours varied and both rich
and delicate in shade, came from Mr. R. Dean, of
Ealing. The colouring ranged from the brightest
scarlet to a distinct violet-purple.

Cattleya Lindeni. — This has much the cha-
racter of both C. gigas and C. aurea, and if de-
scribed as a cross between the two, one could be-
lieve it. It is not a very fine flower. The sepals
are narrow, weak in colour, and the petals veined
with rose. The whole beauty of the variety is
concentrated in the neatly-shaped lip, which is a
gorgeous bit of colour. It is intense velvety crim-
son, paler at the fringed margin, and intensified by
two deep yellow, eye-like blotches on either side
of the upper lobes, which on the outer surface are
brightened with a clear shade of shining rose. A
series of crimson veins on a yellow ground runs
into the throat. From M. Linden, Pare Leopold,
Brussels.

One of the largest groups was a collection of
Cyclamens from Mr. W. Taylor, The Gardens,
Twickenham Road, Isleworth. It comprised 120
plants, all in excellent flower, and exhibiting the
great range of colour that now exists in this plant.
The deep crimsons were of great depth, also the
lighter shades, but we hope that Cyclamen fanciers
will not introduce a spotted breed, i e., flowers
spotted with colour on a ground of different tint.
Nothing can be more objectionable, but a few were
to be seen here. Several varieties were of merit
for their leafage alone, one having its foliage like
that of a Sonerila — a charming display of quiet
colours. A silver medal was most deservedly given
to this collection. The Chrysanthemum was, of
course, the leading flower, and the list of plants
each given an award of merit will show that hy-
bridists have not been idle. Two boxes of flowers
came from Mr. T. H. Crasp, gardener to Lord Wim-
borne, Canford Manor, Dorset. The flowers were
staged in bunches, and each bloom was thoroughly
characteristic of the variety. The best were Flo-
rence Piercy, Source d'Or, a delightful variety when
grown naturally ; Mme. de Sevin, Maiden's Blush,
Eynsford White, a very beautiful Japanese variety,
pure white'; and Mr. J. Laing, rose colour, silvery re-
verse to the florets (silver medal). Several seedlings
were shown by Mr. Owen, of Maidenhead, some of
which were given an award of merit. They show
that we are not now, as in times past, relying upon
Continental productions. These were raised from
seed in the Castle Hill Nursery, and Achievement, a
pretty Japanese flower, yellow, but deepest in the
centre, tells us that charming things may be raised
at home. A very charming collection was
put up by Mr. Wythes, of Syon House Gardens,
Isleworth. Among the Chrysanthemums were
mixed small plants of Ferns, and also Cocos Wed-

delliana. It is a pity more do not try to make their
exhibits tasteful to the eye, and perhaps they
would if they were aware of the simple fact that
much depends upon how a flower is set up, whether
it looks well or otherwise. The rich yellow re-
flexed Cloth of Gold and Red Indian, a deep red
Japanese flower, brightened by a gold reverse, with
many of the leading varieties in bloom now were
exhibited (bronze medal). A large display was
made by Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons. Several
of the more recent flowers were exhibited. Con-
dor, a Japanese variety, with broad petals, white,
tinted with rose ; Eynsford White ; L'Automne, a
Japanese incurved flower, first exhibited at the
floral committee of the National Chrysanthemum
Society, and there certificated. Its buff coloured
petals make a full handsome flower. W. Kennedy
is a hybrid pompon of splendid colour, a rich
crimson, the most intense shade we have seen ;
Mme. Darrier is a very promising incurved flower,
bronzy brown, the petals tipped with gold ; Ami
Hoste, an incurved variety of much merit, purplish
rose, shaded with gold in the centre. The same
firm also had flowers of Octavie Begonia (bronze
medal). A group of plants of new kinds came
from Messrs. J. Laing and Sons, Forest Hill, many
of which were certificated. Bunches of flowers of
a Carnation Saccharissa were shown by Mr. Bridger,
gardener to Lord de l'lsle, Penshurst Place, Ton-
bridge. It seems a very good variety ; the
flowers do not split, and the colours are distinct,
salmon-rose and yellow flaked with crimson. These
flowers were cut from the open border on October 27,
and this is a point of great importance, as showing
that the season may in time last into the autumn.
We are only beginning to know the value of the
Carnation as a border flower. We were surprised
that it should have been passed over without some
word of comment. Flowers of the Jerusalem Arti-
choke (Helianthus tuberosus) were sent by Mr.
Harding, Orton Hall Gardens, Peterborough. It is
not often they are seen, and much resemble those
of one of the common autumn-flowering perennial
Sunflowers. Several boxes of shoots of hardy trees
and shrubs were sent by Messrs. William Paul and
Son, Waltham Cross. The most conspicuous for
colouring were Berberis Thunbergi, already noted ;
Rhus Cotinus.the cut-leaved Maple, Sea Buckthorn
(Hippophje rhamnoides) very bright, with its yellow
berries ; Pernettya speciosa, common Spindle tree,
the large red-berried Crataegus coccinea maxima,
and C'otoneaster Simonsi (silver medal). A large
display of Pernettyas was made by Messrs. Wil-
liam Cutbush and Son, Highgate ; each was a mass
of berries, so thickly clustering the shoots that
scarcely a leaf could be seen. The varieties were
rosea, rose ; atropurpurea, crimson ; macrocarpa,
crimson ; lilacina, lilac ; elegans, carmine ; and
alba, a beautiful kind, the berries almost white,
but just tinted with blush (bronze medal).

Orchids were shown by several exhibitors. A
large group of varieties of Cattleya Warocqueana
came from M. Linden, Pare Leopold, Brussels.
The plants show that this species, or whatever it is,
varies much in colour, some of the forms closely
resembling C. Gaskelliana in one or other of its
phases, then running near to labiata, so that variety
of expression is one of its distinctive features.
The forms shown on Tuesday were not so fine as
those that appeared at the previous meeting, but a
group like this blooming now is welcome. One
variety named amcena is distinct and pretty. Its
sepals and petals are rich rose in colour, the lip
somewhat spoon-shaped, purple-crimson in the
centre, shading to a lemon tint, and with a margin
of pink. There were other named kinds, but we
think it unwise to give names unless the flower is
exceptional. C. Russelliana, olive-green, spotted
with crimson, and richly barred crimson-purple lip,
was also exhibited by M. Linden (silver medal).
C. Warocqueana also came from other exhibitors,
viz., Mr. Atkinson, Aigburth, Liverpool, and Mr. A.
Coombs, Hindley Hall Gardens, Dudley, the flowers
from the last-named having broader sepals and
petals than those of the other. The flowers also
from Mr. R. Young, Liverpool, Mr. W. J. Thomson,
St. Helens, Lanes, exhibited the same variation of
colour. A splendid form of Vanda Sanderiana

426

THE GAEDEN.

[Nov. 1, 1890.

came from Mr. R. Young, Sefton Park, Liverpool.
Three spikes were exhibited, one carrying ten, an-
other seven, and the other twelve flowers, all cut
from the same plant. The flowers were not large,
but deeply coloured, the upper part rose, freely and
richly blotched at the base with rich brown-crim-
son, more so than usual, and the lower half of a
still more intense shade, with a little crimson in it.
One of the deepest coloured varieties we have
seen. A very interesting exhibit, consisting of va-
rieties of Lrelia Perrini, came from Messrs. Seeger
and Tropp, East Dulwich. The flowers were of
several shades, and also pure white, a lovely va-
riety, spotless, save for a suffusion of lemon in the
throat of the lip. Odontoglossum grande was
brought by Mr. W. J. Nicolls, Kingsland Road, we
presume to show how well it can be grown in a
town garden.

An interesting collection from the Royal Gardens.
Kew, included Philodendron Simsi and P. dolo-
sum, the first with waxy-white spathe, rich crim-
son at the base, and the other with the inner
surface rich scarlet, the outside greenish and
creamy white. The Philodendrons are a genus of
Tropical American plants, and of no mean beauty in
a stove. Solanum Seaforthianum is a lovely flower,
as graceful as anything we know ; its lilac flowers
are bunched together and very beautiful. A bright
and showy flower is the rich rose-coloured Cleome
heptaphylla, a stove annual about 6 feet in height.
Another useful thing is Ipomsea Briggsi, which has
smaller and somewhat paler flowers than I. Hors-
fallire, but these are produced more freely. A dis-
tinct plant is Solandra grandiflora, that looks like
a Datura with a shortened flower. This is greenish
yellow inside, marked with several broad, longi-
tudinal, deep crimson bands. A species of Spathi-
phyllum was remarkable for its sweetly scented oat-
meal-coloured spadix.

Fruit committee. — The chief exhibit was the
collection of Endive from Messrs. Vilmorin and
Co., of Paris, and Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons,
Chelsea, grown for trial in the Chiswick gardens.
It comprised both broad and curled-leaved varie-
ties. A large collection of Potatoes grown in the
same gardens was also sent. It comprised varieties
from several well-known raisers, but to merely
mention names of kinds that looked well would
serve no good purpose. Mr. Laxton, Bedford, sent
Chou de Bedford, which seems to be the same as
the old Portugal Cabbage or Couve Tronchuda— at
least we can see little difference as exhibited — and
a white-skinned Jerusalem Artichoke. Mr. Wythes
exhibited roots of the smooth, shapely, green-
topped Cheltenham Beet, and Messrs. Carter and
Co. the Early Autumn Giant Cauliflower, which is
apparently Veitch's Autumn Giant.

There was little fruit. Mr. Colbourn, Wool-
hampton, sent fruits of Strawberry Noble, and Mr.
Smythe, Basing Park Gardens, Hants, a seedling
Grape, the same, however, as Gros Colman, or so
close to it as to be valueless. Mr. R. Dean showed
Grange's Winter Pearmain Apple and Nouveau
Poiteau Pear.

Trees and Shrubs in Large Towns.

This was the title of a lecture given in the after-
noon by Dr. Masters, whose interesting remarks
were interrupted by the noise of workmen in the
gallery of the hall. It is scarcely courteous to
either speaker or audience to have to speak or
listen under such circumstances. The remarks of
the lecturer were set out under different heads. He
first alluded to the vastness of the subject, and the
fact that London twenty-five or thirty years ago,
compared with what it is at present, shows a vast
improvement, but much has yet to be done. One
thousand houses, it is calculated, are built each
month in London, but not a corresponding number
of trees planted. The remarks were confined
strictly to large smoky towns, as Manchester, Shef-
field, Leeds, and in a minor degree London. Such
conditions as overdrained and unsuitable soil, rela-
tive absence of light, presence of smoke, of sul-
phurous vapours, were all evils which make the
growth of trees a matter of difficulty. But we can

improve the soil, and select what trees and shrubs
are most appropriate to the purpose. There are
some trees and shrubs which do not like the least
touch of smoke, although the lecturer remarked
that he had seen Roses do well with great care in
their culture, but no one would think of recom-
mending Roses. The trees can be planted in a
proper manner, and another matter to be done is
to tend them after they are planted. Many people
think it quite enough to stick a plant in the ground
and give it no further attention. In the small
country town or the large park you can plant any-
thing you like, of course, provided it is a hardy sub-
ject and will bear our climate generally, but when
you come to the small squares and confined places
of this metropolis it is a different thing. Then
you must set to work and find for yourselves what
will succeed. Thick leaves with leathery skins and
a large amount of colouring matter are the most
suitable. One of the best ways is to go round and
see what thrives most satisfactorily. Reference
was made to the group of Plane trees in Berkeley
Square. The lecturer suggested that such places
as the Chelsea Apothecaries' Garden should be
made into suitable experimental gardens, to seek
to discover what will do well and what will not.

A few of the best things for a town garden were
enumerated, and it was mentioned that as a per-
fectly hardy town shrub nothing was better than
Skimmia japonica. Aucubas also do well, and Li-
gustrum japonicum and L. ovalifolium. The Rho-
dodendron was not recommended for London gar-
dens. Its leaf was of the right nature to resist
smoke and impure atmosphere, but the plants never
thrive. They often only remain for about three years,
when their places are taken by fresh plants. Conifers
do exceedingly badly in London; they exude a
resin which attracts all the blacks and smoke with-
in reach. Pinus excelsa was an exception. Then
other things were enumerated, many of them not
grown largely by nurserymen, as Tulip and Maiden-
hair trees, Catalpas, Mulberries, Figs, Ailanthus,
Magnolia acuminata, Pyrus, Maples of sorts, Pop-
lars, Copper Beech, Birch, Hornbeam, Naples
Alder, Prunus Pissardi, Laburnum, Lilacs, Privets,
Wych Elms, Planeras, Mountain Ash, Elders,
and many others ; also Hollies, Aucubas, Skimmias,
Osmanthus, Yuccas, hardy Bamboos, Phillyrea
Vilmoriniana, Arbutus, Butcher's Broom, Alexan-
drian Laurel, &c. Among creepers or as wall
plants, Pyrus japonica, Jasminum nudiflorum, J.
officinale, Virginian Creeper, Grape Vine, Aristo-
lochia Sipho, &c. The Tulip tree and Magnolia
acuminata were alluded to as splendid town trees,
also the Ailanthus, except for its suckers. Do not
plant Limes, and not much can be said in favour
of Elms, except the smooth-leaved kind ; the foli-
age of U. campestris shrivelled up with smoke.
Thorns were not good. They seemed to attract
caterpillars, and it was mentioned that it is not un-
common to find not a single Thorn but what was
covered with caterpillars when neighbouring trees
were free. It was then pointed out that to get the
best trees in large towns there must be care taken
with them — proper soil, space, timely attention to
striking, thinning, pruning, watering, and washing.
Timber trees should not be planted in forecourt
gardens, as was not infrequently done. The care-
lessness of local boards in their treatment of trees
was strongly condemned. They are planted badly,
near gas pipes, in soil utterly unfit to support vege-
table life, indifferently staked and pruned, yet are
supposed to live under such circumstances.

There was some discussion. Mr. Nicholson
mentioned that the common Lime is not a good
tree to plant in towns, but the small-leaved Lime
(T. parviflora) is a great improvement on the com-
mon Lime. T. euchlora was also recommended.
The white Lime does well under the same condi-
tions as the common kind, but holding its leaves
until late in the season. Mr. Hudson urged a greater
variety of trees, far more care in planting, and that
they should be selected from high altitudes, so that
they are thoroughly well hardened and ripened. Mr.
G. Paul, Mr. Wythes, Mr. Cannell, and Mr. Roupell
also spoke, and the meeting closed with the usual
vote of thanks.

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY.

OCTOBEE 29.

The floral committee of this society met on Wed-
nesday afternoon last at the Royal Aquarium, when
several interesting novelties were brought before
them.

A first-class certificate was given to each of the
following : —

William Lane. — This is a distinct addition to
the Japanese reflexed division, bearing fine full
flowers, of great depth and solidity, but free from
coarseness. They are salmon-red in colour, the
centre yellow — an uncommon, but pleasing contrast.
From Mr. Owen, Castle Hill Nursery, Maidenhead.

Mes. Clarke. — This is one of the most
distinct Japanese varieties that has been shown
this season, the flowers broad, massive, flattened
somewhat in form, and made up of a wealth of
very delicate, pink-coloured, twisted petals, a few
standing out from the bulk in charming irregularity.
It is of the right character to please the exhibitor.
From Mr. Owen.

Alberic Lunden— Here we have a variety that,
even if faulty in form, would be an acquisition. Its
crimson colour is splendid, of intense depth, and
does not vary in shade over the whole flower, ex-
cept where a twisted petal shows the paler reverse.
It was exhibited by Mr. Owen, and a plant of it
also came from Messrs. J. Laing and Sons.

Mme. Gatral.— This is a delightful incurved
flower, much like a young bloom of Jeanne d'Arc,
while when fully developed it bears a resemblance
to the old Aime'e Ferriere. It is of excellent shape,
the petals white, distinctly and attractively tipped
with purple-lilac. From Mr. Owen.

Duchess op Westminster. — This is described
in the report of the Royal Horticultural Society.
From Mr. Owen.

Gloire du Roches.— This is an English seedling
from seed saved by Mr. C. Gibson, gardener to Mr.
J. Wormauld, Morden Park, Mitcham, from the
best varieties in the collection there. It was
raised at Algiers, and is a splendid Japanese
flower of unusual colour— bright salmon-red, with
the reverse of the florets pale yellow ; they are
narrow, abundant, and graceful, spreading about
in a charming way, as a true variety of the Ja-
panese class should do, not stiff and flat, like many
of the introductions of last season. Shown by
Mr.GibsoD.

Viviand Morel and Mlle. Marie Hostb
were both shown by Messrs. J. Laing and each
certificated. They are described in the report of the
Royal Horticultural Society.

William Neville.— This is a good flower for
decorations, reflexed, and rich buff-yellow, reddish
in the centre, and with the florets distinctly fim-
briated. It was certificated by reason of this cha-
racter. From Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons, Swanley.
Miss Mabel Wilde.— A showy single flower
with a double row of florets, which are smooth, re-
gular.and rich purple-magenta in colour, the centre
white. It is too stiff, however, to please us. From
Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons.

There were several other exhibits, a few of which
we mav make a short note of. Mr. Turk, Cholmeley
Lodge," Highgate, showed a pompon named William
Westlake, which is like Marabout in form, but not
fringed ; it has promise ; also a sport from Lady
Lawrence named Centenary ; the flower is of a soft
yellow shade, and like the parent in expression.
Messrs. Carter and Co., High Holborn, had a stand
of new flowers, but such kinds as Holborn Beauty
can scarcely be called new. Mr. H. J. Jones, Rye-
croft Nursery, Lewisham, had flowers of a Japanese
variety named Cscsar Casta. The florets are of
great width, fluted, and of a splendid rich crimson
shade. It should have a good trial. Mr. Owen also had
a variety named M. Hilliot which was commended. It
is of value for decoration, reflexed, and like Source
d'Or somewhat in colour, but not so rich and decided.
Several seedlings were shown by Mr. Boyce, of
Highgate, one Anemone variety named Frederick
Boyce being commended. The flower is small, of
course, and very deep rose, with paler guard florets

Nov. 1, 1890.]

THE GABDEN.

427

Messrs. Cannell and Sons had three large boxes of
flowers, as the Japanese incurved L'Automne and
others described in the Royal Horticultural Society's
report.

The general committee of this society held a
meeting on Monday last at Anderton's Hotel, Mr. R.
Ballantine presiding.

The minutes of the former meeting having been
read and confirmed, the chairman announced that
Mrs. Holmes, the widow of the late secretary, de-
sired to thank the committee for the vote of condo-
lence passed at the last occasion of their assem-
bling. The reserve fund was stated to have been
realised and placed to the account of the chairman
and treasurer, out of which the prize money at the
September show had been paid, leaving a balance
still to work with. During the next few weeks the
funds will be considerably augmented, as there are
between 400 and 500 members whose subscriptions
are due and expected to come in.

Mr. Reid, of the firm of Messrs. Eeid and Borne-
mann, Trewsbury Road, Sydenham, submitted a
design for the new certificate, but as the matter
had previously been arranged to stand over on
account of the shortness of time, Mr. Reid was
thanked for his work and requested to submit it
with the others when designs were again asked for.
Mr. Harman Payne, as secretary of the catalogue
committee, reported that the new centenary edition
was now published, and that he had received com-
plaints of the delay which had occurred in the
work not being out sooner. He also stated that
applications had already come from America and
Switzerland for copies, that the work had been
much enlarged, there being upwards of 1000 new
entries and a supplemental list of new varieties
numbering over 200 for the year 1890.

On the occasion of the centenary show some in-
quiry was made as to facilities for the exhibition
of literary works, pictures, photographs, and
curiosities relating to the Chrysanthemum, and the
necessity for providing some protection for exhibits
of that kind, and it was arranged that the same
should be accorded.

The proceedings of the Holmes Memorial Commit-
tee were reported, and at the last meeting it was ar-
ranged that a portion of the amount collected should
be devoted to the technical education of the late Mr.
Holmes's eldest son as a landscape gardener, and
the balance be appropriated as prizes or medals at
the exhibitions of the National Chrysanthemum
Society, or at those of the affiliated societies. The
hon. sec. stated, as indicative of the competition at
the October show of the Royal Aquarium, that in
the class for twenty-four Japanese varieties no
fewer than fourteen exhibitors entered.

Arising out of an application from the Penzance
Society for a judge to make the awards at their
forthcoming show, it was resolved that all future
applications of that kind be decided by the general
committee, and not, as hitherto, by the secretary
on his own responsibility. Some correspondence
was read from Mr. C. E. Shea concerning the
award of a first-class certificate to a variety staged
by him, and also by another exhibitor.

It was announced that Lady Brooke had con-
sented to perform the opening ceremony at the
centenary fete, and that such ceremony would take
place in the middle hall. On the opening day, from
11 to 2 o'clock, admission will be 2s. 6d. The
banquet committee tendered their report of the
arrangements made byjthem. Some of the represen-
tatives of the affiliated colonial societies will be in-
vited to attend, as also certain officials of the
Royal Agricultural and Botanical Society of Ghent,
at whose centenary celebration last November a
deputation from the National Chrysanthemum So-
ciety was present.

The challenge trophy had been returned by last
year's winner, and will again be put up for com-
petition.

National Chrysanthemum Society's Con-
ference.— The conference to be held in November
at the Royal Aquarium to celebrate the centenary
of the introduction of the Chrysanthemum into

England will be as follows : On the first day Sir
Edwin Saunders will preside, and the business will
commence at G p.m. The papers are, " Chrysanthe-
mums in Tasmania," by Mrs. Marian Thrower ;
" Origin of the Florist's Chrysanthemum," by Mr.
Shirley Hibberd ; and " Chrysanthemums in Art,"
by Mr. G. C. Haite, F.L.S. On the second day (No-
vember 13) the chair will be taken by Sir Guyer
Hunter, M.P., at 2.30 p.m., the papers being,
" Experiments in Chrysanthemum Culture," by Mr.
H. Briscoe Ironsides ; and " Chrysanthemum Cul-
ture for Exhibition," by Mr. C. Gibson.

NATIONAL AURICULA AND NATIONAL
CARNATION SOCIETIES.

(SOUTHERN SECTIONS.)

The annual meeting of the members of these so-
cieties took place at the Hotel Windsor, Victoria
Street, by the kind permission of the Horticultural
Club, on the 28th ult., the Rev. H. H. D'Ombrain
presiding. The reports of the committees of the
two societies were read by Mr. Douglas. That of
the former declared there was no lack of interest in
the cultivation of the Auricula, and though the
early months of the year were characterised by
weather of an ungenial nature, a large number of
plants of show varieties were staged, generally of
good character. The alpine varieties were never
before finer and more numerous. The fancy Poly-
anthuses and Primroses were also very fine and at-
tractive.

In reference to the Carnation the reports set
forth that the interest in this flower materially
increased during the year, as was shown by the
exhibition and conference held at the Chiswick
gardens, both of which were well attended , and so
numerous and fine were the show varieties, that it
proved the best exhibition held by the society. The
yellow grounds, the selfs, and fancies were shown
in the very best character. The treasurer's balance
sheet of the Auricula Society showed an income of
£83 lis. 3d. and an expenditure of £72 3s. 3d., in-
cluding £61 12s. Gd. paid away as prize money,
leaving a balance of £11 8s. in the hands of the
treasurer. It was also stated that ten new mem-
bers had been added during the year. The balance
sheet of the National Carnation Society showed re-
ceipts £77 4s. lid., and disbursements £67 10s. 9d., a
balance of £9 14s. 2d. being carried forward for next
year. The reports and financial statements were un-
animously adopted ; the presidents, vice-presidents,
and members of the committee were re-elected
with the exception of Mr. J. James, deceased.
The name of Mr. Martin R. Smith was added
to the vice-presidents. The schedules of prizes
were then revised. In the case of that of the
Auricula exhibition, the amounts of the prizes for
six, three, and one specimen gold-laced Polyan-
anthuses were reduced, and a first prize of 20s.
apportioned to each of the classes for fancy Polyan-
thuses and Primroses. The schedule of the Carna-
tion Society was passed unaltered. Mr. Douglas
reported that the council of the Royal Horticul-
tural Society would contribute the same sum as last
year towards the prize list of the two societies.
The dates of the two shows will, as usual, be on
meeting days of the Royal Horticultural Society,
the Auricula show at the Drill Hall on April 21,
and the Carnation and Picotee show on July 21,
also at the Drill Hall. The meeting closed with
the usual vote of thanks to the chairman.

Bedford Park Gardening Society .—The first
meeting of the current, season will he held on Nov. 1
(this evening) at the Club at 8 p.m. Mr. Harman
Payne will lecture on " Chrysanthemums at Home and
Abroad," and Mr. G. C. Haite, F.L.S. , on ." Artistic
Aspects of the Chrysanthemum."

United Horticultural Benefit and Provi-
dent Society. — The annual dinner of this society
was held at the Cannon Street Hotel on Thursday,
October 23, when about 160 members and others
interested in the progress of its work were present.
This is the fourth affair of the kind, and we must
regard it as the most enjoyable and successful. The
chair was taken by Mr. Cutler, secretary of the

Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution, who was
supported by Mr. Sherwood, Mr. Harry Veitch and
others. The tables were laid out with great taste,
flowers freely and well used, and for the beauty of
the decorations Mr. Chard, Messrs. H. Cannell and
Sons, and Messrs. J. Laing and Sons have to be
thanked. Mr. Hudson, the treasurer, said every-
one must be gratified with the great success of the
society during the past few years, but there should
be 1000 members and 100 honorary members, which
we hope will before long be the number on the
books. Mr. Collins, the secretary,mentionedthat£10
had been received for the convalescent fund started
by Mr. Sherwood last year, and that a sum of £5500
was invested, while the number of members was
350. Mr. George Cavendish consented to occupy
the chair at the next annual meeting. The chair-
man announced that £25 had been received from
Messrs. Rothschild, and ten guineas from Mr.
Baker. The customary votes of thanks were passed
with enthusiasm.

Carnation prizes. — The following are the pro-
posed regulations for prizes offered by Mr. Martin R.
Smith:—

Class I. (£/, in four prizes).— £3 3s., £2 2s., £ 1
and 15s., for the best border variety of self-coloured
Carnation. Not less than twelve blooms. To he shown
iu bunch or bouquet, with its own foliage and buds.

Class II. (£7. in four prizes).— £3 3s., £2 _2s., £1,
and 15s., for the best collection of twelve varieties of
self-coloured border Carnations. Not less than six
blooms of each variety. To be shown in bunches or
bouquets, with their own foliage and buds.

Class III. (£7, in four prizes).— £3 3s., £2 2s., £1,
and 15s., for the best collection of eighteen varieties of
flake, bizarre, or fancy Carnations, or Picotees. Not
less than six blooms of each variety. To he shown in
bunches or bouquets, with their own foliage and buds.

Each exhibitor shall be called upon to sign the
following declaration : —

I certify that all blooms shown by me for the prizes
offered by Mr. Martiu Smith have been cut from plants
which have been wintered without protection in the
open garden, have been grown without bands or ties
round the calyx, and that they are staged without
" dressing," and exactly as they were cut from the
plants.

The blooms to be staged in bottles, tins, or
glasses, and not in boxes. The stems in all in-
stances to be not less than 9 inches in length. No
bands or ties round the calyx, paper collars, or wire
supports to be used. A burst calyx to be a dis-
qualification. Non-compliance with the above regu-
lations to disqualify the exhibitor.

The competition has been fixed for July 21, 1S91

SHORT NOTES.— PUBLIC GARDENS.

Dahlia "White Bedder. — This variety has been
very beautiful during the summer and early autumn
near the railway station at Battersea Park, and also
near the river-side refreshment house. It is dwarf,
very free, and makes a splendid show — just what is
wanted in a large place. The flowers are not large
and creamy white.

Opening of the Maryon Park. — The new

park which has been given to the inhabitants of Plum-
stead and Woolwich by Sir S. Maryon- Wilson was
opened on Saturday afternoon last. Preparations had
been made to celebrate the event by the people of Old
Charlton. The park is not unlike a quarry, except
that the sides are Grass-grown instead of being bare.
It lies in the hollow, just behind the Woolwich Dock-
yard, and is surrounded by hills which will form a de-
lightful recreation ground for children in the summer
months. No time was lost in getting through the cere-
mony here, Sir S. Maryon- Wilson handing the key of
the park to Sir J. Lubbock, acting on behalf of the
London County Council. The weather was, unfortu-
nately, very wet.

Late Grapes (G. W.). — Lady Downe's, Mrs.
Pinee, Muscat of Alexandria, and Alicante will suit
your purpose.

Names of plants. — F. R. M— Clerodendron

fcetidum. Geo. Flemwell. — 1, Pleione lagenaria; 2,

Brassia caudata.

Names of fruits. — Mrs. Stewart. — Apple Annie
Elizabeth : Pear Glou Morceau.

428

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 1, 1890.

WOODS AND FORESTS.

surface of the wound treated in the same way
as formerly recommended.

J. B. Webster.

TREE DISEASES.
Tkees are subject to a great variety of diseases,
some of which may be prevented by careful cul-
ture, while others can be traced to accident,
such as shake and fracture by wind, and last,
though not least, to the attacks of insect pests.
When trees are exposed to the full sweep of
the wind during a storm limbs and branches
are often broken, and as this impedes the free
and natural flow of the sap, these wounds in
course of time form an excellent food for
the growth of parasitic fungi, which again in
their turn lay the foundation for rot and decay
in the timber. These parasitic fungi exhibit
considerable variety in shape, colour, and size,
but perhaps one of the worst is Xectria cinna-
barina, which appears in patches on different
parts of the stem and branches, like a cluster
of small warts, of a yellowish or reddish colour,
both colours sometimes being noted in the
same group. Hard-wooded trees are liable to
be attacked by this fungus, especially at places
where the bark has been bruised. In order,
then, to prevent this state of things as far as
possible, the woodmen should be very careful
when thinning plantations not to allow the
trees which they have cut to crash into others in
their proximity that are to be left on the ground
as permanent subjects. As soon as wounds of
this kind are observed, the damaged bark and
wood splinters should be pared off and the
surface made smooth with a sharp knife. The
part should then be covered over with thick
paint of a colour resembling the bark of the
tree. In cases, however, where the fungus
growth is beginning to appear, the wound had
better be dressed over with coal tar, which
effectually kills the spores of the fungus and in
a great measure prevents the lodgment of
water. This fungus, however, sometimes at-
tacks young trees where no trace of any wound
can be found at the part affected. I recently
examined a young Acer about 10 feet high, and
as no wound could be found on the stem, I at-
tribute the cause in this case to root fracture
and small fragments of old wood mixed up with
the soil at the spot where the tree was planted.
The lesson taught here is not only that the roots
of trees should be carefully protected at the time
of transplanting, but likewise that the soil in
which they are planted should be clean and free
of any noxious matter. Sometimes hard- wooded
trees exhibit unnatural swellings on different
parts of the trunk, when in course of time the
bark at the spot bursts, and a thin fluid sub-
stance of a reddish colour runs down the stem.
Although this disease is not caused by wounds
or bruises, yet the fungus already referred to
often makes its appearance at the same spot.
Damp mossy ground that retains excess of mois-
ture is apt to produce this disease, as this class
of ground attracts late spring and early autumn
frosts. In consequence of this, the trees are
occasionally frost-bitten, by which means the
sap vessels are ruptured and the foundation laid
for the disease. In order to prevent this disease
as far as possible, the ground should be well
drained and the drains kept in proper working
order to prevent stagnant water at the roots.
Thinning should also be well attended to, in
order to promote a free circulation of air among
the trees. In the course of thinning, any trees
found to be affected had better be cut down and
disposed of at once, as they seldom add much
to their value after being affected with this dis-
ease. When dressing these blotches or ulcers
all dead matter should be removed, and the

HAED-WOODED TEEES.
In the rearing and management of plantations,
the great aim is to produce the greatest quantity
of timber of the best quality on a given space or
area of ground in the shortest period of time ; and
to obtain this it is necessary that the best system
of management be pursued. To rear hard-wooded
trees so as to arrive at a profitable or satisfactory
issue, it is necessary, first, that the plants should
be healthy. Care should also be taken that the
trees are planted in soils and situations specially
suited to their growth, for, however suitable the
soil and situation may be for the growing of cer-
tain kinds, trees of a different sort might not
thrive in the same place. Further, it is generally
advisable to have the ground prepared and im-
proved bv thorough draining and looseniDg of the
soil. Another important matter is the laying out
of the plantation, in deciding upon which the
natural rise or fall of the ground, as well as the ex-
posure of the situation, should be taken into con-
sideration, and whether the plantation is intended
for profit or ornament. Long, straight lines should,
as far as possible, be avoided ; and the shelter of
the surrounding ground, as well as of the planta-
tion, be kept in view. The outline should be formed
so that the wind or storm will not strike against
too much of the plantation at once, but rather be
thrown off than received in full force on a long,
flat line of defence. Again, the greater the mass
of trees in one enclosure the better will be the re-
sult in every way ; and the plants will have more
shelter and thrive better than in small enclosures,
where storms blow right through the plantation.
The expense of managing large plantations is con-
siderably less, and a much smaller length of fencing
is required than if the same extent of ground were
covered by several small enclosures. After the
young trees are planted, it is necessary to see that
they are not blown about by the wind and shaken
at the roots. When planted in exposed situations,
they are apt to be blown to one side, while the
shaking to and fro by the wind in many cases
works a hole in the ground round the collar of the
plant down to the roots. When this happens, the
plants should be raised erect, and a little soil added
and pressed down with the foot. If these details
are not attended to in proper time, the air gets
down to the roots, or they are saturated with water,
which may be frozen, causing the death of many
plants, retarding the growth of the remainder, and
making them one-sided. If attention is paid to
keep the plants upright during the first year, great
loss will be avoided, and there will be little after-
trouble from this cause.

Thinning and felling timber.— As the
woods and coverts in many cases will now have
been shot through, thinning young plantations and
felling heavy timber should be carried on when
hands can be spared. Where single specimen
trees are to be removed, it is sometimes necessary
to grub them up by the roots at once, and in doing
so attach a rope to the tops of the trees, and take
advantage of the leverage of the stems to pull them
down, by which means the roots will be raised from
the ground with the trunk attached, and can then
be cut off with a saw. In felling heavy timber in
close plantations, great care should be taken to
prevent the trees from crashing into such as are to
be retained in the immediate vicinity, so that skill
and judgment should be exercised in conducting
the work to prevent damage. In cases where the
tops of the trees to be removed are of a large size,
it is sometimes necessary to reduce their dimen-
sions by cutting off a few of the larger sized
branches with a saw, by which means the risk
of damage is lessened to a considerable extent.
In calm weather, however, expert men accustomed
to the work, with a proper use of wedges, can
lay a tree down within a short distance of the
spot selected, but in all cases where there is risk
by wind or other causes, the safer and better

plan is to attach a rope to guide the tree in its
fall. Chop up branches and fagot them up as
the work proceeds, either for home use or for
sale, as circumstances may direct. Continue to
thin young plantations, being careful to allow the
trees on the margin to get well furnished with
side branches as a barrier to destructive winds.
Collect the poles to the roads, and have them ar-
ranged into lots for sale. Eemove the branches
and dispose of them for firewood. Clear out all
rubbish from drains and watercourses, and spread
the stuff evenly over the surface. Eepair the
fences where necessary.

Planting HoUy hedges. — It is generally
considered that Hollies make one of the best of
hedges. They succeed best when moved in April or
May, and dull weather, if possible, should be chosen
for the operation. August and September are also
favourable months for transplanting Hollies. The
ground intended for the line of hedge should be
trenched 18 inches to 24 inches deep and from
3 feet to i feet wide, turning out bad subsoil and
stones and replacing them with rich soil of fibry
turf well chopped up and intermixed with the ori-
ginal soil in the line of fence. The plants should
be from 12 inches to 18 inches high, bushy and
well rooted, and planted just clear of one another.
Of course smaller plants will succeed equally well
and cost less money, but a longer time must elapse
before the hedge will be a sufficient fence against
cattle, &c. If the weather and soil be dry when
planting wash the soil in amongst the fibres with a
liberal soaking of water ; finish off the planting by
adding a thick layer of litter. Bracken, or any
rough herbage over the roots ; this will prove a sure
safeguard should a dry summer follow after plant-
ing. All the attention that is necessary for two or
three years is to keep down weed growth about the
necks of the plants. When the plants have become
fairly established and have made vigorous growth,
their sides may be slightly trimmed, encouraging a
broad base and narrow, wedge-like top. Holly
hedges should not be topped until they have at-
tained the desired height necessary to form a suffi-
cient fence.— Old Fobesteb.

Pruning Conifers for leaders. — A common
occurrence with some species of Picea is the ten-
dency to produce double leaders ; when this is the
case the weaker one can be removed without injury
to the plant. I have frequently noticed the de-
struction of the main leading shoot, caused either
by birds, wind, accident, or mischief, and the result
has been that the upper whorl of horizontal shoots
all gradually assumed an upright habit. It will be
necessary to remove all but one, selecting the
strongest, which will be found to have more of an
upright tendency than the others. This shoot will
gradually bend over the point where the original
leader grew, and although slightly curved in the
middle, the top will finally assume an upright posi-
tion, and this without any necessity for t^ing.
From this branch-made leader the whorls will be
produced year by year with perfect regularity. In
the case of the "crown of the leader only being
injured, all the incipient side-buds on the portion
left should be picked out except the one nearest
the top ; but if the top one is not strong, remove a
portion of the injured leader till a vigorous one is
reached (judging of this beftre the incipient buds
are picked out). The upper one left will soon form
an upright leader, and in a few years will com-
pletely obliterate all traces of injury. Picea Lowi,
P. cephalonica, and P. Pinsapo are also wonderfully
improved by branch-pruning, particularly when
growing in soils and situations different from what
they are accustomed to in their native homes.
Growing on limestone rock, which is the case in
their native country, it will be found that in all
similar situations in Britain these trees generally
become vigorous and of good shape.— J. 31.

Carriage drive. — I shall he glad if any of the
readers of The Garden can tell me of a material for
a carriage drive that will hind and yet not lift after a
frost or heavy rain. I have tried a limestone, which
gets verv sticky after frost, and a sandstone, wliich will
not stand the amount of traffic which my drive is sub-
ject to, but breaks up into loose sand. — James E.
Backuouse, Hurworth Grange, Darlington.

THE GARDEN.

429

No. 990. SATURDAY, Nov. 8,1890. Vol. XXXVIII.

"This is an Art
Which does mend Nature : change it rather ; but
The Art itself is Nature."— Shakespeare.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

STEWING PEARS.
We hear but very little about Pears for stew-
ing or cooking in pies, yet they are much in de-
mand, for the former purpose especially, in
many large establishments. Properly cooked
and served, stewed Pears are a form of "sweet "
that rarely fails to be appreciated at the dining-
table, and seeing that some of the best cooking
varieties keep longer than nearly all the dessert
sorts, there is good reason why more attention
should be paid to them. As far as my expe-
rience goes, very few of the varieties classed as
cooking Pears are planted now-a-days, but large
healthy specimens can always be found in the
old orchards grown by former generations of
gardeners and farmers. For my part I fail to
see why they should now be so much neglected,
as it is very certain a good use can be found for
all grown in private gardens, and in all proba-
bility they would prove nearly or quite as pro-
fitable to the market growers as the better
known dessert varieties. It might be urged in
extenuation of this neglect that many of the
latter are, as a rule, only fit to be cooked, and
this, unfortunately, there is no gainsaying,
but what is wanted are longer keepers, a dish
of stewed Pears being particularly welcome
when the dessert varieties are exhausted.

Uvedale's Saint Germain, owing to its great
size, is perhaps the best known of all the stew-
ing varieties, and this, the largest Pear in culti-
vation, also happens to be about the best keeper,
the fruit frequently keeping sound and good till
April and May. Specimens of this variety, un-
der the name of Belle Angevine, have been on
view in Covent Garden Market 3 lbs. and up-
wards in weight, fancy prices being asked for
them, and a good sum charged for the loan of
a dish to be displayed on the table at some ela-
borate City banquet. These very large fruiting
varieties are only suitable for planting against
walls, and unless Uvedale's has plenty of head-
room it is very shy bearing. Large trees cover-
ing the end walls of living houses rarely fail to
bear well, and I have seen very fine crops on
trees covering the fronts of stables and out-
buildings generally. Catillac also attains a
great size if given the benefit of wall shelter,
the fruit being extra heavy, of excellent quality
when cooked, and keeping good till February.
It also succeeds well either as a pyramid, espa-
lier, or cordon, trained clear of, but sheltered
by garden walls, fences, or hedges. Occasion-
ally fine standards of this variety are to be met
with, but if young standards are planted, these
ought to be in or near the centre of an orchard,
or otherwise strong winds will much damage
these heavy fruit. Belle de Thouars I have
only tried as a three-branched cordon on a west
wall. In this position it seldom fails to bear a
good crop of large fruit, attractive in appear-
ance, but fit for cooking only. It keeps good
till the end of December. Black Worcester,
also a large variety, crops heavily and keeps till
February. Though somewhat coarse and gritty,
it can yet be served up tempting in appearance
and of good flavour. It is a strong grower, and if
against a wall should have plenty of head-room.
Fine standards can soon be grown of this va-
riety, but I should not recommend it for pyra-

mids. Gilogil, on the contrary, makes a capital
pyramid on either the Quince or Pear stock.
It is a good bearer, the fruit being of medium
size, of good form, and when cooked the quality
is first-rate. Unfortunately, it is not a long
keeper, its season not often extending beyond
January. Verulam succeeds admirably as a
pyramid or standard, being a moderately strong
grower and a sure bearer. With us this season
it produced a heavy clean crop of fruit, which
bore down many of the branches to the
ground. It keeps well till the end of February,
and is of superior quality when cooked, no
colouring matter being required.

In addition to the foregoing there are several
varieties classed as dessert Pears which might
also be used for cooking, and some of them I
would advise being planted. If the fruits of
these ripen properly, that is to say, become
really fit for dessert, well and good ; but if not,
they would yet be available for cooking. What
is greatly in their favour is the fact that they
often carry good crops when other choicer sorts
fail. Foremost in this list I would place the
Vicar of Winkfield, this being one of the
most reliable varieties in cultivation, our
trees rarely failing to carry heavy crops.
The samples taken from trees growing against
a north-east wall are usually large, clean,
and frequently of sufficiently good quality for
the dining-table in December in an uncooked
state. With the cooks it is a great favourite.
No colouring matter need be added to it when
stewed, while the quality is first-rate. This va-
riety forms a handsome pyramid and does well
as a standard. Beurre Clairgeau is also a sure
bearer, and against warm walls the fruits
are large, prettily coloured, and of fairly good
quality, but do not keep after November. Fruit
from exposed trees is unattractive in appear-
ance and of little value. Occasionally General
Todtleben is to be met with in excellent condi-
tion, but more often than not would be more
properly classed as a stewing Pear. It does
well against walls — cordons producing very
fine fruit in the open — either horizontally, cor-
don, or pyramidally trained, bearing heavy crops
in each case. It cooks admirably, and will keep
till the end of January. Duchesse d'Angoul^me
proves too gritty for most good judges when
eaten in an uncooked state, but this failing is
less apparent when the fruits are stewed. It is a
good cropper under almost any form of training,
bushes on the Quince stock frequently produc-
ing extra fine fruit. Being a November Pear,
there is less need of this variety. Chaumontel,
though described as a dessert Pear of great
merit, rarely deserves this eulogy ; in fact, I
have never met with a really good fruit of it,
even the fine specimens largely sent to the markets
from Jersey being hard, tough, and gritty, and
requiring to be cooked to render them presentable.
We have both wall trees and pyramids, each of
which bears very freely andthefruits areavailable
for stewing till late in March. For the latter
purpose only ought it to be grown, and it is
well worthy of it. So well has Beurre Diel
served us as a dessert Pear for several years
in succession that it would appear rank ingrati-
tude to include it in the list of supplementary
stewing varieties ; but it is not of very high
quality uncooked, and those who object to it in
that form might yet feel disposed to give it a
trial for cooking. It is one of the most reliable
varieties that can be selected, succeeding well
under almost any condition, and the fruits are
available till well into December.

W. Iggulden.

New Grape, Appley Towers Seedling1. — I

should like to add my remarks to those of Mr.

Wythes anent this new Grape. Having heard
it so well spoken of by such excellent Grape growers
as the late Mr. Wildsmith and Mr. Coleman, I took
the first opportunity I had of personally inspecting
this and the other seedlings raised from the same
cross (Gros Colman x Black Alicante) by Mr.
Miles at Appley Towers, Ryde, Isle of Wight.
My impressions, previously made when this va-
riety received a first-class certificate from the Royal
Horticultural Society, were decidedly in its favour,
both for appearance and flavour. These, I am
pleased to say, were even more fully confirmed on
makingaclose inspection of the Vine itself. The Vines
in the house where this seedling is being tested are
every one (Appley Towers not excepted) carryingthis
season an excessively heavy crop. In spite of this,
the fruit of the seedling is far in advance of that
of either of its parents, both of which are growing
by its side, as regards earliness in colouring and
flavour. When I saw them the berries of the seed-
ling were quite black, whilst those of the other
kinds wanted quite another fortnight, and Gros
Colman even longer. I quite think in Appley
Towers Seedling that we have a valuable addi-
tion, not only for private use, but also as a
valuable market Grape, with excellent appear-
ance and good qualities combined. The berries
resemble those of well-grown samples of Madres-
field Court, the bunches in shape resembling those
of Alicante. — Jas. Hudson.

THE VINERY OF THE FUTURE.
In commercial Grape growing, as in many other
callings, the big capitalist is doing his best to
swamp his humbler brother ; in fact the only
chance for the small grower is to put all his ener-
gies into the work and produce fruit of superior
quality. There will always be a demand for su-
perior Grapes and other fruit in the markets of the
country. A few years ago the building of a vinery
from 100 feet to 200 feet long was looked upon as
something wonderful. Now a house 100 feet long
is a mere cockle-shell in comparison with some of
the recent structures for Grape growing. As the
price of Grapes falls the cultivator must, of course,
try to make up his total receipts by increasing his
output. This can only be done by building larger
houses, and a given space can be more cheaply
covered with one or two big span-roofed houses
than by a number of little ones. The necessary
heating also can be more cheaply supplied in a
long length than a short one, because in proportion
to space covered fewer fittings (and these always
come expensive) will be required, but as regards
economy of working my impression is a house 100
feet, or at the most 200 feet long can be worked
more cheaply than a long stretch a quarter of a
mile or so long without a door or any means of
exit. All other things being right, there should be
more fruit cut from say a double span 150 feet long
and 100 feet wide, if the Vines are planted in rows
across the house and trained to vertical wires, than
in the old-fashioned way up the rafters. _ In a
large house with plenty of side light in addition to
the light descending through the large squares of
glass forming the roof, the foliage and young wood
will get all the light required for healthy vigorous
growth and the necessary ripening warmth will not
be absent. I have long been aware that in many
vineries the training wires are fixed too near the
glass, and that the foliage suffers in consequence.
I once had charge of a house where the leaves
lost colour, becoming brown round the edges long
before the natural ripening season came round.
I came to the conclusion after much anxious
thought that it was owing to the extreme fluctua-
tions of temperature near the glass, and the next
season, by removing the Vines 6 inches further
from the glass, the leaves retained their colour till
the natural season for ripening. There is no reason
why the Vines should not do as well trained ver-
tically under glass as they do on the side of a hill
in sunny France or Italy, and this is what I expect
market Grape growing will have to come to if the
big vinery system is extended. Of border making as
understood in the past there will be little. Select,
as Mr. Roberts recommends in his valuable paper,

430

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 8, 1890.

the right spot on a limestone formation with a good
depth of loam over it, cart on the manure, trench
it up, and plant your Vines. All that then remains
is to manage the interior with average ability, and
good fruit will be the result. According to my ex-
perience, a fairly large house is liable to less fluc-
tuations of temperature than a small one, and the
roots having a wider root-run are not so likely to
come to grief ; besides, being on a naturally suitable
staple, there will be nothing to disagree with them
unless the manuring is overdone, which in the
hands of practical men with their eyes wide open
is not likely to happen. The past twenty years have
been fruitful of many surprises in gardening, not
the least being the marvellous growth of a cheap
gardening press, which seems to me to be only the
natural forerunner to the supreme effort that will
in the future be made by the people in this country
to grow their own fruit. E. H.

Vine manures. — I did not hear Mr. Thomson's
lecture on Vine soils, nor have I had a chance of
reading it, but if he condemned animal or farm-
yard manures as stoutly as " A. D." says, I would be
glad to know what Mr. Thomson means by stating
at page 81 of the last edition of his book, that his
oeau ideal of a Vine border would be one tacked on
to a well-made Asparagus plantation where top-
dressing was an annual event. He gives the
case of Vines whose roots had " extended 60 feet into
an Asparagus brake," which Vines, he quotes,
" are in fine health, and bear enormous crops every
year without a shanked berry." I say nothing of
the radical difference between the constituents of
the Vine and Asparagus, but those who want to
know how much animal manure is recommended
for Asparagus beds where top-dressing is an annual
event have but to look up any recipe for an Aspa-
ragus bed. Ideal Asparagus beds are probably to
be found about Deptford and Eattersea, and no
doubt "A. D." would tell us what they are like. — A
Puzzled Gabdener.

Apples at Streatham.— The Apple is culti-
vated with much success by Mr. Peed at Streatham,
and illustrates the value of this fruit for planting
in suburban gardens. The growth is remarkably
vigorous, well ripened, and even at the end of
October bush trees on the Paradise stock of
Missouri Pippin were laden with fruit. One of the
best for this kind of culture is Cox's Orange
Pippin, and here it succeeds well, also many of the
leading kinds. The soil is a heavy loam, but not
of the best kind for fruit culture, yet we get results
that would make growers in the pure country air
envious. Besides Apples, all the other fruits
commonly cultivated do well, as Peaches, Nee
tarines, Plums, Cherries, and Pears, trained in
various ways to suit particular purposes, while we
were also pleased to see that they are not put under
glass, a practice that must be condemned. The
crop of Apples from the bush trees has been very
large, and those who have seen the excellent col-
lections shown by Mr. Peed this season at several of
the principal exhibitions, amongst others the Guild-
hall, know that they are able to compete with others
from much more favoured localities.

Prizes for packing Grapes at Chiswick.—
Permit me to inform A. Dean in reply to his re
marks on the above subject (p. 397), that I fully
realise the importance of having fruit so packed
that it shall travel with entire safety, not, however,
as he desires to make so prominent, by parcels post.
This mode of transit is not at all adapted for
perishable fruit like Grapes, Peaches, Melons, and
Strawberries — a mere fallacy, in fact. I have
proved over and over again that there is not the
slightest comparison between the two modes of
conveyance, and in this I am fully supported by
all the practical fruit packers to whom I have
spoken on the subject. When this fact is so evi-
dent, what can be gained by still adhering to the
postal system ? There is no manifest advantage
in cost even, set aside bad travelling, and as re-
gards quickness in despatch the balance is decidedly
in favour of the railway. A. Dean by his own
showing exposes the weakness of the postal system,
but why he should hold up the box to which the

premier award was but narrowly given as a model
for sending by post I cannot imagine when it was
sent by rail, and that not in a fair manner. Why
did not Mr. Dean compare the lower and larger
box of the two sent together with the upper and
prize one, which bore no comparison to each other
as to appearance 7 If he had done so I think he
would not have been so much in favour of the
prize one. Had it not been for the simple fact
that the prize box was composed of Gros Colman
(and these just the size for the box), it would not
have borne the carriage so well. Since the Grape
Conference another box of Grapes has been sent
from Leeds to near London, this time by itself,
with the result that it did not come to hand in a
satisfactory manner as compared with the prize
one, so I was informed by the receiver. The basket
mentioned by Mr. Dean as coming from Gunners-
bury via Waterloo would have come from Leeds
just as safely as the shorter distance. I maintain
that it was an unfair question to put as to where
each one came from. If so much stress was to be
placed upon mere distance, why not have said so,
and then the competition, which was in itself a
strong one, would have been considerably reduced.
Two large Grape growers who send for private use
have already ordered thirty baskets like the one
above named ; one of these, who has already
adopted the plan (this I alluded to in my former
remarks), has been informed by his employers that
the Grapes sent to the family by the basket system
reached them in splendid condition (after having
travelled 400 miles), and better than ever before
under the box system. Further comparison, I con-
sider, between the two plans is quite superfluous. —
F. C. E.

FIGS IN POTS FOR EARLY FRUITING.
Figs grown in pots for the first or early supply
are most acceptable when other choice fruits
are scarce. They are easily grown, and with
sufficient plants many persons can grow Figs
in pots who could not afford a house alone
for them. If the trees are not too large,
they may often be started in pits or other places
where the necessary amount of bottom - heat
can be given them. Figs this season have been
very good both from pots and from trees planted
out, and the fine autumn we have had should cer-
tainly ripen up the wood for next season's crop.
Our trees in pots forced early look promising, and
the wood is hard, having been thoroughly exposed
for some time. Figs are the softest-wooded fruit
trees we have ; therefore every attention should be
given them to thoroughly mature the wood. If
the wood is not thoroughly prepared for forcing
the plants will certainly cast their fruits just at the
time the final effort is required to finish them off,
The Fig in its natural state is not an early fruit,
and in forcing this should be borne in mind. We
often see trees planted at the back of vineries and
not bearing a fruit, simply because the wood never
gets sufficiently ripened. The Vines take all the
sun away from the trees, and the roots being
shaded, often lie wet and cold. The Fig requires
considerable more feeding when grown in pots
than most fruits. It is also impatient of drought
and these two latter points must be attended
to if good fruit from pot plants is desired.
Now is the time to attend to the roots of the trees,
It is not desirable to increase the root space
in the case of very large trees. I think a medium
sized pot much the best ; the strong roots should be
shortened back, all the old drainage and loose soil
can be taken away, reducing the ball, so as to get
a good bit of fresh compost for the small fibrous
roots to push into. The compost should consist of
good yellow loam, some old mortar rubble, and
some quarter-inch bones or bone-dust, using a few
bones of a larger size for drainage over the large
crocks. Take care to thoroughly ram the compost
as the work proceeds and to use the soil in a suit-
able condition, as if too wet it will be impossible
for the trees to do well in it, and if too dry it will
not bind sufficiently. After potting, the trees
should be plunged in ashes or Cocoa-nut fibre ; they
may also be placed in a cold house if thoroughly
exposed to the air. Young trees requiring to be

grown on will require a shift. For the first lot of
early Figs I prefer small bushes and small pots.
These can often be used where large trees would
take up too much room, as the small trees can
often be removed to finish their second crop, and
the house utilised for other purposes. Now is a
good time to pot up a stock of this useful fruit for
forcing for another season. The new Fig St. John,
that has been exhibited twice this season, should
certainly have a trial ; it will, I think, prove a valu-
able forcing variety and it fruits very freely. Pingo
de Mel is also worthy of a trial.

Figs grown in pots if treated as advised by cut-
ting back the roots yearly will need little pruning,
chiefly regulating the growth and cross branches,
cutting out weak, thin growth in the summer
months, so as to get the fruiting wood well
ripened. Brown Turkey is, no doubt, one of the
best, if not the best Fig we have for most purposes ;
it is a good forcer, good when planted out, and
succeeds well in the open on a wall when growing
in a favoured position. It can always be relied
upon for a crop when well done, and gives large,
richly-flavoured fruits. Negro Largo is a good
variety for pot culture, but not so reliable as the
above for all purposes ; it is also a strong, robust
grower, and therefore for medium-sized pots not
so suitable. As a late summer and autumn Fig in
large pots it cannot be surpassed, in my opinion,
and the fruits have a very delicious flavour. The
White Ischia, not a large Fig, is one of the best for
pot work, and with good cultivation will produce
an immense quantity of fruit, which is much liked
by many persons. It is very sweet and richly
flavoured. I have trees here of great age,
and which are wonderfully productive. The
Black Ischia, also good when grown for
this purpose, is a good bearer and of a larger
size than the white kind. Early Violet is also
good for early pot culture ; it is not a large fruit,
but one of the best for a reliable crop. White
Marseilles is a large round pale green fruit of good
quality, and an abundant bearer ; it is one of the
best of the large fruiting kinds for pot culture, and
makes short-jointed wood that ripens well and
forces readily. There are other good varieties, but
I have not found them succeed so well for early
forcing as those named. For planting out they are
in many cases better, as they bear larger fruits,
but even then most Figs require to be restricted at
the roots to grow them well and prevent the first
crop dropping off, which is often the case with
forced Figs. The best method for obtaining an
early supply of Figs is by plunging the pots up to
the rim in a warm bed of Oak or Beech leaves, add-
ing more warm material as the leaves sink and
starting with a temperature of 50° by night and 7°
to 10° higher in the day. I place turf round the
top of the pots to allow of a good mulch as the
fruit swells off, and if it is necessary to remove the
plants after their first crop is ripened, the trees are
plunged in larger pots in a rich compost of ma-
nure and soil, and placed in a warm growing tem-
perature. G. Wtthes.
Syon House.

SHORT NOTES.— FRUIT.

Strawberry The Countess.— I have been
looking through " Notes on Strawberries," and am
surprised to find The Countess mentioned only by one
of your correspondents, and as flavour is one of the
points in question, it is a pity this excellent Straw-
berry is not better known. It is in shape very like
Dr. Hogg, a good one for packing, and a mid-season
variety. Fruit large and flavour excellent. — T. M. M.

Apple Lane's Prince Albert.— I agree with
every word Mr. Wythes says in favour of the above in
The Garden, Nov. 1, 1890, p. 420. I find the tree
has a somewhat lanky habit when grown as a standard,
and its free-bearing qualities prevent it making a hand-
some head. Some trees grafted last spring on Crab
stocks near the ground have made longer maiden
shoots than any other kind. It answers well either
as an espalier or as an open bush, being very prolific
and handsome. The quality of the fruit is excellent,
and it keeps well. It resembles that of Cellini Pippin.
— W. Crump, Madresfield.

Peach. Golden Eagle. — This late Peach has
proved itself so excellent here in an unheated house,

Nov. 8, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

431

that I venture to inquire how it has shown itself
elsewhere. Its flavour is of the very highest qual-
ity, its size large, of a beautiful golden colour with
a rosy cheek, so that when in addition one can
say it is free-bearing and very late, it seems sur-
prising so little has been said about it. With me
the tree has never grown very freely, so perhaps
there may be some weakness of constitution which
accounts for its neglect. The best testimony I
can give of its excellence is to say I am ordering
two more trees, so as to have them in different
temperatures, and thus prolong its season. — E. H.
Woodall, Scarborough.

Gooseberries.— I shall be obliged if you could
give me a selection of Gooseberries suitable for
dessert, bottling, and a few for jam-making. The
two first are the most important. — A. B.

*„* It is not often that other than green fruit of
Gooseberries is bottled, and the best jam is also
made from green fruit. Kept till the fruit is ripe, the
skins become tough and, not dissolving properly,
are unpleasant to the palate. This difficulty is
avoided if quite green fruits are boiled, and the pre-
serve these make leaves nothing to be desired as re-
gards colour, flavour, or keeping properties. The
small and medium-sized varieties are of the best
flavour when ripe, and if, therefore, these are
planted extensively, every contingency will be pro-
vided for. The comparatively new Whinham's In-
dustry is the first to attain a serviceable size, and
being also a heavy cropper this ought certainly to
be planted. Whitesmith is a well-tried old favourite
and serviceable alike for cooking in a green state,
bottling, and making into preserve, being also of
good quality when ripe, but keeping badly. Crown
Bob has long been very popular among market
growers, and this again is a very useful all-round
variety. Green Walnut, unfortunately, is of rather
straggling growth, but it is very prolific, the fruit be-
ing of good size and excellent in quality when ripe.
Early Sulphur will be found the best early dessert
variety, and it is very reliable. Red Champagne is
one of the best as regards quality, but the fruits
are rather small and rough — Yellow Champagne be-
ing also excellent, though small. In Red Warring-
ton will be found an exceptionally serviceable va-
riety ; it is of good habit, a heavy cropper, the
fruit being of medium size, of superior quality, and,
what is very much in its favour, it keeps longer than
that of any other variety. — W. I.

Pear Pitmaston Duchess. — Until this au-
tumn this fine Pear has with us always seemed a
little wanting in flavour, but the fine September
and early October have this year shown that it is
not the Pear, but the seasons that have been at
fault. In future I for one must say this Pear can
be first-rate, equal to Marie Louise or any such
type of all that is excellent in Pears, while its
beauty and size are remarkable. Beurre' Bachelier
has also this year shown itself in best form, and
proved itself a hardy and good Pear, though by no
means equal in quality to the one just mentioned.
In a seaside garden much exposed to cold winds
many kinds have too tender a blossom, and never
set a fruit with us. For instance, Conseiller de la
Cour, Doyenne du Cornice, and Beurre Hardy have
scarcely borne a single fruit in nine years, while
Marie Louise, Beurr^ Diel, and Easter Beurre have
scarcely failed in any season to give us some good
fruit.— E. H. W., Scarborough.

Grange's "Winter Pearmain Apple. — I

was enabled to show at the Westminster Drill Hall
on the 28th ult. a very fine sample of the above
Apple. It is one which is not much known ; indeed
very few persons would recognise it. The tree is a
robust grower, semi-erect, and branching, and bears
some resemblance to the Blenheim Pippin, many of
the fruits, which are large, green, and on the side
next the sun at times richly flaked with red , bearing
also some resemblance to those of that va-
riety. In form half conical, the fruits have
slightly depressed eyes, and they are at times
slightly irregular in shape, lacking the more even
outline of the Blenheim. The flesh is firm, crisp,
and juicy, also well flavoured. As a rule, the fruits
keep till March very well. The variety is not a heavy
bearer at any time, but then it never fails to produce

some fruits. Like most other kinds, the produce
has been thin this year, but still there have been
on the trees some capital samples. Worked on the
free stock, the trees seem to show special fitness
for orchard culture, and are very enduring. No
doubt they would endure and be fruitful for 100
years, so robust is the variety. My trees are twenty-
one years worked, and have grown wonderfully
well on the stiff clay here, needing occasionally a
good thinning. I had the grafts in the first place
under the name of the Holland Pippin, but time
showed that the nomenclature was wrong. A'ery
many grafts have been picked up in a similar way,
and thus improper names perpetuated. Still it was
not a matter for surprise that it should have been
so in the case of this particular Apple, because I
found that Mr. G. Bunyard was the only person
who seemed to know its correct designation. — A. D.

NOTES ON STRAWBERRIES.

The following notes on Strawberries which
we are enabled to publish through the kindness
of our correspondents will doubtless prove in-
teresting to our readers. They have been sent
us from all parts of the United Kingdom. We
print the questions which we desired to have
answered : —

1. — Best hinds for forcing and bearing.

2. — Best hinds for flavour.

3. — What are your best early and late hinds for
open-air culture ?

4 — What is your opinion of the new varieties that
hare been lately sent out ?

5. — Mode of cultivation, whether as single stools
or in beds.

■ President is the best variety for all pur-
poses. Noble forces well, but is of poor flavour
when forced ; outside it is better and a handsome
fruit. We gathered it about ten days earlier than
President. Sir Joseph Paxton is a good outside
variety, but subject to mildew when forced. Vi-
comtesse Hericart de Thury forces and travels well.
La Grosse Sucre'e is early and a good bearer, but
is somewhat deficient in flavour. We have tried
other varieties, but not being so good as the above,
discarded them. We grow Strawberries in beds,
planting 2| feet each way on well - trenched
ground, preferring young plants for large fruit and
old forced plants for a crop.— G. Inglefield, Ted-
worth Gardens.

I have grown President for eighteen years,

and it has never failed during that time. The next
best are Improved Keen's Seedling, Laxton's Noble,
James Veitch, La Grosse Sucree, Black Prince, and
Sir Joseph Paxton, which do very well here. I al-
ways plant early in autumn, and three plants to-
gether in a triangle. I find they get established
sooner by this plan. For forcing I use Black Prince,
Keen's Seedling, La Grosse Sucree, and President.
Laxton's Noble, I find, is not of very good flavour.
For outdoor culture and flavour Keen's Seedling,
President, Sir Joseph Paxton, and British Queen.
I think some of the new varieties sent out are very
good, especially Auguste Nicaise and Noble, if the
flavour were there. — Geo. Hudson, Woolley Pari:,
Wakefield.

■ Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury is the best

Strawberry to force early with me, being a good
cropper, very reliable, and of excellent flavour, with
British Queen to follow on later. The best kinds
for flavour and in their order of ripening with me
are the following : Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury,
Keen's Seedling, Green's President, British Queen,
Dr. Hogg, Lucas, John Powell, and Frogmore Late
Pine. They are all good croppers, excepting
British Queen, which requires good cultivation and
to be kept well renewed, as after two years the
fruit begins to show signs of decay. I grow several
other varieties, such as Noble, James Veitch, and
Sir Charles Napier (except those of more recent
introduction), and I have come to the conclusion
that I have nothing equal to Vicomtesse Hericart
de Thury, British Queen, and Dr. Hogg for dessert,
and use nothing else. In the month of August I
make a plantation to get my layers for the next

season, and keep the flowers pinched off, thereby
getting earlier layers and free from damage by not
being trodden on when getting fruit. I also make
new plantations on well prepared beds, 3 feet apart
from row to row, or even a little more if plenty of
space is at command.— H. Rogeks, Eendlesham
Sail, Woodbridge.

■ The best varieties for forcing are La Grosse

Sucre'e, Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, President,
and Sir J. Paxton. I have found the flavour of all
the above very good. The best for open air are Sir
J. Paxton, President, Dr. Hogg, and Sir C. Napier.
I only forced one new variety last year, the one I
tried being the much-abused Laxton's Noble. The
results I found so good, as far as I was concerned,
that I shall force a much larger quantity this year.
The mode of culture I adopted was the single stools.
— T. H. Ceasp, Canford Manor, Wimborne.

Best kinds for forcing are La Grosse Sucree,

Sir J. Paxton, Sir C. Napier, and President. Best
kinds for flavour are British Queen, Dr. Hogg, La
Constante, and Sir J. Paxton. Oxonian is a good
flavoured late kind. La Grosse Sucree is the
earliest, closely followed by Sir J. Paxton. Oxonian
is the latest. I have not grown any of the kinds
recently introduced, but have formed a high opinion
of Helene Gloede and Waterloo. I always grow
them as single stools and on borders, the distance
between the plants being 18 inches and 2 feet
from row to row, chopping them up after the third
year of bearing, and replanting as early in the sea-
son as possible.— A. Wakd, Stohe Edith Gardens.

For early work Vicomtesse Hericart de

Thury is a good cropper and excellent flavour
Auguste Nicaise and La Grosse Sucree are fine, the
former being the best setter, and Keen's Seedling
yet holds its own. For open air culture we grow
Black Prince and the Old Scarlet for preserving,
followed by Keen's Seedling, Elton Pine, Vicom-
tesse Hericart de Thury, President, and Lucas,
which does well here, and is the principal one
grown for dessert, being large, richly flavoured,
and firm fleshed. It also travels well. Laxton's
Captain is a second-rate early kind, but the foliage
is too coarse. House's Victory is the latest of all. It
is a heavy cropper, flavour second-rate. Most new
kinds noted by me have too much foliage. We
plant out forced plants in rows 2 feet 6 inches
apart and 15 inches apart in the row. This
answers every purpose well. — A. McKay, Wolum
Beds.

The best kinds for forcing are La Grosse

Sucre'e, Vicomtesse, President, Sir Joseph Paxton,
and Sir Charles Napier. These we have found to
meet all requirements, both for home consumption
and for packing. I shall give Noble a trial this
season. The above I consider all good in flavour
of course, Sir Charles Napier is rather sharp. The
best for open air are Sir Joseph Paxton, Vi-
comtesse, Noble, President, our latest being Sir
Charles Napier. This we keep a long time, shad-
ing the last batch in order to prolong their
ripening, whilst we plant out our earliest batch
of La Grosse Sucree forced plants. They give
us fruit again in a short time. My opinion of
the new varieties is very limited. I have seen and
tasted Noble. It is a fine looking Strawberry, but
not of a very rich colour, and the flavour is any-
thing but good. I have had several new varieties,
but have not found them equal to my requirements,
Princess Alice and The Captain being amongst them.
I grow the plants in the ordinary way, that is, in
rows 3 feet apart and 2 feet from plant to plant,
and plant annually. I usually make a bed in March
and again in August, and plant upon a rich piece
of ground which has been laid up for some time to
sweeten and been double dug and manured. By this
treatment we never fail to secure excellent crops. We
put a heavy mulch around them during winter, and
utilise the space between those planted in March ft r
Onions, or Lettuces, or anything we want that will
come off quickly, so that no ground is wasted.— W. A.
Cook, C'jmjjton Bassett, Calne.

La Grosse Sucree does fairly well in pots,

but will not succeed with us out of doors. Laxton's
Noble is a good cropper out of doors, but is wanting
in flavour. Auguste Nicaise does fairly well.

432

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 8, 1890.

Neither British Queen nor Dr. Hogg will grow on
our soil in the open, although in pots they fruit
well. The best varieties for forcing are Vicomtesse
Hericart de Thury, President, Sir Joseph Paxton,
Sir Charles Napier, and Loxford Hall. The new
varieties that I have grown and have seen in this
district do not surpass those named above. We grow
our Strawberries as single stools, 2 feet between the
rows, and 2 feet from plant to plant. — D. Lumsden,
Bloxholm Hall, Linooln.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Scabiosa caueasica, of which I send you a
bunch, is flowering as freely here in the first days of
November and as freshly as it did in July. The flowers
are as large and as delicately tinted as they were in
summer. It is an excellent wet weather plant, deluges
of rain that have spoded many things having no effect
upon it. It is a fine hardy perennial. — T. Smith.

*#* Beautiful flowers of this fine plant, illustrated
by a coloured plate in The Garden of Feb. 9, 1889.

LEelia Perrini.— I send you a spike of Laelia
Perrini, as the size and colour, I think, are good.
Kindly let me know your opinion. The plant was
treated the same as Cattleya Mendeli and Mossiae, and
not dried so hard as recommended by some growers to
induce it to bloom. There is one more lead on the
plant bearing two flowers. This is a very useful Or-
chid for blooming at this season of the year, when
flowers of this character are scarce. — Geo. Cbagg
Percy Lodge Gardens, Winchmore Hill.

*#* A spike of three flowers which represent an ex-
ceedingly good variety — large, richly coloured, and
striking, the lip deep purple. It is one of the best
forms we have seen. — Ed.

Eulalia japonica in flower This is now in

bloom out of doors, this fine autumn and mild
winter last year having allowed the shoots to per-
fect themselves. In this northern climate the
shoots always take two years to flower, so if the
winter is severe the young growths are cut down,
and so it cannot flower. It is rather disappointing
to find the panicle of bloom is not fan-shaped, as is
depicted on Japanese fans, but with a central shoot,
that like other Grasses makes a spike, inflorescence,
and not flattened on one side, as I had believed.—
Edwaed H. Woodall, Scarborough.

The Silphiums, or Rosin plants, are all coarse-
growing subjects, taking up, perhaps, too much
space in small gardens to be grown in sufficient
quantity to be effective. The wild garden or
woodland is, doubtless, the most suitable place for
them, with the exception of S. laciniatum, the
Compass plant of the North American prairies, and
which, besides the interest attached to it on this
account, is one of the most ornamental of this
genus. The best of all for woodland work, how-
ever, is S. terebinthinaceum (the Prairie Dock),
with a flower-stem 4 feet to 10 feet in height, and
huge oval leaves 1 foot to 2 feet long and half as
broad. This plant grows freely in ordinary soil,
and when in robust health is one of the finest
foliaged plants I know. It flowers during the
late summer and autumn months, but the flower-
stems are better kept cut down, and thus the vigour
thrown into the leaves makes a wonderful difference
in its appearance. — K.

Eupatorium probum— Although this plant
has for some years been cultivated in a few gar-
dens, amongst others at Pendell Court, it is only
about a year ago that it was authoritatively named.
The present name was given by Mr. N. E. Brown,
of Kew. It is certainly a useful addition to the
Eupatoriums already in cultivation, being of com-
pact bushy habit, free-flowering, and as easily
grown as any of the other species. The foliage is
light green, each leaf being heart-shaped and ser-
rated at the margin, both surfaces being covered
with a soft pubescence. The flower-heads are
white and round, measuring about three-quar-
ters of an inch across, altogether not un-
like those of a white double Daisy. They
are borne in dense corymbs, measuring 4 inches
through. The general treatment should be the
same as that given to E. riparium and E. odora-
tum. Cuttings may be taken in February or
March, and grown on in the greenhouse until June

They should then be put out into an unheated
frame, only covering them up on cold nights to-
wards the end of September. It is necessary to
pinch out the leads a few times when the plants
are small. They should never want for water or
manure. The whole plant is erect, and by growing
them from cuttings each year as directed into 7-
inch pots, compact little bushes, 18 inches high
and a foot through, may be obtained. Several spe-
cimens are now commencing to flower in the tem-
perate house at Kew.

Parry's Marigold (Tagetes Parryi) seems to
be a comparative stranger in cultivation, although
a most useful and ornamental winter-flowering
plant for the warm greenhouse. It is a native of
Mexico, we believe, and [is always killed down here
by the first severe autumn frosts, but from early
summer until the frosts come its flowers appear in
great abundance. Cuttings struck in July and
grown on make fine plants for winter blooming,
and as they strike readily, even in a cold frame, no
difficulty will be experienced in getting up a suffi-
cient stock. It may be wintered in any place from
which frost is excluded, and in this way, even
without the aid of much artificial heat, we are able
to keep it from year to year. Its flowers, which
resemble those of Tagetes patula, are rich golden
yellow, the foliage divided like very fine Fern
fronds. Its only fault is the Marigold smell.

Notes from Baden-Baden.— Helleborus niger
lacteus proves a very good variety, being out as
early as October ; the flowers, though stellate, are
large and of the purest white ; under different and
more normal conditions of climate they are milk-
white. Cotoneaster Davidiana is very showy ; it
grows vertically and likes to run along a wall ; it
is literally covered by the shining fruits of a deep
scarlet colour. Crocus medius is a fine autumn
bloomer ; the flowers deep purple with conspicuous
deep red pistils. In the greenhouse Agapanthus
maximus Krelagei is very showy ; it is very late
flowering, and the compact heads of deep blue
flowers are now very ornamental in the greenhouse.
A large number of Nerines are very gay— colours
from pure white to rose and purple to crimson make a
cheerful sight about this time of year. Among my
newest hybrids Novelty holds first rank ; it is very
free flowering, has broad petals, and large heads of
flowers of a peculiar coppery rose. — Max Leicht-
lin, Baden-Baden.

Calceolaria fuchsifflfolia. — This shrubby spe-
cies of Calceolaria was introduced from Peru in
1878, and a plate of it was given in The Gaeden,
March 29, 1879. It has not, perhaps, received so
much attention as was anticipated at the time of
its introduction. This, no doubt (at least in the
London district), is to some extent due to its sus-
ceptibility to fog, which speedily turns its leaves
brown and shrivelled at the edges, thus rendering
even a flowering plant unsightly. It is nearly, al-
though not perfectly hardy at Kew when grown
against a wall, an exceptionally severe frost killing
it. There are, doubtless, many parts of the country
where it will live out entirely. In less favoured
localities it may be grown in pots for greenhouse
decoration. It should be kept out of doors during
the summer, removing it to a cool greenhouse in
early October, when it soon commences to bloom.
The flowers are bright yellow and arranged in ter-
minal panicles ; their shape is that characteristic of
the genus. The specific name is very appropriate,
for the leaves, except in their deep glossy green, are
very Fuchsia-like. Mr. F. W. Burbidge has raised
a handsome greenhouse plant by crossing this
species and C. Pavoni. In habit and general ap-
pearance the hybrid, however, more resembles the
latter parent.

Notes from Newry.— Autumn tints are this
season generally poor. Some things, however, are
always good, amongst them the following : Pour-
thissa (Photinia) villosa is, I should think, about as
handsome as any autumn leaf-painting you ever
saw. [Very rich in colour.— Ed.] Rosa lucida
plena is just beginning to take on its brilliant colour.
Nyssa multiflora in a dress of rich orange is con-
spicuous. Enkianthus japonicus is particularly bril-
liant, and, moreover, has maintained its rich crim-

son colour for quite three weeks. Cornus florida is
not the least brilliant, and in a few days' time will
be a glowing mass of scarlet. Pyrus arbutifolia is
a neat-habited shrub, and the way in which the
deep green leaves become first margined with bright
red, before that colour spreads over the whole sur-
face, gives it quite an attractive appearance. An-
dromeda arborea will not be at its best for some
time, but you will see from the shoot sent that it is
attractive even now. — T. Smith.

The Bamboos most useful for small rockeries,
where during the dull winter months they are
most effective'in their greenery, are B. Ragamowski,
a small one called B. nana, though this is probably
not its correct name, B. Kumassa, and the various
forms of B. Fortunei. These last, especially the
white and golden variegated forms, are dwarf,
rarely attaining more than a couple of feet in
height in the open air, and we have never known
them to get hurt in winter in the south of England
at anyjrate. All those named above are dwarf. B.
Ragamowski, with bright green leaves almost as
broad as those of the common B. Metake, and
rarely attaining more than a foot or so in height,
is more than any of the others inclined to droop,
the stems gracefully bendiDg from their base, and
when overhanging groups of stones effective all
the year round. None of the above grow tall, and
are a long time before they become bulky, so that
they need very little attention.

Pleroma macrantha. — Each season The
Gaeden calls the attention of its readers to the
merits of this beautiful Brazilian plant, and there
are certainly few greenhouse subjects more worthy
of wide cultivation. Planted out in a cool or inter-
mediate house and grown as a bush or as a trellis
plant it is perhaps most valuable, but those who
have not space to treat it in this way may use it to
good advantage for flowering in pots during autumn.
There is no greenhouse plant blooming at this sea-
son or perhaps any other the colour of whose
flowers surpasses in richness and brilliancy the
violet-purple of this Pleroma. The flowers vary
from 3| inches to 5 inches in diameter, each of the
five obovate petals measuring nearly 2 inches in
width. It will succeed under ordinary greenhouse
conditions throughout the year, but the plants are
benefited by a little extra warmth when developing
the flowers, that is to say, a temperature of from
50° to 60°. Cuttings struck in early spring and
grown on during the summer in 7-inch pots will
make useful shelf plants for late autumn. The
flowers, however, are not so large as those obtained
on plants a few years old and grown freely in a
bed of soil.

Oestrum aurantiacum. — Like all the Oes-
trums, this species is best seen when planted out in
rich loamy soil. For clothing pillars and walls, or
for hiding ugly corners, it is most suitable. Being
of close growing, bushy habit, it also makes an
effective plant when simply trained up a stake. By
pruning yearly about December it can be kept at
any desired size, and for small houses is therefore
more convenient than such species as C. fascicu-
latum. On one of the pillars in the temperate
house at Kew a plant some 10 feet or 12 feet high
has been very attractive for the last three months.
The panicles of orange-yellow flowers are borne in
the greatest abundance from August up to October,
but, with the exception of the very dullest part of
the year, it is always more or less in bloom. Grown
in pots it is of course not so satisfactory as when
planted out ; nevertheless, its denser and less ram-
pant habit makes it better suited for that purpose
than any other Cestrum. Even on plants in 8-inch
pots a large quantity of bloom may be got in late
in summer and autumn if they are previously stood
outside and liberally supplied with manure. It is
propagated very easily by cuttings. The species
was introduced from Guatemala in 1843.

Rose W. A. Richardson. — We have seldom seen
this Rose finer than in the nursery of Mr. Peed at
Sfcreatham, where it makes a splendid growth on the
seedling Brier, the best of all stocks for this Noisette
Rose and the Tea-scented class. It was raised in 1878
by Ducher, and is one of the prettiest button-hole
Roses in its line of colour that we have.

Nov. 8, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

433

Trees and Shrubs.

benthamia fragifera.

This tree is now thirty-five years old. As a
small seedling of two years it was planted in
the centre of a lawn in front of Mrs. Cock-
burn's residence, fully exposed to the sun
from early morning till late in the afternoon,
hut well sheltered from the violence of the
severe gales of wind so common here in

I of the single Anemone, of much the same size,
! and of a greenish white colour. The flowers
open in May, and do not completely disappear
till late in August ; the sight of this mass of
white bloom on so peculiarly graceful a tree
is singularly beautiful, and in the bright
moonlight of the summer nights it has al-
most a weird-like and startling effect. In the
centre of every flower is the fruit, and as the
petals drop off, this enlarges and assumes
somewhat the appearance of a Strawberry. It

Bentkaniia fragifera in the garden of Mrs. Coekburn, Elm House, Guernsey. Engraved for The Garden.

winter. It was quite two years before it took
the ground; after that it shot up rather rapidly
to its present height of 21 feet, beyond which
it does not appear much inclined to go, but
the lower branches have spread out along the
ground and are still spreading. The circum-
ference at present at the base is 8 1 feet. It '
was some eight years old before it commenced
to bloom ; since then not a year has passed
without its being simply covered with flowers,
which are very similar in appearance to those

enlarges gradually and slowly, and towards
the end of October commences to turn a pink-
ish-red, the largest having attained the size of
a full-sized Mandarin Orange. At the mo-
ment of writing (October 28) a few are
quite ripe and dropping from the tree, but
fruit will still be on the tree when the flowers
open next year, and even now the buds of the
future flowers, in the form of a small nodule,
the size of a Pea, a miniature fruit, thickly
stud all the new shoots ; in fact, the tree is

never without fruit or flower, and for a long
time shows both.

The fruit is acrid and unpalatable ; it makes
a sort of jam which some people pretend to
like. For many years no bird would touch
the ripe fruit, but now thrushes, and espe-
cially blackbirds, eat it with avidity. The
tree sheds many of its leaves in January, and
looks its worst in January and February, but
it is never completely bare. It will stand any
amount of rain, but suffers much from strong
winds. To do the tree justice it should be
planted in a perfectly open space, well pro-
tected from prevailing winds. It cannot be
propagated by layers or cuttings, but there is
no difficulty in rearing seedlicgs ; so freely
does it propagate in this manner that seed-
lings are constantly weeded out of the borders
in the neighbourhood.

J. Balfour Cockburn".

Mm House, Guernsey.

WEBB'S SILVER FIR.

(abies webbiana.)
Than this denizen of the Himalayas, few, if any,
of our coniferous trees are more handsome, or
assume that stately grandeur for which even in
our adverse climate this tree is so remarkable.
It has one great drawback, being tender
during spring in most situations, and which
has greatly precluded its use for general
planting in most parts of the country, although
there are situations well suited for its culture,
as will later on be pointed out. The conspicu-
ous silvery white of the underside of the foliage,
deep bright green of the upper side, and bold
leaf arrangement, as also the handsome large
purple cones, all combine to render this Silver
Fir by far the grandest and most imposing of
its family. So strikingly different in general
appearance is it, that no mistake will ever be
made in confusing it with any other species.
Where it does in this country the annual growth
is long and stout, but it is not at all uncommon
for the tips of the branches to be so bitten by
early frosts that the whole tree wears a miserable
appearance, and gradually, as time goes on,
dies out altogether. This latter is attributable
to a wrong choice of soil and site, and that much
evil in so doing has been brought about in our
woods and parks I cannot help thinking. For
this particular Fir a cold upland situation where
it is sheltered from fierce storms will be found
the best, and it must be admitted that some of
the finest trees in the country are to be found
growing under such conditions. As to soil, a
stiffish, cold, and late soil, though not produc-
tive of long annual growths, is to be preferred
to light warm, sandy loam, and where the trees
are coddled up in a sunny sheltered situation.

Generally speaking, however, this particular
Silver Fir is not to be commended in any thin o-
like a wholesale way for planting in any part of
these isles, but that, when its peculiarities are
studied, it forms a very handsome and distinct
tree cannot be denied.

Like not a few other half-hardy Conifers,
Abies Webbiana gets much hardier and better
able to withstand the extremes of our climate
as it advances in years, so that a little care and
protection afforded in the immature stages of
growth are amply repaid afterwardsby the better
furnished appearance of this desirable Fir. On
an exposed site and where hardly 2 feet of de-
cayed vegetable matter and loam were present
above the rocky debris, I have noticed this tree

434

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 8, 1890,

doing well, its appearance indicating almost
perfect harmony with its surroundings ; while
another tree fully 05 feet in height and well
furnished throughout grows in deep alluvial de-
posit, and in a cold and dampish situation near
sea level.

This latter is one of the finest trees of its
kind that I have seen, its appearance when the
branches are bent down with the great number
of large purple cones (this is the colour when
full size is attained, but previous to becoming
ripe) being highly ornamental, heightened, too,
by the light silvery tint of the under sides of
the leaves, which at that time are revealed by
the bending of the branches by the weight of
the cones. 1 have not seen many fertile seeds
produced in this country, although in fair-sized
trees cones are usually produced pretty abun-
dantly. The nearly allied or perhaps identical
form named Pindrow is not, in this country at
least, so ornamental a tree as the typical Web-
biana, and I question much if it is equally
hardy. Botanically, the differences in the two
trees were fully detailed in a former number
of The Garden, so need not be repeated here.
The wood is-all but worthless, although prettily
veined. A. D. Webster.

Perpetual blooming Honeysuckle.— Under

this name I got from a nurseryman in the north of
England a Honeysuckle that appears to be simply
a variety of the common kind, the flowers being
rather deeper in colour than those of our native
species, although this may be the effect of culture.
It certainly does, however, merit the title given it,
and I consider it to be a valuable addition to the
list of hardy climbers. My plant bloomed at the
usual season, took a rest, and then made a new
growth, giving a second crop of blooms the latter
end of August but little, if anything, inferior to
the first lot, and this was followed by a third crop,
which, though rather sparse, was certainly wel-
come at that time of year, bringing the blooming
season of this Honeysuckle up to the end of Octo-
ber. We have not too many late summer and
autumn- blooming shrubs and climbers, and for this
reason this perpetual flowering Honeysuckle will
doubtless be a favourite when it becomes better
known. Lasting so long in bloom it would be very
.suitable for isolated positions, and I should think
it would look well in bush form, pruning it back
rather hard every year in the way that is some-
times done with the Pyracantha. No doubt the
perpetual flowering nature of this Honeysuckle
will be more pronounced when the roots find an
abundance of good food throughout the summer
months.— J. C. B.

Shrubby Veronicas.— In themore favoured dis-
tricts of England the various shrubby Veronicas are
among the finest of outdoor shrubs, and are equally
at home if planted close to the sea or quite inland.
They will flourish where so fully exposed to the
salt spray that many plants fail entirely. Besides
this, they are also of use where they wihVnot stand
the winter out-of-doors if grown in pots and em-
ployed for the embellishment of the greenhouse or
conservatory, and in this way little bushes will
flower throughout the winter without any forcing
whatever, as all that is needed is a uniform green-
house temperature. Veronicas of this class are
brought into Covent Garden Market in considerable
numbers during the autumn months. They are
usually planted out, and being lifted and potted,
frequently accompanied with a more or less severe
mutilation of the roots, it is small matter for sur-
prise if many of them soon lose much of their
foliage. They may, however, be planted out during
the summer, and lifted in the autumn and potted
without injury if the operation is done carefully.
In the first place, all the Veronicas of this class
produce dense masses of roots, so that it is useless
to think of getting them safely into small pots, and
they need to be kept somewhat close for a time
till they have recovered from the check of removal .
Besides this, they msiy be grown altogether in pots,

but this method entails a considerable amount of
watering throughout the summer. Where the spe-
cimens are planted out in the conservatory one or
two of the Veronicas make handsome bushes in
this way, that is where they are not hardy enough
to stand out-of-doors. Where they may be, gene-
rally speaking, regarded as hardy shrubs it is as
well to put in a pot of cuttings towards the end
of the summer of any especially valuable variety,
as then should an exceptionable winter kill the
established plants, if the cuttings are protected
by a frame they will be quite safe. In the open
ground I have noticed that cuttings put in early
the previous autumn pass the winter sometimes
better than established bushes. All these larger
shrubby Veronicas strike root very readily from
cuttings put in at almost any season of the year,
but should the shoots be soft care must be taken
that they do not flag, as if this happens the action of
rooting is greatly retarded. The variegated-leaved
form of Veronica Andersoni which may be occasion-
ally seen used for summer bedding is a handsome
greenhouse shrub. — H. P.

THE TUPELO TREE.

The forests of Eastern America contain few
trees more intresting to the botanist or of
greater ornamental value than the Tupelo,
Pepperidge, Sour Gum or Water Gum, as one
of the American representatives of the small
genus Nyssa is popularly called in different parts
of the country. This genu3 was so named by
Linnaeus for a water nymph, because the species
known to him, inhabitants of our far southern
States, grow usually in shallow ponds or deep
swamps overflowed for a considerable part of
each year. Its nearest American relatives are
the Cornels, from which Nyssa differs princi-
pally in its five instead of four-parted flowers,
which are rarely perfect, but produce their male
and female organs separately, while the flowers
of the Cornels are perfect, and in its alternate
leaves, the leaves of our Cornels being opposite
except in the case of a single species. The dis-
tribution of the genus is exceptional and inte-
resting. Three species, or four, according to
the opinion of some excellent observers, inhabit
different parts of Eastern North America
from Maine to Texas. One species, a tree
of some size, occurs at considerable eleva-
tions on the Sikkim Himalaya, and one or
two little known species are found on the
mountains of Java. The genus has no re-
presentative, strange to say, in the flora of
China or Japan, where so many of the types of
Eastern America occur ; and paleontologists
have not yet brought to light any indication
that the ancestors of existing species inhabited
a larger part of the earth's surface than these
species do at present. This is not the place,
and it is not our intention, to discuss at this
time the limits of the different American species,
which have puzzled botanists ever since they
have known them, the confusion beginning
with Linnreus himself, who included two very
distinct species under his original description.
It is our purpose merely to call attention to one
of the species still little known or appreciated
by planters as an ornamental tree. This is the
Nyssa, which is generally distributed through
all the eastern portions of the United States
south of the southern part of the State of Maine
and Central Michigan. Nyssa aquatica appears
to be the correct botanical name for this tree,
although it is only in the extreme south that it
grows in water. Near the coast of the northern
States it always grows by the borders of swamps
in low, moist ground ; and in the interior, es-
pecially on the lower slopes of the high Alle-
ghany Mountains, where it attains its greatest
size, it is found at considerable distances from
the water-courses associated with the Oaks,

Magnolias, Hemlocks, Hickories, and Ashes
which form the principal part of the forest
growth. Here the Tupelo grows sometimes to
a height of considerably more than 100 feet,
with a tall, stout trunk 3 feet or 4 feet in dia-
meter, and short slender branches, contracted
in their development by its neighbours in the
forest. Near the coast it is always a much
smaller tree, especially in the southern States,
and it is rare to find it more than 50 feet high
except in the mountain forests or in those of
the lower Ohio valley — a region of exceptional
and extraordinary tree growth. The habit of
this tree as we see it near the coast is very
different from that which it assumes when
growing in the dense forest, for, as it grows
near the coast in low, wet land, which produces
generally few trees, the individuals have suffi-
cient room for the development of their
branches, which are long and nearly horizontal,
producing a flat, often umbrella-shaped, top.
This is the familiar form in which the Tupelo
is seen in the neighbourhood of this city, either
along the shores of Long Island Sound, where
.it abounds, or the New Jersey coast.

The leaves vary much in size and somewhat
in outline on trees in different parts of the
country, the largest and broadest being pro-
duced on the Alleghany Mountains, and the
smallest in the Florida Pine-barrens. The
flowers in the different forms vary, however,
very little. The staminate flowers are produced
in dense clusters, while the female flowers are
borne two to fourteen together at the summit
of an elongated peduncle. The blue-black
fruit, of which rarely more than two are de-
veloped from a cluster of flowers, varies some-
what in shape, and very considerably in size, in
different parts of the country, as do the seeds,
which have been depended on to divide the spe-
cies. But the botanist, with a large series of
specimens gathered from trees growing under the
various climatic conditions to which this species
is subjected, finds it a difficult task to distin-
guish characters which can be depended on
to establish varieties even which do not pass
imperceptibly one into another.

The Tupelo was introduced into England in
1808 by John Lyon, an English plant collector
who travelled widely in North America early in
the century. It was doubtless sent earlier to
France, as it it is hardly possible that Michaux
could have failed to introduce such a distinct
and beautiful tree into the plantations of his
native land. Whether this is true or not, it is
certain that no American tree is now more
rarely seen in Europe, and a really fine speci-
men outside of America is not easily recalled.
This is due, perhaps, to the difficulty which is
always experienced in transplanting this tree
after it has been allowed to remain undisturbed
for any length of time, or after it has attained
to any considerable size. The roots are remark-
ably stout and long, with few rootlets, so that
the trees are never easy to move unless they
have been grown in the nursery and specially
prepared for transplanting. It is easily raised
from seed, however, the seedlings are easily
transplanted, and if they are set while still young
where the trees are to grow permanently, no
difficulty will be experienced with them. Even
large plants dug up in the swamps can be suc-
cessfully moved if extraordinary care is taken
in the operation, but for the ordinary cultivator
it is best to depend on small, nursery-grown
plants when they can be obtained. The Tupelo
should be more often seen in ornamental
plantations than it is at present. The habit of
this tree when allowed sufficient room in which
to grow is striking and interesting, and quite un-
like that assumed by any other of our hardy trees.

Nov. 8, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

435

The foliage is abundant and lustrous, and in the
autumn it assumes a brilliancy and splendour of
colouring unrivalled by that of our other trees. It is
oneof those trees which always attract attention —
in the winter by its peculiar habit, in summer
by the beauty of its foliage, and in autumn by
its colouring. The wood of this tree is nearly
white and very light, but with such an intri-
cately contorted grain that it can be split only
with the greatest difficulty. It is valuable,
therefore, and now largely used for the hubs of
light wheels and for rollers in glass factories,
for ox-yokes and similar purposes.

Nyssa aquatica is a small-fruited species, the
stone marked by broad, rounded ridges ; the
fruit of the two other American species is very
much larger, the stones being marked with pro-
minent acute or winged margins. The first of
these two species is the Nyssa uniflora of bo-
tanists, so called because the fertile flowers are
solitary. This is a large tree, usually known as
the Cotton Gum or Big Tupelo, 100 feet or
more high, and an inhabitant of deep river
swamps, where it grows in immense quantities,
generally with the Sweet Gum, from Southern
Virginia and Southern Illinois and Indiana to
Florida and Texas. It has ample, usually
angular-dentate leaves and peduncled fruit half
an inch long, known in the country where it
grows as wild Olives. It is one of the largest,
handsomest, and most abundant of the river-
swamp trees of the southern States. According
to Aiton, it was introduced . into England as
early as 1735 by the indefatigable Peter Collin-
son, who no doubt received it from his constant
correspondent, John Bartram ; it was probably
soon lost from gardens, and it is extremely
doubtful if it is now anywhere known in a living
state outside its native swamps. The other
American species of the genus is a smaller tree
than either of the others and much more re-
stricted in its range. It is the so-called Ogeeche
Lime, the

Nyssa Ogeeche of botanists, of the coast
region of South Carolina and Georgia, and of a
few isolated stations of Northern and Western
Florida. It is a shrubby tree, with staminate
flowers in large clusters, the fertile solitary and
usually perfect. These are followed by olive-
shaped scarlet fruit, each nearly an inch long,
and very acid even when fully ripe. It is col-
lected in considerable quantities, being much
esteemed when preserved with sugar for its sub-
acid flavour. It is known as wild Limes or
Ogeeche Limes. It is doubtful if this tree, al-
though known to Bartram, Marshall, Walter,
and the early American botanists, has ever been
cultivated, although it might well be grown for
its fruit in regions where the Orange nourishes.
— Garden and Forest.

The Californian Bay (Oreodaphne cali-
fornica). — The specimens of the Californian Bay to
be found in this country are few indeed, and yet it
is both a handsome and deliciously fragrant tree,
and one, moreover, that is by no means difficult to
cultivate. That it is not quite hardy in every part
of the country is pretty evident, but for all that
there are lots of suitable places for it, and where it
would grow freely and add quite a charm to its
surroundings. It is one of the most distinct and
readily recognised trees that I have ever seen, and
if full grown specimens in their native country
maintain in old age what the sapling does in the
two or three places where it is grown here, then
the tree must be one of a thousand, so distinct of
foliage and colour-tint is this Californian Bay.
When pressed the leaves emit a powerful and
agreeable odour, and are largely used in the making
of bay water, while their pleasing outline and
depth of colour render them so distinct from the
majority of our commonly grown trees. Free in

this country it can hardly be styled, for the biggest
specimen that I have seen was not 20 feet high,
and from the rate of growth for some years back I
should hardly think that it would ever attain to
that measurement, although in its native country
trees of nearly 100 feet in height and as much as C
feet in diameter of stem are to be found. — A. D.
Wbbsteb.

THE MAIDEN-HAIR TREE.
Beautiful as it is in all stages and at all seasons,
perhaps the Maiden-hair Tree is more attractive
during the autumn, just before the leaves drop,
than at any other time, as then the foliage assumes
a bright golden-yellow tint, without any suspicion
of red or crimson, which is to be found more or less
pronounced in the autumnal tints of most trees. Al-
though to an ordinary observer it is very different
from the Conifers, this tree really belongs to that
extensive order, and forms one of the few decidu-
ous members of it. The Maiden-hair Tree (Salis-
buria adiantifolia) is one of those subjects that
might with advantage be more frequently planted
for ornament than at the present day, as it forms a
handsome specimen, very distinct from any other
of our hardy trees, while the peculiarly shaped
leaves, from whence both the specific and popular
names are derived, form another interesting feature.
Probably the scarcity of the Salisburia is to a cer-
tain extent accounted for by the fact that it is not
very readily propagated and makes but slow pro-
gress during its earlier stages. On this account,
it is not a popular plant in nurseries. After a
time, however, its rate of growth is fairly rapid,
though it is never what may be called a quick-
growing tree. A rather deep, fairly moist soil of a
loamy nature seems to just meet its requirements,
but it is not very particular in this respect, as may
be seen by the fine specimen on the shallow gravelly
subsoil of Kew. As a lawn tree it is seen to very
great advantage, the whole of its prominent cha-
racteristics being then very noticeable, and it also
possesses the merit of thorough hardiness. Al-
though comparatively rare, there are a few fine
specimens of the Maiden-hair Tree to be seen in old-
fashioned gardens scattered throughout the coun-
try. The fruits of this Salisburia are said to be
eaten in China and Japan, but they are very rarely
if ever produced here, as in the first place it is ne-
cessary for the tree to attain a good size before it
bears fruit, and, secondly, being dioecious, the male
and female flowers are borne on separate trees, and
most of the larger specimens seem to be males.
There are two or three varieties of the Salisburia,
and when raised from seed there are frequently in-
dividual differences to be observed in the progeny.
Thus, in a group of half a dozen seedling plants I
recently saw, five of them had the characteristic
golden tint, while the remaining one had not com-
menced to change colour, although they were grow-
ing side by side. The recognised varieties are macro-
phylla, whose leaves are larger than those of the ordi-
nary form ; variegata, seldom constant in character ;
and pendula, with more or less drooping branchlets ;
but the typical kind is better than any of them.
The Salisburia is also known by the name of Ginkgo
biloba, and was introduced into this country over a
century ago. T.

Cedrus Deodara robusta. — Among the most
strongly marked varieties of the Deodar we have are
argentea, whose foliage is in some instances almost
of silvery whiteness ; viridis.of a deeper and brighter
green than the normal form ; and the subject of
this note, robusta, very different from them all. In
this the leaves are longer and thicker than in the
common kind, the branches also being larger and
fewer in number, while they are arranged in a very
distinct and picturesque manner. While the com-
mon Deodar is remarkable for its symmetrical cha-
racter of growth, this variety pushes out a few
stout branches here and there, which, with their
pendulous branchlets, give to a specimen an irregu-
lar and rugged outline. This form also does not
push up a clear leader like the others. A valuable
peculiarity possessed by it is the fact that it is later
in starting into growth in the spring than any other
forms of the Deodar, and consequently the young

growths of this variety escape the late spring frosts
which often injure the Deodar, and not only that,
but many other Conifers. — T.

SOME GOOD CONIFERS FOR SMALL PLACES.
If there has been in past planting operations a
tendency to spoil small gardens by the introduction
of deciduous trees of large size, the remarks made
thereon (Garden, p. 426) are even more true, so far
as the Conifers are concerned. When the craze
set in for Conifers, they were planted in many in-
stances quite irrespective of natural surroundings
or of the ultimate part they might play in the land-
scape, and, as a consequence, many really very fine
trees have to be sacrificed to meet the requirements
of other subjects. In noticing a few really good
Coniferse that could with advantage be used in such
grounds instead of the gigantic Sequoia, Silver and
Douglas Firs, or the big Pines, I must mention that
the observations are taken from a light soil resting
on sand ; possibly the trees to be noted attain much
larger dimensions in many places. Here, however,
I find the tendency is to grow very fast for several
seasons, then the growth is arrested, and although
the tree retains its symmetrical proportions, the
actual annual increase in altitude is very slight.
Cryptomeria japonica is a striking instance of this.
Several young trees I have planted have shot up at
the rate of 24 inches per annum, and yet although
we have some old trees in the pleasure ground,
there is nothing over 50 feet in height. Cedrus
atlantica var. glauca (the silvery Atlas Cedar) is a
very handsome tree, and does not grow at anything
like the rate of Deodara. Abies Morinda is a
beautiful tree in its young stage up to about 20
feet, but after that it gets with us loose and ragged.
It is said to attain in the Himalayas a height of
nearly 150 feet, but one- third of this seems about
its limit here. Menziesi is another very fine-
leaved Spruce which does not attain very
large dimensions. Of the Silver Firs I should
plant in grounds of medium size balsamea, cepha-
lonica, brachyphylla, and concolor violacea. The
two last-named have the credit of attaining a large
size in their respective homes (Japan and Colorado,
I believe), but it is a question if they go so high in
this country, not at any rate on the soil under con-
sideration, and they are such beautiful trees in a
young state that they can hardly be excluded from
the list ; certainly they are far more fitted for the
purpose than nobilis, grandis, or the common
pectinata. Of the Hemlock Spruces, canadensis
and its varieties rarely reach over 50 feet in height
except on specially favoured soils, and they may
therefore rank among the smaller Conif erre. I also
hear very favourable reports of Tsuga Sieboldi. The
above-named constitute a few of the smaller tree-
habited Conifers, and to these may be added a few
of the bushy type which attain a considerable size,
and of which Lawson's Cypress may be taken as an
example. Juniperus chinensis, J. sphserica, Retino-
spora obtusa, and R. pisifera are examples of this
class of Conifer. I must not close the list without
referring to the value of the common Yew as an
ornamental Conifer. The tree has its opponents,
possibly because in bygone times it was subjected
to cruel indignity, and it is more than likely that
when the tree lover witnessed strange and fantastic
devices in Yews he went so far as to protest
against the tree itself, instead of venting his indig-
nation on the perpetrators of the outrages. The
Yew was rather largely planted here when the plea-
sure grounds were remodelled, and planted well.
We have a line running along in front of a row of
fine Beeches with a foreground of Rhododendron
ponticum, occasional trees dotted here and there on
slopes and terraces, bits of sombre colour amidst
brighter greens, and yet again small groups of four
or five trees at the end of a long stretch of lawn
backed with large deciduous trees.

Claremont. E. Bueeell.

Thuja occidentalis Vervaeneana and

lutea. — Though at some seasons of the year these
two varieties of the American Arbor- vita? are much
alike in colour, at the present time the difference
between them is very marked, so that it is by no
means possible to mistake one for the other. The

436

THE GAUDEtf.

[Nov. 8, 1890.

variety Yervaeneana, which forms a densely
branched pyramidal growing specimen, is now of
a yellowish green hue, suffused (especially in the
exposed parts) with bronze, while lutea (the
George Peabody Arbor- vita?) has the young shoots
of a bright orange-yellow colour, while the old
growth is green. In habit, too, lutea forms a more
erect and densely branched specimen than Yervaene-
ana. Both are, however, well worth growing where
golden-leaved Conifers are needed, as they are the
oaly representatives of this hue among the true
Thujas. Neither are difficult to strike from cut-
tings put in sandy soil during the autumn months.

Kitchen Garden.

MANURING ASPARAGUS BEDS.
I* The Gakdej, October 25 (p. 392), "W. I."
says that Asparagus beds on heavy land are
injured by being autumn-dressed with manure.
The soil here is clay, and my beds have always
been well covered with manure for the winter,
and I cannot say that the result is satisfactory.
I shall follow " W. I. V recommendation this
year, but lie adds that " special " manures should
be used. Would he kindly inform me what
special manures, and when they should be
applied i I presume that the beds should be
left entirely untouched all the winter. — G.
Acton Davis, Julian Sill, Sorrow.

*** As was pointed out on page 392, many
Asparagus beds have been, and are, annually
badly injured by a too free use of solid manure
in the autumn, those responsible not sufficiently
recognising the fact that different soils require
different treatment. What may be sound prac-
tice in one case may be, and very frequently is,
altogether wrong in another, the constitution
of the surface and subsoils varying greatly even
in a single district. The method of treatment,
therefore, that answers well in the case of the
light chalky soils of some parts of Wiltshire
would be altogether wrong in the case of the
clayey soils of Somerset, especially where the
inferior oolite clay crops out. The clay in the
Weald of Kent again requires very different treat-
ment to the gravelly, quickly drying soils say
• >f either Dorsetshire or Denbighshire, while
the London clay, which evidently " G. A. D."
aas to contend with, is particularly difficult to
manage.

What I have frequently pointed out, with-
out any fear of contradiction, is the fact that
Asparagus requires warmth at the roots rather
than a superabundance of moisture and rich
food, the intelligent cultivator, however, avoid-
ing either extreme — dryness and poverty
usually going hand in hand. Clayey soils are
already too retentive of moisture to suit
Asparagus, and unless the beds are raised
well above the ordinary level of the gar-
den, and in addition well drained and
much lightened by the addition of various
insoluble materials, such as lime rubbish, burnt
soil, charred garden rubbish, and such like, a
winter dressing of solid or " fat " manure only
intensities the evil. On removing this surfacing
of manure at any time during the winter or in the
spring, it will be found that the soil under-
neath is sodden and cold, and on searching for
the roots, the best portion of these and may be
many crowns will prove to be rotten. Even if
the roots survived the winter, the top-growth
will be late and weakly, especially at the outset,
and the practice of raking off the manure in the
spring being also followed, the sodden surface
will dry rapidly, this greatly interfering with
the free growth of the Asparagus, while later
on the ground will crack badly. As far as my
experience goes, Asparagus is perfectly hardy,

and in any case I would much rather run all
risks from frost than invite its injury from
soddenness of soil consequent upon autumn
mulchings of manure. That these autumn
dressings of rich manure answer well in numer-
ous instances where the land is naturally
warmer, drier, and more finely divided than is
the case with clayey soils I readily admit, and
the result being satisfactory, there is no neces-
sity to change the practice. Even under such
circumstances it is doubtful whether there is
not often a great waste of manure, the juices
being washed clean away from the beds and
into the drains. If the manure could be sup-
plied in a different or less bulky form early every
spring, a mulching of fresh light soil being
given at the same time, finer and earlier shoots
would result, the mulching in addition to giving
a greater length of stem also preventing the
rapid loss of moisture in dry, hot weather.

"G. A. D." also wishes for information as to
what special manure is best for Asparagus and
when it should be applied, and for the first sea-
son since discontinuing the use of solid or farm-
yard manure he cannot do better than to rely
exclusively on lime. His retentive soil would
be very rich in nitrogen, potash, and phos-
phates, too much so probably, and a dressing
of newly slaked lime at the rate of a bushel to
every 25 square yards of bed would serve to
correct acidity and to liberate the fertile ele-
ments in the soil, which hitherto had lain dor-
mant. This dressing of lime is ample for about
five seasons, as to repeat it every spring would
only serve to render the soil altogether too poor
for Asparagus. In order to sustain the fertility
of the beds some kind of general or artificial
manure ought to be employed, the mixtures as
supplied by manure merchants answering well,
though I prefer to buy special manures sepa-
rately and to mix them. Sulphate of ammonia
and either muriate of potash or kainit (both
crude and cheap forms of potash), crushed and
mixed at the rate of one part of the former to
two of the potash, will suit nearly every vege-
table that is grown. A light dressing of this
mixture or only enough to whiten the surface
of the ground should be applied just before the
Asparagus commences active growth in the spring,
and a second dressing given during showery wea-
ther in April or May willalso act most beneficially.
It ought to be lightly forked into the surface
and left for the rains to wash down to the roots.
A liberal dressing of soot occasionally is all the
manure Asparagus gets in some case3, and it
would appear to suit it well. Guano applied as
advised in the case of the mixture is, if good,
a perfect manure, and far preferable to nitrate
of soda, the latter having much the same effect as
lime, and if solely depended upon quickly de-
priving land of much of its fertility. For a
season or two the latter answers remarkably
well, but must not be persevered with.

Of the various special manures available, com-
mon salt is that most generally recommended
for and most frequently applied to Asparagus
beds. _ Clay being absent from the soil, or pre-
sent in very small quantities only, salt proves
an excellent manure for Asparagus, and 1 have
known beds kept for twenty-five years in a pro-
fitable condition with its aid only, one liberal
dressing being given every spring and lightly
forked in just in advance of top-growth. On
clayey soils, however, it has a most ruinous
effect, and in all probability is responsible for
more Asparagus failures than any other cause.
It makes clay run badly or to become pasty, in
which state it is most retentive of moisture,
warmth and air also being excluded, rapid loss
of moisture and cracking in the summer being
inevitable. Asparagus cannot thrive in land

thus treated, and the bulk of the plants are
liable to perish outright. We have a heavy
clayey scil to contend with, and would prefer to
dispense with manure altogether rather than to
apply salt. The surface of the beds being ex-
posed to the pulverising effects of frost, sun-
shine, wind, and rain, is kept in a free working
state, air, warmth, and a certain amount of
fertility being absorbed by it. When the beds
are not forked over in the autumn much of the
rainfall passes over rather than through them,
natural channels in the shape of worms' runs also
carrying the moisture down to the drains, satura-
tion being thereby avoided. If lightly forked up
early in the spring and some kind of fine light
material added, with perhaps a dressing of ma-
nure, a quick and strong growth of Asparagus
will be promoted. — W. I.

TOMATO CULTURE.
Feom several observations made during the past
summer I have come to the conclusion that if To-
matoes are to be cultivated successfully in the open
air they must be planted against walls. In two or
three instances I have seen Tomatoes in the open
cut down before they could scarcely mature a fruit,
while near to them plants on walls were doing well —
strong plants free from disease, bearing fine
fruit, and maturing it thoroughly ; therefore
the chance of successful Tomato culture in
the open will be made more certain by growing
against walls or fences that afford shelter and se-
cure warmth. In a hot, dry summer the Tomato
crop in the open wo aid be pretty safe, but how
rarely do we get such a season. The usual expe-
rience is a late retarding spring and a moist cool
summer, during which the Potato disease appears,
and as surely as this happens, the Tomato crop is
stricken and hopelessly lost. Therefore it is wise,
in the face of the almost constant recurrence
of precarious summer weather, to so grow in
the open ground as to secure a crop if possible.
It is obvious that in the case of open-air
culture the earliest flowers must be left for
fruiting. The season is so short and uncertain,
that all that can be done in the way of
early fruiting should be done ; and as the racemes
of flowers expand their buds all lateral shoots that
cover them should be taken away, so that sunlight
and air may play freely about them. If fruits
for home consumption only is required, little or no
thinning out will be necessary ; but if wanted for
show purposes — and the exhibition of Tomatoes is
now quite general — the discreet thinning of the
fruit promotes symmetry and precocity. As a
matter of course, in thinning, the cultivator would
remove those that are misshapen and rugged in out-
line, and leave those only that are handsome in
form and without any flaw. The plants, whether
against walls or tied to stakes in the open, must be
kept secured, and when they are 3 feet or so in
height, or more or less according to position and
forwardness, then the tops of the leading shoots
should be taken off and lateral growth stopped,
leaving little more than the stem, some leaves and
the embryo fruits. In the case of plants growing
against walls a few more leaves can be left than
on those in the open.

A little mulching can be given to plants against
walls, because the wall as well as air and sun
become drying influences. When plants are grow-
ing in the open mulching is scarcely necessary,
except the summer should be a hot and dry one.
Messrs. C. Steel and Son, of Ealing, who plant out
several acres of Tomatoes — this season it proved a
most disastrous speculation — have a somewhat
shallow and stony soil, which they manure heavily
to make it productive ; and they mulch by shaking
out all the long straw from fresh stable manure,
and lay it somewhat thinly upon the surface. That
mulching adds to growth and somewhat hinders
the early production of fruit there can be no doubt.
And it may be added that over-feeding with manure
water has led to fine handsome fruit cracking and
becoming useless for exhibition.

Experienced growers say that Tomatoes cannot

Nov. 8, 1890/

THE GAKDEN.

437

be planted too near the surface of the soil, and
that it is best to add a little top dressing if required
rather than go to the opposite extreme and plant
too deeply. In the case of field culture the hoe is
freely used before mulching is employed. One of
the most successful Tomato cultivators in the open
air I am acquainted with rarely mulches, and
employs the hoe frequently among the plants,
taking care not to injure the roots.

By employing one or two of the earliest setting
and ripening varieties fruit may be had from the
second week in August until the middle of October
if frost keeps off and we experience such a late
summer and autumn as that we have just passed
through. And if it threatens, fruit may be cut off
and hung up in a greenhouse to ripen.

As to varieties, there is nothing better than a
good free-fruiting strain of the Perfection type.
This type has appeared under a score of names,
but it is difficult to say that they are distinct, though
they may be exhibited as different. I think that
Conference, the fine new variety obtained by the
Eoyal Horticultural Society, is, from its handsome

covering first with straw, and over this placing about
G inches of soil. — W. I.

Tomatoes in frames.— We have here a cold
frame. 30 feet long by 10 feet wide, which was this
year devoted to the growing of Tomatoes. In the
front is a bricked space about 1 foot wide and about
IS inches deep, in which' the Tomatoes are planted.
Wires are suspended from back to front, and from the
t .venty-six plants grown (one plant to each wire) we
have gathered no less than 260 lbs. of good-sized fruit.
— W. H. S., Elford Hall Gardens, Tamu-orth.

GKEATEE LEOPAED'S BANE.

(doronicum (harpcr crewe) plastaginevm
excelsum.)
This fine Doronicum, cut flowers of which
are here faithfully illustrated, is in our opi-
nion by far the best of the genus. Its origin
is uncertain. The late Eev. Harpur Ciewe
thought it came up in his garden as a spon-
taneous seedling, and it may be a cross between

Greater Leopard's Bane (Doronicum (Harpur Crewe) plantagineum excelsum).

appearance and free fruiting quality, well adapted
for planting against warm walk. R. D.

SHORT NOTES.— KITCHEN.

Pea Ne Plus Ultra. — After having tried many
new and old kinds of Peas during the last twenty
years, I have yet to be shown a variety that will
eclipse a good stock of Ne Plus Ultra for late work.
This year I tried several so-called new Peas, and I
sowed for autumn use four kinds, new and old, at
the same time. The result has been that Ne Plus
Ultra has outdistanced all the others. I continued
gathering almost daily from Ne Plus Ultra up to
October 21.— J. C. F.

Celeriac. — The roots of this are fairly hardy,
but as a rule require protection, or they become
discoloured and keep badly. Many of them may
be saved by heavily moulding them over, or the
whole of the ground can be covered with a good
thickness of leaves. On the whole, the simplest
plan is to lift a good portion of the crop, the tops
being cut off and the roots then stored in a heap,

our true native Leopard's Banes. It increases
with great rapidity, and if planted in rich,
moist soil it will produce quantities of bril-
liant yellow flowers from February to No-
vember. An abundant succession of bloom
is best obtained by dividing and replanting
every two years at the longest, the first
flowers produced by a young plant being gene-
rally the finest. It is admirably adapted for
supplying cut flowers for room decoration :
and it also does remarkably well if potted up
and brought on into bloom in a greenhouse.
A coloured plate of this handsome Leopard's
Bane was given in The Gardex, Nov. 11,
1885 (p. 512).

Gloxinias, &c, planted out. — Since I penned
the results of my then experience on this mode of
culture I have lifted the tubers, and their size
throughout exceeds my expectations. The largest
are quite fit to be potted into SJ-inch pots at the

proper time. I feel fully persuaded that we have
yet much to learn in the planting-out sy=tem as
compared with pot culture. Seedling Amaryllises,
for instance, are a case in point. These may also
be planted out with decided advantage when quite
small, and I intend to adopt this mode of treat-
ment with the next batch of seedlings as soon as
they are fit. Tuberous Begonias may be treatei in
the same way, giving far less trouble as regards
watering and other minor details. Poinsettias
thrive most luxuriantly if planted out, a rather dry
spot suiting them the best. — J. H.

Stove and Greenhouse.

BOTJVABDIAS.
Some diversity of opinion prevails as to the
best method of treating these plants for autumn
and winter blooming. Some prefer to plant
the whole of their stock out, while others keep
all in pots and grow them in cold pits during
the summer months. I have for several years
previous to the last two planted out the whole
of my stock, lifting the plants and potting
again towards the middle of September. I have
now abandoned the practice of planting out the
established specimens of such kinds as elegans,
Alfred Neuner, President Garfield, and Vree-
landi, and now keep them in pots throughout
the whole of the year and find they answer
much the best, as they too often make a quan-
tity of sappy growth when planted out just at
the time of lifting, and they generally feel the
shift very much. Such kinds as Humboldti
and jasminoides I still plant out and lift again
in autumn with as large a ball of earth as
possible and utilise one of the old Melon beds
in a heated pit for planting them in. Plants
lifted in this way do not feel the shift in the
least, and they go on growing and producing
their bunches of snowy white flowers until near
Christmas. For several years I have adopted
this plan, and so well am I pleased with the
result that I commend it to the notice of all who
appreciate the larger flowering kinds of Bou-
vardias. The greatest drawback to this system
of culture is that when the plants have ceased
to flower, sav about mid-winter, they require
to be cut back closely and repotted, and if great
care is not taken to put them into brisk
heat to start, the losses amongst them will pro-
bably be considerable. I have been so disap-
pointed with the meagre supply of flower from
the varieties last named when lifted and potted
owing to the check given by the disturbance of
the roots in getting them into pots, that I aban-
doned it, and am well pleased with the result
of planting in pits. The cuttings taken in
spring for keeping up the stock of plants I also
plant°out hi a frame from which the bedders
have been removed, or a Violet frame, first
making the soil in good condition for their re-
ception, and finishing up with a good covering
of finely sifted soil with a good portion of sand
and leaf-mould intermixed. The young plants
should be planted into this bed and given a
<rood watering, the lights put on, and shaded
for a short time. After they have made a good
start, the lights should be removed and the
youn'c plants have the points of their shoots
pinched out occasionally. In this way they
make fine specimens for 5-inch and 6-ineh
pots Although these young plants receive a
slight check in potting up, they soon recover
and make a good succession to tho3e grown in
pots the whole of the season.

Those grown in pots are what we mainly
depend on for our supply of blooms, aud though
they do not look so vigorous in the autumn
when taken into their flowering quarters, they

438

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 8, 1890.

flower at the point of every shoot. An inter-
mediate temperature suits them best, and well
established plants are greatly benefited by
occasional doses of liquid manure and light
surface dressings of some approved fertiliser.
It is not well to syringe overhead when there
is much bloom expanded, but when there is
none, an occasional syringe in bright weather
will greatly benefit the plants.
■ After they have done blooming, which, if
properly treated, will not be until the spring
months, they should be cut hard back and
placed in a good temperature to break, after
which they should be shaken out and repotted
into as small pots as they can be placed, to be
subsequently potted into their flowering sizes,
using an open compost consisting of loam, leaf-
soil, a little peat, and coarse silver sand, well
draining the pots and potting firmly. This
will cause the plants to make sturdy growth.
A frame is the best place for them until
they are well established, after which an open
situation on a bed of cinder ashes will suit
well. Here they may remain until housed
at the beginning of September. W. C. C.

profusion in an erect manner on the upper part of
the branches, which being arranged somewhat
horizontally, show the fruits off to great advantage.
Such subjects as this can be used in draughty spots,
and when they become injured may be thrown away,
as others can be quickly raised to take their
place.— H. P.

A note on Tydseas. — The beautiful variety
Mme. Heine was illustrated by a coloured plate
in The Garden on Nov. 10, 1888, and at that time
the Tydreas, including their culture, list of varieties,
and the position held by them in the order to which
they belong, were exhaustively dealt with ; still, in
spite of this and their great value as autumn and
winter blooming plants, they are by no means gene-
rally cultivated, while their relatives, the Gloxinias,
increase in popularity year by year. By varying
the season of potting and the treatment given them,
Tydseas may be had in flower nearly all the year
round, but they are most valuable at the present
season, when they brighten the stove or interme-
diate house with their beautiful and quaintly
marked blossoms, and with a few Gesneras, Eran-
themums, and, above all, one or two Aphelandras,
they form a bright and effective feature at this
time of the year. There are numerous varieties to
be met with in different lists, of which good seleo
tions may be obtained at a very moderate rate
when dormant, or a pinch of seed may be sown
early in the year. If the young plants are grown
on quickly they make good flowering specimens
during the end of the summer and in the autumn.
The seed is very small, so that when sown scarcely
any covering is needed. When the seedlings are
large enough to handle they should be pricked
off and afterwards treated much the same as Glox-
inias. If the seed is saved from a few good varie-
ties, a considerable assortment can be depended
upon, as they vary a great deal when raised from
seed. By some botanists the different Tydjeas are
included in the genus Isoloma, one member of
which, I. hirsuta, is now flowering freely, and very
bright and pretty it is. This plant is in habit a
good deal like the Tydteas, but is somewhat more
rambling in growth. The tubular shaped blossoms
are about a couple of inches long and of a bright
vermillion colour. They, in common with the rest
of the plant, are covered with brown silky hairs,
from whence the specific name is derived. — H. P.

SHORT NOTES.— STOVE AND GREENHOUSE.

Sowing Amaryllis seed.— The best time to
sow the seed of these splendid bulbous plants is as
soon as it is ripe. This being in the autumn, a con-
siderable time is gained as compared with deferring
the sowing until the spring, and, as I have proved, a
larger percentage of the seed will germinate. — J. H.

Capsicum Little Gem. — A great many Sola-
naceous plants are grown for decoration, especially
Solanum capsicastrum, of which there are many
improved forms in cultivation. The variety Little
Gem may be successfully grown in pots 5 inches or
ti inches in diameter, and forms a much branched
specimen of a somewhat spreading character. The
small, oblong- shaped berries are borne in great

ERANTHEMUMS AS WINTEK-FLOWERING
PLANTS.

This is a genus of plants far too much neglected
by cultivators, and one reason I think is because
the flowers are not of use for cutting. The plants
for cutting should be kept in a house by them-
selves, or at least so grown that they are not used
as the first things to come upon with the scissors
for indoor decoration. It is upon that very ac-
count that I would introduce them in this place,
and because they help to decorate and beautify the
stove and keep it bright and gay for a long time.
They grow freely and better when young. I
would not keep a plant beyond one season if I had
a young stock. Amongst the thousands of plants
for winter flowering that I used to grow, hundreds
used to consist of Eranthemums, and these kept
the stove gay through the dull months of the year.
Some of the kinds are not naturally winter
bloomers ; they may be had in flower at any sea-
son. The soil to use is a mixture of loam, peat,
and leaf-mould in almost equal parts, the
whole to be made sandy, and the pots should be
well drained. They should be potted firmly and
well, allowing ample room, but avoid over-
potting.

E. aspeksum is a pretty kind from the Solomon Isles,
the flowers being produced in clusters very freely.
The flowers are white in the upper part, the lower
lobes blotched and spotted with purple ; it is a good
winter bloomer.

E. Andeksoni. — This, although nearly allied to the
last, is yet quite distinct. The spikes some 10 inches
in length, the flowers pure white in the upper part,
the lower lohes thickly spotted and blotched with in-
tense crimson. It comes from India.

E. cinnabarinum.— This produces very long panicles
of bloom, which are heavily laden with bright cinna-
bar-red flowers ; these continue to open and remain
attractive for several weeks. Native of Northern
India.

E. C oopeki . — Although not usually a winter bloomer,
I have had this species very beautiful at this season ;
the flowers are freely produced, white, spotted with
purple. It is from New Caledonia.

E. ckenula'I'um gkandiflorum is a much finer-
plant than the typical form, and the colour is a bright
pink. Burmah.

B. hypocrateriforme. — This is perhaps the finest
of all the kinds here enumerated, aud appears to be
confined to the west coast of Africa. Although not a
true winter bloomer,' it requires to be grown with them,
and it commences to flower in the very early days of
spring and continues up to the summer. The flowers
are produced on long and dense terminal spikes, being
pale yellow on the under side, deep red above, and
stained at the base with deeper red, and dotted
with deep purplish black.

E. laxiflorum.— A fine winter - flowering kind,
which was introduced by the Messrs. Veitcb, of Chel-
sea, from the New Hebrides. It is a handsome bush,
producing many axillary as well as terminal heads of
large rich purple flowers.

E. STiUCTUM. — This is a strong grower, and produces
spikes of bloom more than a foot in length, and the
flowers are soft purple; it is an old plant, and not
much seen now, having been introduced from Nepaul
about seventy years ago.

E.PULCHELLUM. — This is another of the oldestspecies,
and yet one of the most beautiful, the bright blue of
its flowers never failing to elicit admiration whenever
seen. It was introduct d from the East Indies in 1769,
and is a plant that will produce bright blue flowers ali
the winter.

E. tuberculatum, so named from the stems and
branches being all covered with tubercles, is a profuse
bloomer, the flowers being large and pure white. It
appears to have been introduced by the Messrs. Veitch
without :iuy record of its native country.

W. H. G.

against its being grown in the shape of little bushes.
The individual flowers are of great length and
borne on long foot-stalks, so that they hang down
for a considerable distance. The corolla is plum-
coloured and the sepals crimson. In the bud
state the flowers are very attractive, by reason of
their length, and they then remind one of those of
the old hardy Fuchsia gracilis. I am not aware of
the origin of the variety General Roberts, but it
was, I believe, put into commerce by Mr. Cannell a
few years since. — H. P.

Fuchsia General Roberts.— This variety is
well adapted for training to the rafters or roof of
a greenhouse, as its loose style of growth is

THE WEEK'S WORK.

PLANT HOUSES.
Stove.— Clerodendron Balfouri.— There are
few more useful stove climbers than this Cleroden-
dron for pot culture. It will bloom as freely in an
8-inch or 10-inch pot with the stems wound round
a few sticks as it will in the form of a large speci-
men. The main points are to ensure free growth
and well ripened wood. There is no difficulty in
this if the plants have sufficient root room and heat
during the growing season, with the shoots
trained their full length as the growth is formed
close to the glass. They should now have made
shoots from 10 feet to 20 feet loDg. The stock
should be rested by withholding wateruntil the leaves
flag, then give a little, but not nearly so much as
will moisten the soil all through. Repeat this,
allowing the foliage to flag, and partial watering
two or three times, after which withhold water al-
together. This will cause all the leaves to fall off
excepting a few at the extremities. Through the
winter the plants should be stood where the tem-
perature will be from 55° to 00° in the night. If
colder than the lowest figure named they are liable
to die. If required to flower early in the spring
they may be started in moderate stove heat about
the end of February. Where a succession of bloom
is wanted and there are sufficient plants, they may
be had in as late as July by simply keeping the
roots quite dry, and giving no more heat than the
amount mentioned.

Clerodendron splendeks. — This handsome
twiner is evergreen, and consequently, although it
should be kept considerably drier at the roots from
this time until February than in the summer, the
leaves must not flag, otherwise injury will be done.
This species is best confined to pots. Sixty degrees
is cool enough for C. splendens at night through the
winter.

Shrubby Clerodendrons. — Where C. fallax
and C Krempferi are not allowed a longer season
of rest than is necessary through the winter
and have enough heat, they will bloom twice in the
season, usually flowering the second time in Sep-
tember. If not already headed down the soil should
get half dry, and then the plants may be cut back to
within i) inches or 10 inches of the collar, or in the
case of old specimens to within a joint or two of
where the branches were shortened to last year. In
a warm stove with the soil kept in a half moist
state, the plants will break into new growth early
in the ensuing year. After the shoots are a few
inches long the plant may be partially shaken
out and repotted in new soil. By heading back
now room is saved, but where the temperature
of the stove gets low through the winter it is better
to defer the cutting in until the beginning of
March, and be content with one crop of flowers in
the summer.

C. fragrans. — This small-growing, erect-habited
kind is seldom seen. Its perfume is much prized by
many, and a small plant will scent a large house
when in bloom. The flowers when mounted are
well adapted for bouquets, sprays, or button-holes,
the double form being the best to grow. It should
now be partially dried at the roots, after which the
stems may be cut down close to the pots. Treat
subsequently in the way advised for the strong-
growing shrubby kinds. With enough warmth this
sort will flower early in the summer and again in
September.

Oranges. — Where these plants are grown with a
view to having gocd, well-flavoured fruit, they re-

Nov. 8, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

439

quire to be kept warm all the year round. Solar
heat during the summer, if properly utilised by early
closing, is sufficient, but during the latter part of
autumn, winter, and in the spring a temperature of
between 50° and 60° should be kept up. In this way
the growth of the fruit and the ripening process
go on continuously. See that the roots do not
get too dry. When grown in pots or tubs the stock
should be looked over at least twice a week. When
planted out the balls ought to be closely examined
from time to time, and when water is given, even
in the dormant season, enough should be applied to
ensure the bed being moistened right through to
the bottom. These remarks apply to all the Citrus
family. The whole of the species are subject to the
attacks of scale insects. Now, when the growth is
completed and the young leaves are fully hardened,
it is well to go carefully over the stock and give
the plants an extra cleaning. A brush may be used
on the wood, but only a sponge or a piece of flannel
with soapy water is safe to employ to the leaves.

Fobcixg bulbs. — More Roman Hyacinths should
now be put in heat, and also early Van Thol Tulips.
Some of the earliest varieties of the large-bloomed
Hyacinths should likewise shortly be started, so
that no break may occur between them and the
Roman variety. In fact, no harm will be done by
having a portion of both in at the end of the year,
as the spikes of the small Roman kind, though not
so useful for ordinary decoration, are better adapted
for cutting than the large sorts. Another batch of
the early Paper-white Narcissus should also be got
in. Where white flowers are wanted in quantity for
cutting, this old variety is still one of the best and
also the cheapest bulbs that can be had in winter.
It is necessary to inure the young blanched tops
gradually to bear exposure to the light, as if sud-
denly exposed to its fall influence immediately
they are taken out of the plunging material, the
foliage will come dwarf and crippled.

Lilt op the Valley. — The method by which
this Lily can be had at the end of the year, with
sufficient foliage accompanying the flowers in place
of the leafless bloom that results from the ordinary
treatment, is now getting better known. Whether
grown in pots, pans, or boxes, the soil should be
thoroughly watered once a day, especially where
hard forcing is practised. Lily of the Valley will
bear a temperature higher than anything else, but
when the high pressure method of forcingis followed,
the plants require to be close to the glass from the
time they are first put in heat. Treated in this
way, even if the heat kept up is from 90° to 100°,
neither the flowers, flower-stems, nor the leaves
will come weak or drawn, although when about
half the flowers on the spikes or a little more are
open, which is the right stage to take the plants
out of strong heat, they will require to be kept
somewhat close for two or three days before ex-
posing them to the comparatively dry air of a con-
servatory or a living room. They can be had in
flower in from twenty to twenty-five days from the
time they are put in heat. Those who have not
the necessary heat will have to start the plants at
once to get flowers for Christmas. Shallow boxes
are preferable to pots for forcing in, as when the
flowers are sufficiently advanced to take out of
heat the plants can then be transferred to pots.
In this way the tallest can be put in the middle of
the pots and a better arrangement made. By a
reasonable amount of attention to the details of
cultivation Lily of the Valley can be grown as well
in this country as in any place, except that for the
earliest forcing it may be better to use imported
crowns. For the earliest batch it is wise economy
to use nothing but the best and strongest that can
be procured.

Hardy shrubs foe forcing. — The sooner these
are got in and potted the better. Amongst the
newer kinds of evergreen plants of a distinct cha-
racter that answer well for forcing may be named
Choisya ternata. It is a free bloomer, and the
flowers are distinct and elegant in their appearance.
Andromeda japonica is one of the most beautiful
plants that can be used for forcing. Kalmia lati-
folia is too well known to require comment. Of
Rhododendrons the most useful for forcing are
hose that naturally have a disposition to flower too

early to be depended on for outdoor work. Some
of the caucasicum hybrids that were raised nearly
half a century ago are yet amongst the best and
most profuse bloomers. Among deciduous kinds of
shrubs, Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora holds a
leading place, but it is not yet so generally used
for forcing as it deserves to be. Finely asit blooms
in the open air, the flowers are more beautiful when
forced, as they come much whiter and purer in
colour. Of Lilacs, the close, compact-growing
kinds like the grafted plants of Dr. Lindley,
Charles X., and alba grandiflora are the best where
they are to be used for conservatory decoration.
For cutting some of the older and better known sorts
answer. The plaited-leaved Viburnum (V. plica-
turn) will give a greater quantity of its snowy balls
than most things. Of Deutzia gracilis, enough
should be grown to give a long succession of bloom.
One of the merits of this plant is that when well
managed almost every shoot flowers from top to
bottom. Of larger-growing deciduous shrubs, D.
crenata flore-pleno should not be lost sight of. The
Ghent Azaleas are excellent for forcing later on.
A sufficient number of plants of moderate size, well
set with bloom, should be potted with a view to
their coming in towards spring, at which season
they do better than when subjected to a hurrying
process earlier. Much improvement has been
effected in recent years in this section of Azaleas,
not only in the free-blooming habit of the plants,
but also in the size and character of the flowers,
which individually are much larger and broader in
their petals than those of the older kinds. In lifting
plants of the description under notice, itis well to take
them up with their roots as nearly entire as pos-
sible, and in the case of the evergreen sorts to use
pots of sufficient size to avoid the necessity for un-
due reduction of the balls. The whole stock should
be put where they will be out of the reach of frost
in hard weather. T. B.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

CaedoonS. — These are far from being hardy, and
a moderately severe frost will much damage the
stalks, a rapid downward spread of decay being
the consequence. Any therefore requiring it ought
now to be finally moulded up, this completing the
protective measures required in warm and com-
paratively high and dry districts, but in low-lying
positions where frosts are usually the most destruc-
tive, it is advisable to have a heap of dry litter or
Bracken in readiness for covering what portions of
the top are unprotected. Hay-bands ought never
to be dispensed with, these being wound round the
stalks rather lightly, so as to bring them well up
together, and to effectually exclude soil from the
hearts. Where Cardoons keep badly from any
cause, and they sometimes decay rapidly in badly
drained positions, a portion of the stock might well
be lifted late in November, and packed closely and
uprightly in a cool cellar or outhouse, and having a
little moist soil about the roots will keep fresh for
many weeks.

Celeet. — A spell of very severe weather will
have convinced those needing a reminder that
sharp destructive frosts may happen at any time.
November frosts are frequently far more injurious
to vegetation than those which are experienced
later on, and it is advisable to be prepared for
these accordingly. Not only should the main crop
rows of Celery be well moulded up, but even the
very latest rows ought now to be sufficiently
advanced in growth to admit of these being simi-
larly protected. At the final moulding up fully
one half of the leaves ought to be shut in by soil,
this being made rather firm and the ridge rounded
off sufficiently to throw off much of the rain water
and snow that falls. An outlet being given to the
water that collects in the trenches on each side of
the ridges, there will be less danger of too much
moisture hastening decay. If the leaves can be
saved Celery usually keeps well, and it pays well to
protect from severe frosts with dry straw or Bracken,
or better still with boards nailed together in the
shape of the letter v. these being inverted over the
tops whenever necessary.
Globe Artichokes.— A severe winter some-

times proves very destructive to plantations of
these even if they are protected somewhat, and
only a moderately severe frost will destroy the
majority of the plants unprotected. In most cases
the clumps have pushed up several strong shoots,
and if the hearts of the best of these do not perish
during the winter, a valuable and early crop of
flower heads ought to be obtained next season.
Some advocate shortening the longest of these
young leaves, but I prefer to leave them as they
are. If the frosts injure them somewhat, not much
harm results. All old flower-stems should be cut
cleanly out, and if the suckers are very thick these
might be thinned with advantage. Either ashes,
straw, or fresh leaves are suitable for protecting
the clumps, and all that is necessary if either of
the two former is used is to bank the material well
up to the stems without, however, completely
smothering the hearts. If the preference is given
to leaves, pack these somewhat firmly about the
clumps and well up to the stalks, and then mound
over with soil, or otherwise strong winds will carry
them about the garden.

Woethless Artichokes. — Quite recently I
took note of a long row of seedling Globe Arti-
chokes, the greater part of which was upwards of
6 feet in height, and surmounted by poor, thin
spiny flower- heads. To keep these for a second
season under the impression that the forms will
improve by cultivation would be so much wasted
garden ground, and what ought to be done is to
root up and destroy any that have not produced
heads fit to cook and eat. The purple forms from
seed are rarely of any value, but occasionally su-
perior green sorts are to be met with among seed-
lings. These are usually of medium height, not
much given to branching, producing large heads
with spineless and very thick succulent scales.
Any such are well worthy of being taken good care
of, a fresh stock possessing the most vigour.
Worn-out rows of the older varieties should not be
destroyed before the spring, as these if protected
may provide a few dozen strong suckers for plant-
ing, this obviating the necessity for mutilating the
clumps of younger plants.

Parsley. — This, having grown very strongly of
late,is liable to be much damaged by frosts, this be-
ing especially the case with the most finely curled
forms. Being so much in demand, a few or many
plants, according to the extent of the establishment,
ought always to be placed under glass every autumn.
In some instances from four to six lights closely
planted with Parsley are none too much, and if the
plants are already well established , so much the better.
A single light or a few handlights are sufficient for
many places, while modest establishments could
have all that is wanted from a few dozen strong
plants packed in good sized pots or boxes, and
stored in a greenhouse, vinery or pit. It is not yet
too late to take this precaution, strong plants being
lifted, and when denuded of their strong outer
leaves, which do not keep well, can be dibbled in 4
inches or less apart each way. They ought to have
rather rich soil, and being kept in a cool house in
a fairly light position, will soon form other fresh
leaves. Gather and use these only when none can
be got outside. A little gentle bottom heat would
not be thrown away on Parsley, and should be af-
forded if there is any likelihood of a scarcity being
felt. An early stock of Parsley might also be raised
by sowing seed now in a frame on a mild hotbed,
prepared much as for Horn Carrots. Sow thinly in
drills 5 inches apart. After producing useful leaves
for many weeks in succession, a capital lot of roots
would be available for planting out next spring.
W.I.

The recent sharp frost. — What the autumn
frost gave in comparative lateness, for we had
suffered little so late as the 27th, was more than
counterbalanced by the intensity of the visitation
on the morning of the 28th ult., when the ther-
mometer went down to 12° of frost. That seems
to have been one of the keenest visitations noted in
October for many years. The effects have been
hailed with satisfaction by the market trade, as
not only were outdoor Chrysanthemums in full
bloom rendered comparatively useless for sale, and

4-10

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 8, 1890.

thus has enhanced the value of all indoor flowers,
but by effectually destroying all tender vegetables
the price of hardy green stuffs has been enhanced
also. It is indeed remarkable that so severe a
frost visitation should have been almost directly
followed by so great a reaction that the weather
has suddenly become soft and warm. Such exceed-
ing diversities are trying to both human beings and
all kinds of vegetables. That very many tender
plants under glass were severely hit there can be
no doubt. In unheated houses Tomatoes were
quite killed, and many ordinary pot plants in
frames suffered severely. Most useful were the effects
uponleafage ; the trees, especially those bearinglarge
leaves such as Horse Chestnuts, Ash, Sycamores,
&c, cast them very rapidly, and as the air was
quiet vast quantities of leaves have been gathered
up with comparative ease. There are, however, a
good many yet to fall, but a considerable thinning
has been made. A couple or so of white frosts
will produce wonders, and there are few gardeners
who do not hail with satisfaction a few such frosts
when leaves are falling, as the work, usually so
productive of annoyance, is then quickly got over.
Probably the unusual frost visitation did as much
good as harm. — A. D.

On the 28th of October the thermometer

registered 10° of frost, a most unusual occur-
rence in October in this quarter. The ice was so
strong on the lake that the swans walked on it in
the morning. Everything tender in the way of
plants or otherwise was cut down to the ground.
Seldom, indeed, have I seen things so completely
destroyed by an early autumn frost ; certainly more
than could have been expected in the south of
England. Perhaps the variable past season has
had to do with it, being wet and cold in midsummer,
and much growth of a watery nature started, which
the forcing heat of September and the early part of
October together made grow freely, but was not in
a matured state when the severe change came. —
A. Kemp, Coollmrst, Horsham.

POTATO DISEASE IN GREAT BRITAIN.
In view of the appearance of the Potato blight in
Ireland the inspectors of the Board of Agriculture
have made special inquiry under the Drainage and
Improvement Acts into the position and prospects
of the Potato crop in England and Scotland. In
England and Wales the area planted with Potatoes
is returned as 388,133 acres, and that in Scotland
as 141,528 acres. Ireland contains no less than
780,801 acres devoted to their culture, but these
are not included for the purposes of the present in-
quiry, since the country lies beyond the jurisdic-
tion of the Board of Agriculture. The reports of
the inspectors have just been issued, and from
them it appears that no serious loss to the Potato
crop of Great Britain is to be anticipated. There
is but a slight presence of disease in the East An-
glian crop ; the damage is largely restricted to
cottage gardens and allotments ; and among the
predisposing causes stress is laid on the want of
change in the varieties of the Potatoes grown, and
the use of the smallest tubers for seed. In Lincoln
the crops are generally sound ; in Norfolk the
earlier failed somewhat, but the later have been
more satisfactory. In Kent an injury of not more
than 10 per cent, is indicated ; and in the mid-
lands and the south-west only the earlier crops
were affected. In the north of England the ap-
pearance of disease is connected with the thick
muggy weather which prevailed during part of
August, but though the Potatoes on nearly one-
third of the farms were affected, it was only to the
extent of 8 to 10 per cent. In the large Potato-
growing county of Lancaster a total damage
of some 20 per cent, is reported, though there
has been no spread of disease since the begin-
ning of September. The northern Scotch in-
spectors send a more unfavourable report than
those already considered. A very serious and
general presence of disease in Inverness, Ross,
and Cromarty, where collectively 1(5,000 acres
are grown, is mentioned. In this part of
Scotland, as in many English districts, neglect to
change seed, or to attend to rotation, is clearly re-

cognised as weakening the disease-resisting power
of the root. In the Orkney Islands disease has
been unusually prevalent ; half of the early crop
was affected, but not the later and main crop, while
from Shetland it is reported that no disease at all
has yet appeared. In Aberdeenshire, Banff, and
Elgin all early varieties seem ' to have been
much affected. In the Potato-growing county
of Perth, where little short of 15,000 acres
is grown, the inspector believes Potatoes on
the lowlands to be more diseased than on
the higher lying lands, where the crop is under
average, but of good quality. In Fife where a
similar, or indeed slightly greater area is grown, a
fair average crop is noted, the later sorts being
nearly free from disease, although as much as 50
per cent, damage has been done to some early va-
rieties, which, it is contended, are always more or
less subject to disease. South of the Forth the
county areas under Potatoes are smaller. One
general report from the three Lothians, where the
crop covers over 13,000 acres, speaks of some ex-
tent of disease. Another report for the county of
Edinburgh states the early crop as under average,
and showing 25 to 50 per cent, of disease, but the
late or the main crop little affected. The border
counties of Roxburgh and Berwick show little dis-
ease observable, except in early garden crops. In
Ayrshire the state of affairs is bad, but in Lanark-
shire a fair average crop is reported.

As to crops most affected, there is a very general
concurrence of opinion on the part of the Scotch
inspectors as to the Regents being among the va-
rieties showing most disease. The varieties reported
by the Scotch inspectors to be most free from dis-
ease generally are the Champion and the Magnum
Bonum. Other varieties, however, such as The
Bruce, Fortyfold, Rocks, and Maincrop, are also
placed in this category in certain reports. In
England the varieties pronounced most generally
free, or disease-resisting, were the same as in
Scotland, the Magnum Bonum being most fre-
quently and the Champion repeatedly mentioned.
A longer list of other varieties appearing most free
from disease in certain localities includes the fol-
lowing: Maincrop, Early Rose, Abundance, Sutton's
New Ashleaf, Victoria, Early Puritan, Patterson's
Victoria, Early White Beauty, Rocks, Snowdrop,
Imperator, Adirondack, The Bruce.

In view of the general concurrence of reports re-
specting the exceptional presence of disease only
among the earlier varieties of the Potato, it may be
pointed out that this may be not improbably as-
cribed to the period when the wet weather, to
which the development of the disease was largely
due, prevailed in the past summer. When the
subject of Potato disease was examined by a Select
Committee of the House of Commons in 1880 it
was reported that among the essential conditions
for the full development and rapid spread of the
disease was the coincidence of moist weather
with a particular stage of the growth of the
plant.

Summing up at the conclusion, the report says :
The general result of the present inquiry appears
to be that no serious loss of the Potato crop in
Great Britain from disease is to be apprehended, as
the late or main crop is regarded as comparatively
sound. — Times.

mine amongst them, no doubt. I am only sorry
that we have to be mutual sufferers in this grievance.
I do all I can in protesting against this piracy, but
it appears that in this matter, so far as the Ameri-
can goes, at any rate, it is impossible to touch the
transgressors for it." — Thomas S. Wabe.

Blanc, of Philadelphia. — Having noticed that
in an English gardening periodical one of our en-
gravings has been published and credited to Mr.
Ware, we wrote to him on the subject, and he sends
us the following reply : —

" I am somewhat surprised to hear that the Tril-
lium grandiflorum block, to which you refer in your
favour to hand this morning, is yours. This electro
was procured by me from Mr. Blanc, Philadelphia,
and from what you state I can only conclude that
he has copied one of your originals. Of course I
have no possible chance of tracing the origin of all
the blocks he publishes. You are evidently served
by the Americans as they serve me. Large quanti-
ties of engravings are copied from my catalogues
every season. If you have Blanc's catalogues by
you, you will readily turn up and identify many of

Garden Flora.

PLATE 778.

GARDEN LILIES.
(with coloured plate of l. thunbergianum

alice wilson and van hotjttei.*)
This remarkable and highly ornamental genus
is one of the many striking examples of the
vast resources, the great ingenuity, and dogged
perseverance of the modern cultivator. It will
be well within the memory of even the youngest
amongst us when to grow with any degree of
success a fairly representative collection of
these lovely flowers was praiseworthy. To-day,
however, we grow thousands of Lilies where
tens could be counted in the old days ; indeed
Lilies, like Narcissi, Tulips, and many showy
flowers, have become quite indispensable to the
garden. Although we may claim as popular
garden flowers most of the species of Lilies in
cultivation, there are still a few that give
trouble simply because their cultivation is not
properly understood. I refer chiefly to L.
tenuifolium and such like species. There are,
again, a few that will never become popular,
not so much on account of their lack of beauty
or difficulty of management as the absence of
the proper conditions for their growth. Lilies
such as L. Bolanderi, L. maritimum, &c, re-
quiring damp, shady spots are not easily man-
aged in small gardens. The majority of these
most exquisite and beautiful of all hardy bulbs
may be grown with ease in almost every garden
however small, and the varieties represented in
the coloured plate will help to give a foretaste
of what is in store. Since Lilies have become
a feature of every garden, and many of the va-
rieties are now plentiful and cheap, experiments
have been made with some of the American
species in the woods and pleasure grounds, and
in most instances success has been beyond all
expectation. In such places varieties as L.
canadense, californicum, pardalinum, (fee, grow
untrammelled by the formal stake and cord, so
necessary if grown amongst other flowering
plants, and form graceful tufts quite in keeping
with the surroundings. The first requisite in
growing most of these Lilies is to give them a
good start and then leave them alone. We were
told the other day that a few years ago Kew was
considered one of the worst possible gardens in
which to grow Lilies, and to-day the collection
there for health, vigour, and number of species
and varieties is one of the finest in the king-
dom. The Lilies at Kew are all grown in beds
amongst such shrubs as Rhododendrons, Aza-
leas, Aucubas, ifec, and to see these charming
plants towering above the dense undergrowth,
in all their varied habits and bright colouring,
is one of the most effective and beautiful pic-
tures that could well be imagined, and this too,
year after year, without the slightest trouble in
any way being given. Of course, in the first
place, care is taken to plant peat-loving sorts in
beds of Rhododendrons, (fee, loam-loving spe-
cies in beds of Aucubas, and so on, giving a
littlo specially prepared sandy soil at planting
time and leaving them to themselves. Care, of
course, must be taken to ascertain the height of

* Drawn for The Garden in Messrs. Barr and Son's
seed grounds by H. G. Moon, July 1, 1890. Litho-
graphed and printed by Guillaume Severeyns.

[1 - THUNBERGIANUM. VAR "ALICE WILSON8 £ L VAN HOUTTEI.

Nov. 8, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

441

the particular species or variety about to be
planted. For instance, to plant such, a beauti-
ful dwarf species as Alice Wilson or Van Houttei
in a clump of tall shrubs would be the height
of folly, as they only grow a foot or so high, and
would be entirely lost ; whereas auratuni, parda-
linum, and other tall species would be quite at
home. The varieties of Thunbergianum, ele-
gans, and davuricum are almost inexhaustible,
and form a most charming and highly interest-
ing group for ordinary border culture. Most of
the varieties of these species or sub-species may
be managed with a little care in the garden
border, and with the lovely orange Lily (L.
croceum), L. umbellatum, L. candidum, L. longi-
florum, &c, go to make a perfect variety both
in height and diversity of colouring. The
great secret apparently is that the roots must
be shaded in summer from the heat and drought,
and the young shoots protected from spring
frosts which often damage them, although per-
fectly hardy as a rule. All this is done by the
shrubs, and, in addition, instead of having the
ground bare and unsightly during the summer
and autumn, as it would of a necessity be with
Lilies alone, the shrubs serve a double purpose
without being in the least interfered with. A
disease of a virulent form has appeared amongst
Lilies during the last two years, and especially
in the case of testaceum, candidum, and umbel-
latum has been very severe. Sulphur is the
only antidote I have found so far. Although
not quite effectual , it is to be hoped that the dis-
ease will not spread amongst this, the most charm-
ing and graceful of hardy bulbs. D. K.

Chrysanthemums.

CUTTING AND ARRANGING THE
BLOOMS.
At the late exhibition at the Aquarium in-
stances were to be seen of the flowers being
badly staged, which detracted from their appear-
ance considerably. At all exhibitions this same
bad staging of the blooms was apparent. The
common fault is that of placing the blooms too
low on the stands, so that much of their beauty
is lost. In close competition the difference
between good and bad staging is taken into
account by the judges. Japanese varieties with
long drooping florets require setting up a little
higher on the stand than do those of the reflexed
type of the same family, which never should be
set up so high that the tips of the florets point
upwards. Those of the incurved section do not
require raising so high above the stands as do
the Japanese on account of their more formal
appearance.

Although the present method of arranging
blooms for exhibition does not meet with uni-
versal approval, it is necessary for those who
contemplate exhibiting to adopt the same plan
as those who are successful. Intending exhibitors
should provide themselves with the necessary
articles previous to requiring them. These con-
sist of stands whereon to display the blooms, a
box to carry the said stands, cups and tubes to
arrange the blooms in, tweezers to assist in
arranging the florets in a regular manner where
they have grown irregular or to remove ill-
formed or decayed florets, and, lastly, cards
whereon to display the name of each variety.

All societies that I know stipulate for a regu-
lation sizs of stand for the blooms for all
classes except the Japanese. For these the
size is unlimited, so as to give exhibitors the
option of allowing more space between each
bloom, but from my experience this rule is
not very often taken advantage of, simply on

account of the inconvenience of having stands
of various sizes, this rendering travelling incon-
venient. The regulation size is generally
adopted for Japanese as well as all other sec-
tions, the stands fitting into one large travel-
ling box. The stands for twelve blooms should
be 2 feet long, 18 inches wide, 6 inches high at
the back, and 3 inches in the front. Three rows
of holes should be made in each stand 3 inches
from the edge and 6 inches from hole to hole. The
holes in the stand should be of the same width
as the cup which holds the water to preserve the
flowers fresh. Some growers have their stands
made with simply a flat top, and no side pieces
to support the board in a slanting form. This
is done by temporary legs screwed into the
under side of the stand. This arrangement re-
duces the weight of the stands, and will answer
very well where the tables on which they are to
stand are quite level and firm, but where they
are narrow such arrangements are then de-
cidedly awkward to manage. American Pine
half an inch thick is strong enough to make the
stands with, and that is all that is necessary.
Most societies require that they shall be painted
green, which should not be of too dark a shade.
The size of the travelling box should be accord-
ing to the number of blooms to be conveyed.
Two stands are used for twenty-four blooms,
and some should be made half the size for the
six bloom classes ; these also are available with
a twelve stand for an eighteen class. The
travelling box should be so arranged that two
six stands fit on the bottom ; no cross rails in
the box otherwise will be needed, as the twelve
stands fit on ledges or runners secured to the
side of the box, upon which they slide. Suffi
cient space should be allowed between the
stands to admit of the blooms being put into
the box without being injured by the cups
which belong to the blooms above. If the box
is fitted with a hinge door and a strong box
handle on each end, it will be more convenient
to carry or lift in and out of the train or cart.
Cups and tubes must be provided in which to
place the flowers before they can be ready for
the stands. These are sometimes made of
wood and tin, but neither of these can be re-
commended. Those made of wood are not of
the right shape, the tube part being too thick
to hold a large stem of a Japanese bloom,
while those made of tin, rust and do not last
long enough. Zinc is the best material ; it
does not rust, and will last a lifetime. There
exists amongst growers some confusion as to
which is entitled to be called the cup and which
is the tube. Many persist in naming that which
contains the water the tube, and the part into
which the flower fits the cup. Certainly that
part which is hollow and into which the flower-
stem goes must be the tube, and that which
holds the water is the cup. This should be
made 3 inches long, seven-eighths of an inch
wide, having a flange at the top one-eighth of
an inch broad. The tubes should be made in
two sizes at the top or flange; the largest should
be 3.} inches in diameter and lj inches deep in
the flange. This size is useful for Japanese
blooms, such as Boule d'Or or Meg Merrilies,
which have long drooping florets. One-third
of the total number for Japanese blooms should
be of the larger size. The tubes for incurved,
reflexed, and Anemone blooms are 2 inches in
diameter at the flange, which should be 1 inch
deep. The stem should be 2J inches long, and
fit into the cup in a telescopic manner. There
are numerous inventions for the raising of the
flowers in the stands to a desirable height.
The best method that I have seen is what is
known as the Jameson spring cup support ; it
consists of a circular piece of zinc with the

orifice just wide enough to admit of the cup
passing through. This circular contrivance is
five-eighths of an inch wide, and is tacked on
to the under side of the stand ; to this is fixed
two stout pieces of zinc in the form of a clip.
When the cup is pushed into the hole, this clip
embraces the cup, holding it firm. By this
means the flowers are raised to the desired
height in the stands without lifting them out of
the water. Another invention worthy of note
is the " Jameson " exhibition name card-holder,
which consists in an arrangement of two stout
wires so twisted as to form a receptacle for
three cards, each one 3 inches long and 1^ inches
wide, upon which the name of three blooms is
either written or neatly printed. By an in-
genious contrivance of a kind of wire loop and
two small screws fixed into the back of the
stand just behind the back row of holes. The
card-holder is fixed when the exhibition is
reached, standing up behind the blooms about
9 inches from the top of the stand. The card
at the top holds the name of the back flower,
the middle one the name of the corresponding
bloom, and the lower name is that of the flower
in the front row. By this means four of these
name card-holders are required for twelve
blooms. ' The public, judges, and reporters
have no difficulty whatever in noting the names
at a glance, and the necessity of having to
move the florets of the flowers to see the
names, as is the case when they are fixed
to the stand in front of each bloom, is done
away with.

In competing m the incurved bloom classes it
is absolutely necessary that tweezers be used, as
it is useless hoping for success unless the
blooms are dressed. Those who object to the
manner in which the blooms are prepared for
the show had better not attempt to compete,
as disappointment is almost sure to follow.
There is an erroneous impression in the minds
of some persons as to what dressing means. My
contention is that it is nothing more nor less
than arranging irregularly placed petals, re-
moving those which are deformed or decayed.
There cannot possibly be any harm in this, but
where the gum bottle is used to fix petals in a
certain position, as many declare, then I say
this is dishonest. Again, it is asserted that the
Japanese blooms are dressed, many of them
severely, but this idea is only based upon
ignorance of the subject, as it is well known
that it is not possible to dress Japanese blooms
beyond the removal of a badly shaped floret or
the disentanglement of those petals which have
not developed properly. Well-grown blooms in
this section do not need the dresser's art to
make them presentable upon the exhibition
table.— M.

We were treated to quite four distinct

methods of setting up blooms of large Chrysanthe-
mums at the Drill Hall on the 28th ult. ; the pret-
tiest of which, it seemed to me, was that of Mr.
Wythes, of Syon House, who, not being bound by
any rules of competition, had mixed his blooms in-
discriminately, yet in fairly proper form, and by
intermixing with them some tiny Palms and Ferns
and backiEg the stands with small foliage plants
made quite a dainty picture, one of the prettiest
indeed I have seen for a long time. The boxes
were not stands, but shallow ones, and filled with
Moss, into which large tubes were inserted, thus
enabling the blooms to be arranged just as desired.
The Palms, Ferns, could also be freely worked in.
The flowers were arranged in four rows. Should
the arrangement be repeated at the Aquarium, as
I hope will be the case, the boxes will be broadened
so as to introduce six rows. The flowers were set
up on long stems and of varying heights, the
pleasing effect of the arrangement being greatly
enhanced by the introduction of the small foliage

442

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 8, 1890.

plants. Of course the collection will not be of a
competitive nature, but the Chrysanthemum So-
ciety having given so much of encouragement to
size and quality of flowers might well devote a
little money to the encouragement of the most
effective methods of displaying blooms, restricting
the exhibitors to a given area. A somewhat novel
method of showing blooms was that from Canford
Manor, the flowers being on very long stems set up
in trebles, and the boxes whilst steep had at the
backs high boarded screens. The arrangement
would have done very well in the making up of a
group of flowers six rows deep, but as seen at the
Drill Hall the effect was disappointing. The backs
were very objectionable, and should in all cases be
placed to a wall or in some way that they be not
seen. That a capital class could be made by
cutting for twelve trebles on stems not less than
it inches long, there can be no doubt, and some
variation of the monotony too common with cut
Chrysanthemums at shows would be most welcome.
A good deal would depend upon the selection of
varieties for such displays, because striking varia-
tions in colour would be the most effective. Some
Maiden-hair Ferns disposed thinly amidst the stems
of the flowers would help also to relieve the leggi-
ness incidental to long stems. Very much that is
striking could be produced with such a class were
some little trouble taken to make it attractive. A
further method of staging cut flowers at the Drill
Hall was that which Mr. Cannell has made so popu-
lar by setting them up in threes or half-dozens, by
wiring the stems so as to bring all the blooms di-
rect to the point. The fashion which follows the
now popular method of showing small and single
Dahlias enables a big show to be made with blooms
of ordinary character, because very large flowers
would be somewhat out of place in such an arrange-
ment. It is a method, however, by which the Ja-
panese varieties always produce the most pleasing
effect, but the incurved forms rarely look well in
this way. It is undoubtedly a mistake to introduce
other flowering plants into Chrysanthemum stands.
The flowers are so beautiful that greenery is needed
rather as a foil than as aid. The remaining method
of showing Chrysanthemums was that of the com-
mon plan in flat boxes, the only recommendation of
which is that it best enables all the points of a
flower to be seen and adjudicated upon.

A. D.

NEW VARIETIES.
Continuing the list of additions to those previ-
ously named, the following Japanese kinds demand
a notice : —

Archiviste Blancard forms quite a new break in
form; it is a combination of Japanese and Anemone in
the same florets, which are tubular, narrow at the base
and widening at the points, each one being furnished
with a_ claw-like termination resembling the large
florets in the disc of an Anemone Japanese; the florets
incurving slightly at the point give it a still more
peculiar appearance. On the whole it is a decided
novelty in its formation. The colour is best described
as a bronzy red, the claws referred to being lightly
tipped with gold. The flowers, being of large size,
should become popular amongst growers and lovers of
the peculiar forms of Chrysanthemums.

Mme. Vogeli should make a good decorative va-
riety ; the colour resembles that of J. Delaux, so well
known and appreciated. Altogether it is a neat flower
and deserving of attention by those who are partial to
tins class.

Mme. Ferd. Bergman belongs to the same section
as the foregoing ; the colour is creamy wliite, and al-
together very promising.

Mme. Morel is similar in character to Margot, hut
brighter m colour and the flowers fuller. Margot is
styled a rosy-violet, centro cream. Mme. Mo-el is
certainly an improvement.

MitsCROWEit.-This teedling, which hai a compact
Inihitot growth, belongs also to the decorative class.
I lie flower is of medium size, the florets narrow and
run to a point at the tips. The colour is ivory-white,
with a deep lemon centre, which passes off as the
flowers develop. Altogether it is deserving of
notice.

Mme. Mbzaed is of the Etoile do Lvon style of
flower, although not quite sj large. The florets are

broad and flat, the colour blush-white. It is a variety
which growers should make a note of, and procure for
next year's culture.

Miss Stevens belongs to the Dr. Macary class of
Japanese varieties. The florets are not so stiff looking,
and the points droop somewhat elegantly, giving it
a less formal appearance than that possessed by Dr.
Macary.

Mrs. J. N. Gerard (Anemone) must not be confused
with the Japanese kind of the same name. The one
here noted has what some sorts lack — a full centre.
This is the great charm of an Anemone variety, espe-
cially when accompanied with substantial guard florets
also. Luckily, this sort combines the two. It is a self-
coloured flower, rosy lilac.

Anna Hartshorn belongs to that type of flower
known as incurved Japanese. It is a promising variety,
and to exhibitors will prove a useful addition to an
already long list. The petals, inclined to be broad
and incurving neatly at the tips, are waxy-white until
fully developed ; the centre of the flower is a greenish
yellow, which passes away with age.

Mrs. R. Owen is one of a hatch of seedlings raised
by Mr. Owen at Maidenhead, and promises to be an
acquisition to the Japanese section. The florets are
narrow, slightly twisted at the points, ivory white,
with a lemon centre, which passes away with age.
_ Souvenir de M. Menier belongs to the medium-
sized Japanese type, the florets erect in the centre,
making an exceptionally full flower. The colour is
very similar to that of King of Crimsons, which is
always admired — dark red.

W. M. Singerley is said to be synonymous with
Charlie Sharman, of which I have some doubts. I
consider it is more like Mme. de Sevin, except that
the florets are longer, the flower fuller and of the same
colour — rosy purple.

Rose Laing gives quite a new style of colour. The
florets when spread out are silvery white, and while
unfolding they show quite a ruby tint on the under side,
which gives it a novel appearance, and enhances its
value for decoration.

W. H. Lincoln is an incurved Japanese of American
origin, and may he best described as an improved
Grandiflorum, so much does it resemble that variety in
the formation of its flowers. The colour, a soft yellow,
is an acquisition certainly ; the natural habit is dwarf ;
plants not more than 3 feet high bear handsome
blossoms, and carry well developed, dark green leaves.
No doubt this new variety will supersede Urandiuorum
as an exhibition variety. Too often the flowers of
Grandiflorum are seen partly unfolded, unless the buds
are caught just at the right time.

Lady Lawrence has developed a primrose sport in
the hands of a noted grower, who has been able to fix
it. As far as I kno.v, the colour is unique in the
Japanese section, therefore the more valuable, and as
it belongs to a type of flower which is at once massive
in the proportions of its florets, its value to an exhibi-
tor is enhanced considerably.

The following varieties, although not exactly
new, have come up to the estimate I formed of
them last season, and as they are not too well
known to the public, a note here may be interest-
ing and no doubt useful to those who have not the
opportunity to inspect them either growing or at
the shows : —

Puritan, as I predicted last year, has turned out to
be one of the finest introductions of late years. It
was sent to me by Mr. Lucker, gardener to Judge
Benedict, of Staten Island, New York. There is a
peculiarity about its growth which is at once notice-
able. The leaves are small when compared with those
of other varieties, which produce large flowers in the
Japanese section; the colour of the bark is quite pink.
It is a real type of an incurved Japanese, the florets
folding neatly over, without either giving it a cramped
or the reverse appearance. The colour is waxy-white,
with just a suspicion of blush on the lower florets ; in-
deed, I have seen instances of blooms possessing a
deep pink _ colour. This variety should take afore-
most positiou as au exhibition flower.

Mrs. Falconer Jameson has at last established
itself as one of the best of Mr. Canuell's introductions,
and I believe a seedling of his own raising. Plants
not more than 2 feet G inches high carry magnificent
blooms ; therefore, on this account it is valuable. The
florets are flat, evenly disposed, and perfectly smooth,
devoid of any roughness, the colour chestnut-bronze,
tinted and striped yellow.

ANNIE Clibban has established itself as a worthy
sport from its parent, Mile. Lacroix, which it resembles

in point of formation. The florets are heavily striped
with mauve-piuk, which is a pretty combination on a
white ground.

M. Charles Lebocqz is one of Delaux's large or
show Anemone sorts. The ceutre or disc is very full,
and high, the guard florets quite perfect; the colour
stauds quite alone, being a combination of straw, gol-
den-yellow, and rosy-carmine on the tubes of the disc.
The flowers are of fair size for this section.

Single kinds of good quality are always of inte-'
rest to me. A capital addition is

Silver Star ; the double row of ray florets with
which it is furnished are of the purest, white, the cen-
tre or disc yellow. For cutting it will be found very
useful.

E. MOLYNEUX.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS IN THE FLOWER
GARDEN.
Despite all that has been said and practised to
the contrary, Chrysanthemums still remain hardy
plants, and are, therefore, entitled to be grown as
such. Possibly, however, very few of the large
gardens in this country contain a single bed or
group of Chrysanthemums in flower in the open air
at this time of the year, their culture being, as a
rule, more generally confined to those of limited
means and space. That such should be the case is
a matter for regret, since, with the exception of
Michaelmas Daisies, there are no hardy plants that
bloom so profusely and make such a brilliant show
in the garden so late in the year. It is no uncom-
mon occurrence to see Chrysanthemums blooming
freely in the open air in suburban gardens during
the latter part of November, while in mild seasons
December is not without a plentiful supply of out-
door bloom where the proper varieties are grown.
And yet, in the face of this, the majority of growers
are so bigoted, and their time so much occupied in
the production of monstrosities which figure under
the head of show flowers, that they are blind to the
beauty and value of Chrysanthemums in the flower
garden.

The outdoor Chrysanthemum season is, in favour-
able weather, a long one, and with a little discre-
tion in the selecting and arranging of the varieties
a prolonged and continuous display of bloom may
be secured. The season commences as early as
July and August, there being plenty of Chrysan-
themums that bloom at that period. One of the
best of these is Grace Attick, a recently introduced
Japanese variety. It is a dwarf grower, of stout
habit, and a most profuse bloomer, producing its
lovely white blooms in abundance. Precocite, an-
other early flowering variety, is also at its best in
August, and makes a capital bed during the autumn
months. Like the preceding kind, it is a dwarf
grower, but the flowers are bright yellow. It is
largely employed in one or two of the public parks
in the metropolis. Following these come the semi-
early kinds that never fail to bloom, and among
which the popular Mme. Desgrange must be given
a prominent place. Few varieties make such a
fine show in the flower garden as this, and it may
advantageously be planted in masses on the bor-
ders or in beds. It will continue to bloom pro-
fusely during September and October, and yields
an unlimited supply of flowers for cutting. The
same applies to the variety Mrs. Hawkins, one of
the best early flowering Chrysanthemums extant.
Those who desire rich colouring in the garden duriDg
the autumn should certainly plant this variety exten-
sively, and it will never fail to prove satisfactory.
The flowers of this, as is well known, are deep
yellow, a decided improvement on those of G. Wer-
niig, from which it sported. The latter, however,
is not to be despised for garden decoration, since
it can be planted in company with Mme. Desgrange,
and associated with Michaelmas Daisies and other
autumn flowering perennials. Then as a succession
to any of the above there are even later flowering
kinds that may well be grown in the open air. Of
these none are better than Julie Lagravere and
Cottage Pink, otherwise known as Emperor of
China. The first named is perhaps the freest-
flowering variety in cultivation; indeed, it some-
times blooms itself well-nigh to death. At the

Nov. 8, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

443

present time it is adorning thousands of suburban
gardens around the metropolis, and well would it
be could the same be said of larger establishments.
No matter where this kind is planted it is sure to
carry a heavy crop of deep crimson blooms, which
bear inclement weather with impunity. The old
Cottage Pink, too, is a capital outdoor Chrysanthe-
mum, and should be much more frequently seen. It
is a vigorous grower, with handsome foliage and
light pink flowers. In cottage gardens in several
villages in Hampshire I saw abundance of this
variety a few years ago, but have rarely met with
it latterly. The flowers, although of a delicate
colour, are indifferent to the weather, since they
will bear a lot of rain, and even then not present a
washed-out appearance. As a rule, it commences
to bloom early in the autumn, but continues in
flower until long after Dahlias and other subjects
are blackened by frost ; indeed, I have more than
once gathered a bunch of fresh blossoms of this
from outdoor plants in the middle of December.

There are many positions in the flower garden
where Chrysanthemums may advantageously be
grown. In the first place, nothing, as has been
said, makes such bold masses of colour at this late
season as these do when planted in beds on lawns ;
but rarely are they grown thus. Then again, why
not establish them in good masses on the mixed
border, or on the margins of shrubberies ? They
may also be mixed with the shrubs when the latter
are dwarf, and by this system of planting a good
effect is produced. Clumps of Michaelmas Daisies
should be planted near to them as then the grace-
fulness of these contrast well with the bright
flowers of the Chrysanthemums. It has been ar-
gued that the earlyfrosts prevent the blooms opening
properly, and this is sometimes the excuse made by
gardeners for the scantiness of outdoor Chrysanthe-
mums. But do they not flower well in thousands
of suburban gardens in and around the metropolis,
not to mention elsewhere, and, therefore, why not
in larger domains ? At the present moment a huge
mass of Chrysanthemums some 20 feet square may
be seen in full bloom in a villa garden at Lewisham,
and this, too, in an exposed position. In the same
district, curious to relate, a discussion arose at a
recent meeting of gardeners anent the advisability
of growing outdoor Chrysanthemums, and the ma-
jority were of opinion that no blooms worth men-
tioning could be grown out of doors. This impres-
sion, needless to say, though common, is erroneous.
Even were such the case, what can be said against
their culture on walls ? There is no prettier effect
in the garden during the month of November than
a mass of Chrysanthemums in bloom against a low
wall or fence. Here the shoots may be nailed into
position, or merely kept in their places by a wire
or string ; beyond that no further attention at this
time of the year is necessary. Everyone who de-
sires abundance of bloom for cutting should cer-
tainly turn their attention to the culture of Chry-
santhemums on walls. If there is danger of rain
spoiling the blossoms, it is an easy matter to erect
a canvas protection against the wall or fence, and
so prolong the flowering season.

Detailed lists of Chrysanthemums for outdoor
culture are sometimes chronicled, but to ensure
success discretion in the matter of selection must
be given. First, would-be cultivators will do well
to eschew all varieties that produce flowers of a
delicate shade, and particularly so when to be
grown in town gardens. Blooms of this descrip-
tion are very liable to be spoiled by wet, fog, or
smoke, and it is therefore best to select those of a
deeper tint, such as Julie Lagravere, King of the
Crimsons, and others of a similar shade. At the
same time variety is desirable, and in this case the
yellows, such as Mrs. Hawkins, Soleil d'Or, and
others, may be brought into requisition. Whites
are not so liable to be damaged by dampness as
may be generally supposed, especially the reflexed
kinds. In dry seasons, however, many of the
Japanese types, such as Elaine, Mme. Desgrange,
and Mile. Lacroix, may also be grown well in the
open air. Other excellent kinds that I have found
suitable for the flower garden are the rich crimson
Progne, St. Michael, Bouquet Fait, Mrs. Forsyth,
La Petite Marie, La Vierge, Snowdrop, Annie

Salter, Early Blush, and Sceur Melanie. If desir-
able, a few incurved varieties may be included,
but, as a rule, the construction of their blooms
renders them so liable to injury from rains that
they are valueless in wet seasons for garden
decoration.

As regards the culture of Chrysanthemums in
the flower garden, nothing could be more simple.
They will grow and bloom profusely in ordinary
garden soil with little or no attention, but there is
no denying the fact that they repay for liberal
treatment. It is therefore advisable to plant in
soil well enriched with decayed manure and
builder's rubbish. The latter assists greatly in keep-
ing the soil sweet and porous. During the sum-
mer, too, liberal soakings of water should be given
if the weather is dry, and just as the blooms are
expanding frequent applications of liquid manure
will assist them. Disbudding is sometimes prac-
tised, but it is not to be recommended. Under
liberal treatment the flowers will be quite large
enough, and, moreover, possess much more charm-
ing grace than the monstrosities which are now too
frequently seen under glass. C. L.

Chrysanthemum Source d'Or. — We were
reminded of the rich beauty of this variety iu the
nursery of Mr. Peed at Streatham the other day,
where there was a large group of it. It is one of the
best kinds for cutting in cultivation, the flowers rich
orange and very effective in vases or bouquets. It
was raised by Delaux in 1882.

Orchids.

THUNIAS AND THEIR CULTURE.

The genus Thunia has been represented in our
gardens for a good number of years having been
introduced upwards of fifty years ago. The
species known as T. alba has been grown in
our gardens since the year 1836, and until a few
years ago was better known by the name of
Phajus albus. Professor Reichenbach points out
the distinctions from Phajus, consisting, irre-
spective of habit, growth, and terminal inflor-
escence, in having only four pollen masses,
whilst Phajus has eight, being the same dis-
tinction as between Cattleya and Leelia, and so
he classed them as Thunias, in compliment to
Von Thun. These plants all have deciduous,
reed-like stems, and they are best grown inputs.
They should not be raised above the rim in a
cone-like mound, and after their growth is fin-
ished up and the leaves shed, they require a
thorough season of rest. In this state they will
be, or should be, at this season, and during
the resting time they will not require any
water. The pots may be laid upon their sides
on some shelf to be out of sight, and kept
in a temperature not lower than between 50°
and 55°, when they will require an occasional
look over to prevent shrivelling. In February
the plants will show signs of moving, when
the stems should be at once trimmed over and
the old roots cut away. The pots require extra
good drainage, as they like and require a good
amount of water to their roots, and they also
want but very little soil about them, so that
the pots require filling up with much drainage
material; therefore I like to use the greater part
charcoal, this rendering the pots lighter. The
stems when cleared of roots may be found
somewhat difficult to fix in the new pots, and to
do this with the greatest ease, each should be
tied tightly to a stick, leaving sufficient at the
bottom bare so that when the pot is prepared
and the soil brought up to about an inch of the
rim, the sticks may be stuck into the pot, just
leaving the base of the stem upon the soil. At
first water must be given somewhat sparingly,
but as the roots begin to fill the pots and the
young growths to rise, more will be required.

At this time very weak manure water should be
given about twice a week. During this time the
plants should stand in the East India house or
warmest stove, freely exposed to the light, but
shaded from the fiercest rays of the sun, and
the air kept nice and humid. Thunias will
strike from cuttings, and the best time to do
this is when the plants have become firmly es-
tablished and the new growths about half
grown. Then remove about half the old stems,
cut them up into lengths and insert round the
sides of a pot filled with soil, and place them in a
warm frame, when the shoots will begin to burse
the eyes. They will not require such a long rest
the first season as the old plants. Rough peat and
Sphagnum Moss are about the best soil for them ,
to which may be added with advantage a little
fibre from some light loam.

I append brief descriptions of the principal
kinds in cultivation, all of which are beautiful.

T. ALBA. — This is tho old species, and I think
we have now some better forms of the plant in cul-
tivation than in former times. Then the plant was
not sought much after because the flowers did not
expand, but I have seen some forms with the flowers
as well expanded as those of other kinds : the sepals
and petals are pure white, the white lip being deli-
cately streaked with purple and lilac. It is a native
of Burmah.

T. Bensoki.x. — In this we have another Burmese
plant. Like all the rest, it produces a large head
of flowers on the top of the stem, the sepals and
petals being purplish-magenta, and the large, well-
expanded lip rich deep purple, stained with orange
at the base.

T. DodgsonianA. — In general appearance this
resembles T. alba. The sepals and petals are pure
white ; lip yellow, streaked with dark red, or perhaps
crimson. This form, I think, is rare, and, like the rest,
it was brought from Burmah. I have not seen it
for many years.

T. MaeshalliAnA is a strong grower and a pro-
fuse bloomer, the flowers being large and showy.
Some varieties are very fine. The sepals and petals
are white ; lip white, stained with yellow and veined
with orange-red. Burmah.

T. Veitchiana.— This is an English hybrid and
of great beauty. It was first obtained by the late
Mr. Todd, of Manchester, and named by him T.
Wrightiana, after one of his patrons. It was after-
wards raised by the Messrs. Veitch and named by
Prof. Reichenbach, who published it in the Gar-
deners' Chronicle in 1885. The habit is the same as
that of the others, but not so robust as that of the
last-named species ; the flowers large and well ex-
panded ; sepals and petals white, tinged with pink-
ish-mauve ; lip large and well expanded, white
round the edge, then a lovely violet-mauve, and
yellowish-white in the throat. It bears several
raised lines on the disc, and is fringed with long
orange-coloured hairs.

All these plants, if started at the proper
time, flower through the summer and early
autumn. Those having a stock of the plants
should start a few earlier and keep others back
for a time, so as to prolong the season of flower-
ins. William Hugh Gower.

Cypripedium Calceolus.— Our native Lady's
Slipper, though diminutive, is rather striking. I
have never had the good fortune to see any quan-
tity of flowers open at once, but I should say that
a mass of it with from fifty to a hundred expanded
blooms would be worth going some distance to see.
Its form and colour being so distinct, it merits an
exceptional amount of care to render it happy in
our gardens. I find it does well when managed in
much the same way as I treat Gentiana verna, the
difference being that a rather shady position is pre-
ferred, and a little fibrous peat in lumps about the
size of a Walnut are added to the compost. Instead
of bricks I use slates for separating the compost
from the natural soil. They are wider, and thus
allow of an extra amount of drainage, for al-

444

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 8, 1890.

though this Cypripediura likes to have the roots in
a tolerably moist condition, even when at rest,
stagnant moisture will certainly injure, if it does
not destroy them. The crowns are covered with
about 2 inches o£ soil, and this is surfaced with
live Moss, which in time becomes established, cover-
ing the roots with a living mulch, and helping to
keep the soil moist in summer, while it lessens the
souring effect of battering winter rains. On lifting
the Moss one can see how sweet and open the com-
post keeps and how happy the roots seem to be in
it, running freely over the surface under the Moss.
Without abundance of moisture at the roots in the
growing season it is not possible for this little
Lady's Slipper to remain in health, so that in a dry
time an occasional watering must be given. A writer
in The Garden whose notes on hardy flowers are
always interesting stated that this Cypripedium
when doing well increases annually at the rate of
100 per cent. I may therefore conclude that my
plants have done very well, as this season there were
three shoots in place of one the year previous, and
two out of the three bore flowers.— Bypleet.

LYCASTES.
For amateurs commencing the cultivation of
Orchids or for establishments where these plants
have to take their chance along with the ordi-
nary occupants of the stove or greenhouse, no
genus more suitable than Lycaste could be
found. Although the flowers seem stiff and for-
mal, their striking and handsome appearance is
undeniable. They are also of the easiest culti-
vation, and, not being deciduous, the bold and
luxuriant foliage makes them acceptable even
when not in bloom. When to these advantages
are added their profusion in flowering and the
lasting qualities of their blooms, it is evident
that they are exceptionally suited to those who
are taking up the cultivation of Orchids.

In Bentham and Hooker's ' 'Genera Plantarum"
the limits of the genus have been extended so
as to include the smaller groups Paphinia and
Colax. Whatever the botanical affinities with
these may be, the differences, both in general
appearance and in the necessary cultural condi-
tions, are so great that for garden purposes it is
more convenient to keep up the older distinc
tions. It is to the group of Lycastes of which
L. Skinneri is the commonest representative
that these notes alone apply.

The natural range of the genus extends from
Mexico to Peru, a few kinds being also found
on the West Indian Islands. All the known
species have stout, more or less ovoid pseudo-
bulbs, varying in different species from 1J inches
to 6 inches in height. The leaves are firm, but
not leathery in texture, plicate, and taper to-
wards each end, the number borne by each
pseudo-bulb being from two to four. The
flower is usually solitary on the scape (which is
stout and erect), but occasionally a twin-
flowered scape is produced by a vigorous "plant.
The sepals are generally erect and spreading,
the petals, which are about half the size, stand-
ing forward and shielding the column. The lip
is proportionately small, but being usually dif-
ferent in colour to the rest of the flower is
very effective. It is also remarkable in having
a transverse fleshy appendage in the centre.
Although the majority of Lycastes are epiphytal
or semi-terrestrial in a state of nature, they
well repay liberal treatment at the root. Both
in the kind of soil they prefer and the feeding
they enjoy they are more like true terrestrial
plants. They should be grown in pots or pans
which are at least one-half filled witli drainage.
My experience with these and other 'Orchids of
the same class, like Anguloas, is that they are
much happier when grown in a shallow, but
proportionately wider, body of soil. For this
reason pans from 5 inches to 8 inches in deptj;

are to be preferred. The advantages gained
are in allowing the roots an opportunity
of spreading horizontally — manifestly the
most natural direction — in the more per-
fect drainage secured, and in the readi-
ness with which the plants may be top-dressed
with new compost. Of course, the same end
may be gained by using larger pots and filling
up with drainage, but pans are more convenient
and less unsightly. Imported pieces may be
potted at once into a compost of peat fibre,
Sphagnum, and soft broken brick. Very little
water is required until roots are emitted, but
they should be in a position where the atmo-
sphere is uniformly moist. As the plants become
established, a proportion of about one-third
loam fibre may be added to the compost. In
potting, the base of the pseudo-bulb should be
left slightly above the rim of the pot in order
to protect the young growths and flowers from
water lodging about them, which in dull seasons
may cause their decay. Lycastes are essentially
moisture-loving plants ; during the period of
active growth they require copious supplies, and
for well established plants a weekly dose of
manure water is beneficial. Care must be taken
that it is not strong. In winter several species
are usually flowering and water must be applied
in limited quantities, but during the time between
the finish of the old growth and the appearance
of the new very little is required. At no time,
however, must the resting process be carried
out to such an extent as to cause shrivelling or
loss of leaves.

All the species may be grown in an inter-
mediate house, but L. Skinneri, L. Deppei, L.
tricolor, and others will thrive in any green-
house where the winter temperature does not
fall below 45°, and where a moist atmosphere
can be maintained in summer. The following
species do not include all those worth cultiva-
tion, but they are probably the finest, and form
a fairly representative collection.

L. Skinneri. — It is scarcely necessary that any-
thing be said in recommendation of this species.
Few who have any acquaintance with Orchids
generally would not include it amongst the twelve
best. The large size of the flowers together with
the number produced place it in the first rank of
useful Orchids. I have counted seventeen old
flower-stems clustered round the base of an old im-
ported pseudo-bulb, and I have myself had as many
as fifteen from a single pseudo-bulb in one season.
In colour and local marking it is one of the most
variable of all Orchids ; even in plants of the same
importation points of difference may be found in
almost every one. The pseudo-bulbs are 3 inches
to 5 inches high and the leaves deep green, broadly
lance-shaped, and of large size. The flowers are
usually about 5 inches in diameter, but in well
grown and exceptionally fine varieties they some-
times measure 6J inches across. In the typical
form the sepals are blush-white, the petals deep
rose, and the lip white spotted with crimson.
Where a few plants are grown they may be had in
flower from the present time up to May.

The variety alba, with flowers wholly pure white,
has always been a rare and expensive Orchid. It
is frequently to be seen in flower in Mr. Bull's nur-
sery at Chelsea. The deepest coloured variety is
nigro-rubra, in which the parts of the flower are
deep mauve and purple.

L. Deppei. — This is an old and free-flowering
species, a native of Mexico, deserving of more no-
tice than it gets now-a-days. It has flowers 4
inches across, with oblong sepals of a yellowish-
green colour marked with transverse rows of
brownish-purple spots. The petals are white and
the lip yellow, dotted with crimson. The variety
punctatissima is found in Guatemala. The sepals
are whiter and more numerously spotted with
purple, and the flowers altogether fiper than in
the type.

L. Barringtonue. —Originally introduced from
Jamaica a hundred years ago, this plant remained
rather uncommon until within the last few years.
A considerable importation — I believe by Mr.
Sander— has lately brought it mere under notice.
The flowers are of a pleasing shade of yellow,
tinged with green, and although not opening so
widely as is usual in the genus, they are of very
large size, whilst the profusion in which they are
produced is remarkable. When seen at its best the
pseudo-bulbs and petioles are completely hidden by
flowers.

L. AROMATICA. — This is a summer-flowering spe-
cies that is worth growing if for no more than the
aromatic fragrance of its flowers. But they are,
besides, very pretty and plentifully borne. The col-
our is a soft golden-yellow, the lip being spotted
with orange. The scapes are somewhat slender, and
the one flower is 3 inches to 4 inches in diameter.
It is a native of Mexico.

L. plana. — One of the largest growing and most
robust species. This is also one of the most orna-
mental. The pseudo-bulbs are oblong and about 4
inches high, the leaves being large and deep green.
The colour of the sepals is a pretty madder-red, the
petals being white, marked with one crimson blotch,
and the lip also white, spotted with rosy-crimson.
The flower measures upwards of 4 inches across.
The species was first introduced from Bolivia about
fifty years ago.

L. tricolor. — At present this species is not
much cultivated. It is, however, both beautiful and
free-flowering. It blooms in July and August. The
flower is 3 inches in diameter, the spreading ob-
long sepals being pale brown ; the petals are rose-
coloured and not so large as the sepals, the lip be-
ing still smaller and of a deep shade of rose. The
pseudo-bulbs are slightly compressed and angled,
and are about 2 inches high. The species is a native
of Guatemala. W. J. B.

SHORT NOTES.— ORCHIDS.

Cypripedium Spicerianum. — A magnificent
form of the species comes from " G. S. W.," and al-
most deserves a varietal name from the rich brown of
the pouch instead of green, and the bright crimson
tinge which pervades the whole flower saving the
dorsal sepal. The flower you send and call a hybrid
is certainly one of the poorest things that we have ever
seen, and we advise you to destroy it.

Odontoglossum tiro- Skinneri. —A remark-
able variety comes without the name of the sender. The
flowers are* fully 3 inches across, broad, and rich chest-
nut, mottled with a deeper chestnut-brown, the cordate
lip being rose marked with white. It is a pity that this
plant has been so neglected by cultivators as to be some-
what scarce. Its home is the mountains of Guatemala,
where it was found by Mr. Skinner.

Aerides suavissimum. — J. Howard sends
me the part of a spike of this species, asking if it is
like A. Kohauianum mentioned by me in a former
number of The Garden. It is nothing like it. It ap-
pears to me to resemble the form of this species_ I
used, to know, when these distichous-leaved Orchids
were favourites, by the name of flavidum. It is of a
dull yellow hue, and without the_ crimson spots so
conspicuous on Rohauianum, and it has a longer and
less recurved spur. — W. H. G.

Cattleya superba — " G. E. H." sends a flower
of this species with a remark to the effect that it is
much like that of C. Whitei. The form known as
Wliitei is a supposed natural hybrid, hut in this respect
it is, like a good ninny more, without proof. I think it
is a plant gathered by Mr. White when collecting for
Messrs. Low, of Clapton, and it has never been found
since, so that there are some good things yet to come
fromBrazil.-W. II. G.

Oncidium Lanceanum Louvrexianum. —
"J. T. W." sends a flower of this which was bought for
O. Lanccanum, but it has a white front part to the lip.
The bloom sent is from a spike bearing twenty-one
flowers. This is a very fine form of the species which
it resembles in its growth in every respect ; indeed, one
cannot tell the difference till the flowers open ; then it
is evident enough, and it affords a pleasing contrast.
The fragrance of the flowers of the variety is much like
that of the common garden Pink, whilst the odour
emitted by the species is decidedly that of vanilla. This

Nov. 8, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

445

plant I have seen thriving admirably in the collection
of Baron Schroeder, The Dell, Egham.— W. H. G.

Lselia amanda. — A beautiful gathering of
flowers comes without the name of the sender. It
includes a fine spike of this beautiful Lielia, perhaps
better known by the name of Cattleya Roth-
schildiana ; it is a superb flower, the colours being
soft and chaste. The blooms now before me are
soft rosy-purple in the sepals and petals, the lip
amethyst-purple, the inside of the side lobes being
of a reddish-yellow, veined with rosy-purple. It
was first introduced by Mr. Wni. Bull, of Chelsea,
and should be grown by all Orchid growers, as its
flowers are quite distinct from those of any other
kind. It does well with L. purpurata.

Probably, however, the simplest and grandest
use that could be made of them would be
to plant them on large masses of rockwork,
giving them a good depth of ricb, light, and
sandy earth, and allowing their shoots to fall
over the face of the blocks without any
training or pruning.

Flower Garden.

CLEMATISES ON AECHES.

The uses to which Clematises may be applied
are exceedingly various. They may be used

CUTTING DOWN HERBACEOUS PLANTS.
Among the many important operations connected
with hardy herbaceous plants, the retaining of
the stems and leaves as long as possible holds a
foremost place. Yet how often do we meet with
cultivators who treat their plants as if this were of
no importance. In many gardens the cultivation
of this class of plants is not adopted to the extent
their merits deserve, and if you ask the reason, not
unfrequently the answer is, They get too untidy-
looking when the blooming period is over. Tidi-
ness in a garden adds much to its appearance,
although I often think it is very often carried too

several strong plants of the three double Rockets,
namely, the purple, French white (which is the one
generally cultivated in the south), and the lovely
Scotch white. I had charge of a garden, the
owner of which took a pride in it being kept very
neat. After these Rockets had gone out of bloom
he wished them to be cut down close to the ground.
Although the plants were most vigorous at the
time, it well-nigh killed them. A few plants that
were in a reserve garden close by, and the foli-
age of which was allowed to die off naturally, did
not suffer, and from these the stock for the follow-
ing season was obtained. For several years I was
obliged to cut down the stems of Pyrethrums and
many other things of this nature early, with the
result that many of the plants got weaker every
year. The evil was most apparent in those plants
that had but few leaves below the stems. For
many years I have noted that if you want good
strong plants of any of these subjects that form
crowns or suckers, then give them the very best
attention as long as they have a good leaf on them

Last autumn I had one sort of early blooming

A Clematis-covered arch.

for training over arches (as in the illustratiuii),
for hiding an unsightly bank or slope, and
for draping an old ruin. They will grow in
almost any situation if the soil is not abso-
lutely deficient of food, or if the roots of
other plants do not rob them of a fair supply
of nutriment ; and in such positions nothing
would be required but to throw down a few
tree roots or rough branches for them to
scramble over. Thus planted, a layer of ma-
nure worked in annually with the fork, and
a supply of water in very dry weather, would
secure a good result. Again, they rank
amongst the noblest of ornaments for low
walls, trellises, &c, to which they must neces-
sarily in the first instance be nailed or tied ;
but once firmly fixed, they should be allowed
to. fall down in rich, picturesque masses.

far to the detriment of many things. This most
forcibly applies to the early destruction of the
stems and leaves of many bulbs and herbaceous
plants. The season of the year being with us when
the blooming period of most of this class of plants
is practically over, it may be useful to point out some
of the evils attending the untimely destruction of
the stems of these plants.

Having had to cultivate herbaceous plants some-
what extensively during the last twenty years and
in several different gardens and localities, I have
had an opportunity of observing the benefits attend-
ing allowing the stems and leaves to remain till
they ripened off naturally. According to my ob-
servation, satisfactory results cannot be obtained
by any other means for any length of time with
such plants as Delphiniums, Pyrethrums, perennial
Asters, and Sunflowers ; also Rockets, Phloxes and
many bulbs. It cost me somewhat heavily to learn
what a mistake I had made by cutting down the
Rocket stems close to the ground some years ago
when residing in North Hants. At that time I had

border Chrysanthemum which had not made a
sucker at the time it had done flowering. For ex-
periment I cut two or three off close to the ground,
allowing the others to remain ; these latter re-
mained green a long time, and soon gave us abund-
ance of cuttings, while those cut down early pro-
duced one or two poor, weak ones. All observing
cultivators must know that when the blooming
period is over, only about half the period of the
growth of many plants is finished. Who would
think of cutting down Asparagus growth when
just in bloom, and I fail to see any difference
between the habit of this and that of many herba-
ceous plants ? Many a fine stock of Lobelia cardin-
alis has been much weakened by taking the plants
up too early, cutting off the tops and placing them
under glass frames. When looking over my stock
of this kind recently, I observed many of the
plants had only just begun to make suckers or
fresh growth at the bottom, although they will
soon be out of bloom. The best way to treat
them is to let them remain as long as safe where
they aie growing. When no longer safe take them

446

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 8, 1890.

up, allowing as much stem growth to remain as
possible, placing them where they are to be
wintered and allowing the stems to die off of their
own accord. I do not advocate allowing large
heads o£ dead flowers to remain on the plants to
disfigure the garden. J. Crook.

Forde Abbey.

HARDY FLOWERS THE LAST WEEK IN
OCTOBER.
On the 2<Jth there were signs of frost, and the day
following we experienced snow, sleet, and 7° of
frost on the Grass. I had, however, just jotted
down the names as below of flowers still out with
a view of showing the unusual length of time some
plants will bloom, as well as, in a way, the results
of a cold summer and fine autumn. There were
still the remains of eight varieties of Colchicum,
including the beautiful double white and the noble
speciosum rubrum. Geranium lancastriense re-
mains showy. Hieracium aurantiacum affords a bit
of the richest colour for autumn picking that could
be named, its fine orange flowers being minus the
aphis pest which bothers it all the summer. Cam-
panula Hosti is nearly an all-year-round bloomer.
Geum montanum, miniatum, coccineum, and Smou-
teri are rich in colour, and nearly always ready for
the flower basket where large specimens and seed-
lings are encouraged. Aubrietia Leichtlini, rosea,
and some other violet-purple seedlings still afford
a sprinkling of blossom. The large silver-grey heads
of Stobjea purpurea please many people. The group
of Polygonums, comprising affine, molle, sphsero-
stachyum, Brunonis, and japonicum, is most useful,
the least species with the longest name being ex-
ceptionally brilliant, the round dense spikes being
rosy Vermillion. I did not put down the names of
all the varieties of Erica, but each species or section
was pretty well represented by one or more of the
numerous varieties, the varieties of tetralix being
the more showy. There are many varieties of the
Primrose, single and double. The large tubular
flowers of Gentiana acaulis have not quite ceased to
appear, and who has not noticed the superior sea-
green and bronzy tints of the inner side of the tube
on late flowers ? Crocus Sieberi with its delicate
tube neck has had a trying time during the high
winds. Speciosus stands better, also longiflorus
and one or two others that can scarcely as yet be
said to be fairly out. Montbretia crocosmiseflora
could not be overpraised, and, beautiful as some of
the other hybrids are which I have only grown two
seasons, I cannot imagine that they could be more
useful. I refer to Bouquet Parfait, Etoile de Feu,
pyramidalis, and one or two others of the Lemoine
set. Oxalis floribunda in its many shades of bright
rose to white flowers manages to make a fair show.
Acsena microphylla is bright, with its large spiny
fruits, and is a plant of first importance for
rockeries, either small or large.

Campanula persicifolia has the singular property
in its white varieties of persistent blooming. One
rarely sees a blue flower after the summer crop,
but the single and double white, the white coron-
aria, and the mpre recent very large-flowered kind
may be seen in flower to almost the end of the year.
The tall Lobelias afford bright bits. Fulgens and
its varieties, cardinalis, and the numerous vars. of
syphilitica are all desirable, notwithstanding the
trouble they give in some gardens to keep them
through the winter. The large Erodium Manescavi
is as free-flowering to-day as in midsummer, and
nearly as much can be said for the charming ma-
crodenum ; neither should we forget that gem for
rockeries, which has still a few good flowers, E.
Reichardi. Saxifraga Hausmanniana has yellow
flowers still. The beautiful S. Fortunei has made
the most of its chance to flower well this year, its
dense panicles of white being very attractive. The
rarer Dodder Saxifrage (cuscutzeformis) has also
its complement of late, long-winged, moth-like
flowers. Sedum Sieboldi and spectabile have shown
fine colour for weeks. I always feel when I see the
former in pots that it would be a charity to place it
out of doors on a sunny rockery, where' it always
looks its best. Primula cashmeriana will doubtless
suffer for its untimeliness, but the European species
and hybrids seem to sport in untimely florescence

with more impunity. Intermedia, spectabilis, pu-
bescens, and one or two others will probably be no
worse for their autumnal flowers than would the
common Auricula. Gaultheria procumbens is lovely
in leaf colour, scarlet berries, and flesh-tinted
white flowers, all displayed at the same time.
Papaver alpinum, nudicaule, pyrenaicum, orientale,
and even bracteatum have either flowers or very
prominent buds. Cedronella cana, sometimes called
Balm of Gilead, though not showy, is most fragrant.
Mule Pinks keep on, also nearly all that are grown
here of the varieties of Carnation. Tritomas still
send up scapes, there being at least four varieties
still in colour.

Coreopsis lanceolata always goes on until it re-
ceives a very severe cut. The same can be said of
C. longipes and the most beautiful of all, verticil-
lata. Parochetus communis excels a bed of
Violets, its lovely pale blue being a very favourite
colour. I never saw this plant flower better than
this autumn. Carduncellus monspeliensium is a
quaint and unusual plant ; the foliage is like a
rosette of half-bred Dandelion and Thistle foliage,
with a single, large, bright purple head resting in
the centre, the plant being quite stemless above
the surface. One hardly need mention the three
varieties of Anemone japonica, white, pink, and
red-purple. Campanula mollis is quite showy on
rockwork, also Portenschlagiana and Hendersoni.
C. pyramidalis also remains in good form. Sapon-
aria ocymoides in several varieties is affording a
good sprinkling of its rosy flowers. Salvia patens
is one of those things which, owing to its large
brilliant bloom, is actually showy when there are
only one or two flowers. Potentilla nepalensis, or
formosa, has flowered all summer to the present.
The same can be said of one or two of the florists'
varieties, but nothing is so good for late flowers in
this genus as argyrophylla, the flowers of which
are single, semi-double, and others quite full, of
id size, and bright canary-yellow. Another
little species is worth notice, though it has but few
flowers now, namely, P. lupinioides ; it is a dazzling
little plant in summer. Sedum maximum is attrac-
tive, if not beautiful ; the variety purpureum has
dark red-purple stems and leaves, with massive
corymbs of greeny yellow flowers, the prominent
stamens adding a peculiar effect. Armeria planta-
ginea, in a large form that I seldom see, is yet
flowering. It goes without saying that the Vincas,
as an almost entire group, are in the ranks of
flowers in a fine autumn. Gaura Lindheimeri is
quite a showy plant ; it likes kind treatment — a
warm rich soil. Houstonia, both the true Bluets
and the white variety, keep flowering.

Chrysanthemum maximum seems to be in the
midst of its floral vigour. Petrocoptis pyrenaica, a
useful little thing for the rockery, is but a few inches
high, with glaucous foliage ; it has borne large
numbers of its rosy flowers from early summer.
Campanula muralis, C. pusilla, and C. valdensis
are not yet flowerless. Veronica spicata and varie-
ties are useful now from the pickings they afford of
bits of good blue. Aster sibiricus, Townsendi,
spectabilis, and three splendid varieties of Amellus,
as well as at least a half a score other unnamed,
and evidently unnameable, varieties are yet going
on. Geranium Wallichianum, the type and dwarfer
form, and G. Endresi are yet useful for picking.
Calla sagittata is either unknown or unaccountably
neglected. At present it is merely in berry ; the
stout scapes are densely spiked with scarlet berries
in the way of italica, but another useful feature is
that it sends up its new and handsome foliage in
the autumn, which is unhurt by the severest frosts,
affording a bit of good winter green. It will grow
anywhere. The earlier-flowering kinds of Chry-
santhemum, of which there are but comparatively
few, ought to be more grown where there is no
glass. One or two species of Centaurea show a few
flowers still, but these are scarcely worth mention-
ing. Nepeta Mussini is still very useful ; well-grown
bushy plants have a good effect.

One or two species, as well as florists' varieties,
of Pyrethrums are yet to be seen. P. uliginosum
is of course an indispensable late flower. Oeno-
thera riparia is simply beautiful, of dwarf habit, and

bearing numerous large yellow flowers. I notice
also Oenothera Youngi carries a few clusters here
and there. Fuchsias are a host in themselves, and
I am speaking of the ordinary pot Fuchsias, which
have been left out of doors for many years through
the winter. Tall Phloxes yet carry some use-
ful points of colour. One rarely has seen more
Roses at this late period of the year than at pre-
sent. Most Hypericums have yet a few flowers.
The following are the more notable : Calycinum,
oblongifolium, patulum, reptans, and aureum. Om-
phalodes Lucilia? is better now than all the season.
Tradescantia virginica vars., Helianthemums in va-
riety, and florists' varieties of Clematis are yet
fairly bright. Clematis graveolens, however, and
flammula are specially good for this late season,
the former having numerous feather-like balls
of awned seeds, as well as yellow flowers. This,
intermingled with TropEeolum tuberosum, is very
pretty. Ceanothuses are capital late flowers ; they
might do duty for Lilacs, but the panicles are softer
and more elegant, and they are quite as freely borne
as that common flower. Lilies are not much grown
here, but one yet sees lingering flowers of auratum,
tigrinura, and speciosum. Some of the Cistuses
gush into blossom after two or three successive
sunny days— notably cyprius and lusitanicus. Pan-
sies are yet free. Agathfea ccelestis has not been
better all summer. A few flowers remain on Dian-
thus deltoides and Atkinsoni. Rosa minima, which,
I believe, is a species, is yet fresh and fair in bud
and blossom ; height, 3 inches. Antirrhinum Asa-
rina has still flowers at every point. Escallonia
macrantha and Phillipiana have fresh flowers — the
latter its second crop. Arnebia echioides, Spiraea
crispifolia, several Sempervivums, Linum flavum
and arboreum, Rudbeckia purpurea, and Tropasolum
speciosum always linger until very late. Lychnis
vespertina alba pi. has yet scores of perfect flowers.
Erigeron glaucum, several Statices, Indigofera
Dosua, Astrantia maxima, and various Satyriums.
Dianthus superbus and Doronicum excelsum are
remarkable for their succession of flowers. Heliop-
sis ljevis (Mr. Dod's dwarf variety) has a neat head
and fine deep colour, and is well worthy of note.
Cimicif uga americana, with its pretty white spikes,
will be more grown ere long. The stately He-
lianthus orgyalis has no match for foliar beauty
in its own family. Verbascum phceniceum and V.
nigrum can always be depended upon for a few
late flowers, so also Veronica longifolia subsessilis,
Hydrangea paniculata, Helianthus multiflorus in
several varieties, Lysimachia clethroides, and
Stenactis speciosa. Phytolacca decandra has su-
perb spikes of claret- coloured berries. Arundo
conspicua has the most persistent flowers of any
plant I know. Two fine varieties of Pampas Grass
are perfectly developed. It is very unusual to see
Trollius napellifolius in flower in October. Spiriea
Bumalda is one of the brightest and dwarfest of
the shrubby class. Helianthus angustifolius is well
worth culture ; it is now full of blossom. Next to
it is Clematis Davidiana in flower, in my opinion
not worth space. The usefulness of Verbena venosa
is well known. Oddly enough, the Cynoglossums
have again come into flower so late, and, from lateral
shoots, so have Lychnis chalcedonica, Mimulus car-
dinalis, Rockets, Buphthalmum cordifolium, Agro-
stemmas, Echinops Ritro, and Ranunculus repens
plenus. Grindelia squarrosa is full of its formal
heads. Dicentra eximia is flowering in the shade.
Rudbeckia subtomentosa and R. speciosa are
not only flowering freely, but exhaling the rich
autumnal perfume from their fading leaves. Hele-
niums still invite the flower basket ; Wallflowers
also, and Hollyhocks and Harpaliums. Helleborus
maximus has already opened, and a good sprink-
ling of seedlings are in blossom of the fork-
stemmed section. Veronica salicifolia and its
varieties have abundance of flowers under a shel-
tered wall. The Hepaticas are peeping all too soon.
Aconitum japonicum is at present a bit of the best
blue to be found in the garden. Wulfenia carin-
thiaca, which so rarely flowers here, has two good
spikes. There are three or four varieties of Heu-
chera in blossom. Caltha palustris pi. is always
welcome. Polygonum japonicum has done splendid
service for church decorations, and flowers yet

Nov. 8, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

447

remain. No notes were taken of other than hardy
flowers, neither of annuals nor biennials, of which,
indeed, very few are grown here. J. Wood.

Woodmille. KlrltstaXl.

MARKET WALLFLOWERS.
Although the weather has been so remarkably
dry — indeed rarely has the soil been so hard and dry
at this time of the year as now — yet the early sum-
mer-planted breadths of Wallflowers have been
blooming freely and afforded much material for
cutting. Naturally the colour is indifferent at this
season, but because of their perfume, Wallflowers
are always in favour, even though colour be but
poor. The heavy rains of the summer had begun to
induce unwonted coarse growth in the plants, which
the drought, happily, has checked and hardened.
The cutting of precocious blooms too has the excel-
lent effect of causing new growth to break out low
down, and such shoots usually stand well. It is
the coarse soft wood induced by too liberal manur-
ing and too much moisture which tends to destruc-
tion in the spring. Not one attack, but several suc-
cessive ones of frost will finally kill huge breadths
of large plants after Christmas, until the loss is ex-
ceedingly great. Letthe weather be ever so severe, the
plants should not unduly suffer during the ensuing
winter. Unfortunately, in the metropolitan dis-
trict it is not so much the hardness of the winter
as its dampness and fogs which injure semi-hardy
vegetation. Hoar-frost following upon fog is so
harmful that the foliage of many really hardyplants
suffers severely. As there seems to be no hope that
the fogs, which began early this season, will be re-
duced in density, but rather may be worse, there is
the alarming prospect before us that during the
winter the culture of many presumably hardy
plants may become unusually difficult. The metro-
politan growers have prided themselves on the preco-
city, robustness and rich colour of the flowers of their
market strain of Wallflowers. It is not possible,
however, to keep the cultivation of the strain solely
to one district, and so facile are railway means of
transit now, that Wallflowers may be grown much
more cheaply on possibly as good soil, and certainly
out of the harmful London fog radius, fully fifty
miles away in fact, and yet be sent into the London
markets as speedily as can the products of the
suburban gardens and fields. Few plants adapted
for market work better serve to grow beneath orchard
trees than do the Wallflower. Hundreds of acres
of plants are so grown, and although less robust
or stocky than are those grown quite out in the
open, yet they do very well and pay perhaps better
than would vegetables. The trees, too, afford the
plants some shelter in the winter. Many growers
have breadths solely of Violets and Wallflowers be-
neath their orchard trees. If the Violet blooms
indifferently, they do at least produce leaves for
bunching the blooms produced elsewhere. Very
much, of course, depends upon the density of
the overhanging boughs. When it is the rule to
sow Wallflower seed in February, and thus have
strong plants to dibble out in May and June, it is
very obvious that the plants must become of con-
siderable size. . Still the chief aim is to secure some
early winter bloom. This season the plants are
blooming earlier than usual, as the growers prefer
cutting after all ordinary autumn flowers have dis-
appeared. Chrysanthemums now naturally offer
formidable antagonism to Wallflowers in October,
but soon after the former disappear or are found in
reduced quantities, whilst Wallflowers not only find
a better sale as Christmas draws on, but the colour
and perfume are much enhanced. It is a season which
admits of a dribbling wetting, which pays best, as
with a big turn in during March and April the re-
sult is that enormous quantities of bunches sell
for a mere song then. Some growers do a good
trade with Wallflower plants, putting out the
smaller ones from the seed beds later thickly.
These make neat compact plants to lift in the
autumn and winter, and sell at very moderate
prices. For local sale or for market they are
lightly balled with soil, but for long journeys that
is not possible. Plants in such case get no pack-
ing practically. The rule is to send off from the |

railway stations all hardy plants in shallow open
boxes, the plants laid in thickly leaves upwards.
Tens of thousands of plants are sent all over the
country in this way, arriving safe. One great value
of Wallflower culture to those who plant on a large
scale is that the plants afford a capital change
from vegetables, and follow admirably after one or
two other crops of that nature have been taken
from the soil. Where such frequent succession of
Peas, Potatoes, Brassica, Spinach, runner Beans,
&c, are the rule, it is obvious that any change in
cropping to plants of so diverse a nature as Wall-
flowers or Violets is very welcome. For ordinary
cropping the rule is to plant at 2 feet apart, leaving
room for working the horse hoe during the summer.
Very often, however, Wallflowers come between
broad rows of Violets, but for cleaning it is much
best in all cases to have each flower growing sepa-
rately. When from 5 to 20 acres of both these
flowers are planted cleaning becomes a matter of
some importance, whilst it is equally important
that to recoup the exceeding great outlay involved
in the cultivation the flower crop should be as
large and as profitable as possible. Long may it be
ere public taste changes and ignores the sweet per-
fume of Wallflowers and Violets. A. D.

Schizostylis coccinea. — I quite agree with
your correspondent (p. 362) regarding this plant
being a lover of moisture both in the air and in the
soil. When residing close to the sea in Dorset I
could grow this winter Flag splendidly. I used to
grow it in a shallow trench in good rich soil. In
summer it was deluged with water when the
weather was dry. In autumn a splendid crop of
strong spikes of bloom resulted. When living in
North Hants, with a hot, dry, light soil, I never
could grow this plant with any degree of satisfac-
tion, although I always kept it well watered at the
roots during summer. — WEST DOESET.

The Flame Flower (Tropasolum speciosum).
— In the warmer districts of England success does
not so frequently attend the attempt to cultivate
this beautiful climber. It evidently dislikes hot
sun and a dry atmosphere, and I am of opinion
that the greater portions of the failures in growing
it are due to a want of realising how indispensable
a cool and comparatively moist atmosphere is to its
welfare. Several years ago a friend who knew no-
thing of the nature of this plant received some
roots from the fine old specimens that grow on Lis-
more Castle. The great beauty of this Tropasolurn
had been described to him, and he naturally wished
to see it thrive in his garden. By my advice some
of the roots were planted against a west wall, in
front of which grow good-sized Nut bushes and a
few tolerably large Apple trees, so that the sun
could only reach the plants for a couple of hours
daily in the hot summer weather. The remaining
roots were planted against a north wall, where
scarcely any sun comes, and at the west end of the
dwelling, but where the full force of the afternoon
sun was felt. Those in the first-mentioned position
grew remarkably well and bloomed as freely as
could be expected in the first year of planting. On
the north aspect growth was good, but the flowers
were not so numerous, but in the sunny position,
although the roots made a foot or so of growth, this
gradually withered as soon as the power of the sun
made itself felt. No better proof could be afforded
that it is simply a matter of position as regards the
successful growth of the Flame Flower, and that
even in the southern counties there are probably
but few gardens where its requirements may not
be met. The difference in the growth of the plants
as above mentioned can only be ascribed to atmo-
spheric conditions, as the soil was in all cases alike.
Another matter in connection with this Tropasolum
is worth mentioning. It happened that my friend
removed to another part of the country the follow-
ing autumn and took up the roots, giving me a
part of them. I potted them in light soil and kept
them in a cold frame through the winter, and not
seeing any signs of growth in spring I examined
the soil, but found no trace of the roots, ~

therefore be taken for granted that planting should
never be done in autumn, and that the only safe
time to do so is in spring, just as the sap is rising.
I do not think that this Tropreolum is very particular
in the matter of soil, provided that it is of a free open
nature. It has been grown successfully in peat
alone, and does just as well in loam with some leaf-
mould, but it will not thrive in soil that becomes
close and retains much moisture in winter. — J. C. B.

LIFTING HELLEBORUS NIGER AND
VARIETIES.
Were I asked to select any individual plant or
group for which I regarded autumn planting as
essential, I should say the above section of Helle-
borus. Not only planting, but dividing and trans-
planting also should of necessity be performed in
the early autumn months. It will be observed that
I make a distinction between planting and trans-
planting. By the former I infer newly purchased
plants from the nursery, and by the latter esta-
blished clumps already existing in gardens, for
which dividing and replanting have become either
necessary or desirable. Few people, however, in-
cluding myself, would care to interfere with hand-
some established clumps of these charming border
flowers on the eve as it were of their sending forth
their crowds of pure white blossoms. In those gar-
dens where a limited number of fine plants are pre-
ferred to twice the quantity of smaller ones there
is little need for interference, as very few plants
remain so long in good health as these Hellebores.
There is no season so well adapted for planting
the forms of Helleborus niger as September and
October. Some allowance for variable seasons and
varieties will of course be needful. Why this section
of Hellebore should be planted at this particular
moment may not be at first sight clear to all, for I
am well aware that hundreds, probably thousands,
are planted between the present time and the end
of April, and if we could but follow them, particu-
larly those planted late, and see the foliage that
ensues, it would in all probability amply illustrate
how much in error such a system undoubtedly was.
The reasons for early autumn planting are not
many, yet they are very obvious. Let anyone who
desires information on the subject set himself the
task of discovering the peculiarities of the rooting
process in these Hellebores — firstly, by ascertaining
what roots are formed ; secondly, at what sear
sons they are formed; and, thirdly, the relationship
in point of order and time that these roots hold to
the foliage and flowers.

Any such investigations should have been com-
menced early in September, at which time, assum-
ing we have passed through an ordinary summer,
the new main or basal roots will not have started
from the neck of the plant just below the union of
root-stock and leaf-stalk. A wet season just at
this time would find these roots just pushing forth ;
therefore I contend that such a time is a sort of
new year opening with these plants. With the
autumnal rains and the ground beautifully warm,
as the result of the summer sun, it is little wonder
that these and many other plants should send forth
their huge fleshy roots, which, in the case of Helle-
borus niger and varieties, quickly penetrate to a
surprising depth, in good soil to a depth of 3 feet
or even more. When these long basal roots have
about completed their season's growth the flowers
begin to rise above the surface of the soil, during
which stage I believe the root- producing properties
of the plants are comparatively quiet ; still the
flowers come, and come fairly well, as witness
the many plants that are annually lifted and trans-
ferred to pots or frames or heated structures, which
make not a root meanwhile, the flowers being the
outcome of forces concentrated in the crowns.
Another stage ensues in the rooting process di-
rectly the flowers are fading away ; this has more
especially to do with the production of the numer-
ous lateral fibrous roots which are found on the
main or basal roots ; these roots are always pro-
duced firstly on the basal roots of the previous
year and not on those newly formed, of which I

They had
decayed during the winter, and this was the case I have just spoken. These lateral roots continue to
with those that my friend kept for himself. It may | be produced in considerable quantity for a some

448

THE GAEDEtf.

[Nov. 8, 1890.

what lengthened period, during which the new
foliage springs forth bright, shining, and vigorous,
and without an abundance of healthy leaves, fine
flowers and plenty of them can hardly be expected.
In like manner, too, if these plants are interfered
with at improper seasons and denuded of the large
fleshy roots that constitute the main support of the
plants against long-continued drought, it can
hardly be expected that the best results will fol-
low. These, then, are the plain and simple laws
which govern my actions in the planting of Helle-
bores, and the success attendant thereon fully
justifies my recommending their general adoption.
It will be seen from the above that two distinct
sets of roots are produced in these plants, and
these at widely separated seasons, and my chief
object in urging that they should be planted in
early autumn is that both these sets of roots should
be preserved intact, thereby ensuring success.
Many hardy perennials produce the great bulk of
their roots continuously through the spring and
summer, becoming active as the new growth issues
from the crown of the plants, and all such may be
planted any time during spring with impunity.
Not so the Hellebores, to which these remarks apply.
Frequently one sees large clumps of these plants
with scarce a green leaf upon them, the flowers, of
course, in their season small in proportion ; this is
but the result of bad management somewhere or
other, for healthy specimens will retain abundance
of fine foliage throughout the year, and should the
leaves decay prematurely, that is, before the new
growth is apparent, then root action is defective,
or at least has been some time previously, and plants
which have thus been weakened will make the most
speedy recovery by breaking them up into small
divisions and replanting them in permanent posi-
tions at once. A great mistake in planting Helle-
bores is that of transferring huge specimens from
one spot to another, for rarely if ever do they take
hold of the new spot when thus treated.

In this direction I learned a never-to-be-forgotten
lesson some fifteen or sixteen years ago when in
charge of a large private garden, which contained
some dozens of huge specimens 2 feet and 3 feet
across, yielding their flowers at mid-winter by
bushels. The alteration and remodelling of some
large hardy plant borders involved the removal of
three of these handsome giants, of which the
owner was justly proud. Upon one point we were
agreed, viz., that if these were lifted carefully and
intact little harm would result, for it was then
autumn. The other plants cleared from round
about them, large holes were made, and the huge
ball transferred on to a large bag and lifted bodily
from its old place to the new one already pre-
pared with good soil to receive it. It was soon in
position, the hole filled in, a good watering given,
and regarded a success. We were, however,
doomed to disappointment, for very soon after all
the leaves decayed and fell off, and the endeavour
to send forth its usual supply of flowers later on
was an equal failure. Nevertheless, we hoped that
in spring fresh foliage might result and the plants
recover, but this was not to be, for what few leaves
came forth were weak, sickly, and small. All the
plants that were removed suffered similarly. The
following autumn I had the plants lifted, only to
find the roots a rotten mass. I shall never attempt
again to transplant large examples like these
intact, for not only were they an eyesore, but a loss,
as well as a silent condemnation of our actions.
Had these plants been broken up into two or three
eyes or crowns each, the result would have been
increased vigour from the new basal roots, besides
being a very great addition to our stock, and in the
following year very fine flowers would result. Fre-
quently it is said that Hellebores are impatient of
removal, but in one sense this is wrong. If taken
at the season I have indicated, they may be divided
and replanted every second or third year with ex-
cellent results ; so the fault is not there. What
they really are impatient of is being planted or re-
planted at all sorts of times and seasons, convenient
to the operator it may be, but at the same time
decidedly opposed to the welfare of the plants or
their future prospects, and anyone who would attain
perfection in the cultivation of these truly indis-

pensable flowers cannot do better than adhere
strictly to autumn as the best season for planting.
But while saying this I am not unmindful that in
the northern districts they succeed under other
conditions of planting, though I believe the in-
stances are exceptional. Spring planting has fre-
quently been recommended, and I doubt not those
who advise it find it to answer in a certain degree
under given conditions. The soil, I have already
stated, can neither be too. deep nor too rich for these
plants. Let the ground be well and deeply trenched,
and if manure be needed to enrich it, keep it well
below the roots, where these latter will find it by-
and-by. Hellebores delight in a cool and partially
shady spot, though not necessarily a cold and sun-
less one ; rather select the partial shade of Ever-
greens, or distant trees through which the rays of
the sun appear. For sandy, gravelly, or light loamy
soils I prefer cow manure, by reason of its cooling
nature, while well-rotted hotbed manure is best
suited for the more retentive soils, which it may be
advisable to lighten with burnt earth or the refuse
from the rubbish fire. See that old-established
clumps get abundance of liquid manure about then-
roots annually at this season, and at intervals dur-
ing winter and spring, regardless of rain or snow.
These will keep the ground moist, and the roots
will have the advantage of the manure. It is far
better done when the soil is moist, for were it the
reverse, it could only percolate through the soil in
waste. It may be done with a free hand, cow ma-
nure and soot being excellent for that purpose, and
if repeated from time to time will prove a source of
untold good to these and many other plants.

E. J.

time shelters the tender fibres from the effects of
parching winds and scorching sun. C. B.

GENTIANA VERNA.
A class of hardy flowers rather difficult to culti-
vate with satisfaction is that which demands abun-
dance of moisture at the roots when growing, with
perfect drainage all the year through. The diffi-
culty consists in securing a plant against stagnant
moisture in winter that will not bear without suf-
fering a parched condition of the soil when in full
growth. It is probably for this reason that the
lovely little vernal Gentian is seldom found in a
really satisfactory condition. It does not suffice to
obtain healthy specimens and keep them in a fairly
good condition for a couple of years or so ; the
plants should increase in size, flower freely from
year to year, just in the same way that its near re-
lative acaulis does, or the culture is not what it
ought to be. For some years I tried in vain to get
this Gentian to thrive ; it died out in the course of
a season or two, but I have now some plants that
give the promise of lengthened longevity. Select-
ing a naturally well drained and sunny position, I
took out the soil to a depth of about a foot. Round
the sides I placed some bricks, and put 4 inches of
drainage at the bottom, covering this with good
sized pieces of fibrous peat, this material being
best calculated to keep the drainage free, although
anything of a fibrous character that will not quickly
rot would do just as well. The bricks were allowed
to show an inch above the soil, and the compost in
which the plants were put was brought almost up
level with the top of them, and consisted of loam
of a light description, a little leaf mould, and a
liberal admixture of mortar rubbish and pounded
brick. In hot summer weather an occasional soak-
ing was given. The fact that quite small bits have
increased to fair sized flowering plants, and have
every appearance of remaining in a healthy condi-
tion, is a proof that the above conditions are suit-
able to this Gentian. I know that in some gardens
the necessary conditions of successful growth may
be realised without so much trouble, but the ma-
jority of hardy plant growers find it a refractory
subject, and I would urge those who may hitherto
have failed to try the above described method.
The drainage given ensures the preservation of the
roots in a perfectly healthy condition in a time of
heavy rain, and I have invariably found that all
delicate rooted hardy flowers, especially such as
grow naturally in elevated situations, thrive much
better when a liberal portion of some organic
material is mixed with the soil. It helps to maintain
the soil in a sweet porous condition, and at the same

NOTES ON HARDY PLANTS.

Double -white Poet's Narcissus. — I think what
I had to say about this (p. 272) was fairly intelli-
gible, and need not be gone over again. I might,
however, usefully add that the bulbs to which I
referred were grown in such half-shade as would be
afforded by Perpetual Roses bedded, and where the
space was about 2f feet or 3 feet between the rows
of Roses ; soil somewhat retentive. Until those
were dug up and the bulbs placed in lighter soil
and more exposed positions, I knew nothing from
personal experience about blind buds. The bulbs
used to be transplanted every year or two, and I
daresay that the mulchings of manure that used to
be given to the Roses would benefit the bulbs, and
it is reasonable to suppose all the more, because
never incorporated with the soil.

Narcissus elegans. — This is an exquisite au-
tumnal flower, being nearly related to serotinus.
The flowers are about the size of a shilling, or
rather bigger, white, with a minute citron cup ;
perianth divisions narrow, long-pointed and twisted,
several on a scape, in the style of N. polyanthus.
The little cup resembles a morsel of washleather,
formed so as to hold scarcely more than one pellet
of rabbit-shot. It has the smell of the kernels of
new Walnuts. I think it worth growing. I have
had it two years, and it certainly does better than
the white Narcissi of the Ajax or triandrus sec-
tions.

Oxalis lobata. — I noticed flowers of this the
other day as big as a Primrose of a fine orange-
yellow colour; they just topped the dense Sorrel-
like foliage that in the case of this species is
densely produced in late autumn. I find it thrives
better and is practically safe in winter in our York-
shire climate on a sloping sunny bank.

Parochetus communis. — The fine weather of
the present autumn has exactly suited this plant,
flowers appearing in quantity. I have always
found this plant make more growth and bloom best
in the late part of summer, but it is somewhat ex-
ceptional to have so many of its peculiar and
pretty pale blue flowers so late as the latter half of
October. The colour of its Pea flowers is much
admired by everybody, and the plant is becoming a
great favourite. Unfortunately, a severe winter
will kill it unless protected, but I always leave it
out, and the little protection needed is really no
trouble. A good handful of Cocoa-nut fibre mixed
with sand and thrown over the plant some dry day
when frosts are threatening is all it needs.

Woodville, Xirltstall. J. WOOD.

Parochetus communis. — I should be glad to
know whether October is the usual time for the
above to flower freely, or whetherit isthe result of the
fine autumn. In Cheshire I never had any flowers,
and the plant did not seem happy, though on a waim
sheltered rockery. A small slip planted here early
in June soon covered a space of 3 feet in diameter,
and had to be constantly cut back. A few flowers
were produced in August and early in September,
but towards the end of the mouth they shot up
from every joint. Their deep blue colour is most
beautiful. Some rooted offsets planted at the end
of August show the flowers even better than the
parent plant, as there are fewer leaves. — E. C. Bux-
ton, Cued JDerwen, Bettms-y- Coed.

*»* See Mr. Wood's note.— Ed.

Lathyrus Drummondi. — This is no new thing,
quite old specimens being in existence in various
parts of the country. It is certainly so rare that
one might look through a good many trade esta-
blishments where hardy flowers are grown without
seeing it. This is probably owing to the difficulty
that attends its propagation, for, in the first place,
it rarely seeds with freedom, and the seeds do not
come up well unless treated in a particular manner.
The plants in cultivation in all probability owe their
existence to division, and, in the case of an Ever-
lasting Pea, this is a slow method of increase. It

Nov. 8, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

449

is decidedly pretty, flowering with remarkable pro-
fusion, when thoroughly established, for a period of
three months. It is not such a tall grower as the
common Everlasting Pea, but I do not think that
it is at all capricious as regards soil. Like all mem-
bers of the family, it delights in sunshine and does
not show to great advantage in cold rainy weather ;
whereas in the bright sunshine the carmine-col-
oured blooms have a particularly pleasing effect. —
J. C.

VERBENAS AS EXHIBITION PLANTS.
In the west of England Verbenas are still grown
in pots for exhibition, and it is surprising what
fine examples are produced in the month of August.
It is usual to tie the shoots out regularly over a
shield-shaped wire frame, and when the plants are
fully in bloom they present to view a perfect mass
of fine trusses of flower. This wire frame is not a
flatone,but slopesto anangle of about30°. Petunias
are grown and bloomed in much the same way,
and it is astonishing what remarkably attractive
exhibition plants they also make. The plants,
both Verbenas and Petunias, are grown in large
pots, but it appears to be considered necessary to
give them plenty of root room.

Those who grow these specimen Verbenas so
successfully state that the plants to be grown on
for show should be taken from stock plants of
healthy growth and struck in March. It is well
known that the Verbena cuttings strike quickly in
heat in early spring, and when merely rooted they
are at once potted into small pots, and as soon as
the pots are filled with roots the plants are
placed in others fully two sizes larger. As these
pots become filled with roots the plants are placed
in the pots in which they are to bloom, which, as
already stated, are in the west of England some-
what large, averaging from 8 inches to 10 inches
in diameter, as may be convenient to the grower.
The leading shoots are stopped two or three times
in order to produce six or eight strong growths,
and as the trusses of buds appear the small shoots
beneath the leading trusses are removed, as the
growers say they never produce fine pips.

In order to have a good succession of bloom on
specimen plants a strong growth is encouraged
three joints from the leading flower branches, as it
is found in practice that shoots from the bases of
these stems will produce trusses of bloom equal to
those obtained from the leading shoots. During
wet weather while the plants are in bloom they
have the protection of glass to keep the flowers
from becoming soiled by the rain.

As to compost, specimen growers prefer a good
loam, not too stiff, with leaf soil and peat in equal
proportions, and a sprinkling of guano is mixed
with it. The pots are well drained, as Verbenas
do well when potted only if they are in a free, open
soil with plenty of drainage.

Verbenas are also shown as cut blooms in bunches
of three or more trusses, and though cut Verbenas
are now seldom seen in some parts of the country,
they are still favoured in the west of England. The
plants are grown in the open border for this pur-
pose, and a dry rather than a wet situation is se-
lected, the soil previous to planting being well
trenched, and a good dressing of well-spent, hot-
bed manure and leaf-soil worked into it. In this
the plants make a free and vigorous growth and
the shoots are thinned out, those retained to pro-
duce flowers being firmly and regularly pegged
down in the soil. As the time for exhibiting draws
near, lights or hand-glasses are placed over the
flowers to protect them from injury by heavy rains,
to keep them pure in colour, clean, and presentable.
Without some such protection it is impossible to
have them in good show form. The usual method is
to exhibit Verbenas in a cut state in bunches of five
trusses of one variety, and when the flowers are in
fine condition a stand of cut Verbenas is a very
pretty and attractive sight. Some of the varieties
are sweetly fragrant, which is an additional quality
in exhibition flowers of fine character.

As a bedding plant the Verbena is still highly
popular, and there are few things that can take its
place and be as showy and persistent in blooming,

and whether a bed be filled with only one or several
varieties, it is showy when the plants are in full
bloom. The plants continue to flower until their
beauty is destroyed by autumn rains and frosts.

R. D.

" MODEL " DWELLINGS AND FLOWERS.
One of the most horrible features of our high
pressure nineteenth century civilisation is un-
doubtedly that barrack system of living which is
identified with what is sarcastically termed the
" model " dwellings. Recent disclosures in various
parts of London, and also of provincial cities, as to
extreme overcrowding and scandalous want of
proper sanitary appliances have done much to dis-
credit the " model."

A result of the system of lofty piles of ugly
brick built round a bare asphalt yard has been
the increasing difficulty of any exhibition of that
intense love of flowers which has been dwelt
on by numbers of writers dealing with the working
classes and their surroundings. Even the smallest
attempt at window gardening has been rendered
extra difficult, in some cases impossible, by the pe-
culiar modes of construction adopted by brick-and-
compo-bound architects. Windows high up from
the floors, and the narrowest possible ledge of out-
side window-sill ; in addition to which, in some
cases, special rules or special whims of the superin-
tendent have prohibited any outside pots or boxes.
It may be remarked that at one of the latest of
these immense piles, that at the corner of Clerken-
well Road and the new Rosebery Avenue, a fair
attempt has been made at a better order of things.
It is early yet, for these buildings have only just
been let, but some of the tenants have done
enough to give one hope that a very fair present-
ment of window gardening will greet the weary
passer-by next year. As a proof, however, of what
can be done, there is a pile of " models" out north
which are worth a tram-ride to see.

The Coleridge Buildings in the Archway Road,
Highgate, are an example of what can be done to re-
deem even models. October has by some writer been
called the despair of the little gardener. It is just
a little too late and a little too soon, but even now
one or two of the landings are things of grace and
beauty, in spite of the cast-iron railings and girders.
From the girders hang large baskets filled with
drooping flowers and foliage, which meets the
flowers and foliage springing upwards from narrow
boxes apparently fixed on the top rail of the
balcony, other baskets being hung so that the
railings are quite covered with the drooping masses
of green and flower, continuing downwards and
covering the next girder below, the whole forming
a beautiful and refreshing screen. The windows
are well filled with flowers inside, and the northern-
most gable wall along Shepherd's Hill is well
covered to the top coping with a healthy rich, dark
Ivy, which has turnedround the corner and is spread-
ing over the back front, on the sills of which are
more window boxes.

In the height of summer even beautiful High-
gate may be proud of this block, which reflects
credit on all concerned, and which somewhat
suggests an organised and meritorious attempt to
make beautiful the naturally ugly. Q. S.

Veronicapimeleoid.es. — Since the appearance
of Mr. Wood's note (p. 226) I have visited the Edin-
burgh Botanic Gardens to see the grand collection
of shrubby Veronicas there cultivated. I find V.
pimeleoides of erect habit, and apparently the same a s
V. glauco-cccrulea. It should be pointed out, however,
that Mr. Nicholson in his lately published " Dictionary
of Gardening " distinguishes between the two. He
describes both as sub-erect, but the leaves of V.
pimeleoides as broadly obovate-oblong obtuse, and
those of V. glauco-coerulea as obovate-oblong acute.
Other distinctions are not here in question, but both
vary widely in foliage and habit from Mr. Wood's
trailing lanceolate-leaved plant, which is also at
Edinburgh, and there named V. pimeleoides minor.
Comparison of the species with the minor form only
served to emphasise distinction. It was suggested
in explanation that, until all named species 0:

shrubby Veronicas are introduced, we must look
upon our nomenclature to some extent as provi-
sional. There were stronger instances in point. —
Edged alb.

Gardeners' Orphan Fund.— The monthly
meeting of the committee took place at the Hotel
Windsor, Victoria Street, on the 31st ult., Mr.
William Marshall in the chair. The minutes of
the last meeting havingbeen read, the hon. secretary
reported there was a balance at the bank of
£217 12s. 3d. A report in reference to the Deal
Memorial Fund was made, and it was resolved that
the fund should definitely close on November 22.
It is earnestly requested that all promised sub-
scriptions be paid by that date. The committee
trust enough money will be obtained to enable
them, with the promised generous assistance of
Messrs. Sherwood and Veitch, to place upon the
fund at Christmas the whole of the seven candi-
dates who failed in their election in July last. The
sub- committee appointed some time since to con-
sider the matter of a change in the termination of
the financial year made a report to the effect that
it is desirable the financial year close December 31,
instead of June 30, and that the annual meeting
take place in February instead of July. The sub-
committee also reported that certain alterations in
the rules would be necessary if the recommenda-
tion of the committee were adopted. It was
unanimously resolved that the report of the
committee be received and adopted, and a special
general meeting of subscribers to the fund
will take place on December 9 at the Cannon
Street Hotel to sanction the necessary alterations
in the rules. The sub-committee also handed in a
revised list of local secretaries, which was adopted.
A tender from Messrs. H. M. Pollett and Co. to
print off 2500 copies of the annual report and list of
subscribers was accepted. Some other matters of
detail were considered, and a vote of thanks was
passed to the chairman.

Cyclamens unhealthy (fl. A. L.).— Your Cy-
clamen is, I believe, attacked by one of the slime
fungi (Myxomycetes), perhaps by Plasmodiophora
brassicie, which causes the well-known disease of Cab-
bage and Turnip plants known as club root, or finger-
and-toe. The spores of these fungi will retain their
vitality in the soil for two years. You should burn
every particle of the roots of infested plants, and burn
or bury deeply any soil in which they have grown or
which you imagine may have been contaminated. The
fungus is absorbed by the rootlets, so that unless the
soil is free from it, you will continue to have your
plants attacked. — G. S. S.

Manuring fruit trees on Grass.— Will some-
one kindly give me his actual experience of the possi-
bility of assisting Apple and Pear trees on Grass with
manure ? I do not desire to disturb the turf, and
should be glad to know whether the Grass practically
absorbs all the benefit of manurial applications, and,
if not, what form of manure has been found the best.
I desire advice from those only who have really experi-
mented upon orchard trees on Grass. — G. H. E.

Names of plants.— F. F. Holland— Crataegus

Aronia. Jean. — l,Dryopterissagittifolia;2,Lastra3a

hispida ; 3, Fadyenia prolifera ; 4, Davallia pallida. ■

G. Bishop.— 1, Lielia autumnalis atrorubens; 2, L. al-
bida ; 3, Odontoglossum odoratum ; 3, Catasetum tri-
dentatum luridum ; 4, Laelia grandis, an old form ; 5,
Miltonia Regnelli ; C, Oncidium cucullatum- — E.

Elphinstone. — Cannot name Lichens. X Jenkins.—

I should say your Cattleya is a very good variety of

Gaskelliana; certainly not C . labiata. H. Good.—l,

Briza maxima ; 2, Milium efiusuni ; 3, Lagurus ovatus ;

4, Panicum crus-galli. Epsilon.—l and 3, Davalha,

apparently decora ; 2 and 4, Davallia Tyermam ; 5,
send better specimen ; 6, Pteris tremula ; 7, Adiantum
glaueophyllum ; S, next week ; 0, Asplenium Adian-

tum-nigrum acutum. C. Y — Tropfeoluni polyphyl-

lum J. W. Robinson.— I, Sedum pulchellum; 2,

Aster lajvigatus. /. Crispin.— 1, Laalia Perrini; 2,

LaBlia purpurata; 3, Scutellaria Steeh; 4, Cypppe-
dium grande ; 5, Cattleya crispa ; 6, Cattleya crispa.

Alphabeta — 1, Begonia metallica; 2, Tradescantia

procumbens. Others next week.

Names of fruits.— E. G. C.—2, Gilogil; 4,

Fearn's Pippin; others not recognised. 8. E. A.,

Cumberland.— -1, Yorkshire Greening; 3, \\ inter
Peach- 4, Old English Codlin ; 5, King of the Pippins;

6, Dumelow's Seedling ; 7, Cockpit.- J. R. Dvrsley.

— 1, Calville Rouge Precoce ; 2, Kingston Black.

450

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 8, 1890.

WOODS AND_ FORESTS.

SEASONABLE WORK.
This is the best time of tlie year to plant
shelter groups and belts on heather ground at
high elevations, and the work should be for-
warded as quickly as possible, in order to have
as much done before the short days are upon
us. In the course of planting some thousands
of acres in the deer forests in the Mar district
of Aberdeenshire, where the plants were in-
serted by the notch system, I found two-years
seedling Scotch Fir, one year transplanted, to
give the best results. Those who contemplate
the formation of this class of plantations should
be very particular in the selection of the plants,
in order to make sure that they have been
raised from the seed of the native Scotch Fir,
otherwise the trees may prove a failure. The
advantages of notch planting on this class of
ground are many. I have done the work in a
very efficient manner at rates ranging from
30s. to 40s. per acre, which estimate included
fencing, draining where necessary, and the
price and carriage of plants. In some cases,
where two-years seedling plants could be used
without being transplanted, I have accomplished
the work in all its details at from 20s. to 25s.
per acre. When planting hilly ground I have
always found the plants to succeed best where
the surface of the ground was covered with
Heath some 6 inches or 8 inches high, as such
Heath does not smother the plants, but affords
shelter until the trees become established. Stiff
ground, however, had better not be planted at
this season, as frost is apt to throw out the
plants, and even although the trees are not
thrown out, the roots in many cases are so
damaged by cold and wet that it takes a
number of years before they recover and start
into healthy growth.

During frosty weather when planting cannot
be prosecuted with advantage, the hands should
be employed felling timber and thinning plan-
tations where necessary, and advantage should
be taken to have the wood removed when the
ground is hard and firm. Drains and ditches
in woodlands require particular attention at this
season, as they are apt to get choked with
leaves and rubbish, which retard the egress of
water and render the ground in the vicinity
cold and waterlogged. In the course of clean-
ing ditches, roads, and walks, the leaves should
be collected in large heaps at convenient places
here and there, and allowed to lie and rot, when
they will then prove valuable as manure.
Examine hedges and make up blanks where
they occur. Plant new hedges of Thorn,
Beech, &c. , where necessary. The plants may
be inserted at a distance apart of some G inches
or 8 inches, according to their size. The stems
of the Thorns should be cut off 2 inches above
the base of the plant, and any straggling
branches on the Beech should be pointed or cut
back to balance the top of the plant. In dry,
favourable weather gather tree and shrub seeds
as they become ripe. In the nursery depart
ment trench and ridge up vacant ground to ad-
mit frost and air. Remove the layers from the
stools of plants and trees propagated by that
method, and have them planted in well pre-
pared ground in nursery rows. Dress the stools
and fork in a dressing of mixed leaf-mould and
sand, and lay down the young suckers for the
next crop. J. B. Webster.

The White Poplar.— The beauty of Poplars
in autumn is far more noteworthy when numbers
of trees are taken together than in any single spe-
cimen. Sometimes the Mountain Ash fades to a
splendid red colour and is very beautiful in itself,

but it is very uncertain, and one specimen will do so
while another will not. The White Poplar, how-
ever, is the most beautiful common tree in this
respect when half of its leaves have changed to a fine
yellow, while the rest show all manner of weaker
tones of yellow till you come to the youngest, which
have their own inimitable pearly sheen in the most
bewitching contrast with the yellow in the middle
of the tree ; the great openness of the foliage in
this tree also allows a full light to pass through it
to show it up to the best advantage. — D.

Weeping- trees.— Weeping trees embrace the
most charming examples of ornamental trees.
Graceful in outline, elegant in growth, impressive
and attractive in appearance, they possess all those
characteristics which render them especially valu-
able for the embellishment of landscape, park, and
lawn. This peculiarity of form among weeping
trees is a precious one, inasmuch as the contrast
between the rigid upper portion of the tree and the
pendulous outer and lower parts forms a very strik-
ing and attractive feature, quite distinct from the
aspects usually presented by other trees. But for
all this they require to be employed discreetly, or
the good effect which they are capable of produc-
ing is destroyed. They should be planted spar-
ingly and not near one another, and carefully selected
and suitable sites must be chosen for them, or half
their charms will be lost ; when met at every turn
or too often repeated their interest and attraction
are greatly diminished. They should never form
large groups or masses, nor be mixed up with other
trees in belts or borders. In the hands of a skilful
planter they are capable of producing the most
charming results, and are more effective in giving
character and expression to a landscape than any
other trees. Some of the weeping trees, however,
with which we are familiar are truly formal and
artificial, and should be sparingly introduced— in
some instances not at all, and nothing but a vitiated
taste would sanction their use in well-kept places.
The main fault with most of these trees is that the
branches all droop from a given point ; whereas, in
such trees as the old Weeping Willow the falling
tresses of sprays are broken and diversified, like
water in a mountain cascade. Their only position
seems to be in association with architectural ter-
races, statuary, fountains, &c, for a tree with its
branches all growing downwards is just about as
natural as jets of water thrown upwards.

Neglect of deciduous trees. — Although I
have a strong feeling for growing Coniferse, it is
doubtful if there are many of the recently-intro-
duced species that will ever take the place of the
ornamental evergreen and deciduous forest trees
which are frequently to be seen throughout the
country, and which, I regret to say, are not increas-
ing to the extent they are justly entitled to, stand-
ing, as they do, all weathers, wind and snow, and
remaining as monuments to their planters. Many
of these old ornamental hard-wooded trees are of
great interest, and I confess that I have infinitely
more pleasure in looking at them than on any coni-
ferous tree in this country, excepting, however, the
Scotch and Silver Firs and the majestic Cedars of
Lebanon, as seen in many English parks. Of late
years the rage for Coniferse has rather had a ten-
dency to retard the planting of what are commonly
called evergreen and deciduous hard-wooded forest
trees, but I trust the time is not far distant when a
return to these well-known hardy and majestic
forest ornaments must again take place. With a
few exceptions, including such well-known trees
as the ornamental-leaved Oaks, Beeches, Tulip
Tree and the like, certain species of Abies, Cedrus,
Ticea, and Pinus, most of the recently-introduced
Conifera: are very well up to a certain size, but
when they become of tree growth, unless in par-
tially sheltered situations and particular soils, they
are often disfigured by wind and snow. Besides,
after many years' trial, how few of the new Coni-
fers do we find assuming a proper tree growth, so
as to take the place of, or even cope with, the old
kinds now existing, and thoroughly free from the
attacks of insect pests, which, in one shape or an-
other, have proved very detrimental to many coni-
ferous trees throughout the country ? The spread
of these, I fear, will rather increase than diminish

depending on the mildness or severity of the
winter months. Many of the Conifers are mere
shrubs, and as such they are beautiful, and for this
quality they should be more widely cultivated; but
a general feeling seems to prevail amongst their
admirers that they must become forest trees, and
for this end they are extensively planted. Surely
such trees as the Ash, Beech, Birch, Elm, Horn-
beam, Plane, Lime, Maple, Oak, Poplar, Walnut,,
and Chestnut ought to be planted in preference to
many of the coniferous trees. They become stately
with age, and we know that they will make trees,
and ultimately prove an ornament to the landscape
and a credit to their planters ; while, with many of
the Conifers, we are planting only in the hope that
they may, perhaps, succeed. After all that has been
done for the ConifersE, we find that it is only in
some exceptional places that they can ever assume
their true tree character, and these exceptional
places cannot be got on every property. — X.

The IiOmbardy Poplar. — To say that where-
ever the Lombardy Poplar is planted it adds a new
and striking feature to the landscape is but com-
mon-place praise. It gives it dignity as well rs
freshness and novelty. A few well-placed groups
of this Poplar lift up the entire landscape into a
higher level of art. The Lombardy is almost
equally striking in valleys. I have looked down
on some noble groups and single trees from
bridges, and the effect has been as good almost as
gazing up to them from afar on knolls. As a rule,
they are far too often isolated. The trees should
be grouped more or less irregularly as to distance
and number, but the great thing is to have more of
them planted anywhere and everywhere where
there is room for them. And they need little room,
and may be planted nearer to buildings than any
other trees, and they look better against bricks and
mortar than any others, the Italian Cypress not
excepted. I wonder the Lombardy Poplar has not
been more planted in cemeteries ; it would look
infinitely better than the usual run of evergreen
coniferous trees so often found in a state of linger-
ing death in such. Its form also admirably adapts
it for association with monuments, tombstones, and
chapels. Most of our landscapes are in want of
more Lombardy Poplars, and even if in the haste
to plant, a few should get into wrong places, such
mistakes are easily rectified. Few trees grow so
fast and with so little injury to other trees as the
Lombardy Poplar, whilst very few are more easily
cut down. — D.

SHORT NOTES.— WOODS AND FORESTS.

The scarlet Oak. — Most planters who grow this
fine American Oak are well aware of the beauty of its
large leaves during the summer, aud the brilliant
autumnal colour they assume hefore being shed. It
grows, too, in almost any soil, and soon forms a dis-
tinct and handsome tree.

The Balm of G-ilead Fir— I shall he glad of
some information respecting this Fir. I see it was in-
troduced in 1(589. I have one I should say about 200
years old, and I know of some in the neighbourhood of
Ottery St. Mary, Devonshire. Is the tree common iu
England, and is it now planted ? The mode of growth
is very similar to a Cedar of Lebaunn, and its cones are
cylindrical in shape and very full of turpentine. —
Reginald Kelly, Kelly Hoiitc, L'ftnn, Devonshire.

Carriage driv"e. — If Mr. Backhouse (p. 42S) has
a good foundation of broken metal for his carriage
drive, he cannot do better thau give a layer of inch
clean chippings of Clee Hill stone, as supplied by the
Clee Hill Dim Stone Co., Ludlow, Salop. I have
used it, and find it makes a hard, smooth, durable, aud
imperishable surface. It is delivered iu trucks here,
some fifty miles distant, at 8s. per ton. Clean chip-
pings bind well where there is a limestone or other
substance to grip. — W. Crump, Madresjielcl.

"The Garden" Monthly Parts. — This journal is
published in neatly bound Monthly Parts. In this form the
coloured plates are best preserved, and it is most mutable for
reference previous to the issue of the half-yearly volumes. Price
Is Gd. ; post free, Is. 9d. Complete set of volumes of The
Qatlden from its commencement to end of 1889, thirty-six vols.,
price, cloth, £27 ; half morocco, £32 8s.

London : 37, Southampton Street, Strand, W.C.

THE GARDEN.

451

No. 991. SATURDAY, Nov. 15, 7890. Vol. XXXVIII.

"This is an Art
Which, does mend Nature : change it rather ; but
The Art itself is Nature." — Shakespeare.

Chrysanthemums.

SPOILING THE CHYSANTHEMUM.
Some remarks in last year's Garden under this
title led to a good deal of angry comment on
the part of those fanciers of this lovely flower,
■who imagine that its only use is to be used as
what is called an exhibition plant. No doubt
a great many simple souls feel vexed when any
standard of beauty or perfection they may have
admired or aimed at is decried or run down.
To them the comparison of a fine incurved
Chrysanthemum to that great horticultural
triumph, the Cauliflower, or to that hard fact,
the cricket-ball, may seem almost profane. But
probably those who really love a garden, and
who, therefore, as Cowper aptly says, love a
greenhouse too, may show better taste. A
naturally grown indoor Japanese Chrysanthe-
mum, with its side flowers left on, is one of the
most lovely of flowers. Why, then, should it
be spoiled by being turned into a sort of broom
with a single monstrous mop-head at the top ?
As for the incurved varieties, no true lover of
flowers for their beauty could abide such stiff
monstrosities. No doubt those who go in for
prizes at Chrysanthemum shows must grow
them to avail themselves of the opportunities
afforded by the present tasteless schedules with
their monotonous sameness. But who can walk
down a long row of exhibition tables of such, or
indeed any varieties as now set up for showing,
without a feeling of deadly ennui and weari-
ness .'

Why should not these shows be varied by
prizes being offered for bouquets and all other
forms of floral adornments composed of Chry-
santhemums set off with their own leaves or
Ferns or other foliage 1 Dinner-table decora-
tions, vases, and so on would further break the
desperately dull level of the green show board.

Then, again, surely a strong protest should
be offered against the practices of curling, and
twisting, and snipping so complacently described
by " M." on page 441. "Tweezers to assist in
arranging the florets in a regular manner," or
to " remove ill-formed or decayed florets," or
to "disentangle those petals which have not
developed properly," certainly form new inter-
pretations of the motto at the head of your
pages. " M." no doubt thinks this method of
considering how the Lilies of the field do not
grow is mending Nature. Lovers of flowers
will call it spoiling Nature, and they would be
easily consoled if incurved blooms disappeared
altogether, especially if what "M." says be
correct, that in competing for prizes in these
classes it is "absolutely necessary that tweezers
be used," as success is hopeless unless "the
blooms are dressed." We know who it was that
said of the humble wild flowers of Palestine
" that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed
like one of these." But " M. ," on the contrary,
wishes Nature to be " dressed " in order to be
brought up to the " exhibition standard."
What is it that one William Shakespeare says
of painting refined gold, painting the Lily, and
adding fresh perfume to the Violet ? Even
"M." draws the line at the gum-bottle.
Additional petals stuck on he considers to be
dishonest, and everyone will agree with him if
the practice exists, which he doubts. Yet

" M." thinks that to arrange dishevelled petals
or to remove those which are deformed or
decayed, are artifices which are allowable.
If they be so, I fear that I must plead guilty to
an ignorance which is invincible, and which
" M. ," as apparently an ardent Chrysanthemum
grower on what may be called florist lines, will
probably be unable to understand or forgive.

At the risk of appearing still more stupid in
the eyes of those who look to the so-called
exhibition standard, I make bold to assert that
far better flowers for decoration were to be had
up to a few days ago from hardy border varie-
ties than from those grown under glass. Who
can make a nosegay of big indoor blooms ? And,
on the other hand, what can be more telling
and tasteful than a well-arranged bunch of out-
door flowers mixed with Ferns or other foliage?
I have plenty of both sorts, but I find my wife,
who has a natural talent for arranging flowers,
goes out of doors for her Chrysanthemums as
long as possible. Even after the late 16° of
frost, so unprecedented in October, we have
been able to gather large bunches, I may al-
most say armfuls, from comparatively few out
border plants. Mr. Wood (p. 446) says that
early Chrysanthemums should be more grown
where there is no glass. I cordially agree, but
I should add that they ought to be much more
largely grown where there is any amount of
glass, so as to diffuse a taste for modesty and
natural proportion. Look at a Japanese vase
or fan. The artists do not draw a single in-
curved flower, or an enormous Japanese one,
at the end of a lanky stem. They would as soon
think of painting Nelson's monument with the
admiral atop as going in for the "exhibition
standard," with its curling and dressing and
possible gumming.

In conclusion, one word as to single Chrysan-
themums. I have a strong notion that these
are the coming flower, but there seems a yet
to be none that are early enough for the open
garden. It is there that they would be most
useful, and our growers of new varieties may
usefully bear this in mind. R.

Chrysanthemum Mrs. Alpheus Hardy —

I have been very unsuccessful with the cultiva-
vation of this highly lauded variety, and I find I
am not singular in this respect. Some say it has
a bad constitution and produces poor flowers ;
others complain of it being tall and lanky as a
plant even at its best. The best flower of it I have
yet seen was at the exhibition of the Kent County
Chrysanthemum Society in a collection of twenty-
four Japanese blooms, exhibited by Mr. Blick, gar-
dener to Mr. Martin R. Smith, The Warren, Black-
heath. I asked Mr. Blick how he managed to pro-
duce such an excellent bloom, and was informed by
him that it was the only good one upon ten plants,
and he was so dissatisfied with it as a variety that
he said he would not grow it again. Mr. Blick
grows the Japanese varieties well, and won the first
prize in a close competition. At the same exhibi-
tion there were superb examples of some new va-
rieties that were introduced without any such flour-
ish of trumpets as heralded the advent of Mrs. A.
Hardy, notably Sunflower, rich golden yellow ;
Avalanche, pure white. OE both these there were
many blooms, nearly all good. Edwin Molyneux
was also exhibited in capital condition. There are
now such a wealth of richly-coloured and large,
handsome varieties in the Japanese class, that it
almost seems to be a waste of time and labour to
grow so many new varieties as we are inundated
with.— J. Douglas.

Album de Chrysanthem.es (R. Sautel).—
In the crowd of showy and rough catalogues
one does not see much to admire from the point
of view of art, and even special publications
of late given to Chrysanthemums show more
of the growers than the flowers. Here we

find, however, a pretty little book or catalogue
called the " Album de Chrysanthemes " (Sautel),
which at once pleases us by its elegant printing
and contains some artistically coloured plates
of Chrysanthemums. It is refreshing to see such
a work, and shows how much the trade-growers
might do to help the flowers they grow. Some
of the flowers as drawn are so free as to prevent
them being recognised by the florist ; but we hope he
will soon change too. M. Sautel does not put his
address on the cover and there is no title page, so
that we can hardly discover where he is, but no
doubt many of our readers know his address. The
book is in French. The varieties are charmingly
figured— Grand Due Waldimir, General Skobeleff,
Alphonse Karr, Triomphe de l'Exposition de Paris,
Mme. Fre'deric Mistral, Botaniste Boux, Mme.
Mimbelli, Mile. Cabrol, Souvenir de l'Exposition
de Roubaix, Grand Kuban Bouge. Again we thank
M. Sautel for having so distinctly broken through
the usual catalogue routine — bad engraving, hack-
neyed cuts, and all the rest of it.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS AT BRIGHTON.
A few years ago the Chrysanthemum was a
lowly flower ; it was in a special sense the pride
of the cottager and artizan who grew it with
success in their respective gardens, even if they
were shut in with bricks and mortar. The
great Eastern plant has a happy facility for
living where other hardy things quickly die,
and the immense demand that has been created
for its flowers amongst all classes of society,
where at one time it was frowned upon by
those who only suffered the choicest exotics in
their drawing-rooms, has led to the develop-
ment of what may be called without exaggera-
tion a large and increasing industry. The ex-
hibition still has its charms for the grower
whose desire is to win prizes, but the big,
lumpy flowers, trained specimens, tied and
bent into almost every conceivable shape, do
not represent the gay Eastern plant in its truest
beauty. Here it is simply the reflex of man's
endeavours, which are shown in a vulgar taste
for mere size, without even regard for the dis-
position of the flowers on the boards. It is a
relief to seek some nursery where the plant is
grown not for big blooms, but simply for cut-
ting, and in the nurseries of Messrs. Balchin
and Sons at Hassock's Gate, about eight miles
from Brighton, and in Brighton itself, a good
picture is presented of the delightful grace of
the most charming of autumn flowers. Here
they are grown by the thousand, and hundreds,
if not thousands, of flowers are cut each week
to supply the two splendid shops of this firm in
Hove and Brighton. The chief nursery for
them is at Hassock's Gate, and of the twenty-
four houses filled with plants and flowers there
are several at this season given up to the Chry-
santhemum. One large house, 80 feet long by
16 feet wide, and in its proper season occupied
with Roses for cutting, is filled with them, the
varieties principally confined to a few distinct
sorts of decided colours, free, graceful, and
striking, as Source d'Or, of which there are
large breaks as rich in colour as the dying leaves
of the Oaks. This variety is perhaps the most
popular of all, the rich chestnut-red of its in-
formal flowers giving splendid effect when
grouped with deep coloured leafage. Some of
the plants were hidden with blossoms, the
shoots bearing many flowers, all of the greatest
value for cutting. Very different is the effect
in a house of plants merely grown for two or
three blooms at the top of a tall, strong
stem. We were in such a place a short
time after our visit to Hassock's and the contrast
was ludicrous. But nothing is done by exhibi-
tions to remedy a condition of things that
to say the least could be yery easily improved.

452

THE GAEDEN.

[Nov. 15, 1890.

In such a nursery as that of Messrs. Balchin
and Sons there are plants the picture of ele-
gance, and that an artist who seeks for true
grace and beauty would delight to paint. In
nine-tenths of the exhibitions not one can be
discovered, but simply those trained to conform
to certain rules laid down as to shapes and sizes.
The plants here are of great value for the
conservatory, and the rich effect of a good
assortment of the best varieties grown in this
way can be gleaned by those who cannot see the
productions of Messrs. Balchin & Sons in the
Royal Gardens, Kew, where each specimen is co-
vered with flowers, that individually would make
a creditable show at the exhibition. Another
variety much grown at Hassock's Gate is
William Robinson, orange and chestnut-red,
just the colour to please. In The Garden,
December 7, 1889, an article appears on Chry-
santhemums for cutting, and attention was then
drawn to the beauty of the plant when grown
otherwise than for exhibition. The collection
at Chiswick would not have altogether pleased
the ardent exhibitor, but the character of the
plants there to be seen was of the right kind to
make the Chrysanthemum what it should be, a
universally popular flower. Another kind of
which there were large breaks at Brighton and
Hassock's Gate was the rich yellow Gliick,
one of the most useful and distinct of its
charming section. Near by were plants of
the variety Alice Bird, which will be remem-
bered as a conspicuous flower at the exhi-
bitions last season. It is of the decorative
class, i.e., those that are not of sufficient size
for exhibition, but useful for the conservatory
or greenhouse. Its other name is Buttercup, but
Alice Bird is the correct designation by which it
should be known. The flowers are clear yellow,
and the habit of the plant dense and compact.
One of the conspicuous changes that is coming
over the Chrysanthemum is its reduction in
height from the tall gaunt specimens to the
compact, neat, bushy plants, of which Alice
Bird is a proper representative. We want more
of this class ; it is not only beautiful flowers
that have to be sought, but also a good habit
in the plant to adapt it for the many positions
that it should fill in the house, conservatory, and
corridor. Of course, the lovely Avalanche, the
most spotless white of all flowers, was largely
grown, giving sprays of beautiful blooms ; also
Mile. Lacroix, Elaine, and Lady Selborne.
The first of these three was to be seen by the
thousand, the shoots perfect wreaths of flowers
of the purest white, and when cut and bunched
loosely as graceful as anything we have in the
flower way. This great house of Chrysanthe-
mums presents as fine a picture in spring when
the Roses are in full flower. Another house
96 feet long by 20 feet high was also filled with
Chrysanthemums, and here one could see the
rich beauty of many leading kinds, by reason of
the immense number of each grown to satisfy
the increasing demand for cut flowers— the old
Soleil Levant, Henry Cannell, Mme. B. Pigmy,
Joseph Mahood, Hiver Fleuri, and Avalanche,
very pretty as a pot plant, the habit dwarf. In
yet another house the plants were cut back, a
practice that has often been referred to in The
Garden as of importance to acquire bushy,
dwarf specimens, rich in leafage, and giving
flowers, that if not of exhibition standard, re-
present the variety in true character. The chief
kinds were Avalanche, Maiden's Blush, Mme.
Baco, The Cossack, a Japanese variety not often
seen, but very fine in colour— rich crimson and
gold ; Mme. de Sevin, La Triomphante, Jeanne
l)elaux, and La Charmeuse, a delightfully free
Japanese variety, the shoots bearing many ama-
ranth-coloured flowers. Here, too, could be seen

naturally grown the pretty alba fimbriata and
Val d'Andorre, which is a splendid Japanese
reflexed flower for colour — rich orange-red.

There is a large show of Chrysanthemums in
the Cliftonville Nursery of Messrs. Balchin
and Sons at Hove, where the Euonymuses
thrive with a vigour that must be derived from
the fresh bracing air of the sea. All leafage and
flowers are purer in colour ; the Crotons are
richer than elsewhere, also the Acalyphas, which
present a surface of brilliant crimson, like the
ruddy colour of dying Oak leafage. The flowers
of the Chrysanthemums are purer, the white
clearer, and the splendid orange shades deeper
than in towns or close atmospheres. Here are
hundreds of plants, each in only a 6-inch pot,
one mass of graceful bloom, and on one were
counted no less than thirty. It would require
very few plants of this nature to create a dis-
play, but it would be difficult to seek out such
a feature in English gardens. It is a good way to
group the varieties in distinct blocks of colour.
The effect is very rich, although in such a
nursery as this, where everything almost is
grown for cutting, grouping is not thought of.
In a distinct block Source d'Or is of great rich-
ness of colour, also the crimson Cullingfordi,
one of the most useful varieties in cultivation.
By retarding the flowers a supply is maintained
until almost Christmas, but the chief display is,
of course, in November, the month in which it
seems proper to make much of its greatest
floral emblem. Hundreds, if not thousands,
of plants of such kinds as Princess Teck, L'He des
Plaisirs, and Mile. Lacroix were placed thickly
together under canvas, just to ward off severe
frosts. This is found sufficient protection, as
the nursery is a few yards from the sea and
warmer than inland. Many of the plants were
in pots, but a large proportion are simply lifted
and laid in. The great point in the treatment
of those laid in is not to allow them to get dry,
which is very easily done when only a small
quantity of soil, and this exposed, is placed
over the roots. If dryness occurs, the flowers
fail to open satisfactorily, but, on the other
hand, too much moisture is an evil.

There are many lessons to be learnt from
such a wealth of Chrysanthemums as at the
two nurseries of Messrs. Balchin and Sons.
We see evidence of the rapid rise of the flower
for cutting, the charm of plants grown without
stopping, and the value of those varieties of
distinct colours as Source d'Or. Long after exhi-
bitions have ceased to have the interest that is
now shown in them the Chrysanthemum will
retain its place as a flower for the greenhouse
and cutting in graceful sprays for the house.

New Continental incurved Chrysanthe-
mums.— Never in my time have so many new in-
curved Chrysanthemums been announced by the
French as this year. Mr. H. J. Jones, of Lewisham,
has succeeded in obtaining some very meritorious
kinds. Mme. Mante is a fine yellow ; M. R. Ba-
huant is a globular incurved, with broad petals of
a rosy carmine hue ; Mme. Pierre Louis Blancard
is not unlike Princess of Wales, having a light car-
mine-violet colour on a white ground ; Mme.
Darrier, in the style of Mrs. Coleman and of a
violet-orange tint, is one of the most effective of
these new French incurved kinds. — Chrysanth.

A wonderful flower.— Under this heading,
Mr. Spaulding, the American introducer of new
Chrysanthemums, is sending out a notice to the
following effect: "The greatest novelty the
coming season will be the Pink Ostrich Plume
Chrysanthemum Louis Boehmer, which has the
same wonderful hair-like growth on the petals as
Mrs. Alpheus Hardy. Unlike the latter, however,
the Louis Boehmer is one of the strongest growing
of all Chrysanthemums. Its flowers are enormous,

borne on strong stiff stems, making it desirable
both for professional and amateur." The new
American wonder is announced for January next.
It is to be hoped that it will answer to its descrip-
tion a little better than Mrs. Alpheus Hardy has
done, for there seems to be not a little dissatisfac-
tion at the white hairy flower. — C. H. P.

COTTAGE GARDENS AND HARDY
CHRYSANTHEMUMS.
Those who know anything of country life are well
aware that the garden, small as it may be, is a very
important element in the cottager's home. If the
garden is kept clean and tidy and free from weeds,
it is very likely that the interior of the house will
correspond with the outside appearance, and rice
versa. Moreover, the neat garden is a proof of
industry, and industry is by no means a good
quality to be found always in Hodge any more
than in any other rank of life.

I hope that we are beginning to realise now-a-
days the advantage of drawing nearer to each other
in the different classes of social life. There is a gap,
and there must always be a gap, between rich and
poor, but a great deal may be done to make both
feel their mutual dependence the one on the other
for the necessities and the comforts of life. Real
sympathy is always kindly received by the poor,
though they naturally resent anything like con-
descending patronage, and the garden is a point
in which much kindly sympathy may be shown by
those who have ample space at home for their own
flower beds, and have greenhouses and hothouses
besides.

Every spring I get a large packet of seeds from
a clergyman in Kent, who most kindly sends them
for distribution amongst the cottagers. They are
very neatly done up, evidently by sympathetic
hands. The warm heart of the donor thinks they
will give pleasure to some poor body far away, and
so they do. How much might be done in the same
way by gifts of plants nearer home. But it is
necessary in making such gifts to remember what
is suitable and what is altogether unsuitable to the
cottager. A cottager's plant must be bright and
cheerful. He has probably very little room, and
he cannot devote space to large-growing things,
which assert themselves very much indeed by their
straggling growth, but do not give much bloom. I
have been much struck this autumn by the cot-
tagers' Chrysanthemums. The weather in the past
season suited them admirably, and though we have
twice experienced 10° of frost, it did not hurt the
hardy outdoor sorts, which at this present moment
are in full bloom, and very bright and pretty they
look. We are gradually beginning to regard
Chrysanthemums as altogether indoor flowers.
Kept out of doors of course all the summer, they
are housed carefully in huge pots before the ap-
proach of frost. The result is certainly excellent.
What can be more beautiful in dark November
than a houseful of the varied colours of our
Chrysanthemums, from the snow-white of Elaine
to the dark red of Cullingfordi ? But while we are
thus careful over our indoor Chrysanthemums, the
outdoor garden suffers a great loss if we neglect
the hardy kinds, which are so wonderfully able to
resist all the hardships of early winter frost and
rain. The cottager teaches us this. Cottage gar-
dens just now are exceedingly gay with various
kinds of Chrysanthemums, while I regret to say my
own garden is dull and dreary, waiting for January
to show the first signs of any flower. The Chrysan-
themums are all housed in the vinery. I shall try
to rectify this mistake next year. If we can help
the cottager in his garden, he can sometimes teach
us a lesson also. The mistake seems to me some-
thing like that which in days gone by made many
gardeners consign their beautiful hardy plants to
the rubbish heap and replace them in the glad
summer-time with rows of brilliant bedders set out
in some carpet pattern. I believe in a great many
gardens hardy Chrysanthemums have been con-
signed to the rubbish heap, and that beautiful
flower has been cultivated in pots, and in pots only.
. Might not the hardy kinds be improved ? Pro-

Nov. 15, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

453

bably they will never equal in beauty the more
delicate kinds which we may still keep in our
greenhouses, but they will run them very hard. It
is a great thing to have bright and pretty flowers
in the open garden in November. The cottagers
are enjoying the beauty of their little gardens at
this time. I think the Chrysanthemum has all the
qualities to suit them. It gives but little trouble,
and yet shows the benefit of care and cultivation.
It lasts a long time in flower. It comes in a dull
part of the year, and during the summer months
does not take up too much room.

A Gloucestebshibe Pabson.

NEW VARIETIES AT THE AQUARIUM.
Sevebal seedlings and sports were brought before
the floral committee of the National Chrysanthe-
mum Society, held on Nov. 11.
' A first-class certificate went to each of the fol-
lowing : —

Emily Rowbotham. — This pompon Anemone is
a sport from Marie Stuart, a variety raised in 1866
by John Salter. It is an exceedingly pretty flower,
excellent for cutting, and very much like its parent,
except in colour. The sport has a yellow disc, the
guard petals white, with here and there a suspicion
of blush. For wreaths and bouquets we should
think it would prove most valuable. A large
bunch was shown by Mr. H. J. Jones, Ryecroft
Nursery, Lewisham.

Golden Stab. — This is a single variety of great
breadth and massiveness, the flower having a
double row of straight pointed florets, making up a
stiff circular flower. It would please the ardent
exhibitor who places gracefulness second, but
boldness of outline and size first. The colour is
very rich — an intense yellow. From Mr. J. Agate,
Havant Nurseries, Havant.

M. E. A. Cabbiebe. — This reminds one of Con-
dor in its petals. It makes a good and promising
Japanese flower, neither too large nor too stiff, but
the florets free and drooping; the colour white,
tinted with blush. From Mr. F. W. Prior, Gordon
House, Blackheath.

William Westlake. — A plant of this pretty
pompon flower was exhibited to show its freedom
and value for decoration. The flowers are of the
true pompon character, not like those that are con-
sidered by judges as the best of their class simply
for their size. The colour of this new variety,
which is to be welcomed, is yellow, the centre suf-
fused with a reddish tint. Those who wish for a
useful variety for the greenhouse should make a
note of it. From Mr. T. L. Turk, Cholmeley Lodge,
Highgate.

R. W. Cowles. — A valuable introduction of the
Japanese class. It reminds one of Sunflower in
shape, and is like Val dAndorre in colour, but of a
stronger and brighter chestnut-orange shade. Its
size and showiness will make it useful to the exhi-
bitor, and it will possibly overshadow Val dAn
dorre. From Mr. H. Brown, Roydon.

Camillb FlammABION. — This is another pro-
mising incurved flower, in the way of Venus, but
the colour is much deeper. It has fine petals, and all
the characteristics of a useful addition to a fast
increasing class. From Mr. Owen, Castlehill Nur-
sery, Maidenhead.

Mb. A. H. Neve.— This was shown both by Mr.
Owen and Mr. Shea, Foot's Cray, Kent. It is a
Japanese variety, quite distinct and novel, the
flower very massive, close, and composed of broad,
flat petals, blush in the centre of the bloom, but
changing to silvery white with age ; the other por-
tion is pure white. It must be added to the list of
best Japanese varieties for exhibition.

Lilian Bibd. — This is a Japanese flower of the
type of Gloire Rayonnante. It was received from
Japan with Mrs. Alpheus Hardy, and has a large,
spreading flower of a " shrimp "-pink colour, a
soft and delicate tone that we have too little of in
the Chrysanthemum. The great distinctiveness of
this variety is its quilled, or tubular, thin and long
florets, which have a tendency to incurve inwards
It wiU be necessary to have a class for this distinct

type and in it must be placed in the first rank this
novel acquisition. Three splendid blooms of it were
shown by Mr. Owen.

AiDA.— An excellent Japanese flower, very close
and compact, reminding one of Criterion, now
placed in the Japanese reflexed division. Its col-
our is a mixture of reddish yellow, a not unpleasant
contrast. From Mr. Owen.

Mabion.— A lovely little pompon flower like the
individual blossom of the Orange Ball tree, and no
larger. It is a true pompon, like the little gems
that were in existence before their beauty was
crushed out by high feeding and a frenzied desire
for size. The flowers are of an intense orange col-
our, and sure to become favourites. It is to be hoped
that they maybe taken as typical pompon Chrysan-
themum flowers. From Mr. Owen.

A pink sport from Fair Maid of Guernsey was
exhibited, but the flowers are now surpassed by such
acquisitions as Viviand Morel. A few years age it
would have been welcome. A plant of Louis Boeh-
mer carrying one bloom was shown by Messrs.
Pitcher and Manda, of Swanley. It comes from
America, and was first sent out by Messrs. Peter
Henderson and Co., of New York. It is scarcely
fair to judge of a plant evidently forced into
flower. Its colour is lilac, the form such as is
characteristic of the incurved Japanese type, and
the florets hairy, as in Mrs. Alpheus Hardy.
The Chetsanthemtjm Conference.
This was a failure and discreditable to the Na-
tional Chrysanthemum Society, who should have
made it the most important and interesting fea-
ture of the centenary festival. There was nothing
wrong with the programme. On Tuesday the
conference was opened by Mr. Shirley_ Hibberd
with an interesting account of the origin of the
flower, followed by Mrs. Thrower, who had come
from Tasmania to tell us something of the Chrysan-
themum in that region, and concluded with a lec-
ture on " Chrysanthemums in Art," by Mr. G. T.
Haite', who brought costly fabrics and ware to illus-
trate his interesting remarks. The conference
opened at 6 p.m., and was held in what is called the
Iron Room, a cold, unheated, draughty building in
a remote corner of the Aquarium. It was impossi-
ble to remain in it for any length of time, and al-
though there were excellent papers carefully pre-
pared which one might have expected would
produce a valuable discussion, only about four
members of the committee were present to welcome
the readers. There were no bills announcing such
an important affair, although, of course, to those
strongly interested in the society the conference
was not unknown. We should think that those who
managed to remain in a large, cold, iron building for
one hour and a half left with the impression that
the centenary festival was unworthy of its name.
It is not merely the offering of a few costly
prizes that constitutes the "centenary celebra-
tion " of a flower ; it is rather the literary portion
of the subject, where attention is drawn to its his-
tory and other matters affecting it. There was no
discussion, for the reason that no questions were
asked ; and the cold thinned the audience to about
fifteen', half of whom were ladies.

The chair was taken by Sir Edwin Saunders, and
the introductory discourse was opened by Mr.
Shirley Hibberd on the " Origin of the Chrysanthe-
mum," a subject which he pronounced of equal
interest to botanists and florists. It is an interest-
ing fact that although the florists of Europe have
accomplished wonders with their favourite winter
flower, and have had it in hand a hundred years,
they have not originated any of the distinctive
types of the flower, for these have all been im-
ported. The Kiku, which was the first kind
brought into Europe in 1789, and to England
in 1790, was a reflexed flower. A true incurved
flower, called Involutum, was introduced in 1823 ;
a tasselled flower, representing the class now
known as Japanese, was introduced in the same
year, and was called the Quilled Flamed Yellow ;
the forerunners of the pompons came here in 1822,
and the first of the Anemone-centred group, called
Two-coloured Red, was obtained in 1824. The
florists have improved and multiplied the original

types to an astonishing extent, and are still busy
in the same kind of work ; but it has not been
their good fortune to bring forth any new or dis-
tinctive type. Mr Hibberd, in an elaborate dissec
tion of flowers and tracing of analogies, aided by
drawings and specimens, endeavoured to show that
there are three distinct forms of the wild plant now
to bemefc with in China and othern eastern countries.
One of these is known as the Indian Chrysanthe-
mum, and has yellow flowers ; another is the Chi-
nese Chrysanthemum, with white flowers ; and a
third is of intermediate character. These he con-
siders the parents respectively of the pompons,
the incurved, and the tasselled flowers. As for the
Anemone- centred, they are simply single flowers o f
extra fine quality that the florists have perfected.
The samples of the wild plants he placed before
the meeting were of a woody nature, with flowers
often not larger than a sixper.ee, and averaging
the size of a shilling. It is one of the peculiarities
of the plant that the white flower will sport to yel-
low, but the yellow will not sport to white, and
this, in Mr. Hibberd's opinion, gives the white Chry-
santhemum sinense a right to be regarded as the
original form, the small yellow called Chrysanthe-
mum indicum being a wild sport from it, better
adapted for the climates in which it is met with than
the original white. Some very curious particulars
were given of the colouring of the flowers, all the
rose and purple shades being described as modifica-
tions of white, of which distinct traces remain on
the under sides of the florets, while the yellow is
not based on white, but is a pure colour and part of
the actual substance of the flower itself.

The paper on " Chrysanthemums in Tasmania,
from Mrs. Thrower, was of great interest ; also that
from Mr. G. T. Haite, both of which we hope to
shortly publish, so no details are necessary here.
The conference was continued on Thursday after-
noon last, when the papers were by Mr. Briscoe-
Ironside on " Experiments in Chrysanthemum Cul-
ture," and " Chrysanthemums for Exhibition," by
Mr. Charles Gibson.

SHORT NOTES.— CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

Chrysanthemums for medicinal purposes.

—A correspondent tells me that in China Chrysanthe-
mum blooms are used for making an eye-wash lotion.
C.H. P.

Chrysanthemum Cesare Costa— One of the
grandest and most striking flowers of the present
season in the Japanese section has been sent out under
this name. It is of good size, fine build, and very
solid. The colour is described as a dazzling poppy-
red, and it certainly comes something near to that.

Chrysanthemum Etoile de Lyon— We have
two distinct varieties of this, one of a beautiful rose
colour with broad petals, and the other of a pale dirty
colour with narrow petals. The flowers of both varie-
ties are each 10 inches in diameter.— Willi ah C oombeb.
Botanic Gardens, Regent's Park, N.W.

Public Gardens.

Metropolitan Public Gardens Association.

—The Earl of Meath's appeal, as president of the
Metropolitan Public Gardens Association, for £5000
for the laying-out of certain grounds has, it ap-
pears, not yet been successful. At the monthly
meeting of the association, however, a hope was ex-
pressed that further donations would be received.
It was learnt with satisfaction that the London
School Board had at last opened to children on
Saturdays 163 of the larger playgrounds attached
to schools, including the twelve maintained by the
association, as an experiment, for the last three
years Thus about 100 acres of open space have
been added to the playgrounds of the metropolis
available on Saturdays, though about 240 more
Board School grounds are still shut upon that day.
Opening of the Canbury Gardens.— These
were opened at Kingston on Saturday last. One
thousand feet in length, and situated on the Surrey
bank of the river, this beautiful promenade can
boast of some of the prettiest walks in the neigh-
bourhood. It has been used by the public for seme

454

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 15, 1890.

months past, but had not been perfected until just
recently. A bridge was erected, by means of
which the gardens were approached from the
town. Sir Whittaker Ellis, in a speech, asserted
that the event would be highly interesting to all
municipal authorities. They had, in the first place,
solved one of the greatest problems of the day, and
shown that the current belief that the sewage of
towns must be taken a long distance away was
entirely a mistake. In Kingston it had been proved
that the treatment and disposal of sewage could be
performed without harm in the midst of a crowded
population, although in other places the great
difficulty had been to find a spot which was right
away from everybody. In the second place, they
had provided a garden which in a few years would
prove one of the most charming in England.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Cypripedium Spieerianum. — A flower of
this is sent by Mr. J. Charlton Parr, Grapenhall Heyes,
Warrington, and it represents an excellent variety,
both lip, petals, and dorsal sepal being broad and de-
cided in colour; the lower sepal is unusually large,
almost as big as the upper one, and rich green, with
a broad band of white on either side. It is certainly
a variety to treasure, as all the flowers on the plant
have the same feature.

Passiflora cinnabarina. — I am glad to see
that this interesting species has been favourably
noticed and described in The Garden of November 1,
1890. I was afraid it had been entirely lost to culti-
vation, having for several years endeavoured to obtain
it without success, I can fully agree with your corre-
spondent's opinion that it is worthy of general cultiva-
tion. Another interesting species, Passiflora adian-
tum, would be also worthy of attention if it can be
found anywhere now, and would possibly he useful for
hybridising.— E. B. MAKOwsKr, The Nursery, West
Drayton.

The Strawberry Tree (Benthamia fragifera).
— In your issue of November 1 you give a plate of
Benthamia fragifera. I cannot but think that the
drawing is somewhat exaggerated \_0 ur drawings
are never exaggerated in size. We saw the flowers
before they were drawn.— En.} both as respects the
size and colour of the bracts. I have grown it for
many years in a cool conservatory, but although it
grows luxuriantly and is now 10 feet high, it never
flowers with me. I have, however, often seen it in
warmer regions, but never saw flowers so conspi-
cuous as in your plate. I send you herewith a
drawing made by myself in November some years
back at Pallanza, on the Lago Maggiore, of the
ripe fruit, from which my plant was raised. You
will note how the flowers for the year following
appear in miniature on the branches bearing the
ripe fruits, which, by the way, are eatable, though
not agreeable.— R. Milne - Redhead, Solden
Clough, Clitheroe.

Daphne indica alba — The question is often
asked, What shall we plant on the back walls of
our vineries ? It is true we have an abundance of
plants that will grow and thrive in such a position,
but so many of them are subject to insect pests'
that they are far from being desirable occupants of
the vinery. Daphne indica alba is the most use-
ful and profitable plant for such a position that
I am acquainted with, and it can easily be kept
clean. In the spring of 1883 I struck a batch of
cuttings of this plant from the young growth, with
just a little heel of the old wood attached. Igrew
them on in pots for two years, and then planted
some of them out on the back wall of the late
vinery. One of these in particular has flourished
remarkably well, and has covered a space 9 feet by
8 feet. This plant has now opened at the time I
am writing (November 10) more than 1000 trusses
of flowers. It came into bloom in the first week in
October. A large number of blooms have been cut
and there are still more to open. At the base of
the flowers of all the strongest shoots there are
from two to four more bunches of bloom forming
These wdl open later on and enable us to gather
flowers from the same plant for fully five months
in the year. The soil in which it is growing

is composed of peat two parts to one of fibrous
loam, with a free supply of charcoal and crushed
bones. The border is thoroughly drained, and is
only 9 inches wide and about 2 feet in depth. I
give occasional waterings of weak guano water
during the blooming period, but avoid over-water-
ing at all seasons.— Thos. Foote, Clowance, near
Camborne, Cornwall.

Mr. Cutler's jubilee testimonial.— A cir-
cular has been sent to us drawing attention to the
fact that on January 15 next Mr. E. R. Cutler is to
be proposed for re-election as secretary of the
Gardeners' Benevolent Institution for the fiftieth
time. Many of the influential supporters of the
institution consider that Mr. Cutler's jubilee year
of office should be marked in a very special manner,
and a committee is being formed to carry out the
same, of which Baron Schroeder has consented to
act as chairman, with the Duke of Westminster
(president of the institution), Mr. Alfred de Roth-
schild and Mr. Leopold de Rothschild as vice-
chairmen. The honorary secretary of the fund is
Mr. Harry Veitch, Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea,
to whom subscriptions may be sent.

Gentiana verna.— In The Gabden, Nov. 8
(p. 448), a most interesting note appears about
Gentiana verna by " C. B." G. verna succeeds very
well with me in the alpine garden at Geneva, but
under quite different conditions from that of
" C. B." In its natural state Gentiana verna grows
on sunny and even dry places, most generally in
limestone districts. We raise it here from seeds,
which germinate twelve months after sowing.
Seedlings give us stronger and better plants. We
keep them in loam and peat, and in a very dry
position during the winter. The drier they have
been kept the better they flower in the early spring.
I have even observed that any plants which had
been quite forgotten in a very hot and dry place
where I keep only the Sempervivum collection
were the most beautiful of all. In England, where
the sun is not so powerful as here, it is, I believe,
very important, if one would succeed with Gentiana
verna, to plant it in the full sun and in a dry place.
— H. Coseevon.

Brasenia peltata (the Water Shield).— Any-
one with a small open-air water tank, or for that
matter a shallow lake or pond, should not fail to
procure this, as it is one of the most curious and
interesting water plants we have yet seen. Its
head-quarters seem to be North and North-west
America, but it is also found in Japan and India.
The form we have grown, procured from an Eng-
lish nurseryman, differs materially from that, the
flowers of which are described as dull purple,
making little show. Our plant, on the contrary,
sent up numerous strong flower-stems, and these
were studded with large bright golden yellow flowers,
not unlike those of the well-known Buttercup. In
addition to these upright stems, many floating ones
were also formed ; these, however, were flowerless,
but each individual plant had pretty floating pel-
tate leaves, roots, &c. It is well worth a trial on
account of its curious leaves alone. — K.

Physalis peruviana.— I send you fruits of
Physalis peruviana, which is quite distinct from
Physalis edulis (Cape Gooseberry). There are
acres grown in Nantes, the fruits finding a good
market in Paris, Brussels, Berlin, and other large
towns. They are much appreciated when crys-
tallised. When crystallised the calyx is refiexed,
as in the two specimens enclosed. — M. D. Guihe-
neuf, 4, Place Royale, Nantes.

*»* A very delicious, deep yellow fruit about
the size of a Cherry, firm, pleasantly acid, and rich
in flavour, like Apricot. With the above note was
also sent a circular, from which we learn that the
Physalis peruviana will not stand the cold of the
French climate, and therefore not England. The
seeds should be sown under a frame on a hotbed in
the month of March. When the plants are strong
enough and there is no further fear of frost, that is
to say, from the 15th of May to the first days of
June, put them in the open air in a friable, well-
prepared soil. This Physalis, like the Tomato,
makes a vigorous growth, and it is necessary to
stop the plants often, particularly in the month

of September, to throw the strength of the plant
into the fruits. These begin to ripen in Septem-
ber, and continue to do so until frost comes. At
the approach of frost the fruits can be gathered
and placed in the sun to ripen. They will, if placed
in a dry, airy room, last in good condition until the
middle of January. — Ed.

The Gladwin (Iris fcetidissima). — When all the
lovely Irises are flowering in summer, this kind is
passed by hardly noticed, owing to the smallness
and dull colour of its comparatively inconspicuous
flowers. But now with its great capsules bursting
and disclosing the bright red seeds therein, the
value of the plant is seen and its winter aspect is
decidedly the prettiest. I came recently upon a
large spreading colony in a wood where the under-
growth was thin and Nettles plentiful. Now the
Nettles have died down, the spreading tufts of long
dark green leaves of the Gladwin are seen, and
above them the bright seeds shine out with a bril-
liancy that amply atones for the dulness of the
flower. This plant is hardly good enough for the
garden border, but it is one of those pretty things
that should not be absent from the garden, and
being easily naturalised in an open and not too
grassy spot, a little trouble taken for that purpose
is rewarded ever after by a bright display at this
season. A variegated-leaved form of it is one
of the few really pretty variegated-leaved plants,
and may be recommended to those who like such
things. — A. H.

Lasiandra macrantha. —Attention is often
called to this plant in the gardening press, but I do
not recollect having seen it recommended for cover-
ing the back walls of our vineries, a position for
which it is specially well adapted. In a midseason
vinery we have one that has covered a space 14
feet by 9 feet, and which would doubtless have
covered double that amount were it allowed to do
so. It is very rarely out of flower, and at times it
is quite covered with bloom. Its perpetual bloom-
ing can no doubt be accounted for by the frequent
thinnings of the crowded growth it receives rather
than from any special mode of cultivation. The
border in which it is grown is only 9 inches wide
and about 2 feet in depth. The soil is composed
of about equal proportions of loam and peat, with
a free admixture of charcoal and crushed bones.
We give the border during the summer months an
occasional sprinkling of guano with copious sup-
plies of water, but during the winter very little
water is given. — Thos. Foote, Clowance, near
Camborne, Cornwall.

Cattleya labiata (true autumn - flowering
var.). — A fine plant of a fine variety is now bloom-
ing in an ordinary plant stove at Octon Hall, near
Tadcaster, the seat of the Misses Harris. The
plant in question has been under the care of Mr.
Croft, the gardener, for fully twenty-five years.
Along with a small collection of other choice
Orchids, it has all along been cultivated at one end
of an ordinary plant stove, the remainder of the
house being filled with a well-grown mixed collec-
tion of flowering and fine-foliaged plants. I men-
tion this to show that many kinds of Orchids can be
successfully grown without having houses set spe-
cially apart for their culture. The plant in ques-
tion has ten leafy bulbs, two with flower-spikes on
and each spike has five flowers open. As showing
the size of the individual flowers, I may mention
that the flower mass, so to speak, is fully 14 inches
across the centre of it, and yet each spike touches
the other. The play of colour shown between the
well-fringed deep crimson labellum and the beauti-
ful magenta-lilac shades of the sepals and petals is
simply charming, especially at this dull season of
the year. No wonder that such a choice flowering
plant is so highly prized by its fortunate owners. —
H. J. C, Orimston, Tadcaster.

The lata Guildhall fruit show.— It may in-
terest many of your readers to know that Messrs. J.
Russell and Co , photographers, 17, Baker Street,
Portman Square, were successful in taking a series of
admirable views of this famous exhibition, and that any-
one desirous of having them as a souvenir of the occasion,
should apply at the address given above. — R. Dean,
Ealing, W.

Nov. 15, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

455

Trees and Shrubs.

scotch firs at offington.

Major Gaisford's pretty garden at Offing-
ton, near Worthing, has many interesting
features, and along the drive that leads to
the house something of interest is seen at
every step, and a succession of welcome and
unexpected surprises is experienced till the
park and its trees, the garden and its trea-
sured hosts of rare and beautiful plants, have
been fully examined. It is not often we find

irregularly, but prettily placed. The avenue
as we generally see it, with two straight lines
of equi-distant trees, is rarely effective, and
often destroys the simplicity of an otherwise
grand approach. At Offington the drive
passes between these beautiful Firs and
emerges into the open again with expanses of
rich turf on either side. The grandeur of
these trees is unique, their beauty is per-
manent,but most noticeable in winter when the
Oaks and Beeches are leafless, for then the
red Fir stems light up the park landscape
with a warm glow, and their ponderous heads

Scotch firs along the drive at Offington. Engraved for The Garden from a photograph sent by Miss Gaisford.

so much of interest in a place so comparatively
small.

Of the gardens and the many interesting
things it contains much has previously been
written, but the trees in the park also merit a
notice, especially the Scotch Firs which form
the subject of the illustration. A portion of
them only is depicted in the engraving, but
enough to show the characteristic beauty.
There are some on either side of the drive,

of massive leafage stand out conspicuous.

The Scotch Fir, although the commonest
of the Pines, is, after all, probably the best
and most ornamental. A little further on in
the park at Offington there is a large tree of
Pinus insignis, a fine specimen of the kind
and interesting in its way, but it has not the
picturesque outline and rugged grandeur of
the Scotch Fir. It is very desirable and
essential that our parks and the approaches

to our noble mansions should be character-
istically English, but the dotting about of
Wellingtonias or exotic Pines upon the mar-
gins of park drives creates a foreign and un-
English aspect, apart altogether from the non-
suitability of the things for the positions in
which they are often placed. The Scotch
Fir is so familiar to us as a woodland tree,
that we forget its ornamental aspects, and do
not think of planting it with a view to its
developing into maturity and full beauty.

A. H.

THE COMMON WALNUT.

(JUGLANS REGIA)

THAT the class of soil required for the perfect de-
velopment of the common Walnut to a great extent
lessens the cultivation of the tree in this country
cannot be denied. Such a soil as will produce a
good crop of Wheat is perhaps that best suited for
the tree, although in deep alluvial deposit it does
well, attains to a large size, and produces a fair
quantity of timber, not, however, of so good quality
generally as that grown on the strong stiff loam.
Where but a small quantity of soil overlies the
chalk escarpment, there, too, the Walnut does
fairly well, a fact that I could not help noticing the
other day on seeing about a dozen big specimens
growing around the banks of a disused chalk pit in
mid- Kent. The position was not a sheltered one,
and yet under what we might term disadvantage-
ous circumstances as regards both soil and site, the
trees have attained to a good old age without the
least trace of disease, and still seem full of life and
vigour. At several other places of late I have
noted that the Walnut is no second-rate tree
for planting on chalky soils, at least where a
quantity of loam of a heavy, strong nature is incor-
porated with the chalk drift, but it will not grow
in anything like a satisfactory way where only an
inch or two of soil overlies the hard unbroken rock.
Like most of the other chalk-loving trees, the Wal-
nut must have the rock well broken up at the time
of planting, and this is amply repaid by the more
rapid rate of growth of the trees.

The timber of the Walnut is of great value for
the better classes of furniture and for gun-stocks,
while the fruit will in most instances pay the rent
of the ground on which the trees are growing.
Some of the timber grown in this country, and of
which I have had ample opportunities of judging,
seems not one bit behind such as is sent from the
Continent.

As an ornamental tree the Walnut is quite dis-
tinct from almost any other of our generally culti-
vated forest trees, the ample glossy foliage which
becomes fresh and cleansed by every shower con-
trasting markedly with that of the Oak, Willow,
and Ash. A great value attached to the tree, too,
is that the leaves drop all at once or nearly so, none
of the littering and mess occasioned by the Linden
and other trees taking place with the Walnut.
Then Grass grows freely in park or paddock be-
neath the shade of the Walnut — a good point, and
one much in favour of standard, lawn, or field trees.
There is a pretty and very distinct form of the tree
in which the leaves are deeply cut or laciniated,
and which when placed in clumps of three or five
associate well with the typical species. It is known
under the name of laciniata, produces larger fruit,
and retains its leaves much longer than does the
type. The Black Walnut (J. nigra) grows well
with us on a stiff clayey loam, and forms a
distinct and desirable species. It is perhaps not
generally hardy, but in favoured situations it at-
tains to a good size and is highly ornamental.
Where a piece of strong loamy land can be spared,
I would strongly advise that the Walnut be planted.
A. D. Webster.

Symphoricarpu s microphyllus {John Black)-
—The branch you send is not a Pernettya. You say
it came home in a case of Orchids from Mexico. I
think the above is its name. It is a very pretty, com-
pact, small leaved shrub, and the berries have a deli-

456

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 15, 1890.

cate rosy-pink colour. The plant, I believe, is rare,
as I have not seen it lately, but it will prove a pretty
addition to our hardy berried plants in autumn. — G.

The scarlet trumpet Honeysuckle (Lor^-
cera sempervirens minor).— Whilst all the Dutch
and other Honeysuckles are now not only flowerless,
but leafless, the scarlet trumpet Honeysuckle is
full of foliage and flower, and hardly less beautiful
than it was in summer. Of course, a good deal of
this is owing to the exceptionally fine weather we
have been having ; but apart from this this Honey-
suckle, though lacking sweetness, is one of the best
for a warm wall in a warm well-drained soil. — A. H.
Garrya elliptica.— This is a handsome shrub,
and in English gardens there are many fine speci-
mens. One of the finest was figured in The Gak-
dbn, May 31 (p. 501), where it is illustrated as
growing over a porch at Swanmore Park. In the
Hassock's Gate Nursery of Messrs. Balchin and
Sons a plant against one of the houses has made a
rich growth, but there is another finer still on a
north wall of the Cliftonville Nursery of the same
firm. Here it seems to relish the salt spray, the
shrub spreading out to a width of 13 feet or 14
feet, and presenting a rich surface of dark green
leafage and countless catkins.

The Dogwood (Cornus alba).— While the au-
tumn tints of many of our deciduous trees and
shrubs have this season been very fine, the Dog-
wood has in numerous instances surpassed itself,
for in the case of specimens situated in the full
sun the leaves before falling turned to an intense
crimson-scarlet colour, and during the bright au-
tumn days they furnished one of the showiest fea-
tures in woodland scenery. The bright-coloured
bark, too, of this Dogwood renders it cheerful
throughout the winter, and if a less common shrub
its ornamental qualities at this season would, no
doubt, be more appreciated. In the colour of its
bark it is, however, surpassed by the variety sibi-
rica, a less vigorous form of a lighter and brighter
hue, which, with the golden Osier (Salix vitellina)
and the white-stemmed Bramble (Rubus biflorus
or leucodermis), forms a group of the very best of
this class. — T.

The Euonymus at Hove.— There are few

things that will live in full exposure to the sea ;
but one of this small number is Euonymus japoni-
cus, which seems to relish the salt spray. It is the
only shrub, with the exception of the Tamarisk, that
can be used with success along the promenade from
Hove into Brighton, and even the variegated varie-
ties attain a richer growth and deeper variegation.
In the nursery of Messrs. Balchin and Sons at Hove
there is a splendid breadth of the broad-leaved
golden Euonymus, which we have never seen more
vigorous and of better colour. It is also planted
near the shore at Hove, and relieves the sombre
green of the type, which here grows into large
bushes, that have to be kept in bounds by annual
clipping. The old manor house at Hove is covered
with E. japonicus, kept closely clipped like Ivy. A
distance away it has the appearance of an Ivy-clad
mansion, and this splendid growth is obtained in
full view of the sea. In Messrs. Balchin and Sons'
nursery it is used as a dividing hedge for giving
shelter to plants, which would be blown out of the
ground but for this protection. The value of such
a shrub in a seaside town, where the trees are des-
troyed by the fierce storms of wind, is great, but a
too free use of it generally would be monotonous.
The new Pernettyas.— The pretty and dis-
tinct varieties of these shown by Messrs. W. Cut-
bush and Son, of Highgate, at the last meeting of
the Royal Horticultural Society, though introduced
some ten years ago, may rightly be termed new.
They represented the handsome forms raised by
Mr. L. T. Davis, Ogle's Grove Nurseries, Hills-
borough, Ireland, from seedlings of varieties ob-
tained in the first instance from P. mucronata and
angustifolia, though some writers make these to
be two distinct species. P. angustifolia is called
the narrow-leaved Pernettya, a native of China,
and introduced to this country in 18-10 > while p!
mucronata is known as the spiny-leaved Pernettya,
a native of Cape Horn, and introduced twelve years'
previously. The former of these produces light

pink fruit, paler in colour than that of P. mucronata.
It is, then, from angustifolia Mr. Davis obtained
this remarkably interesting break. The varieties
exhibited by Messrs. Cutbush and Son included
rosea, with pink or pale rosy-pink berries ; atropur-
purea, dark berries, but bright in colour ; macro-
carpa, deep red ; lilacina, delicate lilac ; elegans,
rosy-pink; purpurea, crimson-purple; and alba,
white, delicately tinted with flesh. The two most
distinct are lilacina and alba, but in the case of the
other varieties they differ in tint. These new va-
rieties are thoroughly hardy, and having a dwarf
spreading habit of growth and bearing their ber-
ries in great profusion, are very valuable hardy
plants. A peaty soil or rich fibry loam suits them
well, and they produce their pure white, bell-shaped
flowers from May to July in great prof usion, suc-
ceeded by an abundance of showy berries which
hang till late in autumn, and in favourable circum-
stances will last through the whole of the winter.
But a moist climate like that of the north of Ire-
land seems best adapted to the production of good
crops of berries. — R. D.

THE DOUBLE WHITE HORSE-CHESTNUT.

(-93SCULUS HIPPOCASTANTJM FL.-PL.)

With almost everyone the common Horse Chest-
nut is a favourite, but a proper consideration of
the merits of this somewhat uncommon form will,
no doubt, be the means of inducing planters to
employ it more frequently in ornamental work than
they do at present. It has several good qualities,
and the very fact of its being double-flowered and
producing no fruit is a decided gain, as will be ad-
mitted by everyone who knows anything of the
litter occasioned by the fruit of the common kind,
as also its strong temptation to juvenile boys, and
consequent breaking of fences and branches. This
handsome form has one or two advantages over
the typical tree, one of these being its less ramify-
ing propensities— indeed it might almost be de-
scribed as of pyramidal growth, for the branches
have an upright inclination, but not to such an ex-
tent as to interfere with the generally easy outline
of the tree ; in other words, it is the opposite of
stiff and formal. As generally seen the tree is a
pyramid of green, the foliage being thickly and
closely produced, while, unlike the parent form, the
height of the tree is usually two or three times the
size of the branch-spread, thus imparting to it
something of a columnar style of growth, and ren-
dering it distinct from nine-tenths of our general
forest and park trees. For the large Hyacinth-like
spikes of flowers, and these of a most pleasing and
agreeable creamy white tint, the double-flowered
Horse Chestnut will ever be a welcome tree ; in-
deed, it is hardly credible, unless to those who have
seen a large flowering specimen, what an amazing
quantity of conspicuous blooms are developed at
the same time. The flowering period of this
variety is about three weeks later than that of the
parent tree.

There are many places suitable for planting this
double-flowered Horse Chestnut, but all the better
if it can be placed at some distance from other
trees, and where its habit of growth and wealth of
sweetly-scented flowers will be fully revealed. A
wind-swept knoll is not, however, the site for it, as
the ample foliage will there get torn and ruffled
before half the season is over, while blooming is
likewise retarded in such a place ; indeed, speaking
broadly, neither the parent nor its child will ever
reveal their greatest charms if grown under such
conditions. Shelter is not absolutely necessary
either, but then we must discriminate between par-
tially and fully exposed situations when such trees
as the present are being planted out permanently.
Cool, loamy soil that is not apt to get dried up in
hot weather suits well the Horse Chestnut, and a
low-lying shady spot is not unwelcome. A
fault of the tree is that with the great heavy
branches the larger limbs are very apt in stormy
weather to get riven from the main stem, but
plenty of favourable sites where such is hardly
likely to take place may be found on every average-
sized property. The finer and more ornamental
Horse Chestnuts, including the Pavias, are rather

neglected trees, for it is not often that one meets
with good specimens, even where other free-
flowering trees are planted in abundance. That the
present form, as also the pink or red-flowered tree
and the handsome Pa via macrostachya— a near ally
—are worth the attention of planters is not to be
questioned. A. D. Wbbstbe.

A FEW ORNAMENTAL DECIDUOUS TREES.

As a supplement to the capital article on p. 412 on
" Ornamental Deciduous Trees for Small Gardens,"
I am induced to name a few more than those there-
in enumerated, all of which are very handsome and
distinct, while a few may be classed as uncommon
trees. One of these is Mespilus grandiflora (a near
ally of the Thorns), which forms a tree that reaches
a height of 20 feet or thereabouts, with a round-
ish, yet somewhat spreading head, while in the
case of isolated specimens the branches frequently
sweep the turf. The large oblong-shaped leaves
are of a deep green tint, and serve as a setting to
the white blossoms, which are nearly a couple of
inches in diameter. They are usually solitary, and
before dropping become suffused with pink. When
first expanded and while the blooms are still pure
white, the brightly coloured anthers stand out
conspicuously from the rest of the flower. Though
the blossoms are large, the fruits are but small,
and cannot be eaten in the same way as those of
the common Medlar. The large-flowered Medlar
has been known in this country throughout the
present century, but, except in a few old-fashioned
gardens, it is now rarely or never met with. Be-
sides the specific name of grandiflora, it is also
known as Mespilus Smithi, and is by some autho-
rities regarded as a Crataegus. The common Medlar
(Mespilus germanica), too, is well worth planting
for its ornamental features, as it possesses many
desirable qualities. In the first place, it is tho-
roughly hardy, produces snowy white blossoms,
while the fruit is both useful and ornamental, and
the rich brown tints of the decaying foliage form a
prominent autumn feature. While the Medlar is
by no means particular as to soil, it makes by far
the most rapid progress where it is fairly moist,
and so situated the foliage acquires a depth of
colouring unknown in dry, sandy or gravelly soils.
Among other Rosaceous plants especial mention
must be made of the Chinese Pyrus spectabilis.
When young the branches of the Chinese Crab all
have an upward tendency, but they become more
spreading with age. The flowers are large, semi-
double, pale pink when fully expanded, but coral-
red in the bud state. The contrast in colour
between the buds and the fully opened blossoms
is very marked in this Pyrus, and equally so
in the Japanese Pyrus malus floribunda. The
almost horizontally arranged branches of this spe-
cies stamp it as very distinct from any of the
others, and when laden, as it will be, with its bright
coloured blossoms it forms an ideal specimen for a
small lawn. The Snowy Mespilus (Amelanchier
Botryapium) is another beautiful flowering tree,
which blooms early in the spring and produces
such a wealth of blossoms, that the slender
branches are quite wreathed in white. The last
of the Rosacea? to mention herein is the Caucasian
Sloe (Prunus divaricata), usually of a spreading
shrub-like habit of growth, which early in the
spring is profusely laden with its white blossoms.
This is a beautiful lawn tree, but a very uncommon
one, though each recurring spring a fine specimen
of it at Kew attracts a large amount of attention.
Another little-known tree is Cladrastis amurensis,
a near ally of the Yellow Wood of the United
States (Cladrastis tinctoria, or Virgilia lutea), which
latter is also a very ornamental tree. C. amurensis
is, as its name implies, a native of the Amoor dis-
trict, and was introduced to cultivation through
the Russian botanists, who have made us so familiar
with many of the plants of that region. This Cla-
drastis forms a low-growing, much-branched tree
of a spreading character, furnished with pinnate
leaves, which, when unfolding in the spring, are
clothed with a peculiar silky pubescence, which
gives them a most uncommon appearance. The
flowers are borne in erect, densely-packed racemes,

Nov. 15, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

457

and though the individual blooms are small and of
a whitish hue, from their numbers and the fact that
they do not expand till the latter part of July or
early in August they stand out then very conspicu-
ously. The flowers are generally succeeded by a
profusion of long seed-pods, which give to a speci-
men a singular appearance. The bark of this Cla-
drastis peels off in a curious manner in good-sized
flakes. It is a desirable subject for planting in
dry sandy soils, as it will flourish under these con-
ditions better than most other trees, though, of
course, a moister spot is more conducive to rapid
growth. The North American C. tinctoria, or Vir-
gilia lutea, as it is more frequently called, is a
medium-growing tree, whose trunk usually divides
into a few large branches at a little height
from the ground. The leaves are pinnate,
and of rather a pale green tint, while the
flowers are borne in drooping racemes after the
manner of the Laburnum, but not nearly so large.
The colour of the blossoms is whitish. Though it
is certainly in all stages a very handsome tree, by
far the showiest feature is the clear rich uniform
yellow tint which the foliage assumes in the
autumn. As a rule the entire tree is of this pro-
nounced hue without an admixture of any other
colour. With the first sharp frost, however, all the
leaves drop at once.

The Chinese Koelreuteria paniculata is an old
subject in gardens, but one very seldom seen, and
that not from any lack of merit, for the divided
foliage is really very elegant and turns to various
shades of yellow and brown before it drops, while
the bright yellow flowers are borne freely in dense
erect spikes. They are sometimes succeeded by the
bladder-like seed capsules which impart quite an
additional feature to the tree. This Koelreuteria
succeeds best in a well-drained soil, and it will
thrive better on the chalk than many other subjects.
The Snowdrop tree (Halesia tetraptera) is rarely
seen more than 20 feet high in this country, with a
rather spreading head of branches, clothed with
oblong-shaped leaves. The flowers of this, which
greatly resemble a miniature Snowdrop, are when
the specimen is flourishing borne in great profusion,
so that about the latter part of May it is very beau-
tiful, but, unfortunately, the blooms soon drop. In
dry soils the Snowdrop tree is always miserable,
but planted in a moist spot its merits will then
assert themselves. A very beautiful low-grow-
ing tree at its best about midsummer is the
Kose Acacia (Robinia hispida), which when
not more than 12 feet high has a spreading
flattish head somewhat sparingly furnished with
branches. The bright green leaves are by no
means crowded, so that a specimen presents a light
and open appearance. The Pea-shaped blossoms are
of a beautiful rosy pink colour, and borne in clusters
somewhat as in the Laburnum, but a good deal
shorter. As a rule, it does not flower till late. This
Robinia is in no ways particular as to soil, but in
planting it one great point to bear in mind is that
the branches are liable to be broken about by high
winds if in an exposed position, so to obviate this
as far as possible, a somewhat sheltered spot should
be assigned it. Paulownia imperialis is a very
handsome tree regarded only from a foliage point
of view, and when in addition it is studded with
large, violet-purple Gloxinia-like blooms, it is one of
the most striking objects possible on a lawn. Un-
fortunately, however, it is only occasionally that
we see the flowers around the neighbourhood of
London, though in more favoured districts the
Paulownia may be relied on to flower every year.
The Flowering Ash, with its plume-like inflorescence,
is another tree whose merits might be more often
recognised than is done at the present day, and
the same may be said of the Stag's-horn Sumach
(Rhus typhina), which, though in dimensions seldom
more than a shrub, is of quite tree-like habit. It is
usually seen with a clear stem and a head of
branches, few in number, but clothed with large
pinnate leaves that give to it quite a sub-tropical
appearance. It flowers during the summer months,
and is then most attractive, for the blossoms are
borne in the shape of dense velvety- like spikes of a
crimson colour, which being produced on the points
of the shoots stand out very conspicuously above

the noble foliage, while during the winter the tree,
though leafless, is by no means devoid of interest,
as the large, rusty-looking masses of inflorescence
still occupy their position. The Stag's-horn Sumach
will grow fairly well even on dry sandy soils, and
so situated the leaves acquire a richer colour in the
autumn than they do in a moist spot. The Pavias
or Buckeyes are most desirable small or medium-
growing trees, the best being P. rubra, whose
bright red flowers are very conspicuous against the
dense and handsome foliage, while the larger
growing P. flava is also a very ornamental Horse
Chestnut-like tree. H. P.

Kitchen Garden.

FORCING SEAKALE.
A good dish of quickly grown perfectly blanched
Seakale is not difficult to obtain, and in but
few instances does it fail to give pleasure on
the dining-table. As a matter of fact, not
nearly enough of it is grown in the majority of
gardens. Instead of being content to grow a
few dozens of plants, these affording a limited
number of dishes whenever forced, those re-
sponsible ought to strive to prepare enough
roots for forcing throughout the winter, a few
rows being left to start naturally in the spring,
the growth in this case being duly blanched
with the aid of some kind of light covering
material. Nor is the preparation of a few
hundred roots a very serious undertaking,
seeing that crowns or roots quite strong
enough for forcing can be grown from root cut-
tings in a single season. Only a comparatively
few gardeners, again, seem to be aware that
there is now a very superior form of Seakale in
the market, this being known as the Lily White,
yet this undoubted great improvement on the
ordinary type is far from being either new or
expensive to buy. Not only does the Lily
White blanch the most perfectly, there being
no purple tips, but the flavour is also much
milder than in the case of the purple-tipped
form, and I am also inclined to think it more
tender when cooked. A few dozen strong roots
purchased or procured in some way now might
be forced and compared with the old form, and
these would also provide a considerable number
of root-cuttings in the spring.

There are several methods of forcing Seakale
in vogue, gardeners in this, as in various other
cases, having to do the best they can with the
conveniences of the place under their charge.
Those who have either well heated pits or
houses of any kind at command and have also
prepared a breadth of young roots specially for
lifting can keep up a good succession without
much trouble. A very simple plan is to pack a
number of strong young roots rather thickly in
large pots of rich soil. These being placed in
heat, not far from the hot-water pipes, and
duly covered with other pots with their drain-
age holes stopped and light otherwise excluded,
will soon commence active top and root
growth. On no account ought the soil in the
pots to become dry, and being thus well at-
tended to, good succulent dishes will be obtained
in about three weeks or a month. Not unfre-
quently, strong, straight young roots with a
single crown in the first instance will produce a
second crop of very serviceable side shoots, and
there is no good reason why they should not be
made to do this. Three or four pots are with us
usually placed in heat at one time, but with
fewer roots available or less demand for early
Seakale, one or two 14-inch or rather larger
pots, each holding about twenty roots, would
be sufficient, the succession in any case being

obtained by introducing more pots into heat
every ten days or thereabouts.

Early Seakale may also be had nearly as
quickly with the aid of a gentle hotbed of leaves
and stable manure, and a single light or larger
frame. After the frame is in position some
moderately fine and rich soil should be thrown
in to a depth of about 12 inches, and when it is
seen no risk will be run from over-heating, the
Seakale roots may be disposed to their full
depth and rather thickly in this. A gentle heat
being maintained, and the frame heavily covered
with mats or litter, the first dishes should be fit
to cut in about a month from the time of start-
ing the roots. This plan is to be commended to
those who are anxious to have Seakale fairly
abundant at Christmas, and was that adopted
by me for several years in succession when house
space was somewhat limited. Those who are in
the habit of keeping the temperature of their
Mushroom house rather high, or say at about 60°
with the aid of fire-heat, usually find these well-
darkened structures of good service for forcing
Seakale. All that is needed is either a bed
of rich soil at one end of the house, or else a
few deep boxes filled with good soil, and dis-
posed wherever space can best be spared. A
few dozen strong young roots in preference to
old stools being bedded thickly in the soil every
week or ten days, a close succession of well-
blanched produce will be available without
much further trouble. At this early date growth
will be somewhat slow, five or six weeks pro-
bably elapsing before the first dish is ready. A
second crop may be taken from all the strongest
roots, and will be of fairly good quality if the
soil about the roots has been kept uniformly
moist. A great mistake is often made in using
poor dry soil, or any previously employed for a
similar purpose, the most succulent and tender
growths being formed by the roots firmly fixed
in rich moist soil, and into which fresh root-
fibres quickly spread.

It is also quite possible to force Seakale very
early, or to have it fit to cut by the end of
November without disturbing the roots. In
this case clumps or groups of roots ought to be
formed in anticipation of this method of forcing,
these being in double rows about 2 feet apart
each way, a heap of forcing material enclosing
a portion of both rows at one time. The ordi-
nary Seakale pots, and, failing these, what may
be termed bottomless boxes, should be inverted
over these groups, and lids put on prior to
covering up with either well-prepared stable
manure or this and fresh leaves in mixture.
The former especially must be well prepared by
frequent turnings, so as to get rid of much rank
heat by fermentation, or otherwise it is liable
to become overheated, the result of this being
the destruction of the Seakale roots. Leaves
also are all the better for being sweetened
somewhat. The bed of heating material may
be formed to a depth of about 3 feet, and 18
inches wider than the pots on each side. Trial
stakes ought to be kept plunged in the bed and
daily examined. If found unbearably hot to
the hand at any time, it must be at once well
opened out from the centre or harm will quickly
result. Wlien, on the other hand, the heat
declines considerably, the stick feeling com-
paratively cold, an additional covering of strawy
litter ought to be given, and if this does not
have the effect of raising the temperature,
more fresh heating material must be added to
and well mixed with the old, and this will
soon improve matters. Last November I saw
excellent Seakale cut from strong plants forced
in the open ground in about three weeks from
the time of covering with manure, but this was
hard and somewhat risky forcing, and a month

458

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 15, 1890.

ought to be allowed. By covering a few pots at
a time and using some fresh heating material,
a long succession of very fine Seakale can be
had from a few rows or beds of permanently
planted Seakale, and it apparently does not
greatly weaken the roots by cutting them over
a second time — early forced plants having
plenty of time in which to recoup themselves.
Roots that have previously been hard forced
are invariably the quickest to respond to forcing
again, and it is advisable to always start at the
same end of the rows.

In each and every case the growths should be
cut before they have opened out badly, long
leaf-stalks, as a rule, being hard when cooked.
It may frequently be necessary to cut, bundle
up, and to place the base of the shoots in pans
or saucers of water, but this injuriously affects
the quality, and may to a certain extent be
avoided by oftener introducing into heat or
covering smaller batches with forcing material .
I. M. H.

MARKET LETTUCES.
Essential to the profitable sale of a crop of
Lettuces is a warm season. Whatever may be the
demand for Lettuces for select salading during the
winter, and the demand is a limited one, the proper
general Lettuce season is a short one and chiefly
confined to the warmest of weather. It is a fact
that we are not a salad-eating people. That it
would be much better for us were it so there can
be no doubt, but what we have to deal with is the
general low temperature of the seasons and the
habits of the people in relation to food. Our abun-
dant meat supply, the cheapness of all sorts of food
materials, the great abundance of tinned meats and
foods, and the partiality of the mass of the people
for flavoured diet and drink all tend to destroy
the taste for such simple foods as salads, Lettuces
especially. During the past summer many acres of
heads were spoiled or thrown to the pigs or cut
down and ploughed in because no market could be
found for them ; they could not, in fact, be given
away. This is becoming so common an occur-
rence, that the culture of Lettuces seems in this
district to be falling into disuse. For all ordinary
purposes the customers of the field Lettuce grower
are found in the humbler classes, and they care for
such cool diet only when the weather is hot.
Cheap foods of all descriptions have done much to
change the nature of the diet of the people, and it
will not be a matter for surprise if in time many of
our ordinary unpretentious home products have to
give place to foods of a varied and more popular
nature. It may be doubtful whether salads are
now so popular with the wealthy as formerly. Al-
though I will not pretend to give an opinion on
that point, some other readers of The Garden
may be able to enlighten us more fully in relation
to that subject. Certainly we are not at all the
salad-eating people the French and Italians are ;
indeed, but for our appreciation for lobsters and
cold lamb, perhaps very much less of salad would
be consumed than now is the case. Were it possible
t j make the consumption of salads as popular as is
that of liquors or tea and coffee, we should indeed
be doing good service, not only for the people
at large, but also for growers of salading. Return-
ing to Lettuces, just now growers are busy putting
out strong plants of the popular old hardy Hammer-
smith, Grand Admirable, All the Year Round, and
other good Cabbage Lettuces. The ground has been
rather dry, or they would have been got out earlier.
Still, the plants will soon get root-hold, and as
the weather is often mild till Christmas, there is
ample time for growth before the harder weather
sets in. Hardy Green Cos, Black-seeded Bath Cos,
and White Cos are also being got out or are stand-
ing thickly in frames for very early spring planting.
Because there has not been very much rain, slugs
are giving less trouble than usual. Once the plants
are well established and hardened, they are not
liable to injury from vermin. Their chief enemy
later is snow or other moisture, especially when

followed by sharp frosts. It is wise to have the
winter plants on rounded ridges or on sloping
banks that moisture may soon pass away. During
very hard weather larks show considerable fond-
ness for Lettuces, the best plan in such case being
found in a free use of the gun. It is well to have
a good reserve of young plants in the seed-beds,
especially in frames, for spring planting.

A. D.

DEEP CULTIVATION.
To renew a worn-out garden soil to a state of
thorough fertility demands a deal of forethought
and knowledge on the part of the individual in
charge. Even in these days of high-class garden-
ing it is no uncommon thing to meet with gardens
the soil of which is completely exhausted through
being long cropped with the same things and ma-
nured with the same material for years. The soil
in such cases gets sour, and in time becomes more
a hotbed of weeds and vermin than one in which
clean, wholesome vegetables can be grown. Such
cases more frequently occur on thin soils than on
deep land of a clayey nature. Nothing is more
productive of satisfaction to the good all-round
gardener than a good kitchen garden, and if he
has aspect and suitable shelter to husband the
warmth of the sun's rays he has in a measure in his
own possession the making of the soil.

To deal effectively with such cases as are indi-
cated, no half-and-half way of doing the
work need be thought of, and whatever
is worth doing is worth doing well, _

however tedious and laborious the work -jJK^

maybe before being accomplished. Now E*^^J
is the time to have all unoccupied 9H£jfl
ground turned up to get the winter's ^HB2
frost and air to sweeten and pulverise >

it preparatory to spring seeding. To im-
prove a poor soil thoroughly something
more than the ordinary orthodox system
of trenching is necessary ; every trench
ought to be 2 feet wide, and turned clean
over to the depth of 2 feet, if there be Jl

surface soil to do that with, being care- a

f ul to put the surface part with all its
weeds and vermin into the bottom on
the top of the subsoil, which should
be broken up at least a foot deep, and
big stones that may be in it taken out.
The more vegetable matter that can be
turned into the bottom of the trenches
the better, and the surface should have
a good dressing of lime and soil, than
which little better can be got to enrich poor
ground. If such a course were year after year
followed until the whole garden was gone over, a
poor worn-out soil would soon be productive of good
results, and in all likelihood it would take four or
more years before the whole could be gone over,
according to the size of the garden. One particu-
lar point in trenching should always be borne in
mind, viz., the more vegetable refuse that can be
put in the bottom of the trenches the better, as it
acts beneficially in many ways, supplying food for
the roots in a dry season, and also keeping them
from going into the cold subsoil. It was my lot
many years ago to enter upon a garden, the deep cul-
tivation of which had been so neglected that it would
scarcely grow anything satisfactorily. It was im
possible to expect much from the mode of cultiva

are from plants grown in shallow boxes in a cold vinery
close to the glass on a back shelf. We have an
enormous crop from these plants. — J. Crook.

Flower Garden.

AMPHICOME EMODI.
This plant flowered for the first time in this
country, I think, thirty-five years ago this last
month. Although extremely beautiful, it does
not appear to have gained favour with our hardy
plant growers, for one seldom sees it. Some
nice spikes came to me recently from the north,
thus showing that the plant is not extinct in
our gardens. It is dwarf in habit, with
pinnate leaves, which are about 6 inches to 9
inches long, the leaflets lobed at the edges and

c<^i3~£>»tS'*i

Amphicome Emodi.

deep green ; the stem or flower-spike is termi-
nal, sometimes forked and branched, and

tion that had been adopted— that of digging rank bearing many flowers, these being tubular, with

manure into the surface, that kept the free light a Bpreading limb the tube is orange-yellow,

soil so open, that whenever the dry weather set in in and th & ^ ]imb ffc d u» ^

June, there was an end to the appearance ot good m, , , . , c ., „. . , ,

crops. Deep cultivation was adopted in the man- Jhe I'lant !? a member of the B1gnoniads, and

ner stated, and the result was, that vegetables were ™a somewhat the appearance of a large-flowered

both abundant and wholesome. A. Kemp. Fentstemon. It appears to come from the hilly

Coolhurst, Horsham. ' districts of Northern India. W. H. G.

Tomatoes in the open. — Herewith I send you
two varieties of Tomatoes (Hackwood Park and Ham
Green) I cut on the 5th of November from an open
wall. We have many more on the same plants equally
as good. I hope to be able to leave them on the plants
a fortnight longer to ripen. Theso never had a sign of
disease on them. I also send sample of Red Currant
Tomato with bunches of fruit 10 inches long. These

Downingia pulchella. — This is another of
those beautiful Californian annuals for which we
are indebted to Douglas. It was re-introduced by
Mr. Thompson, of Ipswich, some fifteen years ago,
and a friend from Devonshire sends me a bunch
of it now flowering from a second sowing. It is a
lovely plant, with slender branches some 12 inches

Nov. 15, 1890.]

THE GAUDEN.

459

in length, with flaky linear leaves. The flower is
of a soft delicate blue or violet-blue, yellow at the
base, and having a border or band of white between
the yellow and the blue.— W. G.

PHLOXES.

I grow some hundreds of Phloxes in the flower
garden, pleasure grounds, and in the kitchen
garden borders, and I have no flowers which are
more admired from Jul}' until October. They
are so hardy that no excess of drought or frost
will injure or kill them, and their freely-pro-
duced and noble spikes of varied and richly
coloured blooms are very attractive. Phloxes
are admirably suited either for small or large
gardens. They are also specially well adapted
for all gardens in or near towns, as they are not
liable to sutler from exposure to dust, smoke,
or a murky atmosphere, so injurious to many
flowers. Early in the spring (beginning of
April) is an important time in their culture, as
propagation, planting, and transplanting should

must have a deep, rich soil. They will
live and bloom, too, in light, poor mate-
rial ; but they will never fully develop their
gorgeous flower - spikes under such circum-
stances. When a whole bed or border cannot
be deeply dug and heavily manured for them,
the position to be occupied by each plant should
be treated in this way. In hot, dry weather a
thorough soaking of manure-water, if available,
is highly beneficial, and in all cases, wherever
possible, mulch over the surface of the soil with
some half-decayed stable manure.

The following are a few of the best white
varieties : Charles Saison, a remarkably fine
variety ; Czarina, very dwarf ; David Syme ;
Delicatum, pure white with lilac eye; Edith,
Gaston Olivier, large flowers ; Independence,
very dwarf ; Lucie Genin, Miss P. Grieve,
Mrs. Knight, Queen of Whites (here illustrated),
Thomas Chisolm, and White Lady. T.

Passiflora cinnabarina. — " W. H. G." sug-
gests that this member of the lovely order Passi-

', IrH

Phlox Queen of Whites.

then receive attention. It is not a satisfactory
way to raise plants from seed, as only inferior
sorts may result.

The best named varieties may be bought
very cheaply, and after they have been grown a
season or so, they may be freely divided.
Phloxes are frequently propagated from cuttings,
and the young growths root freely under a
hand-light or frame early in the season. But
of all the ways of increasing them which I have
tried, I prefer dividing the plants. Plants of
one or two years' growth may be taken up and
cut into from six to ten plants, each with a good
root attached, and if replanted at once they
never seem to feel the change, but grow on and
flower freely throughout the season. I have
treated hundreds of them in this way about the
first week of April, and 09 per cent, of them
have succeeded as well as I could desire. In
dividing them the roots should be preserved as
carefully as possible, and they should not be
allowed to dry up before being replaced in the
soil. To grow Phloxes to perfection they

floracea; should be used by the hybridiser. I have been
endeavouring for many years to obtain a cross be-
tween this and others. I have tried perhaps over
twenty kinds with it both ways, but it refuses to
respond to my attempts. I have often thought with
" W. H. G." that if it would be amenable to the
manipulation and the colour infused into the pro-
geny, it would be a break from the tiresome blues,
purples, and whites which so provokingly persist
in clinging to hybrids. Very few shades of red
have ever resulted from hybridisation, notwith-
standing that one of the parents has been of that
colour. P. amabilis is an exception, if it is a cross,
as it is supposed to be, although it has never been
confirmed. I am trying again this year, and have
just gathered two fruits which I tried to fertilise
with princeps and others, but I almost despair of
success. By the way, I have a cross between P.
onychina and P. princeps, the first with entire
leaves, while princeps is trilobed. I raised it last
year. The seedling in character and foliage is ex-
actly intermediate between the two species. It has
not yet flowered, but I expect a good result from it.
P. cinnabarina was, I believe, discovered by Sir
Thomas Mit chell durin g his explorat ions in Australia,

where other species have been collected and intro-
duced, but appear now to be lost in this country.
If allowed plenty of root room it is a rampant
grower, and flowers freely out of doors in the sum-
mer. On vigorous specimens it fruits at almost
every joint ; the fruits drop off, are turned into the
border, and the seedlings come up the next year,
as do also some of the Tacsonias here. It is not, I
think, a Passiflora proper, but a Disemma, a section
separated by botanists in consequence of some pe-
culiarity of the crown. I at one time thought this
the cause of its not appropriating the sexual bland-
ishments of its relatives, but I have also tried it
with D. Hahni with no better success. — J. M.,
C/iarmouth, Dorset.

HOME GROWN V. IMPORTED HELLE-
BORUS NIGER.
Year after year hundreds of thousands
of Christmas Roses are imported and foisted
off on the British public as being plants
covered with flower-buds, which, of course,
sounds well. They are sent to the purchasers,
and on arrival are found to be denuded of foli-
age, but containing the necessary flower-buds in
a more or less shrivelled condition, the roots
black and almost devoid of sap, and ends pretty
sure to be either cut off or else decayed; but so
long as the expected flower-buds are there, the
purchasers in ninety-nine cases are content. To
get Christmas flowers is the one consideration,
so the roots are potted up and placed, it may
be, in a stove, a greenhouse, frame, or window.
In course of time a few flowers struggle into
being, and though misshapen are duly prized.
If the plants are not turned out into the open
there and then they are kept in their pots, and
later on a few weakly leaves spring up, but soon
topple over. Something must be wrong with
these Christmas Roses, so they are taken out of
their pots and examined, when most likely the
roots will be found covered with a white fun-
goid growth not unlike dry rot, otherwise they
will be damp and pulpy to the touch, with any-
thing but a fragrant odour, or perhaps an odd
one may be throwing out a few white rootlets.
Of the immense number of imported plants that
annually arrive, most of them find a place,
sooner or later, on the manure heap. Why should
this be, and what is the cause ? Let us look for
the starting point in their downward career, far
away in the Carpathian Mountains. Millions
of Helleborus niger grow there, and yield
a golden harvest to certain Austrian Jews
who call themselves plant collectors. Every
August these gentlemen employ a number
of Austrian and Hungarian peasants to collect
the Helleborus plants, which are lifted out of
the soil with an implement not unlike a four-
pronged fork, except that the prongs are much
closer. As soon as sufficient are gathered each man
brings his lot to the collector, who pays for them
at the rate of 5s. per 1000, or, if very strong, up
to 10s. ; they are then sorted into three sizes,
packed as closely together as possible in peat-
like soil, and when time allows watered to pre-
vent the scorching sun killing them outright.
Here they remain until September, October, or
sometimes November, being continually added
to from the second week in August until severe
weather puts a stop to further collection for
that autumn. Orders arrive from England (or
elsewhere) at the end of September, and from
that until November consignments are con-
stantly being sent out generally via Hamburg.
They take at least a week to reach England, and
very often arrive in a more or less heated condi-
tion with the roots as previously described. How
could such plants be expected to live, much less
give bloom and flourish afterwards \ Like the
Roman Hyacinths, they are useful (to a certain

460

THE GABDEN.

[Nov. 15, 1890.

extent) for a season, but worthless afterwards.
Those who wish to have Christmas Roses, our
most beautiful hardy white winter flower, must
get home-grown young plants and gradually
grow on, for even after a season or two
they "will give a good account of them-
selves. Insist on having home-grown plants,
which can be easily known by the roots being a
yellowish white colour, not dark brown or
black, as imported are. A great point in plant-
ing young Hellebores is to see that the roots
are planted their full length, tips pointing
downward, and the soil made firm. On no ac-
count should manure come in contact with
freshly planted roots. It is desirable that the
crowns should be just under soil. Hellebores
are not at all particular as to soil, but a deep
rich loam is best ; they require abundance of
water in dry weather, and so long as they re-
ceive this they cannot be in too sunny a posi-
tion— at least, such has been my experience.
I cannot too earnestly caution your readers
against imported " collected " plants, which
form the greater number of those sold at low
prices, though Dutch grown Hellebores are by
no means to be despised. These cannot be
sold at the ridiculously low prices generally
asked for " plants covered with bloom-buds."
W. Morley-Reamsbottom.
Alderborongh House, near Geashill, King's Co.

be, when in pans, reasonably hardened before lifting
and dibbling outdoors. They then go out thinly
and develop fully, whilst open-air-sown plants are
too often unduly crowded. At the present moment
Polyanthuses and Primroses from seed sown in the
summer are double the size in pans and boxes stood
under glass as compared with the products of sow-
ings in the open ground. At the same time, where-
ever sowings are made outdoors, it is wise to sow
some of the same seed under glass, if but to test its
germinative value, whilst it has the further advan-
tage that in case of failure outdoors neither the
stock nor the season is lost. Whatever may be the
experience of those favoured with good soil, I ad-
vise all who have cold clay soils to sow choice
seeds under glass. — A. D.

Pentstemons. — The bunches of late-flowered
Pentstemons I was enabled to exhibit at the West-
minster Drill Hall on the 28th ult. evoked much
admiration, not only because so fine, but also be-
cause so late in the year. It is far from common
to find Pentstemons blooming in gardens at the end
of October, for the simple reason that far too few
are raised from seed annually. Did gardeners gene-
rally do as I do, sow seed in March under glass and
plant out the seedling plants with a dibber in June,
they would have plenty of robust ones blooming
finely in the late autumn. The strain secured an
award of merit, because so fine and varied, but, all
the same, it is certain that no method of exhibiting
spikes of Pentstemons can equal in attractiveness
the effect obtained from a bed of strong plants
carrying fine spikes. Older plants, that is, plants
in the second year's blooming, flower much earlier,
and, of course, very profusely. The season really
begins in June, and if there be but a good batch of
spring-sown plants to follow them, flowers may be
had until the end of October. In spite of the very
sharp frost of the morning of the 28th ult. (my
flowers having been cut on the previous afternoon),
there were many unexpanded spikes left, which
would in fine mild weather expand, and, should the
season be an open one, keep gay for some time
longer. I have had to cut my yearling plants
rather hard back, because they, unfortunately,
must be transplanted. That is not the usual treat-
ment, as if the taller shoots should suffer from
frost, the plants break profusely close back in the
spring, and the result is a really fine mass of bloom.
—A. D.

Sowing seeds in the open ground. —My own
experience far from favours the suggestion of
" A. H.," that it is best to sow seed, even of choice
plants, in the open ground. Certainly if soils
be warm, dry, also open and | friable, and ex-
ceedingly clean, seeds sown in the spring or au-
tumn may germinate freely enough. Those who
have to deal with tenacious clays, which under a
sharp shower or hot sunshine bake hard, and can-
not of course be stirred, find that seed germina-
tion is greatly hindered. Many a time have I had
to raise a batch of seedlings under glass later be-
cause seeds from outdoors in the most favourable
position available have failed. The advantage of
sowing under glass is found in entire protection
from vermin, from pelting rains, from hot-sunshine,
and from excessive weed mixings. This latter
trouble has been very great during the past autumn,
as soil everywhere seems to have been sown with
weeds. Plants under glass grow quickly and may

HARDINESS OF PLANTS.
At page 374 " Delta " asks " what constitutes har-
diness, and who is to determine whether a plant or
bulb is hardy or not." This is a nice question, and one
which individuals only can decide for themselves,
and not for general guidance, based entirely as it
is upon experiences gained in one locality and dur-
ing one season. All our winters are not alike,
neither are the average autumn seasons the same,
and a plant may be ill able to bear a very sudden
frost if fully charged with sap after a continuous
late growth or a wet season ; therefore in no way
prepared for the change. It is not the actual
amount of frost which any plant may endure in a
given season that constitutes hardiness, for fre-
quently we find plants whose hardiness has never
for a moment been doubted succumb to a few de-
grees of frost, when it is well known that these very
things can and do endure with impunity thrice the
amount in their native haunts. Our winters, too,
are so variable, that the behaviour of many plants
in any two seasons is very different. Plants again
succumb not particularly to frost in the south, but
more to the ever-changing conditions of the weather,
as well they might when we remember the sharp
frost last night, the sudden thaw this morning, the
drizzling rain or sleet before noon, succeeded, it
may be, by a fog, and freezing hard again at night ;
these are the conditions, unfortunately no strangers
to us, that kill many hardy plants. These very
plants in all probability would find a more con-
genial home in the north where it is proverbially
colder and the frosts more severe. We do not find
half so many deaths after a long spell of dry hard
frosts as we do when the atmospheric changes are
continually going on. For example, take the hardy
border Carnations and see what an ever-changing
winter will do for them if exposed to the wet and
fogs. Then, for comparison, take another lot and
place in a frame where the lights are always lifted
and the plants allowed all the frost that comes, and
see the result ; the one lot being dry will endure
with impunity very severe frost, while the other
because wet will suffer a great deal. Some varieties
of Carnations are watertight at the summit of the
youngest heart leaves, and the water gaining a lodg-
ment there, to freeze and thaw alternately, will soon
disfigure the plant, even if it does not kill it out-
right. Some years ago I wintered a large batch of
about 2000 Leucophyton Browni in a cold frame,
the lights of which were never closed all the winter
through. The walls at back and front were freely
pigeon-holed, the result being a perfectly dry at-
mosphere within at all times. The winter was a
severe one and long-continued, and when it was
over not a plant was lost of the whole batch, in
spite of many prophecies to the contrary ; but I
quite believe had I closed that frame and matted
it to keep out the frost, the whole of my Leucophy-
tons would have perished, not from frost, but from
damp. I firmly believe that damp kills its hun-
dreds and frost only its units, while the two com-
bined will play havoc indeed. Circumstances
alter cases, and in like manner we can only speak
of tilings as we find them, and speaking of hardy
plants 'generally anent this question, it is almost a
sure guide to say of all true herbaceous perennials,
especially those that die completely under the sur-
face annually, that these are quite hardy and fully
capable of resisting the coldest^winters we experi-

ence in England. So far as the hardier types of
Gladioli are concerned, it will be prudent to keep
them well under the surface, so as to be safe by
planting fully 6 inches deep ; it will also be wise to
place a handful of Cocoa-nut fibre over each clump,
simply because the frost and wet have splendid
opportunities of descending to the corm through
the medium of the stems internally ; the more
likely is this to be dangerous if the stems have
been cut off even with the surface of the soil. The
hybrid forms of Pentstemon gentianoides have
stood the test of several winters in my garden, but
ten years ago I lost upwards of 1500 in an un-
heated house where the frost was by no means
specially severe. Two years since one or two varie-
ties of Fuchsias, several Begonias (tuberous -
rooted), one plant of President Garfield Heliotrope,
and the white Tobacco in plenty stood out the
whole winter and made good flowering plants after,
but such instances are rare. I also remember a
plant of the white Lapageria enduring 25° of frost
in the Chester nurseries some eleven years since,
and making a fair growth the following season ; the
red form was killed by the same test. It was un-
fortunate that some alterations caused the re-
moval of the existing plant, though it might not
have endured many similar tests. At the same
time it should be remarked that coriaceous-leaved
plants are generally more enduring than the
softer or more woolly-leaved kinds, though it is
difficult even here to discriminate.

E. Jenkins.

Minn, lobata. — A branch of this curious mem-
ber of the Convolvulacefe comes to me from Devon-
shire. The sender says, " I send you this spray to
let you see it is in flower still. It has been one of
the finest things I ever had." This is one of the
plants all should grow. It is an annual, and really
one of the most curious members of the order to
which it belongs. It was introduced from Mexico
in the year 1842, and was lost. Messrs. Haage &
Schmidt, of Erfurt, re-introduced it in 1886, and in
November of that year an illustration was given of
it in The Garden. It is a climbing plant with
long, tubular flowers and Ivy-shaped leaves, the
colour of the blossoms yellow at the base, passing
up into reddish-orange. — W. H. G.

Notes on Lilies. — In The Garden, Oct. 25
(p. 394), " E. J." mentions an instance of the old
Turk's-cap Lily (L. chalcedonicum) growing in a
cottage garden in Gloucestershire. Perhaps it will
interest some of your readers who are fond of
these beautiful plants if I tell them how splendidly
this and also Lilium candidum used to grow in my
father's garden and under what circumstances. I
believe my father had originally one bulb of each ;
they were planted in very light soil. The garden,
which is a small one, stands some 3 feet or 4 feet
above the level of the street, which runs close in
front of it, so that there was ample drainage.
The bulbs were simply planted on the surface and
a little of the soil drawn up to their roots, but they
were not covered. I have never seen bulbs
flourish and increase so freely ; they were left un-
disturbed for several years and then divided and
planted about the garden. I have seen clumps of
the Turk's-cap from 3 feet to 4 feet through, and
every season they flowered freely. The old Ma-
donna Lily did equally well ; there were perfect
cones of bulbs crowded one above the other quite
exposed to the sun and frost, and this, I think, is
the secret of growing these Lilies well. We have
several hundreds of the Madonna Lily in these
gardens, and they have done well since I lifted
them and planted them on the surface. During
the past season I have cut many dozen spikes with
from five to seven flowers on a spike and quite free
from disease. I am quite sure this is due to the
bulbs being planted on the surface of the soil, for
previously they were planted similar to the other
hardy plants ; in fact I found many of them buried
12 inches deep, and none of them ever produced a
respectable flower. I might say in conclusion,
that the above instance is in a village in Glouces-
tershire, and although the bulbs I have referred to
were planted more than thirty years ago, many of
the clumps are still in the old garden. A nursery-

Nov. 15, 1890.]

THE GAKDEK

461

man told me not long ago that he once was able to
offer home-grown bulbs of these two varieties with
many others, but at the present time he was
obliged to buy all his stock from the Continent.
This appears very strange. I believe that most of
our hardy Liliums are planted too deeply. In
these gardens I notice some clumps of L. superbum
and erectum which have been in the same place
for many years, and still they never fail to bloom
satisfactorily. On examining them I find that
the bulbs are just covered ; the border is also very
dry, being full of the roots of large trees. We give
it a good dressing of rotten manure every winter. —
J. A., Cirencester House Gardens.

Lilies. — I have noted the remarks by "H. P." at
page 423. He has gone much more fully into the
affiuity of species than I thought of doing. All I
said was that Lilium Wallichianum and L. neilgher-
rense did not seem to be specifically distinct ; but
I must admit that I did not dip very deeply into the
botanical question. I have now referred to the de-
scriptive remarks in the Botanical Magazine, where
both are figured; but, unfortunately, the roots of L.
Wallichianum only are figured. Mr. J. G. Baker
writes the descriptive remarks to L. neilgherrense,
tab. 6332. He there states that Dr. Wight figured
three Lilies, viz., L. neilgherrense, L. tubiflorum
and L. Wallichianum, and Mr. Baker's comment is,
" I have no hesitation in regarding as slight forms
of one species the three plants figured by Dr.
Wight, and cannot follow the view lately expressed
by Dr. Planchon in the " Flore des Serres " in se-
parating Lemaire's L. neilgherricum, which I can-
not see is distinguishable even as a variety." In
another place Mr. Baker says, referring to this Lily,
" It is closely allied to L. Wallichianum of the
Himalayas, L.philippinense of the Philippine Islands,
and L. longiflorum, japonicum, and Browni of China
and Japan." " H. P." will see from the above that Mr.
Baker would bring both the Lilies referred to into
one specific form. This may well be, even if they
are practically distinct for garden purposes. — J.
Douglas.

HARVESTING GLADIOLI.
There is no more important operation in the
culture of these, and indeed of most bulbs, than
their'proper harvesting, determining the proper
time for doing it, and the manner in which the
bulbs should be treated afterwards ; and the
peculiar character of these bulbs makes it even
more needful to take care that it is properly
done. In writing on the subject it must be un-
derstood that I refer only to the hybrids of gan-
davensis, for although it has been asserted by.
some that they are hardy, yet few will venture
to leave them in the ground all the winter, and
this is the great advantage that the hybrids
raised by Lemoine and others have over those
of gandavensis. They are perfectly hardy, as I
have had some in my own garden for eight years
which have never been lifted. They lack the
soft and beautiful colours of the hybrids of gan-
davensis, of which I now write.

The period of flowering of this race generally
closes at the beginning or middle of October,
xiaving commenced about the end of July. They
flower at different periods of these three months,
some varieties being always sure to bloom early
and some late, and, as a rule, the bulbs all ripen
in the same way. Shortly after their flowering
the foliage begins to turn yellow, and as soon as
this is the case it is safe to lift the bulbs, but
greater injury is likely to be done by too early
lifting than by too late, and very much will de-
pend on the character of the season. Last year,
for instance, we had here a very wet autumn
(7 59 inches of rain in October), and it
was absolutely necessary to leave many of
the bulbs in until December, and to cover
the beds with a slight covering of straw
so as to prevent injury by frost. This season,
on the other hand, we have so far a very dry

autumn (112 inches of rain in October), the
foliage of the bulbs is fast decaying, and in
all probability there will be an early har-
vesting of the bulbs. I am, of course, only
writing of the amateur growers of these bulbs.
The grower for sale will be governed by other
considerations, the pressure of work, &c. The
French growers say that November is the time
for lifting them, but I have seen in some of their
nurseries the operation going on much earlier,
and the bulbs lifted when the foliage was per-
fectly green ; indeed, I have lately heard a very
great authority recommend their being lifted as
soon as they had flowered, but I think it is
better to wait until the foliage has somewhat
decayed. When lifted, about a foot in length
of the stem should be left, as I find it convenient
for the purpose of laying them in a bundle, as
they do not then get the chance of being mixed
when taken up. I place them on the shelf in a
cool vinery where they have sunlight, but some-
what shaded by the leaves of the Vine ; but, in
truth, any place where the roots are protected
from frost will suffice. Here they may remain
until the earth which has adhered to them is dry
and the old corm which is still existent can be
easily detached. Then the stem should be cut
off close tc the bulb, and the small bulbs which
of various sizes and quantities cluster round the
bulb are detached if it is desired to increase the
stock. This spawn should be put away in small
paper bags until the spring. It will be found
that some varieties, such as Horace Vernet, give
a large number, while others, such as Adolphe
Brongniart, have very few. This spawn is of
various sizes, and on this will depend the time
when they flower. Some are so largo that they
will flower the first season, but two years is the
general time, others not flowering for three
years. With regard to the bulbs themselves,
there are various ways in which they may be
kept during the winter. Some advocate hang-
ing them up in paper bags. This I think is the
very worst way in which they can be kept, for
contact with one another is apt to induce growth
both in pushing out roots and in developing the
flowering stem — things which are to be avoided,
as it weakens the bulbs before planting.
They are generally placed on shelves, and
where this is done they should be placed
with the bottom of the bulb up, for the same
reason that when placed with the base of the
bulb on the shelf they are apt to push out root-
lets. The plan which I have adopted, from
an invention of Mr. Banks, of Sholden, near
Deal, who formerly grew them largely, is to
have an open frame made with laths ; into this
are fitted trays, also open, and the bulbs are laid
on these, so that there is a free current of air
all round them. This keeps the bulbs dry, and
there is no attempt to push out roots or to grow.
It will be found sometimes that there are small
spots on them ; this indicates disease, and it is
well to keep all such bulbs on a shelf by them-
selves. Sometimes these get much worse dur-
ing the winter, and they are then worthless ;
but if they do not, they may be planted, and
sometimes they will produce healthy corms the
next season. Before putting them by I take the
precaution of writing the name on each bulb, so
that in case of any of them being displaced
there may be no mistakes, for there is always
amongst true florists a desire to keep the names
of the flowers they cultivate correct, and nothing
is more disappointing than to find that your
plants or bulbs are wrongly named. When all
this is done they will require no further attention
for some months until the time for planting
comes round again, provided, as I have already
said, they are kept in a dry place and free from
frost.

This is the time of year, too, when those who
wish to begin their culture should procure their
bulbs. It is a great mistake to leave this to the
spring. The bulbs have perhaps during the
winter been lying about neglected in a seeds-
man's shop, and have been dried up or otherwise
injured. For such beginners I subjoin a list
of those which are moderate in price, and if
well grown are sure to give satisfactory re-
sults : —

African. — A very dark flower, chocolate - brown,
flushed with scarlet and white blotch.

Abricote. — Bright shining aprieot-rose, a large round
flower of great merit.

Amalthee. — Pure white, with violet-red blotch, very
early.

Amitie. — Palo creamy-rose, shaded with straw, large
and distinct, late flowering.

Atlo.fi. — Large, pale porcelain, slightly tinted and
striped with violet ; line flower and spike.

Baroness Burdett Coutts. — Lilae, tiuged with rose
and purple, large and very fine flower.

Bicolor. — Top petals light salmon-rose, lower divi-
sions white, edged with rose, distinct, early.

Came'leon. — Slaty lilac, striped white, pale orange
blotch, beautiful compact spike, novel and fine.

Cervantes. — Bright rose tinted with carmine, white
stripe, lower petals tinted with orauge ; grand flower
and spike.

Conquerant. — Dark purplish carmine, pure white
blotch and hands.

Crepuscule. — Pale porcelain, tinted with lilac, large
and fine.

Dalila. — Bright rose, beautifully striped with white ;
a very lovely flower.

Eugene Souchet. — Bright rose, large white blotch,
distinct and good.

Flamboyant. — Bright scarlet-crimson, very large and
flue.

Flamingo. — Velvety red, blotched purple.

Formosa. — Pale satin-rose, striped carmine, fine
spike, early and good.

Grand, Ro uge. — Scarlet-crimson, small velvet blotch,
grand flower and spike.

Horace Vernet. — Purplish-red, blotched and striped
with white, very fine.

Leandre. — Light lilae, blotched and striped white,
large and good.

Le Ve'suve. — Piery scarlet, very thick petals ; a fine
late variety.

Mascarille. — Salmon-rose with large sulphur-yellow
blotches running through the petals ; flower small,
hut the colour very novel and distinct.

Meyerbeer. — Bright vermilion-amaranth blotch, spike
well arranged, and medium-sized flowers.

Mons. A. Brongniart. — Orange-rose, flamed red on
white ground, large flower, colour very light ; an old,
hut very valuable flower.

Mont Etna. — Velvety scarlet, blotched with white,
fine flower and spike.

Nereide. — Pale lilac-rose, small violet blotches, fine
compact spike.

Ondine. — White, tinted with lilac, bluish velvet spot,
fine spike, close and compact.

Opale. — Delicate rose, very early.

Ovule. — Purplish carmine, blotched and striped pure
white, large flower and spike, very fine.

Pactole. — Yellow, blotched and striped with rose.

Pasqnin. — Bright scarlet-red petals suffused with
slate and centre striped white.

Pollux.— Carmine, flushed with brown on the edges,
white blotch ; a long spike.

Pyramide.— Clear delicate orange-rose, shading to
amber in the centre ; large flower of an exquisite shade
of colour.

Rossini. — Dark purplish red, blotched and striped
white ; fine spike.

Sceptre de Flore. — Rich rose, spotted carmine, large
white throat ; in the centre a carmine star ; novel and
distinct.

Schiller.— Pale sulphur, large red blotch.

Shakespeare. — White, large blotch, an early and fine
variety.

Stanley. — Salmon-rose with deeper shading and
small rosy yellow blotch.

Tamerlane.— Slaty red, largely blotched and striped
cream ; very novel and distinct.

Therese de Vilmorin. — Lemon-white, medium-sized
double flowers.

Tom- de Monde. — Dark cherry, shaded lilac, white
blotch.

These are all moderate in price, none being
higher than Is. 3d., and many of them as low as

462

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 15, 1890.

4d. They are also strong growers and ought to
succead in most gardens. Delta.

PRIMULA OBCONICA POISONOUS.
In confirmation of the apparent poisonous nature of
Primula obconica, upon which subject a letter ap-
peared in your issue of the 16th August last, I
would mention the following facts : A lady with
whom I am acquainted has from time to time suf-
fered from eczema. This year, however, the eczema
took a decidedly aggravated form, and although
the lady consulted her doctor, it was not until read-
ing your article that she was able to determine,
what now appears to be, the probable cause. About
the middle of this year she bought a few of these
plants and placed them in her conservatory, where
she spends a good deal of time. After this her
eczema became decidedly worse. About three
weeks after this she went to London. She re-
mained there for a fortnight, by which time the
eczema had entirely ceased, and she returned home.
Five days afterwards she purchased from a florist,
3 miles distant from her house, some more of these
plants, and brought them back in her carriage and
placed them in her conservatory. In the evening
she complained again of the eczema, which con-
tinued with slight periods of relief for a fortnight,
when she determined to go to Bournemouth. On
starting for this place she placed in her dress the
blossoms of this plant. Before she arrived at her
destination her eczema had increased considerably,
and for the first week there she suffered from a
worse attack in her face than she had experienced
before. She remained at Bournemouth for a little
more than three weeks, and then returned home,
feeling quite well. She had not been home long
when the eczema began again and continued until
she was fortunate enough to read the letter in your
paper on Primula obconica. In consequence she
had all these plants immediately removed from her
conservatory. The next day the eczema was better,
and within a week had ceased altogether, and has
not since returned. In addition to the above I
would mention that further confirmatory facts of
the poisonous nature of this plant appeared in a
letter from an Edinburgh doctor, inserted in the
British Medical Journal for Saturday, Aug. 16,
1890.— E. J. H., Bristol.

My attention having been recently drawn

to Mr. J. Wood's interesting remarks (p. 325) con-
cerning this useful Primrose, and especially in
reference to the peculiar action of its alleged
poisonous property, viz., that the merest touch of
the leaf itself is sufficient to set up an irritation in
the skin, Mr. Wood also opines that other plants
are poisonous in a similar way, on the supposition
that Poppies and other plants that have stiff hairs
are also endowed with a like property. Now, I am
not anxious to question your correspondent's
opinions, but I do not fail to observe some amount
of discrepancy in them in comparison with the
evidence afforded by others, as already contained
in your columns, as well as in contemporaries and
by the personal information I myself have also
gleaned respecting the peculiar action of the Prim
rose in question, to the effect that the poisonous
fluid contained in the soft glandular hairs of the
leaves and flower- stalks of this plant, without the
direct contact of the leaf with the skin, has the
power to produce an intolerable itching when
applied to any part of the body. Moreover, its
effects are not always immediate, as proved by the
fact that several hours have elapsed after contact
with the plant before it became apparent ; whereas,
for instance, the Stinging Nettle, by virtue of the
penetrability of its stiffer hairs, makes its presence
known at once, and its effects are invariably con-
fined to the part directly attacked. I believe that
the subject has received the earnest attention of the
medical profession in America as well as in this
country, and from which valuable results may
accrue. If not encroaching too much on your
space, the following extract from a recent issue of
the Lancet may prove interesting as bearing on the
matter : " The American Poison Elder (Rhus
venenata)and the Poison Oak (Rhus toxicodendron)
are well known to excite in some persons a violent

dermatitis." Adding, " It is well that these facts
should be made known, as it may be the key to
otherwise puzzling cases, as in the instance of a
lady who constantly wore the flower and suffered
martyrdom for months before she was aware what
a vegetable viper she had cherished. — W. G., Sar-
borne, near Birmingham.

THE AURICULA.
We are now at the most difficult season of the
year for preserving from decay the choice named
varieties of the show Auriculas, at least those that
are necessarily kept, as ours are, in cold frames.
The reason of this is owing to the continual damp
cold weather. The leaves are seldom dry, and sharp
frosts at night cause the large outer leaves to
decay, and unless a watchful eye is kept over them
the dead and decaying leaves may cause the stem
of the plant to die off. It is necessary to look
over them about once in ten days to remove the
decayed leaves principally, and also to see that no
plants are left standing under a drip from the roof-
glass. Not much further attention is required from
the cultivator, for green-fly does not increase, nor
does the woolly aphis thrive. It is also too late to
put in offsets, even if they have roots attached to
them, as they will not make any attempt at growth
until the fourth week in the new year, unless they
are placed in a greenhouse from which frost is ex-
cluded, which we do not attempt to do with Auri-
culas until the third or fourth week in January, so
that any offsets upon the plants had better remain
attached to the parent stock until that time or a
week or two later. Rooted offsets are also kept in
handlights or in low frames, where they must be
looked over frequently. Slugs should be destroyed,
or one of these troublesome pests might make a
meal of a choice small plant in a night. Seedlings
of the current season are even more precious in the
eyes of the cultivator. The young plants have
made but little more than their seed leaves yet, and
a single slug could clear them off by the score, so
that due precaution is absolutely necessary to keep
them safe. The alpine varieties are not so liable to
injury from decaying leaves, but for the sake of
cleanliness it is better to look over them when the
others are done. Plants out of doors have to be
cleaned once or twice when the leaves are falling,
as they are sometimes almost smothered with them
in sheltered nooks in the rock garden. Some per-
sons may say, " Why not leave the decaying leaves
where they are ; theyare a protection to the plants?
So they might be if a steady frost was to set in and
last through the winter ; but we have to reckon for
comparatively mild weather and heavy rains, which
cause the leaves to rot and become a source of
danger. "Varieties with large fleshy leaves suffer
the most. My experience has taught me that it is
best to keep the plants clean and free from all de-
caying leaves, their own or tree leaves drifted
around them. J. Douglas.

SHORT NOTES.— FLOWER.

Tritoma sarmentosa is a valuable kind, being
nearly always in flower. A fine spike of it has been iu
bloom for the past week, and will, weather permitting,
continue bright for another week or two. It is a dense
growing kind with pendulous leaves of a decided glau cous
hue. The spikes of flower are very long and tapering,
of a bright red colour. Its almost perpetual blooming
character is one of its greatest merits, and for this
reason it should become popular and be extensively
grown.

Tritoma grandis is the latest of the Torch
Lilies, as not till November does it throw up its bril-
liant Bpikes of flowers, and then during the dull, dark
days they are particularly welcome and bright. Owing
to its lateness it is liable to suffer from frosts, such as
we often experience in the present month ; but so good
a plant is worthy of a sheltered spot, and in favoured
gardens it would be a striking feature if grown in
quantity. It has laige, broad pale green leaves and
tall 3-feet massive spikes of bloom, the flowers being
long, disposed in thick donse heads, and of a brilliant
red and yellow colour. — A. H.

Lilium maritimum.— In The Garden, Oct.
25 (p. 390), the difficulty of cultivating this Lily with

success in this country, because of its being a native
of a part of California whose climate and soil
can only with the greatest difficulty be had in England,
is noted. I do not think this is the case. It would
not be such a scarce plant if more sound bulbs had
reached this country alive. Mr. Ware, who succeeded
for the first time about three years ago in importing
sound bulbs, had several in flower last year, and this
year one had twelve flowers on a stem 3J ft. in height.
It grows here as freely as Lilium parvum in a slightly
sheltered position in peaty soil. In some works it is
described as having a bulb similar to that of L. colum-
bianuni. This is, however, an error. The bulb of L.
maritimum differs very little from that of L. parvum,
from which it might only be a variety. It is certainly
a very fine Lily. — G. Reothe.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 779.

GARDEN IRISES.

(WITH PLATE OF I. OCHROLEUCA AND I.
HONSPTJR.*)

The group of Irises represented by I. spuria
would seem to include many more so-called
species than was ever dreamt of by the old-time
botanists. In the case of Iris ochroleuca,
figured in the accompanying plate, the experi-
ence of Dr. Foster, who is doing for the Iris
what others have done for Crocuses, Lilies,
Preonies, &c. , may be given. Some years ago
a sowing was made of seeds from I. ochroleuca,
which, so far as was known, were not the result
of cross-fertilisation. Three years afterwards
these seedlings flowered, and, curiously enough,
there was not a true I. ochroleuca amongst
them. To use Dr. Foster's own words, ' ' They
were all such plants as might best be described
by saying that they were tall, large-flowered,
pale blue, or slaty- coloured forms of I. spuria."
We have still another instance, though not so
authentic as the above, in which seedlings of I.
aurea, the tall Himalayan species, proved only
superior forms of our common Water Flag,
differing very little indeed to the casual ob-
server. It is well known now that a great
many of our supposed species in other groups,
besides that of I. spuria, are hybrids, and in
some few cases their parentage has been proved.
The Iris we have long known as pumila gracilis
is a cross between virescens and nudicaulis.
The so-called German Irises of gardens do not
belong to I. germanica proper at all, but are
hybrids, while some are sports from I. pallida,
I. sambucina, and I. variegata. The hand-
somely marked and sweetly fragrant I. plicata,
many varieties of which are in the trade with
garden names, and which are great acquisitions
to our spring-flowering plants, are without doubt
hybrids, and in the case of Mme. Chereau, one of
the most beautiful of them, the parentage is clearly
traceable to I. pallida and I. sambucina. Queen
of the May again is I. pallida, with just a touch
of I. sambucina. I. neglecta, I. amoena, and a
host of others can be traced to hybrid origin,
which need not be enumerated here. Suffice it to
say that here is a field for the hybridist, and in
which much good work might be done, not only
in tracing out the origin of known forms, but in
raising new varieties. Even with our at present
numerous sorts of what has been described as, the
poor man's Orchid, there is yet room for new
and better forms. All the above facts can be
readily proved by anyone really interested in
Irises, and who will take the trouble to think
and work for himself. There are few classes of
plants in which his labour will be better repaid
or the results be of a more interesting nature

* Drawn for The Garden in Messrs. Ban and Son's
seed grounds by H. G. Moon, July 3, 1S90. Litho-
graphed and printed by Guillaume Severeyns.

IRIS OCHROLEUCA AND I. MONSPUR

Nov. 15, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

463

than in this genus. Very many more of our
garden Irises, for instance, could be made fra-
grant, which in time would become intensified
and varied. In the reticulata group, for in-
stance, many of the seedlings from I. reticulata
have a stronger Violet fragrance than the older
form, and in I. troyana, a new species from the
Troad, nearly allied to our own Gladwin (I.
foetidissima) the fragrance is identical with that
of Robinia pseudacacia. Here then is a field
open for willing hands.

I. ocheoleuca. — This, by the way, should be
known as I. orientalis of Miller. The latter name
was first published in Miller's " Gardeners' Diction-
ary," 6th edition, No. 9, 1768, and I. ochroleuca in
Linn. Mant., 175, 1771, three years after Miller, so
that to be correct I. orientalis will be the proper
name for this Iris. Although one of the oldest in-
habitants of our gardens, its true origin and
habitat were unknown until very recently. Miller
says that the seeds were brought from Carniola,
which must be a mistake, by Dr. Pocock, who found
the plants growing there naturally, and sent seeds
to the Chelsea Botanic Garden. Boissier, how-
ever, gives Smyrna, Syria, &c, and more recently
still it has been found growing wild in the marshy
land near Ephesus. Like others of the spuria
group, I. ochroleuca is of a hardy accommodating
nature, and although usually supposed to need
swampy ground, few Irises will thrive better or
give more satisfactory results in the ordinary
mixed border ; indeed, as a border plant it has few
equals, the large showy flowers produced in great
abundance, the luxuriant foliage and massiveness
of the groups being extremely effective. I. ochro-
leuca gigantea, figured in the Revue Eorticole,
1875, has larger and finer flowers than the ordinary
form, but differs in no other way. The new Trojan
I. Kerneriana differs only in its smaller flowers and
much narrower leaves, and may possibly be the
wild original of the species.

I. Monnibei and I. AUEBA are closely allied spe-
cies. The former is, in my opinion, the handsomer,
and should be more generally grown than it ap-
pears to be at present. Its fine, full, golden-yellow
flowers, produced freely, are very beautiful. It
blooms later than most of the other species, in most
seasons even after the varieties of Ksempfer's Iris.
It is a native of Crete, and a very accommodating
plant. I. orientalis and I. Monnieri are so nearly
allied to I. spuria, that Dr. Foster seems much in-
clined to believe that both are mere varieties, per-
haps sports, from that species. I. aurea, a native
of the Himalayas, was said to have been first raised
at Fulham in 1840 from seeds sent by Dr. Eoyle. It
seems to do best in a moist spot, and, when doing
well, flowers freely ; the colour of the flowers is
nearly the same as in I. Monnieri. The difference
chiefly is in the plaited or crumpled margins of the
falls. I. aurea, perhaps, however, more nearly re-
sembles I. halophila or spuria major (Botanical
Magazine, 1131).

I. Monspttb, also figured in the accompanying
coloured plate, is nothing more nor less than a glori-
fied I. spuria, and more nearly resembles the va-
riety notha than any other Iris I know of. It is a
seedling, raised by Dr. Foster, between I. Monnieri
and I. spuria ; a very beautiful plant, and well
worthy of a place even in select collections. The
variety notha differs from the typical I. spuria
in being altogether a larger plant, considerably
more rigid both in stem and leaves, and with a
much longer spathe valve. This plant is said to be
found in the salt marshes of Siberia, from whence
it was introduced by Pallas about 1780. When
grown well, which is by no means difficult in ordi-
nary garden soil, it is a decided acquisition, and a
most effective plant when in fall flower, only sur-
passed by the subject of our plate. Some of the
varieties, such as stenogyna, sub-barbata, &c, have
been bandied about between I. spuria and the
nearly allied I. Guldenstaedtiana. Indeed, as there
really are no substantial characters by which to
discriminate between them, the simpler and more
convenient way will be to call them all varieties of
I. spuria.

Taking the group as a whole, they are well
worth caring for, their free and graceful habits,
long, arching, handsome green leaves, and
variously coloured and marked flowers giving
them a strong claim on the cultivator with a love
for variety as well as beauty. D. K.

The following notes concerning the variety
Monspur have been kindly sent us by Professor
Michael Foster : —

In 1882 I crossed I. Monnieri with the pollen of
a small, but dark-flowered I. spuria of unknown
origin, and obtained some dozen or so seedlings, of
which the one figured is perhaps the most hand-
some. The several seedlings differed in the size
and depth of colour of the flower, all being of
different shades of purple, more or less conspi-
cuously veined with darker lines. They all bore a
greater or less resemblance to the variety of I. spuria,
known as I. spuria maj or or I. notha, but most of
them had larger flowers than that plant, and showed
their affinity to Monnieri in their more persistent
spathe valves, broader styles, and blunter crests of
the styles. Though seedlings of Monnieri, their
foliage was narrow, like that of I. spuria. In fact,
the offspring were what might have been expected
from the two parents. I have several times ob-
served that when a plant with yellow flowers is
crossed with one with purple flowers, all the off-
spring may be purple, the yellow being quite
eclipsed.

I may here remark that the origin of I. Monnieri
has, so far as I know, not yet been cleared up. It
was found in the garden of M. Monnier ; hence the
name (see Redoute). I suspect it is a " sport " of
I. spuria, and not a true species. It rarely, if ever,
comes true from seed.

The name I have given the seedling follows a
plan which I myself find useful. The first half is
taken from the mother's name, the latter half from
that of the father ; hence the name tells the parent-
age ; and the ending in a consonant shows it is a
hybrid.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

SUPERNUMERARY FRUIT TREES.
As far as gardeners are concerned, this term is
seldom used other than in connection with
Grape Vines. In order to quickly turn a house
to a profitable use and also to favour the Vines
intended to be permanent, a number of canes
are grown between or near the former, and
these are termed supernumeraries. They are
cropped heavily for one or two years — those at
the back of the house still longer — and are then
rooted out, for the simple reason that they are
not worth retaining any longer, or else because
the permanent Vines require the border and
roof space. This system of planting answers
well in the case of the Grape Vine, and why
should it not be equally to be commended for
nearly or quite all other fruits, whether under
glass or in the open 1 For instance, garden
walls are of the greatest value in the cultiva-
tion of the choicer hardy fruits ; in fact, they may
be considered indispensable to all who cannot
afford to erect glass structures for fruit culture,
and it behoves everyone, therefore, to utilise
these to their full extent. But this is rarely
done. Very few garden walls are perfectly
clothed with fruit trees, the fault sometimes
resting with the gardener and quite as often
with the owner of the walls. The former may
be to blame for not procuring and planting
more trees, and the latter for refusing permis-
sion for the requisite number of trees to be
ordered. As it happens, the class of trees that
should be planted as supernumeraries are not
at all expensive, the outlay, considering the
good results that follow, being comparatively
trifling.

Pears, perhaps, are the most liable to fail in

covering the space allotted to the horizontally
and fan-shaped trees in particular, and it was of
these I was principally thinking when the title
of my subject occurred to me. When trees on
the Pear stock are planted the orthodox dis-
tances, or, say, about 20 feet apart, in a new
garden and in well-made borders —fresh turfy
loam being freely used— many of them may,
and often do, in the course of a few years cover
all the wall space. Even in this case a few
supernumeraries would be of good service.
Vigorous young trees seldom produce much
fruit till a check has been given them, and if
this is brought about by severe root-pruning the
chances are that little further progress towards
covering the wall will be made. Then, again,
some varieties are far less vigorous than others,
and not unfrequently trees on the Quince stock
are unwittingly planted. If in anticipation of
any such contingency other trees on the Quince
stock are planted mid- way between the perma-
nent trees, these will quickly arrive at a bearing
state and soon well repay for the trouble taken
with them. If the strong trees eventually meet
each other, those planted between them can
either be transplanted elsewhere, or even de-
stroyed, as they will have already done good
service. In many cases probably these small
intermediate trees would have given such great
satisfaction, that these also would be regarded
as permanencies, the stronger growers, if need
be, being prevented from encroaching on their
space.

When trees are planted in old borders with
perhaps a very little fresh compost to give them
a start, these rarely, if ever, attain anything
like what might be termed their full size, and
plenty such are to be seen in various gardens
with spaces between that might well be occupied
by small trees on the dwarfing stock. If Pears
are already plentiful enough, then plant choice
Apples on the broad-leaved Paradise stock, and
from these may be gathered in the course of the
second or third season after planting such per-
fect fruit, as to quite eclipse anything grown in
the open. Naturally spreading trees, or those
either trained horizontally or in the shape of a
fan, are out of place in the position named for
supernumeraries, the best form of tree being
either a two, four, or six-branched cordon.
Single cordons and central branches are apt to
grow somewhat too strongly, and that is why
those with branches in pairs are recommended.
Such trees are already prepared in some nur-
series, and if they cannot be procured, an easy
way out of the difficulty is to purchase quite
young horizontally trained trees. These should
be on a low stem, and may have either two or
four branches and a leader. If a two-branched
cordon is required, cut out the leader and pre-
vent others from forming, while if a four-
branched tree is required, this can be had by
cutting out the leader of a four-branched tree, or
by cutting back the leader of a younger tree and
laying in two well placed side-shoots next sum-
mer. The branches should be first trained hori-
zontally to the required distance, and then given
an easy curve so as to bring them into a perpen-
dicular position, all being 1 foot or rather less
apart. All lateral growth being duly checked,
and the main branches allowed to grow un-
pruned till the top of the wall is reached, the
trees will soon be evenly clothed with fruiting
spurs, and fine fruit had most probably during
the second summer following planting.

The foregoing ideas are not altogether novel,
older generations of gardeners being in the
habit of planting supernumeraries, though
probably they had a shorter name for them.
Instead of Pear trees on the Quince stock, they
frequently planted Red Currants and occasion-

464

THE GAEDEN.

[Nov. 15, 1890.

ally Gooseberries midway between the Pear and
other fruit trees, these being trained very much
as I have suggested that Pears should be treated.
They soon arrived at a very productive state,
and the crops were duly matted up for late
keeping. I, however, find that this class of
fruit, no matter what site the trees occupy, are
the first to ripen, and do not keep so well as
the crops on bushes well netted or matted over.
Plums answer very well cordon-trained, and so
also do Cherries, with the exception of the
Morello. For warm sunny districts, notably
the south coast of England, the common Grape
Vine might also be given a trial as a super-
numerary. During favourable seasons it would
give good crops of well ripened bunches, and
even in unfavourable seasons a quantity of
green fruit might be available for making into
wine. The common Sweetwater is the best to
plant, and if two strong canes are gradually
taken up the wall, these may also be allowed to
extend along the top of the coping.

When a moderately high wall is first planted
with either Apricots, Peaches, Nectarines, or
Morello Cherries, dwarf-trained trees are
usually disposed about 14 feet apart, these
being intended to remain as permanencies, and
midway between these are planted other trees
of the same species on tall stems. The latter
are termed "riders," which is only another
name for supernumeraries. All doing well, the
walls are quickly furnished with profitable trees,
but eventually it becomes necessary to remove
the riders in order to make room for the trees
on low stems. Sometimes the tall trees suc-
ceed better than the dwarfs, but, as a rule,
it is the former that have either to be trans-
planted or sacrificed, the whole of the wall
space being best covered by those on a dwarf
stem. Supernumeraries are also largely planted
among orchard trees intended to be permanent.
Thus Strawberries have to make way for bush
fruits, the latter have to be removed or des-
troyed when overhanging trees render them un-
fruitful, and the least profitable of the trees in
the rows of standards are cut away, according
as those most worthy of retention require the
space. From the foregoing it will be gathered
that it is the reverse of economical to be
niggardly with fruit trees when either gardens
or orchards are first planted.

W. Iggulden.

THE LIFTING AND REPLANTING OF WALL

TREES.
The weather having been dry and the rainfall so
much under the average, the annual operation of
lifting and bringing the roots nearer the surface
has been somewhat retarded. However, if the soil is
not in a sufficiently moist state by the middle of
November, artificial watering in advance must be
done. There are but few subsoils that are able to
keep up the fruitfulness of the trees (especially
those grafted on to free stocks) if left to them-
selves, and it is astonishing, as every year's experi-
ence testifies, with what boldness one may take
liberties with the roots of wall trees and the subse-
quent advantages gained, provided the operation
of carefully lifting and saving every possible root
that has struck down into the subsoil, and the
relaying in a horizontal position near the surface,
with a little fresh sweet compost placed under and
over the roots, be done just as the leaves begin to
fall. In many cases root-pruning is a misnomer, as
the less pruning or cutting away of roots the better,
and no trees submit to the treatment better than
Peaches and Nectarines.

Roots, if left to follow their own inclination,
trike deep into ungenial, cold, wet subsoil, with
the inevitable result that the trees make gross
shoots which do not ripen and produce flowers that
are imperfect and do not set. Severe frost injures
the wood, causing canker'; blistered foliage appears

in spring, only to be attacked by insects, and a
final unsatisfactory state of things, for which the
climate is generally blamed, results. What are the
advantages of this root-lifting ? It may be urged
that if well done this year and the main roots
relaid into fresh soil, pointing in the right direction
near the surface, the trees cannot need the same
thing next year. I simply say they will be further
benefited if the operation be repeated, and the trees
will show gratitude for the bit of fresh soil and
trouble. Other results from this lifting will be
better growth, which can be better ripened ; per-
fect flowers, more certain to set ; absence of blis-
tered foliage, and freedom from insects. Besides,
the trees will possess a mass of fibrous roots capable
of holding together a good ball of soil, which can
be safely transferred to a forcing house, or other
desirable site, whenever required. All our trees are
manipulated in the above way, right from the
maiden stage, and I feel justified in commending it
to others. Of course, such treatment requires more
attention in summer in the shape of mulching and
watering.

All other trees, except orchard standards, are
equally benefited, as undoubtedly it is these surface-
feeding roots to which we must look for producing
high quality fruit in regular succession. This, how-
ever, requires to be done methodically, not allowing
the stout main roots to strike deep down, tap-root
fashion, and then bringing the saw to saw them off,
or else chopping them off violently with the spade,
which gives them such a sudden check that the
tree is thrown into utter debility, from which it
seldom recovers. Specimens so operated upon by
the jobbing gardener are common enough.

Amateurs can be heard of who have sold off their
pyramid Pear trees, good trees of best kinds on free
stock having gross growth, but no fruit, and hard
pruned. These only required a rational part lifting
and bringing the deep roots to the surface to have
converted them into fruitful specimens, a far pre-
ferable plan to clearing them out and replacing by
others, as is often done. W. Chump.

Madresfield.

THE VICTORIA NECTARINE.
This is undoubtedly the latest Nectarine we have,
and I notice Mr. George Bunyard in his interesting
catalogue mentions it as hardy, excellent, very large,
and not liable to crack, but he adds " it requires a
warm wall." It has the fine flavour we associate
with the Stanwick Elruge, which is another recom-
mendation in its favour. The fact that it has a
somewhat greenish colour is regarded by some as
a disadvantage, but its fine flavour redeems its
character, and in a favourable season it will take
on a very fine colour next the sun.

The origin of this fruit forms an interesting epi-
sode in relation to raising new varieties. It would
appear that in 1847 the late Mr. Thomas Rivers, of
Sawbridgeworth, observing that several varieties
raised from the Stanwick Nectarine deviated but
slightly from the parent sort, adhering to it with
singular tenacity in their habits, and, above all, not
ripening to any extent earlier, determined when
the blossoming time again came round to try cross-
breeding. Accordingly, in the spring of 1858 he
fertilised some flowers of the Violette Hdtive Nec-
tarine with the pollen of the Stanwick. The fruit
which these fertilised flowers gave were carefully
guarded, and their stones, six in number, sown.
In 1859 the young trees made their appearance,
were potted, and carefully cultivated. In 1SU0
two of them developed to a certain extent the cha-
racter of the Stanwick in their sickle-shaped leaves.
Unfortunately, from the pots standing in an or-
chard house not being properly protected, four of
the young trees had their roots killed by the frost
of that severe winter. Of the two left, one in its
leaves had the Stanwick character ; the other did
not differ in that respect from its female parent,
the Violette Hative, which it still retains, and it
has borne fruit exactly like it. In 18111 the former
bore its first crop of fruit, three of which were sub-
mitted to the fruit committee of the Royal Horti-
cultural Society in September of that year. It was
so much approved by that body that it was awarded

a first-class certificate of merit. The official report
of the meeting set forth that the fruit was " raised
from the Violette Hative impregnated with the
Stanwick. The fruit has all the appearance and
richness of flavour of its male parent, but with the
deep stain of red in the flesh where it surrounds
the stone, like the female. It is a month earlier
than the Stanwick, and a fortnight later than the
Violette Hative. Perhaps the most remarkable fea-
ture in the whole is, that the fruit being alto-
gether that of the Stanwick, the kernel is bitter,
showing how very divided the cross has been.

The season of the Victoria may be said to be from
the 10th to the 20th of September, but the time
of ripening varies in accordance with the character
of the soil, position, and season. But, provided
these conditions are favourable, it may be depended
upon to ripen in the open. The time of the old
Stanwick is from the middle to the end of Septem-
ber, and it generally fails to ripen thoroughly
against walls in the open, except where the condi-
tions are quite favourable. Its tendency to crack
is much against it. It is a variety which should be
grown under glass. R. D.

MOSS-COVERED ORCHARDS.
The grand shows of Apples and Pears which have
been held of late, and the high prices given for good
fruit during the present autumn, cannot but make
many growers, of Apples in particular, bestir them-
selves and give more attention to their now ne-
glected orchards. The appearance of Lichen is
well known to denote a humid atmosphere. I feel
quite satisfied that the humid atmosphere is not so
detrimental to the growth of the Apple, either tree
or fruit, as is the parasite which it fosters. I have
heard it said that this parasite does little or no
harm, but my own experience is that it is most de-
structive, and in a very damp situation, perhaps not
the best place for an orchard of Apples, but, never-
theless, where they will succeed with due attention,
I have known this Moss to get such a hold on the
trees that they were almost destroyed. As soon,
however, as the evil was removed, the trees grew
with renewed vigour. No manure was given in this
case. About seven years ago I made my first at-
tempt at destroying this pest on an orchard of
young treees that had then been planted about
twelve years, and which at that time should have
been very profitable. But this Lichen had such a
hold upon the trees that they were going back fast,
so during the winter I determined to destroy the
Moss in the following manner : —

Procure some good lime some time before it is re-
quired for use, and allow it to become air-slaked,
so that it may be passed through a very fine sieve,
taking care that no lumps are allowed to fall
amongst the fine, or they will give considerable
trouble when it is being applied. As soon as the
leaves are all off the trees, get the garden engine
in readiness, and to each tub of water, say about
25 gallons, add one peck of the fine lime that has
been carefully sifted ; well stir this until it is tho-
roughly mixed, when it can be applied to the
Lichen-laden trees. Direct the jet so that every
side of the branches is wetted with the liquid, and
to do this large trees will require considerable force
to reach their top branches. Where any great
quantity has to be done, trees standing singly
should be wetted from every side, but those stand-
ing in rows it will generally suffice to go up one
side and down the other. If other hands can be
kept close by to keep the engine replenished with
water and lime and keep it stirred, a lot of trees
can be gone over in one day. It is very necessary
that a fine dry day be chosen for this operation,
and to carry it out properly the wind should not be
very rough, or it will prevent the wash going in the
direction it is wanted in many cases, and it will also
be very unpleasant for those who have to carry out
the work. Where there is no great number of trees
to be gone over, an ordinary garden syringe may
be employed for the purpose, mixing the material
up in a pail. If rain should come on before the
wash has time to dry it will be of little value, but
when once dry, it almost defies rain until it has
done its good work, after which limewash and

Nov. 15, 1890.]

THE G/VBDEN.

465

Lichen will fall off, leaving the bark of the trees
beautifully clean and bright. Some prefer a damp
day for this work, when a ladder is put up to the
trees, and the operator mounts the same with a
bag of slaked lime and throws it into the mossy
branches with his hand. No doubt this method
may be good when well carried out, but I give pre-
ference to the garden engine, for the simple reason
that when the mixture dries on the trees after
being well wetted and mixed in the application, it
adheres so much better than when applied dry,
in which case the greater portion would be washed
off by the first storm of rain.

It is wrong to suppose that when once these
orchards are cleared of Lichen, they will never
require any further application. It is now seven
years since the one referred to was done, and it
requires to be gone over again. I shall not grudge
this labour and expense, for during the present sea-
son many of the tree3 have produced a full crop of
highly coloured and clean fruit in every way supe-
rior to those grown in the garden proper. The
position I am now referring to is to all appearance
one of the worst that could be selected, sloping, as
it does, to the north, is not well drained, and the
soil is composed of clay of the most retentive
nature, yet the Apples gathered from these trees
are by far the best we have for soundness, long
keeping, and high colour. Some fruits of Court
Pendu Plat, King of the Pippins, and Blenheim Pip-
pin are not a bit like those in a more favourable or
what appears a more favourable position. It is
only fair to say that from trees in such a position
we do not get a good crop of fruit even every
second year, but we have some success and even
more than we sometimes expect. I attribute the
high colouring in this case to the strong clay, in
which the colour of some kinds seems to be better
brought out. C. W. C.

NOVEL METHOD OF RAISING FRUIT TREES.

A cobbespondexce has recently taken place in
the pages of a daily contemporary that ought to
prove very instructive to all interested in hardy
fruit culture, and should be particularly welcome
to many of the readers of The Gaeden who have
closely read and thought over all that has appeared
in its pages for and against the prevalent practice
of grafting nearly everything that can be thus
rapidly increased. The letters above alluded to
appeared under the heading " Old-fashioned Fruits,"
and were not wholly confined, as my remarks will
be at present, to the methods of propagating other
than by grafting. It will be remembered by ob-
servant readers of this paper that the practice of
grafting various kinds of fruit trees on a variety of
easily raised stocks was strongly condemned, and
with good reason, by experienced men who were in
a position to point out all the evils attending it and
to suggest a remedy for the same. It was shown
repeatedly that own-root trees are by far the best
in most cases, and further that these were by no
means so difficult to raise as the exponents of the
practice of grafting everything would have us be-
lieve. It was my privilege last summer to inspect
large beds containing hundreds of cutting-raised
trees of Ribston Pippin, Cox's Orange Pippin, and
other choice Apples, which, young as they were,
were bearing fruit in a few cases, while all pro-
mised to soon develop into serviceable trees. In
quite another part of the country a farmer's garden
was weU filled with large productive trees of such
Plums as Green Gage, Nectarine Plum, and Wash-
ington, aU of which were either raised from seed
or the suckers thrown up from own-root trees, and
nothing could have done better than these. Go
where we may, one or more own-root trees of
Apples, Pears, Plums, Apricots, and Peaches may
be met with, and no fault can be found with either
their health or productiveness. These own-root
trees, whether raised from slips, branches, or seed,
never deteriorate as far as the quality and produc-
tiveness of the variety are concerned, and what is
also of great importance, any suckers that may be
obtained from the roots or which may be left to
form part of the tree are certain to be quite true to

name ; whereas those springing up from grafted
trees are both worthless and a great nuisance.

In my opinion the contribution by the Rev.
G. H. Mason, Rector of Elmley, Sittingbourne, to
the discussion on own-root v. grafted trees is of
the greatest importance, and really well worthy of
reproduction in extenso, and I propose to largely
quote from his letters on the subject. His colonial
experience has been turned to good account in
this country, and by two very simple processes
this intelligent cultivator is now able to propagate
most kinds of fruit in England, but more especially
Apples, Pears, and Plums, without grafting, quite
as readily as he raised Oranges in Natal. The
first proceeding must be to raise a number of own-
root trees, and this advantage being gained, " other
young trees to an unlimited extent can be readily
raised, simply by forking round the roots care-
fully, so as to leave bits of roots projecting through
the soil. Each bit of root will send out leaves and
shoots, which in a year or two will grow into trees
of the description originally planted, and they will
begin bearing much sooner than grafted trees." If
I am rightly informed, the Muscle Plum stock so
largely used for various stone fruits by nursery-
men is largely obtained from the spawn or suckers
from the roots, these coming up in masses of
shoots. This habit of forming thickets of growth
continues, much to the annoyance of the culti-
vator long after the grafted trees have arrived at
a bearing state ; in fact the nuisance becomes in-
tensified according as the trees age. Apparently,
however, it has been left to the Rev. G. H. Mason
to turn this known possibility of raising trees of
good varieties by means of root cuttings to good
account, and he deserves the thanks of the fruit-
growing community for making known the dis-
covery.

I had got thus far with my quotation and com-
ments when a second letter appeared from the
reverend gentleman in response to numerous ap-
plications, giving fuller details of his practice of
raising trees from both cuttings and roots. It
appears that in Natal " all sorts of fruit trees are
propagated from cuttings plunged in a mud hole
for a few weeks (to callus, I presume) and they
are then planted out in a garden to strike root,
which they do in that sunny land as freely as the
Willow or Vine does in England." Mr. Mason
having struck hundreds of young trees by this
process in Natal, it occurred to him that by
" making an inclined bed with a southern
aspect, so as to catch the sun's rays more directly
than our northern latitude enables us to do
naturally in spring, we should be able to strike in
this way in England as readily as in Natal."

What answered for a mud-hole in Natal was a
small duck pond, and the same has been utilised in
the English experiments. Duck ponds not being
generally available, it is suggested that a large
flower-pot, plugged and filled two-thirds full of
mud made of rich garden mould the consistency of
mortar, and kept filled with water, be substituted
Cuttings should be made at the fall of the leaf of
the best and ripest shoots of the same year's growth,
the bottom ends being plunged 3 inches or I inches
deep in the mud as soon as possible after cutting
them, to prevent the thin bark from drying. This
last is undoubtedly a very important detail, and so
is the proviso that the root-buds or callused base
be taken especial care of when the cuttings are put
out on the warm raised border, this being done
early in the spring, the precaution also being taken
of keeping them moist till well rooted. It is not
promised that every cutting will grow, but a good
percentage will. Moreover, if only one of any choice
sort is thus raised, " innumerable young ones can
be procured from it by the system of propagating
from roots, none of which will require grafting."
Mr. Mason further adds that from two " natural "
Green Ga°-e Plum trees he obtained a dozen or two
young trees every year, several acres being gradu-
ally planted with them at Great Warley, in Essex.
Nothing could well be more simple than this, and
if it does not set a great many fruit growers ex-
perimenting on the lines laid down, I shall be much
surprised. It is really a modification of the plan

adopted by skilful propagators of hard-wooded
plants, trees, and deciduous shrubs, who in many
cases first secure a callused base or the formation
of a cluster of root-buds, and these being subjected
to more heat soon develop into roots. Bottles and
saucers, and even tanks of water, are also largely
used for the purpose of rooting large cuttings
quickly and surely, and the mud-hole may next
play an important part in the propagation of fruit
trees, while those who are the fortunate owners of
own-root trees may soon test the practice (dis-
covered by Mr. Mason) of bringing roots to the sur-
face to develop into plants. W. Iggulden.

STRAWBERRY CULTURE IN POTS.
The lists of Strawberries given in The Gaeden
recently are invaluable to cultivators searching for
information of the kind given, and it will be easy
to sum up at the end of the list the number of
times each variety has been mentioned, thus afford-
ing conclusive evidence of the popularity or other-
wise of the kinds at present in cultivation. It is
interesting to observe the popularity of that useful
old sort Keen's Seedling, which was raised by Mr.
Michael Keen, of Isleworth, so long ago as 1806,
from seeds of the large white Chili Strawberry. It
is stated that most of the seedlings were white, and
by no means well flavoured, and the variety in
question was the only one saved. The Grove End
Scarlet was popular many years ago, but I have
not seen it during recent years ; it is also a London
raised fruit, having been produced from seeds in
the garden of a certain Mr. William Atkinson,
Grove End, Paddington. None of the other thirty
varieties enumerated in Mcintosh's "Practical
Gardener" (1828) are now in cultivation that I am
aware of, and we may well dismiss them from our
memory, although our gardens seem to have con-
tained a greater distinctiveness in the varieties.

Mcintosh divides the varieties he enumerates
into scarlet Strawberries, of which there were seven ;
black Strawberries, of which there were two ; of
Pine Strawberries there were five ; one green
Strawberry, four Chili varieties, six alpine and
wood Strawberries, and four varieties of the Haut-
bois group. Mcintosh says, " All the varieties of
Hautbois are esteemed for their fine musky flavour
and such varieties as become dark, almost approach-
ing to black, when ripe are the highest in favour."
They are not much grown in gardens now, but
their distinct and piquant flavour is a strong point
on their side.

I thought on looking over our young Strawberry
plants in pots, and also those in the open ground,
that they showed much promise of producing
a plentiful display of blossoms at all events. The
pot plants have well developed crowns, and the re-
markably favourable weather during the present
month has been of much service in ripening them.
After trying nearly all the varieties enumerated in
The Gaedex reports, I have come back again to
Black Prince and Keen's Seedling for early f orcing,
the latest being Green's President. In instances
where the plants are grown in cool houses without
forcing, almost any variety that may be preferred
can be grown in pots. I have had the finest British
Queens I ever saw from pot plants cultivated on
shelves in the orchard house, much superior, indeed,
to any I could obtain in the open garden. A few
of the best for cultivating in this way are Auguste
Nicaise, British Queen, President, and Loxford
Hall Seedling. The culture of Strawberry plants
in pots is not understood as it ought to be by
amateurs who cultivate their own plants and attend
in a general way to many of the details of then-
own garden work. I have seen a number of Straw-
berry plants cultivated to fruit in pots in two such
gardens during the present season. In one the
plants, fairly good ones, were lifted from the open
ground about the end of August ; in the other the
same woTk was done in September, and m neither
case did they have a fair chance to grow into
a fruiting size by the end of the season, not only
because the plants were potted too late in the sea-
son, but the position in the garden where they
were arranged was too much shaded by build-
ings and trees to give them the least chance

466

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 15, 1890.

to form good fruitful crowns. The experienced
gardener is not deceived by the plants being fur-
nished with plenty of green leaves. What he likes
to see is a good hard crown standing up promi-
nently in the centre of the plant, and such can
only be obtained in one way, that is by layering
the runners early. They can usually be obtained
early in July, and no time should be lost as soon as
they are ready. Expert cultivators differ on what
is the best method of treatment to start with. Some
say layer the plants at once in the pots in which
they are to fruit. Others layer their plants in small-
sized pots and repot them later into the sizes in
which they are to fruit. Good results have been
obtained by both methods. The crucial point is to
start in good time and see that the simple details of
culture are carried out. Most practical gardeners
know how to treat Strawberries required for culture
in pots, and may think minute details of culture
unnecessary, but I find that it is in the matter of
detail that the amateur cultivator is puzzled. In a
few words I will detail the method of culture I
have found to be successful. Young plants produce
better runners than old ones, and the strongest are
produced from barren plants. I started the culti-
vation of the Strawberry with a stock of Keen's
Seedling, of which more than half the plants were
barren, and those that did produce fruit were
not quite satisfactory ; but I was careful to layer
only from fruitful plants, and barrenness disap-
peared from the garden. I was told our variety
was not Keen's, but Hooper's Seedling. At any
rate, it was a bad stock, and I found I could not
produce such fruit as my old friend the late Mr.
George Sage, gardener at Ashridge. The potting soil
should consist of three parts decayed fibrous loam
and one of decayed manure. Mix it up six weeks or
two months before using. Three-inch pots should
be used. No crocks are needed. Place a little
fibrous turf in the bottom of each pot, and over
it a pinch of soot to keep out worms. Carry the
pots when they are firmly filled with the compost
to the Strawberry bed. Do not scatter them all
over the bed, but place a double row of them close
together between two rows of plants. In two or three
weeks the runners may be removed, and be placed
for about ten days more in quite an open sunny
position in the garden. All the better if the sun
shines upon them all day long. They should stand
on a hard bottom of ashes or some similar material,
but I find that the best results are obtained when
each plant rests on an ordinary brick with a space
of 1 foot between each. They are repotted
in the same material in which they were layered,
and the compost is rammed in firmly. If plants
for early forcing are desired I use 5-inch pots, but
for those that have not to be very early forced
6-inch ones are best. Our own plants have been
treated in that way ; they now stand fully exposed
in the open garden and are seldom brought in
under glass until November. The varieties are
Black Prince, Keen's Seedling, and President. The
crowns are large and well ripened through expo-
sure to all the light and air we could possibly give
them ; they are nothing to boast off, but such as
may be seen in any good garden where the right
treatment is understood. A few words will dispose
of the treatment from now until the fruit is ripe.
It is best to place the plants in a quite cool airy house,
or a cold pit, or frames. When they are placed in
the forcing house let them be as near as possible to
the roof glass ; the temperature should be low to
begin with, 45° at night, and as the plants show
signs of growth gradually increase it. They require
plentiful supplies of water, but even this may be
overdone ; they do not need very much in the early
stages of their growth, but by the time the flowers
are open and if the weather should be hot and dry
they may need it twice daily. If the flowers open
in dull cold weather, it is necessary to fertilise the
blossoms by touching them with a small camel's-hair
brush. The fruit must also he thinned out after it
is set, and frequent supplies of weak manure water
should be given from the time the plants start into
growth. Dust with dry flowers of sulphur if mildew
appears, and syringe freely up to the time the fruit
begins to colour, to destroy or prevent the appear-
ance of red spider. J. Douglas.

NOTES ON STRAWBERRIES.

The following notes on Strawberries which
we are enabled to publish through the kindness
of our correspondents will doubtless prove in-
teresting to our readers. They have been sent
us from all parts of the United Kingdom. We
print the questions which we desired to have
answered : —

1. — Best kinds for forcing and bearing.

2. — Best hinds for flavour.

3. — What are your best early and late kinds for
open-air culture ?

i — What is your opinion of the new varieties that
have been lately sent out ?

5. — Mode of cultivation, whether as single stools
or in beds.

Our best all round kind is Vicomtesse

Hericart de Thury, or Garibaldi for forcing, out-
door culture, and preserving. As a forcing Straw-
berry for early work I consider it the best I have
grown this year. We forced the above, Pauline,
President, Helene Gloede, which is a fairly good
midseason sort, Sir J. Paxton, and Filbert Pine.
The last named is a medium-sized, highly flavoured
variety. I consider the best kinds for flavour are
Filbert Pine, Dr. Hogg, and Vicomtesse Hericart de
Thury. The best early variety for outdoor culture
is undoubtedly Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury.
With us it was ripe first. We had La Grosse
Sucree, Pauline, and Noble growing side by side
with it. Sir Charles Napier, growing on a border
with a partial shade, is our best late kind. Aro-
matic is a strong-growing good-flavoured variety
not much grown. With us Noble is of good appear-
ance, but of very poor flavour. All our outdoor
Strawberries are planted in beds in rows 2 feet
apart and 2 feet from plant to plant, and
when established they almost cover the ground. —
R. Mahee, Tattenden Park, Newbury.

The best forcing Strawberries are La Grosse

Sucree, Noble, President, J. Veitch, Alice Maud,
Sir Joseph Paxton, Auguste Nicaise. The best for
flavour are British Queen (when it does), Sir Joseph
Paxton, Dr. Hogg, Unser Fritz, President, Lucas,
and the old Keen's Seedling, when true. Of early
and late sorts Noble was our earliest, then La
Grosse Sucree, Alice Maud, President, James
Veitch, Unser Fritz, Helene Gloede, Waterloo,
finishing with Oxonian, which is the latest we

e. The only new varieties we have fruited are
Jubilee and Waterloo. Jubilee is small with us
and a good bearer. Waterloo is of fine appearance
and will be a good market sort, being a good tra-
veller. Our mode of growing them is to plant 3
feet apart between the lines and 2 feet from plant
to plant. About November a heavy dressing of
good short rotten manure is given, and care is
taken that it is broken fine and put close to the
crowns. Nothing more is done until spring, and when
the plants begin to make growth they are tho-
roughly cleaned. Give them a nice dressing of bone-
dust, lay on a good dressing of long litter from the
stables, and if dry at the time of throwing up the
flower- stems, give a heavy watering. We have in-
variably good crops by this treatment. — A. Hendee-
SON, Thoresby, Ollerton, Notts.

— As regards Strawberries, I find it rather
difficult to answer the first three questions, as some
of the sorts are good for their quality, others for
quantity of fruit ; and, again, the different varieties
are influenced very much by the seasons and soils.
I find the following are fairly reliable for forcing :
Vicomtesse Hgricart de Thury, President, Sir J.
Paxton, Keen's Seedling, Noble. Of these Keen's
Seedling and President are the best flavoured. For
open-air cultivation I have tried and found good in
their different ways the following, as well as many
of the above : Black Prince, most useful and early ;
British Queen, fine flavour ; Dr. Hogg, very fine
flavour ; Eleanor, good late, but indifferent quality ;
James Veitch, good early, also Noble ; President,
good all round ; Victoria", Sir Harry, and Latest of
All very promising. My experience of Sharpless
differs from that of many growers. I have had
some very fine fruit of this variety this season, some

weighing 2 ozs. For forcing I place the runners in
small pots filled with good yellow loam and plunged
in the bed. I find 7-inch pots a good size for fruit-
ing in, and I use a mixture of good yellow loam
and a small portion of leaf-mould and cow manure.
I never shift the plants later than October. In
winter I like a span-roof frame and plunge the pots,
having a good circulation of air on all suitable days.
I prefer starting with a temperature of about 45°,
and increase to about 60°. When fruiting I give
plenty of air, and, of course, the water supply is
most important. If I think the plants require it, as
they generally do, I give liquid manure diluted with
water. _ It is a good plan to keep a cask of rain
water, into which cow manure and soot are put and
kept well stirred for a day or two, hut always let
the manure settle to the bottom before using. The
ground should be got in order (for open cultivation)
a month before planting, working in plenty of good
manure to the depth of 2 feet. Plant in beds 36 in.
from row to row and 24 in. between the plants. I
plant out the runners in nursery beds, and
when well rooted take them up with a good ball of
earth. Mulch with half-decayed manure in Novem-
ber and fork it in in the spring, stirring the ground
very slightly. Some cultivators add lime and salt
when preparing the ground.— James Lye, Clyffe
Hall, Market Lavington.

The following are the best varieties for

flavour in these gardens : Vicomtesse Hericart de
Thury and Dr. Hogg ; the first mentioned is also
the earliest from outside. La Grosse Sucree abso-
lutely refuses to grow, and after repeated trials I was
compelled to discard it altogether. President is a
fine cropper and of good flavour, but not so good as
either of the former. Sir Joseph Paxton is the one
we mainly depend on ; it does remarkably well ; it
is of fairly good flavour, heavy cropper, travels
well, and colours well up to the point. For late
supplies we depend on Elton Pine and Frogmore
Late Pine, both of which are good late varieties.
British Queen was planted here a few years since,
but did not grow in a satisfactory manner, and was
discarded. However, I have planted a border of it
again and it is looking well, and there is every
prospect of a good crop of fruit. Many other varie-
ties have been planted here from time to time, but
all have failed to give satisfaction. Sir Charles
Napier only made a very feeble effort. Trollope's
Victoria bore heavy crops, but the fruits were so
pale in colour that they were quite unfit for the
table, and equally so for preserving. Loxford Hall
Seedling proved very tender, but I shall give it one
more trial, this time on a south border. King of
the Earlies is a very early and useful Strawberry.
The fruit is small, but bright in colour and of good
flavour ; it is a desirable variety for producing an
early dish of fruit— J. Aenold, The Gardens,
Cirencester ""

— ■ I do not grow many sorts, only those I find
the soil suits. I consider the best to be Alcomtesse
Hericart de Thury, Keen's Seedling, La Grosse
Sucree, Sir Joseph Paxton, and Elton Pine. I con-
sider it the best late Strawberry grown. I have
Noble, but cannot say much in its favour at present.
I picked it about three days before I picked La Grosse
Sucree. The fruit was handsome, but had not the
weight nor flavour that La Grosse Sucree had. I have
not forced it, so. cannot speak as to its merits for
that purpose. I find La Grosse Sucree the very
best I have for forcing all through the season. I
also find Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, Sir Joseph
Paxton, Keen's Seedling, and President good for
midseason forcing. I grow my Strawberries in
beds 2 feet from plant to plant. I plant out my
forced plants on well trenched ground. I plant a
third of the whole I grow every year, so that they
only remain three years, as after that time I find
they are very unsatisfactory. In planting care
should be taken not to plant too deeply, and if the
ground is properly prepared nothing further will be
required in the way of digging, only to be kept
clean, and a good mulching of manure in the spring.
My best early kinds are La Grosse Sucree, Noble,
and Keen's Seedling; following these are President,
Sir Joseph Paxton, James Veitch, poor in flavour,
but very large ; Dr. Hogg, fine flavour, but a shy

Nov. 15, 1890.]

THE GAItDEN.

467

bearer with me, and my latest Elton Pine, rather
acid, but a great bearer, and one of the best for
preserving. — G. Aslbtt, Warren Wood, Hatfield,
Herts.

Rose Garden.

WHITE TEA ROSES.
The white Tea Roses are not numerous, but
all of them are good, and whilst sun and open-
air culture are necessary to develop and bring
out the delicate suffusions of colour found in
other kinds, the white ones are always welcome
whether out of doors in summer or under glass
in winter and spring.

NIPHBT03 is the most popular of the white Teas,
and, as a market Rose, second only in importance,
if not equal to Marechal
Niel. Probably Niphetos
is the more extensively
grown of the two, as
there is a great demand
for its lovely pure white
buds. It is an old and
well-tried kind, brought
out by Bougere in 1844,
and consequently has
been grown now for
nearly fifty years. The
illustration here given
faithfully portrays its
characteristic beauty. It
is a free grower both un-
der glass and in the open
air ; the slenderest twig
bears its blossom of fault-
less shape and spotless purity. The blooms are large,
but not so double as those o£ many Roses ; hence,
for cutting they are best when only about half ex-
panded. Out of doors the blooms seem to have
more substance ; they open well and last long upon
the bush, whilst their drooping habit helps to pre-
serve them by throwing off fie rain. It is a good
Rose to plant against a low wall with a warm, sunny,
and sheltered aspect, as in such a spot good blooms
are obtained earlier and later than upon plants
fully exposed. Of greater value for a wall is the
Climbing Niphetos. It is rather remarkable that
the type should have been grown so many years
before a climbing form of it was obtained, but we
have one now, and a valuable Rose it will doubtless
prove. It was exhibited and sent out in 1888 by
Messrs. Keynes, Williams and Co., of Salisbury, and
its reputation was at once established, since all
that was necessary to prove was its climbing habit,
and this was soon seen in the 10-feet to 15-feet
shoots made in a comparatively short time. All
lovers and growers of the purest of white Roses
should welcome it. To the market grower who
plants out the dwarf Niphetos under glass, the
climbing form will be valuable for pillars or rafters
in the houses, whilst in the flower garden this Rose
must find a place upon the wall. Those who com-
plain that the drooping habit of Niphetos is a de-
fect, can now remedy their supposed, but imaginary
grievance by growing the climbing kind, and then
when the plant has covered wall, pillar, or post,
they will admire and gladly welcome a charac-
teristic they deplored in the pendent disposition of
the blooms. When blooms such as Niphetos produces
are borne on such slender twigs, it is impossible for
them to do aught but droop, it is sometimes said
that Niphetos is a tender and delicate Rose, but I
have never found it so either under glass or in the
open, or planted out in heavy or light soil. It
has always responded well to generous treatment,
and those who have failed with it must look else-
where for the reason of their non-success.

Devoniensis is another good white Tea brought
out by Foster in 1840, but it has never be-
come so popular, nor is it grown nearly so exten-
sively. In the first place, it is not so free-blooming,
though much more vigorous. The flowers are of
a creamy white colour, large, full, of a globular
shape, and very sweetly scented. Where it does

well it is a magnificent Rose, and there are a few
favoured spots in which it seems to flourish
amazingly. Of this kind there are dwarf and
climbing forms. Even the dwarf form has a de-
cided climbing tendency, the current season's
shoots attaining to several feet in length, but not
flowering with a freedom at all proportionate to
their vigour. We have a group of this kind planted
last autumn, and the twelve plants did not give
more than a score of blooms, but there are some
fine well-ripened shoots, and instead of pruning
them back in spring, which tends to induce fresh
and grosser growth, they will be pegged down un-
shortened, to see if that mode of treatment will
■promote a greater freedom of blooming. Climbing
Devoniensis is a rampant Rose, and one that
should not be planted if it cannot be allowed a
great amount of space. It makes tremendous
shoots each year, and unless these or the best of
them can be laid in for flowering this kind will not

Tea R;>se Niphetos growing indoors.

be a success. I once had a plant upon an arch,
but there was not room enough for it, and some of
the shoots had to be cut away each spring. Other
long shoots were made the following season, but
not a flower was produced for several years. At
the same time I have both heard and read of this
Rose doing well and flowering very freely, and
Mr. Prince, of Oxford, once told me he should like
me to see it upon a house somewhere near Oxford
where its vigour and profuseness of bloom are
annually a striking feature, and, as Mr. Prince
said, one of the most lovely Rose pictures he had
ever seen.

The Beide is one of the loveliest of white Teas,
matchless in form, of good size and substance. It
is a sport from Catherine Mermet, and originated
in America in 1885. It has all the fine qualities of
its parent, the only difference being its colour,

which is white, deepening into palest lemon. It is
very largely grown in America, especially upon its
own roots, for cuttings of it strike with the greatest
freedom, and American growers propagate it largely
in this way, afterwards growing the plants on in
pots or planting them out under glass. Some have
complained of a greenish hue being present in the
flower, but I have never noticed any defect of this
kind either under glass or in the open air ; the
flowers have always been of the same high quality,
beautifully formed and delicately coloured. It is a
grand Rose, aptly named, and in its form and
colour will probably never be surpassed.

Souvenir de S. A. Peince is the latest addition
to the list of white Teas, and it promises to rank
among the best of them. Like The Bride, it is a
lovelier sport from a lovely Rose, for Souvenir
d'un Ami has long been considered a first-rate Rose,
vigorous in habit, and almost as beautiful in
growth as in flower on account of the richness
of its large and abundant foliage. The sport re-
tains all these fine characteristics, but instead of
the great drooping, globular salmon-rose flowers
with which we have long been so familiar, it gives
us the same kind of flower, but in colour of the
purest whiteness.

Hon. Edith Giffobd, sent out by Guillot in
18S2, is a magnificent Rose, not a pure white, it is
true, but white enough, and enhanced in loveliness
by the soft flesh tint which suffuses the centre of
the flower. It is the dwarfest white Tea we have,
the habit of growth, though strong, being dense
and spreading, but compact. It is a capital kind
for grouping, but the plants should be placed
more closely together than is usual with most
kinds. It blooms with the greatest freedom through
summer and autumn, several nice flowers having
opened during the first week of the present month!
Both the buds and fully expanded blossoms are of
fine form, globular and full, opening readily and
well.

Innocente Pieola, sent out by Ducher in 1878,
is another of the finest white Teas, and a free and
beautiful Rose in every way. Throughout the past
season it has been remarkably good, growing and
flowering freely. It is of a creamy-white colour,
tinted at times with a most delicate pink ; the buds
are large, long, exquisitely formed, and open into
flowers of good form and substance. It is a fine
Rose in the garden and quite indispensable to the
exhibitor, as its presence in a stand of blooms is at
once noticed, especially if it is in good form.

Rubens is white enough to be admitted into the
present selection, although at times it is tinted
with the palest and most delicate rose. It is an
old kind, sent out in 1859, but still possesses high
and distinctive qualities that enable it to rank
among the best Tea Roses. It is generally one of the
earliest Roses to bloom as well as one of the last.

Souvenie d'Elise Vaedon is principally white,
although the centre of the bloom deepens into a
yellow, suffused rose, but a selection of white Teas
would be incomplete without it. It is an old kind,
brought out in 1854. The medal for the best Tea
Rose, even in exhibitions at the present day, is
generally awarded to this variety.

Mme. Hippolyte Jamain is white externally,
deepening into rose, tinted yellow in the centre of
the flower. It is a free and lovely Rose, and the
fact that Guillot (18U9) is its raiser should be
sufficient to stamp it with the mark of sterling
merit.

Mme. Beavt, from the same raiser as the above,
dates back to 1848, and was formerly more popular
than now. It is a good grower and a free bloomer,
with large, full, creamy white, beautifully formed
flowers. It is quite worthy of association with the
best kinds of the present day.

Mme. Willermoz is a still older kind, sent out
by Lacharme in 1845, with large white flowers,
which deepen to a pink or salmon tint towards the
centre of the bloom. The flowers are large, double,
well formed, and even now it may truthfully be
called a fine variety. It is occasionally met with
in gardens, and I have seen it flowering splendidly

468

THE GABDEN.

[Nov. 15, 1890.

in a temperate house planted out and trained to a
pillar.

Souvenie de Paxil Neeon (Levet, 1871) must
be included, as it is a charming kind with creamy
white, rose-suffused flowers. It is a dwarf, but
vigorous grower, exceedingly free blooming, and
sometimes, as in the past season, the flowers are
very fine. Both buds and fully expanded blossoms
are of good form.

The above named kinds comprise the best
white Teas, and although it might be urged that
all those enumerated are not truly white, yet
they are principally so, whilst so subtle are
the delicate changes of colour in these the
loveliest and sweetest of Roses, that it is
difficult to clearly define or distinctly classify
them, as by almost imperceptible grada-
tions they pass from white to the palest
pink and the softest yellow shades. More-
over, in this exceeding variability of form
and hue lies one of the greatest charms of this
section of the great Rose family. A. JET.

MARECHAL NIEL UNDER GLASS.
Under the best of treatment the Mare'chal Niel is
apt to be very capricious in its behaviour. For a
year or two all appears to go on well, the growth
and subsequent blooming being all that can be de-
sired, when all of a sudden there is a collapse ; the
dreaded canker has begun its work. Being such a
lovely Rose, it is a great disappointment to have
one's hopes so quickly blighted, and naturally those
of limited experience are anxious to know how to
combat the evil. When once canker has com-
menced, it is very seldom that its progress can be
checked. Having been tolerably successful, I will
give my experience, as I believe to a certain extent
that the Marechal Niel need not be so disappoint-
ing. The root of the evil, I believe, is the
stock it is grafted on. This, as a rule, is the
seedling Brier, and in some cases it is the Manetti.
Cuttings have been recommended, but according to
my experience, its behaviour under this system is
very little, if any better. The growth being so
strong and rapid, there does not appear to be an
equal balance between root and top. Dwarfs are
sold in much larger quantities than standards — in
fact the supply hardly meets the demand — and with
our larger nurserymen saleable standard plants are
at a discount before half the season is over. But
the question arises, Are these dwarfs the best to
plant ? I say no, as I firmly believe that the Mare-
chal is much longer lived when budded on the stan-
dard or half standard Brier, and then with the
course of treatment I shall recommend, I fancy the
results will not be so disappointing. Immediately
after blooming I cut the growths hard back, gene-
rally within a few inches of the stock. The result
is a very vigorous growth, which cannot fail to
bloom well. Each subsequent season the growths
are cut back closely in the same way. It takes
some amount of courage to cut off such fine-looking
shoots, but the resulting growth and rich harvest
of blooms warrant this. The system is practised
by some of our largest market growers, so it cannot
be far wrong.

On speaking to one of our largest Rose nursery-
men as to my preference for the standard or half-
standard as a stock for the Marfchal Niel, he in-
formed me that his opinion was the same, but that
he was obliged to grow a much larger stock of
dwarfs, as his customers would have them, however
he might recommend the standards. Rural.

Tea Roses at Hassock's Gate. — All varie-
ties of Tea Roses do not thrive with Messrs. Bal-
chin and Sons at Hassock's Gate. But there are
half-a-dozen found to grow with great vigour, and
that give a few blooms as late as November. These
are Marie Van Houtte, the sturdiest of all, Mme.
Lambard, Rubens, Francisca Kruger, Mme. Charles,
and Hon. Edith Gifford. This selection comprises
perhaps the best in cultivation. Marie Van Houtte
makes the finest plants, the growth being unusu-
ally strong, and it is satisfactory to know that

Mme. Charles does well under unfavourable con-
ditions. The flowers are not unlike those of Mme.
Falcot, but better, and the variety was raised by
Damaizin in 1864. All the plants are on the seed-
ling Brier stock, which is the best for the Tea
Rose. When ordering, it should be distinctly
stated that they are to be on this stock. More
than one large house is filled with plants for giv-
ing flowers in spring, and the principal kinds are
Mme. Falcot, Isabella Sprunt, and Niphetos.

THE WEEK'S WORK.

PLANT HOUSES.
Greenhouse.— Zonal Pelargoniums. — The suc-
cession of bloom which these Pelargoniums when
well managed will give, even in the depth of win-
ter, is not surpassed by any other plants that can
be induced to flower in the dull season. Where
they have been treated in the way advised in the
summer they will now have their pots full of roots,
with the wood thoroughly hard and matured.
Needless to say, the quantity of flowers depends on
the growth that is made. It is immaterial whether
the plants are small or large provided the soil is
full of roots and the shoots are well hardened, as
in either size they may be depended on to bloom
well. If deficient in either of the essentials named,
as soon as the plants are given the necessary
warmth they run to leaf instead of flowering. They
will bear a temperature of 50° at night, provided
the house or pit in which they are placed admits of
the requisite amount of light, and the plants are
stood near the glass. If the atmosphere is kept
considerably drier than most forced plants require,
it will be further conducive to free flowering.
The best results are got from zonal Pelargoniums
where a house or pit can be solely devoted to them.
There are now several varieties that give pure
white flowers. If a sufficient number of these,
combined with pink sorts in their several shades,
is grown in place of a preponderance of the red
and crimson kinds, a constant supply of cut flowers
in the various colours may be depended on until
the spring is far advanced. In most cases manure
water should be given from this time onwards.

Chrysanthemums. — The later blooming varie-
ties, such as naturally come in late enough to give
a supply of flowers through the next six weeks, are
seldom grown in sufficient quantity. Yet with the
object of either providing flowers for cutting or for
decoration, they are of more importance than
the early varieties which bloom at a time when
there are more late autumn things in flower. To
maintain the leafage healthy keep the plants regu-
larly supplied with manure water during the
time the buds of these late varieties are develop-
ing.

Cut- back Chrysanthemums.— Plants of the
late-flowering kinds that were headed back in sum-
mer with the intention of having them in bloom
during the two first months of the year re-
quire careful attention. They should be kept as
near the glass as possible, and have plenty of room
so as to admit of their standing clear of each other.
A little warmth should be turned on when the
nights are cold, with the ventilators open a little to
keep the air moving. In the daytime admit air
freely. Keep a good look-out for aphides and mil-
dew. On the least appearance of the latter dust
with sulphur.

Primulas, single varieties.— Where suffi-
cient plants raised from early-sown seed have
been treated in the manner recommended through
the summer, they will shortly be In full bloom.
They should be stood close to the glass, espe-
cially if they are in a house where no more
warmth is used than is necessary to exclude frost.
If the plants are at all under-potted, manure
water should be more frequently given. The water-
ing ought to be done in the morning, so as to ad-
mit of any which reaches the leaf-stalks getting
dried up.

Primulas, semi-double.— The flowers of these
are so much more durable than those of the single

kinds, that it is worth while to keep them a little
warmer, particularly where much bloom is required
for cutting.

Primulas, double kinds.— These should have
a night temperature through the winter of about
50°. In a light position, with a moderate amount
of air admitted daily, the plants, where large
and strong, will bloom abundantly for the next
three months. Primulas of all kinds like ma-
nure water. If it is used in a sufficiently diluted
state, they will bear it every time the soil requires
moistening whilst they are in flower.

Salvias. — If a portion of the stock has been
kept cool they will be very useful for some weeks
yet. But in thus retarding them, enough heat
must be turned on two or three times a week to dry
up the air in a way that will prevent the flowers
damping. As the earlier bloomed specimens go out
of flower two or three of each variety should have
their branches shortened well in, after which stand
them where they will have a little more warmth
than that of an ordinary greenhouse, so as to induce
them to produce young growth with a view to pro-
viding cuttings for next year's work.

Salvias, spring-flowering. — S. gesnerajflora
is the best of the late bloomers. It is a strong
grower, and comes in well for the decoration of
large conservatories. Where the plants are much
pot-bound, an occasional application of manure
water is necessary, for though the growth is almost
dormant now for some time the plants are apt to
lose their bottom leaves unless they have assist-
ance in this way. With the object of keeping the
foliage in good condition, the plants should be stood
far enough apart. In the matter of heat, an ordinary
greenhouse temperature will be found sufficient.

Stove.— Epiphyllum teuncatum.— These Epi-
phyllums may be had in bloom early in the autumn
if required, but nothing is gained by forcing to
have them when there are plenty of other flowers.
It is at the beginning of the year that they are the
most useful. Where the plants are vigorous and
have been subjected to the ripening process neces-
sary during the summer, with the long season of
rest which they like, they come on quickly when
put in heat. Be careful not to over-water, especi-
ally when the plants are grown on the Pereskia
stock, as its roots are very impatient of any excess
of moisture, particularly in the winter. An ordi-
nary stove temperature is better than more heat.
When the blooming is hurried on too quickly, the
flowers flag when cut. The portion of the stock
intended for later blooming should be kept in a
temperature of from 48° to 50°.

Epiphyllums, laege-geowing kinds.— These
do best when allowed to come into bloom in
the spring in an ordinary greenhouse temperature.
During the winter the soil should be kept dry,
especially if the plants are wintered in a cool
house.

Poinsettias.— With a sufficient number of plants
a longer display of bloom may be had than is often
attempted, as by keeping a portion of the stock in
intermediate heat they will come on so slowly as
not to develop their coloured bracts until the
earlier batch are over. When retarded in this
way the heads do not come nearly so large, but
they are none the less quite as useful. The plants
that are required to come in first should now have
stove heat. The nearer they are kept to the roof
of the house or pit they occupy, the longer they
will last in bloom. When stood too far from the
glass, particularly if in dark old-fashioned struc-
tures, the bracts come so thin and deficient of sub-
stance, that they are not only short-lived, but al-
most useless if wanted in living rooms or other
places where the temperature is much lower than
that in which they have been forced.

Abutilons. — The yellow varieties and the white
Boule de Neige afford the most useful colours for
flowering in winter, although any of the now numer-
ous sorts in cultivation will keep on blooming so
long as they get enough warmth to keep them
growing. A cool stove or intermediate temperature
is better for them than more heat, as, though with
the former the flowers will not come on quite so

Nov. 15, 1890.]

THE GAUDEN.

469

fast, they will last longer. Abundance of light is
the first essential for the successful winter bloom-
ing of plants. In the absence of this the flowers
are of little use for cutting.

Plumbago rosea. — This is one of the brightest
of the winter bloomers, but it belongs to the
section of plants that requires to be kept near
the glass whilst the flowers are coming on, other-
wise they are so thin and flimsy, as to be of little
service for cutting. To remedy this, the plants are
best grown without much stopping ; this admits of
the shoots being opened out under the roof in the
manner practised with ordinary climbers. The
flowers then will come much brighter in colour,
and last twice as long as when opened under less
advantageous conditions in the matter of light.

Sericographis Ghiesbreghti. — When this
Acanthad is well grown it will do good service dur-
ing the ensuing month. Like the last-named plant,
its flowers are naturally soft, and consequently
whilst it is coming into bloom it should not be kept
warmer than necessary. A cool stove temperature
with plenty of light and not too much moisture in
the atmosphere are the conditions requisite to have
this Sericographis in good condition until the end
of the year. Weak manure water should be used
for both this and the Plumbago all through the
time the bloom is coming on. Free-rooting sub-
jects like these soon exhaust the soil. Then liquid
stimulants or surface dressings of concentrated
manure must be given. The loose, elegant sprays
of the Plumbago and this Sericographis are very
effective when mixed with white or light-coloured
Chrysanthemums, arrangements of which flowers
are often formal and dumpy. T. B.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

Preparing for forcing. — Leaves are falling ra-
pidly, and ere this many Chestnuts and Elms will
be quite clear of them, while those on Oaks and
Beeches will not be long before they too will fall.
The leaves of the two former are not the most
serviceable, being less hard and durable than the
others named ; but, mixed with stable manure, they
will assist in generating a gentle bottom-heat, such
as best promotes a moderately strong and quick
growth of Asparagus, Seakale, Rhubarb, Potatoes,
and other vegetables that may be forced with their
assistance. A rank or violent heat is most inj urious
to anything confined over it, and for this reason
whatever heating material is used ought to be first
prepared by being thrown into a large heap to fer-
ment for a few days, a precaution especially neces-
sary when stable manure only is used. Before the
centre of the heap becomes violently hot it should
be turned inside out and be again allowed to become
hot, the steady fermentation thus going on getting
rid of much rank heat and noxious gases. If stable
manure only is used, this most probably will re-
quire to be turned and well shaken apart during
the process at least once more. An equal portion
of leaves being used, these might be mixed with
the manure at the second turning of the latter,
and if at the end of a week the heap is not violently
hot or rank-smelling, hotbeds for forcing may at
once be formed with it. Nothing is gained by be-
ing in too great a hurry to make a hotbed, as this
usually ends either in spoiling the material by over-
heating or else in a long delay before anything can
safely be trusted on it.

Forcing Asparagus. — Nothing forces more
readily than Asparagus, and no vegetable equals it in
point of value when presented early and in good
condition. Unfortunately, very few gardeners are
in a position to prepare a breadth of plants speci-
ally for lifting and forcing, and consequently esta-
blished beds have to be broken up in most instances
in order to procure the requisite supplies of strong
clumps or roots. The proper course, therefore, is to
break up the oldest bed each winter and to plant a
fresh one each spring, and in this manner there
will be no diminution of the ordinary supplies. As-
paragus roots can also be bought suitable for forc-
ing, and in some instances it would pay better to
have these rather than disturb good beds just when I

they ought to be at their best. Amateurs can force
Asparagus quite as easily as the professional gar-
dener, but they must distinctly understand that
roots that have been lifted and forced are of no
further value, and they ought, therefore, to avoid
recklessly breaking up beds that it has cost much
time, labour, and expense to establish.

Best method of forcing Asparagus.— Mode-
rately deep, heated pits are perhaps the best posi-
tions for forcing Asparagus, but seeing that either
high temperatures or a dry heat are prejudicial to
extra strong growth, the best course to pursue is to
form gentle hotbeds of leaves, or leaves and ma-
nure in these pits for the purpose of providing a
genial bottom-heat, and to turn on only enough
fire heat to keep the top heat at about 60°. Nor
should poor, dry soil be used for covering the roots,
a moderately rich compost favouring an early and
strong root action, a layer about 3 inches thick
being first spread over the hotbed. The Asparagus
ought to be carefully forked out of the ground,
breaking as few of the roots as possible, and the
less these are exposed to cold, drying winds the
better. These should at once be packed closely to-
gether on the beds, the roots being well spread out
and covered with not less than 3 inches of good
and rather fine soil. For a medium-sized esta-
blishment one light would hold sufficient roots to
form a batch, but two or three lights at a time are
none too much where extra large dishes are re-
quired. As a rule, Asparagus can be cut in about
three weeks, and if not hard forced and kept in a
moist state the beds will remain productive an-
other three weeks. Successional batches should be
introduced as necessary.

Asparagus in frames. — Heated pits are not
available in far too many gardens, but that need
not prevent Asparagus being forced so as to have it
good at any time during December and throughout
the winter. Hotbeds formed of leaves and stable
manure, or the latter only, and single light or
larger frames answer nearly as well as the former
in heated pits. At this time of the year these hot-
beds ought to be about i feet high and well shel-
tered from cold winds. They may be about a foot
wider all round than the frames, and if the heat
declines much below G0°, this can, and should be,
renewed by the addition of linings of fresh heating
material. In other respects the method of proce-
dure should be the same as advised in the case of
heated pits, care in each instance being taken not
to place the roots in the bed before the heat has
declined sufficiently to admit of stakes kept plunged
in it being comfortably borne in the hand. Keep-
ing the lights closely covered with mats or mats
and strawy litter will serve to enclose the heat and
increase the length of the Asparagus shoots.

Forcing Rhubarb and Seakale. —When the
roots of these have had a short rest after the foliage
has decayed, this being enforced by exposare to
cold winds and frost, they force more readily than
is the case when no such rest has been given. Both
may be forced in pits and frames very much as
advised in the case of Asparagus. Keeping the
lights well darkened with mats improves the length
and quality of the Rhubarb stalks, and is absolutely
necessary with Seakale in order to blanch the
growths properly. The early red-stalked forms of
Rhubarb are the best for forcing, but failing these,
any other variety may be substituted. Strong
clumps should be lifted, and set closely together on
the beds, these being well covered with rich soil
and not allowed to become dry. Rhubarb may also
be forced under the stages of plant stoves or other
well-heated houses, three or four strong roots at
one time being ample. Warm cellars are capital
places for forwarding Rhubarb, and if roots are
placed in these now plenty of strong stalks ought
to be available by Christmas. If preferred, the
clumps may be covered where they now are with
old cement or flour tubs, bottomless boxes, or tins
obtained from sugar refineries, and a hotbed formed
over these. These hotbeds must be watched closely.
If they become over-heated they must be opened
out at once, while if the heat declines very low, and
which often happens in cold, windy weather, mori

fresh heating material should at once be added to
the old, this soon putting new life into the bed.
W.I.

SHORT NOTES.— STOVE AND GREENHOUSE.

TJerine rosea crispa.— This is a lovely autumn-
blooming plant for the greenhouse. I grow the
plants in G-mch pots, several bulh3 in a pot, and every
bulb has bloomed this year. The flowers are very use-
ful for cutting. I have also sent blooms of the yellow
Flax to remind those who do not grow it of its value
at this season. — John Crook.

The broad-leaved Myrtle.— This is an excel-
lent room plant, and produces its white flowers very
freely when quite small. I grow some very small plants
— others are so large that it requires four men to move
them— and they thrive admirably in a compost of about
equal parts loam and fibrous peat. The pots should be
fairly well drained, and in potting press the compost
in firmly. — J.

Bignonia purpurea.— I saw this plant in a
country garden last month in splendid condition,
its long flowering shoots forming a perfect curtain
to the house and dividing it in two. It does not,
however, succeed well as a pot plant, and should
be planted out in a well-drained border, bricked in,
so as to prevent the roots from rambling. The
plants should be cut back after flowering, and very
little else need be done in the way of pruning.
During the winter months the plant should be
kept dry, but care must be taken that it does not
suffer from drought. It was figured in The Gar-
den, October 23, 188G (p. 388).— W. H. G.

Cereus paucispinus — " F. T." sends flowers of
this species to me for a name. It appears to me to
be an unusual time to see a Cereus in the middle
of October. " F. T." says the plant has come to
him from New Mexico. I had some difficulty in
determining this species. The flower is tubular,
spreading out into a large limb of rich, deep
orange-red, having purple anthers. It no doubt
will be a free-flowering variety if properly treated.
The late flowering of your plant, I should imagine, has
been caused by the journey, and it will therefore
require attention in wintering. If the plant had
been strong and robust I should have said keep it
entirely without water through the winter, but now,
perhaps, this would weaken it, and you will require
to watch it and see that it does not show signs of
exhaustion. I heartily wish with you that some-
one would take up the cultivation of Cereuses.
I have never seen any like those Mr. Green, of
Cheam, used to grow and show at the London
exhibitions many years ago. — W. H. G.

Tuberose the Pearl.— One of the most valu-
able flowers for cutting is the Tuberose, and in the
nursery of Messrs. Balchin and Sons, at Hassock's
Gate, thousands of bulbs are grown to afford cut
bloom, the display lasting almost the whole year
through, by having successional batches to supply
the great and never-ceasing demand. The culture
is of the usual kind, the bulbs placed thickly to-
gether, and presenting one mass of spikes, each
sturdy, and bearing as many as forty-six large,
well-shaped flowers, the usual average being about
thirty. This variety is the Pearl, and the only one
grown, as it is found that the African Tuberose is
far inferior. It gives by good culture a strong
spike, and each flower is far larger and more double
than from the other kind.

Imported Azalea mollis. — The advice given
by " T. B.," page 411, to those who rely on Con-
tinental grown plants of this Azalea " to secure
what they require in good time, as the earliest im-
portations usually do the best," is advice that those
who act upon will appreciate at its due worth ;
for where they are needed for flowering under glass
there is really no comparison between those that
are potted as soon as the leaves have fallen and
those in which that operation is delayed till the
time has arrived for taking them into the forcing
house. In the case of the latter many of the blooms
will drop just as they are on the point of expanding,
while the early potted ones, as a rule, will bring all
their flowers to perfection. By some these Azaleas
are grown altogether in pots, and where required

470

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 15, 1890.

for very early forcing it is certainly an advantage,
as those that are forced one season will perfect
their growth earlier, and consequently may be had
in bloom the following year sooner than those which
have set their buds in the open ground. All of the
Azaleas admit of their flowering season being ad-
vanced in this manner, especially the numerous
forms of the Indian Azalea and the little Japanese
A. amosna, which, where they have been forced
year after year, may with little trouble be had in
flower before Christmas. — H. P.

Leschenaultia triloba major at Hassock's

Gate. — This beautiful plant is now familiar, thanks
to the displays made by Messrs. Balchin and Sons
at the spring exhibitions during the past few years.
We cannot afford to lose sight of a plant that has
disappeared from many gardens when Heaths and
stove things went out of fashion. But this Les-
chenaultia has again come to the front, and those
who have never seen its lovely blue flowers will find
them well shown in a coloured plate issued with The
Garden of October 4, 1884. In the Leschenaultia
house of Messrs. Balchin and Sons at Hassock's
Gate there are about 2000 plants in the rudest
health, a few carrying a strong flower or two to
remind us of the profuse masses of blue that
brighten the exhibitions in spring. Many have
failed with it, as with all ericaceous plants : and
one reason is doubtless that in the smoky impure
air of large towns it will not thrive, and another is
indifferent culture. One great mistake is often
made, i.e., careless watering in winter, which is
certain to end in the death of the plants. In the
bracing air at Hassock's the plants are in splendid
health, and it is satisfactory to know that this fine
old flower has completely re-established itself in
English gardens. It is needless to enter upon cul-
tural details, as in The Gabden of June 14, 1890,
more than one article appeared respecting it.

Epiprryllums in bloom. — With the wealth of
Chrysanthemums we now possess, the merits of
other plants that bloom at this season are apt to be
overlooked ; still, there are many beautiful things
that must on no account be passed over, and
among the most prominent of them would cer-
tainly be included the Epiphyllums, whose blossoms
are now rapidly expanding. They are grown in
various ways, but usually as little round-headed
plants on clear stems a foot or more high. To ob-
tain this they are grafted on to Pereskia aculeata,
with which a union is soon effected. The Pereskia,
too, is sometimes employed in a different manner
by training it up a rafter, and when sufficient
height is obtained, grafting shoots of the various
Epiphyllums at intervals along its entire length. In
this way they hang down from the stock, and when
in full flower are highly ornamental. Besides this,
the Epiphyllums can be grown as basket plants,
and very beautiful, too, they are when treated in
this manner. In the case of these basket plants
no grafting is necessary, as the Epiphyllums strike
to readily that pieces of the branches broken off
and stuck in the soil of the basket wherever re-
quired will in nearly every case quickly root. When
grown in pots, care must be taken not to over-
water nor to over-pot them, as they need but little
rcot-room and are very impatient of an excess of
moisture. The bright coloured blossoms last some
time when separated from the plant, so that they
are available for many purposes where cut flowers
are required. There are several well-marked varie-
ties of this class of Epiphyllum, which has, how-
ever, received no decided acquisitions of late years.
— H. P.

Queen wasps. — The other day as some of my
assistants were removing some bulbs from a top
shelf in an old greenhouse, where they had been
placed to ripen, and left undisturbed for some
time, they were surprised to find concealed amongst
the Tulips twenty queen wasps. This is the
largest number I ever remember to have seen laid
up for the winter. Though quite dormant when
first discovered, they soon assumed activity when
disturbed, and were with difficulty transferred to
a glass-covered receptacle for inspection. What a
number we should have had to start nest-building

in the coming spring. — Geo. Coenfobd, The Oaks,
JEpsom, Surrey.

Orchids.

CATTLEYA LABIATA.
This, I think, was the first species named by
Lindley, although it was not the first species in
the country. It is said to have been brought
from the Organ Mountains, in Brazil, but I am
of opinion that from the manner in which this
locality has been searched, that its real native
home has not been divulged. The plant
appears to have been introduced only once. I
do not know if more than one specimen was im-
ported at that time. I recently saw this Orchid
in bloom in Messrs. Seeger and Tropp's nur-
sery at Dulwich, and a most glorious tiling it
is. The flowers certainly lack the size and
boldness of those of the plant I flowered in the
Kew collection in 18G2. It invariably makes a
double sbeath. This, however, is not confined
to C. labiata, as it occurs sometimes with the
summer-flowering Cattleyaa, and 1 saw in a
garden lately a form of Trianss with a double
sheath. Quite recently M. Linden, of Brussels,
sent over a lot of plants to be sold in this
country for C. labiata, but they had nothing in
common with the species. Their growth did
not resemble that of the typical plant, neither
did the flowers, although it was a splendid
Cattleya, which I should have said was a geo-
graphical variety of C. Gaskelliana. These
plants were afterwards said to be C. Waroc-
queana, but on this I cannot pass any opinion.
They were not, however, the true form of the
plant as grown by me years ago, and I hope
from the extended search which is being made
for C. labiata that it will end in the plant
being again found and some magnificent varie-
ties introduced. It is a robust grower,
although Mr. Seeger's plant is not at present
strong enough to show it in its best form ; the
pseudo-bulbs are stout and clavate ; the pe-
duncle is two to five-flowered . The specimen now
in question has three flowers. The petals are
much broader than the sepals, all of a soft rose
more or less shaded with mauve ; the lip is
large, the front lobe much frilled and lobed,
with a narrow marginal border of white, the
other part of the flower being of an intensely
deep rich magenta-purple ; the side lobes form
a hood over the column, and are of the same
colour on the outside as the sepals and petals,
the inside pale yellow, streaked and lined with
purple. This plant thrives under just the same
treatment that I have before noted as being
suited to the requirements of C. Trianas, C.
Mendeli, C. Mossire, C. gigas, C. Dowiana, C.
aurea, O. ©askelliana, as well as the new form
Warocqueana, and several more, all of which
belong to this section of the family. C. labiata
once occupied the leading position amongst
them, but I fear that day is past. We have
had so many fine species and varieties imported
in a living state, that I think C. labiata must
now stand as one, though a very fine one, of
the crowd. William Hugh Gower.

Odontoglossum Ruckerianum (J. 8.). — I
have just received a remarkably fine variety of this
beautiful kind. It is from a batch of O. Alexan-
dra, several of which have bloomed, and proved
grand varieties. O. Huckerianum is no doubt a
natural hybrid, but a few years ago it would have
been looked upon as a good species. The sepals
and petals of the flowers now before me are white
tinged with rosy-pink, which becomes deeper in
colour towards the margin, and they are spotted
with bright chestnut-brown, lip same colour as the

petals, saving the crest and disc, tinged with yellow.
It is a very handsome form, and, with the exception
of the flowers being narrower in the sepals and
petals, it is equally as handsome as the forms of 0.
crispum. " J. S." should take particular care of
this.— W.

COLAX.
This genus, which is now relegated to Lycaste,
is known in cultivation at present by only two
species. Two or three others have been intro-
duced and lost, but, judging by pictures and
dried specimens, it does not appear that Orchid
growers in general have much cause to regret
their disappearance. It is different, however,
with the two species described below, both of
which are distinct and beautiful Orchids. How-
ever close their botanical affinities with Lycaste
may be, the superficial resemblances are remote.
They are smaller both in habit and flower, their
scapes are two or three-flowered, and the blooms
are more globose, whilst the petals, instead of
standing erect at the sides of the column, as in
Lycaste, are spread out like the sepals.

Compared with Lycaste, they cannot perhaps
be said to adapt themselves completely to our
artificial conditions. Like many other epiphy-
tal Orchids, they usually give indications of re-
duced vitality a few years after importation.
They are, however, by no means difficult to
grow, neither do they require more attention
than the majority of Orchids. I have succeeded
with the following species by growing them in
pots two-thirds filled with drainage, the com-
post consisting of peat fibre (from which most
of the earthy particles have been removed),
Sphagnum Moss, and lumps of charcoal. In
potting, the base of the pseudo-bulb should be
raised slightly above the rim of the pot. Dur-
ing the period of active growth, the plants
should be placed in a light, airy position in the
intermediate house, care being taken to shade
them slightly during bright sunshine. A too
bright light, especially without a free and con-
tinuous supply of fresh air, is apt to cause the
leaves to assume a yellowish tinge. When in
bloom they may be removed to a cooler house.
During the growing season abundance of mois-
ture both at the root and in the atmosphere
should be supplied, but after growth is com-
pleted the plants should be rested by gradually
reducing the amount. The pseudo-bulbs, how-
ever, must not be allowed to suffer for want of it .

C. JUGOsrrs. — Of the two species here described
this is by far the better known ; as a decorative
plant it is also to be preferred. The pseudo-bulbs
measure about 2 inches high. The leaves are deep
green, lance-shaped, and pointed, the lower ones
being 5 inches or 6 inches long, and those on the top
of the pseudo-bulb about half as large again. The
flower-scape is nearly erect and bears two or three
flowers, each of which measures 2 inches across if
fully spread out. NaturaUy, however, all the parts
are incurved, and thus render the flower somewhat
cup-shaped. The sepals are of a delicate creamy-
white, the petals of nearly the same shape and
size, but the ground is a purer white than the se-
pals, and they are beautifully marked with trans-
verse bars of deep blue-purple. Lindley describes
these markings as crimson, and in the Botanical
Magazine they are said to be black-purple, but in
all the flowers I have seen they have a distinctly
blue shade. The lip, which is distinctly three-lobed
and smaller than the other parts, is white, traversed
by several fleshy ridges, and striped with deep
velvety purple. The species was first introduced
from Brazil by Loddiges.

C. Puydti. — This plant was introduced by Linden
in 1879. Some confusion as to name appears to
exist between it and C. viridis, and I have seen it
grown under the latter name. The true C. viridis,
as figured in the Botanical Register, is quite a dif.
ferent plant, and, from a garden point of view, less

Nov. 15, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

471

valuable. A good figure oE C. Puydti is given in
the Illustration Sorticole for 1SS0. In habit and
foliage this plant does not differ materially from C.
jugosus. The flowers, however, are very distinct
in colour. The sepals are bright green with a few
brownish-purple spots on the centre, and the petals,
which have the same green ground, are nearly co-
vered with blotches of deep purple. The lip is
chiefly of an intense violet, but gradually becomes
paler until it is almost white at the base. From
the great similarity of this plant to C. jugosus in
almost everything but colour, M. Andre1, who is the
authority for the name, considers it may be no more
than a variety of that species. But anyone who
has seen the two in flower will agree with him when
he adds that many species have been founded on
less decisive characters.

Besides the species already mentioned there
is one called placanthera, which, like the true
C. viridis, was originally placed under Maxil-
laria. I have not seen either of these except in
a dried state, and, as before intimated, it is
doubtful if they are sufficiently ornamental to
deserve general cultivation. An interesting and
beautiful hybrid has been raised by Mr. Seden
between 0. jugosus and Zygopetalum crinitum
Mr. Rolfe has named it Zygocolax Veitchi. It
shows to a remarkable extent the influence of
the pollen parent, the Colax. B.

Societies and Exhibitions.

CRYSTAL PALACE.
Nov. 7 AND 8.
The exhibition on Friday and Saturday last was
good in many respects, but scarcely so interesting
as last year, when the competition was even keener
and more exciting. The classes for large Anemone
and Japanese Anemone varieties were well filled, and
gave rise to considerable discussion ; several stands
in the Anemone-flowered section contained flowers
of Japanese Anemone varieties, which were not on
any account admissible. It is quite true the two
divisions are much alike, but there is no necessity
to make a mistake when each variety is now put
into its respective class at the time it is certificated.
Each kind is also placed under its proper heading
in the catalogue of the National Chrysanthemum
Society, which should be accepted as a guide in all
such matters.

There were fewer cut blooms this season. The
entries in the class for twenty-four incurved and
twenty-four Japanese kinds were thirteen, and the
flowers of excellent quality. A splendid collection
was put up by Mr. C. J. Salter, gardener to Mr.
T. B. Haywood, Woodhatch, Reigate, the incurved
varieties comprising Queen of England, Princess of
Wales, Mrs. Heal, Barbara, Miss Haggas, Golden
Empress, John Doughty, Jardin des Plantes, Violet
Tomlin, Jeanne d'Arc, Empress Eugenie, Prince
Alfred, White Venus, Mrs. Coleman, Lord Wolseley,
Lord Alcester, and John Salter. The Japanese va-
rieties were Carew Underwood, Puritan (here of a
much more distinct rose-purple shade than usual),
Sunflower, Stanstead White, Val d'Andorre, Mrs. J.
Laing, Edwin Molyneux, Boule d'Or, Avalanche,
Comte de Germiny, Condor, Marsa, Mme. J. M.
Pigmy, Maiden's Blush, Lady Lawrence, Fair Maid
of Guernsey, and Sarah Owen. It was the freshest
collection we have seen this season. Mr. C. Gibson,
gardener to Mr. J. Wormald, Morden Park, was
strong in the Japanese class, but weak in incurved.
Mr. C. J. Salter was also first for eighteen incurved
flowers ; the new varieties, as John Doughty, Violet
Tomlin, Miss Haggas, and Mrs. Coleman, were well
shown. A very close second was Mr. H. Shoesmith,
gardener to Mr. M. Hodgson, Shirley Cottage,
Croydon.

There were nine entries in the class for twelve in-
curved, the best blooms — and they were the finest
for finish, colour, and size — being those from Mr. G.

ways that for one variety, and in the incurved divi-
sion, the blooms of Empress of India, from Mr. J.
Richards, Woodbine Nursery, Wanstead, were
first, and excellent flowers, especially for colour, of
Violet Tomlin came from Mr. John Snow, gardener
to C. and A. de Murietta, Woodhurst Park, Sussex.

The Japanese flowers are always the brightest.
The best eighteen were from Mr. Glen, Worth
Park, Crawley, whose flowers were fresh and well
coloured, especially those of Stanstead White, Ava-
lanche, and Sunflower. An excellent second was
Mr. J. Blackburn, gardener to Mr. J. Scott, Jun.,
Elmstead Grange, Chislehurst. The best twelve
were from Mr. J. Harker, gardener to Mr. H.
Shindler, Oakwood Lodge, Epsom. The variety
exhibited in the first prize stand of one variety was
Avalanche, the flowers of splendid quality, and a
credit to the grower, Mr. Glen. The flowers of
Edwin Molyneux from Mr. W. Howe, gardener to
Mr. H. Tate, Park Hill, Streatham Common, were
excellent from an exhibitor's point of view, but, of
course, severely dressed. Avalanche was the chief
flower exhibited. The reflexed class was one of the
largest, but the flowers from Mr. G. Carpenter were
by far the finest ; and the same exhibitor would
have stood first for twelve Anemone-flowered kinds
if he had paid greater attention to the requirements
of the class. Mr. Sullivan, gardener to Mr. D. B.
Chapman, Roehampton, was given the premier
award for blooms of great beauty and showing ex-
cellent culture. Mr G. Carpenter showed six ex-
cellent flowers of Japanese Anemone varieties ; Mile.
Cabrol, Souvenir de Mme. Blandiniere, and Mons.
Pankoncke were the leading types. An excellent
stand of pompon Anemone flowers was that from
Mr. C. Slade, gardener to Lady Bowater, Richmond
Park. The flowers were so badly arranged and
pressed down on the box, as to lose gracefulness
and beauty. This fault was not so apparent in the
arrangement of the pompon varieties from Mr. E.
Chadwick, gardener to Mr. E. M. Nelson, Hanger
Hill House, Ealing, who was first for single flowers.
Such a type as Lady Churchill, however, can
scarcely be called single ; the true singles are Jane
and Yellow Jane, two of the prettiest varieties we

The groups of both incurved and Japanese varie-
ties were well arranged, and the individual flowers
of great excellence. The best in the incurved sec-
tion was from Messrs. J. Laing and Sons, Forest
Hill. The plants were conspicuous for the vigour
of their leafage, but such groups have not the same
richness and beauty as those of the Japanese type.
Messrs. J. Laing and Sons were again first for an
excellent arrangement of Japanese varieties, the
plants vigorous in leafage and carrying splendid
flowers, especially Etoile de Lyon, Sunflower, Mile.
Lacroix, Val d'Andorre, Ralph Brocklebank, Miss
Alice Broome, very deep crimson, bronzy reverse ;
Mile. Marie Hoste, excellent white Japanese flower,
very pure in colour ; Viviand Morel, white, the
lower petals shaded with lilac-purple ; and Ed.
Audiguier, rich maroon-crimson, bright silvery re-
verse to the upturned petals, a bold, handsome va-
riety of the Comte de Germiny type; the flower
large, compact, broad in the petal, the colour deep
gold, the inner surface rich crimson. A tasteful
group of incurved varieties, placed second, came
from Messrs. J. Mobsby and Son, Thornton Heath,
and the exhibitor was bold enough to edge it with
naturally grown plants.

The best group from amateurs to contain any
varieties was put up by Mr. J. Gravett, gardener to
Dr. Hetley, Norbury Lodge, Upper Norwood. The
great fault was lumping the plants together simply
to make a block of colour.

Specimen plants, of course, offer little variety.
The most pleasing were from Mr. C. Cherry, gar-
dener to Mrs. Gabriel, Norfolk House, Streatham.
They consisted of trained Japanese varieties. The
show of specimen plants was larger than might have
been anticipated. There is evidently a new interest
springing up in this method of culture. The finest
trained pompons were from Mr. James Hughes,
gardener to Mrs. Longsdon, South Norwood Hill.

ese varieties from Mr. Clark, gardener to Mr. J. H.
Lile, Bush Hill, were creditable.

There were several miscellaneous exhibits. The
greatest show was made by Messrs. Sutton and
Sons, Reading, who exhibited sixty varieties of
Potatoes, comprising a large number of seedlings
in course of trial, some of exceptional promise. A
new white Jerusalem Artichoke was also shown ;
it is more regular, whiter, and better for cooking
than the old type. A large collection of Apples
and Pears came from Messrs. R. Smith and Co.,
Worcester. Of the Pears the finest fruits were
those of Glou Morceau, General Todtleben, Doyenne
du Cornice, and Black Pear of Worcester ; and of
Apples, the John, Cornish Aromatic, Golden Winter
Pearmain, Cox's Orange Pippin, and Worcester
Pearmain. Messrs. J. Cheal and Sons, Crawley,
had excellent Pears, also Apples, especially of Col.
Vaughan, Ribston Pippin, Beauty of Kent, and The
Forge. A collection of orchard grown Apples from
Nova Scotia was exhibited by Messrs. Nothard
and Lowe ; the colour was, of course, brilliant, es-
pecially of King of Tompkins County. Messrs.
Peed and Sons, Norwood, had a collection of cut
Chrysanthemum flowers. A group of seedlings was
shown by Messrs. Reid and Bornemann, Sydenham,
the finest being Mrs. Falconer Jameson and W. H.
Lincoln, both Japanese flowers.

There were also Chinese Primulas in variety, the
finest coming from Mr. A. Carter, gardener to
Alderman Evans, Ewell Grove, Ewell ; and Mr. J.
Bateman, gardener to Mr. King, Southwood, Syden-
ham.

Special prizes were offered by Messrs. Sutton and
Sons, Reading, for six distinct varieties of Potatoes.
The best tubers were those from Mr. J. Hughes,
Eydon Hall.

A prize list is given in our advertising columns.

Carpenter, gardener to Major C. Browne, Byfleet, The Cedo Nulli varieties, especially the white,
Surrey. One of the most interesting classes is al- ' were in excellent flower. The six plants of Japan-

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY.

NOVEMBEB 11 TO 14.

The exhibition that opened last Tuesday at the
Royal Aquarium was the great event in the Chry-
santhemum world of the season, and had a special
significance as celebrating the centenary or one-
hundredth anniversary of the introduction of the
flower into England. As a show it was a distinct
success, but the conference, at which several able
papers and lectures were read, was an utter failure.
As regards the exhibition we can repeat only
what was said last year— that it is a show to please
only the lover of big blooms and trained speci-
mens. There was not the slightest attempt at
artistic grouping, and Continental growers, if any
were present, will return with a sense of satisfac-
tion that the English exhibitions for beauty have not
yet reached their own high standard. There was
one exhibit in St. Stephen's Hall which was worth
notice, and that consisted of a number of graceful
bunches of flowers arranged in simple vases from
Mr. Molyneux, gardener to Mr. W. H. Myers, Swan-
more Park, Bishop's Waltham. They consisted of
sprays of bloom loosely and elegantly arranged,
the varieties chiefly single, as Jane, and pompon
Anemones. We hope that this is only the begin-
ning of a new departure from the wretched style of
showing in rows of boxes, hard close groups, and
big plants. On many of the stands for Japanese
flowers the exhibits were crushed out of character
in the attempt to put twelve where there was only
space for eight, and this is a growing evil, as the
section increases in bulk. We have now such
monstrous flowers as Etoile de Lyon, Stanstead
Surprise, and Stanstead White, which almost re-
quire a board to themselves. Of the Royal Aqua-
rium we can only say that it is the worst possible
place in London, we should think, for holding an
exhibition of this nature. The most important por-
tion of the building is filled up with stalls, which
cut the show in half and prevent a good view.
On Tuesday the din of attendants shouting the va-
rious attractions, the entertainment on the central
stage, and the smell of bad tobacco were insuffer-
able.

The exhibition was opened at about one o'clock
on Tuesday by Lady Brooke, and a lengthy address

472

THE GAEDEN.

[Nov. 15, 1890.

appropriate to a centenary festival was given to
her. We have referred to the show as a distinct
success, merely taking into account the individual
flowers and groups. The centenary class was of
course the great feature, the varieties to consist of
twenty-four Japanese and twenty-four incurved
distinct, and the first prize is £25. There was a
tremendous competition, no less than seventeen
entering the lists. The first prize was taken by
Messrs. W. and G. Drover, Fareham, who had, it is
scarcely necessary to mention, superb blooms of
both sections. It was the finest exhibit of its kind
we have seen for years. The names of the flowers
are given as of possible interest to some of our
readers. They were Sunflower, Mme. Baco, Baronne
de Prailly, Comte de Germiny, Mrs. C. Wheeler,
Ralph Brocklebank, Mrs. A. Hardy, the finest
bloom that has been seen yet, and showing that in
its proper character it is a good thing ; Avalanche,
Mons. Bernard, Criterion, Edwin Molyneux, Stan-
stead White, Jeanne DeTaux, Boule d'Or, Mrs. F.
Jameson, Mme. C. Carriere, Etoile de Lyon, Lady
Lawrence, Condor, and Gloriosum. The incurved
varieties were Beauty, Mrs. Heal, Prince Alfred,
Lord Alcester, Alfred Salter, Mrs. A. Davis, Emily
Dale, Princess of Wales, Alfred Lyne, John
Doughty, Violet Tomlin, Lady Dorothy, Empress
of India, Empress Eugenie, Mr. W. Shipman, Queen
of England, Nil Desperandum, Jeanne d'Arc, M. A.
Haggas, Lady Hardinge, Mrs. Coleman, and Charles
Gibson. The second place was won by Mr. Richard
Parker,"gardener to Mr. J. Cobbett, Impney, Droit-
wich, and the third by Mr. Charles Gibson, gardener
to Mr. J. Wormald, Morden Park, Surrey. There
were five prizes. The next most interesting class
was what is called the national competition of
Chrysanthemum and horticultural societies, but
there were only three entries. The first place was
taken by the St. Neot's Society with flowers contri-
buted by the leading growers in the district. They
were splendid flowers, especially the incurved, and
a credit to this society. There was not much
difference between this and those from the Wimble-
don Society, who were second. There were eighteen
competitors in the great class for forty-eight in-
curved flowers, the finest unquestionably coming
from Mr. W. G. Ray, of Teynham. He had the
newer varieties, as M. A. Haggas, Violet Tomlin,
Lady Dorothy, Mrs. A. Davis, and Charles Gibson
in splendid character, and it says much for the value
of those new types that they should at once come
to the front. In all stands of incurved flowers they
were well represented. Mr. R. Parker was a close
second. Mr. Sullivan, gardener to Mr. D. B. Chap-
man, Roehampton, is best known for his success
with the Japanese Anemone varieties, but that he
can grow excellent incurved flowers was shown in
the class for twenty-four blooms, in which he
was a good first. Another great class was for
twenty-four incurved flowers, distinct, to be shown
with not less than 8 inches of stem above the board.
This is a less formal way of showing than putting the
flowers flat on the stand, aEd the blooms from Mr.
C. Blick, gardener to Mr. Martin R. Smith, The
Warren, Hayes Common, showed splendid growth
and leafage, besides characteristic flowers. The
first prize was the Veitch Memorial medal and £5.

There were numerous special prizes from those
interested in the society. For eighteen in-
curved flowers, in which all the Queen family were
to be included, the winner of the first prize was
Messrs. W. and G. Drover, who had flowers of the
same high finish and beauty that characterised
those in the centenary class. They were made
up principally of splendid blooms of Alfred Lyne,
Mrs. Coleman, and the newer acquisitions. Mr.
Russell, gardener to Dr. C. F. Lewis, Henfield,
Sussex, showed the finest flowers of the new in-
curved variety Mrs. S. Coleman ; the colour is rich
yellow, with the bottom petals flushed with deep
rose, and the form faultless for an incurved flower,
quite different from the flowers of John Lambert,
another incurved sport, but far rougher and coarser
than the other. The colour is very similar to that
of Mrs. S. Coleman, but the petals are bigger.

The great class for Japanese flowers was for
forty-eight, to consist of twenty-four varieties. Of
course the beauty of the flowers is destroyed by the

way they are crammed together on the boards, but
individually those in this class were exceptionally
fine. There were numerous entries, and the first
prize went to quite a southern grower, Mr. G.
Hawkins, gardener to Mr. W. H. Fowler, Clare-
mont, Taunton. It is scarcely necessary to add
that the blooms were of remarkable growth, and
the newer types, as Etoile de Lyon, Mrs. Falconer
Jameson, Sarah Owen, Mrs. C. Wheeler, Puritan,
and George Daniels, were in true character. The
second place was taken by Messrs. W. and G.
Drover. Mr. G. Hawkins was successful through-
out with his superb Japanese flowers. He was
also first for twenty-four distinct varieties. We
suppose Japanese reflexed kinds are permissible in
this class, as PAutomne was represented by an
excellent flower. There were much the same classes
for Japanese as for incurved varieties. The Veitch
medal and £5, offered by the Veitch memorial
trustees for twenty-four varieties, went to Mr. A.
Payne, gardener to Mrs. Gerald Smith, The Oaks,
Emsworth, who had excellent flowers, which look
better with leafage as a foil. Two interesting
classes were for six Japanese flowers, white, one
variety, and for six blooms of the same class, and
of any colour.

As there were no less than seventy-one classes,
it is impossible to do more than refer to a few of
the more salient features in the show. The full
prize list will be found in our advertising columns.
There were several other classes for Japanese va-
rieties in which excellent flowers were shown ; in-
deed there seemed to be few bad exhibits.

Some of the more interesting classes were to be
seen in the St. Stephen's Hall, where the reflexed,
Anemones, and the new divisions, as Japanese re-
flexed, were placed. The finest reflexed blooms
came from Mr. Russell, who was an excellent first,
the varieties comprising Cullingfordi, Cloth of
Gold, and the Christines in their several colours.
Mr. C. E. Shea, Foot's Cray, Kent, was a frequent
and successful exhibitor. His twelve Japanese re-
flexed flowers were very creditable ; so were the
twelve large-flowered Anemone blooms from Mr.
A. Ives, gardener to Mr. E. C. Jukes, Hadley Lodge,
Highgate ; they comprised Grande Alveole, Laing's
Anemone, Thorpe .Tun., La Marguerite, Acquisition,
Lady Margaret, Empress, Mrs. Judge Benedict,
Georges Sand, Amaranth, and Miss Annie Lowe.
We must not omit to mention the splendid blooms
of Japanese Anemone varieties from Mr. Sullivan,
who excels with this division. The flowers of Mme.
Cabrol, Nelson, C. Lebocq, Mme. Clos, Jeanne
Marty, Marguerite Solleville, Dame Blanche, Sa-
bine, and Fabian de Mediana were remarkably
fine. Mr. Shea was also first for twelve Japanese
incurved flowers, showing the leading flowers of
this new type, which is constantly receiving addi-
tions. It is quite time the distinction was made.
Delightful flowers are the Anemone pompons, espe-
cially as the rule is that they are to be shown in
bunches with foliage. The best were from Mr.
W. B. Carpenter, of Gravesend.and comprised such
things as Astrea, Regulus, and Marie Stuart. A
great mistake occurred in the class for pompons.
The judges awarded the first prize to the big,
coarse, ungainly flowers from Mr. 'M. Russell, and
followed to the letter the general rule of giving
preference to mere bigness, while stands of flowers
more truly pompon were passed over. We scarcely
knew the prettily shaped Mile. Elise Dordan forced
out of character in this stand. What is an exceed-
ingly pretty class is fast losing its characteristic
by this desire merely to have big blooms.

The classes for amateurs and single-handed gar-
deners were well filled, but we can do no more than
briefly refer to the various exhibits. The best
flowers in the class for twenty-four blooms, twelve
Japanese and twelve incurved, open only to those
who do not employ a gardener, were from Mr.
Briscoe-Ironside, Hilton, Longland Road, Sidcup.
They showed what care and skill will do in the cul-
ture of a plant. Etoile de Lyon, which was con-
spicuous throughout the show, was well exhibited.
The best six Japanese flowers were also from Mr.
Briscoe-Ironside, and included a flower of Volun-
teer, which has broad blush petals ; it is not good
everywhere. The most creditable twelve Japanese

flowers were those shown by Mr. H. Fincham,
Hartley House, Cranbrook, who showed excellent
blooms of Sunflower, Avalanche, and album fimbri-
atum. The two most successful exhibitors in the
class for amateurs were Mr. Edward Mawley, Rose-
bank, Berkhamsted, who was first for twelve and
also for six Japanese flowers.

There were what is called metropolitan classes,
i.e., open to growers only who live within a radius
of 4f miles of Shoreditch Church, and the flowers
were good as a rule, though with scarcely such
clear colours as those from the pure country air.

Several classes were set apart for table decora-
tions, wreaths, and like exhibits. The largest was
for a batch of bouquets, wreaths, sprays, &c, illus-
trating the decorative value of the Chrysanthemum,
and they served their purpose, those arrangements
from Messrs. Perkins and Sons, Coventry, showing
good taste.

An injustice, we think, was done in the class for
three vases suitable for dinner tables. The first
prize was awarded to three lumpy arrangements,
in which the flowers were smothered with Fern
fronds, whilst a lighter arrangement, tastefully set
up, was placed second. The first was from Mr.
D. B. Crane, of Highgate, the other from Mr. J. R.
Chard, Brunswick Nursery, Stoke Newington.

The groups and pot plants filled a large space,
and the former were confined to the large hall,
where they were cramped together for want of ade-
quate space. It is impossible in a confined area
like the smoky Royal Aquarium to get any other
effect than a mere lump of flowers. The great class
was for any varieties, and the first prize was well
won by Mr. G. Stevens, of Putney, who had a
showy arrangement comprising flowers of splendid
quality and variety. Etoile de Lyon was remark-
ably fine, but all were good. The second place
was filled by Messrs. J. Laing and Sons, Forest
Hill, who also had excellent flowers.

A very fine exhibit was that from Messrs. Reid
and Bornemann, Trewsbury Road, Sydenham, who
were first for a group of Japanese varieties, each
plant not to exceed 4 feet in height. The speci-
mens were remarkable for the vigour of their leaf-
age and noble flowers. A few that edged the ar-
rangement were from late lateral cuttings, and
nearly 1 foot in height. The specimens, although
of course in the usual trained form, were remark-
ably well grown. The best twelve bush plants
were from Mr. E. Easey, gardener to Mr. J. W.
Jones, The Grange, Highbury New Park, and the
first prize here consisted of the Veitch medal and
£5, offered by the Veitch Memorial trustees. The
nine specimen large-flowered varieties were from
Mr. J. Brooks, and were the finest in the exhibition.
The plants were less ^ formally trained than usual
and a mass of bloom, the kinds comprising Wm.
Robinson, Mme. Baco, Dr. Sharpe, Mme. B. Ren-
datler, Miss Gorton, Avalanche, Margot, and China-
man. The best six standard trained plants of large-
flowered varieties came from Mr. D. Donald.

There were several miscellaneous collections. We
have already alluded to the chaiming bunches of
flowers from Mr. Molyneux. Messrs. Pitcher and
Manda, of Swanley, had a collection, but each
bloom was cut off and placed flat down on the box.
It is a mistake to show flowers in this style. A large
group of Cyclamens was exhibited by Mr. W. Taylor,
The Gardens, Twickenham Road, Islewortb, and Mr.
Chadwick, of Hanger Hill House Gardens, Ealing,
had a charming box of single flowers, but if bunched
more gracefully the effect would have been better.
A splendid exhibit was that from Messrs. Clibran
and Sons, Altrincham, who had several stands of the
newer varieties, all in superb character ; they in-
cluded excellent blooms of Mme. John Laing, Sun-
flower, Mme. Clemence Audiguier, Avalanche, and
Annie Clibran, the pink sport from Mile. Lacroix.
We have never seen finer flowers of this delicately-
coloured variety. Several others, as the incurved
John Lambert were represented. Messrs. Cutbush
and Sons, Highgate, exhibited Pernettya mucrc-
nata in its several varieties. Mr. Owen, of
Maidenhead, had a beautiful show of Chrysan-
themums, several, as will be seen by the report of
the floral committee (p. 453), receiving an award.

Nov. 15, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

473

Mr. Wythes, gardener to the Duke of Northumber-
land, Syon House, Isleworth, showed a collection
of cut flowers tastefully set up with Ferns and
small-foliaged plants, and a similar arrangement
came from Messrs. Peed and Sons, Norwood and
Streatham. Messrs. Beale and Co., New Southgate,
exhibited Chrysanthemums. A large display was
made by Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons, Swanley,
who exhibited a collection of cut flowers of zonal
Pelargoniums, Chrysanthemums, and Octavie Be-
gonia.

The Potatoes formed the chief exhibit in one of
the galleries. A collection embracing a number of
varieties, many of his own raising, came from Mr.
C. Fidler, Reading ; also from Messrs. Sutton and
Sons, of Reading, whose exhibit also appeared at
the Crystal Palace show, reported on page

Besides Chrysanthemums there were classes for
fruit and vegetables.

A full prize list is given in our advertising
columns.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.
November 11.
The November meeting was one of the smallest of
the year, but it is easy to account for this by the
lateness of the season and the show of the National
Chrysanthemum Society opening on the same day.
The exhibits were, however, of decided interest,
especially the large group of Chinese Primulas from
Messrs. Sutton and Sons, of Reading, to illustrate
the remarks of Mr. Sutton on this favourite green-
house flower.

There were three first-class certificatesjgiven,
which went to each of the following: —
- VACCINITrM pennsylvanicum. — This is the
Pennsylvanian Blue Berry, and an uncommon
shrub, except in the best tree nurseries. We were
pleased to see a large bunch of shoots from Mr.
Anthony Waterer, Knap Hill, Woking. This Vac-
cinium is valuable for the brilliant colour of its
leafage in autumn. It is gorgeous, and a large
bush of it creates a splendid colour picture in the
landscape as early even as October, when the
leaves have turned to glowing scarlet and crimson
tints, retained, as shown by the exhibit from Knap
Hill, far into November. It is by the judicious
planting of such shrubs as this that gardens and
woodlands are made interesting and beautiful.

Knap Hill Scaelet Oak.— This is a splendid
Oak, and this award will draw attention to the
merits of a tree that should be seen in all good
English gardens. It is a picture of colour in the
autumn, the bold leafage dying off a dark crimson
hue, mixed with deep crimson, a subdued, but beau-
tiful colour. The only way to gain a true idea of
its effect in the landscape is to see a tree. A large
bunch of foliage shows its deep colour, but not
the beauty of the tree in the landscape. From Mr.
A. Waterer.

Cypeipeditjm Antigone.— This is a very beau-
tiful flower, one of the most distinct hybrid Cypri-
pediums that has been raised. It is a cross between
C. niveum and C Lawrenceanum, and we have a
happy combination of two lovely Lady's Slippers.
C. niveum has imparted to the hybrid its delicacy
of tone and Chinese slipper-shaped pouch, while
the flower is quite as large as that of Lawrence-
anum, the leafage also brilliantly mottled and
variegated. The dorsal sepal is of equal breadth
with that of Lawrenceanum, the colour rich rose, the
basal half enriched with a few stripes of a darker
shade ; the petals are of the same soft tint, covered
in the lower half with a multitude of small dark
brown dots ; the lip rose, more pronounced in
colour around the apex, and several times larger
than in niveum. From Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons.

An award of merit went to each of the fol-
lowing : —

Chrysanthemum Arthur Wood. — This is a
distinct addition to the Japanese class, the flowers
rich in colour, chestnut-brown tipped with rich
yellow. It is a good flower for cutting. From
Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons, Swanley.

Cypeipeditjm hybridtjm Doeis. — This is pro-
visionally named, but whatever its name, it is a
bold, striking flower, not beautiful, but very dis-
tinct. It is the result of a cross between C. venus- '

turn and C. Stonei, and the two parents are fairly
well shown in the progeny ; the broad dorsal sepal
is green, striped with a deeper shade of the same
colour; the petals almost an inch in width, suf-
fused and lined with green, over which are scat-
tered large dark brown spots ; the bold lip brownish
crimson. Shown by Mr. N. C. Cookson, Oakwood,
Wylam-on-Tyne.

Cypeipedium hybeidum Eyermanniantjm. — ■
Here we have an excellent hybrid between C
Spicerianum and C. barbatum grandiflorum. The
relationship to C. Spiceriannm is seen in the petals,
and the remainder of the flower may be likened to
the other parent. The upper half of the dorsal
sepal is pure white, the lower portion marked with
a few longitudinal stripes of crimson, the petals
rich brown and twisted, and the lip brown. It was
shown by Messrs. Sander and Co., St. Albans.

Odontoglossum Duvtvterianum. — This is evi-
dently closely allied to 0. cordatum. The flower
has the same pointed petals and the. same general
expression, but it is quite distinct, especially in
colour, which is a shade of yellow, spotted with
dark brown ; the lip is white, spotted sparsely in
the centre, but heavily round the outer margin. A
good example of it came from M. Linden, Pare
Leopold, Brussels.

Cypripedthm Mueiel Hollington.— This has
somewhat the character of C. niveum, and is a
pretty flower, bold, fleshy, and showy. It is of
rounded form, by reason of the substance and
breadth of the petals, and the colour is soft and
distinct. The petals are almost of a self cream-
white colour, but flushed with rose, the dorsal
sepal of the same tint, marked with a few stripes
of rose at the base, the centre greenish yellow,
spotted with crimson ; lip tinted with green at the
base, the other portion veined with rose. From
Mr. Ayling, gardener to Mr. A. J. Hollington,
Forty Hill, Enfield, who has thus raised another
flower almost as beautiful as C. Aylingi.

Cypripedium Cleola. — This is a dainty gem, a
hybrid between C. Boissierianum (reticulatum) and
Schlimi albiflorum. It is a charming flower, with
the character of Schlimi albiflorum very strongly
marked ; the dorsal sepal is of a pale primrose tint,
very narrow and pointed, the twisted petals creamy
white, and the lip white, lightly touched with
tender rose. It was exhibited by Messrs. J. Veitch
and Sons, Chelsea.

A small group of varieties of Cattleya Waroc-
queana was shown by M. Linden, of Brussels. The
flowers showed the same diversity in colouring as
those exhibited on previous occasions, but some
very richly tinted forms, especially in the lip, ap-
peared. The finest had a bold flower with narrow,
rich rose petals and sepals, the lip with a pale mar-
gin, but in the centre of a deep lustrous velvety
purple shade. Odontoglossum Noezlianum re-
ceived a botanical certificate ; it has small, orange-
scarlet flowers. An interesting exhibit was from
Mr. Statter, Stand Hall, Whitefield, near Manches-
ter (gardener, Mr. R. Johnson). Several forms of
Cattleya Bowringiana were sent, varying in their
depth of colours, one with a rich violet shade, and
another named Statterianum of a deep rose-purple.
Mr. Statter also had the charming little Dendro-
bium Phakenopsis, D. Statterianum, a good form
of Vanda coerulea, besides a remarkably well-grown
plant of an excellent variety of Cattleya aurea
carrying eight flowers of rich colour. Messrs. San-
der and Co., St. Albans, had the pale mauve-coloured
Cattleya O'Brieni, also Cypripedium Ashburtonije
and C. hybridum Laucheanum, both handsome
Lady's Slippers. C. polystigmaticum was shown by
Mr. Hollington ; it has much the character of C.
Spicerianum, evidently one of its parents. Mr.
Ballantyne, gardener to Baron Schroeder, The Dell,
Egham, sent a noble spike of Odontoglossum cris-
pum Sanderianum, one of the finest of the crispum
varieties, richly coloured with chestnut-brown ; it
is a splendid Orchid. From The Dell collection
there also came a flower of Laelio- Cattleya Euterpe,
remarkable for its narrow sepals and petals and
intense purple lip. Messrs. Pitcher and Manda,
Swanley, exhibited Cypripedium Masereelianum, and
Mr. W. C. Atkinson, Aigburth, Liverpool, flowers of
Lselia anceps alba, very pure in colour.

Other flower exhibits comprised several new Chry-
santhemums from Messrs. H. Cannell, and blooms
of the incurved Mr. R. Cannell. Violet flowers were
sent by Mr. W. C. Leach, Albury Park Gardens,
Guildford.

A large group of Chinese Primulas came from
Messrs. Sutton and Sons, of Reading. There was
almost every type of the flower, the Moss, Fern and
the plain-leaved sections, besides a rich variety of
the splendid double and single kinds sent out by
this firm. A silver medal was awarded.

Fruit committee. — There were few exhibits
of interest. A great show was made by a superb
collection of Apples and Pears from Messrs. T.
Rivers and Sons, Sawbridgeworth (silver-gilt
medal). Mr. Laxton, of Bedford, showed Chou
de Bedford, which we think is simply Couve
Tronchuda or Portugal Cabbage, and the white
Jerusalem Artichoke. There were a few other
exhibits, fruits of Ramborough Apple from Mr.
Cummins, gardener to Mr. A. H. Smee, showing its
bright colouring — rich yellow, flushed with scarlet.

Obituary.

DEATH OF MR. JAMES McINTOSH.
As we were going to press we learned with deep
regret that on Wednesday evening, the 5th inst.,
death removed a gentleman whose name is familiar
to all associated with horticulture— Mr. James
Mcintosh, Duneevan, Weybridge. There are few
men who have won the esteem that Mr. Mcintosh
has gained by his enthusiastic love for flowers,
kindness, liberality, and thoughtfulness for others.
Of recent years his face has been missed from the
horticultural gatherings which he used to join, but
only precarious health prevented him. For years
he attended the meetings of the Royal Horticul-
tural Society, being a member of the floral com-
mittee, and also of the council. The Royal Horti-
cultural Society had few men of the same worth
as Mr. Mcintosh, and at his funeral on Wednesday
many friends were present to pay their last respects.

Born in London in 1814, he was therefore at the
advanced age of 76, and was in early life a con-
tractor, assisting his uncle in the construction of
many famous government works and railways. He,
however, retired early from business and spent the
remainder of his life in gardening, which he carried
on with zeal and success. We had the pleasure of
visiting his charming garden at Duneevan in the
spring of this year, and an article appeared in re-
ference to it in The Garden of June 7 (p. 538).
The Rhododendrons, which he knew well and
cultivated on the warm loamy soil of Weybridge
Heath, were in full beauty, and Mr. Mcintosh was
never happier than when pointing out his treasures
or telling their history. His collection was perfect,
we believe, and every new kind of value was added
as it appeared. Lilies were planted amongst
them, and Rhododendrons scarcely more than a
foot high he lived to see grow into splendid bushes,
and making this Surrey garden a place of interest
in the early days of June. Conifers, too, were his
delight, and in his garden they grew with vigour.
Abies Albertiana is there over 60 feet in height,
possibly the finest specimen in England. For some
years a chest complaint kept him for weeks to-
gether indoors. Visitors were always welcome to
see his flowers, which he cherished with a real
and lasting enthusiasm. He succumbed to an
attack of congestion of the lungs, and leaves a
widow, but no children.

Death, of Mr. B. Catchpool.— We regret to
announce the death of Mr. Richard Catchpool, the
hon. secretary and superintendent of the Reading
Chrysanthemum Society, which occurred at Reading
on the 7th inst. A few years since he instituted, on
a larger scale than had been before attempted, the
annual Chrysanthemum show, putting it upon a
broader basis, and making it in every way a distinct
success. Mr. Catchpool was taken ill on Thursday,
the 6th, and died on the following day. The annual
show at Readingwas held on Thursday, the 13th,and
he who had worked so hard to make it successful,
died almost on the eve of its taking place, at the
age of sixty- eight.

474

THE GARDEN.

[Not. 15, 1890.

WOODS AND FORESTS.

NOTES ON DRAINING.

The thorough and efficient draining of land
takes, or rather should take, precedence of all
other estate improvements, and if the work is
well done and carried out with skill and judg-
ment, the capital spent could not be better in-
vested. On the other hand, should the drains
prove defective from whatever cause, the capi-
tal spent will be merely thrown away.

In draining stiff clay land the most satisfactory
results have always been derived by covering
the pipes with about 12 inches in depth of
small stones ; these should be put into the drain
carefully, and nicely packed and levelled on the
top ; then a tough surface sod, or heather when
it can be got conveniently, should be laid on
the top of the stones, and the work finished by
filling up the drains with soil. This makes a
very efficient lasting drain, but in cases where
stoue3 cannot be had the drains should be filled
up with soil of a loose open texture, in order
that the surface water may get away, which is
the principal point to be aimed at in thorough
drainage. When the drains are filled with
stiff clay the surface water is thereby prevented
from passing through the adhesive substance
and reaching the pipes. I have seen surface
water lying in pools in hollow places right on
the top of such drains, and which was only re-
moved by gradual evaporation. Such drains
may, however, be used where it is only
necessary to tap a spring and simply run off"
the water.

In the formation of drains in the vicinity of
tree3 in the park or lawn, socket-pipes should be
used opposite the trees, and the connections
carefully filled with cement, in order to pre-
vent, as far as possible, roots from entering and
choking the pipes. This, however, does not
always answer that end, as I have seen drains
so constructed with great care beconio com-
pletely choked up by roots, so that when the
latter were pulled out of the pipes, they pre-
sented the appearance of thick ropes the exact
size of the interior of the pipe. When once a
root penetrates a pipe (which I cannot say I
have ever been able altogether to prevent)
although it is only about as thick as a common
thread, yet it will throw off fresh spongioles so
rapidly that the drain will soon become useless.
It is sometimes necessary to build tanks here
and there to catch mud and sediment. These
should be occasionally examined and cleaned
out, and will aid in keeping the drains clean
and in proper working order, especially where
the water is impregnated with oxide of iron,
which tends to close up the pipes. The outlet
of the leader drains should be built with stones,
or brick and lime mortar, and a brander fitted
on the same to prevent rabbits from making
burrows and destroying the drain. These should
all be numbered, and a map drawn out indi-
cating all the leaders and branches belonging to
the same, and the positions occupied by the
principal trees in the grounds marked by a small
circle, and their names added. The distance
between the trees and nearest drains in their
vicinity should also be accurately measured and
recorded on the map, so that when anything
goes wrong with them their position can be
found at once without trouble or expense, and
the necessary repairs, of whatever nature,
carried out. J.

mon Norway Spruce. In America, however, it is a
valuable tree, with light-coloured or reddish wood,
which combines lightness and elasticity with
strength. The Spruce timber of the eastern mar-
kets is derived from it ; it is largely sawn into boards
and square timber, and was formerly used for ship-
building, spars, &c. In this country it forms a very
compact-growing, handsome little tree, and the
dark green leaves and small cones which are pro-
duced in great profusion render it very ornamental
as a specimen plant for the lawn, &c. Cold moun-
tain woods are the places it particularly affects in
the New World, and where it attains the largest
size ; in swamps it is more frequently of small size
and of little value. Its geographical distribution is
Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Canada ; through
the Northern United States from Maine to Wiscon-
sin, and south along the Alleghany Mountains to
the high peaks of North Carolina.

The black Spruce. — It is hardly likely that
this species (Picea nigra) will ever compete success-
fully—in this country at any rate — with the com-

ROAD-MAKING AND MATERIALS.
A GEBAT variety of substances for road-making
is used in this country, but the best of them will
not make a smooth and durable highway unless
they be laid on a good bottoming of rubble stones,
and these again on a well-drained surface. On a
wet soil the road-metal sinks, becomes uneven, and
wears irregularly, while in winter the moisture
freezes and expands, and when a thaw comes the
surface is broken up and the consistency of the
metal destroyed. In all cases the top soil should
be removed, and if not needed for levelling-up, it can
be readily disposed of on the adjacent farms for
composts and admixture. In some districts where
granites abound they are broken for road metal,
but if large-grained and highly felspathic they are
easily crushed and reduced to clay. In others
porphyries and felstones are employed, and many
of these from their hardness and toughness stand
well, though to break them is rather expensive. In
others, again, greenstones and basalts are largely
used, and when broken to proper size make by far
the smoothest and most durable roadway. Of
course there is great variety among these green-
stones, but, unless among the softer and more fels-
pathic sorts, they are not only durable, but cheaply
procured. In some districts the harder pebbles
(chiefly of quartz, porphyry, granite, &c.) from
river channels and the seashore are employed ;
in others the harder and more silicious lime-
stones and sandstone ; in some the flints from
the chalk, and in others near blast-furnaces the
slag is broken by crushing machines, and makes
a fair, though not very durable, material. In all
cases of macadamising, thorough drainage and a
good bottoming of rough rubble are indispensable ;
and when the metal is laid on, a heavy rolling
down and consolidation with some sharp gravelly
binding are equally necessary. Basalts, green-
stone, felstones, and felstone porphyries make the
smoothest and most durable metal, and now, since
the introduction of efficient crushing machines,
should be sought after by the road-maker, even
though requiring to be brought from considerable
distances. In the construction of street thorough-
fares subjected to heavy and continuous traffic, and
where macadamising would be all mud in winter
and dust in summer, recourse must be had to cause-
waying either in rubble or in regular courses. The
former may do for by-streets where the traffic is
light ; but for the great public thoroughfares of a
commercial town nothing will serve save coursed
blocks of granite, porphyry ,'or greenstones. Wooden
blocks, concrete, and asphalte are at their best but
indifferent substitutes, and wholly unsuited where
the gradients are steep or even considerable.
Granites like those of Aberdeen, Argyle, Dalbeattie,
Creetown, Wicklow, the Channel Islands, &c, are
largely used in all the thoroughfares of our princi-
pal cities, and make clean and durable streets ; but
some kinds of porphyry, like that from the Moor-
foot Hills, and employed in Edinburgh, are harder
and tougher, though from their tendency to wear
smooth they require to be laid down in narrower
courses. Greenstones are also largely used, and
when properly coursed and bedded are almost as
durable as granite. Good samples of greenstone

causewaying may be seen in most of our large
towns where the rock can be obtained at a cheaper
rate than granite. In some instances quartzites
and hard silicious sandstones are employed ; they
stand well, but, from their tendency to wear smooth
and slippery, require to be laid, like the Moorfoot
porphyry, in narrow courses.

Carriage drive.— In The Gabden, Nov. 1 (p.
428), Mr. James E. Backhouse inquires as to the
best material for a carriage drive. To have a firm
road the materials used should be of the hardest
description, such as macadamised granite or whin-
stone for the bottom. The material should be spread
out in a uniform manner, but kept a little higher at
the centre of the road than the sides to allow the
rain water to run off. The surface should then have
a light covering of gravelly stuff containing a little
clay in order to bind the stones together and render
the surface firm. The work should then be finished
by giving a coat of hard gravel, the whole being
firmly pressed together by a heavy roller as the
work proceeds. In place of hard gravel to finish
the surface I have sometimes used granite chips,
such as can be got at the sheds where masons dress
the stones for building. When this material can be
got I prefer it to gravel, as the sharp corners and
sides of the chips grip and bind together in such
a way that they do not shift. They are impervious
to frost, and present a hard, firm surface, which
has a clean tidy appearance all the year round.
The price of these chips may vary considerably in
different parts of the country, but in the north of
Scotland I have bought them at one shilling per
cartload.— J. B. Webster.

Cause of wind-shakes. — It may be re-
marked that the defect called wind-shakes, which
is often imputed to soil, more frequently proceeds
from trees being drawn up too weak when young,
and afterwards suddenly exposed by the removal of
all the underwood at once ; which, from its being
often permitted to stand uncut too long, increases
the evil. The same defect is also produced at a
more advanced age, when part of a wood is cut
down by the sudden exposure of that which is
left to the effects of every blast. Another evil at-
tends sudden exposure, from the cold acting on the
sap-vessels and the sap, and preventing its propul-
sion or ascent, and consequently depriving part of
the plant of the degree of nourishment which it had
been accustomed to receive. Hence we see frequently
dead-topped old trees and stunted young ones, as
also the evil of a profusion of small lateral branches
breaking out from the trunk ; which latter occur-
rence often arises also from injudicious and exces-
sive pruning, which, as well as sudden exposure,
ought to be guarded against, keeping in mind that
prevention is better than cure. But, above all, as
the principal cause of decay and rottenness in the
stem is frominjudiciouslopping off of large branches,
let that be avoided, except in cases where fore-
shortening or terminal pruning, for certain purposes,
may be resorted to.

The white Ash. — Apart from its probable
value as a timber tree, the white Ash (Fraxinus
americana) is a much more ornamental and striking
tree than our native Ash. The large and handsome
leaves with their distinctly whitish under surfaces
and the vigorous growths place this North American
Ash in the first rank of ornamental trees for the
park or pleasure ground, as its timber places it,
throughout the districts where it grows wild, in the
first rank from a purely economic standpoint. It
grows quickly, moreover, and is quite as hardy as
our common British Ash. The wood is light, tough,
very strong and elastic, and is extensively employed
in the manufacture of agricultural implements,
carriages, oars, cabinet work, &c. It attains a height
of GO feet to 80 feet, with a trunk 4 feet to 6 feet
in diameter. It has grey furrowed bark and smooth
grey branchlets, with rusty coloured buds.

The Garden " Monthly Parts.— This journal it
published in neatly bound Monthly Parts. In this form tht
coloured plates are best preserved, and it is most suitable for
reference previous to the issue of the half-yearly volumes. Price
Is. Gd. ; post free, Is. 9d. Complete set of volumes of The
Gabden /rom its commencement to end of 1889, thirty-six vols.,
price, cloth, £27; half morocco, £32 8*.

London: 37, Southampton Street, Strand, JT.C.

THE GARDEN.

475

No. 992. SATURDAY, Nov. 22,1890. Vol. XXXV 111.

"This is an Art
Which does mend Nature : change it rather ; but
The Art itself is Nature."— Shakespeare.

Orchids.

THE PALE BLUE VANDA.

(V. CCEEULESCENS.)

This Vanda was first found a little over fifty
years ago by Griffith, but thirty years elapsed
before anything more was known about it, and
this time it was found by Colonel Benson in
the Burmese Hills at some 1500 feet elevation
above the sea level. Messrs. Veitch & Sons, of
Chelsea, received the first lot of plants, and
they soon recovered from their journey and
flowered in the spring of 1870. The flowers,
although much smaller than those of V. ccerulea
(which, by the way, is not a Burmese plant, as
stated a few weeks ago in The Garden, but
from Khasia), are yet very beautiful, and what
they lack in size they make up in quantity, for
on the spike now before me there are twenty-
four flowers, each bloom being considerably
over 1£ inches across ; the sepals and petals
are nearly equal, spathulate in shape, soft
bluishlilacontheinnerside, and paler towards the
base. On the outside they are darker blue — in
fact, reddish lilac ; lip small and of a deep
blue, margined with bluish lilac. The plant
itself is rather small growing. The examples
of this Vanda when they first arrive always
seem to have suffered much in transit, the
leaves being more or less bruised near the stem,
which makes them die off. For this reason the
plant does not become really presentable until
they all come away and are replaced by home-
grown ones ; this is a fault which needs atten-
tion, I think. I cannot see why this Vanda
being of small growth should suffer in this way.
The larger species invariably suffer in this way,
the recent importation of Vanda Sanderiana
especially so. In 1877 a plant flowered in the
nursery of Messrs. Low, of Clapton, from a
batch sent home by Boxall, with the sepals and
petals white, the lip deep violet-blue streaked
with white lines. This was dedicated by Prof.
Beichenbach to the collector and called Boxalli.
Here, then, are two forms of a very handsome
Vanda, which having been imported in quan-
tity are within the reach of most growers, and 1
sincerely hope to again see these plants popular.
They will grow well in pots or baskets, and
here I would draw the attention of my readers
to the fact that in a state of nature Vandas
grow upon the branches of trees and on rocks,
just in the same manner that Cattleyas and
many other South American Orchids do, and
that, therefore, there is no reason why they
cannot thrive with us under the same condi-
tions. Many years ago I was struck with this
idea, and when short of Sphagnum I mixed
some peat and Sphagnum together and potted
my Vandas in it. The growth was equally
good, and, moreover, in the wintertime I found
the mixture was preferable to the Sphagnum
alone, because it did not keep such an amount
of moisture constantly in contact with the plant.
As my specimens were grown cool in winter,
this was a consideration. During the resting
season water must not be entirely withheld, as
I have found these Vandas grow through the
winter months. In such a compost, composed
of half and half peat and Sphagnum Moss, the
two plants here named grew and flowered well
with me at the Messrs. Rollisson's nursery. I

prefer the hanging baskets for this plant, as
they can be kept up near the light and exposed
to better air. Through the summer season this
Vanda requires an abundance of water at the
roots and great humidity in the atmosphere.
In the winter I have kept it in perfect health,
and had it flower in the spring in a night tem-
perature of 56°. I am surprised to receive it in
flower now, as I have found that it generally
blooms in the spring. W. H. Gower.

Small Masdevallias.— One of the most pleas-
ing developments in Orchid culture of the present
day is the growing appreciation for species whose
qualifications lie not so much in their size and
colour as in their curious structure and appearance.
Perhaps no genus of Orchids contributes so much
to the gratification of this taste as Masdevallia
does. Although it contains several species of
great decorative value, such as M. Harryana, to-
varensis, and Veitchi, the general character of the
genus is curious rather than ornamental. At Kew,
where upwards of ninety sorts are cultivated, there
are always species of interest to be seen in bloom.
Just now, notable both for their beauty and curious
structure, are M. triaristella and M. triglochin, each
bearing a number of their jewel-like flowers. These
two diminutive species were considered by Reich-
enbach to show considerable relationship with the
Restrepias. The habit is very different from any-
thing seen in that genus, but certainly the shape of
the flowers bears out this idea. Masdevallia tri-
aristella has leaves from 1 inch to 2 inches long,
erect, almost cylindrical, and crowded into dense
tufts. The flower-scapes are about 3 inches high,
so slender as to be almost hair-like, but rigid and
erect. The two lower sepals are united by the
inner margins after the fashion of Restrepias, and
form together a boat-shaped segment, half-an-inch
in length, and of a brownish crimson colour. From
each side near the apex proceeds a short yellow
antennEe-like tail. The point of the upper sepal is
attenuated in the same way. The species was found
by Endres in Costa Rica. M. triglochin is closely
allied, the leaves being short, thick, erect, and
packed into the same dense tufts ; the sepals are
also furnished with similar curious tails. The
flowers are of a deep purple-red and the tails are
yellow. It was originally discovered by Lehmann
in Ecuador at an elevation of 5500 feet, and is at
present, I believe, one of the rarest of Masdevallias.
On account of their diminutive size both these kinds
should be grown in small, hanging baskets or pans.
They prefer a compost of fibrous peat and Sphag-
num, and should be kept cool and moist throughout
the year.

Calantb-e vestita oculata rubra and C.

Veitchi. Fine plants of these were staged at the

late exhibition of the Brixton Society. They were
the first I had seen this season. The variety of C. v.
oculata rubra was excellent, and a well-flowered plant
came from Mr. Ranson, the latter variety being
staged by Mr. Howe, gardener to Mr. H. Tate, Park
Hill, Streatham. These Calanthes flowering so early
have most of their leaves upon them, and they look
far more charming than when seen quite destitute
of foliage. The loss of this, however, is quite natu-
ral, and, therefore, Ferns and ornamental-foliaged
plants should always be prepared to stand these
plants amongst, so that the spikes look out from a
bank of greenery. Orchids were shown in great
numbers, fifty specimens being exhibited, and I
think this fine lot of plants deserved a better place
than the ends of the tables. They would have
looked well arranged on a bank, nicely set off with
Maiden-hair Ferns. Let us hope that another season
this may be done. — W. H. G.

Vanda ccerulea.— This species was shown
largely last week at the Brixton Society's exhibition,
being staged in three collections ; the one from Mr.
Jones, gardener to Mr. N. Sherwood, was magnifi-
cent, the small plant having two spikes representing

the number of plants in the country it is evident
that gardeners and amateurs now understand the
cultivation of this Orchid. It requires a cool atmo-
sphere and plenty of air. — W. H. G.

Cattleya aurea. —A very excellent form of this
Orchid was staged at the Brixton Society's exhibi-
tion by Mr. Ranson. The plant was in excellent
health, and bearing three flowers on a spike ;
they were large, well expanded, and of a fine
bright colour ; the sepals and petals bright clear
yellow, the lip large and spreading, rich, deep vel-
vety maroon in front and round the sides, whilst
the centre part was picked out with innumerable
streaks and veins of golden thread-like lines. — G.

Cypripedium Sanderse. — This chaste and
beautiful form of C. insigne is now in flower in
the collection of Mr. R. A. Measures, The Wood-
lands, Streatham, with a larger flower and appa-
rently more beautiful than when I saw it last sea-
son. The flower is about the size of that of an
ordinary insigne, supported upon a white or nearly
white peduncle, the whole bloom being spotless,
saving a few minute dots on the lower part of the
dorsal sepal. It is soft lemon-yellow, saving a
broad and heavy border of pure white on the upper
sepal.— G.

Angrsecum Ellisi.— We have received from
M. Dammann, in Breslau, the following notice
of a grand plant of this species which flowered this
season : —

There flowered, during July and August, at Breslau
in the gardens of Frau Commerzienrath Erinhorn
(Obergartner H. Scbistze) avoryfine plant of this spe-
cies. It had on three spikes eighty-one large flowers.
The pure white flowers had all the day a very delicious
odour, like Lilies of the Valley. The plant ha* twelve
fine leaves and is grown in a basket along with a
general mixed collection of Orchids in a winter tem-
perature of about 60° Fahr.

Trees and Shrubs.

ALDERS AS ORNAMENTAL TREES.
Nurserymen tell us that for the finer and more
ornamental forms of the Alder there is little or
no demand— a pity, I think, for when suitably
placed it is a matter of conjecture whether so
many as half-a-dozen hardy trees could be
named that would outvie either in grace or
beauty of foliage the cut-leaved Imperial Alder
(Alnus glutinosa imperialis). Unquestionably
this is an elegant tree, and one of the most
easily managed that I know of. Anything but
a dry, sandy soil will meet all the wants of the
Alders, but they have this great advantage over
at least nine- tenths of our trees in that they
thrive just as well where the roots are con-
stantly submerged as in the most carefully pre-
pared and well-drained ground. For the bank
of a lake, pond, or river, therefore, few trees
are better suited than the several forms of the
common Alder, for they are all alike good for
such positions. As a lawn tree, where the soil
is damp and totally unsuited for the Pines
and Firs that are usually planted, nothing suc-
ceeds like the Imperial or other forms of the
Alder, and it would be wise policy if owners of
such damp ground would, instead of dotting it
over with unsuitable subjects, plant only such
kinds as are well known to be adapted for the
particular class and condition of the soil.

The Imperial Alder grows quite as quickly as
the parent tree under the same conditions, but I
must add that, so far as my somewhat limited ex-
perience teaches, the habit and general contour of
the variety are decidedly preferable, laying aside
altogether the question of superior leafage in an
ornamental sense.

A glutinosa LACINIATA, the lobes of the leaves
■", 'fairly good variety, but it was surpassed in quality of which are broader and shorter than in the Im-
bv a rifnt shown by Mr. Ranson, gardener to Mr. perial, or Fern-leaved tree is another ^variety of
Gabriel of 6, Palace Road, Brixton. This had the Alder, nearly, if not quit a d stmc ,m leaf-
but one spike of bloom ; it was a good variety. From I age as the Imperial form, save that the less deeply

476

THE GARDEN.

[Nov.

1890.

cut leaves render it of easy recognition. It, too, is
of vigorous growth, and well suited for waterside
planting. Perhaps it is not so handsome a tree as
imperialis, this being mainly due to the more finely
divided foliage of the latter, but it is so distinct
and ornamental that it cannot be well passed by
unnoticed.

The Oak-leaved Aldee (A. glutinosa querci-
folia) is a great favourite with tree-planters, and
well it may be, for a more distinct and interesting
variety does not exist. From the typical tree it
differs only in the rounded leaf-lobes, and in which
it very much resembles our common Oak.

A. glutinosa eubeonebva is another very
curious and distinct tree, in which it is not the
foliage that differs materially from that of our
common tree, but the veining, instead of the usual
colour, is of a decided reddish or purplish tinge.
When planted alongside the parent tree the great
difference in appearance is then very noticeable.
As well as the above, there are at least two dis-
tinctly coloured forms, one, aurea, which is of a very
desirable character, the leaves being of a dull golden
yellow, and variegata, in which the leaves are some-
what undecidedly blotched and lined with yellow
and white. It has few claims for ornamental work,
being of a somewhat sickly appearance, and hardly
what could be styled a robust grower. Then there
is a large-leaved variety, which when well grown
and allowed plenty of room for lateral development,
is exceedingly handsome and bright of foliage. It
is named macrophylla, and the character is fairly
constant.

The Heaet-leaved Aldee (A. cordata) must
not be confused with any of the above, it being a
very distinct and desirable species, hailing from
Corsica and Southern Italy. Than our native Alder
it is a far more desirable tree for ornamental plant-
ing, living almost in the water, and being equally
hardy and of very rapid growth. Both the male
and female catkins, which are developed fully by
mid-February, are much larger and more hardy
than those of the common tree. It is destined to
hold a high place in the future, both for its orna-
mental character and value for planting in an im-
pure or smoke-tainted atmosphere. At present it
is not well known.

Surviving, as all the Alders do, in damp,
heavy soil, they are useful on most estates, for
there nearly always exist such situations, low-
lying and damp, where they may be used with
every chance of succeeding. No particular care
either in planting or after-management is re-
quired for the Alders, they being of hardy con-
stitution, and well adapted for cold, breezy, and
damp situations. A. D. Websteb.

Salisburia adiantifolia I quite agree with

the remarks of " T." in The Gaeden, Nov. 8 (p
435), as to the claims of the Maiden- hair Tree, and
as to its being generally neglected by planters. Its
native home is given as Japan, and no doubt from
thence it was re-introduced. About this time last
year a gentleman showed me a copy of the Man-
chester City Nens which contained a very interest-
ing discourse by Mr. Leo Grindon on this tree He
stated that at one time the Salisburia was a native
of this country, but in the pre-historic period, as its
remains in a fossil state had been discovered I
believe the largest tree in this country on record is
or was, at Percy Cross, Fulham, S.W. There is also'
another fine specimen at Whitfield, Herefordshire
—A. Young, Aiherley Hall Gardens, Stourport.

Berberis Thunbergi.— Better late than never
is what must be said respectingthe first-class certifi-
cate awarded to this species at the recent meeting of
the Royal Horticultural Society. That so useful and
attractive a shrub should have been introduced so
long since, and now at so great a distance of time
receive an award in recognition of its obvious good
qualities is certainly remarkable. It produces its
beautiful flowers in spring. These are followed by
an elegant green leafage, next come the scarlet
berries, and then its brilliant fire-red foliage, as was
seen upon the plants from Messrs. William Paul and
Son /There was an old practice in connection with the
work of the floral committee I should like to see re-

vived. Formerly exhibitors — much more frequently
than they do now — used to send particulars of the
plants or flowers they submitted for an opinion, and
this information was found most valuable. This is
unfortunately rarely done now, and much useful in-
formation is withheld that it would be advantageous
to publish. The Gaedbn mentions that this
charming species was introduced so far back as 1815,
and that it is a native of China. It is not men-
tioned in Page's " Prudomis," published in 1817 —
R. D.

THE RED OR RIVER BIRCH.
(betula nigea.)
This Birch is very distinct from our own Betula
alba, as it lacks the grace and elegance of the
common kind; still it is as an ornamental tree
certainly entitled to more attention than is
usually given it, for the Red Birch is one of the
most picturesque trees we possess. It forms a free,
bold-growing specimen, often divided into several
large branches at but a little height from the
ground. The branchlets are not so numerous as in
the common Birch, and lacking the elegance of
this last, the Red Birch forms a tree of totally
different aspect. The bark, however, is pretty in
winter, as it partially peels of and remains attached
to the stem and principal branches in flakes, which
gives to a good specimen of it a wild and picturesque
appearance. The old bark in this semi-detached
state is of a reddish cinnamon colour, while the
young which is thus exposed is a kind of brownish
buff. At a little distance the trunk and principal
branches appear to be much stouter than they
really are, by reason of the loose bark. On dry,
gravelly soils the Red Birch, though it will there
hold its own, is of rather slow growth, while in
moister spots it makes much more rapid progress.
A group in the park, especially near water, or a
single specimen on the lawn, will display the
characters of the Red Birch to the best advantage.
It is a native of a large district in North America,
and is quite hardy in this country. As a timber
tree it is in considerable demand in America, as it
is said to be a close-grained, handsome wood, which
can be easily stained to exactly resemble Walnut.
It is just as easy to work, and is suitable for all, or
nearly all, of the uses to which Walnut is put.
There are large forests of this Birch throughout
Canada growing in various positions. From a
timber point of view, that from the higher and
drier districts is superior to that grown in damper
spots. A group of the various Birches, now they
are devoid of foliage, shows the great variation in
habit that is to be found amongst them, even more
conspicuously than can be. noticed during the
summer months. For instance, a direct contrast
to the Red Birch is some forms of the common
kind, whose bark is of such dazzling whiteness that
their boles glisten in the sun like burnished silver.
Then two varieties of the White Birch are as dis-
tinct from each other as it is possible for two
members of the same species to be. I allude to
the very pendulous form Youngi, many of whose
branches hang down almost perpendicularly with
the main stem, and fastigiata, which is nearly
as upright as a Lombardy Poplar. The Paper Birch
of the United States (Betula papyracea), the bark
of which is used by the Indians for the construction
of their canoes and numerous other purposes, is
another of the Silver Birches, but, as a rule, less
drooping than the common white Birch. T.

Dwarf shrubby Veronicas At last these

peculiar and attractive plants have arrested the
notice they deserve. At present there is consider-
able discussion as to the identity of many forms in
our possession. They not only offer considerable
scope for critical examination, but they are capable
under some circumstances of misleading the most
careful observer. When we remember the country
whence they are coming, its much warmer and
drier climate than ours, we are naturally induced to
place our little specimens under what we deem to
be safe conditions, that is, we put them at the base

velopments are much varied. Cuttings, too, pro-
duce abnormal foliage for a time. All this is im-
portant when we remember that the chief distin-
guishing features of the group are in the foli-
age. Especially is the set with only rudimentary
leaves— comprising such kinds as salicornioides,
lycopodioides, cupressoides, Armstrongi, Hectori,
&c. — capable of altering their character under artifi-
cial conditions. Therefore, I consider it well to
wait until we have normal growth and well-esta-
blished plants in the open air before forming
opinions as to identity. I perhaps made one mis-
take by speaking too soon about V. pimeleoides,
though I have not yet learnt that the name was
wrong for the plant.— J. W., Woodville, Kirkstall.

THE NORWAY MAPLE AND ITS VARIETIES.
Peopeely placed, these are most effective trees,
and most persons interested in planting, if called
upon to choose one tree as combining most beauty
and hardihood, would select the Norway Maple or
one or other of its beautiful forms. It grows so
freely, and in almost any unless the worst of soil,
never suffers from untimely frosts, and is withal so
distinct in general appearance from the majority
of our woodland trees, that it may well be classed
as one of the most valuable that has yet been intro-
duced to this country. Then the numerous varieties
— cut-leaved, weeping, variegated, and such as are
remarkable for the wealth of leaf-tint— are almost
preferable to the normal type, for they exhibit such
well-defined characteristics, that it is not to be
wondered at that they have found favour with
tree planters, particularly of late years.

Than the Eagle's-claw Maple (Acer platanoides
laciniatum) I know of no more beautiful tree, and
that, too, either in youth or old age, for the curi-
ously curled and compressed leaves have a most
distinct and pleasing appearance when viewed from
a distance, while the whole contour of the tree may
be described as both neat and informal. To be
shown off to advantage this Maple should stand
alone or in clumps of its own kind, mixing it with
other trees spoiling the effect that it produces when
left either as a standard or placed directly in front
of larger masses of foliage. It would not seem to
be particular as to the soil in which it is planted,
but I have noticed that some of the finest speci-
mens are growing in a free sandy loam. Stiff,
cold soils do not seem to suit it, nor indeed any
of the Maples, but almost any other kind will pro-
duce free-growing healthy specimens.

For beauty of leaf-colouring, A. platanoides
Schweedleri is certainly far ahead of any of the
Maples, and this is not an autumn dying-off tint,
but is equally noticeable, even in early spring.
Remarkably striking and agreeable is the colour
assumed by the end of summer, for the glow of
deepest red and purple is mingled with the dark
green, a contrast that one does not often see amongst
our forest tree leafage. It seems to be as hardy
as the parent plant, and although this is a very
handsome tree, still, speaking candidly, everyone
must admit that the variety Schweedleri is more
beautiful. A. platanoides Lobergi is a light and
airy form, in which the segments of the leaf are
divided right down to the midrib, thus rendering it
very distinct and attractive, as also peculiarly suit-
able for ornamental planting. A. platanoides aureo-
marginatum, with its large leaves bordered with
bright yellow, is a noble and distinct tree. It is not
well known at present, but when distributed from
the nurseries it is sure to take well and to be largely
employed where telling effect is of first importance.
Grown either as a shrub or tree it looks well, and
stands out distinct and conspicuous from every-
thing else around. Another very curious, but at
the same time desirable, variety is that known
under the name of cucullatum, and in which the
large leaves are curled or bent back at the edges,
thus making it wear a most unusual appearance.

These are a few of the more distinct forms of
the Norway Maple, and as they have all singularly
beautiful foliage, thriving well in most soils, per-
fectly hardy, and by no means difficult to procure,

of north walls, south walls, in frames or green-
houses, or in soil mostly sand, as the case may be. 1 1 would advise planters to include them fn their
rartly from these artificial conditions the leaf de- ' this year's list of tree*. A. D. Webster.

Nov. 22, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

47?

Flower Garden.

WINDOW BORDERS.

The borders beneath the windows of houses
afford many opportunities for tasteful and
pretty flower gardening, or the special culture
of favourite flowers. Here, at any rate, our
endeavours need not be hampered by geometric
restrictions or otherbeauty-destroying considera-
tions. We have a simple border to furnish and
adorn in a quiet, but pretty way. A flower
border backed up by a wall is delightful, as it
has an excellent background, and good culture
is better repaid than in flower borders near
shrubs, whose roots run through them and
revel in their richness. Most of the delightful
window borders that one occasionally meets
with are associated with old houses, because in

sustain them. Those who object to creepers of
a permanent character upon the walls of the
house may adorn them for the summer by
placing a few brandies for such things as Con-
volvulus, Nasturtium, Eccremocarpus, or the
many lovely annual climbers to creep over.
Narrow borders may be made delightful by
planting them with fragrant plants and dwarf
shrubs. In them would thrive such sweet-
scented things as the Sweet Verbena, the Balm
of Gilead (Cedronella triphylla), and in the
drier spots Rosemary and Lavender would
be valuable, and their fragrance appreciated.
The Myrtle, too, in many southern gardens
survives in such borders, whilst hardy Fuchsias
are hosts in themselves.

The charm of such a border can be better
imagined than described, and when the windows
of the house are opened, pleasant odours would

A window border.

later days the erroneous idea was conceived
that the flower garden should exist separate
from the house, often detracting from rather
than adding to its beauty. Borders for
flowers under the windows are greatly to be
desired. One such is admirably shown in the
accompanying engraving, and here it is made to
serve a double purpose in supporting the
creepers that will eventually hide the naked
walls, as well as in growing sweet and pretty
flowers. The size of window borders must
always be ruled by the surroundings, but,
whether narrow or wide, they can be well filled.
It is a great mistake to confine them to the
culture of summer flowers only. If creepers
are desired upon the walls of the house and
the borders are narrow, there will not be
room for many flower?, and in such a case it is
unwise to attempt growing them, as the creepers
may want all the nutriment the soil contains to

be diffused throughout the rooms. The prettiest
window borders I have ever seen were filled
with these, and in every available nook upon
two sides of the house masses of fragrant plants
were growing. The Fuchsia and the Myrtle I
have never seen more lovely. But where the
borders are wide they permit of some of the
best hardy flowers being grown. In these bor-
ders it is better to make a distinct feature with
a few suitable hardy flowers grown in masses
and of sufficient quantity to be effective. A re-
petition of the unsatisfactory mixed border dot-
a-plant-here-there-and- everywhere method of
arrangement will be altogether wrong. In some
wide borders of good soil around the base of an
old Sussex mansion groups of a dozen or more
plants of Tea Boses, carpeted with Sedums and
Saxifrages, the intervening spaces planted with
Carnations of good, sweet-scented, self-col-
oured kinds, represent a type of window-

border gardening that for the summer and au-
tumn can hardly be excelled.

In many districts where Tea Roses are not
quite satisfactory in the open garden fully ex-
posed, they would flourish in such borders.
Again, many bulbous plants, choice Lilies, and
other things can have special culture and be
grown to perfection in such places. If the
house is large and the borders are numerous,
each one may be a distinct feature in itself
and differ materially from the others. A border
of pegged-down Roses would be a pretty feature
and an uncommon one.

These suggestions are merely thrown out as
an assistance. They may be varied or improved
upon by those who have or intend to make bor-
ders of this description, as it is neither well nor
advisable to copy every good arrangement seen
elsewhere, but rather to aim at originality, and by
selecting some pretty family of choice hardy
plants, to develop its capabilities to the fullest
possible extent.

The idea that the flower garden is for the
summer only and must be placed on one side of
the house is giving way to better ideas, since
we know that with beds or borders of any aspect —
whether north, south, east, or west — there are
hosts of things that will flourish in them and
give us flowers in season almost the whole year
through, whilst the judicious admixture of some
choice hardy evergreen plants will prevent any
possible nakedness or barrenness of aspect even
in the dullest and apparently most lifeless
months of the year. A. H.

ANNUAL ASTERS.
The present autumn has proved to be one of the
best known for many years for the production of
a good clean crop of Aster seed at home. It is
generally known that our chief supplies of Aster
seed come from the Continent, due largely to the
fact that we too seldom have good dry autumns,
for when much wet prevails the blooms damp off
rapidly. None the less good seed saved at home
will reproduce as good strains as those of an im-
ported kind. Such is my own experience, but it is
not always possible to get the good seed for the
reason given. Now it is a fact that so far as quilled
Asters are concerned our home-saved seed is in-
variably productive of finer blooms than are those
resulting from German seed. Quilled Asters, be-
cause less amenable to damp, rarely fail to seed.
The greatest evil I have found in saving seed of
quilled Asters is when a tremendous wind-storm
sometimes bursts upon us in October and before the
bloom heads have matured the seed crop ; then
havoo is wrought. Still these are not at all common
October visitations, and it must be a late season
indeed if the crop cannot be harvested by the
middle of the month. Quilled Asters perhaps
bloom a little later than do most of the flat-petalled
kinds, but the seed is usually ripe in the one case
as early as in the other. Asters spoil little even if
grown near to each other, and although I grow the
quilled forms in a dozen varieties side by side, yet the
products may be relied upon to come the following
year absolutely true to character. The same remark
applies to nearly all kinds, probably because double
flowers which are fertile are rarely influenced by
insect or atmospheric agency in producing fertility.
One of the chief difficulties would-be growers of
Asters have to surmount is found in the immense
number of varieties, so-called at least, and of sections.
There are of quilled some twelve to fifteen varieties ;
then there are of flat-petalled forms Victoria,
Chrysanthemum (tall and dwarf), Pseony-flowered
or incurved, Mignon, and dwarf bedding Asters,
each one being represented by some six to twelve
varieties. There are still pyramidal, bouquet,
needle, cockade, and other smaller flowered varie-
ties, both flat-petalled and semi-quilled, so that the
variety is really remarkable and puzzling. It need
hardly be said that all are pretty, but some are
exceptionally so, indeed are very beautiful. We

478

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 22, 1890.

have no fancy for single Asters. The single flowers
of the perennial Asters are pretty enough, but
sino-le-flowered annual Asters have large eyes, and
are" coarse and uninteresting. There can be no
doubt whatever that the great popularity the
Aster enjoys as a late summer and autumn flower
is due to its doubleness, its usually good form
though seen in considerable variety, its still greater
variety in colouring, and then, not least, its pre-
eminent adaptability for furnishing cut bloom.
Those who prefer the Aster for this latter purpose
should not grow the largest flowered varieties,
great merit as these may have as exhibition flowers ;
they are invariably too large when used for cut-
ting and therefore it is wiser to grow the
medium-sized flowers, of which the pretty Mig-
non Asters are such capital examples. These run
about 1-1 inches in height, and have half-sized
Victoria-like flowers. The pure white variety is
without exception the very best for producing pure
flowers for cutting I have ever seen. There are
other varieties, the entire group specially meriting
cultivation. Some of the needle or pointed- petalled
Asters, too, are exceedingly beautiful, especially
the intense crimson-coloured form. Some of these
at Chiswick last year were exceedingly beautiful,
and a selection of some half dozen of the best given
at the time have now escaped my memory. I do not
care much for the pyramidal forms, as these seem
to rather produce bloom at the expense of quality.
The flower-stems are also rather shorter, so that the
blooms are of less value for cutting. Generally
these kinds are most effective as bedders. Tastes
differ appreciably as to the respective merits of
incurved and reflexed flowers. I have noted fre-
quently that at the Crystal Palace autumn show,
where Asters are usually largely and well shown,
that reflexed or Victoria Asters have been preferred
over the incurved or Pfeony-flowered. This year,
the latter were preferred, because apparently so
pure and clean. It would seem, however, that the
incurved flowers owe their position very much
to protection from heavy rains. Generally the
reflexed or Victoria varieties find most favour,
and very beautiful they are when they have
good centres. I saw many otherwise very fine
blooms this year which were afflicted with
sunken eyes. That is a trouble probably in-
cidental to seasons, though sometimes to strain.
I have been told that it is a weakness pecu-
liar to home-raised strains, but that I decline
to believe. Those I saw this season having hol-
low centres were from foreign seed. I have grown
for several years a semi-dwarf Victoria of a rich
reddish magenta, or magenta-crimson hue, named
Ruby. This is indeed a perfect as well as a beau-
tiful Aster, and comes thus true from home-
saved seed. It is a variety which merits universal
cultivation. Fireball is yet another of a deeper
colour, but the petals are less reflexed and the
flowers smaller, although it broke out from Ruby ;
the colour is of quite a fiery red. Comet Aster is
pretty well known as a pink-ground reflexed-
petalled form, having a white stripe on the petals.
It is of medium height and blooms very freely,
but the petals are much less densely set than is the
case with the flowers of the Victoria section. I
am not greatly taken with variegated Aster flowers,
much preferring self colours. A pure pink form of
Comet is, in my estimation, prettier than is the
striped form, but still it is inferiorto thepink Mignon
Aster. Perhaps the most remarkable of Asters are
the wonderfully richly coloured dwarf Chrysanthe-
mum forms grown by tens of thousands for the
market trade, and especially for the hawkers. Seed
of this strain is very cheap, and may be obtained
of the best possible quality from certain noted
houses. There seems to be always a big demand for
this, and this season it was indifferently supplied,
because the season was not the most favourable
earlier. A. D.

Scbizostylis eoceinea. — There is a grand hatch
of this serviceable late autumn-flowering plaut to he
seen in the gardens at Canford Manor. The best por-
tion of a good-sized wall border with an east aspect
was given up to it, and at a rough computation there
were upwards of one thousand chimps to he seen, all
flowering strongly. At the end of October they were

lightly protected by fish nets, s
framework ; but I believe it
pot up a considerable number
that time hundreds of strong
table and house decoration,
missed, a long succession b
strong chimps. Mr. Crasp is
fine lot of plants. — I.

upported on a temporary
was in contemplation to
of the best of them. At
spikes had been cut for
but they were scarcely
sing produced by such
rightly proud of such a

VILLA GARDENS.

Gardens of small extent stud the suburbs of all
our great towns, and afford healtby recreation,
rest, and harmless amusement to hundreds of
thousands of people. It is, therefore, somewhat
pitiable to notice the sameness that disfigures
so large a proportion of them. It is there that
the bedding-out mania, beloved of the jobbing
gardener, still survives in all its obstrusiveness.
There also rows of mastheaded Roses are mar-
shalled in regular lines in small pincushion beds
on Grass, where neither the Roses nor the
plants that are dotted round them will thrive.
There also the trimmed Privet or the decapi-
tated Laurel still form the main idea of a hedge,
and beds are left bare and flowerless for months
at a time. There the trimmed Lime, leafless for
so large a part of the year, is rampant ; while
the noble carriage sweep, beloved by the house
agent, answers no purpose except to destroy the
repose of the front of the villa. Carriages do
not require to drive up to such abodes often,
and when they do they are not admitted, be-
cause they would spoil the gravel.

Here again a sad monotony ordains that
if a house stands a little above the level of
any part of the ground, the natural swell
and undulation should be broken by a Grass
bank with a precipitous descent and a sharp
edge. This arrangement is as handsome as a
billiard table would be in such a position, and
the Grass bank is a fertile source of income to
the jobbing gardener and of joy to no one, as it
generally destroys the whole of the natural grace
that even a small garden might otherwise have.
We laugh at the stiff little trees that please our
children in Hartz Mountain toy-boxes ; yet we
adults show corresponding taste in erecting stiff
Grass banks round our villas or our tennis
lawns. Then, again, look at the ferneries and
rockeries foisted off on the villa gardener with
their masses of clinkers or burnt bricks, and
their characteristic vegetation in Periwinkles,
Privets, or starved Perns, baking in the sun in
a few inches of nice clay.

The object of these remarks is to suggest that
someone should rescue us villa gardeners, for I
am one myself, from all these horticultural
abuses. Of ourselves, with the best will in the
world, we are helpless. We have not the time
nor the knowledge, and if we have the latter,
we are away at work when the jobbing gardener
comes down on us like a whirlwind, trimming
our choice shrubs into hedges, or devastating
our choice herbaceous border far more than any
congregation of cats or assembly of slugs or

I shall never forget one experience I had of a
new jobbing gardener. I had a few yards of an
old natural copse in my place, with an Oak tree,
up which grew a splendid wild Honeysuckle
twenty or more years old. I told my jobber to
clean up my wilderness a bit, and when I got
home I found it indeed swept and garnished.
Among other things, my beloved Honeysuckle
had been grubbed up and the stump burnt, so
that the mischief was irremediable.

Most of us, however, have not the know-
ledge to direct our jobbing gardener, who, after
all, is amenable to reason, and only does what
he has been taught as the correct thing. We
want each month in our gardening papers

not only directions what to do, but what not
to do. We want a column of orders to the
jobber: "Do not cut off Crocus leaves; do
not trim handsome bushes flat ; do not dig
up choice borders every autumn," and so on.
In short, we want hints each week of what to
avoid as well as what to plant and what to be
at. The guide to villa gardening has yet to be
written. J. I. R.

NOTES ON HARDY PLANTS.
Aster ericoides is worth a score of many so-
called autumnal flowers, and in one particular re-
spect it is more to be desired than some of the
showier Michaelmas Daisies. For instance, it is
not cut down by a sharp frost, as many of the
heads are of more esteemed varieties, but it goes
on flowering as if nothing had happened after 9°
and 10° of frost. Few Michaelmas Daisies do this.
The little starry heads, in dense compound panicles,
are, to my mind, the choicest flowers that can be
had out of doors in November, and certainly no-
thing could be prettier either alone, for wreaths,
or in almost any way mixed with other flowers.
There is another small variety that I never could
find a name for, and I rarely see the plant away
from home. Compared with A. ericoides, it is
much dwarfer, and does not run up in tall single
stems like that kind, but is more branched. The
leaves are a pale apple- green, long and narrow, and
the flower-heads are borne in more lax and spread-
ing compound panicles. It never needs support,
and is a pretty object either in a border or on a
rockery. Height 2 feet.

Alstrcemerias. — In one way it is not difficult
to cultivate these, but I hardly know a group of
plants of corresponding vigour that so many
futile efforts are made to establish. For my
own part, I have become quite satisfied as to the
cause. The difficulty is not so much in gettiDg
the plants to grow as in first securing roots in a
favourable condition. Perhaps no other roots re-
quire such careful handling as those of the Alstrce-
merias. Their fasciculated tubers in several spe-
cies hang by a long thread-like neck from the
crown. It is no uncommon thing for those thread-
like necks, which become slightly brittle in a very
short time after they are taken out of the ground,
to become fractured, and then, of course, a corre-
sponding amount of elaborated root force is lost.
The evil does not end there, but the succulent,
bulky tubers then rot, and from contact with the
other tubers contaminate the sound ones. The
practical point, in a few words, is this : Secure un-
injured roots if you can ; plant them carefully with
sand or light soil between, so as to prevent contact.
I am aware that some of the less common species
and varieties are not hardy under ordinary condi-
tions, but nearly all are capable of being cultivated
and left out of doors with a little care in planting
and winter shelter. Plant 8 inches deep in light
sandy soil in a dry situation, as at the base of a
south wall. Cover up in winter with 2 inches or 3
inches of ashes or Cocoa-nut fibre, or throw off wet
with a sheet of glass. So treated, A. peregrina,
chilensis, pulchella, and tricolor may be left out
during the winter. There is one more important
point, however, worth mentioning. If the autumn
is wet, prevent the surrounding soil becoming
saturated by means of glass or a board, for once
wet in the autumn there will be no chance of the
soil becoming dry again during the most critical
period.

Aciphyllas I have grown A. squarrosa six

years and Colensoi and Lyalli three or four years, and
I have observed that all are liable to go off in a
young state from a common and simple cause, viz.,
too much moisture at the collar. If the conforma-
tion of the plant is examined, it will be seen that
from the manner in which the stem is enfolded by
the stalks that the crown has not only a deal of
wet conducted to it, but also inadequate means,
for this climate at least, of getting rid of the wet.
This group of plants belongs, in its wild state, to a
dry climate, still they can be grown and done well
when judiciously planted; but it is quite evident,
certain I might almost say, that if young specimens

Nov. 22, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

479

are set too deeply they will rot, for then they not
only hold the wet that" falls on them, but suck the
ground moisture. I have also noticed instances of
decay of strong seedlings that have been planted
well up (with the base of the foliage quite clear of
the soil) and such decay to follow closely after
vigorous and beautiful growth, but this has always
been the case where the surroundings were
against the plants becoming dry during dry
weather, or where they were so enclosed with
trees, with too much winter moisture-holding
surface, or obstructions of light and air. In short,
this genus, belonging to a dry climate, loves a
dryish soil and breezy and sunny situations. Wind
will not harm it much, the habit of all the varie-
ties being rigid. It may also be observed that
where the summer conditions are such as to favour
vigorous and late growth, the risks from damp in
the above way will be increased. On flat, moist
soil surrounded by dwarf herbage and shrubs, my
own, where I once had a group of six flourishing
plants, have all died but one. On top of a sunny
bank of stony soil two specimens are thriving and
sturdy, and none have decayed.

Tropseolum tuberosum. — This in some gar-
dens or soils is not so safe from frosts as in others.
Damp land affords the frost a harder grip, and on
such, now that considerablerainhas fallen, something
should be done to save the tubers. The frost has
already made an end of the flowers for this season.
Either of two plans may be adopted : first to cover
the tubers with a cone of coal ashes for a diameter
of 18 inches. This will keep them drier and ward
off frost, of which they will not stand more than
1° or 2° in contact. The other, and perhaps better,
plan is to lift the clumps of tubers, dry them like
Dahlia roots, and then store them in dry sand till
March ; then pot the tubers singly and grow them
on in frames close to the glass until late frosts are
past ; afterwards set out permanently. The chief
advantage from this method is that you get cleaner
and freer growth from the single tuber, and a
fresh soil and site for the following season. It
might also be added that if you plant in rich soil
you will get enormous growth, and almost to a cer-
tainty few and late flowers. In poorer, stony,
and drier soil in full sunshine you would have
sturdier growth with earlier flowers. The useful-
ness and beauty of this plant cannot, I think, be
generally known, or it would be used more freely.
Woodville, Kirkstall. J. Wood.

most be an impossibility to take them up without their
being seriously injured.' If I were in your case I should
carefully scratch away the upper soil to a depth of 1|
inches to 2 inches above the central crown, and also
for some distance around it, and cover it with a hand-
light when rains occur. For Eremurus himalaicus,
Bungei, and rohustus this may be done about the end
of July, when the foliage has died down. By this
method there is no danger of injuring the tubers and
they will get much more properly ripened off. About
the beginning of October the handlight can he taken
away and fresh soil applied. My plants are at a
depth of about 3 inches to 4 inches, the long roots
spread out horizontally, and some sharp white sand
under and above them.

I have had several species under trial for three
and four years, have not lost any, but have failed to
obtain a flower-spike. I had hitherto been under
the impression that root disturbance was of all
things to be avoided, and that shrivelling up would
mean death. Will any successful cultivator give
us details of his mode of culture ? — Edgedale.

How Primula obconica was raised. — When
I was travelling in Central China, I was much
puzzled how to bring out living plants 1100 miles
to the coast at Shanghai. I, of course, took plants
of the things I thought were the best for garden
purposes, but Ferns and herbaceous plants were
altogether out of the question. I thought, how-
ever, that many seeds would germinate if they were
kept in soil, so I collected surface soil from Ferns,
and Primulas, and other plants. This was kept in
an old wine box, and eventually taken to Hong-
Kong. I took this home twelve months afterwards
and the soil was " sown " in a glass house. The
first thing that came up was Primula obconica in
large quantities, several shrubs, and a lot of Ferns.
I have often seen remarks in The Garden about
the native habitat of Primula sinensis. This grows
wild in all the gorges leading to the Yang-tse River
above Ichang. Where I stayed, there in a cave
temple, a few miles above Ichang, the clefts in the
rocks above and below the cave entrance were full
of P. sinensis in immense tufts in full flower. This
was in February. — C. Maries.

Culture of Eremurus.— In a very interesting
correspondence, M. Van Tubergen, Jun., has given
me some hints as to the treatment of this genus,
which seem to throw a new light especially upon
what it will bear in the way of disturbance. M.
Van Tubergens last letter contains a summary of
his procedure and advice, as follows : —

On our sandy soil, where I can take up the tubers
and long fleshy roots without danger of their being
broken, I find it best to do so annually, and keep them
dry for some two or three months ; but on heavy
loamy soil, as I fancy yours will be, I fear it will al-

GARDEN LILIES.
To the Editor of The Garden.

Sir, — " It is to be hoped the disease will not
spread amongst this, the most charming and
graceful of hardy bulbs." With these words
concludes the excellent article signed " D. K."
which accompanied the superb plate of Alice
Wilson and Van Houtte (Thunbergianuin).

It is indeed to be hoped that the disease will
not spread, but alas ! so far as as I am con-
cerned, it has spread with a vengeance. It has
attacked every Lilium that I have, except one
bulb of giganteum, which flowered this year.
When I say every Lily, I must tell you that my
stock is or should be very great. I have pur-
chased every rare and every common Lily for
three years in succession. I have bought such
rare and costly sorts as neilgherrense, Wallichi-
anum, nepalense, &c, and all have been at-
tacked. 1 have not had one decent Lily in the
garden, except giganteum, this year. It is not
from neglect. I have taken every possible ad-
vice I could obtain. I have got the finest bulbs
and have planted each one in the soil recom-
mended. I have watched them with as much
attention as the dear old gentleman spoken of
by the Dean of Rochester, who, being stone
deaf, watched the sun-dial in hopes of hear-
ing it tick ; and yet every Lily, with one excep-
tion, has failed. Yes, every one ; even the va-
rieties of speciosum, all except tigrinum, have
been attacked by this disease. I once had such a
famous collection of candidum, that people used
to come here on purpose to see it, yet this year
I bad not a decent spike. I am free to confess
that I am beaten. I have ordered no Lilies this
year ; it seems useless. Whatever is to be done ?
Perhaps you or some of your correspondents
can help me. I am trying draining now, am
going over all the beds with care, taking up all
the bulbs, and having drained, put all along
the beds. When that is done, if not too late,
I shall buy some of the inexpensive sorts and
try again, but I very much fear it will be use-
less.

Since I last wrote to you I have had cata-
logues directed to me, "Mr. John Camm, The
Gardens." " What's in a name ? " you ask.
Nothing, no doubt ; but you may be amused to
find that some people seem to think it is impos-
sible for an amateur to know anything about
or to interest himself in flowers.

I remember one day I was working among
my Roses, and a fly driver who had brought
over some people to see my church asked me,
looking over the wall, " Is the governor gone to
Coryton Park 'i " "Oh! I am the governor."
Another time a gentleman, the steward to a
great nobleman in the north, came with his

sister (a neighbour) to see the church, and, spite
of all hints and nudges from his sister, during
all the time of his visit took me for the head
gardener. Some letters have been addressed to
me as the "Rev. Monkton Wylde." This beats
all. Shades of Rose shows ! How soon is one
forgot ! Jokn B. M. Camm.

Monkton Wyld Rectory.

VARIETIES OF LILIUM THUNBERGIANUM.
As may be seen by the two distinct varieties of this
Lily figured in The Garden for November 8, it is
a very variable species, not only in the colour
of the flower, but also in other particulars. Several
forms are largely grown by the Dutch bulb growers,
who send them to this country in great numbers
during the autumn and winter months, while large
quantities are imported from Japan, together with
L. auratum, speciosum, tigrinum, longiflorum, and
others. The most distinct of the forms more com-
monly sent from Holland, and disposed of at a very
cheap rate, are Prince of Orange, light buff-yellow,
better than alutacenm, which it much resembles ;
fulgens, deep red, which soon becomes dull ; bili-
gulatum or lateritum, reddish-brown ; atrosan-
guineum, deep brownish-red ; and pictum, yellow
splashed more or less with crimson, which espe-
cially when first expanded is a very beautiful
flower. A variety remarkable from the fact that
it does not flower till all the other forms of L.
Thunbergianum are past is venustum, which grows
about 1 foot high, and has clear reddish apricot-
coloured flowers, without spots or markings of any
kind. Though differing a good deal in other par-
ticulars, the individual blooms of this variety are
much like those of the Japanese L. Batemanniae. In
various bulb catalogues the names of aureum and
aureum nigro-maculatum occur, but as usually sold
they appear to be one and the same thing, and also
synonymous with alutaceum, which in its turn re-
sembles Prince of Orange, though the two never
merge into each other. Among the large numbers
sent from Japan every year some very distinct
forms occasionally make their appearance, One
of them, hsematochroum or omentum, is perhaps
the darkest of all Lilies, as the plant called by some
the black Lily does not really belong to that genus,
its correct name being Fritillaria kamtschatcensis.
The flowers of the variety cruentum are of a deep
blackish blood-red colour, quite an uncommon tint.
It was awarded a certificate by the Royal Horticul-
tural Society on July 11, 1882, in which year an-
other very distinct form was recognised in the same
way. This was shown nearly a month earlier than
the first-named under the title of L. elegans ro-
bustum, and it is certainly a very robust and dis-
tinct form of Thunberg's Lily. The flowers of this
are large, of a rich orange colour, and copiously
spotted with brown. I have also seen it in cultiva-
tion as L. elegans guttatum, which is very appro-
priate by reason of the distinct spotting of the
flower. These two last-mentioned varieties — cruen-
tum and robustum— occasionally crop up among
the imported bulbs from Japan, but neither of these
is at all common. Though the bulbs of all the
forms of L. Thunbergianum are as a rule small,
they travel well from Japan and flower profusely
the ensuing season. Where a display of bloom has
to be maintained throughout the year for the green-
house or conservatory, the different varieties of
this Lily are occasionally used with advantage.
Three bulbs in a pot 5 inches in diameter will
allow plenty of root-room for their full develop-
ment, and this Lily, flowering naturally as it does
early in the season, will, where just protected by a
frame, bloom still earlier ; consequently the bright-
coloured blossoms are more appreciated than would
be the case after the outdoor Lilies had commenced
to open. H. P.

Starworts.— This would appear, on the whole,
the most suitable name for the class of plants passing
under several cognomens, for Aster seems to be in-
separably associated with the bright-hued summer
bedders, whilst, on the other hand, it is clearly a mis-
nomer to call a plant a Michaelmas Daisy that is at its
best early in November. Two or three varieties are

480

THE GAEDEK

[Nov. 22, 1890.

wonderfully good just now. They were in bud when
we had the 15° of frost (October 21), and so escaped
the general slaughter. Now (November 14) they are
furnishing a splendid lot of cut bloom, and are very
effective in large dark vases. — E. B., Claremont.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

PEACHES ON OPEN WALLS.
Until the past few years it was a mistaken notion
that Peaches could not be successfully grown on
open walls in this country, except in very favour-
able positions. But this is now partly changed, and
instances have been lately published which prove
that Peaches are and can be grown successfully on
open walls in England and Wales. Even as far
north as Alnwick they are grown, so I have been
informed, and grown well. A few weeks back I
read in The Gabden of excellent fruits having
been sent from Lancashire, and, as the editor
stated, from fruits sent for him to give his opinion
on, that the flavour was excellent, and far better
than the fruits generally purchased in Covent Gar-
den. I can prove that some of the finest, if not the
very finest, Peaches which have been sent into
Covent Garden this season were gathered from
trees grown on open walls in more than one garden.
Facts like these ought to prove to the most scepti-
cal that it is possible to grow to the greatest per-
fection Peaches on open walls in either England or
Wales, and possibly some parts of Scotland. When
these notes are being read, some may say, "You
might grow such varieties as Early Beatrice,
Hale's Early, Alexander, and other such poor
varieties, but what about our standard sorts?"
My employer would not tolerate such varieties,
so I have to provide such as Royal George, No-
blesse, Alexandra Noblesse, Stirling Castle, Grosse
Mignonne, Walburton Admirable, Sea Eagle, Dy-
mond, Barrington, and Bellegarde. All the above
are excellent in flavour, and ought to satisfy the
most fastidious in this respect. Of course the
above will have to be grown well to bring out their
highest qualities, but many appear to think that
because the trees are on open walls any kind of
treatment is sufficient. Now, I do not say that the
same amount of attention is needed or that the
trees require it, but I must say that if one half the
attention which is bestowed on trees under glass
were given to those on open walls, good Peach trees
would be seen in far more gardens than at the
present time. With Peach trees under glass good
borders are provided, and although these need not
be so elaborate as many are usually made, why not
have good borders for trees on open walls 1 Again,
in the majority of gardens where Peaches are
grown under glass insects are not allowed to gain
a footing, and before starting into growth or before
the blossom opens timely fumigating is practised
for the destruction of green-fly. I daresay in a
great many gardens where Peaches are attempted
to be grown on open walls the young growths are
allowed to be literally eaten up ; consequently the
first growths are destroyed. At this time those in
charge think it time to commence applying some in-
secticide, and if the trees are not dead, a feeble
attempt is made by Nature to force out fresh
growths. Possibly the trees may make a lot of
growth, but on account of our short summers this
cannot be ripened up as it ought to be ; conse-
quently the trees get into a bad state, and those in
charge there and then come to the conclusion that
it is not possible to grow Peaches successfully on
open walls. But if the trees had been washed
previous to the opening of the blossoms, and again
as soon as the petals fell, clean growth would have
been had from the first. Whilst the trees are in
bloom and on fine days we generally go over the
flowers with a camel's-hair brush, so as to ensure a
perfect set, and this we have had for several years
past. It is also wise to protect the trees whilst in
bloom. A movable coping of either glass or wood
about 18 inches in width is a great protection, and
from this should be hung a warm woollen netting.
This must not be put on so as to remain per-
manent whilst the trees are in bloom, but be

fixed so as to be removed by day and replaced in
the evening, but on cold days allow the covering to
remain on. I hope by the foregoing remarks that
it will be the means of others attempting the
growth of Peaches on open walls, and as the plant-
ing season is now at hand, operations should be
commenced at once for a successful start.

Forming the boedebs.— It is well known that
the Peach detests stagnant moisture at the roots,
although it will take a plentiful supply in well
drained and aerated borders, so the site must be
efficiently drained. As it is our practice to par-
tially root-prune or relift any Peach trees which
may require it at this season of the year, either
through the buds of the young shoots being yellow
or through growing too luxuriantly, it was quite
a pleasure to see the border so friable and the bot-
tom so free from stagnant moisture— plain evidence
that the labour expended in draining the border
was time well spent. The border provided should
be quite 2 feet in depth and 6 feet or 8 feet in
width, and should also be against a wall with a
south>spect. Two-inch drain tiles should be laid 8
feet apart, running from the back to the front,
along which a main should run, slightly lower than
the border, and a suitable outlet must be provided.
If the subsoil is of a cold clay, the bottom
should be laid with old bricks, and also be grouted
in. On this the drain tiles should be laid, and the
whole covered with rough stone, broken bricks,
or rough ballast. If turf is available, this should
be cut and laid grass side downwards over the
drainage, which should now be in a perfect condi-
tion. The next consideration is the composition of
the border, but no doubt this will be considered
beforehand. The Peach is a limestone subject, or
rather thrives better on this formation than any
other ; and where the soil is naturally of a limestone
marl, there the Peach will thrive to perfection. All
gardeners prefer turf which has been cut and
stacked up for six months, as the main ingredient
for all fruit borders, but in many instances, and my
own in particular, we have to put up with the natu-
ral soil as taken from the site. But if turf can be
had, all the better ; this must be chopped up with a
spade, and to six cartloads add one of old lime rub-
bish from an old building, with the addition of
charcoal. This must be wheeled into the border
whilst in a fairly dry condition, and well beaten
with the back of a fork. In the case of the natu-
ral soil having to be utilised, to six loads add one
each of old lime rubbish, well burned garden refuse,
or wood ashes, a fair proportion of charcoal, and if
to be had, one load of good dry road scrapings,
the whole to be well mixed together. With a bor-
der of this description, and about a couple of
barrow-loads of loam to place about the roots
whilst planting, no one need envy the turf. Being
of a more solid description than turf, this must
not be packed so firmly in the border, and I would
rather wait a month than work it whilst wet.

Planting.— The selection of the trees will be
the first consideration. Trees budded on a suitable
stock are, no doubt, very important, and fruit-tree
nurserymen worthy of the name are generally very
particular in having a suitable stock, so I do not
trouble myself on this point, as up to the present
time I have had no grounds for complaint. I
mention this, as I have heard some growers who
have been chronicling their failures attribute
them to an unsuitable stock. Some prefer trees
styled "maidens," but I prefer a tree with six
shoots, which would be three years from the bud.
Older trees I do not care about unless prepared in
a private garden. The trees when received should
be immediately planted, weather permitting, as the
roots should not be allowed to remain out of the
ground any longer than is really necessary. Plant
firmly and well, placing some fresh loam about the
roots. A layer of strawy manure should be laid
over the extremity of the roots to keep out drying
winds, when all will be ready for a vigorous start
in the spring. The trees must not be fixed to the
walls until the border has settled, when the
branches must be evenly spread out, bringing the
lower tier into an almost horizontal position, keep-
ing the centre open. Do not cut off the ends of
the shoots, but as they start in the spring

disbud back to the well-ripened wood. The shoots
must be laid out evenly as they grow, taking par-
ticular care not to overcrowd the branches. If the
shoots are likely to grow strongly, or it may be
that one or two will be growing stronger than their
neighbours, these must be checked by timely nip-
ping off the points and encouraging the laterals to
grow. Some people pinch out the laterals as they
grow, encouraging the shoots, so that by the end
of the season they appear like fishing-rods. This
is what we may call the abuse of the extension
system,^ and some have tried to make others believe
that this is extension pure and simple, when it is
no such thing. A judicious course of pinching and
laying in of laterals is what I call the rational ex-
tension system, and such as all good Peach growers
practise, either under glass or against walls in the
open air. As regards the fixing of the trees, I
think wires are preferable. There is not the harbour
for insects, and the labour of arranging the shoots
is more expeditiously performed than the old-
fashioned nailing. Rueal.

Stewing Pears.— It is gratifying to see Mr.
Iggulden draw attention to this useful class of
Pears. I quite agree with him as to the neglect
they have received, as from observations I have
made in various places during the last twenty years
in private gardens I am convinced they have been
but seldom planted. This is a great mistake, the
more so when one takes into consideration that
they will pay to plant in situations where dessert kinds
would be useless. I know of no dish more enjoy-
able than a dish of stewed Pears. In most private
gardens there is a demand for stewing Pears, yet
it is strange so few trees are to be found in a bear-
ing condition. In this place, although an old one,
dating back several centuries, there is not a good
bearing tree, although were there several their pro-
duce would be used, as stewing Pears are often
asked for. Again, from a market point of view, it
ought not to be so, seeing the price they always
make. I am convinced that there is a deal of
waste space on buildings, &c, that might be profit-
ably occupied with trees of stewing Pears.— J. C.
Forde Abbey.

Pear Chaumontel — I hasten to vindicate
this most delicious of Pears against Mr. Iggulden's
depreciation (p. 429). It is true that Chaumontel
is valueless, except for stewing, in England. But
in the Channel Islands it is a magnificent fruit
large, melting, and perfumed. I lived for many
years in Guernsey, and can only say that I preferred
Chaumontel to every Pear grown there, and every
Pear worth growing is grown there. I would now
unhesitatingly choose it before Doyenne" du Cornice,
and there can be no higher praise. Mr. Iggulden
must have been singularly unfortunate in his " fine
specimens from Jersey " if he found them "hard,
tough, and gritty," or he must have stored them in
an unfavourable temperature. I have seen Chau-
montel Pears sold in the open r-;arket in Guernsey
at £5 per 100. These would all weigh over 1 lb.
apiece, so it is clear that the variety is not stewed
there. It is remarkably hard when gathered, and
requires care to ripen it properly, but when pro-
perly ripened it is unique in its exquisite flavour.

G. H. Engleheaet.

Blackberries — About large towns vast quan-
tities of this fruit have been used this season for
the making of jam, and some writers are beginning
to recommend its culture for profit. " J. C. B." in
The Gaeden, November 1 (p. 417), says in dis-
cussing this subject, " One thing in favour of the
Blackberry is that it never fails to fruit ; whereas
other hardy fruits cannot be depended on to do so.
.... The flowers are never injured by frost, and
the plant is not liable to disease of any kind." This
statement is rather too sweeping, as the Bramble
(Rubus fruticosus) cannot be depended upon to
produce a prolific and profitable crop every year
any more than other fruit trees and bushes. I
have found the Bramble to be by no means exempt
from disease more than other plants, as I have oc-
casionally seen bushes suffer considerable damage
from a caterpillar, which excavates a series of
tunnels in the leaves. Brambles are likewise

Nov. 22, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

481

damaged by the formation of pseudo-galls on the
stem and branches. These make their appearance
in the shape of rough rustic-looking clusters, some-
times at the joints of the branches and at other
times on different parts of the stem. As I have
never found them to contain grubs of any kind,
I therefore believe that it is a disease which might
originate from the puncture of an insect. When
these galls are cut up they exhibit a series of gra-
nules of a woody texture, the whole being joined
together in one firm cluster. These pseudo-galls
intercept the regular flow of the sap and lessen the
productive power of the plants to a considerable
extent.— J. B. Webstee.

THE LARGER APPLES.
These form a considerable class of themselves,
but by far the larger number of them belong to
the cooking section. This is, in fact, as it
should be, for nothing beyond a medium- sized

D. T. Fish and Nelson's Glory, well illustrated
in the accompanying engraving. This Apple is
in good condition for use from October to
January. When generally shown in October
at the autumn fruit shows, it is of a fresh green
colour, but a few weeks later on the fruit
changes to a rich yellow shade. The tree is
a vigorous grower and a good bearer, being
suited to either pyramid or standard culture,
and is less liable to disease than some kinds.
Belonging to the same category are Golden
Noble, a truly noble Apple, and, considering
the many years it has been in cultivation, a
kind which should receive far more recognition
than it has hitherto done. Cox's Pomona is an-
other reliable kind for autumn use, and small
examples of this when well coloured may be
used for the dessert. Stirling Castle and Eck-
linville Seedling are two free-bearing varieties.
Stone's Apple is of handsome appearance, bears

Apple Warner's King.

fruit is desirable for the dessert. The larger
Apples are most useful in their respective sea-
sons either for baking whole or for the well-
known dumplings. Apples of large size (or
rather under) are not so much wasted in paring,
relatively speaking, as the smaller ones ; hence
they are in that respect rather desirable than
otherwise. When speaking of "larger" Apples
I do not allude to those of abnormal size,
brought about by other than ordinary methods
of cultivation. These may in their way be all
very well, and as specimens of high-class culti-
vation reflect great credit upon the growers of
such, but these fruits of extra size will not,
when extra attention in labour is considered,
proportionately recompense the cultivator.
Those Apples which attain to a large size with-
out more than ordinary attention are certainly
most desirable, when the sorts are of a rela-
tively good constitution, and at the same time
reliable croppers. Of such is the Warner's
King, otherwise known under the synonyms of

early, not making too much wood. Waltham
Abbey Seedling is another first-class Apple ;
this was formerly confounded with Golden
Noble, but it is quite distinct from that kind.
As an early sort Alexander is to be recom-
mended as a good orchard variety. Winter
Hawthornden is larger than the old variety of
the same name ; also a good cropper. Alfriston
is an excellent late kind. Two first-rate Apples
of recent introduction are Bismarck and Sand-
rinnham, both of which should be seen more in
a few years when better known. Peasgood's
Nonsuch is a very fine looking Apple, but I
doubt if it can be classed as a good keeping
variety.

J. H.

The "Victoria Nectarine I was much inte-
rested in the remarks " R. D." (p. 4G4) made re-
specting this Nectarine, as I regard it as one of
the most useful we have, for not only is it large,
but it is, with the exception of the Stan wick, thelatest
to ripen, which adds greatly to its value. I ex-

hibited a dish in the collection I put up at the
Guildhall on the 4th of last month, but they had
become a little shrivelled. If someone would un-
dertake the crossing of this or the Stanwick with
such sorts as Pine-apple, Humboldt, or Pitmaston,
the Nectarine season might in a few years be
greatly prolonged, as they are the ones to breed
from, and would be sure to afford varieties of great
worth on account of their fine size, colour, and
exquisite flavour. — S. D.

DECLINE OP VITALITY OF FRUIT TREES.
Diseases and premature decay of fruit trees of
almost every kind are fast becoming a matter of
very serious import. This is mainly to be attributed
to decline of vitality of the tree ; and the results
have spread and increased to such an extent of
late years, that it is scarcely possible to find a
healthy, vigorous orchard, or one of ten years'
standing, not more or less on the decline. New
diseases or causes of them are on the increase, or
old ones increasing in virulence and power to de-
stroy, till the future prospects of fruit growing are
extremely doubtful and discouraging. Each year
the Apple, Peach, Pear, and indeed almost all
fruit trees are attacked or threatened with some
destructive cause, which requires all the skill and
patience of the cultivator to cure or remedy, even
if at all successful against them.

Blight is, perhaps, the most prevalent trouble
with trees. This is usually assigned to atmospheric
causes but by some it is assigned to a lack of some
important element or elements in the soil, while
others still think it is caused by microscopic insects.
Yellows in Peach trees, sun-scald, &c, no doubt
have their rise from similar causes, and all are ap-
parently increasing in power. Any way there is no
disputing the fact that diseases of whatever cha-
racter tend to lessen the vitality and longevity of
the trees, and that these causes are on the increase.
Hence we find that fruit trees of the present day
are shorter lived than those of a decade or so ago.
But is it not true that most, if not all of these
causes are only more injurious now than formerly
from the simple fact that trees under modern
methods of culture have less vital force, and are
less able to withstand their attacks ? Taking it
for granted that this is mainly the source whence
arises the trouble with trees, then it must needs
come from the manner of budding and grafting,
the kind of soil planted in, and the method of
pruning, as these are the rudimentary means of
building up a tree.

In the first place, then, none but strong, vigorous
seedling stocks should be used upon which to graft
or bud, and the scions should not be put on until
the stock is well developed, strong and vigorous.
Some say not till the stock is seven or eight
years old ; but perhaps this is best only in special
cases. In general it is not best, as then taking off so
much vigorous top to insert the scion causes a
great shock to the stock and its roots, and is likely
to expose the tree to disease. The top lopped off
a large stock with widely spreading roots, and
only a small scion or two set on, the greater part of
the roots is deprived of the support from the
foliage, and of course must receive a check that is
likely to prove detrimental to the tree sooner or
later. Hence we think young, vigorous stocks are the
best. Excessive pruning comes in for a share of the
work of destroying the vigour of trees. This should
be done with more caution, and less excessively
than is generally practised. CuttiDg away a great
portion of the branches, some of them large ones,
causes decay where severed, and a receptacle for
insect pests, and the destruction of a corresponding
amount of roots, which decay and give rise to fun-
dus evils. Pruning in the main should be greatly
reduced ; merely rubbing off superfluous buds as
soon as they appear, or cutting out diseased or de-
cayed branches will usually answer all that is
necessary in the way of pruning.

The other important point in the process of build-
ing up is proper soil. Perhaps from no cause do
trees suffer more than from starvation. Orchards
are tog often planted on indifferent ground, be-

482

THE GARDEN.

pTov. 22, 1890.

cause it is not so good for cultivation ; and for this
very reason, it should be considered, it is not so
good for fruit growing. In soil in which corn will
grow well, fruit trees will do well : but they must
not be left to grow and bear fruit from year to
year, depending on the natural strength of the soil.
The cornfield is not so left, but is replenished each
year with more or less fertilising material ; and
so must the orchard be, if healthy, fruit-bearing
trees are desired.

Eich loamy soil is best for an orchard. If wet,
or heavy clay it should be well drained and supplied
with plenty of sand or loam, worked well and deeply
into the soil. In general, loam or alluvium is a
good fertiliser for the orchard, and should be sup-
plied every two or three years, oroftener if needed.
The compost should be worked down deeply into the
soil at the extremities of the roots, and as deeply
nearer the trees as may be not to lacerate the roots
too much. Such a line of treatment will ensure
vigorous, healthy trees, that will not so readily
succumb to diseases when assailed by them. —
American Rural Some.

bones as with them. Frequent and alternate top-
dressings of fresh dry soot, hydrate of lime, and
artificial manure being given and watered into the
borders during the summer and autumn months,
in addition to copious applications of warm liquid
manure being given between the laying on of the
surface dressings indicated will not only maintain
the necessary sustaining food for the roots of the
Vines, but also preserve the sweetness of the soil.
H. W. Ward.

RENOVATING VINE BORDERS.
Expebiekce tells me that in addition to the annual
surface dressing, the best made Vine borders require
to be renewed every three or four years to keep the
Vines in a thoroughly satisfactory bearing condi-
tion. No matter how sustaining may have been
the loam and other ingredients composing the bor-
der in the first instance, it becomes impoverished
and sour to a great extent in the course of a few
years, notwithstanding repeated surface dressings
of artificial manures and frequent applications to
the border of liquid manure during the growing
season. For the renovating of all Vine borders,
excepting those of Vines from which the crop was
cleared in May and June, November is the best
month in the year for doing the work, inasmuch as
the roots of the Vines operated on will then have
time to re-establish themselves in the new soil be-
fore the leaves fall towards the end of the year.

The first step to be taken in the renovation of
borders of midseason and late-bearing Grape Vines
is the preparation of the necessary quantity of the
admixture wherewith to do the work. As I have
been largely engaged in these operations during
the past week, I cannot do better than detail them
as they were carried out here. Every year I make
a rick, consisting of some sixty loads of good red
loamy soil, in the yard set apart for the storing of
soils, kc , for use the following year. This loam
was chopped down and wheeled a few yards off to
be mixed with the other ingredients in sufficient
quantity to serve for one day's work. The compost
consisted of five cartloads of loam, one cartload of
horse droppings, one load of wood ashes, one load
of old lime rubble, four ordinary-sized garden bar-
row-loads of freshly slaked lime, two barrow-loads
of soot, and two of charcoal, all being well mixed
before being wheeled on to the borders. This done,
a trench 2 feet wide was opened in the outside bor-
ders of five vineries at 6 feet from the front wall,
all roots within this space being cut clean away
in removing the exhausted soil. Then with five-
tined steel forks the soil was worked down a foot
nearer to the front wall, preserving the roots found
in that circumscribed space and removing any por-
tions injured with a sharp knife. The trench was
then filled up with the prepared mixture, the roots
being carefully spread out horizontally in the new
soil in doing so. I next removed the surface soil
to the depth of 5 inches or G inches from the in-
tervening 5 feet wide old border, and laid on a
good dressing of hydrate of lime, which was
slightly forked into the soil and then watered to
wash its virtues down among the roots. Then fol-
lowed 4 inches or 5 inches thick of the prepared
soil, and a like thickness of short manure. This
completed the renovation of the outside borders.
The inside ones will be treated in the same way as
ilt scribed above next year. I have purposely
omitted the usual quantity of half-inch bones from
the compost recommended above for the Vine bor-
ders, believing that quite as good Grapes can be
grown in that admixture without the addition of

MARKET PEARS AND APPLES.
Mb. Igguldex in his remarks on Pears struck the
right note when he asked if we had not rather
overdone Apples lately to the exclusion of Pears.
We have had Apples brought so much to the front
of late that I fear that in time we shall have more
Apples than we shall get a demand for. The low
prices obtained in the Apple-growing districts when
fruit is plentiful scarcely pay for labour of gather-
ing and the necessary market expenses. Some will
say it is only inferior fruit that is sold so cheaply,
but such is not the case. Having some years ago
seen a good deal of fruit in plentiful seasons al-
most given away and others left on the trees, I fear
Apple congresses and large fruit shows will not in-
duce the growers in those districts to plant largely,
but one thing I am sure of, it will increase the con-
sumption of home-grown fruit, and thus create a
market in the congested fruit districts, to a certain
extent also lessening the importation of foreign
grown fruit. The great difficulty is the railway
charges, and this deters many from forward-
ing choice fruits any long distance. I feel sure
if our fruit (Apples especially) could only be
equally distributed we should get a fair price and
far more fruit would be consumed. If anyone
sends fruit by rail and describes it as such, the
companies at once make an increased charge. I
think if we could grow more Pears they would
certainly give a good return. I have heard of one
grower in our district this season who has made a
large sum with Beurre Clairgeau. This is only a
second-rate Pear, yet it commands a ready sale in
Covent Garden, and as it is a sure cropper in most
seasons, I think Mr. Iggulden's advice would be
valuable if more Pear trees were planted of the
profitable kinds. I also go further and think it
would pay to grow some of the finer varieties under
glass, as many of the houses could be utilised for
other things at the same time. I was asked 6d.
for a fine Pitmaston Duchess the other day, and I
know that large, handsome - looking Pears can
always find a ready sale, and therefore growers
would not err if they embarked more largely in the
cultivation of Pears both on walls and in cool
houses. I would also advocate the planting of
dwarf and bush trees on the Quince stock. They
would in suitable soils soon repay for the outlay,
and not occupy such a lot of space as standards,
the fruit on which is often spoiled by high winds.
Standards also cover a large space and are often
more liable to injury from frost than dwarf trees.
I do not name suitable varieties for planting for
profit, as that has been thoroughly gone into in a
previous note on profitable Pears. I have often
noticed in the fruit-growing districts the small
quantity of Pears grown, and especially good varie-
ties, so that I think it will be many years before
the demand for choice Pears is limited. Wall
fruit will for many years command a good price.
Stewing Pears also find a ready sale, and for large
fruit good prices can be had. They can also be
stored should there be a glut in the market, and
will during the London season realise good prices.
Geo. Wythes.

Dessert v. cooking Apples. — It would be
rather interesting to discover by what particular
rule the judges were guided in the adjudication of
prizes at the recent Guildhall show, so far as the
line of demarcation is concerned between the des-
sert and cooking varieties. If the report is correct,
we find among the prize collections in the first-
named such sorts as Cox's Pomona, Peasgood's Non-
such, and Cellini. We may, perhaps, allow the last,
but surely Cox's and the Nonsuch have no business

in such company. The verdict seems the more re-
markable when we find the varieties mentioned in-
cluded in collections of both divisions. What is
the object of separating them if this is allowable ?
— E. B.

JUDGING THE QUALITY OF APPLES.
The yTaine Farmer reports pomologist Van Deman,
of the United States Department of Agriculture, as
saying in his address to the fruit growers at the
State fair in Lewiston : " I hear that you have
taken to testing the Russian Apples, which are very
poor in quality," and I wish to enter a protest
against the hasty and inconsiderate way in which
whole classes of fruit are condemned together. It
cannot be justly said of the Apples of any country
that they are " very poor."

English Apples are looked upon by Americans as
inferior to their own varieties ; and it is even claimed
that the best English Apples — the Ribston and
Blenheim Pippins — are better grown on this side of
the Atlantic ; but the English, while admitting the
brighter colour of our Apples, deny that the quality
is better than in those produced by their own skil-
ful fruit growers.

When we speak of the quality of Apples, the uses
to which they are put must be considered. Down-
ing says of the Talman Sweet : " In quality this
fruit is scarcely second-rate, but it is a very popu-
lar and profitable sort." All over the country Ben
Davis meets with criticism as to its quality, yet it
is undoubtedly the leading commercial Apple of the
United States, and Downing classes it as " good to
very good." Among Russian Apples, Alexander,
Red Astrachan, and Oldenburg are rated high upon
the American Pomological Society's select list of
369 varieties. This high rating is not accorded to
any of these five sorts for dessert quality ; yet their
value as commercial Apples is indisputable, and
they are as extensively planted (in some sections,
at least) as any varieties on the list. This shows
that high dessert quality is not and ought not to be
the only standard by which Apples are rated "good"
or " poor."

Surely it is no more right to condemn the Russian
Apples as being " very poor " because some of the
largest and best known among them belong to the
class of cooking Apples than it would be to call all
American varieties " very poor," because some of
the leading and best known sorts, such as those
named above, or others that might be added, are
not dessert fruit. Much the larger part of the
Apples grown in this and other countries is devoted
to cooking. This seems to be forgotten by a large
number of writers on fruit, but surely it ought
not to be.

In regard to more recently introduced Russian
Apples, it must be said, and borne in mind, that
very few of them have had that wide and general
testing, without which all pronounced opinion in re-
gard to quality must be looked upon as a " snap
judgment." A public official, above all, should be-
ware of anything like the expression of a hasty and
immature opinion on subjects of importance spe-
cially committed to his charge.

Of the 250 named varieties of Russian Apples
that have been brought into this country within
the last twenty years, I know no man who can say
that he has ever had an opportunity of fairly test-
ing as many as fifty. My own list covers but forty-
two varieties, on which I have had more or less
fruit. I am in my sixty-third year, and have been
familiar with the Apples of New England, the Ohio
Valley, the St. Lawrence and Champlain Valleys,
and of New York from my youth ; yet I feel no
hesitation in saying that the Russian Apples in my
orchard are not inferior in size, beauty, productive-
ness, and vigour to the native varieties of any of
these sections. They have, indeed, formed the
finest and most attractive part of exhibits where
they have competed with our native Apples, or with
thebest known Apples of Western Europe that are
grown in America.

As to the quality of these Apples as a class,
there are but two, possibly three, of mine
that I would rate as very poor — or, to be more

Nov. 22, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

483

precise, as poor as the Ben D.wis, when grown in
New England. These are Green Crimean, the
Spreading Pipka, and the Yellow Arcadian. In the
class of useful cooking Apples the Kussian list is
rich, and many of these are fully equal to any
American or West European Apples that I am
acquainted with. We have no better market
Apples of this class for good flavour, easy cook-
ing, saleableness or productiveness than the best
Russians, of which Red Astrachan, Oldenburg,
and Alexander are well-known types.

Of strictly dessert Apples I have not yet found
among the Russians many of the very highest type
equal to Garden Royal, Hunt's Russet, Grimes'
Golden, or Peck's Pleasant. But in a class just be-
low these there is a considerable list, increasing
rapidly now as the later importations come into
bearing. I class as very good dessert Apples the
Yellow Transparent, Switzer, Longfleld, Golden
White, Autumn Streaked, Zolotoreff, Titus, Popoff,
and Prolific Sweeting, and these are not only very
good, but they are also large, productive, and at-
tractive— some of them strikingly beautiful.

The strongest indictment against the Russian
Apples, so far, has been the lack of long keepers
among them. The earlier importations had hardly
any of these, and we are but just beginning to find
them among those now coming into bearing of the
more recent ones. The fruit growers of the " cold
north " may rest assured that there are good keep-
ing Apples among them. This is certain, and also
that they are of good to very good quality ; but
time is required to definitely place them. Though
many of us who are trying them have found that
the few first fruits of these varieties will keep as
well at least as many in the accepted lists of
American winter Apples, we must have them in
quantity, so that they can be handled not as single
specimens, but by the barrel and car-load, before
their exact status can be assigned them.

I feel sure that when the Russian Apples are
fairly judged they will make their way easily. No
fruit can receive its proper place from a test of
specimens sent by mail and cut on arrival, as I
suppose has been the case with Mr. Yan Deman.
There is a time when any fruit is at its best, and
eaten too soon or too late it is not possible to
rightly know it. Some varieties have a short sea-
son as dessert fruit, and this is true not only of
summer and autumn Apples, but of the longer
keepers. Jewett's Fine Red, for instance, has a sea-
son of less than a month when it is really fine, and
all fruit growers can name other sorts of which the
same may be said. There is also a vast difference
in the quality of the same variety, according to
how it is grown and handled. Some choice sorts
never show their merits in the hands of careless
persons. The Roxbury Russet is hardly" good " at
any time during its long period when undersized
or grown on unsuitable soil. But I have eaten
these great Russets in May and June that were
grown on the red iron soil of some of the Maine
hills, when it was a full match for Mr. Yan Deman's
favourite, Grimes' Golden. It may thus be pro-
nounced " very good" or " very poor," according to
circumstances, and the same is true of many other
of the condemned Russians. — T. H. Hoskxns, in
Garden and Forest.

PEACHES OUTDOORS.
The question of the best varieties of the Peach and
Nectarine was well discussed in last year's Gaedex,
and it may be somewhat superfluous to return to
the subject ; it is, however, not always the same
sorts that are the most serviceable every year, and
consequently it is not out of place to refer to annual
success and failure. I must give the palm this year
to Hale's Early, Alexandra Noblesse, Dymond, Bar-
rington, and Walburton Admirable in the order of
their ripening. The first-named is the best early
Peach we have ; Early Beatrice and Rivers' Early
York are capital croppers, but their size is against
them ; and the Rivers' Early York is very suscep-
tible to mildew. For another sort between Hale's
Early and Alexandra Noblesse I should recommend
Early Alfred, a Peach of good size and excellent
flavour, an almost certain cropper, and of good con-

stitution. Our trees of Noblesse are very old and
will soon have to come out ; they crop fairly well,
but not equal to Alexandra Noblesse ; this has more
colour with us than the parent. I see no reason
why young healthy trees of the latter should not
do well, and intend planting some as soon as we
have the space. Dymond and Barrington have
taken the place of Roval George. The latter is not a
success ; it is, like Rivers' Early York, very suscep-
tible to mildew ; the annual growth is consequently
poor and weakly, and as a natural outcome the
fruit is poor, of inferior size, and also touched with
mildew. I do not know a better late Peach than
Walburton Admirable. I have tried Salway, Lord
Palmerston, and Princess of Wales, but for outdoor
cultivation, at any rate, they cannot be compared
to the Admirable. Will any readers kindly give
their experience of other late sorts, as Desse Tar-
dive, Golden Eagle, Sea Eagle, and Teton de Yenus 1
We could do with a few more good late varieties.
Walburton Admirable Peach wants either careful
watching or a net securely fastened beneath it as it
approaches the ripening stage, for it is apt to drop
rather prematurely, and, unlike nearly all Peaches,
is not always at its' best fresh gathered from the tree.
For this reason it is one of the finest varieties for
travellingin cultivation. Of Nectarines, our two most
reliable sorts are Elruge and Downton. Yiolette
H;itive is a fine rich fruit, but not so sure a setter.
Lord Napier is not satisfactory out of doors. I see
it favourably reported on from some places, but it
certainly is not a success here. I shall give it one
more chance, and if there is no improvement it will
be transferred to the Peach house. Neither, as
mentioned in a previous note, are the later Nec-
tarines, as Pine-apple and Humboldt, a success out
of doors, unless it be in exceptional seasons like the
present, when the wonderful amount of sunshine
experienced in September ripened np the fruit in a
most satisfactory manner. I should not plant these
varieties again out of doors, but rely on the
three first-named, with in addition Rivers' Early
Orange and Hardwick Seedling.

Claremont. E. Bckbell.

NOTES ON STRAWBERRIES.
The following notes on Strawberries which
we are enabled to publish through the kindness
of our correspondents will doubtless prove in-
teresting to our readers. They have been sent
us from all parts of the United Kingdom. We
print the questions which we desired to have
answered : —

1. — Best kinds for forcing and hearing.

2.— Best kinds for flavour.

3. What are your lest early and late kinds for

open-air culture .'

4. Wliat is your opinion of the new varieties that

have been lately sent out .'

5. Mode of cultivation, whether as single stools

or in beds.

The best kinds I grow outside are Noble,

very large and the earliest kind to ripen ; Yicorn-
tesse Hericart de Thury, very early and a great
bearer, lasting many years without being replanted ;
Pauline is early, but not of good flavour ; Jubilee
is a variety of good flavour, the fruit large ; British
Queen is the best of all Strawberries and of the
finest flavour, but does not succeed well. It wants
a good rich loam and to be replanted every two
years. Kitley's Goliath is a good late variety, the
fruits fine and of good flavour ; Sir Charles Napier
is hardy and has excellent fruits of good flavour ; Sir
Joseph Paxton is a good useful kind, also Elton
Pine, which is late. I plant my Strawberries in
rows' 2 J feet apart and IS inches between each. I
like a good rich loamy soil, trenched 18 inches to
21 inches deep and well manured. As soon as the
fruit is all picked off, clear away all runners and
old leaves and top-dress the plants, forking up a
little between the rows. The best Strawberries for
forcing are Prince Imperial and Yicorntesse Heri-
cart de Thury. Noble has large fruit, is early, and
forces and packs well ; Sir Charles Napier is a good
keeper and traveller; British Queen, a grand old
Strawberry, and the best flavoured of any kind. I

take runners and lay them in small pots as early as

1 can get them, and as soon as the pats are full of
roots I have them transferred to 6-inch and 7-inch
size, the soil being good rich loam. I then place the
pots in full sun until the end of October, afterwards
plunging them in coal-ashes till they are wanted
for forcing. — Wm. Smtthe, Basing Park Gardens,
Alton.

The kinds we grow are as follows, and they

come in succession very well : Keen's Seedling,
Yicorntesse Hericart de Thury, President, and
Noble. This is the first season we have grown
Noble; it produced a heavy crop of large fruit;
flavour rather deficient, but perhaps it will come
better in a drier season. James Yeitch is a showy
fruit : we have had eight weigh 1 lb. Countess
and Dr. Hogg are our mid-season varieties, and
these two are thought more of here for dessert than
any other kinds. "Our latest are Frogmore Late
Pine and Loxford Hall Seedling. We destroy
three beds every year and plant three, planting
2J feet from row to row and IS inches in the rows.
— Thos. M. Mobsbt, Tate Souse, Gloucestershire.

■ We do not force any Strawberries here.

The kinds grown are Black Prince for early;
then comes Keen's Seedling, than which for flavour
there is none better, or preserving either. For main
crop, President, grand cropper; and for latest,
Elton Pine. The above are the Strawberries grown
here for years. I plant Black Prince every year,

2 feet between the rows and 1 foot 6 inches be-
tween each in the rows, planting the other sorts 3
feet between the rows and IS inches apart. They
are renewed every four years, and we have grand
crops. I mulch "them in winter after they are dug
between the rows. I do not believe in growing
Strawberries in beds, and if I had time to do so I
would put them in single stools, as the fruit is then
much finer .—W.McCombie, Mitford BTall, Morpeth.

With regard to Strawberries, I find the

best kinds for forcing to be Noble and Presi.
dent. For flavour, Black Prince, Noble (fla-
vour not so good, but a heavy cropper). Early
varieties, Black Prince, Noble. Late varieties,
British Queen, Sir Charles Napier. My own opin-
ion with regard to the new varieties is that they
are better for cropping, but the flavour is not good.
The Jubilee is a late Strawberry, heavy cropper,
but will not do for forcing. Eleanor is also a good
cropper. I consider that cultivating Strawberries
in single stools answers best.— N. Black, Southend
Gardens, Darlington.

I have thus far found Yicorntesse Hericart

de Thury to be our most reliable early variety here.
It does not suffer quite so much as other varieties
from the pernicious effects brought about by the
London fogs during the winter, combined with
much exposure to the easterly winds about the
time of starting into growth in the spring. The
Strawberry plants with me look almost dead in the
early spring. Next to the above named come Sir
Joseph Paxton and President, then Waterloo and
Oxonian for the two last. Waterloo with me does
exceedingly well in every way, and being a firm
fruit travels in good condition. Keen's Seedling
with me is a failure, so also are the Pine kinds : to
do the latter at all well about here the beds are best
renewed every year, never keeping any for the
second season's cropping.- J. Htoson, Gvmnersbury
Souse, Acton,

The first gathering was made July 11, and

the variety was King of the Earlies. This has
quite taken the place of Black Prince. I saw
Laxton's Noble on July 1, near Derby, producing a
fine heavy crop and nearly ripe. I gave Is. per lb.
the same" day for fresh fruit. Yicorntesse Hericart
de Thury is the favourite here for bottling and
making syrup. This and President are the standard
sorts grown. I gathered fine fruits of President on
August i, though the heavy storms on August 1
had made havoc with them. I gathered four
special dishes of 5 lbs. each on July 28, averaging
eighteen to twenty fruit to the lb. Oscar and Au-
guste >"icaise produce very large fruit, but I shall
dispense with these two' after this season, con-
fining myself to Noble, Hericart de Thury. President
and Eleanor. All are grown in bedf , allowed to run

484

THE GARDEN

[Nov. 22, 1890.

and root themselves, forming new plantations, the
original plants being dug and trenched under in four
years' time, mulched in autumn, and horse litter
put all over in spring. It is astonishing how the
foliage and flower-spikes work through this. — GEO.
Bolas, Hojiton Hall, Wirksmorth, Derby.

Sir Harry is our best forcing Strawberry. I

grow a few of Keen's Seedling, Vicomtesse Hencart
de Thury, and Sir Joseph Paxton, but the bulk I force
consists of Sir Harry. The same varieties do best also
outside. I have not grown any of the new varie-
ties except Waterloo, which I find a very good
late variety. — John Wallis, Keele Gardens, New-
castle, Staffs.

On our light gravelly soil we find the stool

system best. We save the best of the forced
plants, carefully plant in prepared border, and next
season have fine fruit. Garibaldi, Sir Harry, and Sir
Joseph Paxton are the sorts we force. For late
supplies we rely on Dr. Hogg. Noble and John
Ruskin are giving satisfaction in this district. —
W. A. Milleb, Underby, Kirliby Lonsdale, West-
moreland.

President is my leading sort. It is good in

flavour, form, colour, and size, and is a free grower
and abundant bearer. The kinds I force are King
of the Earlies, Keen's Seedling, Vicomtesse, La
Grosse Sucree, President, and Sir Charles Napier.
Dr. Hogg is the best flavoured Strawberry grown,
excepting British Queen, to which it is allied. —
P. Davidson, The Gardens, Iwerne Minster, Bland-
ford, Dorset.

As regards forcing, we only grow a few

plants of La Grosse Sucree, which does very well
as a general crop. For flavour, I think there is
nothing to compete with Sir C. Napier and Presi-
dent, both of which do well in this locality. I give
preference to the former. As an early Strawberry
I found King of the Earlies ten days earlier than
James Veitch. Elton Pine is the latest here. The
mode of culture I adopt is to form a bed of rotten
manure about 5 inches deep on a hard gravel or
cinder bottom ; then cover with about 1 inch of
soil. In this I plant all runners as soon as I can
get them ; the ground is well manured and dug.
I always plant single crowns 2 feet by 18 inches
apart, and they throw a good truss the first year.
I never keep beds above three years. — A. J. Of-
pokd, Alderley Park, Clieljord, Greroe.

■ The best Strawberry for early forcing is

Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury. President, Sir
Joseph Paxton, and Marguerite are good for later
crops. Noble I was somewhat disappointed with
last season, but the fruit is very fine, so shall give
it another trial. For flavour we have had nothing to
equal the old British Queen and Vicomtesse Heri-
cart de Thury, La Grosse Sucree being also fairly
good. Some of the large-fruited kinds, such as
James Veitch, Noble, and Marguerite, have been
quite flavourless this season. Sir Joseph Paxton
and President fair. Noble is the earliest variety
we have grown here, but I consider Vicomtesse Heri-
cart de Thury the best, the flavour being much
superior. For a good late, I find nothing better
than Frogmore Late Pine. Loxford Hall Seedling
does not succeed here, and Waterloo I cannot say
much about at present. I should be inclined to
give the palm to Sir Joseph Paxton as a thoroughly
useful all-round variety. As far as my experience
goes with the new varieties, we have not gained
much in flavour, though possibly in size. My plants
are in single stools on the three-years' system. I
plant 2 feet apart each way for all except the
smaller-growing varieties, as Black Prince, King of
the Earlies, and La Grosse Sucree. As soon as the
fruit is gathered, all the old plantations are hoed
through or very lightly forked, and a mulching of
rotten manure put on which makes them right for
the winter, except that there may be a few late
runners to take off. I believe in cutting the foliage
off all the old plantations as soon as the fruit is
gathered. Some growers consider it barbarous,
but I have seen it successfully practised more or
less for thirty years.— Wm. Pope, Hiylwlere Castle,
Newbury.

The best Strawberries for forcing are Cap-
tain, La _Gros§e Sucree, Vicomtesse Hericart de

Thury, Keen's Seedling, President ; and for late
work James Veitch. The best for flavour are Presi-
dent, Sir Joseph Paxton, La Grosse Sucree, and
Waterloo. I like the Captain for early work and also
Black Prince. Noble is a splendid bearer and ripens
first, but it is very poor in flavour, so that only a
few on an early border are required. For late
kinds on a north border I prefer Frogmore Late
Pine, Waterloo, Helene Gloede. Single stools are
unquestionably the best plan, and never dig
between. — J. Rust, JEridge Castle, Sussex.

The best for forcing are Vicomtesse Heri-
cart de Thury, President, and Sir J. Paxton. Best
for flavour King of the Earlies, Captain, Keen's
Seedling, President, Waterloo. Best early sorts,
Noble and King of the Earlies, and the most suit-
able second early Keen's Seedling, Captain, Pax-
ton. Late sorts, Waterloo, Elton Pine. Cultiva-
tion.— In rows 30 inches apart and 21 inches apart
in the rows. Of new varieties we only grow Noble,
and consider it a most useful sort, very early, good
size, and free grower, but wanting in flavour. —
Chas. Deane, Cassiobury Park.

We force only Vicomtesse Hericart de

Thury and President. For general open-air culti-
vation we grow Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury,
Keen's Seedling, James Veitch, Sir J. Paxton,
President, Oxonian. I try several of the newer
varieties from time to time, but I cannot yet spare
one of the above well-proved favourites for any of
them. If we give the above six varieties liberal
cultivation and make a new plantation every third
year, they are difficult to eclipse. James Veitch
grows to a very large size, and is of good flavour,
also generally useful. — Thomas Shingles, Tort-
worth Gardens, Falfield.

The varieties of Strawberries I grow are as

follows : Laxton's King of the Earlies, not very
large, but forces well, and is of good flavour ; Keen's
Seedling, good both for forcing and outdoors, but
the flavour is not so good as President. We gener-
ally make preserve of it. President comes next,
and is one of the best that was ever raised both
for flavour, cropping, constitution and forcing,
Forman's Excelsior is a fine-looking fruit, of good
flavour, rich colour, and does well outdoors, but
does not force well. James Veitch comes next ; it
is a large handsome fruit, and paler in colour than
the former. It has an agreeable aroma when
grown in pots, and is a good forcer and
very robust outside. All our Strawberries are
grown in beds in the usual way. — F. Blackshaw,
The Gardens, Edmondthorpe Hall, Oakham.

Strawberries for forcing : Vicomtesse Heri-
cart de Thury, La Grosse Sucree, Keen's Seedling,
Sir Joseph Paxton, President, and Auguste Nicaise.
These varieties are generally introduced into heat
in the order in which their names appear. This
year Auguste Nicaise (which I have fruited here
for the first time) ripened a few days before Vicom-
tesse HtSricart de Thury and La Grosse Sucree, but
Laxton's Noble (which I have this year obtained
from a friend) is said to be much earlier than any
of those enumerated above. Our best late are
Elton Pine, Helene Gloede, and Oxonian on a north
border. As regards the method of cultivation fol-
lowed here and pretty generally practised in
gentlemen's gardens, it is to set the plants out
singly in the case of transplanting those forced, and
triangularly in the case of young ones in rows 2
feet apart, and let there be the same distance from
plant to plant or clump to clump, as the case may
be, in the rows. The ground having been liberally
manured and deeply dug is made firm in planting,
and a surface dressing of short manure is then laid
on between the plants. This maintains the roots
in a uniformly moist and cool condition during the
summer months, heavy rains washing the virtues'
of the manure down to the roots in due time. —
H. W. Wabd, Lour/ford Castle, Salisbury.

We find the following the best for forcing :

Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, Sir Joseph Paxton,
President, Dr. Hogg, and Sir Charles Napier.
Best kinds for flavour are British Queen, Dr. Hogg,
Sir Joseph Paxton, President, Lord Napier, Won-
derful, and Lucas. Our earliest varieties for out-
door culture are Noble, King of the Earlies, Vicom-

tesse Hericart de Thury, and Sir Joseph Paxton.
Our latest varieties are Waterloo, Elton Pine, and
Jubilee. Of new varieties I can only speak of two :
Laxton's Noble and Jubilee. The former I consider
a most useful early variety, a good grower and bearer,
but is not of high quality. Jubilee is a good late
sort, fruit large, of good flavour and very prolific.
Our mode of cultivation is as follows : In the au-
tumn we have a piece of ground trenched ; there is
a good coat of manure put between the top and
bottom spit as the work proceeds. In the spring it
is planted with early Peas or Cauliflowers. When
these are off it is manured and dug; then it is ready
to receive the Strawberries about the first week in Au-
gust which had been layered into 3-inch pots early in
July. They are planted in rows 2 feet apart and
IS inches in the rows. About February we put on
a good coat of long manure ; it answers two pur-
poses ; first, the spring rain washes all the goodness
down to the roots, and the straw that is left keeps
the fruit clean when ripe. — W. Hannan, The Gar-
dens, Newnham Paddox, Lutterworth.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 780.

EOSE MRS. PAUL*
With the immensely increased cultivation
of Tea-scented Eoses, it seemed at one time
not improbable that the Bourbons would be
altogether lost sight of, in spite of their good
qualities of vigour, hardiness, and ever-
blooming. In 1880, however, M. Margottin
sent out a Bourbon Eosc which attracted
general attention on account of its immense
vigour, its very free and perpetual character,
and the great size of its blooms, but it un-
fortunately became apparent upon extended
trial that the blooms were constitutionally
coarse and not interesting in colour, and
Mine. Isaac Pereire, as the Eose in question
was called, seemed likely to be soon discarded.

It occurred, however, to Mr. George Paul,
of the Old Nurseries, Cheshunc, who has for
some years devoted his chief attention, in
raising seedling Eoses, to obtaining varieties
of increased vigour and of more genuine per-
petual character, that the vigour and freedom
of Mme. Isaac Pereire might be made use of,
in spite of the lack of quality in the flowers ;
the modification of the blossom being proba-
bly more easily effected than that of the
character of the plant. Mr. George Paul
therefore set to work to raise seedlings from
Mme. Isaac Pereire in the hope of obtaining
varieties Avhich should retain the splendid
habit and constitution of their parent, while
possessing flowers of greater refinement and
beauty of colour.

This hope has been fully realised in the
beautiful seedling, of which the accompanying
plate gives an excellent portrait — rather full
in colour, but in all other respects displaying
to admiration the character of the variety —
and of which the raiser's opinion is pretty
clearly indicated by the fact of his having
given it a name deservedly held in highest
esteem by all rosarians, namely, that of Mrs.
Paul.

The plant retains the vigorous habit and
handsome foliage of the seed parent as well as

* Drawn for The Garden by H. G. Moon in Paul
& Son's nursery, Cheshunt, July 2U, 1S90. Litho-
graphed and printed by Guillaume Severeyns.

PAUL

Nov. 22, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

485

its thoroughly perpetual character, so that it
will make a valuable addition to the number
of Hoses that may be desirably grown as stan-
dards ; but, in addition to these good points,
it produces flowers of great beauty and excep-
tional distinctness. The magnificent guard
petals, which for smoothness of contour, size,
and substance are unsurpassed, give the flower
a very distinguished character, while their
pearly-white colour, sometimes suffused with
a soft peach shade, is very pleasing,

That exhibitors will find Mrs. Paul a valu-
able addition can hardly be doubted, seeing
that it received the highest possible award,
namely, the gold medal of the National Rose
Society, at the society's metropolitan exhibi-
tion at the Crystal Palace last July. But its
value for exhibition is not the most impor-
tant point to consider in estimating a new
Eose, and it is far more satisfactory to be able
to say that it is quite certain that Mrs. Paul
will be welcome in every garden on account
of the possession of all important good
qualities.

Not that it is desired to suggest or maintain
the old. superstition that an exhibition Eose is
necessarily undesirable for the general culti-
vator ; on the contrary, as has been so often
urged, many of the Eoses most frequently
exhibited are also among the best for produc-
ing a brilliant display in the garden. But the
fact remains that there are many Eoses that
are weakly growers or are of delicate constitu-
tion which, nevertheless, produce very perfect
flowers, and are consequently still cultivated
by exhibitors, although such varieties are of
little value to the non-exhibiting grower. No
such Eose, however, is Mrs. Paul ; beautiful
the flowers are exceedingly, and often will
they be exhibited ; but it is because they are
produced in profusion, and continuously, upon
a hardy and vigorous plant that is always
clothed with magnificent deep green glossy foli-
age, that the celebrated Cheshunt firm is to be
specially congratulated upon its last addition
to our steadily lengthening list of first-rate
English Eoses. T. W. Girdlestone.

Chrysanthemums.

KEEPING THE BLOOMS.
Albeady I hear numerous complaints from growers
that they fear the blooms will not keep in good
enough condition for the length of time required of
them. From experience I know this is a somewhat
saddening thought after ten or eleven months'
close attention to produce the flowers in the best
possible condition. To the inexperienced, it is a
question full of difficulties.

One reason of the trouble experienced in this
respect is the ambition now-a-days of growers to
obtain the largest blooms ; consequently early
crown buds are selected for their development, and,
as generally happens in such an irregular season as
the present, when the temperature fluctuates so
much, the blooms from these buds expand too
early and are consequently of little use. However,
it is now too late to alter that state of things.
Plants that have been highly fed are the worst to
deal with in this respect, especially if wet or foggy
weather sets in; the florets are gorged, so to speak,
and made soft by their great bulk and are liable to
early decay if the .plants are not all right at the
roots. The present dry weather is all in favour of
such plants as I have noted. Given abundance of

air and some artificial warmth occasionally in dull
and damp weather, no harm should befall the
flowers. Blooms that are seen to be coming on too
fast should be heavily shaded. Such plants should
have plenty of space, so that the air will blow
about the blooms quite freely. Directly they are
fully developed they should be moved into a partly
darkened cool structure, having, if possible, a
northern aspect, and where air can be admitted
freely. Some persons do not move the plants until
the lower florets show signs of decay, which in the
case of white and yellow varieties is a tinge of
pink on the basal florets. The tendency to decay
is a want of stiffness in the lower florets, which is
easily known by feeling them ; this flabbiness and
a loss of colour are the best tests of the freshness
of coloured Chrysanthemums. It is useless to
allow the plants to remain in the house exposed to
the sun until these evils are apparent, then to move
them with the hope of checking the decay
which has already set in. If they are not removed
to the keeping quarters before that stage I have in-
dicated, there is small chance of such blooms last-
ing the prescribed period. Sometimes large blooms
of all sections will exhibit signs of premature de-
cay of the lower florets before the upper part of the
blooms has opened to its fullest extent. This
is not as it should be, and the cause should be
sought for in two ways ; either the buds had com-
menced to unfold their florets before the plants
were housed, or what is more likely to be the true
cause of early decay is the roots of the plant are
not in a healthy state.

In either case nothing but clear water should be
given to the plants, as undue excitement is not re-
quired. When the plants bearing fully developed
blooms are removed to their keeping quarters, the
soil in the pots should be kept nearly dry, giving
only as much water as will prevent the leaves flag-
ging. Upon the slightest symptoms of decay taking
place in the florets, they should be removed in-
stantly, as, like a rotten berry in a bunch of Grapes,
or an Apple amongst many, they hasten the decay
of others by contamination. Any surplus water
standing on the floor should be removed, as it will
only tend to raise atmospheric moisture. Where it
is not convenient to remove the plants to a struc-
ture as indicated, the best must be made of heavily
shading them from both sun and strong light, and
by cutting them some time previous to their being
required. Some persons cut them too soon, while
others do not cut them soon enough, allowing them
to remain on the plants several days after all the
florets have been fully developed, and often enough
after it can be seen that the blooms are losing their
freshness. I have kept them fresh for eight days
in a partly darkened cool room, but half the time
is more to be depended upon for keeping them
fresh in a cut state. White varieties of both
Japanese and incurved keep the best, especially
the former. If cut too early sometimes they do not
decay, but the florets lose their natural solidity, thus
causing the blooms to be of smaller dimensions than
they would be if the florets stood out fresh ; besides,
they lose that bright colouring which is considered
to be of the highest importance. When the blooms
are thoroughly developed, then is the right moment
to cut them, which is best done with a long stem,
say 15 inches, so that a small portion can be cut
off each day ; long stems, too, are necessary when
placing the blooms in the cups preparatory to tak-
ing them to a show. Place the stem in a bottle
previously filled with water, to which is added a
little salt, say three-quarters of a teaspoonful to
three half-pints of soft water. Sulphate of ammonia
is good for maintaining the freshness of the blooms
in water ; a pinch of it in a wine bottle of soft water
is enough to use. The bottles containing the blooms
should be placed in a partly darkened room which
is cool and has also a dry atmosphere.

S. P.

New American Chrysanthemums. — A large
number of these are of various shades of yellow,
and in many cases they come coarse. Those which
axe tinted with blush are not generally speaking
good. One of the trade importers considers the
best flowers will, however, be found among the

yellow ones. This is not a matter of surprise, for
in the East the yellow Chrysanthemums are re-
garded with the greatest favour and varieties of
that colour are most numerous. Large numbers of
the so-called new American Chrysanthemums axe
really nothing more nor less than varieties im-
ported from Japan. — C. H. P.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS AT MORDEN PARK.
One of the best homes of the Chrysanthemum near
London is Morden Park, where Mr. C. Gibson, gar-
dener to Mr. J. Wormald, has obtained much
success in the culture of the flower for exhibition
The collection is large, comprising every new va-
riety and all the old kinds that are worth growing
while here, too, may be seen evidences of the suc-
cess in raising seedlings. One of the best Japanese
varieties that has recently appeared is Gloire de
Rocher, which was certificated by the floral com-
mittee of the National Chrysanthemum Society on
October 29. The seed was from plants sent to
Algiers, where Mr. Wormald resides for the benefit
of his health in the winter season. The varieties
were there crossed, and the plants returned to Morden
Park to bloom. There were several seedlings, but
nothing finer than Gloire de Rocher, which is a dis-
tinct Japanese flower, full, globular in form, and
the colour bright — a kind of salmon- red, something
in the way of Yal d'Andorre, the reverse of the
florets golden bronze. It will make an exhibi-
tion show variety of great value, whilst also pos-
sessing grace and beauty peculiarly its own. There
are three houses of Chrysanthemums under Mr.
Gibson's care, nearly all the plants grown for the
production of exhibition flowers, but a few were
simply to cut from. The prettiest displays of blos-
som we have seen this year were made by speci-
mens naturally grown of the pale yellow reflexed
variety Elsie, which is a charming thing for deco-
ration, beautiful in form, and of the softest shade.
Amongst the Japanese incurved varieties, one of
the finest was Mrs. C. Wheeler, which is of the
Comte de Germiny type, the florets incurving in
the same way, and of a rich old gold colour, the
inner face deep crimson. It is an American kind,
and first shown by Mr. T. Bettesworth, Cheshunt,
at a floral committee of the National Chrysanthe-
mum Society on November 21, 1888, when it was
given a first-class certificate. The rich yellow Sun-
flower, one of the best Japanese varieties we have,
was very rich and beautiful, also Ralph Brockle-
bank, the yellow sport from Meg Merrilies ; Etoile
de Lyon, splendid rich rose in colour ; Val dAn-
dorre, Avalanche, Stanstead White, and, of course,
Edwin Molyneux, which is here seen in two distinct
phases. It varies remarkably. The flowers from
the late buds are quite distinct from those from
the crown buds ; the bloom is looser, freer, and
showier, the florets standing out boldly, and of the
richest crimson colour, very striking against the
gold reverse. Stanstead White is a noble flower of
the purest white, but too large. It is one of the
biggest varieties we have, the flowers frequently
measuring nearly a foot across. One of the most
striking kinds was Mrs. Falconer Jameson, certifi
cated by the National Chrysanthemum Society on
October 15 of the present year. It is a fine flower,
reddish bronze, the reverse pale gold, and the
plant is not more than 3 feet in height. Splendid
flowers were to be seen also of such favourites as
Baronne de Prailly, Boule d'Or, M. Bernard, a deep
rich lilac colour, John Salter, Mme. B. Rendatler,
George Daniels, white, tinted with rose, and Grandi-
florum, besides all the other leading varieties in
collections. The incurved varieties were also repre-
sented by a full collection from the older kinds, as
Queen of England, to the more recent acquisitions,
as M. A. Haggas and Violet Tomlin, both flowers
that have a place in every good stand of incurved
blooms. There were also excellent flowers of Lady
Hardinge, the beautiful Jeanne d'Arc, one of the
prettiest in colour and form of the whole collection,
Lord Wolseley, and Prince Alfred. A promising
new variety is John Doughty, a sport from Queen
of England, the colour rosy fawn ; it is an improve-
ment on Bronze Queen. A new variety of great
beauty is Mrs. §. Coleman, a sport from Princess of

486

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 22, 1890.

Wales, which it is like in everything but colour.
This is bright golden bronze, shaded with rose in
the lower part, the upper bright yellow. It varies,
and is prettiest when almost suffused with rose.
All the other classes are grown, but the incurved
and Japanese varieties predominate.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS AT SYDENHAM.
We have so long been accustomed to hear of the
doings of French nurserymen in connection with
Chrysanthemum cultivation, that it is a change,
and somewhat of a surprise, to find a German firm
now taking up the flower as a speciality. Messrs.
Reid and Bornemann, of Trewsbury Road, Syden-
ham, whose business operations lie chiefly in
Germany, Austria, Holland, Sweden, Denmark, and
Russia, had at the time of my visit three houses of
100 feet each in length devoted solely to Chry-
santhemums. Of these two houses contained
plants very freely grown for the English market,
the best varieties of which comprised standard
sorts like Barbara, Elaine, Elsie, George Glenny,
Mrs. Rundle, Mrs. Dixon, Lady Selborne, Ethel, the
Christines, and a few other widely known kinds.
The freedom of growth has exemplified one curious
point in cultivation worthy of note, and it is that
sporting seems to be encouraged by this method.
On one plant were to be found blooms of Mme.
John Laing, together with those of Sarah Owen,
while John Salter freely produced blooms of Lady
Selborne, but Lady Selborne rarely, although oc-
casionally developing clearly defined cases of
James Salter. In one house entirely devoted to
blooms grown for exhibition, most of which have
been sent to a show to be held in Leipzic, was
a capital collection of good varieties long since
recognised as leading sorts by us. Val d'Andorre
was well represented on very dwarf plants, M. H.
Elliott, Sunflower, M. Bernard, Etoile de Lyon,
Ralph Brocklebank, Mrs. Falconer Jameson, all of
the Japanese type, having fully developed blooms of
high quality. Hamlet, Pink Lacroix, Mont Blanc,
Avalanche, were especially attractive in size, sub-
stance, and colour. Several plants of Stanstead
White were remarkable for the size of the blooms,
some of them measuring 'J inches across.

Among incurved varieties especially noticeable
were the Queen tribe, including John Doughty,
John Lambert, the most recent of its sports.
Violet Tomlin was in good form, and, like most of
the flowers at Sydenham, of a far deeper and
clearer colour than those generally seen closer to
the metropolis.

Messrs. Reid and Bornemann have devoted some
little attention to the raising of new seedling varie-
ties, and about a dozen may be considered of a
promising nature. They are as yet unnamed, and
will probably not be distributed before next year.
One of them, a reflexed flower with short petals of
pure white, with a centre of creamy yellow, had a
decided odour of Mignonette. Another belonging
to the Anemone section, with light lilac disc and
ray florets, emitted a very perceptible perfume of
Violets. Hartland's Marguerite, which is not
exactly a novelty, bears a very fragrant scent of
Almonds. This is an interesting matter just now
that the Chrysanthemum is attaining so high a
position, because if once fragrant sorts can be
obtained easily it will render the flower a far
greater favourite than ever. Other seedlings were
noticeable for the extraordinary foliage they bore.
One, a Japanese incurved variety, not unlike Mme.
Audiguier inform, was of a lilac- mauve colour, with
a deep purple shade inside the florets ; in this
instance the leaves were very massive and thick.
An incurved Japanese, similar in build to M. Free-
man, but with larger blooms, attracted attention
on account of its clear purple colour and creamy
centre. A seedling incurved white flower tinged
with blush is also promising. Cheysanth.

Chrysanthemums in the Chiswick Nur-
sery.—In many nurseries at this season of the
year the principal flower is the Chrysanthemum,
especially where the trade is almost exclusively in
cut bloom. The two varieties that fill three or four
houses in the Chiswick nursery are Source d'Or, the

lovely chestnut-orange-coloured Japanese variety,
and Elaine. Of the pure white Elaine there is a
house entirely devoted to it one sheet of white,
and providing an endless supply of bloom for
cutting. The plants are simply laid in, but a
collection in 6-inch pots is of great beauty. They
are wreathed in bloom, and as graceful as any-
thing one could have for choice decorations. It is
the decided colours that sell the best, as the rich
shading of Source d'Or, the pure white Elaine,
Golden George Glenny, Mrs. G. Rundle, and Cul-
lingfordi, which is delightful here. Its colour and
freedom make it one of the best varieties for
cutting in cultivation.

OUTDOOR CHRYSANTHEMUMS.
The present season has again demonstrated the
difficulty of securing a profusion of the above, and
the generally precarious nature of the crop, for the
frost of October 21 (when we registered 15°) spoilt
all the expanded flowers, even where protected by
thick canvas coverings ; fortunately, however, the
quantity of bloom at this stage was not great, and
we are now cutting plenty from the same plants.
With a view to secure plenty of cut bloom at this
season and obviate the necessity of mutilating the
inmates of the show house, I have for several sea-
sons devoted a piece of ground some 15 yards by
10 yards to outdoor Chrysanthemums, and, save
that they are occasionally nipped by frost, the ex-
periment is a decided success.

The first season I lost all or nearly all the flowers,
only being able to lightly cover with some shading,
but the following summer I procured some Fir
poles and erected a sort of skeleton frame, over
which I am able to throw some dressed canvas
covering and so secure comparative immunity from
frost, unless it be in exceptional cases as above
mentioned. The plants are a yard apart in beds 6
feet wide, with a good broad alley intervening ;
they are well cared for through the growing season
in the way of thinning out weakly wood, staking,
tying, mulching, and an occasional supply of
water if the weather prove very hot and dry, and
well repay the care and attention bestowed on
them, although all this would be in vain and to no
purpose were it not for the skeleton frame and the
heavy canvas covering. The sorts grown are those
free-flowering varieties so useful for cutting, of
which Maiden's Blush, La Nymphe, Hiver Fleuri,
Val_ d'Andorre, Abbe Passaglia, l'Adorable, and
Tokio may be taken as types. This also is the type
of Chrysanthemum so admirably adapted as " cut-
backs " either for the decoration of the conserva-
tory or for cutting when the outdoor supply fails.
However much one may admire monster blooms
some 12 inches or 14 inches in diameter, I must ad-
mit that the cut-backs are the more serviceable.
I have grown mine entirely on the latter plan for
some seasons with no disbudding, and the wealth
of bloom obtained is very great. Surely it must be
preferable (unless there is any special craze for
monstrosities) to find a plant from which one can
cut, say, twelve or fourteen nice sprays with some-
thing like forty expanded flowers than another
which will only yield a couple of huge mops.
These remarks relate solely to the value of the
Chrysanthemum as a decorative plant both in pots
and for cutting. I have no wish to undervalue the
skill and ability that can produce exhibition blooms
gigantic in size and perfect in shape. Returning
to the outdoor plants, the dressed coverings must
on no account come in contact with the flowers, or
these will be permanently injured by the tar in the
canvas. If a wall is available, this is the best of
all places for outdoor plants, as they can be
kept in a close compass and be quickly and effec-
tually covered on frosty nights. — E. Buhrell,
Clare.mont.

This has been one of the worst autumns for

outdoor Chrysanthemums that I remember, as but
very few sorts have opened their blooms in any-
thing like a satisfactory manner. In the first
place, the plants from some cause or other were
unusually late, and then came that cruel frost in
the early part of October that crippled the buds
and spoiled the greater part of the blooms. Taking

the seasons as they come, it seems almost, if not
quite useless to plant other than early flowering
kinds, and it is to be hoped that raisers of new
sorts will give their attention to these, as there is a
wide and profitable field open for them in this di-
rection. Borders might be made gay after most
other herbaceous plants have gone off, and thou-
sands who are without glasshouses would be able to
enjoy the beauties of Chrysanthemums and adorn
their dwellings with vases of cut blooms from the
plants. A beginning has been made, as there are
a few sorts already that come in during September
and October, but lovers of the queen of autumn
want to see their numbers greatly increased, and
much more colour and variety infused. The first
of any note to flower are Mme. Desgrange and the
two sports from it, George Wermig, and Mrs. Haw-
kins, but neither of the trio can be said to be good
growers, and yet their habit, so far as dwarfness
and compactness are concerned, is all that can be
desired, and they have been popular now for some
time. To succeed these, the best that I am ac-
quainted with are La A'ierge, Sceur Melanie, Alex-
andre Dufour, Mrs. Cullingford, Mme. de Cariel,
and that good old sort Julie Lagravere. This has
been the best with us this year, and is still good,
as the rain and weather seem to have but little
effect on its flowers. In warm, sheltered places, or
where they can be planted on sunny borders against
walls, buildings, or fences, such kinds as William
Holmes, Mile. Lacroix, Lady Selborne, Elaine, Mar-
got, Avalanche, and such second early flowering
kinds as those might be planted with a very fair
chance of getting good blooms, as it is surprising
what a little shelter does in bringing them up to
the mark. I should think that the single kinds
will be very useful for outdoors, and shall be glad
to hear if anyone has tried them, as they seem
coming to the front and will be of great use for
cutting. As Chrysanthemums spread very fast
through sending up so many shoots at the crowns,
they should be annually reduced, or, better still,
taken entirely up, and a small patch from the out-
side that shows the strongest growth replanted in
a fresh spot prepared for the purpose. This should
be done by digging a moderate-sized hole and work-
ing in some well rotted manure, or if the plants are
to go near each other the whole piece of ground
may be trenched. — J. Sheppabd.

Show Chrysanthemums. — The Chrysanthe-
mum celebration is not without its lessons. An
interesting article might be written on " The Im-
morality of Flower Shows," for " faking " flowers
and vegetables up to a certain standard of perfec-
tion is very prevalent. The " faking " is done in
various ways, and often so skilfully as to deceive
the cleverest expert. In the case of the Chry-
santhemum it resolves itself into a careful arrange-
ment of the florets to give the composite head a
regular and " correct " outline. Many of the Chry-
santhemums, big with the honours of prizes, which
have been seen within the past few days are " per-
fect " to a most suspicious degree. They look un-
natural, and are strongly suggestive of having been
" doctored " for the occasion. We do not see any-
thing at all beautiful in simply a huge head of
flowers, for the result, like the means, is artificial.
To secure a fine head the entire strength of the
plant is focussed into one channel, all other flower-
buds being nipped off, and superfluous shoots de-
stroyed. Such a proceeding is in direct antagon-
ism to the teachings of Nature and common sense.
— Daily Neirs.

Chrysanthemums at Kew. — The Chrysan-
themums in the Royal Gardens, Kew, are this season
of exceptional excellence, and we draw attention
to them there, as they represent the plant in a very
different phase from what one is accustomed to see
it in many gardens. They are arranged in the
greenhouse, which has been recently enlarged, and
in the temperate house in the pleasure grounds.
Those in the greenhouse provide the richest show,
as the space is more confined. The single varieties
are extremely beautiful, a specimen of Gus Harris
and Miss Rose each having countless flowers, and a
broad head nearly 3 feet across, one mound of

Nov. 22, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

487

bloom, so as to hide every trace of leafage. We
have never seen the single varieties make a prettier
picture than here, especially Miss Rose, whose dis-
tinct daisy, tender rose flowers are delightful when
crowded together. We commend this way of grow-
ing single Chrysanthemums to those who have only
grown them for exhibition. One-half of the green-
house is almost entirely filled with specimens, not
of the trained kind, but each carrying from ten to
twenty flowers on strong leafy stems. The indi-
vidual blooms are thoroughly characteristic of the
variety represented, and not a few would take a
creditable place in a competitive exhibition. The
effect is far finer in the large temperate house,
where there is green leafage as a foil. A week or
two ago the plants were in better flower than now,
but arranged round the margin of the large beds
filled with Acacias and plants from temperate
climes, the effect is remarkably rich and striking.
From such an exhibition — we can call it nothing
else — one can see the true value of the Chrysan-
themum for giving beauty and colour to houses that
would otherwise have little to interest. Edwin
Molyneux was splendid for colour, but the flowers
were single, although none the less beautiful on
that account. Such varieties as Soeur Melanie,
Hiver Fleuri, Val dAndorre, William Holmes, Ava-
lanche, Maiden's Blush, Jas. Salter, and La Nymphe,
a lovely Japanese flower of star shape, the colours
very soft and beautiful, yellow passing to pale lilac,
were of delightful beauty. The most handsome of
the incurved is Jardin des Plantes, its flowers
rich butter-yellow, and another of the same class
of distinct expression is Lord Alcester.

JAPANESE VHRSUS INCURVED CHRYSAN-
THEMUMS.

I DO not thus place these two premier sections of
Chrysanthemums in a condition of rivalry for the
purpose of arousing a war of words. The Chrysan-
themum fancier or florist is perfectly welcome to
his belief that the rotund incurved flowers are the
best and truest to Nature, or anything else. There
is ample room for agreeing to differ. But the pre-
sent season's shows have still further helped to
satisfy me that the Japanese flowers are not only
by far the most beautiful , but are a long way the
favourites in public estimation. Those who have
watched visitors at shows cannot fail to have ob-
served that they take ten notes of Japanese to one
of incurved varieties; that they hang in clusters
round the blooms of the former most densely, and
that, howsoever shown, the Japanese forms always
attract the greatest amount of attention. Turning
to the classes at the Royal Aquarium, in which
Chrysanthemum blooms play so important a part
for decoration, it was noticeable that Japanese
flowers only were used ; indeed, the hard, formal,
rotund incurved flowers would have been sadly out
of place and wanting all that lightness and elegance
seen in the flowers which Messrs. Perkins, Chard,
and others employed to such remarkable advan-
tage. It will be not at all a matter for surprise
should some ten years hence the incurved flowers
be found playing a very mediocre part, not only in
shows, but in gardens, were there no valuable
prizes offered for them ; we should see few grown
as decorative varieties in pots, and still less of them
to furnish flowers for cutting. The lightness, varia-
tion in form, and beauty of irregular outline found
in the Japanese Chrysanthemum form its distinc-
tive and most attractive features. It can hardly
be denied that the remarkable popularity to which
the Chrysanthemum has attained owes more to the
introduction of the singularly varied and beautiful
Japanese section than to any other cause. There
is also this instructive fact in relation to these
flowers, that it seems so possible to produce them
in profuse variety from seed, and thus we may look
forward to remarkable development in years to
come. The incurved flowers admit of no improve-
ment. They are as good now, probably, as they
ever will be ; indeed, we rarely now see such good
and perfect blooms as were shown several years
ago. Our best introductions in this section, and
they are comparatively few, come through sports,
very few coming from seed, and even the best of

these novelties give nothing new in form, but only
in colour. Violet Tomlin, "Miss Haggas, and Mrs.
Coleman, all sports, are the best of the more recent
of incurved varieties, but they are in form repro-
ductions of others. The chief danger to the popu-
larity of the Japanese flowers seems to lie in a fear
that mere size will be encouraged at the expense
of refinement. Such a huge-flowered variety as
Etoile de Lyon finds hosts of admirers amongst
exhibitors, but it is to my mind very poor in com-
parison with such as Sunflower, Avalanche, or the
beautiful buff Criterion. These unquestionably pre-
sent the loveliest of all the Japanese forms, and
merit the highest places in the estimation of judges.
There is about such blooms as these exceeding
beauty, great refinement, and admirable form,
without being in any way formal or want-
ing in decorative value. Etoile de Lyon, the
most popular representative of the giant forms,
when well coloured gives a very pleasing shade of
rosy lilac, which is in itself beautiful, but the
blooms are of such inordinate dimensions ordinarily
that all others seem dwarfed. One big bloom of
this variety put into a stand only serves to dwarf
the rest and make them look ridiculous. I
could not but regret that at Kingston big and un-
doubtedly coarse blooms of this variety were
placed before some excellent flowers of E. Moly-
neux, evidence that the judges, whoever they were,
preferred size to quality. To correct judgment of
this kind, Etoile de Lyon should have a class to
itself, and be shut out from competing in the in-
variably very interesting class for six flowers of
one variety. I should like to see the National
Chrysanthemum Society offering prizes in special
classes for six blooms of one named variety in as
many classes yearly, and varying these varieties
from year to year, shutting them out from compe-
tition in the ordinary class for six blooms of one
variety for that year. I believe that a very popu-
lar addition to the schedule would be made and
selected meritorious varieties receive special en-
couragement. Did the yearly selection include rib-
bon-petalled flowers, like E. Molyneux ; reflexed,
like Criterion ; incurved, like M. C. Audiguier ;_and
one white, one yellow, and one dark of any variety,
great interest would attach to the competition.
Evidently the rotund flowers have been displaced
by the Japanese ones in popular estimation, and it
will not be long ere they are less highly regarded
by exhibitors. A. D.

Chrysanthemum Louis Boehmer. — Messrs.
Cannell and Sons, of Swanley, have forwarded a
bloom of this new variety, which they state has
been sent to them from America. Compared with
the one exhibited at the centenary show of the
National Chrysanthemum Society last week, it is
much deeper in colour and larger. The Swanley
bloom is a full, deep, solid flower, measuring over
5 inches in diameter without stretching out the
florets to their full extent, the outer ones being 4
inches from base to tip. The florets are fully three-
eighths of an inch broad, very regularly incurving
towards the centre, the inside of them being of a
deep purplish-rose, with the reverse several shades
lighter. The hair-like growths are numerous ; they
appear on the back of the florets and mostly to-
wards the extremities. The inner florets are the
more noticeable in this respect. As mentioned in
The Garden, Nov. 15, 1890 (p. 452), the stem is
strong and stiff.

Album de Chrysanthemes. — The short article
under the above heading in THE Garden, Nov. 15,
1890, has given me much food for reflection, and I
entirely concur in every word that the writer says.
The work in question is beyond all doubt the
prettiest contribution to the literature of the Chry-
santhemum that exists, and although entirely in
French, is cheap at the price at which it is pub-
lished—3s. Although some people will, perhaps,
consider that amount too much to pay for a mere
trade catalogue, it is worth remembering that flori-
cultural literature and art receive encouragement
on the Continent, that it is almost hopeless to expect
here. As a direct result of such encouragement
we have M. Sautel's excellent Album. There is no
country in the world where printing can be done as

cheaply and as well as in England, and if good
taste is not generally displayed in the get-up of
our ordinary gardening books, it is not because
we have not the taste, but because it is
not encouraged. When a foreign writer has done
his best in a subject that he has perhaps made his
own, besides receiving the pecuniary advantage
that the publication of his work may bring to him,
he not unfrequently, I am told, submits a copy to
some of the leading horticultural societies, and if
it meets with approval, an honorary distinction is
conferred upon him or his book, a source of plea-
sure far greater to many men than mere pecuniary
profit. On the Continent for a book to be couronnc
is not unusual. M. Sautel, like others, exhibited
his Album at the meetings of at least one well
known Continental horticultural society, and he
honestly deserved the award of a silver medal that
was made to him for his book. — Cheysanth.

THE WEEK'S WORK.

PLANT HOUSES.
Gbeenhouse.-Labge-flowebed Pelargoniums.
— Old plants of the large- flowered varieties of Pelar-
goniums that flowered late in the summer, and were
consequently not cut back, shaken out and re-
potted until later than the general stock, will by
this time require shifting into the pots in which
they are to be grown on and to flower next spring.
With these later plants, as with the earlier sec-
tion, use the potting stick freely, so as to make the
soil harder than necessary for most things. This
is one of the best correctives to prevent the pro-
duction of watery, gross wood. All the plants
should now have their branches tied well out. In
the case of old specimens, if training was attended
to in the first year of their flowering, little diffi-
culty will be experienced ; the branches will be
fixed in the horizontal position to which they were
first brought, so that they will be easily brought
down to the edges of the pots. The best way to
proceed is to tie a stout piece of bast round the
outside of the pot just below the rim, and to this
loop all the strongest shoots, which should be kept
to the outside, leaving the weaker ones to occupy
the centre. There is no need then for using so
many sticks later on. When the plants are only
required for house decoration stakes are only
needed for the strongest branches, and when the
plants are opened out in the way described it tends
to keep them dwarf and bushy, and admits of the
limited amount of light at command through the
winter reaching the centre as well as the outside
shoots. Young plants struck from cuttings last
spring that have not yet flowered, and that have
been duly attended to in stopping, will be com-
posed of a number of shoots varying in strength
and still soft and pliable ; the strongest of these
should be bent and tied down low as they advance
until they rest on the rims of the pots, after which
allow the extremities to take an erect position.
Only by timely training in this way whilst the
wood is soft enough to bend can the foundation
for well-furnished specimens be laid.

Fancy Pelargoniums — Any of these that have
not had their final shift should at once be attended
to. The late as well as the earlier potted plants
should be tied out in the manner recommended for
the large-flowered section. It is important to
train the plants whilst they are young.

Wintee quaetees foe Pelargoniums.— Un-
less the plants are kept in a light house or pit with
their heads close to the glass, it is not possible to
prevent the shoots being unduly lengthened and the
leaves coming too thin and deficient in substance
to continue green and healthy until the end of the
flowering season. If the permanent stage is not
high enough to elevate the plants well up to the
roof shelves, inverted flower-pots, or other tem-
porary supports should be provided. No more
plants should be grown than will now fill the space
to be occupied thinly.

Watering. — For the next three months the
roots must be kept drier — that is, the soil must be
allowed to get drier before water is given than

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 22, 1890.

those of any other soft-wooded plants would bear
This is the only means of encouraging root-forma-
tion to the extent that is necessary to ensure a dis-
position to bloom profusely. If the soil is kept as
moist through the winter as most other things in a
growing state require it to be, Pelargoniums make
a few long, straggling roots, but fail to produce the
dense mass of small, white, healthy fibres essential
to success in their cultivation. See that the plants
are quite free from aphides. A night temperature
of from 40° to 45° should be kept up, with a free
admission of air in the daytime when the weather
is mild.

Early labge-floweeed Pelargoniums. —
Old plants of those early-blooming varieties that
were cut back in spring will, if they have been
treated as recommended, now be full of bushy
growth, and be about to set their flower-buds.
They should be stood close to the glass and have a
night temperature of 48°. This is necessary to keep
the growth moving sufficiently. Give them this
amount of warmth until the end of the year, after
which they should have a few degrees more. The
soil should be allowed to get drier before water is
given than the majority of things require it to be.

Stephanotis.— The way in which Stephanotis
blooms depends on the treatment it receives during
the growing season. Where exposed to as much
light as it is possible to give the plants, with little
shading accompanied by a dryish condition of the
atmosphere, the bloom is often formed in the
autumn. It may be seen in the shape of small
spurs at the base of the leaf-stalks for a consider-
able length from the extremities of the shoots
downwards. Plants in this condition can be had
in flower early. But the soil, especially where they
are grown in pots, should not through the season
of rest be kept too dry, otherwise the already
formed bloom is liable to go off. In the case of
plants that have been grown in a more humid at-
mosphere, there are seldom any flowers formed on
the growth that has been made in the autumn,
their presence being wholly confined to the young
growth that is made after the plants are started in
spring. In this case the roots may be kept drier,
no more water being given than is necessary to
maintain the leaves plump and free from any in-
clination to flag. The drier they are kept, pro-
vided it is not carried so far as to injure the foli-
age, the sooner flowers may be looked for after the
plants are again started.

Franctscea confeetifloea. — Plants that were
moved out of heat into cooler quarters at the begin-
ning of autumn as soon as the growth of the wood was
completed and the flower-buds were forming at the
extremities of the shoots should now be kept in a
temperature of from 45° to 50°, in which the
bloom-buds will come on slowly. Keep the soil
somewhat drier than when they were making the
new wood, but their roots must never be so dry as
to cause the leaves to flag or even to become limp,
otherwise the older portion will suffer. When the
plants are grown in heat, without which the pro-
gress is slow and the shoot extension limited, the
foliage is apt to flag— even in winter— when the
sun comes on them. I have known much harm done
by watering when the leaves showed signs of flag-
ging from the dryness of the soil under the im-
pression that the roots were too dry. This species is
not only much the best of the Francisceas, but is
one of the finest of all stove plants, possessing a
colour that adds much to the appearance of others.
If there is any trace of mealy bug about the plants
they should be gone over and thoroughly cleaned
with a sponge and a sharp-pointed stick— the leaves
are too soft to bear the use of a brush. Neither
should insecticides of any kind be used after
the flowers are set, as if applied in a strong enough
state to kill the insects it will cause the bloom-buds
to fall off. F. calycina major produces larger
flowers than the ordinary F. calycina. It requires
warmer treatment through the winter than F. con-
fertiflora ; consequently should be kept in a cool
stove with the soil drier than when more active
growth was going on. Nothing should be left un-
done to free the plants from insects, but in their
extermination a similar course should be followed

to that recommended for Franciscea conferti-
flora. F. Lindeni is a scarce, but beautiful spe-
cies that is usually small in size. It is a free
bloomer, the flowers bright purple. It requires to
be similarly treated to F. calycina. F. Hopeana (uni-
flora) is an extremely free bloomer, producing an
abundance of successional flowers from every bit
of wood that it makes. It does well in a warm
greenhouse all the year round. Like F. conferti-
flora, the roots need to be kept drier in the winter,
but not so much so as to affect the foliage, other-
wise the leaves turn brown on the edges. The
flowers are bright purple when they open, turning
white as they get older. The more the plant is
shaded during the time it is in bloom, in which
condition it remains for six or eight weeks, the
longer the flowers retain their purple colour.

T. B.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.
Leaves and leaf soil.— Leaves are of no great
value as manure, vegetable crops in close succes-
sion requiring very much more support than they
derive from leaves, decaying or decayed. But if
they possess no great manurial properties, they are
yet of great assistance to gardeners, first, for the
purpose of affording bottom-heat and forcing vege-
tables, and afterwards for various other purposes.
Good leaf soil is perhaps the best form of mulch
for trees and vegetables, nothing more surely keep-
ing plants rooting near the surface. For mixing
with and lightening heavy soils it is even more
valuable, and where available it ought largely to be
used in the various borders and other quarters in
which the earliest Potatoes, Carrots, and kidney
Beans are grown. This being so, every effort should
be made to collect all the leaves that fall on the
place, and the sooner this is done the better. The
garden and grounds cannot be kept tidy all the
while there is the chance of strong winds scatter-
ing the leaves, and when the collecting of leaves is
long delayed, they shrink and disappear surpris-
ingly fast.

Vegetable Maeeow heaps.— Heaps of accu-
mulated rubbish are sometimes turned to good
account for the cultivation of Vegetable Mar-
rows and ridge Cucumbers, being also at the same
time gradually converted into a serviceable heap of
manure. In this case a sunny out-of-the-way posi-
tion should be chosen for the heap, to this spot being
wheeled all the roughest of the road trimmings
and sweepings, the most rubbishy of the leaves,
vegetable refuse, and decaying matter of any kind.
This being eventually well shaken up together and
formed into a large square heap, the gentle heat
generated gives the seeds or plants put out on it a
good start, and an early and lasting crop is the re-
sult. As a rule, the plants grow rather too strongly
on these heaps, though if liquid manure is applied
occasionally, the heap, as far as its manurial pro-
perties are concerned, would be greatly improved
in value. In the autumn, or as soon as the Mar-
rows are destroyed by frost, the heaps ought to be
turned, and all rubbish of a hard or comparatively
insoluble nature forked out. This being duly
burnt and the ashes added to the heap, a capital
lot of manure, which is especially valuable for the
fruit quarters, is the result.

Manueing vacant ground.— When the soil of
a garden is naturally of a light, non-retentive cha-
racter, it is not wise to manure and dig it in the
autumn or early part of the winter. Where, how-
ever, there is much less likelihood of the best pro-
perties of solid manure.of any kind being washed
down into the drains — the soil, and more especially
the subsoil, in this case usually being of a clayey
retentive nature— there is much to be said in favour
of early manuring and digging. Occasionally in-
stances are met with of heavy soils early dug be-
coming pasty and almost unworkable before the
spring, the only way out of the difficulty being to
manure and dig a few days or even hours prior to
cropping, but in all such cases previous experience
is the best guide. As a rule, however, early digging
with or without the addition of manure tends to
improve the naturally bad working character of
clayey land, and if turned a second time during the

winter the pulverisation will be still more complete.
It is not always advisable to delay wheeling out
manure till the ground is frosted over, as there is
never any certainty about this. Better by far take
advantage of a few dry days and do as much wheel-
ing as possible, and the digging or trenching can
then be also proceeded with before the ground is
in a wet, saturated state.

Peeparing ground foe Onions. — Very few if
any of those extra fine Onions to be seen at various
shows and in most seedsmen's windows are grown
on ground other than that which has been specially
prepared for the crop. As a matter of fact the
same quarters are devoted to the production of
large Onions several years in succession. In some
instances the ground has had so much added to it
in the shape of fresh loamy soil, manure, road trim-
mings, and road grit, that raised beds have gradu-
ally been formed, these often resembling large
Asparagus beds. These, or any fresh ground in-
tended for Onions are trenched and re-trenched
every winter, manure and soot being mixed with
each spit, and being made firm, a congenial and
deep root-run is formed, and extra good crops
eventually obtained. Even when Onions are only
wanted for ordinary purposes, it is advisable to
manure freely and dig early, soot being freely
forked into the surface later on. Where trenching
is found to answer well, this also should be com-
pleted early, in order to admit of the ground set-
tling down before seed-time arrives. W. I.

Stove and Greenhouse.

GLADIOLUS THE BRIDE.

This charming pure white variety of Gladiolus
Colvillei has no equal among its kind either for
its chaste and lovely spikes of flowers, or for
the great number which may be obtained from
an exceedingly limited area. For early forcing
in pots it is perhaps the most valuable, whether
grouped among other plants in the conservatory,
or used as cut flowers for the embellishment of
vases or epergnes, while its value for wreaths,
(fee, has become universally acknowledged.
The corms may be procured very cheaply, and
are so small that quantities may be planted in a
very small space, and last, but not least, these
tiny corms invariably produce three and four
useful spikes each. Another very important
point with regard to it is not generally known,
and this is its capabilities of retaining vitality
in a dry state, by which those having charge of
private gardens may, if necessary, have a crop
of this useful flower at almost any season by
potting or planting in successional batches at
any time between the first week in September
and the end of March, or even later still. Its
lovely flowers are always welcome. Under cer-
tain conditions, too, it is perfectly hardy, the
chief point being that of plantiug sufficiently
deep. Usually in nurseries where this is grown
for the bulbs alone, it is rarely planted at more
than 3 inches deep, sometimes not this. Those
planted at double the depth have a decidedly
better chance of enduring our average winters,
and are less likely to be excited by continuous
climatic changes. When planted too shallow, it
is invariably considered necessary to protect
them with some sort of covering when severe
weather arrives, and any foliage above ground
at that time soon comes to grief. Far better in
the first instance to plant the bulbs deeper than
thus expose them to such risks. The point
which suffers through shallow planting is the
neck, or, in other words, the first inch of growth
which protrudes from the corm, and this by
deeper planting is safe. Care must be taken
that the ground is quite free from wireworrn, as
these play sad havoc both with the corms and
the new growths. In outdoor cultivation, a
light loamy soil is that generally recommended,

Nov. 22, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

489

and though it does fairly well in this, neither
the growth nor the flowers can compare with
those from the heavier soils ; indeed in the
latter it almost grows beyond recognition, for
it is not often that we can refer to this slender
form as growing 3 feet G inches high, but this
it will do readily in a somewhat stiff-holding
ground This exceptional vigour, however, is not
due entirely to the soil in which the bulbs are
planted, but it has, I am convinced by observa-
tion, more to do with the bulbs being esta-
blished and allowed to remain several years un-
disturbed. An instance of this came under my
notice a year or more since when visiting Mr.
Cypher's nursery at Cheltenham, where I saw
some long beds of it in remarkable vigour, quite
surpassing anything I had previously seen. An-
other item which transpired in conversation was
an experiment in transplanting a portion of the
stock in the spring— if memory serves me right,
the month of April being the time — with a
view of retarding the flowering period. This it
did in a most satisfactory manner, considerably
prolonging the flowering season, and giving ad-
ditional value to the crop. The flowers can be
cut with a good length of stem, and therein a
good deal of value lies. In the matter of in-
crease, it reproduces itself at the rate of about
three or four to one annually, so that with care
a large stock may soon be obtained. Place the
bulbs in the pots in which they are intended to
flower ; those of 7 inches or 8 inches in diameter
are very useful sizes, and half-a-dozen corms in
each will be found ample. E. J.

Rondeletias. — These require cutting in annu-
ally ; without this, from the somewhat weak, strag-
gling character of their growth, they get thin.
Young examples that for the first year after being
struck had their shoots stopped to make the requi-
site quantity of branches, and during the past
summer had no shoots pinched back, may now be
cut back to within four or five joints of the point
where they started in spring. Old specimens
should have the current season's wood removed to
within one or two joints of the bottom. Previous
to cutting in, allow the soil to get somewhat drier
than ordinary, in which condition it should be kept
until after the new growth has begun to move. To
assist this, syringe overhead once a day. Ronde-
letias will grow with less heat than many stove
plants, and by cutting them back now in place of
deferring it until spring, they will bloom consider-
ably earlier, so that in an ordinary stove tempera-
ture there will be time for a second crop of flowers
before autumn. — T. B.

Impatiens Hawkeri. — Though this Balsam
has scarcely maintained the high opinions that
were formed of it when first sent out, it produces
as a rule a considerable number of flowers at this
season of the year, and consequently supplies a
bright and cheerful feature in the stove where
there is just now no great amount of blossom. It
is certainly more satisfactory in the spring or early
summer and again in the autumn than it is in the
full summer, when the foliage is apt to be attacked
by small yellow thrips, which, preying on the young
leaves before they are fully expanded, prevent their
development, and cause them to become thickened
and contorted. This insect pest promises to be one
of the worst enemies the gardener has to contend
with in the cultivation of stove plants, as they are
so minute that a considerable amount of damage
may be done before they are detected, and when
the plant is observed to be in indifferent health the
true reason is frequently overlooked. A great many
kinds of plants are subject to their ravages, this
Balsam being one of the most liable ; but they soon
work havoc among foliage Begonias, especially the
hybrids claiming parentage from discolor. Fumiga-
tion and dipping or syringing with the various in-
secticides will destroy them, but they are certainly
far more common throughout the country than they
were formerly. Plants of the Impatiens that flow-
ered in the spring and partially rested in the height

of summer will, if shifted into larger pots or
encouraged by some stimulant, flower well in the
autumn. As a popular plant, it is never likely to be
grown to the same extent as Impatiens Sultani. I.
Hawkeri must be propagated by cuttings, as I have
never known it to produce seeds in this country.
-H. P.

Medinillas. — The amount of bloom which
these plants produce depends more on the tho-
rough hardening of the wood than on the growth
that is made. They like during the growing season
a somewhat drier atmosphere than the warmest
section of stove plants, with no more shading than
necessary to keep the leaves from being injured.
Under these conditions in summer the plants are
certain to flower freely. But to further assist their
blooming no more water should be given for the
next two or three months than is necessary to keep
the leaves from flagging. If, unfortunately, there
happens to be mealy bug in the house in which
they are growing, the peculiar character of the
bark on the older wood of Medinillas affords
shelter for the insects. Advantage should be taken
of the resting period to get rid of the insects by
repeated dressings of some or other of the various
insecticides now used. — T. B.

Massangea musaica. — This plant is more fre-
quently met with under the generic name of Til-
landsia than that of Massangea, though this last is

Gladiolus Colvillei The Bride.

now generally recognised as the correct one. As a
foliage plant it is attractive at all seasons, the
leaves being long, broad, and stout in texture, while
they are arranged in a vasiform manner. They are
marked in a curiously irregular fashion with pale
yellowish-green and dark green, which give to the
leaves a somewhat singular appearance. As a
flowering plant it is also well worthy of recognition,
the blossoms being borne on a spike well above
the foliage. They are arranged in a close, com-
pact head, and are provided with scarlet-coloured
bracts, out of which the flowers protrude. The
individual blooms are yellow at the base and white
above, and the contrast between them and the
scarlet bracts is very noticeable. Spring has been
by some authorities given as its season of flowering,
but it is just now well in bloom. Besides the gene-
ric names of Tillandsia and Massangea, it is also
known under that of Caraguata. Though they suc-
ceed so well with but ordinary treatment, and the
blossoms of many of them are so showy, these
Bromeliads never seem to become popular in Eng-
lish gardens, though great favourites on the Con-
tinent.—H. P.

Erica Banksi (-D. W.). — It is quite pleasing to
receive flowers of this species. I did not think a
plant of it existed in England. The last time I saw
it alive was in the gardens of Herrenhausen, of

which Mr. Wendland is the garden director.
There were many other curious and rare Cape
plants there then, as his father, the former director,
was particularly fond of them. I hope the Palm
collection has not wiped these plants out. This
Erica is of slow growth, and produces from the ends
of the shoots bunches of long, tubular, pendent
flowers which are white, tinged with purple. It
appears to have a double limb, giving the plant
a sort of Hose-in-hose appearance. — W.

Daphne indica. — Where there are good-sized
bushes of this Daphne they will maintain a succes-
sion of bloom for some time, and at this season of
the year they are doubly valuable. Planted out in
the greenhouse and trained to the back wall, if not
too much shaded, or employed as a pillar plant, this
Daphne succeeds well, that is, if reasonable care is
taken in preparing a place for the roots, as a tho-
roughly drained border is essential. By some they
are also grown well in pots, and little bushes in the
regulation 5-inch or 4|-incn pot and bristling with
flower-buds are to be met with in most nurseries
where a general collection of flowering plants is
grown, while a few nurserymen make a speciality
of the plant and grow it in great quantities. The
propagation of this sweet-scented Daphne has
aroused a good deal of controversy at different
times, some preferring to graft it on the Spurge
Laurel, a few on the Mezereon, while many pin
their faith to plants struck from cuttings.
Though rather slower, perhaps, this last mode
of increase is the best, but nearly, if not all,
that are grown for sale are grafted plants.
The white variety is, as a rule, more difficult
to keep in health than the deeper coloured
form.— T.

Plumbago capensis alba. — About four
years ago a white variety of the old blue
Plumbago was brought from South Africa. It
has scarcely had time as yet to obtain a
wide footing in gardens, but for giving a
supply of white flowers during the autumn,
it promises to develop into a useful plant.
Whether it is capable of serving all the pur-
poses to which the blue-flowered variety has
been put is as yet doubtful. As a warm
greenhouse climber, however, it may be used
to advantage. AtKewin several of the houses
it has flowered freely during the past au-
tumn, and although at present it scarcely
equals the older variety in wealth of bloom,
it produces an effective contrast when grown
with it. A very old plant of the blue va-
riety, now about 30 feet high, clothes one of
the pillars in the large temperate house.
Its slender branches of light green foliage
terminated by the trusses of delicate blue
flowers make a delightful picture. Its value
for such purposes as this is not appreciated
so fully as it should be.

SHORT NOTES.— STOVE AND GREENHOUSE.

Bouvardias. — Very pretty as well as unusual for
the time of year were the half dozeu deep scarlet
and pink Bouvardias in 4i-inch pots shown from Lord
Londesborougk's garden at Norbitou at the recent
Kingston Chrysanthemum exhibition. The plants
were about 12 inches in height and admirably bloomed.
The colours in table plants would prove very accept-
able, or for sideboard decoration mixed with dwarf
foliaged plants or Ferns. — A.

Carnations. — At the recent Chrysanthemum
show at Kingston half a dozen nice well-bloomed
plants of a deep scarlet-flowered Carnation were
shown. We in our Chrysanthemum shows too much
ignore the existence of other winter-blooming plants.
It is pleasing to note that at Kingston not only are
tie flowering plants above named encouraged, but
also Chinese Primroses, Cyclamens, and other plants.
— D.

Tecoma Smithi. — This plant is stated to be a
hybrid between the well-known Tecoma capensis
and T. velutina. It appears to have been raised in
Australia, and has been awarded several certificates
of merit by the horticultural societies of the co-

490

THE GABDEK

[Nov. 22, 1890.

lony. At Kew several plants have been raised from
seeds sent there from Melbourne in 1889, and one
of the seedlings is already in flower. The blooms
are arranged in a terminal panicle similar to that
of T. capensis, and their colour is a bright orange-
yellow, with a patch of reddish-brown at the base
of the throat. As in all Tecomas, the flower is
tubular, and here measures 1J inches in length by
about an inch across the mouth. These plants are
too small at present to show what the ultimate
value of a fully grown specimen may be, but they
show at any rate that it is a much freer blooming
Tecoma than the majority are ; and this, together
with the fact of its flowering in the middle of
November, leads us to hope that it will make a
useful addition to our greenhouse climbers.

Ferns.

THE HAY FERN.

(CHEILANTHES FRAGRANS. )

A correspondent who has been travelling in
Algeria sends me some fronds of Ferns for a
name, which I find to be those of Cheilanthes fra-
grans, a plant which is widely distributed, being
found in the south of France, Italy, Switzerland,
and Spain, also in the Canaries and Madeira.
Some take exception to this plant found in
Madeira being the same form, and make a
distinct species of it under the name of C.
madeiriensis, but it is very similar in appearance
and yields the same perfume, so that I think it
must be some fine-drawn line which separates
them. I have specimens from Algeria and
from Madeira that I would defy anyone to
separate. The plant has been known for about
seventy years, but, in spite of its sweet scent,
it is very scarce. The specimens now before
me from Algeria are large, being some 4 inches
to 6 inches long ; the fronds are tripinnatifid,
the ultimate segments being more finely cut
than in the Madeira form. They are clothed
at the base with some chaffy scales, whilst the
perfume is delicious. This is an elegant Fern
for ladies to grow in the Wardian case ; it must,
however, be extra well drained, but if grown as
a pot plant it should stand on a shelf on a line
with the eye, and care must be taken that it
does not become dry. It must not be subjected
to too great a heat, as, like many of the Cheilan-
thes, it thrives well in what under ordinary cir-
cumstances would be called a dry state.

W. H. Gower.

Lomaria vulcanica (S. J. H.). — The frond
sent is a very good one of the New Zealand Fern
bearing the above name ; it seems to be common in
the Northern and Middle Islands. It has stout
leathery fronds, and may be readily distinguished
by the lower pair of pinnules being deflexed and fal-
cate. All the forms I have seen of this plant from New
Zealand have had this character, both in the fertile
as well as the barren fronds. I know this species is
said to inhabit other places, Java being given as
one of its habitats, and specimens coming from
this locality may not have the deflexed pinnules,
but this becomes, I think, a distinguishing feature
of the species as found in New Zealand. — W. H. G.

Coniogramma javanica. — C. Swartz sends a
frond of this plant, which he says he has been
growing for Dictyogramma japonica. The last
named plant is a native of Japan, and, I
think, was introduced in a living state first
by Mr. J. Veitch, of Chelsea. It is readily distin-
guished by its uniformly reticulated veins, whilst
the Coniogramma comes from Java, and the veins in
that plantare uniformly simple, forked and free. They
are both very interesting Ferns, the one from Japan
thriving in the greenhouse, vinery, or even in the
open air, while the Java plant requires the warmth
of the stove. Both like an abundant supply of

water during the summer months, and, therefore,
require their pots to be well drained ; in the winter
less will suffice. — W. H. G.

FERNS FOR CUTTING.

Since such a variety of other foliage has been
used for intermixing with cut flowers, Fern fronds
have not been so much in demand. The drawback
to the use of Fern fronds is that they do not, as a
rule, last well. Yet, provided the plants are grown
under favourable conditions, this objection may be
overcome to a considerable extent. In the first
place, the plants should be grown in a light open
position, and sufficiently far apart for air to pass
freely between them, and as little artificial heat
given them as is necessary for the full development
of the fronds. By this treatment the fronds are
not only brighter and of a less sombre appearance,
but when cut they last much longer. Another
point is the selection of sorts. This, of course,
depends upon what particular purpose they are re-
quired for, and also, to some extent, personal
taste. The beautiful, though somewhat fragile
Maiden-hair (Adiantum cuneatum) will always hold
first place, and as now grown by those who supply
the market, it is of considerably more value than
when it used to be grown under heavy shading, a
mode of treatment not yet extinct among private
growers. A. elegans is another Maiden-hair which
now finds much favour among Fern growers. This
variety has larger and more spreading fronds than
the old favourite. It is also hardier and will grow
freely during the winter months, where A. cunea-
tum would remain almost dormant. A. scutum may
be recommended as one of the best large-fronded
Adiantums. For some purposes, especially button-
hole bouquets and sprays, the slender-growing A.
mundulum is very useful ; and the most beautiful
of all Ferns (A. farleyense) may be added to the
useful Adiantums for cutting from.

Among Davallias there are several very useful
sorts ; though perhaps they do not produce their
fronds so abundantly as some, yet they have the
advantage of being of greater substance, and con-
sequently last longer. When grown in either wire
or wooden baskets, suspended from the roof of the
fernery, they are pretty, and produce a consider-
able quantity of useful material for catting from.
The most useful sorts are : D. elegans, of remark-
ably free growth ; D. Mariesi, which succeeds well
in a cool house ; D. decora, and D. Mooreana, the
last-named being especially useful where large
fronds are wanted. When constantly divided and
grown in light sandy compost it produces very
pretty medium-sized fronds.

Several of the varieties of Nephrolepis may be
included among those useful for the above purpose,
especially the long, slender-fronded N. pectinata
and N. philippinensis, both of which are very pretty
for small vases, &c, while N. exaltata and N. tube-
rosa are very effective for larger work.

The varieties of P. serrulata are the most valu-
able of this genus ; the lighter crested varieties,
which droop over just enough to be graceful, should
be grown. The normal form is not nearly so much
grown as it deserves to be for this purpose. Where
large spreading fronds are required, the Chiswick
variety of P. s. major is most effective. The varie-
ties of P. cretica are also very useful and last well,
but are rather stiffer than the above-named. P.
tremula when confined to small pots produces
fronds which are very serviceable for large vases,
&c.

Onychium japonicum should be extensively
grown, as the fronds, although finely cut, are of
good texture and last well. This Fern is also very
free growing, and is nearly hardy, but to keep up
a supply of fronds during the winter, it should be
grown in an intermediate temperature. To the
above many others might be added, which for
some purposes would be useful, but for all ordinary
uses those mentioned are the best.

To ensure Fern fronds lasting well, they should
be put into water as soon as possible after they are
cut, or if they cannot be put in at once, the ends

should be cut off again, for if they get a little dry
at the base they cannot take up the water freely,
and while they will last for a considerable time in
a cool atmosphere, they will shrivel up quickly if
exposed to a draught or a dry, warm atmosphere.

F. H.

NEUROCALLIS PR^ESTANTISSIMA.
This belongs to the Acrostichum family, and a
great beauty it is. I had it growing upon one
occasion, and although I got fertile fronds upon
it I was never able to raise any plants from
spores. The fronds are each from 2 feet to 4
feet in length and pinnate, the pinnte some
6 inches or more long and about 2 inches
broad ; the colour a deep green. In the fertile
fronds the form is the same, but the pinnas are re-
duced, being much narrower, not much exceeding
half an inch in width, and with the sporangiasome-
times covering the whole of the under side, but
in some instances confined to a marginal band.
The plant is a native of the islands of Dominica
and Guadaloupe, and delights in strong heat and
abundance of water. It roots very freely, so
that it requires a somewhat large pot. The
soil should consist of loam, peat, and leaf-
mould in about equal parts, made tolerably
sandy, and in the summer months the pot in
which it is growing should be stood over a large
pan or saucer of water. In the winter this may
be discontinued ; it should be kept all the year
round in the stove, where it will make a very
pretty object. If not in cultivation at present
in English gardens, it would be thankfully re-
ceived by any of the Fern lovers if someone
would bring a plant home alive.

W. H. Gower.

Hemidictyum marginatum (H. P.).— This
seems to be the name of the very young frond. It
is a semi-aquatic and very bright, by reason of the
light green of its pinnate fronds, the pinnse being
some 12 inches or 18 inches long or more. They
are so thin and transparent that the venation is
plainly seen. It belongs to the Aspleniums, but
from them it may be distinguished by its
netted veins. It succeeds best in the warm house,
and during the summer months will require a
larger quantity of water to its roots ; therefore it
will require the pots to be extra well drained. It
should be planted in a mixture composed of equal

parts of loam and peat made fairly sandy.

W. H. G.

Ferns in variety.— I was much struck with
the great variety and number of Ferns at the
Brixton Society's show recently, showing dis-
tinctly the increased love for these plants in this
neighbourhood. Amongst the collections staged was
that of Mr. Wright, gardener to Mr. Whittard, who
exhibited magnificent specimens of Gymnogramma
gloriosa, which is not a kind conspicuous for its fari-
nose powder, but a free-growing variety of G. schizo-
phylla, noted for its elegant and bright green
finely divided fronds; fine examples of Davallia
fijiensis, Adiantum farleyense, which always has
admirers ; a very handsome specimen of a Gleiche-
nia without a name, but which looked like circinata
glauca ; and one of the very finest Stag's-horn Ferns
(Platycerium grande) which it has been my good
fortune to see. There were also good examples of
Adiantum ciliatum and A. dolabriforme, two excel-
lent basket Ferns, the latter much like A. lunula-
tum, but A. dolabriforme is an evergreen plant,
and does not lose its leaves in the winter.
Also a handsome form of Adiantum mundu-
lum, one of the neatest and most compact
species I have yet seen, and which I should
strongly recommend for button-hole work, &c.
There were besides handsome specimens of
Adiantum Williamsi, the free-growing, golden
greenhouse kind, and A. Victoria?. There was also
a very bright golden form of Gymnogramma Lauche-
ana. This resembles chrysophylla.but is of more ro-
bust constitution; pretty plants of thecrestedG. Wet-

Nov. 22, 1890.]

THE GABDEN.

491

tenhalliana, and many other kinds. The only new
Fern which I saw was Adiantum Weigandi, a
robust, strong-growing kind of a very dark rich
green colour. — W. H. G.

Kitchen Garden.

TOMATOES ON OPEN WALLS.
The demand for this fruit has led to its extensive
cultivation. The enormous amount of matter that
has been written in the gardening press has helped
to diffuse much knowledge on its culture. Some
growers advocate one method of culture, and others
quite the reverse. From observations over a some-
what lengthened period, I have come to the con-
clusion that every cultivator must be his own judge
as to the best situation to grow Tomatoes success-
fully. All growers have not the same facilities at
command, neither are they always as advantage-
ously placed as to situation, &c.

I think that many fail to obtain the results they
wish by using too much rich soil at planting time,
and by deluging their plants in their early stages
of growth with strong manure water. Thus fed, the
plants grow to leaves and stems, and when circum-
stances are favourable they become a prey to dis-
It is clear that the Tomato wants a warm

disease. I believe that on wooden fences painted
black and with a board at the top, good crops ot
Tomatoes could be grown. J- Cbook.

Forde Abbey.

*** Samples of Hackwood Park and Ham Green
Favourite accompanied these notes. The fruits
were of large size, highly coloured, the flesh being
firm and as richly flavoured as that from indoor-
grown Tomatoes. — Ed.

roots get checked in growth. It will be plainly
seen that strong growths cause a corresponding
increase of roots, with large crowns for pushing
forth the following season. One word of caution :
do not cut off the old stems in the autumn until
quite dead, or the roots may receive a check.

Rubal.

and dry position when planted in the open, and the
more so in a season like the past. That they can
be grown advantageously in a hot summer in the
open is clear. That good crops of Tomatoes can be
obtained in the open (in seasons like this and last
summer) on walls and fences, I am convinced by
the results I have obtained here both seasons.
Neither can I boast of a good situation. The
garden lies very low and within a few yards of the
Biver Axe, and consequently gets a deal of fog and
damp. This induced me to adopt the method of
culture I have obtained such good results from,
during both seasons. When taking charge here,
believing as I did from observation that it is most
desirable to keep the tops of Tomatoes dry, I deter-
mined to plant them at the foot of an Apricot wall
between some young trees. This wall faces south,
and has a glass coping 18 inches wide.

The border is raised and has a sharp pitch. In
spring I plant early Potatoes and Peas here, pre-
viously removing a portion of the old spent soil,
adding some good soil in its place. When the Po-
tatoes are planted I do nothing for the Tomatoes,
but when the season is far enough advanced, I plant
some strong, well-hardened-off plants, simply taking
out a hole between the Potatoes, just giving them
enough water to keep them from flagging, and ty-
ing them up. Although the Tomatoes move slowly
at first, the growth is strong and firm, and soon
begins to show flowers. The ground was not
mulched this season, because we have here a great
demand for choice vegetables in autumn, so I de-
cided in July to sow dwarf French Beans where the
Potatoes had been. After these were sown we
gave them a good soaking of water. In August, the
weather being dry, as also in September, these
Beans had several drenchings of manure water.
This answered two purposes, as it benefited the Beans
and helped to swell off the Tomatoes. The Tomatoes
were never allowed to become crowded in any way.
Here they set an enormous crop in August. I have
had some splendid fruit, although not thinned in any
way. Some bunches had as many as eight and nine
good fruits. Many of the fruits of Perfection would
not have disgraced the exhibition table. When
frost likely to injure them came on I hung mats
over them, and now (November 10) we have some
very fine fruit hanging, the plants being still healthy
with no trace of disease on them.

When the weather prevents our leaving them out
any longer, I shall cut off the stems close to the
ground, and hang them up in a warm house to ripen
off. Undoubtedly the glass coping very materially
favours them, and prevents disease to a great ex-
tent. This is confirmed by some plants growing at
the far end of this wall and in a corner running
up to a west wall. Here there is no coping or any-
thing to keep them dry, and they suffered from the

ASPARAGUS.
Good Asparagus is what all gardeners try to pro-
cure, and although in some cases this is imperfectly
done, yet a deal more good Asparagus is now
grown than formerly, thanks to improved cultiva-
tion. We are fast losing the old-fashioned groove
of the high and dry beds, plastered over with rank
manure in the early winter, irrespective of the con-
dition of the soil or local surroundings. In the
early spring the beds would be trimmed down, and
the soil dug out from the alleys and laid on the top,
the outer roots being cut off during the operation.
Year after year this would go on until the crown of
the plants was buried a foot or more. The growth
made would be thin and weak, and oftentimes
very woody. This state of things went on in
our garden for years, but, thanks to our improved
system of cultivation, we have now not the least
difficulty in securing an abundance of good heads
annually.

A suitable medium for the roots to work in is
more than half the battle, but it is in very few
gardens where Asparagus may be grown to per-
fection in the natural soil. It is pretty well known
that from the nature of the Asparagus that what
is termed an alluvial deposit through the receding
of the sea, such as may be seen on some parts of
the coast or even the reclaimed fens of Lincoln-
shire, is the soil to grow Asparagus in to per-
fection. Such soils are rich in phosphates,
and also of an open nature. In a soil of this de-
scription the roots will ramify and not perish dur-
ing the winter, as they will do on heavy clay land.
The Asparagus is very partial to moisture, but this
must not be stagnant. As the above natural ad-
vantages, however, are not to be had in probably
eight gardens out of twelve, or even less, we must
look about to see what can be done. I had occa-
sion to clean out a pond, which had not been done
before for some years, and after the refuse had
lain up for twelve months it occurred to me that
it would be very suitable for making an Aspa-
ragus bed. Decayed and decaying leaves, with a
good proportion of sand and washings from the
higher ground, appeared to be the composition.
This I had turned over two or three times, and at
the end of another year it was in capital condition.
In the meantime I had gathered all garden refuse
together, and had it burned in a " smother." This
was mixed with the pond cleanings. The site of
the proposed bed being a heavy clay, this was
efficiently drained and the prepared mixture was
wheeled on, and there was sufficient for a depth of
20 inches over the whole bed ; consequently the
site after being finished was raised this distance
above the original level. Planting took place early
in April, each plant being 2 feet apart and 3 feet
between every row. The young plants grew apace,
and each had the support of a stick, as I firmly be-
lieve that a great deal of Asparagus is ruined from
the effects of winds. It is now some few
years since the above was carried out, and I need
scarcely say it has been a great success. The treat-
ment the bed now receives is a dressing of well-
decayed manure and well-burned garden refuse
applied to the depth of an inch over the whole bed
some time in March or early April, but only every
alternate year. Just previous to the heads coming
through, and at intervals of three weeks during the
growing season, I apply a dressing of salt, soot,
and guano in equal proportions ; this is lightly
sown over the surface. I only cut off just beneath
the surface, underground white stems not being in
favour here. I also cut off all that appear, big
or little, from the time cutting is first commenced.
When weak stems are allowed to grow they pre-
vent stronger from pushing up ; consequently the

PARSLEY IN WINTER.
Paesley suffers more from the inclement winter
weather than any green crop, Lettuce excepted.
For this reason the market value of an acre or two
of it can never be calculated. In a mild season it
is often scarcely worth marketing, whilst in a time
when drenching rains are quickly followed by hard
frosts, the leaves rot so rapidly that in the course
of a week or two a fine breadth of Parsley becomes
a semi-rotten mass, from which it is difficult to
gather a good sample. The best years for growers
of Parsley are when the winter is sufficiently severe
to cripple the plants without too severely injuring
them. This diminishes the supply, and prices are,
consequently, sufficiently high to pay for gathering.
Generally speaking, Parsley growers for profit take
no special pains to protect their crops against the
adverse influences of winter, but in some cases the
crops are arranged in a manner which allows of
easily protecting them with litter, and there can be
no doubt, seeing the high prices that Parsley makes
in a hard winter, that, taking an average of the
seasons, the extra expense that protection involves
is amply repaid. In private gardens, Parsley in-
tended for winter use should be sown in the driest
position that can be chosen. Much of the damage
that severe weather inflicts is due to stagnant
moisture at the roots and round the crowns. Dry
frosts, even when severe, do not injure half so much
as a less amount of cold that is immediately pre-
ceded by heavy rains. Nothing ruins the Parsley
crop so quickly as melting snow that is caught by
hard frost before it can pass away from the base
of the plants. Another important point is allowing
each plant sufficient room to admit of a free circu-
lation of air round it, not only when in full growth,
but during the winter months. The thick mass of
foliage that often distinguishes the Parsley bed is
far from being the best way of growing it, for winter
use at least. When the plants grow into each other
they hold so much moisture that they cannot resist
the combined influence of wet and cold, but if they
stand free from each other, they have much
greater powers of endurance. Not only does super-
fluous moisture pass away more quickly, but the
whole plant is hardier, by reason of perfect ex-
posure to sun and air through the autumn, and is
therefore in a better condition to resist the vicis-
situdes of winter. A border fronting the south,
and if with a little slope so much the better, is cer-
tainly the most favourable position for Parsley that
is intended for winter use. The only certain way
of ensuring a supply of this vegetable in the winter
season is to afford it protection of some kind, and
this may be effected either by taking up the plants
and putting them under glass, or sheltering them
in some way as they stand. Some stout stakes
driven in back and front and boards nailed to them
will form a framework sufficiently strong to carry
any old lights that may be at disposal for covering
with. If there are no glass lights at liberty, as
indeed is frequently the case, a very good substitute
for them can be made out of boards. Ordinary
feather-edge boards will do very well nailed
together so that they overlap, with some stout cross
pieces to keep them from twisting. These put on
at night in cold or very rainy weather, but kept
off in a mild time, will alone suffice to ensure
a supply of good Parsley in the event of winter
weather. Where there is space at command in
orchard houses and vineries where the Grapes have
been cut, or any cool structure, the plants may be
taken up about the middle of October and be put
into boxes or large pots. In this way the very best
Parsley is to be had in winter, as damp can be kept
off much better in a well ventilated house than in
the more confined space of frames. Those who
need really good Parsley for garnishing should grow
plants of the best strains especially for this pur-
pose, selecting those for potting that have the

492

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 22, 1890.

handsomest foliage. A few plants cared for in
this manner are worth a quantity allowed to remain
in the ground for purposes where the beauty of
the leaf is the primary consideration. To have
really good, well-developed foliage it is indis-
pensable that the plants get a long season of
growth, and therefore the seed should be sown at
an early date. The beginning of March is none
too soon, and in tolerably light ground only hard
frost will stand in the way of sowing at that time.
The soil should be deeply dug and well manured,
for Parsley sends its fleshy roots deep into the
earth. Heavy land should be thrown up roughly
a month before being sown, and then after a few
fine days it may be worked about and be brought
into a sufficiently free condition to allow of sowing.
If drills are drawn and filled up with light mould
the germination of the seed will be more certain.
J. C. B.

BORECOLE OR KALE.
There are few more hardy and generally service-
able vegetables than Borecole or Kale. Room
for one or several forms ought to be found in
every well-managed garden, and if not actually
considered a high class vegetable, Kale cannot
well be dispensed with. In very severe winters

Scotch or Curled Kale is, perhaps, the most
popular variety in cultivation, more plants of this
being grown probably than of all the rest put
together. There may be others more hardy and
productive, but in point of quality all are inferior
to it. There are very finely curled forms of both
the tall and dwarf Scotch Kale, and as far as pro-
ductiveness, hardiness, and quality are concerned,
there is not much to choose between them, all pro-
ducing good greens after the heart has been cut.

Read's Improved Hearting is a decided
advance upon the ordinary forms, this producing a
heart almost equal to a Savoy Cabbage and more
mild in flavour and tender when cooked. Un-
fortunately, the hearts when fully grown are not so
hardy as desirable, and these ought, in consequence,
to be protected with Broccoli leaves or something
of the kind whenever a severe frost is anticipated.
It is not advisable to lift and store this Kale, as a
serviceable crop of side shoots is produced in the
spring.

Variegated or Garnishing Kale. — This
also belongs to this section, and some of the strains
are very ornamental, quite a variety of bright
colours being included. It is not often, however,
cooks can be prevailed upon to substitute the small
leaves of these for Parsley, but they are worth

True Scotch Kale.

Broccoli, Savoys, and not unfrequently Brussels
Sprouts are badly injured by frosts, but it is
not often the Borecoles are destroyed, some of
the varieties being as nearly hardy as it is possible
for a green succulent vegetable to be. Their
culture and requirements are of the simplest
character. As a rule, late in April or the first
week in May is quite soon enough to sow the
seed. If raised much earlier the plants become
starved and leggy in the seed beds, and such
cannot reasonably be expected to transplant
and do so well as the sturdier later-raised
batches. Naturally, the earlier the plants are
established where they are to grow to their full
size, the stronger and more productive they
become. A fortunate few only are able to give
a piece of ground wholly up to this crop, and the
plants must therefore be either planted between
rows of early Potatoes, or else be put out in
close succession to these and any other early
vegetables. Breadths planted as late as the end
of August will sometimes attain a serviceable
size, especially when the autumn is compara-
tively warm, and therefore favourable to late
growth. They pay well for having moderately
rich ground and ^ood room, the produce of
plants growing on poor soil being light and also
poor in quality.

growing all the same, as they serve to enliven the
garden at a dull season of the year.

Asparagus or Buda Kale, for I believe them
to be synonymous, has never in my experience been
much injured by cold winds or frost, and is most
valuable for affording a supply of succulent greens
after all the rest have run to seed. When Broccoli,
Cabbage and other Kales have been much cut up
by frosts, a good breadth of the sturdy growing
Asparagus or Buda Kale is invaluable, the supply
of greens, if kept closely gathered, lasting well into
June.

Chou de Milan, Chou de Russie, Ragged Jack,
and Welsh Kales are all hardy and productive, but
the quality is second rate, while the Thousand-
headed is a farmer's crop, this being only con-
sidered fit for the markets when all other kinds of
green vegetables are exceptionally scarce. In times
of great scarcity I have known instances of this
Kale being bought up by London salesmen at the
rate of £20 per acre, though, as it happened, this
was scarcely a third of the price paid for Brussels
Sprouts the same winter. Cottager's Kale is equally
hardy and, if got out early, far more productive
than the last-named, and also any other form I am
acquainted with, but the quality is only second
rate. \y\ j.

Green Tomatoes Mr. Iggulden in his admir-
able address on the growth of the Tomato for

profit, given in The Garden Nov. 1 (p. 411),
recommends those who have a quantity of small
fruits on their plants, and which will not ripen, to
convert them into a good hot pickle and mar-
ket it. It may interest your many readers to
have an excellent recipe for this process. Slice
one gallon of green Tomatoes, lay them on an
earthenware dish, putting a sprinkling of salt
between each layer; let them stand for twelve
hours, drain and throw away the liquor. Take two
quarts of vinegar, half a pint of molasses, two
tablespoonfuls of mustard, one teaspoonful of all-
spice, one of cloves ; heat all these till nearly boil-
ing, then add the Tomatoes, together with three
slices of Onion and two tablespoonfuls of curry
powder. Boil for twenty minutes, and when cold
bottle.— W. N., Bilhide, Nervark-on-Trent.

QUALITY IN TOMATOES.
Although agreeing with " W. I." (p. 361) that a
great deal depends upon the way in which Tomatoes
are grown as regards their quality and flavour, I
must differ from him when he says" that " there is
no great difference in the quality of the majority of
the best known Tomatoes." ' The variation in
flavour among different varieties of the Tomato is,
I maintain, fully as great, if not greater, than in
the case of any other fruit that could be named.
This is one of the great faults of the old Large
Red Tomato ; excellent setter and heavy cropper
though it undeniably is, the quality and flavour of
the fruit are certainly not up to the mark. One
grower of my acquaintance has by constant selec-
tion for a number of years secured a type of this
variety that is about equal in both form and flavour
to a well-grown Trophy, and that is saying a good
deal, but even then there is no comparison between
the fruit and that of a good strain of the Perfec-
tion type.

Again, what a delicious flavour we get — sweet
yet brisk and full — in the old Excelsior, a variety
which I consider is still worthy of cultivation, at
least where quality and flavour rather than mere
productiveness are an object. Again, who could
not distinguish the exceeding sweetness of Prelude,
one of its chief points in my estimation, from the
mawkish insipidity of the Large Red, Laxton's
Open Air, or any of the coarse-ribbed kinds 1 This
peculiarity is shared in an equal degree by the still
newer Conference, the flavour of which is almost
exactly similar to that of Prelude, and indeed it
appears to partake far more largely of the general
character of the latter than of its other parent,
Perfection. Mikado possesses a very rich full
flavour, almost too rich in fact, and very similar
on the whole to that of Dedham Favourite. An-
other excellent old Tomato, with a brisk sub-
acidity that is very refreshing to many palates, is
Criterion (Vick's), a rather small-fruited kind that
is almost, if not quite, as good a setter as Prelude,
and consequently one of the best for winter fruit-
ing in cultivation. Yet another most delicious
little Tomato is Nesbit's Victoria, sometimes known
as the Pear-shaped, from its pyriform shape. It is
a pity the fruit of this fine variety is so small as to
render it useless for growing for sale, as in both
productiveness and flavour it is certainly unsur-
passed and scarcely equalled. On the other hand,
who would eat the tasteless and actually woolly
fruit of King Humbert or Chiswick Red if that of
any other variety could be obtained ? In spite of
its productiveness the flavour of this variety is very
inferior. Tennis Ball, again, is but very little
better, and though bearing a considerable re-
semblance in both habit and form, fas., to Prelude,
the quality of the two fruits is totally different.

I cannot say that I admire the flavour of the
yellow-fruited Tomatoes. Blenheim Orange is
the best of the lot, of the larger kinds at any rate,
and when well grown and just at the right stage of
ripeness is really excellent. " W. I.'s " remarks
about the Orangefield or Early Dwarf are quite
correct. I have grown it as well as a (supposed)
hybrid between it and Trophy, and can vouch for
its great productiveness, solidity, fine flavour, good
form, and general excellence when grown with

Nov. 22, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

493

ordinary care under glass. It is far superior ir
quality to the Large Red. B. C. B.

Taking care of manure Heaps of manure

ought not to have all virtue washed out before it is
wheeled on to the ground ; yet this too often oc-
curs. If there is no possibility of getting it out
early, the least that can be done is to throw all up
together in one large heap, making it very solid
either by wheeling or carting over it, or by tram-
pling. In this state it will keep well for several
months. The bulk can be considerably increased
by the addition of common garden soil, a thick layer
being laid under and another on the top of the
heap. Ammonia will be absorbed by the latter, and
juices drain down into the former, and all being
well mixed before it is used, the gain will be con-
siderable. In many instances, what passes as ma-
nure is little better than a heap of straw, and if
this cannot for a time be placed in a cattle yard,
stable, or piggery, and converted into first-class
manure, some other steps must be taken with it.
If all is well shaken out and thrown into a large
heap, being freely watered at the same time, it will
quickly commence decaying, a second turning and
watering in the course of about ten days being all
the further attention needed. In about a month it
ought to be fit for digging in. If liquid manure
be substituted for water and the heap sorted over,
the value of the manure will be greatly increased.
Quite raw manure is not often dug in, but for heavy
land especially, any that is quite rotten is objection-
able, that only about half decayed being the best
that can be used. Lime ought in no case to be
mixed with manure. — M. H.

Mushrooms in open sheds. — Can Mushrooms
be grown successfully during the winter in an open
tool shed, and subject to all atmospheric fluctua-
tions, except what may be prevented by a covering
of mats, &o ?— G. I.

%* It is no unusual thing for Mushrooms to be
obtained nearly or quite throughout the winter from
beds both under open-fronted sheds and also lo-
cated quite in the open, but no one can be quite
so certain of success as would be the case if a
heated house was available. Flat beds are espe-
cially liable to lose their heat quickly, and fail to
produce Mushrooms in very cold weather. Large
ridge-shaped beds are the best, these, if the mate-
rials have been most carefully prepared, retaining
their heat for several months. Even these would
fail to bear before the spring if made and
spawned much later than September. When all
danger from over-heating is past, exposed beds es-
pecially ought to be heavily covered with dry
strawy litter, a thickness of 18 inches to 2 feet not
being any too much. This serves to preserve the
heat and also to exclude cold air. Mats or, better
still, tarpaulin covers are only needed for open-air
beds, nor ought one bed only to be depended upon,
but if two or three ridge-shaped beds are properly
made, spawned, and covered, there ought in due
course to be Mushrooms in moderate abundance
whenever they are searched for. — W. I.

TropsBolum tuberosum. — Can any reader of
The Garden explain why this vegetable, which forty
years ago was expected to supersede the Potato, has
gone so entirely out of cultivation as not to he men-
tioned in standard works on the vegetable garden ? I
have myself only seen it for the first time this year, and
have obtained two small tubers for experiment. There
is a long description of it in Chambers' Journal for
Nov. 25, 1848. It is there described as of easy culture,
rapidly propagated, and requiring only the poorest
soils. There must he some very good reason why this
vegetable, so favourably reported on by M. Morren, of
the Brussels Academy of Science, should have practi-
cally disappeared so far as this country is concerned.
— Thos. Fletcher, Grappenhall.

prising to find how deft fingers with some experience
in the use of the materials can create pleasing stands
from out of such comparatively crude material. — A. D.

Stands of hardy foliage, berries, &c—

These always form a very pleasing feature at the
Kingston show ; indeed, I think they excel in
beauty and refiueruent the Chrysanthemum-dressed
stands. With the berries and variously coloured hardy
foliage are usually employed a few Grasses, pieces of
Honesty, flower-pods, and similar material. It is sur-

Public Gardens.

"Waterlow Park. — The Park and Open Spaces
Committee reported that they had considered the
question of Waterlow Park, which was presented to
the public by Sir Sydney Waterlow. It was esti-
mated to be worth about £50,000, and they con-
sidered that, both in deference to the wishes of Sir
Sydney, who so generously made the gift, and to
the public, the council should place the park in
such a condition as to render it suitable for the
public use. There were two houses on the freehold
portion of the park — one, Hertford House, which
was neither useful nor ornamental, nor possessed
of any historical interest ; and the other, Lauder-
dale House, which was possessed of a certain his-
torical interest. The committee proposed that
Hertford House should be at once pulled down,
and as regards Lauderdale House, that it should be
retained, if it were possible to repair it at a mode-
rate cost. In any case, as regarded the old garden
adjoining it, which was laid out in the style of the
seventeenth century, they proposed to restore it
with its terraces at a cost of £320. They recom-
mended that, subject to an estimate being sub-
mitted, the council authorise an expenditure on
capital account of £9485 for alterations at Water-
low Park, the chief items being for construction
of paths, £3550 ; erecting boundary fencing in
place of close brick wall, £2000 ; and renovating
greenhouses, £575. An amendment was moved,
and the matter referred back to the committee.

Paddington Polytechnic and Recreation

Ground. — A public meeting in aid of the scheme to
acquire a public recreation ground at North Pad-
dington, and to build on a portion of the land so
acquired a Polytechnic Institute for the people of
North-west London, was held recently at the Kil-
bum Townhall. The object of the promoters of the
scheme is to purchase 21 acres close to Maida Vale,
this being the only open space now left in the north-
western district. About £50,000 is required for the
land, and another £50,000 for the institute. The
ground has already been turned by private effort
into a recreation ground, but the tenancy shortly
expires, and unless the land is secured in the mean-
time it may then be converted to building purposes.
It was moved " That this meeting has heard with
regret that the Eton and Middlesex Cricket Ground
is to be broken up into streets of houses, and there-
fore feels it the more necessary to strain every
energy in order to secure from such a sad fate the
one remaining available open space for recreation in
this great neighbourhood."

The Botanic Gardens at Prague. — One

lamentable result of the very rainy summer and
autumn has been the partial submergence of the
Botanic Garden at Prague, by which incalculable
damage has been done to the very fine collection
of plants under the care of Prof. Willkomm, the
work of many years' careful and untiring labour.
The fires in the hothouses were extinguished, and
one glass-house entirely destroyed. The unique
collection of succulent plants, including 200 species
of Sempervivum and 320 of Cactus, suffered irrepar-
able id jury. The splendid collection of models and
preparations only recently made has been rendered
almost valueless ; in the lecture-room, where it was
placed, the water stood at a height of about 5 feet
G inches.

SHORT NOTES.— PUBLIC GARDENS.

Eastbourne.— The Duke of Devonshire is about
to carry out another scheme for the improvement of
Eastbourne, including the formation of a pleasure
ground. The project will cost about £30,000.

Alexandra Park. — The Alexandra Palace, which
has beeu unfortunate from the commencement, is
about to be demolished. Parliamentary powers are
now to be sought for converting the ground into build-
ing sites. All that we can hope for is the preservation

of some part of the grounds as an open space for publio
recreation, as what was once open fields is covered
with houses. A good open space near Hornsey is
much to be desired.

NOTES OF THE "WEEK.

Xiselia elegans Broomeana. — This is a very
fine variety of the speeies. I recently had some flowers
from Mr. Broome's garden in Wales. It likes the
same treatment as the typical plant. — G.

Odontoglossum Alexandrse plumatum. —
A fine variety which has flowered in the Victoria and
Paradise Nursery. It is characterised by the heavy
spotting on the sepals and petals, and by the beautiful
plumate edges of the petals.

Brassavola glauea is an old, but very pretty
species, similar to, but very distinct from B. Digbyana,
from which it can be at once distinguished by the absence
of the deep fringe to the Up. It comes from Mexioo
and Guatemala.

Chrysanthemum Etoile de Lyon. — In an-
swer to Mr. Coomher (Garden, Nov. 15, p. 453), I have
noticed that this variety comes pink on the crown hud
and a dirty white on the terminal, and I expect that
this is the explanation of the supposed two varieties. —
W. H. F., Taunton.

Euphorbia palustris.— For sprays to use for
table decoration, the leaves of Euphorbia palustris are
very useful in late autumn, when all such things are
scarce. They are brightly tinged with yellow and red.
Mixed with various shades of Starwort, they give a
pleasant opalescent effect. — M. B., Liphook.

Phalaenopsis intermedia Brymeriana. —
This fine plant was imported from the Philippine
Islands, and first flowered with Mr. Brymer, of Dor-
chester. It appears to be a natural hybrid between P.
Schilleriana and P. amabilis, and is very little inferior
to the fine plant known as intermedia Portei, which is
supposed to be a cross between P. amabilis and P.
rosea.

Lycaste Skinneri. — This is truly a handsome,
showy, and long-lasting flower, and amongst the most
beautiful I have seen is a bloom just to hand from Mr.
Roffey, gardener to Mr. Lutwich, of Tulse Hill, mea-
suring some 6 inches across the petals. It is not so
remarkable for size as for the beauty of its colouring,
the waxy white of the sepals being suffused with car-
mine, and stained deeply with the same colour at the
base ; petals broad, rich carmine throughout. — G.

Calceolaria hyssopifolia, f uchsisefolia, and

violacea are three lovely species that may be grown
in sheltered spots in the open with a little care ; the
last is perhaps the hardiest of the three, as it has stood
in the open for years under the shelter of a small
boulder on the rockery. The flowers are very curious,
helmet-shaped, of a rich purple, and copiously spotted.
The other two form fine hushes which are almost
hidden by the abundance of lemon-yellow blossoms
produced all through the summer months.

Calandrinia umbeUata. — No more useful
plant of its class both for summer and winter effect
can be found than this. It is one of those rare things
that one can never see too much of, more especially in
the rock garden. We know of no plant with flowers
approaching it in intense colouring, excepting those of
the improved varieties of Portulaca grandiflora. ^ It
does not stand the winter well in low, damp localities,
but it is so easily increased by cuttings and seed, that
a supply can always be kept in reserve. The warmer
and more exposed the position the more freely will it
flower, and the richer will be the colour.

Dwarf Bamboos. — The note upon these in The
Gabden of November 8 (p. 432) is opportune, for
though beautiful at all times, it is from now on-
wards through the dullest months of the year that
the Bamboos are so effective. So far as I have
observed, the very best dwarf Bamboo is B. Raga-
mowski. It is a charming kind, probably the
dwarfest Bamboo we have, yet producing larger
leaves than any other sort. In the note in ques-
tion its leaves are said to be almost as broad
as those of the common B. Metake, but if the
plant is growing as it should do, they will be
considerably longer and broader than those of that
species. I measured some leaves of B. Ragamow-
ski a few days ago, and the largest were 12 inches
to 15 inches in length, and quite 3 inches in width.
It is certainly a charming kind for massing, not

494

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 22, 1890.

only upon the rockery, but anywhere where it can
grow freely and spread about in a pretty and un-
restricted manner. The forms of B. Fortunei merit
all that is said about them in the note, but what is
B. nana 1 Nicholson's " Dictionary of Gardening "
makes B. viridis-glaucescens, which is one of the
very best of the tall Bamboos, synonymous with B.
nana. — A. H.

Eryngium alpinum ( C. Mackintosh). — A lady
writing from Berne, in Switzerland, says, " This is
one of the most beautiful plants I have ever seen.
Can you give me the name 1 " The above is its name,
and I am surprised that it and some others are not
planted freely in onr public parks and private
pleasure grounds. It usually grows about 2 feet
high. It has large, spiny, Thistle-like leaves ; the
flowers are not showy, but its beauty lies in the
feathery, leafy involucre which surrounds it, and
which is of a soft delicate blue, the whole plant
being also covered with the same beautiful colour,
but the base gets greener with age. It is quite
hardy in this country, requiring a dry, well-drained
soil.— G.

Cypripedium insigne varies much. In a
large batch many distinct and beautiful varieties
may be seen, and this is noticeable in a large col-
lection of nearly 1000 specimens in the nursery of
Messrs. Sander & Co., of St. Albans. There are
scarcely two flowers alike, one having a finer dorsal
sepal than another, more freely spotted, or some
other interesting distinction. Several forms were,
closely allied to the beautiful Chantini, one of the
best of the insigne race, bright, and very pretty
with its violet spots against the white of the upper
portion of the dorsal sepal. This delightful varia-
tion increases interest in a flower, especially where
there is the possibility of securing thoroughly dis-
tinct, well-marked forms.

A pyramidal Chrysanthemum. — Knowing
that you are a lover of naturally grown plants, I
have to-day sent you a specimen of a decorative
Chrysanthemum for your approval. Our plants are
not all grown up like the specimen sent, some be-
ing dwarf bushes, but all are a mass of bloom, and
well furnished with foliage down to the soil, and
suitable to stand on tables, sideboards, shelves,
side-stages, &c, where they are well seen. One very
important feature in our system of culture is the
saving of time and labour, for the cuttings are not
put in until the end of May or beginning of June,
and yet we never fail to have a fine display for con-
servatories.— N. Blandfoed, Moor Sill Gardens,
Westend, Southampton.

%* A very charming plant of pyramidal shape,
and one mass of flowers of the most delicate prim-
rose tint from top to bottom. It is an excellent
way of getting the true beauty of the Chrysanthe-
mum, and quite novel in effect. — Ed.

Pernettyas from Chester. — We have sent you
by parcels post some specimens of Pernettyas. We
think you may consider them worthy of a note. If
you saw them massed on the fringe of the shrubbery
you would consider them amongst the most effec-
tive and notable things in the November garden.
Every year the plants are loaded with their richly-
coloured fruits, and amongst berry-bearing plants
few can compare with these hybrid Pernettyas as
dwarf decorative plants when every bit of bright
colour is so valuable. These branchlets that we
now send have stood unprotected in the open, and
though the fury of the storm with the rain and
the wind has fiercely swept its way over the place,
the Pernettyas are, as you see, unharmed. — Messes.
Dicksoxs, Chester.

*** Very handsome, and showing how well the
Pernettya thrives in Chester. The shoots were
laden with berries as thickly as those one sees in
Ireland, and deeply coloured, especially the varie-
ties sanguinea, deep crimson ; atro-rosea, pink ;
coccinea, purple-red, large, and the foliage deep
green ; and coccinea salicifolia, bright crimson.
There are few better plants for fringing the shrub-
bery or massing together in a distinct bed than the
Pernettya in its many varieties. — Ed.

Chrysanthemum alpinum I have for some

time been looking out for carpet plants, and

amongst all those tried I have found none so good
as the charming Chrysanthemum alpinum. I have
tried C. TchihatchefE, Matricaria caucasica, and
many others, but I found they either run them-
selves out too soon, or were too rampant. C. alpi-
num on the whole proved not only the most service-
able carpet plant, but when in bloom it is one of
the most beautiful sights one could imagine, the
flowers large and white, produced on short stems so
neat and compact, and in such abundance as to
form a complete sheet. This species seems to be
somewhat rare in cultivation, though why would
puzzle anyone, seeing its abundance in a wild state
in Switzerland and elsewhere. Wherever you find
a fresh glacier bed there you find plenty of C. alpi-
num, many of the patches a couple of yards across
nestling quite close to the ground. — K.

Passiflora adiantifolia. — The remarkably
distinct and desirable Norfolk Island Passiflora
adiantifolia, which I presume to be the one referred
to in last week's Gaedbn (p. 454), I have long
been trying to obtain, but without success.
About thirty years ago seed was offered by
Messrs. James Carter and Co., but from some
cause or other I missed the opportunity, and
have not heard of it since. I believe prior to that
plants were procurable at the Clapton Nursery
during the lifetime of Mr. Hugh Low, where so
many rarities were constantly assembled that were
not obtainable elsewhere, and which have, alas !
almost or altogether disappeared. I should much
like to know if it is still in this country.— J. M.,
Charmouth, Dorset.

Benthamia fragifera. — I can bear testimony
that your plate of this is no exaggeration of a
vigorous specimen. In some extensive private
grounds a few miles from here, which run down to
the sea-beach, and are backed by lofty chalk cliffs
facing due south, and, therefore, very hot in the
summer months, are a number of bushes about 3
feet high and as much through that were planted
by the late owner. These were literally covered
with flowers through most of the past summer. I
saw them a fortnight ago and many were still in
perfection, and there was abundance of bloom-
buds for next year. A spray was sent to me for
identification, as nobody about here seemed to know
what it was. I believe it is not often such dwarf
plants bloom so freely, but I think the secret is not
far to seek. The soil is a shallow one on chalky
rock, which, combined with the warm, sunny situa-
tion, thoroughly ripens the wood.— J. M., Char-
mouth, Dorset.

Chrysogonum virginianum is a charming
dwarf composite from North America, where it is
found chiefly on dry stony ground, more especially
in the States of Pennsylvania and Florida. It varies
considerably in the size and dentation of the leaves,
size of flowers, and robustness, in dry seasons rarely
exceeding a foot high, while in a wet summer it
becomes somewhat coarse. It makes a splendid
and suitable rock plant in low positions, and if
planted in poor sandy soil, it blooms more freely
and keeps dwarfer. In the neighbourhood of
London it flowers continuously from May to the
end of October, the orange-yellow of the rays be-
ing very conspicuous and effective amongst the
dark green hairy foliage. It grows quickly, and
soon forms nice tufts. It may be increased readily
by means of the running offsets which are freely
produced. It should be grown in full sunshine
to induce a free display of flowers and dwarf
habit. — K.

Calceolaria plantaginea, C.Kellyana, and

C. Fothergilli, could they be as easily managed as
the other species, would be most welcome, and
prove most useful additions to our never too large
list of good rock plants. I refer to experience in
the south of England in saying they are not easily
managed, for though they grow freely and stand
the winters well in the north, I have a difficulty in
keeping them in good health for more than a year
or two. C. plantaginea is perhaps the most plen-
tiful and the most easily managed. It first flowered
in the Glasgow Botanic Garden from seeds ssnt
from Chili by Mr. Cruikshank. The plants, we
are told, were grown in a stove, and bloomed in

August, 1827. Dr. Gillies, who also sent specimens
about this time, found it plentiful on the sides of a
small rivulet in full flower in March ; the leaves are
about half as broad as they are long, almost entirely
destitute of hairs ; the flowers large, horizontally in-
clined, clear yellow, dotted with dull red spots. C.
Fothergilli, which I have not seen for some time, is
also a charming species, a native of the Falkland
Isles, flowering about May, the flowers very long
and open, brownish purple and yellow. C. Kellyana
is said to be a hybrid between the above two spe-
cies, and to have been raised by a Mr. Kelly in Messrs.
Dicksons and Co.'s old nursery in the Leith Walk,
Edinburgh. It is more nearly allied to Fothergilli
than the other parent, but differs in the flowers and
shape of leaves. — D. K.

Sale of Mr. Harvey's Orchids.— The collec-
tion of Orchids formed by the late Mr. Enoch
Harvey, of Aigburth, near Liverpool, was sold re-
cently by Messrs. Protheroe and Morris, of Cheapside.
Amongst the plants sold was one of Cypripedium
tesselatum porphyreum, which fetched 73 guineas,
and others as follows : Lajlia elegans blen-
heimensis, 50 guineas ; Vanda ccerulea, 30 guineas ;
Lfelia anceps Dawsoni, 30 guineas ; Gjelogyne
cristata alba, 30 guineas ; Laslia anceps Amesiana,
32 guineas ; and Cypripedium Morganise bur-
fordiense, 51 guineas. There was a large attend-
ance of well-known buyers, and the sum realised
was larger than expected.

Cotoneaster frigida.— This is the strongest
growing member of a beautiful family, forming
quite a small tree from 10 feet to 12 feet in height.
It is one of the showiest of them when in bloom,
as the white flowers which appear in May are
borne on rather large flat heads. Atthe present time,
however, the plant is in full beauty and has a
striking effect, every twig having a cluster of
bright red berries. The habit of growth is rather
straggling, but this can be remedied and the
appearance of the plant greatly improved by a
little careful use of the knife. If this is done
when the trees are in fruit nothing will be lost,
as a few well-berried branches cut and placed in
a large vase in the house are very effective, and
come in useful at a time when bright flowers are
comparatively scarce. — A. H.

A new and beautiful Palm is Phoenix Eoebe-
leni, which was certificated by the Royal Horticul-
tural Society on March 11 of the present year, and
the specimens of it in the nursery of Messrs. Sander
and Co., St. Albans, show that we have a charming
acquisition to the dwarf Palms. It is a native of
Laos States, Siam, and is said by the collector
Ecebelen, after whom it is named, to grow in pro-
fusion along the rocky banks of the river Mekong.
The stems are said to never grow more than about
2 feet in height, but although of pigmy growth, the
plant is of extreme gracefulness, rich green in
colour, and spreading out like the beautiful P. rupi-
cola. It forms a splendid plant, its naturally
tufted habit, freedom, vigour, and lightness ensur-
ing its favour with all who delight in Palms. Those
who have much decorative work to do will soon
find out its many good uses in this direction.

The frost in October. — It is seldom one sees
such a slaughter of foliage in one night. Trees and
shrubs, such as the deciduous Cypress, the Judas
Tree, and the Wistaria, that usually retain their
leaves until very late in the season, are shed-
ding their foliage fast. I have noticed that
in the case of nearly all exotic trees there
is very little of the gradual decay of the leaf
and consequent splendid autumn tints, as exempli-
fied in the Oak and Beech ; the leaf changes very
quickly from the green to the " sere and yellow "
stage, and falls immediately. This is alike true of
trees that shed their leaves very early, as the
Gymnocladus or those that, as a rule, retain their
foliage a long time, as the three mentioned above,
the Virginian Bay, and the Benthamia.— E . Bueeell,
Claremont.

British fruit culture. — The movement for
promoting the culture of British fruit is being pro-
secuted in real earnest. A deputation from the
Fruiterers' Company and others interested, headed

Nov. 22, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

495

by Sir James Whitehead, waited upon the Lord
Mayor yesterday, and asked that a meeting might
be "held at the Mansion House to lay before the
public the steps which it is wished to take in the
matter. It was said that the success of the recent
fruit exhibition at Guildhall had created a desire
to go further and organise fruit shows in various
parts of the country, like those held under the
auspices of the Royal Agricultural Society, co-ope-
rating with the local horticultural bodies. The sum
required would be £20,000, which, if obtained,
would be kept apart from the funds of the Fruiterers'
Company. The Lord Mayor assented to the request,
believing that technical knowledge with regard to
fruit culture was highly desirable. As to starting
a fund at the Mansion House, however, he would
like to reserve his decision for the present.

Obituary.

ME. SHIRLEY HIBBERD.

AVb record with the deepest regret the death of
Mr. Shirley Hibberd, and this feeling will be
re-echoed in the hearts of all who have been
brought into contact with a man whose ability
as a writer, eloquence as a speaker, untiring
energy, and enthusiastic love for flowers have won
him a name that will long live in the memory
of horticulturists. On Tuesday week he attended,
as usual, the floral committee of the Royal Hor-
ticultural Society, and in the evening spoke
with his accustomed vivacity at the Royal
Aquarium, opening the conference of the
National Chrysanthemum Society with one of a
series of histories on florists' flowers — the Chry-
santhemum. The last time he appeared at any
public gathering was at the centenary dinner of
the same society on Thursday, Nov. 13, though
suffering from illness. He never recovered
from this attack, and died unexpectedly on
Sunday morning last from bronchitis, aggra-
vated doubtless by a long-standing complaint —
weakness of the heart.

Mr. Hibberd was the son of a sailor who
served under Nelson, and was born at Stepney
in the year 1825. He has remained a Londoner
from his birth, but Stepney was then sufficiently
rural to impress the boy's mind with the charms
and delights of country lanes, green fields, and
wild flowers. At the age of twenty-five he became
editor of a weekly newspaper, and at that time
appeared a little book called " Brambles and
Bay Leaves," which constituted a series of dis-
quisitions on rural life, beautifully told, giving
brilliant promise for future efforts, and, as far
as we remember, unmarred by that eccentricity
of expression that in a sense disfigured valuable
essays of later years. The " Town Garden " ap-
peared in 1855, and ran through several editions,
spreading abroad a greater interest in the urban
garden, which was then a thing neglected, if
not despised. It was at this period that
Mr. Hibberd removed to Stoke Newington,
which he never left until six years ago,
when he made Kew his home. Several gar-
dens were started, with the object of mak'ng
experiments, classifying and selecting, by
him. Nor was his endeavour to place cer-
tain things in better order and gain new
acquisitions fruitless in good results. Ivies
and Hollies were his delight. At Stoke
Newington he began correcting the nomencla-
ture, and restoring order where chaos existed,
embodying his remarks in a monograph of the
Ivy, published in 1872. At Stoke Newing-
ton, trials on a similar plan as now followed
out in the Royal Horticultural Society's
gardens at Chiswick were made of Potatoes,
Peas, and kindred things. In another garden
fruit culture was taken in hand ; but on this
and a few other experiments there was much

controversy at the time, and the results scarcely
justified the labour and expense. Mr. Hibberd
always seemed most happy when amongst
florists' flowers. He was a thorough florist, fol-
lowing in the footsteps of George Glenny, and
believing firmly that it was proper to make cer-
tain flowers conform to a set of rules laid down
by man. At Stoke Newington he had as a
neighbour and friend the late Dr. Denny, at one
time chairman of the floral committee of the
R.H.S. when Mr. Charles Turner and other ar-
dent florists were in their vigour. With such
men as these, all of the one school, Mr. Hib-
berd may be ranked, though his reputation as a
writer and work as a journalist enlarged his
field of operations. We believe it was Mr.
Hibberd who first inspired Dr. Denny with a
love for the zonal Pelargonium, and both
men raised varieties that at the time were
grown largely, but comparatively few remain
now with the finer introductions of more recent
years. In 1858 the most important step of
his life was taken, as he then commenced editing
a horticultural paper. His first journal was
the Floral World, one of a class of monthly
periodicals that have long since disappeared.
This periodical first showed Mr. Hibberd
in his true light, and he continued to
edit this until 1875, when he retired from
it, and devoted his time and attention
solely to the Gardener's Magazine. It is with
this journal he will be most closely identified,
and to which he has contributed much
good work. When first edited by him in
1862 it was small and contained little news
of interest, but about 1864 it was enlarged
considerably, and again a few years after,
until the present proportions and position
were reached.

Mr. Hibberd has written many works, as
" The Amateur's Greenhouse," " Kitchen Gar-
den," an essay on " Watercress Culture,"
"Water for Nothing," and " Beautiful Leaved
Plants,"a finebookof its kind, published in 1870.
Whilst editing the Gardener's Magxzine, The
Floral World, and writing books, he was con-
tributing to several journals, amongst others the
Pictorial World, and in recent years wrote
"Familiar Garden Flowers," one of Cassell's
series.

He was the mainstay of the old Pelargonium
Society, which naturally declined with the de-
creased interest in the plant, and, as all know
well, by his persistent efforts kept alive the
southern section of the National Carnation and
Picotee Society when Mr. Dodwell started on
his own account at Oxford, also the Auricula
Society. He supported to his utmost ability
the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution,
invariably speaking at its annual dinner, also
the Gardeners' United Benefit Horticultural
Society, and lastly, but not least, the Gar-
deners' Orphan Fund, which had in him a
warm friend. At the time of his death he was
chairman of the B. S. Williams Memorial
Fund, the success of which is largely due
to his zeal. His collection of books was
large, and contained every work almost of value
referring to horticulture, but his rich series of
the poets and editions of Shakespeare show
that he loved other things besides the fruits of
the garden and field.

The funeral, we are informed, will take place
at Abney Park Cemetery on Saturday next about
three o'clock, and the first part of the burial
service will be at the church of All Saints', Aden
Grove, Stoke Newington, about 2 p.m.

The late Mr. J. Mcintosh..— Your note in The

Gaedbn, Nov. 15 (p. 473), leaves but little room for
me to say anything regarding my much valued

friend Mr. Mcintosh. As a near neighbour, with the
same tastes, and perhaps a little from our both hav-
ing Scotch blood, I saw a great deal of him, and con-
stantly discussed his favourite flowers and horti-
cultural politics with him. His gentleness and
kindliness of disposition attached not only his own
species to him, but his birds. His robins used to
come round him ; one would fly into his white beard
and eat bread out of his mouth ; a nuthatch came
down from the trees when he called, and a chaffinch
used to fly after him to the station. His Lilies
were his great favourites. He first showed what
Lilium auratum could be out of doors ; his L.
Krameri with nine flowers has, I believe, never been
equalled. You have alluded to his liberality. This
was unbounded when he was satisfied with the
merit of the object. In the rather disappointing
work in connection with the Royal Horticultural
Society, he thought with me that it would help
those who came after. His strong head, clear judg-
ment, and good business experience made him a
most valuable councillor, who— I speak feelingly —
will be greatly missed.— George F. Wilson.

" Plants gratis to defray carriage."— I

believe comments have before been made in The
Gabden upon the practice of nurserymen in
adding plants to defray carriage of orders. I am
sure that many besides myself would be glad to
see this custom relinquished. If nurserymen are
pleased to include additional plants of the same
kinds as those ordered, well and good. But it is
productive of nothing but annoyance to open a
package and perhaps find its weight considerably
added to by extra plants which the recipient dots
not in the least want. I have again and again had
things sent me in this way which I have simply
thrown away. This week I ordered a few Helle-
bores of a valuable variety, and when they arrived
I found them knocked to pieces by a heavy pot of
Heuchera sanguinea (gratis), which was entirely su-
perfluous and useless to me.— G. H. Engleheart.

Transplanting Hollies.— I should be glad of
some information as to the best time for removing
Hollies. I have several specimens that require moving.
Would the autumn or the spring be the best ? — A. J. P.

The best Lilies.— Will you kindly give me a list
of the best Lilies for garden planting. I propose tak-
ing about a dozen kinds to Victoria if I can find out
the best sorts. Is Lilium neilgherrense worth taking
out ? Can you tell me where I can procure seeds or
plants of Cineraria argentea which I saw at Berlin in
the spring ? — Bath.

Names of plants.— T. Norfolk— I, Euphorbia

lathyris ; 2, other next week. W. R. P.— We do not

name florists' flowers. A. E.—l, Polystichum an-

gulare ; 2, Adiantum affine ; 3, Doryopteris colhna; 4,
send when fertile ; 5, Adiantum scutum ; 6, Nepbro-
dium molle eorymbiferum ; without a number looks

like a form of Asplenium bulbiferum. Alphabeta.

—3, Lastrea Filix-mas cristata ; 4, Pellaea hastata ; F,
send better specimen ; 6, Adiantum mundulum ; 7,
Selaginella, send better specimen. J. P. — 1, Adian-
tum Mariesi; 2, Davallia Novae-Zelandire ; 3, Nephro-
lepis Bausei; 4, Davallia dissecta; 5, Hemionitis pal-

mata ; 6, Gymnogramma gloriosa. J. P.— 1, the

Dove Plant (Peristeria elata) ; 2, Allamanda Hender-
soni ; 3, Blandfordia princeps ; 4, Dieffenbachia Re-

gina ; 5, Aphelandra chrysops. Wiltshire— Cannot

name Chrysanthemums. T. 0. T— 1, Vandasuavis;

2, Sobralia violacea ; 3, Cattleya luteola ; 4, Cypnpe-
dium argus.— George.— 1, Aster Tripolium ; 2, Sohdago
virgaurea ; 3, Rha'mnus catharticus ; 4, Hyoscyamy_s
niger ; 5, Euphorbia helioscopica ; 6, Myriea Gale ; 7,

Statice bellidifolia. E. WUmot.—l, Stanhopea ti-

grina; 2, Peristeria elata ; 3, Epidendrum vitellmum

majus; 4, Lajlia Arnoldiana. A. B.—l, Abies no-

bih's ; 2, Abies cephalonica ; 3, Pseudotsuga Douglasi ;
4, Juniperus recurva ; 5, Thuja plicata ; 6, Libocedrus

decurrens. Mrs. L. — Calluna vulgaris var. Serlei.

Others next week.

Uames of fruits.— Mrs. Burke.- Old Nonsuch.

E. M — 25, Small Easter Beurre ; 26, Thompson's ;

27, Marie Louise d'Uecle; 28, Beurre Bosc. J. I.

Hall— 1, Lord Derby; 2, Blenheim; 3, Glou Mor-
ceau; 4, Beurre Ranee. C. Miller.— 1 and 2, Clay-
gate Pearmain; 3, Dumelow's Seedling; 4, Boston

Russet. G. J. — Duchesse d'Angouleme. — -A.

Chapman— 1, Reinette Van Mons; 2, Fearns Pip-
pin ; Pear not known. Anon.— An elongated fruit

of Golden Noble. Thomas May.— Gipsy Queen.

496

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 22, 1890.

WOODS AND_ FORESTS.

FOREST HYGIENE.

That floods follow the reckless destruction of
forests, that they diminish in frequency and in
volume when replanting has restored the atmo-
spheric equilibrium , are facts acknowledged no-
where more frankly than in Austro-Hungary
and Italy, where the annual " Ueberschwem-
mung" or "Humana" has long been traced to
improvident tree-felling, and where legislative
enactment in the re-afforesting of districts is
tardily checking the evil at its source. An ex-
ample of how the bane is produced, and how it
yields to the proper antidote, is furnished by
Savoy and Nice — a region visited annually with
inundations of increasing intensity until 1861,
when it was ceded to the Emperor Napoleon,
who forthwith began to restore the woods of
which its hillsides had been stripped, and suc-
ceeded so well that its present equipoise between
rainfall and evaporation renders drought or
flood alike a rare and exceptional phenomenon.

The value of the forest in preventing such
frightful atmospheric vicissitudes as the sudden
and prolonged downpours which periodically
bring ruin and death to the riversides of Austria,
Hungary, and Italy is not its only title to the
consideration of state medicine. It has a hy-
gienic importance of its own, not only for the
air we breathe, but for the soil on which we
live. This was admirably set forth at the in-
ternational congress, just closed at Vienna, on
the "Land and Forest in their Economic Bear-
ings," where Professor Ebermayer, of Munich,
read a carefully, though not lucidly expressed
paper on the "Hygienic Worth of Forests."
He declines to endorse the traditional induction
that the atmosphere of the forest has propor-
tionately more oxygen and less carbon than that
of the treeless plain. His long and patient re-
searches failed to elicit confirmation of this
theory, finding, as he did, that, comparatively
speaking, the wooded area was not more rich in
oxygen than the non-wooded. Planting the tho-
roughfares of great cities with trees effects, he
maintains, no chemical improvement in the air,
but it has a most beneficial result on the soil.
Vegetable growth prevents the evolution of
noxious gases, and wherever trees are grouped
together in considerable quantity, there we find
bacterial development minimised. Miquel, for
instance, observed that the air in the centre of
Paris contains, on an average, 3910 bacteria a
cubic metre, while the air in the parks of that
city contains, on an average, only 425. Trees,
moreover, act as barriers against trying winds
and air-currents, the careful planting of special
spots having made residence possible where
formerly none but the robust could live. In
populous cities they intercept and detain in
their foliage the grosser particles— as of soot
and street dust— which are apt to load the air.
Not only so, but they shade the soil ; they
make and keep it cool ; they afford a grateful
shelter in summer, and their verdure soothes
like an eye-douche.

But, away from towns and cities, the forest
region has a hygienic value peculiar to itself.
Its atmosphere, relatively richer in ozone than
that of the unwooded plain, has a neutralising
power over septic gases, and its influence on the
neurotic patient is found by physicians to be
favourable precisely from this property. On
jaded systems, enfeebled by brain-fag, the air,
the scenery, the stillness of the forest have —
not less than the ocean, with its silent high-
ways—a sedative, while greatly exhilarating
virtue. Who has not experienced, says Prof.
Ebermayer, a tranquilising, yet exalting im-

pression in the dome-shaped forest canopy, with
its stem-like pillars, its glades stretching down
in the form of cathedral aisles, its hundredfold
gradations of green flecked with light and shadow,
its solemn quietude, like that of some religious
sanctuary ? Who has not felt his spirits soothed,
his emotions tempered, his sentiments ennobled,
in such an atmosphere and in such a scene ?
The first beginnings of psychical disturbance,
he maintains, have been effectively becalmed by
moving the patient to the vicinity of these
asylums of Nature ; nor can we forget what
Byron gained from "Ravenna's immemorial
wood " or Milton from the forest scenes he has
transferred to "Comus."

The soil of the woodland is, hygienically con-
sidered, far superior to that of the tilled field.
The processes of agriculture with their artificial
and natural dressings, almost equally with the
accompaniments of aggregate life in cities, con-
vert rural and urban localities into bacterial
preserves. Nicolaier in 1885 found in the upper
strata of the soil of Gottingen a bacillus-swarm-
ing earth, which, introduced hypodermically
into mice, hedgehogs, and puppies, was followed
by the characteristic tetanus, with fatal results.
Fungi of every kind, Prof. Ebermayer holds,
are more congenial to the treeless plain than to
the woodland, all the virtues of which latter are
due to the soil purification induced by vegetable
growth. It is this effect on the ground occu-
pied by cities that makes urban plantations so
healthful an adjunct ; not, as he repeatedly
affirms, from the chemical changes that trees
effect in the atmosphere. In proof of this he
invoked the testimony of Von Petenkofer, who
found that in the cholera districts of Bengal
the soldiers encamped in the Mango woodland
remained untouched by the epidemic, which
raged fiercely in the open, and that in this
country the fugitives from yellow fever who
took refuge in the southern Pine forests escaped
all touch of the disease. Into the relations of
woods to malaria he forebore to enter, reserv-
ing the subject for another occasion. Mean-
while, he concluded his memoir with an empha-
tic exoneration of the governments of Central
Europe, in particular: "Protect your forests,
that thereby you may protect yourselves " — an
injunction none the less timely and pertinent to
this Western Hemisphere. — Sanitary News.

The Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis).— The
question, Would you recommend this Pine for plant-
ing on a small scale within half a mile of the sea
in the county Donegal has first been asked by
" R. B." In answer I may say that it is an excellent
tree for the seashore, and in conjunction with the
Cluster Pine (P. Pinaster) would succeed well.
Unfortunately, it is not well known in this country,
though an exhaustive article with illustrations of
tree and cones was contributed upon it to Woods
and Forests. At Penrbyn Castle, North Wales,
there is perhaps the finest specimen of this tree in
the country, and which is growing rapidly and in
perfect health. It is partially sheltered by an
Austrian Pine (P. austriaca), and is very distinct,
though perhaps hardly what one could term a hand-
some or ornamental tree. At a distance off it
resembles a thin-leaved Scotch Pine (P. sylves-
tris), or something between that and the Cluster
Pine. On the Continent it is used for seaside plant-
ing, and would, I have little doubt, flourish well in
a partially sheltered site by the seaside in the
north of Ireland. Sandy soil will suit it best, al-
though at Penrhyn it is doing well in ordinary light
loam.— A. D. W.

Gathering Conifer seed.— Scotch Fir cones
are never really matured until February or March.
If we gather them in autumn, we are sure to pro-
pagate an inferior and tenderer offspring, which will
probably prove short-lived. Early luxuriance is no
recommendation. Spruce cones must be gathered

up as they fall from the trees during winter or in
early spring. The cones of both these trees open
readily in the sun. As a general rule, the cones of
all exotic Coniferse should be allowed to hang as
long as possible, to be thoroughly matured by time
and frost before they are gathered. — R. E.

SEASONABLE NOTES.

As the planting season has again come round, a
few notes relative thereto may be useful. Plant-
ing may be done from October till March, but I
prefer the former or the latter of the months
named, as the weather is generally changeable
and trying during the shortest days ; I know, too,
from experience, that planting between intervals
of frost is often injurious to the plants. In deal-
ing with a quantity of trees, I planted part of
them in favourable weather in October with the
best results ; others, again, were put in in January,
and much loss occurred ; while with the remainder,
planted in March, I had greater success. Much,
however, depends on the subjects operated on and
their condition. Small plants of the hardiest
kinds are not so easily killed at any time ; but
large tender ones have to be dealt with most
carefully. There is often a good deal of trans-
planting and thinning out to do at various times,
and by doing these at the proper season, very
large plants may, as a rule, be shifted without
injury. It is a mistake to buy very large plants
at a distant nursery in the hope of securing im-
mediate effect with success. I am referring now
to such plants as large Hollies, Evergreen Oaks,
and Evergreens generally. Large deciduous trees
can, as a rule, be more successfully transplanted
than Evergreens. In lifting any kind of tree,
especially when the leaves are on it, the roots
should never be divested of soil ; on the contrary,
as good a ball as possible should be retained.
Where trees are treated as in properly managed
nurseries, the roots can always be had in a com-
pact ball, being often lifted and transplanted
when young, the roots become matted in a very
confined space, and plants of this kind may always
be moved with safety. Crowding them into a small
hole is a mistake. This may not kill the plants out-
right, but it will check them for years to come.
When lifted, the roots should never be long ex-
posed to the influence of sun or wind. This is one
of the very worst things that can happen to them,
and should be strictly avoided. When plants are
brought in from a nursery, it is, of course, impos-
sible to plant them all at once ; but the first atten-
tion they require is to cover up the roots with damp
moss, straw, or soil. Y.

SHORT NOTES.— WOODS AND FORESTS.

Chestnut trees dying. — Can any reader of The
Garden tell me how it is that Chestnut trees growing
near a much frequeuted road in a public park become
unhealthy ? (The trees in question are from ten to
twenty years old. The stems assume a reddish rusty
colour, and in about a year the trees die off. — Louis
Keopatsch, Vienna.

"Weeping trees. — With a fine, well-kept, vel-
vety-green lawn, tastefully planted with ornamen-
tal trees and shrubs, the grounds around a dwelling
may be rendered very charming, but the effect may
nevertheless be increased by a judicious selection
of weeping trees. Of these, some of the most beau-
tiful are the Weeping Ash, Weeping Beech, Cut-
leaved Weeping Birch, Camperdown Weeping Elm,
WeepiDg Sophora, White-leaved Weeping Linden,
Weeping Mountain Ash, Weeping Poplar, American
Weeping Willow, and Kilmarnock Weeping Willow.

" The Garden " Monthly Parts.— This journal it
published in neatly bound Monthly Parts. In this form the
coloured plates are best preserved, and it is most suitable for
reference previous to the issue of the half-yearly volumes. Price
Is. Cd. : post free, Is. 9d. Complete set of volumes of The
Garden from its commencement to end of 1889, thirty-six vols.i
price, cloth, £27; half morocco, £32 8s.

' Farm and Home " Monthly Parts. — This
journal is published in neatly bound Monthly Parts, in which
form it is most suitable for reference previous to the issue of the
yearly volumes. Price bd. ;'post free, Bd.

iondon t 87, Southampton Street, Strand, W,0,

THE GARDEN.

497

No. 993. SATURDAY, Nov. 29,1890. Vol. XXXVIII.

" This is an Art
Which does mend Nature : change it rather ; but
The Art itself is Nature." — Shakespeare.

Kitchen Garden.

MUSHROOM HOUSE IN WINTER.
In very many instances fire-heat will have been
turned on to Mushroom houses proper, and this
is usually accompanied by daily syringiDgs, the
walls, floors, and beds being well wetted at least
once a day. To a certain extent one proceed-
ing must accompany the other, and some_ of
those who adopt these old-fashioned practices
may have good reason to be satisfied with the
results of their labours. Fire-heat is undoubt-
edly necessary at times, or otherwise a break
in the supply may occur, this happening more
especially in very cold weather. It is not the
use, but the abuse of these aids to the culti-
vator that I am concerned about, either too
much heat, an excess of moisture, or both to-
gether being the cause of a good many fail-
ures. When the beds are first spawned, and
up to the time the Mushrooms appear in
quantity, there ought to be good warmth in
them, otherwise they may be months before
they become productive. A low temperature
in the house naturally favours the more rapid
lo3S of heat in the bed— gentle heat, on the
other hand, preserving it, and favouring a
rapid spread of the mycelium. A strong fire-
heat, however, causes the beds to dry rapidly,
and this frequently proves fatal to a good
crop. When fresh beds are formed, these will,
as a rule, serve to raise the temperature of
a house to between 55° and 60°, and that,
too, without the drying effects of fire-heat,
and not till the heat declines below these
figures is it advisable to turn on enough fire-
heat to keep up the temperature named.
A stronger heat, in addition to causing the
growth of smaller Mushrooms, also quickly ex-
hausts the beds, and is an evil that cannot be too
often condemned.

In order to counteract the pernicious effects
of too much fire-heat, the syringe and water-
ing-pot are brought into play, and not unfre-
quently the remedy is worse than the disease.
These daily syriugings, if confined to the
walls and floors, would do little or no harm,
and in very dry houses are really required,
but when the beds are included in the dreneh-
ings, the practice becomes most destructive.
If the beds are already rather moist and the
heating power nearly exhausted, both the
surface soil and the manure underneath gra-
dually become saturated, and if any Mush-
rooms do appear, very few attain a service-
able size, the majority when about the size
of Peas, or rather larger, becoming soft,
brown, and rotten. Should the beds be
formed with somewhat dry material, this be-
comes still drier by subsequent fermentation,
and if much fire-heat is turned on, the manure
may soon be too dry to decay sufficiently for
the Mushrooms to thrive in it. Overhead
syringing3 in this case may moisten the sur-
face, but do not affect the manure underneath,
being, therefore, misleading, as nothing short
of a thorough soaking of warm water will ob-
viate this difficulty.

Too much importance cannot well be attached
to the value of a mulching of some kind for
Mushroom beds. A surfacing 6 inches in depth
of soft strawy litter applied as soon as. the heat

in the newly-spawned beds admits of its being
done with safety, not only prevents the rapid
loss of heat, but also maiutains the surface m a
uniformly moist state, there being in conse-
quence no necessity for so much fire heat,
syringiugs, or overhead waterings. In some in-
stances the beds are covered with wooden shut-
ters only, these to a certain extent having the
same effect as a mulch, and admitting of the con-
ditions being more closely observed. The latter,
however, is the warmest and best preserves the
moisture, and is preferred by me. If it is neces-
sary at any time to moisten a bed, a portion of
the litter only should be removed, and that left
on the bed be again covered with dry litter, this
evenly moistening the soil and manure under-
neath. On cold and rather too moist surfaces the
dampest of the litter should be removed occa-
sionally and replaced with some that is fresh
and dry. It does not follow that because a bed
fails to produce Mushrooms within about five
weeks of the spawning time it requires moisten-
ing to start it bearing freely, as in the majority
of cases this would do more harm than good.
Some of the latest autumn - spawned beds
often remain in an apparently dormant state
till February or later, and if not unduly satu-
rated with moisture are then remarkably pro-
ductive. Avoid the maintenance of a very
forcing temperature and the too free use of a
syringe, and what apparently is a failure may
prove an agreeable surprise.

The question is often asked, Should Mush-
rooms be cut or pulled from a bed ? and upon
this point I have formed opinions quite as de-
cided as those already expressed with regard to
heating and syringing. Few hesitate about
pulling single Mushrooms out of the soil, but
they cannot always make up their mind about
the big clusters. For my part I have no hesita-
tion whatever in the matter, having frequently
noticed how unwise it is to leave a few stumps
in the soil for a few hours even after the Mush-
rooms have been cut. They decay rapidly, and
the mould or fungoid growth spreading from
them into the soil literally poisons it and eft'eo-
tually destroys the Mushroom mycelium. Some-
times the decay is so rapid as to spoil what may
remain uncut of the cluster. As a matter of
fact very large Mushrooms are not much cared
for, medium-sized to small samples best meet-
ing the requirements of most cooks. The clus-
ters or clumps should then be twisted clean out
of the soil, even if this leaves a hole 4 inches in
diameter and to the full depth of the soil. It
is not advisable to leave these holes open, the
proper thing to do being to fill them with quite
fresh soil kept in readiness for that purpose.
Experts state that the rupture thus caused to
the thread-like roots of the Mushrooms quickly
leads to the production of still more clusters,
and from experience I can fully corroborate
this assertion. The early removal then of all
stumps, whether large or small, is attended
with good rather than bad results, aud the
least that can be done is to give the practice a
fair trial. I- M. H.

the slightest frost. This, I think, besides being
injurious, is wholly unnecessary. Except when the
frost is likely to be prolonged for some days I never
think of protecting it, and this only to facilitate
digging it up. The continual covering and un-
covering cannot but injure the tops which are ex-
posed ; consequently decay sets in and spreads
rapidly downwards. — Rubal.

Keeping Celery. — Good Celery is what all
gardeners aim to have in good condition throughout
the autumn and winter months. Already in more
than one garden I have been informed that it is
" stringy," although in my own case it is all that can
be desired. Too early sowing as well as too early
earthing up, and I also fancy too much liquid ma-
nure, are apt to cause the Celery to be of poor
quality. Where liquid manure is used too liberally
the leaves become hollow, besides being subject to
splitting and early decay. Early earthing is also a
great mistake, this being a source of much rotting
before half the winter is through. Some people make
it a practice to protect Celery on the approach of

VEGETABLES AT THE ROYAL AQUARIUM.
Although the various collections of vegetables
competing for the excellent prizes offered by various
seed firms at the recent Royal Aquarium show could
hardly be said to have represented the highest
average quality, yet they were certainly as good as
the time of year has probably produced anywhere,
and were in all cases set up by someof the most
experienced of growers and exhibitors. It is
probable that the very best average quality in
vegetables is found during the months of July,
August, and September. Peas, runner and dwarf
Beans, good Tomatoes, summer Cauliflowers, .&c,
are elements in vegetable collections of a com-
paratively refined character, and evidence ex-
cellence which late autumn vegetables cannot show.
A grower said at the Aquarium, "Vegetables at this
time of the year are bulky and want plenty of room
on the tables," and it is, perhaps, to match these
big products that Potatoes are usually shown
larger and coarser in the late autumn collections
than is the case in the summer. I think all who
understand vegetable exhibiting admit that the best
collections are invariably found during the months I
have mentioned. When but six kinds of vegetables
are set up to occupy some 12 feet to 15 feet square
of tabling, it is evident that they are of a bulky
nature. The principal elements in the class for six
varieties at the Aquarium were Celery, both white
and pink, and sometimes shown in divided lots ;
Cauliflowers of fair average size, none being too big,
but half a dozen still formed a formidable dish ;
Onions in dozens, as a rule, some being very large
bulbs, and needing a good space of tabling
to display them in. Carrots of the new
Intermediate type figured chiefly, but not
so clean and good generally as may be seen
earlier in the year or have been shown in some
previous seasons. Brussels Sprouts were generally
shown better than formerly, the heads being
smaller and firmer. One or two dishes were of the
most perfect character, small, hard, and green, but
were by some thought to be too small. The small
ones I much prefer, as being more fitted for
the table than large ones. Tomatoes figured in
all the fifteen collections shown, but one or two ex-
hibitors were distinctly weak in these, and none
reached the earlier summer standard. The best
quality was found in the collections competing for
the Messrs. Sutton and Sons' valuable prizes. Out
of the four selected collections each had Cauli-
flowers of the Autumn Giant type, Potatoes of
varying quality, Onions, both flat and globe-shaped,
and Tomatoes. Then three contained Celery, three
Brussels Sprouts, and two had Carrots. It will
thus be seen how unanimous these experienced ex-
hibitors were in their selections of dishes generally ;
in fact only seven kinds were found in the twenty-
four dishes. This fact may well help others who
may desire to know what are the best kinds for
competing collections at this time of the year. It
may interest those who exhibit vegetables to learn
that such remarkable evenness marked the four
best collections in this class, that the judges m
giving a maximum of 5 points to each dish made
the first 28, the second 27|, the third 27, and the
fourth 264 points— remarkably close running, and
arrived at by selecting the very best dishes of each
kind in the respective collections for the maximum
number of marks, and awarding to the rest just as
they came near or otherwise to the best. Nine out of
the twenty-four dishes had 5 marks each, ten had
4i marks, three had 4 marks, and but two had 3J
marks, and these two collections, of course, were
placed' the lowest. When a maximum of 5 points
or marks is taken and these are split into halves
to indicate minute differences of merit, it is obvious
that all which is possible in judging collections ot

498

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 29, 1890.

average merit is done, provided the judges who
award the marks have knowledge and judgment to
guide them to right decisions. I have often pointed
out how great is the discrepancy found in the
prizes competed for in classes as compared with the
relative merits of the exhibits. In this case I have
shown that the fourth prize collection was but 2
points below the first prize collection in merit, one
half point only dividing the four, one from the other.
Many persons would say such minute distinctions
are too infinitesimal to govern the awarding of
valuable prizes, but the judges had to make the
awards, and had no other option. Thus it is found
that whilst a collection having 28 points received
4 guineas, one having 27J points received only 2
guineas, and the next having 27 points obtained an
award of 1 guinea, the fourth with half a point less
getting nothing. Had this sum of £7 7s. been left
for division by the judges amongst the best four
rather than to three collections only, the awards
would have been about this : first prize £2 5s., second
£2, third £1 15s., fourth £1 7s. Such an award would
have given the highest satisfaction to all, and would
have been an apportionment which had the merit of
being just because based upon the average merit
found in each collection. It has always been difficult to
obtain from exhibitors a free expression of opinion
as to the merits of this method of awarding prizes.
The other vegetables exhibited at the Aquarium
were chiefly Potatoes, of which some 500 dishes
were in the competitive classes, and generally of
remarkable excellence. Some dishes were as perfect
in form and finish as could be found anywhere. In
spite of a difficult season, average size was perhaps
rather too large, but the; tubers have to be judged
very much according to the average products of the
season. The Oxfordshire samples, as usual, stood
out a long way before those from other districts,
showing how much soil has to do with the produc-
tion of handsome form and fine bright clean skins.
The distinctions found in the leading Potato col-
lections were just as those shown to have existed
in the mixed vegetable collections ; indeed it was
very difficult to determine where the best was, so mi-
nute were the differences. ' To give one collection
double the sum awarded to the next best when pos-
sibly another set of judges might have placed the
second one first, so very near in quality were they to
each other, is a grave error, and should be rectified.
Nothing is easier than to award the prizes accord-
ing to the number of marks each collection re-
ceives, assuming that the full amount set apart
for the class be first specified. A. D.

Forcing Seakale.— The following supplemen-
tary remarks are in addition to the excellent ad-
vice given by " I. M. H." Instead of keeping the
temperature of our Mushroom house up to an in-
jurious degree to the well-doing of the Mushrooms.
I manage to secure an early supply of Seakale by
having an enclosed pit in this structure. This is a
bricked-in space of about 3 ft. in depth and 2 ft. in
width, the top being covered with a wooden shutter.
Half of this depth is filled firmly with well-worked
stable manure and leaves ; over this is placed a
sufficient depth of fairly rich and sweet soil, in
which the roots are placed. Growth soon takes
place, and I am enabled to keep up a supply of
Seakale in this way. A similar pit could be formed
in any warm shed. — A. Y.

Head's Improved. Hearting Kale.— My ex-
perience of this, referred to by "W.I." (p. 492), is
not quite the same as his. I fully agree with all that he
says in favour of it, and consider it a grand acquisition
to our list of Borecoles. When he says "the hearts
when fully grown are not so hardy as desirable," and
talks of protection, I was somewhat surprised, for
with me it is quite the contrary. Growing in a very
exposed garden, between 800 feet and 900 feet above
sea level, I have known it to stand the most severe
winters unprotected. It is also the latest Kale that I
have grown. I am, as a rule, able to cut splendid
hearts in June, long after all the others have run to
seed.— W. C. B., Coombe Priory, Shaftesbury.

The Bullet Brussels Sprout.^-Mr. J. Simp-
son, Wortley Hall Gardens, sends us a sample of this
Brussels Sprout clothed in a most regular manner with
about eighty -five Sprouts of the true type and of excel-
lent quality . The -specimen, we understand, was taken

from the centre of a quarter where the plants were
growing 15 inches apart each way, or nearly twice as
thick on the ground as usual.

SPADE LABOUR.

The ingenuity of man so far has devised no form
of implement which for all ordinary forms of garden
cultivation excels the spade or fork. In our stiff
clay, and indeed throughout the whole of the
market garden district of West Middlesex, the steel
flat-tined fork is the favourite implement for work-
ing the soil. For all ordinary stiff land it is the
best tool ever manufactured. In the hands of
strong willing men who are expert in using it, pro-
bably far more good work is done in one day in
this district than is done in double the time in stony
soil and with the spade. But for all ordinary pur-
poses, the spade and fork stand equally valuable
as cultivators. Had we double the area of land
worked by hand labour, it is probable that hardly
an able-bodied man would now be standing idle.
By hand labour the soil is made to produce the
finest and the most profitable crops. By hand
labour garden workers earn the best wages, and
by it is the best work always done. It is not
possible to find any form of implement or machine
which can trench soil. By trenching bare plots
of garden ground now, and keeping at the
work at odd times through the winter, really
wonders may be accomplished and the produc-
tive powers of the soil doubled. No gardener
worthy of the name allows a winter to pass with-
out getting some fourth or so of the entire area
of the kitchen garden deeply trenched, and if
he be wise he will bury in the', trenches a good
dressing of manure or vegetable refuse, i This both
serves to fertilise and drain the ground. The proper
depth at which ground should be trenched must
depend chiefly upon the nature of the subsoil. Clay
may be well broken up, and the deeper the better,
but it is best always below the surface. Those
who have experience of stiff clays know too well
that but 3 inches or 4 inches of the tenacious sub-
soil require years to incorporate it fully with the
cultivated surface soil ; indeed clay is of such a
tenacious nature that it seems practically impos-
sible to change it. I have been working a stiff
soil here for twenty years, dressing it liberally and
working it freely, and now it is as tough and
clayey as ever. Given a fairly dry season, it works
very well, but if it be a wet time, then it is as stiff as
ever. As it is always impossible to foresee what
will be the weather conditions of the winter, it is
very difficult to say which is the best course to. take
in working a clay soil. If trenching or deep dig-
ging is done now, all may be well if the soil be
thoroughly dried before rain falls, as then no great
harm is done. If, however, but one or two days'
rain intervenes early, then the soil is irretrievably
ruined for spring cropping, as it will run together
and be until dried by the summer sunshine literally
waterlogged like to worked clay. As a rule, the
soil works and crops best when left untouched
all the winter. Still that does not help to facilitate
spring cropping, as all the digging must be done in
a few weeks. Kidging is not a very desirable
method of getting over the difficulty. The frosts
help to pulverise the surface, and the following
rains wash the fine soil into the furrows, where
it chokes the worm holes and retains the water, so
that each furrow for a time becomes a ditch. The
last. condition of soil in such case is worse-than the
first. Those who come on to clay land from gravelly
soil find they have to learn- wisdom by long ex-
perience in the working of stiff soils. Generally,
one of the best plans in winter working is to mix
with it plenty of long straw manure. Stiff soils do
not, as a rule, require the same amount of enrich-
ing that gravel or shallow soils do. A good dressing
of long fresh stable manure spread over the soil
and well forked in after the trenching has been
performed is excellent if the weather be dry ; if
wet best leave the soil alone. In trenching shallow
soils, it is wise to excavate a portion of the strong
subsoil from time to time and replace with any
forms of garden refuse —anything indeed which
will turn eventually into vegetable mould. To

bring in soil of good quality to replace the exca-
vated stone subsoil would be rather costly. The
addition of all sorts of vegetable refuse costs no-
thing, and certainly will in time help to create a
deep and productive surface soil. D.

MARKET GARDEN NOTES.
Mild weather, favourable for outdoor operations,
has enabled market growers to get their work in a
forward condition, and now the ordinary routine of
winter work will be guided by the state of the
weather.

The storing op Beetroot, Cabkots, and
other root crops that are in any way tender is
being completed, as we may now look for frost of
sufficient intensity to penetrate the soil, but Par-
snips and Turnips being so much better when fresh
from the soil are left until required for market.
If appearances indicate a severe visitation of frost,
an extra supply is lifted and temporarily protected
in covered buildings, but in this locality it is un-
usual to have severe frost for any length of
time.

Cauliflowers of the Autumn Giant kind have
been exceedingly fine and plentiful of late, the
mild weather favouring the late crops that have
been just as good and far more remunerative than
the early ones. Should mild weather prevail, the
protecting winter kinds will be ready for cutting,
so that there will be no break in the supply. Late
planted Broccoli are now growing freely and. pro-
ducing sturdy short foliage, with very thick stems
in proportion to the size of the plants.

Celery for late supply is now being finally
earthed up, as a good bank of soil is the best pro-
tector that can be applied to this useful crop. The
early crops of the white kinds are now being lifted
for market, but have been much checked this season
by the persistent attacks of the Celery fly. The
late crops, that are invariably of the red kinds, are
now clean and healthy.

Mushrooms are now yielding plentifully, as the
weather is favourable for unheated buildings, and
fine crops are still to be had from open-air beds
where care has been taken to put on a good cover-
ing of litter.

Rhubarb and Seakale roots are being lifted
now in large quantities and bedded into the bottoms
of heated Mushroom sheds, or in darkened cham-
bers under the stages of forcing houses, as these
crops sell better about Christmas than at any other
time. The main thing to ensure good Rhubarb or
Kale is to grow a fresh supply of roots every year
specially for forcing, and give each plant plenty of
space, so that they can get ripened off in time to
be rested before starting them in the forcing pits.
I need hardly say that the Rhubarb should have
every leaf it makes carefully preserved until it drops
off naturally, as on the perfecting of the foliage de-
pend the size and vigour of the crowns.
• Fruit trees are now receiving the necessary
winter pruning, cleaning, &c, preparatory to ma-
nuring and other cultural details. On all hands
there is evidence that fruit trees are being looked
on as capable of more profitable returns than they
have hitherto been, for during the past season
prices have been very satisfactory to those who had
really good clean fruit to dispose of. It is now
generally acknowledged that the let-alone system
will not do, and that the trees or bushes need con-
stant care in the way of pruning, keeping down in-
sects, and supplying them with manure.

Planting of new orchards and filling up existing
ones are now being pushed on. Amongst Apples,
that are by far the most popular fruit at present,
I find there is a decided preference given to large,
clear-skinned kinds, such as Lord Suffield, Warner's
King, Ecklinville, Queen Caroline, and others of
their class. Bush trees that branch close to the
ground are the ones mostly favoured here. They
are cheapest in the first place, bear crops in half
the time that standards do, and, if necessary, can
have the lower branches cut off as the trees get old
and be converted into dwarf or tall standards with-
out any loss of time or crop. - J. Geoom.

Gosjjort.

Nov. 29, 1890.]

THE GAKDEN.

499

Trees and Shrubs.

THE UMBRELLA. PINE.

(SCIADOPITYS VERTICILLATA.)

The Umbrella Pine is one of the rarest and, at
the same time, one of the most interesting and
beautiful of Japanese Conifers. Its symmetrical
habit and the peculiar appearance and arrange-
ment of the deep, glossy green, leathery leaves
which vary in length — according to the age and
vigour of the specimen — from 2 inches to 4
inches, impart to it an aspect as strange as it is
elegant. The leaves are clustered in whorls on

fruitless. Cones and seeds, from which some
of the finest specimens in England were raised,
were, however, sent home eight years later by
the late Mr. J. G. Veitch. About the same
time Mr. Robert Fortune sent plants to the late
Mr. Standish, of Ascot. Siebold also had suc-
ceeded in introducing living plants into Holland
and Maximowicz to the Imperial Botanic Gar-
dens at St. Petersburg.

In the" Flora Japonica" Siebold andZuccarini
describe the Umbrella Pine as a small tree from
12 feet to 15 feet in height, with abundant
ramification and widely-spreading branches. As
Siebold had never seen the species in its truly

Coning branch of Umbrella Pine (Sciadopitys verticillata). Engraved for The Garden from a photograph of
branch sent by Messrs. Veitch & Sons.

the twigs, each cluster — separated from the last
one by the length of the annual growth — con-
sisting of from twenty to forty leaves, which
spread out like the rays of an umbrella or
parasol ; this peculiarity suggested to Siebold
the name Sciadopitys, of which Parasol Pine
and Umbrella Pine are simply literal transla-
tions. According to Messrs. Veitch's " Manual
of the Coniferse," the first living plant was
received in England in 1853. In that year
Mr. Thomas Lobb obtained one, from the
garden of the Dutch Governor of Java, which
was forwarded to the Exeter establisliment of
Messrs. Veitch. The plant arrived in feeble
health, and all attempts to restore it proved

native habitats, but only in the sacred groves
surrounding the temples, where, in common
with many other indigenous plants, Sciadopitys
has been cultivated from time immemorial, the
inaccuracies as to size and habit may well be
excused. Both John Gould Veitch and Robert
Fortune have recorded the fact that in its wild
state the Umbrella Pine forms a splendid py-
ramid 100 feet or more in height. The merits
of the Umbrella Pine are very well summed up
in Veitch's Manual : —

In Sciadopitys we have not only one
of the most distinct Conifers, but also one
of the most remarkable evergreen trees ever
introduced. There is scarcely any department

of ornamental planting into which it may not
be introduced with excellent effect ; and whe-
ther planted singlyas a specimen, or in combination
with other trees and shrubs for contrast and variety,
its symmetrical habit and peculiar foliage mark it
out as one of the most characteristic of decorative
subjects. The experience of the past twenty years
has proved its hardiness ; and although in this
country, growing under climatal conditions some-
what difEerent from those of its native home, its
growth is rather slow, it makes satisfactory pro-
gress when established in good soils and screened
from piercing winds.

Those who have seen the handsome specimens
in the Coombe Wood Nurseries will not be dis-
posed to question in any way the measure of
praise meted out above. At Castle Kennedy and
in many places in Scotland the Umbrella Pine
stands well ; perhaps its only fault is that in so
many localities it proves such a slow grower.

The Japanese cultivate a number of varieties
which they propagate by means of cuttings
struck in the shade. A golden striped form was
seen by Fortune in the nurseries about Su-mae-
yah and Dang-o-zaka, in company with a host
of variegated forms of native trees and shrubs.

N.

Messrs. Veitch and Sons, whom we have to
thank for the branch here illustrated, write as
follows : —

The plant from which the cones figured were
taken is about 5 feet high. It is one of a batch of
seedlings raised from seed brought home by the
late Mr. John Gould Veitch. The height given
above must not be taken as a criterion of the
growth of the plant generally, as there are trees in
the same batch and sown at the same time stand-
ing and ranging from 4 feet to 10 feet in height.
There are also some plants of the batch growing in
other parts of the country which are even much
higher. The best soil for it is a peaty one such as
is suitable for Rhododendrons, and a moist situation
is also very desirable.

Cotoneaster Simonsi. — The time of the yesr
is upon us when the berry-bearing shrubs reveal
their greatest charms. This Cotoneaster should t e
freely planted in association with other shrubs, cr
in groups and masses. Its habit of growth is net
nearly so graceful as that of other kinds, being thin,
straggling, and somewhat rigid, but this can be
overcome or rather modified by placing the shrub
in suitable associations. It is probably as profuse
in berry, and certainly the most attractive and
showy member of the family, its long shoots being
literally crowded with large berries of the brightest
scarlet colour, which from now onward into January
or later are especially welcome.

Muhlenbeckia complexa.— This is certainly
one of the most elegant trailing shrubs we have,
and by no means a common plant in gardens. It
is a native of New Zealand, and sometimes suffers
from severe cold, but it is hardly ever killed out-
right, the trace of winter injury when that happens
so'on disappearing in spring when the plant again
sends forth long trailing shoots. It is more likely
to suffer on the level than in an elevated positiOL,
but as it is hardly fitted for growing on the level,
it follows that suitably placed it will always look
well and escape injury. In a sunny position in
well-drained sandy soil it grows freely, and never
looks better than when trailing over or hanging
down a projecting edge in the rock garden.
The habit of growth is dense and bushy, the
plant making a compact mass of slender twigs
which are clothed with tiny leaves. It also
sends out long trailing shoots about the size of a
straw, and which in the course of the season attain
to several feet in length. They are of a dark pur-
plish colour, and clothed on either side wilh
small, light green leaves. It is these long shoots
that have such a pretty and graceful effect when
allowed to trail over rocks or, as we have them,
hanging down the high formal stone front of a large
raised border. The largest specimen of thisplsnt

500

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 29, 1890.

I have ever seen had been trained upwards around
the stem of a tree, and although it covered the stem
with a beautiful growth, the fine habit of the plant
and its exceeding gracefulness were not seen. It
is readily propagated by cuttings taken in early
summer, and inserted in sandy soil in a shaded
position out of doors. The flowers are small, green,
and almost inconspicuous, whilst they are succeeded
by miniature, wax-like, transparent fruits. — A.

WALL PLANTS.
On a wall covered with a variety of climbing plants
I have been training branches of the Silver Buck-
thorn (Rhamnus a. variegatus) among Escallonia
macrantha, and the effect is very pleasing. There
are few brighter wall plants than this Buckthorn,
and as it will flourish in almost any soil, retain its
variegation well, and grow very quickly, it may
be safely included in any selection for clothing
bare walls. I find it veTy useful at this season of
the year, the bright slender foliage being well
adapted for all dark vases. There will be a great
wealth of Chimonanthus bloom this year, and it is
likely to expand early with a continuance of this
spring-like weather. Is it usual to meet with more
than one variety of this old favourite ? There are
certainly two distinct kinds here with little to
choose between them in the matter of scent, but
decidedly dissimiliar in colour and size of flower.
Will any correspondent kindly say if he finds the
newer Ceanothuses, as Gloire de Versailles and al-
bidus, as good in constitution as the old azureus 1
The improved colour and size of bloom induced me
to try the two first named varieties, but they are not
a success. The growth for two or three seasons was
good, but after this individual branches would die
off in the most unexpected manner, and I have
been compelled to remove them altogether. Their
places, however, will be quickly filled by their near
neighbours, wall plants of exceptional merit, Loni-
cera brachypoda and the white and rose-coloured
varieties of Pyrus japonica. Both these latter are
fruiting freely this year, and have presented until
the fruit commenced to fall rather a striking ap-
pearance. The Pear-shaped Service (Pyrus Sorbus
var. pyriformis) is this year full of fruit. Some of
the first to come down are now edible, and are to
some palates preferable to the Medlar ; there is a
brisk sharp flavour. Some of the Spirreas and the
single and double Deutzia scabra seem to have
found favour as wall plants in bygone days, and
one often finds them on old walls. In my opinion
they are much more at home as bushes. Excep-
tion may, perhaps, be taken to Spiraea prunifolia
fi.-pl , which seems to require a little support, and
the long sprays of flowers have a graceful appear-
ance hanging from the wall. I should strongly re-
commend in all wall planting that preference be
given to evergreen or semi-evergreen plants (the
latter being represented by Euch things as the
Honeysuckles or Ceanothus azureus), for the em-
ployment in excess of those plants that are bare
some five or six months in the year is inconsistent
with the usually avowed object of wall covering in
tbe hiding an unsightly object. In this latter
category would come such things as the deciduous
Magnolias, Cercis, Kerria japonica, and the For-
sythias, all very well in their way, but they must be
used with a sparing hand and interspersed judi-
ciously among the more useful things.

Claremont. E. Burrell.

Cotoneaster thymifolia. — This is one of the
most effective, dwarf, hardy evergreen trailing
shrubs we have, and is particularly well adapted
for p anting upon the rockery where vegetation of
a bo'.der and more permanent character is needed.
It rarely prows more than 1 foot high, but spreads
over the ground, and hides it with a. dense growth
of flat hranches which are crowded with little twigs,
densely clothed with leaves that in size and shape
resemble those of the Thyme. The flowers, which
appear in April, are of a pinkish-white colour, and
so prof use as to merit notice, but the tiny berries
which come after and all the winter stud the plants
constitute its greatest charm. A few specimens

on the rockery would always be charming, but the
plant is so hardy and at all times so ornamental,
that it merits more extensive planting. Slopes of
loose soil would be tied together and secured in
position by establishing it thereon ; stony banks
might be hidden, as it would clothe them with
verdure at all times and brightness in winter. If
places of this description are lacking, this Cotone-
aster should not be neglected, as it might be planted
in broad masses in the foreground of shrubs for
which it is well adapted, whilst it would beautify
and vary the all too formal and monotonous shrub-
bery margin. — A. H.

THE BLUE GUM TREE.
(eucalyptus globulus.)
Reference is continually being made to this tree
in the gardening and public press, showiDg the
great interest taken in its cultivation in all parts of
the world and an evident wish on the part of many
that such an interesting and noble subject as the
Blue Gum Tree of Tasmania and Australia could
be successfully grown in the British Isles. Of
course, it is quite hopeless to expect that at any
time the tree will be grown over the length and
breadth of Great Britain, but there must be,
I fancy, many favoured spots where, with proper
care and management, it might be induced
to attain large dimensions, and to reveal to us
some of its true and wonderful characteristics, if
not indeed to be of use to us as a timber-producer.
Tbe rapidity of the growth of the Eucalyptus has
often been the subject of comment, and certainly
it is one for wonder, especially when combined
with the fact that its timber is at once strong,
tough, and durable, and closer grained even than
Oak. and is excellent for ship and house building
and submarine constructions. It is said that in
twenty years an Eucalyptus in its native country
will yield as much timber and of better quality
than an Oak a century old ; and also that it attains
a height of from 150 feet to over 400 feet. This,
of course, gets rid of the old idea that good
timber could only be obtained from slow-growing
trees. The tree in a seedling state is frequently
seen in the London parks and in many English
gardens during the summer months, and has a cer-
tain charm for many people both on account of its
peculiarly shaped glaucous leaves and the agree-
able pungent odour they emit when bruised. But
those who have only seen the Eucalyptus in this
stage of its existence can have but a faint idea of
the peculiar beauty and grandeur of the tree
hen seen in the more highly developed stages
of its growth. It would appear that it was
first introduced into England in 1810, so that
the attempts of eighty years to naturalise it to
our climate have only resulted in the Eucalyptus
being seen in but a few places in England in an
advanced stage of growth. In North Wales, a re-
cent writer in The Garden states the Eucalyptus
thrives out of doors, and in the garden of Mr.
Oakeley, The Plas, Tan-y-bwlch, are several speci-
mens upwards of GO feet in height. Specimens of
the tree of this height are doubtless well worth
striving for, and on the lawn would amply repay in
striking and picturesque beauty any pains devoted
to their culture. It is also stated by the same
writer that formerly the tree was largely planted
in the Chiswick Gardens of the Royal Horticultural
Society, but they invariably suffered severely in
winter, and the plan adopted to preserve them
was to lift them in the autumn and keep them
in houses till the following spring. Judging from
some experience of the behaviour of the tree on the
Nilgiris, in South India, where it is rather exten-
sively grown for fuel, and where it in conjunction
with many Australian trees and plants thrives ex-
ceedingly well, I should think a better plan to
adopt would be to cut the plants down close to the
ground in the autumn or on the first approach of
frost, and mulch the roots and stumps well over
with a considerable thickness of rough litter enough
to exclude all frosts. There, I think, would be
little doubt that the trees would send up vigorous
shoots the following summer, which in turn might

be cut down in the autumn, and the operation re-
peated into the third or fourth year, or until the
stools sent up in one season shoots of sufficient
strength and height that would ensure their safety
from all ordinary frosts.

On the Nilgiris I have frequently seen trees of
various ages cut down, or broken off by wind or
accident immediately send up shoots of extra-
ordinary vigour from the old stools, perhaps
justifying the opinion that the tree would behave
similarly in this country. It is stated that in the
Roman Campagna, where, as is well known, the
Eucalyptus is largely planted, the severe winter of
1*79-80 killed only the younger trees, showing that
the Eucalyptus could withstand, after a few years'
growth, at least 14° Fabr. of frost, and the monks,
encouraged by this discovery, immediately set
about extending their plantations. If this state-
ment be correct, then most assuredly there must
be many spots on our southern coasts which are
rarely, if ever, visited by severe frosts where this
interesting, ornamental, and useful tree could be
grown to some profitable size. At Worthing, in
Sussex, there are several examples of considerable
height growing outside, and without protection of
any kind, affording grounds for the belief that the
tree might be naturalised in this district. The
centre of attraction, however, surrounding the
Eucalyptus globulus, or Blue Gum Tree, lies in the
fact — real or supposed — of its being an active
agent in warding off the dread effects of malaria
by the wonderful powers of absorption and trans-
piration possessed by its roots and leaves. If
report be correct, the Trappist monks who formerly
could not sleep without risk of life in their
monastery in the Pontine marshes, but betook
themselves every evening to a convent in Rome,
can now remain at their monastery of Tre Fon-
tanes with little risk, and the peasantry who were
formerly obliged to emigrate to the mountains in
summer now reside on the Campagna all the year
round. This improvement, it is said, has followed
upon the extensive plantations by the monks of
various kinds of Eucalyptus.

The powers possessed by the Blue Gum of absorp-
tion, I think, can hardly be disputed, but in a tropi-
cal climate where the annual rainfall exceeds that
of any part of Europe by hundreds of inches it may
be doubtful whether the Blue Gum would thrive at
all ; and even if it did we might hesitate in believ-
ing that it would have the slightest effect in ame-
liorating the climate, even if planted by the square
mile.

It has lately been asserted that the results ob-
tained by the particulars compiled by Dr. Crombie
Brown relating to the cultivation of the Eucalyptus
in Italy, and its effects in ameliorating the climate,
are such as to warrant the planting on a large
scale of the Eucalyptus in the malarious parts of
tropical Africa. I cannot help thinking that such
an experiment should at first be undertaken on a
very small scale indeed, believing, as I do, that tbe
Eucalyptus will refuse to thrive in any part of
tropical Africa where the rainfall is excessive. In
India all attempts to cultivate the tree successfully
at a lower elevation than 5000 feet, and where the
rainfall exceeds (30 inches or 70 inches, have sig-
nally f..iled. I tried the experiment in the Wynaad
district of Malabar at an elevation of 3000 feet, and
where the annual rainfall was about 150 inches, and
although the young seedlings made rapid gTowtb,
they invariably cankered and died in the second
year ; and I knew several others who made the
same experiment with a like result. On the Nil-
giris at an elevation ranging from 5000 feet to 7000
feet, with an annual rainfall of about 50 inches, the
Blue Gum thrives admirably, together with many
other species of Eucalyptus, even when planted in
extremely exposed situations, but anything below
5000 feet, and where the rainfall is heavier, the
plant at once shows a more stunted growth, till at
an elevation of only 3000 feet it refuses to grow
at all.

With reference to the powers of absorption pos-
sessed by the plant, I may mention that one parti-
cular property at Ootacamund, on the Nilgiris,
which at one time enjoyed an abundant supply of

Nov. 29, 1890.]

THE GAUDEN.

501

water from the uplying grounds, and where aque-
ducts formed of masonry had been constructed all
over the grounds and gardens, had its supply gradu-
ally, but completely cut off by the gradual develop-
ment of a large plantation of Eucalyptus surround-
ing the property. On my last visit to the place
some years ago these aqueducts were in course of
removal, as of no further use. This, to my mind,
was proof enough of the powers attributed to this
interesting tree. J. IN-

CUMBERS ON TREES.

spring before the appearance of the leaf a quantity of
tiny yellow blooms not unlike those of some of the
Acacias, hut not so compact and even. — E. Burrell.

Some people say climbers on trees are injurious
and should never be allowed. In the case of young
trees this remark holds good, but on those trees that
have seen their best days climbers are admis-
sible. At Syon some of our old trees have for many
years been so treated, and they are lovely objects
in the spring and summer months when covered
with Aimee Vibert Roses and other old, yet valued
climbers. Many of the old trunks last much longer
when supported with a strong climber. We have
trees of all kinds so treated, and when not too
much trained the climbers are most effective. Some
large trunks are covered with Ivy and Virginian
Creeper mixed, and in the autumn the contrast of
colours is beautiful. Some old Cedars covered
with the Virginian Creeper to a height of some
30 feet or 40 feet look charming. Aristolochia
Sipho makes a charming plant for this purpose
when a heavy covering is wanted, also the Jasmine
for dwarf trees. One of the most effective is the
old Clematis Vitalba. We have it stretching 40
feet or 50 feet in places, and hanging down in fes-
toons from the trees. Clematis montana is also use-
ful in sheltered places, and when others of a diffe-
rent colour are mixed with it they produce a pretty
effect. Many of the hardier Clematises, such as
Viticella, flammula, and others, may be used for
the work. Honeysuckles do not do so well on our
light soil. I have used some of the varieties of
Ceanothus for this work, and for dwarf trees or
poles they are charming. Vitis hederacea and V.
neterophylla variegata are good for the purpose, while
Passiflora ccerulea and Humulus Lupulus (the Hop)
have a pretty effect in the autumn months. The
most effective plants are the Roses. There are a
number of Roses that can be used for this work,
and many of the evergreen varieties are most suit-
able. The Boursault Roses are good for this, and
many of the Noisette section. The copper Austrian
Brier and Persian Yellow do well on trees that have
not too much head or top covering. Many of the
Hybrid Perpetuals do well, and cover a large space
quickly. The plants require moisture in dry sea-
sons, and if this cannot be attended to climbers
should not be planted on trees, as unless they grow
freely and do well they fail in the object they are
planted for, and a bare stump is preferable to a
miserable creeper. I frequently assist ours with
liquid manure in dry seasons, and am well repaid
by the quantity of bloom and vigorous growth. It
is also important to give the roots some new ma-
terial when planting, as often the soil around old
trees is much impoverished and will not support
the creepers. As little training should be done as
possible, only small iron tacks, not wall nails,
or a little dark-coloured copper wire placed round
the trees to support the growths being used.
Syon House. Geo. Wtthes.

SHORT NOTES.— TREES AND SHRUBS.

London trees and shrubs. — We understand
that the Royal Horticultural Society will deal with the
question of the best trees and shrubs for planting in
London, and the causes that too frequently lead to un-
successful results.

Bentaamia fragifera. — Mr. Milne Redhead (p'
454) is doubtless sufficiently acquainted with this to
know if he has it true, but I have on more than one
occasion had my attention drawn to a plant under the
above name which was really nothing but B. japonica.
The difference between the two is, however, very
marked, for whereas fragifera is rightly figured and de-
scribed in The Garden, japonica produces in early

THE WEEK'S WORK.

PLANT HOUSES.
Febns. — Plants that will be wanted for use next
summer should be kept through the winter close to
the glass, under similar conditions as to heat, if they
are not now large enough. In the spring they
should have plenty of air with a somewhat cooler
temperature in the night, so as to gradually inure
them to hard usage. Where there is a house devoted
to Ferns, it generally follows that a considerable por-
tion is required for the production of fronds for
cutting. To have them in proper condition for
lasting in water without flagging, they must be
grown in a different manner to that which results
from the close moisture-laden atmosphere with
comparatively little light, which used to be looked
upon as necessary for Ferns. Everything in the
way of shading through the late autumn and winter
months should be removed, and the glass cleaned
both inside and out. Where any climbers are
grown on the roof, the knife should be freely used
to prevent their darkening the house. Air ought
to be given on mild days with no more moisture in
the atmosphere than will keep it in a genial con-
dition. A temperature of about 50° will be enough
for all excepting the Gymnogrammas and a few
others that are liable to damp if kept as cool as
this. Where Ferns are planted out, some will pos-
sibly encroach upon the others. The best way of
keeping the strongest growers in bounds is to cut
the fronds freely, and where large vases have to be
filled the fronds of Ferns that attain a considerable
size come in well for mixing with large branches of
late Chrysanthemums, forced Lilac, and other
shrubs, spikes of Calanthe vestita, and C. Veitchi,
&c. It is through the winter months when
Ferns are making little or no growth that the ob-
ject in view can be attained through cutting the
fronds. Needless to say, it is the older fronds to
which the cutting must be confined.

Hebbaceous plants foe fobctng. — Amongst
these Hoteia (Spirfea) japonica and H. astilboides
hold the first place, the flowers being suitable for use
in a cut state and the plants for mixing with other
things when in bloom , such as Ferns and ordinary fin e-
leaved plants. H. astilboides is not yet so plentiful
as the commoner variety, but many who grow it
are increasing their stock as fast as they can. A
sufficient quantity should now be potted to meet
requirements through the winter and spring.
S. palmata is very effective, the distinct col-
our of the flowers coming out well under pot
culture when the forcing is properly managed. It
requires to be brought on slowly with considerably
less heat than the white varieties will bear. If
hurried the flowers are so soft as to be of little use.
S. palmata is a much stronger grower than the
white sorts, and when good-sized clumps are used
there should be no attempt to reduce them with a
view to their going into small pots. If the roots
are much interfered with, the flowers will fail to
develop.

Dielttba spectabilis. — Success with this
plant depends much on the way in which the roots
have been grown. Where the plants have had
plenty of room in good soil, they will produce their
elegant sprays more freely than when they have
been overhung in shrubberies, where they get
starved and weakened through want of light.
Young specimens that have compact roots are alone
of use for potting — old examples that have made
long and thick fleshy roots, such as it is the nature
of this Dielytra to form when left undisturbed for
several years, being quite unsuitable. This plant
should not be forced early ; neither should it be sub-
jected to a high temperature.

Chbistmas Roses. — Nothing more than protec
tion is required to have the flowers of this plant in
good condition at the end of the year. Strong
clumps that have been well grown and undisturbed
for several years should alone be used. The plant

does not like moving, and is rarely in a condition
to bloom freely in less than two years after trans-
planting. Where seasonable flowers are wanted,
the best white-flowered varieties should be freely
used. When the flowers open under under glass
they come much finer and cleaner than they usually
are out of doors.

Solomon's Seal. — To get a sufficient number of
the elegantly arched spikes from examples that can
be accommodated in moderately sized pots, it is
essential that the plants should have been grown
in good soil in an open situation. Without this
they bloom sparingly. A sufficient stock of all the
plants named should now be potted and the pots
plunged in coal ashes in frames or cold pits,
from whence they can be put in heat as required.
Enough water should be given at the time of pot-
ting to settle the soil about them, but at no time
should it be made too wet.

Mignonette. — Great care is necessary with this
plant during the next two months. Enough
warmth must be used to keep the growth moving
slowly, 45° in the night, with a proportionate rise
in the daytime, being the requisite temperature. All
the stock should be stood as near the roof in a light
house or pit as they can be got. The earliest-sown
batch, which should be confined to one plant in a
pot, should, if not already stopped, now have their
tops pinched out. If strong, this will cause the
production of three or four shoots immediately,
and as soon as these are long enough they should
be tied out horizontally. Directly the soil is fairly
full of roots, move the plants at once into
the pots in which they are to flower. Five or,
at the most, 6-inch pots are large enough
for this system of cultivation. Pinch out the
points of the plants that have been raised from a
later sowing when they have made four or five
leaves. This younger batch should be treated in
other respects similarly to the earliest.

Coleus. — A sufficient stock of the different varie-
ties of Coleus may now be struck. The plants take
little time to grow to a useful size, and if a suffi-
cient quantity are now propagated, the old ones
may be discarded, and in this way room, which
during the winter season is always a matter of im-
portance, may be saved. The cuttings root readily
if kept close in an ordinary stove temperature. As
soon as they are well established they should be
stood in a position near the glass so as to avoid
being drawn. After a little growth has been made
the tops may be taken out and struck, and in this
way a succession of miniature examples in 3-inch
or 4-inch pots will be available either for growing
on in the spring into large specimens or for
use as small examples in the way that coloured
leaved subjects of quick growth like these come in
so useful.

Ficrs elastica vabiegata.— This is one of the
finest and most useful of the variegated plants that
look best when confined to a single stem. The
slow production of wood suitable for cuttings has
much to do with the plant remaining scarce for a
longer period after its introduction than follows in
the case of many things. Those who happen to
have a few plants that have attained a height of
several feet will do well to take the tops off now,
and put them singly into 3-inch or 4-inch pots to
strike. They will root in a moderate stove tem-
perature kept somewhat close. The plants should
be put into stove heat, where they will plump up the
latent buds at the base of the leaves before spring.
Cuttings can be then made of each joint with the
leaf attached. Treated in this way they will strike
and make top growth readUy ; whereas if cuttings
are made before the buds have had time to move, it
usually takes a long time to grow the plants on.
T. B.

THE KITCHEN' GARDEN.

Sowing Peas. — Since the more general adoption
of the system of rearing sufficient plants under
glass every spring for forming several rows on a
sheltered border, the older plan of sowing seed in
November has been discontinued in the majority
of places. There are so many enemies to the com-
paratively tender plants in the shape of birds, mice,

502

THE GAEDEN

[Nov. 29, 1890.

slugs, cold winds, and extra severe frosts, that it is
not to be wondered at if few care to take the neces
sary trouble to sow seed now and protect the plants
during the winter. Most failures occur in heavy
soils, these being much infested by slugs, but the
plan of sowing in the autumn sometimes answers
well on light warm soils, and there is no reason
why in such cases it should altogether be discon
tinued. It is usually advised that two sowings be
made— one early in November, and the other to-
wards the end of that month, but each time I
gave this plan a trial it was the latest sowing that
succeeded much the best, the earliest raised plants
usually coming to grief during the winter. A south
or south-west border answers well for this crop, the
ground being freely manured and otherwise well
prepared for the reception of the seed. As a rule,
wrinkled seed fails to germinate properly, and the
extra early round-seeded varieties — notably Wil-
liam I. — should be sown. If mice are troublesome,
moisten the seed and roll it in red-lead, and being
well coated with this, it is not often interfered with.
Sow rather thickly in drills drawn not less than 42
inches apart, and cover with 2 inches of fine light
soil.

Dwarf eaely Peas.— The best of these, parti-
cularly American Wonder, Chelsea Gem, and
William Hurst, have wrinkled seed, and are appa-
rently most liked by mice, birds, and slugs. It is a
very difficult matter to preserve rows of such tender
varieties in the open, but they frequently succeed
well in very warm corners and on narrow raised
borders at the foot of sunny garden walls. If the
latter are formed of good soil to a depth of about
C inches and 18 inches wide, there will be space for
a good row of Peas, and also for a row or two of
the early Paris Market Cabbage Lettuce, or some
other small early variety in front of it. The Lettuces
can be put out now, or plants be raised early in the
year, duly hardened off, and planted early in the
spring. Both crops will pay well for the little extra
trouble that may be taken with them. In order
to preserve early Peas generally from slugs it is
advisable to distribute newly slaked lime freely all
over the surface of the ground and to hoe among
the rows frequently. A free use of fine ashes, the
plants being quite surrounded, also protects them
from slugs. Pea guards or half -inch mesh galvanised
wire netting bent over the rows are the best pro-
tection from birds, while a bank of soil drawn up to
the most exposed side of the rows in the open will
break the force of cold winds.

Bhoad Beans. — These also transplant well from
pots and boxes, and can therefore be raised under
glass and planted out in the spring much as early
Peas are treated. Those who have neither time nor
space under glass for raising a batch early in the
spring, and are yet expected to have Beans very
early in the season, ought to sow seed now on a
warm border, the soil of which is rich and free-
working. Sow or dibble in the seeds about 3 inches
apart in rows 2 feet apart, and protect the young
plants from slugs, when they come through the
ground, with soot or ashes. The new Early Long-
pods are great improvements on the old Longpods,
while Beck's Dwarf Green Gem is superior to all
in point of quality. Well-ripened new seed of
either Beans or Peas invariably germinates the most
surely, and the plants are stronger than those raised
from old seed.

Open-aie Musheoom beds.— If these are al-
lowed to become badly saturated by rain the crops
will be much injured thereby, and in some cases
fail altogether. They must be covered with some-
thing that will keep the beds both warm and dry.
If the old covering of litter is badly saturated, this
should be carefully removed from the beds and re-
placed by a thickness of not less than 12 inches of
strawy litter fresh from the stable. A tarpaulin
covering pegged down all round would keep the
litter well together and perfectly dry, but, failing
this, the litter ought to be finished off neatly, the
thatch thus formed throwing off the rains suffi-
ciently. Old hay is not a suitable covering for
Mushroom beds, as it so soon becomes damp, musty,
and inj urious to the Mushrooms. Whenever the cover-
ing has to be removed in order to get at the Mush-

rooms, it ought to be carefully returned to its origi-
nal position and the place marked. The beds
should be exposed as little as possible, especially in
cold, windy weather.

Peepaeing foe feost. — It is to be hoped there
are now few or no Beet requiring to be stored, as a
moderately severe frost will spoil their flavour.
Fully grown Carrots are also injured by being left
in the ground, but those late sown are best left
where they are. Frosts rarely, if ever, injure them,
but if a portion of the bed is covered with litter in
anticipation of a severe frost there will be no diffi-
culty in pulling as many roots as are wanted at
any time. Nor should the final moulding up of
late Celery be any longer delayed, as a very severe
frost may be experienced at an early date. Well
round off and smooth over the ridges, this serving
to ward off heavy rains. It is advisable to store
the greater portion of the latest breadths of
Veitch's Autumn Protecting Broccoli where
they will be safe. Carefully lifted, replanted
somewhat closely in rich soil, and kept well sup-
plied with water, serviceable heads will be pro-
duced during December and the greater part of
January. Snow's Winter White also promises to
be earlier than usual, and the most forward of
these might also be lifted and stored with advan-
tage. A stock of dry strawy litter should be kept
in readiness for protective purposes generally, that
which is wet being of much less service.

W. I.

Orchids.

CATTLEYA WALKERIANA.
One of the best varieties of this plant which I
have seen for a considerable time is now flower-
ing in Mr. Howard's garden at Teddington.
This Cattleya differs from most of the other
kinds, inasmuch as the flowers are not produced
from between the leaves, as in the other kinds,
but from a short footstalk which arises from the
rhizome and near the bottom of the pseudo-
bulbs, which carry the leaves. The inflores-
cence thus becomes radical, and in this respect
it resembles that of Epidendrum Stamfordi-
anum amongst Epidendrums. C. Walkeriana
was first found by Gardner in the diamond dis-
trict of Brazil about fifty years ago. It was
named at the time 0. Walkeriana by Gardner,
and later C. bulbosa by Lindley. By this
latter name it became known in English gar-
dens, but undoubtedly the name given by
Gardner must take priority. It usually pro-
duces two large flowers on the peduncle, and
this number of blooms is open on Mr. Howard's
plant. It is an Orchid which I should always re-
commend to be grown on a block of wood or in
a basket, and it should be hung up near the
glass, and only shaded from the direct sun heat.
It enjoys a warm temperature and humid atmo-
sphere. C. nobilior, a plant introduced, I
think, a few years ago by M. Linden, of
Brussels, produces its flowers in the same man-
ner as Walkeriana, and evidently belongs to the
same section. They differ in size and in
having the column entirely enclosed by the side
lobes ; it is a beautiful plant, which I have
only seen blooming in The Woodlands collec-
tion. In C. Schnederiana, a bloom of which
is now before me, we have a beautiful Orchid of
a rich, bright rosy purple ; the lip of a different
shape to that of Walkeriana, and with the two
side lobes reduced to two ear-like appendages.
This plant was introduced by Mr. Sander, of St.
Albans, and appears to grow well in the house
with La;lia elegans, hanging up near the glass.
The only other plant I know belonging to these
short-lipped Cattleyas is C. dolosa. It, how-
ever, flowers from a terminal inflorescence, and
in this respect resembles C. Schrcederiana. I
think this is a sufficient reason for separating

them in the same manner as Lindley separated
Epidendrum Stamfordianum from its congeners.
All are plants having the same liking for strong
heat and sunlight, and all deserve more atten-
tion than has been accorded them in English
gardens. Wm. Hugh Gowek.

Lselia pumila and L. Dayana.— These are

two very elegant and free-flowering plants which
I would strongly urge all the readers of THE Gab-
den to grow. Both of them are now in good bloom
in the nurseries of Mr. Sander, of St. Albans. L.
pumila is a very superior type to that generally
seen, and the plant has a number of names, such
as Cattleya spectabilis, C. marginata, &c. I
do not believe in making a variety of the latter
name. The plant appears quite distinct, and I
agree with Professor Reichenbach in giving it a
distinctive title. It is one of the introductions of
Mr. Boxall while collecting plants in Brazil for the
Messrs. Low, of Clapton.— W. H. G.

Treatment of Bolleas and Pescatoreas.—
" C. W."asks " What are the best conditions under
which I can have good plants ? " I am under the
impression that good plants are too much thought
of in the growing of this genera. Mr. Salter, when
gardener to the late Mr. Southgate, of Streatham,
used to have some good plants of these Orchids, but
he always complained if he lost a leaf from any of
them. They were grown in a somewhat cool house
with partial shade, but, judging from Mr. Sander's
plants, it should have been cooler, for I again saw
his plants recently. They are in a lean-to house
with a northern aspect; indeed it is the house built
by Mr. Sander at the back of his seed shop in George
Street, and is in a somewhat ruinous state now, but
the plants are growing very freely. They are in pots
and hanging baskets, well drained, in rough peat
fibre and Sphagnum Moss, and they have an abund-
ance of moisture in the summer-time, but are never
allowed to become dry at anytime of the year. —
W. H. G.

SHORT NOTES.— 0RCEID8.

Cypripedium venuetum {Voider and Son). —
I can scarcely determine with any accuracy the cause
of the leaves going off in the way stated. Perhaps it
is due to bad water? I, however, should imagine
the fault is in the roots, and perhaps it is faulty d-ain-
age— W. H. G.

Sophronitis grandiflora (C. C. C.).— Avery
nice gathering containing some very fine varieties. No.
3 is not the variety known as rosea ; it is a pale grandi-
flora, and I should say not worth perpetuating. I
cannot say if No. 2 is coceinea ; it is very bright. It
is a perfect gem for brightening the houses at thi-3
time of the year, hut, forlunately, I suppose you have
no sulphureous fogs, so that they will last in bloom
for a long time— W. H. G.

Butterfly Oncidiums.— The two species O.
Papilio and 0. Krameri, which are popularly known
as Butterfly Orchids, seem to be almost quite out
of favour. They have, however, always been fa-
vourites of mine ; I am therefore very pleased to find
that they are being more sought after than hither-
to ; while the many varieties which are blooming
in various gardens prove that the fine forms even in
our older kinds of Orchids are not exhausted. Both
these species thrive best upon blocks, and in this
way their flowers are most effective. 0. Papilio en-
joys the temperature of an intermediate house, or
even an East India house, during the summer
months, but I find that 0. Krameri thrives best in
a much lower temperature. — G.

Ltelia albida. — Much has been written about
the difficulty in growing and establishing this plant,
but Mr. Sander appears to have quite overcome
this. The large plants of this have been growing
for several years, and are now simply magnificent
with their profusion of many-flowered spikes.

Cattleya O'Brieniana. — This beautiful plant
is now in great beauty at St. Albans. It is a slender-
growing species with large flowers of a soft satiny
rose; the large side lobes of the lip are reflexed, and
thus show half the column, somewhat in the same

Nov. 20, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

503

way as C. Walkeriana. It is somewhat difficult to
find a distinct species of such a popular genus, and
growers should look after this Cattleya. It does not
require great heat, and should be grown in a small
hanging basket near the light, but not in the full
sun.— W. H. G.

Flower Garden.

THE AFRICAN LILT (AGAPANTHUS) IN
TUBS.

It is now nearly 200 years since the blue African
Lily was introduced, and yet it cannot be called
a common plant, nor is it seen nearly so fre-
quently as one would suppose, judging from its
exceeding beauty. The way to have good spe-
cimens is to grow them in tubs. It roots so
freely and strongly as to burst the strongest
pots, but on no account should this lessen its
cultivation. Large pots are expensive, but tubs
are cheap and easily obtainable. For smaller
specimens 4i-gallon and 9-gallon casks cut in
two, and a few holes bored in the bottom for
drainage, do very well, but for larger specimens
petroleum or tar barrels treated in the same
way, but charred inside previous to use, will
hold specimens quite large enough for any place
or purpose, and capable of producing from
thirty to forty spikes of flower each season.
The beauty of a well-flowered specimen of this
African Lily can hardly be exaggerated, and
the accompanying illustration speaks more
forcibly than anything that could be said or
written. There is no place nor garden that
would not be improved by the addition of a few
tubs of this noble flowering plant. Beside for-
mal terrace walks at the top or foot of steps,
and even in simpler gardens it always looks
well. One of the greatest charms through-
out the autumn of a lovely Sussex garden of my
acquaintance is the splendid tubs of Agapanthus
that are placed out for the summer. Never did
the tall blue heads look finer or show to better
advantage than they did there, rising up among
and above rich masses of Tea Roses and Carna-
tions, and backed up by the soft grey Lichen-
clad walls of the house.

These plants are out of doors from April till
November, and during the other months they
are stored in a light closed shed and kept dry.
There they pass the winter in safety.

The culture of this plant is very simple,
as given a free sandy loam, well drained, abund-
ance of water in the growing season, and protec-
tion from the severest frost in winter, it is
sure to grow well and flower freely. Once a
good specimen is made up, it is not advisable
to disturb it at the root, but give stimulants
freely in the shape of liquid manure throughout
the summer, and the reward will be from ten
to forty spikes of bloom each year, according
to the size and strength and liberal treatment
of the plants. Some call this a hardy plant,
and as a matter of fact it does withstand the
winter in a few favoured southern and western
gardens, but even in these it would thrive
better and flower more freely if housed for the
winter. It will stand unharmed from 10° to 12°
of frost, and in any shed, cellar, or room where
the greater severities of weather can be kept
from it, it will be safe.

There is yet another method of growing
this Agapanthus for the adornment of the
summer garden — in beds or vases without the
aid of pots or tubs. Once secure some good
strong crowns that have nice balls of roots, and
they may be planted in vases or beds for the

summer, taken up in winter, and stored Both are pretty, but, of course, not so generally
thickly in a frame or any other convenient useful as the vigorous noble green-leaved kinds.

place. Year after year they may be treated in A. H,

this way and they will not fail to flower, whilst |

the method admits of the most extensive culti- ; NOTES ON HARDY PLANTS,

yation, by the score in small gardens and by Arnica montana.-I sometimes think this fine
the hundred m larger ones. If it is desired to flower is not knowri| or tbat either r have a better
break up large specimens for growing as above formj or possibly a wrong thing under the name I
suggested, division of an old and thickly-rooted think so, because friends who have seen it here have
specimen may be facilitated by soaking it in seemed to wonder at the free way the heads are
water for twelve hours previously, and then it borne and their superior size and colour. I be-
will be possible to detach each crown with a , lieve my plant is quite true, and that the flowers are
fair quantity of roots. After this is done each , better owing to a mode of planting. I will also
crown ought to be placed in as small a pot as ! Sive my reasons for this view. I am only too
possible i Phased to have the opportunity of saying a good

[ and just word of praise for this grand old flower
Concerning the varieties, the commonest is A. | and medicine plant. When I have been told that
umbellatus, which was introduced from the i a certain piece— my best piece — must be another
Cape in 1692. There is a form of it named variety, I have taken my friends to another plant,
maximus which is larger in all its parts than and asked if tnat were more in the style of their
the type, and a truly noble kind, worthy own> and they bave said so- Now it so happens
of good cultivation. The flower-spike of this that a11 ™7st0Tc} is exactly the same but differ-
kind crrows 4 feet hit/b and bears an enormous ently treated- : know n0 plant that better repays
Kino, grows 4 teet high .and bears an enormous kind treatment in the way of rich light soil and a
head of bloom There is a double-flowered form perfectly exposed situation. The plant must have
ol A. umbellatus which is very beautiful and sunshine, and in dull seasons the heads and foliage
long-lasting, but whether it succeeds in tubs are never so good. You may not even plant it near
in the open air I do not know ; as seen or behind other plants of its own stature without
under glass it is very good, and worth growing detracting from its capabilities. Though the heads

are borne 2 feet high, the radical

leaves surrounding the bulky crowns

_. ..,. .-^^i-r'r^w, are flat on the ground. Over one

^s^SByl M4tey*i._ patch some small Hypericums grew,

and in front of another seedlings of
English Iris came up ; in both cases
the obstructions of light were fatal
to good flowers. Seen at its best, it
reminds one of the fine Inula glan
dulosa. Of course, it is different in
foliage and otherwise, but its merits
are of a first-class order when pro-
perly grown.

Melianthus major. — Now that
the fogs and frosts have cut down
nearly all the herbaceous plants,
this is one of the comparatively few
remaining tbat commend themselves
as pleasing objects. Not oDly is this
plant untouched by the 11° of frost
experienced here, succeeded by some-
thing undoubtedly worse than the
cold (I mean the fogs) for some five
or six successive days, but since its
growth was checked, its magnificent
leaves have assumed their graceful
bend in the mid-rib, and the plant
for the greenhouse oi conservatory. Agapan- is now even more beautiful than in summer,
thus umbellatus minor is smaller in all its parts, showing, as it does, from every point portions of
with narrow leaves and elegant slender spikes the uPPer and under surfaces of its unique foliage,
of deep blue flowers. A. umbellatus Mooreanus wh7 «"™ such plants not largely grown 1 I am
1 ' . , . , ., , , , , aware this has the reputation of being tender, but

is a very dwarf kind, with narrow, rather erect when ^^ tMs ;s not the case. 'Not

leaves and heads of deep violet-blue flowers. Qnl does it show to advantage on rising ground,
It is said to be hardier than any other I but such a situation, when exposed to the full sun-
kind. These two dwarf kinds could be more ( SDine, otherwise suits it, and from the greater dry-
extensively grown in pots, as they are less ness about the roots in winter it is as safe as
liable to burst them. Of white-flowered kinds | scores of other plants whose hardiness is never
there appear to be three distinct varieties. One | questioned. There may be a little more difficulty
named A. umbellatus albidus, with full-sized ■ where no rising ground exists, or where the soil
spikes of fine white flowers, has the pecu- ' is fat and retentive, because the plant has a ten-
liarity of losing its leaves during winter, which I dency to produce its thick and succulent stems
turn yellow and die off. It appears to be a "gh* up to the period of frosts. But ev«i™d«r
. J, , •■• A 4.1 i . -. ! i such garden conditions as these the plant might be

natural characteristic, and the plant should , ° J[modated and its growth somewhat mode-
therefore, be carefully dried off for the winter. I rated in the autumn by setting the plant really
Agapanthus umbellatus candidus is a white I above the surface, and heaping about its collar
variety of the type and evergreen, but the finest . loam and stones, half and half. Should such little
kind is the form of Agapanthus umbellatus hillocks be objected to they would not be seen for
maximus, which has a tall scape and a large \ ^S, as the massive and richly cut foliage cauMB
, , , \ i i -4. a rm. if the stems to bend beautifully to the ground. What

head of the purest white flowers Those who | ™™™ more U£eful tban tne peculiar and beau-

The blue African Lily (Agapanthus umbellatus).

wish for a full and complete collection will find
in addition to the above named kinds a few
others, varying slightly in their shades of blue,
and there are also two variegated-leaved kinds,
one with silver bands and the other with golden
bands running the entire length of the leaf.

tiful pinnate foliage of this plant for dressing
tables and fruit dishes, say, either with or without
flowers of Helleborus maximus, now just in.

Erythroniums. — The present is about the
period when the dry tubers are most generally dis-
tributed by the trade and otherwise, but it is not

501

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 29, 1890.

by any means the best ; if planted two or even
three months earlier the tubers would invariably do
better the first season. This may seem a great
difference, but when properly stored, the tubers are
capable of retaining their vitality for a long time.
I have planted dry bulbs successfully in December,
but I have always thrown away such as either
showed rust or fungus, or, in other words, mouldy
spots. Tubers that have long been dry are none
the less brittle, and require careful handling. It is
by a coaxing treatment that long-kept roots are
successfully started. They should not be potted or
planted in damp soil ; even those intended for the
open border do better if planted in dryish stuff,
stood on a damp sand bed in a well-aired frame
where they will get no rain, but sufficient moisture
by capillary action. So treated, the tubers swell
healthily; whereas in damp soil they would be
pretty sure to burst and rot. With regard to the
best sorts, I imagine that were not the ordinary
varieties of E. dens-canis so common, they would be
considered the most decorative. But undoubtedly
the larger species are very beautiful, and now in
greatest favour. Giganteum and grandiflorum, also
americanum, should be planted in effective groups
on all rockeries of any pretension, and the north,
east, or west aspects would be found to suit them.
They certainly thrive in full sunshine, but when so
exposed, I think they are better for a light and
moist soO. I never plant these very deep, because
they have a tendency to work downwards year bv
year, and after a time it is advantageous to dig
tberu up in summer and replant them nearer the
surface.

Potentilla lanuginosa.— I lately saw a four
or five-year-old specimen of this exquisite little
shrub in a friend's rock garden in Essex. When all
the surroundings had been smitten by severe frosts
and _ fogs, this red-stemmed and silver-foliaged
specimen stood out conspicuous. It might have
measured 1 foot through, and of a corresponding
height. I used to grow it years ago, but in my grime-
smitten garden it never had a chance to display its
natural beauty, though even here when in flower it
was most attractive. J. Wood.

Woodville, Kirltstall.

FRITILLARIES.

The many species and varieties of this group of
bulbous plants, or at least some of them, should be
found in every garden, since most of them may be
easily grown. Their cultural requirements, if we
except that group known as the Crown Imperials,
are very simple, and such as anyone could readily
understand and adopt. The great difference cul-
turally that arises is due to the exceptional vigour
and robust character generally of all the imperialis
section, and for which deeper planting, richer soil,
and greater room for development are requisite.
Their bold showy character also fits them for the
larger herbaceous beds or borders, or even the
shrubbery, while the choicer dwarfer sorts will
be better accommodated elsewhere. All the varie-
ties of F. imperialis should be planted quite 6
inches deep, the ground having been well trenched
previously, and plenty of well-rotted manure dug
in 6 inches below the bulbs. In planting allow
plenty of room for free and full development, and
for forming a clump six bulbs will be ample for a
cluster 2 feet across, keeping five of these well to
the outer circle and one in the centre. Lift every
two years, in the early part of July, dividing and
replanting in good rich soil. Planting should al-
ways be done early in autumn if possible. It is
possible even now, however, to obtain dry bulbs,
and provided these were lifted at the right time
and properly dried off, little harm will be done;
indeed, I have kept them dry till after Christmas
when required for special purposes in pots, with
the result that they rooted with amazing rapidity
when potted, made their usual growth, and
flowered about three weeks later than those planted
four months previously. The handsome gold and
silver-leaved forms should always be, included in
.this section. Apart from these we have still some
very charming species worthy of notice and still
more worthy of cultivation, and a few remarks on

some of them may be useful, especially as the pre-
sent is still a good time for planting.

Fritillaria aurea is one of the gems of the genus,
of dwarf habit, and bears bright yellow, slightly
drooping flowers. Another charming kind is the
lovely F. Moggridgei, of somewhat taller growth,
and with flowers nearly or quite as large as those
of Meleagris ; the colour is bright yellow and
spotted with brown. The flowers of this lovely
form are bell-shaped and cylindrical, while in F.
aurea they are beautifully recurved. Another very
charming kind is F. pudica. It attains to 9 inches
or 10 inches high, having erect, somewhat leafy
stems, and golden yellow flowers either solitary or
in pairs. It is readily distinguished from others of
its tribe by its linear alternating leaves and arching
flowers. Another lovely and exquisite species is F.
recurva, which comes to us from California. This,
I think, is by far the best of all, both by reason of
its exceptional colour and the freedom with which
it produces its brilliantly coloured blossoms. It is
without doubt one of the most beautiful plants
which has ever been introduced to our gardens.
Happily, too, it is as easily accommodated as any,
growing freely in any ordinary loamy soil made
rather sandy. Another advantage of this variety
is that it will flower from very small bulbs. The
flowers are bright scarlet, freely spotted with yellow,
and beautifully recurved; large bulbs of it will pro-
duce as many as twenty of its handsome flowers.
This charming plant, though introduced twenty
years ago, is still far from common in gardens. F.
pyrenaica is an interesting and free-flowering
species with large purple flowers. F. pallidiflora
is another very distinct-flowering species, growing
1 foot or more high, and producing clusters of its
pale yellow flowers, the latter regarded individually
bearing a strong resemblance to some of the Abuti-
lons as regards outline. They are also beautifully
chequered internally. F. armena is a dainty little
species from Asia Minor with soft yellow flowers,
easily grown and readily increased, while for pro-
viding variation with freedom of flowering, perfect
hardiness, and adaptability to almost any soil, we
have none to compare with our native species, F.
Meleagris and its varieties. The flowers are borne
on slender stems nearly 2 feet high, and are large,
drooping, and bell-shaped, while in colour we find
purple, brown, white, bronze, and so forth, one and
all either mottled, striped, or splashed in the most
picturesque manner. This little group in itself
constitutes a very useful assemblage equally valu-
able for pots as for the borders or rockery ; in either
position their very quaint forms always find many
admirers.

All the above succeed in a mixture of sandy loam
and leaf-soil, and if planted 3 inches or 4 inches
deep will invariably produce good results ; the
dwarfer species should not be planted more than
half this depth, and on account of their value I
generally give them a little sandy peat with the
soil at planting, F. recurva seeming particularly at
home in such a mixture. E. J".

Cobsea scandens. — I planted one about a foot
high against my stables to cover the part of the
wall which looks towards my study window. I put
it in about the latter part of first or beginning of
second week in May. It has sent out ten branches,
each of which has grown 26 feet in height, and
it would be impossible to count the number
of flowers these branches have borne, and a large
proportion have fruited. The leaves are still beau-
tifully green, but the growth has ceased for the
past week and fruits are now dropping. I think
such growth is rare, even in a Cobsea with a south
aspect.— C. Paget Blake, M.D., R.N., Alverstolie
Vale, Petit Tor, Torquay.

Christmas Roses. — Already Helleborus niger
is throwing up flowers, and to have these at their
best they should be protected in some way, and if
they cannot be covered with glass, the best thing
to do is to cover the ground under them with
cocoa-nut fibre, short clean litter, or anything of
that kind that will keep the rain from splashing
up the soil, and so keep the blooms clean. These,

however, improve so much both in colour and ap-
pearance when they can be protected above, that
if possible a handlight should be placed over each
plant, or if there are many together, it will be
easier to lift and stand an ordinary garden frame
over the bed, or to put a few boards round and
lay over any old spare lights that are sufficiently
large. Although it is not advisable to lift and take
up plants, they make fine ornaments in pots either
for the embellishment of the greenhouse or for
rooms, in which places they last a long time in
perfection. — S. D.

LILIES AT WEYBRIDGE.

To the Editor of The Gardes.

Sir, — I send a short note on our Lilies of the
past season. The spring was very fine, followed
by a frost in the beginning of June, a long spell
of cold wet weather and a beautiful autumn.
Lilium auratum was very good ; some leaves
and flowers were spotted during the wet time,
but the later flowers were especially fine. The
variety rubro-vittatum, sometimes erroneously
called cruentum, in rather a cold quarter at
Wisley had the leaves much spotted, and I
thought the flowers would suffer, and began to
fear that this variety could not always be trusted
out of doors. On visiting the garden of rny friend,
the late Mr. Mcintosh, I found these Lilies as
beautiful as ever, so was comforted, and soon
afterwards ours bloomed with quite fine flowers.
In the garden here, where we have few places
for planting free from the roots of trees and
shrubs, I am more than ever convinced of the
desirability of securing against the drying and
impoverishing effects of them by sinking casks
with the bottoms out a little below the surface
of the ground, filling them up with Lily soil
and planting the bulbs in them. We have
some good evidence of the advantage of this in
two casks sidebyside, which were filled with bulbs
of L. a. macranthurn of the same size. The plants
in the one which have been protected against
roots for two years are much stronger and
finer than those in the other cask, which suffered
one year from tree roots before they had the
benefit of a cask. We had a number of L. a.
rubro-vittatum in pots in the conservatory ;
these had grand flowers, though, as in the case
of out-of-door plants, the fine crimson colour
before niany days turns to the dull claret.

L. speciosum in the different varieties was a
good deal cut in the early season, but was
especially fine later. Our finest were in a sunk
cask in this garden, where they were in full
beauty till quite the end of October. Others
were nearly as fine in a new and perfectly diffe-
rent situation, planted on a miniature mountain
of loam. These grew facing east in full ex-
posure, some about 8 feet, others 10 feet high,
showed no spot on their leaves, and had very
fine flowers.

L. giganteum made a great show. A bed of
seedlings had twenty-three stems all about the
same height, between 7 feet and 8 feet. Others
planted with trees as a background had a very
good effect.

L. cordifolium in a shaded part of the wood
flowered well, but the colour was not so good as
when in more open places.

L. superbum is always thoroughly happy at
Oakwood, and gets finer and finer every year.
Our tallest plant was 10 feet 4 inches, but
plants of all heights flower with much variety in
the colouring. I have this year tried an experi-
ment with these Lilies, of which, with your per-
mission, I will report the result hereafter,
planting single bulbs at intervals in the shallow
winding ditches by which our wood garden is

Nov. 29, 1890/

THE GARDEN.

505

drained. If they thrive, as I think they will,
the effect should be good.

L. Browni was fine, but not equal to last year.
I do not think it liked the early cold. L. par-
dalinum, L. californicum, and some L. Hum-
boldti were very good, but some of these last
went off.

I have nothing worthy of a note as to the
other species of Lilies. My old and valued friend
the late Mr. Mcintosh, of Duneevan, was for
a considerable time the most successful culti-
vator of L. auratum in this country. The Lilies
grown among his choice Rhododendrons were
models of cultivation, and proved that under
favourable circumstances the bulbs would con-
tinue to flower for many years without any
falling off in vigour.

George F. Wilson.

GARDEN LILIES.
The complaint made on page 479 of the ravages of
spot amongst Lilies makes me recommend those
who suffer in this way to try remedies, or rather
preventives. This garden, where the soil is cold
and the summer deficient in sunshine, has always
been especially liable to all kinds of plant mildews.
The Lily mildew known as Polyactis or Botrytis was
first described by the late Mr. Berkeley from spe-
cimens which I sent out of this garden, and I have
long ceased to attempt the cultivation of L. aura-
tum, which I found especially liable to be destroyed
by this disease. The hardier and more robust the
kinds, the less liable I have found them to be at-
tacked by mildew. L. giganteum, which I have
cultivated ever since its introduction, and of which
I had fourteen flowering bulbs this year, seems
proof against disease, and has never shown any
suspicion of it. The kinds mentioned by Mr. Camm
— L. neilgherrense and L. Wallichianum — are very
difficult to grow. I have never succeeded with them
here, even in the greenhouse, the summer being too
short to mature the flower- buds, and the bulbs soon
losing all recognition of times and seasons. The year
1890 has been notorious for mildew. A blast came
about the middle of April, which seemed to produce
mildew not only on the young growth of Lilies, but
also on Daffodils and Tulips, on which I never saw
it before. I have found very good results with
commoner Lilies as well as with Roses by the use
of sulphate of copper as a preventive. Its good
effects have been thoroughly proved in the Bor-
deaux district as a preventive of Vine mildew, and
I use it in the same way as it is used there. Three
pounds of sulphate of copper, which costs whole-
sale less than 3d. a pound, are dissolved in water,
and two pounds of quicklime, separately. These
solutions are then mixed together in ten gallons of
water, and splashed upon the young growth, to
which it does no harm. I have found this also
very useful for the cure of the mildew (Perono-
spora ficarije), which has proved here so destructive
to the large variety of Christmas Roses. Another
remedy recommended for mildew is to dress the
surface of the ground in early spring before growth
commences with finely powdered sulphate of iron.
One pound is sufficient to mix in a wheelbarrow
load of soil, and will dress a large surface. I have
seen this treatment recommended in the Kew
Bulletin to prevent Potato blight. I have used it
for Lilies, and it seems successful, but I should
like to hear the experience of others about it.
Edge Sail, Malpas. C. Wolley Dod.

Herbaceous borders. — In a general way these
get but little attention beyond the usual trimming
and cleaning, but there are few plants that pay
better for a general overhauling at this season, as
when left for any length of time to themselves
they become large, weak, straggling masses ex-
hausting the ground, the flowers they send up being
meagre and poor. To remedy this, the way is, at
the end of every few years, to take all up and
deeply dig, or, better still, trench the borders. In
trenching the ground any rotten manure that is
"used ought to be kept well down, so as not to come

in contact with or near the roots of the plants when
placed again in the borders. The general mode of
arrangement has been to have a regular mixture,
but that affords no contrast, and a much better
effect is produced by having bold masses of one
kind together and others of a different colour and
distinct character near, dividing these now and
then with subjects that are handsome in foliage, or
leaving spaces for planting the same. These may be
filled in by-and-by with Ricinus, Cannas, Maize, or
things of that sort, and at the back of the bor-
ders all tall-growing plants, such as Helianthuses,
Harpaliums, Delphiniums, and others of that class
should be placed. In the foreground of these,
Phloxes, Peonies, Tritonias, Doronicums and such
like may be arranged, and room left between them
for biennials, spring and summer flowering plants,
Lilies, or other bulbous-rooted subjects, which
last may have the ground covered, or partly so,
with some of the best annuals, so as to give a
sort of setting or base for their stems. In the
planting of Lilies it is always advisable to sur-
round the bulbs with sharp sand or sandy soil,
such as the scrapings from roads, as sand or mate-
rial of that kind keeps the bulbs sound by pre-
venting attacks from worms or other insects, and
also helps to drain water away out of the scales.
L. auratum specially needs this treatment, and if
it were afforded, plants would live and flourish that
only dwindle without it. Lilium candidum, if
treated in this way, will also succeed and be free
from disease. In cottage gardens where the soil is
light, the last named Lily is often seen very strong
and fine, and a beautiful object it is when in bloom.
— S. D.

Rose Garden.

WHITE TEA ROSES.
The list of white Tea Roses, even with the help
of several disputable admissions sanctioned by
" A. H." (pp. 467-68), is rather limited, and Niphe-
tos still easily holds its own at the top of the list.
Growth, foliage, buds, blooms are as near perfec-
tion as may be under glass. True, a few hold the
bud too long, the full-grown blooms too large, and
they are of little value for modern button-holes — as
indeed are nearly all other Roses -either in bud or
blossom. Tuberoses, Tabernsemontanas, Gardenias,
Violets, Stepnanotises, and Orchids threaten to expel
most other flowers from button-holes. But the cry
for white Roses will surely return, and before that
time arrives a smaller, more graceful Niphetos, or
its equivalent, may possibly have been found.

Even now few Roses yield a richer variety of
size of buds and bloom than this pure white Rose.
It also does best under glass, and flowers profusely
in a cool house twice or thrice a year, with many
stray blooms at intervals. In the open air, too, on
sheltered walls and in warm nooks and corners, Ni-
phetos proves invaluable. It is not perfectly hardy,
but will stand most of our winters with the usual
treatment given to the majority of our Teas.
With a glass house, roof, or wall devoted to
this fine Rose, and a score or so of plants
out of doors in separate and widely differing
sites and aspects, the rosarian need seldom be
long without a supply throughout the year. Beau-
tiful as the Niphetos is indoors, many of the finest
blooms will be cut from the open air. The ma-
jority will probably be white as alabaster, but
every now and again a few of the outer petals will
be edged with the most exquisite pink changing
into crimson, which by contrast fills Niphetos with
a more spotless purity. One is just a little sur-
prised to find Devoniensis among the white Teas.
Its fragrance is distinct, but its colour is hardly
white. In the open air one of the chief
charms of this most delightfully fragrant Rose is
the indescribably delicate pinky tinge of its buds.
By the time Devoniensis reaches the creamy white
stage of colour and size, it is a most exquisite Rcse
or bud spoilt.

Devoniensis seldom proves a success under glass.
One occasionally meets with it in tolerably good
condition, but neither in numbers nor in quality
such as the exquisite fragrance and beauty in

bud would warrant us to expect. The fact is that
under glass it is not a free bloomer, and if this is
true of the normal type, it is even more so of the
Climbing Devoniensis. I have never, in fact, seen
the latter satisfactory under glass, the yield of
bloom being always under glass in the inverse ratio
to the strength of its growth. Out of doors, as
" A. H." shows, the climbing variety occasionally
blooms profusely. As a rule, however, the normal
type is by far the best, though I have had a plant
on a tall chimney smothered with bloom for a good
many years. The fate of this profuse-blooming
plant was almost tragical in the end. The chimney
caught fire and burnt it up, and neither before nor
since have I had the Climbing Devoniensis either
under glass or outside on walls, as a bush or a stan-
dard bloom half so freely as the common sort.
The normal Niphetos, unless in houses or on walls of
the loftiest dimensions, is likewise far superior to
the climbing variety.

The Bride has hitherto disappointed me in its
growth. If, however, it is really a sport from
Catherine Mermet, my plants seem to have lost
much of the natural vigour inherent in that fine
variety through the process of blanching the deli-
cate flesh colour out of Catherine Mermet in con-
verting her into The Bride. Justice, however, com-
pels me to add that I have heard of The Bride
growing like a weed in some favoured spots. A
true white Catherine Mermet ought to prove one
of the most valuable of all Roses, either in or
out of doors. Fortunately, several others of these
delicately coloured , soft rose-shaded varieties have
taken to sport to white, as the pure white Sou-
venir de S. A. Prince from Souvenir d'un Ami. It is
hoped that the pure white Queen, a sport from the
same source, is different from this, though I have
not yet had the opportunity of growing the two to-
gether. Perle des Jardins has likewise broken into
a White Perle, and that charming Rose Lady Mary
Fitzwilliam into a White Lady. The latter origi-
nated in the nurseries at Waltham Cross, and if
equal in merit to most of the Roses that hail from
thence or to the original Lady Mary Fitzwilliam, it
will run the Niphetos very hard.

There is still, however, room enough and to spare
for all the white Teas we are likely to have, either
through sports or from seeds for many years to
come, for while we have an abundance of pink,
salmon, rose, creamy-white, and yellow Teas, only
the orange Mare'chal Niel and the white can com-
mand and hold their own in our markets.

A pure white, not a French or fleshy white Homere
would prove invaluable to the decorator or bou-
quetist, and add immeasurably to the chasteness
and purity of our dwellings, gardens, and walls.
Few facts could more powerfully demonstrate ihe
need of more white Teas than that " A. H." had to
press into his list such fine albeit not white Roses
as the following: The Hon. Edith Gifford, Innocente
Pirola, Rubens, Souvenir d'Elise Vardon, Mme.
Hippolyte Jamain, Mme. Bravy, Mme. Willermoz,
and Souvenir de Paul Neron. D. T. F.

Rose Mme. I. Pereire. — I have such a high
opinion of this Rose, I cannot refrain from speaking
a word in its favour, seeing that Mr. Girdlestone
says it probably will soon be discarded. I do not
find it coarse in colour here, but of a fiery rose,
which is most effective for decoration in masses. I
know no Rose which has a better effect by candle-
light, and when a deep rose colour is required to
decorate the dining-room table I always choose it,
and it has been very much admired. It is also
very highly perfumed, and lasts a long time in water
without losing its colour. Of its vigorous habit
and free-blooming qualities I do not speak, as they
are admitted by Mr. Girdlestone.— E. A. L., Thorn-
ham Cottage, King's Lynn.

Tomato sauce. — A good deal has lately been
written about Tomatoes, which are now so well and
largely grown, that little further need be said in
their favour. When large quantities are grown in
late cold houses or upon open walls, there is sure
to be a large quantity of small or indifferently

506

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 29, 1890.

ripened fruit at the end of the season that will
hardly pay for sending to market. I see that
j'W. N." (p. 492) gives a good recipe for convert-
ing the green fruits into a hot pickle, and doubtless
this would prove a very profitable way of disposing
of them, but I would like to supplement this by an
excellent recipe for converting all the ripe ones
into sauce. In this way I find the small inferior
fiuit yields just as good a return as the finest. The
price is seldom very high at the end of the autumn,
but this season there has been nothing to complain
of on the score of price, the only difficulty being to
get enough really good well-coloured fruit to sup-
ply the demand. The weather this year was very
unfavourable for Tomatoes out of doors, sunless
skies and heavy rains being the rule in summer,
but in autumn we had unusually fine weather, and
the late Tomatoes that were cut off the plants in
large bunches and hung up in vineries to ripen
coloured better than usual. Still there was a rather
large proportion of only half-grown fruits, and
these have lately been made into sauce by the
following method: Cut the Tomatoes into slices,
placing them into a stewing-pan, putting no water
to them, as over a gentle fire enough juice will be
produced to form pulp ; after they have stewed for
an hour strain through a colander, working the
pulp through with a wooden spoon. To one gallon
oe pulp add one quart of vinegar, quarter of a pound
of shallots, quarter of a pound of garlic, half a
pound of onions, half an ounce of cayenne pepper,
with salt to taste. Then stew gently for three
hours, strain through a colander to remove any hard
pieces, and bottle as soon as cold in close-stop-
pered sauce bottles.— J. (J., Hants.

Ferns.

BLADDER FERNS.

(CYSTOPTERIS.)

This is a small genus of Ferns most of the kinds
of which are found in the British Islands. All
are pretty and delicate plants, losing their
fronds in winter and becoming deciduous. They
are excellent for the outdoor fernery, shady
spots being selected for them, and these should
be well drained. The spot chosen should be
good loam (not clay), peat, and leaf-mould, and
some broken limestone. The delicacy and ex-
quisite green colour of their fronds render these
especially suitable for lady Fern growers. I
have heard it frequently expressed, however,
by some growers that "the worst feature with
Cystopteris is that they so soon die off ; " and
this is somewhat true, inasmuch as the fronds
are very apt to turn brown soon after they at-
tain maturity, but they make fresh ones. The
discoloured fronds should be carefully removed
from time to time. The following are all ele-
gant plants well deserving the attention of Fern
growers : —

Mountain Bladder Feen (C. montana).—
This is the plant sent me from Scotland, and it is
a very pretty specimen, having much the general ap-
pearance of Cheilanthes viscosa with deltoid fronds,
thin in texture, finely cut and light green in colour!
It is nice to know we have this species amongst us
as a native, but it is very rare. It is more plentiful
in Norway, and I have a series of specimens ga-
thered on a mountain-side there much larger and
more robust than those from Scotland. It is also
found on the Eocky Mountains in North America,
and may be grown in the open fernery in a shady
sheltered situation or in pots, its creeping rhizome
spreading freely, but care must be taken that per-
fect drainage is maintained.

Alpine Bladder Fern (C. alpina), sometimes
called C. regia, is another beautiful plant, and it is
said to be extinct as a native. In the specimens
now before me the fronds are G inches high, but
sometimes they exceed this. The pinna} are finely
divided. I have grown two varieties, the one
called rhetica, which appears to be more free

and less finely divided than the typical plant, and
the other called intermedia, but these plants really
always appeared to me like forms of another species,
C. fragilis, than of C. alpina. It is found in various
parts of Europe in the mountain regions, but I can-
not name a place in our own land where it can now
be found wild.

C. fragilis. — This species I recommend all my
readers to cultivate ; it requires much attention in
the open-air fernery, as from its fragile nature it is
soon broken down by the wind ; hence it affords
more satisfaction when grown under glass. Treated
in this manner, it should be planted amongst pieces
of sandstone or limestone rocks, and drained
thoroughly. The water supply must be abundant,
and the plant needs careful shading from the sun.
I used to have it in fine condition some years ago in the
woods of the Earl of Ellesmere's estate at Hatchford
Park, but I have never seen it well done in the open
since. I have fronds now before me from this
place some 7 inches and 8 inches long and upwards
of 3 inches broad, and some from the Breadalbane
range of hills in Scotland about the same size,
whilst the specimens in the last named series have
forked fronds. I have also specimens from Lucerne,
in Switzerland, measuring nearly 1 foot in length
and 3 inches in breadth ; it is a most elegant plant
with ovate-lanceolate fronds, which are tripinna-
tifid ; segments finely cut and rich green in colour.
It seems to be widely distributed, and to have pro-
duced more varieties than any other species. The
most conspicuous are Dickieana, which is dwarfer
in growth, with the pinnae more closely set ; it
makes a very compact little specimen, and grows
wild in Scotland. I have seen a variety with the
fronds crested, but I cannot say that I have ever
seen this pretty. It is called cristata cynapifolium,
and has the pinna? widely set and narrow. Angus-
tata is remarkable for its narrow fronds, and sem-
pervirens is said to be a variety of this species. I
have never seen it from a locality in these islands,
but have got it from Madeira. It is much the
same as the typical plant, more leafy from the
closer affinity of the pinnse, and being evergreen,
as its name implies, is very pretty.

C. Douglasi comes from the Sandwich Islands ;
the fronds are 6 inches or 9 inches long, the pinna?
nearly sessile and much less divided, somewhat
firm in texture, and rich green in colour. I see that
Baker classes this plant with fragilis, but it seems to
me distinct ; at any rate, distinct for a garden spe-
cimen.

C. tasmanica is also made by Baker synonymous
with C. fragilis, but yet it is distinct as a garden
plant, its fronds being delicate in texture, some
G inches high, the pinna? being only slightly lobed.
It comes from Van Bieman's Land.

C. bdlbifera is a fine species for the hardy
fernery, producing fronds from 1 foot to 18 inches
long and some 4 inches wide ; the pinnules are
closely set and the segments deeply lobed. It
is distinguished by the little bulbils which it
forms on the under side near the apex, and which
will eventually produce young plants, and from
this it obtains its name. It comes from North
America and Canada, and is quite hardy, in this
country.

C. tenuis.— This is another North American
plant, and one which I have not seen growing
for some years. This Fern is quite hardy, and
forms an elegant front row specimen in the open-
air fernery. It is quite distinct from bulbifera,
having upright fronds, which are about 10 inches
or 1 foot long, ovate-lanceolate in shape, and
finely divided, the colour being deep green.
This Fern, like so many North American kinds,
requires to be grown in the shade, so that it does
not start into growth too early in the spring, and
thus get cut off with late spring frosts.

W. H. Gower.

Filmy Ferns at Messrs. Backhouse's

Nurseries, York.— A few days ago I had the privi-
lege of inspecting this well-known selection of Filmy
Ferns, and was never more struck with their pecu-
liar beauties than on this occasion. Grown as they

are under such natural conditions with that hu-
midity of the atmosphere so congenial to their
well-being, they are, indeed, a most attractive sight
and one long to be remembered. In what is termed
the " private " fernery, the Trichomanes are luxu-
riating upon the huge masses of sandstone, which
being, no doubt, fully charged with moisture are
well suited to their requirements. There are large
masses of T. radicans in rude health. Other forms
of this Fern are represented in the best condition,
t he Welsh form (T. r. cambricum) being very distinct.
Growing in this cool fernery are also some of the
Adiantums, which one would hardly think possible
in an atmosphere so heavily charged with moisture.
A. sulphureum is growing in one spot very well
(this being a rather difficult variety to manage at
times), so also is A. pubescens, which under these
conditions is of a pale green colour, somewhat re-
sembling A. pedatum, which is itself a lovely variety
for the cool fernery. These Adiantums when grown
under such conditions assume a deciduous charac-
ter during the winter months. Other houses are
filled with " Filmies," amongst which I noted a
very fine mass of T. reniforme in the best possible
condition. Several rare varieties are also to be
seen here, some of which are quite distinct in cha-
racter. The system adopted for cultivating many
of the scandent species is a commendable one, por-
tions of the stems of Tree Ferns being chosen for
this purpose, holding as they do a good amount of
moisture. In this way, too, those of small growth
are displayed to much better advantage. At one
end of the large fernery there are several fine plants
of Todea superba which appear to be planted out ;
these are growing well under the spreading fronds
of a fine specimen of Cyathea dealbata (the Silver
Tree Fern). Seedlings of this Todea are springing
up around each specimen upon the soil, and give
promise of a good supply of young plants.— H.

Garden Flora,

PLATE 781.

THE SWAMP LILY.

(lilium superbum.*)
This Lily has been the subject of two coloured
plates in The Garden, yet the points of diffe-
rence between the forms figured are so marked
that it is a matter for both surprise and con-
gratulation that we have not a long list of varie-
ties of this beautiful and variable Lily. Some
species are thus split up to an almost unlimited
extent, and the result is so confusing that any
attempt to unravel it ends in failure. For in-
stance, who can point out the difference between
the following varieties of Lilium longiflorum
— Harrisi, floribundum, Wilsoni, eximium,
grandirlorum, and others 1 Certainly one indi-
vidual flower might in any particular season be
pointed out as this variety, and another as that,
but if all the varieties be grown together for a
season or two, the various points of difference
will vanish. An instance of this is supplied by
the Bermuda Lily (Harrisi), which when first
attention was directed to it was by many
spoken of as entitled to specific rank, one pro-
minent reason for this being the time of the
year at which it flowered. Such ideas are now
proved to be quite erroneous, as planted out in
this country it blooms at just the same time as
the others. Certainly Harrisi is a much supe-
rior form to the ordinary L. longiflorum, such
as is grown by the Dutch, but some of those
imported from Japan are exactly like it.

The only recognised variety of L. superbum
that I can find mention of is one figured some years
ago in the Flore dcs Sevres, under the name of

* Drawn for The Garden at Gravetye Manor,
Sussex, August 15, 1890, by H. G. Moon. Litho-
graphed and printed by Guillaume Severeyns.

THE SWAM? LILY ( L SUPERB UM )

Nov. 29, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

507

L. superbum pyramidale. This name, however,
might be truthfully applied to all or nearly all
of the more vigorous specimens, as the elegantly
reflexed blooms are arranged in an almost per-
fect pyramid. In colour the flowers of the
Swamp Lily vary from a pale yellowish tint to
that depicted on the accompanying plate, which
represents the richest coloured form in cultiva-
tion. The number and arrangement of the
spots, too, show an equal amount of difference,
some flowers being far more densely spotted
than in the illustration here given. Dr. Wal-
lace, in the "Notes on Lilies," gives the height
of L. superbum as 4 feet to 6 feet, but at Kew
during the present year some of the stems ex-
ceeded that height by a couple of feet, and
that, too, not because they were at all shaded
by neighbouring trees, as the plants are
situated quite in the open. There are two
beds of the Swamp Lily at Kew, and last
August they were the admiration of every-
one, as in many cases the spikes were nearly as
thick as a broom-handle, and carried a large
pyramid of flowers. While some reached a
height of 8 feet, or thereabouts, many of the
shorter ones bore flowers equally fine with them.

Carolina, its nearest ally being L. canadense,
also from the same region. The bulbs of these
two greatly resemble each other. The Swamp
Lily is at its best during the latter part of July
and the first half of August.

Culture. — As might be supposed from its
popular name and published habitats, this
Lily needs a soil at least fairly moist, while,
judging by my own experience, the consistency
of the soil does not appear to be of great im-
portance, as I have seen it thrive equally well
in a heavy loam and in a compost consisting
principally of peat. Succeeding as it does under
such diverse conditions, a place for this Lily
might be found in many gardens, as it is un-
doubtedly among the more select members of
this beautiful genus. H. P.

Chrysanthemums.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS AND THEIR
CULTURE.

Now-a-days it seems to me that there is a
good deal of nonsense and unnecessary abuse

mmw
' ft

Bulbs of the Swamp Lily (Lilium superbum)

In its native state this Lily is said to grow on
the outskirts of damp woods and in the neigh-
bourhood of streams, so that moisture is essen-
tial to its well-doing ; but, at the same time,
the soil needs to be drained. The beds at Kew
in which this Lily did so well are situated at
the back of the Palm house, where the
soil is at all times fairly moist. A group
of North American Lilies is distinguished by
their peculiar rhizomatous bulbs, and in
L. superbum this character is very pro-
nounced. When established this Lily will push
out a rhizome to an extent of perhaps 0 inches
from the old bulb, and on the point of this
rhizome another bulb will be formed, which in
its turn will search for new quarters. While
the connection between the old bulb and the
new is usually totally devoid of scales, occa-
sionally it is studded with small bulbs through-
out its entire length. The leaves of this Lily
are very sharp-pointed and arranged in regular
whorls around the stem, a considerable space
generally ex'sting between each whorl. L. su-
perbum is found from Canada to Georgia and

lavished on the practice of growing the large
blooms which so splendidly adorn the tables
at many a Chrysanthemum show. True it is
they win the prizes, while their detractors do
not, and are obliged to return homo and con-
sole themselves over the thinness and weedi-
ness of their own blooms by saying : " Well,
these little sprays are the best for cut bloom."
But, then, are we to starve these grand varie-
ties we have just admired till they give us
blooms that are but a shadow of what they
ean be 1 A thousand times, no ! And is it
true after all that the little flowers are always
best for cutting 1 Eor my part, I think not.

A big bowl with six or eight huge Pawny-
sized blooms, well arranged with their own
foliage and other suitable green, is, I contend,
even more effective and lasting (a point to be
considered) than the most elegant and artistic-
ally arranged posy of small flowers. It is
not that I do not consider each good in their

way, but I protest against the slight cast on
the first, which satisfies both the gardening
as well as the artistic sense.

Before going any further, I must confess
that individually I have little admiration for
the incurved section as large blooms. It must
be owned they are too prim and stiff when cut,
and when growing they hang their heads dis-
consolately, unless tied up to their very chins.
Moreover, they require more care to "finish"
their blooms perfectly, and a day or two of
damp will generally uncurl their closely en-
folded petals and thus spoil their special cha-
racter. It is amusing to find how universal
the legend is that these model blooms owe
their perfection to the tweezers and art of the
dresser rather than to the skill of the culti-
vator, as if Nature could not and does not
work more wonders than any man's fingers
can achieve, be they never so nimble ! Hav-
ing said thus much, it must be allowed that
the greater number of Chrysanthemum
growers grow them for their own pleasure
and profit, and not for the sake of showing.
These folk come to a Chrysanthemum show,
and after admiring the grand blooms dis-
played on tables come home, and are told by
their gardener, " These blooms are all grown
on the single stem ? ystem ; surely you would
not like to see yours with long bare stems
crowned by a mop you cannot reach up to
see 1 " He knows very well that big blooms
mean high culture, and that means more
trouble. Small blame to him. And so the old
prejudice is revived.

Happily, there is a remedy for this, for the
last year or two a most important discovery
has been made public, which will, I hope, in
a few years revolutionise country gardeners'
practice and reconcile them even to big
blooms. I speak of the system of " cut-
backs " and June cuttings.

It has been found, and cannot be too
widely known, that if cuttings are taken early
(now if possible) and grown on strongly, they
may in June be cut down to within a few
inches of the soil, and if two or three shoots
are allowed to grow from this stump, they
will produce flowers, when properly dis-
budded, as fine in quality, though not quite
as big as if the plant had been allowed to
grow unchecked. These shoots will be very
much dwarfer by this treatment, and thus
you obtain plants of moderate height suitable
for massing as weli as for individual cut
bloom, with a minimum of staking and tying
out. Moreover, the tops of these plants that
have been decapitated in June should all be
carefully struck, for they make the prettiest
little dwarf plants imaginable, suitable for
plant stands or for the front row in a house
without any further special treatment. That
fine old Japanese variety Mme. Clemence
Audiguier, so well known for its beauty and
its inordinate legginess, is one of those most
amenable to this treatment, and if several of
these June-struck cuttings be placed in a pot
of fair size, the unusual effect of a dwarf plant
of this variety may now be enjoyed.

What would be very interesting would be

508

THE GABDEK

[Nov. 29, 1890.

to read a list made out by someone who
could speak with authority, giving us the
names of —

1. Those that require the single stem sys-
tem to develop their fullest beauty.

2. Those that will succeed under the cut-
back system, and yet when disbudded give
us blooms of high quality.

•3. Those that are especially suited for de-
corative purposes, whether cut back or no.

As an instance, I would from my limited ex-
perience say that Boule d'Or, Belle Paule, Ralph
Brocklebank, E. Molyneux, Grandiflorum,
Spirale, C. de Germiny, and no doubt many
others are only worth growing on the single
stem system (No. 1). Under No. 2 would
come the great bulk of the finest varieties re-
presenting all those that should be the most
generally grown, for I take it there are only a
few sorts that will not bear cutting back.

For No. 3, the decorative section proper, I
cannot refrain from mentioning a few favour-
ites, perhaps not very generally grown, which
when cut back in June and afterwards allowed
to grow freely will flower down to the very
pot's edge, and need no disbudding at all.
Fleur des Bois, Tokio, red ; Daimio, Beaute
des Jardins, bright purple ; Mons. Hoste, light
clear rose ; Phoebus, E. G. Henderson, yellow.
There is no white Japanese that I know spe-
cially good for this purpose, unless it be Mile.
Lacroix, but it is not quite so dwarf as those
I have mentioned. Avalanche loses much of
its beauty when not disbudded. In its colour
there is nothing so good as Source d'Or. L'Or
du Rhin is next best, but a bad second.
Of newer varieties, Sunflower, Edouard Audi-
guicr, and, most especially, Etoile de Lyon
are excellent for this treatment. I think all
ihose who abuse Etoile de Lyon for its coarse-
ness and washiness on the exhibition table
will be charmed with it as a dwarf " cut-back."
It is, moreover, then, very late, and so pro-
mises to be a most useful variety, which will,
I hope, give us more of these bold dwarf kinds
we all seek for. E. H. W.

logue of the National Chrysanthemum Society it is
classed with the Japanese incurved, represented
among others by such well-known kinds as Boule
d'Or, Cornte de Germiny, Edwin Molyneux, Mme.
Clemence Audiguier, M. Freeman, Mrs. H. Cannell,
Stanstead White, and several more. Though it may
differ a good deal from some of them, this section is
certainly the proper place for Ada Spaulding, as it
is not compact enough to be included with the true
incurved, or Chinese varieties, as they were at one
time called.— H. P.

Pompon Chrysanthemums The rage for

big blooms seems to have extended to these beauti-
ful little flowers, and is likely to increase, for I no-
ticed at the recent exhibition of the National Chry-
santhemum Society, the first prize was awarded to
flowers so large that they were wanting alto-
gether in the beauty which is to be found in
the pompon Chrysanthemum when grown naturally.
No disbudding of any kind should be performed o*n
pompon Chrysanthemums, as the profusion of their
symmetrical little blooms is one of their greatest
charms. Chrysanthemums of this section are at
the present day but little grown, and I am assured
by some of the leading growers of them that the de-
mand for pompons (exclusive of early-flowering
kinds) is very limited, though as bushes for green-
house decoration they are exceedingly pretty. —
Alpha.

Chrysanthemum Ada Spaulding. — The

opinions of American and English cultivators seem
to be somewhat at variance with regard to the dif-
ferent sections of Chrysanthemums, as this variety
which was sent from America with a very high re-
putation, and distributed here last spring, as a great
acquisition to the incurved varieties (wit(i in some
cases an accompanying woodcut representing a per-
fectly globular incurved flower), has turned out to
be quite a different bloom. In the centenary cata-

SPOILING THE CHRYSANTHEMUM.
The Chrysanthemum was never more popular than
it is at the present time, and probably no other
flower, not even excepting the Rose, is so exten-
sively cultivated. The sole aim of the majority of
cultivators is to produce big flowers for exhibition,
as beyond this they have little decorative value, the
blooms upon the plants being few, whilst in a cut
state they are lumpy and comparatively useless.
Nearly all that is said and written concerning this
flower is from an exhibition point of view. The pro-
test of "R."in The Gaeden of Nov. 15 is very
opportune. The admirable article upon Chrysan-
themums at Brighton gives a truthful idea of the
sort of Chrysanthemum blooms required, and the
comparative uselessness of big flowers is manifest,
apart altogether from the expense requisite for this
method of culture. The Chrysanthemums that are
wanted for personal or home decoration are the
many-flowered sprays, and not one in a hundred
thinks of using the big blooms. At the recent
Ipswich show there were the orthodox boxes of
big blooms, but in the classes for vases, epergnes,
or baskets of Chrysanthemums with their own or
other foliage, there were some charming arrange-
ments made up of light many-flowered sprays of
chiefly Japanese kinds. These arrangements with-
out a doubt indicate the method adopted for de-
corating vases in the house, yet owing entirely to
false ideas and an inordinate love for mere size,
every show consists of big blooms, while the plants
that make up the groups also have a few large
blooms, and they are lumped together without any
attempt at artistic arrangement, whilst individually
they show none of the beauty and free gracefulness
that even plants in pots may have provided they
are grown more naturally and disbudded consider-
ably less, if at all. Any Chrysanthemum is equally
as beautiful grown and flowered in this way, and
why should it not be shown in the form of several
flowered and non-disbudded sprays or clusters ? It is
the fashion to grow the Chrysanthemum and show it
after the present deplorable manner, but there are
many who are tired of this monotonous system, and
would welcome a change. Any change must surely
be for the better. Sooner or later these big blooms
will satiate, the system of culture will be wholly or
in part discarded, and there will be a strong reac-
tion towards more natural and beautiful methods
of culture. It is said we want more good open-air
kinds, but even these great show kinds 'may be
grown in the open air at a tithe of the cost and
labour and trouble involved in the present system
if cut flowers alone and in quantity are desired. I
tried this season for experiment and my own grati-
fication plants of different kinds in pots and in the
open ground. All have done satisfactorily, but
those that were planted out gave no trouble beyond
staking once. They were lifted in October, and,
on the whole, the flowers are much superior to
those from plants grown in pots. Where cut
flowers are wanted in great quantity in public
or private establishments there is nobetterplan than
planting them out and lifting them. It is certainly
a cheap way of obtaining them. Few plants can
be lifted so easily, and yet flower so freely as Chry-
santhemums, even though the buds are formed and
on the point of expanding. With these notes I
send you some sprays of Chrysanthemums to show
their value when allowed to grow naturally and
without any disbudding. — A. H.

Referring to " R.'s " notes in TnE Gaeden

of the 15th inst. on this subject, I should like to
say a few words on the growing ar.d exhibiting of
large blooms. Taking the incurved section first, it

appears that " R." would wish It to go out of
cultivation altogether, and at the same rime he
deprecates the use of tweezers and all dressing of
blooms. I am strongly of opinion that the incurved
section would be much less grown if it were not for
the best prizes at shows being givenfor mixed stands,
and personally I should be glad if they were done
away with and all classes were for distinct sections.
But I am against " R." and all others who object to
incurved blooms being dressed. To my mind a
rough undressed incurved bloom is a sorry sight,
and I am strongly in favour of their being made as
perfect as possible. The Japanese flowers require
little or no dressing if they are properly grown, and
I know of two winning stands at the late centen-
ary show where none of 72 blooms were in any
way touched, beyond removing a few damp petals,
and this was done more to prevent the damp spread-
ing than for any other reason. As regards big
Japanese blooms, no doubt for drawing-room decora-
tion there are some varieties which when grown
naturally are more useful than large blooms, though
perhaps "R." would be surprised at what can be
done by a skilful hand even with big blooms. But
what would " R." do with a large number of splendid
varieties? Would he consign the following to the
rubbish heap : Pelican, Moonlight, Lady T. Law-
rence, Thunberg, Avalanche, Stanstead White, Mr.
H. Cannell, Mrs. H. Cannell, Mrs. C. Wheeler, Mons.
Freeman, Comte de Germiny, Mrs. F. Jameson,
Boule d'Or, Golden Dragon, &c. ? He would never
repay himself by growing them in a natural way,
because they decline to lend themselves to such
treatment. " R.'s " lament appears to me to con-
dense itself into the supposition that the present
shows are altogether unsatisfactory, and that a
radical change is necessary to prevent the Chry-
santhemum being spoiled. My answer is that the
present system appears to suit both the growers and
the public, as evidenced by the increase in the num-
ber of shows and in the increasing numbers of
enthusiastic visitors who show no signs of " deadly
ennui and weariness," and who are drawn from all
classes of society.— W. H. F., Taunton.

■ As one of those old-fashioned gardeners who

love art much, but Nature more, permit me to
thank you for the seasonable criticism on page 457.
Among these and some other flowers mere size has
been aimed at. Fortunately, it has almost reached
its climax. Excessive concentration of force
and of food can hardly go further. Natural re-
sources have been greatly strained and artistic pro-
portions sacrificed to reach these unnatural develop-
ments of size. The natural habit and beauty of its
foliage, its adaptability for stopping and training,
its natural mode of blooming in succession in re-
gard to time and gradation in regard to size, all
qualify the Chrysanthemum for very varied and ar-
tistic treatment. It is often said that nature un-
adorned is adorned the most ; and not a few may
be disposed to affirm that the Chrysanthemum un-
trained is the most artistic. I agree with this
opinion so far as to agree with you, that planted -
out Chrysanthemums are usually the most beautiful,
and so far the most artistic, and furnish the best ma-
terials for table or room decoration. Still, one may
at times find single specimens at shows in which
Nature and art have combined to clothe Chrysan-
themums with new grace and fresh beauty. It
need hardly be added that these are seldom
found in the formal groups 20 feet or 30 feet
square, where huge mops on giant broom-sticks
jostle each other like men in a crowd. In these
groups, size, colour and grossness are too often the
main merits, and I have seen them so tall that steps
were often needed to command a bird's-eye view of
the masses. On the contrary, specimen Chrysan-
themum plants can hardly be placed too far
apart, should face every way alike, with abundance
of green foliage to relieve the mastes of colour, and
add its verdant testimony to the skill of the cul-
tivator.—D. T. F.

Chrysanthemum Mrs. A. Hardy Sent

out with a great flourish of trumpets, this variety
has up to now been a complete failure. In the
spring of 1SSII I bought two cuttings, neither of

Nov. 29, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

509

which flowered. This year I raised seventeen plants.
All of them had wretched foliage ; whereas all my
other Japanese varieties, to the number of 400
plants, were exceptionally good in that respect.
Seven plants were from base cuttings, and ten from
the stem. The buds of all the former were blind,
and the latter bore six miserable flowers between
them. The plants varied in height from 4 feet to 8
feet. As far as I can gather, only four or five
blooms have been exhibited so far this season, and
only one at the Aquarium. I think that the cause
of its failure must be, that when first brought here
from America it was over-propagated to such an
extent, that the constitution of the plant has been
damaged. Of new varieties by far the best with
me has been Puritan. This, I think, is a real ac-
quisition. I see in your report of the National show
that L'Automne is mentioned as a reflexed Japan-
ese. The National Society's catalogue classes it as
a Japanese. I should think myself that it belongs
to the new Japanese incurved class. — W. H. F.,
Taunton.

The Chrysanthemum in Pekin. — This being
the centenary year of the introduction of the Chry-
santhemum into England, a word on the subject
from its native place may not be out of place. It
is not generally known that the Chinese grow the
Chrysanthemum as a standard tree, especially for
selling. They graft it on to a stalk of Arte-
misia. There is a species of Artemisia that grows
wild and covers the waste ground round Pekin ; it
springs from seed every year, and by the autumn
attains to a tree 8 feet to 10 feet high, with a stem
1J inches thick. The Chinese cut it down, and,
after drying it, use it as fuel ; the small twigs and
seeds are twisted into a rope, which is lighted and
hung up in a room to smoulder for hours ; the pun-
gent smell of the smoke drives out the mosquitoes.
This plant, after being potted, is cut down to about
3 feet, and used as the stock, the twigs of Chry-
santhemum are grafted round the top, and it
quickly makes a fine tree, the flowers grow and
open, and as the stock soon withers the whole tree
dies, and folks say, " Another ingenious fraud of the
Chinamen." A favourite style of growing Chrysan-
themums is in the shape of a fan, with eight or ten
flowers in different parts of it. If the flowers are
not grown on the plant, they are tied on, which also
does for selling. The winters in Pekin are very cold,
and last about four months, and having no glass
houses the Chinese gardeners do not have the chance
of producing such a variety or such fine flowers as
their European brethren, but in the case of Chry-
santhemums they have many curious and beautiful
varieties. — Thos. Child, in Nature.

Chrysanthemum Louis Boehmer. — This
Pink Ostrich Plume Chrysanthemum alluded to on
page 452 was shown at the Aquarium by Messrs.
Pitcher and Manda, the first time I believe that it
has been exhibited in this country. It was but a
small plant bearing a single bloom, so that little
could be said as to the probabilii y of its becoming a
popular variety. The Pink Ostrich Plume was
shown side by side with the white Mrs. Alpheus
Hardy, and differed from that kind in the pink col-
our of its petals with a paler satiny reverse, which,
owing to the incurved conformation of the flower,
was the most noticeable. This had the peculiar
hair-like growths to about the same extent as Mrs.
Alpheus Hardy, but the pink variety, unlike its
commoner relative, showed a large open eye, which,
however, will probably disappear when the plants
are stronger. In one respect the newer form
seemed to possess an immense advantage over the
other, as the foliage showed no signs of the miser-
able diseased condition which seems inseparable
from Mrs. Alpheus Hardy, and which was very no-
ticeable on the specimen shown. Should its consti-
tution turn out as satisfactory as appears probable
from the rumours that are current and the single
specimen that was shown, the pink variety will no
doubt be generally grown, while the white form ap-
pears likely to be universally discarded. — H.

Chrysanthemum Christmas Eve.— Despite
the fact that it is the recipient of a certificate from the
National Chryeauthemum Society, when it was shown
under the name of Mrs. H. Cannell, the best place for

this variety appears to me to be the rubbish heap, as the
plant is generally such a sickly grower and the foliage
so miserable, that it is seldom seen in anything like a
satisfactory condition, and with the wealth of varieties
we now possess, there is no excuse for keeping one
that is in any Tespect unsatisfactory. The blossoms of
this are pure white, a tint that is well represented
among Japanese varieties, as is shown by such desir-
able forms as Stanstead White, Avalanche, Fair Maid
of Guernsey, Eynsford White, Elaine, Mile. Lacroix,
Florence Piercy, and others.

TIMING THE BLOOMS.
This is perhaps the most important point of all
to study in preparing them for exhibition. " Tim-
ing " means having all the blooms in perfection at
a given date. An experienced cultivator knows
well that it is no use whatever to have some varie-
ties past their best and many others not expanded ;
such blooms lose points when in competition with
others which are uniformly fresh in appearance.
I owe much of my success in the exhibition field to
" timing " the blooms, and it is a most important
point for the inexperienced to study. Three weeks
previous to the date at which they are required
great watchfulness is necessary, and very much
labour in moving the plants about from place to
place to hasten or retard as the case may be. This
requires doing in a systematic manner, or much
damage may be done to the tender florets. I have
previously advised as to the best manner to keep
the blooms when expanded. I will here advise
upon hastening any that appear to be backward
The Japanese varieties, as a rule, take rather longer
to unfold their florets than do the incurved and
other sections ; they will also stand more heat than
will the incurved varieties while they are develop-
ing. Let all beginners bear this in mind that strong
heat has at all times a tendency to take out the
colour of any variety ; yellows change to primrose,
and pink to lilac, and so on, and as the richness of
colour should be preserved in all kinds, each cultivator
should strive to maintain that essential point. The
only way to do this is to start soon enough to assist
the development of individual varieties which show
a tendency to be late. The Teck family generally
need the most attention in this respect, as this type
of incurved is naturally late in flowering, and as
there are now no less than six distinct kinds be-
longing to this family, and all of such good quality
that exhibitors should use extra means to obtain
these sorts in the best possible condition on the day
of exhibition. If blooms of these kinds are only
just commencing to unfold, no time should be lost
in placing the plants in a gentle heat where there
is not much atmospheric moisture, although I have
before been compelled to use the stove to hasten
on the blooms of this family, and with good results
also, as this type of incurved will stand more heat
and moisture than any other variety that I am
acquainted with. Give such late plants an extra
dose or two of sulphate of ammonia ; this forces
them into bloom more quickly than the ordinary
treatment. It is far better to remove such plants
into gentle heat in good time, when it is seen that
they cannot be fully out as needed than to defer
their removal till the last few days, and then be
compelled to place the plants in a strong heat to
get them out in time. Chrysanthemums being
hardy plants, it is more natural for the flowers to
expand in a cool place than in a strong heat, as
that all important point, colour, is preserved so
much better. E. Molyneux.

Chrysanthemum Mrs. S. Coleman. — An

extremely interesting exhibit at therecent Aquarium
show was to be found on Mr. Owen's stand, on which
many recent novelties were displayed. This par-
ticular item, however, was some blooms of the new
incurved Mrs. S. Coleman, a sport from Princess of
Wales, showing the great difference in the flowers
between those taken from the crown and those from
the terminal bud. The flowers from the crown bud
were of a pale yellow colour, with the exception of
a tinge of pink towards the base, while those from
terminal buds were of a bronzy pink tint, totally
different from the others. These two classes of
blooms were certainly more widely removed from |

each other than many recognised varieties are, for
the slightest difference in the shade of colour is
considered sufficient reason for founding a new va-
riety ; while by varying the cultivation, not only in
the selection of the bud, but also in the application
of stimulants, great changes in tint can be easily
effected. The American variety Ada Spaulding
was also shown by Mr. Owen in the same way as
Mrs. S. Coleman, the terminal flowers being of a li-
lac-pink tint, while those from crown buds were al-
most white. — H. P.

AMERICAN CHRYSANTHEMUMS.
A labge number of new American varieties was
staged at the National Chrysanthemum Society's
show last year by Mr. Owen, and those interested
in novelties have no doubt been on the look out
this season for some of the most promising ones in
his collection. HaviDg been much occupied in
other ways little opportunity has occurred for me
to go the usual round of exhibitions and trade dis-
plays this season, but a few days ago I went to
Messrs. Laing's at Forest Hill, where there is usually
something worth seeing in the way of the most
recent introductions.

Nearly all the new Chrysanthemums from
America appear to belong to the newly instituted
Japanese incurved section, and many of them are
striking in form and in colour. The much vaunted
Ada Spaulding, like its companion Mrs. Alpheus
Hardy, leaves much to be desired, for it is not a
purely old-fashioned incurved bloom, but a loose-
petalled, incurving Japanese flower of good size,
with outer florets of purplish rose shading off to
white, with a faint tinge of yellow in the young
central florets. Mrs. H. Lincoln is a very large
deep yellow flower of the same class, the colour
somewhat approaching that of the well-known
Jardin des Plantes. Gold is a yellow, short-
petalled Japanese flower of medium size. Sunset,
an inferior Edwin Molyneux, the petals not being
so broad as in that variety, and very irregularly
arranged. Beauty of Kingsessing is a Japanese
variety, very large purplish lavender florets, with a
silvery reverse. Gipsy is a Japanese incurved
flower, light gold and carmine, with a full centre.
Yellow Bird belongs to the thread-petalled Japanese
type, and is of a very pale sulphur-yellow. Garnet,
another Japanese incurved, has long, broad, in-
curving florets; colour very deep wine red, reverse
silvery. G. R. Rawson, a Japanese incurved, very
distinct, pale yellow, full centre of incurving
pointed florets, and a large flower. Llewellyn, a
Japanese, with intermingled florets of crimson and
yellow. Mrs. Wm. Barr. another incurving Japan-
ese, has very regular incurving florets of almost the
same colour as Refulgens. Robert Craig, a Japan-
ese bloom, with petals 4 inches to 5 inches in
length, tubular when first opening, and of a deep
pink, was also in good form. Commotion is well
named, for it is a Japanese bloom consisting of
disordered tubular florets of a pinky mauve, but, like
most of its class, the higher tone of colour is
inside the florets. The above-named flowers were
at the time of my visit decidedly the best of the
collection, but it must not be inferred that they
will displace any of a similar colour or form which
we already possess. The selection is simply made
for those who are desirous of testing some novelties
for themselves. Cheysaxth.

Chrysanthemum Robert Cannell. — I ques-
tion if this incurved Chrysanthemum, which was
awarded a first-class certificate last year by the Na-
tional Chrysanthemum Society, will, notwithstanding
its distinct colour, ever attain such a degree of popu-
larity as was anticipated for it last year, as it is faulty
in the centre— a very bad feature in an incurved
bloom. It certainly could not compare in the sym-
metry of its outline with many old varieties, hut its
colour among incurved— a kind of deep chestnut-red,
with a gold reverse — is so distinct, that we may expect
to see it largely grown next year.— T.

Chrysanthemum Annie Clibran. — This
pink sport from Mile. Lacroix is, like its pareut, a very
tine variety for growing in bush form, and if disbud-
ding is but little carried out, it wiil bear a great num-

510

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 29, 1890.

ber of its beautiful blossoms, while the leaves are re-
tained quite down to the pot. The habit, too, is very
desirable, the growth being so sturdy that all the sup-
port needed is a stick or two just to secure the main
branches. Besides its value as a pot plant, its flowers
are also well adapted for cutting. This Chrysanthe-
mum is also known as Fink Lacroix and J. li. Pearson.

"THE CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY'S CENTE-
NARY FESTIVAL.
I cannot but regret that the conferences in con-
nection with the above exhibition were carried out
in a manner that led you to refer to them as dis-
creditable to the society. I am very much afraid
they were. The immense amount of detail which
had to be attended to during the four days the cen-
tenary show continued made it necessary there
should be some assistance with the work, and com-
mittees were appointed to undertake portions of
it. Thus, three members of the committee were
appointed to arrange the conference meetings. It
was originally intended that they should take
place on the second and fourth days, but a
change was made in favour of the first and
third days. I always regretted this, because I
foresaw it was crowding too much into the first
day. There was the arranging of the exhibits ;
then followed the making of the awards and the
opening ceremonial. It was arranged that the
floral committee should meet at 12.30, but it had
to be postponed until i p.m. The luncheon to the
judges took place at 2.30 p.m., and as soon as this
was over the meeting of the floral committee was
held. The number of new flowers submitted to this
body was so large, that the sitting was a prolonged
one ; and meanwhile the list of awards of the judges
was being prepared for the press. Then the certifi-
cates of merit given by the floral committee had to be
filled in and signed, and the awards in the miscella-
neous class to be verified. It was not until after 7 p.m.
that I could secure a moment's leisure, and even
then there was a stream of inquirers at the office
window. I state this much to show how utterly
impossible it was I could personally superintend
the arrangements of the conference. The Iron
Room was selected by the conference committee in
preference to the Balloon Room as being on the
floor of the building, and Mr. Wilkinson, the secre-
tary to the Royal Aquarium Society, undertook to
make it as comfortable as possible. I had large
cards printed and placed in conspicuous places
about the building announcing where and at what
hour the conference meetings would take place,
and I gave instructions that a notice should also be
placed on the entrance to the conference room. But
we who had to carry out the arrangements of the
exhibition had far too heavy tasks set us for one day,
and if in the case of the conferencemeetings they fell
short of what we could have desired, I can only ex-
press my great regret. As to the unsuitableness of
the building for the purposes of an exhibition of this
character, I shall be glad to be informed of any
other central place as commodious, and where the
authorities of the same would treat the committee
of the National Chrysanthemum Society with the
great liberality shown by the directors of the
Royal Aquarium. They will have spent during
1890 something like £1000 in flower shows,
which have been visited by thousands of delighted
and interested persons ; the crowded state of the
building during the four clays the centenary show
was open to the public shows the interest it
aroused in the public mind. — Richard Dean, Hon.
Secretary, National Chrysanthemum Society.

*** We wish to cast no slur on anyone, but in our
report of the conference proceedings merely stated
facts. The programme was, as mentioned (p. 4">'d),
excellent on both days, the papers admirably worked
out, and treating of the Chrysanthemum from three
great standpoints. We grumbled at the wretched,
unheated room, which was utterly unfit for such im-
portant business. If it had been barely comfort-
able, there would have been no trouble in keeping
the audience together. It was unsafe to stay in it
for more than a few minutes. As regards the un-
suitableness of the Royal Aquarium, we' have often
expressed the opinion that it is not the place for a
flower show. — Ed.

National Chrysanthemum Society. — May

I be allowed to express the desirability (which is
very generally felt among the patrons of the Chry-
santhemum Society) of obtaining a more fitting
place to represent them in their annual exhibition.
The associations connected with the Aquarium are
such as to debar very many of the supporters of
the National Chrysanthemum Society from taking
part in it there. I feel sure the loss sustained
through this would be more than fully made up
elsewhere to the amount contributed by the
Aquarium Company. Should there be any doubt
about this, I should be pleased to contribute with
others to meet any reasonable deficiency, and
would offer £5 as a first instalment.— Jambs L.
Wood.

ANEMONE-FLOWERED VARIETIES.
There are few men who can grow the Anemone"
flowered section of Chrysanthemums, which includes
the Japanese Anemone class also, better than Mr.
Sullivan, gardener to Mr. Chapman, Downshire
House, Roehampton, who usually secures the best
prizes offered for these at London and suburban
exhibitions. The great secret of his success is
growing the plants strongly, which resolves itself
into giving them the same careful attention that
is awarded the Japanese and incurved flowers
grown for show. They are cultivated on the same
principle, of course, throwing all the energies of the
plant into a few flowers ; but in the Anemone-
flowered division there is a dwarfness in the habit
of the several varieties which relieves specimens so
grown from the unsightly legginess that disfigures
the other sections. This applies with greatest force
to the large Anemone flowers. One of the most
beautiful amongst the Japanese Anemone varieties
at Downshire House is Mile. Cabrol, which is
splendidly grown, and conspicuous for its dwarf
habit. The flower is very large, the disc broad
and regular, two characteristics which should de-
note the Japanese Anemone division, and lilac in
colour, the long, drooping, twisted florets rose-pink.
One specimen carrying several flowers was of un-
usual beauty, the peculiar lengthened florets, broad
disc, and leafy bushy habit constituting a plant of
great decorative value. All the old and new varie-
ties that are worth space have recognition, one of
the most interesting being Fabias de Mediana, or
Fabian de Maderanaz, as it is sometimes written.
It is unfortunate a beautiful flower like this is
afflicted with a name of this kind, but it has sur-
vived it. This is one of Lacroix's acquisitions of
1883, and its beautiful flowers, with the florets
longer and more decidedly drooping than in the
other varieties, give it special distinction. James
Weston is another distinct flower, pure white, ex-
cept the canary-yellow coloured disc, a charming
association with the purity of the drooping guard
florets. Mme. Bertha Pigmy and Jeanne Marty are
two good kinds, especially the last-mentioned,
which has a lilac disc and very delicate rose guard
florets. Mme. Clos is not a good flower ; the com-
plaint is that it cannot always be relied upon for
giving exhibition blooms, but when flowers of good
character are obtained, their rose-lilac florets and
white disc are pleasing. Dame Blanche, a new va-
riety, promises to make a beautiful flower. The
disc is soft yellow and the florets white, with a
slight tint of rose. Another variety of this class
worth a note is Sabine, which was raised by M. De-
laux in 1888 ; its disc is what a critical exhibitor
would scarcely consider perfect, but the flower is
pretty and the habit of the plant dwarf. The disc
is yellow and the florets of a pale shade of the same
colour — a charming association of shades of the one
hue. Nelson was raised by the same nurseryman in the
same year, and is as much a large-flowered Anemone
as a Japanese Anemone, but it is best to accept the
catalogue of the National Chrysanthemum Society
as a guide in such matters, and class it in the last-
mentioned division. Souvenir de Mme. Blandi-
nieres is a recent variety; it blooms early and has
large guard florets, crimson tipped with gold
colour. Sceur Dorotlu'e Souille, raised by Mar-
rouch in 1883, is one of the best ; its rose colour is
soft and spreads over the whole flower, appearing
most delicate on the large disc. The last to be noted

and of great merit in this collection is M. Charles
Lebocz, one of the varieties sent out last year by
Delaux. It is certainly welcome, as it supplies a
colour scarce in this division ; the disc bright
yellow and large, the florets yellow mixed with
buff — an agreeable combination.

So much for the Japanese Anemone group, which
we are pleased to know receives great attention
from Mr. Sullivan. We may now allude to the
large Anemone class. These have not the same
freedom as the others, devoid of the drooping guard
florets and stiffer in outline, but they have a cer-
tain kind of beauty that gains admirers. E. C.
Jukes is a recent variety of promise, the colour
rich rose except the disc which is yellow. One of
the prettiest in the Downshire House collection is
Miss Annie Low, one of Low's acquirements of
1887, the disc bright yellow, and the guard florets a
brighter shade of the same colour. Mrs. Judge
Benedict was sent out last year by Spaulding ; it is
a midseason variety, not too tall in height, and with
rose-coloured guard florets, the disc yellow. All
the best are cultivated and grown on the same plan
as for the other sections.

A few other varieties were of special excellence
in this collection, although the season was practic-
ally over for southern Chrysanthemum growers.
The Japanese varieties, as Stanstead Surprise, Stan-
stead White, the rich yellow Sunflower, a bold, hand-
some, and showy variety ; Boule d'Or, Mrs. Fal-
coner Jameson, and Volunteer, were the finest we
have seen this season, especially the last of the list,
which in other collections has been disappointing.
It is when well grown an excellent flower, soft pink
in colour, large, full, free, and graceful. It was
imported from Japan in 1888, but has not yet
made the same progress as other types from the
land of the Chrysanthemum. The incurved varie-
ties were also worth a note, especially the newer
additions, of which Violet Tomlin and M. A. Hag-
gas are the two finest representatives. Mrs. Cole-
man, John Lambert, unfortunately too coarse ;
Lady Dorothy and Charles Gibson are also note-
worthy varieties, but we should not like to put
flowers of the two last-mentioned varieties in a
stand of distinct blooms ; they have too much in
common to warrant it. In the conservatory, one of
the most charming features was a profusion of
pompon Anemone varieties in the fullest bloom,
the graceful sprays placing the show flowers at
a disadvantage as regards intrinsic beauty.

DECORATIVE CHRYSANTHEMUMS.
I fully agree with the remarks in last week's
Garden as to the beauty of Chrysanthemums
grown in a natural manner, i e., bush plants and
without any disbudding, by Messrs. Balchin and
Sons. The eye seldom tires of such flowers, and
with ladies they are great favourites. For house
or dinner-table decoration they are far before the
" mop-heads," or even for arranging in the conser-
vatory. Omitting the unnaturalness of the large
blooms, the season of these is soon over. In about
a month they are gone, whilst when grown more
naturally the season will last from early in October
until far into January. All varieties are not
adapted for growing naturally, and as I have tried
most of them the following selection may be use-
ful to intending growers : Miss Burrell, primrose,
and very free and early ; Alexandre Dufour, rich
violet ; James Salter, rosy-mauve ; Lady Selborne,
a beautiful pearly-white sport from James Salter ;
L'lle des Plaisirs, crimson, tipped with gold ; La
Charmeuse, purple tipped white ; William Holmes,
brownish-crimson ; Hiver Fleuri, pale buff-tinted
rose ; Margot, rosy-violet, very free ; Roi des Pre-
coces, rich crimson, tipped with gold ; Bouquet
Fait, rose, tinted lilac, very free and beautilul;
William Robinson, orange-salmon, sport from Bou-
quet Fait, and from which it inherits all its good
qualities ; Source d'Or, beautiful orange-brown or
amber; Elsie, sulphur-white; Cullingfordi, scai let-
crimson, very effective and free, and when well
grown the brightest coloured variety in cultivation ;
Mme. de Sevin, amaranth ; Val d'Andone, reddish-
brown ; Peter the Great, bright yellow with a

Nov. 29, 1890.]

THE GAKDEN.

511

splendid habit; Soeur Melanie, pure white, and
very free ; Boule de Neige, pure white, very free
and late. This is a capital variety for Christmas.
Singles : Mary Anderson, pure white, but becoming
tinted with age : Jane, white, with elegantly twisted
petals ; Admiral Symonds, yellow.

In arranging Chrysanthemums in vases this sea-
son, we have used with good effect the bronzy-
coloured foliage of Berberis Aquifolium, the purple-
tinted Guelder Rose, and the brilliantly-coloured
Cotoneaster Simonsi. I have sent by parcels post
a box with cut sprays of Chrysanthemums with the
foliage. Rural.

*»* With this note was also sent a beautiful col-
lection of cut flowers, comprising almost all the
varieties named above. There are few more delight-
ful flowers than the Chrysanthemum when grown
as recommended above. — Ed.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

LATE PEACHES.
It is not often that late Peaches ripen so well
as they have done this season, the objection
usually offered to most of them being a want
of lusciousness and flavour. But whether they
can be depended upon to ripen properly during
the majority of years or not, I hold there is yet
good reason why some at least of the varieties
that will be named should not be more generally
planted both under glass and in the open. Dur-
ing the latter part of September and the whole
of October the selection of fruits suitable for des-
sert gradually becomes far too limited to please
many people, and in November there is a still
greater scarcity. Now if a few or many trees
of late Peaches are grown, there would be every
likelihood of serviceable crops of fruit being ob-
tained— under glass in all districts and in the
open in warm or moderately wann localities —
in most years. If more are grown than are
required for home consumption, the surplus
fruit would be fully appreciated by friends,
while those who prefer to market what they
do not require for themselves would be sur-
prised at the higb prices realised for some of
their late Peaches. Even if the fruit failed to
ripen sufficiently for dessert, it would yet be
available for cooking, the Peach, when cooked,
surpassing in my estimation all other fruits for
its delicacy of flavour. The latter good quality
is too ofteu overlooked, and lite supplies of
partially ripened fruit would be especially wel-
come in most establishments, these affording a
very pleasing change to the everlasting round
of Apples or late Currants. Late ripening of
the fruit has nothing to do with the habit of
growth, the young wood of late Peaches ripen-
ing quite as surely as that on the earlier varie-
ties. When, as in very many cases, Peaches on
the open wills are largely cultivated for provid-
ing a supply of fruit after the house-grown fruit
is exhausted, late varieties ought especially to
be most extensively planted. Since the intro-
duction of superior early varieties, these are
frequently gathered from trees against sunny
walls during July and onwards, this being
when house-grown fruit are perhaps the most
plentiful, and although the former frequently
hive the advantage, as far as an attractive ap-
pearance goes, they are far inferior in point of
quality. Six weeks or two months later on
we become less critical, and it is then when
fruit from the open-air trees should, as they
very easily may, be most plentiful.

The list of really good late varieties is
somewhat limited, but there are at least ten
sorts that find a few or many admirers, and as
1 have had some experience with all of them, I
shall make a few notes on each.

Barrington is the most popular of these, this
being largely grown, and rightly so, both under
glass and in the open. It possesses a good consti-
tution, but rarely approaches grossness. It sets
freely, the fruits being large, usually richly col-
oured, and of good quality. This might be termed
one of the earliest of the late varieties. It forces
well, and is a favourite with exhibitors, the fruit,
in addition to other good qualities, keeping and
travelling well.

Prince op Wales, which also ripens in the open
from the middle to the end of September, is a
strong growing and very productive variety, but
under glass it, as a rule, is of very poor quality,
and is seldom good in the open.

Princess of Wales differs considerably from
the preceding, but is equally robust in habit. Cool
treatment under glass suits it well, the fruits being
extra large, well coloured, and fairly luscious. In
the open it is one of the most reliable Peaches,
rarely failing to produce heavy crops of large ser-
viceable fruit, the quality also being passable. I
have tasted this very good in Kentish gardens.

Pa vie de Pompone, one of the seed parents of
the last named, is altogether inferior to it, a large
tree in our late Peach house having been destroyed

wall culture. It is a moderately strong grower
and in some situations rather liable to mildew, but,
as a rule, it crops regularly, the fruit being of good
size, fairly attractive in appearance, and of excel-
lent quality. In the open it ripens early in Octo-
ber and keeps fairly well.

Sea Eagle is perhaps the newest and least
known of any of the preceding varieties alluded
to at length, and is undoubtedly superior to all of
them. All things considered, it may fairly be de-
scribed as the best late Peach in cultivation. It
possesses an excellent constitution, growing freely
either under glass or in the open, and with me it
has never failed to set good crops. Planted in an
early or second early house, it forms an admirable
succession to Barrington or Alexandra Noblesse, and
if not over-cropped, the fruit attains a great size and
colours well. There is only one variety, the Salway,
that will keep longer after it is ripe, but the quality,
very good at first, is impaired considerably if kept
more than a week after it parts freely from the tree.
Sea Eagle is one of the surest bearers on the open
wall, the crop ripening during the early part of
October, and the best samples if sent to Covent Gar-
den Market realise 18s. per dozen. An instance has
come under my notice of the crop from one tree
actually fetching £4, this having hap-
pened during October last.

Salway completes my list, and in
spite of what critics may say of its
quality, I would yet strongly recommend
that it be planted extensively both under
glass and against sunny walls by all who
are expected to have dishes of Peaches
late in October or early in November,
while no variety could possibly be more
profitable from a market grower's point
of view. The tree grows moderately
well in either position and sets freely,
and its free-bearing habit may perhaps
have something to do with the other-
wise bad character given it. Over-
cropped, the fruit naturally does not at-
tain full size and the quality is bad, the
fruit only being fit for cooking ; whereas,
if one fruit only is left to every square
foot of tree surface, it grows to a great
size, colours beautifully, and by good
judges is considered of excellent qua-
lity. During November such fine sam-
ples fetch 2s. Gd. each. This autumn I
sent a box of large fruit a distance of
350 miles, their destination not being
reached under three days. They tra-
velled without a bruise, and were said
to have been of excellent quality.

W. Ig GULDEN.

A basket of late Peaches.

some years ago on account of the poor quality of
the fruit.

Lord Palmerston, a variety with some of the
blood of Pavie de Pompone in it, with us under
glass was only slightly superior to the last. No
fault could be found with its habit of growth or
productiveness, the fruit being extra large, but as
far as quality was concerned, this was very second-
rate, and it had to make room for better varieties.
Against sunny walls it sometimes does well, but it
scarcely merits a place in a limited collection.
Albatross is said to be earlier and superior to either
Princess of Wales or Lord Palmerston, but of this
I am unable to write from experience. Lady
Palmerston I have tried and failed to discover any
really good qualities in, or at any rate not suffi-
cient to warrant its retention.

Late Admirable under glass does well, the
fruit, plentifully produced, being of good size,
somewhat pale in colour, and richly flavoured. In
the open , where it ripens early in October, the growth
is not so robust as desirable, and there are others
superior to it in every way.

Walbitrton Admirable may be classed as one
of the best late Peaches, whether for house or open

Keeping Grapes. — Keeping Grapes
throughout the autumn and winter months is very
essential, and especially so where a first-class des-
sert has to be maintained. It is very annoying
when trouble has been taken in the production of
good Grapes to find them keeping badly. Grapes
that are perfectly coloured with a dense bloom
keep much better than poorly coloured examples.
Those which have to be cut and bottled are gene-
rally more freely thinned than those which are used
from the Vine. I like to have full bunches for the
Christmas parties, and invariably these keep well.
In borders which are badly drained and conse-
quently cold, the keeping qualities of the Grapes
are very much impaired. Where the roots are con-
fined to inside borders, there should not be the least
difficulty in keeping the Grapes in Srst-class con-
dition ; nor for the matter of that where the roots
have the run of both inside and outside borders,
as these latter can be covered before the autumn
rains come on. This season our outside borders
were covered by the middle of October, and with
soils of a heavy and retentive nature this is espe-
cially necessary. Glazed lights have the first place,
as besides keeping off the wet they let in the solar
warmth. Shutters or a good tarpaulin come next,
and failing either of these the border could be

512

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 29, 1890.

thatched with good straw. Where many fail in not
keeping the Grapes satisfactorily is in the mis-
management of the heating. As a rule, warmth is
turned on during the daytime, and turned off again
about i p.m., when the ventilators are closed for
the night. The consequence is that the berries be-
come very cold before morning. When this is the
case decay soon sets in, and if these injured berries
are not promptly removed the decay spreads rapidly
to the whole bunch. To prevent this, a little
warmth should be kept continually in the pipes
with a chink of ventilation, and on fine days the
ventilators may be opened more freely. Falling
leaves should be gathered up every morning, and it
is a good plan to spread a layer of clean straw or
dry Bracken over the surface of the inside border.
This keeps the border in an even state of moisture,
and also prevents dust rising. By the middle of
January all Grapes should be cut and bottled.
— Y.

NOTES ON PEARS.
No doubt many planters have benefited by the
valuable information imparted in The Garden last
season as to the best varieties for general culture
throughout the greater part of Britain. I have
grown Pears in as good a Pear soil as it is possible
to have, but I could never make bad Pears good.
I have left out the very earliest varieties, as it is
seldom these are much appreciated whilst other
good fruit is about, excepting perhaps the Jargon-
elle, which is generally popular. Beurre d'Amanlis
is the earliest variety I care anything about ; it is
excellent from an east wall or in the open. It suc-
ceeds admirably on the Quince and also on the
Pear stock. Some of the finest if not the best fruits
I ever tasted were from trees on the Pear stock, and
root-pruned about two years since. Mme. Treyve
is another excellent September Pear, and a most
prolific bearer. It is an excellent variety for or-
chards where it is best grown as a standard. In
the garden it should be grown as a pyramid.
Beurre Superfin is my next best October Pear, and
I consider this the first Pear of the season, or rather
to commence the season with. It is excellent from
a west wall, and in the southern and midland coun-
ties does capitally in the open, either as an orchard
standard or as a pyramid . It has a very russety
appearance when grown in the open, and its flavour
is superb. Fondante d'Automne is a Pear greatly
in favour with some people. Its fault is that it
rapidly decays in the centre, or as gardeners
say soon becomes sleepy. With all its failings it is
a Pear of excellent flavour. Thompson's is a very
delicious Pear ; in fact, some people say that it is an
improved Marie Louise, which is a re commendation.
I well remember a grand old espalier in one garden
where I served. Beurr<5 Hardy is another great fa-
vourite of mine ; it forms a handsome pyramid.
It is excellent from an east wall, or it may be
grown in the open. I never care to plant midseason
Pears against walls with a good position, this being
reserved for later or winter varieties. Marie Louise
needs no comment ; it is one of the good things in-
cluded in every garden where Pears are grown.
Van Mons Leon Leclerc must only be grown on
warm soils, and against either south or west walls,
and succeeds best when grafted on the Pear stock.
This is a Pear of excellent flavour and is thought
very highly of. Glou Morceau is a grand Christmas
Pear, and there are many fine old trees throughout
the country. It succeeds well on the Pear stock and
also on the Quince. In Doyenne du Cornice we
have the grandest Pear in cultivation, both in ap-
pearance and quality. It is rather shy in coming
into bearing on the Pear stock, but when it does it
well repays the waiting. On the Quince it comes
into bearing much more quickly, and in the south-
ern counties may be gathered from pyramids in the
open. When planted in the open, this, like other
Pears, should be assigned a good position. Emile
d'Heyst is a variety of more recent introduction, and
when well known will be planted largely, as it is a
Pear of the greatest excellence. Winter Nelis, al-
though not a large Pear, is one of the' finest fla-
voured varieties in existence, and worthy of a place
in every garden. In its season it is not surpassed
for flavour. It should be grown against either a

south or west wall, and comes more quickly into
bearing when grafted on the Quince. I know a
grand old tree or two on the Pear stock. Josephine
de Malines is a very richly flavoured variety. It
should be grown against a south or west wall and
is equally prolific on the Quince or Pear stock when
the latter is judiciously root-pruned. Passe Cras-
sane, Bergamotte d'Esperen, and Olivier de Serres
are the three best late varieties, and are best from
a south wall. Two varieties I have accidentally
omitted are Pitmaston Duchess and Beurre
d'Aremberg. The former was considered of no value
at one time. People condemned it, thinking that
because it was large the quality was not good. It
is really an excellent Pear, and succeeds admirably
in the open, or against a west wall. Beurr<5
d Aremberg requires a warm and deep soil, and should
be planted against a south wall, and also be on the
Pear stock. It is useless on the Quince, and this is
the reason, I think, why people have not suc-
ceeded with it, as it is a Pear which merits a trial.
Worcester. Rueal.

WHEN TO MANURE FRUIT TREES.
The experience of the past two seasons points
to the fact that old or well established heavily-
cropping fruit trees rarely get sufficient mois-
ture at the roots, and poverty being the outcome
of dryness, we may safely consider the effects
of manuring in relation to the subject. Ours is
a naturally retentive soil, and where the trees
are rooting deeply into a heavy clayey subsoil,
a hot and dry rather than a moist summer suits
them best. But moisture-holding as the soil is
to a marked degree, it is yet true that all those
not deeply rooted, and more especially the wall
trees, invariably produce the best fruit in what
are generally termed unfavourable seasons. Not
only were nearly all kinds of fruit superior both
in weight and quality this year to what is the
case in a drier, hotter season, but the promise
of abundance of bloom is greater than I
ever remember to have seen it before. Pear
trees in particular that have borne good crops
for two, and in some instances several seasons
in succession are once more well set with fine
fruiting buds, this showing conclusively, I think,
that we overrate the effect of so much sunheat,
and attach far too little importance to the neces-
sity for plenty of moisture at the roots.

In all new, or comparatively newly made
wall borders there is less need for frequent and
heavy applications of water, the looser soil ab-
sorbing moisture more quickly, and retaining it
much longer than in the case of borders that have
not been disturbed much below the surface for
very many years. The latter once they become
dry are remoistened again with difficulty, espe-
cially near to the foundation of the walls, and
in hundreds of cases there are borders that have
been comparatively dry for years, no rainfall
reaching them, at any rate to any appreci-
able extent. When on examination such is
found to be the state of affairs, a remedy should
be applied. No better time for this than the
present could well be recommended. Watering
trees at this time of year may appear a some-
what strange and uncalled-for proceeding, but
in addition to remoistening the border some-
thing also should be done to restore some of its
lost fertility, and for this purpose strong liquid
manure is needed. When the trees are resting,
quite strong liquid manure can be applied with
impunity, but which if given when the trees are
in full leaf and tender root-fibres are numerous
might prove most injurious. The first pro-
ceeding should be to fork away much of
the surface soil or quite down to the topmost
roots, at the same time forming holes deep down
into the border with the aid of pointed iron
rods. A heavy watering can then be given,
every drop reaching that part of the border

most in need of it, and this being repeated in
the course of two or three days, the ground will
then be in a fit state for the reception
of liquid manure. To pour the latter over
dry ground is, to say the least, wasteful ;
whereas, if applied when the soil is tho-
roughly moistened the greater portion of it will
be absorbed. Liquid manure obtained from a
mixed farmyard, and which need not be diluted
unless very thick, is the best that can be used,
but the drainings from a piggery are also highly
beneficial to fruit trees if applied during the
winter. Having by these means done much to
restore both moisture and fertility to the border,
there yet remains one other equally necessary
practice to adopt. Before the surface soil is
returned to its original position, a good thick-
ness of fairly rich solid manure ought to be
spread over the roots, this in its turn being
covered by the soil. This manure will effec-
tually check rapid evaporation during the sum-
mer, and is the best form of mulch that can be
given. As the manure decays the juices will be
washed downwards — none being lost — while the
roots will soon be attracted upwards to it. A
manuring of this kind is far more beneficial
than any other form of surface dressing, and in
many instances would, without the application
of liquid manure, greatly improve the quality
of the crops on the trees during the next three
years. Many fine old standard Apple and Pear
trees would also be greatly benefited by the
treatment just advised for wall trees, the liquid
manure and manurial dressing apparently put-
ting new life into them.

W. Iggulden.

THE AMERICAN BLIGHT.
At a recent meeting of the Ealing Gardeners' So-
ciety a discussion took place on the prevalence of
American blight on many of the Apple trees
growing in the district, and it would appear that
for some reason it was more frequently seen
this year than in previous ones. Mr. George
Cannon, the manager of Messrs. C. Lee and
Sons' fruit tree nurseries at Ealing, stated that
most nurseries had a little of this blight, but the
proportion in which they had it depended upon the
perseverance with which it was sought to be kept
down. He did not know of any insect that in-
creased so quickly as this blight would if it were al-
lowed to have its own way. A solution of soft soap,
quassia chips, and paraffin with water was the
method he adopted for the destruction of this pest.
The difficulty to be dealt with was to know how to
apply the solution in a manner that would destroy
the insect without injuring the trees. Half a pound
of soft soap should be added to four gallons of
water, the soap having been previously boiled in
one or two gallons of water. Half a pound of
quassia chips should be used. Some who employed
it boiled the quassia, but his idea was that more of
the bitter essence of the quassia was obtained
from the wood by allowing it to soak in cold
water for a day or two than by boiling it. The
quassia should be placed in a canvas bag, and de-
posited in the water with something heavy upon it ;
in that manner the strength of the quassia is drawn
out. The quassia water being added to that in
which the soft soap is dissolved, the mixture in that
state without the addition of paraffin would be suffi-
ciently powerful in cases where the blight is pre-
sent only in a slight form, and on account of the
tendency of paraffin to injure the trees it is safer
to use the mixture of soap and quassia alone, espe-
cially upon the young growths during the summer
months. Should the paraffin be added, care should
be taken, by constant stirring, that it be well mixed
with the soap water as far as possible, otherwise the
oil would float to the top, and if the brush with which
the operation was performed were dipped into the
mixture previous to its being stirred, it would
carry with it an undue proportion of the oil, and if
applied to young trees would very likely prove

Nov. 29, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

513

highly injurious. The proportion of paraffin to be
employed should be halt a pint to four gallonsof
water. The mixture could be applied by a brush or
by a syringe. In order to effectually destroy the
insects more than one application must be resorted
to, and it is not well to suppose that because the
insect was apparently effaced, it was really so. The
insect returned from the tree to the ground, and in
the following spring emerged again, finding its way
up into the branches, and in early spring it should
be looked for near the ground rather than among
the branches. Some had said that the addition of
boiled milk would cause the paraffin to mix more
effectually with the other ingredients named. He
had tried the effect of milk, and he certainly
thought it operated to more thoroughly mix the
paraffin oil. One cultivator stated that some
varieties of Apples appeared to be more sub-
ject to the blight than others, and he had used
paraffin oil alone mixed with water, in the same
proportions as recommended by Mr. Cannon, and
syringed the affected parts with it, doing this
where the young growths were just being put
forth and no injury to the trees had resulted. He
had certainly kept the blight in check, but he could
not say he had destroyed it. It has been affirmed
that a good dressing of soot placed on the soil about
the tree stems during the winter kills the insect.
R. D.

SHANKING IN GRAPES. '
As each season comes round many a promising
house of Grapes succumbs to this dire malady, and
happy is the gardener who escapes it. That its
cause and prevention are generally under the con-
trol of the cultivator cannot be disputed, although
there are instances to the contrary, such as pointed
out by a correspondent some time back, where the
roots were almost continually under water during
the winter, and this brings me to the generally
baneful practice of applying too much water to the
roots of Vines during the winter or resting season.
What is shanking ? It is a kind of gangrene or
shrinking of the foot-stalk, and which takes place
during the stoning or just prior to colouring.
At this critical period, whilst the strain upon the
Vines is greater than at any other period, there is
a lack of support on account of the want of suffi-
cient root action. When shanking takes place the
Grapes are of no use, or at least those affected with
the evil. It is very seldom that Vines which are
growing in well-drained and suitable borders
of good compost suffer at any time from shank-
ing, unless overcropped or over-watered. Over-
watering socldens the soil and makes it cold ; conse-
quently the roots perish. On gravelly soils the
evil of over-watering is not so apparent, but on
those of a clayey or tenacious character, over-
watering is a dire evil, both through the winter and
even the growing season. It is often said that Vines
cannot be too heavily watered during the growing
season, but on the soils which I have described
they undoubtedly can. Bad colour and shanking,
which have been rather prevalent of later years, are
generally caused by over-watering, and especially
in that grand old variety the Black Hamburgh. This
is generally spoken of as an easily grown Grape ;
so it may be to a certain extent, but to produce
good bunches with fine colour and bloom requires
a certain amount of skill such as other varieties,
as Gros Colman and Gros Maroc, are strangers to.
On heavy soils where the roots have the run of both
inside and outside borders, these latter should
either be covered with glazed lights or shutters
before the autumn rains come on. Heavy mulching
during the summer months is also a mistake on
heavy soils; this excludes warmth; consequently the
roots are in a cold medium. A light mulch of well-
burned garden refuse or wood ashes with a part of
good leaf- soil, such as has been advised by
" W. I. M.," is much more beneficial. This attracts
warmth and also keeps the surface moist. Watering
with cold water during the growing season
also has its' bad effects. It is generally known that
Vines do not commence to form rootlets until the
shoots have grown some few inches ; so of what use
can it be to keep pouring water on the borders, as
if the Vines were aquatics. As long as the borders

are fairly moist is sufficient, and by the time
the shoots are 12 inches in length will be time
enough to water more liberally. Another source
of shanking is the roots working low down in a
cold border. This is generally the case with those
which have the appearance of growing over-luxu-
riantly. The wood to the novice appears all that
can be desired, and he little thinks what is the
cause, as by the evident vigorous state of the Vines
he is satisfied that on this point they are all that
can be desired, but still the Grapes shank. In this
case, lifting the roots into a well-drained and
warmer medium is the only safe cure. Any amount
of rich top-dressings or manurial watering does not
affect them in the least. It has been frequently
pointed out in the pages of The Gabdbn by Mr.
W. Coleman that the best season for the operation
of lifting is as soon after the Grapes are cut in the
autumn as possible, and before the foliage changes.
With late Vines and where the Grapes are cut and
bottled late, the best season is when the buds are
on the point of bursting in the early spring. With
the material all in readiness the undertaking is not
very arduous with a good heart and a few willing
hands. Do not adopt half measures. When there
are both outside and inside borders, there need be
no fear of jeopardising the crop, as one border could
be done one season and the other the next. In
other cases old rods and spurs assist shanking, and
if the root-action is at all weak, the sap is very
much impeded by the roundabout way it has to work.
Some gardeners run up fresh rods from the lower-
most spur, but the most effectual is to saw off the
old rod to within 18 inches of the ground, when the
resulting growth will be similar to young Vines,
which are extending both root and top growth.
Over-cropping should be avoided, and at thinning
time only leave sufficient for a crop. It is a very
unwise practice to over- weight the Vines up to ston-
ing or colouring, and then suddenly remember that
the Vines are too heavily loaded. One good
bunch is worth far more than three bad ones,
either for home consumption or for market. The
pinching and removal of surplus shoots must be
attended to as soon as possible, and then with at-
tention to the matters which I have pointed out,
there need be but little fear of shanking.

U.

NOTES ON STRAWBERRIES.

The following notes on Strawberries which
we are enabled to publish through the kindness
of our correspondents will doubtless prove in-
teresting to our readers. They have been sent
us from all parts of the United Kingdom. We
print the questions which we desired to have
answered : —

1. — Best kinds for forcing and hearing.

2. — Best kinds for flavour.

3. — What are your best early and late kinds for
ojien-air culture ?

1 — What is your opinion of the nem varieties that
have been lately sent out ?

5. — Mode of cultivation, whether as single stools
or in beds.

The best kinds of Strawberries for forcing

are Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, Keen's Seed-
ling, Noble, and James Veitch. I consider the
best flavoured are Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury
and President. The best early kinds are Noble,
Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, and Keen's Seed-
ling. The best late kinds are Waterloo and Elton
Pine. Of the newer varieties I find Laxton's
Noble and Waterloo the best. King of the Earlies
I have never found better than Black Prince, and
The Captain is too pale in colour. As to the mode
of cultivation, I prefer single crowns renewed
every four years, as after that period they, as a
rule, deteriorate.— Robebt Bell, Baron's Court.

The best variety for forcing is Keen's Seed-
ling, I think, and especially under adverse circum-
stances where little room can be given the plants
and for early crops outside I have found it better
than most kinds. Noble forced under the same
conditions as Keen's proved quite a failure. Out-

side it is a free-bearing kind, with large handsome
fruit, but wanting in flavour. Sir Joseph Paxton
is one of the best. President good, free bearer,
and of nice flavour. Marshal MacMahon is the
best variety grown in this locality ; it gives a larger
return of the best quality on a given plot of ground
than any other kind ; the plants are very dwarf,
with short leaf and fruit stalks. In the neighbour-
hood of Cork it has quite superseded the old Trol-
lope's Victoria for market, and never were such fine
fruits offered for sale in Cork as were sold last
summer. This was due to the cultivation of Mar-
shal Macmahon instead of the growers' old friend,
Trollope's Victoria, which they seemed loth to part
with. British Queen is doubtless the best flavoured
Strawberry grown. In some localities it is a very
free bearer, but in this neighbourhood neither it
nor Dr. Hogg will fruit. Locality has more to do
with the successful growth of the Strawberry and
other fruits than is generally supposed. — W. O.,
Fota, Cork.

The two kinds chiefly grown in this part of

the country are Garibaldi and President, which is a
sure indication that they suit this climate. I have
not tried many of the new sorts. King of the Earlies
I tried for three seasons, but it would not do here
the foliage turned red after the fruit set and it did
not then swell. I also tried The Captain which grew
well, but did not give a good crop. I have not tried
Laxton's Noble, and I do not think it is grown to
any extent in this district. I consider Keen's
Seedling the best Strawberry for forcing, taking
everything into consideration, as it has colour and
flavour, and when well done can be had of a good size.
Garibaldi also forces well, and is of good flavour,
but does not colour so well as Keen's Seedling.
Noble is a large fruit, but what I have tasted of it
had a very poor flavour. The best kinds here for
flavour are Keen's Seedling, President, and Gari-
baldi, but Keen's Seedling does not crop well here
outside. I consider Garibaldi the best early Straw-
berry, for late sorts cannot be depended on here, as
it is only in good seasons that they ripen. Such
sorts as Elton Pine cannot be relied upon. My
mode of culture is to grow in lines 2J ft. apart and
about 1 0 in. between the plants.planting in spring, and
only taking two crops. I found that the third crop
was not worth gathering. I approve of single stools
when the soil and climate are favourable, but here
they do not succeed. From the remarks I have
made you will see we are not favourably situated
here for testing the merits of different fruits. — John
Cunison, Jungsmuir Mall, Peebles.

The Strawberries most in favour for forcing

are Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury and President.
King of Earlies and Noble are the earliest, the
latter being inferior in flavour, but a good cropper
and of fine appearance. La Grosse Sucree has done
well, but during the damp weather did not set
well, and the fruits were deformed. Vicomtesse
Hericart de Thury, generally known in the north as
Garibaldi, coming in a few days after Noble, is an
abundant bearer, of fine size on rich soil, and for
all purposes still takes the lead. The latest kinds
are Oxonian, Elton Pine, and British Queen. The
two first are great croppers, and can be kept for
use as late as September. The last of the three is
the finest flavoured of all Strawberries, and though
a little troublesome to cultivate, is worthy of space
for special purposes. On rich, deeply trenched soil,
and the plants not crowded, a fair supply of fruit
may be had. If the bunches of fruit are (as soon
as they are set) tied up to short sticks, they ripen
fairly well, and are much valued for their large ap-
pearance and excellent flavour. I have not suffi-
ciently proved Latest of All, but have seen it this
season in a Worcestershire garden of great size
and bearing abundantly. The flavour was excel-
lent. The new kinds which I have grown and seen
this year have in no case surpassed the older varie-
ties for general usefulness, and were I bound to
grow two kinds only, they would be Vicomtesse H.
de Thury and President. Duke of Edinburgh (Moffat)
is a great bearer, large, of fine colour, and stands the
damp well, and is to be increased. The flavour is
more acid this year than usual. Loxford Hall
Seedling bears abundantly, but, like others I have

514

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 29, 1890.

tried, it is not of free growth. Sir Joseph Paxton
is first-rate the season after it is planted, but when
two or three years old almost becomes barren.
James Veiteh grows to great size and bears mode-
rately. Sir Harry stands damp well and is a good
kind for packing, and bears freely when forced and
in open ground. Boule d'Or I discarded because
the plants grew badly and the fruit was inferior to
that of many others. Of all systems in cultivation
I have tried none surpass my earliest practice,
viz,, trenching two spades deep, manuring liberally
under top spit, planting in rows, and the plants
kept as single stools, according to the grossness of
the kinds, 2 feet to 2h feet wide, and 18 inches
from plant to plant. The ground is trodden firmly
and the plants which have been forced the previous
season are preferred to any others. They are
planted in June or July, and never remain longer
on the ground than two or three seasons. — M.
Temple, Carvon House, FalMrli.

Stove and Greenhouse.

ARRANGING CONSERVATORIES.
The remarks I am about to make upon this
subject have more particular reference to

one covered with tine gravel. Thus the groups
can be entirely varied to suit the taste, the
walks changed in their course, and either made
wide when the supply of plants is not so plenti-
ful, or narrowed when there is an abundance.
This does not prevent such prominent plants as
Palms, Draerenas, and Tree Perns from being
used when of large and noble proportions. Such
can be planted out in small beds, each one by
itself or a few together, according to the case.
These at times may have flowering plants
grouped against or around them, and on other
occasions be left almost, or quite free. To
such a system of arrangement belongs that
which is clearly shown in the accompanying
engraving. The grouping together there illus-
trated of Lilies is a system not nearly so much
adopted as it might be both with these and
other plants of somewhat tall and distinct
growth. It produces a better effect, moreover,
than when the same number of plants are
scattered all over the house, and these, in all
probability, arranged in a methodical, matter-
of-fact way, as if geometrical precision were the
chief or only point to be considered both in
height and distance. Such a system as the

Conservatory "without staging.

arrangements made for effect in the grouping
together of plants than they have to that of
merely arranging the plants solely for purposes
of growth. By the latter means many subjects
are far better developed and brought to per-
fection ; by the former they are seen to greater
advantage when in their beauty. A well-
arranged group of plants in a conservatory
produces at all times a pleasing effect. In
attaining this, the great point to aim at is a
diversity in the arrangement from time to time.
In accomplishing this change from previous
methods, when the plants are all grouped upon
the level, without any cumbrous stage upon
which to place them, quite a different appearance
may be wrought, even with nearby the same
material. To facilitate such a system of
arranging plants it is an advantage, without
doubt, to have a paved or concrete floor, or else

latter, when effect is the chief consideration,
cannot be too strongly condemned, yet it is the
chief study of some to attain to this error.
Those who follow this matter-of-fact way would
perhaps find it rather hard work, or requiring
at least a strong effort of the will to overcome
it. They would, however, by close observation
soon take note of the change for the better
when once they got over the formal system,
especially if they be of a discerning turn of
mind. Not only is there a decided advantage
in point of effect, but in nearly every case is
there a decided saving in the amount of plants
required to produce the same display. At all
seasons of the year there are plants suited for
such arrangements ; dwarf kinds even need not
be excluded, as these, too, may be grouped in
a similar way in front of others or in rustic
baskets where these are appreciated. J. H.

SALVIAS IN BLOOM.

Next to the Chrysanthemum perhaps the most
useful class of plants for furnishing the greenhouse
with bright coloured blossoms during the autumn
months are the different Salvias. The flowers of
none of them, however, are of much use for cutting,
as in most cases they very quickly drop. The
brightest of all is the old Salvia splendens, of
which we have more than one form in cultivation.
The variety Bruanti is dwarfer and more compact
in habit than the older kind, while the blossoms are
also somewhat brighter. I have also seen one
grown under the name of compacta, which appears
t o be identical with the above. A newer variety is
Ingenieur Clarenad, announced as a seedling from
S. splendens, but more free flowering and with
darker blossoms. Judging by a small plant, it ap-
pears to be much in the way of S. Bruanti. A very
distinct variety is M. Issanchou, the flowers of
which are white and soon drop, while the more
persistent calyces are white striped irregularly with
scarlet. This variety is more delicate in constitu-
tion than any other of this class of Salvias. The
form of S. involucrata known as Bethelli with its
bright pink blossoms is also beautifully in flower,
while perhaps the one that has attracted the great-
est amount of attention within the last few years is
S. Pitcheri, now regarded as a variety of S. azurea,
and known under the name of S. azurea
grandiflora. The leaves of this are narrow, while
the shoots, which are long and slender, are clothed
for some distance along their upper part with beau-
tiful azure-blue blossoms. The light and elegant
shoots of this Salvia are seen to great advantage
when mingled with Marguerites or with white
Chrysanthemums. Other pretty varieties are S.
rutilans, leucantha, and boliviana verticillata. The
first of these (rutilans) is noticeable from the fact
that the leaves are very agreeably scented. IE the
hand be passed lightly over the rough leaves a per-
fume suggestive of ripe Apples is emitted, but
should the plant be handled too roughly the strong
scent common to most Salvias then becomes very
noticeable, in addition to the more agreeable per-
fume. It is a sturdy vigorous-growing species, and
the bright crimson-coloured blossoms are more
slender and disposed in a more graceful manner
than in most of the others. S. leucantha forms a
free, much-branched plant of a somewhat open cha-
racter, with curious woolly stems, and this is espe-
cially noticeable in the case of the long flower-
spike. The most showy part of the inflorescence is
tne calyx of the flower, while the pure white blos-
soms which protrude therefrom do not remain long
in perfection. S. boliviana verticillata, for some
reason or other, is not generally grown, yet each re-
curring season it forms a very attractive feature in
No. i greenhouse at Kew during the early months
of the year, being later in opening than any of the
oihers previously mentioned. This is a free, bold-
growing kind, with bright green wrinkled leaves,
each broadly heart-shaped, and about 8 inches in
length. The individual blooms are rather small,
but borne in dense masses composed of whorl after
whorl of brilliant scarlet flowers. It has been, I
believe, known in this country for some years, but
still it certainly merits extended cultivation.

H. P.

Geranium, Henri Jacoby. — I question if any
Geranium is so largely grown at the present time
as this, for not only does it stand at the head of the
list of summer bedders, but it is also one of the
very best for pot culture, and for winter blooming
there is hardly any kind that can equal it. For bed-
ding it is simply grand ; its excellent habit of growth
and freedom of bloom entitling it to the first place.
Not only is the colour very rich and striking, but
the size and massiveness of the heads and stout
footstalks ensure its being able to defy all weathers.
Although I grow a good many Geraniums specially
for winter flowering, I find that the plants of Henri
Jacoby, carefully lifted and potted before frcst had
touched them and placed in gentle heat, are now
so covered with tine brilliant heads of bloom, that
one would think they had been specially prepared
in some way for winter flowering. I find the best
plants are those that had the most sunshine in

Nov. 29, 1890.1

THE GARDEN.

515

summer, and when planted in rather poor soil.
These had short- jointed wood, and when furnished
with plenty o£ flower-buds were lifted. Potted
into 6-inch pots and afterwards placed in a tem-
perature of about 55°, they have flowered very freely.
I am sure that anyone trying the same plan will be
amply rewarded, as the brilliant trusses of bloom
are most useful for mixing with the more sombre-
coloured flowers of November. — J. G. H.

ASPIDISTRA LEAVES TURNING YELLOW.

Can you tell me why some of the leaves of my Aspi-
distras turn bright yellow and die ? A fine plant
has lost three leaves this autumn in this way. It
had been repotted this summer. I should be glad
of any other hints respecting the treatment of Aspi-
distras in dark London houses. — An Old Sub-

*#* The most probable cause of this occurring is
to be attributed to the potting during the past
summer. It will occur under the best conditions
of culture after the roots have been disturbed or
in any way submitted to a check if extra care
is not bestowed upon the plant for some time after-
wards. Repotting is, of course, necessary with all
plants, but when done more attention afterwards is
needed until the plants become established. • I
should imagine that the plant in question had either
been potted in soil uncongenial to it, or that too
much water had been supplied afterwards, thus
causing the roots in a measure to perish, at the
same time rendering the soil sour and unfit for
healthy root-action. It may have been caused
through allowing the plant to get too dry at the
root after potting, the fresh soil looking probably
moist enough, but the mass of roots possibly far
too dry. I have said sufficient on this point to in'
dicate that a happy medium has to be chosen to
steer clear of either one evil or the other, the first-
named being, however, the most to be dreaded
After a plant is potted it should be less exposed to
sharp draughts or currents of air, and if possible
be given a more congenial atmosphere than that
afforded by a room. A greenhouse would suit it
best at such a time, keeping the plant screened
from the direct rays of the sun with gentle bedew
ings overhead during warm days. A more remote
cause might be insects, but to attacks of these the
Aspidistra is not generally subject. This can be
guarded against at all times by carefully syringing
the leaves, using water with a weak solution of soft
soap in it well dissolved. In every case this syring-
ing is beneficial to the plant both as regards health
and appearance. The soil best suited to the
Aspidistra is good turfy loam, two-thirds, silver
sand, a little bone meal, or well-decomposed leaf-
soil forming the remainder of the compost. Firm
potting is requisite, the ball of the plant being kept
a little lower in the pot than formerly, so as to al-
low of a good top-dressing of fresh soil upon the
surface. In repotting into a larger pot choose one
not more than 1 inch greater in diameter. In the
case of a plant not in a healthy condition, the better
way is to carefully remove the exhausted soil suffi-
ciently to allow of a good amount of fresh soil
taking its place. Always select a clean pot for its
reception in any case, and one that has not been
in use for a while previously is better than the same
pot being used again at once. During the colder
season of the year the Aspidistra (particularly the
plant in question now it has been ' just potted)
should not be exposed to the cold air. By this I
mean standing the plant near to a window which is
frequently thrown open at the bottom. Air ad-
mitted from the top will do no harm, but if this
cannot be conveniently arranged, then remove the
plant away from the window for the time being.
I believe injury is often done to plants in cold wea-
ther by this early morning exposure. The repotting
of Aspidistras need not be performed under ordi-
nary conditions more than once in two years. It
is far better to keep the plants in comparatively
small pots as long as they remain in a healthy
state, the only extra attention being more frequent
watering. This the Aspidistra delights in as long

as its roots are in a healthy condition. The addi-
tion of a little good soil upon the surface will do
good at times. The variegated form is rather more
tender than the ordinary type ; hence it needs a
little more careful management. — J. H.

Double Petunias.— The best way tD obtain a
stock of Petunias is to take cuttings from the points of
the youug growths. Old plants soon exhaust the soil
in which they are growing, the result heiug that the
leaves become yellow. Old plants cut down are not
likely to succeed so well as young stock from cuttings.
The best way to keep the plants through the winter is
to take cuttings early in September, and preserve them
iu store pots.

Societies and Exhibitions.

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY.
The committee meeting held on Tuesday afternoon
last at the Royal Aquarium was the best of the
year. There were several novelties, and a first-
class certificate was given to each of the follow-
ing :—

Sunset. — This is a strange, striking, and for
some purposes useful variety, best described as a
semi-double Japanese. It was shown both by Mr.
Shea, Foot's Cray, Kent, and Mr. Owen, of Maiden-
head, the finest flowers coming from Mr. Shea.
They were of great width, distinctly semi-double,
and with florets of great length/ the upper portion
coloured with rich orange, the other bright red — a
gaudy association of colour, especially with the
pale silvery reverse. It will be valued for decora-
tion, and its fantastic expression will possibly win
it admirers.

Beauty of Castlehill. — This is a Japanese
variety, reminding one strongly of both Boule d'Or
and Vieille d'Or. It is an English seedling, very
striking in colour, rich yellow, shaded with reddish
bronze, and of bold form, the petals big and of
very similar character to those of the two varieties
mentioned. From Mr. Owen, Castlehill Nursery,
Maidenhead.

Countess of Lytton. — We scarcely regard this
as sufficiently distinct from Ralph Brocklebank to
warrant the award given. The colour is certainly
more primrose, but we have the same character of
petal, shape, and general appearance. It would not
be safe to put a bloom of this and Ralph Brockle-
bank in a stand of distinct flowers'. It' is a sport
from Meg Merrilies. Exhibited by Mr. Owen.

Peincess Waldemae. — A pretty incurved flower,
not of sufficient size as shown to please the exhi-
bitor, but cultivation will improve this fault, if it
can be so called. It resembles Eve, and is of a
beautifully incurved shape, the petals small, pointed
and narrow, making up a fine and compact bloom ;
the colour is almost wholly soft pink. From Mr.
Owen.

Beauty of Castlewood. — A fine flower, and
shown well by Mr. Cox, gardener to Mr. Trotter,
Brickenden Grange, Hertford, and Mr. Beckett. It is
very much like both Edwin Molyneux and Mrs. C.
Wheeler, the blooms from Mr. Beckett resembling
the first-named, but the flowers certificated were
of the Mrs. C. Wheeler character. They are dis-
tinctly of the incurved Japanese section, the petals
very large, waxy, and splendidly coloured, the outer
surface deep orange-yellow, the inner face rich crim-
son. It should make one of the best exhibition va-
rieties of its class.

Violet Rose is a Japanese incurved variety,
and welcome to the exhibitor. It has size, form, and
good colour in its favour— three essential character-
istics. The petals incurve and produce a flower
close and compact, but not stiff, while the colour
is rich rose of unusual depth. From Mr. Beckett,
gardener to Mr. H. H. Gibbs, Aldenham Park, Els-
tree, Herts. Flowers were also received from Messrs.
Reid and Bornemann, Sydenham.

Mbs. E. W. Clabke.— This is one of the finest
Japanese incurved varieties ef the season, and the

flowers from Mr. E. Beckett were of large size, the
petals incurved, so as to make it almost a good type
of that section. A certain stiffness and regularity
of outline deprive it of the true character of the
Japanese race. It is high in the centre, very full,
and the florets are deep lake in colour, the reverse
much paler. An American variety.

A. C. Kingston. — A reflexed Japanese flower,
welcome for its colour — an intense shade of crim-
son, the reverse of the florets paler. The shape is
very compact, but for its colour alone, which is of
a kind much wanted, we can strongly recommend
it. Beautiful shades as this are not too common in
the Chrysanthemum. From Messrs. H. Cannell &
Sons, Swanley.

Dan.1. — A Japanese variety of great promise,
and possessing one great trait — a distinct and strik-
ing colour, which is intense yellow, mixed with a
reddish shade, that gives brilliancy to the flower.
It has long bold petals, twisted about in the charm-
ing way that marks many of our best Japanese
kinds. From Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons.

These were the best things shown, but there
were many others. Mr. Shea exhibited excellent
flowers of the Japanese variety L. Canning, which
is of the Eynsford White character, very pure, but
scarcely required with the beautiful whites we have
now. George Atkinson is of the same class, but too
near Avalanche. Mr. Owen had a number of new
kinds, many English raised seedlings and sports.
The most striking were : G. P. Rawson, an incurved
Japanese of a distinct apricot colour ; Mrs. Francis
A. Spaulding, of the same class and rich orange,
the petals lined with yellow at the back, and show-
ing a rose reverse; Secretaire Cassagneau, rose-
lilac, very free, and useful for decoration, besides
many of the more recent acquisitions. Messrs. H<
Cannell & Sons had a charming collection of new
varieties, amongst others apromising Japanese flower
named Citron, brilliant yellow, the centre reddish
in colour, and of even shape ; Souvenir d'Angele
Amiel, of the style of Gloire Rayonnante, the pe-
tals delicate pink and thread-like; and Guernsey
Sunset, a single flower of a buff colour, very pleas-
ing. Mr. Beckett exhibited a clear lemon-coloured
Japanese flower named Mont Blanc and other kinds.
Mr. E. Molyneux, gardener to Mr. W. H. Myers,
Swanmore Park, Bishop's Waltham, sent flowers of
the Japanese Anatole Cordonnier, a full, lilac-rose
and bold variety, but too damaged to merit an
award. A pretty flower that we should like to see
again is of the Japanese class, and named Mrs.
Needs. It was shown by Mr. J. T. Barker, gar-
dener to Mr. S. Taylor Whitehead. It is white,
the petals deep rose at the extremity, and flushed
with the same colour in the upper portion. An in-
teresting collection was exhibited by Mr. Jones,
Lewisham, and comprised principally flowers useful
for cutting. Two only were of value for this pur-
pose, viz., Alice Carter and Mrs. James Carter, both
of which have flowers no larger than a florin, the
florets as thin, as thread, and .very graceful in spe-
cimen glasses on the table. The colour of the for-
mer is red and of the other yellow. James Weston,
an Anemone flower, is one of the best for cuttiDg,
and flowers were also sent of the thin-petalled
Lilian Bird, besides a sport from Cullingfordi. This
splendid Chrysanthemum seems to have sported
freely this season. Several were shown on the pre-
sent occasion, but none of sufficient worth to
warrant any comment. Howard Crane, a pompon
variety in the way of Vfeuve, seems to indicate a
new departure. The flower is of true pompon shape,
rich yellow outside, but deep red in the centre, as
clearly defined in colour as a Gaillardia bloom. Mr.
Hookings, gardener to Mr. W. S. Graystoke, Hurst-
side, West Moulsey, sent two incurved sports. An-
other excellent selection was from Messrs. Reid &
Bornemann, Sydenham, who exhibited the new Mrs.
E. W. Clarke and Violet Rose, both splendid addi-
tions, besides Shasta, one of the Gloire Rayonnante
race, pure white, the florets thin and graceful ; R.
W. Cowles, certificated by the National Chrysan-
themum Society on Nov. 11, 1890, and Vieille d'Or,
rich yellow.

Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, exhibited
the Anemone - flewered Bessie Flight, a charm-

516

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 29, 1890.

ing variety, the centre yellow and the guard florets
rose.

The general committee of this society held a
meeting at Anderton's Hotel on Monday evening
last ; when Mr. E. Ballantine presided. Immediately
following the reading of the minutes of the previous
meeting, the chairman referred in appropriate terms
to the loss the society had sustained by the death
of the late Mr. Shirley Hibberd, whose paper at the
conference and speech at the centenary banquet
were much appreciated, and proposed that the
following vote of condolence should be sent
to the deceased's executors as well as to the garden-
ing press : —

The committee of the National Chrysanthemum So-
ciety desire to place on record their recognition of the
service rendered by the late Mr. Shirley Hibberd to
floriculture and to the cultivation of the Chrysanthe-
mum in particular, their grateful appreciation of his
valuable co-operation in reading a paper at one of the
conferences, and speaking at the banquet held in con-
nection with the recent centenary celebration, and
their sense of the great loss to horticulture and horti-
cultural organisations through his lamented death.

A letter was read from Mrs. Marian Thrower, the
delegate from the Northern Horticultural Society
of Tasmania, expressing gratification at her recep-
tion by the National Chrysanthemum Society, and
intimating that the kindness and courtesy she had
received on all sides would form an enjoyable re
collection of her participation in the centenary
festival. The chairman reported that the recent
show was quite successful, and that the directors
of the Aquarium Company were quite content, the
attendance of visitors having come up to their ex-
pectations. At the banquet there was a large num-
bar of new faces, and the proceedings were highly
interesting, although the absence of many old
friends and gardeners was, perhaps, unavoidable,
owing to the date being somewhat earlier than
usual in former years. Certain recommendations
as to additional and extra prizes were made, Mr.
Davis being awarded a £2 prize for his group, and
Mr. H. J. Jones 30s. on account of cartage expenses
for his group. A rough sketch of the financial
position was then given, by which it was estimated
that the probable income of the society up to the
date of the January show would be about £745, and
that the total probable expense would amount to
about £605, thus leaving a likely balance of some-
thing approaching £140, which includes the con-
tribution of the Aquarium Company towards the
January show. This highly satisfactory result ap-
peared to be much appreciated by the members,
and showed how judiciously the society had been
managed by the executive since the late Mr. William
Holmes's death. Members who are still in arrears
with their subscriptions will save much unneces-
sary correspondence by remitting them without
delay.

An offer of special prizes from Messrs. Cannell
was received and referred to the schedule com-
mittee. They were for blooms of the new variety
Louis Bcehmer at the society's show in November,
1891. At the centenary show Mr. Briscoe-Ironside
was authorised to make a return of the number of
varieties of cut blooms that were then staged, and
the result of his investigation is somewhat interest-
ing, and is as follows : Japanese, 78 varieties ; Japan-
ese incurved, 1!) varieties ; Japanese reflexed, 20
varieties ; incurved, 64 varieties ; reflexed, l'J varie-
ties ; Anemone, 24 varieties ; Japanese Anemone,
12 varieties ; pompon, 40 varieties ; pompon Ane-
mone, 23 varieties— making a total in all of 299
distinct varieties of Chrysanthemums out of all
t'rose known that were staged upon that occasion.
The number of entries was 266 in the cut
bloom classes, and the blooms themselves amounted
to 3837. The shows of the National Chrysanthe-
mum Society for next season were then arranged
as follows : The early flowering show on Wednesday
and Thursday of the second week in September,
1891 ; the ordinary November show on Tuesday
nnd Wednesday of the second week in Novembi
1891, with the option of it being continued on the
Thursday if a three days' show should ultimately

be decided on ; and the late flowering exhibition on
January 8 and 9, 1892.

The following societies were then admitted in
affiliation : Caterham and District, the Sitting-
bourne Gardeners, &c, Improvement, the Campbell-
town Horticultural Society of Tasmania, and the
Hobart Horticultural Society, Tasmania. Thirty-
two new members were also elected.

In consequence of the appointment of Mr. R.
Dean as hon. sec. pro tern., a vacancy for judge at
the next January show had occurred. Mr. Prickett
was elected to fill the post. The representative of
the affiliated society at Wellington, New Zealand,
tendered his thanks for the cordial reception he
had received.

After much discussion, it was decided that the
next season's shows be again held at the Koyal
Aquarium, Westminster.

The William Holmes Memorial Fund. —

The directors of the Royal Aquarium, Westmin-
ster, in consideration of the late Mr. William
Holmes' long connection with that institution as
hon. secretary of the National Chrysanthemum So-
ciety, and as manager of the flower shows, have
generously offered to give a benefit performance in
aid of the Holmes Memorial Fund throughout the
day of Wednesday, December 17 next. In order to
render the occasion as attractive as possible, and
with a view to augmenting the fund, it has been
arranged that a floral fete and bazaar shall be held
in the building on the same day. The committee
will be grateful for a few flowers to furnish the
stalls, and though flowers are scarce at this time of
year, it is essential to the success of the fund that
it be proceeded with at once, and an earnest appeal
is made for assistance in so laudable an object.
Flowers may be made into sprays or button-holes,
or packed separately, and should reach the Royal
Aquarium before 11 a.m. on December 17, addressed
to Mr. Lewis Castle. Fruit or miniature plants will
also be acceptable, as the entire proceeds of
the bazaar will be devoted to the fund. Tickets of
admission are issued at Is. each, and as those sold
will afford a substantial addition to the fund, it is
especially desired that application be made at once
to the hon. secretary, Lewis Castle, Hotham House,
Merton, Surrey.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Peach. Golden Eagle. — In reply to Mr. Bur-
rell, I can most highly recommend Peach Golden
Eagle. A very line crop was ripened here out of doors
in the middle of October, very brightly coloured, and,
above all, of most delicious flavour, partaking of the
taste of an Apricot as well as of a Peach. The tree
has a vigorous constitution, is a very free bearer, and
the fruit travels well. — E. A. L , Thortiham Cottage,
King's Lynn.

A new Anemone Chrysanthemum. — We
have received from Messrs. J. Laing aud Sons, Forest
Hill, flowers of a sport from the Anemone variety
Mme. Montels, a soft pink flower, bright yellow disc,
and called Bessie Flight. It is a distinct and wel-
come acquisition. The flowers are a little larger than
those of the type, fuller, and richly coloured, the
broad disc orange-yellow, and the guard florets deep
lilac-rose. It should become a favourite.

Hypericum chinense belongs to the green-
house section of St. John's Wort, and we wish that
such a charming evergreen shrub as this were hardy
in our climate. A large bush of it is now in bloom at
Peudell Court, where itis planted out in a large house.
Its abundant rich green leafage is distinctive, but the
flowers are the great attraction ; they are deep yellow,
each about the size of half-a-crown, and with a bunch
of long central stamens of an orange hue. It is a
beautiful thing for a conservatory border.

Correa eardinalis. — It is a pleasure to find a
good example cf this in gardens, and there is one at
Pendell Court in a house devoted principally to Aus>
tralian plants. It is planted out in the central bed ii:
peaty soil, and has grown about 3 feet in height, each
shoot brighteued by a number of the pendent bright
scarlet flowers. It makes a brilliant picture thus
treated, but in pots it is often an eyesore. We sup
pose liai'd-wooded plants will return again to favour,

and the " specimen " craze is to be thanked for their
almost total extinction.

Barleria ccerulea is one of the most interesting
plants in bloom now in the Pendell Court Gardens,
Bletchingley. Itis not a common plant, and we regret
it, as its sky-blue flowers against the rich abundance
of bold foliage have a distinctive aud vigorous beauty.
It belongs to the Acauthaceoe, an order splendidly re-
presented in this choice collection of stove plants, and
it haB the merit of long blooming, the specimen
planted out in the border there having been in full
Hower since the middle of June. The craze for Orchids
has driven many of the finest stove plants from the
garden, and the Barlerias can be classed amongst
neglected things.

Hardy flowers in November. — These few
outdoor flowers may interest you. The Solanum
jasminoides and Chrysanthemum Julie Lagravere
are in a somewhat sheltered position, but the others
are fully exposed to all weathers. Julie Lagravere

invaluable for outdoor work. Crocus serotinus is
a perfect little gem just now, hundreds of its flowers
being out. The Pernettyas are grand ; the shoots
sent are from plants raised from my own seed.—
A. Kingsmill, The Holt, Harrow Weald.

*#* A very welcome gathering of flowers. There
are few Chrysanthemums of finer colour or better
for outdoors than Julie Lagravere. The Pernettyas
represent several varieties with berries of varied
colours. —Ed.

Dahlia imperialis. — This is one of the remark-
able semi-arborescent species of Dahlia natives of
Mexico. It is not often seen in this country, owing
to its large size and the necessity of housing it in
autumn. Although it grows quite as luxuriantly
out-of-doors as any of the common garden kinds do,
it flowers too late to escape the first frosts. It is
necessary therefore to grow it in pots, removing it
to a cool greenhouse during the first week in
October. Two plants are now flowering in the
temperate house at Kew, and owing to the com-
parative immunity from fogs up to the present they
are in great beauty. The flower heads are terminal
on each of the branchlets towards the top, thus
forming a huge panicle. Each bloom measures over 6
inches across, and is now perfectly pure white ;
as it gets older a faint tinge of lilac is developed.
The centre florets are bright yellow. Against the
deep green foliage of the other occupants of this
house the flowers are extremely effective. The best
plan with this Dahlia is to grow it on from cuttings
each year. Before it reaches its full size, pots 20
inches in diameter must be used, a rich loamy soil
being needed and abundance of manure.

Aeampe dentata. — The genus to which this
Orchid belongs is not one that has hitherto found
much recognition outside botanic gardens. It is,
therefore, somewhat of a surprise to see it re-
presented by such a really handsome species as the
one under notice, a plant of which is now flowering
very freely at Kew. The plant has a stem 18 inches
high, bearing distichous leaves, and is like a Vanda
or Renanthera in habit. The flowers are closely
arranged on semi-erect, branching racemes, the
main stem of which is a foot long, and the secondary
ones 3 inches or 4 inches long. Each flower is
about three-quarters of an inch in diameter with
spathulate sepals and petals of a yellowish colour
barred with purple-brown. The lip is yellowish
white, triangular in front, but inflated behind into
a thick, rounded spur. It is not so much the in-
dividual flowers as their number and arrangement
that constitute the beauty of this plant. The leaves
are each from 6 inches to 8 inches long. Aeampe
is an epiphytal genus distributed in India and China.
A. dentata requires the same treatment as Vanda.

Cirrhopetalum Medusee.— This plant, which
is now in flower at Kew, must certainly be
classed with the most remarkable of Orchids.
Although the mere fact of its belonging to this
genus prepares one for a good deal of singularity,
none of the other species in cultivation carry gro-
tesqueness of form to such an extent as this. The
plant itself is like most of its allies, having short
acutely four-angled pseudo-bulbs surmounted by a
single leathery, narrowly-oblong leaf, which is dark
green and from 4 in. to 6 in. long. The scape is
erect, clothed with green sheaths and about 8 inches

Nov. 20, 1890.;

THE GARDEN.

517

high. As in the other species, the numerous flowers
are gathered into a dense cluster at the top of the
scape. The remarkable part of the flower is the
sepals; these are triangular at the base, but the two
lateral ones are drawn out into slender pale yellow
filaments 4 in. or 5 in. long, the upper sepal being
about half the size. The other parts of the flower
are inconspicuous. The appearance of the whole
iuflorescence is like a tangled mass of hanging
threads, and the specific name is extremely appro-
priate. Although the species has been known for
over fifty years, it is very rarely seen in cultivation
— certainly not so often as its interest and even
beauty warrant. It is a native of Singapore.

The fruit of Benthainia fragifera.— The
fruit of this tree has been exceptionally large this
autumn, but for some unaccountable reason the
birds have taken it much earlier than usual, although
the season is very mild and plenty of other food
to be found. At p. 45 4 Mr. Milne-Redhead states
that he has often seen the Benthamia " growing in
warm regions, and that the size and colour of bracts
in your issue of Nov. 1 were exaggerated." I may
state for Mr. Milne-Redhead's information that
many thousands of flowers could have been gathered
from the same tree as large as those from which
the plate was drawn, and many larger. In hot dry
seasons here, which we seldom get, the bracts are not
so large, but quite as highly coloured. — W. 0., Fata.

Everlasting Peas from cuttings. — In your
issue of Nov. 8, "J. C." attributes the scarcity of
Lathyrus Drummondi to the difficulty that attends
its propagation, the plant seeding but sparingly,
and the seed it produces germinating badly. He
states also that division is a slow method of in-
crease. If next spring when the plentiful young
growths from his Everlasting Peas are about 3
inches high he will take some off with a small
portion of the white underground growth and put
them in pots on a mild hotbed, he will find that he
can very soon get up a stock, and at the same time
improve the remaining growths by having thinned
them out. I have found every cutting in a potful
root very readily, having several times tried this plan
with Lathyrus Drummondi.— J. T. Bennett-PoS.

The Utricularias are plants of exquisite grace,
and the pure white U. montana, illustrated by a
coloured plate in The Garden, December 2, 1882,
should be in every stove. It is in bloom now at
Pendell Court, and although well known by name,
is one of those gems that is worth a note every
year. The only two exotic species in cultivation
are U. montana and U. Endresi, although the
genus numbers about 150 kinds, several familiar to
plant lovers. IT. Endresi and IT. montana have
much in common, but with two important distinc-
tions ; the flowers of the former are delicate lilac,
and those of the latter larger and snow white
save for a yellow signal in the centre of the lower
spreading lobe, or lip, as it might be called for
sake of description. IT. montana is grown at Pen-
dell Court in the Orchid house, and in a small
square basket placed close to the glass. Plenty of
water is essential, and this is the system followed
by Mr. Ballantine, gardener to Baron Schrceder,
The Dell, Egham, who grows Utricularia mon-
tana on the north or shaded side of the
Cattleya house, placed close to the glass to re-
ceive every ray of light, but shaded from the sun.
An ordinary Orchid basket is used, filled loosely
with good Sphagnum Moss. Water is given liber-
ally during the growing season, viz., spring and
summer, but at no time is the soil permitted to get
dry. This sums up the whole secret of success.
The species was introduced about 1870 from Mar-
tinique, and Endres found IT. Endresi in Costa Rica.
The beauty of the Utricularias is best seen when
the plants are large, and the graceful racemes
spread about in profusion.

Passiflora adiantifolia.— This is the same
species referred to in The Garden (p. 454) as P.
adiantum, under which name it is to be found in
Paxton's " Botanical Dictionary," also in the same
book as Disemma adiantifolia, syn. Murucuia
adiantifolia. If it cannot now be procured in this
country, perhaps the director of some continental or
colonial botanic garden or plant collectors in Nor-

folk Island will kindly assist in re-introducing such
a desirable and interesting subject. The flowers
are so distinct from those of every other species of
Passion Flower, that I believe if it be taken in hand
by the hybridist, some lovely shades of orange and
red would be the result. It is much to be regretted
that besides P. adiantifolia so many old and in-
teresting plants have been allowed to go out of
general cultivation during the last few years.
While looking through the tropical houses in the
Jardin des Plantes, Paris, last season I was much in-
terested in seeing the large number of plants that
were introduced and cultivated generally in the
early part of the present century, and now only to
be found in botanic gardens. Many of these old
favourites if re-introduced would find numerous
admirers among the present generation. — R. B.
Makowski, The Nursery, West Drayton.

Eupatorium probum. — This was referred to
in The Garden, Nov. 8 (p. 432), and we had the
pleasure of noting several plants of it in flower at
Pendell Court, the residence of Sir George Macleay.
It promises to make a thoroughly useful indoor
flower, differing widely from the other Eupatoriums,
though there is no question as to what race it
belongs to. The habit is remarkably compact,
bushy, and dwarf, the leafage distinctly viscous,
and the individual flowers pure white, large, and fine,
not unlike those of the white Pink in miniature.
Its exceptional freedom is a great recommendation
in a plant that is worth wide cultivation. It is very
easily grown, may be readily struck from cuttings,
and indeed, as far as culture is concerned, is like
any other Eupatorium.

Fuchsia dependens.— This fine old Fuchsia is
in bloom now in the Pendell Court collection, where
in one of the houses a large specimen, trained
under the roof, shows what a delightful spe-
cies this is. There was once a good plant in the
Chiswick Gardens, and it is certainly one of those
things that should not be passed over in the search
for mere novelties. It is of extreme gracefulness,
and reminds one, so far as the habit is concerned,
of F. corymbitlora, bearing, like it, pendulous clus-
ters of flowers, which have bright scarlet-coloured
sepals and a narrow tube-like corolla of a softer
shade — a pleasing contrast of tint. The best way
to get the full beauty of such plants is to train
them under the roof, as then the flowers hang
down gracefully. It is planted out in the border
and requires very little attention. We have to thank
the late Dr. Jamieson for F. dependens, he having
found it on the northern slope of Pinchincha, near
Quito.

Aristolochia elegans is one of those interest-
ing, beautiful, and free-growing things that no gar-
den in possession of a good stove should be with-
out. It is illustrated by a coloured plate in The
Garden of June 19, 188U, and is in bloom now at
Pendell Court ; in truth it would not be easy to find
it without some of its brilliantly marked and cha-
racteristically shaped flowers. It was introduced
by Mr. Bull, of Chelsea, and plants were also re-
ceived at Kew from Dr. Capanema, who found it
in Paraguay, and establi shed it as a garden plant in
Rio Janeiro. It wants an intermediate house, grows
vigorously, and quickly clothes a rafter. We often
see it starved in a pot, but the best way is to treat
this climber as at Pendell Court, that is, to plant it
out in the border, training the growth near the
glass, and cutting the stem down every year. Never
grow such a rampant, vigorous thing in pots, but aim
always at young, strong growths, which give a pro-
fusion of delightful flowers.

Arctotis arborescens is one of those plants
that find a home in few English gardens. One may
find a good specimen in some botanic gardens, but it
is only in such a place as Kew or Pendell Court,
Bletchingley, that we could hope to see the things
that in former days were cultivated with ardent
love. The best plant of A. arborescens we know is at
Pendell Court, where in a cool house it is now in
flower. The growth is distinct, luxuriant, and rich
green in colour, an admirable setting for the Mar-
guerite-like flowers, which would pass for the Paris
Daisy but for a brilliant yellow centre and a flush
of pink over the spreading, pointed, star-like petals.

It is happily a plant that will live almost anywhere
if it has protection, and will succeed planted out
in any rubbish ; so a carefully prepared compost is
unnecessary. There are many corners in plant
houses that might be given up to such interesting
plants as A. arborescens. It is a native of the
Cape of Good Hope, introduced early in the present
century, and makes a tree-like growth.

Costus igneus is a brilliant species. We know
nothing that can surpass the intense orange colour
of its bold telling flowers, each measuring quite
2 inches across. It is blooming now in the Water
Lily house at Pendell Court, where a plant by the
water-side has grown into a large leafy clump.
The Costuses have fine foliage, and in this instance
the colour is bright green, but we have also here
handsome flowers as a contrast. The blossoms open
in succession, sometimes several being open to-
gether, and occasionally none at all, but this does
not mar its usefulness. It wants a stove tempera-
ture, but soon grows into a huge mass, loving
moisture and associating well with the Nelumbium
and things that must have boggy soil. It is a rare
plant in gardens, but this can only be for the
reason that its splendid flowers are unknown to
many gardeners. We should strongly urge its cul-
ture where there is such a house as at Pendell
Court, where the Nelumbium, tropical Water Lily,
and bog plants are carefully and successfully cul-
tivated.

The funeral of the late Mr. Shirley Hibberd

took place on Saturday last in the presence of a
large number of friends. The first part of the burial
office was said in the church of All Saints', Aden
Grove, Stoke Newington, the vicar, the Rev. H.
Shrimpton, giving a brief address appropriate to the
solemn occasion. The place of burial was the
Abney Park Cemetery, a few minutes' walk from
the church, and there about one hundred friends
gathered round the grave. There were many
wreaths, not a few composed of Ivy — a graceful,
thoughtful tribute to one who loved well this Eng-
lish climber.

Hull Chrysanthemum show.— A prize list
of this excellent exhibition, held ou Nov. 19 and 20, is
given in our advertising columns.

Names of plants.— T. Harris.— From the flower

sent it appears to he a Pitcairnea. J. Smith. A,

Pteris arguta ; B, Blechnum occidentale ; c, Adiantum

teneruru; D, Adiantum cuneatum. G. — 1, Epiden-

drum Cooperianum ; 2, Cattleya Bowringiana ; 3, Ca-
lanthe vestita rubra. T. B. B — The Cattleya flower-
ing now is probably C. Percivaliana, aud not C . Triance.

IS. M — Odontoglossum odoratum ; please send

flowers of the other specimen. Mrs. BotUwell.—The

leaves sent are those of Cineraria maritima. C. J. -R-,

Dwnifries— Pellaea flexuosa; not rare, hut a choice

Fern requiring temperate treatment. J. T. — 1, Ha-

ivorthia cymbiformis ; 2, H. araclmoides ; 3, Bryo-

phyllum calycinum. Mrs. T., Herts— Astrantia

maxima. T. J. — It appears to be a Salvia, aud looks

like S. Forskohli ; 2, Pelargonium tomentosum.

Ellen T.—l, the fruit of Martynia proboscidea; 2,
the Venus Fly-trap (Dionaaa muscipula) ; 3, Stapelia

Bufonis. /. Moffat.— We do not name from leaves

only, but yours are so very conspicuous — Lasiopetalum

solanaceuin. M. M. Walls. — Your Laslia is L.

crispa. J. R. P.— Leycesteria formosa. H. G. K.

— 1, Trichomane3 humile ; 2, Sitolohium adiantoides ;
3, Polypodium Schkuhri ; 4, Davallia fijiensis ; 5,
Adiantum Feei ; 0, Lophosoria pruinata ; 7, Lomaria

Patersoni. C. Jackson.— 1, Buddleia globosa ; 2,

Arbutus Unedo ; 3, Acacia, send in flower.—; — X. Y. Z.
— 1, Nephrodium decompositum ; 2, Asplenimn bulhi-
ferum ; 3, Coecoloha platyclada ; 4, Asplenium latifo-
lium ; 5, Adiantum scutum ; (5, Curculigo recurvata ;
10, Begonia incamata purpurea. The following had
lost their lahels : Peperomia argyrea, Begonia macu-

lata, Begonia rex, 2 vars., and Begonia imperialis.

W. F. — 1, Odontoglossum Coradinei; 2, send in flower.

Karnes of fruit— F. Potter. -Apple, Court Pendu

Plat. W. J. N. G.—l, Baronne de Mello ; 2, Beurre

Clairgeau ; 3, Beurre Diel.

"The Garden" monthly Farts. — This journal it
published in neatly bound Monthly Parts. In this form the
coloured plates are best preserved, and it is most suitable for
reference previous to the issue of the half.yeo.rly volumes. Price
Is 6d. : post free, Is. 9d. Complete set of volumes of The
Garden from its commencement to end of 1889, thirty-six vols.,
price, cloth, £27; half morocco, £32 8s.

London: 37, Southampton Street, Strand, W.C.

518

THE GARDEN.

[Nov. 29, 1890.

WOODS AND FORESTS.

TREES TO PLANT FOR AN EARLY
RETURN.
The most profitable species of trees to plant for
giving an early return are the Poplars, Willows,
Alder, and Larch. The first three species can
be grown on damp, boggy ground unsuitable
for the growth of many other kinds of trees,
while the Larch can be grown to a profitable
size on any ordinary soil provided it has been
properly prepared. Larch always commands a
ready sale from the time of the first thinning
and onwards until it attains maturity. The other
kinds specified can be grown either as coppice
or timber trees, whichever may be found most
suitable for the wants of the locality. The
kinds of Poplar which I have found to be the
most remunerative are the Black Italian (Popu-
lus monilifera) grey Poplar (P. canescens), and
the white Poplar (P. alba). These attain a
larger size within a given time than any of the
other kinds belonging to the same tribe of
trees, and perhaps it would not be too much to
say to any tribe of trees grown in the British
Isles. Another point which the planter should
keep in view is that there is always a demand
for this class of timber, as the quantity used on
railways, not to speak of other branches of in-
dustry, is enormous. The Poplar, however,
cannot be recommended as a nurse, as it soon
retards the progress of other trees of a slower
rate of growth in its proximity. To grow the
tree to the best advantage it should be planted
in blocks by itself at a distance apart of about
7 feet. When planted in this way the planta-
tion forms a dense mass, the closeness of which
gradually subdues the side branches, and by the
time the trees attain a profitable size they pre-
sent fine clean stems free of knots or blemish
of any kind for a distance of fully three-fourths
the length of the stem. The best Willows to
grow for 'a quick return are the white Willow
(Salix alba), Bedford Willow (S. Russelliana),
Redwood Willow (S. fragilis), and the Goat
Willow (S. caprea). They may be planted on
damp, boggy ground at the same distance apart
as the Poplars, or mixed with the latter for the
sake of contrast and variety. Any handy work-
man can propagate these trees from cuttings,
and as they grow and attain a large size on
ground and situations where many other kinds
of trees would perish, their merits ought to be
taken into account. Although the Alder does
not grow so large as the Poplar and Willow, yet
it is of quick growth, and attains a profitable
size on cold, damp, boggy ground, as well as on
stiff, adhesive clay unsuitable to the growth of
many other trees, and as its wood is always in
demand and brings a good price, its merits are
therefore of no mean order. All these trees
are suitable for many of the bog lands of Ire-
land, Scotland, and the north of England, and
proprietors who 1iave unoccupied ground of
this kind should lose no time in commencing to
plant it and turn it to profitable account.

J. B. Webstee.

Transplanting- Hollies.— In The Gaeden
November 22 (p. 495) "A. J. P." says :—
_ I shall be glad of some information as to the best
time for removing Hollies I have several specimens
that require moving. Would the autumn or the spring
be the beBt ?

The best time for transplanting Hollies is Septem-
ber, choosiEg damp cloudy weather for the opera-
tion. Much, however, will depend upon the size of
the plants and the way in which the work is per-
formed. Large specimens that have not been
moved for several years are apt under ordinary cir-
cumstances to have long bare roots without any

fibres, which is against their being moved with
safety. Such plants should be prepared by lifting
the principal roots to encourage the formation of
small fibres the year previous to then- final removal,
when success under ordinary care will then prove
certain. Should " A. J. P.'s " soil be of a hard dry
texture, he should mix a little leaf-mould with the
staple at the spots where the plants are to be
placed in order to encourage the formation of fresh
fibres, as well as to attract and retain moisture, all
of which are beneficial in promoting the growth of
the plants. Plants of any considerable size should
be staked and tied to keep them firm until the
roots take to the soil, when they will then take
care of themselves. The surface of the ground
around large plants should have a good mulching
to retain heat and moisture. I have just examined
a number of Hollies each about 4 feet high that
were transplanted last May, and they are all in
prime condition, not a single failure havingoccurred.
Of course, the exceptionally wet summer was in
their favour.— J. B. Webstee.

In the first place, very much depends on

the size of the trees and how long they have stood
without being moved, as those that have been lifted
within say two years are in a much better condi-
tion for transplanting than others that have not
been disturbed at the roots, as those that have been
lifted are sure to have made a lot of fresh fibres
close home. Hollies in that state may be moved
without usually feeling any check if the right sea-
son be chosen. This, I am of opinion, is early in
April, as then cold winds are generally over and
the plants are just beginning to grow and shed
some of their old ' >aves, while the weather is usu-
ally showery an .' congenial to growth. If the
spring is missed for moving Hollies, then I should
advise not later than the middle of September, as
it is surprising what winter does in the case of
newly moved evergreen shrubs, and how trying are
the winds and frosts to them till they get fresh
hold. If " A. J. P.'s " plants have not been dis-
turbed and are big, I should advise him to open a
trench around each, working at least 2 feet away
from the stems and going down about the same
depth, and then filling in again with the same soil,
or some lighter and more gritty, as by doing this
now the plants can be lifted with much greater
safety next April. In replanting it is very impor-
tant to get the plants out with good balls and to
fill in under them when transferred to the fresh
holes, so that there are no cavities or air spaces. If
the weather after the plants are moved should set
in dry, then they ought to be wetted overhead at
night, and a good mulching over the roots be given.
—J. Sheppaed.

The re - afforesting of the Landes, in
France. — The compiler of the statistical annals for
the Department of the Landes, in France, gives
some very interesting particulars of the work which
has been done during the last thirty years in the
way of reclaiming the waste land in that depart-
ment, between Bordeaux and Bayonne,by the plant-
ing of Pine trees and of vineyards. A sum of
about £250,000 has been spent during that period
in draining, replanting, sinking wells, and making
roads, with the result that the 730,000 acres of
waste lands distributed over 1G2 parishes, and
worth only 4f. an acre, or not quite £120.000, are
now worth over £3,200,000. Nor is this all. Stimu-
lated by the example which the parish authorities
set them, private owners have set to work and put
their waste lands into cultivation, 875,000 acres
having been so treated and increased in value to
the extent of £5,000,000: Nor is this all, for with
the draining of its marshes, the Department of the
Landes, formerly the most unhealthy in France,
has now become one of the healthiest. It was
feared at first that, with such a great increase in
the area of Pine forests, the supply would ex-
ceed the demand and that prices would fall, but
so far was this from being the case, that the De-
partment of the Landes not only supplies the
whole of South-western France, but that the deal
from there holds its own in the market with that
from Sweden and Norway. Thus the quantity

amount shipped to England is 200,000 tons per
annum. The Landes deal is in great request for
railway sleepers and telegraph posts, nearly 80,000
of the latter having been used last year. But the
principal revenue of the Landes forests is derived
from the turpentine taken from the Pine trees,
and although the price of this varies very much,
having been as high as £12 a barrel during the
American civil war, and having since fallen to as
little as £2, the profits from this source are still
very great.

DECIDUOUS AND EVERGREEN TREES.
Dueing the planting season it may be well to re-
mind those who are planting coniferous and other
evergreen trees, without knowing how long they
may endure the climate, how futile their efforts are
likely to be, and how poor the result will be com-
pared with what might be expected if permanent
materials, so to speak, were used. Judging by the
scant attention now paid to the planting and
grouping of deciduous trees, one would suppose
them to be less attractive than the Conifers,
which are planted everywhere. Deciduous trees
are really by far the most valuable in this country.
There are three weighty reasons why Conifers
should not be planted so extensively as they are,
viz., first, their short-lived character with us ;
secondly, their inferiority in beauty to deciduous
trees ; thirdly, their smaller size and inferior majesty
of port. A great number of species described as
hardy are, for the most part, not really so. They
endure the climate for a while, sheltered in sunny
nooks here and there, but a severe winter nips
them, or an easterly breeze comes and half burns
off all the leaves. Unproved exotics, that thrive
for a little while, but succumb to some unusually
bitter spell of weather, we have given every-
where places of honour that should be filled by
subjects more congenial to our clime, and as a con-
sequence we often find disease or a vacant place
where we looked for a long life of dignified beauty.
Not a few Conifers are really hardy, and it is im-
possible to embellish our gardens and country seats
without their aid ; but none the less is it a mistake
to depend wholly, or almost wholly, on them, as
many do now-a-days. Then as to beauty, they are
wholly inferior to our finest deciduous trees —infe-
rior, inasmuch as they are changeless, and without
the supreme charm of fair blossoms. No Pine that
ever grew can equal in beauty a well-developed
Horse Chestnut. The different varieties of the
common Hawthorn alsoyield more beauty than any
Pine. Nobody can dispute that the Coniferse are
inferior in beauty to flowering trees. Then as to
size and port— on the whole deciduous trees are the
largest. On the sierras of California the trees are
indeed magnificent, and here and there in Canada
a White Pine, the leaves of which rustle plaintively
more than 100 feet above one's head, can be met
with ; but in the West the whole size of the tiee
is concentrated in the trunk, and in Canada
and other Pine countries you may travel for days
without seeing any but small crowded trees. The
common deciduous trees of the parks of Europe,
with their massive trunks, majestic limbs, and pic-
turesque ramifications, are grander than any Pines.
Nor in this connection must we compare the giant
Pines of the West with what we can grow in Eng-
land. It is a delusion to think that our climate
will ever permit the Sequoias and other great Pines
to live for anything like the time they have existed
in their native homes, the long and brilliant sum-
mer of which is certainly necessary to their making
a robust growth and perfecting it thoroughly.

In connection with this subject, the utter neglect
of deciduous trees should be taken into considera-
tion. Very few seem to take any interest in any
but the common kinds ; and they are hardly ever
grouped so that their beauty may be set off to ad-
vantage, handsome flowering kinds seldcm de-
veloping into good specimens. But badly as they
are treated deciduous trees generally live, even in
crowded cities and their suburbs, where Coniftis

and most other Evergreens perish annually in thou-
sands ; and those who plant them usually have the

.enTto Paris' has' been "increasing at the" rate of I reward of planting something a little more endur-

10,000 tons for the last three years, and the average I ing than themselves.

THE GARDEN.

519

No. 994. SATURDAY, Dec. 6,1890. Vol. XXXVIII.

"This is an Art
Which does mend Nature : change it rather ; but
The Art itself is Nature." — Shakespeare.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

BOTTLING GRAPES.
Time was, and that not so long ago, when the
bunches had to be, or were, kept on the Vines
as late as possible during the winter, this natu-
rally militating seriously against the well-being
of the latter, and also entailing a considerable
amount of extra care and expense in the shape
of fuel. Not only do the Grapes keep better
off than on the rods, but their comparatively
early removal is most necessary or advisable in
order to give the Vines the requisite thorough
rest. Once removed there is no further need
for the maintenance of an equable temperature
of 55° or thereabouts, and if the house falls be-
low freezing point occasionally so much the
better for the Vines.

This point being conceded, and it cannot be
controverted, two equally important questions
arise, viz., when should the bottling be done,
and under what condition do the Grapes keep
best ? Experienced growers are of opinion that
late in December is about the best time for
bottling the latest bunches, this being a con-
siderable time after the foliage has fallen, but I
fail to see the necessity for the delay. Accord-
ing to my experience the most critical time is
while the foliage is changing in colour and fall-
ing. Anticipate this period, however, and the
chances are that far more berries will be lost or
bunches spoilt than would have been the case if
they were left longer on the Vine. Nor is it of
much service at this late date to turn on the
fire-heat considerably with the view to cause a
more thorough chemical change in the berries.
If the ripening has not been greatly assisted by
fire-heat during dull, sunless weather in August
and September generally, it is too late to at-
tempt its accomplishment in October and No-
vember, and the chances are poorly ripened
crops, which no amount of subsequent skilful
treatment will long preserve from decay. Ripen
late Grapes by the end of September, and then
maintain an equable temperature, seldom fall-
ing below 55° and rarely exceeding 60° till the
bunches are cut and bottled. Vineries being
subject to far greater fluctuations of tempera-
ture than is the case with the majority of rooms
in which Grapes are stored, there is a great
need for a certain amount of warmth in the
pipes while the bunches are hanging, low night
temperatures being liable to cool the berries and
lead to condensation of moisture on them with
an increase of warmth in the daytime. Hence
also the necessity for greater heat in the vineries
than is the case with a store room and the neces-
sity for a closer supervision of the bunches.
Directly any decayed berry is seen, such
should be cleanly cut out, or otherwise it will
in a few hours injuriously affect the berries in
contact with it, and the bunch may be ruined
in two or three days. I would also strongly
advise that the more compact bunches be the
first used, as these rarely keep so well as do the
more despised thinly set clusters. If the centre
of a bunch cannot be examined, an inside berry
or even an old footstalk may, and very fre-
quently does, decay, and the stem of the bunch
and many berries be similarly affected before
being detected. It is even advisable to antici-
pate this premature decay by partially opening
a way into the centre of compact bunches, re-

moving at the same time anything that might
do mischief. The footstalks and stems of
bunches cannot well be kept too free of rubbish
of any kind or small inside berries, and on no
account ought drip from the roof or glass to
reach a bunch that is to be kept any length of
time. These precautions both with regard to
ripening and keeping having been taken, a ser-
viceable lot of bunches ought to be ready for
bottling within a week, say, of the complete
fall of leaf.

In but few instances are Grape rooms con-
nected with a private establishment, and if the
quantity to be stored does not exceed 100 or 200
bunches, they can usually be dispensed with. A
good fruit room or one not exposed to cold dry-
ing winds or bright sunshine answers well for
keeping Grapes, and a spare bedroom in a dwell-
ing house is in many cases, my own included,
even better. The latter are, or ought to be,
dry and not very light. If a chimney from a
frequently used fire-place from below passes
through, so much the better, no other warmth
ever being required. In any case, or whatever
room may be selected for the purpose high tem-
peratures should be avoided ; in fact, I never
heed the temperature of a room, but take good
care that neither hot nor cold air is admitted,
especially through either windows or ventilators.
If this is attended to, comparatively low night
temperatures do no harm, but if the Grapes and
walls become very cold and the room is opened
directly the outer air is warmer, moisture will
be seen everywhere, and it will go hard with the
bunches. Nor are fanciful racks indispensable.
Any contrivance for fixing, holding, or suspend-
ing bottles in an oblique direction, so that the
stems reach the water and the bunches swing
quite clear, will answer well. Lemonade, soda-
water, seltzer-water, champagne pints and any
other bottles may be used, but for suspending,
the three first-named are perhaps the best, the
bunches weighting these over sufficiently to
swing clear. At Longleat they have a very
simple and good contrivance for holding the
bunches when cut. This consists of two 1A-
inch zinc tubes, each about 9 inches long and
soldered together so as so form the letter V.
These are suspended to rods with the aid of a
wire loop, the ends of which are connected with
each tube, and the latter being filled with water
is ready for the bunches. At this place the
Grapes are suspended thickly near the roof of
an ordinary packing-room, and are often kept
very late. Where extra large quantities have
to be stored, and it pays to keep them till
March, April, and May, a series of shelves or
racks with notches cut in the front boards,
these keeping a bottle of some kind, in a
sloping position, answers better than troughs,
the bunches being most easily fixed in bot-
tles. In no case is it necessary to use other
than clear well or spring water, there being no
gain whatever by adding lumps of charcoal or
anything else to it. The bottles or other recep-
tacles used must not be quite filled, or some of
the water may easily be driven out on to the
bunches when the wood is inserted. Cut the
latter of a good length either below or beyond
the bunch, for it is immaterial which end is
inserted in the water, trim off inequalities of
any kind, and immerse one end well into the
water. Everything ought to be prepared for
the bunches before they are cut, as these should
not be kept out of the water longer than can be
avoided.

I have previously advised that the most com-
pact bunches be first used, and now a word or
two as to the keeping qualities of the different
varieties. Alnwick Seedling, never very good

in quality, is not improved by keeping, the
berries also shrivelling badly. Much the same
remarks also apply to Gros Maroc, and these
two varieties and any Black Hamburgh and
Madresfield Court that may be left ought to be
the first sent to the table. These may well be
followed by Black Alicante, though if the
last be well ripened, it will sometimes keep
well till April. Gros Colman is greatly improved
in quality by being kept, and is at its best in
March and April. Very large bunches of Gros
Guillaume are difficult to keep off the Vines,
and these should therefore be used up for the
mid-winter parties. Smaller bunches will keep
cut till March and sometimes later, and the
quality is very superior at that date. West's
St. Peter's will keep till March. Lady Downe's
and Mrs. Pince's Muscat are about on an
equality as regards keeping qualities, and, if
well looked after, both will last fresh andgood till
May. Where the latter can be grown satisfac-
torily, it is rightly considered the best late Grape
in cultivation. There are several good keepers
among the white Grapes. Foster's Seedling,
however, is seldom good, after November, while
White Tokay is at its best in December. Mus-
cat of Alexandria can be kept till April, but
there is considerable waste attached to the
process, and those especially who market then-
surplus should do so not later than January.
Trebbiano and Calabrian Raisin last till April.
Small bunches of Golden Queen and Mrs. Pear-
son kept well with us last spring, the former
being crisp and good in April.

W. Igguldbn.

Moisture for fruit trees.— Mr. Iggulden's
observations about the necessity of moisture for
trees remind me of an interesting experiment in
the garden at Bingham. The orchard there was
round a large pond, sunk 15 feet below the level,
the soil being a heavy clay. The trees were stan-
dards, planted by my father in I860. About a
year or two after planting he tried the experiment
of bringing all surplus water from the house, kitchen
and laundry in 3-inch pipes, so as to flow under-
ground among the trees in the orchard. A brick-
covered pan received all this water, and thence it
flowed 8 inches or 9 inches underground by 3-inch
drain pipes through the orchard. It was found im-
possible to do more than irrigate in this way the
trees planted on one side of the pond, but the effect
was most marked. The trees were much finer than
those on the other side of the pond, and rarely did
they fail to give an abundant crop of fine fruit. I
should add that it was easy by means of a pump
to flush these drains in dry seasons, and water was
freely applied in this way. I need hardly add
that the effect of this water and soapsuds was very
marked on the Grass crops under these trees. The
same application of water to the flower beds by a
drain and a pump was also tried, and with marked
effect on the Phloxes and Lilies.— C. O. Miles.

Pear Chaumontel.— Mr. Engleheart does well
to vindicate his favourite Pear, but surely he is
either too enthusiastic or has never tasted a really
good fruit of Doyenne du Cornice. My principal
experience with the Chaumontel from Jersey must
have been most unfortunate. They came to hand
perfectly sound, and were stored in a spare room
in an old farmhouse, said room having for many
years answered remarkably well for keeping home-
grown Apples and Pears. Finding they did not
ripen there, a few dozen were placed in gentle
heat, and some were put in kitchen drawers, but in
neither instance did a single fruit become fit for
dessert. What were not stewed gradually shrivelled,
and were tough and valueless. Several large dishes,
of the fruit were sent away as presents soon after
we received the consignment, but none of these, as.
far as I could learn, ever ripened properly. Since
that time I have had but few opportunities of
tasting Jersey-grown Chaumontel, and should be
very much surprised to meet with any at all ap:-

520

THE GARDEN.

[Dec. 6, 1890.

proaohing Doyenne du Cornice in point of quality.
Even supposing the fruit I have alluded to were
gathered too early, they ought yet to have softened
if there was any softening in them. — W. Iggulden.

■ ■ I find this variety one of the greatest bearers

on a west wall, hut only useful for the kitchen. We
have had a very heavy crop this season. — George
Harris, Alnwick Cattle.

PROTECTING FRUIT TREE BLOSSOMS.

I should like to call attention to the importance
of an early overhauling of the stock of netting
with the view to ascertain if there is sufficient in
hand for the spring protection of the choicer fruits.
I have come to the conclusion from the experience
of the current year that if we are to secure an
annual crop of the choicer Pears and Plums and
also dessert Cherries, these must be quite as well
cared for in the matter of spring covering as
Peaches and Nectarines. It is, unfortunately, not
an easy matter to do this effectually if the trees
have been neglected and the fruit spurs are a long
way from the wall, for unless the coping is excep-
tionally wide the netting will not swing clear of
the bloom. In such cases, however, one may wish
to do his best to renovate the old trees. I think
it decidedly the best and cheapest plan in the end
to root them out and fill their places with some
nice young fan-trained, horizontal or cordon trees,
as the case may be, for these trees are well in to the
wall and can be effectually covered. It is as well
to procure the square mesh netting if possible, as
if any projections or inequalities of the walls have
to be accounted for, this particular make lends it-
self to them much more readily. Enough of the
material should be in hand to cover up all the
fruit trees enumerated with a double thickness,
and if there is a narrow wood or brick coping,
this will allow the netting to swing well clear of the
wall. It may, perhaps, be occasionally objected to
that the purchase of netting for such purposes
is a serious and expensive item, but it must be re-
membered that this material is useful in many
ways ; indeed a certain quantity of it is always
in use. At the present time it is largely in
demand for the Gooseberries and Currants to
ward off bullfinches and other bud-devourers,
whilst so soon as it has done its work as a protec-
tion from frost it is wanted for all small fruits, later
on for choice Pears and Apples, and during this
month certain lengths are hanging at the tops and
in front of late vineries to prevent the ingress of
robins. Canvas, scrim, and tiffany have their ad-
mirers for spring coverings, but personally I prefer
the netting ; once in position it can remain until
the fruit is well set, and whilst acting as an effec-
t lal protection against frost and hail storms, it al-
lows plenty of light and air to play on and about
tie trees. Only once in ten years has it failed us,
and that was in 1884, when we registered over 20°
of frost one morning in the middle of April. Men-
tion is made above of the value of netting in the
winter months to preserve Gooseberry and Currant
buds from the birds. Personally, I have not re-
quired this, having found our annual syringing and
dusting a deterrent. This, however, seems of no avail
where bullfinches are abundant, and if there is no-
thing for it but to cover the trees, they should be
seen to at once, as with the first spell of hard wea-
ther the enemy is at work, and will soon destroy all
chance of a crop for the ensuing year. I have before
now had the remedial measure suggested of
leaving the bushes in the rough and not
pruning until the buds are well advanced in spring ;
but there is little to recommend such a practice,
as, in the first place, if birds are plentiful they will
not leave many totally unprotected buds, be the
latter many or few ; and again, I fear work of this
description if left until the busy months would very
likely be shelved altogether. As an instance that
the sprinkling and dusting are effectual in some
places, I may mention that last year when the
operation was delayed was the only time my trees
suffered from the ravages of birds, and then it was
only the open quarter that was attacked ; trees on
walls and trellises were not touched. Among the
fruits mentioned at the commencement of these

notes as requiring spring protection were dessert
Cherries, that ought to get one of the best walls in
the garden, for a dish of good Cherries is always
appreciated, and, in company with the best of the
dessert Gooseberries, will often be more favourably
received than the so-called choicer fruit. They
should always have a wall ; in fact, it is in the
majority of places simply a waste of time and space
trying them as standards, for as soon as the tree
attains any size it is almost impossible to net it,
and the slightest sign of colouring is the signal for
the arrival of the birds. The trees cause a little
trouble in the early part of the season if black-fly
is prevalent, but one or two dustings with tobacco
powder will, as a rule, prevent it from getting the
upper hand. I see it is recommended to choose
walls of different aspects to secure a lengthened
season, and the advice is doubtless sound, although
a good long picking can be secured by planting
different varieties. I have not a great variety,
but find the desired end can be gained with our few
sorts, viz., Early Purple Gean, Frogmore Bigarreau,
Black Eagle, Bigarreau Napoleon, and Florence.
These are all good Cherries, free, and of good con-
stitution, except the first-named, which seems a
little tender and rather inclined to gum. Hot dry
summers are rather trying to Cherries on walls, and
in order to keep the roots right, it is well to remove
a little surface soil after the winter nailing if the
said soil is light and open, and to top-dress with a
stiffer compost, say three parts holding loam and
one of cow manure. This with a little mulching of
litter will help the trees wonderfully if there is a
long spell of dry weather through the summer
months. E. Bubeell.

Claremont.

Victoria Plums on their own roots, and plenty of
the lower shoots layered, so as to have, as he put it,
some young ones for his friends. Doubtless there
are plenty of amateur fruit tree raisers who are
trying this very interesting part of fruit culture.
It is amusing to hear people say, What is the use of
raising more trees when those we have already got
return so little profit ? My answer is that it all
depends on whom you go to for information re-
specting the returns as to whether fruit growing
or corn growing is in the future to be the most
profitable, for, as was the case this year, some
growers got very little, while others were very suc-
cessful. If we cannot bear up against more or less
repeated failures, I fear that not only fruit culture,
but many other branches of our industry will be
given up. James Groom.

Gosport.

OWN-ROOT FRUIT TREES.
I am glad to see that the subject mentioned by
Mr. Iggulden (p. 4115) is likely to lead to some
practical results, for when it has been clearly proved
that own-root fruit trees can be had as reasonably
as the grafted ones, it will need little argument to
induce fruit growers to plant them, for the sucker
nuisance is no imaginary one, especially on shallow
soils. I have for several years been trying my hand
at raising own-root Apple trees with more or less
success, for while I have got some kinds to root very
freely, others have failed to root at all. My attempts
have, however, been generally confined to the old-
fashioned plan of cutting off good sized bearing
shoots at this time of year, and planting them rather
deeply in a partially shaded place, and simply keep-
ing them moist at the base until roots were formed.
By this plan I have a good many useful trees in
bearing at the present time. Evidently a more ex-
peditious manner of raising quite small trees is
needed before the plan can be of much use to
fruit tree producers who supply them in quantity,
and this the researches of the Rev. G. H. Mason
now promise to supply. The system evidently hinges
on getting the callusing completed under glass, so
that the cuttings may be put out in spring or rooted
firmly in pots, as may be determined by the quantity
needed and the rarity or otherwise of the variety
operated on. I have not yet been able to test the
plan fully, but I have long been of opinion that
some very similar process to that mentioned is
the right course if we ever get the young wood to
root freely. I use the young growths that are
pruned off our Apple trees for tying up Hyacinths,
Narcissi, and other bulbs, and although they have
been only sharpened and stuck into the pots
without any attempt to form them into cuttings,
they have invariably produced green leaves, and
when the bulbs have been shaken out the shoots
have usually been so well callused that I have re-
potted and rooted a good many. I feel confident
that a miniature mud hole, with the cuttings
of each kind prepared properly, will start the
amateur fruit tree raiser on the right track. I had
confined my endeavours to Apples almost exclusively
simply because they are to a certain extent a hobby
of mine, and I was under the impression that stone
fruits were more difficult to root than Apples. I was,
however, agreeably surprised on going round a
cottager's garden lately to find that be had fine

Vine-growing in the Department of the
Landes, France. — The Vine had always been cul-
tivated in some portions of the Department, but it
is only within the last six or seven years that the
vineyards have been developed to any considerable
extent, thanks in a great measure to the efforts of
the Professor of Agriculture in the Normal College
at Dax, who ascertained that the Phylloxera did
not thrive in the sandy soil. The wine made in
these vineyards has been much appreciated for
general use, while another source of wealth, which
is only now being developed, is the abundance of
mineral springs and baths at Dax and other places.
Annular incision of Vine stems. — The
question of annular incision of Vine stems, so long
a subject of controversy, appears to be now finally
settled. From various experiments carefully carried
out, the advantages which result from the operation
may be summarised as follows : (1) It prevents the
dropping off of the fruit. (2) It increases the fer-
tility of the Vine stock, the size of the fruit, and
also that of the bunches. (3) It increases the
quantity of juice in the fruit, and for wine-making
purposes it adds to the saccharine properties of the
must or wort, and improves the quality of the
wine. (4) It causes the fruit to ripen earlier, and
(a most important consequence for French vine-
yards) thus changes Grapes of the second-early
class into those of the first-early class. (5) It
causes the fruit to set sooner on all kinds of Vines,
and especially on those that are often unfertile
through excess of vigorous growth. (6) It affords
greater facilities for the selection of cuttings, and
propagating by means of these. — Heme Hortieole.

Plums for cooking.— Next to Apples, Plums
form the most important fruit crop either for pri-
vate consumption or for market. Plums for cook-
ing are generally grown in the open, wall space be-
ing reserved for varieties suitable for dessert. When
grown in the open the standard form is the style
generally adopted by growers for market, and ac-
cording to my experience, this is the best form to
adopt for garden trees. The usual mode in private
gardens is either bush trained or pyramid, but un-
less these are carefully root-pruned they are not
so productive as the standards. People who may
not have had experience with Plums as standards
may be under the impression that these would grow
too large, but this is not so. After the first year
or so the trees would not make an extra amount of
wood growth, their force being generally put forth
in the production of fruit buds. A firm root-run is
very essential. After planting, the trees should be
firmly staked, and during the first two seasons it
will be necessary to prune the branches back for
the formation of a good head. This is very essen-
tial, as besides forming a framework, as it were,
the branches would be of sufficient strength to sup-
port a crop of fruit. After the first two seasons it
is rarely the trees require pruning, the formation
of fruit being quite sufficient to check over-exuber-
ance. Indeed, pruning would only tend to cause
luxuriant or rather gross growth, quite unsuitable
for the production of fruit. Standard Plums are
also very prolific when grown in an orchard laid
down to Grass. The best crop of Plums I saw last
season, taking the trees as a whole, was from trees
planted in the corner of a field, the space being

Dec. 6, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

521

partitioned off for a fowl run. The trees were very
clean and entirely free from caterpillars. The
presence of poultry evidently had the desired effect
of keeping down these marauders. Any straggling
growths of the Victoria should be shortened, as the
branches of this sort are rather brittle, and the
weight of fruit would be apt to injure the trees by
breaking down the branches. The following varie-
ties are a good selection : Victoria, The Czar,
Mitchelson's, Pond's Seedling, Early Prolific, Grand
Duke, and Belle de Septembre. The best four va-
rieties I should select are Early Prolific and the
first three named. If only one variety, the indis-
pensable Victoria. — A. Y.

STRAWBERRY CULTURE IN POTS.

President, Sir J. Paxton, Sir C. Napier, and British
Queen cannot be beaten. Storing the plants is a
point often overlooked. I do not think cold frames
can be beaten if they can be spared for the plants.
I follow the old method of stacking. Some growers
place the plants under a south wall, but this causes
them to become excessively dry. I prefer an open
spot ; in fact, I stack on the spot they have been
while making their growth, and facing the south
or west, as the tender- foliaged kinds are
liable to shrivel after a sharp frost during cutting
east winds. I use dry leaves and Bracken during
very severe weather, but with only 10° or 12° of
frost the plants get no protection. I do not like
plunging, as the plants often get soddened by wet
and too soon affected by frosts.
Syon House. G. Wythes.

Many of the readers of The Gaeden during the
last few months will have been interested in the
" Notes on Strawberries," and a few puzzled to see
well-known cultivators recommend varieties that
others consider poor and of little merit. I think
that soil and situation will very often have much
to do with the well-doing of many kinds, and also
whether the fruits are sent up direct for use to the
table. Many of the best varieties are bad
travellers, and this has to be taken into account
when forcing, as if the fruit can be supplied direct
from the garden or forcing house, it is an immense
gain to the cultivator, and varieties can be used
to advantage that would be unfit for table at the
end of a long journey. The soft-fleshed, dark red
glossy Strawberries are bad travellers, and if at all
over-ripe when packed are sure to look anything
but tempting at the end of their journey ; but for
home consumption they are splendid, generally the
best setters, and for early forcing unequalled. I
am pleased in the notes on the above to see the
many good opinions on Auguste Nicaise, and feel
sure it is one of our best Strawberries for second
early forcing. I do not know of any kind that is
such a good grower through the summer and au-
tumn ; our plants at this date without exception
look best of all, though President is not far behind.
The plants have plump crowns and thick sturdy
leaves. I often think pot Strawberries are given
too much manure at potting time in the compost,
this having a tendency to promote leaf growth and
to split up the crowns into several instead of one
large solid one. I think too much manure causes
the soil to be light and prevents a sturdy growth.
Many large cultivators who force largely for mar-
ket do not use so much drainage as private growers,
and often cannot give the time and attention as in
private establishments. I know a large grower who
grows splendid fruit. He stacks his loam (rather
heavy if it can be obtained) the previous year, and
only adds some artificial manure to the com-
post at potting time. For potting I prefer
good solid loam, some bone meal or quarter-inch
bones, and some soot, thoroughly mixed together.
I often use half-inch bones as drainage over a large
piece of crock, and not, as is often the case, decom-
posed or fresh manure in large quantities. The
last lot of fruit I obtained from plants raised early
in July, planted in rather stiff soil in rows in the
open ground, lifted early in March, potted up into
7-inch pots, and afterwards forced slowly in a cold
frame or house. One large grower who carries out
this plan informs me that these Strawberries give
a better return in value than those in pots all the
season. Care is required at lifting and, of course,
hard forcing is not practised. I have tried this plan
often when the stock of potted plants has been ex-
hausted, and for cold frames or late forcing it an-
swers admirably. To those with limited means to
winter their plants or short of labour to pot them
and keep them watered it answers well and is worth
a trial. I have also planted six or eight runners in
boxes and used them for late work in frames.
They only require a few supports to the
fruits. They may also be lifted as advised
for pots into boxes and placed under a wall
till required for use. Many persons who think
Strawberry forcing can only be carried out with
ample means would be astonished how by the use
of cold frames fine fruit can be secured in May, and
till the outside fruits come in. For this purpose,

NOTES ON STRAWBERRIES.

The following notes on Strawberries which
we are enabled to publish through the kindness
of our correspondents will doubtless prove in-
teresting to our readers. They have been sent
us from all parts of the United Kingdom. We
print the questions which we desired to have
answered : —

1. — Best kinds for forcing and bearing.

2. — Best kinds for flavour.

3. — What are your lest early and late kinds for
open-air culture ?

4. — What is your opinion of the new varieties that
have been lately sent out ?

5. — Mode of cultivation, whether as single stools

The sorts favoured by market growers are

Keen's Seedling for early supplies, also Vicomtesse
Hericart de Thury, Moffat's Duke of Edinburgh,
and Elton Pine for late supply. These are all dark
glossy fruited kinds which take the market best.
Our stock is confined to Vicomtesse Hericart de
Thury, President and Elton Pine. New sorts are
tried, but none have been found so suitable as these.
R.p. Beotherston, Tynninghame, East Lothian.

The varieties usually grown are Sir Harry,

Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, President, and
British Queen. Bothwell Bank is grown by a few
gardeners in this district. Here I grow it exten-
sively, being a capital main crop variety ; it also
forces well, coming in during May. The kinds for
forcing I grow are Keen's Seedling first, followed
by Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, President, and
Bothwell Bank. For flavour I prefer Keen's Seed-
ling and British Queen. Newer varieties than the
above I have not tried, but I am preparing La
Grosse Sucree and Noble for trial this spring. I
grow my plants in rows and single stools. — David
Cbojibie, Pon-erscourt, Enniskerry, Wicklow.

The Strawberries grown here are few, Vi-
comtesse Hericart de Thury and Countess being
the kinds we find force best, with a small batch
of President for the latest lot. Black Prince I
have discarded, as it is very little earlier than Vi-
comtesse, and the latter variety gives us a much
larger quantity of useful fruit. Sir Charles Napier
is also a good forcing variety, and the flavour is
much appreciated. The best varieties for flavour
are Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, Dr. Hogg,
Countess, Keen's Seedling, and Dumbarton Castle.
Old Grove End Scarlet possesses a very fine flavour,
but the fruit is too small for dessert, being borne
on stout upright stalks. Our supplies from the
open air are obtained chiefly from Vicomtesse Heri-
cart de Thury, Countess, and President. Elton
Pine and Eleanor furnish the later supplies. As to
new varieties, my policy is to have little or nothing
to do with them until they have fully established
their reputation, preferring to rely upon approved
kinds that have served me well in the past. Noble,
as far as I have observed, has only earliness and
appearance to commend it. In making a plantation
of Strawberries, I generally select ground occu-
pied before with early Peas, and which the previous
season has been deeply trenched and heavily
manured. The Peas are simply cleared off, the
ground forked over, trodden firm, and rows marked

off. Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury gets 2J feet
between the rows, and President 3 feet. The plants
are put 9 inches in the rows ; fruited the first sea-
son, intercropping with Onions. After the first year
every other plant is removed, leaving them 18 inches
apart. The second year's crop is always the heaviest.
After the third season's crop has been secured they
are immediately trenched in, and early Cabbages
take their place. I have tried the bed system, but
have nothing to say in its favour. We depend on
rich surface mulchings of manure to keep the plants
going until we are finished with them. — A. Dewae,
Falkland Palace, Fifeshire.

I prefer Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury for

forcing, being a good setter and well flavoured, and for
outdoor culture, President, Keen's Seedling, Vicom-
tesse Hericart de Thury, Elton Pine, and Grove End
Scarlet. The latter I grow in beds for preserv-
ing. The others are mostly in stools or rows. James
Veitch and Duke of Edinburgh I ceased growing,
the former for want of flavour and the latter as not
a good cropper. Laxton's Noble and King of the
Earlies promise well, especially the former for forc-
ing if grown in a light airy position well exposed
to the sun.— Wm. McKelvie, Broxmouth Park,
Dunbar, N.B.

■ Regarding Strawberries, I find the best

kinds for forcing are Keen's Seedling and Eliza
(Rivers). Best kinds for flavour, Keen's Seedling,
Eliza (Rivers), Sir J. Paxton, Sir C. Napier, Black
Prince, and Aberdeen Favourite. The best for
open air culture, Black Prince, Eliza (Rivers),
Keen's Seedling, Aberdeen Favourite, Eclipse, Dr.
Hogg, Sir C. Napier, and Myatt's Improved. These
are the principal kinds I grow, some of the newer
kinds I tried being deficient in flavour. Black
Prince does best in beds ; the others I prefer in
stools planted a good distance apart.— P. OGG, Fin-
tray House, Aberdeen.

For flavour I prefer British Queen, Keen's

Seedling, Vicomtesse, also a local kind named
Glengarry Seedling, and Sir Joseph Paxton. For
early open air culture I select Noble, Vicomtesse,
Glengarry. Our best late Strawberry is still the
old Elton Pine. I have tried several so-called
late kinds, but have found so far nothing so suit-
able for late cropping as the Elton. I have only
tried Noble so far, other new kinds being only
in their first year with me. Noble comes in here
about ten days before any other, and on that ac-
count is an acquisition. The fruit is larger than
that of most early sorts. The flavour is fairly good
up to ripening point, but if gathered when over
ripe it rapidly deteriorates. I now grow all
Strawberries 3 feet apart in lines, and about
15 inches between the plants. The fruit gets pro-
perly ripened with plenty of light and sun, and
there is no damage in treading it down in gather-
ing I found close planting favoured leaf-pro-
duction too much, while in a dull season the fruit
did not ripen so well, and there was a good dealot
waste in gathering. Mice, too, are more destructive
when the plants are closer together.— D. Melville,
Bunrobin Castle Gardens, Sutherland.

Only a limited number of varieties are pro-
fitably grown on light soils, and around here Vi-
comtesse Hericart de Thury— better known in the
district as Garibaldi-is probably cultivated the
most extensively. Keen's Seedling, President,
James Veitch, and Moffat's Duke of Edinburgh are
among the finest bearers, and on heavy soils and at
high altitudes Elton Pine is still among the best,
producing heavy crops of fine fruit, lasting till the
end of September and occasionally kinto October.
The high-flavoured British Queen type of Straw-
berry is tried in most gardens, but with very mode-
rate success as a rule, and in many places the plant s
scarcely bear an eatable fruit. Of new varieties,
mo=t of those that appear receive a trial, but few
of them prove to be a success, and none are likely
to supplant the above-named varieties for general
use The most promising of the newer varieties are
the very early Noble and the late Waterloo, al-
though neither are faultless, the first lacking fla-
vour and the last being too dark in colour for a
popular market variety. After trying a very large
number for forcing, I have for some years con-

522

THE GARDEN.

[Dec. 6, 1890.

fined the bulk of my stock to Keen's Seedling and
James Veitch, both of which do remarkably well
and produce fine crops of excellent fruit (under the
treatment I can give them here) from the middle
of February till Strawberries are ripe out of doors.
Started in the early part of December, there is none
among the host of varieties I have tried that
equals Keen's Seedling in all good qualities, ripen-
ing from the middle of February onwards. James
Veitch is usually started early in February to be
ripe in April. They are all started in a heated pit,
plunged in hot litter, but get no more atmospheric
heat than keeps them moving and healthy till they
begin to show their flowers, when they are trans-
ferred to the Pine stoves, where they have to grow
and finish in a rather high temperature for Straw-
berries. The varieties, however, named never fail
to do well. By due attention to watering and with-
holding it in proper time as the fruit ripens, I
secure fine flavour and firm fruit— an important
point when it has to be sent a long journey. In
places where a lower temperature is employed in
forcing Strawberries, Garibaldi and President suc-
ceed well and give excellent crops of fine fruit. Sir
Joseph Paxton, Sir Charles Napier, and La Grosse
Sucree are also forced with fair success. Of the
newer sorts Noble does fairly well, but has not
been ripened before April, which is not a test of its
early qualities for forcing. It has a handsome
appearance, but the flavour is so indifferent when
forced that it is worthless for dessert. Auguste
Nicaise is a promising midseason forcing variety,
but requires a longer trial before it can be placed
among the standard kinds.— M. Dunn, Dalkeith.

Our best are Sir Joseph Paxton, Garibaldi,

Keen's Seedling, Elton Pine, Duke of Edinburgh
(Moffat's), James Veitch, Bothwell Bank Seedling,
which are all good sorts. President is fine when we
can get it, but it does not always fruit freely in our
soil. Of new sorts I think Laxton's Noble good
enough in appearance and size, but not first-class
in quality. The Captain and A. F. Barron are also
fine Strawberries, but none of the new ones can
equal the older sorts for crop and quality, although
I would like everybody to grow those new sorts. I
think Noble is the most useful Strawberry intro-
duced for some time. I cannot see what we have
to gain from fruits of such objectionable colour as
Waterloo. We grow our plants in rows as single
stools, not in beds. Keen's Seedling is considered
the best flavoured ; then comes Garibaldi. We use
only three sorts for forcing— Keen's Seedling,
Garibaldi, and James Veitch. We grow for early
sorts Grove End, Keen's Seedling, Noble, Garibaldi,
and Sir Joseph Paxton. For late sorts we grow
President, Duke of Edinburgh, Elton Pine, and
Bothwell Bank. — J. W. MoHattie, Nmbattle
Abbey, Dalkeith.

The best kinds for forcing are Vicomtesse

Hericart de Thury and President. This season we
had Noble, but it was too mealy flavoured, other-
wise fine. The best kinds for flavour are Keen's
Seedling, Vicomtesse H€ricart de Thury, Dr. Hogg,
Sir J. Paxton, and Elton Pine. Flavour being a
matter of taste, I give the favourites. The best
early and late sorts are King of Earlies, Black
Prince, Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, Dr. Hogg,
Sir J. Paxton, and Elton Pine. The very early
ones are not much grown, as they are so often
caught by spring frosts. Vicomtesse Hericart de
Thury is the variety for general culture. The
plants are grown chiefly in single stools, planted
30 inches by IS inches apart.— Jas. Whitton,
Glamis Castle, Glands, Forfarshire.

The leading varieties here are Grove End

Scarlet, which although small ripens early, and we
find none to excel it for preserving ; succeeded by
the Duke of Edinburgh, an excellent cropper, with
good flavour in a dry season ; also Bothwell Bank
Prohiic, a fine large fruit, very free cropper, but
wanting in flavour. This is followed by Sir Joseph
Paxton, also a good cropper, with splendid fruit,
although not very good in flavour ; also President,
which is shy bearing. Elton Pine is. our latest;
it bears fairly good crops in favourable seasons.
We generally plant in rows 3 feet apart with 1
foot between the plants mostly in autumn after Po-
tatoes have been lifted, the ground suiting them re-

markably well, with little or no preparation what-
ever. The Strawberry has a tendency to run to leaf
on our soil, and we dig as little as possible, but
rather mulch between the rows. — J. King, Blair
Drummond, Perthshire.

DRAINING VINE BORDERS.
Stagnant moisture is very injurious to all fruit
trees, but especially so to Vines, the roots soon
perishing in a cold, wet soil. In all soils where the
basis is of a clayey nature I should not excavate at
all, simply place the best soil I could get on the
natural surface and plant the Vines inside the
house, the front walls to be on arches with ample
space for the roots to get out. If a drain is cut
3 feet deep inside the house, and after laying 3-
inch pipes filled in with brickbats, a similar drain
to be cut under the outside border, both to enter
the outfall drain at the lowest point, there will be
no stagnant water in the border, and the rubble in
the drains will keep the borders aerated and to
some extent counteract the evils commonly arising
from over-manuring, which, I consider, is one of
the main causes of shanking. The question of
manuring Vine borders requires very careful study,
especially in relation to the character of the natural
soil of the locality. On a limestone or gravel base,
farmyard manure may be used much more freely
than would be desirable or safe where the subsoil
is of a retentive character. It may be thought
that if the clay is excavated and the bottom of
the border made impervious with concrete, the
border formed thereon must be on a par, so far at
least as regards drainage, with the border made on
a subsoil of gravel or limestone ; but it is not, for
no matter how perfect the system of drainage may
be, unless the border is lifted above the natural
soil the water from the surrounding soil will perco-
late through and lower the temperature of the bor-
der in which the Vine roots are placed. Every-
body in these days of high feeding mixes porous
materials of some kind with the soil in which the
Vines are growing — lime in the form of old
plaster, charcoal dust, and wood ashes being the
most suitable substances to apply. Charcoal dust
and wood ashes when not overdone are of great
value in improving the colour of the Grapes, espe-
cially in the case of the delicate rooted kinds, such
as the Black Hamburgh and the Frontignans ; the
latter, however, are hardly so much grown as they
were thirty or forty years ago in proportion to the
number of Vines planted then and now. Some may
object to the term delicate-rooted as applied to the
Black Hamburgh, but though it is undoubtedly, so
far as quality is concerned, one of our best Grapes, it
requires cultural skill to bring it up to its best
possible condition, and it certainly suffers more
from over-feeding than any other Grape, except it
may be the Duke of Buccleuch or the Golden Ham-
burgh, which I expect is now out of cultivation, for
I have not seen or heard of it of late years. One
of the great drawbacks in the application of artifi-
cial manures to Vines is their expense. From £16
to £20 a ton for manure seems a long price, and
those who expect to make a profit out of Grape
growing will try to find something cheaper. In
this direction there is room for experiment in work-
ing up the waste substances which abound in every
locality, and so save expense of carriage.

E. H.

Manuring fruit trees.— Fruit trees which have
been planted for several years, and especially
Apples and Pears on dwarfing stocks, as a rule,
require some support to bring the fruit to perfec-
tion. Especially is this necessary with trees planted
on light or gravelly soils. When adequate support
is not accorded, the fruit becomes dry in texture,
as well as scabby in appearance. The best sea-
son for affording support or bringing food within
reach so as to be easily assimilated when the trees
need support is undoubtedly at the present time,
or from now onwards during the next three months,
but only when the ground is in condition for work-
ing. Liquid manure or diluted sewage applied
during the growing season is very advantageous
no doubt, and in gardens of small size and where
the trees are not numerous it can be easily given ;

but in others, and these are by far the most nu-
merous, applications of sewage during the summer
months are practically an impossibility. The best
means of affording adequate support, and which I
have now practised for some years with the best
results, is to remove the surface soil down to the
roots and apply a dressing 3 inches thick of farm-
yard manure and wood ashes. Over this replace
the soil which was removed, and as the season
comes round the roots will soon take advantage of
such a liberal diet. If farmyard manure is not
available, procure equal parts of stable manure
and cow manure. Stable manure alone, which,
however, should be in an advanced state of decay,
will be found beneficial. Old hotbed manure I have
not much faith in, as its virtues would be destroyed
by the necessary heating. Apricots, or any of the
smaller fruits, such as Currants, are much benefited
by the above application. With Pears budded on
the Quince stock it is absolutely necessary to occa-
sionally apply such a dressing. Trees in orchards
laid down to Grass become impoverished as time
goes on, and it would not be practicable to apply
such a dressing or in such a manner as above men-
tioned. In their case, advantage should be taken
of drawing out liquid manure or sewage during the
winter months and applying it to the trees. There
are many orchards which would be greatly benefited
by such applications. — Rural.

SHORT NOTES.— FRUIT.

The Pitmaston Pear.— I fear " Rural " in his
very good article on p. 512 last week put this too high.
It is very rarely of the best quality, and often poor. It
should be called by the above name to avoid confusion
with the true Duchesse d'Angouleme. — Taster.

Peach Walburton Admirable.— I had the
curiosity to measure one of our old trees of this variety
the other day, its size having struck me rather for-
cibly whilst the pruning was in progress, and I found it
covered a stretch of wall 30 feet by 12 feet. It is a won-
derful old tree with a gnarled clay-plastered stem, but
the annual growth is very vigorous, and it seldom fails
to carry and finish a fine crop of fruit. — E. Burrell.

Apple "Wellington.— This is probably one of
the very best late-keeping kitchen Apples. I think
there must be more than one variety in cultivation, as
some trees produce fruit of a pale lemon colour, while
that of others is streaked and flaked with crimson. All
have the same crisp, sour flesh, and are alike in other
respects. Now that many are debating what sorts to
plant, let me put in a word for the Wellington, for
either for private supply or market it is equally satis-
factory, and always realises a good price. — J. G. H.

Malaga Oranges. — There is a serious falling off
in the trade, hut an increase in that of peel for candy-
ing. The causes are the falling off in the quality of the
crop, and the ruinous prices of the fruit in the English
markets, in which it finds its principal sale. The im-
mense production at Valencia produces a keen compe-
tition with the Malaga fruit, glutting the English
markets and lowering the prices, with disastrous
results to the dealers and shippers.

The Salway Peach. — I quite agree with all
Mr. Iggulden says about the Salway Peach. A good
many years ago I planted two trees of this kind with
others on a south wall, and for twenty years they never
missed a crop. During that time other trees came and
went, but the Salway did its duty well. It is a vigor-
ous grower aud the shoots must be trained thinly.
If the young fruits are thinned early and freely, size,
colour and flavour will not be lacking. — E. H.

Spinovitis Davidi fruiting in France. —
This very curious species, of which the Revue Hor-
tieole lately gave a description, and a woodcut
showing the shape and spiny character of the
leaves, has just fruited abundantly in Normandy,
where, of course, the conditions are comparatively
adverse to it. In fact, it is an open cider district
in the Department of l'Orne, in the grounds of M.
Capiat, of Damigny, that this has occurred, and
notwithstanding that the season was an unfavour-
able one for Vines, this species ripened its fruit in
the month of September. The bunches were com-
paratively numerous, and measured 1 foot or more
in length. One fact which speaks well for it is,
that, although the weather was very unfavourable
at the time of flowering, none of the fruit dropped
— Revue Sorticole.

Dec. 6, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

523

Flower Garden.

HARDY CHRYSANTHEMUMS.
This popular and beautiful group of hardy
flowers is perhaps more in demand at the pre-
sent time than they have been at any period
since their introduction to general cultivation,
not only as subjects for the decoration of the
mixed flower border, but also for cutting.
Bunches of these lovely Ox-eye Daisies, from
the common species of our hedge rows to the
showier C. latifolium, 0. maximum, &c, are
eagerly sought after. The genus, taken as a
whole, is an extremely variable one, and from
the tiny alpine Feverfew (C. alpinum) to the
noble 0. uliginosum (see accompanying engrav-
ing), it presents a wonderful variation both in
habit, foliage, and flowers. In this genus those
species formerly placed under Pyrethrum and
Leucanthemum are, of course, included, the dis-

colours being very effective in masses, the plants
rarely assuming that weedy appearance that
mars the beauty of so many annuals which we
cultivate. Their culture is very simple, the
seeds being sown where they are intended to
bloom about the latter end of March ; the
sunnier the position the brighter and more
attractive will be the groups. The perennial
species, of which C. uliginosum may be taken as
an example, form one of the most charm-
ing and beautiful groups of our summer and
autumn flowers. As may be seen in the en-
graving, the above species is one of the
noblest and most effective of tall-growing her-
baceous plants, forming fine tufts 6 feet to
8 feet in height, the stout stems terminating in
loose clusters of white flowers larger than those
of the Ox-eye Daisy. This species is one of the
latest to open its flowers, and on this account
it should if possible be planted in a sunny posi-
tion, sheltered from the north and east. The

Great Ox-eye Daisy (Chrysanthemum uliginosum)

tinguishing characters between them being of a
doubtful nature, breaking down in many cases,
we are told, when the species are brought under
cultivation. Their- cultivation, as a rule, is
easy, and they form large showy tufts in a sur-
prisingly short time. The tendency of the flowers
to become double seems unfortunately to be de-
veloping, and we are being deluged with semi-
duplex varieties, which is much to be regretted.
The grace and beauty of these flowers depend
on their simplicity. In this connection we might
point out the advantages of selection in the case
of C. maximum, many of the varieties of which
are almost perfect in habit and form, and have
an extremely pleasing effect in gardens where
the soil is suitable to their requirements. No
one will doubt the value of selection in the case
of the annual C. coronarium, C. carinatum, &c. ,
the single forms of which are most lovely. C.
segetum, the garden forms of C. Burridgeanum,
coronarium, carinatum, Myconis, are amongst
the best of these annual kinds. They are in-
valuable as summer flowers, their bright gaudy

most beautiful group of this plant I have ever
seen was in a cottage garden, where, sheltered
by the cottage and in the enjoyment of all the
light and warmth possible, it formed a splendid
feature, the stems, loaded with their snowy
white bunches, falling about in the most grace-
ful manner. It is a strong feeder, and requires
a deep rich soil to have it at its best. It may
be increased by division, which must be done
as late in the season as the state of the weather
will allow, or else in spring after growth has
commenced. It might with advantage be
naturalised in open woods, where its robust
constitution would doubtless stand it in good
stead. A native of Hungary, and often known
as Pyrethrum serotinum.

C. latifolium is the largest of the so-called Ox-
eye Daisies, with fleshy, smooth, oval, lanceolate
leaves, coarsely serrated, and semi-clasping. It
has been confused with C. maximum, but it is a
larger and more robust species, the leaves being
broader and more sharply serrated. It comes into
flower at least a month later. The seeds have a

kind of crown absent in C. maximum. C. lati-
folium develops large flower-heads commonly 3
inches to 4 inches across. It is a strong growing
species, requiring rich soil and plenty o£ room. It
may be increased by division and seeds. A native
of Spain, &c.

C. maximum is nearly allied to C. pallens, from
which it is distinguished chiefly by its involucre
and larger flowers. The leaves of C. maximum are
more or less obovate, bluntly serrated, stems more
or less branched, each carrying a single white
flower, leafless towards the flower-heads, the in-
volucre flattish, composed of numerous narrow
bracts. Maritime Alps, &c.

C. montanum is the type of several useful rock
plants, such as lanceolatum, graminifolium, hetero-
phyllum, and atratum. C. pallens, as also C. alpi-
num and TchihatchefE, both creeping species, and
very effective when trailing over stones, Sec, are
also deserving of cultivation.

C. Zawadskii, of tufted habit and always more
or less procumbent, bears numerous rose-tinted
flowers all through the summer months. C. ro-
tundif olium and ceratophylloides are both new, and
promise to be useful rock plants.

D. K.

HALF-HARDY PLANTS FOR THE SUMMER
GARDEN.

The growing desire for a freer and more natural
style of gardening admits of the use of many fine
plants that can be placed out for the summer. The
Fuchsia, for example, is a perfect host in itself, and
its use is extending. Of it and its decorative value,
however, much has recently been written in The
Gaeden. Datura suaveolens, beautiful alike in
foliage and flower, and giving but very little trouble
at any time, is a magnificent plant for the summer
(lower garden. Cuttings struck early in the year,
grown on to a good size, and carefully hardened
off before planting out, continue to flower till frost
comes. Some plants that were cut down last au-
tumn and stored under a cool house stage all the
winter, started well in spring when placed in a little
warmth, gave plenty of cuttings, and after being
hardened off were planted out. They made huge
plants i feet high by the end of the season, and
were full of buds and bloom when frost came.
Some of the plants which were lifted and potted up
experienced no check, but have been flowering ever
since. I think, however, that the best for planting
out will prove to be those struck the previous year.
Those that we struck have made a good straight
stem of about 2 feet, and if this is preserved and
next spring can be induced to break into several
lateral shoots, flowers will come earlier and cer-
tainly more freely, as it is upon the lateral shoots
that the blooms are borne in such amazing profu-
sion. The powerful sweetness of its flowers is
sometimes too strong when the plants are under
glass, but in the open air this good quality can be
appreciated and enjoyed to the fullest extent. The
method of arranging the plants is optional. A
large one looks well when isolated, or several may
be closely grouped or thinly placed and carpeted
with some dwarfer plant. In any and every case
the plant looks well, whether in leaf or flower. I
have never seen the red- flowered kind, D.sanguinea,
used in the same way, nor does it seem as common
in gardens. It is well worthy of trial in associa-
tion with this lovely white-flowered kind. Cassia
corymbosa is another pretty old greenhouse plant
that succeeds well if planted out for the summer
in a warm sunny spot. All through late summer
and autumn till sharp frost cuts it down it is con-
spicuous from its wealth of rich green foliage and
abundance of large showy corymbs of bright yellow
flowers. Under the simplest treatment it flowers
year after year in the open air with the greatest
freedom. When frosts have cut the flowers off the
plants may be cut back, lifted, potted, and placed
in a house from which frost is excluded, giving
little water during the winter months. Hardening
off in May previous to planting out is the only other
matter of importance.

524

THE GARDEN.

[Dec. 6, 1890.

Ceanothuses are very lovely shrubs not often
seen in gardens. One of the commonest and cer-
tainly one of the best is C. Gloire de Versailles. It
is frequently met with as a wall shrub, and in a few
places it lives through the winter in an open bed.
Where walls are not available, and Ceanothuses do
not survive in the open air, they may be success-
fully grown and freely flowered by treating them
as half-hardy greenhouse shrubs. For many years
they have been grown in this way in the Horticul-
tural Society's garden at Chiswick, and the large
beds filled with them have been interesting and
pretty throughout the season. When the plants
are potted up a little shortening back is all that
they need, and any frost-proof house suffices wherein
to winter them, whilst when danger of sharp frost
is over they may be stood outside and ultimately
planted out in their summer quarters.

Plumbago capensis was used with excellent effect
in the summer bedding arrangements in Battersea
Park last year. If an open and sunny spot be
chosen, it will grow and flower freely and continu-
ously during the summer months. Old plants are
the best, and they can be shortened back and lifted
year after year in the way advised for the Ceano-
thus. Erythrinas were also used extensively in Bat-
tersea Park, and they are certainly worthy of ex-
tended culture in our gardens. Annual shoots are
made from the woody rootstocks, and they attain
to from 2 feet to 1 feet in length, bearing for quite
half the distance large, thick, Pea-like flowers of a
coral-red or bright scarlet colour according to the
kind. The flowers open gradually and last long in
beauty, the plant being effective all through the
summer months. The best known is E. crista-galli.
It is also about the hardiest, as in warm borders it
will survive with the protection of ashes or some-
thing else over the rootstock. Other good kinds
are profusa, omata, Hendersoni, and lime. Be-
langer. Lifting in autumn and storage for the
winter, as advised for the other things above-men-
tioned, suffice for these.

Abntilons grow and flower freely out of doors
in summer, and they are both graceful and beau-
tiful. The forms of A. Darwini, with their richly
mottled foliage, are exceedingly useful for foliage
arrangements, while the flowering kinds are numer-
ous and varied. If the main shoots are stopped,
the plants make pretty spreading bushes and keep
growing and blooming throughout the season until
frost appears, when they may be lifted and potted
up for the winter. Lantanas can hardly be called
popular plants ; perhaps their strong and somewhat
unpleasant odour when handled may account for
this,- as they grow and flower much better in the
open ground. They make dense dwarf bushes,
which are covered with Verbena-like heads of
bloom. The variety of colour found in them is
exceedingly rich. Some kinds are distinctly self-
coloured, whilst in others the flowers embrace
several rich shades.

Acacia lophantha must be included because of
its beautiful foliage, which is as elegant and grace-
ful as any Fern. It is an admirable plant to asso-
ciate with dwarfer flowering subjects, and if con-
fined to a single stem it does not take up much
room. It may be raised from seed sufficiently early
to have plants ready for putting out in June, but
better results are obtained by raising them a little
later and keeping them in pots for the first year.
Doubtless there may be other greenhouse plants
adapted for the summer garden, but which have
not been tried. I once saw Habrothamnus elegans
flowering well planted out, although the spot was
not very favourable for it. A. H.

Haphazard planting. — Many of the prettiest
effects in gardens are often the result of accidental
contrast, plants placed together without thought of
the charming association of colour the flowers
would produce. Such an effect was brought about
on a wall near one of the houses in the Pendell
Court Gardens, Bletchingley. Three things were
planted in an odd place to get rid of them ; they
consisted of the now fairly common Passiflora Con-
stance Eliott, Lonicera sempervirens, and the
double Bindweed (Calystegia pubescens fl .-pi.). The

result was most happy. The shoots of the one grew
into those of the others, the flowers blended well
together, and a pretty picture was formed by a
chance bit of planting. Others should try these to-
gether, and bare spaces on walls are certainly not
scarce. Garden walls are necessities, of course ; but
there is no reason why a covering of flowers or foli-
age should not hide the bareness of bricks and
mortar.

L1LIOI NEILGHERREXSE AT HOME.
Comtladtts are frequently made of the diffi-
culty experienced in flowering this very beauti-
ful Lily, more especially during the second and
following years of its importation into England.
In the first year the bulbs are easily managed,
in most cases flowering freely, but after that
they appear to gradually dwindle in size till
they disappear altogether. This is to be re-
gretted with regard to what may be termed the
most beautiful Lily of its section, possessing, as
it does, rare beauty of form, delicacy of colour,
and sweet scent.

I offer a few remarks on the plant as it is
found at home, together with a suggestion or
two with regard to its treatment in England.

The bulb when growing in a wild state is
never found of any great size, so that growers
need not take alarm when they receive a con-
signment of comparatively small roots. It is
quite astonishing sometimes to see in its native
habitat a stout stem crowned with a magnifi-
cent bloom springing from an insignificant bulb.

The plant is found on various mountain
ranges of Southern India, but most abundantly
on the Neilgherry range between Il= and 12 of
north latitude, over the whole extent of the
plateau, of which it is, or rather was, an object
of rare interest and beauty. It does not affect
a lower elevation than between 5000 feet and
6000 feet, and is rarely found growing out of dry
ground, but almost invariably amongst boulders
where leaf soil has collected, and out of the fis-
sures of rocks and cliffs where water oozes and
flows in abundance during the rainy season,
when the vegetable mould in which it grows is
completely saturated and in a slimy condition.
During the dry season this becomes dust.

On the western side of the X/eilgherry plateau
the south-west monsoon beats from the middle of
June till the middle of September, and the Lily
is not seen in flower in that district till within
a week or two of the latter date; whereas on the
eastern side, which is only within the influence
of the north-east rains, the plant flowers in
December and January, so that in this country
this Lily might be induced to bloom any time
between October and Christmas. The above
conditions would seem to point to abundance of
water during the growing and flowering season,
with a gradual drying up succeeded by a long
season of complete rest.

Mr. T. L. Richmond, on page 175 of The
Garden-, says : —

I believe that this Lily will not thrive if its roots
are disturbed by constant repotting.
And again : —

Another common mietake is to starve them after
they have bloomed. That is the very time they need
fresh nourishment, as they are then preparing for nest
year's work, and, although they must not be over-
watered during the period of rest in which they gradu-
ally lose their leaves, they must never be allowed to
become dust-dry.

Now the first portion of this advice, I think, is
excellent, and holds good, I venture to think,
with all species of the genus ; but the second
part, having reference to rest and moisture, is
opposed to the conditions under which the
plant is found to flourish in a state of Nature.
For three or four months in the year the

soil, as I have already stated, in which the
Lily grows is saturated with moisture, and
water is flowing and oozing in abundance
from above and around. These tropical rains,
as is well known, stop as suddenly as they
begin, and therefore the bulbs of L. neilgher-
rense have a bed of dry dust for the remaining
eight months of the year, with the surrounding
boulders and rocks made daily hot by a fierce
sun. Is it not rather the practice of continuing
the watering of the plants too long after bloom-
ing that weakens the bulbs and produces the
dwindling and ultimate decay ?

With regard to climate, the mean annual
temperature of theXeilgherriesis59= ; maximum,
77' ; minimum, 38' ; average range, 17°.

It will be noticed that when a batch of bulbs
is imported from India some will be found to be
quite white like those of L. Harrisi, whilst
others are of a purplish hue. It would be inte-
resting to note if any difference exists in the
habit of growth or flowers of these two sorts of
bulbs.

During a lengthy residence on the N eilgherries
I do not think I ever saw a cultivated plant of
this Lily with more than a solitary bloom on a
stem, but as many as three and even five have
been seen on a single stem in a wild state, and
we have it on the authority of Mr. G. F.Wilson,
of Weybridge, that three and five have been
produced on single stems in England.

The NeUgherry Lily was once a beautiful fea-
ture over nearly the whole of the mountain
plateau, the solitary flowers of which, nodding
in spotless beauty from the clefts and fissures
of the high rocks, being a sight not soon to be
forgotten. It is now greatly to be feared that
the hand of the collector has robbed this moun-
tain paradise of one of its most beautiful flowers.

J. L.

Garden Lilies. — I have read with interest the
letter from the Eev. J. B. M. Camm in The Garden
for Nov. 22 on the spread of disease among Lilies.
For some years I have been taking careful note of
the growth of this disease in relation to the seasons,
and I find that a cold wet summer, such as the last,
seems to favour its development. L. chalcedonicum,
tigrinum, candidum, and auratum were affected
early in the season, and before the time of flower-
ing not a leaf was left on them, with the result that
I had not a properly developed flower. Even the
flowers and stems of the scarlet Martagon got
covered, lly experience proves that wet cold sea-
sons, confined and low-lying gardens and mulching
with manure all tend to spread the disease. Fur-
ther, the soil in which they are grown gets impreg-
nated with the disease germs, and thus it reappears
annually. I have found the following preventive
measures very effectual. Shift Lily bulbs as seldom
as possible. In manuring dig it in between or
around the bulbs. Carefully remove all dead leaves
and stalks, also the soil (once a year) from the top
of the bulbs and replace with fresh soil from a dis-
tance, or from the bottom of a trench ; this treat-
ment I lay great stress on. Buy in, or make an
exchange now and again. Last summer I bought
in some bulbs of L. candidum, and they entirely
escaped the disease. Covering with a sash to run
off the rain and keep the bed and foliage dry is
also a good preventive. — North Briton'.

The Sea Lyme Grass (Elymus arenarius). —
This pretty native Grass should never be grown in
a bed or border of choice plants, as it is a strong
rooter and extends rapidly by underground shoots
like the Couch Grass. It grows about a yard high,
and its leaves are of a beautiful glaucous colour,
the effect of which is well brought out when the
plant is upon Grass or as a spreading colony upon
the margin of the shrubbery. Its greatest beauty
is in its foliage, and therefore the flowers might be
removed when they appear. This Grass has a
special value for planting upon banks of loose soil,

Deo. G, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

which it will hold together, and even banks of
shifting sand may be held together and kept in
position by its long wiry roots. Large spreading
masses of it by open woodland walks would give
excellent cover, and by the sides of carriage drives
where soil is light and sandy it would look remark-
ably well It can be increased with the greatest ease
and rapidity by dividing the tufts. This can be
done without any fear of killing or injuring it. —
A.H.

LATE-FLOWERING ASTER3.

A. Shorti. — This desirable plant is from 4 feet to
5 feet high, and bears in great profusion flowers
each about an inch across, with pale lilac-blue ray
florets. The blooming season extends from the
middle of October till the middle of November.
It is found from Ohio to Georgia, westward to
Illinois and Kentucky. Holding its flowers un-
damaged later than any other native Aster, the
scarcity of other flowers and the forlorn nature of
its surroundings render its aspect and utility more
striking than would be the case earlier in the sea-
son. Rich garden soil, a position sheltered from
strong winds, and partially shaded from noonday
sun are the conditions most favourable to the de-
velopment of its best qualities. In an exposed
sunny position or in light soil the growth of the
plant is less vigorous, and, while it blooms earlier
under such circumstances, the fewer flowers of in-
different quality pass away before those on plants
in the right situation begin to unfold.

A. tat art ccs. — This species comes from Tar-
tary, having been introduced in 1818. In general
appearance it differs widely from the ordinary
species of this country. The thick, somewhat suc-
culent stem is boldly erect, its surface prominently
furrowed, and it is generally more than 6 feet high.
The radical leaves are fully 2 feet in length. The
flowers are each an inch in diameter, with showy rays
of deep reddish lilac. The plant is valuable chiefly
on account of its late-flowering character, the
flowers developing during the latter part of Octo-
ber and early in November. This plant is found
useful here for cutting from, but in the warmer
climate of States further south it should prove still
more valuable. A rather poor soil and a situation
well exposed to sunshine are required to induce the
plant to flower in this locality before severe frost
renders it impossible.

A. TCRBi>-ELLrs. — This is without doubt the
best of the late-flowering kinds. It is native in
Illinois, Missouri, and Louisiana. The stems attain
a height of from 3 feet to 4 feet, and push branches
from the axil of almost every leaf. The flowers
are each about li inches across, with ray florets of
a showy blue tint, reflexed at the tip. The in-
stances of more than one flower developing upon
the same branchlet are exceptional, though one
may occasionally find as many as three. The free
branching habit of the plant, however, ensures a
bountiful supply of flowers. Strong clumps make
an excellent display in the herbaceous border dur-
ing the early part of October. The stems, of
course, require staking, but if all the branches are
left to assume their naturally pendulous habit the
gracefulness of the mass will be materially en-
hanced. The time at which this Aster blooms ren-
ders it most useful for cutting, and space should
be found for a few clumps of it for that reason.
It is found at its best in a sheltered, sunny position
in moderately rich soil. I am told that A. Irevis is
sometimes substituted for this species by dealers.
A. lasvis is a worthy enough subject in its place,
but it is a less elegant plant with much coarser
leaves, and its smaller blue flowers are past when
those of A. turbinellus commence to expand. — M.
Barker, Camirid-ge Botanic Gardens, in Garden
and Forest.

tufts I left upon a sunnv border where they were flower border of hardy plants. The shore is a
raised lived and flowered" in June ; there was, how- ; question of great consideration and difficulty here,
ever, only one spike to each plant. I also raised a owing to the sudden and rapid increase of the

lake, taking place regularly twice a year in spring
and autumn, and changing from 4 to 5 metres in
height. New to this change in the beginning, I
tried to plant heaps of things, which for their
character ought to have existed, but they
were either entirely washed away or uprooted
in a season very unfit for their transplantation.
A part of the shore was given up to Eucalyptus
amygdalina, and after having lost many, I suc-
ceeded in keeping twenty-eight, which in height
measure about 5 metres, having a trunk of 30 cen-
timetres in circumference. Experience taught
me that they do well in the vicinity of water,
provided their tops never get submerged, when
they turn yellow and die. Besides this they do
not suffer from being transplanted, and so plants
for my use must reach at least 3 metres and be
kept in pots, and of these I happily have already
nineteen more awaiting to be planted next spring.

large batch in heat early in the year, pricked the
seedlings off into boxes, and planted them out in
May. Every one of these made huge plants with
several shoots, and grew so strongly as to need
thinning out. One of these plants would give six
times more bloom than the plants treated as bien-
nials. It is important to raise seedlings early and
get them on well before planting out time comes,
or the season of blooming will be late. But this
Celsia can stand some amount of frost, and has
been flowering freely all through the present
month, and would have continued into next had
the weather kept open. Backward plants should
be potted up, as they are valuable for the conserva-
tory in spring. It is a charming species either in
pots or the open ground. When in pots under
glass the leafy bracts upon the flower-spikes are
not produced as freely as upon those in the open
ground, but the rich yellow flowers cluster thickly
on the spike. — A. H.

AX ISLAND GARDEN.

Celsia cretica. — This plant was the subject of
a note early in the year as to the relative merits of
spring-raised seedlings over those raised in autumn
this Celsia being described as a biennial in garden-
ing dictionaries, but succeeding best if treated as
an annual in many gardens. It will not survive
the winter out of doors in some places, but some

A srBSCRlBER to The Gardex these last three
years and an enthusiastic follower of your kind of
gardening, I allow myself to write to you for some
advice.

I am the proprietress of two lovely islands in the
lake Maggiore. I bought them five years ago
nearly bare of all vegetation, and now am trying
to transform them little by little into the choicest
bit of garden the climate here can yield. To
show the mildness of this last, I may only mention
a lawn in front of the house planted with the fol-
lowing : Cocos Bonnetti, Pritchardia filifera and
robusta, Cycas revoluta, Phoenix reclinata, sylves-
tris, and canariensis, Juba^a spectabilis, Chamserops
humilis (of C. excelsa I have got a whole avenue),
Bonapartea gracilis, Dasylirion longifolia, and Sa-
bal Adansoni. To these I hope to be able to add
next spring a Cocos Bomanzoffiana, which, tried
last year at the Borromeo Islands, withstood 5'
of frost. AH these above-named plants pass the
winter with a simple straw covering and some
manure as top-dressing.

In order to avoid monotony, I tried to scatter
some bulbous plants in the Grass, but as they were
more or less trodden down, I now intend putting
here and there big clumps of Roses (twelve in each
and of the same kind) amongst these plants, and
have chosen the following: Edith Gifford, La
France, Viscountess Folkestone, Princesse de Sagan.
Prefet Limbourg, Charles Lefebvre, and Laurette
Messimy, and am sure they will produce a good
effect. A counterpart to this piece of gardening is
a big space planted with the choicest Conifers.
Among these, as novel, I may mention Retinospora
Troubetzkoyana (a very quaint and beautiful spe-
cies in the way of R. lycopodioides, but the heavy
branches hanging down like a rich green jet trim-
mine). I possess the mother plant, originated in
the gardens of the Prince Troubetzkoy here on the
lake. Further a Cupressus Lawsoniana nidifera,
the leaf resembling a glaucous Selaginella, and the
form a perfectly symmetrical, fiat nest.

I am sure to possess lots of other Conifers little
or not at all known abroad, having all originated
here in the neighbourhood, and, should the descrip-
tion of some of them interest you, I am quite ready
to eive it. I forgot to mention Araucaria Bidwilli
and excelsa living here in the open air, treated
exactly like the Palms. Encouraged by this suc-
cess, I have decided to plant next spring also Arau-
caria robusta, elegans, and Cunninghami.

As you see, I have not lost time, considering that
I am my own head gardener, directing simple
labourers, not wanting to have anybody to inter-
fere with the place until the whole of the ground-
work is definitely laid out, and having besides this
to struggle with ground where every yard must be
moved, drained, and thoroughly prepared.

With all this success two questions remain with
me unsolved, and these are about the shore and the

Further on I have a group of Taxodium disti-
chum, but they also were planted under size for
our water. Lately I hit upon a batch of these
plants from 4 to 5 metres high, and, of course, at
once secured aU of them, forty-three in number,
having them sent as soon as the leaves will be off.

Lately I was also interested in reading the article
in The Gardes about dark-leaved plants, and,
seeing that Liquidambar and Nyssa would do for
me, looked out for them and found any amount of
Liquidambar styraciflna 4 metres high, but no
Nyssa, it being unknown not only here, but in most
of the nurseries abroad where I inquired.

I have also a group of twenty-eight Populus
pvramidalis, and in some places where the Willows
grow wild, here and there some of them grafted
into weeping ones. But all this is not enough, my
larger island having a surface of 55,000 square
metres, and a very broken shore-line taking lots of
plants, which literally disappear on it. I would,
therefore, be very happy if any reader of The
Garden would give some advice as to what to plant
in the way of the so-called amphibious hardy plants
which can resist being swamped or left dry. There
are lots of lovely rocks round about which are
utilised, a part being planted with Dracama in-
divisa, with Yuccas, Chamaerops excelsa, Agaves,
and Gyneriums round them.

My next great difficulty is my flower border,
which is 64 metres long, and is in a lovely
position, running irregularly along one side of
the principal walks, on one side of which is
the above mentioned group of Palms and on the
other a slope, which is being prepared to receive
next spring a large number of American plants.
This border has been thoroughly dug and prepared
with a brick foundation, decayed leaf and very
good garden earth, and that for nearly 70 centi-
metres ; it is fully exposed to the sun, and nothing
would prevent the growing of any good plants if I
only knew what to select and how to dispose them.
I studied hard what Mr. Miles says on the
flower garden quoted at page 42 of your " Flower
Garden," but am unable to put theories into
practice, and it seems nearly impossible that,
successful as I seem to be in the arrangement of
the whole, this detail should escape me entirely.
Gardeners here are unable to help me, insisting
always on their planting-out system, which I dislike.
I would like to have whatever a flower border of
hardy herbaceous perennials, under excellent con-
ditions, could yield, enabling me always to cut a
handful of them and having them always admired ;
but how to go on with it for 64 long metres ? Would
vou be so very kind as to suggest to me what to
do, or would it be too much trouble to you to refer
me to some skilful flower gardener who would trace
me a regular plan which I could carry out inch by
inch ! I exclude nothing except too high plants,
the border being too narrow for them. I am like-
wise indifferent to their being evergreen or not,
wanting this border especially between the months
of May and October, but always pleased if even
the other months yielded me some bloom. I

526

THE GARDEN.

[Dec. 6, 1890.

would spare no expense to have this border a per-
fection in every way.

Antoinette St. Leger.

St. Leger Islands (via Locarno), Lake Magtjiore,
Switzerland.

%* No matter how long the border, it may be
made beautiful by grouping in a picturesque way
hardy plants that do well in the climate and bloom
in the season desired. No way, however, of telling
how it may be done is so good as seeing examples
of good flower borders. In England we think
are the best. The French way is quite mechanical
and hopeless — at least so far as the gardens of
Paris show. — Ed.

SHORT NOTES.— FLOWER.

The winter Daffodil (Sternbergia lutea). — This
beautiful little bulbous plant is now in full bloom, and
the contrast between its deep, pure yellow flowers and
dark green foliage is very striking, and attracts more
notice at this time of year than such a lowly subject
would at any other. — S. D.

The increase of the Daffodil.— Fifteen years
ago I planted fifty Daffodil bulbs. In November my
gardener thought as they had not flowered so freely
for the past two seasons that they required lifting.
And it was so, for upon disturbing them he found over
4000 bulbs, of which fully 2000 were flowering ones.
I know not if this is the usual increase, but it seems
to me so abnormal that I venture to send you a note
of it. — Edw. Nelson Haxell, Kingsbury.

Rose Garden.

AMONG THE ROSES IN NOVEMBER.
Roses are now assumed to be at rest, or as near
to it as they are likely to attain during any
month out of the twelve. "Better leave them
in peace," the more lethargic rosarian may be
ready to exclaim. But no ; for unless the sea-
son of semi-rest is made a season of active work
or more leisurely preparation, the Rose harvest
will assuredly prove faulty either in quality or
quantity — mayhap in both. And there are four
or five things that can be better done for Roses
in the depth of the dead season than at any
other time. These are planting, transplanting,
top-dressing, pruning, and propagation. There
is no month for planting Roses like November,
as has been said hundreds of times in The
Garden, and it still needs repeating until no
one will be found attempting to plant hardy
Roses in any other month, unless through dire
necessity. This year, for example, Roses and
most other plants are abnormally late, and
Rose wood will hardly be more mature in the
second week of December than it is usually in
the middle or end of November. But these
exceptional climatal conditions but confirm the
wisdom of general November planting. Many
of the hardier Teas and Noisettes may also be
planted with Hybrid Perpetuals and all other
hardy Roses in November. Next to planting
at the right season success depends on prepar-
ing to plant Roses, and planting them in the
light way. Thrust the roots into waterlogged,
sterile, or ungenial soil, and failure not only
may, but must overtake them, even though
planted in November. Perhaps, too, as many
or more roots are done to death before or in
the process of planting as afterwards.

Torn up by sheer force rather than carefully
lifted from their old quarters, the lacerated
roots laid bare to biting frosts and penetrating
nor'-easters, crushed together, heated, chilled,
or further dried during a long journey, again
exposed to sun and air before being settled into
their new homes, it is small wonder that the
percentage of deaths runs up so high, and that
miffy Roses can be counted by thousands and
tens of thousands. The vital force and growing

powers of the Rose plants have been lowered
and wrecked in transit, and through barbarous or
reckless treatment at both ends of the journey.
Nor is it merely that the growing capacities of the
Roses have been thus weakened, but scant and
spare preparations are often made to welcome
the crippled Rose plants into their new homes
or excite them to do their best at once. A
prompt start is fully three-fourths of success
already gained in the planting of Roses and all
other plants. While the Rose remains detached
from the soil it is in special danger of death,
starvation, and diseases of all sorts ; hence the
vital importance of having a suitable soil
ready beforehand and committing the Roses to
it without a moment's needless exposure of their
roots to sun or air. Gentle handling and skilful
treatment are also essential to the rapid and
living union of the roots and the fresh soil. The
moment the roots bite their food — that is, their
new root runs — the Roses are safe, provided al-
ways there is food enough of the right sort
and to spare to be found there. Mellow,
sweet, maiden soil rendered yet more attrac-
tive and savoury, with a little rotten manure
or leaf-mould, are found in practice to be at
once the safest, most potent, and most generally
available means of uniting the semi-paralysed
roots to the unoccupied soil. The roots cannot
long resist such attractive and alluring soils,
especially when promptly fixed in it through
strong staking and vigorous compression by
treading or otherwise. Wider experience but
the more highly enhances the value of a skilful
preparation of the soil as among the most potent
factors of successful planting, that I now believe
that time might often be gained in Rose-grow-
ing through cropping the land with such things
as Potatoes, or thoroughly cultivating it as a
fallow a year or more before planting. And
then the details of planting are as well deserv-
ing of attention as the preparation of the soil.
Perhaps it will be better to say that nothing
can be little or small in the great business of
planting Roses. Take, for example, the matter
of root exposure. We often hear planters talk
and, what is of far more moment, see them act
as if Roses liked to have their roots in the air.
The Dog Rose esrjeciaily, they say, will grow
after its roots have been air-dried or frostbitten
for days or weeks. This is sheer absurdity, with-
out a semblance of fact to rest upon ; hence
the less root-exposure to the air and the
shorter the interregnum of detachment from
the soil in the process of planting, the higher
and more satisfactory the percentage of success.
Others, again, consider it a small matter
whether the roots shall merely be covered with
soil or buried to a depth of 1 foot or more of
earth ; hence thousands of Rose roots are buried
rather than planted, with the idea of killing
two dogs with one stone — that is, planting and
staking at one operation. There never was a
greater mistake. No Rose root, unless under
the most exceptional conditions of site or size,
should be planted deeper than 6 inches. From
that to 3 inches may be pronounced the most
favourable depth to plant Roses. They are sure
to dig down all too deeply afterwards unless
tempted towards the surface with alluring top-
dressing. But start them at a foot or more from
the surface, and the roots will find graves rather
than larders well stored with suitable food.

Again, what a trifle it seems whether the
roots are planted intact just as they are after
the accidents or vicissitudes of taking up and
transport, or whether every bruised and broken
portion is pruned neatly off with a sharp knife
before planting. No one but the experienced
practical man would believe that in the former
case the roots would remain dormant or origi-

nate whole hosts of festering or poisonous fun-
gus ; whereas in the latter, new life and fresh
growth would follow hard on the sharp cuts uf
the knife.

Again, root-growth may be hindered through
careless disposal of the roots in tangled or con-
fused masses ; fostered through their skilful and
regular distribution through the soil. Surface
mulching after planting is another simple and
yet most potent stimulus to root growth. A
surface mulch of any slow-conducting materials,
such as litter, manure, cocoa-nut fibre refuse,
leaf-mould, or spent tan, keeps moisture in and
the frost out, and fosters root-growth through-
out the dead season. D. T. F.

SHORT NOTE.— ROSES.

Tea Rose Nareisse outdoors.— Mr. J. Crook,
The Gardens, Forde Abbey, Somerset, sends us some
fine flowers of this Rose from a plant growing in the
open air. He says: " The plant is growing in a border
18 inches wide and about the same in depth. It has
been planted for about two years, and now covers
many feet of wall space, and is almost a perpetual
bloomer. I have cut good blooms at the end of April
or the first week in May, and it has flowered all
through the season. During the last four or five
weeks I have cut from one to two dozen blooms
weekly. In the last week in November I cut fourteen
blooms, and there are many more to open if the wea-
ther remains favourable."

WARWICK CASTLE.
Warwick Castle is one of the grand old castles
of England. It is now an attraction for hun-
dreds of visitors who have heard of its pictur-
esque situation, venerable beauty, and the rich
scenery from its stately terrace walls. It would
be difficult to find a more interesting locality
than around Warwick. The scenery from the
terraces on the castle walls is of extreme beauty.
Immediately below, at a depth of well-nigh 100
feet, the river rushes over its rocky bed at the
very base of the massive walls. The finest speci-
mens of park and sylvan scenery that can be
found may be seen around Warwick Castle.
Beneath are the venerable Cedars, as fine as
can be seen anywhere, and beyond, the
Avon winds its silvery stream through the rich
green slopes of the park, interspersed by dense
masses of foliage and rare tree growth, for
which Warwickshire is so famous. The sur-
roundings of the castle impress one with their
simple grandeur and repose, and the grounds
are not marked by needless architectural em-
bellishments— terraces, statuary, vases — which
detract in a great degree from the effect of many
of the finest residences.

The trees are not remarkable as far as
variety is concerned, and the paucity of modern
exotic kinds is conspicuous, though the grand
examples of the older trees amply compensate
for this. The principal types are the Oak, Horse
and Sweet Chestnut, the Plane, and False Acacia,
all of which are represented by very large speci-
mens, both isolated and in groups ; and of Coni-
fers there are the Cedar, Larch, Scotch Fir, and
Yew.

The manner in which the noble tree growth
is disposed about the dressed part of the
grounds here is worthy of notice. The finest
examples both of Cedars, Oaks, or other decidu-
ous trees stand out boldly by themselves from
the greensward, and tell, as it were, their own
tale, unmingled in confused groups, as is too
often seen in the modern style of plauting.
Trees such as the Silver Maple may be seen in
all their graceful beauty unencumbered by
other trees or shrubs ; and so with many
other trees that drop their boughs naturally,
while in contrast with these, huge naked boles

Deo. 6, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

527

of the Larch, Scotch Fir, Acacia, and Elm
may be seen everywhere in groups of half-a-
dozen or so rising directly from the green-
sward, thus displaying their characteristic growth
to advantage. The venerable Cedars of Lebanon
that are to be met with in every part of the
grounds are the glory of Warwick ; than some of
these, no finer specimens exist in the country.
The largest are on the sloping banks of the
river immediately under the castle walls ; one in
particular is a veritable forest in itself, having
huge limbs of immense girth spreading out in
all directions, some dropping to the water's
edge. These no doubt are among the first ex-
amples of the Lebanon Cedar that were planted
in the country, and no doubt are contemporary
with those at Goodwood, Painshill, Bretby
Park, Linton, Syon, and some others. Unlike
several places where this Cedar is largely repre-
sented, the trees here are not all of the same
age ; on the contrary, there are many of younger
growth that are growing on to take the place of
the larger trees. It is to be regretted that
young Cedars of Lebanon are not more planted

the fashion there decrees that the flowers must be cut
with stems about 2 feet long. In this condition there
is a ready sale for cut Chrysanthemums of large size
until late in the season. The price per bloom averages
from 7id. to 10d.— Chevsanth.

Chrysanthemums.

VARIETIES OF RICH COLOUR.
The number of Chrysanthemums is bewildering in
its extent, and increases, of course, the difficulty of
those who wish for a few kinds of good colour.
Many varieties are practically unknown, for the
reason that their flowers are not of exhibition
standard, but often they have the one great quality
of a deep, rich, and welcome colour, to take the
old Julie Lagravere as an example. In the in-
curved section there is a conspicuous absence of
rich tints, but recent additions have atoned in
part for a great deficiency. Violet Tomlin is of a
splendid violet-purple when fresh, but often flowers
of it are shown quite of a pale rose, which simply
means they are past their best. Antonelli, Bronze
Jardin des Plantes, Charles Gibson, General Bain-

Warwick Castle from the bridge.

than they are instead of the numbers of other
less tried Conifers.

Within the castle walls there is not much to
interest the horticultural visitor, but everyone
must admire the fine breadth of well-kept lawn
in the castle yard, giving it such an air of quiet
beauty. Here and there about this yard are some
venerable specimens of the Scotch Fir which re-
present in a striking degree the characteristic
growth of the tree, the huge naked red boles
and horizontally spreading heads seeming to
blend harmoniously with the grey old towers of
the castle. One of the most remarkable features
here is the approach road, which is cut through
a bed of solid red sandstone rock about 100
yards in length and varying in depth from 10
feet to 30 feet. These rocky sides afford a foot-
hold for myriads of Ferns and similar vegetatioD,
while tangled festoons of brushwood form a
canopy of foliage above through which the castle
and its surroundings are seen.

Chrysanthemums in Paris. — The big bloom
craze is becoming prevalent in Paris. One large grower
in the trade keeps the market pretty well supplied, but

brigge, Golden Beverley, Golden George Glenny,
Jardin des Plantes, a splendid yellow; M. A.
Haggas, a very telling yellow shade ; and Reful-
gence, rich purple-maroon. These constitute a
small selection, but certainly comprise those kinds
of a fine rich colour. There is nothing more lus-
trous in the Japanese class than the new variety
Cesare Costa, the petals broad, rich crimson-ma-
roon, as deep almost as on the petal of a dark
coloured Hybrid Perpetual Rose, and with a
pale reverse. This is the kind of flower that is
noble on the plant, beautiful when cut, and telling
on the exhibition board. Edouard Audiguier,
Etoile de Lyon, when of the richest rose, Mrs.
Falconer Jameson, Sarah Owen, Source d'Or, Sun-
flower, Stanstead Surprise, William Robinson,
W. W. Cowles, and M. Bernard, one of the finest of
all for its rich crimson-purple colour. Some of the
deepest-coloured varieties are in the other divisions.
The Japanese incurved class contains such varieties
as Boule d'Or, Edwin Molyneux, Grandiflorum, the
deep mauve Clemence Audiguier, H. Cannell, Mrs.
C. W. Wheeler, and the new addition Beauty of
Castlewood, which is like a glorified Comte de
Germiny or Mrs. C. W. Wheeler. It is noted in
last week's Gaedbn (p. 515). Of those that have re-
flexed florets, and therefore justify a class to them-
selves named Japanese reflexed, l'Africaine, better

known as, but erroneously named George Gordon,
Eugene Giat, W. Holmes, Marsa, Jeanne Delaux,
often shown as F. A. Davis, which is a synonym ;
Phoebus, President Hyde, Roseum superbum, and
Val d'Andorre are of splendid colour. The re-
flexed proper have many varieties of distinct
and rich colours, none more so than the famous
Cullingfordi, Dr. Sharpe, King of the Crimsons,
Putney George, and William Neville, deep orange,
with a reddish suffusion in the centre. Two splen-
did large Anemone-flowered types are Gliick and
J. Thorpe Jun., both yellow in colour, but of that
deep, telling shade that we can scarcely have too
much of for bold decorations. Gliick is a popular
market Chrysanthemum, and so are many of the
varieties mentioned in this list, for the reason that
they possess the decided tones which suit the
public taste. The strongest colour in the pompon
class is yellow, and we have it in varying, but deep
shades in Alice Stevens and Golden Shah, a valuable
September Chrysanthemum. Lune Fleuri, deep
bronze orange, Bob, St. Michael, and the little
Marion, which is a true pompon, are valuable. The
finest of the pompon Anemones are Antonius, Dick
Turpin, magenta-crimson; Magenta King, magenta;
and Queen of Anemones, rose-crimson. The single
flowers of conspicuous depth of colour are Lily
Owen, bright brownish crimson ; Yellow Jane,
the yellow counterpart of Jane or Snowflake ;
Souvenir de Londres, crimson ; and the deep
yellow Admiral Sir T. Symonds. This list is, of
course, very small ; it omits the whites, pinks,
and all colours that are not what we may call deep
and effective in bold decorations. The soft shades
of rose and other bright hues are, of course, essen-
tial, but too often those who wish for a few strong-
coloured flowers have to wade through a mass of
material to gain their desire.

Chrysanthemum Etoile de Lyon. — Unlike
many of the varieties that produce large flowers,
this is one of the best Japanese Chrysanthemums
for growing in bush form, as the growth is dwarf
and sturdy, the foliage ample, richly coloured, and,
what is of very great importance in a Chrysanthe-
mum, it is retained quite to the base of the plant.
I have seen plants this season about 4 feet high
supported by only a single stick, and carrying six
or eight large blossoms (of course not such mon-
sters as are to be found on the exhibition table),
but each bloom was of good shape, of sufficient size,
and far better coloured than many of the washy
specimens that are sometimes set up at exhibitions.
Concerning the propagation of this Chrysanthemum,
I have noticed one peculiarity, and the experience
of several to whom I have spoken of the matter is
the same as my own ; it is that cuttings of Etoile
de Lyon take a longer time to strike root than
those of any other Chrysanthemum that I am ac-
quainted with. Cuttings of other kinds will, as a
rule, be ready to pot off before those of this variety
have formed a root. — H. P.

A distinct class of Chrysanthemums is
formed by such varieties as Gloire Rayonnante,
Souvenir d'Angele Amiel, and Lilian Bird. These
are comparatively new, except the first of the trio,
which is also sometimes labelled Porcupine and
Hedgehog, from the pointed nature of the petals,
and if many more additions are made it will be ad-
visable to institute a new class to keep flowers of
such remarkable distinctness away from the true
Japanese. They seem to invite a division for them-
selves, the flowers having an expression utterly un-
like any other variety, but bearing the closest re-
semblance to the Japanese. Gloire Rayonnante has
thin, narrow, rose-coloured florets, spreading out
evenly and composing a bloom of considerable
width. In a stand of Japanese flowers its thinness,
which constitutes a great charm, would be over-
shadowed by its more splendid neighbours, and the
result is they are never seen unless in a miscellaneous
collection. Souvenir d'Angele Amiel is also of a
soft rose shade, almost white, and of the same
" Catherine wheel " arrangement of petals as in the
other. It grows freely, and is a beautiful thing to
work into delicate arrangements. The best of the
three is Lilian Bird, which is in the way of Gloire
Rayonnante, but finer. Its flowers are large, the

528

THE GARDEN.

[Dec. 6, 1890.

florets slender and quilled and coloured with shrimp
pink. This was certificated by the floral commit-
tee of the National Chrysanthemum Society on
Nov. 11, and it is satisfactory to know such flowers
are not passed over in the search for big things.
It was received from Japan with Mrs. Alpheus
Hardy, that seems to give poor promise of mak-
ing a standard variety.

CHRYSANTHEMUM NOTES.
Cutting down the plants will be the next point
to pay attention to in preparing for next year's
display. Where plants are standing thickly to-
gether while in flower, the suckers which spring
from the base, and which provide cuttings, will, if
allowed to remain too long at a distance from the
glass, soon draw up weakly. Much depends on the
kind of cuttings available at the right time as to
the ultimate success. Before cutting down the
plants the names should be verified, as no matter
how careful a cultivator may be in the matter of
keeping the kinds true to name, accidents do occur,
which at some period may be annoying. There
is no time like the present for rectifying errors in
this respect. To a grower of experience it matters
little whether there be names or not when the
plants are needed for home growth only ; he is al-,
ways able to know one variety from another by the
manner of growth, shape of the leaves, and the
colour of the bark, but with beginners it is a diffe-
rent matter.

When the time arrives for cutting down the old
plants, a suitable position should be provided for
the roots or stools. Place the pots in which
they are growing in any cool house or cold frame,
as near to the glass as possible to prevent the
growths becoming drawn up. No situation is better
for them than a vinery or a Peach house at rest.
Frames out of doors answer very well, provided
frost can be kept from the plants, which has a ten-
dency to check the growth and produce damping of
the leaves and stems. In this manner they are not
nearly so well prepared to withstand frost and
damp as those which are growing under more
favourable conditions as to light and space.

Many varieties throw up suckers near the stem
of the old plant or stool, notably the Queen family,
and, again, the Christine section of reflexed are
very free in this respect. Plenty of plants at the
present period are well supplied with suckers 6
inches long, and which, if left growing for another
fortnight or three weeks, would be quite spoilt as
cuttings. The correct way to treat such growths as
these is to remove the tallest, making room for
those which are just now pushing through the soil, and
which will be in the best possible condition for in-
sertion at the proper time— about the middle of De-
cember. The cultivator should aim to produce cut-
tings about 3 inches long. If the plants while in
bloom were infested with green-fly, the suckers at
the base must be now freed from this aphis. To-
bacco powder dusted over the affected parts is the
best remedy for the destruction of green or black-
fly. Very little water will be needed to maintain
the cuttings in a healthy growing state. In the case
of those sorts which are naturally shy and which do
not show a tendency to throw up cuttings, the soil
should be kept rather on the dry side than other-
wise. If there is a suspicion that the drainage has
become blocked, the plants should be turned out of
the pots to rectify the defect by adding clean drain-
age. It often happens that the soil on the top of
the pot has been washed away from the roots by
continuous applications of water. A mixture of
loam and leaf soil in equal portions should be em-
ployed for covering the roots to encourage the
growth of suckers in the case of shy-growing va-
rieties. The more air that the plants are exposed
to, the better it will be for the cuttings and future
plants also. E. M.

Chrysanthemums from the open air. — I

send you a few sprays from our outdoor Chry-
santhemum plants which are growing at the base
of a south wall. Some of the plants have been
there now eight years. They arc from -1 feet to

6 feet high, and range from 3 feet to 5 feet in
diameter. The main branches are kept neatly
trained to the wall, the front shoots hanging
loosely down, thus improving the appearance of
the plants. For the last six weeks some of the
kinds have been in flower, and promise to last
still longer. They are thoroughly exposed to
all weather, having no protection, not even a
coping board. The wall has a projecting brick
at the top 3 inches wide. This is really worse
than nothing, as the water drips from this on to
the flowers, the projection not being wide enough
to carry the drip over the branches and flowers.
Every year they do equally well, and are as much
admired as our plants inside the greenhouses. — E.
Molynhux.

%* A very beautiful gathering, showing the great
value of the Chrysanthemum for outdoor cultiva-
tion, more especially where there is a demand for
cut flowers. — Ed.

A true pompon. — The best type of a pompon
Chrysanthemum that has appeared of recent years
was the little variety Marion, shown by Mr. Owen,
Castlehill Nursery, Maidenhead, at the centenary
exhibition of the National Chrysanthemum Society,
and certificated by the floral committee. It is evi-
dence of a desire to bring the pompons to a normal
condition, and if judges disqualify the forced out
blooms that are now held up as types and models,
some good may be done. The flowers of Marion are
no larger, or very little, than the flowers of the
Orange Ball tree, rich orange in colour, neat in
form, and borne with freedom. Nothing more is
wanted. We have here the essential character-
istics of a pompon flower — neatness of outline,
compactness, almost globular form, small size, and
short florets.

Keeping the blooms It is, as " S. P." says

in The Gaeden of Nov. 22 (p. 485), very dis-
appointing after all the labour, care, and cost in-
volved in the production of big blooms to have them
rot, but it only proves how, having once set up an
unnatural and artificial standard, it must be further
bolstered up by resorting to a variety of ingenious
pretexts in order to creditably maintain it. If we
cannot have good Chrysanthemums out of doors,
the next best place for them is in the sunny conser-
vatory or greenhouse. Here they might be kept
for weeks, but it would appear from what " S. P."
says that those huge flowers must be preserved in
cool, darkened, cheerless houses where a ray of sun-
light never enters. These big blooms have no
decorative value in a cut state, and now we have to
learn the same concerning them upon the plants.
Thus as we are made acquainted with all the details
of the system of big bloom culture, we find it is
artificial from beginning to end, and all the care
and worry attendant upon its practice may cul-
minate in an early loss of its productions. The
blooms of moderate size in sprays of several flowers
do not rot, but last for weeks. The difficulties
" S. P." and others have to encounter are of their
own creating, and the true remedy is an obvious
one. — A. H.

The number of Chrysanthemums. — As

will be seen in our report of the meeting of the
general committee of the National Chrysan-
themum Society last Monday, a very interest-
ing and valuable work was undertaken by Mr.
Briscoe - Ironside at the centenary show. If
we can credit the authorities on Chrysanthemum
nomenclature, there are at least 2000 varieties
actually or until recently known, and of these at a
great event like the centenary show, one could
hardly expect to see a very large proportion. I
cannot say how many sorts were included in the
groups of pot plants, or whether any were there
which did not appear in some way or another on
the show boards as cut flowers. Of course, the
early-flowering and late-flowering sorts must be
deducted, but even then it does not appear to be
necessary to have so large a list to select from.
The fact that only 299 distinct varieties were con-
sidered fit to stage at such an important gathering
is ample proof of the excessive number of useless
new Chrysanthemums put into commerce. Of
these the Japanese are by far the most numerous

both from America and the Continent of Europe.
All told, 117 Japanese flowers of the ordinary style,
the reflexed and incurved types were staged, and it
teaches its own lesson. It is to be hoped that the
work so generously undertaken by Mr. Briscoe-
Ironside will be taken at its proper value by exhibi-
tors and growers generally. This is assured if the
names have been carefully recorded and tabulated.
The National Society should at an early date give
the public the benefit of this examination, and one
great lesson of the centenary celebration will not
be lost. — Chbysanth.

SPOILING THE CHRYSANTHEMUM.

The remarks in The Gaeden, November 15
(p. 451), on the subject of show Chrysanthemums
were written with some trepidation, for they ran
counter to many of the cherished traditions of the
gardening world. There are, however, some signs
of grace apparent even among fanciers of mon-
strous or distorted blooms, and there is, therefore,
some encouragement to go further into this sub-
ject. The Chrysanthemum seems to be a plant
susceptible of almost endless variation from seed,
and the skilled florist, by the selection of the fittest
and by taste in his choice, can effect wonders for
our autumnal gardens or conservatories. Instead
of doing this for us, our selectors of new sorts
seem to hanker after two things — size and round-
ness. As to the first error, enough was said at
p. 451. As to the second, it is evident that the
type present to the inner eye of the florist is the
incurved flower. The native wildness of the Ja-
panese sorts must thus be drilled and controlled till
all the graceful tasselled form is lost. The petals
must be tamed till they are of uniform length,
and till they are as regular as the spines on a
hedgehog. At the same time the Anemones are
considered to be perfect only when the flowers pro-
ject like "welcome-little-stranger" pincushions.
As for the poor pompons, whose glory has been
their miniature size, they, too, are to be rendered
big, and smug, and smooth, and round, till they
ape the incurved Chrysanthemum. One star differs
from another in glory, but not so with the Chry-
santhemum, for our florists would reduce them all
to the outline of a cannon-ball, and increase them
to the size of a turnip. A few years more of pro-
gress, and the prize Chrysanthemum's least com-
mon measure will be a circle of 2 feet round and
8 inches through. If such be the fate of the bright
flower of the East, that bade fair to do so much to
brighten our western autumns, few of us would
care to be there to see. Habit, however, and the
sense of difficulties triumphantly overcome do
much to reconcile people to such monstrosities,
and the results if not checked in time may be
dreadful.

Apart from plants of which the natural habit is
to bear a great number of dishevelled flowers, be-
ing educated to bear one enormous flower at the
end of a pole, another cult at shows appears to be
that of standard and trained specimen plants. Such
examples of misplaced labour and horticultural
skill are simply hideous. They are such flowers as
might occur to a gardener in a nightmare. Taking
the standards first, the natural habit of the Chry-
santhemum is to have leafy, more or less branched
stems. The ideal of the florist in this particular
distortion of Nature seems to be the kitchen broom-
stick decked at the business end with flowers such
as those cut out of Turnips, which used, in a ruder
age, to decorate hams and tongues at suppers.
These blooms are also twisted and tied till they
dot the top of the standard at exactly equal dis-
tances. Similar remarks apply to the flowers on
trained specimens which are not standards, with
the additional decorative delight of a forest of
white deal sticks, patent to all beholders, and ra-
diating out from the centre of the pot to the ex-
treme outer circumference of the top of the plants.
Another beauty of these trained plants appears to
be their flatness on the top and decorated with
equidistant flowers. Is it fitting that our Chry-
santhemum societies should continue not only to
tolerate such wretched perversions of all the canons

Dec. 6, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

529

of good taste, but that they should actually reward
their productions with prizes ?

Connoisseurs of the Chrysanthemum who admire
this sort of thing have "indeed a treat in store.
In Nature for November 20 Mr. Thomas Child de-
scribes an elegant way of growing the flower that
is practised at Pekin. A species of Artemisia
grows about that city naturally to the height
of 8 feet or 10 feet. This plant is potted and then
cut down to 3 feet, when it is used as a stock to
graft Chrysanthemum twigs on. They are grafted
round the top and soon make a fine tree. A favourite
form of training it is in the shape of a fan, with
eight or ten flowers in different parts. If the
flowers are not grown on the plant they are tied on.
Verilv, here is an ideal for the nest Aquarium show.

J. I. R.

COARSE CHRYSANTHEMUMS.
I note in The Gabden (p. 487) that " A. D."
takes exception to the stand of six blooms of Etoile
de Lyon which were placed in front of the same
number of E. Molyneux at Kingston by reason
simply of their being larger and, as he thinks,
coarser. This remark on the part of " A. D."
prompts me to ask him what constitutes coarse-
ness in Chrysanthemum blooms 1 Perhaps he will
explain in what way they were coarser than the
blooms of E. Molyneux he thinks ought to have
been placed in front of them ? I saw both stands,
and I failed to see that the flowers of Etoile de
Lyon were at all coarse. The only thing which
could be said against them was their size. They
were really good specimens of the variety, while
those of E. Molyneux were not ; they not only
lacked size for the variety, but were without that
brilliancy of colour which is the great charm of
this variety. I presume the judges awarded the
prizes because they considered that Etoile de Lyon
was better of its kind or as a flower than E. Moly-
neux, the flowers of which, if "A. D." had examined
closely, he would have found had a bad centre in
addition to their being undersized. It is a well
known fact that the largest blooms of this variety
always produce the richest colouring when
"caught "at the right moment. The prizes were
offered in that class for the best six blooms of one
variety. Surely if two blooms out of the six lack
the necessary requirements they cannot be placed
before six others uniformly superior. One bloom
will often prevent an otherwise good stand from
winning against one which contains all evenly-
sized blooms. I have more than once been asked
why Etoile de Lyon was placed in front of Ava-
lanche, for instance, in the " sixes " of any one va-
riety. Especially at Torquay, where the premier
award was made to Etoile de Lyon in preference
to Avalanche for best Japanese bloom in the show,
both blooms belonging to the same exhibitor, who
said he thought Etoile de Lyon was coarse. I re-
plied by asking him what constituted coarseness
in a Chrysanthemum bloom, and especially the one
in question. The exhibitor was at a loss what to
reply. I told him that the flowers of Avalanche
lacked depth of petal, and consequently solidity as
a whole. Perfectly formed blooms of Etoile de
Lyon should have the florets quite flat or strap-
shaped, the longest at the base, growing gradually
shorter near the centre, which should be quite filled
up, the point of each floret overlying its nei]
bour underneath.

There is yet another reason why Etoile de Lyon
should have the preference above Avalanche or
Sunflower, for instance, except when in the case of
the former white variety, the blooms are of the
. finest quality. Etoile de Lyon is far more difficult
to cultivate than Avalanche, which is well known
to growers as being perhaps the easiest of all to
have in good condition. Experienced judges know
the difficulty there is in producing some sorts in
perfect condition over others. Take two blooms of
different varieties about equal in point of merit.
The difficulty in producing one variety more than
the other would decide the point in making the
award.

If " A. D." considers Etoile de Lyon coarse as a
Japanese simply by reason of its size and breadth

of floret, he surely must regard Empress of India
or Queen of England coarse among incurved varie-
ties. My opinion is that it is a matter more for
personal taste than anything else. I for one shall
think so until some authority is laid down as to
what are the true characteristics to aim at in the
cultivation of any particular variety. E. M.

THE CHRYSANTHEMUM IN TASMANIA.*
Tasmania is so small a speck upon the surface
of the globe, and is so remote from the British
Islands, that it is perhaps not very surprising
that a great many persons in England know no-
thing more about it than that such a place actu-
ally exists, and some have vague ideas that the
inhabitants thereof are still aboriginals, with
little or no civilisation. It is a matter for no
little surprise when such individuals learn that
Tasmanians keep pace as far as possible with all
movements which interest their fellow subjects
in England, and I can safely assert that in no
part of the Australian group is the culture of
the Chrysanthemum carried on with so much
zeal and success as it is in the colony, one of
whose leading horticultural societies I have the
honour to represent at this Centenary Festival.

Tasmania possesses a climate which appears
to be especially favourable to the growth of the
Chrysanthemum, being devoid of great extremes
of heat and cold, and when the knowledge of
its culture shall have been as completely mas-
tered there as it has been by the growers in
England, I do not think I am over-sanguine in
predicting that it is there it will yet be seen to
the greatest perfection. And as it can only be
by experience extending over some years that
this knowledge can be acquired, it will natur-
ally be some time before our happiest results
can be achieved.

You in England are celebrating the centenary
of the Chrysanthemum, whilst we, as a colony,
have not yet reached so venerable an age. It
cannot, therefore, be expected that we have ar-
rived very far beyond the initiatory stages of
Chrysanthemum lore, but that we are progress-
ing with rapid strides must be acknowledged
by anyone who could compare notes between
the position occupied by the flower in the year
1886 and that to which it has attained in 1800.
It is only four years since the first actual Chry-
santhemum exhibition was held in Northern
Tasmania. It is true that for many years pre-
viously the flower held a subordinate position
in the schedule at the autumn flower shows,
when very frequently no entries at all were
made, for there was never any competition in
this class among amateurs, and our professional
gardeners held "it so little in esteem, that when
at length the tide of popular favour set in so
strongly that they could no longer ignore it, the
result was that they found themselves quite or
nearly as much in the dark as to the test
method of culture to be adopted in our far-off
land as were the most inexperienced amateurs.
Then recourse was had by both professionals
and amateurs to the best English authorities
upon Chrysanthemum culture, and although
much light was thus obtained, it may easily be
understood that the rules which apply to the
English seasons and climate are not applicable
to those of Tasmania.

In the year 1886, as I have mentioned, our
first Chrysanthemum show was held in Laun-
ceston, it having been rather hastily improvised
by Mr. Ernest Whitfield, who must be regarded
as the founder of our now flourishing autumn

* A -paper by Mrs. Marian Thrower, representative
of the Northern Horticultural Society of Tasmania,
real at the National Chrysanthemum Society's Con-
ference, Royal Aquarium, Westminster, November 11,
1890.

exhibitions ; this gentleman is now president
and honorary secretary of the society repre-
sented by me upon the present occasion. The
flowers which were exhibited at this initial
show were not grown upon the principles since
followed with exhibition plants, having been
allowed to grow in the natural way ; but as
most of those who contributed specimens upon
that occasion were amateurs who, learning
through the English horticultural press of the
successful results which rewarded the efforts of
growers of the Chrysanthemum " at home," as
England is always known by us, had imported
many fine varieties which had until then been
quite unknown in Tasmania, it was seen that a
wide and interesting field was open to those
who would venture to explore it. The imme-
diate consequence of our first Chrysanthemum
show was an increased desire upon the part of
amateurs to improve their collections and to
learn something of the methods which would
ensure successful culture ; and at that time less
than 100 varieties had found their way to Tas-
mania, now there is no colony in Australasia
which grows so many. Quickly succeeding the
establishment of Chrysanthemum shows in
Launceston the kindred associations in all the
northern provincial towns followed our lead, so
that the " queen of autumn flowers " may now
be said to have a very firm footing in our island.
The affiliation of the Northern Horticultural
Society of Tasmania with the National Chry-
santhemum Society may be considered as mark-
ing a new era in its history, and that its future
will be a prosperous and eventful one can
scarcely be doubted.

The culture of the Chrysanthemum in Tas-
mania can scarcely be followed upon the lines
which obtain in England. With us pot-grown
plants find little favour, except as bush speci-
mens or for decoration ; the great interest of
our exhibitions always centres around the cut
specimens. For this purpose we have found that
culture in the open ground gives the most satis-
factory results. It may not be altogether unin-
teresting to learn how Tasmanian growers pro-
ceed when raising plants. Many strike the cut-
tings which are taken from the first young
growth which arises from the stools of plants
which are left in the ground after they have
been cut down, and these, when the certainty
of having propagated sufficiently is assured, are
then removed and thrown away. Some growers
strike their cuttings in small pots, keeping them
in a cool, close frame for ten days or a fort-
night, while others again plant them straight
into the open ground, where they remain until
they bloom ; but the latter method is not com-
mon, although I know it is adopted by one of
our most extensive growers, who is a very suc-
cessful exhibitor. As soon as the cuttings are
quite established, at whatever season they are
taken, they are generally transplanted to the
ground, where they make very rapid growth —
so rapid, indeed, that it is always necessary to
make successional plantings to ensure having
certain varieties at exhibition time. The period
for the general planting out is the month of Oc-
tober, which is early spring with us in Tasmania ;
but cuttings which are inserted even in Novem-
ber frequently furnish flowers for the show
which takes place in April. When the plants
have attained a height of about 10 inches it is
usual to top them, and the three branches which
are thus produced are, as soon as they are of
sufficient height, tied to separate stakes, the
axillary growths being removed as they ap-
pear. Each plant thus produces three large
blooms, instead of one, as grown upon the
single stem mode, and we have found that the
blooms are quite as fine, while the more dwarf

530

THE GARDEN.

[Deo. G, 1890.

growth is better suited for garden culture.
The plants do not appear to require nearly so
long a period for ripening the wood as seems to
be necessary in England, the latest plants
being generally quite as mature as those which
were put out earlier. The rapidity with which
the Chrysanthemum grows in our climate in
most instances precludes us from taking the
crown bud, which develops too quickly to be of
any use for exhibition purposes. The greater
heat of our late summer has probably some-
thing to do with this ; therefore it is the custom
to select the terminal bud, which gives us far
more satisfactory results. Much difficulty was
experienced by those who at first adopted the
single stem plan of growing, for so many of the
varieties grew to so great a height as to render
it almost impracticable to give them sufficient
support, and to protect them from the high
winds which often prevail in our autumn sea-
son ; so that as it was evident that results quite
as satisfactory were obtained from topping once
in the early stage, that plan is most generally
adopted.

As our climate is very much drier than that
of England it goes without saying that a great
deal of labour is necessary as soon as the sum-
mer sets in, so that the plants may suffer no
check, and it is therefore indispensable to mulch
all the ground upon which Chrysanthemums
are grown very heavily with well decayed ma-
nure before the spring rains have quite ceased ;
by this means a good stock of moisture is stored
up to meet future needs. Then, when all dis-
budding is over and the season of bloom is ap-
proaching, all those who are growing for exhi-
bition set about giving the plants copious doses
of liquid manure ; but as each grower in our
locality seems to have some pet liquid for this
purpose it would be rather difficult to say which
is most in demand. Some use chemical ma-
nures, others soot water, stable manure liquid,
bone dust, or guano liquid.

We have many enemies to contend against
during the whole period of the growth of our
favourite flower. To begin with, the mildness of
our climate permits such midnight marauders
as slugs to play deadly havoc among the tender
foliage of newly-rooted cuttings, necessitating
much watchfulness. Scarcely have these foes
left the field than many growers who have plants
and cuttings which have been imported from
England find that they have imported with
them a black fly, which haunts the newly un-
folded leaves, and is very difficult to dislodge.
Later we have unwelcome visitors in the form
of small green worms and caterpillars, which do
much harm to the bud shoots ; then, when all
appears to be smooth sailing, mildew makes its
appearance, and sometimes a small green fly
follows this ; but what is more objectionable
than any of these is the sudden damping of the
blooms just when success seems most certain.
With regard to the latter trouble, however, I
have seldom seen it affect the Japanese varie-
ties, and only certain of the incurved, those
which generally suffer most being the Empress
of India, the Queen family, Alfred Salter, and
some others — for, strange to say, many varieties
which grow in the same bed, within a few feet
of those named, do not suffer at all. The draw-
back to the system we pursue of growing exhi-
bition blooms entirely out of doors is the
liability to which they are exposed of being in-
jured by early frosts which occasionally visit us
in the autumn, so that it is sometimes necessary
to have a kind of elevated frame over which
light canvas may be drawn to avert injury to
the flowers.

In addition to all the best known and

esteemed varieties of incurved and Japanese,
good collections of reflexed, Anemone-flowered,
pompon, and fimbriated varieties may be seen
at our exhibitions, but there is no question
that Japanese varieties are preferred by the ma-
jority of our growers, probably on account of
the greater difficulty which exists in producing
perfect types of the incurved varieties, as well
as the greater adaptability of the former for
decoration. Our exhibitors have yet much
to learn from the old country in the
matter of staging, arrangement of colours,
and other matters which have to be con-
sidered, as well as the production of flowers
which are fit for exhibition. Exhibitors, too,
are not always satisfied with the decision of the
judges, who are sometimes not s experienced
as could be wished, but this is a difficulty
which time will remove, as men of home experi-
ence find their way to our shores and introduce
some of their ideas among us. The competition
among both professional and amateur Chrysan-
themum growers is very keen, and the contests
are always very close, many of the exhibitors
travelling as far as from Hobart to Launceston,
and vice versa, a distance of 130 miles by train,
with their exhibits.

Tasmania is destined to occupy a premier
position among the Australias with regard to
Chrysanthemum culture, owing to the great
superiority of its climate, the scorching hot
winds of the summer upon the mainland having
a most deleterious effect upon the plants, while
the water supply of the colonies adjoining Tas-
mania is not at that period adequate to the de-
mands made upon it. I feel that it is a matter
for congratulation that our society is privileged
to be represented among the affiliated societies
of the National Chrysanthemum Society upon
this most auspiciousjoccasion, although I consider
it is to be regretted that a member no better
qualified than myself to speak upon Chrysanthe-
mum culture should have undertaken the task,
but I trust that my endeavours to throw some
little light upon matters as they exist at the
Antipodes will be received in a spirit of indulg-
ence and toleration of my shortcomings.

I cannot conclude without expressing a deep
regret, not only on behalf of the Northern Hor-
ticultural Society of Tasmania, but also upon
my own, at the untimely decease of the late
hon. secretary of the National Chrysanthemum
Society, Mr. William Holmes, whom I had the
pleasure of meeting, and to whom I am in-
debted for many acts of kindness and courtesy.

Bcekmer is of a bright rosy-pink, the petals when re-
versed being silvery white, thickly set with long white
hairs. — W.

Hardy Chrysanthemums. — The following va-
rieties of comparatively hardy Chrysanthemums are
stated by Mons. E. A. Carriere, in the Revue Horti-
cole, to have endured 13° of frost at Paris without
injury ; Auguste Tixier, Etendard, Erasme, Jonathan,
Le Tintoret, Monsieur Boueharlat, Poudre d'Or,
Progne, Pure d'Or, Reine de Beaute, Romulus, Viola-
ceum supermini, and, lastly, Julie Lagravere, which
is by far the hardiest of all the varieties. M.
Carriere adds that the flowers of the above-named
kinds, after having been exposed to 18° and 20° of
frost, were still passable.

Chrysanthemum Lilian Bird. — Perhaps to
many the most striking of the newer or uncommon
Chrysanthemums shown at the Aquarium was this Ja-
panese variety, whose blooms are composed of a great
number of tubular florets of a very uncommon colour,
which has been described as a shrimp-pink. It is a
large flower and a very striking one in all respects, and
supplies a tint seldom seen among Chrysanthemums.
This particular variety is said to have been introduced
from Japan at the same time as Mrs. Alpheus Hardy ;
at all events both were sent to this country from
America. It is now quoted at a very moderate price
in the catalogues of many of our Chrysanthemum
growers, and is a far better investment than most of
the so-called new, but too oflen worthless varieties.

Dressed Chrysanthemums. — In your issue
of Nov. 15 (p. 471), with respect to the class for
six Japanese blooms, one variety, at the Crystal
Palace Chrysanthemum show, your correspondent
says that the flowers of Edwin Molyneux from Mr.
W. Howe were excellent from an exhibitor's point
of view, but, of course, severely dressed. I should
be glad to know how it is possible to severely dress
a good bloom of Edwin Molyneux. The flowers
were not touched in the way of dressing, as not a
petal was pulled out or twisted in any way. They
did not require it, as they were all good full flowers
without any eye whatever. — Wl. Howe.

SHORT NOTES.— CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

The blue Chrysanthemum. — In the last
number of the Revue de V Horticulture Beige et
EtrangSre, a writer says that Georges Sand in one of
her works speaks of a blue Chrysanthemum. It would
have been interesting if the title had been given. — C.

Chrysanthemum L'Automne. — "W. H. P.,"
Taunton, in referring to this variety at p. 509, says it
is classed in the National Chrysanthemum Society's
catalogue as a Japanese, but that he should think it
belongs to the new Japanese incurved class. May I
point out that " W. H. P." is evidently quoting from
an old edition of the society's catalogue, for in the
alphabetical list of the centenary edition of the cata-
logue L'Automne appears duly entered as a Japanese
incurved. — C. H. P.

Chrysanthemum Louis Bcehmer. — This
flower was shown by Messrs. Pitcher and Manda at
the late show of the National Chrysanthemum Society.
I saw it again a few days later at the Wimbledon
exhibition, but the best blooms were in the Hextable
nursery of this firm. It is superb, of good constitution,
and carries its foliage well. I expect it will eclipse
in beauty Mrs. Alpheus Hardy, which has a bad repu-
tation, but I think unworthily, as it is flowering freely
at Hextable. Some good flowers of it were shown at
the recent Brixton Horticultural exhibition. Louis

Garden Flora.

PLATE 782.

THE PEACOCK IRISES.

(with a coloured plate of mor^ea glaucopsis)

(iris pavonia, hort.*)
In the notes which accompanied the plate of
Dietes Huttoni (The Garden, Vol. XXXVI.,
p. 174) allusion was made to the comprehensive
character of the genus Morrea as now under-
stood. Mr. Baker, to whose notes for the forth-
coming volume of the Cape flora I am in-
debted for much of what follows here, is of
opinion that there is no good reason for keeping
Morrea separate from Iris beyond that of geo-
graphical distribution, Iris belonging entirely to
the north temperate zone, and Moraa to the
Cape and tropical Africa, with one species in
Australia.

The principal characters of the two genera
are almost parallel, viz., rootstock bulbous or a
distinct rhizome ; leaves varying from Rush-
like to Flag-like, deciduous in some species,
evergreen in others ; flower-scapes simple or
branched ; flowers one or many on a scape, gene-
rally fugacious, formed of six segments, three
of which are large and more or less horizontal,
the other three smaller, erect in some species,
partly spreading in others. Colours of the
flowers conspicuous, often very attractive. These
characters belong equally to Iris and Monea as
at presi nt defined.

Mr. Baker divides the Morceas into four sub-
genera, viz., Moraja proper, of which M. ciliata
i3 a typical example. This has a tunicated

* From a drawing made in Mr. W. H. Tillett's gar-
den, Sprowston, Norwich, bv Miss Stannard. Litho-
graphed and printed by Guillaume Severeyns.

THE PEACOCK IRIS (1. IRIS PAVONIA . 2 . 1 . PAVONIA CCERULEA.

Dec. 6, 1890.]

THE GAKDEN.

531

corni, several lance- shaped pubescent leaves 5
inches long, and a central erect scape bearing
several flowers in quick succession, each 2 inches
across and brilliantly coloured. The second
division he calls Helixyra, and this differs from
the first only in having a distinctly beaked
ovary. The third, viz., Yieusseuxia, is dis-
tinguished by the sniallness of the inner seg-
ments of the corolla, whilst the fourth, Dietes,
is represented by the plant figured in The
Garden last year as D. Huttoni, and the Wed-
ding Flower of Australia, generally known as
Iris Robinsoniana. The species represented in
the plate for this week belongs to the third of
these divisions, but the name Vieusseuxia may
be allowed to disappear if only for the sake of
euphony.

Besides M. pavonia there are seven other
species in this subgenus, for which we propose
the name of Peacock Irises. Of these only four
are known to be in cultivation, and it is these
in which we are now specially interested.

I. (Moe^a) qlaucopsis. — In the Botanical
Magazine, t. 168 (1791), and in our plate this is
figured under the name of Iris pavonia. It is also
generally known in gardens under that name and
is the commonest of the Moneas in cultivation. The
variety ccerulea is deeper in colour than the type.
The true M. pavonia is quite different.

I. (MoR-EA) Candida is a new species, which
Mr. Baker describes as having a leaf 3 feet long, a
simple stem 2 feet long, and white flowers much
larger than those of M. pavonia, the falls being
marked with an eye-like yellow spot bordered with
purple. This is evidently a fine plant, and worth
introducing.

I. (Morula) tricuspis. — This has a linear leaf,
a scape about 1J feet long, branched, the flowers
1 J inches across, pale lilac, with deep purple spots.
It blooms freely, and in bright sunshine is an effec-
tive little plant. It was introduced to Kew in
1776. Other names for it are Iris tricuspidata
and Vieusseuxia aristata.

I. (Moh^a) tripetala is an elegant plant, the
flowers comparatively small, but graceful in form,
and very prettily marked. The falls have long
claws or stalks, and they are coloured pale blue,
with a yellow eye-like spot margined with deep
blue at the base of each. The spike rarely exceeds
a foot in height, and is sometimes branched.

M. pavonia (true). — A potful of plants of this
when in flower in May or June is one of the
most beautiful little flower pictures imaginable.
Planted along with and treated the same as Ixias
and similar Cape bulbous plants, it never fails
to grow and flower freely. The only difficulty
is in keeping the bulbs whilst they are dormant.
If the pots containing them are placed in a dry,
sunny frame as soon as the leaves begin to fade
and kept quite dry, so that the bulbs may be well
baked, they are not likely to perish. They
usually push up new growth in January, when they
should be examined, top-dressed if they require it,
and receive a little water. A position where they
will get all the direct sunlight possible, plenty of
fresh dry air, and a greenhouse temperature will be
found most agreeable to them. I have heard of
some of the Morseas thriving when planted in a
sunny border out of doors and left there perma-
nently, but I doubt very much if I. pavonia or any
of its near allies would stand such treatment.
Mice are particularly fond of the bulbs of these
plants.

There are several varieties of I. pavonia, viz.,
villosa, which has bright purple falls and a rich
peacock blue spot at the base of each ; lutea, with
golden yellow falls. Although this species was in-
troduced from the Cape nearly a century ago, it
does not appear to be generally known to English
cultivators. In the Cape house at Kew this and
other species of Monea are annually an attraction
in the early summer months.

The fact that the affinities of Iris with Mora?a
are admitted by botanists to be very close in-

deed should induce hybridists to try crossing
them with each other. Some very useful re-
sults might be obtained if these plants were
taken in hand by such skilful workers as Prof.
Foster, Herr Max Leichtlin, and M. Lemoine.

W. W.

Orchids.

L^LIA EXONIENSIS.
This magnificent Veitchian hybrid, a flower of
which has been sent me by " T. A. D.," is re-
markable as being one of the early forms ob-
tained by Mr. Dominy in the establishment at
Exeter. The plant in question is one not often
seen in flower. I last season saw it with Messrs.
Laing and Sons, of Forest Hill, and in the nur-
series of Messrs. Williams and Son. The flower
now before me has somewhat narrow sepals,
which are lanceolate in shape, with plain edges,
the petals much broader than the sepals and
undulated at the edges ; sepals and petals both
white, suffused with a delicate tinge of blush or
rosy mauve. The colour of the front lobe is
a very deep purplish-crimson of a velvety ap-
pearance, streaked with lines of blackish crim-
son, and the fringed and lobed border is white.
The throat is golden yellow with lines of rich
deep purple. The flower measures nearly 6
inches across, and my friend says, "It bears
four of these upon the spike." Laslia exoniensis
does not appear to be difficult to cultivate, al-
though I do not think it is so vigorous as many
hybrids. Something must be allowed for the
strain which has been put upon it in increasing
the stock. This, too, may be a reason for its not
being so frequently seen flowering in collections.
It is a strong-growing variety, and is thus well
suited for pot culture. I have seen this plant
doing well in a hanging basket, but under what-
ever condition it is grown good drainage is of
importance. The potting material should con-
sist of good fibrous peat from which all the
fine soU has been shaken. To this may be
added a small portion of chopped Sphagnum
Moss and some small nodules of charcoal. The
whole should be pressed down firmly and built
up into a cone-like mound above the rim of the
pot. The watering is, perhaps, one of the
points upon which the majority of growers
stumble, and they frequently make a great
mistake in giving too much. Cattleyas and
Lrelias under cultivation, and when growing
in pots and baskets, are kept in an upright posi-
tion, and care must be taken that the water
does not lodge in the sheath, as this often
causes the young growth to rot. I do not advise
the syringe to be used overhead for these plants,
but I like to use it for sprinkling between the
pots and on the roots lightly in the morning and
evening during the growing season. The season
of rest must be brought about by lowering the
temperature and reducing the water supply.
Wi. Hugh Gower.

and brightest hybrid of that class hitherto raised,
and the leaves are tessellated in the way of those
of calophyllum, but less deeply. The flower is
borne upon a long peduncle, the dorsal sepal
broadly ovate, flat, and even, the broad marginal
border being pure white, flushed and flaked with
streaks of rich magenta. The ground colour at the
base is olive-green, from which spring broad streaks
of blackish purple, the base profusely spotted with
the same colour ; petals broad, richly coloured,
slightly spotted at the base, the pouch large.
It had not been named on the occasion of my
visit.— W. H. G.

Cattleya Bowringiana. — A fine spike of an
excellent variety of this comes to me from Mr.
Wheatley, Ringmore, Teignmouth. It is, I con-
sider, although a small flower individually, one of
the very handsomest species, and Orchid growers
have much to be thankful for to the Messrs. Veitch
for its introduction. It comes from British Honduras,
and requires to be kept very moist to keep away
thrips ; at the same time it requires a good amount
of heat.— W. H. G.

A new Cypripedium. — A very fine and wonder-
fully bright seedling is now flowering in Mr. San-
der's nurseries, St. Albans. It is the result of a
cross between C. cenanthum superbum and C. calo-
phyllum, both parents being hybrids. The flower
is far superior to that of cenanthum superbum,
which I have for a long time considered the best

IMPORTED ORCHIDS.
The interest of a garden is always increased by
the variety of plants and shrubs which are culti-
vated in it. We used to think the winter months a
dull and uninteresting time for gardening, but in
these days, November, with its many coloured Chry-
santhemums and beautiful Cyclamens, is anything
but dull, and with the first month in the year the
outdoor borders begin to look bright with Aconites
and Primroses. Orchids have one special qualifica-
tion, in that they flower at all seasons, in the depth
of winter and through the spring and summer
months. At this present time Odontoglossum
Rossi majus and Lycaste Skinneri are flowering
with me in a greenhouse, which is only gently
warmed with a constant, but very small fire. Few
flowers are more really interesting than the Odon-
toglot above mentioned, and when you can buy a
good strong plant with numerous pseudo-bulbs for
one shilling, it is evident that the price need not
prevent anyone from growing it. I have for some
time made a practice of buying only imported Or-
chids, and for three reasons. 1. There is a much
greater interest attached to them thanto established
plants. They have never flowered before in this
country, and you are not quite certain what variety,
among the endless varieties which some species
exhibit, your imported plant may prove to be. It
is pleasant also to watch the rapid progress of the
dry, withered - looking plant as it comes from
abroad under the genial influences of moisture and
warmth. I well remember the astonishment of
the garden boy as he saw a fine piece of Ljelia al-
bida carefully secured to a small log from the
Acacia tree. But the plant did well tied up to a
wire in the vinery, and it has given me for years
five or six spikes of its beautiful flowers in the
depth of winter. The plant of 0. Rossi majus,
which came to me in a shrivelled condition
about a month ago, will shortly be in bloom
and the bulbs are all plump and green. I have
another plant covered with flowers imported only
twelve months ago, and I started yesterday some
more plants well packed in peat, Moss, and char-
coal. 2. I have found that you can never be quite
certain in buying established Orchids that you do
not buy along with them that greatest of garden
pests— the mealy bug. The plant will come to you
quite clean, and with an appearance that there is
no bug about it, and yet the treacherous foe will
make its appearance later on with the advance of
growth. It is, as everyone knows, a deadly enemy
in the vinery, and as my Orchids have to spend a
portion of their time in the vinery, I have been
obliged to avoid getting established plants. Of
course, where there are all the usual appliances for
growing Orchids, this is not of any great conse-
quence. I only cultivate them as giving an ad-
ditional interest to the greenhouse and vinery.
3. The price of imported Orchids is so low that it
puts them within the reach of all. I have tried a
great many different species, Cattleyas, Lrelias,
Odontoglots, and Cypripediums, and I have suc-
ceeded with them all. The plants were picked
up for a few shillings. My only failure was with
Dendrobium Jamesianum, and that was for want
of sufficient heat. But if I had had time to
attend to it, I believe I could have grown that as
well as the others. I therefore strongly recommend
those who have house room to try imported Orchids.
If they fail, there is no great loss, and if they are
successful, there is a new and interesting garden
work.

532

THE GAKDEN.

[Dec. 6, 1890.

While speaking of Orchids I should be glad to
know if there is any method of making that beau-
tiful species Coelogyne cristata more free-flowering
than I find it to be under my management. One
sees plants of it at the spring shows covered with
flowers, but with me it is so shy that I feel inclined
to throw it away in despair. I have heard other
Orchid growers speak of it in the same way, and
confess their inability to make this Coelogyne bloom.
It seems to grow most freely, but the more it grows
the less it flowers. I am trying judicious punish-
ment this year to see whether that will be success-
ful or not. The Ccelogyne is at the present time
in a very cold house with the Chrysanthemums.
After Christmas it will be introduced into strong
heat. A Glotjcestekshiee Pabson.

RESTREPIAS.
In all there are about twenty species of Restrepia
known to botanists, but the majority of these can-
not be considered sufficiently beautiful to rank as
garden Orchids. There are a few kinds, however,
whose flowers are of more than ordinary beauty,
and this, added to their interesting structure and
appearance, make them some of the most delight-
ful of the smaller-growing section of this family.
Although, judging by the numbers now to be seen
in many private collections, the taste for these little
gems is no doubt increasing, it is not yet fully
known how well they repay the small amount of
trouble and space they require. A few yards of
copper wire strung a few inches from the roof glass
of a moist greenhouse would accommodate a col-
lection of never-failing interest. For besides this
genus there are many of great beauty to be culled
from Pleurothallis, Masdevallia, &c. It is a note-
worthy fact that the wonderful arrangements to
secure fertilisation by insect agency, which cha-
racterise this family throughout, are quite as elabo-
rate and cunningly planned in these small repre-
sentatives as they are in more showy and preten-
tious genera.

The genus Restrepia comes nearest to Pleuro-
thallis in relationship, and, like it, is confined to the
tropical parts of the New World. They are
epiphytal plants with slender, erect, tufted stems
clothed with loose membraneous scales, and bear a
single leaf. The one- flowered scapes are borne from
the top of the stem, which continues to flower for
several seasons. The leading feature of the flower
both in size and colour is the oblong segment which
in this genus takes the place of the lip, but is really
the two lateral sepals united by the margins. The
lip itself is small and inconspicuous, although
singular and interesting in form. In most of the
species the upper sepal and the petals are curi-
ously lengthened out into thread-like form, but
with the tips broad and flattened out. This gives
the flower somewhat the appearance of an insect
furnished with antennas, a resemblance appropri-
ately implied by the name of the best known spe-
cies, R. antennifera.

All the species mentioned in the following selec-
tion are very easily grown. We have now repre-
sentatives of several species of Restrepia which
have been grown in the same house for many years
without any indication of decreasing vigour. There
are few Orchids, indeed, that adapt themselves
more completely to artificial conditions than they
do. All of them may be grown in a moist green-
house where the minimum temperature is from 45°
to 50°. They like to be near the glass and should
accordingly be grown in hanging pans or baskets.
We use a compost of fibrous peat and Sphagnum,
with chips of charcoal intermixed. They will not
fail to flower provided a healthy growth is made,
and it is not necessary to reduce the supply of
water in winter more than is proportionate to
the decreased activity of the roots. In summer
they like a free and continuous supply, in view of
which it is important that an ample drainage should
be given. As showing the conditions under which
these plants exist in Nature as to temperature, it is
well to know that the altitude at which they are found
is usually from 6000 feet to S0OO feet. In one in-
stance, that of R. antennifera, a record exists of its

having been found at 12,000 feet, an elevation
which very few Orchids reach.

R. Antennifera. — Introduced in 1SG9 from New
Grenada, this exquisite little species has ever since
occupied the Erst place in the genus. In colour
and beauty of marking it is equal to any, and in
size surpasses all. The stems are from 3 inches to
6 inches high and slender, bearing one heart-
shaped, coriaceous leaf 2 inches to 4 inches long,
which has a more or less purple tinge. The flower
is produced on a slender wiry scape, several of
which are simultaneously developed on the stem.
The upper sepal is 1J inches long and thread-like,
except at the tip, which is inflated. In colour it
is a combination of yellow and purple. The two
side petals are smaller, but otherwise similar
to the upper sepal. The two united lower sepals
are 1 J inches in length and oblong. They are yel-
low, prettily marked with purplish crimson lines.
The plants usually flower from now up to February.

R. elegans. — In many respects this species does
not differ from R. antennifera. The flowers are
smaller, but the main outlines are identical. It also
displays the same beauty of colour and marking.
The stems do not exceed 3 inches in height, and
the dark green oval leaf is 1 inch to 2 inches long.
The upper sepal and the smaller petals are white,
streaked with purple, with the antennae-like ap-
pearance of the preceding species. The oblong
segment, formed by the union of the lateral sepals,
is yellow, thickly dotted with purple. The vertical
diameter of the whole flower is nearly 2 inches. It
is a native of Caraccas, whence it was imported
about 1850. It flowers at the beginning of the year
as a rule, but, like the other species, varies some-
what.

R. PANDUEATA. — This is perhaps the latest addi-
tion to the genus — certainly the last of any value.
Very few plants are as yet in cultivation. It is
about the size of R. elegans, and has similar foli-
age. The lower sepals are white, dotted thickly
with purple-crimson, the whole flower measuring
If inches in depth. The specific name was given
by Reichenbach in allusion to the small, fiddle-
shaped lip. It was introduced by Mr. Sander four
or five years ago, and is said to be a native of New
Grenada.

These three species may be said to represent
the genus in its best character, but there are also
several other kinds well worth growing. R. Lans-
bergi has crimson petals and top sepal, the lower
ones being white, dotted with the same colour. An-
other, R. vittata, is both a singular and elegant spe-
cies. It is remarkable in having the antennre-like
parts of the flower twisted behind instead of stand-
ing forward or erect, as in the other species. It
is found on the Colombian Andes. The flower is
white, spotted with bright rose. W. J. B.

Orchids at Clovenfords. — These are not so
extensively cultivated by Mr. Thomson as they used
to be, but they are still well grown, some of the
scarcer things, such as Dendrobium Leechianum,
being in large quantities. The Cypripediums are
in vigorous condition. All the best varieties of C.
insigne are cultivated. C. insigne punctatum vio-
laceum was in flower, and the true variety as grown
here has smaller spots on the dorsal sepal than C.
i. Chantini, with which it is sometimes confounded.
Veitch's Manual, recently published, gives the two
as being similar. C. i. albo-marginatum was in
flower, a distinct delicate 'pale yellow form, notable
for the white of the apical part of the dorsal sepal
being continued to its base down the margin. C.
Ashburtonire, a C. barbatum and C. insigne cross,
was also in flower, and is a useful winter species.
It combines the character and vigorous habit of
both of its well-known parents. I also noted C.
bellatulum in vigorous health, also C. Curtisi, a dis-
tinct species, allied to C. superbiens. The cool Or-
chids, especially Odontoglossum crispum and O.
Pescatorei, are also largely grown. — J. D.

Maxillaria grandiflora I am glad to find

that an excellent variety of this plant is now in
commerce. It has pure white flowers, the middle
lobe of the lip yellow, and stained on the sides with
dark purple. Each flower is between 3 inches and

4 inches across and yields a delicious aroma. It
thrives well in the Odontoglossum house, and likes
plenty of water. I am indebted to three corre-
spondents for flowers of this species. One (" T. J.")
had his blooms marked M. venusta, from which it
differs in having broader and shorter petals, and in
not having the flowers nodding. — G.

Orchids at Floors Castle. — In the general
collection of Orchids at Floors Castle, the seat of
His Grace the Duke of Roxburgh, near Kelso, I
recently noted the following as being very fine :
Coelogyne cristata in large numbers was in robust
health and grown in large quantities. The ever use-
ful Cypripedium insigne was also very fine, while
the noble La;lia superbiens in several large speci-
mens was throwing up strong spikes, which promise
to be of great length. A very striking effect was
produced in one house by numerous examples of
Calanthe Veitchi in full flower. I would have
said they were of the best variety did I not know
that culture and pure air tended to produce a
richer darker colour in the flowers. Some of the
spikes had thirty-four flowers fully open. They
are growing in loam and cow manure. — J. D.

SHORT NOTES.— ORCHIDS.

IiBelia autumnalis atrorubens.— Splendid
varieties of this plant come to me from Mr. Cypher, of
Cheltenham. The flowers are large in size and very
rich in colour. It was first introduced, I believe, by
Mr. Backhouse, of York.— H".

Cymbidium Lowianum.— I was quite fur-
prised recently to find quite small examples of this spe-
cies flowering with Mr. Williams at Holloway, plants
with about half a dozen bulbs having two, three, and
four spikes of bloom. I have never seen such small
specimens flowering before. — W. H. G.

Aerid.es Leeanum- This pretty species is just
now flowering freely in Mr. Sander's collection. The
growth of this somewhat resembles that of Aerides
virens, but its flowers are much smaller, and they are
deep reddish purple in colour. It is a very distinct and
pretty kind, and valuable as flowering in winter. — W.

Odontoglossum bictonense.— This is not a
beautiful Orchid, but it has sufficient merit, when a
good form is obtained, to have a place in collections.
It is of free growth, and bears an upright raceme of
flowers, each of good size, and with the cordate lip
deep lilac. A very good form of it was in bloom a few
days ago in the Peudell Court collection.

Cypripedium Spicerianum magnifieum.
— This is a magnificent form of this plant, and it bears
two flowers on a stem. This, with the typical plant,
makes a fine display in the nurseries, Queen's Road,
Cheltenham. It is one of the very best winter-flower-
ing species, its dorsal sepal being so pure white at the
top.— W. H. G.

Oncidium loxense.— I recently received flowers
of this species from Mr. Simcoe, gardener to Mr. G.
Neville Wyatt, Lake House, Cheltenham. It is a
round flower with a large and fleshy Up, which is rich
deep golden-yellow in colour, the sepals and petals
greenish-yellow, profusely handed trausverscly with
dull brown. It was introduced by Mr. Sander about
six or seven years ago. — G.

Oncidium ornithorrhynchum album. A

very large-flowered form of this rare variety was
recently in bloom with Mr. Sander. The best form
I had previously seen of this was in the neighbour-
hood of Paris. The variety referred to is infinitely
superior. It has the growth of the typical plant,
the flowers being pure white. It thrives under
quite cool treatment. — W. H. G.

Ccelogyne Gardneriana.— This old variety, a
native of Nepaul and Khasia, would appear to be
in demand just now. It produces long pendent
racemes of flowers of the purest white, with a
lemon-yellow lip. It requires to be grown in a pot
in peat fibre and Sphagnum Moss, and does well
with the Lrelias and Cattleyas, with a little more
shade than those plants require. — G.

Phalsenopsis Micholitzi. — Amongst the
many fine plants of this genus, now thoroughly at
home in Mr. Sander's collection, may be seen this
fine new species. It is something in the way of P.
tetraspis, but it comes from the Philippines, and not
the Andaman Isles, as P. tetraspis does. It has

Deo. 6, 1890.]

THE G&EDEN.

533

light green leaves and short spikes of creamy white
flowers ; the lip is stained at the base with orange,
the anterior portion being furnished with a brush-
like appendage. It is a very pretty and distinct
plant. — G.

Cattleya Warocqueana. — A flower of this
species comes to me from Mr. Wheatley, of Ring-
more, and a very beautiful bloom it is. My atten-
tion is called to the double sheath, but this cha-
racter is not uncommon in the labiata section of
Cattleyas. It is a very richly coloured flower,
although past its best, and Mr. Wheatley says it
yields an odour resembling the old Clove Pink. I
am asked what I think of it, and whilst admiring
it very much, I must say that I have recently seen
superior forms shown in London by M. Linden, of
Brussels, its introducer. — W. H. G.

Ferns.

GLEICHENIAS.

These beautiful Ferns are deserving of far more
recognition than they receive at the hands of many
cultivators. True, they are rather more difficult
to keep in a healthy condition than some other
genera, but this should not hinder their cultivation.
Having grown them successfully, I can speak from
experience, and have no hesitation in saying that
if their peculiarities be studied for a time any
difficulty may be surmounted and their culture
made easy. One essential point to observe is that
of keeping them well supplied with water at all
times, but particularly so in the growing season.
They prefer a shallow soil to a deep one ; hence pans
are better for their culture than pots. If pots are
used they should at least be filled with crocks half-
way up. Generally speaking, Gleichenias prefer
peat to loam, and that in rather a rough state. In
my experience I found the only exceptions in this
respect were in the case of G. flabellata and G.
dichotoma (both of which belong to the Mertensia
group) ; these prefer an admixture of loam with
peat ; in fact they will grow well in nearly all loam
when it is fibrous and of good quality. These two
varieties also delight in frequent syringings ; in
fact, a rather more humid atmosphere than that
accorded to the hardier or more wiry growing spe-
cies suits them better. G. flabellata is subject to a
failing in crippled fronds at times ; not so, however,
when the plant is kept syringed. At the same time
the fronds will be developed in much stronger and
finer proportions. This variety will grow well in a
cool, damp fernery. G. dichotoma needs more
warmth for its beauties to be fully seen and appre-
ciated. I used to grow it well in a stove with Da-
vallia Mooreana and such like kinds. Thus grown
it assumes a beautiful glace jus pale green colour,
with both the pinnae and segments much increased
in proportions. It is but natural that this beautiful
variety should require more heat than most of the
others, coming, as it does, from tropical regions.
This probably accounts for it not being seen so
much as the other varieties, even in our larger col-
lections of Ferns.

Well-grown, fully-developed plants of either of
the foregoing species are very handsome subjects
in any collection of plants. Through their special
requirements not being studied, generally being
accorded the same treatment as the greater portion
of the genus, they are not seen in nearly so good a
condition, comparatively speaking, as the other
kinds. I have found G. flabellata to be rather sus-
ceptible to attacks of black thrips, but when the
syringe is freely used this insect may be kept in
check. G. dichotoma is at times attacked by scale ;
hand-picking is for this the best remedy, at the
same time removing the older fronds, thus giving
also more room for younger ones to develop. The
fronds of this species are very tender, and hence
susceptible to injury when even a weak solution of
an insecticide is applied. Both kinds prefer a fair
amount of shade during the warmer months, and
thus treated the colours of the fronds will in each
case be more intensified. The best of the other
species are G. Mendeli, which when in good health
is one of the most handsome of all ; its fronds, light

green in colour on the upper surface and a silvery
grey on the under side, with their beautiful whorls
tier above tier, are a fine sight. G. Spelunca? is
somewhat after the foregoing in character, but not
so compact in its growth. G. semi-vestita is of a
darker shade of green, and requires a slightly
warmer house, or at least the wannest end of it. G.
pubescens, a tropical American species, by some
classed in the Mertensia group, also requires rather
more warmth than the Australian and New Zealand
kinds, and when well grown it is a very handsome
plant. G. circinata glauca is a very distinct variety
from New Zealand. G. dicarpa longipinnata is a very
elegant kind, and should be grown in the most select
collections. G. alpina is the dwarfest-growing kind
generally cultivated ; it is suited for a cool fernery,
being almost hardy. These kinds are not very liable
to attacks from any of our insect pests. The pre-
vailing mode of training Gleichenias is in the form
of a balloon, a trellis being often employed. This
is not a good plan, however, as the young fronds
often get crippled in their earlier stages of growth.
I prefer a more bushy style with the diameter of
the plants in excess of the height ; thus more
room is allowed for the young ones. These
latter should always be looked after, as the
future well-being of the plants depends greatly
upon their vigour. The older fronds, I am fully
aware, will go on extending themselves al-
most indefinitely for several years, but in course
of time the growth of these becomes weaker, and
they should then give place to the younger ones.
All of the older portions of the fronds as they be-
come shabby should be removed ; for this purpose
a pair of Grape-thinning scissors is better than a
knife. When this is well looked afterthe additional
light and air admitted cannot fail to be beneficial.
For supports in training I prefer slender green
sticks, which, of course, need renewal about once a
year. When this is done, care should be taken to
place the fresh sticks as much as possible in the
old holes, so as not to injure the slender creeping
rhizomes. These, especially the young ones, need
to be carefully looked after, and when disposed, as
they often are, to extend beyond the rim of the
pan or pot, they should be cautiously turned aside,
so that they may eventually take root. When
fresh potting is needful, these young rhizomes can
with advantage be pegged down upon the surface
of the newly added soil, into which they will
speedily take root. Plants which do not require
fresh potting should once a year at least, or oftener
if possible, have some good, but rather fine soil
applied as a top-dressing. This merely needs to be
shaken upon the surface ; the first watering after-
wards given will soon settle it down and carry
some of it at least downwards amongst the roots,
where it must do good and supply at the same
time material to take the place of that which has
through the necessarily frequent applications of
water been carried downwards amongst the drain-
age.

Propagation may be effected either by division
of well-rooted plants or by layering the outer rhi-
zomes into small pots ; when well rooted into these
to be severed from the parent plant. I have seen
this latter plan adopted by a good grower, who was
especially fond of this family of Ferns, at least the
wiry growing kinds, for house decoration in vases
some 6 inches or 8 inches in diameter. The plants
thus grown were in their younger stages very com-
pact and bushy, and specially well suited for the
purpose, being also quite a novelty. Seedlings are
at times raised, but this mode of increase is not,
except by the trade growers, very successful or
generally adopted. J. H.

Gleichenias at the York Nurseries. — An

excellent and choice collection of these beautiful
Ferns is grown by the Messrs. Backhouse, and a
most pleasing feature is made of them there as
seen grouped together in one of the houses. The
plants vary from the smallest upwards to neat
bushy quarter specimens, and demonstrate the ex-
ceeding beauty of this family of Ferns when their
wants are understood and their attractive features
thereby well developed. It is a wonder to me that
they are not more frequently met with. They are

certainly to be noted in some instances, not often
the compact plants as here to be seen, but the
gaunt, meagre-looking examples with more show
of sticks than anything else. It is no wonder such
specimens do not meet with any favour, being re-
garded in each instance more as botanical curio-
sities than anything else. — H. G.

Trees and Shrubs.

THE LOMBARDY POPLAR.

(POPTJLTJS FASTIGIATA.)

Rapid growth and early decay are, as in the case
of most of the Poplars, the characteristics of this
somewhat formal, but otherwise valuable tree.
That Poplars, as a rule, are held in low esteem by
planters cannot be disputed, for, to a great extent,
they are neither ornamental nor useful — a state-
ment which, however, I think, requires great modi-
fication. When suitably placed beside a pond or
lake, I question much whether any other tree is
capable of producing so pleasing an effect or add-
ing that charm to its surroundings that is asso-
ciated with the present species. Planting hedge-
rows with this particular Poplar is an error of which
we see far too much in almost every part of the
country, while almost as repulsive is the placing of
a specimen or two in the centre of park clumps.
Long lines of it, too, seen in the landscape are no
better ; while by placing a clump of irregular
outline on a knoll or eminence, the peculiar features
of the Lombardy Poplar are well set forth, particu-
larly if the surrounding country is undulating.

The Lombardy Poplar, too, associates well with
certain classes of buildings, and may be used
in close proximity to houses and offices. By the
end of a bridge and just on the river's margin I
have noticed many happy effects produced by the
use of this Poplar, while for a jutting piece of
ground in a lake or pond it is peculiarly well
adapted.

Poplar wood, although of value for certain classes
of work, never fetches a high price in the market ;
indeed, in most instances where a tree is felled
there it lies, it being considered worthless as timber,
and nearly so for firewood. This is, however, a
great error, for few trees produce wood that is of
greater value where splitting and splintering are
likely to take place, and it is thus used largely for
the bottoms of stone carts, for stone sledges, and
such-like purposes.

The Lombardy Poplar is usually found growing
most satisfactorily in rich damp loam or alluvial
deposit by the margin of a stream or pond, and
under these conditions it attains to a large size and
wears a healthy thriving appearance, being desti-
tute of the dead and dying branches for which
trees not so favourably situated are usually so re-
markable. Usually the stem is deeply fluted and
clothed with branches, short though they be, from
near the ground level upwards, particularly where
spacefortheirdevelopmenthas been allowed. Unlike
P. alba and P. tremula, the Lombardy is not generally
of great proportions, but it is less apt from its up-
right habit to get broken by the wind, the branches
of the others getting riven from the main stem
even when the storm is not what would be con-
sidered very severe. A. D. Webstee.

Pinus parviflora. — This is one of the five-
leaved Pines, that is to say, those with five leaves
in a sheath, and included in this group is the giant
of the whole genus, Pinus Lambertiana (the Sugar
Pine), which in its North American home reaches
a height of 2C0 feet to 250 feet, while P. parviflora
at its best is not more than 40 feet high. The latter,
which is a native of Japan, forms a very distinct
and ornamental little tree, just the thing for plant-
ing on small lawns or wherever it is desired to have
as much variety as possible in a limited space. P.
parviflora is of a dense compact habit, usually
assuming more or less a pyramidal outline, and is
of a silvery character from the glaucescence of the
under sides of the leaves, which are peculiarly clus-
tered and twisted. This little tree is quite hardy

534

THE GARDEN.

[Dec. 6, 1890.

in this country, and produces its oval-shaped cones
very freely on specimens not more than 10 feet or
12 feet high. It is very much cultivated by the
Japanese, who use it largely for the production of
those dwarf monstrosities so fashionable in Japan.
— T.

CLIMBERS ON TREES.
I AM glad to see these noticed, as unquestionably
when judiciously chosen and planted they are
among the choicest ornaments anyone can have,
and trees can always or generally be found to
place them against. Take, for example, any thin
spare-headed old Oaks, which are the very best to
make use of, and what can be finer than a Virginian
Creeper running up among the tops 7 as there, left
to ramble about at its own will, it shows off
its natural beauty in the greatest perfection, and
looks well in any part of the grounds. If in a
park or other part exposed to cattle, of course it
is necessary to protect the creepers, but that may
very easily be done in several ways, such as a
guard of wood to form a nearly close box, or a half-
round piece of pipe placed up in front. In plea-
sure grounds, Roses, Honeysuckles, Clematises and
such like things may be used with most excellent
effect, and there are many strong-growing kinds of
the first-named that would soon reach to the top
of any moderately tall tree and drape it with
beauty. We have 'some that have run up over 50
feet and have spread about and hang down in all
directions, and in summer they are much admired.
To give Roses and otherplants used as climbers afair
start, preparation should be made for them by care-
fully removing the soil, so as to put in fresh, or make a
hole to work in manure and so enrich what is there,
and break it up that the roots may be able to spread.
Once the Roses get foothold they soon take care of
themselves. Besides Roses and those named, Wis-
taria sinensis should not be forgotten, as that grows
fast and on tall spare trees is very ornamental when
in bloom. — S. D.

■ ■ The note upon these by Mr. Geo. Wythes

in The Gabden of Nov. 29 (p. 501) is both instruc-
tive and suggestive, as showing the true use of our
hardiest, freest, and best climbing plants. We lose
much of the true grace and natural freedom of
the climbers that adorn our houses and walls by
reason of their enforced restriction. In most gar-
dens there are trees and shrubs of secondary im-
portance that might be utilised for climbing plants,
and if it was at the expense of the life of the tree
it would not matter. The common Ivy is familiar
enough as a tree climber, whilst the Traveller's
Joy, even at the present time, winds in long' wreaths
all through and over the hedges, and depends from
tree branches at a height of 50 feet. Only those
who have seen this plant in all its wild luxuriance
know anything of its exceeding beauty. Had we
not so many other fine things it would find a place
in our gardens. The Honeysuckle, too, upon hedges
and trees is one of the prettiest and sweetest of
early summer pictures by many a country roadside.
With all these examples around us it seems strange
that we have for so long neglected to use material
adapted for special use in a natural and beautiful
way, the wealth and variety of which are shown by
the note in question. Occasionally in gardens we
may meet with some examples of the natural use
of climbers, but some of these are accidents, and
the rest are of a meagre description. The prettiest
things I have met with were a Gloire de Dijon Rose
that had taken possession of an old Apple tree, the
white sweet-scented Clematis flammula hanging
from top to bottom on one side of a 40-feet Holly,
and a Vine that had rambled through and over a
great Hawthorn. In every case there were a free-
dom and gracefulness quite unattainable in any
other way. A Rose that makes a 12-feet or 15-feet
shoot in a year certainly needs a bushy tree over
which it can ramble and cushion it with blossoms.
Many climbing Roses will do this. In most cases
the only thing necessary is well-prepared soil to
ensure a good start. — A. H.

well berried, whilst this year almost every hush or tree
here is covered with berries. We have here a large
bush of the deep green, smooth-leaved kind. This
bush was simply covered with berries. I noticed
some weeks ago that the birds had begun to eat them,
and now there is scarcely a berry on the tree. Strange
as it may appear, the birds have not commenced to
eat any of the other kinds. I can see no difference in
the ripeness of the two kinds. Have others noticed
the same thing ? — J. C, Forde Abbey.

Birds and Holly berries.— What a contrast in
the crop of H oily berries between this and last year!
Last season it was difficult to find a branch that was

Kitchen Garden.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS.
Op the great value of Brussels Sprouts little
need be said, as, on the whole, they may safely
be classed as the most popular winter green
vegetable in cultivation. In addition to being
grown extensively in the gardens of the wealthy
classes, Brussels Sprouts are also appreciated
by most proprietors of small gardens and allot-
ments, while to meet the market demands hun-
dreds of acres are grown by both farmers and
market gardeners. All, however, are not alike
successful in growing their crops to perfection,
and every season plenty of plants may be seen
in different places that are far from being so
profitable as they would have been under more
favourable circumstances. Brussels Sprouts
ought to have a rather long period of growth,
and unless, therefore, the bulk of the plants
are raised somewhat early, say, by sowing seed
under glass in March, and, failing this conveni-
ence, on a sunny border not later than March,
the chances are they will be finally planted out
too late to attain a full and early productive
size. On no account should the young plants
loDg remain crowding each other either in the
seed boxes or beds, while those pricked out
temporarily in beds of light soil should not be
allowed to attain a great size before they are
finally planted out.

Brussels Sprouts are not perfectly hardy, and
in very severe winters there are positions where
they cut up badly. This being so, the prudent
cultivator will always do well to adopt methods
best calculated to make the plants sturdy and
hardy, and if high rather than low ground is
selected for this crop a step in the right direc-
tion is taken. Planting dwarf plants somewhat
thinly on firm, rich ground favours a strong,
yet robust growth, the crops thus grown prov-
ing far more hardy and productive than is the
case where Brussels Sprouts are put out too
closely together on loose rich ground. I find
the plan of putting out the plants between rows
of Ashleaf Potatoes answers well, the latter
either being cleared off early or left where they
have grown till the spring, when the tubers are
available either for planting or cooking. If the
plants are not sufficiently hardy grown on the
Potato ground, an open, firmer, and fairly rich
quarter would be given solely up to them for
one year, Celery being the successional crop.
The strongest-growing varieties may well be
disposed in rows 3 feet apart, a distance of 30
inches dividing the plants in the rows. About
6 inches less space each way is enough for the
more compact sorts. In addition to late sowing,
poverty at the roots is also responsible for a
good many comparative failures with Brussels
Sprouts, and few are better aware of this fact
than the market growers. Some of the latter
are not content with ploughing in good farmyard
manure at the rate of about 25 tons to the acre,
but they also surface-dress with some kind of
artificial manure, and the crops well repay for
this additional outlay. The finest crops of
Brussels Sprouts I ever saw were grown in the
open fields largely with the aid of fish manure,
the owner valuing them at the rate of £30 per

acre. Two seasons previous fields of Brussels
Sprouts that had escaped destruction by very
severe long-continued frosts were sold to a
salesman in Spitalfields Market for £75 per
acre, and the transaction was a profitable one
to both parties. It is to be hoped no such
fanciful prices will be realised this winter, as
this would mean a frost of unusual severity, and
such old-fashioned winters we can well dispense
with.

Prior to the introduction of superior varie-
ties, there was far less certainty about the
Brussels Sprouts being profitable, some of the
strains supplied by seedsmen generally being
very poor, many of the plants, no matter how
well grown, producing little else but greens.
What was sold under the term "imported" was
most generally grown, this being the most re-
liable. If I remember rightly, the Aigburth
was the first distinct improvement on all
old forms, this far eclipsing them both as
regards productiveness and the size and
solidity of the sprouts. For a few years this
variety was extremely popular, and then came
a re-action in favour of forms equally productive,
but with smaller sprouts, milder in flavour, and
at the present time the Aigburth is principally
grown for the markets. The Exhibition and
Perfection are very much alike, and either
where accorded fair treatment will give great
satisfaction. Personally, I much like the Ne
Plus Ultra or Northaw Prize, as it is also called,
this being one of the best selected stocks in cul-
tivation. Large breadths of plants of this form
are remarkably even in growth, all producing an
abundance of medium-sized, close sprouts of
the best quality when cooked. It requires rather
less room than the Exhibition or Perfection,
but the tops are scarcely so hardy, and the
exigencies of the case are best met by the growth
of equal breadths of the two forms. Paragon is
of even neater growth than the Ne Plus Ultra,
and is perhaps the best of the dwarf growing
varieties. Attempts have frequently been made
to raise varieties producing miniature Savoys
rather than close neat sprouts, but such are not
needed, and if really forthcoming it is doubtful
if they would be appreciated. A variety pro-
ducing close sprouts freely and also a large and
more hardy Savoy-like head would be accept-
able. I. M. H.

Planting spring Cabbages. — These have
lately been planted in great quantities under very
favourable conditions, as the land had been tho-
roughly well manured and cultivated in the dry
weather that prevailed in autumn. A soon as suffi-
cient rain fell to well moisten the ground, the
work was pushed on with all speed, so that now
the earliest planted ones are making good progress,
and as soon as the surface is dry the hoe will be
set to work amongst them, but in the present damp
condition dustings of soot and lime are being ap-
plied to keep the slugs away and to act as a stimu-
lant to growth. — J. G.

Natural-grown Seakale. — Many people are
deterred from growing this useful vegetable, being
under the impression that very expensive appliances
for blanching, besides more than ordinary skill in
cultivation, are necessary before any Kale can be
had. I do not wish to infer that a certain amount
of expense is unavoidable, provided one goes in for
a regular supply of the forced article, but what I
wish to show is that the best Kale I ever tasted was
from wild plants growing on the seashore not far
from Southampton. Being in that locality last Au-
gust, I went with the gardener, whose employer
claims the right of all the Kale growing next to his
estate, and inspected the plants in their full sum-
mer leafage. They had stems as thick as a man's
leg, and with thong-like roots that went down far
into the shingle, for nothing but stones and sand
were visible, however deep you liked to dig. The

Deo. 6, 1890.]

THE GABDEN.

535

only trouble taken with these old and useful beds is
when growth starts in spring to pile the sand and
shingle up in large hillocks right over the crowns
for a foot or more in depth, and when it begins to
push through the top the shingle is cleared away
and the Kale is found as clean and solid as good-
sized sticks of Celery. Certainly I never saw any
so good produced by cultivation, and those who are
doubtful about being able to grow Seakale may be
induced to plant a few good clumps where they
can remain for years, to be simply covered with
ashes, sand, or litter for blanching, as Kale grown
in this way is the best that can be had. — J. G.,
Hants.

EARLY AND LATE CABBAGES.

Much difference of opinion exists as to which
are the best varieties to grow, and in this again
every cultivator must, to a certain extent, be
guided by circumstances. For the markets,
varieties that produce large hearts are perhaps
the best, but these require more room than the
smaller forms, and the latter are certainly much
to be preferred for private gardens. Neat,
quickly grown, and not very firm hearts, or any
that can be cooked whole, are the best in point

growth and serviceable, and Hill's Incomparable
is equally dwarf and close in habit, the quality
also being good. The latter has done remark-
ably well with us when either planted 1 foot
apart each way or put out between the rows of
stronger growers and drawn early. The Early
Battersea type is that most favoured by market
growers and all who require large Cabbages. Of
this there are quite a large number, rightly or
wrongly, considered synonymous. Heartwell
Marrow I consider far superior to it, and if a
large conical-headed variety were needed, that
would be the sort selected. Veitch's Earliest
of All, if sown in July and put out on good
ground, attains a very large size, far too much so,
in fact. It ought, perhaps, to be added that if
these large sorts are put out 18 inches
apart in rows 2 feet apart, they are the most
productive as far as a second crop of hearts and
a late supply of greens are concerned.

Varieties for sowing in June. — On the
whole there are none to surpass and but few to
equal the London or Rosette Hardy Colewort
for the autumn and winter crops. If set out
about 1 foot apart each way, every plant will

ties similarly treated, the majority of the plants
running to seed prematurely. Christmas Drum-
head, received from Messrs. Vilmorin, was sown
late io April, and at the present time there are
plenty of large and close flat hearts available,
the quality being good. This promises to be a
hardy and veiy serviceable sort. The Drum-
head section would appear to be more popular
in France than with us, the catalogue of the
firm just named including descriptions of about
eighteen forms, only one of which is often
offered by English seedsmen.

Other kinds op Cabbage. — The Savoy
Cabbage is too well known and appreciated
to need any eulogy from me, and I will merely
state that the preference is given to either Tom
Thumb or Little Pixie for the earliest supplies,
a good succession being formed by Early Dwarf
Ulm, Gilbert's Universal and Drumhead. Couve
Tronchuda, or Portugal Cabbage, might be more
often grown than it is. The seed having been
sown in March and the plants given a long
period of growth and plenty of room, a good
heart will be obtained, while if the thick mid-
ribs of the lower leaves are properly cooked and
served, they form a good substitute for Seakale.
Chou de Burghley is more of a Cabbage than a
Broccoli ; this, if sown in April or the first week
in May and planted on good firm ground, pro-
ducing large conical hearts that are good during
the winter months and sometimes even later.
I. M. H.

Cabbage Winnigstadt.

of quality, and such only ought to be sent to the
dining table.

Best varieties for spring use. — The
foremost position ought to be given to Ellam's
Dsvarf Spring Cabbage, this, in addition to
being of neat growth, fairly hardy and early,
being also very superior in point of quality.
Sown early it is less liable to bolt than many
forms I could name, and put out 15 inches
apart each way, it just covers the ground.
Reading All Heart is also distinct and good, this
not requiring much room and producing neat
conical hearts of excellent quality. Veitch's
Improved Matchless is somewhat stronger grow-
ing than either of the foregoing, but it always
gives great satisfaction here, being very hardy,
early, and good in quality. Wheeler's Imperial,
though not particularly good in point of quality,
is yet a great favourite in this district. It should
be sown early in July, planted 15 inches
apart each way, and if the true stock has been
obtained, it is very possible tender hearts will be
available before any other variety is fit to cut.
Early York and Cocoa-nut are both of neat

produce an excellent rosette-like heart of the
best quality when cooked. It is about the
hardiest of the Coleworts or small Cabbages.
Nonpareil Improved, Little Pixie and Shilling's
Queen are all suitable for sowing in June, and,
given a fairly good piece of ground or border,
each and all will do well, abundance of neat
tender hearts being available during November
and December.

Continental varieties. — One of the best
of these will be found in Winnigstadt (here
illustrated), to which some of our so-called home-
raised novelties bear a suspicious resemblance.
Sown in July or the first week in August and
duly planted about 15 inches apart each way on
good ground, this presumably German variety
grows very sturdily, and forms early good-sized
conical hearts, which when cooked are of excellent
quality. The first time I tried the Early Paris
Market and Extra Early Etampes, both sent
out by Messrs. Vilmorin, of Paris, they gave
great satisfaction, and apparently were of the
right stamp. Last season they were the only
failures among quite a large collection of varie-

Couve Tronchuda, or Portugal Cab-
bage.— This is very useful for autumn and early
winter use, and I think no other Cabbage can be
compared to it for flavour. When well cooked I
prefer it to Cauliflower. It is very tender and mild
in flavour. Again, it differs in another way from
other Brassicas in an important way, viz., in that
the large midribs or stalks are the most tender.
This Cabbage is highly appreciated here. To have
this Cabbage in perfection, it must be sown early
and given good cultivation through the summer.
It is not so hardy as other Cabbages and a coarse
grower, which may account for its not being more
cultivated. — J. C. F.

Variegated Kale. — The variegated Kales are
now a very interesting study in Messrs. Stuart and
Mein's nursery, Kelso, N.B. I had not previously
seen them grown to such a large extent, but as seen
here in the closing days of November, their rich and
varied colours are strikingly handsome. Some va-
rieties are very much curled or fringed rather,
others are more plain, but all of them are remark-
able for their striking colouration of leaf. They are
of many colours and intermediate shades. Some
have the leaf margin, centres of the leaves, and mid-
ribs white, others cream coloured ; many more are
red or purplish tinted ; and the variegations are
really beautiful, as the colours blend into each
other, and the young leaves now in course of for-
mation have much less of green and more of the
red, purple, yellow, cream, and white. The stock
has been formed in the nursery at Kelso by care-
fully selecting the more ornamental kinds for seed-
ing, and destroying every plant that seemed inclined
to revert to the original form from which they ori-
ginally sprang. The same course is now followed
to maintain or improve the original stock. These
vegetables are highly decorative, as rich in colour,
and as showy as a Tulip bed in full bloom. If the
plants get too long in the stem they may be arranged
to any height by simply setting them deeper in the
ground.— J. DOUGLAS.

Keeping Celery. — Very few, if any, will agree
with " Rural " (p. 497) that liquid manure causes
the leaves of Celery to become hollow and bring
on decay. If it produces the first mischief, which
I dispute, it naturally follows that the next, or rot,
comes after, as the one is only the forerunner of
the other. But who ever heard of well fed and
thoroughly matured Celery becoming hollow in its
leaf-stem from the use of liquid marure, wh'ch all

536

THE GARDEN.

[Deo. 6," 1890.

admit is necessary or beneficial to the plants when
making their growth ? So far as early earthing
is concerned, I agree with " Rural," as that is in-
imical to growth, for when a lot of fresh soil has
been put into the trenches it is next to impossible
to get sufficient moisture down to the roots, and
therefore the further progress of the Celery is
stopped or checked, and the tissues hardened
thereby. As to the practice of covering to protect
from frost which " Rural " condemns, it is a very
laudable and necessary one, as when the leaves be-
come hard frozen they rot wholesale, and if the
plants are kept late scarcely a single head will be
found to be sound, as decay runs down the stems
and hearts rapidly when a thaw comes. The snow
falling when it did, after such a mild growing
time, has been of great benefit, not only to
Celery, but to all green garden crops, as nothing
can protect so well. With us the snow has been
quite 15 inches deep, and all is buried snugly
under its covering to come out fresh and uninjured
when it has melted away. — S. D.

THE WEEK'S WORK.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

Cuctjmbbes. — Old plants that have been kept in a
healthy condition as a rule require much less water
than young plants grown especially for winter fruit-
ing, the soil having become much closer than is
really good for the Cucumbers. These must, there-
fore, be carefully watered, and should receive all the
bottom heat possible. It is not advisable to closely
stop the fresh growths on either old or young
plants, a little free growth favouring brisker^ root
action. At the same time rather thin training
should be resorted to, and on no account ought
heavy crops to be left on the plants that are to re-
main in a productive state. Cut any fruits as soon
as they are fit for use, and, if need be, keep them
with their stalks in a pan of water in the fruit room.
Plants rooting freely, and especially those in
pots or small boxes, ought to have an occasional
top-dressing of the best fibrous loam procurable
broken up coarsely. This may be continued with
advantage long after the soil has risen to the level
of the rims. Failing fibrous loam, use a compost
consisting of light loam, horse manure, and char-
coal. Nor should other than soft water and clear
liquid manure be used, any that is thick, including
unstrained soot water, soon clogging the surface.
The water ought to be well warmed or of much
the same temperature as the house. What
the latter should be must to a certain extent de-
pend upon circumstances, but if the heat can be
kept up to 75° in the daytime, and 5° lower during
the night without hard firing, the bottom heat be-
ing nearly or quite as high, this answers well ; but
in cold weather an occasional fall of 10° will do no
harm, and fairly good crops are frequently obtained
in horses where the temperatures are rarely so high
as those named. Overhead syringing should be re-
sorted to on clear days only, the floors, however,
being frequently damped down, and a little top air
on warm sunny days does good. It is advisable to
fertilise the female flowers. Red spider can be
kept down by sulphuring the pipes, and thrips and
aphis by occasional fumigation with tobacco paper
or the new tobacco sheets.

also to induce them to set later bunches. Any not
well furnished with fruit should be kept somewhat
on the dry side at the roots, and have all flowers
that can be made to open fertilised with the aid of
a camel's-hair brush. Avoid very close stopping,
especially if disease is prevalent, and preserve back-
growths, as these will or should produce fruit early
next year. Diseases of a fungoid nature can be
greatly checked by painting the hot-water pipes
with sulphur, this sticking best if mixed with either
milk or linseed oil. Give a fresh coating when the
old dressing ceases to give off rather strong fumes
whenever the pipes are hot. Small plants in pots
kept in readiness for starting early in January
should be still stored on airy shelves not far from
the glass, a warm greenhouse temperature serving
to keep them sturdy and healthy.

Foecing kidney Beans. — These must have a
light position and a rather strong heat, such as
that recommended for Cucumbers, or otherwise the
progress made will be very slow. Nor do they often
do well in large pots, the most suitable sizes being
either 8-inch or 9-inch pots, five or six plants being
left or placed in each. Top-dressings of any kind
are simply thrown away on them ; therefore fill the
pots nearly full of loamy soil either when shifting
plants from the small pots in which they are raised,
or when the more simple plan of sowing the seed
direct into the pots the plants are to crop in is
adopted. Seed sown at the present time germinates
very slowly, and if a strong bottom-heat is not
available, it is advisable to set the pots direct on the
hot-water pipes, this soon causing the seeds to ger-
minate. Shift them to a lighter and better position
before the plants become spindly. Either Osborn's
Forcing or Ne Plus Ultra answers well for hard
forcing.

Potatoes in pots. — The very earliest supplies
of new Potatoes can best be obtained by pot cul-
ture, the commencement being made at the same
time as the earliest vineries or Peach houses are
started. Sharpe's Victory is one of the best varie-
ties for the purpose, the true Mona's Pride and old
Ashleaf also succeeding well in pots or boxes. Se-
lect the requisite number of moderately large sets ;
arrange these the thickest end upwards closely to-
gether in a shallow box, and place in a light posi-
tion in a heated house, damping them overhead
occasionally. This will cause an early and compara-
tively strong central sprout and several side snoots
to form on each tuber, but the latter should be
removed early. Delay potting or planting till the
reserved sprouts are about 3 inches long and well
furnished with roots. A compost consisting of two
parts of light fibrous loam to one of old Mushroom-
bed manure is suitable, and this should be warmed
through prior to use. For high or suspended shelves
8-inch or 9-inch pots are quite large enough, but for
arranging along the fronts of houses or low front
stages larger sizes — or any ranging from 12 inches
to 18 inches in diameter — are suitable. Drain
lightly, half fill with soil (making this rather firm),
and carefully plant a single tuber in the smaller
pots and three or more in the larger sizes. Water
very carefully until the pots are well filled with
roots, and add a little fresh warm compost as the
haulm advances in growth. There must be no hard
forcing, and the plants should have all the light and
air possible whenever this can be admitted without
unduly lowering the temperature of the house.

W.I. M.

Tomatoes. — If these are subjected to a strong
heat and a moist atmosphere, or such as just ad-
vised for Cucumbers, the growth will be spindly,
and very few flowers will form, while if there is
any disease on the plants, it will spread rapidly.
The temperature may range from 55° by night to
60° or (55° in the daytime, a little top air being ad-
mitted both by night and day whenever the weather
is at all mild. The plants should never be
syringed overhead, or the floor, walls, and stagings
damped oftener than can be avoided. Those on
which good crops are already set must not be
starved at the roots, and if in pots especially should
have liquid manure occasionally, top-dressings of
turf or porous compost also doing good, the aim
being not only to swell the fruit to a good size, but

PLANT HOUSES.
Geeenhouse. — Winteb-flowebingCarnations.
— Carnations are among the best flowers for winter
by reason of their lasting qualities. On this account
they deserve to be more generally grown than they
hitherto have been. One of the reasons for their
absence in many gardens where there is a large de-
mand for flowers in winter is that it requires some
experience to have them in bloom during the win-
ter months. In no stage of their growth will they
submit to be hurried. From the time the cuttings
are struck up to when they come into flower their
progress is comparatively slow. Those who have
not had much practice in the cultivation of these
Carnations will do well to propagate them at dif-
ferent seasons so as to have the stock in various

stages. Cuttings may be struck at any time of the
year. Five-inch or 6-inch pots are the best to use.
These should be drained and filled with a mixture
of loam and sand, the former passed through a fine
sieve. Avoid crowding the cuttings too closely in
the pots. A little warmth is necessary to help
them to form roots. One matter of importance is
to confine the cultivation to kinds of proved excel-
lence. This is necessary now when there are
annually numbers of new varieties brought before
the public with glowing accounts of their perpetual
flowering character, while these in many cases
have turned out to be only summer bloomers.

Late summee-stetjck stock. — Cuttings that
were put in early in September should by this time
be well rooted, and should be potted off. Three-
inch pots are large enough to put them into. Drain
well and place a little spent manure from an old
Mushroom bed over the crocks. In addition to the
sand a little sifted rotten manure should now be
mixed with the loam. Pot moderately firm. The
plants during the winter should occupy a low house
or pit, where they can be raised up to the glass.
Means for heating, such as to keep the temperature
well above freezing in hard weather, should be pre-
sent. Treated in this way, they will keep moving
slowly through the winter, and make sufficient pro-
gress to admit of their being stopped early in the
spring. When the time comes for planting them
out they will consist of sturdy little plants furnished
with three or four shoots each.

Caenations, flowebing plants. — Plants that
had their flower buds well advanced in September
at the time they were advised to be taken up and
potted will now be coming into bloom. They will
bear a temperature of from 45° to 50°, but with this
they should be raised so that their tops are not far
from the glass. If this precaution is not taken the
later successional buds open small and poor. To
strengthen the plants in a way that will give size
to the successional bloom a little weak soot water
may be given at times. See that all the stock is
free from mildew. Dusting with sulphur is the best
remedy ; but care must be taken that the sulphur
does not reach the soil in any quantity, for it des-
troys the roots.

Stove. — Fbeesias. — The earliest potted plants,
or such as were not subjected to drying off after they
had flowered last year, should now bear gentle forc-
ing. Plenty of light is most important to ensure
success. A high temperature should always be
avoided, but where the plants are brought into
flower in a house or pit that admits of their being
stood so that their tops will not be more than 1 foot
or 18 inches from the glass, considerably more
warmth may be given.

Richaedias. — Where large vases have to be
furnished about the end of the year, there is nothing
more effective than a few flowers of this plant asso-
ciated with some of its own leaves. If the plants
have been treated so as to have them in different
stages at the end of the summer, little or no forcing
will be required, as the strongest will in many cases
now be coming into bloom. When in this condition
little more than a warm greenhouse temperature is
necessary to have the flowers fully developed by
the end of the year. It is necessary to look to
plants that are less forward with a view to then-
giving a succession of bloom at whatever time it may
be required. With this object in view it is frequently
necessary to give the second batch more heat, and
also for a longer period than suffices to have the
earliest in. This Richardia is a favourite for use
about Easter. To come in then, the weaker portion
of the plants should be reserved, and no more
warmth should be given them than requisite to ex-
clude frost, as if the flowers once begin to move
there is no keeping them back. This Calla is more
subject to the attacks of aphides than many things,
the insects often making their appearance after the
stock is housed in autumn, and concealing them-
selves on the underside of the leaves, where if not
sought for they soon become numerous. They do
comparatively little harm to the leaves, but if any
exist, as soon as the flowers appear they get down into
the yet unfolded bloom where no ordinary fumiga:
tion will reach them. Means should always be

Dec. 6, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

537

taken to have the plants free from these trouble-
some pests before the flowers begin to move.

Azaleas.— The favourite double variety Deutsche
Perle is not only the best of the double forms of
Azalea for forcing, but it is also one of the best of
the kinds that can be had in early. Where the plants
were properly attended to in the summer with a
view to their blooming early they will now be com-
ing into flower without forcing, otherwise more
heat and more time will be required to get them in.
This is a matter in which the grower needs to
look ahead, so as to have a sufficient number of
plants in flower at the time they are required, with
others to follow to keep up the succession. Young
hands at flower-forcing will do well to observe
and note the length of time that it takes to bring
plants into flower that have their buds in a given
state. Nothing short of actual observation will
suffice, and it is one of importance with plants of
all kinds that have to be forced through the winter.
It has been frequently pointed out that little can be
done by hard forcing to make up for the plants
not being started at the right time, or in the case
of such that have not had their flower-buds suffi-
ciently forward at the end of summer.

T. B.

Stove and Greenhouse.

TEEE CARNATIONS.
Most of the varieties now grown for winter flower-
ing, though of dwarf habit, are yet called Tree Carna-
tions. The older sorts which usually had fringed
flowers are nearly extinct ; there are, however, a few
of the fringed-flowered varieties still grown, and
they are of tall habit. Andalusia grows very
tall in one season, and when grown on for two or
three years I can quite understand why it should
be called a tree Carnation. My first experience with
these Carnations was in a garden where the same
plants were grown on for several years, and they
then attained to from 4 feet to 5 feet in height.
At the present time not only are dwarfer sorts
grown, but they are propagated annually, with the
result that better blooms are obtained ; there is
also less difficulty in keeping the plants clean and
healthy. Success depends in a great measure on
propagating at the right season of the year, as well
as in securing good cuttings, or pipings, as they are
generally called. January and February are the
best months for propagating, and short side shoots
make the best cuttings. Those sorts which do not
branch freely should be stopped and placed in alittle
warmth, where they will then soon produce side
shoots. The cuttings maybe put into pots, filled mo-
derately firm with light sandy compost. They will
root freely where there is a moderate bottom heat
and sufficient moisture to prevent the cuttings from
getting withered. In fact, this is one of the most
important points in propagating Carnations. Be-
fore the cuttings are taken the plants should have
been well watered. The cuttings should be kept
fresh and placed in a close light as soon as possible
If not carefully attended to while in the close
frame they are apt to damp off. The frame should
be opened every morning, and left for an hour or
so, the cuttiDgs examined and signs of decay re-
moved. They win take from two to three weeks to
root, and may then be gradually exposed, and by
the time they are properly hardened off they will
be ready for potting off singly. If left too long in
the cutting pots it is difficult to divide them with-
out breaking the roots, besides which the plants
get weakly. They will require to be kept close for
a short time after they are potted, but as soon as
they have taken hold of the new soil plenty of air
should be given, and only just sufficient artificial
heat to keep out frost. One great point is to avoid
too much heat.

The plants should be ready for potting on into
5-inch pots about May. Some sorts may require
stopping once, but unless they begin to show
flowering stems by the end of June they should not
be stopped. Some varieties throw up flowering
stems much sooner than others, and are less in-
clined to branch out. These may be stopped as

soon as they are well established in the small pots,
but with those which branch out freely no stopping
is necessary, for if the main stem does flower early
the side shoots will come on in succession quite as
well as if the first flower-stems had been taken out.
After the plants are well established in 5-inch pots,
say about the middle of June, they may be stood
out in the open, but it is best to have some plan
by which they may be protected from heavy rains.
Tree Carnations are subject to the attacks of
green-fly, and to keep the plants clean while they
are in the open, they should be frequently syringed
with clear soot water, which will not only keep off
the fly, but will also keep away the maggot. This
has proved very destructive during the last few
years. It is best to use the soot water in the even-
ing after the sun is off. If the plants are potted in
good rich loam they will not require any other
liquid manure except the soot water until they
begin to show flower, when a little weak liquid ma-
nure may be given occasionally. That made from
cow manure is the best, but it should be made
some time before it is required for use, so that it
may settle down and be used clear. The plants
should be housed early in the autumn, the time
being regulated according to the weather,
the chief point being to avoid exposure to heavy
rains. Much wet is hurtful to the roots, and also
spoils the blooms while in bud. I have frequently
seen flowers which have opened indoors very imper-
fectly through being exposed to bad weather while
in the bud. Tree Carnations cannot be forced
into flower, and to keep up a succession
of bloom, plants should be propagated in
batches at different periods. To flower them well
during the winter it is essential that they should
have all the light and sunshine that can possibly be
obtained. A few days' bright sunshine will make a
great difference, especially after a period of dull
weather. Plenty of fresh air is also beneficial,
sufficient artificial heat being given to keep a
dry atmosphere, and to prevent the blooms from
damping.

Earwigs are sometimes troublesome, and will
often do much mischief before their presence is
discovered. These troublesome pests can only be
dealt with by placing traps and catching them.
Small pots hung on the stakes, and with a little dry
Moss pressed in the bottom, make good traps.

Varieties. — Within the last few years several
valuable additions have been made, among which
Winter Cheer is one of the best ; it has full well
formed flowers of a rich crimson scarlet colour, and
is remarkably free, having a dwarf branching habit
somewhat after the popular Miss Joliffe, which,
though an old variety, has no rival either in colour
or habit of growth. Duke of Fife is another good
scarlet variety, havirig large flowers with broad
petals, and very bright in colour ; it is a vigorous
and rather tall grower. Of white varieties Mrs.
Moore is the latest improvement ; this is somewhat
in the style of Mile. Carle, but a better grower with
full, pure white flowers. Edith is a good deep
crimson variety with full clove-scented flowers.
Mrs. H. B. May is a free flowering variety with
rather small, bright rosy pink flowers. Of older
sorts the best whites are Mile. Carle, Purity, and
La Belle. Scarlet: Lucifer, A. Alegatiere, and
Vesuvius. Pink : Mrs. Llewellyn, Miss Joliffe, and
Mrs. W. H. Greenfell. Crimson : Dr. Raymond,
The Mikado, and Carrie Robinson. Yellow: The
only good yellow Tree Carnation is Andalusia.
Pride of Penshurst and the beautiful Germania may
both be grown in pots, and will flower well in the
autumn and early spring, but they belong to the
border section. Mrs. Reynolds Hole is now a very
popular variety of a peculiar shade of buff ; this is
also a border variety, but is much grown in pots.
I have never seen flowers in the autumn, but it may
be brought on early in the spring, when it is very
valuable. E. H.

The time for forcing Lilac. — The season,
says the Revue Horticole, during which forced
Lilac flowers are produced at Paris hardly ever
ends ; in fact, there is scarcely any cessation in this
branch of horticulture. In the present year, for

instance, of the two most eminent Lilac-forcers,
one— M. Delaunay, 89, Rue Marceau, Montreuil
(Seine)— finished his forcing for the year in the
beginning of July, while his brother-in-law (M.
Moynet, 32, Avenue de Chatillon, Paris) made his
first sale of forced Lilacs about the 10th or 12th
of August, so that the sale of these flowers in
Paris has had only a month's interruption during
the year. We may, however, remark that this
interval is an optional one, and that, if the above
named nurserymen wished, it would be very easy for
them to dispense with it, and produce forced Lilac
flowers all the year round without any change in
the mode of operation, beyond that of continuing
it and slightly modifying it in some small matters
of detail.

ZONAL PELARGONIUMS IN WINTER.

I AM often surprised to find at late autumn flower
shows that no encouragement is given to the pro-
duction and exhibition of winter-blooming zonal
Pelargoniums. That these can be done admirably
is evident enough, as may now and then be seen
where prizes are offered for them. That is the case
always at the Twickenham autumn show, and this
time the produce was found in some capitally
bloomed plants, the best being some grandly flow-
ered ones of De Lesseps— nice compact plants in
profuse bloom, and under the gaslight glowing like
balls of fire. What a few can do so well, others
can do equally well, and although it may be said
that autumn shows are specially designed for the
encouragement of the Chrysanthemum, yet as such
poor things as table plants are always invited there
is far more of merit and of beauty found in half-a-
dozen well bloomed and grown zonal Pelargoniums
than in the best table plants ever seen. Somehow
the colours of the flowers are always more pleasing
in the winter than in the summer. Probably that
is due to the variation in light found in the winter
months, when all rich colours are not only exceed-
ingly grateful, but have a peculiarly pleasing glow.
Very likely the chief excuses found for the neglect
so common in the production of zonal Pelargonium
bloom in the winter are the want of house
space, for Chrysanthemums seem to crowd out
everything else, and " We have had plenty of these
Pelargoniums through the summer." These are,
however, not good excuses, because Pelargo-
niums require low houses where Chrysanthemums
will not succeed very well, and they offer variety
in flower and in colour just as grateful in winter
as in summer, if not more so. I was particularly
struck the other day when calling at Messrs.
Hawkins and Bennett's place at Twickenham to
find how gorgeous was the colour got from their
splendid double Duke of Fife. This was a sport
from F. V. Raspail, and is apparently the very
finest crimson-scarlet double in cultivation. What
remarkable value would a few dozens of plants of
this variety have at this time of the year. It is but
needful to have the plants specially grown for the
purpose, with pots full of roots and plants in robust
oxowth, to have an abundance of fine trusses to cut
from all the winter. A temperature of about
50° does admirably for these charming plants.
All growers find great value in having top heating
pipes, however small, which so thoroughly help to
keep the atmosphere about the flowers dry. The
pink single-flowered Constance zonal blooms beau-
tifully at Twickenham all through the winter, so
also does the double pink Mme. Thibaut. The best
whites are Niphetos and Queen of the Belgians,
and the finest single scarlets, De Lesseps, Henri
Jacoby, and West Brighton Gem. An odd double
sport that may now be seen, with both forms on the
original plant, is a dwarf double scarlet with the ha-
bit and leafage of West Brighton Gem. It originated
from F. V. Raspail, the growth of which is still at the
base of the plant. The variety which represents
one of the dwarfest of double scarlets in cultiva-
tion has been named Twickenham Gem.

A. D.

Witsenia corymbosa. — In the cool green-
house just now there are few things more attrac-
tive than this old-fashioned plant, with its clusters
of little Iris-like leaves and beautiful blue blossoms.

538

THE GAEDEN.

[Dec. 6, 1890.

Although at one time very generally cultivated, it
now seems to be almost unknown, yet in colour
there is nothing to approach it among greenhouse
plants, as it certainly affords an agreeable change
from the Chrysanthemums, Cyclamens, &c, that go
to make up the bulk of flowering plants at this sea-
son. This Witsenia should be grown in a soil made
up of sandy peat, and ample drainage must be
given, as plenty of water is necessary, especially
during the growing season. A cool airy structure,
such as that used for Cape Heaths, will suit it well.
— H. P.

CINERARIAS IN WINTER.

The illustration that accompanies these re-
marks represents a good type of a Cineraria,
a flower that has, perhaps, changed as much or
more than the majority of things hybridised
and carefully selected over a number of years.
One has only to see the graceful C. cruenta,
with its multitude of small pale lilac blossoms,
to get a true conception of the difference be-
tween the beginning of the race and the pro-
ductions that now enrich the greenhouse and
conservatory. The habit has become compact,
too rigid almost, but sturdy, vigorous, and leafy,
the flowers showing the same marked stride,
exhibiting now a broad round petal, compos-
ing a bloom or pip excessively formal, but
showy and handsome. Then another change
has taken place in the spike, at one time
loose, straggling, and certainly ungainly, but
merely, as we know well, in a state of transi-
tion. The colours have multiplied with the
advance in other points, and we have a series
of rich tints from velvety crimson to pure
white, with many intermediate gradations.
This is the Cineraria of to-day, a vastly diffe-
rent plant from the Cineraria of twenty years
ago, when the petals were starry, i.e., did not
overlap in the same way as now, the habit
straggling, and the colour range restricted. One
of the greatest gains in the Cineraria way of re-
cent years was March Past, appropriately
named, and shown by Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons
at the Royal Horticultural Society's meeting on
April 26, 1881, when it was certificated. It created
no small stir at the time and still remains
one of the best. It is a true "March Past,"
an immense advance on anything raised before,
and displaying to the full that breadth of petal,
symmetrical outline, and deep colour that the
florist has aimed at producing with conspicuous
success. Many beautiful things have been
given to us since, and each year we have to re-
cord the arrival of some variety that either in
habit, colour, or shape of flower is an advance
on existing types.

The large baskets of Cinerarias, one mass of
splendid flower, from such firms as Messrs.
Cannell and Sons and Mr. J. James, Farnham
Royal, have for years made spring exhibitions
bright with colour, and it is a very simple mat-
ter to have some of this brilliancy in the green-
house at home during the winter.

Cinerarias require very much the same kind
of culture that is given to herbaceous Calceo-
larias, but they are hardier and scarcely need
the same attention. But these are minor points,
as every plant to succeed well demands of us
proper care. If plants are wanted to bloom in
winter, sow seed in May or June, and the desired
result will be obtained. Sow carefully, and
place the pots in a cold frame, shading from the
sun when necessary until the young plants ap-
pear, when more sun and air should be given.
When the seedlings have made two small leaves,
or as soon as they are large enough* to handle
with comfort, prick them off, and treat in the
usual way by proper potting, as often recom-
mended in these pages. The great point is to

ensure a quick growth. There should be no
standing still ; it must be a steady progress from
the seedling to the flowering plant. Pot at the
proper time to prevent them becoming pot-
bound, give water carefully to avoid sickness
from dryness of the soil, and keep insects away.
Another point of importance is to never give the
plants too much heat, but always let the tem-
perature be cool, just of sufficient warmth to
keep out frost, and provide a liberal ventilation.
Here in a nutshell are the leading points to be
observed in the culture of the florists' Cineraria.
We say " florists " to distinguish it from such
charming things as Cineraria aurita, illustratedby
a coloured plate in The Garden for Sep. 13, 1890.
Green-fly is the great pest, and will quickly de-
stroy all the hopes of the grower if allowed to
increase. It curls the leaves, destroys the
young flower, and nothing but frequent and

the flowers fade give the plant an airy position
and carefully examine it from time to time, so
as to gather when ripe. If care is not given to
this detail much of it will be blown away. For
a spring exhibition sow in July, and this is the
season usually adopted.

We have now, however, so many splendid
named kinds, as March Past and Victory, a
deep magenta self flower of dwarf, compact
habit, that many wish rather to perpetuate
them than trust to new types. But raising new
varieties is an interesting operation. There is
the anticipation of something new, and this
gives a keen relish to the business. To per-
petuate named varieties, it is necessary to raise
from offsets and to begin at the beginning ; re-
move the flower-stems when the flowers have
almost faded to prevent the formation of seed,
set the plants in a cold frame, give the usual

A well-grown Cineraria.

judicious fumigation with good tobacco paper
will keep the plants clean and the foliage in
rude health. Water with clear rain water, es-
pecially when syringing, and avoid cold
draughts or a fierce sunshine that will scorch
the leaves and undo months of arduous labour.
The raising of seedlings has become more com-
mon than the old plan of propagating by offsets.
If one has a good strain of seed, it will be in-
teresting to mark off the best plants, i.e., those
of the dwarfest and most compact habit and
with the finest formed flowers. Of course it is
only necessary to select when the strain is be-
low the highest standard, but when all the va-
rieties are of equal excellence, then this is not
necessary. Take care to have distinctly col-
oured flowers, approaching most closely the
"pips" that are seen on the specimens from
the best nurseries for the Cineraria. When

attention in the way of water and air-giving,
and plant out in the month of May. From
this time give careful attention, and early in
August offsets may be looked for, good itubby
growth that will make first-rate plants. Remove
each one with a tuft of roots and put round the
sides of a 5-inch pot, sprinkle with water, and
place in a close frame. When thoroughly well
established, pot them off into 3-inch pots, and
treat as recommended for seedlings.

The single varieties are the finest, but the
efforts to improve the double flowers have not
been fruitless. The double Cineraria is not of
great beauty ; it lacks many of those inherent
features that charm us in the single varieties,
but there is a gradual improvement, and this is
most conspicuous in colour. There is now a
wider range, deep rose, pink, white, magenta,
and allied shades, all showing that the double

Deo. 6, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

539

Cineraria is yet inits infancy,but likely to quickly
arrive at the perfection the ardent florist seeks.
They may be treated in the same way as the
others, and it will be wise to secure the more
recent additions, as Advance, violet - blue ;
Beauty, lavender-blue ; Faust, bright rose ;
Mary Anderson, magenta ; Nellie, white, with
a pink edge ; and Aspasia, blue, which have
all been raised and sent out by the Stanley
firm.

Ficus elastica variegata. — This plant is de-
cidedly gaining favour. Some plants of it which
I saw recently were beautifully marked or marbled
with creamy-yellow and pale green. It apparently
requires a good amount of light to develop its
beauties in the best possible manner ; added to this
a rather poor soil to check any tendencies to a too
vigorous growth, with a less amount of variegation.
Given these essentials, it is certainly a useful addi-
tion to the class of decorative plants for use in a
small or medium-sized state. It can be propagated
true to character from individual eyes, nice dwarf
plants being thus obtainable in small pots. In
order to increase the stock, plants of this Ficus
may be grown in rather more warmth than is ac-
corded to the type, but at the same time exposed
to all the light possible. — H.

Calceolaria pavoni. — This is a rare and inter-
esting species, herbaceous, and growing from 2
feet to 4 feet high. A specimen of it is in flower
at Pendell Court in one of the houses, and presents
an unusual display with its large, terminal and
branching clusters of pale yellow flowers, the lip
widely expanded. Although it is grown here in a
warm house this Calceolaria may be planted out of
doors. It does best against a wall, which it will
clothe to a height of 4 feet, and make a fine bush.
It is wise to lift the plant if the situation is cold,
or protect the roots by a good covering of litter.
The late Rev. Harpur Crewe used this Calceo-
laria for embellishing the garden, and it flowered
throughout the summer months. It was planted
against the shady corner of a north wall, at the back
of a large clump of the Knot weed (Polygonum Sie-
boldi). A native of Peru.

A house of Salvias. — The Salvia is a bright
winter flower, and a collection of the various kinds
in the nursery of Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons,
Swanley, shows the diversity of habit, foliage, and
blossom in a good selection. The most brilliant is
splendens, and finest in a mass. The groups at
Swanley are past their best, but the remaining
flowers give a warm glow of colour when the out-
door garden is bare and cheerless. Here is the
old pine-apple-scented variety (rutilans), with leaves
that when slightly bruised give off a distince Pine-
apple fragrance, the lovely azure-blue Pitched, and
Mons. Issanchou, which is quite a curiosity in the
flower way. The bracts are white with a flaking of
scarlet, an odd, but bright contrast of colour. All
the old and newer varieties are grown but few
are finer than the above ; patens, patens alba, the
dwarf splendens Bruanti, and the woolly-leaved
leucantha. The beginning of October is not a
pleasant time for gardeners. It is then difficult to
keep the greenhouse bright with colour, but a good
use should be made of Salvias, which are often
only represented by S. splendens. The plants are
very easily struck from cuttings in the spring ; in
fact, offer no difficulties in culture. The old plants
stored away under stages during the winter and
placed in heat in spring will give abundance of
shoots, which in their turn by the usual routine
of cultivation will make good specimens. Salvias
might share some of the attention that is now given
the Chrysanthemum.

SHORT NOTES.— STOVE AND QREENHOUSE.

The double Abutilon Thompsoni fl.-pl. is

not an inelegant flower, and richer in effect than the
single type. A large plant at Pendell Court was in
bloom a few days ago, and showed the richness of the
double, rosette-shaped, bronzy-crimson blossoms.

Crassula lactea is one of the prettiest succulents
in cultivation. It is quite a small plant, but bears

branching cymes of numerous white flowers, which,
when there is a good mass together, as we saw recently
in the nursery of Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons, Swan-
ley, are effective. There are many uses for such a suc-
culent as this, and also its nicely variegated variety.

Camellias dropping their buds. — This most
annoying propensity in some kinds, especially within
the radius of fog and smoke, may be partially counter-
acted by keeping the bushes syringed frequently at
this season of the year when the buds are swelling.
The syringing will also be of great assistance where
the plants are unavoidably subjected to more fire-heat
than it is needful to give them, thus causing an arid
state of the atmosphere. Syringe well in such a case,
is my advice, and save the buds. — H.

Manettia bicolor. — We were reminded of the
beauty of this Brazilian plant by a specimen climb-
ing up a rafter in one of the warm houses at Pen-
dell Court. It was in a pot, making excellent
growth and brightened by numerous flowers, of
which the narrow tube is in the upper half red, the
other bright yellow. A profusion of bloom creates
a warm glow of colour, and yet such a useful, easily-
grown plant is rare, even in the best gardens. There
are many stoves with bare, unsightly rafters that
might be clothed with greenery and flowers by the
use of Manettia bicolor. It should be potted in
soil made up of peat, loam, and well-decayed man-
ure, thoroughly well drained to prevent stagnation.
Careful watering is requisite, and also frequent
syringing to keep red spider from injuring the
narrow leaves.

Books.

LANDSCAPE GARDENING.*
It must be obvious to anyone who knows any-
thing of true landscape gardening that it can no
more be taught from books than can landscape
painting ; the most a writer can hope to do is to
explain the practical details of the laying out of
gardens, to point out a few of the principles that
should guide a designer, and to describe the mate-
rial from which good gardens are made and planted.
It need hardly be said that the practice of the land-
scape gardener varies in every case with which he
has to deal ; the ever-varying conditions of soil,
climate, situation, the requirements and individual
taste of the owner must be considered, so that it is
impossible to lay down fixed rules. True, that in small
plots of grounds, such as enclose an ordinary villa,
the gardens can be and generally are made from
one pattern, but not so in the country where cir-
cumstances alter in every place. There have been
from time to time a good many books written upon
landscape gardening, a few worthy of their authors,
but probably the finest and best gardens have been
made by those who derived their knowledge, not
so much from books as from a long period of ob-
servation and experience combined with a natural
gift and love for the art.

Landscape gardening does not consist merely of
making an approach road, running paths about
the place, raising terraces, and scooping out ponds
and lakes. The subtleties of the art lie rather in
dealing in an intelligent way with the multitudes of
trees, shrubs and plants that at the present day
are at our command, and he who knows how to use
this material is he who most successfully interprets
the true meaning of landscape gardening. To
some extent the knowledge of tree, shrub, and
plant life may be gathered from books, but the
direction of roads and paths, the disposition of the
ground surface, the raising of terraces, the con-
struction of rocky cliffs, the introduction of run-
ning or still water, must always be governed by the
peculiar conditions of the place and its surround-
ings. To attempt to lay out a garden from model
plans is an absurdity which is never thought
of by the wise, though many do attempt to plan
their gardens upon principles laid down by
writers, but generally with unsuccessful results.

The present author introduces the subject by a
lengthy dissertation from an aesthetic standpoint,
after the manner of " Price on the Picturesque " and

other early writers. He then goes on to explain his
manner of dealing with the approach road to a
house, then the site of the house and garden, then
the terrace (there must, he presumes, always be a
terrace), then the direction of roads and paths, the
way to form them and join them. Chapters follow
on planting, the formation of ponds and lakes,
fountains, rustic structures, finishing with such
unpoetical subjects as the construction of hot-
houses, kitchen gardens, the economic treatment of
land and cemeteries.

In a book of this kind the author must necessarily
presume given conditions in explaining model plans
and diagrams. He must presume that the house
is always a distance from the public road, necessi-
tating a serpentine drive to the house, but many
houses are not so situated, and the tendency at the
present day is to plan houses nearer the public road
than formerly. Then a terrace is by no means al-
ways a necessity, and is only really necessary where
the house is placed by the side of a hill, and it is
absurd to go to the expense of forming a terrace
just for the sake of the raised straight walk and
the inevitable ugly bank. The stereotyped aspect
of villa gardens is mostly due to the practice of
putting a raised terrace round the house whether
required or not.

Again, with the formation of lakes and lakelets,
only in rare circumstances can they be introduced
with correct taste, for nothing looks worse than
artificial water accumulated in unlikely spots.
On planting and the material to plant, the author
is singularly reticent ; in the list of trees and shrubs
he gives only the commonest that would be planted
in every garden made by contract.

The book is well printed, and there is some talk
of artistic things ; but so far as the illustrations
go there are none that show beautiful things. The
buildings, lodges, boat-houses, &c, are all of the
hardest and most commonplace sort. Sections of
fountain basins and other detailsare only interesting
to a few workers, but the public, in a book of this
kind with artistic pretensions, might expect to
see some of the natural beauty which English gar-
dens possess — here and there at least. The sketches
are not even in perspective. (See the drawings
of water facing p. 63.) W. GoldbinG.

VILLA GARDENS.

* ' ' The Art and Practice of Landscape Gardening
By H. E. Milner. Simpkin, Marshall and Co.

I HAVE been much interested in " J. I. R.'s " re-
marks upon villa gardens (p. 478). In a few hap-
pily chosen phrases he has hit off some of the most
glaring absurdities commonly met with in the
suburban gardens which are springing up Mush-
room-like in the neighbourhood of every large
town. During the last few years I have been in
and out among villa gardens a great deal. One of
the wants of the present time is good hardy flowers
of a lasting character, including more variety in
flowers, trees, and shrubs. During the past week
I have planted in one villa garden — not of large
extent— the following trees : Scarlet Horse Chest-
nut, Flowering Almond, double white, double pink,
and double scarlet Thorns, Tulip Tree, Acacia Bes-
soniana, A. hispida, A. inermis, Mountain Ash, Pur-
ple Beech, Weeping Birch, Catalpa syringsefolia,
Euonymus europseus, Gymnocladus canadensis,
Laburnum Scotch, L. purple, the Snowy Mespilus,
Service tree, Virgilia lutea, Magnolia acuminata,
M. tripetala, besides smaller things in the way of
Lilacs in variety, Guelder Rose, Philadelphus,
Spiraeas in variety, Weigelas, &c. Now all the
above are good suburban trees. I do not say they
will grow in the very centre of smoky towns,
but they thrive just outside where the at-
mosphere is fairly good. I was in a garden
the other day where one of those almost perpen-
dicular banks — now so common — surrounds the
lawn, and the work of keeping it in order is very
great. There is no beauty in it, for in summer
when the weather gets very hot, the turf gets
brown and unsightly. There is really no neces-
sity for steep banks at all. The Grass ter-
races, where a green terrace is desirable, look
much better when laid on a gentle slope, that can
be easily cut with a mowing machine. I do not

540

THE GARDEN,

[Dec. 6, 1890.

object to a raised mound in certain positions that
one can cover with trees and shrabs. It is often
necessary in furnishing a place quickly to hide cer-
tain objectionable features in this way. Perhaps
the prevailing taste for lawn tennis has not been
without some ill effect upon suburban gardening.
Hundreds of villa gardens are less than half an acre
in extent, many do not exceed a quarter of an acre,
and out of the centre of this patch, after provision
has been made for the house, must be taken a piece
of turf say 100 feet long and at least 50 feet wide
for lawn tennis. In many gardens there is hardly
scope enough to break up the formality of the mar-
gins with tree and shrub growth and a few groups
of flowering plants.

As regards bedding out, we seem in a transition
stage. Those who have any taste do not care for
it, and so the thing is not done well ; in fact, I
think, with very few exceptions, villa gardens are
not generally so well managed as they were years
ago. Some who have gardens cannot afford to keep
them in really good order, for a deal of money may
be spent on a comparatively small patch of ground
if the latter is well planted and well kept. An-
other thing I dislike in the suburban garden is the
extensive use that is made of trellis-work and the
usually unsatisfactory nature of its covering. A
group of fast-growing trees and shrubs would make
a better blind than these painted trellises, on which
nothing seems to grow well except Ivy and Vir-
ginian Creepers, in consequence of the keen air cut-
ting through them, as they are usually placed in
corners where the wind comes in sharp gusts. The
prettiest villa gardens I know are those where good
trees and shrubs are planted, and planted well with
groups of the best hardy plants in suitable situa-
tions. Last summer I came across a garden within
the smoke radius of a town, which contained one
of the finest clumps of the Martagon Lily I have
ever seen. I know another garden which contains
monster clumps of Christmas Hoses, and large
spreading Pinks, and numbers of bush Roses kept
in robust health by annual top-dressings of manure.
If Roses are planted, it is better to spend the money
on good soil, rich manure and robust plants than
on insecticides later on. E. H.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

recent Dublin show, where, on the 18th of Nov., a
stand of twenty-four kinds was put up, wonderfully
bright and good, comprising Doronicum drayton-
ense, scarlet Lobelias, Scabiosa cancasica, the pretty
Aster ericoides, Schizostylis coccinea, various Tri-
tomas, Potentilla formosa, Senecio pulcher, CEno-
thera Fraseri, Montbretia crocosmireftora , Rndbeckia
subtomentosa (very good indeed), Aster grandiflorus,
and such like things. This looks very much as
though we may hope to have hardy flowers all the
year round. — T. S.

Momordica irivolucrata. — This Cucurbite is
well worth growing for its flowers alone. It is a
slender, yet vigorous grower, with neat palmate
foliage and curious flowers, unlike any other of the
order with which I am acquainted. They are white
with black centre, oddly shaped, and have large
white involucres, veined with green, and are borne
in the utmost profusion throughout the summer.
I have not fruited the plant, but I believe that it also
is ornamental and highly coloured. Unlike others
of the genus, it is a perennial, and from present
appearance in an intermediate house is evergreen.
I obtained the seed from Mr. TV. Thompson, of
Ipswich, but I have since received some of the
same species from Africa, where I presume it is in-
digenous.—J. M., C/tarmoutJi, Dorset.

Flowers from Elmet Hall. — Herewith I
enclose a spike of Lselia albida from a piece in a
basket having twenty-nine spikes, the majority of
which are carrying eight flowers each, some, like
the one sent, having ten. Its long graceful stems
and fragrant flowers are extremely valuable at this
season of the year. I also send a spray of Ipomaaa
Horsfallias from a plant in a pot. Trained on the
roof of the stove and flowering freely from the
terminals, it is a grand sight with its clusters of
rich, trumpet-shaped, or Convolvulus-like flowers,
of a beautiful vermilion colour. Some of the
trusses have upwards of forty buds, which open in
quick succession, as the blooms are not of long
duration. This ought to be in every collection of
stove climbing plants on account of its long-con-
tinned season of flowering. — Thos. Boxsall.

*#* A beautiful spike of the charming L. albida,
illustrated by a coloured plate in The Garden,
April 6, 1889. The colour of the flowers of I. Hors-
fallise is intense, and welcome at this season. A col-
oured plate of it was given in Thje Garden, Aug.
20, 1887.

A fine Cypripedium Spiceriarram. — I en-
close a photograph of a plant of this. Four years ago
when I received it it had eight leaves ; now it is a plant
upwards of a yard through. It has produced fifty-
eight flowers since September, and there are still many
buds to open. Some of the spikes have had twin blos-
soms.— J. Muib, Hargam Pari;.

Rose Mme. Isaac Pereire. — Why anyone
should be found to cast a stone at this puzzles me ? It
is of free growth, does excellently on its own roots,
continues to produce perfect flowers right down to the
end of the season ; the colour does not fade, as that of
so many kinds does, and besides it is to my mind quite
the sweetest of all Roses.— T. S.

Oxera pulchella.— This is one of the finest
plants introduced of recent years. It flowered first in
England in December, 1886, Sir George Macleay, in
whose garden at Pendell Court a splendid plant will
shortly be in flower, having obtained seeds of it from
New Caledonia. It is a climber of vigorous and quick
growth, the flowers produced in the axils of the leaves
on the young wood, and in large clusters of sufficient
weight to give the branches a graceful bend. They
are ivory white in colour, individually bell-shaped, and
last a long time when placed in water. A coloured plate
was given in The Garden, June 2, 1888 (p. 510).

Torenia asiatica is a delightful stove flower
when grown in a hanging basket suspended near the
light. One of the houses in the nursery of Mr. II. B.
May, Dyson's Lane, Edmonton, is gay with plants now
in full bloom and treated in this manner. The stems
almost hide the pots, and are studded with flowers of
the richest colour, pale blue against a deep velvety
shade of the same on the lower segments. We are
usually accustomed to see this plant in summer, but
here it is a bright and beautiful thing' iu December.
T. Fournieri is generally considered finer than this,
but we want nothing better than the old T. asiatica.

Hardy flowers in November. —To show what
these were capable of was well illustrated at the

Flowers by the sea in Yorkshire. — You
seem to have had such a severe frost in the south,
while here we have escaped with a few snow
showers and 2° or 3° of frost, that I send you a few
flowers from outside to show how bright a seaside
garden may be, even in December. You will, I
think, agree with me that Mesembryanthemum
roseum should be more grown. It is quite bright
and full of flower on a southern bank all through
the winter in mild seasons. Paris Daisies : Comte
de Chambord (yellow) is much hardier and freer
than Etoile d'Or, and Halleri maxima (white) is a
great improvement on other whites, being hardier
than any other variety. Both these live through any
fairly mild winter, and keep " cheerful-looking.''
The shrubby Veronicas Blue Gem and Gloire de
Marseille should be grown in all seaside gardens. I
also enclose a few sprays of sweet-scented Gera-
nium, which is so far uninjured outside. In winter
it is certain the north-east coast is singularly free
from severe frost, though the winds are often try-
ing to vegetation as well as people. —Edward H.
WOODALL, Scarborough.

A new Chrysanthemum that will possibly
inaugurate a new race is the variety Sunset, which
was certificated by the floral committee of the
National Chrysanthemum Society on November 2.5.
It is a straDge flower, described on p. 516 of last
week's Garden, where it is mentioned as a semi-
double Japanese variety. It is unquestionably of
that division, but its only value can be for bold,
telling decorations, and although almost single, it
cannot be placed amongst the charming class that
are thus designated. The flower is of great width,
as large almost as that of a single E. Molyneux,
and we were told that it will come perfectly double.
If this is so, its value is gone, and perhaps some

one who has had experience with Sunset can say
whether its single condition is merely the result of
culture. The " eye " is not large, and the long,
tangling petals spread out into a broad flower,
splendidly coloured with deep yellow, shaded with
a distinct reddish tone, peculiarly rich in contrast.
Of conrse it is proper to fix upon a character in the
Chrysanthemum that gives indication of a new de-
parture, and it was certainly a bold step to award
a special distinction to Sunset, a flower that not
many years ago would have raised a smile by its
strange expression, utterly unlike anything yet ob-
tained in the Chrysanthemum way. Whether it
will always keep to its distinct semi-double cha-
racter is a point of interest, and certainly of im-
portance to those likely to purchase it.

Cypripedium insig-ne. — I send for yonr
opinion a bloom of Cypripedium insigne, which, I
think, is very distinct from the ordinary type, es-
pecially as regards the breadth of its segments and
the spotting of its petals. It is one which I have
flowered out of a batch from Sander and Co., and
imported by them in 1888. I think, of course,
there may be many such out of the same importa-
tion. Anyhow, it is a very fine variety, and quite
holds its own beside C. i. Chantini. — Edward
Salt.

*#* A very fine variety, very much in the way of
Chantini, bold and well coloured. It illustrates
what we said of C. insigne in The Garden, No-
vember 22, 1890 (p. 491).— Ed.

Chrysanthemum Mrs. Alpheus Hardy. —
Noting " W. H. F.'s " remarks anent Chrysanthe-
mum Mrs. Alphens Hardy in your last issue, I have
much pleasure in handing you herewith a bloom of
Chrysanthemum Mrs. Alpheus Hardy to show what
an invaluable variety this is. I think that " W. H.F."
is correct in his impressions that this variety this
season has proved in many cases very unsatisfactory
from being over-propagated. I am not one of
those who have lost heart in regard to it ; indeed
the very opposite. I shall be very much disap-
pointed if I do not find a call for thousands of
plants in the spring, and I shall be equally disap-
pointed if next season it does not flower well. I
have a number of plants in my Chrysanthemum
house at the present time in bud, some of which
will open in a few days, showing the variety to be
invaluable for late work.— Thomas S. Ware.

• • We have only seen one finer bloom this sea-
son than the one sent. We are of the opinion that
this variety has yet to be seen in full beauty ; the
poor flowers are the result of plants weakened by
excessive propagation. — Ed.

Chrysanthemum Mrs. Alpheus Hardy with

me is growing well. Some of the stems are
more than a quarter of an inch through, and there
are several leaves on the plants that measure 6
inches in length. They are all cut -down plants
grown in Si-inch pots. I find there are two things
in its favour. It requires no disbudding, and it
flowers very late. My plants carry from five to six
blooms each. These will not be open for a month or
six weeks. I have five good plants about 3 feet
6 inches high. — M. Bealby, Beaumont, Jersey.

Fritillaria recurva.— Some years ago (I for-
get whether it was in 1882 or 1883) a question was
asked in The Garden by the late Mr. Harpur-
Crewe with reference to the above plant. He asked
whether anyone had, in fact, ever succeeded in
establishing this species of Fritillaria as a hardy
plant in England. Mr. H. Crewe's question was
never answered through The Garden, but, if I
rightly recollect, my friend Mr. Ewbank has since
informed me that he was himself able to privately
answer it in the affirmative. Mr. Ewbank is not
only an excellent gardener, but he enjoys, as most
readers of The Garden are aware, exceptional
advantages for the cultivation of bulbous plants. I
think, however, that there are others besides myself
interested in the cultivation of these things
who will have been surprised and interested to read
in an article on " Fritillaries " in last week's Gar-
den (p. 501) purporting apparently to deal with
the commoner and more easily grown kinds of this
genus, that this species is, " happily, as easily ac-
commodated as any, growing freely in any ordinary

Dec. 6, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

541

soil made rather sandy." For myself, I may say
that I have procured what appeared to be good
bulbs of this species on several occasions, but that
so far from ever establishing it in the open, I have
never yet succeeded in growing it even in a frame.
This latter failure arises, no doubt, from some want
of skill on my own part, but it seems to show that
it is, even yet, hardly a plant to be classed among
those " that anyone can grow " along with F. Me-
leagris and Crown Imperials. That the scarlet
Fritillary is about the most distinct and among
the most beautiful of the smaller species of this
highly interesting genus is beyond dispute, and if
" E. J." can show that the leopard has changed his
spots (under cultivation) in this particular, or that
he himself has got hold of an especially hardy
strain of this bulb, I should be highly interested to
hear of it. Will he tell us in what part of England
his garden is situated .' or whether he is himself
acquainted with many instances where this plant is
growing as a hardy plant in the open ? While on
this subject I may mention that I have found F.
pudica also difficult, if not impossible, to keep. F.
armena is, in my experience, much the most satis-
factory of these small yellow species. — J. C. L.

Oncidium eheirophorum. — This is one of
the daintiest and most charming of the small-
flowered Oncidiums, and is all the more acceptable
on account of its flowering at this season. It was
discovered by Warscewicz in New Grenada, on
the volcano of Chiriqui, at an elevation of 8000
feet. Here it is described as flowering in December
in a temperature only a few degrees above freezing.
It is quite a diminutive plant, scarcely an inch in
height, with narrow pointed leaves 3 inches to 5
inches long. The panicles are u.-uully erect, but
sometimes drooping, and bear a large number of
flowers. These are bright yellow and individually
about half an inch in diameter, giving off a delicate
and very pleasant perfume. Owing to its small
size, the plants should be made into large patches
in order to obtain the best effect. It is veryeasily
cultivated, thriving- in a cool house where the atmo-
sphere is at all times moist. It is important that
it be kept well watered during hot weather, and
fairly moist even in winter. Like most small Orchids,
it prefers to be suspended near the roof glass. It is
now flowering at Kew.

Zonal Pelargoniums at Swanley. — The
great feature of Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons' nur-
sery, Swanley, at the present time is the zonal Pe-
largonium, which makes three large houses a blaze
of brilliant colour. A glance at the plants shows
the splendour of this winter flower, through years
of careful hybridising and development of the truss,
shape of the petal, and colour. We have surely
arrived at perfection ; if not, it is difficult to define
what an ideal zonal Pelargonium should be. The
plants at Swanley are of dwarf, compact, bushy
habit, the flower-stems standing well above the
leafage and supporting a large truss of flowers,
which are individually broad, beautiful in colour,
and shapely. Such single varieties as Beauty of
Kent, salmon; Wedding Ring, rich orange-scarlet;
Mrs. R. Cannell, deep salmon ; King of the Purples,
beautiful purple- crimson, with a scarlet base to the
florets; Souvenir de Mirande, one of the most
charming varieties of all, reddish salmon, the centre
white ; Henri Jacoby ; Swanley White, the best
white ; Ethel Lewis, soft pink ; Sappho, red ; and
Lady Brook, a distinct and lovely flower, in which
white and salmon are associated, are splendid. The
Swanley Double White is the best of the double
varieties: it is a very free variety, the flowers per-
fectly double, long-lasting, and of the purest
white, invaluable both on the plant and especially
for cutting. The double flowers last longer than
the single types when used for cutting.

Tea Rose Clinibing Devoniensis.— My ex-
perience with this Rose under glass exactly agrees
with that of " D. T. F." In a small unheated span-
roof house here some years ago I planted out a
strong specimen and trained it up and under the
ridge. It has extended the whole length of the
house, and although it sometimes makes a growth
as stout as one's finger and proportionately long, it
flowers but very sparsely indeed. I have often

been puzzled to account for it. It has wood enough
for 200 blooms instead of less than a score.
" D. T. F.'s " excellent article explains all. It will
now have to make way for some more free-flower-
ing kind. Will " D. T. F." kindly tell me which
Tea he has found best suited for such a purpose,
not Marechal Niel nor Gloire de Dijon?— J. M.,
Charmouih, Dorset.

Honesty in masses. — All hardy flowers look
best in masses ; few more so than the Honesty
(Lunaria biennis), which is well known for its flat
silvery seed-pods, sold in bunches in the markets at
this season of the year to arrange with dried Grasses
and EverlastingFlowers. We were in a fine old Surrey
garden the other day, and on the broad well-planted
borders were large clumps of Lunaria biennis several
feet over and very bright, even with the ground
under a covering of 2 inches of snow. The
purple flowers are sweetly scented, and in April or
May the plant is effective when grown into good
clumps on the border, margin of the shrubbery, or
half-shady spots. We like to see it on chalky
banks ; and there it seems at home, providing large
bunches of pods for the adornment of the house.
Sow the seeds in the spring, and plant the seedlings
about on dry banks and semi-wild spots, too often
destitute of interesting vegetation.

Poinsettias, at least the crimson P. pulcher-
rima, are common enough at this season, but the
variety named alba is scarcer and very distinct. Its
bracts, instead of brilliant crimson, are almost
white, and very decided against those of the
other. Large batches of both in the nursery of
Mr. May, Edmonton, show the value of it for the
sake of variety, though for general cultivation it
should not have the same place as the type. There
is also a double variety called P. pulcherrima fl -
pi., which, if it grew better, would be an acquisi-
tion, as its head of bracts is broader, fuller, and of
the same rich crimson colour. It was illustrated
by a coloured plate in The Gaeden, March 25,
1S76, and the note accompanying mentions that it
first flowered in December, 1875. The plant was
discovered by M. Roezl in a small Indian village in
the Mexican State of Guerrero iu the May of 1872.
It has never, however, fulfilled the great things
that were at one time expected of it.

The late Mr. Shirley Hibberd. — The many
paragraphs not only in the gardenirg press, but
also in several other London newspapers testify
how deep and widespread is the feeling of the loss
sustained by the comparatively early death of Mr.
Shirley Hibberd. A letter with several influential
names attached to it has been forwarded to the
Royal Horticultural Society, requesting the presi-
dent and council to take the initiation in promoting
some public memorial of our late friend's life and
work. Mr. Shirley Hibberd's services to horticul-
ture have been so many and varied, and his devo-
tion to the interests of our society has been so
enthusiastic and thorough, that the president and
council gladly accept the suggestion, and have
desired me to announce that a public meeting will
be held in the society's offices, 117, Victoria Street,
Westminster, on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at one o'clock, to
consider the question of raising a suitable memorial
to the late Mr. Shirley Hibberd.— W. Wilks, Hon.
Sec., Royal Horticultural Society.

National Chrysanthemum Society's Con-
ference.— With reference to Mr. Dean's letter at
p. 510, written in answer to your criticism on the
conference arrangements on the occasion of the
recent exhibition of the National Chrysanthemum
Society, permit me to state that the conference
committee did not select the Iron Room of the
Aquarium for the meetings. After consultation
with my colleagues, I made every possible effort to
obtain the use of the library, which alone appeared
to be suitable for the purpose, but it was refused
by the secretary of the Aquarium Company. The
arrangements as to the place for holding the meet-
ings were made by Mr. Dean and the Aquarium
authorities, and I, as secretary of the conference
committee, was informed by Mr. Dean that it had
been decided to set apart the Iron Room for
the purpose. I was also assured that the room

should be made comfortable, but beyond two
or three screens and a few chairs being taken
into the room, nothing appeared to have been
done in arranging it for the meeting. Not a table
was provided, and my urgent requests early in the
day— that the room should be heated— were abso-
lutely refused. Some time previous to the show I
asked Mr. Dean, who alone had power to give print-
ing orders, to have bills printed in bold characters
and posted about the buildings, stating where the
meetings were to be held. I understood they would
be provided. According to Mr. Dean's letter
this was done, but I must confess that I did not
see them. The unsatisfactory state of things was
the result of the utter unsuitability of the place
selected for the meeting. Before the proceedings
commenced I had a consultation with Mr. Haite
and the late Mr. Hibberd as to whether the meeting
should take place ; but they, together with Sir
Edwin Saunders, thought it better that the pro-
gramme should be carried out. — Geoege Gobdon,
Giinnersbury .

The Gardeners' Orphan Fund.— The usual
meeting of the committee took place on the 2Sth
ult., Mr. William Marshall in the chair. The min-
utes of the last meeting having been read, the
chairman made a brief allusion to the recent deaths
of Mr. James Mcintosh and Mr. Shirley Hibberd,
supporters of the fund, and the following resolu-
tion was unanimously passed : —

That this committee place on record its sense of the
great loss sustained by the deaths of Mr. James Mc-
intosh and Mr. Shirley Hibberd, vice-presidents of the
fund, and warm supporters of the same.
Among other special receipts announced were the
Chiswick Gardeners' Mutual Improvement Associa-
tion, proceeds of concert £20 ; Mr. J. Smith, Ment-
more, proceeds of concert £10 ; and Mr. G. W.
Cummins, Carshalton, proceeds of flower stall at
Croydon Chrysanthemum Show £7 14s., and box in
the Grarge Gardens £i 2;. 6d. The hon. secretary
announced that the Deal Memoi ial Fund was closed,
and that of the £552 10s. required to place upon the
fund the seven children who failed to be elected in
July last, the amount of £300 had been subscribed by
the friends of the late Mr. George Deal, and the re-
mainder had been made up by a joint contribution
from Messrs. N. Sherwood and'H. J. Yeitch. It
was therefore unanimously resolved that the seven
unsuccessful candidates at the last election be
placed upon the fund from the 1st of January next,
as a memorial to the late Mr. George Deal, chair-
man of the executive committee. The special
general meeting of the subscribers called to make
some necessary changes in the rules, consequent
upon a proposed alteration in thedatewhenthe finan-
cial year will close, will take place at the Cannon
Street Hotel on Tuesday next, the 9th inst., at 6
p.m., and for other business.

B. S. Williams Memorial Fund.— It being
decided to close this fund at an early date, subscribers
who have not yet sent in their donations are requested
to do so without further loss of time to Mr. Harry J.
Veitch, hon. treasurer, 544, King's Road, Chelsea,
S.W., or to either of the hon. sees., Mr. John A.
Laing. The Nurseries, Forest Hill, S.E. , or Mr. A.
Outram, ", Moore Park Road, Fulhain, S.W.

The Fulhain Meadow.— It was Tesolved re-
cently by the Parks aud Open Spaces Committee that
61500 he expended iu laving out the Bishop's Meadow
and the West Meadow, Fulham, as a public recreation
ground, to be maintained by the council in perpetuity.

Higham Park. — The Common Council have
voted £3000 for the purpose of completing the purchase
of over thirty acres of land, comprising handsome tim-
ber and an ornamental lake, at Higham Park. This
acquisition will vastly improve Epping Forest iu its
narrowest part, and conduce greatly to its enjoyment
by the public.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

" Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information." Royal
Gardens, Kew. Index number.

"Mushrooms and their Culture." By C. Brooks,
E. W. Alleu, 4, Ave Maria Laue, E C.

Names of plants.— -1. T. and J. W. IF— We do

not name florists' flowers. IF. M. C. — Gynmothrix

latifolia. A. 31. T. A. — Lycaste aromatica.

Names of fruits. — Oakley and Watting. — Dutch

Mignonne. Farnham. — 1, ' Alfriston; 2, Hoary

Morning ; 3, Wellington.

542

THE GAEDEN.

[Dec. 6, 1890.

WOODS AND FORESTS.

AGE OF TREES FOR TRANSPLANTING.
Where large trees or shrubs are transplanted, it is
generally either with the object of giving them a
better position, or of producing an effect at once.
When the object is to furnish the landscape around
a mansion, perhaps newly erected, it is a good plan
to plant at least a portion of the ground with trees
of as large a size as can be procured and trans-
planted safely ; but otherwise, except in isolated
and exceptional cases, it is better to begin with
young trees. It is a well-known fact that trees
raised from seed where they are to grow make the
tallest and finest specimens ; but, for several rea-
sons, this plan is not generally practicable now in
this country, and small plants from the nursery are
generally employed. It often becomes necessary,
however, to thin out shrubberies and plantations
in parks and on estates, and the thinnings present
a ready means of extending these in other direc-
tions ; and if transplanted carefully they grow
and do well. It would be difficult to say at what
age such subjects as Chestnuts, Beeches, Oaks,
Elms, Planes, Thorns, Spruces, and Firs, &c, may
not be moved with success up to thirty years of
age, so much depends upon circumstances ; but
it is seldom wise to leave trees intended to be
transplanted till they reach that age, because they
get drawn up weakly by being so long crowded.
The larger the trees, the greater the difficulty, no
matter what their age may be. In warm situations
and in good deep soils, the tops soon grow large
and the roots extend, and hence both are most
difficult to carry away. With proper transplanting
machines, and care, of course, almost any tree may
be transplanted ; but transplanting operations on a
large scale are too often carried on with rough-and-
ready appliances. I have seen many hundreds of
trees moved, and very few of them failed altogether,
though none were under fifteen years of age, and
many would be more ; but in all cases the common
Spruce suffered worst, whilst Pinus austriaca and
the Scotch Fir seemed to endure considerable hard-
ships and yet thrive. Both I have seen moved
during severe frosts at midwinter and grow, but
not all. In mild weather both may be moved at
any time, provided a good ball of soil is attached to
the roots.

Deciduous trees will transplant successfully as
long as they are growing vigorously, and while
they are not too heavy and tall to carry from one
place to another, provided they are moved at the
proper time and with as many roots as possible ;
with them a ball of soil is not of so much conse-
quence. However, moderate-sized trees are the
best, as they need less staying, and are not so
liable to be prostrated or shaken by wind. I once
lifted fifty vigorous Apple trees, none of them less
than forty years of age probably. They had not
been disturbed at the root for many years ; conse-
quently the roots were all strong and fibreless, and
had no soil to them. The result was, that none of
the trees put forth a leaf the following season, and
made very feeble growth the second year, but they
eventually recovered and did well.

As regards evergreen trees and shrubs like the
Holly, Yew, Laurel, &c, it is different. I have
transplanted these of all ages up to about forty
years on many occasions during the past eighteen
years, the object of moving large specimens being
to fill up gaps ; but if I had to do the same work
over again, I would prefer young trees from five to
ten years of age. Very few Hollies died outright,
thanks principally to the fact of their being moved
at the right season — May or August, but numbers of
them received such a severe shock in moving, that
they have hardly added a foot to their stature in ten
years or more. When a Holly tree dies from trans-
planting, its leaves soon wither, but hang on the
tree ; when it lives, it probably casts more or less
of its leaves, and not unfrequently the whole of
them, leaving the branches quite naked, but not
dead, except, perhaps, at the extremities. Still, in
such cases it is years before the tree is fairly
clothed with fresh foliage, while no growth is made,

branches back considerably in order to induce a
fresh and stronger break from the old wood, thus
greatly reducing the size of the tree, which is over-
taken and surpassed by younger and smaller trees
put in at the same time. Undoubtedly the best
way to have a good Holly fence, be it high or low,
is to begin with young trees in good health. It is
the same with Yews and Laurels, especially the
latter, which, if moved when several years old, soon
age or grow feeble at the top. When the branches
are well cut back at the same time, however,
Laurels grow well enough, if in good health to
begin with ; but cutting the branches defeats the
object of the planter of large bushes. Pruning
of Evergreens recently transplanted should al-
ways be deferred till April, or even later. So
long as growth has not commenced, nothing is
lost ; something is rather gained, for wounds
soonest heal over when growth follows soon after
pruning. Many a large Evergreen is killed or
injured by being cut too severely back. Deciduous
trees may be moved at any season between leaf-
falling and bud-bursting in spring; but October
and November are the best months, and from
February till April or May the next best. I have
moved Elms, Planes, and Horse Chestnuts, &c, on
an emergency after they had come well into leaf
and without injury, taking care to water well for
some time after planting. Deciduous trees, planted
at the right time, do not need much watering.
Evergreens should be planted at the same season
as deciduous trees, with the exception of Hollies
and some of the more delicate Fir tribe, both of
which should be transplanted in August or Sep-
tember, or late in spring, at least in the case of
large trees.

At whatever age or season trees are transplanted
success depends largely upon the manner in which
the operation of raising the roots of the trees is per-
formed. Some people think if they get a good ball
of soil away with the root it is enough ; but it all
depends where the roots are. Trees that produce
a bunch of roots like a Box tree will move with a
small ball, because all the roots are near to the
stem ; but in the great majority of trees the roots
spread out a considerable distance, and all the
fibrous or feeding roots are mostly at the extremity.

PRUNING AND POLLARDING TREES.
Pollakding, or severely cutting in the branches
of trees, cannot be generally recommended ; still
there are instances in which it is found to be
absolutely necessary. In many small places the
originally planted hard-wooded trees, such as Oak,
Ash, Elm, Beech, Lime, Horse Chestnut, &c, have
been allowed to go on increasing for a series of
years, frequently interfering with each other, and
often rendering such gardens close and unpleasant;
nevertheless no reason, however urgent, will induce
the proprietor to allow any of them to be removed,
perhaps owing to all of them being finely developed
specimens. This is a feeling with which I fully
sympathise ; but for the consolation of those who,
from dire necessity, have to part with such speci-
mens, I would offer the following observations.
A case came under my notice two or three years
ago where some large hard-wooded trees standing
near a boundary wall, with their tops overhanging
a public road, had from necessity to be reduced
or removed altogether ; reduction was finally re-
solved on, and carried out during the winter. The
chief trees operated on were Ash, Beech, Wych
Elm, and Horse Chestnut. All were wide-spreading
trees, and between 40 feet and 50 feet in height.
The largest specimens, at 3 feet above the ground,
measured in circumference as follows : Ash, 6
feet; Beech, 5 feet 4 inches ; Elm, 8 feet 5 inches;
and the Horse Chestnut, 5 feet 5 inches. All were
cut down to within 18 feet or 20 feet of the
ground, and portions of the main branches, averag-
ing in length from 3 feet to 4 feet, were left in
such a manner as to give the denuded trees a re-
gular outline ; they were then carefully operated
upon according to the strictest rules of forestry
as regards ornamental trees, all sloping cuts being
During the first

by side, they certainly presented, as might be ex-
pected, a somewhat bare appearance, which would
not have been so apparent if only alternate speci-
mens could have been operated on. After the first
year, however, they annually improved, so that
now their appearance is really pleasing, the stumps
of the branches left being clothed with numerous
young and healthy twigs.

During the first year the Ash made growths 4
feet long, during the second 3 feet to 4 feet, and
during the third about 2 feet. The Elm made from
2 feet to 3 feet during the first year, 3 feet to 4
feet during the second, and from 4 feet to 5 feet
during the third. In the case of the Wych Elm it
is necessary, in order to secure a tree with a good
outline, occasionally to slightly prune the strongest
of the newly-made branches, without which a few
of its leaders are apt to take a somewhat horizontal
direction to the detriment of the others. The
growths of the Horse Chestnut averaged about 2
feet long during the first year, from 2 feet to 3 feet
during the second, and about 2 feet during the
third. The Beech made growths during the first
year of about 3 feet long, but by no means numer-
ous, 1 foot to 2 feet during the second, and 18
inches during the third. I was rather surprised to
see the Beech tree putting out any young twigs at
all, as it generally does so with reluctance. It
made its largest growths during the first year, a
circumstance probably owing to the existence of
extra sap then in the stem, the after-growths being
much smaller.

After the trees had been cut over and the
branches removed, all ought to ;have received a
good coating of fresh soil over the surface of the
roots. This would have been the means of greatly
improving them, particularly the Beech ; indeed,
every tree and shrub, when pruned down and re-
duced, ought to be thus treated, more particularly
large evergreen shrubs, which in many cases die
from the want of this necessary precaution. This
is often observable in the case of large Portugal
Laurels, Hollies and Yews, as, owing to their close-
ness, the roots are generally near the surface, and
liable to be injured by frost or exposure to the sun.
I may also remark here that as the bark of the
Beech tree is of rather a hard, dry character, it
would be much in its favour, after being headed
down, to have the stems occasionally syringed, par-
ticularly if the weather be at all dry and warm.

The leaves of these trees had, as has just been
stated, a very good appearance, thus warranting
the practice in places where trees would otherwise
require to be altogether removed ; in some situa-
tions, too, only every alternate tree bordering a
property would require to be thus pollarded. In
the case of Elm trees standing within a boundary
wall, I have recommended each alternate tree to be
pollarded and branch-pruned as described, and the
result in all cases where attention has afterwards
been paid to them has been satisfactory, the pol-
larded specimens filling up in a creditable manner
the spaces between the branches of those left un-
touched.

The Lime tree, even when of large size, stands
with impunity "topping "and branch -cutting, and
the Ash, English Elm, Poplar, and Willow I have
often seen so treated, and with success. It is well
known that the Beech in a young state will stand
any amount of cutting, but I never recommended
large Beeches to be so treated till I observed the
progress made by the one referred to. My object
in making these remarks is to point out to those
individuals who are unnecessarily scrupulous about
the thinning of outside trees, that if they can put
up with the somewhat bare appearance of them for
a short time, such pruned trees in a year or two,
if properly cared for, become quite as ornamental
even at forty or fifty years of age as they were
when only twenty years old. J. M.

smoothed and darkened over,
and in the end it is often necessary to cut all the 1 year after the operation, standing as they did side

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London: 37, Southampton Street, Strand, W.C.

THE GARDEN.

543

No. 995. SATURDAY, Dec. 13, 1890. Vol. XXXVIII.

"This is an Art
Which does mend Nature : change it rather ; but
The Art itself is Nature." — Shakespeare.

Chrysanthemums.

CHRYSANTHEMUM NOTES.
The Chrysanthemum shows for the year are now
practically over, but already the note of prepara-
tion for next season's contests is to be heard,
and soon it will become the duty of the framers
of the schedules for 1891 to apply themselves
to the task of laying down the lines upon which
those contests are to take place.

It seems, therefore, that this is a very fitting
time — when the excitement of the recent shows
is over, but the lessons to be derived from them
are still fresh in the memory — to draw attention
to a few matters which, it appears to me, de-
serve the consideration of those to whom the
preparation of the coming schedules is confided.

First and foremost, it behoves all who are
interested in the Chrysanthemum as an object
of beauty, and not only as a mere vehicle for
competition and prize-taking, to do their utmost
to retain in cultivation the greatest possible
number of varieties, many of which, including
some of the most refined and beautiful, are
threatened with exclusion from the show board
— which, in these days of general and ardent
competition, is almost synonymous with exclu-
sion from cultivation — by reason of the too
great consideration at present accorded to mere
bigness.

In this connection I may say that I think that
no good purpose is served by the extreme and
sweeping views expressed by some of your cor-
respondents upon this point. Personally, I may
and do prefer the smaller flowers for the ma-
jority of purposes, but, large or small, each has
its use, and each affords in its special cultiva-
tion pleasure and profitable occupation to the
grower. If A be not content to incur "the
cost and labour and trouble involved in the
present system," by all means let him cultivate
and enjoy his own flowers in his own way ; but
why cannot he accord the same freedom to B,
who is content to incur the trouble and labour ?
And after all is said it must be remembered
that it is unquestionably to the big-bloom
system that the present popularity of the Chry
santhemum is mainly due. The growth of a
more cultured and artistic taste will doubtless
in due season lead to the amendment of many
things which are, perhaps, offensive to some,
but the remedy must be left to these agencies.
Certainly epistolatory hard hitting and extreme
views are more likely to defeat than to forward
the desired consummation.

That the element of size cannot be entirely
excluded from a contest where cultural skill is
a main factor, and must receive expression in
some direction, is obvious, but we may fairly do
all we can to restrain this tendency within rea-
sonable bounds without in any way curtailing
the opportunity for the evidence of skilful cul-
ture.

It appears to me this may be best done by
limiting, or even abolishing the system of du-
plicate blooms. Surely the object should not
be to assist the exhibitor to make a heavy show
board. Unfortunately, with the modern race
of giants, such as Etoile de Lyon, et hoc genus
omne, this is already too easy, and unless the
boards are to be enlarged it will become impos-

sible adequately to judge of the comparative ex-
cellence of blooms which overlap and half
smother each other. "No duplicates" — thus
compelling the introduction of some of the
smaller varieties, at least in the larger classes
would afford more space for the display of
the blooms, and at the same time preserve to us
such refined beauties as Florence Percy, Martha
Harding, and I might almost say Criterion,
which must otherwise be soon swept from the
show board by the inevitable " best dozen" re-
peated throughout the show ad nauseam.

Already some of the larger societies, Edin-
burgh, for instance, insist on thirty-six distinct
varieties in the forty-eight — at least, in the Ja-
panese class. I trust that other societies will
follow in this path, and that we may find, some-
where, in 1891 a class for "forty-eight Japan-
ese, distinct varieties," and smaller classes upon
the same principle. Possibly the time may ar-
rive when the " giants " will be relegated to a
class by themselves.

Your correspondent " W. H. F." complains
that the best prizes at shows are reserved for
the mixed classes, and he adds that he should
be " glad if they were done away with and all
classes were for distinct varieties. " I am confi-
dent that " W. H. F." is by no means alone in
this opinion. Mixed classes are a mistake, inas-
much as the incurved show to least advantage
in juxtaposition with the more showy Japanese,
and they are inequitable, inasmuch as they ex-
clude from the best prizes those who, like your
correspondent "E. H. W.,:' as a matter of taste
do not care for the incurved upon the big-bloom
system, and therefore do not wish to be com-
pelled to grow them.

Permanent success will be best assured by
affordiog fair and equal scope and encourage-
ment to every separate class, large blooms and
small blooms — not seeking to thrust upon any
the obligation to adopt a particular class or
method of cultivation to which he may have a
reasonable objection. I trust that the system
of " mixed classes" will receive the discourage-
ment which it deserves. The only exception
which I would make is the "societies' competi-
tion" at the November show of the National
Chrysanthemum Society, for here it is reason-
able to require specimens of more than one
section, and there is, indeed, no reason why the
class should not be made even yet more gene-
rally representative of the other sections.

Again, some expansion of the present
limited methods of showing should be sought.
The experiment of the Veitch Memorial classes
at the centenary show can scarcely be counted
a success, for the size of the blooms as staged
on the ordinary stand prevented the foliage
from being seen, save in the front row, the
general appearance differing little from that of
the ordinary method of staging. Some freer
and better method should be devised. Still the
class was a step in the right direction. Cannot
a second, and larger, step be made in 1891 /

To the same end the classes for Chrysanthe-
mums in vases should be extended and encour-
aged. Let us have separate classes for vases
for drawing-room, dining-room, and hall, and
in the latter class at least an opportunity will
be afforded of testing the accuracy of those who
aver that big blooms cannot be made effective
in decoration.

Another point. Some of the leading societies,
such as Kingston, Edinburgh, Brighton, and, I
believe, Birmingham, now offer fourth prizes in
the larger classes. I hope to see other societies
adopt so excellent a plan. Now that entries of a
dozen or more even in the largest classes are not
uncommon, and many exhibitors bring their

flowers from considerable distances, an extra
prize is needed, and would, I think, not only
materially add to the existing attractions, but
would be found to pay for itself in many ways.

The present season has again proved that
prizes are for the future to be won only by a
point or two, or even by half a point. The
division into first, second, and third prizes but
inadequately expresses so close a condition of
affairs. It would be very desirable as a matter
of interest to the public, and would also possibly
afford a solace to an exhibitor who may have to
" take a back seat " by reason of a difference of
a point only, if on the card, in addition to a
statement of a prize won, were placed the num-
ber of points awarded by the judges. At least,
it would secure, what in these days of close
competition is imperatively necessary, that the
judging should be by points. No other system
ought to be tolerated.

Once more, a point of detail. At one leading
show this season, those who exhibited in several
classes were sometimes compelled to waste
much valuable time, sorely needed for the re-
quirements of staging, in vain endeavours to as-
certain where, upstairs or downstairs or where
at all, amid the prevailing confusion, the several
classes were to be staged. A rough pen-and-
ink plan of the rooms, showing the tables and
classes, hung up in some conspicuous position
would save the time and temper of both exhi-
bitors and officials.

Lastly, I trust that, although no mention of
it has been made so far, we shall next season
see a repetition of the highly successful experi-
ment of Chrysanthemum classes at the October
fruit show at the Aquarium.

Charles E. Shea.

Chrysanthemum Mrs. Alpheus Hardy. —

There is every reason to suppose Mr. Ware's opi-
nion of this variety (p. 540) will prove correct, al-
though it has failed with some of our best growers
this season. Over-propagation must be the cause
of this, as last year I saw a large quantity of it
growing in cool houses at Mr. Peter Henderson's
nursery at New York. The plants had been lifted
from the open and planted in the borders under
glass ; each had five or six stems which carried
several flowers, no attempt having been made at
disbudding. The variety Louis Bcebmer was also
growing and flowering under similar conditions. —
W. H. Divers, Ketton Sail Gardens, Stamford.

Striking cuttings.— In. the culture of the
Chrysanthemum much depends on the use of
stout, robust cuttings and the way in which
they are struck. Where weak, puny shoots
are used, or the cuttings are struck in a close,
warm atmosphere, they become more or less
drawn during the process of rooting. When the
propagation is deferred till late in the spring, the
lower leaves are usually thin. In all cases where
stout cuttings are available, it is well to put them
in at once. It is best to strike them singly in small
pots. A little of the spent material from a Mush-
room bed in the bottoms of the pots will be suffi-
cient to act as drainage. Good loam passed through
a fine sieve and mixed with some leaf mould
and a liberal amount of sand will answer, with a
little sand on the surface. The pots should be
stood on moisture-holding material of some kind,
and be covered with hand or propagating glasses.
The nearer they are to the glass and the more light
they get, the less susceptible the leaves will be to
damp. Only sufficient heat to keep out frost
is necessary. In fact, the cuttings will root well
in a cold frame with the pots plunged in ashes,
provided the frame is packed with litter round the
outside, and the glass covered sufficiently to keep
out frost. In the case of any varieties that will
not now furnish suitable cuttings, the plants when
flowering is finished should have the old stems cut
away and their pots plunged in ashes in a cold pit

544

THE GARDEN.

[Deo. 13, 1890.

or frame, with due attention to air and watering
until they have made shoots suitable for striking.
Respecting the varieties that are grown, except
with the sole object of exhibiting cut flowers, a
better course might be followed than adopted at
present. For either cutting or for general decora-
tion, varieties such as Lady Selborne, Elaine, and
the numbers of other fine kinds that are able to
produce a score of elegant flowers for one of the
big-bloomed section are preferable. The cuttings
if affected with mildew should be dusted with sul-
phur until the pest is thoroughly destroyed. — T. B.

OUTDOOR CHRYSANTHEMUMS.
My experience of these entirely accords with that
of Mr. J. Sheppard (p. 486), and I have never had
so much trouble and disappointment with my
plants, both in the open ground and in pots, but
especially the former, as during the season now
just past. Having a very warm and sheltered
border on the south-west side of the house, well
protected on the east by a high wall, as well as
by an Oak tree, and in front by a substantial hedge
at a little distance, I thought I would try planting
out a selection of the large flowering Japanese and
incurved varieties. I have previously been very
successful with some of these on warm south as-
pects in more than one London suburban garden,
and thought that in such a sheltered spot, and
especially as I am within sight of the sea (south
coast), good results might be pretty confidently
anticipated.

I accordingly planted out, early in July, about
fifty sturdy young plants, from 3-inch pots, of
such varieties as Mrs. G. Rundle, Mrs. Dixon, G.
Glenny, Empress of India, Queen of England, and
others, as well as a select few of the newer
Japanese, &c, kinds, including Sunflower, Ed.
Molyneux, Avalanche, and so forth. It would
doubtless have been better had they gone out a
month earlier, but that was, unfortunately, im-
possible. The ground was moderately manured,
and in spite of the bitterly cold weather and occa-
sional frosty nights of July and August, the plants
made a vigorous growth, and by the middle of
September ranged from 3 feet to 5 feet in height.
The buds appeared in due course, but several
violent storms of wind and cold rain from the west
the quarter in which they were least protecte d)
did the plants some amount of injury. That was
my first trouble ; then came a series of sharp night
frosts in October, through which I managed to
bring them without much injury, however, though
frozen stiff on several occasions, by adopting the
excellent plan of watering them overhead with
cold water early in the morning before the sun got
on to the plants. But more storms and 16' of frost
early in November destroyed the majority of the
flowers ere they were well expanded, and now
the recent unprecedented visitation has, I fear,
quite killed all the plants that were left in the
ground, for fortunately I had lifted and potted all
the best and more exposed a few days previously,
leaving only those growing against the walls.

The soil is naturally heavy and damp, and of
course was rendered more so by the protracted
cold and wet of the summer, and this caused
the growth and buds to be of a too soft and un-
substantial nature to withstand the cold as they
might have done under more favourable circum-
stances. Had the soil been of a drier and warmer
description and the season more genial, the result
would doubtless have been much more satisfactory;
as it is, it is very disappointing. I intended to
have erected some kind of protection over the
plants if possible, but could not manage it in time.
Anything of the nature of calico or mats would in-
evitably have been blown to shreds by the fierce
storms of wind, and I had not enough spare lights
at hand to make a good job of it, so they had to
take their chance. Some of the varieties were
much less severely injured than others, and a few
were comparatively uninjured; of these I had a
few passable blossoms, but as all had precisely the
same treatment, the result may be taken as a guide
to the comparative hardiness of the respective
kinds. Some of those that came off best were Mrs.

G. Rundle and Mrs. Dixon, Sunflower (one plant
scarcely touched, though quite in the open ; this
has undoubtedly a grand constitution), Wm.
Holmes, Mrs. F. Jameson, Phoebus, Avalanche
(fair), Empress of India, E. Molyneux, H. Shoe-
smith, Miss Haggas, and Violet Tomlin, but the
last four were against the wall. Etoile de Lyon,
Stanstead Surprise, G. Daniels, Condor, Hamlet,
Alba fimbriata, Lord Alcester, Princess Teck,
Lord Eversley, Mrs. J. Wright, C. Sharman, and
many others were completely spoiled by the frost
in the early part of November.

The blooms of the Queen family were developed
and began to open unusually early with me this
year, about the same time as Mrs. Rundle, in fact,
while Phoebus and some others that are usually
early were very late. I have flowers of the last
barely open yet, and Fair Maid of Guernsey only
showing colour. B. C. R.

An interesting class of Chrysanthemums

is that formed by such varieties as Alice Carter and
Mrs. James Carter, recently exhibited at the floral
committee of the National Chrysanthemum Society
by Mr. Jones, of Lewisham. The plants bloom
early, and it is best not to disbud at all, but simply
let them flower in their own way. This section —
and we must call it so by reason of its distinctness
— is of value only for the usefulness of the flowers
when cut. They are small individually, and to in-
crease their bulk is to spoil them, and made up of
a crowd of thin, quite thread-like florets, which
with a little Fern are delightful in specimen glasses
on the table. It is to this use that they may be put
with advantage. The two chief varieties are those
named, the first of the two having brick-red flowers,
and the other those of a clear primrose tint. Their
season of bloom is also long, and a plant or two of
each occupies little space, whilst giving many
dainty flowers for the table.

Groups at Swansea show. — The space al-
lowed for each group at this show was 64 square
feet, being rather larger than that generally al-
lowed. The plants in the group which gained the
first prize were cultivated in " bush " form, not
over large, but capitally flowered and loosely
trained, each one carrying six or eight main stems,
clothed thickly with blooms, more remarkable for
their numbers than individual quality. The group
was not confined to the usual Japanese and in-
curved kinds ; Anemone Japanese sorts were intro-
duced, such as Sceur Dorothee Souille, a variety
of dwarf habit and very free-flowering. The deli-
cate blush colouring is more refined than when
only a few blooms are allowed to develop on each
plant. By introducing such kinds as this, consi-
derable more variety is given to a group than where
the kinds are simply restricted to the ordinary two
sections named. With the plants grown in bush
form it was not possible to arrange them in the
flat bank-like form, but a kind of undulating sur-
face was obtained, and as the plants were not
jammed closely together, quite a change was
effected from the ordinary every-day groups seen.
All that the group in question required to make
it perfect was a row of quite dwarf plants in small
pots to hide the rather large pots employed for the
bushes, and which were rather too conspicuous on
the margin. — E. M.

Chrysanthemums at Swanley.— The season
for Chrysanthemums is, of course, practically over,
but a few remain in the nurseries of Messrs. Can-
nell and Sons at Swanley, and compiise excellent
varieties. A small group of Putney George shows
the rich colouring of its flowers. It was raised
in 1887 by Messrs. Cannell, and has a charming re-
flexed bloom, something in the way of Cullingfordi,
the colour deep crimson, the reverse of the florets
golden yellow. Another delightful thing is Alice
Bird, a reflexed flower of a deep yellow colour. It
will possibly take a first place, and is already
grown largely in nurseries for cutting. It has a
good compact habit, and blooms with freedom.
Volunteer is a promising Japanese variety. We
have not seen it better than here; it has broad
florets and a pretty pink colour. R. C. Kingston
will be valued for its colour ; it is a Japanese re-

flexed variety, neat in form, the colour very rich
crimson. Etoile de Lyon was, of course, in full
splendour, and a noble variety it is, the colour very
rich. Another conspicuous kind was W. H. Lin-
coln, a deep yellow Japanese variety, one of the
best additions we have had of recent years. A
variety called Mrs. Frank Thompson, better known
perhaps as W. and G. Drover, was finer at Swanley
than we have seen it previously. Its immense size
is against it ; the flowers white, striped occasion-
ally with rose-magenta. The plant has an excel-
lent habit. A fine carmine Japanese kind is Mrs.
E. W. Clarke, which has a strong Violet fragrance.
These are a few of the more important types, but
such singles as Gus Harris, Miss Rose (remarkably
free), Crushed Strawberry, Admiral Sir T. Symonds
(deep yellow, bold and handsome), Jane, and Yellow
Jane were worth a note for their freedom and
beauty as sprays.

A note on Chrysanthemums. — The Chry-
santhemums at Kew this season have been, as before
noted, very fine, and there is still a fair show both
in the temperate house and also in the greenhouse,
but, of course, the season is over now. The plants
are bushy, full of bloom, and j ust what is wanted
for the conservatory. Such varieties as Mme. La-
croix, Etoile de Lyon (carrying many full rose-col-
oured flowers), Val d'Andorre, Mr. D. Chapman,
Mrs. W. Wencke (yellow Japanese variety, very
telling), Ralph Brocklebank, Florence Percy, the
old Progne, and George Daniels are worth a note.
The last of this list is an excellent Japanese variety
for conservatory decoration, the plant dwarf, bushy ;
the leafage deep green, and the solid flowers white,
the lower petals stained with rose. It was raised
in 1 888 by Boucharlat. Another good kind is Alice
Bird, also known as Buttercup, the flowers veiy rich
yellow and the plant vigorous, clothed with leaves
to the base.

The Chrysanthemum in Pekin. — The short
note in The Garden, Nov. 29 (p. 508), considering
the very limited knowledge we have of Chrysanthe-
mum cultivation in China, is peculiarly acceptable.
From correspondence and reading generally I find
considerable variation in the reports on the culti-
vation of the Chrysanthemum in China. I con-
clude, however, that while grown in some parts, it
is practically unknown in others. Mr. Fortune
and Mr. Burbidge have both told us that Chinese
gardeners are accustomed to graft the Chrysanthe-
mum on the Artemisia as a stock, and there are no
doubt many interesting little practices that they
adopt which are unknown to us. With regard to
the practice referred to of growing Chrysanthe-
mums in the shape of a fan with eight or ten
flowers in different parts of it, I may observe that
this is also the practice of the Japanese gardeners,
at least those in the employment of the Emperor.
One of the photographs in my possession, taken last
year at the annual Chrysanthemum fete in the Im-
perial Gardens, represents some plants cultivated
in this shape. " R.," who quotes the Japanese
artist as a paragon of good taste in a recent article
on " Spoiling the Chrysanthemum," would scarcely
admire these efforts of Japanese gardeners, nor
would many others of us. The plants so grafted
have blooms of several different sorts, sizes, and
colours upon them, and are positively an ugly
jumble in each case. — C. H. P.

SHORT NOTES.— CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

Chrysanthemum Tokio is an excellent variety,
old, but none the worse for that reason. It belongs
to the Japanese class, the flowers very deep crimson,
with the petals tipped rich yellow. It is seldom seen
at exhibitions.

Chrysanthemum President Hyde has
pleased me much on account of the beautiful habit,
grand colour, and substance of flower. The plants
are about 20 inches high, and are each hearing about
two dozen blooms. — W. Bealby, Beaumont, Jersey.

Chrysanthemum James "Weston.— This is
a useful Japanese Anemone variety for cutting. It
was introduced from China in 1888, and bears its pure
white flowers in graceful sprays. Those who have not
got it should add it to their collection.

Dec. 13, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

545

Trees and Shrubs.

IVIES IN POTS.

The Ivy lias fallen into disuse as a pot plant
with the changes in the fashion of decorations.
Chrysanthemums now fill November with colour,
and lessen the need of the rich green and bright
variegated Ivies that were once used in corridors
and conservatories of what we are pleased to call
the old-fashioned garden. The illustration that
is given of a pot Ivy shows
that this climbing plant still
fills to an extent its old place,
and no variegated variety is
better than madeirensis varie-
gata — the one figured — for
this treatment. There are
many charming ways of grow-
ing the Ivy. Of course, the
most familiar is to hide an
ugly brick wall or cold-look-
ing paling ; then it creates a
picture of luxuriant growth
tumbling over in masses from
the summit of an old wall, and
proclaiming the fact by assum-
ing an arborescent character
and sending out rich masses
of flowers, inconspicuous, it
is true, taken singly, but
showy when almost covering
the spreading head of twisted
stems. The most familiar use
of the Ivy is as a climber. It
may be planted against dead
trees to garnish them with
beauty, but kills vigorous
trees by its encircling stems,
studded with roots, that cling
tightly to the bark. This
encircling of the Ivy is death
to the tree in the course of
years, though some aver it is
not harmful. Everyone can
recall the grand pictures of
Ivy-clad walls, castles, and
churches. It scrambles in at
the ruined windows of many
once prosperous abbeys,
mounts the embattled tower,
and the gables of old-fashioned
houses by its clinging stem-
roots, which inflict injury to
the extent of, after many
years, displacing the masonry
by their penetrating progress.
It often, like the strong, wiry,
underground stems of Grass
on a sandy bank, keeps things
together, and to remove Ivy
from ruins would bring the
whole remnant of past times
to the ground. Some affirm
that Ivy promotes damp. It
does nothing of the kind. It3
very nature, that of a thick-
leaved, close-growing climber,
proves its protective powers
from damp and wet. We have
dealt in previous articles with the Ivy (Hedera
Helix and its many variations), and propose to
only draw attention to one phase of it — that of
a pot plant.

There are many kinds of pot Ivies. When
the plant was in full favour it was not uncom-
mon to find it of a standard or umbrella
shape, paltry creations of man, and as unhappy
as most of his efforts in this direction. Stan-
dard and umbrella Ivies should not be grown.
There is not the slightest need of them, but for

the pyramid and bush specimens we have a good
word. It is these that are grown for the corri-
dors, large conservatories, and terraces, and
nothing is better for dark corners than the
glossy green-leaved Ivy. It seems to assume a
richer polish away from the sunlight, as we see
it when used as an edging to beds in the shade,
or covering the ground with greenery under a
spreading tree that throws too dense a shade for
Grass to thrive. Those who have dark corridors,
houses, or porches that will not suit flowers

The variegated Ivy as a pot plant.

should try the dark green-leaved Ivies, as Eme-
rald Green, or Gem, which never fails, and looks
fresh and rich even in the depth of winter. The
great point in their culture is to begin well by
giving a loamy soil and plenty of water.
Beyond an occasional syringing to remove dust
and dirt, and the removal of a few straying
shoots, nothing need be done. What could
be simpler? There are some kinds that will
not thrive under this treatment. They are
chiefly the small variegated sorts that require

much nursing to develop the beautifully marked
leafage that is their chief charm. The best for
pots areelegantissima,algeriensis,the rich glossy-
leaved lucida, madeirensis variegata, lobata
major, sagittfefolia, Emerald Gem, grandifolia,
minima, and argentea minor. With the excep-
tion of elegantissima, argentea minor, and ma-
deirensis variegata, these are green-leaved Ivies.
The tenderest is madeirensis variegata, and it
seems to need protection from frosts and keen
winds. The young shoots frequently get
browned by cold, and occasionally the plant is
killed, but its bright variegation and richness as
an edging or pot plant are unique in the Ivy way.
The Tree Ivies, as arborescens, are of great
value for the conservatory ; their forked and
characteristically twisted branches form a
rounded massive head, which bears abundant
masses of flower and fruit. The usual way
in which these are formed is by grafting
the variety that is wanted on the shoots
of the Irish Ivy, kept in pots, and tended
in a way to ensure speedy union of the two.
There is nothing more to do than to pot
the plants on as necessary, water freely, and
prune in any shoots that spoil a luxuriant,
bushy growth. In the summer months plunge
the plants out of doors in some shady, sheltered
spot in coal ashes, keep the soil moist, and the
leaves syringed when required. There are
many odd corners in gardens that will provide
a home for Ivies in the summer months. There
is another form of training that has its advan-
tages, and this is the "pyramid." It is very
simple, consisting merely in growing the plant
on for two years, then shifting it into large
pots and inserting strong stakes to which to
train the stems. Twist the side shoots round
the plant to hide the stakes, and these should
be tied together at the top to form an even
leafy specimen. The thing is then accomplished.
It is only necessary to give careful attention to
the plants by watering when required, and re-
newing the soil after about three years, when
it will possibly show signs of exhaustion. Re-
pot again into the same sized pots, and use
loamy soil with a little manure added, 'as ad-
vised previously. There is yet another form,
viz., the "bush," which, as only the arborescent
varieties should be grown for this purpose, is
not troublesome to manage. The arborescent
or Tree kinds make a dense, compact head that
requires neither pruning, except an occasional
cutting back in summer of an unruly shoot,
nor any attention other than needed by the
pyramid-trained plants. If variegated varieties
are used for this kind of work — and we do not
recommend their use too freely — poor soil will
best bring out the fulness of the leaf colouring.

Bambusa nana (p. 493), as I know it, is the
dwarfest and smallest of all the Bamboos ; it does
not grow more than 7 in. or 8 in. high at the most,
but spreads in rather a free manner ; the leaves are
very sharply pointed, not more than 1 inch long,
bright green in colour, and there are from seven to
ten crowded together on the ends of the shoots. It
is as hardy as anything can be, is quite distinct
from every other Bamboo known to me, and can
have nothing whatever to do with B. viridis glau-
cescens. I grow another very dwarf kind under
the provisional name of "compacta;" it is of
slender, though free habit, only grows 10 inches to
12 inches high, stems purplish, leaves 3 inches loDg,
less than half an inch wide, three to four on a stem ;
it is a pretty and desirable kind. B. tessellata is
another excellent dwarf kind, with ample leafage
and a rapid spreading habit of growth. The pecu-
liarity of this plant is that in the autumn the edges
of the leaves die, atd the effect is that of variega-
tion. One of the most distinct of the smaller
habited kinds is B. viminalis. So far as my ex-

546

THE GARDEN.

[Deo. 13, 1890.

perience goes, the stems only attain a height of
12 inches to 18 inches, are thinly produced, and
very dark in colour ; the leaves are nearly triangular
in shape, and only about 2| inches long. These
smaller Bamboos should always be planted either
by themselves or along with other plants not more
robust than they are, and not as marginal plants to
the taller kinds, which in suitable soil and situation
grow most rapidly. Only this summer I saw a
shoot of Arundinaria japonica coming up quite 12
feet from the parent clump. I suppose the reason
why it had not made its appearance nearer was
because the intervening space was short Grass kept
regularly mown. The rhizome had dipped down
again beyond the shoot and gone on to reappear
somewhere else. My conclusion from experience is
that only one kind of Bamboo should ever be
planted in a group; they are distinct enough when
standing alone amongst suitable surroundings, but
never help each other when growing together. I
am pleased to be able to say that the new and re-
markably fine B. palmata promises to be one of the
most vigorous. Here it is pushing out its under-
ground stems in all directions, and quite young
plants have made stolons 2 feet to 3 feet long this
season. — T. Smith, Newry,

TOWN PLANTING.
The late Mr. William Holmes, of Hackney, did a
considerable amount of work in the way of planting
in different parts of London, and shortly before his
death he gave me some information as to trees
most suitable and likely to thrive in town areas, and
■which, he admitted, are of necessity limited in
number. For street planting he put Planes and
Poplars before any others ; and he held that Popu-
lus monilifera (canadensis) was of all trees
more amenable to the many difficulties attendant
on growing trees in streets than any other. He
stated that he had over and over again found that
the Canadian Poplar would thrive and grow for
years in places where Planes would not stand for a
season ; and he particularly alluded to some planted
opposite the London Hospital, a spot where Planes
were repeatedly planted and died year after year,
until he suggested that Poplar be tried. The
suggestion was adopted, and the Poplars have
stood now for seven or eight years, and during that
period made a fine growth. The late Mr. A. Mon-
gredien held this to be perhaps the most rapidly-
growing tree in this country, as it has been known
to attain a height of 40 feet in seven years.
Again, at Silvertown, another unfavourable
locality for tree growth, and where the whole of
some land had been made up to the depth of from
12 feet to 14 feet deep with London clay and
vitiated soil, and having an atmosphere charged
with all sorts of impurities from the many chemical
and other works in the neighbourhood. He had an
opportunity a few years since of experimenting
with several kinds of trees, and of these Poplars
and Ailanthus glandulosa alone stood in a satisfac-
tory manner ; most of the others died the first
season, and all, with the above two exceptions, the
second year. For general plantations and clumps
in towns Mr. Holmes employed Planes, Poplars in
variety, the North American Rhus typhina, Acacia,
Laburnum, Thorns, double-flowering Almonds,
Mulberry, double-blossomed Cherry, standard
Lilacs, Ash, &c. For open spaces he selected
from the following, taking soil and situation into
careful consideration: Acers, Birch, Chestnut, Elm,
Lime, Planes, Poplars, Oaks, Sycamore and such like.

In reference to shrub-planting in towns, Mr.
Holmes held that success depended very much
upon soil and situation, more so than in the
case of larger trees. If the soil were heavy
and the situation on the outskirts of a town,
approaching the country, he planted Pinus aus-
triaca, Abies excelsa, common Hollies and Yews,
Scotch Fir, Caucasian Laurel, Berberis, Box,
Aucuba, and deciduous shrubs generally.

When planting trees on a north aspect lie pre-
ferred Mountain Ash, Elms (common' and Wych),
Sycamore, Black Italian Poplar, Chestnut, Thorn,
&c. On a south aspect he would plant Acers,
Birch, Pyrus, Lime, Catalpa, Prunus, Plane, Tulip

Tree, Salisburia, &o. For town-planting proper he
never employed any of the Fir tribe, as he found
no coniferous plant did well where the atmosphere
is vitiated, as in towns generally ; and certainly not
where manufactures are carried on to any extent.

Considerations as to soil and drainage were
always of the first importance. The necessity or
not for artificial drainage stood first, and it was
felt to be a useless proceeding to plant any ordinary
selection of trees and shrubs so long as drainage
was necessary.

As to the time of planting, Mr. Holmes preferred
October and November to any other season, but if
circumstances prevented him from doing it in the
autumn, he deferred operations when he could do
so until March and April, choosing dull showery
weather for the operation. Hollies he always
regarded as exceptional plants as regards time of
planting, and he held there was no month of the
year like August for the purpose. The probabilities
of loss from planting in that month he held to be
very small. R. D.

Ribes aureum serotinum. — In addition to
being somewhat later in flowering than the other
forms of the golden-flowered Currant (Ribes au-
reum), this variety also retains its leaves longer
than any of the others. The points of difference,
however, between the various forms of R. aureum
are not nearly so marked as in the Flowering Cur-
rant (R. sanguineum), the flowers of which vary
from blush to deep crimson, while in the other
they are of different shades of yellow ; but the
typical form is equal to any of them in beauty.
These golden-flowered Currants are certainly over-
looked by many, as they are seldom planted, yet the
ordinary Flowering Currant (R. sanguineum) is
met with almost everywhere, though both are in
their way equally beautiful. In foliage alone R.
aureum is superior to the other, as the leaves are
deeply flve-lobed and of a bright glossy green tint,
and insects very seldom attack it. The hybrid be-
tween the common and golden-flowering Currants,
known as R. Gordonianum, is also a distinct and
ornamental shrub with orange-red blossoms, cer-
tainly a peculiar shade of colour.— T.

Trie Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginica).—
This is almost the only shrub now in flower. It
forms a somewhat open bush, clothed with rough
Hazel-like leaves, which, however, fall before the
flowers make their appearance. These are of a
peculiar starry shape, yellow, and much crimped,
thus forming an irregularly shaped flower. As the
slender leafless branches are clothed for some dis-
tance with these singular blossoms, a specimen in
full bloom is a very interesting object. It is a na-
tive of North America, and a very old plant in gar-
dens, having been introduced as long ago as 1736.
There are two species of Hamamelis natives of Ja-
pan, but they do not flower till the early months of
the new year. They are H. arborea, with reddish
blossoms, and H. japonica, in which the blooms are
of a lighter tint. Though of comparatively recent
introduction, these two are now more frequently
met with than the other, as they have been taken
up by our leading tree and shrub nurserymen and
propagated in considerable numbers. — T.

Muhlenbeckia complexa.— I am pleased to
see a good word in praise of this elegant and useful
plant. It is good as a wall covering. I know one
or two examples where 20-feet lengths of lofty
walls are completely covered with a thick mat,
only requiring to be gone over with the shears
annually. Once I planted it as a carpet to a bed
or group of New Zealand Dracienas. My [notion
was that it would remain as a carpet, and that the
Dracjenas would have a pretty effect springing out
of it ; instead, they grew together. The group is
now 15 feet high, and is bound together all the way
up by the most delicate spray, with here and there
a branch which has shot out on its own account, as
though disdaining support of any kind ; it has also
grown out upon the Grass, and forms a broad
spreading base, out of which the central mass
springs. Altogether I think it would be difficult to
find anywhere a more charming group than this.
Again I planted it freely as a carpet and edging to

a path amongst big boulders and flowering shrubs,
Rhododendrons, Weigelas, dwarf Almonds, Spiraeas,
Cotoneasters, fee, and here the effect is most satis-
factory ; it has encircled the boulders in the most
charming way, has climbed up the shrubs, and ex-
tended its delicate branchlets everywhere. The
many ways in which this plant may be made useful
have yet to be discovered. I intend to plant it
shortly amongst Bamboos and hardy Palms, and
expect good results. "A. H." might in his own field
work out combinations that occur to him, and let
the readers of The Gaeden know the results.
There is another similar plant, M. varians, but
beyond the fact that its leaves are variously shaped,
it has no merit. There is still another, but very
minute kind, M. nana ; this creeps upon the
ground, forming a dense carpet not more than 1
inch high, and in its own way lends itself to pretty
combinations of quite another kind. — T. SMITH,
Nervry.

THE ELEGANT JAPAN CEDAR.

(CEYPTOMEBIA ELEGANS.)

Seeing a few days ago several unusually healthy
and brightly tinted specimens of this Japanese tree
recalled to my mind how well suited it is for plant-
ing under what might be described as rather unfavour-
able conditions. One of the trees referred to was
growing on an exposed knoll nearly 100 feet higher
than any of the surrounding ground, and though
not alone, was yet fully open to that point from
which blows some of the most unfriendly winds to
which "the garden of England" is usually sub-
jected. For all that it looked the picture of health
and happiness, as the well-furnished stem and un-
usual size to which it had attained clearly pointed
out, while the dense purplish-tinted foliage but
added further to the general look of well-doing
which characterised the whole tree. Though de-
lighting to send its roots amongst broken-up chalk
and loam, for such the tree was growing in, and in a
rather dry position, yet that the tree is only suited
for such is a mistake, as half a dozen fast growing
specimens in a low-lying, damp place where one
would have thought of planting Alders or Willows
proved to me. Here were quite clumps composed
entirely of this Cryptomeria, and flourishing in such
a way as to induce one to believe that the tree was
half an aquatic. The soil certainly was of excep-
tional quality, being a strong yellow loam, not
plastic, but free and easy to work, though at all times
moist. As seen in full health and vigour this Crypto-
meria has a very different appearance to what it
presents when growing under adverse conditions,
the bushy and plentifully produced foliage, and
this of the warmest tint, affording such a contrast
to other Conifers as could not be produced without
it. During spring and summer the leaves have more
or less of a greenish or bronzy tinge, but as frosts
and cold winds come on this speedily gives way to
a most unusual and pleasing light reddish brown,
which is maintained throughout the winter and
until hidden by the young shoots of the spring.

The general contour of the tree, too, is pleasing,
it being not too stiff of outline and yet neat of
growth, with masses of foliage, causing light and
shade just as one sees in the Sycamore and field
Maple. Where space is somewhat limited this is
a most excellent Conifer for planting, it being
readily kept in bounds, taking well to the pruning
knife, while it is not of what we would call very
rapid growth. As a lawn or specimen tree for well-
kept grounds it is one of a few, and is justly en-
titled to be planted in the quantity it is at present
and has been for several years past. Rival leading
shoots and ungainly side branches too often mar
the appearance of this handsome Conifer when left
to itself, but as it stands pruning well such may be
removed and shortened back without fear of in-
juring the health of the tree, and at the same time
greatly improving its general appearance. Too
often also such duplicate leaders and unpropor-
tionate side branches cause the tree to suffer
severely during a downfall of snow, when it is not
at all uncommon to find such riven from the main
stem by the weight of snow that had accumulated,
on the foliage.

Dec. 13, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

547

Few Conifers are more readily propagated than
the subject of this note, as cuttings with a heel of
wood attached placed in sandy soil and in a shady
position root freely, and in three or four years will
have attained a height of fully as many feet. This
fine Conifer receives no injury from the severest
frosts to which in this country we are subjected,
while cold and hard-hitting winds do not seem to
affect it in the least, and deluges of rain only
brighten the foliage and make it look all the more
fresh and clean. It transplants with perfect ease,
the roots being many in number and inclined to
hold together a good ball of earth. Occasionally
shoots are sent out from the stem just above ground
level, and these itiswelltoremoveas they are formed.
Than this handsome Japanese Conifer, few trees,
it will be readily admitted, present a more striking
contrast to the majority of those usually cultivated
for ornamental effect, but to show off its best cha-
racter ample room will be required for the spread
of branches, for on their perfect development de-
pends much the beauty of the tree. When
crowded or overhung by other trees the branches
of Cryptomeria elegans present a by no means
pleasing appearance, the tips dying back and leav-
ing the tree both gappy and untidy. That it well
merits the attention bestowed on it will be readily
recognised by everyone who has seen a healthy tree,
be vt young or old and in winter or in summer.
A. D. Websteb.

Cotoneaster nummulariaefolia is worth no-
tice as a very distinct and desirable creeping shrub.
It will fellow the surface of a rock up or down with
the utmost tenacity, clothing it completely in every
part. It is useful as a carpet plant on the ground,
being of a brighter green than C. thytnaefolia, and, so
far as I know, it hardly ever flowers or fruits. C. latiata
is also a very distinct low-growing kind with slender
branches, some of which grow erect, while others are
procumbent. The leaves are small, covered with to-
nientum ; some are variegated with white. It is at
present rather a scarce plant. — T. Smith.

Ferns.

CRESTED FERNS.
Is the collection of British Ferns exhibited at the
Fern conference by Mr. Lowe, the numerous
crested forms were very remarkable, some for
their exquisite beauty, while others were ugly
distortions, or at any rate more curious than
beautiful. Their dreadful names I shall not
attempt to write. Among the collections of
exotic Ferns there were also many novelties.
It is not all who admire the crested Ferns,
many considering the natural forms more beau-
tiful, but the great number grown for market
■would at once indicate that they find much
favour with the general public. It is chiefly
to those sorts which are grown in quantity that
I intend to confine ray remarks, but before
dealing with the varieties I would suggest the
probable cause of this departure from Nature.
It appears to me to be first brought about by
unnatural conditions. This curious multipli-
city of growth is most common in those sorts
that make periodical growths, or rather throw
up their fronds in sets. It seems to me that by
forcing the plants into new growth when one set
of fronds has finished growing, and the next are
not forward enough to use up the sap, the ex-
tremities of the older fronds are further de-
veloped. I have seen instances where the
fronds of the ordinary Ribbon Fern (Pteris
serrulata) have started afresh and extended the
length of their pinna;, and the crested forms
will continue to branch out for a considerable
time after the fronds would, under ordinary
conditions, be fully matured. In most in-
stances, after this departure from the natural
form has once been made, the progeny will
maintain the characteristics of any particular
variety to a remarkable degree. I have seen

whole batches of seedlings, consisting of some
thousands of plants, where scarcely any varia-
tion from the parent could be seen. On the
other hand, in some instances seedlings are
very erratic, some reverting to the simple form,
and others producing various forms of multifid
growths.

Among the most remarkable for this diversity
of form that have come under my notice are the
seedlings from Nephrolepis davallioides furcans.
The Gymnogrammas also vary considerably. In
these the same plants vary from year to year.
The first year the fronds may be only lightly
crested at the extremities of the pinna;, and
later on they will become one dense mass of
multifid growths. In the varieties of Athyriuni
Filix-fceniina and Scolopendrium vulgare the
fronds are more crested as the plants ad-
vance in age. This is not always the case, for I
have seen instances where the young plants
have been very prettily crested, this disap-
pearing as the plants grew older. There are
crested varieties of nearly all the popular Ferns.
Adiantum cuneatum grandiceps is the prettiest
of the crested Maiden-hairs, the fronds being
longer and not so wide as those of the type and
terminating in a branching crest, which is heavy
enough to make the fronds droop over in a
graceful manner. This variety should be grown
suspended to the roof or stood on inverted pots,
with plenty of room for the full development of
the drooping crested fronds. A. c. versailleuse
is a distinct variety with more erect fronds,
which form perfect corymbs of multifid growths.
A. excisum multifidum is another good form,
but rather delicate. A. Luddemannianum
is a very curious crested form, but of no great
beauty.

Pteris sebbulata. — The varieties of this spe-
cies are very numerous, varying from dwarf tufted
masses which grow only a few inches high to those
which grow from 3 feet to 4 feet high, and have
broad spreading fronds prettily tasselled at their
extremities. That known as the Chiswick form
is the best of the major varieties, but, contrary to
most kinds, this does not come true from spores,
or at least very rarely. Of the dwarf forms May's
variety is one of the best, and Naylor's variety is a
very pretty intermediate form. These are very ex-
tensively grown, most of the market growers hav-
ing a particular variety of their own.

P. ceetica. — The varieties of this, although not
so numerous as the above, comprise some very dis-
tinct forms, P. c. nobilis being one of the best.
In some instances it is difficult to decide to which of
the above species varieties belong, but those of the
latter are generally more erect and stiffer in habit,
besides maintaining the character of the species,
in having the fertile fronds thrown up on longer
stalks, and the barren fronds short and spreading
over the pots. In P. c. Mayi, the prettiest crested
form of the variegated P. c. albo-lineata, this habit is
shown very distinctly, the fertile fronds, however,
being much shorter than those of the type. Some
of the crested varieties of P. tremula are very re-
markable. P. t. elegans is one of the most distinct,
at first sight closely resembling some of the varie-
ties of serrulata, the pinna; being much contracted
and terminating in a heavy tuft of finely cut fila-
ments. The terminal ones are heavy enough to
have the fronds down, giving the plant a graceful
outline. P. t. grandiceps is more erect in habit,
and P. t. Smithiana is another very distinct form.
I have seen the original plant only, from which I
should judge that should it come true from spores
it will become a most popular Fern.

Gyhkogbammas.— There are many crested va-
rieties of these. The best type of the Silver is G.
Wettenhalliana, and G. Parsonsi the most distinctly
crested Gold Fern, G. chrysophylla grandiceps
being also very pretty. Among Nephrolepises, N.
davallioides furcans is a most beautiful Fern, and
should be in every collection ; also N. exaltata plu-
mosa, in which the fronds are narrower and very

heavily tasselled at the extremities. N. Duffi may
also be included in this list ; it is a distinct Fern,
and one which I have not yet found to produce fer-
tile fronds, although I have frequently searched
among large batches of well developed plants.

Miceolepia hieta ceistATA is a very elegant
crested Fern, having spreading, finely cut fronds,
all the pinna; being lightly tasselled. This kind
should be confined to rather small pots, but re-
quires copious supplies of water.

Da vallias.— Among these there are, I believe,
only two crested varieties, these being D. Mariesi
cristata and D. elegans polydactyla, neither of
which is remarkable for its beauty. I have seen
several good crested forms of Lomaria gibba, but
never a good batch of young plants of any variety.

Woodwabdia eadicans ceistata is another
very pretty Fern which does not seem likely to
increase freely.

Nepheodiuji molle. — There are some pretty
forms of this free-growing Fern, which come freely
from spores and soon make nice plants, but they
are too soft and brittle to be of much value for
market work. F. H.

TREE FERNS FOR THE CONSERVATORY.
It would be difficult to over-estimate the value
of Tree Ferns in large conservatories and winter
gardens, either as permanent specimen plants
or as supplying a beautiful and lasting under-
growth. It is only when planted out in such
structures that the capabilities of many of them
become evident, and it is with the object of
bringing into notice a few species of unusual
merit that these notes are written. During the
past few years I have had charge of a large
structure in which extensive experiments with
this and the dwarf-growing class of Ferns have
been made in order to ascertain their suitability
for planting out, and for filling situations where
ordinary flowering plants would not obtain suffi-
cient light and air for them to grow and flower
properly. In this house fire-heat is dispensed
with between April and October, and in winter
the temperature not infrequently falls below
40', yet the development of some species in less
than three years has been remarkable. Al-
though Ferns are essentially shade lovers, I
find that in a lofty house there are few kinds
which, when planted out on the ground level,
will not withstand full exposure to sunlight,
whilst the majority prefer that condition. This,
of course, is explained by the fact that the
scorching power of the sun on plants decreases
in proportion to the distance they are from the
glass. A considerable number, however, thrive
and grow with freedom in positions shaded by
other and larger plants, and it is these that are
so suitable for forming an undergrowth to the
vegetation for which full sunlight is necessary.

Dicksonias.
In beauty and grace these plants, when seen at
their best, are certainly unsurpassed. The tropical
aspect of their rich luxuriant foliage, contrasting
with the black root-clad stems, make them indis-
pensable in all houses where room can be found
for them. At present the genus is almost entirely
represented in private gardens by the old and well-
known D. antarctica, although there are a few spe-
cies of slower growth especially suitable for small
houses that might be used. First, probably,
amongst all Tree Ferns in popularity is D. antarc-
tica, one of the most useful of garden plants. When
in the full luxuriance of growth, it is impossible to
find a more beautiful sight. Planted out indoors it
grows so quickly, that it frequently becomes incon-
venient in any but the largest houses. To a great ex-
tent this canbe prevented by confining the roots in
tubs, which, of course.if considered unsightly can be
plunged level with the surface of the soil. As show-
ing the dimensions this species will attain to when
planted out, I may mention that two of our speci-

548

THE GARDEN.

[Dec. 13, 1890.

mens each measure 25 feet in the spread of the
fronds, the stems (which are 8 feet high) measur-
ing about 6 feet in circumference at the base. I
find that this Dicksonia is one of the best for shady
places, even under dense trees, positions which
would otherwise be unsightly. Growing more slowly
and not to so large a size is D. fibrosa, a species closely
resembling D. antarctica. It may be distinguished
by its rougher and more fibrous stem, the fronds
also being stiffer and harder to the touch. It is
a native of New Zealand. Hailing from the same
locality comes D. squarrosa, a species more elegant,
perhaps, than any other cool Dicksonia. In the
largest specimen we have, measuring about 12 feet
in height, the stem is only about 8 inches in dia-
meter, the pose of the slightly decurving fronds
being extremely graceful. This is to be recom-
mended for small houses, as it does not grow
quickly. A plant in cultivation called D. gracilis
is apparently identical with it. D. Youngiae is a
species of more spreading habit, with larger fronds
and proportionately broader pinna? than any of the
preceding species. It grows slowly in height, and a
plant with a stem 2 ft. high will have fronds 4 ft. or
S ft. long. It is a native of Australia. As at pre-
sent constituted and comprising Cibotium, the
genus Dicksonia is widely spread. Most of the
cooler kinds come from Australasia, but a few species
belonging to the Central American section of the
genus may be here mentioned as greenhouse sub-
jects. First amongst them is D. princeps. This
species enjoys many names, being known as
Cibotium princeps, Cyathea princeps, and C.
insignis. It is classed, however, as a Dicksonia by
Mr. Baker. Although frequently described and
grown as a stove Fern, it is happier under cool
treatment. It may not withstand the low tempera-
ture that such kinds as D. antarctica thrive under,
but it may certainly be classed as a cool subject,
and from its beauty and distinct character should
always be included in the collection. The great
feature of the plant is the coating of long soft
scales, so thick almost as to look like tow, that cover
the upper part of the stem and the main rachis. The
fronds are broad and spreading, and on one of our
specimens (which is 9 feet high) are 10 feet long.
They are of a rich green and decurving, the effect
of the whole being extremely luxuriant and grace-
ful. It is a native of Jamaica. Belonging to the
same section and thriving in a cool house are D.
regalis and D. Schiedei. They are natives of
Mexico, and are both more frequently known under
the older name of Cibotium.

CrATHEA.
Towering above all the other species in height,
and indeed all Tree Ferns in cultivation, C. medul-
laris naturally claims the first notice. One of our
specimens is over 10 feet in height, and the stem
lengthens at the rate of a foot a year, the spread
of the top being 25 feet. It is seldom, of course,
that space can be found for the full development
of such a Fern, but by keeping the roots confined
in a tub and feeding with cow manure, it can be kept
both within bounds and healthy. It is easily raised
from spores, and in a young state is very useful for
filling up shady places in the conservatory. The
young fronds when uncurling are one of the most
remarkable objects in the Fern family. The rounded
knob-like coil is covered with black-brown hair-,
and strongly suggests a monkey's head. The rachis
of the mature fronds is purple, and forms an effec-
tive contrast to the deep green of the pinna.
Coming next to this species in note is C. dealbata.
It is a native of New Zealand, and is perhaps the
most striking of the cooler Cyatheas. The upper
surface of the fronts is rich green, whilst under-
neath they are of a beautiful greyish white. They
spread horizontally, and the stem, which is clothed
with black roots, grows slowly. The species is
therefore more suitable as a permanent specimen
than C. medullaris, especially in small houses.
What is known in some gardens as C. tricolor
is no more than a form of this, probably identical.

Alsophila.
This genus contains several species of great value
for the conservatory. The stems, as a rule, are
more slender than in the other genera, giving them

a lighter and more elegant appearance. Coming
first in popularity is A. australis, the " Hill Tree
Fern " of Australia, and one of the hardiest. It
has a fairly stout, root-clad stem, and a rather
dense head of graceful decurving fronds. It is of a
light, pleasant shade of green, and remarkable
in occasionally producing forked fronds. Although
very old plants attain a considerable height, it does
not grow quickly, and thrives extremely well in
even small pots. The rachis (or main petiole of
the frond) is covered, when unrolling, with bright
brown pointed scales, which fall off with age,
leaving it very rough to the touch. It was intro-
duced in 1833. A. excelsa. — Although growing to
a height of 30 feet on Norfolk Island, of which
place it is a native, I have not seen specimens more
than one-third that height in this country. It is
said to be almost hardy in the extreme south of
England, and will at any rate grow well in the
coolest greenhouse if the frost be kept out. The
fronds are dark green on the upper surface, paler
below. They are not depressed like those of A.
australis, but almost semi-erect. On our plants the
stems are slender and about i inches through, de-
veloping roots from top to bottom. In habit it is
distinct from all the species here mentioned, and
is altogether a desirable Fern. It may be used
with advantage in sub-tropical gardening. A.
Cooperi. —This is also a handsome species, which
thrives perfectly in a cool house. Its fronds are
not so numerous or so closely arranged as in A.
australis, but they are of larger size, and on plants
3 feet high frequently more than double the stem
in length. On the young fronds the rachis is
clothed with long, narrow, pale green scales. The
stem is slender, tapers slightly upwards, and is
covered with black roots. It is a native of Queens-
land. A. crinita. — Although a native of Ceylon,
this beautiful Fern occurs at such high alti-
tudes that it requires quite a cool greenhouse
temperature. Attempts to grow it in a stove are
always attended with failure. At present, owing
either to its rarity in a native state or to wrong
treatment after importation, it is very uncommon.
The finest specimens in the country are in the tem-
perate house at Kew, where they are planted out.
The stems are about 6 feet high and 8 inches
through, the lower part only developing roots.
The spread of the fronds is 10 feet to 12 feet, the
pose being somewhat stiff, but not ungraceful.
They are of a soft green colour, both the main and
secondary rachises being thickly coated with soft
hairs, and giving a very pretty effect. This species
is certainly worthy of wide cultivation. A. leuco-
lepis. — This Brazilian species cannot strictly be
classed with the cool Tree Ferns, as it thrives more
satisfactorily in an intermediate temperature. At
the same time it may be grown in ordinary conser-
vatories, especially if given the warmest part. It
is both distinct and remarkable. The stem of our
specimen is 8 feet high and about i inches through,
the diameter of the top being 6 feet. The base of
the rachis is spiny, and as a portion remains on the
stem it is thus armed from top to bottom. The
most characteristic feature of the plant, however,
is the broad pale green scales that thickly clothe
the young fronds, rendering them, especially on
first uncurling, very beautiful. The fronds are deep
green and slightly arching.

Hemitelia.
Of this genus we have two representatives that
thrive perfectly in a cool house. The first, H.
Smithi, a native of New Zealand, is an exception-
ally elegant and valuable Fern. The stem is coated
with black, rough fibres, and from the top the
fronds spread horizontally in a dense head ; they
are of a rich green, the base of the rachis being
dark brown. This plant grows very slowly in
height, and there is, perhaps, no more desirable
Tree Fern for small nouses. Our largest specimen
is it feet high, with a head about 8 feet across. The
other species is H. setosa, which is usually con-
sidered a stove subject. In a high temperature,
however, it is rarely happy, and on removing it to
a cool house we have noticed a decided improve-
ment. The stem is slender, and not more than 3
inches in diameter even on a plant 6 feet high. It is
destitute of roots, being hard, of a black-brown

colour, and armed with spines. The frond is re-
markable in having dimorphous pinna;, those at the
base of the rachis being minute and feathery, whilst
the larger ones are 1 foot to 1J feet long, the whole
frond being 3 feet in length. The species comes
from Brazil.

The cultivation of these Ferns calls for no
special remark. They all require a moist atmo-
sphere, and if near the glass should be protected
from direct sunlight. The soil, as a rule, should
be of a peaty nature, but for the strong-growing
kinds like Cyathea medullaris, a large propor-
tion of loam may be used. A plentiful supply
of water is the most important item ; indeed,
with healthy and well-drained plants it is al-
most impossible to give too much, at least dur-
ing the period of active growth. The stems
should be syringed at least once a day, but the
oftener the better, especially with those species
that develop roots upon the stem. When they
are properly treated in this respect the stems
are quite black with the tip3 of the roots bright
green. If the plants are grown in tubs or pots,
it is advisable, when a new whorl of fronds is
being made, to give frequent supplies of manure
water, as this enables the foliage to assume a
deeper, healthier shade of green than it other-
wise would. In large conservatories the most
beautiful effect is obtained by planting on a
rockery and choosing plants and species suitable
to the height of the structure. In such an arrange-
ment it is essential that the plants should be
set at different heights, so that each head is
shown to advantage and the stems are not
hidden. W. B.

FERNS AT EDMONTON.
The Ferns in the nursery of Mr. H. B. May at Ed-
monton are a rebuke to those who affirm that they
are at a discount. This may be true as regards the
rarer species and varieties at one time cultivated
with as much ardour as Orchids at the present time.
But there is a gradual return to the old love. Ferns
are thought more of now, and the demand for a few
standard kinds is on the increase. The nursery at
Edmonton is not simply for the growth of a few
market Ferns, as Pteris tremula, but the enthusi-
astic lover of the plants will find here a happy hunt-
ing-ground in the search for varieties that we would
expect to find in a botanic collection. We point
out here a few of the more useful and distinct
kinds, and amongst these is Asplenium lucidum, a
splendid, deep, glossy-leaved New Zealand Fern,
excellent both in a small and advanced stage. Adi-
antum curvatum is a handsome Brazilian species,
fronds almost digitate, and with a black midrib ;
but the finest batches were those of the Pteris,
comprising the varieties raised in this nursery.
They are now well known, as groups of them have
been shown occasionally at the London and other
exhibitions. P. Mayi promises to become one of
the best market Ferns ; its fronds are silvery grey
in colour, very pleasing to contrast with such
forms as the well named cretica nobilis. This is
one of the great Ferns at Edmonton. There are
several splendid batches of it, nearly every plant
showing very little, if any variation, except per-
haps in one plant the fronds may be denser or the
colour lighter than in another. This Fern will have
a great future. It is of the right nature to suit
the amateur who wants a sturdy, bushy, vigorous,
well-crested plant, deep green in colour, but vary-
ing in its depth of shade. Small plants show the
crested character, which is not, as in many Ferns,
merely a monstrosity. The tufted plants, each in
a 5-inch pot, are invaluable for a bold character.
Another Pteris which is grown well here is the
beautiful variegated Pteris tricolor, one of the most
desirable of all variegated Ferns, which are princi-
pally confined to the Pteris genus. This does not
vary from seed, but retains to the full the rich
colouring that is its great charm. The plant grows
slowly, but has not, unfortunately, the robust con-
stitution of cretica nobilis, but it is worth trying
to get a good specimen. Stove-heat, plenty of

Dec. 13, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

549

light, and if possible a position near the glass are davallioides furcans are two useful varieties. The j of the usual oblong shape, showing that the pre-
essential to bring out to the full the light and Nephrolepis differs much from the type, the fronds J viously stunted character was due only to unfa-
distinct colours. | being shorter and the habit more compact. It is vourable conditions. The u-ual number of

The collection is rich in Davallias, and amongst * g°°dt?rowfe,r' the ^eats !»» f/^J^J5^ I flowers on a raceme k five or sis> occasionally
the finest are D. fceniculacea, with its massive ^t the Ups ; thus we have an exceUent >turdy spe- I reachmg a3 j^^ as ^^ They are pure snowy-
fronds, and D. Mooreana ; while of Adiantums there ?lmen- asf,ma-T be 5?en {[0m a jfe* han^f = nP white with a blotch of rich yellow on the lip. In
is a large display, from the common A. omentum, m one of the many Fern houses at Edmont011-
the most useful possibly in cultivation, to the rare
species that are only grown by enthusiasts. A.
Weigandi is a pretty Fern, which first had its birth

in America ; from thence it came to Europe. Its

habit is neat, and the plant may be compared to A. CQ2LOGYNE CRISTATA

decorum ; but, whatever its affinity, it is a useful . .

Fern, scarcely grown sufficiently well in gardens, ^m only ls this Ccelogyne one of the best and

considering its merits. Then we have a splendid most useful of Orchids, but, judged from the

Orchids.

the beautiful variety Lemoniana this blotch is
pale citron-yellow, whilst in the rare and expen-
sive var. alba it is altogether absent. Notwith-
standing the greater money value of the pure
white form, I confess to a preference for the
coloured varieties, the little patch of clear yel-
low giving the flowers a piquancy which the
other lacks. The leaves are of a deep glossy

display of A. farleyense, a Fern for which there is Durelv<rardenin<7 standnoint it ranks hi<* amona g,re?n> long,' f11*1 ?°.mewhat narrow. How much
an ever-increasing demand. The reason is obvious, P^W^ening standpoint it ranks nigh among thelr g^f^ ^ regular disposition amongst
when one sees the house of it at Edmonton. Its aU indoor flowermg plants. Certainly no garden, the flowers adds to the efFect is shown by the en-
bold character, luxuriant fronds, and colour are whether professing to contain an Orchid collec- graving. There are several forms in cultivation

surpassing the type in robustness and
size of flower. Of these the best
perhaps is the Chatsworth variety,
the pseudo-bulbs of which are larger
and somewhat tapering, and the
flowers finer and firmer in texture.
The Trentham variety and var.
maxima are also superior kinds.

Of the behaviour of this Ccelogyne
under cultivation one can speak with
perfect satisfaction. It is one of
those Orchids — not, unfortunately,
so plentiful as could be wished —
that are not only happy under arti-
ficial conditions, but maintain year
after year a luxuriance of growth
and bloom exceeding even what Na-
ture herself produces. It is only ne-
cessary that the suitable routine of
treatment should be adhered to.
During the time they are in bloom a
position in the cool house is the best
for the duration of the flowers. The
pseudo-bulbs are apt to shrink con-
siderably at this period, and imme-
diately the flowers are faded the
plants should be given a higher tem-
perature and moister atmosphere.
The Cattleya house is the most suit-
able for them, although those witli
only a cool house available may con-
fidently commence their cultivation.
They are very effective when grown
in wide shallow pans, a depth of 5
inches to G inches being sufficient.
Grown in this way, specimens several
feet across may be obtained, the
foliage hanging over the sides and
almost hiding the pan. The compost
should consist of two parts fibrous
peat and one of light loam fibre, with
a small proportion of chopped Sphag-
num and some such material, as
pieces of soft brick. Provided the
drainage be good and the plants

great features. Even when quite small it is beauti- tion or not, should be without it. The prof u- healthy, it is scarcely possible to overwater
ful, but as a specimen there are few Ferns of nobler sion of its flowers and the length of time they them in summer ; even in winter they should
aspect. Another beautiful Adiantum is A. Williamsi, last when placed in water make it invaluable for be kept fairly moist. Some of the earliest va-
also A. regina, and so we might go on enumerating tne supply 0f cut bloom, whilst the elegance and rieties which are in flower by Christmas will now
with little interest to the reader Recording merely beauty of a well-grown plant with the pendent have the flower-spikes well advanced; such
names is not of much value. The Gymnogrammas, rM8m4a alld foliage intermixed need no further plants should have the lightest position avail-
SJ^*S^¥^Z^£^. lustration than that given by the accompanying able. The ordinary form is in flower during

Ccelogyne cristata maxima.

February and March.

B.

schizophylla gloriosa, on the other hand, has true Plcture.

beauty ; its long, finely-divided fronds, like beauti- It is a native of Northern India, having been 77 ~ 7

ful lace, hang gracefully over the pot, and have a ^^^^1 and imported from there about 1S37. Cypripedium Schrcederae— A very good

delicate texture verv distinct and charming. Each . ■ , v , • ^ • ■ j i r form of this beautiful Ladv s Slipper was flowering

frond, if fully grown, bears a young plant at the A considerable variation in size and shape of *°™.otd^ in the ^eryrf Mr. Morse at

extremity, but it is without the rich gold powder- pseudo-bulb is noticeable in different importa- m * is -ne rf the finest kvbricis ever raise(3)

ing that gives colour to many kinds. The fronds tlous- A few years ago I hud a number of plants DeW the result of a cross between C. eaudatum

are slightly dusted with a greyish powder both on which had been gathered at an unusually high and c gedeni. raised by Mr. Seden. and named in

the upper and under surface. It wants a stove heat, elevation. The pseudo-bulbs were almost spheri- compiiment to the Baroness Schrceder. Such Cy-

very careful watering, and when placed on a cal and did not average more than an inch in pripediums as this are of great value. In this

pedestal its graceful fronds spread about grace- height. They have now, however, attained the case the leaves resemble those of the pretty C. Se-

fully. Polypodium nigrescens and Nephrolepis normal height of 3 inches to 4 inches, and are deni, and the flowers are about midway between

550

THE GARDEN.

[Deo. 13, 1890.

the two. The dorsal sepal is of a reddish shade, the
long tail-like petals purple-rose, the lip deep crim-
son. Its richness of colouring, bold expression,
splendid habit, and easy culture make it one of the
most useful of a fast increasing genus.

ODONTOGLOSSUM BLANDUM.
This plant in its native country is said to flower
all the year round. It is found on the mountain
ranges of New Grenada at about 6000 feet al-
titude, where it grows on the stems and branches
of slender trees which are constantly moist and
even wet. Blunt is said to have first discovered
this species, having found it near the town of
Ocana when collecting plants for the Messrs. Low.
It puzzled both him and Roezl to send it home
in a living state, and many thousands came to
this country in a state of rottenness and decay ;
in fact, the collectors of to-day say, so recklessly
have the plants been gathered, that the species
is well-nigh extinct in its native mountains. To
those who have the plant in this country I
would say cherish it, and encourage it to grow
as quickly as possible. There is some little
variation in the colouring of the flowers, as
there naturally would be with a batch of seed-
ling plants. This beautiful variety flowered first
in England in the Royal Horticultural Society's
garden at Chiswick some twenty years ago, and
up till the present time it may be considered a
rare species in cultivation. I was unaware that
the flowers had any perfume until a spike from
Mr. White, of A rddarroch, came into my hands.
The flowers apj)ear to me to have a strong odour
resembling fresh peeled Cucumber. It is a
dwarf plant, seldom exceeding 1 foot in height,
and more frequently about 9 inches or 10 inches.
The raceme is about 9 inches or 10 inches in
length, the flowers being small and somewhat
crowded. The sepals and petals are white,
spotted with reddish-brown or reddish-purple,
the lip large for the size of the flower, white,
yellow at the base, and with various spots of
purple and brown about it which render it very
effective. It will grow well with Odontoglos
sum crispum. Wm. Hugh Gowek.

Masdevallia tovarensis. — Mr. Cypher, of
the Queen's Road Nursery, sends me some spikes of
this plant, and he says, " We have some hundreds
now opening." I first saw this flowering in Mr,
Rucker's collection at Wandsworth about twenty-
five or twenty-six years ago, and it remained very
scarce for years. Ten years ago, however, the
Messrs. Low imported a large quantity, and the plant
is now cheap and is being largely grown by those
who require white flowers about Christmas. Each
spike bears from three to five flowers of the purest
white. It comes from Venezuela, nearTovar ; hence
the name. It is also known as M. Candida. It re-
quires a little more warmth than the Masdevallias
of the Harryana section, and I have seen it thriv-
ing best in the Cattleya house at this season ; in
the summer months I have grown it well with
Odontoglossum Alexandra. — W. H. G.

Cypripedium Gaskellianum. — This is a
beautiful new hybrid, flowering for the first time
with Mr. Gaskell, but of somewhat doubtful pa-
rentage. The supposed cross, however, is C. Spi-
cerianum and C. vexillarium, and the flower be-
fore me now seems to combine the beauty of
those two plants. In growth it is said to resemble
C. Fairrieanum ; the flower, though much faded
ii 3 inches across, the dorsal sepal broad, ground
colour white, flushed with flesh, having a streak
oE dark brown in the centre, a feature that
stamps the Spicerianum parentage, with just a tinge
of apple-green at the base. There are also nu-
merous lines of light magenta running up through
it, but these all terminate below the margin ; on the
reverse side the lines are of a deep magenta-purple,
lover sepal smaller, creamy white, tinged with
right green at the base ; petals 2 inches long,

of a uniform width throughout, the tips curled
somewhat in the manner of those of C. vexil-
larium, and having the peculiar lobes on the
margins of C. Fairrieanum ; the ground col-
our is pale green, with a broad central stripe
of chocolate, bearing a few .freckles and spots
of blackish brown towards the basal part, the
margins broadly bordered with dark brown ; pouch
about the size of that of C. Fairrieanum, rosy brown
with green reticulations, passing into pale green
beneath. — W.

Orchids in the Epsom nursery. — Several
Orchids of great beauty are flowering now, or show-
ing bloom in the nursery of Mr. E. Morse at Epsom,
and amongst the number are several Cypripediums.
These comprise the beautiful C. Schrcederse, Lee-
anum superbum, a charming hybrid between C.
Spicerianum and C. Chantini, C. Stonei, calurum,
callosum, superciliare, C. Chantini, and C. politum.
In other houses we noticed excellent spikes of
Laslia superbiens, Vanda suavis, and Sophronitis
grandiflora, which when represented by several
plants shows an interesting variation in colour.
Some are of the deepest crimson, others paler, but
the richest are the most telling. Several specimens
of Angraacum sesquipedale were in bud, even though
quite small, and promise a good display later on.
In a few weeks' time also Renanthera coccinea will
be in full flower and continue to brighten the
house until the following August with its crimson
flowers. It is just the Orchid to grow amongst
Palms, but will also do in the stove. The plant at
Epsom is in a small pot, the long stem reaching a
length of about 8 feet, being a mass of fleshy roots.
It wants to be grown cool and exposed fully to the
sun — a very important point.

"Vanda insignis There has been a good deal

of misapprehension as to the identity of the true
Vanda insignis. For many years quite a different
plant, which was simply a very fine variety of V.
tricolor, was grown under this name. The true in-
signis is a distinct species, and one of the most
beautiful in the genus. Although it is now over
twenty years since it was imported and identified as
the original species described by Blume, it has al-
ways remained somewhat rare. The plants at pre-
sent in cultivation are natives of the Moluccas, al-
though the original locality given by Blume is the
more southern island of Timor, the flora of which
is considered by Mr. Wallace more akin to that of
Australia than the other islands in the Indian
Archipelago. The habit of this plant and the style
of inflorescence are the same as in V. tricolor, but
it does not appear to grow so tall. The sepals and
petals are thick and firm in substance, very broadly
spathulate, and of a rich reddish-brown with deeper
coloured spots. The remarkably shaped lip is nar-
row at the back and cut into several irregular lobes,
the apical portion, however, being large and scoop-
shaped. It is of a delicate rosy-magenta colour,
and together with the short thick column, which is
creamy white, forms an admirable contrast against
the rich brown of the other segments. As is fre-
quently the case with Vandas, the outside of the
flower is of quite a different colour to that of the
inside : here it is almost white.

8H0RT NOTES.— ORCHIDS.

Odontoglossum crispum Sanderianum. —

I have received blooms of this beautiful variety. The
flower is very round, the sepals and petals being both
stained heavily with bright chestnut-browu, leaving
only the ends pure white. This appears to me to be
fiuer than tho form known as Veitohianum. — G.

Oncidium Forbesi (Vulcan). — This is un-
doubtedly the name of the flowers sent. Your plant may
be youug and small, which I should think was the ease
judging by the size of the spike. You will find that tho
plant when stronger will bear a panicled spike of bloom.
It requires to be kept cool, as do all of this crispum sec-
tion—W. H. G.

Cattleya Hardyana. — I have received a bloom
of this plant, but it is very much smaller than that re-
ceived lately from Mr. Hardy, of Timperley. This comes

from the gardens of Mr. Doncaster, Green Bank, Shef-
field, and Mr. Malcom, the gardener, says, " The plant
was bought last year when forming a sheath, but in-
stead of flowering then it began to grow, and this last
growth also formed a sheath, and both sheaths pro-
duced a spike of three flowers." No doubt the flower-
ing of the past season's sheath has reduced the size of
all the blooms. Dry one, and by it you will be able to
judge of the next season's flowers. It is very late in
the season to see the plant. — G.

Cattleya aurea. — Flowers of this kind come to me
as Mr. Young's variety ; they are very faded and past
their best, but sufficient is left to show me that the
sepals and petals are of a rich bright yellow and the
lip a rich deep crimson-purple, veined with golden
yellow, and having a rich yellow eye-like spot on each
side of the throat. It is a richly coloured variety. —
W. H. G.

Flower Garden.

MICHAELMAS DAISIES.

It has "been usual to limit the name of
Michaelmas Daisy to those perennial Asters
which are at their best about the end of
September. These have so often been re-
ferred to and described under specific names,
right and wrong, that one hardly knows what
to say about them. Even where the names
are botanically right, it often happens that
the same species contains many forms, some
good and some worthless, and the specific
name is no guarantee that the plant is worth
a place in the ornamental garden. Take, for
instance, Aster Nova^-Anglire ; at least ten va-
rieties of this may be found in cultivation,
the height varying from 2 feet to 7 feet, and
the colour of the flowers from rich purple to
bright pink. Of these pink varieties I have
now three, distinct in height, shape of flower,
and time of flowering. Sometimes we have
a form of this species which is habitually so
late in coming out that the foliage withers
before the flowers open. In others the flowers
are so few that they hardly make any show.
There are two closely allied species, A. cordi-
folius and A. undulatus, to which nursery-
men have given the name of A. elegans,
which belongs to a Pacific species not in cul-
tivation. They well deserve the name of
elegans, wrong as it is, being the most elegant
of the whole genus. One variety, with large
drooping plumes of white flowers tinted
with pink, is worthy of a place of honour in
any choice flower border. But it cannot be
repeated too often that these plants should be
selected by sight rather than by name, as the
individuals raised by seed from the same
plant vary endlessly. Aster versicolor is a
name for which Asa Gray hardly knew where
to find a constant type. It is represented in
our gardens by many forms, which are called
by various names at the caprice of nursery-
men or amateurs. Amongst them there is
tho tall type, 5 feet high, generally known by
the name. There is the early large-flowered
form, often distributed from this garden as
Harpur Crewe. Then there is an excellent
Michaelmas Daisy, 2 feet high, called by
Messrs. Smith, of Worcester, discolor major.
Last and least there is the charming little
hybridus nanus of Van Houtte, with pros-
trate stems C inches long and masses of
flower, going on to the end of November, and

Dec. 13, 1890.]

THE G4RDEN.

551

unsurpassed for edging where Crocuses flower
in spring. C. Wollet Dod.

Edge Ball, Malpas.

NOTES ON HARDY PLANTS.
Iris alata.— There could hardly be a more wel-
come flower out of doors in the dull month of No-
vember than this. Before saying any more, I will
admit that though in the open air it has the cover
of glass. The fine broad glaucous foliage, the
large bright flowers, and, better than all, the full
Wallflower-like perfume, render the plant of more
than ordinary value. Such things as these that
grow so freely and that everyone may manage if
due care has been taken in giving light soil, ought
to be in every garden. It has also the recommen-
dation of cheapness, which is rather important in
the case of species that flower in late autumn and
winter, such as one would often like to grow in
extra quantity. This and a few Croci are almost
the only flowers now to be seen in the open air.
What the sharp frosts failed to do was accom-
plished by the fogs of the present week.

Sternbergia lutea. — This is another of the
fresh little flowers that should be grown in large
numbers to make up for the want of variety ex-
perienced in winter. It produces in winter both
flowers and leaves when not actually icebound, and
even then it only waits its chance to move again.
We have very few plants of which so much can
be said, and fewer still that afford a bit of bright
yellow.

Iris chinensis. — I daresay that in favoured
parts on the south and west coasts and localities
inland noted for their light, warm soils and shel-
tered situations, this Iris may live out of doors all
the year round, but it certainly is not hardy in
Yorkshire that I ever heard of. It is, however, one
of the most exquisite species, and those who have
a cool greenhouse might well reckon it amongst
the most useful winter-flowering plants. Nothing
could be simpler than the treatment required for
it, though I have heard of failures to flower it.
This may happen when a clearly indicated natural
requirement is not met. So far as I know, all it
wants is a top shelf in an ordinary greenhouse and
to be potted in lumpy, loose stuff well drained. Its
half stem-like and half rhizomatose root-stocks
seem to suggest that the roots might require more
air than ordinary, and my plants are potted very
much as I would pot many Orchids. Fibrous loam,
bits of peat, lumpy charcoal, and crocks in equal
parts form the rough material that the plant never
seems to do otherwise than flourish in, and I find
it a good plan to take offsets annually or repot and
set deeper the older portions every two years. Of
course in the warm season the pots may be stood
out of doors to advantage. As to the amount of
cold it will stand, it is difficult to say precisely, be-
cause during a succession of frosts it is hard to
know which gives the death blow, especially as the
plants may not show it for days after ; and pre-
suming that the lowest temperature registered
might have been the one to kill the plant, a corre-
sponding degree of frost might not be so harmful
under other conditions, where the plant might be
grown more tenderly, more shaded, or more moist
in its surroundings. A more practical fact may be
stated, and it is that, mild as last winter proved, it
killed several plants that stood out of doors in pots
here.

Tropaeolum tuberosum. — Something has
lately been said about the tubers of this species
being suitable for food. I have just had a quantity
cooked— a few freshly dug tubers and others that
had been dug some little time. The latter had been
exposed to light and a gently drying process. The
tubers were boiled like Potatoes, only they were
neither scraped nor pared ; had they been they
might have had a better appearance when cooked.
As it was they did not look amiss ; the fresher tu-
bers had the better appearance, were more easily
cooked and more succulent. The flavour was agree-
able. They partook somewhat of the character of
the Potato and had a mixed flavour of Watercress

and Parsnip. I could imagine that many would
like them with salt and pepper, whereas with butter
and toast they were delicious. As is well known,
this plant produces tubers as freely as the common
Potato, but they are much smaller, pear-shaped,
and beautifully marked with scarlet streaks on a
yellowish skin. I have counted one root of com-
pacted tubers ; there were fifty- three, and more very
small ones. They weighed nearly 1 j pounds when
pulled off. As a flowering plant the tubers might
not be so numerous in the poor, dry soil that is es-
sential for early flowering, but in richer soil it
would be no unusual thing to get a corresponding
produce of tubers to the above. J. Wood.

Woodville, Kirltstall.

HARDY PRIMROSES.
In those favoured localities where, during the win-
ter, frosts, snow, fog, or heavy rains do nothing to
disfigure Primrose blooms, it would be a superfluous
act to lift plants and get them under cover for the
sake of having some nice clean flowers during the
winter. But, generally, it is needful to take so
much trouble, and it will be as well to do so now
where, as should be the case, there are plenty of
plants ready for lifting. When seed is sown as soon
as ready, and the seedling plants are taken from
the bed and dibbled out into permanent quarters
the following spring, these make very fine early-
blooming plants by the autumn, and many of the
most forward may well be lifted into pots or boxes
and be placed in a low greenhouse to bloom. The
flowers are always just as pleasingly tinted under
glass as they are when outside, but because of the
damp which invariably prevails in the winter, just
enough warmth should be given in bad weather
to keep the blooms dry. A frame does very well
for the purpose ordinarily, especially where the
plants can have ample light and air, but it is when
bad weather sets in that just a little warmth is
needed to keep out damp. Hardy coloured Prim-
rose flowers are always so pretty that they well re-
pay for the small amount of trouble needed to
house them as described. Where places have ample
shelter, such as is found in high walls, belts of
shrubs, &c, the plants, of course, get protection
such as cannot be given in the open ground, and I
have seen during mild open winters beds of plants
furnishing an abundance of flowers all the season.
We must not look for such gratification this winter,
as it is but too evident that the cold season will be
a rough one, and not calculated to furnish many
special garden pleasures. We might do very much
more than is now done for the preservation from
harm of precious hardy flowers did we utilise small
protectors made chiefly of glass just as some em-
ploy them for the protection of Hellebore flowers
during the winter. The ordinary hand-light and the
cloche are generally not only too large, but hardly
admit of air being given. The glass protectors for
border flowers should not be too large nor heavily
made, be pleasing objects in the garden, and have
ample ventilation both above and below, without
allowing cold currents of air to rush in upon the
plants protected. The lighter, simpler, and cheaper
these hardy plant protectors are the better, it being
understood by those making them that they are
required solely to protect flowers from rough
weather, and not plants from frost. Hardy Prim-
roses, unlike too many other hardy plants, are so
easily raised from seed, that there can be no reason
why a good supply should not be maintained, and
thus have plenty to lift for housing in the winter.

A. D.

Garden Pinks. — Would that we could obtain
a race of border Carnations which had that hardi-
ness of character and facility for increase which
mark the common garden Pink. If anything could
indicate the undoubted line which divides Dianthus
Caryophyllus from D. plumarius, it is found in the
apparent impossibility of fusing the progeny of the
two species so as to produce a Dianthus hybrid
which shall give the free-growing hardy properties
of the Pink with the fine and various richly-col-
oured flowers of the Carnation. It is unfortunate,
but none the less an undoubted fact, that the nearer

we come to smooth-edged form of petal with sub-
stance in the flowers, the more do we find the plants
producing them to be of weakly constitution. Very
few of the best laced or richly coloured varieties will
stand ordinary outdoor culture. I have found that
whilst the seedling forms of the laciniated section
will grow profusely and bloom with remarkable
abundance, choice laced varieties make poor
growth and soon die. If some pipings can be se-
cured every year to perpetuate varieties, all may be
well, but the growth of these choice sorts in the
open ground seems to entail considerable trouble.
The past summer, because so wet in the early part,
seems to have been specially harmful to tender
Pinks. No doubt the plants do best in fairly dry
seasons. So far as good double seedliDg varieties
productive of an abundance of flowers of various
hues and markings are concerned, I found that pip-
ings put in thickly in the open ground in light
sandy soil during July rooted freely in every case,
and these dibbled out thinly into other ground have
become strong plants. Would that we could induce
good border Carnations to increase as readily and
easily. So far as I have seen professed hybrid Car-
nations, they seem to have very soft sappy stems.
— A. D.

BAMBOOS AT SHRUBLAND PARK

In the Field of October 4 reference was made
to the Bamboos at Shrubland Park, but further
notes maybe welcome. The tropics do not con-
tain all the members of this family, as they ex-
tend to North China and Japan, and it is from
these countries the kinds so valuable for gar-
dens have come. There are more than a dozen
hardy kinds, but, before enumerating them, it
would be well to consider a few of the essentials
to successful cultivation. The first and most
important is shelter from cutting winds. Bam-
boos are evergreen, and never look more beau-
tiful than in winter. Hard frost only intensifies
and deepens the rich greenness of their masses
of leafage, but a cutting wind will in a few
hours apparently dry up and sear the foliage,
disfiguring the plants till new growth com-
mences. Shelter, however, is easily provided in
large gardens, especially where the surface is
diversified. A sunny dell sheltered by trees is a
delightful spot for them. The only other really
essential to success is plenty of moisture in the
growing season, when they are making their
new canes. If they can be planted near to
water, so much the better, as they thrive best
in sheltered spots upon the margins of lakes or
streams. If there is not a good natural supply
of water, means must be taken to apply it arti-
ficially. The Bamboos at Shrubland are watered
with a hose twice a week during the hottest
days of summer, if the weather be dry, but
whereas last season they were watered twice a
week for some time, this season they have only
been watered twice, whilst the growth some
of them have made is really amazing. Some
idea of the rapidity with which the canes grow
may be gathered from the fact that strong
shoots of B. mitis have grown as much as 4
inches and 6 inches in twenty-four hours. It
hardly seems credible that canes varying from
10 feet to 16 feet in length have been made in
from one month to six weeks. With shelter
and moisture there does not appear to be any
need of further protective measure s from the
severities of our average winters ; but if the
Bamboos have been newly planted and are
hardly established, a good mulching of Fern or
litter over the roots during winter will be an
advantage by keeping the frost out of the
ground.

As regards soil, Bamboos are not particular,
provided there is a depth of it which has been
deeply broken up previous to planting ; but
in soils of a free working character, progress is

552

THE GARDEN.

[Dec. 13, 1890.

quicker both above ground and below. Lastly,
although in the case of some things small pla nts
are more easily established than large ones,
it is not so with Bamboos, as the larger the
plant the sooner will it create a striking effect.
This is only the third season of the Bamboos at
Shrubland ; some of them had canes 12 feet
high and 1{ inches in diameter when planted,
this growth having been made in the south of
France, from whence the plants came. It was
not thought possible that canes at all approach-
ing this size would ever be made in England,
and yet in this cool moist season the largest
cane on a plant of B. mitis is 16 feet high and
nearly 2 inches through.

B. mitis is the giant of hardy Bamboos, and a
native of China and Japan, where it is said to attain
the height of from 40 ft. to 60 ft. It probably will
never attain such a height in this country. It does not
spread much nor very fast, the new canes springing
up close to the old ones of the previous year. The
branches form a slight angle with the main cane,
and are clothed abundantly with foliage, the leaves
being each about 2 inches long and a quarter of
an inch broad. It is one of the smallest-leaved
Bamboos.

B. Metake. — This is the most accommodating of
all the Bamboos, the hardiest, and the kind most
commonly met with in gardens. It is a native
of Japan, very free growing and vigorous, with
slender canes, varying in height from 4 feet to 10
feet each, but growing much higher under favour-
able conditions. The canes are erect, and the
foliage is borne in large clusters, while the
leaves are larger than those of any other tall
kind, being each about 10 inches long and 2
inches broad. It has a spreading habit of growth
running freely and covering a lot of ground.

B. Ragamowski, a native of Japan and China, is
a dwarf species. It may be aptly described as a
dwarf Metake, it being so much like that kind, but
even more striking and handsome in foliage, the
leaves being each 1 foot or more in length, and as
much as 3 inches in width. It does not grow more
than 2 feet high, but sends long shoots under
ground in all directions, from which others spring
up, soon forming a dense spreading mass of rich
foliage. It is very effective as a groundwork among
taller kinds, and is also admirably suited for plant-
ing in broad masses in the foreground.

B. Simoni, another kind from China and Japan
appears to be somewhat akin to B. Metake.
especially in its habit of growth ; its foliage, how-
ever, is its distinctive characteristic, as the leaves,
though each 10 inches in length, rarely exceed 1
inch in breadth. The habit of growth is very erect,
the tufts dense, but spreading, the ample foliage
disposed in rich clusters on canes of from 10 feet to
12 feet in height. B. Simoni variegata, with
narrower leaves, striped with white, does not at pre-
sent appear a desirable kind, or one that can be in
any way recommended.

B. vieidis glaucescens is the most graceful of
all the hardy Bamboos, and the one that has been
most extensively planted at Shrubland in all stages,
and of varying heights, from 5 feet to 15 feet.
Whether dwarf or tall, young or old, the plants are
extremely graceful. The young shoots are of a
purplish green, but with age they become yellow ;
the branches inserted at an angle with the cane arch
gracefully, and are clothed with leaves each about
:i inches long and three-quarters of an inch broad.
The young canes of the current season's growth
are very elegant. Old canes of several years'
standing are different and beautiful in contrast as
the foliage upon them becomes massed in thick,
rich feathery clusters; It is so hardy and free that
the smallest collection should contain it. Concern-
ing this kind, however, there appears some confu-
sion, as Nicholson's "Dictionary of Gardening"
makes it a synonym of B. nana, which is said to be
an Indian kind, " a rather tender species, requiring
to be grown in the stove or greenhouse," and attain-
ing to only about (i feet or 8 feet in height. There
is a mistake somewhere, for B. viridis glaucescens
is not tender, but grows to double the height, and

is ten times the value of the kind with which it is
made synonymous, on account of its hardiness and
freedom. It is a very spreading grower single
tufts covering a wide space : consequently it is an
admirable kind for isolated positions, where it can
better develop its exceeding gracefulness.

B. PALCATA. — This is sometimes called Arundi-
naria falcata, and is probably the same as the B.
gracilis of gardens. It has been one of the least
successful at Shrubland, as it generally suffers in
winter, yet at Woolverstone Park, in a sheltered
dell upon the banks of the Orwell, it attains to from
20 feet to 25 feet in height. This marvellous
growth can only be attributed to the proximity and
consequent modifying influence of the sea, as this
species is fairly common in gardens, but rarely seen
more than G feet or 8 feet in height. Where it at-
tains to giant proportions it carries off the palm as
being the most graceful of the family ; the canes
are so slender and elegantly disposed, whilst they
are profusely clothed with narrow Grass-like leaves.

B. AueeA is found both in China and Japan, and
bears a resemblance to B. mitis, but is more rigid
and erect in habit of growth, and the leaves are
somewhat larger. The name aurea relates to the
yellowness of the canes, but this colour is only put
on with age. It is a very handsome kind, of tufted
habit, light and elegant in a young state, and none
the less pretty when fully developed, with canes 1
feet high and 1 inch in diameter. It is somewhat
variable, and consequently forms of it may be met
with under a variety of names, one being B. sul
phurea, a strong plant of which has this season
made several large canes, the largest being 12 feet
high, and proportionately thick.

B. quilioi is a kind obtained from Mons. Latour
Marliac, and a magnificent Bamboo, but with one
defect; — that owing to the lateness with which the
new canes are thrown up, they are sometimes not
far enough advanced to escape injury from frost,
and in consequence are partially cut down. Still
apart from this possibility, it is a fine kind, appa-
rently belonging to the aurea family, as it has
greenish-yellow canes when mature ; but the leaves
are large, especially upon young canes, when they
are as much as 5 inches long and 1 inch broad, with
a cluster of hairs beside the leaf-sheath, longer and
more conspicuous than in any other kind.

B. henonis OE B. hachiku is said to be a Japan
ese kind, but the plants were obtained from the
same source as the preceding kind. When better
known it will, doubtless, become popular, as it seems
as hardy as any, and far more enduring. It gene-
rally looks the brightest in spring of the collection
at Shrubland, when cutting winds have done what
they can in spite of natural shelter. It is a valu-
able addition, exceedingly free and graceful in a
young state, with slender, arching canes, each
about 6 feet high, well branched, and densely
clothed with light, small, green leaves. Several
seasons must elapse before its full merits can be
known, as one cane has reached the height of 12
feet already, and it is possible this kind may reveal
further good qualities of increased stature and
beauty.

B. violescens is a Chinese kind, the name
having reference to the violet-black tint of the
young canes. It is a vigorous grower, reaching 15
feet in height. Its merits were not known till the
present season. Early in March there was a fall of
snow, which thawed partially during the day, leav-
ing the Bamboo foliage wet, and the 22° of frost
which followed at night browned every leaf upon
two plants of this Bamboo. By midsummer not a
trace of the injury was visible, as one plant had by
that time thrown up nine canes, which were then
10 feet high, and clothed with leaves which, in a
young state, are from 5 inches to G inches long and
1J inches broad, but become smaller when produced
upon matured canes. The other plant was origin-
ally not so strong, but comparatively did quite as
well. This early and rapid growth was not produced
in consequence of injuries received, but it is a valu-
able characteristic of the kind. If all the Bamboos
could be induced to throw up the new canes as early
it would be desirable, and a great aid, as the earlier

the shoot is made the greater are its opportunities
for thorough ripening after full development.

B. nigba is a Japanese kind, and from this
species are obtained the fine black canes used for
walking sticks and umbrella handles. Whether,
however, canes of this size will be grown in Eng-
land remains to be proved ; but there is no reason
why they should not, bearing in mind the great
growth made by other species. In a young state,
with slender canes about G feet high, it is a grace-
ful variety, the canes being green and changing to
brown, whilst the foliage is particularly abundant,
the leaves small, but of a rich dark green colour.

B. Fobtunei, a dwarf Japanese species, not
exceeding 2 feet in height, is a strong grower, and
might be mistaken for a native Grass. It is useful
for associating with taller kinds, and interesting
because from it have sprung two of the prettiest
variegated Bamboos we have, both dwarf and free.
B. Fortunei argentea has long, narrow leaves, which
are striped with white, whilst the habit of growth
is free, but tufted and erect. B. Fortunei aurea
grows a little taller, is more graceful, as the shoots
arch over, whilst the leaves are broader than those
of argentea, and striped with yellow, which is apt
to fade later in the season, but is clear and pretty
through the summer.

All the above kinds are not merely existing,
but growing luxuriantly, and imparting to that
part of the garden an aspect at once unique and
striking by reason of its freshness, novel cha-
racter, and absolute difference from what is met
with in gardens generally. In the south and
west there are gardens where Bamboos would
nourish better than in the eastern counties.
The collection at Shrubland would have made
much greater progress had the spot been such a
favoured one as Woolverstone, which is only a
few miles away, where, as before said, B.
gracilis does so well, and B. Metake may be
seen 20 feet or more in height. — Field.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 783.

TUFTED PANSIES.
(with a coloured plate or DUCHESS of fife

AND HAETEEE.*)

This is one of the prettiest of the tufted
Pansies. Messrs. Dobbie, in sending us
flowers of it, sent also these notes on culture
and varieties : —

The cultivation of tufted Pansies is very simple.
If one has not already a collection and purposes
getting one, early in March would be the best
time to procure the plants, as it is now too late
to think of autumn planting. They can be
grown in any fashion which suits the taste of
the grower, but we always prefer them in large
clumps in the borders. They do best in a loamy
soil, which should be turned up in the autumn
and enriched with a liberal quantity of old ma-
nure. At planting time a small handful of leaf-
mould and sand, worked with the trowel into
each hole before the plant is put in, has a most
beneficial effect on the rooting. Pansies should
always be planted deep, and, if possible, shaded
for a few days if the sun is strong. If the soil
is sandy or very free, it will not grow Pansies
well until it is stiffened by the addition of loam.
In moderately stiff soils tufted Pansies have not
the same tendency to " go off " in summer as
they have on light soils. Some regard should
also be had to the selection of a site. In the
early months of April and May Pansies will

* Drawn for The Garden by H. G. Moon from
flowers sent by Messrs. Dobbie and Co., Rothesay,
N.B. Lithographed and printed by Guillaume Seve-
reyns.

» E C 3 1890

TUFTED PANSIES.fl. DUCHESS OF FIFE. 2. HARTREE )

Dec. 13, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

553

bloom almost anywhere, but an effort should be
made if possible to get them into a position
where they will bloom continuously all the
summer through. Such a position is one
slightly shaded for two or three hours during
the hottest part of the day, or a border sloping
to the west would do. The best season for pro-
pagation is July and September. In the for-
mer month the cuttings can be struck quite
well in a shaded position in the open, but in
September they are best put into a cold frame.
There is never any difficulty in getting them to
root if the cuttings are taken away from the
very base of the old plant and firmly inserted
3 inches apart in any good free compost. Green-
fly is troublesome sometimes, and must be got
rid of by the free use of a good insecticide — a
solution of soft soap is highly recommended.
The plants from July cuttings are quite ready
to plant out in October, which is the best month
for autumn planting. Those put in the frame
in September are best suited for spring plant-
ing. In the Royal Horticultural Society's Gar-
dens at Chiswick this year a collection was suc-
cessfully grown, thus proving that the tufted
Pansy will succeed as well in the neighbour-
hood of London as anywhere else. The col-
oured plate issued with this number represents
two of the most recent and meritorious addi-
tions which have been made to this class. The
variety Duchess of Fife was raised in 1888 by
Mr. Baxter, gardener, Daldowie, Broomhouse,
near Glasgow, and is a very great improvement
on all previously existing varieties of that type.
During the present year it has been awarded a
first-class certificate by the Scottish Pansy So-
ciety and also by the Royal Horticultural
Society. Hartree was raised by Dr. Dickson,
of Hartree, near Biggar, Lanarkshire, a gentle-
man who has recently turned his attention to
the raising of new varieties.

Among other good sorts may be mentioned
the following : —

Maechioness of Tweeddale. — A pure white
variety, slightly veined and flushed with beautiful
lilac. This does not seem a constant characteristic
of the variety, but it is quite apparent on a number
of the flowers ; very free and fine.

Duchess op Suthebland.— A rare variety of
quite a distinct shade of lilac.

Abdwell Gem.— Sulphur-yellow. Probably the
most free-flowering variety in existence. Exceed'
ingly beautiful, and unsurpassed for masses.

Mes. H. Bellamy. — Quite a new and distinct
variety of beautiful form. Richest purple on three
lower petals, upper ones shading off into pure
white.

Columbine. — Centre white, edged all round with
pale lilac, and richly pencilled in the centre. Simi-
lar to Lucy Ashton, but not so dark.

Aechibald Grant. — The finest of all the pur-
ples. Should be in every collection.

Neptune. — Purple and pure white, a very beau-
tiful variety.

Yoek and Lancaster. — A striped variety, per-
haps the best of that class, which as a class will
never be very popular.

Queen of Scots. — A decidedly improved Coun-
tess of Kintore so far as individual flowers are con-
cerned. It will require to be grown in quantity to
prove its superiority to that variety in other re-
spects.

Blue Cloud. — In the way of Skylark, but the
blue edging round all the petals is deeper.

Other distinct and good sorts are Hugh
Aindie, mauve ; Goldfinch, yellow and purple ;
Sunrise, dark rose ; Lord Elcho, yellow ; and
Bullion, a very fine yellow.

Lobelia speeiosa Miss Hope.— This is a very

fine variety with pure white flowers of large size. A

number of plants are now in flower in Messrs. Stuart
and Meiu's nursery, Kelso. They form a margin to
the greenhouse stage and are well worthy of culture for
this purpose in winter. It is also said to be a fine
variety for bedding out. — J. D.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

PRUNING PEACH TREES.

When much of the old bearing wood is cut out
from the trees soon after the fruit is gathered
little further remains to be done now. This
commendable practice, however, is not very
generally followed, the pruning being deferred
till the present time in the case of house-grown
trees, and still later in the open. It is with
the former I propose principally to deal now,
though many of my remarks would be equally
applicable to the trees against open walls.
Very much depends upon the way in which the
trees are pruned, the experienced operator hav-
ing in view not only the possibility of securing
a lull crop of fruit next season, but also of either
laying the foundation or preserving trees that
will remain in a healthy, productive state
for many years to coma. In some instances a
too free use of the knife does much more harm
than good, while in others we may easily err in
not cutting out sufficient wood. It is the
young vigorous trees that are most liable to be
injured by excessive pruning, but it does not
follow that these should be allowed to grow un-
restricted in any way. Some shortening back
must be done, or otherwise branches already
far ahead of the rest will not only maintain
that lead, but very probably increase it next
season, and badly balanced trees be the result.
Foreshortening is frequently quite as much
needed by young trees as by the older ones,
and, judiciously practised, serves to direct some
of the tree's energies into channels where it is
most needed. Young Peach and Nectarine
trees have an unfortunate tendency to form
long rank growths, and these if not removed
as soon as detected, or greatly checked by early
stopping — the former plan being the best — are
very difficult to deal with at pruning time. If
cut cleanly out now, the chances are the wounds
will never heal over properly, gumming or
gradual collapse of whole branches, owing to
the spread of decay in the wood, being the in-
evitable consequence. Shortening back these
gross shoots only aggravates the evil, still
stronger shoots being produced by them next
season, one-sided trees resulting. Supposing
they have ripened fairly well, the best way out
of the difficulty is to lay in these growths to
their full length, taking care to depress them as
much as possible in order to check the flow of
sap in their direction. Next summer they may
be allowed to form several lateral growths, and
if these are heavily cropped in the following
season, this will materially check grossness.

The rules to be observed in pruning either
comparatively old or young fruiting Peach and
Nectarine trees are much the same, being
largely affected by the state of the wood. Fore-
shortening is necessary in very many cases, in
order to keep the centre and the base of the
trees well furnished with young bearing wood.
Thinning out must be practised, crowding the
shoots having nothing to commend it, but, on
the contrary, a most weakening effect upon the
trees ; while, if many of the young reserved
shoots are not shortened, subsequent growths,
or those lequired for fruiting next season, may
be too weak. Foreshortening consists in cut-
ting back some of the leading shoots, with either
a short or long length of old wood attached, to
a well-placed inner shoot or branch. Not only

is it necessary, however, in the case of young
trees growing too irregularly, but it is even
more so in the case of trees that have already
filled their allotted wall or trellis space. If
some of the older or leading branches are not
foreshortened every season, there will soon be
a thicket of growth at the extremities and not
nearly enough bearing wood in the centre. Keep
the old wood well shortened back, a few, not all,
the long branches being taken out every winter,
and there will always be plenty of healthy young
ones coming on to take their place. Overcrowd-
ing the branches and young shoots is a very
common, but most unwise practice. Constantly
followed, very little healthy strong growth is
formed, and in time the trees become much en-
feebled and otherwise unsatisfactory. If there
was any gain either in the weight or quality of
the crops, there might be something to be said
in favour of the system, or rather want of
system ; but, as it happens, the freely thinned
out, thinly trained trees invariably produce the
most valuable crops, and if quantity rather
than quality is most desirable, this can also be
most surely and constantly obtained from the
non-crowded trees. Both the foreshortening of
old branches and thinning out of young shoots
should be completed before the trees are un-
loosened from their present position, otherwise
it is far less easy to determine which growths
can best be dispensed with. It much simplifies
matters if the bulk of reserved young shoots —
that is to say, the bearing wood of next season
— is left on the upper side of the main branches,
but I never adhere strictly to this rule, as if
shoots are wanted on the under side they are
laid in. What are needed are sufficient young
growths to cover the whole or greater part of
the wall or trellis space when laid in from 3
inches to 5 inches apart. The greater distance
is none too much for vigorous trees of Alex-
andra Noblesse, Barrington, Sea Eagle, and
other large varieties of Peaches, and 4 inches
is a good distance apart for the fruiting growths
of the majority of other healthy trees of Peaches
and Nectarines.

Thinning out the bearing wood and shorten-
ing that reserved usually accompany each other.
Shortening the shoots, though not absolutely
necessary, is yet most advisable where it can
safely be done, especially when the wood stands
in need of strengthening. What length each
shoot should be left must depend upon circum-
stances, uniformity being out of the question.
Extra strong well-matured shoots may well be
left to a length of 3 feet, medium-sized, or
those about the dimensions of an ordinary lead
pencil, being left fully 2 feet long, while others
slightly smaller should be shortened to a length
of 18 inches or only 1 foot, and if it is safe to
cut still smaller shoots these ought to be reduced
to a length of 6 inches, or even less. Weakly
growths should be rather hard pruned in order
to promote stronger growth next season, and it
follows that to hard prune shoots already very
strong will have the effect of increasing rather
than diminishing what might in time become
an evil. The inexperienced need informing
that to cut to other than a wood bud spoils the
shoot, as it is necessary that there be leafy
growth beyond the flowers or newly set fruit.
What they have, therefore, to discover is which
are the wood-buds and which the flower-buds,
and as the latter are much the plumper and
somewhat obtuse-pointed, there ought to be no
difficulty about it. A wood-bud will always be
found at the point of a healthy shoot, however
small, and if there is any uncertainty about the
rest, leave the shoots to their full length. Some
varieties are more prone to form fewer wood-
buds than others, but, as a rule, all healthy

554

THE GARDEN.

[Deo. 13, 1890.

medium-sized young growths will be well fur-
nished with triple buds, the centre of these be-
ing a wood-bud and the others flower-buds. It
is thus usually safe to prune to a triple bud if
such is to be found, but very risky to cut back
to a single plump bud, this more often than not
being a flower-bud. VV. Iggulden.

RASPBERRIES.
In some gardens the Raspberry is a very disappoint-
ing fruit, as instead of growing freely it dwindles
away. In several gardens I am aware the soil
is partly to blame, especially if this should be of a
heavy and retentive nature. Yet the mode of cul-
tivation pursued is also to blame, as however clayey
the soil may be, the Raspberry may be induced to
thrive in all gardens and produce abundance of
luscious fruits. Annual surface digging is another
source of failure, the Raspberry being a surface-
rooting subject. I never think of forking over
our Raspberry plantation, but instead I apply
an annual surface dressing of decayed and well-
burned garden refuse in equal parts during Febru-
ary after the canes have been pruned and tied.
Where it is intended to form a fresh plantation, the
ground should be trenched over two spits deep, at
the same time working in a fair dressing of decayed
and well-burned garden refuse. Where the soil is
at fault through being of a too retentive nature,
take out a trench 2 feet in width and 18 inches in
depth, and fill up with the material mentioned
above, when I warrant the Raspberry will thrive to
perfection. The canes should be planted three in
a stool, 30 inches apart in the rows and 4 feet be-
tween the rows, or even more if room is available.
About the middle of February cut back the rods
to about 4 inches, the aim being to induce the stools
to push forth vigorous shoots, for if the canes are
left full length with the intention of these fruiting,
the results will be disappointing. Various contriv-
ances are used for fastening the canes to, such as
wires stretched to supports at each end and
tightened with strainers, stout stakes, and so forth.

1 use stakes about 5 feet in height, and fixed firmly

2 feet apart. The canes are not tied straight up,
but trained obliquely, some to the right and others
to the left across each other, so that when finished
they appear diamond shape. Trained in this man-
ner, there is a much greater length of bearing wood,
and there is also a chance of training the canes
nearly their full length. I fail to see what benefit is
gained by cutting back each cane to about 4 feet
and tying it straight up. The best fruit is always
at the tops of the canes, where the buds are largest
and plumpest. The end of February is time
enough to finish off the tying and surface dressing.
No more shoots should be allowed to grow through
the summer than are necessary for the succeeding
year's crop. As soon as the crop is gathered, cut
out all the old bearing canes, as being of no further
use.

Varieties.— In many gardens, and especially in
country districts, the variety grown is little better
than a wilding. Baumforth's Seedling is an excel-
lent kind, the fruit being large, freely produced,
and of fine flavour. Carter's Prolific and Fill-
basket are good old varieties. Superlative is spoken
of very highly, but I have not yet tried it.

Ritual.

Pruning: Gooseberry bushes.— No greater
error prevails in the culture of this popular and
very wholesome fruit than the practice (still fol-
lowed by many people) of cutting back the indi-
vidual shoots to within a bud or two of their base,
with the natural, but very undesirable result that a
thicket of weakly shoots and small fruits only is
produced. The way to obtain fine large berries as
well as bandsome bushes heavily laden with ropes
of rich fruit is to thin out the shoots freely, and
where very long and weak to shorten them back a
little, so as to promote a balance of growth in the
bushes as well as to prevent the fruit-laden shoots
from touching the ground, in which case they
would sustain injury by grit and damp. Thus
treated, the bushes, in consequence of the weight
of the crop, will assume a pendulous habit, and the

centre of each bush being partly open, the crop
can be gathered without the hands being scratched
in doing so. The sooner the pruning is performed
after the fall of the leaf the better will be the re-
sults. When the pruning is completed remove the
prunings to the fire heap, and with a rake draw back
a thickness of 1 inch of the surface soil about 3 feet
or 4 feet, according to the diameter of branches,
from the stem of each bush, and when the branches
are quite damp and the weather calm dust them
well with fresh lime. This will not only save
the buds from the onslaught of birds and kill the
Moss, which is so ruinous to thousands of fruit
trees in this country when allowed to spread, as it
has been for ages past and is still permitted to do,
but it will also destroy the larvte of the Gooseberry
caterpillar that may be located on and underneath
the bushes. This done, lay on a good surface-
dressing of short manure, and point it into the
ground with a five-tined fork. All dwarf fruit
trees and bushes which are infested with Moss or
Lichen should be dusted over with lime when damp
as indicated. In the case of tall orchard trees we
apply the remedy in a liquid state through the
garden engine every third or fourth year, as de-
scribed at p. 4G4 of The Gabden for Nov. 15. As
our orchard is situated in the Avon valley the at-
mosphere is rather humid, and, therefore, favour-
able to the growth of Moss and Lichen on the
trees. Hence the necessity for applying the lime-
wash at such short intervals. — H. W. Waed.

ORANGE CULTURE.
Would someone kindly advise me as to the treat-
ment of large Orange trees which are very thick
in foliage and with a lot of green fruit half grown
now on them ? They are in a temperature of from
50° to 60°.— Orange.

*»* The old-fashioned way of growing Orange
trees (such as are imported from the Continent) in
greenhouses and conservatories, the trees planted
in poor peaty soil and frequently overrun with
scale and other parasites, is anything but satisfac-
tory. The trees will produce their flowers, and
the fruits produced will in time become yellow, but
the flesh is bitter and without any juice; whereas a
well-grown St. Michael's or Tangerine Orange is
full of juice to the bursting of the skin, and much
superior in flavour to any that can be purchased
in the shops ; moreover, there is an interest of a
sentimental kind attached to Orange trees with
their sweetly-scented blossoms which does not be-
long to the Peach or Nectarine. The trees are al-
ways in a bearing state or in blossom, and some-
times the blossoms for next season's crop are ex-
panded before the crop of fruit can be gathered.
The culture is very simple, but it takes as long to
ripen a crop of Oranges as it does to ripen a house
of Muscat Grapes. The foundation of good culture
is laid by planting the trees in the right compost,
that is good fibrous yellow loam from an upland
pasture with plenty of fibre not too much decayed ;
to five parts of this add one of decayed stable ma-
nure, and to each barrowload of the compost an
8-inch potful of crushed bones. I have always
added to this some pounded charcoal. This is not
absolutely necessary, but I seldom plant the trees
without it, as it helps to keep the compost open.
Drain the pots well, and over the drainage place a
thin layer of turf fibre from which the finer par-
ticles of soil have been well shaken ; this effectually
prevents the finer particles of the potting soil from
becoming mixed with the drainage. In repotting
do not place the tree deeper than it was previously,
nor into a pot more than 3 inches larger than
the previous one. Ram the compost in firmly
with a wooden rammer. After replanting the
trees place them in a moderately warm house,
but do not water them for a few days, nor too freely
at first until new roots have been formed. The
house should be kept rather close, and the trees
should be syringed once at least, and if the weather
is sunny and warm twice daily. When Orange
trees are in good health they require plentiful sup-
plies of water both to the roots and leaves during
the summer months. They also require a high
temperature and moist atmosphere with free expo-

sure to the sun. The best fruit I was ever able to
produce I gathered from trees of the Maltese Blood,
St. Michael's, and Tangerine grown against the
back wall of a Pine house, the trees not nailed to
the wall, but arranged in 13-inch pots near to it ;
they had no shade whatever even in the hottest
days in summer, and in the afternoon of warm sum-
mer days the temperature would range from 90° to
100°, with the trees drenched with the syringe when
the house was shut up. One of the St. Michael's
trees in a 13-inch flower-pot had on it at one time
four dozen of ripe and ripening fruit; one of them I
measured and found it to be 8J inches in circum-
ference, and it weighed just over 9 ozs. That was
in December. The tree had upon it several ripe
fruits when this crop was set in March, so that we
could gather well-flavoured fruits, and send them
to the table in February with the blossoms. The
scale insect and mealy bug both live and thrive on
Orange trees, and when they are present, a sticky
substance gathers on the upper surface of the leaves.
To remove these troublesome parasites, I do not find
any better plan than to wash the leaves and the wood
of the tree with rain water made rather warm and
in which a strong solution of soft soap has been
dissolved ; apply this with a sponge. The constant
syringing during summer keeps the trees compara-
tively clean, but this has to be discontinued when
the fruit has changed colour and is approaching the
ripening stage. Syringing must not be continued
when the trees are in flower, as the fruit does not
set well in a moist atmosphere. — J. Douglas.

Pear culture at Cornpton Bassett.— Pears
succeed admirably in the garden at Cornpton Bas-
sett, near Calne, Wilts, the wall trees especially
rarely failing to produce extra good crops of fruit.
Not only were the fruit that I saw growing on the
trees last summer extra fine, but they were also
very clear skinned, and, for Pears, highly coloured.
Most of the trees are of good age and size, and
principally trained in the horizontal fashion. The
soil evidently suits Pears well. Probably no trees
in the country are more closely attended to, espe-
cially during the growing season. Much of the
strongest lateral growth is pulled cleanly out as
fast as it forms, while other shoots are kept closely
stopped with the thumb and forefinger, and no-
where else have I seen this somewhat severe prac-
tice answer so well. All the trees are well furnished
with short spurs in clusters, fruit buds being ex-
ceptionally numerous and strong. The trees are
not allowed to suffer for want of either manure
or moisture at the roots, and no vegetable or other
crops are grown nearer than 4 feet from the walls.
This space being covered with ashes, a clean walk
is formed, the ashes also preventing the soil from
binding badly or losing moisture rapidly. Mr.
Cook believes in thinning out the fruit early and
freely, a moderately heavy crop of large fruit
rightly being more highly valued than a much
greater number of smaller Pears. The thinning,
however, is done piecemeal, only the most perfectly
formed fruit being left at the final reduction. The
fruits are fully exposed to the light and sunshine
almost from the time they are set, every leaf that
obstructs being either pinched off or tucked back.
That they pay well for this extra trouble there can
be no doubt, and that very fine Pears are grown at
Cornpton Bassett those who saw the first prize col-
lection staged by Mr. Cook at the Royal Aquarium
fruit show on October 15 last will readily admit. —
I. M. H.

Washing- fruit trees in winter. — The follow-
ing I have found a good wash for fruit trees in
winter when the leaves are all off. It is usually
applied with the syringe as soon as the pruning
and training are completed. Place one pound of soft
soap in an open vessel of any kind, and pour over
it half a pint of paraffin oil. Blend the two to-
gether as well as possible by stirring, adding a little
boiling water from time to time till the soap is all
dissolved ; then mix with five gallons of soft water,
and apply it as warm as the hand can bear. One
gallon equally distributed will be sufficient for an
ordinary sized tree, and the cost, including time,
will not exceed 3d. per tree. In dealing with
insects, there is a considerable saving in anticipat-

Dec. 13, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

555

ing treatment, as in the egg state they are help-
less.— E. H.

The Satzuma Plum. — Among the new Plum
trees which have been recently introduced from
Japan by MM. Transon, of Orleans, the Satzuma
Plum is one of the most remarkable, and is very
highly recommended, as being one of the most valu-
able. From a coloured drawing of the fruit which
lies before us, it appears to be quite spherical in
shape, somewhat like that of the variety known as
Pond's Seedling, but the colour is of a much deeper
red marked with blackish-brown streaks, which on
the parts of the fruit that are most exposed to the
sun widen into blotches or spots of the same dark
brown colour. From the drawing above mentioned
the fruit measures about 7 centimetres (nearly 3
inches) in diameter. Of all these lately introduced
Japanese Plums, eleven in number, the Satzuma is
recommended as one of the best. It is said to be a
very early kind, ripening five or six weeks earlier
than the Kelsey Plum ; it will, therefore, be well
adapted for the climate of the central parts of
France. — Revue Borticole.

The Salway Peach.. — Although I have had no
experience with this variety here, yet I know a
large tree of it growing against an outside wall in
a gentleman's garden about four miles distant
which bears a good crop of fruit every year. He
brought me samples about the middle of last Oc-
tober, the fruit being large, of a beautiful colour,
and excellent flavour. I was so pleased with it that
I intend to add it to my collection, and, in order to
get it true, I shall work my own trees from buds
taken from the tree in question. It is very disap-
pointing, having paid a good price for a tree, to
grow it for a season or two and then when it fruits
find it to be quite different to what you wanted.
There is great confusion in the nomenclature of
Peaches, and as yet there appears to be no hope for
better. Only some twelve months ago I sent to one
of the best firms in the country for some Peach and
Nectarine trees, feeling sure that I should get them
true to name. Two of these were to be Grosse Mig-
nonne ; one —a standard— I particularly wanted for
an early house, but, to my great disappointment,
when it opened its few flowers I found them to be
small and the glands on the leaves reniform. This
tree Dore one small fruit, and, judging from the
single specimen, flowers and glands, I take it to be
Early Louise, a variety which I did not want at all.
How many others among these trees will prove un-
true to name remains to be seen. Now I do not
wish it to he understood that I blame the firm who
supplied these trees, because I know that nursery-
men get buds from trees in the possession of pri-
vate growers which they may never have seen. I
know in all good nurseries every care is taken to
keep things true to name, yet it is very easy
for employe's to put on a wrong bud or graft,
or to confuse trees in lifting and transplanting. Sea
Eagle is also a grand Peach, as also is Walburton
Admirable, but the other kinds named by Mr.
Iggulden, I think, might and could be very well
dispensed with. — W. C, Devon.

THE WEEK'S WORK.

PLANT HOUSES.
Stove. — Bouvaedias. — To have one-year-old
plants of Bouvardia to give a good quantity of
flowers, cuttings should be struck early in the win-
ter. The old method of propagating from root-cut-
tings has given place to striking the shoots. A
plant or two of each variety of Bouvardia that is
to be grown should have no water given for a few
weeks. This will cause the older leaves on the
lower part of the shoots to wither and fall off.
After this the soft portions of the shoots that re-
tain any leaves should be cut away ; then the plants
should be immediately put in heat and have the
soil soaked. This will cause the wood to break
from almost every eye. In a short time the shoots
will attain a length of from 1 inch to 2 inches, at
which size they are better for striking than if al-
'owed to get longer. Inserted in pots or cutting

pans in sand, kept close and moist in ordinary stove
heat, they will root in two or three weeks.

Helioteopes. — Sweet-scented flowers are not
over-plentiful in the winter months. To many the
perfume of Heliotropes is preferable to that of most
things. There is no difficulty in having the flowers
all through the winter, provided there happens to
be a house or pit where an intermediate tempera-
ture can be kept up, as these plants do not like
hard forcing. If produced under this condition
the bloom is soft, of little use for cutting, and
where subjected to too much heat, the shoots soon
begin to come too soft and weak to flower well.
Heliotropes will not bear forcing, and should have
as much light as possible during the dull winter
time whilst being brought on to flower. Compara-
tively small-sized plants, such as were struck from
cuttings early in the spring, and that have the wood
firm and well matured, are in much better condi-
tion for forcing than plants that have been kept
continuously under glass. Still better are old spe-
cimens that are annually cut back each spring after
being forced and encouraged to make growth
through the summer. Standard form with bushy
heads is the best shape, as it often admits of the
tops of the plants being got closer to the glass
than dwarf or bush shaped examples can be. Ma-
nure water should be given to keep up a succession
of bloom.

Narcissus. — More bulbs of the early white Nar-
cissus should be put in heat to afford a succession.
Several of the larger flowered kinds should also be
started. Amongst these N. poeticus ornatus will
bloom early with much less forcing than the ordi-
nary forms of N. poeticus. Whether for cutting or
for room or conservatory decoration, N. poeticus
ornatus is one of the most beautiful of all. Where
the plants are required for decorative use from 6-
inch to 8-inch pots are the best. If the flowers are
wanted for cutting alone, boxes are better, as if the
bulbs were put in as close as they will bear, more
bloom will be forthcoming from a given space occu-
pied than can be had in pots. Keep the plants
within a short distance of the glass to prevent the
flowers coming weak.

Hyacinths. — Some more of the large-flowered
Hyacinths should now be put in heat, still keeping
to the sorts that will bear early forcing.

Tulips. — More of these should also be set going
to succeed the first batch. It is much better with
all bulbs like the above to start a limited quantity
at short intervals than larger numbers less fre-
quently. Avoid the use of too much heat, especi-
ally in the old badly-lighted houses or pits.

Stove plants. — The different kinds of the
warmer section of stove plants that bloom during
the spring and summer will now require a drier
atmosphere, as also the soD, than at other times.
But if the air be too dry and arid, it will injure
most of the evergreen sorts. Neither must the soil
get over-dry, or mischief will follow. This is espe-
cially the case with Gardenias that are intended to
flower towards the spring. See that all bulbs and
tubers, such as Gloxinias, Caladiums, Curcumas,
and Gloriosas, are not allowed to remain for any
length of time in places where the temperature is
too low. Though these roots, and others of a like
nature, will bear whilst quite dry and at rest to be
much cooler than when growing, if too cold they
perish.

Greenhouse. — Lapagekias.— Now is a good
time to propagate Lapagerias by layering. Any-
one who wants to raise young stock may easily do
so by this method. Supposing the specimens to
be planted out in a bed, it will be necessary to put
i inches or 5 inches of finely broken peat on a
small portion of the bed in which to layer the
shoots. Strong growths, such as spring up annu-
ally from the bottom, are the best. These should
be such as have been formed within the year. It
is only necessary to bend them down and cover
the stems their whole length with the peat, leaving
about one-third of the extremities of the leaves
standing above the surface. The shoots should be
pegged down with small hooked sticks, putting one
to every 8 inches or 10 inches of the length, so as

to hold them firmly in position. A strip on one side
of the bed about a foot in width will be enough in
which to layer a couple of shoots. No notching
of the stem, such as is practised in the layering of
most plants, is necessary. The layered shoots
form roots on their own account before they push
up through the surface. These will appear in the
course of about three months, and should each
have a tall stick inserted in the soil for them to
twine round. Strong shoots of the character de-
scribed will make young plants during the coming
season that frequently will run 10 feet or 12 feet
in length. Towards the end of summer they should
be taken off and potted singly. The soil should be
kept moderately moist, but not too wet.

Established plants op Lapageeia. — Lapa-
gerias usually begin to grow much earlier in the
season than most things, even when subjected to
no more heat than that of a greenhouse. This
being the case, anything that entails any disturb-
ance of the roots should be carried out between
the time of their blooming and the young growth
beginning to move. When the plants are turned
out, the beds or borders they occupy are often so
small, that after the specimens get large the root
space is insufficient to support them without the
assistance of fresh soil. Where this occurs, as
much of the surface of the old bed as can be got
away without breakage of the roots should be re-
moved and replaced by new. For this purpose the
best peat, containing plenty of fibre, is preferable
to loam, but where peat of this character is not
available, it is better to use loam. In either case
enough sand should be added to keep the whole in
a sweet, porous condition for a length of time.

CineeaeiAS. — Where a batch of these plants
was raised early enough in the spring and they
have been well cared for through the summer, they
will now do good service, as the flowers will be
coming in. Continue to assist them with manure
water until the flowers are fully developed ; this is
especially necessary for the successional stock that
are intended to bloom later on in winter and dur-
ing the spring. Keep the plants as far as pos-
sible away from the influence of dry air, such as
where stood on open stages over the hot-water
pipes, as under such conditions the large bottom
leaves are certain to suffer. The loss of these, if
they go much before the time when the flowers
open, affects the blooming of the plants, and where
they are wanted for greenhouse or conservatory
decoration mars their appearance. T. B.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

Seasonable woek. — A rather short, but very
sharp spell of frosty weather ought to have been
taken advantage of for getting much wheeling and
carting of manure done. If these early opportuni-
ties are missed it often happens that such do not
occur again for several weeks afterwards, the
November and December frosts sometimes being
all that are experienced during the winter. This
season the ground is unusually dry, and therefore
in the best state for digging, trenching, and such-
like work. Asparagus beds might also be made
now, this allowing good time for the settlement
which inevitably follows upon the movement of a
great depth of soil, the surface soil also being ren-
dered more fit for the Asparagus roots, owing to the
pulverising and sweetening effects of frosts, wind
and rain.

Oedinaey digging. — In all cases where it is
found that soils are improved by long rough expo-
sure to frosts and cold drying winds, autumn or
early winter digging should, as much as possible,
be resorted to. More harm than good sometimes
results from digging ground long before it can be
cropped, owing to its liability to become too finely
divided, and saturated by rains and snow-water in con -
sequence, this greatly delaying sowing and planting
in the spring. These, however, are exceptions to the
rule, more especially in districts where heavy clayey
soils prevail. Whether the manure should be dug
in now or early in the spring should also depend
upon circumstances, some soils being more ab-
sorbent than others. I have found some rather
heavy soils greatly improved by being manured and

556

roughly dug now, and re-dug during dry weather
in February. When this comes to be cropped, it is
not merely the surface that crumbles to pieces, but
all to the depth of the spade is in good working
order and in excellent condition for the reception
of the roots. Workmen, as a rule, prefer spades to
digging forks, but the latter are undoubtedly the
best for heavy land, spades leaving the spits with
a too close and smooth surface. On no account
should any wheeling or digging be done while the
surface of the ground is in a wet state, trampling
on it then causing pastiness and doing harm that
cannot be rectified for several years. Better by
far defer digging till nearer the spring than in-
terfere with it when in a wet state. Nor should
much frozen soil or snow be buried, this lowering
the temperature to an injurious extent.

Teenching.— Trenching proper maybe described
as a process whereby the positions of surface and
subsoils are completely reversed. It may turn out
to be a wise proceeding, and it might prove to be
exactly the reverse. Very much depends upon the
nature of the subsoil. If it consist principaUy of
clay, it is little short of madness to bring it to the
surface where it is simply unmanageable, burying
that which is more fertile and free-working where
it is of very little service. In all such cases the
least that can be done is to prepare the subsoil for
its future change of position by double digging
or bastard trenching. Deposited or alluvial soils
these being very different to those naturally formed'
may safely be trenched, and not unfrequently or
after the surface spit has been exhausted of some
of its mineral constituents, they are improved in
fertility thereby. Trenching is a laborious process
but very simple. At the outset a good breadth of
ground should be marked out to a width 20 inches
wide, wheeling the whole of the soil two spits deep
to the other end, or where it is proposed to finish
Next mark out another width of 20 inches throw-
ing the top spit of this into the bottom of the trench
just formed, and on the top of this dispose the
bottom spit, and so on till the whole of the ground
has thus been reversed in position, the last trench
being filled with the soil previously wheeled back
Ihere is no wisdom in burying manure in the
bottom of the trench, but if that which is brought
to the surface is at all poor it will be greatly im-
proved by having some rather short manure freely
forked into it either as the work of trenching goes
on, or any time prior to cropping.

Bastabd trenching.— This is only another
name for double digging just previously alluded
to, and consists in breaking up the ground two or
more spits deep without changing the positions of
surface and subsoils. Not until a subsoil can be
relied upon to work fairly well should it be brought
to the surface, and even friable subsoils are fre-
quently barren till they have been cultivated for
some time. Especially is it unwise to other than
double-dig or bastard-trench ground to be broken
up for vegetable culture. After the subsoil has
been cultivated for several years and duly enriched
and improved by the addition of various kinds of
decaying and somewhat fine insoluble material it
may safely be brought to the surface, but not till
tnen. In this case also a 20-inch width may be
marked off at the commencement of the work but
only the top spit and shovellings, or the earth loos-
ened, but not taken out, with the spade, wheeled
back to the opposite end. The bottom spit should
then be deeply broken up with forks, at the same
time mixing in rough manure of any kind, weeds,
and other vegetable refuse, and in the case of clayev
subsoils, mortar rubbish, or anything else that
would serve to lighten it. On this should be thrown
•!Lt0pisJplt and shovellings from the next 20-inch
width, then serving the subsoil as in the first
trench, and so forth till all is completed. The shovel-
lings usually appear quite fresh, and may not have
been much disturbed for many years, if ever before,
lney serve to correct and renovate what may pre-
viously have been over- manured surface soils, with-
out, in some cases, greatly altering their free- work-
ing character. If the subsoil is of a very clayey
character, then must it be brought less sparingly
to the surface-the shovellings must be lightfin
act. This preparation is usually sufficient for most

THE GARDEN.

[Dec. 13, 1890.

crops, but for Onions, Globe Artichokes, Rhubarb,
or other gross-feeding vegetables, solid manure is
frequently forked into both top and bottom spits
with advantage. ■yy. j.

Rose Garden.

TRANSPLANTING ROSES.
Roses may often be transplanted for other reasons
than the mere change of site, though that is im-
portant on grounds of taste and freshness in many
a garden. Two of the most potent reasons for
transplanting Roses are to augment their vigour
and enhance their beauty. A third, not so gener-
ally recognised, is to add to the hardiness of Roses.
The first two hardly need any argument to enforce
them, for it is obvious that by the simple process of
lifting and replanting Roses we may place what
soil or compost we list under them on the old sites,
and so mould or modify their growth as we like. It
may also be affirmed that the vigour of Roses is the
measure of their beauty, or at least its foundation.
As a rule, that may, however, have many exceptions.
Thus the two may be said to be linked together
as cause and effect within certain limits, for it must
also be admitted that Roses may be forced or fed
into a grossness of vigour incompatible with either
the highest quality or greatest quantity of blooms.
As to the increase of hardiness of Roses through
transplanting, this arises from the fact that the more
sap or fluid in vegetable tissues, other conditions be-
ing equal, the more tender they are, and vice versa,
Transplantation, by cutting off the natural flow of
sap for a time, makes Rose tissues drier, and so more
able to resist frost. Neither is this a mere matter
of theory, as I have proved the fact by experience
again and again. In this case numerous and oft
repeated trials revealed and suggested the theory
years before direct transplanting for the purpose
of enabling Tea and other Roses to pass through
the winter more safely and added their thou-
sand-tongued testimony to the number and potency
of the facts. Those who still doubt can easily put
the matter to the test by transplanting part of their
Roses, and leaving others side by side untouched
and carefully noting the results through the winter
already upon us, which many symptoms prophesy
is likely to be a severe one. The top-dressing of
Koses is such a simple matter, as to need but few
instructions. Three points must, however, be at-
tended to. The first is the removal of as much ex-
hausted soil as possible with the least possible root
disturbance ; the next, the careful removal of all
suckers, from the youngest embryo to the most
fully developed ; and the last is the use of such soil
or compost as shall feed the roots and multiply
their numbers. The pest of suckers is so trying to
the patience of rosarians and so exhaustive of the
vigour of the Roses, that too much pains cannot be
taken to effect their utter extermination during the
process of top-dressing. That consists in the re-
moval of the old earth between the roots, laying
many of them bare, but bruising or breaking as
few as possible in the process. This old surface
soil may at times not deserve the name of ex-
hausted ; it may, however, be Rose-sick, which is
something even worse. Rose roots will hardly
touch it if they can avoid it, so that it is virtually
useless to them. The best place for it, as a rule and
the most convenient is the top-dressing of exhausted
lawns or hungry meadows, the latter generally re-
sponding quickly with a greatly increased yield of
todder or hay to any surfacing of strange soil well
harrowed in during winter and heavily rolled down
in the early spring. The top-dressing really con-
sists in the surfacing with fresh soU or compost,
btittish maiden loam or rich manure, neat or diluted
with various percentages of soil, may be used, the
twofold purpose of the multiplication of new roots
and the plentiful feeding of the same being kept in
view throughout the top-dressing.

It is the safest and best practice to undress and
redress the Roses tentatively, so that the two should
proceed as nearly simultaneously as possible. Skil-
ful manipulation alike of the old soil and the new
among or over the roots is also of supreme import-

ance, so as to avoid the wounding or bruising of the
same. Moderate compression by foot or spade is
generally considered favourable to the early biting
of the soil by the newly dressed roots, though many
rosarians leave time and climate to finish the con-
solidation, contending that a loose porous surface
throughout the winter and cold spring keeps out
almost as much cold or in as much heat as a sur-
face mulch of litter, cocoa-nut fibre, or other good
non-conductors. D. T F

SOME GOOD CLIMBING ROSES.
With such a variety of Roses for every purpose, it
is perhaps not surprising that some of the good
ones should be neglected, especially those of climb-
ing habit. Of these, some of the older kinds are in
danger of being ousted, in consequence of the fine
qualities embodied in those magnificent, but newer
kinds which have been appropriately called Dijon
leas. Admitting all the many merits these Dijon
leas possess, their vigour, hardiness, sweetness
and profusion of bloom, it would still be a pity if
one of them was found filling a position that would
just suit such a good old Rose as Lamarque, which
is now by no means commonly seen. It is perhaps
a little tender, suffering from exposure if upon
heavy soil or in a cold district. It is just the Rose
tor a warm corner upon the house or waU in many
a, favoured southern or western garden. In the
freedom of its growth and bloom it is all that can
be desired, and the flowers are borne in great
clusters both in summer and autumn. It is an old
Rose, having been known ever since 1830. The
finest specimen I ever saw was about twenty years
old, and it had a stem girthing nearly 12 inches
For cutting it is good and lasting, and when grown
under glass the buds are almost pure white. A
southern aspect would appear to suit this Rose best
when planted out of doors, and it is worthy of much
more extended culture, at least in the south of Eng-
land, where sites are sunny and soils light and
warm. The fine specimen above mentioned was
growing in a little border of shallow soil resting
upon chalk, as it was planted without any
special preparation beyond loosening the hard
chalk at the bottom of the hole. Fortune's
Yellow is unique in the colouring and beauty
of its flowers. One thing which militates against
the popularity of this Rose is its precocity. If
we escape late frosts its bloom is assured, but if
a frost comes and destroys it, we get no bloom at
all that season, as it is not perpetual. It makes its
growth early and ripens it well, and a late frost is
the only drawback we have to encounter. This
may be overcome by planting the Rose in several
positions, so that if it is cut in one it will escape in
another. A northern one has been recommended,
but to plant this Rose upon such an aspect is to
deprive it of one of its greatest charms, its blooms
in such a situation being colourless in comparison
with the flowers upon plants that have a sunny as-
pect. The flowers are only semi-double, but are of
a yellow colour, flaked and suffused with the most
glowing shades of rosy carmine and in a most at-
tractive manner, the variety and richness of this
colour varying somewhat, but appearing brightest
and best upon plants in warm soils and sunny as-
pects. The buds are simply delightful, and in this
state it is a most valuable Rose for cutting. It
grows with great vigour upon any stock or upon
its own roots, and none of the dreaded Rose pests
such as mildew or rust, ever attack it. Upon wall
or pillar it is always the same, a free-growing and
charming Rose, always fresh and full of verdure
and generally in June bursting forth into bloom.
It is to be feared that this Rose has had to take
a second place in many gardens, or is not planted
as often as its merits entitle it. Boule de Neige is
just the Rose for a pillar, porch, or wall, exceed-
ingly beautiful, thoroughly hardy and vigorous, as
full of bloom in September as in July, and, there-
fore, truly perpetual. If Lacharme had only raised
this one Rose we should ever have revered his me-
mory, but Boule de Neige is only one of the many
fine kinds with which this noted raiser has enriched
our gardens, and it was sent out more than twenty
years ago. Although not so truly climbing as the

Dec. 13, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

557

two kinds above mentioned, no apology is needed
for including it in this selection, as a Rose which
makes ti-feet shoots annually when once established
will soon cover any desired space. Its flowers are
of the purest white, except an occasional tinge of
pink upon the outside petals, and they are borne
most profusely in many-flowered clusters. It is of
little use to the exhibitor, but it is a garden Rose of
the very first rank, and as sweet and useful for cut-
ting as it is effective and beautiful as a climber.
The abundance and rich green of its glossy foliage
are not the least of its merits, and intensify the
snowy whiteness of its flowers.

Ophirie is another very old and pretty climbing
Rose rarely seen in gardens. It is one of the early
Roses and also one of the latest, its season extend-
ing from May into October. The flowers are large
and very sweet, of a copper-yellow colour suffused
with rosy carmine, which imparts to the flower a
warm and beautiful effect. This colour is even
brighter in the buds, which are strikingly attrac-
tive and showy, being borne profusely in clusters.
The habit of growth is vigorous, and the Rose loves
a warm, sunny spot ; in fact this is necessary to
ensure its safety during winter. Its greatest value
is that it is one of the very best autumn blooming
climbers, this desirable quality being by no means
a common one among the generality of climbing
kinds, unless the production of a few stray blooms
be entitled to claim for the kind a perpetual cha-
racter, and even many of those that do bloom
freely in autumn are over and done whilst Ophirie
is still full of bright buds and sweet flowers. Aimee
Vibertis probably one of the oldest climbing Roses
in cultivation, having been sent out by Vibert in
1828. It is thoroughly hardy, exceedingly vigor-
ous, almost evergreen, its shoots clothed with the
richest and glossiest of foliage, and when in flower
literal wreaths of snowy whiteness. The freshness
and beauty of its rich leafage are an admirable foil
and setting for the profuse and lovely clusters of
flowers, and an additional merit is that they do
not come till late in July, when the flush of the
early climbing Roses is over and their season is on
the wane. It is a capital Rose for pillars, trellises,
arches, posts, or to establish upon a tree, which
perhaps is the best of all uses for this lovely Rose.
Those who have no walls might establish many of
these fine climbing Roses upon second-rate trees,
and nothing could be conceived more lovely.
Celine Forestier is a lovely pale yellow, sweet-
scented kind, free in growth and bloom, that we
could ill afford to dispense with, and Solfaterre, an
older kind, may be mentioned as a Rose worth
keeping, but now not often seen. It is a vigorous
kind, preferring a south wall, and bears fine large
open flowers of a sulphur-yellow colour.

A. H.

Stove and Greenhouse.

THE NEW ZEALAND CLEMATIS.
This is a delightful climber, as those who are
fortunate to have it climbing over the rafters
of the greenhouse or conservatory can testify.
Clematis indivisa is very distinct, and in its
native country, New Zealand, garnishes the
trees on the outskirts of woods with its pro-
fusion of flowers and free, graceful growth. Al-
though usually grown in a greenhouse, it will
live outdoors in many southern gardens, espe-
cially in Devonshire. In one garden in the
southern division of the county it lives and
flowers with freedom, and makes a distinct and
pleasing feature. In midland and northern
counties, of course, the greenhouse is its proper
place, and it is best planted out in a well pre-
pared border of good turfy loam and peat mixed
with a moderate quantity of sharp sand to
lighten it. It is of value for one great reason
— its season of blooming, which is early spring,
when amongst climbers the principal things in
flower are the yellow-flowered Hibbertia and
Kerinedya Marryattiae. The vigorous growth of

the New Zealand Clematis scarcely adapts it
for the small greenhouse, unless confined to a
small root space, but there are many fairly
large structures absolutely bare of good climb-
ing plants that would suit this free and lovely
flower. Aphides are troublesome, but may be
kept down by the usual precautions. Mildew
will often make its appearance in the winter,
but a free circulation of air and dusting of sul-
phur will eradicate the pest. There is a well
known variety called iudivisa lobata, which has
lobed leaves and bolder flowers than those of
the type, but otherwise they are much the
same. To show its freedom, a note in The Gab-
den, Feb. 23, 1889 (p. 181), records that a

Clematis indivisa lobata on a greenhouse wall.

branch of this variety was 14 feet in length and
carried 1500 blossoms.

Rhododendron balsaminseflorum aureum.

— Though the various tube-flowered Rhododen-
drons maintain a long succession of bloom, they
are objected to for the reason that the individual
blooms drop quickly after expansion, but I find
they remain fresh at this season for a fortnight,
whichis certainly quite as long as one might expect.
At all events such a charge cannot be brought
against the double-flowered forms of R. balsaminte-
fiorum, as two fine trusses of the yellow variety
(aureum) remained on the plant in full beauty for
two months. The plant both in flower and foliage
resembles an Oleander. It is certainly a very beau-
tiful Rhododendron, for whom we are indebted to
Messrs. Veitch and Sons, who have done much

towards the improvement of this section of Rhodo-
dendrons— indeed, they may almost claim to have
originated it. As far as my experience extends, the
white-flowered variety of R. balsaminaiftorum,which
is as double as the other, is less vigorous than the
yellow- flowered form. — H. P.

A HOUSE OF BROMELIADS.

A distinct, pleasing, and new feature at Pendell
Court, Bletchingley, is a span-roofed house of Bro-
meliads, and it may be the beginning of a fresh
love for a class of plants that has been frowned
upon in English gardens. They are the pride of
many Continental places, but except in the collec-
tion at Kew and at Pendell Court it would not be
easy to find another representative display. The
house is almost entirely filled with the various
genera grouped under the head of " Bromeliads."
On the left hand side they are planted out in sandy
turfy loam, thoroughly well drained, and arranged
in tiers rockery fashion, setting off the peculiar
and distinctive mottling and bands on the foliage
of many species. Bromeliads are certainly pic-
turesque, especially when planted in the charming
way as at Pendell Court. They are least beautiful
when in pots, crammed together as in the stove at
Kew, as then the bold handsome stripes and mot-
tlings on the foliage are lost to view. Under these
circumstances it is also impossible to have the help
of the fine-leaved Fittonias, Sonerilas, Oxalis sen-
sitiva, and coloured-leaved Begonias, which set off
the Bromeliads to the best advantage. The de-
pressions, angles, and nooks in a rockery-formed
bed like this, raised almost on a level with the eye,
give many opportunities for the use of beautiful
flowers that are seldom seen in greenhouses of the
present day. Oxalis Bowieana, illustrated by a
coloured plate in The Gaeden for May 31, 1890,
will run riot in the loamy soil, flower profusely,
and give brilliant colour for many months. Then
there are the Cape Primroses, or Streptocarpuses,
besides many other things that are used here with
happy effect. The collection is rich in all the lead-
ing types, as Billbergia vittata, which has its stout
leaves banded beautifully with silvery white, and
edged with blackish spines ; the inflorescence is
drooping, the bracts large, bright red, the sepals
and petals with violet coloured tips ; B. macrocalyx,
Tillandsia tessellata, its leafage beautifully tessel-
lated with dark green on a silvery ground ; Pitcair-
nias, and in truth all the genera into which the
family is split up. It is the arrangement th.it com-
mends itself. On the right hand side on entering,
the larger varieties are placed, the wall at the back
covered with Selaginellas, fine-leaved Begonias,
and clustering amongst the plants are the best
varieties of Bertolonia, Fittonia, and other charm-
ing small, but fine-leaved things. A mass of
Billbergia macrocalyx is flourishing in its bed of
mossy Selaginella on the wall, and in the loamy
depressions almost hidden with foliage, the plants
have space to develop their true proportions and
beauty. This is a dead season even in the stove,
and there are few Bromeliads in bloom, but such a
house is always interesting by reason of the striking
leafage of the plants it contains. We can have in a
house like this not only Billbergia and its many
allied genera, but that neglected class of foliage
plants represented by such gems as the Sonerila,
which are usually found stewing in a close frame
in a hot stove. Certainly this house, artistically
planted, adds another feature of great interest to a
place renowned for its rare and beautiful exotics.

Amomum magnificum is a splendid plant
and noted more than once in The Gaeden. A
full description was published on Dec. 14, 1S89 (p.
546), where it was mentioned that the plant was pre-
sented to Sir George Macleay by Sir Henry Barkly,
who about four years ago imported it from the
Seychelles. We may draw attention to it again, as
it is even now, early in December, flowering in the
Pendell Court collection. The plant is of noble
habit, the straight Reed-like stems clothed with
foliage that reminds one of a Hedychium, rising
to a height of over 12 feet, and presenting a picture
of tropical luxuriance. Without its gorgeous scar-

558

THE GARDEN.

[Deo. 13, 1890.

let flowers, cone-like, and like those of Telopea
speciosissima, or the Waratah, it would be a grand
adornment for the Lily house, where it should be
planted in the same muddy soil that suits the
Nelumbium. Form a bold mass of it, then the forest
of vigorous leafy stems makes an imposing group.

Clerodendron nutans. — It seems that we have
more than one form of this Clerodendron, as in
some the calyx from whence the pure white flowers
protrude is reddish, and as such it is shown in the
coloured plate in The Garden for May 5, 1888,
while I have recently seen some specimens full of
flower in which the calyx was of a greenish-white
colour, and consequently less showy than the
other. These paler flowers had, however, been
grown in a shady stove, and perhaps that may to a
certain extent account for the difference. In any
case, the fact that this Clerodendron flowers so
freely even in a small state during the autumn
months is a great point in its favour, and those
who value flowers at this season and do not possess
it would do well to add the plant to their collec-
tions. It is easily grown and increased from cut-
tings put in during the spring or early summer
months. — T.

Manettias in flower. — These pretty slender
twining plants are now at their best, though they
will where favourably situated flower during the
greater part of the year. Trained to a roof or
rafter in a small or medium sized structure, the
Manettias are at home, while their foliage is neat,
and the brilliant Cuphea-like blossoms borne in
great profusion. They are all plants for the inter-
mediate house or cool part of the stove, though in
the summer they will succeed in a greenhouse.
Cuttings strike root readily during the spring
months, and will grow away freely if shifted on as
required. A soil composed of peat, loam, sand, and
well-decayed manure will suit them perfectly, and
the pots must be thoroughly drained. The plants dur-
ing the growing season should be well syringed, as
the foliage is apt to be attacked by red spider,
which quickly turns the leaves yellow. The best
of the three Manettias in cultivation is M. cordi-
f olia, or glabra, as it is sometimes called, with shin-
ing green heart-shaped leaves and flowers of a uni-
form bright red colour. They are about a couple of
inches in length, and borne on long slender stalks.
M. bicolor has small tubular blossoms like those of
a Cuphea, bright scarlet tipped with yellow, while
M. micans has bright orange-coloured flowers. M.
bicolor forms a very pretty specimen in a pot if al-
lowed to ramble over a few sticks, or if trained to
a trellis.— H. P.

Solanums as flowering' plants.— Though
seldom looked upon as flowering plants, there are
certainly several members of the genus which bear
beautiful blossoms. We have in the first place the
large, bluish-purple-flowered S. Wendlandi, which
was illustrated by a coloured plate in The G-aeden,
February 1, 1890, then the less vigorous S. Sea-
forthianum, a slender climber with pinnate leaves
and pale lilac flowers, borne in drooping clusters a
good deal in the way of (except the colour of the
blooms) those of the white-flowered S. jasminoides.
S. Seaforthianum, which is a native of the West
Indies and requires the temperature of a stove, is
stated in books to have been introduced in 1804,
but if such is the case it must have been almost, if
not quite lost to cultivation after then, as the first
time I saw it was at Kew last year. Since then I
have seen it elsewhere, and still retain the good
opinion formed of it, especially as it continues in
flower for a long time. The South American S.
jasminoides is well known as a climber for the cool
greenhouse, or in the more favoured districts of
England it will survive most winters against a wall.
This flowers towards the latter part of the summer
and in the autumn months. S. pensile, which is
quite a new species, is also a very pretty stove
climber. The leaves are lanceolate in shape and
of a very dark green, while the flowers, which are
borne in loose pendulous racemes, are about 1 inch
in diameter and deep purple in colour. The last
to mention (S. crispum) is the only one that is hardy
in many districts of England. It is often treated
as a wall shrub, where its ample foliage and pro-

fusion of purple blossoms render it very ornamen-
tal. In the west of England and Ireland, however,
it often forms a large bush. — T.

FREESIAS.
It would perhaps be impossible to name anything
more beautiful or chaste than these lovely Cape
bulbous plants when in flower. The old way of
growing Freesias was to dry the bulbs off very care-
fully after flowering, and afterwards to shake them
out, and go through the usual sorting and sizing
before re-starting them into growth again in early
autumn. This annual drying off for three or four
months or even longer is a great mistake, the result
being that many never start again at all, and those
that do start instead of exhibiting increased
strength and vigour, hardly flower so well as in the
previous year it may be, and certainly show no signs
of improvement. The general cultivation of Free-
sias is at the present time but very imperfectly
understood by the majority of gardeners. The
Freesia for cutting holds an almost unique position.
By strict adherence to the old way of growing these
lovely fragrant flowers, one is made to believe that
their tiny bulbs would never properly increase to
flowering size if they did not undergo year by year
the sorting and sizing to which they and other
plants are subjected. Such a course is all very well
from a commercial point of view, but with this the
average gardener has nothing whatever to do. My
present remarks concerning Freesias will, it is hoped,
prove seasonable, as I doubt not many will have
had them in flower during the past and present
month with other batches to follow on. A con-
tinuously moist soil is absolutely necessary for
Freesias, and throughout the growing and flowering
season they may, indeed they should be kept al-
most at saturation point, not by standing them in
pans or saucers of water continuously, this they
will quickly resent, but by giving them abundant
supplies two or three times daily. Instead of drying
them off when the flowering is complete and when
they show signs of diminished activity, simply lessen
the water supply, never allowing the soil to be any-
thing approaching dryness. There is not the least ne-
cessity for shaking the bulbs out every year and sort-
ing into sizes. Instead of this, grow them on and shift
into larger pots as they require it. The usual sized pot
for starting them is a 5-inch one, capable of accom-
modating a dozen average large-sized bulbs. These
if grown as I have described should the following
year be placed into 6-inch pots, and so on yearly
according to their strength individually, repot-
ting them annually in the latter part of August
or early in September. Let those who delight to
have these lovely sweet-scented flowers pursue this
mode of culture for two or three years, and compare
the results from previous experiences.

While growing freely weak liquid manure may
be given them twice weekly. The most suitable
soil for them is loam and peat in equal parts, add-
ing some sharp sand and some rotten manure. Pot
very firmly, and last, but not least, provide free and
ample drainage. By reason of their water-loving
disposition they have been termed sub-aquatic, but
those who know them in their native haunts assert
that they have not the slightest claim to such, as
they are usually found growing in spots altogether
removed from such conditions, inhabiting, in short,
dry, stony ground, which in the end but furnishes
another instance of how very little value to the
cultivator is the natural habitat of a plant. It is
certainly interesting to be in possession of the fact,
more particularly when such things are grown to
far greater perfection under conditions quite diffe-
rent from those where they grow naturally. The
most suitable temperature is a moist one of about
50° or 60°. A very common complaint is the diffi-
culty in starting Freesias into growth, an item
which tell3 its own tale ; they have been kept too
dry and are merely showing their disapproval of it.
There will be none of this trouble where the soil has
been kept moist throughout. Imported bulbs are
frequently found behaving similarly from the same
cause, and when we know more of them Freesias
will be far more largely grown. We have certainly
no more beautiful flowers for vases or epergnes

than these, none more graceful or fragrant, and
none more lasting in a cut state. In the early part
of the year we get a fair quantity of their flowers
from Guernsey, but even these with their short,
thin, wiry stems and few flowers plainly show that
a more liberal treatment would prove of great bene-
fit to them. Those who do not as yet grow Freesias
should no longer delay, and the best way will be
to obtain fresh imported bulbs as soon as they
come to hand, which is usually in January and
February. Pot them at once, give a thorough
soaking of water sufficient to saturate the soil, and
then cover the pots with fibre about 2 inches deep,
keeping them in a frame from which frost can be
excluded. Well water them occasionally, and
when started into growth introduce into a warm
greenhouse and grow them in the manner I have
described. E. J.

CUT FLOWERS AND PLANTS IN THE HOUSE.
The resources of the garden have never been called
into requisition for the purpose of the subject form-
ing the title to this paper more than they are at the
present time. In many cases this is a severe tax
upon the gardener in more ways than one. First,
it requires a larger stock of plants than would
otherwise be grown to keep up a good and perma-
nent supply, hence more labour is required ; second,
when any great number of plants in pots is em-
ployed in addition to cut flowers, it must eventually
cause more or less injury to those which are thus
exposed, having in many cases to be placed in un-
suitable positions ; and, thirdly, these plants, when
there is not a large stock from which to select, must
eventually be checked in growth, and the general
appearance of such when seen in the plant houses
does not reflect that credit upon the cultivator
which they would otherwise do. I have often heard
complaints made upon these points and not without
reasonable cause.

The matter resolves itself into this : How best to
overcome the difficulties with which one has to
contend ? With respect to cut flowers, it can be
met by economy in more ways than one. The great
evil of relying on quantity to produce effect by
overcrowding the flowers in their receptacles should
be studiously guarded against. Not only do they
thus detract from the beauty of each other, but the
water from which they derive their sustenance is
the sooner exhausted. Flowers when cut should
be arranged as soon as possible and never exposed
meanwhile to sharp currents of air. When the ar-
rangement cannot be seen to at once, the flowers
should be temporarily kept in a cool place, being if
possible put into water also for the time being. If
they are allowed to suffer at such times, the recu-
perative powers are not in every case sufficient to
restore them to their proper condition. Some flowers
will not last so well as others in a warm room, or
one in which gas is used ; such as are of thin texture
belong chiefly to this category. At no time should
flowers be placed too near a fire if their lasting pro-
perties are to be studied; a mantelpiece with a fire
below it is as bad a place as can be selected. Flowers
may be kept in better condition by using rain-water.
When this cannot be obtained a little charcoal is an
assistance, and some recommend either common
salt or a few pieces of saltpetre to be used. In the
re- arrangement of flowers there is room for economy
in many instances. It does not often happen that
all are unfit for future use ; such as can be used over
again by picking off faded portions, and by cutting
off a small piece of the stem, should be preserved.
Flowers sent a distance either by post or rail should
immediately they are received be inserted into a
good amount of water and allowed to remain thus
for a time until revived, then arranged in the vases
intended to receive them. I have often noted that
flowers are not made so much of as they might
otherwise be, for want of sufficient Fern or other
foliage to associate with them. This may occur
through the supply being limited. Such a case can
be readily excused ; not so, however, when it can
be had and advantage is not taken of it. A good
supply of Maiden-hair and other Fern fronds, par-
ticularly the Davallias, is always an essential aid ;
so also are the handsome plumes of Asparagus

Dec. 13, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

559

pluniosus nanus, and the slender shoots of A. tenu-
issinius and those of Myrsiphyllum asparagoides.
Of hardy foliage, that of Mahonia (Berberis) aqui-
folia with its bronzy tints is invaluable for arrang-
ing with white, yellow, or bronzy colours. Azara
microphylla and Cotoneaster microphylla can
be turned to a good account, as also many of
the finer leaves and shoots of the Ivies. Ornamen-
tal Grasses are also of signal service. Only those
who have used them know their true value. Dur-
ing the latter part of the season, when many of
the deciduous trees and shrubs are clothed in their
brilliant autumnal tints, there is no lack of material
which may be turned to a good account. In the
winter season a good supply of Selaginella denticu-
lata and Panicum variegatum with such beautiful-
leaved plants as the variegated forms of Begonias,
the silvery variegated Fittonia argyroneura, and the
bronzy coloured Cyrtodeira fulgida and C. metal-
lica. All of these form beautiful subjects for a
groundwork upon which to arrange flowers in any
flat and rather broad receptacles, such as are gene-
rally used for dinner-table decorations. In all
kinds of arrangements a good groundwork of foli-
age is of the highest importance. Only those who
have practised its adoption can form a true and
correct value of its benefits, and the economy
which it affords in the amount of flowers used.

Turning to plants, the employment of which
in many varieties and in numerous ways is now so
much in practice, there are means which, if resorted
to, may tend to lessen the injury as well as to eco-
nomise the stock to a considerable extent. In order
to lessen the injury to plants when used in house
decoration, it should be an essential point never to
allow them to remain for any length of time in such
positions ;if injury is anticipated or has been found
to occur change them all the more frequently.
When the positions of the plants afford but the
minimum amount of light, then employ chiefly
those kinds which have better resisting powers than
others, such, for instance, as the Aspidistras and
the India-rubber plant, as well as Dracfenas (rubra
and congesta), amongst the general run of foliage
plants. Of Palms, the best for enduring hard treat-
ment are Kentia Forsteriana, K. Belmoreana, and
K. australis ; Phcenix reclinata, P. tenuis, and Areca
sapida. Of Ferns, the best are Asplenium bulbi-
ferum, A. flaccidum, and a few others resembling
these kinds ; Davallia canadensis and D. elegans ;
Cyrtomium falcatum and Lastrea Sieboldi ; Nipho-
bolus lingua (one of the best for a dark place), and
Platycerium alcicorne ; Pteris cretica and its varie-
gated form, P. tremula, P. serrulata and its numer-
ous crested varieties. The foregoing are well proved
kinds for rough and ready use. With such a selec-
tion, the position in which they are placed must in-
deed be a bad one if they suffer much. The prepara-
tion of plants for house decoration is a point which
is by many entirely overlooked, or but partially
taken into consideration. Plants which have been
recently potted should on no account be used. If
they are, permanent injury must result to the roots
before long. It is against all reason to think that
plants with their roots surrounded with a quantity
of fresh soil, which they have not yet permeated in
a thorough manner, can escape injury. It is impos-
sible for the roots to absorb the moisture in the
soil quickly enough ; thus the latter is reduced in
temperature, and the roots suffer in consequence,
the soil becoming sour before much time has
elapsed. Plants that have thoroughly well filled
their pots with roots are not liable to nearly so
much injury. They require more attention as to
watering, it is true, but that is a good sign rather
than otherwise ; take care, however, that they do
not suffer in this respect. Their surroundings being
such as to afford them no assistance in the way of
atmospheric moisture, more reliance has to be placed
upon the supply through the medium of the roots.
Extremes of temperature should also be guarded
against as much as possible. Plants taken from
a stove straight away into the house, with probably
at this season of the year a drop of 20° or more
must sooner or later suffer even when well rooted.
Those intended for such purposes should if possible
be kept in a cooler, yet safe temperature, with less
humidity in the atmosphere, then they will not

come to much harm. A good quantity of dry Moss
to fill up vacancies between pots or between a
large pot and a larger vase is of great service ; it
protects the pot and roots in a measure from fluc-
tuations in temperature. Green Moss (fresh) is
always useful as a surfacing, and if fairly moist
prevents the plants from drying up so quickly. A
good stock of dwarf growing plants is at all times
of service ; these should never be in larger pots
than 4J-inch. Ficus repens, Isolepis gracilis, the
dwarf Lycopodiums, the hardier of the dwarf Ferns
can in this way be turned to a good account, and
be the means of saving more valuable material. I
am fully persuaded that many plants are perma-
nently injured whilst in the house from one or
more o£ the following causes, viz., by being en-
tirely overlooked or only partially watered ; if this
happens with Palms or Ferns they are sure to fail.
The other extreme of giving an excessive supply is
also a source of injury, more particularly if the
plants are standing in a water-tight receptacle and
absorbing the water which has already passed
from them ; exposure to cold air is also injurious,
particularly so if they stand near to a window
which possibly the first thing in the morning is
thrown open as wide as possible to air the room
with probably a frosty air outside. When plants
have been through some unavoidable cause left for
several days in the house, they require more care-
ful treatment immediately after removal ; those
with ornamental foliage should have a sponging
and given a growing temperature to revive them.

Wardian cases are not so much used as in years
gone by, but with suitable plants they may be made
very attractive. In these the moisture-loving Ferns
may be grown successfully. I have kept a good
plant of Todea superba in first-rate health for
months under such treatment. Nothing could look
more handsome than a well-grown plant of this or
any other Filmy Fern when suffused with atmo-
spheric moisture, which to many other things
would mean speedy decay. I used to take the
plant out occasionally to gently moisten the fronds
and give it water, then place it back again. These
Ferns would be a source of attraction as well as a
pleasing change from the usual run of plants.

James Hudson.

Kitchen Garden.

WINTER CUCUMBERS.
Feom the middle of December to the middle of
March is the most trying time in the whole year in
which to maintain a fairly good supply of crisp
Cucumbers, and in order to do this the cultivator
should be provided with suitable accommodation in
the shape of a low, light, and air-tight house, hav-
ing, of course, a south or south-west aspect, and
adequately supplied with top and bottom heat, so
that a minimum temperature of from 60° to 70° can
be maintained, let the weather be what it may. To
do this in very severe weather, it may be both ne-
cessary and advisable to cover the glass at night
with mats ; indeed this practice commends its
adoption during the winter months on the score of
economy as well as a means of securing a more
genial atmospheric temperature. The plants during
the period indicated above will require to be care-
fully attended to in the way of watering at the
roots, as well as distributing moisture in the house.
This, however, must be regulated in accordance
with the condition of the weather and the plants,
but a humid rather than an arid atmosphere should
be aimed at. Therefore, during mild, dull weather
there will be no necessity for clamping the plants
with tepid water from the syringe, in case mildew
might follow. On the other hand, should the state
of the weather be such as to necessitate severe
firing to keep up a sufficient amount of heat, a
slight distribution of moisture in the house in the
morning and afternoon will be necessary to counter-
act the somewhat parching influence of the highly
heated hot-water pipes. Cucumber plants being
subject to canker, it will be advisable, as a preven-
tive, to place some powdered charcoal around the
individual stems. Should fly be troublesome, fumi-

gate a couple of evenings in succession with to-
bacco paper. Earthen or zinc troughs placed on
the hot-water pipes and kept filled with liquid
manure will have a two-fold effect on the plants,
namely, the ammonia arising therefrom will with
advantage be inhaled by the plants through the
leaves, and at the same time prove detrimental
to red spider and other insect pests liable to at-
tack the plants.

The shoots should be kept well thinned, remov-
ing old shoots to make room on the trellis for
young ones as occasion may arise. No opportu-
nity should be lost in encouraging the plants to
make a free, but sturdy growth during the
winter months. Therefore, whenever the plants
show signs of exhaustion or want of vigour, re-
move forthwith a little of the surface soil from
the bed in which the plants are growing, and lay
on in its place a like thickness of good friable
loam and horse droppings as a top-dressing, using
about three parts of the former to one of the
latter. This mixture should be put in the
Cucumber house the day before being used, to
become slightly warm before placing it in con-
tact with the warm, fleshy roots. This is very
important, as also is the due observance of the tem-
perature of the water applied at the roots. This
should be about 75° to 80°, and this temperature
of the water given overhead to the plants,
as well as at the roots, applies with equal force
to all plants being forced. Much injury is done
to plants by giving water at the roots which is
of a less degree of warmth than the soil and
atmosphere in which they are growing. Plants
growing in narrow, shallow borders, with hot-
water pipes immediately underneath the soil as
a means of supplying bottom-heat, should have
liberal applications of tepid liquid manure at the
roots alternately with clear water.

Longford, Castle. H. W. Waed.

SEED PEAS.
Peas are largely grown in several of the home
counties for seed. The seed of the early varieties
is drilled into the soil in the month of February,
as the weather serves, the ground having been pre-
viously prepared in autumn. It is well harrowed
just before sowing the seed. In the case of the
early and dwarfer growing varieties, the drills are
18 inches apart, and for the later and more robust
growing varieties 20 inches to 2-t inches apart. The
crop is hoed over two or three times to keep the
ground clean, and when this is done, the plants are
moulded up, as in the case of Potatoes. All growers
do not adopt the practice of earthing up their seed
Peas, but it is customary to follow it in the case of
choice varieties, as the haulm not being supported
by stakes, as in the case of garden Peas, it falls
down on either side, and is supported to some ex-
tent by the ridges. Air circulates below as well as
above, and the haulm and pods dry sooner. Some,
growers, instead of cutting the crop with a reaping-
hook, have the haulm hand-pulled, so as to keep it
clear of weeds. It is usual to precede Peas with a
crop that will clear the ground to a considerable
extent, and Potatoes are sometimes grown for three
years previous to Peas. One great advantage
gained by hand-pulling is that the green weeds
that are gathered up with the haulm when reaped
are excluded.

The growing Peas are what is called " rogued "
during the time they are in bloom. Plants of any
other varieties, stragglers, &c, are pulled out at this
period, and another visit of this kind is paid when
the crop is ripening off. When the crop is ready, it
is usual to lay the haulm in small heaps to become
thoroughly dry before being stacked preparatory to
threshing. If the weather be fine, but little time
comparatively is consumed in drying. If a dry.
time follows the harvesting, the crop can be
gathered, in from seven to nine days. It is usual
to make small stacks rather than large ones, and
when the crop is gathered in during showery
weather, a layer of dry straw is placed in the stack
between each layer of Pea haulm. Threshing the
crop is generally done in October and November,
and hand-picking is done by the wholesale seeds-

560

THE GARDEN.

[Dec. 13, 1890.

man to whom the crop is assigned. Peas are gene-
rally grown in large quantities by contract. The
seedsmen who make the contract with the farmers
generally send them selected stocks of Peas to sow.

and from what I have seen of this variety it is
one of the best for winter culture.

W. Igguxden.

WINTER TOMATOES.

Of the wonderful hold the Tomato has now got
upon all classes, working men growing them as
largely as anybody, little need be said beyond
remarking that the greatest disappointment pre-
vails directly the supplies fail in the autumn or
early winter months. "If they could only be
had in abundance all the year round," is a very
frequent observation, but this is hardly to be
expected. At the same time there is no good
reason why they should not be more plentiful
than they are during the winter. Only last
week a compositor in a large printing firm
assured me he had a beautiful lot of Tomatoes
ripe and ripening, and hoped to keep some till
Christmas. They were grown on plants against
a sunny open wall, no disease having touched
them, and the fruits were hung in a kitchen to
ripen. This is one way of having a late supply
of fairly good fruit, and another is to keep the
plants in Peach houses and other comparatively
cool glass structures, growing and setting fruit
much later in the season than is often thought
advisable. Large clusters of green or only
partially ripe fruit cut from these plants in
November and hung up in a warm house or
kitchen will finish ripening fairly well, and if
not of sufficiently good quality to eat raw
as a salad, they are yet passable when cooked.
Naturally, much the best fruit can be bad
by those who are in a position to devote
a warm light house to their culture during the
autumn, winter, and early spring months. If
there is a failure to set a heavy crop that will
ripen during the winter, and especially during
December, this in many cases is probably due
to the start being made too late. The plants
ought to be large enough to set their first crops
in September and the early part of November,
as they usually fail to flower and set satisfac-
torily during dull sunless weather. A few
strong clusters of fruit on each plant will afford
quite a long succession of ripe fruit, and by the
time they are exhausted those few that can be
induced to set in November and later will carry
on the supplies till a time of year arrives more
favourable to both the setting and ripening of
heavy crops.

At this period of the year Tomatoes are To-
matoes, and that is all that those who eat them are
much concerned about, fastidiousness seldom be-
ing displayed in times of great scarcity. "We
therefore hear less about the quality of the
various sorts grown, quite second-rate fruit
easily passing muster. All that I have tried
for winter culture have been about equally
appreciated, and on the whole, therefore, I hold
it to be the wisest course to cultivate those that
set the heaviest crops under comparatively ad-
verse circumstances, and find a good stock of
Large Red the most profitable. No other va-
riety has with me set and ripened off such good
crops, though the Conference has this season
nearly or quite as many fruits, only that these
are much smaller. Perfection is preferred by
many market growers principally on account of
its superior vigour, being to a certain extent
proof against disease. It does not set so freely
as Large Red, but, though fewer in number,
the fruits are heavier. Some of the Guernsey
growers have a cross between Perfection and
Large Red, this combining much of the robust-
ness of growth and solidity of fruit of the former
with the free- setting character of the latter,

PAESLEY.
Fields of Parsley in some of the market gardens
round London look remarkably well, and they ap-
pear to have escaped for this season that form of
attack called a disease, which some years ago made
it difficult for some gardeners to grow it at all.
Parsley occupies the land in the market gardens
for a considerable time, but then it is a remunerative
crop. The soil is well manured and deeply ploughed
and the seed sown at various times, the bulk in
March and April, and when large enough, the seed-

Tomatoes in whiter.

lings are thinned out to a few inches apart. Trans-
planting is seldom resorted to, and Parsley suc-
ceeds best where the plants are allowed to stand.

In the home counties of England Parsley is very
largely grown for sending north, and from Bedford-
shire especially are sent many crates of green Pars-
ley for garnishing into Scotland. In Bedfordshire
the plantations of Parsley appear to be much more
lasting than in the London market gardens, and
beds will last five or six years. The plants are not
allowed to run to seed, and so they produce leaves.
The extent to which Parsley seed is produced is
surprising, and many hundreds of bushels are saved

annually in Essex and Bedfordshire alone. The
large crop of seed a plant in good condition pro-
duces accounts for its cheapness. There are several
varieties, differing according to the more or less
curled character of the leaves, but all derived from
a common type. Our fine double curled Parsley is
known under several names, and the latest develop-
ment is the mossy Fern-leaved Parsley. The Ham-
burgh or Turnip-rooted Parsley is but little grown
in this country. In the case of this species, it is
the thick fleshy roots and not the leaves that are
consumed. They are of a dull white colour, some-
thing in the shape of a Parsnip, and 4 inches or 5
inches in length. It resembles the Turnip-rooted
Celery in flavour. The leaves resemble those of
the common Parsley. The usual practice is to sow
the seeds in deeply-dug soil in early spring, and
the roots are ready for use in early autumn, and as
they are not affected by frost, they may be left in
the ground in the same manner as some do Pars-
nips. This plant is largely cultivated in Germany,
and there they have two varieties, one early and the
other late. The former has short, thick, fleshy roots.
In the case of the late type they are longer.

R. D.

NOTES ON BEET.

Exhibitobs of vegetables will probably agree in
the opinion that Beet forms the least satisfactory of
all root vegetables on the show table, not that a
really handsome medium-sized half dozen roots
are not good in their way, but it is more difficult
apparently to obtain the high quality, so far as
appearance goes, that is so commonly found
in Carrots, Parsnips and Onions. It is not unfre-
quently the case that Beet seed is sown too early,
and the plants becoming somewhat stunted, fail
to make that quick growth which is indispensable
to the production of clean handsome roots. Then
even more than with Parsnips there is a strong
tendency on the part of the roots to send out side
rootlets, especially if the soil be shallow or too re-
cently manured, or the downward motion of the
tap root be checked. The very lightest, warmest,
and freest soil in the garden may well be appropri-
ated to Beet seed, and if the sowing does not take
place until the end of April it will generally be best.
Of course, the early maturing Turnip- rooted variety
may be sown earlier, but round roots do not find
much favour on exhibition tables, especially against
handsome tapering samples of a rich dark-hued
variety. Beet for exhibition should never be too
large. Probably with all the taste for big samples
found amongst both exhibitors and judges, few
would venture to make an award to a coarse sample
of Beet. Still less to roots which, even if not coarse,
were of indifferent colour and rough in grain.
The tendency to favour quality in Beet was
evidenced some years since, when the variety
first known as Dell's Crimson, later as Pragnell's
Exhibition, and twenty other diverse aliases became
the standard sort for the show table. That, in addi-
tion to good, close, fine, handsome, dark crimson
roots, had that dark coloured leafage which told
materially in favour of the variety. Generally it
remains now the best known show variety. Its
strongest competitor without doubt has been found
in the Cheltenham Green Top, which came into
prominence at the vegetable conference at Chiswick
in 1889. Not a few of those attending the confer-
ence were almost ignorant of the existence of this
capital variety, but the few lots of roots shown at
| Chiswick then were so dark of hue, soft and fine
in flesh, and had such excellent flavour, that it was
almost unanimously pronounced to be the best Beet
at the conference, and will, doubtless, be largely
grown henceforth. The tops are of medium height
with a little tendency to spread, and the foliage is
of a reddish-green colour, varying somewhat accord-
ing to soil. Where it is the practice to cut Beet-
root on the exhibition table, and the practice can-
not be avoided when there is great competition in
any special Beetroot class, good samples of the Chel-
tenham Green Top will, doubtless, if shown, take
the premier position. Henderson's Pine-apple and
Nutting's Dwarf Bed are both capital garden Beets,
and the Dracsena-leaved, identical with McGrigor's

Dec. 13, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

561

Favourite, is a pretty narrow-leaved sport, appa-
rently from Dell's Crimson. We have plenty of
very good Beets, but it is not always easy to grow
handsome samples. A. "•

Societies and Exhibitions.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.
Decembeb 9.
The last meeting of the year was excellent for De-
cember, the principal exhibits comprising a number
of rare Cypripediums, chiefly hybrids. The heavy
canopy of fog that overhung the metropolis on
Tuesday had its usual effect on the Drill Hall. It
was impossible in the bad light to see the true
colours of the flowers.

A first-class certificate was awarded to each of
the following : —

Picea pungens abgentea.— This is sometimes
classed as a Picea and often as an Abies, but this
is of little consequence. It is one of the most de-
lightful of the Spruces, vigorous in growth, bold in
character, and of splendid habit, the whole plant
showing a marked superiority over the many Coni-
fers that are planted in gardens. Such a variety as
argentea should become common. Its dense leaf-
age is of a beautiful silvery colour, suggesting its
appropriate and descriptive varietal name, and this
silver frosting covers the whole plant from top to
bottom, penetrating to the base of the short, dense,
and sturdy branches. The specimen, exhibited in a
dark corner of the Drill Hall, showed well the dis-
tinctive silvery character, but it is in the mass, as
at Knaphill, that its great beauty is fully seen,
where in a good soil and sunny position it gives
brightness to the garden scenery in winter. The
interest in the meetings would be increased if good
trees such as this and shrubs were more often
shown. From Mr. Anthony Waterer, Knaphill
Nursery, Woking.

Cypeipedium hybeidum Pollettianum. —
This is a splendid Cypripedium, one of the finest
unquestionably that has appeared of recent years.
It is a glorified C. cenanthum superbum, and has
this beautiful Lady's Slipper for one of its parents,
the other being calophyllum, both of hybrid origin.
The specimen exhibited carried a bloom of large
size, much larger than that of oenanthum superbum,
of the same bright polished character, but deeper
in colour. It far surpasses this Cypripedium, which
until now has been truthfully classed as the finest
hybrid raised. The dorsal sepal of the new-comer
has a creamy white margin, the even surface and
broad ovate form showing off the intense
coloured streaks of magenta-rose and free spotting
of chocolate-purple, almost black, seen on the lower
half, where at the base there is an olive-green suf-
fusion ; the petals are broad, deep brownish crim-
son, with a central line of dark crimson, the lower
half enriched with large dark crimson spots ; the
lip wholly deep brown, bold, but not unduly large.
The greatest resemblance to calophyllum is seen in
the leafage, which is similarly tessellated, but
scarcely so pronounced. It is to be hoped we shall
have more of this character From Messrs. Sander
and Co., St. Albans.

Cypeipedium Osbobni. — This is also a very
handsome hybrid, a cross between C. Harrisianum
superbum and C. Spicerianum. The flower is re-
markable for size, and is larger than that of Can-
hanii, the lip measuring 2 inches in length, the
petals 3 inches, and the dorsal sepal about 2^
inches. This hybrid has retained much of the cha-
racter of C. Harrisianum superbum, but shows the
Spicerianum bloodinthedorsal sepal, which is broad,
with the crimson central line, the lower half flushed
with the same colour, and the extreme base green ;
the petals are polished crimson, each with a central
darker stripe ; the lip unusually large, neatly
shaped, and rich brownish-crimson. From Messrs.
Sander & Co.

Cymbidium Tbacyanum. — We may compare
this to C. giganteum, but it is absolutely distinct, and
a valuable acquisition to the genus. If it proves
as free and vigorous as C. Lowianum, it will become
a popular Orchid, and the specimen exhibited gives

every promise of fulfilling this expectation. It
was imported several vears ago in a batch of C.
Lowianum, and flowered recently in the collection
of Mr. H. A. Tracy, Amyand Park Road Nursery,
Twickenham, by whom it was exhibited. The plant
has a strong habit, nirrow, arching, full green leaves,
and a sturdy spike over 3 feet in length, bearing
sixteen strikingly handsome flowers, each between
■1 inches and 5 inches across. The broad sepals are
greenish yellow, regularly lined with distinct light
red, the petals narrower, but similar in colour, and
the bold fleshy lip creamy white, marked with a
few scattered red spots ; the inner face of the late-
ral lobes striped with dark chocolate.

LjeliA GoldianA.— A charming Lslia with
flowers not unlike those of L. autumnalis. The
colour is very rich, the sepals brilliant rose, and
the broader petals of the same lovely shade, this
deepening on the lip, relieved on the lower half by
a central line of golden yellow running into the
throat; the side lobes are tipped with pink— a
pretty contrast. A large plant in a basket and
bearing six spikes was shown by Mr. R. Johnson,
gardener to Mr. T. Staffer, Stand Hall, Whitefleld,
near Manchester.

An award of merit was given to each of the sub-
joined:—

LiBMA TbesedebianA. — This is a beautiful Or-
chid, but very much like one of its parents (C.
crispa superba), the other being C. Loddigesi. Its
flowers are about the same size as those of crispa,
the sepals narrow and blush ;• the petals broader,
white, suffused with blush ; the lip white, except the
rich velvety purple ; front, edged with a frilled mar-
gin of white. The plant is a sturdy grower. From
Mr. T. Statter.

Cypeipedium hybeidum Maynabdi. — This is
a handsome flower, a cross between C. purpuratum
and C. Spicerianum, the dorsal sepal white, with
the central stripe of colour characteristic of C.
Spicerianum, and striped with deep crimson, the
base green. The petals are wavy, brownish crim-
son, the lip of a deeper shade of the same tone.
From Messrs. Sander & Co.

CattleyA O'BbienianA.— A very distinct and
beautiful acquisition from Brazil, and shown on
several occasions previously. It makes a sturdy
growth and produces flowers of very delicate, but
pronounced colour, a kind of satiny lilac-rose in the
sepals and petals, the lobed lip suffused magenta
in front and lemon-yellow at the base, the bold side
lobes white. From Messrs. Sander & Co.

Orchids were the chief exhibits of interest. Be-
sides the hybrids mentioned above, Messrs. Sander
& Co., St. Albans, also exhibited Cypripedium
hybridum Orpheus, a cross between venustum and
callosum. It is a pretty flower in its association
of green and dark red, the lip dark crimson. C. h.
Alcides has for its parents C. insigne and C. hirsu-
tissimum. It is a fine flower, with a strong likeness
to the latter parent in the petals ; the dorsal sepal
green, except at the extreme upper part, which is
white. C. h. Wendlichianum has for its parents
Hartwegi and Schlimi. It hears a tall branching
spike of very attractive flowers, brightly coloured
in the twisted petals and other parts with varying
shades of rose. C. insigne longisepalum is a native
of Northern India. It is very distinct both in colour
and shape, the lower sepal larger even than the
dorsal one, and together with the petals of a bright
shade of green ; the lip polished, and of a light red-
dish colour, the staminode rich yellow. C. h. Castle-
anum is of a bluish purple colour, neat and pretty.
Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, Chelsea, exhibited
several hybrid Cypripediums, including four small
plants in a pan of C. Niobe, one of the most
delightful hybrids yet raised. It is even more
charming than one of its parents, C. Fairrieanum,
and this is high praise ; the other parent is C.
Spicerianum. It was certificated by the Royal
Horticultural Society on December 10, 1889. We
are pleased to see that C. Fairrieanum has been
used in crossing, and it shows its characteristic
curved petals in the hybrid C. H. Ballantine, but
more of the other parent, C. purpuratum ; it is a
dainty flower. C. Medea is the outcome of a cross

made between C. hirsutissimum and C. Spicerianum ;
it shows the Spicerianum character in the dorsal
sepal, and has petals much like those of hirsutis-
simum, but not so strong in colour, the lip shining
rose-purple. A very fine plant of Coelogyne bar-
bata was exhibited by Mr. Denison, gardener to
Mr. T. Gledstanes, Manor House, Gunnersbury ; it
carried about seven spikes of the distinctly
coloured flowers, which are white in the sepals and
petals ; the lip on the inner surface studded with
deep brown hairs. We should always like to see
this in as good condition. A splendid mass of the old
Lrelia anceps in a basket, and grown in a general
collection of plants, came from Mr. Currey, gar-
dener to Mr. Pepper, Milford Hall, Salisbury ; it
had thirty spikes and fifty-eight flowers. The
Rev. Mr. Kindleside exhibited C. hybridum Kindle-
sideanum, a bold, well-coloured flower, especially
in the petals, which were green in the upper half,
the other portion crimson, freely spotted with dark
chocolate. An excellent form of Oncidium Forbesi
named maculatum came from Mr. Walters, Hamp-
stead Heath, the flowers rich brown except the lip,
which is deep yellow, spotted sparsely with brown
— a showy and useful variety.

Other exhibits were as follows: Mr. Anthony
Waterer sent from Knaphill plants of the Picea
described above, also P. pungens glauca and Cedrus
atlantica glauca, which is a very distinct and
charming variety of a hardy and useful evergreen
tree. Its growth is as silvery as that of the Picea
pungens argentea. We hope it will be widely
planted. A brilliant show of zonal Pelargoniums
and Celosias was made by Messrs. H. Cannell and
Sons, Swanley. The varieties of Pelargonium are
noted in The Gabden, December 6 (p. 541), and
the crimson and yellow colours of the Celosias are
welcome at this season (silver medal). A large dis-
play of Primulas was also made by Mr. H. B. May,
Dyson's Lane Nursery, Edmonton. The plants
were full of bloom, and comprised the old double
white, still the most useful ; Princess, quite double,
white, tinted with lilac ; Mrs. Barron, Marchioness
of Exeter, and the rich rose Balfouri, the whole
set off with Cocos Weddelliana (silver medal).
Messrs. Pitcher and Manda, Swanley, exhibited a
specimen of Chrysanthemum Mrs. Alpheus Hardy,
but it is a pity to show it when the flowers are
only half expanded ; and Mr. Wythes, Syon House
Gardens, Isleworth, a white-flowered variety named
Duchess of Northumberland, which has the advan-
tage of lateness and dwarf habit. Messrs. J. James
and Son, Farnham Royal, had Cyclamens, one a
strong habited plant, the flowers bold and rich rose
in colour; the other variety deep crimson, very
showy in a mass.

Fruit committee.— The greatest show was
made by Messrs. Beach & Sons, Brentford, who
had an excellent stand of preserved fruits and
jams. The Englebert Plum seems a splendid fruit
for preserving. Mr. Deverill, Banbury, Oxon, had
a large display of Onions, amongst others Ailsa
Craig.a globularvariety,large, and excellent keeper.
Twelve baskets of Grapes packed for market were
shown by Mr. Hazell, Worthing, the varieties being
Alicante, Muscat of Alexandria, and Gros Colman,
which last wanted colour (bronze medal). A va-
riety supposed to be a seedling was exhibited
by the Liverpool Horticultural Company. It was
between Black Hamburgh and Gros Colman, but
too near the last mentioned for a distinctive name.
Mr. C. Ross, The Gardens, Welford Park, Newbury,
had several seedling Apples of promise and two
splendid specimens of the Smooth Cayenne Pine-
apple, one weighing 7 lbs. 12 ozs. and the other 6
lbs. 4 ozs. Mr. O'Brien, Harrow-on-the-Hill, exhi-
bited very fine samples of Jamaica Orange, and
Mr. Wythes excellent Cheltenham Green Top Beet,
Spanish Cardoons, and Improved Round-leaved
Victoria Spinach (unusually fine). A seedling
Apple of bright appearance came from Messrs.
Saltmarsh and Sons, Chelmsford If its flavour is
as good as its looks the variety is promising. Well-
coloured fruits from a wall tree of Cox's Orange
Pippin were shown by Mr. T. Dixon, Leighton
Buzzard, Beds.
A first-class certificate was awarded to—
Geape Lady Hutt, another good thing given

562

THE GARDEN.

[Dec. 13, 1890.

to us by Mr. Myles, gardener to Lady Hutt,
Appley Towers, Isle of Wight. It is a seedling
and a cross between Gros Colman and Alicante.
The bunch scarcely, we think, showed its true
character. We shall expect it finer, but the berries
are large, white, juicy, and pleasantly flavoured. It
is one of the varieties of the future, if other points
are equal to its quality, and interesting as a white
Grape from two black varieties.

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY.
Decembeb 10.
The last meeting of 1890 was of course the
smallest, but there were a few novelties.

A first-class certificate went to each of the
following : —

Kioto. — A promising American Japanese variety,
the flowers very full, of medium size, and deep
buttercup-yellow in colour, the individual florets
broad, distinctly incurving, bold, and regularly
arranged. Its colour is acceptable at this season.
From Mr. Owen, Maidenhead.

RudbeckiA. — Imagine a large flower of Rud-
beckia purpurea, and a good idea will be obtained
of this bold, showy, and appropriately named
flower. The cone-like centre is greenish yellow,
the florets, each about 3 inches in length and
fluted at the base, forming a broad, handsome
bloom of a deep crimson-purple colour, the reverse
of a paler shade. From Mr. Owen.

There were a few other things. Mr. J. Aplin,
gardener to Mr. W. M. Baker, Hasfield Court,
Gloucester, showed a beautiful stand of two varie-
ties, viz , Mrs. Alpheus Hardy, in splendid condi-
tion and very pure, and Mrs. Clarke, rich crimson, a
showy Japanese incurved variety. Mr. Owen,
Castle Hill Nursery, Maidenhead, had several varie-
ties, comprising Peter Blair, a promising Japanese
flower, full, the narrow florets yellow, striped with
red ; Mr. J. M. May, incurved Japanese, very close,
rich yellow ; Mr. D. D. Farson, same class, rose-
white in the centre ; J. P. Kendal, also of this
section, a promising addition ; the flowers are full,
large, purple- crimson in colour, paler than in the
variety Mrs. Clarke (commended) ; Mrs. F. G. Carr-
Gomm, Japanese, very pure white, and other varie-
ties. Mr. F. Weedon, Hillingdon, Uxbridge, showed
a Japanese variety named Wm. Weedon, the
flowers of value for decoration and brilliant chest-
nut-red in colour. Mr. H. J. Jones, Ryecroft
Nursery, Lewisham, brought flowers of Hermes, a
pretty rose-coloured incurved variety.

The Gardeners' Orphan Fund.— A special
general meeting of the subscribers to the fund took
place at the Cannon Street Hotel on the 9th inst.
to make certain alterations in the rules recom-
mended by the committee. Mr. William Marshall,
chairman of the committee, presided, there being
a good attendance of subscribers. The secretary,
Mr. A. F. Barron, having read the notice convening
the meeting, it was moved by Mr. B. Wynne, and se-
conded by Mr. John Wills —

That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable iu
the host interests of the Gardeners' Orphan Fund that
the date of the eommenoement of the financial year
should be altered from July 1 to January 1, and that
the annual general meeting should be held in February
instead of July.

Carried. A resolution moved by Mr. J. Wright, and
seconded by Mr. W. Roupell, setting forth the ne-
cessary alterations in the rules and approving the
same, was also carried. It was proposed by Mr. R.
DeaD, seconded by Mr. J. Walker, and carried—

That the sum of £554 13s., the amount required to
enable the committee to grant the benefit of the fund
to the seven unsuccessful candidates at the last elec-
tion as a memorial to the late Mr. George Deal having
been collected and received by the treasurer, this meet-
ing sanction the action of the committee in placing on
tho fund A. H. Biuld, Winnifred Jonos, S. A. Offer,
A. H. Rowland, V. J. Pragnell, Mario Grieve, and
E. E. Kinch as from the 1st of January next.
The chairman proposed a vote of thanks to the
subscribers to the Deal Memorial Fund, and espe-
cially to Mr. N. N. Sherwood and Mr. H. J. Veitch,

by whom so worthy a memorial to the late chair-
man of the committee had been raised. A hearty
vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceed-
ings.

NATIONAL ROSE SOCIETY.
The annual general meeting was held in the Hor-
ticultural Club Room on Tuesday, December 9, at
3 p.m. There was a large attendance, including
the hon. secretaries, the Rev. H. H. D'Ombrain and
Mr. E. Mawley. The report of the committee for
the past year records, through in a great measure
liberal donations, a special exhibition of Tea Roses,
the first of the kind and one of great beauty.
There were more flowers at the metropolitan exhi-
bition, held at the Crystal Palace, than in any year
since 1885, and the show was unique in that the
blooms lasted fresh the whole day. The Birming-
ham exhibition was also a great success, and the
finest one held by the society in the provinces.

The committee wish again to direct the atten-
tion of their affiliated, and also of other Rose so-
cieties, to the question of Rose show fixtures. In
many cases the clashing of dates might easily be
prevented. If only all the Rose societies in the
same neighbourhood would communicate with each
other early in the year and come to some mutual
arrangement, much of the present hurtful clashing
of fixtures would, in the opinion of the committee,
entirely disappear. There are at present 497 mem-
bers on the society's books, while the number of
affiliated societies is now thirty-one. Both these
numbers are higher than in any previous year.
Considering the extra expenses incurred in holding
a third show, in printing the new supplement to
the catalogue, and in supplying members with
reports of the Rose Conference, the financial posi-
tion of the society must be regarded as very satis-
factory. The total expenditure was £(192 15s. 7d.,
while the receipts, including the balance from last
year, amounted to £738 0s. 3d., thus leaving
£45 4s. 8d. to be carried forward to 1891.

The committee have entered into the following
arrangements for the coming year, which they
trust will meet with the approval of the members
generally. An early show of Tea Roses will be
again held at Westminster in conjunction with the
Royal Horticultural Society on Tuesday, June 23,
the metropolitan exhibition at the Crystal Palace
on Saturday, July 4, and the provincial show at
Hereford on Thursday, July 1G. Although the idea
of establishing a National Rose Society originated
at Hereford fifteen years ago, this will be the first
time that the society has ever held a show there.

The adoption of the report and financial state-
ment was moved by Dr. Hogg, and the Rev. A.
Foster- Melliar seconded the resolution, which was
carried unanimously.

It was resolved : " That the first part of bye-law
7 be altered so as to read, ' The general committee
meet twice annually — in January to elect the exe-
cutive committee and consider the schedules for
the year ; and in November to make arrangements
for the general meeting of the society.' " Mr. E. B.
Lindsell proposed, " That the following Roses be
added to regulation fi : Alfred Colomb, Marshal P.
Wilder, Wilhelm Koelle, Due de Rohan, Mrs.
Jowitt, Grand Mogul, Jean Soupert, Lady M. Fitz-
william, Lady Alice, Mme. A. Lavallee, Marie Bau-
mann, together with the following note : N.B.— In
bracketing Roses together foliage and habit of
growth are not taken into consideration." The
Rev. H. B. Biron seconded the motion. The fol-
lowing was proposed by Mr. G. Paul : " That hav-
ing regard to the inutility of the addition made
last year to regulation 8 against dressing Roses,
the words, ' Dressing Roses so as to alter their
character is prohibited,' be omitted, and the regu-
lation stand as prior to its alteration." Mr. Paul
remarked that it would seem somewhat strange
for him to be the first to propose the altera-
tion of a rule he had been instrumental in
forming last year, but both judges and ex-
hibitors had practically ignored the rule. He
entirely disapproved of dressing Roses in any
form, but he felt it was useless to make a law that
only lead to law-breaking. The Rev. Foster-Melliar

thought the rule had been beneficial, and that ex-
cessive dressing so to alter the character of the
blooms had been to a large extent stopped. He
thought the rule should remain as it was, an opinion
in which others concurred.

It was then declared that as the result of the
ballot the names in the appended list had been
duly returned, and the meeting closed with a
hearty vote of thanks to the chairman.

The Very Rev. the Dean of Rochester, D.D., was
elected president for 1891. Vice-presidents : His
Grace the Duke of Portland, Sir Joseph R. Bailey,
Bart., M.P., Michael Biddulph, M.P., James Rankin,
M.P., the Mayor of Hereford, R. N. G. Baker, Rev.
J. M. Fuller, T. B. Haywood, Dr. Robert Hogg.
Hon. treasurer : Thomas Burt Haywood. Hon.
secretaries : Rev. H. Honey wood D'Ombrain, Edward
Mawley.

Gardeners' Boyal Benevolent Institution.

— The reserve fund has been increased to £25,000 con-
sols, yielding a yearly revenue of £(587 10s. Baron
Schrceder will take the chair at the next general meet-
ing of the members to be held on January 15 at Simp-
son's, Strand, at 3 o'clock. Mr. N. N. Sherwood will
preside at the annual friendly dinner to he held at the
same place and on the same day at 0 o'clock.

The late Mr. Shirley Hibberd.— A public
meeting to found some memorial to commemorate
the services of the late Mr. Shirley Hibberd to
horticulture was held at the offices of the Royal
Horticultural Society in Victoria Street on Tuesday
last. There was a good attendance and the chair
was taken by Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bt , M.P., presi-
dent. The hon. secretary, the Rev. W. Wilks, read
several letters from persons unable to attend, and
the chairman briefly alluded to the labours of the
late Mr. Hibberd. Dr. Masters spoke at some
length, mentioning that Mr. Hibberd's work de-
served public recognition, hence the present
meeting. He proposed the following resolution,
that —

In the opinion of this meeting it is desirable to
establish a memorial commemorative of the disinte-
rested laboui-3 of the late Mr. Shirley Hibberd, and as
affording some expression of our gratitude to him and
of our respect for his memory.

This was seconded by the Rev. H. H. D'Ombrain.
There were various suggestions as to the form the
memorial shall take. One was to have a portrait
in the library, and this found several supporters.
Another was for the improvement and development
of the experimental work at Chiswick, also to found
a scholarship or bursary for young gardeners, lec-
tures on subjects which were of especial interest to
Mr. Hibberd, and prizes for the promotion of
Chrysanthemum culture. It was eventually left
open for the present to enable opinions to be had
as to the most desirable form the memorial shall
take. A committee was appointed to manage the
fund, consisting of three members of the council of
the Royal Horticultural Society, viz., the Rev. W.
Wilks, Mr. G. Paul, and Mr. J. Douglas, and three
from the meeting, viz., Mr. R. Dean, Mr. W. H.
Collingridge, and Mr. Marshall. Before the busi-
ness of the floral committee commenced it was
moved by the chairman, Mr. Marshall, and seconded
by Mr. H. J. Veitch—

That this meetiug of the floral committee which has
so greatly benefited by the labours of the late Mr.
Shirley Hibberd desires to place on record its deep
sense of the loss it has sustained and of the gratitude
and respect it feels towards his memory.

Books.

THE GARDEN ANNUAL AND ALMANACK.*
This annual, just published, is a larger volume than
usual. Nearly two thousand alterations in addresses
have been made, bringing the work down to the
latest possible date. Among the changes there is a
list of the nurserymen and seedsmen in the United
States of America. There is an obituary of horti-
culturists who died during the year. The principal
old features are still retained, such as a calendar of

* "The Garden Annual and Almanack." London : 37,
Southampton Street, Strand, W.C.

Dec. 13, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

563

seasonable work and an alphabetical list of gar-
deners and seedsmen in the United Kingdom brought
down to date. This we believe to be the most
trustworthy and complete list which has been made.
There is an alphabetical list of horticultural en-
gineers, builders, and general merchants ; another
of the principal gardens and country seats in the
United kingdom, arranged in the order of the coun-
ties, with names of owners and gardeners; and
a list of principal gardens and country seats in the
United Kingdom arranged alphabetically for refer-
ence. This last is an aid to finding places where
one does not know the county. Lastly, there is a
list of gardeners, with their addresses, so that any-
one can readily find out where his friends are.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

The recent severe frost has damaged shrubs
considerably in gardens. Blackened Laurel leaves
were shown by the Rev. W. Wilks at the last meeting
of the Koyal Horticultural Society as evidence of its
severity. In some gardens Privets and Veronica Tra-
versi have been almost killed.

Chrysanthemum sport. — I beg to forward you
a Chrysauthemum bloom for your inspection. I should
be glad to ascertain through your columns if you think
it superior to the parent variety. — H. C.

*#* It is simply the variety Princess Teck under
certain altered conditions. We saw a batch of plants
recently in which there were many blooms of the same
character as the one sent. — Ed.

Cultivation of the Edelweiss. — According
to an Austrian newspaper. Edelweiss is cultivated to a
great extent at Raibb, Carinthia. The plants are
grrwn in fields. The seeds, imported from Italy, are
sown like Clover. It is stated that flowers produced
by this mode of cultivation are equal to those from the
mountains. Last summer 150,000 cut flowers and
several thousands of flowering plants were sent to
Germany. The collecting and pressing of the flowers
afford occupation to a great number of the inhabitants
of that mountain village. — Louis Kropatsch.

The Cyclamen in New Zealand. — I enclose
a photograph of a Cyclamen, and should like to know
whether, in comparison with the strains of this
plant as grown in England (which I believe have been
very much improved of late years) , you would consider
it a well-flowered specimen of good habit. The seed
was sown three years ago. The plant is growing iu a
7-inch pot, having very nearly 200 blooms open, averag-
ing 2 inches in depth and of good breadth and sub-
stance. The flower is pure white ; the diameter of
corm is 3^ inches ; the head of bloom 5h feet in cir-
cumference.— A. E. Lowe, Craighead, Timaru, South
Canterbury, New Zealand.

*r* Certainly quite as good as we see here. — Ed.

Knaphill Scarlet Oak. — This variety of
Quercus coccinea is one of the most beautiful
things we have in the tree way. Its leaves are
of a deep crimson colour, very brilliant in the sun-
shine of a November or early winter day. There
are many specimens of it in the Knaphill Nursery
of Mr. Anthony Waterer varying in size, one about
12 feet in height giving some conception of its
value as a fall-grown specimen — one blaze of crim-
son colouring. Of course, it is hardy and rare.
Many beautiful things like this are uncommon, and
the reason is that we are only beginning to know
the beautiful trees and shrubs for English gardens.
Such an Oak as this is worth planting freely, and
the great English park is the place for it, while
smaller gardens should have it to give colour to
the landscape in autumn, as well as in summer.

Carnations in winter. — A large house of
winter-flowering Carnations in the nursery of Mr.
H. B. May at Edmonton is not only evidence of the
great demand for Carnations in the winter months,
but also of the improvement in the varieties. We
still, of course, have the favourite kind, Miss
Joliffe, represented by a large batch just bursting
into flower, and it will have to be something of
rare beauty to eclipse this variety, which has not
only beautifully shaped rose-coloured flowers, but
a dwarf, compact habit. A. Alegatiere is a useful
variety, also Mrs. Moore, a comparatively recent
addition, and a lovely white flower, very pure, large,
full, and excellent for cutting. A very good type
is Edith, a full, bold flower, similar to that of the

old Clove' both in colour and fragrance ; Duke of
Fife, a splendid addition, the flower well shaped,
bright scarlet, and not splitting in the pod ; Mr.
H. B. May, a good rose ; and Winter Cheer, which
is the best winter-flowering Carnation in cultiva-
tion. It is of dwarf habit, vigorous, and compact,
also sending up full, bright scarlet flowers with great
freedom. This is quite new, and was certificated
by the Royal Horticultural Society on December 10,
1889.

Buddleia auriculata.— This is a very rare
shrub, so different from the common Orange Ball
tree that it should be made good note of as an in-
teresting and charming greenhouse plant, which
may be seen in bloom now in the gardens of Sir
George Macleay, Pendell Court, Bletchingley.
Its habit is straggling, but this might be pre-
vented by careful pruning. The flowers are very
numerous, and this atones for their quiet creamy
colour, but they have also a delicious violet fra-
grance. We should think it is hardy in all southern
gardens, but know nothing on this point. At Pendell
Court it is grown under glass, and its strong
pleasant scent pervades the house.

Orchids at Kew.— The Orchid house at Kew
is gay now with many species and varieties.
Facing the entrance is a large bank of Cypripe-
diuiu insigne, and the warmer house is brilliant in
colour with spikes of Calanthe Veitchi, C. vestita
and its varieties. Sophronitis grandiflora is in full
beauty, and also its variety rosea, which is of deep
rose colour, very bright and telling. A curious
little thing is Aeranthes arachnites, a Madagascar
Orchid, introduced about 1850. It carries a single
flower on a slender, pendent stem, the segments nar-
row and with shades of green. An excellent form
of C. barbatulum, the flower of great breadth and
richly spotted on a white ground, is in bloom ; also
C. Sedeni candidulum, C. Dominianum. Phalre-
nopsis denticulata is interesting ; it has pale green
flowers, barred sparsely with red, but not showy,
like a plant near it — Acampe dentata, its branch-
ing spike crowded with yellow-buff flowers. Scu-
ticaria Steeli is in beauty, also Oncidium cheiropho-
rum, the lilac-coloured, hay-scented O. ornithor-
rhynchum, Dendroehilum Cobbianum, the richly
spotted Maxillaria picta, Bletia verecunda, Den-
drobium aureum, and Ansellia africana, a plant of
which is carrying two spikes of (lowers, deep olive-
green in colour, barred with rich chocolate. Visitors
have thus much to interest them in the Orchid
house at Kew just now.

Befaria glauca. — Of the half-dozen or so
species of Befaria that have been introduced to
this country only two or three remain in cultiva-
tion, and these now-a-days are to be seen in so few
places that to the majority of gardeners they are
quite unknown. Most of the species are found on
the mountains of Peru, where they occur at very
high elevations, and the popular name of "Andean
Rhododendrons " has been given to them. Al-
though this name rightly indicates their near rela-
tionship to the more popular Old World genus,
they are undoubtedly distinct from any Rhodo-
dendron in cultivation, the corolla being in seven
divisions, and the inflorescence a raceme several
inches long. B. glauca, which is now in bloom at
Kew, is one of the handsomest species, flowering
freely and at various seasons of the year. It forms
a bush ultimately 5 feet to G feet high, the largest
at Kew being about half that height. The leaves
are deep green above, glaucous beneath, 2 inches
in length. On plants that have reached the flower-
ing stage they are glabrous, but in a young state
they are furnished with numerous silky hairs, a
character that some Befarias permanently retain.
The number of flowers on a raceme averages be-
tween twenty and thirty, the whole forming a
rounded inflorescence 4 inches to G inches through.
Each flower is 1-i inches in diameter, the seven
narrowly oblong petals being of a pretty delicate
rose. This species produces seed in abundance,
from which flowering plants may be obtained in
five or six years. Like most Ericaceous plants,
Befarias prefer soil of a peaty nature, well drained,
and kept uniformly moist. Provided they are pro-
tected from frosts, the coolest greenhouse will suit

them. The species is of the simplest cultivation,
and this, added to its beauty and interest, entitles
it to more general cultivation than at present it re-
ceives. The first plants were introduced about
1820.— B.

Public_Gardens.

Sea-gullsin Battersea Park.— The superinten-
dent of Battersea Park calls attention to the arrival of a
large number of sea-gulls during the last few days at
the lake in this park. It has been usual in past win-
ters for one or two to visit the lake, but recently 150
were counted swimming in one drove, and quite an-
other fifty were flying round.

Tooting Bee Common. — A letter recently ap-
peared in a contemporary with reference to Toot-
ing Bee Common. The writer, the Rev. J. R.
Nicholl, rector of Streatham parish, mentions that
Tooting Bee Common is perhaps the most beautiful
of our suburban commons, and distant only five
miles from Charing Cross. It is in danger of losing
one of its principal attractions in the shape of a
splendid grove of trees of upwards of a century's
growth, standing on an adjoining property known
as the Bedford Hill Estate, which is now being cut
up for building, and to make way for houses these
fine old trees are doomed to come down. The
builder, however, has consented to sell the land on
which these trees stand, and which in fact once
formed part of the common, and would appear to
be its natural boundary, for the purpose of being
again added to the common for the sum of £12,000,
and it is believed that if half of this sum can be
collected the London County Council and perhaps
other public bodies will be inclined to make up the
remainder. It is, however, impossible to hope that
anything like £G000 can be collected locally, as the
bulk of the inhabitants hold their houses on short
tenancies, and most of the houses in the imme-
diate neighbourhood are of a small class. I there-
fore venture to appeal to all who are interested in
preserving and beautifying the few open spaces we
luckily have still left to help us, and not to allow
this opportunity to be lost for ever. I should men-
tion that TootiDg Bee Common is vested in the
London County Council, and cannot at any time
be built on. It is largely used as a recreation
ground by the poorer classes of south London, and
the extensive building operations carried out with-
in the last twenty years in Balham and other ad-
jacent localities have added enormously to the
population of the immediate neighbourhood. The
land if purchased would be vested in the London
County Council. A local committee has been
formed with Mr. Charles Mortimer, J P., of Wood-
field, Streatham, as chairman, who will be glad to
receive any donations towards the purchase of the
land, or they may be paid into the Streatham or
Balham branches of the London and South- Western
Bank to the " Tooting Common Extension Fund
Account."

Nitrate of soda (A. Subscriber).— The usual
quantity of this allowed to the acre is 1 cwt. Wash
the Vines with Gishurst compound.

Water Melons. — I should be glad of a few hints
on the cultivation of Water Melons through the columns
of The Garden.— E.

Names of plants.— M. Moody. — 1, Davallia
Tyermani; 2, Davallia elegans; 3, Davallia bullata;

4, looks like Fuchsia venusta. J. P. — 1, finely-col-
oured Ladia auceps ; 2, Cypripedium Sedeni; 3, Onci-
dium Forbesi ; 4, Ladia albida. Q. K. — 1 , Allan -

todia Brunoniana ; 2, Hypolepis Bergiana ; 3, Balan-
tium culcita; 4, Diplazium zeylauicum ; 5, Adiantum

subcordatum ; 6, Adiantum Feei.- G. Matthews._ —

1, Neriue flexuosa; 2, Erica cerinthoides ; 3, Erica
bruuiades; 4, Begonia Dregei ; 5, Toxicophlaea spec-
tabilis. Barm. — 1, Bignonia Lapeyroussi ; 2, Gar-
denia citriodora ; 3, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, but cannot

say what variety ; 4, Scutellaria Mocciniaua. M.

P. W. — 1. Campyloneurou angustifolium ; 2, Feea spi-
cata ; 3, Blechnum brasiliense ; 4, Aspidium ebenum ;

5, Cibotium Barometz ; 6, Lopholepis vaccinif olia.

W. D. — 1, Cattleya Bowringiana; yes; flowering very
late this season ; 2, Lfelia autumnalis, poor var.

Names of fruits. — Oaldey and Wailing.— Apple

Brabant Bellefleur. T. R— Apples : 1, Melon ; 2,

Yorkshire Greening; Pears: 1, Bewre Diel; 2, Co-
lumbia.

564

THE GARDEN.

[Dec. 13, 1890.

WOODS AND_ FORESTS.

PREPARING GROUND FOR PLANTING.
Although many trees grow on some particular
class of soil, yet it is equally true that many of
them accommodate themselves to a great va-
rietyof ground, provided it has been well prepared
previous to planting. Draining where necessary
and the breaking up of the hard impervious crust
should take precedence of all other operations.

By draining we get rid of the excess of
moisture which the soil may contain. The
air then gradually penetrates the whole mass,
the temperature is raised several degrees, and
the soil is rendered more suitable for the roots of
the trees. On the other hand, hard, dry, im-
pervious soils require to be broken up in order
to admit air, rain-water, and heat. In order to
accomplish this in a proper manner the ground
should be well trenched some 20 inches deep or
more according to the texture of the subsoil.
No doubt trenching is expensive at the outset,
but in all cases the superior growth and healthy
development of the trees in after years will
amply compensate for any extra trouble and
expense. As a general rule, trees planted on
ground that has been well broken up not only
grow more quickly, but likewise exhibit their
true character to better advantage than such of
the same species as have been planted in their
vicinity on ground without any preparation
whatever.

When the subsoil or any part of it con-
sists of hard pan this should always be broken
up, as tree roots cannot penetrate the hard
irony substance of which it is composed, and in
a wet time the surface water cannot get away,
but lies in a stagnant pool between the soil and
subsoil and destroys the roots. This in a great
measure explains the necessity of draining
and otherwise preparing the ground previous
to planting the trees. In the case of hill plant-
ing, where small coniferous trees are used and
inserted by the notch system of planting, any
hard ground should be broken up at the spots
where the plants are to be inserted. This is
cheaper than trenching or making pits, and as
it answers for this class of plants the system
should be practised where necessary.

J. B. Webster.

old examples of it. This is, no doubt, true, but it
does not evince a disposition to do much for those
who are to come after them ; for, apart from the
unequalled effect which the Cedar of Lebanon has
on a wide range of landscape, it may with truth be
said that there is no place possessing grounds of
even moderate extent that is not improved by its
presence. It is preferable to almost all the newer
kinds of evergreen trees, owing not only to the dis-
tinct horizontal lines of its plume-like branches, but
also on account of its hardy, vigorous constitution,
which enables it to thrive in any fair description of
soil until the full natural size has been reached. It
does not grow on for a time and then come to a
standstill, like some species of recent introduction
that have been planted in quantity, and which, ex-
cept in a comparatively few favourable places, are
very disappointing.

The only objection that can be raised against the
Cedar of Lebanon is, that when its limbs get old
and straggling far out from the trunk, they are
liable to break down when laden with snow, and in
this way some of the finest of the old examples of
this tree have been sadly disfigured. The branches
sometimes assume a peculiar form in growing up-
ward for a time after they issue from the trunk,
and then take the usual horizontal position. I have
noticed that it is mostly where this description of
growth has been made that breakage from snow
occurs. This character of growth might, I think,
be corrected with very little trouble whilst the trees
are young. The Mount Atlas Cedar, from its more
erect habit, forming a proportionately stronger
trunk with less weight of wood in the limbs, is on
that account not so liable to suffer as the Lebanon
Cedar, and so far is a more desirable tree, but it
is rarely equal to the latter in appearance.

In planting either of these trees near a dwelling,
let the building be large or small, a point of great
importance is never to place them too near, not
only allowing space such as their branches cannot
possibly fill so as to reach the walls, but also keep-
ing beyond the distance that admits of their inter-
fering with the light, which their dense clothing of
dark foliage intercepts nearly as effectually as a
wall. I know several good houses where some of
the rooms are almost wholly kept in semi-darkness
through the proximity of these trees. If only one-
half the number of the Lebanon and Mount Atlas
Cedars had been planted that there was of the
Deodar, at the time the latter became generally
known in this country, and some other recent in-
troductions, gardens and pleasure grounds during
the coming generations would have been furnished
with trees of much higher merit. B.

THE LEBANON AND ATLAS CEDARS.
It has been said that " he who plants Pears pro-
vides for his heirs," a statement also applicable to
trees of an ornamental character ; for although the
progress made by such of these as naturally make
growth at a moderate rate enables them to become
handsome objects in something less than the course
of an ordinary lifetime, yet the handsomest trees,
especially deciduous kinds, are ineffective and
uninteresting in their earlier stages compared with
what they are when they have reached, or are ap-
proaching, their full size. It is interesting to note
in the gardens and grounds attached to old places
how certain trees seem, by their appearance of age
and general character, to have been planted simul-
taneously. Thus, for a long distance round London,
and in much of the southern portion of the kingdom,
Cedars of Lebanon, Mulberries, and a few others
are continually to be met with that have all the
look of having been planted about the same time.
The Cedar, which is said to have been introduced
to this country about two hundred years ago, was
most likely planted by many at that time, and to
these early planters hundreds of places are indebted
for that which is usually the most ornamental, ef-
fective, and remarkable tree which they possess ;
and yet those who are having new gardens made or
old ones altered very often object to this Cedar
being planted in the prominent positions which it
deserves, the reason usually being that they will not
live to see it large enough to compare with existing

DESIRABLE ELMS.
Fob ornamental purposes there is no need what-
ever to confine ourselves to the two or three kinds
of Elm that one may meet with at almost every
turn of the road, for certainly few genera give us
better scope for variety than Elms. A well grown
English Elm is undoubtedly a handsome object, and
not one whit behind it for rugged grandeur and
ease of outline is the Mountain or Scotch Elm, that
is when one sees it, as, unfortunately, he rarely
does, away from the hedgerow and smothering in-
fluences of the Thorn and Hazel, and allowed to
stand free and with room for the perfect develop-
ment of head and branch. The Winged Elm (Ul-
mus alata) cannot be said to be at all common,
though for general hardiness and adaptability for
high altitudes and wind-swept situations, it is one
of the best trees I know. On a spur of the Snow-
don range of hills, and where the Scotch Fir bends
from the never-ceasing blast, this American Elm
stands boldiy out on the very outskirts of the wood
and on its most exposed side. Then as an orna-
mental tree it is certainly of value, the remarkably
neat habit of growth, distinct foliage, and pecu-
liarly corky- ridged (from which the term winged is
derived) branches rendering it distinct from every
other of its tribe. Wheatley's Elm (U. campestris
Wheatleyi), though but a form of one of our native
trees, is so distinct in several characteristics that
I may be excused for bringing it under notice.

The form of the tree is somewhat erect, nearly py-
ramidal, while the foliage is far richer and more
effective than is that of our typical tree, while
another value lies in that the leaves are retained
for a much longer time. It is not commonin parks
or paddocks, though from its distinct appearance
it well merits attention.

For park planting, the Cornish Elm (Ulmus cor-
nubiensis) is one of the finest forms I have seen,
but it is hard to obtain it true, and it is rare in
nurseries generally. It is something between a
spreading and fastigiate tree, being neither too
rambling nor yet too stiff of outline. Where space
is somewhat limited the Cornish Elm is just the
tree, and at the point where two roads meet it may
be safely used without the least fear of obstruc-
tion. On several occasions I have brought this
valuable tree into prominent notice, but it is still
rare, and will probably remain so until some more
speedy method of increase than grafting be found
out, or rather put into practice. It stands wind
well, which cannot be said of upright growing trees
in general, particularly when planted at high alti-
tudes. In the park at Penrhyn Castle may be seen
some fine specimens of the tree, and the late Lord
Penrhyn, knowing its value for ornamental pur-
poses, caused it to be largely planted over the
estate, one wood on the hillside at nearly 500 feet
altitude being planted with this tree as standards
at stated distances apart. The Whitworth Elm
originated, or was first noticed, on Sir Joseph
Whitworth's estate near Derby, and is of quite an
unusual appearance, inasmuch as the branchlets
hang limp, like cords, for often as much as fi feet
or more. It is a very distinct tree of large
growth.

Of what is styled Weeping Elms we have quite a
host, one of the best being Ulmus montanapen-
dula, or the weeping form of the Scotch or Moun-
tain Elm. This is a desirable form, as it is of neat
growth and peculiarly suitable for using as a stan-
dard specimen. The branches spread somewhat
horizontally, and then bend over rather abruptly,
are well clothed with large green leaves, which
latter constitute one of the charms of the tree.
In the Golden Elm (U. campestris aurea) we have
a tree of neat growth and foliage of a rich golden
yellow. Being of low growth, it is of value for
planting where small growing trees are desirable,
while it does not seem to suffer from long spells of
scorching weather, the foliage through the past
summer, when many golden - leaved trees and
shrubs looked limp and dying off, being fresh and
crisp.

There are other desirable kinds of Elm that
might well be used more frequently for park plant-
ing than they are at present. Fine standard speci-
mens of many of our more ornamental kinds of
forest trees are valuable, as they are not only of
interest, but from the diversity of foliage and form
that they present they may be used in the
more frequented portions of an estate for the
great contrast they afford to the typical or parent
trees. The Elms are all extremely hardy, easily
transplanted, and grow rapidly— qualities that
should encourage planters to include the best kinds
at least in their grounds and around the margins
of plantations bordering roads and drives.

A. D. Websteb.

Neglecting young trees.— The planting of
young trees requires a great deal of personal at-
tention, especially in poor soils. I formerly left
mine to the care of others ; but experience has
taught me that trees when first planted require
good-sized holes, say from 4 feet wide to 4 feet
deep, on poor soils like my own, with the addition
of some loam and manure, unless the ground has
recently been well broken up two or three spits
deep. Although the holes are of the size described
the trees should be planted near the surface, the
roots carefully spread out, so that they get the
benefit of the sun, the air, and the rain. They
should afterwards be kept free from weeds for 2
feet or 3 feet around. If anyone has time to direct
these little matters personally, I think he will be
amply repaid for his trouble. — 0. S.

THE GARDEN.

565

No. 996. SATURDAY, Dec. 20, 1890. Vol. XXXVIII.

"This is an Art
Which does mend Nature : change it rather; but
The Art itself is Nature." — Shakespeare.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

PREPARING PEACH TREES FOR
FORCING.

Peach and Nectarine trees under glass are
liable to be infested and much injured by quite
a variety of insects, nothing among either fruit
trees or flowering plants being more so. Mealy
bug, large and small forms of scale, thrips, red
spider, green and black fly all find a home on
them. No matter how much pains may be
taken, it is scarcely possible to reach all the
scale with a brush, while the black fly does not
remain on the trees during the winter, but
hibernates below the ground principally near
the stems of the trees. This latter circumstance
was first pointed out to me by Blr. D. Thom-
son, of Drumlanrig, and my thanks are also
due to him for the remedy, viz., paraffin, or, as
it is now more properly termed, petroleum.
Not only is this by far the best preventive of
attacks from black fly — and which most experi-
enced gardeners will admit is far more difficult
to eradicate than any of the green forms — but it
is also equally as effective against the other
insect enemies I have named. Another great
point in its favour is the rapidity with which it
may be applied, the saving in labour alone being
immensely in its favour, while cheapness is an-
other consideration. The proper time to apply
it is directly after pruning, and again after the
trees have been tied in the position they are to
remain in and just prior to top-dressing the
border. Use water heated to 115° or even 5°
higher, and to every 3 gallons of this add 6 ozs.
or three wineglassfuls of common petroleum.
We keep an ordinary 8-oz. medicine bottle for
measuring the petroleum, and with this there
can be no mistake, said bottles being always
divided into eight portions. At one time soft
soap was added, but of late years this has been
discontinued, as being of little, if any real ser-
vice either for facilitating tbe mixture of the
petroleum with water or as an insecticide.
Even the petroleum added tc cold water is of
little avail against insects. The water must be
hot. Either keep two syringes going, one con-
stantly and forcibly discharging its contents
back into the can, and the other thoroughly
wetting every part of the tree, or else if only
one syringe is available, every other syringeful
must be returned to the can in order to keep
the oil from floating on the surface. Various
attempts have been made to fix the oil in
soluble or soapy matter with the view of pre-
venting its floating on the surface, but to all
appearance nothing serviceable has resulted,
the efficacy of the petroleum having been
greatly weakened by the process. Used, how-
ever, as I have advised, it is quite harmless to
the trees, while the scale, bug and other insects
disappear in a very short time. What runs off
the trees penetrates to a good depth in the soil,
and what black fly escapes from the first appli-
cation are destroyed when the roots are more
bared, as they ought to be before a top dressing
of any kind is given. The roots are not injured
in the slightest degree by the hot water and
petroleum. It is such a simple and safe remedy,
that it may well be annually applied to the
trees, even if these are apparently quite free
from insect pests.

In addition to syringing the trees, the wood-

work and glass ought to be thoroughly scrubbed
and cleaned with hot water, and the back walls,
if any, given a coat of limewash made with
newly slaked lime. The trees can then be tied
to the trellises, after which the next proceed-
ing should be the putting of the borders into
good order for the coming season. Where the
borders have not long been formed, and are
perhaps already to blame for strong and some-
what unfruitful growth of the trees, it would be
a mistake to top-dress these with anything in
the shape of manure. A surfacing of leaf-soil
would, however, serve to keep the roots near
the surface, and also prevent rapid evaporation
and consequent cracking of heavy soils espe-
cially. Trees rooting in old and exhausted
borders are best restored to a healthy profitable
state, or they may be prevented from becoming
unprofitable, by having wide trenches opened
down to the drainage, and to within 3 feet or
even less of the stems of the trees, the principal
roots being saved and relaid in fresh and fairly
rich loamy compost. The autumn, or while
the foliage is still on the trees, is the best time
to adopt such drastic measures, but it is not
yet too late to do it, or even to wholly lift and
transplant. Much also may be done towards
sustaining fertility from the surface. Those
trees standing in need of rich food, this probably
being the case with fully one half there are
grown under glass, ought first to have the sur-
face soil carefully forked away from their roots
— in no half-hearted manner either — and then
receive a dressing of short, partially decayed
stable or farmyard manure, a depth of 3 inches
being none too much, this, in its turn, being
covered with 2 inches or more of fresh soil.
As a rule, however, a top-dressing of fairly
rich loamy compost, to which soot and wood
ashes are freely added, is preferable to the
manure, this before hot weather sets in being
mulched with strawy litter. Any trees found,
when the surface of the border is loosened, to
be in a dry state at the roots ought to receive a
good soaking of water, followed, where the
trees need it, by a liberal application of strong
liquid manure. W. Iggulden.

The Chaumontel Pear. — The difference of
opinion relative to the merits and demerits of the
Chaumontel and the Doyenne' du Cornice Pears
puts me in mind of more than one dispute I have
heard about Mangoes. I have heard one person
state that the fruit is not fit for human food, and
another that it is the most luscious and delicious
of fruits, and they were both right, and so I believe
are Messrs. Engleheart and Iggulden. Good Man-
goes are few and far between, but when you find
them they are delicious, and the same remark
applies to the Chaumontel Pear. Get a good
Chaumontel from an old tree grafted on a Pear
stock and it is difficult to beat, but the rest are
only fit for the stew-pan. The Doyenne" du Cornice
is a glorious fruit, and easier to get good than a
Chaumontel. An old Guernsey gardener once told
me when I was speaking about the inferior quality
of the great bulk of the Chaumontels, that when
the Pear became fashionable and ran up in price it
was ruined by grafting it on the Quince stock, in
order to ameliorate the production ; and he added :
" Chaumontel ought to be grafted on the Pear, but
if you do graft it on the Quince, plant your stock
where the Pear tree is to grow and graft it there ;
but if you transplant your stock you ruin the Pear,
which becomes gritty and bad. If you want good
Chaumontels you must get them from old trees."
I have taken the old man's advice, and I have had no
bad ones, butthe price I paid the year before last was
at the rate of £5 the 100. I am only an amateur
gardener, and can therefore only tell you what was
told me by old Sauvage, who was an intelligent
man and one of much experience in the culture of
fruit. Littre states that the Besi Chaumontel, or
Le Chaumontel, was obtained from a wild tree at

Chaumontel (Seine-et-Oise). If this is the case,
would it not perhaps do better on its own roots ?
I have an idea that the Quince stock is answerable
for defects in a great many Pears, and that it is
more beneficial to the nurseryman than to the fruit.
—J. Whitwoeth Shaw.

Mr. Iggulden has been most unfortunate

with his experience of the above-named Pear, but
it is one more proof that locality and soil have
much to do with the flavour of not only Pears, but
other fruits. So great is the change, that in one
place a Pear may be first-rate and in others almost
worthless, and from these facts I say that no hard
and fast line can be drawn as to the number of
sorts nor the varieties that shall be grown in every
locality and soil. Here I grow all the best
known kinds, and amongst them Chaumontel,
which has, doubtless, been the best flavoured Pear
this season, not the least gritty, but perfectly
melting, and with a flavour peculiarly its owd,
which cannot be found in any other Pear,
whether early or late. I do not gather the Chau-
montel until perfectly ripe ; if gathered too early
it will not ripen, but will be tough , like Mr. Iggulden's
Jersey samples. — W. 0., Fota.

NOTES ON PLUMS.
Plums this season have been so scarce that enor-
mous prices have been given for good fruit, so that
the cultivators would reap the benefit where good
crops have been secured. I doubt very much if there
is any better cropper than the well-known Vic-
toria. I think as a market Plum or for use in pri-
vate gardens it is the best, and in adver; e seasons
when it is against a wall and thoroughly ripe it is
not to be despised as a dessert variety. I find it
a very prolific Plum, and in most seasons it crops
well when others totally fail. It does well when
grown in any form, but I prefer the bush and
half standard, as when tall standards are grown the
crop is more precarious. Another most profitable
variety and a sure bearer is the old Pershore Egg
Plum, a large yellow kind, grand for preserving
and cooking. This, largely grown in Worcester-
shire, bears, as a rule, yearly very heavy crops. I
see no reason why it should not be grown nearer
the metropolis. The fruit is egg-shaped, as its
name implies, and with a brisk flavour. It comes
into use in the middle of August, and the tree is
very hardy and robust, making short-jointed fruit-
ing wood. Pond's Seedling, a Plum largely grown
in this neighbourhood, is also a most profitable kind,
and one that succeeds well as a standard, bearing a
very large oval fruit, dark red, with a bluish bloom,
and with a brisk flavour. The tree is a large, vigor-
ous grower, very hardy, and most prolific, and many
of the good qualities the Victoria possesses may
also be awarded to this variety. I know of no
kind more appreciated in the still room for pre-
serving whole. Gisborne's, a free cropping Plum,
not so much known as it deserves, but a useful va-
riety, and one that in most seasons can be relied
upon for a crop, is a medium sized fruit, rather round,
with a clear golden skin spotted with crimson, and
with a firm flesh. Jefferson's is, where it does well,
one of the finest dessert Plums. It succeeds against
a wall, while as a cordon or bush it thrives well
in many places. Prince Englebert, a very large
Plum, is also a good variety in some districts, and
valuable either for cooking or dessert when tho-
roughly ripe, but it cannot be relied upon for a crop.
Where Plums are made a speciality of I would
recommend it for a wall, as it commands a large
price and remains good for some time. It is also
good when grown as a cordon. Diamond is one
worthy of space in garden or orchard, being a first-
rate cooking Plum, and a valuable one for preserv-
ing when a dark variety is required. The growth
is strong and it bears very freely, while for
orchard planting it makes a fine standard in a
short time. Being a large heavy Plum, I prefer
it as a bush or pyramid. Prince of Wales, a large
round red or deep pink variety, is also valu-
able, the fruit being sweet and juicy and freely
produced. Unfortunately, the tree is tender and
liable to die off ; therefore it cannot be recom-
mended to be grown in large quantities. The

566

THE GARDEN.

[Deo. 20, 1890.

Czar will in time, I think, prove a valuable Plum,
and may be included in the list of profitable varie-
ties. I saw it doing well this season, and the fruit
is of medium size, roundish-oval, with red skin.
It is a free-growing variety, very hardy and prolific.
There are also others suited for this purpose, but I
think a small selection of well known kinds that
can be relied upon is better than a larger number,
some of which are shy bearers ; therefore, I have
only given those I have found most suitable. I
have omitted one of the best early Plums — Early
Prolific — which should be planted largely in soils
that suit it, as it is a most profitable variety where
it succeeds. I have found it fail on land which
suits many others ; therefore a trial is best before
planting largely. Geo. Wythes.

Syon Souse.

APRICOTS.

In some gardens the Apricot is a very disappointing
fruit, the branches having a tendency to suddenly
die off. I have known quite large trees consider-
ably reduced in size by this evil, and with compara-
tively young trees the evil has been none the less.
Although it may be not in our power to entirely
subdue this tendency, yet by judicious management
the evil may be lessened to a considerable extent.
The changeableness of our climate appears to affect
the Apricot more than any other fruit cultivated in
the open air in Britain. Severe frosts even cause a
rupture, the result being gumming. The shred
used for fastening the branches, and even a nail
pressing against these, also act in a similar man-
ner. Hard pruning is very injurious, and gumming
is sure to follow this practice, and even if the
branches are allowed a free run afterwards the dis-
ease will have been fixed by the restriction in the
earlier stages of the tree's existence. Over-dryness
at the roots also shows itself both in the destruction
of branches and the dropping of the small fruits.
This over-dryness does far more injury than many
people are aware of, and especially as regards the
barrenness of the trees, season after season.

Last year all our trees without exception bore
full crops, the roots as well as branches having a
fair share of attention. A coping fixed over the
trees just before they came into bloom and allowed
to remain on until the end of May is of great value
in securing a full crop of fruit. Occasionally fine old
trees trained against the gable ends of cottages
and farmhouses, and which have the protection of
the overhanging eaves, may be seen, thus showing
the utility of a coping. South and west walls are
the only positions the Apricot should be cultivated
against, and the border, held sacred to the roots,
should be not less than 5 feet or 6 feet wide. Within
this space no forking nor cropping should be al-
lowed. Warm borders are generally kept well
cropped, but I never think of cropping or disturbing
the border within the above dimensions. The trees
are mulched all through the summer, and copious
applications of water are also given. Rich surface
dressings, with a liberal addition of old lime rub-
bish, keep the roots well on the surface. Early
disbudding, the pinching of lateral shoots, and the
regulation of leading shoots must have particular
attention to ensure success, and then with protec-
tion to the opening blossoms and a sharp look-out
for caterpillars on the young foliage, healthy Apri-
cot trees capable of producing fair crops should be
ensured. Rural.

Planting Nectarines in Peach houses. — I

believe that it would be an advantage to plant
more Nectarines in Peach houses. In most gar-
dens the Peach monopolises most of the room
under glass. This is, of course, a matter of taste,
and should, in fact will, be decided according to in-
dividual desires, but in many places, I think, a
larger supply of Nectarines would be appreciated.
It is true Nectarines are smaller than Peaches, but
the Nectarines introduced of late years leave little
to be desired in the matter of size, and I always
think a dish of well grown Nectarines is very
nearly on a par with a dish of Peaches, and
some people place the flavour of the Necta-
rine before the Peach. The Peach and Necta-

rine being interchangeable when raised from seed,
there is reason to believe that at some future
time there may be a race of Nectarines as large
as the present race of Peaches, and if the present
rage for big things continues the Nectarine will
come to the front with a rush. Some day a spe-
cialist will arise who will continue the work of the
late Mr. Rivers, and then Nectarines as large as
Peaches will come of a certainty. — H.

A CLASSIFICATION OF AMERICAN

GRAPES.

Genus VITIS (Tourn.) ; L. (in part).

Section I. EUVITIS (Planchon).

Series 1. Ripari^s (Munson). — 1. V. rupes-
tris (Scheele). Ozark Hills, Tennessee, to
South-west Texas. 2. V. riparia (Michx.).
Rocky Mountains, to Atlantic, north of
Ozark Hills, to 55° latitude. 3. V. Solonis
(Hort. Berol.). Headwaters of Red, Cana-
dian and Arkansas Rivers. 4. V. Doani-
ana (Munson). Headwaters of Red, Cana-
dian and Arkansas Rivers.

Series 2. Occidentales (Munson). — 5. V.
arizonica (Engelm. ). Western Texas, New
Mexico, Arizona, Chihuahua. V. arizonica
var. glabra (Munson). New Mexico, Ari-
zona, Chihuahua, South Utah. G. V. Gir-
diana (Munson). South of San Bernardino
Mountains, California. 7. V. californica
(Benth.). California north of San Bernar-
dino Mountains to Rogue River, Oregon.

Series 3. CoRiACEiE (Munson). — 8. V. Cham-
pini (Planch.). Cretaceous hills, South-
west Texas. 9. V. candicans (Engelm.).
Cretaceous lands, Red River to Rio Grande
and into Mexico. 10. V. coriacea (Shutt. ).
Central and South Florida.

Series 4. Labrusoe (Planch.). — 11. V. La-
brusca (L.). Central Tennessee, North-east
Georgia, east of Alleghanies to Maine.

Series 5. jEstivales (Planch.). — V. vinifera
(L. ). Central and South-western Asia, early
carried to Europe, <fec. (exotic). V. Bour-
quiniana (Munson). " Southern aestivalis "
traced to Southern Europe along the Medi-
terranean (exotic). 12. V. Lincecumi
(Buckley). South Central Texas. V. Lin-
cecumi var. glauca (Munson). North-
eastern Texas to Missouri River. 13. V.
bicolor (Leconte). Illinois, South Wisconsin,
Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, New
York. 14. V. asstivalis (Michx.). Tennes-
see, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Virginia, Indiana, &c. 15.
V. Simpsoni (Munson) . Central and South
Florida.

Series 6. Cordifoli/e (Munson). — 16. V. cor-
difolia (Michx.). Brazos River, east to
Atlantic, north to 42". 17. V. palmata
(Michx.). Along streams, Southern Illinois
southward. 18. V. monticola (Buckley),
Tops of cretaceous hills, South-western
Texas.

Series 7. Cinerascentes (Planchon). — 19. V.

virginiana (Munson). Mountain valleys,

West Virginia. 20. V. Berlandieri (Planch. ).

Cretaceous soils, South-west Texas. 21. V.

cinerea (Engelm.). Bottoms, South-west

Texas, east to Atlantic, north to 40°. V.

cinerea var. floridana (Munson). 22. V.

caribasa (D.C.). West Indies and Eastern

Mexico, bottoms. 23. V. Blancoi (Munson).

Sierra Madre Mountains, Guadalajara.

Section II. PUNCTICULOSIS (Munson).

Series 8. Muscadinm (Munson). — 24. V.

rotundifolia (Michx.). Southern States. 25.

V. Munsoniana (J. H. Simpson). South

Florida.

I offer the foregoing conspectus as my classifica-
tion of American species of Vitis, and with it I
send some estimate of the relative horticultural
value of each.

Inasmuch as this classification does not entirely
agree with others, it may not be out of place to
give some account of my preparation for the work.
In the first place, I have taken the pains to visit
each species, as far as possible, in its native
habitat, to search out there the best plants in
vigour and quality, to plant these together in a
vineyard for comparison and study, to take notes of
the distribution, altitude of locality, soil, habit
and all botanical characteristics in every stage of
the plant from the seed up to the fuDy developed
Vine, with critical ^notes and drawings at every
stage and season. Besides this I have hybridised
nearly every species with one or many others, and
have noted the effects. Again, I have corresponded
extensively with persons who have cultivated any
of the native species either in pure or hybrid forms,
and have obtained specimens of their best dis-
coveries and hybrids, as well as botanical speci-
mens from all quarters of North America, including
Mexico and Jamaica. I have studied the leading
herbaria in the United States which have important
collections of the Vitis species, including the herba-
ria at Harvard, at the Academy of Science in Phila-
delphia, at Washington, and Engelmann's collection
at St. Louis. I have tried to study all the leading
authors of the synonymy, although it is hopeless
and inexplicable in many cases. I have attempted
an exhaustive monograph upon the native Grapes
of North America for the Department of Agricul-
ture, which was written out first in 1887, and has
been subsequently two or three times revised, and
have been directing the work of an artist in
painting accurately the growing shoots, full-grown
leaves, the flowers, male and fertile, fas., so as to
give such complete illustration that even a novice
may not err in the species when the work is finally
published. My vineyard here contains growing
specimens of every North American species of Vitis
except V. californica (which has been tried often,
but as often perished by mildew) and V. caribsea.

I have the species from Guadalajara, considered
by Mr. Sereno Watson as V. caribsea, and for a time
considered by myself a variety of V. caribsea, but
now, after another season's growth, I am compelled
to rank it a distinct species, as it develops specific
characteristics not found in V. caribsea. When I
first obtained this in 1887 I thought it distinct, and
had named it V. Blancoi, after Senor Luciano
Blanco, of Guadalajara, who discovered it in the
Sierra Madre Mountains. I shall hold to this name,
as it appears now a good species, more clearly sepa-
rated from V. caribsea than is V. cinerea from V.
Berlandieri, both recognised by our best Grape
botanists.

I have one wild hybrid of V. Girdiana, with V-
vinifera, which has clusters a foot long, and small
to medium very sweet fruit. But it can hardly
endure the mildew or cold of this region. This
and V. californica could be of no use east of the
Rocky Mountains. They both are more tender
every way than V. vinifera.

V. Champini produces a medium-sized black
Grape, often of fine vinous flavour, and has great
vigour, hardiness and constitution. For dry, hot
regions and limy soils it offers a most excellent
basis for a grand strain of varieties. It endures
cold, too, to 5° to 10° below zero, but is
affected somewhat by mildew in low, damp regions.
V. candicans bears a horrible fruit for eating, ow-
ing to the biting pungency of the skin and
the tough pulp, but the Vine has great
constitution for a hot country and limy soils.
Though I have some fair hybrid Grapes with this,
yet I think it time wasted to use it when we have
so much better blood in other species. V. coriacea
is a much more refined species, and some wild
hybrids of this, with V. Simpsoni, from Florida, are
quite good, but cuttings of V. candicans, V. coria-
cea and V. Simpsoni can be rooted only with the
greatest difficulty.

Everybody knows the coarse V. Labrusca, which
in its pure or hybrid varieties supplies almost the

Deo. 20 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

567

entire country east of the Rocky Mountains. It is
a wonder that so good results have been obtained
from this miserable "Skunk Grape." It is a pity
that so much effort has been wasted on it while
blood of quality so superior for every purpose can
be commanded in other species.

V. Lincecumi, the large - fruited tribe of the
jestivalian series, has given some grand results in
the careful hands of H. Jaeger and with me. It
would take a fair sized catalogue to describe all
the really good hybrids I have of this species, with
V. rupestris, V. Bourquiniana, V. Solonis, V. La-
brusca, V. cinerea, V. cordifolia, V. vinifera, &c.
Suffice it to say that some of these, with grand
vigorous Vines that can endure 20° to 25° below
zero, have fruit that will stand critical tests with
the best of V. vinifera. V. bicolor is capable, I am
quite sure, of giving rise to a worthy tribe of pure
varieties for Wisconsin, Michigan, &c, where it
grows wild, as it is closely allied to V. Lincecumi.

There is not a species of the American Grapes
which cannot by hybridising and selecting be
brought up to a fair degree of excellence as either
table or wine fruit. One is astonished at the ame-
liorating effects of one cross in eliminating bad
qualities and developing good ones. For example,
a wild hybrid of V. Labrusca and V. cordifolia (the
fruits of which are almost uneatable when pure),
found growing in the woods in Roanoke County,
Virginia, has produced seedlings which bear fine,
large Grapes, without pulp, foxiness, or pungency.

V. rupestris has been used extensively, hybri-
dised with V. Lincecumi, by H. Jaeger and myself,
and with some other species less extensively, with
the happiest results in producing very fine red
wine Grapes, and in [some cases very good table
Grapes of pure, pleasant flavour.

V. riparia enters into many varieties in cultiva-
tion— in Taylor, Clinton, Montefiore, Elvira, Mis-
souri Riesling, and a host of others, combined with
V. Labrusca — but too small of itself to be valuable.
Some hybrids of V. riparia, from Central Minne-
sota, with Concord, are about as large in berry and
bunch as Champion, and earlier and better, and
have endured unprotected a temperature of 40°
and 50° below zero, and yet bore well. This species
must enter into all varieties desired to endure the
extreme winters of the north-west.

V. Solonis, with me, has been combined numer-
ously with V. Lincecumi, V. rupestris, and V. ri-
paria, producing a peculiar class of Grapes, without
pulp and skins "thin as silk," juice always very
highly coloured violet and flavour very rich,
sprightly, vinous, though often too acid.

V. Doaniana is generally a better Grape in the
wild state than Clinton and larger. It has great
capacities in the hands of a skilful hybridiser, and
will endure great heat and cold.

V. arizonica is the least promising of all the
species for improvement in fruit, unless varieties
specially adapted to the arid region of the Southern
Rocky Mountain region are desired. The quality
is fine, but the fruit is very small, and the Vine a
feeble grower, even in this region.

V. aestivalis, another branch of the family, is
already known to vineyardists in the Norton's
Virginia, and with it there are quite a number of
hybrids. I have several of these, some beautifully
white and yellow, but not giving nearly such good
results as my V. Lincecumi hybrids. V. Simpsoni,
of South Florida, is the most peculiar member of
this series, and is possessed of a much more tender
pulp than V. aestivalis, and without the excessive
astringency peculiar to the genuine V. aestivalis.
But it is very sensitive to cold. It will probably
become a valuable element in a race of hybrids
peculiarly suited to Florida and the Gulf Coast.
But its felty leaves are much attacked by leaf-
rollers.

V. cordifolia, V. palmata, and V. monticola have
very smooth, glossy leaves, never attacked by leaf-
rollers, but the fruit is small and late and very

already mentioned some good hybrids with the un-
promising V. cordifolia, or Frost Grape.

V. virginiana is a new species which I have ob-
tained frequently from the high Appalachian
valleys far down in Virginia. It appears to link the
Cordifolia? series to the Cinerascentes in the east,
as V. Berlandieri does in the far south-west. I had
Vines of this for seven years, not knowing where
to put them in classification, till this year they have
fruited, and prove to be different specifically from
other species. The leaves are small, of a clear,
lively green, somewhat pubescent, especially^ along
the ribs ; the young wood is angled as in V. cinerea,
but becomes round and smooth at maturity, as in
V. cordifolia. The clusters are very compound and
compact, with very small berries of a dark purple
colour, covered with a thin bloom when ripe. The
berries are very acid till quite ripe, then sprightly
vinous. They ripen just before those of V. cordifolia,
and two to three weeks earlier than those of V.
cinerea. The seeds are very small, with scarcely
any beak, cholaza and raphe generally sunken,
while in V. cordifolia and V. cinerea they are pro-
minent. This species has never been published, so
far as I am aware. V. Berlandieri, from the creta-
ceous soils of South-west Texas, is the species so
much in demand just now in the chalky soils
of France, especially in the Charente Inferieure,
where no other species will grow without " chloros-
ing " (yellowing) from excess of lime ; hence they
use it there as a stock. But it has a very large
cluster of rich, though remarkably small, fruit. It
can easily be developed by hybridising, as experi-
ments have already proved. The leaves are of a
dark green, very glossy surface, so that the leaf-
roller does not prey upon them. Its greatest diffe-
rence from V. cinerea is in the dark green, glossy
leaves, those of V. cinerea being wrinkled, dull
green, pubescent and tomentose. The clusters and
fruit are much alike. V. caribaea has a rounder,
broader leaf, with more rusty pubescence and to-
mentum than has V. cinerea, and the clusters are
still larger, with smaller berries. It is too sensi-
tive to cold to be of any service in this country.
V. Blancoi has smaller, more cordate leaves than
either of the three last-named species, and has the
lower face densely tomentous, with snowy white
wool and clusters nearly simple and much smaller
than V. cinerea or V. caribsea ; but the berries are
larger and of a different flavour, and the young
wood is less angled. It can only be carried over
winter here by careful protection, being much more
tender than V. vinifera ; but mildews do not
damage it much.

V. rotundifolia is the common Muscadine of the
south, and is much prized by old southerners, in
such varieties as Scuppernong, Thomas, &c, which
have three to nine berries in a cymose cluster. The
berries are very large with a very thick, tough skin
and a large, tough pulp, and have a peculiar musky
flavour. They are of a dull, rusty yellow in Scup-
pernong, or dull black in others. The seeds are
very large, resembling Coffee grains. Some hybrids
have been produced, but are not promising. The
species is remarkably free from all manner of
diseases and insect attacks.

V. Munsoniana is of a very slender, weeping
habit, leaves smaller, with fewer larger teeth than
in V. rotundifolia. It begins to bloom later and
continues to bloom on till frost. The clusters are
of the cymose character, but bear from ten to
twenty or more berries, which are small with shin-
ing black skin, rather thin, pulp melting, filled with
acid juice without the rustiness of Muscadines.
The seeds are very small. This species is fully as
distinct from V. rotundifolia as is V. rupestris from
V. riparia, or V. cinerea from V. caribsea, if not
more so, and, to be consistent, it should be recog-
nised. It appears somewhat more nearly related to
the true " bunch Grape " than V. rotundifolia, and
may be valuable to hybridise for the south.

For beautiful effect as ornamental _ Vines in
bowers, running over arbours and the like, V. pal-

endure nearly as much, and V. Munsoniana will live
almost anywhere in the Southern States. — T. V.
Munson, Bennison, Texas, in Garden and Forest.

However, V. monticola has a very sweet mata, V. monticola, and V. Munsoniana are ex-
and peculiar flavour and mav yield something quisitely delicate, graceful, and beautiful. V. pal-
excellent in hybrids intelligently made. I have ' mata is hardy in Central Illinois, V. monticola will

Raspberries untrained. — Give Raspberries
a rich deep soil thoroughly worked before planting.
Do not crowd the rows together, let the sunshine
and air work in among them freely to strengthen
and ripen the wood, and then it matters not how
much the canes are shortened, there will be plenty
of fine fruit. In practice where no training is done,
it is found best to leave the canes about 3 feet long,
and for a number of years I worked two planta-
tions, one trained to wires, and the other left with-
out training ; and I was so convinced that as good
results can be obtained on the free and open sys-
tem as tying them in bunches to stakes, or training
them on fences of wire, that I cleared away the
wires and stakes. — E. H.

Hoar-frost and fruit trees.— I think it was
in 1880, just ten years since, that intense hoar-frost
did such great harm to hardy fruit trees, Apples
especially. We have been passing through weather
of an exactly similar kind recently, and naturally
one looks with some anxiety as to what may result
now. Certain kinds of Apples, notably Wellington,
King of the Pippins, Lord Suffield and some others,
suffered severely, the two first kinds being in many
gardens almost killed. In one large market garden
many of the trees have hardly recovered now, and
should they suffer in the same way it will doubtless
kill them absolutely. It will be interesting to note
first whether any such mischief is done at all this
time, as a product of the recent severe weather,
and, second, what kind of Apples, if any, suffer
most. It is just possible that the general condi-
tions of the weather of the preceding summer differ
appreciably from those found in the summer
of 1880. Then it was wet and cold, that is if my
date is the correct one, and naturally was productive
of sappiness in the wood. Still, it was not so much
in the growth of the preceding summer that canker
or the bursting of tissues through the action of
frost was produced. In many cases old wood, even
so big as broom handles or a man's wrist, was
gnarled or burst, wounds half through the branches
being caused. The past summer, although excep-
tionally wet in the first part, has been less produc-
tive of sappy and soft growth, whilst the autumn
proved to be exceptionally favourable to wood-
ripening. It is hoped that we may not suffer now
as in the year referred to, although the hoar-frost
has been as severe and dense. — A. D.

Quality in Grapes. — It cannot but be noticed
by those who frequent fruit exhibitions that the
varieties of Grapes whose only claim to notice is
their outward appearance are preferred. Exhibi-
tors cannot be blamed, as they naturally take only
those varieties which are likely to win. In many
instances, too, the public favours them, or rather
the market growers, as these naturally grow what
they can sell. Gros Colman, as a Christmas Grape,
evidently fetches more money than any other

variety well grown, well kept Muscats excepted.

In some instances gardeners are to blame, espe-
cially where there may be but one or two vineries,
and these of small size, to keep up a fair supply of
eatable Grapes. If allowed to exhibit and a vinery
has to be planted, they plant such as Gros Maroc,
Gros Colman, and such like, with the result that their
employers are very disappointed in the eating quali-
ties of the Grapes. In cases such as this it is a great
mistake for a gardener to plant such as those re-
ferred to above, as he is only running against his
own interests. I am not one of those to bemoan
the almost extinction of the Frontignans, especially
when we have such superb-flavoured varieties as
Madresfield Court, Muscat Hamburgh, Mrs. Pince,
Muscat of Alexandria, or even the old Black Ham-
burgh, with the well-tried Lady Downe's as a late
Grape'. Alnwick Seedling is a poor flavoured Grape
at the best of times, although very handsome in
appearance, and one of the easiest Grapes to colour
well. Black Alicante is much more refreshing, and
to my mind far preferable. Barbarossa has only
size of bunch to recommend it, bunches of from
7 lbs. to 12 lbs. in weight being easily secured.

568

THE GARDEN.

[Deo. 20, 1890.

Backland Sweetwater is about the best white
flavoured Grape excepting the Muscat for general
cultivation. Gros Maroc is about the worst fla-
voured Grape I ever tasted. I planted a Vine to
try its capabilities. Size of bunch, berry, with
grand colour and excellent bloom I certainly had,
but the flavour was such that I was ashamed to
send it to table, knowing what the verdict would
be. The bunches, however, came in for a public
ceremony, and were very highly praised. It might
be better certainly grafted on a suitable stock, as
latterly I was informed that the flavour was vastly
improved by its being grafted on the MadresSeld
Court. The latter being such a grandly flavoured
and handsome Grape, one can hardly have too
much of it. As an experiment, however, I grafted
Gros Maroc on to it with the result named.— Rueal.

Protecting Figs.— In severe winters Fig trees
in the open air if left uncovered often suffer much
from cold ; sometimes the whole of the young wood
which should bear the next year's crop is des-
troyed simply for want of an hour or two's care in
covering. Under ordinary circumstances the Fig
tree is a certain cropper, because it is not affected,
or but slightly so, by the ungenial influences of
spring, and if the young wood is protected before
severe frost sets in , the embryo Figs will be quite safe.
It does not signify much what the protection con-
sists of, provided it is sufficient in quantity. I have
generally untied or unnailed all the branches, tied
them together into two or three parcels, and
wrapped some long straw round them, securing it
with string, and afterwards fastening the bundles
to the wall. This covering will save the young
wood in the severest winters. For mild seasons and
districts a few evergreen branches will suffice, but
as when the wood is well ripened covering heavily
and completely does no injury, it is as well to be
prepared for whatever may happen and make all
safe. The coverings may remain on till the end of
March, and if the weather is unsettled at that
time a part of the covering may remain a week
longer. — E.

WINTER WORK IN MARKET ORCHARDS.
The good prices and ready sale for fruit during
the past season have aroused market growers to
the value of fruit trees, and there is now a decided
change as regards the treatment they are likely to
receive in the future. Hitherto it has been far too
much the rule to crop the ground right up to the
very trunks of the trees with vegetables, flowers,
and other hungry- rooting subjects, the consequence
being that the fruit, as might be expected from
starved trees, was specked and undersized ; conse-
quently, did not realise half the price it ought. Dur-
ing the past few years, however, many who had
been content to follow the beaten track have en-
tered upon the more modern system of growing
each kind of fruit by itself, so that the soil could
be monopolised by the trees or bushes themselves.
In the place of tall standards there is now a pretty
general concensus of opinion that the finest
fruit can be grown on dwarf bush trees, and these
are the ones that are now being planted in great
quantities. There can be no question about the
room there is for improvement, if we compare the
market baskets with the examples so plentifully
shown all over the kingdom at the autumnal exhi-
bitions. These new plantations are now receiving
their winter pruning and cleaning preparatory to
manuring and forking them. The close style of
pruning, too, has given place to a more free growth
and gradual extension of the tree, as the tiny trees
at about G feet apart, that are so useful in small
gardens, are not the ones to commend themselves
to the market growers, and spreading bushes at
least 12 feet to 15 feet apart, and that will pro-
duce two or three bushels of the finest fruit, are
what is more generally aimed at ; in fact, they are
as well able to carry a heavy crop as a tall stan-
dard, only that they commence to fruit at the
ground line instead of at an elevation of 7 feet or
8 feet.

The older trees need the most care, for long ne-
glect has brought many of them to the stage when

it becomes a question of renovating or cutting
down. The precarious tenure of land is against the
best and most certain remedy, of starting afresh
with young trees, and if a tree is fairly healthy it
generally gets another chance. Cutting away dead
or useless wood is now in full swing, after which
clearing the bark of insect pests and dressing with
some kind of mixture will be carried out ; manure
is then liberally forked in or spread on the surface
and left as a mulching. Grubbing up those trees
that are condemned is good work for frosty weather,
and lately a good many have been cleared out,
the old worn-out soil being wheeled away and
fresh turfy loam put in to give the new trees a fair
start. In this locality Apples have the preference
as the best fruit to plant, but, where old Apples
have been grubbed out, Plums are the favourite for
the succeeding crop. Pears do not receive the
attention they deserve, for the old trees of these in
existing orchards are mostly of the commonest
kinds. It is to the best dessert fruits for selling at
so much each or per dozen that we must look in
the future, and not to the small unsaleable kinds,
that are at the best only fit for the hawker's barrow.
That Pears do succeed well on the south coast is
clearly proved by those who have treated them well.
Oosport. J. Geoom.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS.
Holly berries are fairly plentiful except where the
birds have been pinched into making early clear-
ances, which they have done in many cases, while
leaving the haws untouched. The tastes of the
birds, too, are often most capricious as to what
they devour or reject. Some bushes and trees are
invariably taken, while others, fortunately for deco-
rators, are left. And even now, with the average
frost settling down fast to 15°/ some of the most
crowded Thorns and most brilliantly coralled Hol-
lies remain intact. • This is fortunate, for there is
really no substitute for Holly berries at Christmas-
tide, especially in churches. There is a glow, a ten-
derness of memory, a depth nf romance about the
Holly that nothing can match or rival ; hence its
popularity never flags, and lovers of the Holly often
tremble for its fate as they see the hundreds of tons
sent into the metropolis and other large cities, and
the wasteful way in which it is often used in rural
churches. But every succeeding year the Holly is
to the fore even more plentifully than ever, and the
old favourite, with the Mistletoe, holds its old place
of honour and beauty in all our most effective
Christmas decorations; Almost any kind of
lettering and any number of inscriptions are
possible with a skilful blending of the con-
trasting berries of these two plants, while
the leaves of the Holly, notwithstanding their
sharpness, are admirable for larger lettering. Some
of the finer strains of variegated silver Hollies
have also a very considerable proportion of silver
selfs that are equally serviceable for funeral or
memorial wreaths, chaste inscriptions in rooms or
churches, or designs or lettering on dinner tables.
No leaves can compare with these for delicacy
and purity of effect, unless it be the silver selfs
often found in the old Mangle's variegated Pelar-
gonium.

Next to the Hollies and the Mistletoe would
follow some of the finer coniferous plants, plain
and variegated, especially the more delicate and
variegated Retinosporas, the Holly- leaved and
other Barberries, Ivies, Aucubas, Pyracanthus,
and Euonymus. Box, Holly, Yew, Evergreen
Oak, Laurels, Laurustinus, and many other
shrubs and trees often used too freely are
purposely excluded here, inasmuch as they are
often introduced in far too large masses, to the
spoiling of the decorations and the swamping of
the best effects of the more choice and elegant
material. Neither are exotics included, as it
would wreck glasshouses to cut their contents in
such masses as to tell much in the enormous extent
of the current decorations for Christmas.

It may, however, be freely admitted that many
of the choicest decorations in our homes or
churches might be formed of happy Mendings !

of exotic flowers with the berries, twiglets,
and leaves of hardy subjects. But two considera-
tions besides the one of size retard the use of ex-
otic material at Christmastide — the one being
its cost, the other its fragility. The first might
be masked to some extent by curtailing the decora-
tions and going in for quality and taste rather than
size or quantity, and the second might be modified
by careful transit through frozen air and keeping
the churches free from draught during the Christ-
mas festival.

Late Chrysanthemums, winter-flowering Heaths
and Epacrises, Camellias, Azaleas, early Roman
Hyacinths, Tulips, Narcissi will bear the tempera-
ture of most churches well if sensibly arranged for
decorative effect. And then, with an unlimited
supply of Christmas Roses, which are possible at
moderate cost, and timely preparation, marvellously
chaste decorative effects may be easily produced,
and these striking flowers exceed all others in stay-
ing properties, and blend well with almost any
sort of green. Indeed, a profusion of Christmas
Roses on a base of hardy or other Ferns, or
almost any kind of foliage, would form one of
the most pleasing as well as novel of all possible
Christmas decorations for church or home. The
first step to improvement in most cases is less
and better material. The medley mixtures of
from three to six different shrubs running
all round the church or room should give
place to one or two. The true decorator should
never forget that his true mission consists in drap-
ing, not hiding, exquisite designs in carving or
beautiful lines of architecture. His colouring also,
whether of leafage, spray, berry, or bloom, should
fit the building or room either through a well-
balanced harmony or a pleasing contrast. In the
wreathing of pillars or draping of arches, the size
of the wreaths as well as the length of their curves
should bear an artistic relation to their height and
magnitude. These are points that are mostly over-
looked ; hence materials that seem made on pur-
pose for one church seem sadly out of place and
character in another. Every church and almost
every dining and drawing-room need special treat-
ment, and were this given instead of the endless
repetitions that weary the eye through their
monotonous sameness, we should have endless
local adaptations that would impart greater fresh-
ness and variety, as well as more artistic taste to
our church and room decorations this Christmas-
tide.— D. T. F.

At the approach of Christmas there is a

great demand for Ivy, as it is pretty generally
acknowledged to be the best of all Evergreens that
can be used for decoration, and collectors of such
things have been busy for some time past in getting
in quantities for florists and others who supply
church and private house decorators with it. The
best of all is the common small-leaved native Ivy
that grows on tree stems, park palings, or old
buildings, where it can be cut off at the base and
taken off in sprays varying from 3 feet to 8 feet in
length, and furnished well with small side sprays
for its entire length. These are excellent for
placing just as they grew against pillars, round
cornices, or windows, while the thinnest pliable
ones answer well for garnishing the gas-jets and
standards. There are quite distinct varieties of
this beautiful Ivy to be found growing side by side,
some with clear green foliage, and others with the
leaves marbled and spotted with red. Great
variety is also found in the size and formation of
the leaves, some being beautifully serrated, while
others are very small, but nearly smooth on the
edge. Ivy leaves and sprays of the coloured
leaved kinds that are now at their best aie very
largely used in the formation of winter wreaths
and crosses, and very pretty and lasting they are
when put up with green Moss and mingled with
either their own black berries or the shining red
ones of the Holly. For personal adornment these
coloured leaves are largely used, tied in bunches
for button-hole or spray bouquets, and when flowers
are scarce and expensive they meet with a ready
sale, as they stand heat or cold without f
J. G., Hants.

Dec. 20, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

569

Trees and Shrubs.

THE PLUMED HYDRANGEA.

(hydrangea PANICCLATA GRAJv'PIFLORA.)
This is one of the most beautiful flowering
shrubs we possess, and if kept fairly moist
through the summer it will in the autumn pro-
duce its plumes of creamy white flowers very
freely. It is most effective when planted in a
mass, as may be seen from the engraving here
given. In order to realise to the full its beauty,
it is necessary to cut it down hard in the spring
to a prominent bud, at the same time thinning
out all weak shoots. In the Royal Horticul-
tural Society's Gardens at Chiswick it has been
planted round one of the beds, and cut down
annually it flowers freely every season and pro-
duces very large trusses. In the case of the
plants shown in the engraving the same treat-
ment was adopted. A top-dressing of manure

foster tree will push roots into it at least as
fast as the climber itself, while the latter will,
unless carefully attended to, suffer from drought
and in any case from an absence of light.
The best way is to plant the climber or climbers
outside the radius of branches and allow them to
mount upward by means of a friendly branch. In
this way the roots are far more favourably situated
that when planted close to the trunk, but of course
such a method can only be carried out where the
branches of the tree almost, if not quite, sweep the
ground. Exclusive of Ivy, it will be seen that most
of our native climbers gain their support in this
manner rather than by means of the main trunk.
In mentioning Roses suitable for the purpose I can
recommend the Himalayan Rosa Brunoniana, a
vigorous-growing species with clusters of large
pure white flowers. — T.

The Black Spruce (Abies nigra). — This Spruce
is throughout the north-eastern part of America
one of the commonest members of the Fir tribe,
and holds there much the same position as our own
Norway Spruce (Abies excelsa) does in Europe, as

Group of plumed Hydrangeas in bloom, September, 1890, at Highfield, Skorekam, Kent (figure to show scale).

will be found of great service, and liberal appli-
cations of liquid manure during the summer
months may also be given. If the position in
which this Hydrangea is to be planted be at all
dry, the best way is to form the bed below the
level of the surrounding ground, so that it can
be frequently flooded with water. Grown in
pots it finds a ready sale in Covent Garden
Market during the London season. T.

Climbers on trees. — Several recent notes in
The Garden have pointed out the beautiful
effect produced by judiciously chosen climbing
plants that are allowed to ramble at will over
various trees. They are in this way certainly most
beautiful, yet failures are frequent in seeking to
establish climbing plants on old trees. I have
lately seen many such, the reason in every case
being the same, and that is the soil in the imme-
diate vicinity of old trees is sure to be impoverished.
Even if some of the soil is taken out and replaced
with a better compost, the chances are that the

1 he wood is largely used for various purposes, and
also imported in great quantities. In this country
it does not appear likely to ever rank high as a
timber tree, for its rate of growth is comparatively
slow, while as an ornamental Conifer, though cer-
tainly not equal to many others, it yet possesses
distinctive features. The Black Spruce is seen at
its best in a loamy soil, not too much dried up
during the summer, and in an open position. In its
North American home it reaches a height of 50
feet to 80 feet, but its growth must be there more
rapid than it is in this country. Several specimens
that have come under my notice from 12 feet to
20 feet high are heavily laden with cones, while
the trees have made but little progress for the last
few years. The cones, which are from 1J inches to

2 inches long, are, when young, of a purplish
colour, but they are retained for years after the
seed has dropped. Though there is a considerable
amount of individual variation to be found in this
Spruce, its usual habit when occupying an isolated
position is to form a somewhat peculiarly shaped
specimen, as the bottom tiers of branches, which
rest on the ground, extend considerably further

than those above, while the uppermost ones are
arranged more or less pyramidally. The usual ap-
pearance of a thriving specimen is, therefore, that
of a pyramidal tree springing from a broader base.
The branches of the Black Spruce are slightly
drooping, and very thickly clothed with short,
rigid foliage of a dark green colour, with a more or
less glaucous hue. This Spruce was introduced by
Bishop Compton in the first years of the last cen-
tury, when the number of coniferous trees known
in this country was limited. The Black Spruce is
perfectly hardy ; indeed, it occurs in the bleak,
cold districts of the northernmost part of America.
— T.

THE WEEPING SPRUCE.

(ABIES MORINDA.)

The state of the weather exercises a powerful in-
fluence on this Spruce, for when crisp and frosty
the foliage is of a pleasing silvery-grey tint, while
when wet and close few trees have a more miser-
able and bedraggled appearance, the leaves unit-
ing in twos and threes, and wearing more the
aspect of the sombre Yew than that of the
genus they represent. As a handsome tree the
Weeping Spruce undoubtedly stands in the front
rank, while its great hardiness, rapidity of growth,
and easy culture claim for it from tree-planters
even a larger share of attention than it has yet
received. Most persons on reading the heading to
this note will suppose that the tree referred to is
but a weeping form of the common Spruce ; not so,
however, for the present tree is a well-marked
species, that differs in many respects from the
commonly cultivated form. The foliage is longer
and more silvery than that of the common tree,
while the branchlets droop in a regular and pleas-
ing manner, and the whole tree is something be-
tween spreading and fastigiate in general outline.
When the cones are ripe, their russety-brown tint
and large size impart quite a feature to the tree,
and in early spring the pollen cones or catkins
when plentifully produced, as is generally the case,
have a pleasing and attractive appearance from
their depth of colouring. By the roadside at the
Keston Ponds (Kent) there is an unusually large
and symmetrical specimen of this Weeping Spruce,
and which, by the way, is the finest tree of its kind
that I can remember having seen. Generally speak-
ing, the Spruces do not flourish at all satisfactorily
on gravelly soils, but the present tree is grow-
ing where at a few feet from the surface there
is a deep bed of gravel. The top soil has no doubt
much to do in keeping this almost perfectly de-
veloped specimen in good health, though one gene-,
rally finds the tree to do best in deep loam, alluvial
deposit, or in reclaimed peat bog. There are some
noble examples of the tree on the peat bog at
Churchill, in the north of Ireland, but the bog pre-
vious to being planted was thoroughly broken up
and freely mixed with road-scrapings and loam.
Now, however, the roots of the trees have far out-
reached their original allotted space, and are revel-
ling in pure peat bog, rendered all the better, no
doubt, from the very fact of the presence of the
tree. On a windy knoll on the same estate, but
where the soil is a stiff yellow loam bordering on
clay, this Spruce does not do nearly so well, the
upward growth being short, although the general
appearance indicates perfect health.

A native of the Himalayas, the Weeping Spruce
is perfectly hardy in most parts of the country,
although occasionally one may meet with a speci-
men growing under adverse conditions that has
suffered from early frosts, or been cut back before
the young growths had got fully matured. Under
ordinary conditions, however, little fear need be
entertained regarding the general hardiness of the
tree, while, as I have shown above, the soils that it
will succeed in are by no means limited. The rich
drooping foliage and majestic size to which, when
suitably placed, the tree attains render it a very
desirable species for planting where plenty of space
can be afforded in the park or on the lawn.

A. D. Webster.

Transplanting' Hollies. — In answer to the
inquiry of " A. J. P." (p, 495) anent the above, I

570

THE GARDEN.

[Dec. 20, 1890.

may say that I have found from the middle of
May to the middle of June to be the best time for
moving Hollies that have been periodically trans-
planted, but for the specimens your correspondent
refers to, particularly if large and assuming they
have been for several years undisturbed, I should
prepare them a year previous to moving them by
taking out a trench about them 2 feet deep at a
distance to be determined by the operator in accord-
ance with the size of the tree and the number of
large roots with which he came in contact. Care-
fully bare the soil from these roots and cut clean
off with a sharp knife, afterwards filling in the
trench with good soil to encourage the formation
of fibres at the extremities of the large roots.
This done, Hollies of any size may be transplanted
with impunity. Late spring planting is decidedly
better than in the autumn, for in the case of the
former both root and top-growth start at once,
while with the latter there is a long season of semi-
dormancy. — E. J.

The Oriental Bladder Senna (Colutea om-
enta) forms a neat, round-headed bush of 6 feet or
so in height, and is remarkable, as, indeed, all the
members of the family are, for the inflated seed-
pod, that in the present species being boat-shaped,
and when nearly ripe of a distinct reddish colour,
adds much to the attractiveness of the plant.
It is not nearly so common as the Bladder Senna
(C. arborescens),butis equally ornamental, of a large
growth, quite as hardy in most districts, and grows
well in any garden soil of ordinary quality. The
flowers are rather large, pea-shaped, and of a
bright coppery tint, and on large plants produced
in great abundance. Few shrubs of ordinary size
have a more ornamental appearance, whether in
flower or fruit, than the subject of this note, and
I have noticed it doing well and showing off its
good qualities to perfection when planted as a
lawn specimen at not too great a distance from
other trees and shrubs. A little shelter from
draughts is all-important to the well-being of this
Bladder Senna, the growths, when the plant is so
placed, being longer, the leaves more plentiful, and
the flowers and fruit larger and handsomer than is
the case when a cold windy position has to be con-
tended against. When we consider that this shrub
was introduced (it is a native of the Levant) fully
a century and a half ago, and that it is still a com-
parative stranger to our gardens, we may well
blame ourselves for neglecting a good thing, but it
is difficult to procure — our own fault, no doubt,
for when there is a demand for a certain plant it
is, in most cases at least, freely forthcoming. —
A. D. W.

Podocarpus chilinus.— The genus Podocar-
pus is very large, different members of it being
found in South America, Australia, New Zealand,
Japan, and in parts of the Eastern Archipelago.
Many of them form large trees in their native
country, but very few are available for outdoor
planting, the hardiest of all, as far as my experience
extends, being that above mentioned — Podocarpus
chilinus and the Tasmanian P. alpinus. The first
of these, P. chilinus, which is sometimes met with
under the speciSc name of salignus, is quite hardy
as far north as London, and forms a very distinct
and ornamental Conifer. The leaves are about 3
inches or 4 inches long, nearly a quarter of an inch
wide and slightly curved. On the upper surface
they are of a deep glossy green tint, but somewhat
paler beneath. The usual habit of this Podocarpus
is to form a broadly pyramidal or bushy specimen
with numerous branches very freely furnished with
minor branchlets. Though slow-growing and sel-
dom met with more than 12 feet high, this Podocar-
pus is of a robust massive character, very different
from any of the Cephalotaxi, which in foliage ap-
proach it more nearly than the other members of
the Yew tribe. The other species of Podocarpus
above mentioned, P. alpinus, usually forms a spread-
ing bush whose branches are clothed with small
Yew-like dark green leaves. This species is far less
ornamental than P. chilinus, but at the same time
it is interesting as being almost, if not quite, the
only Antipodean Conifer that will pass our winters
without injury. There are two other shrubs occa-
sionally met with under the name of Podocarpus,

viz., the Chilian Prumnopitys elegans, known some-
times as P. andina, and the upright form of Cepha-
lotaxus, to which the name of Podocarpus Koraiana,
given to it by Gordon, is frequently applied. This
was originally imported from Japan, but since then
many instances have occurred in which specimens
of it have pushed out lateral branches with the
typical foliage arranged in two rows, instead of
around the stem, as in the so-called Podocarpus,
which is really Cephalotaxus pedunculata fastigiata.
This last bears just the same relation to the ordinary
form as the Irish does to the common Yew. — T.

HARDY TREES AND SHRUBS IN
IRELAND.

Ireland, with its dripping skies and equable
climate, is pre-eminently fitted to be the home
of many beautiful trees and shrubs, and in the
south, as at Fota and at Cork, and in the wild
west, as at Cong and in other parts of Galway,
many things elsewhere rare or delicate luxuri-
ate as if at home in their native wilds.

The illustration (p. 584) is from a photograph
in the grounds at Castlewellan, Co. Down, in
the north of Ireland, where the climate is far
less genial than in the localities above named.
Still, Castlewellan Park is the home of many
fine examples of the choicest tree and shrub
growth. The picture shows a rich and happy
blending of Conifers together with deciduous
trees, and is an apt illustration of what can be
effected on good soil in a fresh and genial
climate when a strong and persistent love for
hardy vegetation prevails.

Here on a comparatively small area are
grouped Conifene from Europe and America,
from the Andes as well as from Northern India
and from Japan. There are also many very
fine deciduous trees and flowering shrubs col-
lected from temperate parts of the world, and,
as shown in the illustration, the Chilian Arau-
carias and the Californian Sequoia are quite
luxuriant and happy in association with the
native Florence Court Yew. At all seasons
of the year and in all aspects the collection
of trees and shrubs at Castlewellan is a most in-
teresting one, the owner in his travels having
collected and introduced many rarities, and it
was here that the beautiful Daffodil now named
Countess of Annesley was first discovered grow-
ing by the thousand in the domain. Hollies
and Rhododendrons and Bamboos are here
special features, and as a rarity among the last-
named is Dendrocalamus sikkimensis, intro-
duced by the Earl of Annesley from India a
few years ago. It is growing in an intermediate
house and is about 12 feet in height, not being
so hardy as the Japanese and Northern Chinese
kinds. B.

Shrubs and the frost. — The recent severe
frosts have told heavily against the shrubs, by reason
of the young growth promoted by the summer-like au-
tumn. In one nursery near London, Veronica Traversi
and Azara microphylla have suffered severely. Both
have been years in the open, but never hurt to the same
extent as this season.

The hardiness of the Bamboos was again put

to a severe test by the recent sharp weather, which,
coming so early, might have found the young canes
of the current season's growth in a partially tender
state, and more likely to suffer. The air was so still
that the snow lay as it fell upon the leaves and
twigs of the Bamboos, till all the more pliable canes,
even those G feet to 8 feet in length, were laid flat
and some actually buried. They were only liberated
after the snow ceased to fall, and again arose as
erect and graceful as before, to pass through 15° of
frost on two successive nights. The sharp weather
has now gone as suddenly as it came, leaving not a
trace of injury upon the Bamboos, the greenness of
their rich foliage being now deeper and fresher, as
it always is in winter, partly from frost, but more

especially by the strong force of contrast with the
bare leafless trees. A large plant of the greenhouse
Cytisus upon the same border, which passed last
winter in safety with 22° of frost in March, this
winter shows traces of serious injury. — A. H.

TREE PLANTING IN MANCHESTER.
On the occasion of a recent meeting of the Man-
chester Horticultural Improvement Society Mr.
Bruce Findlay delivered an address on " Tree
Planting in Towns," making special reference to
Manchester. He pointed out that the fumes emitted
from the large chemical works in and around Man-
chester had a much more damaging effect on vege-
tation than the smoke of London ; hence the folly
of asking for advice from persons residing in the
south as to the kinds of trees most suitable for
the Lancashire district. Minute sooty particles
were deposited over the surface of the tree, so that
respiration was impeded,. and debility followed as a
matter of course. If any proof were wanted they
had simply to handle one of the Hollies in the tubs
which had for some time past disfigured Albert
Square. Smoke and soot are not the only
enemies to contend with, for the excessive drain-
age so necessary to the health of towns becomes
a severe trial to trees planted out, the wonder
being that under such circumstances they sur-
vive at all. The poisonous leakage from gas-
pipes is often a cause of death. To mitigate the
evil resulting from excessive drainage a judicious
artificial application of water is necessary. If this
were done systematically, there is no reason why
some kinds of deciduous trees should not flourish
in Manchester. They should have in early summer
six or eight periodical soakings of water whether it
rained or not. The first thing which appeared to be
desirable was to give the roots a few thorough
waterings in the spring, before, in fact, there
had been time for any impression to be made on
the systems of trees by the scorching heat of sum-
mer, and before the trees had lost any of the vigour
they had accumulated during their winter's rest. The
ground towards the circumference of the area occu-
pied by the roots should be pierced, so as to facili-
tate the absorption of the water. With a hose
attached to a supply pipe from the mains, water-
ing could be easily effected. Another point of equal
importance was the cleaning of the foliage, while
yet in a healthy state, by frequent washings, which,
while doing battle with the soot, would, by en-
abling the trees to absorb moisture on the surface
instead of continually parting with it, to some ex-
tent help to supply the deficiency alluded to. Such
washings would only be necessary in dry weather,
and as a help to the cleansing and moistening
influence of natural showers. If done weekly dur-
ing the earlier part of the summer, they would go far
to procure a healthy condition of the foliage,
which again would react upon and invigorate the
entire system of the plant. Such artificial waterings
need not be continued to a late period of the sum- '
mer, as they would interfere with the ripening of
the wood, so necessary to its passing safely through
the winter months.

The next important matter is the kinds of trees
to be used. They should begin by selecting such
as would harmonise with the surroundings. The
best trees were the healthier individuals of the
species best adapted to resist the deleterious effects
of a vitiated atmosphere, and the injuries to which
they are exposed in the midst of a crowded popula-
tion. Of the several trees which were to be found
growing in and around towns subject to the same
conditions as Manchester might be mentioned the
Ash. In Wigan the Ash trees were fresh and green
on October 15, whilst the majority of other trees'
were either leafless or looked unhealthy. Similar testi-
mony came from Liverpool, Sheffield, and Birming-
ham. The Ash was late in coming into leaf, but its
smoke-enduring properties rendered it a most de-
sirable tree to plant. The Canadian Poplar was.
another most valuable tree for city planting. The
Sycamore retained its foliage to a late period in
the season, and its shape was well suited for •
avenues. Thorns are also good town trees, but
scarcely sufficiently arborescent for an avenue.

Deo. 20, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

571

The Horse Chestnut would be found a suitable tree
for town planting, and several kinds of Willows
will succeed well in smoky districts. These were
all deciduous trees. He did not think it desirable
to plant many Evergreens, and the only ones he
would recommend were the Privet and the Box.

The method of planting is a very important
matter. Cheap methods of planting in any situa-
tion would prove of no use, and especially was
this the case with trees in towns. It would not be
done effectively without due preparation. The first
thing to be done is to have the soil well trenched,
and at least four cartloads of suitable soil placed
round the roots ; the larger the hole filled with the
soil the better. Provision should be made for add-
ing fresh mould, otherwise the trees would grow
until the roots found their way through the pre-
pared ground and touched the uncongenial soil,
when they would begin to decline. Many young
trees were killed through too deep planting, and
it required an experienced hand to properly do the
work. When the trees and shrubs are being
planted their branches should always be pretty
well thinned, as this gives the roots a better chance
of stimulating into a free growth the portions left.
The time of planting must depend on the fall of the
leaf. Mr. Findlay's impression is that the reason
why London and Paris are two of the most healthy
cities in the world is in the main owing to their
extensive public parks and open spaces.

Kitchen Garden.

HARDINESS OF VEGETABLES.
A variety of circumstances largely affects the
hardiness of vegetables, and none much more
so than the position of the garden or field in
which they are grown. This, I should add, has
special reference to the localities where we may
reasonably expect most of the presumably hardy
kinds to stand through an ordinarily severe
winter, my experience not having been ex-
tended to extremely cold districts. So much
are some kinds affected by local surroundings
that they may survive, without much injury, a
severe frost in one garden, and be badly crippled
only a few hundred yards away. This may
account for the many conflicting opinions upon
the relative hardiness of certain kinds of vege-
tables, and all we can do, therefore, is to "speak
as we find/' On p. 498, a Shaftesbury corre-
spondent gives his experience with Read's
Hearting Kale, and which differs somewhat
from mine ; inasmuch as it is perfectly hardy
with him, whereas with me it sometimes comes
to grief. Thanks to his furnishing a few facts
as to the altitude and position of the ground
where his plants are grown, the superior hardi-
ness of his Borecole, and doubtless of all other
members of the Brassica family, is easily ac-
counted for. As no doubt he is aware, the
difference between us as regards both latitude
and longitude is trifling, but the height above
sea-level differs greatly, the altitude of his
garden being more than double what that of
mine is, mine also being rather sheltered.
When, however, it comes to comparing the
hardiness of the vegetables grown in the two
localities, the difference is not in my favour, as
he seems to think, but very much in his. The
mean temperature of the climate would be
higher here than at Shaftesbury, and occa-
sionally much lower temperatures would be re-
corded during the winter at such an high alti-
tude, but vegetables generally would have been
well prepared for this, being sturdier and
hardier than any grown in valleys especially.
Then, again, high positions are usually favoured
with a drier atmosphere ; consequently, the
evaporation of moisture from plants is more
constant, the growth and foliage being far less
succulent than in the case of plants growing in

the moisture-laden air of the valleys and low
positions generally. The latter have frequent
unwelcome visitations in the shape of fogs,
these chilling the ground and all on or near it,
while frequent hoar-frosts do even more
damage than what are known as black frosts.
Already some of our plants of Read's Hearting
Kale and Broccoli have been much injured by
hoar-frost, our low position and proximity to
water being to blame for this. Within half a
mile of where I am writing, on ground pro-
bably not more than 50 yards higher, both
flowers and vegetables are much hardier than is
the case here, and what applies to this district
is equally applicable to all other parts of the
country.

There are other conditions which materially
affect the hardiness of vegetables, some
of which have already been hinted at.
Thus, for instance, instead of exposed posi-
tions being unfavourable to the growth of
winter vegetables, they are in reality, as I have
taken other opportunities of pointing out, the
very best that can be chosen for them. Private
gardeners on visiting the vegetable markets of
large towns during a severe winter have been
surprised to discover there is no great scarcity
of Broccoli and other winter green vegetables.
They have lost most of theirs by frost, and, un-
less of an inquiring turn of mind, they go away
with the impression that the market supplies
are drawn from Cornwall, the Channel Islands,
or other favoured spots. There may be some
truth in this, to them, comforting reflection,
but, as a rule, the bulk of those vegetables that
have escaped severe frosts are obtained from
the open fields in Essex, Hertford, Kent, and
elsewhere. Planted on fairly rich, firm, and
by no means deeply cultivated ground, good
room also being allowed, the growth from the
first is of a sturdy, hard nature, no long
naked stems — a source of much danger in the
case of plants grown in private gardens — being
apparent. Even some of these are destroyed
during very severe winters, but those on high
and the more exposed positions are the most
likely to escape. Cold, frosty winds will in-
jure much exposed plants, but they are not
often killed outright. Plants put out on rich,
deeply cultivated, loose ground and much
sheltered by trees and garden walls grow
strongly, and are very succulent, in which state
they are totally unfitted to withstand a se
vere frost. In very many cases there is no
great choice of position, but it is within the
power of most gardeners to vary their arrange-
ments so as to have a portion at least of their
winter crops on either higher and not over-rich
ground or in an open position, plenty of room
also being accorded them. Thus treited, there
is a greater likelihood of their proving much
hardier than those grown either on lower
ground or where they will most probably
become drawn and very succulent.

The nature of the soil and subsoil also has
much to do with the hardiness or non-hardiness,
as the case may be, of plants. Soils of a clayey
nature are much the coldest, and greatly affect
the climate of the neighbourhood where they
abound. It is in proximity to these where
there is most fog and where the plants are
most liable to be injured by frosts. Not only
are the temperatures constantly lower where
clay prevails, but there is always more mois-
ture in the atmosphere. Vegetables grown on
either a sandy or gravelly soil are less sappy
and tender, and are seldom exposed to such
low temperatures as occur where there is much
clay ; 18 inches and sometimes a less distance
below the surface I can find from 18 inches
to 2 feet of pure clay, or such say as would

make excellent bricks, and any vegetables that
prove hardy with me might be grown almost
anywhere in the British Isles with every
prospect of their surviving an ordinarily severe
winter. W. I.

Somerset.

SEAKALE.
A good supply of Seakale during the winter and
early spring months is always appreciated, espe-
cially if the winter be severe. The forcing of Sea-
kale need not be gone into, as that has been fully
explained in recent issues of The Garden. Some
people will still keep on forcing the old roots sea-
son after season where they grow. The continued
forcing of the same roots weakens them consider-
ably, and in time the produce becomes very scanty.

1 once served in a large garden where the owner
would not eat any Seakale other than forced where
it grew, but as far as I could judge there was not
any difference in flavour to that forced in a Mush-
room house or any such structure. Some people
are under the impression that it takes two years to
get roots suitable for forcing, but that is not so, as
good crowns may be grown within a twelve-month _

I like to increase the stock by means of root-
cuttings. It makes all the difference whether these
are made early or late. When made early, buds
form or sprout before they are planted ; whereas
when made late or just previous to planting, these
are quite a month or six weeks later in appearing
above ground ; consequently this time is lost in the
season of growth, and the size of the roots is con-
siderably lessened. When taking the roots up for
forcing I preserve all about the size of a little finger
and cut them into lengths of about 5 inches — not
less. The top end of the cuttiDg must be cut off
straight, and the root end slanting as a guide for
planting.

The cuttings should now be tied up in bun-
dles and laid in soil in a cold frame. In this posi-
tion the eyes will swell up and be in good condition
for planting early in March, or as soon after as
the ground is in a planting condition. If by chance
sufficient roots should not be at hand early enough
for sprouting in a cold frame, I have laid the roots
along the front of a Potato frame, the genial
warmth soon starting the eyes. The plantation
should be in an open position, and the soil in a well
pulverised and fairly rich condition. Plant in rows

2 feet apart and a foot less in the rows. The top
of the cutting should be an inch below the surface.
When the cuttings are fairly started into growth a
slight dressing of salt acts as a capital stimulant.
Those roots which are not used for forcing and re-
main in the ground must have the tops cut clean off,
or else the growth made will be a flower-head. I
do not think it is generally known that the green
tops when cooked are very tender and delicious in
flavour. Old roots which have not been forced too
early or too hard can be utilised for another season,
these formingtwoorthreeuseful-sized crowns toeach
root. I generally plant a few rows of old roots for
our earliest supply. Lily-white, when more known,
will supersede the old variety. It is of excellent
quality and quite white when forced, and is useful
for the earliest supply. We have it now the first
week in December.

Since writing the above I have noticed the note
by " J. G.," Hants (page 531), re natural grown Sea-
kale, and I quite agree with what he there states
as to the extraordinary luxuriance of naturally
grown Seakale on the seashore. Bubal.

Cabbag-e Winnigstadt. — This has long been
a favourite variety with Mr. J. Austin, Witley
Court, for autumn and early winter use, a large
breadth being grown of it. The seed is sown in
May, and the plants grown on a wide, well ma-
nured border, where, as I saw them in August,
they presented a remarkably even appearance, and
promised to be very serviceable later on. Mr.
Austin doubts if he has the true form this year,
and the hearts were certainly more conical than in
the case of the plant illustrated on p. 535. There
was, however, the peculiar glaucous hue observable

572

THE GAEDEN.

[Dec. 20, 1890.

in the foliage, and a distinctness about the habit
which prove there was not much the matter.
Where there is a good demand for green vegetables
this valuable Cabbage ought to be extensively
grown. — W. I.

Early and late Cabbages. — " I. M. H."
(p. 535), in his excellent estimate of varieties,
appears to have been unfortunate with the variety
Etampes. I was induced to grow it through a note
in The Garden by the late Mr. Wildsmith. I sow
the seed early in April, as it is as a late variety
that I value it. The heads come to maturity during
September and October, when they are cut,
whether they can be used or not. It is the
secondary growth or sprouts that are valuable,
these being very tender and delicious in flavour.
Whilst these are to be had I use for my own con-
sumption no other green vegetable. Winnigstadt
is an old favourite of mine, having grown it for
some years. This variety I sow in May for early
winter or even winter use, it being very hardy, and
remaining in good condition for some time with-
out either splitting or decaying. — A. Y.

Keeping Celery.—" S. D." (p. 535) takes ex-
ception to my note on keeping Celery, but I can
assure him that my note is based on practice and
observation with Celery grown on various soils in
different counties in widely separated districts.
During the past three seasons I have not lost a
single head of Celery through rotting or any other
cause, and I grow upwards of a quarter of an acre
each season. Celery " highly fed with a too liberal
use of liquid manure " certainly is not " thoroughly
matured," and succumbs to frost and rotting. I
would ask " S. D." whether he thinks that the large
heads of Celery grown for exhibition, and which
are highly fed up with liquid manure so as to gain
size, are equally good in quality and keeping pro-
perties ? I say, No. Large heads of Celery are
only outside show, and what you gain in size you
lose in keeping properties and that sweet nutty
flavour only found in medium-sided,'solid heads,
not highly fed. A little salt applied to the roots
about twice during the growing season is an ex-
cellent stimulant. I am careful to have Celery
earthed in a thorough manner ; the sides are well
sloped down and beaten with the spade, the
soil being kept well around the tops of the leaves.
The continual covering and uncovering cannot but
injure the tops, and so cause a more rapid decay
than if left uncovered. — Rukal.

Endives. — It is very fortunate for large growers
of this that we ^had such a heavy fall of snow,
otherwise the frost, coming as it did so suddenly
after such a mild time, would have sadly injured
or destroyed great breadths, for up to a late
period plants have been growing freely, and
were on that account less hardy than usual. This
is not saying much for the enduring powers of
Endive, which are not great, as it suffers generally
quite as much, or more, than forward Lettuce, and
I have seen it so cut up by only moderate frosts as
to rot wholesale in the hearts and be unfit for use.
The most tender, I think, is the curled, but fortu-
nately it can be very easily protected and blanched,
the best way perhaps of treating it being to dig up
the plants and then stow them away in cold frames,
cellars, or sheds, the last named places being suit-
able for such as are fully grown and are soon
wanted for filling the salad bowl, as there, if kept
dark, they blanch and become more crisp and good.
A Mushroom house is also very suitable to bring on
Endive, but only a few heads at a time should be
put in, and a fresh lot every other day or so, ac-
cording to the demand and' supply for keeping it
up. In storing in sheds, the plants should be
lifted with good-sized balls, and be placed close
together in dry, or nearly dry, soil, and the same if
put in frames, as damp at this season is its great
enemy, and causes the hearts to rot, unless
plenty of air is kept on to drive it out and prevent
mould forming, as it generally does if the atmo-
sphere is in the least close and confined. Some
blanch their Endive by placing pieces of slate or
tiles over the crowns, and others by laying a board
along over the rows, which does very well for early
autumn, as does also tying the plants up in the

same way as Lettuce. The broad-leaved kinds of
Endive lend themselves to this mode of treat-
ment, but it will not do after frosts come, as
plants then must be housed if they are to be pre-
served in good condition all through the winter
and bridge over the season till spring Lettuces come
in.— S. D.

Books.

MUSHROOMS AND THEIR CULTURE.*
In the introduction to this neat little treatise the
author ' states he has endeavoured to explain as
clearly as possible the most practical ways in the
culture of Mushrooms, and also to avoid entering
into " long, elaborate, and unnecessary details
which may be misleading to the beginner.'' Now
brevity is undoubtedly most commendable at
times, but it may be too rigidly adhered to, espe-
cially by those who profess to be anxious to instruct
rather than mislead beginners. Nothing ought to
be taken for granted, the most trivial details being
absolutely necessary for the guidance of amateurs.
At least such is my experience with this class of
readers, and such would prove to be the case with
the author if he had not, wisely enough perhaps,
omitted to give his private address on the title page.
If Mr. Brooks wrote his little book principally for
amateurs, then it will most probably fail to benefit
that class of readers to any appreciable extent, less
than thirty pages of very open print being far too
few to devote to the culture of Mushrooms in all
its branches; while if he has in view the instruction
of professional gardeners, then again he has missed
his mark, simply because he has nothing fresh to
adduce. All and very much more, though not more
than was uncalled for, has been frequently written
and published in either book or pamphlet form be-
fore, and at the same price or even less per copy.
I will go further and assert that his teachings are
actually misleading.

Experts in Mushroom culture attach the greatest
importance to the preparation of the manure for
making into beds, but the author dismisses this
portion of his subject in the following manner : —

Collect a quantity of droppings fresh from the
stable from horses that are not having medicine nor
green food. When sufficient is collected, place the
whole in an open shed to ferment. See that it is turned
frequently to prevent it getting to a dry or white heat.
When the manure has fermented sufficiently so as not
to be able to press any moisture from the droppings, it
will then be found in a suitable condition for making
into a bed.

By this he would have us believe that it is only
superfluous moisture that has to be got rid of ;
whereas other primary conditions are the purifying
or sweetening of the manure and its advancement
to a proper stage of decay, the Mushroom being
far more fastidious in respect to a rooting medium
than is generally supposed. The preparation of
the manure for open-air or ridge-shaped beds is
even more briefly detailed, and is altogether faulty.
This is what passes for practical information on
this important phase of Mushroom culture : —

The beds are formed in long narrow ridges. The
base of the bed should be 3 feet" wide, and brought up
to a narrow ridge. The system pursued by many mar-
ket gardeners is to collect the manure fresh from the
stable, and ferment it but a very little before it is made
into the bed.

Other details are treated about as fully. Not a
hint is given as to the difference to be ob-
served in preparing the manure for flat beds
and the open-air beds, the author leaving it to be
inferred that what will do for one will answer
equally as well for the other. As a matter of fact a
good portion of short stained straw to the extent,
say, of one half of the bulk— some leaving even
more -must go with the droppings, beds formed
of the latter only inevitably failing. More than
ordinary pains must also be taken with its prepara-
tion, or otherwise when thrown together in a mass
3 feet through or more at the base, it is certain to
heat violently, and the whole bed probably be

" Mushrooms and their Culture." By C. Brooks.
E. W. Allen, i, Ave Maria Lane, London, E.C.

spoilt thereby. According to Mr. Brooks, over-
heating ought not to take place, but it is the un-
expected that often happens in Mushroom culture,
as in other matters, and contingencies ought to be
provided for by all who set up as guides to the in-
experienced. It is very easy to say this or that
should not take place, but the warnings ought also
to be accompanied with remedies for any untoward
occurrences. The reader may look in vain for
these in the treatise under notice. I must also
take exception to the writer's ideas as to the un-
tidiness of ridge-shaped beds. He would relegate
them to the frame yard, where, according to my
experience, they are at the mercy of rats, mice,
and moles. Well managed open-air beds instead
of being an eyesore are objects of interest to many
visitors to private gardens, and they have often to
be uncovered and displayed much more than is good
for the crops.

As might be expected in a work of this descrip-
tion, underground cellars are highly commended
for Mushroom culture, and there is no doubt they
do succeed admirably in them. But let me once
more ask who, in these days of sanitary improve-
ments, would tolerate the formation of Mushroom
beds in a cellar under his dwelling-house 1 It
must be prejudicial to health, no matter how well
the manure may be prepared, and very few house-
keepers or mistresses of a house would for a second
time allow the necessary porterage of manure and
soil to and from' the cellar. The latter difficulty
has not to be faced when there is a trap-door from
the outside, but Mushroom beds ought, all the
same, to be made in disused cellars only.

At the beginning of the treatise, the best methods
of making spawn are very plainly described, though
many will feel disposed to agree with me that
spawn will not keep " equally good" for a number
of years, the freshest being also the best. Para-
graphs relating to the important work of spawning
and earthing the beds and subsequent treatment
are to the point and instructive ; the best form of
Mushroom house is also described. In addition,
there are brief comments upon growing Mush-
rooms in open sheds, in boxes, hampers, and pots,
and in pasture land. Reference is also made to the
practice of making Mushroom beds with sawdust
and leaves, the former, however, . being a very
doubtful and poor substitute for manure, while the
idea of cottagers collecting sufficient horse drop-
pings in the streets whereby to make Mushroom
beds and to " considerably add to their income " is,
to say the least, somewhat visionary. A by no
means complete list of recipes for cooking Mush-
rooms is given at the end of the treatise.

W. I.

Flower Garden.

BELLFLOWERS.
Among hardy plants this beautiful and all-im-
portant family stands pre-eminent. The im-
mense variety in the form, colour, and size of
their flowers, the great diversity in their habits
and mode of growth, and, above all, the ease
with which they may be grown, render them
extremely valuable. In nature their distribution
is wide and varied ; the transition from the
dry, sun-burned Italian home of C. Tenori to
the cold ice-bound habitat of the rare C. cenisia
is very great, making them in a measure amen-
able to all conditions and situations. Indeed, it
may be said that these beautiful Bellflowers in
some of their many forms are found in every
variety of soil and in almost every position on
the mountains and meadows of alpine countries.
The dwarfer alpine species more especially have
an obvious advantage over their allies in similar
localities when brought under the influence of
cultivation, as they are certainly more amenable
to culture on our rockeries than most other high
alpines. Most of these alpine Bellflowers are
easily managed in gardens, flowering as freely
as in their native habitats. The majority of

Dec. 20, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

573

the species, however, will be found more suit-
able for beds and mixed borders, their robust
constitution standing them in good stead in
almost every soil and exposure. The generally
neat appearance of these Campanulas and their
long flowering period, which extends from early
summer until the beginning of winter, give
them a first place as decorative plants.

C. latifolia and its varieties, macrantha,
versicolor, Van Houttei, <tc. , grow from 2 feet
to 4 feet in height, and produce large pendent
flowers of various hues. C. nobilis, whioh is
now called C. latiloba, is also a useful speoies,

of the Bellflowers at present in cultivation.
From early summer until late autumn it keeps
up a succession of bloom, the wiry stems being
often bent to the ground with a wealth of
pretty cup-shaped flowers of various shades of
purple, blue and white. Confined as it is to
Northern and Central Europe, chiefly on cal-
careous soils, there is no difficulty about its
hardiness in this country ; indeed it is even
said to be naturalised in some parts of England.
Excluding Canterbury Bells and C. pyramidalis,
C. persicifolia is the only species in which any
improvement has been effected. C. maxima,

greatest ease in ordinary garden soil. All the
Campanulas may be readily increased by divi-
sion or seeds. D.

The whits Peach-leaved Bellflower (Campanula persicifolia alba).

and does very well on the rockery. C. bono-
niensis, rarely seen in cultivation now, though
a smaller flowered plant, is nevertheless a very
pretty one. It abounds in Southern Europe,
and in the vicinity of Sierre I found a good
quantity on the chalky slopes. C. Trachelium,
C. alliarisefolia, C. lactiflora, &c. , may be men-
tioned as worthy of a place in every garden.

The Peach-leaved Bellflower is a very
beautiful species, and may be used with con-
siderable effect both on the rockery and in the
mixed border. It, if we except the trailing
species, is by far the most elegant and charming

of which there are purple, blue, and white-
flowered forms, is a giant among Bellflowers.
The variety called coronata also holds a con-
spicuous place in this genus. It grows from
2| feet to 3 feet in height, producing on its
slender wiry stems numerous curious double
flowers, and making very effective masses when
the plants are grouped. The woodcut repre-
sents the common white form widely distributed
in gardens. It is much appreciated on account
of its pure white blossoms, so useful and effec-
tive in table and other decorations. C. persici-
folia and its varieties may be grown with the

NOTES ON HAEDY PLANTS.
Anthericum (Chxysobactron) Hookeri. —

This is quite a distinct species from all the ordi-
nary Anthericums, and bears dense, long spikes of
small, deep yellow flowers. I cannot imagine why
it fails to thrive ; it is certainly as hardy as not to
warrant the least suspicion, but I think there may
be something in the fact of its peculiar form.
From the base of the bulky crown-buds the very
thick and long fleshy roots radiate, and their
attachment is by a thin neck, and otherwise the
plant in the ground is of such form and habit as to
hold wet about the vital part, and in strong land
this may be against it. Raised beds would get it
over this difficulty, and they are always better for
other than bog plants. The roots of this plant
very much resemble those of the Eremuri, which
are known to need a dry surface in winter and a
deep root-run.

Mutisia decurrens. — Is this plant hardy
grown fully exposed ? If so, under what condi-
tion as to locality, climate, aspect, and soil 1 I
should like to know where a plant could be pro-
cured.

Christmas Roses. — At the present season
these come to the front, and most people are
covering up the plants with bell-glasses and old
carboys to protect the flowers. The latter, from
the way in which they admit air at the top, are
most suitable. Those who cover with bell-glasses
and admit no air often find that the flowers are
lost only in another way owing to a want of air.
The glasses should be raised a little at the south
side. There is another matter of still more moment,
and it has been very forcibly brought under my no-
tice whilst looking over a batch that had been
covered up. Nothing had been done to ensure the
death or removal of slugs, and these were eating
the buds as they came through the mould. It is a
pity to see fine buds wasted by the score from slug-
grazing, especially when they can be removed
quickly and in a wholesale manner without the
least injury to the plant. Fine wood ashes in a
dry state should be liberally applied all over the
surface embraced by the glass covers and to the
hearts of the plants once or twice, preferably just
before dark. At the end of three or four days water
the plant heavily to carry down all the particles of
ash which act as a fertiliser. Let the plant become
dry and replace the glass covers. Slugs rarely
again trouble plants so treated for a long time. I
have found besides that this ash or fine charcoal
assists the plants to come through the period
during which their leaves are crowded under glasses
with less injury from fungus or black spot. That
applies, of course, only to those plants that are
totally covered ; for my own part, I prefer not to
cover the leaves, but gently sway them to the sur-
face with the hand-light, which is not heavy, and
they remain fully exposed, whilst the flowers in the
centre have more light and room to expand.
Woodville, Eirlistall. J. Wood.

Chrysanthemum uliginosum. — The pretty
engraving (p. 523) of this very useful late-flowering
plant reminds me that many who attempt to grow
it fail to flower it to perfection ; consequently,
although it grows to a fair height and looks as if
it would flower well, it is too exhausted to expand
its bloom to the full size and of the purity of
colour of which it is capable, and instead of the
petals being of a pure white, they assume a dingy
colour, and are spoilt for decoration. In this locality
the soil is light and naturally poor, and gross-
growing plants like this need a good deal of arti-
ficial feeding, especially if the autumn prove dry,
as it was this year. I found that while single
stools, that had plenty of fresh soil for the roots to
spread into, flowered splendidly, established clumps
which had impoverished the soil in their immediate
neighbourhood failed to bloom satisfactorily until
they were liberally supplied with liquid manure ,

574

THE GARDEN.

[Deo. 20, 1890.

and I would advise all who contemplate growing this
or any of the other strong-growing varieties, such
as C. maximum, to lift any old clumps they may
have, divide them into moderate-sized pieces, and
replant in as good a soil as they can command, and
in a position if possible not liable to drought. Few
plants suffer sooner from drought than these, and
many who complain about having had inferior va-
rieties palmed off on them for the genuine ones
will be surprised to find the increase in the size
and number of blooms that will follow a liberal
supply of manure and room for the roots to spread
out. — J. G., Hants.

FRITILLARIA RECURVA.
I well remember Harpur Crewe saying to me
a few years ago, "I do not think that Fritil-
laria recurva can be grown in an open border
at all." My answer was, " Come and see." But
for all that I am disposed to think that he was
more in the right than I was. It is true that
I have flowered it here more than once, and I
believe that the bulbs are alive in the open
ground at this present moment. There was
certainly plenty of foliage during the summer
months. But, alas ! for the blossoms ! I have
had none at all of late years, and I am afraid
that Fritillaria recurva does not intend to give
me any more under its present circumstances,
so that I can only lay claim to a qualified suc-
cess after all. If my eyes are to be gladdened
with the sight of some of its crimson bells next
year, which is certainly within hoping for, then
my declaration will have been more verified
than those of Harpur Crewe, but I cannot say
that I have much expectation of it. I think I
saw this beautiful flower in its full pride and
loveliness last May in the open border at Baden-
Baden, but I do not know how long it had been
there, and still less can I tell how long it will
consent to remain there. I have never been able
to manage F. pudica satisfactorily, though I have
given it every attention, and I have tried to coax
it into submission as well as I could. I agree
with "J. C. L." in believing that neither one
nor the other can be regarded as easy of accom-
modation in this country. It so happens, how-
ever, that last spring I had a talk with Hen-
Max Leichtlin about this and other Fritillaries,
and it is mostly because of that I send you this
note. He emphasised one point which he said
cultivators should bear in mind, and which is
not always regarded. The Fritillaries which
belong to America grow in woods and are all
lovers of shade, while their congeners from Asia
or the southern regions of Europe live in the
open and take delight.in the sun. I remember
his drawing this broad line of distinction very
well, but i am not quite sure that I carried
away all that he said. Perhaps these remarks
may meet his eye, and then I hope lie will still
further enlighten us. I remember having most
exaggerated hopes with regard to F. pudica
when it was first introduced. It was to increase
in strength and size ; it was to run a race with
the Snowdrop ; it was to be the harbinger of
spring, &c. I wish I could say I have found it
to be all that. One thing which I want to know
is, where can really reliable bulbs be obtained 1 I
have sometimes thought that my efforts with
F. pudica were foredoomed to failure because
the bulbs did not come into my hands in a
flourishing state. I should very much like to
try it again with a good chance of success.

( )f other Fritillaries I may say that I find F.
tristis very easy indeed to manage, and it is
always an object of interest, because it has the
blackest hue of any of them. F. contorta is a
great favourite with me and very easy to grow ;
it likes " ordinary soil made rather sandy." I
suppose it is scarce, as the price for it keeps

so high, but I do not know why it should be
so, as it is not at all fastidious in its require-
ments. F. armena is doubtless "the most
satisfactory of these small species," if sturdi-
ness of constitution is the only thing to be con-
sidered. If I were to let it alone I should have
too much of it here, but I do not sufficiently
admire it so as to give it that honour, and it,
therefore, consents to be limited. Great things
are told us about F. aurea, which I have never
yet seen. If it is half so pretty and half so
strong as it is represented to be, it will be one of
the best of the new flowers whose acquaintance
I am hoping to make next spring. There is
another which rejoices in the name of F. acmo-
petalis, which is to come out next year, but at
present I do not know anything about it, except
that "new" is written in catalogues against its
name. Of course there are many others, such
as F. Moggridgei, bucharica, <fcc, which are
well known to everybody, but two of the num-
ber deserve just a word of recognition in this
place. F. pallidifiora and F. VValujewi are the
most highly esteemed of them all at Baden-
Baden. I also think that F. pallidifiora is very
nice indeed, and, happily, it is not at all nice
in its requirements. I have plenty of it here,
and it gladdens me every year. F. Walujewi
I have never yet beheld, though I have been
hankering after it for a very long time. I con-
gratulate myself at last on the possession of a
single bulb, which I got from M. Van Tubergen,
Jun., of Zwanenberg, near Haarlem, who seems
to be a purveyor to us of many good things.
Herr Max Leichtlin told me the other day
that it is the finest of all the Fritillaries. He
said the interior of the bells is of a peculiar
silvery grey colour, which is very uncommon
and cannot fail to be admired. I hope I shall
know more about this before long.

While my pen is in my hand I may perhaps
do well to mention an Iris which came
to me, under the name of Iris palasstime,
from Messrs. Dammami, of Naples, and
which certainly is of value, because it blossoms
in the open border in mid-winter. This is
strictly true, and amidst all the cold and desola-
tion of November I was delighted to make its
acquaintance last week for the first time. It
comes from the valley of the Jordan, I believe,
and it is pleasing to look on, though it cannot
be ranked among the handsomest Irises at all.
Iris stylosa speciosa and I. alata speciosa(both of
which I also got from Messrs. l)ammann) are,
however, second to none in point of beauty, and
while they can put up with the rigours of De-
cember and January, they would be greatly
admired either in spring, summer, autumn, or
winter. — H. Ewbank, St. John's, Byde.

I have followed with special interest the

articles which have lately appeared in these
columns about the culture of Fritillaries, and as
I grow with much success a collection of nearly
forty species of Fritillaria (the varieties of F.
imperialis and F. Meleagris not included), 1
trust that a few' hints concerning the best
method of growing these bulbs to perfection
may be acceptable to those of your readers who
like myself are fond of this really charming class
of bulbous plants. I have long ago found out
that to try _ to grow Fritillaries in pots or in
a frame is simply a waste of time and money.
When it is desired to gr0W them for exhibition,
nothing is easier than to have luxuriant leaf-
growth and fine flowers the first season simply
by putting the pots in a cold frame and bring-
ing them into gentle heat when required ; but,
even though the greatest care is taken with the
plants afterwards, one may depend upon find-
ing miserable bits of bulbs in summer where

fine large tubers have been planted. I think
that this is mainly due to the fact that Fritil-
laries positively cannot stand watering, especi-
ally when syringed overhead. A few years ago
I had a number of fine blooming bulbs of F.
recurva standing close by some moisture-loving
plants which, the weather being very dry, were
well watered every evening. On one occasion
one of my men, no doubt desirous of showing
that he understood his business well, went up
to the clump of Fritillaries, which, unhappily,
had attracted his attention, and administered a
dose of water, enough to satisfy the wants of a
swamp-loving Cypripedium or other bog plant.
How shocked was I to find that only twenty-
four hours afterwards a kind of fungus had
attacked the foliage and flowers, and com-
pletely destroyed their beauty in a short space
of time ; whereas another lot of F. recurva,
which fortunately escaped this shower-bath,
opened their flowers beautifully till the last
bud, and not a leaf was attacked. This will
sufficiently show what the difficulties are with
which the pot culture of Fritillaries is inevitably
associated.

All these disheartening losses, however, may
be entirely overcome when Fritillaries are
grown as they should be, viz., in the open, and
if a suitable position be selected, F. recurva will
thrive as luxuriantly as any other member of
this interesting class of bulbs. This position
should be an open, sunny one, and not in the
proximity of trees or high walls ; let the soil be
well worked, and where it is heavy plenty of
sharp sand is to be put around the bulbs.
Manure should be given very sparingly, and
when necessary let it be old and thoroughly de-
composed. The bulbs should lie about 3 inches
deep, and a thin covering of leaves or Cocoa-
nut fibre applied during the winter and early
spring months will prove very useful by main-
taining a more equable temperature around the
bulbs. I am in the habit of taking up the bulbs
annually. I do not think that this is abso-
lutely necessary, but by doing so any decayed
bulbs may be picked out and the smaller offsets
removed from the larger bulbs. — C. G. Van
Tubergen, Jun.

"J. C. L." (page 541) seems to have

been singularly unfortunate in his attempts to
cultivate this charming Fritillary successfully,
but this is not surprising if he has bestowed no
more care upon it than associating it with his
" Crown Imperials andF. Meleagris.'' I have never
tried this plant in the open ground by reason of its
individual worth, and not because I have any doubt
as to its hardiness. Such gems as these, though
perfectly hardy in themselves, are worth a little
more than ordinary care, and in regarding them as
such I have always grown the above species in a
cold frame in the soil I have described in my con-
cluding remarks at page 504, and before I planted
so charming a flower in the open I should be in
possession of a large stock. Some local influence
must be bearing upon Fritillaries with " J. C. L.,"
as he fails with others besides the above. In sandy
peat my plants hitherto have flowered well with
frame culture, but I shall have no flowers next
year, as all of any size have been disposed of. I
have still a nice lot of tiny offsets growing on which
should attain flowering size in a couple of seasons ;
at least their healthy appearance when planted a
short time since only led me to the conclusion that
in time, with the same treatment their parents re-
ceived, they would also make flowering bulbs.
Should I ever get up a sufficiently large stock to
plant it in the open, I should select a very dry,
perfectly drained spot for it ; indeed, even with
frame culture, it appears to prefer a soil rather dry
than otherwise, at least from November till the end
of March or so long as it remains least active.
Here, in West Middlesex, we have a light loamy
soil that suits a very large collection of miscellaneous

Dec. 20, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

575

bulbs, besides a host of perennials. Frequently in
hot dry summers the soil is dust-dry for 18 inches
deep, but dormant bulbs do not mind this at all,
and the plants that suffer we cater for in accord-
ance with their worth. It is too much, I think, to
hope for a " Garden of Eden " here that will grow
everything to perfection. — E. J.

SEASONABLE NOTES ON FLORISTS'
FLOWERS.
We may begin with the Auricula, as being the
most valuable of our hardy garden flowers, and by
many esteemed the most beautiful. This plant,
whether planted out of doors or cultivated in
frames, seems to feel the effects of the frost more
than any other. The last week in November was a
very trying one, the frost being intense for a short
time. Our plants were comparatively safe under a
thick covering of snow, although they had felt the
effects of the frost before the snow came. The
result of this wintry weather has been to cause the
leaves rapidly to become yellow, now that the thaw
has had time to show its effects. If the weather
had continued clear and frosty the plants might
have been left alone, but now it will be necessary
to look over them and remove all decayed leaves.
One correspondent, alarmed at the appearance of
his plants, is anxious to be advised what to do with
them. Do nothing except remove the yellow leaves ;
the centre of the plant will be all right, and the
small rosette of leaves will be healthy enough. I
do not mind any frost the plants may be exposed
to in frames up to the early weeks in the new year ;
in fact, the flowers of Auriculas are much like the
flowers of Crocuses : they look as if they were in a
bad state when brittle with frost, but they expand
freely when the frost is gone and a mild west wind
is blowing over them. Many correspondents are
also anxiously inquiring for the names of the best
Auriculas to grow out of doors. For this purpose
the alpines must be grown, unless indeed the varie-
ties of Primula Auricula can be protected in some
way with a light glass covering to shelter the
flowers, as the mealy substance upon them be-
comes a smeary mass with rains ; even the original
Primula Auricula and the wild varieties of it
are certainly not satisfactory out in the open
border without any protection. The few alpines
we have out of doors have shown the effects of the
frost and thaw much more than those under glass.
I have been advised to allow the decaying leaves
from trees which always gather round these plants
in the autumn to remain as some sort of natural
protection from frost. This seems feasible enough
in theory, and doubtless it would answer in prac-
tice if when a frost did set in it continued without
intermission until the spring ; but this seldom hap-
pens in Britain. We have, as we had in the last
week in November, a week or more of severe frost,
followed by comparatively mild and sometimes wet
weather, so that the leaves decay and the plants
soon go wrong. Decaying vegetable matter rots
the stems ; frost does not.

Cabnations, Picotees, and Pinks also require
care when severe frosts set in. Now that they are
so universally cultivated, varieties that will thrive
well in the open garden in winter and summer are
being sought after. The plants now in the open
garden have not in the least suffered from the
changeable weather, but I find two classes of plants
should be grown. Seedlings, of course, if planted
in time, withstand any kind of weather. So also
do those that have been layered in good time and
the layers allowed to remain where they are round
the parent plant. All of them need not be allowed
to remain ; they would be overcrowded if they
were. Such as are thinned out should be planted
somewhere else. There is always a surplus stock,
which may be distributed amongst friends or in any
way that may be deemed best. I do not see anything
that the plants out of doors require. The sparrows
attacked them, but left off as soon as white threads
were stretched over them. The leather-coated grub
made his presence felt, but some were hooked out
by the fingers and others were caught in the act of
feeding after dark. Unlike the Carnation and Picotee,
the garden Pink succeeds best out in the open bor.

ders of the flower garden. If cultivated in pots
and placed under glass, the beautiful lacing, as it
is termed, which decorates the margin of the petals
becomes broken or altogetherdisappears. Pinks have
the best effect planted in masses in the flower borders,
but are more under the eye of the cultivator when
grown in beds, the plants set out about 9 inches
from each other. Sparrows are quite as fond of
them as they are of Carnations, and the leather-
coated grub more so, but the watchful cultivator
does not mind looking over bis plants soon after
dusk when depredators are about, and on a fine day
after frost some of the plants may require gently
pressing into the ground, especially if they were
late planted, for frost loosens and lifts some of
them quite out of the ground. The purple ground
varieties and others grown for forcing are now in
cold frames planted in the flower-pots in which
they are to bloom ; some of them may have been
placed in a gentle heat to obtain flowers as early as
March. They do not need much doing to them at
present.

The laced Polyanthus is one of the amateur's
favourites. It is rather a difficult subject to
manage, especially in the rather arid districts of
the south of England. In cool, moist seasons it
thrives in such a shady position as is afforded by
the north side of a wall. Red spider is the despe-
rate enemy to the Polyanthus. I well remember
visiting the Rev. F. D. Horner's garden when he
lived at Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, and there
the laced Polyanthus was to be seen in its beauty,
the plants in splendid health, with many trusses of
the most perfect flowers. Mr. Horner said red
spider did not exist on his plants. The northern
growers cultivate Polyanthuses well, the climate
favouring them. The plants intended for exhibi-
tion are now in 5-inch pots. The leaves do not
suffer from frosts like those of the Auriculas,
and as most of them have been during the past
summer in Lancashire or county Durham, they are
healthy enough, and likely to flower well next
season.

The Pentstemons made a breve show up to the
time of the severe frost, when leaves and flowers
were utterly destroyed. We were late in taking
the cuttings this year, but they were put in and
safe under glass before the frost came. They are
treated very much like the cuttings of the half
hardy Calceolarias grown for the decoration of the
flower garden. Boxes are filled with fine sandy
soil ; in this the Pentstemon cuttings are inserted,
and they form roots during the winter and are
planted out in the borders in spring.

Hollyhocks have been treated in two ways ;
some of the old stools have been dug up and
potted ; these will furnish cuttings or grafts for
taking off in the early weeks of the new year. The
grafts are tied on to a bit of Hollyhock root, and
they soon take in a forcing house. Cuttings will
also root if they are well managed and not sup-
plied with water for ten days or so after they are
put in. The plants out of doors have been left as
an experiment to see whether they will be more
free from the disease than those grown in pots.
J. Douglas.

A mild climate in Ireland. — It is most
surprising what an enormous difference there is be-
tween places geographically not so far apart. Here
in Newry the recent frost blackened Laurustinus,
Escallonias, Ligustrums, young Cabbage plants.
Fuchsias were killed to the ground, and many simi-
lar traces of its severity are left behind, while at
the present moment (Dec. 5) in Mr. Hart's garden
on the edge of the Atlantic, in Co. Donegal, scarlet
Geraniums are still fresh and uninjured, and the fol-
lowing plants are in flower : —

Veronicas (shrubby kinds), Escallonias (various)
Clematis Jackmanni, Veronica prostrata, Rose W. A
Richardson and many others, Schizostylis eoceinea.
Primula japonica, Chrysanthemums (many kinds),
Achillea aurea, Alyssum saxatile, Campanulas^several
sorts), Cytisus eanarieusis, Anemone japonica and
vars., Mimulus glutinosus, Geranium sanguineum, Ga-
zania splendens, Aster bessarabicus, Habrothamnus
elejans (very fine), Violets (many kinds), Chrysanthe-
mum lacustre, Primrose and Polyanthus (many kinds),

Chrysanthemum f rutescnns, pinnatum, and Etoile d'Or,
Carnations (many kinds), Erigeron speciosum, Ane-
mone coronaria, Salvia rutilaus, Fuchsias (many kinds),
Pentstemons (various), Sollya heterophylla, Hydran-
geas (various), Chelone harbata, Monarda didyma,
Eccremocarpus scaber, Ceutranthus ruber, Rosa bur-
guudica, Epacris (various), Geum miniatum, Hiera-
cium aurautiacum, Calceolarias, Doronicum Harpur
Crewe, Tradescantia virginiua, Eryngium amethysti-
num, Lavender, Aubrietias (various), Vincas (various),
Pansies (many kinds), ParochEetus communis, Dianthus
alpinus, Genista capitata, Polygala Dalmaisiana,
Statice globularia, Menziesia polifoha.
No doubt this reads like a summer tale ; at any
rate it shows the remarkable mildness that pre-
vails in this particular spot, conditions of which
advantage is being taken to try and acclimatise all
the plants from temperate climes which have even
a remote chance of success. Round the coast of
Ireland there are plenty of spots equally as mild as
this one is. — T. Smith, Newry.

NEW HARDY GLADIOLI.
In the interesting paper which Mons. Lemoine, of
Nancy,prepared for the Royal Horticultural Society,
and which was read at one of their August meet-
ings, he mentioned that there were others working
in the same field as himself. What he has done
has been from time to time set forth in your
columns by Mr. W. E. Gumbleton, who, in the genial
climate of Southern Ireland, has succeeded with so
many things,*and who has enlightened the garden-
ing world with the result of his experience with the
Nancy productions. I shall not therefore meddle
further than to say that I have grown some of them
for the last eight years, and that I can testify to
their hardiness ; but I did not care for them suffi-
ciently to lay out much money on them, and that I
selected two from those sent out in 1887— Dugues-
lin and Venus de Milo. With the former of these
I was disappointed ; it is a loose and rambling sort
of flower ; the latter is very good, a white flower,
well opened, and with a large spot of deep crimson.
Of the Nanceanus type, I have not grown any. They
are very different from the Lemoinei type, being hy-
brids between Saundersi and the gandavensis section.
They are very showy, but as yet have no claim to
the regularity and colouring of the gandavensis sec-
tion. The great fault of the Lemoinei section
is the hooded character of the upper portion of the
flower, which it derives from purpureo-auratus, and
the question may probably arise if this is got rid of
whether the greater infusion of gandavensis blood
may not render them less hardy. It is a mistake, I
think, to suppose that either of these sections are
more free-blooming than the gandavensis section.
They do produce, it is true, two or three spikes of
bloom, but so do all the choicest varieties of gan-
davensis, only that in order to get the principal
spike in its best form we take away the secondary
ones. With regard, then, to other hybrids than
those of M. Lemoine's, I may mention

Glaei. lus tukicensis.— This, sent out by M. Otto
Frcebel, of Zurich, is a hybrid between gandavensis
and Saundersi, and therefore bears a striking likeness
to the Nanceanus type. The flowers are large, open,
someuhat loose, but brilliant in colour, a rich red, but
without much marking. It is a brilliant garden flower
and seems to be of a hardy and vigorous constitution.
Some years ago when visiting Fontainebleau I had
a conversation with Messrs. Souillard and Brunelet
as to the Lemoinei section ; they did not seem to
think a great deal of them, but nevertheless they
have gone on in somewhat of the same line, and
some of their productions, I think, are equal, if not
superior to any of the Lemoinei section raised at
Nancy, inasmuch as they appear to have less hooded
and consequently more open flowers. Their first pro-
duction dates from 1886, and they have only sent
out eight varieties altogether— the truth being, I
suppose, that they are more engaged with those va-
rieties which are peculiarly their own. Should they
go further with their hybridisation I have no d oubt
that we shall have some good results.

L'Espekance (S. 1886) forms a fairly good spike and
the flowers are open ; the colour a dull lilac with large
rosy-carmine spots.

Satin Rose (1888) .—This forms a big and good spike ;

576

THE GAEDEN.

[Deo. 20, 1890.

lilac-rose with a large reddish-violet spot on the lower
divisions of the flower.

Gipsy. — The only fault I have to find with this is
its name ; for instead of the darkness which we always
associate with "gipsies," it is essentially a light-col-
oured flower with a large velvety violet spot, hordered
with oitron-yellow.

Geandesse (S. 1889).— A very large flower, per-
fectly open and "beautifully formed, blush - white
striped with fresh lilac, a large carmine spot on the
lower divisions.

Spitzberg (S. 1889). — Large and well-opened
flowers, white with large purplish spot on the spike,
large and well formed.

_ Souffeen (S. 1889).— Flowers large, of a lovely ce-
rise-red with large carmine spot on the lower divisions.

Teicoloee (S. 1889).— A large transparent fresh
white with a lilac tint, large shaded violet spot, bor-
dered with clear yellow, dwarf habit.

There is another which I have not seen — General
Faidherbe — which is being sent out this autumn,
and therefore I can say nothing about it.

Among the advantages these hardy Gladioli pos-
sess is the fact that they come into flower between
the early varieties of the nanus and ramosus sec-
tions. Those who are in situations in which they
could grow them out of doors will find they come
into flower somewhere about June or the early part
of July. It is then that these hybrids of purpureo-
auratus and Saundersi come into flower, and at the
end of July the hybrids of gandavensis commence.
Such flowers as Amalthee and Shakespeare gene-
rally flower then, and although these hardy hybrids
will continue to throw up side blooms, yet it is in
July that their best flowers are produced, and we
may thus say that from June to October the lovers
of this beautiful class of flowers may enjoy their
bright and delicate tints. The advantages of all
hardy kinds can be appreciated by those who, like
myself, have just finished the taking up and storing
of a small collection of the gandavensis section.
What it must be when a large collection has to be
dealt with I shudder to think. Delta

AMERICAN NOTES.
Solidago speciosa.— This is one of the most dis-
tinct and best marked of the numerous species
which inhabit North America, and which, with the
Asters, form the characteristic and the most strik-
ing feature of our autumnal flora. Solidago speciosa
is a stout smooth plant, with tall stems 4 feet to
t! feet high, and ample, ovate or oval, slightly
serrate leaves. The heads of bright, canary-
coloured flowers are crowded in erect racemes,
forming a narrow, pyramidal panicle 5 inches or
(J inches long and 1£ inches or 2 inches broad.
Solidago speciosa is scattered from Canada and
Eastern New England to Minnesota, Arkansas and
the mountains of North Carolina. It inhabits the
borders of woods and copses in rich, rather moist
soil. It is not a very common plant, and in New
England is one of the rarest of the Golden Rods.

Solidago Drummondi— This species is the last
of the Golden Rods to flower. It is a highly orna-
mental plant, commencing to bloom early in Oc
tober, and still in flower, though fading somewhat
early in November. The stems are rather slender,
3 feet to i feet long, and from the weight of the
flowers frequently prostrate if not secured by stak-
ing. The dark green of the leaves contrasts well
with the vivid yellow of the abundant flowers.
Planted freely on a steep bank, that from its situa-
tion will get very dry in summer, and allowed to
grow in its own way, without tie or prop, the effect
is beautiful. The flowering-stems are very useful
for cutting. The plant likes partial shade and good
retentive soil. It is found from Illinois and Mis-
souri to Louisiana.

Clematis paniculata.— After several severe
frosts the best foliage of all the species of Clematis
in the collection is that borne by this Japanese
variety which still appears as fresh and green as in
midsummer. C. Vitalba is in almost equally fine
condition, and C. Viticella also maintains a fairly
fresh look. The leaves of nearly all the other spe-
cies have either ripened and fallen or they have
been totally or partially destroyed or blackened by

frost. None of the species here assume bright
autumn colours, but the leaves of a few occasion-
ally have a purplish aspect.

Xanthoehiza apiipolia. — There is no hardy
dwarf shrub which surpasses the Yellow-root in
brilliancy of late autumn foliage, none of which has
fallen at the end of the first week of November.
The leaves at this time are bright scarlet and
orange in colour, and this autumnal glow consti-
tutes the chief value of this plant for ornamental
planting. It is perfectly hardy, and as it only
grows from 1 foot to 2 feet high and spreads from
underground shoots, it is admirably adapted for
planting as an under-shrub in open places, or at the
edges of the shrubbery.

Stbawbebey Bush (Calycanthus).— The species
of this generally lose their leaves by the end of
October, and although they sometimes become yel-
lowish, they usually fall without showing much or
any autumnal colour. Considering the profusion
of flowers which it bears, it is surprising how seldom
such a hardy species as C. lsevigatus bears fruit.
Very few of the people who are familiar with the
Strawberry-scented flowers know the rough, stout
pods or hips, several inches in length, and filled
with large brown seeds. Occasionally a few hips
are produced on plants in this region, and they are
so formed that they may remain suspended from
the branches for a year or more and retain the seeds
in a perfectly dry condition and unaffected by the
weather. It would be interesting to know the man-
ner of the dispersion of these seeds in the native
habitat of the plant in the Alleghanies, and whether
anything more than the disintegration of the hips
and consequent liberation of the seeds are provided
for. If the seeds only escape by the decay of the
hips they must retain their vitality for a consider-
able time.

Ilex decidua continues to hold all of its leaves
in a bright and fresh condition, while those of I.
monticola have all fallen, as has the foliage of I.
Isevigata, which turns to a clear yellow before it
drops. The Black Alder (I. verticillata) does not
assume any bright autumn colour, and now more
than half of its partly brown leaves have already
fallen, leaving the bright red fruit more conspi-
cuous than ever. There is a bright light yellow-
fruited form of this species which is well worth
planting with the type to give variety and show
contrast of colours.

Ilex Sieboldi. — This Japanese hardy species
is nearly deciduous, the leaves assuming a deep
reddish purple hue before they fall. The fruit has
not yet been produced in abundance here. Although
small the berries are of a deep, dark red colour,
and the plant promises to be of some ornamental
value. — Garden and Forest.

A fine ornamental Grass— One of the very
handsomest of ornamental Grasses, although known
and introduced into England so far back as 1770, is
now seldom or never met with in gardens. This is
Asprella Hystrix of Wildenow (Elymus Hystrix of
Roemer and Schultes), a native of the Levant, and
distinguished by its elegance from all other species
of the same family. It grows from 20 inches to
2 feet high, forming a compact tuft, which at
flowering time is surmounted by numerous long
flower-spikes which stand very erect, and are com-
posed of divaricated spikelets arranged in pairs on
each side of the central axis ; each spikelet ends in
stoutish awns or beards, which give an air of light-
ness to the collected inflorescence. Seed of this
Grass, when obtainable, should be sown in Febru-
ary or March in a hotbed, and the seedlings should
be planted out in May in the position in which it is
intended they should flower.— Ttevue HoHieole.

Christmas Roses in water.— It may not be
generally known that Christmas Roses will remain
fresh in water for a considerable time longer than
they otherwise would if the stems are slightly slit
at the base for an inch or so upwards. I once thrust
bits of pointed stick into the stems of some to add
to their height, and was surprised to find that
while those not so treated withered after a few days
in the water, the others kept quite fresh, although
all were in the same bowl, and on examining them

I found that the stems had burst. This led me to
think that the splitting of the stems allowed them
to absorb an extra amount of water. On making
further experiments I found that this held good
not only with these plants, but also with many
other fleshy-stemmed flowers. It often happens
that the stems split without the aid of the knife,
but they will not do so if they are cut off quite
close to the base. — J. C. Tallack.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 784.

GLOEIOSAS.
(with a coloured plate of g. superba.*)
The genus Gloriosa contains only three
species, two of .which have been in cultivation
in English gardens for many years. They
are not among the most popular of garden
plants, though probably their comparative
scarcity in cultivation is due to their being
little known. It is difficult to believe that
they could be overlooked by anyone ac-
quainted with their flowers and interested in
warm-house plants. They are easily procured,
their abundance in a wild state enabling nur-
serymen to import and sell their fleshy tubers
for a few pence each, and when once obtained
they are easily kept and cultivated from year
to year. Few flowers in the great Lily order
are more remarkable in form or more attrac-
tive in colour than those of the Gloriosas.
Their very name indicates their beauty.
Planted in pots or borders and their shoots
tied loosely to pillars or wires, they produce
a delightful effect when in flower. Their
colours are almost kaleidoscopic, they change
so markedly from the time of opening to the
fading of the segments. In G. superba, for
instance, the segments are refracted, and at
first coloured soft canary-yellow. In a day
or two the upper third of each segment
changes to rosy-pink, then the pink gradually
extends over the whole segment ; finally it
changes to an uniform deep scarlet. This
character alone gives to Gloriosas an excep-
tional interest.

The genus is one of the many anomalies
now included in the order Liliaces. It is
related to Uvularia and Tricyrta, its nearest
allies being Littonia and Saundersonia, both
monotypic and South African, and elegant-
flowered greenhouse plants. Gloriosa has a
fleshy tuber as thick as a man's little finger,
and forked or acutely bent. From these
the herbaceous steins are developed annually
in spring and grow rapidly, usually to a length
of 8 feet or 1 0 feet, producing their flowers near
the top. They grow longer and produce larger
leaves in a shaded moist house, but the flowers
are wanting in colour ; whereas in a sunny,
somewhat airy position the colours are rich.
All three species show considerable variation
in length of stem, size of leaves and flowers.
The foliage in some forms is narrow, almost
linear, whilst in others it is broadly ovate at
the base. The commonest form has leaves 6
inches long by about 1£ inches wide, narrowed

* Drawn for The Garden by H. G. Moon in Mr.
Sander's nursery at St. Albans July 15, 1890. Litho-
graphed and printed by Guillaume Severeyns.

GLORIOSA SUPER"

Dec. 20, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

577

gradually to a long point, which generally per-
forms the office of a tendril. In a wild state
these plants are often found growing amongst
tall Grass, supporting themselves by means of
the tendrils which clasp the Grass stems. All
three species have the segments of the flowers
refracted, stamens and pistils obliquely bent ;
in two of them the tips of the segments are
hook-like. Except in the character of the
flowers, thero is no difference between the
three species.

G. sttpebbA. — This is common all over India,
extending up the Himalayas to an altitude of 5000
feet. It is also abundant in Africa, having been
collected by Livingstone, Speke, Johnston, and
other African explorers. The flowers are variable,
the best forms having segments 4 inches long by
three quarters of an inch wide, the margins much
crisped and undulated. The colour of the flowers
is at first yellow, then yellow and red, finally
changing to deep scarlet. The tips of the segments
are not hooked in this spscies.

G. vieescens was introduced into England in
1851, when Mr. R. W. Plant sent it from Natal,
It was consequently named G. Planti, and is some-
times called by this name now. It is common in
tropical Africa, and has been collected in Central
Madagascar. The flowers in this species must
have fall sunlight to bring out their brilliant
colours ; in a shady house they are yellowish green
and not particularly attractive, but in a position
exposed to full sunlight they are at first a bright
canary-yellow, changing to deep crimson or a
mixture of these two colours. The segments are
wider than in G. superba ; they also differ from
that species in being scarcely wavy and not at all
crisped along the margins. Some of the forms
have larger flowers than others, one called variety
grandiflora being exceptionally fine. It was intro-
duced from Fernando Po to Kew in 1860, and was
figured in the Botanical Magazine, t. 5216, as
Methonica grandiflora. The flowers of this variety
are 8 inches across ; the segments are nearly an
inch broad, at first canary-yellow, afterwards a
tawny red. I have never seen this plant in culti-
vation, the plants obtained from nurserymen under
this name being ordinary G. virescens.

• G. Abyssinica is the largest flowered of all. It
is known to occur only in Abyssinia and has not
yet been introduced into gardens. It differs from
the other two species in having flower segments 1£
inches across by 3 inches in length, and it appears
to be golden yellow in colour.

Cci/TUBE. — Gloriosas should be rested in winter
along with such plants as Gloxinias and Achi-
menes. In February the tubers should be started in
a warm house and then planted in borders or potted,
five or six tubers in a 10-inch pot. The shoots may
be trained up wires or pillars, or they may be
fastened on to a balloon trellis. They require

- plenty of water and sunshine, a rich, open soil, and
a warm greenhouse or stove temperature. The

- name Methonica was at one time recognised as the
correct one for these plants by botanists, but
Gloriosa has been again restored. W. W.

Arrangement of conservatory. — In reply
to " A. J. S3.," I would advise him in such a case
as he describes to adopt an irregular mode of
arrangement. If there is not a doorway at each
end, that end without one could possibly be so
arranged as to have a bold appearance from the
other end ; the rest of the back should be arranged
with an irrpgular wavy outline. Upon the floor

. afterwards left for the path a slender plant upon a
good stem could be stood where there is room , or a
rustic basket filled with plants would look well.
The front stage should not be arranged of an uni-
form height throughout. With a width of 2 feet
there would be room for a variation in height, espe-
cially in the middle of each light, or the lowest

■ parts could be arranged to come about opposite
the broader part of the back arrangements. In all

cases avoid repetition and uniformity as far as pos-
sible with the material at command. — J. H.

Chrysanthemums.

A DISTINCT CLASS OF CHRYSANTHEMUMS.
If our predecessors are to be congratulated at all,
it is certainly on account of the little difficulty
that they experienced in the grouping of the diffe-
rent kinds of Chrysanthemums known to them.
Thirty years ago the whole of the varieties then in
cultivation might have been reduced with ease to
two divisions, large-flowered and pompon. The
former might have been sub-divided again into in-
curved, reflexed, and Anemone ; the latter into the
ordinary type of pompon, pompon Anemone, and
liliputian. To-day the classification of the Chry-
santhemum is a stupendous undertaking, for dis-
tinct classes are constantly being necessitated by
the ever increasing variation of form in the Japan-
ese section. At the present time four well marked
divisions of the Japanese Chrysanthemum have
been officially recognised and defined ; hence we
have Japanese proper, Japanese incurved, Japanese
reflexed, and Japanese Anemone. But, as your
correspondent at p. 527 justly points out, there is
another class that might be formed, and of this
Gloire Rayonnante could well be set up as the type.
Upon their merits it is unnecessary to dilate just
now, for a great difference of opinion exists. All
the tubular-petalled varieties that I know any-
thing about possess an inherent defect, for which
neither size nor form can compensate— it is that
the higher tone of colour is invariably inside the
tube, and the duller, and this latter often a dirty
washed out one, is outside, and only visible ex-
cepting where the extremity of the petals is at all
open.

The origin of Gloire Rayonnante is perhaps not
very generally known, but it is undoubtedly an old
flower, and the form resembles that of many of the
varieties in cultivation in the early part of this
century. A tubular-petalled flower I regard, there-
fore, as no improvement in form at least, but a
decided retrogression to a type long since dis-
carded, and I shall hold this view until by some
subtle means, only known to the florist, the colour
of each petal can be turned inside out, and thus
exposed to view.

The EDglish taste is decidedly against this class,
but it is curious to record that many of.my French
friends, and.'what surprises me more than anything,
even those who have no intimate acquaintance with
the Chrysanthemum, think a great deal of the
Gloire Rayonnante style of bloom. The best ex-
ample of culture within easy reference is a coloured
plate of a flower grown by M. Ed. Pynaert, and
figured in the Revue de V Horticulture Beige et
Etrang'ere, but in this country it is doubtful
whether anything similar in form and size has been
produced.

For the multiplication of this series we are indebted
to Simon Delaux, the first instances of which were
Mile. Antoinette Brunei and M. Leon Brunei, both
distributed in the spring of 1884.

As the former note seems to invite a little in-
formation upon the subject, I have carefully looked
up the eminent French raiser's old catalogues to
find what sorts have been distributed by him under
the heading of "Tubulated Chrysanthemums —
Gloire Rayonnante type," with the following re-
sults : Spring, 1886— M. Thomas S. Ware, Rozain-
Boucharlat, Alfred Chantrier, Ma Mignonne.
Spring, 1887 — Tom Child, Henry Drake, Le Reveil,
M. Ducasse, Edie Rumble, Junius, M. Alex. Hu-
guier. Spring, 1888 — Claude Sahut, M. Louis
Langlois, Joseph Mawet, M. le Comte Foucher de
Careil. There have been more since the date last
mentioned sent out in that way, but several varie-
ties in the other Japanese lists of Delaux have de
veloped tubular-petalled or semi-tubular-petalled
characteristics. All the above may be found in
the National Chrysanthemum Society's catalogue,
so that it has been considered unnecessary to en-

cumber this article with more than the mere
names.

Among American seedlings and American impor-
tations from Japan there is a fair sprinkling of this
type of flower, but to search for them at the pre-
sent moment is not convenient. It seems impro-
bable that this race will play any important part
in our shows of the future, and beyond mentioning
the names of such as appear to claim a place in the
suggested new division, there is little need to say
much in favour of the tubular-petalled varieties.
Cheysanth.

Chrysanthemums from Lewisham. — Mr. J.

Jones, Ryecroft Nursery, Hither Green, Lewisham,
sends us several varieties of Chrysanthemums
that are well worth growing for their free-
dom and easy culture. Omar is striking as a
plant ; the flowers are of the Japanese type, not
large, but bright crimson with rich gold reverse in
colour — a rich mixture. A very distinct thing is
the Anemone Cesare. The bloom sent was from a
plant not disbudded, and is a good specimen. It is
light in colour, the disc rich yellow, the petals rose-
purple, very handsome. Mrs. J. S. Fogg is a rich
yellow Japanese, very deep and delightful at this
season, the leafage vigorous and of fine colour. It
is an excellent variety ; so also is Eugene Laujoulet,
a pompon Anemone, bright in colour, the disc
orange, the florets paler. This is most charming for
sprays, and, though old, should be grown more
freely than many of the new kinds which have only
novelty in their favour. Don Pedro, yellow, shaded
red, is beautiful when not disbudded, as shown by
a spray received. It is a free-blooming variety.

Spoiling the Chrysanthemum. — Take an
ordinary show board for six blooms with holes 6
inches apart, and of the dimensions settled about
thirty years ago when only moderately-sized in-
curved, reflexed, and Anemone blooms were grown,
and place upon it six well-grown flowers of Etoile
de Lyon or any other large Japanese Chrysanthe-
mum. The effect is marvellous, and must have been
remarked by many visitors at the recent shows.
Instead of there being sufficient space between the
flowers to enable the proportions of each one to be
properly seen, the whole board looks like a confused
oblong mass of petals, inextricably intermingled
and crushed together, so that none but an expert
can tell where they begin and where they end.
Surely it is high time for societies to insist upon
boards of suitable dimensions being used by ex-
hibitors of monster Japanese Chrysanthemums.
Some of the flowers recently staged in this ridicu-
lous way looked as if it had been absolutely neces-
sary to employ some mechanical appliances to
force them into their places. — Cheysanth.

Good late Chrysanthemums. — The outdoor
display of these useful flowers was cut short by
the exceptionally severe frost that visited us at the
end of November, at which time we had many
plants that were only expanding their blooms in
sheltered nooks and against walls. These, how-
ever, are now completely destroyed, and I do not
think we have had for many years so poor a season
for outdoor Chrysanthemums as the present. Early
and sudden frosts and violent gales of wind almost
destroyed them at the first flush of their blooming,
but having recovered from that, the mild weather
in the early part of November brought out a fine
display from the later buds, and even the latest
kinds that were left out as a chance crop (after
the bulk of them had been housed) were commenc-
ing to bloom freely, when snow, frost, and wind
finished them off. We shall have to fall back on
those that were housed in heated structures, for in
cold houses that are usually sufficient to keep them
safe until Christmas the frost spoiled the blooms.
Amongst the best we have in bloom now are Snow-
flake, one of the latest white varieties grown ; Ethel,
a fine, bold, large-petalled white, but with a dark
centre that detracts from its merits ; Mrs. Jones,
or Yellow Ethel, the exact counterpart of the
former except in colour; Gloriosum, one of the
very best of straw or lemon-yellow Chrysanthe-
mums that we have, very free, and of good habit of
growth ; King of Crimsons, one of the best of its

578

kind, and Cullingfordi, very free and of a striking
colour. Meg Merrilies is still one of the best pale
yellow varieties, and Moonlight is a desirable kind
Anyone having a good stock of these now on hand
will find them far more profitable than the earlier
ones, as about Christmas time they are always in
great request at remunerative prices. — J. G.

THE GAEDEN.

[Dec. 20, 1890.

SMALL CHRYSANTHEMUM PLANTS.
The editor makes a very favourable comment on
a naturally grown plant which would be useful " to
stand on tables, sideboards, &o." Mr. Blandford at
page 494 states that the cuttings of these plants
were not put in until the end of May or early in
June. Of course, this system of culture tends to
produce a different class of plants altogether from
those grown to produce large exhibition blooms.
Although the large blooms are mainly grown for
the exhibition, they are also well adapted to
arrange m vases when cut with their leaves and a
long stem. I cannot say that I admire some of the
specimen plants sometimes seen at exhibitions,
trained as the plants are in the form of pincushions,'
and the flowers stiffly trained over them in regular
order like so many large round-headed pins. A good
grower, with an eye to effect, carefully avoids stiff-
ness and formality in training. A large well-
trained specimen is an object of great beauty
when grown in the natural bush form, but
neither the plants cultivated for the size of their
blooms nor the large specimens grown to show how
big a plant may be grown can take the place of the
small examples propagated late in the season and
grown on with all their natural freedom in small
pots. I have seen many very beautiful examples
of this class during the present season both
arranged in groups and as single isolated speci-
mens. At the Chrysanthemum exhibition at Tun-
bndge Wells, Mr. Rust, of Eridge Castle Gardens
tastefully arranged about eighty dishes of fruit in
front of a background of small Chrysanthemum
plants. The individual specimens were of small
growth, but well furnished with healthy green
leaves and profusely bloomed. At the Cheshunt
Chrysanthemum Society's exhibition, prizes were
offered for plants of pompon varieties grown in
pots not to exceed 6 inches in diameter, and
quite a number of thrifty examples were exhibited,
the plants furnished with leaves to the base and a
good head of well-developed flowers on each
Mr. Blandford remarks that from the cuttings put
in during May and June he never fails to have a
fine display for conservatory decoration. This is
so. The stock plants may be put aside in a frame
anywhere, and the late cuttings form roots in a few
days on a gentle hotbed. Put each cutting in a
o-mch pot in good fine soil, and when, by the
formation of the new growth, it is seen that the
cuttings have formed roots, remove them at once
out of the bottom- heat into a frame. Here they
may remain until they are ready to be planted into
the pots in which they are to flower. They like
rather rich soil to grow in, and as soon as the flower-
buds are formed, manure water in a weak state
should be freely applied. The plants must have
ample space and be placed in an open position out
of doors to make their growth.

J. Douglas

as flowers of this class are far more effective than
the undecided tints that are oftenseen, but I missed
a very old favourite of mine, viz., Tokio. It is one
of the Japanese section, but the flowers are small,
or at their largest only of medium size, their colour,
however, a kind of light bright crimson, sometimes
shaded with yellow. Like the popular market va-
riety Source d'Or, this is seen at its best when the
blooms are allowed to open naturally without any
disbudding, for the flower-stems are stout, so that
each blossom is fully seen. For cutting it is just
the thing, as the flowers are not too large and quite
devoid of lumpiness. Tokio is, comparatively speak-
ing, quite an old variety, as it was sent out about
1878. It makes a showy bush. — T.

Chrysanthemum Citron.— This is a valuable
variety. It is a good type of the class called
decorative, that is, varieties that if not of the
highest exhibition standard, are treasured for their
freedom and beauty in the greenhouse. Citron has
a beautiful reflexed Japanese shape, even, not stiff
but with a broad, smooth, shapely petal, brilliant
yellow in colour, enriched with a suffusion of a red-
dish tint in the centre. It is rather a tall grower,
but not sufficiently so to condemn it as a most use-
ful introduction for the greenhouse and conserva-
tory. We should think it would make a splendid
cutback plant. It is one of Messrs. Cannell and
Sons introductions, and was in bloom a. few days
ago in their Swanley nursery.

Chrysanthemum Tokio.— I was very much
interested in the article on rich-coloured Chrysan-
themums in The Gabden, December 6 (p 527)

CHRYSANTHEMUMS IN VASES.
I quite agree with your comments on the award
made in the class for table stands dressed with
Chrysanthemum blooms at the recent show at
the Royal Aquarium.. Not only did the form
of the vases, with their long spiral stems and
rather heavily laden tops, lead to the fear that
a breath of wind or an unguarded touch might turn
them over, but all the flowers were a long way
above the eye-line, even to persons standing, whilst
to those sitting at table they must have been liter-
ally in the clouds. The bare appearance of the
stand stems was enough to prevent their receiving
a high award. It may be pleaded that the class
was for " vases suitable for dinner tables," and that
epergnes were therefore excluded. Were that the
case, the judges should have disqualified the
epergnes, but all practice authorises the employ-
ment of epergnes for dinner-table decoration, and
therefore exhibitors were fully justified in employ-
ing them in this case. In any case the vases so
called were very ungainly and dangerous, the
epergnes pretty and specially portable, being lightly
dressed with single pleasing flowers. I cannot
but think that single-flowered Chrysanthemums are
much more pleasing for table decoration in all cases
than are heavy double ones. I fear there is little
hope that Chrysanthemum societies will ever do
much in the direction of staging blooms in compe-
tition in a specially decorative way. The nearest
of summer and autumn flowers in form and appear-
ance are Roses and Dahlias, and although ample
effort has been put forth in the past to induce com-
mittees to form classes for specially effectively
grouped cut flowers, nothing has come of it. The
Japanese Chrysanthemum is by far a more elegantly
formed flower than are either Roses or show Dah-
lias, and having long, stout, firm stems, it seems to
be peculiarly fitted for varied and effective staging
Probably there will be nothing done in this way
until the present bizarre collections give place to
trebles, or to half-dozens, or, better still, dozens. A
class for six varieties, nine blooms of each, or for
eight of the same number would cause some fine
effects to be produced; but so longas twelves, twenty-
fours, to., are of as many varieties, so long shall
we have to endure the present flat ineffective me-
thod of staging the blooms. The dead set which
has been made against the Royal Aquarium as a
place for flower shows is due to the smoke, noise
and shouting, rendering the enjoyment of the shows'
impossible. If the directors would stop all the
shouting, the organ-playing, and smoking during
flower shows, the place might be tolerable enough
as on the whole it is the most central show ground
in London, and the light is not worse than in other
buildings. The Crystal Palace, grand an area as it
presents for shows, is none the less too far out of
London. What we want is a flower-show hall of
ample capacity in London. That capacity, so far
as is at present evident, only the Westminster
Aquarium affords. a. D

ance. The colour is best described as a dull white,
faintly splashed with rose here and there, reminding
one of the colouring of Mrs. H. Wellam, but vastly
superior to that variety. When first expanding the
colour shows a pale blush on the outside of the florets,
which passes away to dull white. — S.

Chrysanthemum Mrs. A. Waterer is one of

last years American introductions, and is specially
deserving of notice by cultivators of exhibition blooms
on account ot its size and striking character. Fully de-
veloped flowers measure each quite S inches across ' The
florets are long broad, split or forked at the points,
and twist irregularly, the whole forming, as some cata-
logues describe it, a bunch of white ribbons in appear-

NEW VARIETIES.
In addition to those I noted on page 442, the

following kinds are worthy of notice :

Japanese.

Coronet.— This is of American origin, with large

bold flowers, florets narrow, the tips curling slightly.

The colour is a rich golden orange, with an occasional

stripe of bronze and red. A most promising variety.

Charley Maskkl.— This is the exact counterpart
of M. Burnet in form, and from which it is a sport.
The colour is golden orange.

Ai'DA.— After the style of Criterion, the florets tipped
with gold. A desirable kind.

Mrs. W. A. Harris. — This has narrow florets,
the colour a soft blush, deepening towards the centre
as it develops. It is a desirable kind for exhibition.

Mrs. Irving Clark is considered the same as
Volunteer by some ; the florets are narrow, and when
the bloom is fully developed they commence to twist
and incurve, giving the flower a fluffy appearance.
The colour is deep pink. Late blooms of Volunteer
show exactly the same character.

Danae is of a bronze-amber colour, and bears large
flowers. A promising variety for exhibition.

Maribol. — Some of the florets in this variety are
forked, others smooth ; the colour is pink or pale rose.
A very showy variety.

Mrs. J. C Price.— This is of the same yellow colour
as in Thunberg, incurved when opening, and after-
wards the florets are quite flat. A good variety.

Advance. — This has rose flowers slightly edged
with white, the reverse silver, which renders this an
attractive variety.

M. Leo Delibes, of Mrs. F. Jameson style of flower,
is rose-magenta in colour and good.

Arthur Wood is one of Messrs. Cannell's seedlings,
the florets a little shorter than those of Criterion,
orange-red tipped with gold. A close and very full
flower.

Holborn Beadty is of a buff colour, the florets
twisting irregularly until a regular ball is formed in
the centre.

Alice Carter and Mrs. James Carter belong to a
section of Japanese which is best known as thread
varieties, the florets being extremely narrow and pecu-
liar in their formation. The former is reddish-brown
slightly tipped with gold ; the latter is of a clear straw
colour, in formation exactly like that of the first-
named.

Lilian Bird is quite distinct in character from any
other variety I know now in cultivation ; the florets
are extremely narrow, long, and tubular-formed, the
points showing a slight tendency to turn upwards.
The colour is a soft pink or deep blush j quite a
novelty.

Reflexed Varieties.
Any substantial additions to this section are
always welcomed, as they are added but slowly
compared with the Japanese section, for instance.

Fred Hart is a large-flowered variety, dark
magenta, the points of the florets being tipped white
when expanding; the petals are thoroughly imbri-
cated. Quite a distinct gain from America.
_ James Carter. — Bronze-amber in colour, medium
size, very full, and of neat form.
Incurved.
Ethel Addison when developed from terminal or
late crown buds is a neat incurved variety of fair size.
The petals are narrow, quite blunt at the tips ; the
colour deep lilac, veined with rose. It is a pleasing
variety, and might be grown so as to be of use for the
front row in a large class of incurved cut blooms.
Buds that are "taken" early and from the crown
would develop rough blooms, which would fail to
incurve properly.

Mme. Gayral is a medium-sized neat flower, white
heavily tipped lilac. Very pretty.

Mme. F. Minstral, of French introduction, some-
what resembles Prince Alfred in colour. A promising
variety.

Camille Flammarion resembles Venus, except that
the petals are broader and deeper in colour.
Large Anemone.
E. C. Jukes is one of the best introductions to this
class for some years ; the guard petals are purple-ma-
genta, the centre gold.

Dec. 20, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

579

Japanese Anemone.

Dame Blanche. — The guard florets of this variety
are narrow, but even, the disc full and high. The col-
our is self, a faint blush, very pleasing.

Ruche Tovlousaine. — Lilac-rose and tipped white.
It has a very full centre.

W. 6. Drover. — Purple-crimson self, full flower,
even guard florets.

Single Varieties.

Miss A. H. Bates. — This variety has an extra row
of pure white florets to what an ordinary single kind
has, it being really a semi-double. Very showy and
excellent for decoration.

Bessie Conway. — "White ground, heavily striped
with purple-lilac, large and good.

Elegant.— Bronze-yellow. The florets are thin,
which gives grace and lightness to the flower.

Charming. — Bright yellow, the florets cup-shaped.
For Specimen Plants.

Mrs. Horril. — This pale primrose-coloured variety
of medium size is a reflexed sport from George Glenny,
wonderfully free-flowering, the blooms of perfect form.

W. Stevens belongs properly to the decorative class,
being too small for a Japanese exhibition variety, and
not of the right character for the reflexed section, hav-
ing too rough an appearance, but it is of great value
for growing as a specimen plant. The colour is bronze-
red, very showy. At the Kingston Chrysanthemum
exhibition this year it was staged in grand condition by
Mr. Cawte.

EXHIBITING CHRYSANTHEMUMS.
If we have not yet succeeded in extracting from
the Chrysanthemum all the beauty of form and
colouring it is capable of yielding, we have at least
arrived at a stage when it might be well to stay our
hands, for some little time at least, in furthur
attempts at its development in regard to size and
variety of colouring, and devote more of our time
to the study of the artistic arrangement of this
somewhat formal and unmanageable flower. Surely
such varieties as Etoile de Lyon and Stanstead
White possess size and beauty enough to satisfy all
ordinary tastes, and it would be well, I think, for
horticulturists and exhibitors were they to at once
set earnestly about the study of how best to arrange
both cut blooms and plants at exhibitions and else-
where.

Much has been written of late against the pro-
duction of large blooms — one or two on a plant —
but I fail to see that there can be any harm in tak-
ing advantage of the pliability of Nature in striving
to induce any plant to increase the size of its
flowers. Wild flowers are not all small or of medium
size. On the contrary, some are of enormous pro-
portions. How then can any fixed standard be
laid down or just fault be found with those
who are striving after the combined result of
size and beauty in the Chrysanthemum flower ?
True, the plants that produce these mammoth
blooms are unsightly, and perhaps during
growth ought to be kept in a portion of
the garden away from the gaze of all save the
cultivator. But who will say when the bloom ex-
pands, is cut, and placed in a vase backed with ap-
propriate greenery, that it is not a thing of beauty ?
The fault, to my mind, does not lie in the produc-
tion of these very large blooms, but rather in the
way they are exhibited when removed from the
plant. Nothing could be more stupid, I imagine,
than to show these beautiful flowers in large num-
bers laid flat on green painted boards almost touch-
ing each other and without a trace of their own or
any other foliage as a setting. It is also hardly pos-
sible for anyone to really admire the way in which
specimen plants are exhibited at the present time.
It would almost seem that the exhibitor used his
utmost endeavours to present his plants to the
judges and the public in as stiff and formal a shape
as possible. In direct opposition to this, the usual
style of staging plants for exhibition, at the
Brighton show recently twelve table plants in
6-inch pots were shown by Mr. John Miles, of the
Bristol Nurseries, Kemp Town. The varieties in-
cluded Mile. Lacroix, Mrs. J. Wright, M. Bernard,
Phoebus, Cullingfordi, and Edouard Audiguier.
These plants attracted much attention, being dwarf
and with bright green foliage right down to the rims

of the pots ; the heads of bloom were superb, con-
sisting of numerous medium-sized, bright-coloured
flowers. Most of the plants were unsupported by
sticks, those on the others being thin and well con-
cealed. Plants of this description are simply in-
valuable for dining and drawing-room adornment.
A visit to the nurseries at Kemp Town reveals nu-
merous houses filled with thousands of plants of
the above description in all the best varieties and
superbly grown. At the same show an arrange-
ment of Tree Ferns, Palms, and Cycads intermixed
with plants of variously coloured Chrysanthemums
had an extremely fine effect. J. L.

SHORT NOTES.— CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

Chrysanthemum Mrs. F. A. Spaulding is

peculiar in its colouring. The base of the florets is
golden yellow, each floret being margined with bronze,
the back of each tinted with rose. The florets slightly
incurve at first, but reflex with age. — M.

Chrysanthemum Mrs. D. D. Farson.— This
American variety belongs to the incurved section, and
is unique in its colouring. The base of its florets is a
deep rose-lilac, which gradually diminishes in the
centre to peach shaded to silver. The florets are rather
narrow for a bloom of this section. The centre of the
flower is full. — E.

Chrysanthemum Mrs. Alpheus Hardy.— At
the Boston Chrysanthemum show a plant of this va-
riety was shown which stood 5 feet high in a 12-inch
pot, and at the top measured 5 feet in diameter. The
head was literally a mass of snowy bloom, and each
flower was of fine size, form, and substance.

Rose Garden.

THE WINTER PROPAGATION OF ROSES.
This is less fashionable, perhaps, because it is less
successful than it used to be. Now when Rose
blooming, growth, and increase have become per-
petual throughout the year, the one time for pro-
pagating Roses has fallen into almost complete
neglect. This is to be regretted, as there is no
season when Roses may be multiplied almost inde-
finitely with less trouble and more certainty than
from October to January. Of the three months
included here, November is the best, chiefly per-
haps for three reasons : the sap is more active, the
earth warmer, and the rooting force of Rose
tissues at its maximum during this month. Oc-
tober may be too early for the securing of all
these favourable conditions ; December is too
late ; hence we look on November as the model
month for the rooting of Roses in the open air.
Next to the best time success mainly turns on the
character and condition of the cutting chosen. It
is a popular error that every snip or branch pruned
off a Rose tree in November is likely or sure to
grow. Now to ensure growth, the cutting must be
chosen, made, and inserted with some skill and
more common sense. It must be tolerably ripe, of
sufficient size, and of rootable form. With many the
two first conditions will seem sufficient, but the third
is equally or more important to ensure the highest
percentage of success. For a cutting to root it must
have f oodand energy enough and to spare. This ability
to spare for a new departure is not to be found in
green or unripened Rose cuttings, or at least not in
sufficient quantity to enable them to support them-
selves and also spare something in addition towards
the slow and tedious process of rooting themselves
in our climate in the open air. Size is of less mo-
ment unless merely as a conservative force to draw
upon until roots are formed ; hence a bud in the
air and a bud base in the soil might prove sufficient
to convert such tiny cuttings into rooted Rose
plants. But in practice such small cuttings are
neither safe nor convenient ; hence Rose cuttings
mostly range from 6 inches to 9 inches or even 1 foot
in length. The last should never be exceeded,
6 inches being a handy average.

And now as to the crucial question of the cha-
racter or form of the cutting. Any prunings of
Roses of as near as may be uniform quality through-
out, properly placed in a suitable place and soil,

may become Rose plants ; but this mere possi-
bility will suit but few rosarians. Something more
positive must be aimed at and reached, and this
can only be done as a rule with Rose cuttings with
a proper base or heel. It has been already stated
that the Rose cutting must possess a sufficiency of
growing energy or organisable matter if it is to
evolve into a rooted plant. But the place of the
root-forming force is almost as important as its
possession. It should be found in most abundance
at the base of the cutting. To ensure this being so,
the base should consist of a prominence or a heel ;
hence Rose cuttings should be heeled off at a junc-
tion or cut immediately under a bud. The effect of
either is to augment and concentrate vital force at
the very spot where it will be most in demand for
the emission and support of roots. Each bud is a
store or magazine force, and so in a somewhat dif-
ferent sense is each junction ; hence by retaining
both bnd and junction in the form of a heel on a
Rose cutting we not only augment, but differen-
tiate force. The tissue of the heel, the growing
force in the base bud, may often be of a diffe-
rent age, character, degree of activity to that
found in the other portions of the cutting. The
heels and bud knobs at the base of Rose cuttings
have also a powerful steadying effect on the cut-
tings ; they act as holdfasts, and this firmness
is the first necessity to prompt and sure rooting.
This brings us to another and kindred point; — firm
insertion. It seems impossible to place the soil too
firmly around Rose cuttings, provided always that
the degree of compression stops short of bruis-
ing the wood or bark. Only subtle vegetable
physiologists would care to inquire how far
this mere external mechanical pressure stimu-
lates the resistance of the vital forces of the cut-
tings and thus hastens their rooting. It is more
important to the readers of The Gabden to know
that solid insertion or compression fosters the
formation of roots ; in fact the mechanical com
pression of the cutting is of far more moment than
the chemical composition. Rose cuttings will root
in any soil that will hold moisture, and also allow
it to pass through freely. But, nevertheless, it is
equally true that the character of the soil exerts
considerable force on the time and extent of root-
ing. A model mixture for the winter rooting of
Rose cuttings consists of equal parts gritty sand,
leaf-mould, and good loam, but they may also be
rooted successfully in almost any fairly good gar-
den or farm soil. It is well to remember, however,
that Rose cuttings have a hankering, as the old
growers used to say, for leaf-mould. One caution,
however, it is well to give. Used in excess, it is
difficult to obtain the needful degree of solidity at
the base of the cuttings.

As to the place for rooting winter Rose cuttings,
there are many suitable in most gardens. At the
base of all walls, excepting south ones, the best
results are obtained. Near south walls the ex-
tremes of temperature, and consequent excitement
of sap and of tissue, militate against all chances of
success. It may surprise many to hear that
Roses have been rooted most successfully imme-
diately against north walls. The progress often
proves the most sure, though slow. But any other
aspect will answer, and excellent results have
been had from cuttings hugging west and east
walls, and in every aspect ranging from these to
sheer cold north. Neither is the proximity of
walls essential to the rooting of winter Rose cut-
tings, though such sites are convenient for shelter
and covering when needful, as they sometimes are
during very severe winters and springs. Placed
in single file or in beds of six or a dozen abreast
and at distances of 2 inches, 4 inches, or at most 6
inches apart, rows or beds of Rose cuttings may be
moulded over to within an inch or so of their tops
with leaf-mould, cocoa fibre, or other good non-
conductors, and by such simple means even most
of the Teas can be made invulnerable against wind
and weather. Such cuttings will make but little
show till April or June, but from such unpromising
material a perfect forest of young Roses not
unfrequently springs forth, to the gladdening and
enrichment of the rosarian.

Neither must it be assumed that walls are at all

580

THE GARDEN.

[Dec. 20, 1890.

essential to the successful rooting of Rose cuttings
in winter ; on the contrary, far more Roses
have been rooted as follows : Rose cuttings
have been placed in rows 2 inches or 3 inches
between each, and at a distance of 18 inches
or so from row to row. Any free open site
on good garden soil will suffice for the pur-
pose. Dibble or dig them in, pressing the earth
firmly around them, or trample them in if the
cuttings are numerous or large, and leave them till
just before severe frost may be expected. Just
before it comes earth up the cuttings to within an
inch or two of their crowns, finishing the ridge in
a sharp point. Leave this intact till the following
April or later, according to the weather. When
all danger of severe spring frosts is past, level
down the soil and allow the cuttings to grow where
rooted until the autumn. Only those who have
tried this method of rooting Rose cuttings on this
free and easy principle on a large scale can realise
how satisfactory and successful it may become.
With a minimum of trouble in preparation, labour,
and time we may in most districts thus propagate
a maximum of Rose plants on their own roots of
exceptional vigour and free from the compound
taints of miffiness or disease. D. T. Fish.

JUDGING CARD.
The card, an illustration of which is here given,

winter flowering, the blooms though small being
very serviceable. Under favourable conditions it
may be had in bloom at any season of the year, but
it is during the winter that it is most valuable, as
when the weather gets warmer the flowers open too
quickly and then other Roses can be had.

Orchids.

CIRRHOPETALUM MEDUSAE.
This I recently saw in Sir Trevor Lawrence's
garden at Burford Lodge, Dorking. It was
growing in a hanging basket, and had several
heads of bloom, which presented quite a peculiar
appearance, the lateral sepals of the flowers be-
ing lengthened out into tail-like points. The
plant was introduced from Singapore some
fifty years ago by the Messrs. Loddiges, of
Hackney. I have occasionally seen this Orchid
imported from the same district, but it is so
little in demand that it is seldom brought home.
The plant is a robust and vigorous grower.
There are several more beautiful kinds than C.
Medusse, among them being C. Cumingi,
chinense, Macraei, and Thouarsi. C. Medusre,
like all the others, requires plenty of heat and
moisture, and does well either in a hanging

Class 2. — 36 Rose Blooms — Distinct.
Mark in plain figures the number of points allowed to each Rose, working from left to right.

!

Extra points awarded for arrangement and superior

staging.

Judge

and to the best of our ability,' ]

Total No.

*■ i

Signatures. ~)

Secretary's Signature,

This card must not be removed from the staud.

has been sent us by Mr. Wm. Cocker, Morningfield
Nurseries, Aberdeen, who says —

I beg to enclose copy herewith of a card which I
have^ prepared, and would suggest its being used in
judging Roses, Chrysanthemums, &c. The judging is
sometimes so very unsatisfactory that something of
this kind is much needed. The following are the ad-
vantages I claim for it : —

1. Exhibitors would at once see their exact position
and find out their weak and strong points, which would
often save a deal of trouble and bad feeling amongst
exhibitors and judges.

2. Young exhibitors would see what to aim at in
selecting flowers for exhibition, and it would also teach
them how to judge correctly.

3. A better idea of the show would be conveyed in
the newspaper reports to those who cannot attend by
having the number of points given to each exhibit.
One season's show could be correctly compared with
that of another, and the progress being made, by
referring to number of points given, could be seen.

Two good Tea Roses for winter. — Sou-
venir d'un Ami is a good old Rose which has no
rival among the new varieties that are annually in-
troduced. It is a general favourite among those
who grow for market. The peculiarly delicate shade
of pink of its flowers has brought it much into re-
quest for bouquet work. It is certainly one of the
best Roses for early forcing, beiDg of a vigorous
habit and flowering freely. It may be grown where
many of the more tender sorts would entirely fail.
Isabella Sprunt is another good Tea Rose for

teak wood basket or as a pot plant. I prefer
growing it in a basket.

In potting use good peat fibre well beaten,
chopped Sphagnum Moss, and not too large
a quantity of this. I do not think it a
good plan to smother up in soil roots that
appear to cling to the bare trees in a state of
nature. In the winter months, which should
be the period of rest, great care should be given
them. Wm. Hugh Gower.

Cypripedium pavonium, although not by any
means a new hybrid, it having been described by
Reichenbach in 1888, is still one of the rarest of
the venustum crosses. The plant was raised by
Mr. Drewett, between C. Boxalli and C. venustum.
I saw it recently flowering in Sir Trevor Lawrence's
collection. The flower has much the freshly
varnished appearance of Boxalli, especially in the
petals ; the dorsal sepal is soft green with a white
border, veined with bright brown and with some
blotches of the same colour near the base, the
lower sepal being white, with a few brown blotches ;
the petals have a band of deep brown down the
middle, the upper half brown, tinted more or less
with purple ; the lower half is of a paler brown, but
in the centre the colour is pale yellow, with brown
spots ; pouch large, pale green, with brown and
yellow veins. — G.

Lselia anceps. — From Mr. Woodall, of Scar-
borough, comes a very handsome gathering of

Orchids, and amongst them, I think, the very best
form of L. anceps I have ever seen. It was a fine
bold spike with four flowers, each measuring some
5 inches across ; sepals and petals deep rose quite
to the base ; lip large and bold, the large middle
lobe deep velvety magenta, the side lobes bordered
with the same rich colour about half an inch deep,
the lower parts of the side lobes being heavily
streaked with purple on a pale yellow ground.
There were besides excellent forms of the good old
Odontoglossum grande and some very nice Cypri-
pedium insigne. The best, I think, is the one from
Mr. Salt's plant, which appears to be a good form
of Chantini. Besides the above the box contained
an excellent form of Odontoglossum maculatum
and flowers of the beautiful old plant Zygopetalum
Mackayi.— W. H. G.

Cymbidium Tracyanum. — This is a mag-
nificent variety, which has cropped up from a batch
of imported C. Lowianum, and the possessor of
this is Mr. Tracy, of the Nurseries, Twickenham,
whose name it bears. I think it is a form of C.
Hookerianum. Dr Hooker found C. Hookerianum
in Sikkim, and there also Lobb found it for the
Messrs. Veitch and Sons. The flowers are nearly
5 inches across, yellowish green, prominently
streaked with crimson : the lip large, and the side
lobes streaked in the same manner and of the same
colour as the petals ; front lobe large, creamy
yellow, streaked with broken lines of bright crim-
son, and bearing on the disc two elevated fleshy
ridges thickly fringed with long white hairs. The
column is also thickly streaked and spotted with
crimson. It is a remarkably handsome plant, with
foliage broader than that of C. Lowianum, and the
spike of bloom is carrying sixteen flowers. — H. G.

SHORT NOTES.— ORCHIDS.

Laelia albida. — This is a very elegant plant, and
from the number of examples flowering in the country it
would appear to be quite established in our collections
now. The large masses I recently saw flowering in
Mr. Sander's establishment fully prove this. — W.

Epidendrum ooehleatum (Geo. Cragg). —This
is the name of your plant, and it is a fine variety of the
species. It was figured in the Botanical Magazine in
1812, t. 5/2, and was said at that time to be not very
uncommon. It flowered first in Mr. Woodford's gar-
den in December, 1801.— W. H. G.

Cattleya guttata munda. — This is a very sin-
gular and pretty flower, of a uniform bright brown ;
the petals undulated, the sepals plain and quite desti-
tute of the spotting of the typical plant ; the side lobes
of the lip are pure white, the front lobe soft amethyst
in colour. — G.

Lselia Arnoldiana is another of those kinds
named in America. It at first sight appears to be a
pale form of L. autumnalis, but upon looking into it I
cannot see the likelihood of its being a hybrid with L.
albida. One thing I observe it has not the bad odour
of L. autumnalis, but a rich spicy scent. — H. G.

Dendrobium chrysotis. — This species was
first found by Dr. Hooker in Sikkim, and afterwards
introduced in a living state to our gardens through Mr.
John Day, of Tottenham. The flowers are bright yel-
low, heavily fringed with a deep velvety spot at the
base of the lip. It comes into bloom towards the end
of autumn, and always upon the leafy stems. —
W. H. G.

Laelia Qouldiana. — This is a species named by
Reichenbach in 1888 after Mr. Jay Gould, of New
York. The sepals and petals are bright crimson-pur-
ple, the front lobe of the lip being deep purplish-crim-
son. The crest is golden yellow, the side lobes within
are streaked with deep rosy-purple on a white ground.
It has been asserted that this is a natural hybrid be-
tween L. anceps and L. autumnalis, but I think it has
been brought home in too large quantities to be a hy-
brid—W. H. G.

Cattleya Gaskelliana— At this time of the
year it seems absurd to record the flowering
of this plant, but I hear from Mr. Elphinstone, Ship-
ley Hall, Derby, that he has inbloom at the present
time one of the finest specimens in cultivation. It has
forty-two magnificent blooms open. This is the more
wonderful when it is said this plant was in flower in

Dec. 20, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

it

July last. I also saw a plant of this species or variety
flowering in Mr. Williams' nursery in the last week
of November, thus showiug the great variability of
the lahiata section. — W. G.

Ferns.

AN ARTISTIC FERNERY.
The lessened love for Ferns that has made
itself manifest during past years has naturally
had an adverse influence on what was always a
pretty spot in many gardens — the fernery. It is
long since we have seen a more fairy-like glen
of Ferns and fine-leaved Begonias than that at
Pendell Court, Bletchingley, the residence of

of water, into which Ferns of many kinds dip
their fronds, suggesting some reproduction from
the tropics. The whole is compressed into very
small space, but the extent is artfully concealed
by jutting prominences, an artificial bridge
laden with leafy treasures, and every wall
clothed with Ficus repens, many kinds of Ferns,
besides rich masses of fine-leaved Begonias,
which form spreading clumps many feet over,
compelling contrast with the miserable results
from pot plants. One leaf we measured was
fully 2 feet in length, and there were many
averaging from 12 inches to 18 inches. This
is the best possible way to use the fine-leaved
Begonias ; the silvery-tinted kinds are the
finest, and all should be planted where there is

Fine-leaved Begonias in a fernery.

Sir George Macleay. The arrangement of the
various types, their delightful vaiiety from the
commonest to the rarest, and the tropical luxu-
riance and artistic disposition of them complete
a picture which should be reproduced in other
places where what is called the fernery is a
mere servile imitation of a paltry garden rockery,
in which there is more " rock " than plants. The
charm of such ferneries as the one at Pendell
Court is its natural appearance. It is very un-
artiflcial ; the rocks are clothed with vegetation ;
odd nooks contain choice gems, each adapted to
its own particular position, and in one corner is
a surprise ravine approached by a rocky path, as
in imitation of some mountain scene, the pool

a fair amount of light, also a not over-abundant
supply of moisture. Everyone knows the beauty
of the mottlings of colour, the association of
deep purple tones with lurid red, and quiet
greys with bright silver. The effect of the
colours in a mass is delightful and far better
than from pot plants, as is shown by the accom-
panying illustration taken from a view in a
fernery in which the varieties of Begonia rex
were well and tastefully used.

Such a fernery affords ample scope for the
planting of a large collection. Every good
kind, we believe, is there, some small, others
developed into large specimens, and a few stove
kinds that are commonly regarded as ' ' sure to

die " outside a stewing heat. There is yet
much to learn about Ferns, and a very good
illustration is afforded of their culture in the
temperate house at Kew, where Dicksonias,
Cyatheas, and Alsophilas are making splendid
progress, which would surprise those who still
advise the usual temperature and pots. Planted
out they are different things, full of vigour,
and presenting a large surface of luxuriant
fronds of rich green colour. Of course the
Pendell Court fernery is too small for many
Tree Ferns, but it contains many uncommon
species to admire besides its walls of Ficus and
Selaginella, from which peep out the graceful
fronds of some pretty species. The Begonias
spread about everywhere, and make happy pic-
tures in association with such Ferns as Nephro-
lepis exaltata, very beautiful when spreading
its long fronds out from a wall or jutting
rock, N. Duffi, Davallia foeniculacea, &c. The
bridge, which reminds one strongly in minia-
ture of a Moss and Evergreen-clothed bridge in
the vale of Festiniog, North Wales, is princi-
pally hidden with Ficus, Selaginellas, and fine-
leaved Begonias, but a few Ferns find a home,
and from a few yards away have a delightfully
natural effect. Here we have fine pieces of
Pteris leptophylla, P. aspercaulis, the brightly
coloured P. tricolor, Polypodium acrostichum,
Doryopteris sagittifolia, the pretty free-growing
Adiantum Capillus-veneris, and Blechnums of
many kinds. But it is impossible to give a list ;
it is sufficient to say that a fernery planted in
this way with many species and varieties, each
as far as possible in the position it loves best,
is far better than a collection in pots. The
comparison is too odious. A Fern grotto artis-
tically planted and kept sufficiently warm to
keep away frost should be a cool retreat in
summer and a place of enjoyment even in
winter.

VIVIPAROUS FERNS.
Among the various means by which plant life is
reproduced, none is more remarkable than the
manner in which some Ferns produce bulbils or
young plants on the surface of their fronds. This
mode of reproduction is most common among the
Aspleniums, some of which are very prolific, while
others only produce a single plant at the point of
each frond. A. biforme is one of the most prolific ;
in this species the young plants will under favour-
able conditions produce several fronds and throw
out roots without coming in contact with the soil,
and these little Ferns clustering over the surface
of the parent plants add considerably to their
beauty, and should not be removed except when
required for growing on.

A. foeniculaceum is also very prolific, but the
little bulbils drop off after they have made one
small frond. These will soon take root in any suit-
able soil, provided the atmospheric conditions are
favourable. In A. viviparum the first fronds are
broad, and form a contrast to the finely cut ones
of the parent. In A. laxum pumilum, one of the
best of the genus, the bulbils are not so abundant,
but, as in all with compound fronds, they are dis-
persed over the surface. A. erectum, A. monanthe-
mum, and others with simple pinnate fronds pro-
duce only one bulbil on each frond, and this at the
extreme point. A. rhizophyllum is a curious little
species with simple fronds, broad at the base, and
tapering off to a narrow point. This is called the
Walking Fern, on account of the young plants pro-
duced at the extremities of the fronds taking root,
and if left to themselves, in time plants will be
found some distance from the original parent.
While all the Aspleniums which produce these bul-
bils may be easily propagated by taking them off
and treating them as young seedlings, they do not
produce seedlings from spores very readily.

In the Polystichums the viviparous sorts produce
the bulbils towards the base of (he fronds on the
rachis. P. triangulum laxum and P. angulare pro-

582

THE GAEDEK

[Dec. 20, 1890.

liferum are verv prolific, and yotmg plants may-
soon be established by pegging the fronds down on
some suitable soil. Woodwardia orientalis is one
of the most remarkable, producing the tiny little
bulbils~all over the surface of the fronds. In W.
radicans only one bulbil is formed on each frond,
and this close on the rachis towards the point of
the frond, and instead of falling off it clings
tightly, and is not easily removed without
damaging the frond. Gymnogramma schizophylla
gloriosa is another curious example, and the only
one I am acquainted with in the genus. This pro-
duces young plants at the extremity of each frond,
and occasionally at the points of the side pinnje.
Apart from this distinction from other species, it is
certainly one of the most elegant Ferns we have,
being, however, rather delicate, and requiring stove
treatment. The young plants should be rooted in
small pots before they are severed from the parent
plant.

Adiantum dolabriforme is another interesting
example of this mode of reproduction ; there are
also three others of the same genus, viz., A. cilia-
tum, A. caudatum, and A. lunulatum. A. lunu-
latum is by some considered synonymous with A.
caudatum, but the two are quite distinct, one being
evergreen and the other deciduous. All the above
have long, narrow pinnate fronds, and produce
young plants at their extremities. In a genial at-
mosphere the young plants will grow until they
have fronds large enough to again form bulbils
while still attached to the parent plant, and with-
out coming in contact with any material to root
into. To obtain young stock a plant may be
plunged in Cocoa-nut fibre refuse, where the bulbils
will soon take root, and may be taken off and
potted singly. Hemionitis palmata produces a
number of bulbils both on the barren and fertile
fronds. Those on the lower fronds soon take root
and form a cluster of young plants over the surface
of the pots. Doryopteris palmata also produces
bulbils, but as this can be got freely from spores
they are seldom used. In most instances the vivi-
parous Ferns cannot be raised freely from spores,
although apparently good spoTes are often very
abundant. F- H.

THE WEEK'S WORK.

PLANT HOUSES.
Geeen'House.—Beugman-sias.— There are several
greenhouse plants which when grown as standards,
with clean stems about i feet high, can be used for
conservatory decoration with the best effect, either
occupying isolated positions or grouped among or-
dinary bush-shaped stock. The different kinds of
Brugmansias, but especially the white varieties, are
excellent used in this way. The plants can be put
away anywhere out of the reach of frost during the
winter, leaving the room they would occupy for
other things. The soil should now be kept much
drier and the plants should be cut close in,
leaving only a sufficient number of eves to fur-
nish shoots that will form the heads next sum-
mer. The plants may then be put under a plant
stage, or in any spare corner in a house or pit
where the frost can be kept out, leaving the roots
for the next two months in the partially dry state
named. The buds will move slowly and be in a
condition, with additional moisture and a little
warmth, to break into growth early in the spring.

Bbugmansias planted out.— For the back
wall or end of a roomy conservatory, Brugman-
sias are of great use. Where root-room is limited
within the structure, they do equally as well in an
outside bed with the stems taken through the wall
in the way ordinarily practised with Vines. Plants
used in the manner described should now have last
summer's growth cut close in. All the superfluous
wood ought to be removed, as where the branches
are too much crowded it weakens the plants.

Habeothamnus. — These Habrothamnuses also

make excellent standards, and when only used for
cool greenhouse work should have their heads cut
close in annually. It is better to do this now than
wait until spring, as the growth will come more cuttings may be put in now.

even and satisfactory in every way than if the cut-
ting back was deferred until the plants were about
to start. Most of the kinds of Habrothamnus, espe-
cially H. elegans, force well. With a moderate
stove temperature they will bloom freely during
the winter. When treated in this way more water
is necessarily required than if they are wintered
cooler. The yellow-flowered kind, often grown
under the name of Cestrum aurantiacum, is na-
turally a late autumn bloomer. Now, when the
flowering is about over, the plants, in whatever
form they are grown, should be cut in in the way ad-
vised for the other sorts.

Heaths. — Where anything like a representative
collection of Heaths is grown, the stock should
now be gone over. Any of the leaves on the old
hard wood— a portion of which decay annually —
that are turned brown and have lost their vitality
should be removed previous to the restating and
tying that should be carried out at this time. Use
no more supports than are necessary to keep the
branches from crowding too closely upon each
other. With the strong-wooded, erect-growing
kinds, such as E. Cavendishi, E. affinis and others
of a like habit, it is necessary to keep the branches
sufficiently open, particularly whilst the plants are
young, to admit of light and air reaching the inner
portion. So far as practicable, the strongest
branches should be bent, so as to bring them to the
outer sides of the specimens, leaving the weaker
shoots to assume a more upright position. This is
the only way in which the growth can be equalised
in a manner to keep the whole furnished with
living foliage down to the base. In restaking, put
the newsticksasfaraspossibleinthe holes that have
been occupied by the old ones. Look frequently
over the stock to see that the whole are free from
mildew. If the pest is discovered before it gets
any considerable hold the damage is much less,
and also the labour involved in getting rid of it is
in like manner reduced. Dusting flowers of sul-
phur on the affected parts is still the simplest
and the safest remedy. The plants should now be
kept drier at the roots than they will bear in the
summer, but all should be looked over sufficiently
often to prevent the soil getting too dry before
water is given. Give air freely for some hours
every day when the weather is not frosty ; even
when the temperature is low the roof ventilators
should be open for a time in the middle of the day,
so as to prevent any moisture condensing on the
plants. Be careful not to admit currents of air
directly on the plants when the weather is at all
windy, for though Heaths, especially when there is
little or no growth going on, are less affected by
draught than most things, it does them harm.
The house should be ventilated on both sides, keep-
ing the openings closed on the side from which the
wind comes during rough weather.

Heaths, soft-wooded winteb-floweeixg. —
As the autumn- flowering plants go out of bloom they
should be cut back, removing as much of the last
summer's growth as necessary to keep them low
and bushy. Where this operation is deferred until
the spring the free-growing kinds make consider-
able progress, which is so far a waste of strength.
After cutting in it will do no harm to keep them a
few degrees warmer than is necessary for the gene-
ral stock ; but where this is done they must have a
position close to the glass, and not be in any way
crowded.

Abutiloxs. — Old plants of Abutilons that have
attained considerable size give proportionately
more flowers than small ones. Most of the kinds
are more or less inclined to spire up and become
tall and straggling. Bushy pyramid is the best
form in which to grow them. To keep old plants
to this shape they should be cut in moderately
close once a year. The present is the best time to
cut in any that are not forced in the winter. The
season's shoots may be reduced to within a few eyes
of where they spring from. Before cutting in and
for the next two months give no more water than
will keep the soil in a half moist condition.

Abutilons, ctttikg-stbiking. — Where the

stock of any of the varieties has to be increased,

They will strike

readily in a moderate stove temperature. By get-
ting them established in the beginning of the year
they will be in a condition to make more progress
next summer, and when the propagation is com-
pleted early it leaves so much more time for the
numerous things that have to be attended to in this
way a little later on.

Stove.— Tlscas.— The cutting down of plants
that have flowered at the end of the summer should
not be longer delayed, otherwise the blooming will
be so much later in the spring. All the last sum-
mer's shoots may be reduced to within two or three
eyes of where they spring from. The roots of
these plants are somewhat delicate and impatient of
moisture when the tops are removed to the extent
advised. This necessitates careful use of the wa-
tering pot until the young shoots have attained a
length of 3 inches or 4 inches. After being cut in
the plants should have a warm stove temperature,
and if the new growth is irregular in strength the
strongest shoots ought to be stopped after they
have made half-a-dozen leaves.

Lilac. — Forced Lilac may be had at any time
during the latter part of autumn and onwards
through the winter. The only essentials are a suffi-
cient number of plants in the right condition and
the necessary accommodation for forcing. Where
it can be done it is best to partition off a few lights
at the warmest end of a pit where there is enough
heating power to keep up a high temperature. By
introducing two or three moderate-sized plants
that are well set with bloom every ten days or a
fortnight, an unbroken succession of bloom can be
secured. There need be no variation in either the
heat or the moisture that is kept up from the first start-
ing of the plant to when the flowers expand. Where
any varieties except the white sorts are used it is
necessary to keep the glass covered with shutters
and mats, so as to exclude the light, otherwise the
flowers will not be so white as desirable.

T. B.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

Peopagatixg Seaeale. — When the crowns are
lifted for forcing a considerable number of fairly
large roots will be unavoidably broken, owing to
their brittleness. It is most unwise to destroy
these broken ends, especially if it be a stock of
Lily White, and which it is most desirable should
be largely increased to the total exclusion, it may
be, of the old form next season. Roots of the size
of a man's little finger and slightly smaller are the
best for propagating. Cut them to a length of
about 3 inches, just snipping or marking the
smallest end in order that there should be no mis-
take about this being buried when the cuttings are
put in. Dibble all in rather thickly, or, say, about
2 inches apart, in shallow boxes of good loamy soil,
the top of the cutting being only just seen. These
boxes as they are filled can be placed in sheds,
frames, pits, or cool houses, protection from very
severe frost only being needed. Enough water
should be given to prevent shrivelling, and in the
spring every cutting will grow. If duly planted
out before either root or top-growth is far advanced
and on good ground, they will experience little or
no check and eventually eclipse any plants raised
differently. By this simple plan fine strong crowns
can be prepared in one season.

Destbuction of Seakale ceowns.— In most
gardens Seakale is principally grown outside of the
garden walls, where, as it often happens, it is very
much at the mercy of rabbits, rats, and mice.
Covering with soil, litter, or ashes is of little avail
against the troublesome pests named, as they seem
to know exactly where to burrow. As many as
possible of the clumps should be covered by pots,
tins, tubs, or boxes, and let well into the soil to
prevent burrowing underneath. These can then
be covered with hotbed material as wanted. All
crowns that are to be forced in Mushroom houses
or other heated structures or beds might well be
lifted and stored thickly in moist soil, where they
would be out of danger from the vermin. Lifting
does not greatly affect the size of the forced
growths, and rather than risk the loss of many
crowns, all not covered might with advantage be

Deo. 20, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

583

lifted, replanted inside the garden wall, and there
either forced by beds of leaves and manure, or else
be covered up and allowed to start into growth
naturally, blanching being accomplished very well
without forcing. The crowns being disposed rather
thickly and covered with long, narrow, bottomless
boxes inverted over them, and furnished with lids,
very much less hotbed material sufriceth than is
the case when the forcing takes place where the
old stools are located.

The kubbish heap. — Where manure is scarce,
the accumulations of garden rubbish are the most ap-
preciated at the present time, and at all times they
may be considered well worthy of being taken good
care of. Garden rubbish is certainly far superior
in point of manurial value to much that has to do
duty as manure in very many private gardens, old
hotbeds being little -better than a mass of humus.
In the course of twelve months quite a large heap,
or say from twelve to twenty cartloads will ac-
cumulate near a moderately large garden, quite a
variety of substances going to make up this heap,
the greater part being now fit for wheeling on to
the ground. First, however, the heap should be
turned and all sticks and other only slightly de-
cayed rubbish, insoluble or otherwise, thrown out,
this being burned, and the ashes and charred
matter added to the big heap. This decayed and
decaying rubbish will be greatly improved in ma-
nurial value if quicklime is added to and well
mixed with it at the rate of one cartload of lime to
five loads of the former. This mixture is particu-
larly good for ground intended for Potatoes, and
should be freely applied on the first favourable
opportunity and then dug in.

Improving light soils. — Naturally poor, light
soils may be greatly improved to a lasting extent
by the addition of marl or very strong clayey loam.
This, when well disintegrated and mixed with the
other soil, will supply ingredients previously absent
to a marked extent, and also make the whole of a
more retentive, or manure and moisture-holding
character. Solid, adhesive, or pudding clay is not
recommended, but what is wanted is something
that will, after a few weeks' exposure to frost, wind,
and rain, break to pieces fairly well. Such can
often be dug in considerable quantities not far
below the surface, and frequently form part of the
excavations prior to house-building. Apply it at
rate of twenty cartloads to the acre, spread it
abroad at once, and not mix it with the surface
spit till it has crumbled to pieces somewhat. The
mud obtained from ditches and ponds after being
in a heap for twelve months is also good for very
light sandy soils, but ought to be kept off heavy
land.

Burning soils. — It is a rather costly proceed-
ing that of burning a large heap or several small
heaps of solid clay, or such, say, as would do for
brick-making. Moreover, if burnt over-much, it is
more fit for path making than for improving soils.
It is not ballast that is wanted, but comparatively
soft and crumbling ashes — black, not brick-red, in
colour. A clayey loam or marl is the best for
burning, and the process should be slow, the fire,
formed with fagot-wood, once well alight, being
enclosed and closely kept so with thin, somewhat
dry spits of the soil to be burnt or charred. The
ashes obtained in this manner will, if freely applied
to the surface of heavy land, greatly benefit in
various ways, and is a form of improvement worthy
of being more often adopted than it is.

Gas-lime. — This is of little manurial value, and
may easily do more harm than good. It undoubtedly
proves very obnoxious and destructive to insects
and grubs, but it must be applied very sparingly,
the surface of the ground scarcely being whitened
by it, and at least three months ought to elapse be-
fore the quarter so treated is cropped. It is prin-
cipally beneficial as a surface application, and may
later on be either forked or stirred with hoes into
the ground. W. I.

Asparagus beds are receiving a good coat of
manure on the surface, and the site for new beds is
being set out and manured ready for deep cultiva-
tion. Roots for forcing are being lifted as fast as

pits or frames can be got ready, the surface of
the soil having been covered with litter to keep out
frost some weeks back.— J. G.

Stove and Greenhouse.

LACHENALIAS.
It is difficult to understand why these bulbous
plants should be found in so very few gardens.
Their comparative hardiness, for example, should
at once make them valuable to amateurs, and espe-
cially so to those who have but a limited amount of
heat at command. A close, stuffy, or heated struc-
ture only results in weakly growth and generally
inferior results on the whole. The temperature for
these Lachenalias never need be above 40° during
the winter ; indeed, I would not hesitate to grow
many of them in a cold frame, freely ventilated in
damp weather and protected by mats or the like
during frost. Another point of equal importance
as their hardiness is the length of time they remain
in flower. Many kinds in the cool temperature I
have referred to will remain in perfection for fully
six weeks ; some even longer than this after the
flowers are fully developed and they have attained
their colours. Other points which are worth noting
are their simple requirements and the freedom
with which they reproduce themselves by means of
offsets. They may be grown in pots, pans, or even
hanging baskets, but unless these last are suspended
very low, not a tithe of the beauty of the plants is
seen ; and while we have so many really valuable sub-
jects especially suited to hanging overhead, I for
one would very much prefer to see these pleasing
Lachenalias more suitably and certainly more natu-
rally planted in masses in pans where they may be
seen to advantage, and prove a source of enjoyment
for some considerable time.

Their cultivation is by no means difficult. They
succeed well in any good ordinary soil, but prefer-
ably in peat and loam in equal parts, with a little
decayed manure added, the whole made rather
sandy. In planting them they should not be
covered with more than an inch of soil, and unless
the soil is very dry, it will not be necessary to
water at all for a week or so. The best time for
planting them is September or October, though in
this respect they are not very particular ; in fact I
have frequently transplanted them in full leaf, and
could never discern the slightest difference from
so doing. I would not hesitate to plant these if
sound dry bulbs were procurable at any time up
to the end of December, the only point of difference
being that a good succession of their flowers is thus
obtained, and this is a decided advantage. Always
provide abundant drainage, and when in May they
show signs of going to rest lessen the water supply
gradually, and keep quite dry during June, July,
and August. A moist, but not wet soil suits them
best while growing. At the end of August or
thereabouts it is best to overhaul them annually,
sorting the large bulbs from the smaD, sowing the
latter in boxes of good soil for growing on, and
planting the flowering bulbs into pots and pans for
present use. There are a good many species and
varieties with synonyms in cultivation, from among
which the following are the best : —

L. pendula. — A bold growing, handsome species,
having purple, red, and yellow flowers gracefully ar-
ranged on a stout stern. This is without doubt the
showiest of the family, and easily distinguished by its
flowers and broad dark green foliage.

L. TRICOLOR. — A very free flowering and rapidly in-
creasing species; the flowers are yellow and tipped
with green and red, while the foliage is distinctly
glaucous and freely spotted with dull purple spots.

L. Nelsoni is a most lovely hybrid, with rich, clear
golden yellow flowers. This delightful kind is one of
the best and most continuous bloomers.

L. AUrea, which is synonymous with L. tricolor
lutea, has also flowers of a golden hue ; these, how-
ever, are not superior either in colour or their num-
bers, but its foliage is very distinct.

L. luteola is another with yellow self-coloured
flowers borne on spikes 9 inches or 10 inches high, the
foliage inclining to lanceolate, slightly glaucous, and
freely covered with reddish purple spots.

L. iragrans produces handsome spikes of reddish
flowers.

Others also might be named, but none of them
of equal merit to the above. The usual height these
plants attain to is from 8 inches to 10 inches, and
they bear twenty or more of their pendent tubular-
shaped blossoms. By successive planting Lachen-
alias may be had in flower for three or four months.
E. J.

Ipomsea rubro-ccerulea. — A coloured plate
of this Ipomaaa was given in The Gabden, May
23, 1885, and its easy culture and free-flowering
qualities were then pointed out. Given the tem-
perature of a stove or intermediate house, it is cer-
tainly one of the most beautiful autumn-flowering
climbers in cultivation. The flowers are not unlike
those of the common Convolvulus major, but of a
charming shade of pale blue, which becomes suf-
fused with red before they drop. Seed of this Ipo-
iffia is easily obtained, and it should be sown early
in the year, when, if the plants are grown on freely,
they will cover a considerable space, and the roof
of a structure draped with their long slender fes-
toons, studded with beautiful blue blossoms, is an
attractive feature in the autumn. Sown somewhat
later (in spring or early summer), kept in pots, and
allowed to ramble over a few twigs stuck therein,
this Ipomfea will flower well, and may sometimes
be grown in this manner where there is no roof
space available. — H. P.

Gardenias. — When these are being sold in the
summer months in the streets at one penny each,
many will say they are not worth growing. It is only
for a short season that this occurs, and the aim of
the cultivator should be to get these choice blooms
early, so that they will not then become a drug, as
it were, in the market. To get these I find that
the old cut -back plants, if given a shift,
plunged for a short time in a mild bottom heat,
and kept growing vigorously, will be ready early in
September to transfer to a cooler house, and will,
when placed in heat late in the year, push up a lot
of buds which will open quickly. These plants
have often numerous buds showing, and the extra
heat soon causes them to swell and open. The
blooms are then far more valuable than a large
quantity in the summer, when there is abundance
of other choice flowers. When placed in a higher
temperature, careful watering and feeding are
necessary to prevent loss of buds and foliage. I
have seen Gardenias exposed in the late summer
months in the open and only covered at night,
bloom profusely in the winter. They do very well
when planted in frames close to the glass ; in fact,
I think this is the best way to grow them, as the
lights can be removed when a good growth has
been secured, and by this means the wood
thoroughly hardened for early bloom. I have seen
abundance of large blooms cut in December and
January from plants grown in this way. When
this treatment is carried out the cost of growing is
much reduced, and in the late summer the work is
much easier and more room afforded for other
plants requiring a higher temperature. For plant-
ing out I prefer one-year-old cut-back plants.
When once the latter begin to get shabby and do
not start into growth freely, no time should be lost
in clearing them out and replanting with younger
stock, as if in a weak or sickly state, the blooms
will be much smaller and thus of less value. I
also prefer to strike a few large cuttings early each
season. These form nice bushes in 6-inch pots by
the early spring, and succeed those planted out. —
Geo. Wythes, Syon House.

Lilium neilgherren.se. — In one respect at
least I can enlighten " J. L." (p. 524) concerning
the Neilgherry Lily, and that is whether the colour
of the bulbs is any guide to the future flowers or
habit of the plant, that is to say, if the darkest
bulbs produce the deepest-tinted blossoms and vice
versa. I have every year flowered a considerable
number of imported bulbs, and can now safely say
that no reliance whatever can be placed on their
colour, as the purple ones are just as likely to bear
the lightest coloured blooms as the others, while,
what is more, I was last spring particularly struck

584

THE GARDEN.

[Deo. 20, 1890.

with one bulb among an importation of L. neil-
gherrense, which, owing to its peculiar whiteness,
I took especial care of. Now on flowering it turned
out to be an average form of the Neilgherry Lily —
that is to say, there were some with deeper-tinted
blooms and others with lighter than this particular
individual among the same importation. While
the foliage, too, of the Neilgherry Lily varies some-
what, the appearance of the bulb is no guide what-
ever to that. My impression is that the colour of i
the bulbs depends to a very great extent upon the
conditions under which they have grown, or, per-
haps, in some cases upon exposure or otherwise
after they have been lifted, for a little sunshine will
in this country cause the bulbs of many Lilies to
acquire a totally different hue to that borne by

such a beautiful Lily and blooms at such a dull
time of the year, as to well repay one for obtaining
fresh bulbs every year or two. After flowering I
have in some cases kept the soil moist and in
others quite dry, the results in both instances being
about the same. With regard to the number of
flowers borne on a single stem, one plant here has
borne three flowers and another four, while last
year one produced five good blooms.— H. P.

LUCULIA GRATISSIMA.
The earliest blossoms of this beautiful greenhouse
shrub being now on the point of expanding, this
is a good time to direct attention to its merits as a
handsome winter-flowering plant that will thrive

as these shoots have become fairly hardened is the
best time to take cuttings, and in selecting them
if possible just a base of old wood should be left on.
The stoutest shoots should not be taken, as the
weak and moderate ones strike far more readily. If .
the cuttings are without delay dibbled singly into
small pots of light sandy soil, watered thoroughly,
and then plunged in a close propagating case in the
stove where there is just a gentle bottom heat, they
will root readily enough, provided they are never
allowed to flag. If this occurs they are almost
certain to die. This should be particularly borne
in mind in selecting the cuttings, the better way
being to prepare the pots beforehand, so that no
unnecessary delay may arise. Though the Luculia
is essentially a greenhouse plant, it will make much

Evergreen trees m the nor.li of Ireland. Scene in the Earl of Aunesley's garden at Castlewellun, Co. Down. (See p. 570.'

(hem when first taken from the ground. Thus L.
davuricum, elegans, tigrinum, and others which
are almost white become deeply suffused with red,
so much so, that anyone unaware of this peculiarity
would imagine them to be of a totally different Lily.
In returning again to L. neilgherrense, I may note
that the size of the bulb is by no means to be relied
on as a guide to its flowering, as the largest will
often produce but a single bloom, while smaller
ones will sometimes bear two or three flowers.
With regard to the cultivation of the Neilgherry
Lily in this country, I must acknowledge that it is
with me a comparative failure. True, -the bulbs
flo wer well the first season, many of them the
second, and a few the third, but it is quite an ex-
ception to get a flower afterwards. It is, however,

under much the same conditions as a Camellia.
For some reason it is very little cultivated, yet a
bush of it laden with large Hydrangea-like clusters
of pink blossoms is attractive, added to which the
flowers are deliriously fragrant. This shrub is a
native of the hill districts of Nepaul, and was intro-
duced into this country more than half a century
ago. Probably one cause of its scarcity is in the
fact that many fail to propagate it by cuttings, yet
there is little difficulty if a few simple rules are
borne in mind. The best cuttings are those from a
plant that after flowering has been shortened back,
and then kept in a temperature somewhat above
that of an ordinary greenhouse, where if syringed
occasionally it will be by the middle of February,
or soon after, studded with young shoots. As soon

more rapid headway if kept during its earlier
stages in a higher temperature, and shifted on as
required. It needs a good supply of water during
the growing season, and being also impatient of
stagnant moisture, thorough drainage must be given.
A soil composed of peat, loam, and sand will suit it
perfectly, and in planting it outwhen large enough,
under which conditions it succeeds best, the same
kind of compost may be used. In preparing a
place for its reception the importance of thorough
drainage must be borne in mind, and for this reason,
and the fact that the Luculia resents being dis-
turbed at the roots, the soil used should be such as
will remain in condition a long time. Good turfy
loam, fibrous peat, and sand, with a liberal
admixture of charcoal and broken crocks, or,

Dec. 20, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

585

better still, pieces of brick, will form a good
compost. There is a second species, Luculia Pince-
ana, of more recent introduction, also from the
same region, but it is very scarce, and at its
best hardly equal to the other. It requires the
same cultivation. T.

DOUBLE PRIMULAS.
It is hardly necessary to say anything in favour of
the old double white Primula, its value is so well
known ; not only do the flowers last well when cut,
but plants in good health will produce such an im-
mense quantity of bloom, and at a season too when
it is particularly valuable. Although there are
many newer kinds, there is not yet anything to
supersede the old alba plena, or Stuarti, as it is
sometimes called, for producing an abundant supply
of bloom. Alba plena grandiflora has larger flowers,
but it does not keep up quite such a succession of
bloom. The varieties raised by Mr. Gilbert, of
Burghley, are very fine when well managed, but
unfortunately they are not often seen in a flourish-
ing condition. I believe there were five varieties
certificated and sent out originally, but there is not
sufficient distinction between the four varieties,
Marchioness of Exeter, Mrs. Barron, Princess, and
White Lady, to distinguish one from the other.
During the winter all produce almost pure white
flowers, and later on in the spring when there is more
sunshine the flowers are more or less striped with
pink and purple. All have coloured leaf-stalks.
Earl Beaconsfield, cerise-pink, is distinct and
pretty, but this is also inclined to sport. I have
seen plants with some pure white blooms, while
others on the same plant were true in colour, pink.
Other varieties worthy of note are Annie Hellier,
delicate flesh-pink with pale green Fern-shaped
leaves. Emperor is another Fern-leaved variety
with crimson-purple, very full rosette-like flowers, a
very delicate grower. King of Purples is the best
of this shade of colour. Balfouri, Peach Blossom,
and carminata flore-pleno all closely resemble each
other, having dark leaf-stalks and soft carmine
flowers. Candidissima is the best of the old
fimbriated white varieties.

To have double Primulas in good condition they
must be propagated, or rather the plants divided
annually. They may be propagated from cuttings,
but some of the varieties are very difficult to manage
in this way. It is much safer to earth up the old
plants and divide them after they have made new
roots from the stems' By the time the plants have
done flowering in the spring there will be a good
portion of stem above the soil. All old leaf-stalks
should be carefully cleaned off and some light sandy
compost pressed closely round the stems, bringing
it up close to the base of the lower leaves. If this
new soil is kept moderately moist, roots will soon
be formed from the stems which have been freshly
covered up. The plants may then be cut up,
and the lower portion with the old roots may be
removed entirely. If the divisions are potted
into small pots and kept in a close frame
they will soon become established. During the
summer double Primulas succeed best in a cold pit
on a moist bottom, but the plants should have
plenty of room for the air to pass freely between
them. They like liberal treatment. A fairly rich
compost with plenty of sand to keep it open
suits them best. I believe these plants are often
crippled through not giving them sufficient water.
The water should be kept off the foliage as much
as possible. Some people consider it neces-
sary to give them more heat during the winter
than the single varieties require, but my experience
is that they do better in a rather cool position pro-
vided they have plenty of light and air and sufficient
heat to prevent the damp from settling on the
flowers and foliage. During the winter they are
perhaps better on an open stage, but they do not
require the dry atmosphere that is often recom-
mended for them. F. H.

Eucharis amazonica can be well grown in
vineries. It revels in the heat, moisture, and shade
to be found under the Vines. By shifting them from
the early house, when the Grapes begin to colour,

to a later one they get a long growing season, and
if they have been well treated with manure water,
they will flower well in October and November. In
our case the plants are removed from the late
vinery in time to make room for the Chrysanthe-
mums, when they are put in a house with a north
aspect, which is used for growing Ferns, green
Dracasnas, Palms, Phormiums, &c, and here they
remain to flower, the only extra precaution taken
with them being to put them at the end of the
house farthest from the door, for I find that if
they are in a draughty situation while throwing up
their spikes the cup of the flower becomes tinged
with yellow instead of bright green, as it should be,
the bloom also being smaller in all its parts. After
the plants have done flowering water is gradually
withheld, and when the leaves begin to change
colour the pots are turned on their sides and placed
on the pipes at the end of the house nearest the
boiler, where they remain till the early vinery is
kept warm enough to start them again. — J. C.
Tatj.ack.

PLANTS FOR ROOMS.
Where plant- growing has to be carried on almost
wholly in fruit houses, or in greenhouses that are
only heated sufficiently to keep out frost, there is
often a difficulty in providing a sufficient variety of
plants suitable for room decoration, as most fine-
foliaged or winter- flowering plants require more
heat than they can get from early autumn to the
time when the early vinery or Fig house is in full
swing. In writing of a few plants that are useful
for this work, apart from those — such as Primulas,
Chrysanthemums, Cinerarias, Salvias, Ferns, and
others —which are generally grown injquantities, I
place —

Cypebus altebnifolitjs first, as it is seldom
grown in quantity from seed, though, so treated, it
is one of the most useful fine-f oliaged plants I know.
Seed sown early in the year germinates freely in an
early vinery, and the seedlings make capital little
pot plants if placed three, four, or more in pots
varying from 3 inches to 6 inches in diameter.
They require a light soil rich in vegetable matter
and plenty of water during the growing season,
and at this time of the year they are at their best,
and will pay for the slight trouble they have given,
as they keep well in rooms for several weeks, even
in positions where they get but little light, while
the foliage of those not so used makes an exceed-
ingly light and graceful setting for cut flowers.
Seed of this plant is very rarely quoted in seeds-
men's catalogues, but it can be obtained from some
firms and it is well worth inquiring for, the leaves
on seedlings being much more graceful than those
on old plants.

Coletjs. — I cannot easily keep these during the
winter, but I raise a batch of seedlings each year
and get some really good varieties among them,
with, of course, a large proportion of useless ones,
which, however, can be easily detected when
young and thrown away. By autumn those re-
tained make good plants for furnishing medium-
sized vases.

Impatiens StjltAni is, I think, one of the
most useful plants in cultivation for rooms, as the
flowering season lasts so long and the plants do not
suffer much from being in the house, while the
same plants will do over and over again if they are
not kept indoors too long at a time. The metallic
lustre seen on the flowers in certain lights makes
them very attractive. Though seedlings are the
best, I generally contrive to keep a few old plants
through the winter, and these become large the
second year and flower early, but they do not al-
ways come so shapely as young plants do. Our
best plant this year, however, was an old one which
developed into quite a shapely bush. It is a mis-
take to overpot this, for fine plants can be grown
in G-inch or 8-inch pots.

EchevebiA bettjsa is useful at this time of
the year, and good plants of it are often admired
for their glaucous foliage and quaint flowers. I
strike a few cuttings every year, and these make
nice plants by flowering time if kept steadily
growing.

Cyclamens should scarcely be mentioned in this
list, as they are so commonly grown in large num-
bers, but I write of them to say that the giant
form of C. persicum is especially adapted to growers
who, from various reasons, cannot give them posi-
tions so near the glass as is advisable, for they are
not prone to become drawn, being naturally of
a sturdy habit. The ordinary small - flowered
C. persicum is not so easily grown, as both the
flower and leaf-stems run up rather weakly if grown
in shade. It is a mistake to suppose that flowers
of the giant form are scentless, for I find some of
them are very sweet.

In addition to the above there are several other
plants which serve as well, such as Francoa ra-
mosa, Celosia pyramidalis, Begonia weltoniensis
(spring struck) and nitida, this last flowering well
up to Christmas with but very little heat.

J. C. Tallack.

MARKET GARDEN NOTES.
A sevebe spell of wintry weather has for the
present put a stop to sowing or planting, but pre-
parations for some of the main crops of the season
are being forwarded in the way of getting manure
on to the land they are to occupy, so that directly
the frost breaks ploughing or digging may be
pushed on. The work of preparing for the Christmas
markets now keeps a good many hands employed.

Bboccoli has been very much cut up by the ex-
ceptional visitation of frost at the end of November,
when large quantities were nearly fit to cut. This
in mild winters realises good prices at Christmas.
Twelve to twenty degrees of frost on several nights
have proved too much for any fully exposed plants,
as no matter how much foliage they had over
them they were frozen right through, and now they
are only fit for digging into the land, again. For-
tunately, the later crops have thus far stood the
trying ordeal well, and the general clearance of
Broccoli or Cauliflowers will make

Savoys, Cabbages and Kales sell much
better. Before the frost set in all kinds of green
crops were unusually plentiful and cheap. Wagon-
loads of Savoys are now being sent into market, as
frosty weather always causes them to be in great
demand. The Drumhead for large ones, and Dwarf
Green Curled appear to be the sorts mostly grown,
and Curly Kale is in great request. Brussels Sprouts
are fine and to a great extent have to fill the place
of Broccoli for the best class trade in green vege-
tables.

Pabsnips, Caebots, Tubnips, and other root
crops are now in great request, and are realising
rather better prices that promise to go up, as green
crops are likely to be very short a little later in the
season.

Potatoes are plentiful and good, but are sure
to rise in. price if other crops suffer, as the de-
mand for them increases. The quality of many
kinds that was only moderate at the time of stor-
ing, owing to the wet season, has greatly improved
by keeping.

Hobse-badish has been lifted in quantity for
the markets, as the greengrocers always lay in a
large supply about this date, and in a cool cellar it
will remain fresh fpr a long period.

Mushbooms, Seakale, And Rhubabb are
realising good prices, and extra large stocks of
roots are being put into all places where a little
heat can be given. Large quantities of fresh stable
manure are being utilised for forwarding these
crops in temporary made-up beds, and for covering
roots and crowns so that they may be lifted as
required.

Salading of all kinds has already advanced in
price considerably, for it is many years since such
a destruction of these crops has taken place in the
southern counties, for up to the time of the sudden
visitation of very severe frost at the end of No-
vember it had been looking most luxuriant, and a
succession of mild winters at least up to Christmas
had made many growers less careful about lifting
and storing; consequently, although a good deal
has been protected, very mueh has been totally lost

586

THE GAEDEN.

[Dec. 20, 1890.

Celeby that was well protected by earthing up
is all right and sells freely, but the latest crops the
moulding up of which was not completed have been
very much cut up, as we have had no snow to miti-
gate the effects of the keen frosts.

Gosport. James Gboom.

FLOWER SHOW PRIZES.
These seems to be some hope of a reform in our
present method of distributing prizes at flower
shows when a prominent Chrysanthemum lover,
such as Mr. C. E. Shea, suggests that the division
of prizes into first, second, and third very inade-
quately expresses the actual difference which so
frequently exists in merit between one collection
and another in a competition. I have been call-
ing attention to this matter for some time of late,
and gladly hail any sort of suggestion or aid from
any quarter. The fact is we have got into "such a
rut with regard to the prize system, that any sug-
gestion of a more equitable method of distribution
inevitably evokes a gruff outcry of discontent, and
the argument, such as it is, " We have got along
very well on the present basis and can do so in
future." Now Mr. Shea pleads that henceforth all
judging of Chrysanthemum classes should be by
points, and that the number of points awarded in
each case should be marked on the competitors'
entry cards. That may be a wise proceeding, if it
be determined to follow it up by distributing the
prizes in proportion to the respective merits of the
collections or exhibits. But what solace would a
competitor find in learning that his collection was
placed second with 29 points, whilst his more
fortunate competitor came first with 30 points?
Naturally he would say, with such minute distinc-
tion in merit, "Why such an appalling difference in
the amount of the prizes ? Here I find out of 30
points I am but one point only below the other ex-
hibitor, and yet he gets perhaps £3 for his collec-
tion, whilst my prize of £2 shows that I am appa-
rently 10 points below him." That is not justice,
and the arrangement of prizes as at present dis-
posed is of an exceedingly arbitrary nature. Why
should not prizes be proportioned to the merit of
the exhibits as shown by the point judging of the
censors ? What can be fairer ? and being so fair,
what can be more equitable ? What is easier than
to set apart against each class a specific sum to be
awarded according to the ruling of the judges as
to the merits of the best collection in three,
or perhaps four prizes. I prefer more prizes
when there is good competition, because more ex-
hibitors get rewarded, and that is a matter of ma-
terial consequence. Some good would also be done
if the adoption of this system of prize reform
helped to check the offering of such big sums in
prizes as is now too often found. At the recent
Aquarium show the enormous sum of £75 was
offered in five prizes only in one class. It was a
monstrous waste of money, as but one half the
amount would have brought an equally good com-
petition. When wasteful expenditure of this kind
in prizes is once indulged in, it is difficult to revert
to ordinary economy afterwards. Still further, it
prevents a much larger number of much less valu-
able prizes being offered. A. D.

National Chrysanthemum Society. — A
meeting of the general committee was held at
Anderton's Hotel, Fleet Street, on Monday last,
when Mr. E. C. Jukes occupied the chair in the
absence of Mr. R. Ballantine through indisposition.
The representative of the newly affiliated society
at Caterham having been introduced to the mem-
bers, the usual formality of confirming the minutes
of the previous meeting was complied with. A
letter from the legal representative of the late Mr.
Shirley Hibberd was read thanking the committee
for the kind resolution of sympathy passed on a
former occasion. The hon. secretary reported as
to arrangements for the forthcoming shows of the
society at the Royal Aquarium, and it .was resolved
that the November show for 1891 extend over
three days. It was announced that all prize money
in connection with the late centenary show had
been paid over to the successful exhibitors, that all

the medals were in course of being engraved, the
society's challenge trophy had been handed to the
St. Neots Society, and Mr. Wood's cup placed in
the hands of the winner, Mr. Brooks. Votes of
thanks were then passed to Lady Brooke for open-
ing the show, to Lord Brooke for presiding at the
centenary banquet, to Sir Edwin Saunders and Sir
Guyer Hunter for presiding at the conference meet-
ings, to the readers of the papers at those meetings,
and various other complimentary votes of thanks
to officials connected with the late festival were
also passed. Letters were read from Mr. A. J.
Manda and Mr. R. Owen offering prizes for compe-
tition at the next November show. A letter from
Mrs. Myers was also read offering £2 2s. as a prize
towards the encouragement of seedling Chrysan-
themums. The question of appointment of judges
having arisen, it was resolved to refer it to the
schedule sub-committee. As on former occasions,
a motion was carried requesting the executive of
the National Dahlia Society to prepare the sche-
dule and nominate judges for the Dahlia classes at
the September show of the society. A few new
members were then elected. Some discussion arose
on the rules, and a sub-committee, with Mr. B.
Wynne as secretary, was appointed to consider
them.

Public Gardens.

A public park for North-west^Iiondon. —

Paddington Vestry has decided to contribute
£25,000 towards the acquisition of the 21 acres of
land now known as the Paddington Recreation
Ground for the perpetual use and enjoyment of the
public, provided the rest of the purchase money —
estimated at another £!!5,000 — be raised by volun-
tary subscriptions by the committee who now con-
trol the ground. Further, the vestry have resolved
that 1 acre of the land should be reserved for five
years for the purposes of an unsectarian polytechnic
institute. Finally, that body have determined that
when the scheme for acquiring the property is suffi-
ciently matured they will memorialise the London
County Council "to extend to North-west London
some of the favour shown towards other parts of
the metropolis in the matter of the acquisition of
open spaces by obtaining the adjoining 30 odd acres
in Elgin Avenue as a park or open space, to be
used in connection with and by way of addition to
the recreation ground, thus giving practical effect
to the scheme promoted some years back for the
acquisition as a public park of what was then 80
acres."

Mitcham Common. — A scheme has been pro-
posed to place Mitcham Common and other open
spaces in the neighbourhood known as Upper Green,
Lower Green. Figgs' Marsh, and Beddington Corner
in the hands of a board of twelve conservators
representing Mitcham, Croydon, Beddington, and
Wallington. These open lands cover an area
of about 600 acres, but during the inquiry
which has been held in Mitcham and London
the scheme has been strongly opposed by, among
others, the lords of the manors of Biggin, Tamworth,
and Mitcham, who claim the freehold of the soil
and value their rights at £30,000. In the event of
the board sanctioning the scheme it will be subject
to the approval of Parliament before it can become
operative.

Peckham Rye extension. — The extension of
Peckham Rye is now assured, and the meadows and
plantations which are to be thrown into the com-
mon will, it is hoped, be opened to the public next
summer. The Homestall Farm is one of the most
delightfully rural spots in the neighbourhood of
London, and i<s addition to the Rye will be an un-
speakable boon to the inhabitants of those parishes
of the metropolis which are situated south of the
river. The promoters of the scheme, however, ought
not to rest from their labours until their work is
completed. Taking heart from the success which
has attended their efforts thus far, they should now
set about the demolition and removal of the houses
known as the " Sunnyside " property. If, as is
stated, the owners are determined to make a mar-
I ket, then parliamentary powers must be sought to

obtain possession. We, however, incline to believe
that they will be found public- spirited enough to
accept a generous price, if not the market value.

SHORT NOTES.— PUBLIC GARDENS.

Another City open space. — It is proposed to
open to the public as a recreation ground the church-
yard of St. Giles, Cripplegate.

A proposed recreation ground. — A proposal
is on foot with the object of setting apart about ten
acres of ground on the top of Pepy's Hill, New Cross,
for the purposes of a recreation ground.

Garden at Clerkenwell. — The London County
Council have written the Clerkenwell Vestry agreeing
to contribute one-half the cost of laying out St.
James's Churchyard as a garden, conditionally on the
vestry acquiring a perpetual easement of the church-
yard, and undertaking the maintenance of the garden
as a public recreation ground.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Interesting flowers from an Irish garden.

— I trust you will take an interest in the enclosed sam-
ples of flowers in my garden here. All are from things
that have been out two or three years in the open.
Habrothamnus three years against a wall. The lowest
temperature here has been 29° at night, with 31° to
32° same day (Nov. 27). No snow. — H. I. Hart,
Carrablagh, Lough Su-illy, Co. Donegal, Dec. 10.

*#* We are greatly surprised in the middle of win-
ter to see a great many pretty things, including Roses
(good), Stenactis, Starwort, New Zealand Speedwells,
bunch and double Primroses, Fuchsias, Moon Daisies,
Japan Primrose, Chrysanthemums, Pelargoniums,
Harebells, Habrothamnus, Pentstemons, Pansies, Ane-
mones, Schizostylis coccinea, Sollya heterophylla,
Scabious, Carnations, and Geum. — Ed.

The National Pink Society (Midland Section).
— Following on the successful exhibitions of florists'
laced Pinks held this year at the Aquarium, for the
Southern Section, and the Botanical Gardens, Man-
chester, fur the Northern Section, a suggestion
was made that a midland show should he held in con-
nection with the Wolverhampton floral fete, July 1-4,
15, and 1G, 1891, and this having been taken up by a
few lovers of this flower, the result is that Mr.
Green, the president of the Wolverhampton horti-
cultural committee, has consented to find the necessary
tent space for exhibiting the Pinks, and also to recom-
mend his committee to contribute towards the prize
money. The hon. secretary is Mr. Chas. F. Thurstan,
Penn Fields, Wolverhampton.

Effects of fog on plant life.— At a meeting
of the Royal Botanic Society recently, Professor
Bentley, rice-president, in the chair, the secretary, in
answer to questions asked, said the destructive action
of fog on plants was most felt by those tropical plants
in the society's houses of which the natural habitat was
one exposed to sunshine. Plants growing in forests or
under tree shade did not so directly feel the want of
light ; but then, again, a London or town fog not only
shaded the plants, hut contained smoke, sulphur, and
other deleterious agents, which were perhaps as deadly
to vegetable vitality as absence of light. Soft, tender-
leaved plants and aquatics, such as the Victoria Regia,
suffered more from fog than any class of plants he
knew.

Horticultural Club. — There was a good attend-
ance of members and their friends at the recent meet-
ing of this club at the Hotel Windsor, Victoria Street,
Westminster. The chair was occupied by Mr. J. Lee.
The subject of discussion was Rose stocks, and opened
by Mr. Girdlestone with an excellent paper, in which
he gave an account of some experiments he had made,
and mentioned that he believed the Polyantha would
be one of the most useful stocks of the future. Messrs.
Rivers, G. Paul and others took part in the discussion.
Griffinia hyacinthina. — This is a bright stove
flower at this season of the year, and we were re-
minded of its beauty by a plant in the Holloway
Nursery, where one may expect to find delightful
things such as this in bloom. Griffinia hyacinthina
was represented by a coloured plate in The Gab-
den, October 2fi, 1889. The spike grows between
1 foot and 2 feet in height, and carries an umbel of
about eight flowers, which suggest those of a
Nerine, the colour jrich violet-blue, the base white ;
hence its popular name of the blue Amaryllis,

Dec. 20, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

587

though the colour is not blue, nor is the plant an
Amaryllis. There are about half-a-dozen Griffinias,
natives of Brazil and allied to the pretty Cyrtanthi,
which are far too rare in gardens. An interesting
account of the genus is given with the coloured
plate referred to.

Buddleia auriculata. — This shrub is in full
flower here in the open, a profusion of creamy
blossoms filling the air for yards round with their
fragrance. When I add that ice half an inch thick
is to be seen in the valleys and the temperature is
under 40° all day, I do not see why this interesting
plant should not be grown in the south of England
in sheltered places. — T. Hanbuby, La Mortola..

Davallia Mooreana poisonous. — Having
noted the remarks upon the poisonous properties
of Primula obconica, I incidentally mentioned to a
friend my experience relative to this Davalllia, and
found that fie, too, had noticed the same thing.
When tying up a large specimen for transit to a
flower show, I found a constant smarting of the
face with a burning sensation. This caused me
more than once to pass my hands over my face,
but, instead of improving matters, it onlyaggravated
them more. My experience was not by any means
confined to a single instance with this Fern, but I
have never noticed anything of the sort with any
other kind. Perhaps others may have observed the
same thing. Just at the time it was anything but-
pleasant, intensified probably through occurring in
hot weather. I do not think the spores gave rise
to it, but in this I may possibly be mistaken. In
my case I do not think the fronds were old enough
for that. — Jas. Hudson.

Ipomaea Horsfalliae Briggsi is a beautiful
flower that gives colour to a warm house in the
Holloway Nursery. It is sometimes labelled Lady
Briggs, the reason for this name appearing being
that the plant was sent by Sir Graham Briggs from
New Grenada to Kew about 18S2. He considered
it very distinct ; and Professor Oliver, the keeper
of the herbarium, agreed with this opinion, men-
tioning also that it was probably of hybrid origin,
I. Horsfallias being one parent. Lady Briggs is a
long name, and hence Briggsi has been adopted.
It would be well if all followed the Kew nomen-
clature here, as Lady Briggs and Briggsi would
signify plants of distinct character ; whereas they
are both the same. The variety is distinct from
the type in many points. It has larger leaflets, the
flowers brighter in colour, not so densely clustered,
and freer in bloom. Its bright colouring is a great
advantage, the shade being a deep, yet brilliant
rose, very striking when several flowers are open
together. I. H. Briggsi is certainly an acquisition,
and those who wish for a brilliant climber of distinct
character should obtain it.

New Grape Lady Hutt. — I took particular
notice of this fine white Grape when passing
through the vineries at Appley Towers in August
last. In the remarks which I sent to The Garden
of November S (p. 129) I did not comment upon it,
knowing it would, when ripe come again before the
fruit committee of the Eoyal Horticultural Society.
Your remarks of last week (p. 562) upon this new
Grape I can fully bear out. We shall, I quite
believe, see it yet in much better condition, as I
did not think Mr. Myles had it growing under such
favourable conditions as Appley Towers Seedling
and other sorts in the same house. It will I think,
make an excellent white companion to Lady
Downe's, and will, when seen growing under better
conditions, partake very much of that variety in
style of bunch and size of berry. I consider that
the award of a first-class certificate was fully de-
served, and had I been present at that meeting I
should have cordially supported it. Mr. Myles is,
I think, to be congratulated upon his success in
raising two such promising Grapes as Appley
Towers and Lady Hutt from one cross, with yet
another good kind in the background. This is a
singular coincidence in the raising of new kinds of
Grapes with that of Lady Downe's and Foster's
Seedling, both of which I am, I think, correct in
stating were also from one cross, and from one
berry, too. If these new additions stand the test
of time like the other two, and I see no reason why

they should not, we shall have two valuable Grapes
which will be found in many gardens throughout
the country in years to come. — James Hudson.

Cypripediums at HoUoway. — One great
advantage of the Cypripedinm genus is that at any
season of the year, whether in midsummer or mid-
winter, one or other of the many species and varieties
will be in bloom. In spite of a week's heavy
London fog, there is a good show of Lady's Slippers
in the nurseries of Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son,
Upper Holloway, and this is evidence of the suit-
ability of this section of Orchids for culture in
London. We have now many beautiful plants, as
C. insigne Chantini, here seen in full beauty, and
represented by 'good forms; C.bellatulum, Leeanum
superbum, Sallieri, oenanthum, and its glorious va-
riety superbum, a gem amongst Cypripedes ; Io,
vexillarium superbum, a dainty well-coloured
flower ; Harrisianum superbum, a splendid thing,
bold, finely coloured, and handsome; superbiens,
Ashburtonise, callosum, the deeply-coloured cardi-
nale, Measuresianum, selligerum, and its more
richly tinted variety rubrum, and C. Orphannm.
The last of this list is a fine Orchid, rare, and is
supposed to be a hybrid between C. Druryi and bar-
batum. It is in good bloom at Holloway, and proves
itself a distinct, bold, and brightly coloured flower ;
the petals and dorsal sepal each with a central
stripe as in Druryi, the lip shining rose colour, the
petals brownish-red, and the dorsal sepal shaded
rose. These are a few of the leading kinds in
bloom, and sufficient are given to show not only
the value of the Cypripedium for winter blooming,
but the great variety in the Holloway collection.

Acacia platyptera. — This species may be said
to usher in the flowering season of the Australian
section of this beautiful genus. Although it is
preceded by one or two others, it is the first species
of real value to open its flowers, and from now up
to May a constant supply of Acacia bloom may be
had, provided a proper selection of species is
grown. A. platyptera is easily recognised at any
time by the remarkable winged stems, a character
only found in a few of the 400 species comprised
in the genus. The plant is destitute of true leaves,
vegetative action being performed by these wings
— or flattened expansions from the stem — which
are green, about an inch wide, and hairy. The
flowers are abundantly produced, being globular
and of a bright yellow colour. The plant grows in
a rather straggling fashion, but if properly treated
this adds rather than detracts from its value, for
with a single stake the stems may be supported
and at the same time retain their loose, graceful
habit. The worst possible form of growing this
plant is to train it on a balloon, a troublesome
method, however, which is not so frequently
adopted as it used to be. Shoots break freely from
near the base, and the plants are therefore easily
kept to convenient size by removing some of the
older shoots after flowering. The species is a
native of the Swan River territory in Australia, and
was first flowered in England by Messrs. Lucombe
and Pince, of Exeter, fifty years ago. — B.

Orchids in flower at HoUoway. — The week
of fog that Londoners have experienced has had
the usual effect upon Orchids, but there was a
good show of bloom recently in the Victoria Nur-
series of Messrs. B. S. Williams and Son, Upper
Holloway. Conspicnous for colour was Lslia
anceps and L. autumnalis, both represented by
richly coloured varieties, the flowers of the last
mentioned standing the pernicious influences of
smoke better than those of the other. Of course
Calanthes were in bloom, but the tender flowers
suffer from a smoky atmosphere as quickly as any-
thing in the plant way. Other good things were
Lailia albida, the deep spotted Oncidium Forbesi
maculatum, the hairy-lipped Ccelogyne barbata,
and Vanda Amesiana, which is now one of the most
cherished of Orchids. It varies in colour, the flowers
under present conditions coming almost white. A
large specimen of Phains Wallichi was sending up
many spikes of flower, and in another house were
small plants in full bloom of Masdevallia tovarensis,
several kinds of Odontoglossum, and Sophronitis
grandiflora, which here exhibits its variability of

colour and size of flower, one measuring fully 3
inches across. Of the Dendrobiums the prettiest
were D. Findleyanum, Dearei, which is a pure
white, and lasts longer in beauty than almost any
Orchid ; and the charming D. Phalienopsis, one of
an usually deep colour. Epidendrum Wallisi is
worth a note. A plant is in full beauty, and the
flowers represent a well-marked form. They are
larger than usual, the sepals and petals olive-green,
blotched with deep chocolate ; the lip almost
wholly white, with rich maroon colouring in the
centre and at the base. It is not usually an
attractive Orchid ; but when a well marked variety
is obtained it has considerable beauty.

The iEsehynanthus has suffered the same
treatment meted oat to stove plants in general dur-
ing the past few years, but there are few more
brilliant flowers, as migfit have been seen a short
time back in the Holloway Nurseries. The plants
require a warm temperature, but they are not diffi-
cult to grow, and look well in hanging baskets
when the dangling shoots are studded with their
rich coloured flowers that last over a long season,
and appear when the plants are quite small. At
Holloway there is a shelf near the glass devoted
to the JEschynanthi. When in bloom they are
very showy, as the collection consists of all the
best kinds — JE. fulgens, Lobbianus, splendidus,
grandiflorus, ice. They may be used in either
small or large houses, and it is easy to use them
for baskets. These should be lined with Moss,
filled with a well prepared light, but rich soil, and
the plant then put in the centre, its branches being
pegged down at equal distances to give a solid sur-
face of leafage. Plenty of water is necessary in
the summer, and the first year concentrate all the
energies of the plant into the growth rather than
the flowers, which will then appear in greater pro-
fusion the season following, if a rest is given in
winter.

Luculia gratissima from Yorkshire. — I
know you are fond of Luculia gratissima, so I send
you a couple of flower-heads in the hope they may
somewhat relieve the sulphurous smell of the fogs,
which I fear you have teen enduring. I wish you
could see how lovely our Luculia is, spite of many
flower-heads that have been cut for table decoration.
It should he known that it makes a most lovely hand
bouquet with sprays of white Lilac or Hyacinth and
rich Coleus foliage. So far we have escaped frost and
fog very nicely compared with the " sunny south." —
Edward H. Woodall.

*t* Two beautiful heads of this fine old plant. Its
colour is soft flesh-pink, and the fragrance sweet and
powerful. — Ed.

Holmes Memorial Fund. — A floral fete was
held at the Boyal Aquarium, Westminster, on Wed-
nesday last in support of this fund, and we hope that
a good sum will be realised to reward the efforts of the
promoters. There were several stalls of flowers
and plants contributed by various nurserymen and
amateurs, the flowers consisting principally of Chry-
santhemums. There was a good attendance, especially
in the after part of the day.

The death of Mr William Haughton oc-
curred recently at a frieud's house in Ireland, and the
mention of his name recalls one who some years ago
took an active part in the affairs of the Royal Horti-
cultural Society. He was treasurer at one time.

Wood, for plant tubs. — Will any reader of The
Garden* tell me which is the best and most durable
timber for boxes for growing Orange trees in: — 'W .

OSBORN.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

" Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information." No. 45.
December. Boyal Gardens, Kew.

" Report of the Thirty-seventh Annual General
Meeting of the Royal Scottish Arhoricultural Society."

Names of plants. M. Prideaux. — Ruellia

macrantha. TT. Alison. — Seemingly Ccelogyne eon-

ferta. but the flowers were so shrivelled that we cannot

he certain. TT. TT. — Acacia dealbata. Geo.

Cragj. — Epidendrum eoehleatum. -IV. Jones. — 1,

Jichrnea sp. ; 2. Erica colorans ; 3. Erica gracilis au-
tumnalis. 0. S. — The flower is Anthurium

Scherzeriauum ; the other, Epiphyllum truncatum.

HaUhanger. — Ornithogalum alliacenm.

Name of fruit.— T. C. TVea vers.— Pear Beurre
de Jonghe.

588

THE GARDEN.

[Deo. 20, 1890.

WOODS AND FORESTS.

THE UTILITY OF PLANTING WASTE
LANDS.

In Tub Garden, November 29 (p. 518), there
is a very interesting article on the re-afforest-
ing of the Landes in France, and the lesson
there set forth ought to encourage the owners
of waste lands in Great Britain and Ireland to
follow the example thus taught. The planting
of these waste lands with Pine trees, it appears,
has been going on for the past thirty years, and
the profits already derived from the under-
taking are immense, and well worthy of perusal
by all who take an interest in tree culture in
this country. Wo are told that the quantity of
wood sent to Pari3 has been increasing at the
rate of 10,000 tons for the last three years, and
the average amount shipped to England is
200,000 tons per annum. Now if we contrast
this demand with the vast stretches of barren
ground in this country and Ireland capable of
producing this class of timber, we may well ask
why the owners of waste lands here are so
blinded to their own interests. One great draw-
back to the planting of trees in this country is
that they take an average lifetime to reach
maturity, but then those who base their argu-
ment on this forget that this is a mining
country, and that vast quantities of timber are
required, and can be turned to good account by
the time the trees attain an average diameter
of 3J inches. Another great drawback to the
planting of barren ground in out-of-the-way
parts of this country has been the cost of transit,
but now that railways are being formed through
many of the congested districts of Ireland and
other parts of thi? country, no doubt before
long a great revolution will take place in this
respect.

The climate of Ireland is so well adapted to
the healthy development of the Larch, that in
the course of time I have no doubt it will be
very largely planted in that country. The
timber of the Larch can be used at all stages of
its growth, and for the making of railway
sleepers and telegraph posts it has no equal.
Larch and Pine woods, which I have planted
on very inferior soil in Ireland, give a profit-
able return after a growth of from twenty to
thirty years, and the thinnings removed at various
times more than covered the cost of the first
formation. Labour and land are both cheap
in Ireland ; therefore men possessed of capital
should bestir themselves and purchase cheap
Heather ground in the congested districts of
that country convenient to the railways now
being formed, and in a short time I have no
hesitation in saying it will prove a very profit-
able investment. Independent of growing tim-
ber for mining and other purposes, Ireland, not
to speak of Great Britain, cannot supply its
own wants. Ireland is full of small holdings,
and as each tenant has to build and keep his
houses in repair, the demand for timber for
that and other purposes is very extensive, and
is principally supplied by Norway and Sweden.
Some of the Irish landlords tell me that they
are not able to plant, although at the same
time they are aware that trees would pay in
course of time. On the other hand, tenants
seldom plant trees, for the simple reason that
when they are established they cannot cut
them down without the landlord's permission,
although they are paying rent for the ground
they occupy. J. ]=!. Webster.

The value of underwood. — As a result pre
sumably of the increased value of Hops, a brisker
sale is met with and improved prices are being

realised this season at the underwood sales in Kent.
In the district between Ashford and Maidstone the
enhancement appears to be more especially pro-
nounced. Cants, which last year would have fetched
only £12 an acre, and which this year it was esti-
mated would fetch £14, at the sales realised £20
an acre. In other cases underwood sold last year
at £5 an acre, and upon which the reserve was
put at £8 an acre, ran up to £14. A representative
of a well-known firm of auctioneers points out, how-
ever, that looking back to the prices obtained for
underwood on the same land when it was last cut,
about twelve years ago, there is a fall in value equal
to 50 per cent. Some which at the last cutting made
£10 and £14 per acre has this year only sold for £6.
It is a common complaint that the wood does not
come so good as it did, poles being fewer.

IMPOVERISHMENT OF LAWN TREES.
This is a subject meriting the serious attention of
all planters and of the yet larger numbers that feel
an interest in the well-doing of trees on Grass.
Such trees are impoverished in two ways ; the Grass
grows at their expense, and they are deprived of
Nature's annual enrichment in the form of dead
and dying leaves, weeds, or Grasses. The result of
these robberies of the roots proves most disastrous
to the trees. So marked often are these starving
effects, that by the time the trees reach middle
age or stature they have begun to look prematurely
old, or have already given way under disease ; Moss
or Lichen has crept up their limbs and branches,
adding, it may be, a new beauty to some trees, but
also providing snug lurking-places for insects, and
inviting the attacks of disease. True, ungenial or
wet soils may often bring trees down into similar
states of decrepitude or premature old age, but for
every tree that becomes diseased or dies through
ungenial soils a score or more perish of sheer
starvation. Of course, on good soils the process is
slower, as the roots bore deep and run far ; but no
soil can thus keep on .giving out its goodness day
by day, month by month, and year by year, and
receive nothing in return without becoming finally
exhausted. As if these two main causes of im-
poverishment were not sufficiently mischievous,
not a few cultivators still further impoverish the
roots by the weekly shaving off and carrying away
of all the Grass that grows over them. The Grass
is grown largely at the expense of the roots, and
were it left to decompose where it grows this
would partly recoup them for its production ; but
the incessant mowing and removal of the Grass
prove double drains on the soil.

Nor is this all. A surface of closely- shaven turf
is speedily dried by sun and wind. In the drying
of the root-runs of trees it is not simply water, but
much of the most soluble, that is, the most valu-
able constituents of the strength of the soil that is
dissipated or wasted through the air ; hence the
common dressing of Grass under trees masters the
growing force of the earth in a fourfold manner,
thus— by the growth of the Grass, its removal, the
sweeping up of fallen leaves, and consequent ex-
posure of semi-bare surface to the wasteful action
of sun and air. And where is the benefit ? It is
hard to say. Assuredly there is none to the tree.
That alone ought to condemn and abolish the prac-
tice. We are supposed to work for the good of the
trees, chiefly that they may grow up fast and
strong, and continue healthy as long as possible.
A smooth, clear base assuredly does not favour any
of these objects, but it pleases the eye. But the
tree ought so to fill and satisfy that, with its grace-
ful or stately beauty, the eye shall have no desire
nor room for any smaller or less pleasure. Now,
all well-grown trees on turf should form their own
base, so dense and low that nothing else should be
visible. One of the main objects of having trees
isolated is to save their bases, for forests provide
us with poles in abundance. Our lawns should
furnish us with perfect specimens feathered to the
ground, with their lower boughs hugging the turf
so closely as to kill it, and providing a screen so
dense as to hide from view the annual showers of
fallen leaves. These at once cut off all active
sources of impoverishment, and tend to maintain

at par the feeding properties of the earth. Surely
such trees — models of form as well as perfect in
health — please the eye far more than so many of
the half- starved abortions so often met with on
lawns— single specimens of what such trees ought
not to be, or never would have become, but for our
starving treatment. It is far better to leave the
natural debris of the trees to rot over the roots,
thus forming at once a natural manure and a not
unsightly mulch. This holds good, especially of
all the Firs. There is nothing so very unsightly in
needles, as the leaves are popularly called, and if
they are only let alone it is astonishing how soon
the worms partially bury them, sufficiently so at
least to prevent them becoming a nuisance as
litter. In performing this work, too, the worms
throw up casts or heaps of earth that seem rich in
manurial matter.

Fallen leaves were certainly meant to protect and
feed the roots of trees. The quantity that falls,
even in the case of Conifers, is wonderful. Under
some trees, such as Pinus insignis and P. Sabiniana,
barrowloads of needles might be gathered up
yearly. Left where they are they prove an impene-
trable barrier to frost. As to their unsightliness.
very few of them will be seen by the end of April,
and, besides, the lower branches in most cases
cover them up from observation. The fallen leaves
perform another useful service ; they kill or prevent
the growth of the Grass. By forming a layer of
porous debris on the surface the free passage of
water to the roots is ensured, while these natural
mulchings hinder the evaporation of moisture. Of
course, the bottom branches oE those trees which
spread very much likewise assist in most of these
useful purposes. They keep the roots from being
frozen, and protect them from sun scorching or air
drying. In any case where it might be undesirable
to prevent the impoverishment of the roots by such
means, some other methods of recouping them
should be devised. There are few better modes
than the application of an occasional top-dressiDg
of good soil or rich compost according to circum-
stances. Those who prefer a surface of soil should
keep it rough and loose. But cocoa-nut fibre refuse
is more sightly as well as far more useful than any
kind of earth as a top-dressing for single trees.
Some recommend well rotted farmyard manure.
There is no objection to this for the majority of
deciduous trees, though it must be employed spar-
ingly, if at all, for Coniferje. Good loam forms the
most suitable top-dressing for Conifers, though, if
planted in fairly good soil and treated as here re-
commended, their own leaves will generally prove a
sufficient top-dressing to maintain them in suffi-
cient vigour, and preserve them in robust health.
In a garden, all waste soil, such as old potting
mould, should be saved and used as top-dressing
for Conifers, it being one of the best tree fertilisers.
F.

The variegated Elder. — This is a very accommo-
dating plant. It will grow in almost any kind of soil
or position, and what surprises me most is, it does not
object to the dust in summer of a public highway
where the traffic is continuous. A useful property
belonging to this plant is that it will hear cutting into
any form ; but what pruning it requires should be done
some time before the end of January, as summer prun-
ing would disfigure its appearance. — J.

The Garden" Monthly Parts.— This journal it
published in neatly bound Monthly Parts. In this form the
coloured plates are best 'preserved, and it is most suitable for
reference previous to the issue of the half-yearly volumes. Price
Is. 6d. ; post free. Is. 9d. Complete set of volumes of The
GABDEN/rom its commencement to end o/lEHO, thirty-eight vols.,
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" Farm and Home " Monthly Parts. — This
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form it is most suitable for reference previous to the issue of the
yearly volumes. Price bd. ; post free, 8d.

" Hardy Flowers." — Giving descriptions of upwards of
thirteen hundred of the most ornamental species, with directions
for their arrangement, culture, &c. Fourth and Popular
Edition, Is. ; post free, Is. 3d.

" The Garden Annual " for 1891. — Contains
Alphabetical Lists of all Branches of the llorliruJtural Trade
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and extensively rerised, and are admitted to be the most complete
ever published. Price Is. ; by post, Is. 3d.

London: 87, Southampton Street, Strand, W.C

THE GARDEN.

589

Ho. 997. SATURDAY, Dec. 27,1890. Vol. XXXVIII.

" This is an Art
Which does mend Nature : change it rather ; but
The Abt itself is Nature." — Shakespeare.

Chrysanthemums.

LARGE ANEMONE CLASSES.
It is evident, from the experience of the past
exhibition season, that the present classification
of the large Anemone section has caused much
dissatisfaction and not a little confusion among
exhibitors. In many cases disappointment
through disqualification has been the result,
where the exhibits were judged according to
the classification in the National Chrysanthe-
mum Society's catalogue. When the Japanese
Anemone was first exhibited in juxtaposition
with the large Anemones, we had such fine
varieties as Mile. Cabrol and Fabian de Me-
diana, varieties so distinct in their character and
fantastic in the formation of the centre and
guard florets, that many growers rightly thought
they were quite out of place exhibited by the
side of the more formal florist's Anemones. They
at once took the publio taste, and many looked
hopefully forward to the time when the same
strides of improvement would be developed in
them as in the other Japanese section, both in
colour and size, and that the time might soon
come when prizes could well be offered for
stands of twelve, eighteen, or twenty-four dis-
tinct varieties, as the case might be. But this
hope has not been realised, and the im-
provement has not yet taken place, but just the
reverse. The stock of Mile. Cabrol and Fabian
de Mediana seems to have deteriorated, for we
seldom see such good blooms of them now as
we used to, and most of the other varieties that
have been subsequently introduced are so in-
bred with the more formal type, that it is very
difficult to draw the line or explain the differ-
ence between them. It is only a few years
since some blooms of the old variety Emperor
were exhibited at the Crystal Palace in a stand
of large flowering Anemones, from which the
Japanese Anemones were excluded. Being
flowers from early buds, they had developed
an irregularity in the guard florets, as is com-
mon with that variety, which gave them a Japanese
character, and the stand was disqualified. This
caused an outburst of indignation amongst
those that had for a long time exhibited that
same variety in the florist's Anemone class. This
and another variety, Acquisition, will develop
the same irregular character in flowers from
early buds. But although with these two varie-
ties the guard or ray florets sometimes show an
irregularity, the cushion of centre florets retains
the true character, a point of very great dis-
tinction in the Anemone classes. For instance,
contrast the smooth honeycomb-like florets of
a Fleur de Marie or Prince of Anemones with
the rough-toothed florets of Mrs. Pethers or
Lady Margaret. Although the two latter varie-
ties have splendid guard florets, the ragged
centre florets are very much against them
judged as florists' Anemones. Some of the more
recent introductions of so-called Japanese Ane-
mones, such as M. Charles Lebocqz, and Nelson,
are as smooth in their centre florets and as regular
in the ray florets as many of the so-called florist's
Anemones. M. Pankoncke and Minnie Chate
are only hybrids that have as much of the one
character as of the other. Ratapoil and James
Weston come a little nearer to what one would
like to see in the Japanese section, but, taken
as a whole, it is a very unsatisfactory class,

and I would strongly advise societies when ar-
ranging their schedule for the coming season to
allow all the large Anemones to be shown to-
gether, and make no distinction between them.
This would prevent a recurrence of what we
have witnessed this season. At the last Crystal
Palace exhibition good stands of blooms of large
Anemones were first awarded prizes, and ulti-
mately disqualified when found to contain
flowers of M. Pankoncke and M. Charles Le-
bocqz, both classed as Japanese. At Gosport,
a fine stand of twelve large Anemones was dis-
qualified through containing two fine blooms of
the variety Nelson, that is classed as a Japanese
in the National Society's catalogue. This society
being affiliated with the National Society, the
varieties were to be shown as classified in the
National Society's catalogue. The exhibitor was
undoubtedly to blame for not referring to the
guide, but as he had exhibited the same varieties
and won prizes at two exhibitions just previous,
he thought he was in the right. Then, again,
my brother writes me from Chertsey that he
was disqualified at Egham, and the same varie-
ties took first prize at Staines. These are two
or three instances of many that have, no
doubt, taken place through many varieties
that have been certificated and classed as
Japanese not developing that character in the
sense that is generally understood from the type
that was first introduced, and from which the
standard should have been set up. If prizes
were in future offered for twelve, eighteen, or
twenty-four large Anemones, distinct varieties,
without any distinction as to section, the ad-
vantages to the exhibitor and to the society
would be mutual ; there would be no confusion
nor any of the unpleasantness oaused by disquali-
fication, as during the past season.
Bembridge, I. of W. C. Orchard.

CHRYSANTHEMUM SUNSET.
Recent notes invited information as to the
probability of the semi-double condition of the
flowers of Sunset recently certificated being the re-
sult of culture, or whether likely to prove a perma-
nent characteristic of the variety. Possibly some
information concerning the blooms referred to
may be useful in connection with this point.

The two flowers submitted to the floral committee
were from crown buds first visible on the 3rd and
6th, and taken respectively on the 10th and 12th of
August. The third shoot on this plant also showed
its bud on the 6th, but the bud was not taken until
the 27th of August. The resulting flower is just
now over, and measured from tip to tip of petals ex-
tended 11^ inches, certainly rivalling in size any
single flower of E. Molyneux which I have seen. I
have besides had three other plants of Sunset, the
buds being all crowns, and taken at dates from the
23rd July (from a plant struck 31st December, and
cut back 3 inches 31st May) to the 27th of August.
All twelve flowers showed exactly the same semi-
double character. The only difference apparent
between the early and late taken blooms was that
the former were lighter in colour and had many
petals, tubular or quilled. The buds taken on the
23rd July were the first buds shown by the plant.
It is singular that although the buds were taken at
so widely different dates the flowers opened very
nearly on the same day, five days covering the
most extreme dates of opening. Buds taken from
the 12th to 18th of August appear to give the best
blooms.

Whether another season will give like results
cannot be stated with confidence, for the over-pro-
pagation to which new varieties of promise are sub-
jected very materially affects .their character for
the first season of trial. However, with this reserva-
tion, I am inclined to believe that the semi-double
character of Sunset will be maintained. My plants
are robust in the extreme, and it is difficult to be-
lieve that the peculiarity can in this instance be the

result of weakness in the plant. Again, I have
seen several blooms of Sunset grown by others.
They were of varying strength of growth, and with
one exception showed the semi-double character.
The exception referred to was in a trade collection
— a very small and imperfect flower on by far the
weakest plant of the variety which I have seen.
This flower was very much faded, but showed no
eye. In my opinion, however, this was due to the
apparent fact that the flower in question had really
but half opened, and had, I should say, been sub-
jected to some check which had arrested the open-
ing of the bloom and caused premature decay to
set in. I do not think that this bloom can assist a,
solution of the question one way or the other. It
will certainly be very interesting to learn whether
any one of your readers has grown a really double
flower of Sunset. If it maintains its present semi,
double character it will certainly inaugurate a new
race of Chrysanthemums, very telling for bold and
striking decoration. C. E. SHEA,

The ffims, Foot's Cray.

SINGLE CHRYSANTHEMUMS.
There is no doubt that single Chrysanthemums
are the coming flowers, despite all obstacles that
have been, and are still, placed in their way.
Slowly, but surely, single Chrysanthemums, the
most beautiful of all sections, are gaining in
public favour, and ere another season or two they
will be as much prized as single Dahlias have been.
Few who have grown single Chrysanthemums to
any extent or seen them grown by others will deny
this, and it is a wonder that they are not as ex-
tensively grown as the Japanese or incurved kinds
For cutting at this time of the year we have no-
thing better than single Chrysanthemums, and that
fact alone should warrant their more extensive
cultivation. Under good management the plants
produce an immense quantity of bloom, and the
flowers being light and graceful are admirably
adapted for working into all kinds of floral decora-
tions. It is a pity that exhibitors have not the
courage to work them into wreaths, bouquets, &c,
instead of the lumpy blooms now generally used
for such arrangements. For table decoration, too,
single Chrysanthemums are unique. When lightly
arranged with a spray or two of Fern or a sprig of
autumn leaves or berries, they produce an exceed-
ingly pretty effect. A few blooms thrust loosely
into a vase with a spray of Asparagus plumosus
will also produce an effect not altogether unworthy
of notice. Apart from their utility as cut flowers
they are equally serviceable for conservatory deco-
ration. When properly managed, plants of a dwarf,
bushy growth can be obtained, and these literally
covered with bloom. In addition to this, too, very
dwarf plants can be grown that would be suitable
for standing in vases in rooms or for table decora-
tion, and it will thus be readily seen by those who
have hitherto slighted single Chrysanthemums how
admirably adapted they are for all kinds of floral
decoration.

The treatment necessary to the successful culti-
vation of single Chrysanthemums is, of course
pretty much the same as is given to the ordinary
kinds. No barbarous training should, however, be
adopted, but the plants let grow in as natural a
manner as is consistent with tidiness. The best
way is to grow them as bushes in a similar man-
ner to that practised on the pompons. Occasion-
ally I have seen disbudding done in single Chry-
santhemums, but such a practice cannot be too
strongly condemned. When bushy plants some
2 feet or so in height and the same in width, and
covered with trusses of bloom, are placed in a con-
servatory, they produce a pretty effect.

C. L.

Decorative Chrysanthemums. — The other
day a Chrysanthemum show was held here, and a
special prize was given for groups of Chrysanthe-
mums. One exhibitor showed only dwarf deco-
rative varieties in his group, and the effect was
so charming that it was admired by all. Here, I
think, would be an opportunity for the National
and other societies to encourage these forms by
offering prizes for groups of dwarf decorative

590

THE GAEDEN.

[Dec. 27, 1890.

Chrysanthemums, and giving preference to such as
need no disbudding. In this way there need be no
odious comparisons between the disbudded and the
nndisbndded, for there would then be a class
where those who prefer undisbudded blooms could
show their taste, and prove what can be done by
" natural" means. — E.H. WoodALL, Scarborough.

Late Chrysanthemums. — These are of far
greater value than the early kinds, or those that
bloom during October and November, as then there
is almost a glut, but at this season a scarcity, and
anyone giving a list of the best for this time of
year and onwards will be doing good service. The
great fault with Ethel, one that " J. G." notices so
favourably, is that it shows a dark eye, which is a
great disfigurement, or it would be more prized, al-
though it is by no means a refined looking flower ;
but Moonlight is, and this I have good, the blooms
being grown on plants with many stems, and
therefore not over large and of great use for cut-
ting. The colour is white, softly suffused with
yellow, and very rich looking. Thunberg is an-
other that comes in late, but the stems are a little
too weak to support the big flowers, which are very
beautiful in form and of a lovely clear yellow.
Mile. Lacroix has lasted up to the present, and I
cut a lot on Dec. 20 that have been almost naturally
grown, but this is the first time I have had it so
far into December. Boule de Neige is a most
valuable variety, as it is easy to have that at its
best at Christmas if the plants are keep cool and
Back, but, like most of the white varieties, the
blooms have a pink tinge after they have been
open some time, and soon go off then unless the
air of the house they are in is kept very dry. — S. D.

Eats and Chrysanthemums. — During the
lite^ severe weather the gardener at a friend's house
'loticed one morning two or three blooms missing from
fie front row of his much-prized Chrysanthemums. He
thought it a pity that whoever had plucked them had
not taken the trouble to get them from a back row.
But next morning what was his dismay on finding the
whole front row stripped of blooms, save here and
there a forlorn straggler. No trace of them could he
seen, except a few leaves on the floor, but from the
even way in which the stalks were cut off he came
to the conclusion that no human hand had done it.
He accordingly set a trap, and next morning caught
the depredator, a fine rat. Is this a rare thing in rat
history ?— Ed. Fison, Allington House, Ipswich.

Rose Garden.

THE WINTER PRUNING OF ROSES.
The growing excitement and consequent tender-
ness of the great bulk of our Hybrid Perpetual
Roses have done very much to drive our old-fashioned ,
but really sound notions as to times and modes of
pruning Roses out of modern knowledge and prac-
tice. Time was, and not so very long ago either,
when the knife followed the fall of the leaf among
Roses with almost as unfailing regularity as among
Gooseberries or Currants. But the difficulty among
modern Roses is to find out any general fall of the
leaves until long after the old season of pruning,
and then they are frozen off or on rather than drop
through natural maturity. Besides, experience
proves the danger of closely or finally pruning the
more tender class of Roses till the spring. Even
Perpetuals and Teas may be partially pruned in
November or earlier not only without injury, but to
their decided benefit. For example, all Roses may
be pruned for safety in the late autumn or early
winter months. This consists in the shortening
back of all abnormally vigorous growths, so as to
reduce to the narrowest limits the purchase power
of wind and weather on the heads or tops of our
Roses, whether standards or dwarfs. Many most
promising Rose trees or bushes might be saved
from partial or complete wreckage through
simply cutting back or foreshortening their more
vigorous shoots one-half or two-thirds in the
early winter. Failing this, high winds all too fre-
quently wrench not only maiden shoots, but even
well-established plants right out of their stock, to
the utter ruin of the promising prospects. The
timely pruning of abnormally strong shoots like-

wise secures a more regular diffusion of vital force
and a better balanced head. The theory and prac-
tice of the more regular and even distribution of
growing force and blooming capacity throughout
the entire Rose head, and how far these may be
affected by pruning, are as yet very imperfectly un-
derstood. But this much seems confirmed by
experience, viz., that early pruning enables the
rosarian to do something, it may be much, in this
direction, and on this ground it should be more gene-
rally practised. Another great advantage of early
pruning is that it concentrates more vital and
flowering force into the buds left. One of the most
crucial problems in Rose culture is the concentra-
tion of this dual force in the greatest degree with-
out any lowering of the hardiness of our Roses.
The concentration of vital or flowering force is easy
enough, but so to time and measure these as to carry
both through our severe winters and cruel springs
tax the skill of our best rosarians to the uttermost.
Again, the higher elaboration and more perfect
maturity of growing and flowering force are other
important results of early pruning. These result from
the exposing of the reserved buds to more light and
air at an early period of the season, for such prun-
ing consists not merely of the foreshortenings al-
ready described, but the complete removal of all
weakly and useless shoots, that only hinder the
growth and check the maturity of more useful buds
Fortunately, it is not always found in practice
that the most mature buds are the first to break
into leafage through the excitement of premature
warmth ; but, on the contrary, the more highly
ripened Rose buds sleep the longest and most
soundly, and finally awake to be fostered into fra-
grance and beauty, and not to furnish unseasonable
food for late spring frosts.

These remarks on early tentative pruning apply
to Tea, Noisette, Bourbon, China, Hybrid Perpetual,
and other tender Roses. Fortunately, there are
yet other classes and species of Roses that may be
pruned back as early and as hard as Gooseberries
and with as little fear of climatal in j uries result-
ing. Among these are most of the Ayrshire and
other climbers, such as the sempervirens section,
Boursault, such fine Hybrid Chinas or Bourbons as
Coupe d'Hebe and Blairi No. 2, nearly all the Briers,
Mosses, Provence, Gallicas, Damask, striped, Musk
(single species) and Scotch. For the majority of
these, one pruning, whether hard or long, but
mostly hard, suffices, and the sooner it is given
after the fall of the leaf the better. Among so
many different classes, species, and varieties as are
here indicated there must needs be, there are, con-
siderable variations as to seasons, modes and
measures of growth ; but, writing in general terms,
all the so-called summer Roses bear early pruning
well, and without much risk of such pruning, how-
ever severe, forcing the plants to break prematurely
early next year. D. T. F.

THE PROPAGATION OF ROSES.
There are several ways of propagating Roses, the
most general among amateur growers being by
means of budding. The most simple, perhaps, is
that of layering, which is a very sure way of in-
creasing the stock of Roses, and it is a method
that almost anyone can employ, and gives
strong plants in a very short time. To be able,
however, to propagate by layering, it is necessary
to have dwarf or bush plants, or, in the case of
climbing sorts, shoots that can conveniently be
brought to the ground. Some twist or give the
shoots a wring so as to check the flow of sap, but a
safer way is to remove a small portion of bark, so
as to form a gap round the shoot, which answers
the same purpose as giving a twist; or cut just a
little way in at the joint to be buried, the only
risk about this being that the shoot may snap there
when bedding it and earthing it over. These opera-
tions are not really necessary, as almost any shoot,
brought down to the soil and kept there will root
in time, the period required being generally a year
with such plants as Roses, and after the expiration
of twelve months the layers may, as a rule, be
taken off and replanted, but an examination should
be made first to see and ascertain their condition.

In layering, the most important thing is to peg
each branch firmly on the ground, after scraping
away a small portion of the earth around the
plant, and when this is done some sharp soil, such
as road-scrapings, should be used to cover the
lower parts of the shoots, burying them to a
depth of 3 inches. The operation is then complete,
and all the attention required after is watering now
and then during the summer if the weather re-
mains dry at the time. The quickest way of multi-
plying Roses at this season is by grafting, which
method the trade growers pursue and to a great
extent, as nearly all the wood of any new or desir-
able kind made during the year may be utilised,
as all that is wanted to form a plant is a single
bud or eye, although two are better, and are gene-
rally used if the sort is not scarce.

The most desirable stock for grafting is the
Brier, which is now raised in immense quantities,
and suits most Roses, but for grafting the Brier
should be young and small, and the two unite
more readily when both sides of the bark make
a neat joint. Not only may grafting be done on the
stems of the Brier, but also on pieces of the roots, as
they, too, make capital stocks, and when the Man-
etti is used I prefer them, as then there is no fear
of suckers being sent up ; whereas when the graft-
ing is on the stems suckers are often troublesome,
as they are produced just at and below the junction,
and sadly interfere with the growth of the plant.
Whichever stock is used, whether it be the Manetti
or the Brier, it should be headed back a fort-
night or three weeks before it is used, as it is of im-
portance to get it in advance of the scion. With this
in view it is necessary to place the stocks in
gentle heat and keep them there for the time speci-
fied, which will put them on the move, and in that
state the healing process where the cuts are made
is very quick.

There are many ways of grafting, but for
amateurs especially the best is to prepare
the stock by heading it back to within from 2J
inches to 3 inches of the crown, or select roots of
the length mentioned. This done, the next thing
is to make a slight cut into the stock from 1 J inches
to 2 inches down, extending about a fourth of the
way through, and then slice away the side from the
top to it, and cut the end of the graft to fit into the
same. This may quickly be done by using the knife
the same as is done in preparing a quill pen, and
afterwards trimming offthe end. Near this should be
the lower bud, so as to' get the plant as dwarf as
possible and have the shoots close to the ground.
For tying the graft and stock together there is
nothing better than raffia grass. Some use graft-
ing wax to cover the parts, but that is not necessary
if the stocks are prepared as advised, and the heat
the plants are afterwards put into is regular and
genial. I find a hotbed frame answers well, as fer-
menting material when sweet is very suitable, giv-
ing off a little steam, and thus maintaining the re-
quisite moisture, the proper temperature being be-
tween (10° and 70°. A propagating box is also a
good place, or handlights in a forcing house may be
made use of, but wherever the plants are put it is
always advisable to keep them in darkness for the
first fortnight, and perfectly close unless there are
signs of damping. As soon as the buds break and
growth commences, light must be admitted, and a
little air given whenever the weather is favourable.
By keeping these newly-grafted Roses gently mov-
ing they make fine plants for furnishing beds or
borders in May, or for growing on in pots for forc-
ing the following year, a purpose for which they
are well adapted, as they make their wood early,
and it becomes thoroughly hard and ripe by the
autumn.

Another way of propagating Roses is by cuttings,
but it is rather late for putting them in now, the
better time being just before the leaves fall, al-
though many inserted after this will stand a good
chance of striking. Those that root most readily
are the Teas, but being more tender than the Per-
petuals they want protection, and should be put
under glass, a very good way of treating them be-
ing to put them in sandy soil on a border and cover
them with a garden frame or handlights and keep
them close till they root. Hybrid Perpetuals may

Dec. 27, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

591

be managed in the same way, or dibbled in in the
open, but the cuttings should be made a good
length, and hare only just the top bud standing
clear out of the ground. In forming the cuttings,
it is always advisable to make them with a heel or
portion of the old wood at the base, and this may
be secured by slipping them off with a sharp knife
and then trimming them op. S. D.

Ferns.

DAVALLIAS.
This is one of the most useful Fern families in cul-
tivation. If the house or fernery is warm, it is
easy to make a selection of suitable varieties ; if
temperate, there are kinds which are adapted to the
purpose ; and if cool, a selection can still be made.
The various kinds may be considered of easy culti-
vation, growing freely, and not so readily suffering
as some other Ferns from exposure to draughts.
Many of the kinds are well adapted for specimens
either in the fernery or amongst collections of
other plants. When of medium size and small,
they are most valuable for house decoration, whilst
as basket Ferns many of the varieties are seen to
the best advantage. They are also suited for other
modes of culture, being about the best of all Ferns
for growing upon columns and arches, where at
times it is difficult to keep any growing plant well
supplied with moisture. They may also be grown
upon the old stems of Tree Ferns, either keeping
the stems upright, so as to form a pyramidal growth,
or by cutting the stems in sections and then using
these in a horizontal manner. Failing the old
stems, substitutes may be made of peat and Moss
with wirework to hold all together.

These may be arranged in a flat or globular man'
ner, or made into true pyramids. Rustic cork is
very well suited for growing some of the smaller
forms upon, holding sufficient soil to keep the
plants in good health for a long time. Pieces of
cork about 6 inches or 8 inches in width, and from 1
foot to 2 feet in length, would look well suspended
with a mass of Davallias growing upon them. I have
seen them doing well in rustic baskets, in those
made of wire and square shape as used for Orchid
culture. The only thing to guard against in the
various methods which may be adopted is dry-
ness. When the plants cannot receive sufficient
moisture as in watering a plant in a pot, then in all
possible oases dip them occasionally, so as to
well moisten all the soil. When this cannot be
done, as with covered pillars or arches, then use the
syringe frequently. Davallias do not need a heavy
shading. When only a light one is used the colours
are better brought out, and the growth at the same
time is more enduring. For supplies of cut Ferns
some of the kinds are simply invaluable, the fronds
lasting a week and ten days in first-rate condition ;
the smaller kinds are excellent for arranging as a
foil to cut flowers, and the larger ones for bouquets
and vases.

During the growing season the creeping rhizomes
of some kinds need to be pegged on the soil.so that
they may take root and establish themselves, thus
gaining in strength. Others require looking after
to see that they do not extend too far, and thus get
injured, and some are of slow growth and take a
- long time to get out of bounds. Any superfluous
rhizomes with a little root to them should be taken
off and established in small pots. Some of the
smaller kinds may be extended so as to make
specimen plants. In doing this my practice has
been to fix a flat trellis of wirework of circular form
around the pot proportionate in width to the length
of the rhizomes, allowing, of course, for a little ex-
tension beyond. Upon this I would lay some good
Sphagnum Moss, then a layer of coarse peat, then
some finer soil with sand, the rhizomes being pegged
upon this. In this way I have grown D. bullata, a
dwarf-growing kind, quite 5 feet through, forming a
dense mass of pale green fronds. Plants thus
treated will last for many years by merely adding
some sandy soil every spring just before growth
commences, at the same time pegging down all the
newly made rhizomes. The strong-growing sorts,

as D. Mooreana and D. polyantha, when not re-
quired in any larger pots may with advantage be
divided up and repotted separately or together after
removing the older portions from which no fronds
are being pushed up. This will save the plants from
having barren centres, which would otherwise be
the case, all the growths having frequently gone
towards the outer edge of the soil. The pots should
be drained nearly half-way up. I prefer pans rather
than pots, or a medium make between the two,
which might be termed a semi-pot, having the
strength and width, minus the depth. Peat, on the
whole, is better than loam for Davallias. I would
not object to one-third of loam when it is fibrous
and not too heavy. Those kinds which are decidu-
ous should not have much water whilst dormant,
and, on the other hand, I do not like to see them
too dry. When fresh growth pushes up, a more
growing temperature will suit them best.

The following are some of the best Davallias for
general cultivation : D. affinis, an elegant kind of
moderate growth with stout rhizomes. D. bullata
I consider to be one of the most useful of all, valu-
able for cutting from the spring onwards through
the summer, and suited to a temperate house ; it is
also available for baskets and other forms of
growth. D. canariensis is a well-known greenhouse
kind ; in fact, almost hardy. I have seen it grow-
ing well through the year in a living room ; it is also
a first-rate basket Fern for the conservatory. This
fact is not, I think, sufficiently known. I once saw
some fine masses of it which had been brought
direct from the Canaries and then established in
baskets. D. decora is similar to D. bullata, but of
stronger growth and darker colour. D. elegans is
well described by its name ; its fronds are amongst
the most handsome of all the species. This variety
is generally late in making its growth, thus being
in good condition through the autumn and winter,
being then useful for cutting. It is safe in a warm
greenhouse through the cold season of the year,
and is a good kind for baskets. D. fijiensis is a
lovely Fern, the fronds of which last well ; it seems
almost a pity to use them for cutting. Its forms
(plumosa and major) all make beautiful specimens,
though a somewhat slow growth characterises this
species. It does well if slightly raised above the
rim of the pot ; then care must be taken to preserve
the rhizomes from injury. D. fijiensis major can
be grown in a warm greenhouse, but the species it-
self is safer in a stove temperature. D. Mariesi is
a most beautiful dwarf-growing variety, and one
that is nearly hardy ; its elegant little fronds look
well in button-hole flower arrangements. This va-
riety can be recommended for a Wardian case ; so
also can D. Novas-Zelandiae, which thrives best in
a rather humid atmosphere. D. Mooreana makes a
fine specimen plant, its fronds, when in good con-
dition, being very handsome. I am under the im-
pression that there are two fo"rms of this Davallia,
having seen it quite of different character, one
more resembling Leucostegia immersa. D. poly-
antha is a fitting companion to D. Mooreana, but
not so much grown as that species ; the older
fronds assume a dark green colour, thus contrast-
ing well with the pale green of D. Mooreana.
Whilst developing, the fronds of D. polyantha are
of a beautiful roseate hue. D. platyphytla is a use-
ful greenhouse species of strong growth. D. Tyer-
manni is another good dwarf greenhouse Fern, its
dark green fronds contrasting well with its silvery-
grey rhizomes. D. tenuifolia is of slender growth
and erect habit, with rather long stems to the
fronds. D. tenuifolia Veitchiana is a beautiful
variety of the foregoing, and of more drooping
habit of growth, being therefore well adapted for
basket culture and less liable to be injured when
thus grown, as its fronds are very slender; it is best
in a stove temperature. D. parvula is a very dwarf-
growing, minute species ;it does well in a pan, with
some small bits of sandstone upon the surface as a
protection to its rhizomes ; it is a rather delicate
kind, doing best in the stove. D. pyxidata takes
after D. canariensis, and, like that kind, may be
grown in a greenhouse. J. H.

than the varieties of Begonia rex, which in its
many variations is a splendid ornamental plant. It
is made great use of in the charmingly planted
fern grotto at Pendell Court, where it is planted in
many nooks and corners, flourishing luxuriantly,
seeding freely, and forming bold masses of rich
vegetation. Contrast such growth with the too
often miserable results from pot plants. One leaf
at Pendell Court we measured was fully 2 feet in
length, and there were many between this and 12
inches. In one ravine — a fairy glen— the fine-
leaved Begonias covered the walls, and with the
luxuriant masses of Fern made a beautiful contrast.
This is the best way to get the true beauty of the
numerous varieties of Begonia rex, and those
who have not planted them in the fernery should
try their culture. There is nothing difficult in their
cultivation. The silvery-leaved varieties are perhaps
the best, and plant them in positions where there
is a fair share of light and not too much moisture.
The colouring is varied and rich, from the silvery-
tinted types to the dark purple and dull crimson
shades, which make a happy association of bold
effective colours.

Fine-leaved Begonias in the fernery. —

There is no better foliage plant for the cool fernery

PROPAGATING DURING THE WINTER
MONTHS.
There are many subjects which may be propagated
from cuttings during the winter which would give
more trouble, besides occupying valuable space
later in the spring. Among these are Crotons,
Dracaenas, Dieffenbachias, and other stove plants.
In the stove propagating pit there is generally a
better command of bottom-heat. The plants being
dormant, too, there is less risk of losing any
leaves than while they are making new ones, this
being especially the case with Crotons. Large
tops of these beautiful f oliaged plants may be taken
off, and if put into rather small pots and placed in
the close pit before they have become withered,
they will not require any water the first day. A
little dry sand should be applied to the base of the
cuttings : this will dry up any moisture and pre-
vent further bleeding. It is a great point with all
plants which are inclined to lose sap when fresh
cut to stop the flow as soon as possible, and there is
nothing better for this than a little quite dry sand ;
even with Ficus elastica this will effectually stop
the milky sap from flowing-. The Ficus is perhaps
a difficult plant to manage during the summer, yet
at this season either tops or eyes may be rooted
with little difficulty ; plenty of bottom-heat, a cool
surface, and not too much moisture are the essen-
tials. Of course it is necessary that the wood
should be fairly firm. Coarse vigorous growths
should be avoided ; medium-sized, well-ripened
ones make the best cuttings. Many recommend
rooting the cuttings in Cocoa-nut fibre refuse.
I always prefer to put them in pots, using suit-
able compost for the plants to make a start in.
This prevents a second check. I like to use
the refuse to plunge the pots in, however, and
this should be as fresh and sweet as possible.
If the fungus which causes what is generally
known as damping is present, it will be necessary
to remove all the plunging material from the
pit, thoroughly wash the inside, and then
further cleanse it by whitewashing the brick-
work and bottom. Re-fill with fresh fibre refuse,
and a great deal of trouble and vexation will be
avoided. In the propagating house cleanliness and
fresh air are of the first importance. The close pit
should be opened every morning and allowed to
remain so for a time, but not long enough for the
occupants to get flagged. It is by careful atten-
tion to all the small details that success in the
propagating house mainly depends. Seeing what a
great advantage there is in having young stock to
grow on annually over keeping old plants from
year to year, it is surprising that more attention is
not paid to the propagating department and better
provision made in private establishments for keep-
ing up a supply of young stock. A convenient
propagating house is such a decided advantage,
that it ought to be one of the first considerations

592

THE GARDEN.

[Dec. 27, 1890.

lather than the last, which is not unfrequently the
case in starting a new establishment. F. H.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Iris chinensis can, I think, never become a
hardy plant under any conditions in these islands, con-
sidering that it requires special treatment to induce it
to flower at all freely under glass. I know a garden
where it has grown outside for many years, but it has
never shown so much as a bud. — T. S.

Chrysobaetron Hookeri (p. 573) is a bog
plant, and wants deep, rich, insist soil for its full
development. To plant it high and dry is only to
court failure. Poorly grown it is not a telling thiug,
but well grown it is. The Bog Asphodel and Ami-
anthemum muscretosicum planted together form a
pretty group. — T. Smith, Newry.

Laslia albida. — I have forwarded you a spike of
a Laslia that was bought for Ladia albida, but which
has turned out to be pure white, while albida is
marked with lilac. The plant, which is growing in a
12-inch basket, suspended from the roof and exposed
to the full sun during summer, is bearing twelve
spikes with forty-eight flowers in all. — T. H. Smith,
Forest Hill, S.E.

Momordica involucrata. — Eeferring to
"J. M.'s " note on this in The Garden, December G
(p. 510), we beg to say that we introduced and offered
this lovely and graceful climber for the first time in
1889 (see our catalogue No. 48, p. 74), and that it has
been described and figured in the Wiener IUustrirte
Gartenzeitung, April, 1889. Mr. Thompson, of Ips-
wich, obtained seeds from us in December, 1889. —
Dammann & Co., San Giovanni a Teduccio.

Two good Apples.— I sent you yesterday ex-
amples of two Apples, of which I have formed a high
opinion, viz., Baumaun's Red Winter Reinetts and
Egremont Russet, both extremely handsome Apples,
good growers, and free bearers. I consider Egremont
to be quite the best of all the Russets. The fruits
I sent you have been going round the shows, including
Birmingham and Smithfield, where we put up large re-
presentative collections, with the view of demonstrat-
ing to land-owners and their tenants that it is possible
to grow fruit of the finest quality in this country. —
W. J. Grant, King's Acre, Hereford.

French Sugar Beet.— The deficit in the French
Beet crop is estimated at 1,500,000 tons, while the
density of the roots is reduced from 7 to 6-4. It is
almost too early to hazard a guess at the effect of
this great deficit, but it cannot but be seriously
felt in the sugar trade. The industry is to a great
extent subsidised by Government. At the present
time there are 413 factories at work, with steam up
to 72,000 horse power, giving employment to 25,000
workmen, among whom some 30,000,000 francs are
annually distributed. The Beet crop is the second
most important in French Agriculture, and its fail-
ure—which means a deficit of 600,000,000 lb. of
sugar— is attributable to the combined effects of a
wet spring and a sunless summer. As the returns
from the duty levied on sugar materially affect the
budget, its importance is very great.

Autumn-flowering Amaryllis.— One of the

most interesting plants in bloom recently with
Messrs. B. S. Williams and Son was a hybrid
Amaryllis named Merlin, one of the same race as
1 he rose-tinted Mrs. W. Lee. The spike carried four
flowers, each of about the same size as those of the
other, the centre crimson, shading off to a brilliant
scarlet — an association of bold decisive colours.
Such a hybrid as this is of great value at the pre-
sent season, when flowers of all kinds are welcome,
especially those that belong to the stove. Very
little so far seems to have been done with this race,
but there is evidently great scope for the acquisition
of many novelties, which will create a distinct and
acceptable group of flowers late in the year.

Teneriffe Broom (Cytisus filipes).— This is one
of the most graceful of the Brooms, though scarce,
except in a few gardens and nurseries. It was
very beautiful a few days ago with Messrs. B. S.
Williams and Son, Victoria Nurseries, Upper
Ilolloway, who had several specimens in one of
their houses. The shoots are long, slender, and
have a graceful bend, which sets off the full beauty
of the numerous white flowers that individually

are about as large as those of the common Broom.
It is most striking perhaps as a standard, and the
common practice to obtain the desired end is to
put in cuttings and train the plant to the requisite
height or graft it on the Laburnum. There are,
however, other ways of treating this delightful
plant to obtain its full beauty of growth and
bloom. It must have a greenhouse temperature.

Orchid flowers. — From " H. G. P." comes a
nice gathering of Orchid flowers, cut, he says, to
show what can be done in three jears by persever-
ance. He writes presuming I know him, but I
certainly do not. There are numerous kinds, and
I am glad to see he does not confine himself
to the cool kinds, because, much as I love them,
there are plenty of others beautiful enough ; they
only want a little more heat and attention to
succeed with them. Flowers of Cattleya Perci-
valliana (a nice form), Zygopetalum Mackayi (a
bad variety), Calanthe Veitchi, C. vestita (the
yellow and red-eyed), Odontoglossum Andersonia-
num, O. crispum (a poor form), Vanda tricolor, and
Mesospinidium vulcanicum were also sent. — W. H. G.

Cypripediums at Hextable At Messrs.

Pitcher & Manda's nursery these plants are especi-
ally gay. Of the Selenipedium group, which is
still the most brilliant, may now be seen C. cardi-
nale in good form. It is one of the best and is al-
most a perpetual bloomer. Sedeni is always beau-
tiful, and so also is the variety known as Sedeni
candidulum, which is represented by pure ivory-
white blooms of great delicacy. Here also are the
fine Schrcedera, a superb variety, also the less
beautiful, but still elegant albanense. I noted also
a fine form of C. Masereelianum, which, when I
saw it last year, seemed to me to be the same as
Leeanum superbum ; but I now am fain to alter my
opinion. The dorsal sepal is very large and the
spotting very bold and distinct. The upper part of
the dorsal sepal is large and of the purest white.
The rare and beautiful Sedeni Heyanum, Spiceri-
anum magnificum, marmorophyllum, javanico-
superbiens, the ever bright and beautiful cenan-
thum, and many other forms too numerous to name
were also in bloom.— W. H. G.

The Shirley Hibberd Memorial. — At a

meeting of the committee appointed by the Royal
Horticultural Society to consider the best means of
perpetuating the memory of the late Shirley Hib-
berd, and held on the 19th inst., in the Lindley
Library, it was unanimously decided to secure a
portrait of the eminent horticulturist, to be placed
in the hands of the trustees of the Lindley Library,
on behalf of the Royal Horticultural Society. It
was further decided that the surplus remaining after
the expenses connected with the preparation of the
portrait have been defrayed, shall be invested in the
names of trustees, to'be hereafter appointed, forthe
benefit of Mr. Hibberd's orphan daughter. The
committee appointed to carry out the scheme is
composed of the following gentlemen : Rev. W.
Wilks, secretary to the Royal Horticultural Society ;
George Paul and James Douglas, representing the
council of the society ; and Messrs. W. H. Colling-
ridge, W. Marshall, R. Dean, and Dr. Masters repre-
senting the Fellows. Many subscriptions have
already been promised, and others are solicited,
which may be paid to any member of the committee,
or to Dr. Masters, chairman of the committee, at
the Royal Horticultural Society, 117, Victoria St.,
Westminster.

The drooping Urn Flower (Urceolina pen-
dula). — It is so seldom one sees this singular green-
house bulbous plant, that I was pleased to note it
the other day when passing through the nurseries
at York. The blossoms are borne in a rnany-
ilowered head or cluster at the summit of a long
naked stalk ; the individual flowers are about 2
inches long, on very slender peduncles, and hang
in a most graceful manner. The colour is a rich
golden yellow, while the contracted mouth of the
corolla is green, relieved by lines of silver on the
edges. There is something pleasing in this plant,
especially at this wintry season, that I feel sure it
would be a welcome addition to most collections.
It is by no means difpcult to grow, as I was informed

that it thrives in either loam or loam and peat. A
coloured plate of this was given in The Gaeden
of May 12, 1888 (p. 436).— R. Potter.

Odontoglossum Krameri. — This is now in
flower in the garden of Mr. Lytutwyche at Tulse
Hill. It has only been found in one place in Costa
Rica, and it requires more heat than most of the
kinds belonging to this genus. The plant, although
known for more than twenty years, has never be-
come common ; indeed, at the present moment it is
very scarce. It is a dwarf plant, and when stron g
bears four or five flowers on the spike. The sepals
and petals are white, tinged with violet in the
middle ; the lip, half moon-shaped, violet, streaked
with brown and white. It is growing here in the
Cattleya house in a hanging pot. — G.

Calanthes. — These were very brilliant when I
recently visited Sir Trevor Lawrence's garden at
Burford Lodge. The best of them, however, were
over, the most conspicuous being rosea. Many will
be glad when Sir Trevor distributes it. C. burf ord-
ensis is a magnificent variety. Sanguinaria is an-
other especially rich and dark in colour ; in fact,
the deepest coloured of all the batch of seedlings.
Porphyrea, a cross between some Calanthe and
Limatodes rosea, is another very bright variety and
with a totally different appearance and different
shaped flower. There is also a pure white Veitchi-
ana.— W. H. G.

Oneidium Forbesi. — This plant is very useful
for flowering through the autumn and winter months,
and I have received flowers from Mr. Cypher, of
Cheltenham, and perhaps the finest variety I have ever
seen from Mr. Horsman, of Colchester. All who like
this colour should invest in this species for winter
flowering. This and O. crispum I recently saw doing
remarkably well in Sir Trevor Lawrence's garden
under quite cool treatment. — G.

Public_Gardens.

Alexandra Palace. — The Parliamentary Com-
mittee reported that the London Financial Associa-
tion (Limited) had promoted a Bill which, amongst
other things, authorises the association to give the
council a free grant of a portion of the Palace and
the grounds for public purposes, "or for the sale and
transfer of the grounds and Palace as a whole to the
council or to some other body or bodies at a price to
be agreed upon." The committee had taken no action
in reference to the matter until the specific proposals
of the promoters were before them.

The Metropolitan Public Gardens Asso-
ciation passed a resolution at its last meeting to
lay out as a recreation ground Victoria Park Ceme-
tery, if £3000 could be obtained for the purpose.
This open space is a disused burial-ground, 11
acres in extent, close to Globe Road, Bethnal
Green, and is in an utterly neglected and uncared-
for condition, as a visit to the ground will prove.
The present trustee, into whose hands it has passed,
cannot be blamed ; he has no funds for the main-
tenance of a large open space of this kind, and he
is ready and willing to transfer it to any represen-
tative body which will agree to maintain it as a
public recreation ground, and pay a small annual
rent-charge of £43 10s. with which the property is
burdened, and which at present comes out of his
pocket. The offer is a very fair one, as a less
scrupulous owner would probably turn the ground
to some profitable use. For, although the law
wisely prevents a graveyard being used as a build-
ing site, yet such places can be and are used as
storage and builders' yards, or, worse still, as
camping grounds for " fairs " of a more or less un-
desirable type, and thus all traces of their original
character are lost. The Parks Committee of the
London County Council has recommended that
body to acquire and maintain the ground, if the
association will on its part undertake to lay it out.
It is just the place for us to transform into a bright
and smiling recreation ground in the midst of its
crowded surroundings. The estimated cost is
£3000, but this sum I cannot hope to raise unless
by the help of the public and through your cour-
tesy. The present favourable opportunity should
be seized, or the ground may be lost for ever. Sub-
scriptions for this object may be sent to 83, Lan-
caster Gate, W.— Meath, in Morning Post.

Dec. 27, 1890.]

THE GARDEN

593

Flower Garden.

GAILLARDIAS.

The Gaillardia i3 now a familiar garden flower,
and has never in its history received the same
attention as at the present time. Oue reason is
that it has been shown largely in its many
brilliant varieties at the exhibitions, and another
is that the cultivator, by a process of careful
hybridising and selection, has given us varieties
that are in size, form, and range of colour a vast
improvement on the old forms. G. pulchella is
perhaps the oldest of all, having been introduced
about 1(10 years ago from its haunts in Texas,
Arizona, and Louisiana. This is the probable
origin of the hosts of kinds that have flooded
our gardens, the type growing about 12
inches in height, perennial, the leaves soft in

vigorous in growth, the flowers large, brightly
coloured, with a suffusion of rich crimson, and
golden edge ; while one variety called Loren-
ziana has much merit. It is almost impossible
now even to indicate the best. The march for-
ward in Gaillardia raising has been extremely
rapid, and in one catalogue there are no less
than about eighty named varieties, in which
there are two leading colours, crimson and yel-
low, sometimes distributed in distinct blocks, or
shading one into the other in gentle gradation,
or suffusing the whole flower, so as to con-
stitute it distinctly "self." The difference in
form is also marked, some of the varieties hav-
ing distinctly fringed flowers, others fluted, a
few again of great width, and others smaller,
with greater substance in the petal. We think
the desire to merely get big flowers is not
good, and it is pleasant to see that thcs;

garden ; they are not good exhibition flowers ;
but the way they are shown in is not the most
artistic. Very few flowers are exhibited in a
way to display their true beauty, to wit, the
Carnation, Chrysanthemum and Dahlia, so that
the Gaillardia is not the only sufferer from
being compelled to point its blossoms one way.
The culture of the perennial Gaillardia is not
beset with difficulties, and the plant is seen
best in bold groups, rather than small clumps
here and there in the border. If established
plants in pots are obtained in April and put out
in the places they are to occupy about 2 feet
apart each way, a good bloom may be expected
the same season if the soil is well dug and mixed
with well-decayed manure. Mr. W. Kelway,
of Langport, Somerset, in a note to The Gar-
den on January 27, 1887, mentions that a col-
lection planted in this manner bore the drought
of the last five years better than any other her-
baceous perennial grown at Langport, and stood
the winter so well that not 3 per cent, suffered.
We may also commend the Gaillardia for bed-
ding, though it is seldom grown in this way,
but a pretty effect is obtained when plants of
one distinct variety, or shades of the same
colour, are put about 1 foot apart with the
stems pegged down. A long and brilliant dis-
play is the result, and those who have not yet
tried the Gaillardia in this way should do so.
The situation, however, where the Gaillardias
remain out winter after winter must be
warm, the soil not too heavy, but moderately
light and dry. In very cold and wet seasons in
midland counties the plants often succumb;
but it is very easy in the autumn to strike
cuttings, which may be taken off and treated
similarly to the Pelargonium, or seeds raised in
March, and the plants hardened off before put-
ting out, will also give a quick return in the
shape of flowers. Then they may also be used
for the rockery, large clumps of the bushy,
free-flowering plants on the higher tiers having
that characteristic growth and flower eminently
suitable for such surroundings. In gardens
where the soil is wet and heavy the rockery will
afford the best home for the plants, as there they
may be placed in a prepared staple more easily and
on a higher situation. The illustration shows
cut flowers merely, but from it one can see the
beauty of the Gaillardia of to-day and its use-
fulness for making into graceful bunches of
bloom for the house. The flowers in a fairly cool
room will preserve their rich colours and fresh-
ness for over a week.

Gaillardias in vase.

texture, and the flowers about 2 inches across,
two-coloured, the upper portion deep yellow, the
other deep red, which passes into a darker shade
at the base. It is a good border plant, very free
blooming, and though sometimes called an
annual, distinctly perenn'al. G. aristata was
formerly regarded as the progenitor of the
many garden varieties, but this may be due, as
has been before pointed out in The Garden, to
the fact that a form of G. pulchella was dis-
tributed under the name of aristata, as after
careful trial it has been proved that the first
beginning was in G. pulchella, which justifies its
specific name. A variety of this named picta is
very closely allied to the type, differing in its
more fleshy leaves, and more marked distinction
between the two coljurs, so characteristic of
many of the varieties seen in gardens and at ex-
hibitions. G. grandiflora is a fine garden plant,

of smaller size are more frequent. The
larger flowers are splendid in colour, but
flabby in some degree, quickly feeling the
effects of heat, and this is against their too fre-
quent use. There are so many named kinds
that it would be idle to give a list ; the best way
is to choose either in the nursery or at the ex-
hibition those that please best. One of the
largest we know is called William Kelway ; it
has the same character as maxima, the richly-
coloured flowers each about 5 inches or even
more across. Vivian Grey is golden-yellow in
colour, and one of the best of its class. The
hybridiser's work is not yet finished. A good
rich crimson variety would be an acquisition,
although we have now almost approached this
"self" ideal ; but there is still the trace of yellow
either in the colour or at the tips. The best
place of course to see Gaillardias is in the

TUFTED PANSIES.
Would that the occasional illustration of some of
the prettiest of the newer tufted Pansies would
help to popularise them more largely in the south.
Generally we grow only a few sorts, white, blue,
and yellow especially, because all the beauties
found in tufted Pansies seem to be sacrificed to
creating mass effects. For that reason pure self
colours are most in request, although these are
much less employed for garden decoration than
they deserve. Such remarkably pretty forms as
Skylark, Duchess of Fife, Countess of Kintore, or
other belted or blotched varieties are exceptionally
pretty, far more so in fact than are many of the
pure self forms, and a long way better than are the
flaked or striped forms, which are of too bizarre a
nature to be pleasing. I regard all flaking in the
Pansy family as the reverse of pretty. The chief
defect with many of the stronger growing sorts is
a tendency to looseness of habit, and that is a fea-
ture which growers will do well to correct. So far
as is possible, we have hardly a more pleasing
variety than is Countess of Kintore, but its habit
is thin and loose. Still we cannot sacrifice so
beautiful a variety, and it is best, therefore, to
utilise it with some other variety, so that a striking

594

THE GAEDEN.

[Dec. 27, 1890.

contrast be produced. The loose habit of the tufted
Pansy is rather an advantage than otherwise.
In any case the flowers have long stems, and
are singularly suitable for gathering. Little clus-
ters of these tufted Pansies make exceedingly
pretty sprays for ladies' wear, and as the colours
usually are soft and delicately pencilled, they are
much more becoming than are the hues found
in more pretentious flowers. A little bunch of
the pale blue edged Skylark, for instance, is very
pleasing. Specially pretty also are the flowers
when used for small glasses or vases, or good long
stems gathered with foliage attached prove to be
very effective in combination with other simple
flowers. It seems probable that if tufted Pansies
were tender, needing warmth and housing to
keep them through our winters, they would be far
more popular. Once a small stock of any kind is ob-
tained, increase may go on rapidly. They strike
freely from cuttings at almost any time, and also
increase freely by division of the roots ; one clump
in the autumn pulled to pieces, the small rooted
shoots being dibbled up for a few weeks in a frame,
will soon produce a couple of dozen of strong
plants. To obtain special effects, it is not wise to
trust to seed. Even the best of strains cannot be
relied upon to come absolutely true, whilst plants
produced from cuttings or division are safe enough.
I do not deprecate the raising of a batch of seed-
lings annually, but it is wisest to employ the plants
merely for the production of flowers for gathering,
selecting and propagating any that exhibit special
merit. We have plenty of white, yellow, sulphur,
blue, and plum-coloured varieties. Belted flowers
may be improved and made more varied. Butterfly
or blotched flowers will also bear development. It
is difficult to say to what extent tufted Pansies
may be improved both in habit and in markings,
but we do not want striped flowers or any having
stems so short as to render them useless for gather-
ing and bunching. A. D.

IMPORTED LILIUM AURATUM.
Every year this Lily is imported in great
quantities into this country, yet out of the
numerous consignments that reach us in ap-
parently sound condition very few survive after
they have completed their flowering. Some
bulbs will be found still with an inclination to
grow and establish themselves, having both
good roots below and a newly-formed bulb
within the old one to carry on for another
year. But of actual first-class bulbs there re-
main but very few. There is, of course, a reason
for this wholesale decay, and from some experi-
ence and observation I have but little hesitation
in saying that it is mainly due to the manner in
which they are packed before they leave their
native shores, and I have also but little hesitation
in adding that the same state of things will con-
tinue to exist so long as they are packed as they
are at the present time. All kinds do not suffer
alike, though they are all similarly packed,
which would appear to point distinctly to this :
that the same conditions will not suit all kinds,
even when dormant. No two kinds suffer to
anything like the same extent as auraturn and
the lovely Krameri. Many thousands of these
come to us annually, and but very few remain
the second year, while the varying forms
of speciosum and longiflorum from the
same source invariably do as well as could
be desired. These Lilies, prior to being
packed in the cases in which they are
received, are first encased in a soft or moist-
ened clayey soil, and here I believe the mis-
chief begins. To admit of this clay being closely
plastered over the entire bulbs individually, the
moisture which the soil contains and which is
necessary to render it adhesive to the bulbs is
thus hermetically sealed about the bulbs ; the
clay to make it adhesive is thereby rendered
non-evaporative, and. the bulbs themselves also
being green have all their evaporating chances

for the time being cut off. The moisture also thus
contained about the bulbs conduces to sweating,
and this, I believe, is the forerunner of the
wholesale loss which is so characteristic of this
particular Lily. Hundreds of cases of this Lily
alone annually arrive in the London docks no-
thing more than a rotten mass, and those to
whom they are consigned are but too familiar
with such things. The only remedy, so far as
I can see, is for those that suffer most to be
packed dry, that is minus the clay shell, which,
I believe, is very injurious to some kinds, and
to pack them loosely in some dry material as
sawdust, for instance. Another way and per-
haps an equally good one would be to pack in
layers, and divide each layer from the other
with very dry moss, brushwood or thin laths,
anything, in fact, that would permit of all the
bulbs being freely ventilated within the case, to
ensure which the case itself should also have
perforated sides. Packed thus, the cost of car-
riage would be infinitely less, the labour of
moulding with clay would be dispensed with,
and I am inclined to believe the bulbs would
come to hand in better condition than now ; at
any rate it would be a difficult matter to be
much worse than under the present system of
packing, and a few experiments in a way I have
suggested would soon illustrate its advantage
or otherwise. Oue thing would almost sure to
ensue were these suggestions put into use, and
that is the bulbs would arrive in a more shriv-
elled state than now, a more natural state, too,
perhaps, when we consider the lapse of time
from packing to unpacking as compared with
the fresh-looking bulbs one is wont to see after
stripping oft' their garb of the last two or three
months, and all who have grown Lilies exten-
sively will be aware that it is possible,
even very probable, to do something for a
Lily bulb which is shrivelled somewhat, but
for one stricken with fungus the case is very
different. Another very dangerous practice is
that of denuding these Lilies of all roots before
placing them in clay, and it may be that the
remaining root stump3 which have no other
chance but decay have something to do with
carrying the disease to the point which is always
first attacked, viz., the base of the bulbs.
Something of a most fatal nature most certainly
does attack this important spot, as may be
gathered from the fact of so very few ever mak-
ing any basal or new main roots at all after be-
ing planted. Were they packed as I have sug-
gested, there would be no necessity for cutting
off their roots at all. Happily, however, there
are times when first-class consignments reach
this country, and one of those seasons is now
with us, for I have never seen among the early
autumn consignments finer bulbs generally, and,
what is more, they appear eager to push forth
new basal roots, and those that do this are des-
tined with good culture and care to make some
permanent clumps if planted out in selected
spots in the garden. These Lilies are beauti-
fully adapted for planting among Rhodo-
dendrons, the latter with their ample leaf-
age affording them just the protection they
require in spring against nipping frosts. Where
plantations of these, however, do not exist, a
partially sheltered spot among dwarf shrubs
may easily be found in most gardens, giving
them a soil of equal parts peat and loam rather
sandy, but no manure of any kind. First esta-
blish your Lilies, and then either mulch with
short decayed manure, or give one or two
applications of liquid manure annually in
autumn and winter. When grown in pots, it
should always be borne in mind that it is not
wise to give any water from the time they were
potted till they have made 4 inches or 6 inches

of growth, but place them in a uniformly cool
spot where the soil will not be rendered too dry,
and wait till growth has well begun. It is often-
times of some assistance to place the base of
the bulbs on damp cocoa-nut fibre refuse in
shallow boxes in a cool cellar for a week or two
prior to potting, and by an occasional examina-
tion you will see those that show any tendency
to push forth new roots ; all such should be care-
fully potted without a moment's delay, as no
roots of my acquaintance are more brittle than
the young roots of Liliums. These roots, too,
let it be remembered, are but annual produc-
tions ; therefore the loss of them to the plants is
irreparable. E. J.

KEEPING DAHLIA BOOTS.

When addressing the Gardeners' Society at Bead-
ing lately on the Dahlia, one of the members said
that he experienced great difficulty in keeping his
roots safely through the winter, and he stated that
he wintered them in soil. I think it not unlikely
this fact of his burying his roots in the soil in-
creased the difficulty of his bringing them through
the winter with safety. I thought the best thing I
could do was to set forth the method followed at
the Royal Nursery, Slough, where a large number
of roots are wintered, but well cared for through
that trying period, with the result that the losses
are reduced to a minimum. Sooner or later in the
month of September, or certainly in the early part
of October, frost destroys the foliage, and then
the main stem is cut away to within a foot or so of
the ground. Advantage is taken of a drying day
to lift the roots, and in digging them up, which
cannot be done too carefully, great caution is
exercised that the tubers are not injured in any
way ; the heaviest of the soil is cleared away from the
roots, leaving some adhering to them, and then they
were turned upside down on an old garden mat, so
that any moisture could drain away from the hollow
stem. Having lain so for a day or two in genial
weather, they are then taken away to a shed. An
old fruit-room is utilised for wintering the Dahlia
roots, in the middle of which a small stove is placed
in times of frost. Garden mats are spread out on
the shelves and the roots placed upon them, and
there they dry, and as the stem decays it is finally
cut away 2 inches or so above the tubers. A little
soil is allowed to remain on the tubers, as it serves
to keep them from shrinking, and during winter
when it has become thoroughly dry it is removed.
Rot is very apt to set in on the tubers, and thus it
is found extremely difficult to keep some varieties
through the winter. A watchful eye takes constant
surveillance of the roots, and any decaying parts are
cut away. It is because of the loss of a choice
variety or two in this way that a trade grower takes
care to have a good supply of pot roots, as distinct
from ground roots, to which the foregoing remarks
refer.

Pot roots of Dahlias are the remainder of the
young green plants propagated in the spring, but
unsold by the beginning of June. They are in
2i-inch or 3-inch pots, and they are stood closely
together in a cold frame on an ash or fibre bottom,
and plentifully sprinkled overhead in drying
weather. The majority of them make an abortive
attempt to flower, but as they are so contracted in
space at the roots, the inflorescence is a very poor
one. In the autumn these plants are cut down,
and eventually the roots are turned out of the pots,
dried, and put away for winter and spring sales
and for propagating purposes. Some years ago pot
roots of Dahlias were in large demand, and scarcely
a wholesale seed house but catalogued them, but
the trade of this kind has quite died out. Dahlia
roots keep better in some seasons than in others.
When many decay it is a great loss to the cultiva-
tors. Thus it is that they are so closely looked
after during the winter. I have known Dahlia
roots kept on the floor of a greenhouse during the
winter, but they should not be so placed as that,
drip can fall upon them. They are sometimes
hung up by the necks in a cosy potting shed where
frosts cannot reach them, but it is important that,

Dec. 27, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

595

let them be wintered in what way they will,
they be looked over at intervals. They should not
be kept in a temperature high enough to cause
them to shrivel to a great extent. Some are cer-
tain to do this partially ; the evil to guard against
is causing them to dry up too much.

A root will sometimes go blind, with the result
that as no cuttings are forthcoming, no stock of
the particular variety can be had. The large
growers of Dahlias take care to grow sufficient
quantities to guard against this danger, and also
be in a position to spare a ground root or two to
some grower who has failed to winter his in safety.

R. D.

BAMBOOS AND ORNAMENTAL GRASSES.
Mant. of these are far hardier than some people
imagine them to be. They will attain to noble
proportions in many instances when the soil and
surroundings are congenial to them. Of the Bam-
boos, one of the best for general planting is Bam-
busa Metake ; this when growing in a moist soil
soon makes a distinct feature, rapidly increasing in
size and height, and forming fine specimens in a
few years. I have a plant now which has been in
its present position some eight or nine years. When
planted it was only a small example, but now
it measures some 15 feet through and 10 feet in
height. It is near to water, and enjoys its position
without doubt, at the same time being in character
with the surroundings. If a very sharp frost or
keen easterly winds ensue in the spring, towards
the end of March, its foliage at times gets turned
at the edges, but the young growths soon after-
wards put this to right again. Bambusa gracilis
is rather tenderer in constitution, but if a sheltered
spot can be chosen for it, then it will escape injury
fairly well in the south. I remember a very fine
plant in a Sussex garden, which had made excel-
lent progress until a more than ordinarily severe
winter ensued, then it was killed to the ground,
but started into growth again in the following
spring, although not so strong as before ; this plant
stood in a rather dry, sheltered corner. It grows
finely in the Isle of Wight, where also Arundo
donax thrives surprisingly well. The variegated
variety of A. donax is a beautiful plant for sub-
tropical gardening ; if well protected at the roots
it will escape injury, except in the severest of
winters or when planted in a cold, wet soil.
Arundo conspicua is grown more than it used to
be, and deservedly so ; it does not, I know, com-
pare with the Pampas Grass in its plumes, but the
fact of its being in good condition so much earlier
is a recommendation. I have found it escape in-
jury by frost even when planted near to the water's
edge. Eulalia japonica variegata does remarkably
well, and makes a splendid object when grouped
upon a lawn. I saw an instance of this in one
garden during the summer now past, where the
growths were some 5 feet in height. E. japonica
zebrina is quite distinct and very interesting ; al-
though not so striking as the former, it is well
worth growing. Carex riparia variegata should
have a place ; the type being a British plant, this
form of it may be relied upon as being of a hardy
constitution. Elynius condensatus and Erianthus
Ravenna; are both distinct Grasses of stately
growth ; these require to be planted in rather light
soil for them to succeed well. Gymnothrix lati-
folia can scarcely be considered hardy unless in a
favoured spot ; where it thrives well it will grow to
a height of S feet or more. Where this Grass can-
not be relied upon to live safely in the open, it
should be taken up and stored for the winter.
Panicum plicatum, a North American species, is a
beautiful perennial Grass, and looks well in good-
sized tufts. Phalaris arundinacea is common
enough in some parts of this country, preferring a
very moist spot ; for margins of lakes and such-
like places it is well adapted, soon forming large
masses of elegant growth. Iris pseudacorus
variegata is well adapted for associating with the
foregoing Grasses ; its beautifully striped leaves re-
main in good condition throughout the winter. I
have used it with good effect in the flower garden,
but the same plants must not be moved and re-
moved every year, or some of the stock may be

lost. If allowed to stand for two or three seasons
good-sized tufts may be had. These, if possible,
should be planted for effect, as they are without
division, that process for propagation being de-
ferred to the spring. Phormium tenax Colensoi is a
beautiful type of the New Zealand Flax, and as hardy,
if not hardier than the species. P. tenax Veitchi is
another handsome variegated form, with shorter
and narrower leaves than P. tenax, which itself is
a noble plant if left undisturbed until it attains
large dimensions. P. tenax atro-purpureum is
quite distinct from the last-named, but not very
common in cultivation ; its foliage assumes a dark
purplish colour. The Phormiums flower freely in
the open air in the south of England, and they
thrive particularly well in the Isle of Wight. An-
other good plant which is quite at home with the
Grasses is Tritoma Uvaria and its varieties. With
good scope and suitable surroundings much more
may be made of Bamboos and ornamental Grasses,
&c, especially if grouped together so as to enhance
the effect. For planting near to lakes or streams
nothing is more appropriate, and as most of the
kinds prefer a rather moist soil, such a position is
congenial to them as well as productive of good
effect. J. H.

A double Musk. — Among the Continental novel-
ties of thepi'esentseasonisa new double floweringMusk,
plants of which will be distributed next spring. How it
originated is not stated, but it is probably a sport. The
description of the novelty states that it bears beautiful
double flowers quite as large as those of the single type.
That it will bear out the raiser's description remains
to be seen, but experience of the double-flowered form
of Iberis sempervirens, sent out with such a flourish of
trumpets a few years ago, aud which proved a signal
failure, combined with other disappointments, make
English plant cultivators a little chary of Continental
novelties. — R. D.

Bambusa nana. — The plant I have grown for
many years as Bambusa nana agrees in every particular
with that described by Mr. T. Smith (p. 545), and
though it may perhaps only be a garden name, it is
certainly very appropriate. Bambusa nana of the "Dic-
tionary of Gardening," described as synonymous with
B. viridi-glaucescens, and reaching a height of (i feet
to 8 feet, is decidedly less entitled to the specific name
of naua than several other Bamboos. The woodcut of
the dwarf Bamboo in the above-mentioned work cer-
tainly suggests one of the stronger-growingkiuds, which
may be perhaps B. viridi-glaucescens. — H. P.

Orchard and Fruit Garden.

PLANTED OUT V. POT VINES.
Since the more wide-spread and extensive cul-
tivation of superior late Grapes, and which can
be kept in cool rooms till late in the spring,
there has been much less need for any recourse
to be had to extra hard forcing of either pot or
permanent Vines. At the same time well
ripened early Grapes are of considerable value
and generally appreciated, so that those who
are in a position to produce them may well do
so. In order to be certain of a supply of ripe
Grapes, say from the middle of April till the
end of May, this necessitating more than ordi-
nary skill and attention, pot Vines are largely
employed, rather than resorting to hard forcing
in the case of permanent Vines. Suitable space
for preparing the requisite number of young
Vines being somewhat limited, it frequently
happens that what are known as fruiting canes
are bought from some of the leading nursery-
men, and probably still more gardeners raise
their own Vines for this early forcing. In
either case it is of the greatest importance that
the Vines be strongly rooted and thoroughly
well ripened, mere size of cane being of no
great moment. Sometimes these are shifted
into large pots either before or soon after
active growth has commenced, this plan being
found to answer well when properly carried
out, but more often than not the Vines are
fruited in the pots they were grown in and then

thrown away. The question arises, Do the
latter repay for all the trouble taken with
them and the expense attached to their culture
from the commencement ? I venture to think
not — at any rate not in many cases, six bunches,
averaging about half a pound in weight, being
but a poor return for so much trouble and
expense. There may be many instances where
much heavier crops are obtained, but very
often the weight of the crops produced is
below rather than in excess of 3 lbs. per rod.

According to my experience, the well-being
of either young or old Vines depends largely
upon their having fresh soil to root into, and
the more limited the root-run the greater need
for providing additional soil every season. A
pot Vine would be of little value if it had not
well filled the limited soil it is confined in with
root fibres, and by the end of the growing sea-
son this must be completely impoverished of
all that goes to meet the requirements of the
plant. Nor can this be well restored from the
surface either by top-dressings with rich com-
post or by repeated applications of liquid ma-
nure. Contact with fresh compost seems to
have a magical effect upon the roots, nothing
else starting them so quickly and surely into
activity. This being so, it next requires con-
sideration how best to meet the requirements
of these young Vines. Having in years gone
by repeatedly noted what could be done by
confining the roots solely to the pots, and in
which, let me add, they have been found when
turned out after the crops have been cut in
much the same plight as when forcing com-
menced, viz., quite fresh, but perfectly inac-
tive, no fresh fibres having been formed, I have
no hesitation in condemning that practice. Nor
have I been very successful in the system of
giving the fruiting canes a shift, say, from
12-inch into 15-inch or larger pots, and pre-
fer to either plunge them where they could
root out of the drainage holes and over the
tops of the pots into congenial compost and hot-
bed manure, or else plant them out in the first
place. When started, as they ought always to
be, in or over a mild hotbed of stable manure,
or, better still, stable manure and leaves, and
eventually plunged deeply in the same, the rim
of the pots being nearly or quite 3 inches below
the level, some of the shortest of the manure
covering the pots, soil, and stems, it will not
be long before the latter push out strong healthy
roots. These, if taken good care of, spread
rapidly, and in their turn form abundance of
active fibres, the additional food supply thus
obtained rendering the Vines almost indepen-
dent of the roots confined to the pots. This
improved root action soon causes a marked im-
provement in the appearance of the Vines
generally. The primary, or first formed leaves
attain a great size, and are of good substance ;
lateral growth is strong, while what at first
promised to be very small bunches— and such
they would have remained if the roots had
been kept confined to the pots — grow out sur-
prisingly.

Still better results, however, frequently at-
tend the practice of jjlanting out or growing
the Vines in small heated borders. Whether
they shall be planted at the commencement of
the forcing season or be actually grown to the
requisite size where they are to fruit must al-
ways depend upon circumstances. Where there
are several low forcing houses, or such as are
largely devoted to Melon and Cucumber cul-
ture, available, there may be no difficulty in
the matter. Thus if one small house was given
up principally to the forcing and fruiting of
small Vines say for about six months out of the
year, a second compartment could be utilised

596

THE GARDEN.

[Dec 27, 1890.

for the preparation of Vines to fruit during the
following season. Each compartment would
also be available for the culture or forcing of a
variety of other plants, while the Vines which
have just ripened off a heavy crop of bunches
could be cleared out in time for Melons or win-
ter Tomatoes to succeed them. It maybe asked,
" Why destroy well-rooted young Vines .that
have only produced one good crop of fruit ?
Why not retain thern for several seasons, or as
long as they remain serviceable, and thereby
greatly economise labour and house room ? "
These would be very pertinent queries, though
not what would be put by those who have tried
both plans. According to my experience, Vines
very hard forced in small houses rarely if ever
make much progress after the first season. The
stems do not increase in size, and, in spite of
the addition of fresh soil and rich top-dressings,
there is a great falling off in the weight of the
crops, till at last a complete failure may result.
Strong one-year-old canes, or any grown from
cut-backs in one season, will produce a much
heavier crop of finer bunches than will any
kept over for two or more years, and it really
pays better in every way to force none but
young Vines, throwing these away as the crop
is cleared from them.

As before hinted, bottom heat is most essen-
tial, as without this the root action of the Vines
will most probably be too late to benefit the
crops. Narrow span- roofed houses with brick
sides are particularly well adapted for forcing
Vines, though houses of other styles and, may
be, much larger may also be similarly utilised.
The narrow heated pits on each side of the cen-
tral walk in the former can very simply be pre-
pared for either fruiting canes or quite young
Vines that are to fruit next year, and there is
ao reason why both should not be grown in the
same compartment. For the former a good
depth of heating material may well be placed
over tlie bottom-heat pipes, and on this be dis-
posed 18 inches or thereabouts of rich loamy
compost. I recommend no particular mixture
for Vines when growing under such favourable
circumstances — that is to say, where they have
plenty of bottom heat and can be well attended
to— as they will thrive in almost anything, al-
ways supposing they never suffer for want of
water.

Either turn the Vines carefully out of the
pots or else crack the latter in several places so
as to afford the roots a ready exit, and then
plant 2 inches below the surface. Earn the soil
firmly round the old balls of soil and roots, and
which, let me add, ought to have been in a
moist state when planted, and form a basin
round the stem to facilitate watering later on.
Fill this basin with old Mushroom- bed manure,
turfy loam, and charred garden refuse, this mix-
ture hastening the production of strong quill-like
roots from the collar of the Vines, and which, as
previously advised, should be taken good care
of. At the outset especially no particular
heed should be taken of the surface soil or top-
dressing, but the old balls, whether plunged
or planted, must be frequently examined or
probed, and whenever approaching dryness be
given a good soaking of warm water. Very
much depends upon this close attention to the
state of the old soil, as should this become very
dry before fresh roots are spread far out into
the fresh soil much harm will result to the
Vines. If they cannot be well moistened with-
out unduly saturating the surrounding fresh
soil, then ought the balls to be pierced with a
pointed iron rod, this rendering remoistening a
comparatively easy and sure matter. When the
roots have taken full possession of the new soil
they should be kept well supplied with water,

and may with advantage be mulched with short
manure, and very narrow borders may also re-
ceive liquid manure occasionally. Other cultu-
ral details are much the same as usually con-
sidered necessary in the case of Vines fruited in
pots, all succeeding best when trained not far
from the glass. If all goes on well, the bunches,
instead of being half a pound in weight, will
most probably be fully four times heavier, both
bunches and berries growing out to their fullest
extent, while if plenty of air is given during
the ripening period, the colour, too, will be most
satisfactory.

With regard to preparing canes for forcing
next season, I will here only briefly suggest that
the bottom-heat pipes be covered with rough
imperishable drainage material of some kind, on
this being disposed a bed of rich loamy compost
if possible, consisting largely of turves roughly
broken and a good sprinkling of bone meal added.
In this plant cut-backs or small canes raised
last season in preference to newly raised Vines,
the former being much the earlier throughout.
This being done early in January, fine strong
canes ought to be formed by midsummer, and
ripened off by exposure as soon after as the
Vines can be induced by fair means to go to
rest. It is hardly possible to make a mistake
with Vines thus well prepared.

W. Iogulden.

WINTER TREATMENT OF BUSH FRUITS.
Under this heading I include Gooseberries and
Red and Black Currants, for if these are to produce
good returns a generous treatment is necessary,
both in pruning and manuring. As a rule, two
mistakes are generally made ; one is that the bushes
are generally cut in too much, or allowed to grow
into a thicket, and the other by the supplies being
cut short by too deep digging or forking amongst
the roots. Deep digging amongst the roots is very
injurious, as bush fruits are surface-rooting, and if
these feeders are broken off the fruit must suffer.
The practice I pursue after the bushes are pruned
is to clear away all weeds and rubbish, and then
apply a surface dressing of manure to the depth of
about 2 inches. If ordinary decayed stable or farm-
yard manure is not available I am satisfied with
decayed garden rubbish, or better still well burnt
garden refuse and manure in equal parts. This
dressing must be merely pointed into the surface,
but where this dressing has been applied some two
or three years the surface about the bushes will be
a mass of roots, and where this is the case
the pointing in must be dispensed with, the centres
of the rows or thereabouts being about all that
can be forked over.

Currants will not succeed in poor ground, and
with Red Currants this is especially noticeable.
These are particularly partial to wood ashes,
probably on account of the potash contained, so
where the Red Currant does not succeed well a
dressing of this with manure would prove highly
beneficial. The Black Currant must also be heavily
manured, and a firm root-run is very beneficial,
forking amongst the roots being positively inj urious,
as besides being againstthewell-doingof thebushes,
it tends to make the fruit drop before being fully
ripe. On light or gravelly soils, and where the
bushes have been planted some years, a soaking of
liquid manure or sewage would prove highly
beneficial.

Gooseberries.— The bushes must not be en-
couraged to make sucker growth, and if the cut-
tings were properly made, sucker growth is rarely
troublesome. It is a matter of opinion whether
Gooseberries should be pruned early or late, the
latter being generally adopted where bullfinches
are troublesome, as one or more of these marauders
will clear a bush of buds very quickly. Where
these depredators are troublesome, syringing the
branches after pruning with lime and soot worked
into a liquid state generally acts as a deterrent,
especially when the gun or trap is not allowed to

be brought into requisition. It is a mistake to rely
on the old branches of Gooseberries for the pro-
duction of a crop of fruit, for, independently of be-
ing shy in bearing, the branches are apt to die off.
As much young wood should be allowed to remain
as possible, selecting those shoots which spring
from the base of the branches, and these should be
allowed to remain their full length, as fruit will be
borne along their whole length. These shoots bear
very well from spurs for about two or three years,
after which they are best cut out, to make room for
younger growth. But the laying in of young
growth must be of annual occurrence, cutting out
all shoots or any of the older wood which may be
dispensed with. Sufficient must be cut out to pre-
vent crowding.

Red Currants.— The Red Currant bears from
the spurs of the older wood, the younger growth
not taking part in the production of fruit until the
second season after ; consequently a good frame-
work of main branches is very essential. The
lateral growth must be spurred in to about two
eyes.

Black Currants.— Here the pruning must be
entirely different ; unlike the former, sucker growth
must be encouraged, the bushes partaking of the
nature of stools. No spurring in of lateral growth
or cutting off of young buds must be encouraged, as
this is entirely unnecessary. As much old growth
should be cut out annually as possible to make
room for the young rods from the base, as well
as to prevent overcrowding. In the planting of
young bushes, these are best cut down to within a
few inches of the ground, when the resulting growth
will be vigorous and ensure a good foundation, for
the future bush. White Currants are treated simi-
larly to the Red. Rural.

THE POMOLOGICAL CONGRESS AT CAEN.
Apple culture and the manufacture of cider
are every year becoming occupations of in-
creasing importance in Normandy and Brittany.
The pomological congress which has just been held
at Caen has once more demonstrated the necessity
of growing the best varieties of Apples and Pears,
of pointing out the kinds which should not be
growD, of continuing the study of the fermentive
juices which contain cider, of actively extirpating
those insects which are injurious to Apple trees,
and of constructing cellars or store-rooms in which
cider and perry may be kept unaffected by any
fluctuations of temperature. The exhibition of
Apples and Pears was a very extensive one, com-
prising two thousand different lots. The varieties
of cider Apples are numerous, but many of the
names are synonym*. For a very long time past
they have been divided into three classes according
to their pariods of flowering and ripening. In
flowering, the three classes are : the early-flower-
ing, the medium-flowering, and the late-flowering.
The first-named class comprises those varieties
which, flowering in March and April, are the most
subject to suffer from late frosts. The two other
classes, which do not flower before the latter part
of May or some time in June, often yield the heaviest
crops. In ripening, the three classes are: (1)
those varieties which ripen in August and Septen.-
ber ; (2) those which ripen in the latter part of Sep-
tember and in October; (3) those which ripen in
November and December. It would be a trreat
mistake to infer from this classification that the
early-flowering kinds always ripen their fruit earlier
than the others. From yearly obervations, dating
back to a distant period, in Normandy, Brittany, and
Picardy, it has been established that the time of
flowerim; does not in any way inEuence the ripening
of the fruit. Thus there are some varieties which
flower very early in spring, but which do not ripen
their fruit" until very late in the season, while olhers,
which do not flower until some time in May, ripen
their fruit in October. Apart from the natural
constitution of each individual variety, the fertility
and nat ure of the soil and also the aspect of the posi-
tion exercise a preponderating influence on the earli-
ness or lateness of the time of flowering and ripening.
According to M. Truelle, the effects of the soil on

Dec. 27, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

597

the quality of the cider may be summarised as
follows : (1) The earthy taste is more perceptible
in inferior varieties of fruit than in choice kinds.
When sweet and sour Apples are grown in the same
soil the earthy taste is strongest in the cider which
is made from the sweet varieties. (2) The per-
centage of alcohol in the cider depends chiefly on
the variety of Apple from which it is made. (3)
The colour of the cider is influenced more by the
nature of the soil than by the variety of the fruit.
(4) The keeping quality of cider also depends more
on the nature of the soil than on that of the variety
of Apple. In addition to this, M. Truelle haF, from
his observations, arrived at the conclusion that
calcareous soils, declivities, and moist valleys are
almost alike in their action of producing a predis-
position to acidity in cider made from any kind of
Apples whatever that may be grown in such soils
or positions, and he is inclined to believe that the
non-mucilaginous varieties (which should also be
gathered and milled when they commence to ripen)
are the best kinds for planting in such localities.

The following select list of the choicest kinds in
each of the three classes of cider Apples above
mentioned is worthy of notice. The relative merit
of each kind is still the subject of attentive study
and consideration, and when fully ascertained will
be published in due time. (1) Reine des hatives :
Flowers in the latter part of April, ripens in Sep-
tember and October. Blanc Mollet : Flowers the
first fortnight in May, ripens in September and
October. Muscadet biitif : Flowers in the middle
of May, ripens in October. Saint Laurent : Flowers
in the latter part of May, ripens in October. (2)
Amer doux : Flowers in the beginning of May,
ripens in the latter part of October and in Novem-
ber. Doux Eveque : Flowers in the latter part of
May, ripens in October and November. Muscadet
rouge : Flowers in the beginning of May, ripens in
the latter part of October and in November. Doux
Vairet : Flowers in the beginning of May, ripens in
October and November. (3) Amere de Berthe-
court : Flowers in the beginning of May, ripens in
November and December. Martin Fessard : Flowers
in the beginning of May, ripens in November and
December. Argile rouge : Flowers in the begin-
ning of May, ripens in November and December.
B.-amtot : Flowers the first fortnight in May, ripens
in the beginning of December. Medaille d'or :
Flowers in June, ripens in November. Frequin La-
caille : Flowers the first fortnight in June, ripens
in December. Rouget : Flowers in the latter part
of May, ripens the first fortnight in December. Ar-
gile grise : Flowers in the beginning of May, ripens
the first fortnight in December. Bedan : Flowers
in the latter part of May, ripens in November and
December.

The foregoinglist, which mighteasily be extended,
proves that the congress has undertaken a useful,
but tedious and laborious work, inasmuch as it has
imposed on itself the task of studying all the varie-
ties of cider Apples under the various aspects of
their composition or constituents, their productive-
ness and their synonyms. The exhibition of fruit,
ciders, and cider and perry brandies was supple-
mented by a collection of machines and apparatus
for the manufacture of cider and alcohol. The dis-
tribution of the prizes took place in the large as-
sembly room under the presidence of M. Menel,
mayor of Caen, on whose right and left were M.
Yatin, prefet of Calvados, and M. Lechartier, pre-
sident of the Pomological Society of the West. M.
Meriel in a very pertinent address delivered a
panegyric on the Apple amid the plaudits of
the meeting. Then, after a speech from M.
Lechartier, which was often interrupted by the
applause of the audience, the distribution of the
prizes commenced. The prix d'lionneur, or first
prize, a very handsome Sevres vase, was awarded
in the name of the President of the Republic to
M. Power for his " Treatise on Apple Culture and
the Manufacture of Cider." The gold medal, offered
by M. Caubet, was won by M. Truelle for his
" Studies of Cider Fruits." — Heme Horticjle.

readers of The Garden an account of this year's be-
haviour of his plants uuder whitewashed glass, but so
far I have uot observed any remarks by him on the
subject. Others, as well as myself, are uo doubt in-
terested in this, and will be glad i o know if the
Vines have been shaded during the summer now past,
and have borne as large bunches with berries as
large and as well finished as in the autumn of ISSy.
— J. R.

LATE GRAPES.

Shading Gros Colman Grape. — Mr. Stralton
commented favourably on " shade " for Gros Colman
Vines in Tue Gakden of last year, and promised

The cultivation of these for market seems to
have increased very much within the last few
years, and one hears on all sides of the erec-
tion of structures for and the planting of Vines.
The growers should know the state of the
market better than comparative outsiders, but,
taking into consideration the fact that Grapes
are only purchased by the wealthier class, I
cannot help thinking that we shall ere long find
the. supply greater than the demand, and the
consequent fall in price to a figure likely to
prove unremunerative to the producer. So far
as varieties are concerned, Gros Colman and
Lady Downe's Seedling would seem to be the
favourites. All points considered, I take it
these are, and are apparently likely to be for
some little time, the two most useful late
varieties either for market or private plantin
Gros Colman comes in well after the Hamburghs
are over, and can be had in perfection from
say, the middle of November until the end of
January. With the exception of Alicante, it is
about the best doer of the late sorts, and when
well done undoubtedly a magnificent looking
Grape. 1 know it is the fashion to condemn it
from a flavour point of view, but it is not every-
one who can command sufficient heat for Mus-
cats, and where this is the case and late Grapes
are wanted, there is no better midwinter Grape
than Gros Colman. Started with a little
gentle warmth about a month or five weeks
before it would break naturally to en-
sure a longer season, it will ripen up well
before the advent of dull, short days, and cer-
tainly any great amount of heat is not an
essential feature in its cultivation ; indeed I saw
some fair samples this season in a cold house,
but I must admit they were not equal to those
that had the benefit of a little heat in the early
spring. Lady Downe's must certainly rank as
the best very late Grape, the berries keeping
firm and plump longer than those of any other
variety. There is still an objection occasionally
raised against planting it, viz., its tendency to
spot or scald, but the remedy, or rather the
prevention, of this is entirely in the grower's
hands. As a careful examination of the stalk
of bunch and berry will show, the disease is in
no way attributable to defective root action
(not at any rate directly), but solely to atmo-
spheric influence. Again, the sun is not directly
responsible, as berries are sometimes affected that
are quite shaded. The cause is clearly attri-
butable to great fluctuations of temperature
both of the wet and dry bulb thermometer, and
the remedy lies in the opposite direction, i.e.,
the maintenance of a nice growing temperature
right away from the breaking of the shoots
until the colouring is nearly finished. There is
a qualifying statement above to the effect that
root action is not directly answerable for the
spot in any case where berries were badly
affected. 1 should say it would be decidedly
advisable to look to the roots, and that very
likely something would be found there affect-
ing the constitution of the Vine in such a
way as to render it particularly susceptible to
the fluctuations of temperature, and thereby
laying the fruit open to attack. Where Gros
Colman and Lady Downe's are doing well there
is often a lot of moisture to be found around

the leaf in the early morning, and as the foliage
of both is tender it is advisable (especially if
the vineries have a south-east aspect) not only
to keep on a chink of air night and day, but to
shade very lightly until the leaf gets a firm
texture and able to stand against the sun. We
have seldom experienced such a good time for
keeping Grapes. Dressed canvas covers have
generally come into requisition before this date,
but this year they have been used but seldom,
whilst the general dry atmosphere and absence
alike of rain and fog have enabled us to keep
within the vineries with little difficulty just the
temperature conducive to the well-being of the
fruit. Apropos of this I notice in the article
on " Bottling Grapes," Garden, December 13
(p. 543), that a mean of 55° is necessary to
keep the fruit sound and good until it is severed
from the Vine. Surely this is a misprint ; 30°
lower than this, viz., 45°, would be safer figures
—at least, that has always been the mean 1 have
aimed at. Certainly in dull, damp weather,
with the outdoor glass rather high, it has ranged
higher than this with a little warmth in the
pipes to preserve a dry atmosphere, but the
figure quoted would be about the average, save
during a spell of very sharp weather, when we
drop a few degrees and reckon to keep as near
as possible between 40° and 45°.

Claremont. E. Burbell.

MELONS AND CUCUMBERS.

Beds which are specially made for Melons and
Cucumbers should have a layer 5 inches or 6 inches
deep of leaf-mould or sawdust placed over the
short manure in which to plunge 3-inch pots three
parts filled with light, rich mould containing one
seed each of some approved variety of Melon or
Cucumber. Cover the seed with a little soil and
the pots with a square of glass, which, however,
should be removed as soon as the plants appear.
The seedlings when they have made a couple of
inches of growth should be top-dressed with soil of
the same temperature and description as that in
which they are growing, taking care in doing so
not to injure the stem of the plants. Various bed-
ding and other plants can at the same time be
raised from cuttings and seed ; these, however, must
be removed as the Melon and Cucumber plants ex-
tend their growth.

Both Melon and Cucumber plants should
be planted on mounds about 8 inches deep and
15 inches through in the centre of each light as
soon as they have made three rough leaves, and
before they become root-bound. The Melon delights
in a calcareous, loamy soil, and the Cucumber in a
light, rich compost, consisting of three parts light
sandy loam and one of short manure and leaf-
mould well mixed. In planting press the soil
firmly about the roots, and afterwards supply tepid
water to settle the soil. Put a mixture of fresh
soot and lime around each plant about 3 inches
from the stems as a protection from the attacks of
slugs and woodlice. This, moreover, will prevent a
superabundance of moisture from settling on or
about the plants, which should on being planted be
kept well above the mounds, especially in the case
of Melons. As the roots push through the sides of
the mounds more soil of like temperature should be
added thereto to the thickness of 3 inches or 4
inches, and continue to make such additions until
the intervening space is filled to within a couple of
inches of the summit of the small mounds on which
the plants have been set, a circumstance which, by
preventing the lodgment of water and uniformly
damp soil about the stems of the plants, safeguards
them from canker. Take three or four leading
shoots from each plant and train them regularly
over the allotted space, cutting or pinching out all
superfluous shoots. Stop those left when they have
attained a length of 18 inches or 20 inches to induce
them to send out fruit bearirg laterals, w Inch should
be stopped a couple of joints beyond the fruit. It
is hardly necessary to point out that Melui:s, Cu-

538

THE GARDEN.

[Dec. 27, 1890.

cumbers, and Vegetable Marrows can be grown in
frames on hotbeds previously occupied by Aspara-
gus, Potatoes, Carrots and Radishes during the
summer months. The linings of Melon and Cu-
cumber frames should be made up regularly every
week or fortnight, according to the weather and the
state of the fermenting material, to within a couple
of inches of the top of the frame, and for this pur-
pose a good heap of fermenting manure and leaves
should be kept in readiness. In making up the
linings the old can either be freshened up by adding
thereto some warm manure and leaves, or removing
and supplying fresh material. Cover the frames at
night with mats and dry Fern sufficient to exclude
cold as well as to prevent the inside heat escaping.
Frames containing Asparagus, Potatoes, &c, will
only require to have the linings made up from the
top of the hotbed (where a space of 2 feet at the
sides and ends is reserved as a foundation for the
purpose) to the top of the frame, more with a view
to keeping out cold than imparting heat to the in-
terior of the frame. When referring to Melon and
Cucumber plants I should have sounded a warning
note as to the bad results invariably attending the
crowding and over-cropping of the plants. Hence
the necessity for thinning and stopping the shoots
at least twice a week during the summer when the
plants are full of vigour and making free growth.
When the Melon plants are in flower a dry and airy
atmosphere should be aimed at, drawing the sashes
off for a couple of hours during the heat of sunny
days until the fruit is set. This should be assisted
by impregnating the larger flower with the pollen
of the smaller one. Four or live fruits, according
to variety and vigour of plants, will be enough to
leave on each plant for a crop, distributing these
pretty evenly over the plants and retaining fruit of
uniform size in preference to fruits varying in size.
The fruits should be elevated above the foliage, at
all events off the damp soil, when about as large
as an ordinary-sized Apple. H. W. WARD.

Longford Castle.

APPLES AS PYRAMID AND BUSH TREES.
There are a number of Apples, and some of them
most certain bearers, that have a somewhat weak
and straggling growth, and are therefore very in-
different fruiters when grown as standards. In
this note I will name a few of the kinds which do
best when grown as bushes or pyramids. Not only
do these remarks apply to the weak growers, but to
those that produce fruit of a large size, as it is almost
impossible to get handsome, well-coloured samples
on tall standards, as they have to battle against
heavy winds, and are often much bruised if grown
in that way. I doubt very much if there were
many fruits gathered from standard trees at the
Guildhall when such a fine collection of Apples
was staged. I expect the greater portion of the
outdoor fruit (I say outdoor fruit, for there were a
great many dishes of Apples grown indoors) were
either obtained from bush or pyramid trees. The
fruit on these dwarf trees can be thinned out more
and the trees more easily supplied with manure
than tall examples which cover a large area. I
have during the past summer observed many of
the softer- fleshed large Apples badly attacked by
wasps and, worse, by birds. Many fine fruits would
have been ruined on tall trees, but on the dwarf
trees they can be protected by netting and other
material. One of the best of all for keeping and
of good size is Alfriston, which when grown on
standards I have found badly rubbed and much
bruised. I am also under the impression that it
fruits more freely on bush or pyramid trees when
not pruned severely. Warner's King suffers
from the same cause, the wind playing sad havoi
with the fruit. This Apple when gathered too
early soon shrivels. Golden Noble, one of the best
cooking Apples, is best grown as a bush or pyramid
and as this bears the fruit chiefly on the points of
the shoots it is easily damaged, and therefore
requires less pruning than others that bear
freely on spurs. Gascoyne's Scarlet, a splendid
looking fruit, will, I fear, not do as a standard, as it
bears chiefly on the points of the shoots. Bis-
marck is a valuable introduction, but so far I have

not had much fruit on standards, but it bears freely
and the Apples are of fine colour on the bush form
and cordons ; indeed for specimen fruits I should
prefer cordon trees. Bramley's is one of our best
late Apples, having a brisk acid flavour. Emperor
Alexander is grand as a bush or cordon, but I cer-
tainly would not plant standards for the produc-
tion of large fruit, as the fruit soon gets injured. As
I have observed, they will often bear good crops,
but are liable to be injured by the wind. Lane's
Prince Albert, a valuable Apple, is best when
grown in the bush or pyramid form, being a con-
stant fruiter. The trees having a tendency to
weep, it is much better as a bush, as the branches
are more easily supported when heavily laden.
Stirling Castle, one of the best Apples, crops so
freely, that if grown as a standard its shoots are not
strong enough to bear the fruit, so that it should
be grown as a dwarf and not pruned too hard.
Pott's Seedling, a large, very prolific, cooking
Apple of great merit, bears freely in a very small
state when grown as a bush or a pyramid.
Manks Codlin and New Hawthornden come under
the same category, as the trees, when grown as
standards, require time to make a head, and the
latter variety especially is most fruitful when
dwarf. Stone's is a good cooking variety, but a
weakly grower, therefore not suitable as a standard,
and it is such a cropper that it always requires
support. When grown dwarf the fruits should be
well thinned. Smart's Prince Arthur or Kentish
Seedling bears chiefly on the points of the shoots ;
therefore is unsuited for a standard if perfect fruit
is required, and its late-keeping properties should
be recognised, as it is a free bearer. D'Arcy Spice
when grown as a standard is not so good ; although
the fruit is small it is a weakly grower, and best when
dwarf. Cornish Gilliflower is of somewhat similar
habit, and requires careful pruning, as it bears at
the points ; therefore when cut hard back the fruit-
ing wood is destroyed. Small's Admirable and
Seaton House are, I consider, preferable to the last
named on the Paradise stock, bearingmore freely, the
latter being a handsome cooking or dessert variety.
There are several others, such as Yorkshire Beauty,
Red Hawthornden, Reinette du Canada, Ribston
Pippin on the Paradise, Peasgood's Nonsuch, a
spreading grower, but a handsome fruit, and one
that should be in all collections ; Melon Apple, Lord
Suffield, Bedfordshire Foundling, good as a cordon
on bush, but rather spreading as a pyramid ;
Beauty of Kent, and othersthat succeed when grown
as bush trees or cordons, and in most cases as
pyramids, but as tall standards they are not so
suitable. There are many varieties that fruit more
freely in this form, and when grown otherwise often
bear light crops, so that in planting this should be
taken into consideration, as it is useless to plant
those kinds that do best in the dwarfer form — at
least such is my experience. Many of our most
noted growers prefer the bush form at the present
time, and it is no doubt the most profitable of all.
Many of our best Apples make weak growths, and
are more suitable for small gardens in this form,
as with a little thinning out of the wood they do
not require hard cutting back. Of course, stocks
make a little difference in the growth of different
varieties, and the Paradise is largely used, and is,
no doubt, the best for gardens. Abundance of
moisture is necessary, and should be given in dry
seasons. The trees should be well mulched to pre-
vent dryness at the roots. Geo. Wythes.
Syon House Gardens.

grown removed and replaced with fresh. Trying
to drown the enemy is by no means a certain cure,
though I believe it has been tried with success.
Your Vines, if fairly healthy, might be used as
supernumeraries, but planting thoroughly strong
specimens is always the most satisfactory plan.—
G. S. S.

Vine roots unhealthy. — I would be glad to
know through The Garden if the enclosed roots are
attacked with the Phylloxera. In renewing a vinery
border I find many of the roots like these. If it is
the Phylloxera, would it do any good to lift the
Vines entirely and sink the roots in a lake for a
few days? In planting a new vinery would you
advise using these affected Vines as supernume-
raries .'— Dunmere.

*»* In reply to the above, the roots you for-
warded were certainly unhealthy, but I cannot
find any traces of Phylloxera on them. Vines
which are attacked by this pest should be utterly
destroyed, and the ground in which they have

Stove and Greenhouse.

AOACIAS FOR PILLARS.
AMONGST the various uses to which the different
species of Acacia may be put, that of forming a
covering for pillars, walls, and similar places is
one of those for which they are best adapted.
Although there are a large number of kinds
available — all of them, indeed, having yellow
flowers, but affording, nevertheless, great
variety in time of flowering, foliage, and
general habit — it is comparatively seldom that
they are utilised in this manner. With our
present wealth of exotic climbing plants to
choose from, it is not difficult to find suitable
material for furnishing the pillars, &c, of green-
houses and conservatories. At the same time,
it is impossible to secure better subjects for this
than the species of Acacia about to be men-
tioned. Their recommendations are manifold :
they flower profusely and unfailingly during
spring and early summer, and for the rest of
the year form a luxuriant covering for what
would otherwise be eyesores. Many of the
species are extremely elegant in habit, and in
others the flowers are so strongly perfumed as
to fill the whole house with their fragrance.
One of the chief items of labour in conserva-
tories is the cleaning and keeping of the climbers
in order. Acacias are very easily kept free from
mealy bug, and require little more than an
annual pruning to keep them within bounds.
Although it is probable that all Acacias are of
tree or shrub-like habit in a state of nature,
many are of such slender growth that they are
easily made to assume a semi-scandent habit.
Others of sturdier proportions are also admirably
adapted for this purpose, although, as a rule,
they require a longer time to fill a given space.
Of all the Acacias suitable for this work one
of the best is

A. Riceana, which is of slender and very elegant
habit. The shoots are gracefully pendent, and the
foliage of the darkest green. The flowers, which
are pale yellow and borne on drooping spikes, are
produced in the greatest abundance in March and
April. Being a native of Tasmania, it is capable of
withstanding a winter temperature very little above
freezing point, and for houses where there is a
difficulty in keeping up the heat no better plant
could be found. Similar in style of growth and of
equal elegance is

A. leprosa, a species introduced as long ago as
1817, but practically ignored at the present clay.
It has not the needle-like foliage of A. Riceana,
the phyllodes being broader and of a lighter shade
of green. The slender, drooping branchlets are
profusely covered with yellow globular flowers in
April. This species may be generally recognised
by the sticky coating on the leaves and younger
branches. Another species of slender habit, but
perfectly distinct from either of the preceding, is

A. retinodes. It is the only Acacia I know
which flowers throughout the year. A plant which
has been under my care for over two Tears has
never been without bloom during that time. The
consequence is that it never gives the striking
floral effect of those species that flower simul-
taneously, although this is compensated for by the
fact that a spray of sweetly-scented Acacia blossom
is always obtainable where a fairly-sized plant is
grown. The foliage is of a bright glaucous green.
This species is one of the fastest growing of Acacias,
and where it is necessary to fill a bare space
quickly none more suitable could be used. Turn-

Dec. 27, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

599

ing to another and entirely different type of Acacia,
but one eminently suited for this work, we have

A. verticillata, A. echinula, A. ulicina, and A.
ovida. The general aspect of all these species is
virtually the same, although a closer investigation
reveals well marked points of distinction. All of
them have short needle-like phyllodes, for the
most part arranged in whorls and of the deepest
green. The flowers are bright yellow, and borne
in cylinder-shaped heads. They grow very freely,
and a close annual pruning is needed to keep
them in shape. This group usually flowers during
April, but is occasionally in bloom in March.
Of the four species mentioned, A. verticillata and
A. echinula are the best. Although the full beauty
of

A. dealbata, the well-known Silver Wattle,
can only be seen when it is allowed to acquire its
natural arborescent habit, it may be successfully
grown as a pillar plant, especially as there are com-
paratively few houses where room can be spared
for its full development as a tree. In a house
where the prevailing tinge of the foliage is dark
green— as it usually is in large greenhouses — the
silvery grey feathery foliage of this Acacia, which
equals that of a Fern in elegance, is remarkably
effective. If it never flowered it would be worth
a place, but provided it is given plenty of fresh air,
and especially sunshine during the summer, every
shoot will flower.

A. mollissima and A. decurrens have similar
beautifully cut leaves and may be used for variety,
both, however, being inferior to A. dealbata, al-
though A. decurrens is useful as flowering in early
winter, a season when only two or three species are
in bloom. There is still another class to which
reference may be made, although it cannot be said
to possess the recommendations of those already
mentioned. This is the free-growing section, with
large, broad, and very leaf-like phyllodes. Promi-
nent amongst them is

A. pycnantha, the phyllodes of which I have
occasionally seen G inches or 8 inches in length by
3 inches in width, thus rendering the species one
of great interest amongst Acacias. A. cyanophylla
has the phyllodes even longer, although not so
wide. A. falcata is one of the freest flowering in
this group, and can always be distinguished by the
long narrow phyllodes hanging in a loose manner,
as if the plant were flagging. Other species are A.
brachybotrya, with very handsome silvery foliage ;
A. longifolia and its varieties, some of the most
profuse blooming of this group ; A. suaveolens, A.
sophorje, &c. The advantages of these and the
numerous species resembling them lie in their
quick, robust growth, and in the luxuriance of
their foliage rather than in floral beauty, although
when planted in suitable positions and of sufficient
size they prove themselves worthy members of this
gonus.

The cultivation of all these Acacias is of the
simplest kind. They should be planted out if
possible, as they can never display the same
luxuriance of growth and flower if treated as
pot plants, however liberally. They are all
voracious feeders, and almost unlimited supplies
of water may be given, an occasional top-dress-
ing of cow manure being also beneficial. In a
young state I usually grow them in a mixture
of peat and loam, but as the plants get larger,
peat may be entirely dispensed with. Coming,
as most of them do, from Australia, it may be
readily understood that they require all the
sunlight they can get in this country, and for
A. dealbata and such species as A. longifolia
it is essential i;hat a light position be selected if
they are to flower properly. By far the finest
show of bloom on Acacias generally for some
years was that of the spring of 1888, owing un-
doubtedly to the long and brilliant summer of
the previous year. It is worth while to state,
however, that of the foregoing species I have
found that A. leprosa and A. Riceana flower
very satisfactorily even in shady positions. It
is necessary iu training these plants on pillars

to get a good body of growth at the base, espe-
cially when the pillars are near paths, or not
hidden by other plants ; it then becomes easy to
completely cover the upper space. If this par-
ticular is attended to at the beginniug they
rarely become bare at the bottom, as so many
climbers do. As soon as the flowering season
is over the shoots should be shortened back,
except those that are required for filling up
vacant spaces. The most troublesome insect
that attacks Acacias is black thrips, and for
keeping these under, fumigation or syringing
with tobacco water must be adopted. Mealy
bug is only found as a rule in the cracks and
scars of old stems, and is easily removed by
syringing with a solution of soft soap and petro-
leum. W. B.

lived. All these plants are gross feeders, requiring
a rich compost of loam and cow manure, besides
frequent supplies of manure water. Young well-
grown plants of S. arborescens make really hand-
some specimens, even when not in flower. These
three species are natives of the Canary Islands and
have been in cultivation for many years. — W. B.

Camellia Lady Hume's Blush. — This is an
old, but very handsome and distinct garden variety
which seems to be getting scarce. I have repeatedly
noticed that though it is mentioned in the cata-
logues of the Belgian nurserymen, who make a
speciality of these things, they rarely or never send
it when the selections are left to themselves. Small
plants with bold and ample foliage seem to be more
sought for, which merit can scarcely be claimed for
Lady Hume's Blush. Another old variety hardly
ever seen at the present day is C. fimbriata alba,
the flowers of which are a counterpart of the old
double white, except that each petal is notched at
the edge.— H. P.

Zonal Pelargonium M. V. Noulens. — This
Pelargonium, which was sent out last spring by a
French nurseryman with an elaborate description
and at a relatively high price, proved on flowering
to be a good deal in the way of the better-known
Souvenir de Mirande, but the flowers were rather
smaller, less perfect, and of a deeper shade of col-
our. The difference in tint between the two appears
to be more marked than it was during the summer
months, for Messrs. Cannell have given us several
opportunities recently of comparing them, and the
fine bunches of these two varieties staged at the
Aquarium and at the Horticultural Society's meeting
were much admired by reason of their distinct tint.
I have not noticed any examples of two other va-
rieties belonging to this section which were sent out
last spring, viz., Jeanne d'Arc and Jacques Callot,
but there is little doubt they would be equally
suitable for winter blooming. As grown at Swanley
the zonal Pelargonium is most valuable for flower-
ing at this season of the year. — H. P.

Statices. — These plants appear to have fallen
out of fashion now-a-days, although it is difficult
to assign a reason for their decadence. There are
few greenhouse plants that are so easily grown or
that flower during such a large portion of the year.
Several species are now in flower at Kew, and show
the usefulness of these plants for mid-winter. S.
arborescens is the finest species in cultivation, as
regards the size of the panicles, and a few plants
are very effective for the shelves of the greenhouse.
This Statice has one disadvantage, however — that
of growing quickly and soon becoming lanky, ulti-
mately reaching a height of 6 feet or more. It is,
therefore, usually advisable to renew the plants
every two or three vears. If this is not done both
the leaves and flower-heads are apt to decrease in
size. The tops are easily struck in a mild bottom-
heat, placing them singly in 3-inch pots in a mix-
ture of loam and sand. They always strike more
readily if taken from a plant in active growth, and
it is a good plan to start the old plants by giving
them a little extra warmth before removing the
tops. As dwarfer and more convenient species, S.
Bourgirei and S. puberula are to be preferred. They
are both exceedingly handsome and flower with
great freedom. They differ very little from each
other, but S. Bourgia3i may be distinguished by the
more prominently developed wings on the flower-
scapes, as well as by the wavy, lobed leaves, those
of S. puberula being nearly flat. The main beauty
of all these Statices consists in the blue-purple
calyx, the petals, which are white, being very short-

BOUVARDIAS.

The additions which have been made at various
times to this genus during the past ten or twelve
years have considerably increased the value of an
already most useful class of plants. The prolonged
season of their flowering increases their utility,
especially for cutting. Most of the varieties now
grown will stand well when cut, particularly those
with the most compact trusses ; others, chiefly with
long tubes to the flowers, do not stand so well.
From the end of September onwards to the new
year is the period when their flowers are of the
most service. Even during the height of the Chry-
santhemum season some change is necessary, and
nothing will aid better than the Bouvardias in sup-
plying this. A few years ago they were considered
to be rather difficult of cultivation, but this oc-
curred more through a lack of knowledge as to
their special requirements than anything else.
They may be grown successfully under various
modes of culture, according to the adaptability of
the surroundings. I have succeeded well with
them in different ways, and, no doubt, others also
have grown them upon other plans.

As soon as the plants have ceased to yield a pro-
fitable return in flower I prefer to dry the stock off
for a few weeks ; then about the end of February
or early in March they are pruned and treated in
a similar way to Fuchsias, which are started early.
This close pruning in the case of old plants is bene-
ficial, and tends to increase the vigour of the growth
later on. When pruned they are, if growing in
pots, shaken out and reduced considerably ; in the
case of large plants, pots two sizes smaller and
sometimes three are of sufficient size to accommo-
date them. Placed in a growing temperature, as a
vinery in its earlier stages or a Peach house fairly
advanced, they will soon break away into fresh
growth and yield a plentiful supply of cuttings,
which taken at this time with a heel will strike
quickly. When cuttings are no longer required"
the plants should be frequently pinched ; my plan
is to stop them at every second joint. In this way
bushy, compact stuff is soon formed, which must be
in every way preferable to a straggling plant. I
never allow them to be shaded more than can
be possibly avoided ; the more light they have
the better it is for them. After a fair growth
has been made I gradually harden them off,
so that by the second week in June they are
fit to be planted out in the open air. I firmly
believe the planting-out system for the warm
summer months to be far better than attempting to
grow them on in pots. The latter plan causes more
labour with no corresponding return. The growth
made by plants when turned out is far more sturdy
and vigorous than can ever be obtained under pot
cultivation. In planting out I have tried different
plans both in the open ground and in frames with
the lights off during the summer season. I much
prefer the latter because the soil in these frames is
shallow, being in the winter filled up with such as
Cauliflowers, then followed by pricked off bedding
stuff, then planted with the Bouvardias, and re-
newed as may be necessary with new soil. In this
way the Bouvardias cannot root deeply, but have
all their roots near the surface and closer home.
Thus when taken up in the autumn for potting this
operation can be far more effectively done, the roots
being retained, and the plants hardly feeling the
check. When planted out in deeper soil the roots
penetrate lower into it. The growth is too luxu-
riant and the plants do not lift so well, at the same
time feeling the removal. In shallow soil the plants
want more attention as regards watering, but this
is a small item. During hot weather the syringe
should be freely used after the sun partially leaves
the plants. The surface soil will need lightly
stirring at times to prevent it from hardening. This

600

THE GARDEN.

[Dec. 27, 1890.

will also keep down weeds. Pinching should be
followed out, as previously advised whilst in pots
after a slight lapse of time to allow the plants to
root into the fresh soil.

About the middle of August a part of the
stick, for the sake of prolonging the succes-
sion, should be left to grow on for flowering,
and the rest stopped once more. Lifting for
repotting or planting in heated pits or borders in
houses should not be left undone later than the se-
cond week in September. Where early frosts are
more prevalent in low-lying districts the first week
in the month is quite late enough. Plants which
have made good progress will be fit for 10-inch and
12-inch pots ; such plants will be from 2 feet to 3
feet or more in height, and well furnished in com-
parison. A fairly light soil suits them ; it must
not, however, be too rough, or else it cannot be
made to settle well amongst the roots. The soil
should be made as firm as possible without
damaging the roots, a good watering being
given at once. The plants should then be
placed without delay where they are to remain
for flowering if it can be possibly so arranged.
For a week or two, and longer if necessary, the
house should be kept moderately close during the
day, and a moist atmosphere maintained by a free
use of the syringe. The plants may be syringed
frequently even when the sun is shining upon
them ; it will help to keep the leaves from flagging.
More air may be advantageously admitted at night
when the weather is mild, thus for a few weeks re-
versing the order of things in air-giving. The plants
will generally be found to take a good supply of
water, especially if there is a little heat in the
pipes. A night temperature of from 55° to 60°,
with a corresponding rise during the day, will suit
them well. Later on, when the plants commence
to flower, 50° to 55° will be warm enough at
night for Bouvardias under this mode of treat-
ment. Young, growing plants with sappy wood,
which probably may have been struck the pre-
vious spring and grown on well, require rather
more heat to keep them going ; otherwise when
dull weather and fogs come on with the shorter
days, instead of flowering, as they should do, upon
laterals and sub-laterals, they will fail through their
energies being exhausted in making a growth out of
proportion to their age.

■ The potting-up plan is to be recommended
when a convenient house can be partly or
entirely given up to their cultivation. When,
however, this is not the case, the plants may
be advantageously lifted from their summer
quarters, and again planted into heated pits, there
to remain for flowering. A pit that has recently
been emptied of a crop of Melons will suit them
very well, so will the soil as a rule, unless more than
usually heavy. The only thing to arrange for is the
height ; at least 6 inches should be allowed for future
growth. In other respects the treatment should be
the same as for the potted-up plants. Of course,
when this plan is followed the height of the plants
should be modified from the first to suit the case.
The pit may at the turn of the days be wanted for
something else ; then the plants should be lifted and
pruned straight away, then potted and treated as
previously recommended. This planting-out system
is an easy one to follow and can be adopted without
doubt in many cases where the other plan could not.
The treatment I prefer for plants struck the same
year is pot culture for the first season, growing them
in the summer-time with plenty of exposure so as to
obtain well-ripened and sturdy growth. These will
yield a fair amount of bloom the first autumn, but
the chief object with these plants is to form good
material for the next year, which they are sure to
do if treated well. These young plants should the
first spring be slightly reduced when pruned and
repotted into the same sized pot, then treated as for
the older plants. When the pot system of culture is
followed throughout, I am quite aware that larger
plants can be had the first season by making the
plants develop a forced growth, but it is npt so en-
during in the long run, and in the neighbour-
hood of the metropolis renders them more sus-
ceptible to injury in times of severe fog. The
flowers obtained from pot plants will not at any

time compare in quantity with those from the
system previously recommended. Another system,
but one which I have not been able to adopt, is
that of planting out permanently, as in the case of
Gardenias. This, where there is plenty of room,
would, I have no doubt, answer very well and give
a capital return in flower, provided the plants be
kept clean of insect pests, especially the mealy bug
and scale ; if these cannot be guarded against,
they will be found rather difficult to clean.
Green-fly and thrips can be kept down by fumiga-
tion, but there is a small insect (a white species of
spider), hardly discernible to the naked eye, which
will at times attack pot plants more particularly,
checking the leaf development and giving to these
the appearance of being scalded on the under sur-
face, and a blistered look upon the upper side.
Syringing frequently with a solution of soot-water is
the best remedy for this troublesome little creature.
This is best prepared by placing about half-a-gallon
of pure soot (not that taken from where sulphure-
ous fumes predominate, as in the case of coke fires)
into a bag, and allowing it to remain in the aver-
age-sized tank from whence the water is taken.
This will also act as a manurial agent, and if con-
tinued will do no harm, but rather act as a pre-
ventive.

I have not found the Bouvardia to be very
particular as to the character of the soil in
which it is grown. Good mellow loam with de-
composed leaf-soil and a free supply of sand
suit very well ; the fertilising Moss is a good
medium to obtain a quicker growth, but I doubt
its permanent efficacy. I have plants by me now
which are five and six years old ; these have been
treated to the planting-out system, and show no signs
of decline, but rather the reverse, having flowered
better this year than ever before. One great advan-
tage of growing the plants under the system which I
advocate is in the greater length of stem that can
in nearly every case be cut with the flowers. Before
being arranged I like to take off all but the last
pair or two of leaves in order to keep the flowers
fresher. If when cut they have to be sent a dis-
tance, so that any time elapses before the arrange-
ment can be performed, then the ends should be
again cut afresh, for by that time the wound will
have become dry, not so readily taking up the
water. In arrangements I prefer to keep Bouvar-
dias by themselves. True, a good scarlet or a good
white are both useful at times with other things.

Of sorts to grow the following can be recom-
mended. Whites : Alfred Neuner, a prolific flower-
ing double ; Vreelandi, its counterpart as a single ;
candidissima, an improvement upon jasminoides ;
The Bride, a blush-tinted kind, a pleasing colour.
Scarlets : President Cleveland, the best and brightest
of its colour, good bloomer ; Dazzler, a rich scarlet ;
Hogarth and elegans are also two useful sorts, of
a paler colour; Sang Lorraine is after Alfred
Neuner in all but colour, which is a brilliant scarlet.
Pink and rose-tinted : Priory Beauty, delicate rose,
a beautiful shade of colour ; Mrs. Robert Green, a
light pink (sport from President Cleveland) ; Presi-
dent Garfield, pink, with double flowers ; Reine des
Roses, quite distinct, but rather tender in growth ;
flavescens has primrose-yellow flowers, very dis-
tinct, but does not stand well ; the double variety
of this I have not seen.

When Bouvardias begin to show flower occa-
sional assistance with either liquid or an artificial
manure will be a great help. At other times it is
not needed, unless starved plants have to be taken
in hand. When cuttings for propagation are not
to be had in sufficient numbers, root-propagation
may be resorted to in a successful manner. This
can be seen to when the plants are reduced for re-
potting. With ordinary cuttings, too close an
atmosphere should be avoided, otherwise the
cuttings will be disposed to damp off. A liberal use
of sand is of great assistance in encouraging root
action. As soon as it is quite certain that the
cuttings are fairly well supplied with roots they
should be potted up into 3- inch pots, then for a
week or two be grown on in a brisk heat, but near
the glass, afterwards being gradually hardened off
to the ordinary course of treatment.

J. Hudson.

Monochsetum sericeum multiflorum. — Be-
longing to the same Natural Order as the useful
Pleroma macrantha, which has recently been
noticed in The Gakden, and bearing flowers of a
similar type, this beautiful little plant is, neverthe-
less, of quite a different habit and available for en-
tirely different purposes. It makes a dwarf spread-
ing bush only a few inches high, but of a diameter
several times its height, and when grown in 6-inch
or 7-inch pots is a most useful plant for the front
row on the greenhouse stage. It commences to
flower during the latter part of November and con-
tinues for several weeks. The flowers are 2 inches
in diameter, the petals (which may be either four
or five in number) being of a rich mauve, in bright
contrast with which are the large curiously formed
yellow stamens. Each flower is borne at the end
of a short branch. Pretty little plants may be ob-
tained in a year by striking the cuttings in early
spring and growing them on in a warm greenhouse
temperature. They are much better, however, at
the second season, the branches hanging several
inches over the pot and partly hiding it. Fibrous
peat and silver sand, with a proportion of about
one-fourth loam, is the most suitable compost for
them. Monochretum is a Central American genus,
and although the present species is perhaps the
best for general cultivation, there are four or five
others of great beauty. — B.

Garden Flora.

PLATE 785.

THE COPPER AUSTRIAN BRIER.*
The Copper Austrian Eose and its yellow
type, for I have seen both yellow and copper-
coloured flowers on one shoot, is one of our
hardiest and most distinctive wild Roses. An
inhabitant of Southern Germany, Austria,
and Northern Italy, it was early introduced
into English gardens. Gerard had it in culti-
vation in 1596, and it has remained a fa-
vourite ever since, its beauty doing much to
keep up some taste for the single Eoses. The
plate represents its form perfectly, but it
must be a little difficult to catch the exact
coppery tint of the flowers.

Cultube. — It is best grown as a dwarf,
though I have standards in my garden which
flower freely, but the slender leafage and
short time of floweriDg hardly render them
nice-looking objects for the rest of the year.
As dwarf bushes they succeed admirably,
growing in any good light soil, either on their
own roots or worked on Brier or Manetti
stocks ; indeed, I think the stock gives an
additional root power, and so leads to stronger
and more vigorously pushed-up shoots, the
flowers being produced along the full length
of the last year's suckers or shoots. Good
suckers are very valuable and give the finest
blooms. The small wood should, on pruning
in March, be cut closely in to the two-year-
old wood, the strong wood be left long and
these shoots be bent over in the shape of a bow,
or they may bo pegged down parallel with
the ground their full length.

So far this Eose lias not given, to my
knowledge, any hybrid progeny. It has been
tried at Lyons, and Lacharme had it freely
planted on the wall upon which he seeded
his Eoses, no doubt with the hope of the

* Drawn for The Garden in Paul and Son's Nur-
sery, Broxbourne, by II. G. Moon, June 9, 1890. Litho-
graphed and printed by Guillaunie Severeyns.

o

o

M

en
H3

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w

Dec. 27, 1890.]

THE GABDEK

601

pollen effecting natural hybridisation, but no
seedling of liis which 1 have seen showed
any signs of hybridisation. In its native home
I believe it seeds freely.

As a rock plant it is effective, and should
have a sunny southern exposure to ripen the
wood. In common with other Koses, the
riper the wood the better it flowers. In
saying that no hybrids had been produced, I
do not forget Harrisoni and Persian Yellow,
which aie probably double forms of this variety,
Persian Yellow being probably an introduction
as a double form from Eastern gardens, as E.
sulphurea also was.

George Paul.

NOTES FROM GLEN COVE, U.S.A.
Ostrich Plume Chrysanthemums. — Ostrich
Plume is a common name here given to the
hairy-flowered section, no matter what may be
the colour of the blossom. Mrs. Alpheus
Hardy, the white Ostrich Plume, is now pretty
well distributed over America and Europe. In
some cases it has given satisfaction, in others
again it has behaved indifferently ; the general
opinion in this country is that it needs high
cultivation. The finest flowers of it that I have
seen this season were obtained by a florist from
plants propagated last June, then grown on in
pots till August, when they were planted out
on benches in the greenhouses, well watered, well
fed, and otherwise properly cared for, and dis-
budded to one flower to each plant. These flowers
were magnificent. But Mrs. Alpheus Hardy
can no longer reign as the white Ostrich Plume ;
after this we must know it as a white Ostrich
Plume variety, for growers here have obtained
other white-flowered varieties from seed of it,
and which are distinct from the parent. About
their merits I am not yet able to speak. Peter
Henderson and Co., of New York, imported
Louis Btehmer, the pink-purple Ostrich Plume
variety, from Japan in the spring of 1889.
When they received them the plants were neces-
sarily weak, but they grew them along as best
they could and flowered them, and showed the
flowers at our leading exhibitions. The blos-
soms were as decidedly hairy as are those of
Mrs. Alpheus Hardy, but the flowers, which
were cut from weak plants, were not as fine, and
their pink-purple colour weighed against them.
So for a year we have been familiar with
this pink Ostrich Plume Chrysanthemum, and
anxiously watched its development at Messrs.
Henderson's establishment. What is the result
this year I Louis Bcehmer has turned out to
be one of the healthiest, most vigorous, and
profuse Chrysanthemums grown, and the blos-
soms are immense, standing right up on stiff,
stout, leafy stems. And these flowers cut with
stems from 1 foot to 2 feet long have been sent
broadcast and in quantity to our several exhi-
bitions throughout the country. As grown at
Henderson's it is emphatically robust, but how
it may behave elsewhere I have no means of
knowing.

The Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) is recom-
mended (p. 435) as a good Conifer for a small
garden. Perhaps it does better in foreign lands
tlian here at home. We look upon it as one of
the poorest of all Conifers for ornamental plant-
ing. It is pretty enough while quite young, but
by the time it is fifteen years old it begins to
lose its lower branches, and w hen it is twenty-
five years old it is little better than a bare post,
with a lot of scraggy sticks of branches near I

the top. It is no better in the mountains
where it grows wild.

Benthamia .taponica. — In The Garden (p.
417) the following occurs : "This species with
yellowish red flowers .... it is doubtful if it
is now in cultivation in this country." 1 am sure
our nurserymen would be glad to supply it. It
is one of the finest shrubs one can have in a
garden, and it is far hardier than B. fragifera.
The true flowers are yellow, but the petaloid
bracts are of a white satiny colour, and they are
as large, though a little narrower than those of the
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida). The plants
are vigorous, bushy, branched to thebottom, and
well clad with bright green elliptical leaves ;
they root freely and are easily transplanted, and
young plants bloom when only 2 feet to 3 feet
high ; indeed, we might aptly term them sum
mer-blooming Flowering Dogwoods. Most of
the petaloid bracts of the Flowering Dogwood
are more or less damaged at the ends ; whereas
those of the Benthamia are nearly perfect. The
Dogwood is the first tree of our woods to colour
its foliage in autumn, but the Benthamia keeps
green longer and lasts longer, and usually
changes to a metallic bronze or crimson colour.
The following comparative notes from my
diary may be suggestive : —
1890-

May 9. Cornus florida full of flowers, but the tracts
barely pure white yet.
,, 16. In fine bloom.

,, 28. A deal past its best. Growing well.
June 13. Benthamia japonica in fine flower; at best.
,, ,, ,, FJowers free; bracts

,, ,, „ white, perfect, and like

,, ,, ,, those of Flowering

,, ,, ,, Dogwood.

,, 27. About over. Was very fine.

Chrysanthemums for cottage gardens. —
Apropos of the article on this subject (page
452) I may say that in this country we also
have cheerless gardens in November. In a few
of the cottages around here the old-fashioned
Button Artemisias (pompon) are still (Nov. 25)
bright and pretty, but in pretentious gardens
scarcely a blossom can be found on the place
outside of the glasshouses. But there is no
need of this. We have plenty of Sweet
Alyssum and pot Marigolds still in bloom, also
a little Mignonette and a few Tritomas, and
the big white Christmas Roses are raising up
their heads, and, too, we have any amount of
pretty Chrysanthemums. Red Dragon came in
earlyand is good still ; the same with Gloriosum.
Cullingfordi is better outside than indoors ;
Domination, capital for outside, is about over ;
America and Asa Gray, single late varieties, are
excellent ; Mrs. N. Hallock and Ethel, also
late, are now opening good. We have nothing
better than Baron Beust, and from Elsie grown
outdoors I have cut sheaves of flowers. Many
other varieties might be mentioned. Even
these, however, are not as hardy as the old
pompons ; but what of that when we can keep
them along through any winter by simply lift-
ing a root of each kind and wintering it in a
corner of a cool cellar. In the spring take out
the clumps, divide them, and plant out the
divisions. The first sharp frost injures our large
and open flowers, but later frosts, even if con-
siderably severer, do not injure the blossoms as
much as did the early frost. But if you want a
profusion of outdoor blossoms, grow seedlings.
By sowing the seed early in spring the seed-
lings bloom with us the first season, and such a
mass .' Single and double, good and bad,
beautiful and indifferent ; red, white, yellow,
and purple in many shades ; Chinese, Japanese,
and pompons, all are there. And how interest-
ing ! And to help in the decoration of your
gardens in winter grow Berberis Thunbergi, a

neat and comely little shrub from Japan, and
which never grows beyond bounds, and all
winter long its branches are arching chains of
drooping scarlet fruit. November 27-8, 17° of
frost. This puts an end to outdoor blossoms.

Sassafras (S. officinale). — The specimen
mentioned (p. 412) as a dense pyramid 30 feet
high must be very handsome. It grows wild
abundantly here, and seldom is planted as an
oruamental tree, although it has much merit
and its leaves colour beautifully in autumn. It
is a shallow rooting tree, and dislikes having
the ground about its roots disturbed by plough-
ing, digging, or hoeing. The finest specimen
of it that I know of is growing in the park at
Washington's old home at Mount Vernon, in
Virginia. It is 60 feet high, 8 feet in circum-
ference of trunk, and from the ground up to
the first branch is 11 feet. You call it " Vir-
ginian Bay. " This name is not used here, so
far as I know. We call it Sassafras, orSass'fras,
and by this name the botanist as well as every
little pickaninny in the land is familiar with it.

The double white Horse Chestnut (p. 450).
— This tree, as Mr. Webster says, deserves to
be more largely cultivated. Its chief advan-
tages are, in my opinion, that it blooms later
than the typical form and does not bear fruit to
litter up the place in autumn. Otherwise, with
us, it behaves much about the same as does the
common Horse Chestnut, and its habit of
growth is about the same. The following data
from my diary explain themselves : —
1888.
June 5. Horse Chestnut, single white, past its best.

,, ,, ,, double white, in good bloom.

,, ,, ,, single red, in good bloom,

but dropping.
1889.
May 24. Horse Chestnut, single white, passing.

,, ,, ,, double white, at best.

,, „ ,, single red, very good.

1890.
May 23. Horse Chestnut, single white, going past.

,, ,, ,, double white, at best, and

a few dropping.

,, ,, ,, single red, beginning to

drop.

These three trees are growing side by side.
The single-flowered white one lasts in bloom
about a week, the double one a few days longer,
and the single red lasts about as long in bloom
as does the double white one. Our plants of
double red-flowered have not yet bloomed.

Tsuga Sieboldi. — Mr. Burrell has heard
(p. 435) favourable reports of this Japanese
Hemlock. In my opinion, it is the most ser-
viceable Hemlock Spruce in cultivation. It is
growing with us in positions where no American
species would live a year. It does not seem to
mind an open sunny situation and dry soil in
the least, grows vigorously and gracefully,
and is easily transplanted. There is a very
pretty little dwarf form of it called nana, also
worth having. I am likewise favourably im-
pressed with our new species, viz., T. carolini-
ana, from the Southern Alleghanies ; so far, it
has lived unscathed in our northern gardens.

Preparing plants for long voytages. —
Apropos of the notes on this subject in The
Gakden some time ago, permit me to say : In
the case of herbaceous plants my experience has
been that the plants should be grown in small
pots, and thoroughly root-bound in the pots,
and they should be packed for transportation
just as they are going to rest, never after
they have been at rest for some time. Remove
the pots, tie up each plant firmly by itself in a
little dry wood moss, being careful not to
smother the crown, and pack the plants in
wooden boxes in tiers very firmly, cleatirig each

602

THE GARDEN.

[Deo. 27, 1890.

tier ; have the plants butt to butt and face to
face, only let there be an open air space of seve-
ral inches between the opposite faces. Make
ventilating apertures in the boxes opposite these
open Bpaces, and nail across the holes pieces of
finely perforated zinc sheeting to exclude ver-
min. Trees in the same manner. Again, let
me emphasise these things : only healthy, tho-
roughly ripened, thoroughly pot-bound plants
should be selected ; use dry packing, pack
firmly ; use medium-sized, easily handled cases,
and pack and ship when the plants are natu-
rally going to rest, and then only. This re-
duces to a minimum any tendency on their part
to start to grow on the way.

Helping Conifers. —Let me advise your
correspondent to try barnyard manure. Spread
it broadcast on the ground under the branches
and on the Grass round about the trees ; put it
on early in winter, and in cleaning up next
spring, rake the roughest of it from off the
Grass and throw it under the branches there to
remain over summer as a mulching, or if this
may appear too untidy cart off the rakings al-
together. Young Conifers love manure top-
dressings, and I give it to them freely.

The Ginkgo Tree (G. biloba). — Your cor-
respondent (page 435) says, " It is net very
readily propagated." This is true so far as cut-
tings and old seed are concerned. But get new
seed and it germinates very freely, and every
one will grow. There are now a good few
fruiting trees in this country, and they bear
very heavily, and the San Francisco dealers in
Japanese plants import large quantities of
Ginkgo seed from Japan. The Ginkgo is a
strikingly handsome tree in its way, and it grows
well in almost any soil and situation, is very
hardy, and an excellent street or city tree, and
its leaves are unmolested by insects. It is easily
transplanted. A year ago last September I re-
moved a specimen Ginkgo 41 feet high from one
part of our grounds to another, and this sum-
mer it has put forth fresh leaves and made a
little growth, and the young wood is as supple
as can be. Of course, I headed it down a dozen
feet and shortened in the branches proportion-
ately, but not an inch of wood left on the
tree has died. But the transplanting had rather
a curious effect upon it. When it started into
growth it bloomed very freely — it never bloomed
before — and it proved to be a male tree. Speak-
ing of the different varieties of Ginkgo, as "T."
does not mention the fastigiate form, I presume
he has never heard of our American fasiigiate
or columnar variety, known as the " hub
wonder." You ought to see it (in the cata-
logue).

The following about the Ginkgo tree is from
a letter to me by my old friend Mr. William R.
Smith, curator, U.S. Botanic Gardens, Wash-
ington :—

There is an old Ginkgo tree in Washington— a
single specimen — which I presume was planted in
the early part of this century. Up to a recent date
the Ginkgo was a very rare tree, nurserymen asking
£1 apiece for them. The first Japanese Embassy
brought over some seeds and presented them to the
Botanic Garden, and the trees raised from those
seeds are now bearing seed. The cut-leaved variety,
which is now a handsome specimen in these grounds,
was grafted by the venerable 'frumpy, and is now
his monument, a curio, like himself, for its unique
character. Messrs. Hoops Bros, and Thomas had
seed sent to them from Japan in quantity by some
friend. When visiting their establishment in search
of trees for the streets of Washington, I purchased
200 trees at Is. 3d. apiece, and they are now grow-
ing in two different streets in this city.

There are two trees, one male and one female,
growing side by side in front of the Military

Academy at Frankfort, Kentucky. The female pro-
duces a large quantity of seed every year, and has
been up to date our chief source of supply. Some
years ago, when visiting Frankfort, we were taken
out to see a curious tree with a curious fruit. The
pulp surrounding the seed has a most abominable
odour. Although warned by the professor not to
touch it, I gathered the seed with my own hands,
but it took me two days' washing to get the odour
off. Pyramidal forms, by careful selection, can be
secured, and, if properly grafted, a stock of the
broad-leaved as well as the cut-leaved varieties can
be had. The seeds will germinate in about three
weeks after sowing, provided they are fresh, but
they will not keep well more than six months. It
took two years to root a cutting now in these gar-
dens. W. Falconer.

Kitchen Garden.

MAKING ASPARAGUS BEDS.
On some soils Asparagus will grow well with-
out any special preparation being made for it
other than trenching, or bastard trenching, ac-
cording to circumstances, but the case is very
different with heavy clayey ground. The less
clay there is in land intended for Asparagus the
greater the likelihood of its thriving for many
years under ordinarily good surface treatment,
and so valuable is this crop, that it pays well to
bestow extra pains on the preparation of the
beds. This important work may well be done
now or during the prevalence of dry, frosty
weather, there being much wheeling in con-
nection with it.

There are two methods of procedure open to
those especially who are not short of garden
space, one being the opening of the trenches
now and refilling according as the material can
be collected during the following year, and the
other consisting of removing the clay and form-
ing the beds at once. In the former case a
good-sized breadth of ground will naturally be
wasted, as far as vegetable culture is concerned,
for one season, but it presents a good oppor-
tunity for collecting a variety of suitable
materials for forming a lasting bed. Supposing
it is decided to have raised beds, and these
sufficiently wide to hold three rows of plants, a
width of 5 feet would be required for each, 1
foot space being allowed between that and the
walk, and 2 feet as an alley between the bed now
being prepared and another in prospective. The
total breadth of ground first marked out may
well be 8 feet. The reasons for opening such
wide trenches will presently become apparent,
and I will only add just now that second or
subsequently formed trenches will only require
to be 7 feet wide. Next proceed to throw out
the surface soil into a neat ridge, as much as
possible on each side of the trench till the clay
subsoil is bared. This should be then excavated
to a depth say of 30 inches below the ordinary
level of the garden and wheeled away, the
bottom being slightly hollowed out and a 3-inch
or slightly smaller common pipe drain laid
through the centre. On this, and in a thin
layer over the bottom, place rough clinkers,
brick-ends, stones, and coarse mortar rubbish,
with alittleof the finest of thesameonthesurface.
Subsequent progress will be much slower, the
trench thus prepared being made the receptacle
of a variety of garden accumulations, including
the upper portions of Cabbage, Broccoli, and
other stalks, weeds, sweepings, road trimmings,
spare manure of any kind, some of the surface
soil being added according as all is evenly
mixed. The first layer thus gradually formed
ought to be brought up to slightly above the
surrounding level of the ground. On this must
be placed a good depth or fully 0 inches of finer

oil or rather compost, as this should consist of
the best of the surface soil already well pulver-
ised by long exposure to all weathers, fine mor-
tar rubbish, or failing this a few bushels of
slaked lime, leaf soil, well decayed garden rub-
bish, sand, charred clay, old Mushroom bed
manure, and old potting-bench material, all
well mixed together. A very curious mixture,
some may remark, but it is one that is within
the reach of most gardeners, and on beds thus
formed the very best Asparagus can easily be
grown, failure being simply out of the ques-
tion.

If space cannot be afforded for this slow me-
thod of forming Asparagus beds on heavy
ground, then au extra effort should be made to
collect the necessary material for making a bed
in readiness for planting next spring instead of
the following year — the opening and prepara-
tion of the trench, as regards excavation and
draining, to be exactly the same as just de-
scribed, while much the same materials may be
used for both top and bottom layers. It will
require a considerable quantity of material for
refilling a trench, but it is astonishing what can
be done in the way of collecting when an earnest
attempt is made. The contents of a garden
" smother," or heap of charred garden refuse
and ashes, are especially valuable for mixing with
the top layer, and garden rubbish well advanced
in decay, and to which lime, at the rate of one
cartload to five of the rubbish, is added, is excel-
lent for the lower layer. Sea sand and seaweed
are not generally obtainable, but where they can
be had the latter should be freely mixed with
the lower layer, and the sand principally with
the surface soil or compost. When the beds are
thus well prepared it does not much matter if
they do sink considerably, or say nearly or quite
down to the ordinary level of the garden, raised
beds being most desirable when the subsoil,
naturally retentive of moisture and very cold,
has not been greatly changed in character.

Where the plan of breaking up an old or
comparatively old bed of Asparagus for forcing
every winter is adopted, it follows that a new
bed must be planted every spring. If, there-
fore, the beds are made on the lines I have
laid down, a large breadth, or the principal
part of the garden may be gradually, yet
most surely brought into splendid condition,
what at one time was very difficult to culti-
vate and generally unsatisfactory becoming
exactly the reverse, and a great saving of labour
eventually effected. It will now be seen why
I advise what are intended for alleys, if alleys
there must be, should be treated exactly the
same as the beds proper. If this is not done,
those patches of bad soil and clay will be
found very awkward to deal with in later years.
Moreover, there is no necessity for or wisdom
in confining the roots of Asparagus to narrow
raised beds, and if they have access to well-
prepared alleys, the value of the crops will be
enhanced accordingly.

In very many instances there may be no need
to either remove clay or subsoil, or to add a
drain immediately under the centre of each
bed, but, all the same, the site would be greatly
improved by the addition of some or all of the
collected materials recommended for the heavier
soils. Only very light, poor soils require to be
enriched by the addition of " fat manure," so
strongly recommended by some writers, but if
a good depth of porous soil is created partly by
the addition of slowly decaying and finer im-
perishable substances, the effect will be far
more lasting. That manure is necessary to give
the plants a strong start I readily admit, and
also that it is impossible to grow Asparagus to

Dec. 27, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

603

a too great size, but it is simply a waste of ma-
nure to bury it very deeply, and Asparagus can
easily be fed from the surface at any time.
Plenty of fresh loam, road trimmings, and some
lime are better than much rich manure for
what may be termed stale light ground. Not
till the roots are commencing active growth, or,
say, iu April or early in May, ought the plant-
ing to be done, and by that time the newly-
formed beds will have settled down consider-
ably. I. M. H.

CULTURE OF MUSHROOMS.
Other writers have of late recorded the several
methods by which they have successf ally cultivated
this valuable esculent. I have been very fortunate
in securing good crops for several years past. Pro-
bably no two of us adopt exactly the same system
of culture. It does not follow, therefore, that a
hard-and-fast line need be followed to attain the
desired ends, viz., a good and even crop of Mush-
rooms, of good substance and as prolonged as pos-
sible, from the same bed. Having at my disposal
some capacious cellars, which formed the basement
of the original Gunnersbury House when the resi-
dence of H R.H. the Princess Amelia about a cen-
tury ago,- 1 determined to turn them to account for
Mushrooms. In these cellars I have succeeded
even beyond my expectations. As an instance I
might quote a bed which is still in bearing from
which a large quantity of first-rate Mushrooms
have been taken ; it commenced to bear at the end of
August. From this bed Mushrooms have been ob-
tained with but slight intervals until the present
time, and it bids fair to continue to the end of the
year — in all about four months from start to finish.
Seven other beds in the same cellars are now in
different stages, each one promising as well as the
first. The earliest of these will soon be started
upon. With the continuance of cold weather during
the past few weeks the temperature has receded
rather too low, now standing at 47°. This, however,
will soon rise again, as manure for another bed or
two will now be taken in, and in this way I shall
gain 4° or 5° very quickly. As long as the tem-
perature stands between 50° and 55° I do not so
much mind, but, if possible, I prefer 55° to be the
minimum ; anything between that and 00° brings
them on apace. At one time for two or three
weeks the temperature ranged between 60° and G5°,
but no harm was done to the bed in bearing. I
have no other means of keeping up the temperature
than by the manure in process of preparation for
the succeeding beds. I often wish I could fallback
upon a few hot-water pipes when we are passing
through such a spell of cold weather as the present,
18° and 19° of frost being registered. Even with
pipes I would not go beyond 55° as an average. I
have noted in these cellars when the temperature
has fallen to nearly 40° that the Mushrooms when
in the small button stage will damp off, and those
which do not do so grow very slowly. A grower (in
this locality) upon the ridge system out-of-doors
complains very much of the pernicious effects of
the proverbial London fogs. When these are con-
tinuous for several days he loses his Mushrooms
that are advancing, in spite of a thick covering of
litter. I do not suffer in this respect at all, as every
care is taken to exclude the exterior atmosphere as
much as possible.

The equable temperature which can be main-
tained in cellars is, in my opinion, of great assist-
ance in prolonging the cropping period of the beds.
What variation does take place is never a sudden
one. The atmospheric conditions of these cellars
are just suited to promote a free growth, no extreme
being possible in the way of a dry condition, nor is
there an excess, except with the lower temperature
mentioned. Scarcely ever do I see any examples
very thin in growth. During the bearing period,
from the time the first Mushrooms are no larger
than Peas, I do not cover the beds with litter. This
is put on as soon as the beds are spawned and
soiled, in order to conserve the warmth as much as
possible, generally 4 inches or 5 inches in thick-
ness. This litter is the roughest portion shaken

out from the manure, and if on the dry side I much
prefer it. This litter will serve the same purpose
again if needed. I rarely have to water the beds
artificially, a few times, perhaps, in the summer
season or when a bed has been in bearing for a
long time. In the latter case, I like to shake a
small handful of salt in the water ; after it is dis-
solved the bed is watered, but never excessively,
the temperature of the water ranging from 80° to
85°. I do not cut the Mushrooms if I can possibly
help it, preferring to twist each one out entire, only
resorting to cutting when there is a danger of dis-
turbing those of smaller size clustering around it,
and then the remaining part of the stem must be
looked after and taken away as soon as possible. I
do not like the decaying stems to be left in the
cellars ; the smell which arises from them is not
pleasant. At times some of the buttons, rarely but
a few, however, damp off mostly where there has
been an extra cluster ; these are removed at once.
These points have to be looked after more closely
than in a Mushroom house proper, although there
even the same attention would often pay.

In the preparation of the material to form the
beds I do not depend so much upon the droppings,
but prefer to have some of the short litter as well,
removing only the very longest. In the material
of the two beds which I am now making up in a
Mushroom house, I am using the manure just as I
received it. As it has nothing amongst it very long, I
think it will answer thus very well, and at the same
time go somewhat further. I see no reason why so
much separation is needed, unless there is a con-
siderable quantity of long straw amongst it. More
than once I have noted how freely Mushrooms have
come up in a frame during the latter part of the
summer, where, about May, a good quantity of
rough fermenting material had been placed and
trodden down firmly, then afterwards soiled and
planted out with Alternantheras. If they will
come up in quantity thus, why not when more
special attention is given to their culture ? At any
rate I mean to try it and see what will be the
result. I prefer to turn the manure several times
in the open in favourable weather during the spring,
summer, and early autumn, when I do not require
to raise the temperature in the cellars. In the
latter case, however, it is only turned when received
about twice to dispose of some of the rank steam,
then afterwards turned in the cellars until it is
fairly sweet and at about the right temperature
for making up. In doing this, the beds are trodden
as firmly as possible in the process of making up
and left at about 1 foot in thickness.

When the temperature of the"'manure stands at
about 85°, I spawn the bed ; if I think there is no
probability of its rising beyond that height after-
wards, the soiling is done at once, otherwise I leave
it for a few days, watching the bottom-heat ther-
mometer meanwhile. (I am no believer in test
sticks without a hotbed thermometer ; the sticks
alone are often misleading according to the tem-
perature of the hand.) The soil is laid on as equally
as possible, so as to be about 1 inch in thickness
when beaten down with the back of a spade. A
can with a fine rose attached is at hand to moisten
the soil, so as to finish off the surface smoothly.
The spawn is broken up into pieces about the size
of a small egg, and unless the manure is more than
usually charged with moisture, I always soak it for
a few minutes in water about the temperature of
the bed itself ; this I consider a decided advantage
and a gain in time also. The bed is then covered with
the litter, as previously alluded to, the glass still
being thrust in the same, so that its temperature
may be watched. I never like to see a bed fall
very rapidly ; when this is the case I add some
fresh fermenting material upon its surface to check
the fall as far as possible. This, however, rarely
happens unless the manure is on the wet side.
Occasionally a bed deceives us, after being made
up, in not rising to 85° ; with such the best way is to
add more manure to it, thoroughly mixing all
together and then re-making the bed ; the extra
labour is better than risking the loss of a crop. I
fancy that when failures occur and the spawn is
blamed, it should rather be attributed to other
causes, most of which may be guarded against.

One cause of failure, however, I do not think any-
one can be blamed for is that of manure taken
from a stable where any of the horses have been
heavily drenched with medicine. I believe this
will cause failure without one's knowledge possibly
of its application, and therefore not able to be pre-
vented. For my own part, I do not care to see a
bed after it is spawned rise far beyond 90° ; if it
does not actually destroy any of the spawn, I con-
sider it weakens it.

When the Mushrooms are inclined to come thin
in substance, I consider a slight mixture of soil
with the manure to be beneficial. I have not of
late years used any myself, but formerly used to
do so with good results. If through any circum-
stance a bed is made up rather warmer than
advisable, a little soil might be added, likewise if
the manure is on the wet side, and with plenty of
heat in it, then the soil should be as dry as possible.
At Battle Abbey, in Sussex, Mushroom culture is
carried on by Mr. Burgoine somewhat after the
same plan as my own. He showed me on one
occasion into the parts of the old abbey where he
grew them most successfully. As in my case, the
temperatures would not vary much, but I think his
places for growing them would be drier than my
own. In the same cellars I have grown both Sea-
kale and Rhubarb with very good results by using
fermenting material ; the former has been cut with-
out any difficulty at Christmas-time. For earlier
cuttings than that I prefer a place where a rather
more brisk heat can be maintained. During the
colder season I shut off about half of the cellar ac-
commodation, so that I can better keep a few
degrees more heat where I want it. In the summer
a circulation of air passes through all from end to
end. James Hudson.

Varieties of Beet.— In the notes on Beet (p. 500),
" A. D." states there are twenty aliases for the good
old Dell's Crimson, and there is ouly too much truth
in the assertion ; but when he includes Pragnell's Ex-
hibition in the list, a great mistake is made. There is
no similarity whatever between Dell's Crimscn and
Pragnell's Exhibition Beets, the latter being a much
stronger grower, with foliage nearer red than purple
in colour, while the roots are comparatively large, very
smooth and well formed, and though their appearance
does not denote it, they are of a rich crimson colour
when cut. On very poor soils Dell's Crimson is much
too small, whereas such suit Pragnell's Exhibition ad-
mirably.— W. I.

THE WEEK'S WORK.

PLANT HOUSES.
Camellias planted out. — Where there is room
to grow Camellias to a large size, there is a con-
siderable gain in planting out. Treated in this
manner, large specimens are not liable to get out of
health in the way that plants grown in pots or
tubs are sometimes affected, for the reason that
they are not so apt to get dry at the roots through
any oversight in watering. The plants when
turned out will also give a much longer succession
of bloom. There are two seasons in the year when
planting can be carefully carried out with better
results than at other times. In the summer when
growth is about completed and the buds are just
forming, and in the winter or very early in spring,
according as the plants are treated in the matter
of warmth, that induces them to begin their
growth sooner or later. Camellias make a large
amount of root growth before the shoot-buds start,
and the planting out should be done before the
young feeding fibres have made much progress.
When young they are amongst the most brittle of
all roots with which I am acquainted. The bed
should be prepared by sufficient drainage and depth
of new soil to correspond with the size of the balls
of the plants to be turned out. Turfy loam full of
vegetable matter is the most lasting. Where it
does not naturally contain enough sand to keep it
in a healthy, porous condition for a length of time
sufficient must be added. In planting out it is not
well to attempt much in the way of disentangling

604

THE GARDEN.

[Dec. 27, 1890.

the roots in the manner that can be done when
turning out things that have roots less susceptible
of injury. But where Camellias are turned out
with their balls entire, it is necessary to guard
against the danger of the water given afterwards
passing off through the new soil and leaving the
balls dry. The holes should be made deep enough
to allow of the latter being sunk deeper than the
surface of the bed, and in filling the soil round
them it should be rammed so as to make it as close
and solid as the balls themselves. The effect of
this, with their surface, as already advised, being
lower than that of the beds, is to prevent the water
passing down the outsides.

Camellias, general stock.— The practice of
twisting out the blooms of Camellias and mount-
ing them on wire in place of cutting a portion of
the wood with them tends greatly to keep the
plants in full vigour. Wherever Camellias have
got into a thin, weakened state through over-
flowering, or by gathering the flowers with too
much wood, they should be twisted out in the way
described. By putting a bit of damp Moss or
damp cotton- wool at the base of the flowers, either
of which can be held in position by the wires used
in mounting, they will last as long in bouquets or
similar arrangements as if they had a piece of the
wood attached. The whole of the collection should
be again gone over and the leaves sponged. Where
at all affected with scale, this should be closely
sought after and ic moved. By going over the
plants three or four times a year in this way they
can be kept in much better condition, with no
additional expenditure of labour than where the
insects are allowed to get numerous before being
removed.

Hard-wooded greenhouse plants. — Foggy
weather such as has prevailed during most of
December favours the growth of mildew through
the want of circulatisn of air in the houses,
consequent on their being kept closer during
the time of fogs. Thiogs like Boronias, Hedaro-
mas, Gompholobiums, Leschenaultias, and some of
the Pimeleas that are often subject to the attacks
of this parasite are always after dull showery
summers like the last in a condition that more
than ordinarily favours mildew. Enough heat
should be turned on the pipes in the mornings two
or three times a week, even when the weather is
mild, to increase the temperature in a way which,
coupled witli the opening of the ventilators, will
expel the damp air. The warmth should be turned
off sufficiently early to allow of the pipes getting
cold before nightfall. The effects of mildew may
easily be seen by some of the leaves beginning to
fall off in a comparatively green state. On the
least appearance of this, flowers of sulphur should
be at once applied. The affected plants ought to
be laid down on their sides, so as to prevent the
sulphur reaching the soil to any extent. My
own practice has been, as soon as a plant was
found to be affected with mildew, to dust it over
so that the sulphur would reach the whole of
the leaves, and after allowing it to remain on
two or three days to wash it all off thoroughly with
the syringe, being careful that none gets washed
down into the soil. Sulphur is death to the roots
of anything that it reaches.

Epacrises. — Where a good stock of the ordinary
winter-flowering kinds of these plants is grown,
they will be most useful during the next two
months, both for conservatory decoration and cut-
ting. Not only are they much more effective than
the winter- blooming Heaths from the decided
colour of their flowers, but there is the further ad-
vantage that the plants do not suffer through being
somewhat crowded with other things, or by being
kept warmer than the Heaths like. When the
flowers are used for cutting it is best to cut the
shoots down to about 3 inches of where the plants
were cut back to last year, as if the shoots are not
cut in as close as this, it will necessitate their be-
ing gone over again later on. The watering-pot
must be used with caution to Epacrises all through
the winter. I have always found the winter- bloom-
ing kinds to be more susceptible of injury than
Heaths if watered sooner than the soil had got into
the condition to require it. The late-flowering

kinds that are wanted to come in late in the spring
should have no more warmth than necessary to
keep them out of the reach of frost. They are
proof against mildew ; consequently the low tem-
perature that favours the growth of this pest does
not affect them.

Stove. — Genistas may now be put in a little
heat to bring them into flower. Plants should be
chosen that had not their shoots stopped after the
early part of summer.

ACACIA armATA. — This old kind is the best of
all the Acacias for forcing, as where the growth
has been well hardened by the plants being exposed
in the open air during the summer, they will bloom
in a small state. Another advantage is, that where
much cut bloom is wanted, all the preceding sea-
son's shoots may be removed to within a few inches
of where they spring from without the health of
the plants being injured. A medium temperature
for this and the Genistas is far better than much
heat.

New tan.— No stove where a general collection
of heat-requiring plants is grown is complete with-
out the means existing for introducing a substan-
tial bed of tan. In addition to the beneficial effect
which the vapour given off has on the growth of
the plants, it economises fire-heat by the warmth it
creates in fermenting. Where a good body of from
2.V feet to 3£ feet in thickness is brought in it will
keep up a temperature some 10° higher than that of
the atmosphere of the house for three months,
which is so much of a gain in helping the fire-heat
in cold weather. It is better to clear the whole of
the old tan out than to mix any portion of it with
the new in the manner sometimes done, as the old
is almost sure to be infested with worms, which
soon begin to increase in a way that makes them
troublesome. Where tan cannot readily be had, a
good bed of the harder-textured kinds of leaves-
Beech or Oak, the latter for preference— is the next
best substitute. Leaves do not give off the amount of
heat which tan does, but where a sufficient body
is put together they remain warm for a long time,
in addition to improving the condition of the atmo-
sphere. 1. B.

KITCHEN GARDEN.
The effect of frosts. — Long-continued and
exceptionally severe frosts are proving very de-
structive among Broccoli, Savoys, and other Cab-
bage plants, none of which were well prepared for
such severities. Instead, therefore, of there being
a great abundance of green food, as promised at
one time, there is every likelihood of a scarcity
being felt both during the winter and next spring.
To make matters worse, the hard weather ha»
driven game, pigeons, rats and mice to the gardens,
all of which prey on Brussels Sprouts and the
Broccoli especially, while Parsley, Lettuces, and
Turnip leaves also suffer from the attacks of birds.
Salsafy, Scorzonera, Spirals (Stachys tuberifera),
Artichokes, Parsnips, Turnips, and other roots will
now be more appreciated, and those who have good
stocks of these will do well to take good care of
them. Spinach, fortunately, was never more plenti-
ful at this period of the year, and apparently
escapes from dangers generally. Endive where
properly stored is also extra good, and a dish of
this, or enough to form one when cooked, might
be sent to the kitchen occasionally.

Necessity for forcing.— With a scarcity of
what are termed hardy green vegetables, there is
all the more necessity for resorting to forcing ex-
tensively. It is yet too early for much of it to be
done beyond keeping up a steady supply of Aspa-
ragus, Seakale, Chicory and Rhubarb, a few Beans
being also grown where plenty of heat and suit-
able places for forcing them thus early cm be
spared. Seakale roots not being available or
sufficiently plentiful, the blanched tops of Swede
and other large Turnips are fairly good substitutes.

I'hese can be had by occasionally placing a few

rlozen large roots in warm cellars, Mushroom | this being the prevailing complaint

stitutes for garden Turnips. They can be bought
cheaply by the bushel.

Preparing for forcing.— In the event of
frosts destroying, as they threaten to do or appear
to have done, both early and late Broccoli and, it
may be, other members of the Brassica tribe, extra
efforts ought to be made to forward Cauliflowers,
Peas, Lettuces, Carrots, Potatoes, and Radishes in
frames and pits. As before stated, it is somewhat
early to commence this kind of forcing, but if the
weather is less cold during the first week in Janu-
ary, there is no reason why the start should not be
made then. Every effort ought to be made now, or
whenever the weather is favourable, to collect all
the heating material possible, notably leaves.and
to have all prepared for the beds when required .
There is frequently a scarcity of suitable soil for
surfacing the beds when most wanted, and a heap
of this should be collected now. What is wanted
is old Cucumber and Melon soil, old soil from
Chrysanthemums and pot plants generally, old
Mushroom- bed manure, leaf soil, charred garden re-
fusa, fine loam, and anything else that will contri-
bute towards the formation of a mixture of light,
yet not too poor compost. Seeds will always ger-
minate evenly in such fine light soil ; Potatoes,
Carrots, and Radishes will turn cleanly out of it;
and if not poor it will suit most other forced vege-
tables. Rough unglazed frames are not unfrequently
of the greatest service in forwarding vegetables,
and these could be constructed when the weather
is unfavourable for other work. Home-made straw
mats are very suitable for covering either rough or
glazed frames, and these again could be made in
bad weather.

Forcing Potatoes.— Sharpe's Victor, old Ash-
leaf, Mona's Pride, and Early Eclipse are perhaps
the best for early forcing in frames or pits, neither
of them forming much haulm, while all are very
early. Failing either of these, Veitch's Improved
Ashleaf may well be grown. Most of the sets will,
provided they have been taken good care of, al-
ready have a short sprout, but if the requisite
quantity is placed thickly together, sprout end
upwards, in shallow boxes, and kept in gentle heat
for a fortnight or three weeks prior to planting in
the frames or pits, considerable progress will have
been made. Especially is it advisable to take this
precaution when the tubers for forcing have to be
bought in, these rarely having an uninjured sprout
attached.

Frosted vegetables. — Vegetables, notabl
salading, that may be stored in frames and not very
heavily covered with mats or litter or both together,
are not often affected by frosts of short duration,
however severe they may be, but when the cold is
intense for many days together, as has been
the case recently, it penetrates surprisingly. Not
much harm is done if the thaw is gradual. In-
stead, therefore, of uncovering directly there is a
change in the weather, leave everything closely
covered for one or even two days, and then gradu-
ally expose to the light and warmth of the external
air. This ensures a very slow thaw, and the pro-
bable complete recovery of the vegetables or small
plants, as the case may be. Potatoes and other
roots are sometimes caught by frosts, and the
former especially are much injured thereby— with-
out showing it, the objectionable sweetness of
frozen Potatoes first disclosing the fact that they
have been frosted. These, therefore, should be well
protected with old bags, canvas, mats, and strawy
litter, and any not so covered, and which it is
thought may have been touched by frost, ought
at once to be protected and allowed to thaw as
gradually as possible. Plunging frozen Potatoes
in tubs of cold water is said to be a good method
of preventing any ill effects from their exposure,
but of this I cannot write from experience. Whole
breadths of Broccoli will most probably have been
irrecoverably damaged by frosts. As a rule, it is
the stems that are most liable to injury, but in this
instance the hearts 1 ave been the first to collapse,
Directly mild

houses, or other well-darkened, warm spots. Field weather sets in the decay will be rapid bad smells
Turnips of different kinds are very plentiful this accompanying this. The sooner, therefore, all that
season, and Swedes especially are very good sub- ' are spoilt by frosts are forked up and wheeled away

Dec. 27, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

605

the better. In our case cartloads will have to be
taken to the nearest game preserves for the rabbits,
and thereby save many unprotected tree stems and
branches. W. I.

WORK IN PLEASURE GROUNDS.
Unlike the kitchen and hardy fruit garden, where
there is little variation in the work beyond manur-
ing, digging, and pruning, the two shortest months
of the year are often responsible for rapid changes
in the pleasure ground. The operation that calls
for most attention is a general clearing up of leaves,
but this work is often stopped by falls of snow or
sufficient ice to enable the house to be filled. It is
advisable to see to this structure, cleaning out all
straw and generally getting in readiness all appli-
ances in any way necessary to this work, that when
a spell of frost comes it can be seen to at once.
Other work that calls for attention as time may
permit will include the care for herbaceous borders,
the naturalisation of hardy bulbs, especially Daffo-
dils in odd nooks and corners, and the breaking up
and planting bare unsightly spots under trees.
More time is required for the last-named work than
would appear necessary at the outset if the trees in
question happen to be Cedars, evergreen Oaks, or,
in fact, anything that by preventing the action of
moisture on the soil renders this very dry. It can ,
however, be made workable by roughly breaking it
up and giving a soaking of water when other work
may be practically at a standstill ; indeed, the
whole of this work can be left for a spell of hard
weather, as very little frost will be experienced be-
neath dense overhanging foliage. With the advent
of milder weather the places thus prepared can be
planted with such things as the small trailing Ivy,
Periwinkle or St. John's Wort, as the fancy of the
planter may determine.

Mention is made above of the use of the Daffodil
in the pleasure ground, and if suitable spots are
selected this favourite flower will not only brighten
glades and slopes hitherto colourless, but furnish
an unlimited supply of cut bloom at a time when
this is in great request. Such sorts as pallidus
praecox, princeps, and the Scotch Garland Lily
among the trumpet section, the old double yellow
and some of the varieties of poeticus are very use-
ful for the purpose. Any herbaceous borders where
no lifting or division of plants is necessary can also
receive attention as soon as time will admit, and a
slight top-dressing of leaf-soil will not only assist
the inmates of the border, but by covering up the
fallen foliage of the current year keep the border
itself neat and tidy until the spring growth is well
advanced. Only at such times, when a thorough
revision and replanting are necessary, should any
digging be tolerated on such borders. It is a
murderous operation which cannot be too strongly
condemned. E. Buheell.

Claremont.

Trees and Shrubs.

PRUNUS SINENSIS PL. -PL.
Very few of our hardy shrubs have advanced
so rapidly in popular favour as this double-
flowered variety of the Chinese Plum, and this
is no doubt largely owing to the fact that it is
very readily forced, and in this stage is so
beautiful that there is a considerable demand
for it where forcing is extensively carried out.
Not only is it grown by our own nurserymen,
but considerable numbers are sent here from the
Continent every year, in the shape of little
bushes bristling with flower buds, and which find
a ready sale. This Chinese Plum is so generally
employed for forcing, that its merits as a hardy
shrub are apt to be overlooked, yet it will bloom
just as profusely in the open ground as under
glass, provided it does not sutler from late
spring frosts. To obviate this as far as possible
it should be planted in a somewhat sheltered
position, and I have seen it trained to a low
wall where it was very satisfactory, although for
more lofty walls the allied Prunus triloba is to

be preferred. The single form of the Chinese
Plum is said to bear fruit resembling small
Cherries, but I am not aware of its being in cul-
tivation in this country. There are, however,
two distinct forms of the double-flowered va-
riety, one in which the blooms are of the purest
white, and another in which they are flushed
with pink. These two forms are known by the
respective names of alba and rosea, though this
last is sometimes catalogued as rubra, which is
certainly a misnomer, as the blossoms are by no
means red. Where these little Plums are grown
for forcing they may, if preferred, be kept in
pots and forced year after year with satisfactory
results, provided always they are properly cared
for during the summer, or indeed from their
flowering season onwards. Thereasonof so many
failures taking place among shrubs that have
been forced is that directly the blooms are over
the plants are in many cases turned out of
doors, exposed to the cold cutting winds which
prevail about that season, and later on are fre-
quently starved for want of water. When it is

Double-flowered Clnuese P.ura (Prunus sinensis ft. -pi.).

intended to keep them in pots they should be
protected till the frosts are past, and then
plunged outside. Of course, if preferred, they
may be planted out after flowering, but I have
proved from repeated experiments that the
blossoms borne on plants established in pots
remain in perfection longer than on those which
are lifted from the open ground. Planted out as
a hardy shrub, the double Chinese Plum forms a
compact bush, with slender, rather upright
branches, clothed with somewhat pointed, ob-
long-shaped leaves of a light green colour. A
small clump of a dozen plants or so forms a
very pleasing spring feature in the garden, and
under such conditions the difference between
the white and pink varieties is more marked
than when they are forced into bloom, especially
when in the bud or but partially opened.
Nearly allied to the above Plums is another
Chinese species, viz., Prunus triloba, or Amyg-
dalopsis Lindleyi, as it was at one time called.
This, which is a larger grower than the preced-
ing, has in the spring the branches clothed for a
considerable distance with clusters of semi-

double blossoms, which when first expanded
are of a beautiful bright rose colour, but be-
come paler before they drop. This is a first-
rate subject for clothing a wall up to 8 feet or
10 feet high, as by this means the early ex-
panded blossoms are protected from the frost.

With regard to the propagation of the
above-mentioned members of the Prunus
family, it may be safely said that though they
are generally grafted, no better illustration of
the ill effects of this mode of increase is to be
found than in the case of these two Chinese
Plums, which are usually grafted or budded on
to the common Sloe, the suckers from which
are always an intolerable nuisance. This is
partially owing to the fact that the stock is far
too vigorous for the scion, and consequently
suckers and strong shoots below the point of
union are repeatedly produced, thus necessitat-
ing continued vigilance. This is not all, for
the exuberance of sap will often cause a canker
around the graft, which in time destroys it. I
have had a bush of Prunus triloba under my
observation for the last twenty years, and
during the whole of that time the removal of
suckers has been rigorously carried out, but it
is even now as necessary as ever, while the scion
itself does not make corresponding progress.
This Plum can be increased by layering, and I
have seen a modification of the same principle
successfully adopted in the case of the smaller
Prunus sinensis, which was planted deeply, so
that the buried portions of the branches produced
roots of their own, when the entire plant was
split up, as might be done with a herbaceous
subject.. When forced into bloom, the weaker
shoots produced under glass will root fairly well
if kept close in the same temperature as that
in which they have been grown. H. P.

IVIES AND THEIR USES.
The many ways of utilising the Ivy in one or more
of its forms are not nearly so much appreciated as
they should be. There is scarcely any other plant
that will thrive where the Ivy fails ; indeed, failure
cannot be attributed to the Ivy when it has half a
chance of growing. When fairly well established
in the most unfavourable soil, be it either extremely
dry or very wet, of a heavy character or light, the
Ivy will acclimatise itself to its surroundings and
grow in spite of the many drawbacks. The value
of the Irish Ivy is well known and duly appreciated,
but there are a few others which are quite as useful
in their way. One of the very best of these is
Hedera Helix dentata, a truly noble species, which
is not grown nearly so much as it should be. I find
it to be equally as free in growth as the Irish when
once fairly established, and correspondingly hardy.
Its foliage assumes very noble proportions when
thriving well ; individual leaves I have noticed
nearly 1 foot in length and broad in comparison.
A mass of several plants which were intended as a
screen to cover a roughly-made fence is now a fine
feature, being one entire sheet of beautiful foliage.
This contrasts most favourably with the Irish Ivy,
of which there is also a quantity in close proximity
to it. H. H. Rfegneriana very closely resembles the
foregoing, but of the two, so far as I have been
able to compare them, I prefer the former. Another
good point in its favour is its excellent resisting
powers against injury from fogs, especially London
fogs. H. H. digitata is one of the best of the
smaller-leaved varieties, and is excellent for cover-
ing roots or rustic work, also for a permanent
edging to large rustic baskets or vases, where its
long trailing shoots can hang down naturally and
thus be seen to good advantage. Another capital
plant for similar purposes is H. H. donerailensis,
the foliage of which assumes a bronzy colour in
winter ; it should be planted with the foregoing
variety as a contrast. H. H. lucida, with its shining
leaves, is a distinct kind and a free grower ; it can
be planted with good effect along with the small-
leaved form of H. H. marmorata. The golden varie-

606

THE GABDEN.

[Dec. 27, 1890.

gated variety of H. H. arborescens looks well when
planted as a covering to a wall or building. I no-
ticed a large specimen a few days ago, and in the
distance it looked like a plant in flower. H. H.
lobata major is a free-growing variety with deep
green leaves. H. H. variegata, where I have it
planted, is of slow growth. The soil around it is
somewhat dry, and this, no doubt, would accountfor
the deficiency in this respect. H. H. madeirensis
variegata, to which a first-class certificate was
awarded in 1 SSO by the Eoyal Horticultural Society,
is one of the best of all variegated varieties ; its
silvery margined leaves are decidedly effective. I
am under the impression that this Ivy would thrive
best in rather poor soil. Under such conditions it
would no doubt keep its very distinct character.

Ivies may be used in many ways besides the in-
evitable coverings to walls and trellises. They form
capital edgings to garden walks next to shrubs,
especially where shaded ; in such positions, for in-
stance, where Grass verges are a failure if not
annually renewed. The Ivy answers well for such
work, and saves labour not only in renewal of turf,
but also in sweeping the paths, as the birds cannot
very well scratch out the leaves when hunting for
food. Breaks of Ivy also look well in shaded places
under trees, where the turf, to keep it well, gives a
lot of trouble. It will have a tendency to take to
the stems of the nearest trees, but this need not
give any trouble if looked after occasionally. Diffe-
rent kinds of Ivies planted in masses have a good
effect. Amongst such, a relief could be given by
introducing standards of the tree varieties. For
filling bare places where small material is most
needed, cuttings of suitable kinds can be dibbled in
during the autumn. In nearly every instance these
cuttings will stand as well as plants with roots,
and probably do better, when the soil is either
shallow or only of limited extent, than rooted plants
would do. Grown in boxes and trained as screens,
Ivies form very suitable subjects for either balcony
windows or fire-places. Plants nicely furnished with
foliage, when well established in (5-inch or 8-inch
pots, are very useful in house decorations as mar-
gins to groups, if only to hide the pots of the
choicer plants. Both those grown in boxes and in
pots should be fairly well supplied with water, even
if they are located in a dark position. In a cut
state much more use, and rightly so, is made of the
Ivy than formerly. The leaves of the small bronzy-
foliaged varieties are often seen now worked up
with excellent taste, and they last well for several
days. J. H.

Cotoneaster microphylla. — We have few
really good prostrate shrubs, and none more effec-
tive and valuable than this for clothing large bare
surfaces upon banks of poor soil. Instead of plant-
ing the common Laurel and Box in such situations
and clipping them to keep them dwarf, it would
be much better to plant things of a dwarf nature
that would need no clipping, but cover the
ground in their own graceful and pretty way.
I once saw two banks entirely clothed with
this charming shrub, and the effect was strik-
ing, especially as the plants were studded with
bright red berries. It looked much more natural
growing upon these banks than trained to a wall.
Being evergreen as well as thoroughly hardy, and
most effective during the dullest months of the
year, it ought to be largely used in gardens. — H.

Cotoneaster nummularisefolia quite merits
the notice Mr. Smith gives it (p. 517). It is averyun-
cotmnon species in gardens, but a charming subject of
its class. Of really first-rate hardy prostrate shrubs
we have none too many, and the dwarf Cotoneasters are
among the best of them, especially this species, which
creeps over stone or ground, and in this last case roots
as it goes, forming a dense, thick carpet. I planted it
once upon a stony bank, and in another case at the
sides of stone steps, in each case with good effect. It
would readily lend itself to other simple and pretty asso-
ciations or combinations. — A. II.

Berber-is Wallichiana. — Although introduced
from Nepaul as far hack as 182(1, this is by no humus
a common shrub, nor is it often seen either iu gardens
or nurseries. It is exceedingly ornamental, either as
regards the foliage, flowers, or fruit, and certainly one
of the best of evergreen Barberries. The habit of

growth is very dense and bushy, the shoots are well
clothed with large deep green glossy leaves and long,
very sharp spines, whilst the flowers, which are of a
clear yellow colour, appear in spring and early summer.
They are disposed in clusters, and look very effective in
their setting of rich green leaves. The fruits, which
succeed the flowers, are about three-quarters of an inch
long and of a deep violet-purple colour. — A. H.

THE HOLLY.

The common Holly is one of the best evergreen
trees we have, and beautiful always, but parti-
cularly in winter when heavily laden with its
bright red berries. It is much more worthy of ex-
tensive planting in our gardens than the common
Laurel or Box, or the few sombre and often rusty-
looking Conifers, which so many plant to the en-
tire exclusion of finer trees and shrubs. So great
is the variety among Hollies, that even the common
kind, valuable and decorative as it is, might with
advantage be confined to the less prominent parts
of the garden or shrubbery. It is a perfect tree
for giving shelter from wind even in the most ex-
posed situations, and nothing makes a better hedge
than the Holly. Those who have seen the beautiful
natural hedges of this tree often by the roadside in
the counties of Kent, Sussex, or Surrey can testify
to their beauty and usefulness. They are perfect
wind screens, of the greatest value to cattle in the
fields. These natural Holly hedges are much
prettier than those that are clipped. It is, how-
ever, necessary to clip those that are planted in
and about gardens to keep them within limits. The
Holly hedges at Woolverstone are perfect models
of good keeping, and as good in their way as the
natural ones above referred to. For hedges then,
and broad or narrow shelter-belts, one of the very
best things is the common Holly. Often, however,
it is not planted because it is believed to be slow-
growing ; but if the ground is well prepared before-
hand this need not be. Break up the soil to a depth
of at least 2 feet, and, if it be poor, work in some
manure, and then when the Hollies are planted
they will soon take root, and make from 12 inches
to IS inches of growth each year, commencing with
the second year after planting. The lateral as well
as the upward extension is so regularly and
evenly balanced, that, if the hedge is to be
clipped, little need be done till it has attained
the desired height ; whilst, if it is to be left
undipped, neither knife nor shears need ever
be brought near it. The warmth and shelter
that our gardens might derive from this tree are
very considerable. Our shrubberies might be full
of fine Hollies, but at present in the majority of
gardens they are conspicuously lacking. I know
of nothing more beautiful for extensive planting
in large shrubberies than the magnificent and vari-
able seedling race of Hollies raised by Messrs.
Fisher and Son, of the Handsworth Nurseries, Shef-
field, by intercrossing the common Holly with other
broad-leaved kinds, which will be mentioned fur-
ther on. In this seedling race there are broad and
narrow, prickly and spineless kinds, all of them ex-
ceedingly vigorous, making from 1 foot to 3 feet
of growth annually, and bearing berries with the
greatest profusion. In some the berries are nearly
as large again as those of the common kind ; there
are yellow-berried kinds exceedingly free and hand-
some ; and still more uncommon is the orange-ber-
ried kind, in which the berries are of the most effec-
tive shade of orange. When they become better
known and their merits are fully appreciated, no
doubt some of the varieties of Arbor-vita; will have
to take a second place or go altogether. No better
improvement could be suggested or made than the
grubbing up of some of the great areas of common
Laurel that disfigure our large gardens, and plant-
ing instead breadths of -these fine Hollies.

We come now to the specimen Hollies, distinct
species or named varieties, unknown in many gar-
dens, and rarely seen outside of a few of the best
tree nurseries. A large collection of Hollies can
be grown in a comparatively confined area., as,
owing to their symmetrical habit of growth, they
can be somewhat thickly grouped, and they will
never need cutting back or trimming to keep them
within bounds. Most of them make beautiful

pyramids, feathered with branches from top to
bottom, and a tree twenty years old will perhaps
not be more than from 6 feet to 8 feet through at
the base. In these specimen Hollies the variety is
exceedingly great in both green and variegated-
leaved kinds, whilst some of the gold and silve.r-
leaved Hollies are the most ornamental and effec-
tive variegated shrubs or trees in existence. The
noblest of all the green-leaved Hollies is Ilex lati-
folia. It is a native of Japan, and consequently re-
quires one of the warmest corners of the garden.
The foliage is of a deep dark green colour, bold,
massive, and very striking, the leaves varying from
9 inches to 12 inches in length.

The Minorca Holly (I. balearica) is a very valu-
able kind, which can be specially commended to
the notice of owners of seaside gardens. It has flat
shiuing leaves and large coral-red berries, which the
birds always leave to the last, and this fact makes
it valuable for inland gardens. An interesting sec-
tion of Hollies is that in which the leaves are
spineless. They are all forms of the common Holly,
but very interesting and beautiful. One of the best
of these is I. laurifolia, which makes a handsome
specimen. The leaves are quite smooth, of a deep
dark green colour, and it fruits quite as freely as
the prickly-leaved kinds. I. Bessoni and I. Hen-
dersoni are two more spineless-leaved kinds, the
one first named having narrow light green leaves,
whilst the other has leaves which are almost as
broad as they are long.

Among the broad-leaved forms of the common
Holly, as represented by I. ovata, a rather slow-
growing kind, there are several very fine kinds, one
of the very best being I. Hodginsi. It is a beautiful
kind to form an isolated specimen upon the lawn,
as it makes a splendid pyramid, even and well
branched from top to bottom, and the shoots are
well clothed with large, broad, spiny leaves. It is
one of the most striking of green-leaved Hollies. I
Marnocki is another splendid kind. It has the
peculiar characteristic of bearing berries upon the
old wood as well as upon the young shoots of the
previous season's growth. It is by no means un-
usual with this kind to see branches thickly clothed
with clusters of berries for a length of 2 feet or
even 3 feet. The value and effectiveness of such a
kind are manifest, and every collection of Hollies
should contain one or more good specimens of it.
Other good kinds coming in with this broad-leaved
section are scotica, platyphylla, nobilis, and Shep-
herdi, all worthy of a place in a good collection.
Yet another interesting and pretty section of the
forms of the common Holly embraces those with
small leaves, which, as a rule, are smaller than
those of the type. The Myrtle-leaved Holly (I.
myrtifolia) is one of the best. It makes a beautiful
specimen, some in existence being 12 feet to 1 1
feet high. The branches, freely produced, are
slender and densely clothed with rich green leaves,
which are spiny, about 1 inch long and half an
inch broad. I. pyramidalis is a very upright grow-
ing kind, with dark green leaves, each bearing from
six to eight little spines on either side of the leaf.
I. crassifolia is very distinct, with dark green
leaves of great texture, as they are very thick, and
the spines are rigid, prominent, and in shape, size,
and regularity of disposition upon the leaf, much re-
semble the teeth of a saw. It is a rather slow growing
variety, with a dwarf and dense bushy habit. I. don-
ingtonensis is another distinct variety, freein growth,
of pyramidal habit, with long narrow leaves that
have few spines and sometimes turn, becoming
quite sickle-shaped. I. tortuosa, otherwise known
as the Screw Holly, is a curious kind. The leaves
are about 2 inches long and spirally twisted, with
irregular, but generally spineless edges. The habit
of growth is vigorous, dense, and bushy. The
Holly at all times is a formidable-looking thing, but
the Hedgehog Holly (I. ferox), in addition to the
very sharp spines upon the edges of its leaves, has
their whole upper surface covered with them also.
It is a bushy grower and of a rich deep green col-
our. All of these above enumerated are forms of
the common Holly, and though there are many
others, this selection comprises most of the best.

There are also two or three more distinct green?
leaved species that ought to be noticed. I. dipy-

Deo. 27, 1890.]

THE GARDEN.

607

rena, a native of North America, is quite as hardy
as any of our native Hollies, but quite different
and very uncommon. The leaves are of a dull,
dark green colour, smooth, long, with few spines,
and these are very small and hardly noticeable. The
habit of growth is free and good, and it will make
a handsome specimen from 12 ft. to 20 ft. in height.
I. crenata would hardly be considered or taken for
a Holly by a casual observer; but it is, nevertheless,
although a native of Japan, thoroughly hardy.
It makes a beautiful dense dwarf evergreen bush,
grows freely in heavy or light soil, and hardly
ever exceeds 18 inches or 2 feet in height. The
bush is a mass of little twigs, which are clothed
with minute leaves, whose edges are crenated, but
spineless. In addition to its freedom of growth in
all situations — for it will stand the greatest expo-
sure—it can be increased with the greatest facility.
Unlike other Hollies, which are propagated from
seed, which is a slow process, this kind strikes
freely from cuttings, which may be put in at al-
most any time of the year, although late summer
or early autumn, after the young wood has become
moderately firm, is perhaps the best time. This
kind is one of the most valuable and dwarfest
evergreen shrubs we have, ornamental in all stages
and sizes, and worthy of extensive planting in a
variety of ways. It is strange that this fine dwarf
shrub is not only absent from, but is quite unknown
in many private gardens. I. cornuta is a Chinese
kind, but a good hardy Holly. It makes a
rounded bushy specimen, has dark green leaves
of great substance, which in old plants re-
semble horns as the side spines disappear,
but three strong ones project from the end
of the leaf, the outer one being longest. I. de-
cidua must wind up the list of green-leaved kinds.
It is a native of North America, and, as the
name implies, loses its leaves in winter like
other deciduous trees. Its leaves are long, of a
deep, shining green, and spineless. It is an orna-
mental kind, and well worth growing, if only for
its curious and unique characteristic.

The variegated Hollies have no equals among
coloured-leaved evergreen trees. The variety is
almost as great as among the green-leaved kinds ;
but, as many of them are saddled with names of
great, but unnecessary length, they need not be
introduced here. The variegations take the form
of gold and silver margins and mottlings. The
colours in either case are clear, bright, effectual,
and thoroughly constant, whilst the constitution of
these sorts is vigorous and hardy. There are
golden and silver forms of the large broad-leaved,
the small-leaved, and even the hedgehog kinds,
with dwarf, bushy, and spreading, or tall and
pyramidal habits of growth. — Field.

THE EFFECT OF FOG ON PLANTS.
At the meeting of the Royal Botanic Society,
Regent's Park, on the 13th inst., Professor Bentley,
alluding to the effects of the fog on vegetation, re-
marked that this action was most felt by the tro-
pical plants in the society's houses, whose natural
habitat was one exposed to sunshine, and those
plants growing in forests and under trees, though
they do not so directly feel the want of light ; but
then a London or town fog did not only shade the
plant, but contained smoke, sulphur, and other
deleterious agents as deadly to vegetable vitality as
absence of light. Alas ! it is becoming more and
more difficult to grow many plants near to London,
especially on the west, south, and south-east sides,
and for this reason, that during the cold and frosty
periods of the year the wind is so much in the north,
north-east, and north-west, that the fog, laden with
deleterious agents so harmful to vegetation, is
driven by the wind on to the sides of the metro-
polis I have named in dense and at times almost
suffocating clouds. The Violets are the first to feel
the effects. I have a large patch of Victoria Regina,
and as soon as fog sets in the leaves turn brown
and disappear, and though the plants make a free
growth in late spring and summer I never get a
flower. The effect of '■■he fog, or fog and frost com-
bined, appears to be to dry up the floral resources
of the plants, and buds put forth appear to dry up

before they are half developed. Next to the Violets,
gold-laced Polyanthuses, double Primroses, '. 'and
Auriculas in pots suffer. The leaves turn brown,
not a brown arising from natural decay, but a brown
as if singed by fire, and my chance of keeping the
first through the winter with anything like safety
is by placing them where they can be kept as free
from fog as possible. Auriculas appear to reach
the lowest level of vegetable existence. They
become quite denuded of leaves, and those
forming the filbert centre are certain to
turn brown at the tips, and these, when
developed in spring, take on an unhealthy ap-
pearance. Hepaticas become deciduous with me,
and if by chance a few leaves remain they are
browned as 'if seared by, fire. Carnations] and
Pinks feel the effects also, and they are affected in
one of the most important parts— the points of the
shoots decay. That is a great disappointment, be-
cause it means a late bloom only from what side
shoots may be put forth. And whatever may be
said in opposition to wintering Carnations under
glass during the winter, I am' compelled fto pot off
the rooted layers in October and early in November
and winter them under glass, keeping the house as
close as possible while fog prevails. I believe as
thoroughly as anyone in the hardiness of the Car-
nation, but its hardiness, thorough as it may be, is
not proof against fog and frost in combination. It
is the union of these two which seems to accentuate
the evil, and fog-environed plants appear to have
their agonies intensified when hard frost accom-
panies it. We are just now passing through a time
of fog and frost in combination, fraught with seri-
ous consequences to vegetation. We get smoke and
fog deposits on shrub and tree to an extent that is
surprising to those who dwell undermorefavourable
conditions. Every twig is now coated with a sticky
black deposit, and to thin out a shrubbery in winter
is almost as bad as sweeping a chimney. Heavy
rains cleanse vegetation from impurities during the
spring and summer ; but then they are never absent,
and the volume is ten times more in winter than in
summer, and the deposits much denser at a time
when it is most destructive. R. D.

Orchids.

SACCOLABIUM' GUTTATUM AND
PRJ3MORSUM.

The graceful beauty of the genus Saccolabium
as seen in a state of cultivation is well known
and appreciated by all lovers of epiphytal
Orchids. The compact growth of most species
of the genus, stout, fleshy dark evergreen
leaves, curious roots clinging with tenacious
grip to the blocks and baskets on which they
are grown, and seeking no nourishment save
what is afforded them by the surrounding at-
mosphere ; their long, dense racemes of bloom,
combining such colours as waxy white, pink,
rosy purple, purple, and lilac, and yielding a
rich fragrance, point them out as some of the
choicest treasures of the Orchid world. With
regard to the two species named above, their
surroundings in a wild state in Malabar, in
South India, are much more repulsive than
otherwise. In the jungles where they grow
they are almost the only objects to be seen
calculated to attract and delight the senses.
They mostly affect the jungle and marshy banks
of sluggishly flowing rivers thick with trees of
low stature and thorny undergrowth, composed
of Solanum ferox, spiny Acacias, and other
wait-a-bit Thorns and noxious plants, where
croak innumerable frogs, speaking eloquently of
malaria, ague, and fever, and where crawls the
deadly cobra and other reptiles and insects of
strange and disgusting appearance are abun-
dant. In the midst of such surroundings, pen-
dent from the branches of trees, may be seen
the charming bloorn3 of the Saccolabium, I

spreading a fragrance around, which compels
the explorer to linger in the locality, even at
the risk of subsequent attacks of jungle fever.
This scent is so powerful that it becomes a
great factor in the discovery of the plant in the
tangled jungle by the collector. I have on
more than one occasion been attracted by it at
a considerable distance from the tree on which
the plant grew, and by its aid alone secured
the prize. The two species named at the head
of this paper have rather a wide range in
South India. I have found them in Ooorg,
Wynaad district of Malabar, and at the base
of the Nilgiri Mountains in the province of
Coimbatore. Curiously enough, the plants are
found never in groups, but singly, with long
distances between the individual plants. In
Malabar they occur on trees, as already stated,
on the banks of rivers where the climate is
extremely malarious, at an altitude ranging
from 2500 feet to 3000 feet. The plants
come into flower during September and Oc-
tober, or immediately after the south-west mon-
soon rains stop, and from that date till the first
spring showers fall in March or April these
epiphytes enjoy a complete rest. They are not,
however, exposed to an annual natural privation
so extreme as some other Orchids of the same
locality — Dendrobium album, to wit, being more
protected from the east winds that prevail for
so many months, and their habitats being sub-
ject to the influence of dense white fogs during
the night and early morning throughout nearly
the whole period of rest. These fogs doubtless
have an influence in at least keeping the leaves
from shrivelling during the period when there
is no rain. During the prevalence of the
south-west monsoon, which is equivalent to
what is called by English Orchid growers the
growing season, the temperature rarely falls
below 70°, that is when the sky is cloudy and
the rain is pouring in torrents, perhaps for three
and four weeks at a time. Of course, during
the short breaks of the monsoon, when the sun
shines out for short periods, the temperature
rises, but this rise does not, I fancy, exceed
from 5° to 6°, and this is only for very brief
periods at a time, the monsoon quickly asserting
its sway again, with a consequent lowering of
temperature ; so that these Orchids are sub-
mitted during their growing season to a con-
siderable heat, combined with drenching rain,
and almost total absence of sunshine.

During the season of rest, or from the end of
October till the end of April, the thermometer
frequently falls in the night-time and early
morning to 48° in the localities these Orchids
affect, so that their powers of resisting vicissi-
tudes of temperature are much greater than
perhaps the majority cf cultivators suspect. I
admit that this genus of Orchids cannot be
grown to perfection in this country, at least
many species of it, without a considerable
amount of artificial heat, but I consider that to
treat all the species of the genus to one and the
same degree of temperature, regardless of tlxe
nature and diversity of climate of the countries
from which they are gathered, is a great mistake.
I have seen specimens of S. guttatum and S.
prc-emorsum in large Orchid establishments and
in private gardens in a much higher temperature
all the year round than is justified by a know-
ledge of the climatic conditions under which
they are found growing in a state of nature. The
uplands of the province of Malabar, or what is
called the Wynaad district, contain three typical
climates, if I may be allowed such a term.
First, on the western side we have the heavy,
cool, evergreen forests clothing the mountain
sides, but in them this Orchid is never found.
Secondly, to the east, stretching to the Mysore

608

THE GAEDEN.

[Dec. 27, 1890.

frontier, we have an arid tract of jungle com-
posed of Bamboos and deciduous trees, and
greatly exposed to strong east winds throughout
the dry season. In this tract some Orchids are
to be found, but not a trace of the charming
plants I am writing of. Thirdly, between the
above two positions we have a sort of compro-
mise in climate in the river- bank belts of jungle
in which are mingled deciduous and evergreen
trees and thorny undergrowth, and these belts
are the homes of Saccolabium guttatum and S.
prajmorsum.

In conclusion, I have striven, however imper-
fectly, to describe the natural conditions under
which these plants are found growing, leaving
cultivators to make their own deductions from
the same. J. L.

the dorsal sepal heavily spotted and blotched, but
the pure white top is narrow. They are remarkable
for their great breadth of petal and also for the
bright brown lip. — G.

Lselia Tresederiana. —I am" in receipt of some
flowers from Mr. Williams bearing this name. He

DENDROBIUM DALHOUSIANUM.
In this plant we have one of the strongest grow-
ing plants in the whole genus, as well as one
with the largest and most beautiful flowers.
This plant was presented by Lady Dalhousie to
the Botanic Gardens in Calcutta, no mention
being made of its native country. Gibson, who
was then travelling in Khasia and Northern
India for the Duke of Devonshire, obtained it
from the Botanic Gardens in Calcutta, and intro-
duced it to Chatsworth, where I believe it first
flowered, as Paxton figured it in his Magazine
of Botany (xi., p. 145) in 1844, still without
knowing its origin. We now know, through the
importations of the Messrs. Low and Sons and

Denilrobium Dalhousianum.

says they are from Mr. Statter, Stand Hall, Man- '
Chester. They are very pretty, but they have a I
suspicious resemblance to those of L. Measuresi-
ana, figured in the " Orchid Album," t. 207 : sepals
and petals pure white, side lobes white and frilled
round the edge, middle lobe bright rosy magenta,
the central part slightly paler ; the throat streaked
with radiating lines of magenta-rose, which ex-
tends quite down to the front lobe of the lip. In
this respect it differs from the plant above named,
which has the magenta of the front lobe quite cut off
by a band of pale yellow. It is a very pretty
flower, but too close, I fear, to make a distinction.
— W. H. G.

Cypripedium insig'ne. — I am in receipt of a
letter from Mr. White, of Arddarroch, enclosing
flowers of this species from the collection of Mr.
Wilson, of Falkirk. He says they strike him as
being different from those of his plants at home.
They may be so, but I see nothing in them but good
forms of the old species. These flowers each have

are pendulous, usually bearing from six to ten
blooms. I have heard of eighteen being borne
on a spike, but this I have never seen. Ten
flowers which I have seen is a large number
when it is taken into consideration that each
bloom is 4 inches or 4^ inches across. The
flowers are thick and fleshy in texture, of a soft
creamy yellow or nankeen-yellow, suffused
with pale rose or flesh colour, and veined with
dark rose ; lip fringed and crested in the inside,
the front portion of the same colour as the
sepals and petals, but the lower part almost
covered with two large blotches or spots of
maroon-purple, which give such a massiveness
to the blooms . The flowers last over a week in
beauty from the time of opening. Some people
have had a difficulty in growing it, but I have
not found it so. I have not given it any excess
of heat, and have taken care not to syringe the
young growths, for as they hold water, this
is very apt to cause them to rot. It being an
erect, large-growing species, pot culture will be
necessary. The pot must be exceptionally well
drained and not too great a quantity of peat
and Sphagnum Moss used, this being made hard
and firm. It may be grown in the Cattleya
house. In the autumn, when growth is com-
pleted, it may be rested in a dry and cool vinery
for a month, water being withheld. During the
winter, water may be stopped entirely, but the
stems must not be dried up. This Orchid
will thrive in an ordinary stove with fine foliage
and flowering plants, and to everyone having
such I would say grow Dendrobium Dalhousi-
anum. W. H. G.

others, that the plant is widely distributed
throughout the Burmese territory. It has now
depreciated in value, and is not so frequently
met with as it used to be. It has been intro-
duced more than fifty years, and is still the
grandest and most beautiful species of the
genus, large though it has become through the
researches of numerous collectors. It usually
grows 3 feet and 4 feet in height, aud I have
seen it 5 feet and G feet high, with erect,
stout, terete pseudo-bulbs, which are regularly
streaked with purplish crimson, this feature
being quite a distinguishing character of the
plant. It blooms very freely, and, as shown in
the illustration, it will sometimes produce, for
several years in succession, spikes of bloom
from the leafless stems, and when this occurs it
is a beautiful object. The finest specimen I
have ever seen was one grown by Captain H.
Shaw, then living at Blackburn. The racemes

Dendrobium nobile. — " Orchidophilist " says
he has a plant of this species, which after growing
well and making good bulbs again began to grow,
and it has now eight new growths about 5 inches
long. He wants to know if I have ever seen two
growths in one season. I have seen this happen
where the plant did not receive its proper rest after
growth had been completed, and I suppose such
has been the case here. Of course, he had best
nurse these growths as well as he can, and when
it grows again in the summer rest the plant by re-
moving it to a cooler position, and keeping it dry
after its bulbs are made. — W. H.

Calanthe colorans. — This plant is rare, and,
what is more, I should not have thought of seeing
it in bloom at Christmas. I am in receipt, how-
ever, of a nice head of flower of it from Mr. Fraser.
It is the second time I have seen it. The flowers
are pure white, with just a tinge of yellow at the
base, the spur forked at the end. It is one of the
evergreen section, and may well be grown in a
mixed collection of stove plants. . The pots should
be well drained, the soil good light loam, leaf-mould,
peat, and sand, some nodules of charcoal being
added during the potting. The whole should be
made firm and hard. Water must be given
sparingly at this time of the year, but the plants
must never be allowed to become dry ; during the
summer season a good supply may be given. An-
grajcum Leonisand Lielia anceps Hilliana from the
same person are only ordinary forms, but valuable
at this season. — G.

Cypripedium Eism,3nnianum.— This beau-
tiful new hybrid received from Mr. Seeger, of
the Nurseries, Lordship Line, Dulwich, is a cross
between C. Boxalli and C. Harrisianum, resulting
ia a bright and pleasingly coloured flower, which,
although the first bloom from a weak plant,
measures upwards of ih inches across the petals
The foliage is deep green and faintly tessellated ;
peduncle purple, slightly hairy, one-fiowered ; dorsal
sepal soft apple green, through which run numer-
ous broad streaks of blackish-purple ; towards the
base are numerous spots of the same colour, the
whole suffused with a tinge of charming bright
rose, and a clear white border all round the sepal ;
lower sepal smaller, light green with darker veins ;
petals broad with a conspicuous mid- vein of dark

Dec. 27, 1890.]

THE GAEDEN.

609

brownish-purple, the upper half bright chestnut-
brown, becoming paler towards the base, the lower
part similar in colour, but with more green, and hav-
ing a few black spots at the base ; pouch pointed,
bright dark chestnut above, pale green beneath.
The whole flower has the freshly-varnished appear
ance peculiar to Boxalli and all its hybrids.—
W. H. G.

ORCHIDS AT BRA.MERTON, TULSE HILL.
I called in here on a very inauspicious day to see
the Orchids. The owner, Mr. Lytutwyche, I found
exceedingly enthusiastic, and really the plants
were all in excellent condition. Amongst the first
to attract my attention was the rare Dendrobium
melanopthalmum, which is a supposed natural
hybrid between D. crassinode and D. Wardianum.
The growth is very similar to that of D. Wardi-
anum, but the flower shows more resemblance to
that of D. crassinode than I have ever noted before ;
the sepals and petals are spreading, waxy-white,
tipped with mauve ; the lip has a yellow disc like
D. crassinode, with two small eye-like blotches at
the base, the front tipped with mauve. It is, I am
now inclined to think, intermediate between the
two species. There were also good forms of Cypri-
pedium Leeanum burfordense, C. Spicerianum, and
many fine forms of C. insigne. It is really as-
tonishing what a number of fine forms of this
species are springing from the last two importations
of Mr. Sander. Another remarkable Cypripedium
was a variety of Dauthieri, which certainly deserves
the name of superbum, the colours are so bright.
There were also some good forms of Lycaste Skin-
neri with many flowers, the snow-white Masde-
vallia tovarensis, the ever beautiful Maxillaria
grandiflora, and the fine Cymbidium Lowianum.
Calanthe Veitchi was just beginning to open and
will make a rich display. I observed here what I
have before alluded to in these pages, that it is the
straight bulbs that produce the richest coloured
flowers. I also observed that one plant with a
straight bulb had made its last bulb with a flask-
shaped neck. Of the flowering plants, the last I
noticed was a remarkably fine form of Oncidium
tigrinum with its large deep yellow lip, and Violet-
like fragrance, which should endear it to all. I
also noted a good stock of little plants of the rare
hybrid Dendrobium Schneiderianum and some
fine large plants of D. Ainsworthi and D. splen-
didissimum. W. H. G.

meeting of the Horticultural Society twelve years
ago, so that it is by no means a new plant. There
are numerous forms of it, the one sent being very
good, having brown sepals and petals with a nar-
row marginal border of green, a few transverse
streaks of the same colour, and a broad spreading
lip which is bilobed in front, the colour bluish-
purple. It is a cross between Z. crinitum and Z.
maxillare. — W. H. G.

Cycnoches chlorochilon (the Swan Orchid). —
" J. T." sends me a flower of this species and wishes
to know what to do with it. I imagine it is flowering
from the old bulb on one of the pieces recently
imported, or the flowers would not be now to the
fore. I should certainly cut the flowers off and
let the plant rest by putting it at the coolest end of
the Cattleya house and keeping it quite dry. In
the month of February keep a sharp look out for
the first sign of new growth ; then re-pot if it wants
it, and place it in the hottest place you have, keep-
ing it moist, with plenty of humidity in the atmo-
sphere. It is a lovely old species which has been
nearly lost to our gardens. — W.

Cattleya leaves (Querist). — Your Cattleya leaves
are smothered with thrips. You must have greatly
neglected the plants and kept them too hot and too dry.
The best plan is to keep washing them every day, and
smoking them about twice a week for the next two
months. If they are not better by that time, cut them
all off and burn them ; in fact, that is the best thing to
do with them. — G.

Cypripedium Marshallianum is a Veitehian
hybrid of great merit described by Reichenbach so long
ago as 1875. It is the result of crossing a good variety of
C . venustum with C . concolor, and, like all having con-
color for a parent, a very slow-growing plant. The
ground colour is white, passing into creamy-white,
thickly dotted and spotted all over with purple. The
end of the pouch is pale yellow, the upper part round
the mouth pale green, tinged with yellow and flushed
with purple. The foliage gives unmistakable signs of
venustum being one of the parents.

Oncidium superbiens (B. W. ilf.). — This is
the name of your flower. Now is its time of
flowering, and I have seen some nice plants of it
lately. It belongs to the same section of the
genus as macranthum, in which the main beauty is
derived from the sepals and petals. This is con-
trary to the vast majority of Oncidiums, whose
great feature is the lip. I am of opinion that the
plant is still somewhat rare, although more plentiful
than it was a few years ago. This plant, like
macranthum, requires quite cool treatment, and
may be grown along with Odontoglossums. — H. G.

Zygopetalum Clayi. — " Orchid Seedling "
sends a flower of this species from Manchester, ask-
ing what I think of it. He says it is a seedling,
but as he does not tell me what its parents were, I
guess he does not know. It was raised from seed
by Colonel Clay, of Birkenhead, and shown at a

LONDON CHRISTMAS MARKETS.

COVENT GAEDEX.

The great Christmas market day — Tuesday last —
was less busy than we have seen it in previous
years, and the cut flower trade especially showed a
marked falling off. The reason is obvious. The
past fortnight of severe weather has had its effect,
and the market was attractive chiefly for the
abundance of splendidly berried Holly, Mistletoe,
Christmas trees, and mixed Evergreens. Last year
it was otherwise ; every twig of Holly wreathed in
berries fetched unusually high prices, and many
specimens that happened to be well covered suf-
fered destruction simply for the large sums of
money offered for richly berried branches. This
year it is difficult to discover a bush that is not
strung with fruits, and hence there was not the
same price secured, the best samples fetching a
ready sale at from 20s. to 21s. per dozen bunches.
The Flower Market was un-Christmas-like. The
prices ruled fairly high, but none too high, we
should think, to recoup the growers for the expense
in securing good productions, by reason of the
severe weather. The leading things were forced
bulbs, as Van Thol Tulips in colours, Hyacinths,
Chrysanthemums, French Roses, Violets, and Nar-
cissi, but the demand for Chrysanthemums was
not keen, save for the white flowers. The varieties
were chiefly Source d'Or, one of the finest market
types in cultivation ; Yellow Ethel or Mrs. H. J.
Jones, and Princess Teck, more richly coloured
than we have seen it in previous years. The prices
varied from 2s. upwards per dozen small bunches.
Foreign Narcissi and Violets Is. to Is. 6d. per doz.
bunches, and Arum Lilies, which were very scarce, 8s.
per doz. TbeRoseswere chiefly Safrano.and realised
from Is. to Is. 6d. per dozen. There were very few Or-
chids, whilst Cinerarias and Chinese Primulas were
practically absent, and Pelargoniums were scarce ;
these averaged 3s. to 6s. per doz. Pot plants were
chiefly represented by Erica byemalis, a standard
flower both in market and private gardens at this
season ; the price varied from 12s. to 18s. per doz.
Everlasting Flowers, dried Grasses, and large
masses of Honesty were in demand.

During the past week fruit has been realising
good prices, especially American Apples, which
are usually plentiful at this season, but the present
year is an exception to the rule. The crop has
proved a failure, and barrels of good samples of
Newtown Pippin bring as much as 60s. each. The
American and Canadian Baldwins and Russets of
course fetch less, each barrel bringing in from 26s.
to 30s. The best fruit is expensive, English Rib-
stons realising about 15s. a bushel, and of Wel-
lingtons there are few. The demand for Grapes
has not been great, and English Black Hamburghs
fetch only 2s. per lb., often not more than Is. —
Gros Colman fetching the best prices, realising
about 3s. per lb. for first-rate samples. The whole
aspect of Grape culture has changed within recent
years. English produce has to compete with the

from Jersey and Guernsey are quoted at Is. 6d. per
lb., Muscats about 3s., and Gros Colman about 2s.,
the bunches coming to hand in excellent condition.
Pears from the Channel Islands realise from Is. 6d. to
6s. per dozen. Competition is likely to grow still
keener, and it is not long since Muscats at this
season could scarcely be bought under 5s. per lb.,
the best samples fetching even more. In glancing
through the fruit at Covent Garden one can see the
demand for good Apples that will come in for the
Christmas season and early in the new year. The
price of the English Ribston is evidence of this,
though of course this has been a poor year generally
for Apples and Pears, but even in good seasons the
best English Apples will even realise as much as 2d,
each.

Vegetables are plentiful, especially Savoys, which
realise from 3s. 6d. to 6s. 6d. a tally, and Cornish
Broccoli 10s. to 14s. per crate. A list of prices is
given in the advertising columns.

Gardeners' Orphan Fund. — The usual
monthly meeting of the committee took place at the
Horticultural Club on the 18th inst., Mr. William
Roupell in the chair. The minutes having been
read, the hon. secretary made a report as to the
proceedings of the recent special general meeting
of members. The balance at the bank was
stated to be £584 10s. lid. The following special
receipts were announced : Bournemouth and Dis-
trict Gardeners' Mutual Improvement Society con-
cert, £15 10s. 6d. Collecting boxes as follows:
Mr. J. Smith, Mentmore Chrysanthemum Show,
10s. ; Mr. C. Mundell, Moor Park Gardens, £1 12s. ;
Mr. Miller, Margate, 9s. Id.; Mr. Chapman, Yeo-
minster, lGs. ; Mr. Scott, Bradford, £1 2s. ; Messrs.
H. Cannell and Sons, Swanley, £1 10s. ; Mr. John-
stone, Tamworth, £1 10s.; Mr. C. Sutton, Sevenoaks,
10s. 6d. The guardians of the children recently
placed upon the fund were appointed — in all cases
the mother. A cheque was drawn for the January
quarter's allowance to the children now enjoying
the benefit of the fund — thirty-seven in all — amount-
ing to £120 5s., was drawn, and cheques for several
other accounts. A letter was read from Mr. Mit-
chell, of Kew, acknowledging the resolution of
regret at the death of Mr. Shirley Hibberd, passed
at the last meeting of the committee. A vote of
thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings.

Rats, cats, and terriers. — I was much inte-
rested lately by an article in Farm and Home on
the subject of the destruction of rats and mice. I
should like to add my own experience in the matter,
as it might be of service to others. When I came
to this property the farm and poultry buildings and
grounds were simply overrun with rats and mice.
In one night fifteen were found in the pig-wash
tub, having got in, attracted by the contents, and
were unable to get out again on account of the
slippery sides of the tub. The following night
eight were caught in the same way. This, however,
seemed to make very little difference in their num-
bers, as they were simply swarming. I then pro-
cured from a friend two kittens, the offspring of a
splendid rat-catching mother. These kittens were
brought up entirely on the farm and among the
poultry, so that they never attempt to touch either
chickens or ducklings. Their own kittens are
brought up in the same way, and have the same
good qualities. They are never allowed to enter
the house. Soon after procuring these kittens, I
had the good luck to fall in with a pure-bred and
splendid little terrier dog. If there is a rat any-
where on the premises this little dog will at once
find it out, and will not leave the spot until it has
caught and killed it. The result of all this is that the
place is now entirely free from rats, one only occa-
sionally making its appearance from a neighbouring
farm, and then it is quickly got rid of. — S. S.

BOOK RECEIVED.

" Firminger's Manual of Gardening for Bengal and
Upper India." Fourth Edition. Edited by H. St. J.
Jackson. Calcutta: Thacker, Spink and Co. Bombay:
Thacker and Co. London : W. Thacker and Co.

Clematis and Lapageria dying (Clematis).—
The cause you assign is no doubt the reason of the
Channel Isfands productions, and Black Hamburgh ! collapse of the plants.

610

THE GARDEN.

[Deo. 27, 1890.

WOODS AND FORESTS.

SEASONABLE WORK.

If not already done, no time shonld be lost in
collecting Holly, Mountain Ash, and Hawthorn
berries, as well as Ash keys, and as the seed of
these does not vegetate the first year, they
should be mixed with sand and consigned to
the " rot heap," as it is called, and occasionally .
turned over to promote the uniform decomposi-
tion of the rind. The cones of several species
of coniferous trees of recent introduction ripen
at this season, and should therefore be looked
after and collected in fine dry weather. These
should be placed in a dry loft during winter and
the seed extracted when wanted in spring.
Although the cones of the Scotch Fir and Larch
are ripe at this season, yet they had better be
left on the trees and be exposed to the influence
of frost during winter, by which means the
scales are loosened and the seed more easily
extracted. The weather in the north has been
favourable on the whole for planting, and in
the absence of frost and snow the work should
still be prosecuted. Vacant ground in the
nursery should be trenched or thrown up into
rough ridges. In cases where the soil has
become exhausted a good dressing of leaf-
mould or well-rotted manure may be applied
with advantage. Coniferse and other orna-
mental trees that are showing signs of distress

should have a top-dressing of manure spread on
the surface of the ground as far as the roots
extend. Finish the pruning of hedges, and
make up blanks where they occur, forking in
some rich manure along both sides and pulling
up all noxious weeds as the work proceeds.
Plant young hedges where necessary, choosing
good strong plants with bushy roots. Trench,
drain, and fence ground for spring planting,
and in cases where the ground is of a heavy,
stiff nature open pits and leave the material
dug out on the surface. Fell heavy timber and
have it removed during frosty weather. Cut
up wood at the saw-mill that it may be seasoned
and ready for use when wanted. Continue to
thin young plantations and have the poles
arranged into convenient lots for sale. Take
advantage of frosty weather to cart heavy
material for the repair of roads, &c. Clean out
drains and water-channels of all kinds.

J. B. Webster.

Pinus Larieio. — The timber of this Pine is known
to be of excellent quality. The rate at which the tree grows
when properly treated is equal to if not greater than
that of any other of its tribe, and, if I may be allowed
to make the suggestion, the naturally narrow spread of
its branches ought to be a material consideration in its
favour when cultivated as a forest tree ; and this cir-
cumstance alone ought to add much to its value. — S.

Elm tree stems hollow. — In case3 of full
grown Elm trees having separated into two butts, b3-
tween which a hollow is formed, and in which water
lies till it gradually soaks into the stems of the tree

and causes rot, so that in large trees the butt becomes
hollow, would it be advisable to bore a hole sloping
through the tree, so that water could not lie ? Old
trees are probably beyond saving, but perhaps some-
thing might be done in the case of younger trees. — B.

Wood for plant tubs. — Any wood may be used
for these if properly dried. When the tub is made,
warm it and brush it over thoroughly with common
solid paraffin which has been carefully melted in an
oven or over a very slow fire. This can be bought for
about 4d. per lb., and 1 lb. goes a long way. If
properly done, it soaks into the pores of the wood,
which is then practically indestructible. Common
deal treated in this way is much cheaper than Oak, and
lasts ten times as long. — Tose. Fletcher.

Forestry in Australia. — Professor Brown,
the well-known authority in Australia upon forests
and their conservation, recently published a report
drawing the attention of colonists of Western Aus-
tralia to the necessity for taking immediate steps
for the preservation and development of the natu-
ral forests of the colony. He estimates the Western
Australian forests to be of greater value than any
other in the Australian colonies, and states that,
after allowing the widest margin for over-estimate,
there is quite £100,000,000 of forest crops ready for
market. So that, apart from their minerals and the
vast agricultural and pastoral resources of this
splendid country, the West Australians have im-
i mense wealth in their great forest preserves.

"The Garden Anrruol" for 3891. — Contains
Alphabetical Lists of all Brandies of the Horticultural Trade
corricted up to November 10 last. The Lists of Gardens nnd
Country Seats (containing over 0000) hare been ve-y carefully
and exlinsivily Vivis'd, and are admitted to be the most compute
ever published. Price Is. ; by post, Is 3d.

London: 37, Southampton Street, Strand, W.C.

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